First India-Jaipur Edition-11 May 2020

OUR EDITIONS: JAIPUR & AHMEDABAD

CORONA

26°C - 41°C

ALERT JAIPUR l MONDAY, MAY 11, 2020 l Pages 12 l 3.00

COVID-19 UPDATE

RNI NO. RAJENG/2019/77764 l Vol 1 l Issue No. 334

INDIA

WORLD

2,82,658 41,52,778 2,212 67,138 DEATHS

DEATHS

CONFIRMED CASES

FACE OFF

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CONFIRMED CASES

RAJASTHAN

108

3,814

DEATHS

CONFIRMED CASES

GLOBAL STATE OF AFFAIRS

At a time when world is fighting a deadly war against Coronavirus, China’s aggressive intentions against India are unwarranted. China generally indulges in a border face-off with India whenever India’s relations with the US starts growing close, say experts

COUNTRY TOTAL CASES

TOTAL NEW DEATHS DEATHS

1,353,530 SPAIN 264,663 UK 219,183 ITALY 219,070 RUSSIA 209,688 GERMANY 171,704 BRAZIL 156,862 TURKEY 138,657 IRAN 107,603 CHINA 82,901

80,351 26,621 31,855 30,560 1,915 7,549 10,739 3,786 6,640 4,633

USA

+314 +143 +268 +165 +88 +18 +83 +47 +51 +1

WWW.WORLDOMETERS.INFO LAST UPDATED: MAY 10, 2020, 11:00 PM

IN RAJASTHAN

Border tensions between India and China have flared up once again with at least two incidents of violent clashes and stone-pelting taking place between rival troops in Ladakh and Sikkim over the last week, which left several soldiers on both sides injured. While situation in Sikkim is said to have been “resolved”, official “disengagement” has taken place in Ladakh.

Full report P5

DISTRICT

ON TRACK: TRAINS TO CHUG IN 15 CITIES FROM MAY 12 Rlys ready to run 300 trains daily: Goyal

First India News

New Delhi: There is so much pressure on the Central government during the Corona imposed lockdown that the it has decided to start train services to selected routes without waiting for the May 17 deadline to of lockdown. The impending economic slowdown and the movement of migrant workers posing a law and order issue, could be the reason for Indian Railways to gradually restart passenger train operations from May 12, Initially with 15 pairs of trains, the national transporter

Indian Railways will gradually restart passenger train operations —PTI from May 12.

said on Sunday.

Indian Railways will gradually restart passenger train operations from May 12, initially with 15 pairs of trains, the national transporter said on Sunday.

MONSOON SESSION OF PARL TO BE HELD AS PER SCHEDULE: BIRLA New Delhi: Upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament will be held as per the schedule, said Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Sunday. “Till now, there are no plans to postpone the session. The decision will be taken as per the situation at that time,” Birla said. On March 23, the Lok Sabha was adjourned sine die in wake of coronavirus outbreak nearly two weeks ahead of the scheduled date for conclusion of the Budget Session.

These trains will be run as special trains from New Delhi station connecting Dibrugarh, Agartala, Howrah, Patna, Bilaspur, Ranchi, Bhubaneswar, Secunderabad, Turn on P6

New Delhi: Railway Minister Piyush Goyal has appealed to all states to permit the operation of migrant special trains so that the stranded can reach home in the next three to four days.

The appeal comes a day after Home Minister Amit Shah wrote to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to allow such trains to run.

“As per the directions of Hon’ble PM @NarendraModi ji, Turn on P6

FORMER PM DR MANMOHAN SINGH ADMITTED TO AIIMS

PM to talk economy, post-lockdown plan with CMs today New Delhi: As India enters last week of the third phase of lockdown, which is scheduled to end on May 17, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold another meeting with state Chief Ministers via video-conference on Monday afternoon at 3 pm. This will be his fifth meeting with CMs to discuss post-lockdown strategy.

The focus could be on boosting economic activities amid a graded exit from the coronavirus-induced lockdown.

Sources in the government said the focus of the meeting would be on boosting economic activities and pushing efforts to convert

‘red’ zones with high COVID-19 case load into ‘orange’ or ‘green’ zones.

Monday’s meeting could also discuss further relaxations as part of a graded exit from the lockdown but all restrictions are unlikely to be withdrawn in one go, the sources suggested.

Turn on P6

New Delhi: Former PM Dr Manmohan Singh was admitted to AIIMS on Sunday following chest pain. “Former PM Dr Manmohan Singh has been admitted to AIIMS after complaining about chest pain,” hospital officials said. He was taken to the AIIMS cardio-thoracic ward and is currently under observation under supervision of Dr Professor Nitish Naik. Dr Singh currently represents Rajasthan in Upper House of Parliament. Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi spoke to Dr Singh’s wife over phone. AICC General Secretary Avinash Pande tweeted, Praying for his speedy recovery. Get well Soon Sir!” CM Ashok Gehlot also took to Twitter, “Much worried to know former PM Dr. Manmohan Singh ji has been admitted to AIIMS. I wish him speedy recovery, pray for his good health and long life.

TOTAL CASES

AJMER 220 ALWAR 20 BANSWARA 66 BARAN 3 BARMER 4 BHARATPUR 116 BHILWARA 43 BIKANER 39 CHITTORGARH 136 CHURU 17 DAUSA 22 DHOLPUR 21 DUNGARPUR 10 HANUMANGARH 11 JAIPUR 1219 JAISALMER 35 JALORE 8 JHALAWAR 47 JHUNJHUNU 42 JODHPUR 873 KARAULI 5 KOTA 250 NAGAUR 122 PALI 62 PRATAPGARH 4 RAJSAMAND 16 SWAI MADHOPUR 10 SIKAR 9 SIROHI 4 TONK 140 UDAIPUR 133 OTHER DIST. 2 3709 TOTAL OTHER (Italy) 2 EVACUEES 61 BSF 42 GRAND TOTAL 3814 SAMPLE RECEIVED SAMPLE NEGATIVE

NEW TOTAL CASES DEATH

+9 — — +2 — — — +1 — — — — +1 — +23 — +1 — — +11 — +17 +3 +2 — +1 — — +1 +4 +30 — +106 — — — +106

4 1 1 — — 2 2 1 2 1 — — — — 57 — — — — 17 1 10 2 — 1 — 1 2 — 1 — 2(UP) 108 — — — 108

1,66,424 1,58,830

UNDER EXAMINATION

3,780

WAR ON CORONA

Gehlot now wins heart & soul of oppn, also Raje CM holds VC with MLAs and MPs across all political parties in Rajasthan Naresh Sharma/ Yogesh Sharma

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot during a video conference with Vasundhara Raje where Health Minister Dr Raghu Sharma, DB Gupta, Kuldeep Ranka, Subodh Agarwal, Rohit K Singh, Bhupendra Singh and others were present.

Jaipur: Much respected across the globe for his statecraft treatise Arthashastra, Kutilya had written a quote that has stood the test of time. His exemplary one line work ‘The enemy of my enemy is my friend’, appears to have brought two opposing

forces of current times on the same pedestal, this time to face a strong foe in Corona. The two opposing forces in Rajasthan, primarily, BJP and Congress came together on Sunday to brainstorm on the possible ideas and suggestions to win over Corona.

While there were representatives of other parties as well, however, what

was clear was the fact that a towering CM has garnered secret praise from BJP leaders, including former CM Vasundhara Raje and LOP Gulab Chand Kataria, winning their hearts by his move to take everyone along. In a significant gesture, the former lady chief minister opted to stay for almost twelve hours Turn on P6

CM appriciates Raje’s involvement in 12-hr VC Jaipur: During the VC Gehlot observed that Raje had been connected for nearly twelve hours and responded to Rajen appreciation of Gehlot’s marathon VC, saying, “You have also stayed connected the entire day. We felt good.

Everyone has come together to fight this pandemic which is a big thing. We have a responsibility towards people of Rajasthan,”

Gehlot said.

Raje thanked Corona warriors and said, “the biggest problem before us is of migrant workers. Anyone travelling inter-state should be given passes quickly and quarantine centres for the migrants coming to Rajasthan will have to be created. These centres should be at the border and there should be proper arrangement for food.

Turn on P6

NEWS JAIPUR | MONDAY, MAY 11, 2020

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02

SOME RESPITE ON A HOT DAY

Rain clouds move in over the skyline of deserted Badi Chaupar area in Jaipur at 5.25 PM on Sunday amid the nationwide lockdown imposed to curb the spread of coronavirus. A sudden change in weather and rain and hail was witnessed in some parts of the state, including Jaipur on Sunday. The MeT has issued an alert for the next four days. Thunderstorms were mainly witnessed in some parts of Bikaner, Dholpur, Bandikui and Jaipur. But, this change has given relief to the people from the rising heat. The effect of rain and storm was visible in Ajmer, Bundi, Sawai Madhopur, Karauli, Churu, Tonk, Dausa, Nagaur, Sikar, Jaipur, Baran and Jhalawar and a warning has been issued in several places till May 14.

—PHOTO BY SUMAN SARKAR

Despite PM, CM’s appeals, JK Lakshmi Cement sacks workers

Illiterate workers don’t even have courage to make a legal complaint against the co.

First India News Sirohi: Height of insensitivity, the crest of money mindedness, and notion of being above the law of the land could only let a factory management act, the way they did.

Despite PM Modi appealing the industry owners not to sack any worker during current corona crisis and in spite a sensitive Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot’s repeated appeals to not let anyone go hungry, the JK Lakshmi Cement management and its contractors sacked the migrant workers from Bihar and forced them out the factory premises.

—Pic for representtional purpose only

These workers from Aaraa have been grinding stones for this cement factory for some years now but the factory management turned inhuman

and sent all the labourers packing, despite the appeals by both the PM and CM to not retrench them.

These workers are now forced to travel to

their native places on foot. Empty stomach workers, luckily, found some philanthropists on the way who fed them otherwise the JK Lakshmi

management didn’t even bother to give them food for the way.

The group of these 40 migrant workers aims to move out of state from the Udaipur border and then move towards Bihar. The money and muscle power of the cement company management has nobody standing by their side in this hour of need and they are forced to take on an inhuman journey back home with no money to support them.

Illiterate and dumbfounded by the power of their employers they don’t even have the courage to make a legal complaint against the factory bosses.

‘Centre should provide `10K aid to needy’ First India News Jaipur: Transport Minister Pratap Singh Khachariyawas said that due to the negligence and wrong policies of the central govt, crores of workers of the country are being forced to walk on the roads in scorching heat.

The centre took so long to understand the problems of workers.

He added that new crops have arrived, but the quota of wheat was not increased in Food Security Guarantee Act of the state govts. At this time, the central govt should provide 10 kg of wheat per person on every ration card and Aadhar card to help the labourers and unemployed people of the country. Along with it, financial assistance of Rs. 10,000 should be given to the needy.

‘Over 22 lakh employed 156 students leave to their CM PRAISES EFFORTS homes in T’gana & Andhra OF SRIVASTAVA under MNREGA’ First India News

Kashiram Chaudhary

First India News

Jaipur: Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot said on Sunday, in Jaipur, “Keeping in view the usefulness of MNREGA for providing employment in rural areas in the present situation, the emphasis has been placed on the employment of workers by starting more and more work. During the lockdown, only 62,000 workers were employed till April 17, whereas today

Jaipur: The Rajasthan govt and Jaipur dist administration is making every effort to prevent the spread of coronavirus. The govt is also sending labourers and students stuck here to their homes in other states. A similar case came up at Gyan Vihar University in Jaipur, where the students from Telangana & AP were stuck for a long time.

They met young social

Jaipur: CM Ashok Gehlot interacted with Rajasthani migrants of more than 50 countries, including students, workers, & industrialists, through VC on Sunday. At first, Rajasthan Foundation Chairman Dheeraj Srivastava addressed the VC. Other dignitaries, including Health Minister Dr Raghu Sharma, Rajeeva Swarup, & Subodh

Sachin Pilot

the labor employment has exceeded 22 lakh.”

