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The Direct Tax Vivad Se DAnil Baijal on Saturday Police. It was decided in the TPolice has brought dis- steep 3 per litre each to gen- this, the total incidence of basis, were cut by 13 paise and Sources said three days of Vishwas Bill, 2020 was intro- held a meeting with Delhi meeting that the Delhi Police missed Jammu & Kashmir erate an additional revenue of excise duty on petrol has risen 16 paise respectively as oil sitting were scheduled to be duced, discussed and returned Health Minister Satyendra Jain will provide security and (J&K), Deputy Superintendent about 39,000 crore. to 22.98 per litre and that on companies adjusted the excise held in the second week of the to Lok Sabha on 13 March 2020. and other officials to review the Department of Health and of Police (DSP), Davinder Singh Though retail prices of diesel to 18.83. duty hike against the drop in Second Part of the Budget In total, 4 hours and 35 minutes arrangements of quarantine Family Welfare will provide on a production warrant. Police petrol and diesel will not be The tax on petrol was prices that warrants from inter- Session 2020. The House sat for were spent on the discussion facilities in wake of pandemic health care facility at the isola- said that they brought him to impacted as state-owned oil 9.48 per litre when the Modi national rates slumping the 13 hours and 38 minutes and passage of the three coronavirus. Secretary (Health tion facilitation," said an offi- find out about the plans to carry firms adjusted them against the Government took office in most since the Gulf war. against the scheduled 16 hours Government Bills in which 37 & Family Welfare) made a cial. "The quarantine facilities out any terror activity in Delhi. recent fall in oil prices, the 2014 and that on diesel was The Govt had between and 30 minutes. Members participated. The detailed presentation regarding will be provided in these cen- Davinder Singh, was caught in Government has once again, 3.56 a litre.Officials said the November 2014 and Jan 2016 The House lost 5 hours and House also agreed to amend- arrangements of quarantine tres as per the guidelines of south Kashmir while ferrying just as in 2014-15, not passed increase in excise duty will raised excise duty on petrol and 51 minutes, however, the House ments made by Lok Sabha to facilities in Delhi for the pas- Government of India along two militants to Jammu on on the gains arising from a result in annual increase of diesel on nine occasions to take sat extra and skipped lunch for The Constitution (Scheduled sengers returning from with proper food, security, January 11. slump in international oil Government revenues by about away gains arising from plum- 3 hours and 58 minutes result- Tribes) Order (Amendment) COVID- 19 affected countries. infrastructure, sanitation. Davinder Singh was alleged prices. The Congress hit out at 39,000 crore. The gains dur- meting global oil prices. ing in an effective loss of only 1 Bill, 2019 on 11 March 2020. "At the outset, require- These quarantine facilities will to have been ferrying the mil- the Government saying the hour and 53 minutes. Out of the One suo moto statement ments for establishment of be linked with the nearest des- itants from the Shopian area, Modi-Shah Government has 2 hours of Question Hour regarding the situation of quarantine facilities, as per the ignated hospital," the official possibly out of the looted the people by raising the scheduled, one hour was suc- Indians stranded in Iran due to laid down guidelines from further said. Valley.According to Pramod excise duties and tax and       cessfully completed. On 13 COVID- 19 was made by Government of India were dis- "It was also decided that in Singh Kushwaha, the Deputy demanded that the hike be March 2020, 9 Starred Questions External Affairs Minister S cussed. It was informed in the the second phase, DDA Flats at Commissioner of Police (DCP), withdrawn and the benefits be were raised during the Question Jaishankar on 11 March 2020. meeting that Delhi will pre- Narela will be prepared with Special Cell, to find out about passed to the common man. It Hour. The Question Hour on 11 One important SDD on pare quarantine facilities for quarantine facilities and plans to carry out any terror also said it will strongly raise     March 2020 was lost due to the Recent Law and Order approx 1400 persons at Police required infrastructure to activity in the national capital, the issue both inside and out- forced adjournment while on 12 Situation in some parts of Delhi Training Schools, Jharoda Kala accommodate around 4000 per- he has been brought here on a side March 2020 it was dispensed was taken up on 12 March 2020 and Wazirabad," said the offi- sons for quarantine. LG direct- production warrant by the Parliament. Last Sunday, Saudi    / with to take up Government which lasted for 4 hours and 15 cial. ed to start the preparation work Delhi Police Special Cell for Arabia announced it would Legislative Business. The minutes. "These facilities will be run immediately," said the official. interrogation in this regard. boost production and cut crude oil prices which caused oil prices to fall some 32% to     ket," said Chadha    '# "# --- away eastwards. Moreover, the about $28 a barrel, levels not 66$72 Taking a jibe on the BJP 8 )'
  trough which was extending seen since the bottom of the last run Union Government, ! "# " $--- From Page 1 from Punjab to Bihar has also crash in February 2016. emanding reduction in Chadha said that in India , dri- According to private shifted northwards over According to sources in the Dpetrol and diesel prices, ving a bike is expensive than weather forecast organisation foothills of Uttar Pradesh. The Government, the Centre has Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) flying an aeroplane.  #  From Page 1 Skymet, western disturbance is weather of Delhi-NCR will taken this step of increasing leader Raghav Chadha said Notably, excise duty on “The Nigambodh Ghat main reason behind the rain start clearing up from Sunday duty to raise revenue in view that by increasing the prices diesel has increased from  Sanchalan Samiti, which man- and hailstorm activities in the onward,” it added. of a tight fiscal-deficit situa- despite record drop in global 3.56 per liter to 18.80 per liter 9  ages the operations at the cre- national Capital and adjoining “In fact, for the last many tion. This may help the Centre crude oil prices, the BJP and on petrol from  9.40 per matorium, delayed the last areas. “Since March 3, the days, day temperatures are in generating the resources for Government is working liter to 22.90 per liter. rites by a few hours and national Capital has been below normal by two to three development of infrastructure against the interest of people Citing the escalations in approached municipal author- receiving on and off rains. degrees over Delhi and NCR. and other developmental items of India. oil pricing, the AAP leaders      9  his parents on the steps of the ities to seek directives in view These rains have been occur- Moreover, by March 20, we of expenditure, they "We demand the BJP said "In the past few years the Hari Niwas. of the coronavirus outbreak,” ring due to the region being expect Delhi to witness maxi- said. According to a notifica- Government to reduce petrol BJP-led Central Government ational Conference Chief Later in the day,Dr said the official. approached by successive west- mum temperatures above 30 tion issued by the Central price to 39 per liter and has increased the excise rate Nand sitting Abdullah met Congress leader “The situation is sensitive ern disturbances,” the Skymet degree Celsius. By the end of Board of Indirect Taxes and diesel to 31 per liter, as there nearly 12 times, therefore, the Parliamentarian from Srinagar, Ghulam Nabi Azad and sever- across the world. We had to said. March, the temperatures of Customs, special excise duty on is a 55 percent decrease in price of petrol and diesel has Dr Farooq Abdullah on al other party workers at his seek instructions first from “The chances of moderate Delhi and NCR may remain petrol was hiked by 2 to 8 per crude oil price in global mar- increased exponentially," Saturday spent some quality Gupkar road residence. Leader MCD and medical authori- showers are almost over as the between the lower 30s and time with his son and former of the opposition in Rajya ties. They said the cremation western disturbance is moving mid-30s,” the Skymet added. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Sabha arrived in Srinagar early will be done using CNG and he has “no symptoms” of the Stephanie Grisham had said, at Hari Niwas sub-jail in morning and drove straight to the officials have come to  !" virus. “The President has not received Srinagar after a gap of more the Gupkar road residence of supervise the process,” Suman Maldivian President Ibrahim “We have no symptoms COVID-19 testing because he than seven months. Farooq Abdullah. Gupta of the Samiti said. 
555 Mohamed Solih, Nepal Prime # 

555 whatsoever. We had a great has neither had prolonged close Dr Abdullah had sought After the two-hour-long India reported its second Minister K P Sharma Oli and meeting with the president of contact with any known con- formal permission from the meeting, Azad called for the casualty due to coronavirus Bhutanese premier Lotay Brazil, Bolsonaro, great guy, firmed COVID-19 patients, local authorities to meet his son restoration of democracy in on Friday with the Union From Page 1 Tshering responded to Modi’s From Page 1 very, very tremendous. He’s nor does he have any symp- lodged in Hari Niwas sub-jail. Jammu and Kashmir and Health Ministry confirming Itamar Grotto, deputy suggestion.For his part, Israel Wajngarten tested positive doing a fantastic job for Brazil. toms.” After receiving the nod, Dr release of all political leaders. the death of the woman who director-general of the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin for the virus, while Bolsonaro He tested negative, meaning “President Trump remains Abdullah, accompanied by his “First and foremost, had tested positive for the con- Health Ministry, said Modi Netanyahu requested Modi to tested negative. “Not for that nothing wrong this morning,” in excellent health, and his wife and daughter,drove democracy should be restored tagious viral disease after com- agreed to allow the export of approve and allow the export of reason, but because I think I he said. physician will continue to straight to Hari Niwas to meet in J&K for any political ing in contact with her son who materials for medicines to masks and pharmaceutical raw will do it anyway,” Trump said, “We got that word too closely monitor him,” the press Omar. process to start,” Azad told also acquired coronavirus after Israel, but there was no decision materials to Israel during his two days after the White House because we did have dinner secretary had said. According to official reporters. travelling abroad recently. yet on the masks. Calling on telephonic conversation with said there was no need for the with him. We were sitting next The White House Medical sources, the meeting between He also called for the The death was caused due SAARC members to set an his Indian counterpart this president to undergo tests for to each other for a long period Unit and the United States the two lasted around one release of all leaders and indi- to comorbidity (diabetes and example for the world, Modi week, according to a media the coronavirus.The US presi- of time,” Trump said, adding Secret Service has been work- hour. Images of Omar, stepping viduals, including former hypertension), the ministry had reached out to the eight- report from Jerusalem.Israel’s dent said the tests would be that he sat with Bolsonaro for ing closely with various agen- out of the guest house in the chief ministers Omar said, adding that she had test- member regional grouping and Channel 13 on Friday report- conducted “fairly soon”. “We’re probably two hours, “but he’s cies to ensure every precaution company of his parents, went Abdullah and Mehbooba ed positive for COVID-19 fol- pitched for a video conference ed that Netanyahu made the working on that. We’re work- tested negative, so that’s good”. is taken to keep the first and viral on various social media Mufti who have been lowing which she was admitted among the leaders to chalk out request after India decided to ing out a schedule,” he said. Earlier this week, White second Families, and all White platforms. Omar,sporting a detained under the stringent to the RML hospital. a strong strategy to fight coro- stop the export of these items To a question, Trump said House Press Secretary House \staff healthy. long beard, was seen escorting Public Safety Act (PSA). The woman, a resident of navirus. to meet its own domestic west Delhi, became the second Pakistan’s Foreign Office requirements in view of the person to die of novel coron- spokesperson Aisha Farooqui rapid spread of coronavirus. At avirus infection in the country. said the threat of COVID-19 a press conference on ,  . O  7    8+  The first and only other requires coordinated efforts at Wednesday, the Israeli Prime COVID-19 casualty so far was the global and regional levels. Minister had mentioned about a 76-year-old man in “We have communicated that reaching out to Modi, among   (70$ Union Home Minister Amit Pradesh MLAs, supporters of were taken to Bengaluru by BJP Bhopal by BJP MLA Bhupendra Karnataka who died on March SAPM (Special Assistant to other leaders, hinting at Israeli Shah, urging him to ensure the Jyotiraditya Scindia who left MLA Arvind Singh Bhadoriya Singh, he pointed out. "This is 10. He had recently returned Pakistani Prime Minister) on efforts to maintain and stabilise adhya Pradesh Chief "release" of 22 Congress legis- the Congress to join the BJP, as was evident from the list of an unprecedented situation" from Saudi Arabia. Health (Zafar Mirza) will be “supply lines” of essential mate- MMinister Kamal Nath on lators held "captive" in have resigned, reducing the passengers of the charter plane, because on the one hand the The second victim came in available to participate in the rials in view of the massive dis- Saturday wrote a letter to Bengaluru. The BJP has held Kamal Nath-led Government he alleged. On March 9, 19 BJP is holding them captive and contact with her son, who video conference of SAARC ruption caused by COVID- these MLAs captive, Nath to minority in the Assembly. MLAs were taken to Bengaluru on the other hand it is demand- became the fifth coronavirus member countries on the 19. alleged in the four-page letter. Nath assured Shah in the letter by BJP leaders by three char- ing a floor test, Nath said, case in Delhi after travelling to issue,” she said. Meanwhile, the US Embassy "Please use your power as that the Congress government ter planes, Nath claimed. adding that a trust vote has no Switzerland and Italy between Afghanistan Embassy’s and Consulates in India have Union Home Minister so that in the State will provide excel- Their "personal commu- meaning in this situation. February 5 and 22. Chargé d’Affaires here Tahir cancelled all visa appointments 22 Congress MLAs held captive lent security to these 22 MLAs, nication facilities" (mobile Mentioning that Governor “She had history of contact Qadiry said, “In response to the from March 16 in the wake of can safely reach Madhya if they are "released". Earlier phones) were taken away and Lalji Tandon had informed with a positive case. The son timely call of Prime Minister coronavirus outbreak. A state- Pradesh and participate in the this month, BSP MLA Rambai they were held captive and the him on Friday that these MLAs had returned to India on Modi to create a robust strate- ment issued by the US Embassy Assembly session beginning and his family members were Karnataka BJP is bearing the should be given CRPF securi- February 23. He initially was gy for SAARC aiming at tack- here said, “US Mission India from March 16 without any freed from the "captivity" of BJP expenses of their stay in ty, Nath said if the asymptomatic, but developed ling COVID2019, I would like posts, in light of the global allurement and fear," the letter, leaders in Gurugram Bengaluru, he alleged. Karnatakapolice secure their fever and cough after one day to acknowledge his call. United COVID-19 pandemic, are can- shared by Congress spokesper- (Haryana), Nath claimed. Resignations of these MLAs `release', his government would and reported to Ram Manohar we stand, divided we fall!” celling immigrant and nonim- son with the media, Later, three Congress were submitted to Madhya provide them maximum secu- Lohia Hospital on March 7,” a On Friday, Sri Lankan migrant visa appointments from said.Twenty-two Madhya MLAs and an independent Pradesh Assembly Speaker in rity. Health Ministry statement said. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, March 16, 2020, onward.”

numbers or residential address. acknowledged that there have been tries is going on.    Medical and health officials are also cases of people not willing to be  
 He informed that a Mahan Air flight collecting data from airport author- quarantined despite coming in bringing back Indian passengers from Iran --- ities, ports and a few others depart- contact with people testing positive. will land in Mumbai on Saturday mid- ments to trace the 102 ‘missing’ Kerala’s Pathanamthitta District 

