First India Gujarat For Gujarat Samachar Epaper 26 March 2020 edition by First India-English News Paper

OUR EDITIONS: JAIPUR & AHMEDABAD

CORONA

23°C - 36°C

ALERT

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AHMEDABAD l THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2020 l Pages 14 l 3.00 RNI NO. GUJENG/2019/16208 l Vol 1 l Issue No. 119

COVID-19 UPDATE

WORLD

16,362 375,498 DEATHS

CONFIRMED CASES

623

DEATHS

INDIA

623

CONFIRMED CASES

GUJARAT

DEATHS

CONFIRMED CASES

COUNTING...

Defying lockdown, a man cycles through Walled City area of Jaipur on Wednesday. —PHOTO BY SUNIL SHARMA

 MAHABHARATA WAS WON IN 18 DAYS, WAR  PM SHARES WA HELPLINE NO. AGAINST CORONA WILL TAKE 21 DAYS: MODI 9013151515 FOR CORONA INFO

rime Minister Narendra Modi said that Mahabharata battle was won in 18 days while the war against coronavirus will take 21 days. He was interacting with the citizens of Varanasi via video conferencing on Wednesday. “Mahabharat war was won in 18 days, this war the whole country is fighting against #corona will take 21 days. Our aim is to win this war in 21 days,” said PM Modi. In his first public engagement after the announcement of the lockdown, the Prime Minister expressed gratitude towards people for taking out time for the interaction. “Today is the first day of Navratri, you all must be busy in performing rituals and offering prayers, but still you took out time for this interaction, I’m grateful to all of you. I pray to Goddess Shailputri to give us the strength in the country’s fight against coronavirus,” said PM Modi Turn on P2

Govt may unveil over `1.5L cr economic stimulus package

Toll reaches 12; TN, MP report one death each

New Delhi : The government is likely to unveil an economic stimulus package as the country battles to curb the spread of coronavirus, a source from Finance Ministry. Sources say govt may agree an economic stimulus package of more than Rs1.5 lakh crore to fight a downturn in the country that is currently locked down to stem the spread of coronavirus. The package will be focused on MSMEs and daily wage workers besides injecting liquidity

New Delhi: Coronavirus continues to wreak havoc in the country as 87 new cases were reported on Wednesday. While the number of infected reached 623 on Wednesday, while 12 people have lost their lives so far. A 54-year-old patient succumbed during treatment in Madurai, Tamil Nadu in the morning while a 65-year-old woman from Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh died in the evening, said informed sources.

An example of social distancing outside a grocery shop in a village in Rajasthan. —PHOTO SOURCE TWITTER

in the market, said the source. The government has been in consultation with the Reserve Bank of India, capital market regulator SEBI. Official

PRINCE CHARLES TESTS POSITIVE FOR COVID-19 London: Prince Charles on Wednesday has tested positive for the novel coronavirus and is working from home with mild symptoms, according to UK media. As per medical advice, the 71-year old heir to the British throne and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, are now self-isolating at their home in Scotland. Buckingham Palace said Queen, who turns 94 next month, “remains in good health.” She sequestered herself in Windsor Castle last week with her husband saying family would follow social distancing.

said a task force has also been formed to give suggestions to Ministry and top officials are intensively working on the plan, said the official.

OPS SUSPENDED TILL APR 14: RLYS, INDIGO, SPICEJET New Delhi: Indian Railways has suspension of all passenger services will continue till April 14. However, freight movement will continue to carry essential commodities across the country, officials said. Meanwhile, commercial airlines IndiGo and SpiceJet on Wednesday issued statements saying that all their operations were cancelled till 14 April, in view of the 21-day complete lockdown ordered by the Centre to tackle the spread of coronavirus.

GLOBAL STATE OF AFFAIRS CHINA

FRANCE

81,767

19,615 860

3,283 ITALY

KOREA

63,927

9,037 120

6,077 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

SWITZERLAND

42,164 471

8,015 66

SPAIN

UNITED KINGDOM

33,089 2,182

6,654 335

IRAN

NETHERLANDS

24,811 1,934

4,749 213

GERMANY

JAPAN

29,212

1,128 42

126  In the backdrop of the coronavirus outbreak, the first phase of Census 2021 and the updation of National Population Register has been postponed until further orders, said Ministry of Home Affairs on Wednesday.  United Nations Resident Coordinator in India, Renata Dessallien, on Wednesday welcomed PM Narendra Modi’s strategy of a 21-day nation-wide lockdown to curtail the spread of the coronavirus.

 Adhering to the 21-day nationwide shutdown, Mata Vaishni Devi Trust has decided to keep temple closed for pilgrims to beat coronavirus, despite start of auspicious period of Chaitra Navratri.  In a letter to Secy, Health and Family Welfare, ECI stated that following extraordinary circumstances because of COVID-19 pandemic, it has reviewed its decision suo moto and has decided to allow the use of indelible ink on persons for stamping for homestay.

 CONFIRMED CASES  DEATHS

Corona exodus forces govt to help people with food and transportation CHIEF MINISTER VIJAY RUPANI ANNOUNCED FREE FOOD TO RATION-CARD HOLDERS, BUT PEOPLE ARE LEAVING Gargi Raval Ahmedabad: Notwithstanding the desperate calls by the government to stay back, thousands of people from across Gujarat on Wednesday began their journey back home to neighbouring Rajasthan and other states by foot, bicycles, motorcycles, buses and trucks.

This is also when Chief Minister Vijay Rupani announced that one month rations will be given free from April 1 to ration card holders. Under the new relief package, 60 lakh families will be covered and benefits will reach 3.25 crore people of the state, he stated. Accordingly, every person mentioned on the ration card will get 3.5 kg wheat, 1.50 kg

1 more death, 50 others have symptoms

Migrant workers from Gujarat on their way to Rajasthan and other states.—PHOTO BY NANDAN DAVE

rice, per family 1 kg sugar, 1 kg Dal and 1 kg salt for April will be given free of cost. Those leaving lock, stock and barrel told First India that they had stayed back thinking the lockdown

would be till March 31 but now that it has been extended by nearly three weeks, it would be difficult to sustain themselves. Mohan Suthar, 45, who is working as a carpenter in Ahmedabad for the

last 25 years was walking from Iscon Crossroads to Vaishnodevi Circle, along with two helpers. “We are from Barmer. I never thought that I would go like this. But there is no option. The first announcement was to stay indoors until March 25. But now it is 21 more days. That means no work and no food,” he said. Suthar bemoaned, “There is a truck on the border from our village that will take us back. The worry is only to walk till the border.” Turn on P2

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AHMEDABAD | THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2020

Union Home Minister Amit Shah with Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh. —FILE PHOTO

FACILITATE EVACUATION OF PILGRIMS STRANDED AT NANDED SAHIB: PUNJAB CM URGES SHAH

unjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Wednesday said that he has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Maharashtra Chief Minister Udhav Thackeray to facilitate the evacuation of devotees stranded at Nanded Sahib Gurudwara amid the 21-day nationwide lockdown in the wake of COVID-19 outbreak. “I Have written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray to facilitate the evacuation of devotees stranded at Nanded Sahib Gurudwara. The pilgrims have been stranded there for long and we owe them a safe return to their homes & families, “CM Captain Amarinder Singh said. A press statement from Punjab CMO said that the Maharashtra govt

SPECIAL TRAINS

had responded with the assurance that necessary action would be taken to help out the stranded pilgrims. “According to an official spokesperson, the office of the Maharashtra CM had conveyed to CMO Punjab that all steps were being taken in this respect. Maharashtra Tourism, Environment and Protocol Minister Aditya Thackeray responded to Captain Amarinder’s tweet on the issue with: “Thank you sir @capt_ amarinder Ji. Will look into it and do the needful.” The CM had tweeted: “Have written to HM

@AmitShah Ji & Maharashtra CM @OfficeofUT to facilitate the evacuation of devotees stranded at Nanded Sahib Gurdwara. The pilgrims have been stranded there for long & we owe them a safe return to their homes & families” statement said. “Captain Amarinder wrote that owing to the cancellation of trains some days back and the nationwide lockdown imposed since midnight yesterday, there is no possibility to bring them back to Punjab without special approval of the Government of India amid COVID-19,” the statement added. “He further wrote that the officers of Punjab Government were in constant touch with the district administration of Nanded for making suitable arrangements for their boarding and lodging. —ANI

Sensex jumps 1,862 points, Reliance gains by 13.8 per cent Mumbai: Equity benchmark indices closed nearly 7 per cent higher on Wednesday as Asian shares extended a rally after Wall Street’s strong rebound overnight. Reports said the US Senate leaders had reached deal with the White House on a two trillion dollar coronavirus stimulus package. The BSE S&P Sensex closed 1,862 points or

6.98 per cent higher at 28,536 while the Nifty 50 ticked up by 497 points or 6.37 per cent to 8,298. All sectoral indices at

the National Stock Exchange were in the green with Nifty financial service gaining by a whopping 9.7 per cent, private bank by 8.4 per cent, auto by 4.3 per cent and realty by 3.2 per cent. Among stocks, index heavyweight Reliance Industries rose by 13.84 per cent to Rs 1,074 per share after reports indicated that Facebook may pick up stake in Jio. —ANI

PM Modi extends Navratri greetings

Prime Minister Narendra Modi offers prayers at a Navratri event.

—FILE PHOTO

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday extended greetings to the nation on the occasion of Navratri and expressed hope that the nine-day festival will bring prosperity and good health in everyone’s life. “Best wishes to all countrymen on the New Year Vikram Samvat 2077. May this new year bring prosperity and good health in your life,” Prime Minister Modi tweeted. As Navratri festival is celebrated across India in various forms, Prime Minister greeted countrymen on Ugadi, Gudi Padava, Navreh and Sajibu Cheiraoba. “We are celebrat-

ing various festivals across India and also the start of a New Year as per our traditional calendar. Greetings on Ugadi, Gudi Padava, Navreh and Sajibu Cheiraoba. May these auspicious occasions bring good health, happiness and prosperity in our lives,” he wrote. “Sajibu Cheiraoba greetings to my sisters and brothers of Manipur. May everyone be blessed with peace and prosperity. Special prayers for the good health of the people,” he added. He highlighted that the countrymen are marking these festivals at a time when the nation is battling the COVID-19 menace. —ANI

FROM PG 1 TOLL REACHES... “As the MP of Varanasi, I should have been amongst you in times like these. But you are aware of the things that are going on in Delhi. Despite being busy here, I have been taking regular updates on Varanasi from my colleagues,” he said. He also requested people to not believe in rumours and said,” At times, people don’t pay attention to things which are important.

