First India-Jaipur Edition-15 May 2020

OUR EDITIONS: JAIPUR & AHMEDABAD

CORONA

26°C - 39°C

ALERT JAIPUR l FRIDAY, MAY 15, 2020 l Pages 12 l 3.00

COVID-19 UPDATE

RNI NO. RAJENG/2019/77764 l Vol 1 l Issue No. 338

INDIA

WORLD

3,01,377 44,89,503 2,649 81,989 DEATHS

CONFIRMED CASES

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DEATHS

CONFIRMED CASES

RAJASTHAN

125 DEATHS

4,534

CONFIRMED CASES

FM’s 8 cr migrant workers to get foodgrains for 2 mths ECONOMIC TRANCHE: Sitharaman opens up goodie bag for migrants, farmers; Thakur emerges as key communicator to ‘RASOI’ 2ND media; One Ration Card to benefit 67 cr people; Rent, ration & free food for migrants; Special credit facility for street vendors Vaishali New Delhi: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday announced free foodgrains for an estimated 8 crore migrant workers for next two months at a cost of Rs 3,500 crore. Announcing the second tranche of economic stimulus package, she said those migrant workers who do not have either central or state PDS card, will get 5 kilogram of grains per person and 1

kg of ‘chana’ for two months. Also, PDS ration cards will be made portable, allowing migrants to use their ration cards across states, she said adding this would benefit 67 crore beneficiaries or 83% of PDS beneficiaries, in 23 states by August.

By March 2021, 100% coverage under ‘One Nation One Ration Card’ will be done, she added. She said, Rs 10,000 crore has been spent in the last two months on creating

14.62 crore man-days of work under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme to help migrant workers and work has been offered to 2.33 crore wage seekers till May 13.

About 40-50% more persons have been enrolled as compared to May last year, she said.

Echoing Sitharaman’s sentiments, MoS Finance Anurag Thakur said “Today’s announcements is for poor section, migrant workers

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, MoS for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Anurag Thakur brief media on economic package in New Delhi on Thursday.

—ANI

and farmers. Modi government’s work towards farmers is appreciable.”

In fact, in the past two days since the Finance Ministry has been delving in the details of PM’s Rs20 lakh crore economic push, Thakur has emerged as key communicator with media with his command over Hindi and aiding FM in explaining the announcements in a much more comprehensive manner.

Modi and Amit

Corona effect: No Limo, Prez to have a small guest list!

TO ALSO FORGO 30% SALARY FOR A YEAR New Delhi: President Ram Nath Kovind has decided to forgo 30 per cent of his salary for a year in a bid to fund the fight against COVID-19 while the Rashtrapati Bhavan will take a number of measures to reduce its expenditure.

President Kovind had earlier contributed his one month’s salary to the PMCARES Fund in March.

The President has given instructions to the Rash-

President Ram Nath Kovind

trapati Bhavan to set an example by economising the expenditure, making

optimal usage of resources and dovetailing the saved money to combat Covid-19 and mitigate the people’s economic plight.

“In the President’s estimation, this will be a small but significant contribution to realise the government’s vision of making India self-reliant (Atmanirbhar) and energise the nation to take up the challenge to fight the pandemic Turn on P7

Indian troops maintaining ‘posture’ along border with China: Army Chief DIVINE BLESSINGS! The Badrinath Temple is beautifully decorated in flowers on Thursday for the reopening of its portals at 4:30 am on Friday. Only 27 people, including the head priest, will be allowed when the portals reopen. Devotees are not allowed in view of the guidelines issued by the Centre amid Corona pandemic.

ALL TICKETS BOOKED FOR REGULAR TRAINS TILL JUNE 3O: RAILWAYS New Delhi: Bookings made before and during the lockdown period for journeys to be taken till June 30 on regular trains have been cancelled, the Railways said Thursday, indicating that normal passenger services are unlikely to resume by that date. However, Shramik Specials introduced on May 1 and special train services that started on May 12 will continue, the national transporter said in an order.

Railways’ Thursday order indicated that there would be no resumption of these services at least till the end of June.

New Delhi: Indian troops were maintaining their “posture” along the border with China while infrastructure development in the frontier areas was on track, Army Chief Gen M M Naravane said on Thursday, days after personnel

of the two countries were locked in two separate incidents of violent face-offs.

Gen Naravane said the incidents in Eastern Ladakh and North Sikkim involved aggressive behaviour by Chinese and Indian troops resulting in

UDDHAV, 8 OTHERS ELECTED UNOPPOSED TO STATE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and eight others got elected unopposed to the state Legislative Council.

Thursday was the last date of withdrawal of nominations and since no additional candidate was in the fray, all nine candidates whose applications were found in order were declared elected unopposed.

P7

minor injuries to personnel from both the sides.

The Army Chief said both sides “disengaged” after dialogue and interaction at the local level.

“It is reiterated that both these incidents are neither Turn on P7

WORK FROM HOME TO BE NEW NORMAL FOR GOVT OFFICES POST LOCKDOWN New Delhi: ‘Work from home’ may become a new normal post-lockdown for government employees to ensure social distancing norms till the coronavirus pandemic is checked. Draft guidelines in this regard have been circulated by the Personnel Ministry to all central government departments asking them to send their comments on it by May 21, failing which, it would be presumed that they are in agreement with the proposed draft.

Shah’s new team in Finance Ministry appears to be ‘made for each other’ since senior Sitharaman and young turk Thakur have a good understanding and work culture in the ministry. The duo are known to be close to Modi and Shah, both are silent performers, are known for their integrity, polite handling of affairs and are handling the important portfolio with grit.

Turn on P7

IN RAJASTHAN DISTRICT

TOTAL CASES

AJMER 242 ALWAR 33 BANSWARA 68 BARAN 3 BARMER 16 BHARATPUR 121 BHILWARA 43 BIKANER 40 CHITTORGARH 142 CHURU 31 DAUSA 28 DHOLPUR 24 DUNGARPUR 14 HANUMANGARH 12 JAIPUR 1362 JAISALMER 41 JALORE 64 JHALAWAR 47 JHUNJHUNU 52 JODHPUR 955 KARAULI 8 KOTA 270 NAGAUR 156 PALI 100 PRATAPGARH 4 RAJSAMAND 30 SWAI MADHOPUR 16 SIKAR 19 SIROHI 22 TONK 144 UDAIPUR 316 OTHER DIST. 5 TOTAL 4428 OTHER (Italy) 2 EVACUEES 61 BSF 43 GRAND TOTAL

4534

NEW TOTAL CASES DEATH

+7 +1 — — +8 — — — — +4 — — +1 — +20 — +22 — +5 +36 +1 +1 +17 +5 — +4 +0 +7 +8 — +59 — +206 — — — +206

5 2 1 — — 2 2 2 2 1 — — — — 63 — 1 — — 17 2 10 3 3 1 — 1 2 — 1 — 4 125 — — — 125

Gehlot hits at central govt’s lacklustre announcements for poor Also asks Raj officials to ensure migrants follow quarantine protocol and adequate facilities are provided till panchayat and ward levels Naresh Sharma Jaipur: As Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman regaled government’s spending on migrants, poor and farmers on Wednesday from the 20 lakh crore rupee package announced by PM Narendra Modi, Rajasthan Chief Minis-

ter Ashok Gehlot has hit back at the central government claiming the measures will not bring immediate relief to poor.

“The details of the #EconomicPackage announced by the FM in two days show Government is not realizing that the immediate need for poor people is

CM Ashok Gehlot hit back at the Centre on Thursday claiming that the economic package will not bring immediate relief to the poor.

to give them direct cash, to provide them immediate financial support so that they have some money with them to spend & it stimulates demand. All schemes except free foodgrains for next 2 months are long term measures, those will not provide immediate support to the poor, migrant workers, farmers & destitute,” he tweeted.

In a series of tweets, Gehlot also said that MNREGA is a ray of hope for the poor of the nation. “During

present time of crisis due to #Covid_19 & complete slowdown in economy, #MNREGA proves to be a ray of hope for country’s poor in rural areas. This social security measure that aims to guarantee the right to work is a boon to rural poor people by the UPA. Now as FM Sitharaman ji has announced relief measures, MNREGA will ensure poor migrants get work when they reach home. It will provide livelihood security for atleast some

days but govt must also consider giving wages to all registered MNREGA workers for the period of lockdown,” the Chief Minister said.

Meanwhile, as more and more migrants are reaching the state, Gehlot has asked the officials to ensure that our two month long hardwork does not go to waste. “it is necessary that every person coming from another state should fully comply with the rule of quarantine which is the top priority Turn on P7

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JAIPUR | FRIDAY, MAY 15, 2020

02

RAY OF HOPE

—PHOTO BY SUNIL SHARMA

A deserted view of Gandhi Circle in Jaipur at 5.45 PM with colourful cloudy sky in the background after a little spell of rains on Thursday amid the nationwide lockdown imposed to curb the spread of coronavirus.

AIR INDIA TO OPERATE FLIGHTS FOR ‘VANDE BHARAT’ EVACUEES Kashiram Chaudhary

Jaipur: After trains, people are now eagerly waiting for flights to resume. Air India has indicated that it would connect Jaipur with flights. People stuck abroad will be brought here under the Vande Bharat campaign. The first flight will come on May 21 & last on June 1.

Most of these passengers are students who had been studying in foreign universities.

They stuck abroad when the government stopped all flight operations in India. Those

FLIGHT DETAILS

—Pic for representational purpose only

coming back would have to remain quarantined for 14 days.

Air India has provid-

ed flight schedule to Jaipur Airport Authority, which has begun necessary arrangements.

Circles are marked at a required distance; lounge chairs are separated to maintain dis-

tance and check-in counter is fitted with glass.

Meanwhile, private airlines including Indigo & Spice Jet too have begun preparations for flight operations.

Sources in the aviation sector claimed that flight operations could begin from next week although initially the number of flights will be less because of inadequate waiting lounge and check-in counters.

Around 2 dozen flights are expected to operate from Jaipur airport. Prior to lockdown, 63 flights daily were operating from Jaipur.

Previous govt case: UDH min returns files related to JDA First India Bureau Jaipur: UDH Minister Shanti Dhariwal has returned 2 files which he had s u m moned under the scrutiny of land allotments to Khandelwal and Rebari-Raika communities in the last six months of the Raje govt. Principal Secretary (UDH) had sent these files to minister on his instructions but since Dhariwal didn’t find either proper noting, not proper information regarding both the allotments he returned files to the PS.

OFF THE RECORD IS IT TIME FOR MANDATORY COORDINATION IN BUREAUCRACY?

what would be termed as an unwelcome Iofninstance the top bureaucracy displayed a lack coordination at the top once more. The matter

relates to the mandatory quarantine of 14 days of all incoming migrant workers. ACS (Health) Rohit Kumar Singh on Tuesday had constituted a 6 member committee under ACS Veenu Gupta and released an order to the effect but on Wednesday the home department also came out with an order on the same issue creating duplicity of kinds. The order released by the Home department was signed

by CS DB Gupta thus making the earlier orders by ACS (Health) meaningless. The whole bureaucracy too is amazed by two different orders within 24 hours by two top sources on one issue. Even earlier similar duplicity was observed in the case of orders released for the lockdown. The Health department had come out with the first lockdown order and then the same order was released by the Home department in a rather detailed manner. Will a sensitive and good governance CM Gehlot take cognizance of this issue?

