First India-Ahmedabad Edition-12 June 2020

OUR EDITIONS: JAIPUR & AHMEDABAD

CORONA

23°C - 34°C

ALERT AHMEDABAD l FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2020 l Pages 12 l 3.00

COVID-19 UPDATE

WORLD

4,21,343 DEATHS

MAHARASHTRA 3,590 DEATHS 97,648 CASES

75,38,464 CONFIRMED CASES

TAMIL NADU 349 DEATHS 38,716 CASES

RNI NO. GUJENG/2019/16208 l Vol 1 l Issue No. 197

8,498

INDIA

DEATHS

2,97,832

CONFIRMED CASES

DELHI 1,085 DEATHS 34,687 CASES

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GUJARAT

1,385 DEATHS

RAJASTHAN 264 DEATHS 11,838 CASES

22,067

CONFIRMED CASES

UTTAR PRADESH 345 DEATHS 12,088 CASES

BCCI SETS THE BALL ROLLING

IPL

for

Might be played in OctoberNovember window if ICC decides to postpone T20 World Cup New Delhi: In a good news for IPL fans, the Board of Control for Cricket in India is ready to host the Indian Premier League behind closed doors and is working on all possible options to stage the tournament this year, board president Sourav Ganguly has stated in his letter to all affiliated members of the body. The letter states, “The BCCI is working on all possible options to ensure that we are able to stage the IPL this year, even if it means playing the tournament in empty stadiums”. The IPL was scheduled to commence from March 29 but was postponed indefinitely due to the coronavirus pandemic. Turn on P6

INDIA 4TH WORST HIT AFTER UK No community transmission claims ICMR Even as the country logged 2,95,772 cases on Thursday evening, Centre says lockdown & containment measures successful in preventing rapid rise in infections New Delhi: India has now taken the fourth spot in the list of nations worst hit by Coronavirus. The country logged 2,95,772 cases this evening, overtaking the UK, which was in the fourth spot so far, with 2,91,588 cases. India is now preceded only by Russia, Brazil and the US. Russia currently has 4.93 lakh cases and Brazil 7.72 lakh. The US has the maximum number -more than 20 lakh.

Meanwhile, India’s first sero-survey on COVID-19 spread has found that lockdown and containment measures were successful in preventing a rapid rise

Security personnel wearing a mask stands guard at LNJP hospital, in New Delhi on Thursday.

—PHOTO BY ANI

in infections, but a large proportion of the population still remains susceptible, the government said on Thursday, asserting that the country is not in the community transmission stage.

The coronavirus numbers have been in-

creasing exponentially since the May 24, when India entered the list of top 10. It has just 18 days to reach the fourth slot.

The sero-survey has two parts, the first being, estimate fraction of population that has been Turn on P6

An aerial view of Wankhede Stadium. BCCI is mulling to conduct the IPL tournament in empty stands, if need arises.

MEA: India, China working With polls in mind, Modi invokes Tagore, to resolve row at earliest New Delhi: India and China are maintaining military and diplomatic engagements to peacefully resolve the eastern Ladakh row at the earliest, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday.

At a weekly media briefing, Spokesperson in the MEA Anurag Srivastava said both sides have agreed to work for an early resolution to the issue in keeping with broader guidance provided by leaders of the two countries for ensur-

CHOPPERS LAND EQUIPMENT TO FAST TRACK ROAD CONSTRUCTION

Swami at ICC session

Pithoragarh: Helicopters have landed heavy roadbuilding machinery in tough Himalayan terrain of Uttarakhand’s Johar Valley to help speed up construction of the strategic Munsiyari-Bugdiyar-Milam road near India-China border, an official said. After several failed attempts, BRO recently succeeded in carrying heavy road building equipment by helicopters to Laspa, raising hopes of road’s faster completion. ing peace and tranquillity along the border areas.

He, however, did not respond to questions relating to reports of pulling back of troops by

GUHA’S BACKWARD JIBE UNITES BJP, CONGRESS Delhi/Gandhinagar: CM Vijay Rupani and Congress stalwart leader and RS MP Ahmed Patel stood united in their pride for the culture of Gujarat and cornered Ramchandra Guha over his controversial tweet in which he quoted a British ‘intellectual’ Philip Spratt calling Gujarat culturally backward.

P8

both India and China from certain friction points in the Galwan Valley and Hot Spring areas in eastern Ladakh in the last few days. Turn on P6

‘DON’T CONSIDER GIVING ASYLUM TO MALLYA’ New Delhi: India has requested the United Kingdom not to consider giving asylum to fugitive economic offender Vijay Mallya. EAM spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said, “We have been in touch with the UK authorities for the early extradition of Mallya. We have also requested the UK side not to consider his asylum if requested by him,” he said.

PM Narendra Modi addresses on 95th Annual Day of ICC via video conferencing, in New Delhi on Thursday. —PHOTO BY ANI

Aditi Nagar New Delhi: PM Narendra Modi’s address at the Annual Plenary session of the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) through video conferencing saw him speak in Bangla as he greeted the audience.

He then went on to invoke Rabindranath Tagore and did not forget to mention Swami Vivekananda!

After PM’s speech both the Left parties and Congress were

quick to respond, alleging that Modi’s address was targeted at the forthcoming Assembly polls in the state. During his address, the PM pitched Kolkata as the ‘Leader of the East’ and added that the jute industry can walk on its path of revival and can use the ban on single use plastic of the Centre. The address came two days after Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressed a virtual rally for BJP workers in the State. Turn on P6

Relaxed norms: Now get tested for COVID-19 on MD’s prescription ANY PRIVATE HOSPITALS FOUND CHARGING EXORBITANT FEES COULD LOSE ITS LICENCE, BE SEALED, Dy CM WARNED First India Bureau Gandhinagar: The state government has taken yet another new decision on COVID-19 testing. Having first prohibited private labs from conducting tests,

and later allowing them to test with prior permission, the state has now announced that anyone with an MD (Doctor of Medicine) degree can prescribe a COVID-19 test and this can be con-

ducted by a private lab.

The government’s latest pivot, much like the previous one, comes as a result of its decision being challenged in the High Court.

Making the announcement, Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel told the media that the decision follows demand from both the public and the medical expert committee to allow people with suspicions of being in-

Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel addressing media persons.

fected to be tested.

However, it is important to note that the prescription for the test has to come from a medical professional with a minimum qualification of MD and that too only if the patient has symptoms relevant to COVID-19. Once the test is prescribed, the doctor also has to inform the local civic authorities.

Patel has warned private hospitals that any

private hospital trying to exploit the current health crisis for monetary gain will face severe consequences, including having its licence cancelled.

“This is the time to serve society and not look for profits. The state government has received complaints from citizens that some private hospitals are charging exorbitant amounts from patients during this emotional time. Such private hos-

pitals will have to see that it is stopped at the earliest,” he said.

“No private hospital should charge beyond the expenses for treating a patient. If we receive complaints and there is enough evidence, the state will hesitate in taking harsh actions against such hospitals. If required, the hospital’s licence will be cancelled and the hospital itself will be sealed,” he added.

NEWS AHMEDABAD | FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2020

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OLD GUARD VS NEW BLOOD Congress turncoat and BJP MLA alleges party veterans have been less than wholeheartedly welcoming

The headquarters of the BJP’s state unit, in Gandhinagar.

First India Bureau Gandhinagar: When supporters of former minister Jayanti Kavadiya and sitting Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Purshottam Sabariya faced off at the referral hospital at Halvad on Thursday, the scene put onlookers in mind of the Hajuria-Khajuria drama of 1996.

Sabariya is a former Congress MLA who quit the party and the Legislative Assembly in March 2019, only to join the BJP and be re-elected to the Assembly in the by-election. He had originally been elected to the Assembly on a Congress ticket in 2017, after defeating then BJP candidate Kavadiya.

At the heart of Thursday’s fracas is the question of who does how much work for the people, and-more importantly-who will get the credit for it. While Sabariya and Kavadiya were not present, the supporters of both leaders had a heated argument in the presence of Surendranagar MP Mahendra Munja-

THE ‘HAJURIA KHAJURIA’ OF POLITICS

T

Supporters of former minister Jayanti Kavadiya and incumbent MLA Purshottam Sabariya faced off in a very public spat on Thursday.

para regarding who has been doing more for the people.

Sabariya has publicly alleged that neither have Kavadiya and his faction welcomed his presence in the party wholeheartedly, nor have they allowed him to serve his constituents. He has even gone to the extent of claiming that he has the full support of state party leaders and has no complaints against the party, laying the blame squarely with talukaand district-level leaders.

The Sabariya faction’s defence is that he and his followers have been visiting each hospital in the constituency ever since COVID-19

entered the district in an effort to stand with the corona warrior. But, the Kavadiya group does not like it and creates problems.

BJP veteran Kavadiya is clearly not ready to let go, as it is a question of his political career. He attacked Sabariya stating: “Natru kari tame aavya chho, ame natru karvavala nathi,” (roughly meaning: You may have switched allegiance, but we don’t indulge in such acts).

In October 2018, an audio clip was in circulation in the state, in which then Congress MLA Sabariya was al-

legedly heard demanding a bribe for not raising the issue of irrigation work. It has been alleged that the BJP used this tape to first send Sabariya to jail and then to bring him into the party’s fold.

U n d e r s t a n d a bl y, party veterans like Kavadiya and others are upset that state leaders’ blessings seem to be with Sabariya since this puts their political careers at stake. While this incident was only the first such to occur in public, the BJP would perhaps be wise to realise that it could very soon become just the first of many.

he words ‘Hajuria’ and ‘Khajuria’ were widely used in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) back in mid90s after BJP stalwart Shankersinh Vaghela revolted against the party.

He took his supporters to Khajuraho for a visit, and on their return, all his followers were introduced at party functions as ‘khajuria’. A few of them were even gifted dates (or khajur in Gujarati). To counter this jibe, Vaghela’s followers started introducing party loyalists as ‘hajuria’. They even presented them with spoons at events to drive their point home. ‘Hajuria’ and ‘khajuria’ became the buzz words of politicos at the time. Today, however, very few ‘khajurias’ are active in politics.

What Purshottam Sabariya is facing today will be the experience of all those turncoats.

The BJP calls such turncoats ‘scrap’ and will treat them as ‘scrap’. I warn all those Congress MLAs to be careful before switching over. Otherwise, sooner or later, their political career too will be at a dead end.

Congress is a party full of differences and with multiple groups. It should not try to score political points using the BJP’s internal matter. There may be some differences between two leaders in the Dhangadhra-Halvad constituency, but it will be sorted out by party leaders.

—Lalit Kagathara, Congress MLA and

—Dhansukh Bhanderi, BJP leader Rajkot

Morbi District Committee President

We have respect for both Jayantibhia Kavadiya and Purshottam Sabariya. We work for both of them. Unfortunately, because of their differences, we small workers have to suffer a lot and sometimes even become scapegoats.