The same is happening in India. I request people to understand the facts and not believe in rumours. COVID-19 doesn’t discriminate between the rich and the poor. It will not spare anyone just because they perform yoga or exercise daily.” On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a 21day lockdown in the entire country to deal with the spread of coronavirus, saying that

“social distancing” is the only option to deal with the disease, which spreads rapidly. In a televised address to the nation, Prime Minister Modi said that it is vital to break the chain of the disease and experts have said that at least 21 days are needed for it. —ANI

CORONA EXODUS... And Naresh Prajapati, who works in a hotel near Ashram road, took his bicycle to reach his

home Udaipur. “I was dehydrated and fainted when I reached near airport circle. I was going on a bicycle and many of my friends have already reached their villages who left last night. I will start my journey tonight, again, since I can’t stay here without money and food for 21 days,” said Prajapati. Suthar and Prajapati are only two instances. In groups, they have started walking to

reach the State border as no private or public transportation was available then. After the mass exodus, the Ahmedabad Police has started helping them with transportation. Starting from Vaishnodevi circle and Chiloda, small vehicles and mini-buses have been roped in. According to the police, more than 10,000 people since last night have started the migration.

GUJARAT AHMEDABAD | THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2020

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COVID-19 OUTBREAK

About 1,000 resident doctors are attempting to fight the virus without adequate food, water or masks

Vipul Rajput

Ahmedabad: In Vadodara, a doctor who was treating patients suspected of having been infected with COVID-19 is now a patient himself. Similarly, a doctor in Gandhinagar is also undergoing treatment for Coronavirus infection. In Ahmedabad, about 1,000 senior resident doctors, who are battling COVID-19 at the Civil Hospital, are hav-

EXCLUSIVE ing to go without basics such as food, water, or masks. The postgraduate (PG) resident doctors, who are the mainstay of the patients’ treatment chain, remain on active duty. However, the only operational mess, at the PG hostel, is likely to close soon. Lalitaban Goswami, who runs the mess at the PG Hostel, says: “We have kept the mess going as we are worried about the doctors. But how are we to bring groceries in the coming

days? We are also short on staff, making it increasingly difficult to be able to cook for 8001,000 doctors.” On Wednesday, a senior resident told First India, “The tiffinwalas and the only functional mess are closing from tomorrow. The hostel’s water dispensers have not functioned for two years. The guys who used to supply us 20-litre bottles are also refusing service. We do not know how we residents and senior residents are going to manage for without food or water.” Masks, the last line of defence for these doctors, are also running out. As a senior resident said, “For the past several days, we have been working in the isolation ward of the Civil Hospital, and have had to buy masks, since we aren’t being given new ones.” Superintendent Dr GH Rathod said, “Senior resident doctors will continue to have dining arrangements in the PG hostel. Also, we have ordered about 25,000 new masks, so there will be no trouble anymore.”

TWO DOCTORS THREATENED IN SURAT

—PHOTO BY HANIF SINDHI

Civil Hosp’s ill-equipped army of docs THREE FACTORY OWNERS BOOKED

Rajkot: Three Jetpur processing plant owners Jignesh Manhar Jogi, Savankumar Alias Lala Jaiswal and Mansukh Jivraj Vaghani were on Wednesday booked under Section 188 for running their factories late at night despite the nationwide lockdown. In a joint operation by Jetpur mamlatdar, Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) and local police, three units were found operational with 10-15 workers working late into the night. “We started checking plants at 9.30 pm and by 2.30 am on Wednesday morning we found three units engaged in processing work,” said TC Barmeda, regional officer, GPCB. VM Kariya, Jetpur mamlatdar, said, “They had made representation to continue operations since halfprocessed material could not be kept for long. I had asked them to approach higher authorities.”

TWO FIRS FOR QUARANTINE VIOLATION Resident doctors are worried that the only mess still open on the Civil Hospital campus in Ahmedabad will shut soon.

Neighbours try to evict ‘Chinese’ women; police intervene First India News Ahmedabad: The paranoia surrounding COVID-19 has brought out the city’s latent racism, making life particularly difficult for people from the Northeast who live here. Luckily, they’ve been getting help from the police. Not only are renters from northeastern states, like Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur and Meghalaya, having trouble finding places to stay, some of them are also facing eviction by paranoid neighbours who mistake them for Chinese people--specifically people from China’s Wuhan province. In one such instance,

In a video has been doing the rounds on social media, Northeastern women tennants are seen complaining to the cops about harassment. The cops have assured them of their safety.

women from India’s Northeast were pressured by their neighbours to vacate the house they had just moved into. In a video seen doing the rounds on social media, the women are seen complaining to the cops, who then assured their safety. Inspector JP Jadeja of Sola Police Station told, “Five to six young women from Nagaland came to stay as tenants in Sola’s Ajanta Elora Society a couple of days ago. However, local residents tried to evict them as they thought they were Chinese and hence carrying the Coronavirus. The scared women called the police control room.”

Farmers may get 3-month extension on loans: Govt First India News

The government has assured the people that it is monitoring the supply of essentials including vegetables, which are seen here sold at the Sabarmati Riverfront. —PHOTO BY HANIF SINDHI

Gandhinagar: With the nation under lockdown, the state government has taken up the issue of farmers’ short-term loan repayment with the Central government to bail out farmers from a financial crisis. Ashwani Kumar, Secretary to the Chief Minister, said that a core group committee meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on Wednesday decided to request the Centre to extend the repayment

term by three months, from March 31. Kumar also assured the people that there is no shortage of food, vegetables and milk in the state. He added that three crore litres of milk are collected every day, of which 55 lakh litres are packaged and sold. So, there is no possibility of a milk shortage. A district-level officer will keep track of procurement and sale so that supply is not disrupted. In addition, 75 Agriculture Produce Market Cooperatives (APMCs)

Migrant workers and daily wage labourers have begun an exodus out of Ahmedabad city, with many trying to make their way home by whatever means possible.

will function around the clock. Daily, 53 lakh kg vegetables produced domestically and supplied from other states are supplied in these markets. A team led by the Cooperatives secretary is tracking vegetable supplies in the wholesale market and retail market. There will be no shortage of potato and onion as they are stocked in the cold storage and other storage units. Supply from these storage units is also under supervision, Kumar added.

Ahmedabad: The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) on Wednesday registered two police complaints against people in violation of COVID-19 home-quarantine. One of the complaints was lodged in Vatva and the other in Lambha for flouting health guidelines in wake of the corona outbreak. Meanwhile, the civic body announced a scheme for the purchase of vegetables from the wholesale market in the city. Under the supervision of AMC, a volunteer from any society may register to buy vegetables in a minimum quantity of 100 kg from the wholesale market. It will be that person’s responsibility then to distribute the vegetables among the residents of their society.

250-BED HOSPITAL SET UP IN 72 HOURS Surat: A 250-bed hospital to cater to COVID-19 patients is set to be launched at the Stem Cell Centre at New Civil Hospital in the city on Thursday. An initiative of the local civic body Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) and the state government, the hospital was set up in 72 hours to help Coronavirus patients. Another 500-bed hospital is currently under construction at the site which will soon be operational. Meanwhile, the total number of Coronavirus cases in the city reached seven after a positive case was reported on Wednesday. Also, after the 21-day lockdown was announced by PM Modi, there was a rush of people at city supermarkets and grocery shops for some last-minute shopping.

RAJKOT GETS 4TH POSITIVE CASE Rajkot: The fourth positive case of COVID-19 was reported in Rajkot on Wednesday. A 42-year-old man living in Jagnath area tested positive after his 75-year-old mother was admitted to an isolation ward on Tuesday. Being a case of community transfer, both the son and mother have no travel history, with the former having showing symptoms of a cough and cold since March 11. Meanwhile, with people rushing to buy groceries, medicines and other essential items, a meeting chaired by Rajkot collector Remya Mohan decided to deploy teams headed by a nodal officer in all 18 wards of the city. The team will supervise the supply, distribution and rates of goods. A psychological intervention centre is to be started on Thursday, where quarantined people will receive psychological counselling from psychologists, psychiatrist and counsellors. Work of stamping quarantine people has also been started by the district administration.

—PHOTOS BY HANIF SINDHI AND NANDAN DAVE

INDIA AHMEDABAD | THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2020

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CONG LEADER SUGGESTED TEN MEASURES TO THE MODI GOVT TO SOFTEN THE BLOW OF THE 21-DAY LOCK DOWN

Transfer cash in bank accounts of poor during lock down: Chidu

New Delhi: Former Finance Minister and senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram on Wednesday welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s lockdown decision for 21 days in the wake of coronavirus pandemic and suggested 10 measures, including cash transfer in bank accounts of the poor and vulnerable. In a statement, the former Minister said Modi’s announcement of a nationwide 21-day lockdown is a “watershed moment” in the battle against Covid-19 and that “we should put behind the debates that took place before March 24 and look upon as the beginning of a new battle in which people are foot soldier and the Prime Minister is the commander”. “Stay home India is a great rally cry, but to stay at home people will need money and food. We must think and plan not only for the next 21 days but for some weeks

P Chidambaram

beyond the lockdown period,” Chidambaram said. He said the current employment and wages must be protected. Suggesting 10 measures, he said cash and food should be immediately put in the hands of the poor and the vulnera ble. The Congress leader said, “Double the amount paid to farmers under the PM-KISAN to Rs 12,000 and transfer the additional amount

Don’t resort to panic buying: Javadekar New Delhi : Union Minister Prakash Javadekar on Wednesday said the Centre and state governments are working in tandem to prevent the spread of coronavirus and asked people not to panic amid countrywide lockdown. The lockdown was imposed in the country from today and will be in force till April 14.In a cabinet briefing, Javadekar requested people to stay at home, maintain social distancing, wash hands frequently and visit a

doctor if the symptoms appear. “The 21-day lockdown is important. Spend quality time with your family and do not resort to panic-buying. Essential items will be available throughout the country,” he said.

PM COMMANDER...

e should put behind debates that took place before March 24 and look upon as beginning of a new battle in which people are foot soldier and the Prime Minister is the commander. Stay home India is a great rally cry, but to stay at home people will need money and food. We must think and plan not only for the next 21 days but for some weeks beyond lockdown period. Double the amount paid to farmers under the PM-KISAN to Rs 12,000 and transfer the additional amount immediately to the bank account of each beneficiary. Offer to every ration card holder 10 kg of rice or wheat absolutely free as a one-time measure in the next 21 days.

immediately to the bank account of each beneficiary.” He also urged the government to transfer the amount of Rs12,000 to the tenant farmers in two installments and also transfer a sum of Rs 3,000 in the bank accounts of the MGNREGA beneficiaries. Chidambaram also appealed to the government to transfer an amount of Rs 6,000 in the urban poor Jan

Dhan bank account holders.”Offer to every ration card holder 10 kg of rice or wheat absolutely free as a one-time measure in the next 21 days and also arrange for home delivery,” he said. The government must ask all the registered employers to maintain current levels of employment and wages.” Guarantee to such employers who do so

that the wages of the employees will be reimbursed by the government within 30 days of payment,” Chidambaram said. The Congress leader also said the government must open a register in every ward or block and invite persons who have not received payment under any of the categories listed to register their names, address and Aaddhar.” —Agencies

Adityanath shifts Ram idol amid lockdown in Ayodhya Lucknow: Less than 12 hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a 21-day national lockdown over coronavirus fears, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was in Ayodhya and participated in an early morning ritual to shift the idol of Lord Ram from a tin shed inside the Ram Janmabhoomi (birthplace) to a temporary structure made of fibre. The idol has been moved and will remain at the temporary struc-

Yogi Adityanath offers prayers at a temple in Ayodhya on Wednesday.

ture till the temple is built at the site. He tweeted, calling this ritual on the first day of Navratri the beginning of the first phase of the construction of Ram temple in

Ayodhya. A meeting to decide on the actual date of construction was to be held in the first week of April at the temple town, but it is not clear whether that will go ahead.

