First India-Ahmedabad Edition-09 May 2020

OUR EDITIONS: JAIPUR & AHMEDABAD

CORONA

28°C - 42°C

ALERT AHMEDABAD l SATURDAY, MAY 9, 2020 l Pages 12 l 3.00

COVID-19 UPDATE

RNI NO. GUJENG/2019/16208 l Vol 1 l Issue No. 163

INDIA

WORLD

2,73,932 39,76,655 1,985 59,642 DEATHS

CONFIRMED CASES

DEATHS

CONFIRMED CASES

429

16 exhausted migrants sleeping on tracks mowed down by goods train; were walking to Bhusawal from Jalna and returning to Madhya Pradesh; Maha & MP govts announced financial aid to kin of deceased

Narendra Modi @ narendramodi Extremely anguished by loss of lives due to the rail accident in Aurangabad. Have spoken to Railway Minister Shri Piyush Goyal and he is closely monitoring the situation. All possible assistance required is being provided.

Cops probe on railway track where 16 migrant workers died in a train accident in Aurangabad on Friday.

tance is being provided.

The migrant labourers, who had been walking for several kilometres, were

Take states into confidence: RaGa to NaMo New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday exhorted Prime Minister Narendra Modi to devolve power and make the states partners in efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, contending that “if we keep this fight in PMO, we will lose”.

Gandhi said there will be a “calamity” if the

fight against the novel coronavirus is centralised in the prime minister’s office (PMO).

Addressing a press conference through video conference, he also asked the government to adopt transparency in its actions to tackle the coronavirus and work together with states and take them into confidence.

His remarks came after complaints by Congress-ruled states that they were being pushed into fiscal distress in the absence of the Centre providing them resources to fight the pandemic.

Gandhi also called upon the government to immediately put money into the hands of the poor and Turn on P6

sleeping on the rail tracks when the mishap occurred, the railway officials said. Mokshada Pa-

til, SP Aurangabad said police has ordered an inquiry into the incident.

“Early morning, a freight

train ran over 16 labourers from Madhya Pradesh.

We are investigating the matter,” Patil said.

Inspector, 2 jawans injured in stone-pelting; 10 held

CPRO of South Central Railway said, “An empty petroleum tanker train was moving from Cherlapally Station to Panevadi Railway Station. The incident occurred early this morning. A high-level enquiry at the level of Commissioner Railway safety has been constituted.”

Railways later issued a notice saying, “The general public is requested not to use the railway track for any activity, this can prove to be fatal.

During the lockdown, only passenger trains are closed, but goods trains, Covid-19 parcel special and Shramik Special trains are in regular operation.”

Turn on P6

First India News

SC bats for online sales, home delivery of liquor

Ahmedabad: At least 10 persons were detained for rioting after an episode of stone-pelting near Rangila Chowki under the jurisdiction of the Shahpur Police station late Friday evening. The police resorted to tear-gas shelling to quell the mob after three cops were injured in the fracas.

Local residents say the mob gathered after a Rapid Action Force (RAF) Jawan used a lathi on a woman who was standing outside her home. The police, on the other hand, insist that no force was used. Both sides agree that what started as a verbal argument soon attracted the participation of other local residents, and snowballed into a mob.

The mob first pelted

New Delhi: The Supreme Court Friday asked states to consider non-direct contact or online sales and home delivery of liquor during the lockdown period to prevent the spread of coronavirus on account of crowding at the shops.

A bench of Justices Ashok Bhushan, Sanjay Kishan Kaul and B R Gavai, which took up the matter through video conferencing, disposed of the plea challenging the guidelines issued by Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on May 1, allowing sales of liquor through direct contact sales during the lockdown period.

The bench directed that States may consider allowing non-direct contact sales or online sales or home Turn on P6

There is still some question as to what caused the incident; (inset) Inspector RK Amin being treated of his injures.

—PHOTOS BY HANIF SINDHI

stones at the RAF team and pushed them out of the area. Later, when the local police arrived under the leadership of Police Inspector RK Amin, the mob pelted stones at the police team as well, injuring the inspector and two jawans.

Senior police officers reached with more teams and lobbed tear gas shells to disperse the mob. At the time of writing, the situation is tense, but under control.

PENDING CLASS 10, 12 CBSE EXAMS TO BE HELD FROM JULY 1 TO 15: HRD MINISTRY

DD NEWS, AIR TO BROADCAST WEATHER REPORT FOR POK, GILGIT

New Delhi: Pending CBSE class 10, 12 board exams, which were postponed due to the COVID-19-induced lockdown, will now be conducted from July 1 to 15, Union HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ announced on Friday. “The students have been impatiently waiting for the schedule for pending exams. It has been decided today that the exams will be conducted from July 1 to 15,” he said. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will announce a detailed schedule of the exams later.

New Delhi: With effect from Friday, Doordarshan News and All India Radio will broadcast temperatures and weather reports of Indian towns and cities of Mirpur, Muzaffarabad and Gilgit, in their prime time news bulletins- at 8.55 and 20.55. “Private channels, showing weather report, will follow soon,” said Amit Khare, Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. “It was clearly conveyed that the entire UT of J&K and Ladakh, including the areas of Gilgit and Baltistan, are an integral part of India,” MHA said.

Completing 3 years as Rajasthan Incharge, a brief look at Pande’s journey P7

GUJARAT

7,403

DEATHS

Tragic end to migrants’ journey back home Aurangabad: Bloodstained rotis, some torn currency notes, clothes, meagre personal belongings scattered around— the scene at the tragedy spot—where 16 migrant labourers were killed, and several others injured, looks gory.

On Friday morning, a goods train ran over them between Jalna and Aurangabad in the Nanded Division of South Central Railway in Karmad police station area of the Aurangabad district.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed anguish over the death of 14 migrant workers in the train accident. He said all possible assis-

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CONFIRMED CASES

GLOBAL STATE OF AFFAIRS COUNTRY TOTAL CASES

TOTAL NEW DEATHS DEATHS

1,304,142 SPAIN 260,117 ITALY 217,185 UK 211,364 RUSSIA 187,859 GERMANY 169,430 BRAZIL 140,023 TURKEY 135,569 IRAN 104,691 CHINA 82,886 CANADA 65,400 BELGIUM 52,011

77,663 26,299 30,201 31,241 1,723 7,392 9,600 3,689 6,541 4,633 4,473 8,521

USA

+735 +229 +243 +626 +98 +12 +412 +48 +55 +2 +65 +106

WWW.WORLDOMETERS.INFO LAST UPDATED: MAY 8, 2020, 11:07 PM

IN GUJARAT DISTRICT

TOTAL CASES

TOTAL NEW DEATHS DEATHS

AHMEDABAD VADODARA SURAT RAJKOT BHAVNAGAR ANAND BHARUCH GANDHINAGAR PATAN PANCHMANHAL BANASKANTHA NARMADA CHOTA UDEPUR KUTCH MAHESANA BOTAD DAHOD PORBANDAR JAMNAGAR MORBI SABARKANTHA ARAVALLI MAHISAGAR KHEDA GIR SOMNATH VALSAD TAPI NAVSARI DANG SURENDRANAGAR

5269 465 824 64 84 77 31 97 24 57 75 12 14 7 42 51 19 3 16 1 17 67 43 27 4 6 2 8 2 1 4 2 1 7403

343 31 38 1 6 6 2 5 1 3 2 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 1 0 2 2 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 449

DWARKA JUNAGADH RAJASTHAN TOTAL

SAMPLES TESTED NEGATIVE CASES

22 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 24

1,05,387 97,984

UNDER EXAMINATION

0

Govt efforts fail to dent A’bad’s 22 deaths, 269 positive cases in 24 hours  With state tally now at 7,403 cases and 449 deaths, AIIMS team to visit today

STATE TARGETS MNCS FROM CHINA

First India News



Gandhinagar: The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation continues to rally despite its many efforts to sanitize and disinfect the city failing to make a dent in the numbers. In the past 24 hours alone, the city reported 22 deaths and 269 new cases—still a large chunk of the state’s 390 new cases, and 24 deaths.

Of the 163 persons discharged across the state, 115 recovered patients are from Ahmedabad.

A two-member team from the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi is set to arrive in the city on Saturday.

In all, the state now has 7,403 cases, 449 deaths and 1,872 recoveries.

Additional Chief Sec-



 Additional Chief Secretary Pankaj Kumar takes stock of the situation in Vadodara on Friday. On his left is Education Secretary and Officer on Special Duty Vinod Rao and Vadodara District Collector Shalini Agarwal. On Pankaj Kumar’s right is Health Commissioner Jai Prakash Shivhare and Municipal Commissioner Nalin Upadhyay. Doctors of GMERS Gotri are also seen in the photo.

retary (Revenue and overseeing Health Department) Pankaj Ku-

mar visited SSG hospital and GMERS Hospital Gotri in Vadodara.

He said samples are being taken as per requirement and there is



no restriction on the number of tests.

Further, the Indian

Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has approved three laborato-

ries in Vadodara, meaning the city’s daily testing capacity for Sars-CoV-2 will be 425.

AIIMS Director Dr Randeep Guleria and Dr Manish Suneja will visit Ahmedabad on the request of the state government. They will meet patients at the dedicated COVID-19 hospital and SVP Hospital, and give guidance to medical teams at both hospitals.

Meanwhile, the death of a 27-year-old man has sent ripples through the other residents of the Samras COVID-Care Centre, Turn on P6

NEWS AHMEDABAD | SATURDAY, MAY 9, 2020

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi paying floral tributes to Rabindranath Tagore. —FILE PHOTO

Tagore’s clarity of thought and expression were always outstanding: PM Modi PM MODI REMEMBERS RABINDRANATH TAGORE ON HIS BIRTH ANNIVERSARY

P

rime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday recalled Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore’s role in the freedom struggle on his 159th birth anniversary.

“Tributes to Gurudev Tagore on his Jayanti.

Gifted in several fields, he made a strong contribution towards India’s freedom movement,” the prime minister wrote on Twitter.

Tributes to Gurudev Tagore on his Jayanti.

Gifted in several fields, he made a strong contribution towards India’s freedom movement. His clarity of thought and expression were always outstanding.

Narendra Modi, PM

“His clarity of thought and expression were always outstanding,” Modi said.

Rabindranath Tagore Jayanti is celebrated on the 25th day of the Bengali month of Boishakh.

DUBAI’S NRI BODY PREZ THANKS PM FOR HELPING STRANDED INDIANS REACH HOME Bengaluru: Dubai NRI Kannadigaru president and entrepreneur Naveed Magundi in a video message thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for helping stranded Indians in Arab countries to return home.

The video was shared by Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister C N Ashwath Narayan on Friday on Twitter. “Kannadi-

gas, who are in trouble in the Arab countries and wanting to return home, have got the central government’s rapid response. Prime Minister Narendra Modi gratitude video on behalf of Dubai President Kannadigas,” Narayan said in the tweet.