JDA starts e-auction of ‘Draft a contingency Poonia presents slippers Pilot holds meet to properties amid lockdown plan for potable water’ to migrant workers discuss agriculture First India Bureau Jaipur: JDA despite the ongoing lockdown has e-auctioned a commercial property in Vidyadhar Nagar at whopping Rs 90 lakh on Thursday.

JDA commissioner T Ravikant said that JDA had set Rs 1.25 lakh per square meter as the minimum bid for the 40.5 square meter commercial plot and it received the final bid of Rs 2.25 lakh per square meter for the plot ag-

gregating Rs 90 lakh for the JDA. JDA has put up developed plots at prime locations like Kardhani, Chitrakoot, Ramnagariya, Swarna Vihar and Ring Road for e auction. Ravikant informed that all the details of the properties on e-auction like location, size, etc can be seen on JDA website.

Interested persons can participate in the eauction online after due registration.

First India Bureau

Aishwarya Pradhan

First India Bureau

Jaipur: In compliance with instructions of CM Gehlot Water Supplies Minister BD Kalla has asked all district collectors to get suggestions from all elected MLAs & MPs in their area and draft a contingency plan for potable water in their dists. He said Rs 65 cr has already been sent to all collectors for the same.

Kalla said with Rs 50 lakh in hand the collectors must ensure that

Jaipur: BJP state president Satish Poonia on Thursday visited the Manipal quarantine centre and enquired about the facilities being given to the quarantined people. After this Poonia set out on Agra road and met migrant workers on their foot towards UP. Poonia along with party workers gave them footwear under their ‘Charan paduka’ drive.

Workers also in-

Jaipur: Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot interacted with representatives of Khadya Vyapar Sangh, Kirshi Mandi Samiti and Krishi Vyapar sangh from different districts on Thursday.

They apprised him of their problems especially due to krishi kalyan cess of 2%.

They requested the deputy CM to reconsider the cess and gave their suggestions.

BD Kalla

people don’t face any drinking water problem with the onset of summers. It is noteworthy that some MPs & MLAs had complained of inaction on part of officials during recent VC with CM Gehlot.

Satish Poonia presenting slipper to a woman labourer.

formed the migrant workers about the bus facility being provided to them by the state government.

Sachin Pilot

They told Pilot that because of the cess agriculture mandis are closed and no business is taking place. There is probability that agriculture produce business might shift to neighbouring states.

Raj connect: Chudasama’s ‘unlucky’ tryst with neighbour state Advocate

T

he recent disqualification of senior minister Bhupender Chudasama by Gujarat High Court which declared his election from Dholka constituency as illegal could be believed to be a matter concerning Gujarat. However, much like Gujarat’s ‘economic victories’ are based on the hard work of the labor force from

—PHOTO BY HANIF SINDHI

AK JAIN

Rajasthan, it appears a similar turn of events has undergone in the ‘political victory’ of Gujarat’s Chudasama. And this time the ‘hard-work’ has been done by a ‘laborious’ IAS from Rajasthan!

IAS Vinita Bohra, who retired recently in April 2020, was an observer and signatory to two election declarations, having a different number of postal ballots. Bohra, towards the end of her career, remained posted mostly in Udaipur division, as Divisional Commissioner, Commissioner - Devsthan Department, and Additional Commissioner T.A.D. Bohra was added as a respondent in an election peti-

Education Minister of Gujarat State Bhupendra Sinh Chudasama.

tion filed by Ashwini Bhai Rathore, the defeated Congress candidate in the year

2019 only. It is pertinent to mention here that the election commission of India also wrote to Chief Secretary of Rajasthan to Initiate disciplinary proceedings against Bohra for not following the direction of ECI. However, in May 2019, the election commission of India once again wrote to the Chief Secretary of Rajasthan to defer the disciplinary proceedings. Incidentally, it is the reply of Vinita Bohra, to the election petition, and further her admission to the evidence, which has caused the ‘harm’ to Bhupender Chudasama, as 429 postal ballots were not included in first re-

sult sheet, while they were shown as rejected in second result sheet, on the basis of which the court inferred the manipulation and misconduct in the counting of votes, and election.

Incidentally, Ashok Gehlot, the current Chief Minister of Rajasthan was in charge of the Gujarat election, in the year 2017, as secretary of Congress party, but he became Chief Minister of Rajasthan in the year 2019 when Vinita Bohra submitted her reply and affidavit to the election petition.

Normally, the government officials are the formal party in election petitions, and they do not respond to the petition.

Vinita Bohra not only appeared but also admitted the evidence produced by the petitioner, the defeated Congress candidate, Ashwini Bhai Rathore.

Bhupender Chudasma is not only a minister, but his name has been considered even for the position of Gujarat BJP chief, and he is one of the most influential ministers in the Rupani government. Incidentally, Chudasma was instrumental in the land case filed in Rajasthan against the then Governor of Gujarat Kamala Beniwal, which was the main cause of her exodus. Now, the Rajasthan connection has caused the loss of MLAship to Bhupender Chudasma.

RAJASTHAN JAIPUR | FRIDAY, MAY 15, 2020

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03

Jaipur under threat from super spreaders, health dept on alert Vikash Sharma Jaipur: Jaipur is responsible for one third of the coronavirus cases in the state. But, now the danger is increasing because earlier it was restricted to walled city, however, now cases have been coming up from every part of the city. In last one fortnight 72 super spread-

ers have been reported.

From Ramganj, corona has reached to Mansarovar, Jagatpura, Sirsi Road or Civil Lines where VIPs live. What is worrying is that these super spreaders directly come in to contact with people. Chief Medical & Health Officer (CMHO) Jaipur First, Dr Narottam Sharma these super spreaders especially

WARRIORS TAKE A HIT Doctors/Residents Nursing staff ANM Ward boy Bai

18 30 2 3 1

Mess staff Laundry staff Radiographer Others Sweeper & Driver

vegetable vendors have been cause of concern.

He said that health

2 1 4 8 2

department is tracing each and every case and their contacts with

4 DIE, 206 NEW CASES REPORTED IN 24 HOURS This is the highest number of positives in Raj so far, Jodh leads with 59 patients First India Bureau Jaipur: 4 corona deaths were reported in last 24 hours taking the total to 125. Jaipur & Karauli reported two deaths each while two patients from other states were reported dead. A record 206, highest so far, positive cases were reported in a single day on Thursday.

59 new cases were reported from Jodhpur followed by Jodhpur with 36 positives, 22 from Jalore, 20 from Jaipur, 17 from Nagaur, 8 each from Barmer & Sirohi, 7 each from Ajmer & Sikar, 5 each from Jhunjhunu & Pali, 4 each from Churu & Rajsamand, and one each from Alwar, Dungarpur, Karauli and Kota. The state total for corona positives stands at 4534. State has tested 204243 samples so far out of which 197269 have reported negative while reports for 2440

samples is awaited.

Jaipur leads the most positive cases tally with 1362 cases followed by Jodhpur 955, Udaipur 316, Kota 270, Ajmer 242, Nagaur 156, Tonk 144, Chittorgarh 142, Bharatpur 121, Pali 100, Banswara 68, Jalore 64, Jhunjhunu 52, Jhalawar 47, Bhilwara 43, Jalore 42, Jaisalmer 41, Bikaner 40, Alwar 33,

Churu 31, Rajsamand 30, Dausa 28, Dholpur 24, Sirohi 22, Sikar 19, Barmer & Sawai Madhopur 16 each, Dungarpur 14, Hanumangarh 12, Barmer & Karauli 8 each, Pratapgarh 4 and Baran 3. Apart from this 43 BSF jawans, 2 Italians, 2 from other states, 61 Indians evacuated from Iran. 31 districts are officially co-

rona infected as of now.

Good news is that so far 2638 cases have turned negative from positive. 2397 have been discharged from the hospital after treatment while rest will also be discharged after their mandatory quarantine period. The state now has total 1771 active cases of corona as of now.

IO appears before HC after warning

‘Don’t strike off names, in case of unpaid fee’

Dotasara holds district-wise discussions meet

First India Bureau

First India Bureau

First India Bureau

Jaipur: The investigating officer in a drug smuggling case appeared in HC on Thursday. HC had expressed displeasure that despite summons SHO Bajaj Nagar Manvendra Singh was not appearing in court, after which court summoned police commissioner following which the IO came. SHO Singh clarified that he had not received the information to appear in the court. After hearing the arguments, the court dismissed accused Gaurav Soni’s bail petition.

Jaipur: In then matter of school fees during lockdown Advocate Rajeev Bhushan Bansal had filed a PIL making the State respondent before HC in favour of waiving off school fees during lockdown period and against increasing fees in coming year.

In the hearing before divisional bench of Judge Sabina and Chandra Kumar Sonagra State stated that Bikaner Education Directorate directed schools to waive off fees for 3 months.

Advocate Shailesh Nath Singh ar-

Sikar: Education Minister Govind Singh Dotasara held a meeting of officials from Sikar regarding the districtwise discussions via a VC. Chief District Education Officer, District Education Officer (Primary and Secondary), Chief Block Education Officer and other officers were present. He gave suggestions and instructions that those who were on duty during COVID-19 should be relieved and the concerned Subdivision Officer should be given a list of other personnel.

After a coronavirus case was diagnosed in Sanganer in Jaipur, the infected area was shut down on Thursday.

—PHOTO BY MUKESH KIRADOO

Nareshpal Gangwar

gued that 90% schools in state depend on fees for income. Petitioner prayed that matter be heard when regular court working starts but it was refused.

Court held that name of any student on account of non payment of fee be not stuck off.

help of Municipal Corporation and administration.

Among these super spreaders 19 are vegetable vendors who mostly came from Adarsh Nagar, Shastri Nagar and Ramganj. Seven are car and auto drivers, six labourers, five each are shopkeepers and sweet makers while the rest are private guards,

First India Bureau Jaipur: Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot may have given permission to open restaurants and sweet shops but shopkeepers who were buoyant by this announcement experienced lukewarm response.

Perhaps, the owners had expected it; therefore, they had prepared few sweets that too in less quantity. The shops had opened after nearly two months even then

Jaipur: There are few departments who have been silent about their roles as corona warrior have kept low profile.

When CM Ashok Gehlot announced lockdown, the distribution of food posed the biggest challenge. It was cooperative department who came up with a solution.

Cooperative department under Principal Secretary and Registrar, Cooperative Depart-

Nareshpal Gangwar

tive department were at the fore front in curfew imposed areas.