‘Celebrate Gudi Padwa after tackling corona’ Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday extended good wishes to people on the occasion of Gudi Padwa and said the state will celebrate the festival after winning over the coronavirus war. “It is Gudi Padwa today. I wish all of you on

‘Don’t take the drug without prescription’ New Delhi: While coronavirus panic spreads across the country, the Union Health Ministry has one strict advice -- do not take hydroxychloroquine without prescription. Union health ministry joint secretary Lav Aggarwal said, “Hydroxychloroquine is only for specific use for health care workers. We appeal to people not to take it as it has side effects.” The drug be-

Lav Aggarwal

came a talking point across the world after witnessing promising early studies in France and China that found the drugs helped Corona patients. —ANI

New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi who raised the alarm over Covid-19 in February here on Wednesday suggested a dual strategy to tackle the pandemic and its impact. “The question is how can we minimise casualties in this war. I believe our strategy should have 2 components. The govt should give financial support to prevent massive job losses ; reassure business owners,” Rahul Gandhi tweeted.For tackling Covid-19, the Congress leader said, “Isolate the virus and block its escape routes. Massively expand testing facilities to identify and treat those who are infected. Create massive emergency field hospitals, particularly in urban areas with full ICU capability to provide care to patients.” The Congress leader said the daily wagers must be extended immediate help through direct cash

Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi

—FILE PHOTO

STAY HOME, STAY SAFE: PRIYANKA’S WISHES New Delhi: Greeting citizens on the occassion of Chaitra Navratri as the nation remains in a 21-day lockdown, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi said, “Heartfelt greetings to all of you on Chaitra Navratri, the festival of worship of Mother Durga. Mother protect everyone. A very Happy Ugadi, Gudi Padva, Sajibu Cheiraoba to everyone! Please stay home, stay safe and keep smiling!” As per the Gregorian calendar, Chaitra Navratri typically falls around March or April. Chaitra is the first month of Hindu lunar calendar and all nine days during Navratri are dedicated to nine forms of Goddess Shakti. transfers into their accounts and free rations. “Delaying this will cause widespread devastation & chaos,” he

tweeted. On economic impact of Covid-19, he said many industries were struggling and they should be helped.

No RSS shakhas during Indians balconies lockdown: Bhagwat come alive New Delhi : In the wake of the 21-day lockdown announced by PM Narendra Modi, RSS has decided to call off its shakhas - gathering of volunteers - to help curb the spread of COVID-19. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has asked the volunteers to abide by the social distancing norms and hold prayers while remaining within their homes. He said in this grim situation the RSS will continue in its endeavour to edu-

cate people and character building of indiviBhagwat said, “The country is in a 21-day lockdown. This is a war against the deadly coronavirus. It is the responsibility of each individual to do his bit now.”

New Delhi : As Netflix streaming became monotonous and Facebook a dreadful exercise, millions of Indians took to balconies across cities on Day 1 of the 21-day COVID-19 lockdown to stay fit, read books, play Tambola and finish homework in a community session.Fitness trainers fixed smartphones on tri-pods in balconies early in the morning and began training sessions on Facebook Live. —Agencies

NO CELEBRATION

of us. I am calling coronavirus a war as we are

not aware of the enemy. We do not even know from where the enemy will attack us,” said Thackeray. “We will celebrate Gudi Padwa once we tackle this crisis,” he said. Stressing on the essential needs of people during the phase of 21day lockdown in the

‘`1.80lakh cr for subsidised wheat, rice’

Census 2021, updation of MP HC suspends NPR postponed: MHA work for 3 weeks

New Delhi: Centre has earmarked Rs 1.80 lakh crores for providing wheat at Rs 2 per kg and rice at Rs 3 per kg, Union Minister Sadananda Gowda. He said: “Union Cabinet has decided to provide wheat at Rs 2 per kg which is worth Rs 27 per kg and rice at Rs 3 per kg which is worth Rs 37 per kg. A total amount of Rs 1 lakh 80 thousand crores is being spent for the cause. The amount will be given in advance to the states for the coming 3 months.” —ANI

New Delhi: In the backdrop of the coronavirus outbreak, the first phase of Census 2021 and the updation of National Population Register (NPR) has been postponed until further orders, said Ministry of Home Affairs on Wednesday. The Census 2021 was scheduled to be conducted in two phases-Phase I i.e. House Listing and Housing Census during April-September, 2020 and Phase II i.e. Population Enumeration from February 9 to February 28,

Uddhav Thackeray with Aditya Thackeray.

Gudi Padwa. It is a war like situation for each

country, he said there is no need to panic as all essential goods are available in the market. “We have sufficient stock of essential commodities like vegetables, rice and other items of daily use, so there is no need to worry. All shops selling essential goods are open too,” he said. —ANI

Expand testing facilities, give financial aid: RaGa

—FILE PHOTO

Residents offer prayers as they celebrate Marathi New Year (Gudi Padwa), during a nationwide lockdown. —PHOTO BY PTI

TWO PHASES OF CENSUS

2021. The updation of NPR was also proposed to be done along with the Phase I of Census 2021 in all the States and Union Territories, except Assam.The decision was taken after Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday

declared a nationwide lockdown. The Census 2021 was scheduled to be conducted in two phases, with phase I to be conducted during AprilSeptember, 2020 and phase II during February 9-28, 2021. —Agencies

New Delhi: Following the three-week nationwide lockdown due to coronavirus outbreak, the Madhya Pradesh High Court on Wednesday decided to suspend work with immediate effect - till April 14 - at its principal seat in Jabalpur and its benches at Indore and Gwalior. MP HC also gave the go-ahead for video con-

ferencing for urgent matters.“Due to the threat of pandemic coronavirus and immobilization of the public at large, it has been decided to declare non-working of the High Court of Madhya Pradesh as well as entire subordinate judiciary of the state,” said a circular issued by Registrar General Rajendra Kumar Vani. —ANI

PERSPECTIVE AHMEDABAD | THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2020

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STAYING POSITIVE IN CORONA TIMES

IN-DEPTH

OVERCROWDING MAKES PRISONS COVID-19 HOT SPOTS

I prescribe potions of positivity as elixir of life for those having incurable diseases RETD MAJ GEN C P SINGH

igh profile movie producer Harvey Weinstein, who is in a US jail for rape and sexual assault and has proved coronavirus positive, may not be the only one when it comes to jail inmates catching the virus. Prisoners catching Covid-19 is a cause for concern not only in the United States and other foreign countries but also India where jails are heavily overcrowded and could negate the entire effort to keep India safe and healthy. Social distancing is an essential strategy to defeat the coronavirus. The nation-wide three-week lockdown announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi the other day is meant to enforce social distancing and check the march of the disease Covid-19. Jails, however, are places where this social distancing cannot be practiced due to overcrowding leaving inmates vulnerable to Covid-19. Just how overburdened Indian prisons can be gauged from a report of the National Crime Records Bureau which said that they have occupancy of 115.1 per cent, which is 15.1 per cent above the capacity. The 2017 report stated, “Overcrowding is one of the biggest problems faced by prison inmates, resulting in poor hygiene, lack of sleep etc.” Official data said that the number of prison inmates jumped from 3,85,135 in 2012 to 4,50,696 in 2017, an increase of 17 per cent. A demand for decongesting of Indian jails has been made from time to time but now when Covid-19 threat is looming it has acquired some urgency. Nowhere is the remission of prison terms needed more than in Maharashtra which is leading the chart with 122 positive cases. Maharashtra’s Home department has filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court seeking early release of 5000 prisoners either on bail or medical grounds in order to decongest the jails. Those propose to be released are convicts facing three to five year sentences for petty offences. At present jails in the state have 50 per cent more inmates than their capacity. Officials aim to bring down the prisoner population to 24,000. Maharashtra is not alone. The Aam Admi Party government has also informed the Delhi High Court of it decision to provide the options of special parole and furlough to the convicts. In order to check the spread of coronavirus in prisons, the Delhi government was ready to amend its prison rules. Tihar jail authorities also intend to release around 3000 prisoners to ease overcrowding in view of the Covid-19 threat. The benefit will be extended to petty criminals only. The Supreme Court of India is also seized of the matter. On March 23 it asked the states to decongest prisons in view of the fear of coronavirus spreading in prisons. In US, according to a report, there are 2.3 million jail inmates “on any given day”. Weinstein’s case has made demand for reducing the prisoner population shriller.

The author is an ex-service man, social activist, career consultant and motivational speaker of repute

I am certain humanity will survive but let’s limit the corona effect to physical infection and not to adversely affect our lives, our work, our business and our relationships

e know these are trying times. We also know that prevention is better than cure. Ofcourse, there is no cure hence prevention is the only answer for Corona. It has already affected the minds of entire world population though the physical spread of the pandemic is still controllable. It is the unpredictability of spread, duration and fatality, which has put the world into panic mode and sent it into self quarantine. Human civilization has weather many such storms which threatened it’s very existence and I am sure “This shall also pass.” I am fully in agreement to be careful and take all precautions to check the spread, but my request to all humans is not rpt NOT to stop living. “Let’s not die before the death comes.” Happiness springs from positivity. Positivity is more potent than medicines. The effect of medicines are enhanced multifold, if we remain positive in such life threatening times. It’s aptly said-“Winning and losing is all in the minds.” I have observed many cases of cancer and other incurable diseases, succumbing only because they gave up the will to live/fight, while many others with strong will, survived to live for another day. World cycling champion, Lance Armstrong survived stage 4 cancer with only 03% chances of survival and became world champion again (Corona infected patients have 98% chances of survival). As a psycho-oncology consultant, I prescribe potions of positivity as elixir of life for those having incurable diseases. Presently, Corona panic has overtaken logic and sense. Entire buzz around us in print, pictures and voice is full of negative and scary consequences in the name of creating awareness. Let me share some good news which brings rainbow of hope and smile on your faces:z Although the virus spreads

very fast, the fatality rate is only 1.74%. z Most of the people affected in China have fully recovered.

z Research is already on in USA,

Canada and India, to find a suitable vaccine. Chinese scientists claim to produce a vaccine in one month. z Corona gives Nations with strained relations, a chance to rise above the man-made borders and fight the epidemic together. z Air and water pollution has drastically reduced due to self quarantine. z Families and relatives are binding together with additional free time. z There is new found bonhomie as communities are helping each other cutting across barriers of racism, religion, caste and languages. Staying positive in such times of doom and gloom is easier said than done. Howsoever hard it may be, focus on positivity will give you energy and resolve needed to weather this storm. Think of the following methods to develop a positive mindset:

GO TO YOUR NATIVE VILLAGE Get into retro mode of life with pollution free environment and away from overload of negative news. Enjoy with families, relatives and neighbors. Go for long walks, connect with nature and rekindle romance. MEDIA FASTING Limit your intake of news to selected positive channels and selected duration only.

what you did today to bring smile on the faces of millions. If not, a new dawn awaits you tomorrow, to start again.