The Indian government had decided to repatriate its citizens in two special flights

from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to India on May 7.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has prepared a chart for the evacuation of over 14,000 Indian nationals stranded in 13 foreign countries by 64 flights in week one of the operation. —ANI

Karnataka Deputy CM CN Ashwath Narayan

CM Rupani’s govt goes the extra mile to aid early return to normalcy Provides trains for migrants, employment for domestic workers and herbal tea for COVID-19 patients First India News Gandhinagar: In its efforts to address the problems of all sections of society, Chief Minister Vijay Rupani’s government has been serving herbal tea to patients in the dedicated COVID-19 hospitals, organizing trains for migrant labourers and employment for domestic workers whether it is under the Sujalam Su-

falam Jal Abhiyan programme or the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). With these measures, the situation in the state is slowly returning to normal.

Sharing information about the herbal tea programme, Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue and overseeing Health Department) Pankaj Ku-

mar said that along with allopathic treatment, the government is providing patients with herbal tea as part of their diet plan, as a means of boosting their immunity and reducing the chance of throat infection.

He added that the medical team serving at the dedicated COVID-19 hospital has reported that the herbal tea is energizing patients and helping to speed up their recovery.

Meanwhile, Information and Broad-

Patient being served herbal tea in the morning at the dedicated COVID-19 hospital in Ahmedabad.

casting Secretary and Secretary to the Chief Minister Ashwani Kumar said here on Friday that, in five days, as many as 127 trains have left Gujarat carrying 1.53 lakh passengers—mainly comprising migrant workers and their families—to their home states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh.

He also said that things are slowly returning to normal in many parts of the state.

The State govern-

ment recently launched the third round of Sujalam Sufalam Jal Abhiyan, through which it intends to increase water conservation capacity of water bodies.

Since April 20, the project has excavated 26.88 lakh cubic metres of sand from lakes, ponds and Khet Talavdis. This sand is given free of cost to farmers.

In 17 days, the state government has generated 4.70 lakh labour-days of employment. Some 3,583 works are under progress, while 374 works

are completed. About 62,764 workers have been employed in these projects.

MGNREGA works are in progress in 4,272 villages, where 3.32 lakh persons are working in keeping with social distancing and other guidelines.

Free ration distribution to APL-1 cardholders began across the state, except for Ahmedabad on Friday.

For Ahmedabad, new dates will be announced soon, the information secretary said.

GUJARAT AHMEDABAD | SATURDAY, MAY 9, 2020

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Congress blames ‘Namaste Trump’ for Ahmedabad’s Wuhan-like situation Ahmedabad: Taking a shot at the state government’s efforts to combat the COVID-19 outbreak, the Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC), in a statement on Friday said that the state had the worst recovery rate in the coun-

try. It also revealed that only 16% of all COVID-19 patients have recovered and been discharged from hospital.

Arjun Modhwadia, former GPCC president placed the blame squarely with the ‘Namaste Trump’ event. He said, “The administration ignored the warn-

ing issued by the World Health Organization (WHO and was busy with preparations of ‘Namaste Trump’. They wasted two months, when they could have planned and taken necessary steps to prevent the spread of SarsCoV-2 in the state. This lateness is why

—PHOTO BY HANIF SINDHI

First India News

Hoardings for the February event still dot the city.

GCRI nursing, technical staff protest for protective gear With 17 new positive cases confirmed on the hospital premises, 500 staffers could be at risk Ahmedabad: The nursing and technical staff of the Gujarat Cancer and Research Institute (GCRI), a designated COVID-19 hospital, on Thursday held a protest to demand protective gear. The protestors alleged that the management forcing them to work in isolation wards without any protection.

“There are 400-500 staff members working in the new building that was converted into a COVID-19 hospital. Half of these have been infected with the virus already, including 17 new cases,” said Saryuben Maru, a nurse working at the hospital.

Maru assured that the staff was not against performing its duties, but wants protective gear to work without fearing for their lives. “According to health guidelines, we should be provided with Personal Protective

First India News Gandhinagar: Migrant workers will be allowed to leave Gujarat for Rajasthan only if they have Shivanand Jha p e r m i s sion from the respective district collector or the home department, DirectorGeneral of Police Shivanand Jha said on Friday, as he announced that the state’s border with Rajasthan would now be sealed. He also said that about 67 police personnel have recovered from COVID-19, even as 601 remain home-quarantined.

Fifteen more cases have been registered for spreading rumours, hatred and false information on social media in the past 24 hours. So far, 701 cases have been registered with 1,441 persons being arrested in this regard.

For the violation of public orders, quarantine norms, the Disaster Management Act and the Epidemic Diseases Act, 3,521 cases have been registered, and 4,222 persons have been arrested.

In the past 24 hours, police have impounded 6,209 vehicles.

BAD CONDITIONS

GCRI staff during the protest on Friday at the Civil Hospital campus in Ahmedabad.

Equipment (PPE) kits.

We don’t even gloves, masks and personal sanitizers and are compelled to work in these conditions. We are risking our lives so that the hospital’s reputation isn’t tarnished.”

Another member of the nursing staff wishing anonymity alleged that at least 68 staffers including doctors, nursing staff, helpers and

ward boys have been infected and are undergoing treatment. Even though two nurses are on ventilator support, the hospital administration has turned down several requests from staffers to conduct a COVID-19 test. No member of the staff has even been quarantined, even after being in contact with positive patients.

One the staffers said,

AMC to disinfect city, adds medical staff First India News Ahmedabad: The new team overseeing the COVID-19 crisis in the city, comprising Rajiv Gupta, additional chief secretary and in-charge municipal commissioner Mukesh Kumar took some major decisions during a meeting on Friday. The city is set to be disinfected by fire brigade teams on Saturday, using retrofitted fire brigade vehicles, special vehicles, and drones.

Also, the Ahmedabad Medical Association has arranged for additional medical and paramedical staff for COV-

ID-Care Centres. Further, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) will allocate 25 air-conditioned buses to transport its teams to and from the private COVID-19 hospitals.

Doctors and paramedical staff of designated private COVID-19 hospitals who get infected while performing their duties will be treated exclusively at one of the private designated COVID-19 hospitals identified by AMC. Such persons will also be eligible for any incentive extended to AMC or government hospital employees.

“For the first time, patients will probably get infected from hospital staff because they are still working with the patients, without any protective kits or sample testing.”

Although the staffers protested for some time, they resumed their duties immediately after meeting with the hospital management.

First India could not

get reach GCRI deputy director Dr Karishma Dave for comment.

According to WhatsApp messages of resident doctors that had gone viral, the doctors were not allowed to undergo COVID-19 testing even though 11 had tested positive. A day after the messages went viral the doctors were shifted to a four-star hotel for treatment.

miserably. On average, we conduct only 5,000 tests to give the impression that the number of cases is less than the actual number. So far, around one lakh tests have been conducted,” asserted Modhwadia.

He also highlighted the plight of migrant workers stuck in the

state. “It is a clear case of mismanagement.

There is no proper policy in place in the state to provide any kind of relief or facilities to them.

Despite their troubles, the BJP-run government is over-charging the workers and their families for their tickets,” he alleged.

Eight doctors infected in two private hospitals First India News Ahmedabad: Joining the bandwagon of dedicated COVID-19 hospitals, seven private hospitals were declared as centres for treatment of novel coronavirus by the city administration. But now, eight medical professionals at two of those dedicated COVID-19 hospitals have been infected

by Sars-CoV-2.There are even allegations that hospital managements are not following Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) guidelines.

According to a medical professional with knowledge about this development said, “Two resident doctors of Sterling Hospital and eight doctors and other staff members at CIMS Hospital have been infected with Sars-CoV-2.

All of them are undergoing treatment at their respective hospitals.

Vice-president of Sterling Hospital, Namisha Gandhi confirmed the report.

“Two of our staffers have been infected and

PANIC BUYING MODE: ON —PHOTO BY HANIF SINDHI

Rajasthan border sealed: DGP

—PHOTO BY HANIF SINDHI

First India News

Ahmedabad has become another Wuhan.”

He added that, till March 24, thousands of international travellers had arrived in the state without any screening or testing. They probably carried the virus into the state, he said.

“With a 16% recovery rate, the state has failed

People stock up on essentials at the wholesale market in Ahmedabad’s Kalupur area, following the announcement that grocery stores will be shut until May 15.

Sterling was one of the first private hospitals to be roped in to treat COVID-19 patients.

—FILE PHOTO

WEB OF LIES?

they are being treated at the hospital itself.

The hospital is strictly following all ICMR guidelines and that all on-duty staff is quarantined at a hotel and the off-duty staff has been quarantined on the hospital premises. No one has been allowed to go home.”

Sources however refuted Gandhi’s claim, and said that the proto-

col was followed by the first medical team that treated corona patients initially. They also alleged that the management eased its stance and on-duty staff was allowed to go home after hours. This information was denied by Gandhi.

CIMS director Komal Shah was unavailable for comment despite multiple attempts.

Bapu’s grandson’s widow dies, aged 94 First India News Surat: The grand daughter-in-law of Mahatma Gandhi, Dr Shivalaxmi Kanubhai Gandhi died of natural causes at Sunshine Global Hospital in Surat on Friday. The 94-year-old had been living in Bhimrad area for the last two years.

After her husband Kanubhai Gandhi passed away in November 2016, Dr Gandhi had been living in Delhi, which she eventually left for Surat in 2018. She started living at the Shri Bharti Maiya Ananddham Old Age Home.

Dr Shivalaxmi Kanubhai Gandhi

Kanubhai Gandhi was the only child of Ramdas Gandhi, the third son of Mahatma Gandhi. He and Dr Shivalaxmi were in the news four years ago when the couple was found living in an old age home in Delhi.

Virus turns Surat’s Limbayat into an ‘island’ zone First India News Surat: Due to a sudden surge in COVID-19 cases, the densely-populated Limbayat zone of Surat, which accounts for 308 cases, has been declared a major hotspot by the city administration.

Now, the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) has decided to implement an ‘island strategy’ in the areas under the zone, to combat the spread of SarsCoV-2 infection.

“Currently, most of

the cases in Surat are coming from its slum areas. Out of the total positive cases in the city, 40% cases have been reported from the Limbayat zone alone.

In order to tackle the situation effectively, an ‘island strategy’ will be deployed in the zone,” said SMC commissioner Banchhanidhi Pani.

He added, “Limbayat is a major hotspot for us now. The decision to treat it like an island was taken after thorough review of the situation and surveillance.

WHAT IT MEANS

SMC Commissioner Pani takes stock of the situation on the ground.

An APX surveillance system will be followed by the teams deployed in the zone and all residences will be covered.”

Under the APX sys-

tem, SMC teams will conduct a survey of citizens and categorize their status accordingly. The letter ‘A’ will be written on the front

wall of the house with Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) cases or if any family members showcase other symptoms. The houses with

senior citizens and people with co-morbid conditions will be tagged under the ‘P’ category.

And, the houses with no suspect cases will be tagged ‘X’. This system will keep SMC teams posted on the status of the citizens.

Further, a top-brass meeting was held at the general assembly meeting hall in the SMC building on Friday. City mayor Dr Jagdish Patel, SMC commissioner Pani and four other councillors determined that the councillors

would deploy their teams in their respective areas, who will be in charge of residential societies. They will be responsible for dispensing awareness about the situation to residents among other duties.