He said that under MGNREGA, more than 2.27 lakh workers have been employed in Bhilwara and 1.93 lakh in Dungarpur.

—Pic for representtional purpose only

worker Uttam Sharma and Jaipur District Collector Dr Jogaram, who helped the students apply online and provided permission to call students to Telangana & AP govts. On Sunday, about 156 students left for their place in 5 buses.

OFF THE RECORD

Dheeraj Srivastava

Agarwal, were also a part of the VC. Actually, Gehlot had given the task of arranging online interaction with Rajasthanis living abroad and he did it with constant efforts for the last 2-3 weeks.

‘TUSSLING’ THEIR WAY TO THE ‘TOP’!

Rajendra Chhabra hile Rajasthan is reeling under the Corona crisis, two W senior bureaucrats are having a go at each other in order to score on their ‘opponent’ and settle ‘scores’. The

ongoing ‘clash’ is not a mere power tussle between two equally placed and important bureaucrats, more so since they play an important role in handling Corona in state, but also because the prime reason for their struggle is power. We shall come to that in a bit, but first, let us establish the identities of these two officials who believe that clashing among themselves is more important that coming to gether to fight of Corona.

Well these two are ACS (Home) Rajeeva Swarup and ACS (Industries) Subodh Agarwal. While their differences have been long standing however in the current situation, their ‘issues’ have come to the fore even during various meetings and discussions in the CMR, which has resulted in confusion for other members of the ‘Core Team’.

A recent incident is case in point. The Centrl Government had issued guidelines and advisory several days back for travel of migrant labourers. Under this, the state government had to issue detailed order. The work related labour movement was to be handled by the high power committee formed under ACS Industries Subodh Agarwal. Since there was no clear guideline and advosory by state government, the district collectors were in a state of confusion and were seeking guidance from their nodal officers but the nodal officers themselves had no idea. When people started reaching borders and created a tough situation for officials, the Collectors took matters in their own hands, but instead of the problem ending, it resulted in disorganization.

Around a week back, the matter came to CM Ashok Gehlot’s notice after which the decision to seal off the inter-state borders and handing over of NOC power to Home department from Collectors. It was decided that pending guidelines and advisory were to be issued immediately. It was then that Subodh Agarwal showed some activity and called four officials under him. On Friday, Bhaskar Sawant, Siddharth Mahajan, Ashutosh and Jitendra Kumar worked through the day, however on the other ‘front’, ACS Home Rajeeva Swarup was also ‘active’ in this matter. Taking some help from Samit Sharma, he set out for ‘work’ and even before Agarwal’s committee would release an order or advisory, around 5 PM, the HOme department released an order. It was Agarwal’s duty and responsibility, but Swarup scored over him. Such tussles are being observed daily by those in the power circles which have led to confusion among junior officials. Infact, the DOP had released an order on 14th April related to various IAS and IPS officials who have been made nodal officers for various states to bring back migrants.

However, Subodh made correction in the order and handed a list from his side, which was vetted by CS DB Gupta on 26th April where three female nodal officers had been removed which created another furore. There were further discrepancies in the order and the Chief Secretary had to quash his order and release a new order on 28th April.

So now lets come to the main point as to why are these two playing the harp against each other? Well five months from now, the chair of Chief Secretary will go vacant after the current CS retires. It is this position that the duo are eyeing and for their personal gain, aren’t shying away from causing troubles for the government, let alone the common man!

JMC conducts sampling of 400 vendors Min holds meet to strengthen First India News

—Pic for representtional purpose only

in 5 zones of the Municipal Corp and sampling of kiosk handlers and

fruit-vegetables sellers of the areas was done.

The Commissioner

informed that more sampling will be done in these 5 zones today,

whereas the sampling work in remaining 3 zones will be done from Tuesday. In all the zones of Municipal Corporation and all 10 assembly constituencies under the corporation, the vigilance branch made the announcement of sampling while spreading awareness among the people that only the authorised fruit-vegetables sellers will be allowed to enter colonies.

locust prevention systems Aishwarya Pradhan Delhi: Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Kailash Chaudhary held discussions with agricultural scientists of various ICAR institutes at Delhi Pusa Campus to succeed in taking action to stop locust attacks in the desert areas of western Rajasthan.

—PHOTO BY NADEEM KHAN

Jaipur: Taking a precaution to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the Municipal Corporation conducted a sampling of 250 vegetable sellers and 100 corporation personnel on Sunday. Authority and Commissioner of Municipal Corporation Jaipur Greater and Heritage Vijaypal Singh said that a camp was organized

ZONE-WISE SAMPLING

A view of locusts attack in Ajmer on Sunday.

In the meeting, talks

were held on various topics, including strengthening locust prevention systems formed by the central government, effective coordination of centerstate, use of farmers’ tractor and machine on rent, purchase of new machines and drones, use of helicopter spray, locust surveillance and mobile app, etc.

RAJASTHAN JAIPUR | MONDAY, MAY 11, 2020

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STATE REPORTS TWO DEATHS AND 106 CASES IN 24 HOURS

30 new cases were found in new hotspot Udaipur, Jaipur so far has the most cases First India News Jaipur: 2 corona deaths were reported in last 24 hours taking the total to 108. Jaipur & Banswara reported one death each. Sunday reported 106 new corona positive cases. 30 new cases were reported from latest hotspot Udaipur followed by Jaipur with 23 positives, 17 from Kota, 11 from Jodhpur, 9 from Ajmer, 4 from Tonk, 3 from Nagaur, 2 each from Baran & Pali and one each from Bikaner, Dungarpur, Jalore, Rajsamand a& Sirohi. The state total for corona positives stands at 3814.

State has tested 166424 samples so far out of which 158830 have re-

Medical vans supplying medicines in the curfew imposed walled city area.

—PHOTO BY NAIM KHAN

Jodhpur 873, Kota 250, Ajmer 220, Tonk 140, Chittorgarh 136, Udaipur 133, Nagaur 122, Bharatpur 116, Banswara 66, Pali 62, Jhala-

war 47, Bhilwara 43, Jhunjhunu 42, Bikaner 39, Jaisalmer 35, Dausa 22, Dholpur 21, Alwar 20, Churu 17, Rajsmand 16, Hanumangarh 11,

ported negative while reports for 3780 samples is awaited.

Jaipur leads the most positive cases tally with 1219 cases followed by

Sawai Madhopur & Dungarpur 10 each, Sikar 9, Jalore 8, Karauli 5, Pratapgarh, Barmer & Sirohi, 4 each and Baran with 2 cases.

Apart from this 42 BSF jawans, 2 Italians, two from other states, 61 Indians evacuated from Iran. 31 districts are officially corona infected as of now.

23 new cases reported in Jaipur were distributed across the district. On Sunday 10 new cases surfaced from Shashtri Nagar, 4 from Ramganj, 3 from Chandpole and one case each from Purani Basti, Nahari Ka Naka, Murlipura, Mahesh Nagar, Dadi Ka Phatak and Malviya Nagar.

Bharatpur hopes to be corona free in next two days First India News

To curb virus, admn shifting people to quarantine centres Ravi Sharma

Bharatpur: Out of 115 patients found corona positive in Bharatpur, 105 patients have fully recovered, and it is expected that the entire district will be free from corona in the next one or two days.

Corona warriors, under the leadership of the district collector of Bharatpur, Nathmal Didel, headed the war against Corona.

In a special talk with First India News with Didel said that the Bayana town of Bharatpur district has emerged as a new model of effective control over this epidemic. So far the 99 infected patients in Bayana town have fully recovered and the remaining three will soon be healthy.

Udaipur: Local administration was stirred up after about 85 people turned out to be Corona positive from Kanji Ka Hata area of Udaipur.

On Sunday, the district administration took an important decision to prevent conditions akin to Jaipur’s Ramganj area in the narrow lane area of the city, and started shifting the people of Kanji’s Hata area to the Quarantine Center.

In the first phase, people whose corona checkup results were negative were shifted.

To carry out the action, the administration team arrived in the area on Sunday and all people were taken to

Anti-poaching patrolling teams Tussle between Raj and UP to stop hunting during lockdown police over Bihar labourers Nirmal Tiwari Jaipur: Incidents of wildlife hunting during lock-down have increased in many states of the country including Rajasthan. Union Ministry of Forest and Environment has written an eight-point letter to the Chief Wildlife Warden of all the states to prevent poaching incidents.

After receiving the letter, patrolling has been increased in all three tiger parks and dense forest areas in the state. During lockdown, hunting incidents have reported from Ranthambore, Bikaner’s Kolayat, Alwar and many other places.

The letter written by the Union Ministry of Forest and Environment has specifically cited hunting of pangolin, deer and Indian crested porcupine. In the state, a case of deer hunting came up in Chakeri village of Ran-

thambore forest area.

Hunting incidents have been seen in many places in the state that due to reduced human intervention during the lock down, wildlife have wandered out of the forests into residential areas. There have

also been incidents of bears coming to human settlement in Nagaur and Sirohi. This situation is dangerous for wildlife.

The letter also states that special equipment should be provided to anti poaching patrolling teams and arrangements for roundthe-clock surveillance be made. Chief Wildlife Warden Arindam Tomar has formed patrolling teams in dense forest areas including Ranthambore, Sariska and Mukandra Tiger Park. The Anti poaching patrolling team has also arrested the accused of the hunting case in Chakeri of Ranthambore.

First India News

Jaipur: Following the death of migrants who got in the way of freight train in aurangabad, the North-West Railway administration issued advisories to its locomotive pilots, patrolling staff and security force.

Chief PRO of NWR Abhay Sharma said, “The locomotive pilots have been asked to be careful and cautious. At the same time, the patrol teams have also been instructed to be

Hindoli: Despite lockdown the Sathoor area in the sub division is busy with illegal mining activities. The illegal mining is being carried out in the name of some valid mining lease which nobody has seen.

Scores of villagers along with Jai Singh Bhat (deputy sarpanch) came out with the exact areas of illegal mining.

According to them areas near as Baidyanath Mahadev, Hathi Bagh,

—Pic for representation purpose only

more vigilant and stop human movement on tracks. RPF is also taking precautions. The administration has appealed to the public that since the North Western Railway is trans-

in

BRIEF

z Jaipur: A curfew was

imposed in Transport Nagar and Murlipura areas on Sunday due to new corona positive patients reported there. At present, the curfew has been imposed in 34 police station areas, including the walled city area, of Jaipur Commissionerate. z Jaipur: On Sunday, the police seized 59 vehicles for violations during the coronavirus induced lockdown and arrested 20 people for violating Section 144. Also, 12 cases were filed under the

porting essential commodities through goods trains, freight trains and parcel trains, thus people should not have the misconception that trains are not running on the tracks.”

Disaster Management Act. As of now, 383 cases have been registered, under which 952 people have been arrested. Till Sunday, police have seized 16373 vehicles. z Jaipur: Thieves broke into three houses in different police station areas of the commissionerate.

Manglam City in Kalwar area at the house of a constable - thieves stole LED, documents of the girl and clothes. A house in the Kanota area - thieves took away jewelry and Rs. 5,000 cash from the

cupboard. A house in Vrindavan Colony of Shikarpura in the Sanganer area - thieves stole Rs. 37,000 cash and gold-silver jewelry. z Jaipur: Both the accused who murdered a seller of cannabis plant leaves, in the Mahesh Nagar police station area, were made to appear before the court on Sunday. The court has sent both of them to one day police custody and they are being interrogated by the police. The SHO said that it was initially a blind murder case.

the quarantine center with the necessary goods, where they will be kept for 14 days.

Administration has assured that all necessary arrangements have been made in the quarantine centres.

Along with shifting the people from the infected area, sanitisation process has also been accordingly accelerated. It is being predicted that in the next few days, all the people will be shifted to the Quarantine Centre and after that the area will be sanitised by spraying chemical on a wide scale.

So far, 113 coronainfected patients have been diagnosed in Udaipur city. Most of them are residents of the city.