HOWSOEVER HARD IT MAY BE, FOCUSING ON POSITIVITY WILL GIVE YOU ENERGY AND RESOLVE NEEDED TO WEATHER THIS STORM

MAKE YOUR OWN BED Start the day with helping hand in household work. De-clutter house and life. Make a new beginning in career, health and relationships. Innovate and find new alternatives to stay relevant in business. You may hit the Jackpot by challenging status quo. Learn to face adversities and if at all, you fail, you return to your nice bed to start all over again. FIND JOY IN SMALL THINGS Enjoy a funny video/ movie/ corona jokes, play with your toddler or break bread with your parents or grandparents, when you are told to work from home. Change style of working/ business. Get online. POSITIVITY AUDIT Take a daily inventory of positivity. Before you sleep, list out

Don’t blame the bats for cororonavirus G

enomic research showing that the COVID-19 coronavirus likely originated in bats has produced heavy media coverage and widespread concern. There is now danger that frightened people and misguided officials will try to curb the epidemic by culling these remarkable creatures, even though this strategy has failed in the past. As an environmental historian focusing on endangered species and biological diversity, I know that bats provide valuable services to humans and need protection. Instead of blaming bats for the coronavirus epidemic, I believe it’s important to know more about them.

Here’s some background explaining why they carry so many viruses, and why these viruses only jump infrequently to humans – typically, when people hunt bats or intrude into places where bats live.

DIVERSE AND UNIQUE Humans are more closely related to bats than we are to dogs, cows or whales. But bats seem more alien, which can make it harder for people to relate to them. Bats are the most unusual of the world’s 26 mammal orders, or large groups, such as rodents and carnivores. They are the only land mammals that navigate by echolocation, and the only mammals capable of true flight. Bats carry a range of vi-

Bats need protection from cruel treatment and wasteful exploitation that also threatens human health

ruses that can sicken other mammals when they jump species. These include at least 200 coronaviruses, some of which cause human respiratory diseases like SARS and MERS. Bats also host several filoviruses, including some that in humans manifest as deadly hemorrhagic fevers like

Marburg and probably even Ebola. Normally, these viruses remain hidden in bats’ bodies and ecosystems without harming humans. People raise the risk of transmission between species when they encroach on bats’ habitats or harvest bats for medicine or food. In particular, humans pack live bats into unsanitary conditions with other wild species that may serve as intermediate hosts. This is what happened at the Wuhan wet market where many experts believe COVID-19 emerged.With a few exceptions, such as rabies, bats host their pathogens without getting sick.

BATS AT RISK Bats may not always be

around to eat insect pests, pollinate fruit crops and provide fertilizer. According to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Bat Conservation International, at least 24 bat species are critically endangered, and 104 are vulnerable to extinction. For at least 224 additional bat species, scientists lack the data to know their status. Bats are extraordinary creatures that benefit people in myriad ways, and our world would be a poorer, duller and more dangerous place without them. They need protection from the cruel treatment and wasteful exploitation that also threatens human health. FOR FULL REPORT LOG ON TO WWW.THECONVERSATION.COM

FAITH AND PRAYERS Have faith in the designs of God and trust him to do what is best for you. Find peace and harmony in your thoughts and do something for larger good of mankind. I am certain humanity will survive but let’s limit the corona effect to physical infection and not to adversely affect our lives, our work, our business and our relationships. I am more worried for those who will survive the current scare but succumb to malnutrition, hunger, unemployment, depression, suicides, stress and mental fatigue generated due to the side effects of Corona, like economic slowdown. India is a DEVBHOOMI (God’s own country). Inspite of it’s diversity, oddities, paradoxes and differences, it has remained in prominence for centuries and even today. Indians work on faith and divine blessings. Our belief system will give us strength to fight corona and win over this evil. Of course, God helps those who help themselves. Therefore, while we have faith in God, we must do our duty and take all precautions but don’t let it dominate our lives. Let Corona also realise, it has selected a wrong target, in India. THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL

Top

TWEET Dharmendra Pradhan @dpradhanbjp Along with senior officials of @PetroleumMin took stock of LPG operations to ensure uninterrupted supply of LPG in the country. Also, discussed measures undertaken to safeguard employees from the risk of coronavirus infection and ensuring their safety while they serve the nation. Jagat Prakash Nadda @JPNadda I strongly condemn the terror attack on Gurudwara in Kabul and extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families & wish speedy recovery to injured. All public aid will be provided by the Indian govt. to the affected members of Hindu and Sikh community of Afghanistan.

Spiritual SPEAK

I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. —Psalm 34:4

Vol 1 Issue No. 119 RNI NO. GUJENG/2019/16208. Printed and published by Anita Hada Sangwan on behalf of First Express Publishers. Printed at Bhaskar Printing Planet Survey No.148P, Changodar-Bavla Highway, Tal. Sanand, Dist. Ahmedabad. Published at D/302 3rd Floor Plot No. 35 Titanium Square, Scheme No. 2, Thaltej Taluka, Ghatlodiya, Ahmedabad. Editor: Jagdeesh Chandra, Resident Editor : Darshan Desai, responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act

INDIA AHMEDABAD | THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2020

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25 killed in Kabul gurdwara attack

POWER Gallery

The ISIS terrorist group, which has targeted Sikhs before in Afghanistan, claimed responsibility: Reports

EMPANELMENT OF 1993 AND 1994 BATCH IAS OFFICERS IN MAY ?

New Delhi: Gunmen stormed a religious gathering of Afghanistan’s minority Sikhs in their place of worship (gurdwara) in the heart of Kabul’s old city on Wednesday, killing 25 people. Within hours, the Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack. Those killed included a child whose body was brought to a Kabul hospital, the emergency services and the hospital said. At least 15 people were injured. The attackers targeted a ‘dharamshala’ in Shor Bazar area of Kabul, which has a sizeable population of the Hindu and Sikh minorities. Some reports said the attack began at 7.45 am Afghan time. India strongly con-

Empanelment of 1993 and 1994 batch IAS officers to the rank of Additional Secretary in the Government of India is expected to take place in May.

‘REPREHENSIBLE’ Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday condemned the “extremely reprehensible” terror attack at a gurdwara in Kabul in which 27 people were killed. He also extended condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the attack. “The terrorist attack on a Sikh Gurudwara in Kabul is extremely reprehensible. My heart goes out to the families of those who have lost their loved ones in this heinous act against humanity. I also pray for the speedy recovery of the injured,” Singh tweeted. Family members cry after an attack in Kabul, Afghanistan on Wednesday.

demned the terror attack, saying targeting of a religious place in the midst of the Covid-19 outbreak reflects the “diabolical mindset” of the perpetrators and their backers. “India stands ready to extend all possible assistance to the affected

families of the Hindu and Sikh community of Afghanistan,” it said. Afghanistan’s Interior Ministry said police responded promptly to the attack on gurdwara, and shooting was still underway. Afghanistanbased Tolo News said there were three attack-

ers - one of them has been killed, the other one escaped and the third one shot. Photos posted on social media by Afghan journalists showed security forces and local residents evacuating the injured in ambulances. —Agencies

Capt.Amarinder Singh @capt_amarinder Horrific news coming from Kabul where a barbaric terror attack happened in the Gurudwara Guru Har Rai. It’s extremely tragic and unfortunate. Request President @ AshrafGhani Ji to find out the perpetrators and look after our people.

Rlys gets a boost! Aligarh-Harduaganj flyover gets nod ‘SD streaming MoU with Germany for a while’ New Delhi: The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on Wednesday apprised of a MoU signed between the Ministry of Railways and the DB Engineering and Consulting GMBH of Germany for technological cooperation. This MoU for technological cooperation in the railway sector will enable cooperation in freight operations including cross-border transport, automotive transport and logistics, passenger operations

including high-speed and cross-border traffic. It will also help in infrastructure building and management including dedicated freight corridors and development of passenger stations; development of a modern, competitive railway organisation including the improvement of organisational structures and railway reformation. The MoU will also facilitate IT solutions for railway operations, marketing and sales as well as administrative purposes, etc. —ANI

New Delhi: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday gave its approval for taking up construction of Aligarh-Harduaganj flyover by Ministry of Railways. The total length of the Railway flyover will be 22 kms. The project is expected to be completed by 2024-25 at a cost of over Rs 1,285 crore, said Union Minister Prakash Javadekar here. “At Aligarh Junction Station a branch line BareillyAligarh terminates. The trains coming from Howrah side and going to Harduaganj/Bareilly

Mufti’s daughter talks about trauma of those in detention New Delhi: Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti is hearing “reports” of her imminent release, her daughter Iltija Mufti has tweeted a day after the release of another key leader from the state, former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. Both leaders were put under detention in August, along with scores of other political leaders, as the Centre ended the special status of Jammu and Kashmir granted under the constitution and bifurcated it into two un-

ion territories. Iltija Mufti, who has been running her mother’s twitter account since her detention, posted: “My mother is hearing reports of her imminent release & is grateful for the concern. But she’s upset

about thousands of young boys jailed outside J&K. The trauma their families feel due to COVID outbreak is unimaginable”. Abdullah, who like Mufti, was charged under the tough PSA, was released on Tuesday.

New Delhi: With a surge in mobile internet consumption amid a countrywide lockdown, all companies in the digital industry have decided to “temporarily default High Definition (HD) and ultraHD streaming to Standard Definition (SD) content” or offer only SD content at bitrates no higher than 480p on cellular networks until April 14, according to public broadcaster Prasar Bharati. The move comes as there has been an unprecedented rise in mobile internet consumption due to lock down.

cross Howrah-New Delhi main route, which is busiest section of Indian Railways,” read a statement. “Due to heavy traffic, there is no path available for surface crossing of loaded goods trains coming from Howrah side and going to Hardu-

aganj/Bareilly. This results into heavy detention of trains at Aligarh Junction. This location has become a bottleneck and is affecting the train working badly causing delays and detentions and also reducing the wagon turn round,” it added. —ANI

Kerala stops sale of liquor for 21 days

‘Free Kashmir’ placard girl gets bail after 1mth

Thiruvanan thapuram: Kerala has decided to suspend the sale of liquor through retail outlets of the Kerala State Beverages Corporation (BEVCO) for 21 days in accordance with the three-week national lockdown announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday to stem the spread of the coronavirus infection. On Monday, when CM Pinarayi Vijayan announced a statewide lockdown, he had ruled out shutting the 330 outlets of BEVCO. —Agencies

Bengaluru: Ardra Narayanan, the young Bengaluru woman who was arrested by police last month for holding a ‘Free Kashmir’ placard was granted bail by a sessions court on Tuesday. 55th Additional City Civil and Sessions judge K Narayana Prasad issued the bail order to Narayanan, who was booked under sections 153 A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language etc) and 153 B (imputations, asser-

tions prejudicial to national integration) of IPC by SJ (Silver Jubilee) Park Police Station. On February 21, Narayanan was detained from Town Hall for holding the placard at a protest called by pro-Hindu organisation. —Agencies

DAS LIKELY TO GET EXTENSION ?

