12
T he Congress on Saturday held a State-wide protest in Rajasthan even as Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot seemed determined to go to any extent to cajole or coerce Governor Kalraj Mishra to convene the Assembly session to allow Gehlot to prove his majority. While the Rajasthan Governor has cited Covid-19 situation as one of the reasons to not hold an urgent session of the Assembly, Bihar, where the coronavirus situation is going out of control, will be holding the Assembly session from August 3. Gehlot has been pressing for an early Assembly session to go for a trust vote and force the rebel MLAs to either vote for him or face disqualification, which would bring down the strength of the Assembly and provide stability to his Government. “The BJP conspiracy will not be allowed to succeed. I will go to Rashtrapati Bhavan if needed. If we have to picket at Rashtrapati Bhavan or even Prime Minister’s residence, we will do this,” Gehlot told Congress MLAs while address- ing the Congress Legislative Party (CLP) meeting at Fairmont Hotel in Jaipur. The Chief Minister told his flocks that they may have to stay put at the hotel for anoth- er three weeks. It was obvious that Gehlot was ready to take no chance by allowing the MLAs to disperse and make the vulnerable to “poaching”. Gehlot has reportedly sub- mitted a list of 102 MLAs to the Governor while submitting his Cabinet’s recommendation for convening the Assembly. The Governor raised sev- eral objections and asked Gehlot to send a fresh request. “The date on which the Assembly session is to be con- vened is not mentioned in the Cabinet note and no approval has been given by the Cabinet for the same,” the Governor wrote back to Gehlot. He also stated that the State Government should take note of the Covid-19 crisis and pointed out that no agen- da was given for a session called on such short notice. The revised proposal, passed by the Cabinet meeting on Saturday morning is believed to list the coronavirus situation as the agenda. This will now be submitted to the Governor. During the day, Congress workers staged demonstrations across Rajasthan against what it called a BJP “conspiracy to topple” its Government. Party workers gathered in large num- bers in Jaipur and district head- quarters and raised slogans against the BJP and demanded that the Governor convene a session of the Assembly. A fter the Information and Broadcasting Ministry’s recommendations to the Union Home Ministry that cinema halls be allowed to reopen in August, cinema halls across the country are gearing up to resume functioning expecting relaxations in the coming months. Paperless tickets, seat distancing, staggered intervals and scrupulous sanitizing are part of the safety protocol mul- tiplexes will introduce if the Government allows screenings in “Unlock 3” next month. “We are ensuring basics like sanitisation and masks. Paper tickets will no longer in the use. Entry, exit & inter- missions will be planned in a manner that avoids over- crowding,” PVR CEO G Dutta said on Saturday. PVR operates a cinema circuit comprising 841 screens at 176 properties in 71 cities in India and Sri Lanka. A set of SOPs drawn up by the Multiplex Association of India in collaboration with its members was submitted to various Central Ministries as well as Prime Minister’s Office and Niti Aayog earlier this month, said industry leaders INOX, PVR Pictures and Cinepolis India. Cinemas account for the biggest chunk of earnings for movies and have taken a substantial hit during the pandemic and multiplexes are pulling out the stops to ensure audiences return after theatres open. As per the safety measures masks and temperature check at the entrances will be manda- tory for everyone entering the cinema complexes. Customers will be screened and those found to have 100 degrees Centigrade or showing viral fever symptoms will be asked to leave with a full refund. Customers will also be required to show their health status on the Aarogya Setu App while entering the premises. Patna: The Monsoon Session for both Houses in bicameral legislature of Bihar from August 3 will be held at the sprawling Gyan Bhawan in view of the Covid-19 pandem- ic, sources said. The four-day session of the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council will be conducted on separate floors of the Gyan Bhawan at the Samrat Ashok International Convention Centre here. The session of the two houses is crucial as it would be the last one before Bihar goes to polls in October-November this year. PNS H ealth workers on Saturday collected swab samples of incarcerated RJD chief Lalu Prasad for Covid test as cases of the viral infection neared 8,000 in Jharkhand and death toll reached 83, health officials said. Lalu, who is admitted in the paying ward of state-run Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) after being convicted in a multi-million scam, has not shown any symp- toms of Covid infection though, doctors said. Earlier this month, an Assistant Sub Inspector rank officer deployed for Lalu’s secu- rity at RIMS, had tested posi- tive for Covid-19. However, he did not come in direct contact with the former Bihar chief minister, doctors said. As many as 207 people tested positive for Covid-19 in state on Saturday, taking the total count of active cases to 4,237. Ranchi, once again, reported the highest number of positive cases in Jharkhand on Saturday. At least 127 of the 200-odd cases, more than 60 per cent, were from Ranchi, a bulletin released by the National Health Mission (NHM) said. Meanwhile, over a dozen people raised ruckus at Sadar Hospital in Ranchi on Saturday morning over alleged delay in getting their Covid reports. Some of them alleged that their test report was not out even after 10 days and threat- ened to vandalise the hospital. However, health workers were quick to pacify the crowd and bring the situation under con- trol, officials said. Ranchi, which is already the worst-affected district in Jharkhand, has 1012 active cases. At least 17 of the 83 Covid casualties have been reported from the capital, gov- ernment data highlights. As per the NHM bulletin, the Covid mortality rate in Jharkhand increased to 1.05 per cent on Saturday while the recovery rate dropped to 44.90 per cent. The national Covid mor- tality rate is 2.34 per cent, and recovery rate is 62.72 per cent. The Government has so far collected samples of 2.66 lakh people and tested 2.53 lakh of them. Around 2.5 lakh people have been put in home quar- antine in State, while around 6,000 have been sent to insti- tutional quarantine. Bilaspur: At least 43 cows died of suffocation in a small room of a panchayat building where they were locked in Chhattisgarh’s Bilaspur, a senior official said on Saturday. The deaths came to light in the morning when villagers experienced a foul odour ema- nating from the room, and found that some of the cattle had died, said Bilaspur collec- tor Saransh Mittar. He said a total of 60 cows were locked in a room in the old panchayat building of Medpar village under Takhatpur development block. W ith both sides engaged in defusing tension at the Line of Actual Control (LAC), Northern Command chief Lt General YK Joshi said on Saturday the armed forces will ensure China withdraws and restore status quo ante as was the deployment in April. He also said the Indian troops will remain deployed there till total disengagement takes place. This significant statement by Joshi, who is overall in- charge of guarding the LAC in Ladakh, came in the backdrop of the Chinese not pulling back more than 40,000 troops. Making the Indian stand clear, Joshi said the Indian troops will continue to be deployed till status quo ante is achieved. It means the Chinese need to go back to their pre- May positions. The first face- off in Ladakh took place on May 5 when the Chinese army obstructed an Indian patrol at the Pangong Tso (lake) leading to fisticuffs. Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan became the first CM to test Covid-19 positive on Saturday. Chouhan, 61, shared the news on Twitter. He was admitted to a Covid-19 designated private hospital in Bhopal, a BJP leader said. “I had symptoms of Covid-19. In the test report I was found positive. I appeal to all my colleagues that whoever has come in my contact to get tested for coronavirus. My close contacts should move to quar- antine,” Chouhan said in a tweet. PTI New Delhi: Researchers at IIT Kharagpur have devel- oped a first of its kind portable rapid diagnostic device to detect coronavirus at less than 400 per test. According to officials, the test can be conducted in an ultra-low-cost portable enclosure as an alterna- tive to specialised laboratory equipment. The same portable unit can be used for a large number of tests on mere replacement of the paper cartridge after each test. The testing technologies currently in use are expensive, despite the innovations in low-cost test- ing kits as the actual testing machinery cost remains high. Further testing mechanism has logistical issues due to the infrastructural requirement of the testing centres.

ˇˆ ˙ ˝ % ˙ ˙˛˚ ˜ ! &˛ &€¦ · The national Covid mor-tality rate is 2.34 per cent, and recovery rate is 62.72 per cent. The Government has so far collected samples of

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Page 1: ˇˆ ˙ ˝ % ˙ ˙˛˚ ˜ ! &˛ &€¦ · The national Covid mor-tality rate is 2.34 per cent, and recovery rate is 62.72 per cent. The Government has so far collected samples of

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The Congress on Saturdayheld a State-wide protest in

Rajasthan even as ChiefMinister Ashok Gehlot seemeddetermined to go to any extentto cajole or coerce GovernorKalraj Mishra to convene theAssembly session to allowGehlot to prove his majority.

While the RajasthanGovernor has cited Covid-19situation as one of the reasonsto not hold an urgent session ofthe Assembly, Bihar, where thecoronavirus situation is goingout of control, will be holdingthe Assembly session fromAugust 3.

Gehlot has been pressingfor an early Assembly sessionto go for a trust vote and forcethe rebel MLAs to either votefor him or face disqualification,which would bring down thestrength of the Assembly andprovide stability to hisGovernment.

“The BJP conspiracy willnot be allowed to succeed. I willgo to Rashtrapati Bhavan ifneeded. If we have to picket atRashtrapati Bhavan or evenPrime Minister’s residence, wewill do this,” Gehlot toldCongress MLAs while address-ing the Congress LegislativeParty (CLP) meeting atFairmont Hotel in Jaipur.

The Chief Minister told hisflocks that they may have tostay put at the hotel for anoth-

er three weeks. It was obviousthat Gehlot was ready to takeno chance by allowing theMLAs to disperse and make thevulnerable to “poaching”.

Gehlot has reportedly sub-mitted a list of 102 MLAs to theGovernor while submitting hisCabinet’s recommendation forconvening the Assembly.

The Governor raised sev-eral objections and askedGehlot to send a fresh request.

“The date on which theAssembly session is to be con-vened is not mentioned in theCabinet note and no approvalhas been given by the Cabinetfor the same,” the Governorwrote back to Gehlot.

He also stated that theState Government should takenote of the Covid-19 crisisand pointed out that no agen-

da was given for a sessioncalled on such short notice.

The revised proposal,passed by the Cabinet meetingon Saturday morning isbelieved to list the coronavirussituation as the agenda. Thiswill now be submitted to theGovernor.

During the day, Congressworkers staged demonstrations

across Rajasthan against what itcalled a BJP “conspiracy totopple” its Government. Partyworkers gathered in large num-bers in Jaipur and district head-quarters and raised slogansagainst the BJP and demandedthat the Governor convene asession of the Assembly.

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After the Information andBroadcasting Ministry’s

recommendations to the UnionHome Ministry that cinemahalls be allowed to reopen inAugust, cinema halls across thecountry are gearing up toresume functioning expectingrelaxations in the comingmonths. Paperless tickets, seatdistancing, staggered intervalsand scrupulous sanitizing arepart of the safety protocol mul-tiplexes will introduce if theGovernment allows screeningsin “Unlock 3” next month.

“We are ensuring basicslike sanitisation and masks.Paper tickets will no longer inthe use. Entry, exit & inter-missions will be planned in amanner that avoids over-crowding,” PVR CEO G Duttasaid on Saturday. PVR operatesa cinema circuit comprising841 screens at 176 properties in71 cities in India and Sri Lanka.

A set of SOPs drawn up bythe Multiplex Association ofIndia in collaboration with itsmembers was submitted tovarious Central Ministries aswell as Prime Minister’s Officeand Niti Aayog earlier thismonth, said industry leadersINOX, PVR Pictures andCinepolis India. Cinemasaccount for the biggest chunkof earnings for movies and havetaken a substantial hit duringthe pandemic and multiplexes

are pulling out the stops toensure audiences return aftertheatres open.

As per the safety measuresmasks and temperature checkat the entrances will be manda-tory for everyone entering thecinema complexes. Customerswill be screened and thosefound to have 100 degreesCentigrade or showing viralfever symptoms will be askedto leave with a full refund.Customers will also be requiredto show their health status onthe Aarogya Setu App whileentering the premises.

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Patna: The Monsoon Sessionfor both Houses in bicamerallegislature of Bihar fromAugust 3 will be held at thesprawling Gyan Bhawan inview of the Covid-19 pandem-ic, sources said.

The four-day session ofthe Legislative Assembly andthe Legislative Council will be

conducted on separate floors ofthe Gyan Bhawan at the SamratAshok InternationalConvention Centre here.

The session of the twohouses is crucial as it would bethe last one before Bihar goesto polls in October-Novemberthis year.

PNS

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Health workers on Saturdaycollected swab samples of

incarcerated RJD chief LaluPrasad for Covid test as cases ofthe viral infection neared 8,000in Jharkhand and death tollreached 83, health officials said.

Lalu, who is admitted inthe paying ward of state-runRajendra Institute of MedicalSciences (RIMS) after beingconvicted in a multi-millionscam, has not shown any symp-toms of Covid infectionthough, doctors said.

Earlier this month, anAssistant Sub Inspector rankofficer deployed for Lalu’s secu-rity at RIMS, had tested posi-tive for Covid-19. However, hedid not come in direct contactwith the former Bihar chiefminister, doctors said.

As many as 207 peopletested positive for Covid-19 instate on Saturday, taking thetotal count of active cases to4,237. Ranchi, once again,reported the highest number ofpositive cases in Jharkhand onSaturday. At least 127 of the200-odd cases, more than 60per cent, were from Ranchi, abulletin released by theNational Health Mission

(NHM) said. Meanwhile, over a dozen

people raised ruckus at SadarHospital in Ranchi on Saturdaymorning over alleged delay ingetting their Covid reports.Some of them alleged thattheir test report was not outeven after 10 days and threat-ened to vandalise the hospital.However, health workers werequick to pacify the crowd andbring the situation under con-trol, officials said.

Ranchi, which is alreadythe worst-affected district inJharkhand, has 1012 activecases. At least 17 of the 83Covid casualties have been

reported from the capital, gov-ernment data highlights.

As per the NHM bulletin,the Covid mortality rate inJharkhand increased to 1.05 per cent on Saturday whilethe recovery rate dropped to44.90 per cent.

The national Covid mor-tality rate is 2.34 per cent, andrecovery rate is 62.72 per cent.

The Government has so farcollected samples of 2.66 lakhpeople and tested 2.53 lakh ofthem. Around 2.5 lakh peoplehave been put in home quar-antine in State, while around6,000 have been sent to insti-tutional quarantine.

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Bilaspur: At least 43 cowsdied of suffocation in a smallroom of a panchayat buildingwhere they were locked inChhattisgarh’s Bilaspur, a seniorofficial said on Saturday.

The deaths came to light inthe morning when villagersexperienced a foul odour ema-nating from the room, andfound that some of the cattlehad died, said Bilaspur collec-tor Saransh Mittar.

He said a total of 60 cowswere locked in a room in theold panchayat building ofMedpar village underTakhatpur development block.

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With both sides engaged indefusing tension at the

Line of Actual Control (LAC),Northern Command chief LtGeneral YK Joshi said onSaturday the armed forces willensure China withdraws andrestore status quo ante as wasthe deployment in April. Healso said the Indian troops willremain deployed there till totaldisengagement takes place.

This significant statementby Joshi, who is overall in-

charge of guarding the LAC inLadakh, came in the backdropof the Chinese not pullingback more than 40,000 troops.

Making the Indian standclear, Joshi said the Indiantroops will continue to bedeployed till status quo ante isachieved. It means the Chineseneed to go back to their pre-May positions. The first face-off in Ladakh took place onMay 5 when the Chinese armyobstructed an Indian patrol atthe Pangong Tso (lake) leadingto fisticuffs.

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Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh Chief MinisterShivraj Singh Chouhan became the first CMto test Covid-19 positive on Saturday.Chouhan, 61, shared the news on Twitter.He was admitted to a Covid-19 designated private hospital in Bhopal, a BJPleader said.

“I had symptoms of Covid-19. In thetest report I was found positive. I appealto all my colleagues that whoever has comein my contact to get tested for coronavirus.My close contacts should move to quar-antine,” Chouhan said in a tweet. PTI

��)��/�������(����� ���()��������) New Delhi: Researchers at IIT Kharagpur have devel-

oped a first of its kind portable rapid diagnostic deviceto detect coronavirus at less than �400 per test.According to officials, the test can be conducted inan ultra-low-cost portable enclosure as an alterna-tive to specialised laboratory equipment.

The same portable unit can be used for a largenumber of tests on mere replacement of the papercartridge after each test.

The testing technologies currently in use areexpensive, despite the innovations in low-cost test-ing kits as the actual testing machinery cost remainshigh. Further testing mechanism has logistical issuesdue to the infrastructural requirement of the testingcentres.

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Page 2: ˇˆ ˙ ˝ % ˙ ˙˛˚ ˜ ! &˛ &€¦ · The national Covid mor-tality rate is 2.34 per cent, and recovery rate is 62.72 per cent. The Government has so far collected samples of

� How does it feel like to be back onsets?

It feels great. I never thought that Iwill be away from sets for such a longtime, it feels amazing to be working again.I feel alive when I am infront of thecamera. My workplace is my temple andI feel fortunate to be allowed to visit thetemple.� Is it hard to adapt to the new normal,especially when you are working?

Yes, it is extremely tough. But sincewe don’t have any other option but tofollow all the norms, in order to be safe,we have to adapt to it. But having saidthat, it is tough to take care of sanitisationand to maintain social distancing. Becausewhen you are working, your focus issolely on work but now the energies arediverted and yet we have to be our bestand be safe as well.� Between action and cut, do youstruggle to maintain social distancing?Does that bother you?

When I am in between the shot, Idon’t think about any other thing but togive the best shot. Between action and cut,I am transported to a different world.When I am enacting a scene, precautionsand social distancing are mere words.Because it is not practically possible, youcan’t keep a six-feet distance from yourco-actors and then perform. When I amPrithvi, I am living his world. Once thedirector calls it cut, I make sure that I amfollowing all the norms. Before and afterevery scene, I get the floor and things thatI touch, sanitised properly.� Many shows are now makingsanitiser, face shields and masks a partof the show. Can we expect the samewith Kundali Bhagya?