Youth Cong tasked to distribute 1cr masks First India News

Police force monitoring the movement of labourers at the border.

First India News Bharatpur: Hundreds of Bihar labourers, travelling from Bharatpur are being barred from entering Uttar Pradesh’s Rarah border border.

Since Saturday morning, hundreds of

laborers from Bihar had reached the Rarah border from different areas of Rajasthan, but the Mathura police only allowed the workers of Uttar Pradesh to enter their border and people from Bihar were stopped.

In Bharatpur, talks

are being held between Mathura officials, but no solution has been found so far.

The matter got serious on Sunday when the police personnel of Rajasthan and UP got against each other for letting the labourers cross the border.

NWR asks staff to be vigilant, appeals Complaints on illegal mining activities people to not be careless on tracks fall on deaf ears, villagers demand action First India News

03

Ongoing mining activities in Sathoor area in the sub division.

z Jaipur: Nirbhaya Squad

team greeted the mothers of newborn babies in the curfew affected areas of the city on the occasion of Mother’s Day. Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police and Nodal Officer of Nirbhaya Squad Sunita Meena informed that the team went to various places to ask about the well being of the mothers and wish them. z Jaipur: SMS Hospital doctors saved a woman from being crippled after a successful operation of 5.5 hours. The hand claw

Nakshi Ganesh temple, Ghats of Chandrabhaga river and Aravali hills have been severely exploited by the mining mafia. They are excavating almost 200-300 trolleys/dumpers every day. The gram panchayat has been complained through a official petition but there has been no action against them.

They allege that the mafia has encroached over a large area in the name of a legal mining lease and are mining indiscriminately. Lo-

of a 25-year-old resident of Malpura was cut off due to domestic dispute and the victim was admitted to the hospital at 2 pm.

The operation was carried out by doctors of Plastic Surgery and Anaesthesia departments. z Hanumangarh: The prisoners in Hanumangarh were beaten badly on Saturday night, revealed by media. After the incident was exposed, jail administration took 13 injured prisoners to district hospital Hanumangarh for treatment. Jailer Yogendra

cals allege that the mining accountant of Bambori mines Dayakishan and temple priest Morpal Maharaj are complicit in it. They demanded demarcation of the area to identify legal lease owners.

The mining activities continues during night and it falls on deaf ears of administration.

These indiscriminate blasts have caused cracks in many buildings. The agitated villagers demand immediate and strict action.

Singh and jail staff have been accused of badly beating the prisoners. z Jaipur: The boundation of construction in a fixed time would be revoked by an amendment in the land use change rules. In this regard, UDH Minister Shanti Dhariwal has given the approval and official orders will be issued soon.

Actually, the boundation is there in the Land Use Change Rules-2010, under which the construction has to be completed in the given time after issuing the lease.

Jaipur: All India Congress Committee (AICC) has instructed the Youth Congress to create 1 crore masks with the base material, they have been tasked to distribute these masks among the public under the wear mask India campaign.

The target set is to distribute 5 lakh masks in Rajasthan, including 1 lakh masks in Jaipur, which are being prepared in the state Youth Congress headquarters.

Youth Congress state president and MLA Mukesh Bhakar said that the target of preparing and distributing 10,000 masks has been given to all district executives.

It is their endeavour to make the masks be distributed to maximum number of people. For this, the work of manufacturing masks has been undertaken at the Youth Congress headquarters.

PERSPECTIVE JAIPUR | MONDAY, MAY 11, 2020

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IN-DEPTH

LEARNING TO LIVE WITH THE VIRUS, THE ONLY OPTION

COVID-19: PROTECTING DIGNITY OF THE LOWER MIDDLE CLASS Central, as well as state govt, has ensured that nobody is deprived of essential needs SS BHANDARI The writer is FCA, Founder Partner of S. Bhandari & Co. Jaipur since 1971, Executive President, Jaipur Foot (Artificial Limb - BMVSS)

J

ust as the government was mulling further lifting of lockdown came the disturbing news of grocery and vegetable shops being shut down till May 15 to prevent what the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) calls the “super spreaders” from passing on the pathogen to other members of the community. These superspreaders may also include petrol pump attendants, garbage collectors, and milk vendors, who were allowed to function during the lockdown not only in Ahmedabad but other cities as well. The AMC had been tracking these high-risk super spreaders since April 20 and found 334 of them to be the carriers of novel coronavirus which causes Covid-19. It is not that other states have not realised the vulnerability of this section or they have not been found positive but the number in Ahmedabad is staggering and alarming.

Gujarat, along with Mumbai, Delhi, and West Bengal, is a major cause for concern for the Central government which is under pressure from the Confederation of Indian Industry. It has suggested that districts with significant industrial and business should be allowed “even if there are cases of novel coronavirus…” ‘A Strategy Note on Resumption of Economic Activities in Industrial Areas’ which the CII submitted to the government after the extension of lockdown on May 1, said, “The third phase of lockdown necessitates a focused strategy to minimise economic contraction due to Covid-19, without compromising on efforts to control the contagion.”

The CII also suggested doing away with the current practice of classifying the entire district as Red Zone. Instead, there is a need for classifying zones as containment, Orange, and Green within an industrial district. It said that economic activity should be permitted in all areas of a Red Zone with varying degrees of relaxation but health and safety protocols would differ from zone to zone.

The suggestions are in keeping with the global trend. In the United States, people are protesting the lockdown and President Donald Trump is a strong votary of reviving economic activity. As several states also want easing of lockdown restrictions, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will discuss the issue with chief ministers in a video conference on Monday, the fifth on the pandemic. A graded exit to boost economic activity while keeping the necessary restrictions strictly in place could be a way out.

With no vaccine or cure in sight, the virus is not going away anytime soon. But it also cannot be allowed to subjugate the human spirit.

As someone said, “We must learn to live with corona.” Another lockdown can’t be ruled out but with a little more breathing space.

I

It is a high time that we have to appreciate the plight of lowermiddle-class (Neo Poor) who have already started getting pain since most of them have been retrenched or selfemployment opportunities having been lost

mmediate after Lockdown, the plight of the large labour force, who were either casual or daily earners, was addressed and the first fiscal stimulus of 1.70 lacs crores of the Central Government was announced to counter distress. Central, as well as state government, has committed to ensuring that nobody dies or deprives of essential daily needs. Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package announced on March 26th, 2020 for the financial support and relief of poor, marginalised women, etc. and Rs 31,235 crores has been disbursed under various heads, which has given some sign of relief to these people.

It is a high time that we have to appreciate the plight of lower-middle-class (Neo Poor) who have already started getting pain since most of them have been retrenched or self-employment opportunities having been lost. Neo Poor, however, have to continue carrying on their daily expenditure of household, education for children, rent, electricity, EMI, etc.

This vulnerable section comprises an economic class who are ordinarily self-sufficient, but in times of sudden economic disruption, they lose their sources of sustenance income and daily livelihoods. This can result due to a situation like a current pandemic or a vicious cycle of the socio-economic disorder. Statutory direction to pay salary for long to such a workforce during the lockdown may not be feasible since many employers will face serious cash flow problems.

Mr NR Narayana Murthy, in his recent interaction, advised that the country has to learn to live with coronavirus and advised the government to lift the lockdown. Mr Murthy warned that continuing lockdown and not resuming ordinary activities would cause more deaths due to hunger and malnutrition far over the deaths due to coronavirus.

Such opinion has also been ex-

pressed by a large number of economists, bankers, and financial experts.

However, the government in the best of its wisdom has extended lockdown for two weeks up to May 17th, 2020. The Government has also taken a call to open the functioning of industries, mining, trade, commerce, construction work, etc. to resume their activities subject to ensuring observance of all the MHA/State guidelines under Covid-19 based on areas and classifications of Zones.

In such a scenario, in all likelihood, normal operations across the country (Commerce, Trade, Industry, Services, and all other areas) are not likely to be resumed for 8 - 12 months.

A draft model of the scheme, which can be implemented through the banking sector and without much financial burden to the government, is suggested hereunder: l Name of the Scheme: Short term loan for the sustenance of individual losing employment post-COVID-19. l The scheme to avail loan equivalent to 9-10 months income of that individual either based on income certificate or self-declaration. l The loan can be released on 1st day of every month,

Mr NR Narayana Murthy, in his recent interaction, advised that the country has to learn to live with coronavirus and advised the government to lift the lockdown

which may be said from June 1st, 2020. l The repayment of the loan can be made in 10 installments after a period of one year. l The interest on such a loan can be at the base rate or around it. l Most of these Neo Poor have bank accounts and in many cases other identification like Aadhar, PAN, and PF/ ESI details. These peoples

The coronavirus pandemic’s gender imperative

R

egardless of where one looks, it is women who bear most of the responsibility for holding societies together, be it at home, in health care, at school, or in caring for the elderly. In many countries, women perform these tasks without pay. Yet even when the work is carried out by professionals, those professions tend to be dominated by women, and they tend to pay less than maledominated professions.

The COVID-19 crisis has thrown these gender-based differences into even sharper relief.

Regional frameworks, multilateral organizations, and international financial institutions must recognize that women will play a critical role in resolving the crisis, and that measures

04

to address the pandemic and its economic fallout should include a gender perspective.

We see three areas where women and girls are particularly at risk and in need of stronger protections in the current crisis.

First, experience shows that domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence increases during crises and disasters. It happened during the 2014-16 Ebola and 2015-16 Zika epidemics, and it appears to be happening now. Under conditions of quarantine or stay-at-home measures, women and children who live with violent and controlling men are exposed to considerably greater danger.

The need to support these women and children will only increase when the crisis is over and people are free to move around

For women and girls, vulnerabilities in the home, on the front lines of health care, and in the labor market must be addressed

again. We must ensure that women’s shelters and other forms of assistance are maintained and strengthened accordingly. Governments and civil-society groups must provide more resources such as emergency housing and telephone helplines, perhaps leveraging mobile technologies in innova-

tive new ways, as is happening in so many other domains.

Second, the majority of those on the front lines of the pandemic are women, because women make up 70% of all health and social-services staff globally.

We urgently need to empower these women, starting by providing more resources to those who also assume primary responsibility for household work.

Increasingly, that could include caring for infected family members, which will subject these women to even greater risk.

Women also account for the majority of the world’s older population – particularly those over 80 – and thus a majority of potential patients.

Yet they tend to have less access to health services than men do.

Worse, in several coun-

tries that experienced previous epidemics, the provision of sexual- and reproductive-health services – including prenatal and maternal care and access to contraceptives and safe abortions – was reduced as soon as resources needed to be reallocated for the crisis. Such defunding has grave consequences for women and girls, and must be prevented at all costs.

Finally, women are particularly vulnerable economically. Globally, women’s personal finances are weaker than men’s, and their position in the labor market is less secure.

Moreover, women are more likely to be single parents who will be hit harder by the economic downturn that is now in full swing.

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generally have a credit card too. Banks can assess the borrower based on such details. l The bank may also take post-dated cheques from such borrowers. l The loan may be guaranteed by the government to ensure that the bank doesn’t have further pressure on NPAs. I have to add that such borrowers, who have families and dignified background, living in sustainable standards, will generally not default. The scheme can be duly rationalised or modified to ensure proper implementation.

Apart from government support, it is for the Society/Samaj of each of the communities to extend support/engage them. Other NGOs or organisations also should come forward to reach out to such neo poor and craft appropriate systems to provide the basic substantive support immediately while protecting their identity.

The religious leaders and other Gurus, who have very large followings, may choose to ask their followers to support those Neo Poor, and spending money on religious festivals, temples, or other such causes can be kept in abeyance for the time being for Neo Poor will survive this nightmare.

Top

TWEET Dharmendra Pradhan @dpradhanbjp Interacted with overseas Odia friends from the USA through video conferencing. We discussed the #Covid19 situation in our countries and measures taken by our respective governments to slow down transmission, flatten the curve and prevent further spread of the coronavirus.

