Follow us on: @TheDailyPioneer facebook.com/dailypioneer RNI No.APENG/2018/764698 Established 1864 ANALYSIS 7 MONEY 8 SPORTS 11 Published From DID ‘VACCINE MAITRI' ONGC REMOVES POWAR RETURNS AS VIJAYAWADA DELHI LUCKNOW BHOPAL RAIPUR CHANDIGARH UNFRIEND INDIANS? MARKETING MARGIN INDIA WOMEN COACH BHUBANESWAR RANCHI DEHRADUN HYDERABAD *LATE CITY VOL. 3 ISSUE 180 VIJAYAWADA, FRIDAY MAY 14, 2021; PAGES 12 `3 *Air Surcharge Extra if Applicable

CHIRANJEEVI TO STAR IN A WEB SERIES? { Page 12 } www.dailypioneer.com ESANJEEVANI SERVED OVER 50 LAKH PEAK WILL COME, VIRUS CAN AGAIN BHARAT BIOTECH’S COVAXIN APPROVED OLI REAPPOINTED NEPAL PM AS PATIENTS DURING PANDEMIC: CENTRE EMERGE, CAUTIONS CENTRE FOR PHASE 2/3 TRIALS ON CHILDREN OPPN FAILS TO MUSTER MAJORITY n around a little over a year, the Union he government Thursday said the virus ndia’s apex drug regulator has granted P Sharma Oli, in his capacity as leader of Health Ministry's telemedicine initiative may emerge again and so preparations permission for conducting the phase II/III the largest political party in Nepal's IeSanjeevani has served more than 50 Thave to be made at the national level Iclinical trial of Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin KParliament, was reappointed as lakh patients during the Covid-19 in collaboration with states, infrastru- Covid-19 vaccine in the age group of 2 to Prime Minister on Thursday after the pandemic. Patient to doctor remote cture needs to be ramped up while curbs 18 years, the Union Health Ministry said on Opposition parties, riddled by factional- consultation services were rolled out by and appropriate behaviour must be Thursday. The trial will be conducted on ism, failed to secure majority seats in the Union Health Ministry in April 2020, followed. Dismissing allegations that the 525 healthy volunteers. “The National the House to form a new government. while the OPDs (outpatient department) government was unaware of the intensity Regulator of the country, the Drugs The Office of President in a press state- in the country were closed during the first of the second wave, NITI Aayog member Controller General of India (DCGI), after ment on Thursday evening said that lockdown, the ministry said. The flagship (health) Dr VK Paul said, "We kept warning careful examination, has accepted the President Bhandari reappointed Oli as Prime National Telemedicine Service of the Union again and again from this platform that the recommendation of Subject Expert Committee (SEC) Minister in his capacity as leader of the largest Health Ministry, is operational in 31 states and UTs and daily second wave of Covid-19 will come."It was said that the sero- and accorded permission to conduct the Phase II/III clinical trial of political party in the House of Representatives as per Article 78(3) of around 40,000 patients are using this contactless and risk- positivity is 20%, 80%t of the population is still vulnerable and Covaxin (Covid vaccine) in the age group 2 to 18 years, to its the Constitution of Nepal. The President will administer the oath of free modality of healthcare services delivery. that virus has not gone anywhere. manufacturer Bharat Biotech Ltd on May 12,” the ministry said. office and secrecy to Oli at a ceremony at Shital Niwas on Friday. AP floats global tender Among 45+, every 4th person in AP, third in Telangana vaccinated NAVEENA GHANATE to buy 1cr doses of vax n HYDERABAD

SNV SUDHIR One in three people above the age n VIJAYAWADA of 45 years in TS has been vacci- nated with one dose of coron- Andhra Pradesh on Thursday joined avirus vaccine, while in Andhra the list of states to float global ten- Pradesh, one in four persons has Blast in Kadapa mine ders to procure vaccines to combat received a single dose of coron- Covid. avirus vaccine. sends shockwaves in Along with other states, Andhra Telangana has covered 37 percent YSRCP Govt Pradesh too has been facing severe of the population in this age vaccine supply shortage though the group (45+) which is above the state has infrastructure capability in national average of 32 percent. At the form of ward/village secretariats 26 percent, Andhra Pradesh has and strong volunteer network to covered relatively less than the 3 inoculate at least 6 lakh people per national average in this age group. day. As a nation, one out of three With ‘vaccine politics’ in the state people in this age group has been having taken centerstage and YSRCP inoculated using the vaccines government coming under bitter produced in the country. One- criticism from the opposition TDP, some double dose vaccine. Based on licensing authorities from where the third of people aged above 45 global tenders have been called to the bids, we will make the purchase product is being manufactured, it years have received a single dose Covishield jabs gap tide over the crisis. (of number of doses) accordingly," said. and are protected. The State government’s global ten- Singhal said. "Manufacturing units and manu- Patients aged 45 and above der is for procurement of Covid-19 In the tender notification, the AP facturers authorised agents (for account for 88 percent of Covid- vaccine from foreign producers, Medical Services and Infrastructure imported product only) are eligible related deaths. reset to 12-16 weeks sufficient to inoculate one crore peo- Development Corporation said the to participate in the tender, provid- NITI Aayog member Dr VK ple. vaccines to be supplied must be in ed they have valid license to manu- Paul said, “Our responsibility to PNS n NEW DELHI life evidences, particularly from Global firms have been given time accordance with the ICMR guidelines. facture/export the item(s) quoted, give a second dose is very pro- the UK, the COVID-19 Working till June 3 to submit their bids, The bidder having own manufac- from the Competent Authority, found and important. The Centre on Thursday Group agreed for increasing the according to Principal Secretary turing license should hold a valid Government of India. As much as 50 percent of the approved extending the gap dosing interval to 12-16 weeks (Health) Anil Kumar Singhal. WHO Good Manufacturing population in this age group who between the two doses of the between two doses of Covishield "Some could be single dose and Practice certificate issued by the 2 got the first dose have already Covishield vaccine from 6-8 vaccine. No change in interval of received their second dose and the weeks to 12-16 weeks following Covaxin vaccine doses was rec- ‘Fight among states remaining are due to get it. a recommendation from a gov- ommended," the ministry said. for vax portrays bad PAGE 2: Jagan lobs vaccine ball in Centre’s court We need to try more from the ernment panel, the Union health The present gap between two image of country’ supply side, given awareness, and ministry said. doses of Covishield, manufac- demand side”. However, the National tured by the Serum Institute of Andhra Pradesh has given a Technical Advisory Group on India, is 6-8 weeks. second dose to 70 percent of eli- Immunisation (NTAGI) has sug- The Central government's CM orders 300 gible people in this age group and gested no change for the dosage move comes amid several states Centre ‘hopeful’ of it is way above the national aver- interval for Covaxin, the ministry reporting shortage of vaccines. 5 MT permanent age of 50 percent. said. 2 2 "Based on the available real- Sputnik availability O2 plant for AP PNS n NEW DELHI "I'm happy to say that we are PNS n VIJAYAWADA hopeful that it will be available in Notification issued Russian vaccine Sputnik V is like- the market next week. We are Chief Minister YS ly to be available in market from hopeful that the sale of the limit- Jaganmohan Reddy on EC defers Council polls for Budget session next week, the Centre said today ed supply that has come from there Thursday instructed officials as the vaccine shortage in various (Russia), will begin next week," to focus on setting up a ded- from May 20 states deepened and restrictions said Dr VK Paul, chairman of the icated oxygen plant with at for 9 seats in AP, TS were brought in for vaccination. National Expert Committee on least 300 metric tonne (MT) PNS n VIJAYAWADA Several states including Vaccine Administration. capacity either in PNS n NEW DELHI seats of retiring members are to be Maharashtra, are floating global Krishnapatnam or Kadapa, as filled before their six-year term Governor Biswabhusan tenders for vaccine supply. 2 the current consumption has The Election Commission on ends by holding biennial polls. Harichandan on Thursday issued already exceeded 600 MT per Thursday deferred Legislative "The commission has reviewed the notification summoning both day and it would help avoid Council polls for nine seats in the matter today (Thursday) and Houses of the AP Legislature to oxygen shortage in the future. Andhra Pradesh and Telangana has decided that due to outbreak meet on May 20 at 9 am for The Chief Minister chaired due to the Covid-19 second wave. of the second wave of Covid-19 in Budget sessions. FB to roll out cam- a review meeting on the pre- The term of three Members of the country, it would not be appro- While the Budget session was vailing Covid situation, oxy- the Andhra Pradesh Legislative priate to hold biennial election to originally supposed to be held in paign to fight gen supply and vaccination, Council and six Members of the the Legislative Councils of Andhra the month of March it was Corona-related... during which he directed the Telangana Legislative Council, Pradesh and Telangana respective- deferred due to elections to officials to set up an oxygen elected by Members of their ly till the pandemic situation sig- municipalities and municipal cor- plant and take up the works respective Legislative Assemblies nificantly improves and condi- porations, followed by by-election on a war footing keeping the (MLAs), are expiring on May 31 tions become conducive to hold to Tirupati Lok Sabha seat. Later, increasing requirements in and June 3, respectively, the these biennial elections," the poll due to Covid-19 second wave, the 8 view. Election Commission said in a panel said. session was postponed. 2 statement. It said as per electoral law, the 2 2 TODAY ALMANAC ‘I was a journalist too’: CJI on SC live telecast HC criticises ‘irritating’ Month & Paksham: Vaishakha & Shukla Paksha PNS n NEW DELHI ject to some flaws in the early days Panchangam of its use. Chief Justice of India NV Ramana "Small issues are bound to arise, dialer tune pushing jabs Tithi : Tritiya: Full Night today said he was actively consid- which should not be unnecessari- Nakshatram : Mrigashirsha: Full Night ering the proposal to live telecast ly magnified. I request everyone to PNS n NEW DELHI Time to Avoid : (Bad time to start the proceedings of the Supreme be patient, to be encouraging and any important work) Court. supportive to the technical team to The dialer tune message of the Rahukalam : 10:36 am – 12:12 pm The CJI, however, said before ini- ensure that the application works Centre asking people to get vacci- Yamagandam : 03:24 pm – 05:00 pm tiating concrete steps in this regard, without any problems. I hope that nated was criticised by the Delhi he would seek general consensus everyone gives the system the req- High Court which on Thursday Varjyam : 12:01 pm – 01:49 pm among his colleagues in the uisite time to evolve and expand." said the "irritating" message was Gulika : 07:24 am - 09:00 am Supreme Court. "Additionally, I would like to also being played for "we don't know Good Time : (to start any important work) Justice Ramana was speaking at highlight another feature we are how long" asking people to get the the launch of application for grant- introducing today on the official jab when there was not enough Amritakalam :10:47 pm – 12:35 am ing access of virtual proceedings of website and mobile application of vaccine. Abhijit Muhurtham : 11:46 am – 12:38 pm the Supreme Court to media per- the Supreme Court. This new fea- "You have been playing that one vaccination. What is the point of sons. ture, called Indicative Notes is irritating message on the phone the message," a bench of Justices VIJAYAWADA Recalling his days as a journal- aimed at providing concise sum- whenever one makes a call, for we Vipin Sanghi and Rekha Palli said. WEATHER ist, the Chief Justice of India said maries of landmark judgments in do not know how long, that you "You should give it to everyone. an easy-to-understand format. This Forecast: media faces great challenges in (people) should have the vaccina- Even if you are going to take Mostly sunny reporting and came to know that will serve as a useful resource for tion, when you (Centre) don't money, give it. That is what even Temp: 38 Humidity: 57% journalists were depending on "I was a journalist for a brief Urging the media to use the media persons and the general pub- have enough vaccine. children are saying," the bench said Sunrise: 05:44 am advocates to get links to cover court time. That time we did not have car resources (app) responsibly and fol- lic who wish to be better informed "You are not vaccinating people, and added that the government Sunset: 06:40 pm proceedings. or bikes. We used to travel on bus low all Covid protocols, the Chief about the rulings of the Court," he but you still say that vaccination needs to be "innovative" in such Thus there was request to create as we were directed not to avail Justice of India said technology, said. lagavaiye (get vaccinated). Kaun things. Current Weather Conditions a mechanism so that press could conveyance of organisers of the particularly one that is newly devel- lagayega vaccination (who will Updated may 13, 2021 5:00 PM attend the hearings, he said. event," he said. oped, is sensitive and might be sub- 2 get vaccinated), when there is no 2 VIJAYAWADA | FRIDAY | MAY 14, 2021 vijayawada 02 HC criticises ‘irritating’... Jagan lobs vax production 22,399 infections take active Continued from Page 1 cases over 2 lakh mark in AP The court said that the gov- ernment should prepare ball in Central Govt court PNS n VIJAYAWADA more such messages instead of preparing just one and For the first time, the number running it always. n Come out with alternatives to increase vaccine production: CM of active coronavirus cases "Till like a tape it stops run- crossed the two-lakh mark in ning or starts skipping, you PNS n VIJAYAWADA crore doses would be required Andhra Pradesh, touching will run it for 10 years," it to cover all those above 18 2,01,042, as the state added said. Two days after he wrote to years, but the Centre has given 22,399 fresh positives in 24 The bench said the govern- Prime Minister Narendra only 73 lakh doses till date. hours ending 9 am on ment, state or Centre, have to Modi requesting him to direct With regards to vaccine Thursday. react to the situation on the Bharat Biotech to transfer production, the Chief Minister The latest bulletin said ground. technology to make Covaxin, said that currently only two 18,638 Covid-19 patients had "So please have more of Chief Minister YS companies are manufacturing recovered and 89 others suc- them (dialer messages). Jaganmohan Reddy on vaccines across the country at cumbed in a day. When a person hears a differ- Thursday asserted that the the rate of just seven crore The state Covid-19 chart ent one every time, maybe it Centre has to come out with doses per month. While now showed 13,66,785 total will help him/her," the court alternatives to increase vaccine Bharat Biotech is producing positives, 11,56,666 recover- said. production in order to fill the one lakh doses, Serum ies and 9,077 deaths. It also suggested using TV gaps in vaccination drives. Institute of India is making six In 24 hours, East Godavari between 1,400 and 1,600 new nine each, Krishna and anchors or producers to cre- Jagan reiterated that vacci- lakh doses per month. district reported the highest cases each and another three Prakasam eight each, ate programmes, on making nation was the only way to "In the current scenario, of 172 crore doses would be He said that with this situ- 3,372, Chittoor 2,646, Guntur added less than 1,000 each. Srikakulam seven, Guntur people aware about use of defeat the pandemic. based on the calculation that required to vaccinate all adults ation, the fight against Covid 2,141, Anantapur 2,080 and Visakhapatnam and six, SPS Nellore five, Kadapa, oxygen concentrators and Speaking after releasing the they are about 26 crore peo- across the country, but so far would get rather difficult. Visakhapatnam 2,064 new Vizianagaram districts saw Kurnool and West Godavari cylinders or on vaccination, first tranche of YSR Rythu ple over the age of 45 in the only about 18 crore doses The Chief Minister urged cases. 11 fresh fatalities each, four each and Anantapur of short durations which can Bharosa here on Thursday, the country, we would need a have been administered, the public to take appropriate Five districts reported Chittoor and East Godavari three in 24 hours. be aired on all channels. Chief Minister said that the total of at least 52 crore doses. which is less than 10 percent precautions by wearing masks, It also said that celebs like Central Government has to Similarly, if there are 60 crore of the actual requirement," he maintaining social distance, Amitabh Bachchan can be take steps to increase vaccine people between the ages of 18 said. washing hands often as living asked to chip in and that all production to meet the exist- and 45, they would require Jagan said that in Andhra with Covid would be part of EC defers this "needs to be done soon". ing demand. 120 crore doses. Thus, a total Pradesh alone, over seven everyone's lives. Council polls Centre ‘hopeful’ for 9 seats in of Sputnik... Among 45+, every AP, TS CM orders 300 MT... Continued from Page 1 quality of data from which Continued from Page 1 hospitals. They said that policies tals for immediate medical Continued from Page 1 conclusions were drawn. for constructing 125 kilo litres help. These tents can accom- Union Minister Anurag The Russian scientists have The officials informed the mega storage tank are being modate 25-50 beds, based on 4th person in AP... The Election Commission Thakur tweeted on Sunday stressed their data meets Chief Minister that the oxygen finalised, which will be installed the available area. said it will take a decision in that 1.5 lakh doses of Sputnik "clear and transparent stan- allocations from the Centre has at the proposed Oxygen The authorities informed the Continued from Page 1 G Srinivasa Rao said, “In the matter at an "appropriate V "have already reached India dards... considered sufficient increased to 590 MT from 360 Manufacturing Plant, besides Chief Minister that there are Telangana has given a second Telangana, vaccination is time in the future" after tak- and RDIF has also tied up for regulatory review and MT, but consumption has establishing 53 PSA oxygen 47,693 beds in 669 Covid hos- dose to 60 percent of the 45+ being done only for 45 years ing inputs from the states with local Indian companies approvals". reached over 600 MT. To over- plants across the State and lay- pitals, of which 39,749 are age group. above and second dose is concerned and assessing the for bulk production". Vaccination has been come the deficit, eight cryo- ing 6,500 new medical and gas occupied. They said that 26,030 “We request people to being given. At least 15 lakh pandemic situation from Dr Paul added that further stopped in parts of the coun- genic storage tanks were sent pipelines. people are being treated under seek a second dose and state people need to be given a mandated bodies such as the supply will follow and the try as states try to balance the to different districts, they said. Further, the authorities said Arogyasri Scheme. There are governments to focus specif- second dose by May 31. So, national and state disaster production of the vaccine slender supplies with a huge The Chief Minister said that that the number of oxygen 6,513 ICU beds, 23,357 non- ically on the second dose so till May 31 only a second management authorities. will begin in July. "It is esti- demand. In several states all measures should be taken to tankers were increased to 78 ICU oxygen beds and 17,823 the course is completed,” he dose will be given. People mated that 15.6 crore doses including Maharashtra and ensure that oxygen reaches from the existing 56 and also 14 non-ICU oxygen beds with a said. need not do online registra- will be manufactured in that Karnataka, vaccination for hospitals with proper pres- other vehicles have been total of 3460 ventilators. In Andhra Pradesh, 73.73 tion, but can walk into cen- period," he said. 18-44-year-olds have been sure. He asked the officials to arranged to refill and deliver the As far as availability of essen- lakh doses were given, rep- tres and get inoculated”. A group of scientists from stopped to accommodate peo- use the support from Navy and tanker as soon as it arrived. tials are concerned, there are resenting 4.61 percent of Minister KT Rama Rao the United States, the ple over the age of 45 years, other technical personnel. As of now, 36 vehicles are 6,42,911 N95 masks and the share of doses given has said that Telangana is Netherlands, Italy, France and who need a second dose. The authorities stated that the being used to transport 210 met- 7,18,086 PPE kits and 3,826 sur- across the country. performing better in terms Russia, meanwhile, flagged Earlier today, the govern- Navy has been inspecting the ric tonnes of oxygen per day gical masks across the State. In Telangana, 54.3 lakh of national average in vacci- concerns over the results of ment cleared a 12 to 16 week pipelines in the hospital and from various factories in Odisha, With regard to recruitment, doses were administered nation and also better than phase 3 studies - specifically gap between two doses of making necessary changes, as where four vehicles are being air- a total of 17,901 posts were across all the groups. other states. But the chal- data discrepancies, trial pro- Covishield from the existing well as improving the pipeline lifted daily from Vijayawada to filled, including technicians, Director of Public Health lenge is vaccine availability. tocols, and the accuracy and six to eight weeks. system. Bhubaneswar by Air Force air- data entry operators, MNOs The Chief Minister asked craft, they said. and FNOs, officials said. officials to arrange 15,000 oxy- Officials said that two ISO Similarly, with regards to gen concentrators, 10,000 D- tankers are coming to the state vaccination, the authorities type cylinders in all Covid hos- after filling them with oxygen in have informed that so far Covishield jabs gap Revanth alleges corruption pitals and provide more infra- Durgapur and another 25 75,49,960 Covid vaccine doses structure facilities to patients. tankers are due by the middle have been received from the The officials said that an of June. Centre to the State, where additional 250 ventilators were The officials said that 62,60,400, were of Covishield reset to 12-16... in purchase of Corona kits being installed, of which 50 German Hanger tents are being and 12,89,560 are Covaxin had already been supplied to the set up in predetermined hospi- doses. Continued from Page 1 K VENKATESHWARLU sion to other companies, Why the government is n HYDERABAD however, there was a need to not pulling up the Centre Several states and UTs ask the State government as regarding the vaccine quota? including Delhi, Corruption worth crores of to why it was inviting global Why is the State government Transform AIIMS Maharashtra, Karnataka rupees took place while pur- tenders at this juncture, he obstructing the setting up of Notification issued for... and Telangana have decid- chasing Corona kits during the said. an oxygen plant at Malkajgiri into Covid centre, ed to opt for global tenders first wave of the pandemic, Speaking to the media at hospital, he questioned. Continued from Page 1 for procurement of anti- alleged TPCC working presi- his residence on Thursday, He asked whether the demands CPM coronavirus shots with the dent and Malkajgiri MP A along with TPCC Vice- State government had set up Earlier, the Jaganmohan domestic supply falling Revanth Reddy. President Mallu Ravi, a single oxygen plant in the Reddy government got the PNS n HYDERABAD short to meet the rising He also alleged that the Revanth Reddy said that the state sanctioned by the Centre vote-on-account budget for a demand. government suppressed the Centre was not planning in through PM Care Funds, he period of three months that CPM state secretary This is the second time vigilance report on corruption terms of providing vaccines to asked. was passed through the pro- Tammineni Veerabhadram in the past few months that took place in the name of all. Alleging that the Centre He alleged that the govern- mulgation of an ordinance, in demanded that the Union that the interval between purchasing medical kits. The was collecting 12 per cent ment didn’t learn a lesson order to draw funds from the Minister of State for Home the two doses of Covishield the INCLEN Trust. State and Central governments GST on the goods used for from the first Corona wave. Consolidated Fund for day-to- Affairs G Kishan Reddy has been increased. In Its members include Dr are unprepared to face the Corona treatment, he Still, daily wage laborers, auto day expenses. accord permission to the March, the Union health Rakesh Agarwal, Director second wave of Corona and demanded that the Centre drivers were facing troubles The Business Advisory Motion of Thanks to the State government to utilise ministry had asked states and Dean, GIPMER, they are also not accepting the abolish the GST immediate- with the sudden announce- Committee will decide as to Governor’s address. the Bibinagar AIIMS for and UTs to increase the gap Puducherry; Dr suggestions and advice of the ly. ment of lockdown as they how many days the session has The Assembly would also Corona patients. from 28 days to 6-8 weeks. Gagandeep Kang, profes- opposition parties, he lament- Finding fault with the gov- didn’t have employment. He to be held. In all probability, it pay tributes to the deceased He said that Kishan Reddy "The recommendation of sor, Christian Medical ed. ernment for not appointing a demanded that the state gov- will be a short session aimed MLA from Badwel M Venkata has to initiate steps to com- the COVID-19 Working College, Vellore; Dr There was a scope for thou- single officer to lead the fight ernment announced Rs.5000 at getting the approval for the Subbaiah and MLC Challa plete the oxygen plant with- Group was accepted by the Naveen Khanna, Group sands of crores of rupees being against Corona in the Task financial help to the daily ordinance and passing the Ramakrishna Reddy. in 15 days on a war-footing National Expert Group on Leader, International bungled in the name of pur- Force Committee, Revanth wage workers, auto drivers regular Budget. The following day, State and initiate alternative steps Vaccine Administration for Centre For Genetic chase of medicine and vac- Reddy said that officers are and taxi drivers as the Delhi On the first day, there would Finance Minister Buggana to provide oxygen till the oxy- COVID-19 (NEGVAC), Engineering And cines, he said. The government being appointed by the gov- government did. be a mandatory joint session Rajendranath Reddy will pre- gen plant comes into effect. headed by Dr V K Paul, Biotechnology (ICGEB), was trying to help KTR’s pet ernment had not waged a war He found fault with Chief of the state Legislative sent the Budget in the House He addressed a letter to Member (Health), Niti JNU, New Delhi; Dr companies to loot crores of on Corona. Minister K Chandrasekhar Assembly and Council which and there will be a discussion Kishan Reddy in this regard Aayog, in its meeting on Amulya Panda, Director, rupees in the guise of global He alleged that the Centre Rao for not stating that as would be addressed by on it for a couple of days. The on Thursday. He said that the May 12, 2021," the ministry National Institute of tenders. did not allocate deserved Bharath Biotech is being a Governor Biswabhusan government is expected to get AIIMS has buildings and said. Immunology, New Delhi; The Centre had made it funds and medicines for the city-based company, it would Harichandan. a few Bills passed in the enough doctors and staff to The COVID-19 Working and Dr V G Somani, Drugs clear that only two companies State government as it has provide vaccines to other The following day, there House, apart from adopting provide treatment to Covid Group is chaired by Dr N Controller General of India were producing Corona vac- shown a lesser number of states only after fulfilling the would be a discussion on the the Budget, sources said. patients. K Arora, who is director at (DCGI). cine and there was no permis- Corona cases. needs of Telangana.