No, I don’t think so we are usingany of these things in the scenes.After the lockdown, it’s been threeweeks since we started shootingagain. Since then we haven’tused a mask or a face shieldin the scenes, because thecontent doesn’t requireit. People don’t wantto see actors wearingmasks onscreen.They are already sobugged up seeing allthese things in theirsurroundings. All they want from us isentertainment, and they have beenlonging to see our faces. They will justchange the channel if they will seesimilar things in daily soaps too.� Prithvi is about to bring in a lot oftwists in the show. What should theaudience look forward to?

Ironically, Prithvi has been wearinga mask, not a precautionary one but amixture of the one in Joker and MoneyHeist. The reason being the othercharacters don’t recognise him. He haskidnapped Rishabh for obvious reasons,he wants to snatch all the wealth andproperty of the Luthras. He is trying hisbest to get the papers signed by Rishabh.Anyone or everyone who becomes anobstacle for him, will be in pain. Nowwhether he’ll got caught red-handed bythe Luthra family or he will succeed in hismission is what the audience has to findout in the coming episodes.� Were there any apprehensions aboutthe role, given that it is a negative lead?

Absolutely not. I didn’t have even oneper cent of apprehension. Initially, it wassupposed to be only two-three monthscameo. I was told if the character is well-received by the audience, it might get anextension, however there was noconfirmation. But then, the audienceloved Prithvi so much that he became apart of the show. Also, not to mentionKundali Bhagya has been a turning pointof my career.� Was acting always your calling?

I was an entertainer in school andcollege. I used to participate in events. Iwas always the one to take the first stepand approach the principal, if I canperform at school functions. Whenever,I used to perform, I saw a lot of happyfaces around me. That’s when I realisedthat I am born to entertain. At that time,it was just about being an entertainer, thatacting was not so common. Then in mycollege days, I started doing street plays

and that got me thinking that I can bean actor. I attended an acting workshop

in Pune and my teacher told me thatI have the potential to do something

big in life and that I should moveto Mumbai and try my luck.

That’s how I gained trust inmy craft and took a leap

of faith. In Mumbai, I did

a diploma infilmmaking but Itold all my friendsthat I am meant to be

infront of the camera.And if anyone makes a short film, thenhe doesn’t need to look for anyone elsebecause they have an in-house actor inme. It was followed by auditions and thenmy TV career was started with Bairi Piya,which was a product of Balaji Telefilms.I started with Balaji, did other shows andnow again I am back to Balaji, it has beena full circle.

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To see him on the screen asa posthumous actor givesyou so much angst, the

kind of angst that builds up evenmore when you see him as anengaging youthful characterdrawing you into his ultimatedeath through this movie.

Dil Bechara is a sweet lovestory between two cancerpatients which may not havegarnered so many eyeballs hadSushant been with us, but histragic death will draw manymore viewers to this last mountof the youngster, released on anOTT platform without muchpublicity, perhaps because hisdeath itself is the most potentpropeller for the movie.

As a tribute, Disney+Hotstar, the platform on whichthe movie has been released, hasopened it for free streaming.Seeing this movie brings to thefore the futility of the suicide bythe actor. Such a waste of talent,such a waste of youth.

But this movie, based on a

simple yet moving love story oftwo cancer survivors and howthey pack their moments in theface of fast approaching deathcomes to you in a gentlemanner, moving you to the corewithout really hollering theprospect of death from thepulpit.

Really, it is some fault in ourstars that we lost Rajput in amanner that he left us but in hislast, he does everything right toclimb into our hearts both withhis acting skills and hispresence. He is sweet, the storyis sweet and the end moments,almost like a tribute to his soulbefore his death, are done withcandid simplicity.

Sanjana Sanghi, as his loveinterest, is fresh and happening.Sushant, on the other hand, isspecial which again and againbrings one to his shockingunexpected suicide.

In fact it leaves you angryabout losing such a young lifeto whatever the reason mayhave been. Dil Bechara, in thatcontext, is a film that needs tobe seen both as a tribute and tofreeze some frames of this verytalented person who gave up.

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Old drama in new mould iswhat you can call this seriesbased on a true story. As true

stories go, they are more compellingthan fiction, especially when theycome wrapped in a crime series butthis one is different for the simplereason that it emotes a narrative thattakes into account so many otherthings, like the trauma, fear,uncertainty, helplessness and fight forjustice of the victims’ families, theefficacy of certain police protocols, thebrazen indifference of a serial killer andthen and only then the achievement ofa police officer in bringing him tobook.

In this context, the series hasdepth of what it conveys and theimpact of this is enhanced by the aptlytimed short six episodes that it takesto show how two mothers of the twovictims, one who got justice and theother who did not (brilliantly playedby Imelda Staunton as Karen), cope

with long trials and the castigation ofthe cop who risked his job and lost itin his attempt to bring the killer toadmit to more killings.

That emotions play at all levels isa plus point for this crime story. Thepsychopath does his job well andmakes you very uncomfortable everytime he visits the screen. The policeintrigues within the department are

shown with the subtlety that theywarrant and the path to criminaljustice has been charted with the ifsand buts that it steps into [pretty often.

A slow burner with not manytwists and turns but that does not makethis one a rippleless line on a monitor.Its heart beats for the victims, therifamilies and the policeman.

An engaging fare.

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In order to know who is who infilms that have sequels it isimportant to see the original.

However, there are always exceptionsto the rule and this latest movie on theOTT platform comes under thiscategory. There are a few reasons. First,in order for the people to follow thethread, it opens with the leadprotagonist — Elle — telling us wherepart one left off and what all hadhappened. Second, all through thereare references to the past. This makesit easy. Also, these movies are basedon Beth Reekles’ Young Adult booksabout teen romance. It really doesn’tneed too much introspection exceptto know whether the boy and the girlstay together or not.

While the first was all aboutkissing and falling in love, this one is

all about making long distancerelationships work, trying to actmature even though the greenmonster raises its head that leads to afew tears. But what is teen romance ifit doesn’t come with its share of tears,angst and heartbreak.

But at the heart of it is thefundraiser and the kissing boothwhere kids find out who their true loveis. The movie is named The KissingBooth for a reason.

If you are in a mood to watch aromantic movie, this one fits perfectly— it is cute and sweet.

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This Kannada comedy-dramamovie (it has English subtitles)would have most probably

bypassed the viewers in North Indiahad it not been for the OTT platform.Directed by Pannaga Bharana, the filmis set in the backdrop of Bengaluru cityand talks about the trials and travailsof a foreigner who comes to the citywho then unfortunately gets caught inthe melee of confusion and chaos thatcomes with living in a metro and theproblems it throws up when youdon’t know the language.

References to France with prawnsmay not be funny but the expressionsof Sal Yusuf who plays the Frenchmanare definitely worth a laugh.And herelies the hero of the film — thelanguage barrier and the problems itlands a French salesman who comesto the city to attend a conference to selldrug (read medicine) but instead ittakes him on a journey into thestreets of a city he would have neverundertaken voluntarily with an autodriver, Asgar, played brilliantly byDanish Sait.

Sait slips beautifully into this rolewith a typical Hyderabadi accent toboot. His ability to speak differentdialects and ability to interact with aFrench tourist is an absolute delight. Butthe film has its downs as well. There isnothing much to offer in terms of a

story given that there are two otherparallel stories running that collide withthe third. One a blundering son whobecomes a don at the death of his fatherand the other about Asgar’s sister andhusband. References to Chris Gaylebecause he sports a certain hairstyle isin bad taste and a strict no-no.

Men ogling at the butt of a womanwhile she has an argument when hercar hits an auto makes no sense as doesthe whole idea of a man staring downthe blouse. Objectifying women insuch a manner is demeaning anduncalled for in such a senselessmanner.

Despite this drawback, such fauxpas are far and between and themovie manages to keep youentertained for most part.

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Hoteliers in Ranchi havebeen reluctant to house

Covid patients fearing majorrevenue loss in future due tothe stigma associated withnovel voronavirus and an exo-dus of panic-stricken hotelemployees as fallout of havingto attend to infected patients,hotel owners said on Saturday.

The district administra-tion here had suggested privatehospitals to collaborate withhotels and use the latter’sInfrastructure for housingasymptomatic Covid patients.However, almost a week sincethe decision was taken, none ofthe hotels here have agreed tocollaborate with hospitals.

“We want to help, but wedo not have trained manpow-

er to deal with patients,” saidPrakash Tekriwal, owner ofHotel Pearl Regency. “Howcan we serve hotel food topatients? And who will be heldresponsible in case of a casual-ty? We do not have any expe-rience in attending to patients,”he added.

Another hotelier, whoowns a chain of hotels in theState Capital, said that the stig-ma associated with Covid-19may trigger panic among futureguests and eventually causerevenue loss to hotels thathouse Covid patients. “Youknow how people don’t evenenter the colonies where Covidpatients are found. Do youthink any guest would want tostay in our hotel after we get thetag of a Covid hotel? No mat-ter how much we sanitise theproperty, people will not wantto stay in our hotel,” he said,requesting anonymity.

Ranchi DeputyDevelopment Commissioner,Ananya Mittal said that HotelPark Street has voluntarilyhoused Covid patients in theirrooms and the doctors too havebeen arranged by the hoteladministration. The hotel, hesaid, did not collaborate with anyhospital. “It is a private initiative,and the hospitals and hotels willhave to mutually decide how togo about it. We will interveneonly if they charge exorbitant feefrom patients or do not adhereto the ICMR (Indian Council ofMedical Research) guidelines,”Mittal said.

However, the fear of thespread of infection among hotelstaff is also holding hotelierback from providing theirrooms to patients. There is noclarity on whether the cost ofthe PPE kits used by hotel staffwould be borne by the hospi-tal or the hotel, said a hotelier.

“We will become the easy tar-get in case of a casualty.Hospitals will put the blame onus and get away with their mis-takes,” said another Ranchi-based hotelier.

Ranchi DeputyCommissioner Chhavi Ranjanhad recently chaired a meetingwith representatives of privatehospitals in city and askedthem to collaborate with hotelsand banquet halls for treatingasymptomatic patients ofCovid-19. He had said thathotels, with their ready infra-structure, will help keep theasymptomatic patients whileattached hospitals can providemedical assistance.

The need for roping inhotels for treating Covidpatients arose after most of theCovid hospitals in Ranchi ranout of beds. There were asmany as 950 active cases ofCovid-19 in Ranchi by

Saturday afternoon, andaround 400 dedicated Covidbeds in hospitals, officials said.

However, only one banquethall has so far provided space forCovid patients in collaborationwith a private hospital.Devkamal Hospital collaborat-ed with Amantran Banquet nearITI bus stand and started a 45-bed facility for Covid patients onThursday. “We could convincethe banquet hall owners to pro-vide space only on the conditionthat we would take all theresponsibility of patients,” saidDr. Anant Sinha, CEO ofDevkamal Hospital.

President of theAssociation of HealthcareProviders, Yogesh Gambhir,said that no other hotel or ban-quet hall has agreed to providetheir infrastructure for treatingCovid patients in Ranchi as ofnow, but some hospital ownerswere in talks with hoteliers.

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Attacking on the StateGovernment on Saturday,

State Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP) said its arrangement todeal with Corona in Jharkhandis insufficient and JharkhandHigh Court (HC) has alsoexpressed deep concerns overthe mismanagement in theState, stating the chaos in allparts of the State.

BJP Legislative Partyleader, Babulal Marandi saidthat the infection of this epi-demic has increased very fast

in the State and situation is thatthe Covid centers built arefalling short of beds. “Coronapatients are forced to wanderfrom one Covid Centre toanother. Despite this, beds arenot being available to thepatients. Even policemen, jour-nalists or doctors are not get-ting beds. From this, the situ-ation can be estimated and thepreparedness of theGovernment can be easily esti-mated,” he added.

“Meanwhile, the informa-tion that is being received on theother side is surprising.

According to the information,19 rooms have been inexplica-bly closed in the name of secu-rity on the floor below thefloor on which Lalu Prasad isadmitted in RIMS. The questionis that where there is so muchturmoil for one bed, patients aregetting upset for the beds and onthe other side it is inconceivableto keep unduly closed 19 rooms.A minimum of 40 patients canbe arranged in these 19 rooms.After all, on whose behalf thishas happened. In such a situa-tion, there is chaos and malad-ministration, the comment and

concern of the High Court alsoseems small. The High Court isconcerned about the propertreatment of its people,” saidMarandi.

The former Chief Ministerfurther said that Lalu himselfis a very sensitive person andit may not be in the cog-nizance of Lalu Prasad.

“I have full confidence thatin this moment of crisis facingthe public, he will know that ifsome people are doing sucharbitrariness in the name of hissafety, then he will not toleratethese things at all. It probably

won’t be in his knowledgeeither. This may be the result of

red tape and appeasement. Weare bringing this to your notice.At least where people’s lives canbe saved, there should not besuch a mess in the name ofsecurity,” he added.

Appealing to the ChiefMinister, Marandi said, “Youshould take immediate noticeof this and give instructions tothe concerned department toopen these rooms withoutdelay and make them availableto the patients. So that the peo-ple of the State will not haveany inconvenience in a terribledisaster like Corona.”

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With educational institu-tions closed since March

due to the Covid-19 pandemic,the Human ResourceDevelopment Ministry hassought parents’ opinion onwhen schools should bereopened — August, Septemberor October. To ensure theutmost of the students, theDepartment is also asking par-ents what their expectationsare from schools when theyresume regular classes.

While parents in Ranchiare not too keen to send theirchildren to school till a vaccine is out. However,those with children in seniorClasses — IX, X, XI and XII areof the opinion that schoolsshould call them in smallergroups and that too not on aregular basis.

“Schools should only openonce the corona crisis is over.In my opinion calling them asper odd- even roll number isnot a very practical solution.Before resuming classes, prop-

er sanitation of the entirepremises and transportationfacilities should be done. Oncein school it will be very diffi-cult for children of any agegroup to follow social distanc-ing norms and in the presentsituation I will not be keen tosend them to school at all,” saidSourabh Kedia whose childrengo to St Xavier’s School andSacred Heart School.

“In the current situation,exposing the kids to anythingis just out of question. Even iffive children from a class arecalled, I will still not be com-fortable in sending mine till a

vaccine is out. With about 60students in one class, social dis-tancing norms will also not befollowed so schools shouldresume only when the virus hasbeen completely eradicated. Iam absolutely alright even ifonline classes are conductedthrough the entire session tillMarch,” said a city based busi-nessman Vishal Patel.

“Schools should not bereopened especially for small-er children. For those in seniorclasses, fewer students shouldbe made to sit in one classroomstrictly following all social dis-tancing norms. Before entering

the school, temperature checksfor all students, teachers andnon teaching staff should bedone on a regular basis. Schoolsbags should be sanitised andteachers should emphasise onfrequent hand washing. Masks,gloves and face shields shouldbe a part of the uniform. Forthose unable to attend school,offline classes should be con-tinued. Odd and even rollnumbers can be called on alter-nate days,” said Richa Midha, ahomemaker.

“Schools should open onlywhen the risk is over. Forsenior students, classes can be

held maybe twice or thrice aweek and on the remainingdays online classes should becontinued. Sanitation and tem-perature checks should bemade mandatory No oneshould be allowed to enter theschool with a mask and faceshield. Schools authoritiesshould also ensure that chil-dren do not share their lunchboxes. Supposing if a child orteacher is unable to attendschool, they should be given anoption of attending onlineclass,” said Sneha Khatore whosends her children to SacredHeart School.

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The traffic routes of sometrains have been diverted

under Samastipur Rail Divisionbetween Sugauli and MajhauliaRailway Stations due to waterof floods covering the track.

Train number 02558,Delhi-Mujaffarpur Special trainrun with diverted route onFriday via Gorakhpur, Chapraand Mujaffarpur instead ofGorakhpur, Narkatiaganj,Sugauli, Bapudham, Motihariand Mujaffarpur on Friday.

Train number 02557 whichwill depart from Mujaffarpurwill be also diverted and runthrough Mujaffarpur. Chapraand Gorakhpur instead ofGorakhpur, Narkatiaganj,Sugauli, Bapudham, Motihariand Mujaffarpur on Saturday.

Train number 05273Delhi-Raksaul Special train,run on diverted route viaNarkatiaganj, Sikta and Raksaulinstead of Narkatiaganj, Sugauliand Raksaul on Saturday.While 05274 Raksaul-DelhiSpecial train also follow thediverted route on Friday.

Train number 09039,Bandra Terminal-MujaffarpurSpecial Train which departsfrom Bandra Terminal run

through diverted route onFriday via Gorakhpur, Chapraand Mujaffarpur instead ofGorakhpur, Narkatiaganj,Sugauli and Mujaffarpur.

Train number 09040, onSaturday Muzaffarpur- BandraTerminus Special Train whichdeparts from Mujaffarpur runthrough diverted route viaGorakhpur, Chapra andMujaffarpur instead ofGorakhpur, Narkatiaganj,Sugauli and Mujaffarpur.

Train number 04010,Delhi-Bapudham-MotihariSpecial train will partially endat Betiah station on Saturday.

Train number 04009673,Bapudham-Motihari-Delhi willdepart from Betiah on Sunday.

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STUDENTRIX, an IndianEdtech company, registered

with the Ministry of MSME,Government of India haslaunched interactive classes forstudents of class 8-10 for sci-ence and mathematics. STU-DENTRIX is India’s best learn-ing platform with its own learn-ing model as it believes in theLEARN, LEAP and LEADmodel, where one can see one’sprogress live.

The Pune-based STU-DENTRIX offers a personal-ized learning method whereineach student is counseled andtaught based on his/herstrengths. These students have the dual benefit of teacherand mentor in the classroomfor teaching and supportrespectively.