—Tapan Dave, BJP worker, Dhangadhra-Halvad constituency

Voters dreams crushed by Only short-term benefits in switching sides, the BJP: Paresh Dhanani change in affiliation may irk constituents First India Bureau

Ahmedabad: Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly Paresh Dhanani accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of “snatching” Congress leaders away from their constituents at a time when they need them the most.

“If the voters who nurtured a leader by giving votes are like a crop, then the BJP is the unseasonal rain that has damaged that crop. The people gave the mandate to Congress leaders. The BJP has snatched that away in the middle of a crisis. The BJP is using its power to threaten leaders and buy people. But in the coming days, the people will judge the defectors and the BJP also,” asserted

Dhanani, who is currently on a tour of the Saurashtra region, from where Congress MLAs recently resigned.

Dhanani, 12 MLAs, and leaders Arjun Modhvadia and Hardik Patel visited Dhari and Khambha.

The group offered their condolences at the home of Shaktisinh Gohil, who recently lost his mother, on Wednesday night.

Thereafter, they were meant to hold a protest at the home of defector JV Kakadia but moved the protest at the last minute.

“The main purpose of the meeting was to prepare for the upcoming election. As the seat is vacant now, the party is looking for a local, capable and reliable individual who can work for the people’s welfare and benefit and also not surrender against any might,” said a source, referring to the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections, slated to be held on June 19.

The group will visit Morbi on Saturday, from where Brijesh Meja resigned. While a similar programme was held in the south Gujarat region with local leaders visiting Kaprada, where Jitu Chaudhary resigned.

First India Bureau

Gandhinagar: Politics is a game which cannot be played without the right strategy or calculative measures. In the political arena of Gujarat, there have been very few politicos who have weathered all storms and sailed through them every

time.

After former chief minister Chimanbhai Patel quit the Congress party, he had been on an exile of sorts for 17 years.

Had there not been an anti-Congress wave in 1989, Patel would have never become state chief minister again.

Senior leader Shankersinh Vaghela is one such politico who possesses prime survival tactics which have served him well even after switching sides in his long political career.

The new crop of politicians today think that switching sides to be on the

team in power can help them bear fruit all their lives. That is what blindsided BJP’s Alpesh Thakor in the October 2019 by-elections for the Gujarat Legislative Assembly.

Politicians such as Jitu Chaudhary and Brijesh Merja who think they will reap

benefits of switching sides even if their constituents do not vote for them. But, what they do not realize is that they will have to mentally, physically and financially prepare themselves to face their constituents and win them over as Purshottam Sabariya did in the 2019 by-election.

POLITICOS WHO LOST POLLS AFTER CHANGING AFFILIATIONS

Late Chief Minister Chimanbhai Patel

Alpesh Thakor with BJP president Jitu Vaghani

Shankersinh Vaghela

Name of leaders

Constituency

Chabil Patel

Abdasa

Bavku Udhad

Lathi

Amit Chaudhary

Mansa

Mansinh chauhan

Balasinor

Jasa Barad

Gir Somnath

Raghavji Patel

Jamnagar (Rural)

Tejashree Patel

Viramgam

GUJARAT AHMEDABAD | FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2020

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500+ new cases in 24 hrs, but no review for Unlock 1.0

Overnight numbers: 513 cases, 38 dead; Total: 22,067 cases, 1,385 dead First India Bureau Gandhinagar: Gandhinagar: Gujarat’s health minister and Deputy Chief Minister, Nitin Patel has flatly denied that the state is reviewing the relaxations granted under Unlock 1.0. He said there are no plans to reimpose lockdown norms either. However, this decision may raise eyebrows given that the state has seen another 513 cases and 38 deaths overnight.

While Ahmedabad continues to have the highest mortality rate, worryingly, as many as 11 districts reported C OV I D - 1 9 - r e l a t e d deaths on Thursday.

Usually, deaths are reported from four or five districts a day.

As on June 11, Ahmedabad had a total of 14,843 positive cases including 330 fresh cases. Of the new cases, 302

SVP Hospital fires five staffers after protest First India Bureau Ahmedabad: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (SVP) Hospital run by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) fired five staff members after they held a protest against irregularities in their payments and incentives, on Thursday.

The staff went on strike in the morning stating that there had been no payment of salary as promised, nor has the incentive of Rs250 per day been paid. Around 50 to 60 staff members including paramedical and nursing participated in the protest, two days after receiving written assurance from the hospital administration.

“Around 150 staff members were not paid their salaries until Thursday.

Also, we were told that we would receive an incentive of Rs250 per day which has also been given to all staffers.

A few of them received incentive for 15 days’ work, while some of us have not received any payment for the month of May. There are irregularities in our payments,” said a staff member.

A few hours into the protest, five employees were fired by the civic body for allegedly inciting other employees to protest and stalling work.

PADRA SHUT

Social distancing and other norms have taken a backseat since Unlock 1.0 began.

occurred in the city and 28 in the rural areas.

There are 3,091 active cases, while 1,072 patient have died so far. The overnight death toll stood at 25: three in rural areas and 22 in the city.

The city’s North Zone currently accounts for 25.3% of total positive cases, West Zone, for 17.9%, and East Zone, for 17.1%, with the rest

coming in from the other zones.

In Ahmedabad rural, nine cases were reported in Sanand, seven in Daskroi, six in Dholka, five in Bavla, and one in Viramgam.

Meanwhile, Aravalli, Anand, Bhavnagar, Banaskantha, Kheda, Morbi, Patan, Surendranagar, and Valsad districts each reported one death.

—FILE PHOTO

In the past 24 hours, the state has tested 4,817 samples. It had tested 4,817 on Wednesday as well, a drop from Tuesday’s 5,298 samples.

According to data cited by the Surat Municipal Corporation, there have been 78 new cases in the district: 56 in the city and 22 from rural areas. This is the highest number of cases coming in a single

day from rural areas.

Four front line warriors have tested positive: two doctors from Civil hospital, one resident doctor from SMIMER and a peon at an urban health centre.

In Vadodara district, rising cases in Padra have local authorities on their toes. The town will remain shut for five days.

IITGN rises to No. 35 in NIRF’s India Rankings Gargi Raval Gandhinagar: The Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar (IITGN) climbed 16 positions to be ranked at number 35 in the overall category and retained its number 24 rank in the engineering category in the India Rankings 2020 published by National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF).

IITGN is the only higher education institute from Gujarat to be ranked among the top 50 educational institutions in the country in both categories. The institute’s meteoric rise in the overall category from rank 51 in 2019 to 35 this year, is a reflection of its focus on interdisciplinary fields, liberal arts, design and creativity.

Attributing this achievement to the institution’s focus on quality education and research, Prof Sudhir Jain, Director, IITGN, said, “IIT Gandhinagar is focused on education-

IIT Gandhinagar’s academic campus.

Ahmedabad: On May 30, an independent MLA had alleged that injections of tocilizumab medication that help boost the immunity of a COVID-19 patient are not being administered to all patients. In response, the state had claimed that the medication had been given to more than 20 patients. But now, the

superintendent of Ahmedabad Civil Hospital MM Prabhakar has admitted that there is indeed a shortage of tocilizumab injections.

Prabharkar told the media that the hospital needs a supply of at least 50 injections but, has not been able to stock it. However, he did not reveal how many injections were lacking in supply. He also added that the hospital had 80

Ahmedabad Civil Hospital

ml dosages as opposed to the required dosages of 200 and 400 ml, which

Tocilizumab medication helping Rajkot’s critical COVID-19 cases Masuma Bharmal Jariwala Rajkot: While there is still no specific treatment or vaccine effective against SarsCoV-2. However, tocilizumab has been explored as a possible therapy for immunomodulation to render the so-called cytokine storm ineffective, and is proving beneficial to patients in Rajkot.

Musa Jivabhai (71) was admitted to Rajkot Civil Hospital on May 19 with breathlessness. Being a diabetic with blood

Musa Jivabhai & other patients.

pressure issues, his condition turned critical soon. However, he improved after being administered tocilizumab a few days later. Nowe, his latest COVID-19 tests have come back nega-

tive, and hospital sources say he will be discharged in a day or two.

Similarly, the medicine has been used on three other patients who have shown improvement. But doctors remain cautious regarding its effectiveness.

“The patients have shown signs of improvement but, we cannot conclude that it is solely because of tocilizumab.

Since they had already been undergoing treatment, it is difficult to conclude anything at this point,” said doctors at the hospital.

—FILE PHOTO

have not been sufficient for dispensation. The hospital has put forth its

requirements before the Gujarat Medical Services Corporation Ltd. First India tried to contact the corporation’s managing director Suman Ratnam but he was busy with meetings and its general manager (procurement) Dr NJ Patel was unreachable as well.

Further, Dr RK Patel, director, UN Mehta Charitable Trust and head of the cardiology institute had also pub-

—FILE PHOTO

COMMENDABLE PERFORMANCE

al excellence and meaningful research. We strive to bring innovation and inclusivity in our educational pedagogy. It has yielded results over the years, and we are glad that we climbed 16 positions in the overall rankings and retained our position in the engineering category in the NIRF 2020 rankings. We have and will continue to work toward global educational excellence.”

Civil hosp short on tocilizumab injection, says Superintendent First India Bureau

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licly admitted to a shortage of the tocilizumab injection two days ago. He said that the medication had not been in supply for the past eight days. Dr Patel had also stated that more than 200 COVID-19 patients had been given the injection.

The state itself had admitted on May 30 that only 20 patients had been administered the injection, contradicting Patel’s claim.

WATER DAMAGE

Heavy rain uprooted a fence and brought a wall crashing in Ahmedabad’s Navrangpura area on Thursday.

—PHOTO BY NANDAN DAVE

The NIRF India Rankings 2020 were announced on Thursday afternoon by Union Minister of Human Resource Development Ramesh Pokhriyal. NIRF outlines a methodology to rank institutions across the country. The parameters broadly cover teaching, learning and resources; research and professional practices; graduation outcomes; outreach and inclusivity; and perception.

HC on Oza charges: No substance First India Bureau Ahmedabad: The chief justice of the state high court in a letter to senior advocate and Gujarat High Court Advocates’ Association president Yatin Oza, has stated that none of the allegations levied by him against the court ‘have been found to have any substance.’

In his letter, Chief Justice Vikram Nath refuted all allegations against the high court administration and registry. CJ Nath stated that he had constituted a three-judge committee headed by Justice JB Pardiwala including Justice AJ Desai and Justice NV Anjaria.

He wrote: that the committee has verified records and submitted reports wherein they found no substance to support the allegations.

One man’s mission to save 100 desi mango varieties Masuma Bharmal Jariwala

Mansukhbhai Suvagiya gives the mangoes to farmers and villagers to taste and then asks them to plant the seed.

Rajkot: One of the most loved fruits in the state, mango has a few popular varieties such as alphonso, kesar, ratnagiri, badam, among others.

But, it may come as a surprise that there are hundreds of desi mango varieties that might not have names but, are richer when it comes to the sweetness and health benefits of the fruit.

