PNS n HYDERABAD There is disquiet in the naxalite belt across five states viz. Telangana, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Orissa due to Maoists' renewed activity that has been linked to the shifting of police forces' focus from these areas since March to the implemen- tation of lockdown and unlock measures. Although the Maoists have given a call for 'state bandh' in TS on Friday in support of their demand for release of jailed poet Varavara Rao and convicted Prof Saibaba from Maharasahtra prisons on health grounds, it is seen in informed circles as a ruse to prepare for making an impact during their 'Martyrs Memorial Week' starting July 28. HYDERABAD, SATURDAY JULY 25, 2020; PAGES 12 `3 } RNI No. TELENG/2018/76469 Established 1864 Published From HYDERABAD DELHI LUCKNOW BHOPAL RAIPUR CHANDIGARH BHUBANESWAR RANCHI DEHRADUN VIJAYAWADA *LATE CITY VOL. 2 ISSUE 285 *Air Surcharge Extra if Applicable Page 11 www.dailypioneer.com @TheDailyPioneer facebook.com/dailypioneer Follow us on: MONEY 8 I-T TO SHARE PAN, BANK ACCOUNT DATA WITH 10 PROBE, INTEL AGENCIES ANALYSIS 7 REMEMBERING KARGIL SPORTS 12 IPL SET TO START ON SEPT 19 A WEDDING GIFT TO NITHIIN FROM TEAM RANG DE 2 The 4+2 way of tackling Covid-19 5 Hopeful India will organise sporting events in Sept-Oct: Rijiju ‘India made record requests for info on money laundering’ n Call for TS bandh today, ahead of Martyrs' Memorial Week from July 28th n Porous spots along movement zones linking TS, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, MP and Odisha potential theatre of war between police and naxalite forces 8 { HYDERABAD WEATHER Current Weather Conditions Updated July 24, 2020 5:00 PM ALMANAC TODAY Month & Paksham: Shravana & Shukla Paksha Panchangam Tithi : Panchami: 12:01 pm Nakshatram: Uttara Phalguni: 02:18 pm Time to Avoid: (Bad time to start any important work) Rahukalam: 09:09 am – 10:46 am Yamagandam: 01:58 pm – 03:35 pm Varjyam: 10:07 pm – 11:36 pm Gulika: 05:57 am - 07:33 am Good Time: (to start any important work) Amritakalam: 07:37 am – 09:06 am Abhijit Muhurtham: 11:56 am – 12:48 pm Forecast: Mostly cloudy Temp: 28/23 Humidity: 89% Sunrise: 05.53 am Sunset: 06.51 pm Gandhis heap praises on PV after 16 long years Hail the former PM's Budget which turned around nation 29 years ago Online classes leave parents penniless Buying a smartphone/laptop/desktop or other device has become inevitable for parents NAMRATA SRIVASTAVA n HYDERABAD Online classes may have become the new normal or even inevitable, with every school looking at virtual instruction as the sole means currently to reach out to kids confined to home and relying partly on homeschooling. However, from the stand- point of parents, it means an unberable burden amidst trun- cated, delayed or denied pay. For, online classes entail invest- ment in proper devices for accessing and assimilating the material. This is putting a lot of financial burden on parents. Many poor and middle-class families are finding it difficult to manage the home budget, with high school fees and unavoidable expenses towards buying new smartphone/lap- top/desktop amid the devastat- ing impacts of the pandemic. Shabana Begum, a house- wife and mother of two kids, has been struggling financial- ly to run her kitchen, while making sure that at least one of her kids is able to take online classes. "My husband is an auto driver. I am a housewife; my elder daughter is in VII standard and younger son in IV standard. We didn't have a smartphone, but as my chil- dren's school started taking classes online, we had to buy one," she shares, adding, "As no one is stepping out, my hus- band is hardly making Rs 200- 300 every day. This, after two months of no work at all. We have almost exhausted our lit- tle savings during those two months. So, when we had to buy the smartphone for my children, we had to take loan from a local lender. PNS n HYDERABAD In a virtual resurrection of for- mer prime minister PV Narasimha Rao's persona in the very quarters of the grand old party that had denied place even for his mortal remains when he died in December 2004 and shunned him com- pletely thereafter, the Gandhis sprang a surprise on the nation on Friday by heaping praises on the first person outside their family who served as PM for five continuous years. Describing PV as a bold leader and a dedicated Congressman, AICC president Sonia Gandhi said on Friday that the party prided on his accomplishments and contri- bution. "Shri PV Narasimha Rao's tenure was also marked by a number of political, social and foreign policy achievements that have endured. Above all, he was a dedicated Congressman who served the party devotedly in various capacities," she said in a mes- sage read out by Telangana Congress President Uttam Kumar Reddy at the inaugur- al of Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee's PV birth centenary celebrations on Friday. Congratulating TPCC for launching the year-long cele- brations, Sonia said, "Shri PV Narasimha Rao was a very respected national and interna- tional figure." The birth cen- tenary of Rao was an occasion to recall and pay tribute to the most scholarly and erudite personality, who, after a long career in state and national pol- itics, was the prime minister of the country at a time of "grave economic crisis", she said. "Through his bold leadership, our country was able to over- come many challenges success- fully," she said, adding that the Union Budget of July 24, 1991 paved the way for the econom- ic transformation of the coun- try. TPCC chief Uttam Kumar Reddy, along with Geetha Reddy and other TS Congress leaders, paying homage to a picture of PV, whose birth centenary celebrations the party launched on Friday PNS n NEW DELHI The Supreme Court Friday extended by six months the time for inquiry commission, headed by former apex court judge Justice (retd) V S Sirpurkar, to conclude probe in the encounter killing of four accused in the gang-rape and murder of a veterinarian in Hyderabad. A bench headed by Chief Justice S A Bobde passed the order while hearing the panel's plea seeking 6-month exten- sion for submitting its final report in accordance with the terms of reference. On December 12 last year, the apex court had appointed the 3-member commission for inquiry into the incident. The top court had said that the inquiry commission, which also comprised former Bombay High Court judge Rekha Sondur Baldota and ex- CBI director D R Karthikeyan, would submit its report to the Supreme Court within six months. The apex court was Friday informed that the commission has been unable to conclude the probe due to some unavoidable reasons because of the COVID-19 pandemic. SC extends Hyd encounter probe time NAVEENA GHANATE n HYDERABAD Even as the health authorities breathed easy following indi- cations that Covid-19 cases in Hyderabad are on the decline, comes the disturbing news that Rangareddy is now becoming the hotspot. From just about 100 cases in June, the rate at which Rangareddy district is adding Covid-19 cases today is alarm- ing. The Covid-19 tally of Rangareddy district touched 4,000 and - as of Thursday -- it reported 4,104 cases, accord- ing to T Covid19 app. The district, which earlier used to report 40-50 cases, on Thursday recorded 213 cases. Officials attribute the rising number of cases to increased movement of people. Due to the current spread of Covid-19, in areas like Shankarpally people have undertaken voluntary lockdowns. Some of these places have already com- pleted 5 days of voluntary lockdown and they say it would continue for another 5 days. RR is Covid hotspot now Disquiet in belt across 5 states due to Maoists' renewed activity L VENKAT RAM REDDY n HYDERABAD Telangana has always got a raw deal from the Centre with regard to grants-in-aid right from the formation of the state in 2014. This galling fact surfaced in a report on the Centre's grants- in-aid to states released by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG). According to the report, Telangana got just Rs 50,093 crore as grants-in-aid from the Centre, against Rs 1.12 lakh crore estimated in the Budgets for the past six years, amount- ing to just 45.1% of the amount accrued. The CAG report has come as a shot in the arm for the rul- ing Telangana Rashtra Samiti to attack the Bharatiya Janata Party, which has b e e n angling to position itself as an 'alternative' to the pink party in the state. The report belies the claims of BJP's central and state lead- ers -- from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amit Shah to present national president JP Nadda, several union ministers including G Kishan Reddy, state BJP leaders Bandi Sanjay and K Laxman -- that that BJP-led NDA govern- ment had been gener- ously giving funds and grants to Telangana to help the fledgeling state progress and that the TRS govern- ment had been 'mis- using, diverting and siphoning off ' central funds. The claim relating to Centre granting funds 'generously' to Telangana in fact led to wars of words between PM Modi and Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao and between Amit Shah and KCR. Raw deal for TS in Central grants for six years: CAG PNS n HYDERABAD State Industries and IT Minister K T Rama Rao has asserted that the Telangana government, under the leader- ship of Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao, is com- mitted to grow the life sciences industry in the state, from its $ 50 billion size today, to a $ 100 billion industry, while adding more than 4 lakh jobs in this decade alone. He was speaking at the 8th eConvocation program of NIPER. KTR said, “In the current pandemic situation, the phar- maceutical, diagnostic and healthcare sectors have emerged as the key sectors for the world. This situation has also exposed the strengths and weaknesses of these important sectors globally, which need to be addressed. The situation also brought to light the inher- ent strengths and resilience of the Indian Pharmaceutical Industry and the significant role it can play in the current situation and also in any future healthcare set-up”. TS poised for $100 billion Life Sciences industry: KTR SC slams AP govt over SEC controversy PNS n NEW DELHI The Supreme Court on Friday termed as "unfortunate" that the Andhra Pradesh Governor had to intervene for implemen- tation of High Court's order directing reinstatement of Nimmagadda Ramesh Kumar as State Election Commissioner (SEC). A bench of Chief Justice SA Bobde and Justices AS Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian issued notice on an application seek- ing stay on the contempt pro- ceedings against the state gov- ernment in the Andhra Pradesh High Court and asked senior advocate Harish Salve, appearing for Ramesh Kumar to file a reply affidavit to it. "Issue notice, returnable after one week. At the request of Harish Salve, Senior Counsel appearing for the respondent, reply affidavit to the instant application may be filed in the meantime," the bench said in its order. State has made significant contributions during Covid-19 TS IT and Industries Minister KT Rama Rao speaking at the 8th eConvocation program of NIPER on Friday TS tests per million rising, but less than natl average State reports 1,640 cases PNS n HYDERABAD Telangana has been steadily improving its record with regard to tests per million (TPM), considering it has tested 3.37 lakh samples so far, after ramping up the process. This translates to 8,444 TPM for the state, which has seen steady increases since the test- ing was scaled up. The rise in TPM has been achieved partly due to an increase in the number of labs -- to 39 (16 government and 23private labs). Yet, the state's TPM is way below the national average. With more than 1.5 crore samples tested, the nation’s TPM is 11,180. Lowest infection, death rate in India: Vardhan PNS n NEW DELHI At 864 cases and less than 21 deaths per million popula- tion, India has one of the world's lowest COVID-19 infection and death rate, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Friday said underlining that the recovery rate among coron- avirus-infected patients in the country is 63.45 per cent and the mortality is 2.3 per cent. These remarks were made by Vardhan at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Health Ministers' Digital Meet held digitally, the health ministry said. n Many poor and middle-class families are finding it difficult to manage the home budget n Due to prolonged lockdown and no or little income, most families have run out of their savings 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 BANKS' BAD DEBT TO RISE SHARPLY AMID COVID PANDEMIC: RBI REPORT INDIA CROSSES 13,00,000 CORONAVIRUS CASES T he number of coronavirus cases in India has crossed 13 lakh, government data shows. The country also overtook France on Friday as the number of deaths linked to COVID- 19 crossed 30,000. The number of deaths in India is now the sixth-biggest behind the US, Brazil, Britain, Mexico and Italy. India has reported 13,06,002 cases so far. Maharashtra has the biggest cases at 3,47,502, followed by Tamil Nadu with 1,99,749 and Delhi with 1,27,364 cases. ‘BHABHIJI PAPAD' TO FIGHT COVID? UNION MINISTER THINKS SO FOREX RESERVES CLIMB USD 1.27 BN TO RECORD PEAK OF USD 517.637 BN A t a time when the government is determined to be "vocal for local", Union minister Arjun Ram Meghwal has gone a step ahead and endorsed an indigenous 'papad' brand claiming that eating the 'papad' will create antibodies in the human body that will help fight the deadly coronavirus that has afflicted more than 12 lakh Indians so far. A pack of the brand called 'Bhabhiji papad' was held up by Meghwal while recording a video vouching for its corona fighting ability. The Union Minister for State for Parliamentary Affairs said, "This Bhabhiji Papad has come out in the market in line with Atma Nirbhar Bharat, which has edible elements that can help create antibodies which will prove to be helpful in fighting coronavirus." T he impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is likely to push up the gross non- performing assets in the Indian banking system to at least 12.5 per cent by March 2021, from 8.5 per cent in March 2020, a report from the Financial Stability and Development Council said on Friday. "It may escalate to 14.7 per cent under a very severely stressed scenario," the council's Financial Stability Report released by the Reserve Bank of India said. Governor Shaktikanta Das, in his foreword to the report, highlighted the uncertainty to economic growth, but said once the post-pandemic phase was reached the focus would be on calibrated unwinding of regulatory and other dispensations. T he country's foreign exchange reserves surged by USD 1.275 billion to touch a fresh lifetime high of USD 517.637 billion in the week to July 17, RBI data showed. In the previous week, reserves had swelled by USD 3.108 billion to USD 516.362 billion. The reserves had crossed the half-a-trillion mark for the first time in the week ended June 5, after it had increased by USD 8.223 billion to reach USD 501.703 billion. In the week ended July 17, the reserves rose due to an increase in foreign currency assets (FCA), which is a major component of the overall reserves. FCA was up by USD 1.245 billion to USD 476.880 billion in the reporting week, the central bank data showed.
Transcript
PNS n HYDERABAD
There is disquiet in the naxalitebelt across five states viz.Telangana, Maharashtra,Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradeshand Orissa due to Maoists'renewed activity that has beenlinked to the shifting of policeforces' focus from these areassince March to the implemen-tation of lockdown and unlockmeasures.
Although the Maoists havegiven a call for 'state bandh' inTS on Friday in support oftheir demand for release ofjailed poet Varavara Rao andconvicted Prof Saibaba from
Maharasahtra prisons onhealth grounds, it is seen ininformed circles as a ruse toprepare for making an impact
during their 'MartyrsMemorial Week' starting July28.
HYDERABAD, SATURDAY JULY 25, 2020; PAGES 12 `3
}
RNI No. TELENG/2018/76469
Established 1864Published From
HYDERABAD DELHI LUCKNOWBHOPAL RAIPUR CHANDIGARH
BHUBANESWAR RANCHIDEHRADUN VIJAYAWADA
*LATE CITY VOL. 2 ISSUE 285*Air Surcharge Extra if Applicable
Page 11
www.dailypioneer.com
@TheDailyPioneer facebook.com/dailypioneerFollow us on:
MONEY 8I-T TO SHARE PAN, BANK ACCOUNT
DATA WITH 10 PROBE, INTEL AGENCIES
ANALYSIS 7REMEMBERING
KARGIL
SPORTS 12IPL SET TO START
ON SEPT 19
A WEDDING GIFTTO NITHIIN FROMTEAM RANG DE
2
The 4+2 way oftackling Covid-19
5
Hopeful India willorganise sportingevents in Sept-Oct: Rijiju
‘India made record requests forinfo on moneylaundering’
n Call for TS bandh today,ahead of Martyrs'Memorial Week fromJuly 28th
n Porous spots alongmovement zones linkingTS, Maharashtra,Chhattisgarh, MP andOdisha potentialtheatre of war betweenpolice and naxaliteforces
8
{
HYDERABADWEATHER
Current Weather ConditionsUpdated July 24, 2020 5:00 PM
Gandhis heap praises onPV after 16 long yearsHail the former PM's Budget which turned around nation 29 years ago
Online classes leave parents pennilessBuying a smartphone/laptop/desktop or other device has become inevitable for parentsNAMRATA SRIVASTAVAn HYDERABAD
Online classes may havebecome the new normal oreven inevitable, with everyschool looking at virtualinstruction as the sole meanscurrently to reach out to kidsconfined to home and relyingpartly on homeschooling.