The Limbayat zone will stay under heavy surveillance and all movement in and out of it will be monitored. All private clinics and hospitals which fall in the zone have been instructed to report all ARI cases to the local civic body.

PERSPECTIVE AHMEDABAD | SATURDAY, MAY 9, 2020

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IN-DEPTH

GIVE MIGRANTS A THOUGHT IN COVID TIMES

HOW THE COVID CRISIS IS TESTING LEGAL SYSTEMS? AVTANSH BANA

T

he travails of a group of migrants trudging their way home ended in a gruesome tragedy on Friday. The group of 20 was fatigued after an arduous long walk from Jalna in Maharashtra. They were headed to Madhya Pradesh via Bhusawal and were walking along the tracks to avoid being stopped by the police. They are presumed to have decided to rest on the tracks and, out of exhaustion, fell asleep unaware that goods trains, and also the Shramik special, were running.

At 5.45 a.m. a goods train from Mumbai ran over 16 of them in Aurangabad on Friday. Four survived but are too traumatised and were being counselled.

Scenes from the accident site - their rotis and footwear and other meager belongings - lying scattered told a story of migrant workers with which we are now too familiar.

Just how many of these poor men and women have died after the sudden enforcement of lockdown and closure of their workplaces miles away from their homes concerns just a few. That these workers decided to avoid the highways and walk along the tracks shows the suspicion they had of how the police and authorities would harass them. It also shows how callous society has become.

A few hundred kilometers away from Aurangabad, a migrant Krishna decided to cycle down with his wife and two children from Lucknow to Chhattisgarh. Their journey was cut short when a rashly driven vehicle hit the family, killing the couple on the spot. The children were seriously injured.

In another incident, two migrants jumped off a Shramik special out of desperation when the train did not stop at their destination - Shahjehanpur in UP. Apparently, they were told that the train will halt at Shahjehanpur.

The plight of jobless stranded in Surat is also an example of how insensitively these lowly workers are being treated during the pandemic.

These workers wanted to return to their native villages but in a flip flop the Centre, which earlier allowed the migrants to return to their homes, changed the guideline to let only those distressed go back. Their anger soon turned into violence.

A similar about-face enraged migrants in Karnataka. While they wanted to return to their villages and spend the lockdown period with their families and children, BS Yeddyurappa government in an attempt to hold them back announced allurements like Rs 5000 each as part of Rs 1610 crore relief package.

Howsoever strongly one may complain about the behaviour of migrants, they do form the backbone of various sectors of the economy.

States are therefore worried about the prospect of migrants if allowed to go back, may not return soon enough after the lockdown is lifted.

That would delay economic recovery. Hence Karnataka’s about-turn, which the Congress said was keeping the migrants in bondage, and Centre’s modified guideline on their return.

The writer works in the corporate law field from the past one and a half years, in London and Mumbai

S

In India, public health and safety is a responsibility of the state government.

However, only eight states and union territories have so far enacted legislation regarding public health safety. The central government, however, has taken into use two acts to fight this pandemic

ARS-CoV-2 (Corona Virus) emerged in Wuhan, China in the latter part of 2019 causing the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Since then, states have scrambled to put into actions what would help them combat this deadly virus. There are various legal provisions in a country’s legal framework, which are designed to combat situations which the Corona Virus has brought. These laws more or less impact the autonomy of the citizens. However, these intrusions are allowed and legitimised by law because of the larger interest of the population. We can look at two democratic states, India and the USA, and note how the legal provisions have been used by them against the ongoing pandemic.

INDIA In India, public health and safety is a responsibility of the state government. However, only eight states and union territories have so far enacted legislation regarding public health safety. The central government, however, has taken into use two acts to fight this pandemic.

Firstly, the ‘Disaster Management Act 2005’, which has enabled the states to tap into the State Disaster Response Fund by classifying Coronavirus Pandemic as a disaster. Secondly, the central government has invoked Section 2 of the ‘Epidemic Diseases Act of 1897’, which is one of the few colonial-era laws still in place.

‘The Epidemic Diseases Act’ was designed to combat serious threats as and when they arose.

The Act gives the central government the power to take measures to deal with dangerous diseases at ports whereas the state government gets powers to deal with the disease which can be non-pharmaceutical in nature such as closing down of schools, colleges, gyms and other places of public gatherings. The act also empowers the state to invoke regulations

which lay in detail, the powers of the state during the course of the pandemic. Furthermore, ‘Delhi Epidemic Diseases COVID-19 regulations 2020’ has empowered the officers to isolate and admit a person in certain situations.

Prime Minister, Narendra Modi’s address to the nation on April 24th kicked off an on-going lockdown which effectively shut down all non-essential government and private institutions. While many have been critical of the legality and enforcement of this step, it was a necessary one to take as India lacks proper medical care facilities keeping in account the size of its population.

USA Unlike India, the USA has more recent and stretched out statutes for emergency situations.

At the federal level, some of these statutes are the ‘Public Health Service Act’ which allows for a declaration of public health emergency and the ‘Stafford Act’ which establishes provisions for federal relief to states in event of a disaster.

The President of the USA can, in certain wartime or disastrous situations, compel companies to produce some essential products. These powers have been defined in the ‘Defence Production Act’. President Donald Trump has imple-

AMERICAN RESPONSE TO CORONAVIRUS IS SHAPED BY ITS FEDERAL AND STATE LEGISLATION WHICH TO MANY EXTENTS IS MUCH MORE DESCRIPTIVE THAN THAT OF INDIA

mented these powers to ask companies to ramp up production of essential protective gear which is needed by doctors when treating Covid-19 patients.

As per the ‘Public Health and Safety Act’, the United States Department of Health and Service (HHS) has declared Corona Virus as a national health emergency. These declarations can give the responders more powers by providing them limited liability, for example the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) can order mandatory quarantine of citizens coming from areas where

An abysmal failure of leadership L

eadership – the ability to help people frame and achieve their goals – is absolutely crucial during a crisis. British Prime Minister Winston Churchill demonstrated this in 1940, as did Nelson Mandela during South Africa’s transition from apartheid.

By these historical standards, the leaders of the world’s two largest economies have failed abysmally.

US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, both initially reacted to the coronavirus outbreak not by informing and educating their publics, but by denying the problem, thereby costing lives. They then both redirected their energies toward assigning blame rather than finding solutions. Owing to their

04

failures, the world may have missed the window for responding to the crisis with a “Sputnik moment” or a “COVID Marshall Plan.”

Leadership theorists make a distinction between “transformational” and “transactional” leaders. The latter try to steer through situations with business as usual, whereas the former try to reshape the situations in which they find themselves.

Of course, transformational leaders do not always succeed. Former US President George W. Bush tried to remake the Middle East by invading Iraq, with disastrous consequences.

By contrast, his father, former President George H.W. Bush, had a more transactional style; but he also had the skills to manage the fluid situation that the world found itself in after

DURING TIMES OF CRISIS, THE MOST EFFECTIVE LEADERS ARE THOSE WHO CAN BUILD SOLIDARITY

BY EDUCATING THE PUBLIC ABOUT ITS OWN INTERESTS

the collapse of communism in Europe. The Cold War ended, Germany was reunited and anchored firmly to the West, and not a shot was fired.

Whatever their style, leaders can exert strong influence on group identity – the force that turns “me” and “you” into “us.” Lazy leaders tend to reinforce the status quo, by tapping into existing divisions to mobilize support for themselves, as Trump has done. But ef-

fective transformational leaders can have a farreaching impact on a society’s moral character.

Similarly, after World War II – in which Germany had invaded France for the third time in 70 years – the French diplomat Jean Monnet concluded that revenge would only reproduce the tragedy. To transform the situation, he devised a plan for joint European coal and steel production, an arrangement that would eventually evolve into the European Union.

These achievements were not inevitable. When we look beyond our families and closest associates, we find that most human identities are what the political scientist Benedict Anderson called “imagined communities.” No one shares directly in the experience of the millions

of others who belong to the same nationality. Yet for the past century or two, the nation has been the imagined community that people have been willing to die for.

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic represented an opportunity for transformational leadership. A transformational leader would have explained early on that because the crisis is global in nature, it cannot be solved by any one country acting alone. Trump and Xi both squandered that opportunity. Both failed to realize that the exercise of power could have become a positive-sum game. Rather than thinking solely in terms of power over others, they could have thought in terms of power with others..

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the disease has spread.

The state governments in the USA have also enacted Covid-19 specific regulations which have enabled them to meet and vote electronically, appropriate funds for insurance coverage, paid leave, medical costs, unemployment benefits, and some bills giving temporary safeguard from evictions of tenants.

CONCLUSION The American response to Corona Virus is shaped by its federal and state legislation which to many extents is much more descriptive than that of India.

However, a late response by governments can be detrimental in situations which we are facing right now, of which the USA is a clear example as backed by the total cases in the country. However, India still battles with having an antiquated set of rules in very difficult times, and the Epidemic Disease Act lacks a modernday reality of the spread of disease. The Indian Government recognised this and in 2017, introduced the ‘Public Health (Prevention, Control, and Management of Epidemics, Bioterrorism and disasters) Bill’.

The bill was said to repeal the act however that has not happened till date.

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL

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TWEET Ahmed Patel @ahmedpatel Saddened by the death of Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi’s granddaughter-in-law Dr Shivalaxmiji Kanubhai Gandhi. May the Lord give peace to the soul of Dr Shivalaxmiji, who dedicated her life for the cause of education, health, women and child welfare and Gandhian ideology.

Dharmendra Pradhan @dpradhanbjp On #WorldRedCrossDay, my deepest gratitude to all the emergency workers, healthcare professionals and millions of volunteers of the @ICRC who are rendering selfless service in saving lives and combating the #Covid_19 disease.

Spiritual SPEAK

There are only two mistakes one can make along the road to truth; not going all the way, and not starting. —Buddha

Vol 1 Issue No. 163 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, responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act

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‘Saddened beyond words’ NGT issues notice to Centre VIZAG GAS LEAK CASE

President Ram Nath Kovind condoled the death of migrant labourers, who were killed in a train mishap in Aurangabad dist on Friday morning New Delhi: President Ram Nath Kovind condoled the death of migrant labourers who were killed in a train mishap in Aurangabad on Friday morning.

President Kovind stated that he was ‘saddened beyond words’ to hear about this accident and that he wished for the speedy recovery of the injured. In the wee hours on Friday, 16 migrant workers were killed after coming under a goods train in the Aurangabad district, as they were sleeping.

Responding to the shocking and tragic Aurangabad train mishap, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh to the family members of the deceased.

The accident happened near Karmad, Aurangabad when an empty rake of goods wagon ran over people who were sleeping on the tracks while walking a long distance. The workers, who were walking to Bhusawal from Jalna, were returning to Madhya Pradesh, an official at

Maharashtra Chief Minister’s Office Rs 5 lakhs each has been announced as ex gratia to families of the deceased in Karmad (Aurangabad) train accident.

Police officials probing at the railway track, where migrants died in a train accident in Aurangabad.