Mansukhbhai Suvagiya, chairman of the Jal Kranti Trust, who has been promoting and building hundreds of check dams in parched regions including Saurashtra, has initiated a mission to save at least 100 varieties of desi mangoes across the state. These varieties can be as small as 30 gm to 500 gm in weight and can go on to bear fruits for 300-500 years.

Suvagiya said, “There was a time when every

Fruits weigh between 30g and 500g, and trees stay productive for 300-500 years village had different varieties of desi mangoes.

But with the passage of time and promotion of only a few varieties of the fruit, people became oblivious to these desi varieties. They have far more nutritional benefits than those currently

available in the market.

I have personally tasted over 500 such varieties until now including 40 varieties last year. My objective is to save these mango varieties. I travel from villages and based on the information I receive from people living there, taste the mangoes and select the seeds mangoes to either plant them by myself or give them to villagers, farmers or organizations to plant them.”

Suvagiya also con-

ducts the ‘Prakruti Katha’, where he addresses crowds and tells them about the benefits of nature and saving local mango varieties on the verge of oblivion.

“So far, I have been able to cover around 100 villages in Gujarat and planted over 2,000 desi seeds. I have also planted hundreds of seeds in five jungles including Gir, Abu, Panchmadhi, Girnar and Tapogiri in Maharashtra,” he said.

PERSPECTIVE AHMEDABAD | FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2020

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IN-DEPTH

ICMR SAYS NO COMMUNITY SPREAD YET

MANDATORY USE OF HINDI ASSAILED IN SC JUSTICE SHIV KUMAR SHARMA

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oubts are being raised over the government’s claims of effectively containing Covid-19 spread in the country. Low tests apart, the large-scale cover-up of COVID related deaths are being alleged.

Not testing bodies for the virus by attributing the deaths to other causes like cardiac arrest or kidney failure is now being reported from various parts of the country.

Sample this: A woman died of Coronavirus in Lucknow’s Sanjay Gandhi PGI but officials reportedly hid the fact. They quietly tested the 60-year-old woman’s daughter-in-law and two grandchildren and the results were positive. The cat was out of the bag. This may not be an odd case as officials in other districts could be following the same practice to keep the image of the Uttar Pradesh government intact. As there is no way to verify these allegations one has to rely on government data.

In another case, “not less than 200 deaths” suspected to be Covid-19 deaths were not registered against the official tally in Tamil Nadu. The state government has now ordered an audit for Covid-19 deaths.

In Delhi, there’s already a political row between the state government and the Centre over an actual count of Covid-19 deaths. The Centre has accused the Arvind Kejriwal government of concealing the number of fatalities.

With the daily increase in Covid-19 cases touching the 10,000 marks, states like Delhi, Telangana, and UP have asked the railways for isolation coaches. Delhi has asked for 60 coaches, Telangana 10 and Uttar Pradesh 240 coaches to be stationed at 24 locations in the state. But despite a surge in cases in Delhi and Mumbai the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is of the view that the country is “definitely not” in the community spread phase. With the World Health Organisation not counting the US, UK, Spain, and Italy as examples of community spread, India is certainly far away from the mark.

Community transmission is Stage 3 of a pandemic and is marked by cases that cannot be traced to any source of infection. The WHO has not even defined community transmission.

The ICMR said that the prevalence of Covid-19 is so low in the country, below 1 percent.

According to an ICMR survey, only 0.73 percent of the population showed a prevalence of the virus in 83 districts. “The prevalence has been found to be less than 1 percent in small districts. In urban and containment areas it may higher,” Balram Bhargava, D-G ICMR, said. It means a “large population is susceptible”, he explained. The ICMR also dismissed initial reports based on its serosurvey saying that 15 percent of people in hot spots were already infected. Even at 0.73 percent, nearly one crore people can be said to be virus carriers. Even if India’s death toll is the lowest in the world, one cannot afford to lower guard.

Former Judge Rajasthan High Court and Ex-Member of Law Commission of India

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The bench of the Supreme Court comprising CJI SA Bobde, Justice AS Bopanna, and Justice Hrishikesh Roy on 8-6-2020 orally observed that there is no problem if English was allowed to be used with the court’s permission.

Though the plea has now been ordered to be dismissed as withdrawn with permission to approach Punjab and Haryana High Court

ecently a group of five advocates practicing in courts of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana challenged in the Supreme Court, the constitutionality of the Haryana Official Language Amendment) 2020, which was contended to have “arbitrarily” made Hindi as the official language of courts in Haryana.

Lawyers assailed the amendment made in Section 3A of the Haryana Official Language Act 1969, arguing that their fundamental right to practice the profession of law was impacted by the same.

The primary prayer of the petition was to strike down the amendment as being violative of Articles 14,19 and 21 of the Constitution of India as it “creates an unreasonable classification between Hindi and non-Hindi speaking advocates.”

The pleadings averted in the petition read thus- “the amendment precludes the use of English which is used widely to conduct legal proceedings. This has impugned upon the right to freely practice the legal profession and earn a livelihood as guaranteed under Articles 14,19 and21 of the Constitution.”

“The amendment is with the assumption that everyone practicing law in Haryana not only knows Hindi but is fluent with it. The amendment stating that imposing Hindi is for people of the state and necessary to get justice is ‘ wholly irrational.’ “ The amendment was not fit for the state. Haryana is an industrial hub and home to various multinational companies, where people from every strata of the society reside, the majority of whom are not fluent or conversant in Hindi.”

“Making Hindi mandatory could be problematic for lawyers. The level of fluency and expertise needed to argue and represent a matter in Hindi is much more than a simple understanding of the language.”

The bench of the Supreme Court comprising CJI SA Bobde, Justice AS Bopanna, and Justice Hrishikesh Roy on 8-62020 orally observed that there is no problem if English was allowed to be used with the court’s permission. Though the plea has now been ordered to be dismissed as withdrawn with permission to approach Punjab and Haryana High Court. The bench while dictating the order orally indicated thus - “with the advent of more and more people coming to the profession with access to justice reaching out, then 80% don’t know English When British ruled India, language used in subordinate courts was vernacular.” Counsel for the state of Haryana submitted that since it was a writ petition challenging the state Legislature, the petitioners should approach the High Court.

The lawyers who approached the Supreme Court directly do not have experience of working in trial courts. If a request is made, the trial court may direct the party to file English translation along with Hindi pleadings.

We got independence in 1947, still, the ghost of English is haunting us. In my opinion, stating before the Supreme Court that mandatory use of Hindi is violative of fundamental rights, is not a good act on the part of lawyers of Hindi speaking areas like Uttar

Making Hindi mandatory could be problematic for lawyers. The level of fluency and expertise needed to argue and represent a matter in Hindi is much more than a simple understanding of the language

Pradesh, Haryana, and Delhi.

If a lawyer wants to practice in Haryana, he should learn, not only Hindi but also the local dialect of Haryana I.e. Haryanvi. The Supreme Court was lenient enough in granting liberty to the lawyers to approach Punjab and Haryana High Court for seeking relief.

We observe September 14 of every year as ‘Hindi Divas’.

Even petitions in Hindi are filed in the Supreme Court. In North India, most of the judges in the High Courts render orders/judgments in Hindi.

Understandably, lawyers of south India disapprove of the mandatory use of Hindi but

Globalising the fight against the pandemic T

he COVID-19 pandemic began less than six months ago, but we have already learned a great deal about the disease. Scientists around the world are looking at new and improved methods of detecting the novel coronavirus as early as possible. And in addition to these lines of inquiry, there are already eight potential vaccines under clinical evaluation, and more than 100 vaccine candidates in preclinical stages.

All of this represents extraordinary progress that we should celebrate. But there is reason to worry that not everyone will benefit from these breakthroughs. Developing tests, treatments, and vaccines for the coronavirus is only half the battle. The other half – what might be the

04

hardest part – is to manufacture, distribute, and administer enough of these life-saving tools to benefit everyone, everywhere.

Early on in the pandemic, Costa Rica and the World Health Organization began discussing the creation of a one-stop shop for data, knowledge, and intellectual property relating to diagnostics, medicines, vaccines, and any other tools that may work against COVID-19. As of May 29, this visionary idea has become a reality with the launch of the COVID-19 Technology Access Pool, which will ensure that progress leaves no one behind.

When effectively managed, open and global research produces results much faster than individual efforts can. The WHO’s own “Solidarity Trial” to find a COVID-19 treatment

follows the same principle and is already collecting randomized data from 17 countries, with more than 100 others either getting involved or inquiring about joining. The WHO is also supporting 60 countries on related issues such as regulation, ethics, and the procurement of trial drugs, in recognition of the fact that the more countries participate, the sooner we will get results.

An open framework built around voluntarily shared information is not just good for science. It also will maximize the number of companies involved in producing in-demand technologies, thereby scaling up worldwide availability, lowering costs, and helping secure universal access. Equitable access is a key ingredient of the antidote to COVID-19. Vaccines or treat-

ments – no matter how effective – will fail to end the pandemic unless they benefit everyone. Until everyone is protected, the world will remain at risk.

We applaud the United Kingdom for its commitment to make vaccines available to developing countries at the lowest possible cost, as part of its £84 million ($103 million) funding pledge for research at the University of Oxford and Imperial College London. We also agree with French President Emmanuel Macron, who has made a compelling case for why every COVID-19 treatment or vaccine produced in the Global North should be made accessible immediately in the Global South, prioritizing synchronization over sequencing.

When a COVID-19 vaccine does become available,

it should be treated as a global public good. To that end, we are both calling on all governments to ensure that the outcomes of publicly funded COVID-19 research are affordable, available, and accessible to everyone around the world.

We also invite the pharmaceutical industry and relevant research institutions to share knowledge, data, and viable discoveries through the new access pool, so that companies large and small can join the global collective effort.

Bringing more companies into the mix will expand the pool of knowledge and diversify how it is applied, increasing the odds of effective solutions being developed and delivered to more people in more places, and in less time.

FOR FULL REPORT LOG ON TO WWW.PROJECTSYNDICATE.COM

lawyers of Hindi Pradesh can not be permitted to prefer English over Hindi.

If you ask who is a good lawyer? The answer will be “one who is fluent in the English language” Everyone who chose to practice law, must have command on both the languages I.e.

Hindi and English. Any North Indian State is empowered to enact a law to mandatory use of the Hindi language. In my opinion, it does not hit the Constitution. The challenge is made by the lawyers on flimsy grounds.

The Supreme Court rightly observed that with the access of justice the legal profession is becoming crowded. Out of the lawyers practising in north India,80% are not well versed with the English language.

I know a commercial court in Rajasthan where a petition filed in English is required to be translated in Hindi because the presiding officer is not well worded in English.

The British did not know Hindi though, during their rule, language used in subordinate courts was vernacular.

The Haryana official language( Amendment)Act 2020 which was contended to have made Hindi as the official language of courts of Haryana, in my considered opinion, is not arbitrary. It is neither problematic to the lawyers nor it is irrational.