Simanchal Das, Pr Special Director, ED is likely to get two years extension in deputation tenure. He is an IRS (IT) officer. CADRE OF MS SANYA CHHABRA TRANSFERRED TO UP

The cadre of Ms Sanya Chhabra has been transferred from Tripura to Uttar Pradesh on the grounds of to Ankur Kaushik, a 2019 batch IAS officer. She is a 2019 batch IAS officer. DR SUMEET JERATH TO JOIN AS SECRETARY, OFFICIAL LANGUAGE ON APR 1

Dr Sumeet Jerath, Special Secretary, Cabinet Secretariat (SR), will be taking over as Secretary, Department of Official Language on April 1, 2020. He will succeed present incumbent Ms Anuradha Mitra retiring in March. SENIOR NAVY OFFICERS MAY HAVE TO WAIT LONGER FOR PROMOTION

Senior officers in the Navy may have to wait longer for promotion as there won’t be any vacancy in 2020 for them since no Flag Officer Commanding is retiring this year. B M GUPTA’S TENURE AS WHOLETIME DIRECTOR OF IFCI EXTENDED

The Board of Directors of Tourism Finance Corporation of India have approved to extend the tenure of B.M.Gupta as Whole-Time Director of the Corporation upto December 31, 2020. KHOSLA REPORTS BACK TO DOT CONSEQUENT UPON REPATRIATION FROM BSNL,

Deepika Khosla has reported back to her parent DoT. She is a SAG officer of ITS. Three ITS officers transferred DGFT has transferred three Indian Trade Service (ITS) officers. Accordingly, A K Chaudhary has been posted to the Ministry of Textile as Trade Advisor, SA Chavan is going to Ahmedabad RA as Jt DGFT. He will also hold additional charge of SEZ, Dahej and Shah Suvidh Prabodh Kumar has been transferred from Surat to RA, Ludhiana as Jt DGFT. 20 IPS OFFICERS ASSIGNED NEW DUTIES IN C’GARH

Chhattisgarh Govt has assigned new duties to 20 IPS officers. Accordingly, B S Dhruv has been posted as Commandant, CTJW College, Kanker, Jitendra Singh Meena, SP, Balod, Balaji Rao, SP Kondagaon, Mrs Nitu Kamal, services shifted to CBI, D Sharavn, SP, Mungeli, Kamlochan Kashyap, SP, Bijapur, K L Dhruv, SP, Kabeerdham, D Ravishankar, Commandant, 10th Battalion, CAF, Surajpur, Abhishek Meena, SP, Korba, M L Kotwani, ADG (Security) , Special Branch, PHQ, Nava Raipur, M R Ahire, SP, Kanker, Jitendra Shukla, SP, Rajnandgaon, Bhojram Patel, SP, Gariyaband, Divyang Kumar Patel, SP, Bemetara, Prashant Kumar Thakur, SP, Baloda Bazar Bhatapara, Dr Lal Umed Singh, Commandant, 14th Battalion, CAF, Balod, Sujit Kumar, Commandant, 15th Battalion, CAF, Bijapur, J R Thakur, SP (Rail), Raipur, Chaindas Tandon, Commandant, 17th Battalion, CAF, Kawardha and Prafulla Thakur, SP Mahasamund. THREE IAS OFFICERS GET NEW ASSIGNMENTS IN BIHAR

Gorakhnath has been appointed as Additional Secretary, Finance, while Balamurugan and Aniruddh Kumar were appointed as Special Officers in Disaster Management Department in Bihar.

IN THE COURTYARD HC DISMISSES PLEA AGAINST EXDIRECTORS OF BEVERAGE COMPANY New Delhi: Delhi High Court has dismissed a plea filed by two former directors of a private beverage company seeking to set aside a trial court order, which framed charges against them under provisions of Prevention of Food and Adulteration Act. Justice Suresh Kumar Kait, while dismissing the plea said that the directors were also liable for prosecution as they were in charge of or were responsible for the conduct of the company’s business

affairs. HC observed that there was no illegality or perversity in the order passed by trial court and said there was no merit in petitions filed by former directors of the beverage company. Former directors Raghav Gupta and Deepak Kumar had filed a petition seeking to quash the trial court order dated June 6, 2016, ordering to frame charges against them.The petitioners were erstwhile Directors of the company namely V & V Beverages, importer of Snapple Juice Drink.—ANI

‘PROVIDE BASIC AMENITIES TO THOSE AT KAZAKHSTAN AIRPORT’ New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday directed the Ministry of External Affairs to expeditiously provide basic amenities like food, water, transportation, medical care and lodging to Indian students stranded at the Almaty Airport in Kazakhstan for the last few days. A division bench of Justice Siddharth Mridul and Justice Talwant Singh, while hearing the matter through video conferencing, directed the Ministry of External Affairs to ensure the welfare and safety of the stranded students. The court also sought a detailed response from the MEA on a plea filed before it claiming that Indian students are stranded at the Almaty Airport in Kazakhstan without food, water, transportation, and medical aid for the last two to three days. The matter was slated for further hearing on April 28. —ANI

AIIMS DIRECTED TO TREAT INFANT SUFFERING FROM GAUCHER New Delhi: HC has directed AIIMS to treat an 18-month-old girl suffering from a rare disease called Gaucher. The parents of Alisha Khan, the toddler suffering from the genetic disorder, had approached HC seeking funds for her treatment as well as directions for treatment to be given to her as repeated representations to various governmental authorities had not been fruitful. While directing AIIMS, Justice Pratibha M Singh also directed the Union of India to file an

affidavit before the next date of hearing as to the current policy of the Government on rare diseases. The next date of hearing in the matter has been set as April 17. Court also noted that, though the Central government had come out with a National Policy for Treatment of Rare Diseases, in 2018, due to objections by certain state governments, the same was reportedly scrapped and a draft policy document for rare diseases was released on January 13 this year. —ANI

HC ALLOWS PLEA FOR NAME CHANGE IN CBSE CERTIFICATES New Delhi: Delhi High Court has allowed the plea of orphan students, seeking correction in their name and directedCBSE to delete ‘Udayan’ from their names in Grade-X and Grade-XII certificates. Justice Rajiv Shakdher on Monday had asked the CBSE to delete the suffix ‘Udayan’ included against the name of each of the petitioner as appearing in their Grade-X and Grade-XII certificates, as also, in the mark sheets generated qua the said grades. “I am of the view that this Court while exercising powers under Article 226 of the Constitution, is duty-bound to correct the wrong done to the petitioners. The petitioners, in my view, are entitled to reclaim their individuality and identity by insisting on inclusion in their Grade-X and Grade-XII certificates, the name by which they wish to be known,” the court said.—ANI

TALKING POINT AHMEDABAD | THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2020

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COVID-19

COPING WITH

STRESS OF PANDEMIC

IT IS OKAY TO FEEL A LITTLE BLUE CONSIDERING THE SITUATION OF THE WORLD RIGHT NOW. IF YOU ARE SCARED, ANXIOUS AND IN NEED OF SUPPORT, IT WOULD BE ADVISABLE TO REACH OUT, AND HELP YOURSELF EVEN FROM THE CONFINES OF YOUR OWN HOME

IT IS NORMAL

ormal fear responses are part of a healthy, adaptive process that allows us to get away from or deal with something we perceive as dangerous. Normal anxiety:  is situation specific

– related to a particular event of circumstance  is limited in time  does not have a long-term impact on your ability to go about your day-to-day life (although there may be short periods

his is a confusing and, frankly, scary time for a lot of us. There’s so much contradictory information, and the “right” thing to do yesterday is now the “wrong” thing to do today. If you’re feeling edgy, having trouble sitting still or concentrating, finding yourself constantly or obsessively checking for updates, losing sleep, or waking in the early hours of the morning

feeling anxious – you’re not alone. These are completely normal, human reactions to a completely abnormal situation such as what we are facing today. Worrying about whether you’re doing enough to protect yourself and others, whether you’re going to lose income, and what this will all mean long-term is to be expected. You might be wondering whether this

worry and other feelings of anxiety might indicate a developing some kind of mental health problem. Feeling this way for a few days, or even weeks, in the context of a major national emergency, does not indicate that you have a mental disorder. But some people may need to access support or talk to their GP about dealing with the ongoing concerns.

WHEN TO GET HELP?

ometimes what you’re experiencing will signal a more serious problem that needs some external support. It’s time to seek help if:  symptoms of anxiety are

starting to affect your ability to function in your daily life  the symptoms are getting worse  the symptoms feel overwhelming, or  the symptoms persist

over time – more days than not.

Supports are available where and when you need

them. The Lifeline phone line is open 24 hours on 13 11 14. Beyondblue has online information and resources such as the beyondblue web chat. For children, teens and young adults, KidsHelpline has supports available by phone at 1800 55 1800, web chat or email. Your GP can help you to identify whether your symptoms meet the criteria for an anxiety disorder. They can also write a mental health care plan, if appropriate, and refer you to professional services in your local community.

where it can feel overwhelming). However, sometimes our fear can become overwhelming and start to impact on our ability to function in our daily lives. Some anxiety symptoms to be aware of are excessive worry which is difficult to control, restlessness, feeling easily fatigued, having difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension or sleep disturbance.

COPING MECHANISMS WHILE SOCIAL DISTANCING

n times of trouble, Australians usually band together to support each other with hugs, a helping hand and a nice hot cuppa. We raise money, have benefit concerts, and get to work so we can feel we’re doing something. We build belonging in our community, and feel a sense of accomplishment when we pull through together. This time it’s different, and our normal ways of coping with disasters are not going to work. For many of us, social distancing means we are not able to use most of our day to day coping strategies either, such as going to the gym or hanging out with friends. But there are things we can do to buffer against the impact of uncertain and traumatic times. Having a strong sense of

BELONGING

ocial distancing does not require social isolation. There are safe ways to connect with people that don’t involve putting yourself at risk of COVID-19 exposure. Staying connected is not just a nice thing to do – it’s actually important for our health. Some theorists have suggested that belonging is a fundamental human motivation, just as compelling as the need for food.Don’t wait for people to connect with

belonging, along with a regular sense of accomplishment, are key to our mental well-being. They’re linked with lower levels of depression and anxiety symptoms, and higher levels of mental well-being.

you – reach out to them. There’s a good chance that they’re feeling isolated and afraid as well.