VIJAYAWADA BULLION RATES AP floats global tender to buy 1cr doses of vax... ‘I was a journalist... GOLD ` Rs.48, 570(10 gm) Continued from Page 1 The vaccine doses should The supply period for com- government health facilities norms from the manufac- Continued from Page 1 Supreme Court Registry was ` 200 be delivered within six pletion of 25 lakh vaccina- of AP to ensure availability of turing unit to the respective reported COVID positive on DCGI approval for supply of months from the day the tions is 30 days. However, medicines free of cost. warehouse of the With regard to granting accred- April 27 2020. Till date, approx- SILVER the vaccines in Indian terri- company gets statutory beyond 30 days supplies can APMSIDC said that the Corporation/facilities as itation to media persons, Justice imately 800 Registry staff have ` 76, 000 (1kg) tory must also be submitted," approvals from the be accepted with 0.2 percent vaccines to be supplied must mentioned in purchase order Ramana said he has given direc- tested positive. Six of our ` 100 the notification said. Government of India and liquidated damages charge be as per the guidelines by complying cold chain tions to further rationalise the Registrars and 10 Additional A GMP inspection certifi- the Letter of Intent (LoI) is per day on the value of the issued by Indian Council for norms. The bidders to whom policy and he was contemplat- Registrars have tested positive cate, in line with the WHO signed. monthly goods supplied with Medical Research (ICMR) LOI has been placed for the ing to appoint a senior officer to at different times. CHICKEN certification scheme on phar- The procurement of Covid delay,” said a senior APM- besides having DCGI supply of vaccine requiring be a single point of contact Unfortunately, we lost three of RATES `/KG maceuticals moving in inter- vaccine under the tender will SIDC official. approval for supply of the special cold storage condi- between the Supreme Court our officials to Covid." national commerce, from the be sourced from the funds of The bidders can quote vaccines in Indian Territory tions shall, at the time of sub- and the media. "So far as the Indian judicia- Dressed/With Skin `170 regulatory authority (RA) in the state budget. The e-bids their offers to supply the with import licenses. mission of agreement, submit He thanked the Supreme ry is concerned, as per the data Without Skin `193 the country of manufacture will be opened on June 3. vaccine in parts also, provid- As per the tender docu- notary attested Documents to Court Registry, and the entire available, 2768 judicial officers Broiler at Farm `117 of the goods or certified by “APMSIDC requires on ed that total persons who ment it is mandatory for prove that they are having technical team, for all their and 106 Judges of the High the competent authority of a average at least 25 lakhs (2.5 should be vaccinated shall manufacturers to arrange for own cold chain transporting efforts in developing this appli- Court have tested positive. We member country of the million) persons to be vacci- not be less than 25 lakh per cold storage facilities. system or copy of the con- cation and instituting the are yet to receive the data from EGG Pharmaceuticals Inspection nated every month. The sup- month. “Total supply of 10 “Those bidders offering tract agreement made with a Indicative Notes feature in such two major High Courts. 34 RATES `/100 Convention (PIC) should be plies must be initiated with- million doses shall be com- the items requiring special transporting agent having a short time. Judicial Officers and three produced. in three days after completion pleted within six months cold storage condition should facilities to transport the vac- Justice Ramana said this Hon'ble Judges of the High VIJAYAWADA 461 The bidder should also of statutory approvals from from the issuance of LoI,” the either have their own cold cine under cold chain norms pandemic has affected everyone Court have lost their life, bat- HYDERABAD 456 have a valid Certificate of the government of India. senior official added. chain transporting system or from the manufacturing unit and shared that as per the data tling this pandemic. My heart Pharmaceutical Product However, maximum time APMSIDC is responsible should have proper contract to the respective warehouse available, 2768 judicial officers goes out to the families and the VISAKHAPATNAM 355 (COPP), as recommended allowed for getting the statu- for procurement and supply with a transporting agent of the corporation / facilities,” and 106 Judges of the High loved ones of those whose life RETAIL PRICE `4.22 by the WHO, for each prod- tory approvals is initial two of all essential medicines and having facilities to transport said the APMSIDC tender Court have tested positive. has been cut short by this pan- (IN VIJAYAWADA) uct offered, it added. months from the day of LoI. surgical consumables to the the drugs under cold chain document. "The first employee of the demic," he said.

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Printed and published by B Krishna Prasad for and on behalf of CMYK Printech Ltd., Printed at Sree Seshasai Enterprises, D.No. New 3-88, Old 3-22, Chandra Theatre, Gosala, Penamaluru Mandal, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh - 521 151, Resident Editor: B Krishna Prasad, AIR SURCHARGE of Rs 2.00. VIJAYAWADA | FRIDAY | MAY 14, 2021 vijayawada 03 CM failed to control Covid BLAST IN KADAPA MINE SENDS cases, PCC chief tells NHRC PNS n VIJAYAWADA

