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Economic Lifeline Needed to Survive Economic Crisis

he entire world has now exhausted with the multidirectional strikes by the first wave of the coronavirus. The deadly vir us that found breeding and feeding ground in China initially moved elsewhere in Asia and finally spread its wing across the globe. As a consequence, this China-born virus sharpened its swords and gripped over 200 countries. As per the repor ts, the coronavirus disease has taken the lives of about 2 lakh people across the world and left more than 28 lakh infected in different parts of the world. In the absence of a perfect vaccine to cure the coronavirus disease, the governments and the private bodies left with no options but to choose a complete shutdown. Hence, the situation worsened and a more dangerous phase of ‘economic deleveraging’, emerged as a big challenge. As the firms struggle to repay loans and release the payments of their workers, possibilities of sudden economic collapse, especially in terms of cash flow and tighter credit cannot be ruled out. Despite various preventive measures and creative efforts to stable the social as well as the economic conditions, but nothing concrete could be done so far. We see that small and mid-sized enterprises are at greater risk in this new deleveraging phase. They are also concentrated in services where the containment and social distancing measures have hit the hardest. Compared to large corporates, small firms have thin cash buffers, are more leveraged, and rely mainly on short-term loans and retained earnings. The financial organizations, especially the Banks need to come forward in a major way to provide the working capital, but banks too are facing their pressures, as large firm access credit lines to boost cash reserves. With banks looking to service first their largest customers, smaller firms will be left behind to fend for themselves. In India, Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, had on May 24, 2020, announced a 21-day lockdown in the country and it was further extended the day of Lockdown for the next 21 days. Like other countries, India, too, faced a huge deterioration of cash flows over the past few months. Information procured from a survey report conducted by the FICCI and Dhruva Advisors, the survey team, based on their findings revealed that the businesses were grappling with ‘tremendous uncertainty’ about their future. As per the survey report, “The Coronavirus disease is having a deep impact on Indian businesses, over the coming month’s jobs are at high risk because firms are looking for some reduction in manpower. Further, it is added that already COVID-19 crisis has caused an unprecedented collapse in economic activities during the second and third weeks of April 2020”. The survey highlights that unless a substantive economic package is announced by the government immediately, permanent impairment of a large section of the industries cannot be ruled out. Chemical Industry, Shipping Industry, Auto Industry, Textiles Industry, Electronics Industry, Tours, Travels and Civil Aviation are among few other industries that witnessed an impact of COVID-19.

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BRIEFING COVER STORY

COVID – 19 DEADLY VIRUS CASTS SHADOW ON INDIAN ECONOMY

BUSINESS OUTLOOK

After Great Depression of 1930s, Year 2020 Can See Worst Fallout

NATIONAL

OPINIONS

India Wears a ‘Diwali Look’ in Response PM’s Appeal

INTERNATIONAL

Army Veterans Assist Civil Admins to Fight Against Coronavirus

IN-DEPTH

EU Chalks out a Fresh Plan to Defeat the Dreadful Virus

May 2020

Telangana Mother Rides 14,00 Km Amid Lockdown on Scooty

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TOURS & TRAVELS World’s Topnotch Metro Systems

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Business Outlook

AFTER DEPRESSION OF 1930(s), YEAR 2020 CAN SEE WORST FALLOUT

ith over 170 countries are likely to experience negative per capita income growth due to the unprecedented increase in coronavirus pandemic across the world. As a consequence, the year 2020 may see the worst global economic fallout since the Great Depression in the 1930s, the IMF Managing Director, Kristalina Georgieva, said on April 8, 2020. The IMF MD was citing her view while addressing on “Confronting the Crisis: Priorities for the Global Economy” here ahead of next week’s annual Spring meeting of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.

“Commodity exporters are taking a double blow from the collapse in commodity prices and remittances, the lifeblood of so many poor people, are expected to dwindle” She added, “Now a day, the world is confronted with a crisis like no other. Covid-19 has disrupted our social and economic order at lightning speed and on a scale that we have not seen in living memory”. She stressed that the virus was causing a tragic loss of life, and the lockdown needed to fight it has affected billions of people. What was normal just a few weeks ago -- going to school, going to work, being with family and friends -- is now a huge risk. Observing that the world is faced with extraordinary uncertainty about the depth and duration of this crisis, she said that it is already clear, however, that global growth will turn sharply negative in 2020.

weaker health systems to begin with, many face the dreadful challenge of fighting the virus in densely populated cities and povertystricken slums, where social distancing is hardly an option. With fewer resources to begin with, they are dangerously exposed to the ongoing demand and supply shocks, drastic tightening in financial conditions and some may face an unsustainable debt burden, she said. In the last two months, portfolio outflows from emerging markets were about USD 100 billion, more than three times larger than for the same period of the global financial crisis.

Georgieva said, “We anticipate the worst economic fallout since the Great Depression”.

“Commodity exporters are taking a double blow from the collapse in commodity prices and remittances, the lifeblood of so many poor people, are expected to dwindle”, she said.

She said, “Just three months ago, we expected positive per capita income growth in over 160 of our member countries in 2020. Today, that number has been turned on its head: we now project that over 170 countries will experience negative per capita income growth this year”.

The IMF, she said, estimates the gross external financing needs for emerging markets and developing countries to be in the trillions of dollars, and they can cover only a portion of that on their own, leaving residual gaps in the hundreds of billions of dollars.

The Great Depression was the worst worldwide economic downturn that lasted for 10 years from 1929, beginning in the US when the New York Stock Exchange on Wall Street crashed and wiped out millions of investors.

Countries around the world have taken fiscal actions amounting to about USD 8 trillion. In addition, there have been massive monetary measures from the G20 and others.

This is especially true for retail, hospitality, transport, and tourism. In most countries, the majority of workers are either self-employed or employed by small and medium-sized enterprises. These businesses and workers are especially exposed.

Georgieva said that there is need to continue with essential containment measures and support for health systems, shield affected people and firms with large, timely, targeted fiscal and financial sector measures, and reduce stress to the financial system and avoid contagion.

Emerging markets and low-income nations -- across Africa, Latin America, and much of Asia are at high risk, Georgieva said with

She added that even as, they moved through this containment phase, they would must plan for recovery.

OBSERVER DAWN May 2020

Business Outlook

COVID-19 PANDEMIC AN OPPORTUNITY IN CALAMITY FOR INDIA

The Indian priorities have been clear with first supplies going to the SAARC countries and extended neighbourhood in Gulf

he way India took humanitarian measures to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, it has emerged a global leader. When Kenyan Foreign Minister Raychelle Omamo called up External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, the conversation was largely focused on the Covid-19 outbreak. Meanwhile, Omamo showed his concerned over the drug supplies, with the virus now rearing its head in Africa and remote parts of the world. Jaishankar, however, told his Kenyan counterpart that not only would India provide hydroxychloroquine and paracetamol on a commercial basis but would also send some more as a gift, or assistance. In another conversation with Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan, Jaishankar underscored that India is already in the process of airlifting drugs to his country. Jaishankar’s diplomatic outreach to other countries has been guided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s clear observation early this month that asked his team to positively respond to requests for help by other countries to fight Covid-19, people familiar with the development said. PM Modi had made the point that if you help someone when they need it to face a crisis, the gesture won’t be forgotten easily. It is this advice that has driven much of the response of Indian diplomats. Officials said India is flying out about 28 lakh hydroxychloroquine and 13 lakh paracetamol tablets to 32 countries as assistance. In addition, drug supplies are being made to 42 countries on a commercial basis. The Indian priorities have been clear with first supplies going to the SAARC countries and extended neighbourhood in Gulf. Europe, Americas, and the Indo-Pacific were covered in the next phase.

India had sent drugs, medical supplies and machines to Afghanistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Maldives and Sri Lanka

After supplies reached these countries, India moved to supplying assistance to smaller countries and Island nations. These include Burkina Faso, Marshall Islands, Eswatini, Comoros, Dominican Republic, Seychelles and Jamaica. Global demand for hydroxychloroquine boosted after some studies indicated that the drug, when paired with azithromycin, helped clear patients of the virus at a much faster rate than seen usually. India, the largest producer of hydroxychloroquine, had initially banned exports last month before partially easing rules to allow the export of hydroxychloroquine and paracetamol after meeting all domestic requirements. Health ministry officials have confirmed that the government had access to a lot more than the estimated requirements to cater to any eventuality. The government, officials said, was conscious that the battle against Covid-19 might end up to be a long haul, a lot longer than was initially expected. They said the government is priming up its health sector to not only tackle a sudden Covid-19 flare-up but also diseases accompanying the rains in India such as dengue, measles and cholera. A government officer said, “We also have to be ready for a possible second wave of the pandemic later this winter”. Apart from drugs, India has also started sending wheat shipments up to 75 metric tonnes to Afghanistan through the Chabahar and has also offered both wheat and rice to Iran as humanitarian assistance. Recently, India had sent drugs, medical supplies and machines to Afghanistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Maldives and Sri Lanka. This amount of $1.7 million does not include the transportation of the relief commodities, which has, in some sectors, translated into 2-3 times the value of the relief material as New Delhi chartered flights to quickly reach the material to their destination. During a video conferencing with the heads of government of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation member countries on March 15, 2020, PM Modi had proposed voluntary contributions to help others in the region.

May 2020

OBSERVER DAWN

National

INSTITUTIONS TO GET ACADEMIC SUPPORTS FROM ‘FACEBOOK’

he giant social media platform, Facebook, has partnered with UNESCO that will support in ensuring the guide reaches learners, educational institutions and teachers across India. This apart it will also support in updating The online and curating the guide with relevant learning resources. resource will This social media group has in Bangalore launched an online resource guide for educational institutes on how to collaborate and continue the learning process using Facebook products in India. Presently, the guide is available in English, Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, and Kannada.

help and guide education communities on how to collaborate by using Facebook’s products and tools

The online resource will help and guide education communities on how to collaborate by using Facebook’s products and tools like Facebook Pages, Facebook Groups, Facebook Live, Messenger, WhatsApp and Instagram. these guides would also provide vital information about COVID-19 from authoritative and credible sources such as Government of India’s advisory, WHO India Situation Report Page, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Coronavirus Resource Hub on Facebook, and Guidance from UNICEF on COVID-19 prevention and control in schools and help them in dealing with anxiety and bust misinformation surrounding the ongoing pandemic.

Manish Chopra, the Director and Head of Partnerships, Facebook in India, said, “Through our online learning resource guide, we want to equip teachers, parents and relevant government officials with ample resources and tools to help them stay connected and collaborate digitally to facilitate remote learning. We sincerely hope they are able to leverage these resources and continue the learning process”.

INDIA WEARS A ‘DIWALI LOOK’ IN RESPONSE TO PM’S APPEAL

rores of citizens stood up to comply with PM’s appeal. All lit up candles, earthen lamps, or turned on their mobile phones’ torch to show their collective resolve in fights against Coronavirus pandemic across the nation. Lakhs of crores of citizens across the country switched off internal lights of their homes and ignited earthen lamps, candles and turned on mobile phones’ torch at the balcony or the door of their homes on Sunday evening. Sources revealed that not only the big cities or town areas, but also various rural pockets, spread over the country, wore a ‘Diwali look’ at least for an hour.

Besides, showing candle lights in front of their residences, sections of citizen were also witnessed firing crackers, singing religious songs and playing music in various parts of the country. Entire activities were performed in response to the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi’s massive appeal to show a collective and unanimous approach to fight coronavirus pandemic with solidarity across the nation. It all started much before the stipulated time frame of 9 pm and continued till 9: 45 pm at many places. PM Modi had on March 3, appealed the masses to display their collective resolve to fight the coronavirus disease by lighting a candle, lamp or flashlight of a mobile phone on Sunday evening. Many renowned personalities and dignitaries, including President Ram Nath Kovind and his wife, Savita, Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu and his wife Ushamma, several Union Ministers like: Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh, BJP patriarch L K Advani, JP Nadda and prominent personalities from various fields including Mukesh Ambani and Bollywood actors and actresses came up with Diyas and candles in front of their doors and balcony. Many of them however termed it as “Diwali in April”.

OBSERVER DAWN May 2020

National

SCIENTISTS, EXERT EFFORTS TO REVIVE COUNTRY’S ECONOMY POST COVID-19

team of Indian experts and scientists, associated with an autonomous technology think tank, the Department of Science and Technology, are now exerting their efforts to prepare a white paper charting the course for the revival of Indian economy after the coronavirus pandemic gets over. The while paper aimed to strategies’ on the revival of post-Covid 19 Indian economy will be prepared by the experts of The Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC) “by virtue of its mandate of thinking for future,” says the government release. The white paper focuses on Make in India initiatives, the commercialization of indigenous technology and reduction of imports in a post-coronavirus India. “ This document would mainly focus on strengthening Make in India initiatives, commercialization of Indigenous technology, developing a technology-driven transparent Public Distribution System (PDS), efficient rural health care delivery, reduction of import, adoption of emerging technology domains like AI, Machine Learning, Data Analytics and many more,” says the document. The white paper will soon be ready for submission to the decisionmaking authorities of the Government.

Indian economy, like the rest of the world, is suffering due to the outbreak of the pandemic which is said to be the trigger for the worst recession seen since the great depression during the 1930s. India’s economic growth forecast has been cut down drastically by the IMF for the current fiscal at 1.9%, however, it predicts a robust revival in the economy by the next fiscal. The government has already begun relaxing the strict lockdown restrictions for a gradual resumption of some commercial activity—mainly in the rural sector and farming—which potentially allows for the resumption of 60% of the economy, says Nomura Holdings Inc. However, the output for the year started April 1 is likely to shrink by 0.4% compared with the growth of 4.6% the previous year.