However, from the stand-point of parents, it means anunberable burden amidst trun-cated, delayed or denied pay.For, online classes entail invest-
ment in proper devices foraccessing and assimilating thematerial. This is putting a lot
of financial burden on parents.Many poor and middle-classfamilies are finding it difficult
to manage the home budget,with high school fees andunavoidable expenses towardsbuying new smartphone/lap-top/desktop amid the devastat-ing impacts of the pandemic.
Shabana Begum, a house-wife and mother of two kids,has been struggling financial-ly to run her kitchen, whilemaking sure that at least one ofher kids is able to take onlineclasses. "My husband is anauto driver. I am a housewife;my elder daughter is in VIIstandard and younger son in
IV standard. We didn't have asmartphone, but as my chil-dren's school started takingclasses online, we had to buyone," she shares, adding, "As noone is stepping out, my hus-band is hardly making Rs 200-300 every day. This, after twomonths of no work at all. Wehave almost exhausted our lit-tle savings during those twomonths. So, when we had tobuy the smartphone for mychildren, we had to take loanfrom a local lender.
PNS n HYDERABAD
In a virtual resurrection of for-mer prime minister PVNarasimha Rao's persona inthe very quarters of the grandold party that had denied placeeven for his mortal remainswhen he died in December2004 and shunned him com-pletely thereafter, the Gandhissprang a surprise on the nationon Friday by heaping praiseson the first person outsidetheir family who served asPM for five continuous years.
Describing PV as a boldleader and a dedicatedCongressman, AICC presidentSonia Gandhi said on Fridaythat the party prided on hisaccomplishments and contri-bution.
"Shri PV Narasimha Rao'stenure was also marked by a
number of political, social andforeign policy achievementsthat have endured. Above all,he was a dedicatedCongressman who served theparty devotedly in various
capacities," she said in a mes-sage read out by TelanganaCongress President UttamKumar Reddy at the inaugur-al of Telangana PradeshCongress Committee's PV
birth centenary celebrationson Friday.
Congratulating TPCC forlaunching the year-long cele-brations, Sonia said, "Shri PVNarasimha Rao was a veryrespected national and interna-tional figure." The birth cen-tenary of Rao was an occasionto recall and pay tribute to themost scholarly and eruditepersonality, who, after a longcareer in state and national pol-itics, was the prime minister ofthe country at a time of "graveeconomic crisis", she said."Through his bold leadership,our country was able to over-come many challenges success-fully," she said, adding that theUnion Budget of July 24, 1991paved the way for the econom-ic transformation of the coun-try.
TPCC chief Uttam Kumar Reddy, along with Geetha Reddy and other TS Congressleaders, paying homage to a picture of PV, whose birth centenary celebrations theparty launched on Friday
PNS n NEW DELHI
The Supreme Court Fridayextended by six months thetime for inquiry commission,headed by former apex courtjudge Justice (retd) V SSirpurkar, to conclude probein the encounter killing of fouraccused in the gang-rape andmurder of a veterinarian inHyderabad.
A bench headed by ChiefJustice S A Bobde passed theorder while hearing the panel'splea seeking 6-month exten-sion for submitting its finalreport in accordance with theterms of reference.
On December 12 last year,the apex court had appointedthe 3-member commissionfor inquiry into the incident.
The top court had said that
the inquiry commission,which also comprised formerBombay High Court judgeRekha Sondur Baldota and ex-CBI director D R Karthikeyan,would submit its report to theSupreme Court within sixmonths.
The apex court was Fridayinformed that the commissionhas been unable to concludethe probe due to someunavoidable reasons becauseof the COVID-19 pandemic.
SC extends Hydencounter probe time
NAVEENA GHANATE n HYDERABAD
Even as the health authoritiesbreathed easy following indi-cations that Covid-19cases in Hyderabad areon the decline, comesthe disturbing newsthat Rangareddy is nowbecoming the hotspot.From just about 100 casesin June, the rate at whichRangareddy district is addingCovid-19 cases today is alarm-ing. The Covid-19 tally ofRangareddy district touched4,000 and - as of Thursday --it reported 4,104 cases, accord-
ing to T Covid19 app. The district, which earlier
used to report 40-50 cases, onThursday recorded 213 cases.
Officials attribute the risingnumber of cases to
increased movement ofpeople.
Due to the currentspread of Covid-19, in
areas like Shankarpallypeople have undertaken
voluntary lockdowns. Some ofthese places have already com-pleted 5 days of voluntarylockdown and they say itwould continue for another 5days.
RR is Covid hotspot now
Disquiet in belt across 5 statesdue to Maoists' renewed activity
L VENKAT RAM REDDYn HYDERABAD
Telangana has always got a rawdeal from the Centre withregard to grants-in-aid rightfrom the formation of thestate in 2014.
This galling fact surfaced ina report on the Centre's grants-in-aid to states released by theComptroller and AuditorGeneral (CAG).
According to the report,Telangana got just Rs 50,093crore as grants-in-aid fromthe Centre, against Rs 1.12 lakhcrore estimated in the Budgetsfor the past six years, amount-ing to just 45.1% of the amountaccrued.
The CAG report has come
as a shot in the arm for the rul-ing TelanganaRashtra Samitito attack theB h a r at i y aJ a n a t aP a r t y ,which hasb e e nangling top o s i t i o nitself as an'alternative' tothe pink party inthe state.
The report belies the claimsof BJP's central and state lead-ers -- from Prime MinisterNarendra Modi, Amit Shah topresent national president JPNadda, several union ministersincluding G Kishan Reddy,
state BJP leaders Bandi Sanjayand K Laxman -- that that
BJP-led NDA govern-ment had been gener-
ously giving fundsand grants toTelangana to helpthe fledgeling stateprogress and thatthe TRS govern-
ment had been 'mis-using, diverting and
siphoning off ' centralfunds.The claim relating to Centre
granting funds 'generously' toTelangana in fact led to wars ofwords between PM Modi andChief Minister KChandrasekhar Rao andbetween Amit Shah and KCR.
Raw deal for TS in Centralgrants for six years: CAG
PNS n HYDERABAD
State Industries and ITMinister K T Rama Rao hasasserted that the Telanganagovernment, under the leader-ship of Chief Minister KChandrashekar Rao, is com-mitted to grow the life sciencesindustry in the state, from its$ 50 billion size today, to a $100 billion industry, whileadding more than 4 lakh jobsin this decade alone.
He was speaking at the 8theConvocation program ofNIPER.
KTR said, “In the currentpandemic situation, the phar-maceutical, diagnostic andhealthcare sectors haveemerged as the key sectors forthe world. This situation has
also exposed the strengths andweaknesses of these importantsectors globally, which need tobe addressed. The situationalso brought to light the inher-ent strengths and resilience of
the Indian PharmaceuticalIndustry and the significantrole it can play in the currentsituation and also in any futurehealthcare set-up”.
TS poised for $100 billionLife Sciences industry: KTR
SC slams AP govt over SEC controversyPNS n NEW DELHI
The Supreme Court on Fridaytermed as "unfortunate" thatthe Andhra Pradesh Governorhad to intervene for implemen-tation of High Court's orderdirecting reinstatement ofNimmagadda Ramesh Kumaras State ElectionCommissioner (SEC).
A bench of Chief Justice SABobde and Justices ASBopanna and VRamasubramanian issuednotice on an application seek-ing stay on the contempt pro-ceedings against the state gov-ernment in the AndhraPradesh High Court andasked senior advocate HarishSalve, appearing for Ramesh
Kumar to file a reply affidavitto it.
"Issue notice, returnable afterone week. At the request ofHarish Salve, Senior Counselappearing for the respondent,reply affidavit to the instantapplication may be filed in themeantime," the bench said inits order.
State has made significant contributions during Covid-19
TS IT and Industries Minister KT Rama Rao speaking at the 8th eConvocationprogram of NIPER on Friday
TS tests permillion rising,but less thannatl average State reports 1,640 cases
PNS n HYDERABAD
Telangana has been steadilyimproving its record withregard to tests per million(TPM), considering it hastested 3.37 lakh samples so far,after ramping up the process.This translates to 8,444 TPMfor the state, which has seensteady increases since the test-ing was scaled up.
The rise in TPM has beenachieved partly due to anincrease in the number oflabs -- to 39 (16 governmentand 23private labs). Yet, thestate's TPM is way below thenational average. With morethan 1.5 crore samples tested,the nation’s TPM is 11,180.
Lowest infection,death rate inIndia: VardhanPNS n NEW DELHI
At 864 cases and less than 21deaths per million popula-tion, India has one of theworld's lowest COVID-19infection and death rate,Union Health MinisterHarsh Vardhan on Fridaysaid underlining that therecovery rate among coron-avirus-infected patients inthe country is 63.45 per centand the mortality is 2.3 percent.
These remarks weremade by Vardhan at theShanghai Cooperat ionOrganisation (SCO) HealthMinisters' Digital Meet helddigitally, the health ministrysaid.
n Many poor andmiddle-class familiesare finding it difficultto manage the homebudget
n Due to prolongedlockdown and no orlittle income, mostfamilies have run outof their savings
2
2 2
2 2
2
2
2
22
BANKS' BAD DEBT TO RISE SHARPLYAMID COVID PANDEMIC: RBI REPORT
INDIA CROSSES 13,00,000CORONAVIRUS CASES
The number of coronavirus cases in India hascrossed 13 lakh, government data shows.
The country also overtook France on Fridayas the number of deaths linked to COVID-19 crossed 30,000. The number of deathsin India is now the sixth-biggest behindthe US, Brazil, Britain, Mexico and Italy.India has reported 13,06,002 cases so far.Maharashtra has the biggest cases at3,47,502, followed by Tamil Nadu with1,99,749 and Delhi with 1,27,364 cases.
‘BHABHIJI PAPAD' TO FIGHT COVID?UNION MINISTER THINKS SO
FOREX RESERVES CLIMB USD 1.27 BNTO RECORD PEAK OF USD 517.637 BN
At a time when the government is determined to be "vocal for local", Unionminister Arjun Ram Meghwal has gone a step ahead and endorsed an
indigenous 'papad' brand claiming that eating the 'papad' will createantibodies in the human body that will help fight the deadly coronavirus thathas afflicted more than 12 lakh Indians so far. A pack of thebrand called 'Bhabhiji papad' was held up by Meghwal whilerecording a video vouching for its corona fighting ability. TheUnion Minister for State for Parliamentary Affairs said, "ThisBhabhiji Papad has come out in the market in line with AtmaNirbhar Bharat, which has edible elements that can help createantibodies which will prove to be helpful in fighting coronavirus."
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is likely to push up the gross non-performing assets in the Indian banking system to at least 12.5 per cent
by March 2021, from 8.5 per cent in March 2020, a reportfrom the Financial Stability and Development Council saidon Friday. "It may escalate to 14.7 per cent under a veryseverely stressed scenario," the council's FinancialStability Report released by the Reserve Bank of Indiasaid. Governor Shaktikanta Das, in his foreword to thereport, highlighted the uncertainty to economic growth, butsaid once the post-pandemic phase was reached the focuswould be on calibrated unwinding of regulatory and other dispensations.
The country's foreign exchange reserves surged by USD 1.275 billion totouch a fresh lifetime high of USD 517.637 billion in the week
to July 17, RBI data showed. In the previous week, reserveshad swelled by USD 3.108 billion to USD 516.362 billion.The reserves had crossed the half-a-trillion mark for thefirst time in the week ended June 5, after it had increasedby USD 8.223 billion to reach USD 501.703 billion. In theweek ended July 17, the reserves rose due to an increase inforeign currency assets (FCA), which is a major component ofthe overall reserves. FCA was up by USD 1.245 billion to USD 476.880billion in the reporting week, the central bank data showed.
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HYDERABAD | SATURDAY | JULY 25, 2020 hyderabad 02
EGG RATES
` 53,220 (10 gm)
1,020
GOLD
` 61,100 (1kg)
` 9950
HYDERABAD 330
VIJAYAWADA 356
VISAKHAPATNAM 380
RREETTAAIILL PPRRIICCEE `33..5500
SILVER
HYDERABAD
BULLION RATES
`//110000
CHICKEN RATES
Dressed/With Skin `168
Without Skin `191
Broiler at Farm `116
`//KKGG
(IN HYDERABAD)
Governments have toprepare for a long haul,if a vaccine/medicine
for Covid-19 is not madeavailable soon.
In order to sustain Covid-control operations over longertime spans, one way is to tiethem together in a coherentframework.
In their piece 'What ReallyWorks', Professor ofAdministration Nitin Nohriaand others have developed the4+2 rule, in which it is possi-ble to analyse interventions(including Covid-19) withinfour primary categories -strat-egy, execution, culture andstructure - and two supple-menting ones (any two oftalent, innovation, leadershipand partnerships).
Below, some key Covid-control operations have beenplaced within the four prima-ry categories.
StrategyStrong empirical evidence is
emerging that if self-distanc-ing, hand washing and maskuse are followed Covid trans-
mission can be completelystopped. Thus, the strategywould consist of identifyingareas (places) in which thesethree measures would becompletely implemented fortime spans ranging from fourto twelve weeks.
The strategy would alsocontain large-scale testing,daily real-time monitoring ofmorbidity and mortality pat-terns in districts/local units,procurement of materials andmeasures to prevent reinfec-tion in areas where Covid hasbeen completely stopped.
StructureThere would be a two-tier
structure within each district.The first level would be thedistrict or the municipality.
The second level would bethe sub-local unit. The con-ventional units - sub-divi-sions/taluqas/wards - are toolarge and the best would be an
Area containing 5000 people.One action team with a leaderand a single chain of com-mand would be formed foreach Area. As the Area islocated close to the people, itwould promote cooperationand seamless exchange ofinformation among the Areasand the district.
Execution The local execution plans
would be grounded in localconditions and prepared at thedistrict-level. These would becontinuously updated basedon periodic feedback. Some ofthe activities in the execution
plan are as follows: (1) testingand follow-up on results oftests as provided in the strat-egy, (2) providing masks andtest kits; in cases where doc-tors are unavailable, deployingdoctors (e.g. private, AYUSH)from elsewhere, (3) provi-sioning for all medial andhealth supplies and technicalassistance, (4) mobilising andproviding digital solutions fortracking patients and provid-ing access to telemedicine, (5)organising public health com-munication on the three keyissues (hand washing, socialdistancing and wearingmasks) in order to complete-
ly stop the spread of Covidand to make sense of the"infodemic" accompanyingthe pandemic, (6) providingdirect help if the local unit isoverwhelmed by a large num-ber of cases, and (7) convert-ing buildings into large Covid-19 hospitals (e.g. stadium)with the help of NDRF/armedpolice.
The execution plan of Areaswould consist of: (1) decidingon a number of people to bequarantined in houses or inhospital wards, as well ashouseholds to be isolated, (2)organising local sanitary mea-sures, (3) distributing food,medicines and daily provi-sions, particularly to the poorand the vulnerable, (4) provid-ing medicines, identifyingestablishments (e.g. schools,stadia, community halls) thatcan be converted into tempo-rary hospitals, and (6) identi-fying private doctors to lookafter these hospitals.
Culture The existing culture where
people go out for daily workand other activities would bereoriented to make the house-hold the primary site of activ-ity. As part of this paradigmshift, a range of home deliv-ery services would be provid-
ed at the doorstep, for exam-ple, (1) detecting Covid-19related symptoms (e.g. bodytemperature, oxygen levels,condition of lungs and throat)early and symptomatic treat-ment using digital means(including medicine deliv-ery), (2) mandating at least 50per cent Work From Homefor all government employees.The initial success of the useof e-office and teleconferenc-ing holds much promise ofmaintaining high levels ofefficiency in governmentoperations, (3) switching toremote proctored tests foradmissions.
Additionally, combininglearning management sys-tems for teaching, tutorials,group activities, assignmentsand personalised learning (e.g.Indian Institute of CorporateAffairs). This is expected tolead to near normal workingin educational institutes, and
(4) delivering all daily require-ments at doorsteps, includinghome delivery of provisionsprovided by ration shops andin Government programmes(e.g. ICDS).
