AV 4th April 2020

FIRST & FOREMOST ASIAN WEEKLY IN EUROPE

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Let noble thoughts come to us from every side

4 - 10 APRIL 2020 - VOL 48 ISSUE 47

BRING US HOME Priyanka Mehta & Rupanjana Dutta

On Tuesday 31st March, the UK’s Foreign Office in collaboration with the Indian government executed its operation of airlifting hundreds of British nationals stranded in India through two chartered flights from the states of Kolkata and Goa. As Asian Voice went to press, official government sources confirmed that Air India flights were bound to Frankfurt, Germany carrying 317 citizens stranded in Goa and 115 in Kolkata. Off the 115 passengers repatriated from Kolkata, 59 of them were German nationals and 16 Britons with Miss England Bhasha Mukherjee Nick Low, the British Deputy High Commissioner to Kolkata being one of them. This has indicated of a panheading the repatriation operation of British nationals to Frankfurt, Germany European effort undertaken by the UK government where presently there are no direct chartered flights operating from India to the UK. Speaking to Asian Voice, Nick Low, the British Deputy High Commissioner to Kolkata said, “Precedence was given to elderly citizens. All the passengers were checked before they boarded the flights and after having taken their temperatures we know that none of them were symptomatic of Covid-19.

Continued on page 2

Navin Shah AM

Seal borders, Centre tells states SEE PAGE - 10

There will be disruptions, but it’s the only way: PM Modi SEE PAGE - 11

Interim Publishing Arrangement Dear readers, In view of numerous challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic to the people from all walks of life -- which we pray is short-lived -we have decided to merge Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar into a single edition from the week commencing April 4, 2020.

The bilingual publication will have two separate sections of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar, which will reach your doorstep or be available at usual shops, if they are open.

During this period, we will endeavour to meet the expectations of readers of both publications without compromising on the quality of news, views and opinion expected of us.

Thank You. C B Patel Publisher/Editor

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4 - 10 April 2020

BRING US HOME Continued from page 1 There are greater chances of them contracting the infection in Germany, which currently has more number of Coronavirus cases, than doing so here in Eastern India at this time.

Once they reach Frankfurt, some passengers intent on reaching the UK would have to make their own arrangements for their onward journey.

“Based on my interaction with my German colleagues, I am told that there are Deutsch bound train services across Germany and in Europe. There are limited air services operating to London as well. I know that at least one of the passengers had an onward connecting flight to London. The UK has not closed its airspace.”

The repatriation process follows after the UK government announced a £75m airlift operation to rescue those who were stranded across the world because of the coronavirus pandemic. India had locked down its international borders on 23rd March till 14th April.

However, this had resulted into chaos, where some Britons stuck there feared to die of hunger, and some even spoke about running short of NHS prescribed medicines such that they had to rely on local alternatives for other health issues such as diabetes. Hence, many accused the UK government of purposefully abandoning them. Earlier, the German government had brought 1000 stranded tourists home from Delhi, India, including 40 British citizens.

British nationals stranded in India Official government sources estimate that there are about 25,000-30,000 British nationals stranded in India with about 300 people in the Kutch district of Gujarat alone and quite a significant number of citizens in Punjab and Jaipur. Owing to the coronavirus outbreak, and sealed international borders in India, Britons who are temporarily separated from their children and families in the UK are extremely concerned of their smooth passage back to the UK. The foreign office’s operation is a welcome move but many are concerned that the process is too slow and flights too less.

A London Assembly Member for Brent and Harrow had earlier appealed to the Foreign Secretary for the repatriation of British Indians stranded in India. In his letter to Dominic Raab, Navin Shah wrote, “My wife Rajeshiri (known as Cllr Rekha Shah) and I arrived here to Mumbai on 8th March to attend my older bother's funeral service and were due to be back. However, we've

got caught up with current situation and therefore stranded in Mumbai away from our home and immediate family.

“We like many were booked to fly back to London by Air India on 1st April (after their decision to stop flights to Europe till 31st March). But the Indian Government have now closed international commercial passenger services till April 14th. What do we do? What is the future for the stranded?”

Local councillors, assembly members and MPs write to Raab Shah and his wife have reported about suffering from other medical conditions (not Covid-19) wherein they are fast running out of their prescribed NHS medicines and therefore, have to rely on local alternatives. In the meantime, an online petition “Repatriate UK citizens stuck in India” has received 43,000+ signatures.

Local London Assembly Member, Unmesh Desai AM, also wrote to the Mr Raab, to call for a “robust and renewed” strategy to repatriate stranded British nationals amidst the Covid19 pandemic. Mr Desai AM acknowledged that this is an “incredibly complex situation”, but highlighted that there are “measures that the Government could take right now to reach out to fellow citizens that have found themselves trapped through no fault of their own”. In his letter, Mr Desai also underlined the plight of British citizens trapped in countries across the world, due to cancelled flights and closed borders.

Following the stir on social media, Labour MPs such as Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi and Preet Gill had also written letters to the foreign secretary demanding prompt action for the safe passage of their constituents stranded in India.

But, repatriation of Britons from India has several factors to be considered; beginning with the number of chartered flights that the UK is likely to send to India, and identifying the key centres/states from where these flights can operate. Sources believe that if airspace permission is secured then a bulk of the flights will operate from Goa, Chennai and at a later stage from Punjab, and Ahmedabad depending on the passenger traffic from each state.

Inter-city travel remains difficult Concerns also remain around the nationwide lockdown imposed within India which entails transport in the interiors of the country also stands suspended including the temporary suspension of the Indian railways and domestic flights.

Speaking of his experience, Mr. Low said,

“Owing to the nationwide lockdow, it was not easy to get some of these citizens to Kolkata. One of these passengers had travelled by car from the state of Odisha and another from the city of Siliguri. But we have to thank the local MEA offices, governments of West Bengal and Odisha for facilitating their smooth arrival to the Kolkata airport.”

This means that in other cases as well, the High Commissions would be tasked with making necessary arrangements for those individuals currently stranded in rural districts to be transported to key airport hubs most likely through special buses. Under these circumstances the governments also have to ensure social distancing is followed through and community transmission does not occur.

Jethalal Savani is a British national stranded in the Kera village of the Kutch district in Gujarat. He said, “Kutch is a remote district, so commuting to Delhi or Mumbai will not be an easy task even when the lockdown is eased. So we are requesting the British High Commission and other government authorities concerned to arrange for a flight from Ahmedabad to London for the evacuation.”

Speaking to Asian Voice, Suchira Ray said, her brother Shovon is stranded in Kolkata, India. Her parents who are British nationals but living in India, are currently staying with her in London, as they got stranded during their visit to the UK. Shovon who was in India training for the ironman challenge across South East Asia, has now no way to come back to the UK. “Mr Raab asked the British nationals to return home. But India’s border is closed. How will my brother return home? There is absolute no help!”

If any British national in India requires immediate consular assistance, they should contact the FCO on New Delhi: +91 (11) 2419 2100; Goa: +91 832 6636800; Chennai: + 91 (44) 42192151; Mumbai:+91 (22) 6650 2222.

British nationals who wish to return urgently to the UK, should email to Conqry.Newdelhi@fco.gov. uk and must include the following details: l Your full name l The names of any family members with you l Your date of birth l Dates of birth for all named family members l Your passport number(s) l Visa status and contact details l Your exact location in India l Your date of arrival in India and l Details of the return flight that you had booked back to the UK, if applicable.

Working parents ‘zoom’ into meetings and childcare Priyanka Mehta Coronavirus lockdown has forced corporates to allow professionals to work from home. The general perception about ‘remote’ working revolves around increased productivity owing to time saved on travel and a simultaneous decrease in stress levels.

But, this new normal worklife routine has cast a light into the difficulties that working couples face despite the assistance of advanced technology. More so, if they have the added responsibility of babysitting their children at a time when schools and nurseries remain shut indefinitely.

Rashmi Sirdeshpande is a British Asian lawyer turned into a children's author and a mum of two young children aged four and five years old. Sharing her experience with Asian Voice, she said, “Me and my husband are both working from home so we have multiple workspaces. This is a new situation for us to adapt to because like most working couples, we would have to take turns in caring about our children as the schools have shut down indefinitely.

“The idea of not going to school was a big shock to my children who are used to following routines and timetables. So, that is what we have been doing, allocating time for academia, screentime entertainment, physical playtime activities in our garden. Then we have also been incorporating new activities around yoga, meditation and reading sessions.

So, I have been working in pockets, and for reference material, there are various authors and illustrators who have been putting up their material online. I aim to be using those and additionally as an illustrative author, I

aim to follow the same.”

Caring for children during a lockdown also means looking after their dietary requirements besides their mental and physical health.

In the Covid-19 driven era of panic buying, Rashmi has received tremendous support from her husband on the domestic front; from going shopping for basic essentials to dividing the daily cooking sessions even as he continues to work from home himself.

The 2020 Modern Families Index in January this year revealed that 44% of parents admit checking emails or doing other work in the evening, with a stark 48% admitting that this work from home lifestyle had only doubled their workload. The index surveyed more than 3,000 parents from across the UK and had been published by ‘Working Families’ in collaboration with ‘Bright Horizons’. This can only indicate the tremendous strain that works from home routines can have on the mental health of the working couples especially at a time when anxiety is riding high on everyone’s nerves.

Nishma Gosrani is a director at Deloitte Consulting and a mum working from home. She said, “First Deloitte asked all employees to work from home and then following government guidelines, my son, Yuvi’s preschool announced it was closing for 12 weeks last Friday, with potential for more. Visesh, my husband, and I are trying to juggle full-time childcare and working from home

while trying to preserve as much productivity as possible.

