Economy Gets New Anti-Viral Shot: Big Spike Again, 44 New Cases in K'taka

BENGALURU  SATURDAY  APRIL 18, 2020  `6.
00  PAGES 16  LATE CITY EDITION
CHINA DIDN’T REPORT OVER A

83,760
AN ATTEMPT TO WARD OFF CRITICISM? WUHAN’S TOLL NOW UP BY 50%
This is not the first time China is revising its data on Covid-19
THOUSAND DEATHS IN WUHAN
Wuhan authorities tried to wash off their hands by saying most of the newly ■
reported deaths happened at homes, soon after the outbreak when testing cases. On February 15, the country abruptly added 15,000 new
facilities were limited. Meanwhile, Beijing has portrayed Friday’s revision as a cases to its total count citing a change in methodology
China on Friday admitted that an additional 1,290 people died “responsible action, based on facts”. However, analysts see it as an attempt ■ With Friday’s revision, the total toll in China’s worst-affected WAS THE TOTAL NUMBER OF COVID-19
of Covid-19 in Wuhan, but their deaths were not reported to put to rest allegations that China is misleading the world on its actual toll city—Wuhan—has risen by about 50% from 2,579 to 3,869 |P9 CASES IN CHINA ON FRIDAY
CHENNAI ■ MADURAI ■ VIJAYAWADA ■ BENGALURU ■ KOCHI ■ HYDERABAD ■ VISAKHAPATNAM ■ COIMBATORE ■ KOZHIKODE ■ THIRUVANANTHAPURAM ■ BELAGAVI ■ BHUBANESWAR ■ SHIVAMOGGA ■ MANGALURU ■ TIRUPATI ■ TIRUCHY ■ TIRUNELVELI ■ SAMBALPUR ■ HUBBALLI ■ DHARMAPURI ■ KOTTAYAM ■ KANNUR ■ VILLUPURAM ■ KOLLAM ■ WARANGAL ■ TADEPALLIGUDEM ■ NAGAPATTINAM ■ THRISSUR ■ KALABURAGI
ECONOMY GETS NEW ANTI-VIRAL SHOT

Dear Reader,
Starting today, the
Editorial Page is being
revamped as part of our
continuous endeavour to
provide you a more
comprehensive newspaper. Central bank further eases bad loan rules; stops dividend payment by lenders; prods banks to lend more; eases credit flow to NBFCs
While the Mindspace
column has been dropped,
the page will have two S U N I T H A N AT T I BANKS’ LIQUIDITY COVERAGE RATIO REQUIREMENT riod, but also during the post-
opinion pieces everyday Helping NBFCs LIQUIDITY REDUCED FROM 100 TO 80 PER CENT. WILL HELP LENDERS COVID reconstruction phase to
`50,000 cr COVER
instead of one, making the THE RBI is expected to cut revive economic activity. Clear-
INVEST MORE OUTSIDE THE GOVERNMENT SECURITIES
basket of views more wide- quick sticks, just like its global ly, the general government defi-
ranging than before. It will peers, to contain the COVID-19 REVERSE Support to MSMEs cit (centre and states) will rise
economic fallouts, but India’s Targeted Long Term Operations, REPO CUT Advances to states exponentially (even over 10%).
`50,000 crore
have more columnists so as
central bank maintained a Zen- with at least 50 per cent going Rate at which Ways and Means But if states and the Centre
to add to your wholesome to small and mid-sized NBFCs
reading experience. like calm reserving much of its RBI takes funds Advances (WMA) limit borrow more, the increased
precious ammo for another day. and MFIs; move will ease credit from banks, for states increased by special refinancing facility for supply of government bonds in
The Mailbag section has flow to NBFCs
been redesigned, but its
total space remains
On Friday though, Governor
Shaktikanta Das announced
nine measures to ease liquidity,
Escaping NPA trap
called reverse
repo, cut by
25 bps from
60 per cent Nabard, Sidbi and National Housing Bank; will
channelise fresh loans to MSMEs and microfinance
companies
a demand-slump market will
spike yields higher. That’s why
the market is seeking clarity on
unaltered, happy as we are until September. Will
credit flow and financial stress, All standard accounts availing 4 per cent to how RBI will absorb these
to engage with you. In the three-month moratorium give greater comfort
but received only two cheers in 3.75; expected bonds. “To be fair to RBI, it may
revamped Opinion Page of exempted from the to prod banks to states and space
return. That’s because, the be awaiting the actual an-
90-DAY
The New Sunday Express, to lend more out market borrowings
there will now be more market was expecting a US- better instead of nouncement of borrowing to
styled splash-the-cash mone- rather than unveil the absorption plan,”
space to accommodate parking funds bunching them
your letters to the Editor. tary stimulus where the Fed- NPA norm; aimed at helping together resulting in Choudhary added.
with the central
eral Reserve cracked open its banks avoid a rash of defaults bank higher interest rates Meanwhile, the central bank
Happy reading. vaults buying bonds directly governor indicated that all op-
Editor from corporates and more. tions were on the table includ-
The RBI too has adopted a According to Suyash Choud- money alright, but are lending per cent of the `50,000 crore ing buying bonds from the open
‘whatever it takes’ approach, hary, Head-Fixed Income, IDFC it only to those with piles of rasied via TLTRO 2.0 among market when needed.
but for Das and team, that mo- AMC, the RBI is somewhat un- cash to avoid defaults. NBFCs and MFIs. While he emphasized that
Since March 27, 2020, ment of reckoning is still days, derestimating the real prob- The trouble is, with econom- Besides liquidity, the market macroeconmic landscape dete-
EXPRESS READ when I spoke to you last, or perhaps weeks away. Which lem, which, in his view, is ic activity grinding to a halt, also wants to know RBI’s go-to riorated severely in some cases,
is why, Friday’s measures rang- inadequate availability small- and mid-size firms action plan to manage the over- India continues to be among a
Screen Rohingyas for the macroeconomic and ing from a 25 bps reverse repo of risk capital. Hence, are facing cash flow is- supply of government bonds. handful of countries with posi-
COVID-19, states told financial landscape has rate reduction to `50,000 crore some of the push meas- sues, and absence of Elsewhere, central banks are tive growth.
deteriorated, precipitously Targeted Lending Rate Opera- ures may not yield bank credit could po- coming to the governments’ Finally, he presented a be-
New Delhi: The Union Home tions (TLTRO-2.0) with special much. Just why? tentially tur n them rescue even if it means print- nign analysis of inflation not-
Ministry has asked all states in some areas; but light mention to NBFCs to relaxa- Take banks. Though insolvent. ing more currency. ing that prices will likely settle
and Union Territories to screen still shines through bravely tion of NPA classification RBI is offering ultra- This, in turn, will add to What we all know is that below the mandated 4 per cent
Rohingya Muslims living in their
jurisdiction for COVID-19, as
in some others norms to lower liquidity cover-
age requirement to banks, were
cheap money at just 4.4 per
cent interest, banks aren’t play-
unemployment. To prevent the
ensuing crisis, Das on Friday
both central and state govern-
ments have to spend not only
by second half, which will leave
additional space to reduce poli-
many of them had attended Shaktikanta Das, RBI governor all written off as small beer. ing ball. They are taking the mandated banks to deploy 50 during the 40-day lockdown pe- cy rates later. P10
the Tablighi Jamaat
Big spike again, 44 new cases in K’taka 11,616

congregation in Delhi’s NATIONWIDE
Nizamuddin, officials said
452 1,766
CONFIRMED CASES TOTAL DEATHS RECOVERED CASES
on Friday.
Forces kill terrorists

who attacked SPOs EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE
@Bengaluru COVID-19 UPDATE
Jammu: Security forces on
Friday killed two terrorists who
fatally attacked a special
AFTER having managed to
keep the graph down for sever-
NBFCs, co-op societies
can work from Monday
police officer and critically al weeks, Karnataka has seen a RNATA
KA
injured another in Jammu and sudden spurt in COVID-19 cas-
KA
IN
Kashmir’s Kishtwar district es over the last few days. On

early this week, officials said. Friday, the state recorded 44
On Monday, the terrorists had positive cases in a span of 24 EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE Non-banking financial insti-
attacked the SPOs with axes hours, which is so far the high- @New Delhi tutions, including housing fi-
in Tander village. est spike in the state. The total nance companies, and micro
number of cases has now gone THE government on Friday ex- finance institutions, with bare
up to 359. panded the list of activities minimum staff, and coopera-
The State Government has 13 88 359 that will be exempted from the tive credit societies are exempt-
India’s virus claimed that the high number
of cases is due to the increase
Total
Deaths
Total recoveries Total cases
so far as on Friday
purview of the ongoing shut-
down, including more kinds of
ed from the lockdown.
Bamboo, coconut, arecanut
cases doubling in the number of testing. Pri-

mary and Secondary Educa- 44 TEST POSITIVE
ON FRIDAY
construction, sanitation works,
and functioning of non-bank-
ing financial institutions and
cocoa, spices plantation and
their harvesting, processing,
at slower pace
tion Minister S Suresh Kumar People seeking emergency passes for inter-state travel assemble at the Police packaging, sale and marketing
said, “Earlier, we were testing Wireless Headquarters in Bengaluru on Friday | PANDARINATH B DISTRICT-WISE +VE COUNT cooperative credit societies are also allowed to be carried
500 samples a day. Four days Mysuru 12
across India. out during the lockdown.
ago, this was ramped up and and Belagavi. Most of the cases 22-year-old male, Patient 342 is The Union Home Ministry The lockdown was first an-
Bengaluru Urban 10
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE about 1,090 samples tested. And recorded were in Nanjangud a 38-year-old male, Patient 343 ordered that collection, har- nounced by PM Narendra Modi
@ New Delhi on Friday, 2,070 tests were con- and it continues to be a hotspot. is a 38-year-old male, Patient Ballari 7 vesting and processing of mi- on March 24 in a bid to combat
ducted. We have increased the The Health Department has not 344 is a 26-year-old male, Pa- Belagavi 5 nor forest produce, non-timber the Coronavirus pandemic. It
IMPLYING that the nation- testing and hence, the high been able to break the chain or tient 345 is a 28-year-old male, forest produce by Scheduled was further extended till May 3.
Mandya 3
wide lockdown has curbed the number of cases. This apart, trace the root of the spread. Patient 346 is a 22-year-old Tribes and other forest dwell- On Wednesday, the Home Min-
spread of the coronavirus in we have even started to test sec- Patient 316, a 55-year-old male, Patient 347 is a 29-year- Chikkaballapur 3 ers in forest areas will also be istry had announced a series of
India, the Centre on Friday ondary contacts of patients.” male, and 317, a 11-year-old fe- old male and Patient 348 is a Vijayapura 2 Vijayapura allowed from April 20. exemptions given to different
said the number of COVID-19 Karnataka, with one positive male, are contacts of Patients 26-year-old male. Patient 321 is may be In a communication to all people and services during the
Bidar 1 declared
cases in the country is now case for every 44.56 tests, 167 and 168 who had travelled to a 41-year-old female from Mys- ‘hotspot’
states and Union Territories, lockdown from April 20.
Uttara Kannada 1
doubling every 6.2 days, in- stands next only to Kerala Delhi. uru and contact of Patient 273, Union Home Secretary Ajay The government announced
stead of every three days as where one positive case is de- Patients 318-320 and 341-348 who had Severe Acute Respira- Bhalla said construction activi- movement of all kinds of car-
was the case before the tected for every 44.16 tests. The are residents of Nanjangud tory Infection (SARI). ties in rural areas include wa- go, opening of truck repair
lockdown. positivity rate in Karnataka is and contacts of Patient 52, who Patients 322-324 are residents ter supply and sanitation, lay- shops, high way dhabas. Manu-
“Before the lockdown, the 2.72 per cent. was working at the Nanjangud of Malavalli in Mandya district We have increased ing and erection of power facturing units in rural areas,
doubling rate of coronavirus The cases recorded on Friday pharmaceutical company. Pa- who are contacts of Patient 171, testing, and hence the high transmission lines and laying special economic zones and ex-
cases was three days. Going were from Bengaluru Urban, tient 318, is a 50-year-old male, a 32-year-old from Mandya who number of cases. of telecom optical fibre and ca- port zones have also been al-
by the number of cases in the Nanjangud in Mysuru district, Patient 319 is a 33-year-old is a contact of patients who had S Suresh Kumar, Primary and ble along with related activities lowed to function with proper
last seven days, the doubling Dakshina Kannada, Vijayapu- male, Patient 320 is a 33-year- a travel history to Delhi. Secondary Education Minister will be allowed during the lock- protection for workers who
rate has been 6.2 days. In 19 ra, Hosapete, Chikkaballapur old male, Patient 341 is a CONTINUED ON: P5 down that will last till May 3. work in these units. P7,8,9
states and Union Territories,
the doubling rate is less than
Rising asymptomatic cases

the national average,” Lav PROTEIN BOOST
Agarwal, Joint Secretary in
AIIMS dials CFTRI for COVID patients’ food needs

the Union Ministry of Health
and Family Welfare, said on
Friday.
The states and Union Ter-
in state set off alarm bells
ritories Agarwal mentioned R A N J A N I M A D H A V A N @Bengaluru kaballapur and Bidar, asymp-
include Kerala, Tamil Nadu, tomatic patients are more in E X P R E S S N E W S S E R V I C E @Mysuru S Raghavarao, Director, CSIR- formulation, are currently be-
Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, THE increasing incidence of number than the symptomat- CFTRI, said the food materials ing sourced from manufactur-
Delhi, and Puducherry. COVID-19 in Karnataka has ic ones. THE COVID-19 patients under are rich in protein, which is ers in Noida, Uttar Pradesh.
He also pointed to a 40% de- thrown up a worrisome fact. As of Thursday, 186 corona- treatment at the premier All In- beneficial for the patients in The Institute is already sup-
cline in the growth of new vi- A majority of the cases in the virus-positive patients of the dia Institute of Medical Scienc- the recovery process. This was plying food material to desig-
rus cases. state are asymptomatic — total 315 were asymptomatic es in New Delhi are getting endorsed by Dr Parmeet Kaur, nated COVID hospitals in Ben-
“We have been witnessing which means they carry the in Karnataka. their dietary needs from the Chief Dietician at AIIMS. galuru as well as to migrant
an average growth factor of virus, but do not show symp- Dr C Nagaraj, Director, Ra- CSIR -Central Food Technologi- In the first instalment, 500 kg labourers and the homeless
1.2 since April 1, which stood toms. If undetected, they are jiv Gandhi Institute Of Chest cal Research Institute in Mysu- of high-protein biscuits and 500 stranded due to the lockdown
at 2.1 on average between capable of passing on the vi- Diseases (RGICD), said, ru. The diet is designed to help kg of high-protein rusks, devel- in New Delhi. It is also being
March 15 to March 31. So, rus to others. “Asymptomatic means the pa- them improve their immunity oped by the CFTRI scientists, supplied to other cities across
there is a 40 per cent decline,” As of April 17, there were tients have very mild symp- and beat the coronavirus. have been sent to the premier the country. The Mysuru-based
he said, crediting the expan- 192 asymptomatic COVID-19 toms like weakness, body ache According to CFTRI officials, hospital. The CFTRI authori- CFTRI is known for its value-
sion of testing. With 1,007 positive cases of the total of or mild headache that often go the institute’s protein-enriched ties said that due to logistics is- added food products which
fresh cases since Thursday 359, as per information pro- unnoticed. They won’t have food products have been spe- sues during the lockdown pe- have been of help especially in
evening, India’s total case vided by the State Govern- breathlessness, cough, cold, An AIIMS staffer hands out a packet cially requested by AIIMS ow- r i o d , t h e fo o d p ro d u c t s, time of calamities like the Ock-
count reached 13,835 on Fri- ment. Even in hotspots such sore throat, fever which symp- containing enriched food items to a ing to their health benefits. manufactured under the direc- hi cyclone and the recent floods
day evening. as Mysuru, Kalaburagi, Chik- tomatic patients have.” P5 patient in the hospital | EXPRESS Commenting on this, Dr K S M tions of the Institute as per its that battered parts of India.
ALMANAC TODAY MIN MAX Sunrise 6.05 am
Saturday 18/04/2020 Year: Sarvari Ayana : Uttharayana Ritu: Vasantha
Masa: Chaitra Paksha: Krishna Tithi: Ekadashi 11:08 pm Nakshatra:
22 C 0 350C Sunset 6.32 pm
Moonrise 3.09 am
Sathabhisha 5:10 am Moon in Kumbha Rashi Rahukaala: 09:00 am to 10:30am WEATHER FORECAST
Gulikakala: 06:00 am to 07:30 am Yamaganda: 01:49 pm to 03:26 pm WATCH Sunny Moonset 3.03 pm
02 BENGALURU SATURDAY 18 04 2020

l l newindianexpress com
Citizens wary of IISc researchers foresee rise in

TRAFFIC WOES
ordering food, traffic jams post lockdown period

groceries online BOSKY KHANNA
@Bengaluru
WHILE many are worried

will rely more on their vehi-
cles, which will lead to an in-
crease in traffic jams. This is
the best time for the govern-
about how the Indian econo- ment to lay stress on cycles as
Food delivery companies promise hygiene my will cope and what needs an ideal mode of transport,
to be done post COVID-19 where distance and health
lockdown period, Indian In- will be addressed,” he said.
stitute of Science researchers On the flip side, many peo-
have pointed to the biggest
fear in Bengaluru: a rise in
ple belonging to the lower
economic strata will use pub- WELCOME KIT
traffic congestion. lic transport to go to their na- Corporator A Prasad, who is also president of Bommasandra Industrial Area
IISc researchers have sub- tive places or to work. This Association, distributed 2,000 ration kits to workers on Friday | NAGARAJA GADEKAL
mitted two white papers to could have a negative impact
the state government for the partment of Civil and create a fear of
Rider cop gets cash reward

recovery period, focused on Engineering, IISc, told TNIE re-occurrence.
the transport sector titled- that after the lockdown ends They suggest the govern-
“Towards a Sustainable on May 3, there will be a re- ment take the opportunity to
Transportation System for covery period during which achieve a sustainable transport
COVID-19 Recovery Period” things will take time to get system by prioritising buses A S H W I N I M S R I PA D and transferred Rs 46,000 to Ku-
and “Post COVID-19 World: back to normalcy. lanes and high occupancy vehi- @Bengaluru m a r a sw a my by F r i d ay
A food delivery man working during the lockdown | NAGARAJA GADEKAL Sustainable Transportation “Based on how the lock- cles, integration of autorick- evening.
Interventions and Solutions down is lifted, mobilisation shaw ride-sharing with buses AS a token of appreciation, ad- “It’s always nice to hear
BOSKY KHANNA Required.” and services will gradually or Metro to provide last-mile mirers of S Kumaraswamy, the these stories in a time of crisis.
@Bengaluru Food delivery man Prof Ashish Verma, Asso- start. Many will continue to connectivity and staggering Bengaluru head constable who We know the effort cops are
killed in road mishap ciate Professor, Transporta- maintain social distance and work hours and reduce the rode 960km to Dharwad and putting in and the stress they
A day after a pizza delivery em- A 25-year-old food delivery tion Engineering Lab, De- avoid public transport. They number of commuters. back on his two-wheeler to de- have to deal with. For some-
ployee tested positive for the agent died after a speeding liver medicines to a cancer body to travel 1,000km to
coronavirus in New Delhi, leav- tempo knocked him down in patient, gave him a cash help somebody he doesnt
State starts random tests in ‘green’ dists

ing 72 families quarantined Vartur Kodi around 7.30pm on award on Friday. know, just struck the
there, Bengalureans ordering Thursday. Whitefield police A story titled “Cop EXPRESS right chord. He helped a
food and supplies online are said Zabiur Rahman makes 960-km bike trip IMPACT stranger. My friends and
worried. However, officials say Chowdhury (25), a resident of to deliver drug in Dhar- I wanted to help him.
they are ensuring that estab- Whitefield, was on his way to EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE Chamarajnag ar, Haveri, ples to authorised COVID-19 wad’’ published in The That’s about it,’’ said
lishments maintain all deliver an order on a two- @Bengaluru Kolar, Chikkamagaluru, Yad- testing labs. These tests have New Indian Express on Friday Adoksh, a lawyer at a private
precautions. wheeler when the tempo gir, Raichur, Ramanagara and to be conducted daily till April went viral on social media, firm on Infantry Road.
Many people have raised con- coming towards him collided KARNATAKA has started Koppal have been asked to 19. After that, 50 samples have garnering appreciation for Kumaraswamy was sur-
cerns about whether govern- with him head on and random testing in districts conduct tests on at least 100 to be sent to labs every day. the constable who works in the prised by the turn of events. “I
ment agencies, especially the dragged his vehicle for about that have not reported any people with influenza-like ill- The chief secretary issued a control room in Bengaluru. just did not expect this. I did
BBMP, which has also started 10 feet. Chowdhury sustained COVID19 positive cases so far. ness (ILI) and Severe Acute directive after experts opined A man named Adoksh Shas- not do (what I did) with expec-
online grocery delivery ser- fatal head injuries. The two- Deputy commissioners of Respiratory illness (SARI) that though asymptomatic, try collected contributions tations (of reward). Thank
vice, are doing enough to en- wheeler caught fire as the Hassan, Shivamo g g a, every day and send the sam- the virus could still be there. from his friends and family you,’’ he said.
sure hygiene is maintained. fuel spilled on the road and
“We would order groceries there was a spark. He was
by phone and it would be sup- rushed to hospital where he ALL IN A DAY’S WORK
plied. But now we have decided was declared brought dead.
Baby Bhima comes home to Baiyappanahalli police station

to stop that. On rotation basis, The tempo driver was
once a week, one of the neigh- arrested, police said.
bours will go to the store and
bring items for all of us. This
will ensure safety of all the them that safety measures are
families,” said Anuradha M, in place. Domino’s sent out A S H W I N I M S R I PA D the car. They brought it out of contribute money to purchase calf is something all staff at the
resident of an apartment com- messages to its registered cus- @Bengaluru the vehicle and while they 15 litres of milk, dal soaked in station look forward to.
plex on Bannerghatta Road. tomers, stating: “We are deliv- were inspecting the scared ani- water or jaggery, and horse “Since Bhima has come,
Siddarth B and his class- ering all orders with utmost IN a nice break from the usual mal, the man escaped in the gram, to feed the calf each day. there is a positive vibe. It’s like
mates, who live in a flat on Sar- safety, hygiene and through ze- thugs that they deal with, Bai- car. Left with no choice, they Sometimes, visitors also bring a baby coming home, it chang-
japura Road, began to order in ro-contact delivery. All meas- yappanahalli police station has took the calf to the station. a little something for baby es everything. Before report-
when their cook stopped com- ures as taken to serve safe and a downright loveable guest: a lit- “The moment I saw this Bhima to snack on. ing for duty, everyone spends a
ing to work due to the lock- hygienic food.” tle calf which has now been with weak calf I decided to name “As our staff work round-the- few minutes with Bhima and
down. “We would order pizza as The BBMP control room said them for two weeks. And the him Bhima. In the Mahabhara- clock, they take care of Bhima then proceeds to start the day’s
it was easy and quick. But now they have been addressing safe- cops are loving it. tha, Bhima is the strongest round-the-clock,” Rafi says. work. It is a stress-buster too,’’
we, and our parents, are wor- ty queries through Friday, con- It all started on the night of person and I want our calf to Some of the staff even took the said Rafi, who hails from Mys-
ried. We are looking for a mess vincing citizens that safety and March 30, when sub-inspector become as strong as him,’’ in- calf to a veterinary doctor for a uru and has been with the Kar-
or some other place from where hygiene norms are being prac- Nagaraj and constable Gurki spector Mohammed Rafi told medical examination and now nataka State Police for the
we can get food. Some of us tised by traders who have part- were on duty at the Baiyappan- Police inspector Mohammed Rafi with The New Indian Express. the doctor visits regularly to past 14 years.
Bhima the calf | EXPRESS
have started cooking rice, roti nered with BBMP to supply ra- ahalli check post, which is Since then, Bhima has over check up on the bovine. So will the station be a per-
and curries,” he said. tions and essentials to people. close to the police station. in the middle of the night, they 70 police personnel and other With all leave cancelled due to manent home for Bhima or
Meanwhile, food delivery They said that so far, they have They stopped a speeding car decided to check the vehicle. staff attached to the Baiyap- the unprecedented vigilance the will they give it away? “No
services have started reaching not seen a drastic drop in or- and when the driver could not To their surprise, they found a panahalli station looking after police are required to keep dur- way! It’s ours. We will take care
out to customers, assuring ders received. tell them why he was outside calf under a sheet of plastic in it. Rafi says the station staff ing the lockdown, caring for the of him,’’ Rafi says resolutely.
THE PHANTOM Test your number crunching

