First India-Ahmedabad Edition-30 April 2020

OUR EDITIONS: JAIPUR & AHMEDABAD

CORONA

27°C - 43°C

ALERT AHMEDABAD l THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2020 l Pages 12 l 3.00

COVID-19 UPDATE

RNI NO. GUJENG/2019/16208 l Vol 1 l Issue No. 154

INDIA

WORLD

2,25,604 31,87,952 1,077 32,936 DEATHS

CONFIRMED CASES

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DEATHS

CONFIRMED CASES

197

GUJARAT

4,082

DEATHS

CONFIRMED CASES

Classy Irrfan finally surrenders to death aipur’s very own Irrfan Khan, the versatile Bollywood actor, passed away on Wednesday leaving a void in the world of cinema!

Born Sahabzada Irfan Ali Khan on 7 January, 1967 in Tonk, Irrfan’s mother’s family had a royal lineage and his father was a wealthy, self-made businessman.

A veteran character actor in Bollywood movies, he is termed as one of India’s best-known exports to Hollywood. Irrfan made his screen debut in the Academy Award-nominated 1988 drama “Salaam Bombay. He later worked with directors like Mira Nair, Wes Anderson and Ang Lee and gave movies like Life of Pi, The Namesake, The Warrior etc,.

Irrfan was hospitalised due to a colon infection on Tuesday and died of subsequent complications.

“Irrfan was a strong soul, someone who fought till the very end and always inspired everyone who came close to him,” a statement released by the actor’s team said.

Turn on P6 , City First

The

Narendra Modi @narendramodi Irrfan Khan’s demise is a loss to the world of cinema and theatre. He will be remembered for his versatile performances across different mediums. My thoughts are with his family, friends and admirers. May his soul rest in peace.

FINAL

ACT!

Rahul Gandhi @RahulGandhi I’m sorry to hear about the passing of Irrfan Khan. A versatile & talented actor, he was a popular Indian brand ambassador on the global film & tv stage. He will be greatly missed. My condolences to his family, friends & fans at this time of grief.

Ashok Gehlot @ashokgehlot51 I am saddened and shocked to know about the untimely demise of one of our country’s most versatile actors, #IrrfanKhan. My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and fans. May God give them strength. May his soul rest in peace. #IrrfanKhan was one of the most talented actors of Rajasthan, who rose to heights on basis of his acting. He would always remain an inspiration for theatre artists & budding actors in #Rajasthan.

7 JANUARY 1967 - 29 APRIL 2020

‘Stranded migrants can move with caution’ Buses used for transport will be sanitised  Will have to follow safe social distancing norms in seating

New guidelines to fight Corona war a day after lockdown ends: MHA New Delhi: The Home Ministry Wednesday said the government will issue fresh guidelines on May 4, a day after the nationwide lockdown ends on, which shall give “considerable relaxations” to many districts. This comes even as Ministry issued revised guidelines allowing movement of migrant workers, students, tourists and pilgrims stranded in different states.

Only asymptomatic people would be allowed to travel & second assessment of their health would be made upon their arrival in their home state, said MHA.

New Delhi: Migrant workers, tourists, students and other people, who are stranded in different parts of the country, were on Wednesday allowed to move to their respective destinations with certain conditions.

In an order, Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla said buses shall be used for transport of such groups of stranded people and these vehicles will be sanitised

and will have to follow safe social distancing norms in seating.

“Due to lockdown, migrant workers, pilgrims, tourists, students and other persons are stranded at different places.

They would be allowed to move,” he said in an order issued to all states and union territories.

Listing the conditions, the ministry said all states and union territories should desig-

nate nodal authorities and develop standard protocols for receiving and sending such stranded persons.

The nodal authorities shall also register the stranded persons within their states and union territories, it said.

In case a group of stranded persons wish to move between one state and union territory and another state and union territory, Turn on P6

UGC ISSUES NEW CALENDAR FOR VARSITIES New Delhi: The new academic session for freshers may begin in universities from September and for already enrolled students in August, the UGC told varsities on Wednesday.

The admission process will begin in universities from August 1. UGC said exams for final semester students be conducted in July.

Turn on P6

Meanwhile, the government is also working on a mega plan to deploy a raft of naval ships as well as military and commercial aircraft to evacuate thousands of Indians stranded in the Gulf and other regions after the nationwide lockdown ends, official sources said on Wednesday. Government has already reached out to several states asking them to make neces-

COVID VACCINE: WHO LOOKS UP TO INDIA New Delhi: Countries like India, Indonesia and Thailand that are among world’’s largest vaccine manufacturers from the South-East Asia region must play a lead role in overcoming the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic,” WHO said on Wednesday.It has organised a virtual meeting of vaccine manufacturers and national regulatory authorities from the region.

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sary arrangements for the Indians when they are brought back home under the multi-agency operation.

The Civil Aviation Ministry has conveyed to the core group planning the operation that it is ready to make available majority of the nearly 650 commercial planes including freighters for the mission, the sources said.

Turn on P6

‘ONLY 0.33% PATIENTS ON VENTILATORS’ New Delhi: Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan said, “Only 0.33% patients are on ventilators, 1.5% patients are on oxygen support and 2.34% are in ICU, which reflects the quality of care being provided across the country.

Highlighting India’s approach in combating COVID-19, he said, Turn on P6

IN GUJARAT DISTRICT

TOTAL CASES

AHMEDABAD 2777 VADODARA 270 SURAT 601 RAJKOT 58 BHAVNAGAR 43 ANAND 71 BHARUCH 31 GANDHINAGAR 38 PATAN 17 PANCHMAHAL 24 BANASKANTHA 28 NARMADA 12 CHOTA UDAIPUR 13 KUTCH 6 MAHESANA 8 BOTAD 20 DAHOD 4 PORBANDAR 3 JAMNAGAR 2 MORBI 1 SABARKANTHA 3 ARAVALLI 18 MAHISAGAR 11 KHEDA 6 GIR SOMNATH 3 VALSAD 5 TAPI 1 NAVSARI 6 DANG 2 SURENDRANAGAR 1 TOTAL

4082

TOTAL NEW DEATHS DEATHS

137 16 22 1 5 3 2 2 1 2 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 197

9 3 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 16

Guj heaves a small sigh of relief as 93 patients discharged in one day Tally crosses 4K mark, with 308 fresh cases including 234 from A’bad First India News Gandhinagar: In a big relief, Gujarat saw its highest number of COVID-19 recoveries in the past 24 hours, with 93 patients discharged in a single day. This brings the total number discharged to 527.

However, with 308 fresh cases—234 from

Ahmedabad alone—being reported in the past 24 hours, the state now has 4,082 positive cases of COVID-19. The death toll has risen to 197, with 16 deaths reported in the past 24 hours.

In a little more good news, Porbandar, Morbi and Jamnagar have zero active cases.

Given that Devbhumi Dwarka, Junagadh

A medic takes the temperature of a policeman outside the Police Commissioner’s office in the Shahibaug area of Ahmedabad on Wednesday.

—PHOTO BY NANDAN DAVE

and Amreli never reported a single case to begin with, this means there are now six districts in the state with no active cases.

Principal Secretary (Health) Jayanti Ravi has said that the sarpanches of 14 villages have decided to convince villagers to take homoeopathic treatments to boost immunity. She also said that private clinics are allowed to open clinics and out-patient servic-

es, a decision that follows discussions with office bearers of the Gujarat chapter of the Indian Medical Association.

Meanwhile, Surat Municipal Commissioner Banchhanidhi Pani has decided to put 31,915 persons living in 7,169 houses in the city’s Limbayat area under complete home quarantine as social distancing was not being maintained in these areas. Now,

anyone who violates this home quarantine will face action under the Epidemic Diseases Act and the Disaster Management Act. The Sars-Cov-2 virus is strengthening its hold on villages on the outskirts of Ahmedabad city, with Ahmedabad Rural reporting a total of 29 positive cases.

Seven journalists from Vadodara city are infected with Sars-Cov-2. Turn on P6

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AHMEDABAD | THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2020

02

PILL-AR OF STRENGTH FOR THE WORLD: INDIA PM MODI’S ASSURANCE TO CANADIAN COUNTERPART

P

rime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed his assurance to his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau that India's productive capabilities in the pharmaceutical sector would remain available for assisting the citizens of the world, including those of Canada.

The assurance came during a telephonic conversation between the two leaders, where they talked about the COVID-19 pandemic situation.

"PM spoke on phone with Justin Trudeau, PM of Canada. The two leaders discussed the prevailing global situation regarding the COVID-19 pandemic," a release from the PMO said.

Both the leaders agreed on the importance of "global solidarity and coordination, the maintenance of supply chains, and collaborative research activities."

"PM thanked the Canadian PM for the assistance and support extended to the Indian citizens present in Canada, especially Indian students," the statement said.

On his part, Trudeau "appreciated" the support provided by the Indian government for Canadian citizens in India.

"Prime Minister conveyed the assurance that India's productive capabilities in the pharmaceutical sector would remain available for assisting the citizens of the world, including those of Canada, to the best of India's abilities," the statement said.

—ANI

PM 1st to offer prayer as Kedarnath shrine opens Rudraprayag (Uttarakhand): The doors of the Himalayan shrine the Kedarnath Dham were opened on Wednesday at 6.10 a.m. and the ‘Rudrabhishek Pooja’ was offered by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. On the occasion, Uttarakhand Chief Minister also greeted all devotees.

This is the first time when the ‘abhishek’ and ‘arati’ have been conducted in the absence of devotees as the Lord Shiva shrine opened as per schedule even amid the Covid-19 lockdown following the coronavirus outbreak. No one was allowed to visit the temple.

A special worship was

The portals of 11th Jyotirling Kedarnath Dham has opened today. My wishes and congratulations to all of the devotees. I wish that we would always continue to get the blessings of Shri Kedarnathji. May Lord Kedarnath make us capable of fighting this pandemic.

Trivendra Singh Rawat, Uttarakhand Chief Minister

conducted at the temple at 3 a.m. and thereafter chief priest Shiv Shankar Ling did the ‘Samadhi Pooja’ along with other formalities.

Harish Gaur, media in-

charge of Devasthanam Board, said: “Keeping in mind the social distancing norms, Shivshankar Linga performed the ‘Jalabhisheka’ of Lord Kedarnath. After the opening of the doors, the first Rudrabhishek Pooja was performed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.” —Agencies

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada during an event.