 555 night. A special Air India flight is also persons,” Reddy added. Collector PB Nooh noted that “if being sent to Milan in Italy on Saturday However, much to the relief of even a single person under obser- to bring back Indian students. From Page 1 the authorities, in Kerala’s vation goes out, it is a threat. This From Page 1 With rise in cases, more and more “A total of 6,011 passengers Thiruvananthapuram, a couple is a public hazard. Sajneeva Kumar, Special Secretary in States came forward to intensify precau- have been traced till March 13,” as from the United States who had “This is the time to behave in the Union Health Ministry said on tionary measures to contain the virus’ per the statement issued by the symptoms linked to the deadly a very socially responsible manner,” Saturday that seven persons who tested spread. For instance, if West Bengal State which also shared that around infections were traced to Kochi the Collector had said after a man positive, including five from Uttar Pradesh sealed its border with Bhutan and closed 90 people have been screened for international airport and put under under observation for suspected and one each from Rajasthan and Delhi, all its educational institutions till March the virus out of which one has been isolation after they had fled the coronavirus infection in the isola- have been discharged after treatment. As 31, Himachal Pradesh on Saturday tested positive and 85 have been Alappuzha Medical College. tion ward of the district hospital for cases, Delhi has reported six positive announced closure of all educational tested negative. The result of the The couple, US citizens who fled, but was tracked and brought cases and Uttar Pradesh 11 so far. institutions and cinema halls till March 31. remaining four people is still await- live in London, reached Kochi on back within hours. Karnataka has six coronavirus patients, Kerala and Haryana governments on ed. The State police, on Friday March 9 and stayed at a resort in Taking exception to people Maharashtra 14 and Ladakh three while Saturday imposed restrictions on visitors marked seven people, suspected of Varkala. Their flight was from making bid to evade treatment, the Jammu and Kashmir reported two cases. entry at malls, gyms and beaches and having the coronavirus, as missing London to Doha and then Kochi. State government has warned that Besides, Rajasthan, Telangana, Tamil warned people not to venture out of their after their whereabouts remained The couple also used private taxis stringent action would be taken Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Punjab have homes unless necessary. Goa joined the unknown. to commute. against those flouting the directions reported one case each. bandwagon in shutting down public As of now, 331 persons are still However, when they devel- of the health department. Kerala has recorded 19 cases, includ- places like shopping malls, casinos and under observation, 12 persons are oped symptoms of viral, they Health Minister K K Shailaja ing three patients who were discharged last pubs till further orders. admitted to various hospitals in the arrived at the hospital. The couple has warned that those coming month after they recovered from the con- Similarly, a day after closure of all edu- state, and the remaining are under was told they would have to under- from COVID19 affected nations tagious infection. cational institutions in the state till March home observation, said KS Jawahar go a test for coronavirus but they should report to the authorities on Similarly, two persons who had 31, the Punjab government on Saturday Reddy, special chief secretary managed to give the staff the slip. arrival in the state, failing which a returned from Dubai have been found to ordered a shut down of cinema halls and (health), Andhra Pradesh. Similarly, in Nagpur too, four case would be registered against test positive for coronavirus in banned public gatherings including cul- As many as 55 samples were persons admitted to a govern- them under the Public Health Act. Maharashtra’s Yavatmal. However, the tural events till further notice to prevent tested, of which 47 came out neg- ment-run hospital in Nagpur for The WHO which has declared Centre is yet to confirm. the spread of coronavirus. ative while one turned out to be suspected coronavirus infection, the outbreak as pandemic, says that The Special Secretary said all essen- Aligarh Muslims University sus- positive. The test results of the returned home without informing the new coronavirus - unlike its tial facilities like community surveil- pended all classes, including sessional remaining seven are pending. the authorities. They, however, cousins severe acute respiratory lance, quarantine, isolation wards, ade- tests, till March 22 while the Infosys in “We are making extra efforts returned later and tested negative syndrome (SARS), and Middle quate PPEs, trained manpower, rapid Bengaluru evacuated one of its satellite with support of other departments for Coronavirus. East respiratory syndrome (MERS) response teams are being strengthened office buildings following reports of its to trace them. The untraced cases Special Secretary in the Union - spreads as easily as a common further in all states and UTs while evac- employee coming in contact with a sus- are due to either not having phone Health Ministry, Sanjeeva Kumar cold. uation process of citizens in other coun- pected coronavirus patient.                + ,-. /0/0 6$  
 6        66$72 /  0$ #0  $ n view of rising scare of .       9   Icoronovirus, the annual meet of the Akhil Bharatiya * )  +  #   )  Pratinidhi Sabha (ABPS), the      highest decision making body   66$72 four types of quarantine facil- erating with Beijing in various of RSS, scheduled to start from   66$72 Gupta, Justices L Nageswara list of matters to be taken up ities-Community, Medical, ways to contain the pandemic. Sunday at Bengaluru , was Rao and S Ravindra Bhatt, by these benches would be fter the detection of first Intensive case and Critical . As a first step, China con- cancelled. he Supreme Court has Justices S K Kaul and Sanjiv issued and the benches for ACovid-19 case on care and also subjected the structed a 1000-bed hospital in “In view of the seriousness Tdecided to limit its func- Khanna. next Tuesday, Wednesday and December 20 in Wuhan, quarantined individuals to Wuhan and subsequently,13 of the pandemic COVID19 tioning due to the novel coro- On Monday and Friday of Thursday would be notified China resorted to Military engage in yoga and other more hospitals of similar and in the light of instructions navirus pandemic and hold every week, the apex court later. Medical Response strategy games in order to keep them strength were erected and and advisories issued by the . 5 hearing of only six out of 15 usually functions with 15 The apex court has been and reversed the disease active, according to specialists adopted Emergency Medical Union Government and the benches on Monday. benches and take up mostly mulling over the issue in its spread trend in over two tracking health intelligence in Response Strategy but State Governments, the ABPS Joshi asked the RSS work- The six benches will take miscellaneous matters. meetings held at the residence months with the comprehen- the region. switched to Military Medical meeting scheduled in ers to cooperate with the up for hearing only urgent Earlier in the day, a noti- of Chief Justice of India S A sive disease management sys- However, initially the dis- Response Strategy in view of Benglauru has been suspend- administration to create aware- matters and no persons, except fication issued by the apex Bobde on Thursday and tem. ease was assessed to be normal the severity of the outbreak, ed,” RSS Sarkaryavah Suresh ness among public and to face lawyers concerned, will be court said it had been decid- Friday, as it took note of the Under MMRS, role and viral disease/fever and antibi- they said. Single party rule in Joshi said in a statement on the challenge allowed inside its courtrooms. ed that from Monday, it Centre’s March 5 advisory responsibility of each and otics were prescribed to the China obligates each citizen to Saturday. successfully. According to the circular would take up for hearing cautioning against mass gath- every administrative patients for three days but the undergo communist party Around 1,500 members BJP national president JP issued by the apex court on only urgent matters. erings and the World Health unit/communist party offices post mortem report revealed training and take military were expected to attend the Nadda, presidents and other Friday, the six benches will It said that instead of the Organization declaring at various levels were clearly the severity and realizing that training for 30 days, making meeting of the Rashtriya State office bearers of 35 pari- comprise of Justices Arun courts already notified for COVID-19 a ‘pandemic’. outlined. there was no medical protocol them obliged to follow SOPs Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) var organisations like VHP, Mishra and M R Shah, Justices Monday, only six benches The apex court’s notifica- Shaking hands has been available to treat the disease, for such situations, a reason from March 15 to 17. A day ABVP and Bharatiya Mazdoor U U Lalit and Vineet would be taking up urgent tion, issued by its secretary declared as a Penal offence, China informed the entire why China was able to reverse before , it was announced that Sangh were to participate in the Saran, Justices A M matters and no constitution general Sanjeev S Kalgaonkar, quantum of punishment yet to world on the outbreak of the trend. every delegate to the now can- meet, which RSS chief Mohan Khanwilkar and Dinesh bench or special bench matters said it had been decided that be decided. Covid-19 and sought their celled meet would undergo Bhagwat and Suresh Joshi were Maheshwari, Justices D Y would be taken up. its functioning would be Beijing roped in two mil- cooperation, sources said, thermal scanning. to address. Chandrachud and Hemant The circular said a revised restricted to urgent matters. lion doctors and classified adding 160 countries are coop- ,         27
 
  .  &   R    


  0 ? country and having mild &  He said the public health cough, he immediately report- 762 department was in a mission t was heartbreaking for 30- ed himself to the health author- mode and tracing people in the Iyear-Old Lino Abel to help- ities and was admitted to the amil Nadu Government State who had come in contact lessly watch through the win- isolation ward of the medical Tdeclared on Saturday with persons who tested posi- dow of an isolation ward the college hospital here. through a gazette extraordinary tive for COVID 19 in Kerala and body of his father being taken The condition of his father that the coronavirus disease a Karnataka. Directorate of Public home for the final journey by worsened after he suffered a notified disease throughout and {Preventive Medicine, in a an ambulance. stroke and he passed away on the State under the Tamil Nadu release issued on Friday stated Having rushed from Qatar, March 9. Public Health Act. that six persons were under hos- one among the coronavirus Though Abel was in the With the announcement pital quarantine and 1406 per- affected nations, on March 8, same hospital, he could not see that Corona Virus disease a sons under home quarantine. Abel wanted to be with his his father for one last time as notified disease it has become “The person who tested positive father who had been hospi- he was in the isolation ward. As mandatory on private clinics for COVID has been quaran- talised following a fall from his the ambulance carried his and hospitals to report sus- tined at the Rajiv Gandhi bed. father’s body, he took one last pected cases of those with Government General Hopsital, However, having travel his- glimpse from the window of his symptoms who are returning Chennai, said Dr Bala. tory from a COVID-19-hit room. 8     
  

:01-234; 5   %  . /  from foreign countries. Saturday saw Chief “Earlier itself , they were Minister Edappadi notifying the Government Palaniswamy laying the foun- health system. But now with dation stone for the govern- *
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  <-P   0   the gazette notification, it has ment medical college and hos- become mandatory for them pital coming up in Dindigul.     * %       to do so,” said Dr Bala, health “These are part of our efforts to 1 $$ $ officer, Corona control Room make Tamil Nadu the health , office of the Director of Public hub of the country,” said the   O &    (70$ Health and Preventive chief minister.  $   $$0 1 Medicine, Air traffic to Chennai has Thiruvananthapuram, Thiruvananthapuram. he Madhya Pradesh Government has Chennai. taken a big toll during the first : In the wake of The Government TDirected all its offices to suspend the bio- He disclosed that Tamil 11 dayus of the month with the threePositive cases of had earlier closed metric attendance systemin view of the coro- & (2 in the State was: Mumbai-5, Nadu has recorded just one cancellation of 90 flights. coronavirus being schools, colleges and navirus outbreak. Nagpur-4, Yavatmal-2, Panvel- case of Corona Virus (COVID- According to Airports Authority reported from the State cancelled all public According to doctors, the virus can spread he total number of 1, Kalyan-1, Navi Mumbai-1, 19) till Saturday evening. “The of India officials, though some capital, Kerala functions in the state to through contact with contaminated surfaces. TCoronavirus positive cases Thane-1 and entire health machinery under of the airlines attributed COVID Government on prevent the spread of Biometric attendance systems typically require of rose from 17 to 31 in Ahmednagar-1. the leadership of Minister of 19 as the reason for the cancel- Saturday imposed the coronavirus. the person to put finger on the machine. Maharashtra on Saturday, even In what came as a cause of Health Dr Vijaya Baskar is lation of their flights, some restrictions on visitors “People are advised Hence, the government directed all the as the State Government concern, a 72-year-old man monitoring the situation on a cited operational reasons. entry at malls, gyms not to visit malls and offices to suspend the biometric attendance announced that all schools who had recently returned round the clock basis and there The crowd at Chennai air- and beaches and beaches. Gyms and system till further orders, an official of the and colleges in urban areas of from Dubai and was showing is no need of any panic. The port which used to teem with warned people not to beauty parlours must Public Relations Department said on Saturday. the state would remain closed Covid-19 symptoms – died in Government has taken all pre- thousands of passengers on venture out of their also keep vigil. People The government has already announced till March 31 and also ordered Buldhana district in Vidarbha cautionary measures and is Friday evenings and Saturday homes unless must avoid being in a closure of schools till further order. Cinema the closure of malls in the region. His blood samples attending to each and every mornings was few in number necessary. So far, 19 crowd,” Tourism halls too have been closed till March 31 or as municipal corporation areas of have been sent for testing to development arising in various for the last two days and an eerie people have been found Minister Kadakampally per the further order. the State till March 30. confirm the exact cause of his places of the State,” Dr Bala of silence was positive for the virus, Surendran said in a So far, no confirmed case of the coron- In couple of other devel- death and the test report is told The Pioneer. discernible. including three from Facebook post. PTI avirus has been found in Madhya Pradesh. opments, the Bombay High awaited. Court restricted to “urgent In an incident that caused matters” the functioning of its a stir in the orange city of courts in Mumbai and its Nagpur, four suspected benches at Nagpur, Coronavirus patients ran away Aurangabad and Goa for a from Mayo Hospital late on week beginning from Monday Friday night. After frantic and the the Indian Institute of search, the hospital authorities Technology-Bombay (IIT-B) traced the missing patients to suspended all classes and lab- their homes, from where the oratory instructions are hence- latter were brought back to the forth suspended till March hospital on Saturday after- 29, 2020 in view of noon. Coronavirus threat. “The test reports of four Talking to media persons persons showing symptoms of a day after he had ordered the Coronavirus were expected at closure of cinema halls, audi- 3.30 pm. Apprehending the toriums, gyms and swimming possibility of their testing pos- pools in Mumbai and five itive for pandemic virus, they other cities in the state, chief had escaped from the hospital minister Uddhav Thackerary and returned to their homes and State Health Minister shortly before Friday mid- Rajesh Tope said that as a pre- night. However, they were cautionary measure, malls in brought back to the hospital the municipal corporation this afternoon,” Nagpur areas of the state would remain District Collect Ravindra closed till March 24. Thakre said. On a day when the con- Making a statement in dition of the ten persons have the Maharashtra Assembly, tested positive for Coronavirus State Health Minister Rajesh in Pune hospitals remained Tope announced that all stable, the state health author- schools, colleges and angan- ities pegged the total number wadis coming under the juris- of positive Covid-19 cases at diction of Municipal 31. While Pune accounted for Corporations, Municipal a maximum of 10 -15 cases, Councils, Nagar Panchayats the break-up of positive would remain closed till Coronavirus cases elsewhere March 31.      + ,-. /0/0  !

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* *3    town hall in Illinois — or at officials against large gather- Donald Trump and his admin- climbed to 80,824 with 11 more avirus between Friday and outbreak has killed another 97 the outbreak has caused more %) least tried to — from 800 ings. Instead, the Democratic istration’s response to the virus. infections, as the country wit- Saturday raising its total to 5,753 people, pushing the death toll than 5,000 deaths worldwide. ,BO%  miles away in Delaware. Bernie front-runner was supposed to Biden did the same in an nessed a rise in imported cases, cases, the second-highest num- in the country to 611 amid The state-run Saudi Press +     Sanders is staging daily news take questions on Friday in a address Thursday. health officials said on Saturday. ber in Europe after Italy. 12,729 confirmed cases. Agency, quoting an unnamed % % & % conferences from Vermont, virtual town hall via Facebook Speaking to reporters Seven imported cases were The country was expected to Iran is suffering from the Interior Ministry official, said %+  instead of his usual rallies live. Friday, Sanders was subdued reported on the mainland on declare a state of alert on worst outbreak in the Middle flights would be cancelled  