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL

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TWEET Dharmendra Pradhan @dpradhanbjp Deeply saddened by the demise of Shri Atul Srivastava, Director, Personnel, @SAILsteel. My thoughts are with his family in this hour of grief. May the Almighty give them the strength to bear this loss. Om Shanti.

Dr Harsh Vardhan @ drharshvardhan Scientists at the School of Biomedical Engineering of IIT(BHU), have developed an antimicrobial five-layered face mask.

This face mask can annihilate pathogenic microorganisms that are stuck to its outer surface and thereby limit the spread of secondary infections. @IndiaDST

Spiritual SPEAK

The ignorant work for their own profit, Arjuna; the wise work for the welfare of the world, without thought for themselves. —Bhagavad Gita

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05

NIRF RANKINGS: IIT MADRAS, IISC B’LORE BAG TOP POSITIONS

JNU & Jamia Millia, both at centre of controversies over the last year, were among the top 10 universities of the country as per HRD Min Ramesh Pokhriyal New Delhi: IIT Madras and IISc Bangalore bagged the top three positions among educational institutions in the country while JNU and Jamia Millia Islamia, both at the centre of controversies over the last year, were among the top 10 universities of the country accord-

ing to the HRD Ministry’s National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) announced on Thursday.

While Indian Institute of Technology Madras is the top educational institution in the country, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru has bagged the top rank in the list of universities. Jawaharlal Nehru University and Banaras Hindu University are on the second and third positions re-

IIT MADRAS

spectively. The Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad has

IISc Bangalore

been ranked as the top B-School in the country followed by IIM

Bangalore and Calcutta. Delhi University’s Miranda House has

RaGa, ex- US diplomat to talk about impact of Corona crisis NewDelhi: Congress MP and former party chief Rahul Gandhi will be holding an interactive session with former US diplomat Nicholas Burns on Friday to discuss “how the Covid-19 crisis is reshaping the world order”.

“On Friday, 12th June, 10 AM onwards, join my conversation with Ambassador Nicholas Burns on how the Covid crisis is reshaping the world order, across all my social media platforms,” Gandhi tweeted on Thursday.

This comes a week after Gandhi held a discussion with industrialist and Managing Director of Bajaj Auto Rajiv Bajaj on the economic fallout of Covid-19.

Gandhi has been conduction a series of discussions with eminent personalities amid the coronavirus crisis. His first dialogue was with former RBI governor

HIMACHAL PRADESH TALLY AT 458

Rahul Gandhi @RahulGandhi Friday, 12th June, 10 AM onwards, join my conversation with Ambassador Nicholas Burns on how the Covid crisis is reshaping the world order, across all my social media platforms.

Raghuram Rajan which took place on April 30.

Rajan had told Gandhi that the second and the third lockdown in the country amid the Covid-19 crisis “will be devastating for India.” —ANI

Shimla: The total number of COVID-19 cases reported in Himachal Pradesh is 458, as per the information provided by the State Health Department.

As per the Health Department, there are 182 active cases in the state, 259 patients have recovered and six persons have died. The total number of coronavirus cases in the country is 2,86,579, according to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Out of total number of cases, 1,37,448 are active, while 1,41,029 have been cured/death toll stands at 8,102. —ANI

HONOURING COVID WARRIORS

Floral tribute by Flower Council to Corona Warriors in front of Town Hall in Bengaluru on Thursday.

—PHOTO BY PTI

COMMUNITY SPREAD IN DELHI, FEARS AAP MP SANJAY SINGH New Delhi: AAP MP Sanjay Singh questioned Centre & sought its reply over the reason why it is not declaring COVID-19’s community spread in Delhi. “Why is the Centre not accepting this? The Union government should answer this.

The government should decide why the Centre is not accepting the community spread.” “Look at

the number of COVID -19 cases. The Delhi Health Minister has given his statement on the basis of how fast COVID-19 cases are growing and when you can’t find the source from where it spreads, how it spreads, then it will be considered community spread. Why are they not believing? That only the Central government can tell us,” he said.

A medic collects samples from a child for COVID-19 swab tests at Civil Hospital in Amritsar.

—PHOTO BY PTI

Nothing to hide: TN CM on reports of mismatch New Delhi: There is nothing that the administration will gain by hiding the number of Covid-19 deaths, Tamil Nadu CM Edappadi K Palaniswami said on Thursday after reports of discrepancies in Chennai’s Covid-19 toll surfaced. “We don’t hide the number of deaths, we won’t gain anything if we do that,” he told reporters.

Palaniswami said that capital city Chennai, which is also the largest in the state, is densely populated due to which the number of Covid-19 cases are more.there is no community transmission of Covid-19, he added.

bagged the top rank among the colleges, followed by Lady Shri

‘TRS govt triggered community transmission’ Hyderabad: The Telangana State BJP unit attacked the TRS government in the state for “officially triggered community transmission” by its own acts of omission and deviation from COVID-19 pandemic management protocols set by Central Government and ICMR. “Junior Doctors of Gandhi Hospital have openly stated that over 500 ‘COVID-19 positive’ patients have been discharged prematurely without COVID-19 tests into the general population two days back. Changed ICMR guidelines have nothing do with this dangerous act by the state health administration, which can trigger a massive community transmission in the GHMC area and in the entire state,” BJP said. —ANI

Ram College for Women and Hindu College.

The “India Rankings 2020” of Institutions of Higher Education in various categories were released by Union Minister of Human Resource Development, Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’.

The institutions were ranked on the basis of their performance on five broad categories of parameters. The Minister released India Rankings 2020 vir-

tually in 10 categories.

This is the fifth consecutive edition of India Rankings of the institutions of higher education in India. In 2020, an addition to nine rankings, one domain “Dental” has been introduced for the first time bringing the total tally to 10 categories. The annual rankings are usually announced in April but had to be postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. —Agencies

HC seeks Centre’s, RBI’s reply on loan restructuring

New Delhi: Delhi High Court has issued notice to the Central government, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and others on a plea seeking directions to allow a onetime restructuring of loans by all banks and non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) in the wake of coronavirus-induced lockdown.

A bench of Justice Navin Chawla on Wednesday asked the RBI, Union of India, and National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to file their reply on the petition filed

by Bharat Road Net-

work Ltd (BRNL). Senior advocate Nidhesh Gupta, appearing for BRNL, requested the court to allow a onetime restructuring of loans as a relief measure to the industries, companies, retail customers to ensure that they are not classified as non-performing assets after the lockdown.

The plea said that the issue involved in the present Petition is regarding the restructuring of the loan accounts of the Petitioners, due to deterioration of the financial landscape of the economy. —ANI

J&K: 3 LeT terrorists held Will impose lockdown, if ‘Unlock with heroin worth ‘100cr 1.0’ proves risky, hints Maha CM

Handwara: Handwara Police busted a huge Pakistan sponsored narcoterror module in which three Lashkar-e-Taiba terror associates were arrested. “The arrested persons were in touch

TMC’S FIRST DIGITAL CAMPAIGN TO ENGAGE YOUTH New Delhi: TMC launched its first official digital campaign ‘Banglar Jubo Shakti’, amid the ongoing coronavirus crisis. The campaign launched

by TMC’s youth wing will focus on engaging one lakh youth (between 18 to 35 yrs of age) without any political affiliation, from the state’s grassroots level, to extend their direct help to Amphan and Corona affected people. “No, this is not a membership drive. It is to enlist people, not for political engagement exercise,” a source from the TMC told when questioned about the campaign.

with their Pakistan handlers. 21 kg heroin, Indian currency with the value of Rs 1.34 crore were seized from their possession,” SP Handwara Dr GV Sundeep Chakravarthy said. —ANI

Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday hinted at the fact that lockdown could be re-imposed again if the relaxations to the COVI19 lockdown turns out to be risky.

“If the relaxations to the lockdown starts turning out to be risky, we will be compelled to re-impose the lockdown,” Maharashtra CM tweeted.

“The Govt is taking cautious steps for ‘Mission Begin Again’. Like we imposed the lockdown in phases, it will have to be lifted in a

SENSEX TANKS 709 PTS ON GLOBAL SELLOFF, SAY EXPERTS Mumbai: Equity benchmark Sensex plunged 709 points on Thursday as a selloff in global equities hit investor sentiment, triggering losses in market heavyweights SBI, HDFC twins, ICICI Bank and Bharti Airtel.

After touching a high of 34,219.39 and the day’s low of 33,480.42, the 30-share index

settled 708.68 points, or 2.07%, lower at 33,538.37.Similarly, the broader NSE Nifty tanked 214.15 points, or 2.12%, to close at 9,902.In the Sensex pack, SBI was the top laggard, dropping 5.64%, followed by Sun Pharma, Maruti, Bajaj Finance, ICICI Bank, Tata Steel and Axis Bank.

CMO Maharashtra @CMOMaharashtra The Govt is taking cautious steps for ‘Mission Begin Again’. Like we imposed the lockdown in phases, it will have to be lifted in a phased manner.

The danger is yet to pass.

But, we cannot bring the economic cycle to a grinding halt even as we fight Corona. phased manner. The danger is yet to pass. But, we cannot bring the eco-

nomic cycle to a grinding halt even as we fight Corona,” he tweeted.

‘SABARIMALA TEMPLE WON’T BE OPEN FOR PUBLIC’ Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran informed that the Sabarimala Temple will not be opened for public for monthly pooja. “In the meeting with Sabarimala tantri and Travancore Devaswom Board, it has been decided that Sabarimala Temple will not be opened for public for monthly pooja and temple festival will also be cancelled,” said Surendran.

This comes after Travancore Devaswom Board President N Vasu said that Sabarimala Temple festival will commence from June 19.

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Monsoon arrives in Maharashtra India Meteorological Department has forecast heavy rainfall in some parts of the state in next 48 hours Mumbai: The southwest monsoon arrived in Maharashtra on Thursday with rains lashing some coastal parts of the state, an India Meteorological Department (IMD) official here said. The IMD has forecast heavy rainfall in some parts of the state in next 48 hours.

The southwest monsoon has arrived in Maharashtra. The onset line is passing over Harnai, Solapur, Ramagundum (Telangana) and Jagdalpur (Chhattisgarh),” IMD Mumbai centre's deputy director general KS Hosalikar said.

“Conditions are favourable for further advancement in some more parts of Maharashtra in next 48 hours. Heavy rainfall

CAA: Facing sedition, teen activist granted bail

Bengaluru: Amulya Leona, a young woman who was charged with sedition for raising “Pakistan zindabad” slogans in Bengaluru, has been granted bail. The court had denied her bail on Wednesday, saying she might abscond.

But her lawyers had been pursuing another way of getting her out of jail where she has spent nearly four months.

Leona’s advocate, Prasanna R, told that the delay of the state in submitting a chargesheet in the case beyond the stipulated time meant she was eligible for “default bail”.

While the state tried to argue that they were entitled to an extension in the time allotted, the court hearing this aspect of the case gave an order favourable to her.