SOUTH ASIAN COUNTRIES GET RELIEF MATERIALS FROM INDIA, PAK IGNORES

sing its SAARC COVID – 19 Emergence Fund, India has sent drugs, medical supplies and machines to Afghanistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Maldives and Sri Lanka. This amount of $1.7 million does not include the transportation of the relief commodities, which has, in some sectors, translated into 2-3 times the value of the relief material as New Delhi chartered flights to quickly reach the material to their destination.

Imran Khan had absented himself from the video conference. Islamabad was, instead, represented by its de facto health minister Zafar Mirza

Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the other regional leader to have started delivering on her $1.5 million promise, dispatched a shipload of relief material to Maldives this week. There has been no word from Pakistan, Prime Minister, Imran Khan’s government, pledged $3 million after holding off

for 25 days. Prime Minister, Narendra Modi had during a video conference of heads of government of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation member countries on March 15 proposed voluntary contributions to help others in the region.

PM Modi, when he proposed the fund, had committed to spend $ 10 million, followed by Sri Lanka ($5 million) and then Bangladesh ($1.5 million). In all, except Pakistan, the fund has firm commitments of $18.8 million. Imran Khan had absented himself from the video conference. Islamabad was, instead, represented by its de facto health minister Zafar Mirza. Zafar Mirza, whose performance as Pakistan’s key man to tackle the coronavirus pandemic had recently come in for sharp criticism from its Supreme Court, had also created a flutter at the March 15 Saarc conference when he raised Kashmir at this discussion. The idea of setting up the fund, as the external affairs ministry later explained, was that each country sets aside a certain amount of money that it would spend to help each other. “It is for each SAARC Member State to decide on the timing, manner and implementation of their Saarc Covid-19 Emergency Response Fund commitments,” foreign ministry spokesperson Anurag Srivastava, had said. Pakistan’s commitment to spend $3 million on other countries was followed by a rider that their fund should be channeled via the SAARC secretariat based in Kathmandu.

May 2020

OBSERVER DAWN

International

A lack of coordination in lifting restrictive measures risks having negative effects for all member states and creating political friction

EU CHALKS OUT PLAN TO KILL THE KILLER CORONAVIRUS

he EU’s executive body, the European Commission, has rushed out its roadmap for members of the world’s biggest trade bloc to coordinate an exit from the lockdowns that according to them may take a few months and involve large-scale testing. The EU’s fresh plan surfaced only after Austria, the Czech Republic and Denmark showed their interests to lift some of the lockdown measures. Almost 80,000 people have now died in Europe from the disease — about two-thirds of the global toll — according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. The commission said those scientists should be relied upon to guide national exit strategies in the weeks and months to come. Brussels is deeply concerned about the damage that could be done if each EU nation charts its own course, given the panic that ensued after the pandemic first spread in Italy, with unannounced border closures that sparked massive traffic jams and export bans that deprived hard-hit countries of medical equipment.

“A lack of coordination in lifting restrictive measures risks having negative effects for all member states and creating political friction,”

And the EU is very much split in its approach. Despite the ravages the illness is wreaking on their economies, France this week renewed its lockdown until May 11, and Belgium appears headed in a similar direction. Spain also recently renewed its state of emergency for the second time for an additional two weeks. “This is not - it is not - a signal that confinement, containment measures can be lifted as of now,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told reporters, highlighting the need for clear communication across the bloc as countries emerge from quarantine. Warning that lifting restrictions will “unavoidably lead to a corresponding increase in new cases,” the commission said that this should only start when the spread of the disease has dropped significantly and for some time, and when hospitals can cope with more patients. While the commission, which proposes EU laws and ensures that they are enforced, does not spell out exactly how EU countries should make the transition, the roadmap does underline that their “action should be gradual.”

OBSERVER DAWN May 2020

“A lack of coordination in lifting restrictive measures risks having negative effects for all member states and creating political friction,” the document said. Business operations should be phased in by sectors, based on things like how much can be done over the internet, the economic importance of the industry, or the kinds of shift work that could be introduced. Social distancing should be maintained and there should be no general return to work, it says.

Shops could gradually reopen, with possible limits on the number of people who could enter, and school could start again, although the commission recommends smaller classes to allow students to work at a safer distance from each other. Lunch breaks could be set at different times and internet learning should be preferred where possible. Brussels says a gap of around one month should be left between any steps to monitor their impact. Elderly people should be protected for longer, while restaurants, bars and cinemas could resume business with restricted opening hours and limits on the number of people who could enter. Measures blocking mass gatherings like festivals and concerts would be among the last to be lifted. For most people, coronavirus symptoms clear up in two to three weeks. But for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death. With a vaccine being the only silver bullet against the disease, the EU is injecting funds into research to fasttrack the hunt for such a miracle drug, and is working with the European Medicines Agency to make it easier to conduct clinical trials and slash any red tape that might stop it going on sale.

International

GERMAN CHANCELLOR SEEKS INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION TO FIGHT PANDEMIC CORONAVIRUS Concerned over spread of Pandemic Coronavirus across the world, the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, has called for international cooperation on the development of a vaccination. The pandemic Coronavirus has exceeded the borders and we left with no option but to counter it unanimously.

he German Chancellor was delivering her speech during a meeting of the German federal parliament, Bundestag, at the Reichstag building in Berlin, Germany on April 23, 2020. While speaking to the parliament in a session, where lawmakers were present at a defined gape from each other in order to maintain social-distancing regulations, Merkel said, German scientists were strategically and sincerely conducting wide research on the virus at home. “The research and studies being conducted by the German scientists are not enough to defeat the outbreak the pandemic coronavirus. International cooperation against the virus is extremely important”, the German Chancellor said adding that the science was never national, instead it served the mankind on the planet.

“For the German government, I emphasize the WHO is an indispensable partner and we support them in their mandate,”

“Thus it goes without saying that when medication or a vaccination is found, tested, released and is ready for use, it must be available all around the world and affordable for the whole world”, she added. U.S. President, Donald Trump, has announced he is halting funding for the World Health Organization to review how it has handled the outbreak, but Merkel lauded the agency’s work in the fight against the coronavirus. “For the German government, I emphasize the WHO is an indispensable partner and we support them in their mandate,” she said. Germany this week began slowly easing restrictions after being on lockdown for weeks, allowing small shops to start opening while keeping social distancing in place. All states are also moving ahead with regulations requiring protective masks in public transport, shops or both. Merkel chastised some states for moving too quickly to relax measures, however, saying they’re risking setting back what the country has achieved. Germany has reported more than 150,000 infections but a relatively low death toll of about 5,000, while more

U.S. President, Donald Trump, has announced he is halting funding for the World Health Organization to review how it has handled the outbreak, but Merkel lauded the agency’s work in the fight against the coronavirus

than 100,000 people have recovered, according to a count kept by Johns Hopkins University. The rate of new infections has been slowing, but Merkel cautioned “we’re still walking on thin ice, one could also say the thinnest ice.” “We’re not living in the final phase of the pandemic, but still at the beginning. We will be living with this virus for a long time.” Merkel told parliament that in her time as chancellor the decision to “restrict personal freedoms” in the fight against the virus was one of hardest she has made, and urged people to proceed carefully now as steps were being taken to reduce restrictions so as not to give up hard-won gains. “Let us not squander what we have achieved and risk a setback. It would be a shame if premature hope ultimately punishes us all”, she added. Still, she said she understood the urge for people to end their isolation, especially among the elderly and disabled population where loneliness can already be a problem. “In the times of a pandemic, it can be much lonelier without visitors. It is cruel when nobody can be there as strength fades and life comes to an end, aside from the nurses who are doing their very best,” she said. “Let us never forget these people and the temporary isolation they have to live in. These 80s- and 90s- people built our country and of course they are the foundation of the prosperity in which we now live.

May 2020

OBSERVER DAWN

Opinions

ARMY VETERANS ASSIST CIVIL ADMINS TO FIGHT AGAINST CORONAVIRUS

t a time, when the entire nation continues to battle the growing fear of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the Ex-Servicemen (ESM) belonging to Army, Navy and Air Force have come forward to assist the civil administration. These Ex-Army personnel and officers are providing their services voluntarily and selflessly. The Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare (DESW), Ministry of Defence (MoD), Government of India is coordinating entire activities. The Veterans are being contacted through the Kendriya Sainik Board, besides a network of 32 Rajya Sainik Boards at state level and 403 Zila Sainik Board all over the country.

Karnataka Brigadier Ravi Munniswamy (Retd), who is coordinating the effort across Karnataka, is spearheading a team of 45 veteran bicycle riders in Bengaluru. Munniswamy, along with other army fellows, are providing medicine and essential supplies to old and infirm people through a WhatsApp group in across the region. This apart, several Ex-Servicemen volunteers in Dharwad, Davanagere, Shivamogga, Hassan, Mysuru and Kodagu are assisting in distribution of food and lock-down management.

Andhra Pradesh Around 300 Ex-Servicemen volunteers are assisting the State Police in Andhra Pradesh. Some of the Ex-Servicemen a s s o c i a t i o n s l i k e Ta d e p a l l i g u d e m , West Godavari district association and 28 Air Defence Regiment ESM organizations at Mangalagiri are distributing

who are present in every village of Punjab for data collection and community surveillance.

Chhattisgarh A i r C o o m a n d e r, A N Ku l k a r n i , V S M ( Re t d ) who is coordinating the response in Chhattisgarh has informed that so far only a handful of ESM have been employed to provide assistance to State Police in Bilaspur, Janjgir and Korba.

North-East food and essential commodities a m o n g t h e p o o r. S h r i Chaitanya ESM Association, Bheemunipatnam is assisting the Police in ensuring lockdown measures.

Uttar Pradesh

According to Brig Ravi (Retd), the Zila Sainik Boards in 75 districts of Uttar Pradesh are assisting with a team of ESM in monitoring of ration distribution, community surveillance and running of community kitchen for the needy besides assisting the senior veteran ESM also. They have already identified and contacted 6,592 ESM from Army Medical Corps in the state and put them on standby for any contingency.

Punjab Brig Satinder Singh (Retd), Director Rajya Sainik Board, Punjab has informed that they have employed 4,200 ExServicemen as Guardians of Governance

OBSERVER DAWN May 2020

Brig Narain Dutt Joshi, SM (Retd) is ready with 300 ESM volunteers to assist in 19 Districts of Assam. Whereas Col Gautam Kumar Rai (Retd) at Shillong has 79 volunteers ready to assist the civil administration. Brig JP Tiwari (Retd) from Tripura has reported that the list of ESM volunteers has been shared with the State and district administration and they are on standby for any task assigned to them.

The Veterans are being contacted through the Kendriya Sainik Board, besides a network of 32 Rajya Sainik Boards at state level and 403 Zila Sainik Board all over the country

Jharkhand, Haryana, Uttarakhand Similarly Brig Pathak (Retd) from Jharkhand, Col Rahul Yadav (Retd) from Haryana and Brig KB Chand (Retd) from Uttarakhandhave did the same in their respective states. At a time when entire nation is under lockdown, the response from retired personnel of Army, Navy and Air Force as well as volunteer community service by Ex-Servicemen association, is very praiseworthy.

Opinions

IT’S ALL ABOUT GIVING CITIZENS FUND TO CITIZENS ON HIS TAG-NAME By Michael D’Antonio

n a stroke of egotistical genius, the US President, Donald Trump has made sure his name will be printed on the checks that millions of Americans will receive as part of the government’s response to the economic losses caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. It will appear below the words “Economic Impact Payment” and will encourage recipients to connect the aid with the man who occupies the White House. This move speaks to Trump’s creativity as it employs a twist on his previous method of using money to buy power. In the past he bragged about using donations to win access to politicians. Now, he’s sending it to the voters, obviously hoping they will use the power they have at the ballot box on his behalf.

The cost of Trump’s maneuver includes the destruction of useful norms, which may never be put back together again and the possible delay occasioned by getting the president’s name on the checks.

and set out to emblazon “Trump” in the largest possible (and preferably golden) letters on everything he touched, his election meant that the world would know, and never forget his name. But as we all know, the president doesn’t give up a trick that works. Ever on the lookout for opportunity, he apparently asked if he might put his spikey Sharpie signature on the payments. The problem here was that the president isn’t authorized to sign federal checks. The solution involved printing the name on a memo line.

As with so much in his presidency, the name-on-the-checks scheme violates the norms that have been honored by every one of his predecessors and the spirit of the laws governing the Internal Revenue Service, which is sending the payment. However, it strikes three pleasant notes that have long played in Trump’s head, producing a chord he must find irresistible.

The second ego satisfying note in this episode vibrates with the fact that Trump is getting to put his name on payments that are drawn from someone else’s bank account. As the victims of his Trump “University” were taught, it’s always a good thing to use other peoples’ money. Businessman Trump did this so aggressively that as he lost tons of it via bankruptcies, his lifestyle seemingly never took a hit. This time he’s going to win the game twice, as he grabs credit for sending taxpayers money that the government is borrowing and they will eventually have to repay via future taxes.