“Even if you don’t have the nanny or home help in the current situation – stick to the routine; mealtimes, blocks of activity and outdoor time. (For my son Yuvi, this will be a virtual classroom, PE class, an audiobook, free play time, construction time and outdoor time). He is used to this as we use this when travelling too. The key to get kids' buy-in is identifying the foundation based on a routine they have some familiarity with.” said Nishma Gosrani.

But maintaining routines may be difficult for working couples especially in terms of penning down conference calls and skype meetings. Whilst technology may have assisted them in working from home, reports indicate that internet service providers are under pressure to lift bandwidth caps so that remote workers do not get cut off from their employers halfway through the month.

These are tough times and whilst taking care of others around us, we must be kind to ourselves as well and devote some time to our mental health.

Professionals recommend adequate sleep, daily walks, healthy snacks, and short breaks to maintain a good work-life balance.

For further fun ideas around how to keep your children engaged and the activities they should be invested in visit https://www.asianvoice.com/

Visas for oversees NHS workforce extended amid shortage of doctors On Tuesday 31st March, Home Secretary Priti Patel announced the extension of the visas of the oversees NHS staff for free for a year.

The extension will apply to around 2,800 migrant doctors, nurses and paramedics, employed by the NHS whose visa is due to expire before 1 October in a bid to combat Covid-19. This comes as the UK started reporting about NHS workforce contracting the virus and as a result unfortunately dying.

On 25th March, an organ transplant consultant became the first working NHS surgeon to die in the UK from coronavirus. Adil

El Tayar died at the West Middlesex University Hospital in Isleworth, west London. The 63-year-old had been self-isolating after developing symptoms around mid-March and was admitted to hospital on 20 March. Having tested positive for coronavirus, he spent his final days in intensive care.

On 27th March, Dr Habib Zaidi, 76-year-old died in intensive care at Southend Hospital, Essex, 24 hours after showing “textbook symptoms” of coronavirus. His test results are still awaited, however if they come back positive, they would confirm he had Covid-19 and died as a

result.

Dr Zaidi, a GP in Leighon-Sea for more than 45 years, had been self-isolating and had not seen patients in person for about a week.

On Sunday, 29th March Consultant Amged ElHawrani unfortunately died at Leicester Royal Infirmary, University Hospitals of Derby and Burton (UHDB).

The 55-year-old doctor has become the first NHS medic on the coronavirus frontline to die after testing positive for Covid-19.

As of Tuesday 31st March, the number of individuals infected with the virus stands over 22,000 with 1700 reportedly dead.

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COMMENTS

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4 - 10 April 2020

War against coronavirus and its disinformation The governments and health officials are fighting against two enemies: coronavirus and its disinformation.

The internet is fostering social distancing, helping individuals to self-isolate yet, not live in absolute loneliness. Digital apps, Zoom and House Party, have taken over the onus of community clubs to host movie sessions, group quizzes among other activities. In comparison, conservative social media platforms such as WhatsApp, and Facebook have become carriers of the global tally of Covid-19 deaths and infected cases.

Awareness about the pandemic is important but these platforms are not credible sources of information.

WhatsApp groups have become a breeding ground for fake information starting from “homemade remedies to cure the virus” to videos claiming citizens committed suicide owing to fear around Coronavirus.

A vaccine for Covid-19, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), is at least another 12 months away even as human trials are under-way and scientists appear to have made some progress in tracing the contagions of the virus.

They have strongly recommended against consumption of anti-biotic to ease headaches, sore throats or any other diseases without consultation. Do not self-medicate even if you have trouble reaching out to the NHS local surgery. Instead you can speak to your local pharmacist, a retired family friend doctor or visit WHO website for a detailed analysis of your symptoms. The best advice is to stay hydrated and at home to avoid contraction.

For information about the virus and it’s spread, the WHO accumulates a global count of the deaths, infected, and recovered cases on a daily basis. For information around Britons stranded across other foreign countries, follow official twitter handles of government departments for regular updates and credible news-sites for accurate information. Do not read and more importantly do not forward news for you may not be aware around their fallacies.

Dissemination of fake news at this moment can lead to increased anxiety levels and graver consequences.

READERS’ VOICE India’s lockdown It is a timely and proactive step taken by PM Modi by announcing 21-day all-India lockdown (Asian Voice 28 March- 3 April 2020) to prevent the spread of deadly Covid19.

Since there is no cure or vaccine, this is the only option the government had to save the country.

Before criticising any decision of NaMo, one must look at the meticulous planning and preparation he has done for 1.3 billion people. There are plenty of NGOs, temples and religious organisation working day and night by providing food packets and other necessities to elderly and needy people.

Let us appreciate the efforts and selfless contribution made by each and every individual of India.

Hitesh Hingu London

Crippling effect of Coronavirus The 21-day lockdown to counter the Coronavirus pandemic comes with the crippling effect of thousands of people losing their jobs. Daily wage earners and those driving autos and taxis have to stay at home. They will find it hard to make ends meet. At present, we cannot judge how the spread of the disease will effect the economy but what is sure is that the fallouts will be severe. The Government cannot be blamed entirely for this. For we are in the midst of a unique emergency, one we have never seen before. The fallout plans of the Reserve Bank of India as well as the Finance Minister may not be enough. Some business sectors need direct support.

Jubel D'Cruz, Mumbai, India

NHS staff and PPE

Relief package to mitigate hardship

Trump makes America great again

India's finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman has announced a £17 billion relief package to mitigate the hardship caused by the 21-day lockdown imposed by the government. The package uses existing government welfare channels to get relief in cash and kind across to more than half of India's population. The package is designed to be broad-based and the bulk of the beneficiaries will be the urban poor and vulnerable rural families.

The Covid-19 outbreak is an unprecedented shock to the economy and the damage has been exacerbated by the speed with which large parts of the world have shut down activities. The informal segment is the worst hit in this scenario. While the western media is busy criticising Narendra Modi for doing nothing for its poor affected by this lockdown, asking for forgiveness, Government granaries are overflowing with cereals for the poor. The decision to increase the disbursal of both cereal and pulses at no additional cost for three months is expected to cover around 800 million people.

Separately, the direct benefits transfer programmes through banking channels are being utilised to put extra cash in the hands of people or advance transfer payments. This should help vulnerable sections trying to cope with a loss of earnings. The key question is: Are these measures enough? No, because the scale of the economic shock is extraordinary. Even well run businesses are being swept away by the pandemic. This means the government cannot afford to delay a more comprehensive response to the shock. The longer the government delays a bigger response, the greater are the chances that even sound businesses will go burst. Therefore, the Modi government must now ready an economic package to use all means available to help the economy bounce back quickly and prevent large scale job losses.

The tug of war between the American President wanting to open up the economy by April 12 and health officials vociferously arguing for a lockdown has exposed the fault lines of the nature of American politics.

Critically when USA became the first country beating Italy and China to record 100,000 positive cases of Coronavirus.

WHO has already warned that USA can be the global epicentre of the virus with the grim prospect that more than 100,000 Americans can die even with aggressive action from medical professionals to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Yet, President Trump had earlier wanted “packed churches on Easter as it is a beautiful day”. His scorn for medicine and anxiety in being re-elected is perhaps, best visible in the simultaneous signing of the historic $2.2tn emergency relief package after a record 3.3 million applied for unemployment benefits.

Worse is the President is caught in a capitalist versus socialist battle with his governors in handling this pandemic. New York Governor, Andrew Cuomo, was the bad guy trying to change Medicaid and the criminal justice system. However, he is now the hero and Trump the villain in New York which is currently the Coronavirus epicentre of America with over 50,000 cases and 1,000 deaths. American polls indicate that Cuomo’s popularity shot up to the highest in the last seven years as he remains a firm advocate of self-isolation and quarantine.

Fickle-minded as ever, the American President has finally bowed to the health experts and governors announcing recently for an extended lockdown until April 30 wherein “packed churches in Easter appeared too aspirational”. Lately, he has coerced “time-wasting” General Motors in producing 10,000 ventilators by invoking a Korean War-era Defense Production Act. Who knows the President is going to wake up on which side of the Corona death bed the next day?

China can’t be left off the hook

Dear letter writers,

The coronavirus causing covid-19 in humans came from the open wet meat markets in Wuhan, China. It causes breathing problems, at times with tragic results.

WHO cannot leave China off the hook. Even the Asian flu spread from China. Poultry and killing of animals for human consumption in our country must be investigated with stringent health rules.

Some of the herbalists have suggested to drink warm water, gargling salt water, taking turmeric, coriander seeds and cumin when boiling water. Deep breathing fresh air is vital.

The country has very nobly arisen to this challenge.

Ramesh Nehru

By Email

Beware of fairweather friends!

As we say, neighbours are “First Stop of Call” in time of need, in emergency. We live in Kingsbury where 80% of our neighbours are British Indians. Coronavirus, this unexpected man-made health disaster is the time when older generation who are confined to their homes, can find out who ready to come to our aid in time of need.

Unfortunately our optimism was misplaced, no one even phoned us, let alone offered to help except couple of Englishmen who live on our street for a very long time, who were there when we moved in 35 years ago, as old and fragile like us!

It would be interesting to know experiences of our readers about their neighbours.

Kumudini Valambia

By Email

Helping the poor

We read your front page story about the NHS doctors and their sacrifices. On Thursday we all clapped for these ‘unsung’ heroes. But there is more to be done. They need their urgent protective equipments. People are trying to crowdfund upto a million pounds to help fund this equipments. A Preston businessman has pledged £100,000, while the government is still waiting to act on it as urgent basis. It’s a shame on how slow a government for a developed country is.

Most of the governments are making so much efforts for their citizens to return back home at any cost at this time.

Israel Government thanked Air India to bring their citizens home. Well done really appreciate this effort but what about the citizens of India who are poor and just want to get home?

We appreciate what Mr Modi and Mr Shah have done so far and are doing for India as well as those who are donating funds, but assisting these poor people must be treated as a top priority. To any poor living being to die of hunger is scarier than any deadly virus.