SHOCKWAVES IN YSRCP GOVT APCC president Sake Sailajanath on Thursday TDP seizes upon tragedy, alleges dubious links between Govt, leaseholders approached NHRC seeking directions to AP Police to reg- PNS n KADAPA ister a case against Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan The YS Jaganmohan Reddy Reddy, Chief Secretary Government has been rocked Aditynath Das and state Health by a blast from literally out of TDP poses questions Secretary Anil Kumar Singhal the blue after an explosion at for the deaths caused due to a barytes stone mine in lack of oxygen at hospitals Kadapa district left 11 people over blast, no arrests across the state treating Covid and more than 10 lakh have He said that the fundamen- dead. patients. been infected. It is a bounden tal right is in danger “in the The blast has literally blown Kadapa : TDP MLC B Tech Ravi alleged that the Sailajanath also sought duty of the State and Central hands of the inactive the lid off governance in the Jaganmohan Reddy government was doing its best direction from NHRC to the governments to control the Government of AP”. district, with allegations, fin- to dilute the case by not arresting Kasturbai, wife state government to pay com- virus by making all possible “In fact the AP Government ger pointing and accusations of YSRCP MLA C Ramachandraiah, the original pensation of Rs 25 lakh to the efforts,” Sailajanath’s complaint totally failed to plan ahead for flowing thick and fast, since it lessee, but instead is filing cases against the duo who family of each Covid victimg said. the second wave. The occurred in Mamillapalli vil- had taken the mine on sublease. who died due to non-supply, “But Government of AP did Government never conducted lage in Chief Minister YS "To that extent, there was pressure on the author- low preserve or lack of oxygen. not cope with the situation and any meeting with the officials Jaganmohan Reddy's home ities from the CMO. The arrest of YS Pratap In his complaint to the has utterly failed in discharg- or political parties in respect of district Kadapa. Reddy, the elder brother of father of Kadapa MP NHRC, Sailajanath said the sit- ing its duties to save the lives the second wave and to contain The fact that no action has October 18, 2019 and August Pulivendula to Kalasapadu. Avinash Reddy, was an example of the involvement uation was very critical in of Covid patients. It is a fun- the infection. This shows the been taken against the fami- 25, 2020, mining officials The Kadapa district SP him- of the YS family in this whole affair. Why was no Andhra Pradesh. damental right guaranteed by negligence on the life of the ly of YSRCP MLC C. raided the quarry. On self said that those explo- one from the family of YSRCP MLC C. “So far more than 10,000 the Constitution,” the APCC human beings by the AP Ramachandraiah, the original September 26, 2020 they sives had been covered by the Ramachandraiah, the original leaseholder, not people have died due to Covid chief said. Government,” Sailajanath said. lessee of the mine, has given issued a notice terminating licence of YS Pratap Reddy. arrested? Who has been tying the hands of the offi- the Opposition enough the mining lease for non- cers for that?” asked B. Tech Ravi. ammunition to attack the compliance with the provi- Doubts are being raised YSRCP government with. sions. about the role of the Kadapa He also raised some points to bolster his allegations:- Naturally, the TDP has Cited among the provi- district mining authorities in 50 employees gone to town with its allega- sions that were not complied the entire affair. After the YSRCP MLC C. Ramachandraiah's wife tions, demanding the arrest of with was the pending Rs 46 blast, not a single mining Kasturibai is also signatory to the GPA but why of Bharat YS Pratap Reddy, who is relat- lakh royalty. Also, there is still official responded to phone is only Nageshwar Reddy being targeted as his ed to YS Jaganmohan Reddy. no clarity on who is to pay this calls despite repeated attempts name too figures in the agreement ? Biotech test TDP MLC “B.Tech Ravi”, Rs 46 lakh. by the media for details. The Does the Department of Mining have details who also hails from Kadapa Nageshwar Reddy, the man reason put forth was that no of the gelatin sticks supplied by YS Pratap Covid +ve district, has been most active who had taken the sublease, one is coming to work Reddy? in his allegations, so much so had been jailed under the PD because of Covid. Not surpris- Material worth how many crores has been PNS n HYDERABAD that the government has gone Act in red sanders smuggling ingly, the Mining Department moved from the mine so far? Does the lease on the defensive. cases in the past. has not yet commented on the holder have permission? Bharat Biotech's Joint Ravi has alleged that “He is known to be street lease. If the original mining lease expired on Managing Director barytes worth crores of rupees smart, and aware of the goings The TDP claims that its September 26, 2020, why was digging contin- Suchitra Ella's tweet saying were unearthed from the on. It is this street smartness attempts to get some pertinent uing till the day of the explosion? 50 of their employees test- mine even after the permits that is creating doubts. How questions answered have been If the material continued to be moved even ed positive for COVID were revoked. can Nageshwar Reddy, despite futile. after the lease was terminated, why did the dis- received bouquets and Opposition parties have being aware that the compa- Among the questions is trict mining authorities not take action? Cancel Class X brickbats from netizens been accusing the Chief ny he planned to sub-lease whether notice has been Why did the mining authorities not stop the with some saying Covaxin Minister of shielding his party owed the government Rs 46 issued to C. Kasturibai, the excavation in the quarry when the royalty was was saving lives while a few senior leader, though he paid lakh, in addition to having original lessee? If yes, what not being paid to the government? questioned as to why the Rs 10 lakh as ex gratia to the received three notices, go was her reply? Why have the district mining department offi- exams: Lokesh staff were not vaccinated. kin of the victims. ahead with his plans?” asked The Opposition parties say cials not come before the media to announce PNS n VIJAYAWADA Pointing to the decisions Referring to comments The fact is that the a TDP leader. that the deafening silence by the facts so far after the incident? taken by other States, Lokesh by some political bosses Mamillapalli mining lease is There are also allegations the mining department offi- Why has the MLC not denied the allegations TDP national general secretary urged the AP Government to over Covaxin supply issues, in the name of Kasturibai, against YS Pratap Reddy, who cials is an indicator that they that the value of the moved material was over and MLC Nara Lokesh on follow their example and give Ella on Wednesday tweet- wife of MLC C. supplied the gelatin sticks. are under intense pressure to Rs 100 crore? Thursday wrote a letter to pass certificates to all the Class ed "Quite disheartening to Ramachandraiah, from 2001 It goes without saying that keep quiet. Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan X students without conducting the teams to hear some to 2022. gelatin sticks have to be stored Reddy, urging his government the exams. states complaining about Soon after the blast, reports with utmost caution. to cancel the Class X examina- “As many as 12 States, includ- our intentions. 50 of our emerged that it was sub- However, the way the body tions altogether considering ing neighbouring Telangana, employees are off work leased to Nageshwar Reddy. parts were scattered by the the rampaging Covid-19 pan- have cancelled the Class X due to Covid, yet we con- However, TDP leaders are blast shows that no proper TDP to file private case? demic. exams at the beginning of the tinue to work under pan- raising doubts whether the care was taken, nor were any Lokesh told the Chief second wave of infections itself. demic lockdowns 24x7 for sub-lease was granted before safeguards in place when they Kadapa : According to should be recovered from with the argument that a Minister that the Class X exams Students and parents have U." Reacting to her tweet, or after the tragedy. were transported. sources in the party, the the original leaseholders. murder case should be reg- were approaching rapidly and brought to the notice of the one user wrote: "How come There are reports that the Also, the intensity of the TDP is preparing to file a As there was government istered over the original are scheduled to start across the TDP in the online meetings your 50 employees down leaseholders did not pay the blast led to questions whether private case demanding a pressure on mining and leaseholder. state in just three weeks. “The about the pressing need for can- with Covid? We're they royalty of Rs 46 lakh from there were any other explo- court-monitored probe into police officers, it was expect- MLC B Tech Ravi said, "It number of infections is rising cellation of the exams,” Lokesh not vaccinated? Also, why April 2016 to August 2020, sives in the vehicle along with the blast. ed that justice would not be is true that we are planning unabated. Students and parents wrote. not hire more people on despite being served notices. the gelatin sticks? In addition to the lease done with them, the TDP to file a private case if we do are now under extreme stress He pointed out that there was temporary basis?" Ella's Officials have also admitted The Police found that the deal, TDP leaders would would tell the court. not get satisfactory answers because of the Coronavirus still uncertainty when exactly tweet got 9,373 likes and that royalty amounts were gelatin sticks that were meant also complain that the value The TDP has been that clear our doubts and threat on the one side and these raging pandemic infec- was retweeted by 2,564 due from the leaseholder. to be used in the mines had of the moved material preparing to go to court action against those guilty.” examinations on the other,” tions would come down to people. On January 16, 2019, been transported from Lokesh wrote. give some relief to the people. Inspector accused Two men held for 4th Oxygen Express reaches TS selling Remdesivir TS records 4,693 at Rs 35K per vial PNS n HYDERABAD of thrashing nurse The fourth Oxygen Express to PNS n VIJAYAWADA discharging duties and thrashed PNS n HYDERABAD new Covid cases Telangana with 120 metric them black and blue. The duo PNS n HYDERABAD The state has 56,917 active tonnes of Liquid Medical Leaders of the Government said that Hemalatha was work- The Rachakonda Police on cases and over 71,000 samples Oxygen (LMO) transported by Nurses Association on Thursday ing in the medical and health Thursday nabbed two per- Telangana continued to regis- were tested. Total recoveries Indian Railways reached Sanath condemned the inhuman attack department and her husband in sons on charges of black mar- ter a decline in fresh infections stood at 4,56,620 with 6,876 Nagar on Thursday. on a nurse and her husband who emergency ‘108’ services at keting Remdesivir injections with 4,693 new Covid cases being cured today. This is the first container works in ‘108’ services by the Rajahmundry. at Chaitanyapuri. being recorded on Thursday, Cumulatively, over 1.38 Oxygen Express Trains reaching police and demanded suspen- The GNA leaders said that the The arrested persons were pushing the caseload to crore samples have been test- the State with six cryogenic er traffic. Another Oxygen Express sion of the inspector responsi- Inspector stopped the couple at D Yadagiri, 26 and Sai 5,16,404, while the toll mount- ed. The samples tested per mil- tankers filled with LMO. Indian Railways have been with four empty tankers started ble, on charges of violating the Quarry Market in Rajahmundry Vishwajeet Shaw, 24, both ed to 2,867 with 33 deaths, a lion population was over 3.73 Transportation of LMO in continuously operating Oxygen from Sanath Nagar on Thursday. curfew. on Wednesday, the International from Ameerpet. government bulletin said. lakh, the bulletin said. the cryogenic tankers helps in Express trains to meet the Gajanan Mallya, General GNA state president G Santhi Nurses Day, and forced them Two suspects, P Satish and The state had reported 4,801 The case fatality rate in the fast transportation, compared to request of the States' need for Manager, SCR said that opera- Bhavani and secretary S into the police vehicle where he Hemaditya Singadi, were fresh cases on Tuesday, while state was 0.55 per cent, while the regular RO-RO (Roll Off LMO. These trains are operat- tion of the Oxygen Express Kotamma alleged that brutally beat the husband. absconding. it logged 4,723 cases yesterday. it was 1.1 per cent at the Roll On) service. The height ed at the request of the State trains would be given the high- Rajahmundry III-Town They said that Hemalatha Police said the suspects GHMC accounted for the national level. restrictions which are applica- governments and are given est priority and advised all the Inspector Durga Prasad illegal- informed them about their jobs procured Remdesivir vials most number of cases with The recovery rate in ble in the regular RO-RO ser- prime importance with their divisions to continue with strict ly detained staff nurse and exemption during curfew from medical distributors at 734, followed by Rangareddy Telangana was 88.42 per cent, vice can be overcome as there movement done along the monitoring of these trains so Hemalatha and her husband time but the Inspector did not Rs 3,500 and sold it to cus- (296) and Medchal Malkajgiri while it was 83.2 per cent in will be comparatively better Green Corridor, to ensure fast that they reach their destinations who were returning home after heed them. tomers for Rs 35,000 per vial. (285), the bulletin said. the country. height clearance for the contain- transportation. at the fastest possible time. Migrants leave Hyderabad fearing TS realty tries to find footing in Covid times PNS n HYDERABAD supervise implementation of Covid precautions by the extension of Covid lockdown in TS The real estate industry, which builders and developers. has been trying to get back on The state government also PNS n HYDERABAD its feet ever since the 2016 note set up specified rules and asked ban laid the sector low, but the builders and developers to Migrant workers started leaving 2020 was hardly the year to follow the same. Hyderabad as a 10-day lock- stand tall. With the pandemic The vehicles of construction down has come into force in devastating demand in the sector should remain off roads Telangana. They were seen at economy, the industry, which from 6 am to 10 am and would railway and bus stations in the is now looking with the hope be allowed only later. city. of a sharp recovery in sales, has Those who work in con- The migrant workers are to face another lockdown. struction sector should carry opting for private buses, vans, But, the lockdown relax- their identity cards without fail. etc., to reach their native places. ations to the realty sector gave The realty firms should prepare Although the state government big relief to the developers. The plan to deploy minimum num- of Telangana imposed a 10-day state government mentioned ber of workers at the work sites. lockdown, migrants are worried were seen with their families, camps have not left the city as realty sector as the 20th item in The builders should be as they think that it might be waiting at various transit points construction and project activ- a list of guidelines and asked responsible for implementation extended. for transportation. ities where workers are in-situ or the builders, contractors and the time of the last year's lock- Commissionerates in the city avoid recurrence of last year's of Covid rules and giving iden- The fear of lockdown exten- One of the migrants, Chandu labour camp are exempted from developers to execute realty down, the state government held a meeting with real estate unsavoury incidents, the state tity cards to workers deployed sion has gripped most migrant Lal said that he made a decision lockdown. projects or road and bridge gave relief to construction sec- sector representatives and government exempted real in major projects. workers in the city, as a result of to leave the city after the impo- The migrants are reacting to development works provided tor as many projects are under passed necessary instructions estate sector from lockdown. It Similarly, builders or owners which, many of them have sition of lockdown in Telangana. every development in the battle workers are available near the way in the Greater Hyderabad to them on how to go about gave them an opportunity for are responsible for issuing started heading home. In the last Even before the imposition of against the Covid pandemic due project site. Municipal Corporation their work. migrant workers to continue identity cards for small projects two days, scores of migrant lockdown in the state, many to the bitter experience of nation- The state government asked (GHMC) limits. If they get There are an estimated 10-12 their livelihood and eliminat- too. workers in Telangana, most of migrants had left the city fearing wide lockdown last year. During them to set up labour camps stalled, workers will be thrown lakh migrant workers, who ed the need for them to travel Small builders and develop- them belonging to states such as nationwide lockdown due to a the first wave, many migrants near major projects and get out of employment besides are employed in the city besides to their native places. CREDAI ers can furnish details of Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal, surge in Covid cases. who were left jobless walked works executed implementing causing inordinate delay to those belonged to Telugu states. national vice-president Rami labourers on the company let- Odisha, and UP, left the city. However, workers who are at hundreds of kilometers to reach the precautions for Covid. the execution of projects. During the last lockdown, they Reddy said that the govern- ter heads and can seek permis- While some were alone, some the construction sites or labour their native places. In view of the experiences at Officials of three Police all faced many problems. To ment asked police personnel to sion from police department. VIJAYAWADA | FRIDAY | MAY 14, 2021 vijayawada 04 Services of voluntary organisations Woman's crusade to encourage plasma donation in Kakinada needed to cope with Covid 19 PNS n KAKINADA tion. Similarly, her brother states so far. More than 200 did a PhD in the medical people from the surrounding The coronavirus was ravaging field. With the support of him, areas of Kakinada utilised her PNS n VIJAYAWADA the East Godavari district as she studied plasma. services. more than 2,900 cases were She said that she She said that at The services and support of reported in the last 24 hours. was guided by first she and the voluntary organizations is the A strong feeling established District Joint Adya Foundation need of the hour in the fight among people that once admit- Collector members used to against Coronavirus, Krishna ted to the hospital for Covid (Welfare) G go to every district Collector A Md Imtiaz treatment, it could be deter- Rajakumari office to find out said on Thursday. mined as a gone case. Against and then she the details of The Covid-19 infections are the backdrop, a young woman started those who came increasing swiftly and alarm- from Kakinada became a life- encouraging out of corona and ingly every day in the present saver. With the help of donors, everyone to then they started second wave of the pandemic. she has been bringing Covid donate plasma. their operation to He underscored the need for patients out of the jaws of Kanti Priya said create awareness by col- NGOs to extend support to death. Services such as provid- that at the beginning of Covid lecting their addresses. contain the Covid spike. All ing food and vitamin tablets to people were afraid to donate Unfortunately, the number doctors, nurses and paramedics Covid patients were being car- plasma without knowing what of plasma donors dropped this were working hard to combat ried out with the help of plasma was. Though they cre- month. She urged that anyone the Covid. donors, not just plasma. ated awareness among the wishing to donate plasma He formally inaugurated the Naidu Kanti Priya from public, only a few people used could contact her at special setup of a German TTD plans 22 German sheds Kakinada was providing out- to respond. But now the situ- 9346353356. There was no hanger built in the premises of standing services to corona ation has changed, many peo- doubt that the number of sur- Siddhartha Medical College for Covid patients in AP patients through the Adya ple were coming forward, she vivors of Covid would increase to operate as a Covid Triage Foundation for the past one said. if more young people like centre with the support of PNS n TIRUPATI SV Sarva Shreya Nidhi to year. At first, she worked in an She has given plasma to Kanti Priya, who was proud of Empower and Excel, a non- build such tents with international service organiza- 800 people in the two Telugu Kakinada, came forward. profit organisation here on The TTD proposed to build German technology in dif- Thursday. from USA and India chapter ing to protect as many lives as 22 sheds with German tech- ferent places in the state. He inquired about the med- head and senior Journalist they can," she added. nology in Andhra Pradesh Each shed will have 30 beds ical facilities set up at the Karanam Kalyan Krishna Ayesha appealed to the pub- at a cost of Rs.3.52 crore for facility. Four such tents in Triage Center with the medical Kumar was present represent- lic to wear masks properly providing beds to Covid Visakhapatnam, three each and health authorities there ing the organization for the and stay safe to win the fight victims after a successful in Anantapur, Guntur, Two persons killed in faction feuds and several suggestions were event. against Covid. Indian Chapter experiment at Sri Padmavati Kakinada and Krishna, two made for the convenience of Ayesha said "it is heart- head of Empower and Excel Covid hospital in Tirupati. each in Prakasam, Kurnool PNS n GNTURU patients. breaking to see what India is Kalyan Krishna Kumar said Following requests for and two other locations Collector Imtiaz addressing going through the most diffi- that they planned to provide 50 similar oxygen bed facilities would be built. The district Two persons were killed at the media said, "To ensure cult moment in the pandemic beds for each district and ini- on the Tirupati model, the collectors would be provid- Mutlur in Vatticherukuru smooth admission, a COVID so far. Daily COVID-19 cases tially started the support from TTD EO Dr KS Jawahar ed funds as per the cost esti- mandal of Guntur district on triage centre was opened with continue to set new high Krishna district and further, Reddy on Thursday sanc- mates made by TTD for Thursday following faction a capacity of 50 beds with the records every day, with hospi- they were in contact with tioned the amount from the each shed. feuds. According to reports, support of Empower and Excel, tals filled and in need of urgent Guntur, West Godavari and the sons of two brothers - a NGO from the USA, which supplies to cope with the Prakasam district Collectors. Kunchala Ramakotaiah and provided cots, foam beds, pil- increasing number of patients". Sub Collectors Joint Kunchala Nageswara Rao have lows and bedsheets and offered She further said, "Empower Collector L Siva Sankar, Sub a dispute and they were at log- to provide air-purifiers." and Excel wanted to help by collector HM Dhyan Chandra, gerheads over some years. The Collector thanked the addressing the need for patient GGH Superintendent Dr K The cousins had a clash on organisation for their great beds. Our goal was to provide Siva Sankar, Empower and Thursday and Ramakotaiah's Nageswara Rao succumbed the village to bring the situ- humane service in the Corona 400-500 beds in Andhra Excel volunteers K Srisyam sons attacked the sons of to injuries. ation under control. The times. Empower and Excel Pradesh wherever there is a Saran, Dr Sriram Saran, K Nageswara Rao with lethal Police said the attack took bodies were shifted to CEO Ayesha Charagulla virtu- need. I appreciate all the front- Pawan Kumar and others were weapons. Venkatrao and place in the wake of faction Guntur GGH. An investiga- ally joined the inauguration line heroes for tirelessly work- present. Ramulu, the sons of feuds. A picket was posted in tion is on. Corona plays spoilsport in wedding season Case against pvt hospital for VASIREDDY RAVICHANDRA n Three lakh weddings stalled in AP n GUNTUR unauthorized n Trade incurs an estimated loss of Rs 2,000 cr The corona pandemic has dampened the spirit of the peo- n Covid treatment ple during the present wedding 10,000 function halls shut down PNS n GUNTUR season as many marriages n scheduled in May and June Govt restrictions on marriages The Vigilance and were cancelled. The function Enforcement sleuths on halls were shut down as peo- Thursday raided the Anji ple cancelled their bookings Reddy Hospital in after paying advance amounts. Narasaraopet and registered The service sector was col- a case for charging Rs 3.38 lapsed causing an estimated lakhs for five-day treatment loss of Rs 2,000 crore. violating the government The auspicious days Covid guidelines. (Muhurthams) have started Regional Vigilance and from May 2 after a gap of five Enforcement officer Joshua NEED OF THE HOUR months for marriages and said that on a tip-off, the Anji other function across the state. Reddy Hospital was raided MP Magunta Srinivasul Reddy inspecting a Covid control room set up at These muhurthams would and found that the hospital continue till June end. was accepting admissions Prakasam Bhavan in Ongole on Thursday. According to an estimation, without having valid per- about 3 lakh weddings came to mission. a halt in the state. As they fixed allied trades such as function affected by the cancellation of the Ring Road and another Rs Mulla Pradeep, a Covid the dates well in advance, even halls, flower decoration, light- marriages across the state due 9 lakh for catering and deco- patient from Kanaparru vil- many NRIs booked flight tick- ing decoration, tent houses, to the corona pandemic and it ration. Now they are refusing lage, was admitted to Anji O2 mishap averted at SVIMS Hospital ets to attend the marriages. photo studios, priests, music was a big jolt for them, AP to return the amount as I can- Reddy Hospital in Everything became a standstill bands, food catering, food sup- caterers association Federation celled the wedding of my Narasaraopet for treatment. PNS n TIRUPATI tanker on its way from after many countries with- pliers, beauty parlours and president Uppala Varadarajulu daughter," a customer M Subba The hospital management Chennai and it was expected to drew the flight services to event organizers were depen- and joint secretary Ponakala Rao of Guntur said. charged him an additional Timely action and alertness of arrive in the afternoon collect- India. With the cancellation of dant on this service sector Balasubrahmanyam said. They Meanwhile, the government amount of Rs 3,38,300 along Director Vengamma, a major ing stocks from the Sri Krishna marriages, all the allied trade directly. Gold shops, cloth said the caterers incurred issued guidelines for perform- with Remdesivir injection accident was averted at Sri agency. sectors saw a downfall. People shops, provision stores, flower heavy loss as they invested ing marriages. charges for five-day treat- Venkateshwara Institute of An oxygen tanker was reserved their slots in more traders, fancy and other traders lakhs of rupees in the trade. They have to submit the ment. Medical Sciences (SVIMS) immediately delivered to than 10,000 marriage halls were indirectly affected by the "We need to maintain the application in the Tahasildar He also said that the hos- Hospital in the wee hours of SVIMS through a green chan- during May and June. The cancellation of marriages. cooks, catering boys and other office for obtaining permission pital did not have permission Thursday in Tirupati. nel. The officials heaved a second wave of corona started Considering Rs 5 lakh expen- employees and their families as for the marriage. Only 25 invi- for treating the Covid The oxygen plant operator, sigh of relief after getting filled devastating from April 20, the diture for each marriage, it they all are dependent on us. tees from the groom's family patients. So far, 32 patients who has noticed the decreas- the storage tank with oxygen people cancelled marriages could be estimated that the Even without coming out from and 25 from the bride's fami- were treated in the hospital ing levels of oxygen reserves in within 30 minutes. and they informed about can- business to the tune of Rs the last year's disaster, we are ly would be allowed for the and a patient Subhani has the main unit storage tank, It may be recalled that 11 cellation to the managements 15,000 crore has been stalled facing another catastrophe in marriage. If they wanted per- died. Joshua said he was rec- immediately informed the people died due to a disruption of function halls. Several peo- for approximately three lakh the form of the second-wave mission, they should give the ommending to the concerned SVIMS director Vengamma him of the urgency. The alert- in the oxygen supply two days ple were hopeful to perform marriages in the state. corona," they said. list of invitees along with their departments for further at 4 am. Vengamma called the ed officials began a search for ago in the Tirupati RUIA hos- marriages in August as there Caterers badly hit "I paid Rs 2.5 lakh towards phone numbers and Aadhar action against the hospital district Collector and informed oxygen stocks as an oxygen pital. were a few muhurthams. Many The caterers were badly advance for a function hall on card numbers. management. Unseasonal rains hit paddy farmers in EG Tirupati MLA performs funeral DHV SAMBASIVARAO tenant farmer certificates as the n KAKINADA landowners are not ready to sign on the papers as the Rythu for 7 unclaimed corona victims The rains that lashed in parts Bharosa incentive from the gov- of East Godavari district for the ernment is given only to the SC, past three days dashed the ST farmers who have certificates. PNS Tirupati hopes of farmers as paddy was The OC farmers are denied drenched in rainwater. After assistance," tenant farmers from MLA Bhumana Karunakar the paddy being harvested Karapa Medisetty Chakram and Reddy once again proved his using machines, the farmers D Veerababu said. service-mindedness by per- were drying up the paddy They said the government forming the funeral for seven yields on the roads and fields. should provide financial assis- unclaimed Covid victims in Heaps of paddy were inundat- tance of Rs 10,000 on par with Harishchandra burial ground ed causing a great loss to the auto drivers and women to in Tirupati on Thursday. farmers. safeguard the interests of the Considering himself as the The district was known for tenant farmers. Otherwise, kin of the unclaimed bodies of its richness in the cultivation of there was no option for them Covid victims, he performed food grains in the state and the except to commit suicide. Even the last rites in coordination paddy was cultivated in about cropped up in the middle of the societies to procure paddy dried up before bringing the the farmers also expressed a with the Muslim JAC by plac- 1.62 hectares in the Rabi sea- crop. They surpassed the dif- from farmers across the dis- stocks. similar view. ing wreaths on the mortal son. The untimely rains have ficulties by pumping water by trict. These centres have Farmers Rama Rao and The Joint Collector remains for the final journey. dampened the spirit of the using diesel engines. After already procured more than Prakasa Rao from Kakinada (Revenue) also suggested that The SVRR hospital mortuary of organising the funeral as per claim the bodies because of farmers just before the harvest- crossing all the hurdles, at last, one lakh metric tonnes of alleged that some middlemen the farmers should not bring handed over seven bodies to the customs of the victims their poor financial back- ing period. The Rabi season unseasonal rains battered in the paddy. However, the farmers and rice millers were buying the the drenched paddy to Rythu the Muslim JAC for holding since last year during the pan- ground, while some others has faced a severe crisis this district when they were getting and the tenant farmers alleged drenched paddy for just Rs 800 Bharosa centres and they the funeral. The MLA con- demic and continuing it. So far fearing of pandemic. He urged year from the beginning as the ready for harvesting the crop. that the officials at the procur- to Rs 1,000 for 75 kg bag. The should bring them only after ducted the last rites to the bod- the JAC conducted around people to join hands for seeds were washed away with Joint Collector Dr Lakshmi ing centres were refusing to paddy of Rabi season was drying up. He also advised the ies. 500 funerals to the unclaimed humanity. The MLA was heavy rains. The farmers sowed Shah has said that 855 Rythu take paddy when they go there drenching in the rains for the farmers not to sell their pro- The Muslim JAC leaders S bodies left in the city hospital. appreciated by the Prime seeds for a second time and the Bharosa centres were opened with drenched paddy stocks past four consecutive seasons. duce outside the Bharosa cen- Ghouse, Sheik Inam and oth- Karunakar Reddy said the Minister's office for his services issue of irrigation water has with the support of cooperative saying that they should be "We are facing it difficult to get tres in a hurry. ers took up the responsibility relatives of the victims did not for the Covid victims. VIJAYAWADA | FRIDAY | MAY 14, 2021 nation 05