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Page 4: ˇˆ ˙ ˝ % ˙ ˙˛˚ ˜ ! &˛ &€¦ · The national Covid mor-tality rate is 2.34 per cent, and recovery rate is 62.72 per cent. The Government has so far collected samples of

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The Jamshedpur bandh calledby traders and business

community to protest againstthe Jharkhand ContagiousDisease Ordinance receivedoverwhelming response.

Under the banner of theSinghbhum Chamber ofCommerce and Industry (SCCI ), the traders had calledbandh as the ordinance impos-es a penalty of Rs 1 lakh and ajail term of up to two yearsagainst those violating Covidsafety norms.

All shops - garments, hard-ware, automobile, utensils andjewellery stores remained closed

in Bistupur, Sakchi and otherplaces in response to the bandh.Members of the trade outfit alsohit the streets. They went aroundBistupur and Sakchi requestingthe business establishments tokeep their shutters down.

The traders are against theprovisions of Rs 1 lakh on thosewho ignore the security proto-col and those who do not wearmasks in the state and up totwo year term in jail. To regis-ter their protest the apextraders’ body has also decidedto sport black badges onSunday in protest. As a step tocontrol the spread of the virus,they will close their shops from6 pm rather than 9 pm as per

the Government’s guidelines.“We are overwhelmed with

the response. The traders vol-untarily closed their shops to

support the call. Tomorrowwe will sport black badges andalso close down shops by 6 pm,”said an official of the chamberof commerce.

Ashok Bhalotia, president,Singhbhum Chamber ofCommerce and Industrythanked the business commu-nity for the support and saidthat the provisions announcedby the Jharkhand governmentmust be rolled back. He saidthat the government has madea provision of fine of one lakhrupees and punishment of twoyears for not wearing masks inshops, showrooms, and otherworkplaces. The provisions areinappropriate.

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In joint action of districtpolice and CRPF arrested

CPI Maoist organization’s areacommander women Maoist onFriday evening within limits ofKhukra police station area.She is involved in nine casesregistered in Bokaro and fourin Giridih,said GiridihSuperintendent of police AmitRenu.

The SP said that the areacommander of CPI MaoistNaxalite organization has beenarrested in joint operation ofpolice and CRPF at Gumra vil-lage forest under Khukra policestation area of the district.

State government had puta reward of Rs 2 lakh on thearrested woman Naxalite. Thewoman has been involved inseveral cases including Naxaliteblast killing five people, killinginformers, encounters andarson.

There are nine casesagainst her in Bokaro and fourin different police stations ofGiridih,added SP.

The SP said that it wasreported on Friday that areacommander Sunita aliasKaushalya alias Rama of theCPI Maoist organization waspreparing to carry out a major

incident by meeting with someCPI maoists in the forestedarea of Gamhara village with-in limits of Khukra police sta-tion area.

After the information, aspecial search operation teamwas formed with a joint teamof CRPF and district police.

In this, SAT-15, GiridihPolice were headed by GiridihSP Amit Renu and AdditionalSP (operation) Deepak Kumarand D / 154 battalion CRPFwere headed by Ajay KumarRajnikar and SecondCommand Officer Moolchand.

Police sources said thatduring the search operation,female security personnel ranand caught her harcore womannaxali.

During the search opera-tion, a woman was seen in sus-picious condition upon reach-ing the forest near Gamharavillage. When she was prompt-ed to stop by the operationalteam, she started running awayafter seeing the police teamcoming towards her. Duringthis, the women security per-sonnel present with the searchteam caught up.

On interrogating the cap-tured woman, she told hername Sunita alias Kaushalyaalias Rama. She is a resident of

Chettekharna village inChatrapatti police station areaof Bokaro. During interroga-tion she stated that she is anarea commander in the CPImaoist organization and is thewife of Santosh Mahato aliasSanjay Mahato alias Basudev.

She said that she has beenworking in Naxalite activitiessince the year 2000 and was akey member of Naveen ManjhiSquad, an active Naxalitearrested earlier.

Maoist joined SantoshMahato alias Sanjay Mahato’steam after the arrest of NaveenManjhi. Currently she is work-ing in Jhumra, Kasmar andParasnath areas.

Police further said that theSIS’s vehicle was blown up byplanting landmines, five secu-rity guards were killed.

The arrested woman nax-alite said that she was involvedin an encounter in Parasnathhill in Madhuban police stationarea in Giridih district in 2008and in the year 2010, the bridgelocated on Giridih-Dumrimain road, about a kilometre north of Purnanagarvillage in Pirtand police stationarea, was called the landminetunnel.

The SIS vehicle was blownup after planting.

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At least 60 shops were sealedfor violating Standard

Operating Procedures (SOPs) for prevention of thespread of COVID-19 in theBokaro district.

During the special opera-tion led by Sub-DivisionalOfficer Chas Shashi PrakashSingh and Sub-DivisionalOfficer Bermo Nitesh Kumar Singh, the action wastaken against the shopkeeperswho violated the lockdownthrough relevant sections, saidan official.

“So far 60 shops in Bokarodistrict have been completelysealed, giving notice to non-compliance of social distancingnorms and for not wearingmasks inside their premisesacross Bokaro district,”informed Singh.

“Around 15 shops weresealed in Gomia, 9 in Jaridih,15 in Bermo, 4 in Petarwar, 1in Nawadih and 15 in Chas andChandankiyari,” added SDO.

On the direction of DeputyCommissioner Rajesh Singh, aspecial campaign for social distancing and wearingof masks has been conducted inBokaro district since past fewdays.

On Wednesday, at theCabinet meeting, the

Jharkhand government decid-ed that wearing a mask will bemandatory in the public andthose defying governmentdirectives (not wearing masks)or other rules (social distanc-ing) will be fined to the tune ofRs 1 lakh or imprisonment upto two years.

The SDO said that the dis-trict administrative teams along with police willcontinue their operations tocontrol the deadly Coronavirusepidemic.

Bokaro sees a huge spurt infresh COVID-19 cases duringpast days. Nine new positivecases were reported on Fridaywhile two new Coronaviruspositive cases have been con-firmed in Bokaro district onSaturday; includes a 25-year-old youth of ONGC Gomiaand another is 59-year-old res-ident of Shastri Nagar,Jarangdih.

“All have been shifted toCOVID Hospital and contacttracing of all is being done,”said A K Pathak Civil SurgeonBokaro.

Meanwhile, four personswere discharged on Fridaywhile two on Saturday afterthey were tested negative forthe Sars-Cov-2 virus for thesecond time and sent back totheir home after recoveringfully, said Pathak.

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The global pandemic and itsever increasing impact in

view of positive cases inJharkhand state, Hazaribag isalso showing the increasingnumbers of patients. As manyas 513 new patients came tolight in 116 days. The districtadministration has declared17 containment zones in thetown areas. The increasingnumber of patients has creat-ed the vacancy problem in theCovid ward of HMCH andCovid-19 hospital Aarogyam.

In the month of June andJuly every day more than 20patients came to light and theyhave been admitted in Covidwards of the two hospitals. Ason Saturday all beds in theCovid ward of HazaribagMedical College and Hospitaland Covid-19 Aarogyam hos-pital are full. At present 233Covid 19 patients are beingtreated in the hospital and car-ing centers.

Corona has targeted thedistrict police and nearly 59

patients have surfaced from dif-ferent police stations of the dis-trict. Half a dozen police sta-tions have been sealed by theadministration. DIG office andDC residence staff have testedpositive and have been sent tothe forest Covid caring center.The total employees who havebeen tested positive, reached60.

The administration hasdecided to start three newCovid caring centers in districtheadquarter. They are PoliceTraining Academy mess 3,Polytechnic center Silwar andITI’s newly constructed build-ing.

Police training academymess 3 having capacity of 200beds where 59 policemen aretreating, the capacity of ITI of100 beds.

The capacity of ITI hasadmitted 100 patients. There isonly some vacancy in the poly-technic caring center.

In the block headquartersof the district, there are 863vacancies in the health caringcenters.

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Page 5: ˇˆ ˙ ˝ % ˙ ˙˛˚ ˜ ! &˛ &€¦ · The national Covid mor-tality rate is 2.34 per cent, and recovery rate is 62.72 per cent. The Government has so far collected samples of

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Prime Minister NarendraModi is likely to hold a

meeting with Chief Ministersof the States and representativesof the Union Territories on July27 to discuss the Covid-19pandemic crisis and unlock 3.0.The main agenda of the meet-ing is expected to be on thehealth scenario and the wayforward and policies to beadopted from July 31, the cur-rent unlockdown guidelinesend.

Union Home MinisterAmit Shah and Health MinisterHarsh Vardhan will also takepart in the meeting along withthe Prime Minister to address

the concerns of the States.After the inputs from the States,the Centre will hold a series ofconsultations with officialsacross the country and formu-late the new un-lockdownguidelines from August 1.There were inputs from manystates to continue the existingnorms till August 15, consid-ering the current situation.

Many States have alreadyinformed the Centre on con-tinuing restrictions on largegatherings and implementingsocial distancing norms. Stateshave already sought financialassistance from the Centre inincreasing the health infra-structure and creating specificCovid-19 treatment centres ineach district.

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Indian Institute of Technology(IIT) Kharagpur researchers

have developed a cost-effectiveportable diagnostic device thatcan detect Covid-19 infectionwithin an hour and estimatedto cost just �400.

This entire test can be con-ducted in an ultra-low-costportable enclosure as an alter-native to specialised laborato-ry equipment. The sameportable unit can be used for alarge number of tests, on merereplacement of the paper car-tridge after each test.

The device has beenproven to produce no falseresult with remarkable accura-cy and sensitivity compatible tostandard RT-PCR tests, saidProf. Suman Chakraborty from

the Mechanical EngineeringDepartment, and Dr. ArindamMondal from the School of BioScience, both from IITKharagpur. The technologyessentially deploys a disposablesimple paper-strip for chemi-cal analysis and visualization ofresults.

“The new device has beendesigned to be usable at loca-tions with extremely poorresources in an uncontrolledenvironment, catering theneeds of the underserved pop-ulation. Moreover, it can beoperated by minimally trainedpersonnel, precluding theneeds for skilled technicians,”said Dr Chakraborty.

While the Institute canproduce the testing kit up to acertain scale, patent licensingwill facilitate commercializa-tion opportunities for medical

technology companies.Dr Mondal added, “The

unique portable device devel-oped by the IIT Kharagpurresearchers has not only beenvalidated for the diagnostics ofCovid-19, but also beendesigned to be capable ofdetecting any other kind of

RNA virus by following thesame generic procedure. Theimpact of this, therefore, is longlasting, empowered by thecapability of detecting unfore-seen viral pandemics in thecoming years that may poten-tially endanger human livestime and again.”

The project received finan-cial support from the Institutein late April after Professor VK Tewari, Director, IITKharagpur, decided to set up afund to support Covid-19 relat-ed research and product devel-opment.

“We are ready for com-mercialization of the product.Any corporate or start-up canapproach the Institute for tech-nology licensing and commer-cial scale of production. TheInstitute is open to tie-ups,” saidDr Tewari.

New Delhi: Railway Minister PiyushGoyal hit back at the Congress onSaturday after Rahul Gandhi accused theRailways of making profit throughShramik trains, alleging that only thosewho “looted” the country can call sub-sidy a profit.

“Only those who looted the countrycan describe subsidy as profit. The rail-ways spent more money in runningShramik trains than it received from StateGovernments. People are now askingwhat happened to Sonia ji's promise ofpaying for people's tickets,” Goyal tweet-ed.

Congress president Sonia Gandhihad said during the migrant crisis thather party will pay for tickets of Shramik

train passengers after reports emergedthat they, mostly poor migrants, weremade to pay for their journey.

On Saturday, Congress leader RahulGandhi accused the Government ofbenefitting by making profits during thecoronavirus-induced lockdown whenpeople were in trouble.

“There are clouds of disease and peo-ple are in trouble, but one seeks to ben-efit -- this anti-people Government isconverting a disaster into profits and isearning,” he said in a tweet in Hindi, tag-ging a new report.

The railways spent �2,142 crore onrunning Shramik Special trains butearned a revenue of just �429 crore, offi-cial data showed PTI

New Delhi: The Drug ControllerGeneral of India (DCGI) has can-celled the rapid diagnostic kit importlicenses of three firms —CadilaHealthcare, MDAAC Internationaland N W Overseas —and suspend-ed that of 16 others noting that theUSFDA has removed the manufac-turers from their list of Coronavirusserology test kits with directionsthat they should not be distributed.

The companies were issued showcause notices on July 17 asking whytheir import licenses shall not be can-celled since the diagnostic kits of themanufacturers have been removed byUSFDA with direction that it shouldnot be distributed from the list of prod-uct of serology test kits for Covid-19

disease, according to a DCGI official.The firms were directed to sub-

mit their reply by July 20, failingwhich it would be presumed theyhave nothing to say in the matter andaction deemed fit will be initiatedunder provisions of the Drugs andCosmetics Act.

“Your response to the show causenotice has not been found satisfactorywith respect to removal of said kit, byUSFDA from their list mentioningnot to distribute,” the DCGI orderissued to the 16 companies on July 21stated. “However, it has been men-tioned by you to not to cancel yoursaid import license for the aboveproduct. Therefore, in public interest,your import license for above prod-

uct becomes inoperative and standssuspended, till further orders,” itsaid.

As for the three companieswhose licenses were cancelled, theorders said, “Your response to theshow cause notice has not beenfound satisfactory with respect to theremoval of said kit, by USFDA fromtheir list mentioning not to distrib-ute.”

“Further, it has been mentionedby you that you intend to surrenderyour license for the above product.Therefore, in public interest, yourimport license for above productbecomes inoperative and stands can-celled with immediate effect,” as perthe order. PNS

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The BSF is conducting afield trial of hand-held

ground penetrating radar todetect tunnels, ImprovisedExplosive Devices (IEDs) andlandmines along the Indo-Pakborder.

When deployed, the state-of-the-art equipment will helpthe BSF in curbing smugglingof arms and drugs besidesinfiltration of terrorists throughthe tunnels. The deployment ofthese portable radar sets will bedone once the feedback fromthe ground is satisfactory, offi-cial sources said.

The move to test the effi-cacy of the hi-tech equipmentof Israeli-origin on the groundcomes days after the UnionHome Ministry gave a go aheadfor it.

The Ground PenetratingRadar (GPR) weighing only 5kg is completely man-portableand can be operated in a hand-held manner. The GPR is fittedwith an LCD screen and anintegrated telescopic rod capa-ble of automatically identifyingthe target and displaying thesame on the screen.

A high-level committee ofthe Union Home Ministry thatincluded BSF representatives

has approved the requiredspecifications of the equip-ment being tested.

The Border Security Force(BSF) is the world’s largestborder guarding force tasked tosecure the frontiers alongPakistan and Bangladesh. TheBSF is also the Lead IntelligenceAgency along these two fron-tiers and smuggling arms andammunition besides drugs asalso infiltration is a majorchallenge for the Force that hasto conduct patrols in terrainsthat include non-motorableareas covered with elephantgrass.

The IEDs and mines pose

realtime danger to the person-nel on patrol duties, an officialsaid, adding the equipment

will help in keeping a bettertrack of the movement of ter-rorists.

The GPR, a technologyfirst perfected by Israel, iscapable of detecting differentcategories of mines and IEDs invaried soil conditions, the offi-

cial said.The technology is estimat-

ed to strengthen the proposedsmart fencing and counter-infiltration grid besides curb-ing the menace of smugglingsyndicates along the Westernfrontier with Pakistan thatoften use underground tunnelsfor movement of contraband.

The radar system also hasan inbuilt data-storage facility,both external storage of 16 GBand integrated 4 GB internalmemory. The real-time detec-tion of IEDs and mines willhelp in swiftly defusing thehidden explosive devices, offi-cials said.

The prevalent systemdeployed for detecting minesand IEDs is a time-consumingmeasure as the BSF and Armytogether could detect just sixcross-border tunnels along theborder in Jammu region since2012. Manual detection meth-ods have also delivered similarfindings along the border withPakistan adjoining Punjab andRajasthan.

The tunnel detectingequipment is being tested evenas Pakistan-backed terroristgroups are now using drones tosend shipments of weaponsacross this side of the border.

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As the coronavirus casescontinue to rise at an

alarming rate in India, someStates have resorted to a com-plete lockdown while severalothers opted for partial orweekend lockdown to preventthe transmission of virus infec-tions. Of the total 739 districts,at least 64 districts are stillunder a complete lockdownwhile 119 have partial lock-down or weekend lockdown.

West Bengal’s Kalimpongdistrict will go for a completelockdown for seven days fromSunday even as Kerala ismulling re-imposition of acomplete lockdown.

Bihar, Sikkim, Manipurand Kashmir valley are under

complete lockdown while WestBengal, Punjab, Uttar Pradeshand Madhya Pradesh haveopted for weekend lockdowns.If 'Janata Curfew' is in place inNagpur city for July 25-26,Bhopal is under lockdownfrom July 24 till August 3.Interestingly, state governmentshave chosen lockdowns as pertheir convenience.

Since the lifting of thelockdown, the number of coro-navirus cases in the country hasalmost doubled from 604,993on June 1 to over 13.80 lakhcases on July 25. India’s totalcoronavirus case tally is set tohit the 1.5 million mark inseven days’ time if it continuesto rise at the same pace.

As per data, complete lock-down has been reimposed in 64

districts that include 38 inBihar, 10 in Sikkim, 10 inKashmir, five in Odisha, one inArunachal Pradesh, one inMadhya Pradesh.

Under the complete lock-down, only essential servicesincluding medical facilities,goods movement and mediaare allowed.