ACCOMPLISHMENT

t’s important to find ways in your day to day life to feel a regular sense of accomplishment, and it might be a matter of re-framing what you consider to be an accomplishment. If you have kids in the background, dogs barking to be taken for a walk, and all the other wonderful interruptions that may come with working from home, it’s likely that just reading and responding to emails is an accomplishment in itself. If you’re not working at the moment and funds are tight think about what else you can accomplish. Spring clean. Plant capsicum, strawberry or tomato seeds saved from your lunch and see if

they will grow. Or learn something new, like robotics, knitting or crochet. Content: Rakshita Pareek, Design: CP Sharma

SPORTS AHMEDABAD | THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2020

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BCCI to ‘wait and watch’ before taking decision on IPL New Delhi: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to "wait and watch" how the current situation amid coronavirus crisis evolves and will accordingly take action regarding the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), a BCCI source told ANI on Wednesday. "See IPL is already

postponed till April 15 and we are watching the situation very closely. We will see how the situation develops and will take a decision accordingly. Currently, we are not thinking about all those things. Let these things settle down and then only we can start working on it. So, till April 15, we will wait and watch," the source

said. The source also confirmed that there is no conference call scheduled to discuss further course of action as there is no clarity. "See there is no point of having a conference call or to discuss because there is no clarity. Once everything is clear only then can we make a call about what is the further course of ac-

tion. There is nothing which can be sorted out as of now due to the current situation," the source stated. The 13th edition of the IPL was scheduled to commence on March 29, however, the spread of coronavirus forced the postponement of the league until April 15.

I can’t say anything at the moment as we are at the same place where we were on the day we postponed; nothing has changed in the last 10 days.

—ANI

—Sourav Ganguly, BCCI president

Lockdown may produce many sports stars: Rathore

POSTPONING THE OLYMPICS IS THE ‘RIGHT DECISION’ New Delhi: Indian boxer Mary Kom on Wednesday said the International Olympic Committee (IOC) took a 'really good decision' to postpone the 2020 Tokyo Olympics until next year due to coronavirus pandemic. "It's a really good decision because of the spread of coronavirus, they have postponed the Olympic for 2021. I think it's good for each and every one. Apart from the games, health is very important and everyone should be aware of it," Kom said. The six-time world champion also said that the COVID-19 is not a small thing and urged citizens to stay at home. "They have to understand that this virus is not a small thing, there is a threat to life. This virus can infect anyone

and that is why organisers have decided to delay it for the sake of one and all," she said. "Our training will not be affected, we will continue as we always do it. All events from small to international have been cancelled. Postponing Olympics is a good decision. Also, I want to request citizens of our country to take necessary precautions and be safe and stay home," Kom added. The decision to postpone was confirmed by IOC, after the organising body for the event and Japan's PM agreed to reschedule the games in view of the pandemic. —ANI

Mary Kom

Messi donates 1m euros to Barcelona hospital Barcelona: Lionel Messi has donated one million euros to a hospital in Barcelona to help combat the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. According to a report, Messi made the donation to Hospital Clinic, a public hospital in Barcelona with the hospital confirming about the same on their official Twitter handle. Messi's former Barce-

lona manager Guardiola has also given one million euros towards the production of medical supplies and equipment with another Barcelona-based campaign. Cristiano Ronaldo and agent Jorge Mendes have also donated one million euros to fund intensive care units in hospitals in Lisbon and Porto. Messi has been picked by FIFA along

Former Indian footballer Latif passes away

with 28 past and present football icons to spread an awareness campaign to combat the coronavirus pandemic. —Agencies

New Delhi: If Leander Paes's (Atlanta 1996) and Karnam Malleswari's (Sydney 2000) Olympic bronze medals broke the Olympic glass ceiling for India, former Sports Minister and shotgun shooter Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore's silver medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics added conviction to the belief that Indian athletes too can excel on the biggest sports stage of them all. On Wednesday, Rathore went live on his Instagram account, chatting with Indian batsman Suresh Raina on life during the times of the Coronavirus pandemic, as India began a 21-day lockdown to fight against the virus that has turned the world upside down. From Wuhan, China, in December last year, the virus has spread throughout the world, wreaking havoc. Rathore and Raina began their three-week lockdown from home

Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore

talking to each other on Instagram, with the former saying India is fortunate to have a Prime Minister like Narendra Modi leading the fight against a pandemic that has made the situation almost like a third World War. "We have heard and read about World War I and II, but this is like World War III," said Rathore. "We have seen catastrophes like the plague and the Spanish flu (but) today, the advantage we have is that the whole world

is connected and we can learn from each other's mistakes." "Thankfully, in today's crisis, we have a strong leader like PM Modi. He is a visionary. I have always seen him being alert, at all times" said the former shooter. Raina, who was part of India's 2011 World Cup-winning team, recently became a father again, welcoming a baby boy into his family. "Congratulations on your son," Rathore greeted Raina. —Agencies

Focus should be on Covid-19: Neeraj

Guwahati: Former Indian football player and 1970 Asian Games bronze medallist Abdul Latif has died. Latif, 73, breathed his last in Guwahati on Monday. His funeral was performed on Tuesday in the presence of family and friends. Members of the sports fraternity and representatives of the district administration were also present.

New Delhi: Olympic bound athletes including star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra has hailed the decision to postpone Tokyo Olympics due to the outbreak of coronavirus, saying the environment wouldn't have been appropriate for the mega event to take place this year. Japan PM Abe said on Tuesday that he has reached an agreement with IOC to hold the Games in 2021. The IOC

and the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee later said in a joint statement that the committee's president Thomas Bach and Abe agreed that the Games have to be "rescheduled to a date beyond 2020 but not later than summer 2021." "I think this was a welcome decision for us athletes in the circumstances and not something that came as a surprise,” Neeraj said. —PTI

COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Range simulators to help Indian shooters practice indoors efficiently 

It could take a month’s time for the shooting range simulators SIUS Ascor’s electronic target systems - to be delivered to the shooters

New Delhi: Confined to their homes owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, India’s marksmen and women will soon be provided with shooting range simulators -SIUS Ascor’s electronic target systems -- which will allow them to practice indoors efficiently. Work is already underway but it could still take a month’s time for the equipment to be delivered to the shooters. The Swiss company is the world’s largest

manufacturer of electronic scoring system for the precision sport and is associated with ISSF. At a time when the world is grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to enforcement of lockdowns and social distancing, such products will help the shooters continue their practice. Former shooting ace and national pistol coach Jaspal Rana said they are trying to get it

at the earliest. “We are already on working on getting it but it can still take one month. SIUS Ascor’s range will help the shooters to at least practice indoors,” multipletime Asian Games gold medallist Rana said. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the cancellation or postponement of all sports events with the biggest blow being dealt on Tuesday when the Tokyo Olympic Games

was postponed by IOC to next year. This is a “massive setback” for all the aspiring medal hopefuls in the world’s biggest sporting extravaganza, which was earlier scheduled to be held in July-August. “This is going to make a big difference for sure. The last three years they have been tirelessly working on their game, hoping to perform at the biggest stage,” Rana said. —PTI

2ND FRONT

Explore the possibilities of change, for yourself and for society, stagnancy is death. —Jagdeesh Chandra, CEO & Editor, First India

AHMEDABAD | THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2020

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COVID-19: Cong MLAs COVID-19: State Govt caught allocate `10 lakh each

between hammer, anvil

First India News

A home-quarantined man had to put his story on social media that he is not infected Gandhinagar: The state government is caught between a rock and a hard place. On the one hand, it needs to ensure that it reaches as many of the 27,000-odd people with international or domestic travel history as possible. On the other, it has to ensure that those infected not only remain quarantined but also don’t become social pariahs. This is why the government has not revealed the names of those infected, despite Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel’s announcement two days ago. The reveal was meant to ensure the safety of those who may have come into contact with those infected. Also, Principal Secretary (Health) Jayanti Ravi is learnt to have expressed reservations about this. Yet, there are complaints from quarantined people -- even those not infected -- that they are being humiliated by

—PHTO BY HANIF SINDHI

Haresh Jhala

IDENTITIES

A man walking past a quarantined Gujarat Housing Board society in Ahmedabad.

their neighbours. For instance, a couple quarantined after their return from Dubai is sick of having to answer questions from friends and relatives. One of them told First India that, for the last few days, “we have been feeling that our friends and relatives are more concerned about whether we are infected than about us. They don’t ask how we are handling our house arrest, but whether we had met anyone after return-

ing from Dubai. Their behaviour has been hurtful.” The couple is not infected but quarantined because of their travel history.

EXCLUSIVE Rashi Davar (name changed) from Ahmedabad is being treated in an isolation ward for her COVID-19 infection. Because of confusion in the name, some youngsters have made stories viral on

Rashi Diwan (name changed) stating that she has got infected. It was a difficult time for Rashi Diwan since she is neither infected nor even home quarantined. She had to put many stories of her activities on social media to let others know that she is not infected. By the time, damage was done to Rashi Davar, because by first name her identity was disclosed by her school and college mates. In another startling case, a home quaran-

tined person from Central Gujarat was compelled to put his story on social media, as constant queries from relatives and friends were irritating the family. This young man felt that these queries were humiliating to “him and his family, as if they have committed a crime.” Delhi-based group working on health issues, Jan Swasthya Abhiyan, is strongly against the identities of either patients or those under home-quarantine being disclosed.

Ahmedabad: The Gujarat Congress has thrown its weight behind efforts to tackle the corona spread and its MLAs have made grants of Rs 10 lakh each from their fund to purchase essentials like masks, sanitizers and thermal scanners. The State Congress unit has also launched a helpline number (079-26578212, 07926578213) to guide people and to become a bridge between the people and local administration. Leader of Opposition Paresh Dhanani wrote a letter to Chief Minister Vijay Rupani asking to allocated Rs10 lakh from his grant to his constituency. “To save people from the virus, the testing and treatment must be done at the local level. To avail the necessary medical equipment for the same, allocate Rs10 lakh from my grant to local administration. I request you to pass the information to local and district administration for the same,” he stated. MLAs Imran Khedawala (Jamal-

Paresh Dhanani and Amit Chavda

CM CALLS ON EVERYONE TO DONATE Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on Wednesday appealed to people in the state and those living in other parts of the world to donate generously to help relief effort during the COVID-19 lockdown. Those wishing to make a donation may do so directly into the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (Savings Account number - 10354901554; State Bank of India, NSC branch; IFSC: SBIN0008434). On Tuesday, the state’s council of ministers decided to donate a month’s salaries, while state BJP president Jitubhai Vaghani announced that MLAs will donate Rs 1 lakh their salaries, and Vadodara BJP MLA Ketan Inamdar shared plans to donate Rs 5 lakh. pur) and Bhikha Joshi (Junagadh) also wrote similar letters. The party’s Chief Spokesperson, Manish Doshi, has written to the CM to announce a relief package to labours of the unorganized sector. “The workers have started foot journey to their native places. The workers to be affected during the nearly

month-long lockdown must get monthly ration kit from the government,” Doshi said. In another letter, State Congress President Amit Chavda asked Rupani to provide cash doles to poor for the next three months, exemption from local taxes, relief to pay EMIs to small and mediumincome groups, etc.

IMPORTANT TALKS

CM Vijay Rupani on Wednesday held a video conference with collectors and oil millers. Fire Brigade personnel conducting fumigation at the Jamal Darwaza.

An overview of CTM Bridge joining highway with Ahmedabad.

Empty streets with pigeons flying over at Namaste Circle in Shahibaug in Ahmedabad.

A deserted Ellisbridge at night.