The now famous

‘Bhilwara Model’ also owes its success up to some extent to cooperative department. They equipped with 21 delivery vans started food item delivery to each household in Bhilwara.

They catered to almost 1.25 families in Bhilwara. Door to door delivery of ration proved to be the key to keep people at homes.

Similarly 33 mobile vans in Ajmer division along with 36 in Bharatpur, 103 in Bikaner, 22 in

Sodhani sweet shop at Lal Kothi, lacking the footfall it once experienced.

—PHOTO BY MUKESH KIRADOO

there were not many customers.

While, the shop own-

ers were bit disappointed but they expressed hope that once corona

Low floor bus to operate post May 17, guidelines released Shivendra Pramar Jaipur: The city transport services may resume services after 17 May with certain guidelines to operate.

Jaipur City Transport Service Ltd. has released guidelines for the operation of low floor buses in the city post 17 May. According to the guidelines the buses will operate with 50% seating capacity. No

commuter will be permitted on board without a mask and will only sit on marked seats.

Buses will be sanitized before and after journey. Every JSCTL

employee will enter official campus after thermal screening and if anybody is found positive they will be sent for treatment. All staff will have to through training. The seats inside the buses will be marked for seating space and they will be parked at proper distance while off duty. Senior citizens, Divyang and Pregnant females will be given priority.

BOOSTING MORALE

Jaipur police force took on a march on Thursday in the city and were showered with flower petals by the citizens as a expression of gratitude and salute. —PHOTO BY SUMAN SARKAR

State owes gratitude to Cooperative dept ment Nareshpal Gangwar ensured quality food stuff delivered across state at reasonable prices. Gangwar coordinated with all district collectors and provided a road map to his 1000 personnel strong team along with delivery vans to carry out CM’s mandate.

34 consumer stores and CONFED in Jaipur were entrusted with the delivery of food items to every home. The corona warriors of the coopera-

Vegatable vendors are first in the list of corona super spreaders.

—PHOTO BY MUKESH KIRADOO

Post lockdown, eateries lack buzz

CORONA WARRIORS

Nirmal Tiwari

painters, milk seller, rickshaw pullers and mechanics.

After Ramganj, considering rise in number of these super spreaders, health department is on alert mode. Health teams have asked to do screening of contact persons as well as sampling of the suspects.

HQ seeks daily report from the teams.

Jaipur, 88 in Jodhpur, 20 in Kota and 24 in Udaipur division successfully took on the task of home delivery.

In all 326 vans reached out to more than 10 lakh families.

Cooperative department, at an average, is reaching 23000 families every day. It also distributed 1 lakh ration kits to the needy & poor. Following all precautionary measures they also reached the rural parts of the state.

effect subdues customers will come as they used to prior to the lockdown.

The restaurants too received fewer footfalls, which was obvious as people have been fearful.

People are staying home and are afraid of visiting restaurants. The owners said that the business was not enough to recover their cost.

It is clear that it would take some what longer for people to shake off the corona fear.

State BJP leaders hail PM, FM for fiscal package First India Bureau Jaipur: Jaipur rural MP Col. Rajyavardhan Rathore expressed his gratitude to the PM and Finance minister for their large hearted measures announced as part of Rs 20 lakh crore package. Rathore said that the three month moratorium on agricultural loan for farmers will benefit 3 crore farmers across the country.

Former minister Kalicharan Saraf welcomed the measures announced by the finance minister as part of PM’s Atma Nirbhar Bharat drive. Saraf praised the 4 lakh crore loan to the 3 crore farmers and 25 lakh proposed Kisan cards.

Deputy Leader of opposition Rajendra Rathore expressed his gratitude to the PM & FM for Rs 3500 crore provision for the migrant workers and ‘One Nation One Ration card’ scheme.

State president Satish Poonia thanked PM and FM for realising the pain of daily wagers, urban poor and urban cart & stall owners by making provision for Rs 10000 loan for them.

After 5 years, T-24 still waiting for rehabilitation in bio park First India Bureau Jaipur: It has been almost 5 years that Ustad alias T24 was secretly shifted from Ranthambore wild life sanctuary to Sajjangarh Biological Park in Udaipur. T24 had to bear the brunt of hotel lobby after it allegedly killed 4 people.

There have been intermittent new of his being unwell and then getting well after treatment. He has been kept in the non display area of the park and officials

say he has calmed down.

He doesn’t anymore get aggressive but tries to hide in presence of forest personnel. Due to weak digestion he is only being served minced meat.

In Gujarat even offender lions are rehabilitated in the park after a while but T24 and T104 are still cursed with the lockdown with no modification.

PERSPECTIVE JAIPUR | FRIDAY, MAY 15, 2020

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GIG ECONOMY: JUSTICE IN DILEMMA THE POSSIBILITY OF AND NEED FOR THE LEGAL REGULATION OF THE GIG ECONOMY GARIMA ARORA The writer is a fourth-year law student from OP Jindal Global University

G

In India, the courts have limited themselves to cover only the organized sector within its approaches.

Gig economies remain to be out of focus and still aspire to be covered within the scope of applicability of the labor statutes to gain statutory and legal claims

ig economy can be defined as “a labor market characterized by the prevalence of shortterm contracts or freelance work as opposed to permanent jobs.” Apps like Uber, Ola, Swiggy and Zomato have become an integral part of our urban lives and felicitate the working of the gig economy.

The need for legislating labor law arose in the industrial context as an attempt to balance the power relation between the employee and the employer. They were created with the belief of a fixed workplace and a recognized workforce. Labor laws entrenched the rights of the workers by authorizing recognition of unions, providing for protection at workplace and creating legal arrangements for peaceful settlement of industrial disputes. However, this understanding failed to comply with the emergence of the gig economy, as in such circumstances the legal relationship between the employer and the employee is difficult to determine and unstable.

Gig economies do not conform with the traditional framework of jobs with fixed working hours and office. It connects the service providers with their customers and pays the workers for the “gig” or service done by them.

Companies which run such platforms see these service providers as “independent contractors” and not as workers or employees. This raises an important legal concern with respect to the protection of the rights of such service providers under the labor law.

The Indian labor statutes categorically divide the workforce into workman and non-workman. Workman is a

worker who is engaged in “technical, manual and clerical” roles. Only the employees within the category of a workman are protected under the Industrial Dispute Act,1947. The employees who engage more in discharging managerial and supervisory responsibilities are covered under the category of nonworkman. These employees are not entitled to protections such as the provision of statutory notice before retrenchment or retrenchment compensation laid down in the Industrial Disputes Act. Since our labor employment law nowhere mentions the categories such as freelancers or consultants which are part of the gig economy, these workers are covered under other social welfare laws.

The law identifies an individual as an employee if he shares a master-servant relationship with his employer. The Indian courts, on several occasions, have previously adjudicated on the question of who qualifies as an employee. The primary test that the courts gave to determine the employee-employer re-

Gig economies are a changing societal trend and the law must revamp itself with it. In today’s time when employment opportunities are limited, the risk of excessive exploitation of freelance workers is high. The main objective behind labor laws was to remove the imbalance of bargain power between the employee and the employer, and in the world of the gig economy, its workers have little power and even lesser protection lationship was that of subordination and control.

This essentially means that if it is the employer who determines the type and manner of the work to be undertaken by the worker, the worker will be qualified as his employee. However, in subsequent cases it was decided that this test cannot be the sole deciding factor and an integrated approach should be adopted. It was held that if the employer has control over the means and modes as per which the contractor must finish his work, then there exists an employer-employee relationship between the employer and the workers hired by the contractor.

In India, the courts have limited themselves to cover only the organized sector within its approaches. Gig economies remain to be out of focus and still aspire to be covered within the scope of applicability of the labor statutes to gain statutory and legal claims.

The court cannot intervene with the fundamental assumption behind the drafting of the law, namely a designated workplace and an identifiable workforce. Thus, legislative intervention is necessary. The gig economy is growing day by day and especially after the current circumstances of a pandemic are over more and more peo-

ple will opt-in for services at their locations. It is important that the rights of such workers/employees be protected.

More so with apps such as Urban Clap coming in India, guaranteeing safety at workplace is important.

The exclusion of the workers of the gig economy from the definition of “workman” under the Industrial Disputes Act deprives them of protection under the same.

The law should expand its scope and identify them as workmen and not as independent contractors. The definition should be read purposively to best advance the aim of the legislation.

Moreover, the fact that the agreements between the owners of companies in the gig economy and the workers try to achieve something that is not what can be seen in reality. For instance, companies like Uber and Swiggy put various restrictions on their workers to tell them how they could work. These workers often face issues like wrongful termination and late payments. Hence, they are not independent enough to be categorized as

We’re on ‘coronacation’ while we wait for ‘lexit’

P

eople love creating words. In times of crisis, it’s a “sick” – in the good sense – way of pulling through.

From childhood, our “linguistic life has been one willingly given over to language play”, in the words of David Crystal. In fact, scientists have recently found learning new words can stimulate exactly those same pleasure circuits in our brain as sex, gambling, drugs and eating. The pleasure-associated region called the ventral striatum.

We’re leximaniacs at heart and, while the behaviour can occasionally seem dark, we can learn a thing or two by reflecting on those playful coinages that get us through “dicky” times.

LANGUAGE PLAY In the past, hard times birthed playful rhymes.

“seizing” effect it had on people. The word was subsequently taken up in British and American English.

In these times of Covid-19, there are the usual suspects: shortenings like “sanny” for hand sanitizer and “iso” for isolation, abbreviations like BCV for before corona virus and WFH for working from home, and compounds “corona moaner” meaning whingers and “zoombombing” meaning the intrusion into a video conference.

The 1930s Depression gave us playful reduplications based on Australian landmarks and towns – “ain’t no work in Bourke”; “everything’s wrong at Wollongong”; “things are crook at Tallarook”.

Wherever we’re facing the possibility of being “dicky” or “Tom [and]

Dick”, a rhyming slang for “sick”, we take comfort in language play. It’s one thing to feel “crook”, but it’s another thing again to feel as “crook as Rookwood”, a cemetery in Sydney; or to have a “wog”, synonymous with “bug”, likely from “pollywog”, and unrelated to the Italian/Greek “wog”.

Remedies may be found in language’s abilities to translate sores into plasters, to paraphrase William Gouge’s 1631 sermon on the plague. New slang enables us to face our fears head-on – just as when the Parisians began calling a late-18th century influenza “la grippe” to reflect the

WHAT’S NEW? What is interesting about Covid-19-lingo is the large number of creations that are blended expressions formed by combining two existing words. The new portmanteau then incorporates meaningful characteristics from both. Newly spawned “coronials” – corona + millennials – has

the predicted baby boom in late 2020 already covered.

“Blursday” has been around since at least 2007 but originally described the day spent hung over – it’s now been pressed into service because no one knows what day of the week it is anymore. The official disease name itself, “Covid-19”, is somewhere between a blend and an acronym because it takes in vowels to make the abbreviation pronounceable – CO from corona, VI from virus and D from disease.