There are 119 districtsacross India that are under par-tial or weekend lockdown thatinclude Punjab’s 22 district,Uttarakhand (2), Maharashtra’s(9), Goa (1), Karnataka (5),Chhattisgarh (5), Odisha (23),Tamil Nadu (37), Assam (2) ,Nagaland (11) and ArunachalPradesh (1). In partial lock-down, restricted movement ofpeople with e-passes isrequired.

The Nitish KumarGovernment has imposed acomplete lockdown in 38 dis-tricts in the state till July 31.Despite low testing, the num-ber of Covid-19 cases rose to33,511 cases in the State.

Sikkim has imposed acomplete lockdown in its fourdistricts from July 21 to July 27and all 10 districts in Kashmirvalley is also under the lock-down till July 27. A weekendlockdown has been imposed in

Jammu from July 24.Nagaland also extended

the lockdown in its six districtstill July 31. Odisha hasannounced a 14-day completeshutdown in Ganjam,Khurdha, Cuttack, Jajpur dis-trict and Rourkela MunicipalCorporation area till July 31midnight as the number ofcases rose to over 22,683.

In Maharashtra, partiallockdown has been extendedtill July 31 and inter-districttravel has been restricted. TheMamata Banerjee Governmenthas announced complete lock-down across the State for twodays every week.

There will be a completelockdown in West Bengal onJuly 23, 25 and 29.

In Arunachal Pradesh, the

ongoing lockdown in theItanagar Capital Region (ICR)has been extended till August3 while Kerala's capitalThiruvananthapuram will stayunder a strict lockdown up tothe midnight of July 28.

The Uttar Pradesh gov-ernment has imposed lock-down in four areas of capitalLucknow--Ghazipur, SarojniNagar, Indira Nagar, andAshiyana. Lockdown has beenimposed in Srikakulam districtin Andhra Pradesh for 14 daysand in Karnataka the lockdownin Kalaburgi district has beenextended till the midnight ofJuly 27.

The national lockdownacross India was lifted after 68days from June 1. But theunion home ministry has

allowed state governments toenforce lockdowns or any otherrestrictions to control thespread of Covid 19.

As per government data, atleast 20 districts worst affectedby the novel coronavirus dis-ease account for nearly 65-70percent of the coronavirusinfections cases in the country.Out of these, seven districts arein Maharashtra, three in TamilNadu, two each in Gujarat andHaryana. Delhi is taken as onewhole district while the statesof Telangana, West Bengal,Madhya Pradesh, Karnatakaand Rajasthan contain one dis-trict each.

The data shows that so far,at least 512 out of over 700 dis-tricts in India have had at leastone covid-related death.

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In the wake of various reportsshowing that antibodies

against SARS-CoV-2 may notbe long-lasting, the IndianCouncil of Medical Research(ICMR) is mulling a study toassess the immunologicalresponse to the virulent virusthat has swept the world. InIndia, the virus has infectedover 13 lakh people whileclaiming over 30,000 lives.

Sources in the ICMR saidthat scientists from the researchinstitute will collaborate withresearchers at AIIMS-Delhiwhere a cohort of recoveredCovid-19 patients will be stud-ied over a period of time toassess their antibody levels andits role in coming months.

“We need to examinewhether the population, atleast, in high exposure areas, isany closer to herd immunitywhich will depend on the typeof antibodies produced,” saidthe sources at the ICMR.

“For example, are they neu-tralising antibodies? And howlong will they last or howquickly might they wane? Wecould do these studies on peo-ple at least in containmentzones with high exposure lev-els,” they added.

There have been reportsthat levels of antibodies againstSARS-CoV-2, the virus thatcauses Covid-19, dropped dra-

matically over the first 3months of infection in 34 peo-ple recovered from mild illness.

“Antibody levels againstthe novel coronavirusdecreased by about half every73 days and, if that rate weresustained, would be depletedwithin about a year,” accordingto researchers from Universityof California at Los Angeles.Their research letter has beenpublished in the New EnglandJournal of Medicine.

Yet another report pub-lished in Nature showed rapid-ly decreasing antibody levelsafter infection. The results alsodim hopes for “immunity pass-ports,” which some govern-ments have suggested wouldallow recovered Covid-19patients to return to work ortravel on the presumption thatthey were immune againstreinfection, and well as forlasting herd immunity, inwhich at least 60 percent ofpeople are immune after recov-ering from infection.

“The results call for cautionregarding antibody-based'immunity passports,' herdimmunity, and perhaps vaccinedurability, especially in light ofshort-lived immunity againstcommon human coronavirus-es,” the authors wrote. “Furtherstudies will be needed to definea quantitative protectionthreshold and rate of decline ofantiviral antibodies beyond 90days.”

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Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister YogiAdityanath has asked all temples

in Ayodhya to carry out special clean-ing of their premises and light lampson August 4 and 5 to celebrate thebeginning of the construction of agrand temple of Lord Ram, sources saidon Saturday.

The Chief Minister was on a shortvisit to Ayodhya to review the prepa-rations for the foundation stone layingceremony for the construction of theRam temple.

According to Shri RamJanmabhoomi Teertha Kshetra Trustmembers, Prime Minister NarendraModi is likely to visit Ayodhya onAugust 5 for the “bhoomi pujan” cer-emony to begin the construction of theRam temple.

The trust has invited Modi to laythe foundation stone of the templeeither on August 3 or 5, both auspiciousdates, based on calculations of move-ments of stars and planets.

Triloki Nath Pandey, the decree-holder of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi

Teertha Kshetra, said, “CM Adityanathhas asked all temples in Ayodhya to dospecial cleaning and purification, andlight lamps on August 4 and 5 to cel-ebrate the big day.”

The chief minister made theremarks at a meeting with seers andmembers of the Ram Mandir Trust atthe Vishwa Hindu Parishad head-quarters at Karsewak Puram onSaturday.

“At the meeting, Adityanathremarked that this is an auspiciousoccasion that has come after a 500-yearstruggle. The whole country is full ofjoy and we too should celebrate themoment and accord a grand welcometo PM Narendra Modi,” Pandey said.

During the visit to Ayodhya,Adityanath placed the idols of Laxman,Bharat and Shatrughan on the new'asans' at the Ram Janmabhoomi tem-ple site. He reached Ayodhya in theafternoon and took part in a 'puja'.

He also offered prayers at theHanumangarhi Temple and inspectedthe stones carved for Ram Temple atMandir Nirmaan Karyashala.

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A14-year-old boy has been taken in police cus-tody for allegedly raping a 2.5-year-old girl

at a village in Uttar Pradesh's Bulandshahr dis-trict, officials said on Saturday.

Around a dozen men from the village inDibai area have been booked for threatening the girl's family against approachingthe police over the incident on Friday, the offi-cials said.

Bulandshahr Senior Superintendent ofPolice Santosh Kumar Singh said an FIR waslodged on the basis of a complaint from the girl'sfamily and the matter is under investigation.

“No external injury was found during pre-liminary check up by doctors.

The 14-year-old accused has been taken intocustody and the girl sent to district hospital fordetailed medical examination,” Singh said.

He said during initial probe some villagerstold the police that the girl had fallen somewherenear her house and the boy had “probably justpicked her up in his lap”.

“But the girl's family has alleged sexualoffence, both natural and unnatural, with the girlby the boy. We are awaiting detailed medicalreport at the moment to proceed further,” the dis-trict police chief said.

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Lucknow/Ayodhya:UttarPradesh Chief Minister YogiAdityanath on Saturday visitedAyodhya and placed the idolsof Laxman, Bharat andShatrughan on the new 'asans'at the Ram Janmabhoomi tem-ple site.

The Chief Minister reachedAyodhya in the afternoon andtook part in a 'puja'. He alsooffered prayers at theHanumangarhi Temple andinspected the stones carvedfor Ram Temple at MandirNirmaan Karyashala.

He then held a meetingwith seers and members of theRam Mandir Trust at theVishwa Hindu Parishad head-quarters at Karsewak Puram.

Adityanath is on a shortvisit to Ayodhya to review thepreparations for the foundationstone laying ceremony for theconstruction of the RamTemple.

The visit comes ahead ofthe Prime Minister NarendraModi's expected visit to lay thefoundation stone of the RamTemple in Ayodhya on August5 . The construction of the tem-

ple will start with the ceremony to lay the foundationstone.

A trust member had saidthat in view of the coronaviruspandemic, only 200 people

would attend the ceremonyand all social distancing normswill be followed at the event.

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Page 6: ˇˆ ˙ ˝ % ˙ ˙˛˚ ˜ ! &˛ &€¦ · The national Covid mor-tality rate is 2.34 per cent, and recovery rate is 62.72 per cent. The Government has so far collected samples of

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Most of the measures takenby the Government in

this financial year will definitelyshow results and drive thecountry to have at least a 6 percent growth rate in the FY22,economists and industry lead-ers stated on Saturday.

Speaking at the Webinarorganized by ASSOCHAMtitled- “Economic Outlook:Post Pandemic”, Ajit Ranade,president and chief economistat Aditya Birla Group explainedthat the last three months havebeen quite unprecedented.

“In the April- June quarter,there has been a minus 15 percent contraction. The foreigninvestors have pulled outalmost $16 billion from theIndian markets, however, thedomestic investors have been

continuously investing moneyto the tune of almost Rs 90,000crore back in the stock markets.There is a lot of enthusiasm andoptimism which is leading themarkets to boom and this isreally amazing,” he said.

According to Ranade, therewould be a sharper recovery tothe tune of at least 6 per centin the financial year 2022 dueto several factors.

“The agriculture sector isdoing very well and is expect-ed to grow at least to the tuneof 3 to 4 per cent. The mini-mum support price (MSP) pro-gram by the government was ahuge hit not only in goodstates like Punjab and Haryanabut also in other smaller states.This will give some momentumin the next year,” he said.

He also added that therural employment guarantee

program was a huge successand saw the numbers almostdoubling. “Also the MGNRE-GA program was a hugeachievement. The Fiscal stim-ulus package 2.0 as it knownwill play a big role in shapingup the things to come and helpin reviving the growth momen-tum,” he pointed out.

Rathin Roy, Director,National Institute of PublicFinance and Policy, and a for-mer member of the PrimeMinister’s Economic AdvisoryCouncil explained that theindustry would need to collec-tively chalk out a plan and pre-sent it to the government.

“The industry leaderswould need to take the lead andchalk out a three-year plan andpresent it to the government.The role of the governmentwould be limited and it’s the

industry that would need totake the lead. Let it work on thereverse,” he added.

Tirthankar Patnaik, chiefeconomist at the National StockExchange (NSE) explained thatdespite the negativity seen ear-lier on the stock exchanges, ittook very little time for it tobounce back.

“From March 20, the stockmarkets started going up, thatis because the global and theIndian stock markets look atthe short term nature of thecoronavirus,” he said.

Patnaik added that thoughthe growth is largely out of thebase effect and the impact maynot be likely to go away.

“The NPAs are likely to bein the tune of 12 per cent to 15per cent; however the marketsdo not see this continuing inthe long run. Also for the

FY22, the earnings have not yetbeen downgraded and expectthe earnings to catch up,” headded.

Shekhar Shah, DirectorGeneral of the NationalCouncil of Applied EconomicResearch (NCAER) stated thatthere is a lot of transformationgoing on in the country at themoment.

“Digitalisation is going tobe the key factor. In the lastfour months, most employeeswhile working from homeshave managed to get around80-90 per cent of productivity,think about the saving it wouldhave on the external factors.This would propel a huge leapin certain critical areas,” he said.

He also informed that it istime to reset our thinking onhealth policies. “Due to thepandemic, the fault lines in the

society have been revealed.While we have been concen-trating too much on the ruralareas, it is also time to think asmuch for the urban safety netsas well. While we think aboutthe cure, we need to thinkmuch more about the preven-tion,” he informed.

Suman Bery, Global FellowAsia Program of the WoodrowWilson International Center forScholars, Washington DC stat-ed that there is a need to pri-oritize the relief, recovery andreform structure and deal withthe issues in a sequence.

“The Atmanirbhar Bharat,global linkages and search fora new growth model are theneed of the hour. The medical,humanitarian, economic, andpolitical differences need to beresolved. The framework ofgovernment’s focus should

include supply side, demandside, and terms of trade,” hesaid.

Upasna Bhardwaj, SeniorEconomist & Head EconomicResearch Kotak MahindraBank explained that there is arisk-aversion in the willingnessto lend at present. “The big cor-porates still have enough fundsbut it is the smaller corporatesthat are suffering the most.Banks are reluctant to lendthem. The pandemic hasincreased a lot of risk in thefinancial market,” she said.

Chairman ofASSOCHAM’s NationalCouncil for Banking & Non-Executive Chairman of Punjab& Sindh Bank, Charan Singh,stated that opening up of agri-culture to the private investmentwill significantly contribute togrowth, in the near future.

Niranjan Hiranandani,National President,ASSOCHAM and Co-founderof the Hiranadani Groupinformed that the governmentdue to its various financialannouncements has adequate-ly taken care of the supply sideof the economics and owing toits various policy announce-ments set the path for longterm reforms. “What we alsoneed at this hour is land andlabour reforms. The powercosts in certain states are veryhigh. Companies are movingout of Maharashtra to Gujaratto get the advantage of lowerpower bills. Out of the textileunits which moved out ofChina, almost 23 went toVietnam and only 2 came toIndia. We need to have a com-prehensive policy to addressthese issues,” he said.

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Private sector lending majorICICI Bank on Saturday

reported a 36 per cent growthin standalone net profit of�2,599 crore for the first quar-ter of 2020-21.

The bank had earned a netprofit of �1,908 crore for thecorresponding period of theprevious fiscal.

Similarly, net interestincome (NII) increased by 20per cent year-on-year t o �9,280crore in Q1FY21 from �7,737crore in Q1-2020.

“The net interest marginwas 3.69 per cent in Q1-2021compared to 3. 87 per cent inthe quarter ended March 31,2020 (Q4-2020) and 3.61 percent in Q1-2020, reflecting thehigher liquidity with the bankdue to strong deposit inflowsand limited credit demand dueto the lockdown,” the compa-ny said in a statement.

The bank made provisions(excluding COVID-19 relatedprovisions and provision fortax) declined by 42 per centyear-on-year to �2,044 crore inQ1FY21 from �3,496 crore inQ1-2020.

“The bank has made addi-tional COVID-19 related pro-visions of � 5,550 crore on aprudent basis in Q1-2021 withthe objective of completelycushi oning the balance sheetfrom the impact of Covid-19.”

Besides, the bank heldCOVID-19 related provisionsamounting to �8,275 crore as ofJune 30, 2020. “This addition-al provision held by the bank ismore than the requirement asper the RBI guideline datedApril 17, 2020,”

“Net non-performingassets (NPA) decreased by 51per cent from �24,170 crore atJune 30, 2018 to �11,857 croreat June 30, 2019,” the statementsaid.

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The Reserve Bank of Indiahas signed necessary doc-

uments for extending a USD400 million currency swapfacility to Sri Lanka to boost theisland nation’s draining foreignexchange reserves due to thecoronavirus pandemic, theIndian High Commission heresaid on Saturday.

The currency swaparrangement will remain avail-able till November 2022, theIndian mission said in a pressrelease.

Sri Lanka in April said itwas set to enter into an agree-ment with the RBI for a cur-rency swap worth USD 400million under the South AsianAssociation for RegionalCooperation (SAARC) frame-work to boost the foreignreserves and ensure financialstability of the country whichis badly hit by the COVID-19pandemic.

In May, PresidentGotabaya Rajapaksa made anadditional request to India fora special USD 1.1 billion cur-rency swap facility.

“Breaking Good News!Reserve Bank of India signsdocument for USD 400 millioncurrency swap facility to#SriLanka till Nov 2022,” theIndian mission tweeted on

Friday. “After debt repaymentrescheduling discussions yes-terday, this development isanother example of India’sstrong commitment to workwith #lka in post #COVID19SLeconomic recovery,” it said.

The High Commission hasconveyed this information tosenior officials in theGovernment of Sri Lanka andthe Central Bank of Sri Lanka,the statement said.

Earlier, on July 14, DeputyHigh Commissioner Vinod K.Jacob had met and discussedthe currency swap arrange-ment with the Governor of theCentral Bank of Sri Lanka, ProfWD Lakshman, it said.

The two countries alsoheld technical discussion onrescheduling of bilateral debtrepayment by Sri Lanka on July22. An Indian delegation com-prising senior officials from theMinistry of External Affairs,Ministry of Finance, and theEXIM Bank interacted withrepresentatives from theDepartment of ExternalResources of Sri Lanka througha video conference.

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India and the UK haveaffirmed their commitment

to negotiate a free trade agree-ment (FTA) with a view to fur-ther strengthen economic ties,the commerce ministry said onSaturday.

The issue was discussedin the 14th Joint Economic andTrade Committee (JETCO)meeting between the two coun-tries on Friday. It was co-chaired by Commerce andIndustry Minister Piyush Goyaland UK Secretary of State forInternational Trade Elizabeth

Truss. They were assisted byMinister of State for Commerceand Industry Hardeep SinghPuri and his UK counterpartRanil Jayawardena.

Goyal and Truss “affirmedtheir shared commitment to anFTA and towards that, EarlyHarvest deals in a staged man-ner,” the Ministry said in astatement. It added that Puriand Jayawardena will havemonthly meetings to intensifythe dialogue.

It was also decided that ameeting led by Goyal and Trusswill be held in Autumn 2020here to carry forward the dia-

logue.In an FTA, two trading

partners eliminate or signifi-cantly reduce import duties onthe maximum number ofgoods traded between them.The statement also said that theco-chairs of business led JointWorking Groups on life scienceand health, ICT and food anddrink set up during the lastJETCO made their recom-mendations to the ministers.