Goa gets ‘Fight among states for vax 32,000 Covid Bharat Biotech's Covaxin vax doses portrays bad image of country’ for 18 to 44 PNS n NEW DELHI n approved for trials on kids PNS PANAJI Delhi Chief Minister Arvind The Goa government will PNS n NEW DELHI Kejriwal on Thursday said the soon start COVID-19 vacci- fact that the states are left to nation for people in the age India's apex drug regulator competing and fighting with group of 18 to 44, as the first has granted permission for one another in the internation- lot of vaccines arrived in the conducting the phase II/III al market for COVID vaccines state on Thursday, a senior clinical trial of Bharat Biotech's portrays a "bad" image of health department official said. Covaxin COVID-19 vaccine in India. Director of Health Services Dr the age group of 2 to 18 years, The Centre should procure Jose D'Sa said a first lot of the Union Health Ministry the vaccines on behalf of the 32,000 vaccine doses from said on Thursday. states, he said in the backdrop Pune-based Serum Institute of The trial will be conducted of a shortage of the vaccine The Centre global tender for vaccines, while India (SII) had arrived in the on 525 healthy volunteers. doses in Delhi and many other accusing the BJP-led Centre of state during the day. "The National Regulator of states. should procure forcing the states to do so. The government will work the country, the Drugs "Indian states left to com- the vaccines on Around 100 vaccination out a plan on how to carry out Controller General of India pete/fight with each other in behalf of the centres have been closed down the vaccination at state-run (DCGI), after careful examina- international market. UP fight- in Delhi as they ran out of their facilities, he said. D'Sa clarified tion, has accepted the recom- ing Maha, Maha fighting states, Chief Covaxin stocks. that the vaccines will be pro- mendation of Subject Expert Orissa, Orissa fighting Delhi. Minister Sisodia alleged on vided only after online book- Committee (SEC) and accord- Where is 'India'? Portrays such Wednesday that Bharat ing through the dedicated ed permission to conduct the group of 2 to 18 years. May 11. firm was asked to submit a a bad image of India. India, as Kejriwal said Biotech, which manufactures portals. Phase II/III clinical trial of In the trial, the vaccine The Committee, after revised clinical trial protocol. one country, shud procure Covaxin, has refused to pro- Vaccines will be adminis- Covaxin (COVID vaccine) in will be given by intramuscu- detailed deliberation, recom- Covaxin, which has been vaccines on behalf of all Indian ing power rather than the vide "additional" doses of the tered at 23 primary health the age group 2 to 18 years, to lar route in two doses at day mended for grant of permis- indigenously developed by states (sic)," the Aam Aadmi states doing it individually. vaccine to Delhi under instruc- centres, six community health its manufacturer Bharat 0 and day 28. sion to conduct proposed Bharat Biotech in collabora- Party (AAP) supremo said in The Indian government has tions from officials of the cen- centres, four urban health Biotech Ltd on May 12," the As rapid regulatory phase II/III clinical trial to tion with the Indian Council a tweet. much more diplomatic space tral government. centres, Goa Medical College ministry said. response, the proposal was certain conditions. of Medical Research (ICMR), In another tweet, he said to negotiate with such coun- The city government had at Bambolim and Rural Hyderabad based Bharat deliberated in Subject Expert Earlier the proposal was is being used on adults in India approaching the vac- tries, the chief minister added. placed orders for 67 lakh doses Health Centre at Mandur Biotech had proposed to carry Committee (SEC) on deliberated in the SEC meet- India's ongoing COVID-19 cine-manufacturing countries His deputy Manish Sisodia of Covishield and Covaxin near Panaji. out the clinical trial in the age COVID-19 meeting held on ing on February 24 and the vaccination drive. will have much more bargain- had earlier said Delhi will float a each on April 26, he said. INDIA CORNER Reports of faulty ventilators supplied RS upheld states' Jail warder 3 jail staffers booked for trying to suspended extort money from inmate to Punjab hospital unfounded: Centre rights, says Vice-Prez PNS n ETAH (UP) PNS n NEW DELHI A jail official was suspend- case has been registered ed on Thursday for chaining against three jailers for The Centre on Thursday dis- PNS n NEW DELHI a 92-year-old prisoner to his Aallegedly trying to extort Rs missed as "unfounded" media hospital bed during treat- 1.08 lakh from an inmate in the reports suggesting ventilators The Rajya Sabha has con- ment in Uttar Pradesh's Etah Nagpur Central Jail of supplied by the Union govern- tributed greatly to the coun- district, authorities said. Maharashtra, police said on ment under the PM CARES try's progress and upheld the After a picture, posted Thursday. Based on a court Fund to GGS Medical College rights of the states in India's on social media, showed order, an offence has been and Hospital in Punjab's federal structure, Vice the old man sitting on a hos- registered against jailers Faridkot are lying unused due President M Venkaiah Naidu pital bed, wearing an oxygen Krushna Choudhary (43) of the Nashik prison, Gulab Kharde (55) of the to technical glitches which said on Thursday. mask with his feet chained Central Jail in Amravati and Ravindra Parekar (45) posted at a training have not been resolved. His observations came as on to its footboard, UP centre of the Prisons Department in Pune, an official said. In a statement, the Union this day in 1952, the Upper Additional director General, Madankumar Babulal Shriwas (62), a resident of Hinganghat in Wardha, health ministry said lack of House of Parliament held its (Jail) Anand Kumar ordered was lodged in the Nagpur Central Jail in 2014 in a murder case, he said. infrastructure at the Guru first session. warder Ashok Yadav's sus- In September 2014 and April 2015, the accused jailers allegedly tried to Gobind Singh Medical College “There have been some it said. With reference to the "Since then, it has been Radhakrishnan, the first vice pension and sought clarifi- extort Rs 1.08 lakh from Shriwas, who after being released on bail, (GGSMC) and Hospital has media reports suggesting that recent media report regarding contributing greatly to our president of the country. cation from his supervisory approached the court and filed a complaint against the trio, he said. resulted in the malfunctioning government of India supplied 71 of 80 AgVa make ventilators country's progress, while The House was constituted officer. Justice Z A Haque of the High Court directed Retd sessions judge A S of the life-saving machines. ventilators (supported by PM- being non-functional or faulty upholding the rights of states on April 3, 1952. Baburam Balwan Singh Qazi to conduct an inquiry into the matter, and based on a report, an In order to augment the CARES) to GGS Medical at the hospital, it is clarified in our federal structure. Best Consequent to the reor- (92), a convicted murderer, order was issued to register an offence, the official said. The Dhantoli existing hospital infrastruc- College and Hospital, Faridkot, that 88 ventilators have been wishes on this occasion to the ganisation of states and the was lodged at district jail of police have registered the case under section 384 (extortion) and other ture, the Union government Punjab are lying unused as a supplied by Bharat Electronics members of the House and formation of new states, the Etah, Jailor Kuldeep Singh relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code, he added. has been centrally procuring result of technical glitches Limited (BEL) and five by staff of the RS Secretariat," the number of elected seats in the Bhadauria said, adding he and providing states/union which have not been resolved AgVa. Vice President Secretariat Rajya Sabha allotted to the was taken to a hospital on territories/central due to poor after-sales support After successful installation tweeted quoting Naidu, who is states and Union territories Sunday due to breathing 2 Naxals killed in encounter hospitals/institutes with essen- by the manufacturers,” the and commissioning, these ven- also chairperson of the Upper has changed from time to problems and was referred tial medical devices including ministry said in the statement. tilators were provided with House. time since 1952. to Aligarh. with police in Gadchiroli ventilators since April 2020, "These reports seem to be final acceptance certificate by The most recent session of Originally called the "There were no beds the ministry said in its state- unfounded, not having the the hospital authorities, the the Rajya Sabha was held this Council of States, the Upper available in Aligarh so he wo Naxals were killed in an ment. full information on the matter," statement said. year. It was the 253rd session House was named as the was brought back to Etah, encounter with security forces in of the Upper House. "Rajya Sabha" on August 23, where he was admitted at TMaharashtra's Gadchiroli district The first-ever session was 1954, according to the back- the district hospital's non- on Thursday morning, a senior police held on May 13, 1952 under ground provided by the Vice COVID ward," Bhadauria official said. The gun-battle took place Eid celebrations the chairmanship of S President Secretariat. . said. at a forest in Morchul village under ‘French embassy procured Dhanora taluka around 6 am, when a team comprising C-60 commandos, a Moderna vaccine sans nod for it’ amid Covid specialised combat unit of the Gadchiroli police, and other security PNS n MUMBAI Sputnik V are the 3 Vaccines restrictions personnel was patrolling in the area, he said. The police had specific that are permitted in India by Boiler blast kills four in information that a group of more than 25 ultras had gathered in the Maharashtra minister Nawab our government. According to PNS n THIRUVANANTHAPU- forest at Morchul, located around 900 km from here, Gadchiroli Malik on Thursday claimed information received by me, RAM Superintendent of Police Ankit Goyal said. On seeing the police team, that the French embassy in the French Embassy in India Naxals opened fire at them following which the security personnel India has procured Moderna has procured the vaccine Muslims in Kerala on TN chemical factory retaliated, he said. After the gunfight, the rebels fled into the dense forest. anti-coronavirus vaccine and @moderna_tx and is inoculat- Thursday celebrated Eid al- Later, during a search of the area, the police recovered bodies of two it is being administered to its ing their citizens and their rel- Fitr -- the festival marking PNS n CUDDALORE(TN) release said adding it led to asphyxiation (due to gas ultras, included a female, and other Naxal-related material, he said, nationals at Navi Mumbai atives at Navi Mumbai with the end of the fasting month the death of four people and release)," Cuddalore District adding that the two rebels were yet to be identified. even as only three other vac- the help of of Ramzan -- amid restric- Four workers including a 10 were injured. Police Superintendent, Sree cines are permitted in the @ApolloHosMumbai," Malik tions imposed to check the woman were killed and 10 At the time of mishap, Abhinav told reporters. country. tweeted. spread of COVID-19. injured on Thursday due to police said workers were A case is registered and a Sena lashes out at Centre for The Minority Affairs "Question arises, how can a Adhering to COVID-19 release of Ammonia after a engaged in their usual work probe is on. Minister sought to know from non-permitted vaccine be restrictions, the faithful made boiler exploded in a chem- this morning at the plant that Labour Minister C V fuel price hike after elections the Centre how a "non-per- allowed to be administered? If it a private and a closed-door cial plant here, the govern- produces chemical active Ganesan said an enquiry he Shiv Sena on Thursday mitted" vaccine is allowed to they can get it, why can't affair. ment said. ingredients and intermedi- would be ordered into the criticised the Centre for be administered to the resi- Indian government get it for Due to the rise in daily Chief Minister M K Stalin ates for crop protection. mishap. Thike in fuel prices after dents of France and their rel- our citizens too. The govern- number of virus infection in ordered a solatium of Rs The explosion led to diffu- The injured were rushed the recent Assembly polls in atives living here. ment and the Health Minister the state, the state govern- three lakh to the kin of each sion of gas in the plant to the Cuddalore some states, saying the Malik, who is NCP's nation- Dr Harsh Vardhan must clar- ment and Muslim scholars of the deceased. He has also premises leading to asphyx- Government Hospital and "present day rulers" can go to al spokesperson, also asked ify," he added. had urged the faithful to directed an assistance of Rs iation of three men and a were being treated. The any extent for elections. An why the Centre cannot pro- The ruling Maha Vikas offer prayers from home. one lakh to each of the woman and the mishap Minister visited the health editorial in the Sena cure the vaccine for the peo- Aghadi (MVA) in The government had injured. caused injuries to 10 others, facility and interacted with mouthpiece 'Saamana' said ple of India if the French Maharashtra, of which the allowed some relaxations in "Ammonia gas got they said. them and he said an enquiry the fuel prices, which were always on the upswing, were Embassy can. NCP is a part along with the lockdown for buying food released following boiler "They did not sustain burn would be ordered into the suddenly reduced during the period of elections in four states "Covishield, Covaxin and Shiv Sena and Congress. items in view of the Eid. explosion," a government injuries. Death was due to accident. (Assam, West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu) and a Union Territory (Puducherry). "But, the picture changed completely after the election results. The present day rulers can go to any extent for elections," the Marathi daily alleged. It saidpetrol and diesel rates Thane sees have touched record highs after state-run oil marketing States gear up to tackle COVID-19 in villages companies hiked prices "five times in a row". The results of 1,908 new elections were declared on May 2 and there has been a hike in PNS n NEW DELHI ature guns and antigen test kits NGOs and self help groups and fuel prices since May 4, it said. and setting up of gram yoddha is enabling safe operations of As the COVID wave gradual- samiti in villages for support- local markets/haats, besides Covid cases ly shifts to rural areas, several ing families of patients have smooth distribution of food PNS n THANE Lockdown extended in Bihar states are gearing up to check also been set up in Gujarat. grains to the poor under PDS. its spread through self-pro- States like Andhra Pradesh In Madhya Pradesh, con- Thane has reported1,908 claimed lockdowns by have announced formulation of tainment zones have been set new cases of coronavirus, up to May 25 Panchayati Raj institutions, Corona Kattadi (monitoring) up in villages with high rate of raising the tally in the ihar Chief Minister Nitish creating a database of migrants Committee and gram pan- infections and villages have Maharashtra district to Kumar on Thursday announced and providing free online med- chayats in the states have been divided in Red, Orange 4,94,022, an official said Bthe extension of the lockdown ical consultation to the sick. passed resolutions of "No mask and Green zones based on on Thursday. in the state till May 25. Kumar made The initiatives have been no entry", besides initiating number of active COVID These new cases were the announcement after chairing a taken by states in consultation proactive sanitation and door- patients. Control rooms have reported on Wednesday, he high- level meeting, convened to with the Centre to stop the to-door surveillance. also been established at the said. take a decision on the lockdown, virus from spreading further in Uttar Pradesh has set up vil- block, district and state level. The virus also claimed which was in place from May 5 to villages, government sources lage 'nigrani samiti' in all gram Similarly, Maharashtra has the lives of 68 more people, 15. "Reviewed the lockdown in said. panchayats with focus on pro- initiated 'My Family My taking the death toll in the Bihar with colleagues in the council of ministers and officials. The Among the measures moting cleanliness, while Responsibility awareness cam- district to 8,241, he said. positive outcome of the lockdown is evident. Hence, a decision has include imposition of self-pro- sultation to sick people and the ambulances in each gram pan- Uttarakhand has set up village paign; and formed Corona The COVID-19 mortality been taken to extend the lockdown by another 10 days, from May 16 claimed lockdown by launch of Kudumbashree chayat to support the health monitoring committees Prevention Committee, besides rate in Thane stood at 1.66 to 25," the chief minister tweeted in Hindi. The state has been rattled Panchayati Raj institutions in Community Network in system besides providing two (VMC) and formation of block carrying out door-to-door sur- per cent, he added. by explosive growth in its COVID-19 incidence since the beginning Gujarat and creation of Kerala, a joint programme of chambered cars and auto rick- response team at the block level veillance. Details of recovered and of April. During the period, its total caseload has risen by nearly migrant database for capturing the Government of Kerala shaws for the needy. to ensure and monitor proper In Punjab, village monitor- under-treatment patients three times and exceeded six lakh. The death toll, which on the return of migrants in pan- implemented through Periodic awareness pro- deliverables. ing committees (VMC) have were not provided by the Wednesday crossed 3,500, has also seen a more than three-fold chayats both from within and Community Development grammes, setting up of village A 24x7 help desk system has been set up in each village, district administration. jump during the period. Those succumbing to COVID-19 include outside in Assam, besides Societies (CDSs) of poor monitoring committee and also been set up by the direc- which are also organising In neighbouring Palghar many sitting and former legislators, top bureaucrats and doctors. announcing formulation of vil- women, serving as the commu- specific quarantine/isolation torate of Panchayati Raj in the 'thikri pehras' to ensure night district, the COVID-19 case Nonetheless, the situation has looked up in the past few days, lage defence parties. nity wing of local govern- centres for migrant labourers state. curfew is not violated. count has gone up to causing the recovery rate -- which had dipped to as low as 77 per Himachal Pradesh has start- ments. have been set up in Haryana. West Bengal is undertaking Rajasthan is distributing 99,539, while the death toll cent at the beginning of this month -- to reach 83.43 per cent on ed 'eSanjeevani OPD' for pro- Kerala has started a trans- Door-to-door surveillance an awareness programmes in medical kits daily in many stands at 1,792, another Wednesday. viding free online medical con- portation plan by providing using pulse oximeter, temper- panchayats with the help of rural areas. official said. VIJAYAWADA | FRIDAY | MAY 14, 2021 06