skill with our unique puzzle
CROSS WORD
P E T E R V I DA L
18 April : Another week draws to a close – or is it a beginning?
th SU DO KU
Astrology doesn’t actually believe in final endings to anything,
as the moment one phase of existence comes to an end, another
is born. This is a process which happens every second of our
lives, constantly taking us into the future along a path which is
partly laid out for us, but which we also create ourselves.
ARIES (Mar 21 - Apr. 20) LIBRA (Sept. 24 - Oct. 23)
Watch any wild, speculative Everything seems to
schemes. Yours is not the only be working out just fine,
sign subject to rash influences although I realise that HI AND LOIS
but, right now, your best professional there may have been a few hairy
prospects come from long-term planning moments! All that’s necessary is that
rather than a short-term gamble. And you know when to change and when to
why not save your social energy for self- stay still. It’s all in the timing - and you,
indulgent whims of a low-risk nature - of course, have an instinctive knowledge
and just enjoy yourself? of when to move forward and when
TAURUS (Apr. 21 - May 21) to hang back..
The great news is that cash is SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22)
about to flow in, giving you Although you may be HARD Solutions to Yesterday’s puzzle
the go-ahead for various a little edgy, I don’t
schemes and long-awaited purchases. think you have anything to ■ Fill in the grid
You have maybe two or three days to wait worry about just now. A great many of BEETLE BAILEY with digits in such
for the perfect alignment. Patience is a you are facing a busy day. At the very
virtue you have in abundance, and right least you must work out how to attain a manner that every
now it’s one of your major strengths. a treasured ambition. Surprisingly, row, every column
GEMINI (May 22 - June 21) someone you live with could and every 3X3 box
be a considerable help.
Situations you thought you accommodates the
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 - Dec. 22)
knew inside out will suddenly digits 1 to 9, without
have exciting new Normally you’re in the driving repeating any.
dimensions. It’s often like that at this seat, but now you seem to be
time of year, partly because the planets a passenger, travelling life’s ■ Each sudoku has a unique solution that can be
begin to stimulate your remarkable transit system as a passive observer.
creative zones. What you’ve got to do is Stand up for yourself and for your rights reached logically without guessing.
do what you want, not what other people as never before, although that might
think you want! mean that you have to take on new ACROSS DOWN
CANCER (June 22 - July 23) responsibilities. BLONDIE
CAPRICORN (Dec. 23 - Jan. 20) 1 One lying in a case? (8) 1 A tree or two, say (4)
Your faith in certain
individuals may have Patience, tolerance and a 5 Voyage skippers try to avoid (4) 2 Stretches between bends (7)
been shattered, but sense of humour are the 9 A minor grant (5) 3 It has a stirring influence beneath the
someone is standing by you. It’s not just necessary ingredients for a 10 Disposition of uncle to have a fling (7) surface (12)
practical changes that are important successful day. Perhaps you might like to 4 A result of some consequence (6)
at home, but an entire shift of attitudes. take someone else’s part if they’re in 11 Failures expected in
It’s time for a spot of domestic difficulties or making heavy weather of electrical faults (12) 6 Arrest for an altercation (3,2)
clarity! And, by that, I mean an otherwise easy load? A few choice 13 Sound cover for some 7 Urge fellows to become journalists (8)
openness and honesty. words could help - if you can find the right
way to say them.
entertainment (6) 8 To complain so may be common all
LEO (July 24 - Aug. 23) 14 A cheap production web server (6) over the world (12)
It’s a good moment to make a AQUARIUS (Jan. 21 - Feb. 19)
17 Yet always the greater? (12) 12 Call-up date wrongly issued (8)
wish. A good ninety percent of Relationships on
all available celestial factors all levels should be more LOCKHORNS DENNIS THE MENACE 20 Gifts appearing in stories about New 15 Before the vote this will decide the
are cheering you on in one form or harmonious, contented and Testament (7) issue (7)
another. Probably the best way to tune in affectionate as the major planetary 21 Heads on the floor? What’s up? (5) 16 Virtuous but cheats badly (6)
to their expectations is via a spot of alignments zoom in on delightful regions 22 A fruitful appointment (4) 18 Farewell to that capital servant (5)
positive thinking. The fact is that even of your solar chart. Go for all adventurous
difficulties can work out to your options, if you have a choice in 23 One of a group of youngsters between 19 Holy man turns to a king and
advantage. the matter, that is. a dozen and a score (8)) emperor (4)
VIRGO (Aug. 24 - Sept. 23) PISCES (Feb. 20 - Mar 20)
I know what a doormat you can You’re standing on the brink
be, and that sometimes you of a brave new existence. I YESTERDAY’S SOLUTIONS
resent the extent to which can’t promise you the world,
others walk all over you. Yet, if you are but I can forecast that life will become Across: 1 Semaphore, 8 Agony, 9 Astound, 10 Studio, 11 Clerks, 12 Overseer, 15 Interest,
discriminating and capable of making considerably more comfortable as a 18 Aerate, 20 Amends, 21 Plateau, 22 Laces, 23 Handshake.
sensible choices, you will be able to separate result of current choices and actions. Yesterday’s
the deserving causes from those that You may have to put your money where Down: 2 Easel, 3 Aboard, 4 Handsome, 5 Easter, 6 Soldier, 7 Hypocrite, 11 Capitally,
deserve only to be packed on their way. your mouth is, though! 13 Entailed, 14 Stretch, 16 Radish, 17 Crutch, 19 Track.
Four persons, who allegedly kidnapped a 22-year-old engineering graduate over
a financial dispute, were arrested by Kamakshipalya police. Thimmaraju,
Narasimhaiah, Ramesh and Manoj have been accused of kidnapping Nikhil, a
resident of Sunkadakatte. Police said that Nikhil’s father Rangaswamy is a
realtor and had financial dispute with Thimmaraju and Narasimhaiah

State takes Akrama-Sakrama way to mobilise funds

EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE cials, Chief Minister B S Yedi- including 2.93 lakh buildings in pending before it, the CM said government will also look at
@Bengaluru yurappa said unauthorised Bengaluru. “The numbers are adding it will be implemented how other states have handled
layouts and buildings were be- based on old survey and it after getting necessary approv- the matter and the system
AS part of its continued efforts ing provided with all facilities, might have doubled,” he said. al from the court. adopted by them to regularise
to mobilise resources, the state but the state was not getting rev- The state Urban Develop- The law permits up to 6 per unauthorised constructions,
government on Friday took a de- enue. By regularising such con- ment Department has been di- cent penalty for buildings the CM added.
cision to regularise unauthor- structions, the property owners rected to come up with detailed which have violation of up to 50 The state government had
ised constructions in the state, would benefit and the govern- guidelines for implementation per cent and above this, the gov- last week taken a decision to
including in Bengaluru, under ment too would get revenue. of the scheme, after which the ernment can levy up to 25 per auction 12,000 corner sites un-
the Akrama-Sakrama scheme. According to the CM, there state gover nment will ap- cent of the market price, the der the Bangalore Development
Speaking to mediapersons af- are around 35 lakh unauthor- proach the Supreme Court to CM said. However, before com- Authority jurisdiction to mobi-
ter a meeting with senior offi- ised constructions in the state, seek its approval as the case is ing up with the guidelines, the lise resources.
50 pc IT-BT staff can get back to

BLACK MARKETING
MEDICINE MISSION
While policemen, doctors and pourakarmikas are the most visible foot soldiers in
the frontline to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, postmen too are Traders fined
work from Monday, says DyCM for charging
doing their bit by delivering medicines to people at their doorsteps.
One such is 50-year-old Mahadev, who hops on to his bicycle every day to
deliver medicines | PANDARINATH B
high prices
Essential goods worth Holds conference with heads of
firms to discuss issues; final
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE
@Bengaluru
`59.34L seized: Govt decision after review on April 20 It has been decided to
open homestays and THE Weights and Measures De-
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @Bengaluru hotels in the green partment officials have levied a
zones only, at the penalty of Rs 13 lakh on 373
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE to enforce provisions of the AFTER April 20, IT-BT companies can allow 50 per moment. It has also shops for selling overpriced
@Bengaluru Legal Metrology Act 2009, and cent of their staff to work from office, Deputy been decided that hand sanitisers.
only domestic
the Legal Metrology (Package Chief Minister and IT-BT Minister Dr CN Ash- Disclosing this to reporters
tourism will be
THE state government has in- Commodities) Rules 2011, dur- wath Narayan said here on Friday. promoted on Friday, Food and Civil sup-
formed the Karnataka High ing the lockdown. He conducted a meeting with various IT-BT Gandhinagar locality, which is a hub of small- and medium-sized hotels, ply Minister Gopaliah said that
Court that 10 FIRs have been Teams from the food and heads through video conferencing, to discuss the has been wearing a deserted look since the lockdown | NAGARAJA GADEKAL C T Ravi, Tourism Minister officials inspected 5,325 shops
registered under the Essen- civil supplies, legal metrology matter of issuing passes to IT-BT employees, their and found that many were sell-
tial Commodities Act and es-
sential goods worth Rs 59.34
lakh have been confiscated.
and the drugs control depart-
ments were constituted to
check irregularities regard-
transport, screening facilities and other issues.
He later told the media that it is not good to shut
down companies or remove employees just be-
Homestays, hotels to open too ing sanitisers and masks at a
higher price.
Meanwhile, officials also
In a statement filed before a ing the sale of masks and cause there are no new projects. “These are bad BOSKY KHANNA @Bengaluru any rules, the licence will be can- conducted inspection and raids
division bench of Chief Jus- sanitisers. times, and jobs are scarce. Instead of laying off celled and stern action will be taken,” at 12,758 PDS shops where they
tice Abhay Shreeni- The state govern- employees, companies can cut salaries or work out AS the government is preparing a list Tourism Minister C T Ravi told TNIE. found that the owners were ei-
was Oka and Justice ment on March 23, other alternatives,’’ he said. of what will be opened and what will According to the department, some ther collecting money from
B V Nagarathna in re- 2020, amended the The minister also discussed the health protocol be shut from April 20, depending places where homestays and hotels beneficiaries or selling at a
sponse to the court’s Karnataka Essential for employees, and company heads requested the upon the number of cases, the tour- can be opened are — Kodagu, Chik- higher price. Licences of 99
directions to check Commodities Licens- state government to give them directions in this ism department has decided to open kamagaluru, Haveri, Chamarajana- shops were cancelled. This
hoarding of essential ing Order 1986 to in- regard. He said that hygiene and social distancing homestays and hotels in the state. gar, Kolar, Hassan, Raichur, Yadgir, apart, they filed 16 cases and
c o m m o d i t i e s, t h e clude masks and sani- should be maintained, and that guidelines would Though the matter was being dis- Ramanagara, Shivamogga and Chi- seized groceries worth Rs 59.3
state government said that tisers under essential be provided after consulting the health depart- cussed by the government for over a tradurga. He said that bars and res- lakh.
5,086 inspections have been commodities. The state also ment. While the lockdown will continue, the gov- week, the decision was taken now, in taurants will not be permitted. “Only The minister said that start-
conducted so far. The state in- amended the Karnataka Es- ernment will make arrangements for essential the wake of the economic slowdown. some rooms will be permitted to open, ing from Saturday, they will
formed the court that they sential Commodities (Mainte- services. While the Metro, taxis and public trans- “It has been decided to open home- social distancing will have to be main- provide rice and dal free of cost
found 351 cases where people nance of Accounts, Display of port will not function, companies can take sani- stays and hotels in the green zones tained and only skeletal staff will be to BPL card applicants. As
were overcharged. Prices and Stocks) Order to fix tised and disinfected BMTC buses on contract, and only, where no positive cases have permitted. Takeaway counters en many had applied and are yet to
“Instructions have been giv- a cap on the prices of commod- also maintain social distancing in the buses. been reported, at the moment. It has route to destinations will also be per- get their BPL cards, they can
en to intensify inspections to ities. Another notification has Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw of Biocon, Kris Go- also been decided that only domestic mitted,” he said. get the ration by showing the
check hoarding. The situation been issued under this order palakrishnan of Axilor Ventures, Prakash Go- tourism will be promoted. No foreign- Officials said staffers were told that receipt. APL cardholders will
is being monitored continu- on April 4, 2020, wherein the palani of BSNL and others participated. ers and no tourists coming from any if need be, KSTDC hotels would be get 10kg of rice at Rs 15 per kilo
ously,” the state said. MRP of three ply surgical However, CM BS Yediyurappa said a final decision red or orange zone will be enter- handed over to the state government and 2 kg tur dal for two months
The state has taken action masks have been notified. will be taken after reviewing the situation on April 20. tained. If anyone is found violating to be used as quarantine centres. (May and June).
NO SUMMER 9 FIRMS FROM STATE
CM’s well-wishers worry about health risk

HOLIDAYS FOR HC IDENTIFIED FOR PPEs
In view of the decision taken by The state government has
the Full Court of the Karnataka informed the Karnataka High
High Court on April 13, there Court that the Centre received a
will be no summer vacations demand for 1.6 crore personal B A N S Y K A L A P PA @ B e n g a l u r u Contributions are handed over e-conferences. In fact, his resi-
for the High Court as well as all protection equipment (PPE) kits to him, say sources, adding that he dence was shifted from Dhavala-
other district and trial courts in from all states, which includes 5 THESE are unusual times where personally touches scores of giri to Cauvery about a fortnight
the state. As courts are closed lakh kits for Karnataka. In a social distancing is the norm, but cheques. But Yediyurappa, being ago, to facilitate better coordina-
till May 3, hearing on urgent statement filed before a division Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa an old-school politician, continues tion and connect with Krishna,
matters will be through video bench, the state said that it is pretty gung-ho about holding to play his role, and has to be re- his home of fice, via video
conference on Tuesdays and took steps to explore alternative meetings and is surrounded by a minded to use sanitiser regularly. conference.
Fridays between 11 am and methods of production of number of people throughout Members of his close circle The worry is that even now, the
12.30 pm. Meanwhile, summer protective gear. According to the day. also got in touch with the Rajiv CM meets over 50 people every
vacation for the Karnataka this statement, the Centre has His inner circle, though, is Gandhi Institute of Chest Dis- day. While all officials and visi-
State Administrative Tribunal already identified companies to worried sick that Yediyurappa eases and asked them to test the tors are masked and screened, it
has been restricted to two take up the task, which include (77) is leaving himself open to chief minister. A team recently is not easy to monitor everyone,
weeks from April 20 to May 2. Shahi Exports, Arvind Mills, risk from visitors who shake conducted tests and took throat say his well-wishers. There is
The vacation for remaining two Gokaldas Exports, Karle Exports, hands with him and pose for pho- swabs, and there was much relief also concern that his gunman,
weeks from May 3 to 15 has Amaryllis Health Care, Gokaldas tographs, ignoring social dis- when he tested negative. driver and assistant travel with
been cancelled. In case of Images, Texport Syndicate, tancing protocol. Especially Sources say that the CM is un- him in his official car, though it
urgent matters, a vacation Texport Overseas and since he falls in the vulnerable der pressure to cut down on regu- is not advisable to have more
bench will be constituted. Raymond’s from the state. age bracket. lar meetings, and instead, hold than two persons in one vehicle.
Vendors face What social distancing? Nikhil’s

extortion by
‘social worker’ wedding a regular grand affair
A N U S H A R A V I @ Bengaluru
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE FORMER Prime Minister HD

@Bengaluru Deve Gowda’s grandson and for-
mer Karnataka chief minister
A man, claiming to be a social HD Kumaraswamy’s son Nikhil
worker, has allegedly collected tied the knot on Friday, amid
‘hafta’ (money) from vendors in lockdown restrictions due to the
Kalasipalya market. COVID-19 pandemic.
Ramesh used to approach The wedding ceremony, that
vegetable vendors in the mar- took place in the family’s farm-
ket area and allegedly demand- house in Ramanagara, has been
ed money from each vendor for drawing flak over lockdown vio-
distributing masks, sanitisers lations, despite the family main-
and gloves. Vendors said they taining that social distancing
were given the masks for free norms, crowd control and other Former PM H D Deve Gowda and wife Channamma perform a ritual at the wedding of
but were charged for gloves and restrictions were adhered to. grandson Nikhil with Revathi on Friday, where guests mingled freely | EXPRESS
hand sanitisers. However, photos and videos from
One of the vendors alerted the the venue narrate a different tale. the small venue with minimum ily accessed these facilities dur-
police. According to a complaint Dy CM Dr CN Ashwath Narayan guests, photos show guests failing the lockdown, when only
filed by Syed Riyaz, 32, a resident has now sought a report from dis- ing to adhere to norms. essential services and commodi-
of RR Lane in Kalasipalya, after trict authorities, and claimed The bigger question is how ties are allowed to be ferried.
the lockdown was imposed in that if restrictions have been vio- guests were allowed to travel from Passes and permissions procured
the city, he went to the BBMP lated, action will be taken. Bengaluru to Ramanagara, when for guests have also drawn flak
and took permission to sell veg- Actor-turned-politician Nikhil district borders are sealed. While over how attending a wedding is
etables. Ramesh used to demand tied the knot with Revathi, niece police blocked off roads for com- considered an essential need in
money from the vendors saying of Congressman M Krishnappa. mon citizens, they were armed times of the coronavirus.
that he would get the BBMP to Given the political and social with a list of vehicle numbers and “Today my son Nikhil Ku-
issue them safety kits. For the influence it commands, the Gow- names of guests for the wedding, marswamy’s marriage with Re-
kit, he would demand money da family decided to go ahead who were allowed to pass through. vathi took place in a very simple
from vendors, said Riyaz. If ven- with the wedding, despite the Police department sources suggest manner thanks to the cooperation
dors didn’t pay money, Ramesh lockdown. Roads leading to the that permission was sought for of lakhs of workers and well-wish-
used to threaten that he would venue were blocked for at least about 150 people, though lockdown ers of the family. At the time when
complain to BBMP and get the 10km from the farmhouse, and restrictions in Karnataka limit the world is struggling because of
stalls removed. the media was barred from the gathering of people to just 75-100 Corona virus, we followed guide-
An investigating officer said venue. Photos from the wedding for private affairs, like weddings. lines issued by the government.
they have taken up a case of ex- reveal that guests failed to adhere Moreover, the videos suggest The wedding took place amid sys-
tortion under IPC section 384 to social distancing norms. While grand decor, lighting and flower tematic social distancing and pre-
against Ramesh. He will be the JDS used drone footage zoom- decorations at the venue, throw- cautions,” tweeted HD
summoned for interrogation. ing out from the venue to indicate ing up questions on how the fam- Kumaraswamy.
148
Isolated
at health facilities 2,070
Samples
collected
for testing
CONFIRMED CASES
19 VIJAYAPURA
TOTAL
359
Samples
14 BAGALKOT 14
BIDAR
1,532 negative 6 DHARWAD KALABURAGI 20

 
44
Samples 41 BELAGAVI
UTTARA
GADAG 2
positive 11 BALLARI 13
KANNADA
TALLY ON
44
T R A C K I N G
FRIDAY
C O V I D - 1 9 2 DAVANGERE TUMAKURU 2
The state Health and Family welfare department has directed

all private medical college hospitals and healthcare facilities
NEW
CASES
HELPLINES
080-46848600 104
Arogya Under
PASSENGERS SCREENED
3
12
UDUPI
DAKSHINA
CHIKKABALLAPUR 16
CHITRADURGA 1
100
IN KARNATAKA KANNADA
to set up fever clinics for screening of COVID suspects. They 080-66692000 Sahayavani will observation
11
1,40,034
function too MANDYA BENGALURU 98
must share the list of all Influenza-like Illness, SARI and RECOVERED 13,313
diagnosed COVID patients through COVID KARNATAKA portal 1 KODAGU MYSURU 73
STATE
MOVES FAST Will test Chinese RTKs, says minister
ON KITS A N US H A RAV I @ B e n ga lu r u (RTKs) be used on existing ers, like medical profession- Tablighi Jamaat source. We
positive and recovered cases to als, paramedics and individu- have also increased testing
The state Health and Family
EVEN as Karnataka waits for assess accuracy. als with high exposure like over the last four days. Earlier,
Welfare department has issued one lakh Rapid Antibody “RTKs are expected to have civic workers, policemen. we were testing about 300-200
a circular for allocating rapid Test Kits ordered from a Singa- more than 80 per cent “Each test costs about Rs 1,000 samples per day, but now we
antibody-based blood test kits pore company with the manu- accuracy, but RTPCRs (reverse and is easy to handle. Even pri- have increased it to 1,200-1,300
facturing unit in China, Medi- transcription polymerase vate companies can af- and that’s why we are seeing a
66,000
Total allocated kits
cal Education Minister
Dr K Sudhakar recommended
localised accuracy tests for
the kits.
chain reaction tests) are
still the best testing
procedure we have
with about 95 per cent
ford them,” he said.
Unperturbed by
the spike in number
of cases in Karna-
spurt,” he said.
The minister said Karnata-
ka, thanks to its early order of
tests and personal safety kits,
Despite China changing its accuracy. I am recom- taka over the last did not have to worry about
34,000
policy, mandating quality as- mending that all active two days, he insisted the Union government’s circu-
Doctors and other health workers check a policeman’s parameters at the sessment and FDA certifica- and recovered patients that the numbers are lar stopping states from pro-
Government Science College in Bengaluru on Friday | PANDARINATH B tion for medical inventory be- be tested using the RTKs rising in expected clus- curing equipment. “We are
Allocated for green districts
Surge aside, our

ing dispatched from its soil, for immediate assessment ters and from known contami- more than happy to receive
apprehensions over the accu- of t h e i r a c c u r a c y, ” nation sources. “The larger supplies from the Union gov-
300 500
racy Made in China testing Sudhakar said. chunks of new cases are ei- ernment. The Centre should
kits continue. Sudhakar sug- For now, the state intends to ther linked to the Nanjangud supply requirements in time,”
gested that the rapid test kits use RTKs on frontline work- pharma company cluster or he said.
record better
For COVID For non-COVID
LAPSES IN QUARANTINE LED TO

hospital hospital
health health RISE IN NUMBERS
than many others

workers workers
SPIKE IN NANJANGUD CASES? Ballari district

850
For non-COVID hospital health
AJITH M S & K KARTHIK reports seven
COVID cases per million in Karnataka is
new positives
@Mysuru
workers in green district
5.15, as against national average of 10 WITH COVID-positive cases
660 680
continuing to emerge from the
NIRAD MUDUR AND and their advanced age. The Nanjangud pharma cluster, E X P R E S S N E W S S E R V I C E @ Ballari
RA N JA N I M A D H AVA N @ B e n ga lu r u youngest was 55, while the rest long after authorities putting
were all aged 65 and above. the company staff and con- BALLARI district reported
For For
THE sudden spike in COVID-19 The rate of recovery, 88 so far tacts of infected people under seven new COVID-19 cases on
government government
positive cases by 44 on Friday af- as on Friday, has also seen a quarantine, serious questions Friday. All of them were
personnel in personnel in ter 36 were added on Thursday, heartening surge over the last are being raised over the effi- contacts of the Hosapete S R
public contact public contact taking the latest total to 359 with few days, they said. The positiv- cacy of the quarantine meas- Nagar COVID patient. They
in red district in green district 13 deaths, may have worried ity rate — total cases that test ures taken up the authorities. have now been shifted to isola-
many. Though absolute figures positive out of the total number While the origin of COVID tion wards and are being
200
may show a worrying picture, of samples tested — is 2.72, cases at the Nanjangud phar- treated.
the rate of increase and the fig- which is also low in comparison ma company is still to be con- The district has till now re-
ures per million indicate that to many other states. firmed, it has come to light ported 13 cases, including a
For special groups in public the state is still managing well as Although in absolute terms 44 that improper quarantining 14-year-old boy, who had come
contact like personnel in compared to several other states new positive cases is by far the of contacts and employees of A ragpicker walks near a deserted KR Circle in Mysuru on Friday | UDAYSHANKAR S from Nanjangud.
ration shops, milk booths, where figures are worrisome. largest number of daily increase the company may have led to Health officials said 11
volunteers, delivery personnel The India figure for total in Karnataka, the rate of growth the spurt in infections. quarantined roommate.” period, 11 pharma employees people, including a 10-year-old
in red and green districts COVID-19 cases per million pop- (calculated against the existing It is said that contacts and em- District Health Officer Ven- were tested positive, suggesting girl, are from the same family.
ulation is 10. For Karnataka, as total number of positive cases), ployees of the company were katesh said that now, primary that quick action and proper “After the positive cases were
on Thursday, it is 5.15, accord- is 13.97 percent. The highest made to share rooms and facili- contacts are being put in single quarantine measures could reported in SR Nagar, we quar-
825 850
ing to state’s COVID-19 growth rate witnessed by ties, including washrooms. A rooms, and that facilities might have reduced the numbers. antined all the family mem-
war room data. This is Karnataka is 57 percent pharma company employee, have been shared earlier in the Patient 52 showed symptoms bers. Patient 89 had travelled
lesser than Delhi’s 97.89, on March 16, a few days who has been under quarantine, case of secondary contacts. on March 13 and got admitted to Bengaluru and later his
For For Maharashtra’s 28.52, before CM B S Yedi- told TNIE requesting anonymi- However, sources said dur- to a private hospital on March relative tested positive too,”
quarantined quarantined J&K’s 25.02, and Telan- yurappa announced a ty, “We were taken away to an ing the initial days of break- 21. He was shifted to KR Hospi- they said.
individuals in individuals in gana’s 20 per million. state-wide lockdown. institutional quarantine facility. out, getting space for quaran- tal in Mysuru on March 25. The official said as many as
red zone green zone Despite the surge in deaths The only area that the state But I was made to share the tining the suspect cases was Mysuru Deputy Commis- 1,340 cases are under home
in Karnataka over the last few is lagging is in testing. Karnata- room with another employee difficult as residents from sioner Abhiram G Shankar quarantine, and results of 158
days, 13 so far, state’s COVID-19 ka’s tests per million is at just from our company. We were in surrounding areas opposed, said that it is not unusual to see cases are yet to come.
death rate is just 2.1 percent, 225, while the India average close quarters and we also had and multiple people were put positives within 28 days, “The district administration
which is much lesser than Delhi stands at 253. Karnataka’s fig- to share the toilet. After a few in single rooms. though 14 days is the norm. is creating a lot of awareness
(22.7%), Maharashtra (17.3%), ures are disturbingly low as com- days, I was shocked to see that The quarantining and follow- asking people to stay home
MP (7.3%), Gujarat (6%), Telan- he was being taken away after
‘Several test positive up period put together comes and we are taking all safety
pared to Ladakh at 3,347, Delhi at
gana (5.1%), and Punjab (4.7%). testing positive. Even if I did
after 20 days’ to 28 days. He opined that the precautions. The public should
1,121, Rajasthan at 594, Kerala at
Health department officials 521, and Maharashtra at 453. not get infected from Patient 52 Though the first case tested patient might have set off a follow rules and support the
said as far as deaths were con- However, department officials (the first case from the compa- positive on March 26, as on chain reaction by interacting administration in containing
cerned, the deceased — except said that in the coming days, ny), I am scared that I would April 15 and 16, which is well with others between March 13 the spread of COVID-19,”
the one in Kalaburagi where the with additional test kits being have contracted it from my beyond the 14-day quarantining and 26. he said.
private hospital had shifted the pressed into service, this figure
patient without informing the is set to rise. That would mean
Got cold, cough, fever? Get a test done, advises CM