  around the country with thou- But it was a rocky start. — the emotional opposite of Friday, taking the total to 95, Saturday to try to mobilise East. The virus has also infect- starting Sunday. % sands of supporters. The livestream started after the big rallies that have helped National Health Commission resources to combat the virus, ed a number of senior officials In the United Arab %*) The global coronavirus Biden had begun speaking, fuel his support at the polls. He (NHC) said. which has so far killed 136 peo- there. Emirates, health officials pandemic has sent the 2020 cutting off his introduction, drew over 10,000 people at a Eleven new confirmed cases ple in Spain. Saudi Arabia earlier said ordered the elderly to stay      presidential campaign into a and at one point Biden — Chicago rally on Saturday, of the novel coronavirus infec- Prime Minister Pedro it would halt all internation- home because of the coron- , &   1 virtual phase. holding a cell phone in his before officials starting warn- tion and 13 deaths were report- Sanchez was due to speak at a al flights to the kingdom for avirus outbreak and authori- 7
 O  Big rallies and handshakes hand — turned and walked ing against large events. ed on the Chinese mainland on cabinet meeting at 1300 GMT to two weeks in the latest effort ties said some federal employ- %    are out. Virtual phone banks partially off camera, so view- Sanders said his team has mas- Friday, NHC said, adding all of announce the state of alert and to contain the spread of the ees could begin working from   &&  and town halls are the new ers could no longer see his face. tered the use of internet cam- the deaths were in the Hubei new measures expected to limit new virus. home for two weeks starting &&*  normal. Political parties and The stream lasted less than five paigning, livestreaming almost Province, the epicentre of the the movement of people. On Gulf nations have been Sunday. 0123,4& % groups are canceling in-person minutes before wrapping up, all of its events already. disease. The overall confirmed Friday said the government scrambling to contain the Abu Dhabi’s The National % % gatherings. with the campaign apologising COVID-19 causes only cases on the mainland had would adopt a series of extraor- pandemic, which has spread newspaper reported that , <<<&& States holding primaries in for “technical difficulties.” mild or moderate symptoms, reached 80,824 by the end of dinary measures in order “to to more than 100 countries nightclubs and tourist restau- %) coming weeks have urged “I’m sorry this has been such as fever and cough, for Friday. This included 3,189 peo- mobilise all the resources of and infected more than rants in the emirate will be      more voters to cast ballots by such a disjointed effort here most people. It can cause more ple who died of the disease, state to better protect the health 130,000 people. Of special shut down until the end of &&  mail and extended hours for because of the connections,” severe illness, including pneu- 12,094 patients still undergoing of all of its citizens”.The num- concern is nearby Iran. March. The Department of *    %   early voting centers in an effort Biden said after answering a monia, for some people, espe- treatment and 65,541 others ber of cases in Spain has For most people, the new Culture and Tourism also sus-   ) to avoid election day crowds. question about protecting cially older adults and those who were discharged from hos- increased tenfold since Sunday, coronavirus causes only mild pended all planned events, On Friday, Louisiana’s endangered species. “There’s a with existing health problems. pitals after recovery. and bars, restaurants and all or moderate symptoms, such including concerts, in Abu A   ,   Governor said he planned to lot more to say but I’ve already Most people recover from it. By the end of Friday, 137 sporting and cultural institutions as fever and cough. For some, Dhabi.  ,   #  postpone his state’s April 4 pri- probably said too much to Those with mild illness recov- confirmed cases including four have been closed. especially older adults and The decision does not !7B.72  
 mary to June. you.” er in about two weeks, while deaths had been reported in The Madrid region, which is people with existing health extend to Dubai. A number of K  3  The Biden campaign Sanders, Biden’s rival for those with more severe illness Hong Kong, 10 confirmed cases the country’s worst-hit with problems, it can cause more major sporting events, con- ,B & 
& scrapped plans for a Chicago the Democratic nomination, may take three to six weeks to in the Macao and 50 in Taiwan nearly 3,000 cases, has ordered severe illness, including pneu- ferences and other gather- &  rally ahead of Illinois’ on has been holding daily press recover, according to the World including one death, officials the closure of all non-essential monia. ings have been cancelled %
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%&    ) )$  %  %%    1      ;6  ) #) 6+ # 1 &  Caracas: Colombia’s president even basic ailments. London: British Prime Minister tival, due to begin at the end of ulation before the peak of the   &  1 has ordered his nation’s border “God help us,” hospital Boris Johnson, who has faced June, as well as major horse races crisis. But many events such as Houston: Researchers, study- takes for symptoms to appear in (  %&& with Venezuela closed as a patient Carlos Chacón said criticism for his country’s light including Royal Ascot and Premier League football match- ing the novel coronavirus, have two people with the virus — the   coronavirus containment mea- after hearing the news that the touch approach to tackling the Grand National. es, the London Marathon and found that the time between person who infects another, 2 O %+ sure. Iván Duque announced pandemic had arrived in coronavirus outbreak, is prepar- The government’s current the May local elections have cases in a chain of transmission and the infected second person.  %
  late Friday that all official bor- Venezuela. ing to review its approach and plan is to delay the peak of the already been suspended or post- is less than a week, and over 10 According to the 2  +&   der crossing with the neigh- “My mom is old and sick. ban mass gatherings, according outbreak until the weather poned. per cent of patients are infect- researchers, including those 
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 boring Andean nation will be So is my father,” said Chacón, to government sources becomes warmer to cushion Queen Elizabeth II has post- ed by someone who has the from the University of Texas at && . shuttered beginning at 5 a.M. a 48-year-old electrician who Saturday. the blow on the health services, poned a number of engagements virus, but does not show symp- Austin, the average serial inter-  +& +) Saturday. was first hospitalized four Emergency legislation is and the advice so far is for peo- scheduled for next week “as a toms yet, a finding that may help val for the novel coronavirus in The two nations share a months ago with two broken due to be passed next week in ple who show symptoms to self precautionary measure”, accord- public health officials contain China was approximately four A      porous 1,370-mile (2,200-kilo- legs from a motorcycle acci- parliament and the ban would isolate for a week. ing to Buckingham Palace. Her the pandemic. days. &       meter) border that is crossed by dent. “Here I am in this con- come into force from next week- The health officials advising eldest son, Prince Charles, has The study, published in the They said the speed of an  . % 
 thousands of Venezuelans each dition, stuck in this hospital end. The legislation could see the the government argue that tak- postponed a trip to Bosnia, journal Emerging Infectious epidemic depends on two things %&    day searching for food and bed.” cancellation of events such as the ing drastic measures too early Cyprus and Jordan, scheduled to Diseases, estimated what’s called — how many people each case &*   * medicine. Earlier Friday, Vice Wimbledon tennis tournament would have only limited bene- begin next the serial interval of the coron- infects, and how long it takes &  Many also cross to perma- President Delcy Rodríguez and the Glastonbury music fes- fit and would risk tiring a pop- week. AFP avirus by measuring the time it cases to spread. PTI 
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) nently leave their nation’s eco- delivered the news that nomic crisis. Venezuelan offi- Venezuelans feared was com- cials announced earlier Friday ing: A 52-year-old man who that they have confirmed their had recently traveled from  8'#   
 first two coronavirus cases. Spain, and a 41-year-old Over 4.5 million woman who had returned from Venezuelans have fled in recent a trip through the U.S., Italy years, many arriving in and Spain, have been diag- 9   
  Colombia. Experts in nosed with the virus. Colombia are concerned that Schools across Venezuela the migration crisis could exac- immediately closed, a day after erbate the spread of coron- President Nicolás Maduro sus- 
  7    avirus throughout the region. pended flights with Europe Colombia has 16 confirmed and Colombia in an attempt to Kathmandu: Around 20,000 people of COVID-19, The Kathmandu Post cases. ward off the illness. are expected to go jobless after Nepal reported. Venezuela’s announcement Juan Guaidó also called off temporarily stopped issuing on-arrival Around 20,000 people, including of its first coronavirus cases upcoming street demonstra- tourist visas to all countries and put an tour, trekking and mountain guides, are deepened anxiety in a strug- tions, taking away one of the end to all mountaineering expeditions for expected to lose their jobs after the gov- gling nation where many hos- U.S-backed opposition leader’s this season, in efforts to contain the ernment’s move, it said. pitals lack basics such as water tools in his year-long battle to spread of the coronavirus pandemic, According to the Tourism Ministry and soap and struggle to treat oust Maduro. AP according to a media report on Saturday. data, there are 16,248 trekking and Nepal has so far reported only one mountaineering guides and 4,126 tour case of coronavirus and the infected per- guides in the country. As per $! 
    son has already been treated. Hundreds the annual World Travel and Tourism of climbers flock each year to Nepal, Council research report, Nepal’s tourism home to several of the world’s highest sector generated 240.7 billion in revenue
$  
   mountains, including Mt. Everest, to scale and supported more than 1.05 million the Himalayan peaks during the spring jobs directly and indirectly in the coun- Moscow: Russia will close its land borders with Poland and season that begins around March and try in 2018. Norway to foreigners in a bid to limit the spread of the new coro- ends in June. “We have estimated that around 1 navirus, the country’s Prime Minister said on Saturday. The Nepal Government on Thursday million people in the mountain belt who The ban will come into force at midnight on Sunday and apply suspended on-arrival tourist visas to all make their living through the spending to all foreigners travelling “for professional, private, study or tourist countries, put an end to all spring of foreign trekkers and mountaineers will reasons”, apart from Belarusians, members of official delegations mountaineering expeditions, including suffer,” said Nabin Trital, senior vice pres- and residents of Russia, said premier Mikhail Mishustin in a state- Everest ascents, and halted the issuance ident of the Trekking Agencies ment. AFP /         

 01-234 % 
   /   @  . / of labour permits to prevent the spread Association of Nepal. PTI 7 % ,   2 5  0$ $$ $   5 -B <<<  %  8+89  ),$$     #    .  Baghdad: A fresh spate of three of its members were also were used by Kataeb rockets targeted an Iraqi base wounded in the attack. Hezbollah, an Iran-aligned  7:    (62: caused more than 11 million The death toll included north of Baghdad on Saturday Iraq’s military said it had faction within the Hashed. Syrians to flee their homes. 421 unidentified victims. where foreign troops are found another 24 missiles at a At least five members of Christchurch: Aliya Prime Minister Jacinda t least 384,000 people have According to the After recent government deployed, Iraqi and US secu- nearby launching site and had Iraq’s security forces and one Danzeisen rises before dawn Ardern -- who received wide- Adied in Syria, including Observatory, which relies on a advances, Idlib province is the rity sources told AFP, in a rare detained the owner of the civilian were killed, none of every day to hear the news so spread praise for her handling more than 116,000 civilians, network of sources in Syria, the last battleground between gov- daytime attack. plot of land as well as securi- them members of the Hashed, she can prepare her school- of the aftermath of the mas- since the war began in March latest death toll includes about ernment forces, and the It was the 23rd such attack ty forces from an adjacent according to Iraq’s military. age daughters for any harass- sacre -- admitted Friday there 2011, the Syrian Observatory 22,000 children and 13,000 jihadists and their rebel allies. since late October on installa- checkpoint for questioning. Iraq has long feared it would ment they may face for being was “much more” her country for Human Rights said on women. Damascus launched an tions across Iraq where The US-led coalition’s sur- get caught in the spiralling ten- Muslim. could do to tackle white Saturday. At least 129,476 Syrian sol- offensive to take the region in American troops and diplo- veillance capabilities have been sions between Iran and the US, “We don’t feel any safer,” supremacists. Sparked by deadly repres- diers, allied forces and militi- December, causing close to mats are based, with the latest impaired by cloudy weather in its two main allies. the Muslim community leader Anjum Rahman, co- sion of peaceful pro-democra- amen have died, according to one million people to flee, rounds growing deadlier. recent days, which a US offi- They dramatically spiked says, reflecting on the 12 founder of the Islamic Women’s cy protests, the conflict has the Britain-based war monitor, according to the United None of the attacks have cial said may have contributed in late 2019 when a US con- months since the Christchurch Council of New Zealand said drawn in outside powers in a including 1,697 members of Nations, before Ankara and ever been claimed but the US to the attackers’ readiness to tractor was killed in a rocket mosque attacks, in which a self- there was an “undercurrent or complex war involving rebel Hezbollah. Moscow negotiated a ceasefire has blamed hardline elements launch the rockets during the attack on a separate base in declared white supremacist rhetoric of hate... It isn’t just our factions, jihadist groups and Nearly 57,000 rebels have earlier this month. of the Hashed al-Shaabi, a net- day instead of under the cover northern Iraq, leading to retal- killed 51 Muslims at Friday community, we see it a lot in foreign interests. died, as well as 13,624 members NGOs continue to work of armed groups incor- of night. Taji is overcrowded iatory American strikes on prayers. The abuse experienced online hate (towards) the trans- As the war enters its 10th of the Kurdish-led Syrian denounce human rights abus- porated into the Iraqi state. with members of the US-led Kataeb Hezbollah. prior to the attacks on March gender community. year, the government of Democratic Forces, which es by the Syrian government, At least 33 rockets hit coalition helping Iraq fight Days later, a US drone 15 last year died down imme- “I wouldn’t say it’s specifi- President Bashar al-Assad now spearheaded the US-backed including lethal chemical Iraqi air defence units at the jihadist remnants, after units strike killed Iranian com- diately after the killings, cally just us, but we’re feeling it.” controls more than 70 percent campaign against the Islamic attacks, torture and arbitrary Taji air base on Saturday, the were moved to the air base mander Qasem Soleimani and Danzeisen said, adding: “It felt Muslim women who wear of Syrian territory, thanks to the State group, the Observatory arrest. country’s military said, in one from other installations. Hashed deputy chief Abu the entire New Zealand popu- headscarves were targeted military support of its allies said. Tens of thousands of peo- of the largest such volleys yet. It came three days after a Mahdi al-Muhandis. lation was rallying behind us.” “because they think we’re vul- Russia, Iran and Lebanese mil- The Observatory tallied ple have been subject to forced “The initial toll is two similar attack on the base Iran launched ballistic But she says it is now on nerable and can’t fight back”, itant group Hezbollah. 67,296 deaths among jihadists disappearances by the govern- wounded Iraqi Air Defence killed two American military missiles at US troops in Iraq the rise again, a year on from she said. Following the mas- The conflict is the “worst loyal to IS or to Hayat Tahrir al- ment or a myriad of armed personnel who are in very crit- personnel and a British soldier while the Iraqi parliament the killings that rattled the sacre at two mosques in the man-made disaster since World Sham, an alliance led by a for- groups, NGOs report. ical condition,” said Tahsin al- -- the deadliest such incident voted to expel all foreign sol- normally peaceful South Pacific South Island city, New War II,” the United Nations mer Al-Qaeda affiliate that The war has destroyed Khafaji, spokesman for Iraq’s at an Iraqi base in years. The diers from its soil, a decision nation, with unease among Zealand’s government moved human rights chief declared in dominates the last rebel enclave infrastructure and crucial sec- Joint Operations Command. US responded Friday with air that has yet to be implement- the Muslim community amid swiftly. AFP 2017. The war has in the Idlib region in the north- tors of the economy including The US-led coalition said strikes on arms depots it said ed. AFP ongoing vitriol and threats. destroyed the economy and west. the oil industry. ()      + ,-. /0/0 2   
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&-:   66$72 stress because of the supply        chain disruption due to coro- ith the GST Council, navirus outbreak. It was the 0*;    Wheaded by Finance most inappropriate time to 
 
 of their investment in Yes Bank. as administrator. Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, consider GST hike on mobile However, the lock-in period will “The order of moratorium   .<+= increasing the GST on mobile phones, the industry body said. 
  &- not apply to shareholders with on the reconstructed bank phones from 12 per cent to 18 It also said the GST hike on less than 100 shares. issued by the Government... 2 # ,  per cent on Saturday, industry mobile phone might adversely   66$72 Apart from Kumar, the Shall cease to have effect on the experts feel it would hit the affect localisation of manufac- reconstructed board of Yes third working day at 18:00 ) <+=7 industry and the consumers turing as well as popularisation he moratorium on Yes Bank will have Sunil Mehta hours from the date of com-  #>$# hard. Brands are in no position of the country’s digital pay- TBank will be lifted by (former PNB non-executive mencement of this scheme,” the to absorb this impact. “They ments objectives. March 18 and the new board chairman) as non-executive notification said. will, most certainly, decide to According to ICEA, 31-32 led by CEO and MD Prashant chairman, and Mahesh “The office of the admin-   66$72 pass it on to the consumer, at crore Indians who buy phones Kumar will be put in place by Krishnamurthy and Atul Bheda istrator of the reconstructed least in case of high-selling in the country will be impact- the end of this month, the gov- as non-executive directors. bank shall stand vacated imme- ST rate on mobile phones models,” said Navkendar ed by the move. ernment said. The Yes Bank diate after 7 calendar days from Gwill be hiked to 18 per cent Singh, Research Director, IDC Terming the move counter- The Government notified Reconstruction Scheme 2020 the date of cessation of mora- while that on maintenance India. intuitive and detrimental to the the Yes Bank Reconstruction shall come into force on March torium ... And a new board of repair overhaul (MRO) services A B  8   ,  .           The India Cellular and ‘digital India’ vision, the IDC Scheme 2020 late on Friday. 13, 2020, the gazette notification directors shall be reconstitut- for aircraft will be lowered to )4!.      , -  . /  Electronics Association (ICEA) India Research Director said, Under the plan, SBI cannot said. The RBI had on March 5 ed...,” the notification said. 5 per cent with effect on April stressed that the move would “This is a textbook case of reduce its stake in the bank to put a moratorium on Yes Bank, State Bank of India (SBI), 1, Finance Minister Nirmala agreed to by the Council, she ture wherein inputs are taxed stymie consumption. missing the wood for the trees. below 26 per cent for a period restricting withdrawals to which will hold up to 49 per Sitharaman said on Saturday. said. The GST Council has at a higher rate than finished “The 6 per cent GST This will stunt any hope of of three years, while other 50,000 per depositor till April cent stake in Yes Bank, will Briefing reporters after the decided that a completely products. increase will be detrimental to growth in the near-term, which investors and existing share- 3. It superseded the board of the nominate two directors on the 39th GST Council meeting, she enhanced capacity, a leaner “It was decided by the the vision of ‘digital India’. anyway looks challenging now holders will have a lock-in peri- troubled private sector lender newly-constituted board and said Infosys Chairman Nandan system of GST Network with Council to raise the GST rate Consumption will be stymied due to coronavirus issue at both od of three years for 75 per cent and appointed Prashant Kumar RBI can appoint one or more Nilekani made a detailed pre- capacity enhance, staff on mobile phones and specified and our domestic consumption supply and demand ends,” additional directors. sentation for the transition response, better solutions, parts which presently attract 12 target of $80 billion (Rs 6 lakh Singh told IANS. Any investor, other than into a better GST Network which were envisaged and pro- per cent to be taxed at 18 per crore) by 2025 will not be The coronavirus outbreak, SBI, with voting right of 15 per system and the requirement of posed by Nilekani by January cent. achieved. We will fall short by which has hampered global ; 
 #9 6 cent in the private lender can hardware to enhance capacity 2021, should be completed by “For all other items where at least Rs 2 lakh crore,” said tech giants’ 2020 plans leading nominate one director on Yes for addressing the system relat- July 2020, Sitharaman said. there is duty inversion, if there Pankaj Mohindroo, ICEA to cancellation or postpone- Bank’s board. ICICI Bank, ed issues that are being faced by With regard to GST rates, is a need to calibrate the rates Chairman. ment of global flagship con- Housing Development Finance taxpayers in the IT system. the minister said there are four for removing inversion, it was In a letter to the Finance ferences, is set to hit supplies of
  , 6 # Corp Ltd, Axis Bank, Kotak Demand for more skilled sectors — footwear, textiles, fer- decided in one of the future Minister on March 12, the smartphone components from Mahindra Bank and Bandhan manpower, better hardware to tiliser and mobile phones — meetings we will take up the ICEA had said the mobile China to India at least till the   (2 has already approved up to 49 Bank will also join the SBI-led enhance capacity has been which face inverted duty struc- issue,” she said. handsets sector was in deep second quarter of this year. per cent stake purchase in Yes consortium and invest in Yes s the Government on Bank, as per the RBI’s recon- Bank. ASaturday notified the struction scheme for the bank.  #    
  reconstruction scheme for Yes It had said on Thursday that an /   "   # Bank, major private banks have investment of 7,250 crore come out with investment com- would be made in Yes Bank to 
     
 mitments for the crisis-hit bank. pick up 725 crore equity shares.  , $    /   Federal Bank on Saturday Both ICICI and HDFC     ! 