www.dailypioneer.com facebook.com/dailypioneer | @TheDailyPioneer | instagram.com/dailypioneer/ PAPER WITH PASSION The vaccine hydra Nepal slips into The Government would do well to centralise the vaccination project and make it free for all citizens RISHI GUPTA he confusion over the multiple price brands for COVID-19 vaccines in India and deeper crisis their scarcity continues to hamper operations to manage the pandemic. The Prime TMinister’s Office, which is seized of the issue of rapid vaccinations, stated that the Prime Minister, at a review meeting on May 7, spoke about the need to sensitise States Having failed to prove majority in Parliament, the Oli-led Government so that the speed of vaccination does not falter. The Health Minister has also asked the States to speed up the vaccination process. There are three issues with the requests from the Centre to the States. One, there is not enough supply of vaccines. Two, the has shoved the country into the throes of uncertainty multiple price bands are making the issue complicated, with private hospitals charging espite a protracted a range of high prices while the vaccination is free in the Government-run hospitals. political battle, the rul- Three, the procurement of vaccines by the Central ing Communist Party and State Governments is confusing as the Centre’s of Nepal (UML) failed Dto prove majority in the Lower policy has ended up making the States and private House of Parliament on May 10. hospitals compete for the same supply. Twelve Prime Minister KP Oli held a Opposition parties have now written to the Centre series of meetings with the on how to end the reign of confusion: One, the Union Opposition, including the Nepali Congress and the Janata Government should centrally procure all vaccines. Samajbadi Party, for support Two, there should be a free and universal mass vac- after the erstwhile faction of the cination campaign across the country. Three, invoke CPN(UML) led by former Prime compulsory licensing to increase domestic vaccine Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal production. The signatories to the letter also won- ‘Prachanda’ withdrew support to the Government. In March this dered why only `5,000 crore of the budgetary allo- year, the Supreme Court had cation of the `35,000 crore was spent on vaccines ordered against the dissolution to date. Untangling the price and procurement beast is easier said than done. of the House of Representatives There is no logical reason put forth by the Union Government for the complex pric- by Oli amid his rift with party chairman Prachanda. This ing and procuring arrangements. The Centre procured all vaccines and distributed them House was elected in January to its centres, State Governments and private hospitals till April 30. Since May 1, the 2018 after Maoist Party chief Centre procured 50 per cent of the vaccines while the State Governments, private hos- Prachanda had agreed to merge pitals and the open market keep vying for buying the remaining 50 per cent from man- his party with the Oli-led UML. overwhelming burden. I have, Army’s intervention last year. nationalistic outlook and However, the Government’s therefore, appealed to the inter- The Wrong Advice: power hunger are at the heart ufacturers. From its share, the Centre is supposed to allocate vaccines to the States, downfall was inevitable as nei- national community to help us Advised by a handful of syco- of the people’s agony in Nepal. depending on the demand. As to the pricing, the original price of `150 per dose was ther of the leaders had an ideo- with vaccines, diagnostic tools, phants, Oli has isolated Nepal He chose to engage in a ver- valid only for the first consignment. The Centre then capped the price at `250 but it logical clarity nor a will to end oxygen kits, critical care med- from a friendly United States. bal spat with India when he became infructuous after the Centre inexplicably introduced price liberalisation measures. the race for the premiership. icines and equipment, to sup- The latter has stood to the could have asked India for As Nepal is witnessing a sig- port our efforts to save lives.” goodwill and democratic aspi- humanitarian help last year. That means private hospitals can charge a person the cost of the dose plus adminis- nificant health crisis amid the sec- However, one needs to ques- rations of the Nepalese peo- On the contrary, India still trative charges and, additionally, any other charges that may become applicable. It is ond peak of COVID-19, the tion the Prime Minister and his ple. At the same time, the US provided Nepal with vaccines this last criterion that has jacked up the price from anywhere between `800 and `1,300 political upheaval comes as an Cabinet whether they ever is irked with Oli after he and timely supplies of medical per dose. An 18-year-old may not get a dose because the State he is a resident of may extra burden for the Nepalese planned to bring in people-ori- showed no interest in joining equipment. At present, to its people. An egoist, authoritarian ented policies for the nation’s AS A RESULT OF the Millennium Challenge best efforts, India will have the be giving priority to the older citizens. A resident of Delhi or Haryana may not be able and assertive Prime Minister, Oli welfare. At its best, Nepal lacks Cooperation (MCC), aiming challenge to send prompt help to get a dose in the neighbouring Uttar Pradesh because the latter allows doses only has finally plunged Nepal into a all fundamental policy frame- OLI’S FOLLIES, HIS to provide affordable and to Nepal considering the crises for in-State residents. Why shouldn’t the Centre centralise the entire vaccination project political and humanitarian crisis. works concerning its disaster PLEA RECEIVED A green transportation, elec- at home. However, it is a as that would resolve all avoidable complications and put an end to the class divide on The healthcare system in Nepal management, humanitarian tricity, regional security, peace wake-up call for the political was already in a shambles after the crisis or foreign policy. As a MIXED RESPONSE and development to partners, leadership in Nepal to balance account of different price slabs by making the vaccines free to all? 2015 earthquake. While the polit- result of Oli’s follies, his plea only because China calls it a its foreign policy and bring in ical parties could have worked on received a mixed response FROM THE military platform. The US policies for the welfare of the PIC improving health, education and from the international commu- INTERNATIONAL has often requested Nepal to people. While Oli holds the TALK employment in the post-earth- nity as in his two years-plus consider the MCC as a prior- biggest responsibility for quake phase, they all chose to deal administration, Oli has isolat- COMMUNITY AS ity. Still, all successive plunging Nepal into the cur- with personal equations to be in ed Nepal from the internation- IN HIS TWO Communist Governments, rent crisis, the Maoists, Nepali power. In the last 10 years alone, al community by failing to especially Oli, have made it a Congress and the Janata Nepal has seen more than five engage with them to serve the YEARS-PLUS US versus China deal. Samajbadi Party equally hold Prime Ministers, with none com- Chinese. Oli continues to be the act- the responsibility for derailing pleting their tenure. For instance, Nepal’s geo- ADMINISTRATION, ing Prime Minister until other Nepal’s developmental process Panic Plea: In a humanitar- graphical constraints notwith- OLI HAS ISOLATED parties are invited to prove in the past. For a fact, bring- ian plea to the international com- standing, Oli chose to bad- their majority to form a new ing down a democratically munity, Oli, in an article in The mouth India’s goodwill for NEPAL FROM THE government. Considering Oli’s elected Government has Guardian, wrote: “The rise in the political gains and compro- INTERNATIONAL quest for absolute control over become popular culture in number of infections poses a seri- mised Nepal’s integrity by sign- the Government and political Nepalese politics. ous challenge to our brave doc- ing the Treaty of Mutual Legal COMMUNITY BY affairs, he will attempt to derail (The author is an ICSSR tors, nurses, other care providers, Assistance with China and FAILING TO ENGAGE the formation of a new Doctoral Fellow at the JNU citizen volunteers and the entire allowing its embassy to micro- Government. In the past, too, and Visiting Fellow at the health service system.” He added: manage local affairs. Besides, WITH THEM TO Oli has misused the office in Asian Institute of Diplomacy “(Amid the) constraints of corruption charges in the pro- bringing new laws and dissolv- and International Affairs, resources and infrastructure, the curement of medical supplies SERVE THE CHINESE ing the House. Kathmandu. The views pandemic is turning out to be an to fight COVID-19 led to the Conclusion: Oli’s ultra- expressed are personal.) LETTERS TO THE EDITOR SOUNDBITE Mist floats through a neighbourhood in Shimla following heavy rain PTI CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS ARE SUPREME All the States, Sir — The edit ‘Two to tango’ (May 12) is including Goa, are rational and cogent. As the write-up states, The battle is not over yet facing this major At it, again! constitutionally our citizens are equal share- epidemic. Oxygen holders in the system and, hence, share the four months. However, taking a rational look scarcity has been a blame for the behaviour that crosses all bor- in comparison to the 2016 Assembly polls, it headache for the There is clear and present danger that the ders of civic responsibility. In our democ- is a massive advancement of the BJP in Bengal Government. Israel-Palestine conflict may get out of hand racy, laws are equally applicable to all, irre- — from mere three MLAs to 77 — which is spective of political or other social positions certainly not a joke. And if compared to 2019, Union Minister of State he Israel-Palestine conflict never ends; there are only interim periods of a lull of citizens. Therefore, stringent action the loss of the BJP in vote percentage is also — Shripad Naik while both sides think of fresh ways to inflict damage on the opponent. The against the violators is irrefutably para- not too drastic — 40 per cent just got reduced by 2-3 per cent, which is only negligible. Coronavirus and its repercussions notwithstanding, Israel and Palestine are mount. The gargantuan crowd brazenly The sanctions T neglecting or ignoring the COVID proto- Indeed, it had seemed that the BJP would are a swindle on engaged in a bloody conflict that has already taken several lives on either side. It all cols has the potential to be a super-spread- at last conquer the ‘last frontier’ of Bengal hand- the people, direct began on May 12 with Israeli rockets claiming the lives of several Palestinian civil- er within a fortnight. Indeed, religion plays his is in response to Prafull Goradia’s arti- somely. Despite the apparent great success of oppression on the ians. In a quid pro quo, five Israelis died of Palestinian rocket attacks. It is difficult a covetable role in Indian politics and, ergo, cle, ‘Decoding the Bengal election’ (May the TMC, according to the number of seats poorest in society, 13). The West Bengal Assembly poll result to say which party started the conflict. Anyway, as they say, truth is the first casu- those at the helm hesitate to act against the T gained, the situation on the ground is actually an abuse of the offenders, apparently eyeing the huge vote seems to be great in contrast to the unprece- not too optimistic. With the “oxygen” of enjoy- rights on the sick who lack medicines. alty in any war. Israel’s military campaign has been fierce, though there may have banks. In our secular democracy, faith is just dented success of the BJP in the State just two ing the status of the only Opposition party with- Iranian President been Palestinian provocation. Its military offensive a personal affair of the citizens and the years ago, when it garnered a rich harvest of in the Assembly premises, coupled with the psy- — Hassan Rouhani in the Gaza Strip killed 10 senior Hamas military offi- regime has nothing to do in the people’s reli- 18 MPs during the 2019 general polls and 40 chological boost of being the ruling power at per cent vote share, with the TMC performing the Centre, the Hindu consolidation programme gious beliefs. The religious doctrines can- Let's not play cers. In the counteroffensive, the Islamic militant marginally better in terms of both seats and would continue with more vigour and if the BJP not eclipse our constitutional provisions Doctor-Doctor at group fired hundreds of rockets at Israeli cities. Right percentage. It just goes on to show the damp retains power in New Delhi in 2024, the TMC under any circumstances. home. Follow only squib the Narendra Modi-Amit Shah duo has surely would have to face much more hurdles now, it is an anarchic situation in Israel as the Jewish The elected regime is bound to exercise your physician or any delivered despite the full power of the Centre in dealing with the saffron brigade in 2026. and Arab mobs are engaged in skirmishes on the its unassailable constitutional authority reputed doctor. Don't getting unleashed upon the State in the past Kajal Chatterjee | Kolkata streets. The Palestine conflict started with the birth against any religion or religious outfit/body just follow anything to protect the secular status of our democ- floating on watsapp. of Israel and has continued ever since. The racy. Religious freedom can be considered in its laboratories man-made biological for imposing a major lockdown in the State ‘Partition Plan’ of the UN created Arab and Israeli Actor only as a constitutional compromise or priv- viruses, which can be beneficial to it in the to reduce the prevalence of the Corona — Shekhar Suman territories from the British territory. But it actually laid ilege for the people. Demanding religious third world war. This report has been writ- pandemic amid inadequate supply of vac- down the basis of an endless conflict. dominance in specific locations, solely ten by the scientists and health workers of cines, oxygen cylinders and the other emer- All My tweets are All these years, their hate for each other has only considering the majority of particular reli- the People’s Liberation Army. gency items. either 4 humanity or gion(s) in the designated regions, not only The report claims that the Wuhan insti- We, however, would like to draw the grown. However, the current situation has a lot to do with Israel’s internal situation countrymen, from the jeopardises the unity and harmony of the tute of virology is preparing more bio attention of the Telangana Chief Minister point of view of a guy as well. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has lost credibility and the peo- people but also breaches the secular claus- weapons, which will threaten the entire in helping the people going out for med- who has represented ple want him to go. In such a situation, the Palestine issue comes in handy. This con- es of our Constitution. humanity across the globe. The first case ical consultation in the morning hours. India at d highest level. Thomas KM | Kerala of COVID-19 was recorded in Wuhan only He should reschedule the lockdown-free flict was just waiting to happen. In mid-2020, the UAE and Bahrain agreed to nor- where, the report states, nearly 18 scientists timings as 6 am to 12 noon instead of Former Indian cricketer malise relations with Israel. They signed the Abraham Accords, which was summar- BAN BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS were making the viruses in a high-risk lab. until 10 am. This is because, generally, the — Irfan Pathan ily rejected by Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas and the Hamas alike. The subse- Sir — The havoc of COVID-19 has raised Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro has already doctors working in the Government or a series of questions. It has been said that said that China is inflaming the biological private hospitals attend out-patient cases The federal quent elections in Israel and Netanyahu’s loss of popularity laid the foundation of the Government needs new conflict. After three inconclusive elections, Netanyahu of the Likud party and Benny the Corona virus is not natural, rather a bio- war. In order to overcome the bio weapon from 10 am onwards. The Government logical weapon created in a lab for econom- threat, every nation has to come forward and should consider the problems of the peo- to make bold changes Gantz of the Blue and White party signed a pact creating a unity Government in April ic and geographical benefits. We have unite against it, otherwise the entire globe ple who do not own a vehicle and and significant 2020. Despite the formation of the unity Government and promises from Netanyahu already witnessed two world wars, besides will face the eradication of human life. depend exclusively on public transport for investments in order chemical and atomic attacks, but the third Aman Jaiswal | New Delhi going to hospitals. to defend the vital that he would step down after 18 months, he didn’t. But the average Israeli’s hate institutions that underpin the for Palestine can be easily mobilised which sweeps all wrongs under the carpet. But global war would be biological. Katuru Durga Prasad Rao | Hyderabad In recent reports emanating from TELANGANA SHOULD RESCHEDULE LOCKDOWN American way of life. sometimes war creates its own dynamics and the genie would just not go back into America, it has been speculated that China Sir — It is a “better late than never” deci- Send your feedback to: US President the bottle. Now there are genuine fears that a third intifada could unleash. is busy since the last six years in preparing sion taken by the Telangana Government [email protected] — Joe Biden VIJAYAWADA | FRIDAY | MAY 14, 2021 07 www.dailypioneer.com facebook.com/dailypioneer | at the rate ofTheDailyPioneer | instagram.com/dailypioneer/ FIRSTCOLUMN Did ‘Vaccine Maitri' AN APPEAL: COVID UPS AND DOWNS unfriend Indians? PRIYANKA CHATURVEDI It’s time for all of us to come together and fight the pandemic selflessly As India reels under the impact of the second wave of COVID-19, the sense of anger and helplessness among the nation’s citizens is only growing n January 16, 2021, India had rolled out its vaccine campaign. The country rejoiced, more so, because these were Indian made RAVI CHANDER KOCHHAR vaccines, a tribute to all our researchers and Oa strong endorsement of India’s capabilities in the field t was towards the end of 2019 that the unknown disaster struck of medicines. As the phase-wise vaccine programme the globe in the form of COVID-19 and since then researchers began, there was a lack of transparency as to how the Iand scientists have been burning midnight oil to find out how policy will work — how would the States be allotted and where it started and how it spread. An answer eludes us the vaccines, would they be free, what is the stock that even today. The pandemic created havoc around the world, the Indian government has procured and how the sup- damages to industry and economies are still being assessed, ply chain will be handled. However, the cases were the world has taken a hit and many countries are still trying to falling, there was normalcy returning and there was recover from the shock. Now, the second wave has hit the world immense hope that we will overcome the scourge of pandemic with vaccination rollout. community with a vengeance and the havoc it has created is As the phase-wise vaccination started, India first worse than the first wave. It is upto the scientific community to saw vaccine hesitancy and there was wastage being quickly analyse how long the present wave will last. During the reported from some States. At the same time India first wave, thanks to technology, it did not take long for mankind began the noble Vaccine Maitri initiative, everyone wel- to shift to alternate means of survival and sustain business oper- comed it, secure in the belief that the government was ations. The education system promptly went into the online mode in control and had adequate supplies of the vaccine. that has now become the primary mode of teaching. It didn't The Budget Session saw an increasing feeling of hav- ing conquered the deadly virus with all ministers in take long to start virtual laboratory sessions and even the exam- the cabinet praising the Prime Minister for having tified to carry out cremations. There foreign vaccines, the assumption was force. Last week the Supreme Court inations were held online so as to recoup lost offline sessions planned like a vishwaguru, increasingly the chorus of are queues to cremate our dead, the government would use the funds said compelling States to negotiate and save an academic year. Work from home became the name Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam also started being frequent- there are queues for oxygen supply, allocated in the budget to procure with manufacturers, on grounds of ly thrown at the opposition members who questioned there are queues for vaccination, these vaccines and ramp up the vac- promoting competition and making the quantity available with India versus those export- there are queues for beds. The most cine drive. This again was not to be it attractive for new manufacturers, ed, my parliamentary question included. Globally all APPROXIMATELY tragic scenes are being reported from as the government left the procure- would adversely affect those in the 18- nations began to place advance orders to vaccine man- ONE BILLION our villages that do not even have basic ment of vaccines for those in the 18- 44 age group. The Government has ufacturing companies and built a stockpile for their INDIANS WOULD BE medical support — forget the venti- 44 age group to the states and private called its vaccination policy ‘just and citizens as early as May, 2020. India only began to pur- ELIGIBLE FOR lators that are needed to save lives — hospitals at a price decided by the equitable’; now it is for the people to chase from the first week of January, 2021. In the Union VACCINES, and the bodies of the dead are being manufacturers. This led to three dif- realize the truth on ground. The gov- Budget the Finance Minister with a lot of fanfare ROUGHLY TWO disposed of in the rivers. The govern- ferent price points for procurement ernment of India still controls the dis- announced an allocation of 35000 crore rupees exclu- BILLION DOSES, ment unfortunately is not firefighting for the Centre, State and private play- tribution despite saying it has a sively for Covid vaccine and said would not hesitate with a coherent response to the pan- ers. Today Indians are paying the hands-off approach in State govern- to allocate more if the need arises. YET THE ORDER TO demic but is rather concentrating its highest price for these vaccines sim- ment procurements. It submitted in The horror that was unfolding parallelly in DATE HAS BEEN energy on "setting a positive narrative" ply because of the ill-planned and the SC that though the States are Maharashtra sounded an alert to the central gov- FOR MERELY 36.4 because the foreign media has start- unthought out policy of a central procuring the vaccines from the ernment that they were seeing an onset of second CRORE. WE STILL ed to ask tough questions. government. The question that needs manufacturers, the Central govern- of the office game, allowing people to run offices and business- wave and had been working to reduce the impact DO NOT KNOW THE There is growing anger and help- to be asked is what happened to the ment has, in consultation with the es through virtual workshops, seminars and conferences with- but would need the support from the Central gov- WORK DONE BY lessness amongst the people. The larg- allotted budget towards procurement vaccine manufacturers, determined out having to travel at all. Shopping has more or less become ernment. These alerts would not come in the way THE GOVERNMENT er problem is of lower testing, under and vaccination, why are the States, the pro-rata population of each State an online phenomenon to avoid visits to crowded markets, food of BJP leaders applauding the PM for his leader- TO PROCURE reporting of cases and a slow vaccine already reeling under financial con- in the age group of 18-44 and each too is ordered online like never before and sensing the demand ship in ending COVID, the Health Minister from VACCINES FROM drive. The state Chief Ministers began straints, forced to buy these vaccines State will procure only that quantity saying that it was the endgame for COVID in India. to raise an alarm of vaccine shortage at prohibitive costs? so that there is no disparity in avail- for delivered food, entrepreneurs have expanded the cuisines and ABROAD. THE STATE All this while the National Task Force was not even GOVERNMENTS ARE and only when their voices started ris- Approximately one billion ability of vaccines between the States culinary fare available for the consumers. consulted nor a meeting convened. The Election ing was it revealed that India had Indians would be eligible for vaccines, inter-se either based upon difference There has been a decline in some businesses in the organ- Commission, not to be outdone, went ahead and NOW FLOATING ended up sending out more vaccines roughly two billion doses, yet the in their bargaining power. ised and unorganised sectors, but then many new entrepreneurs declared an election festival in five States with a per- GLOBAL TENDERS overseas, to countries that were see- order till date has been for merely 36.4 The technological barrier has have also sprung up ushering in new a wave of innovative ideas. functory warning of maintaining COVID protocols. TO BE ABLE TO ing lower impact of the pandemic crore. We still do not know the work created a digital divide and the price Products such as PPEs, masks and ventilators and many more Oblivious of the fact that the virus was uncontrol- BUILD A VACCINE than India, and the Health done by the government to procure barrier has created a class divide. The are being made and subjected to innovations, while those never lable, leaders were busy addressing election rallies. STOCK FOR THEIR Department hadn't stockpiled vac- vaccines from abroad. It has been over only way forward despite the govern- The numbers kept rising, shortage of medical equip- POPULATION cines. It was only on April 28 that the a month since these EUA were given ment terming Supreme Court hearing manufactured in the country are being exported in under a year. ment and medicine continued to be flagged but the government released funds to Serum but yet no clarity when they would be on this matter an overzealousness on The innovations and new systems, however, eluded the coun- ministers weren't bothered then but are now busy Institute of India and Bharat Biotech available. The State governments are part of judiciary to get involved— try's medical care apparatus with the health workers struggling sharing professional videos to show the work they for more orders. As per the Minister now floating global tenders to be able would be for the courts to form a vac- to cope up with the pandemic and trying to put their best foot are doing. Remember, with the Indian Epidemic Act of State for Finance, the government to build a vaccine stock for their pop- cination task force and get the govern- forward to ensure it contained as quickly as possible and ensur- the Centre has an overriding control over the States has totally paid out `4745 crores ulation. Many States are running out ment to adhere to the same. It is unfor- ing that people respect safety norms and wear masks, main- despite health being a state subject. (`2520 on April 28) for a total of 34.6 of vaccines and have been forced to tunate that a government which was tain social distancing and wash their hands regularly. The tsunami of second wave hit us hard and we crore doses (16 crore on April 28) till either ration the stock or shut down boasting of its Vaccine Maitri diplo- are still reeling because of the impact. The country has date. India has covered 9.9 per cent vaccination centres. Just when the macy and aatmanirbharta is now The public healthcare system is bursting at the seams and been a witness to a total collapse at the Centre, all of its population that has received the drive needed to pick up it has been defending the same policy to justify the politicising has only made it worse. This is something to be guard- Ministers having reduced themselves to trolls and any first dose and only about 2.6 per cent forced to slow down. foreign aid coming in from various ed guard against lest it demoralise the nation. Humanitarian aid suggestion or feedback being met with an unfortu- of those totally vaccinated. For Indian Various hospitals across the countries including Bhutan and is coming from various quarters, including from religious com- nate, political and whataboutery reply. The ivory tower government to call it fastest and country were forced to move the High Bangladesh, because of its own incom- that they have been confined to refuses to see the death The writer is a largest is yet another blunder. Courts to ensure their oxygen supply petence to prepare the country for a munities, offering volunteer services to provide free food at ‘lan- member of the Rajya gars’, free oxygen supplies and even beds in urgently erected and destruction- they refuse to acknowledge the scale Sabha representing the When the Government, after wasn’t disrupted. Some hospitals also second wave. Unfortunately, trans- centres. There are also disturbing scenes of over-burdened front of the problem or the deaths the second wave has left Shiv Sena. The views pressure from all quarters, opened saw deaths due to shortage of supply parency in distribution and allocation in its wake. We still do not know the number of dead, expressed are personal. up vaccine for all as well as gave of oxygen forcing the Supreme Court is still a distant dream, so is cutting out line health workers overwhelmed by the scale of the surge. our crematoriums are full, new places are being iden- Emergency Use Authorisation to all to step in and form an oxygen task- the red tape for quicker outreach. Equally disturbing are reports of black marketing of essential drugs and oxygen, fake admissions, fake medicine and med- ical equipment. All this adds up to a bizarre situation where the POINTCOUNTERPOINT conscience of those indulging in these practices seems to have died. The need of the hour is for everyone to come together keep- ing politics at bay and fight the pandemic selflessly. Life, not WHILE THEY WERE ALIVE, THEY DID NOT GET MEDICINE, THE FLOATING BODIES IN GANGA...UNFORTUNATE. money, is valuable as it will never come back. There is also the OXYGEN, BEDS AND TREATMENT. NOW, AFTER DEATH, NO THE MODI GOVERNMENT IS COMMITTED TO need to have a positive mind, it is no small achievement that SHROUDS, WOOD OR THE GROUND FOR CREMATION. MAINTAINING PIETY AND CONTINUITY OF THE GANGA. despite a massive increase in positive cases, the recoveries are also in big numbers. — FORMER BIHAR CHIEF MINISTER — UNION JAL SHAKTI MINISTER (The author is Group Pro Vice-Chancellor, Amity University, LALU PRASAD GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT Uttar Pradesh. The views expressed are personal.) The culture of political violence in India is not new The number of victims of political violence in our country is much higher than the number of deaths due to terror attacks oliticians often capitalise throw the established political is the opposite. The number of Government property or par- social space. Political power centres of West Bengal inhab- on the emotions and set up by adopting the formu- victims of political violence in ticular officials which eventu- was seized in Bihar by the ited by the ‘Bhadralok’, the Pbeliefs of common peo- la of political violence and the Gram Panchayat elections ally forced the government to ‘Bahubalis’, who resorted to socio-economic and political ple that can be regional, eth- change the power structure. In and right up to the General negotiate. However, the gener- violence and gave birth to atmosphere in its rural parts is nic, and religious. They Colombia, the Marxist-Leninist Elections or domestic conflicts al public was not harmed at a private caste militias, whose yet to see the fruits of moder- become an integral part of the organisations like FARC like intra-State, inter-State or scale that is witnessed today. activities were a precursor to nity. Paradoxically, much of political process. These values (Revolutionary Armed Forces communal and sectorial and The assassination of a partic- political violence in India. the educated class has either and beliefs become extremely KHARAT of Colombia) resorted to vio- caste conflicts is much higher ular leader of a politically Eruption of post-election migrated abroad or shifted to intense and often lead to vio- RAJESH S lence for political change since than the number of deaths due motivated community during political violence in West more developed parts of India, lence in the struggle for polit- 1964, in Peru, the Shining Path to the terrorist attacks. It is an the election period began with Bengal has dented the very and for those in Bengal, their ical supremacy. This phenom- also followed the same tactics unanticipated phenomenon the 1985 General Elections in composed image of the state. political existence is negligible. enon can be observed around and its terror impact is still con- because such situation had Bihar when 63 people, includ- Despite limitations of econom- As a result, the political class in the world as a means for gain- tinues. Thus, one could observe never existed before, at least not ing four candidates, were ic and commercial prosperity, West Bengal essentially com- ing ultimate power. The issue that while some organisations on such a larger scale. Though, killed and 200 people were West Bengal as a state did prises the common man and of political violence has once advocate ideology motivated by there were always exceptions. Meghalaya, and Tripura and seriously injured.The same maintain social harmony and activists with limited exposure again come to the fore in the political violence to achieve But a look at the violence in the also in Punjab and the Kashmir was repeated in the next gen- respected faiths and religious to the real world. However, the wake of the recent Assembly their goals, a few others use reli- last 50 years of General Valley. The demand for either eral elections. Between 1990 sentiments. Though it was political awareness and sensitiv- elections in the five States, gion based political violence Elections in India reveals an right to self-determination or and 2004 period, as reported, never free from conflicts based ities of Bengali society are quite including West Bengal. for their objectives, especially astonishing picture of post-poll an independent State or a State almost 644 people lost their on communalism or ideologi- high because of their role in and The struggle for existence in the Arab-Asian countries. violence in India. with autonomous status com- lives in various elections in cal rivalries or caste conflicts, contribution to the Renaissance has been marked by conflict, In most of the developed Between 1970 and 1990, pelled the rebels to use politi- Bihar. The feudal society, cor- those sentiments and incidents and national movements. violence, oppression, and and underdeveloped countries, there always were sporadic cal violence to achieve their rupt and weak administration, were not used for power strug- The political activists human rights abuses. In the the casualties and backlashes of incidents of violence either objectives. Moreover, the sep- and political uncertainties pro- gle. Unfortunately, the series of remained only activists and fol- 18th century, violence was con- The author is Dean, political violence during the during the pre-poll and post- aratists were also protesting vided fertile ground to the violence in Nandigram and lowed the orders and diktat sidered almost the only way to Humanities, Mumbai general elections or local con- poll period in the border states against the Union Government local leaders who simultane- Singur during the 2011 elec- given or issued by their party achieve political goals. During University. The views flicts is relatively low as com- of India, especially in the for frequent use of Article 356. ously took advantage of the tions paved the way for using leaders. In a way, political vio- the French Revolution, the expressed are personal. pared to acts of terrorism. Northeast States, viz, Nagaland, Until 1990, political vio- deteriorating economic condi- violence to meet political ends. lence is becoming a determin- Jacobin rebels tried to over- However, the situation in India Manipur, Mizoram, lence was limited to targeting tions and exploited a polarised Unlike the developed urban ing factor in elections. VIJAYAWADA | FRIDAY | MAY 14, 2021 Money 08 FB to roll out campaign to fight PE/VC deals slowing down because of second wave: EY Corona-related misinformation PNS n MUMBAI The ongoing second COVID- PNS n NEW DELHI Malayalam, Marathi, Kannada, During the pandemic, more 19 wave is affecting private Facebook on Thursday said it Gujarati and Bengali. than 12 million pieces of harm- equity and venture capital will roll out a new campaign in As per data provided by the ful misinformation on COVID- investments in terms of the India in the coming weeks to Indian government earlier this 19 were removed globally from deal numbers witnessed in "educate and inform people" year, India has 53 crore Facebook and Instagram. April, a report said on about how to detect misinfor- WhatsApp users, 41 crore "Facebook has put warning Thursday. mation related to COVID-19, Facebook users and 21 crore labels on over 167 million posts However, going by deal value, and encourage users to check users of Instagram. marked as false by third-party the PE and VC investments the information they receive Last month, Twitter, fact checkers. When people jumped to USD 7.5 billion in against an authentic source. Facebook and other social see warning labels, about 95 per April, up 37 per cent over The social networking giant has media platforms had removed cent of the time they do not go March's USD 5.5 billion, and which had surpassed 4 lakh policy action for combating this removed over 12 million pieces about 100 posts and URLs on to view the original content," 6.5 times higher than the USD infections and 4,000 deaths a second wave and COVID of "harmful" misinformation on after the government asked the US-based company said. 1.1 billion registered in April day recently. resilient sectors will continue to COVID-19 globally from them to take down content Facebook said it has also initi- 2020, during the national lock- Some analysts argue that the be in favour in the short to medi- Instagram and its own platform spreading fake news around the ated a campaign in association down after the first wave, the economic impact of this wave um term, he said, adding that during the pandemic, including pandemic. with leading doctors in India in report by consultancy firm will not be as deep as the first India's fiscal health is also an falsehoods about approved vac- In its statement on Thursday, a bid to provide accurate and EY and industry lobby Indian wave because of the overall “emerging cause of concern”. The cines. It also put warning labels users see online, Facebook will formation. These tips will show Facebook said it has made sig- reliable information and Venture Capital Association resilience. overall investments in April on over 167 million posts that be rolling out a new campaign up on Facebook through a nificant investments to remove resources on COVID-19. said. April witnessed 67 deals "New variants of the virus and were higher because of 15 large were marked as false by third- in India over the coming weeks, series of creative adverts, and accounts and content that vio- The campaign includes a as against 105 deals in March the slow vaccine rollout are value deals, which collectively party fact checkers. the US-based social networking link out to a dedicated late its Community Standards series of 12 videos where doc- and 76 deals in April 2020, it raising fresh concerns, which is resulted in inflows of USD 6.1 The social media giant, platform said in a statement. microsite, "www.fightcovidmis- or Ad Policies as part of its tors address the most common- added. "The sharp month-on- also reflected in the sharp billion in Indian companies, which counts India among its The campaign is aimed at info.com/india/," it added. global fight against spread of ly asked questions on COVID- month decline in the number of decline in the number of deals the report said. biggest markets, said it is work- educating and informing peo- Via the campaign, people will misinformation. 19. The video series - deals could be due to investors in April 2021 compared to the Pure play PE/VC invest- ing on connecting people to ple about how to detect misin- be encouraged to get the whole It is also working on reduc- #DoctorKiSuno - will premiere becoming cautious on account rising trend in the first three ments (excluding the ones in accurate sources, and tackle formation related to COVID-19 story and not just the headline, ing the distribution of misinfor- on https://www. of the rising second wave of months. “We expect investors to real estate and infrastructure misinformation, especially and encouraging them to check look for trusted sources, and mation and false news, and facebook.com/FacebookIndia COVID-19 infections in India," remain circumspect till the sectors) recorded a more than about the COVID-19 pandem- the information they receive share facts and not rumours. informing people by giving and will cover key topics like the report said. COVID-19 infection/fatality seven-fold increase in value at ic. against an authentic source The campaign and the web- them more context on the COVID-19 in children, dia- It can be noted that 20 states curve flattens and more clarity USD 6.8 billion in April 2021 as To support its efforts to pro- such as the MyGov platform. site will be rolled out in English posts they see, so that "people betes and COVID-19, the men- of the country have imposed emerges on the ramp-up of the against the USD 930 million in vide tools to make qualified "We have developed six easy and 9 Indian languages -- can decide what to read, trust, tal health impacts of COVID- lockdowns or near-lockdown vaccine rollout,” EY's partner the year-ago period and USD decisions about information tips to fight COVID-19 misin- Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Oriya, and share". 19 among others. measures following the jump in Vivek Soni said. Investors will be 4.5 billion in March this year on cases during the second wave, closely watching the government the back of the large deals.