health department — were ad- the number of positive cases too
mitted in designated hospitals. are going to significantly rise, as
Officials said their deaths were more testing means more cases
mainly because of co-morbidity being detected.
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE days after noticing symptoms, perts said that people with Research (ICMR) to start
@ Bengaluru he said. influenza-like symptoms, plasma therapy/trials in
KEEPING IT GREEN WITH the number of COV-
On Friday, 44 new cases were
reported in the state, taking
like fever, cold and breathless-
ness, should also get them-
the state.
The CM said that the ICMR
A worker ID-19 positive cases increasing the total number of COVID-19 selves tested. has issued a circular to set up
in the state, Chief Minister BS positive cases to 359. The government has also di- two laboratories in each dis-
waters plants
Yediyurappa on Friday asked He said that doctors gave rected officers in the districts trict and one lab in each medi-
in front of
people to consult doctors early suggestions and plan to work that have not reported any pos- cal college, and efforts are be-
Town Hall
or visit Fever Clinics if they out a protocol for treatment of itive cases, to conduct exten- ing made to set up 10 more labs
on Friday. To display any symptoms, and ad- patients in the state. They also sive tests. in the state by April-end.
ensure that vised them not to wait till the suggested keeping the focus on The experts also stressed the “It was also decided to
plants are condition aggravates. Intensive Care Unit (ICU) pa- need for plasma treatment. be prepared for treating an
taken care of After holding a meeting tients, and conducting addi- Primary and Secondary increased number of patients
during the with senior doctors to review tional tests, the CM said. Education Minister S Suresh after relaxing lockdown,”
lockdown, the situation, he told the me- Yediyurappa said the state Kumar said the state is the CM said. The state govern-
the BBMP dia that people should consult has ramped up testing from waiting for approval from the ment will issue guidelines
has deployed doctors as soon as they notice 500 a day to 2000 a day, and ex- Indian Council of Medical to companies that will start
contractors symptoms like fever, cold, working after the lockdown
to water cough or breathing problems, is relaxed on April 20. A
We also decided to be prepared for treating an increased
them as early detection helps in number of patients after relaxing the lockdown meeting will be held on April
| NAGARAJA treatment and recovery. Most 21 to decide further course
GADEKAL people consult doctors four B S Yediyurappa, Chief Minister of action.
HI-TECH SOLUTION
New health dept app to help trace primary, secondary contacts faster
C H E TA N A B E L A G E R E @ B e n g a l u r u any secondary contacts with ed people had gone to and ers to make entries about the fever, cold or cough. If they do,
symptoms, he/she will be who all they crossed paths patient and his/her primary they will be immediately di-
WITH the number of COVID-19 brought to a fever clinic within with,” explained a senior and secondary contacts. If a rected to fever clinics in their
cases rising in Karnataka, 24 to 48 hours of identifica- of ficer from the contact patient in Bengaluru had districts, closer to their homes.
health department officials tion,” explained Munish tracing team. primary or secondary contacts The patient will be assessed
have gone hi-tech to trace Moudgil, the IAS officer who is According to Moudgil, in the in Mangaluru, the data in the and tested at fever clinics, and
primary and secondary coordinating with the depart- state, an army of nearly 3,000 app will be accessible to the then it will be decided whether
contacts more aggressively ment on contact tracing. people — about 1,000 in Bengal- contact tracing team in the patient should be sent to in-
than they were doing it a few Contact tracers are more like uru alone — go back 14 days to Mangaluru, making it easier stitutional or home quaran-
months ago. detectives. “People who do this where the patient may have for them to immediately tine,” Moudgil said.
“Tremendous efforts have wo rk a r e r a r e l y i n t h e contracted the disease and then track the contacts and quaran- The process will continue till
been put in to design this app. spotlight. Employed by state go forward from the day he tine them. all the exposed people are out
We will disclose more details health de partments, they became sick to look at all the “The data will be accessible of circulation. The state at pre-
once we launch the app in a have the experience of investi- places he may have gone to at our call centre and execu- sent has 3,669 primary and
couple of days. With this, our gating tuberculosis and to find his primary and second- tives will call the patient’s sec- 7,892 secondary contacts, who
tracing will become faster and HIV cases. They are highly ary contacts. An otherwise congested Electronics City Main Road wears a deserted look during “ ondary contacts and ask them are under observation of the
also ensure that if there are skilled in finding where infect- The app allows contact trac- the lockdown on Friday | NAGARAJA GADEKAL if they have any symptoms of health department.
T M Vijay Bhaskar, chief secretary, GoK, wrote to district commissioners
of Shivamogga, Chamrajanagar, Koppal, Raichur, Hassan, Haveri, Kolar,
Chikkamagaluru, Yadgir, Ramanagara to start testing people with
Severe Acute Respiratory Infection and Influenza-like illness

48 hrs, no fresh COVID case in Odisha ‘Reasons for

‘HIGH’ COST
State government to conduct at least 5,000 tests in Bhubaneswar within next seven days Home brew: asymptomatic
cases could
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE
@ Bhubaneshwar /Hyderabad / Vijayawada
/ T’Puram / Chennai
Pradesh reached 572 by 10 am
on Friday with another 38 peo- Sanitiser turns be age factor’
liquor for many
ple testing positive for the virus
in the last 24 hours. No death
ODISHA has not reported any was reported during the period
COVID-19 case in the past 48 and the number of recovered C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1
hours, as all the samples sent and discharged from hospitals
for tests have come out nega- has been increased to 35. B A L A C H A U H A N @Bengaluru es in the grey market. This is “The reasons could be the age
tive during this period, a not possible without a nexus factor. Moreover, it depends on
health and family welfare de-
Only one case in Kerala ALCOHOL-based hand sani- between some CL2 licencees, the viral load. The lesser the vi-
partment official said on Fri- As many as 10 persons, includ- tisers are meant for hand hy- agents and law enforcement ral load, the less symptomatic
day. The state has so far re- ing six from Kasaragod, recov- giene, especially in demand agencies,” he added. the patients are. Co-morbidity
ported 60 coronavirus positive ered from Covid-19 in Kerala on during the COVID-19 pan- “It is a bootlegger’s mar- such as diabetes, hypertension,
cases, including the death of Friday. Only one person from demic. But some despera- ket. A bottle of 650ml of beer, heart, lung disease, chronic ob-
one person. Kozhikode tested positive for does are drinking the sani- which is priced at `160, is be- structive pulmonary disease
However, with Bhubane- the infection through primary tiser in the absence of IML. ing sold for `600 and brand- make people vulnerable, and
swar emerging as a COVID-19 contact on the day. Two from “In the absence of licit liq- ed whisky with an MRP of therefore symptomatic,” Dr Na-
hotspot in Odisha, the state Ernakulam and one each from uor, people have reportedly `1,600 is being sold at `4,500 garaj, RGICD director, added.
government on Friday has an- A man walks past an ambulance at Government Medical College Omandurar in Alappuzha and Malapuram re- resorted to consuming alco- in Bengaluru,” he said. At a press conference on Fri-
nounced to conduct at least Chennai. Thirty people from Tamil Nadu, who had tested positive for COVID-19, were covered as their latest result hol-based hand sanitisers,” During lockdown 1.0, the day, health officials said some
5,000 tests, samples of which discharged from the hospital on Friday | DEBADATTA MALLICK turned out to be negative. said a highly placed source. department registered 923 people who are mildly sympto-
have been collected from dif- Some incidents are being re- cases out of which 717 cases matic do not even notice their
ferent locations in the city. hospitals in the state has new positive cases on Thurs-
TN reports 56 fresh cases ported in Dharwad district, are heinous, involving ille- symptoms, but can pass on
These tests will be carried out touched an all-time high of 66 in day, taking the total number Tamil Nadu reported 56 fresh where people are consuming gal transportation and sale the virus to others who, in
in the next seven days. a single day on Thursday, indi- o f p o s i t ive c a s e s t o t h e cases on Friday, taking the tal- hand sanitisers after diluting of IML. “The deputy commis- turn, may develop moderate
cating that there is hope to win 700-mark. ly to 1,323. On the brighter side, them with water, he added. sioners, revenue officials of or severe symptoms.
Cases touch 700 mark in TS the war against the coronavirus 103 people were cured and Alcohol-based hand sanitis- concerned districts have sus- As of Thursday, the high-
The number of discharge of sooner than later. The only jar-
38 new cases in AP discharged. er contains 70% alcohol, pended 44 licences. They est number of cases were in
COVID-19 positive patients from ring note is that there were 50 The Covid-19 tally in Andhra (with inputs from PTI) glycerine and hydro- can be cancelled even,” the 30-40 age bracket with 74
gen peroxide. “Whis- said the officer. The cases, followed by 69 cases
ky contains 40% alco- highest number of in the 20-30 age bracket, as
State witnesses 6 discharges, taking the total to 88 hol. People are

diluting hand sani-
tiser with water, which
works out cheaper. Hy-
heinous cases are re-
ported from Belagavi
(204), followed by
Kalaburagi (136), Hospet
per the state war room data.
The vulnerable age groups
such as 0-5, 5-10, 60 -70 and
more than 70 years old, saw
C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 tient 331-337 are residents of old male and Patient 340 is a in Delhi between March 13-18. drogen peroxide is dangerous (131), Mysuru (95), Mangalu- 6 , 8 , 4 1 a n d 1 5 c a s e s,
Hosapete in Ballari district 19-year-old male. Patient 355 is a 34-year-old for the liver and kidney,” said ru (85) and Bengaluru (66). respectively.
PATIENT 325 is a 39-year-old who are contacts of Patient 141, Patient 349 is a 64-year-old female, Patient 356 is a 17-year- the source. Sale of hand san- “The department has
male from Uppinangadi, Dak- a 47-year-old female from Hosa- male from Bengaluru Urban old male, Patient 357 is a itiser needs to be regulated seized 266 vehicles trans-
shina Kannada, with a travel pete with no contact history. with SARI while Patients 350- 46-year-old male, Patient 358 is before it becomes a health porting the illegal liquor.
history to Delhi on March 28. Patient 331 is a 39-year-old 353 are also from Bengaluru Ur- a 37-year-old male and Patient hazard, he added. The total worth of seized Andhra gets one lakh
Patient 326, a six-year-old male, male, Patient 332 is a 68-year- ban and contacts of Patients 358 is a 38-year-old male. Meanwhile, illegal sale of materials including IML, rapid test kits
and Patient 327, a 25-year-old old female, Patient 333 is a 167 and 168 who had travelled to On the other hand, the state liquor, including beer, is b e e r a n d ve h i c l e s i s Vijayawada: The kits, unveiled by
female, are from Bengaluru Ur- 21-year-old male, Patient 334 is Delhi. Patient 350 is a 32-year- witnessed six discharges, tak- flourishing in Karnataka, `39,732.556,” said the officer. Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan
ban and contacts of Patient 252, a 48-year-old female, Patient 335 old male, Patient 351 is a ing the total to 88. It has also said the source. “The state ex- “On a daily average, the Reddy, will identify the presence
who had SARI. Patient 328 is an is a 10-year-old female, Patient 23-year-old male, Patient 352 is procured 12,400 antibody rapid cise department, between department is losing around of IgG and IgM antibodies within
18-year-old from Bidar who was 336 is a 50-year-old male and Pa- a 28-year-old male and Patient testing kits. Additional Chief March 24 and April 15, seized `60 crore revenue due to the 10-15 minutes of testing to test
a contact of a person who had a tient 337 is a 24-year-old male. 353 is a 21-year-old male. Pa- Secretary, Jawaid Akhtar said, 32,508.305 litres of illegal liq- lockdown,” he added. more people to ascertain the
travel history to Delhi. Patients 338-340 are from tient 354 is a 65-year-old female “The country has got 6.5 lakhs uor and 22,208.275 litres of Besides illegal liquor, the extent of community
Patient 329, a six-year-old Chikkaballapur and are con- from Bengaluru Urban with testing kits while our state has beer and arrested 417 people,” bigger danger is from illicit transmission. According to a
male, and Patient 330, a 28-year- tacts of Patient 250, a 65-year- SARI. received 12,400 kits. We had or- said a senior excise officer. distillation (ID) of liquor. statement from the Chief
old female, are residents of Vi- old male from the same town Patient 355-359 are residents dered another one lakh from “This is the tip of the ice- Sources said people in the Minister’s Office, Andhra Pradesh
jaypura and contacts of Patient who died due to comorbidities. of Belagavi and contacts of Pa- China directly which is com- berg. People are selling In- Malnad region are ferment- is the first state in India to have
221, who is a 60-year-old female Patient 338 is a 36-year-old tient 127 who had attended the ing. We will use the kits for test- dian Made Liquor (IML) and ing ID in iron barrels and imported the kits from South
from Vijaypura with SARI. Pa- male, Patient 339 is a 20-year- Tablighi Jamaat congregation ing soon.” beer at grossly inflated pric- selling at premium price. Korea. ENS
Government of Karnataka.
(Public Works, Ports & Inland Water Transport Department)
Office of the Executive Engineer,
PWP & IWT Dept. Division Bidar
No.:EE/PWD//Dvn/Bdr/8443/AE-1/2020-21/22 Date: 17-04-2020
InvITaTIOn fOr shOrT TErm TEnDErs
On behalf of Government of Karnataka, The Executive Engineer. PWP & IWT. Dept. Divn. Bidar invites
Tenders from eligible Tenderers for the following Work. Tender documents may be downloaded from
e-procurement portal of the Govt. of Karnataka Viz. http://eproc.karnataka.gov.in Tenders must submitted
through e-procurement portal on or before 16.00 hours on 27-04-2020 Further any other information can
be seen from the e-procurement portal or can be had from the undersigned.
sl. name of Work amount put EmD Period for
no. to tender (in rs) Completion of
(in rs) Work
1 2 3 4 5
1 Providing Basic Amenities to Airport Terminal at 4,24,82,256.59 6,37,234.00 01 Month Only
Bidar (Balance work) under KKRDB. Work Indent
No:KPWD/2019-20/BD/WORK_INDENT120003
1) Date of opening of Technical Bid : 29-04-2020 at 11.00 am
2) Date of opening of Financial Bid : 04-05-2020 at 11.00 am.
Sd/- (Prashanth P.r.)
Executive Engineer.
PWP & IWT. Dept. Divn. Bidar.
l l THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS
Heightened rhetoric about a Western plot, quack remedies Iran has blamed the US for the
debilitating sanctions that have pre-
INDIAN EXPRESS IS NOT AN and blind faith added to the problem in a nation where vented imports of protective gear
INDUSTRY. IT IS A MISSION. senior clerics and politicians have died in the pandemic and medicines. Sanctions have also
IRAN’S GRIM
— Ramnath Goenka impeded import of materials for do-
mestic production. Iranian advo-
cates of this argument have called
FIGHT AGAINST
it “medical terrorism”. It is not
clear why it could not import medi-
cal requirements from China and
SAVING MICRO AND
CORONAVIRUS
Russia, both of which have close BIRTHDAY
ties with Iran. The US, which ini-
REMEMBRANCE
SMALL BUSINESSES tially ignored appeals for waiver of
sanctions, then offered medical and
HURT BY PANDEMIC humanitarian aid. But this was pre-
dictably rejected by Iran.
He led a generation of patriots
O
After the Trump administration from the front.
ne of the heaviest burdens due to the junked the nuclear deal (JCPOA)
pandemic lockdown has fallen on the
PINAK RANJAN Former Ambassador, Former Secretary in MEA and reimposed sanctions in 2018, He made us proud
CHAKRAVARTY and currently a Visiting Fellow at ORF, Delhi
Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises Email: r.chakravarty@gmail.com
Iran’s oil exports and foreign invest- of our yesterdays.
ment dwindled further. The US has
(MSME) sector. The sector, whose lead- He remains the guiding light
sought to reduce Iran’s oil exports
I
ers expressed fears that they would be ran was the first country after Chi- among pilgrims from Iran and to zero and cripple its principle
unable to pay wage bills and rents this month, na that was ravaged by the corona- abroad. No quarantine arrange- source of revenue. American sanc-
of our tomorrows.
is trying to see light at the end of the tunnel in virus and for some time, was the ments were declared, though educa- tions not only prohibited its compa-
second most affected country. Coro- tional institutions were shut down. nies from doing business with Iran
RAMNATH GOENKA
the exemptions from lockdown for factories
announced earlier this week. navirus cases in Europe and the US The Iranian government also re- but also targeted third-country com-
Most CEOs from the sector fear that though have risen rapidly since then. Iran voked permission for Doctors with- panies. This led India too to reduce born 18 April 1904
is now eighth on the global list. The out Borders to set up a field hospital and finally stop oil imports from
some of them will theoretically be allowed to virus spread rapidly in Iran in the to treat virus-affected patients in Iran, which was the third largest
reopen for business, the stringent conditions early stages, though it has now been Isfahan, apparently on the suspi- supplier in 2019. China, however, The New Indian Express The New Sunday Express
that have to be met—workers hostels, sanitisa- contained, but not before causing a cion that the team of foreign doc- disregarding American sanctions, Dinamani The Sunday Standard Malayalam Vaarika
tion and medical screening costs—may mean very high number of deaths of med- tors will steal the genomes of the continued to source oil supplies The Morning Standard
many, if not most, micro and small players ical workers. Iran remains the Iranian strain of Covid-19. from Iran, bypassing the US dollar.
would find it almost impossible to start opera- worst affected country in the West The first two victims to die were Economic slowdown and Cov-
Asian region, with around 78,000 in Qom, the bastion of Iran’s Shia id-19 will lead to lower demand for ing zero growth in 2020. There has can sanctions with their financial
tions anytime soon. That many of them are cases and over 4,850 deaths. clergy. It is likely the virus was car- Iranian oil in China and increase been a surge in unemployment, re- system Intex to provide medical
within city limits such as in Mumbai or Surat Iran does not share a land border ried by Iranians returning from pressure on Iran’s revenues even serves have plummeted and the cur- supplies to Iran worth around Euro
will mean they will have to wait till May to re- with China. Why did it get affected China or students from China or further. From a high of 2.8 million rency, Rial, has tanked. Meanwhile, 5 million.
start. Millions of daily-wage earners who work in the pandemic’s early stages? Chinese workers engaged in con- barrels per day, oil production has Iran has appealed to the IMF for an India has been airlifting Indians
for this sector will continue to remain in limbo. Heightened rhetoric about a West- struction of a high-speed rail link. dropped to 1.4 million barrels per emergency loan of $5 billion. stuck in Iran. The IAF has been do-
Medium-scale businesses, especially those in ern plot, quack remedies and faith It was also transmitted by pilgrims day. Iran’s economy has been effec- Though American sanctions ex- ing the heavy lifting in bringing
all added to the problem. On Febru- in Qom thronging Shia religious tively crippled with the IMF predict- clude humanitarian items like med- back Indians stuck abroad and Air
industrial estates feeding larger industries,
ary 19, Iran announced its first con- shrines. The prevailing belief that icines and medical equipment, com- India too has played a stellar role.
will find it easier to tackle the new rules and firmed case. During the same month pilgrims were insulated from the panies have been reluctant to do President Rouhani has written to
extra costs as they are financially better off huge rallies were held across Iran to virus did not help. These shrines business with Iran as US banks global leaders, including PM Modi,
and may be helped by their larger business commemorate the 1979 Islamic Rev- have since been shut down. have avoided financing any human- for help in easing American sanc-
partners for whom they manufacture. olution. Elections were also held in The virus has not spared the high itarian trade with Iran. The poten- tions and medical supplies. The
Struggling to live through a prolonged slow- February with Supreme Leader Ali and mighty. It has felled senior cler- tial Democrat Party presidential irony is that just a few weeks ago,
Khamenei exhorting all Iranians to ics, former ambassadors and politi- On February 19, Iran announced its first challenger to President Trump, Joe Iranian leaders had issued intem-
down in demand, a rising debt trap and in-
ignore the virus and come out and cians. A policy of denial has now case. During the same month, huge rallies Biden, has called for easing US perate statements against India on
creasing costs, the MSME sector, which ac- vote. There was no attempt at imple- given way to grudging acceptance sanctions. He has asked for specific Jammu and Kashmir and the Delhi
were held to commemorate the 1979 Islamic
counts for about 30% of the country’s GDP and menting social distancing and Pres- that Iran was slow to respond, mis- licensing arrangements so that violence. India has lifted the ban on
Revolution. Elections were also held with
half of its exports, was hoping for a financial ident Hassan Rouhani dismissed taking the virus as a common flu. companies find it easier to export export of paracetamol and hydroxy-
Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei exhorting all
package. The sector has been promised liquid- the virus as “one of the enemy’s Iranians ignored warnings and the medical supplies and banks have no chloroquine to select countries.
plots to bring our country into clo- government had to impose a coun- Iranians to ignore the virus and come out and doubt about falling foul of sanc- Iran too may benefit from this.
ity through various schemes, including RBI’s
sure by spreading panic”. trywide lockdown from the middle vote. President Hassan Rouhani dismissed tions. As the clamour has grown for Iran’s economy, like those of other
decision on Friday to go in for a targeted long-
Steps like closing the religious of last month and order the security the virus as “one of the enemy’s plots to bring international assistance to Iran, Eu- countries, will take a greater hit
term repo operation of `50,000 crore that will shrines at the holy city of Qom were forces, including the Army, to im- our country into closure by spreading panic” ropean countries like France, Ger- from coronavirus than American
make available funds to NBFCs and micro-fi- delayed, causing the virus to spread plement the lockdown. many and UK have skirted Ameri- sanctions in the near future.
nance companies, which normally lend to this
sector. While these schemes will help the small
firms tide over with working capital loans, it
A PERCEPTION BATTLE TOO IS GOING ON

would also add to their indebtedness and long-
term viability. A scheme similar to that an-
nounced by the US, which promises direct
federal government support to small business-
es to pay their wage roll and fixed costs for the eastern UP, Bihar, and Odisha in the quarantine zones and hospitals, camps, mostly run by the non-profit
next few months, is something the government absence of buses and trains. In most forcing doctors to seek protection. sector. The number of relief camps
should consider to save the sector and the jobs instances, such flights appeared to But the question has remained as and shelters run by various govern-
of millions employed by it. be instigated by their employers, to who are the characters hell-bent ments is 22,567 and by NGOs 3,909,
SHEKHAR The writer is a senior journalist. This landlords or even hapless adminis- on enlarging the crisis for the Cen- the affidavit said.
IYER column will appear every fortnight
trators who promised transport to tre and some state governments, The silver lining is that, despite
the nearest border. if not for all? Some opposition lead- the rise in the number of cases in
This is not to deny that untold ers have mounted criticism that the past few days, India has just 2%
DIAGNOSTICS A PRIORITY
P
rime Minister Narendra Modi has Amid a deluge of fake Twitter, economic hardship and impatience many states did not get adequate of the total number of cases and
always had little to complain when WhatsApp and TikTok posts, the over the lockdown measures have time as the Centre had not intimat- only 1.5% of Covid-19 deaths in the
FOR ‘MAKE IN INDIA’ it came to commanding a captive
audience and their support. His
government’s arm, the Press Infor-
mation Bureau (PIB), has had to set
brought misery to the most vulner-
able citizens. These people are also
ed them in advance about the lock-
down—when the first positive case
world. The rise in the number
of cases is also showing signs of
T
four telecasts to the nation since the up a portal—Covid-19 Fact Check worried about their kith and kin was reported at the end of January slowing down. However, there is
he testing process may be rapid, but the pandemic began in India have Unit. Receiving queries by email, it back in their villages and would feel and the restrictions were suddenly deep concern in some quarters that
kits have been ridiculously slow to ar- drawn record viewership. Whether has been giving responses in quick safer in their company. imposed from March 24 midnight. India has not been able to test
rive. States like Kerala, Chhattisgarh, it was calling for the one-day janata time on Twitter. This is besides the It is another story that the lock- enough to count all cases and
Punjab, Delhi and Tamil Nadu are ready curfew, declaration of the lockdown daily bulletin issued every day re- down has been supported by the af- deaths, opening to the possibility of
to move to mass testing, but have not or saluting the medical workers by garding the government’s deci- fected states that asked for it to an underestimation of the severity
banging plates and lighting lamps, sions, developments and progress be extended. of the crisis.
been successful in procuring the required
he has found the masses respond to on containing Covid-19. The Centre has argued that it act- But Dr Raman R Gangakhedkar,
number of test kits. TN, for instance, wanted his appeal. The extension of the Notwithstanding such efforts, ed in right earnest with whatever head of epidemiology and commu-
4 lakh kits to begin mass testing. The first lockdown did not provoke any out- Modi’s aides have had to contest resources at its command. Any ad- nicable diseases at the Indian Coun-
batch of 50,000 kits was expected to arrive by burst as many expected this to hap- claims by sections among detrac- ministrative lacunae, bottleneck cil of Medical Research (ICMR),
April 9. More than a week later, it got less than pen. They shared the government’s tors and political rivals that are re- and inadequacy has been done has held that the country had done
half—just 24,000. According to a senior bu- belief that this was the most appro- sorting to rumours and extrapola- away with—whenever and wherev- better than most other affected na-
priate option. tion to spread confusion they hope Their mental plight in relief er they have occurred. Of course, tions—in first testing the travellers
reaucrat, though the state had placed an order
Yet a day later, Modi had to frown may result in a bad situation for the camps waiting for food to be handed the states too must play their part as arriving from abroad, tracing their
from China much before the US, kits meant at a social media campaign claim- government. These sections were to them is painful as everyone waits the lockdown—if enforced in full contacts and families, and finally
for it were allegedly diverted as the death rate ing to honour him. Suspecting foul encouraged by the unrest among for the lockdown to be lifted and the letter and spirit—is set to bring re- enforcing quarantines marking the
in the US had reached alarming levels. The play, he told his well-wishers that if huge numbers of migration work- pandemic to die out. Consequently, sults to check the contagion. In an cluster and containment zones.
WHO’s executive director Dr Mike Ryan said this plan was indeed out of goodwill ers, which was first witnessed in some unverified buzz about the affidavit filed in the Supreme Court Now, with the arrival of lakhs of
India had not filed a complaint with the global for him, people should take respon- Delhi close to the UP border in the start of buses and trains for their on April 14, the Centre held that 54 rapid testing kits, surveillance is
body against America for jumping the queue. sibility for taking care of at least last week of March, and, more re- destinations, backed by messages lakh people had been given food bound to increase manifold in
one poor family. Beyond the note of cently, outside the Bandra railway circulated by doubtful political since the lockdown started. Anoth- many places.
In the case of Chhattisgarh, unethical busi- mild rebuke in the PM’s tweets in station in Mumbai and in Surat, Gu- characters, have only led to chaos er 30 lakh were being fed by NGOs. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is
ness practices put more lives at danger. The this regard, there appeared to be ap- jarat. They have been preceded or and the resultant police response. Employers and factory owners were indicating that he is biding time for
state’s Health Minister T S Singh Deo told the prehension among the top echelons followed by innumerable stories of There are also disturbing reports giving shelter and food to another 15 a full-scale fusillade—once he is
media they had floated tenders for 75,000 rapid that the battle of perception is men, women and children even about those under testing resorting lakh people. An additional 60,000 clear that Modi is failing. But will
test kits on April 12, but had to drop it later due never-ending. ready to trek back to their homes in to attacks on medical workers in people have taken refuge at relief Modi let that happen?
to predatory pricing concerns.
Interestingly, none of the central or global
bodies have been able to solve the issue. WHO
made it clear it cannot do much to resolve the
global shortage in testing kits. In India, the
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) A friend in need All doubts must be cleared Oppn playing spoilsport UP’s food move laudable Ideal but might not work
has also been unable to meet the demand. As India’s decision to supply hydroxychloro- This is with reference to Data scam? It is unfortunate that opposition Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi The reports that Telangana CM
quine and paracetamol to 55 countries— Only probe can clear doubts (Apr 17). parties everywhere seem to be playing Adityanath’s call to provide food for K Chandrashekar Rao doesn’t want to
not even 10% of the 45 lakh-odd kits ordered
many of which will be on humanitarian The Sprinklr data scam raises a lot of spoilsport over every effort taken by everyone in need whether or not they lift the lockdown until there are no new
from China have arrived yet, many states have grounds—should help the nation become valid doubts in the minds of the public. any ruling party. In spite of Kerala doing have identification documents is a cases in the state is an ideal solution
reached out to local private manufacturers. a universal friend to other countries. The It is not known how Sprinklr, a company its best to control the spread of the welcome measure. A good number of but not favourable from an economic
The ICMR has been slow in granting approvals decision was taken after ensuring there already facing fraud charges, was given virus with innovative measures, the people in our country still do not have standpoint. The Centre’s plan to
to private companies. Initially, just two firms was a requisite supply of these medicines the deal. It is imperative that all doubts data scam is an impediment. At such a Aadhaar cards, ration cards, etc. Denying gradually ease curbs in select sectors to
got approval, which was then extended to a few for domestic use. over the deal be cleared. trying time, everyone should cooperate them food for not possessing these reactivate the economy is good.
more. Here again, the hurdles are aplenty. K V Raghuram, Wayanad S N Anil, Chottanikkara with the government and bring up documents would be brutal. O Prasada Rao, Hyderabad
allegations after the crisis is behind us. Cicily Thomas, Muvattupuzha
Most of the raw materials needed have to come Growth has been hit No proof to back charges K Nehru Patnaik, Vizag Rahul’s mature comments
from abroad. Slowly but steadily, India is mak- The report predicting a grim economic The criticism of the hasty decision VIP wedding flouted rules Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has, for
ing progress in making its own kits. scenario for Asian countries, including to draft Sprinklr should be tempered Tech and a human touch The recent wedding of former Karnataka the first time in a long while, come
With millions of poor people at risk in India, is not surprising. Growth in by the urgent need for effective data This is with reference to Using CM H D Kumaraswamy’s son flouted out with mature words while reacting
the country, and the international supply disparate areas have almost ground to management in the wake of the technology to take on the coronavirus almost all lockdown rules. While he to the Centre’s efforts in dealing with
chain working against us, governments must a complete halt after the imposition pandemic. The opposition seems to have (Apr 17). It is laudable that the Greater originally said that guests would wear the virus. Though he criticised certain
of the lockdown and its extension. Our no proof to back the charges against Chennai Corporation is using technology masks and social distancing would be moves, he also gave decent suggestions.
consider diagnostics as a priority ‘Make in
economy has not been in great shape for the Kerala CM. It would be better for along with human efforts. Considering followed, pictures of the wedding show He deserves praise for his statement
India’ sector. Given the right push, Indian test a while now and the cascading effect of the government to release all relevant India’s demography, such grassroots none of this being followed. Authorities that now is not the time to fight the PM,
kits could replace Chinese ones in the the lockdown would only make it worse. details as soon as possible. policies will be productive. should take strict action against this. but to take on the virus unitedly.
global market. C V Aravind, Bengaluru Manohar Alembath, Kannur Vinod Narayanan, T’puram K Ragavan, Bengaluru Jayaprakash Reddy, Nalgonda
THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS

Chairman of the Board: Manoj Kumar Sonthalia Editor: G S Vasu
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2
New, special hospitals are being built, HELPING HAND
such as this 200-bed special-corona Rural Development Minister Narendra Singh
hospital in Chhattisgarh, which is ready Tomar on Friday launched the Kisan Rath
application to help farmers find transport for
FLEE ISOLATION
for treatment in just 20 days. —Rahul Gandhi their produce.
patients
CENTRE, HELD
 
BONDED LABOUR
T R A C K I N G
C O V I D - 1 9
BRICK KILN
of the global workforce WORKERS SUFFER
UNDER DEBT
(2.7 billion workers) live in
countries with mandatory or
81%
recommended closures
6.7%
R I T W I K A M I T R A @ New Delhi
RAMCHARAN Varma, 48, his

decline in working hours wife Sunila Devi, their four
in the second quarter sons and a daughter made
LABOUR of 2020 expected 4,000 bricks every day. The

family got around `500 for eve-
WORRIES ry 1,000 bricks. The lockdown
then happened, leaving the
In addition to the threat to brick kiln worker from Uttar
public health, the economic Pradesh’s Chitrakoot district
and social disruption caused and his family in the lurch.
Medical staff applaud as four persons who recovered from COVID-19 are discharged from a hospital in Indore on Friday | PTI Rations did arrive, but the
by Covid-19 threatens the
Epidemiologist vacancies a
relief was temporary. The em-
long-term livelihoods and ployer handed out Ramcharan
wellbeing of millions a receipt of `2,700 — an
Source: ILO amount that would be deduct-
ed when he resumes work at
cause of concern for govt

the kiln at Bhilwara district in Ramcharan Varman and his family in
195 mn
decline in working hours
Rajasthan. “We are surviving
on rice, roti and potato most-
ly,” said Sunila Devi.
UP’s Chitrakoot district | EXPRESS
Wages of 96% workers

The plight of Varmas is en- withheld, says study
is equivalent to the loss Health ministry conceded that there are over 220 such vacancies demic to the brick kiln indus-
of nearly 195 million try, which is infamous for A 2017 report by Anti-Slavery
full-time jobs S U M I S U K A N YA D U T TA @ New Delhi fill the vacancies,” an official bonded labour, meagre wages, International, which did a survey
said. He said that Andhra child slavery, physical abuse, in Punjab, found 96 per cent
EARLIER this week, when the Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, unhygienic conditions among brick kiln moulders had taken
number of COVID-19 cases in In- First of all, there should never be Delhi, Goa, Haryana, Mizoram, others. Various estimates put loans and their wages were
Priyanka Gandhi writes to dia had already crossed 10,000
Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara
vacancies of these crucial posts but
even if there were, they should have
Tripura, Himachal Pradesh,
West Bengal and Telangana did
the number of brick kiln
workers at over 12 million in
withheld for an entire season.
Workers were regularly cheated
Yogi over forming task Palike published an advertise-
ment in newspapers for four
been filled timely and rationally
not even have a state-level epide-
miologist at the beginning of the
India.
The labour intense industry,
of their wages, it found.
Dr Sanjay Rai, Indian Public Health Association
Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi in a posts of epidemiologists — on president month prompting the Centre to which till now has no mecha-
letter to UP CM Yogi Adityanath urged him to contract under the National shoot a letter to the states.Com- nisation, remains a highly ex- tion is worse,” said Kailash,
constitute an economic rejuvenation task force for Health Mission. munity medicine experts said ploitative industry, pointed w h o i s f r o m B i l a s p u r,
economic revival in state and help labourers and This advertisement, however, called in applications for state this situation would have been Sudhir Katiyar, secretary, Cen- Chhattisgarh.
farmer hit badly due to the lockdown. Gandhi said caught attention of many public and district level epidemiologists avoided by making a farsighted tre for Labour Research and The conditions were no bet-
that the government should take measures to health specialists for two reasons — specialists who study patterns plan in January when the epicen- Action. “The current situation ter before the pandemic
provide relief to farmers. “UP government must — the hiring of such a crucial of frequency and causes and ef- tre of the outbreak was still a is likely to push them further struck. A 2017 report by Anti-
ensure procurement of Rabi crop and relaxing of healthworker at this point of fects of diseases — on contract province in China. into debt bondage. In most cas- Slavery International, which
conditions for the use of combined harvesters. time when the country is the mid- and on salaries that were deemed “First of all, there should nev- es, workers are employed after did a survey in Punjab, found
Immediate measures should be taken to provide dle of a health crisis seen after too low for the qualification and er be vacancies of these crucial they are given an advance 96 per cent brick kiln mould-
relief to farmers and labourers suffering due to nearly a century and the ridicu- experience required. Madhya posts but even if there were, they amount. In instances, where ers had taken loans and their
suspension of economic activities. Free ration like lously low salary offer at `25,000 Pradesh and Assam too have should have been filled timely they want to leave early and wages were withheld for an
wheat, pulses, oil and spices should be given to all per month. made decided to appoint these and rationally,” said Dr Sanjay not work for the entire season entire season. Workers were
those labourers and workers not registered in the The qualification required was crucial workers in last one week. Rai, president of IPHA who which lasts between six to regularly cheated of their
state,” she said. MBBS with PG degree or diploma Sources in the Union Ministry of teaches community medicine at eight months, their wages are wages, it found. Migrant work-
in preventive or community med- Health and Family Welfare Min- AIIMS, Delhi. Dr Prabir Kumar deducted.” ers are more vulnerable as
icine or public health or epidemi- istry conceded that there are over Das, a public health specialist Though the Rajasthan gov- they take a higher advance
PM hails RBI measures to ology or medical graduates with
6 months experience or masters
220 vacancies for epidemiolo-
gists, who form the backbone of
from Nagpur, Maharashtra said
that shortage of epidemiologists
er nment recently allowed
brick kilns to open with cer-
loan and are hired through
contractors, the report noted.
boost liquidity in economy in public health or epidemiology
with 6 month experience.
the Integrated Disease Surveil-
lance Programme — at district
could be particularly detrimental
for effective usage of the IDSP—
tain restrictions, not all own-
ers have resumed work. “Em-
Ashok Khandelwal, nation-
al advisor, National Struggle
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the measures This advertisement in Bengal- and state levels. which is most significant in exer- ployers are not compensating Committee of Brick Kiln
of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to boost uru came just two days after “We wrote to states earlier this cise such as contact tracing and workers for the period they Workers, said there is an im-
liquidity in the economy amid corona pandemic. Chhattisgarh government too month asking them to urgently understanding disease pattern. are losing work. In many in- mediate need for a central task
“The announcements by the RBI will greatly stances, the workers are also force to ensure that workers
enhance liquidity and improve credit supply. These being cheated with owners can access the government’s
steps would help our small businesses, MSMEs,
farmers and the poor. It will also help all states,” Raj: Cops face LOCKDOWN bringing rations and over-
charging them. This will in-
relief measures. “There is a
need for a database for brick
mob attack over

UP to bring back
said Modi in a tweet. Incidentally, the chief crease their chances of being kiln workers where each em-
ministers in the third interaction with Prime in debt bondage,” said Ratan ployer and each worker is
Minister on containment strategy of the pandemic Lal Bhil, president, brick kiln
curfew measures
registered.”
had sought financial relief. The states had labour union in Rajasthan. In a communication to the
students from Kota

underlined fiscal stress caused by the lockdown. In Uttar Pradesh’s Pratap- Labour ministry on April 6,
BJP chief J P Nadda also hailed the RBI for the garh district, Ram Kailash, 26, the platform has sought a no-
timely intervention and addressing the stress EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ Jaipur said workers had not received tification where establish-
caused by the pandemic. any relief from the state gov- ments and employers should
AT least five police personnel ernment or from their employ- send their identification num-
were injured after they came R A J E S H A S N A N I @ Jaipur govt called back students of UP ers. “We at least have some bers along with a list of all the
under attack from a mob in living in #Kota #Rajasthan, it money left with us. My ac- workers to ensure the work-
Rajasthan’s Tonk district on THE Uttar Pradesh government can also be done for students quaintances are starving due force is not left out of the gov-
Friday while enforcing the on Friday sent 200 buses to Kota from other states. Students in to lack of rations. Their condi- ernment’s relief packages.
curfew, imposed over the coro- in Rajasthan to bring 6,000-plus Kota can be sent to their home
navirus pandemic, in Panch students back home amid lock- states on the consent of the con-
Batti area. down. The stranded students in cerned state govt so that these
The police have detained 25
people on the charge of
Kota, preparing for different en-
trance examinations, mainly IIT-
young boys & girls do not panic
or feel depressed,” the CM Resume toll collection from
April 20, Centre directs NHAI
assault. JEE and NEET, had started a tweeted.
Of the five personnel, three Twitter campaign #sendusback- Given the plight of all these
have been admitted to a hospi- home three days ago. students, Gehlot had twice writ-
tal. Tonk has been identified According to infor mation, ten letters to the PM on their is-
as one of the hotspots of coro- medical check-up of all the stu- sue and had spoken to his coun- E X P R E SS N E WS S E R V I C E @ New Delhi
navirus disease (Covid-19) in dents was done as a precau- terparts in other states.
the state. The authorities have tionary measure, after a Nearly 30,000 students THE Ministry of Road Transport and Highways on Friday wrote
imposed a curfew to contain student was suspected to from other states are to the National Highways Authority of India directing it to resume
the virus spread. have coronavirus. “Stu- stranded in Kota. Besides toll collection from April 20.
The incident took place in dents have been grouped UP, they are mainly from “The MHA order allows a lot of activities from April 20 for com-
Panch Batti area where the po- according to their dis- Bihar (6,500), Madhya mercial and private establishments... It has further been highlight-
lice were deployed to enforce tricts and they will be seat- Pradesh (4,000), Jharkhand ed that user fee collection contributes to the gov-
the curfew. Soon, a mob gath- ed in the same manner. The (3,000), Haryana and Maha- ernment exchequer and also provides financial
ered at the area and attacked buses will be sanitised first and rashtra (2,000 each), Northeast strength to the NHAI in terms of budgetary sup-
the policemen and fled, the po- only 30 students are being sent in and West Bengal (1,000 each). port,” the letter stated.
lice said. Later, Additional SP each bus, keeping social distanc- “There are many positive cases The ministry had suspended toll collection
Vipin Sharma and Deputy SP ing in mind. Food has also been in Kota, so we do not want to cre- across the country last month after the Centre an-
Saurabh Tiwari reached the provided for the journey,” said ate trouble for these children. nounced a nationwide lockdown with an aim to
spot with a heavy police force Divisional Commissioner LN The government is taking care of curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
and detained 25 people. Soni. Mask and sanitisers are be- them here, but the children want The letter also urges the National Highways Authority of India
“Three of our constables are ing given to the students. to go home. The problem will not to follow the guidelines of the MHA order with regard to exemp-
injured and being treated at A meeting was called by Chief be solved with one or two states tions. “In view of the relaxations provided by the MHA for the in-
the hospital. We will take a le- Minister Ashok Gehlot to chalk allowing their students to return, ter-state and intra-state movement of all trucks and other goods/
gal action against the attack- out an elaborate plan on making all states will have to do it,” said carrier vehicles... NHAI should take actions necessary for the com-
ers,” said Vipin the additional arrangements for the students’ Ko t a N o r t h M L A S h a n t i pliance of orders. Tolling operations to be resumed on April 20,
People maintain social distance as they stand in a queue to Superintendent of Police. journey, said officials. “As the UP Dhariwal. 2020,” the letter stated.
receive food in New Delhi on Friday| PTI
IN GOOD COMPANY
Air India starts transporting
essential commodities
Apart from helping stranded Indian citizens from
French family stuck in UP village amid lockdown, treated as guests
abroad, national carrier Air India has started N A M I TA BA J PA I @ Lucknow son Tom, had left their country as the Maharajganj border with
transporting essential agricultural and medical embarking upon a world tour in Nepal was sealed after the an-
commodities. Under the Centre’s Krishi Udan OUT on a world tour, little did their swanky four-wheeler at the nouncement of 21-day nation-
scheme, the airline has identified multiple cargo Pollarez Patrice and his family end of 2019. They reached India wide lockdown.
destinations including UK and Germany for ferrying from France’s Toulouse realise from Pakistan through the Wa- Initially, curiosity drew the vil-
essentials such as fruits, vegetables and medical that they would be stuck in lock- gah Border on a tourist visa in lagers to this family. The villag-
items. Recently, AI ferried 28.95 tonnes of fruits down due to the coronavirus pan- February. ers have been providing them
and vegetables to London. The flight returned with demic and will have to take ref- Having After visiting many cit- with food, tea, snacks and other
15.6 tonnes of general cargo material. The carrier uge in UP’s tiny village of ies in India, as they were about to essentials. Of course, they have
has also started the service on routes to Israel, Maharajganj, around 300 km cross over to Nepal when they been following the social distanc-
China, Seychelles, Mauritius, Sri Lanka and from Lucknow. were stuck at Lakshmipur village ing norms.
Maldives amongst others. Krishi Udan was said to The family of five, including of Maharajganj. “India is great and so are its
be launched by the Ministry of Civil Aviation on Patrice, 40, a motor mechanic, his Staying in their vehicle parked people. Once strangers to us, now
international and national routes. wife Virginie Pollarez, daughters next to a small temple near a for- these villagers are doing their
Ophelie and Lola Janniefer and est in the village since March 25 Pollarez Patrice with his family was on a world tour since 2019 | EXPRESS best to help us,” said Patrice.
`2K
PLASMA THERAPY Ahmedabad 41 27 Mumbai 34 24
Bhopal 41 25 Panaji 34 26
After Kerala, Gujarat has sought Jaipur 40 27 Patna 36 23
permission from ICMR to start Amritsar 28 20 Lucknow 39 24
Convalescent Plasma therapy clinical
FINE
FOR SPITTING Chennai
Kolkata
35
36
28
27
Port Blair
Imphal
32
25
26
16
trials for corona patients IN BENGALURU Srinagar 14 6 Chandigarh 33 21

 
CM Chouhan is faced with onerous task of accommodating BJP old-timers, provinicial leaders and Scindia loyalists in Cabinet
T R A C K I N G
CORONA, POWER GAME

C O V I D - 1 9
E X P R E S S N E W S S E R V I C E @ Bhopal addressing ministerial aspira-
tions of BJP’s provincial leaders
T W E N T Y- F I V E d ay s a f t e r such as Narottam Mishra and
DELAYS MP CABINET
Shivraj Singh Chouhan was those from Malwa-Nimar, Bun-
sworn in as Madhya Pradesh delkhand and Vindhya region.
30 29 30 chief minister, the Council of Then, there are senior leaders in-
Ministers remains elusive for the cluding Gopal Bhargava, Rajen-
state which has recorded around dra Shukla, Yashodhara Raje
1,300 Corona positive cases and ruling BJP confided to TNIE that his loyalists. The talks have trig- Scindia, Gourishankar Bisen and
21 20
60-plus deaths. the complex task of accommodat- gered speculations that the Cabi- Bhupendra Singh, besides other
Faced with criticism from the ing all ministerial aspirants from net formation is likely to happen BJP MLAs like Arvind Bhadoria
Figures in %
opposition over the state not hav- the core BJP as well as MLAs of The delay in government formation has within the next few days. to be considered.
nothing to do with politics (as claimed
ing a Cabinet, especially a health the Jyotiraditya Scindia camp — Informed sources within the According to the sources, the
by the opposition Congress party)
minister, despite the COVID sit- particularly six ministers of BJP said the initial plan was to Cabinet could follow the UP model
uation reaching alarming the erstwhile Kamal Nath BJP spokesperson have a 25-plus Cabinet, but it with Narottam Mishra from the
4.6 LAKH: TOTAL propor tions, Chouhan government — could be could take shape with 10-12 min- BJP and Tulsi Silawat, the health
CALLS IN INDIA maintains that the Cabinet another factor for the de- tional president and Union Home isters for now. Three to four min- minister in the Congress govern-
LOCKDOWN:
NORTHERN
WESTERN
SOUTHERN
EASTERN
RELATED TO COVID-19 PANDEMIC
isn’t being formed as his l ay i n t h e C a b i n e t Minister Amit Shah twice in last isters could be Scindia loyalists, ment, as deputy CMs. A BJP
government’s priority is to formation. three-four days in Delhi and dis- despite their leader pressing for spokesperson, however, main-
CHILDREN battle the infection. Scindia has reportedly cussed possibilities for the forma- more than five. tained that the delay has nothing
DISTRESSED But insiders within the spoken to BJP’s former nation of a Cabinet and inclusion of Chouhan faces tough task in to do with politics.
Government helpline for

children ‘CHILDLINE 1098’
Foodgrain bank by farmers in Bihar bails out the poor

has responded to over 4
9,385
lakh calls in 21 days, with a
majority of them received
during the lockdown
Bohra brothers give

Source: Women and Child Total
R A J E S H K U M A R T H A K U R @ Patna
Welfare Ministry interventions
IN a first perhaps for the country,
hundreds of farmers from Sha-
habad range in Bihar have come entire crop to admin
Bhaichung comes to rescue of together and formed a foodgrain
bank at Dumraon in Buxar dis-
Sikkimese girl in Siliguri trict to feed migrants and labour-
ers in the ongoing lockdown.
E X P R E S S N E W S S E R V I C E @ Bhopal
Kolkata: Former Indian football team captain A family is given 15 kg of SETTING an example for others in these trou-
Bhaichung Bhutia lodged an FIR in Siliguri against foodgrain till its number comes bled times, two Bohra Muslim brothers in Mad-
a landlord for throwing out a Sikkimese girl for another time. The foodgrains hya Pradesh have donated their entire standing
having signs of fever. The girl had to spent nearly bank has got more than 1,000 wheat crop for the poor and underprivileged lot.
four hours outside her rented room before Bhutia quintals of grains. Inspired by the teachings of the Bohra Muslim
and his friends came to her rescue. Athina Limbu Brain child of a well-off farmer, community’s spiritual head Syedna Aali Qadr
rented a room at Pradhannagar in bengal’s Siliguri Rana Ranjeet Singh of Chamai Mufaddal Saifuddin, Riyaz Zaman and Mustafa
town and four days ago she developed a fever. ‘’Her village, the foodgrain bank start- Qamar Zaman earmarked wheat grown on 25
landlord came to know about it and forced her to ed services on April 5. “Initially I bighas of land at Bhullan Pura area in Guna dis-
leave the house. She had no option left other than had to motivate the farmers of lo- trict, 200 km from Bhopal, for the poor on
sitting outside her rented room,’’ said an officer of cality. To begin with, 70 farmers Wednesday. The entire crop was donated to the
Siliguri police station. The former footballer was in came and joined with me for run- Guna administration for harvesting and distrib-
Siliguri and he came to know about the incident. ning the bank with the foodgrains Rana Ranjeet Singh (wearing hat) speaks with farmers who are members of the foodgrain bank | EXPRESS uting it among the needy and poor who are facing
He and some of his friends came to Limbu’s rescue donated by them,” Singh told difficulty in getting food for their families.
and took her to a state-run hospital. ‘’The doctor this newspaper. of foodgrain,” said Singh, who that migrants and labourers of “We had invested around `25,000 to `30,000 on
at the hospital examined her and said it was just The Shahabad range is famous was sent to the US in 1969 as the any caste and creed can call for wheat cultivation. Guided by our supreme reli-
the flu. He also gave her a letter clearly saying she for cultivation of foodgrains, in- best farmer of India. “Impressed help,” Singh said. gious leader’s teachings and appeal of the dis-
A norm was
had no signs of coronavirus infection,’’ said Bhutia. cluding rice and wheat. by the humanitarian initiative, Foodgrains are not kept at a sin- fixed by farmers, trict administration, we’re donating it for feed-
The girl returned but was again allegedly not The foodgrains donated by nearly 700 farmers of Rohtas, gle point as it would require who are ing the poor and needy people,” said Zaman, the
allowed entry following which Bhutia intervened. farmers are kept at their homes Kaimur and Buxar districts have transportation and farmers have stakeholders of younger of the two.
and distributed free among the voluntarily become stakeholders to spare their time unnecessarily. this bank, under According to Zaman, the standing crop could
needy whenever they approach of this bank and donated “Labourers can either directly go which one can have fetched them anything from `3 lakh to `3.5
donate 1 kg to 50
Foreigners’ tribunal member the bank for help. “A norm was
fixed by all the farmers, who are
foodgrains in bulk quantity.”
The farmers keep gathering in-
to farmers or are being referred
by me to allot them grains donat- kg of foodgrain.
But many donated
lakh. Both Guna district collector S Vishwana-
than and police superintendent Tarun Nayak
faces flak for ‘communal rant’ stakeholders of this bank, under
which one can donate 1 kg to 50 kg
formation from local sources
about anyone facing hardships to
ed to the bank.”
People like Mangal Kumar, a la-
more than that
lauded the donation by the two siblings for the
poor in these hard times. The two top district of-
Guwahati: A Congress MP in Assam has demanded of foodgrain. But many came and help them with foodgrain. “Now, bourer of Dumraon, is thankful to R R Singh, ficials appealed other big farmers to contribute
the removal of a member of a Foreigners’ Tribunal donated more than that quantity my cellphone number is public so the farmers for bailing him out. foodbank founder to the Corona Relief Fund.
(FT) for his alleged statement that the violators of
Tablighi Jamaat besides “members of Jehadi and
Jahil” should not be considered for relief. In a letter,
Barpeta MP Abdul Khaleque drew Chief Minister
Sarbananda Sonowal’s attention to a letter,
allegedly written by Kamalesh Kumar Gupta, who
KASHMIR
Duo who killed Guv seeks legal advice over
is a member of FT, Baksa, and addressed to the
Health Minister. In this letter, dated April 7, he
(Gupta) listed donations given by himself and
SPO among four Uddhav’s name for Council
other members and staff of Foreigners’ Tribunal in
Baksa to Assam Arogya Nidhi, to combat COVID-19 slain militants S U D H I R S U R YA W A N S H I @ Mumbai
with a totally reprehensible condition at the end
which read as follows: Our only prayer is that the F AYA Z W A N I @ Srinagar MAHARASHTRA Gover nor
help may not be extended to the members of Bhagat Singh Koshyari has
violators of Tablighi Jamaat, Jehadi and Jahil,” FOUR militants, including two sought legal advice after the
Khaleque wrote. Observing that Gupta’s decisions, who had carried out a fatal attack state Cabinet recently recom-
in matters pertaining to citizenship, will be tainted on a SPO recently and stole weap- mended Chief Minister Uddhav
by anti-Muslim bias, Khaleque submitted the The attack helicopter at the site of landing in Punjab’s Hoshiarpur district | PTI ons, were killed in two encoun- Thackeray’s name as a member
member concerned be removed from the tribunal. ters on Friday in Kashmir, the of the Legislative Council from
IAF’s Apache copter makes police said.