Situating all Covid-relatedactivities within the 4+2framework and implementingjust self-distancing, handwashing and mask use inarea-by-area in order to grad-ually cover the entire nation isexpected to completely stopthe transmission of Covid-19within 4-12 weeks.
Furthermore, lastingchanges in the behaviours ofGovernments, householdsand individuals could be oneunintended effect. Finally, the4+2 rule could also be appliedto other government schemesto make them more coherentand bring about greater pre-dictability in results.
(Author has a PhD fromUSA and a DLitt from
Kanchi University. The arti-cle is based on his researchand practice and views are
personal)
SAMEER SHARMA, IAS
THE 4+2 WAY OF TACKLING COVID-19 The strategy would also contain large-scaletesting, daily real-time monitoring ofmorbidity and mortality patterns indistricts/local units, procurement of materialsand measures to prevent reinfection in areaswhere Covid has been completely stopped
PNS n HYDERABAD
The Mahindra Group, a multi-billion conglomerate on Fridayvirtually launched MahindraUniversity (MU), which willfocus on offering a world-class, futuristic education inthe country. Anand Mahindra,chairman, Mahindra Groupand Chancellor, MahindraUniversity, in a release said,high quality education hastransformative powers for indi-viduals and nations, alike.
Mahindra University willstrive to deliver a more balancededucation, combining the latesttechnology with Liberal Arts, tocreate next generation leadersthat have a holistic world view.Telangana Minister for IT andIndustries KT Rama Rao said,"Technology, as we experiencetoday, has the ability to simpli-fy any prevailing business orsocietal complexity. The idea ofintegrating technology andhumanities with mainstreamhigher education curriculum issetting up not only young peo-ple but the entire nation for suc-cess."
Minister KT Rama Rao during the launch of the Mahindra University
AVINASH DEEPAK PULIn MAHBUBNAGAR
The emergence of new leader-ship in the ruling party expect-ed during the commencementof appointments for the nom-inated posts prior to the clamp-ing of Corona lockdown ulti-mately contained theiradvancement in all the ruralTelangana districts.
About seventy-odd nomi-nated posts at the state-leveland a similar number of postsat the district-level were due forre-nomination in the state andsome aspirants tried their bestto prove their mettle at the highcommand to secure the claimfulfiled.
However, the lockdownalmost created a major hurdle
in their journey and the newleaders were compelled to sub-due themselves from com-mencing their journey intothe political arena.
The first phase of lockdownwas taken as a measure by thebudding leaders and manyaspirants have undertakencharity and support pro-grammes in the district inorder to stake their claim atthe state-level posts.
As per the informationavailable, about thirty oddleaders in state-level chair-person posts have completedtheir tenure and their postsneed to be re-nominated dur-ing the months commencingfrom April this year. However,the lockdown came as a majorimpediment for these appoint-
ments andmany leaders
staking claims for thesenominated posts were forced tostay calm.
Some leaders who took upthe task of expediting and exe-cuting charity programmes on
a large scale have tried tobring their inheritors into thefield of politics through theprogrammes but since the
lockdown and Corona contin-ue to haunt their efforts the
leaders trials fail toclick. About thirty to
forty new generationleaders spread across
the rural Telangana districtscormprising Mahbubnagar,Nalgonda, Karimnagar,Khammam Adilabad andWarangal were in the fray tosecure the nominated post andsome leaders tried to provetheir choice in the comingMunicipal Corporation elec-tions of Warangal, Khammamand GHMC.
However, their efforts are
proving more burdensome thistime as the leaders have tospend more for their claims inthe coming days. Since theexpenditure has become amajor hurdle, the leaders havestarted keeping silent in all thedistricts and as the governmentmay feel the appointment ofnominated posts as a leastimportant preposition the step-ping stone for new generationpoliticians is unlikely to givethem a booster this time. Somesenior politicians like formerMinisters, former MPs, formerSpeaker of Assembly have triedto rope in their kin to enter thepolitical arena through thenominated posts, but thisaspect is unlikely to get into areality in the present circum-stances.
NOMINATED POSTS
PM lauds Mahindra GroupHYDERABAD: Meanwhile, PrimeMinister Narendra Modi laudedthe Mahindra Group for settingup an autonomous university inHyderabad. In a letter, whichwas shared by Mahindra GroupChairman Anand Mahindra onhis Twitter handle, PM Moditermed the setting up ofMahindra University (MU) anadmirable initiative.“Educationand knowledge are thecornerstone of growth andprogress of any nation orsociety. A university does not
merely impart education butlays the foundation of characterbuilding and nation buildingamong the future citizens of thecountry,” Modi said in the letter.It expands the thinking horizonsof the students and enablesthem to make a meaningfulcontribution to the society andthe nation, he added. “Today,technology and innovation havebecome the driving force inevery field of activity,” thePrime Mnister Narendra Modisaid.
KCR rubbished their claimsand demanded 'uncondition-al apology' from them, andwent to the extent of sayingthat Telangana is "one of thefive states in the country whichis contributing more to theCentre towards taxes and getsvery little from the Centre inreturn towards tax devolutionand grants". KCR has made itloud and clear that it is theCentre that is surviving onTelangana funds and not viceversa. According to the CAGreport, as per state budgetestimate, the TS governmentshould get Rs 21,720 crore asgrants-in-aid in 2014-15 --the first year following forma-tion of Telangana state. But theCentre released just Rs 6,487crore, which amounts to near-
ly 30% of the amount accured.Similarly, in 2015-16, the stategot 60.89% of grants-in-aidand 62.34% in 2016-17. In2017-18, the situation turnedworse, with the Centre releas-ing just 29.94% and in 2018-19it released just 28.16% funds.
Thus, the data showed thatfor the first three years afterformation of Telangana State,the state government got lessthan 30% funds from theCentre as grants-in-aid.
In 2019-20, the Budget esti-mated Centre's grants-in-aid at8,177 crore. But the Centrereleased Rs 11,450 crore, whichis an increase of 148%.
However, the FinanceDepartment officials see a 'hid-den agenda' behind these num-bers. They say, the budget esti-mate for 2018-19 was over Rs29,000 crore, which was slashed
to Rs 8,177 crore, of which theCentre released Rs 11,450 crore.They say Rs 11,450 crorereleased by the Centre was sig-nificantly lower in 2019-20,compared to the Rs 29,000crore budget estimate of 2018-19. Finance officials say on theface of it, the Centre appears tohave released an excess of Rs3,300 crore as grants-in-aid in2019-20. However, the realitywas that the Centre had slashedthe state's share in central taxesfrom the estimated Rs 14,338crore to Rs 11,450 crore in 2019-20, thereby nullifying whateverexcess funds were given asgrants-in-aid.
Now, the latest CAG reportthat Telangana was denied evenits due share of grants-in-aid bythe Centre is bound to lead topolitical slugfest between TRSand BJP in the coming days.
Continued from page 1
In a similar vein, Congressleader and former party chiefRahul Gandhi said PV playeda pivotal role in ushering inan era of liberalisation in thecountry and his contributioncontinued to shape modernIndia. "His (PV joinedCongress as a teen) remark-able political journey reflect-ed his grit and determina-tion", Gandhi said.
The former Congress chiefreasoned that July 24 marksthe 29th anniversary of the1991 budget. The UnionBudget of 1991 of the thenNarasimha Rao government,presented by the then financeminister Manmohan Singh, isconsidered as one that pavedthe way for liberalisation inIndia, he said. "On this day,India embarked on a bold newpath of economic transforma-tion. P V Narasimha Rao andDr Manmohan Singh playeda pivotal role in ushering inthe era of liberalisation," hesaid in his message on theoccasion. "I hope this eventwill revive interest among ouryouth to learn about India'sgrowth story and the remark-able individuals who madethis possible," Gandhi said.
Continued from page 1
We couldn't approach thebank as my husband's auto wasalso taken on EMIs."
Despite their stupendouseffort, only Shabana's elderdaughter is able to studyonline. "Most of their classes isat the same time. I can't affordanother phone. And, the datanet packs are so costly as well.We started with Rs 10 pack formy daughter, but that gotexhausted very quickly. So, we
had to start recharging moreand more. Monthly thatexpense goes up to Rs 800. Ourmonthly budget is completelyout of order. We have to cutdown on kitchen expenses tomake room for our kids' edu-cation."
V Lavanya, who is a widowand lives with her three kidsand mother, is somehow tryingto manage all her expenses. Sheshares, "My husband died lastyear. I am working in a smallcompany and have three kids
- eldest daughter in VIII stan-dard and two twins in III stan-dard. I couldn't afford thesmart phone, so my colleagueshelped me to raise the moneyfor it. But, the expenses thatbother me is that despite mysmall income, I have to paynearly Rs 1,500 for data eachmonth. Also, I have to pay Rs2,000 towards fees of each ofmy kids. It's getting very diffi-cult to manage other houseexpenses with this."
Satyanarayan Reddy, who
is an auto driver and father ofa VI standard student, sharesthat while the extra expenseson smart phones and month-ly data bills are a huge burden,schools have also been charg-ing a lot for books and station-ary. "I had to pay Rs 7,500 formy son's books last month," heshares, adding, "This expenseis apart from Rs 14,500 smartphone and Rs 2,500 monthlydata expenses. I had to also payRs 30,000 for yearly fees of theschools.”
Continued from page 1
Even people of Mokilaresorted to voluntary lock-down in view of the increas-ing cases on Thursday.
Known for thriving indus-tries and realty, parts ofRangareddy fal l underGHMC limits. The areaswhich are close toHyderabad likeSerilingampally, Manikonda,Sivarampally, Mansoorabadare adding more cases.Coronavirus cases have beenincreasing in non-GHMCparts of Rangareddy districtas well. In erstwhileRangareddy district alone,796 cases were recorded onThursday and only inRangareddy district 440cases were reported.
Continued from page 1
“Hyderabad and Telanganahave played a pivotal and crit-ical role in the IndianPharmaceutical Revolution,which has made the countrynot only self-sufficient in med-icine manufacturing, but alsomade it the pharmacy ofworld”.
KTR said that the Telanganagovernment would supportlocal manufacturing in phar-maceuticals in tune with thevision of Prime MinisterNarendra Modi’s Atma NirbarBharat.
He noted that Hyderabadaccounted for 40% of the totalIndian bulk drugs and 50 % ofthe bulk drug exports. "We areknown as the Vaccine Capitalof the world, manufacturingmore than 2 billion doses ofvaccines every year and con-tributing to 1/3rd of the glob-al vaccine output," KTRobserved.
He said, “We have 800 lifesciences companies and theyemploy more than 1.2 lakhpharmaceutical professionals.We are very proud pharmaceu-tical industry in Telanganahas made significant contribu-
tion during Covid-19 situationsuch as manufacturing life-sav-ing drugs like remedisivir,HCQ, favipiravir. The firstindigenously developed vac-cine for Covid-19 undergoingclinical trials is a result ofintense efforts of BharatBiotech. Three other compa-nies are also engaged in devel-oping Covid-19 vaccines fromHyderabad. One of the firstRT-PCR kits approved byICMR was developed inHyderabad.”The city serves1,000 global innovators in theirvision to develop innovativeand affordable medicines.
Continued from page 1
The Maoists are knownto observe the week everyyear, but this time therecent two-day visit of TSDGP Mahender Reddy andother top police officials tosensitive areas in the erst-while Adilabad distr ictand other places and theDGP's subsequent state-ment that the return ofMaoists was causing worryto Adivasis despite thedevelopment witnessed inrecent years have givenro om f or n a x a l i t e s t o
preen themselves. Policecircles concede that nax-alites are known to be ona 'tactical counter offen-sive campaign' during themonths of April, May andJu n e . T h i s i s j u s t ae ph e m i s m for g u e r i l l aattacks on police forces.Still, the recent naxaliteattacks, including the onein Sukma on March 22that claimed the lives of 17jawans and the May 17the Gadchiroli encounterthat left two policemendead, are pointers to theirstrike power.
Continued from page 1
However, there has beentremendous improvementin the TPM rate. As on 16July, the TPM was 5,350 forthe state and within eightdays, the TPM rate hasincreased to 8,444.Likewise, the country’sTPM was at 9,232 on 16July, which increased to11,180 on Friday.
Telangana on Fridaytested 15,445 samples, ofwhich 1,640 proved posi-tive – taking the state tallyto 52,466 cases. With 1,007cases recovered on Friday;at 40,334, about 76.8 percent of Covid-infectedpersons have recovered sofar. On Friday, eight per-sons succumbed to thevirus, taking the death tollto 455.
TS poised for $100 billion...Continued from page 1
The four accused werearrested in connection withthe gang-rape and murder ofa young veterinary lady doc-tor in November last year. OnDecember 6 last year, thesefour accused were killed in anencounter in Hyderabad.According to the police, theincident had taken place ataround 6.30 am when theseaccused were taken to the siteof offence for reconstructionof the crime scene as part ofthe investigation. They wereshot dead on NH-44 nearHyderabad .
SC extends Hyd...
Continued from page 1
During the hearing, thebench observed, that it wasunfortunate that Governorhad to intervene to reinstateRamesh Kumar as SEC afterHigh Court's judgementthere are contempt proceed-ings (against AP govern-ment) going on. Salve saidthat he needs a week's time tofile an affidavit to bring someadditional facts regarding thecontempt proceedings beforethe High Court.
Gandhis heappraises on ...
Raw deal for TS in Central... RR is covidhotspot now
Online classes leave parents penniless
TS tests permillion rising...
SC slams APgovt over...
Disquiet in belt across 5....
Mahindra Universitylaunched in Hyderabad
Lowest infection, death rate in India: VardhanContinued from page 1
According to the ministry'sstatement, Vardhan empha-sised on how the Indian tradi-
tional system of medicine hasalso contributed substantiallyin boosting the immunity ofgeneral population during
He explained that a series of
actions were initiated in agraded way that included issu-ing of travel advisories, point-of-entry surveillance, commu-nity-based surveillance.
PNS n HYDERABAD
Politicians, sports stars, indus-trialists and several othercelebrities took to Twitter towish IT Minister KT Rama Raoon his birthday. The list ofprominent personalitiesincludes Andhra Pradesh ChiefMinister Jaganmohan Reddy,actor Chiranjeevi, industrialistAnand Mahindra and manymore.
Politicians from both states,cutting across party lines havewished Minister KTR onFriday. Telangana CabinetMinisters -- Harish Rao, EatalaRajender, Satyavathi Rathod,Padma Rao, B Vinod Kumar,Jagadish Reddy, SingireddyNiranjan Reddy, KoppulaEshwar, Errabelli DayakarRao, Indrakaran Reddy,Srinivas Rao, GangulaKamalakar wished Ministerand shared some pictures oftheirs with the leader. SpeakerPocharam Srinivas Reddy,MPs Joginpally Santhosh, BBPatil, and MLAs across theparty lines wished theMinister. Several stars from
Tollywood also extendedbirthday greetings on Twitter.
Meanwhile, the hashtags#HappyBirthdayKTR and#GiftASmile were on nation-al trends on Twitter on IT andIndustries Minister KTR'sbirthday. TRS party leadersand supporters have spreadsmiles by helping the needyand shared the moments onsocial media. Some of themcame up with innovative ideasto help those who are in need.TRS leader Talasani Sai Kiran
Yadav under the TalasaniFoundation has sponsoredHealth Insurance to the tuneof Rs 20 crore coverage to1,000 outsourcing personnel
of DRF, as a part of #GiftASmilecampaign. Through#GiftASmile campaign, MLCNaveen Rao helped a founda-tion that serves people with
special needs. And also made adonation of Rs 10,01,116/- toSivananda rehabilitation homefor the procurement of ventila-tors for their hospital.