Cong’s Abhishek Singhvi passes off picture from Gujarat as that from Puducherry First India News Ahmedabad: Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi on Wednesday took to Twitter to share an image in which people were practising social distancing by standing on circles spaced away from each other. Singhvi tweeted

that the social distancing was being practiced at a milk booth in Puducherry. However, the picture originated in Gujarat’s Patan district. While it is possible that the image had Singhvi fooled, others were quick to point out that the names of the stores seen in the picture are written in Gujarati. One

of the stores has the word ‘Chandrumanawala’ printed on the board. Chandrumana is a place in Gujarat, near Patan. Another store in the background is called ‘Bhagwati Sweet Mart’. A quick Internet search with the keywords ‘Bhagwati Sweets’ and ‘Patan’ throws up more images of the same store.

—PHOTOS BY HANIF SINDHI

LOCKDOWN EFFECT

Saurashtra industries rally, but will need help to survive crisis Masuma Bharmal Jariwala

Morbi’s ceramic industry had been expecting exports of around Rs15,000 crore for the next fiscal.

Rajkot: While industry leaders in Saurashtra, which is home to several small- and mediumscale industries such as ceramics in Morbi, brass in Jamnagar and imitation jewellery, nonelectrical kitchenware items and engineering products, support the government’s lockdown in the face of COVID-19, there is still

uncertainty. Insiders say that the lockdown will hit smaller industries the most. Many have called some relief or compensation package from the government, to help industries which are already reeling under recession. Various industrial associations say they expect harder times once the lockdown is lifted since it will take at least three months to

catch up on various loan instalments. The ceramics industry, the world’s second-largest and India’s biggest ceramic cluster, had been expecting exports of around Rs15,000 crore for the next fiscal. “We will need at least 15 days to restart operations once the lockdown is lifted,” said, Mukesh Ughreja, president of the vitrified tiles division of

the Morbi Ceramic Association. Rajkot is home to around 500 units which produce more than 300 non-electrical kitchen-

EXCLUSIVE ware products, accounting for 80-90% of the nation’s supply. “Even before the lockdown, there were restrictions on exports at Kandla and Mundra ports. The rate of containers had

increased. Our production was also affected due to fear prevailing among workers coming from other states, ” Pankaj Rathod, past president Rajkot kitchenware association, told First India. At Jamnagar, the brass industry is facing losses of Rs750 crore a month. Asia’s biggest hub, Jamnagar supplies brass parts and products to Europe, America, UK, Germany and Arab

nations, and has an annual turnover of around Rs2,000 crore. Rajkot Chamber of commerce President VP Vaishnav is of the opinion that “Despite the global slump, medium-scale industries in Saurashtra can survive if they receive support from the Central or state government.” Another industry leader said, “We urge the government to increase loan periods.”

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INKED! TATTOOS ARE INCREASINGLY GAINING POPULARITY, CITY FIRST BRINGS YOU SOME INFORMATION ON THIS OLD ART STILL IN FASHION

ANITA HADA

anita.hada@firstindianews.com

o you think Tattoos are a modern trend? If you do, you are seriously mistaken! Tattoos have existed for centuries. The oldest known tattoos were discovered on the well-preserved body of a man nicknamed “Ötzi”, who was found beneath a glacier in the Alps. His body displayed over 60 different tattoos, composed mainly of simple dot and line designs, and created using carbon ink and was dated to 3250 BCE. Tattoos definitely have a historical significance of

their own, both positive and negative. The most tragic was the Nazi practice of forcibly tattooing concentration camp inmates with identification numbers during the Holocaust as part of the Nazis’ identification system, beginning in fall 1941. Even today, Tattoos are strongly empirically associated with deviance, personality disorders and criminality. Although the general acceptance of tattoos is on the rise in Western society, they still carry a heavy stigma among certain social groups. If you are planning to get a tattoo first of all, go to a registered practitioner and do not even attempt without asking your doctor about it, allergies can play havoc with your system. Tattoos breach the skin, which means that skin infections and other complications are possible, including allergic reactions. Tattoo dyes — especially red, green, yellow

and blue dyes — can cause allergic skin reactions, such as an itchy rash at the tattoo site. This can occur even years after you get the tattoo. So, just be alert to it. Secondly ensure that the tattoo needles are sanitized. And it’s painful… the least painful places to get a tattoo are areas of your body that have the fewer nerve endings like outer shoulder, calf, buttocks and outer arm. Your skin is pierced 50 to 3000 times per minute by a tattoo machineand the ink is injected directly into the second layer of skin, referred to as the “dermis”. The skin atop the dermis is called the “epidermis” and acts as a sheer veil over top of the actual tattoo. Choose wisely, it’s forever. Don’t tattoo the name of the current love of your life, a break up, you will walk away but with their name on YOUR body! And please …no spelling errors in your tattoo.

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AHMEDABAD | THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2020

God and Me

inger Miley Cyrus says she gave up her faith because her gay friends weren’t accepted at the church. During an Instagram Live chat with model Hailey Baldwin, Cyrus said she is keen to “redesign my relationship with God” after quitting church at a young age because it conflicted with her own beliefs. “I had some gay friends in school. That is the reason why I left my church is that they weren’t being accepted. They were being sent to conversion therapies. I had a hard time with me finding my sexuality too,” Miley said. She continued: “So I think now you telling me that I’m allowed to redesign my relationship with God as an adult and make it how it feels most accepting to me would make me feel so less turned off by spirituality.” Encouraging the singer to explore her “journey between you and God”, Baldwin replied: “It’s not your journey and 10 other people’s journey. It’s just yours. It’s between you and Him.” “I believe that Jesus is about loving people, no matter where they are in life. I’ve always had a hard time with church making people feel excluded and not accepted and they can’t be apart of it because of what they believe in and who they love,” she said. —IANS

Miley Cyrus

Impartial Corona her instagram post

inger Madonna has called coronavirus ‘the great equaliser’ in a bizarre bathtub video. The pop icon in the video is seen sitting wearing nothing but jewellery in a milky bathtub, filled with rose petals and surrounded by candles. In her post, she remarks that the pandemic doesn’t care if you are rich or poor. “That’s the thing about COVID-19. It doesn’t care about how rich you

are, how famous you are, how funny you are, how smart you are, where you live, how old you are, what amazing stories you can tell,” she said in a video posted on her Instagram. “It’s the great equaliser and what’s terrible about it is what’s great about it. What’s terrible about it is that it’s made us all equal in many ways, and what’s wonderful about it is that it’s made us all equal in many ways,” added the singer. The 61-year-old then referenced the rendition of her 1995 track ‘Human Nature’ as seen on her recent Madame X tour. “Like I used to say at the end of ‘Human Nature’ every night, if the ship goes down, we’re all going down together,” she said Madonna posted picture of herself with petals on her nipples. —Agency

Madonna Louise

Aaron Tests +ve

FAKING COVID-19?

apper Cardi B has a conspiracy theory. She feels that celebrities who have said that they tested positive for COVID-19 are all paid. In a recent Instagram Live post, the ‘Bodak yellow’ hit maker said that some of the celebrities who have tested COVID-19 positive have showed no symptoms. While many people have claimed that COVID-19 test-

Cardi B

aron Tveit, currently starring in ‘Moulin Rouge’ on Broadway, has tested positive for coronavirus, he announced Monday. The 36-year-old New York native said he was tested last Monday, but had already been in self-quarantine since Broadway went dark on March 12. “I consider myself extremely lucky that my symptoms have been

ing is available only to the rich, the rapper thinks all these celebrities are actually being paid for getting tested. “We keep seeing these basketball players say like, ‘Yeah, I have the coronavirus but I got no symptoms’. So how the f**k am I supposed to know when I am supposed to get tested for it?!” she said in the video. Cardi added: “Y’all n****s is playin’ with me.” —IANS

FA CE OF TH ED AY

Aaron Tveit

YOUR DAY Horoscope by Saurabbh Sachdeva

ARIES

TAURUS

GEMINI

CANCER

You are person of strong resolve and you don’t stop until you have accomplished whats in your mind. On social front, you will go out of your way to help someone with their personal problems. You will meet someone who will is going to shares same ideologies like you.

You are very serious about your career and you don’t tolerate any mistake in your work which is why you are climbing up the ladder at faster pace than those around you. You will benefit from buying or selling the property about which you have been thinking for some time.

Many opportunities will knock at your door to a extent that you will get confused as to which one to choose. People will not only notice your hard work but will also appreciate you for it. You will be able to successfully negotiate. Exercises alone won’t help you to be healthy.

You are about to achieve something that always seemed impossible to achieve in the beginning. You may excel in some or the other sports an there is no harm in taking it seriously for once. Some of you have really started earning well and you are professionally growing day.

MAR 21 - APR 20

APR 21 - MAY 20

MAY 21 - JUNE 21

JUNE 22 - JULY 23

LEO

VIRGO

LIBRA

SCORPIO

All your worries will vanish once you get the promotion and hike which will happen soon. Things are getting easy for you on academic front as you have starting exerting more than you ever have. Love life is secure for you. You may feel very emotional about your parents, spend time with them.

On academic front, you will be very busy in doing your preparations that you will have no spare time for leisure. You will keep your promises as far as helping someone with money is concerned. You will find most of your time spent in working towards completion of a project.

Doing some serious charity is on your mind and you will not stop until to do it.You need to not only understand what your partner wants but also make sure to deliver it. On professional front, you will meet the expectations of your boss. In financial matter know your decisions.

You will feel on the top of the of the world today and you will spread happiness wherever you will go. Your spouse will give you special treatment today for all your love and sincerity. You will be mentally very relaxed on professional front as you have managed to finish your work.

JULY 24 - AUGUST 23

AUG 24 - SEP 23

SEPT 24 - OCTOBER 22

OCT 23 - NOVEMBER 22

SAGITTARIUS

CAPRICORN

AQUARIUS

PISCES

You are a one man army and you don’t need anyone to remind you of your capabilities. You are soon moving abroad to your place of desire for permanent settlement. You usually don’t sit at peace until your work is done. You are a tough, strong person by heart but you don’t forgive people.

You have a good family life and you are very emotional about them.You are good at managing your expenses and savings as much as possible. On professional front, you will come across every kind of person but it depends on you how you deal with them in a way to maintain peace.

You must learn to maintain good relationships on work front as you cannot be blunt with people at work. Romance is in the air for you and you will spend some amazing time with you love today. You may think of buying a property but the only problem is the area, don’t worry worth will appear.

Always be optimistic when it comes to love. On professional front, you colleagues or your boss may give you a surprise party for your sincere effort in some project. Homemakers will spend the whole day in resetting and arranging things in the house. You will have to rest.