A joint party of police, CRPF
the governor’s quota of nomi-
nated members.
Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray
Bihar reports second death, emergency landing, crew safe

and Army had been conducting Thackeray is not a member of will be expired in the next three
searches in the upper reaches of either of the two houses of the months. “So, the governor wants
83 positive cases so far Tandar, Dachan area in Kishtwar
since April 13 when the militants
state legislature.
As per the Constitution, a
to know whether these two
posts, which come under his
Patna: Bihar reported the second corona on Friday CHANDIGARH/NEW DELHI: prompt actions to recover the killed a Special Police Officer minister or a chief minister quota, can be filled in mid-way
at AIIMS-Patna where a 35-year-old resident from An Apache helicopter of the In- helicopter safely. “All crew on- (SPO) and injured another after who is not a member of either of or not,” the source added.
Vaishali district succumbed to the infection. The dian Air Force (IAF) made an board the helicopter are safe and attacking them with axes and the houses has to be elected to Other sources in the Maha Vi-
patient was admitted after he tested positive on emergency landing on Friday on there has been no damage to any snatching their rifles. The party either of the houses within six kas Aghadi government, how-
April 15. Earlier, a 38-year-old resident of Munger a field in Punjab’s Hoshiarpur property,” the IAF said, adding tracked down the two Hizbul mil- months of being sworn in to the ever, said the governor may de-
district, who had a travel history to a Gulf country, district. The recently acquired that the copter would be recov- itants involved in the attack. post, failing which the person lay the decision, but he will have
had died of COVID-19 in Patna. The Vaishali man American origin helicopter took ered after necessary “The militants fired on the troops must resign. to approve it eventually.
was admitted at Patna’s two private hospitals, off from Pathankot base earlier rectification. and both were killed in the ensu- Thackeray was sworn in as “Rejecting Thackeray’s name
which have already been sealed after he tested but encountered technical glitch Eight Apache AH-64E (I) were ing gunfight,” the police said. chief minister on November 28, by the governor means taking
positive and was brought to AIIMS. According to forcing the crew to land it in a inducted at the frontline “The action of security forces 2019, and completes six months permanent animosity with him.
health department, the total number of corona village fields. Pathankot Air Base in Septem- is a tribute to Pashid Iqbal, the in office on May 28, 2020. That, the BJP cannot afford to
positives patients in the eastern state has reached “On April 17, an Apache heli- ber last year. These attack heli- deceased policeman,” IG, Jam- “The governor has sought the do in long-term politics,” said a
83. Of them, 37 have recovered and discharged copter of the IAF got airborne copters were then inducted into mu, Mukesh Kumar said, An AK- legal opinion over the recom- senior Shiv Sena leader on con-
with the instruction to self-quarantine at homes from Pathankot airbase. The a new 125 Squadron called 74 and an INSAS rifle were recov- mendation of the Maharashtra dition of anonymity.
for next 14 days. As per the latest bulletin of health helicopter, after approx 1 hour of the ‘Gladiators’. India and the ered from the encounter site. Cabinet appointing Thackeray Maharashtra Deputy Chief
department, nine new cases were reported in the flying had indications of a criti- US had signed a deal for 22 In Shopian district, two local as a member of the Upper Minister Ajit Pawar had recent-
last 24 hours. Siwan has emerged as the worst hit cal failure and carried out a safe Apache helicopters in Septem- Hizbul militants were gunned House,” said sources in the Gov- ly held a Cabinet meeting where
district with 29 positive cases followed by 17 in landing in Punjab,” IAF said in ber 2015. Later, six more helicop- down by security personnel. Two ernor’s House. they recommended Thackeray’s
Munger, 8 in Begusarai, 6 in Patna, 5 in Gaya a statement. ters for the Army. All 22 helicop- weapons and ammunition were The source added the two va- name as a member of the upper
among others, according to government data. The force said the captain of ters are to be delivered by the recovered from the slain mili- cant posts of the Upper House house of the legislature.
the aircraft took correct and end of this year. ENS tants, the police said.
PRASANTA MAZUMDAR
Liquor comes and goes Our correspondent in
CBI charge-sheets five
Liquor shops in Guwahati and elsewhere in Assam had opened last Guwahati The Central Bureau of Investigation filed a
Monday, much to the joys of drinkers. However, the euphoria lasted prasantamazumdar@ charge sheet against a former credit
barely two days as the state government had to revoke its order on newindianexpress.com manager of Bank of India in Guwahati for
opening of the liquor outlets following the Centre’s guidelines on allegedly misusing his official position and
the extended shutdown that did not give any relaxation. With entering into a criminal conspiracy with
revenues badly hit in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic and GUWAHATI DIARY the proprietors of two private firms, a
lockdown, the Assam government had granted permission for the businessman and a surveyor of an
sale of liquor. People were seen making beelines outside the shops insurance company, during 2012-14. A case
but careful enough in adhering to social distancing. A low-key Rongali Bihu celebration was also registered against them and
Even as COVID-19 confined people to their homes in the Northeast state of Assam, it some others. The bank official in question
had allegedly sanctioned the term loan Assam gets PPE kits from China
failed to dampen their Bihu spirit. However, unlike in the past, the Rongali Bihu —
the spring festival of Assam — is being celebrated at homes. Given the government’s and cash credit loans for purchasing Assam is the first state in the country to order and receive 50,000 Personal Protective
guidelines on social distancing, the Bihu committees in Guwahati cancelled all machinery/excavators, civil contract work Equipment (PPE) kits from China. With these, the state’s stock of PPE kits has risen
programmes this year. At the Latasil ground, the Guwahati Bihu Sanmilani had a by violating procedures and guidelines of to around 1.5 lakh. A cargo flight, carrying the items, had touched down at the
brief programme on Monday where a small group of people congregated. The the bank and disbursed the loan. It was Guwahati airport on Wednesday evening. Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma
Rongali Bihu, which marks the onset of Assamese New Year, is among three Bihus. alleged that the borrowers failed to repay received the consignment. “Another BIG reason to cheer! Keeping life first as the
The others being Magh Bihu, also called Bhogali Bihu, and Kati Bihu. Rongali Bihu is term loans and cash credit loans, causing motive, we’re glad to have imported 50,000 PPE kits from Guangzhou, China. I am
a time of feasting and merry-making. To the farmers, it is a time to prepare their loss of over `1.98 crore to the bank, happy to receive this special flight along with @Pijush_hazarika at #Guwahati airport.
fields for cultivation. sources in the federal agency said. A big reassurance for our doctors & nurses,” Sarma tweeted.
17,000
Beijing 23 14 SNY Los Angeles 19 11 LC
Colombo 33 25 TDS Melbourne 16 10 LR
Doha 28 21 SNY Moscow 7 1 HR
GLOBAL Dubai 29 22 SNY New York 9 4 LR
WEATHER Houston 24 20 TDS Singapore 34 26 LC
health care workers in Italy have been infected with LR: Light Rain HR: Heavy Rain Istanbul 18 10SNY Toronto 9 5 LC
the new coronavirus, a study has found TDS: Thundershower LC: Light Cloud SNY: Sunny London 16 8 LR Washington DC 15 5 LC

 
UNITED NATIONS FLAGSTAFF ZURICH BAMAKO KYIV STOCKHOLM NEW YORK
Pandemic turning into a Native American tribes sue Roche eyes Covid antibody Malians head to polls, Smoke from wildfires near Swedish princess dons Rolling Stones to perform
child-rights crisis: UN govt over relief funding test launch in May braving conflict & virus Chernobyl engulfs Kyiv scrubs to help healthcare in support of medical staff
Children have so far largely Several Native American tribes Swiss pharmaceutical giant Roche Voters in Mali will be called out on Smoke from wildfires in the Sweden’s Princess Sofia has begun The Rolling Stones will perform
escaped the most severe sued the federal government said Friday it had developed an Sunday to complete long-delayed contaminated evacuation zone doing shifts as a healthcare during a star-studded special
symptoms of Covid-19 but the Friday, seeking to keep any of the antibody test that it hopes to roll legislative elections, defying a around the wrecked Chernobyl assistant in Stockholm after event also featuring Taylor Swift
social and economic impact “is $8 billion in federal coronavirus out in May to detect people jihadist insurgency and the nuclear power plant has engulfed completing a three-day course to and Billie Eilish, set to broadcast
potentially catastrophic for relief for tribes kept out of the previously infected with Covid-19, lengthening shadow of coronavirus. Kyiv, placing the Ukrainian capital help ease strained healthcare globally Saturday in support of
millions of children,” as per a hands of for-profit Alaska Native even those who displayed no The elections aim at reviving faith near the top of the global air resources during the new health care workers combatting
United Nations report. UN corporations. The US Treasury symptoms. Roche said in a in political institutions at one of pollution index. About 1,000 coronavirus pandemic, the Swedish coronavirus. The event is put on by
Secretary-General Antonio Department is tasked with doling statement that it had developed the darkest times since Mali gained firefighters backed by aircraft have Royal Court said Friday. The the international advocacy
Guterres said the reduced incomes out the money by April 26 to help the Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2 independence from France nearly been deployed to battle the forest 35-year-old completed a three-day organization Global Citizen in
of parents would be particularly tribes nationwide stay afloat, immunoassay, which using a blood 60 years ago. It is the country’s blazes near the site of the world’s course last week to be able to help collaboration with WHO and
affecting children. respond to the virus and recover. sample can detect antibodies. first parliamentary poll since 2013. worst nuclear accident. out during the crisis. superstar Lady Gaga.
GOVTS UNDERSTATING TRUE TOLL ACROSS THE WORLD

While China has long been criticised for its lack of transparency, other nations are struggling too in accurately counting the number of infections and deaths
3,00,000
deaths from the virus Africa will
see this year even under the best-
Google waives
ad fees to help
news outlets
BANGLADESH
One day Parvin was toiling
A S I A M AT T E R S
PHILIPPINES
Philippine President Rodrigo
to meet the fast-fashion Duterte has threatened to
case scenario, according to a new demands of European order the military and police to
report released on Friday that WASHINGTON capitals, the next she was take control of the country’s
cites modelling from Imperial among hundreds of capital if people do not start
College London. Under the worst- GOOGLE said on Friday thousands of Bangladeshi obeying a virus lockdown.
case scenario with no it would waive fees for clothes workers made
interventions against the virus, publishers using its Ad instantly jobless as the “The military and police will
Africa could see 3.3 million deaths Manager platform for the coronavirus pandemic enforce social distancing at
and 1.2 billion infections, the next five months as part struck. Big-name curfew... It’s like martial law.
report by the UN Economic of its efforts to support international brands have You choose,” he said.
Commission for Africa said. In the news organisations reel- cancelled billions of
5,660
best-case scenario, the continent The body of a dead patient is carried into an ambulance outside a New Jersey ing from the coronavirus dollars in orders,
could see over 122 million cases nursing home, where a pile of 17 bodies has been found | AFP pandemic. THAILAND
decimating Bangladesh’s
The move comes in ad- The
most important export
BEIJING Authorities say infections likewise does not include any dition to Google’s “jour- Thailand’s leader says he will appeal Philippines has detected about
industry and hurting in
and deaths have been under- deaths at home or in nursing nalism relief fund” an- directly to the country’s 20 5,660 coronavirus cases and
particular rural woman
CHINA acknowledged on Fri- reported almost everywhere. homes. The country’s statistics n o u n c e d t h i s we e k , wealthiest people for assistance. PM recorded 362 deaths
who dominate the
day that the coronavirus death Thousands have died with Cov- agency has said the actual which will include emer- workforce. Laid-off Prayuth Chan-ocha said the
toll in the one-time epicentre id-19 symptoms — many in number of dead could be gency grants to news government alone cannot solve the MALDIVES
workers are complaining
city of Wuhan was nearly 50 nursing homes, which have around 15% higher; others outlets. of being dumped without health and economic challenges With 8 new virus infections,
per cent higher than reported, been ravaged by a disease that think it will be far more. Google’s Ad Manager any help. posed by the pandemic, so other the Maldivian authorities have
underscoring just how serious- hits the elderly the hardest — And in Spain, the country’s is an automated platform sectors should join what he called extended a lockdown in the
$100
ly the official numbers of infec- without being tested. Four 17 autonomous regions were which may be used by “Team Thailand.” capital island of Male to cover
tions and deaths around the months into the outbreak, na- ordered to adopt uniform crite- news outlets for market- the archipelago.
10 mn
world may be understating the tions are still struggling to in- ria on counting the dead. The ing messages on
28
dimensions of the disaster. crease their testing capacity, country has recorded more websites. Thousands of workers
In Italy, Spain, Britain, the and many are still far from than 19,000 deaths, but the sys- News organisations -- some of whom had A business council
United States and elsewhere, their goal. tem leaves out patients who getting hammered by a earnt just $100 a month advising the government warned Travel within inhabited
similar doubts emerged as gov- In Italy, officials have ac- had symptoms but were not weak economy and down- -- have staged protests that as many as 10 million Thais islands has been banned until
ernments revised their death knowledged that the tested before they died. turn in advertising even complaining that factories could lose their jobs in the next few further notice. The country has
tolls or openly questioned the country’s official death “There is a general as they ramp up coverage have not paid them months if the crisis doesn’t ease reported 28 cases
accuracy of them. toll of more than feeling that the epide- of the health crisis. AFP
“We are probably only seeing 22,000 understates miologists don’t have
Don passes buck to

the tip of the iceberg,” said the true number, pri- a clue of what’s going
Barcelona University epidemi-
ologist Antoni Trilla, who
marily because it
doesn’t include those
on, that experts know
even less and that gov-
CHINA'S ECONOMY IN
WORST DOWNTURN
WH guidelines
heads the Spanish govern- who died in nursing ernments are conceal- SINCE THE 1960s The Trump White House has published
states on reopening
ment’s expert panel on the h o m e s a n d we re n o t ing information, but I don’t
crisis. tested. think that’s true,” said Hermel- China's economy shrank for the this roadmap for states under the
Worldwide, the outbreak has A government survey re- inda Vanaclocha, an epidemi- first time in decades last quarter headline “Opening Up America Again”
infected more than 2.1 million leased Friday of about one- ologist on Spain’s top virus as the virus paralysed the nation
people and killed over 145,000, third of Italy’s nursing homes panel. “It’s simply not easy.” PHASE 1
according to a Johns Hopkins
University tally based on fig-
ures supplied by government
health authorities around the
found more than 6,000 residents
have died since Feb. 1. It was
unclear how many were a re-
sult of Covid-19.
China raised its overall death
toll to over 4,600 after Wuhan,
where the outbreak first took
hold, added nearly 1,300 deaths.
6.8%
The world’s second-largest
WASHINGTON
US President Donald Trump on

● Schools and bars closed
● Theatres, churches and
ballparks can operate, with
globe. The death toll in the US In Britain, the official death Questions have long swirled economy shrank by 6.8% Thursday laid out guidelines distancing protocols
topped 33,000, with more than toll of about 14,600 come under around the accuracy of China’s from a year earlier in the for a gradual reopening of the
quarter ending in March, ● People who do go out should
670,000 confirmed infections. increasing scrutiny because it case reporting. AP United States after the batter-
official data showed avoid gatherings of over 10 people
ing of the coronavirus pandem-
ic, saying normal life should
N AT I O N S EAS E LO C K D OW N RU L ES SHAPE OF RECOVERY resume quickly in some states. PHASE 2
Facing re-election in Novem- US President Donald Trump | AFP
Forecasters earlier said ● Nonessential travel can
Poorer countries face

ber, Trump has been impatient
SPAIN April 17 China might rebound as resume, vulnerable individuals
to lift a lockdown that has He also pulled back from a
5,183 early as this month. But should stay put
Daily new cases thrown 22 million people out of battle over authority, with gov-
they say a sharp,
bigger risk in easing

work in the world’s largest ernors ultimately deciding ● Schools, daycare and bars can
“V-shaped” recovery looks
Lockdown economy, although plenty of what to do -- as was the case be- reopen
increasingly unlikely as
starts on leaders at home fear that hast- fore his announcement.
Covid-19 restrictions
March 14 negative export, retail sales ● Employers should encourage
ily easing restrictions will “You’re going to call your
and other data pile up. telework
cause more people to die. own shots,” Trump told the
Instead, they expect a The White House outlined governors Thursday afternoon ● Individuals who go out should
gradual crawl back to three “phases” under which in a conference call, according avoid gatherings of over 50
WHO IS BACK AT WORK AFTER APRIL 13
BEIRUT growth in low single each governor would deter- to an audio recording obtained
Workers can return to factories and construction sites. Shops digits in the coming mine the permitted size of by The AP. But pointing to
will remain closed and office-goers are still encouraged to work PHASE 3
AS some wealthier Western nations begin easing quarters gatherings depending on their sparsely populated parts of the
from home. People told to wear masks while commuting. The coronavirus restrictions, many developing coun- location and levels of country, Trump said some ● Employers can resume
government believes this is enough to avoid new outbreaks
1.7%
tries, particularly in West Asia and Africa, want infection. states were already free from unrestricted staffing of
to do it too, but they cannot afford the luxury of Trump’s recommendations the impact and can open “liter- worksites
April 17 any missteps. were a far cry from his previ- ally tomorrow.”
GERMANY ● Vulnerable individuals can go
3,380 They lack the key tools — a sturdy economy, Full-year GDP growth ous calls for a sudden end to so- Britain, which shut down out, but practice distancing
Daily new cases well-equipped hospitals and large-scale testing — expectations have fallen to cial distancing measures -- as later than most of continental
that are needed for finding their way out of the 1.7%, according to a poll by well as his earlier call for the Europe, said it would extend its ● People should generally
Lockdown pandemic. Even a spirited public debate about an nation to be fully open in time lockdown for at least another consider minimising time spent
starts on the AFP news agency
March 22 exit strategy, common now in Europe, seems un- for Easter on April 12. three weeks. Agencies in crowded environments
thinkable in countries battered by conflict, cor-
ruption or poverty.
WHO IS BACK AT WORK AFTER APRIL 13
Shops of the size of 800 sq metres will be allowed to reopen from
Monday and some children could soon return to school within
Consider Lebanon, a tiny country teetering on
the abyss of bankruptcy with a fragile health sys-
tem and a restless population. A monthlong lock-
down has thrown tens of thousands more people
Peak still at a distance in Russia as cases spike
weeks. The ban on gatherings of more than two people in public
and on large public events will remain in effect into poverty, pressuring the government to loosen MOSCOW many other Russian regions.” To this Putin responded that
restrictions. But medical resources are limited, Moscow’s mayor Sergei So- governors “are sitting there in
prompting doctors to call for continuing them, RUSSIA said on Friday it had byanin on Friday reported the order to overcome
AUSTRIA even at the risk of a social explosion. recorded 32,008 coronavirus completion of a 500-bed hospi- challenges”.
April 17 It’s the same in many developing countries: Eas- cases, including a record 4,070 tal built within weeks, which Moscow, Europe’s largest
Daily new cases 78 ing lockdowns could increase infections and in the last 24 hours, as Presi- will start admitting patients city with some 12 million in-
Lockdown quickly overwhelm hospitals with limited beds dent Vladimir Putin warned Monday. habitants, has been under
starts on and breathing machines. of “very high” risks, particu- But Putin said every region lockdown since the end of
March 16 Keeping restrictions in place risks social up- larly in the ill-equipped must be equally prepared, March, but officials have com-
A railway station is disinfected in
heaval and more economic losses. provinces. Moscow on Friday | AP even as several governors com- plained that many residents
At the same time, inadequate testing and a lack Official figures showed more plained of a lack of medical are flouting confinement
of transparency could lead to misguided deci- than half of the new cases Speaking during a televised equipment and specialist staff. rules. Deputy mayor Anasta-
WHO IS BACK AT WORK AFTER APRIL 13 sions, said Rabah Arezki, chief economist for the were registered in Moscow video-conference with region- Vladimir region governor sia Rakova warned the city
Small stores, particularly hardware shops can reopen. So can Middle East and North Africa at the World Bank and the surrounding region. al governors, Putin said that Vladimir Sipyagin said his re- “will face difficult weeks”
public parks and garden centres. New limits on number of people in and a senior fellow at the Middle East Initiative. So far 273 deaths have been re- “the risks surrounding the epi- gion of 1.36 million only has 71 ahead. “The peak in morbidity
shops and a rule on wearing face masks in some public places The IMF said it’s prepared to commit its $1 tril- corded in Russia, including 41 demic’s spread are still very ventilators and half the need- should arrive in the next two
Data on cases from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control lion in lending capacity to needy nations. AP in the last 24 hours. high, not just in Moscow but in ed resuscitation experts. to three weeks,” she said. AFP
Market 986.11 MARKET
Sensex 31,588.72 H41
GOLD
24 carat (1 gm) H4,687 H450
SILVER
Per kg H43,550
FOREX
Dollar 76.37
Watch 273.95 Nifty 9,266.75 H41 22 carat (1 gm) H4,479 H0.45 Per gm H43.55 Euro 82.69

 
CBDT sets 28% With TLTRO 2.0, hope of credit flow to NBFCs up
higher direct tax THE RBI announced measures
broadly covering four aspects:
(i) liquidity (ii) incentivising
their willingness to actually
provide credit.
under the liquidity adjustment
facility (LAF) has been cut by
25 bps to 3.75 per cent.
bor rowings in the initial
months of current financial
year to tide over liquidity
Siddhartha Mohanty, MD &
CEO, LIC Housing Finance:
Hopefully this will give borrow-
target for FY21