announced that it would invest Bank are likely to have five per   0$  ery happens,” TAAI president liquor for the hospitality and 300 crore in Yes bank by sub- cent shareholding each in the   66$72 the clock and have precautions Jyoti Mayal told PTI, detailing travel industry across the coun- scribing to its 30 crore shares of restructured Yes Bank. In its in place to ensure a healthy stay he Travel Agents the suggestions submitted to try. The association also sought 2 each for cash, at a premium regulatory filing, HDFC Bank ospitality firms around at any of our hotels across the TAssociation of India the minister on Friday. interest reduction or subven- of 8 per equity share. had said its investment of Hthe world including glob- globe,” Marriott International (TAAI) on Saturday said its The association urged the tion on term loans and work- With this, six private banks 1,000 crore would be com- al hospitality Major Marriott President and CEO Arne representatives met Union minister to provide funds from ing capital loans. have now committed invest- pleted by March 31. International are taking a slew Sorenson said in an email mes- Tourism Minister Prahlad the MGNREGA scheme to Mayal said the industry ment of 3,700 crore in the In a regulatory filing on of measures to control the sage to Marriott Bonvoy pro- Singh Patel and sought the support the salaries of employ- apprehends large scale job loss cash-strapped private sector Saturday, Federal Bank said the spread of coronavirus and are gramme members. Centre’s intervention to revive ees in the industry. owing to the restrictions from bank. On Friday, ICICI Bank Bank has issued an equity working on taking care of their In this climate, “we know the sector which has been hit The association also the outbreak. and Housing Development commitment letter to invest guests and associates. travel may not be your first by the coronavirus outbreak. demanded six to nine months’ Federation of Associations Finance Corporation Ltd 300 crore in Yes Bank Ltd. Marriott International said thought, but I want you to The industry is witnessing moratorium on all principal in Indian Tourism & announced that they will be The banks will acquire it is taking care of its guests and know the safety of our guests about 70-80 per cent cancella- and interest payments on loans Hospitality, the umbrella body investing 1,000 crore each in equity shares of 2 each of Yes associates as it faces the chal- and associates is our top pri- tion in bookings following the and overdrafts, besides defer- of the sector, has sought to Yes Bank’s equity. Axis Bank Bank Limited, at a premium of lenge of responding to the ority,” he added. coronavirus outbreak, accord- ment of GST and advance tax meet the prime minister to and Kotak Mahindra Bank will 8 per equity share, which coronavirus which has been Marriott is closely moni- ing to the association. payments. apprise him of the situation, she be investing 600 crore and means they would buy shares declared pandemic. toring the World Health “A complete GST holiday They also asked the min- added. Almost 50 per cent of 500 crore respectively, while at 10 each under the proposed “Please know that we are Organization, the Centers for for tourism, travel and hospi- ister for removal of fees for any the annual business in the Bandhan Bank will be invest- Scheme of Reconstruction of vigilantly monitoring the Disease Control and tality industry for the next 12 upcoming licenses, permits tourism sector takes place dur- ing 300 crore. Yes Bank Limited under the COVID-19 situation around Prevention. months till the time the recov- renewal, excise exemption for ing this period, Mayal said. State Bank of India’s board Banking Regulation Act, 1949. '$%#"%" )   

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wenty-five years back, a says. them and labeling them. “It is not who is from TN and normal, live in have two beautiful daughters. My the trust and the work they are doing. few tea plantation man- She tells you that from only four possible to employ autistic or men- Munnar, Kochi. wife’s grandmother also lives with us. They look at us with respect. We e agers’ wives got together to to five children, the organisation tally challenged young people because “I sort the fruit that comes in and Both my daughters were born nor- popular here in Munnar. We don’t solve a problem that the today has over 63 children who are there is equipment and there are safe- wash it. I ensure that the fruit is not mal and the elder one goes to school. have very many friends, not that we workers faced — what trained in life skills, basic reading, ty standards to adhere to,” Cherian rotten and there are no leaves and My two-and-a-half-year daughter need them, we are busy fighting with Twould happen to their special needs writing, and the fundamentals of says. stem. I work six days a week from 8 is very smart. When she speaks with each other,” Gunashega shares. wards once they were dead? But the mathematics and arts. “Though phys- But there were challenges when -(.( - /$ am to 5 pm. I earn 10,000 a month. her mother or me, she uses sign lan- Ragina’s parents work with a tea more pressing issues that some of ically deprived, these kids are it came to keeping these people 0(.-(1. I also get bonus when there is a fes- guage and the next, when she speaks estate and so does Gunashega’s these families faced was the constant extremely strong in their human val- employed all year round. “Strawberry tival. I also send money for my son’s with others, she switches to talking mother who lives with his brother. worry that they had left their child all ues and are very active. Their zeal is seasonal. We needed to diversify so - -( upkeep. I love the work here and without missing a beat. My day starts But because he is henpecked, he alone at home and locked up. But they keeps us all motivated, so much so we started making pink guava jam, . ( -( don’t want to be shifted in another with sorting the fruit, I can sort 25 rarely visits her. had no choice. Both husband and the that every week that I spend with passion fruit sauce, plum jam, the 0(/(   unit,” Ganesh says. He was born nor- kg in 30 minutes. The best part of the He tells you that the best thing wife had to work and with no one to them is absolutely rewarding,” she fruit is outsourced, and marmalade. mal and could hear well till he was job is production. When we go back that Ragina makes is beef roast and look after their child who was autis- says. Once the strawberry season is over, 0(-+0( 2$ in Class IV. One day his father, a home, we talk about our day and rice. “While is make beef roast and tic or hearing impaired, they had no There is a story how these units the unit gets busy with passion fruit,  0( drunkard, hit him hard on the ear. what we need to do make our rice, Gunashega has learnt how to option but to lock them up. that export 60 per cent of what they then comes pink guava. The lean ( $+ That is when he lost hearing in both daughters’ lives better. Once I am free cook as well and makes a great beef That is when the ladies stepped produce came to be. One is told that months are July and August. But it his ears – due to infection and high from this job, I also work part-time fry. In these last couple of years, I in and opened a school for them. once the school was up and thriving, picks up once the oranges are in the  -(   fever. with a florist. He pays me 3,000 a have taught him how to cook. He also Ratna Krishnakumar, founder and a huge problem was staring at the market. This way we ensure that these -(   Pareselan is the oldest worker at month. From Srishti, I get 10,000, does household chores like washing managing trustee of Srishti tells you trust — what to do with them once people are employed all the year *  +  2$/ Nisarga. He is the jovial of them all my wife gets the same amount. We the clothes and utensils. We have a that the journey of the trust started they turned 18? Going back to the life round,” Cherian says and tells you that and wants to talk about his wife. He also get the dole from the State small kitchen garden and grow sea- back in 1994 and since then they have where they would be locked up once the unit makes 5,000 bottles a day  ( )2 tells you that he came to DARE Government. People understand my sonal vegetables. Just the other day, grown by leaps and bound. “We start- again while their parents were out to during the season. 3 ( 0   School in 1991 and joined the unit disability and over the years, they we plucked some beans and cooked ed small, with a school that had eke a living was out of the question. Cherian tells you that these spe-  - in 1995. “The best thing I like about understand what I am trying to com- it together,” Ragina says who sent to around six special needs children with The solution? Making strawberry cially-abled workers are dedicated to this job is that all the bottles that we municate,” he says. When Ratan work with Aranya but hated the work one room. Slowly over the years, as preserve. “We started in one of our their work and out of the 10, four of . ((( 23 make get sold like hot cakes. I want Tata visited the facility he asked for and came back. more and more kids were brought in kitchens. The region is known for them are extra smart and in fact one /-(   to make as money as I can for the Prakash by name and hugged him. Ajit Kumar is the 24-year-old by their parents we grew in size and strawberries. Most household have a of them can speak English and has - . ((( trust and the unit in particular. I got Gunashega and his wife Ragina athlete among them and has a severe today we have this sprawling facility kitchen garden and they grow this been to Haryana as part of para- married in 2008. My wife works in together work at the unit. She is the hearing and speech impairment. He that houses Athulya, a vocational lovely red fruit. The recipe that we use games. Some of these adults today are    /  Aranya and has blue eyes. My daugh- strong one and is with him all the lives with his parents who dote on training centre and recycled paper- to make this preserve is ageold — that bread earners for their family and are + ' ter also has blue eyes and is study- time. The two of them got married him. His family has several cows and making unit, Deli, bakery and con- had been passed on by the English happily married with children who +- 2$(  ing in local CBSE School. I earn a couple of years back. To begin with, most of the money comes from sell- fectionery that makes breads, cook- ladies. To begin with, we would are totally normal and go to local 10,000 a month and so does my she would find fault with everything ing milk. He is called the rich man ies, rolls, and biryanis is run by speech keep it in washed and hand labeled school. Most of the workers here have 45 - wife. With two salaries, we are and fight but things have improved walking in his unit. His wallet is impaired and differently abled bak- Horlicks bottles. That was our begin- been with the unit for over 20 years  (   happy. We also get 1,300 per month now. When we got married, we had always full and never shies from help- ers, Nisarga, the strawberry unit ning. Slowly, we started training a few after they turned 18 and trained in  ( from the State Government because adjustment problems and would ing those in financial need. “I help employs speech and hearing impaired special needs adults who could work area of their interest. L ( 5 of our disability,” he says who also fight. But things are better now. At my parents in taking care of the cat- young people who make foodie’s in the unit,” Susan Cherian who man- Meet Ganesh who joined the unit weaves baskets from bamboo in his present, we don’t have any kids but tle and have been with this unit for delights like strawberry preserve, ages Nisarga recalls. in 1997. He tells you that he is mar- *((+--( / spare time. hope to have them some day. When two-and-a-half years. Before that I Vatika, that uses therapeutic power of She tells you that all the people ried and has a son who is studying in * (( * (( Prakash, is the artist among we are out, people do take advantage was in DARE School. I do want to get nature to rehabilitate physically fit employed in her unit are hearing Tamil Nadu and lives with Ganesh’s them and loves to paint and show his of me but my wife is smart. She does married but I am young right now. young adults with severe mental impaired, 10 of them. All of them do sister. The reason why his son is work to all those who visit the unit. all the calculation. Some sabziwalas I had gone to Haryana and hated challenges and Aranya Naturals, that all the work from sorting the straw- studying there is because in Munnar, “I have only three-four paintings left, try to fleece me, but now the two of every minute of it. I missed my fam- makes clothes from natural dyes berries to removing the stem to the medium of education is rest have gone for a competition that us go together and they can’t fool me ily so much that I have decided not that are designed by the special washing them to then putting them Malayalam and he couldn’t cope I have entered in. My wife anymore. The good part is that to participate in the games anymore,” needs young adults,” Krishnakumar into big boilers and then bottling with the language. He and his wife, Muthukumari works at Aranya and everyone in Munnar knows about Kumar says.

  
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!   owing to the COVID-19  Spandemic, the 13th edition fully by then the cases will reduce,” Wadia of IPL can only be a truncated   (2 told reporters after IPL owners’ meeting one provided the situation with BCCI president Sourav Ganguly and improves, BCCI president he BCCI on Saturday secretary Jay Shah. Sourav Ganguly said on Tput on hold all its A Board source, however, stuck to list- Saturday. remaining domestic tourna- ing the options that were discussed at the The Indian Cricket Board ments, including the blue meeting. on Friday postponed the start of riband Irani Cup match “There were six to seven options dis- this year’s IPL from March 29 to between Rest of India and cussed during the meeting between team April 15 in wake of the pandem- Ranji Trophy champions owners and BCCI including a curtailed ic, which has caused massive Saurashtra, because of the IPL,” the source said. upheaval across the globe. COVID-19 pandemic. “The second option right now is that Asked if the cash-rich event In a statement signed by teams could be divided into two groups could be a curtailed one, BCCI secretary Jay Shah, the of four and then top four go into the play- Ganguly said, “It will happen, Board said prominent tour- offs. The third option is increase of dou- because if it is April 15, then, in naments that stand post- ble headers (played on weekdays),” the any case 15 days are gone, it has poned are the Irani Cup, source informed. to be truncated. How truncated, Vizzy Trophy, Senior The fourth option is holding all 8       
  how many games, I can’t say at Women’s One-Day matches in just a couple of centres with %        /  the moment.” Knockout and the Senior restricted movements of players, support Ganguly was speaking to Women’s One-Day staff and TV crew. foreign players come on? I don’t know. reporters after the end of the IPL Challenger, among others. Another option is to play behind There is a ban till the April 15 and then Governing Council meeting The junior women’s closed doors and have all the 60 games in we’ll see. So if IPL happens, great if it does- here. tournaments, put on hold a shorter time frame which will ensure that n’t happen, so be it,” Wadia further added. The Board’s top boss reiter- until further notice, include the stakeholders do not lose out truckloads Delhi Capitals owner Parth Jindal ated that safety is their top pri- the Under-19 One-Day C @   .C 
  of money. tried to downplay the discussion on ority, a day after the IPL was knockout, Under-19 T20 %            /  The source also confirmed that shift- options and said that there will be anoth- postponed and the three-match League, Super League and ing the tournament abroad was not dis- er meeting later to discuss other modal- ODI series between India and knockout, Under-19 T20   (2 cussed at all in the meeting. ities. South Africa called off. Challenger Trophy, Under- Wadia said: “BCCI, IPL and (official “As things progress and evolve, “We will monitor further. 23 knockout and Under-23 curtailed Indian Premier League was broadcaster) Star (Sports) are clear that we BCCI will call for another meeting to dis- Safety is most important and %/   .
!  %.  5.
% One-Day Challenger. Aone of the options discussed at are not looking at financial loss.” cuss all the options. Today’s meeting was with the current situation with        /+     8 . /  Saturday’s meeting between BCCI and the “At the meeting everyone agreed that to tell us that they are watching the sit- what is going around the world eight IPL franchise owners in human beings come first and finance uation, all of us are watching and we will and in India, with government to tell them how it can happen want to host the IPL, we also tournament could fea- wake of the COVID-19 pandem- comes second. We are here to adhere to take a call in due course,” said Jindal. directives, we have even post- and where do we stand at the need to be careful about the ture more double-head- ic even as Kings XI Punjab’s Ness governments directives. I don’t see any- Asked whether there will be more poned the remaining domestic moment. At the moment, it is security.” ers than previously Wadia said that he doesn’t know thing being decided before the end of the double-headers the season, Jindal said, matches.” just postponed. We will assess Asked if there is any back- planned and at least five when the T20 event will com- month. We have to wait and watch and “We didn’t discuss anything, we need to In the meeting between the the situation,” Ganguly said. up plans, Ganguly said, “I can’t optional venues are being mence. hope situation improves,” Wadia further assess the situation and the health and franchise owners and the BCCI “It will be reassessed every say anything at the moment, kept ready after state gov- “We cannot and no one, you said. safety of public is most important con- brass, six to seven options were week. I can’t say at the moment allow us a week, let’s see how it ernments of Maharashtra, know, is in a position today to say when “No decision can be taken until there sideration. “Ones the situation comes discussed, including a curtailed (about any deadline). I has to be goes around the world.” Karnataka and Delhi refused it’s going to start. We will review the sit- is clarity. Clarity will only be in two three under control all the options can be IPL “We met with the owners, worked around. As much as we There is a possibility that the permission for the games. uation after two to three weeks. And hope- weeks. As far as your next question is will discussed.” 2 0&*   7>       Q+ #    % %*   6$(0 :6 government’s position. This is a time of     ,R   6 unprecedented risk and peril, and the 6$72 he two remaining games of the personal health and well-being of our     India captain Virat Kohli has urged his TChappell-Hadlee ODI series between players is paramount,” a statement from countrymen to take all necessary precautions in the he India Australia and New Zealand were on NZC said. wake of novel coronavirus pandemic, which has TOpen bad- Saturday cancelled as the visiting side will The Chappell-Hadlee series was the claimed lives of over 4000 people across the globe. minton tour- have to hurry back home to avoid a new last international series still being played In India, there has been two deaths along with nament was on set of travel restrictions owing to the following the abandonment of England’s 80 plus positive COVID 19 cases which has prompt- Friday sus- novel coronavirus pandemic. tour of Sri Lanka and South Africa’s one- ed suspension of all sporting activities including an pended at least “In response to the New Zealand day series in India on Saturday. ODI series against South Africa and the cash-rich till April 12 government’s latest travel restrictions, Indian Premier League. after the sport’s Cricket Australia has been advised the FERGUSON RETURNS NEGATIVE “Let’s stay strong and fight the #COVID19 out- world govern- New Zealand team will be returning New Zealand fast bowler Lockie break by taking all precautionary measures. Stay ing body decid- home immediately,” Cricket Australia Ferguson on Saturday tested negative for safe, be vigilant and most importantly remember, ed to halt all said in a statement. COVID-19 and will be returning home prevention is better than cure. Please take care events from “Cricket Australia and New Zealand following the postponement of the ODI everyone,” Kohli tweeted. March 16 due Cricket will work together to identify a series. On Friday, the Indian captain was seen com- to the coron- future opportunity to play both series,” “Homeward bound. Lockie ing out of the Lucknow airport wearing black face avirus pandem- it added. Ferguson has also been cleared to fly and mask. Former India batsman VVS Laxman also ic. It has been learnt that on Saturday, will return to New Zealand tomorrow. took to Twitter, asking people to come together to The Badminton World Federation (BWF) said the New Zealand government tightened #AUSvNZ,” the BlackCaps tweeted on deal with this deadly disease. in a statement that the escalation of the COVID- border restrictions and stating that all Saturday. “One who stays away can save the rest. 19 outbreak globally has forced it to cancel or post- those entering the country from Australia C "     B   The 28-year-old pacer was placed in Requesting everyone to take the necessary precau- pone all tournaments from March 16 to April 12. would be subjected to a mandatory 14- it stayed back to complete the assignment. isolation immediately after Friday’s first tions & be responsible. If you have symptoms, please “Tournaments affected include the YONEX day self-isolation period. This new The first ODI of the series had taken ODI against Australia following com- get yourself tested. If you have tested positive please Swiss Open 2020, YONEX-SUNRISE India Open restrictions, which come into from place without spectators at the Sydney plains of a sore throat. He underwent tests be in isolation and help prevent others. Together 2020, Orléans Masters 2020, CELCOM Axiata Sunday midnight, would have led to the Cricket Ground. on Saturday which returned negative, we can overcome this soon #COVID19,” Laxman 1 C 
+     Malaysia Open 2020, and Singapore Open 2020, New Zealand team being quarantined if “NZC understands and supports the clearing the pacer. wrote. PTI  
 