—FILE PHOTO

State cabinet to resume Tuvar procurement, address water issues Sujalam Sufalam work to go ahead with people’s participation, government agencies or under MGNREGA First India News Gandhinagar: The state cabinet will resume procurement of tuvar dal (pigeon pea), and also start procurement of chana (chickpea) and mustard through the Gujarat Cooperative Marketing Federation (GUJCOMASOL).

The decision was taken in a cabinet meeting held via video conference on Wednesday, Chief Minister Vijay Rupani’s fifth since lockdown began.

Making the an-

nouncement, Information and Broadcasting Secretary and Secretary to the chief minister Ashwani Kumar said, district collectors have been given two important tasks this summer. First, they have to ensure uninterrupted drinking water supply in villages and small towns and get any non-functional hand pumps repaired on top priority. Second, they are to see that Sujalam Sufalam Jal Abhiyan work is undertaken up

Chief Minister Vijay Rupani chaired a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday. To his right are Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel, Education Minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama, Minister of State for Home Pradipsinh Jadeja and Chief Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, K Kailashnathan.

on a war footing. Collectors have been asked to take up these projects either with

people’s participation, under MGNREGA, or through government agencies.

Kumar further said that the state had procured 6,514 metric tonnes of tuvar from

3,881 farmers at MSP (minimum selling price) when the lockdown was imposed. However, the

interruption meant 12,467 of the 16,345 farmers who had registered for this were still left. The state will start procuring tuvar from them beginning May 1.

In another major decision, the cabinet will start procuring chickpea and mustard from farmers beginning Friday, with GUJCOMASOL as the nodal agency.

In April, the state government has supplied free rations to 68 lakh BPL (Below Poverty Level) and NFSA (National Food Safety Act) cardholders, as well as to 60 lakh APL (Above Poverty Level) card-

holders. It has addressed the issue of migrants and unregistered workers and distributed rations to 5.50 lakh migrant workers as well.

In the past few days, the state government has transferred Rs1,000 into the accounts of NFSA cardholders. So far, 55 lakh cardholders have benefited from the Mukhyamantri Garib Kalyan Yojana and Rs 510 crore have been transferred into these accounts.

With the help of nongovernment organizations, 10,000 ration kits have been distributed to needy people at the district level.

GUJARAT AHMEDABAD | THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2020

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Minority body wants COVID-19 white paper Asks what was done to prepare for outbreak, questions Trump event First India News Ahmedabad: In an open letter addressed to Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, the Minority Coordination Committee (MCC) has asked that the state not spread religious intolerance and bring out a White Paper on the Corona Pandemic in the state instead.

MCC convener Mujahid Nafees has written that, in his video communication on April 24, the chief minister said that the state government quarantined 6,000 people in March, who had returned from abroad, to curb the spread of the pandemic. Nafees has demanded that the state declare the names of all those who took international flights to land in the state after January 30.

“CM Rupani has categorically asserted that the spread of COV-

Rajkot reports 1st death due to Sars-Cov-2

Mata Vali Pol in Kalupur, one of the first cluster containment zones in Ahmedabad. —FILE PHOTO

ID-19 in the state was caused by the Tablighis returning from Nizamuddin in Delhi in March. He has maliciously attempted to target a particular religious group in clear violation of Article 51 of the Constitution,” Nafees said, adding “I am requesting the CM to issue a white paper

on the steps taken by the state government to prepare for the outbreak.”

He also said that were no facts in Rupani’s statement, and added, “The first two cases were from Surat and Rajkot reported on March 19. WHO declared COVID-19 as a public health emergen-

cy on January 30. The state lost a crucial month in not preparing for an imminent pandemic, even as it splurged all available resources in organizing the Namaste Trump event on February 24 in Ahmedabad.

Did the state government tested the participants of this event?”

SUMMER SOLUTIONS An innovative youngster transports a heavy jug of water on a hot day in Ahmedabad.

—PHOTO BY HANIF SINDHI

10% mango crop damaged due to unseasonal rains First India News Ahmedabad: Thundershowers and heavy rains in some parts of Saurashtra has damaged 10% of the mango crop, experts say.

Roads in Savarkundla were filled with water after an estimated 1.5 inch rainfall in just a few hours. Meanwhile, local MLA Pratap Dudhat has de-

HEAT IS ON

manded a financial package for the farmers.

Thursday is likely to bring light rain and thundershowers to

Amreli, Gir Somnath, Junagadh, and Rajkot. The remaining parts of the state are likely to witness dry weather.

Red-zone areas likely to remain sealed until the end of May: SMC First India News Surat: In a briefing on Wednesday, Surat municipal commissioner Banchhanidhi Pani said that if COVID-19 positive cases are reported in red zones of the city, then those areas will remain sealed until the end of May. He also appealed to the masses to take all necessary precautions and practice social distancing.

In particular, around 26 cluster areas declared by the local municipality under the red zone are likely to be closed till the end of May, due to growing number of positive

Soon, `1K-`50K fines for not wearing masks

—PHOTO BY HANIF SINDHI

‘No pillion riding on 2-wheelers’ First India News

First India News Rajkot: The city recorded its first COVID-19 death on Wednesday when 60-year-old Mominben Kureshi breathed her last after fighting the virus for eight days..

Her 70-year-old husband and two sons have also tested positive and are currently undergoing treatment.

The family lives in Jangleshwar area, which has reported the maximum positive cases in the city.

An official from the Rajkot Municipal Corporation said, “The two causes of Kureshi’s death were hypertension and old age. The virus attack got too much to handle and her immune system could not fight back properly.”

Rajkot has recorded 58 cases, of which 15 have recovered.

03

SUICIDE ATTEMPT

cases. According to Pani, the next 14 days will determine further action. If cases are reported in these 26 cluster (red zone) areas, they will remain in the red zone and if not a single case is regis-

tered, it may take up to 14 more days to convert a red zone area to an orange zone area.

Meanwhile, Surat police commissioner also issued a notification extending the implementation of Sec-

tion 144 in the city till May 14. This move comes on the heel of rise in COVID-19 positive cases in the city.

Section 144 prohibits the gathering of four or more people in a public place.

Gandhinagar: The state police has banned pillion riders on two-wheelers and has capped the number of persons travelling in fourwheelers at two, to better ensure social distancing, Director-General of Police Shivanand Jha said.

Meanwhile, the cyber cell of the police has blocked 496 social media accounts for spreading hatred and false information.

State police have registered 544 cases of spreading hatred and false information on social media and has arrested 1,124 persons in this connection.

Panchmahal district authorities have withdrawn the relaxation granted from the lockdown, as people were gathering in large numbers and social distancing was not followed.

The State Reserve Police has been deployed to maintain lockdown in Godhra as well.

Some 4,039 cases have been registered for violation of public orders, quarantine norms and under the Disaster Management Act.

Construction labourers in masks return to their shelters at the end of a work day.

First India News Ahmedabad: The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) commissioner Vijay Nehra on Wednesday announced that the penalty for not wearing a mask for shopkeepers and its staffers has been increased. Apart from the penalty, the license of the shop or vendor will also be suspended for a period of up to three months.

“A penalty of Rs 1,000 to Rs 5,000 will be levied on individuals not wearing masks, but from May 1, if a roadside vendor is found without a mask, he will be fined Rs 2,000 and his license will also be suspended for two months,” said Nehra.

“Similarly, if a shopkeeper or his staff member is found not wearing

A penalty of Rs1,000 to Rs5,000 will be levied on individuals not wearing masks, while supermarkets and malls will pay Rs50,000 if their staff are seen without masks.

—Vijay Nehra, AMC Commissioner

a mask, they will be fined Rs 5,000 and the shop’s license will also be suspended. A fine of Rs 50,000 will be imposed on supermarkets, malls if their staff members or security guards are found without a mask on,” he added.

He also said that, in order to ensure that the number of COVID-19 cases do not inflate, each citizen will have to wear masks including shopkeepers, staffers at malls, supermarkets, who are likely to be the super spreaders.

In another announce-

ment, Nehra also said that the AMC will provide free masks and sanitizers to each of the vendors.

The civic body has procured around 3.50 lakh masks from women self-help groups. In the past ten days, a total of 7,797 super spreaders including vegetable vendors, milkmen, garbage collection workers, grocery shopkeepers, and even medical shop keepers have been screened and 2,098 samples collected. Of these, 115 were found to be coronavirus positive.

PERSPECTIVE AHMEDABAD | THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2020

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IN-DEPTH

IRRFAN, AN ACTOR EXTRAORDINAIRE PASSES AWAY

SOMETHING’S WRONG WITH QUALITY OF VCs The practice in India is such that a VC is barely allowed to complete a single term

E

ven as India counts it dead from coronavirus the news of actor Irrfan Khan’s demise has come as a tragic blow. One of Bollywood’s most versatile actors, a trailblazer, Khan passed away in Mumbai’s Kokilaben hospital where he was admitted on Tuesday where he lost his battle to cancer.

Aged only 53, he has left behind his grieving widow, two children and lakhs of fans. An aspiring cricketer he was definitely Indian cinema’s big gain.

Khan had been ailing since 2018 when he was diagnosed with a neuroendocrine tumour and went to Britain for treatment. Aware of the seriousness of his ailment, Khan said in a profound statement, “I trust, I have surrendered.” Yet the fighter that he was, he came back strong enough to deliver another powerful performance in Angrezi Medium. Because of his illness the actor could not attend the movie’s promotional events at which his recorded message, in which he talked of “unwanted guests in his body”, was played to audiences. His alma mater, the National School of Drama, New Delhi, has all the reason to feel proud him.

He has bequeathed a rich body of cinematic work to perpetuate his memory for generations to come. Irrfan won wide acclaim for his phenomenal and earthy acting in Pan Singh Tomar, Maqbool, Haider, Piku, The Lunchbox, The Namesake, Hindi Medium and Madaari to name some of them. In each of his films he put his heart and soul in the character he portrayed and left a lasting impression.

He was one Indian actor who was as comfortable in Hollywood as he was in Bollywood. Salaam Bombay, Danny Boyle’s award winning Slumdog Millionaire and Life of Pi made him a global star.

At times outspoken, he strongly denied Bollywood aped Hollywood films.