Karan Majithia

By Email

Vinod Dattani Wellingborough UK

Since we have decided to merge Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar, due to the disruptions that we are facing because of coronavirus, please restrict your letters to no more than 125 words. If you write more than that, we may not be able to use your letters. Please send them to aveditorial@abplgroup.com by Sunday.

- Asian Voice

Is our PM uptothejob?

The world has not seen such troubled times since end of WW2.

Looking at crowd of people turning up at seaside, parks and other natural beauty spots clearly signifies that this advice of self-restraint is not working.

NHS hospitals are poorly equipped in comparison to most EU nations. PM should have converted sports and exhibition halls into hospitals well before the tide turned rather than wait until now.

While government advises elderly and chronically sick people to go into 12 weeks self-imposed confinement in their own homes, it has failed to provide help for them, on shopping, collecting medicine and other such unavoidable outings that may be detrimental to their health. Let us evolve WW2 Churchillian spirit to triumph over adversity!

Bhupendra M. Gandhi

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Medics and patients fight British Sikhs stand up for coronavirus with 'positivity' the Kabul attack victims among deaths and panic British Sikh MPs and peers have taken the social media platform and the House of Commons debate to protest against the atrocities over Afghani Sikhs, many of who died in an unprecedented terrorist attack in Kabul that killed 25.

Rupanjana Dutta

Since Sudhir, from Hounslow West, was absent at work from 7 January due to underlying health issues, his colleagues believed he caught the virus elsewhere. But his friends told The Sun that he had recently returned to his frontline job.

Pooja, who worked at Eastbourne District General Hospital in East Sussex, is believed to have spent three days receiving medical care before the virus claimed her life. It is not clear if she contacted the virus from her father.

However The Sun reported that the Heathrow Airport employees have claimed that they had major fears over protection offered to UK Immigration and visa staff working at Heathrow and other ports of entry, more as neither the passengers were being screened and the staff were only given gloves and hand gel- no face masks or other kinds of essential protections- much like the medics.

PPE shortage continues Many hospital staff are reportedly hiding personal protective equipment (PPE) during the coronavirus outbreak due to shortages on the NHS frontline, medics have claimed, the Sky news reported. Some workers are said to be going off sick because they fear the provisions are inadequate, with one doctor saying it seems ‘inevitable’ they will contract Covid-19.

Dr Rinesh Parmar, Chair of the Doctors’ Association UK, which represents grassroots medics, told the Guardian last week: “The longer this epidemic goes on for, if doctors feel that there is a widespread lack of PPE, then some doctors may feel they have no choice but to give up the profession they love, because they feel so abandoned by not being given the PPE that the World Health Organization recommends.

“That’s the travesty of this situation, that the government needs to protect frontline health workers and in return they will give 100%.

But the government hasn’t kept its side of the bargain with NHS staff by not having enough PPE available to safeguard the health of doctors and nurses.”

photo courtesy: The Sun

A 61-year old frontline immigration officer in Heathrow and his 33 yearold daughter have died of coronavirus within 24 hours. Terminal-3 worker Sudhir Sharma, passed away on Wednesday and his daughter pharmacist Pooja the following day.

Pooja with dad Sudhir Sharma

Dr Amir Khan GP in a tweet said, “We need the government to invest in proper protective gear for NHS staff immediately The symptoms are too varied to rely on clinical symptoms alone Please protect us while we look after you.”

A Preston businessman has pledged £100,000 to help the NHS fight against the coronavirus.Yousef Bhailok has pledged the funding to help support the NHS staff, helping the crowdfunding petition trying to raise upto £1mn.

50 cross-party MPs and over 1150 members of the public have backed Layla Moran MP’s campaign for a Coronavirus Compensation Scheme, for the families of key frontline workers who lose their lives to the virus.

The MPs’ letter to the Prime Minister, after three medics lost their lives, states that ‘those on the frontline of this battle against coronavirus are heroes,’ before advocating for a ‘mirror [of] the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme.’

Virendra Sharma, MP who was suffering from coronavirus told the newspaper, “Following my light coronavirus symptoms early last week, my condition deteriorated and I was hospitalised at Hillingdon Hospital. I have now been discharged from hospital and I am recovering well at home. My care was exceptional, and I want to pay an enormous tribute to all the staff at Hillingdon Hospital and across the NHS, working so hard, and doing so much at this time of immense pressure. Stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives. The amazing men and women of the NHS working in almost impossible situations, with too little kit and too little support deserve our help. I am asking everyone of you to do what you can to help them. If you have PPE please let us

know."

Positivity among pandemic Yet braving the scenario are many doctors who are doing away with just surgical and FFP3 masks, which clearly remain inadequate in given situation. But ever hopeful Dr John, speaking to Asian Voice said, “The media is focussing only on the deaths. 98% of symptomatic and confirmed people recover. If you consider asymptomatic people, probably more than 99% must be recovering.”

Mayura Patel, Chairperson of Croydon Hindu Council, who made two videos about her recovery and coronavirus journey lost her father on 14 March. She was taken to Greater London hospital on 17 March with serious breathing problems and all symptoms of Covid-19.

But she returned home three days later, and eventually made full recovery through self help.

Anirban Mukhopadhyay, a Covid-19 patient, who took to facebook to fight people spreading unnecessary panic about coronavirus said, “Over the last few days I am having high fever, some amount of dry cough, feeling extremely lethargic. I am now admitted in the hospital with confirmed case of coronavirus. The treatment has started. UK has possibly done the most sensible thing by not testing every suspected cases to confirmation.

That does not mean NHS is leaving us in the lurch. Call up 111 and get yourself registered as possible corona. The strict advise is, if you have breathing trouble, call up 999 asap, else call up your GP. He added, “Coronavirus infection by itself does not need ventilator. In fact the rate of hospitalisation is only 2% in UK which means the rest 98% of suspected cases are getting well at homestrict self-isolation and regular dosage of paracetamol."

After the incident, many among Afghanistan’s dwindling Sikh minority are now considering leaving for neighbouring India.

Gunmen and suicide bombers killed at least 25 worshippers, including women and children, and injured many others in an early morning attack on a Sikh Gurdwara in the heart of Kabul.

The attack lasted hours as the gunmen held hostages on Wednesday while Afghan special forces and international troops tried to end the siege in a complex that is home to many families, as well as a

place of worship, reported The Guardian. Up to 200 people were trapped inside the Gurdwara when the attack began at about 7am, interrupting worship that had started at 6am. It is alleged the attack was an ISIS terrorist with links in Kerala, India.

30 years ago, Afghanistan had 500,000 Sikh families, now it has a dwindling number of 300.

Many have run away from the country though protected by the law of the country, but frequently targeted by extremists and subjected to discrimination.

Preet Gill MP, who is an active voice among Sikhs in the UK said, “Really saddened to hear the news of Gurdwara attack in Kabul.”

At the House of Commons, Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi who paid deepest condolence to the families of victims many of who live in the UK now. He added that those families

have no recourse to public funds as asylum seekers, and they should have adequate support during this time of crisis.

Lord Rami Ranger added, “Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, please condemn this barbaric murderous attack on the innocent Sikhs inspired by ISIS ideology.” He also requested the UK government to extend them a refugee status in the UK. The Southall Gurdwara in a statement said, “Afghan Ekta Cultural Religious community Centre t/a Gurdwara Guru Nanak Darbar, Southall represents the Afghan-Sikh community worldwide and condemns this cowardly attack claiming lives of innocent. We are in close contact with the family members of victims in Kabul and seeking help from the UK and other government agencies to ensure safety of the Afghan Sikh families in Afghanistan.”

CORONAVIRUS: NEW RULES ON STAYING AT HOME AND AWAY FROM OTHERS The most important action we can all take to fight coronavirus is to stay at home.

This will save lives and protect the NHS. Anyone can spread Coronavirus and that is why the government has introduced new measures which are effective now and will initially last for three weeks.

We must all follow these new measures.

The relevant authorities, including the police, will be given the powers to enforce them.

So, what do the new rules actually mean?

STAYING AT HOME The only reasons to leave home are: • To shop for basic necessities or pick up medicine • To travel to work when you absolutely cannot work from home • To exercise once a day, alone or with members of your household Even when doing these activities, you should reduce time spent outside of the home and always try to stay 2 metres apart from anyone you do not live with.

STOPPING PUBLIC GATHERINGS To make sure people are staying at home and apart from each other, the Government has also stopped all public gatherings of more than two people.

We must not meet others, even friends and family.

WHAT ELSE CAN YOU DO TO PROTECT YOURSELF? Wash your hands regularly for 20 seconds, each time using soap and water, or use hand sanitiser.

HOW CAN WE ALL ADAPT TO THESE NEW RULES? The best thing you can do now is plan for how you can adapt your daily routine.

Some of the ways in which you could prepare include: • Talk to your neighbours and family and exchange phone numbers of household contacts.

• Consider and plan for those in your home who are considered vulnerable.

• Create a contact list with phone numbers of neighbours, schools, employer, chemist, NHS 111.

• Set up online shopping accounts if possible.

Redbridge GP Dr Sood said: “It is vital that everyone from the South Asian community follows these new rules, I cannot stress this enough. The rules have been put into place to reduce our day to day contact with other people, they are a vital part of our efforts to reduce the rate of transmission of coronavirus. We know it’s not going to be easy, however, if we all follow these new rules, the measures will protect the NHS and save lives.”

Further information is available at: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

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6 FINANCE - UK & INDIA

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Cash transfers, free foodgrains for poor in £17 bn corona package In a bid to help the poor fight the battle against coronavirus and lockdown, the government of India has announced a £17 billion relief package under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana.