“Both sides resolved tocooperate in the health sectorespecially in view of the presentpandemic of COVID-19,” itsaid.

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Atotal of 2.6 lakh applica-tions have been received so

far under the Centre’s PMSVANidhi scheme, of which64,000 have been sanctionedand money disbursed in over5,500 cases, Prime MinisterNarendra Modi was apprised ina review meeting on Saturday.

The Centre had launchedthe PM SVANidhi scheme tofacilitate collateral-free workingcapital loans of up to �10,000for one-year tenure to approx-imately 50 lakh street vendorsto resume their businessesaffected by the COVID-19pandemic.

The scheme is run underthe Ministry of Housing andUrban Affairs. While reviewingthe implementation of PMSVANidhi, the Prime Ministerexpressed satisfaction on theuse of end-to-end IT solutionsthrough a web portal andmobile app for the adminis-tration of the scheme to ensure

transparency, accountability,and speed.

Noting that the Ministry isworking on a complete ITsolution, including the mobileapplication, for seamless imple-mentation of the scheme, Modisaid that the scheme shouldincentivise use of end-to-enddigital transactions by the streetvendors. This should cover theentire gamut of their business-es - from procurement of rawmaterial to collection of saleproceeds, Modi said.

“Appropriate incentivesand training should be con-ducted for this purpose. Use ofdigital payments will also helpbuild a credit profile for thestreet vendors, helping them infuture financial needs.”

The Prime Minister saidthat the scheme should not beseen just from the perspectiveof extending loans to streetvendors but also as a part of anoutreach initiative for the streetvendors’ holistic developmentand economic upliftment.

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Government is confidentthat the strategic sale of

Bharat Petroleum CorporationLtd (BPCL) may go throughwithout any further need toextend the bidding deadlines.

The deadline for submit-ting the Expressions of Interest(EoI) for 52.98 per cent stakein the BPCL will end on July 31.

BPCL disinvestment hasreceived interest from severallarge global oil and gas com-panies and a few Indian enti-ties as well. In fact, the processso far has generated close to100 enquiries in a clear signalthat investors remain interest-ed in the maharatna oil PSUsdespite the disruptions causedby Covid-19 pandemic, officialsource privy to the develop-ment said.

According to them, SaudiAramco, Abu Dhabi NationalOil Co (Adnoc), Rosneft ofRussia and Exxon Mobil intendto participate in the biddingprocess for the PSU. Indian oilmajors are not behind theirglobal counterparts and arealso actively pursuing theprospects of bidding for BPCL.Oil-to-telecom major RelianceIndustries is understood tohave shown interest for the bid.

The deadline for submit-ting EoIs has been postponedtwice and the current deadlineends on July 31. We are confi-dent that EoI will sail throughwithin time with several inter-ested bidders coming into thefray, the sources quoted abovesaid.

While the queries aboutthe sale is a reflection of inter-est that BPCL disinvestmenthas interest, it does alwaysamount to investment.

But the queries relating totiming to complete the bids, networth requirement, what kindof controls investors may haveto face, will they have to oper-ate in regulated regime or howthe money would have to bebrought for the purchase hadgiven confidence that investorsremain serious about BPCL.

The disinvestment inBPCL involves the govern-ment selling its entire 52.98 percent stake in the company to astrategic investor with transferof management control. TheGovt has barred PSUs frombidding for BPCL and expectsprivate sector Indian playersand global MNCs to bid for itsstake. The Centre has allowedprospective bidders with aminimum net worth of $10 bil-lion to present their bids.

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Finance Minister NirmalaSitharaman has reserved

words of praise for the IncomeTax department, complement-ing officers for being responsiveto the needs of the taxpayersduring the pandemic times byrelaxing various compliancerequirements and addressingthe liquidity concerns of thetaxpayers.

In her message at a func-tion organised to observe 160thanniversary of Income TaxDay, Sitharaman on Fridaysaid the efforts of the I-Tdepartment towards makingthe tax administration as tax-payer-friendly and transparenthas facilitated voluntary com-pliance. Therefore, she said, thedepartment will continue toplay a critical role in the growthof the nation by keeping toimprove and set new stan-dards of professionalism.

She recognised the para-

digm shift in its role in recentyears, from being just a revenuecollecting organization tobecoming a more citizen-cen-tric organization.

She cited various reformmeasures undertaken, includ-ing, inter alia, the introductionof a new, simpler tax regime,reduced corporate tax rates asalso payment of tax at conces-sional rates for domestic man-ufacturing companies, whichwill pave the way for an “AtmaNirbhar Bharat”.

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The Covid-19 pandemic willhave a wider impact on the

country’s power sector in thecurrent financial year with theacute slowdown witnessed inthe first quarter period con-tinuing well into the year affect-ing both demand and supply.

The nationwide lockdownto contain the Covid-19 out-break has already significantlyimpacted economic activity,leading to a 17% yoy fall in theQ1FY20 power demand. Asper analysts, though demandmay pick up after some degreeof normalcy in economic activ-ity gets restored, still powerdemand will decline 8.0% yoy

in FY21 on a steep fall in rev-enue generating commercialand industrial demand.

According to an analysisdone by Emkay GlobalFinancial Services, the situationin the power sector demandwould further increase the gapbetween the average cost ofsupply (ACS) and average rev-enue realised (ARR) to Rs

0.95/unit in FY21E fromRs0.50/unit in FY20 due tolower offtake from commercialand industrial segments,decline in payment collectionand lower cross-subsidisation.This would lead to an under-recovery of Rs 1,12,700 crore inFY21E for discoms.

“Discoms’ overdue hasreached Rs 1.17 lakh crore,

which is close to the peak levelwitnessed pre-UDAY. Theoverdue level is likely to remainhigh in FY21 due to the expect-ed rise in under-recovery andslow progress in the‘Atmanirbhar’ scheme towardloan disbursement,” the bro-kerage said in its analysisreport.

What is worse, the poorconditions in the power sectorwould bring new generationprojects to a standstill affectingkey infrastructure develop-ment. The report said thatGencos’ capacity additionshould witness postponementin FY21 with net capacity addi-tion of just 61GW in the FY20-FY24 period.

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Oil marketing companieson Saturday raised diesel

prices by 15 paisa/litre asOMCs revised pump prices.This rise in price came after theprices were held steady forsometime.

While the price of dieselwas at �81.79 per litre in thecapital, petrol was steady at �80.43 a litre. Petrol prices haveremain unchanged since June29.

Oil companies had raiseddiesel prices marginally by 12paise on Monday but thereafterthe prices of the two petroleumproducts remained unchangedfor next four days till Friday.

Unexpected rise in dieselprices despite slower demandhas put the transport sector ata big disadvantage as rising fuel

cost has further shrunk itsmargins. The price of diesel incapital has also put automobilecompanies concerned aboutthe prospect of the sale ofdiesel-run cars in the country’slargest car market.

With the hike in dieselprices, the gap between the twoauto fuels has further widenedin the national capital. Lastmonth, diesel prices overtookthat of petrol in Delhi in anunprecedented development.

In Mumbai, Chennai andKolkata, petrol was sold at anunchanged price of �87.19,�83.63, �82.10 per litre, respec-tively, while diesel pricesincreased marginally. Oil com-panies began daily revision ofthe two auto fuels from June 7after keeping the priceunchanged for around 82 daysduring the lockdown. Sincethen petrol and diesel priceshave increased by �9.5 and �12per litre, respectively.

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The Income Tax AppellateTribunal (ITAT) has ruled

in favour of Tata Education andDevelopment Trust in a casewherein the tax departmenthad raised a demand of morethan �220 crore, an officialstatement said on Saturday.

The case pertains toassessment years 2011-12 and2012-13 on money spent by theTrust for creating an endow-ment fund at CornellUniversity, US, to providescholarships to Indian studentsand granting financial assis-tance to the Harvard BusinessSchool for constructing anexecutive building to be namedTata Hall. It donated �197.79crore in 2011-12 and �25.37crore in 2012-13.

The controversy eruptedafter the Public AccountCommittee (PAC) of the LokSabha in 2018 sought anenquiry in the matter as itbelieved that exemption grant-ed by the direct tax body wasin violation of the I-T Act.

An official statement issuedon Saturday said, “In a majorrelief for Tata Education andDevelopment Trust, theIncome Tax Appellate Tribunal(ITAT) bench consisting ofJustice PP Bhatt, President,ITAT, on July 24, ruled infavour of the trust in theirappeal against commissionerincome tax appeal order where-in a demand of more than �220crore was levied by the taxdepartment.” The ITAT in itsorder on July 24 said that allother grounds of appeals will be“rendered, academic andinfructuous”. “We have decid-ed this issue in favour of theassessee and thus allowed thisground of appeal. We, there-fore, uphold the plea of theassessee and delete the resultantdisallowance of claim ofexemption,” it said.

Page 7: ˇˆ ˙ ˝ % ˙ ˙˛˚ ˜ ! &˛ &€¦ · The national Covid mor-tality rate is 2.34 per cent, and recovery rate is 62.72 per cent. The Government has so far collected samples of

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Portland: Thousands of pro-testers gathered outside thefederal courthouse in Portland,Oregon, into the early hours ofSaturday shooting fireworksat the building as plumes of teargas, dispensed by US Agents,lingered above.

The demonstration wenton for hours until federal agentsentered the crowd around 2:30am. And marched in a linedown the street, clearingremaining protesters with teargas at close range. They alsoextinguished a large fire in thestreet outside the courthouse.

The Federal ProtectiveService had declared the gath-ering as “an unlawful assembly”and said that officers had beeninjured. As the crowd dis-persed, someone was foundstabbed nearby, Portland policesaid. The person was taken toa hospital and a suspect wastaken into custody.

By 3 am, most demonstra-tors had left with only somesmall groups roaming thestreets.

Earlier Friday night, theprotest had drawn variousorganized groups, including

Healthcare Workers Protest,Teachers against Tyrants,Lawyers for Black Lives and the“Wall of Moms.”

As the crowd grew —authorities estimate there were3,000 present at the peak of the

protest — people were heardchanting “Black Lives Matter”and “Feds go home” to thesound of drums.

Later, protesters vigorous-ly shook the fence surroundingthe courthouse, shot fireworkstowards the building and threwglass bottles. Many times theseactions were met by federalagents using tear gas and flashbangs. The flow of tear gascaused protesters to disperse attimes, some becoming sick asothers remained toward thefront of the courthouse withleaf blowers directing the gasback to the courthouse. Federalagents had leaf blowers of theirown to counteract.

Daniel Pereyo was oneprotester who was tear-gassed.

Pereyo said he had been atthe nearby park watchingdrummers and fireworks beingshot, when his face and eyesbegan to burn.

“It’s extremely painful,” hesaid. “It’s not the worst painever, but it is discomforting andit’s distracting.” As the clouds ofgas floated down the street, pro-testers would swiftly regroupand return to chant and shakethe fence that separates the peo-ple on the street from federalagents and the courthouse.

It was unclear whetheranyone was arrested during theprotest. The federal agents,deployed by President DonaldTrump to tamp down theunrest, have arrested dozensduring nightly demonstrationsagainst racial injustice thatoften turn violent.

Democratic leaders inOregon say federal interventionhas worsened the two-monthcrisis, and the state attorneygeneral sued to allege thatsome people had been whiskedoff the streets in unmarkedvehicles. AP

Miami (US): Tropical StormHanna was upgraded to becomethe first hurricane of the 2020Atlantic season on Saturday,moving toward the Texas coastand threatening to bring heavyrain, storm surge and possibletornadoes to a state alreadystruggling with the coronavirus.

The US National HurricaneCentre said Saturday thatHanna’s maximum sustainedwinds had increased to 75 mph(120 kph). The storm was cen-tred about 100 miles (160 km)east-southeast of Corpus Christi,Texas, and was moving west at9 mph (15 kph).

The centre of Hanna wasexpected to make landfall alongthe Texas coast within the hur-

ricane warning area Saturdayafternoon or evening, theHurricane Centre said.Additional strengthening isexpected before Hanna makeslandfall. Rapid weakening isexpected after Hanna movesinland. “The combination of adangerous storm surge and thetide will cause normally dryareas near the coast to be flood-ed by rising waters movinginland from the shoreline,” theMiami-based agency said.

Maximum sustained windsstood at 75 mph (120 kph) at 7am EDT. The storm was centredabout 100 miles (160 km) east-southeast of Corpus Christi,Texas, and was moving west at9 mph (15 kph). AP

Los Angeles: Scientists, includ-ing those of Indian-origin, haveidentified 21 existing drugs thatstop the replication of the novelcoronavirus which causesCOVID-19 in lab studies, anadvance that may lead to thedevelopment of new therapeu-tic combinations against the dis-ease.

The researchers, includingthose from the SanfordBurnham Prebys MedicalDiscovery Institute in the US,analysed one of the world’slargest collections of knowndrugs for their ability to blockthe replication of the novelcoronavirus, and found 100molecules with confirmedantiviral activity in laboratorytests.

According to the study,published in the journal Nature,

21 of these drugs are effective inblocking the reproduction of thevirus at concentrations thatcould be safely achieved inpatients.

It said four of these com-pounds could work in combi-nation with remdesivir, a cur-rent standard-of-care treatmentfor COVID-19.

“Remdesivir has provensuccessful at shortening therecovery time for patients in thehospital, but the drug doesn’twork for everyone who receivesit. That’s not good enough,” saidSumit Chanda, director of theImmunity and PathogenesisProgram at Sanford BurnhamPrebys and senior author of thestudy.

“The urgency remains tofind affordable, effective, andreadily available drugs that can

complement the use of remde-sivir, as well as drugs that couldbe given prophylactically or atthe first sign of infection on anoutpatient basis,” Chanda said.

In the study, the scientistsperformed extensive testing andvalidation studies, includingevaluating the drugs on humanlung biopsies that were infect-ed with the virus, evaluating thedrugs for synergies with remde-sivir, and establishing dose-response relationships betweenthe drugs and antiviral activity.

Of the 21 drugs that wereeffective at blocking viral repli-cation, the scientists found that13 have previously entered clin-ical trials for other indicationsand are effective at concentra-tions, or doses, that could poten-tially be safely achieved inCOVID-19 patients. PTI

United Nations: An estimated6,000-6,500 Pakistani terroristsare in neighbouringAfghanistan, most of them withthe Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan,posing a threat to both thecountries, a UN report has said.

The 26th report of theAnalytical Support andSanctions Monitoring Teamconcerning ISIS, al-Qaida andassociated individuals and enti-ties said that the terror group al-Qaida in the IndianSubcontinent (AQIS) operatesunder the Taliban umbrellafrom Nimruz, Helmand andKandahar provinces ofAfghanistan.

“The group reportedly hasbetween 150 and 200 membersfrom Bangladesh, India,Myanmar and Pakistan. Thecurrent leader of AQIS is OsamaMahmood…, who succeededthe late Asim Umar.

“AQIS is reportedly plan-ning retaliation operations in theregion to avenge the death of itsformer leader,” it said.

The Tehrik-e-TalibanPakistan (TTP), a “large ter-rorist group present inAfghanistan”, has claimedresponsibility for various high-profile attacks in Pakistan andhas facilitated others by Jamaat-ul-Ahrar and Lahskhar-e-Islam,the report said. It said that manyformer TTP militants havejoined Islamic State in Iraqand the Levant - Khorasan(ISIL-K) and member statesexpect that the group and itsvarious splinter groups willalign themselves with ISIL-K.

“The total number ofPakistani foreign terrorist fight-ers in Afghanistan, posing athreat to both countries, is esti-mated at between 6,000 and6,500, most of them with TTP,”

it said, adding that a number ofother terrorist groups are activein Afghanistan, most operatingunder the umbrella of theTaliban but some aligned withISIL-K. The report comes overa fortnight after India at the UNasked Pakistan to introspect asto why it is universally acknowl-edged as the “international epi-centre” of terrorism and the“best safe haven for terrorists”,while urging the global com-munity to call upon Islamabadto take sustained, verifiable andirreversible actions against ter-ror outfits operating from its soil.

In June this year, PakistanPrime Minister Imran Khanpublicly acknowledged the pres-ence of up to 40,000 terrorists inPakistan and that terrorists fromthere have attacked the neigh-bouring countries.

According to the memberstates, al-Qaida is covertly active

in 12 Afghan provinces and itsleader Aiman al-Zawahiriremains based in the country,the report said.

The monitoring team esti-mates the total number of al-Qaida fighters in Afghanistan atbetween 400 and 600.

“The leadership maintainsclose contact with the HaqqaniNetwork. In February 2020, al-Zawahiri met with YahyaHaqqani, the primary HaqqaniNetwork contact with al-Qaidasince mid-2009, to discuss theongoing cooperation,” it said.

The monitoring team alsoestimates the current ISIL-Kmembership in Afghanistan at2,200. The leader is sheikhMatiullah Kamahwal, previous-ly the head of ISIL-K in Kunar.The leadership also includesSyrian national Abu SaidMohammad al-Khorasani andsheikh Abdul Tahir. AP

Houston: US federal agentsand law enforcement officershave entered the Chinese con-sulate compound here alongwith locksmiths after the mis-sion was shut down, amidst spi-ralling tensions betweenWashington and Beijing.

The Trump Administrationramped up its confrontationwith China this week, orderingBeijing’s consulate in Houstonto close over concerns abouteconomic espionage.

The Chinese consulatelocated in Houston’s busyMontrose Boulevard for 40years closed on Friday eveningas the deadline set by theTrump administration to shutdown the mission expired.

On Friday, the flag and theseal of the People’s Republic ofChina were taken down fromoutside the Houston consulate.Early in the morning, the con-sulate staff was seen removingtheir belongings from thebuilding.

After the Chinese diplo-matic staff vacated the building,a number of black SUVs,trucks, two white vans and alocksmith’s van entered thecompound, CNN reported.