The arrest of Leona during a rally against Citizenship Amendment Act in Bengaluru had led to a debate on the use of sedition charges. —Agencies

Rains lashed parts of the coastal Sindhudurg district, which is located at the southern end of Maharashtra, said the IMD experts.

Notice to Centre, Maha govt on fresh plea Mumbai: The SC issued notices to the Centre, Maharashtra government, state police chief and CBI on a fresh petition in the Palghar lynching case. The petition, moved by the family of the victims, is seeking a CBI probe in the case.

The order was passed by a bench of Justices Ashok Bhushan, MR Shah and V Ramasubramanian which posted the matter for hearing after two weeks.

PALGHAR LYNCHING CASE

The state government argued that a similar matter seeking CBI probe is pending with the Bombay High Court for the past two months.

But the petitioners sought urgency to hear the matter in the Supreme Court.

The apex court is already hearing a petition

Rlys planning to increase MGNREGA use for migrants New Delhi: The Railways is planning to scale-up utilisation of MGNREGA for construction and repair of approach roads for level crossings and railway stations to mitigate the employment crisis among migrant workers who have returned to their villages because of the coronavirus pandemic, officials said on Thursday.

Railway Minister Piyush Goyal, who discussed the plan at a high-level meeting, has asked the Zones to increase work allotted under the government's flagship rural job guarantee programme and explore ways to hire workers under the scheme, they said.

The Railways has

Railways have been directed to prepare a list of labourers.

asked Zones to prepare a list of labourers against the kind of work they can be involved in.

While the Railways has made use of the scheme in some district like Katihar in Bihar, Warangal in Andhra Pradesh, Udaipur in Rajasthan, Madurai in Tamil Nadu, Allahabad in

UP and Malda West Bengal, it has largely depended on private skilled labour in other areas, the officials said.

“We are exploring opportunities to generate jobs under MNREGA for migrants who have come back to villages. It will be a win-win situation for all,” said railway spokesperson DJ Narain. —PTI

out crowd... We are waiting for the announcement from ICC on T20 World Cup. If it is not happening, we can hold IPL,” he added. —ANI

second is ongoing, he said, adding that the survey was launched in May by the ICMR in collaboration with state health departments, the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the WHO. Bhargava said the study involves surveying of a total of 83 districts with 26,400 people enrolling for it.

The figure that was shared with the media stated that data from 65 districts has been compiled till now.

The sero-survey has found that 0.73 per cent of the population in the districts surveyed had

on the lynching case has asked the state police to submit a status report. Three people, including two sadhus, were killed by a violent mob of 500 people on April 16 in Maharashtra’s Palghar district.

The police have interrogated almost all residents of Gadchinchale and some others of the nearby villages, an official said. More than 150 people have been arrested so far in connection with the case. —Agencies

Mum: Fire breaks out at Crawford Market Mumbai: A fire broke out at Mumbai’s Crawford Market, a Britishera market in the metropolitan city, however there were no reports of any injuries.

The fire was classified as a “Level two” type. The incident took place around 6 pm. Six fire engines and three jumbo tankers have been rushed to the spot.

The market houses several shops and the fire is confined in four of the commercial spaces.

The iconic market is at a walking distance from the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus railway station.

More details were awaited. —Agencies

warnings are issued, he said. Rains lashed parts of the coastal Sindhudurg district, which is located at the southern end of Maharashtra, including Amboli, Vengurla and other neighbouring areas, since 11 am on Thursday, another official said.

In the last few days, pre-monsoon showers hit several parts of the state, including Mumbai and its suburbs. The Mumbai civic body last week issued an advisory fearing rise in monsoon-related diseases in addition to the coronavirus infections.

The civic body also appealed to citizens to keep premises of their residential buildings & surroundings clean to prevent breeding of mosquitoes in any disposed articles. —PTI

SC takes note of condition of 35 kids in TN shelter home New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday, took suo motu cognisance of reports suggesting that 35 children in a shelter in Roypuram, Chennai tested positive for COVID-19 and asked the Tamil Nadu Health Secretary to file a report on the spread of the pandemic in shelter homes by Monday.

A Bench, headed by Justice LN Rao, said the report should list the steps taken to provide adequate healthcare to infected children and the measures to protect those not infected by the pandemic.

The matter relating to Tamil Nadu will be taken up on Monday, while the general case on juvenile homes has been posted for hearing on July 6.

The Bench wanted to know how so many children got infected and if its earlier orders for protecting children lodged in shelter homes were implemented properly.

The top court sent a questionnaire to all states seeking information on issues relating to the protection of children in shelter homes during the pandemic.

It also directed Juvenile Justice Committees of High Courts to respond to the questionnaire based on its April 3 order. —Agencies

06

POWER Gallery WHO WILL BE NEW ADG CISF?

Pramod Phalnikar is likely to move to CISF as ADG (Airports Security) . The 1989 batch Madhya Pradesh cadre IPS officer, Phalnikar is presently posted in the NSG. A source however, mentioned the name of 1989 batch IPS officer B Radhika for the post as well.

DR BRAR TO JOIN CBI

Dr Navdeep Singh Brar is likely to join CBI as SP. He is a 2012 batch IPS officer of UT cadre.

WILL VERMA BE PROMOTED AS MEMBER, DCC?

If govt goes by seniority, then Harish Kumar Verma could be promoted and appointed as Member (Service) of Digital Communication Commission (DCC).

The 1983 batch ITS officer is presently posted as CGM and scheduled to retire next near in July.

TWO IIS OFFICERS LIKELY TO BE PROMOTED AS PR DG

Two IIS officers- RN Mishra and Jaideep Bhatnagar - are likely to be promoted as Principal DGs. Both officers are presently posted as DGs. Bhatnagar belongs to 1986 batch, while Mishra is from the year 1987 batch. Presently, one post of Pr DG is vacant and the other will fall vacant in July this year.

BULK VACANCIES AT IG LEVEL IN BSF

According to a few reliable departmental sources, as many as six posts at Inspector General level against total sanctioned 22 posts, have been lying vacant in the Border Security Force (BSF).

PRACHI PANDEY APPOINTED AS PD, AUDIT ENERGY

Prachi Pandey, Principal Director of Commercial Audit and Ex-Officio Member, Audit Board-I, New Delhi, has been transferred and posted as Principal Director of Audit (Energy), New Delhi. She is a 2001 batch IA&AS officer.

SUBRAMANIAN IN RACE FOR CMD, HUDCO

Subramanian, an internal candidate presently, ED, is said to be one of the strong contenders for the post of Chairman-cum-Managing Director, Housing & Urban Development Corporation Limited (HUDCO).

SS KUMARAN APPOINTED AMBASSADOR TO PHILIPPINES

Shambhu S Kumaran , presently Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of Morocco, has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Republic of Philippines. He is an Indian Foreign Service officer of 1995 batch.

CADRE REVIEW FOR VACANT 10 IG POSTS IN ITBP STILL PENDING?

Speculations are rife that cadre review of officers for a total of 10 Inspector General posts vacant in ITBP are still pending with MHA. YOGESH KUMAR SINGHAL RETURNS TO PARENT CADRE

Yogesh Kumar Singhal, Joint Secretary at Director level in Central Information Commission (CIC), has been given premature repatriation to his parent cadre in order to enable him to avail the benefits of promotion. He is a 1985 batch IDSE officer.

AROUND TWO DOZEN IAS OFFICERS TO BECOME ACS IN UP

Around two dozen IAS officers of 1988 and 1989 batches, are due to be promoted to the grade of Additional Chief Secretary in Uttar Pradesh. They are: Alok Kumar-I, Dr Rajnish Dubey, Rajan Shukla, Navneet Sahgal, M V S Ramireddy, Juthika Patankar, Manoj Kumar Singh, T Venketesh, Arvind Kumar, S Radha Chauhan, S P Goyal, Devesh Chaturvedi, Monika S Garg, Aradhana Shukla, Dimpal Verma, Dr Prashant Trivedi, Manoj Singh, Amit Mohan Prasad, Suresh Chandra, Sanjay S Bhusareddy and Anil Kumar-II.

FROM PG 1 BCCI sets...

It is being speculated that the tournament might be played in the October-November window if the ICC decides to postpone the T20 World Cup. In his letter, Ganguly has also stated that cricket activities all over the country have come to a standstill due to coronavirus, and added that training and competitive cricket might resume in the next two months.

IPL chairman Brijesh Patel said that they are ready to hold the 2020 edition of the league and are just waiting for

the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) decision on the T20 World Cup. The T20 World Cup is slated to be played from October 18-November 15 in Australia this year. “Yes we are ready to go with IPL in S e p t e m b e r- O c t o b e r window, everything is planned and ready. Will have to follow the guidelines and SOPs, for medical and other things,” Patel told ANI. “Can’t say as of now that whether the crowd will be there or not. We will have to see the situation at that time but yes we are ready to hold IPL this year with or with-

India 4th... infected with SARSCoV-2 in general population and the second being, estimate fraction of population that has been infected with the coronavirus in containment zones of hotspot cities, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Director General Balram Bhargava said at a media briefing.

The first part has been completed and the

evidence of past exposure to SARS-CoV-2 , Bhargava said.

Lockdown and containment (measures) have been successful in keeping it low and preventing rapid spread, he said, citing the survey.

“India is not in community transmission.

We have to continue with our strategy of testing, tracing, tracking, quarantine and containment measures; we should not give up our guard on these, he said.

MEA: India...

“A meeting was held between core commanders of India and China on

June 6. This meeting was in continuation of our diplomatic and military engagement which both sides maintained in order to address the situation in areas along the India-China border,” the MEA spokesperson said.

“It was agreed in the meeting that an early resolution of the situation would be in keeping with guidance of our leaders. The two sides are, therefore, maintaining military and diplomatic engagements to peacefully resolve the situation at the earliest and also to ensure peace and tran-

quillity in the border areas,” he said.

“This is essential for further development of India-China bilateral relations,” Srivastava said.

With polls...

The PM also urged Indian industry leaders to set up globally-competitive domestic supply chains & turn the coronavirus crisis into an opportunity to become a self-reliant nation.

“This is not the time for a conservative approach. It is time for bold decisions and bold investments,” he said.

“We have to take the

Indian economy out of ‘command and control’ and take it towards ‘plug and play’ mode.

The coronavirus crisis has given us a pressing reason to turn the corners and become self-reliant.

Atmanirbhar Bharat Mission is the reflection of that reason,” the PM said. He added he gets a sense that every citizen has resolved to face adversity with determination. “This will be a turning point in our history as we become self-reliant.

Atmanirbhar Bharat is the manifestation of the dream every Indian has seen for all these years.” —ANI

TALKING POINT AHMEDABAD | FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2020

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07

MAHENDRA SINGH

DG Income Tax Investigation, Rajasthan

W

ith the last light of the day gradually fading, we were mesmerised as we watched Heera, the dominant male leopard, languidly stretch himself. It was time for his night hunting foray into the surrounding landscape.