INQUIRY ORDERED: PIYUSH GOYAL

PRESIDENT KOVIND’S TWEET

New Delhi : Railway Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday expressed grief over the death of 16 migrant workers, who were run over early this morning by a goods train in Maharashtra’s Aurangabad, and said relief work is underway and an inquiry has been ordered. Taking to Twitter, he prayed for peace of the departed souls.”Relief work is going on, and orders for inquiries have been given. I pray to God for the peace of departed souls,” he said..” the Karmad police station said. They had been walking along the rail tracks and slept on

President of India @rashtrapatibhvn Saddened beyond words to learn about the loss of lives in the railway track accident near Aurangabad in Maharashtra.

My thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families. Wishing speedy recovery to the injured.

the rail tracks due to exhaustion, said Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of South Cen-

tral Railway. They were mowed down by the train at 5.15 am, the official added. —PTI

Rajnath Singh @rajnathsingh The Rail accident in Maharashtra’s Aurangabad district is extremely tragic and unfortunate. My condolences to those who have lost their loved ones in this accident.

I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured.

Rahul Gandhi @RahulGandhi I am shocked at the news of migrant labourers being crushed to death by a goods train. We should be ashamed at the treatment meted out to the builders of our nation.

My condolences to the families of those killed and I pray for the early recovery of the injured.

New Delhi: The National Green Tribunal issued notices to the Centre, LG Polymers India Pvt, Central Pollution Control Board and others in the Visakhapatnam chemical factory gas leak incident in which 11 people were killed and 1,000 exposed to it.

The NGT also directed LG Polymers India Pvt to submit Rs 50 crore an interim amount for damage to life.

A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel also formed a fivemember Committee comprising Justice B Seshasayana Reddy to probe the incident and submit a report before May 18.

“Having regard to the prima facie material regarding extent of

‘TECHNICAL LEAK’

—SN Pradhan,

Director-General of NDRF

damage to life, and environment, we direct LG Polymers India Pvt Limited to forthwith deposit an initial amount of Rs 50 crore, with the DM, Vi s h a k h a p a t n a m ,

New Delhi: The ICMR is all set to start a study in about 75 districts of the country that have the maximum number of COVID-19 cases to check whether community transmission in India has started. This study was planned to be conducted through rapid antibody test kits. However, it was postponed when these kits showed variations in results. Now, it has been planned to conduct this study through ELISA (enzyme-linked

There are 5,980 COVID-19 cases in Delhi right now, yesterday 448 new coronavirus cases were registered and 389 patients recovered after treatment.

—Satyendar Jain, Delhi Health Minister

immunosorbent assay) test kits.

According to a scientist, “Residents from red, green and orange zones would randomly be tested for COVID-19 to see whether they have developed antibodies against the dis-

MIG-29 CRASHES NEAR JALANDHAR

Jalandhar: A Mig-29 fighter plane of IAF crashed at Chuharpur village in Nawanshahar district. The pilot is safe and has been taken to the nearby hospital. No causality has been reported. Mig-29 aircraft was on a training mission from an Air Force base near Jalandhar.

ease or not.” Another scientist from ICMR, requesting anonymity, told, “Now, we are likely to use the ELISA kit for study. This will let us know whether the individual has developed antibodies against the virus.” —ANI

CSIR to begin two clinical drug trials New Delhi: The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has received approval from DGCI for its two clinical trial drugs, ‘favipiravir’ & ‘phytopharmaceutical’ - to combat coronavirus. Favipiravir is a drug which is commonly used in Japan, China and some other countries, to treat influenza that has a very broad spectrum of RNA polymerase.

The CSIR is exploring a native herb as a biological medicine or phytopharmaceutical, which is already being tested as medicine for dengue for its efficacy to combat COVID-19.

CSIR Director General Shekhar Mande said that they will start the clinical trial within a week. “The CSIR is working with multiple renowned pharma firms, trying to see whether we can bring a certain solution as an intervention against COVID-19,” he said. —ANI

Mumbai: A special court extended till May 10 the CBI remand of DHFL promoter Kapil Wadhawan and RKW Developers promoter Dheeraj Wadhawan, arrested in connection with the Yes Bank

scam. The duo was arrested last month from a Mahabaleshwar- based quarantine facility, nearly 50 days after CBI booked them in a case of alleged bribery. They were produced before

557 COPS HAVE TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID-19:MIN Mumbai: Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh informed that as many as 557 police personnel have tested positive for COVID-19 in the state since the lockdown was implemented in the country. In a series of tweets, Deshmukh stated, “557 police personnel have tested positive for #COVID19 since the lockdown.” “2,26,236 people have been quarantined and 653 found violating the quarantine. The state govt’s running 4,729 relief camps where 4,28,734 migrants have been given refuge with food and necessities.”

Coronavirus came from bats, can infect cats, ferrets :WHO

A

World Health Org anization scientist said Covid-19 comes from bats and can spread among cats, amid an international debate about the virus’s origin.

The novel coronavirus comes from a group of viruses that originate or spread in bats, and it’s still unclear what animal may have transmitted the disease to humans, Peter Ben Embarek, a WHO expert in animal diseases that jump to humans, said in a briefing with reporters. The virus probably arrived in humans through contact with animals raised to supply food, he said.

Recent studies showed that cats can transmit the virus to other cats and the WHO is aware of instances of pets of Covid-19 patients being infected, it said in a statement.

While precautions should be taken to avoid

NEW MISSION

WHO scientists are considering a new mission to China to get more information about the virus’s animal origin, Maria van Kerkhove, one of the agency’s top epidemiologists, said. Questions remain about whether the virus traveled directly from bats to people, or if other species were involved.Pangolins, armored mammals that live in Asia, have been found to harbor versions of Sars-CoV-2 that are similar to those in people. The WHO wanted to conduct more animal investigations on an earlier mission to China, but the lockdown of the outbreak’s epicenter in Wuhan made that impractical, Ben Embarek has said. The first human cases were detected in and around Wuhan, and most of those people had contact with the animal market, though not all, Embarek said.

Trump has doubled down on claims that the Chinese mistakenly released the virus from the laboratory as the outbreak in the U.S. has grown to become the world’s largest and deadliest. the infection of pets from close contact with Covid-19 human cases, further evidence is needed to understand if animals and pets can spread the disease.

INDIGO TO CUT SALARIES OF SENIOR EMPLOYEES FROM MAY New Delhi: IndiGo will be cutting the salaries of senior employees from May onwards and also implement a “limited, graded leave without pay program” for the months of May, June and July, its CEO Ronojoy Dutta said.

India has been under lockdown since March 25 to curb the coronavirus pandemic. The aviation

which will abide by orders of the Tribunal.

The amount is being fixed having regard to financial worth of the company extent of the damage caused,” the bench said. —ANI

CBI remand of Wadhawans extended till May 10

COVID-19 DISTS WITH MAXIMUM CASES WOULD BE STUDIED TO CHECK FOR COMMUNITY TRANSMISSION

ICMR to conduct study in about 75 districts

There are rumours in some section of media about a second gas leakage, let me categorically place on record that there is no such second leakage in Vizag. Some fumes get released during the process of neutralising. It happens during the neutralisation process. It is a technical process.

That process will continue.

industry is in a complete lockdown with bookings being cancelled until any further orders. While we had paid employee salaries in full for the months of March and April, I am afraid that we are left with no option but to implement the originally announced pay-cuts from the month of May 2020,” Dutta told staff via e-mail.

It’s important to find out which animals can get infected to avoid creating a “reservoir” in another species, the WHO expert, PeterBen Embarek said. —Agencies

special court on Friday at the end of their previous remand. The central probe agency sought an extension of their custody, saying they need to interrogate the duo further. —ANI

BJP fields 4 candidates for Maha MLC polls Mumbai: The BJP has released the list of four candidates for the Maharashtra Legislative Council (MLC) elections scheduled to be held on May 21. The party has fielded Pravin Datke (Nagpur city BJP chief), Gopichand Padalkar, Ajit Gopchade, and Ranjit Singh Mohite Patil.

The polling will be held on May 21 to fill 9 vacant seats. These seats fell vacant on April 24 and the elections were withheld due to the coronavirus outbreak. However, the poll panel had last week granted permission for holding MLC elections in Maharashtra The ruling Shiv Sena in Maharashtra has finalised candidatures of CM Uddhav Thackeray and senior leader Neelam Gorhe for the polls. As per a notification issued by the Election Commission, the last date for filing of the nominations is May 11 and the date for withdrawal is May 14. —ANI

ECONOMIC WAR IS IMPORTANT AT THIS TIME: GADKARI New Delhi: At the ‘e-summit’, Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari answered the questions.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said that “the whole world is fighting against Corona. Only we are not fighting. Our primary duty is to win the battle against Corona first. We will win the battle of Corona and soon we will get a vaccine for it. During this time we will also fight on the economic front, the Minister for Road Transport said. He further added that work has started and gradually jobs will also be provided.

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More than 2.5 lakh people have made use of this facility so far, said, Joint Secretary, MHA, Punya Salila Srivastava

‘Rlys has run 222 Shramik trains’

A medical staff checks the temperature of migrants at Danapur railway station in Patna on Friday.

‘REVISED LIST OF ZONES WILL BE CIRCULATED’

New Delhi: The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Friday informed that a revised list of red, orange, and green zones regarding COVID-19 will be circulated to the states soon. “A revised list of red, orange and green zones will be circulated to the states soon after the analysis of data,” said Lav Agarwal, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, during a media briefing on the COVID-19 situation.

New Delhi: The Ministry of Home Affairs on Friday said that Railways has run 222 Shramik Special Trains for movement of stranded persons, and more than 2.5 lakh people have made use of this facility so far.

Punya Salila Srivastava, Joint Secretary, MHA told that, “The sequel in this series is now an attempt by the government to bring back the citizens trapped abroad in a phased manner. The arrangement for this travel is being carried out by non-scheduled commercial flights and

According to the SOP issued for this type of travel, the Indians trapped abroad will get themselves registered with the Indian Embassy and High Commission. Pregnant women, students, people whose VISA is about to expire and medical emergency cases will be given priority.

—Punya Salila Srivastava, Joint Secretary, MHA

navy ships, the process has commenced from May 7.” “According to the SOP issued for this type of travel, the Indians trapped abroad will get themselves registered with the Indian Embassy and High Commission.

Pregnant women, stu-

Priyanka Gandhi sends 1L masks to UP Lucknow: Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra sent one lakh masks to be distributed among people of Uttar Pradesh, specially those in the red zone, a party leader said.

Party workers will start distributing the face covers to the needy from Saturday, said Lalan Kumar, the media coordinator of state Congress.

Gandhi, who is party in charge of UP, had earlier sent ration through trucks in various districts of the state, he said.

Congress spokesperson Anshu Awasthi said, “Ever since she became in charge of the

CHAHAL, NEW BMC CHIEF, DEATHS CROSS 400

Feel saddened to hear about the demise of senior journalist Pankaj Kulshrestha, who got COVID-19. My condolences are with his family and with friends in the media industry. The media persons are doing the important work of providing us with information in this critical time.

—Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Cong General Secretary state, she has been active and extending a helping hand to the needy”. “This time she has sent masks which

India to expand ‘Vande Bharat Mission’ beginning May 15 New Delhi: India will expand from next week its mega mission to evacuate stranded Indians from abroad by including countries like Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Russia, Germany, Spain and Thailand, official sources said on Friday.