 01-234B /  as well as a number of international Grade 3 tour- naments,” the BWF said. “The suspension of the circuit will come into (O02+&& *  ,   effect following the completion of the YONEX All .>$(   
 &? England Open 2020 in Birmingham, England, on Sunday 15 March,” it added. &   )A ,   The FIH said its decision was It said the decision was taken after consulta- based on “information and rec- tion and consensus with its Host Member   7    England Test captain Joe Root has ommendations from the World Associations and Continental Confederations. backed the decision to abandon the Test tour Health Organization (WHO) and The BWF World Tour Super 100 India Open ewly-appointed Bangladesh one-day inter- of Sri Lanka over the coronavirus pandem- the decisions taken by a number was to be held in New Delhi from March 24 to 29. Nnational cricket captain Tamim Iqbal on ic, saying the players’ minds were “elsewhere”. of governments and local authori- It was to be held without spectators after the gov- Saturday pleaded for time in order to make a dif- A practice match in Colombo was ties around the world...” ernment advisory to stop sports events of large ference in his role. halted on Friday and the team announced “...The International Hockey gatherings. Tamim was appointed last week replacing they would be flying back to London. Federation (FIH) and all participat- The BWF said it will take a call on Olympic Mashrafe Mortaza, who stepped down following The two-Test series, which was due to ing National Associations (NAs) qualification process later. a three-match series against Zimbabwe. start in Galle on March 19, has been post- have decided to put all FIH Hockey .   0      , ,  “A number of the tournaments impacted as a “You have to keep patient. Our fans also have poned.   8 .  F ! Pro League matches currently sched- .   . / result of the suspension fall within the Tokyo 2020 to keep patient. I will try to do whatever it takes “There was an element of relief. The @   B /+    *    uled until 15 April on hold, with Olympic Games qualifying period. BWF will make for the best interest of the team,” Tamim told right decision has been made,” Root told the immediate effect,” a statement from a further announcement on regulations related to reporters in Dhaka in his first public interaction BBC. &   The International the world body read. 0      Olympic qualification points at a later date.” following the appointment. “You could see looking at the players that Hockey Federation on Saturday India are next scheduled to “I am taking over from someone — it’s tough their minds were elsewhere thinking about suspended the ongoing FIH Pro play on April 26 against Germany in

< 5/8 to go to his level straight away. I know it very well. people back home. Now that we can go and League, which also involves India, till Berlin. The league is a home and He led us for so many years. We achieved many look after families and be with loved ones, April 15 citing the dreaded COVID- away tournament involving nine  1  Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe  A2E3 things under him. It will be unfair if you expect that’s put a lot of guys at ease.” AFP 19 pandemic. teams. PTI on Saturday resisted pressure for changes me to go to his level,” he said. to the Tokyo Olympics schedule even as Mashrafe has a cult status in Bangladesh for sporting events worldwide fall victim to the   00  his role taking the team from being internation-   : 0 coronavirus pandemic. al underachievers to a respected limited-overs '* <  Abe pledged Japan would host the    Young Indian paddler Jeet Chandra side. He led Bangladesh to 50 wins in 88 match- rampaging ATK Games as planned in July and said he had stunned World No 2 Manav Thakkar to clinch U- es, making him the country’s most Aclaimed an unprece- half. Williams picked up no immediate intention to declare a state 21 men’s singles title at the 2020 ITTF Challenger successful one-day captain. dented third Indian Super the ball in midfield and fed of emergency over the virus outbreak. Plus Oman Open in Muscat on Saturday. Tamim captained League title triumph with a Edu Garcia into the box. His comments come two days after US World No 18 Chandra outclassed compatri- Bangladesh in three ODIs 3-1 victory over arch-rival The Spanish midfielder beat President Donald Trump suggested the ot Thakkar 11-6, 11-7, 13-11 in straight sets in the against Sri Lanka in July last year Chennaiyin FC in a Kaith with neat finish from Japanese capital postpone the Games for a all Indian final that concluded as one-sided affair in the absence of the injured summit showdown acute angle to make it 2-0. year as the spread of the virus wreaks havoc in 24 minutes. Mashrafe, but failed to that was played behind Chennaiyin found a on the sporting calendar. After losing the first two sets without much inspire the team, with closed doors in Goa on way past the ATK defence in “We will respond by closely coordinat- fight, Thakkar tried to make a comeback with a Bangladesh losing all three Saturday. the 69th minute. Laldinliana ing with officials concerned, including the good display. However, despite some resistance matches. Javier Hernandez Renthlei played a neat one- IOC (International Olympic Committee). from opponent, determined Chandra wrapped up “If in six months, one (10th) and Edu Garcia two with Anirudh Thapa on There is no change in this,” Abe told news the final set and match to clinch Gold medal while year or one-and-a-half (48th) put ATK in the dri- the right before sending a conference. Thakkar had to settle for silver. years I cannot do any- ving seat but Nerijus Valskis C       . +         cross into centre of the box. “We want to hold the Olympics as The U-21 men’s singles competition saw dom- thing for the team I will (69th) reduced their advan- Pritam Kotal’s headed planned without any trouble by overcom- inance of Indian paddlers as Thakkar, Chandra, not keep the captaincy,” tage to set up a tense end to and beat goalkeeper Vishal unleashed a powerful strike clearance fell to Jerry ing the spread of infections,” he said. Manush Shah and Suravajjula Snehit made their he said. the contest. Kaith to give ATK the lead. which was saved by Kaith. Lalrinzuala who passed the Organisers, Japanese government offi- way into the last-4 stage to make it all Indian semi- His fresh tenure Hernandez scored The contest remained Javier Hernandez then ball to Valskis in the centre. cials and the IOC have insisted preparations finals. However, Thakkar overcame Snehit 7-11, as the ODI captain another in injury time open but Chennaiyin suf- had the ball at his feet twice, The Lithuanian striker are on track and there will be no postpone- 11-5, 11-8, 8-11, 14-12 while Chandra outper- will start with a one- (90+4th) to confirm a fered an injury setback mid- but on both occasions, his found the net with a power- ment or cancellation. formed Shah 11-8, 11-6, 11-7 in straight sets to off match against record third title. way through the first half. shot was blocked. ful strike to score his 15th On Friday, Abe and Trump spoke on progress into the final. Pakistan on April 1. ATK drew first blood Midfielder Germanpreet The scoreline remained goal of the season and give the phone about the outbreak and Olympics Earlier, seasoned campaigner Achanta Sharath The Bangladesh Cricket with their first major sight Singh had to be replaced 1-0 in favour of ATK at the Chennaiyin a lifeline. after Trump proposed a delay. Kamal recovered well from the first set setback to Board appointed Tamim of goal in the 10th minute. and Edwin Vanspaul took break, but the Kolkata side ATK got their third goal “We agreed that Japan and the US will register 5-11, 11-5, 11-3, 11-5, 11-7 win over as part of a plan for World John Johnson’s cross-field his place. had a concern of their own of the night and struck the cooperate and closely coordinate for suc- Belarusian Aliaksandr Khanin in the men’s sin- Cup 2023 but the left-han- ball found Roy Krishna on ATK went close to dou- as Krishna had to be final blow in the last minute cess in the Olympics,” Abe said, adding they gles pre-quarterfinals match. Another Indian pad- der said he was not thinking the left flank who delivered bling their lead in the 23rd replaced by Mandi Sosa due of injury time. Substitute had not discussed any postponement. dler Harmeet Desai also made his way into the that far ahead at the moment. a good cross towards the minute out of utter chaos to an injury. Pronay Halder lifted the The Japanese parliament on Friday quarter-finals with a hard-fought 7-11, 11-13, 11- “If the team does well, I do edge of the box. inside the box which pro- ATK scored the all- ball over the Chennaiyin approved legislation that gives Abe the 9, 11-6, 8-11, 11-5, 11-8 win against Egypt’s Omar well, I will start thinking of 2023. Javier Hernandez, who duced three back-to-back important second goal and defence into the path of power to declare a state of emergency to Assar in a thrilling encounter which lasted for one At the moment my concentration is was left unmarked, smashed attempts. Krishna cut in doubled their advantage two Hernandez who slotted the combat COVID-19 but Abe insisted such hour and four minutes. PNS on doing a few things right,” he said. a half-volley into the ground from the right and minutes into the second ball home. a declaration was not yet necessary. AFP      + ,-. /0/0 * 44 /    ,  , )     2;7BB* +;*=$ ,       )      %#+  # ,$$   ) )$ %$       11        FOOTBALL

English Premier League sus- pended all fixtures until April 4, with matches in the English Football League, Women’s Super League, all Scottish football and international friendlies for England and Wales also post- poned.  Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi and three players of Serie A side Fiorentina’s were tested positive for COVID-19.  Spanish club Real Madrid's players were put in quarantine as La Liga announced Spain’s top two divisions will be suspended for at least two weeks.  UEFA postponed all Champions League and Europa League games next week.  In Italy, the hardest-hit European country, all sporting events including Serie A have been suspended until April 3.  French football has been sus- pended “until further notice”, with the German Bundesliga also put on hold.  The Netherlands’ Eredivisie has been suspended until March 31.  Three UEFA Europa League games on Thursday including Manchester United away to LASK Linz had no fans.  The Netherlands’ friendly against Spain set for March 29 cancelled. The United States has called off friendlies against #  
      . +    9 the Dutch on March 26 and   8 !. I. +   *    Wales (March 30). March 14 was held in empty sta-  Other international friendlies between Paris Saint-Germain qualifiers have been postponed, dium. to be played behind closed and Lyon has been called off, as was the next round of the  All football tournaments, doors include France v Ukraine with no new date yet fixed, as Copa Libertadores. including I-League, suspended and Germany v Italy. has the Spanish Copa del Rey  The FIFA Congress, due to till March 31.  The start of Japan’s J-League final between Real Sociedad take place in Addis Ababa on  India’s FIFA World Cup was postponed till mid-March and Athletic Bilbao. June 5, was pushed back to qualifier match against Qatar while China suspended all  A Euro 2020 warm-up tour- September 18. in Bhubaneswar on March 26 domestic football and shelved nament in Qatar featuring In India and against Afghanistan on indefinitely the top-flight Super Portugal, Belgium, Croatia and  Indian Super League final June 9 in Kolkata postponed. League season. Switzerland, has been cancelled. between ATK FC and       # .   8  Final round of Santosh Trophy matches in  The French League Cup final  South American World Cup Chennaiyin FC in Goa on    %  # /  +   . / Aizawl from April 14-27 postponed.

MOTORSPORT

 Sunday’s season-opening Australian Grand Prix was called off early on Friday, with the Bahrain and Vietnamese races also post- poned.  The Chinese Grand Prix, which was set for April 19 in Shanghai, has been delayed.  In motorcycling, the sea- son-opening Qatar MotoGP was cancelled, along with the Thailand MotoGP on March 22 (postponed until October 4). On Tuesday the   0-  2 2       F, G  B       Grand Prix of the Americas CRICKET as was the whole of England’s tour of Sri at Austin was rescheduled Lanka. BADMINTON from April to November, while the MotoGP race in  In India The start of IPL-13, scheduled for March All domestic games suspended. BWF postpone Swiss Open, India Argentina was also put on 29, delayed until at least April 15.  hold.        8+      B3!/  /  Ranji Trophy final on March 13 played Open, Orléans Masters, Malaysia  The final two one day internationals without spectators. Open and Singapore Open as well as IndyCar called of its first between India and South Africa as well as  a number of international Grade 3 four planned races of the sea- In India doubles up as opening round be held without spectators in Road Safety World Series from March 7-  Australia vs New Zealand were scrapped, 22 in Mumbai and Pune cancelled. tournaments atleast till April 12. son. South India Rally, which of FIA Asia-Pacific C’ship, to Chennai from March 20-22.

TENNIS GOLF Shenzhen — both set for April, and this week’s  The ATP has suspended its tour for six weeks  The year’s opening men’s Kenyan Open. “due to escalating health and safety issues”. major, the Masters at  The US LPGA Tour can-  The ATP and WTA Miami Open was called Augusta National sched- celled all three of its lucrative off after Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos uled for April 9-12, has early-season events in Asia, Gimenez declared a state of emergency over been postponed. and also its next three events the outbreak.  The Players in the United States.  The prestigious ATP and WTA Indian Wells Championship was can- In India tournament was cancelled, the first major celled after Thursday’s first  The Indian Open in New sports event in the US to be shelved because round, with all PGA Tour Delhi, set for March 19-22, of the outbreak. events off until after the was postponed on  The inaugural Fed Cup Finals scheduled for Masters. Wednesday. next month in Budapest were postponed.  European Tour chiefs All tournaments of the SHOOTING In India postponed the Maybank Professional Golf Tour of All domestic tournament cancelled. Championship in Malaysia India (PGTI) from March 16 ISSF World Cup for Rifle, Pistol and Shotgun in New Delhi and the China Open in B        /  P    / 1 %  / postponed indefinitely. March 15-25 postponed. ATHLETICS

 The World Indoor Championships, scheduled for Nanjing from March 13-15, were postponed until next year.  The Paris Marathon, sched- uled for April 5 with 60,000 registered runners, was post- poned until October 18.  Next month’s London Marathon has also been post- poned until October.  The Barcelona Marathon, which was scheduled for  !  3      ,%     , 0 /  March 15 with 17,000 runners, . C       . "   / was postponed until October 4.  Boston Marathon moved !  H !           /                 BASKETBALL LeBron James and Stephen from April 20 to September 0         0    !    / Curry have called on the league 14.  NBA suspended the season to cancel the season after a In India TOKYO OLYMPICS is “unthinkable”. The Olympics diums,” he said. after Utah Jazz’s Rudy Gobert ‘rough’ 2020. Federation Cup National take place from July 24-August 9.  Torch relay for the Tokyo tested positive for the new In India Junior Athletics  World Athletics Sebastian Coe  US President Donald Trump Olympics 2020 in Olympia was %,// 0   "     coronavirus. ESPN reported FIBA 3x3 Olympic qualifying Championships to be held in said the 2020 Tokyo Games will go suggested the Olympics could be scrapped on Friday as large crowd    833    that his teammate Donovan tournament from March 18 to Bhopal from April 6-8 post- ahead. Tokyo city governor Yuriko postponed for a year. “I like that turned out despite coronavirus  
     1  / Mitchell has also tested positive. 22 in Bengaluru postponed. poned. Koike said cancelling the Olympics better than I like having empty sta- warning.      + ,-. /0/0 .+0*+04 Q2% $   ,  ,  # $R