HYDERABAD | SATURDAY | JULY 25, 2020 hyderabad 03
RIME ORNERC
Man held for illegalCovid-19 testing
HYDERABAD: A 24-year-old manwas arrested on Friday by theSOT of Madhapur zone forillegally collecting people’ssamples and testing them forCovid-19. The arrested wasidentified as Shivaratri Vishnu, aresident of Bachupally workingas a lab-technician in Sri SriHolistic hospital. According tothe police, Vishnu was caughtred handed while he wasrandomly collecting samples onthe road. Preliminaryinvestigation revealed thatVishnu posted on his socialmedia accounts offering tocollect samples at door steps forCovid-19 test. Vishu along withthe seized material was handedover to the Gachibowli police forfurther action.
40 quintals of PDS rice seized
HYDERABAD: Officials of theCentral Zone Team of theCommissioner's Task Forcealong with the TukaramgatePolice apprehended five personsand seized 40 quintals of PDSrice from their possession onFriday. The arrested wereidentified as Syed Aziz (25), SyedFeroz (26), Md Moiz (28), GiriRaju Narsimulu (46) and SyedQasim Ali (42). Officials seized40 quintals of PDS rice and aDCM vehicle from theirpossession. The five accusedpersons along with DCM andseized rice was handed over toTukaramgate Police.
Chain snatchers strike at Keesara
HYDERABAD: An unidentifiedbike borne miscreant snatchedthe chain of an elderly woman inKeesara late on Wednesday.According to the police, theunidentified, was following heron a scooter, snatched the chainweighing four tulas and sped off.The 65-year-old woman wasreturning home from a nearbygrocery store when the incidenthappened. The Keesara Policebooked a case and areinvestigating with the help of theRachakonda Special OperationsTeam(SOT). Footage fromsurveillance cameras in thesurroundings is being examinedto identify the offenders.
NAVEEN KUMAR n HYDERABAD
With everything going digitaland people placing ordersonline, cybercrime has surgedby 39 per cent in Hyderabadand Cyberabad, cumulatively,during the first half of 2020.Scamsters are making the mostof the time by cashing in on thevulnerable customers duringlockdown. While Hyderabaddistrict witnessed an overallincrease of 38 per cent incomplaints, Cyberabad saw a1.8 per cent spike.
The increase in numberswas seen with the usual OLXfrauds, OTP frauds, Paytm,KYC frauds. Cyber criminalshave tried to capitalise on thepandemic and defraud gulliblepeople by trying to sell face-masks and sanitizers onlinewith tantalizing offers, officialsat cybercrime divisions said.
Officials said that theyreceived complaints that fraud-sters were offering home deliv-ery of alcohol since liquor shopswere shut during the lockdown.Complaints regarding liquordelivery were also registered inthe Hyderabad division.
Another common cyber-crime trend observed at the
national-level was the creationof fake websites. The websitesasked people for donations inthe name of the PMCaresFund. However, such a trendwas not witnessed inHyderabad. "We ran awarenesscampaigns so that people donot fall victim to such calls,"said the Hyderabad Cybercrime team.
Officers dealing with thesecases claim that lockdown haveslowed down the detectionrate as well. "Each team who issent to Northern states stay forat least for two to three weeksand take up at least five casesto investigate there. But due tothe pandemic, travel is the
biggest issue. We have strongclues for nearly 60 per cent ofthe cases, but due to trans-portation, those cases are onhold," said an official fromHyderabad cyber crime.
Last year, nearly 1,200 caseswere reported, while nearly 40per cent of the cases weredetected. "When it comes tooffenders from the Telugustates, we can travel on vehiclesby road to nab the offenders. Incyberbullying and cyberstalk-ing cases, the detection is closeto 80 per cent," added the offi-cer.
When it comes to market-place fraud, KYC fraud andother financial fraud, most
accused are traced toRajasthan, Jharkhand, WestBengal etc., said a police sourcefrom cybercrime cell, furtherstating over Rs 30 lakh hasbeen lost in these cases, withthe amount lost ranging fromRs 10,000 to Rs 5 lakh.
"When a person sees aniPhone selling for Rs 18,000,they fall into the trap andsend the money, thinking it isa good offer. The accused evenlure victims stating they havewon an SUV after shoppingonline or lottery on TV shows.During the lockdown, most ofthe frauds identified were KYCupdates of PayTM," added theofficer.
Cyber criminals makethe most of pandemic
Cyber criminalshave tried tocapitalise on thepandemic anddefraud gulliblepeople by tryingto sell masks and sanitizersonline withtantalizing offers
Series of events mark KTR’s birthday
PNS n HYDERABAD
Health Minister Eatala Rajender on Fridayunveiled State VirusKiller device. OorjaCleantech LLP, developed VirusKiller thatneutralises certain viruses and bacteriaincluding Coronavirus SARS CoV1, in asingle air pass. Single-air pass kill rates areinstrumental in minimising the risk ofcross-contamination. This is especiallyuseful in seminar halls, such as the class-room and in hospitals, shopping malls andmovie theaters. The product has been test-ed on the Coronavirus (SARS CoV1) in theInstitute of Medical Sciences, School ofMedicine National Kangwon University,South Korea. The test confirms that the airis completely sterilised, and no virus sur-vived when it was passed through themachine. VirusKiller uses a two-stageprocess of filtration followed by sterilisation.The first process filters air through a set ofmechanical filters that includes the pre-fil-ter, HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air)filter and activated carbon filter to eliminatelarger particles like dust, pollen, smoke, andsome volatile organic compounds.
Eatala unveilsVirusKiller device
Yashoda docsuccumbsto Covid-19PNS n HYDERABAD
A senior doctor at YashodaHospital Dr Hari Kumar suc-cumbed to Covid-19 onThursday. The Medicalsuperintendent was admittedto Yashoda Hospital about afortnight ago after complain-ing of lung infection. This isthe third incident of a privatehospital doctor succumbingto virus in the city. Earlier inJune, a doctor inNarayanaguda was the first inthe state to succumb toCovid-19.
KTR to donate6 ambulancesPNS n HYDERABAD
IT Minister K T Rama Raohas offered to donate sixambulances to governmenthospitals on his birthday. Heinformed Health MinisterEatala Rajender that this is hispersonal donation will begiven to the governmentthrough the TRS party.
Eatala who appreciated thegesture, also volunteered toprocure 5 ambulances onbehalf of the party fromKarimanagar. Soon otherMinisters also volunteeredto donate ambulances includ-ing Jagadeesh Reddy whosaid he would contribute for6 ambulances, while SrinivasGoud said 11 ambulanceswould be contributed fromMahabunagar. This initiativehas multiplied and 32districtparty leaders decided to con-tribute for 100 ambulances.
Suharika’s husbandalleges murderPNS n HYDERABAD
Almost two months after the suspi-cious death of Nallapareddy Suharika,the daughter in- law of AndhraPradesh BJP President Kanna LakshmiNar ay an a , h e r hus b and, Kan n aPhaneendra has alleged that she haddied due to an overdose of MDMAdrug. Raidurgam Police booked acase on May 28 when NallapareddySuharika was found dead under mys-terious conditions in Madhapur area.
On Friday, Kanna Phaneendraraised the flag by writing to the PoliceCommissioner of Cyberabad, VCSajjanar, against Suharika’s familymembers to be the cause of her death.In a complaint copy submitted to theCyberabad Police Chief, the 38 year-old man has alleged murder.
Responding to the complaint ,Cyberabad Commissioner VC Sajjanarsaid that the husband’s statement willbe recorded and further action will betaken based on the scientific opinion.Meanwhile, the Cyberabad Policeprobing the case said that they are stillawaiting the FSL report and will alsobe checking on the allegation made byKanna Phaneendra.
PNS n HYDERABAD
The School EducationDepartment has decid-ed to promote all thecandidates of SSC andIntermediate, who reg-istered and are eligiblefor the Telangana OpenSchool Society (TOSS)examination. The deci-sion was taken in viewof the current pandem-ic situation. The exam-inations, that were sup-posed to be conductedin April/May 2020, wereearlier put on hold due
to the pandemic. Thegovernment has nowdecided to pass all thecandidates, who regis-tered for the exams, byawarding minimum 35per cent qualifyingmarks in all the subjects.For students who arenot happy with theirmarks (minimum of35%), will be allowed toappear in immediatesubsequent PublicExamination of TOSS,whenever conducted,subject to the conditionsof improvement rules.
All TOSS studentsdeclared passed
PNS n HYDERABAD
The South Zone Team of theCommissioner's Task Forcealong with the KalapatherPolice on Friday nabbed 10persons including a minorboy involved in the murder ofa rowdy sheeter at BasarathNagar on Monday. The arrest-ed were identified as MohdArbaaz (21), Mohd Saif Ali(24), Mohd Qutubuddin (25),Syed Rasheed (26), MohdJaweed (24), Shahabaz Khan(23), Syed Abdul Farhan (30),Mohd Ameer (23), MuneerHussain (21) and a juvenile.
On Sunday midnight, whenthe 22-year-old ShahnoorGhazi, a rowdy sheeter ofKalapathar Police station, wasnear his house, the accused per-sons came on motor bikes,
attacked him with deadlyweapons, sprinkled chilli pow-der on his eyes and fled thescene. Due to injuries hereceived in the attack, Ghazidied while undergoing treat-ment. Based on a complaintfrom Ghazi's brother, theKalapathar registered a murdercase and began an investigation.
According to the police, theprime accused, Mohd Arbaz,
and Shanoor Ghazi had previ-ous enmity with each other,due to which, Arbaz hatched aplan with the other accused toeliminate him. As per theirplan, on Sunday midnight, the10 accused came on motorcy-cles near Ghazi's house lane.Seeing that he was outside,they waylaid him and attackedhim with their weapons, beforefleeing from the spot.
Minor among 10 held inKalapathar murder case
PNS n HYDERABAD
Under the impact of the Covid-19, the entrance tests are get-ting delayed. Therefore, the pri-vate and deemed universitieshave caught the attention of thestudents from the city becauseof the modern amenities,including laboratories, availablethere.
Experts say that the stu-dents are keen to seek admis-sion in engineering, medicine,pharmaceutical sciences, man-agement courses and so on.Because of the campus place-ments and other amenities,the students are keen to pursueeducation in private anddeemed universities. Theseuniversities also cancelledentrance examinations.Therefore, the students areflooding them with their appli-cations to seek admissions.
Thousands of students fromcity have applied to such uni-versities located in Chennaiand Bengaluru and other cities.Vellore Institute of Technologyvice-president GV Selvam saidthat the VIT is daily receivingat least 10,000 applications
from AP, Telangana andGHMC limits. He said themajority of the applications arefrom Hyderabad.
The VIT receives at least twolakh applications from coun-try-wide seeking admissioninto various courses. Theadmission criteria would bebased on the marks obtainedin Intermediate course ormarks obtained in the JEE orScholastic Assessment Test.The list of successful candi-dates in securing admissionwould be released in Augustthis year. Lovely ProfessionalUniversity officials say that thisyear the university received 25per cent more applications
than the last year. The appliedinclude many fromHyderabad. Parents of stu-dents are worried over thedelay in conduct of entrancetests, declaration of result,admission process because ofthe Covid-19 pandemic.
Moreover, they feel that itwould be better for them toenrol their wards in deemedand private universities insteadof waiting till September andOctober. Children confined tohomes have been undergoing alot of stress while preparing forthe common entrance exami-nations. Therefore, the parentsprefer private universities overthe other universities.
Students look towardspvt, deemed universities
Gang selling Covid drugs bustedPNS n HYDERABAD
Officials of theCommissioner's SpecialOperation Team, MadhapurZone apprehended a fivemember gang who wereinvolved in the black markettrade of the generic versions ofRemdesivir and Actemrawhich are being used forAntiviral medicine for Covid-19 patients.
The arrested were identifiedas Chamanthi Sagar Sandeep(32), Kandukuri Danunjai (34),Sara Sairam Mudiraj (32),Nakka Venkateshwar Rao (30)and Gadey Pramod (33). TheCovid-19 outbreak began in
January-2020. Based on vastpublicity of Antiviral Drugsnamely Remdesivir andActemra around the country,the demand for usage of thesemedicines increased within ashort period. The drug,Remdesivir has been manufac-turing by Hetero Companylocated unit at Sangareddy
district. In this crisis, theaccused formed a group andstarted black marketing theemergency drug for Covid-19patients and to earn moneyillegally.
Based on credible informa-tion, the SOT Madhapur ZoneTeam apprehended theaccused persons and seized theantiviral drugs from them.The Police seized 15Remdesivir 100MG/20 MLinjections, one Actemra 400mg and Rs 49,120 cash, allworth Rs 6,00,000 from theirpossession. The accused andseized material handed over toS.H.O. Chandanagar PS fortaking further action.
As per the initiative taken up by MA&UD Minister KTRama Rao, Greater Hyderabad MunicipalCorporation (GHMC) has started installing SheToilets at Niloufer Hospital, Redhills andMedhipatnam. They will be operational soon.
NEW INITIATIVE
Followers of KTR wish the Minister onhis birthday; Minsters Eatala,Errabelli, Jagadish Reddy, TalasaniSrinivas Goud and Satyavathi Rathodwishing the Minister at PragathiBhavan in Hyderabad on Friday
HYDERABAD | SATURDAY | JULY 25, 2020 hyderabad 04
PNS n HYDERABAD
The High Court on Fridaymade it clear to the stategovernment that it cannotregulate the affairs of indi-viduals as long as theyconduct the affairs in arightful manner whileexercising their fundamen-tal rights.
A single judge bench ofthe High Court headed byJustice Challa Kodandaramissued interim orders in acase filed by VIL mediaprivate limited which runsV6 telugu news channeland directed the Telanganagovernment and the statepolice to not interfere withthe media channels and
their representatives or anyother persons who havebeen allowed by the neigh-bours of the state secretari-at to shoot the ongoingdemolition works fromtheir buildings.
Arguing the case on
behalf of the state govern-ment, the advocateGeneral BS Prasad toldthe HC that the state gov-ernment was ready torelease a daily bulletin onthe issue of the demolitionof the secretariat while
retiring that it was not pos-sible for it to allow themedia to cover the demo-lition drive. Interveningat this juncture, the coun-sel for the petitioner doubt-ed that the details to beprovided by the state gov-ernment in its proposedbulletin may not be com-prehensive. This hasprompted the HC to askthe state government if itwould organise a mediatour to the demolition site.Responding to this, theAdvocate General told theHC that such a movewould lead to accidents atthe demolition spot besidesleading to the violation ofCovid-19 guidelines.
Setback for govt in High Court
Cong lauds PV as ‘pride of the party'PNS n HYDERABAD
The year-old long birth cente-nary celebrations of formerPrime Minister PV NarasimhaRao began here on Friday witheminent personalities includ-ing former President of IndiaPranab Mukherjee and ex-Prime Minister Dr.Manmohan Singh participat-ing in the virtual meetingorganised by TelanganaPradesh Congress Committee(TPCC).
The main event was held atIndira Bhavan in GandhiBhavan premises and it wasconnected online with ZoomApp which had nearly 1,000guests including former Union
Ministers P. Chidambaram andJairam Ramesh. The event wasbroadcast live on social mediaplatforms and displayed atgiant screens at all DCC officesand other places.
PVNR CentenaryCelebrations Committee chair-
man Dr J Geetha Reddy, ChiefPatron and Narasimha Rao'sbrother PV Manohar Rao,honorary chairman VHanumantha Rao, vice-chair-man D Sridhar Babu, CLPLeader Mallu BhattiVikramarka, Committee
Convener B Mahesh KumarGoud and others also spoke onthe occasion.
Speaking on the occasion,TPCC pres ident andNalgonda MP N UttamKumar Reddy said thatNarasimha Rao's politicaljourney was truly inspiringas he began an ordinaryCongress worker and laterbecame the Prime Ministerof India. Recalling his per-sonal association, he said heused to have regular interac-tions with Narasimha Raoduring his tenure in theRashtrapati Bhavan as theOSD to Presidents of IndiaR. Venkatraman and Dr.Shankar Dayal Sharma. He
said Narasimha Rao wouldbe remembered for the landceiling act and other reformswhich he introduced as thenthe Chief Minister of com-bined Andhra Pradesh. Hesaid those land reformshelped lakhs of landlesspoor.