The first note is, of course, the name. Decades after he joined the family business

The third and most resonant factor that must appeal to Trump is that by

May 2020

putting his name on the checks he is thumbing his nose at convention. Trump is the sort who gets a kick out of making himself an exception. His bragging, crass talking, a vast record of false and misleading claims all speaks to the fact that he enjoys breaking the rules. In this case, the rules, established after former President Richard Nixon abused the IRS for political purposes, barred presidential signatures for the obvious purpose of eliminating the possibility that recipients might credit a politician for a payment. Trump found a way around this limit and must find this achievement truly satisfying. The cost of Trump’s maneuver includes the destruction of useful norms, which may never be put back together again, and the possible delay occasioned by getting the president’s name on the checks. Although in public, officials say there will be no lag, the Washington Post reported that in private, multiple sources say the work, which must be done by employees working form home due to the pandemic, will add time to the disbursement schedule.

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(Courtesy: CNN)

In-Depth

TELANGANA MOTHER RIDES 14,00 KM AMID LOCKDOWN ON SCOOTY “HER STRENUOUS JOURNEY WAS MEANT TO GET HER STRANDED SON BACK TO HOME” OD Bureau

nparalleled love for her son, strong determination and everending courage forced a Telengana woman ride her scooty about 1400 kilometers. The courageous mother however brought her youngest son, who had stuck in Nellore in neighboring Andhra Pradesh, owing to the COVID-19 lockdown, back home in just three days. Armed with the mandatory permission by the local authorities, the woman, Razia Begum (48), set out her arduous journey in the morning of April 6, 2020, and rode her scooty all alone to reach Nellore. She however returned with her son in the evening of April 8, 2020. Speaking to the media, the brave and courageous mother said, “It was a difficult journey on a small two-wheeler. But the determination to bring my son back overtook all my fears. I packed rotis and other important commodities before starting my ride. It was fearsome in the nights with no traffic movement and people on roads, but fearlessly I managed to cope up with the situation”. The woman is a government school headmistress from Bodhan town in Nizamabad district, about 200 kms from Hyderabad. Razia, who lost her husband 15 years ago, had been living with her two sons, an engineering graduate, and another, 19-year old Nizamuddin, aspiring to join MBBS. “On March 12, my son had gone to Rahmatabad in Nellore district to drop his friend but he stayed there. Meanwhile, the lockdown was announced following the coronavirus outbreak and he could not return”, Razia said. She was anguished to hear from her son that he was desperate to join the family and decided to fetch him back herself.

I left the place the very same day, along with my son, and reached my native place in the evening of April 8, 2020”.

The woman did not send her elder son as she thought police might mistake him for a joy rider and detain him.

She had packed ‘rotis’ to keep her from hunger pangs and rode on, making stops at fuel stations and quenching her thirst at certain points all along the way.

Speaking about her plan, Razia said, she initially thought to hire a car but later on she discarded the idea and finally chose to ride her own vehicle- scooty. Razia said, “I began my journey in the morning of April 6, 2020 and reached Nellore next day afternoon. Consequently,

Talking to the reporters, soon after her returned, Razia said, “I have to thank the police department. I am very thankful to them for their cooperation. They ensured that I could rest on the way for an hour or two safely and then gave me permission to proceed further”.

“On March 12, my son had gone to Rahmatabad in Nellore district to drop his friend but he stayed there. Meanwhile, the lockdown was announced following the coronavirus outbreak and he could not return”

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She stressed, “I saw on the way that everyone is following the lockdown very well in Telangana. I hope this continues and appeal to the people to stay indoors together, so that we can curb the spread of the disease”. Razia’s son, Nizamuddin, who is a medical aspirant had joined a coaching class for preparation of MBBS entrance examination after completing intermediate. “I was constant touch with my mother over the phone. Everyone has superheroes. My mother is only my superhero”, Nizamuddin said.

In-Depth

UNION GOVERNMENT IS ‘COMMITTED TO THE SAFETY OF ONE AND ALL’ The nationwide lockdown was imposed to contain the spread of Coronavirus disease in the country. But the sudden enforcement of such measures had left many foreign tourists stranded in many parts of the country. At this stage, the tourism ministry’s creative efforts by launching this portal emerged as a big help for the stranded tourists in India.

ow the Union Government’s Ministry of Tourism has come forward to help the stranded foreign tourists in various parts of the country. Over 1200 foreign tourists have got multiple benefits from this portal of Government of India.

Portal titled – Stranded in India is meant for foreign travelers stranded anywhere in the country. “The world is facing an unprecedented situation today. The Ministry of Tourism is with you in these difficult times. We are truly committed towards the safety of one and all. If you are a foreign traveller stranded anywhere in India due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we can help you get in touch with the concerned authorities”, the front page message of the portal reads. Apart from providing links and boxes of relevant queries or grievances, the authorities concerned have also offered helpline numbers and whatsapp numbers for quick access to the stranded forign tourists anywhere in the country. The Government of India’s such creative efforts came into light when an American woman, who was stranded in the Supaul district of Bihar and her was undergoing a surgery in Delhi, sent an SOS through the above given portal of the Tourism Ministry.

An Australian tourist stranded in Ahmedabad with his family was panicking, as he’d run out of the epilepsy medicines prescribed by doctors back home.

Soon after getting information, the Ministry swung into action and established required inter-ministerial, inter-departmental and state-Centre coordination to ensure all possible helps to the stranded tourist. The creative and sincere efforts of the Governments ultimately brought a fruitful results and the U.S. citizen was provided a special transit-permit, apart from required means of travel to reach New Delhi. The woman however expressed her utmost gratitude for the tourism ministry’s efforts. In another similar story, two Costa Rican citizens stranded in Chennai after a medical surgery were getting nervous because of the lockdown when the ministry established coordination with the state government and the Costa Rican Embassy to ensure they would have a safe stay in Tamil Nadu. An Australian tourist stranded in Ahmedabad with his family was panicking, as he’d run out of the epilepsy medicines prescribed by doctors back home. The tourism ministry portal connected him to the office of the district collector. He was

provided with sufficient medication, local transport and a safe stay. The family is comfortable now. “Gradually, the portal emerged as a crucial helping hand for such tourists. As many as 1,194 tourists have received assistance through the portal as of April 9. This apart, the ministry has also received about 800 till April 10”, a government official of the concerned department said. The portal lists details about a Ministry of External Affairs Covid-19 control centre, with a list of dedicated desks of officials handling different geographic locations, including the U.S., Italy, Spain, Japan, China, Russia and Latin America. Noticeably, the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, has also established a 24X7 portal for coordination of COVID – 19 across the country. The Ministry has however came up with a list of detailing about the tourists from different parts of the world including America, Japan, Russia, Italy, China and others.

May 2020

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In-Depth

MORE THAN 30% COVID-19 CASES HAVE LINKS WITH ‘TABLIGHI JAMAAT’ The Union Government has on April 18, 2020 announced that the Islamic missionary organization, Tablighi Jamaat, congregation in its central Delhi headquarters, the Markaz, has caused more than 4,000 Coronavirus cases across the country.

ut of the total number of 14,378 coronavirus cases in the country, almost 4,291 cases have close links with Jamaat. It has been estimated nearly three out of every ten cases belong to Tablighi Jamaat. Surprisingly, India is not only the country in the world that has had to suffer due to Tablighi Jamaat workers unwittingly turning their sect into the country’s virus super spreaders. In several countries - mostly in south and south-east Asia - the Tablighi Jamaat has been linked to 3,000 more cases, and counting. Like neighboring Pakistan where over 500 of the country’s 7,500-plus cases are prima facie linked to the Jamaat workers. One key hotspot in Pakistan was the Raiwind Ijtema, the annual event in March that, according to the police, w a s a tte nd ed b y ab o u t 100,000 people. The Jamaat puts the size of this congregation at twice as much. But it is in Malaysia where a Tablighi Jamaat congregation at a sprawling mosque complex on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur is seen as the source of hundreds of new coronavirus cases in the country and far beyond. Malaysia has linked over 1,500 of its 3,500 Covid-19 cases to this congregation. In February, the mosque complex hosted its annual congregation attended by over 15,000 people who dispersed before countries started ordering the shutdown. Some of them are presumed to have come to India.

Jamaat workers have been reported to have tested positive for the Sars-CoV-2 pathogen that causes the coronavirus disease

It was only when Telangana confirmed that six people who had attended the Delhi event had tested positive that an alarm was sounded. Jamaat workers have been reported to have tested positive for the Sars-CoV-2 pathogen that causes the coronavirus disease. For example, 79 of the 5900 Covid-19 cases detected in Indonesia are linked to the Jamaat. Back in India, the Jamaat challenge appears to be finally in grips in national capital Delhi, where the government has traced down hundreds of more people with links to the Jamaat and sent them to quarantine centers. The Union Health Ministry has said, the Tablighi Jamaat workers account for 63 per cent of the city’s 1,700 cases. But it is worse in Tamil Nadu and Telangana where 84 per cent and 79 per cent of the state’s Covid-19 patients, respectively, are linked to the Markaz. The Health Ministry also said Tablighi Jamaat-linked Covid-19 cases had been reported from 23 states

OBSERVER DAWN May 2020

and union territories. In Arunachal Pradesh, the congregation has been linked to its only coronavirus case. The headquarters of the religious sect had emerged as the biggest coronavirus disease hotspots last month after authorities discovered nearly 2,300 workers living in the building in circumstances that made social distancing impossible. Initial tests indicated 24 of them were already positive when officials moved them out, sending them to state-run quarantine facilities. A nationwide manhunt was also launched for the thousands of others who had been to the Markaz earlier and had headed back to the states for missionary work. This week, the Home Ministry expanded this search to cover Rohingya as well after reports that some of them had also been associated with the Jamaat workers and attended the congregation.

In-Depth

ISOLATED ARTISTS FIND PERFORMANCE SPACES ON ROOFTOPS IN IRAN

he 28-year-old girl, Mojgan Hosseini, a member of the National Orchestra of Iran, plays Qanun on the roof of her home during mandatory self-isolation due to the recent outbreak of Coronavirus, in Tehran, the capital city of Iran. As all of the performance halls have been closed, many such musicians are hiding in their homes over the Mideast’s worst outbreak of the virus. As such, these Iranian musicians are now finding performance spaces, wherever they can. Rooftops littered with debris and water tanks, empty front porches and opened apartment windows or wherever their music floats down on others stuck in their homes, are among the most prominent places to play music for them. As a result of their isolation in homes due to the Mideast’s worst virus outbreak, Hosseini and other Iranian musicians have now found their performance spaces either on the rooftop or in the orchards of their houses. Their music floats down on others stuck in their homes, fearful of the COVID-19 illness that the virus may bring. The impromptu concerts of these artists often draw applause and offer hope to their listeners, even as public performances still draw hard-line scrutiny in the Islamic Republic.

he 26-year-old, Kaveh Ghafari, who is an Accordion Player said, “During these quarantine days, the only place that I feel I can share my music is in my yard with my neighbors as my main audience,” he said. “These days I can feel the power of art more than ever.” The qanun player, Hosseini, music often gives her an outlet she'd otherwise have as a member of Iran’s National Orchestra. Only the occasional motorbike or bird's chirp could be heard as she played one recent afternoon. She added, "Since COVID-19 hit Tehran, the rooftop terrace of my apartment has become my stage to perform and my neighbors have became my main audience these days”.

ne, Arif Mirbaghi, who plays the double bass in his front yard says, “We are not front-line medical workers, hospital custodians, or grocery workers, but I think many musicians — myself included — have felt an obligation to offer our services of comfort and entertainment in these trying times”. Iran has been hard-hit by the virus with more than 76,000 confirmed cases, including more than 4,700 fatalities. Musicians long have been a mainstay in Iranian life, dating back to the ancient Persian empires. Legend has it that King Jamshid, the fourth king of the Pishdadian Dynasty, known as the “king of the world,” created music with a four-stringed lyra. As the time passed, the Western influence brought with it the symphonies of Europe. Initially after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, pop and Western-influenced music all but disappeared. Classical music slowly re-emerged in the 1990s and has become increasingly popular. But women still cannot sing before audiences including men and hard-liners have broken up concerts that pushed the cultural limits imposed by Iran's Shiite theocracy. Outside of Tehran, officials increasingly break up performances. But the coronavirus pandemic has loosened some mores, as doctors and nurses dance in social media videos that earlier could have served as grounds for arrest. Among those taking to the rooftops are female musicians like 36-year-old composer and tar player Midya Farajnejad.

May 2020

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Cover Story

COVID – 19

DEADLY VIRUS CASTS SHADOW ON INDIAN ECONOMY With the novel corona virus spreading its wing across the world, the situation really turned pandemic. Besides, affecting the normal lives of the millions of people, this deadly virus did not leave any stone unturned in casting its black shadow on the day-to-day lives of millions of people. The world Economy is one of the worst affected parts of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Analyzing the gravity of the situation, the authorities left with one and only option- ‘A Total Lockdown’, forcing the governments as well as the concerned organizations to change their economic equations. The novel coronavirus pandemic has largely affected 200 countries and territories. As a major impact the premier institution, International Monetary Fund (IMF) revised its global GDP growth estimate.

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Cover Story

In India, the Coronavirus cases have grown up to 2000 and the death toll crossed 700. Let us throw light on the way it impacted the Indian economyâ&#x20AC;Ś..

CORONA

VIRUS On December 31, 2019, the Coronavirus outbreak was first reported in Wuhan. Before going into depth and its impact on the human lives, we must know that what exactly this deadly virus mean? To this, Coronavirus (CoV) is a large family of viruses that causes illness. It ranges from the common cold to more severe diseases like Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). The novel coronavirus is a new strain of virus that has not been identified i human so far.

The WHO, in close association with global experts, governments and other health organizations across the world, is working on it to gather more knowledge about it. However, the Organization is issuing guidelines to provide advice regarding precautionary and preventive measures to the countries.