The mega package focuses on emergency cash transfers into bank accounts of the poor, along with providing free food grains, pulses and cooking gas for three months in a bid to cushion them from the impact of the lockdown.

Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said, “Today’s measures are intended at reaching out to the poorest of the poor, with food and money in hands, so that they do not face difficulties in buying essential supplies and meeting essential needs.” Under the scheme, 800 million poor people will get 5 kg wheat or rice and 1 kg of preferred pulses for free

every month for the next three months. Also, 200 million women Jan Dhan account holders will get Rs 500 per month for next three months.

The move was in contrary to the government’s usual stand against handouts but is seen as a response to an unprecedented crisis caused by the Covid-19 spread on the global economy and the nationwide three-week lockdown. Sitharaman said the government's priority was to reach the poorest of the poor first so that they don’t have to worry about food. She hinted that more welfare steps could be taken by the government in the near future depending on how things shape up. The government announced an insurance cover for doctors, nurses, other health workers, safai staff and Asha workers dealing with Covid19 cases with a Rs 50,00,000 cover in case they meet with

an accident. The government has also increased MNREGA wage to Rs 202 a day from Rs 182 to benefit 136.2 million families. It announced an ex-gratia of Rs 1,000 to 30 million poor senior citizen, poor widows and poor disabled.

The ministry said the government will front-load Rs 2,000 paid to farmers in the first week of April under existing PM Kisan Yojana to benefit 87 million farmers.

For those earning under Rs 15,000 and working in entities with less than 100 employees, the government has decided to take over the employee and employer’s Provident Fund contribution – which adds up to 24% of the salary. The central government has also ordered the state governments to use Building and Construction Workers Welfare Fund to provide relief to construction workers rendered jobless in the wake of the lockdown.

RBI cuts repo rates to tackle economic fallout The Reserve Bank of India has reduced interest rates in an attempt to tackle the economic fallout of the threeweek nationwide lockdown announced by India.

Following a meeting of its monetary policy committee (MPC), the central bank has lowered the policy repo rate under the liquidity adjustment facility (LAF) by 75 basis points to 4.40 per cent from 5.15 per cent with immediate effect. The MPC also decided to continue

with the accommodative stance as long as it is necessary to revive growth and mitigate the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) on the economy, while ensuring that inflation remains within the target.

Announcing the decision, RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das said that a war effort was being mounted to combat the virus, involving both conventional and unconventional measures in a continuously battle-ready mode. Welcoming

Shaktikanta Das

the RBI decisions, Prime Minister Narendra Modi twitted: "Today RBI has taken giant steps to safeguard our economy from the impact of the Coronavirus.

The announcements will improve liquidity, reduce cost of funds, help middle class and businesses."

COVID 19 – What Do I Do? This article gives a summary of what needs to be considered amidst the current epidemic: Job Retention Scheme Identify employees who would otherwise have been made redundant or dismissed. ● Meet and discuss the position and inform them that they would be dismissed/made redundant but for the Government’s assistance through the Job Retention Scheme, they are to be treated as Furloughed Employees (they need to agree to this).

Furloughed Employees cannot work for the duration of the Furloughed period. ● The Government will reimburse 80% of their salary. ● Only employees who are on the payroll on 28 February 2020 are allowed to be furloughed. ● For part-time/variable hours employees, the amount that can be furloughed is 80% of the higher of: ● The monthly average of the year-to-date salary in the current tax year; Or ● The Gross Amount paid in the equivalent month last year. ● Separately define Furloughed Wages on the employee’s payslip. ● Ensure that PAYE/NIC is paid in respect of the Furloughed Wages (when due). ● HMRC Are in the process of setting up an online portal for registration of Furloughed Employees in order to reclaim the costs

incurred under the Job Retention Scheme

●

VAT Deferment VAT payment deferment supplies from 20 March 2020 to 30 June 2020. ● All VAT Registered Traders are eligible. ● Applies to payments due on 7 April, 7 May and 7 June 2020. ● Outstanding VAT will be collected by 5 April 2021. ● Ensure VAT Returns are completed and submitted in time (unless a valid reason exists). ● If VAT Returns cannot be completed, inform HMRC. ● If VAT is paid by Direct Debit, inform your bank to cancel the Direct Debit mandate. ● Repayments due will be paid by HMRC in the normal way. ●

Self-Assessment Payment Deferral ● Applies to the second payment on account due on 31 July 2020 for 2019/2020. ● Deferral is until 31 January 2021. ● Applicable to selfemployed and individuals who are due to make payments on account on 31 July 2020. ● No application for deferral required. ● Tax Returns should be filed as usual by the due date. The Tax Return for 2018/2019 must be filed. ● No penalties or interest for late payment will be

charged during the deferral period. ● If payment is due by Direct Debit, cancel the Direct Debit mandate by informing your bank.

Assistance for Self Employed ● Self Employment Income Support Scheme set up for self-employed individuals and members of partnerships who have lost income due to Covid 19. ● You can claim a taxable grant of 80% of your trading profits up to a maximum of £2500 per month for the next three months. ● Grants will be available where the average profit is less than £50,000. ● The 2018/2019 Tax Return must have been submitted to HMRC. If it is not, you have until 23 April 2020 to ensure the Tax Return is submitted to HMRC. ● Must have traded in the tax year 2019/2020 ● Grant available we will be based on the average profits of the tax years 2016/2017, 2017/2018 and 2018/2019. ● Shorter periods of trading will be considered. ● No need for an application to be made. HMRC will assess Tax Returns and apply the grants by June 2020.

Kiran Patel BA FCA is principal of Albury Associates Limited, a boutique Chartered Accountancy practice.

ICICI Bank UK PLC inaugurates a new branch at Harrow forward in our quest to connect with the Indian diaspora, local businesses and the people of UK with the pathbreaking offerings of the bank. The branch has been located in Harrow specially to serve the large British Indian community as well as the NRIs in the area, and to facilitate their day-to-day banking needs. We are committed to better serve our (Left to right): Mr. Nitin Parekh, Mayor of Harrow Council; Her Excellency Mrs. Ruchi Ghanashyam, High Commissioner of India to the UK; Mr. Robert John Blackman, Member of Parliament for Harrow West and a customers through a strong Padma Shree awardee and Mr. Loknath Mishra, MD & CEO, ICICI Bank UK PLC at the inauguration of the digital platform coupled with Bank’s new branch in Harrow our branch distribution network. This initiative uniquely Mrs. Ghanashyam said, “I congratu- a digital era of banking, it is heartenlate ICICI Bank UK PLC for taking ing to see the bank open a new positions the bank in the UK as a digsteps to serve the Indian community branch in Harrow, which is inhabit- ital friendly yet relationship driven It is the seventh branch of the in the UK. The new branch in ed by a significant British Indian institution.” bank in the country. It provides a Harrow will provide an additional population. This also helps in mainIn addition to seven branches, diverse range of products and ser- touch point to local customers and taining a personal touch with cus- ICICI Bank UK PLC has six business vices to the customers in Harrow, enhance local community engage- tomers and an enhanced local com- centers in the UK. It has recently that includes a personal banking, ment for ICICI Bank UK PLC.” munity engagement. My compli- launched a digital account opening safe deposit box facility, NRI services Mr. Parekh, having graced the ments to team ICICI Bank UK, on facility that allows customers to open (to assist customers with their bank- occasion, said: “ICICI Bank is a glob- coming closer to the community. “ a personal current account instantly ing needs in India), remittances, al bank and a household name in Mr. Loknath Mishra, MD & using the bank’s mobile application. banking services for businesses, India. The continued efforts of its CEO, ICICI Bank UK PLC said, “We The first-of-its-kind service by an trade & foreign exchange services for subsidiary, ICICI Bank UK PLC, in are delighted to announce the inau- Indian bank in United Kingdom Small and Medium Enterprises and catering to a wide base of customers guration of ICICI Bank UK PLC’s (UK), it enables Non Resident commercial real estate finance. in UK through its varied product seventh branch in the country. We Indians (holding Indian or British Speaking at the inaugural event, offerings is indeed commendable. In believe that this is a significant step passport) and expatriate Indians London: ICICI Bank UK PLC inaugurated a new branch at St. Anns Road in Harrow, Middlesex. Her Excellency Mrs. Ruchi Ghanashyam, High Commissioner of India to the United Kingdom inaugurated the branch in the presence of high profile dignitaries including Mr. Nitin Parekh, Mayor of Harrow Council; Lord Rajinder Paul Loomba and Mr. Robert John Blackman, Member of Parliament for Harrow West and a Padma Shri awardee.

(holding Indian passport) moving to UK for work, to open a current account.

Customers simply need to download the bank’s mobile application called ‘ICICI Bank UK iMobile’.

They do not need to visit a branch, all KYC is conducted electronically, enabling the account to be activated instantly thus allowing customers to start transacting immediately.

Customers will receive a contactless debit card at their correspondence address within a few days either in UK or in India and will also be able to remit money 24x7 instantly to any ICICI Bank Limited account in India.

Lord Loomba at the inauguration. The Loomba Foundation kickstarted their association with the branch by opening a deposit account with £100,000

REAL ESTATE VOICE

DON’T BELIEVE THE HYPE

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Interesting times. Currently, we are being fed information regarding something we cannot see or have a grip off. Therefore, we are lapping up all we are fed. Even the official narrative does not make sense, even within its own narrative.

This is nothing new people. It’s the same formula the world over. Problem, Reaction, Solution. The solution is where the attention should go. Stripping of liberties and a cashless society is one agenda, although there are manifold agendas which will be fulfilled with this move.

Suresh Vagjiani

Sow & Reap London Property Investment

The effect of this on the property market is to be analysed on two platforms which are interrelated; that of funding and property. The reason why property is interrelated with funding is because nearly all transactions are funded with lending.

It is interesting to note 46% of base tracker rates have been pulled.