Uttam said that NarasimhaRao was a Congressmanfrom his birth till death. Hesaid previous C ongressGovernment had namedAsia's longest elevated corri-dor after Narasimha Rao.He said the Congress MLAshave also moved a resolutionin the Assembly seekingBharat Ratna Award forNarasimha Rao.
Congress leaders during birth centenary celebrations of former Prime Minister PVNarasimha Rao in Hyderabad on FRiday
Master mother tongue: VenkaiahPNS n HYDERABAD
Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu onFriday highlighted the virtues oflearning and mastering one's moth-er tongue even as he urged the peo-ple to learn other languages to theextent possible for a wider under-standing of cultural diversities andvalue systems. He further said thatlearning other languages also fosterswider bonding of humankind besidesenhancing opportunities of variouskinds.
Addressing online the participantsin the 'World Telugu Cultural Fest'being organised in San Francisco, theUSA, Venkaiah stressed that languageis more than a mere instrument ofexpression. He elaborated that lan-guage is manifestation of culture anda system of values over a long periodof time and it epitomizes the person-
ality types typical to respective cul-tures. Every language is an outcomeof an evolutionary process drawingfrom other languages during thelong period of interaction with oth-ers, he observed.
He noted that every civilizationconveys itself in the languages of itspeople as products of historic, social,economic and physical contexts.Venkaiah said that language in essence
answers the basic question of "WhoAre You?" thereby meaning that anindividual is an expression of cultureand a system of values. He stressedthat "language is the principle sourceof identity of an individual and hence,very important." Noting that a com-mon language fosters unity and com-munity development, Venkaiah urgedthe people to learn as many languagesas possible for a broader under-standing of the diverse cultures.
Naidu urged the people to alwaysbe mindful and respectful of four 'M'si.e. Mother, Motherland, MotherTongue and Mentor (Teacher/Guru).The Vice President said; "Religion isa pathway to individual salvation.Culture is a practical guide to the wayof living towards that goal. Language,as an intrinsic element of culture,accordingly assumes importance inshaping one's life.”
TS ramped uptesting, says CS PNS n HYDERABAD
Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba onFriday held a video conference withnine states and took stock of the pre-vailing Corona situation in their states.He reiterated the need for increasedtesting, systematic enforcement ofcontainment measures, clinical man-agement and increased communica-tion through awareness campaigns.
Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar saidthat the state government has achievedsignificant improvement in testing,tracing, isolation and quarantine mea-sures as well as increasing humanresources and ramping up infrastruc-ture. Secretary Health, Medical andFamily Welfare SAM Rizvi also partic-ipated in the video conference.
MEDIA COVERAGE
Cyber criminals dupepeople with ‘e-SIM Swap'PNS n HYDERABAD
Cyber Criminals are adopting innova-tive ways to cheat the people by procur-ing e-SIM card connection and cheat-ing the innocent customers. TheCyberabad Cyber Crime Police receivedthree complaints of victims who lost Rs16 lakh through e-SIM SWAP.
A resident of Miyapurreceived a message from QP-TXTSMS that said, "DearCustomer Your SIM CardWill Be Blocked in 24hours Please Update YoureKYC verification Thanks".After which he received a callfrom the customer care ofAirtel, who informed him aboutsending a message and asked to updatethe KYC details online by forwardingthe email Id sent by him to the AirtelCustomer Care number.
Accordingly, he forwarded the emailId received from the caller/fraudster tothe customer care number, after whichhe received a receipt of an auto gener-
ated message from Airtel about registra-tion of e-mail Id for his mobile number.After which he forwarded the e-SIMrequest to Airtel by sending the mail Idreceived from the caller as instructed bycaller. On doing so, he again received anauto generated message from Airtel, togo ahead with e-SIM enabled handset.
Later he received a Google viewform link on his mobile from
the caller, on which he sub-mitted his bank name andforwarded the same to thecaller. After which his SIMcard got blocked and anamount of Rs 9,20,897 was
deducted from his bankaccounts. Similarly, a resident of
Gachibowli lost Rs 5,94,799 andanother victim lost Rs 1,03,990. In allthree cases, the Cyber Police registeredthe complaints and have begun inves-tigating.
Police requested citizens to not tobelieve the messages or calls receivedfrom the Cyber fraudsters in the nameof updation of KYC documents.
Puvvadalaunches FESTPNS n HYDERABAD
Transport Minister PuvvadaAjay Kumar on Friday launchedFriendly Electronic Services ofTransport Department (FEST).On the occasion on KTR'sbirthday, five transport ser-vices were made availableonline. The Transport Ministerunveiled the services of issue ofduplicate LLR, duplicate licence,history sheets for licence, issueof badges and issue of smartcard in lieu, of surrender ofexisting driving licence. Duringthe launch the minister said,“We have done a lot of brainstorming sessions to get reformsin the Transport department soas not to rely on middlemen.”FEST will use face recognitiontechnology.
Lemon farmerssour over low pricesPNS n VIZAG
Citrus farmers in theState were badly hit thisyear as they could notexport their produceto other States due tothe Covid-19 inducedlockdown. Despitegood yield, they couldnot explore markets inother States and wereforced to push lemonsin local markets, whichdid not fetch them goodreturns. Lemons areplucked during April-
May as farmers andtraders also wait up tothe summer season fora good market. But,this time, they waitedup to the end of Marchfor exporting the crop.But the suddenannouncement of lock-down and subsequentrestrictions due to thespread of Covid casesruined their plans.
Chief Minister YSJaganmohan ReddyonFriday expressed con-cern over the fall in
lemon prices across theState. The ChiefMinister ordered theauthorities concernedto immediately pur-chase all the lemonyield from farmers andalso to increase theminimum supportprice for it. Acting uponthe instructions of theChief Minister, Ministerfor AgricultureKannababu told medi-apersons that theywould start procuringlemons from Saturday.
HYDERABAD | SATURDAY | JULY 25, 2020 nation 05
SHORT READS
Akhilesh slams UPgovt over law andorder situationLUCKNOW: Lashing out at theYogi Adityanath governmentover the killing of a labtechnician in Kanpur, SamajwadiParty supremo Akhilesh Yadavon Friday demanded thatPresident's Rule be imposed inthe state. He also announced anassistance of Rs 5 lakh for thefamily of the technician. The labtechnician, who was kidnappedlast month, was killed within aweek of being held captive andthe body was thrown in a river,police said. "The news of deathof man kidnapped in Kanpur issaddening. Governmentremained inactive after warning.Now the government shouldgive at least Rs 50 lakh to theaggrieved family. SP will give Rs5 lakh to the family," the SPpresident said in a tweet inHindi. "Where are those with'divya shakti' (divine power) andhis 'bhayotpadak' (fear creating)'prabhamanda' (aura) and his'gyan mandali' (those giving himfeedback)" Yadav tweeted with ahashtag "#PresidentRuleInUP".The UP government on Fridaysuspended four police person-nel, including an Additional SPand a Circle Officer, for laxity inthe probe into the case.
Man held for sexuallyabusing minor boy inMumbai
Delhi: Man held forraping minor nieceNEW DELHI: A man wasarrested for allegedly raping hisminor niece in south Delhi'sKotla Mubarakpur area, policesaid on Friday. The victim isaround 15-years-old and worksas a domestic help, they said.The accused is the maternaluncle of the girl and lives inPillanji area of Kotla. The victimhad come to his house onThursday night as she wasunwell, a senior police officersaid. A case under section 376and POCSO act has beenregistered and further investiga-tion is underway, police said.
Mumbai, A 25-year-old manwas arrested for allegedlysexually abusing an eight-year-boy at Dharavi in CentralMumbai, police said on Friday.The incident took place onThursday afternoon atGanpatipada Chawl on M GRoad, an official said. Theaccused lured the victim to hishouse with the promise ofgiving him toys and sexuallyabused him, he said. Thearrested accused alsothreatened the child of direconsequences if he told anyoneabout the incident, the officialsaid. A case under relevantsections of the IPC andProtection of Children fromSexual Offences (POCSO) Acthas been registered against theaccused, he said.
Swiss attorney general offersto resign in FIFA case falloutn BERN (SWITZERLAND)
Swiss attorney general MichaelLauber offered to resign Fridayin the latest fallout from meet-ings he had with FIFA presi-dent Gianni Infantino duringa sprawling investigation intosoccer corruption.
Lauber offered his resigna-tion to the parliamentary judi-cial commission ahead of thepublication of a federal courtruling in his appeal againstbeing disciplined in Marchfor misconduct.
Lauber said he continued todispute the allegation that helied.
“However, the fact that I amnot believed as the attorneygeneral is detrimental to thefederal prosecution office,” hesaid in a statement.
The internal disciplinarycase against Lauber included ameeting he had with Infantinoin June 2017 at a hotel in Bern
at which the prosecutor tookno notes. Lauber and Infantinoboth later said they could notrecall what was discussed.
Lauber had previouslyacknowledged two undeclaredmeetings he had in 2016 withthe recently elected Infantinowhen they were reported in theFootball Leaks series of confi-dential documents inNovember 2018.
In 2018, Lauber called a
news conference and said thefirst two meetings withInfantino were justifiableexchanges with FIFA's newleader about long-runninginvestigations affecting thesoccer body.
However, the third 2017meeting remained secret forseveral more months. InMarch, a federal oversightpanel deducted 8% of Lauber'snear-$300,000 yearly salary.
Hopeful India will organisesporting events in Sept-Oct: RijijuPNS n NEW DELHI
Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju ishoping India would be abe toorganise sporting events in aphased manner by September-October, saying it will help inboosting the confidence of peo-ple amid the COVID-19 pan-demic. The Sports Ministry hadresumed training camps of someOlympics disciplines in the lastweek of May and Rijiju saidevents will also gradually start inthe near future.
"The government has allowedsome sporting activities withcertain restrictions while fol-lowing a stringent SOP, theguidelines that must be followedby every sporting organisation,"Rijiju said while addressing aministerial forum ofCommonwealth countries onThursday. "I am happy to informthat the training of our elite,Olympic-bound athletes hasbegun in specialised camps,
recently." During his address,Rijiju shared India's road toresumption of sports activities forthe post COVID-19 era.
"I have also spoken to thesports ministers of all states andunion territories, as well as theNational Sports Federations andasked them to slowly resumesome sporting events.
"We need that to boost theconfidence of people. I am hope-ful India will have sporting
events from September orOctober, even the big leagues invarious sports are consideringresumption." The minister alsoenlightened the Commonwealthleaders about India's efforts insuccessfully running onlinetraining programmes for athletesand skill upgradation courses forcoaches. "We have seen partici-pation from thousands of athletesof various levels and coaches whohave been hugely benefitted by
these knowledge enhancementprogrammes," he said.
Speaking at the global forum,which saw participation from allCommonwealth countries, Rijijuadded, "As members ofCommonwealth nations we needto stand in solidarity on allissues, especially at a time likethis. Most of the points raisedhere by Ministers from othercountries are similar to that ofIndia's."
PNS n CHANDIGARH
A 38-year-old man has beenarrested in Haryana's Jind districtafter he confessed to killing hisfive children in the last four years,including two of them recently,a senior police official said onFriday.
The man, identified only asJumma, is a labourer and belongsto a village in Safidon in Jind, hesaid, adding that his wife is preg-nant with the sixth child.
The bodies of two of hisdaughters, ages 11 and 7, wererecovered from the Hansi-Butana Link canal near hishome in Didwara village onJuly 20, five days after theaccused had lodged a policecomplaint stating the duo hadgone missing.
However, during the course ofinvestigation, Jumma keptchanging his statements whichraised suspicion, Jind Assistant
Superintendent of Police (ASP)Ajit Singh Shekhawat told PTIover the phone.
The police presumed that hewas under mental stress due tothe death of his children and didnot subject him to sustainedquestioning at the moment.
The village panchayat waslater involved in the investiga-tion, and the man confessedbefore them and later, the police,that he killed his five children.
Jumma admitted that hedrugged his two minor daugh-
ters and threw them in thecanal a few days ago, the ASPsaid.
"We arrested him onThursday evening, and he hasbeen charged with murder," saidShekhawat.
Earlier, Jumma's three chil-dren, all below 11, had also diedmysteriously.
At that time, he had told hisneighbours that one of his sonsdied in sleep, a daughter diedwhile playing and another sonstarted vomiting and died.
"He has now confessed that hekilled those three children aswell. While two of them werestrangulated by him, one wasadministered a poisonous tablet,"the police officer said.
Shekhawat said in the recentcase, while the accused admin-istered some intoxicants to twoof his daughters before throwingthem in the canal, he had alsogiven some drugs to his wife.
PNS n NEW DELHI
The CBI Friday conductedsearches at three locations inDelhi and Noida in connectionwith an alleged bank loanfraud of Rs 190 crore, officialssaid.
The agency conductedsearches after registering anFIR against Shri Sidhdata IspatPvt. Ltd., GovardhanIndustries Pvt. Ltd., ShriSidhdata Steel Tubes,Sudershan Tubes and otherson a complaint by Bank ofBaroda, they said.
"It was alleged in the com-plaint that the accused cheat-ed Bank of Baroda to the tuneof Rs. 190.76 crore (excludinginterest) by way of availing var-ious credit facilities, on thebasis of submitting fake doc-uments to the bank...," CBIspokesperson RK Gaur said.
It was also alleged that theydiverted the funds fraudu-lently for the purpose otherthan they were sanctioned for,he said.
"Searches have been con-ducted today at two places inNoida (UP) and one place inDelhi which led to recovery ofincriminating documents/material;" he said.
Haryana man arrested for killing hisfive children in last four years: Police
Gehlot accuses Raj guv underpressure to not call assembly sessionPNS n JAIPUR
Rajasthan Chief MinisterAshok Gehlot accusedGovernor Kalraj Mishra onFriday of being under pressureto not call an assembly session.
Gehlot said the state govern-ment requested the governorto call a session, but he had notyet issued the order.
"We want an assembly ses-sion from Monday," the chiefminister told reporters outsidethe hotel where the legislatorssupporting him are camping."The governor is not givingorders for calling assemblysession under pressure."
After the recent cabinet meet-ing, Gehlot said, the governorwas requested through a letter tohold assembly session to discusspolitical situation, review thecoronavirus pandemic and its
effects on the state's economicsituation. "We hoped that gov-ernor would issue an order tocall assembly session yesterdaynight itself. I waited overnightbut still there is no reply from hisside," he said.
"It is beyond our compre-hension because simple proce-dures are adopted. The gover-nor has to give orders. There
is no reason for him to stop."The chief minister said the
governor was holding a consti-tutional post and he shouldimmediately take a decision tomaintain the dignity of post.
"Otherwise, all our MLAswill come to Raj Bhawan andcollectively request you pleasegive your decision immediate-ly," he said.
Congress,supportingMLAs arrive atRaj Bhawan PNS n JAIPUR
Rajasthan Congress legisla-tors and MLAs supportingthe party have reached theRaj Bhawan here to collec-tively request GovernorKalraj Mishra to convene asession of the Assembly.
Accompanied by ChiefMinister Ashok Gehlot, theyarrived in four buses from ahotel on the city outskirtswhere they have been camp-ing for the past few days.
Before the visit, Gehlotcalled their meeting at thehotel and also addressedmediapersons, telling themthat the Congress wants anAssembly session fromMonday. Earlier in the day,Gehlot alleged the governorwas under pressure to not callan Assembly session.
PNS n NEW DELHI
The phase-I human clinical trialof India's first indigenously-developed vaccine against novelcoronavirus, Covaxin, began atthe AIIMS here on Friday withthe first dose of the injectiongiven to a man, who is in his 30s.
Already, over 3,500 volunteershave registered themselves for thetrial at AIIMS since last Saturday,of whom the screening of at least22 people is underway, said DrSanjay Rai, Professor at theCentre for Community Medicineat AIIMS and the principalinvestigator of the study.
"The first volunteer, a residentof Delhi, was screened two daysago and all his health parameterswere found to be within the nor-mal range. He also does not haveany co-morbid conditions.