May 2020

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Cover Story IMPACT ON INDIAN ECONOMY

n an industry survey, jointly conducted by industry body, FICCI and the Tax consultancy, Dhruva Advisors, the survey team sought responses from about 380 companies from different sectors in India. The survey report, however reveals that businesses are grappling with ‘tremendous uncertainty’ about their future.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

s a part of the most significant step to prevent the spread of Coronavirus disease in India, PM, Narendra Modi, had on May 24, 2020 announced a 21day lockdown in the country. It was a complete nationwide shutdown in an effort to break the chain of transmission.

India’s fight against the Covid-19 outbreak has been unique. Clampdowns have been imposed much earlier than in many countries, including China, which failed to contain the spread of the virus. But the real test for India, The WHO curbing community However, after witnessing has said transmission, India’s fight increase in the number has just begun. against of Coronavirus infected COVID – 19 Although the could make patients, the Indian country placed or break the Government extended travel restrictions global war the day of Lockdown for relatively early, and the next 21 days. Hence, many states quickly the nationwide shutdown of shut off access to public Indian market that was likely to be places, the country’s high opened after April 14, 2020, will probably population density, overburdened be opened after May 3, 2020. The World public health infrastructure, high Health Organization (WHO) has said India's prevalence of non-communicable fight against COVID – 19 could make or diseases and the prospect of break the global war. The Organization also transmission from younger people to the elderly in joint families all said that India had a tremendous capacity to stack the odds against effective deal with the pandemic, as it has experience containment. of eradicating smallpox and polio.

MAJOR IMPACTS ON INDIAN INDUSTRIES Chemical Industry: Some chemical plants have been shut down in China. So there will be restrictions on shipments/logistics. It was found that 20% of the production has been impacted due to the disruption in raw material supply. China is a major supplier of Indigo that is required for denim. Business in India is likely to get affected so people securing their supplies. However, it is an opportunity. US and EU will try and diversify their markets. Some of the business can be diverted to India which can also be taken as an advantage.

Shipping Industry: Coronavirus outbreak has impacted the business of cargo movement service providers. As per the sources, per day per vessel has declined by more than 75-80% in dry bulk trade. Auto Industry: Its impact on Indian companies will vary and depend upon the extent of the business with China. China’s business no doubt is affected. However, current levels of the inventory seem to be sufficient for the Indian industry. If the shutdown in China continues then it is expected to result in an 8-10% contraction of Indian auto manufacturing in 2020.

OBSERVER DAWN May 2020

“The Coronavirus disease is having a deep impact on Indian businesses, over the coming month's jobs are at high risk because firms are looking for some reduction in manpower. Further, it is added that already COVID-19 crisis has caused an unprecedented collapse in economic activities during the second and third weeks of April, 2020”, the reports reads. The incumbent present situation is having a ‘high to very high’ level impact on their business according to almost 72 per cent respondents. Further, 70 per cent of the surveyed firms are expecting de-growth sales in the fiscal year 2020-21. The FICCI said in a statement, "The survey clearly highlights that unless a substantive economic package is announced by the government immediately, we could see a permanent impairment of a large section of the industry, which may lose the opportunity to come back to life again”. Facts Finding By the Survey Team In respect to the approved expansion plans, around 61 per cent of the respondents expect to postpone such expansions for a period of up to 6 or 12 months, while 33 per cent expect it to for more than 12 months. Surveyed firms of around 60 per cent have postponed their fund-raising plans for the next 6-12 months. Also, nearly 25 per cent of the firms have decided the same. Surveyed firms around 43 per cent have reported that they do not predict an impact on exports. Further, 34 per cent said that exports would take a

Pharmaceuticals Industry: Despite being one of the top formulations of drug exporters in the world, the pharma industry of India relies heavily on import as of bulk drugs. Due to the coronavirus outbreak, it will also be impacted. Textiles Industry: Due to coronavirus outbreak, several garments/textile factories in China have halted operations that in turn affecting the exports of fabric, yarn and other raw materials from India. Solar Power Sector: Indian developers may face some shortfall of raw materials needed in solar panels/cells and limited stocks from China.

Cover Health Story hit by more than 10 per cent. The COVID-19 has, of course, disrupted human lives and global supply chain but the pandemic is a severe demand shock which has offset the green shoots of recovery of the Indian economy that was visible towards the end of 2019 and early 2020. However, the revised GDP that has been estimated for India downwards by 0.2% for the fiscal year 2020 to 4.8% and by 0.5% for the fiscal year 2021 to 6%. Further, it is stated that the extent of the actual impact will depend upon the severity and duration of the outbreak. Three major channels of impact for Indian Lockdown in India will have a businesses according sizeable impact on the economy The KPMG to the report namely is a global mainly on consumption which network of linkages, supply chain is the biggest component of professional and macroeconomic GDP. firms providing factors. According Audit, Tax Reduction in the urban and Advisory to the information, at services transaction can lead to a steep least 6,606 Indian entities fall in the consumption of nonhave legal linkages with essential goods. It can be severe companies in countries with if disruption causes by the 21-day a large number of confirmed lockdown and affect the availability of COVID-19 cases. And business activity essential commodities”, the KPMG report in the foreign markets is slow which implies said. (The KPMG is a global network of a negative impact on the topline of these professional firms providing Audit, Tax and companies. Sectors that would be much Advisory services). affected includes logistics, auto, tourism, metals, drugs, pharmaceuticals, electronic At the same time, it can also not be ignored goods, MSMEs and retail among others that the post-COVID-19, some economies In addition, as forecast by the World Bank's assessment, India is expected to grow 1.5% to 2.8%. And IMF projected a GDP growth of 1.9% for India in 2020, because the global economy is affected by the COVID pandemic, the worst recession since the Great Depression in the 1930s. Besides, it cannot be ignored that the lockdown and pandemic hit several sectors mostly MSME, hospitality, civil aviation, agriculture and allied sectors.

are expected to adopt de-risking strategies and shift their manufacturing bases from China. This can create opportunities for India. According to KPMG, opportunities will largely depend on how quickly the economy recovers and the pace at which the supply chain issues are addressed. “Apart from providing robust safety nets for the vulnerable, a focus on ensuring job

continuity and job creation will be imperative. There is urgent need to mobilize resources to stimulate the economy for increased demand and employment”, the KPMG India Chairman and CEO, Arun M Kumar, said. “It is expected that the course of economic recovery in India will be smoother and faster than that of many other advanced countries”, the KPMG report revealed. SO far as trade is concerned, China is the world’s largest exporter and second-largest importer, accounting for 13% of world exports and 11% of world imports. It will have a vast impact on the Indian industry. In imports, the dependence of India on China is huge. India’s total electronic imports account for 45% of China. About one-third of machinery and the two-fifths of organic chemicals that India purchases from the world come from China. For automotive parts and fertilizers China’s share in India’s import is more than 25%. Around 65 to 70% of active pharmaceutical ingredients and around 90% of certain mobile phones come from China to India. As such, it can be anticipated the current outbreak of coronavirus in China will further provoke the India’s import dependence on China.

Electronics Industry: The major supplier is China in electronics being a The outbreak final product or raw is declared as a national material used in the emergency electronic industry. by the World India’s electronic Health Organization industry may face supply disruptions, production, reduction impact on product prices due to heavy dependence on electronics component supply directly or indirectly and local manufacturing. IT Industry: The New Year holidays in China has been extended due to coronavirus outbreak that adversely impacted the

May 2020

revenue and growth of Indian IT companies. Tours, Travels and Civil Aviation: The inflow of tourists from China and other East Asian regions to India have somehow chalked. It will have a large impact on the tourism sector. The outbreak is declared as a national e m e r g e n c y b y t h e Wo r l d H e a l t h Organization. In India, the three major contributors to GDP namely private consumption, investment and external trade will all get affected. World and Indian economy are attempting to mitigate the health risks caused by the spreading Coronavirus disease and important measures are being taken by the authorities concerned to improve the situation.

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Cover Story WOMEN’S SHG: A BIG WARRIOR TO COMBAT CORONAVIORUS

he collective effort of women’s SelfHelp Groups (SHGs) has come to the fore during an unprecedented Lockdowns meant to defeat the Coronavirus in India. In over 90 percent of India’s districts, away from the limelight of the cities, SHG women are producing facemasks, running community kitchens, delivering essential food supplies, sensitizing people about health and hygiene and combating misinformation. SGGs have risen to the extraordinary challenge Coronavirus pandemic. They are meeting shortfalls in masks, sanitizers and protective equipment, running community kitchens, fighting misinformation and even providing banking and financial solutions to far-flung communities.

World Bank Supports India in Fight against COVID-19 The World Bank has come up with a fresh development plan for India - India COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health Systems Preparedness Project. It will help the country prevent, detect and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and strengthen its public health preparedness. This is the largest ever health sector support from the Bank to India. It will enable the country cover all states and Union Territories and address the needs of infected people, at-risk populations, medical and emergency personnel and service providers, medical and testing facilities, and national and

The World Bank has come up with a fresh development plan for India India COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health Systems Preparedness Project

animal health agencies. This project will immediately enable the Government of India (GOI) to scale-up efforts to limit human-to-human transmission, including reducing local transmission of cases and containing the epidemic from progressing further. In a statement passed by the World Bank Country head for India, Junaid Ahmad, “The World Bank is working in close partnership with the Government of India to provide urgent and flexible support to the country as it fights the spread of COVID-19”. He said, “This operation is expected to enhance surveillance capacities, strengthen diagnostic systems, and expand the capacity of laboratories. But, COVID-19 is not only a health challenge. It has deep social and economic implications. In parallel, we are working with equal urgency with Government on social protection programs and economic measures that protect the livelihoods of people”. It would also enhance the resilience of India’s health system to provide core public health prevention and patient care to better manage COVID-19 and future disease outbreaks.

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Career

• • • • • • • •

Search engine optimization specialist Email marketer Affiliate marketer Web designer Content manager and curation Copywriter Social media account handler Video/audio producer.

Benefits of Learning Digital Marketing Here are a few benefits of getting a job in the digital marketing industry –

• Demanding Job In 2020, there is no lack of opportunities for content creators, social media strategists, or affiliate marketers. While these are mainly for the creative minds, the tech experts have got areas like SEO or SEM to follow. All these options provide a highly paid and satisfactory job. According to a study, there will be almost 2 million digital marketing jobs in the United Kingdom by 2020. But there are not enough candidates to fill all the gaps. The existing digital marketing professional is 44% less than the demand. So, acquiring digital marketing skills will help you to build a brilliant career in the future.

WANT TO LEARN DIGITAL MARKETING? HERE'S WHY IT IS A GOOD IDEA

igital marketing is almost similar to conventional marketing techniques. The only difference is that digital marketing uses a digital tool to get the job done. Its history is about 100 years old. But the invention of the internet has taken its importance and scope to the next level. Every company or business enterprise wants to have a robust digital presence. It adds a new dimension to the buyer-seller interaction. The need for this digital presence has created a lot of opportunities now. The presence of a vast number of digital marketing courses is an indication of the growing popularity.

Types of Career Options Available in the Digital Marketing Field As the internet grows, the number of jobs in digital marketing is always on the rise. It has tons of options to pick up. • Reputation Management Consultants

• Flexibility

As a digital marketer, you will have some freedom. You will get to choose the company type you would work in. For example, Reputation Management Consultants work for brands, an individual, an IT company, or in a social networking platform.

• High Salary We have already mentioned, the demand for digital marketing candidates is surpassing the supply. It increases the value of the existing professionals. Having digital marketing skills will enable you to negotiate a better deal with your employer. When capable professionals are scarce, the companies offer a higher salary to compete with their competitors.

• Start Your Career In regular jobs, the candidates have to wait for a chance to work with a company. However, digital marketing professionals can start their careers on their own. Give a thought about the online influencers, the bloggers, or YouTube stars. They have made their fan base. Eventually, this same fan base will help them to work with the companies that they always wanted.

May 2020

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Insider

‘LOCKDOWN’ HALTED SPREAD OF CORONAVIRUS DISEASE IN INDIA The doctors and the medical staffs at the India’s busiest COVID-19 hospital believe that the Nationwide Lockdown has halted spread of Coronavirus disease across the country and the authorities are largely success in controlling the situation. severe symptoms have been kept in the ICU. According to the hospital management, the oldest patient is a 95-yearold man, and the youngest is a four-monthold baby boy. The team of doctors handling patients includes chest specialists, anesthetists, microbiologists, and dermatologists. There are patients with a lot of underlying medical conditions - diabetes, hypertension, even cancer - so all the specialists have been called in to help with the treatment. Patients are provided with oral medication - antibiotics and hydroxychloroquine (commonly known as HCQ), an anti-malarial

uring the first week of March, a 40-year-old doctor, a chest specialist in India, Ravi Dosi, found a baffling surge in patients with respiratory problems at outpatient clinics. “About 50% jump in patients with upper respiratory issues and sore throat. Although, testing of patients were going on, but were surprised to see all these”, said Dr Dosi. He works at Sri Aurobindo Institute of Medical Sciences, a 1,156-bed private medical college in the central city of Indore.

“About 50% jump in patients with upper respiratory issues and sore throat. Although, testing of patients were going on, but were surprised to see all these”

“Within the first two weeks of March, we witnessed repeated admission of patients with Coronavirus disease in the hospital. And during the last week of the month almost 28 patients were admitted everyday in the hospital”, Dr Dosi added. “In the very first phase, almost a dozen arrived here from far-flung areas of the district and neighboring regions. Gradually the number of patients grew up and the area turned to be a hotspot. In the second week of April, Dr Dosi and his team of 100 doctors and nearly an equal number of nursing staff working 24/7 in three shifts to serve the patients, found positive for COVID - 19. Almost 38 patients were kept in ICU, 21 of them were critical. There had been seven deaths. A surgeon and the chairman of the hospital, Vinod Bhandari, said, “We are handling the largest number of Covid-19 patients in India”.