Through the day he had been resting in his cave on this rocky outcrop. The resident leopards use these granite mounds, peppered with fissures and caves, forming a part of the ancient Aravalli Range as their daytime refuge. Food is available only in the surrounding chequered plains below them. The typically arboreal leopards find these rocks serving the same purpose as elevated tree branches elsewhere. Of a safe refuge ensconced on which they can survey the landscape below for potential threats and prey.

THE BERA LANDSCAPE

This scene is unfolding itself near the village of Bera, lying midway between Udaipur and Jodhpur, the capitals of the Mewar and Marwar regions of Rajasthan, respectively. Part of a group of nondescript villages in the Pali district, Bera has in recent times gained prominence among wildlife enthusiasts for its pretty much-assured sightings of this otherwise elusive cat. Unlike elsewhere, the typically solitary leopard is occasionally sighted on the Bera rocks in small groups of several grown-up adults together on the same rocky perch. Hectic construction activity is underway in the vicinity to cater to the increasing number of incoming tourists. The leopard safaris organised here are also a source of supplementary income from tracking and hospitalityrelated services for the local villagers.

Fifty-odd local wild leopards inhabit this 20 square kilometre expanse of several small villages, their agricultural fields, and the wasteland between them overgrown with desert scrub vegetation. The resident leopards, it is believed, are descended from dozen-odd leopards that had drifted in from the degraded Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary to its southeast.

Settling here some four decades back, the leopards have adapted to a unique lifestyle of living in harmony with the

local human-dominated landscape.

The hospitable terrain has permitted an increase in the number of the local leopards leading to frequent clashes amongst them. Male competition for territory and breeding rights, however traumatic it may appear at the moment, is genetically beneficial for the leopards in the long run. Fratricide in the Bera area is keeping the population of the resident leopards relatively young and healthy.

The local people have no reason to climb these rocky outcrops common across the landscape except to visit the few small temples perched up there. The leopards calmly watch the devotees, and the noisy aarti performed every day, from a safe distance. There appears to be a vertical territorial divide, with the zone of the leopards confined to their elevated rocky outcrops during the day. At that time the people are busy with their crops and livestock in the surrounding plains. There have been no incidents of any leopard attacking a human here as against more than 90 human fatalities a year on average due to leopard attacks in the state of Uttarakhand in the foothills of the Himalayas. In Bera, they bask on the rocks during the day time in full view and unmindful of the gypsies carrying their load of tourists armed with their long telephoto camera lenses.

The area has scanty wild prey consisting of nilgai, chinkara, wild boar, langur, and peacock. Being highly adaptive predators, the leopards come down in the night to hunt for them and other small game. However, the bulk of their diet consists of the feral village dogs, goats and sheep, calves, and stray cattle. The co-predators in the area include the rarely sighted striped hyena, wolf, and the jackal.

LEOPARDS AND SHEPHERDS The local Rajputs, mostly decommissioned soldiers, are at present engaged in agriculture, while the residents though semi-nomadic Rabari tribals tend to their herds of livestock. The Rajputs may even be happy with the presence of the leopards that keeps the crop-raiding wild herbivores in check. The ritual and social superiority of the Ra-

COMMUNITY RESERVE FOR LEOPARDS that they were cubs, they have been driven off by the protective Rabaris.

The leopards rarely attack the livestock while the herdsmen are around and stray or lost animals alone are typically taken. Most of the hunting, in any case, happens in the dead of night. Photographers may at times be disappointed by a leopard, nonchalantly basking on the rocks, inexplicably slinking off out of sight into its cave. The culprit is often a red-turbaned Rabari walking into the scene.

COMMUNITY RESERVE FOR LEOPARDS SHEPHERDS jputs ensures that their sentiments prevail in the local milieu. In contrast to the Rajput farmers, the depredations by the leopards adversely affected the Rabari herdsmen the most. They have, however, exhibited great forbearance towards their periodic losses, till now. The efficient compensation system run by the government under the Van Dhan Yojana that grants Rs. 2,000 for the loss of sheep and goats, Rs. 5,000 for calves and Rs. 20,000 for grown-up cattle also helps. The financial compensation is, however, only about half the value of the loss suffered by the Rabaris. There is more at play here, that underpins the existing harmony.

The answer lies, perhaps, in the remarkable belief system of the Rabaris. They have a reverence towards the leopards

that are associated with Amba Devi, the local deity. The Rabaris recognise the fact that the leopard must eat too.

They perceive the occasional loss of livestock as a sacrificial offering to their gods. If a leopard enters the thorn lined livestock fences in the night, the Rabaris believe that the remaining animals get divine protection from the disease after that. The new births in the well-tended domestic herds are adequate for the overall number to remain steady despite the occasional losses to the leopards.

The Rabaris closely monitor the livestock taken out to the rich grazing grounds along the foot of the rocky outcrops. The resident leopards have learned to associate the Rabaris with the bright red turbans that they wear and remain apprehensive of them. Right from the time

Another unique attribute of the Bera landscape is that, though declared a Leopard Conservation Area in 2013, it is still not under the administration of the Forest Department. It remains an example of a community-led wildlife conservation effort and a proposal for a Community Reserve over an adjacent 98 square kilometre area is presently under consideration. Peaceful coexistence from a delicate balance of giving and taking between the local community and the leopards with whom they share their habitat.

The harmony achieved in Bera and its surrounding villages is an excellent model of wildlife conservation in a human-dominated landscape. Certain elements helping in maintaining the fine balance are worth emulating in many other places plagued by human-wildlife conflicts. The Bera experience also renews our faith in the possibility that people and wildlife can coexist peacefully.

THE BERA LANDSCAPE

DESIGN: VINOD KUMAR SHARMA

Remember, when your talent is true and real, you won’t need to speak of it. Others will speak of it.

2ND FRONT

—Jagdeesh Chandra, CEO & Editor, First India

AHMEDABAD | FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2020

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Guha’s backward jibe unites BJP, Cong

Ramchandra Guha’s controversial tweet has cooked up a storm with BJP and Cong in the same corner for now Dr. Anita Delhi/Gandhinagar: CM Vijay Rupani and Congress stalwart leader and RS MP Ahmed Patel stood united in their pride for the culture of Gujarat and cornered Ramchandra Guha over his controversial tweet in which he quoted a British ‘intellectual’ Philip Spratt calling Gujarat culturally backward.

Though the Sahitya Akademi award winner and Padma Bhushan Guha has been trying to shrug off the criticism by clarifying that he just posted a quote because he found it striking, it is not holding much water and rightly so. Ramchandra Guha is a historian and the author of books like India after Gandhi, Gandhi before India and Gandhi: The Years That Changed the World, 1914-1948. Guha tweeted “Gujarat, though economically advanced, is

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Gujarat is a land of legends and has always been at the forefront of India’s Sociopolitical movements and has greatly contributed to the Nation Building. Our culture is as strong as the will of Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Patel!

—Amit Chavda, President of GPCC

CM Vijay Rupani

culturally a backward province... . Bengal in contrast is economically backward but culturally advanced”. Philip Spratt, writing in 1939.”

CM Rupani condemned the tweet referring to Gujarat as “culturally back-

Ramchandra Guha

ward” . In his post Rupani said that earlier it was the British who tried to divide and rule. Now it is a group of elites who want to divide Indians. Indians won’t fall for such tricks. He went on to say that “Gujarat is

Ahmed Patel

great, Bengal is great...

India is united. Our cultural foundations are strong, our economic aspirations are high.”

Ahmed Patel also tweeted a strong statement which reflected not only his pride in the culture of his be-

loved Gujarat but also fired a salvo by his definition of ‘backwardness’ in his gentlemanly way, as he wrote - “ This is an ill-informed statement . From Kutch to Vapi & from Shyamlaji to Dwarka, Guja-

rat’s culture is built on striking diversity but united through indomitable entrepreneurial spirit . Every culture has it’s unique greatness, backwardness is our failure to understand this fact.”

BJP and Congress

leaders are together in condemning the tweet.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman too has dug out a historical reference from 1939 celebrating the culture and ethos of Gujarat where she has posted a photo of Maharaja

Oza appeals to Supreme Court against HC Order First India Bureau Ahmedabad: Yatiz Oza has knocked the door of the Supreme Court against the suo moto criminal contempt notice issued against him by the Gujarat High Court for making irresponsible and sensational allegations against the High Court and its Registry in a live press conference via Facebook earlier this week.

First India Bureau Ahmedabad: Under the instructions from State Education Minister, Gujarat University will follow the strict regulations set by the University Grants Commission while conducting the exams this year.

While University announced that the students need not travel from another district to their college if they are outstation students, it has opened a portal where the students can register themselves online for the nearby centres. While most of the coronavirus cases of Gujarat are from Ahmedabad, students need not travel to the area with most hotspots, as authorities are trying to focus on bringing back normalcy with social distancing, There will be over 46 new centres across the state to select from for the convenience of outstation students. The last date to list the centre is June 14, 2020.

So in 2020 we are living with “esteemed intellectual” people who are myopic & are comparing our country’s state to divide our unity. Just a reminder - Britishers already did the same. Btw, do u know what culture actually is!?...Culture is all about respect for others cultures.

—Jitu Vaghani, President of Gujarat state BJP

AMC collects `2 lakh for violations, 922 fines reported First India Bureau

Ahmedabad: The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation started a drive to impose the violators as the shockingly increasing numbers are not enough for the citizens to follow the guideline by the government. On counting with 15,000 COVID- 19 cases, Ahmedabad is moderately becoming country most coronavirus affected city. The citizens are careless and just not complying

by the rules and roaming around the town without masks and breaking social distancing norms.

The health department team of AMC formed 149 groups and fined those individuals who were not wearing a mask. In total, rupees 1,84,400 has been cumulated through 922 violators as state government is Rs 200/- fine from each violator. After the Partial relaxation began in this zone on May 20, the active cases saw a steady increase. As on June 9, there were 500 active cases here.

Gujarat HC Bench comprising of Justices Sonia Gokani and NV Anjaria took suo moto cognizance of the incident and observed that Oza had targeted the HC Registry and had questioned the very credibility of the HC Administration. He was charged for committing the criminal contempt of the Court within the meaning of Section 2(c) of the Contempt of Courts

Act and cognizance of such criminal contempt against him was taken under Section 15 of the said Act.’ The petition filed by Oza states that the Gujarat High Court had “committed grave error in taking cognizance and issuing a notice without adherence to Rule 11 of the Contempt of Courts (Gujarat High Court) Rules, 1984 which requires that court can only record

reason and then refer it to the Hon’ble Chief Justice for it being placed before the Bench having the said Roster.”

The Court had observed that these “scurrilous remarks appear to have been made without any substantive basis and without any intent to know the truth as also without approaching the Honourable the Chief Justice for any inquiry as the Head of the Institution.”

HOMECOMING!