Success did not come easy to Irrfan who struggled for almost a decade doing theatre and TV soap operas. It was a little known British director Asif Kapadia who cast him in his film The Warrior, which was shot in Himachal Pradesh and released in 2002. The film went on to win the Bafta award for best British film. That gave Khan the much-needed breakthrough. After Slumdog Millionaire, in which he played a police inspector, he did not look back.

Not just for his acting prowess, Irrfan was a good human being who loved his family. He was modest and soft-spoken.

In his death Rajasthan has lost a talented artiste. Angrezi Medium gave a chance to Khan, who was born Sahabzade Irfan Khan in a Pathan family, to meet his kin. Sadly, he could not attend his mother’s funeral in Jaipur when she died on April 25 due to the lockdown.

Khan has left a void in the film world but one can draw solace from the old saying that those whom God loves die young.

Adieu Irrfan Khan.

DINESH SINGH The author is the former vice-chancellor of University of Delhi, a distinguished mathematician and an educationist

T

The UGC lays too much emphasis on highly technical criteria that are extremely detrimental towards attracting talented and wise individuals to serve as vicechancellors. On the other hand, it pays no heed to qualitative attributes such as placing a premium on possessing some knowledge of the history of higher education

he debate about colleges holding timely online exams versus delaying them until after the coronavirus lockdown ends is being conducted without any historical knowledge.

It is almost a myopic debate between the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the vice chancellors (VC). At the heart of this debate are two problem areas – the traditional insistence on completing syllabus instead of pruning it and the quality of Indian VCs of late.

PRUNE THE SYLLABUS As an illustration, I recall, from my student days at Delhi University during the period 1972-73, an occasion when the university had to be shut for more than three months at a stretch due to student disturbances. Yet the university did not extend the session but managed to conduct its examinations without too much delay. My exams were over by 12 May. It was decided to prune the non-essential parts of the syllabi in wise ways.

Even the next session commenced on time. This was due to a very wise pruning of the teaching material, not an obsession with making sure every single thing in the syllabi is taught in complete detail.

The history of higher education in India is replete with innovative solutions for such issues. In addition to the instance of Delhi University, the example of the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in 1985-86 and of the Allahabad University in 1981-82 come to the fore.

Both these institutions had dealt with such a problem in creative yet simple ways.

At the Allahabad University the academic session was running three years behind schedule. It’s then VC UN Singh (my late father) decided to provide greater autonomy to the teachers that helped the university

correct its academic calendar.

The BHU had also faced a similar problem when Dr. RP Rastogi was the VC. Rastogi too initiated similar steps to restore the normalcy of the academic calendar.

QUALITY OF VCS Such decisions to tricky problems depend a lot on the quality of university VCs. It all comes down to the business of recruiting vice-chancellors and the UGC has not displayed much wisdom.

The UGC lays too much emphasis on highly technical criteria that are extremely detrimental towards attracting talented and wise individuals to serve as vice-chancellors. On the other hand, it pays no heed to qualitative attributes such as placing a premium on possessing some knowledge of the history of higher education.

It insists that to be eligible for the post of VC, an individual should possess ten years of standing as a full and formal professor. What the UGC has failed to notice or has willfully ignored is that some of the truly great vice chancellors in India’s history would not have been eligible to be considered for the position had this always been the case. In this galaxy of distinguished names, we identify Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya, Maurice Gwyer and Hansa Jivraj Mehta. They did not have a doctoral degree and had never held the formal title of professor. In fact, they were not academics in the formal

meaning of the term. Yet they are easily amongst the truly great VCs that India has had.

This does not mean that good VCs are not to be found amidst formal academics. In India, I can cite the example of none other than Dr. Zakir Husain who proved to be an outstanding VC at the Aligarh Muslim University and Dr. Amar Nath Jha who steered Allahabad University so adroitly during the years that spanned British rule and beyond.

Another outstanding example that comes to mind is that of Robert Goheen at Princeton University in the 1960s. Goheen was a 37-year-old assistant professor on a contractual appointment at Princeton when he was appointed its president in 1957. He proved to be one of the most successful presidents of Princeton University.

REFORM NEEDS LONGER STAYS FOR VCS There is another unfortunate practice that has become almost the norm in India during the past few decades. It is but rare for a VC to be re-appointed beyond one term. Once again, it has not struck the powers that be that the truly great achievements of the names that I have mentioned above happened over an extended period of time. Hansa Mehta served for 9 years. Maurice Gwyer served for 12 years. Amar Nath Jha served for 16 years and Robert Goheen served for 17 years. Only then were they able

Coronavirus: The role sports play in our lives

M

ost of the sports world has ground to a halt over the coronavirus pandemic.

The Tokyo Olympic Games, the NBA season, and soccer’s Champions League, along with many other major tournaments, have been postponed. Wimbledon has been canceled for the first time since World War II. These cancellations and postponements go all the way down to recreational competitions.

Given the impact that any large gathering could have on the further spread of the pandemic, several sports commentators, noted that at this point in time, sports did not matter. The New York Times sports commentator wrote, “Postpone it, cancel it, whatever.

There are more important things to think about. It is a sport, after all,” referring to the cancellation of soc

04

cer’s Champions League.

The present sentiment is a reminder of a popular phrase typically attributed to former coach and player Arrigo Sacchi that soccer was “the most important of the unimportant things in life.”

At a time when the utmost urgency on everyone’s mind is the fragility of life itself, this couldn’t appear to be more true.

At the same time, as philosophers of sport, we believe that it is important to recognise the role sports play in our lives – even in difficult times.

THE NATURE OF SPORTS The point of sports, as philosopher Bernard Suits argues, lies in voluntarily attempting to overcome artificial problems erected by the rules.

Such rules stipulate the

of solving the problem.

THE ATTEMPT TO ACHIEVE DIFFICULT GOALS REQUIRES A CERTAIN DEDICATION. IN THIS SENSE, ENGAGEMENT IN SPORT REPRESENTS A PERFECTIONIST WAY OF LIFE use of specialised physical skills to achieve the goal of the game. For instance, the rules of soccer prohibit players to hit the ball with their hands but allow kicking and heading to put the ball into the net.

Sports are activities governed, as Suits explains, by a “gratuitous logic.” Under this logic, participants attempt to solve an unnecessary problem, such as kicking a ball around a field and into a net, just for the sake

THE VALUE OF SPORTS At the same time, there are those who argue that sports fulfill human functions that are far from gratuitous. For instance, sports provide an arena for honing different kinds of capacities and fostering character development.

Philosopher José Ortega y Gasset argues that the gratuitous character of sports is a model for living well – for a life with plenty of vitality.

He recommends individuals approach their lives with the “same spirit that leads them to engage in sport.”

That is, individuals should fill their lives with challenging activities that are not necessary but voluntary.

Similarly, philosopher Thomas Hurka includes sports among some of the

challenging activities that require dedication, planning and precision.

Hurka highlights that these activities are valuable because of the effort required by the experience of trying to achieve. In his words, “We don’t call crossing your fingers an achievement because it’s too easy.

Achievements have to be challenging, and the more challenging the better.”

The attempt to achieve difficult goals requires a certain dedication. In this sense, engagement in sport represents a perfectionist way of life.

As philosopher John Rawls proposes in his discussion on justice and the good life, perfectionism requires the utmost dedication to achieve human excellence; in this case, we argue, of the athletic variety..

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to build great institutions. Unfortunately, the practice in India is such that a VC is barely allowed to complete a single term.

In fact, during the last five years, there has been a very disturbing trend that has begun to manifest itself. It so happens that VCs of five central universities viz. Allahabad University, Central University of Uttarakhand, Central University of South Bihar, Central University of Odisha and the Maulana Azad National Urdu University, appointed by the current government have resigned before the completion of their tenures.

This does not augur well for higher education in India, particularly in the light of my assertion that for a university to fare well, as history tells us, a good VC must stay for more than a single term.

The coronavirus lockdown has put a lot of pressure on universities, impacting their activities, both on administrative as well as academic fronts. Completing courses, conducting exams, and starting a new academic session are the biggest challenges.

Perhaps, a well-structured academic administration would have helped them sail through the crisis with minimum difficulty.

Academic administrators would do well to take this pandemic as an opportunity to identify the systemic problems that hamper decision-making in these difficult times and otherwise.

SOURCE: THEPRINT

Top

TWEET Dharmendra Pradhan @dpradhanbjp #ModiGovt is committed to alleviate the economic hardships of the poor evolving from the #COVID19 situation. Shram shakti of Odisha thank PM Shri @narendramodi for resumption of work and higher wages under MGNREGS amid these difficult times. #IndiaFightsCorona Piyush Goyal @PiyushGoyal Aiding uninterrupted supply of essential goods amid COVID-19 pandemic, Ministries of Railways and Commerce & Industry have set up helplines for citizens.Promptly responding to queries, our Govt under PM @NarendraModi ji’s dynamic leadership is committed to resolving all issues.

Spiritual SPEAK

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us. —Ephesians 3:20

Vol 1 Issue No. 154 RNI NO. GUJENG/2019/16208. Printed and published by Anita Hada Sangwan on behalf of First Express Publishers. Printed at Bhaskar Printing Planet Survey No.148P, Changodar-Bavla Highway, Tal. Sanand, Dist. Ahmedabad.

Published at D/302 3rd Floor Plot No. 35 Titanium Square, Scheme No. 2, Thaltej Taluka, Ghatlodiya, Ahmedabad. Editor: Jagdeesh Chandra, responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act

INDIA AHMEDABAD | THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2020

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05

Arogya Setu app must for central govt staff In a memorandum, the Centre has asked all its officials to download the Aarogya Setu app to help in the fight against novel coronavirus New Delhi: The Centre has made the use of Aarogya Setu app compulsory for all central government employees saying the use of the mobile application will help in breaking the chain of transmission of deadly Covid-19.

In the latest memorandum on the use of the Aarogya Setu app by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, the government said officials who are categorised as high risk or moderate based on recent contact with infected person should not come to office.

Such persons should self-isolate for 14 days

until the status comes to low risk. “Before starting for office, they must review their status on Arogya Setu and commute only when the app shows safe or low risk,” the order dated April 29, 2020 states.

The order has been sent to all departments, ministries, Cabinet Secretariat and the Prime Minister’s Office.

Arogya Setu is a mobile application developed by the government of India to connect essential health services with people in the fight against novel coronavirus.