"The first dose of 0.5 ml intra-muscular injection was given tohim around 1.30 pm. No imme-diate side-effects have beenobserved so far. He was underobservation for two hours and
will be monitored for the nextseven days," Rai said.
Few more participants wouldbe given the vaccine on Saturdayafter their screening reportscome.
AIIMS-Delhi is among the 12sites selected by the IndianCouncil for Medical Research(ICMR) for conducting phase Iand II randomised, double-blind,placebo-controlled clinical trialsof Covaxin.
In phase I, the vaccine would
be tested on 375 volunteers andthe maximum of 100 of themwould be from AIIMS. The second phase would includearound 750 volunteers from all12 sites together, Rai said.
Phase I of the vaccine trial willbe done on healthy people aged18-55 years having no co-mor-bid conditions. Women with nopregnancy will also be selected tobe a part of the trial in the firstphase.
In the second phase, 750 peo-
ple will be recruited between 12-65 years, AIIMS Director DrRandeep Guleria had said.
Already, around 1,800 volun-teers have registered themselvesfor the trial at AIIMS, he hadsaid. "In the first phase we see thesafety of the vaccine which is ofprimary importance and thedose range is also calculated," hesaid.
There are three formulationsof the vaccine, and each subjectwill be given any one of the for-mulation in two doses two weeksapart.The first 50 will get the low-est strength dose of the vaccine.If it is found to be safe in them,then it will be given to another50 patients in high doses, acord-ing to Rai.
COVID-19 vaccine candidateCovaxin, developed by theHyderabad-based Bharat Biotechin collaboration with the ICMRand the National Institute ofVirology (NIV), had recently gotthe nod for human clinical trialsfrom the Drugs ControllerGeneral of India (DCGI).
PHASE-I HUMAN CLINICAL TRIAL
30 workers stuck in UAEdue to pending finesPNS n DUBAI
Thirty Indian workers arestranded here in the UAE as theywere stopped from boarding arepatriation flight after theyfailed to pay the fine for stayingin the country with expired visas,according to a media report onFriday. Forty Rajasthani con-struction workers were to boarda charter flight repatriatingIndians to Jaipur on July 17, theGulf News reported. Of them,only 10 could clear the immigra-tion check as the rest had finedues, the report said.
“Some of us are on visit visaswhile some others' residencevisas have already expired. Wedidn't know we would have topay fines. Some have fines ofabout 10,000 dirham (Rs2,03,700) to 11,000 dirham (Rs2,24,000) while others havesmaller amounts of fines,” one of
the workers told the newspaper.The stranded labourers decid-
ed to stay put at the airport asthey had zero earnings in the lastfew months. "The company hadbooked our tickets. But, whenwe couldn't fly, they asked us togo back to the accommodation.There was no point in goingback to the empty rooms wherewe spent months withoutsalaries. We had already givenaway all our foodstuff to otherworkers in the neighbouringaccommodations," anotherworker told the newspaper.
Muted response to plasma donation,doctors reason baseless fears PNS n NEW DELHI
The response to a call for donat-ing convalescent plasma forCOVID-19 patients in Delhihas been "lukewarm", doctorssaid on Friday and attributed itto unfounded apprehensionsabout associated health risksand the tendency to put offdonation for any future need offamily members.
Just about 320 people havedonated plasma in Delhi sincethe initiative began on July 2,whereas more than 1,00,000COVID-19 patients haverecovered till July 23, accord-ing to officials.
Chief Minister ArvindKejriwal on Thursday said thegovernment would provide plas-ma for free and people do notneed to buy or sell it. The CMand other senior members of thegovernment have repeatedlyappealed to people, who haverecovered from COVID-19, todonate plasma to other patients.
But the response to the callshas been muted at the first-of-its-kind 'plasma bank', inauguratedby Kejriwal at ILBS here on July2, and another one opened a
week ago at LNJP Hospital, adedicated coronavirus facility.
"At ILBS, while on the open-ing day, 10 donors had come,mostly the hospital staff who hadearlier been infected withCOVID-19, now the daily aver-age is about 15, which makes itaround 300 donations in total tilldate, a rather lukewarmresponse," a senior official of thefacility told PTI.
This is despite the fact that to-and-fro transportation facilitiesand food are provided to thedonors at the Institute of Liverand Biliary Science (ILBS).
"The main reason behind this
low response...is that people arestill feeling apprehensive eventhough there is no risk involved,"the official, also a doctor, said.
At LNJP Hospital's plasmabank, 30 donors have volun-teered till July 23, but 11 wererejected, as they could not fulfilthe eligibility guidelines.
"So, effectively, we are left with19 donations which is not a veryencouraging number, and someof which have been used already.But it is heartening that youngpeople, mostly in the age groupof 20-40, are donating theirplasma," Medical Director, LNJPHospital, Dr Suresh Kumar, said.
CBI raids 3 Delhi-NCR locationsin Rs 190 crore bank fraud case
COVID-19: ‘Jantacurfew' inNagpur city onSaturday, SundayPNS n NAGPUR
A 'janta curfew' will beimposed in Nagpur city ofMaharashtra on Saturday andSunday to curb the risingnumber of coronavirus cases,the civic chief said on Friday.
Nagpur municipal com-missioner Tukaram Mundheannounced the impositionof 'janta curfew' on Saturdayand Sunday (July 25 & 26) inthe city. A decision to thiseffect was taken at a meetingof elected representatives andthe civic administration here.More details were awaited.
Border row with Chinafigures in Rajnath's talkswith Israeli ministerPNS n NEW DELHI
Defence Minister RajnathSingh on Friday held a tele-phonic conversation with hisIsraeli counterpart Lt GenBenjamin Gantz during whichIndia's border row with Chinain eastern Ladakh figuredprominently, governmentsources said.
The main focus of the talkswas speedy implementation ofongoing defence procurementprogrammes as well as furtherexpansion of overall defenceand security ties between thetwo countries, they said.
The sources said Singhapprised Gantz about majorreforms initiated by India inthe defence manufacturingsector and called for greater
part ic ipat ion of Israel idefence firms in joint-devel-opment of weapons and mil-itary hardware with Indiancompanies.
The border row betweenIndia and China figured in theconversation, they said with-out elaborating.
“However, thefact that I am notbelieved as theattorney generalis detrimental tothe federalprosecutionoffice,” he said ina statement
The governmenthas allowed somesporting activitieswith certain restri-ctions while follow-ing a stringent SOP,the guidelines thatmust be followedby every sportingorganisation: Rijiju
Man given first dose of potentialCovid-19 vaccine at AIIMS
It was also allegedthat they divertedthe funds fraudu-lently for thepurpose other thanthey were sanction-ed for, he said
The COVID-19 pandem-ic has sidelined the issueof climate change. Thiscan have very seriousconsequences given that
the matter had been receiving farfrom adequate attention even beforethe virus began its global surge. Twothings have been impeding progress.First, leaders like US PresidentDonald Trump and President JairBolsonaro of Brazil are known to bedismissive of the environmentalthreat. The second is a lack of willon the part of governments andpeople to take effective preventiveaction.
A recent report in The NewYork Times, (last updated on July 15)by Nadja Popovich, Livia Albeck-Ripka and Kendra Pierre-Louis,cites a New York Times analysis,based on research by Harvard andColumbia law schools and othersources, saying that the Trumpadministration has officiallyreversed, revoked or otherwiserolled back nearly 70 environmen-tal rules and regulations. Morethan 30 other rollbacks are works inprogress.
A report by Sarah Gibbens inthe National Geographic, publishedon February 1, 2019, mentions 15important decisions by the Trumpadministration that would adverse-ly impact the environment. The list,which starts with the US withdraw-al from the Paris ClimateAgreement, includes decisions thatwould undo measures to ensureclean power and fuel, prevent airpollution and protect wildlife.Besides, the Trump administrationhas opened up public land to busi-ness and dropped climate changefrom the list of national securitythreats. Bolsonaro’s policies regard-ing de-regulation of economic activ-ity and tax cuts to encourage FDIare liable to severely damage theenvironment and devastate thelives of Brazil’s indigenous commu-nities.
As to the lack of will to take pre-ventive action against climatechange, one must begin by recog-nising that the task here is vast anddaunting, requiring basic and trans-formational changes in the patternof development followed by mostcountries since the industrial revo-lution in the second half of the 18thcentury. Whether in the form ofsteam produced by burning coal orelectricity generated by coal-basedthermal power plants, diesel orpetrol combustion, it has been dri-ven by fossil-based fuel, the burn-
ing of which has been a potentcause of air pollution. The insti-tutional structures, managementand/or administrative proce-dures, communication systemsand, in more recent times, infor-mation transfer and processing,have all been based on this formof energy utilisation.
Clearly, the pattern of fueluse has to change. Of course, theuse of fossil-based fuel cannot begiven up immediately. It has to begradually reduced and alternativeforms of energy have to be har-nessed. Hydro electricity is a safebet but its generation is limitedby the availability of dam sitesand water. The world has takenbaby steps towards the utilisationof solar and wind (throughwindmills) power. Even thoughthe potential of both are yet to befully grasped, it is doubtfulwhether they can by themselvesmeet the steady, gargantuanincrease in global energydemands that will continue.
This leaves one with nuclearenergy. It produces zero-carbonemission as it is generatedthrough nuclear fission andrequires less land to producemore electricity than any otherclean air source. The second isimportant at a time when find-ing land for establishing powerplants often prompts massprotests against land acquisi-tion, particularly in India. Againstthis, there is still a problem of
waste disposal, though technol-ogy is taking care of it throughits re-processing and re-cyclingto generate nuclear power.
The major fear, of course, isof the spread of radiation throughaccidents like the ones thatoccurred at the Three-MileIsland in the US in 1979,Chernobyl in Ukraine in 1986and Fukushima Daiichi in Japanin 2011. Clearly, one has to pro-ceed very carefully and slowly ingenerating and harnessingnuclear power. Indeed, what oneneeds is a mix in generation pat-terns to cater to diverse con-sumption demands with localvariations. Solar panels, for exam-ple, have already begun provid-ing household power.
The mix will have to be dif-ferent for different countries andeven regions, depending on thenature of power demand. Thiswill require planning at the inter-national, national and regionallevels and also huge amounts ofinvestment for which the devel-oping countries would requireassistance. The World Bank hasincreased climate-related spend-ing and the United NationsEnvironment Programme(UNEP) has set climate changeas a priority in its capacity-building efforts. These efforts areconstrained, however, by fund-ing, that is not commensuratewith the scale of the challenge aswell as by deeper challenges in
the development aid model.Under former President BarrackObama, the US had pledgedthree billion dollars to the GreenClimate Fund — a global reservefund created to, among otherthings, help developing countriesinvest in renewable and low-emission technologies. A sum ofone billion dollars had alreadybeen given during his tenure inoffice. Trump has pledged nomoney to the fund.
The question of funds is par-ticularly important in respect ofthe introduction of technologiesto reduce emissions. An exam-ple is the Carbon Capture andStorage technology, whichfocusses on securing and storingcarbon dioxide emissions beforethey are released into the atmos-phere. Although it is still in itsearly stages, successful pilot pro-jects offer hope of developing andimplementing it on a large scale.Some countries are committed toimplementing variations of itand both bilateral and multilat-eral cooperation is under way.One, however, has still to waitand watch as implementing it ona large scale can be expensivebeside offering few obvious eco-nomic benefits.
Meeting the costs of imple-menting such technologies,indeed of all measures against cli-mate change, will require polit-ical will. This takes us back to thesecond factor — identified at the
beginning of this piece as imped-ing the fight against climatechange — the lack of will on thepart of governments and peopleto take effective preventive action.Governments are constrainedby groups whose incomes andprofits are going to be reduced bythe implementation of climatechange measures as well as thecompulsion of having to decideamong diverse demands on theirresources. People are generallyhostage to their existing ways oflife. This applies especially to theelite, who decide on policiesand measures in every societyand who enjoy all the comforts— like air conditioning, which ishighly polluting, and conve-niences that present technology-powered civilisation has broughtthem.
The answer lies in develop-ing and introducing non-pollut-ing technologies relating to heat-ing/cooling, transportation, cul-tivation, construction and allother human activities. Themoney and effort needed have tobe forthcoming, the COVID-19pandemic and the disruptioncaused by it notwithstanding. Itis important to recall here that theParis Agreement on climatechange, signed on December 12,2015, calls for holding theincrease in global average tem-perature to well below two degreeCelsius above the pre-industrial-revolution level and to try to limitthe temperature increase to 1.5degree Celsius above it, statingthat this would significantlyreduce the risks and impact of cli-mate change. The Special Reporton Global Warming of 1.5°C,released by theIntergovernmental Panel onClimate Change (IPCC) atIncheon, South Korea, onOctober 7, 2018, makes the chill-ing statement that at the currentrate, the global mean temperatureis likely to rise to the 1.5-degreemark sometime between 2030and 2052.
The world has alreadywarmed one degree Celsius sincethe industrial revolution. Hence,it is really a question of anotherhalf degree. Further, the reportclearly indicates that warming,even if limited to 1.5 degreesCelsius, would not reduce therisks and impact of climatechange. Sea levels will continueto rise beyond 2100, threateningcoastal ecosystems and infra-structure. Flooding, drought andextreme weather events willwreak havoc on communitiesaround the globe. Many specieswill continue to be driven towardextinction and marine ecosys-tems could face “irreversibleloss.” The is long and written onthe wall. Humankind will ignoreit at its own peril.
(The writer is ConsultantEditor, The Pioneer, and author)
In a clear signal to Beijing that aggression on the bor-ders will have cascading economic costs, India restrict-ed bidders from countries with which it shares land
borders from participating in tenders for Governmentprocurement on grounds of national security. It, how-ever, exempted those nations to which it provides linesof credit or developmental assistance. So this moveeffectively confines the trade barriers to China andPakistan. However, in view of the pandemic, it hasallowed relaxations in medical supplies from China tillDecember 31. But this seems to be a half-measure asthe private sector has been exempted from such restric-
tions. This could be due to India Inc’s reluctance to sever all ties with China, given howdeep the supply chain of raw materials, intermediates and components runs, and the absenceof an alternative sourcing hub. Now bidders for Government contracts have to addition-ally register with a committee and must have clearances from the Ministries of Externaland Home Affairs. In effect, this move will block the supply of stationery, turbines andtelecom equipment as well as stall road and power contracts to public utility firms thathave a link with China.
The move follows the Chinese reluctance to pull back after partly complying with amutual agreement to disengage along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh. Chinais simply not willing to give up its strategic gains on spurs as peacetime compliance wouldmean India would have the advantage. Since diplomacy doesn’t seem to be working, theGovernment has slowly and wherever feasible tried to reduce economic dependencies.In April, FDI policy mandated Government clearance for all inflows from neighbours, againread China, to prevent ambush and takeover of weaker companies. India has already can-celled telecom equipment, railway and road tenders secured by Chinese companies andbarred 59 Chinese apps. Now it is looking at ending its dependence on China for solarpanels and power equipment. While these moves will help India become self-reliant, spurringmanufacturing within the nation, the barriers will hurt MSMEs and small businesses asthey will lose access to cheaper accessories and inputs. Besides, they do not have theinfrastructure to roll put competitively priced and quality finished goods. China accountsfor five per cent of India’s exports and 14 per cent of imports. What we import from Chinais a paltry three per cent of its total exports. China’s imports from India are less than oneper cent of its global sourcing. What we need is a reasoned, graded, incentivised andscaling up of capacities. Correcting imbalances takes time but there has to be a begin-ning. Looks like India is willing to bear costs in the short term for longer atmanirbharata.