Demand for luxury homes slow; Jio tops in 4G MONEY MATTERS download speed, Happiest Minds Q4 consolidated builders hope for recovery this yr Vadafone in PNS n NEW DELHI net profit zooms to Rs 36 crore The demand for luxury homes upload, says Trai T firm Happiest Minds has slowed down during the PNS n NEW DELHI ITechnologies Ltd has last one-and-a-half months reported a manifold growth due to the second wave of Reliance Jio topped the in consolidated net profit at COVID-19 but real estate 4G speed chart with data Rs 36.05 crore in the March developers and consultants are download rate of 20.1 2021 quarter. The company, hopeful that sales will pick up megabit per second, which got listed on BSE and once situation normalises as it while Vodafone was NSE last year, had posted a happened last year. ahead of others in net profit of Rs 5.30 crore in Lupin reports 18 pc Prices of luxury residential upload speed at 6.7 the year-ago period. Its revenue was at Rs 220.71 crore in the properties are likely to remain Mbps in April, accord- quarter under review, up 18.4 per cent from Rs 186.35 crore in the stable and may even rise slight- ing to the latest data year-ago period, a regulatory filing said. On a quarter-on-quarter increase in Q4 profit ly due to limited supply, they from telecom regulator basis the net profit fell 14.5 per cent, from Rs 42.15 crore in the said. Trai. December 2020 quarter. Its revenue grew 14.5 per cent from Rs Amit Diwan, Managing COVID-19. - Residential Business, Jio has almost three 192.84 crore in the third quarter of FY'21. "The highlight for the year PNS n NEW DELHI cal, the drug maker posted a Director and Country Head, Goyal said the January- Embassy Group, noted that times higher download FY21 was our successful IPO... As we begin FY22, we will look to consolidated net profit of Rs Hines India, said: "All our March 2021 quarter at India real estate has evolved as a speed compared to its achieving 20 per cent organic growth as indicated at the time of our Drug maker Lupin on 1,216 crore. The company residential projects have seen Sotheby's International Realty, preferred investment class in closest competitor IPO," Happiest Minds Executive Chairman Ashok Soota said. Thursday reported an 18 per had reported a net loss of Rs strong velocity and price per- one of the leading brokerage 2020, with growing interest Vodafone. cent increase in its consolidat- 269 crore in 2019-20 financial formance during January- firms in luxury segment, was towards the luxury housing Though Vodafone ed net profit at Rs 460 crore year. March 2021." the strongest both in demand segment not just from Indians and Idea Cellular have for the fourth quarter ended Total income from opera- Residential buyers want and transaction closures. but also from NRIs. merged their mobile Intense bidding for March 31, 2021, driven by tions for the last fiscal stood good-quality larger units from "With the current lockdown, "Luxury residential prices business as Vodafone robust sales across domestic at Rs 15,163 crore, as com- reputed developers, he said. yes there's a short pause, but across key markets have Idea Ltd, the Telecom KG-D6 gas in e-auction and international markets. pared to Rs 15,375 crore in "We expect that with a we believe that the buying remained stable, witnessing a Regulatory Authority of The Mumbai-based compa- 2019-20. hybrid work model here to momentum will make a big steady recovery path. There India (Trai) still releases s many as 14 ny had reported a net profit of "We are happy that the stay, these trends will contin- comeback, just as it did last have been no new launches in separate network speed Ausers across Rs 390 crore in the January- journey to sustain margin ue. Going forward we remain year when the COVID situa- the Rs 3 crore plus category in data of both the entities. sectors slugged it March quarter of 2019-20. improvement continues, optimistic that the uptick in tion normalised," he said. the last couple of years, con- Vodafone recorded on a third party The company's total despite a challenging environ- demand will continue once the Given the limited supply in tributing to the stability in download speed of 7 electronic platform income from operations how- ment. On the back of a strong second wave settles down," this segment, he said proper- prices through sustained Mbps in April, accord- for seven-and-half ever declined to Rs 3,783 ramp-up of inline products Diwan said. ty prices rose in some pockets, demand," she said. ing to Trai's data updat- hours to secure crore during the fourth quar- and meaningful new product Amit Goyal, CEO, India if not all, last year. Sebastian said luxury home ed on May 11. It was fol- natural gas ter, as compared to Rs 3,846 launches, we are confident of Sotheby's International Realty, Goyal does not expect buyers today prefer projects by lowed by Idea and Bharti supplies from the crore in the corresponding a solid growth trajectory and said the demand for luxury sharp rise in prices but some branded developers and Airtel with download eastern offshore period of FY20, Lupin Ltd said continued margin expansion," and spacious homes went up firming up in price could be ready-to-move-in properties speeds of 5.8 Mbps and KG-D6 block before in a statement. Lupin Ltd Managing Director significantly across the coun- seen. where quality can be assessed 5 Mbps, respectively. the oil-to-chemical For the entire 2020-21 fis- Nilesh Gupta said. try post the first phase of Reeza Sebastian, President first hand. (O2C) unit of Reliance Industries Ltd bagged most of the supplies, sources said. Reliance Industries Ltd and its partner BP Plc of the UK, who are bringing a second set of gas discoveries in their Bay of Bengal KG-D6 block, had offered 5.5 million standard cubic Bajaj unveils fresh measures HCC bags Airtel fixed line to be meters per day of additional gas in the auction for a flexible Rs 1,147 cr tenure of between 3 to 5 years. for Covid-hit employees order from migrated to Amdocs PNS n MUMBAI ernment, local administration PNS n NEW DELHI fixed line and enterprise sub- Granules commits to donate and NGO initiatives, including scribers will also soon be Bajaj Auto on Thursday the procurement of 12 oxygen Chennai Metro Airtel fixed line and enterprise migrated to Amdocs' system announced a host of mea- plants and several other respi- PNS n NEW DELHI subscribers will soon be for more rapid delivery of 16 cr paracetamol tabs to TS sures for its employees, includ- ratory support equipment so migrated to Amdocs' system new digital customer experi- ranules India, a city- ing monetary support staff far, in the government's fight Hindustan Construction for more rapid delivery of ences," the statement said. Gbased vertically inte- families for up to two years in against the deadly virus. Company said it has in new digital customer experi- Amdocs is a provider of grated pharmaceutical com- case of death due to COVID- COVID-19 has shown that joint venture with KEC ences, according to a state- software and services to com- pany, has announced that it 19, and upgradation of the ed the support of its engineers mental well-being of employ- International won a Rs ment. munications and media com- pledged to provide the COVID care centre at in who have worked closely with ees is as important as physical, 1,147 crore order from It said the success of the panies. Telangana government 16 Aurangabad, as the country government authorities to and they need to be cared for Chennai Metro Rail. ongoing strategic engagement Amdocs-managed services crore Paracetamol-500 mg battles second wave of the audit the oxygen systems at in a wholesome manner, it "HCC has been award- between the two companies is operate AI (Artificial tablets free of cost to fight pandemic. more than 70 hospitals across said. ed Rs 1,147 crore contract underscored by Amdocs' Intelligence) driven, hyper- the COVID-19 pandemic. These measures are in districts in Maharashtra to Under the new policy, in the by Chennai Metro Rail Ltd seamless migration of Airtel automation platform at Airtel, According to a press release addition to several initiatives prevent wastage of this pre- unfortunate event of an for the construction of wireless postpaid customers to which proactively identifies issued by the drug maker already undertaken by the cious resource, the company employee's death due to 7.95 km elevated viaduct its modern digital-business and resolves any operational on Wednesday, the company will provide one crore tablets every company over the past one said. COVID, his/her family will section on Corridor 4 of system, that enables the telco problems, resulting in a week, starting from May 12, aggregating to 16 crore tablets worth year, Bajaj Auto Ltd said in a Bajaj Group has already receive monetary support up phase II of the Chennai to quickly create and launch smoother ordering and billing Rs eight crore over next four months. Uma Devi Chigurupati, release. committed a total of Rs 300 to a period of two years after Metro," it said. new digital services for cus- experience for both internal Executive Director, Granules India, said, "We believe that this contri- Bajaj Auto has also extend- crore towards various gov- their demise. tomers. "In addition, Airtel and external users. bution will complement the Government of Telanganas efforts in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic in the state of Telangana." As a company, Granules is always in the forefront of taking up corporate IndiGo announces ONGC removes marketing margin social responsibilities and contributing to society, she added. PNS n NEW DELHI margin of USD 0.20 per ITC loan facility to employees mmBtu over and above con- initiatives for staff State-owned Oil and Natural tract price is removed," it to support Covid treatment PNS n MUMBAI ily members, the company Gas Corporation (ONGC) has said. said. agreed to do away with charg- At the current Brent crude iversified business entity ITC No-frills carrier IndiGo on The airline said it has ing users a marketing margin oil price of close to USD 70, DLtd on Thursday said it is Thursday said it is setting up already commenced vacci- on the gas it plans to produce the minimum price comes to extending loan facility to a 13-beded dedicated COVID nation drives across 40 sta- from its KG basin field but USD 7.3 per million British employees to support medical care centre in collaboration tions in its network and at its refused to lower the mini- thermal unit. treatment, owing to COVID-19 with Columbia Asia Hospital support centre at Gurugram mum rate, according to tender This price, however, will be infection of certain family mem- in Gurugram, for those coro- and there are drives planned documents. subject to the ceiling or cap bers, who are not covered under navirus positive employees for some additional stations ONGC, India's top oil and fixed by the government for the company's medical policy who may need access to an later this month. gas producer, last month deepsea fields every six While the company is providing oxygen bed with related med- In the last two weeks, the sought bids for sale of initial 2 the three-month average Brent raised by bidders, ONGC months. The cap for six full coverage of medical expens- ical facilities. airline said, it has set up a million standard cubic meters crude oil price. On top of it, the said the floor price cannot be months beginning April 1 is es of employees and immediate The facility, which is part central task force, which is per day of gas from its KG- firm sought USD 0.20 per mil- changed but marketing mar- USD 3.62 per mmBtu. family members, ITC said it has of slew of measures being further supported by a DWN-98/2 block (KG-D5). lion British thermal unit. gin is being dropped. This essentially means that also extended medical insurance taken by IndiGo to support regional task force network, The company asked bid- Potential bidders however "Change in Reserve Gas bidders may corner gas by coverage to supply chain partners. The company has also put in its employees and their fam- to establish, monitor and ders to quote a rate linked to opposed the levy of the mar- Price (floor rate) is not offering to pay USD 7, but place "a suite of interventions" to help employees during this health ilies amid the pandemic, can review response strategies prevailing Brent crude oil keting margin as well as the agreed. However, considering the buyers will have to pay no crisis, which includes medical care for employees and their families be used both by the employ- and create programs to help prices. It fixed the floor or min- "high" floor price. requests from various bid- more than the ceiling price of through dedicated COVID-19 care centres, helplines managed by the ees and their immediate fam- its people. imum rate at 10.5 per cent of Responding to queries ders, the levy of marketing USD 3.62. company's HR personnel for emergency support. 9