Special refinancing facility Radhika Rao, Economist, needs had led to a sharp rise in ers and lenders further breath-
bank credit flow (iii) easing fi-
for Nabard, Sidbi and NHB
nancial stress and (iv) enabling DBS Bank India: This is SDL spreads over correspond- ing space... It is a step towards
normal functioning of the mar- Since these institutions were meant to prod banks to con- ing g-secs in the recent diminishing the pandemic’s
kets on Friday. facing difficulties in raising sider lending rather than weeks, exacerbating fi- impact and ensuring the nor-
funds, RBI offered special refi- park funds with the RBI. nancial challenges of mal functioning of markets
Targeted Long Term
D 13.19L cr set as target for FY21 despite lockdown Operations (TLTRO) 2.0
nance facilities charged at the The still sizeable funds state gover nments.
Resolution Timeline
policy repo rate worth: `25,000 parked with RBI even T hus, increase in
as report on its economic impact not yet final RBI announced an aggregate crore to NABARD, `15,000 crore after the 90 bps cut in WMA limit provides a For large defaulting accounts,
`50,000 crore TLTRO. Funds to SIDBI, `10,000 crore to NHB March, points to limited much needed reprieve. lenders are currently required
E NS ECO NOMIC BU REAU @ New Delhi ALLOCATION OF BUDGET availed under this should be in- Navin Chandani, CEO and credit and risk appetite. A to hold an additional provision
vested in investment grade MD, CRIF High Mark: This further reduction might disin-
Asset classification of 20 per cent if a resolution
ESTIMATE TARGETS FOR FY21
PINNING hopes on the Vivad TO PR CCIT REGIONS (IN DCR) bonds, commercial paper, and will support lenders across centivise banks to utilise the All standard accounts availing plan has not been implemented
se Vishwas scheme, the Cen- NCDs of NBFCs, with at least MFIs, HFCs and NBFCs to reverse repo window. moratorium as on March 1, within 210 days from date of
Mumbai 4,07,555
tral Board of Direct Taxes 50 per cent going to small and channelise fresh loans to MS- shall be excluded from the 90- such default. It has now been
(CBDT) has set a high direct Delhi 1,89,073 mid-size ones. MEs and microfinance firms,
Ways and Means Advances day NPA norm, with an asset decided that this period shall
Karnataka & Goa 1,40,831 (WMA) for States
tax target of `13.19 lakh crore Karthik Srinivasan, Group enhancing industry stability, classification standstill till May be extended by 90 days.
for the current fiscal, despite TN & Puducherry 91,227 head financial sector rat- driving the credit ecosystem RBI increased WMA limit of 31. NBFCs will be guided by Padmaja Chunduru, MD &
lockdown reducing corporate AP & Telangana 73,809 ings, ICRA: Previous TLTROs and supporting our economy. states by 60 per cent till Sep- guidelines approved by their CEO, Indian Bank: This will
and personal earnings. Pune 74,087 saw limited incremental credit tember 30, to provide greater boards and advisories of the In- help all sectors, especially
In a circular issued to vari- flow to small and medium NB-
Fixed Rate Reverse Repo Rate comfort and help plan market stitute of Chartered Account- MSME and Retail. The 90-day de-
Gujarat 65,237
ous tax regions, the depart- FCs. With TLTRO 2.0, the hope To encourage banks to deploy borrowing programmes. ants of India. They will have ferment given for NCLT filings
NWR 55,786
ment has given the target for of credit flow to these NBFCs `6.9 lakh crore absorbed so far Kanwar Vivek, CEO, YES As- flexibility under prescribed ac- will help banks, if it can be tak-
the current financial year, WB & Sikkim 51,117 improved. However, active par- under reverse repo operations, set Management (India) Ltd: counting standards to consider en as saving on the 20% addi-
which is 28 per cent more than UP (West) 30,279 ticipation by banks will reflect the fixed rate reverse repo rate Fears of bunching up of state such relief to borrowers. tional provision in these cases.
the actual collections in the MP & Chhatisgarh 30,438
year ended March 31, 2020. Rajasthan 22,130
“The Budget target for each
cadre controlling Pr. CCIT has
been fixed keeping in view the
revenue potential of the re-
Kerala
UP (East)
Bihar & Jharkhand
20,194
18,006
15,923
Retail channels see sharp dip in growth: Nielsen TELECOM
Boost to telcos
Odisha 17,235
gion, which is based on the
weighted average growth rate
of net collections of last three
NER 8,693 S E S A S E N @ New Delhi as international
call handling
100
Nagpur 7,380 Past one month Supply chain

years, giving highest weight DISCRETIONARY spending
to the immediately preceding (Source: Ministry of Finance)
will remain bearish in the next
Next six month
Supply and cash flow
86
charges raised
will remain the
64
year,” the circular said.
The department has set the `3.2 lakh crore in financial
few months, observed Nielsen
India, even as consumers sur- Figures in % chain biggest hurdle
50
50
50 in the next
target for Mumbai at `4.07 year 2019-20 against a 11.8 per veyed stated that they will in-
logistics a six months,
36
lakh crore with `2.31 lakh cent decline from the previous crease online shopping by more ENS ECONOMIC BUREAU @ New Delhi
concern according to
29
crore as corporate taxes and year’s collection of `3.63 lakh 20 per cent.
Nielsen
21
21
21
`1.62 lakh crore as personal crore. The Delhi circle also Data compiled by the market The Telecom Regulatory Au-
14
14
14
income-tax. For Delhi, the tar- managed to collect `1.46 lakh researcher shows that a steady thority of India (TRAI) on
7
7
get has been set at `1.89 lakh crore in financial year 2019-20, fall was seen across most retail Friday almost doubled the
Price surge for 0
Customers 0
crore with `1.12 lakh crore 9 per cent down than that in channels, barring moder n international call termina-
Supply chain &
mobility issues
Production
capacity shortage
Sourcing of raw
materials
raw material
Cash flow
Engaging with
customers
Closure of
cafes/bars
Non-essential
items in portfolio
defer buying
from corporate taxes and financial year 2018-19. trade in the last week of March, tion charges, in a move that
`76,957 crore from personal In this context, officials too after a high double-digit growth will benefit India’s telecom
income-tax. acknowledge that this is high- during the first three weeks on operators. The move is a
However, going by last er. “Yes, it has not taken into account of the nationwide lock- shift from the earlier fixed
year’s collection, this target account the lockdown impact. down. While cash and carry rate of 30 paise per minute to
seems too ambitious. But till the time there is no fi- trade channel saw a de-growth a new forbearance regime,
Direct tax collections for final report on the impact of of 44 per cent and growth in staff at retail outlets. While some of the key shifts in con- months, according to a survey which allows telcos to choose
nancia year 2019-20 stood at economy, we will go as per the traditional trade fell 6 per cent, there was some pantry loading sumer behaviour,” he added. Nielsen held with top industry a rate between 35 and 60 pai-
`10.27 lakh crore, missing original target. We will revise modern trade saw 6 per cent by retailers till mid-March, In particular, ‘evolved hy- leaders. In fact, top companies se per minute.
even the revised tax estimate it when the final report comes. growth during the first phase constraints in replenishment giene’ products including hand pointed out that they may now The International Termi-
of `11.7 lakh crore by `1.42 Till that time, there is no point of the lockdown period in of depleted stocks post lock- wash, sanitisers and floor look to calibrate growth strate- nation Charge (ITC) is a fee
lakh crore, and even fell 8 per speculating,” said a senior March. E-commerce too saw a down dented sales,” said Sa- cleaners, and staples such as gies by increasing focus on e- paid by an International
cent short of the `11.17 lakh CBDT official. dip in sales as shuttered ware- meer Shukla, west market lead- packaged atta, packaged rice, commerce and collaborating Long Distance Operator
crore collected during finan- The official added that the houses and movement restric- er, South Asia, Nielsen Global breakfast cereal and cheese with regional brands. (ILDO) to the network that re-
cial year 2018-19. target will not be difficult, giv- tions forced some e-tailers to Connect. “The focus on person- saw high demand and growth. Post Covid-19, “technology is ceives a call. The telecom reg-
Mumbai, which accounts en the Vivad se Vishwas temporarily halt fresh orders. al hygiene, organic food, medi- Going forward, supply chain also expected to act as a cata- ulator had, in February 2018,
for 32 per cent overall tax col- scheme, which is likely to be “The sharp decline in sales cal needs, fitness, education and cash flow will remain the lyst for convenient consumer cut the ITC chargeable by IL-
lections, managed to collect extended beyond June 30. was propelled by shortage of and financial investments are biggest hurdle in the next six experiences,” Nielsen said. DOs to 30 paise per minute
from 58 paise per minute.
According to TRAI, the
Only 25% fashion retail stores may WEAK DEMAND newly introduced forbear-
ance system allows opera-
PV sales may take next tors to set the rate within the
open post lockdown; layoffs likely

prescribed range, but also
mandates that they should
2-3 quartes for recovery

offer non-discriminatory
rates to everyone. “The au-
thority, if it deems necessary,
B I S M A H M A L I K @ Bengaluru red zones. Hence, their reopen- may review this regime as
BIG BRANDS HIT ing will have to be done strate- ENS ECONOMIC BUREAU @ New Delhi ly impact retail demand; con- well as the rate of ITC in due
INDIA’S fashion retail in- gically, in a phased manner. In sumer spending power will course of time,” it said.
 The coronavirus pandemic
dustry is looking at reopen- China, where we have nearly THE performance of domes- also get curtailed. The OEMs The new system is likely to
has resulted in almost zero
ing only 25 per cent of out- 3,000 stores, we saw that the tic passenger vehicle (PV) in- will be stuck with BS-IV in- help both ILDOs that run mo-
revenues for a majority of
lets after the lockdown is stores reopened during the dustry is likely to be severely ventory, and delinquencies bile service provider services
fashion brands
lifted, top industry stake- course of three weeks, after lift- jolted in FY 2020-21 due to the will increase in the near-term such as Bharti Airtel and
holders who participated  High-end luxury brands ing the restrictions,” said impact of Covid-19 on the In- bracket,” said Ashish Moda- Vodafone Idea, and compa-
in a webinar by the Retail would be the worst-hit Vineet Gautam, CEO, BestSell- dian economy as well as on ni, vice-president and co-head nies that provide only ILDO
Association of India segment in the fashion er India. c o n s u m e r s ’ c o n f i d e n c e, (corporate ratings), ICRA. services such as Tata Com-
(RAI) said on Friday. industry and may even Analysts are expecting the which has been in the nega- Separately, top industry ex- munications and Spectra, ac-
The coronavirus pan- become affordable in the virus impact on the fashion re- tive zone for nearly two years. ecutives said they are await- cording to industry analysts.
demic has resulted in al- post-Covid environment tail business to linger on for at According to an ICRA re- ing clarity on resuming pro-
most zero revenues for a least a year, with revival export, the overall whole- duction with limited
majority of fashion pected either around Diwali sale dispatches will fall capacity from April 20. EXPRESS READ
brands, who are now looking brands were expected to enter season or next year. Further- 10-12 per cent in FY21 Industry had expected
to sell their inventory, cut Indian markets in the next two more, the reinvention of busi- with no significant re- that the partial relief M&M raises `1,000 cr
d ow n o n d i s c re t i o n a r y years, which may also be de- ness models with more focus on covery in the next announced on April 15 via allotment of NCDs
spends and even layoff staff layed due to the pandemic e-commerce channels and hy- two-three quarters. will help them fix the
to stay afloat. High-end lux- situation. perlocal delivery system is T he PV industry’s supply chain, but com- New Delhi: Homegrown auto
ury brands would be the According to analysts, the expected. wholesale volumes fell by plexities such as getting major Mahindra & Mahindra
worst-hit segment in the partial reopening of outlets is “There are going to be prob- 17.9 per cent during FY20. materials from vendors in vi- (M&M) on Friday said it has
fashion industry and may imperative, especially since lems related to employees not “In the next 2-3 quarters, rus hotspots is a concern. raised `1,000 crore through
even become affordable businesses will have to adapt to being able to report to work, ICRA expects that retail de- “Our vendors must be func- allotment of Non-Convertible
in the post-Covid envi- the new safety standards, take pushing the sales of our sum- mand during Q1FY21 will re- tioning anywhere in the coun- Debentures (NCDs) on private
ronment, experts say. cognizance of the consumer mer collection inventory and main significantly weak, with try. To the best of our infor- placement basis. The NCDs
India’s apparel indus- sentiment, skeletal available la- cutting down the production of some signs of recovery likely mation, that is not likely to were of a face value of `10 lakh
try is the world’s sixth bour, as well as follow the gov- Autumn wear. Due to such high towards festive season... The happen as some of them may each. While the company did
largest, pegged at $59.3 ernment guidelines. unpredictability in the mar- PV industry outlook is nega- be in the containment zone. not disclose the reasons for
billion by 2022 by a “A majority of the fashion re- kets, the revival will only hap- tive. There are significant We need more clarity on the raising the capital, the exercise
McKinsey report. tail stores, whether in malls or pen next year,” said Shailesh short-term and long-term retail side,” said Maruti Su- comes at a time when Covid-19
More than 300 in- otherwise, is concentrated in Chaturvedi, CEO, Tommy Hil- challenges. In the short-term, zuki India chairman RC Bhar- and prolonged slowdown has
ternational tier-1 cities that are flagged as figer India. Covid-19 lockdown will direct- gava in an interview. jolted industry’s prospectus.
NO SHINE
FUEL SALES SLUMP 50% IN
Jewellers feel it will be hard task to bring clients back to stores APRIL DUE TO LOCKDOWN
E N S E C O N O M I C B U R E A U @ New Delhi
B I N I TA J A I S W A L @ Chennai join back,” said a member of According to jewelers, there business is lost. “We hope to see
the All India Gem & Jewellery is zero demand, and hence, it is some business during Diwali ALL petroleum products have witnessed a massive drop in de-
THOUGH the Central govern- Domestic Council (GJC). not wise to make the work- only. FY21 will definitely see mand during the first half of April due to the nationwide lock-
ment has given the green signal According to GJC chairman shops operational now. The reo- over 50 per cent fall in overall down announced to help check the spread of deadly Coronavi-
to resume limited economic ac- Anantha Padmanaban, the in- pening now will, in fact, raise business,” said Padmanaban. rus in the country. As a result of halted economic activity and
tivities from April 20, the relax- dustry is staring at a loss of the expenses, they say. GJC feels that Centre should travel, India’s fuel consumption dipped by a record 50 per cent
ation will hardly help bring around `70,000 crore due to the “There is no immediate re- urgently consider measures in the period.
back the sound of hammer in pandemic. lief for the industry. Even if the such as reducing customs duty Petrol sales were down 64 per cent, diesel slumped by 61 per
jewellery workshops. “The sector’s condition is ac- shops are opened after the lock- to 4 per cent, besides allowing cent, while aviation turbine fuel (ATF) consumption collapsed
Jewellers feel it will be diffi- tually a matter of concern for down, buying gold jewellery retailers more time to file tax by staggering 94 per cent as most airlines have stopped function-
cult for them to reopen work- us. We missed major business won’t be a priority for people. It returns. ing, according to provisional industry data for fuel consumption
shops, as showrooms are closed that happens in the marriage will be difficult to bring the Even the artisans are uncer- in the first half of April.
and there is no demand at all. season due to the lockdown. customers back to showrooms,” tain of their future. “We don’t However, the demand for LPG has increased as the govern-
Adding to this, a majority of Stocks are lying unsold in Padmanaban said, adding that have any work since March last ment allocation of free cooking gas cylinders to poor households
the artisans have left for their closed showrooms. Akshay retailers across the country sell week. I may have to look for has led to rise in consumption by 21 per cent during the period,
native places, and the lack of Tritiya is also a good business 50-60 tonnes of gold every some other job to sustain my the data showed. The data pertains to sales made by three public
public transport would make it season that the jewellers lost month, but due to Covid-19 out- family,” said Ashok Parmanik, sector oil marketing companies. The 21-day lockdown period
difficult for the remaining to due to the pandemic,” he said. break, almost 60 per cent of the an artisan in Chennai. announced earlier led to shutting of offices and factories.
Bayern star fined for
Bayern Munich winger Kingsley Coman is facing a $54,385 fine and a
compulsory autograph session as punishment for driving the wrong car to
driving wrong car

training, German daily Bild reported Friday. French international Coman, 23,
arrived at Bayern’s Tuesday training session in a McLaren, contravening a
contractual obligation to drive an Audi, a key Bayern sponsor.

l l
Home test for specialist

Not good at handling household chores, India’s No 3 Pujara helping family under lockdown with eye on big one
AITA’s life president
posts to be abolished
I N D R A N E E L D A S @ Chennai tive committee needs to be
convened and then the gener-
AT R E Y O M U K H O PA D H YAY @ Chennai greater pressure and as a bats- THERE will be no honourary al body meeting needs to be
man, I try to convert starts. But life president posts in All called. It needs to be seen
LOCKED down in Rajkot with a fifty can also be a useful con- India Tennis Association. The whether it would be physical
father, wife and daughter, tribution to the team. I’d like to decision has been taken by or online.
Cheteshwar Pujara is trying do better after getting a fifty, the national body after the However, according to a top
his hand at helping out with but it doesn’t mean that it’s not sports ministry raised objecti sports ministry official, the is-
household work. Keeping fit at a job well done. ons over the posts due to non- sue was also regarding former
the gym at home and running compliance with the National AITA secretary general Khan-
after his two-year-old, the Test You don’t have a Test centu- Sports Development Code of na’s continuation as life presi-
specialist is also getting men- ry in New Zealand. Is it a India. A top AITA official told dent over cooling-off period as
tally ready to play the big challenge you haven’t been this daily that this has been he completed two terms of
knocks. Excerpts from a chat able to handle? communicated to the persons four years as secretary. Khan-
with this daily... I wouldn’t say I’ve been a total holding these posts. na had a long tussle over cool-
failure there. I played just four The AITA official said that ing off period with the minis-
Are you as patient at home Tests and there was a gap of six around mid-March, the asso- try since his election as
as you are at the crease? years between the two series. ciation had received a com- president in 2012. He stepped
Not really. I’m not good at doing The problem with a two-Test munication from the sports down in 2016. This, according
household stuff. But I’m im- series is when you settle down, ministry, raising objection to to AITA, is not true. An AITA
proving. Being professional get into rhythm and realise the posts of life presidents official said it was never
players, we spend a lot of time what’s right and wrong, the se- and life vice presidents. Since about this. The AITA official
away from home. Now I am in ries is over. This time I thought there was no point going dismissed the notion that it
a situation where I get to spend I was doing well and got out af- against the sports ministry was an issue of recognition
a lot of time with family. That’s ter getting a fifty, which was again, after it got its recogni- since the annual recognition
one positive. I can’t cook, but I due to a mistake I made I must tion back in 2017 after comply- process is not over.
help my wife prepare dishes, agree. Yes, we didn’t win the se- ing with the sports code, the Meanwhile, AITA is on a
clean and run after Aditi. I try everyday at the gym at home. have a good bunch of players. fifties in those. Even though I ries, but personally I won’t call association thought it pru- collision course with the
and do things I didn’t in the Being engaged in these They just needed a bit of guid- set high standards for myself, it a total failure. There were dent to abolish these posts. sports ministry after its secre-
past. During the lockdown things leaves little time ance in terms of how to put in the seventies and eighties also things to learn and reasons to The AITA website lists two tary-general reportedly found
period, it’s important to for hobbies. the hard work in the right way. help the team. If you score a be positive. sets of life posts — life presi- sports secretary RS Julani-
help family members. I We made them understand it’s fifty every second innings, it’s dents with SM Krishna, ya’s suggestion to take help
share the work. How satisfying was a team and practised with re- not that bad. I take it in a posi- There were talks of strike Yashwant Sinha and Anil from PT teachers to scout tal-
winning the Ranji spect to areas that we needed to tive way. I batted well, be it in rate and rotation of strike in Khanna in the mix and ent baffling. “How can we
Doing anything that Trophy? work on. Unadkat’s perfor- Ranji Trophy or Test matches. the past. Have things settled Shatrughan Sinha and six scout with PT teachers?” was
you normally don’t? It was quite big, for me mance was massive and he de- I’m confident that when things down? others in the life vice presi- what the official said.
After taking care of a and for the Saurashtra serves all the accolades. We’re settle down and we start play- Things have changed and I am dents’ posts. According to In response, Julaniya said:
young child and helping with team. After we lost the final good friends and were in touch ing, things will fall in place and more settled down now. The AITA, an internal decision “My position is clear, unless
things at home, there isn’t last year, we had a chat right af- throughout the season. It was a the big knocks will come. team management has under- has been taken and communi- you scout in the grassroots,
much time for anything else ter that. I spoke. Jaydev Unad- collective effort. stood what my role is, what is cated to all members who no talent can develop,” he
(like reading or watching mov- kat spoke. We told the boys we Assessing a season a few expected of my batting and have been holding these posi- said. “You can’t depend on
ies). Aditi is full of energy and were capable. It didn’t happen You haven’t scored a Test years back, you had regret- what works for me. Everyone tions some 10 days ago. university professors with
wants to play all the time. although we came very close. century since the 2018-19 ted saying ‘too many fifties’. has realised how I can contrib- All other formalities of rat- PhDs, you need primary
Sometimes at night, we watch We told the boys we will do it tour of Australia. Do these Do you consider fifties a job ute. One has to play according ifying it in the house will hap- teachers too. Certain teachers
a bit of TV. I have to stay fit ir- next year. The secret was, they things bother you? well done? to his strengths. That’s what I pen soon after assessing the who are working in the grass-
respective of what is happen- were confident. The process We haven’t played many Tests I do. It’s true that a century try to do instead of getting wor- lockdown situation. Accord- roots can be relied upon to
ing. So I’m doing my routines started before the season. We after that (nine). I scored five puts the opposition under ried about what is being said. ing to the official, an execu- scout.”
Team benefits more

HELPING HANDS
Women’s hockey team
pleasing for Sharath

CHENNAI:The Indian women’s
hockey team has started a
fitness challenge to raise funds
for poor and migrant families
whose lives and livelihoods
have been devastated because
AYA N TA N C H O W D H U R Y @ New Delhi He was even more enthused of the COVID-19 pandemic.
about the fact that India moved “The challenge,” a press release
EVER since the International up to No 8 in the world team from Hockey India (HI) says,
Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) rankings, the highest they have “will see members of the Indian
came out with the announce- ever been. “It shows that all of women’s hockey team come up
ment they would update the us as a whole have really im- with fitness tasks that range
April rankings by the 15th of proved. As long as we keep go- from burpees, lunges, squats to
this month, A Sharath Kamal ing in the right direction, re- spider man pushups, pogo hops
had been checking the website sults will follow in the future.” and more. Each day a player
daily. When the list finally came But considering the team im- will give a new challenge and
out on Thursday, the Padma provement, there is this linger- tag 10 people on their social
Shri awardee became India’s ing feeling of a golden opportu- media handles, to take up the
nity wasted when India failed to challenge and donate `100 to
qualify as a team for the now- the fundraiser.” Captain Rani
postponed Tokyo Olympics. Rampal announced the
“My daughter actually asked challenge on her Twitter
me when I was going through handle, @imranirampal. “Our
the rankings why we were not entire team has decided to help
in the list despite being higher the needy families during these
placed than quite a few who tough times of Covid-19 & help
made the cut. I just sighed and us reach the goal to feed 1000
left it at that.” families by donating `100.”
While the 37-year-old has not People can donate on ketto.
been too bothered about rank- WINDOW OF HOPE org, a fundraising platform. So
ings in his career, this was spe- far, the initiative has raised
cial, considering that he can With Bundesliga hoping to get a go-ahead from the government to resume in May, leaders Bayern Munich had a training session at Munich on Thursday | AFP close to `2,00,000 and the
If I suddenly go down the ladder,
claim to be the one who won the target is `15 lakh.
people will start reminding me of my
last ITTF tournament before
PL clubs committed to complete 2019/20 season

age and that will spell doom. I’m just
glad that I’m maintaining my the COVID-19 threat disrupted
standard over the years. the calendar. Also, any valida- Cricket Club of India
tion in rankings means he can
A Sharath Kamal, World No 31 continue to play without being MUMBAI: The Cricket Club of
reminded of thinking about the A F P @ London the campaign by the end of May 7, leaving English football being of players, coaches, ma India (CCI) will donate `51 lakh
highest ranked paddler at future. June. But it is understood that to play a waiting game. There nagers, club staff and support- to the Maharastra Chief
World No 31. He surpassed G “If I suddenly go down the PREMIER League clubs re- the 20 clubs did not discuss is a general acceptance among ers are our priority and the Minister’s relief fund. Club
Sathiyan to occupy the slot. ladder, people will start remind- main committed to finishing wrapping up the remaining 92 clubs that matches will be league will only restart when president Premal Udani said an
But he doesn’t want to hear any- ing me of my age and that will the top-flight season but did Premier League fixtures by played behind closed doors if medical guidance allows,” it additional `50 lakh will be
thing of that sort. “It is not a spell doom,” he said laughing. not set a June 30 deadline to then when they met on a con- the competition can resume, said. “Shareholders’ meeting raised from donations from
competition between Indians. “I’m just glad that I’m main- complete the fixture list at a ference call with league chiefs. with restrictions on mass gath- provided an opportunity to dis- members, which will be used for
We are all playing to make the taining my standard over the meeting on Friday. With fears that failure to fin- erings likely to remain in force cuss possible scheduling mod- community purposes. “We will
country proud. I’m just glad years. I was World No 30 last With the English top flight ish the season could cost the for the foreseeable future. els. It remains our objective to pay all our staff and workers.
that the risk I took by going and year. Maybe if I improve upon on ice since mid-March due to PL more than $1.2 billion, clubs A Premier League statement complete the 2019/20 season We will also help our ex-worke
playing in Oman despite the that as well, I can tell my wife to the coronavirus, it had been re- looked at various models for a said a number of complex sce- but at this stage all dates are rs,” said Udani. CCI, located at
coronavirus threat bore fruit,” allow me to keep playing for ported that as many as nine potential return to action. narios were being worked tentative while the impact of Brabourne stadium, is an
Sharath told this daily. some more time!”. clubs were keen to complete Britain is on lockdown until through. “The health and well- COVID-19 develops.” associate member of the BCCI.
TRENDING ONLINE
Stuck in Dhanbad, Nadeem unable to travel to Kolkata for wife’s treatment

F I R O Z M I R Z A @ Chennai few medical tests. “She has fat- them of the medical condition sons. “She needs to undergo a touch with these people and
ty liver and has been undergo- of his wife, but they did not re- few tests including MRI. I have will continue doing things
THOUSANDS of people are ing treatment for four-five lent as they thought it was not enquired in Dhanbad but hos- which can help them.”
stuck in different places across months. She is taking medi- an emergency case,” said SA pitals do not have facility for all Apart from extending help to
the country due to the lock- cines as prescribed by the doc- Rahman, former secretary of these tests. I have spoken to a the poor, the cricketer is doing
down imposed to check the cor- tors, but right now she is feel- the Dhanbad Cricket Associa- few of my acquaintances and basic fitness training in Jharia.
onavirus pandemic. Among ing weakness and nausea,” tion and Nadeem’s childhood sought their help. I will also try Had the situation been normal,
them is spinner Shahbaz Na- Nadeem told this daily. coach. to speak to West Bengal govern- he would have been represent-
deem, who is locked up at his The 30-year-old took permis- Nadeem made his long-await- ment,” Nadeem added. ing Sunrisers Hyderabad in the
in-laws in Jharia in Dhanbad. sion from Dhanbad district ad- ed international debut last Speaking on the situation Indian Premier League this
While the left-arm spinner ministration and left for Kolka- year, when he played in the due to the pandemic, the pro- time of the year. However,
did his bit distributing essenti ta a couple of days ago but was third Test against South Africa lific domestic cricketer said, wife’s health is priority for Na-
al commodities to around 350 stopped at the Jharkhand-West at his home ground in Ranchi. “We need to help those in dire deem at the moment. “I sincere-
families in nearby slums, he is Bengal border near Barakar. The debut came after stellar straits due to the countrywide ly believe I will get the permis-
desperately seeking help at the “He was not allowed to enter seasons with Jharkhand, dur- lockdown. We supplied essen- sion soon. She is doing fine and
moment so that he can leave for West Bengal. Cops heard Na- ing which he ended up as the tials to needy families with per- will be alright on getting the
Kolkata to ensure that his wife deem, but told him that they highest wicket-taker in the mission from the district ad- needed medical attention,” Na-
Saman Akhtar can undergo a cannot let them in. He told Ranji Trophy in successive sea- ministration. We are still in deem signed off.
In order to help users properly and regularly wash their hands, Google has updated
Wear OS smartwatches with a handy handwashing timer. Wear OS v5.4.0 update
will now receive alerts from the Clock app on their wearables, telling them to
wash their hands thoroughly for 40 seconds, 9To5Google reported.

 
newindianexpress com
Paper towels Will Japan’s anti-flu drug

Effects of All the research is
REFLECTING SUNLIGHT theoretical... so this an
bleaching in absolute world first to
Indonesia’s
remove viruses
The experiment involves go out and actually try
Wakatobi
work on Covid-19 patients?

cooling waters around the reef and take seawater and
by making clouds reflect more archipelago turn it into these cloud condensation nuclei
better than sunlight