233 passengers from Iran arrived in Porbandar in the Indian Navy’s Shardul ship under “Vande Bharat Mission”. All the passengers are kept at the District Quarantine Center for 7 days after initial screening.

Jam Saheb Digvijaysinhji Jadeja of Jamnagar who was honoured for saving 1000 Polish children.

Though Guha has gone on the backfoot after the controversy erupted but this time he seems to have overstepped the mark.

Guha often writes controversial posts but they are usually targeted at the BJP, this time both Congress and BJP leaders are up in arms against him. Not only that he has angered people from both states, Gujarat and Bengal.

Another interesting point is that Guha had not provided citation source for the given quote by Spratt who was a British communist sent to spread communism in India.

He was the founding member of the Communist Party of India. Gujarat, the state as it is today was founded in the year 1960.

Mgmt institute 2020 list: IIM Ahm’d gets top rank First India Bureau Ahmedabad: Under the National Institutional Ranking Framework list of 2020, Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) has topped the list of management institutes in India announced by the Minister of Human Resource Development, Dr. Ramesh Pokriyal on Thursday.

Wherein, IIM Bangalore owned the second place and IIM Calcutta has earned third place in the list. The fourth, fifth and sixth spots have been clinched by IIM Lucknow, IIT Kharagpur and IIM Kozhikode respectively.

Also, IIM Indore, IIT Delhi, XLRI Jamshedpur and Management Development Institute Gurugram bagged the seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth spots respectively. The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras has topped the overall list of higher education institutes in the country.

Kaam wapasi: Bring the migrants back, urge Guj industries lll

Industrialists from Gujarat have urged the government to run special trains to bring back the Migrants

First India Bureau Surat: The migrants have barely reached their homes and already they are being sorely missed as work has started in full swing and the industries cannot be run without precious labour. The industrialists have demanded running of special trains to bring back migrant labourers from states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Od-

isha , from which the majority of migrant labour force comes from.

After the lockdown, in dire straits with no work the migrant labour force began an exodus to return home taking whatever route possible. In all more than 20 lakh migrant workers have migrated from Gujarat to their native states, especially after Railways initiated special ‘Shramik

Migrants stand at a distance as they board the Shramik Express.

Trains’. Now, with manufacturing in full

swing the Federation of Industries & Asso-

—FILE PHOTO

ciation (FIA) — Gujarat has requested the

state government to make appropriate arrangements to bring back migrant workers as early as possible.

Gujarat is an industry driven state and a shortage of labourers is being felt in Ahmedabad, Surat, Vapi and Ankleshwar areas . “ Currently most industrial units are functioning with hardly 30-40% workforce.

But in case of meeting

new demands, they would require labourers and for the purpose authorities should take immediate action,” Ajit Shah, Secretary, FIA, Gujarat has said.

The South Gujarat Textile Processors Association has echoed the demand.

They have written to Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar to make necessary arrangements to send labourers.

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GO GREEN Green is the colour of life and renewal. If we are stressed, just moving out and admiring nature calms us down. City First goes green as we get ready to welcome the rains!

ISHIKA DABHAI

nehal.nayar@firstindia.co.in

I

am perpetually unable to understand that how can the colour green, one of the most positive and natural colour be the colour of jealousy and illness.

From today onwards, we decree that green will be celebrated as the colour of life, renewal, nature, and energy and not illness and cowardice.

Green has been traditionally been associated with meanings of growth, harmony, freshness, safety, fertility, and environment, as also money, finances and banking.

The lucky few grow up surrounded by green in its full splendor and it is the most restful and relaxing colour for the human eye to view. Green can help enhance vision, stability and endurance. Green also stands for new growth and rebirth, common in the spring season when all of the plants are coming back to life with fresh growth and life after the cold winter months. It helps alleviate anxiety, depression and brings with it a sense of hope, and compassion.

We all see the green dot on food and know it means vegetarian, it is often used to indicate safety in the advertising of drugs and medical

products. Green is directly related to nature and energy, so it is also commonly used to represent and promote ‘green’ products.

Vision science has proven that an individual’s eyes react quicker to a green exit sign vs. a red sign. Green is also an important colour when discussing colour blindness.

99% of individuals that are colour blind suffer from a red/green deficiency.

Also, there are more shades of green than any other colour. The shades range from the lightest yellow-green to the darkest emerald green.

These colours can be used in a variety of ways in home design. Since green is known to increase efficiency it is an ideal shade for use in a home office.

Olive green is often a sign of peace. It can represent a strength that has overcome adversity and promotes peace. It is also the most common colour used in

uniforms of defence personnel, both for what it represents and the camouflage it gives. Not surprisingly, the olive branch is the international sign of peace.

09

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10

‘JUMBO REFLECTION OF SOCIETY’ RAINU SINGH

cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

O

FA CE OF TH ED AY

n the fringes of the Silent Valley National Park, in God’s Own Country, the villagers constantly suffer heavy losses to their crops by marauding wild boars from the Park.

As the legal method for stopping these pests had been thoughtlessly made complex and bureaucratic, the villagers adopted crude and cruel methods to stop this loot of their subsistence farming.

Locally available gun powder and gelatin sticks are used to prepare these

‘Meat Bombs’!

Anyone even remotely connected to country and forest life will understand that such devices don’t harbour partisanship. Being jungles and heavily vegetated farmlands, all kinds of fauna roam freely.

Very very, unfortunately, on one such day, a pregnant elephant-cow picked up one of those bombs hidden inside a pineapple and chewed on it. Its explosion in the mouth gave it excruciating pain, unable to eat for days, before it stood in a river, head in the water to lessen the pain, and died quietly, as though accepting her fate.

There can be no one on earth who will NOT be outraged by this heart-rending incident. It warrants very urgent and healthy debate

YOUR DAY Horoscope by Saurabbh Sachdeva

to work out rules, procedures and vigilance methods to prevent re-occurrence of such a cruel act.

The fact that such bombs have been used for long, and that gun powder was freely available is a part of our cultured corruption and faked blindside.

But that is another story!!

The more macabre and explosive story is the way the IT Wings of our political parties took to Vulturous flights over the carcass of that benign Cow and her foetus.

Each vulture ravening out its poisonous narrative.

To the utter disgust of the majority on silent mode, a huge slanging match has erupted between politicians of all hues to

ARIES

TAURUS

GEMINI

CANCER

If you want your big dreams to come true then you must start saving right away. On professional front, your consistent efforts will surely help you in building an image that will help you in long run. You are in love and everything seems to be beautiful. You will keep promises.

You may feel neglected by your lover but that not true, there may be other reasons that is keeping him/her busy. You will keep smiling whole day long. You may get some money in form of blessing from elders. You may decide to get into some creative business.

You are big time into meditation and yoga or any kind of exercises that keeps you stress free.

Financially you are doing very well and good opportunities keep knocking at your door. Your family may put some pressure on you for some outing.

This is an excellent time for you to pursue higher studies, all your planets are very supportive. On family front, you are blessed with a very understanding family and they stand by your side no matter what. Keeping your ego aside you must resolve any issues with your friends.

MAR 21 - APR 20

APR 21 - MAY 20

MAY 21 - JUNE 21

JUNE 22 - JULY 23

LEO

VIRGO

LIBRA

SCORPIO

You may think you are doing right but that may be not justified from someone else’s point of view therefore analyse thing from all the angles. You will pay off all your debts.

You may redo your house interiors.

You will manage to impress your interviewer today.

You will find yourself very busy in doing preparation for some social event or function. Your ideas will be appreciated and will be taken into consideration on professional front.

On academic front, there is not scope of mistakes so make sure you are fully ready.

You may sell your property to invest the money in some other business or to help your kids with education. You will create your own way to success and no matter how many hurdles you will need to overcome, you will deal with them all. Your hard work will pay you.

People look up to you on professional front because of your dedication and sincerity. Money is floating in the air all you need is a way to attract that money. Do not compromise when things come to your self respect, take a stand for yourself.

Help your siblings out today.

JULY 24 - AUGUST 23

AUG 24 - SEP 23

SEPT 24 - OCTOBER 22

OCT 23 - NOVEMBER 22

SAGITTARIUS

CAPRICORN

AQUARIUS

PISCES

You may get a gift in form of a vehicle could be from family or company you work for. Homemakers will do everything in their best capacity to take great care of the guests. If you are attracted to someone you must be able to express your feelings to them. You need some guidance.

Your friends may surprise you with some trip or a special day out. You will make a major contribution in office today in turning the work environment into more friendly one.

You must encourage your sibling if you lack motivation, you never know your words can change their life.

On professional front, someone will appreciate you for all your hard work and these words will boost your professional image. Your love life will bloom and you two may get married when the right time comes. Your friends will bring lots of fun and excitement to you today.

You may just decide to make your hobby as your career. You will attract big money in your life and with the money will come big opportunities as well. You must try and adopt methods which will help you to be in positive frame of mind all the time.

NOV 23 - DEC 22

KHUSHBOO ALI, Model

win cheap brownie points. Whether they share the pain and panic of the shrinking animal kingdom is highly suspect.

This inference is drawn from the callousness shown towards millions of our skilled labourers moving away from homeless quarantines.

The reality of 16 getting cut to pieces by a train was run over with eager speed.

The reality of 18 travelling in a claustrophobic cement mixer was snuffed in hot haste.

The reality of a young girl giving birth to her child on the dusty roadside was aborted prematurely.

These analogies are not between different worlds but common to “WE THE LIVING .”

DEC 23 - JAN 20

JAN 21 - FEB 19

FEB20 - MARCH 20

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11

Anushka on turning

PRODUCER A

ctor Anushka Sharma, who produced the hit show ‘Paatal Lok’, has taken it upon herself to provide clutter-breaking roles for women in the industry.

The ‘PK’ actor, currently basking in the success of her debut web series ‘Paatal Lok’, explained her decision to turn producer. “I did not start producing films to make movies for me to star in. I just wanted to tell good stories. I would be sitting and talking to writers, discussing things with them and I would wonder why a certain type of films where not being written,” she added.

“I realised that it was not very common for great roles to be constantly written for women in our industry. So, I wanted to take this step and create roles for actors who would fit right for the project.

The vision was always to say sto-

ries which we believed were unconventional and unique,” the 32-year-old star said.

The ‘Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi’ actor made her production debut with Amazon Prime Video’s ‘Paatal Lok,’ the thriller show that started streaming on May 15. She also revealed that her parents have loved the show.

“My parents have seen Paatal Lok, they have liked it and then they are very happy and proud like how any parents would be of their children’s accomplishment and appreciation they are getting for it,” the ‘Sultan’ actor added.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Anushka Sharma shared an intriguing motion poster of her next venture - ‘Bulbbul.’

Bankrolled by the actor’s production house, Clean Slate Films, the forthcoming movie will release on Netflix on June 24.

—ANI

Anushka Sharma

Jagesh Mukati passes away

A

ctor Jagesh Mukati, who played Vipul in the 2014 movie ‘Hasee Toh Phasee,’ has died.