Doctors now believe that the infection was spreading in the community long before the government admitted to it, and testing slowly ramped up. Latest study by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has revealed that about 52 districts in 20 states and union territories have been reported Covid-19 patients due to community transmission. Over 40% of the cases did not have any history of international travel or any contact with COVID – 19 patients. Almost 3 isolation wards of the hospital, spread over two floors, are stacked with patients. While, the Isolation wards have younger patients with mild infection, the elderly patients with more

OBSERVER DAWN May 2020

drug - and directed to maintain social distancing and wash their hands regularly, especially the isolation ward of the hospital. Dr Dosi said, “We never saw such a challengeable crisis like this. Decades ago, we had heard stories about plague outbreak in Surat only, it seems to be wider with number reasons behind hopelessness”. During 21- day lockdown India imposed on March 24 could halt the spread of the infection and largely success in improving the situation, Dr Dosi said. “Now number of patients being admitted here almost 8-10 a day, while, just 1 or 2 are kept in ICU. Recently, these were in the ratio of 50:50”, Dr Dosi said.

Health

COVID-19

TIPS OF MINISTRY OF AYUSH TO INCREASE IMMUNITY By Ekansh Pandey

n the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak, entire mankind across the globe is suffering. Enhancing the body’s natural defence system (immunity) plays an important role in maintaining optimum health. We all know that prevention is better than cure. While there is no medicine for Covid-19 as of now, it is recommended to take preventive measures which boost our immunity in these times. Ayurveda, being the science of life, propagates the gifts of nature in maintaining healthy and happy living. Ayurveda’s extensive knowledge base on preventive care derives from the concepts of “Dinacharya” - daily regimes and “Ritucharya” - seasonal regimes to maintain healthy life. It is a plant-based science. The simplicity of awareness about oneself and the harmony each individual can achieve by uplifting and maintaining his or her immunity is emphasized across Ayurveda’s classical scriptures. Ministry of AYUSH recommends the following self-care guidelines for preventive health measures and boosting immunity with special reference to respiratory health. These are supported by Ayurvedic literature

and scientific publications.

(Raisin) - once or twice a day. Add jaggery (natural sugar) and / or fresh lemon juice to your taste, if needed.

RECOMMENDED MEASURES General Measures

3. Golden Milk- Mix Half tea spoon Haldi (turmeric) powder in 150 ml hot milk –Drink once or twice a day.

1. Drink warm water throughout the day. 2. Daily practice of Yogasana, Pranayama and meditation for at least 30 minutes as advised by Ministry of AYUSH 3. Spices like Haldi (Turmeric), Jeera (Cumin), Dhaniya (Coriander) and Lahsun (Garlic) are recommended in cooking.

Ayurvedic Immunity Promoting Measures 1. Eat 1 tablespoon ofChyavanprash in the morning. Diabetics should take sugar free Chyavanprash. 2. Drink herbal tea / decoction (Kadha) made from Tulsi (Basil), Dalchini (Cinnamon), Kalimirch (Black pepper), Shunthi (Dry Ginger) and Munakka

Ministry of AYUSH recommends the following self-care guidelines for preventive health measures and boosting immunity with special reference to respiratory health

May 2020

Simple Ayurvedic Procedures 1. Nasal application - Apply sesame oil / coconut oil or Ghee in both the nostrils (PratimarshNasya) in morning and evening. 2. Oil pulling therapy- Take 1 tablespoon sesame or coconut oil in mouth. Do not drink, Swish in the mouth for 2 to 3 minutes and spit it off followed by warm water rinse. This can be done once or twice a day.

During dry cough / sore throat 1. Steam inhalation with fresh Pudina (Mint) leaves or Ajwain (Caraway seeds) can be practiced once in a day. 2. Lavang (Clove) powder mixed with natural sugar / honey can be taken 2-3 times a day in case of cough or throat irritation. 3. These measures generally treat normal dry cough and sore throat. However, it is best to consult doctors if these symptoms persist.

OBSERVER DAWN

Health & Hygiene

FOODS THAT WORSEN YOUR

‘THYROID DISEASE

s we know, thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland sitting at the base of our neck and releases hormones that somehow regulate metabolism, heartbeat, growth, internal temperature and much more. And hence, when thyroid does not function well, it creates multiple problems in human body. There are two main types of thyroid diseases - hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. The first, hypothyroidism, occurs when the thyroid does not make enough hormone. This can happen when thyroid itself malfunctions, which is called primary hypothyroidism. The disorder can also occur when the pituitary gland in your brain fails to send important messages to the thyroid that are necessary to trigger the release of thyroid hormone. That’s called secondary hypothyroidism. In both cases, the symptoms include weight gain, fatigue, depression and sensitivity to cold. On the other hand, when the thyroid releases too much hormone, it’s called hyperthyroidism. The symptoms are largely opposite from what happens when you don’t have enough thyroid hormone. You may experience weight loss, nervousness, irritability, sensitivity to heat, and irregular heartbeat. Thyroid disease is largely controlled by genetics, but stress, environmental toxins and diet play a vital role in controlling it. As such, here we will to let you know about foods that are known to exacerbate thyroid disease.

OBSERVER DAWN May 2020

PROCESSED FOOD

ust like fast food, processed and packaged foods also contain a ton of sodium but rarely use iodized salt. If you don’t believe us, start checking labels at the store. Many of these products, even sweet ones, contain more than 20% of your daily sodium allowance in one “serving”. A diet containing too much sodium puts you at risk for heart disease and high blood pressure, and getting your sodium from processed foods adds little to no critical iodine. That’s why it’s always best to prepare meals fresh at home and salt them using iodized table salt.

Health & Hygiene

3 SOY

here is a fair bit of controversy over soy. Once considered a healthful substitute to meat products, in recent years evidence has surfaced that suggests soy can have a negative effect on thyroid function. Soy can impact the ability of your thyroid to absorb iodine, so if you are already deficient, this can significantly up your risk of developing hypothyroidism. However, many researchers say that as long as you aren’t eating a ton of soy nor have a pre-existing iodine deficiency, you aren’t at an increased risk of developing an underactive thyroid. Moderation is important when it comes to soy, especially if you are a man, as soy can also mimic estrogen in the body.

WHEAT

FAST FOOD

eliac disease is a disorder in which the body cannot handle the gluten in grains like wheat, barley and rye. For a reason that is not totally clear, people with celiac disease also have a higher risk for thyroid disorder. As such, if you have been diagnosed with celiac, avoiding gluten will be important for lots of reasons. Not only will it support healthy digestion, but it will also reduce your risk of developing a thyroid disorder as well.

asically, thyroid gland uses iodine from our diets to create the hormones T3 and T4. In fact, the thyroid is the only organ that uses iodine. There are lots of reasons to avoid fast food, but when it comes to thyroid disease, the fact is that this food contains a ton of salt but very little iodine. At home, we get a lot of our daily iodine from iodized table salt, but there is no requirement for fast food restaurants to use iodized salt in their food. Studies confirm that fast food meals net you very little helpful iodine for all the sodium you’ll consume.

May 2020

OBSERVER DAWN

Health & Hygiene

ORGAN MEATS

rgan meat like liver, kidney and heart has fallen out of fashion in recent years, but it can be quite good for you. These less popular cuts of meat offer a ton of lipoic acid, which is known to reduce inflammation and support cognitive function. Unfortunately, lipoic acid may also affect your thyroid function if you get too much of it. Lipoic acid is also not recommended for people who already take thyroid medication, as it can alter the function of the medicine.

SUGARY TREATS

rocessed sugars are public enemy number one when it comes to health. Most of us eat way too much, often without even realizing it. Not only does sugar cause weight gain, it sparks inflammation all over the body and ups your risk of issues like diabetes, heart disease, and tooth decay. An underactive thyroid slows your metabolism way down, and this can lead to weight gain even if you aren’t consuming a lot of sugar. But if you are, you may find yourself with a shocking number of extra pounds in no time. Reducing the amount of sugar you eat is the number one thing you can do to improve your health and lower the harmful effects of a thyroid disorder.

ruciferous vegetables, including broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and kale, are very healthy because they offer a lot of fiber and important vitamins and minerals. Cruciferous vegetables are unique because they contain sulfurous compounds called glucosinolates, and research indicates that glucosinolates have the potential to fight cancer. However, if you have an iodine deficiency, it may be best to steer clear of cruciferous vegetables. The process of digestion for this particular category of produce is thought to block the thyroid’s ability to utilize iodine. Don’t worry too much if you love ‘em, because you can safely eat 5 ounces a day with no problem, and cooking can reduce the effect on your thyroid. The positive aspect is that the thyroid disease need not interfere with your normal diet too much. The importance of avoiding fast and processed foods as well as excess sugar is not new and applies to everyone who hopes for good health. Wheat is only important to avoid if you have diagnosed celiac disease, and a simple blood test can determine that. Even soy and cruciferous vegetables are still okay, but best eaten in moderation. As long as you prepare most of your meals at home from whole ingredients, you can rest assured that you are doing the best you can for your thyroid – at least in terms of diet. Luckily, the thyroid is easily treated with medication and once you’re stabilized, all of those troubling symptoms should disappear.

OBSERVER DAWN May 2020

CRUCIFEROUS VEGETABLES

Health & Hygiene

YOU ARE, INDEED, WHAT YOU EAT... By Akshama Bhardwaj, Dietician

ou are what you eat and that’s why the secret to a successful life is a healthy and well-balanced diet. Diet plays a pivotal role in our daily life. Almost 99% of chronic diseases and disorders including life threatening disease, like: cancer, or any hazardous troubles are often treated through Diet. In fact diet plays a major role in our day-to-day life. The experts believe that while diet plays almost 60% role in getting us rid of any disease, exercise plays 30% and medicines only 10%. The old saying – ‘If health is lost everything is lost’, seems true when we deeply think over the facts. In spite of all these, we ignore it. Data reveals that more than 70% populations across the world are often tested infectious syndrome just because of their ignored diets. Being a dietician, I would like to guide our readers about healthy food and comfortable eating habits that are not only nutritionally-balanced but also encourage positive thinking and calmness among us. These are natural and do not include or promote the use of supplements. As, the homemade ‘poshtik ahar’ is considered sustainable, healthy and easily available, I appeal the masses to prefer the homemade foods rather than any fad diets like: keto diets, mono diets, intermittent fasting and so on. Actually, diet differs from one individual to another, just like their personalities and habits do. With your commitment and dedication meet ours, create customized diet plans that suit your schedule and activity level. All my diet plans are aimed at increasing energy levels and strengthening the immune system.

To keep yourself stay healthy make your body fitness up to the mark, you must follow the below given diet guides: 1. Have Small and Frequent meals at least 5 to 6 meals per day including 3 main meals and 3 mid meals.

Diet plays a major role in our dayto-day life. The experts believe that while diet plays almost 60% role in getting us rid of any disease, exercise plays 30% and medicines only 10%

2. Have any 1 detox drink early in the morning include any seed water like: methi, sauf, kadipatta, dhaniya, flaxs, chia, pumpkin seeds etc.) as per the disease or health choice at least 15 to 20 days daily for better result. 3. Have breakfast within 2 hours of wake up, lunch within 5 hours and dinner 3 hrs prior sleeping. 4. Avoid too much junk, packaged, processed food and do stick to homemade food. 5. Stay hydrated, must have 10 to 12 glass of water daily. 6. Cut down refined flour and sugar items from your diet. 7. Use multi grain flour for chapatti. 8. Include high fibres, whole grains, pulses, milk and milk products, green veggies, etc daily in your diet. 9. Use combination of oils in food preparation it means use blends of oils in all three main meals including olive oil, mustard oil, or any refined oil can also be used. 10. Do exercise for at least 40-60 minutes daily in the morning including yoga, stretching, cardio, bending, planks, skipping, jogging etc and 30 minutes walk daily after dinner. 11. If having any cheat meal than balance that by eating low calories dish for next 2 to 3 meals after and 1 dish before cheat meal. 12. Have 2 to 3 cup green tea per day 30 minutes after main meals including breakfast, lunch and dinner. 13. When going out for brunch or dinner eat 30% less than of daily intake, order salad as a starter and have green tea or jeera water 30 minutes after meal.

May 2020

OBSERVER DAWN

Business Tips TOP 5 BENEFITS OF STRONG RELATIONSHIP

MARKETING FOR YOUR BUSINESS Would you like to raise your customer's loyalty when they hear your brand name?Would you like to get them astonished by your product or service? If your answer is "yes", you should definitely think of utilizing relationship marketing. What to do and what to start with? Read on to find out!

hen it comes to increasing the scale of business, all of us start rushing with worthy and even overpriced advertising campaigns, instead of just building strong and shared ties with potential customers. The size and openness of your network influences your company's performance paying off in the long term. Subsequently, for running a successful and profitable business you need to connect with the customer base and convince them about your worth.

Why is strong relationship marketing so crucial nowadays? Before getting into the discussion of what it is and how to use it, you should realize the necessity of updating your

OBSERVER DAWN May 2020

customer base. Having a sustainable business is not enough today. You need to use different kinds of marketing strategies such as strong relationship marketing to increase customer retention and brand loyalty without much cost. Once you succeed in engaging in interaction with them, wait for your reward appearing around the corner.