They said stranded Indians in central Asia as well as in various European countries will be brought back home under the second phase of the ‘‘Vande Bharat Mission’’ beginning May 15.

Sensex climbs 199 points Mumbai: Markets squandered early gains but managed to end in the green, propped up by heavyweight RIL which announced another stake sale deal for its digital platform. A strengthening rupee and firm global cues also supported the domestic bourses, traders said. After rallying 645.13 points during the day, the 30-share BSE Sensex finally settled 199.32 points. —PTI

New Delhi: The SC declined to entertain a PIL claiming “illegal opening” of certain offices, during the nationwide lockdown, by PSEs such as SAIL, NBCC etc by ‘wrongly identifying and equating themselves as government department/offices’.

The petition submitted these companies “have issued orders directing their employees to step out of their houses and attend office and

resume their duties during the lockdown period w.e.f. April 20, in abject and manifest violation of the statutory order and regulatory guidelines issued by the Central Government declaring country wide lockdown”. Justices Ashok Bhushan, SK Kaul BR Gavai, who took up the matter through vc, said the court was not inclined to entertain the matter & dismissed the PIL. —ANI

Tragic end...

Meanwhile, according to Railways officials, migrant labourers were native of Madhya Pradesh working in SRG Company, Jalna in Maharashtra.

“As per the version of survivors they had left Jalna at 7 pm on May 7 by foot. They initially

walked on the road (upto Badnapore) and later shifted onto the track towards Aurangabad.

After walking for about 36 KMs, they became tired and sat on the track and most of them slept there causing the mishap,” read a statement by railway officials. The workers, who were walking to Bhusawal from Jalna along rail tracks, were returning to their home state Madhya Pradesh, an official at the Karmad police station said. Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh governments announced financial aid of Rs 10 lakh - Rs 5 lakh each - to families of the deceased. —Agencies

Take states... provide a financial package to the industry to help revive the economy amid the nationwide lockdown to combat the deadly virus.

He also called for having a migrant policy in place as also a lockdown exit strategy in consultation with states.

“I am deeply disturbed and saddened by news of trains being cancelled and migrants being forced to stay back in some states. They are not bonded labour and should be allowed to travel home as per their own free will. After announcements of buses and trains, why are thousands still forced to

walk back to their villages,” he asked.

He said the lockdown is not an “on/off switch”, but is a transition which requires cooperation of all -- the Centre, states, district magistrates and the people of India.

“We need to decentralise power in dealing with the virus. If we keep this fight in PMO, we will lose. The PM must devolve power. If we centralise, there will be a calamity. PM has to trust chief ministers and chief ministers have to trust district magistrates,” he said.

Rahul also ruled out returning as Congress president, a post he

gave up last year after his party was pulverised in the national election. “I stand by my letter,” he said on question on possibility of his comeback as Congress boss, given his noticeably stronger interest in party affairs during the coronavirus lockdown.

SC bats... delivery of liquor during these times, advocate Sai Deepak, appearing for petitioner Guruswamy Nataraj said after the hearing.

During the hearing, he argued that there are 70,000 liquor vends across the country and over five crore people

AJOY MEHTA UNLIKELY TO GET THIRD EXTENSION?

Maharashtra Chief Secretary, Ajoy Mehta, despite the present CoronaVirus crisis, is unlikely to get third extension beginning July 1. He is a 1984 batch IAS officer.

SANJAY KUMAR TO BE CHIEF SECRETARY OF MAHARASHTRA?

In all probability, Sanjay Kumar will be new Chief Secretary of Maharashtra on July 1. He is a 1984 batch IAS officer.

IRS OFFICER TAKES VOLUNTARY RETIREMENT

Dipak Bardhan has taken Voluntary Retirement (VR) frm IRS(C&CE) w. e. f. May 2, 2020. He was posted in Bengaluru.

30 MORE BSF PERSONNEL TEST POSITIVE

PRADIP KUMAR DAS TAKES OVER AS CMD, IREDA

New Delhi: Thirty more BSF personnel, including two posted at its headquarters in Delhi, have tested positive for COVID-19, taking the overall infections in the force to 223. The border guarding force has the maximum confirmed cases of the disease among the CAPFs.The CAPFs have over 500 active COVID-19 cases at present.”Thirty new cases of COVID-19 (six from Delhi and 24 from Tripura) have been reported from different establishments. All of them are under the best available medical care at AIIMS-Jhajjar and G B Pant Hospital, Agartala,” BSF spokesperson Shubhendu Bhardwaj said.

KARMVIR SINGH LIKELY TO RETURN TO PARENT CADRE IN MAY

The deputation tenure of Karmvir Singh, working as Director in the Department of Food and Public Distribution, is coming to an end in May 2020.

He is a 2002 batch IRS-C&CE officer.

Pradip Kumar Das, Director (Finance), ITDC, has taken over the charge as Chairman-cum-Managing Director, Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA).

SELECTION PROCESS FOR CMD, BEML SHELVED

The selection process for the post of Chairman-cum-Managing Director, BEML has been shelved for the time being due to COVID-19 pandemic. A vacancy of this post is arising soon.

TENURE OF SMITA S CHAUDHRI ENDING THIS MONTH

The central deputation tenure of Smita S Chaudhri working as Joint Secretary, National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) is coming to an end on May 15, 2020. She is a 1990 batch IA&AS officer.

ANURAG SHARMA TO JOIN AS DIRECTOR (ONSHORE), ONGC ON JUNE 1

Anurag Sharma, ED, ONGC, will be taking over the charge as Director (Onshore), Oil & Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) on June 1, 2020. He will succeed incumbent Sanjay Kumar Moitra retiring in May. NO EXTENSION ORDER OF MANOJ MISHRA TO CMD, NFL SO FAR ?

As the date of completion of first term approaching, the Government of India is yet to issue orders on extension to Manoj Mishra, Chairman & Managing Director, National Fertilizers Limited. Five year tenure of Mishra is ending on June 2, 2020. He is expected to get extension till November 2021.

Veera new CEO of MP Bhopal: The MP Government appointed senior IAS officer Veera Rana as chief electoral officer of the state.

The 1988-batch IAS officer was earlier posted as additional chief secretary of the Sports and Youth Welfare Department, an official order said.

The post of chief electoral officer was lying vacant after V L Kantha Rao was went on central deputation. —PTI

FROM PG 1 Govt efforts... where asymptomatic patients are being treated.

In a video that has since gone viral, a COVID-19 patient at Sola Civil Hospital has complained that there is no cleanliness at the hospital and that patients are having to sleep on the floor since they are denied beds.

POWER Gallery

dents, people whose VISA is about to expire and medical emergency cases will be given priority,” she added. Passengers will be screened before boarding and only asymptomatic passengers will be allowed to travel. —ANI

SC declines to hear PIL opening of SAIL

TWO PILOTS’ ASSOCIATIONS WRITE TO MINISTER PURI

New Delhi: India Commercial Pilot Association (ICPA) and Indian Pilots’ Guild have jointly written a letter to Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Puri regarding financial support and stated that Air India employees have not been paid wages since February. The association said that Air India has been instrumental in fight against COVID-19 and has lent its resources to support the government initiatives and policies to deal with the pandemic. “

will be distributed among people, specially those in red zones, for their safety and security,” Awasthi said. —PTI

Mumbai: In a major development, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray shunted out Praveen Pardeshi from the Mumbai civic commissioner’s post, as the city counted 437 deaths from the novel coronavirus. Maharashtra continues to be the worst-affected state, with Mumbai contributing a bulk of the novel coronavirus cases at 11,394.

Addl CS Iqbal Singh Chahal has replaced Pardeshi.

06

have till now purchased liquor from these shops.

He said that due to social distancing norms not being followed at the liquor vends and shops, there has been rise in Covid-19 cases.

Deepak contended that results, which have been achieved in over a month-long nationwide lockdown will be nullified as the coronavirus graph, which was earlier flattening, is now showing a sharp rise.

He sought issuance of fresh MHA guidelines or directions for prohibition of sale of liquor at vends and shops through direct contact during the lockdown perio. —Agencies

PK AGARWAL TO SUCCEED DR RANI AS CMD, CCI ON JUNE 1

Pradeep Kumar Agarwal, Director (Marketing), CCI, will be taking over the charge as Chairman-cum-Managing Director, Cotton Corporation of India Limited (CCI) on June 1, 2020. Agarwal, whose appointment to the post has been approved by the ACC, will succeed Dr Alli Rani retiring this month.

FOUR OFFICERS OF DOT GRANTED PERMISSION TO ‘WORK FROM HOME’

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has granted ‘work from home’ permission to four officers, who were on leave with due permission but could not return due to nationwide lockdown.

They are: Jai Kumar Wadhwani, Director, DoT HQ; M A Rehman, Director, DoT HQ; M Chandrasekhar, DDG, WB LSA and Amit Gurudasani, Director, WB LSA. They have been given permission to work from home and will report back to their respective offices as soon as the situation normalises.

MANOJ JAIN’S NOMINATION AS CHAIRMAN AWAITS MAHANAGAR GAS BOARD’S APPROVAL GAIL (INDIA)

CMD Manoj Jain’s file for his nomination as Chairman of Mahanagar Gas Ltd has been recently sent for approval, but is yet to be cleared by its Board.

SINGHAL’S TERM END IN JUNE

L Singhal, Development Commissioner, SEZ, Noida, is superannuating in June this year. The 1986 batch Indian Trade Sevice (ITrS) officer is on Deputation for five years.

APPLICATIONS FOR DEVELOPMENT COMMISSIONER INVITED

Applications have been invited for the post of Development Commissioner, SEZ, Noida. This is a JS level post. Interested can apply till May, 28, 2020 to DoPT. YOGESH KUMAR MEENA APPOINTED DIRECTOR (A/C), FERTILIZERS

Yogesh Kumar Meena has been appointed as Director (Accounts), Department of Fertilizers.

He is a 2004 batch ICAS officer.

TALKING POINT AHMEDABAD | SATURDAY, MAY 9, 2020

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From Left: Chairman state Waqf Board Khanu Khan, Bansur MLA Shakuntala Rawat, AICC General Secretary, and Rajasthan Incharge Avinash Pande, PCC Chief Sachin Pilot, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot with Congress leaders Pushpendra Bhardwaj and Arun Kumawat at the rally organised on December 29, 134th foundation day of Congress party in Jaipur.

Also seen were Niranjan Singh and Lokesh Sharma.

—FILE PHOTO

Bhaagidari: Pande mantra for Cong-grace Aditi Nagar z Avinash ji, you have completed three years as Rajasthan incharge. How do you see this state?

The people of Rajasthan are politically aware and the state has a great history. After closely observing Rajasthan, I believe that people from Rajasthan have the utmost nationalism and love for the motherland. They have a connection with the organisation and I would like to also add that people here are not opportunistic, they do not fear anything and are principled. This is the reason that the Congress party has a special connection with Rajasthan because the qualities that people of Rajasthan have, it is the same as Congress’s ideology. z How do you, as General Secretary and Incharge of Rajasthan, take Ashok Gehlot as a CM and as a party leader?