After the Supreme Court’s observation that no partycould suppress the “voice of dissent” in a democ-racy by disqualifying members holding a differ-
ent viewpoint under the anti-defection law, thereby hold-ing on to power, it was clear the way things would goin Rajasthan. So it came as no surprise that the RajasthanHigh Court stopped the Speaker from taking actionagainst now-sacked deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilotand other rebel Congress leaders. The breather holdstill Monday when the Supreme Court is to take up theHigh Court judgment as desired by the RajasthanSpeaker. And since the top court will need some time
to deliberate and define the larger constitutional question of the Speaker’s powers andwhether his moves were neutral or biased, there could be some more delay for the stale-mate to be resolved. In fact, the High Court reprieve gave further credence to Pilot’s con-tention that he was not against the party but the Chief Minister, making it look like an ego-istic contest of the liked and the unliked. The Ashok Gehlot Government, which is in anugly battle to see Pilot and his group turfed out, had hoped that it could use the anti-defec-tion law to disarm the rebels, arguing that their skipping the legislature party meeting amount-ed to defiance and that the Speaker could take action even if the House was not in ses-sion. Pilot claimed that considering that he and his men had not initiated any move toself-destruct or leave the party on their own except express a divergence of opinion withthe Chief Minister concerned, this infringed upon the right to “freedom of speech.” In fact,Gehlot’s provocative legal action has misfired and Pilot’s reactive strategy has worked forthe time being. Vilely derided and almost forced to break away, it is now easier for Pilotto take the help of the BJP, which has been courting him for quite some time. Not onlyfor reclaiming Rajasthan but to deal a body blow to the Congress as Pilot, like JyotiradityaScindia, has been close to its undeclared leader Rahul Gandhi. An inkling of this camewhen Pilot, who had challenged the disqualification notices in the High Court, added theCentre as a party to the case so that it can weigh in on whether the anti-defection lawapplies to his group or not. According to earlier Supreme Court judgments on clause 2(1)(a)of the 10th Schedule of the Constitution, any anti-party activity could be interpreted asvoluntarily giving up membership. Gehlot has, therefore, been building damning evidenceof Pilot’s breakaway moves, like parading MLAs claiming bribery offers and publicisingalleged tapes of senior BJP leaders coaxing rebels at Pilot’s behest. But Pilot sought toblunt that edge, threatening a legal suit and demanding authenticity of such claims. Theclouding up of legalese has meant that both Gehlot and Pilot will have a tough time hold-ing on to their men. Gehlot needs to prove that he has more than 101 MLAs in his sup-port in the 200-member Assembly. If Pilot and his group are disqualified after the top courtconsiders the merits of his plea, the halfway mark would come down and Gehlot couldsail through. But with the Pilot group voting against his Government, he would have ittough. Pilot could actually get some advantage now as Gehlot has been dangling theDamocles’ sword of disqualification over his rival’s loyalists, saying they would lose bycrossing over and gain privileges by staying with him. The breather means that some floaterscould pitch in with Pilot. As of now, the Pilot camp has 19 MLAs and the BJP 72. Includingsmaller parties and Independent members, the Opposition has 97 at the moment.
This is one of the reasons why Gehlot sought an appointment with Governor KalrajMishra for a floor test as his supporters marched to the Raj Bhavan soon after the “sta-tus quo” ruling. Although he has herded his MLAs at Fairmont hotel, more delays willmake that job difficult. If a floor test is held now and he wins, there cannot be fresh elec-tions for the next six months. Meanwhile, the BJP will try to exasperate Gehlot as muchas possible, considering he had named Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat as thearchitect of toppling games and even written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi about it.The Governor, while maintaining that he wasn’t against a floor test, said he needed sometime to go over the rule book. The Supreme Court, too, has said the issues raised in theSpeaker’s petition on the right to issue disqualification notices required “prolonged hear-ing” as it involved a “larger question” related to the democracy. So clearly, the imbrogliocannot be resolved as fast as Gehlot would have liked. Meanwhile, Bahujan Samaj Party(BSP) supremo Mayawati, who has accused Gehlot of poaching six of her MLAs, couldbe another hurdle. If she somehow manages to woo them back and decides to take thehelp of the BJP in doing so, Gehlot could have trouble. As for Pilot, he may not have theChief Minister’s chair still but given his solid Gujjar votebase, he could bargain hard for aleadership role. Jyotiraditya Scindia delivered 22 MLAs to the BJP in Madhya Pradeshand now, having got some positions for them in the Government, is attracting more MLAsto cross over. The BJP will spare no effort to bleed out the Congress.
HC breather to Pilot
Progressive step
Sir — The Defence Ministry’sdecision to grant PermanentCommission (PC) to womenofficers in the Indian Army iswelcome. In effect, this meansa recognition of the sterling rolewomen have played and contin-ue to play — shoulder to shoul-der with their male counter-parts — for the security of thenation. It will now be interest-ing to see how many womenreach top positions.
TKM KumbalamchuvattilMuvattupuzha
Protect users’ data
Sir — Many global firms haveinvested in Jio in recent months.These investments are due to tworeasons: One, the large cus-tomer base that Jio has. Two, thelack of personal informationlaw in India. Facebook,Instagram and WhatsApp arealready interconnected and nowGoogle and Jio are also connect-ed with them. All these platformshave our personal information.
We also know thatWhatsApp is going to start itsown e-payment system. Though
the Government hasn’t approvedit yet, after a while, it might givethe go-ahead.
Already, Facebook and otherfirms have been accused of min-ing users’ personal data forpolitical campaigns. No one
knows how else our personaldata will be used. It is a big con-cern. The Government shouldintroduce laws to protect person-al information.
Harshal Suresh DesalePune
Shameful incident
Sir — Ever since the Coronaviruspandemic has been upon us, wehave hailed the doctors as war-riors, equivalent to god. It was
shocking that in Uttar Pradesh,a doctor attempted to rape apatient who tested positive forCorona. The incident will remaina blot on the medical fraternity.
Further, this isn’t the firsttime that an incident of sexualassault has been reported froma hospital during a pandemic. InMaharashtra, a 25-year-oldCOVID-19 patient was arrestedfor allegedly raping a woman ina quarantine facility. Ours is acountry where no place is safe forwomen. Not even a hospital.
Shruti BansalVia email
Safety first
Sir — The Government hastaken the right decision to putthe Amarnath yatra on hold inview of the pandemic. In thismanner, we can at least preventfurther cases of Coronavirusand can focus on treating theexisting patients. Prevention isbetter than cure. Pilgrimage canresume in healthy times. Anddivinity is in the mind.
The world will ignore the shadow of climate change at its own peril. The money and effort
needed must be forthcoming, notwithstanding the pandemic and related disruptions
I kept warning it(Government) on COVID-19and the economy. It rub-bished it. Disaster followed. I keep warning it on China. It is rubbishing it.
Congress leader—Rahul Gandhi
I’ve never done a Karan Joharor a Yash Raj film, I’ve neverapproached them, nor havethey showed interest in work-ing with me. But that doesn’tmake me any less an actor.
Actor—Shreyas Talpade
The old paradigm of blindengagement with China hasfailed. If the free world doesn’t change CommunistChina — (it) will surelychange us.
US Secretary of State—Mike Pompeo
S O U N D B I T E
L E T T E R S T O TT H E E D I T O R
The oil pricing paradox
On May 6, the Union Government raised the addi-tional excise duty and road and infrastructure cesson petrol by `10 per litre and diesel by `13 per
litre. It was the steepest hike in the history of petrole-um pricing. It will require rudimentary knowledge tounderstand that the Government’s sources to raise rev-enues and reduce the fiscal deficit have dried up. APetroleum Ministry official claimed that prevailing pricesof petrol and diesel would not be impacted due to a risein prices. The retail prices were retained at the samelevel, probably by adjusting the “ready to send to thepetrol pump” cost. But in Chennai, the retail price ofpetrol in May was 72.28 per litre. Come July, the pricejumped to 83.63 per litre. Price continues to move sky-wards steadily through daily hikes. The removal of theadministered pricing mechanism, which was meant topave the way for pricing on pure market dynamics, hashelped the Government change price dynamics to itsadvantage.
There are other aspects, too, which demand men-tion. The Union Government holds 51.50 per cent ofthe share capital in the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC).ONGC has a 14.20 per cent, Life Insurance Corporation6.48 per cent and OIL a 5.16 per cent stake in the com-pany. In 2018-19, IOC earned a profit of 16,894 crore
and distributed as dividend `11,635 crore (includingDDT). The OMCs must maximise their earnings to signfat cheques as dividends to the Government. There aresignificant companies in the private sector, too, whichrefine crude, export and sell products. They used to pro-cure crude oil even from Venezuela through barterarrangements of export of refined products. These refin-ers sell petroleum products in India at the rates of theOMCs. Strange are the ways of product pricing. Thecommon man is always at his wit’s end to make heador tail of the pricing paradoxes.
Another firewallStrict safety protocols haveto be put in place both foroff-field and on-field activi-ties to make the IPL safeand successful. They shouldnot be compromised at all.
Kings XI Punjab co-owner—Ness Wadia
With Gehlot pushing for a floor test and the legal wrangle set to drag on a bit, stalemate continues in Rajasthan
Govt issues fresh tender norms barring Chinese bidders forprocurement in its projects as LAC impasse continues
Remembering Kargil
EVERYONE IS AWARE THAT SOME OF OUR MLAS HAVE
BEEN HELD CAPTIVE IN A HOTEL OUTSIDE THE STATE
UNDER THE WATCH OF BOUNCERS AND POLICE.
—RAJASTHAN CHIEF MINISTER
ASHOK GEHLOT
I WANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR. WE ARE NOT BEING HELD
HOSTAGE, NOR ARE THERE BOUNCERS, NOR ARE WE
CRYING OR ILL OR DYING TO GO BACK THERE.
—RAJASTHAN CONGRESS MLA
SURESH MODI
POINTCOUNTERPOINT
The nation commemorates Kargil Vijay Diwasevery year on July 26 to recount the sacrificeand martyrdom of our armed forces that
brought laurels to the nation by defeating a deceit-ful and untrustworthy neighbour of ours during theKargil War of 1999. It is celebrated to honour the sac-rifices of our brave soldiers, who laid down their liveson the lofty heights of Kargil on the frontlines tosecure an unparalleled victory in the annals of mil-itary history. The war, fought mainly in the uncom-promising climate of the upper Himalayas, saw theraw courage of Indian soldiers assaulting uphill,unmindful of enemy fire and dislodging them aftera tough hand-to-hand fight. They regained our lostterritory which the enemy forces had occupied sur-reptitiously, throwing to wind the unsigned conven-tion between the two armies of maintaining statusquo in the traditional gaps along the Line ofControl (LoC). But for the raw courage and auda-cious bravery of our soldiers and young officers, his-tory would have been different as the unscrupulousenemy had succeeded in taking us by surprise. Sadlyenough, what happened in Kargil is being replicat-ed, albeit on a much larger scale, across the trans-Himalayan region in Eastern Ladakh along the Lineof Actual Control (LAC).
We were surprised then and we have been sur-prised now. Intelligence, Surveillance andReconnaissance (ISR ) remain our major weakness.Since the war was limited and the LoC was muchsmaller in length, though there were shortages, thecrunch was not felt. The amassing of Bofors guns andammunition played a crucial role in enablinginfantry assaults. The Indian Air Force (IAF), too,played a major role though it was not equipped tofight at those heights with the restriction of not cross-ing the LoC. India also successfully called the nuclearbluff of Pakistan. A determined political leadershipmade a critical difference. The higher military lead-ership and higher direction of war left many ques-tions to be answered which were subsequentlyaddressed by the Kargil Review Committee (KRC)but unfortunately no heads rolled. Our true homageto the martyrs would be to say with certainty andauthority that their sacrifices would not go waste anda Kargil-like situation will not be repeated.
While we can say with confidence that Kargil 2.0will not happen again but while achieving that capa-bility, did we ignore our other neighbour? While weconsidered Pakistan as a threat, we continued to treatChina as a challenge. Our political leadership wasconvinced about averting a conflict with Chinathrough political and diplomatic outreach. Despitethe alarm raised by the Army and other services, thepolitical hierarchy was overconfident of their capa-bility to handle China. Like Pakistan, China, too,proved to be treacherous and lulled our leadershipinto being friendly because it needed the Indian mar-ket to become an economic superpower. China allthe while wanted to be the sole power in Asia butour leadership failed to read the Chinese mind cor-rectly as it did with Pakistan at the time of Kargil.While AB Vajpayee had taken a bus ride to Lahorein search of peace, its scheming Army Chief PervezMusharraf was planning the Kargil incursions.
Like any developing nation with a large segmentof the population below the poverty line, we also facethe dilemma of butter versus barrel of the gun. EveryGovernment had to tread a very cautious path whileallocating resources for defence forces. Even duringKargil, General Malik, the then chief, had said that“my Army will fight with whatever we have.”Immediately after Kargil, unmanned aerial vehicles(UAVs) and other surveillance equipment were addedto the inventory. However, post-Kargil, because ofthe Bofors scandal, all major defence contracts wereput on hold. As a result, the country’s armed forcesbegan to suffer not only obsolescence but shortagesin spares, affecting the battle-readiness of equipment.
However, the trend was reversed post-2014 andbig ticket purchases were made for enhancing thecombat efficiency of the forces. Delegation andenhancement of financial powers was also done to
enable the armed forces to meet theirimmediate and critical needs. Today, ourarmed forces are well-equipped with lat-est platforms, smart munitions, UAVs, mis-siles and so on. We have definitely madea qualitative jump but numerically we arestill short of fighting a sustained two-frontwar. Also criticality still exists in our AirDefence and the infantry weapon systems.The Navy and IAF also have critical gapswhich need to be filled. Depending on thequality of security we need, a percentageof the GDP (not below 3.5) has to be ear-marked for the defence budget.
Unlike 1999, when we had justbecome a nuclear power, today we boastof our triad capability with ICBM capabil-ity. However, in view of the looming threat,we must review our policy of “No FirstUse.” India has always believed in honour-ing various treaties and agreements butboth our neighbours have shown scantrespect for them while threatening us onthe LoC/LAC. In the case of Kargil, theplan was made as early as during the Ziaregime. We should have known about it.Thereafter, Pakistan began a proxy waragainst us. Just prior to Kargil War, it beganregular shelling of the national highway,linking Kashmir and Ladakh. Our respons-es were mainly defensive and ad-hoc. Pro-active and punitive responses were absentdue to the fear of an escalation. Pakistantook advantage of it, ignored the under-standing about “traditional gaps” andpresented us a fait accompli in the formof Kargil incursions.
It is the same with China. Despite sala-mi-slicing, we continued to appease it.Even after Doklam, we failed to wake up.The net result is the multi-point, well-planned incursions in eastern Ladakh witha definite aim of holding out and not vacat-ing. Our planners would have known thatour claim of Aksai Chin and GilgitBaltistan will definitely raise hackles inChina because both are very critical toChinese President Xi Jinping’s pet projectof the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).However, our planners, including themilitary, failed to take any preventive andprecautionary measures to thwart theChinese threat. Once again we are react-ing. Worried about escalation, we did noteven exercise the option of quid pro quo.Now it may be too late though the LAC is
quite vast and the enemy has many vul-nerabilities. The possibility of collusionbetween China and Pakistan cannot beruled out completely, though Islamabaddoes not have the capability to launch suchan offensive for the time being. Where wewere holding the entire frontage with abrigade then, now we have a full infantrydivision with well-sited and hardeneddefences along the entire length of the LoC.Similarly, compared to 1962, our defencesin eastern Ladakh are very strongly heldwith adequate reserves and a well-devel-oped road and track network. The Kargilexperience has shown us that a ratio of 1:9or 1:12 is needed in these heights to launchoffensive operations.