Piyush Goyal @PiyushGoyal Railways has created an innovative remote controlled device RailMitra, to carry essentials to COVID-19 patients. Equipped with UV chamber for disinfection, 360 degree camera & automatic hand sanitiser, the device will also disinfect contaminated floor, walls & other objects.

Spiritual SPEAK

Two are better than one ... for if they fall, one will lift up the other.

—Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Vol 1 Issue No. 334 RNI NO. RAJENG/2019/77764. Printed and published by Anita Hada Sangwan on behalf of First Express Publishers. Printed at Bhaskar Printing Press, D.B. Corp Limited, Shivdaspura, Tonk Road, Jaipur.

Published at 304, 3rd Floor, City Mall, Bhagwan Das Road, C-Scheme, Jaipur-302001, Rajasthan. Phone 0141-4920504. Editor: Jagdeesh Chandra, responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act

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05

‘82% who lost their lives, were above 50’ Number of cases in the National Capital climbed to 6,923 on Saturday, the CM said New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday said that the most number of COVID-19 deaths have been reported amongst people above the age of 50 and the elderly.

“We have analysed that 82 per cent of the people who lost their lives were above the age of 50. We are seeing that there are more deaths among the elderly,” said Kejriwal while addressing the media here. He requested the people to follow all health precautions so as to avoid contracting the highly contagious coronavirus.

“Out of roughly 7,000 positive cases in Delhi, approximately 1,500 are

There are 6,923 coronavirus cases so far in Delhi and 2,069 patients have recovered and 73 have died.Out of the 6,923 Covid-19 patients, only 1,476 are admitted at hospitals. The rest or about 75% are getting treatment at their homes and Covid-19 centres. Our teams are visiting their homes to ensure that they are following all the protocols every day.

—Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi CM

in hospital. Out of these 1,500 cases, only 27 are on the ventilator. The majority of these cases are mild or asymptomatic,” he added.

51 people are in the intensive care unit while approximately 75

per cent of the coronavirus cases are either mild or asymptomatic (ICU).

The Chief Minister also added that the government has requisitioned ambulances from private hospitals as complaints were re-

ceived that people had to wait for several hours for ambulances.

He further informed that the government has attached at least two 5-star hotels with Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital, for the treat-

ment of healthcare professionals and COVID-19 warriors, if they contract the infection while performing their duty.

The number of cases in national capital climbed to 6,923 on Saturday, he said. —ANI

Indian, Chinese troops clash in Ladakh and Northern Sikkim sector; several injured New Delhi: In flare-up of border tension between India and China, troops of the two countries were engaged in two fierce face-offs in Eastern Ladakh and near Naku La Pass in Northern Sikkim, leaving several soldiers on both sides injured.

In the first incident, scores of Indian and Chinese army personnel clashed along northern bank of the Pangong Lake in Eastern Ladakh on the late evening of May 5 and the face-off ended next morning following a dialogue between the two sides, they said.

A number of soldiers on both the sides sustained minor injuries as they exchanged punches and resorted to

18 new cases in Bihar, tally now @629 Patna: 18 more COVID-19 cases have been reported from Bihar, taking the total number of coronavirus cases in the state to 629, state Principal Secretary (Health) Sanjay Kumar said on Sunday.

Of the new cases, 7 each have been reported from Saharsa and Madhepura districts, 2 from Darbhanga district and 1 each from Araria and Begusarai districts. According to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, total cases in the country now stand at 62,939. —ANI

THE INCIDENT

The India-China border dispute covers the 3,488-km-long Line of Actual Control, the de-facto border between the two countries.

stone-pelting, the sources said, adding around 200 personnel were involved the face-off. Both sides brought in additional troops following the fracas.

It was the first case of troops from both sides

In a separate incident, nearly 150 Indian and Chinese military personnel were engaged in a face-off near Naku La Pass in the Sikkim sector of the Sino-India border in which at least 10 of sus-

‘No new case in 10 states in 24 hrs’ New Delhi: Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Sunday asserted that 10 states/ union territories have not reported single case of coronavirus or COVID-19 in the last 24 hours. He informed that four states/UTs in the country never reported any coronavirus case. Also Read - ‘Stringent Action, Less Relaxation’, Harsh Vardhan Counters CM Kejriwal’s ‘Time to Reopen Capital’ Remark Speaking to reporters after inspecting a COVID-19 care centre in Mandoli area here, the Health Minister informed that there are 4362 corona care cen-

MEDIUM-INTENSITY EARTHQUAKE STRIKES DELHI, ADJOINING AREAS New Delhi: Tremors were felt in parts of the national and the adjoining areas on Sunday afternoon after a medium-intensity earthquake struck Delhi.

According to National Centre of Seismology, the earthquake measured 3.4-magnitude on the Richter scale & had its epicentre in Wazirpur, northeast Delhi. No casualty or

exchanging blows after a similar incident had taken place around the Pangong Lake in August 2017.

There was no official reaction or details about number of injuries on the Indian side.

tained injuries, the sources said.

The personnel clashed and exchanged punches, they said.

“Temporary and short duration face-offs between border guarding troops do occur as boundaries are not resolved...Aggressive behaviour by the two sides resulted in minor injuries to troops,” the Army said in a brief statement.

Both sides have been asserting that pending the final resolution of boundary issue, it is necessary to maintain peace and tranquillity in the border areas.

PM Modi & Chinese President Xi Jinping held their first informal summit in April 2018 in Wuhan. —Agencies

loss of property has been reported. The quake occurred at a depth of five kilometres. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted out saying he is “praying for everyone’s safety”. This is the third earthquake in the national capital amid the nationwide coronavirus lockdown.

Delhi had witnessed two earthquakes in April.

No case of COVID-19 has been reported in 10 states/union territories in the last 24 hours. Four states/union territories never reported any case of COVID-19.

Central Govt has sent 72 lakh N95 face masks & 36 lakh PPE kits to the states so far. —Dr Harsh Vardhan

GOVT TEACHER ON DUTY, DIES

ion territories never reported any case of COVID-19. Central Govt has sent 72 lakh N95 face masks & 36 lakh PPE kits to the states so far”, news agency ANI quoted the minister as saying. —ANI

CM CHOUHAN HOLDS VC WITH WOMEN ON MOTHER’S DAY Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Sunday held a video conference with the women in the state on the occasion of Mother’s Day. The Chief Minister during his interaction, further elaborated about the ‘Ladli Laxmi Scheme’ for girls along with other initiatives. The Chief Minister asked the women about the well-being of their daughters. He also asserted that the amount will be transferred into the accounts under the Ladli Laxmi Scheme, informed a few reliable official sources.

10 new cases in Odisha, total count reaches 362 Bhubaneswar: 10 new coronavirus positive cases were reported in Odisha taking the total number of cases in the state to 362.

“The cases include 291 active cases, 68 cured/discharged and three deceased,” Odisha Health Department stated in a release. A total of 62,939 confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported in India so far. 19,358 persons have recovered or migrated, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said on Sunday.

There are 41,472 active cases of COVID-19 in the country at present. 2,109 people have lost their lives due to the infection. —ANI

Stadium now a wellness centre Baramulla: The administration in Kashmir’s Baramulla has converted an sports stadium into a fully equipped wellness center to treat coronavirus patients.”The move was taken keeping in view the convenience of general patients. There were restrictions for the people coming for receiving other treatments. So, we decided to shift COVID-19 patients to a new indoor stadium. This place has a lot of space and also resolves our purpose,” said Dy Commissioner Baramulla, Dr G N Itoo. —ANI

Union Health Minister

tres across the country where 346856 patients with mild or very mild symptoms can be kept.

“No case of COVID-19 has been reported in 10 states/union territories in the last 24 hours. Four states/un-

Municipal workers spray disinfectant outside Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s house during the COVID-19 lockdown in New Delhi on Sunday.

—PHOTO BY ANI

MULAYAM SINGH YADAV’S HEALTH IS FINE: SHIVPAL SINGH YADAV Lucknow: Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party chief Shivpal Singh Yadav said Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav’s health is fine and urged the people to pray for his long life. “For the last 2-3 days, many well-wishers were worried about the health of Mulayam Singh Yadav, who is the source of inspiration and energy

to all of us. ‘Netaji ji’ is healthy by the grace of God. Pray to God that Neta ji lives long & stays healthy and keeps giving direction to the country and society,” Mulayam’s brother Shivpal tweeted.

The SP leader was admitted to a private Lucknow hospital on Wednesday after he complained of irritable bowel syndrome.

Celebrations of a different kind...

People celebrate Mother’s Day with a coronavirus awareness campaign in Kolkata on Sunday.

CORONA WARRIORS HONOURED IN B’LURU Bengaluru: Karnataka Primary and Secondary Education Minister Suresh Kumar honoured the COVID-19 frontline warriors including sanitation workers, home guards, police and Asha workers for their service in Bengaluru.

The ceremony was held at Rajajinagar area where Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP)

Commissioner Anil Kumar and Police Commissioner Bhaskar Rao were also present. There are a total of 847 COVID-19 cases in Karnataka so far, including 405 discharged and 31 deaths, the state health bulletin said on Sunday.

According to Health Ministry, the country has recorded 62,939 cases, including 2,109 deaths so far. —ANI

COVID warriors being felicitated by K’taka Education Minister, Suresh Kumar at Rajaji Nagar area in Bengaluru.

TPCC DISTRIBUTES MASKS, SANITIZERS IN ADDA SLUM Hyderabad: Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) distributed masks and sanitizers in Adda Gutta, one of the largest slum areas of Hyderabad city.Speaking about the initiative, Gudur Narayana Reddy, TPCC Treasurer said, “As a part of ‘seva’ and on the directions of AICC president Sonia Gandhi and TPCC president and Nalgonda MP Uttam Kumar Reddy, I am distributing masks and sanitizers in Adda Gutta. I feel happy to serve the society during the pandemic.” “I believe that by distributing this, we can save lives.”

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‘WHOLE-OF-GOVT APPROACH’ NEEDED FOR UNCERTAINTIES’ India needs to broaden its understanding of national security, General Naravane said New Delhi: The time has come for India to adopt a “whole-of-government approach” in decisively confronting the “strategic uncertainties” looming on its horizon as well as nontraditional threats like pandemics, Army Chief Gen Manoj Mukund Naravane has said, strongly pitching for broadening the country’s national security doctrine.

Talking about complex geo-political power play in India’s neighbourhood, Gen Naravane said the Indian armed forces are determined to “cement” the country’s reputation as a net security provider in the region.

“There is an entire spectrum of strategic uncertainties that looms on the horizon and a whole-of-government approach is the

VIEWPOINT

need of the hour to deal with them,” the Army Chief told PTI. Though Gen Naravane did not elaborate, his comments came in the backdrop of Pakistan-supported Taliban’s aim for a role in power structure in Afghanistan and China’s persistent efforts to expand military ties with

countries like Sri Lanka, Nepal, Myanmar and the Maldives.

“In dealing with issues of global nature, the armed forces with their inherent capabilities and capacities will cement India’s reputation as a net security provider in the region, taking security as a holistic concept,” Gen

Fully complied with ICJ ruling: Pak Islamabad: Pakistan rejected top lawyer Harish Salve’s contention that it hadn’t complied with the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) verdict in the case of Kulbhushan Jadhav, and described his allegations as baseless and inaccurate.

Salve, who was India’s lead counsel during the hearing of Jadhav’s case at the ICJ, said during an online lecture on May 3 that Pakistan hasn’t responded to several overtures from Indian side

Kulbhushan Jadhav

to free the former naval officer on humanitarian grounds. Salve also said Pakistan has not complied with the court’s ruling to stay Jadhav’s execution and review his conviction.

Foreign Office spokesperson Aisha Farooqui responded by saying Pakistan rejects the “baseless and inaccurate” remarks by Salve. She said that Pakistan has “fully complied” with the ICJ’s judgement. “We firmly reject the Indian counsel’s baseless assertion that Pakistan has not complied with ICJ’s judgment in the case.

Pakistan has fully complied with the judgment & remains committed to do so as the case proceeds further,” she said.