True, we’ve been doing this sort of thing for centuries. “Flush” – flash + gush – dates from the 1500s. But it’s never been a terribly significant method of coinage. John Algeo’s study of neologisms over a 50-year period, from 1941 to 1991, showed blends counting for only 5% of the new words.

FOR FULL REPORT LOG ON TO WWW.THECONVERSATION.COM

04

an independent contractor.

An independent contractor has greater bargaining power and is not as dependent on their employers.

Countries such as the United Kingdom have passed judgments in favor of the workers of the gig economy by providing them protection under their labor laws. Recently, California has also taken a stand for them by suing gig companies such as Uber and Lyft for misclassifying their drivers as independent contractors.

It may be practically difficult to expand this definition as the underlying intent remains to be that all aspects of the employee’s professional life will be under the supervision of its employer, who has the power to hire or fire them, assign work, and pay remuneration. In the case of a freelance worker, these aspects cannot be under the employer’s aegis.

Thus, an alternate option could be a change in the writing of the legislation. The creation of a separate intermediate class of workmen as “freelance workers” can be added in the definitions clause of the Industrial Dispute Act, 1947, and hence legal and statutory benefits and protection can be extended to this class of workers.

Those belonging to this class would neither have all the rights and liabilities that the current class defined as workmen have nor would be as excluded as independent contractors. Their rights and liabilities should be balanced in a way that protects them but at the same time doesn’t do away with the nature of their autonomous behavior.

Gig economies are a changing societal trend and the law must revamp itself with it. In today’s time when employment opportunities are limited, the risk of excessive exploitation of freelance workers is high. The main objective behind labor laws was to remove the imbalance of bargain power between the employee and the employer, and in the world of the gig economy, its workers have little power and even lesser protection. It is absolutely needed that the protective regime of labor law extends its shelter to the workers of the gig economy.

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL

Top

TWEET Dharmendra Pradhan @dpradhanbjp `70,000 cr boost to housing sector and middle-income group, EPF support for businesses and organised workers, plans worth `6000 crores for tribals under CAMPA funds, will provide relief, inject liquidity, create jobs and address the concerns of all. #AatmanirbharBharatPackage Piyush Goyal @PiyushGoyal Our Government is working to: Make Right to Minimum Wages universal (presently applicable only to 30% of workers). Statutory concept of National Floor Wage introduced, will reduce regional disparity in minimum wages. #AatmaNirbharBharatPackage

Spiritual SPEAK

In separateness lies the world’s greatest misery; in compassion lies the world’s true strength. —Buddha

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‘MARKETS SHOULD OPEN ON ODD-EVEN BASIS’ Delhi CM Kejriwal had sought suggestions on relaxation of Coronavirus lockdown and whether the public transport system should begin New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday said, the public suggested that market and market complexes should be opened on an odd-even basis while schools, barbershops, spas, salons, cinema halls, and swimming pools should remain closed.

Kejriwal had sought suggestions on the relaxation of lockdown, about the tenure and gravity of the relaxation, on the sectors that should get the relaxa-

tion, and whether the public transport system should begin.

Delhi government has received an overwhelming response from the public with over 5 lakh suggestions through messages, emails and calls on lockdown relaxations. “We had sought suggestions from people and we have received more than 5 lakh suggestions.

Based on these suggestions, we will send a proposal to the Centre,” said CM Kejriwal.

IN THE COURTYARD

Now a new dress code for advocates at SC

New Delhi: Amid COVID-19 outbreak, the Supreme Court of India has directed advocates that they may wear “plain white shirt/salwar-kameez/ saree, with a plain white neckband” during the hearings being done through Virtual Court System.

The circular issued on May 13 in the name of Secretary-General, Sanjeev S Kalgaonkar, read, “As a precautionary measure to con-

tain the spread of COVID-19 infection under prevailing conditions, the Competent Authority has been pleased to direct that advocates may wear 'plain white-shirt/ white-salwar-kameez/ white saree, with a plain-white neckband' during the hearings through Virtual Court System.” The system will stay in place till the “medical exigencies exist or until further orders.” —ANI

‘Imagine a system with no credit’

‘Release 3,300 Jamaatis from quarantine’

New Delhi: Former CJI Ranjan Gogoi has cleared the air from controversy relating to Ayodhya judgment, which did not name the author judges. He said, “Can you not imagine a system where the five judges have agreed on a conclusion... where they do not want to take credit?,” he said while speaking at a Webinar on Judicial Independence.

New Delhi: A plea has been filed in the Delhi HC to seek directions for the release of around 3,300 members of Tablighi Jamaat who were sent to various quarantine centres after the Markaaz fiasco in March & haven’t been released yet.

The petition filed by one Sabha Quadri through advocate Shahid Ali sought court’’s directions to Centre, Delhi government & Lt Guv on the guideline pertaining to 14-day quarantine of suspected coronavirus patients The matter is likely to come up for hearing on Friday. —PTI

SIX MIGRANTS KILLED RUN OVER

BY A BUS IN MUZAFFARNAGAR Muzaffarnagar: In a tragic news, at least six migrant workers were killed after they were hit by a Uttar Pradesh state bus near Muzaffarnagar on Wednesday night.

The accident happened at the Muzaffarnagar-Saharanpur highway at around 11 PM. The victims used to work in Punjab as daily wage

labourers and were walking back to their home in Bihar’s Gopalganj. Three other people are also said to be injured in the accident and have been admitted to a hospital. A case has been registered against the driver and a investigations have been launched by the police, informed the officials from police department.

SUGGESTIONS

A MCD vehicle sprays disinfectant on streets to contain infection at Dilshad Colony in New Delhi.

“We have received a lot of suggestions from many market associa-

should be opened. They said they can be opened on an odd-even basis,

half shops one day and the remaining half shops on the other day,”

India @ 2million tests: Min

IRCTC keeps record of travel address

New Delhi: Exuding confidence that India will achieve the testing capacity of 1 lakh COVID-19 tests per day before May 31, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Thursday said that the country will reach the mark of 2 million (i.e. 20 lakhs) coronavirus tests.

“Yesterday we have tested over 90,000 COVID-19 samples. We are continuously increasing our testing capacity. Though we had earlier said that we will increase our testing capacity to 1 lakhs tests per day before May 31, but we will achieve it before the

tions and most of them have said market and market complexes

due date. Today, we will reach 2 million tests countrywide,” said Vardhan. Union Health Minister Vardhan visited NCDC to inaugurate the COVID-19 realtime automated testing machine.NCDC is India's premier institute for research in epide-

‘No differences with Shiv Sena in Maharashtra’ New Delhi/Mumbai: After recent face-off with the Shiv Sena during MLC elections, the Congress said there are no differences within the Maha Vikas Aghadi and the government is running smoothly and fighting the current pandemic unitedly.

During the council elections, differences surfaced with the Shiv Sena and CM Uddhav Thackeray was upset when the Congress fielded two candidates, but later withdrew after pressure from its alliance partner.

PWD Minister Ashok Chavan said, “We wanted to contest two seats though we had less number in Assembly.

We didn''t have the number to elect the second candidate. Later we thought during Covid-19, we should not get into a contest & call every MLA to vote in

VIEWPOINT

miology and communicable disease control.

“Across the country, ICMR and NCDC have developed over 500 labs for testing COVID-19 samples. I came here to inaugurate Rosch company's Cobas 6800 machine. It is fully automated and can conduct 800 tests in a day, even if it is not operated in the night. I am dedicating this machine to the nation,” he said.

“In this series, two machines were installed earlier-one in ICMR, Bhuwanesar and one in National Institute of Virology, Pune.

The latest is installed here in NCDC. —ANI

New Delhi: The Indian Railways has started keeping records of the destination addresses of all passengers booking their tickets on the IRCTC website to help facilitate contact tracing in case COVID-19 infections are detected among them later.

“With effect from May 13, IRCTC taking destination address of all passengers booking tickets. This will help in contact tracing if required later,” Railway spokesperson RD Bajpai said while informing about it. —ANI

he said further.

“Most have suggested that schools and educational institutes should stay closed till summer vacations,” he added.

On the issue of allowing public transport to function, he said that the people have opined that taxis and auto-rickshaws should operate with the rule that one passenger should be allowed to sit in an auto-rickshaw and maximum two passengers to sit inside a cab and after every trip, the vehicles must be

disinfected.

“People have also suggested that buses be allowed to function with fewer passengers whilst maintaining social distancing. Some people have also said that metro services must resume partially and people have also suggested how metro services can resume partially,” he added. Many people said that hotels must remain closed while restaurants should remain open for take-away& home delivery only, he said. —ANI

FINDING JOY IN CRISIS

Children play in front of a mural painted on a wall, during the ongoing COVID-19 lockdown in Bengaluru on Thursday.

—PHOTO BY ANI

II Phase: 32K stranded Indians to return New Delhi: Over 32,000 stranded Indians will be brought back home from 21 countries under the second phase of the government’s mega evacuation mission from May 16 to 22, official sources said on Thursday.

The government launched the ‘Vande Bharat Mission’ on May 7 to evacuate Indians stranded in various countries due to coronavirus-related restrictions. “An additional 18

Passengers coming out as Air India’s special flight to Mangaluru from Dubai landed at Mangaluru International Airport.

countries to be covered under the second phase, which include Indonesia, Thailand, Australia, Italy, France, Ger-

many, Ireland, Canada, Japan, Nigeria, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Kyrgyzstan, Belarus, Georgia, Tajikistan and

Armenia,” EAM Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said.

“As you can see, we are broadening the ambit every week in a phased manner keeping with our quarantine capacity, health protocols, etc. Till now 1,88,646 Indian nationals have registered to return on the portal,” he added. A total of 904 Indians were repatriated from the Maldives by Indian Navy ships. —PTI

Jaishankar applauds Fin ‘Troops ready for Min’s ‘bold initiatives’ season of intrusion’ the MLC elections.”

He said that the “coordination with the CM and his party is smooth and the government is serving the people as the three parties came together to offer better governance.” —ANI

GUNA MISHAP: CM CHOUHAN CONDOLES DEATH OF WORKERS Guna: Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan offered condolences to the families of eight migrant labourers who died in a container-bus collision in Guna on Thursday. At least 8 migrant labourers died and around 54 received injuries after the container they were travelling in collided with a bus here at around 3 a.m.”Received the tragic news of the untimely demise of migrant labourers who were on their way back to Uttar Pradesh from Maharashtra. I pray to god for the peace of the departed souls,” tweeted the CM.

New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday lauded Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s announcements under government’s Rs 20 lakh crore stimulus package and described them as “bold initiatives”.