Lenders have begun to get more conservative on lending.

The way to get an instant snapshot of the property market is to look at the auction market, you will get instant data on how the property market is responding.

Comparables many a time are outdated, purely because the time from when the deal is agreed to when it is completed can take several months.

This means the prices are outdated. Especially, when we are in a situation where the landscape is changing on a daily basis.

So, let’s look at the auctions. One reputable

4 - 10 April 2020

auctioneer we know claims a 79% sales rate. This, however, is the percentage of properties which have been sold, without taking into account the ones which have been withdrawn.

Here, the properties which were due to go on the market were 131. The number that actually went to the market was 65. And I suspect the reserve prices were lowered drastically to ensure they actually sell in the room.

This figure is very important as it attracts new business, it sets the auctioneer up for the next auction and new property intake.

Therefore, where you get instant information is very valuable as this industry is not like the stock market, where the information reflects the reality on the ground. There is a time lag between information and what’s going on at ground level.

There have been many times where I have bought deals based on what is going on at ground level, as the numbers did not match up to the deal. All the comparables were outdated.

This week we were after two properties in an auction, on behalf of a client. One which slipped through the net, the other we got post auction for a good price.

The one we got is in Harrow. Listening to the auction on the web, there was a Mr P bidding on the property. I would put money on this Mr P being a Mr Patel.

AGONY AGENT IS HERE TO HELP! Q: Do I need permission from my local authority to rent out my property?

A: If it is for a standard BTL, it depends on the local authority (LA). There are a few that require you to have a specific license to be a landlord, for example, Brent Council require you to have a landlord license in order to let your property out, so it's worth checking with your LA. This can easily be done on their website.

The LAs that do require licenses will charge a fee for doing so, and there is plenty of paperwork to match.

If your property is an HMO, then every LA will require you to have a license.

Sometimes, this will fall into two categories; a non-licensed HMO and a licensed HMO. Each LA’s rules and regulations differ, so again it's worth contacting them or looking online. Both will require certain safety aspects installed

BUY TO LET OPPORTUNITY

7

However, it didn’t fall in his lap, it dropped in ours.

The plan is to extend the building upwards and to the back, and then convert to an HMO; thereby upping the yield.

We feel it is better to have less rooms with higher quality, as you will then be differentiating yourselves from the other HMOs offered in the borough; which happen to be 17,000, currently.

Auctions, as mentioned in the previous article, are a great platform to purchase from. There are a few added factors which will help you get a better deal. We will be creating short videos soon, to explain what these are. Do follow us on Facebook: SowandReapProperties, or Instragam: @sowandreaplondonproperty, to ensure you don’t miss out.

in the property such as fire doors, smoke alarms, locks, slow closing doors...and so on. Again, this will require paperwork filling and as usual, fees.

We would recommend that you contact your LA or check their website just to be sure, as not checking means you run the risk of potentially £1000s worth of fines.

Do get in touch if you need any help with this, and the associated paperwork.

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Do get in touch to see how we can help

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Thank you for your love and support

4 April - 10 April 2020

As I See It

CB Patel

The spread is global. The threat is real. And, isolation is the new normal. For the first in the social media era, the term viral has found its literal meaning in novel coronavirus (Covid-19).

It is not any hilarious meme or digital bug that can crash your electronic devices. It is a biological virus that has posed an enormous challenge to the mankind.

As the world comes to a standstill, we understand that your anxiety is not unfounded. Like the Covid-19 spread, the grief, loss and pain of the people are pandemic too.

With a firm belief in the ‘Gyan Yagya, Seva Yagya’ (knowledge sharing is no less than a community service), we decided to shoulder the big responsibility of publishing Gujarat Samachar in April 1976. The maiden editor’s note was self-explanatory (see below).

By god’s grace, we have managed to run Gujarat

With immense pleasure and by God’s grace, I present to you Gujarat Samachar. I feel humbled to have this responsibility come my way.

The fact that I have the support of partners from other ventures along with my family’s, provides me the much needed assurance.

I’m indebted to Lord Shiva for enabling us to set up a system wherein Gujarat Samachar will for a very long time remain the newspaper of Gujaratis– in the UK and India.

It’s a matter of great pleasure to rollout the first issue. Please pardon us for any mistakes occurred due to lack of time and fresher minds.

It is my humble request to all the subscribers, readers and advertisers to read Gujarat Samachar without any judgement in its initial phase, though we wholeheartedly welcome criticism and suggestions as we embark on a mission to make the paper the best read for you.

The credit for the first edition goes to Editor Mr Vipul Kalyani, Chief Manager Mr Rasikbhai Patel, Consulting Editor Mrs Kusumben Shah, Marketing and Circulation head Mr V M Patel, composing head Mr Sukhalal Lala and for printing, Mr Asraf and Chetan Shah.

For sharing their knowledge and experience, we are grateful to Africa Samachar leaders, including Mr Himmatbhai Bhatt and Mr Gulabbhai Tailor. Kindly pardon us for not being able to mention names of other elderly, friends and well-wishers due to lack of space.

Yours Chandrakant Patel

Pak seeks $ 3.7 bn loan as coronavirus cases cross 1,650 ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has sought USD 3.7 billion additional loan from three multilateral creditors to cope with the economic crisis being posed by the coronavirus outbreak, as the pandemic spread further in the country, infecting over 1,650 people and killing 21 so far.

In addition to USD 1.4 billion loan from the IMF, the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank will extend loans of USD 1 billion and USD 1.25 billion respectively to the country, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance Abdul Hafeez Shaikh said at a news conference. Prime Minister Imran Khan had earlier announced a Rs 1.2 trillion economic relief package.

According to the Ministry of Health, Punjab - the emerging hotspot of Covid-19 in Pakistan - recorded 558 cases, followed by 481 in Sindh, 188 in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, 138 in Balochistan, 116 in Gilgit-Baltistan, 43 in Islamabad and 2 in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). So far 13 people have died.

Samachar, Asian Voice and our other publications adhering to our Panchamitra (five elements) – inform, entertain, inspire, energise and empower as mentioned in my first note to the readers 44 years ago. As we intend to be part of your grief in today’s trying times, we reiterate our pledge to provide you the best read.

Readers, subscribers, advertisers, supporters have always been our pillars of strength, not to mention my family, friends and a growing ABPL team.

The past decades have seen us taking up the cause of our community every time we are required to. These are extraordinary times, which require extraordinary measures. Temples are closed. Flights remain grounded. It can be especially overwhelming for the people settled abroad who are always in pursuit of happiness for their loved ones.

Campaigning for the welfare of people and supporting

Issue: 4:4:1976 Om 'Sah Navavatu Your Gujarat Samachar has reached a very crucial juncture in its journey.

Since its inception, in one or the other way, has continuously fought for Indians settled miles away in Europe. It has gone through good and bad phases on many occasions. Our objective is not to filter these phases.

A lot of challenges come in the way of publishing a Gujarati daily or weekly outside Gujarat. To take on these challenges, Gujarat Samachar’s publication had to be suspended or delayed on certain occasions.

From this issue, Gujarat Samachar has been reborn and changes may not go unnoticed.

A new group have taken over Gujarat Samachar’s publishing rights and management from April. Former owner and editor Mrs Kusumben Shah has been relieved of her official duties. But she will continue providing her services as the consulting editor.

Honourable Kusumben had kept Gujarat Samachar going even in the most unfavourable conditions, which is a testimony to her courage and soaring spirit.

As we shared earlier, it is not an easy task to publish and nurture a Gujarati newspaper away from India. Fortunately, the publication of various Indian languages dailies/weeklies have continued. For us, to publish and nurture a Gujarati weekly, has been a pleasant and successful experiment.

Along with Mrs Kusumben, Mr Ramniklal Solanki has joined the mission of connecting the community of immigrants by publishing Garvi Gujarat. At the end of eight years, it has achieved several milestones, which deserve commendation.

Besides, our journalist friend from Uganda, Mr Vanu Jivraj, has charted a new territory with the publication of bilingual Nav-Britain from Stoke-on-Trent. Efforts to launch magazines from Leicester and other areas have been welcomed.

There has been an upsurge in the demand of magazines and

their fights has always been our focus area. We have never shied away from taking up the cause of our community in need. As we make relentless efforts to extended helping hands to the needy, we acknowledge the help we get from the community and leaders. The credit also goes to our readers for their continued support.

As we remain confined to our homes, the practice of applauding from our doors, balconies those engaged in providing essential services is a welcome move. But at the same time, some concrete measures are the need of the hour to overcome the unprecedented challenges arising out of the Covid-19 spread, lockdown and its economic fallout, particularly for those, who discharge their duties, in spite of the risks.

Om Namah Shivay.

newspapers providing reading materials on various subjects including sports and leisure for Indians settled in Britain and the rest of Europe. This is our small effort to quench their thirst for knowledge. .

We came away from our ancestral homes as foreigner but have integrated here effortlessly. Gujarat Samachar will consciously make efforts to keep this tradition alive. It is a firm and true voice of circumstantial injustices faced by immigrants, who are minority in their new territories.

This weekly is not a mouthpiece for any particular religion, caste, creed or community and aims to make a mark of its own.

We do not want to just become the flag-bearer of the Indian diaspora. We wish to be their foundation. As Mr Gordhamram Tripath Ghardivda said, “Ghardivda Thai Ne Jabukta rehvu” (we will keep burning like an earthen lamp to light up your house).

We intend to turn Gujarat Samachar into a charitable trust as soon as it stands on its own feet. Our idea is to donate the profit to religious, educational, social organisations in UK, India and abroad.

We hope our readers will welcome the new avatar of Gujarat Samachar. Your continued support will be much appreciated.

At this beginning, we appeal to writers, thinkers, poets and all those interested in public life to send their written contributions to make Gujarat Samachar into a successful venture.