Naravane said.

India is learnt to have been worried over the extremely fragile and dynamic situation in Afghanistan after the US sealed a historic deal with the Taliban providing for withdrawal of American troops from the war-ravaged country.

The Army Chief fur-

ther said that India needs to broaden its understanding of national security and must examine non-traditional threats like pandemics “de-novo” as they have the potential to inflict severe damage on the country. “We need to act and prepare ourselves accordingly.” He said the “traditional threats” facing India remained “unabated” and the armed forces are fully geared up to deal with them.Gen Naravane said that there has been no let up in Indian Army’s “posture” while guarding the LAC with China because of the coronavirus pandemic.

“Along the LAC, patrolling continues as before though we have put the ceremonial border personnel meetings on hold. There is also greater reliance on hotlines,” he said. —PTI

Doval praises Kashmir forces for Naikoo Operation New Delhi: At his fivehour long meeting to review the operational strategies and tactics of security forces in Jammu and Kashmir, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval showered praises on security forces for the successful elimination of Kashmir’s Hizbul Mujahideen chief Riyaz Naikoo over the week.

In that praise, Doval also slipped in a message: the importance of developing actionable human intelligence and operational synergy among forces fronting the counter-terror operations.

The Special Operations Group of the Jammu and Kashmir Police had been working on people in the Kupwara district who had had access to Riyaz Naikoo. As J&K police chief Dilbag Singh told this newspaper later, one of them was a man who had played a role in building the secret bunker in his native village in south

“The spread of infection in Jhunjhunu and Bhilwara was contained through ruthless containment and Bhilwara model was praised across the nation. 11 thousand tests are being conducted daily in state and death rate due to Covid-19 in Rajasthan is at 2.9 percent which is less than national average while the recovery rate of patients is 55.43 percent, more than the national average,” Gehlot said.

Meanwhile, Gehlot asked the MLAs to provide a list of people from their constituencies that are stuck in other states.

Most of the MLAs raised the issues surrounding workers and demanded that those stranded should be brought to the state as soon as possible and provided food and health facilities. LOP Kataria claimed that work on grassroot was not being done and advised that the state should not always comment against the Centre. However, he assured that the entire opposition is with the state government in the fight against Corona. Notably, former CM Vasundhara Raje stayed in the VC for nearly eight hours while discussing various points. Most of the MPs and MLAs appreciated government’s

efforts to bring back stranded migrants.

Interestingly, assembly speaker CP Joshi said that now we should learn to live with Corona. A few MLAs even raised questions on the workings of officials and complained about Jalore and Barmer Collectors along with Revdar SDM. A friendly banter was also seen among the leaders and CM too enjoyed when deputy LOP Rajendra Rathore, Sanyam Lodha, Tourism Minister Vishvendra Singh and Bhajan Lal Jatav pulled each others’ legs. Interestingly, during the VC, Food and civil supplies minister Ramesh Meena said that those selling the dream of investment in Rajasthan are the same bureaucrats that were behind Resurgent Rajasthan.

Sunday’s development has again brought to fore the memories of the era of Bhairon Singh Shekhawat and Sukhadia and when the two opposing forces had come together, for the one thing dear to them - Rajasthan.

Gehlot praises...

Member of Parliament PP Choudhary suggested to CM Gehlot that governmental orders should be provided to

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval also delivered the message of the importance of developing actionable human intelligence.

KEEPING A VIGIL

T

Kashmir’s Pulwama. Riyaz Naikoo’s elimination, a serious setback to terror group Hizbul Mujahideen in south Kashmir, is considered one of the most successful security operations in recent months in the valley.

In a video of Naikoo’s boss mourning his death, the Hizbul found-

er who also leads the Pakistan’s ISI-backed alliance of terror groups United Jihad Council, Syed Salahuddin said the mujahideen (terrorists) had broken the back of the enemy (India) in Handwara Rajwar recently “but the enemy (India) has the edge.” —Agencies

LADAKH WEATHER UPDATE GAFFE

Pak trolled over faulty forecast Wadhawans’ New Delhi: Pakistan ended up being trolled

by Twitter after its failed attempt to target India by reporting the weather in Ladakh. The country’s national radio broadcaster - Radio Pakistan - put out a tweet with maximum and minimum temperatures in Ladakh, albeit with a major gaffe.

This come after India Meteorological Department (IMD) started referring to meteorological sub-division of Jammu and Kashmir as

Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit-Baltistan and Muzaffarabad - the last two being under Pakistan’s illegal occupation. The move was aimed at sending out a strong political message to Islamabad.

Hawk-eyed Twitter users were quick to point mix-up of the words maximum and minimum by Radio Pakistan’s Twitter handle.

“In #Ladakh, maximum temperature is -4 degree centigrade and minimum temperature

is -1 degree centigrade,” read the tweet.

Radio Pakistan’s tweet aimed at levelling scores with India triggered a flurry of funny posts with some using memes featuring Pakistan’s founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s photo.

“Wrong.. max should be -1 and minimum should be -4,” wrote a user.

“RIP common sense!!!

-4 max and - 1 min???

Kon se gole se Science padhe ho???” another user wrote. —ANI

FROM PG 1 Now his... with Gehlot in his VC, which was appreciated

by Gehlot himself.

Gehlot held a video conference with not just legislators from his party but infact, stalwart BJP leaders also and with social distancing being the need of the hour, the meet was akin to holding a session of the state assembly, albeit online! “It has been the culture of our nation that during times of crisis, people have forgotten their differences and worked for humanity. The war on Corona is also one such crisis which can be won only with everyone’s support,” Gehlot said, and appealed that all the parties should keep supporting the Government in the ‘War’.

The who’s who of Rajasthan polity, Asembly speaker CP Joshi, former CM Vasundhara Raje, LOP Gulab Chand Kataria, deputy LOP Rajendra Rathore, along with legislators from RLP, CPIM, BTP and independent MLAs all gave their feedback and suggestions to Chief Minister. During the VC, Gehlot informed that the state government has taken several important decisions and in the future too everyone’s suggestions will be sought based on which decisions will be taken.

06

MLAs and MPs too since they do not get these. When BJP MLA Pushpendra Singh Ranawat echoed in unison, Gehlot asked the PAs provided to them need to take out the print of these orders to which Ranawat responded that the PAs are unable to come due to lockdown.

An interesting ‘war’ of words occurred between Vishvendra Singh and Bhajanlal Jatav when Jatav claimed that a bumper crop production has been oberved in his area.

Vishvendra immediately cut in between and said that hailstorm hit Rajasthan few days back and even while speaking with him Jatav had said that considerable hail had fallen in his area and now in front of CM he is saying something entirely different. Gehlot immediately stopped Jatav from saying any further and called Wajib Ali’s name.

During the VC, minister Ramesh meena alerted the government that there were talks of bringing Chinese companies to Rajasthan. “if that happens, the businesses here will be destroyed. It is necessary to be aware of bureaucrats selling dreams of investment. These are

the same officials who gave th dream of Resurgent Rajasthan, but no investment was made here,” he said.

During the VC, CM Gehlot, in a jovil mood, showed his phone to BJP’s Rajendra Rathore and played a video entitled ‘Charanpaduka vitran Karyakram’. gehlot took a jibe at Rathore to which a quick witted Rathore said, “Thank you for looking after me!” MLA Sanyam Lodha too quipped, “Corona has changed Rathore and he has reached till ‘Charanpaduka’. hearing this, everyone connected in the VC had a hearty laugh.

Rlys ready...

Railways is fully geared up to run 300 Shramik Special trains everyday at short notice since the last six days. “I appeal to all the states to give permission to evacuate and bring back their stranded migrants so that we can get all of them back to their homes in the next 3-4 days itself,” Goyal tweeted on Sunday. Meanwhile, Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba on Sunday sought cooperation of the state governments in running special trains for transportation of stranded migrant workers from different parts of the country.—ANI

On track...

Bengaluru, Chennai, Thiruvananthapuram, Madgaon, Mumbai Central, Ahmedabad and Jammu Tawi. Meanwhile, sources say, PM Modi is very much aware of ground reality and is under constant pressure to resume even air travel so a decision may be taken for marginal operations.

Booking for reservation in these trains will start at 4 pm on May 11 and will be available only on the IRCTC website (https://www.irctc. co.in/). Ticket booking counters at railway stations will remain closed and no counter tickets (including platform tickets) will be issued, it said.

Only passengers with valid confirmed tickets will be allowed to enter railway stations. It will be mandatory for passengers to wear face cover and undergo screening at departure and only asymptomatic passengers will be allowed to board the trains.

PM to...

PM also want to take stock of situation in oneon-one discussion with the Chief Ministers. The number of COVID-19 infections has more than doubled since the prime minister interacted with the chief ministers last on April 27. —ANI

bail rejected, sent in custody

Besides the CBI, the duo was also being probed separately by the Enforcement Directorate in the Yes Bank Scam.

Mumbai: A special court here on Sunday, rejected the interim bail plea filed

by DHFL promoter Kapil Wadhawan and his brother Dheeraj, arrested in connection with the Yes Bank scam, and sent them to judicial custody.

After that they applied for a temporary bail citing the coronavirus oubreak and the risk it posed to jail inmates. However, the court rejected their plea.

The Wadhawans’ lawyer argued that they are susceptible to contracting coronavirus infection

due to their health issues.

The agency has alleged that Kapoor, 62, entered into a criminal conspiracy with the Wadhawans for extending financial assistance to DHFL through Yes Bank in return for “substantial undue benefits” to himself and his family members through companies held by them.

According to FIR, the scam started taking shape between April June 2018 when Yes Bank invested Rs 3,700 crore in short-term debentures of the scam-hit DHFL. — PTI

Maha CM wants MLC polls unopposed:Raut Mumbai: Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray is not willing to contest the legislative council polls due later this month unless elected unopposed, said senior Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut, adding that the ruling alliance partner Congress was firm on contesting two seats, which is likely to force a contest. Raut said that the ongoing political drama has upset the Shiv Sena chief, who has sent a message to Maharashtra Congress chief

Balasaheb Thorat to withdraw party’s second candidate. Raut clarified that Uddhav is not afraid of contesting an election but current situation doesn’t warrant political battles.

TALKING POINT JAIPUR | MONDAY, MAY 11, 2020

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07

WHY ZOOM MEETINGS ARE SO EXHAUSTING

FACE-TO-FACE MEETINGS

M

eetings in person are not only about the exchange of knowledge,

they are also important rituals in the office.

Rituals provide comfort,

put us at ease, and are essential in building and maintaining rapport.

Face to face meetings are also important mechanisms for the communication of attitudes and feelings among business partners and colleagues.

Emotions precede and follow all our behaviours, and influence management decision-making.

Sensitive topics are often canvassed, requiring us to notice subtleties and display empathy.

HOW ARE ZOOM MEETINGS DIFFERENT?

O

ur brains can only do so many things consciously at once, because we have limited working memory. In contrast, we can process much more information unconsciously, as we do with body language.

Meeting online increases our cognitive load because several of its features take up a lot of conscious capacity.

WE MISS OUT ON A LOT OF NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION

ur feelings and atO titudes are largely conveyed by non-verbal

signals such as facial expressions, the tone and pitch of the voice, gestures, posture, and the distance between the

communicators.

In a face-to-face meeting we process these cues largely automatically, and can still listen to the speaker at the same time.

But on a video chat, we need to work harder

to process non-verbal cues. Paying more attention to these consumes a lot of energy. Our minds are together when our bodies feel we’re not.

That dissonance, which causes people to have conflicting feelings, is exhausting.

Also, in face-to-face meetings we rely heavily on non-verbal cues to make emotional judgements, such as assessing whether a statement is credible. We automatically take in information such as, is the person fidgeting? Predominantly relying on verbal information to infer emotions is tiring.

WHAT IF THE KIDS RUN IN?

e feel anxious W about our remote workspace and controlling events that might make us look bad to our colleagues.