“Foreign Policy begins at home. A strong economy allows our voice to be heard in the world. Applaud FM @ nsitharaman’s bold initiatives under PM @ narendramodi’s leadership in reviving the MSME sector,” Jaishankar tweeted. —ANI

‘DEFENCE, OTHER MINISTRIES SHOULD FOLLOW CAPF CANTEENS’ New Delhi: RSS-affiliate Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM) lauded Union Finance Ministry’s decision of not allowing global tenders for government purchases up to Rs 200 crore, & hoped that Defence and other ministries will toe the same line & only allow sale of local products in their canteens. The

affiliate, while appreciating government’s fiscal stimulus package, also demanded that foreign companies wanting to operate in India should forego royalties, besides leaving domestic market untouched, Ashwani Mahajan, national co-convenor of SJM said speaking on announcements made

by Finance Ministry.

New Delhi: Even as Pakistan is trying to facilitate the infiltration of terrorists, taking advantage of this weather when the snow melts, the security forces are actively guarding the borders BSF DG SS Deswal said, “Terrorists try to infiltrate into

J&K via riverine areas as they became accessible due to melting of snow in summer. In most cases, terrorists are neutralised at launching pads across the border. We are capable of thwarting any attempt of intrusion,” Deswal said. —ANI

VIJAY MALLYA CAN NOW BE EXTRADITED IN 28 DAYS New Delhi/London: Indian fugitive & former liquor baron Vijay Mallya on Thursday, lost his appeal in the UK Supreme Court against his extradition to India, clearing a major roadblock for the Narendra Modi government to bring him back in the next 28 days.The former parliamentarian, who ran India’’s largest spirits company, United Spirits, and founded the now defunct Kingfisher Airlines, faces charges of fraud and money laundering worth $1.3 billion. He left India in March 2016 under the pretext of personal reasons.

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‘They’ve forgotten poor classes’ There is nothing for the middle class in Centre’s package, said P Chidambaram New Delhi: Former finance minister and senior Congress leader P Chidambaram said that apart from a couple of liquidity and regulatory measures, there is no fiscal support for the middle class in the announcement made by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

“There is nothing in today’s announcement for the middle class. I assume when you say middle class, you are referring to the tax-paying middle class as well as the non-tax paying middle class, which means people who have an income of about say

‘10 vaccine candidates under development’ New Delhi: A total of ten vaccine candidates for novel coronavirus are under development, said the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) on Thursday. The BIRAC, a Section 8 Company set up by the Union Government’s Department of Bio Technology (DBT) to nurture and promote the biotechnology industry in India, tweeted, “10 Vaccine candidates are under development with support from DBT under the A@ DBTIndia @BIRAC_2012 #COVID-19 Research Consortium.” It also said that the 10 proposals have been recommended for funding.

‘CENTRE NOT INTENTED TO PROTECT LIVES’

Rs 2.5 lakhs to Rs 3 lakhs a year to about Rs 10 lakhs a year. Now for them, there is nothing,” Chidambaram said.

“TDS has been reduced, but that’s only a defer-

ment of tax liability. It’s a liquidity measure, it’s not fiscal measure. The date of filing has been extended. That’s a regulatory measure. So, apart from a couple of

Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday said that the economic package announced by the central government will help the MSMEs. “Relief measures for MSME sector announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today are truly the roadmap to build ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’. I believe that the economic package

by Prime Minister Narendra Modi will help MSMEs. Small, micro and medium industries will be boosted and it will increase job opportunities,” Chouhan told ANI. —ANI

105 more trains to ferry stranded migrants back home: Mamata

ED arrests Wadhawan bros in Yes Bank case

Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday said her government has made arrangements for 105 more trains to bring back people stuck in different parts of the country, amid claims by opposition that the state is not taking adequate measures to ferry them home.

Earlier, the government had given nod for 10 trains to facilitate the return of labourers, patients, tourists and students stranded in other states owing to the coronavirus-induced lockdown.Three of the 10 trains have reached the state so far.

“Towards our commitment to helping all our people stuck in different parts of the country and who want to return back to Bengal, I am pleased to announce that we have arranged 105 ad-

New Delhi: Enforcement Directorate arrested DHFL promoters Kapil and Dheeraj Wadhawan in connection with its money laundering probe against Yes Bank co-founder Rana Kapoor and others, officials said.

The brothers were remanded to 10-day ED custody by a special court in Mumbai, they said.

The Wadhawans are presently in jail after being arrested by the CBI, which is also probing the same case.

They were arrested underPMLA.They were also being probed by ED in another case linked to late gangster Iqbal Mirchi, were summoned by agency multiple times in Yes Bank case but they had cited the Covid-19 travel restrictions to skip summons. —PTI

ditional special trains.

“Over the coming days, these special trains will embark from different states for various destinations across Bengal bringing our people back home,” Banerjee tweeted on Thursday.She also shared the list of 105 trains which would leave from Maharashtra, Delhi, Karnataka and Rajasthan among other states over the

Gehlot hits...

mittee.

Additional Chief Secretary Rural Development Rajeshwar Singh, CMD of Rajasthan Warehousing Corporation PK Goel, Principal Secretary Information Technology Abhay Kumar, Principal Secretary Social Justice and Empowerment Akhil Arora, Principal Secretary Urban Development Bhaskar A Sawant and are members of this committee.

The District Level Quarantine Management Committee will work under the chairmanship of the concerned Collector, including the Regional MP, District MLA, Superintendent of Police, Chief Executive Officer of District Council, Chief Medical and Health Officer, Medical Officer of District Hospital, Dis-

next few weeks.

The list suggested that three trains -- set to commence their journey from New Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore Urban on May 16 -- were scheduled to reach New Coochbehar, Howrah and Malda Town respectively the following day. State government’s initiative to ferry stranded migrants in trains would continue till June 14. —PTI

There is a dense darkness and these are difficult times, have courage, all of us are standing for the safety of all of them.

We will ensure that their screams reach the government and they get the help they deserve. They are not the ordinary public of the country, they are the flag bearers of the country’s self-respect.

We will never let them bow down.

—Rahul Gandhi, Cong Leader

POWER Gallery MOD PUTS OFF ARMY RESTRUCTURING AMID COVID-19

The Ministry of Defence has temporarily put off Army restructuring in the current COVID-19 situation.

WHO WILL BE NEW PUNJAB CHIEF SECRETARY ?

If Punjab Chief Secretary Karan Avtar Singh is changed, then who will succeed him? It is said, tie is between the senior-most 1984 batch IAS officer, KBS Sidhu and 1985 batch IAS officer, Satish Chandra.

PESB MEETINGS ONLY AFTER DOMESTIC FLIGHTS RESUME

The Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) is expected to schedule selection meetings only after domestic flights return to normalcy.

SAURABH GUPTA RETURNS TO PARENT CADRE, GETS POSTING

Upon return from deputation, Saurabh Gupta has been appointed as DCIT (OSD) in the office of Pr. CCIT, Delhi Region. He is an IRS-IT officer.

IOB MD & CEO SEKAR’S TENURE ENDS IN JUNE; EXTENSION UNLIKELY

Indian Overseas Bank MD & CEO, Karnam Sekar’s tenure is ending on June 30, 2020. Whispers are in that he is unlikely to get extension.

SANJAY CHADHA IS ALSO CMD, MMTC & PEC LTD

Sanjay Chadha, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, has been given additional charges of CMD, MMTC & PEC Ltd. He is a 1985 batch IRSME officer.

PRADHAN TO JOIN FIU

Arjun Pradhan is all set to Join Financial Intelligence Unit-IND, Deptt of Revenue, on deputation basis for four years as Dy Director. He is a 2014 batch IRS(C&CE) officer.

ONE POST OF JUDICIAL MEMBER IN LOKPAL VACANT FOR LONG NOW

One post of Judicial Member in Lokpal, out of four sanctioned, had been lying vacant for a long time now. Whispers are in that no meetings have yet been held to fill up the post at the earliest.

SIVAGAMI SUNDARI NANDA PROMOTED TO DGP GRADE

Sivagami Sundari Nanda has been promoted to the DGP Grade. She is a 1988 batch IPS officer of AGMUT cadre.

ASHOK KUMAR APPOINTED AS DDG, POSTAL DIRECTORATE

Ashok Kumar has been appointed as DDG (CP & PMLA), Postal Directorate, New Delhi. He is a 1997 batch officer of the Indian Postal Services.

School-based test for ‘10L workers Maha: Uddhav elected failed students: CBSE ferried so far’ unopposed to Council

FROM PG 1 of the state government to protect life. A large number of migrants and workers are coming to Rajasthan from other states, in such a situation the Corona infection should not spread in the villages. Administration from the district level to the Gram Panchayat level should make quarantine protocol successful with mission spirit,” he said.

Gehlot said that the strong system of quarantine has been an important step behind the success we have so far achieved in controlling the corona infection in other districts including Bhilwara and Jhunjhunu. He said that under the Rajasthan Epidemic Diseases Ordinance -2020, our government has made quarantine mandatory for a person coming from outside.

As per the instructions of the Chief Minister, Additional Chief Secretary, Public Works Department, Veenu Gupta has been made the chairman for the state level quarantine management com-

liquidity and regulatory measures, there is no fiscal support for the middle class,” he added.

Chidambaram stated that he is “not surprised” by this.

“When the government is not willing to lend fiscal financial support to the poorest classes, including the migrant workers, how do you expect this government to provide fiscal financial support to the middle class? They have forgotten the poorest classes completely and they are on the way to forgetting the middle class also,” he said.

Chidambaram also stated that the government is “refusing to acknowledge there is a huge humanitarian crisis, something which India has not seen since 1948.” —ANI

‘Centre’s package will help MSMEs’

07

trict Logistics Officer, City Council Name by Commissioner, Executive Engineer of Public Works Department, District Education Officer and Collector.

Quarantine will be arranged at the panchayat level under the supervision of the Gram Panchayat Level Management Committee. Similarly, at the ward level in urban areas, the Quarantine Management Committee will have representatives nominated by BLO, Councilor, Sanitary Inspector, Beat Constable, ANM, Health Worker and Sub-Division.

“MPs, MLAs as well as all public representatives from urban areas and panchayat have a big role in strengthening the quarantine system,” Gehlot stressed.

New Delhi: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), as a one-time measure has decided that all the failed students of class 9th and 11th will be provided with an opportunity to appear in a school-based test again.

Taking to Twitter, the HRD ministry said, “In view of the unprecedented circumstances of Covid-19, Union HRD Minister, @DrRPNishank has advised all

CBSE schools to provide an opportunity to all students, who have failed in 9th and 11th to take online/offline tests. He has also asked schools to provide adequate time to the students for the preparations of re-tests.”

Schools, by providing remediation to such students, can conduct online/offline/innovative tests and may decide on promotion, the notification read. —ANI

New Delhi: Railway and Comerce Minister Piyush Goyal took to Twitter and wrote, “With the untiring efforts of railway employees, the Indian Railways has operated over 800 Shramik Special trains and transported over 10 lakh workers home along with their family members. I am proud of my employees that even in this worldwide crisis, they are working with full devotion in the service of the citizens.”

Mumbai: In a huge relief to the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi, Maharashtra CM & Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray was elected unopposed as state Legistative Council member.