Ashok Gehlot is rarest of leaders who is liked beyond party lines.

He is among those rare politicians who command respect across India’s diverse political and social spectrum.

Even his harshest critics appreciate the way he has handled his political journey and personal life so far. His experience has helped party not just in Rajasthan but across India. z How is Gehlot government fighting corona in Rajasthan?

CM Ashok Gehlot has taken several important

‘Gehlot is rarest of leaders who is liked beyond party lines,’ says Avinash Pande in an exclusive one-on-one interview with Aditi Nagar on completing three years as Raj incharge steps in the ongoing fight against corona. He was the first to initiate lockdown in state and the union government followed suit. The success of the Bhilwara model is not hidden from anyone. Even the Prime Minister has appreciated CM Gehlot’s efforts to weed out corona before other Chief Ministers. I believe the Gehlot government and health department headed by Dr Raghu Sharma as a minister, is heading in the right direction in the fight. z What was your first thought when you became in-charge of Rajasthan?

As soon as this responsibility was given to me, I started motivating the workers for which we started several pilot projects and I am proud to say that these new experiments gave us good results in Assembly elections. z How did these pilot projects help and especially, which ones were they?

The Organisation Strengthening Programme, ‘Mera Gaurav Mera Booth’, booth training programmes, etc.

‘Sangathan shashaktikarn’ was started at the end of 2017 and has turned out as great preparation for the assembly elections. The project continued for four months from July 2017 to October and with

this project, we formed a framework of how we would choose our candidates. We could thus train our several workers based on the capabilities of the individuals, many women and youth workers were trained and hence given tickets as well. We worked on the block and district level and identified several prospects. z Yours has been a long political journey.

What is the utmost importance in any state to come in power?

Many a time it happens that after coming to power we forget the organisation, but prior to winning and after coming to power, in both the scenario it is the organisation that is of utmost importance. And I was fortunate enough that on one hand there were experienced men like Ashok Gehlot and CP Joshi and at the same time there was the young energy of PCC Chief Sachin Pilot, working with whom I got a chance to do some quality work in Rajasthan. The booth level training program made it possible for workers to come face to face with Congress’s ideology and history. Meetings were started in all assembly constituency units which was aimed at strengthening the worker so that they stand surefooted with the party. z How has your experience been with

Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot?

As I said, Ashok Gehlot is an experienced leader and it is indeed good luck to be working with him. On the other hand, there is Sachin Pilot who is a young and dynamic leader. So I could work with both to provide a new direction to Rajasthan. z It is said that there was a different ‘power game’ going on in Congress even a year before the assembly elections. Was it a tough time for you to establish yourself and form a government in the state?

See, this can be seen in any state and in any political party, but Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot helped and cooperated with me and worked hard towards the mission despite the differences. z What is your vision for Rajasthan?

First is leadership development, then organisation strengthening, motivating workers and to bring about the feeling of nation-building in every home. z How did you achieve the difficult task of motivating workers?

By making them, partners. z Making them partners?

See, when the worker gives his hundred per-

AICC General Secretary and Rajasthan Incharge Avinash Pande, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and Preeti Pande ( wife of Avinash Pande) with the newly wed couple, Dewang (son of Avinash Pande) and Aditi on January 16 at Suraburdi Meadows, Amravati Road, Nagpur.

—FILE PHOTO

cent whether it is the assembly election or Lok Sabha election or some other work, there is only one way to motivate them and that is making them a partner in the power structure and to give them honour. That is possible through political appointments which we have narrowed down to provide to 2.25 lakh workers. z Even the workers are waiting for political appointments for a long. When do you think the appointments will be made?

See, Sonia Gandhi Ji has already clarified regarding political appointments that all ministers should be given the responsibility and thus I informed Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and PCC Chief Sachin Pilot about it.

We discussed it jointly and gave responsibility to the ministers of various districts. It is natural that due to Corona the political appointments have been delayed. All the ministers were asked to submit their report by March 15th but not all are working honestly and are trying to cut corners by not submitting the report. z Will any action be taken against ministers for lacunae in political appointments?

Strict measures will be taken. I never compromise on performance. Those who do good for the party, I try and do the best of my ability for them but those who do not, I do not spare them.

Congress leaders Avinash Pandey and Priyanka Gandhi during a meeting with party General Secretaries at the party’s headquarters in New Delhi.

—FILE PHOTO

I congratulate Avinash Pande Ji for completing 3 successful years as in-charge of the Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee. His ability to take everyone along and his political acumen has been appreciated. Not only his political instinct, managing highly sophisticated control during Rajasthan and Maha elections has shown his management skills.

—ASHOK GEHLOT, CM Rajasthan

My congratulations to Avinash Pande Ji on successful tenure so far. I have followed him closely since we have grown up in politics together. He became an MLA and then held the reins of youth congress. He is an extremely simple and amicable person and has worked wonders in the organizations.

—ASHOK CHAVAN, Former CM Maharashtra

My heartiest congratulations on completing three years as General Secretary Incharge of Rajasthan. You have proved yourself on the responsibility given to you by Sonia Ji and Rahul Ji. The party won several elections under your successful leadership and played an important role in forming Congress government in the state. I wish that the Rajasthan Congress goes from strength to strength with your leadership.

—RAGHU SHARMA, Rajasthan Health Minister I had the good fortune of working closely with Avinash Pandey Ji, I am always at a loss of words when it comes to describing his magnanimous leadership and in his belief in decentralized working methods. A farsighted man who even after putting his point of view across, gave us freedom to do things our way. He probably knew that it will benefit us.

Avinash Pandey has great leadership qualities. He is a team leader and takes everyone along with him from block level to top. I was fortunate to be a part of his team in Rajasthan and with his inspiration. We have walked a path of success. I remember, the first thing he told us as a captain of the team that communication from top to bottom is the core idea.

—DEVENDRA YADAV, Former Secretary Rajasthan

—KAZI NZAMUDDIN, Secretary (organisation) AICC

Avinash Pandey and Congress are now like synonyms. His dedication and devotion is commendable for the party. I have personally seen him working since he was in his youth.

The kind of work he has done and is still continuing is an inspiration for me and also for others. We want more and more leaders like him in politics who can think selflessly for others.

—SACHIN SAWANT, MPCC spokesperson We have been friends for over three decades. He is hardworking, workaholic, and highly disciplined.

He is a dedicated party worker and a leadership creator. He has had great relations with Indiraji and Rajiv Ji. He is a friendly person with a strong character.

—RAJU KODHE, GS MPCC Maharashtra

I would like to congratulate him as he is the captain. There was completely bonhomie on the team and although it is difficult to handle four secretaries, in this entire period we have been more than satisfied with his style of functioning. He gave us complete freedom and we have learned a lot from him.

—VIVEK BANSAL, Secretary AICC-Co-in charge Rajasthan

Love, honesty and respect are not just critical to a relationship but to life. These are the bricks to build upon for a stable relationship and life.

2ND FRONT

—Jagdeesh Chandra, CEO & Editor, First India

AHMEDABAD | SATURDAY, MAY 9, 2020

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08

Torn between devil & deep blue sea

Hapless migrant workers are neither here, nor there, are either being beaten up or pushed away. First India brings grim stories:

A rumour sees 2,000 migrant workers rushing to dy collector’s office to go home

First India News Surat: Reduced to penury by three continuing phases of lockdown, lakhs of migrant workers in Gujarat are now torn between the increasing hopelessness of where they are stuck and the mirage of their native places. On the one hand, there are special trains taking them back home but at a premium and on the other, there is an Orissa High Court order preventing them to go without proper corona tests.

Three trains have already been cancelled.

Between all these, there are greedy touts fleecing them by charging at least thrice the ticket prices but they are still willing to pay, since they wish to go home by hook or by crook.

But, as this shocker from Surat proved, this too isn’t easy.

A BJP worker, Rajesh Verma, has been arrested after he brutally thrashed a migrant worker from Jharkhand with a wooden plank in Surat’s Limbayat area when he and many others demand-

ed their tickets worth Rs 750 for which they had paid Rs 2,000.

The evidence of this came in a video tweeted by local Congress leader Saral Patel that shows a migrant worker describing his story, even as he was bleed-

ing. “I had gone to get the tickets. We have given him Rs 1.16 lakh, but he is saying he will not give our money or tickets. He is selling tickets for Rs 2,000 each, when I tried to object Rajesh Verma and his people hit me

@ahmedpatel

Financial aid for corona warriors

HC orders inquiry into Rs 60 cr ITC claim

Absolutely shocked to hear about the migrants who were killed on railway tracks.

Many of them are sole breadwinners,govt has to provide every possible assistance to their families. This is yet another brutal wake up call to the acute distress that has fallen upon the poor.

Oriya workers stuck, while others leave

First India News

A BJP worker in Surat cheated migrant workers from Jharkhand by collecting three times money for train tickets.

The police reached his office when many migrant workers had gathered asking for their tickets or return of their money. We assured the workers they will get their money back. Rajesh Varma was arrested.

On the one hand, while the Gujarat Congress workers across the State are helping the poor and jobless people in need, Gujarat BJP leaders and workers are busy fleecing the poor and milking their tragedy. Shameful!

—Abhijit Parmar, ACP Surat

—Saral Patel, BJP leader Surat

with a wooden stick,” he said.

We all have tokens (for the train ticket), but he refuses to give us tickets,” the worker rued. Meanwhile, Surat BJP President Nitin Bhajiyawala has denied that Verma is a party member.

Ahmedabad: Desperate to go home, nearly 2,000 migrant workers gathered at a government office here on Friday just on the basis of a rumour that a bus is taking them to the railway station from there.

On learning this, police officials reached the deputy collector’s office near Gota bridge and persuaded the migrants, mostly from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, to disperse.

Migrants wanting to go home are supposed to make an online application or fill up the required form offline and submit it at any designated office under a district collector.

“This office of deputy collector accepts such forms. Migrants who were given the permit were earlier asked to come here so that they can be ferried to a railway station in buses. “Migrants having permits then board the trains.

This is how the system works,” said Assistant

Woman gives birth on the road

First India News

First India News

Gandhinagar: The State Government has decided to award compensation to doctors, paramedical staff, lab technicians and even class IV employees, who get infected with the Sars-CoV-2, the state will pay a reward to them.

‘Chief Minister Vijay Rupani announced Rs 25,000 for Class I & II doctors, Rs 15,000 for nursing staff, lab assistants and class III employees and Class IV Rs 10,000 and contract staff Rs 5,000. They should have worked for more than 30 days.

Rupani said this financial assistance is to “respect and encourage their zeal.”

Surat: The extended lockdown has left lakhs of workers without bread and water, and some have already begun their journey home walking -- irrespective of the distances and irrespective of the hardship on the way.

Noor Mohammed, who works in Surat, and his wife started walking towards their native in Uttar Pradesh after he lost his job and ran out of money.

They must have already reached Jalgaon in Maharashtra when his wife delivered a baby while on the way.

However, both the mother and the baby were reported to be fine, official sources said.

First India News Ahmedabad: The Gujarat High Court has directed a thorough investigation against the allegation of vexatious Input Tax Credit (ITC) Claim of Rs 60 crore.