Will my Zoom background suddenly fail leaving my hoarding tendencies on full display?

And none of us want to be like Trinny Woodall, fashion guru and television presenter, who was doing a live stream when her partner walked naked across the room.

People feel like they have to make emotional effort to appear interested, and in the absence of many non-verbal cues, the intense focus on sustained eye contact is exhausting

F

or many of us, working from home during COVID-19 has meant we are spending a lot of time on video meeting applications like Zoom. The effects of this have taken us by surprise.

Having giant heads staring at us up close for long periods can be off-putting for a lot of us.

Never mind that we feel we should fix

our iso-hair (COVID mullet anyone?), put on makeup, or get out of our pyjamas.

So why are online meetings more tiring than face-to-face ones?

People feel like they have to make more emotional effort to appear interested, and in the absence of many non-verbal cues, the intense focus on words and sustained eye contact is exhausting.

LOOKING AT OUR OWN FACE IS STRESSFUL

heightened emphaTthehesisability on facial cues and to see oneself,

can also act as a stressor.

Viewing our own negative facial expressions (like anger and disgust) can lead to more intense emotions than when viewing

O

similar facial expressions in others.

IT’S NOT ALL ZOOM AND DOOM

n the upside, social anxiety is positively correlated with feelings of comfort online. So for people who dread physical meetings, meeting online might be a welcome respite.

And even though the increased focus on verbal information in video meetings can be mentally more draining, it might also have

some potential positive side effects by reducing biases due social and emotional signals.

For instance, certain physical factors are linked to social dominance, such as height. But these factors are less apparent in video meetings, which could lead to increased emphasis on the merits of arguments.

NO WATER-COOLER CATCH-UPS

n person, we often meet Imeeting people on the way to a to catch up on issues or discuss our views before going in. We get coffee, and the simple act of relocating to a different room is energising.

But at home, we might be just working on a task and then we get on to Zoom, often without tak-

ing breaks.

Also, walking is known to improve creativity, highlighting the importance of discussions while walking to meetings, moving around during the meeting, and holding the now popular stand-up meetings. But we can’t walk on Zoom calls.

And where we meet matters. The physical environment acts as a cognitive scaffold – we attribute certain meanings to meeting rooms and this subtly changes our behaviour. This can include anchors to important topics such as creativity and problem solving.

HOW CAN WE REDUCE THE FATIGUE?

W

ith predictions that the new workplace “normal” will be very different from the old one, it seems that Zoom is here to stay. There are a number of steps we can take to reduce the negative effects of online video

meetings.

Firstly, consider whether the meeting needs to happen. In some cases, shared document platforms with detailed comments can reduce the need to meet.

Limiting the number of

Zoom meetings in a day can assist, as well as using messaging and email.

Sometimes, the phone is better. On the phone we only have to concentrate on one voice and can walk around which can help thinking.

ARE YOU LISTENING OR ARE YOU FROZEN?

S

ilence in real life conversation is important and creates a natural rhythm. But in a video call, silence makes you anxious about the technology. Even a 1.2 second delay in responding online made people perceive the person talking as less friendly or focused.

In addition, frustration with people turning their microphones on and off,

lagging connections and background noise mean

the meeting rarely flows as smoothly.

ZOOM APP NOT SAFE, AVOID FOR OFFICIAL USE: GOVT WARNS well-known Zoom video Tingsheconferencing app for meetis not a safe platform,

the Cyber Coordination Centre (CCC) of the Ministry of Home Affairs has warned in an advisory last week.

In the advisory, issued on April 12, it is mentioned that “secure use of Zoom meeting platform is for private individuals and not for use of government offices or official purposes”. The government said that CERT-In on the same lines had been informed on February 6 and March 30 this year clarifying that “Zoom is not a safe platform”.

In a set of guidelines for the

safety of private users, the CCC division of the MHA mentioned that “those private individuals who still would like to use Zoom for private purposes” should follow certain guidelines like prevention of unauthorised

entry in conference room and unauthorised participants to carry out malicious activity on terminals of others in the conference. The advisory also suggested to “avoid ‘DOS’ attacks by restricting users

SOURCE: THE CONVERSATION

through passwords and access grant”.

Zoom app has apparently become a favourite and famous tool among people during the lockdown and it is being used by schools and many private players. “Most of the settings can be done by logging into users zoom account at website, or installed application at PC/ Laptop/Phone and also during conduct of conference,” the guidelines from MHA mentions.

Officials in the Home Ministry told that the app has some specific weaknesses so it is necessary to avoid its use for official purposes as it can encrypt meeting data.

CONCEPT: DIVYA HEMNANI

DESIGN: ABHISHEK GUPTA

Everything that we go through in life leaves a mark on us. Try and make the most of the simple experiences, colour them with joy so that the canvas of life is one of happiness.

2ND FRONT Modi emerges as undisputed leader, Gehlot as strong administrator!

—Jagdeesh Chandra, CEO & Editor, First India

POSTAL REG NO. JPC/010/2019-21

JAIPUR | MONDAY, MAY 11, 2020

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—PHOTO BY MUKESH KIRADOO

z Despite best intentions and efforts world over, people are forced to live under the terror of COVID-19. How do you see the current corona scenario and what according to you can be the best and the worst of the corona crisis?

Jagdeesh Chandra: Corona has affected almost 212 countries with over 4.15 million still diagnosed positive; thus tomorrow is uncertain.

The best which I can foresee is the pandemic under control, reduced patients, people back to routine work and industries on track. The worst according to some estimates is that if no proper cure to coronavirus is found and the virus spreads at the current rate, then within a year, 2 to 2.5 crore people may die globally making worst fears come true. But let us hope for the best. z Speaking globally, USA has been one of the worst sufferers of this pandemic, do you think President Trump mishandled the whole situation?

Mishandling is another part of the story as US already has about 78K dead and is adding approximately 1000-1500 every day which itself is a stark truth. US was warned of a deadly virus by its Chinese embassy way back in January, but call it red-tapism, no cognizance was taken by the agencies so up to that point Trump has no role in mishandling. But President Trump has never agreed with concepts of social distancing and lockdown and he favoured living with corona. Maybe, the future proves him right.

As the word is around that Trump might fully open US by May or July 2, so only time will tell whether it was a risk taken by Trump or his wisdom but the fact is that the present situation in US is matter of concern for the rest of the world. z Considering the confrontation between Us and China, do you see any chances of a head on collision?

With China agreeing to an investigation by WHO in the emergence and spread of coronavirus for reasons best known to itself, the possibility of any direct conflict is low. Maybe the Chinese President did so anticipating US interference

in the South China sea or maybe to dilute its current image of an international villain, it took decision for WHO inquiry which has averted any unpleasant face off for now. z Do you think that China actually is the villain who hid the crucial facts about COVID-19?

China may be a victim of circumstances but as things stand, it is a villain in the eyes of the international community for primarily two reasons. First, in January 2018, both US and Chinese authorities were informed about birth and escape of a new contagious virus in Wuhan lab. So the blame on China remains to have hidden this from the international community which WHO also became part of later. Secondly, the fact that China has a handful of corona positives as of today while the rest of the world is reeling under an unprecedented crisis, the virus spread in China surprisingly limiting to Wuhan and not spreading to other Chinese business centres like Beijing or Shanghai make China a villain in the eyes of suffering international community. z By when do you see a cure or vaccine for coronavirus coming?

Whenever the cure is found, it will end all the misery and pain. There are two types of views in the world regarding this.

The first one doesn’t subscribe to an early cure and predicts a cure at least 2-3 years from now but the second opinion is of hopefuls like Harvard, who claim that they will have a vaccine by coming September while Israel claims a solution in next two months. Italy and pharmaceutical companies from US are also trying their best. And then there is information

by Padam Shree Dr Ashok Panagariya, whom I regard as an expert, which says that in US, a drug has been tried on 55 patients with about 50 per cent recovery rate.

This is a 5 tablet course to be taken over 10 days. Then there is one homeopathic medicine claiming cure, so basically now the competition is to come out with a cure first. I am hopeful very soon we will have some cure which may take time to fully develop.

Modi govt’s announcements to kick-start trains to 15 major cities from May 12 simply endorses JC Show’s prediction that the country now will have to learn to live with Corona with stringent restrictions z There have been 2 extensions to the lockdown in India.

Do you see lockdown 4.0 on the anvil?

I believe that lockdown will be the way of life for the entire world now. I believe that we might have 3-4 extensions to the lockdown but with difference in implementation, modalities and stature with increased concessions and freedom.

The lockdown is here to stay for a while. z Asking specifically about the ongoing lockdown, can we expect relaxation in terms of rail, bus and air travel along with more freedom for economic activities?

There are two aspects to it. One is movement.

With the Centre plying 64 Air India planes to evacuate Indians from abroad, the basic sanctity of not flying has been done away. Further, all the flight bringing in Indians from abroad are sending social distancing for a toss by filling flights up to the capacity. So the myth of community spread through air travel has been broken by the govt itself.

I think even the PM is under constant pressure for resuming the air travel so a decision may be taken for marginal operations in the core group meeting to be held on 15 May. Nitin Gadkari has hinted some relaxation in inter-state travel after 17 May. I foresee major concessions for resuming the economic set up from this meeting. z How do you see the plight of lakhs of migrant workers who are among the worst affected by the corona crisis?

The Aurangabad railway track tragedy comes as a big national shame for all of us when we talk of the migrant worker crisis. They took to railway tracks to reach their destination but were mowed on those very tracks. The pictures of chapaties scattered on railway tracks say everything.

Jagdeesh Chandra taking questions from Shweta Mishra, Divya Tiwari, Akanksha Bhalla and Khushbu Mishra.

During the show, #JConLockDown4 and Jagdeesh Chandra both were trending top on twitter in India, on social media, viewers are talking about the show and giving positive reviews Then there was this incident in Mumbai of migrants hiding in a concrete mixing vehicle for many days just to hide from police. Thousands walking back home with old father or pregnant wife on shoulder, little kids walking along...make the migrant crisis the most tragic fall out of the corona crisis. z While the return to the native place is a challenge for the migrant workers but don’t you think it also poses a bigger challenge for the states from where these migrants belong?

Yes it is a twin edged sword, first how will industries which these migrant workers are deserting survive? Take the case of Surat, lakhs of migrants not only helped the diamond industry make large profits but it also brought Surat on international map. Without skilled work force how will diamond industry survive? And secondly when these migrants reach their native states, how will that state arrange for their food and work? The problem of 1015 crore migrant workers is the dark and fearful future post corona. Lets see what happens. Rajasthan CM has taken initiative for creating 2 lakh jobs for these workers. This challenge is there for all the states to face. z Do you think the central govt was initially late to respond on the travel issue of the migrants and then later when Sonia Gandhi raised concern that the issue was mishandled?

Yes, this issue was grossly mishandled by the railway and it seems by the time it was brought to PM’s notice Sonia Gandhi had scored on it. Despite state Congress units not having money she asked them to

foot the migrant travel bill so she struck a chord with millions of workers and gave Congress that much sought political space. z Is Modi govt’s initiative to bring back the stranded Indians from abroad increases their trust in him?

Modi is himself a miracle. He, with his work and oratory, is undisputed leader in India. He has virtually taken the command of corona war without making any constitutional amendment through home ministry.

You might call it soft dictatorship or modified presidential form but he is at the top. z What will be the impact on the economy if this situation continues up to Diwali?

One word answer is devastating. If the pandemic keeps on spreading at current rate, if the death rate continues its current trend and the crisis persists, then it will be devastating in every manner possible – individually, community wise and as a nation. What is Diwali without any money in your pockets? Lets pray to God that the situation improves before Diwali. z Modi govt has announced a Rs 1,70,000 crore package for states, do you expect another package or direct money transfer to individual accounts? Where will the money come from?

There are already talks on for another package of around Rs 1,50,000 crore. Central government has many sources to get money. There is RBI, government is saving from slicing DAs etc, has freezed MPLAD funds for two years...