Uddhav”s election to the Council will provide stability to the 6-monthold Shiv Sena-Nationalist Congress Party-Con-

gress alliance government in the state.

Thackeray, 59, has now become the second member from the state”s numero uno political family to enter the state legislature.

In October 2019, his son became the first one to win the Assembly elections from Worli segment. —Agencies

minimum wages and wants to remove regional disparity through a national floor wage.

She stressed upon the fact that the second tranche of economic stimulus package will be for the benefit of migrant workers, street vendors and small farmers. She also announced a Rs70,000 crore boost to the housing and construction sectors that have been affected by the coronavirus outbreak and lockdown, by extending an interest subsidy scheme meant to help middle class families build or purchase a

house. While unveiling the second tranche of PM Modi’s Rs 20 lakh crore stimulus package for a coronavirus-hit economy, FM said a credit-linked subsidy scheme for middle-income groups that had been operationalised in May 2017 and expired on March 31 would be extended by 12 months to March 2021.

The move would provide housing and construction sectors by stimulating demand for steel, cement, transportation, and other construction-related materials and activities.Under the PM Awas Yoja-

na, a scheme will start for rental housing, where institutions and associations will be asked to provide affordable housing on their premises.

FM announced Rs3 lakh crore collateral-free automatic loans for businesses, including micro, small and medium enterprises, besides Rs 30,000 crore liquidity facility for non-banking finance companies. She said portability of welfare benefits is being considered. There is a plan to extend ESIC benefits to workplaces with less than 10 workers.

FROM PG 1 Indian troops... co-related nor do they have any connection with other global or local activities,” he told journalists when asked about the face-offs.

“All such incidents are managed by established mechanisms where-in local formations from both sides resolve issues mutually as per established protocols and strategic guidelines given by the prime minister after the Wuhan and Mamallapuram summits,” Gen Naravane said.

Corona effect... and continue our jour-

ney for development and prosperity simultaneously,” an official release from Rashtrapati Bhavan said.

“The President has decided to defer purchase of the Presidential Limousine which was to be used for ceremonial occasions. The existing resources of the Rashtrapati Bhavan and the Government will be shared and used for such occasions,” read the release.

FM’s ‘rasoi’...

Meanwhile, on reforms in pipeline, Sitharaman said the government is for universal right to

—With inputs from Agencies

Optimism and positive thinking are a way of life. One has to consistently work at it especially when the time is difficult.

2ND FRONT

—Jagdeesh Chandra, CEO & Editor, First India

POSTAL REG NO. JPC/010/2019-21

JAIPUR | FRIDAY, MAY 15, 2020

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CM seeks central assistance to deal with locust menace

Steps need to be taken at earliest else farmers will be badly affected, said CM Gehlot First India Bureau Jaipur: Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Thursday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to provide assistance to Rajasthan to deal with the attack of locusts, which, he said, has already begun in the state.

Locusts damage crops by eating leaves and fruits. In the past, farmers in Rajasthan have faced huge losses due to attacks by swarms of locusts.

“Outbreak of locusts in Rajasthan has already started.

Farmers in Rajasthan are facing the menace of locusts which are

—FILE PHOTO

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot

attacking the crops in several districts of state,” Gehlot said in a series of tweets.

“I request PM Naren-

dra Modi ji to take this problem seriously and immediately give instructions to concerned central officials to help

Rajasthan get rid of this,” he said.

Steps need to be taken at the earliest so that the situation can be

brought under control otherwise farmers will be very badly affected, the chief minister said.

“We need central assistance to deal with this. The State Government will extend all cooperation to the Locust Department of the Central Government as in the previous year,” Gehlot said.

Last year, about 6.70 lakh hectare area in 12 districts -- Jaisalmer, Barmer, Jodhpur, Jalore, Bikaner, Nagaur, Churu, Hanumangarh, Sriganganagar, Sirohi, Pali and Udaipur -- was badly affected due to locusts and there was a loss of about Rs 1,000 crore, he said.

‘SDMs to look into camp arrangements for labourers’ Kartikey Dev Singh Jaipur: Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has said that it is very painful to see migrant laborers leaving on foot for their destination. The state government will ensure all the arrangements so that these workers do not have to face the pain of walking home.

Gehlot has instructed all district collectors to ensure necessary arrangements with immediate effect. He said that special camps should be opened for such workers and other basic facilities

including food, drinking water and toilets should be made available in these camps and SDMs will be responsible for these arrangements.

Gehlot has directed the MD of Roadways to provide buses as per the demand of District Collectors so that workers can easily be transported.

“The subdivision officer will ensure that no workers travel on the road. They will get it monitored for which the Deputy Superintendent of Police will support them,” Gehlot ordered, further adding,

“In view of the large number of laborers going to Uttar Pradesh, district Collectors of Jaipur, Dausa and Bharatpur should arrange buses for the camp located in Bharatpur. Moreover, arrangements should be made to send workers to Bihar, West Bengal and Jharkhand by trains”.

The Chief Minister has also instructed the District Superintendents of Police to asks cops show patience while dealing with workers on foot and send them to nearest camp.

Raj farmers up ante against land Ahmed bhai calls FM’s 2nd acquisition for highways thru state tranche ‘jumla package’ Aditi Nagar

Jaipur: Farmers have once again upped their ante against the continued acquisition of land by the Rajasthan government and the ongoing construction work under Bharatmala Pariyojna during the lockdown without resolving compensation, resettlement and rehabilitation issues.

A farmers’ body recently wrote to state CS to expeditiously arrange a high-level meeting with officials of NHAI, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and the state government to

resolve their issues and stop taking possession of land during lockdown.

Under Bharatmala Pariyojna, an express highway from Amritsar to Jamnagar has been proposed to pass through Rajasthan’s Ganganagar, Hanumangarh, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Barmer

and Jalore districts, while a second highway has been proposed from Delhi to Mumbai, passing through Dausa, Alwar, Kota, Jhalawar and nearby areas.

The NHAI and its contractors are taking forcible possession of land during the lock-

down and not allowing farmers to oppose it on the pretext of imposition of section 144 of the CrPc and section 188 of the IPC. The same laws are not being applied on employees of NHAI, its contractors and labourers, Bharat Bhoomi Bachao Sangarsh Samiti president Ramesh Dalal told PTI. The farmers’ body has written to the state chief secretary to call a joint meeting to resolve the compensation, resettlement and rehabilitation issues of farmers before carrying out acquisition process. —PTI

New Delhi: The Congress on Thursday said the government’s economic package has so far fallen way short of what Prime Minister Narendra Modi had promised the country and called it a “jumla package”.

Veteran Congress leader Ahmed Patel said, “It is not an economic package. It is an empty package wrapped with speeches from the last three days.” Patel, who is AICC treasurer, stated, “The Finance Minister’s second day speech (on Thursday) once

Ahmed Patel

again re-emphasises that MNREGA is one of the biggest safety nets for the vulnerable”.

Taunting the Narendra Modi dispensation, Ahmed Patel asserted in a press release that, ”Hope the government now stops mocking at this

landmark policy of the UPA government.”

“The migrants & the poor were having great expectations after the PM’s speech. Sadly,the government has turned a blind eye to their problems and is back to headline management,” the Congress leader said.

1.5 LAKH GILOY SAPLINGS TO BE PLANTED IN JAIPUR: RAGHU First India Bureau

Jaipur: Health Minister Dr Raghu Sharma launched the ‘giloy’ planting campaign ‘’Amrita’’ in the state under the auspices of the Rajasthan State Drug Plant Division under the Ayurveda Department of the state.

He said, under this campaign, about 1.5 lakh ‘giloy’ saplings will be planted in Jaipur district over the

next four months.

Dr Manohar Pareek, a special officer in Ayurveda Department, said ‘giloy’ is a safe medicine and it has an important role in developing immunity.

During the day, Dr Sharma also said that necessary relaxations in the coronavirus lockdown are being given in the state to make to people’s lives comfortable.

Lockdown rules are

Health Minister Dr Raghu Sharma

being relaxed keeping in mind the Central government guidelines, he

said.

Dr Sharma said that in its latest order, the

government has now allowed the ‘’take away’’ and ‘’home delivery’’ facilities from restaurants and sweets shops in the state.

He said the government has also given permission to open ‘dhabas’.

Electronic repair shops besides those of building materials, coolers, TV and electronic goods too have been allowed to open, he said, adding the curb on the sale of two and four-

wheelers too has been relaxed. Many other activities too have been permitted, he added.

The Health Minister said there will be no shortage of health workers in the state in its fight against coronavirus as the government has approved recruitment on 1,058 posts of assistant radiographers, after appointing 9,500 nurses.

He said that keeping in mind the need of

Ailing Meghwal to be airlifted to Medanta CM Gehlot, Ahmed Patel, Avinash Pande, Kumari Selja and other leaders from Congress and BJP take stock of Minister’s health Vikas Sharma Jaipur: Social Empowerment Minister Master Bhanwar Lal Meghwal will be shifted to Medanta hospital in Gurgaon for further treatment as per the desire of his family. A medical board consisting of top doctors constituted under instructions from Chief Minister Gehlot had been treating Meghwal at

SMS hospital since Wednesday evening.

Meghwal’s family earlier requested CM to consult Dr Virendra Singh who came and saw Meghwal in ICU. Following this, Meghwal’s family expressed the desire to get further treatment at Medanta hospital on which CM Gehlot himself spoke to Dr Naresh Trehan of Medanta who expressed satisfaction at the treatment given at SMS hos-

Bhanwar Lal Meghwal

pital.

On insistence of Meghwal’s family, it was decided that he will be airlifted to Gurgaon but the weather in Delhi didn’t allow the flight on Thursday evening.

—FILE PHOTO

Now Meghwal will be airlifted by Medanta air ambulance on Friday morning at 6.30 am. Dr Virendra Singh will accompany Meghwal in ambulance to the Delhi airport after which Medanta doctors

will take over. Health Minister Dr Raghu Sharma is constantly monitoring the treatment at the SMS hospital and will also supervise the shifting to the airport.

On Thursday, the minister was reported to be stable and under constant monitoring of the doctors in ICU. Meghwal’s daughter Banarsi Meghwal received many phone calls throughout the day enquiring about the well being of the leader.

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, Veteran Congress leader Ahmed Patel, AICC General Secretary and Ra-

jasthan Incharge Avinash Pande and Kumari Selja too called minister’s daughter as did Deputy CM Sachin Pilot and Governor Kalraj Mishra to enquire about the well being of the ailing minister.

Throughout the day ministers Bhajanlal Jatav and Mamta Bhupesh, Deputy LOP Rajendra Rathore, MLA Rohit Bohra, IAS Parmeshwar Lal and Veena Pradhan, Ambedkar Society Chief Bhajan Lal, ex IPS Anil Gothwal along with other dignitaries reached SMS to get a feedback about the ailing minister.

nursing workers, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot himself had cleared the way for the ANM-GNM recruitment which was stuck in the judicial process.

About 9,500 nursing workers have been appointed, he said.