What is strong relationship marketing? It is a deep loyalty-oriented type of marketing focusing on a companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s development in the long run. Relationship marketing is all about delighting the audience and strategically pushing them toward you. So, what is the acting mystery of this type of business promotion? Should you consider it when developing your private enterprise? And if so, what will be the most remarkable advantages? Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s get some answers:

Business Tips best in terms of identifying your clients' possible tacky problems or bottlenecks. It helps you to quickly determine a source of a troublesome situation and react immediately.

What are the first steps to be taken? We have already noted that acquiring new customers and making them stay connected are the hardest goals to achieve but it is not a sort of an attainable pink-colored aim. You can earn their attention by delivering the best products and providing the greatest service, subsequently turning them into a permanent client base. We have listed the main tips to apply strong relationship marketing strategy to your firm:

- Create functional service Top 5 benefits of Strong Relationship Marketing: 1) You enhance value to your goods or services Since the moment you start investing your time, energy, efforts, money in relationships, you start investing in product or service value. By regularly reaching out to your business network you simply approach everyone in that community to appreciate all your work. Everyone observes how you care about feedback, positive reviews, how gently you try to connect with one client separately and with a squad of clients altogether. By building a good relationship you establish a transparent image of a brand and its goods or services, thus cultivating a great cosmic significance in it.

2) You can get more of high-valued feedback When sharing close bonds with customers, you can easily ask them to rate a product they purchased or the service they used. This is a win-win situation for you, because, firstly, you can evaluate your business improvement by comparing the feedback with last month/year correspondingly; secondly, you can increase the number of sales in the near future. One great feedback equals two interested customers - one who already bought something and left a positive review and a new one who will be caught by another customer's buying experience.

3) You will learn to concentrate on quality, not quantity By concentrating on a deeper experience rather than simply suggesting popular items, you will be able to make shoppers more connected with your team. Remember, starting a strong relationship between people does not have to be aboutonly selling, it is that level of sacrificing your income for having customers involved. By fostering the customer's loyalty and making

This has to be your main focus. With the essence of relationship marketing, you need to consistently deliver a functional product or service that meets or even exceeds people’s expectations. It has to be some sort of a breakthrough that will empower your resources, attract masses and, consequently, maximize your profitability.

One great feedback equals two interested customers - one who already bought something and left a positive review and a new one who will be caught by another customer’s buying experience

- Share relevant and informative content If you really wish to be a growing company and just stay at the same place and watch your competitors boosting their sales and increasing functionalities, make sure to deliver high-quality content. By providing your customers with credible and educational information about either your products/services or other things, you will easily link their trust to your brand. Which is self-explanatory - you make people see what they are interested in the most; they pay you with their reliability and honesty.

- Be ready to adapt and change your business grow, you will be amazed by the benefits just one person can bring to you. And what if there is more than just one of them? Your new start-up or longexisting business will know no development boundaries.

4) You can develop your sphere of production or service By observing how different people use your brand name, you will be drawn to new need set on the agenda. As a result, it becomes easier for you to clarify scope of interests and create new features and offers. Use strong ties with the client base to monitor the ways of their experience and maintain that type of mutually-beneficial relationship.

5) You will learn from your networking base Last but not least in this list of benefits self-learning. Relationship marketing is the

May 2020

Success is not about being unshakable, but rather being flexible. Running a business is always hard, especially with all the milestones hidden until the most unexpected moment or all the haters covered by the satisfying poker masks. So, this tip has to preach you that you’d rather focus on solutions instead of just putting your hands down in the outbreak of challenges. Let’s face the music - no one is able to predict problems, however, everyone can fix them or at least minimize the harsh consequences.

- Build strong ties with every individual If you follow this specific strategy, you will get most of the privileges in no time. A relationship marketing strategy, it is all about creating insightful networking mechanism that will be addressed to all individuals by selecting certain consumers, then messaging , offering something to them.

OBSERVER DAWN

Digital Tips

HOW EXPLAINER VIDEOS HELP IN BOOSTING YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING? What’s the deal with animated explainer videos? Are they useful for the current social media generation? Could they actually be your greatest social media marketing tool?

ears ago, blooming social networks were the special thing among online business experts. Almost every company was wondering and evaluating how far could they reach their goals with social media marketing. Then, that initial social media boom bounded with an online video boom where, through social media generation, the video has turned into the easiest online content to share. On Facebook, photos are liked twice as much as a text, while videos are shared 12 times more than links and text combined. And, on Twitter, 700 videos are being shared every minute. As you look through your web-based social networking nourishes, you’ll most likely notice something: More than everything else, organizations are posting recordings. Let it out: You’ve observed more than one of those cooking recordings that tell you the best way to make a delicious dish (and perhaps attempted a couple) or the viral ads that everybody discusses. There’s no denying that video has become the favoured substance style via web-based networking media. Need verification? Videos are preferred on Facebook twice as much as content substance. Video are shared on Facebook in excess of multiple times as regularly as content and connections joined.

OBSERVER DAWN May 2020

So video posting, content marketing, watching and sharing is now defining a new era of Internet users. Major and small online companies alike are turning their efforts to video content, and that’s where animated explainer videos are playing their main role: by effectively telling potential customers about a product or service

Digital Tips On YouTube, for instance, you can analyze the exact time when your video was watched, if it was played all the way through or not and also how many times it was shared

to know the real reach and success of your campaigns.The great thing is that measuring your video’s social media performance can be easier and more thorough than with any other online content. On YouTube, for instance, you can analyze the exact time when your video was watched, if it was played all the way through or not and also how many times it was shared. Apart from free basic metrics like the ones YouTube or Vimeo offer, there are more complex leased services that lend more in-depth information, like the number of re-watches from the same user or full viewership rates of your video. Besides that, you should already know that every social network has paid promotion services for your video posts that allow you to closely follow your campaign performance. They could be Viral: Virtualization is a social media user phenomenon that, due to video’s sharing possibilities, genuinely generates free distribution and even free advertising.Your video has the potential to get thousands or even millions of views! However, people sharing your video is not the same as your video going viral. Going viral means there’s an enormous leap in the quantity of shares. You also need to know that some videos have a greater likelihood to be viral while others do not. Although there’s no secret to virtualization, we know for a fact that comedy (50%) and how-to videos (38%) are the most likely to become viral. AEVs have both qualities because they explain the product or services in an engaging and perhaps funny way. in less than 2 minutes, they have become the latest and greatest online marketing tool.

What are the precise reasons? Why could they boost your Social Media Campaign? They’re the most Cost-Effective and Engaging Online Content: Internet and social media are increasingly turning to visual, emotional and quickly engaging media. An animated explainer video combines those three aspects while describing your product or service better than any other online content, and doing it in a cost-effective way: 52% of marketing professionals worldwide mention video as the online content with the best ROI. This is why we say it’s the perfect marketing tool for the social media generation. An explainer video delivers complex ideas in a simple way, creates engaging visual metaphors by combining those ideas and, at the same time, entices experiences on an emotional level. It can then be shared because of its explanatory and effective content because video can grow conversions up to 60% on average; but also (and most probably so) because of its handsome visuals, attractive storytelling or even its lovable characters. They’re easily measurable: Every marketing specialist knows that all your efforts must be measurable in order

As a result, they could easily go viral and eventually increase their marketing benefits for your business.

May 2020

They’re Mobile-Friendly: Video currently makes up 50% of all mobile online traffic and is expected to grow to 61% in the next two years. In the same line, iPhones and Smartphones hold 40% of YouTube’s global watch time. This trend will do nothing but keep increasing, so every online business is now focusing on creating mobile-friendly videos, so they don’t lose that market. We already know that an animated marketing video is engaging, short and easily embedding on any platform; so it also becomes the ideal content for mobile marketing purposes. They’re Useful for any Marketing Campaign: An animated explainer video is not only a perfect social media tool, but it can be equally effective on your website’s landing pages, shared through E-Mail marketing and applied to your business presentations. With a single investment in an explainer video production company, you can boost every one of your marketing campaigns. The great thing with animated marketing video is that it’s visual, it’s emotional and it’s effective everywhere.

OBSERVER DAWN

COVID-19

he coronavirus outbreak has posed an international threat to the lives of millions of people around the globe. The virus has impacted over 180 countries, dreaded the world economy and international markets have suffered losses unseen since the 2008 financial crisis. Till date, the outbreak has taken 148,634 lives and over 2,205,976 people are infected worldwide. Almost 90% of the global COVID-19 cases are currently outside China and the United States has now become the epicentre of the spread.

COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN CENTRAL ASIA AND ITS REPERCUSSIONS SAURABH DWIVEDI is a writer and columnist. His area of interest lies within Asian region and he also keeps an eye on International Relations of India.

OBSERVER DAWN May 2020

The Central Asian countries are no immune to this rampant disease, with its existing vulnerability to economic shocks, poverty and other human insecurity issues, the region is widely exposed to the infection. States in Central Asia have already shut their physical boundaries to contain the spread of deadly COVID-19 virus. When COVID-19 showed up in the region, the travel restrictions came into force with immediate effect. Even borders between Russia and its neighbouring countries where the mobility was usual, has been sterned, like between Russia and Kazakhstan. As of 17th April, the coronavirus has shaken Central Asia with economies being crippled and on its knees, the cases of COVID-19 infections rise to 1,470 in Kazakhstan, 1,201 in Armenia, 489 in Kyrgyzstan, and 1,349 in Uzbekistan. There are 56 deaths cases reported in the Central Asian region where 17 people in Kazakhstan, 5 in Kyrgyzstan, 4 in Uzbekistan and 19 in Armenia. On the contrary, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan have not reported a single case of COVID-19 in their country. Earlier, Reporters Without Borders, a leading international non-profit and nongovernmental organization had uncovered that Turkmenistan has banned the use of the word coronavirus in the official documents and in media. Although

COVID-19 in March, Tajikistan had called a ban on the entry of citizens from 35 nations and claimed unaffected by a contagious virus. Kazakh President Kasym-Zhomart Tokaev has already announced a ‘state of emergency’- a highly sensitive situation and approached the citizens to take necessary measures in the fight against this pandemic and provide financial assistance to the nation’s healthcare framework and financial market. Specifically, 300 billion tenges (around 700 million dollars) will be invested towards making 200 thousand new job openings, benefitting society. The Kazakh government also compensated around 2.7 million of its citizens, whose income was disrupted due to the ongoing lockdown in the nation. The direct-payment to the people has been the boldest step towards reviving the economy and to tackle

track citizens’ location and contacts through the social fallout by the curfew caused by their smartphones as a measure to slow the COVID-19 pandemic. On April 14, down the overspread of the COVID-19. Deputy Health Minister of Kazakhstan Lyazat Aktayeva said that experts are To help control the dangerous wild-fire hopeful that the epidemic is plateauing in like COVID-19 virus in Armenia, the Kazakhstan in remarks that are raising hopes TOSP apparel manufacturer is enhancing of an imminent transition to a gradual return production to manufacture medical masks. to normality. On the other hand, Kyrgyzstan Arthur Frangyan, CEO of TOSP said, “To has introduced the state of emergency in its respond to the COVID-19 situation in the two major cities and several districts due to country, and specifically to the shortage the outbreak, the government has extended of masks, we initiated production and the period of emergency to April 30. The distributed the masks among our employees Central Asian country neighbouring China and customers. Then, we started receiving has confirmed 489 cases of the virus and has orders from companies and organizations.” imposed strict curfew in its capital, Bishkek. Kyrgyzstan is finding it difficult to protect In Uzbekistan, all provinces are under the health workers from the spread of the lockdown and the government has banned coronavirus, at least 86 of the 489 people all the citizens from leaving their houses, identifies with COVID-19 infection were omitting people for grocery or medicine known to be medical staff. And the trouble shopping. Public gathering from numbers appears to be increasing rapidly. This figure greater than three are not allowed and the was 40 before a week. The authority has administration has suggested maintaining promised to recompense every healthcare social distancing of at least 2 worker diagnosed with metres from each other. Some COVID-19 with the amount In Armenia, of the biggest cities which are of 200,000 som ($2,570). In the first under locking are Namangan the case of death, families will coronavirus and the capital, Tashkent, be provided 1 million som case emerged outside which the government ($12,850) payment. on March 01 from a has built a quarantine facility 29-year-old accommodating 20,000 beds In Armenia, the first coronavirus man who in modified cargo containers. case emerged on March returned with 01 from a 29-year-old man his wife from The health workers in who returned with his wife Iran Uzbekistan are highly exposed from Iran. The government to the infection, therefore declared one month state of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has emergency on March 16, every educational announced large bonus payments for establishment has been closed until the medical workers working with Corona end of the emergency, while the borders patients. Medical personnel who get between neighbourhood Georgia and Iran infected while treating virus patients will get have been shut. Public events and gatherings $10,000 each. President has also ordered with over 20 people have been outlawed. regional leaders and figureheads of the In this current scenario, over 1200 people industry to prepare and ensure enhanced are infected with the contagious disease, agricultural produce and called for the one of the reasons behind the spread is the expansion of the country’s food reserves. Armenian diaspora living in neighbouring He said, “This is the only way to partially countries like Iran where the virus has killed compensate for losses in other sectors of thousands of people. Armenian Parliament the economy and to protect employment has also passed a controversial bill which has and incomes”. given broad authority to the government to To win the battle against the most feared disease of the generation, every nation must come together and fight as one. The Central Asian regions are lacking healthcare cooperation in these tough times. To be honest, the five countries have no more of a similar policy or response to the corona crisis than any other region on the planet. The multilateralism between the countries could serve its purpose by defeating the virus together and by setting an example for the rise of humanity again. Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General has well stated- “We are at a critical point in the global response to COVID-19 – we need everyone to get involved in this massive effort to keep the world safe”.