Around 30 protesters withbanners were seen celebratingoutside the consulate. OnFriday morning, dozens ofprotesters from the Falun Gongreligious group despised byBeijing protested outside theconsulate, declaring a victory ofsorts over the closure of the

mission.Forty minutes after the 4 pm

eviction deadline passed, a manbelieved to be a StateDepartment official entered theconsulate, along with others,after a small back door was priedopen, local media reported.

About an hour later, thefire department crew enteredthe building.

Trump administration offi-cials provided further details onFriday regarding their decisionon the Houston mission, claim-ing the diplomatic outpost wasone of several across the coun-try facilitating influence efforts

on behalf of Beijing that the USgovernment said veered into“the coercive or covert”.

“The sum total of theHouston consulate’s activitieswent well over the line of whatwe’re willing to accept, andunless we disrupted it, it threat-ened to become even moreaggressive in Houston andother Chinese consulatesnationwide,” a senior JusticeDepartment official toldreporters on a briefing callorganised by the StateDepartment.

The Chinese consulate inHouston, Texas, was opened in

1979.Apart from now closed the

Houston consulate, an embassyin Washington and an office atthe United Nations, Chinamaintained consulates in fourUS cities — Chicago, LosAngeles, New York and SanFrancisco.

Tensions between bothnations have escalated in recentmonths over the Beijing’s han-dling of the coronavirus pan-demic, China’s crackdown onits Uygur Muslims in Xinjiangand Beijing imposing a con-troversial national security lawin Hong Kong.

US Secretary of State MikePompeo has alleged that theHouston consulate of Chinawas “a hub of spying and intel-lectual property theft”.

Top American officials hadalso accused the consulate inHouston of being part ofBeijing’s “espionage operations”in the US.

The US said in a statementthat the consulate was orderedto close “to protect Americanintellectual property andAmericans’ private informa-tion.” The idea to close theHouston consulate emergedthis spring after China inter-fered when US officialsreturned to the consulate inWuhan to retrieve diplomaticmaterials, according to a seniorState Department official.

Chinese authorities refusedto let the US officials leaveWuhan with the pouches, say-ing they had to search thembefore leaving, an aggressivemove that violates the ViennaConvention which governsdiplomatic relations, CNNreported.

The encounter leftSecretary of State Pompeo irate,the report quoted a StateDepartment official as saying.

In a tit-for-tat move, Chinatoo on Friday ordered the USto close down its consulate inChengdu. While ordering theclosure, China had accusedthe US of interfering in its“internal affairs and harmingnational security interests.” PTI

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China on Saturday lodged adiplomatic protest with the

US over the “forced entry” ofAmerican officials into thepremises of the closed Chineseconsulate in Houston andvowed to make a “necessaryresponse” to Washington’saction.

US federal agents and lawenforcement officers enteredthe Chinese consulate com-pound in Houston along withlocksmiths after the missionwas shut down on Friday.

The Chinese foreign min-istry said it has expressedstrong dissatisfaction andopposition to the US lawenforcement officers’ “forcedentry” into the consulate andlodged a diplomatic protest.

“China will make a properand necessary response in thisregard,” it said.

In a retaliatory move,China has already ordered theclosure of the US consulate inChengdu in southwest China’sSichuan province.

The Consulate in Houstonis the building of the diplomaticconsulate and is also China’s

national property, the min-istry said.

According to the ViennaConvention on ConsularRelations and the Sino-USConsular Treaty, the US mustnot infringe on the premises ofthe Chinese Consulate inHouston in any way, it said.

Chinese officials report-edly vacated the consulate onFriday afternoon after the USordered its closure amid accu-sations of espionage, HongKong-based South ChinaMorning Post reported.

The Trump administra-tion accused Beijing of stealingintellectual property andclaimed that the consulate inHouston was the “epicentre” ofChina’s research theft.

Vans bearing diplomaticplates departed the consulate asthe 4 pm Friday deadlinearrived.

At that point, federal agentschecked the locked doors of theconsulate and a locksmith wasseen working to crack the lockon one door, the Post reportsaid.

A CNN report also saidthat after the Chinese diplo-matic staff vacated the building,

a number of black SUVs,trucks, two white vans and alocksmith’s van entered thecompound.

The Chinese consulate inHouston, Texas, was opened in1979.

Apart from now closed theHouston consulate, an embassyin Washington and an office atthe United Nations, Chinamaintained consulates in fourUS cities -- Chicago, LosAngeles, New York and SanFrancisco.

Tensions between both thenations have escalated in recentmonths over Beijing’s handlingof the coronavirus pandemic,China’s crackdown on its UygurMuslims in Xinjiang andBeijing imposing a controver-sial national security law inHong Kong.

US Secretary of State MikePompeo has alleged that theHouston consulate of Chinawas “a hub of spying and intel-lectual property theft”.

The US State Departmentsaid in a statement that the con-sulate was ordered to close “toprotect American intellectualproperty and Americans’ pri-vate information.”

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Brasilia: Brazilian PresidentJair Bolsonaro said on Saturdaythat he has tested negative forthe new coronavirus, based ona fourth test since he said July7 that he had the virus.

“Good morning everyone,”Bolsonaro wrote on Facebookafter reporting that the test was“negative”.

The 65-year-old leader did-n’t say when he did the newtest. On Wednesday, he hadtested positive for the thirdtime.

Bolsonaro also posted aphoto of himself with a box ofthe anti-malaria drug hydrox-ychloroquine, although it hasnot been proven effectiveagainst the virus.

Now that Bolsonaro is clearof the virus, he is expected to

return to mingling in crowds ashe used to do before his diag-nosis. He had spent manyweekends since the beginningof the pandemic in close prox-imity to supporters, sometimeswithout wearing a mask.

On Thursday, he was pho-tographed without a maskwhile talking to some sweepersin the garden of the presiden-tial residence.

Brazil, Latin America’slargest nation, is one of the out-break’s epicentres.

According to the Braziliangovernment, on Friday therewere 85,238 confirmed deathsdue to the new coronavirus.The country has 2,343,366confirmed cases. The realnumbers are believed to behigher. AP

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Khabarovsk (Russia): Tens ofthousands of people marchedSaturday across the Russian cityof Khabarovsk on the borderwith China to protest the arrestof the regional governor onmurder charges, continuing awave of protests that has last-ed for two weeks in a challengeto the Kremlin.

Sergei Furgal has been in aMoscow jail since his arrest onJuly 9, and Russian PresidentVladimir Putin has named anacting successor. Protesters inKhabarovsk see the chargesagainst Furgal as unsubstanti-ated and demand that he standtrial at home. Unlike Moscow,where police usually move

quickly to disperse unsanc-tioned opposition protests,authorities haven’t interferedwith unauthorized demonstra-tions in Khabarovsk, apparent-ly expecting them to fizzle outover time. But daily protests,peaking at weekends, have goneon for two weeks, reflectinganger against what local resi-dents see as Moscow’s disrespectof their choice and simmeringdiscontent with Putin’s rule.

Authorities suspect Furgal’sinvolvement in murders of busi-nessmen in 2004 and 2005. Hehas denied the charges, whichdate back to his time as a busi-nessman with interests focusingon timber and metals. AP

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Colombo: The Sri Lankangovernment’s efforts have beensuccessful in completely curb-ing the social spread of thecoronavirus and the countryhas not witnessed a singlecommunity case for nearlythree months, head of theCOVID-19 task force said.

Lt General Shavendra Silva,who is also the ArmyCommander, said that all thepositive cases since April 30,including over 500 at theKandakadu drug rehabilita-tion centre, were those whocontracted the virus from SriLankan expatriates whosereturn was facilitated by thegovernment.

“We haven’t found a singlecase within the communitysince April 30,” Silva toldreporters.

“We have been able to

completely curb its socialspread,” he said. Silva said thatvarious rumours were beingfloated of a second wave ofinfections since the detection ofpositive cases from the drugrehabilitation centre two weeksback, when over 500 peoplewere put under quarantine.

The government halted therepatriation of its citizens fromvarious countries from July 14in view of the increasing num-ber of cases.

“We decided to delay theprocess of returnees in order tomake the quarantine facilitiesavailable to tackle any possiblespike from the drug rehabili-tation centre contacts,” he said.

Silva said that around 20,000people, who were repatriated,have been quarantined andanother 5,000 returnees are cur-rently under quarantine. PTI

Hanoi: Vietnam has reportedthe first local case of COVID-19 in over three months.

The 57-year-old man from central Da Nang city was hospitalised onThursday with a fever and res-piratory distress. The HealthMinistry says his conditionworsened and he was put on aventilator.

Health workers have notbeen able to trace the source forhis infection. For over a month,he did not travel outside hishometown, where no case ofCOVID-19 has been reportedsince April.

Da Nang city authoritieshave isolated the hospital hehad visited and those who hadbeen in contact with the manin the past weeks. His familymembers and over 100 othershave initially tested negative forthe coronavirus. AP

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The United Statesannounced Friday it will

not take in any new foreignstudents seeking online-onlystudy, after rescinding a hotlycontested order to expel thosealready here and preparingfor that because of the pan-demic.

The policy change wasannounced in a statement byImmigration and CustomsEnforcement.

President Donald Trumphas made a tough line onimmigration a cornerstone ofhis message and has suspend-ed several kinds of visas forforeigners during the coron-avirus crisis.

The original policy changeof revoking the visas of foreign

students whose classes willmove online in the autumnwas taken to court by top uni-versities including Harvardand MIT, teachers unions andat least 18 states.

And on July 14 the admin-istration reversed course andrescinded the decision.

That measure had beenseen as a move by Trump toput pressure on educationalinstitutions that are adopting acautious approach to reopen-ing amid the global COVID-19pandemic.

Trump is eager for schoolsat all levels to reopen with in-person classes as a sign of areturn to normality as he fightsan uphill battle for re-electionin November.

He is pushing for this eventhough the virus is out of con-

trol in some states, with the USdeath figures a world-high ofmore than 144,000.

His administration is leav-ing it largely up to states them-selves to figure out how toopen schools safely.

There were more than onemillion international studentsin the US for the 2018-19 aca-demic year, according to theInstitute of InternationalEducation.

Many schools dependheavily on the tuition paid bythose students.

Most US colleges and uni-versities have not yetannounced their plans for thefall semester but Harvard hassaid all its classes for the 2020-21 academic year will be con-ducted online, “with rareexceptions.”

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England pressed home itsadvantage in the decidingthird Test by reducing the

West Indies to 59-3 at tea on daytwo after a rapid half-century byStuart Broad helped the hostspost 369 on Saturday.

Broad backed up his 45-ball 62by taking the wicket of KraiggBrathwaite (1) in his first over andthe Windies also lost its otheropener, John Campbell (32), fol-lowing a fierce delivery fromBarbados-born Jofra Archer andShai Hope (17) to a seaming ballfrom James Anderson.

The West Indies trailed by 310runs, with Shamarh Brooks on 4and Roston Chase on 0 in the faceof some stingy, disciplined bowl-ing from England’s four-prongedpace attack under gray, threaten-ing skies at Old Trafford.

The forecast rain never arrivedin Manchester and England has

consolidated its position afterresuming its first innings in ahealthy position of 258-4, despitean early collapse to 280-8 withwickets falling in four consecutiveovers.

Broad wrested the momentumback in England’s favour by open-ing his shoulders and recording acounterattacking, 33-ball half-cen-tury, which put him tied for thirdplace in the all-time list ofEngland’s fastest Test fifties.

It was the left-hander’s high-est Test score since 2013 and thebest he has looked with the batsince breaking his nose while bat-ting against India a year later, anincident which he acknowledgeddrained him of confidence againstpace bowling and led to himusing a sports psychologist.

Broad smashed nine foursand a six in a potentially game-defining ninth-wicket partner-ship with Dom Bess worth 76 runs.

Bess was left stranded on 18after Anderson was the last manout for 11. England added 111 runsin the session.

Earlier, Ollie Pope fell first afterfailing to add to his overnight scoreof 91 and Jos Buttler only added11 before departing for 67.

England added 111 runsbefore getting dismissed to bringup lunch.

Kemar Roach, who had 4-72,passed 200 wickets in tests byremoving Chris Woakes. Now on201 overall, he is only one behindthe great Andy Roberts, who iseighth on West Indies’ all-time listin Tests.

With an attack of Anderson,Broad, Archer and Woakes,England isn’t short of pace optionsthis Test and three of them alreadyhave wickets.

Off the 10th ball of the reply,Brathwaite edged Broad to JoeRoot at first slip.

Campbell was dropped byBen Stokes at second slip on 10 andnever looked fully comfortablebefore being set up perfectly byArcher. After a spate of full balls,Archer went short and into the ribs

of Campbell, whose fend came offthe splice and to Rory Burns atgully.

Just before tea, Andersonunderlined why he is the master ofthe seaming ball by enticing anedge off Hope, with wicketkeeper

Buttler taking the catch.The Windies, who won the

first Test in Southampton beforelosing the second match inManchester, are looking to capturea Test series in England for the firsttime since 1988

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Former skipperAndrew Strauss

feels Ollie Pope hasbeen a “real find” forEngland and he hasthe capability of suc-ceeding in all formatsof the game.

After failing tobreach the 15-runmark in the first twoTests against Windies,Pope alongside JosButtler rescuedEngland from a precar-ious 122-4 at tea toclose the opening dayof the series decider on258-4.

The 22-year-old is coming off a superb series inSouth Africa earlier this year, where he notched uptwo half-centuries and a career-best 135 not out atPort Elizabeth.

On Friday, he stitched a 136-run unbeaten part-nership with Buttler (56 not out on Friday) by scor-ing a splendid 91.

“If you look at his first-class record, he’s averag-ing 57 and he’s proved that he can do it in Test crick-et with that great innings he played in South Africa,”Strauss told Sky Sports.

“Today was more of the same. He’s a guy whocan score quickly without you really noticing it. Heplayed some really eye-catching shots as well and helooks equally comfortable against seam and spin, sono obvious weaknesses there. He’s a real find forEngland, I think,” Strauss added.

Pope, who made his Test debut against India in2018, is yet to play white-ball cricket for England andStrauss feels although the youngster will fare well inthe limited overs format, he should focus on Testcricket for the time being.

“He’s got the game to play in ODIs, in variousdifferent positions. We know he can play all thosefunky ramp shots and whatever. But for the timebeing I’d quite like him just doing his time in the Testteam, not getting funky with his technique which isperfect,” Strauss said.

“He can really establish himself in that Englandenvironment. It’s a different thing when you feel com-fortable, when you know you are good enough to bein that environment and you get to know the play-ers well.

“When you get to that stage, that’s when you startgetting some really consistent, high-quality perfor-mances,” he added.

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Cricket West Indies (CWI) wants tohost at least part of their proposed

series against South Africa in earlySeptember.

The Windies’ players are expectedto take part in the Indian PremierLeague which will be played aroundSeptember 19 to November 8 windowand the same has been communicat-ed to the franchises, as per IPLChairman Brijesh Patel, who con-firmed the news on Friday.

West Indies were originally slatedto host the Proteas for two Tests andfive T20Is in July-August before thattournament was postponed due to thecoronavirus pandemic.

“We hope that South Africa will beable to come here in September foreither a T20-only tour or a Test-onlytour at the very least,” CWI ChiefExecutive Johny Grave told the Masonand Guests cricket show.

“It will be dependent on the IPL.South Africa have a number of theirTest players who have IPL contracts,whereas in this current Test team wedon’t have any IPL players.”

“We won’t be able to play Testcricket against South Africa during theIPL, Cricket South Africa have madethat very clear to us. They’ve got acommitment to their players to allowthem to go and play in the IPL,” Gravesaid.

“The plan as we are working onnow is that the players would comehome, they will have the weekend athome. Those that are in the CaribbeanPremier League will head down toTrinidad on probably August 3 so it’sa quick turnaround.

“CPL finishes on September 10.We hope very much that South Africawill follow immediately after that.Whether we can get the full tour in orwe’re going to have to look at a splittour between the Tests and the T20s,we don’t know.”

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Former India opener Gautam Gambhiron Saturday said Mahendra Singh

Dhoni must continue playing internation-al cricket as long he feels he is fit, in formand enjoying the game.

The World Cup-winning swashbuck-ler, on a sabbatical from cricket for the pastone year, turned 39 on July 7. He has notplayed any cricket since India’s semifinalexit from the ODI World Cup last year.

Gambhir, who played a lot of cricketwith Dhoni, said, “Age is just a number, Ithink if you are in a very good form, if youare hitting the ball really well.

“MS Dhoni, if he is hitting the ball real-ly well, if he is very good form, if he isenjoying the game and if he thinks that hecan still win the game for the country atthat number — especially at six andseven.”

Dhoni led the country in limited-oversformats from 2007 to 2016 and in Testcricket from 2008 to 2014.

He is the only captain to win all ICCtrophies.

“If he is in great fitness and form, heshould continue playing because no onecan actually force anyone to retire,”Gambhir said on Star Sports show CricketConnected.

“A lot of experts can put a lot of pres-sure on people like MS Dhoni because oftheir age and stuff but again it’s an indi-vidual decision, when you started playingcricket it was your individual decision.”

Speaking about the IPL taking place inthe UAE due to rising Covid-19 cases inIndia, Gambhir said, “It does not matterwhere it goes but if it goes to UAE, it’s agreat venue to play cricket in any formatand plus most importantly I think it’s goingto change the mood of the nation as well.

“It’s not about which franchise wins orwhich player scores runs or which guytakes wicket, it’s simply changing themood of the nation. So this IPL probablywill be bigger than the rest of the IPLsbecause I think this is for the nation.”

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An unshakeable attitude isneeded to win an Olympic

medal and that is what headcoach Graham Reid will try toinculcate in the Indian men’shockey team ahead of the nextSummer Games.