Researchers did this by using a
Daniel Harrison, project’s lead scientist
hand dryers
boat-mounted fan similar to a LONG TIME TO
snow cannon to shoot salt PROVE THEORY
crystals into the air Favipiravir is used during flu outbreaks, but animal studies show it
VIRAL DISPERSAL Despite the success of the affects foetal development; is not prescribed for pregnant women
experiment, at least four
PROMISING RESULTS years of research would be
LONDON: Using paper towels to
dry hands is substantially more needed to prove the theory CLINICAL TRIALS looking at a variety of factors.
Researchers from Southern
effective than jet dryers for re- Cross University said the They include clinical out-
moving viruses, including the results from the trial RESEARCH TOKYO: It is approved for use comes — meaning effects on
novel coronavirus that causes were encouraging in flu outbreaks and has been fever, cough, oxygenation, re-
Covid-19, according to a study. The experiment was carried out deployed to treat Ebola, but covery time and time spent in
Hand drying is important to by Southern Cross University and now Avigan is being trialled as hospital — as well as how
minimise the spread of danger- the Sydney Institute of Marine Science a p o t e n t i a l c o r o n av i r u s quickly the virus clears the sys-
ous microbes since failure to re- treatment. tem, along with x-rays or CT
move them increases transfer to It was performed last month, before a Avigan is the brand name of scans for pneumonia.
environmental surfaces and in- comprehensive scientific survey found that the drug Favipiravir. It was de-
creases the opportunities for the reef had suffered its most widespread veloped by what is now known
What sets these trials apart?
transmission and spread, re- coral bleaching on record as Fujifilm Toyama Chemical While doctors have already
searchers said. and approved for use in Japan been experimenting with Favi-
The researchers, including BIG TURBINES REQUIRED in 2014. But in Japan, it is only piravir for treating coronavi-
those from University of Leeds, approved for use in flu out- rus patients, these trials will be
To have a significant impact on the reef, a
investigated whether there are dif- breaks that aren’t being effec- conducted according to rigor-
full-scale experiment would need to be 10
ferences in extent of virus trans- tively addressed by existing ous guidelines intended to en-
times larger, involving the use of several big
mission, according to hand drying medications. It is not available Representational image sure the drug is safe and effec-
barge-mounted turbines
method, beyond the washroom to on the market and can only be tive across a broad range of
the hospital environment. manufactured and distributed drug could help shorten recov- patients.
70%
Four volunteers simulated con- Researchers claim that if the at the request of the Japanese ery time for patients, with Chi- “Smaller studies have been
tamination of their gloved hands experiment works it could reduce government. na’s ministry of science and reported but it’s hard to draw
using a bacteriophage — a virus the bleaching stress by about Favipiravir works by block- technology hailing it as yield- conclusions from these as pa-
that infects bacteria and is harm- ing the ability of a virus to rep- i n g “ ve r y g o o d c l i n i c a l tient numbers are small and
less to humans. Their hands were licate inside a cell. results”. the trials often don’t compare
not washed after contamination Researchers said the effectiveness of the There are some safety con- There are currently around versus (a regime of) best sup-
— this was to simulate inade- cloud-brightening technique would drop cerns: it has been shown in ani- five clinical trials ongoing in portive care and placebo, more
quately washed hands. Hands significantly as the ocean warms further mal studies to affect foetal de- countries including the US, Ita- often to another drug,” said
were dried using either paper tow- velopment, meaning it is not ly and Japan, where Fujifilm Stephen Griffin, a virologist at
els (PT) or a jet air dryer (JAD). WHAT IS BLEACHING given to pregnant women, and announced it would be testing the University of Leeds.
Each volunteer wore an apron, some doctors say they would the drug’s efficacy on a group
to enable measurement of cloth- not recommend it for children of 100 patients through until
Comparison with other drugs
Bleaching occurs
ing contamination during hand when healthy corals or adolescents. the end of June. Scientists are studying a wide
drying. Hand drying was per- become stressed by The Japan study will involve variety of drugs for possible
formed in a hospital public toilet
Can it be used for Covid-19? administering the drug for up treatment of coronavirus pa-
changes in ocean
and, after exiting, samples were temperatures — Some doctors began trying to 14 days to patients between tients, including Remdesivir,
collected from public and ward ar- causing them to Favipiravir to treat coronavi- 20 and 74 with mild pneumonia. another antiviral. One study of
eas. Surface sites were sampled FILE expel algae, which rus patients early on, reason- Gaetan Burgio, a geneticist at the two drugs as a treatment for
following contact with hands or ing that its anti-viral proper- Australian National Universi- coronavirus found Favipiravir
3RD
drains them of their
apron. The team found that both ties would be applicable. Some ty’s College of Health and Med- was only effective at relatively
JAD and PT methods statistically
significantly reduced virus con-
Climate engineering to vibrant colours
GREAT BARRIER
initial results suggested the icine, said the trials would be high concentrations.
tamination of hands.
According to the researchers, solve coral bleaching REEF IN DANGER
Warmer seas caused
mass bleaching
event in the past
for 10 out of 11 surfaces, signifi- by climate change five years,
cantly greater environmental An ambitious “cloud brightening” experiment has have damaged the raising fears that
contamination was detected after been carried out over Australia’s Great Barrier Reef health of the Great much of the
JAD versus PT use. Viral disper- in an early-stage trial that scientists hope could Barrier Reef, the reef’s coral could
sal to clothing was 5-fold higher become a futuristic way to protect the coral from world’s largest be permanently
with JAD compared to PT, the re- global warming. We take a look coral system damaged
searchers added.
Alexa gets new PLAYSTORE UPDATES ITS POLICIES

speaking style TRANSPARENCY
NATURAL PAUSES
S earch engine giant Google has announced a series of new policies
to force developers disclose exactly how much and what they are
A mazon has introduced a

new speaking style for Al-
exa and also added some
charging for. Starting on June 16, apps will have to be clear about the
terms of their paid subscriptions, and free trials and will need to pro-
vide a transparent way for users to cancel them, The Verge reported
speaking styles for other Arti- on Thursday. Google is also reminding developers that its new ap-
ficial Intelligence (AI) voices. proval process for apps that want background location access will start
The feature was introduced going into effect in August. With this, developers will have to specify
back in November and now, whether a subscription is required to use all or parts of the app. App
starting this week in the US, developers have to state the cost of the subscription.
developers can
use the style
Greenland ice loss causes

which is opti-
mised for large
amounts of textu-
al information, to
40 per cent rise in sea level

read aloud web
pages, articles and more.
“Powered by a deep-learning
text-to-speech model, the long-
form speaking style enables RECORD SHRINKING tion are the forces driving it, the au-
Alexa to speak with more nat- thors reported this week in The Cry-
ural pauses while going from PAR IS: T he kilo me t re s-t h ick osphere, a peer-reviewed journal
one paragraph to the next or icesheet that covers Greenland saw published by the European Geo-
even from one dialog to anoth- a near-record imbalance last year be- sciences Union.
er between different charac- tween new snowfall and the dis- More than half the dramatic loss
ters,” Amazon said on its de- charge of meltwater and ice into the in 2019 was due not to warmer-than-
veloper website on Thursday. ocean, scientists have reported. average air temperatures, but
A net loss of 600 billion rather unusual high-pressure
tonnes was enough to raise weather systems linked to
18mn malware the global watermark 1.5 mil-
limetres, about 40 per cent of
global warming, said
researchers.
linked to virus total sea level rise in 2019.

The Greenland icesheet — which,
until the end of the 20th century ac-
These anticyclone conditions
blocked the formation of clouds
over southern Greenland, causing
cumulated as much mass as it shed unfiltered sunlight to melt the
— holds enough frozen water to lift icesheet surface.
the world’s oceans by seven metres. Fewer clouds also meant less snow
Almost as alarming, however, as the — 100 billion tons below the 1980-
icesheet’s accelerating disintegra- 1999 average.
PHISHING EMAILS
G oogle on Friday said it saw

18 million daily malware
and phishing emails related to
Covid-19 last week, revealing
how the bad actors are working
overtime to target people work-
ing from home and facing other
restrictions due the pandemic.
This is in addition to more than
240 million Covid-related daily
spam messages, Google said in
a blog post. The phishing at-
tacks and scams that Google is
seeing daily, use both fear and
financial incentives to create
urgency to try to prompt users
to respond. Scamsters some-
times impersonate authorita-
tive government organisations
like WHO to solicit fraudulent
donations or distribute
malware.
READSHAREFOLLOW
newindianexpress.com
Mail us: bengalurucityexpress@gmail.com
18  04  2020
SATURDAY
Charan Raj credits Duniya

DAY ’S D I A RY
NOBEL PRIZE CAUSE OF DEATH ON THE PERIODIC TABLE
Death anniversary
German physicist Albert Einstein,
While best known for his mass–energy
equivalence, he received the 1921 Nobel Prize
Einstein died of internal
bleeding at the age of 76. His
The 99th element in
the periodic table was Vijay for Salaga’s score
who developed the special and in Physics “for his services to Theoretical brain was removed by the discovered shortly after
general theories of relativity, died Physics, and especially for his discovery of pathologist to try to understand Einstein’s death, and it was
on this day in 1955 the law of the photoelectric effect” what made him so intelligent named ‘Einsteinium’ PG 4
PLOT POINT
An assassin has been paid to LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION.... IN WRITE SPIRIT
IN ISOLATION
murder his client’s ex-wife,
who is living with her current
Y
our plans may have got stalled during the lockdown but
husband. While the couple yell let your creativity flow. The New Indian Express, Ben-
at each other from different galuru, and HarperCollins Publishers India bring to
rooms, over a tiff, the assassin you a story writing contest, where 10 budding writers stand
enters the house to finish his a chance to win exciting prizes.
Please submit original works of fiction, along with a title,
assignment. It is soon revealed Danish Sait in English written in 600 words or less. Only one entry per
that the couple is in different person is allowed. Five winning submissions will be
rooms because of one them is featured in Bengaluru City Express and Harper Broadcast,
quarantined after testing posi- Saad Khan’s of the movie. an award winning e-newsletter from HarperCollins India
While the whole film was with over 18,000 subscribers. Five others will win one Kindle
tive for COVID-19. The assassin, newly-released written, shot and edited in six book each.
however, is not aware of it. short film, days, it took one day for Khan
to write the script, which was LAST DATE FOR SUBMISSIONS IS APRIL 27, 2020.
featuring actor then emailed to all the actors. WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON MAY 4.
Danish Sait, social The actors and the editor dis-
cussed the rundown over a vid-
Contest open to residents of Bengaluru only.
Send your submissions to bengalurucityexpress@gmail.
media influencer eo call after which they shot the com with the subject: ‘Writing contest entry’
individual scenes at their re-
Disha Madan spective homes. To give the film
and comedian a professional touch, Khan
even asked the actors to shoot
Vamshidhar from two different angles. He
Bhogaraju, is about says the plot came from one
seed of thought about what an
what an assassin assassin would do during this
would do during time. “The best part about do-
ing anything is to just go for it.
this time; each Disha Madan Sometimes we overthink, try to
We even took care of actor shot their own polish it further and that’s
all the specifications, when we lose the plot. Though
like the colour of part at home ● Monika Monalisa himself. And no, there was no my idea was raw, I decided to
violation of the lockdown rules pursue it,” says Khan, who has
I
clothes to be worn during the making of this short been posting a lot of live videos
by each actor so t’s still a task to be able to film. All the scenes were shot with Sait on his Instagram han-
find a way to smile in on phone camera by the actors dle since the lockdown began.
that it enhances the these tough times. But in their respective homes. Fans can even look forward to
character Saad Khan’s recently-re- Sait’s scenes were shot by his another video before the lock-
—Saad Khan leased short film, COVID- mother while Madan’s hus- down ends.
iot Positive, can still man- band took care of her parts and After the success of the mov- WEDDING BELLS
age to tickle your funny Bhogaraju handed the respon- ie, Humble Politician Nograj, Nikhil Kumaraswamy, son of former Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy,
Vamshidhar bone. The six-minute sibility to his wife. Khan took Khan is coming up with a web- ties the knot with Revathi, the grand-niece of Congress leader and
Bhogaraju film stars the cast of help of his brother. All the indi- series with the same title. Sait, realtor M Krishnappa, in Ramanagara on Friday.
his upcoming com- vidual scenes were then who plays the title role, has
ing webseries, stitched together into a single been releasing videos of his
Humble Poli- film by editor Arjun Choudary. mono acts, giving an account
tician Nograj “I had the whole movie planned of the current situation with a
– Danish in my head. We even took care touch of humour. The web-
Sait, Disha of all the specifications, like series also stars comedian-
Madan, the colour of clothes to be worn writer Bhogaraju and Madan,
Vamshid- by each actor so that it enhanc- a leading social media influenc-
har Bhoga- es the character,” says Khan, er with over 5.5 lakh followers
raju and Khan who also wrote the screenplay on Instagram.
‘I’VE FORGOTTEN MY LIFE AS CEO’ ‘WE SHOULDN’T HAVE

● Vidya Iyengar say, ‘You are in a big job, you
will be,’ and encouraged me. I
am married to someone who is
your competence and not with
your gender,” she said.
Highly critical of herself,
I was overly critical of
TOP-DOWN APPROACH’
W
myself. I would get the
T
hen Indra Nooyi stepped incredibly supportive, but Nooyi had one piece of advice he biggest prob-
down as PepsiCo CEO in more so, his parents and my to women: Don’t be like me. “I highest grading during lem for Bengaluru
2018, people around her parents have really been sup- was overly critical of myself. I appraisals and I would is its elite central-
assumed that she would portive. My daughters may not would get the highest grading ised government.
dreadfully miss her role and appreciate it as much... but during appraisals and I would
look at my boss and say, When I say elite,
company which she had been that’s how it is... full of trade- look at my boss and say, ‘I don’t ‘I don’t deserve this’ it’s about one person decid-
associated with for over two offs. You have to set aside guilt deserve this’. We tend to put ing for 99 per cent of the
—Indra Nooyi
decades. But surprisingly, and juggle priorities,” she said, ourselves down. At the same population, which has to
Nooyi found herself enjoying adding that she is currently time, it’s easy to say don’t let stop. There has to be a
her new life, delighted not to be working on her book, which is critics get to you, but at some ground-up planning based
doing what she used to do. “I’ve likely to be released next year. point, they do. I would agonise
 Behram Siganporia, on participatory decision-
honestly forgotten that life. It’s Nooyi let her audience in that over it and that was my flaw,” musician making, so that everybody’s
T
now about teaching, enjoying as she reads her book, which is said Nooyi, adding that she interest get reflected. As a
time with family and looking to work-in-progress, and touches made sure she projected a com- his is a rare opportuni- result, the imagination of
advising start-ups,” Nooyi said upon integrating work and posed and confident look, ty that we are getting, to the city will include you, not
during an hour-long online ses- family. knowing that several people stay home, relax, rest, exclude you, as it is today.  Leo Saldanha
sion organised by Millennium She recalled her early days in would be looking to her every and catch up on sleep. The individual should Enviromentalist and
Mams’, an organisation started the corporate world when she morning as she walked We ignore the importance of learn to work as a network citizen activist
by two men, Bishnu Dhanuka was not just one of the few into the office. “The sleep in our day-to-day hustle. of interest groups – could
and Sanjay Bhuwania, that women in business, but also an life of a CEO is very Everyone’s busy, and we tend to be a particular interest or lions and all this is because
works towards financial litera- immigrant woman of colour. lonely. You can’t come ignore some basic things like common cause, and try to of centralised decision-
cy of women through classes “Even to this day, the number home and discuss is- sleep. This is also a good chance mobilise public voice to making system. So if you
on finance and investment. of women in meetings is about sues... in the little for people who are staying with make sure the local govern- manage your local govern-
Addressing an all-women’s 30-40 per cent. It’s still not 50 time that you have, their families to get closer and ments function from the ment wisely, then a disaster
audience Nooyi wonders if that per cent. We need to figure out family wouldn’t spend time together. So I be- ward committee. For in- like this is minimised.
was her life after all. “There how to support each other rath- want to talk lieve this is a good opportunity stance, the ongoing issue of Ward management in the
were times that I was exhaust- er than compete with each oth- about those,” for everyone to kind of reset COVID-19 pandemic should city has been terrible but at
ed, but my father-in-law would er. It’s about competing with she said. and reflect, and also under- not be managed from the least the ward committees
stand the kind top down, but from the bot- have been functioning,. If it
of impact they tom up. The government was fully functional, it
CORONA WARRIOR have on the has been doing it complete- would have been better
planet. This is ly opposite of what public at managing the chaos
also a great health management re- in the city in a normal
For ‘fur’-reaching
● Monika Monalisa their way but it looked more time to sup- quires. The places which circumstance.
like a case of abandonment. port artistes, have been successful have a The other issue that the
People, especially pet owners,
STAY SAFE who are doing very strong local govern- city stares at is that it has
W IMPACT
hile most people are need to understand that ani- a lot to stay ac- ment. Take, for instance, lost most of its green cover.
craving for spending mals can get infected with tive, stay rele- South Korea. Even certain People should shy away
time with their friends COVID-19 from humans but vant, and keep coming up with parts of Europe have been from being aloof and try
during this lockdown, can’t transfer it to humans,” different ways to connect with badly affected, but they are and save the green cover
Dr Anjali Athaley has no such says the 26-year-old veterinar- their followers. I have been uti- recovering because of a that the city is left with.
issues. The veterinarian’s treated over 15 injured cats. ian of four years. lising my time to write new strong local government, SOLUTION: Once you start
work schedule is more or less Though difficult to determine Though her day is chock-a- songs, make more music, work and a classic example for looking at doing things
the same despite the lock- the reason behind such behav- block, Athaley wouldn’t have out, and do some cleaning, and that is Germany. ground-up, when it comes
down. “My shift starts at 11am iour, Athaley doesn’t negate it any other way. “It’s hard to also get some much- needed But in a centralised gov- to authorities, a lot of solu-
and I still treat the same num- the possibility of this being have a work from home option rest. ernment system like India, tions will emerge automati-
ber of animals every day,” says lockdown-induced stress. in this profession. But I enjoy In my opinion, the lockdown we may not have a national cally. I don’t think one can
Athaley, who works at Bozo This stress has also been what I do. Moreover, it is an es- should be relaxed a little bit. outbreak but we had a na- point out the list of solu-
Wags, a veterinary clinic in manifesting differently. Once sential service so it won’t be Services for daily wage work- tional breakout, which is tions, because what is the
Akshaynagar. news of COVID-19 affecting an right to not be available when ers and mig rant workers the migrant worker issue. solution for my neighbour-
She has also been treating animal came out, many con- there is a requirement,” she should be open. That being Now we are staring at hun- hood might not be the one
stray animals, and points out cerned pet parents have been says, adding, “Of course, in said, there should not be an op- ger and starvation of mil- for another.
that there has been an in- reaching out to her. “Some this situation, my parents are tion for people to congregate or
crease of instances in cruelty days ago, two pedigree dogs really concerned about me gather. Courier services and de-
against them. In the past were found abandoned on the even though I take precau- livery services should also Let your mixed feelings about Bengaluru get stirred up, as an influential person
month, she and her team have streets. They might have lost tions,” she says. start off, immediately. talks about things nice and nasty about the city in this weekly column
www.newindianexpress.com
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SATURDAY
18  04  2020 2
FRUIT
FIT BIT SMOOTHIE
AMAZON KINDLE STORE PADMASANA INGREDIENTS
You can read Kindle books on your Kindle device or your phone, tablet or computer with the free Kindle Reading apps. Kindle Unlimited is a service that allows you (LOTUS POSE)  Oats - 2 tbspn
to read as much as you want, choosing from over 1 million titles. The first 30 days are free, after which it’s available for `169 a month.  Nuts - 7 - 8 pieces
Padmasana is an asana included (almonds/walnuts/
in Hatha Yoga literature that has cashews)
tremendous spiritual importance for
the practitioner. The lotus flower is an  Dates/Sugar- as per taste
eternally important spiritual symbol. (soak the dates in water
In Buddism, legends say that a lotus for 30 minutes for smooth
bloomed everywhere Buddha set his blending)
foot.  Fruits (banana/mango)- one
STEPS  Yogurt/ milk/ water.
PERMANENT WHAT THE THE STAND A GOOD  Sit on the floor or on a mat with legs
METHOD
RECORD WIND KNOWS INDIAN WIFE: stretched out in front while keeping
By Stephen King  Add all the ingredients
the spine erect.
By Edward Snowden By Amy Harmon Here is the bleak new world of the A NOVEL in a mixer-grinder and
day after, a world stripped of its  Bend the right knee and place it on
Edward Snowden reveals for the In Ireland, overcome with By Anne Cherian blend till you get the right
institutions and emptied of 99 per the left thigh. Make sure that the
first time the story of his life, memories of the man she adored Neel has an arranged marriage consistency.
including how he helped to build and consumed by a history she cent of its people. A world in which sole of the feet point upward and
a handful of panicky survivors with Leila, a teacher. They struggle the heel is close to the abdomen.
that system and what motivated never knew, Anne Gallagher is to reconcile their own desires with
him to try to bring it down. pulled into another time. choose sides -- or are chosen.  Now, repeat the same step with the - Gurkirat Dheer, Bengaluru
others’ expectations in this story
of two people, two countries, and other leg.
two ways of life.  With both the legs crossed
GOOGLE PLAY STORE and feet placed on
opposite thighs, place
your hands on the knees
in chin mudra position.
 Keep the head straight
and spine erect.
 Hold and
continue with
What’s cooking IN YOUR KITCHEN DURING THIS LOCKDOWN?
We are hungry for recipes with minimum ingredients and maximum flavours.
Share your quick-fix with us, along with step-by-step photos, at cityexpresschn@gmail.com.
gentle long
breaths in
and out. BENEFITS  Adds flexibility to hips the knees
STEVE JOBS: EVERYTHING THE PALACE NORSE  Activates the spine,  Helps pregnant women  Anyone who suffers
THE EXCLUSIVE I NEVER TOLD OF ILLUSIONS MYTHOLOGY abdomen, bladder and during childbirth from sciatica should
BIOGRAPHY YOU By Chitra Divakaruni By Neil Gaiman pelvis  Reduces menstrual not attempt this yoga
 Brings blood pressure discomfort posture
By Walter Isaacson By Celeste Ng The Palace of Illusions takes us Gaiman’s gods are thoroughly
Based on more than 40 interviews When Lydia’s body is found in the back to a time that is half-history, alive on the page – irascible, under control LIMITATIONS  In case of ankle injury,
with Steve Jobs conducted over local lake, James is consumed by half-myth, and wholly magical; visceral, playful, passionate –  Relaxes the mind do not practise this
 If anyone is weak or
two years - this is the acclaimed, guilt and sets out on a reckless narrated by Panchaali, the wife of and the tales carry us from the posture
Pandava brothers, we are given a beginning to Ragnarok and the  Improves digestion has injured knees,
bestselling biography of the path. But it’s Hannah who — By N Elumalai, PhD scholar
woman’s take on the Mahabharata. twilight of the Norse gods.  Stretches knees and avoid doing this (yoga science) at Meenakshi
ultimate icon of inventiveness. observes far more.
ankles posture as it places a Academy of Higher Education
lot of strain on & Research, Chennai
Availability and download of the free e-book is subject to creating an account with the sites.
Scan this QR code MAHABHARAT HEBBULI (KANNADA)

to find out how
POPULAR ON
Mahabharat, directed by BR Chopra, was After his brother dies, a para commando officer decides to
your favourite
first aired in October 1988 and had a total investigate the reason behind his death. However, he must
celebs are coping
of 94 episodes. The script was written by fight against the corrupt system to protect his family and
with the lockdown
the Urdu poet Rahi Masoom Raza, based find the truth.
on the original story by saint Vyasa.  Cast : Kichcha Sudeep, V Ravichandran, Amala Paul
YOUTUBE
 Cast: Nitish Bharadwaj, Praveen Kumar,

COMEBACK
Gajendra Chauhan
 Watch on: DD Bharati
 Daily at: 12 pm and 7 pm
CLASSIC
RAMAYAN UGRAMM (KANNADA)

Directed by Ramanand Sagar, Ramayan, based on A man with a dangerous past must protect a girl from those who are
Lord Ram’s life, was first aired on Doordarshan in hell bent on killing her. He fights against the thugs to stop this but
1987 and had a massive following across the country. becomes a target of the local mafia.
 Cast: Arun Govil, Deepika Chikhalia  Cast: Sri Murali, Haripriya, Thilak Shekar
and Sunil Lahri
 Watch on: DD National
 Daily at: 9 am-10 am, 9 pm-10 pm
BILLA (TAMIL)
The film revolves around Billa (Rajinikanth), a feared Mafia
CHANAKYA don in Madras, who is fatally wounded during an encounter
with the police. Wanting to uncover Billa’s accomplices, the
The series is fictionalised police commissioner Alexander (K Balaji) trains a lookalike
version of the life-history village bumpkin Rajappa (also Rajinikanth) to pose as Billa
of economist, strategist and infiltrate the gang. The rest of the film deals with how
and political theorist, Rajappa learns more about Billa’s gang, and
Chanakya, who was also tries to get all of them arrested.
UPANISHAD GANGA the royal advisor of King
The show shares the knowledge of Chandragupta Maurya.  Cast: Rajinikanth,
“Upanishads” explaining its meaning K Balaji, Thengai
 Cast: Chandraprakash Srinivasan,
in the modern context through stories. Dwivedi, Dinesh Shakul, YAARE KOOGADALI (KANNADA)
Manorama, Sripriya,
 Cast: Dwaraka Prasad Surendra Pal Two friends escape from a mental hospital and move to the city. Reena Roy and Major
 Watch on: DD Bharati  Watch on: DD National Soon they are chased by a gangster while their actual truth is Sundarrajan
revealed.
 Daily at: 6 pm  Daily at: 5 pm
 Cast: Puneet Raj Kumar, Bhavana
REGIONAL ORU CBI DIARY KURIPPU