Om Sah navvvtu, sah nau bhunaktu, sah virya karwa wahe, Tejashiv navadhitam astu, maa vidvishawahe, Om shanti shanti shanti.

Aum! May we (both) be protected; may we (both) be nourished; May we work together with great energy, May our knowledge be radiant May there be no differences or disputes between us Om, peace (inside), peace (around), peace (between)

Beijing blocks UNSC discussion on coronavirus NEW YORK: China blocked a discussion in the UN Security Council on the coronavirus pandemic sweeping the world, sought earlier this week by Estonia, in a sign that reflects the limitations of the apex body of global governance to debate the burning issues of the day.

Estonia, which is a nonpermanent member, had asked for a meeting on the pandemic last week. The document stressed the “growing concern about the unprecedented extent of the Covid-19 outbreak in the world, which may constitute a threat to international peace and security".

The proposal, however, did not go far, with both China and Russia nixing the idea. Sources

said it did not appear as if the P5 were overly keen to hold a meeting on a subject that is devastating countries and the global economy, virtually without any early end in sight.

Some reports said the Estonian proposal called for “transparency” which China was reportedly unwilling to address.

Beijing has been facing a volley of allegations that it hid the incidence of the highly infectious coronavirus for over a month before reporting cases of unexplained pneumonia in Wuhan in late 2019.

While the UN stonewalled a discussion when the G-20 leaders sat down for a unique virtual summit, there was no questioning for transparency or origin of the virus. Official

sources said the conversation was collaborative and cooperative, which means the US and China may have put their mutual acrimony behind for the moment.

In 2015, the Security Council did hold a similar meeting when the Ebola virus was a looming threat, particularly to UN missions in Africa. But this time it’s different. Not only is China the source of the pandemic, the

US-China rivalry is playing out in the background as well with President Donald Trump insisting on referring to the disease as ‘China virus’.

According to recent reports, the UN Security Council has not met since March 12. Calls for virtual UNSC meetings in the era of social distancing and lockdowns have also found no merit with either China or Russia.

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Travel industry to boom after coronavirus

WHO: Indian response will make or break coronavirus battle

The travel and tourism industry has perhaps been the most resilient sector across the spectrum, quickly jumping back on its feet whether it was in the aftermath of the Spanish flu or the yellow fever. And each time, the travel industry has expanded in its scale, scope and style of customised travel packages to solo tripping.

Following the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, the cruise industry may record a severe collapse in the sales in its revival especially as old folks may now be more worried of being stranded on the other side of the ocean.

This however, also indicates that in a bid to revive the nearly dismantled cruise industry, travel agents may potentially offer discounted rates and perhaps, even secure refund or rescue clauses within these packages. Therefore, the flip side of the coronavirus may as well be that embarking on a cruise trip in future can be more affordable as opposed to a luxurious affair. A latest survey by LuggageHero noted that over half of the Americans (58%) are planning to travel between May and September 2020, as long as their destinations aren't in quarantine. But they're being careful. A quarter of participants will try to avoid big cities and public transportation, and 21% will choose domestic travel.

Amongst other trends will be a revival of road trips to the nearest beaches and hill stations with most people desperate for a change of scenary having suffered through months of quarrantine.With regards to boosting the air traffic and tickets, besides business magnates now even commercial flyers will heavily rely on branded airlines. Most consumers would remember their experience and assistance they received from travel agents and airlines during these tough times. In a way, this pandemic is just testing the loyalty of the various stakeholders of the travel industry to their customers.

GENEVA: India may well determine the future trajectory of Covid-19, declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO), especially in the manner India handles the unprecedented crisis now on.

Dr Michael J Ryan, executive director of WHO health emergencies programme, said while commenting on Covid19: “India, like China, is a hugely populous country. The future of this pandemic, to a greater extent, will be determined on what happens in very large and densely populated countries.”

“So, it’s really important that India continues to take aggressive action at the public health level and at the level of

society to contain, control, suppress this disease and save lives,” Ryan said. He added that India led the world in eradicating two silent killers - smallpox and polio.

“Smallpox killed more people on this planet than all wars together. India, through targeted public health interventions, ended that disease and gave a great gift to the world. India also eliminated polio, another silent killer, and did tremendous job on surveillance, on finding cases, and vaccinating and doing all the things that needed to be done,” Ryan said at a media briefing on the Covid-19 crisis in Geneva, Switzerland.

“The pandemic is accelerat-

ing,” Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director general of WHO said, as he called for world leaders to stop the highly contagious viral illness in its tracks, where possible, while also mitigating its effect on vulnerable populations and slowing its spread in communities where the virus has already gained a foothold.

As on Monday, Covid-19 has spread to 196 countries and territories worldwide causing illness in 7,40,235 people and claiming the lives of 35,035 people. In India, there have been 29 deaths due to Covid-19, till Monday, even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation for the second time in seven days, to

announce a nationwide 21-day lockdown. The elderly and those with co-morbidities are most vulnerable to Covid-19 and, once infected, may develop complications like acute respiratory distress and lung failure, experts said. Healthcare workers attending upon such patients are at high risk of contracting the infection, too.

Maria Van Kerkhove, technical head of WHO’s Covid-19 response, however, recommended that healthcare workers performing aerosol-generating procedures (for example, placing a tube down a patient’s airway to assist with breathing) should take extra precautions, primarily wearing personal protective equipment.

Iconic ethnic newspaper ceases print edition after 50 years NEW YORK: An iconic ethnic Indian newspaper in the US that catered to the Indian diaspora for the last 50 years has announced that it will cease the print edition from March 30 due to pre-existing troubles in the publishing industry worsened by the cancellation of advertisements amidst the coronavirus outbreak.

Suresh Venkatachari, chairman and a publisher of 'India Abroad', a weekly newspaper, announced its decision to cease the print edition. Founded by

Indian-American publisher Gopal Raju in 1970, 'India Abroad' rose to great heights of popularity by focusing on Indian news meant for expatriate audience. In 2001, Raju sold the publication to Rediff.com.

In late 2016, Rediff.com sold its venture to 8K Miles Media Inc. "Dear readers, I regret to inform you that India Abroad will cease its print publication at the end of March 2020. The last issue of India Abroad will be dated March 30," Venkatachari said. "For the thousands of

readers for whom India Abroad has been an integral part of their Indian-American journey, the close of the publication maybe heart-rending, but hardly surprising, given the reversal of fortunes of print publications in the United States and across the world," he said.

Venkatachari said people expressed fears to touch physical copies of newspapers, magazines and journals on newsstands and those delivered to them, which may have gone through several contacts, and

the post office also indicating that it will give priority only for the delivery of letters. It led to the possibility that publications may be delayed or may not even reach subscribers and added to the woes of publishing houses reeling from the cancellation of advertisements, he said.

"As the curtain comes town, it is only fitting to remember the founder and editor Gopal Raju, who built India Abroad into an institution that has a special place in the history of Indians in America," he said.

We’re Recruiting!

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Roles at TLC Care offer flexibility, immaculate hotel-style environments and outstanding training and career development.

We’re looking for like-minded individuals who will put our residents first and want to give back to the local community.

We are currently recruiting for the following: • Carers • Chefs • Entertainment • Nurses • Kitchen team • Priest • Housekeeping • Activities • Night shifts

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Providing compassionate nursing, residential, memory loss and respite care

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4 April - 10 April 2020

Seal borders, Centre tells states The art of remaining positive

In a move to curb the movement of migrant workers on roads and highways, the Centre on Sunday used the Disaster Management Act to fix responsibility on district magistrates and senior superintendents of police to seal district and state borders while making arrangements for those on the roads to be housed in shelters besides also dissuading such workers from leaving their current place of stay.

The measure followed concerns that continued movement of millions of migrant workers from various cities to the hinterland could lead to a problematic spread of Covid-19 in rural areas and was accompanied with directions to ensure salaries were paid and employment was not terminated during the ongoing national lockdown and the ensuing shuttering of economic activity in large parts of the country. The Supreme Court has observed that panic and fear was becoming a "bigger problem than coronavirus" and sought a report from the Centre on the measures taken to prevent the exodus of labourers.

Responding to questions whether the government was caught unawares by the migrant outflow, Lav Agarwal, joint secretary in the health ministry, said the entire situation due to the global and national spread of coronavirus was unprecedented in scale and the Centre had done its best to anticipate as well as respond to the developing situation on the ground.

Apart from enforcing the lockdown, states were

Rohit Vadhwana

directed to ensure all employers, be it in the industry or in shops or commercial establishments, shall make payment of wages to their workers, at their workplace, on the due date and without any deduction for the period their establishments are under closure during the lockdown.

It was also said that wherever workers, including the migrants, are living in rented accommodation, landlords shall not demand payment of rent for a period of one month. If a landlord forces labourers or students to vacate premises, the state police have been told to make him liable under the Disaster Management Act. Death toll mounts to 46 The total number of Covid-19 cases in India reached 1,441 on Tuesday, while the pandemic has claimed 46 lives so far. With 227 new cases added on Monday, there were fears that community transmission may have already begun, but the health ministry said that the disease was still in the local transmission stage.

The government also said there was no immediate plan to extend the 21-day

lockdown period, which entered its seventh day on Tuesday, while the Indian Army dismissed as "fake" social media posts about a possible emergency declaration next month.

On Monday, Telangana and Tamil Nadu raised concerns over the possibility of a religious event in Delhi infecting hundreds of people. The Telangana Chief Ministers’ Office reported that out of those from Telangana who had attended, six had died. It is believed that Covid-19 had spread among some of those who attended a religious prayer meeting from March 13-15 at Markaz in Delhi’s Nizamuddin.

Likewise, Tamil Nadu saw a surge of cases on Sunday, with four people linked to two Thai nationals who had attended the prayer meeting in Delhi.