Those who have downloaded the application are informed if

Asymptomatic COVID-19 patients to be treated at home: Delhi Min

Workers spray disinfectant on a car at the entrance of Shastri Bhawan in New Delhi. —FILE PHOTO

New Delhi: Those COVID-19 patients who are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms of the infection will be kept under home quarantine for 14 days and will be treated at their homes, Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain said.

There are currently 3,314 COVID-19 cases in Delhi. So far, 1078 have been cured. 53 are currently in ICUs and 12 patients are on ventilators, the

Satyendar Jain

Health Minister said.

“According to the new protocol, those who are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms of COVID-19 will be

kept under home quarantine for 14 days and will be treated at their homes. There is no need to hospitalise such patients,” Jain told media persons here.

The decision taken by government comes after Ministry of Health has issued guidelines for home isolation of people who either have very mild symptoms or are in the pre-symptomatic phase. —ANI

they have come in contact with Covid-19 positive cases in their surroundings.

It detects other devices that have the ap-

plication installed that come in the bluetooth or GPS proximity of the phone and captures information regarding Covid-19 positive cases.

All departments have been asked to issue similar instructions to autonomous, statutory bodies , PSUs attached to them. —Agencies

Make screening of arrested mandatory: Activist to NHRC

Muslim vendor rebuked in Lucknow

TRAI RECOMMENDS STRUCTURAL REFORMS IN BARC GOVERNANCE

Lucknow: “I reprimanded him as he was lying,” said BJP MLA Brij Bhushan Sharan on Wednesday after a video, in which he was seen harassing a vegetable vendor here and asking him not to enter the area, went viral.

“Some time back, I got a death threat.

When my security personnel asked him his name, he lied. Yes, it was my video. I reprimanded him because he was lying. He said his name was Rajkumar while his name is Rehmuddin,” BJP MLA, Brij Bhushan Sharan told ANI. “He was accompanied by a child. Both were not wearing masks and gloves. It is a violation of lockdown. 16 vegetable sellers in Kanpur and one in Lucknow tested COVID-19 positive,” he said.

New Delhi: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) issued its recommendations on ‘Review of Television Audience Measurement and Rating System in India’ on Tuesday.

As a studied response to concerns raised by stakeholders relating to neutrality and reliability of the existing rating system, TRAI is-

Dharavi Medical Practitioners Association practice thermal screening for residents in Mumbai.

New Delhi: A complaint was moved in the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Wednesday seeking directions to the Centre, States and Union Territories for mandating “medical screening” of all arrested persons before sending them to jail in a bid to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The complaint, filed

by social activist Vishnu Kumar Gupta through lawyer Gaurav Bansal, said that several accused involved in heinous and non-heinous crimes are being arrested and sent to jail by the police across the country. The complaint expressed reservations that if coronavirus infected persons are sent to prison, they might

IIT Guwahati & pharma firm to develop vaccine Guwahati/Ahmedabad: Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati is collaborating with Hester Biosciences Ltd to work on vaccine development against COVID-19, both organisations said on Wednesday.

IIT Guwahati and Hester expect the vaccine to be ready by the year-end to start animal studies. The work is currently in its ear-

ly stage of development. “The vaccine will be based on recombinant avian paramyxovirus based vector platform,” they said in a statement.

Rajiv Gandhi, Managing Director and CEO of Hester Biosciences said that in the current pandemic situation of COVID-19, the world is looking at developing preventive and curative measures to safeguard mankind. —ANI

infect all the inmates and staff in the jail.

It sought the intervention of the commission to direct Union of India, States and UTs to forthwith draft and implement a policy related to making mandatory the medical screening of all the accused persons who are being arrested during this period. —ANI

sued a set of recommendations for India’s sole TV Viewership measurement agency, BARC India, a joint industry body of the broadcasters, advertisers and the advertising agencies.

TRAI said that the recommendations are culmination of a one and a half month consultation process to review the television audience measurement and rat-

The PM said he would look into the matter.

Although the Maharashtra cabinet had recommended Thackeray’s name to be nominated to the Legislative Council, the upper House in Maharashtra, from the Governor’s nomination quota, Governor B S Koshyari has not approved it. BJP leaders

Shopian: Three militants were killed while as an army officer, a soldier and a civilian were injured in an encounter at Melhoora village of Zainapora area of South Kashmir’s Shopian district officials said. The Mehloora gunfight started on Tuesday and

all three militant bodies have been recovered while as a woman sustained injury. Pertinently. Meanwhile, security forces are sanitizing the area and have appealed the people not to go closer to the encounter spot till the site is properly sanitized.

have pointed out that the approval had legal barriers, as it would be violating the provisions in The Representation of the People Act, 1951.

A party leader familiar with the development added that Thackeray wanted the BJP’s cooperation for resolving the issue.

“Knowing that it

would be the PM who would be taking the final call on party’s decision, he approached him directly. He wanted BJP’s Maharashtra leaders who are not willing to cooperate with the Shiv Sena, for what it has done to the party, to be directed by Modiji,” the leader said. Thackeray who took oath on November 28 last year, will have to get elected to either of the Houses in the state legislature before May 24. —Agencies

Kochi: Chief Justice of Kerala High Court S Mani Kumar is presently on a two week isolation at his residence after his visit to his home town in Tamil Nadu. He secured permission for travel from both Tamil Nadu and Kerala government.

On arriving at the Palak-

New Delhi: The Central Board of Secondary education (CBSE) reiterated that there has been no change in the decision of the board regarding the holding of Class 10 and Class 12 board examinations. It further stated that its decision to conduct board exams for 29 subjects of Class 10 and Class 12 remains the same.

The clarification was issued amid specula-

Punjab CM announces to extend curfew for 2 more weeks

Volunteers shower flowers petals on medics to appreciate their work, during a government-imposed nationwide lockdown as a preventive measure against COVID-19 in Amritsar.

—PHOTO BY ANI

308 TEST POSITIVE IN HARYANA

ister Singh in a video address to the State’s people. The nationwide lockdown was imposed

on March 25 to prevent the spread of coronavirus, which was to end on April 14. It is now

kad border he went through the mandatory tests and then only his vehicle was allowed to pass. His staff who were in the vehicle would also be in two week isolation.

Kumar will take part online in a retirement ceremony of a senior judge to take place later this week.

‘Will conduct exams for 29 subjects of class 10 and 12’

PREVENTIVE MEASURE

Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Wednesday announced to extend the curfew for two more weeks to check the spread of coronavirus in the State.

“Though the curfew has been extended by two more weeks, there will be relaxation from 7 am to 11 am every day.

During this time, people can come out of their houses. Shops will also be allowed to open,” said Chief Min-

ble & Satellite homes, but the viewership of television channels is measured through an average of 1700+ meters .This issue is prevailing since inception and the directive by TRAI has been taken in the right spirit by all stakeholders and corrective measure by BARC, will lead industry towards accomplishing many progressive milestones.

MELHOORA GUNFIGHT: THREE Kerala HC Chief Justice MILITANTS KILLED,OPS OVER goes into isolation

CM seat in crisis, Uddhav seeks Modi’s help Mumbai: Caught in a constitutional entanglement over his membership in the state legislature, Maharashtra CM and Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray has approached PM Narendra Modi for cooperation in resolving the crisis, sources said.

“He (Thackeray) called Prime Minister to talk about his nomination. He asked for help saying if it does not happen he would have to resign,” said a source.

ing system in India.

“After considering all comments received from stakeholders during the consultation process and further analysis of the issues, the Authority has finalised its recommendations,” informs the regulator.

Meanwhile , Mahipal Singh, Convener NBF, said that Rajasthan has close to 90 lakh plus Ca-

slated to end on May 3.

However, during a recent video conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, several state Chief Ministers have requested to extend the lockdown period.

Union Ministry of Health, the total number of COVID-19 cases in the country stands at 31,332, of which 7,696 have recovered/discharged and 1,007 people have succumbed to the disease. —ANI

tion regarding the conduct of board exams, the CBSE said.

“Recently there has been a lot of speculation regarding 10th CBSE Board exams. It is reiterated that the board’s decision to take board exams for 29 subjects of class 10 and 12, stands the same as mentioned in circular dated 1st April 2020,” the CBSE tweeted on Wednesday afternoon. —ANI

3 more cases in Varanasi, count reaches 52 Varanasi: Three more coronavirus cases have been reported from Varanasi on Wednesday, taking the total number of cases in the district to 52.

According to Varanasi DM, Kaushal Raj Sharma, three people have tested positive for coronavirus in Varanasi today. “They were in contact with a businessman who was the first person in ‘Saptasagar Dawa Mandi’ to be tested with COVID-19,” he said. —ANI

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MAKE BOLD DECISIONS: PC TO CENTRE Senior Congress leader, P Chidambaram urged the Centre to announce wage protection package New Delhi: Former Finance Minister and senior Congress leader P Chidambaram said that in the absence of a clear signal of assistance from the Centre, the private sector will be forced to resort to large scale retrenchments and lay-offs.

The Congress urged PM Narendra Modi to announce a package to protect the wages, salaries and pay cheques of about 11 crore people working in the MSMEs sector.

He said workers are waiting with bated breath to know if they will be paid their salaries/wages for the month of April. “There is palpable tension and rising uncertainty among the working people of India and their families,” he said.

Citing the annual report of the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), he said 11 crore people are engaged in 6.3 crore MSMEs. He asked: “Most of them would not have worked a single day in the month of April because the entire country was in a lockdown imposed to contain the coronavirus pandemic.

How will these people feed themselves and their families without

an income?”

He said the businesses have had no sales this month and their payments to their vendors are also stuck, leaving the vendors also in distress. “The time to make bold decisions to save the MSMEs is now.

If businesses do not see hope, they will decide to close,” he warned.

Chidambaram said it is bewildering that there has been absolutely no financial package for businesses since the onset of Covid-19. “The Government may have the luxury of time, but the MSMEs do not.

They need to know right away whether they will be helped to stay afloat and thereby pay salaries/wages to those dependent on these businesses,” he said. —Agencies

RaGa assures help to patients in Wayanad New Delhi: Congress leader and MP from Wayanad Rahul Gandhi has interacted with the local leaders of the party in his constituency and took stock of the situation during the covid lockdown. During the video conferencing, the local leaders raised the issue of the condition of patients suffering from chronic ailments like kidney and liver disease.arty sources said Rahul Gandhi assured his help to these patients.