Exactly a year from now,the Indian men and womenteams will have begun theircampaign in Tokyo.

Reid, a part of the Silver-winning Australian team at the1992 Barcelona Olympics, putthings into perspective.

“The Olympic Games isthe toughest competition in thesporting world and therefore aplayer’s mentality has to match

it. “The biggest challenge as aplayer is to remain focussed onthe job at hand. The first gamebrings with it a number ofemotions. The player who cancontrol those emotions andstick to the game plan will be

ahead,” he said.While there is room to

improve in all aspects of thegame, Reid emphasised onbuilding a mentally tough teamto face the “uncertain times”.“The biggest challenge for us

during these next 12 monthswill be uncertainty. There area lot of things that are going tohappen that we can’t control.We must only worry about thethings we can control,” hesaid.

“We can control how hardwe work, how well we trainand our fitness levels. Mentaltoughness will definitely be afactor during this next periodand the Indian players have aninnate ability to deal with dif-ficult circumstances.

“It is my intention to devel-op the players understandingof their mental strength andbuild their ability to access andtrust it when required,” Reidadded.

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England wicketkeeper-bats-man Jos Buttler on Saturday

said he was “feeling the pressure”over his place in the team afterfailing to score runs in the lastfew Tests.

Buttler has been strugglingfor form, having failed to scorea fifty in his last seven Tests,which put his place in the Testteam in doubt.

The 29-year-old, however,played a crucial 67-run knock onthe opening day of the decidingTest against West Indies to helpEngland recover after they werereduced to 122-4.

Asked whether he was fret-ting about his place in the team,Buttler said: “Yes, naturally, butI think time in the middle givesyou confidence and obviously Ihadn’t been doing that.

“But I think it’s more aboutdoing a job for your team whichI’m very aware of and if you arenot quite performing as well asyou want, you realise you’re notdoing your job as well as youshould be for your team.

“I was definitely feeling pres-

sure. I’ve played long enoughnow to understand when you’reunder pressure and it’s on yourshoulders and how to deal withit,” he told Sky Sports.

Buttler, who has scored 2211runs in 43 Tests and 3843 runsin 142 ODIs so far, said trustinghis defence was the key.

“The only time I’ve had suc-cess at Test level is when I’vetrusted my defence,” he said.

“Lots of people expect me toplay a certain way because of theway I play in one-day cricket butI’ve never seen Test cricket in thatway.”

<����������������8�������������������Manchester: England havereleased five players from the bio-secure bubble here after theymissed out on selection of theongoing third Test against theWest Indies.

Out of the five, batsman JoeDenly will join the white-balltraining group ahead of theupcoming Ireland series.

The other four — DanLawrence, Craig Overton, OllieRobinson and Olly Stone —

have returned to their counties.The 34-year-old Denly

played the first Test of the seriesbefore being dropped followingthe return of Joe Root frompaternity leave.

“While Denly will join upwith the England camp at theAgeas Bowl on Monday ahead ofthe Royal London ODI Series, theother four players will be avail-able for their counties in thebuild-up to the start of English

domestic season, which startswith the Bob Willis Trophy on 1August,” the ECB said.

England and Ireland arescheduled to play three ODIswith all the matches to be host-ed at the Ageas Bowl inSouthampton on July 30, August1 and 4.

England Lions will take onIreland in a practice game onSunday but Denly will not beavailable for that game. PTI

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Former Barcelona star Xavi Hernandez hastested positive for coronavirus, his Qatari

club Al-Sadd said on Saturday, adding hewould miss their league restart fixtureagainst Al-Khor.

“A few days ago, following the Qatar StarsLeague protocol, I tested positive in the lastCovid-19 test,” Xavi said in a post on Al-Sadd’s Twitter account.

“Fortunately, I’m feeling ok, but I will beisolated until I am given the all clear. Whenthe health services allow it, I will be very eagerto return to my daily routine and to work.”

Al-Sadd announced on its website thatXavi would not be joining the rest of the teamfor its league game against Al-Khor laterSaturday.

�� ������!�������+>��-'6�������A%�&�&��2����� Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju onSaturday said India will be competing for atop-10 finish by the time the 2028 Los AngelesOlympics comes calling, riding theGovernment’s ambitious ‘Target OlympicPodium Junior Scheme’.

“We will leave no stone unturned,” Rijijusaid. He said the ‘Target Olympic PodiumJunior Scheme’ is scouting talent as young as10-year-old and 12-year-old with an aim toprepare them for the Los Angeles Games.

“We look forward and realise the dreamsof every Indian to make India a great sport-ing powerhouse,” he said.

Rijiju said the talented youngsters will beguided by a world-class coaching facility dur-ing their journey to become world champi-ons. PTI

Page 9: ˇˆ ˙ ˝ % ˙ ˙˛˚ ˜ ! &˛ &€¦ · The national Covid mor-tality rate is 2.34 per cent, and recovery rate is 62.72 per cent. The Government has so far collected samples of

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Ever realised it’s nearly dinner timeand you haven’t had your shower?With lockdowns ahead of many ofus in the country, pressure of work-ing from home and schools starting

with the online classes, everyone is doublingup as parent, teacher, entertainer, cleaner,chef and not to forget employee. Juggling somany roles can be daunting and leave youfeeling frustrated and out of control.

The mind is a powerful thing and when itfeels out of control, disoriented, everythingaround you seems to fall apart. You feel likeyou are drowning in responsibilities somehowgrabbing at straws to stay afloat. What youneed instead is a life jacket. Let me throw youone.

What if you are unable to check yourfrustration and that feeling of having lost allcontrol? What if, at the end of the day, youtruly feel productive, like you achieved some-thing? How do you tackle such extremeswings?

��������������Let’s begin with something that we largely

remain unaware of or take for granted — ourtime. In particular, let’s look at our prioritiesand how we should manage our time.

Start with a SIMple exercise to improveawareness — Time Diary. Grab a paper,spreadsheet or whatever you like and a clock.The stopwatch on your phone will work fine.Now, write down how you spend your dayfrom waking to sleeping. Note down everyaction including time spent on the phone,throne or social media. Time that you spenddrinking tea, chopping, cooking or cleaningup.

We are looking for time “suckers”or ener-gy wasters — Where is my time going?Where do I waste time? Woah, do I reallyscroll through my phone for 40 minutes onthe pot? Find your time suckers and removethem.

Ask yourself — what can I do less of, sothat I can do more of the things that matterto my physical and mental well being?

With an active social media presencemyself, I ensure I have a time slot for eachactivity because without it, I will get suckeddown the rabbit hole.

We are not in a contest; we are not tryingto come out of this with a doctorate in UIdesign. If you are safe and healthy you aredoing a great job.

Ideally aim for three big to-do items aday. Three must dos and if you finish them,then do some more. Setting realistic expecta-tions of yourself and others is imperative toyour mental well-being at the moment.

������� ��������In these times, parents, especially moth-

ers, have found themselves overwhelmed andinundated with work. The pressures of raisinga child coupled with managing home andwork from home office can be a dauntingtask. Here are a few things that have trulyhelped me as a full time working mother. ● Batch Cooking. Cooking for multiple

meals simultaneously saves times andenergy.

● One pot meals make cooking simple andquick. You don’t need a buffet spread ateach meal.

● Listing out your three top to-do itemsright at the beginning of the day. Setting agoal helps one stay focussed.

● 10 minutes of quiet me-time. Use thistime to relax and do nothing. Works as agreat recharge.

● Delegate. Get your spouse, children, fami-ly, partner, roommate or any human youcan find, to share the workload. If youcook, someone else can clean. If you iron,someone else can fold.

● Don’t compare. If someone says they areacing this time, that’s great. But that is notyour life and not your circumstances. So,don’t compare what’s happening in yourlife with that of the others or for that mat-ter, anything. You do you.

● Be kind to yourself. Speak to yourself asyou would to your best friend. We oftenjudge ourself harshly. Know this is thebest way that you can handle.

● See if you can add 15 minutes of some-thing important while removing 15 min-utes of something unimportant. You’d besurprised to know how wasteful ourmind/certain habits can be.

���� ����������My top tip to staying fresh, sorted and in

control of the game is a good night’s sleep!One of the biggest reason for people

struggling with weight issues, feeling low andslow in general, is lack of adequate sleep.

Here are some of the signs that indicateyou are not getting enough rest:● Your mind feels unclear maybe even a bit

foggy. Think reduced alertness, confusion,forgetfulness.

● You feel low or not happy. Maybe you arefeeling more stressed, low in terms ofmood. When we sleep we repair andregenerate and not getting enough of sleepstarts to show up quickly.

● You are more susceptible to illnesses,viruses, bacteria. Something you do notwant right now.

● Low energy, lower reaction time, lethar-gy... Some of these can also be indicators of

vitamin deficiencies, but before you run outto get tested, try getting in more sleep. Aimto get in atleast seven hours of sleep. I knowyou’re possibly thinking: “You have no cluehow much work I have”. But, let’s be honest isworking out an assessment. Time dairy isyour friend here. All research shows adelayed bedtime is from a voluntary delay —that extended TV time or watching videosonline. Unless you are a new parent!

Ideally, aim for the same sleep and wak-ing time. Seven to eight hours is ideal. If youdon’t think this is priority, think again.

Sleep loss increases your risk of weightgain, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.Time you paid attention to proper sleep.

��������������������A study was conducted on 11 healthy

men in their 20s. They were allowed to sleeponly four hours per night for six nights con-tinuously. At the end of it, it was found thatthey had the insulin sensitivity of a 70 yearold pre-diabetic! This when only one parame-ter was changed. While it’s a small sample, itis suggestive. The solution is cheap and easyto do.

If you have some trouble falling asleep trysome of the measures listed in the chart. Seeif those help.

Life throws many curve balls at us and2020 is just one of the many. You just need tolearn to hit that ball. It does not have to be aperfect shot and you don’t need to hit a sixeach time. You just need to learn to hit theball. It’s as simple as that.

Set realistic expectations of yourself andyour schedule. Do what is possible over try-ing to do it all. SIMplify where you can, that’sall you need right now.

The writer is a Lifestyle andTransformation Coach

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Suralakshmi Villa is ArunaChakravarti’s fourth novel,though the last two, Jorasankoand Daughters of Jorasanko, werestrictly in the genre of bio-fic-

tion. Interestingly, this novel, has evolvedfrom one of the short stories of the col-lection Secret Spaces, published by her in2010. For the reviewer, reading thisnovel, as an e-book was quite an interest-ing experience. Not used to reading e-books, I thought my patience would runout and I would probably finish the novelin a month. But the book sustained myinterest throughout, enabling me to com-plete the reading in three days with somenecessary pauses.

The story takes you across back andforth in time to Bengal and Delhi of theBritish and post independent eras. Thereferral point is the cultural history ofBengalis (Hindus and Muslims) of thatperiod. Aruna Chakravarti has an abid-ing interest in historical research whichhelps her authenticate every detail of theperiod and times she writes about. Herpainstakingly written prose could be readeffortlessly by readers because she is agood storyteller and that is what mattersin fiction.

The novel has a central narrative, thelife and times of Suralakshmi, a lady doc-tor who is a woman of intellect and sub-stance, a woman empowered. Yet as itoften happens, she loses all discretionwhen she falls in love and drifts towardsan unworthy lover, agreeing to be the“second” wife in his large household.How she gets cheated by her husbandand ultimately leaves home with Eidun,her protégée, to set up medical practicein a remote corner of North Bengal andwhat happens thereafter, has been writ-ten with insight and empathy. With thecentral story, there are other characters,whose lives get entangled with the chiefprotagonist and these sub-plots also finda place through “personal revelations” inthe novel.

What is interesting is the space givenin the book to rituals, folklore and culi-nary practices of both Hindus andMuslims woven together in a tapestrythat reveals the essentially syncreticnature of Bengal and her people. Aruna’scharacters are as real as the people we seearound us, with their strengths, their fail-ings and their vulnerabilities. There areimmensely inspiring stories of those whocould cross the threshold from traditionto modernity. Despite its regional ethos,the novel is a microcosm of the India wehave lived and known in the last five

decades. Even overseas readers will beable to relate to this “Indian” story soeasily.

Women will like the story, perhapsthey will find a feminist message. Somemay feel the novel is a bit harsh on itsmen, like Moinak Sen and Moinnuddin.Yet, if you read the novel carefully, theHindu elite of the period appear to be asflawed as the Muslim men of a lowerclass, both would take their sense of“social entitlement” with perfect impuni-ty. The younger Hindu men in the novelmay be more relatable to younger readerstoday since generational change is seam-lessly woven into the narrative.

Nowhere is the writer judgmentalabout societal or community values, thatwas perhaps never the intention. The

characters are not black and white, thecomplexity of each character is reflectedupon and handled deftly, no character issketched out as entirely predictable.There is a strength and flow in the storythat one wants to meander with and likeall good novels, the message quietlycomes through at the end.

Aruna is a master in recreating andevoking historical periods, her prose isalways rich in detail about the atmos-phere periodised. The characters arerarely atypical, they live their lives, oftentrying to escape their destinies. The com-plex emotional relationships are threshedout with clarity at times and sometimesleaving tangled webs to the reader’simagination. The writer reaches out toyour mind in a lucid, easy, non-preachy

style.Suralakshmi Villa is the story of a

house and its characters. The book has ahuge cast. It tells the story of Rai BahadurIndranath Choudhury, Suralakshmi’sfather, Lakshmi Devi her mother, and herfour sisters. It also narrates the story of agrowing city (Delhi) and the lifestyle ofits elite immediately after independence.She engages with Lutyens’ Delhi throughvivid imagery, her descriptive lens mean-dering through the calm of this lan-guorous city with its beautiful monu-ments and gardens. The descriptions ofthis elegant city and the lifestyles of its“genteel” folk, will remind everyone ofhow “British” Delhi has always been. Thepassing of the seasons is described unob-trusively as she moves on with the central

characters and their lives. The complexi-ties of the “Bhadralok” class, trying to fitin with the demands of tradition andmodernity, amply reflects “India in tran-sition” in the last fifty years even whenthe story crosses over from the 20thCentury to the next.

This is a novel spanning fourdecades. Many of us can completelyidentify with its central values, the dilem-mas of its characters and the culturalethos of its age. Those who have notbeen a part of the Bengali cultural her-itage, its folklore, music and legends mayfeel a trifle alienated. Though ArunaChakravarti has always written aboutBengal and Bengalis, it didn’t restrict herreadership to a region. Her earlier novelsabout the Tagores may have generated a

pan Indian appeal because of the magicof the family name. This story of anupper middle class Bengali household inDelhi (over a span of time) should be noless relatable.

Her portrayal of rural Muslims ofBengal may seem stereotypical at times,but has to be read in context.Moinnuddin, Eidun’s father maybe a car-icature of his class, but Moinak Sen isalso representative of the feudal patriar-chal Hindu male, a caricature no less.“Tradition” among Hindus and Muslimsare sometimes represented by such char-acters, which highlights their “negativeshades. Whether the novel seems to bemaking statements through them or not,only the author knows best.

Read this latest novel by ArunaChakravarti as it should be, for a goodstory and a climactic ending Start read-ing, and flow with the momentum. It isan engrossing story with a huge cast thatwill keep you going. For discerning read-ers, there are messages perhaps.Understand them and their significancefor contemporary India.

The reviewer is a Professor atDepartment of Political Science,

Jamia Millia Islamia

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It is about that year when itrained so heavy that streamsflowed turned rivers and

rivers into lakes. The water roseup to the edges of houses andtrees trunks were totally sub-merged in water. In the pound-ing rain storm leaves of thetwigs had fallen and the strongshower of rain water had com-pletely rid washed the blackcolour of the crows that theylooked like lovely white pigeons.

All the inhabitants of thevalley were focused to leavetheir homes and take refuge inthe nearby hills. Fortunately inthose days an old friend of dadhad invited us to his daughter’swedding and so we reachedSimla. Rain was also wreakinghavoc here and leaping downthe mountain slops like waterspring.

In wedding buzz we hadforgotten everything that what astorm raged in the outsideworld. I was somewhat wonderstruck to see golden brightspangled dresses, and glitteringornaments. Among the count-less gifts given in the dowry, Ihad a great liking for a timepiece which was of a lemon sizean extremely shining watch,which our host had purchasedand brought from Switzerlandfor her darling daughter.

Among the viewers of thedowry, it attracted first attentionof one and all. And AuntyTabassum, time and againrepeatedly and by twisting thekey Alarm of this ‘Jaltrang’sound like sounding time piece,described the defining charac-teristic of the unique watch. I

was exceedingly captivated bythis watch. I turned aroundmany a times and came to seethis lovely piece, again andagain.

How would this watch looklike placed near my head pillow.And how will it help to awakenme every morning with its heartcaptivating melodious voice. It

created a beautiful painting pic-ture on canvas of my colourfulimagination. No sooner AuntyTabassum was led away hitheror Thither, that I at once gavemy thought out plot a practicalshape and by seizing it kept itprotected in the stitched upperflop of my Salwar. And, aftersometime, when Aunty

Tabassum came back in theroom, and finding the watchmissing started looking aroundin great discomfort. She calledlittle Hazra

“Where is the watch?”“Watch?” Hazara was taken

aback with surpriseAunty ‘Tabassum’ called

‘Chunnu’,’Munnu’, ‘Shammi’ and

‘Aslam’ turn by turn but allexpressed their ignorance.

Slowly and slowly, all theguests gathered in the room.Aunty Tabassum wanted toavert, but on the guest’s empha-sis, she had to tell about the dis-appearance of the watch.

All began to look at doubt-ing each other. And were withtroubled hearts that how AuntyTabassum and other membersof the host family would thinkabout them. Every guest wasworried at heart and on theother hand hosts too wereashamed.