The petitioner, Paresh Nathalal Chauhan, has been arrested for the offence punishable under section 132 of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017.

The principal allegation against the petitioner is of his having obtained the tax credit to an extent of about Rs. 60 crore through fictitious firms allegedly established by him in connivance with other persons who of course at the moment are not arraigned as accused.

The maximum punishment for the offence is five years imprisonment.

First India News

Migrant workers gather by the roadside in Ahmedabad, as they wait for transport to take them to their home states of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan on Friday. —PHOTO BY NANDAN DAVE

SC STAYS ORISSA HC ORDER ON MIGRANTS’ MOVEMENT New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday stayed the Orissa High Court order, which directed that migrants who want to return to the state must test negative for COVID-19. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and Advocate Kanu Agrawal told the apex court that the Ministry of Home Affairs had allowed migrants who have no symptoms to return as long as they are quarantined in their native state. On Thursday, the High Court had said only those migrants who test negative for COVID-19 should be allowed into the state, forcing the state government to immediately cancel permission given to other states, including Gujarat, to transport stranded workers by train.

Commissioner of Police, M A Patel.

Since a bus carrying migrants had left from this office on Thursday,

a rumour started that anyone wanting to go back to their native places should reach the spot, said Patel.

Gandhinagar: Even as hapless migrants from Orissa remained stuck, as many as 33 trains left Gujarat for Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand and Rajasthan. Out of nine trains from Surat, five left for Uttar Pradesh, two Bihar and one each for Jharkhand and Rajasthan. Besides Ahmedabad and Surat, trains also left from Vadodara, Amreli, Anand, Bharuch, Bhavnagar, Dahod, Himmatnagar, Jamnagar, Rajkot, Morbi and Tapi. Meanwhile, due to Orissa High Court’s directions trains going to that state have been suspended. The court had ordered that only those who tested negative for corona should board the trains.

A SPECIAL BOND

Amit Shah is very much the doting grandfather with Rudri, who turned 3 in April this year. He is now a grandfather to two girls as his son JayShah and Rishita became proud parents to a baby on Thursday afternoon at KD Hospital, Ahmedabad. It is said that ever since Rudri was an infant, Shah would make it a point to speak to her twice a day and the bonding and mutual joy between the grandfather-grand daughter duo is quite visible.

TAKING CASUALLY?

Bank of Baroda risking lives trying to underplay positive case?

First India News Vadodara: The corona protocol requires a 14day cooling off period, but the Mandvi branch of the Bank of Baroda is set to re-open on May 11, just a week after being closed down after a staffer tested positive for the deadly virus on May 4.

The staffer, a peon, had not been reporting for duty since April 24 since he lived in a containment zone

of the city. This area falls under the Red Zone of Vadodara. On April 30, his nephew tested positive while his own test results came on May 3. Following this, the branch was closed on May 4 up to May 11.

However, it was closed on May 4 afternoon, only after the entire morning was spent working normally. Multiple customers are said to have visited the branch for transactions that morning,

OTHERS IGNORED

which adds them to the list of potential asymptomatic carriers. With the currency chest of

the branch still functioning to manage cash circulation, the bank was set to open after six

days of closure -- this, in spite of the fact that a 14-day quarantine is mandatory.

As of now, no tests have been conducted for other staff members.

Not testing other staff members and their families, threatens the containment and mitigation efforts since early

stage asymptomatic carriers of COVID-19 are more difficult to trace and stifle.

“We have stopped the operation of that particular branch (Mandvi) also. For a

precautionary measure we did this. There is not any physical evidence of any symptoms within the staff members. Today only I discussed this with the RM (Regional Manager) and they told me that there is not a single symptom in any of the staff,” said Bharat Dangar, Director of Bank of Baroda. Dangar is former Mayor of Vadodara and ex-President of BJP Vadodara.

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CHOLI MEIN DIL HAI MERA!

City First explores the world of the humble choli, affixed to the saree forever, it has come a long way from being a simple cloth tied to the chest to the lacy, gold, tasseled fashion statement it is today! accessories, attachments, etc available to set up the saree blouse.

It is one garment which though available in ‘readymade’ is still given for ‘stitching’ with many a nip and tuck to be done before the perfect fit.

Whatever it may be, the blouse cannot be divorced from the saree anymore, wear it with panache and flaunt that midriff or cleavage as the case may be, our strong women ancestors support us!

ANITA HADA

anita.hada@firstindianews.com

A

t a family wedding, an aunt is often apt to glare at you for flaunting a bit of cleavage from the sexy choli covered by a demure saree with the dialogue, ‘hamare zamaane mein…’. Well, you can tell her that in the days of our preBritish ancestors, whom we have chosen to follow, the saree was worn without a choli.

Today the choli or the blouse is given as much if not more attention than the blouse but it only became a part of the Indian woman’s wardrobe after the rather hypocritical Victorian standards of propriety took over the Indian classes. It was Jnanadanandini Debi, the wife of Satyendranath Tagore, brother of the Rabindranath Tagore who popularised blouses after being refused entry to clubs under the Raj for wearing the sari fabric over her bare breasts.

The choli makes a statement even today, from the de-

mure long-sleeved blouse which indicates professionalism with a hint of feminine strength and goes well with silk and cotton both. The sleeveless blouse, at one time, frowned upon as too modern is one of the most popular today adding oomph and comfort to the saree. Blouse styles are of as many types as the sarees with the spaghetti strap blouse and backless one a hot favourite with one and all.

The basic idea is that the humble saree blouse is no longer something to be worn ‘under’ the saree simply to cover the bosom, it is a fashion garment in its own right. One can’t even begin to describe all the styles,

09

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AHMEDABAD | SATURDAY, MAY 9, 2020

10

DOWNTON ABBEY

Comes to Rajasthan

Maharani Divya Kumari of Bharatpur

RASHMI DICKINSON cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

W

FA CE OF TH ED AY

ho hasn’t seen and loved Downton Abbey!

A very British period drama about the trials and tribulations of the lives of the fictional aristocratic Crawley family and their domestic staff in Yorkshire. Woven in are the true great historical events from 1910’s onwards, and their effects on their lives. Downton Abbey was filmed at the majestic Highclere Castle in Hampshire.

A particularly poignant storyline is about the fictional Downton Abbey Cottage Hospital, built on land donated by the Earl of Grantham, the husband of delightfully acerbically witty Violet, played by Dame Maggie Smith. The Cottage hospital fails to serve the needs of the great numbers of injured men in during the first world war of 1914-18.

Cora Crawley, the new Countess of Grantham, played by American Elizabeth McGovern, turns their magnificent Downton Abbey to run as a rehabilitation hospital for injured soldiers.

Two years later, in 1920, the fiancé of Mathew Crawley, the future Earl of Grantham, dies of Spanish flu. This was an epidemic which infected 50 million and killed 10% of those, i.e 5 million people. Fast forward to 2020.

A beautiful Maharani of the erstwhile Princely state of Bharatpur creates our own Downton Abbey in our beloved Rajasthan. Only this time it is for real! So who is she? And what has she done?

The alluring Divya Kumari is the daughter of Raja Surendra Singh of the earstwhile Princely state of Beri, now in UP. Educated at Loreto Convent and Isabella Thoborn College in Lucknow, she probably never imagined her life now.

Just as she was finishing her graduation, the young Vishvendra Singh saw her at a wedding and was completely smitten by her dazzling beauty. He overruled all objections and married her regardless. She came to Moti Mahal, the grand Palace of Bharatpur, as a young radiant bride in 1989. Rajasthan was just so different from Beri and Lucknow. But she loved every bit of it- the colours, the music, the dances, the customes, but above all its people.

Vishvendra and Divya were deeply in love but they threw themselves into serving their people, who in return adored the young couple. Their only child, Anirudh, was born 2 years later.

Initially, there had been a little disquiet that young Divya was not a Jat but a Rajput. All that melted away when, not contented with just living an opulent life of a Maharani, she devoted herself to working for the people of Bharatpur. They chose her as their member of

Divya with her son Aniruddh

parliament in 1996 from Bharatpur and later a Member of Legislative in 2003 from Deeg constituency.

While she herself has been out of active politics since 2009, she has fully supported her husband, Vishvendra Singh B h a r a t p u r, who is the cabinet minister for Tourism and D e v asthan Department.

But it was during these c o ro n av ir u s times that she has shown her true mettle. Despite the tremendous efforts by the administration, sadly, Bharatpur has emerged as red zone for coronavirus infections. Hospitals have become overloaded and frontline carers exhausted.

Divya Kumari decided she couldn’t just sit by and watch.

So, while a lesser mortal might worry about residual coronavirus infection and keep herself and her family at a safe distance, she decided to offer their Rajmahal Kothi Ijlas Khas and the

YOUR DAY Horoscope by Saurabbh Sachdeva

land surrounding the main Moti Mahal Palace to the Government to do anything to protect the people of Bharatpur and their carers from coronavirus. They will erect Quarantine tents, treatment tents or kitchens for front line workers and those impacted by the virus.

Ofcourse, the administration is only too delighted to accept her magnanimous offer.

It goes without saying that no money is expected in return!!

So, here we are, exactly 100 years after the First World War and then Spanish flu, when a fictional aristocrat turns her grand home, the Downton Abbey, into a rehabilitation hospital for injured soldiers. Now we have the softly spoken but feisty Maharani Divya Kumari doing it in real life! She says she is only doing what generations before her have taught her to do- looking after their people.

Standing ovation!

ARIES

TAURUS

GEMINI

CANCER

Chances of getting good returns from a previous investment look bright.

Dont take on any additional job today, especially involving money. Blessings of a family elder will be reserved for you for your helpful nature. A drive to countryside is likely to give you the thrills.

Someone is likely to take you for a ride in money matters, so consult others before committing your money. Dont let people discourage you from pursuing what you think is in the interest of your career. Get rid of your arrogance or it will put off family and friends.

You will manage to nip a medical problem in the bud and save yourself from problems. Getting careless with money is possible and may make you waste it on dubious schemes. Be clear of your objective, so as not to get caught on the wrong foot by higher ups.

It may become difficult for some to kick a bad habit affecting their health. Think twice before going in for a heavy investment, as money once invested may not be returned till maturity. A task assigned to you at work will be to your liking, but you may get little time to complete it.

MAR 21 - APR 20

MAY 21 - JUNE 21

JUNE 22 - JULY 23

LEO

VIRGO

LIBRA

SCORPIO

A visit to an exciting event may keep you in an excited state today. A good offer on the property front is foreseen. Your preparation will be adequate for acing a competition or exam on the academic front. Those hoping for a passionate evening with partner may have to take the initiative.

Diet and exercise will prove an effective combination in bringing you back in shape. Good earning opportunities may come your way to make you more financially secure. A challenging assignment may come to you on the professional front. You’ll be proud today.

On the fitness front, your efforts of coming back in shape succeed. Curb wasteful expenditure, as it may eat into your savings. Job seekers may get some good openings. The day appears enjoyable, as you get to spend it with friends and relatives.

Your busy schedule will keep you on your toes, but keep you fit! An investment today will come in handy at a later date. You will need to guide someone regarding a new job or task, so be prepared for it. A family problem will need to be solved quickly, before it becomes disturbing.