Don’t twist facts: Cong to Sitharaman New Delhi: The Congress has hit back at Finance Minister who alleged that party is misleading on facts on issue of wilful defaulters.

Congress Chief Spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said that Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is twisting facts instead of giving answers.

Surjewala said, “And Nirmala Sitharaman ji, cleaning the banks of people’’s money by writing off loans of absconders and fraud-

sters, is not called cleaning the system. It’’s called weakening the entire bank architecture fiscally and imprudently, if not maliciously.”

After Congress alleged that government has written off loans of wilful defaulters, Finance Minister said, “Rahul Gandhi & RS Surjewala, spokesperson of INC India have attempted to mislead people in a brazen manner. Typical to INC India, they resort to sensationalising facts.

‘Remote controlled Fudging death counts: Vijayvargiya to Didi steps are unworthy for men of worth’ New Delhi: BJP’’s West Bengal in-charge Kailash Vijayvargiya has shot off a 6-page letter to Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, accusing her of “manipulating death counts” due to COVID-19.

The subject of the letter reads, “Manipulating the reporting of death count due to coronavirus in West Bengal, confrontationist atti-

Kolkata: Governor Jagdeep Dhankar has written a letter to TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee urging him to listen to ‘conscience’ and call of duty rather than be driven by an external ‘script’. This came after Banerjee’s letter to Dhankar in which he stated that the Governor is acting as ‘loudhailer of the ruling party’ at the Centre.

“Final response to Kalyan Banerjee. Urged him- listen to ‘conscience’ and call of duty rather than be driven by external ‘script’. Remote controlled steps are unworthy for men of worth. Time to engage in Covid 19!battle than be part of emerging strategy to combat Governor,” Dhankar tweeted along with pho-

tos of the letter to Banerjee.

“In Covid 19 combat have had enormous benefit of counsel from leaders of all political parties except TMC. Outreach to TMC yielded no result. I am ever available to discuss issues concerning welfare of people of Bengal. Let us not bicker.

Time to beat Covid 19,” he tweeted. In the letter, Dhankar stated: “I am surprised that you are positioning on behalf of Hon’ble Chief Minister while you are nowhere in loop on this.

This pseudo defence is unfortunate and you are ignoring that my communication is a response to what Hon’ble Chief Minister started and put before the public to take a call.” —ANI

Sensex rallies 606 points, Nifty reclaims 9,500

On one hand, the people of West Bengal are suffering due to the coronavirus pandemic. On the other hand, you have been playing dirty politics.

—Kailash Vijayvargiya

BJP’s West Bengal in-charge

tude with Honourable Governor and the central government and

high handedness against BJP leaders”.

The letter comes days

CENTRE TO EXPAND JAL SHAKTI ABHIYAN ACTIVITIES

Mumbai: Extending its gains for the third session, equity benchmark Sensex rallied 606 points on Wednesday, buoyed by banking and IT stocks amid positive cues from global markets.

Investor sentiment improved on hopes that gradual lifting of lockdowns across world would help start economic recovery, traders said. After surging 783.07 points during the day, the 30-share BSE index ended 605.64 points or 1.89 % higher at 32,720.16.

NSE Nifty advanced 172.45 points, or 1.84%, to close at 9,553.35.—PTI

New Delhi: The Centre has decided to utilise the forthcoming monsoon season to expand its water conservation efforts under the national Jal Shakti Abhiyan.

“Ministry of Home Affairs has allowed to take up MGNREGA works/ drinking water and sanitation works during lockdown with priority to be given to irrigation and water conservation works,” it added.

Central and State sector schemes in irrigation and water conservation sectors

#RIPIrfan and other hashtags related to the actor became the top trends on Twitter.

Irrafn’s was an endless story of talent, just like the mathematical constant pi, whose value cannot be expressed!

COVID-19 patients, making it the first private hospital in the state to make such an offer.

06

POWER Gallery RAJIV KUMAR IS NEW CHAIRPERSON, PESB

Rajiv Kumar has been appointed as new Chairperson, Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB). He is a 1984 batch retired IAS officer of Jharkhand cadre.

39 IAS OFFICERS RETIRING IN APRIL 2020

As many as 39 IAS officers of various cadres and batches are retiring in April, 2020. They are: M M Kutty of AGMUT; L V Subramanyam, Preeti Sudan, Dr D Sambasiva Rao, Dr M Padma of Andhra Pradesh; Rabindra Panwar of Bihar; Arvind Agrawal and Atanu Chakraborty of Gujarat; Dhanpat Singh of Haryana; Madhu Bala Sharma and Raghubir Singh Verma of Himachal Pradesh; , Khurshid Ahmad Shah and Salma Hamid of J&K; N Sivasailam, V Yashwanth and G C Vrushabendra Murthy of Karnataka; Renu Pant, Raja Bhaiya Prajapati and Sabha Jeet Yadav of MP; Sanjeevanee Kutty and Shreekant Singh of Maharashtra; M Patton and Alan Gonmei of Nagaland; Dr Arun Kumar Panda, Prasanta Kumar Senapati, Prasanna Kumar Jena, Dr Tribikram Pradhan, Prafulla Kumar Rout of Odisha; Pritam Singh, Laxmi Narayan Soni, Modudan Detha, Vinita Bohra, Dinesh Chand Jain of Rajasthan; Tenzing Dolkar of Sikkim; G Govindaraj of Tamil Nadu; C Pardhasarathi of Telangana; S Ramaswamy of Uttarakhand and Gopal Krishna and Amit Chaudhuri of West Bengal.

EIGHT IPS OFFICERS RETIRING IN APRIL 2020

after Mamata Banerjee tried to block the inter ministerial team sent by the Centre to the state to assess the ground situation as far as tackling the Coronavirus is concerned.

Vijayvargiya said, “On one hand, the people of West Bengal are suffering due to the coronavirus pandemic.

On the other hand, you have been playing dirty politics.” —Agencies

As many as eight IPS officers of various cadres and batches are retiring in April, 2020. They are: P Hari Kumar of Andhra Pradesh; Prabhat Singh of AGMUT; RP Agarwal of AM; RS Nayak of Chhattisgarh; V N Sasidharan of Kerala; Anil Kumar of Madhya Pradesh; Tajdeep Kaur Menon of Telangana; V P Srivastava of UP cadre.

Take tuition from Chidu: Javadekar to Rahul Gandhi

RAVEESH KUMAR MAY BE SENT TO FINLAND

have also been allowed to be implemented with suitable dovetailing with MGNREGA works.

The Ministry of Jal Shakti has stated in a press note that due to the current health emergency in the country, “Central Government officials will not be deployed in Abhiyan this summer.” The Ministry of Jal Shakti also ensured that all the work will be carried out under strict implementation of social distancing & other measures. —ANI

New Delhi: Union Minister Prakash Javadekar dismissed the claim made by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi that Centre has waived off Rs 65,000 crore of loan defaulters, stating that he must take tuition from former Finance Min P Chidambaram to understand the difference between writing off & waiving off. “I was taken aback

by Rahul Gandhi’s comment that Modi govt has waived off Rs 65,000 crore. Not a single penny has been waived off.

Writing off is not waiving off,” said Javadekar in a video message.

transport aircraft ready for the operation.

The operation will begin after the lockdown is lifted. The current phase of the lockdown ends on May 3. It is not immediately clear whether the government will further extend the drastic measure.

“Intermediate students will be graded based on internal assessment of the present and previous semester.

In states where the COVID-19 situation has normalised, there will be exams in the month of July. For terminal semester students, exams will be held in July,” the UGC said. “Universities may follow a six-day week pattern and devise proforma to record travel or stay history of staff and students for the lockdown period.

Extension of six months will be granted to MPhil, PhD students and viva-voice be conducted through video conference,” it added.

The commission clarified that the guidelines are advisory in nature and varsities may chalk out their own plan tak-

INDRA MANI PANDEY LIKELY TO BE NEXT AMBASSADOR TO UN

There are whispers that Indra Mani Pandey, Additional Secretary (Disarmament & International Security Affairs), Ministry of External Affairs, is being sent to Geneva as India’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to United Nations. He is an Indian Foreign Service officer of 1990 batch.

Former MEA Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar is likely to be made Ambassador to Finland. Whispers are in that he was earlier being considered for being sent to Vienna. He is an Indian Foreign Service officer of 1995 batch.

17 IPS OFFICERS OF 1991 BATCH EMPANELLED AS ADG IN GOI

As many as 17 IPS officers of 1991 batch have been empanelled for holding Additional Director General or equivalent posts in Government of India.

GP SINGH EMPANELLED AS ADG IN GOI

G P Singh has been empanelled for holding Additional Director General or equivalent posts in Government of India. He is a 1991 batch IPS officer of Assam-Meghalaya cadre.

PRAVEN VASHISHTA EMPANELLED AS ADG IN GOI

Praveen Vashishta has been empanelled for holding Additional Director General or equivalent posts in Government of India. He is a 1991 batch IPS officer of Bihar cadre.

FROM PG 1 ‘Stranded migrants... the sending and receiving states may consult each other and mutually agree to the movement by road.

The moving persons would be screened and those found asymptomatic would be allowed to proceed, according to the home ministry.

The states and union territories falling on the bus transit route will allow the passage of such persons to the receiving states and union territories, it said. On arrival at their destination, such persons would be assessed by the local health authorities, and kept in home quarantine, unless the assessment requires keeping the persons in institutional quarantine, the order

said. They would be kept under watch with periodic health checkups, it said. —ANI

Classy Irrfan...

Irrfan loved Jaipur from the bottom of his heart. Although he has travelled across the globe, Jaipur remained his favourite destination. He is survived by his wife, Sutapa Sikdar, and sons Babil & Ayan.

President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, I&B Minister Prakash Javadekar, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot along with numerous Bollywood and Hollywood actors took to twitter to pay tributes to the industry’s most versatile actor.

As news of his death broke, #IrrfanKhan,

Guj heaves...

Three of these are from Delhi and were on a state tour after covering Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.

In Ahmedabad, four employees of the state information department’s have been infected with the virus. The state government has put other staffers on home quarantine.

The privately run Christ Hospital in Rajkot has decided to give free treatment to

New guidelines...

They said the Navy and the Indian Air Force have also been told to keep some of their platforms on stand-by for the evacuation which is likely to be the biggest after ‘Operation Raahat’ when India brought back over 6,700 people, including citizens from 41 countries, from strife-torn Yemen in 2015.