May 2020

OBSERVER DAWN

Investment

BIG LOSS IN MUTUAL FUND SIP?

KNOW YOUR OPTIONS

oronavirus (Coronavirus -Covid19) has virtually shut down business activities worldwide. Due to this, there has been a huge decline in the stock markets. The Sensex fell by 40 per cent in March. This has also shown its effect on the investment in Mutual Funds Return's equity scheme. Investors are beginning to worry about their portfolio. But if we look at the performance of mutual fund schemes compared to the market, during the last 5 years, most schemes have given underperforming or negative returns. However, experts say that there is no need to panic. Whenever there is such a big decline in the stock market, then and again investors have received more than 100 per cent returns in the next three.

Mutual funds continue to perform poorly for 5 years According to the S&P Indies Versus Active (SPIVA) report, most funds have underperformed over a period of 5 years till December 2019. The thing to note here is that most asset management companies (AMCs) entice investors by saying that investors should invest in the medium to long term to avoid short-term fluctuations.

of mid-small cap equity funds have underperformed their index in 5 years among equity funds. If investors think that they will get better returns after investing for more than 5 years, then it can also be wrong to believe that. Akash Jain, Associate Director of Global Research at S&P Dow Jones says that most of the large-cap equity funds actively managed have underperformed. As of December 2019, 64.8% of large-cap funds have performed poorly in comparison to the BSE 100 over a 10-year period. The situation is not good even in the short term. By December 2019, the BSE 100 rose by 10.92 per cent over a period of 1 year, while 40 per cent of large cap equity funds gave lower returns than the benchmark during this period. Mid and small category funds have performed better. Their returns have been better than the BSE 400 mid-small cap index, irrespective of the investment period.

Study by SPIVA shows that 82.29% of large-cap funds, 78.38% of equity-linked savings scheme funds (ELSS) and 40.9%

OBSERVER DAWN May 2020

What do we do now? Firoz Aziz, deputy CEO of Anandrathi Wealth Management, says that after looking at historical figures, after such a huge decline, mutual funds get up to 100 per cent returns for the next three years. That is why this decline can be exploited. In such a situation, it is not fair to advise SIP investors that they should top up SIP or continue as before. The best way is to talk to your mutual fund house for at least 3 months and make it 'Pause'. It seems that after 3 months the impact of Corona's crisis will lessen. After that release it again as before.

Investment AsifIqbal, head of research at Escort Security, says that you should not panic at all, but to keep your investment safe. Long term means 10 years or more, but today long term has become one week. In personal finance, the long term means longer period is still 10 years or more. It is beneficial to invest long-term in the equity market and related mutual fund schemes. Investing in diversified equity funds through SIP is for your long-term goals. Goals such as retirement, higher education of your child are far away. You will need this money after many years. In such a situation, if you are getting negative returns from SIP then what is the need to panic? Be happy that you are investing at a lower level and buying more units.

What is SIP? SIP stands for (Systematic Investment Plan). Many investors also call it SIP. It allows the investor to invest a certain amount regularly in a scheme of mutual funds. In this way, it is an easy way to invest in mutual funds. In this,

you buy units of mutual funds every month by withdrawing small amount from your earnings. Investments made regularly for a few years later become big investments.

charges you a little money for managing the fund, which is called the expense ratio. As you go on investing, your number of units keeps increasing. HemantBeniwal, director of Arc Primary Advisors, says that as soon as the money is put in the SIP, that money goes to invest. So your money stays invested for a long time.

You can invest in a scheme of mutual funds for one year, two years, five years or longer through SIP. With the first installment of the investment, the mutual fund company allocates the units of the scheme to you. The number One big of units you get depends on advantage of the Net Asset Value (NAV) investing with SIP of the unit.

Easy to understand Suppose in the first month you have invested 1000 rupees through SIP. If the price of one unit of the scheme in which you have invested is Rs 20, then the mutual fund company will allot you a little less than 50 units. You will not get 50 units because the asset management company

is that it keeps you disciplined in terms of investment. Every month, a certain amount is transferred from the bank account to the mutual fund company. Beniwal says that if you open SIP, you will never spend more than necessary.

Benefit on decline Investing in a mutual fund scheme through SIP reduces the average purchase price of the units. This is called cost averaging method. Actually stock market fluctuations continue. You do not know when the market will go up and down. In a SIP, the mutual fund company buys shares or other securities with your money invested every month.

In this way, when the share price is low, you get more units. When the share price is high, you get less units. In this way, if you look at the period of one year, the average purchase price is relatively low. This is called cost averaging benefit. HemantBeniwal, director of Arc Primary Advisors, says this is the biggest feature of investment from SIP, because you cannot know when the market will rise and when it will fall.

Discipline in investment One big advantage of investing with SIP is that it keeps you disciplined in terms of investment. Every month, a certain amount is transferred from the bank account to the mutual fund company. Beniwal says that if you open SIP, you will never spend more than necessary. You know that the fixed amount will go out of your account every month on the fixed date and go to the mutual fund company. In this way discipline remains in investment. If you are thinking of investing more by increasing the amount of lump sum or SIP then do this only if your financial goals are far enough. Do not invest just because the market is still down. Do not make any investment in panic whether it is related to the sale of shares or the purchase of them. We are currently in a warlike situation. Remember that the time has come to apply what you have learned in a good time. For example, in peace, you have learned that equity mutual funds are for a long period. You have learned to remain calm in the fall. It has also declined earlier. We are in decline. Will fall further. It is an aspect associated with an economy. So stay connected with the basics. Take care of yourself.

May 2020

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Business Articles

ECONOMIC DETERIORATION IS FASTER THAN SPREAD OF DEADLY CORONAVIRUS Growing economic pain from the coronavirus pandemic spread even more widely is weighing across the globe, the businesses and normal citizens are exerting their efforts to restore confidence among the masses. They are trying hard to normalize the situation so that the important services including the stores, factories, airplanes and schools could be reopened safely soon.

ur extensive studies and analysis over the present economic scenarios in few countries have showcased somewhat surprising impact of COVID – 19 pandemic on the world economy. The e-commerce company, Amazon, suspended operations altogether after a court ruled it was not doing enough to protect its workers in France. The online retailer, which has six warehouses in France, said it would evaluate the court decision.

by the pandemic that has infected more than 2 million people and claimed more than 137,000 lives”. Yet in China and the handful of countries in Europe that have partially reopened their economies, even people who still have jobs

Similarly, the Cargo traffic at Europe’s massive port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands sank by 9.3% in the first quarter to 112.4 million metric tons from the same period a year ago. The port CEO, Allard Castelein said that they were facing unprecedented disruptions in all respect. “It seems the situation could be more worse, if it is not controlled soon”, he added. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says fallout from what it calls the “Great Lockdown” will be the most devastating since the Great Depression in the 1930s. A tally by Johns Hopkins University revealed, “Still, leaders are anxious to send people back to work and school and to rebuild economies devastated

OBSERVER DAWN May 2020

are wary of spending much or going out. In nearly empty stores and streets, people eye each other from a distance, their faces covered by masks. Some Chinese cities tried reassuring consumers by showing officials eating in restaurants. In Zhengzhou, Zhang Hu in is back at work but his income

Business Articles plummeted because few are buying the 20ton trucks he sells. “I have no idea when the situation will turn better,” he said. The U.S. began issuing one-time payments this week to tens of millions of people as part of its $2.2 trillion coronavirus relief package. But another part of the relief package, a $350 billion paycheck protection program aimed at small businesses, is running dry after being open for only a matter of days. Negotiations were accelerating in Washington over a $250 billion emergency request to help. Even with limited testing, the U.S. has seen nearly 640,000 infections — more than the next four countries put together — and leads the world with nearly 31,000 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University. Experts say the true toll of the pandemic is much higher due to limited testing, uneven counting of deaths and some governments’ attempts to downplay their outbreaks. Despite the relief checks, Americans have begun to protest the virus restrictions that

Yet in China and the handful of countries in Europe that have partially reopened their economies, even people who still have jobs are wary of spending much or going out. In nearly empty stores and streets, people eye each other from a distance, their faces covered by masks. In Michigan’s northern Leelanau County, Sheriff Mike Borkovich said enforcing the coronavirus restrictions is taking a toll. “People are frantic to get back to work. They have been very edgy,” Borkovich told The Associated Press. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said having so many people close together without masks would only increase infections and prolong the lockdown. With many factories shut down, American industrial output shriveled in March, registering its biggest decline since the nation demobilized in

Troubling data indicate the worst may still be to come in many parts of the world. The British government was set Thursday to extend a nationwide lockdown for several more weeks, as health officials say the coronavirus outbreak in the country is peaking. Health Secretary Matt Hancock said “it is too early to make a change” to the lockdown introduced on March 23. Britain has recorded 12,868 deaths of COVID-19 patients. But those only count hospital deaths and British has seen limited testing. Experts say including virus deaths at homes or nursing homes could make the toll 15% higher. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is urging stepped-up efforts to prepare Africa, warning that the continent “could end up suffering the greatest impacts.” Singapore’s outbreak has jumped more than 1,100 cases since Monday. It had successfully contained a first wave of infections, but the new cases are occurring among workers from poorer Asian countries who live in crowded dormitories in the tiny city-state.

have put at least 17 million out of work, closed factories and brought many small businesses to their knees. In Michigan, thousands came to protest the lockdown they say has destroyed livelihoods. Some were masked and armed with rifles, but many unmasked people defied stay-athome orders and jammed nearly shoulderto-shoulder in front of the Capitol building. The protest was organized by the Michigan Conservative Coalition. “This arbitrary blanket spread of shutting down businesses, about putting all of these workers out of business, is just a disaster. It’s an economic disaster for Michigan,” said group member Meshawn Maddock adding that the people were sick and tired of all these.

1946 at the end of World War II. Retail sales fell by an unprecedented 8.7%, with April expected to be far worse. Meanwhile President, Donald Trump, said he has prepared new guidelines for easing social distancing, even as business leaders told him more testing and personal protective equipment were essential first. In Brussels, the pandemic was making the European Union redraw its entire budget plans to focus on tackling the coronavirus pandemic. European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, said, “The 27-nation bloc’s next trillion-euro budget will have to be re-imagined as a part of the mother-ship of our recovery”.

May 2020

In Brazil, President Jair Bolsonaro’s lackadaisical approach to the virus came under increased pressure. “We’re fighting against the coronavirus and against the ‘Bolsonaro-virus,’” Sao Paulo state Gov. João Doria told The Associated Press in an interview, adding that he believes the president has adopted “incorrect, irresponsible positions.” Foreign leaders, meanwhile, rushed to the defense of the World Health Organization after Trump vowed to halt U.S. payments to the U.N. agency for not sounding the alarm over the virus sooner. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the WHO is needed now more than ever. “O n l y b y j o i n i n g f o r c e s c a n w e overcome this crisis that knows no borders,” he said. (Courtesy: APJ)

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Tours & Travels

ince its inception, the underground train systems have been a cheap, reliable and convenient mode of transport for many decades across the world. In 2013, the London Underground, also known as ‘The Tube’, celebrated its 150th anniversary. This is often termed as the world’s greatest metro systems in the world. Copenhagen Metro has a driver-less rail system that runs 24 hours a day. Sao Paulo Metro has a comparatively small 74 kilometers of track, yet carries 3.3 million passengers each day. Montreal has one of the lowest carbon footprints for metro networks in the world.

As such, some of the topnotch metro networks of the world are as follows:

WORLD’S TOPNOTCH METRO SYSTEMS SEOUL

eoul’s metro system has TV, heated seats and cell phone service. Operated by three different companies, the Seoul metro system carries almost 7 million passengers per day on nine lines. Besides, many of the subway trains in Seoul are outfitted with TVs and are climate controlled. We love the toasty, heated seats in the winter. Many subway planners come to (South) Korea and are really blown away by the technology that we have in place. It’s a big showpiece for (South) Korea’s emphasis on IT.

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HONG KONG

he Mass Transit Railways (MTR) of Hongkong is renowned for its cleanliness and fast moving system. The MTR gushes from every traveler who’s ever set a toe inside the immaculately clean, well-signposted, cheap, regular, convenient system that connects most corners of the city, from the crowded bowels of Wan Chai to the rural(ish) villages of Tai Po. It offers free Wi-Fi in every station in Hong Kong, facilities such as tactile flooring and Braille plates for travelers with disabilities and public washrooms, shops, banks and takeaway food outlets inside many stations or close to their exits. There’s no timetable for commuters -- trains just turn up every few minutes, sooner during peak periods -- and it’s dead simple for visitors to buy a ticket via the automated machines. The MTR, possibly, provides the world’s greatest transport payment system, which can also be used in convenience stores, restaurants and other places. Cities such as Melbourne should scream with jealousy. The website offers handy one-day itineraries for Hong Kong tourists keen to shop, eat or discover the local culture.

Occasionally the walk from one concourse to the next can be lengthy and some stations get ridiculously crowded during peak hours (looking at you TST, Causeway Bay). But that just gives more time to watch and wonder as this 211-kilometer, 150-station system copes easily with its 3.4 million passengers every day.

Tours & Travels

SINGAPORE

he Singapore Mass Rapid transit (SMRT) is probably the fastest way to explore the city. After an amalgamation of several transit-service-providers in 2000, SMRT has grown to 600 million passengers per year. Some use it to seek refuge from the heat outside, lapping up the airconditioned comfort. The system gets demerits for lack of EZ-Link ticket card machines at some stations, meaning frequent lengthy lines for travelers needing to top up or buy a ticket.