NOV 23 - DEC 22

PRAJAKTA KOLI- Youtuber

very mild — cold like with no fever — as so many are experiencing much more serious symptoms, because this is a very dangerous virus,” he wrote on Instagram. Tveit, who also appeared on stage in ‘Catch Me If You Can’ and ‘Next to Normal’ and starred on TV in ‘Grace land’ and ‘Brain Dead’, said he has lost his sense of smell and taste, which is one of the symptoms. —ANI

DEC 23 - JAN 20

JAN 21 - FEB 19

FEB20 - MARCH 20

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AHMEDABAD | THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2020

PROUD DAUGHTER! B

ollywood actress Deepika Padukone praised her father, ace badminton player Prakash Padukone, and thanked him for his inspiring display of dedication, discipline, determination and years of hard work. Recently, Deepika re-tweeted a post that detailed how 40 years ago on this day, Prakash Padukone won the All England Championship in London’s Wembley Arena. “Pappa, Your contribution to Bad-

minton and Indian Sport is immeasurable! Thank You for your inspiring display of dedication, discipline, determination and years of hard work! They don’t make you like you anymore... We love you and are proud of you! Thank You for being you!” Deepika wrote. On the acting front, Deepika, who was last seen in the self-produced ‘Chhapaak’, will next be seen in ‘83’, opposite husband Ranveer Singh. Ranveer Singh also took a moment to applaud his father-in-law, badminton legend Prakash Padukone, who changed the scenario of Indian badminton by

becoming the first person of this country to win the prestigious All England Open 40 years ago. “40 years ago on this day, Prakash Padukone changed the fate of badminton forever. He won the All England Championship in London’s Wembley Arena, creating history for Indian sports. An unprecedented, landmark victory that shines everlastingly in th annals of time...#legend...#proud,” Ranveer wrote on Instagram. —IANS

Deepika Padukone

INSTA

Corona brings togetherness too!

MESSAGE!

QUES & ANS

n an Instagram Q&A session, actor Shahid revealed a few details about his upcoming projects. Apart from the cricket drama ‘Jersey’, he said he would also be seen in an “action film”. Shahid Kapoor made his Bollywood debut opposite Amrita Rao in ‘Ishq Vishk’ in 2003. Since then, they have co-starred in films like ‘Vaah! Life Ho Toh Aisi! in 2005, and ‘Vivah’ in 2006. It’s been a while since the two have shared screen space, and Shahid says he misses working with Amrita. When a fan asked Shahid about his experience working with Amrita, he said, “ Amrita is a special co-star. I miss working with her. She is a wonderful actor.” The interactive online session did not end here. Shahid also answered questions about his film ‘Haider’ in which he shaved his hair off. When a fan asked him what his biggest lesson from ‘Haider’ was, Shahid quipped, “Sar mundvao to bal wapas aane mein bahut time lagta hai.” —IANS

Hrithik Roshan and Sussanne Khan

lmost six years after being divorced with ex-wife Sussanne Khan, Hrithik Rishan on Wednesday announced that she has temporarily moved back to his house so that their children remain connected to both of them during the period of lockdown. The actor took to Instagram to share the update. He posted a picture of Sussanne seated in the house and captioned it with a long informative post. He said captioned it, “It is unimaginable for me, as a parent, to think of having to be separated from my children at a time

urfews and lock downs in the time of COVID-19 pandemic have given our Bollywood stars a lot of time at hand to try out things they never had time to even think of, let alone imagine doing. Bollywood star Katrina Kaif, for instance, seems to be using the time well, it seems, to hone her skills in household chores. Going by a video she put up on Instagram, Katrina has become quite an ace at dish washing. What’s more, she is seen imparting tips to fans on how to effectively wash dishes without wasting too much water. “Since the house helps are also practicing Shahid Kapoor and Mira Rajput

RAP THE

when the country is practicing lockdowns. While the wold talks about humanity coming together, I think it represents more than just an idea especially for parents sharing custody of their ids. How to keep their kids close to them without infringing on the right of the other who also has an equal right to be with his/her children.” “This is a picture of dear Sussanne (my ex-wife), who has graciously volunteered to temporarily move out of her home so that our children are not disconnected indefinitely from either one of us,” he added. —ANI

artik Aaryan turned rapper with a new song he has made on the outbreak of COVID-19. He took to Twitter on Wednesday, where he uploaded a video that shows him rapping. In the clip, he shares the do’s and dont’s during the pandemic. He captioned, “Jab tak Ghar nahin baithoge, main yaad dilaata rahunga! #CoronaStopKaroNa #CoronaRapKaroNa Keep spreading the word.” This is not the first time Kartik has tried something quirky to spread the awareness for COVID-19. Earlier this week, Kartik, who shot to fame with the famous monologue in his 2011 debut film ‘Pyaar Ka Punchnama’, has come up with a new monologue in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. —IANS

Kartik Aaryan

KATRINA

‘DISHES OUT’ TIPS self-isolation, Izzy (Katrina’s sister Isabelle) and I have decided to take turns to do the washing up. I thought I would do a little professional tutorial,” the actress says, as she goes about with her dishwashing errand. Katrina then gets into details about the effective way to wash dishes. “First, I was deciding... should I lather each bowl, rinse it and put it in the rack? Then I decided that there was a better

way to do it. Put all the dishes inside the sink, and then turn off the water so that you don’t waste it. Lather all of them and put them back here and then rinse them all,” she says. Well, looks like Katrina is putting her days of self-quarantine to good use. Only the other day, she posted a screenshot of a video call she had with Bollywood buddies Varun Dhawan and Arjun Kapoor. —IANS

Katrina Kaif

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JAIPUR

AHMEDABAD | THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2020

—PHOTO BY SUNIL SHARMA

—PHOTO BY MUKESH KIRADOO

—PHOTO BY SUNIL SHARMA

Hawa Mahal being sanitised

Pigeons rule the roost at Statue Cirle, Jaipur

A panaromic view of the deserted Jal Mahal, Jaipur

EK NAZAR

LOCKDOWN & LOCK-IN!

With the 21 days Lockdown facing us, City First got in touch with a few professionals who are already making the best of Work@Home

NEHAL NAYAR

nehal.nayar@firstindia.co.in

CITY FIRST

ith the Lockdown in place till April 14, those of us who haven’t set up a home office yet, should do so now. CityFirst guides you.

Setting up your first

HOME OFFICE

ENSURE IT IS A PRIVATE, DEDICATED SPACE Productivity can take a nose-dive with distractions. So look for a quiet space where pets, kids, or other family members cannot intrude on, say, that super-important conference call. If you don’t have a separate room, consider some sort of divider. Even a curtain will do.

MAKE SURE THERE’S ENOUGH AIR AND LIGHT We cannot stress this one enough. Improper lighting can cause eye fatigue and drowsiness. Also, since warm colour temperatures are calming, and cool colour temperatures aid productivity, consider a system that allows you to switch between the two as needed. Place your desk near a window for an extra bonus

of breeze and the chance to look at something that isn’t a screen.

KEEP IT CLUTTERFREE A clutter-free desk is essential to help you think clearly. Use filing cabinets, decorative baskets to storage that is both functional and pleasing to the eye. Only pull out the paperwork you need at the moment. And, at the end of your ‘workday’, be sure to put everything away; including your laptop.

INCORPORATE YOUR OWN STYLE A comfortable workspace helps boost productivity, as well as health and happiness. So, think about your personal style. Perhaps you like knick-knacks on your desk? Or maybe a small plant? What personal items inspire you? We hope these pointers will help you get started but, eventually, your home office is YOUR home office. So see what works best for you.

ntil a few days back, everyone was moving around freely without any restrictions, but little did they know what was coming their way. Coronavirus, or COVID-19 has literally turned the tables around, and almost everyone is stuck at home, working for an organisation, or for/on themselves. Between all this, there are people who are genuinely working from home all day long, exactly how they used to, back in the office; unlike the ones who think they have all the time in the world to sleep or to do something else when they are actually supposed

Strange times strange measures- this lockdown literally got the radios home, as we are going live from home, where we have our recorders and other software, and the entire team is connected via calls and net, and that’s how we are trying to make things work smoothly. Though there have been instances where I did walk out of the house for certain interviews, but working from home with our night suit on and coffee in one hand, is the evolving India on a lighter note. —SUDEEPTA SAHA

IN THE PINK CITY! Supreme Court on 23rd March, declared the result of the much coveted Advocate on Record Exam 2019, which was held in June last year. Aditya Jain, an advocate practicing at Rajasthan High Court and an alumni of Mayo College and Gujarat National Law University, Gandhinagar has cleared the exam in first attempt amongst 230 other who cleared it. Moreover, bar and bench has mentioned the names of top 8 people who have cleared, and Aditya’s name features amongst them. The exam consists of four papers namely Professional Ethics, Drafting, Pleading, Leading Judgements, Practice, and Procedure of Supreme Court. It is also relevant to state here that out of 230 people who cleared it, 90 students, belong to eminent National Law Universities. By using its powers under Article 145 of the Constitution of India, Supreme Court has framed guidelines for conducting this exam and moreover, clearing this exam, enables an advocate to be a registered advocate in Supreme Court registry and file matters there. Aditya Jain, with a practice of 6.5 years is one of the Aditya Jain youngest to clear it.

The Nehru Nagar (Pani Pech) gurudwara is providing food packets to slum and footpath dwellers every day. This is coming as a relief in this lockdown period. The same is being done with the permission of the ADM office in Jaipur.

Being a digital marketeer and a graphic designer, it wasn’t that tough for me to shift my work to my home, hence I am continuing my projects and clients’ requirements on scheduled time same as before because offline work may stop but online work has to go in the same pace. But I am glad that I’ve got a business like this where I can operate it being at home as well. —SHASHANK JOSHI

to be working. City First gets in touch with a few professionals

from the Pink City, to get an insight on how they are working from home and

We are making the best use of technology by being at home. Being an Assistant Professor, we are taking up the classes online and have made the attendance also mandatory for students so that there is no loss in studies and I think it’s an interesting way to teach and students also seem to be more attentive in online classes. —NIKITA BATRA

We have all set up our ‘office’ spaces at home with lively objects and essentials. We are always present on ‘Hangout’ and communicate relentlessly. Work from home is stressful too because of more effort to communicate but having a good team makes it easy with sponsorship of their internet connections till the lockdown. —AANCHAL GUPTA

Our boss increased our working hours and in turn, give us more breaks. The factor that keeps us on our toes is that our entire team is on video call throughout the day, except the breaks of course. It was pretty torturing in the beginning, but looking at the scenario today, it gives us a routine, while people struggle with their distorted lifestyle and we make sure it’s fun too! —DIVISHA BHATIA

Work from home is great I save a lot of travelling time. I log in around 9 every morning. I generally have my breakfast whilst going through my emails. Working is more fun this way, in my own time. I get my work done but it sure does call for longer working hours. A small price to pay I guess, in lieu of the comfort at home. —VIKAS KHANDELWAL

what their schedule is , in order to make a living and stay occupied.

So now I’m working from home and doing my part to stay inside. So I am working on some new recipes which are suitable for our health and include fruit recipes which are delicious too! It’s a great experience of online cooking classes with our enthusiastic students in this quarantine time. Training staff at ‘Oven- The Bakery’ is also more important for new recipes. So we did cooking classes for my staff too about new recipes through video conference call. —MAYANK GOPALIA

Being an artist and an entrepreneur, I usually operate from my home itself but due to the lockdown, it’s becoming difficult for me as well to procure raw materials for my crafts and projects, and hardly any motivation left to stick to my work. Hence, I have decided to work on new designs, products, and self-quarantine activities online where I spend most of the time dedicating to my website and online portals. —SONIA MAKHIJA