I looked around, whetherthe people were not looking atme. On being completelyassured, I began to walk slowlyand to satisfy myself personally,once coughed also for self satis-faction. At once it occurred tome as if the stitched bottomflaps of my Salwar were a bitraised up from my feet. I satdown nervously.

“Bi Razia, do you knowsomething/” Emerged an unfa-miliar voice.

“Not so.” I answered backsomewhat worried “Aji, why doyou ask Razia ‘poor’ AuntyTabassum expressed her full con-fidence in my person in keepingwith the delicate relationshipbetween guest and host.

“Razia Beta! Who was theother child in the room besidesyou and Hazra?”

Then the same voice fol-lowed me once again. I got ner-vous and looked around. I couldfound no answer to make.

“Our Razia is a good daugh-ter.” My mother announced my

innocence in the assembled lot.I felt somewhat revived up. Butthe very next moment the samealarm screamed up from theflaps of my Salwar in choked upvoice. I trembled.

All eyes rose up towards me.My Mummy’s eyes were aflameissuing sparks. Outside, therewas heavy down pour. But I wascraving for a drop of water todrown and sink myself deepdown and was peeping right andleft. Crows sitting on the terracein front of the window appeared‘White’ before my eyes. Morethan their black coloured feath-ers was my darker deed.

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The strange goings-on inTurkey have baffled secu-

larists around the world as thenation’s judiciary capitulated tothe specious argument ofPresident Recep TayyipErdogan to turn the clock backto 1934 and convert the HagiaSophia museum into a mosque.The conversion of HagiaSophia museum, which is notonly an architectural master-piece but also an epitome ofMuslims-Christians’ sharedtraditions and unity, is a mile-stone in Erdogan’s purportednarrative of reviving theOttoman-era “superiority” ofthe Islamic culture and theresultant consolidation of hispower.

The conversion of thenchurch-turned-mosque into amuseum by a 1934 decree wasa modernist idea of MustafaKemal Ataturk, who aimed toerase the sign of religious con-version of an OrthodoxChristian cathedral into amosque by the IslamicOttomans. Before that HagiaSophia was the cynosure ofChristians as only during andafter the Renaissance, biggerchurches were constructed. It’sthis historical baggage, therepurposing of Hagia Sophia isa matter of grave concern forMuslims, Christians.

The secular world, besidesreligious and political leaders,has voiced their indignation atthe conversion of Istanbul’smulti-religious heritage into amosque, with churches inGreece and the USA observinga “day of mourning”. While theturn of events in the modernMuslim majority nation, whichis geographically and cultural-ly a bridge between the Eastand the West, has dismayed theworld, the move is not an uttersurprise if one has kept track ofthe decisions of PresidentErdogan.

Starting from his taking upthe reins in 2003, Erodogan hastaken recourse in variousmethods to consolidate hispower. He started with the

promise of building the nationan economic power. Oncehailed for steering Turkeytowards rapid economic devel-opment, Erdogan is now strug-gling to deal with shakyfinances. His compulsive urgeto pursue the Islamist agendais to sweep those problemsunder the carpet. In public,Erdogan envisions revivingTurkey’s power and influenceenjoyed during the Ottomanera. Therefore, he is helpingbuild mosques, financing reli-gious education in foreigncountries around the worldfrom Latin America to sub-Saharan Africa. But his real aimremains the same: to stick to

power with public support. Ithas caused secular voters tolose their ardour for him.

According to an opinionpoll this month, 43 per centTurks consider the conversionmove a political manoeuveringto gag any discussion on thenation’s economic woes. In anunprecedented result, Erdoganbit the dust in last year’s munic-ipal elections in two biggestcities, national Capital Ankaraand his home turf Istanbul, atthe hands of the mainOpposition Republican People’sParty. This shameful electoraldrubbing, along with financialwoes, has forced him to lookfor ways to divert attention of

the general public and lureback conservative Muslim vot-ers. And, the Hagia Sophiadecision is his implicit decla-ration that Islam is the unoffi-cial religion of Turkey.

The unspoken declarationspurred a significant section ofTurkish society to lambast theErdogan Government, but theundercurrent among the mid-dle class was elation at theHagia Sophia conversion.Turkey being the only modernpowerful secular country in theMuslim world, the radicalisa-tion process has paid Erdoganthe much sought-after divi-dends.

To widen his reach and

influence of Islamist politicsand to install himself as achampion of the Ummah,Erdogan takes keen interest indenouncing the world com-munity for its fixated attentionon the “Islamic terror” whileignoring terrorism by non-Muslims. His new-found inter-est in Kashmiri Muslims andRohingya Muslims can be con-trasted with his strong rejectionof the historical fact of theArmenian genocide by theOttoman Empire.

In fact, for an elected con-servative Muslim leader whosepopularity is on the wane, it isimpossible to resist the morassof popular antipathy towards

non-Islamic symbols. HagiaSophia was a festering woundfor the Islamists who had beenpushing for its conversion backto a mosque for decades as theyconsider the Kemalist secular-ism only hurt the Islamic cul-ture and Turkish nationalism.Erdogan’s decision to convertthis ancient church-turned-mosque-turned-museum intoa mosque is consequence ofthat desire to give a deathblow to the symbol of thathumiliation. And it also servesthe political purpose ofErdogan.

However, as Turkey is notwell linked to the Islamic civil-isation and history, nor has it

living evidence of religiousrelics as seen in the Arabworld, Erdogan lacks the nat-ural ability, like that of SaudiArabian leaders, to claim theleadership of the Muslimworld. Therefore, the HagiaSophia decision aims to weavea new narrative of Islamic tra-ditions, which, in fact, is incontravention of the Islamicvalues.

Learned Muslims may beaware of the historical truththat medieval Muslim invadersdidn’t encroach on the places ofworship of the People of thebook, Christians and Jews.However, Ottomans blatantlyflouted the norms. AndErdogan is hell-bent on resur-recting that Ottoman era.

As the world is distraughtat the regressive approach ofErdogan, the common refrainis what’s next from the TurkishPresident. However, at thisstage, it is difficult to read thetea leaves about what Turkeywill become as multiple factors,including domestic politicaldevelopments, Islamist crisis inthe neighbourhood, andgeopolitics, play role in shap-ing up the future events. On theextreme end of that spectrum,the move may trigger compet-itive narratives of Islamism inTurkey and neighbouringnations who look upon themodern secular Muslim coun-try; it may also convince manyMuslim nations that secular-democratic politics is alien toIslamic culture and traditions.

However, considering theresilience of deeply embitteredsecular Turks, Erdogan’s gim-mick doesn’t guarantee unbri-dled reign for the neo-Ottoman. Nevertheless, onething is certain: The results ofthe next general election willdetermine whether theKemalist doctrine of top-downsecularism still appeals to themasses.

(The writer is AssociateEditor & News Editor, ThePioneer)

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Rajasthan is facing unprece-dented political crisis.

From an intra-party feudbetween the Chief MinisterAshok Gehlot and DeputyChief Minister Sachin Pilot, thebattle has now travelled fromthe Rajasthan High Court tothe Supreme Court. The two-year-old CongressGovernment, one of India’slargest States, is on the verge ofcollapse.

Since the formation of theGovernment, the two leaders,one an old loyalist and other avery ambitious young man,have never been on the samepage. Gehlot, an old Gandhi-family loyalist and Pilot, a veryclose associate of RahulGandhi, had always their owngame plan to consolidate powerand go up the ladder.

Pilot, who helped wrestpower from the BJP in theState, expected a bigger role inthe governance when the partycame to power, being the sonof late senior and popularCongress leader Rajesh Pilot.

Old guard Vs young bloodRajasthan saw a clash

between youth leader Pilotand old guard Gehlot. Whenthe Congress came to power in2018, it was Gehlot, a formerCM, who claimed right to thethrone as he also worked hardto bring party back to power.

Gehlot succeeded insidelining Pilot, usurping thethrone. But dissent was brew-ing in the party since begin-ning, with Pilot being madeDeputy Chief Minister. Therecent crisis which came in theopen showed the party in badlight after rebel MLAs raisedthe banner of revolt.

And as things have goneout of hand, political observersfeel that what matters in theCongress is not just work, effi-ciency and vision, but the linkwith the High Command:Sonia and her old coterie.

All decisions for State lead-ership precisely come fromSonia’s durbar only. In case ofRajasthan, both Gehlot andPilot had their own proximityto the Raj, but finally the olderone prevailed over the younger.

At a time, when the wholeworld is fighting with a dread-ed pandemic called Covid-19,the two-party stalwarts arebattling for their supremacy. It’snothing but their ego clash. Itis a struggle for the top post inthe State. While wrangling fortheir chairs, both the CM andthe ex-Deputy CM have justmissed the point that theybelong to the same Congressparty. And ironically, the per-son who has just served Gehlotas his Deputy till the other dayhas been made out to be worth-less and a back stabber.

Besides, Pilot has invitedthe ire of all his top party officebearers as he is colluding withthe Opposition BJP to topplethe Gehlot Government.Interestingly, Pilot is accused ofstaying in an Opposition-ruledHaryana wherein he may be

conspiring to stage a politicalcomeback with a new “avatar”.

Who knows what is in hismind? It is certain that aftersuch public humiliation, hewill return to the party unlesshe is assured of the post of theChief Minister and probably,the safe future for all the rebelswho have sided with him fornow. The way Sonia has takenthe final decision to removehim from the post of theDeputy Chief Minister despitePilot having close ties with bothRahul and Priyanka, it seemsthe underlying game plan ismuch bigger than it seems.

Being a young and promis-ing political leader, after theexit of Jyotiraditya Scindia andfall of the CongressGovernment in MadhyaPradesh, Sonia must havethought it is the right time toaxe another competitor to herson in the long race to the LokKalyan Marg, formerly knownas 7 Race Course Road.

First, the Speaker of theAssembly had given showcause notice to Pilot and 18

other MLAs. Then the teamPilot approached the RajasthanHigh Court to quash the dis-qualification notice given tothem by the Speaker. TheSpeaker argued that the courthad no jurisdiction to intervenein the proceedings of the Houseas the former has yet to take adecision.

When the High Courtasked the Speaker to defer thedecision on disqualificationon Pilot and the other 18members, he challenged it inthe Supreme Court. But theSupreme Court rejected hisplea to stay HC proceedings.And Justice Arun Mishra stat-ed that there is nothing wrongin raising the voice of dissentin a democracy. But then heunderlined the fact that thedecision of the High Court willbe subject to the top court’sdecision. Now, the High Courthas finally said the status quoshould be maintained tillMonday.

Now the Gehlot is bracingfor an Assembly session toprove his majority. As of today

he claims to have the supportof 101 MLAs, a water thinmajority in a House of 200members. The Opposition BJPhas 72 members, but with thePilot’s 19 members, the partywill need another 10 MLAs toform the next Government.

Numbers game Now it’s a question of num-

bers game: Who wins or loseswill all be determined by therespective number of MLAsonly. Most of the leaders in thiscountry in particular andaround the globe in general,have hardly bothered abouttheir electorate. Many of themhave completely lost their senseof being in power and have alsoforgotten the fundamental pur-pose of an elected representa-tive. The Pilot controversy hasonce again brought the Anti-Defection Law of 1985 to thefore. It is also known as the52nd Amendment Act passedby adding a new TenthSchedule to our Constitutionduring the tenure of thenPrime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

This Act came into opera-tion on March 1, 1985. Its mainobjective was to prevent thescourge of emerging defectionacross the country that almostparalysed the political partiesand existing governments. Asper this Act, the seat of an MPor an MLA can fall vacant incase; a) he voluntarily gives uphis membership of such polit-ical party; b) if he votes orabstains from voting in suchHouse contrary to any direc-tion issued by the politicalparty he belongs; c) if an inde-pendent member joins anypolitical party after his election;d) if a nominated memberjoins a political party after theexpiry of six months from thedate he took oath as a memberof the House.

But the Act does not applyto: a) party splits: When thereis a split in the party and theconcerned member belongs toa faction that consists of notless than 1/3rd members of theparty; b) when two or morepolitical parties decide tomerge by a two-thirds major-ity of the total strength of theparty in the legislature and last-ly, c) when a member resignsfrom a party to take over as theSpeaker/Deputy Speaker andChairman/Deputy Chairmanof a House. Most importantly,any decision regarding thedefection is to be taken only bythe Speaker or Chairperson ofthe concerned House as thecase may be.

His/her decision on dis-qualification in connection todefection is final and no courthas any jurisdiction on suchmatters.

Hide and seek by PilotNow fully knowing well the

consequences of the Anti-Defection Law, why the hideand seek is played by Pilot.Either there must be an ulteri-or motive behind his decisionto stay away from now three

crucial meetings called by theSpeaker of the RajasthanAssembly or Gehlot must havea concrete plan to dislodgePilot to remove all his obstaclesto continue in power. And athird possibility may be Pilotmust be thinking of offeringoutside support to a BJP-ledGovernment in the State on theevent of falling the Gehlotregime.

Whatsoever it may be, thesaddening part of suchepisodes is simple: the voters’trust on the elected represen-tatives fade away. Also in theabsence of a clear cut definitionon defection, the malaise con-tinues as of today and willremain at the heart of Indiandemocracy.

Unfortunately, a few yearsafter passing the Act, we hadwitnessed the first case ofdefection in the NagalandAssembly. But when theSupreme Court delivered itsjudgment in the KihotaHollohon vs Zachilhn &Others Case 1992, it has under-lined that the Speaker’s decisionon disqualification in suchmatters is subject to judicialreview. The reason behind isthat the Speaker while actingunder the 10th Schedule is atribunal and hence his/herdecision can come under thecourt’s power of judicial review.

Now the ball is between theSC and the Governor’s court.Both can play a critical role.However it all depends how theMLAs switch sides withoutinviting penalties i.e. disqual-ification under the 10thSchedule.

At the end, it must be saidthat it is a dirty game. MLAsare hiding in hotels and resorts.And the populace is just wait-ing them to deliver services atthis pandemic hit situation.Very sad situation!

(The writer is an expert oninternational affairs)

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Agreat majority of people believe inthe existence of God, which differ-ent philosophies perceive in their

own ways. They believe that there existsan eternal reality that creates, sustainsand recycles life cycle. Also, administersthe whole world, having eyes on our con-duct individually and collectively. It is, asif, there exists a reality distant from us,who would judge our conduct and set theterms of our future qualitatively, accord-ing as one would deserve.

There are many philosophies that donot subscribe to the concept of God, evenof Indian origin such as Samkhya,Jainism and Buddhism. The self-acclaimed rationalist just deny the exis-tence, even though they may not be hav-ing any philosophy in hand to justifytheir stand. Many scientists, based ontheir perception, deny the existence ofGod. Stephen Hawking and LeonardMlodinova in their book, “The GreatDesign”, maintain that “God did not cre-ate the Universe and the Big Bang was aninevitable consequence of the laws ofPhysics. The fact that there is a law suchas gravity, the Universe can and will cre-ate itself from nothing. Spontaneous cre-ation is the reason there is something

rather than nothing, why the Universeexists, why we exist.” I think he had theChristian concept of God in mind, todeny its existence as in their concept,God and Existence are two different reali-ties. That made it difficult for them toreconcile the scientific perception withthat of the concept of God. Hawkins haswritten volumes on the concept of cre-ation, but he could not decipher thedynamics of life holistically, not to sayanything on their bearing in human func-tionalities in their day-to-day life.

There is no denying the fact that‘God or No God’, there is system in placeengaged in uninterrupted creativity,which has been driving the world indi-vidually and collectively in almost anautopilot mode. See how functionaries inthe cosmos such as the Sun, Moon, andall functionalities of the nature, vital toour life cycle have been going on, follow-ing involuntarily developed design para-meters mandated for them, and with suchprecision. One may believe or deny theconcept of God, but can anybody existwithout the support of nature drivenperennial resources? And these resourcesare not manmade. And that’s what divinecreations mean in real terms.

Vedanta says that God is formlessand attribute-less, the ‘One’ without a sec-ond, having in store the fundamental ele-ments of creation, carrying the potentialto manifest all by itself. It is pure con-sciousness that is all-pervading, andavailable with all. Consciousness elementanimates all our functionalities includingour ‘power of knowing’. It also lends nec-essary intelligence to all nature drivenfunctionalities to move in an orderlyfashion with precision. Consciousness,thus, weaves through the whole worldinto a unified organism where no indi-vidual has a reality independent of thewhole. This concept is quite in conformi-ty with the scientific perception of cre-ation. So said eminent AustralianPhysicist, Paul Davies: “For a naïve realist,the world is a collection of objects. For aquantum physicist, it is an inseparableweb of vibrating pattern, where no indi-vidual component has a reality indepen-dent of the entirety, included in thatentirety is the observer.”

It, would, therefore, be fair to surmisethat there is a system in place that wouldbe necessarily having a Primal-Source,having in store fundamental elements ofcreation, intrinsic to which is the funda-mental elements of consciousness. That

includes the manifest world with all itsdiversity and enormity. There are lot ofintervening dynamisms operative at visi-ble and imperceptible levels playing inbetween. All moving in togetherness as aunified organism, have been driving theworld individually and collectively. In thisscheme of things, courtesy the conscious-ness element, there always remain con-nect between the primal source and themanifest. “Without Him, I exist not,without me He is unmanifest,” said MirraAlfassa, the spiritual consort of RishiAurobindo, popularly known as ‘Mother.

According to Vedanta, the livingworld may get dissolved one day, when itgets back to the primal source, carryingalong the seeds of creation. Out of thoseseeds, a fresh world comes into being. So,the existence is always there in one formor other. So, “Existence is a reality”. Forthe sake of our understanding, the systemwould need a naming. If we shed ourindividualistic belief, what better than thethree lettered word “God” to name it.

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