The Navy has identified the INS Jalashwa, an amphibious ship, and two other landing ship tanks for the operation.

The sources said the Indian Air Force is also keeping a number of its

UGC issues...

The varsities may decide whether to conduct exams online or offline keeping in view the support system available with them and ensuring fair opportunity to all students.

The UGC has said the lockdown period may be considered as “deemed to be attended” by all students and if the situation demands, the universities can have summer vacations for 30 days in June.

ing into consideration issues pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic.

processes to make COVID-19 vaccines available at the earliest.

Covid vaccine...

“The manufacturing capacity that exists in our region is of the quality and scale required to produce and roll-out a COVID-19 vaccine globally. This region is a vaccine manufacturing powerhouse and must now also play a lead role in overcoming the ongoing pandemic,” said Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director, WHO South-East Asia.

Leading manufacturers from India, Indonesia and Thailand discussed timelines and production capacity at the meeting, while regulatory bodies deliberated on adjustments that would be needed in

‘Only 0.33%...

“This time the hallmark of our approach has been fivefold: (i) Maintaining a continuous situation awareness, (ii) Pre-emptive and proactive approach, (iii) Graded response as per continuously evolving scenario, (iv) Intersectoral coordination at all levels, and lastly, but most importantly (v) Creating a people’s movement to combat this disease.”

Commenting on India’s strengths in tackling the disease, he said, “India has successfully tackled public health emergencies of international concern and pandemics in the past as well.” —ANI

TALKING POINT AHMEDABAD | THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2020

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Governments have listed exercise as one of four essential activities.

Increases in the number of people walking and cycling, including children

T

PHYSICAL DISTANCING IS HERE FOR A WHILE EXPERTS CALL FOR ACTION

T

he call by more than 100 health and transport experts for infrastructure to enable safer walking and cycling has been supported by key organisations including the Heart Foundation, Public Health Association of Australia, the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine,

the Australasian College of Road Safety, the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Trauma Committee, Kidsafe, the Australasian Injury Prevention Network, Doctors for the Environment Australia, The Committee for Sydney and The Committee for Adelaide.

f you have walked or ridden around your neighbourhood, you have probably noticed more people on footpaths and shared walking and cycling paths. This increase in numbers is exposing much of our walking and cycling infrastructure as inadequate. It simply doesn’t provide enough space to follow physical distancing rules, leading to reports of overcrowding on these paths.

The pandemic has highlight-

ed the volume of street space given to motor vehicles, at the cost of space for people to walk and cycle. Given the far lower traffic volumes on roads, cities across the globe have been reallocating road space to enable people to walk and cycle safely while adhering to physical distancing. Australian cities appear to have lagged behind.

The pandemic has highlighted the importance of our local neighbourhoods and the need to provide safe space locally for

he coronavirus pandemic has dramatically shifted our lives and the ways we move about our cities. Despite tight restrictions on non-essential work and outings, and on social gatherings in every state and territory, governments have listed exercise as one of four essential activities. As a result, we have seen increases in the number of people walking and cycling, including children.

Physical activities such as walking and cycling are perfectly compatible with physical distancing – but only with the right infrastructure. More than 100 Australian health and transport experts have signed an open letter calling on governments to enact urgent measures to support safe walking and cycling and social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A TURNING POINT FOR OUR CITIES

Across the world we see many examples of the rapid roll-out of social distancing infrastructure to support cycling and walking during the COVID-19 pandemic:  Paris is rolling out 650km of emergency bicycle lanes  Milan has announced 35km of streets will be transformed for walking and cycling  Oakland is allocating 10% of the city’s streets for walking and cycling  New Zealand has announced funding to help councils create more people-friendly spaces in towns and cities.

These are just a few examples.

We must also consider lowering the default urban speed limit to 30km/h and reducing traffic on residential streets and around local business areas.

INCREASED NUMBERS LEAD TO CROWDING

I

07

walking and riding, particularly for our children. As many Australians are staying home, most of our physical activity occurs on the streets and paths around our homes.

Therefore, we must focus our efforts on our neighbourhoods, local streets and shopping centres, where residents need safe and easy opportunities to be active. This includes providing safe routes to children’s schools, activity centres and other hubs.

P

ublic transport typically moves up to half of all people travelling to work in some city centres. However, physical distancing is often a challenge on public transport. As restrictions are eased, shifting even a proportion of these passengers to walking or cycling trips will have infection-control advantages that limit transmission.

If there is not a significant shift to cycling or walking, private car use is likely to increase.

The results will be increased

congestion and pollution and reduced community amenity.

Never before have we seen such a shift to active modes as our population has sought to stay healthy and active during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our immediate priority must be to tackle the inadequacies of current walking and cycling infrastructure to enable physical distancing.

Beyond this, we must look to the future. To promote active transport, we need more space

that encourages these modes.

We need space for health.

This is one moment in time to undo the wrongs of past transport policies that promoted the use of private cars and harmed population health and the environment. We must use this opportunity to futureproof our cities, invest in active modes of transport, and ensure we provide safe and equitable mobility solutions for people today and for generations to come.

AUSTRALIA LAGGING BEHIND

D

SOURCE: THE CONVERSATION

CONCEPT: DIVYA HEMNANI

DESIGN: ABHISHEK GUPTA

espite the urgent need for connected networks of walking and cycling infrastructure in Australia, we have not seen a similar response from federal, state and territory governments.

At the moment, local councils often don’t have the authority to make changes locally or take road space without the approval of the state or territory government. We need these governments to recognise the need for rapid action and provide temporary delegation powers to local councils to enable quick infrastructure changes to support safe walking and cycling. This has happened in New Zealand and the UK. The roll-out of this infrastructure will also be critical in reactivating the economy when phys-

ical-distancing measures are relaxed.

Financial and planning experts have recommended against investing in major road projects.

Instead, they recommend small-

er-scale projects that focus on sustainable modes of transport.

Such projects will enable people to travel to work and school using transport modes that are both safe and healthy.

There will always be something that will not be entirely in our control. Our acceptance will make things easier, once we accept, we can handle and mould it.

—Jagdeesh Chandra, CEO & Editor, First India www.firstindia.co.in I www.firstindia.co.in/epaper/ I twitter.com/thefirstindia I facebook.com/thefirstindia I instagram.com/thefirstindia

2ND FRONT AHMEDABAD | THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2020

Lockdown makes Gujarat roads safer by 71 percent Yet the emergency calls see a surge of 25% due to non vehicular trauma cases First India News Gandhinagar: One of the major benefits accrued out of lockdown apart from containment of dreaded virus spread has been a almost two thirds drop in road accidents in the state.

Road accidents, on the corona forced lockdown roads, have reduced by 71% compared to nirma hustle bustle days. This pleasant outcome came to light in a analysis by an emergency service agency.

From about 398 daily cases of accidents in normal times, the number fell to 115 during the lockdown period, says the study conducted by GVK Emergency Management and Research Institute (EMRI) that operates the free 108 ambulance service in the state. A comparative analysis of calls received for various emergencies on nor-

FACT FILE

mal days and during the lockdown period showed that incidents of vehicular trauma, or accidents, fell sharply by 71 per cent, mainly due to lack of vehicles on roads, it said.

The case of non-vehicular trauma, however, rose from 281 on normal days to 400 during lockdown, showing more people were physically or sexually assaulted, or fell down

and hurt themselves, the analysis revealed.

Besides, the number of people calling for ambulance after suffering from high fever doubled during this period, mainly due to coronavirus concerns. The number of calls received for ambulance services during the lockdown between March 25 and April 25 in the state rose mainly due to restrictions on the movement of other vehicles, as per

the analysis.

The 108 ambulance service received about 3,854 calls on the daily basis for various emergency cases during the lockdown period showing a rise from 3,073 calls during normal days, an increase of 25 per cent. Out of 1.55 lakh emergencies served since March 18 by the 108 service, 10,272 were related to suspected coronavirus

Youth arrested for posting fake video

LIFE, INTERRUPTED Hindi film actor Irrfan Khan with his son Ayan on visit to Sabarmati Gandhi Ashram in Ahmedabad in 2016; Khan (53) passed away on Wednesday after a long battle with cancer at a hospital in Mumbai, his family said in an official statement.

First India News Porbandar : Lockdown idleness got too creative with one Raju Keshwala who uploaded a fake video claiming treatment of Covid-19.

The video also laid a condition a bill passed by Loksabha for the his medicine to be distributed free of cost to all. Video went viral in no time but also found the local police as its audience who aren’t amused by Raju’s tall claim that he was ready to be injected by the dreaded virus to prove his claim. Miyani Marine Police reached out to Raju at his residence and soon realized that he was making castle in air.

cases, the agency said.

The analysis also probed on the medical technicians and drivers providing emergency services and found two medical technicians to have been found infected which later recovered but it found satisfactory training and provision of protective gear to the drivers and technicians.

CORONA +VE ESCAPES ISOLATION First India News Surat: New Civil Hospital (NCH) witnessed escape of a 50 year old Covid-19 positive patient on Tuesday night from the isolation ward.

A shocked NCH management informed Surat Municipal Corporation of the escapade who then launched the

man hunt. SMC officials, along with Khatodara police, reached the residence of the patient but he wasn’t found there. Efforts to

nab him are on, police said. The patient tested positive on 21 April and was admitted to NCH the same day.

NCH Medical Superintendent, Dr. Preeti Kapadiya said, “Generally, the isolation ward has selective nurses and doctors. Nobody apart from the selected staffers is even al-

lowed to go near the isolation ward. COVID-19 patients are given special dresses and they can be easily identified if spotted in public areas.” Notably, a 55-year-old COVID-19 patient had also tried to escape the NCH a few days ago but was not allowed to enter his society.

08

MP police cuts short youths’ ride to UP First India News Ahmedabad: After being under lockdown for a month in Gujarat, 15 self-employed youths belonging to Uttar Pradesh left for home on their bikes but were detained by Madhya Pradesh police. The youths were then forced to come back to Ahmedabad through private transport since their vehicles were detained by MP police in Jhabua. They have been walking home to Chandlodia from the GodhraVadodara highway for the last 36 hours without any food.

Jitendra Vishwakarma, one of the youths, said, “We own wood businesses and are self-employed but we were running out of money by staying here in Ahmedabad so we decided to return to our native village in Uttar Pradesh.”