CMs like Ashok Gehlot, Shivraj Singh and Amrinder Singh are demanding money. So package

will be there, the government seems to be making its mind to zero in on the spending areas. z Looking at the current scenario, what impact do you see on the media industry?

This is a dangerous question to which I have a negative reply.

If current situation persists, a part of media may shut down.

Out of 900 channels in the country, only one third are pay channels that get a yearly amount of say Rs 7-8 crore as revenue but the rest are Free to Air (FTA) that depend on government and private/corporate advertisements.

Thanks to people like CM Gehlot for letting media survive but even that has a limit.

Private revenues have virtually been zero so one can’t see a long term survival in such scenario. Even the biggest media house had to resort either to salary cuts or layoffs.

Lets pray that we, at least, break even if not make profits and are able to pay salaries timely and continue discharging our duties as responsible media. z How do you rate the communication made by the PM so far and has his image as world leader gained more momentum after the corona crisis?

Internationally, Modi is emerging as more secure leader amid villainous China and reckless Trump. He has converted every crisis into an opportunity, same goes for current crisis. He has become a national hero through his addresses to the nation, so far whether by invoking people to clap, light lamps or beat thalis. As far as next address is concerned, I think PM is introspecting and he knows that the people want to step out of their homes

now. So he might address or might get an order released through home ministry. But what is clear is that Modi is in a commanding position as ever both nationally and internationally. z How do you see the current political activism by Rahul Gandhi?

Rahul Gandhi is back and is much more focussed and matured.

Shedding his ‘reluctant bride’ role, he was very articulate in the press conference he held. He successfully interviewed former RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan and Noble laureate Abhijeet Bannerji with constructive approach.

His suggestion on April 12, regarding controlling FDI from China by chance had already been echoed by the RSS so Modi government notified it on April 18. So he is back in political life.

Result is that the new team constituted by Sonia Gandhi has supporters like Gaurav and Praveen replacing old guards like Anand Sharma and Ghulam Nabi Azad. But the list also has omnipotent Ahmed Patel stamp in form of Rohan Gupta.

Patel is to AICC what Gehlot is to Rajasthan Congress. z Is Gehlot government still maintaining its lead in managing corona crisis?

Gehlot has maintained his lead and leadership not only among the Congressmen but has extended it to nonCongress CMs. He was first to announce the lockdown, he earned PM Modi’s praise during recent VC as being an epitome of kinds and he was centre of attraction during VC held by Sonia Gandhi.

In fact people are witnessing a new avatar of Gehlot as a strong administrator who until now was considered

08

a 24x7 politician. He is doing a 360 degree job by taking initiatives like Shramik trains, FDI task force, monitoring corona crisis with Dr Raghu Sharma, talking to local industrialists, asking fee relief for students..so basically he is in command and going strong. z How do you see the performance by the health department in the state?

Health department under Dr Raghu Sharma and ACS Rohit Kumar Singh has done exceedingly well.

Raghu Sharma is a first time minister entrusted with such important portfolio and has been working at least 16 hours a day.

He has blessings of Sonia, Gehlot and Avinash Pande. He is increasing his own targets of daily testing and is concerned about both corona and non-corona patients. Jaipuria hospital becoming a non Covid facility is an example.

SMS too is mulling on it.

The best part is that they understood the crux of crisis and propounded the 3 Ts – Test, Trace and Treat which proved to be their success. z Do you support the economy run on excise revenue?

One question which needs to be answered is as to how long will you lock the economic activities? The decision to reopen liquor shops was unanimously taken by all governments and nobody expected the kind of rush which was seen where all social distancing was forgotten. But the very next day arrangements like barricading were done. Firstly It has been a while that liquor shops opened but nobody has so far complained of getting infected from a liquor shop crowd. And secondly look at the liquor sales and the revenue earned by the government. So basically, the precautions were needed which are in place now and the bottom line is consumption of liquor is biological need for some people so don’t blindly hate the liquor and its consumers who are a major source of revenue unless it’s a law and order problem. z What does Astrology predict about the end of corona crisis?

There are varied views as one predicted end of corona by September 2021 while another saw it ending in September 2020 but according to me Astrology failed itself as no astrologer in the world saw this pandemic coming and made a prediction for it. This is historic failure on part of astrologers.

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09

JAIPUR, MONDAY MAY 11, 2020

SHORT HISTORY OF

SHORTS! Summers are very much here and lounging at home during Lockdown, most of us are camping out in casuals of which ‘shorts’ or ‘knockers’ as they are called by some is an integral part. City First takes a short walk down the history of shorts!

RISHEE MIGLANI cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

S

horts have been always worn by men and like trousers, it is one of the garments appropriated by women, and like most things, looks so much better on the fairer sex than on its original wearer. After this highly objectionable statement, I move on to the beginning of the early 16th century when breeches, pre-cursors to the evolution of shorts, were so popular. Breeches and Knickerbockers were the in-thing in those days and all the fashionable boys wore them with a short collarless jacket.

Shorts owe much of their contemporary origins to the military. Possibly the earliest example (1880s) of modern-day shorts, is the uniform of the heavily respected Gurkha soldiers of the Nepalese army.

During the 1920s men wore onepiece swimsuits, which covered their chest, a sight I have been spared thankfully, while by 1932, the European craze of for swimming without shirts at private beaches gained momentum while shorts were popular with adults for camping.

Women entered the world of shorts when Senorita de Alvares played tennis in a below the knee divided skirt in 1931. This set the stage for Alice Marble to wear shorts in 1933 for a professional tennis match. That event helped the acceptance of shorts in sporting events.

Shorts have been worn by one and all today as part of the school uniform influenced by British schools. And in

fact, were considered the preserve of boys and when the time came to switch to something longer, it was seen a sort of rite of passage into manhood.

But with the continued relaxation of dress codes, shorts have become not only acceptable as everyday wear when the mercury is on the rise - but stylish too. They are even seen as acceptable office attire (well, at some offices) which was unthinkable only a few decades ago.

Today, shorts are universal with no relation to age or to gender.

Wear it as a style statement or a matter of comfort. Just remember, confidence is the key and of course good legs to carrying off this causal cum formal garment.

ETC JAIPUR | MONDAY, MAY 11, 2020

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10

KNIGHTS

IN THE DARK MANASVI AGARWAL The atmosphere was thick with fear and anxiety; For something was lurking behind, something which cannot be defeated by any power or any deity.

Roads were now empty, not a single human in sight; The once very noisy neighbourhoods were now dead with silence and fright.

Faint sirens could be heard in the mum town; Manasvi Agarwal, Student of Class 9

For someone had to be there to help those who are infected and down.

Risking their own lives to bestow peace upon the living and dead; They were the real heroes, the ones who were fighting against this pandemic until the last shred of their strength.

Media, cameras and mics all pointed towards the government; It was their call, their rules and decisions, for they had to change the air from terror to endearment.

Armed with rifles of sanitizer, cleaning every nook and corner; The ones who were once not shown love and respect, were now the bearer of the greatest Laurel.

Quarantined in their houses, unable to help at all; The public could do nothing but follow the stringent rules and forestall their fall.

We are indebted to our ‘doctors and nurses ‘ these divine demigods amongst us, How shall we repay them?

For they are the ones working meticulously to forfend this mayhem.

At last, we must thank our warriors for defending us day and night;

FA CE OF TH ED AY

For they are our sole hope and our very own brave knights.

YOUR DAY Horoscope by Saurabbh Sachdeva

ARIES

TAURUS

GEMINI

CANCER

External help may be required by some businesspersons for rethinking strategy for increasing profits. Someone you are going steady with may appear indifferent and sow the seeds of suspicion in your mind. Resuming daily workouts is possible.

Your reputation of being a go-getter is likely to get a boost on the professional front. Your financial condition is set to improve, as past investments mature. Some of you may play with your health by keeping irregular timings. A function can be organised in your honour.

You will be able to convince a senior and mould him to your way of thinking on the professional front. You will have to watch out for a bad bargain that threatens to block your money. You bid an ailment goodbye by overcoming it with the right medication.

This is a good time to settle a business issue with a partner or some other party. Your financial condition is set to improve, as past investments mature. Your decision to look after your health will start to get positive results. Scene is likely to be created at home.

MAR 21 - APR 20

MAY 21 - JUNE 21

JUNE 22 - JULY 23

LEO

VIRGO

LIBRA

SCORPIO

An important work can be initiated which is set to brighten future prospects.

Your helping hand to someone in monetary need is likely to give you inner satisfaction. Health options adopted by you will keep you fit and energetic. You may be in the process of planning something big.

You are likely to get an incentive to work harder on the professional front. An earning opportunity may come along for businesspersons and traders. Some of you may find a lifestyle change beneficial on the health front. A family member can prove an irritant.

Negotiating skills and persuasive powers will be your strongest assets on the professional or business front. Retain flexibility on the professional front, as rigidity may not cut ice with superiors. Some of you may make a few changes in your lifestyle just to retain good health.

Enrolling for a financial scheme will be in your favour, as it promises to add to your wealth. You may have to find time to cope up with incomplete work on the professional front today. You may get motivated to shake a leg just to get on the fitness trail.

JULY 24 - AUGUST 23

AUG 24 - SEP 23

SEPT 24 - OCTOBER 22

OCT 23 - NOVEMBER 22

SAGITTARIUS

CAPRICORN

AQUARIUS

PISCES

Becoming money conscious at this juncture will be in your interest. Wasted chances on the work front may make you miss out on a few golden opportunities. A minor ailment is likely to get cured through a home remedy. You will have to bring some stability in your family.

You will be able to save much on the monetary front by deliberately adopting economical means. Competence in tackling complicated issues at work is likely to bring you into the notice of higher ups. Health wise, you are likely to remain fit and energetic.

Things are set to become better for you on the professional front. Money comes to you from an unexpected source and boosts your financial stability. You may opt to rejuvenate your health by joining a gym or a health spa. It will be fun travelling with friends and family today.

A drive to someplace exotic is on the cards for some. Money may start flowing in from a different source and make you financially secure. You are likely to feel more energetic and fitter than before. You may get upset by a family members behaviour.

NOV 23 - DEC 22

PRIYANKA CHOUDHARY, Model

APR 21 - MAY 20

DEC 23 - JAN 20

JAN 21 - FEB 19

FEB20 - MARCH 20

ETC JAIPUR | MONDAY, MAY 11, 2020

11

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Dish Name: Vegetable

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POSTING TWO PICTURES ON INSTAGRAM, MALAIKA ARORA PENNED A MESSAGE WHERE SHE EXPRESSED GRATITUDE FOR BEING A MOM AND SAID THAT SHE IS LUCKY THAT SHE HAS ONE.

Fajitas with Soft Tortillas

YAMI GAUTAM PUT OUT A THROWBACK PICTURE ON INSTAGRAM ON MOTHER’S DAY, FEATURING HER MOM, SISTERS AND HER LITTLE BROTHER.

H

i guys, Vegetable Fajitas with tortillas one of my favorite dishes I make with my kids and enjoy cooking it with them. This provides valuable family time to create special something together.

So let us begin: Prep Time: 40 min Cook Time: 25 Min

THE SPIRIT OF MOTHERHOOD! Bollywood celebrities including Sonam Kapoor, Anushka Sharma, Kiara Advani, Malaika Arora, Ananya Panday, Ayushmann Khurrana, Twinkle Khanna and Yami Gautam among others are celebrating the spirit of motherhood by posting special pictures and video on social media on the occasion of Mother’s Day.

INGREDIENTS

 1 Whole Green Peppers  

Red Hot sauce (Franks hot sauce or

Sumeet Kumar

ACCOMPANIMENTS

 Sour Cream (local store)  Mozzarella Cheese (grated)

SONAM KAPOOR AHUJA PUT OUT A FEW STUNNING PICTURES WITH HER MOM SUNITA KAPOOR AND HER MOTHER-INLAW PRIYA AHUJA ON INSTAGRAM, WISHING THEM BOTH A HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY.