‘Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah’ actor Ambika Ranjankar shared the Late Jagesh Mukati news on Instagram on Wednesday. Taking to the photo-sharing platform, Ranjankar shared a picture along with the late actor.

“Kind, supportive and terrific sense of humour ...gone too soon..May your soul attain sadgati...Jagesh you will be missed dear friend,” her caption read. Jagesh Mukati worked in television shows like ‘Amita Ka Amit’ and ‘Shree Ganesh.’ He was also featured in many Gujarati shows and plays.—ANI

‘Coolie No 1’ with a TWIST

A

s India continues to fight against Covid-19, makers of Varun Dhawan starrer ‘Coolie No. 1’ on Thursday issued a new coronavirus-themed poster of the comedy flick.

The new poster features Dhawan wearing a face mask along with a coolie cap and ‘tikka’ on his forehead. Dhawan shared the poster on social media and assured his fans that despite being a bit late due to COVID-19 crisis, the comedy flick will surely hit the screens to spread laughter. “#Coolieno1 Hum aayenge hasaaane...ye vada raha,” he wrote in the caption.

The family entertainer was slated to make its way to theatres on May 1, but Poster with a twist couldn’t see the light of the day due to shuttering of movie theatres owing to coronavirus crisis.

‘Coolie No. 1’ is the remake of Govinda and Karisma Kapoor starrer hit film, which garnered huge appreciation back in 1995.

Varun Dhawan —ANI

Real on Reel GUNJAN

Still The

SAME

F

rom her debut in the movie ‘Dum Laga Ke Haisha,’ actor Bhumi Pednekar has become a promising face in the Bollywood industry giving hit movies back to back. However, the actor feels that she is still the same, vulnerable, ambitious girl and success has not changed her even a bit.

“I am the same girl. Honestly, I have not changed much. Success has not managed to change me! I am still very vulnerable, ambitious, still have stars in my eyes, and have huge dreams.

This has been, I think, my biggest push in life because I was young when I decided I wanted to be an actor,” said the ‘Bala’ actor. The 30-year-old actor already has an impressive array of roles under her list, with movies including ‘Son Chiriya’, ‘Shubh Mangal Saavdhan’, ‘Toilet: Ek Prem Katha’, ‘Pati, Patni Aur Woh’, ‘Saand Ki Aankh’, and more.

“I want to do the work that I want to do and want to carve a separate space for myself. I don’t want to be a part of the rat race and I had such a clear vision about it,” the actor added.

Recalling her days at the Yash Raj Films, Pednekar said: “I am so fortunate that I had the opportunities and it all started with that one job at Yash Raj Films. When I started with them, I was all of 17, I didn’t know what I was doing.”

—ANI

Gunjan Saxena with Janhvi Kapoor

I

Bhumi Pednekar

ndia’s first woman air force officer to enter a war zone - Gunjan Saxena - on Wednesday penned down a long note after watching the teaser of the film ‘Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl’ which is a biopic based on her life. Actor Janhvi Kapoor, who is portraying the role of the mighty air force officer in the Netflix based movie, shared the note written by the real-life Kargil girl on her Instagram account.

The note by Gunjan begins with memories flashing in front of her while watching her montage in Janhi’s voice over in the teaser.

“Very rarely have old memories flashed in front of me in such a sweet manner as was experienced after watching my montage with voice over of @ janhvikapoor,” she wrote. She then stressed upon the three-year-long journey in the making of the film and also lauded director Sharan Sharma for his various qualities.

“I guess it is the time for culmination of an enriching journey which started with @sharansharma three years back. And what a journey it has been with Sharan. I have always admired his honesty, sincerity and sensitive compassion while portraying my life on the big screen,” she said. The real-life hero then expressed how lucky she feels to have her story narrated by the director-actor duo of Janhvi and Sharan. “Everybody at my age has a story to tell. Lucky few like me have Sharan and Janhvi to narrate my story. None of life journeys are a walk in park and mine was no different. But at times a one-track mind on goal does help,” she said. —ANI

‘Dear Cinema’

A

ctor Vidya Balan penned down a heartfelt note on Wednesday for her “dear cinema” as she is celebrating her 15-year journey in the Bollywood industry with her debut film ‘Parineeta’ clocking in 15 years.

Balan took to Instagram to post several behind the scene pictures from the shoot Vidya Balan

of the romantic drama film and poured her heart in the caption. She began writing the caption by citing references from the film.

“Like Lolita was Shekhar’s better half even before the world knew it, you were mine too ... but on the 10th June 2005, I became your Parineeta,” she wrote.

“I loved you then and I love you now and I love you forevermore ...my dear Cinema.

And to all those who have made sure this marriage survives and thrives.,Tahe Dil

Se Shukriya!” she added.

The ‘Mission Mangal’ actor ended the note by thanking photographer Pavitr Saith who clicked the still pictures that she had posted. “#15YearsOfParineeta.

Thank you for the working still my friend @pavitrsaith P.S: Incidentally Parineeta was also the first film my #Shekhar,” her caption further read.

Balan began her acting career with the hit television show ‘Hum Paanch’, following which, she worked in several regional films. She made her bid debut with ‘Parineeta’ which became a major hit on the box office.

—ANI

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Down the Memory Lane!

The multiple hitmaker Shilpa Rao has released her version of the song ‘Tose Naina Lage’, to pay tribute to her 13 years of musical journey in Bollywood!

KARISHMA GWALANI

Karishma.gwalani @firstindia.co.in

W

e all must have heard or grooved on the song ‘Tose Naina Lage’, from the film Anwar. Back in 2007, this film might have not topped the box office; however, the song ‘Tose Naina Lage’ from the film, sung by Shilpa Rao, continues to strike a chord even today. Keeping the whole

CITY FIRST

A

joint webinar (online seminar) of UNESCO India and Banglantak.com was organized on Thursday.

It was aimed at developing an enabling community in the arts sector in South Asia. Keynote speaker and Principal Secretary, Department of Tourism, Art and Culture, Sreya Guha said that new ways of working will have to be

Shilpa Rao

beauty and novelty of the song, Shilpa Rao has revisited her debut song by reprising and launching her ver-

sion again in 2020.

In an exclusive interview with City First, the singer shared her musical journey

PROMOTING ART

in Bollywood.

“Sa Re Ga Ma and I thought of doing a collab and the only song that I have done with SaReGaMa is ‘Tose Naina Lage’. It’s been more than a decade and somehow the love for this song has never gone,” said Shilpa on the new version of the song.

On being asked about her journey in the music industry, the Bulleya hitmaker said, “It has been a great learning curve and to see the changes and advancement in music over time is enriching. It is the best feeling ever that people still love me and my music.”

It’s been 13 years, and the songstress has never failed to amaze music lovers with her mesmerizing voice.

While talking about recording the song during the lockdown, Shilpa shared that, “I have always recorded in the studio, there is always a recording engineer, and someone to guide; however, recording at home during the lockdown was not easy, although the experience has taught me a lot. It was difficult but Jivitesh Kharbanda, Utkarsh Amarpuri and directors Ritesh Krishnan helped me overcome those challenges.

On being asked about the next songs, the songstress said, “There are a lot of other songs that I am working on and some of them are even in the process of making. I hope people show the same love and support for my upcoming songs.”

developed while constructively combating the challenges posed by a disaster like Corona.

Due to lockdown and social distancing, events may not be possible until the end of the year, but digital events and concerts can be organized. During these times, schemes like the Chief Minister’s ‘Folk Artiste Promotion Scheme’ for traditional folk artistes of Rajasthan was implemented. In this, the artistes

sent their best performances on video emails, which were broadcast on the Department’s YouTube channel. This helped provide financial assistance to many folk artistes.

Apart from this, online concerts were also organized in the field of music. To promote the art of artistes on the digital platform. An online exhibition of artifacts was also organized with a 15-day art camp. cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

AHMEDABAD | FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2020

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MISS TEEN DIVA CITY FIRST

M

iss Teen Diva is a new pageant launched by Nikhil Anand, Chairman, Glamanand Group. Miss Teen Diva is the preliminary to the Miss Teen Universe pageant. Due to the pandemic, Miss Teen India 2020 was cancelled, and now Miss Teen Diva will choose the representative from India to Miss Teen International, along with the representative for Miss Teen Universe from India.

Miss Teen International is the world’s biggest and oldest teen pageant that started back in 1966.

The merge of the two pageants for the year 2020, Miss Teen Diva will now have more crowns to win and two major prestigious titles for the winners to represent India internationally.

Due to COVID-19, there will be online auditions. The application form is available on the website of the pageant and the selection shall be done on the basis of audition videos submitted along with the form and pictures of the participants. The link for the audition form is also available in the bio of the Instagram page of the pageant: @missteendivaorg.

The pageant is proposed to be held in the month of September in Jaipur, Rajasthan. However, the organization stated that if the pandemic does not come in control, the pageant may be moved to October or November, considering the circumstances.

Vridhi Jain, Miss Teen India Universe 2019 cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

WHAT’S HAPPENING!

The next episode of ‘The Viral Singer’ is going to telecast from today, till the next 2 days, where each part will be out daily at 12 pm, 3 pm and 6 pm, on YouTube.

HAPPY B’DAY!

IAS Chandra Shekhar Mutha celebrated his birthday on 11 June, Thursday. We wish him all the best!

Gujarat: Reena Tank from Surat did a bridal shoot with a social animal-saving message, and also condemned the recent killing of a female elephant in Kerala.

Gujarat: Dhiren Shah, a resident of Gopipura had been practicing to be a monk for the past one year, following the footsteps of his younger brother Pujit, who accepted monkhood and became Saumya Chandra Maharaj around 7 years ago. Dhiren’s dream came true on Wednesday, as he became the first person to adopt monkhood after the lockdown in the presence of his family members and became Munishree Samitchandra Vijayji under the guidance of Shree Vijay Shramanchandra Suriswarji Maharaj.

Gujarat: Free masks were distributed by Baroda Youth Federation to needy families in Vadodara.

Gujarat: 350 students from Surat district and rural areas topped in the state once again with the highest number of students securing the A1 grade (91-100 marks) in Class X on Tuesday.

Gujarat: Minister of State for Home Pradipsinh Jadeja spent a quiet birthday on Thursday, remaining occupied with his work and spending some family time. Wishes poured in from across through social media and telephone.

—FILE PHOTO

Rajasthan: On the completion of one year of Modi Government 2.0 at the Centre, a campaign was organised in Ward 73 at Kishanpol Assembly constituency Jaipur, to take the public welfare schemes of the Central Government to every house, where Kusum Yadav and Ajay Yadav approached the booth for the public awareness about the Coronavirus pandemic.

Rajasthan: As a part of Jawahar Kala Kendra’s (JKK) ongoing ‘Online Learning – Children’s Summer Festival, a performing arts session on ‘Theatre’ was held on Thursday, where eminent director, designer, and visualizer, Bansi Kaul from Srinagar gave a brief introduction to theatre, theatrics, developing a play sitting at home and among many others.