The Tablighi Jamath conference in Delhi saw participation by Islamic preachers from across Asia, including countries like Thailand, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan and China. At least 1,500 people from Tamil Nadu attended the conference, out of which the state government has finally arrived at a list of 819

persons to trace.

As fresh cases of coronavirus cases were reported from various parts of the country including in Rajasthan, Haryana, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh, including in Noida in the national capital region, the Delhi Police cordoned off a major area in Nizamuddin where several people showed symptoms of coronavirus after taking part in the religious gathering.

Officials said over 2,000 delegates, including from Indonesia and Malaysia, attended the Tabligh-eJamaat congregation in Nizamuddin West from March 1-15. More than 200 people have been admitted to hospitals after showing symptoms of the disease and test results for many of them are awaited.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal later ordered FIR against the person who led the congregation. Raman R. Gangakhedkar, Head of Epidemiology and Communicable diseases at the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), said 38,442 tests have been conducted till now in India, out of which 3,501 were done on Sunday.

Due to the Covid-19 impact, economic activities have slowed down; supply chains are hardly sustaining; millions of people are stranded everywhere amidst the lockdowns that various countries have imposed; people are suffering pain; people are dying. Its a time of unprecedented agony for the mankind.

But in this time, Let's take a challenge! Yes, a challenge for ourselves in this challenging time of Covid-19. A challenge of positivity and affirmation. During this period when everywhere the news are about death and pain, let us try to remain positive, optimistic and futuristic. Keep our family and friends in good humour and spreading good vibrations.

There might be some people in our contact who might have been infected with coronavirus. But let's keep in mind that many patients are being cured. Positivity increases immunity, science has proved it. So, call the patient briefly, if s/he is very close to you, and wish them for good health and speedy recovery. Otherwise, we may also send whatsapp or text message. Some people might have come under weather. Contracted flu or other mild infections. They may also be encouraged to remain positive, increase immunity and take medicines properly.

Some organisations have started providing medical, food and shelter related services for stranded people. If we can help them directly or indirectly, it will be a great service to the humanity. At least we can tell them how grateful we are for their services. Don't discourage them.

Governments have come out with some emergency relief funds. We may donate there. After all, in all difficult times, it is only our government which comes to our rescue. Burden of resources is very high on all governments at this moment. Needless to say to we should be grateful to all government and public organisations, especially medical and essential services, who are working dedicatedly for the benefit of everyone.

Let's consider this was an inevitable suffering that we all had to go through during our lifetime. Vow for not creating worse out of the bad situations. Therefore, lets positively adhere to the guidelines given by government and medical experts.

Lets not initiate or be part of any rumour in the society. Even if some fake news comes to you, do not forward it further. Do not increase negativity and anxiety in the tense world. Finally, lets be grateful to the almighty for keeping us safe and pray for ending the situation. Even though we believe in science, and do not follow any particular religion or sect, there is no harm in connecting with our spiritual souls. Meditation and prayer will also help to relax our mind.

(Expressed opinion is personal)

10 Jamaat delegates from TN Indian High Commission warns against fake news over evacuation test +ve, 28 others suspect On Sunday 29th March, the Indian High Commissioner to the UK appealed to stranded Indian students and citizens due to coronavirus to beware of fake news circulated across WhatsApp groups.

The fake WhatsApp message reads, “If any one knows anyone who is stuck in London, Air India is operating evacuation flights from DEL & BOM. They will need to contact the Indian High Commission in London to figure out about a seat. These are on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd April.”

Posting a copy of this message on the official UK in India twitter handle, Her Excellency Ruchi Ghanashyam appealed to the Indian nationals to only believe information formally provided by the High Commission of India in London. The Indian High Commissioner to the

Ruchi Ghanashyam

UK tweeted, “I appeal to all Indians in UK not to believe in or forward rumours and follow HCI [High Commission of India] London’s social media platforms for updates.

“Please see FAQs posted earlier for your queries. Do not publicise personal info.

Stay safe and follow NHS [National Health Service] guidelines.” “No flights are allowed to land till April 14.

Please register your name on HCI’s website so that we can contact you whenever flights open.”

Hundreds of Indian students, professionals and

tourists are stranded in different parts of the UK after India updated its travel advisory to impose a ban on international flights until April 14 as part of its lockdown to control the spread of COVID-19. The UK Home Office had recently confirmed that any foreign students or professionals on visas that had expired or expiring would be given an extension at least until May 31. The stranded students, from different parts of India including Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Maharashtra and Uttarakhand.

“High Commission notes with dismay that some rumours are being spread even in such trying times. We request all not to pay attention to rumours. Stay connected with us for updates,” the High Commission said.

Tamil Nadu recorded 17 more Covid-19 positive cases on Monday and at least a score more suspected to be infected, while the state's anti-Covid machinery swung into action to trace the 980 Tamil Muslims who took part in a Tablighi Jamaat (TJ) conference in New Delhi and returned home.

While 28 are believed to be from Coimbatore, chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami confirmed that 10 were members of the TJ delegation from Erode.

A 65-year-old Tamil Nadu Muslim preacher of TJ, a religious outreach organization, passed away on Sunday and several others in a mosque in Delhi’s West Nizamuddin showed Covid19 like symptoms, triggering panic among the hundreds of inmates. At least 1,500 Muslims from TN participated in a three-day conference that ended on

March 23. While around 900 religious leaders returned, taking flights and buses home, 600 remained at the Banglewali masjid, rubbing shoulders with 800 other TJ followers hailing from Delhi, UP, Ranchi and Andaman & Nicobar Islands besides other parts of the country.

Palaniswami said that among the 17 fresh Covid-19 cases in Tamil Nadu on Monday, 10 from Erode were among the 981, who returned from the TJ conference. “The numbers rose from this team,” he said. Grappling with rising cases back home, Tamil Nadu now has the onerous task of tracking the 900-odd Tamil Muslims, who returned to the state, besides identifying their families and contacts, screening and isolating them.

Tamil Nadu’s district collectors are on the job of tracking those who took part in the religious meeting.

“We have isolated 33, out of

which 10 have tested positive. The operation is still on to identify the Muslim members and their families,” said Erode collector C Kathiravan. In Coimbatore, 44 of the 61 had been traced and 41 put to test. “The families were refusing to get screened. We were firm with them,” said Coimbatore collector K Rajamani. TJ headquarters spokesman Tamin Ansari said that Delhi health authorities and the police have been taking the inmates of the Masjid in batches of 65 for screening to government hospitals for the past three days. “They were screening those who were above 65 years of age,” said Ansari. He said the conference, a bi-annual exercise, was organized for TJ ulemas of every state to assess the intra-religious conversions. The March 2123 conference was for the Tamil Nadu chapter.

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4 April - 10 April 2020

There will be disruptions, but it’s the only way: PM Modi Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the 21-day national lockdown to contain the spread of coronavirus was bound to cause disruptions but the choice was stark as social distancing and isolation were the only and best means to ensure the disease did not extract an incalculable cost.

In a video interaction with residents of Varanasi, the PM, in his first comments after he announced a lockdown, said even in a normal situation, there was the possibility of inconveniences like water/electricity shortages and missing service providers, and to assume that a crisis of the magnitude

Narendra Modi

that coronavirus presented would not create problems was akin to defrauding ourselves.

"To think there will be no difficulties will be to delude oneself. The Centre and state governments are trying hard to help. Still, I do agree that it is important to question the arrangements.

But we should also pause for

a moment to ask ourselves whether despite the problems, faced with a danger like coronavirus, do we have to win or not. The difficulties are going to be there for only 21 days but the damage that coronavirus will cause if it does not go away cannot be calculated " the PM said.

Modi seemed to be trying to prepare people to put up with various inconveniences like irregular supplies of everyday items while arguing that the threat of wider or uncontrolled transmission of coronavirus

was a danger that needed to be averted at all costs.

Seeking to drive home the point, Modi said the battle of Mahabharata was won in 18 days, and the one against coronavirus was going to take 21 days. "Our endeavour is to win it in 21 days. Whereas Lord Krishna was the general and the guide in Mahabharata, the battle against coronavirus will be led by 130 crore Indians,” he said, adding that the common man believed in taking the right step at the right time.

“On March 22, it was clearly seen how all citizens supported janata curfew and then at 5 pm, expressed gratitude to professionals fulfilling their duties in essential services,” he said.

Railways to make ventilators, coaches to be isolation units As the government prepares for a long battle against Covid-19, isolation wards in trains for rural and remote areas, and manufacturing of ventilators in its factories are at the top of the agenda for the Indian Railways.

While the Rail Coach Factory (RCF) in Kapurthala has been tasked with the duty of converting LHB coaches into isolation wards, the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai, the makers of Train 18 (India’s first electric semi-high speed train), is attempting to manufacture ventilators.

Addressing a video conference, Railway Minister Piyush Goyal and Railway Board Chairman V

K Yadav told the top brass to be prepared in the event of community transmission of COVID-19, which would then require reinforcement of healthcare facilities across India, especially in rural and remote areas.

“The instructions are to achieve preparedness and be on standby,” a top Railway Ministry official said. “This is keeping in mind the scenario of a long battle beyond the 21-day lockdown.”

RCF Kapurthala will be initially making a prototype by converting an existing LHB coach into an isolation ward. This will be a non-AC coach because it would be difficult to sanitise air for a communicable disease in

Obituary Dadi Janki, Spiritual Head of Brahma Kumaris, a spiritual movement of over a million people worldwide, passed away on Friday 27th March in Mt. Abu, India, aged 104.

Based in London for 40 years, Dadi travelled the world sharing her message of peace through the practice of Raja Yoga meditation.

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case of an AC coach.

The layout is being prepared and a decision will be taken as to how many patients can be accommodated in a coach keeping in mind various factors - Piyush Goyal distance, hygiene, necessary equipment to monitor health, and most importantly, exclusive bathroom usage.