 What is the show about? from India. The format was different, this. I did a proper ticket show, we did enting pressure, then you have the sec- It’s called Family Tandoncies and is they had given us the setup and the two back to back shows where we got ond kid and suddenly from taking care largely about my family, the coming of audience. We just went there and per- the audience. The challenge here is the of one, there are two. There is much age of relationships — whether it is with formed. What I am doing now is a solo 22716 immense mental pressure. In a live stage more responsibility. my wife or the children and the chal- show. It is the first Hindi solo of the show, if I get something wrong, I can  Do you think that Indians have yet lenges that come when you have two platform ever. Here, the complete A: 2$66 0) always go back and pick up the thread to learn to laugh at themselves? kids. There is a saying: If you have responsibility of the show was on me. 76:620 6 since people won’t know if I have for- Yes, a lot. We have very fragile egos one kid, you become a parent, To get the production, creatives, stage gotten a few lines. When I recorded for in India. It is taking us a lot of time, with two, you become a ref- design and even getting the director on- 7 6( 6 this show, it was like recording a movie there is some change but we have a long eree. The show is a mixed board was on me. Then there was the in one take. The challenge was that I way to go before we have that sense of bag of things that includes writing and the performance as well. 716$0 ? performed well and there were no humour where we can laugh at our- my growing up days and This was a bigger challenge. At the same retakes. There is a lot of stress to deliv- selves. how we coped with our time, I had more creative liberty this 0 0(6A0:66 er things properly.  How much challenge does this pose siblings versus how my time. Plus the style is different, back 716 7 66  Why use your home name Raju? while doing a stand-up? kids cope with each then I had done 30 minutes, this show There is joke in the show where I It is a challenge so I don’t interact other. is of 70 minutes. This makes a lot of dif- 0A7 0 : talk about myself and say that saare too much with the audience. I have  This is the second ference when it comes to actual per- chhotey bhai ke naam ya naukar ke realised that if I want to do jokes let it time you have a show formance. 76:66 naam Raju hota hai. Hence the name be about myself than talking to them on this platform,  How much time did it take to put and the joke. and cracking a joke on them and tak- what made you do all this together? $ 7  Can you share a few more jokes ing offence. it again? It took me around 10 months from 0 :6$16 from the show?  Where do we stand in terms of com- The first start to finish. It takes two to three I talk about how relationship with edy, are we stuck doing slapstick show that I had months to write the show. Then you your wife changes over the years — comedy?  done was half- start performing it, testing the mater- from the time when there is a lot of We are getting mature now. If we    hour show ial, tightening the jokes, this takes pressure to be romantic in the first few look at the evolution in India, we had which was another couple of months, taking the three-four months to get the produc- years of marriage and now we are at the hasya kavi sammelan. We used to have The stand-up comedian is back with yet another part of the time period to three to five months. tion house on board, getting the music, stage, after being married for 17 years, a lot of mimicry-based shows, this was Netflix Original Standup Special — Amit series Then I practiced the performance 15- creatives, hiring the studio and setting we are not worried what he or she will replaced by slapstick comedy. But now Tandon: Family Tandoncies. He speaks Comedians of 20 times in one month to ensure up the entire thing. feel — ab yeh kahan jayega. So you stop the audience wants more. If you see the  with Shalini Saksena about what this act the World, everything is on my finger tips, this is How is this live performance dif- putting the efforts to be romantic. You video content today, you would see how where they had because I don’t have any cue cards dur- ferent from your other live shows on realise that you don’t have to be togeth- mature the audience has become. This is all about and how it is different shortlisted a ing performance and there are no stage? er 24x7 and need to give space to each is limited to Tier-I and II cities. from the half-hour special that number of come- cuts. I need to have those 70 minutes While this audience was also live, other. You start going out for parties Television has slapstick since there is a he had done for the dians from across completely in my mind so that I can do we got ticketed audience, there was an with your friends. Then I talk about the market for that but it is not as big as it the globe, three were it with my eyes closed. It took another option to get guests but I didn’t want days when we had our first kid, the par- used to be. P   $ +++
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  G ressed in a light-yellow kurta that one painting. There is no boun- pyjama with a mehendi green dation of time. Maybe the artist have Dkoti, he was patiently sitting in to sit for 12 hours straight to com- his shop that had myriad paintings plete a portion or it may be as less as on the side. Hair style somewhat 30 minutes,” Prakash says. similar to that of director Imtiaz Ali, The idea of taking up painting as a smile of satisfaction and gratitude a profession didn’t sit too well with and adding to all that charisma a his family initially. “They used to say voice as humble as it can be. There ‘yeh kya chitrakaari mein laga hai, kya was not even the slightest sign of hoga isse’. Par jab kaam aur daam pride in Padma Shree Awardee Jai dono milne laga, then they realised Prakash’s personality. He recently that art and crafts is a profession for showcased his work at Crafts Bazaar real,” he says. 2020 through Crafts Maestros, India’s Prakash’s focus is to make three first brand of handicrafts and hand- paintings in a year. “I want to give looms. time to my creations. I don’t want to $ # ,    =  Born to a train driver, Maliram in make anything in a hurry,” he says. Delhi, Prakash was always interested There is nothing like a favourite 9C8+C';;<*BDA ) , in painting and is known as a self- painting for Prakash as he has made taught artist. “Painting was my father’s all of them with the same enthusiasm. % +CA272+9+B7   hobby. Although he couldn’t take it up “But to name one it is Company as a profession back in those days but Period,” he tells you.    #  %  $$  he used to practice often. I was six Prakash has spent the most time when I started imitating him. That’s in making Marriage Procession. “It $   $  0 '   how I got interested in the craft. After took me 18 months to complete the completing Class XII, I went to seek painting. There was a lot of detailing  You don’t have a professional training as a singer. How tough admission in College of Art but and lot of figures in it. It was of 3 by has it been? couldn’t get through. That’s when I 6.5 feet,” he tells you. It costed I had a long gap professionally — from the time I was VJing thought of pursuing the craft on my around 5 lakh. and acting. I lacked the discipline that is required to do riyaz. I own. I looked up to my father for help Not only in India, Prakash has had got used to a relaxed life where I was getting up when I want- and did the rest on my own. However, showcased his work in 34 countries. ed to. Music requires a lot of dedication. This was something that it was only after I got married that I “I have represented India in different I had not realised till I started singing for Bollywood. I still have got into the craft full-fledgedly,” he competitions in 34 countries around a long way to go before I have that kind of drive. I am still a big tells you. the globe,” he tells you. He is also cheater. Once I started training and understanding my weakness, Prakash calls himself a quick invited by different colleges and uni- I finally realised how flawed I was. Earlier, I would just land in learner. It was because of this quali- versities around the work to teach at a party and start singing when I was asked. That’s when I had ty and not to mention the hard work students the craft. a new found respect for all the singers out there. The more you that he got so much recognition in Prakash has a message for all the learn, the more you realise, it requires a lot of years before one very less time. aspiring artists. “The key in this pro- can master it. Hence, my status is that of a performer. “It was in 1992 when I started fession is to adapt to changes. We  Are you still the lead singer for Meet Brothers? Doing play- focusing on the craft. I learnt all the have to keep in mind what the mar- back, live performances, singing and acting, is your plate full tips early and in 1996 received the /. ,    5 /           %E>E>     /<8 ket requires. Our paintings should be now? State award. It didn’t stop there, I in trend. They should resonate with Yes, I am still the lead vocalist. I am also a workaholic so I received the National Award in 1998. ings. Hence, they are called minia- paper absorbs the colour. While on a painting. It comes naturally,” the people. One who fails to do this don’t think that my plate is full. I am the kind of person who Then in 2016 I was honoured with ture,” he explains. Natural colours, the normal paper the colour remains Prakash says. loses his value and essence. Try to can work 24x7 for 30 days and not complaint. I never turn down the Padma Shree,” he tells you. handmade brushes and papers are only on the top and act as a layer on The price of the paintings touch upon the subjects and trends work. At present, I have picked up a Punjabi show— Hasdeyan Prakash’s excellence lies in minia- used in this form of painting. the paper. This way it can fade out depends upon the craftsmanship. that are prevalent in the society De, Ghar Vasde — which is on the lines of Comedy Nights with ture paintings. However, miniature “I prepare the colours on my own easily after some time. “The more detailed the painting is, instead of what was liked years Kapil Sharma. I am doing this with Gurpreet Ghuggi. It is a show here doesn’t signify tiny paintings. using all natural ingredients. The His inspiration comes from what the higher its cost will be,” he says. before from now. Also one should not about husband and and wife where Ghuggi and I play the char- “Miniature painting is just a style of paper which I use is from the good he sees around and the people whom The minimum time to make a solely depend on the Government for acters and we have different guests on the show. painting. They can be as huge as to old days. It is the same paper which he meet. painting is around four days. work. The Government does its bit  Does being a performer makes it easy to do such diverse fit on a big wall. They didn’t derived was used by munshis (accountant) to “An idea can strike you in the However, if it’s a masterpiece, it by giving you a platform, rest is up things at the same time? their name because of their size but keep a record of everything,” he adds. middle of nowhere. I can be attend- would take as long as four months. to you. One has to make their way Acting, singing, being a host or doing live performances are because of the minute details that The shelf life of miniature paint- ing a party and would get to see “Masterpieces are nothing but ahead and you cannot run away from a different aspect of a performer. If you see an actor, they must they have. There is a lot of minute, ings is greater as compared to the something that I think is worth pure hardwork of an artist. An artist struggle. Work doesn’t come to you, have basic skills to dance and basic knowledge of taal which intrinsic work done in these paint- normal ones because the natural painting, I don’t sit specially to make pours all the talent and expertise into you have to search for it,” he says. means that they have basic sense of music. When I am in front of the mic and it is a sad song, I have to have that in my voice. If I have to sing a dance song, my expressions are different. We are somewhere using all these traits but are lying dormant and don’t bring it at the forefront. It’s not difficult to switch.  
      You belong to family of doctors. What was their reaction? I always consider myself as the black sheep of the family. My father is a anaesthetic, my mother is gynaecologist, my sister is +CA272+9+B7 ) ,% $  $#5 +*CA2/C;8 C*@ $ " %  a dentist and my jiju is an accident and trauma specialist. My sister-in-law is a clinical psychologist and here I am— what do I do? I entertain them. Somebody has to do it, they are all very %  2   E)   89   %     2   %     serious. But while nobody was from the performing arts back- ground but mother would sing and my sister was a great dancer.    #   #  %   #  $$ I would try and do what she did. I took to stage at a young age to get exposure. Whatever opportunity that came, I would take UK resident of Indian ori- is overwhelming at times. It is recipes,” Choudhary explains. as she does a lot of cookery one lands here. The good part it up and it laid the foundation to me being a professional many Agin, she is a TV chef and good because it helped me What they are doing, she demonstration, it is always is that food has not changed. It years later. her recipes and articles have laugh by podcast where I use says, is giving a twist to the good to have this kind of asso- is so vibrant and colourful,”  Is there is a lot of competition for women playback singers? been featured globally in the this title to build my brand,” rather rustic looking plating of ciation with the cookware Choudhary says. Not just for women, for men too. There is competition every- Forbes, The Sun, The Telegraph Choudhary says. the Indian food by serving brand as it is mutually benefi- Interestingly, Choudhary where. There is so much access to music, there is YouTube and and Independent. Forbes even She tells you that Indian smaller portions, much like the cial for the parties involved. never wanted to be in this other platforms. People living in smaller cities can make it big titled her — The Curry food in England is very popu- French. “It is part of the whole What she found strange industry. She was happy to be which is great. It is good that youngsters are getting a channel Queen— and listed her in the lar, the best selling food, so change that they are bringing when she landed in India was the face of her parents catering to showcase their talent. top 100 women entrepreneurs much so that it has become a in, but I think that we should how people here no longer business. “Dealing with people  What kind of music do you listen to? in UK. She has received mul- part of British menu. “One can stick to be traditional way wear the sari, something that was my strength. But being in I listen to all kinds of music. I have playlist — a combina- tiple awards, the most recent even go to a pub now, and rather than copy the French she does all the time. “I find the industry has pitfalls. When tion of punjabi songs or acoustic or the latest dance numbers. I being for Entrepreneur of the order chicken tikka masala. Michelin style of serving,” that people only wear it for you go to a restaurant, you love dancing, a lot of songs on the list are peppy numbers. But Year by Dorset Food and Indian food has gone all out. It Choudhary says. formal occasions or for wed- know what to expect and when I am driving I listen to acoustics. Drink Awards. Meet Sarah has increased the economy by She tells you each one of us dings. I wear a sari all the time, would be stressed out and I  What next? Ali Choudhary who was in millions. In terms of how it have a perception of what nor- even when I am in England. didn’t want to be part of all that. I have a dialogue from one of my films — when one makes India recently on behalf of changed, the cuisine has been mal is like when she comes to India has gone far ahead in the So I don’t have a restaurant but plans, someone up there is laughing. This makes so much sense. WonderChef to promote the designed for the western palate India, her favourite food is way they work, their strength I am still associated with Indian When I came to Mumbai, the first year I made so many plans brand in the UK. in England. The food flavour Chinese, something that she .  and how the industries work. I food. I just want to take the but none materialised. So I stopped planing. I live in the moment. There is a reason why and has been designed in a way so doesn’t eat even when she is in think in that sense England is journey of Indian food to I don’t make long term unrealistic plans but I do make short term how she got the title — Curry that they can eat the otherwise China. “In England, the food says. backward. I just feel that another level. I don’t want peo- goals. For all I know I could be picking strawberries in a London Queen. “I was given this by very spicy food like we have in that one finds in the menu has She agreed to be associat- Indians don’t lose their tradi- ple to come, eat quickly and countryside in a small little farm growing organic stuff and run- Forbes. In England, it is a male- India. With so many new ideas, been adjusted to suit them. It ed with WonderChef because tion in their quest to move for- leave. I would like to make ning a small little cafe. I do plan to do some great music this year. dominated food industry. To be there are people who are trying is only recently that people have she is also has a Swiss compa- ward. It would be sad to not see Indian food a bigger story,” I am happy to get back to the Punjabi space — doing films and given this title is amazing and to bring back the authentic started to eat spicy food,” she ny who send her their products women wearing a sari when Choudhary says. songs. 
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In bright attire of flowers forged new, family, by a court artisan, or by a professional additions in the form of designs that Heavenly of colour, white, red, brown and weaver for the export trade. Although some of mimicked flowers and other natural wonders. blue. the most common flower motifs (buta) and With the rise of the Peshwas and the waning —William Dunbar the paisley on Kashmir shawls can also be so influence of the Mughals, the former became stylised that they may appear to be simply great patrons of the Paithani, the asawali or lowers have been an inspiration for abstract forms, their roots are firmly flowering vine being one of their prime textile patterns since ancient times in embedded in a love of gardens and flowering contributions in terms of design. India. The floral motifs on the plants that dates back at least to the court costume of the red male torso from cultures of the early years of the Safavid From the land of the Chinar, northern the Indus Valley civilisation show a Dynasty in Iran (1501-1732) and the Mughal India: Shawls woven in the Kashmir Valley are Fvisible refined version of the jasmine. Dynasty in India (1526-1857). They take on replete with floral motifs and naturalistic Numerous Ajanta murals depict people many avatars such as embroidered shawls designs incorporating animals, birds and trees. wearing delicate garments with lotus patterns. made by artisans for themselves to the buta in Kashmiri embroidery is known as ‘kashida’ a Over the centuries, a rich tradition of using twill tapestry that were carefully crafted and vibrant and lovely reflection of the natural floral designs in textiles has evolved in various then sent abroad to enter the realm of the beauty of its homeland featuring creepers, forms all over the country. Among different European elite. leaves of the chinar, mangoes and floral motifs. styles are the kalamkari and ikat traditions of Nora Fisher notes that in Gujarat, village The Kashmiri shawls popularised the ‘paisley’ Andhra Pradesh, the Paithani weaves of the women, as well as professional embroiderers design, which — over the years — became the Deccan, the embroidered shawls of Kashmir, from the Mochi community would take the defining motif of the Kashmiri pashminas. the patolas of Gujarat, phulkari of Punjab, the aid of drawings when they were creating their The four particularly popular shawls from Kantha and Jamdani of Bengal and Chamba designs at the turn of the nineteenth century. Kashmir, the pashmina, the kanikar, the rumals (handkerchiefs) of present-day It is therefore interesting to note that the dorukha and the jamavar have floral motifs Himachal Pradesh, as well as pictorial shawls buta that border many shawls came about after intrinsic to their design. that have worked images of various concepts and ideas about birds, animals, flowers, plants, floral designs were synthesised from  , L     landscapes and other natural medieval Iranian images, pre-Islamic The Banarasi is one of the important wonders that can be found nature imagery and botanical brocades of India. The Banarasi ‘naksha,’ a across the length and breadth drawings from France and the Persian device which was similar to the of the subcontinent. Every Netherlands. The final outcome was jacquard loom enabled the weavers to weave Mughals not only followed the Persian piece varies in terms of the so beautiful that it dotted the cultural the undulating floral patterns in intricate technique of carpet weaving but were also hues employed, the patterns, landscape of the Mughal world and brocades and kinkhwabs (heavy silk fabric). deeply inspired by the traditional designs and the embroidery and its was favoured by peasants and nobles From realistic roses, to stylised lilies and motifs from Persia. The Persian carpets intricacy. The wealth of alike. 016: 766 :26 paisleys, the repertoire of the flowers was generally had a battle scene in the foreground designs that form the motifs :27 :2 200A expansive, inclusive of the local flowers grown with exquisite, fine worked borders of vines can vary from the symmetrical Asawali and Amarvell, western in the region. and flowers. In the Mughal courts, the Persian to the abstract to depictions of India: The Satavahana Dynasty in 2 A$0:$ carpets were recreated with Indian forms and the rich flora and fauna of the 200 BCE made the city of Paithan its 62 2 6U 2$6          the patterns of these newly birthed Indian subcontinent. capital, alongside the holy Godavari river. The Carpets, rugs and namdahs, panja daris: carpets varied from patterns featuring creepers Each of the 29 states has its own tradition Paithani style is named for this city, renowned 7610$162 There are numerous references to woven floor and flowers originally with multiple shades of of weaving, embroidery or block printing and as it was for an over two-millennia-old textile 1:20 A0: $$ coverings in ancient and medieval Indian blues and greens on a red and peach base. each state has distinctive floral motifs which tradition that hinged on carefully weaving literature. Some Buddhist texts mention the Another traditional floor covering of India defines its unique sensibility. multi-coloured threads together with gold and 016: 760  :?) presence of woollen carpets from as far back as is the dhurrie. Dhurries can be made of cotton silver into a single, magnificent piece. It was 670A 76#4 500 BCE. Pre-modern India saw the presence wool, silk or jute and the material depends in       but natural that the Satvahana rulers would   672 0 of woven bamboo mats and dhurries. For the state on which they are made. In Punjab Images of flowers and flowering plants then go on to give the Paithani style great example they are mentioned in the and Rajasthan the dhurries are known as Panja form a leitmotif that have run through the impetus, being responsible for its spread across :2 200A Mrcchakatika of Sudraka. Mats are an age-old dhurries. Khairabad and Sitapur in Central textiles of India, whether made by a village the Deccan. So favoured did it become that the 612 cottage industry, references to which are found India are some other centres for dhurrie woman for her style endured under the rule of other kings, in the Atharva Veda which mentions mats making. These intricately woven floor the Mughals stamping their mark on it with 6 (:026:?0: made of grass or kapisu and madur kathi mats coverings often feature geometric patterns the addition of floral patterns and the amarvell ($0:2 2  made from madur kathi reeds. These were which are inspired by the natural vegetation of (flowering vine) motif. It even charmed the made for priests and Brahmans to sit on, as well flowers and vines. cold-hearted Mughal monarch, Aurangzeb, 67  67 as to cover the floors in wealthy households. From the states of Himachal Pradesh, under whom it evolved. 2 2 216A$0:$ Woven mats were also found in the Indus Kashmir, Gujarat (Kutch) and parts of Elegant additions such as Valley Civilisation. All hand-woven, some of Rajasthan come some felted wool carpets asawali (flower pot with a 0 2A727 them had abstract floral patterns on them. known as namdahs. This is an Urdu word, plant) motif, the peacock, 6A262  2@ 6 However, the most luxurious examples are brought to India by the Mongols and Mughals. geometrical figures and found in the hand-knotted carpets which were Chain stitch embroidery is used to create flowering vines were made to 62(2$2 ? introduced to India when the Mughal beautiful floral motifs, particularly trees and the Paithani style as it Emperor Babur made it his home. Babur flowers, translated by the artistic imagination continued to mature. For sorely longed for the luxurious trappings of of the artisan. example, under the watchful eye of Persia and it was his grandson Akbar who laid Excerpted with permission from the nature-loving Emperor Jahangir, the foundations for the carpet weaving Alka Pande’s Flower Shower: The Culture of Paithani grew to acquire many industry at his palace in Agra in 1580. The Flowers in India, Niyogi Books, 1,995 
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& D    &     :926:2 7 %    $ When we have a problem, being sad creates a secondary problem, because our mental state is agitated and our immune system weakens. One of the quickest ways to put a smile on our lips is through medita- tion. When we meditate, we are tap- ping into a source of all happiness and bliss. Those who experience God refer to God as all consciousness, all truth, and all bliss. Our soul is a drop of that ocean. When we meditate, we are connecting with our soul, our true essence, which is bliss. In meditation, when we focus at the seat of the soul, ovid-19 is the new obsession in many parts of the a doorway opens that leads us into the world today, as the fear of getting infected by the coro- realms beyond. Carried on a stream Cnavirus threatens humanity for one more time. This of Light and Sound, the same essence is how humanity responds to crises in times of globalisa- as God, we swim along this river of tion. The spread of the news is much faster than the spread bliss which leads to the eternal infi- of the virus that spreads the disease. Taking the case of China nite ocean of bliss. Immersed in this and India together, that account for 40 percent of the human- ecstasy, we are far removed from the ity, the enormity of the pandemic or the number that may pains and sorrows of life. Our soul is have died due to the virus may not be ascertained. At worst, filled with happiness so much so that it may be a few thousand out of 7.5 billion, if the estima- we become one big eternal smile. tion is valid. Chances are, they are not. And for India, it is When we emerge from our medita- still around 35 as per the reports. Further, we cannot be sure tion, we carry that happiness with us whether these deaths are due to the virus or other respira- the rest of the day. Thus, no matter tory diseases for other reasons. But look at the way the world who we meet or what situation we are is shouting ‘Corona, Corona’. Newspaper headlines say much in, we are shored up by the bliss from is not known about the virus. Yet, they also say that India within. This helps us deal with life’s is just not prepared for the pandemic. And we are closing problems in a state of internal happi- schools, offices and other establishments. Official seminars ness. We may still have to deal with and business meetings are being postponed, airlines are sus- outer problems, but we are not affect- pending flights, social get-togethers are being cancelled, and ed within. the whole country seems to be running helter-skelter. The Picture an astronaut leaving the irony is that the problems that actually bother are getting ne quality that is impor- up and smile in the face of life’s dif- tion can speed up the healing process. safety of a space capsule to fix it or do glossed over as the country seems to be obsessed with a threat tant to develop spiritual- ficulties. This will bring one more How? They can put us in a state of an experiment in space. His spacesuit that actually may not be there. But amidst all this, commerce ly is to be loving and kind smiling person into the world. calm, in which the body is producing is equipped to keep the temperature seems to thrive. Masks that would normally cost 5 are being to all. This is often sym- Laughter and smile has a role in hormones that make us feel good. at the right level and to protect him sold for 500. This tribe that makes hay all the time, whether bolised by one physical improving our health too. Studies on This aids the healing process. from any particles floating in space. the sun shines or not, almost always scores and finds coro- gestureO that each of us can learn to the value of smiling show that they 060A 76 Smiling is a wonderful way to dis- He can maneuver difficult work out- na or something like it to thrive. Maybe, corona like virus- make. We can bring joy into our envi- release hormones such as endor- @ 26 ? 0 pel a tense situation. It helps relieve side because he is in a safety bubble. es can be engineered to suit certain situations. Spread of coro- ronment just by smiling. A smile on phins that have the power to make us the pressures of life and puts us in a Similarly, when we meditate, we are na is not as big a problem as spread of the news of the coro- our face can brighten the lives of all feel happy. When the body is flood-   2$60 relaxed state of mind. Going jolly and immersed in a safety bubble of hap- na virus spreading. The treasure of knowledge, the range we meet. ed with these chemicals produced by 0 :$22 laughing has a component to our piness and peace. This protects us of advisories, the pseudo-medical expert tips and the videos When we face life’s challenges, it our own body, they not only raise our mental health. Those same happy hor- from the dangers and problems we of do’s and don’ts on the social media seem to be a bigger is hard to smile. When we have prob- spirits but fortify our immune system. 7:0 7 mones can keep us feeling mentally encounter in life. When we experience threat as they may create more cases of paranoia than res- lems at work and the boss is making Thus, when we smile, our immune 62  20)76 good. This can help turn around the the inner joy, we naturally can go piratory infections. There actually are people turning para- difficult demands on us it may be hard system is stronger, and we are better feeling of being in the doldrums. about our day experiencing happiness. noid, washing their hands obsessively, and wearing the masks to smile. When we think we have done able to resist diseases when in good 6 62  6 6 Life hands each of us problems. Thus, it is easy to keep a broad smile religiously. Interestingly, it is still not clear whether those our best work, yet we are criticised for health. :6 2 2 0 No one is immune from difficulties. on our lips. masks can stop the spread of virus, or that safe distance of our mistakes, we tend to frown. Some may have experienced that We may think we alone are filled with So let us ‘go jolly’ and turn our three feet can keep the micro-organism at bay. Something When we find others getting a promo- when they are in a good mood, feel- 0 :60A$$ worries but listen to the tale of every long face into a smiling face as we go like showing the red rag to the bull although science says tion or raise, but we are at the same ing happy, they may be around peo- person and each suffers as much as we about our life. We will find we are not bulls are color blind. But that is how it is. People know the job with the same pay, our face shows ple who have a cold or flu but do not 726 do in his or her own way. It is said that only happier ourselves but that it has truth, yet are not willing to believe it. Our gullibility is more our unhappiness. seem to succumb to those illnesses. ($2)2 if everyone puts their problems into a ripple effect. We add happiness to dangerous than corona virus that seems to be a threat in It is sometimes difficult for par- But when we are sad, run down, or a pile in the middle of the earth and our environment. The people around the present times. The gullibility may keep threatening us ents to smile when their baby is wak- depressed, we may find that our 62  20 76 were asked to pick a set of problems us in turn radiate happiness, which for all times in the name of something or the other. It was ing them up in the middle of the night. immune system is not strong enough. 6A0   76 from that pile, after examining the returns to us. Over time, this smiling bird flu few years ago. Great country with great people who It is hard for parents to smile when Thus, in the same circumstances, problems of others, each would pick atmosphere spreads. Little by little, press the panic button at the slightest pretext. There was a they are taking care of the child’s every when around others who are ill, we 6 0A 760 $ his or her own set of problems again. smiles will emanate from us to our time when the whole country made a beeline to offer milk need at the expense of their own. seem to also get sick. Similarly, if we 00:?06 We would realise that others’ circum- households. From our households, it to Lord Ganesh and watch him actually consume it. We need Whether it is changing a diaper, are already ill but remain positive and stances are not really better than our spreads to our neighborhoods and more investments in developing scientific temper than sci- feeding the child at all hours of the day happy with a smile on our face, 7 $6  own, and sometimes they may even communities. Then each communi- ence per se because science cannot flourish where there is or night, or dealing with a child’s tem- researchers report that we can cut 2 0 76:6$  be worse. ty, spreading happiness, can radiate to no scientific temper. The corona scare is temporary, but the per tantrums when they want some- down the time of our illness and heal Problems are a part of life. It is up the whole world. Let us bring forward mass hysteria threat is permanent. More so, in a country thing you know is not good for them, faster. (6?0 to us whether we choose to be the happiness we experience in med- where people are wont to jump to conclusions without ver- it is hard to keep smiling. But if we can Another thing the doctors depressed about them and go about itation to our outer lives and make ifying the hypothesis. The hysterical temper is the first out- learn to smile in the face of the chal- encourage to speed up healing is med- being sad, or we choose to smile. Our sure we wear a smile wherever we go come of paranoid societies. lenges of parenting, we will be provid- itation. Studies have been conducted problem may not go away immediate- and gift a smile to whoever we meet. /           ing a model for that child to also grow to show that relaxation and medita- ly, but we can face them boldly.                   I   #  
 