Vijayawada Friday May 14, 2021 what’s brewing? Radhe hits OTT screens in India, theatres worldwide wearing masks while waiting releasing. Not with the same in a queue. Since our coun- number of prints that we try is experiencing the sec- usually released but it is ond wave of Covid-19, the- being released abroad,” he atres are shut and Radhe will said. be screened on multiple digi- Ahead of the release, tal platforms. Salman Khan had shared a While most filmmakers special video taking a com- Virushka raise Rs 11 Cr , Priyanka decided to hold the release of mitment from everyone to their films, Salman Khan watch Radhe on the platform decided to go ahead with a and say no to piracy in collects $1M for Covid relief worldwide hybrid release, entertainment. The film will release simulta- Taking to his social media, ctress Anushka association with GiveIndia Countless others helped us neously in theatres across the Salman shared, “No piracy in Sharma and her via a video message posted spread the world to expedite world and on the digital plat- entertainment... #Radhe.” cricketer husband on her Instagram feed. the process.” She shared that form ZEE5. Salman Khan mentions Virat Kohli as well Through the fundraiser, the money that has been col- During a recent virtual how many people put in lots A as actor Priyanka Priyanka and Nick have lected through the fundraiser interview, Salman Khan who of effort to make one film Chopra and her managed to raise 1 million will be used to buy oxygen is also the producer of the hence, it is very upsetting singer husband Nick Jonas dollars. The couple took to concentrators and for vaccine film, spoke about the Indian when some people take to have thanked people as they their respective social media support. theatrical release of the film. piracy to enjoy that film. raised money to help India platforms to announce the Meanwhile, Anushka and “Once the theatres open even Directed by Prabhu Deva, during the devastating sec- same. Virat had started their after this OTT release, Radhe also features Disha ond wave of the coronavirus Priyanka wrote, “Through fundraiser by donating 2 because there are still people Patani, Randeep Hooda, and pandemic. While Anushka some of the darkest days in crore rupees. alman Khan occasion of Eid. His action to catch Salman Khan in who would want to watch it Jackie Shroff in lead roles. and Virat’s fundraiser has our history, humanity has Anushka, in her appeal to ensured that his entertainer Radhe: Your Most action. in theatres and some who Post this, Salman is expected collected over Rs 11 crore, once again proven that we people to come forward to fans were delivered Wanted Bhai has hit the At the film’s premiere in don’t watch on OTT, we will to start shooting for Sajid Priyanka and Nick have col- are better together. @nick- help, wrote, “India needs you S entertainment, as screens and fans of the actor Dubai fans were seen main- do a release in India in the- Nadiadwala’s Kabhi Eid lected one million dollars to jonas and I are so humbled and we thank you whole- promised on the thronged a theatre in Dubai taining social distancing and atres as well. Abroad, it is Kabhi Diwali. help people in India. by your support and by the heartedly for every bit of Priyanka has been tireless- outpouring of help for India contribution that you have ly working to ensure that the from so many parts of the made to save lives. We will global community’s attention world. Over 14,000 good win this battle against the remains on India. A couple of Samaritans opened their pandemic. We shall do every- weeks ago, the actress hearts and helped us raise $1 thing to get through this, Gal Gadot gets backlash for announced a fundraiser in Million in these trying times. together.”

This Is Us chronicles the statement on Israel-Palestine violence Pearson family across the Multi-starrer family decades: from Jack and onder Woman her country which angered a ing the real picture behind Middle East conflict. Rebecca as young parents in actress and huge section of netizens who the clashes. Amidst all the On Monday, clashes the 1980s to their 37-year-old Hollywood star Gal accused her of propagating barbs at Gadot, a few did took place in and drama This Is Us to kids, Kevin, Kate, and W Gadot, who hails Israel’s agenda against agree that the actress was around the Al-Aqsa Randall searching for love from Israel took to Palestine. indeed tweeting for peace Mosque in the Old and fulfillment in the present Twitter on Gadot wrote, “My heart and the backlash against her City. The Israeli- day. Wednesday to post a message breaks. My country is at war. was uncalled for. Palestinian ongoing end with season 6 This grounded, life-affirm- on the Israel-Palestinian con- I worry for my family, my For weeks now, Palestinian conflict started after ing dramedy reveals how the flict she thought would be friends. I worry for my peo- protesters and Israeli police the Israeli military ward-winning fam- episodes” Season 5 of the tiniest events in our lives about unity and peace ple. This is a vicious cycle have clashed on a daily basis occupation of the ily drama This Is Us series is currently airing on impact who we become, and between the two nations that has been going on for far in and around Jerusalem’s Palestinian territo- is coming to an NBC whereas the cast will how the connections we amid the violence that erupt- too long. Israel deserves to Old City, home to major reli- ries in the 1967 Six- A end. The series will begin shooting season 6 this share with each other can ed in the region again. live as a free and safe nation. gious sites sacred to Day War. close its run with summer for the 2021-2022 transcend time, distance, and But instead, Gadot’s tweet Our neighbours deserve the Jews, Christians its sixth season broadcast season. even death. was received with such back- same. I pray for the victims and though NBC and creator Dan lash that the actress turned and their families. I pray for Fogelman are yet to confirm off commenting on her post this unimaginable hostility to the news. and just left the tweet out end, I pray for our leaders to The tear-jerker has been there. Critics and Palestinian find the solution so we can one of the most critically supporters accused the live side by side in acclaimed series ever since it actress of using her position peace. I pray first aired in 2016. as a ‘propaganda’ for Israel for better According to a news and their attempts at ‘ethnic days.” she agency, “While an official cleansing’. concluded count has yet to be Gadot, who is a former the tweet. determined, it’s soldier with the Israeli But netizens lashed out at Muslims expected that the Defence Forces, put out a the actress, accusing her of and the emo- final season will message in solidarity with being tone-deaf and not see- tional epicentre of the consist of around 18 FUN

ARCHIE CALVIN AND HOBBES

GARFIELD REALITY CHECK SPEED BUMP CROSSWORD

NANCY

SUDOKU Yesterday’s solution

GINGER MEGGS

Rules l Each row and column can contain each number (1 to 9) exactly once. l The sum of all numbers in any row or column must equal 45. Follow us on @TheDailyPioneer facebook.com/ dailypioneer

Friday May 14, 2021 SKY IS THE LIMIT FOR AKASA he has the riches, putting everything together in a the best part is just to have a she has the power week was a task but again, the balance," she adds. It shows that and she also has the process was exciting. All the fun she invested the sweat equity to S fame but what is that you hear and see in Shola is make this dream a reality! The that she cherishes exactly how much we enjoyed glory is hers now and she cele- above all this? The while making it too. It felt like a brates it with the success of satisfaction and happiness that childhood friend's vibe with her every song but what adds she gets from crooning before Charan because we hit the to that success? AKASA has millions of people hooting ground running, inspite of writ- always tried being as real ‘AKASA, AKASA’ for her. With ing together for the first time, and as honest about the realistic and some concrete and I saw a new side to Rohit, music she performs, goals, AKASA began her career his whole desi latka-jhatka vibe whether it's a dance with reality shows! Ultimately, was new to despite knowing number or a subtle she arrived at her desired desti- him for a while," she giggles. Sufi song. Neither nation with her debut pop single There are some universal does she believe in crossing 27M+ views in one challenges to success that affect shortcuts! month and becoming the most- us all, no matter the circum- "Performing on watched Indian video world- stance, AKASA shows confi- stage is one of my wide on YouTube. With her lat- dence in this strong points est successful song to which saying! and some everyone’s dancing to glory — She Shola with Instagram’s new ART FOR heartthrob Rohit Saraf, she’s happy with the phenomenal response, simultaneously No one likes to be knowing that she has very successfully carved a a failure in life and looks niche for herself as a THE MIND singer in Bollywood with her melodious forward to being successful, so voice and versatile songs. “I grew up did Kheech Meri Photo fame around music. My father has been a AKASA think and, with Punjabi pop star him- AND HEART self! Then there’s my perseverance, she achieved it! The brother, my uncle, my mum—everyone’s star singer talks to The Pioneer's ho thought we would been in or around wake up to a music hugely, so it was SHIKHA DUGGAL about her dystopian reality in always a part of my life. W the years 2020 and My journey began with most recent release, the creative 2021? This pandemic doing stage shows at a has taken a toll on very early age. I used to process behind it, and our emotional and mental well- perform with Mika ji and being. Our relationships, then reality shows swung by, shooting amid the careers, goals, and aspirations which processed into singing for have altered as we learn to cope films, getting signed by a label, with the ‘new normal’. It’s safe doing pop songs, etc! It’s been a pandemic. to say we are all trying to deal long and wonderful process but with this uncertainty to the best I feel I have just begun,” she believes that of our ability. The month of shared. challenges are all May is globally dedicated to The peppy tunes of the new within our own control, and we Mental Health Awareness and era music are still keeping the can overcome them. Where oth- Akshita Gandhi believes art flame of it alive. AKASA’s recent ers saw impenetrable barriers, holds the power to spark posi- chartbuster celebrates the she saw challenges to embrace tivity and joy in our lives. advent of the wedding season in and obstacles to overcome. Akshita is a multi-media artist India hitting the music scene Statistically, women constitute a who has, by merging social, with a feisty title. Ahead of the significant proportion of instru- historical, and mythological release, the pop queen and mental soloists in classical concepts, has her work concen- Rohit were trending with ‘The music and the percentage of trated on breaking out of though we have forever but we Future Wife’ reel over social women in orchestras is increas- stereotypical gender roles, grap- only have now because time is media! Believing in the original- ing. Although women are less pling with the history of colo- fictional. Time is a concept that ity of songs, AKASA also feels common as instrumental play- nialism, and self-empower- only exists in space, that vacu- the ‘digital duniya’ has taken the ers in popular music genres ment. um is all we really have. What music industry by storm. “The such as rock and heavy metal, In 2020, Akshita spent the we make of our confinement is fact that the internet is available there have been notable female lockdown teaching Art Therapy in our hands.” to everyone has just increased instrumentalists and all-female and wellness workshops that Gandhi found herself splat- the usage of music so much. bands! And, the singer that we thing I’m very comfortable break through the clutter defi- ty currently. This is my mantra helped people release their neg- tering paint across fond images; Audio and video streaming ser- have with us didn’t let anyone with! A lot of credit for that nitely! She mentioned how well — passion is the importance of ative emotions through a this free way to apply paint vices make content so readily under-represent her. “The goes to Mika ji. He’s one of the she could relate with Bollywood patience. You cant put timelines healthy, intuitive, and therapeu- allowed her to realise and share available which is amazing. The obstacles come as a part of the reasons I started performing singer Sunidhi because both of to your success, only to your tic outlet. the power to heal through the phrase ‘creative process’ seems a package, the industry we are and learning from him early on them have the same ‘masala’ of a hard work. Be patient and grate- Inspired by these workshops, use of colours especially rele- little funny to me because we’ve stepping in. Why is that? was incredible. He’s one of the non-conventional voice in the ful for the little successes too, Akshita created a series to cele- vant for the people who are suf- had so much fun while creating Because there’s so much talent best performers in the country industry while also being aware don’t compare your success to brate colours; ‘Fluids,’ which is fering from Covid anxiety and the music video! It’s been very in our country, so many people and I’ve learned so much from of how Punjabi music is heading anyone else’s, and constantly be about the impermanence of other negative emotions as a natural and smooth. Making a from all corners of India want to him that I’ll remember for life,” these days, she has been listen- at it. Trust me, your dreams will time. She shares, “We live as result of this pandemic. song and doing it a certain way make a mark in music! The she shares. ing to a lot of Jasmine Sandlas. come true,” she concluded on a had never been intentional. The competition’s pretty intense, Placement on an influential “We are in a time where I think lighter note. composer literally thought of nonetheless, facing rejection list of music charts helps grab all of us should first think about Shola is a fun, typical wed- the hook line in his sleep! He becomes a second observation some curious eyeballs on social staying safe. And adding to that, ding song! It has all the ele- woke up and recorded that, when you choose this as a pro- media but the pop-sensation I’ve thought about being much ments of a fun sangeet. It has played it to me and since then, fession. The primary challenge certainly considers her parents more grateful for what I have, been tweaked to suit the present we've been having a party mak- is to stay true as an artist, it’s to be the biggest influences of and try to help in whatever way generation with peppy beats. ing this song together. The very easy to get swayed by her life. Apart from them, with I can because we’re going Add to that, AKASA’s amazing video wasn't easy, shooting in what’s trending instead of doing Sunidhi Chauhan too being an through a major crisis and I feel voice and you have a hit num- the middle of the pandemic and what feels good to one’s heart so inspiration, AKASA is trying to that should be everyone’s priori- ber!

hey have their point of view, and were recorded and sent always been that’s why I wanted to to the students, and angels of line up a few young they practiced over Musical ode to our nurses T mercy, nurs- nursing professionals video calls. There were ing profes- as well in it.” Thrissur’s challenges, but our sionals been Government College of team felt it’s the least working hard as front- Nursing students we could do to appreci- line Covid warriors. Sreeraj P, Devika S ate nurses’ efforts at Rapper Indulekha and Nair, Arjun K, and this time.” team prepared a tribute Sujisha P P are the ones Sujisha says that to their services during who have joined her in though many people these difficult times. the rap. say nurses are angels, Through her new rap Due to the ongoing they will also not spare track Pada lockdown, the artistes a chance to criticise Poruthuvaan, written, and others collaborat- them. “As mentioned in composed, and pre- ing for the rap video the song, we too sented by her, along- couldn’t meet with undertake abundant side a handful of nurs- each other. Indulekha risks keeping many ing students and singer says, “All of us individ- personal matters aside. Dilraj, the artiste shows ually recorded our It would be great if how nurses serve parts on phones and people take a moment round the clock, even combined them at the to think about it and I risking their lives. editing table.” guess that’s what the Indulekha says, “The The artiste, whose track helps listeners incredible work they dad and actor Jayaraj do.” do despite various Warrier had also con- Devika says, “We challenges has been all tracted Covid-19 had the challenges of over the news for more sometime back, says, pandemic restrictions than a year. That’s what “It was unlike a regular in the making of this inspired me and my video shoot or audio video. But getting to be team to come up with recording session. Even part of such an initia- this rap track. It pre- the choreography was tive, as a nurse, for sents their efforts from done online. The steps nurses, felt great.” VIJAYAWADA | FRIDAY | MAY 14, 2021 sport 11