As many as 735 new physicians have been appointed in districts and the process of recruitment of 2,000 new doctors is also being started, he said.

Avinash Pande @avinashpandeinc The workers returned to the state from various states due to lack of employment due to the lockdown, were provided financial support by the Rajasthan government by providing them employment under MNREGA. Rajasthan has ranked first in the country by providing employment under MNREGA to more than 25 lakh people.

-------------------------Every appropriate step is being taken by the @ashokgehlot51 and Rajasthan cabinet to help the workers. In order to save the poor from the effects of lockdown, @sachinpilot took many important decisions, making the right balance of rural development and labor employment.

Procurement of wheat to continue amid strike Jaipur: The procurement of wheat, chana, and mustard continues interrupted in Rajasthan despite closure of all 247 agricultural produce marketing committee (APMC) mandis due to the ongoing strike in the state.

Rajasthan Khadya Padarth Vyapar Sangh president Babulal Gupta said that traders were observing a strike to protest against the imposition of 2% farmers welfare cess. “We are already paying a huge fees imposed earlier. Now comes this second cess which shall lead to losses

in agricultural produce trading,” he said.

Cooperative Minister Udailal Anjana said that 1.16 lakh tonnes of mustard and gram had been procured so far from 45,813 farmers at the MSP till May 12 totalling Rs 541.52 crore. Out of this, Rs 386.71 crore has been paid to 32,509 farmers, Anjana said. He said that in order to allow maximum number of farmers to get the benefit of purchase at the MSP, the capacity of centres, where the registration limit was already met, has been increased by 10 per cent. —PTI

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‘Chikni Chameli’

Deewani Mastani THERE MUST BE HARDLY A SOUL WHO LOVES DANCING AND HAS NOT GROOVED TO A SHREYA GHOSHAL NUMBER OR FOR THAT MATTER CROONED IT TO WOO A LOVED ONE!

KARISHMA GWALANI karishma.gwalani@firstindia.co.in

S

hreya Ghoshal not only has a huge fan following among Bollywood stars and music lovers but also in Hollywood and among other pop stars of the Western world.

During a recent interview, Singer Arzutra Garielle exclaimed that she was always fond of Bollywood despite being born and brought up in the UK all her life and she is highly inspired by Shreya Ghoshal’s music, and why not?

Shreya is one of the leading playback singers of Indian cinema with recorded songs in various Indian languages. The multiple hitmaker has unveiled yet another single ‘Nah won main’ before the countrywide lockdown, “I was thinking of releasing it later but I was not sure how long the lockdown would go on, so I just released it on my YouTube channel. It’s co-composed by me and my brother,” Shreya said.

Shreya said wanted to use the lockdown days to create more content for her YouTube channel. “I am

Shreya Ghoshal

trying to work on some stuff. It takes a little while to crack a good song. I am not a born composer; I am more of a singer than a composer. I do have a lot of projects that are coming to me, some nice compositions from friends so, I am collaborating with people and I am ideating. I have always wanted to create something that I want to sing. I don’t always

want to depend on a film. Film songs are limited to the story or the setting of the film,” added the ‘Teri ore’ hitmaker. Started her journey in Bollywood with ‘Devdas’, the singer has won many awards in the process. In 2017, Ghoshal became the first Indian singer to have her wax figurine in Madame Tussauds Museum.

Along with this, she has won approximately 38 Filmfare Award in 2019, 2018, 2017 and four National Film Awards for Best Female Playback Singing: ‘Bairi Piya’ for Devdas (2002), ‘Dheere Jalna’ for Paheli (2005), ‘Yeh Ishq Haaye’ for Jab We Met (2007), one award for both songs ‘Pherari Mon’ for the Bengali film Antaheen (2008) and ‘Jeev Rangla’ for the Marathi film Jogwa (2008).

She is the only playback singer to have been nominated in 4 out of the 5 nominations for the best playback singer for her songs in 2008 in IIFA 2008.

‘Deewani Mastani’

‘Ek Do Teen’

‘Ghoomar’ ‘Ooh La La’

‘Lahu Munh La

g Gaya’

‘Ghar More Pardesiya’

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JAIPUR | FRIDAY, MAY 15, 2020

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QUARANTINE TIME JAI JOSHI

cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

I

t was like yesterday we all were eating placeable street food, momos with red chutney, pani puri with ex-

tra salty water, giving our tongue the very chill of flavours and the remembrance of golden times we had eating them. All of a sudden, out of no where like a lighting in the a sky a bad news sent our world crashing and the changed the way we sociallise. Guess what the nature choose for the cause this catastrophy, just a peety bat. As the news reached our homes there

were tickets booked, and the India was given strict warning to rest at home and was put under lockdown. As we all know, these 35 days have been very tiring for each and every one of us. But there are some people for whom these days weren’t just tiring but rather deadly. These people are commonly mistaken for normal humans rather than being called heroes.

A CASE Dr Milind Baldi was on duty in a Covid-19 ward when a 46-year-old man was wheeled in with severe breathing difficulty. The man was scared for his life and kept repeating one question: “Will I survive?” The question was followed by a plea: “Please save me, I don’t want to die.”

Dr Baldi assured the man that he was going to do “everything possible to save him”.

These were the last words spoken between the two men. The pa-

tient was put on a ventilator, and died two days later. The doctor, who works in a hospital in the central Indian city of Indore, vividly remembers the 30 “terrifying minutes” after the patient was brought to his hospital. “He kept holding my hands. His eyes were full of fear and pain. I will never forget his face.” His death deeply affected Dr Baldi. “It ate away my soul from inside and left a lacuna in my heart.”

POLICE enforcing the lockdown and some 20,000 home quarantines, besides handling thousands of migrants hitting roads in their attempts to go home.

Police are also carrying out high-risk evacuations in coronavirus clusters like Nizamud-

Media organisations too have initiated work from home protocols. While it’s easier for digital media organisations, it is slightly complicated for traditional newsrooms given the elaborate production chain, be it designing and printing a newspaper, or shooting TV news shows.

Even so, the Indian Express, Indian Today magazine, the Times of India, and News 18 are some of the Big Media organisations that have moved fast to announce work from home measures. New me-

din Markaz. About 5,000 police are deployed in and around Delhi’s 71 containment zones at any given point in time.

Duties change rotationally. So far, eight police have tested positive and 75 others, including DCP Arya, are in quarantine.

dia organisations like Scroll, Quint and the News Minute have also completely or partially shut offices for now.

Here’s what we know of the measures being taken by these organisations after speaking to some employees there. News 18 announced work from home stating that it was a precautionary measure.

The channel has also suspended two of its shows that are production-heavy — Bottomline and Brasstacks, which are hosted by managing edi-

FA CE OF TH ED AY

MEDIA TEAM

Police in India have to use force against people breaking quarantine laws after the lockdown of 1.3 billion people to contain contagious coronavirus. Police remain vulnerably exposed to rising Covid-19 infections. They are guarding containment zones,

DOCTORS Most of the doctors are fighting the virus on daily basis, doctors some time end up taking on up to 300 cases a day, every day of the week. Even the people who are a little anx-

coronavirus positive or not). The only thing that doctors can do is check the person’s body temperature, and travel history, and then recommend home quarantine.

tor Kishore Ajwani and output editor Zakka Jacob. Regular news bulletins will replace these shows for the time being.

We dream of a day which could give us a break from the insane life which driven us. Ironically when the dream came true and the break came we are not in a position to celebrate it. Reason being the break came as a menace to real life. current lockdown makes most of us feel like a rehab in a rehab centre.

YOUR DAY Horoscope by Saurabbh Sachdeva

ARIES

TAURUS

GEMINI

CANCER

Those of you who interact with customers on the name of profession must carefully deal with people.

Your family will be very supporting and will listen to all that you have to say today. Some of you may be in process of buying a big land. You may get rewarded for something.

It will be in your best interest to stay miles away from any form of rivalry.

You must openly go and discuss all your problems with your spouse as they will not only understand but will also show 100% support to you. On academic front, don’t focus on minor defeats.

You may win a lottery or something today as luck shines bright upon you today. On family front, you will find yourself very close to each other and it will be a very emotional feeling. It will be in your best interest to to keep your ears and eyes wide open to avoid any mistakes.

On professional front, make sure to take right decision at right time to avoid any regrets. You may meet your childhood friends today and spend quality time together. On academic front, you must work very hard to achieve your goals. You may be in a long distance relationship.

MAR 21 - APR 20

APR 21 - MAY 20

MAY 21 - JUNE 21

JUNE 22 - JULY 23

LEO

VIRGO

LIBRA

SCORPIO

Stay away from the vicious circle of buying everything that you like. Homemakers will take a break from day to day responsibilities. Your loan will be sanctioned and you can buy your dream house. All your debts will be cleared. On academic front, you will come out with flying colours.

You must lend money to someone in desperate need. On business front, some of you may step into new venture. Because of your strong financial condition, you will be able to turn your ideas into action. You will get a sweet surprise from your sweetheart.

You will undertake the responsibilities which you were hesitating to take earlier. You and your spouse will change your house interiors as some big invest will take place in your house. You must do some charity and feed poor for your own satisfaction.

You have a tendency to save and thats how you always keep a check on what you spend. On work front, you may help resolve some issues between your colleagues.

Your kid will perform extremely well in their education institution. You will get a great news from your sibling.

JULY 24 - AUGUST 23

AUG 24 - SEP 23

SEPT 24 - OCTOBER 22

OCT 23 - NOVEMBER 22

SAGITTARIUS

CAPRICORN

AQUARIUS

PISCES

Some of you are struggling to get desired body and shape, instead of worrying and giving up you must try harder. On academic front, you will surely win in the competition but all you need is faith in yourself. You must not talk about things which could take you partner in their past.

You are in great position as far as money is concerned.

Today avoid committing to anyone for anything related to money. On professional front, those of you working in marketing field must work hard to reach the required target. Love is in the air for you.

On financial front, you will start conserving money of some reason. You are a very confident person and your ability to see through problems will keep you in the limelight on professional front. Some of you may expect a baby. It’s important for you to your match with the frequency.

If you are willing to join the group of health conscious people then without a second thought go ahead.

Those of you who work on commission basis will see a boost in your earnings. A great advice from your colleague could help you in taking any responsibility.

NOV 23 - DEC 22

SAMIKSHA BHATT, Model

ious about their condition goes to the doctors in a government hospital because they know that the treatment there is free. But they have no means of checking (if they are

DEC 23 - JAN 20

JAN 21 - FEB 19

FEB20 - MARCH 20

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JAIPUR | FRIDAY, MAY 15, 2020

OLD is GOLD! KIRTI CHAUHAN

kirti.chauhan@firstindia.co.in

In the era where the series with nudity, violence and reality shows are taking over, City First brings you the fact that today’s generation is still falling in love with old epics Alif Laila

T

Sarabhai vs Sarabhai Ramayan

Siya Ke Ram

Kh

ich

di

Mahabharat

The decision of airing of the popular serials of our time especially the mythological ones is a wise step and my kids are enjoying these shows. With every old serial, we have some or the other childhood memories associated, and it’s a great way to re-live those moments. With the shootings at a standstill, it was a smart play to reintroduce the old serials to today’s generation.