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&)+ O * &   %+)  +J   *+  16 0$7:? %  7  92  :(2702 It is undoubtedly difficult to curb the restless mind, but it is possible by suitable practice his is not my conjecture. Lord and detachment. — Bhagavad Gita (6.35) Krishna tells us to always decide, Twhat should be done and what ahul Dravid was down and out, shouldn’t after knowing what is stated almost. He came in to bat at number in our scriptures. They should be our Rsix, in the second innings follow on of guidelines. (Bhagavad Gita 16.24) And a match that India was quickly losing. As he what has been stated in the Gita? It is prepared to face the ball, the Australian cap- the wonderful dialogue between Lord tain hurled a scathing remark, “Oh Rahul is Krishna and Arjuna (18.76) From time number six now, next match, he’ll be num- immemorial the mankind has taken ber twelve”. He meant Rahul is playing so guidance from Lord Krishna’s instruc- bad, he’ll be out of the team soon. tion as detailed in the Gita. Rahul had had a bout of low scores in I will quote God’s guidance in the past and he felt shaken within as he pre- matters, which are among the most pared to bat. Memories of his poor perfor- important to us. Let me take up intel- mance flashed before his eyes. His mind had ligence first because the right intelligence weakened. He was now being intimidated by is what we need to do anything well. aggressive opponents who were amongst the There are four parts to it. (18.30) The best in the art of sledging-a ploy to distract a first is to know what is worth doing and batsman and disturb his concentration by live in the present. That doesn’t mean we traditions, the details may vary but wherever what is not. For example, should you pay a famous saying that God helps those because we are His parts. (15.7) We are sarcastic insults which would cause him to don’t plan our future or analyse our past the practice is to ‘listen’ or ‘observe’ or ‘pre- attention to rumours or spread them who help themselves. One may question quite helpless without God, being make mistakes and get dismissed. mistakes. It simply means that you act mind- sent’, we enter a space beyond the mind; it is yourself? The answer is no. The second this premise that if we can help our- extremely small. To live a good life, we What did Rahul do? He decided to take fully. Don’t mix up many activities or multi- here we touch divinity. is to know what is to be feared and what selves, then, why do we need God’s help? need all kinds of help from God. We one ball at a time. He told himself there’s task and land up mentally exhausted. Play not. For example, should we fear our Because we are limited and can go only need God’s guidance because He is nothing he could do about the past and he one ball at a time!         future? No, if we are connected with so far, God the unlimited has to step in omniscient and our awareness is limit- has no control over his fate after this match. Once I was searching for my umbrella God; He will ensure a safe future for us and take us further. ed. We also need all kinds of strength But this innings was his. And to be more   Q  that I had misplaced. I thought hard and (18.58) Next, I must address both peace and such as atmabala — the inner strength, precise, the ball that is coming at him now is The mind can offer many scripts and long but was clueless. I gave up and went The third guideline is to know what happiness, the most sought after goals. physical strength, mental strength, the only reality of his life. ‘This ball is mine each appears convincing. If you ignore the about doing other things. Later as I relaxed, is attachment and what is relinquish- The Lord has left us in no doubt about strength to tolerate, etc. God must pro- and I play it to perfection’ affirmed Rahul. mind’s proposal, it assures it has an alterna- suddenly, as if out of nowhere, I knew where ment. If one doesn’t one will endure pain what is required to be done. He states, tect us including from ourselves, because Meanwhile, the Aussies tried their best to tive and then another one, until you suc- I had kept it earlier. Sometimes thinking like when one is attached to the result. “One must have God consciousness, invariably we are our worst enemies. see the back of him but Rahul Dravid just cumb. Like this, we remain dutiful slaves of doesn’t work; we need to relax and go Similarly, relinquishing what shouldn’t otherwise there is no peace, and from I pray to God when I am faced with lived one ball at a time. the mind. In the process, we miss out on a beyond thinking. like family duties brings punishment. where could there be any happiness.” a problem. I immediately seek His guid- What happened then is an incredible simple, yet most effective tool to puncture Often when we try to solve a problem, And the last is to know what causes (2.66) Happiness obtained by the con- ance and help, and He provides. This story of grit. Along with his partner the mind’s tirade. And that is ‘just be pre- our mind conjures up many alternatives. But bondage and what is liberating. This is tact between senses and sense objects facility is open to one and all, because Laksman, Rahul batted the entire fourth day, sent, here and now’. if we slow down and learn to relax, accepting important in our quest for liberation at is like poison in result. (18.38) And hap- this is the cosmic design. A small soul and most astonishingly, the Indian team In the spiritual tradition I come from, the present in a detached fashion, we’ll be some point in the future. piness obtained through laziness or care- must be in a position to gain what one came back to life, became the aggressor and we softly chant the Holy Names of God on surprised by the clarity we get, even in the The next important guidance is lessness is even worse. (18.39) lacks. God does fulfill this need of ours won the match that is widely considered to our prayer beads, and the entire focus is on midst of the confusion all around. Likewise, about our duties. The Lord has made it How does one achieve God con- either directly (9.22) or through His sys- be one of the greatest matches in test history. hearing the sound. Srila Prabhupada, a compulsive thinking could inhibit us. But if quite clear that duties, that is as per time, sciousness? Both the factors earlier men- tem. (9.10) All those who aspire to live Rahul did what the American philosopher revered Bhakti yoga teacher gave a simple we learn through these small steps, we will place and circumstance must be done. tioned come into play. We need prop- a quality life shouldn’t miss out, other- Henry David Thoreau said, “The meeting of tool: “Listen to the mantra you are chanting blossom into our true self. Otherwise even maintenance of the er intelligence, that is spiritual intelli- wise life can be quite tough — a normal two eternities — past and future — is pre- now. There’s no question of mind.” He’d say,     
     body will become difficult. (3.8) What gence and being dutiful, especially experience. cisely the present moment.” ‘simply listen’. When you listen to sacred        is our experience? We qualify for God’s towards ourselves, that is the soul. As a %            It’s absolutely vital for our well-being to sound, you enter a spiritual space. In other 
 help only when we are dutiful. Isn’t there soul, it is our duty to link with God,    I&    
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he US-Taliban peace deal all these factors have decisive- try. Hence, Delhi must work Thammered out in the last ly translated these localised out a counter strategy to deal week of February in Doha had insurgents into an inseparable with a post-Ghani Afghanistan. raised the hope of ending the part of the so-called global Since no Northern Alliance internecine war in the war-torn jehad against the Western pow- exists as of today for which Afghanistan. The Taliban lead- ers and their perceived enemies India offered its support in the ership promised not to allow across the globe. past, now it should chalk out a any Islamist terror organisa- If at all a Taliban regime new plan to develop a working tions, particularly foreign ter- resurrects in Kabul, what could relationship with the Taliban ror groups such as the al- really unfold in Afghanistan? leadership. Else, its long-term Qaeda and the ISIS, to operate Those days of the misogynis- plan for development assis- from the country’s soil in tic rule of the Taliban would tance and continuous support      return for the US forces with- never come up again for now. towards the democratically drawal from the country. Certainly Pakistan will play a elected regimes would       However, considering the significant role in reshaping the all be lost once Pakistan’s prox-      disagreement between the future of Afghanistan. But ies occupy the levers of power Taliban and the Afghanistan orchestrating a forceful transi- in Kabul.     AA. Government ever since the tion from Ghani Government Undoubtedly, Pakistan’s   
deal was inked, the historic to Taliban by the Pakistani deep treating of Afghanistan as a peace agreement seems to be State would irretrievably dam- buffer state and exploiting the     another false start for this war age the image of Pakistan. For jehadi elements for its own -   ravaged nation. What was wit- now, Pakistan and the rest of advantage would only accen- nessed in the beginning of the the international actors, includ- tuate acrimony and antagonism    week is the swearing-in of two ing the US, need to facilitate an against it in the days to come. heads of States — Ashraf Ghani intra-Afghan talk as soon as Thus Islamabad must reap-    2!! and his political rival Abdullah possible. praise its policies towards    Abdullah in Kabul. Both of Why can’t main stake- Afghanistan. It should invest them have claimed themselves holders and the Afghan lead- more on the Afghan people     to be the rightful leader. ership articulate a clear plan for than on selective groups, lead- 
  Interestingly, Ghani’s oath-tak- the next iteration of peace ers and more particularly on ing ceremony was attacked by talks? Only such attempts will the radical elements. Instead of      rockets allegedly launched by release new life into the peace making Afghanistan an alien- the very ISIS. The turn of              ,   : , ; C
 "   B/*B process. More than resolving ated frontier and making more       events have plunged the coun- the current crisis, China, Iran faultlines ready for the jehadis,  
 try into more confusion. the release of prisoners, includ- women in public places, areas like foreign relations were will take care of everyone. So and Russia would be happier to its neighbours and other inter- First, the two presidential ing 1,000 Government employ- including the UN staffers, and never a concern for them as it was quite natural that the see America leaving national actors should push for / P  inaugurations have left the ees (now in the captivity of the demolishing the Bamiyan they were in favour of manag- Taliban failed to reach out to Afghanistan. Mediators in the permanent peace, involving all    
 commoners at their wits’ end. Taliban) is meant to be a con- Buddha, the Taliban soon ing an exclusive zone far away the common Afghans. past frequently mythologise ethnic constituencies, tribal Second, it has highlighted fidence-building measure to made Afghanistan a breeding from the international com- Much beyond what had the participation of women leaders and most importantly,   CC the fact that a bitter power initiate the intra-Afghan dia- ground of Islamic jehad. By munity. largely shaped the Taliban and civil society organisations the popularly elected regime struggle between the two logue. Today the conflicting providing safe haven for al- After being in full control world view in those days was in peace deals as truly in Kabul. Afghan leaders is coming up. positions on the issue between Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden, of Kabul, they executed former a conglomeration of limiting problematic. Otherwise, without an iota Third, the last week’s clash- the Ghani Government and the Afghanistan invited the ire of Afghanistan President elements such as limited access Many of the experts even of doubt, Afghanistan would be es between the US forces and Taliban appear to come from the US after 9/11. Najibullah, who had been stay- to mechanisms of governance say that negotiations are a pre- turn into a perfect storm of the Taliban, accompanied by different wordings in the doc- Thus the global war on ter- ing at a UN compound in and conflict management, edu- carious process and they are renewed insurgency. The the ISIS attack on the condo- uments exchanged between ror under the leadership of the Kabul for four and a half years. cation, media, foreign rela- conducted in private places. Taliban are not simply to be lence of a Hazara leader, por- the US and the Taliban and US started right at the heart of Hundreds were killed in the tions and finally zero tolerance Also it has been said that addi- viewed as a radical Islamist tend that reclaiming peace in between the US and the Kabul Afghanistan, aiming to elimi- fighting of the last few days and to different religious faiths. tional actors will complicate the movement; it has been able to Afghanistan is not a cakewalk. establishment on the other. nate its roots and branches. they established a radical These finally circumscribed entire process of peace making. build around a charismatic The differences between Around the same time, This ultimately led to the fall of Islamic rule over the country. all efforts of the Omar regime Such actors may destabilise mullah phenomenon for mar- the Ghani Government and the American special negotiator the Islamic regime of Omar. It seemed they did not to continue in power and sur- the truce with the Taliban. shalling support from tribal Taliban have widened. As the Zalmay Khalilzad has urged However, during its five-year have a clear vision about gov- vive a mighty American inva- Another school of thought kinship and rural masses. And Government was not included both sides to sit for talks at the term, the Taliban Government ernance and to sustain a radi- sion in 2001. argues that women and civil for years, this extraordinary 8 C ,.. C in the peace deal signed earliest so as to iron out the dif- demonstrated ability in pro- cal rule when the entire world Since its ouster from society could be well engaged support, buttressed by Talib between the US and the ferences and set the priorities viding basic security within was averse to recognising them. power, the Taliban leadership only after a negotiation with reinforcements from the bor- Taliban, it clearly shows the for ensuring peace in their reach and control, What guided them was pure has learnt enough tactics to stay the Taliban is reached. It der areas of Pakistan was more upper hand of the rebels in any Afghanistan. enforcement of religious law. religious fervour and an imme- relevant. From being anti-mod- implies that now the time has than enough to pound and future arrangement of power in The Taliban coming back Further, their Government diate strength to impose their ern in its initial days, the just come to involve them as counter the US-led coalition the country. At the same time, to the mainstream is simply the achieved an effective opium might over the hapless people Taliban have started not only Afghanistan is heading for the across Afghanistan. cornering the popularly elect- reassertion of religious funda- poppy ban between 2000-2001. over a sizeable territory of recognising the ubiquitous role implementation of the truce Keeping all these critical ed Government implies that mentalism in Afghanistan. Let’s By virtue of its structure and Afghanistan. But then, lack of of information & communica- with the Taliban. elements in mind, Ghani and the Taliban have been accept- recollect what Taliban did dur- functioning style, the mullahs a central authority, state organ- tion technology but are also However, significant devel- Abdullah should come togeth- ed as the legitimate political ing its tenure in office from did not operate any modern isations, a methodology for using the IT tools to the best of opments are likely. The Taliban er first and work out a quick agent of Afghanistan. 1996 to 2001 when it was top- centralised structure of admin- command and control mecha- their benefits. will be on the rise as they have rapprochement so as to thwart Though the Government pled by the US-led war on ter- istration. Thus their commu- nisms which can reflect some Many analysts say if the developed both military skills a resurgent Taliban and to has agreed to release 1,500 ror following the 9/11. The nication with the general pop- level of popular participation Taliban insurgency has evolved and diplomatic manoeuvra- facilitate a new road to peace. prisoners as a gesture of good Government of Mullah Omar ulace was too limited beyond made it impossible for many into a force to be reckoned bility to deal with friends and Else Afghanistan will perma- faith, the Taliban want all its was barely recognised by three a certain point. The Taliban Afghans to accept the Taliban with, it has gathered much of adversaries. nently remain as a labyrinth of 5,000 man to be freed in one nations i.e. Saudi Arabia, the being Islamic radicals had not (Rashid, A, 2001). The Taliban its inspiration from the sharp India would be in a diffi- violence. go. Moreover, the Taliban made United Arab Emirates and accorded top priority to such didn’t carry out even the min- rise of the al-Qaeda and prob- cult position when the Taliban this a condition for initiating Islamist forces’ godfather modern architecture of gover- imum of developmental work ably the sudden growth of the come to power in Kabul and (The writer is an expert on the Afghan dialogue. In fact, Pakistan. Apart from banning nance at all. In fact, some key because they believe that Islam ISIS in the ruins of Iraq. And the US forces leave that coun- international affairs)