Vishwakarma added that 14 people started from Ahmedabad on seven bikes and that it was a hassle-free jour-

ney till they reached the Gujarat-Madhya Pradesh border. At Jhabua, they were stopped by the police.

Narrating the experience, he said, “MP Police asked us to contact the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and told us that if he approves, they will allow us to ride on to our native village in Uttar Pradesh.”

But since they did not have any contact with UP officials, MP police detained their vehicles and the youths were compelled to hire private transport to take them back to Ahmedabad.

They

Full Reference Court on Guj HC’s 60th

Crossing border: 60-yr-old in soup

The youths walking back to Chandlodia after being dropped on Godhra-Vadodara highway.

were told that the vehicle would drop them to Vadodara but they were dropped at the Godhra-Vadodara highway and have been walking home since last night.

When they last spoke to First India, the group of youngsters had already touched the border of Ahmedabad city.

But according to Vishwakarma, the group has been facing difficulties in walking since they haven’t eaten anything in the last 24 hours. Before going to print, First India had contacted the police control room and requested them to help the youngsters.

First India News Ahmedabad: Chief Justice of Gujarat High Court Justice Vikram Nath has cancelled all the functions related to the 60th Foundation Day celebration of the court.

In a letter written to all judicial officers, bar council office bearers and senior advocates the CJ has cancelled all programmes starting from 1 May to 3 May and then continuing in the rest of the year. However the letter states that a Full Court Reference will be held via video conferencing o 1 May at 11 am. Gujarat state along with the High Court came in to existence in 1 May 1960.

First India News Dang: A farm labourer who had gone to Bahaduri village in Maharashtra for work was jobless due to the lockdown.

He decided to go back to his native village Nimarpada in Dang district in Gujarat.

Zaver Chaudahri was caught by the police crossing the Mahar ashtr a-Gujar at border on Tuesday.

“We found him near Shamgahan village during the patrolling.

He entered into Gujarat via forest route.

He was going to his village on foot,” police said.

He was booked under various sections by the police. According to Dang police, over 25 such FIRs have been filed in different police stations against those labourers who were found to have entered into Dang district secretly amid lockdown.

Dang district have so far recorded two Covid-19 positive cases, both of them are Surat returned nurses. The village seniors want a humanitarian approach to Zaver like cases.

Jobless migrant worker stranded with 8 month pregnant wife First India News Surat: Shailendra Tomar is among those unlucky 1028 still waiting for a e pass to take his 8 month pregnant wife to Murena. He has applied online 8 times so far but he is still to be lucky.

Living in Dindoli area of Surat Shailendra wants the delivery of his child in Murena but Murena administration is asking him to come by bus Shailendra, u n d e r s t a n d a b l y,

can’t risk infection in a crowded bus for his wife Rita and yet unborn child.

He is further terrified with each new corona positive surfacing in the state and has sleepless nights fearing the worst.

Nagesh and Chatrapal, both cousins of Shailendra, say that they will go by a taxi if permitted. He thinks paying hefty taxi bill will be cheap compared to paying Rs 5000 rent for the flat where

GRAVE HUMANITARIAN ISSUE

Family members of three Porsa-based workers stranded in Surat.

they can’t even manage food for all of them.

The story is more or less same for all the migrant workers stranded in Gujarat all simply wanting to reach their homes what if to die there.

Khandauli resi-

dent Rinku Sikarwar, an auto driver, is living in Ghodasan Society, Chitrakoot Apartment. All 20 auto owners are ready to go to native village in their auto rickshaws as they are jobless and half eating. Labour de-

partment has been reaching out to the stranded workers as per its claims but the ground situation seems to be worsening by the day. The only way they are expressed is either through rare media reports or the violent demonstrations workers engage in to attract attention of the administration and media. All state govts should consider it a humanitarian issue and resolve at the earliest.

www.firstindia.co.in I www.firstindia.co.in/epaper/ I twitter.com/thefirstindia facebook.com/thefirstindia I instagram.com/thefirstindia AHMEDABAD, THURSDAY APRIL 30, 2020

IRRFAN

GONE TOO SOON “Dariya bhi main, darakht bhi main ... Jhelum bhi main, chinab bhi main ... dair bhi hoon, haram bhi hoon ... Shia bhi hoon, Sunni bhi hoon, main hoon pandit ... main tha, main hoon aur main hi rahoonga HAIDER ALI ZAIDI

I

cannot believe that Irrfan is no more.

On Wednesday at 11:30 am, I got a call from Irrfan’s brother Imran, who said that he had just been informed of Irrfan’s demise and the first phone call was to me.

I choked with emotion when he has aid that Irrfan was no longer in this world and now I was in his place for the family.

Irfan and I spent our childhood together, we were neighbours. He used to study in St. Paul’s and I studied in St. Xavier’s. We did not go to the same school but used to spend time together after school.

His father had a tyre shop at Chandi ki Taksal. They had a jeep, which was modified and worked on kerosene, but while starting, he used to put some petrol, Irrfan would laugh and say that we were fooling the jeep. His father would take all of us ion the jeep to Amer, Irrfan was very fond of his father though he did not share his interest in hunting.

We were fond of flying kites as children and would often get hurt due to falls, in one such incident Irrfan’s right hand was fractured. The bone did not mend with the result that the healed right hand was mildly crooked. He made that very thing a weapon in his fast bowling.

From the very beginning, he was a man who

Haider Ali Zaidi with Irrfan Khan

stood by you. Once when we were in college, I bumped into a roadways booth at Ajmeri Gate, where the current was flowing and I was stuck to it. All our friends ran away, but Irrfan stayed and saved me using his canvas shoes made of rubber. He ran and brought water and milk to revive me.

When he was selected in the National School of Drama, he came to meet me at 2 o’clock in the night and said that it seems that the connection with Jaipur is ending forever. After completing his studies at the National School of Drama, he moved to Bombay. Irrfan lived a life of immense struggle. He used to tell me that he had to eat such food that it strains the mind.

When I travel in local, I fantasise that some tiffin will fall in my lap and I will get good food for a change.

When his film Maqbool was released, I could not see it immediately, he kept on calling constantly to tell me to watch the film once.

When I finally went to watch the film, he called every once in a while, on every scene to ask how me and Rana (my wife) are liking it. He was a very intense and hard-working human. He was interested in all living and non-living things, used to live through everything, be it books, trees or the characters he played. He was an avid reader and would read a different genre of books, coaxing me to read as well by giving me choicest books.

Whenever he met, he would ask hundreds of questions to get all the news about each member of the family. We would go to Murali paan shop late at night during his trips to Jaipur and would walk together on the empty roads.

We would revisit the places of our childhood Jal Mahal, Amer, and all the places which carried the stamp of our escapades.

I even went to England in Novem-

ber 2018 to meet him. He hugged me as soon as I saw him and said, “See, I called you to London.” During those seven days, his talks were not focused on his illness but on where should I eat, sightsee, and do activities to make the trip memorable. When I went to him to take his leave before returning to India, he said that today there is a programme of Shreya Ghoshal and Rahat Fatah Ali Khan, so I should stay back to enjoy. Later, whenever we met, he did not discuss his illness, nor did I ever mention it publicly, but his eyes were such that they would speak loud and clear.

He was born a fighter and lived like a fighter. Even now, it seems that he will come back after defeating death and say that look, I have come back.

I am remembering the poetry of Faiz, as I think of Irrfan: “jis dhaj sy koe maqtal me gaya, woh shaan salamat rehti hai… ye jaan tu aani jaani hai iss jaan ki tu koe baat nhi…”

VERSATILE AND IRRESISTIBLE IRRFAN KHAN

09

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

AHMEDABAD | THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2020

10

FA CE OF TH ED AY

City First takes its readers to the flashback of the tremendous films actor Irrfan Khan had been a part of, and stunned everyone with his great acting skills, may it be in Bollywood industry, or Hollywood

YOUR DAY Horoscope by Saurabbh Sachdeva

ARIES

TAURUS

GEMINI

CANCER

You will have to deliver an outstanding performance on professional front to come into the limelight, if that’s what you desire. You have to take care that you hire the right person or people to manage your finances. You will work hard like anything on academic front today.

You will get lots of praises today in your office specially from your colleagues. A simple trip may become the most memorable trip ever leading to soul satisfaction.

You must always come to your spouse’s rescue. Near and dear ones will keep you entertained.

Those of you who have just entered your professional life must give your all in terms if efforts and hard work. Those of you feeling a bit restless today must try and meditate a little. Your kid will make your proud and you will be left totally surprised.

You get disheartened easily.

You must prevent yourself from thinking a lot today and try and keep yourself calm. However tempted you feel to spend beyond your pocket, you must refrain from it.

Your family will be in really good mood today and you together will have some awesome time together.

MAR 21 - APR 20

MAY 21 - JUNE 21

JUNE 22 - JULY 23

LEO

VIRGO

LIBRA

SCORPIO

Networking is really important for your career so try and become more socially active.

Homemakers will remain occupied in rearranging everything in the house as a new obsession. You will be able to keep upto the expectations of the family members.

You need to know the tactics to get your work done. You must make all the efforts to get your dream job and don’t stop in the middle. You will easily manage to get into your desired college. Your smile will win many hearts today so make sure to keep smiling whole day long.

You will be rewarded for your performance by higher ups. You can expect some raise very soon.

Keep away from stress and take things easy, tough time will soon pass and happy days will be back again. Don’t focus on impressing people; work on yourself.

You must do whatever it takes to maintain your relationship with those who matters. You are confident and ready to conquer the world. You must know there are others like you in this world and they can see through you therefore don’t consider anyone fool.

JULY 24 - AUGUST 23

AUG 24 - SEP 23

SEPT 24 - OCTOBER 22

OCT 23 - NOVEMBER 22

SAGITTARIUS

CAPRICORN

AQUARIUS

PISCES

Not everything can go as you have planned but there is nothing wrong in that, life surprises you in unexpected ways. You must refrain from flaunting your money or lifestyle as people can misunderstand you to be rude. On home front, your presence will keep things peaceful and calm today.

You have so far managed to keep yourself absolutely fit and others derive inspiration from you. You must not commit to something that you won’t be able to fulfil. On home front, you will have to deal with things with lots of patience. You have to get over your fears.

You are back to normal routine after a little break.

Things are really good with you. You will be in much demand in family today. Somehow fitness has become your primary focus for now. Exciting experiences in your work place will make your day. You will receive a good news today.