JULY 24 - AUGUST 23

AUG 24 - SEP 23

SEPT 24 - OCTOBER 22

OCT 23 - NOVEMBER 22

SAGITTARIUS

CAPRICORN

AQUARIUS

PISCES

Balanced diet is the key to your good health. Those looking for financial security for the future may need to act now. You will find the right opportunity to strike when the iron is hot on the professional front!

Differences may need to be sorted out with spouse.

Those trying to shed extra kilos will need some more will power to do so.

Unexpected gains are likely from an unexpected source. A problem on the professional front may beg your attention, so dont ignore it. You may start preparations for a festival in the right earnest.

Take steps to burn off fat.

You will manage to bring down the price of an expensive item through hard bargaining. Retailers may find their business on the upswing. You can expect a hectic time in the company of friends and relatives. Commuting problems may need to be addressed.

Some of you are likely to take time out to work on your figure. Handsome commission in a deal is possible and will help make your bank balance healthy. Your ultraefficiency at work is likely to get noticed by those who matter. A family elder may make life hell.

NOV 23 - DEC 22

AASHNA SHROFF, Blogger

APR 21 - MAY 20

DEC 23 - JAN 20

JAN 21 - FEB 19

FEB20 - MARCH 20

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AHMEDABAD | SATURDAY, MAY 9, 2020

MORE SHOTS TO COME! T

he popular web series ‘Four More Shots Please!’ is set to get a third season, it was confirmed on Friday, and actress Tannishtha Chatterjee is on

board to direct all episodes of the season. Created by Rangita Pritish Nandy for Amazon Prime video, the series stars Kirti Kulhari, Sayani Gupta, Bani J. and Maanvi Gagroo.

While Anu Menon directed the

first season, Nupur Asthana had called the shots for season two.

Devika Bhagat, who scripted the two seasons so far, returns to write the third season. Ishita Moitra will pen the dialogues.

The series follows four unapologetically flawed women as they discover life while balancing their friendship in Mumbai.

They are not ashamed about their sexual desires and unabashed about how they lead

their lives. They mess up but also own up to their mistakes.

They are successful and yet face failure in certain aspects of life.

Launched in April, the second season of ‘Four More Shots Please!’ is the most-watched

Two down,

HOLLYWOOD

MORE TO COME!

S

onam Kapoor Ahuja and Anand Ahuja, complete two years of marriage on Friday. Marking the occasion, Sonam took to social media and wrote an emotional note for her hubby. “4 years ago today I met a vegan who could do complicated yoga positions and speak about retail and business with the same ease. I found him unbelievably cool and sexy., he still makes my heart race and grounds me at the same time. Nothing compares to you @anandahuja, your compassion, kindness, generosity and smarts are incredibly attractive but so is your moodiness and your annoying perfectionism,” she posted.

Sonam even thanked Anand for “being my partner and standing beside me for these 4 years”.

“They have been my most fulfilling. Happy happy anniversary husband.

I’m soo thrilled I get to keep you for the rest of my life,” she added.

—ANI

Kanye West and Kim Kardashian

Not-so-good Quarantine!

H

ollywood couple Kim Kardashian and Kanye West have been at each other’s throats amid the ongoing lockdown. A source said that they are “staying at opposite ends of the house”. “Kim and Kanye are arguing and at each other’s throats during this pandemic,” said a source. “Kim is getting stirred crazy, as she’s used to being on the go.

It’s also a lot of time alone with the kids for her.

She is frustrated with Kanye and thinks he’s not pulling his weight in family responsibilities.

They’ve been staying at opposite ends of the house to keep things civil,” they added. —IANS

... her Instagram post Sonam and Anand Ahuja

Cate Blanchett

‘Borderlands’ adaptation

O

scar-winning actress Cate Blanchett is in talks to get on board the film adaptation of the video game ‘Borderlands’. Several sources said that Blanchett is in talks to star as Lilith in the Lionsgate’s project. Eli Roth is on board to direct the film, Avi and Ari Arad producing through Arad Prods along with Erik Feig, who is producing via his Picture start banner. Craig Mazin, who won an Emmy for writing the popular ‘Chernobyl’, has penned the latest screenplay draft for the film.

—IANS

11

Cast of the series

show from India so far this year on Amazon Prime Video.

The show also features Prateik Babbar, Lisa Ray, Milind Soman, Neil Bhooplalam, Simone Singh and Amrita Puri.

—IANS

Casting couch

EXISTS! A dah Sharma, who has worked in both southern cinema and Bollywood, says that the casting couch exists everywhere.

Several Bollywood personalities have previously spoken out about their horrific casting couch experience in southern cinema. “Casting couch isn’t something that just exists in the South or the North. I think it is something that has been spoken about worldwide. The production of couches exists universally,” Adah told.

Adah, who has worked in Tamil, Telugu and Kannada film industries apart from Bollywood, says there is always a choice.

“I think you always have a choice of whether you want to sit on it, lay on it, stand on it or not do anything on the couch. You can sit on the floor,” quipped the actress.

On the acting front, Adah, who was last seen on screen in ‘Bypass Road’, will next be seen in the film ‘Man Adah Sharma To Man’.

—IANS

SNEAK PEEK!

P

rabhas 20, the latest film Prabhas is acting in, is waiting for the lockdown to end to resume the shoot. The untitled film is being directed by Radha Krishna Kumar of ‘Jil’ fame and he has posted some pictures from the movie launch that happened two years ago. In the pictures, Baahubali star Prabhas is seen with leading lady Pooja Hegde as they pose with the crew of the movie.

“Here is a glimpse of our darling from the opening ceremony of #Prabhas20,” wrote Radha Krishna on Twitter as he shared stunning pictures from the ‘Prabhas 20’ launch ceremony.

In the images, Prabhas was spotted wearing stylish sunglasses and Pooja Hegde in a simple avatar. Rajamouli, VV Vinayak, and Krishnam Raju were seen at the movie launch.

—Agency

Cast and Crew of ‘Prabhas 20’

CITY BUZZ www.firstindia.co.in I www.firstindia.co.in/epaper/ I twitter.com/thefirstindia I facebook.com/thefirstindia I instagram.com/thefirstindia

AHMEDABAD | SATURDAY, MAY 9, 2020

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—PHOTO BY SUNIL SHARMA

AMER FORT, JAIPUR

BEATLES ARE

VIRAMGAM RAILWAY STATION, AHMEDABAD

Virtual session on ‘The Beatles Are Forever’ by Beatles lovers of the Pink City to be held today!

Impact of our deeds

FOREVER! O

CITY FIRST

n the 50-years of the break-up of the world’s most wellknown rock band ‘Beatles’, a virtual session is being organised by the Beatles lovers of the city at 4 pm on 9 May. The topic of the session is ‘The Beatles are Forever’.

The participants of the session will include – Siddhartha Chaturvedi (Music Festival Producer and Event Manager), Vijay Andrews (Publisher, lead singer and bass guitarist), Melven Castelino (Teacher, musician and music producer) and Jagdeep Singh (PR professional and Beatles Researcher). The session will witness scintillating discussions on the journey of the Beatles, its metamorphosis, the longevity of its music, the reason for their break up, etc. cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

Think Tank!

A foresight before the pandemic

SWATI JANGID

swati.jangid@firstindia.co.in

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his collection had been showcased in INIFD Jodhpur Designer’s Day 2019, where masks ought to be obliged an important accessory in future. The mother nature rebalancing the world.

It’s deep. It’s about massive change.

It’s time for us humans to accept responsibility, let’s just pray that we meet our fate walking the right paths.

Designer’s - Rucheeta Jain, Simran

Sachdevani and Kavita Behra.

The collection has been inspired by marine life. From the little mermaid to the colours of the ocean, fashion has a long-standing love affair with the big blue sea. The current and past outlook of our beloved oceans and seas that has been neglected for many years now will be reflected in this collection.

WHAT’S HAPPENING!

CITY FIRST

A

midst the ongoing lockdown across the country, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot interacted with Industries of Rajasthan via video conferencing on Friday. During the call, CII submitted policy recommendations for addressing the Coronavirus pandemic which included financial matters as well as non-financial matters: To simplify the process of Inter-District and Inter-State transport of labour and staff through companyowned vehicle only, RIICO land auction process can again become life and rate of RIICO should be decreased so that people are encour-

aged to buy land.

State Govt is requested to initiate an investment cell to attract investment from those countries from where industries are starting to shift.

Payments to industries from government companies and departments should be expedited. Completion dates of the projects need to be reconsidered and extended without liquidated damages, till such time the fear of COVID-19 is over. There are many Government projects of electricity board, RIICO, PWD, RSRDC, PHED which are time-bound and

penalty will be there if the project is not completed in time.

Video Conferencing was attended by Chairman, CII Rajasthan, Vishal Baid and Director and State Head, CII Rajasthan, Nitin Gupta at Yojana Bhawan.

They suggested that all kinds of compliances and NoCs related to various Government departments like labour, sales tax, fire, factories and boilers, excise, RIICO, industries, PHED, electricity board, PWD, RPCB, and RSRDC must be extended by at least 6 months.

Jay Shah

Rajasthan: PCC General Secretary and RCA President Vaibhav Gehlot congratulated BCCI Secretary Jay Shah, on the telephone, on being blessed with a baby girl on Thursday. Jay, son of Amit Shah and his wife Rishita became proud parents to a second daughter; their elder daughter Rudri turned three years old in April this year.

O

this program will be broadcast live on more

than 30 Facebook pages.

This was informed by the FORTI Youth Wing Executive President Ankit Khandelwal.

During the event, various celebrities including Hema Malini, Jayaprada, Singhu Tai who is the mother of 20,000 kids in Pune, Veena Modani, RJ Kartik and poet Harish Hindustani among others will come live on the platform.

Gujarat: Medics take a break from their duties near a quarantined cluster in Ahmedabad.

—PHOTO BY HANIF SINDHI

Rajasthan: Amidst the ongoing pandemic, volunteers of Nehru Yuva Kendra, Swami Vivekananda Mandal and Navyuvak Mandal came forward to spread awareness about the novel coronavirus through painting and rangoli on Thursday, where police personnel were also honoured with the painting made by Rambabu Sharma. Along with this, these corona warriors have also been spreading awareness about the Arogya Setu App.

CELEBRATING MOTHERHOOD n the occasion of Inter national Mother’s Day, the third season of the event ‘Ek Sham Maa Ke Naam’ is going to be organised on 10 May, under the aegis of Lions Club Jaipur Hawamahal and Forti Youth Wing.

The event will be live on Facebook page ‘Ek Sham Maa Naam’ at 5 pm. In order to set the Golden Book of World Record,

Vaibhav Gehlot

Rajasthan: Amidst the global epidemic, four and a half year-old Jinisha Choudhary, great granddaughter of DB Choudhary of Dainik Navjyoti and granddaughter of Vijay Kumar, prepared a slogan poster thanking the Corona warriors.

Gujarat: Seventeen persons left Ahmedabad’s Haj House on Friday after spending 15 days in isolation at the COVID-care centre.

Gujarat: Five more COVID-19 patients were discharged from the Civil Hospital in Anand after successfully beating the disease.