Avocado to make Guacamole  6 Flour Tortillas

Sumeet Kumar is the owner of TIF Kitchen Cafe & Restaurant at Civil Lines. He has 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry, across the world. TIF has an exclusive affordable menu, ranging with cuisines from the Middle East, Italy and Mexico, and imports herbs and spices to maintain the taste.

METHOD

 Kids can start by washing the mushrooms, peppers, baby corn!  You can start by cutting the onions and vegetables in long thin cuts (baby corn, all the peppers, mushrooms), once washed!

‘MRS FUNNY BONES’ TWINKLE KHANWNA SHARED A PICTURE CAPTURING THE THREE GENERATIONS, HERSELF, HER MOM AND HER DAUGHTER WHILE THEY RELAX IN THE GARDEN.

 Put a generous amount extra virgin olive oil into a large pan, add onions and garlic first and let is sauté for a few minutes, and add all the remaining vegetables. Add spices, oregano (lots of it), paprika, salt and pepper to taste.  Add vinegar, and lime juice, red hot sauce and let the mix simmer for 10 minutes. Add a quarter cup of water so the mix does not dry up. You can add more oregano if the bouquet of the dish is not filling the air. Add jalapeno at the end.  Once ready, transfer it to your serving bowl.

GUACAMOLE DIP *  Avocado ripe ones cut in length and remove the pit, scoop out avocado into a bowl  Add 4 tbl spoons of fresh lime juice over the avocado, and mash it with a fork, give this one to your kids to do!  Add 1 red large tomato, take out seeds and cut into small pieces and add it to the bowl Add ½ onion (chopped)

ANUSHKA SHARMA SHARED A HEART-WARMING PICTURE ON TWITTER, FEATURING THE MOTHER-DAUGHTER DUO WHERE THE TWO ARE SEEN SHARING A HUG. KEEPING THE CAPTION SHORT AND SWEET, SHE WROTE, “LOVE YOU MAA” ALONG WITH A RED HEART EMOTICON.

KIARA ADVANI PREPARED MOTHER’S DAY SPECIAL BREAKFAST FOR HER MOM AND SHARED ITS PICTURES ON HER INSTAGRAM STORY. THE PICTURES FEATURED HERSELF AND HER MOTHER WHILE HER MOM RELISHES THE BREAKFAST PREPARED

BY HER DAUGHTER.

SONALI BENDRE WAS SEEN CATCHING UP WITH HER MOM AND AUNT (MAASI) OVER A VIDEO CALL AMID THE CORONAVIRUSINDUCED LOCKDOWN.

 4 tbl spoons of olive oil  Add Cilantro, chop it and add it to the bowl  Add salt to taste  Add Red pepper  Mix all together and you should have the dip with chunks and not a complete paste. I add the taken out pit back into the dip bowl and place it at the bottom of the bowl for the dip not to turn blackish!  Flour Tortillas (Simply heat them up on a pan till warm)

SARA ALI KHAN SHARED A HEARTMELTING THROWBACK PICTURE WHERE SHE IS SEEN AS AN INFANT IN THE ARMS OF HER GRANDMOTHER WHILE HER MOTHER IS LOOKING AT BABY SARA IN A MOMENT OF AFFECTION.

ANANYA PANDAY SHARED AN ADORABLE VIDEO FROM HER CHILDHOOD DAYS WHERE SHE IS SEEN SPORTING A WHILE KURTA-CHURIDAR WITH A RED DOTTED DUPATTA. THE VIDEO INITIATES WITH A QUESTION BY A PERSON BEHIND THE CAMERA WHO ASKS, “WHOM DO YOU LOVE THE MOST IN THE WORLD?”TO WHICH BABY ANANYA INNOCENTLY REPLIES, “MAMA.”AND HE ASKS, “AND THE SECOND?”SHE SMILINGLY REPLIES, “NOBODY.”

 Salsa in a bowl  Sour Cream in a bowl  Grated Mozzarella Cheese in a bowl

READY TO MAKE THE FAJITAS

Tortilla, paste sour cream on the tortilla, vegetables, grated cheese, salsa, and guacamole and roll the tortilla to enjoy.

Let the family make the roll as they like.

CITY BUZZ JAIPUR | MONDAY, MAY 11, 2020

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

The Opera Queen

of RAJASTHAN NEHAL NAYAR

nehal.nayar@firstindia.co.in

H

ritisha Rewadia from Rajasthan is a singer who has earned many milestones in her life at a very young age of 21, by her continuous hard work and belief in herself. Having a typically high range up to C8, she’s not only known by the title of ‘Opera Queen’ (being Rajasthan’s first Opera Singer), but is also

known for singing in any language, and is versatile to sing various other genres like Hindustani classical, Jazz, and many more, soulfully.

Her mentor and sister, Shaiphali Saxena, has taught her music and they both proceeded towards their career together. They both work together as a duo all-rounder team of singer and music director and are called ‘Hritishaiphali’.

They own many businesses like Moksha Records, Acoustics, and a wellknown concert plus competition, ‘The Show’.

Hritisha has received many awards including

breaking glass with her voice, women achiever award, and was also honored by the Bollywood singer Ankit Tiwari for being the Finest Western Singer of India. She is the first singer of Jaipur to be awarded the Dadasaheb Phalke Film Festival Award for her first international song ‘Jewels & Fame’, in which the music was given by, and this song also bagged the Best Music Video Award in Rajasthan International Film Festival. The Bollywood journey is soon to begin this year, with many more achievements to be unlocked.

City First talks to Hritisha Rewadia, the ‘Opera Queen’ of the desert land!

WHAT’S HAPPENING!

Gujarat: The world-famous saffron (kesar) mango auction of Junagadh Gir commenced on Monday at the marketing yard in Talala. The first purchase was made by local MLA Rajesh Chudasama with a bid of up to Rs 11,000 in the auction.

Rajasthan: Social workers Rameshwar Kadva and Ishwar Chaudhary inaugurated the first blood bank with component blood facilities on Sunday in the Kuchaman City at Nagaur district.

The newly opened blood bank, ‘Shree Shyam Blood Bank Kuchaman’ will be operated by Smileys India Charitable Trust.

Hritisha Rewadia

MAA TUJHE

SALAAM!

Rajasthan: Daughter of Nikita and Umang Nagar, Rohana Nagar celebrated her birthday during the lockdown on Sunday, where SHO Vaishali Nagar Police state, Anil Kumar along with Collectorate Head, Ramesh Chand came to wish Rohana on her 7th birthday.

Chaula Doshi

CREATIVE HAVEN

Ankit Khandelwal and Hema Malini

CITY FIRST AHMEDABAD

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CITY FIRST

hmedabad-based artist Chaula Doshi, known for her work on canvas, paper, metal, among others, has been treating the lockdown as a challenge to channel her creativity in the best way possible. Apart from paintings, Doshi has also crafted a few handmade lamps using papier mache techniques by giving them different shapes. The artist created a turtle lamp and painted a few of her pieces in bright colours.

Talking about her artistic productivity during the lockdown, Doshi said, “This lockdown period is the best time for creative work. I am very happy that I could create a whole range of artwork in this period and hope to create more.”

CITY FIRST

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s health is one of the most important pillars of sustainable development, India needs to spend more on healthcare infrastructure. As a public health strategist, Dr David Bishai, Professor, Bloomberg School of Public Health, John Hopkins University suggested focusing on the health needs of the poor who is the speaking at the panel discussion organised by Indian Institute of Health Management and Research (IIHMR), Jaipur on ‘Effect of COVID-19 on Indian Economy: Policy and Programmatic Implications’. The session was attended by 722 participants.

He further raised a concern that the COVID-19 out-

O

n the occasion of Mother’s Day, Lions Club Jaipur Hawamahal and Forti Youth Wing organised the third season of ‘Ek Shaam Maa Ke Naam’, to celebrate the spirit of motherhood. The event was broadcast live on more than 30 Facebook pages, creating a unique world record, set in the Golden Book of World Records, of being watched by more than 1 million people, during the global pandemic due to coronavirus.

Program convenor, Kailash Khandelwal informed that MP and film actress Hema Malini, Journalist Nandita Puri, actress Shweta Pada, Sindhu Tai, singer Veena Modani and RJ Karthik also participated in the event among others. During the event, Forti Youth Wing Executive Chairman, Ankit Khandelwal expressed his thoughts on the motherchildren bond.

The entire show was a tribute to motherhood and was dedicated to all the health care and frontline workers including doctors, policemen, media officials, and basic amenities providers among others, who are offering their services selflessly to fight against coronavirus. The members also paid a tribute to the mothers of

these warriors, who raised a strong fighter to stand for his country.

During the online event, more than 1 lakh people participated in Maa Ki Maha Aarti with the song ‘Tu Kitni aachi Hai’. Riyya and Jyoti Bhargava from Ghaziabad performed the cultural dance on the expression of Mamatva and the amazing love of mothers. Singer Veena Modani performed songs including Yeh tho sach Hai ki Bhagwan hai, Teri Ugli Pakad Ke Chala, and Tujhe Sab Hai Pata, Hai Na Maa. Poet Harish Hindustani narrated the importance of the mother through the medium of his poems.

RJ Karthik narrated a story about mother. cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

Need to develop a Vaccine

break won’t end until 60% to 70% of the human population is immune to the virus, which may take between 18 and 24 months to develop a vaccine for it. If the vaccine will not be developed in the next 2

12

years, it will impact the Indian economy dramatically, particularly the health sector because there will be less money and the human resource available to run the existing programs will not be

enough. The immediate need is to recover small business post-COVID-19 by ensuring that the credits should reach them regularly by banks so that employment can be created.

The panel of experts at the 9th webinar included Narain Sinha, Professor, University of Botswana, Ujwal Thakar, Board Member- Educate India, Tamal Bandyopadhyay, Author, and Consulting Editor, Business Standard, Hema Krishnamurthy, Consultant to MSMEs, PR Sodani, Pro President, Dean IIHMR, Monika Chaudhary, FacultyHealth Economics and Financing, IIHMR University and David Bishai.

Gujarat: On this Mother’s Day, Motivational Speaker Dr Balpreet Arora came up with a unique idea to cheer up all the mothers who are stressed due to lockdown. She organised an online party event ‘Smart Mummy-Fun Episode-1’ for all the mothers to give them a break from their daily routine. To cheer them up and elevate their mood even a dress code was kept. The participants enjoyed various gaming activities including Antakshari, guess who, rapid-fire and Are You.....? Everyone felt extremely motivated after participating and they were happy to be part of such an event. Apart from this, winners of the games were also rewarded with cash prizes.

Dr Balpreet Arora

HAPPY B’DAY!

Mahendra Shekhawat, National Secretary of Bharatiya Janta Yuva Morcha, celebrated his birthday on 10 May, Sunday. We wish him all the best!

Rajasthan: A supermodel and Anchor from Jodhpur, Shilpa Agarwal shared that even if she was talented from the start, it was her mother, Sunita Agarwal, who gave her the identity and stood by her side like a shield during all the ups and downs.

A Noble Cause!

A

meeting was held at Secretariat, Chennai where Chief Secretary along with DGP of Tamilnadu, Commissioner of Police, Chennai, JITO, Chennai Chapter and other managing committees of Major NGO’ S were present. In the meeting, Chief Secretary discussed the condition of migrant labourers who are from other states and got stuck in Chennai due to COVID 19.

Chennai Government was facing a communication problem with them and was not able to understand what kind of food they require. Based on this, JITO came forward to support and do this noble cause. JITO formed a team and discussed with many migrants labour for their need and has already started distributing rations to

them. As Jito office is in Spencer plaza and being Spencer Plaza closed, JITO took the help of Hotel Rezenta Central Deccan for making distribution points. Chairman, Doulat Jain with Zone Chairman Ravikant Chowdhary, JITO entire executive committee D K Jain, Ashok Jain, Anand Surana, Madanlalji Gunecha, Nimesh Tolia, Manish Maradia, Bharat Doshi, Goutam Bokadia, and Naresh Shah are monitoring this project.