You will be able to complete a very time consuming work within allowed time. Sources of earning will open up for you from nowhere and you will be left surprised. You will have much enjoyment will your colleagues today.

Whatever you do, give your best.

NOV 23 - DEC 22

LARISSA D’SA, Influencer

APR 21 - MAY 20

DEC 23 - JAN 20

JAN 21 - FEB 19

FEB20 - MARCH 20

ETC

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

AHMEDABAD | THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2020

11

INDIA’S IRREPLACEABLE IRRFAN The perks of being a journalist are many, one among them is meeting your favourite celebrities.

When I look back I think of so many inspirational people I have met in my career but today all I can think of is one man - IRRFAN KHAN!

Irrfan Khan KAVITA CHAUHAN

M

... at Jal Mahal, Jaipur

y very first assignment as a journalist was to interview Irrfan Khan. The actor was in Jaipur to shoot an ad film, Resurgent Rajasthan. I followed him from one set to another but all in vain. Owing to his tight schedule the interview never happened and I had to suffice with a glimpse of him. I cannot forget how inspiring he looked even as he sat there looking up at the sky.

Those sharp eyes melt my heart even today.

Later in 2016 when he was in the city to promote ‘Madari’ I got a chance to meet him in flesh and blood. As I waited for him at the hotel suppressing the fan in me to take over, I saw him walk towards me wearing a dark blue suit, his messy locks of hair falling on his face. When makeup man tried to give him a touch up he said, “Ab isse jhaada kya accha dikhunga, yeh chehra hi aisa hai.” My heart skipped a beat but I managed a good interview with him. With his

Kavita Chauhan with Irrfan Khan

humble behaviour he put my nervousness to rest.

Luck has often been on my side. In 2017 I met Irrfan once again. It was a rendezvous to discuss his then-upcoming film ‘Hindi Medium’. This time he was a guest at my office (God! I did make quite an effort for that). A lot of excitement began to build among the team members as his visit to our office would be exclusive footage. At the last minute, his team called up to cancel the visit. I was devastated. O wouldn’t give up so easily. I did my best and

convinced his team to get him to our office. Finally, there is the guest room of my then office sat, The Irfan Khan. He was a little low owing to some tension that had happened earlier in the day.

With a view to settling the tension I spoke to him off camera and asked him how difficult it was for him to understand the English accent when he first went for his Hollywood auditions. He chuckled and said, “Oh bahut mushkil tha starting mein, per ab mujhe unka accent samaj mei aa jata hai.. the way

TOP-TWEETS

they roll their rrrrrrs.” The light chat off camera helped and he was on a roll during the actual interview.

Post that interview we were almost friends. We chatted at length and I told him about my first assignment, the one where I had to return emptyhanded. To this, in a very jovial mood, he replied, “Iska matlab meri wajah se aap journalist bani, dekhiye usse waqt aap mera interview lene aayi thi aur woh hua nahi.. lekin aaj mei khud aapke paas aaya hun apna interview dene”. Such was his humility.

I smiled and said, “Promise me that whenever you are in the city, you will come to our

...a flashback photo of his childhood

office.” To which he replied, “Mein yeh toh promise nahi karoonga ki mei isse office mei jaroor aaoonga but mei yeh promise karta hoon ki mei jab bhi Jaipur aaya aapse milne pukka aaounga.”

Such was my experience with one of the most versatile actors and an amazing human being. His words still echo in my ears. He is not among us today but the impressive works that he has done will always keep inspiring us. He, as his name suggests, was indeed a repository of knowledge and wisdom.

An actor par excellence and an artist in true sense. cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

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

BRINGING OUT

CITY FIRST JAIPUR

T

Meditation is a practice used by many different cultures to quiet the mind – and could be key to surviving Coronavirus quarantine

A

s physical distancing measures continue, more people are turning to meditation, and Google searches for information are at an all-time high. It is a practice that has been used by many different cultures and in many different ways, but always to quiet the mind and make us less reactive. In recent years, research on this ancient practice has shown that meditation may improve immune response, and also decrease stress and depression.

With everything that is happening in the world today, with everything that is out of our control, could meditation be the key to surviving quarantine?

City First talk to a few of its readers about how they are turning to meditation for not just survival but also mental well being!

Meditation simply means reaching a thoughtless state.

You can reach this state through any activity. Like when you exercise, sometimes you get in the zone so much that you forget everything around you, your body is performing activities but your mind is no longer there, that is meditation. Because you have managed to turn thoughts off.

As far as the current situation is concerned, we can use this time skillfully to help ourselves and our family members. We can meditate to heal our souls, read good books to enhance our understanding of the beautiful world and learn some new skills etc. We tortured nature not nature is retaliating. We will have to bear the consequences of our deeds patiently.

—DR MADHUSHREE CHOUDHARY

—ROSHNI SANGHVI

12

Lockdown Opportunities!

THE INNER PEACE

CITY FIRST JAIPUR & AHMEDABAD

AHMEDABAD | THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2020

Lockdown was the government’s choice; locking myself up in my ‘inner’net was mine! As the external din of life was further subdued, the inner stillness spoke louder still. My meditative practice took a deeper plunge.

Positivity heightened; perceptivity sharpened; connectivity with other hearts deepened; and I? … I changed.

Meditation, something which I learned as a student at the National Institute of Design (NID), has been a great tool for anchoring my inner self. With regular meditation practice of heartfulness (SRCM) technique, I have been able to overcome initial fears after the lockdown. The deep calm attained has certainly boosted my sense of well-being.

—PANKHI CHAUHAN

—- SWASTI SINGH GHAI

o encourage visual artists from Rajasthan to showcase their creativity, Jawahar Kala Kendra (JKK) is inviting artists to send online applications of any artwork or print work created by them during the COVID-19 lockdown. Director-General, JKK, Kiran Soni Gupta shared that the artwork must be created and submitted by the participants from 1 May to 10 May, by 12 midnight. Selected artwork will be displayed in the ‘Virtual Gallery’ of the JKK’s official website.

She further informed that the artwork can be based on any subject.

Participants will have to present their artwork in 4 stages: firstly a sketch on the medium, second when the work is completed 20% and successively when the artwork is 50% completed and fully completed. The artwork selected by the committee will win Rs 10,000 as a first prize, two artists will receive Rs 7000 as a second prize and 3 artists will receive Rs 5000 as third prize. Also, seven consolation prizes worth Rs 3,500 will be given and any other selected

artwork will receive Rs 2500 each.

Participants can email their entries on exhibition.jkk@rajasthan. gov.in with the title of the work, medium, size and name. It is compulsory to include the bank account statement as well as the IFSC code.

Other than this, a copy of the PAN card and aadhar card will also have to be provided. It will have to be verified that the submitted artwork has been prepared during the lockdown period. All selected participants will receive a certificate which will also be sent to them online. cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

Maintain work-life balance!

CITY FIRST

I

IHMR, Jaipur organised a webinar on ‘How to Balance Personal Life & Professional Life during this Lockdown’, where IIM Indore Director Dr. Himanshu Rai said that achieving a good work-life balance while working from home takes careful thought and planning. There should be designated time, space, and a method to work and focus on family

also. This we can achieve by practicing mindfulness.

We should derive our identity from what we love to do rather than relating our self-esteem and self-worth with our superficial designation.

Apart from Dr. Himanshu Rai, the panel also had Dr. Bhimaraya Metri, Director; IIM Trichy, said that we should learn from our Indian leaders like Shivaji, Vikramaditya, Chanakya. He said contextual leadership is in

the DNA of the Indians and this is why India is going to lead during this pandemic.

Dr. Pankaj Gupta, President, IIHMR University said that only 18% of people are living in a mindfulness state. Either they are carrying the burden of past or anxious about the future, which is hampering their worklife balance.

The webinar was attended by 630 participants. cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

WHAT’S HAPPENING!

Rajasthan: As the news of Irrfan’s death came in, there was a wave of shock and grief in his home, colony and everyone who knew him. Rafiq Khan also reached his residence at Ramgarh mod to convey his condolences in person. Most of the relatives conveyed their condolences telephonically in the wake of the national lockdown.

Ahmedabad: Patients practise yoga at the dedicated COVID-19 hospital in Ahmedabad to speed up the recovery process.

Rajasthan: Considering the safety of medical staff at Jaipuria Hospital, where more than 100 patients have been kept in isolation, 40 face shields, 50 N95 masks along with financial contribution have been made on Wednesday by the family members of Dr. Pankaj Saini, who is the President of Jaipuria Hospital Resident Doctors’ Association. The initiative was taken in the loving memory of Retired DSP Social worker Late Narayan Lal Saini by their family members.

Rajasthan: With the deadly virus affecting the people in the city, 45 Corona positive patients were admitted to the NIMS Hospital during the lockdown, out of which 29 patients have been recovered and reported negative recently. The patients will be discharged from the NIMS hospital soon. During the pandemic situation, the hospital management is providing facilities to the patents including treatment and food free of cost. SDM Lakshmikant Katara congratulated the staff and management for their incredible work.

Ahmedabad: Peak summer is still a while away, but this tree in Gandhinagar seems done with the hot weather, even if it does look dramatic against the blue sky.

Rajasthan: A free Webinar by real estate consultancy firm, Wealth Clinic is going to be held on 1 May, where CMD of Wealth Clinic, Amit Raheja will talk about the current state of the World and Indian economy, along with the future of the real estate industry. This will be for the benefit of Wealth Clinic customers and for anyone who is interested to listen to the views presented by Industry experts on the subject.

Ahmedabad: In addition to providing them with masks, personnel from the Border Security Force also ensured that people in the border areas of Kutch have enough water to drink, as temperatures soar to 42 degree Celsius amid the lockdown.

Rajasthan: Renowned Bollywood actress Samiksha Bhatt, originally from the Pink City is making a come back again on the national television. Earlier the actress was seen playing the role of Sita in the famous TV show ‘Sankat Mochan Hanuman Show (2012)’ along with many other Bollywood movies and short films.

Rajasthan: Amidst the countrywide lockdown, Former Councilors Santosh Sharma, Shankar Sharma, and Vijay Sahu are fulfilling their social responsibility by distributing 2,000 food packets at Sri Krishna Paradise Garden, Pratapnagar every day since 1 April. Many needy people from nearby areas are receiving those food packets regularly.