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he judgment delivered by nonconsensual encounters, Instagram, etc. These fora first ing up with slew of accusations Tthe Manhattan Criminal including with former pro- help highlight the cases and must be blamed equally. Court this week is absolutely duction assistant Mimi Haleyi then put extreme pressure on Also some of them who historic. It is about sentencing and an undisclosed accuser. the culprits, leading to their had to undergo all sorts of Hollywood producer Harvey These counts include rape in public confessions at times. harassments with the hope of Weinstein to 23 years of impris- the first degree, one count of But dragging them to the making it big in their lives and .     onment for sexual assault and rape in the third degree, one courtroom and passing eventually could not, also rape. The sentence was hand- count of a criminal sexual act through agonising trials up to should not have accused him
 
ed down by Justice James Burke in the first degree and two the conviction stage certainly now. Again those who were who found Weinstein guilty of counts of predatory sexual demands both moral and mate- lured and then exploited by    sexually assaulting a former assault. rial strength. Weinstein must have raised     production assistant and rap- However, Weinstein had Weinstein’s conviction is a their voices even before. It is ing a former aspiring actress. pleaded not guilty of any of milestone in the Me Too cam- well understood that many of      His trial marked a major land- these charges at the start. He paign. Some of these women the women who had under- P 
 mark for “Me Too” campaign had denied engaging in any victims have demonstrated to gone such ordeals may not have as it highlighted the fact that nonconsensual encounters the world that we should not the strength and material might   finally a white, powerful and detailed in criminal and civil stop fighting for what’s right. to stand up against the
   rich man can be prosecuted for court proceedings so far. Many wonder why the victims Hollywood Moghul in their sex crimes. Also it was critical Weinstein and his attorney’s did not complain about early careers. And now when      because at last the accusers denial have brought to light the Weinstein till 2017. In a career they are financially secure and were heard by the judiciary. fact that characterised him as spanning almost three decades professionally matured, some 
""    Though the charges first came a victim. In an interview, he in Hollywood, he had pro- of them are rising against him.      to light in 2017, Weinstein grumbled and said: “I feel like duced many more movies cen- Certainly, some of the women was arrested in May 2018 and the forgotten man. I made   
"       -               tring woman characters and are gathering courage to just       then the long legal battle began. more movies directed by 8833 /*B helping many of them to highlight what he did to them.     The Weinstein case saw women and about women than launch to the heights of their In this entire saga of trials, it is twists and turns from the very any other filmmaker, and I am should have gathered courage the judicial system may not ly hesitate to come forward, but maturity and popularity. only the judges who would be    beginning. Around two dozen talking about thirty years ago. to expose him. He has gone too help the victims. It’s all about they simply can’t fight such ele- During those days no one tried able to find the real culprits and women accusers who first I’m not talking about now, far. In an advanced country like collating evidences and making ments as they are too tied to the to bring to light anything accordingly punish them. raised their voices against him when it is vogue. I did it first! the US, supported by an it heard to the judges before it system. Yes, it is true that once against Weinstein. It simply While talking about the victims were known as “Silence I pioneered it! It all got evis- extremely liberal environment is too late. And that has hap- you point a finger at such big- gives an impression that either of Weinstein, and their gen- Breakers”. They all joined cerated because of what hap- and highly charged with pened and taken a new turn in gies, you may lose big career both sides were able to work uineness, it’s not to justify hands to demand that pened. My work has been for- sophisticated information this century only. Women of opportunities or at times may out their plans and these mat- what he did to them. He had Weinstein be held account- gotten.” technology, these women the world, you have won anoth- be sidelined forever. This is all ters once highlighted could simply taken the advantage of able for the egregious crimes he This clearly shows how should have come forward er battle against an animal like about a close-knit system have definitely jeopardised the his power, position and wealth. committed. It must be noted much he has contributed to the much earlier. Nevertheless, he man, for sure. where you can’t fight alone projects. It was then just a mat- Thus he was successful in that less than one year after The growth and developed of cin- was exposed only for the bet- Why such crimes go unre- unless you are too powerful or ter of convenience! Sadly it silencing them for long. His New York Times and New ema, professional careers of terment of the society and for ported? Why victims hesitate to ready to sacrifice your career. shows the complicity of the punishment was long over- Yorker published investigations many and achieving new the safety and security of come upfront? Are they scared The emergence of techno- other side too. That way many due. He could not stand the test detailing allegations of sexual heights in that particular era. women in high profile indus- of losing their career? Whether logical revolution, especially of the victims are also a party of the legal trial as he had hard- abuse and assault against him But then at what cost? He tries such as movie making. we love or hate those who with the ultra-modern social to the crimes committed by ly anything to substantiate in ,5 ,  G @C that spanned decades, he was should have been checked ear- When the case was making stood up, plainly speaking, we media platforms, has changed him. At any rate, he could not proving him innocent. arrested in May 25, 2018. lier. Before he turned it into a progress, many of his victims have to admire their chutzpah. the scenario. Women today have done things alone. Some When he was remanded in complete mess and gory were not confident that they Such crimes go unreported can easily take up their griev- of the victims worked with him (The writer teaches police custody, he initially episode, many of those women will see their perpetrators sent because of fear or losing favour ances to Facebook, Twitter, for years to advance their pro- Sociology at OP Jindal Global faced five counts for alleged and probably some man as well to jail for his crimes. Chiding at times. The victims not real- WhatsApp, Snap chat, fessional careers and now com- University in Sonepat) 
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"# 0    $ )  )   (7: (7 7 60 answer, let us look at the astrological defined dos and don’ts, and not open to pointers to your personality-traits. You look beyond for a reality check. That omeone in his mid-sixties, came Remember, it is a well stated guideline were born when Cancer was rising, makes it difficult for you to digest con- seeking answers to his pointed of Indian astrology to factor in three which is a movable and water sign, trarian views. Second, you are vulnera- Squestions: “Sir, as on date, profes- dimensions of life — Kala, Patra, and known for its fluidity. This by itself ble to remain stuck to your delusionary sionally, I am doing well but yet, I don’t Samaya — while analysing a chart. Kala speaks of being too much emotionally dream perceptions. Third, habitually feel settled. Right from my college days, refers to the overall environmental con- sensitive and vulnerable to mood swings you are an escapist, who may seek a I had a trying time, as it has been sub- dition, which is ever changing and as would lord of the sign Moon change change if things don’t work your way. ject to unseemly twists and turns every remains beyond anybody’s control. its colour every day. Now, with its crab This tendency gets further amplified now and then. Why? Would I ever have Patra relates to personality frame up of like character as the sign symbol stands, because of Saturn’s aspect on Ketu. a smooth go in life? A lot of astrologers a being. That defines how intelligently you also remain vulnerable to get too Intelligence signifying Mercury placed predicted a hassle-free life from a par- one would take on challenges posed by much attached to your perceptions, feel- adverse to both Jupiter and Neptune, ticular age or the other. Those never environmental factors, and how effi- ings, ideas and all that you like, which account for your insensible reasoning came true. When questioned about their ciently one may pursue the tasks in may often put you in peril. It is just like and judgment. Jupiter placed adverse to failed predictions, they found escape in hand. Samaya speaks of the probable a crab, which may prefer to lose its claw Neptune makes you susceptible to carry inaccuracy of my time of birth. In the timeline pertaining to fruition of des- than to forego its hold. Moon occupies peculiar beliefs, which often puts you in process, they tried to correct my birth tiny indications, which is dependent on Virgo sign, which apart from bringing a wrong spot before others. time afresh, again and again. How long the other two factors. The said in a vacillating tendency, makes you To sum up, you wish to live on your will such trial and error method go on? astrologers did not pay attention to your judgmental and a perfectionist by own exclusive terms, and that too in Of late, I have begun losing faith in personality traits, is how they could not nature, of course by your self-defined such a complex world, where every indi- astrology. Having heard about you, I guide you properly. measure. If things do not happen your vidual is born unique, all manifesting have come with lot of hope to show me That makes it incumbent upon you way, you may become overcritical of varying traits. So, life won’t move to any- the way forward to future.” to first know your own self — others, where after may not hesitate in body’s asking. Better address your inher- Responding to his queries, I made it indwelling potential with all inherent denigrating them with your acerbic ent tendencies, sharpen your intelligence clear that it is unfair on the part of the virtues and attributes; as well as vulner- remarks. Evidently, therefore, people and come to terms with the realities, to astrologers to justify their failure in abilities, which covers all the habit ten- often get put off with you, and with smartly negotiate the callings of life. inaccuracy of the birth time. In astrolo- dencies and attitudes, prejudices and obvious consequences.       

  gy, there are proven methods for correc- passions, likes and dislikes. From the The Sun marked with one’s identity,     ""    tion of birth time. The said astrologers nature of your questions itself, it is placed adverse to Jupiter and !233>E%%,, ,, BB   should have done it before reading your becomes evident that you carry a strong Neptune, which in the first place, speaks , --  2333>>>E= chart. Second, they seem to have sense of insecurity, which in turn, has of your swaggering ego, distanced from <44323332JJ4KJKJL=*4K3K>)LEL) ignored the fundamentals of astrology. brought in identity crisis. Why? For the ground reality. That binds you to self- # < I  

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