(MALAYALAM)
HINDI TUMBBAD ENGLISH/FOREIGN THE NEWSROOM
In the rural village of Tumbbad, a Is it possible to produce good TV
Prabhakar Varma is called upon to decaying castle hides an immeasurable news and still make it popular?
investigate the death of Omana, the ancestral fortune guarded by something SPIRITED AWAY (JAPANESE) That’s the question facing volatile
daughter-in-law of a local businessman. It ancient, sinister, and monstrous. Vinayak Chihiro wanders into a magical world where a witch cable-news anchor Will McAvoy
looks like a suicide but Varma is convinced thinks he can control it, but how long rules and those who disobey her are turned into and his idealogical staff in this
it isn’t. will it be until his own greed destroys animals. drama from Aaron Sorkin.
 Cast: Mammootty, Suresh Gopi everything he’s built?  Cast: Rumi Hiragi, Miyu Irino, Mari Natsuki  Cast: Emily Mortimer, Jeff
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URVI (KANNADA) EE MA YAU (KANNADA)
After getting tricked into working at a The film revolves around the death of ROMA (SPANISH)
brothel, a medical student joins forces Vavachan, a master mason, who comes Oscar winner Alfonso Cuaron delivers
with two of her co-workers to fight their home after a lapse of time, and suddenly a vivid, emotional portrait of a
unscrupulous exploiters. meets with his death. Before his death, he LUST STORIES
domestic worker’s journey set against
shares with his son Eeshi, his desire to be In the companion to 2013’s domestic and political turmoil in
 Cast: Sruthi Hariharan,Shraddha Srinath
buried decently. But this simple gesture Bombay Talkies, four short 1970s Mexico.
 Watch on: Netflix of love and respect of a son for his father films by four of India’s biggest
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A timeless love story in the worst of time. and his involvement
dramatic downfall.
All the streaming apps can  Cast: Aadil Khan, Sadia with his customers.
 Cast: Keerthi Suresh,
Samantha Akkineni be accessed on smartphones  Watch on: Amazon Prime  Cast: Kaoru
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SATURDAY
18  04  2020 3
This too shall pass

the beauty of the human spirit. body wants their way of life
RUBINATIONS Nature lets us out of jail after
rejuvenating herself and for-
(that they had taken so much
for granted), back! No one has
RUBI CHAKRAVARTI gives us our trespasses and life any idea how much of it they
writer, actor and funny girl
turns a full circle again. Both will get back and after how
lessness in people’s psyche. It (which was alarming in itself), my uncles make me laugh with long. I too question myself.
ranges from a deep sense of but now has corrected it to 0 their wry sense of humour and How long? How long will I
Good morning, Bangalore. FOMO (fear of missing out), ec- percent! then I truly believe… that this keep washing and sanitising
A
s the manicures wear off stasy or almost maniacal hap- This is the first time I have too shall pass. everything? How long will I be
and the toes alarmingly piness, to a fear that we may seen the famous Indian resolve. Having a good laugh with the wary and petrified of coming
look the way that nature never be able to get out or touch We are a race that believes in ‘never say die’ g eriatric into contact with other people?
intended them to, and the anything! the concept of dharma and kar- twosome always puts me in a I am such a ‘touchy feely’
joys of experimenting with ex- After having numerous con- ma and somehow, that is very good mood. I can then truly see type of person. Not hugging
otic looking dishes wears thin, versations with people from all re-assuring. I find myself seek- the humour behind the and distancing myself
the ladies of Bangalore have age groups, I’ve come to the ing out the company (telephon- ‘lockdown woes’. Some aunties seems like a punishment.
started to protest! There is a conclusion that a majority of ically, of course) of the older who never failed to tell me, ‘’I We talk of a ‘new normal’. Ex-
veritable clamour to get back them aren’t very clear about generation whose resolve, pa- really don’t know how you actly what will that be? Or do
the bevy of ‘mother’s little what they want to do after the tience and logic has so much can socialise so much Rubi! we just figure it out as
helpers’! Well-heeled ladies lockdown is lifted. People who meaning. My 86-year-old uncle I’m such a homebody... for me, we go along?
have started a protest in their are in business are putting on who lives in Jaipur and my it is just my home and family’, While we mourn the loss of
respective buildings and socie- either a brave or a nonchalant friend’s 90-year-old father who seem to be the ones having our familiar lifestyle afraid we
ties, who have banned their en- face, especially since our gov- lives in Delhi instill in me a the hardest time staying at ‘might’ die, there are hundreds
try. It’s only been three weeks ernment is conveniently vague type of strength that is almost home! They are pining to meet who are dying in our country.
and that’s not a really long time about their plans on how to re- inexplicable! They often talk of up with each other, conduct We are all concerned about our
in one’s life, but this social and vive the economy. Barclays had the resilience of the human and diseases that occur every through all this, they assure beauty and singing competi- survival. But today, let us be
physical distancing has left a initially estimated India’s GDP race, the re-occurrence of pan- century, the horrors of war, me, we get to see the greatest tions and generally deck up in grateful to have survived yet
feeling of depression and rest- growth at 2.5 per cent for 2020 demic-proportioned disasters famine and pestilence. But acts of sacrifice, courage and their best silk sarees. Every- another day.
By The
OFF THE
● Express Features
Way
O
ver the last 15 days,
Nisha Jain Doshi has
spent many afternoons
FIELD
– when she might have
otherwise taken a siesta – and
several late nights creating
Birthday girl art. Struck by the current
Aindrita Ray might have outbreak and its consequenc-
es, Doshi has done some intri-
celebrated her birthday in
cate sand art, which depicts
lockdown but not with- the scenario. While the first
out her industry friends slide depicts a happy family,
making it special for her. the second portrays foreign
Painting a grainy picture

Actors like Ragini Dwived, travel, depicted through icon-
Samyukta Hornad, ic monuments like the Eiffel
Pannaga Bharanna and Tower in Paris and the Lon-
Priyanka Upendra took BOCA Juniors don Eye. Hospital beds and
worried faces mark the next
to Instagram to wish their India’s new work and so on. “I first came thoughts and emotions details on a 2-feet by 3-feet
friend on her birthday home workout up with a story line – of a through art, particularly light table (translucent glass)
on Friday. series on family affected by the virus sand art. For instance, when has been quite a task for the
COVID-19, which toppled the Nirbhaya case happened, artist who admits that aching
YouTube aims their lives just like the lives I took to this medium to de- eyes, hands, legs and back are
to help young of millions of people across pict the situation. I’ve also a part of the process. “You
the globe – and then started done this for issues like alco- need slender fingers for the
footballers working on the drawings,” hol, drugs or saving water,” fine drawings, including that
continue their says Doshi, emphasising that she says, adding that in this of drawing the hospital
training despite every detail in the 11 slides
has been done by hand.
case, the idea was also to pay
tribute to those doctors, secu-
scenario. So much has to be
packed into a small space, and
The video series is free for all the lockdown The self-taught artist runs rity personnel and oth- it can be quite a challenge.
Creatistique – Connected by er essential service More so since my work
Colours, which among other providers who are was being recorded live by
● Express Features are their prime skills of focus, activities, conducts paint par- fighting at the my family. This requires
most of which are individual ties and workshops across frontline. 200 per cent concentra-
L
attributes. “In the harder work- age groups. She realised her Every day, Doshi tion,” she says, adding,
ike everything else outs, we showcase advanced potential when she partici- took out two-and-a- “ Yo u cannot
during this lock- skills such as quick and double pated in a competition among half hours away allow any sand to
Dance like JLo down, football as we turns, ball retrieval, etc. We members of her community from family and splutter. Even a
know it has also have advised students who are where she went on to win the her young chil- grain here and
Guess who is the newbie come to a halt, leav- unable to perform this to stick all-India level competition. dren to work on there is caught
to join TikTok? Actor ing young talents to the basic skill workouts and “Every time there’s been a this DIY project. in a live
Shubra Aiyappa joined the with no options to train. BOCA to gradually move to the en- situation, I’ve expressed my Creating minute recording.”
platform with a bang. She Juniors India, the local chapter hanced versions over a period
of Argentina Club Atletico of time,” he says, adding that
put up a video showing her Boca Juniors, is now bringing while a few trial runs featuring
Storytelling
dance moves on Jennifer about an alternative with home students were under the works, also be told in sign language.
Lopez’s Superbowl dance ● Express Features
workouts and skill-based chal- a complete live session is set to The storytellers include B
performance. “Goofing lenges on their YouTube chan- be held on April 18. Jayashri (Kannada), Ratna
goes online W
around with my first tik nel. CEO and founder Sunanda The series is free for all. Das ondering how to keep Pathak Shah (English), Arund-
tok . And It had to be for Das states that the exercises states that while on-field train- your child occupied dur- hati Nag (Kannada and Eng-
my forever idol @jlo,” she under the ‘Home Workout Se- ing is on a pause, keeping ing the extended lock- lish), MD Pallavi (Kannada and
ries’ are divided into various young talents engaged is cru- down? City-based Ranga English) and Padmavati Rao
captioned the video stages. “We make it a bit in- cial in order to keep their skills Shankara might be able to help (Hindi and English).
on Instagram. tense. We have uploaded 15 vid- intact. “We’ll have regular ses- you. The theatre space’s story- “Today, more than ever be-
eos in the series, each training sions with kids every week. We telling programme goes digital fore, as we look into the way we
is around 4 - 6 minutes and is are also looking to hold sessions
We have uploaded 15 with 22 stories in six languages have conducted our lives and
broken into four parts. We start with professional players from videos, each training by 15 of the country’s renowned the kind of world we are going
with warm-up and guidelines to the UK and Argentina, where is around 4-6 minutes. theatre artistes. The programme to bequeath to the little ones,
follow, before we move on to fit- the kids get an opportunity to in- We start with warm- will be streamed every day for 10 we need to share with them sto-
ness exercises and ball-skills,” teract with the players,” he says, days on Ranga Shankara’s You- ries. Stories that will enlarge
says Das, adding that while the adding that the academy also
up and guidelines to Tube channel, starting April 18. their sense of self sufficiency,
workouts were initially only for plans to enforce new rules once follow, before we move There will be two stories every respect for others, sense of jus-
the academy students, shortly the on-field training resumes. on to fitness exercises morning, at 11 am and 11.20 am. tice, sharing, caring and many
after its first release, it was “There will be a no-contact rule and ball-skills The stories are for children more ways to negotiate and
made accessible to all. for a month or two, which means in the age group 3 to 6 years and shape the different world
Das emphasises that small we’ll practise long-shooting and
– Sunanda Das, CEO, above 6. Besides content in ahead,” says Arundhati Nag,
BOCA Juniors India
touches, ball control/master- passing, keeping the safety Ratna Pathak Shah will be Kannada, English, Hindi, Ta- artistic advisor of Ranga
ing, reaction and movement, guidelines in mind,” he says. one of the storytellers mil and Bengali, stories will Shankara.
be off and running in no time. In
WHAT’S NEW? PLAY

ON
fact, although Three Kingdoms
still can be a little obtuse at times
about how certain mechanics
Black Mesa Arjun Sukumaran work, this is by far the most ac-
cessible Total War game yet. I’d
In development for more than a http://goo.gl/uNBWN3
go so far as to say that, if you’re
decade, Black Mesa (the official (Arjun is a gamer, book lover and new to Total War, this is the best
an all-round renaissance man)
non-Valve remaster of Half-Life) is entry point to the franchise. The
strategic management of earlier
C
finally out and reviews appear to reative Assembly’s Total games has been streamlined
be conclusive that it was worth the War series has always without losing too much depth,
wait. Half-Life is one of the greatest been known for its com- and the overall result is a game
games of all time, and this The Last of Us Part II mitment to providing a where you’ll be engaging in
Everything is
deep strategic historical simula- sweeping campaigns or deft di-
labour of love looks like it’s well No industry has been left unaffected by tion. So, when they announced plomacy much more than star-
worth exploring. the coronavirus, and The Last of Us Part they were doing a Warhammer- ing at menu after menu.
awesome in
II is probably the highest-profile game themed Total War, many people It also deserves mentioning
did a spit-take; but that proved that Three Kingdoms is an abso-
to be delayed by the outbreak (so far!). to be one of the best Total War lutely stunning game. This is
Total War
Disappointing, as the game was at the games in years. Now, they’re re- one of the best-looking games
top of most people’s 2020 lists, but the turning to historical themes — I’ve played recently, and the
specifically, ancient China — overall presentation is nothing
announcement did also say that the with Three Kingdoms. short of jaw-dropping at times.
game was largely done, so also As the name suggests, Total The sound design, the music,
reason to be optimistic. War: Three Kingdoms is based the artistic touches — this is a
on the famous Romance of the titanic duels, calling on RPG- nasty is teetering on the brink example, seeks to unify the rem- game that you want to be look-
Three Kingdoms. Now, you can esque abilities in the process. of collapse. You will take on the nants of the Han Empire, Cao ing at and listening to. So there
Doom Eternal choose to play this game in two Records of the Three Kingdoms role of one of the historical Cao excels at intrigue and ma- you have it — Total War: Three
If you’re stuck at home, what better way to vent ways — either ‘Romance of the offers a more realistic take on leaders of the time, and are nipulating his rivals into costly Kingdoms is a masterpiece. For-
Three Kingdoms’ or ‘Records of history, and a much more tradi- tasked with either assimilating wars with each other, and Lü get being one of the best strate-
some of your frustration than to rip and tear the Three Kingdoms’. In Ro- tional Total War experience; or conquering all other factions Bu…well, nobody wants to mess gy games around (although it is
through hordes of hellspawned demons? Doom mance mode, everything’s just a however, I’m only going to be in order to unify China under with Lü Bu. No matter how you’d certainly that!), it’s one of the
Eternal shot to the top of most-played lists bit larger than life — your gener- talking about the Romance mode your rule. like to play Three Kingdoms, best games around, period.
als are fearsome warriors in bat- today, as I believe that’s where Each playable character fea- there’s probably a leader who of- Don’t be put off by the complex-
everywhere when it released recently; the fact tle, capable of taking on entire Three Kingdoms truly shines. tures a personality and play- fers you that path; which is a ity of the franchise — of all of
that the game’s pure unabashed fun certainly enemy units by themselves; or The game begins in 190 AD, style tailored to match their his- very nice way to kick things off. them, this is the Total War game
didn’t hurt either. engaging opposing generals in when the once-glorious Han dy- torical selves — Liu Bei, for Once you start the game, you’ll you should try.
www.cinemaexpress.com
ENTERTAINMENT
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SATURDAY
18  04  2020 4
Charan Raj credits actor-director Duniya

Vijay for Salaga’s background score
The music composer says Duniya Vijay
allowed him to give a new sound by bringing
in folk flavour and Siddhi tribal music for the
action-based subject
● CE Features
M
usic director Charan Raj has
finished composing Salaga’s
background score, and is left
with two more days of work.
“The particular episode, which
comes in the climax portions, re-
quires live recording and instrumen-
tal music. I am waiting for the lock-
down period to get over to bring in a
few musicians,” says Charan, who
has no second thoughts about giving
credit to director-actor Duniya Vijay
for triggering a new approach. While
Salaga is an action-based subject, the
background score comes with a folk
flavour which blends in tribal
rhythm such as the Siddii music.
“The treatment is unusual. The idea
was given by Vijay sir, to bring these
elements, and that’s how I got
evolved. This folk theme is new to me
too, and I had to learn since it was
coming from the director himself,
who allowed me to try out something
fresh,” he says.
The song, Suri Anna, is already a
huge success and the makers are yet
While
to release two more tracks. “The Sid- Salaga is an
dii theme song, sung by members of action-based
the tribe, is sprinkled through vari- subject, the
ous part of the film. It has interesting
placements,” says Charan.
background
According to the music director, score comes
Series: Four More Shots Please! though the subject has high energy with a folk
moments, equal importance has been flavour
Season 2
A still from Salaga

given to emotions too. “Overall, I put
in some extra effort to do the back- which blends
ground score for Salaga, which will in tribal
give a new viewing experience for the rhythm such
● Shilajit Mitra lot looking up in their individual This feeling, however reassur- audience,” he says. as the Siddi
lives. The show, too, settles into a ing, doesn’t last. The next time we Salaga produced by KP Srikanth fea-
music
T
mood of easy tranquility (Nupur see Sidhi on stage, she’s ranting tures Sanjana Anand playing the fe-
here are a few step Asthana has replaced Anu Menon angrily at her parents — a sudden male lead, while Dhananjay will be — Charan Raj,
changes in Four More as director). Yet, once the gang re- (and humourless) leap that sullies seen as a cop. music director
Shots Please! Season 2 turns to Mumbai, the frantic old her inward growth as a performer.
worth pointing out. ways kick in. “You know what’s Conversely, Anjana’s clashes with
‘Investigator.com’ is Deja Chu, right?” Anjana beams in her boss are abandoned for a more
Trikona makers opting for OTT release

gone, Truck Bar is a one scene. She might as well be talk- workable romcom space. It’s a re-
lot less noisy and Umang (Bani J) ing to us. curring problem with the show:
● CE Features
finally has something approaching Damini’s feuds at her former too eager to introduce new ideas,
T
an arc. Beyond that, though, the workplace held the spotlight in Sea- too distracted to follow them rikona, directed by Chandra-
wins are scant. When it launched son 1. While she continues to work through. kanth, has been made in three
last year on Amazon Prime, the on a book, and later strug- Writers Devika Bha- languages — Kannada, Tamil
show was pulled up for its superfi- gles to have it published, gat and Ishita Moitra and Telugu — and the team is
cial investment in the journeys of her friends get an equally Director: (dialogues) take in a lot. working towards releasing it on the
four flawed women in Mumbai. The rounded look. Sidhi dis- Nupur Asthana The show checks off OTT platform. Distributors from
new season, though condensed and covers standup comedy Cast: polyamory, ‘antinatal- Chennai are currently in discussion
streamlined, is more of the same, and, after some reluc- ism’, abortion, gay mar- with the streaming channel. “If all
Maanvi Gagroo, Sayani
touching upon the hang-ups and en- tance, takes to it enthusi- riage. While the emo- works in terms of commercials, we
Gupta, Kirti Kulhari,
tanglements of its female protago- astically. Anjana, already tional undercurrent is will soon go digital. Otherwise, we
nists without exploring them in a senior associate at her
Bani J are looking forward to hitting thea-
strong, the handling is
depth. law firm, refuses to play Streaming on : evasive — tidbits of top- tres, as and when the theatres are
The story so far had concluded ball with her sexist boss. Amazon Prime icality to be strewn opened,” says producer B R Rajshek-
with the girls — Umang, Siddhi Umang patches up with along the way. More en- ar, who has written the story as well
(Maanvi Gangroo), Anjana (Kirti Samara and inspires her RATING gaging are the lighter as bankrolled the film in the three
Kulhari), and Damini (Sayani Gup- to come out; the instant notes: Simone Singh’s languages. The subject line of Triko-
ta) — laying into each other and hit- public embrace of their domineering mother na deals with death, anger, ego, and
ting all manners of rock bottom. relationship is unreal, but 2/5 now a giggling chum; human patience. The film consists of
Umang’s relationship with film star it leads to new opportuni- Milind Sonam and an interesting cast including senior
Samara Kapoor (Lisa Ray) was ties for the driven fitness Prateik Babbar slugging actors Lakshmi, Achyuth Kumar,
rocked; Siddhi’s cam-world adven- coach. it out near the end. Suresh Heblikar and Sudharani.
tures boomeranged shockingly; An- Winningly, the actors make the Late into the show, the girls are Chandrakanth, who has directed films
jana crashed her car with her most of this added bandwidth. in Udaipur, practicing for Umang’s like Barfi, Parole and Amruthavani,
daughter in it and Damini reached Maanvi brings a nervous excitabil- sangeet. We see them in their has come with three different screen-
the topmost step of journalistic am- ity to her emerging comic. “My life night suits, with Sidhi leading the plays for Trikona. Each version has a
bition: unemployment. is so privileged,” Siddhi confesses steps. They dance, talk about boys different technical crew as well.
The new season kicks off two at one point. “How will I get my ma- and finally collapse on the bed. “I “The film’s first copy is ready and
months after, with Siddhi drunk- terial?” In response, her friends need some wine,” one frets. “I even the censor board had given us a
calling her friends from Istanbul. point her to the various themes at could do with a pizza,” another date, but due to the corona pandemic,
They regroup and reach out — only her disposal: virginity, body sham- suggests. “Should we order?” we couldn’t proceed further. We are
to find she’s set it all up. Still, the ing, troubles with mom. She melds Four More Shots Please! has al- okay getting our film released on
Bosphorus looks pretty and they fi- them into an engaging set later on, ways been a cheery sleepover. Too OTT platform or in theatres, depend-
nally get a chance to make amends. culminating in the most heartfelt bad it comes of age this far into the A still from the film ing on which clicks first,” the
It’s a mature, soothing start, with a five minutes of this show. ride. producer adds.
A formulaic but consistently engaging thriller

● Sajin Shrijith exchanges between Boron and his su- not surprising to find Boron divorced
periors, and the change of leadership at the beginning of season 3.
after season 1, is reminiscent of the Fauda also manages to find short
G
iven the vast amount of terror- Bond films. but potent moments of poignancy
ism-based fiction out there on What actually sets Fauda apart amid all the action, and it mostly has
the digital space, it is a chal- from similar work is its focus on fam- to do with a recurrent theme that
lenge for a writer to come up ilies, on both sides. The bad guys are runs throughout the series -- the
with fresh material. Fauda, the Is- not depicted as the mysterious, one- bond between fathers and sons, of
raeli series made for Netflix, has dimensional terrorists that we usu- which we see variations in all three
enough ‘fauda’ (chaos) -- both inter- ally see. It’s their actions that make seasons. The primary conflict of sea-
nal and external -- to warrant each of them menacing, not their appearanc- son 2 arose from sons avenging their
its 12 episode-long seasons. The third es. Each of the main villains in Fau- fathers. In season 3, we see sons who
season premiered on Thursday, and da carries a distinct personality. We don’t want to be like their fathers.
maintains the tempo established in also get to see their fathers, mothers, One father deals with multiple con-
the first two. wives, children, in addition to all flicts: Struggling to adjust to society
Starring Lior Raz as an Israeli De- their shortcomings. after a long stretch in prison, resist-
fence Forces operative, Fauda was We get a similar picture of the ing the urge to go back to his old
created by himself and good guys too. There is a constant ways, and keeping his son out of
Avi Issacharoff. The fact struggle to maintain a work-family harm’s way. On the other side, we
that Lior was a former Is- Created by : balance and not be influenced by have Boron making attempts to re-
raeli commando in real Lior Raz and Avi emotions in the line of duty. Both the claim the bond with his now-es-
life and Avi, a journalist, Issacharoff good and bad guys have to deal with tranged son.
lends the series a Paul Starring : the after-effects of decisions made However, as consistently engaging
Greengrass-level of verisi- when logic takes a back seat. It re- as the series is, one can’t help but feel
Lior Raz, Itzik Cohen,
militude and sense of ur- Series: Fauda (Season 3) minds me of that line M says to Bond a sense of deja vu creeping in from
g e n c y. A d d i n g m o r e
Tzachi Halevy, Rona-Lee
in Casino Royale about being dispas- time to time. Perhaps it has to do with
weight is the fact that Lior Shim’on sionate; it is a quality Boron hasn’t the cyclical nature of revenge. Aside
has experienced a person- Streaming on : Michael Bay’s 6 Under- tive named Abu Ahmad aka The Pan- There have been severe casualties quite mastered. from the similar openings of season 1
al tragedy similar to what Netflix ground, also backed by ther, who was supposed to have died on both sides, and Boron has gone The women in Fauda get as much and season 3, we also occasionally get
his character Boron Kavil- Netflix. at Boron’s hands, is still alive. When through enough to put him close to importance as the men, and interest- situations which feel like remakes of
lio endures in Fauda. A RATING The first season of Fau- Boron and team go undercover and Daniel Craig’s James Bond in the ingly, it’s the bad guys who have few- similar scenes in previous episodes.
former bodyguard of Ar- da began with Boron be- infiltrate the wedding of Ahmad’s brooding department. The Bond sim- er relationship problems. Boron has But the raised stakes and considera-
nold Schwarzenegger, you ing pulled out of retire- son to get him, it sets off a chain of ilarity doesn’t end there. While his a tendency to be absent for long peri- bly amped up tension make Fauda
may also know Lior from 3.5/5 ment after his superiors events with repercussions that last physique may intimidate, Boron has ods, and season 1 had his wife get in- worth watching. As they say, why fix
playing the main baddie in learn that a Hamas opera- for three seasons. enough charm for women. Also, the timate with his team member. So, it’s something that ain’t broken.

Economy Gets New Anti-Viral Shot: Big Spike Again, 44 New Cases in K'taka

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BENGALURU  SATURDAY  APRIL 18, 2020  `6.

00  PAGES 16  LATE CITY EDITION

CHINA DIDN’T REPORT OVER A

ECONOMY GETS NEW ANTI-VIRAL SHOT

Big spike again, 44 new cases in K’taka 11,616

Forces kill terrorists

Kashmir’s Kishtwar district es over the last few days. On

cases doubling in the number of testing. Pri-

Rising asymptomatic cases

AIIMS dials CFTRI for COVID patients’ food needs

02 BENGALURU SATURDAY 18 04 2020

Citizens wary of IISc researchers foresee rise in

ordering food, traffic jams post lockdown period

WHILE many are worried

Rider cop gets cash reward

State starts random tests in ‘green’ dists

Baby Bhima comes home to Baiyappanahalli police station

THE PHANTOM Test your number crunching

03 BENGALURU SATURDAY 18 04 2020

State takes Akrama-Sakrama way to mobilise funds

50 pc IT-BT staff can get back to

CM’s well-wishers worry about health risk

Vendors face What social distancing? Nikhil’s

EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE FORMER Prime Minister HD

04 BENGALURU SATURDAY 18 04 2020

The state Health and Family welfare department has directed

Surge aside, our

LAPSES IN QUARANTINE LED TO

than many others

SPIKE IN NANJANGUD CASES? Ballari district

Got cold, cough, fever? Get a test done, advises CM

05 BENGALURU SATURDAY 18 04 2020

48 hrs, no fresh COVID case in Odisha ‘Reasons for

State witnesses 6 discharges, taking the total to 88 hol. People are

A PERCEPTION BATTLE TOO IS GOING ON

THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS

RAMCHARAN Varma, 48, his

LABOUR of 2020 expected 4,000 bricks every day. The

cause of concern for govt

Wages of 96% workers

mob attack over

students from Kota

08 BENGALURU SATURDAY 18 04 2020

CORONA, POWER GAME

Government helpline for

Foodgrain bank by farmers in Bihar bails out the poor

Bohra brothers give

IAF’s Apache copter makes police said.

Bihar reports second death, emergency landing, crew safe

09 BENGALURU SATURDAY 18 04 2020

UNITED NATIONS FLAGSTAFF ZURICH BAMAKO KYIV STOCKHOLM NEW YORK

GOVTS UNDERSTATING TRUE TOLL ACROSS THE WORLD

Don passes buck to

US President Donald Trump on

Poorer countries face

bigger risk in easing

10 BENGALURU SATURDAY 18 04 2020

target for FY21

Nagpur 7,380 Past one month Supply chain