After watching the show ‘Mahabharat’ and ‘Ramayan’, I feel that all the characters are giving us an important message to learn like patience from Gandhari, the bond of love from Raam and Laxman, leadership skills from Dhritrashrta, the sacrifices from Sita, fierceness from Draupadi and so on.

I even observed that these shows have the solutions our day to day life issues.

—KANCHAN KHATANA

Dekh Bhai Dekh Balika

Va d h u

—APRA KUCHHAL

Shrima

n Shrim

ati

Bigg Boss

—VIJAY KUMAWAT

Ma

h

h ab

ar

at

aan

Being a social worker and founder of an NGO ‘New Asha ki e-Kiran Sanstha’ in Jobner, I take it as my responsibility to show the epic shows like Ramayan and Mahabharat to the underprivileged children and locals living in my locality. On the projector screen, around 25-30 people enjoy watching the shows and even applaud when they find something nice happening on screen.

ktim

In the era of Sacred Games, Mirzapur, Four More Shots Please etc., watching 90’s top picks is like travelling to another world. I am not at all a daily soap person, but such incredible reruns have made me stick to TV and give a break to digital platforms.

Although, I observed that these shows have much more to offer as compared to the shows we watch online.

—ANKUR GARHWAL

Sha

he production of television and web shows has been halted for the time being in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, which made broadcasters to rerun popular shows of the past to fill in the time slots. However, the shut down during COVID-19 has also given a break to the not so educating and typical SaasBahu daily soaps, and welcomed the authentic entertainment in the families.

While taking the initiative to broadcast the extremely popular mythological dramas - Ramayan and Mahabharat, Doordarshan took the people on a nostalgic trip during the lockdown. And, with its high demand, Ramayan became the highest-watched entertainment programme globally on 17 April, recording a viewership of 7.7 crores.

As reruns of old shows brought massive TRPs for Doordarshan, other GECs like Star Plus, Sony TV, ZEE TV etc., also started airing their classics to entertain the audiences.

As a matter of fact, the much-celebrated mythological adaptations and entertaining epics like Shri Krishna, Uttar Ramayan, Chanakya, Shaktimaan, Circus, Byomkesh Bakshi, Hum Paanch, Khichdi, Shriman Shrimati, Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai and Bigg Boss among others have successfully glued the younger generation to TV again and are also educating while entertaining.

Interestingly, these shows of the older generation are not only helping the younger generation to know what is it to have principles, disciplines and ethics in life; but also telling them how to give importance to relationships, value honesty and hard work above shortcuts and much more. City First got in touch with a few locals to know what changes they have observed after watching the epics of the golden era of television.

Byomkesh Bakshi

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

CITY FIRST

T

arun Gupta, the food and lifestyle photographer, is all set to release a brand new web series ‘Masaldani’, which is conceptualized, shot and presented by him amidst the lockdown.

While talking about the series, he said, “This series is all about celebrating the desi flavours of ghar ka khaana, which are made delicious by the array of masalas that are made in Indian homes. Every Hindustani home has a ‘masaldani’ which is a part of our cooking process, hence this name has a lot of emotions attached to it.”

The eight-part series will be released on YouTube on 15 May and can be found at Tarun Gupta Photography page. In the series, the 4-minute crisp videos will showcase Indian

J19 Squad

JAIPUR | FRIDAY, MAY 15, 2020

SPICY ‘MASALDANI’!

Tarun Gupta

masalas and quick recipes to make these aromatics at home.

The inspiration behind this series was the COVID-19 lockdown itself, says Tarun Gupta.

Each episode has been neatly

divided into two segments.

The viewer will get to know the recipe for a popular masala mix that can be made at home. The second part of the series, aptly named ‘Spice

Trails’ will trace the origin of the spice, the health benefits and some interesting stories.

Keeping the limited resources and the lock-down rules in place, Tarun Gupta has managed to shoot this exciting mini-series in a single room using the ‘chroma technique’ of film making. cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

J19 Squad A SENSITIVE BUREAUCRAT SWATI JANGID

swati.jangid@firstindia.co.in

T

he music which represents Rajasthan’s culture and its language. J19 is a hard-rapping troupe established by Harsh and Pankaj who are known by the names young H and Pk Nimbark. Harsh Vyas is from Jodhpur and Pankaj Nimbark is from Bilara, Jodhpur. This troupe has reached to the pinnacle of success by getting lots of love from their viewers not only in Rajasthan but also all over India.

They have performed on national platform and promoted desi hip hop music with their many hit songs like Alfaaz and Maut. ‘Bandook’ is a gangster gang song which was literally liked by the youngsters. ‘Bholenath’ was again a super

hit, which gives a ride towards Bhole ki Bhakti. J19 has not only made songs or raps which attracts youngsters but also worked on social topics like women empowerment. The song ‘Kesariyo’ is delivering a social message of widow remarriage which touches the heart of the viewers and shows the emotions of the widow women, who is surviving in this orthodox culture of Rajasthan. While interacting with City First PK said, “we have not learned music from anywhere, we are just inspired and using our talent by making our own music and lyrics in our songs.” It boosts our willpower. J19 is self-established and is known for creating wonders through their words in Rajasthan’s music industry and moulding it into new fusion. J19 is producing their songs under the banner of the famous director Mr Dhruv Sankhla handling Dhruv records. J19 will be releasing their new album soon.

CITY FIRST

T

he COVID-19 crisis has moved us all and now we are shaken up by the sight of barefoot migrant workers. Sweat, hunger, no job and no money have made these migrants hopeless and to walk miles with an empty stomach is a whole another issue. Witnessing this situation, Dr Jitendra

12

Kumar Soni (IAS) presently serving as Project Director RUIDP and an additional charge of Commissioner Rajasthan Scout Guides, has come forward to distribute Charanpaduka to the needy migrants who are walking on roads to reach their destination. Govindevji Trust Jaipur and Inaya Foundation are a part of this Charanpaduka Campaign.

Secretary Inaya Foundation, Nitisha Sharma shared, “When we approached Rajasthan State Commissioner for Scout, Dr Jitendra Soni (IAS) for this noble cause of distributing charanpadhuka to migrant workers, he immediately gave approval and showed keen interest.”

Dr Soni shared an experience “Amid the hot scorching sun I saw a schoolboy running between the fields to reach school on time. Few copies in hand and he just kept on walking and walking BAREFOOT. This boy was so much eager to reach to school that nothing was stopping him. I feel the pain for the migrants who just wish to reach their home anyhow.”

“The satisfaction is the biggest reward when I see the innocent smile and inquisitiveness to wear these shoes,” said Dr Soni. A sensitive and responsible bureaucrat is also a writer, and his passion for writing has rewarded him with Youth Sahitya Academy award. He is known for his oratory and writing skills.

JAIPUR FORUM Rajasthan-based Bollywood actor and singer Ila Arun have joined the artist’s community ‘Rajasthan Forum’ and will now be actively promoting Rajasthani artists, informed Pt. Vishwa Mohan Bhatt. He also said that Ila has been appointed on the place of senior artist Late Surendra Pal Joshi.

HAPPY B’DAY!

Rajendra Singh Bidhuri and IPS Satyendra Kumar celebrated their birthdays on 14 May, Thursday. We wish them all the best!

WHAT’S HAPPENING! Gujarat: While the outbreak of COVID-19 has plunged the entire world into despair, in a forest near Toraniya Dungar in Vansda taluka of Navsari district, the flower of Kalimba has blossomed. The flower, which has an uncanny resemblance to the symbol of a novel coronavirus, seems to be sending a message of optimism. Nature, in its own way, has advised caution and bravery when it comes to fighting off the deadly virus.

Gujarat: Residents of Bhavaninagar in Vasna area go about their business as another day in lockdown comes to an end in Ahmedabad.

—PHOTO BY HANIF SINDHI

Rajasthan: Gunjan Singhal and Vineet Jain took an initiative during COVID-19 lockdown and started their new business ‘Seva Jaipur’ to deliver vegetables door-to-door. The duo made use of their event management skills and started with one vehicle in two days, which has now turned to three vehicles on regular rounds per day in the city.

Apart from providing fresh and organic vegetables, they are also supplying ration products.

Gujarat: A family riding on a pedal rickshaw holds an umbrella to protect themselves against the mid-day heat in Ahmedabad. —PHOTO BY NANDAN DAVE

Rajasthan: FLO Jaipur Chapter is going to host their first virtual interactive web session for the year 2020-21 on ‘Boost your Immunity’ with Rujuta Diwekar on 16 May at 4pm. FLO’s Chairperson, Wanadana Parnami said, “In this unprecedented time, I wanted to begin with the most important subject for my members that is staying healthy with right diet and exercise regimes.”

Gujarat: The Labour and Employment department handed over 11 more Dhanvantari Arogya Raths (mobile medical units) to the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) for deployment in areas affected by COVID-19. “Five Dhanvantari Arogya Raths were already operational in Ahmedabad and four were handed over to AMC for conducting health checkups in areas affected by a novel coronavirus in April. As per Chief Minister Vijay Rupani’s instructions, we have allotted 11 more raths to AMC today. These 20 raths will remain at the disposal of AMC for the time being, and help in the fight against the coronavirus,” said Vipul Mittra, additional chief secretary, Labour and Employment department.

Rajasthan: National award winner Swanand Kirkire, who is best known as a lyricist, screenplay writer, music director, singer, actor and soon going to be a director, was in the conversation with Bollywood singer and actor Ila Arun during an online session ‘Kalam’ on Thursday organised by Prabha Khaitan Foundation in association with We Care in Jaipur and presented by Shree Cement Ltd. This special KALAM session was organized in Jaipur, Ajmer, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur simultaneously.

Rajasthan: Vardhman Jain, who is a 21-year-old student preparing for UPSC examinations, utilized the quarantine time and wrote a gripping fiction ‘Warrior of Fate’. The book talks about how the fate of man gives him success, in what form. He also tried to express the ups and downs in the life of his fictional character beautifully. The book is available online to buy and the collected money will be donated in CM relief fund for COVID-19.

Rajasthan: Amidst the nationwide lockdown, State President of BJP, Satish Poonia addressed the video conferencing of Help India online institution on Thursday.

Rajasthan: The ‘Online Learning – Children’s Summer Festival’ kicked off at Jawahar Kala Kendra (JKK) on Thursday, with the session topic ‘Story Making in Theatre’. The session was conducted by theatre artiste Vishal Bhatt. This learning session witnessed huge participation with around 300 viewers tuning in. On the occasion, Minister of Art and Culture, Government of Rajasthan, Dr BD Kalla shared a video message with the viewers, appreciating JKK decision to host the ‘Children’s Summer Festival’ on an online platform.