shortpasses INDIA RETAIN TOP SPOT IN TESTS DUBAI: India remained the No 1 Test side after Powar returns as India women coach the annual update of the ICC team rankings. India head the table after gaining one rating Ramesh replaces WV Raman, coming back after his last stint ended in bitter fallout with Mithali point for an aggregate of 121. HERTHA BOOST SURVIVAL HOPES PTI n NEW DELHI BERLIN: Hertha Berlin took a big step towards Bundesliga survival with a 2-1 win at ormer spinner Ramesh Powar bottom side Schalke on Wednesday. on Thursday replaced W V Shafali, Radha set to FRaman as the Indian women’s PSG EDGE OUT MONTPELLIER cricket team’s head coach, regain- MONTPELLIER: PSG squeaked past ing the position more than two make WBBL debuts Montpellier 6-5 on penalties in French Cup years after he was sacked owing to semi-final to keep alive their hopes of ending a bitter fallout with ODI captain New Delhi: Indian batting sensa- The teenager’s father was also the season with silverware. Mithali Raj. tion Shafali Verma is set to make required to sign a consent form as The 42-year-old was recom- her Women’s Big Bash League Shafali is still a minor. CHELSEA SLIP UP IN TOP-4 RACE mended by the Madan Lal-led debut with two-time champions Shefali joins the trio of T20 LONDON: Arsenal dented Chelsea's bid to Cricket Advisory Committee Sydney Sixers later this year. skipper Harmanpreet Kaur finish in the Premier League's top four as (CAC) after interviewing eight The 17-year-old is expected to (Sydney Thunder), opener Smriti Emile Smith Rowe punished Jorginho's candidates, including Raman. be joined by left-arm spinner Mandhana (Brisbane Heat) and blunder to seal a 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge. “The Board of Control for Radha Yadav, who is currently in all-rounder Veda Krishnamurthy Cricket in India (BCCI) announces talks with the Syndey Sixers fran- (Hobart Hurricanes), which has FANS TO ATTEND LA LIGA GAMES the appointment of Mr Ramesh chise. featured in the WBBL. MADRID: Fans will be allowed to return to Powar as the Head Coach of Team “Shafali’s deal is done, it will The world number one batter some stadiums in the top two divisions of India (Senior Women). The BCCI be announced when the Women’s in ICC women’s T20I rankings will Spanish football this weekend, the country's had advertised for the post and Big Bash schedule is released,” a also be turning up for Government confirmed on Wednesday. received over 35 applications,” a BCCI source said. Birmingham Phoenix in the inau- BCCI statement read. “Radha is also in talks with the gural edition of The Hundred later ARCHER RETURNS AFTER INJURY The others in fray were former Sydney Sixers,” the source added. this year. PTI LONDON: England pacer Jofra Archer returns India wicketkeeper Ajay Ratra and to competitive cricket on Thursday in a four female candidates including County match for Sussex after being out of former chief selector Hemlata Kala. India qualified for the semi-final of “A l l t h e b e s t @imrameshpowar action for more than one-and-half months. “Looking forward to take india the T20 World Cup that year and with the @BCCIWomen in this women’s cricket ahead. Thanks a also won 14 T20 matches in a row. spell.. Look forward to seeing the SERENA TO PLAY IN PARMA lot CAC & bcci for this opportu- Powar works alongside Mithali, position in the women’s team, is okay working with all the play- Raman, who had replaced girls soar under your guidance...,” ROME: Serena Williams has been given a wild nity,” Powar tweeted after his who had accused him of bias after Powar proved himself as a coach ers”. Powar in December 2018, now Raman tweeted. card to play in next week's WTA tourney in appointment. the Harmanpreet Kaur-led T20 and earlier this year, led Mumbai “I was also very impressed finds himself in a similar situation. Powar’s major challenge will be Parma after her exit from the Italian Open. The CAC chose Powar for his team dropped the veteran batter for to the Vijay Hazare Trophy after the with the views of the four female The former India batsman had to prepare the team for the ODI clear vision for the team, said Lal. the all-important World Cup semi- domestic giants failed miserably in candidates. It showed they are coached India to the T20 World World Cup in New Zealand next IRFAN, 4 OTHERS TEST +VE “He has been coaching for a final against England. the T20 competition. He has also very much in touch and involved Cup final last year but it seems the year. NEW DELHI: Olympic-bound race walker K T while. His vision for the team Mithali, in a letter to the BCCI worked at the National Cricket with the game. Future is bright for ODI and T20 series loss to the vis- His first assignment will be a Irfan is among five elite track-and-field impressed us the most. He has a after the event, had alleged that Academy as a bowling coach. all of them,” Lal added. iting South African team in March full-fledged tour of the UK start- athletes who have tested positive for Covid-19 clear cut plan for the team, what he Powar “was out to destroy and Asked whether his acrimo- Powar played two Tests and 31 cost him the job. ing with India’s first Test in seven at the SAI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. wants do with it to take it to the humiliate” her. Powar had hit back nious exit from the team and rela- ODIs for India. In his first stint A few selection calls during the years from June 16 against hosts next level. He also has full clarity asserting that Mithali “threw a lot tionship with Mithali was dis- with the women’s team, Powar series, like the dropping of teenage England. RISHABH GETS FIRST DOSE on all aspects of the game. Now he of tantrums and created chaos in cussed during Powar’s interview, was at the helm from July to big-hitter Shafali Verma and senior The team is also scheduled to NEW DELHI: Star India wicket-keeper needs to deliver on that,” Lal said. the team”. Lal said: “We did ask him about it November 2018. pacer Shikha Pandey, had raised tour Australia before the World batsman Rishabh Pant on Thursday received It remains to be seen how After being removed from his and he said he wasn’t at fault. He It was under his tutelage that eyebrows. Cup. his first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine. Agencies Aus IPL players Paine hints at giving up captaincy may return Captaincy was great learning PTI n MELBOURNE he’s not doing it anymore. But home on Sunday yeah I would support him get- experience for Sanju: Buttler ustralian Test captain Tim ting that job again,” he added, ‘India distracted us Male: A group of Australian APaine has hinted at stepping Paine also hinted that he cricketers, coaches and play- PTI n NEW DELHI “It was a great learning Royals’ director of cricket down from the position if his might step down from captain- ers-turned-commentators, experience for him. And I Kumar Sangakkara was effu- team manages to defeat England cy if Australia can beat England during Test series’ currently stranded in Maldives, eading Rajasthan Royals think, as the tournament was sive in his praise for all- in the Ashes series this year and in the Ashes later this year. may return home in a char- Lin the now suspended IPL going along, at the halfway rounder Riyan Parag, who he backed former skipper Steve “At least another six Tests,” Melbourne: Australia captain the Gabba so we didn’t know tered flight on Sunday, though was a great learning experi- stage, he was really growing sees as a future Indian team Smith to succeed him. he said referring to the one- Tim Paine says his team where we were going. They’re they are still waiting confirma- ence for skipper Sanju into the role, looking to put prospect. Smith was Australia’s cap- off Test against Afghanistan was distracted by the very good at creating these tion from their Government. Samson, according to star together some better, more “For, us Riyan Parag is a tain before being forced to step and the five-Test Ashes at Indian team’s “niggling” sideshows and we took our eye “Under plans currently opener Jos Buttler, who feels consistent performances very, very special player. I down in 2018 owing to his role home. during the epoch-making off the ball,” he added. being thrashed out..., the the youngster grew into the towards the end of the season think he’s got a huge amount in the ball-tampering scandal. “If I feel like the time Test series early this year He was referring to unver- group of 38 would be able to role as the tournament pro- as a side,” Buttler said in a vir- to contribute to not just “Obviously I don’t make is right and we’ve which the visitors rallied to ified reports which claimed take a charter flight out of the gressed. tual session arranged by the Royals, but also to Indian that decision but the time I beaten the Poms win despite being ravaged that the visiting side did not Maldives via Malaysia to Samson, who had finished Royals. cricket in future very special played with Steve as captain he 5-0, what a way to by injuries. want to play the Brisbane Test, Sydney on May 16, where as the side’s highest run-getter Under Samson, the former talent that needs care, nurtur- was excellent. Certainly tactical- go out. But it “...They’re very good if the players had to follow a they would then serve their in the 2020 season, had champions won three of their ing and development.” ly he is as good as you get,” Paine might be a tight at niggling you and try- hard quarantine. mandatory 14-day quarantine replaced Australian Steve seven fixtures before the The Sri Lankan legend said. “He’s probably a bit like me. series and we ing to distract you with The media reports had period,” a report in Smith as skipper of Rajasthan league was suspended said he was also impressed by He was thrown into a very big might be chas- stuff that doesn’t really relied on source-based infor- ESPNCricinfo said. Royals in January. mid-season due to the trio of pacers Chetan role at a very, very young age and ing 300 on the matter and there were mation to make the assertion. It, however, said that Cricket multiple cases of Sakaria, wicketkeeper-bats- he probably wasn’t quite ready last day and I’m times in that series India, however, went to Australia and the BCCI are still Covid-19 in its bio- man Anuj Rawat and open- for it. But by the time I came in 100 not out and where we fell for that,” Gabba and scripted a record awaiting confirmation from the Scheduling IPL real bubble. er Yashasvi Jaiswal. he was growing into that role hit the winning Paine told news.com.au. chase of 328 on the final day Australian Government if the “I’ve really “Chetan Sakaria and getting better and better. runs — and “The classic exam- for a thrilling three-wicket group in Maldives will be enjoyed playing was a revelation, Then obviously (in) South then I might ple was when they said win, which also sealed the allowed to return home after challenge: RR owner under Sanju’s captain- his attitude, his Africa events happened and go again.” they weren’t going to series. PTI May 15. PTI New Delhi: Rajasthan Royals cy. I don’t think it ability to deal with owner Manoj Badale says changed him at all as pressure, and of scheduling the suspended IPL a person. He’s quite a course, his skill. will be “a real challenge” and free spirited, very “We had there is only a small possibil- relaxed kind of guy Anuj and Yash ity of hosting the League on and he tried to get that —the two Djoker sweeps into Italian quarters either side of the T20 World across to the team and youngsters who Cup later this year. that’s how he wanted us have been with AFP n ROME Berrettini 7-6 (7/3), 6-2 in 1hr 2019. “I think the challenge is to play as a side.” the franchise 36min. Belarus’ Sabalenka, the just finding space and calen- “It is really for a very, very orld number one Novak “It always feels like home world No 4 and seventh seed, dar. The players are already important as a leader long time. WDjokovic swept into the coming back to Rome,” said fell 7-5, 6-3 to the 17-year-old playing too much cricket,” to be authentic, and And I was Italian Open quarter-finals on Djokovic, who has never failed Gauff, ranked 35, who reached Badale said. “The calendars I think Sanju is thoroughly Thursday with a straight sets to reach the quarter-finals in his her fourth quarter-final of the are incredibly packed, and very much impressed by wins over Alejandro 15 appearances in the clay-court year. particularly this year after that,” Buttler all three of Davidovich Fokina in front of event. “It will be great to see Covid, Boards from around added. them. spectators who were allowed to After losing his opening where my level is,” said Gauff of the world and trying to get as watch in the Foro Italico. service game, Djokovic pow- playing Barty. “I mean, she’s the many competitions and as The five-time Rome cham- ered back with five breaks of No 1 player in the world. I have many Test matches in as pos- pion won through 6-2, 6-1 in 70 serve, outclassing his rival, no pressure on me. I’m just sible,” he added. minutes against the 48th- despite a late fightback, to seal going to go out there and see Badale said there is a Milan put 7 past Torino ranked Spaniard with the venue the win on his sixth match what I can do and try my best.” possibility the league could filled to 25 per cent of capaci- point. Six of the WTA’s top ten move to either the United AFP n TURIN deserves it and the club ty for the first time amid the American Reilly Opelka players have already exited the Kingdom or the Middle East. deserves it.” easing of Covid-19 restrictions. also advanced to his second Foro Italico including second- “I think it’s going to be a nte Rebic scored a hat-trick Juve are a further point “It was not good, it was Masters 1000 quarter-final with seed Naomi Osaka, four-time real challenge. I think it’s a Aand Theo Hernandez a adrift after getting back to win- great. I missed the crowd,” said a 7-6 (8/6), 6-4 victory against eased into the quarter-finals Gauff who earlier ousted Rome winner Serena Williams, small possibility of some- double as AC Milan thrashed ning ways after last weekend’s the 33-year-old, who next plays in-form Russian Aslan Karatsev with a straight sets win over Madrid winner Aryna Sofia Kenin and Petra Kvitova. thing in September in the UK Torino 7-0 on Wednesday to 3-0 defeat at home to Milan. Stefanos Tsitsipas in a rematch in 1hr 36min. Russian Veronika Sabalenka. Defending champion or possibly something in the keep their push for a return to Cristiano Ronaldo and of last year’s French Open semi- Kudermetova. Barty, 25, lost to Sabalenka Simona Halep, the third seed, Middle East, either side of the the Champions League for the Paulo Dybala both scored their final which the Serb won. GAUFF VS BARTY IN QF The top-seeded Australian in last weekend’s Madrid final was forced out with a calf T20 World Cup, but I think first time since 2014 on track. 100th goals for the club in all Fifth seed Tsitsipas ended In the women’s section, won through 6-3, 6-3 to set up and is warming-up for the injury in her second round it’s going to be a real chal- The battle for elite competitions to keep the the run of home hope Matteo world No 1 Ashleigh Barty a clash with US teenager Coco French Open which she won in match. lenge.” PTI European football remains tight dethroned Turin giants hopes of with just three points separat- Champions League football ing second-placed Atalanta and alive with a 3-1 win over Juventus in fifth. Sassuolo. Atalanta moved back sec- Juventus dropped out of CL final shifted to Porto Atleti move 4 points clear ond ahead of Napoli with a 2- the top-four after their defeat 0 win over relegation candidates to AC Milan and play Inter AFP n LONDON AFP n MADRID and when victory was con- Benevento. Milan and Bologna in their firmed, fireworks filled the The Bergamo side are last two matches. EFA announced on tletico Madrid held their sky. equal on points with Antonio Conte’s Inter UThursday that the Anerve to beat Real Victory puts Atletico four Milan, with Napoli a fur- extended their unbeaten Champions League final Sociedad 2-1 on Wednesday points clear of Barcelona in the ther two points adrift in league run to 20 games, between Manchester City and and move within touching dis- table and five ahead of Real fourth. and claimed a 15th con- Chelsea had been moved from tance of winning La Liga. Madrid, with Zinedine Zidane’s “Until you cross the secutive home win, 3-1 Istanbul to Porto. Yannick Carrasco and side playing their game in finish line, you can’t give up over Roma. Romelu The match on May 29 has Angel Correa made a dominant hand away at Granada. on anything,” said Milan Lukaku scored just been switched to the Estadio do first half count for Atletico, It also raises the possibili- coach Stefano Pioli before the whis- Dragao to allow English specta- who retreated in the second ty of Atletico winning the title whose final two tle to bring his tors to attend as travel between and were left hanging on after in the penultimate round on games are home tally to 22 the UK and Turkey is suspend- Igor Zubeldia blasted in for La Sunday when they play at against Cagliari goals this ed because of the coronavirus travel was taken in good faith “After the year that fans have Real with seven minutes left. home to Osasuna. and away to campaign, pandemic. and in the best interests of pro- endured, it is not right that they When the final whistle Another victory this week- Atalanta. six less Earlier, European football’s tecting its citizens from the don’t have the chance to watch blew, Diego Simeone jogged up end would knock Barca out of “We’ve than governing body announced up spread of the virus but it also their teams in the biggest game the tunnel at the Wanda first half but the suffering was the race regardless of what the done so Ronaldo, to 6,000 supporters from each presented us with a major chal- of the season,” he added. Metropolitano, punching the unnecessary when we had so Catalans do against Celta Vigo much, we with club will be able to attend. lenge in staging a final featuring Last season’s final as well as air as he went, fully aware how many chances,” Simeone said. while Real Madrid would also have to Marcelo “We accept that the decision two English teams,” UEFA pres- a ‘Final 8’ tournament was also important this result could Outside, Atleti fans had concede if they had not taken hold on Brozovic of the British Government to ident Aleksander Ceferin said in held in Portugal, but in the cap- prove. gathered to cheer and sing six points from Granada and for a week. and Matias also on place Turkey on the red list for a statement. ital Lisbon. “We were excellent in the throughout a nervy contest Sunday’s trip to Athletic Bilbao. The team target. 12

Vijayawada Friday May 14, 2021 tollywood NTR GAME FOR HOLLYWOOD HULCHUL TR Jr is known as developing an idea. He revealed Young Tiger for his that script work is underway exceptional emotions and he will soon go to sets after n and expressions apart RRR. About RRR, he said the from his high octane film will be another Bahubali. stunts and breathtak- Making the big revelation, he Rajinikanth gets ing dances. The star recently said RRR will release on time on contracted coronavirus and October 2021. went into isolation and started When asked about starring in getting treatment. Fans and stars Hollywood films, he said that wished him a speedy recovery no actor, not even himself will a grand welcome and after recovering from covid, let go of a Hollywood speaking to scribes, he gave opportunity if it everyone clarity about his comes. ajinikanth got a grand wel- Rajini had fallen sick during the last upcoming projects. come back home in schedule in Hyderabad and citing He confirmed his project with Chennai. He was accorded health issues, decided to back off from Prashant Neel of KGF fame say- traditional welcome with politics, and did not contest the ing discussions are underway. r haarati by his family mem- recent Tamil Nadu assembly He revealed that he is bers in Chennai. The inci- elections. working with dent happened after Rajinikanth Rajini is soon Koratala Shiva wrapped up the shooting of his upcom- expected to fly to and they are ing entertainer Annaatthe in the U.S for a Hyderabad and returned to Chennai. complete Rajinikanth’s wife Latha put a tilak health on his forehead and did the haarati and check-up this video went viral on social media. in the Rajinikanth’s Annaatthe stars coming Nayanathara, Khushboo, Meena as days. female leads under the direction of Shiva. Imman is the music director for Chiranjeevi the film which stars Keerthy Suresh, Jackie Shroff, Jagapathi Babu, Prakash Raj in important roles. Rajinikanth completed a non-stop 35 days shot for Annaatthe in to star in a Hyderabad. It is known that web series?

ega Star Chiranjeevi is known for many firsts in the industry. He set many trends in Tollywood and won the appreciation of all. He proved that m his stardom is intact even after decades in his return to the silver screen. Currently, he is starring in Acharya under the direction of Koratala Shiva and also starring in Malayalam hit Lucifer. Now according to the latest reports, Mega Star Akhil's Chiranjeevi will be starring in a web series, and talks regarding the same are on. This comes as exciting news for fans. Chiranjeevi in a web series will spark a major revolution on OTT platforms and inspire other actors to do the Agent same. An official confirmation about the same is awaited. Chiranjeevi set the tone by hosting a TV show Meelo Evaru Koteeswarudu driving all mega fans crazy. It is known that undergoing OTT platforms turned out to be the alternative for the filmmakers to release their films when theatres were shut down following the Corona outbreak. Though changes currently, everything looks grim due to the second wave of Covid, looks agarjuna’s son Surender Reddy. Expectations are high on like there is hope Akhil is leav- the project as Surender Reddy scored a hit soon. ing no stone with Chiranjeevi’s Sye Raa. Agent, which is n unturned to expected to start regular short either in get that elud- July or August, features Sakshi Vaidya as ing hit at the the heroine. Reports are now coming in box office. Despite his failed that Surender Reddy has been meaning to attempts with Akhil The Power of Jua, make certain changes in the script that Hello, and Mr Majnu, Akhil is now pin- Vakkanam Vamsi had provided. For that, ning all his hopes on Most Eligible he is said to have hired a team of writers to Bachelor romancing Pooja Hegde under make the script tight to turn Agent into an the direction of Bommarillu Bhaskar. edge of a thriller. Surender Reddy is keen Apart from that, he is starring in a spy to complete the script work in another thriller Agent under the direction of month and then go for the regular shoot. Balayya donates Rs. 20 L Netizens question availability of worth Covid medicines vaccine to young T-wood stars elebrities any celebrities across the from the world are Telugu film coming for- industry( and c ward and c Bollywood contributing too) have got their bit in helping India themselves vaccinated. fight against the ongoing sec- Them getting their first ond wave of the coronavirus. vaccine jab and the Prominent Telugu actor and videos of the same are MLA Nandamuri Balakrishna being posted on their came forward to do his bit to respective social media help the people of his constituen- accounts, urging eligible cy during these tough times. citizens to get vaccinated. Balakrishna represents the Now what plagued Manchu, Payal Rajput, Hindupur constituency in the netizens was the avail- and Rashmi Gautam Andhra Pradesh Assembly. To help ability of vaccine for the took their first dose of the people of the region, Balayya sent younger celebs when they vaccine this week and put Covid medicines worth Rs. 20 lakhs were not even available up pictures of same and from Hyderabad. Local TDP leaders constituency in this unprecedented situa- for some people aged encouraged eligible citi- have distributed these Covid kits to tion. 45+? Amid the huge citizen’ privileges. zens to get vaccinated as the relatives of the patients earlier this On the film front, Balakrishna will be scarcity of vaccines in Commoner have been soon as they get a chance. morning. next seen in the movie Akhanda. Directed almost all the states, peo- searching for vaccination While some expressed The Simha actor always remains in by Boyapati Srinu, this movie was sup- ple have been comment- slots in vain, but celebri- anger over this, others the frontline to help people during posed to release this month but stands ing on several star’ posts ties seemed to manager have asked to put contro- crisis situations. Balayya lent financial postponed now due to the ongoing lock- asking the film celebrities to get vaccinated using versy aside, saying every- aid during the Covid crisis last year as down. The new release date will be how they could manage their status, and this has one should get vaccinated well. Once again he proved his gen- announced once the situation gets back to to register themselves, irked fans. Celebrities like and through whatever erosity by helping the people of his normalcy. unless they’ve got ‘special Kajal Aggarwal, Lakshmi means possible.