Once the design is finalised, turning a rake into an isolation ward won’t be difficult even in short time, officials said, adding that the coaches are anyway lying idle due to the lockdown.

However, according to officials, it is the manufacturing of ventilators that is turning out to be a challenge. ICF Chennai had made a prototype using “reverse engineering” but it has

failed. More attempts are being made. “Making the machine is not difficult, but calibrating it is the challenge. Let’s hope we can crack it. Gone are the days of mechanical ventilators. So what we make has to be of the existing standards,” said a senior official.

India lacks an official figure on the number of ventilators it has. Rough estimates peg it at around 40,000. Many countries have also pressed into service non-health sectors to supplement their medical capability to fight the outbreak.

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Alpesh Patel

Why We Didn’t Have a Vaccine – Poor People There is a speech at Harvard by Bill Gates. It is on YouTube. You should watch it. Bill Gates explains that Coronavirus vaccines were not delivered because the 500k people a year dying from it were poor and black. They could have had a vaccine sooner. He says that’s disgusting.

His words. He said this nearly a decade ago. He said it to the most privileged group of Americans. To their faces.

About their Governments. Well they are looking for a vaccine now aren’t they. If only there had been some sign.

Some warning.

And I just thought he made a software. Just think what he could have achieved if he graduated.

As the virus accelerates now in America, a political culture which is in some ways the opposite to China and so far harder to control social movement by Government, let alone it is a continent, plus add an attitude as sceptical at times of the impact of the virus as it is to climate change - death toll estimates are set at 200,000. I pray a miracle prevents this.

Data suggests obesity is more likely to lead to complications with the virus. The US has over 50s population where about 50 per cent are obese.

An intelligent design which this virus is, targets greatest impact on liberal democracies (personal liberty focussed countries), relatively wealthy (more likely obese), ageing populations, modern (more likely to travel, have children later and hence skewed demographics to ageing population).

This is not some benevolent creator full of one love wanting you to be grateful for all you have and appreciate the planet. This is a monstrous murdering savage that wants to destroy your liberties, your economies, your food chains. Before you bathe in the glory of a morning yoga session and how lovely it is to pause and the world can be empathetic and united - remember this thing is killing disproportionately those who share your way of life, your political system, your liberal values. If you don’t respect those and don’t think nationality embodies those things of importance and want to imagine a world without such things - please forfeit your nationality.

Before your business makes someone redundant please check Government support - grants - loans.

Big applause to the supermarket staff and public transport people and all the “invisibles”. Someone somewhere maybe planned this to just make us stop and think.

Maybe.

"Virgin Atlantic had previously suggested the government offer UK carriers £7.5 billion in credit facilities."

NO. You save jobs AND protect tax-paying public AND the company by: 1. Telling them to issue more shares to their existing shareholders - who don't get an interest free loan and get to save their shareholding! If they don't pay, then ..

2. Government gets a convertible - ie it gets shares at the present price PLUS it's money back, at it's election. AND it gets a seat on the remuneration committee - and gets to enforce gender and ethnic minority representation and pay gaps.

BUT you do not prefer shareholders, risk-takers, over the tax-payer or employees.

Happy to do these deals for HMG all day long.

12 BOLLYWOOD

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Shilpa, Raj Kundra take the 'Flip The Switch' challenge All those bored at home self-isolating, take notes from our celebrity friends Shilpa Shetty Kundra and her husband Raj. The couple finally took the 'Flip The Switch' challenge and had our rolling on the floor laughing. In the video, Shilpa is seen wearing a beautiful black dress, grooving to 'Flip the Switch' with Raj standing beside her dressed in denim shirt and jeans.

You see Shilpa dancing one instance and boom! The switch is flipped and we see Raj dressed in the black dress, dancing, while Shilpa stands beside him with his clothes on.

With India under complete lockdown, celebrities are stuck inside their homes too. In another social media post, Shilpa is seen cleaning her garden area. She wrote, “This is a workout guys. Maid nahi ayi hai... garden ho... ghar ho... safai karo. Isse better work-out nahi ho sakta. Aur self isolation mein occupation bhi mil jaata hai. ...Yeh ho gaya aaj ka cardio (The maid isn’t here today. So whether it’s your home or your garden, clean it up.

There cannot be a better work out than this. It also keeps you occupied through the self-isolation. Here’s enough cardio for today).”

She also appreciated domestic helpers and said, “Cleaning and tending to the garden for these last few days.

This lockdown time has made me realise and remember that

by Vallisa Chauhan

Genre: Romantic comedy Duration: 151 mins

Rewind 20-years back to Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge Sapna has been bought up by her three very different uncle’s and although they all wish for her to get married they cannot agree on the type of guy she should marry. She meets Raja, and they fall in love, now they just need to convince her uncles to approve of him.

having help in any form is one of those few things we should always appreciate. Our lives become so much easier because of all our house help/staff but unfortunately, sometimes we only realise this in times like these.”

The actress is due to make a comeback to films after a 13 year sabbatical and is currently gearing up for Sabbir Khan's 'Nikamma'. She also has Priyadarshan's 'Hungama 2' in the kitty.

Sonam on internet trolls: Damned if I do, damned if I don't Actor Sonam Kapoor seems to have had enough of internet trolls and has figured out the best way to deal with it. The actor took a shot at all haters and tweeted, “I've realised in trolliverse I'm damned I do and damned if I don't. So I'll just do as I please.” The tweet seems to have come in response to those who targeted her for pledging to contribute to the Maharashtra Chief Minister's Relief Fund.

Lauding the government's efforts to fight the outbreak, the actress had tweeted that she would donate, and a volley of negative comments broke in. While some asked her to donate first and then tweet, others questioned the amount she would be donating. There were several ignorant Twitter users who slammed her for not contributing to the PM's Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations fund. One such person wrote, “Why donate only for maharashtra... your films are viewed by people of india...donate for india #PMCARES”. The actress and her husband Anand Ahuja are currently in self-isolation at their Delhi residence.

Kangana calls coronavirus epidemic a 'potential bio war' Actor Kangana Ranaut has called the COVID-19 pandemic a “potential bio war.” Currently stationed at her Manali residence as the country observes national lockdown, Kangana said, “This could be a potential bio war where countries are trying to get down each other's economies. We have to reflect as where we have landed as people, as a nation and why are we letting our greed, our senses guide us and not our consciousness.” She added, “We all are doing our bit and also donating for this. Our huge concern for economy has landed us all in the situation where we are with no concern for human well being. If this lockdown goes on for 21 days we will be two years behind economically, but if it goes beyond 21 days it is going to be a disastrous situation for our nation because we are a developing one.”

She also said people need to understand the seriousness of the situation. “Right now we only exist as people here. I’ve stopped to see myself as an actor and like I said we should be ready for almost anything, we should be prepared to rise above individual concerns. So my films are also like everything else it’s just stuck and I don’t know where we will land. It depends on when we come out of it. That is the reason I want more people to understand the seriousness of the situation. Right now individual gain or loss is not my concern,” she said.

Played by Karisma Kapoor Sapna has been bought up by her three uniquely different uncles- Prabhu Nath (Paresh Rawal), Vicky Nath (Anupam Kher) and Bhola Nath (Om Puri).

Prabhu is very religious and feels Sapna should marry someone who is overtly religious as well. Vicky on the contrary is into Western music and fashion and is probably the most fun out of the three uncles. Whereas Bhola Nath is a former wrestler and a stern uncle who is into working out and makes Sapna work out with him daily.

Sapna finds out about a group trip to Europe which she really wants to go on and talks to her nanny Mary about it. But Mary is sacked by her uncles for encouraging such thoughts in Sapna’s mind. Mary actually works for another family who have a son called Raja (Salman Khan) who sees a picture of Sapna and likes her.

A little rebellious Sapna decides to sneak out and go away on the trip anyway. But she is caught by Vicky Uncle, who decides to drop her to the airport. Whilst her uncles go mad trying to find out where their niece is, Sapna is having fun on her trip but no thanks to Raja who is making her life a living hell.

Sapna and Raja get separated from the group and whilst mad at Raja, she finds herself in trouble where Raja saves her life and the two fall in love. The only problem they face now is convincing her uncles that Raja is the perfect man for Sapna.

The film is a fun loving quirky take on young adults in India, both Raja and Sapna are highly strung and believe they are right all the time and the dynamic between Kapoor and Khan on screen is awesome. The songs are great and if you remember the words from 20 years ago then it could become a sing along for all the family.

You can get in touch with Vallisa: djvallisa@gmail.com

Salman to help 25,000 daily wage workers from film industry A bad boy with a big heart. Bolly superstar Salman Khan has pledged to financially support 25,000 daily wage workers within the film industry as the poor continue to be the most affected during the lockdown. According to Federation of Western Indian Cine Employees (FWICE), the actor's Being Human Foundation reached out to them to help the workers.

FWICE president B N Tiwari said, “Salman’s Being Human Foundation has come forward to help daily wage workers. They called us three days ago. We have about 500,000 workers out of which 25,000 are in dire need of financial help. Being Human Foundation said they will take care of these workers on their own. They have asked for account details of these 25,000 workers as they want to ensure that money reaches them directly.”

Salman is not the first actor to donate money or essentials to the needy. Akshay Kumar has pledged to contribute £2.5 million to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's coronavirus relief fund. In an interview with a media source, he had said, “Main kaun hota hoon ‘charity’ yah ‘donate’ karne waala? (who am I to donate or make any charity?)”. Doosri baat ki hum apni country ko Bharat Maa kehte hain. Mera yeh contribution actually mera nahi hai. Yeh meri maa ki taraf se Bharat Maa ko hai.

(We address our country as Bharat Maa. So this contribution is not from me. It is from my mother to my motherland, Bharat Maa.).”