LONDON

he world’s first underground railway, The London Underground was, opened in 1863. It was the world’s first underground metro, opening in 1863 and they’ve not done terribly much since. Still, air-conditioned carriages been introduced, alongside intermittent Wi-Fi signal. But for history, for great underground basking and for something relatively cheap in an expensive city, it’s hard to beat. The Underground ferries more than 1 billion journeys per year. Not bad for something that old.

PARIS

he City of Light’s Metro is unusually dense, with 245 stations on 14 lines, in just 87 square kilometers of the city. Parisians, apparently, don’t like to walk. Almost 4.5 million people travel on the Paris metro daily. With more than 1.5 billion passengers a year, Paris Metro is in the top-five for busiest city-rail services in the world. The Paris Metro does lose some points for not having automatically opening doors. This hints at the average age of the carriages and suggests a need to spend a little on upgrades.

May 2020

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Tours & Travels

MADRID

6 7

NEW YORK CITY

ne can actually get arrested for putting his or her feet on a seat on New York’s subway. It would be grossly unjust to leave out the city whose subway system, at least, never sleeps. New York City’s MTA subway lines are doubled up so all local and express trains can run simultaneously along the same routes, 24 hours a day. And even when carrying out major work on a line, only a single track is decommissioned, leaving a reduced but still- open service. That’s planning. A trip on the MTA isn’t complete without encountering a busker (or beggar) doing the rounds of carriages.

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t 294 kilometers, Madrid has the sixthlongest metro system in the world. But on top of that is another 386 kilometers of suburban rail services. All up, Madrid’s railway serves 1.5 billion passengers each year with 21 lines and 396 stations. Impressive, particularly given that Madrid’s population is only 6.5 million. The underground stations are so huge that they can hold public events, such as the three-day fitness festival in May 2011, which attracted 2,600 visitors.

Tours & Travels

TOKYO

he Shinkansen is a network of high-speed railway lines in Japan. Tokyo’s rail system is legendary. Super-fast, superpunctual, super-comfort and everything we expect. Almost 102 train lines, an estimated 14 billion passengers per year. Tokyo should take first place on anyone’s list of best metros. Successfully navigating Tokyo by train is a proud moment for any traveler. For some a positive, others a negative, you risk social-pariah status if you ever talk on your phone while moving. That’s consideration for others at its best or the worst.

9 GUANGZHOU, CHINA Guangzhou didn't have a metro until 1997, now it also has a high-speed train to Beijing, pictured here. After failing five times in 30 years to create a metro system, Guangzhou's first metro line was finally opened in 1997 and a second line was opened in 2002. Infrastructure investment exploded in 2004 when the city was awarded the 2010 Asian Games. In the ensuing six years, the council spent $11 billion (RMB 70 billion) on the metro system. For going from absolute zero in 1992 to eight lines, 144 stations, 236 kilometers of track and 1.2 billion passengers in 2008, and for the 48-minute express-trip to Hong Kong Guangzhou must get a mention. Significantly, the metro system has gradually emerged as the world’s best public transits. It offers seamless, easing, comfortable and cost effective rides to the passengers. As such, Metro system across the world is considered as the most suitable rides.

May 2020

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Tours and Travel

MYSTERY BEHIND

INDIAN TOWNS THAT TURNED …

GHOST

By Ekansh Pandey

There are varieties of spooky and scary places on the earth that were once accustomed and consequently flourished gradually. But with the time passed, those places lost their glories and forgotten or consumed by the darkness and deaths, hence turned to be ‘Ghost Towns’.

eserted, cold and eerie feeling engulfs you the instant when you set foot inside any such place. Although, we still lack complete information about those places whether those were lost due to darkness, absence of people or lost its gravity due any unknown natural calamity. It all seems to be a mystery for majorities of people on the planet. Like in the other parts of the world, here too, in India, there are several such identified or unidentified places that gradually turned to be known as Ghost villages or towns.

Let’s have a glance of just a few spookiest and mysterious ghost towns in India that you simply won’t even bear in mind of till date. These are:

KULDHARA Rajasthan

uldhara, located within the Golden City of Jaisalmer in Rajasthan has a spooky vibe to that. alittle happy village once, Kuldhara is believed to be cursed by the villagers only. As far as people’s believe, the king of the place was greatly surprised with the sweetness of the daughter of 1 of the villagers and wanted to marry her forcefully. He gave the villagers one night to choose and therein one night the villagers which comprises of around 80 families, left the place and put a curse on that. Since then, nobody was ready to survive here. Today Kuldhara is one prime tourist attraction in Rajasthan and folks from across the world visit in search of ghostly experiences!

HAMPI Bangalore

nce a golden city, Hampi could be a deserted town near Bangalore in south India which was invaded by Muslim invaders multiple times. They didn’t stick around till that they had ripped off town of it’s gold and wealth completely. Today the complete town is in ruins and has become a preferred tourist destination within the state. it’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and features ruins of temples, chariots, and has several mysterious underground passages.

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Tours and Travel

ocated in Kachchh district of Gujarat, Lakhpat is one ancient fort (ghost) town that was once an impressive destination. But today it’s a city of ruins, where all you’ll see is old buildings and torn forts. Set within the mouth of Kori Creek, Lakhpat is.enclosed by 7km-long fort which dates back to the 18th century. few people still live inside the fort walls and there’s tiny gurudwara too. Also a famous Bollywood flick Refugee directed by J P Dutta was shot here where Lakhpat fort was shown as a fictitious town in India set just across the international border in Pakistan.

LAKHPAT Gujarat

MANDU

Madhya Pradesh

andu in Madhya Pradesh is one ruined town set within the Malwa region of Dhar district. Today the place is one in every of the key tourist attractions within the state and features variety of Jain temples, mosques and old buildings. Located at a distance of about 100 km Indore, Mandu is on a hillock is counted among one in every of the foremost visited ghost towns in India. The place calls visitors from all across the country as variety of ancient tales from history are attached to that. Among all the foremost famous one is of Rani Roopmati and Sultan Baz Bahadur which increase the romantic touch of this town.

DHANUSHKODI

Tamil Nadu

deserted town in South India, Dhanushkodi, on Pamban Island in state, was once a contented, beautiful coastal town. However, the complete happiness of this lovely town was washed away within the year 1964 when a deadly cyclone hit the town. Irreparable damages were caused by the deadly cyclone that destroyed the entire town. the identical cyclone also swept a train named Pamban-Dhanushkodi where 115 who were on-board were killed. Today Dhanushkodi has become one popular tourist attraction in state and folks visit here to witness the natural tragedy that took away everything from one pretty town.

May 2020

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Tours and Travel FATEHPUR SIKRI

State

atehpur Sikri, nearly 40 km from Agra, was founded by Mughal emperor Akbar 1569 and it served Mughal capital from 1571 to 1585 to. town was beautiful and filled with forts and palaces and was extremely loved by the king himself. However, people left the town and in no time it became a ghost city as there was no water left for people to survive within the region. Flanked by gigantic gateways and Mogul architecture, today Fatehpur Sikri is more famous for its ghost sightings and stories.

ROSS ISLAND ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ISLAND

ne beautiful island within the Andamans, Ross Island was destroyed completely during a severe earthquake that occured serial and since then the island became a town. Ross Island was renamed Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island in December 2018 and variety of tourists visit the place to witness the sweetness of the ocean here. The place played a crucial role during the 1857 revolt of Indians against British rule. British soldiers accustomed imprison those that raised their voices against them as a punishment. Then later, during warfare II, Japan tried to require over the island then again the place was hit by a large earthquake which turned it into a town.

OBSERVER DAWN May 2020

Industries

VEGETABLE, FRUIT GROCERS FACING WOES OF CORONAVIRUS LOCKDOWN OD Bureau

he vegetable growers of expensive flowers like: gerbera, gladioli and broccoli and others are worried over rampant cancellations of weddings that often generate the bulk of demands. Besides hindering other business activities and obstructing the common lives of citizens, the ongoing lockdown, meant to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease across the regions, has largely affected the lives of peasants, especially the fruit and vegetable growers are the worst affected. As hundreds of millions of Indians remain locked down to control the spread of coronavirus disease, some of its cattle are getting treated to strawberries and broccoli that farmers are struggling to transport and sell in cities amid the three-week lockdown. Demand for such premium farm produce typically jumps in the summer, but with India’s farm supply chain in disarray, farmers are unable to get goods to market. The sudden drop in demand is hurting millions of farmers in the world’s second-most populous country, with coronavirus cases have reached almost 10000 in India, while the death toll rose to more than 200 till the first week of April. A farmer, Anil Salunkhe, while feeding strawberries grown in his two-acre farm to his cows in Satara district, some 250 km south-east of Mumbai, said, “Actually, the tourists and ice cream producers are the main buyers of strawberries, but since the lockdown was imposed, we are witnessing no tourists, in fact no buyers at all”. “we were hoping that we would earn at least Rs 8 lakh during a month long wedding season, but unfortunately we could not even recovered the production cost of around Rs 2.5 lakh, as it has become tough to transport produce to large cities”, Salunkhe said. Munishamappa, a farmer near Bengaluru, dumped 15 tonnes of grapes in a nearby forest after failing to sell them - he had spent Rs 5 lakh on his crop.He had even asked nearby villagers to come collect his fruit for free, but few turned up, he said. Indian grapes are also exported to Europe, which has sharply cut purchases in the past few weeks as the coronavirus takes a heavy

“we were hoping that we would earn at least Rs 8 lakh during a month long wedding season, but unfortunately we could not even recovered the production cost of around Rs 2.5 lakh, as it has become tough to transport produce to large cities” toll there, said Dyanesh Ugle of Sahyadri Farms, the country’s biggest grape exporter. As the vast areas of demand and supply chain affected due to nationwide lockdown, especially during wedding times that are often termed as peak seasons for these items, the farmers are over the situation. Rahul Pawar, who owns a 2-acre flower farm, as he plucked flowers to dump them into a compost pit, says, “In summer, I sell one flower for 15 to 20 rupees. Now nobody is willing buy even at 1 rupee”. Another flower grower Sachin Shelar says the bulk of his earnings come from the summer season, but sales have stalled during this crucial period. Mahesh Yadav, who relies on up market restaurants to sell basil, iceberg lettuce and bok-choy grown on his three acres, said his fellow villagers won’t take away the vegetables even for free. “I don’t have a choice but to make manure out of these exotic vegetables,” he said. “Rural folks don’t even know the names of these vegetables, forget about them cooking these”.

May 2020

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Industries

REAL ESTATE SECTOR NEEDS GOVERNMENT’S SUPPORT TO REGAIN MOMENTUM: ICC OD Bureau

he real estate sectors in India has witnessed a drastic drop in sales with no clarity on revival due to nationwide lockdown, meant to prevent spread of coronavirus disease, causing social distancing and widespread quarantining. As per the assessment by the Indian Chambers of Commerce (ICC), the sector contributes about $ 12 billion that is almost 5% to the GDP. The Coronavirus pandemic is considered to have a ‘catastrophic effect’ on India’s troubled real estate sector, which is currently worth around $12 billion. The ICC, through a media release has said, “The real estate sector, already in a slump since last year, is presently experiencing almost 65% payment default from customers paying the installments linked to construction”. This apart, the lockdown has created a drastic drop in residential sales with no clarity on a revival. The ICC said, “New launches of residential units may also witness a 25% - 30% decline to anywhere between 1.66 lakh - 1.78 lakh units”. Within the residential space, the affordable housing segment (in which units are priced below Rs 50 lakh) seems to be the worst hit. According to property consultancy firm Anarock, 6.1 lakh affordable housing units were under construction across the top seven cities in the country until the lockdown was announced. This is over 39% of the total 15.62 lakh under-construction units in the top seven cities—the highest share of all budget categories. Anuj Puri, chairman, Anarock Property Consultants said, “The target audience typically has limited income and unemployment

This apart, the lockdown has created a drastic drop in residential sales with no clarity on a revival. The ICC said, “New launches of residential units may also witness a 25% - 30% decline to anywhere between 1.66 lakh 1.78 lakh units”. fears currently loom large. This could result in deferred property purchase decisions in 2020 and ultimately derail the segments’ growth momentum. As a result, unsold affordable stock can rise by 1% - 2% on a y-o-y basis”. Presently, the international trade restrictions have halted the supply of essential raw materials to the real estate sector. And China, which has been the epicenter of the Covid-19 pandemic, happens to be the biggest supplier of raw materials such as steel to the Indian real estate industry. While the present crisis could lead to a shortage of supplies and a subsequent price escalation, withdrawal of such supplies can be a good opportunity for Indian manufacturers to expand in the domestic market. The ICC director, Rajeev Singh, said, “To facilitate this opportunity of expansion of Indian market, the government should contemplate restructuring the tax component of such supplies”. The NAREDCO President, Niranjan Hiranandani, estimated that the real estate sector had piled up losses to the tune of Rs 1 lakh crore, which continues to rise with each passing day. Consequently, after the pandemic, he estimated delays in ongoing projects to range from three months to a year and half, depending upon the stage of the project and location, among other factors. Distressed over the unexpected losses due to lockdown, the ICC body has suggested that the real estate sector should be supported by all state governments by waiving up ‘Municipal Taxes’ at least one quarter. In addition, the organizations that are, somehow, not able to clear the taxes or bills of any department of state government should not be penalized. Instead they should be given a period of about 3-6 months for repayment of their due amounts of taxes or rents.

OBSERVER DAWN May 2020