ISR was a weakness then and remainsso even today. Though a lot of structuralchanges have taken place like the DefenceIntelligence Agency (DIA), NationalTechnical Research Organisation (NTRO),Defence Image Processing and AnalysisCentre (DIPAC), yet the optimal has notbeen achieved. The problem does not liein the assets but in timely processing anddissemination. The permanent office of theNational Security Advisor (NSA) is meantto look into this vital aspect of nationalsecurity management but the desiredlevel of integration has not taken place. Wealso need to enhance the capability of oper-ational and tactical intelligence. In such aterrain, with unpredictable and harshweather, a multi-mode, multi-layered, all-weather, 24x7 surveillance grid is needed.We also need to develop capability to mon-itor the movement of Chinese troops andformations to the plateau or towards theLAC from the Xinjiang Military District.Mountains do impose certain restric-tions but we need to invest more in therequired means. Lack of jointness was amajor lesson from Kargil. Here I would liketo quote the first-hand experience of thethen Colonel General Staff of 8 MountainDivision, which was moved from theValley to dislodge the intruders. “Ever sincethe infamous huff between the then Armyand IAF chiefs in the initial stages of theoperations, the Army and Air Force neveroperated in unison. In the first week ofJune, the IAF recommenced OperationSafed Sagar as we were in Operation Vijay.Two standalone operations in a smallmountainous area, where the IAF had
never operated earlier. We were never con-sulted on targets and never apprised ofstrike missions. Occasionally we wouldhear aircraft north-east of Zozila and seesome puffs around some features. Though,the stories of bombs/rockets hitting ourown troops are exaggerated, it is a fact thatsometimes the munitions would land a fewridges away where our troops weredeployed. Fortunately we never had afriendly fire casualty. Equally and impor-tantly we never saw any target destroyed.
“When we were planning an attack onTiger Hill, in order to maintain surprise,the artillery was tasked to fire on distrib-uted targets but the IAF kept hitting TigerHill without consulting us. Infuriated, Hq15 Corps was informed, which also con-firmed that they had no knowledge of airplans.” This should give adequate idea ofthe absence of jointness during the last warwe fought. It would be unfair to say thatthere has been no change. Lot of changesfor the good have taken place. Joint plan-ning is quite obvious in the current stand-off. Even the idea of theatre commands isgaining currency. Post-Kargil, two jointcommands were raised as Strategic ForcesCommand and Andaman & NicobarCommand. Lately, a Special Forces jointcommand has also been raised.
Another recommendation of the KRCwas regarding border management. Oneforce per border has been implemented.But the question of command and controlstill remains an issue. Particularly, alongthe LAC with China where the Indo-TibetBorder Police (ITBP) has been deployed.There is a divided responsibility betweenthe Army and the ITBP, which has provedhighly ineffective in the current stand-off.Incursions happened under the watch ofthe ITBP and the Army had to come inwhen the crisis developed. A poor arrange-ment, particularly when we are faced witha cunning enemy on the other side. TheITBP should be placed under the com-mand of the Army following the LoCmodel.
Needless to say the situation then andnow is quite different. But some of thelessons learnt during the Kargil War stillremain unaddressed for which we paid theprice at Galwan.
(The author is a Jammu-based veter-an and security and strategic analyst.)
As we recount the sacrifice of our armed forces on Vijay Diwas, some of the lessons learntduring the Kargil War still remain unaddressed for which we paid the price at Galwan
analysis 07F I R S T C O L U M N
Diplomaticfirefighting vital
VK BAHUGUNA
The Communist regime in Kathmandu is beingstage-managed by Beijing to systematically cut
the umbilical cord between Nepal and India
ANIL GUPTA
THE PROBLEMDOES NOT LIE INTHE ASSETS BUT
IN TIMELYPROCESSING AND
DISSEMINATION.THE PERMANENT
OFFICE OF THENATIONALSECURITY
ADVISOR IS MEANT TO LOOKINTO THIS VITAL
ASPECT OFNATIONALSECURITY
MANAGEMENT BUT THE
DESIRED LEVEL OF INTEGRATIONHAS NOT TAKEN
PLACE. WE ALSONEED TO ENHANCE
THE CAPABILITY OF OPERATIONAL
AND TACTICALINTELLIGENCE. IN
SUCH A TERRAIN, WITH
UNPREDICTABLEAND HARSHWEATHER, A
MULTI-MODE,MULTI-LAYERED,
ALL-WEATHER,24X7
SURVEILLANCEGRID IS NEEDED
Nepal is closest to India not only in terms of geography, civil-isation, religion and culture but also in terms of blood rela-tions. Both the countries have an open border with visa-free
travel and the Indian currency is freely used in Nepal. A whopping60 lakh Nepalese citizens (out of a population of 2.81 crore) live inIndia and are a major source of remittance to Nepal. Out of this,more than 25,000 are Gurkha soldiers serving in the 7 Gurkha reg-iment of the Indian Army. Most of the Nepalese soldiers in the IndianArmy are Rais and Limbus of eastern Nepal and Gurungs and Magarsfrom west Nepal. According to the Nepal Rashtra Bank, for the fis-cal year 2018, a total of 784 billion Nepali Rupees (NPR) in remit-tances were received from 189 countries. Out of this, India led theremittance count with 93 billion NPR. However, due to COVID-19,the remittances will be less this year but the Nepalese living in Indiaare still able to eke out a decent living and are being supported byIndians.
Ever since the monarchy was overthrown by Indian-educatedMaoists, democratic governance in Nepal has never been smoothand the country is in the grip of political instability. Most of the lead-ers lack a comprehensive vision of an all-encompassing democra-cy and there has been protracted haggling over the new Constitutionbetween political parties, especially between the leaders from thehills and the Terai plains. Political jingoism and one-upmanship isthe order of the day among Nepalese politicians. Corruption is all-pervading and people are suffering due to the lack of a sound tra-jectory of political and economic development. In new democra-cies, a stable and visionary leadership is essential, especially in poorcountries like Nepal, where people are used as pawns by politiciansto cling to power.
Among top Nepalese professionals, there are positive feelingstowards India. We need to discuss the contours of the current tur-moil in the relationship between the two old neighbours. Since theend of monarchy and initiation of democracy, some groups in Nepalare whipping up anti-Indian feelings. The objective is to take con-trol over the resources of Nepal. These groups are controlled by local-ly-based foreign-funded NGOs and are rapidly gaining ground as thereis no organised resistance to them. Some of these groups are proppedup by China. The Communist regime in Kathmandu is being stage-managed by Beijing to systematically cut the umbilical cord betweenNepal and India.
It is not unusual for two neighbouring countries to have dis-putes but mature leadership solves differences in an amicable man-ner. The recent postures and knee-jerk statements of Nepali PrimeMinister KP Oli are indications of an immature leader throwing child-ish pranks. The statement on the birthplace of Lord Ram being inNepal, his invectives on boundary issues and the spread of theCoronavirus from India are unbecoming of a Prime Minister. Suchcomments are nothing less than diplomatic hara-kiri by Oli who isstruggling to save his chair with the help of his patrons in China.
International affairs experts know that anti-India postures of thecurrent Nepalese leaders are nothing but a diplomatic gimmickry atthe behest of China. The recent amendment in the Constitution, byincorporating around 400 sq km of Indian territory and disputing thesource of the emergence of the Kali River in Kalapani on the Nepalimap, has escalated the bilateral tussle to a point of no return. It wasdone by deliberately objecting to the opening of a road by the DefenceMinister on May 8, connecting the Chinese border in the Pithoragarhdistrict of Uttarakhand at the Lipulekh pass. There is no historicalbasis for Nepal’s claim on the territory east of the Kali, which is basedon the Limpiyadhura origin. The historically agreed fact is that theriver actually takes the name Kali near Kalapani. Nepal is now chang-ing the site of origin of Kali river to a stream west of Kalapani whichis absurd, considering the provisions of the 1816 Sugauli treaty whichfixes the Kali river as Nepal’s western boundary with India. The bound-ary was settled by this treaty and 150 sq km of the area from thesouth of Kalapani to Tinkar pass along with the two villages ofChhangru and Tinkar was transferred to Nepal. It is a moot ques-tion on whose maps were Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura and Kalapani beingshown so far. Obviously, on the Indian map as that is genuine Indianterritory based on the 1816 treaty between the two countries.
In fact, the people of Uttarakhand have a genuine grievanceagainst Nepal, which was well articulated by the retired Chief Secretaryof Uttarakhand NS Napalchyal recently during a webinar. He trashedthe Nepali claim with irrefutable facts that Nepal owes an apologyfor the atrocities it committed on Garhwali and Kumauni people dur-ing its despicable colonial rule before the British ended it in 1815.If Nepali politicians can raise emotions, so can their Uttarakhand coun-terparts. They could start a movement seeking an apology from Nepalfor the atrocities committed by its rulers. It will, however, not solvethe problem. Both the countries need to have a dialogue. But Nepalmust think of the unbearable cost of bad relations with India that itwill have to sustain. It is rich in natural and other resources and thefocus of Nepalese politicians should be on development of the coun-try. They must steer it on the path of progress by remaining vigi-lant about their nation’s cultural integrity with India and resolve allsticky issues in a friendly manner. The Indian diplomatic corps mustseize the opportunity whenever it presents itself. Indians, too, loveNepal as we have no other alternative but our old, traditional ally.
(The writer is a retired civil servant)
The relationship between map-ping systems and healthcarehas existed for centuries. In
fact, the earliest recorded map visual-isation goes back to 1694 and theplague containment in Italy. Over thelast 300 years, the value of maps as acommunication tool for the under-standing and tracking of infectious dis-eases, be it the yellow fever, cholera, the1918 influenza pandemic or the new-age MERS-CoV, has only heightened.
A review of health geographic infor-mation system (GIS) literature hasshown that almost 30 per cent of allvolumes is focussed on infectiousdisease mapping. This is why one ofour biggest champions in the ongoingfight against COVID-19 is the use ofGIS.
COVID-19 is a challenge like noother in recent times as the virusspread strikingly fast from China to therest of the world. For comparison, onecan look at how MERS took about 30months to infect a thousand people,SARS took around four months andthe Coronavirus reached that figure injust 48 days. When a disease has thecapacity to travel so quickly, informa-tion, too, has to keep up and in fact,outpace it. This is the reason why map-based dashboards have become crucial.So much so that among the top 10
requested applications of GIS servicesas early as February was theCoronavirus dashboard. The interac-tive maps can locate as well as tally con-firmed infections, fatalities and recov-eries, along with graphs detailing theprogression of the virus.
Viewers can see the time and dayof the most recent data update fromvarious sources, which include author-itative bodies such as the WHO andthe Centre for Disease Control andPrevention. If you look at India, theNational Centre for Disease Control isthe source of authoritative data via theapplication programme interface(API). Epidemiologists are utilisingGIS to map disease occurrence mea-sured against multiple parameterssuch as demographics, environment,geographies, past occurrences and soon, to understand the origin of future
outbreaks, the spread pattern as wellas its intensity to be able to implementcontrol, preventative as well as surveil-lance measures.
It is an undeniable fact that inorder to identify at-risk populations inreal-time, public health agencies, pol-icymakers as well as administratorsneed GIS to be able to understand out-break patterns and plan targettedintervention such as the evaluation ofavailable facilities and increasing theirhealthcare capacities. Apart from this,there is also the need for effective com-munication amid all the supportingagencies as well as citizens so that therecan be a coordinated response to thecrisis. Since location is the commondenomination between all these, GISprovides the capability to create a com-mon operating picture that will allowmulti-agency collaboration.
Using GIS functionality such asspatial analytics, mapping and locationintelligence, health officials andGovernment agencies have access toconfirmed and active cases, fatalitiesand recoveries. Since COVID-19impacts demographics in a dispropor-tionate manner, such as the elderly andthose with co-morbidities, mappingcriteria such as social vulnerability, ageand other factors have been helping inmonitoring at-risk groups acrossregions. Based on the available data,agencies can take a look at the relevantarea of interest such as hospitals,location of the cases being reported,areas that have been affected, capaci-ties as well as key demographic datain order to create strategies that can aidin the descriptive, predictive as well asprescriptive stages of combatingCOVID-19.
Ranging from mapping the out-break source, site selection for treat-ment, monitoring supply chains,resource location and so on, GIS hascontributed significantly to fighting thevirus and speeding up efforts in placesthat they are needed the most.
Modern GIS technologies arebased around web tools that improvedata sharing and offer real-time infor-mation that can aid critical decision-making. A comprehensive GIS plat-form can support the entire process ofdisease surveillance, preparedness andresponse. With the world now shift-ing to a new normal, epidemiologistsexpect that outbreaks like this couldhappen more frequently in the future.Hence, GIS will continue to be crucialfor tackling viruses.
(The writer is co-founder anddirector of a technology company)
GIS helping nations fight the pandemicA comprehensive data platform can support the entire process of disease surveillance, preparedness and response
HYDERABAD | SATURDAY | JULY 25, 2020
www.dailypioneer.com
F O R E I G N E Y E
Though adecliningpopulation in
the future is good news, thestrain on resources would beimmense even then. Nor wouldthe reduction save us fromclimate catastrophe. Action mustbe taken now, not by futuregenerations. And emissions areheavily dependent on economiccircumstances and policy. Whatmatters most is not how manypeople there are in the world butwhat they do. (The Guardian editorial)
WE MUSTACT NOW
ASHWANI RAWAT
HYDERABAD | SATURDAY | JULY 25, 2020 money 08
CAPSULE
Modular trucks fromAshok LeylanddeliveredCoimbatore: Ashok Leyland ofthe Hinduja group launched itslatest range of modular AVTRtrucks here on Friday. Theywere delivered to thecustomers in the presence ofCOO of Ashok Leyland AnujKathuria and CEO of TVS &Sons Private Limited MadhuRaghunath. "Our AVTR rangeof trucks provides ourcustomer with the latest intechnology and innovation.With our economy graduallypicking up and businesscoming to normalcy, thesetrucks will play a crucial roleto get the goods moving,"Kathuria said in a pressrelease. With costmanagement being crucial, thenew trucks would setbenchmark in terms of totalcost of ownership, includingbest in class operation andmaintenance cost, hesaid.
UiPath partnersBharathiar Univ forRobotic Process MUMBAI: Robotic ProcessAutomation (RPA) softwarecompany UiPath on Fridaysaid it has partnered withBharathiar University toprovide the knowledge andtools to students to createsoftware robot assistants.Through this partnership,UiPath will collaborate withBharathiar University's 130affiliated colleges to enable themission of a robot for everystudent, according to astatement. A robot for everystudent initiative affords theability to introduce RPA to theentire university, so thatstudents can create their ownsoftware robot "assistants" tohelp them prepare for classes,do faster and better research,search for financial aid or jobsor even innovate a newprocess or solution to supportnon-profit work for thebetterment of society, it added.
IHCL launches appfor home deliveryplatform QminNEW DELHI: Hospitality majorIndian Hotels Company onFriday announced the launchof mobile application for itshome delivery platform Qminin Mumbai. The app will berolled out in nine other cities,including Delhi, Bengaluru andChennai in the coming weeks,Indian Hotels Company Ltd(IHCL) said in a statement.Designed and developed byIHCL in collaboration with TataDigital, the Qmin app allowsguests to personalise theirorder, curate menus, and trackdeliveries real-time, it added. Itenables users to choose theirfavourite cuisine fromcelebrated restaurants inMumbai, based on theirlocation, IHCL said. Qmin hasa dedicated delivery fleet, whoare provided with mandatoryprotective gear and extremelysanitised transportation whileconducting contactlessdeliveries, it added.
PNS n NEW DELHI
India in 2018-19 made an all-time high number of requeststo foreign financial intelli-gence units as part of probinga multitude of money launder-ing, terrorist financing andtax evasion cases, according toa latest report comparing lastsix years' data.
The Financial IntelligenceUnit (FIU), the federal eco-nomic snoop agency under theUnion finance ministry, sent289 legal requests to its coun-terparts across the globe dur-ing 2018-19 as compared to177 in 2017-18 and 138 in2016-17. The comparative datafor requests sent to foreignFIUs seeking cooperation incriminal tax evasion andmoney laundering cases during2015-16 was 140, 55 during2014-15 and 82 in 2013-14, thelatest FIU report said.
The report, accessed by PTI,added that the FIU alsoreceived the maximum suchrequests (during 2018-19) from
law enforcement agencies ofthe country-- like the IncomeTax Department, theEnforcement Directorate, theCBI, the NIA, the DRI and oth-ers-- over the same six yearsperiod. The FIU is the nation-al agency to collect and analy-ses suspicious transactionreports, counterfeit currencyreports and cash transactionreports from banks and otherfinancial intermediaries anddisseminate to various probeand intelligence agencies.
It is empowered under thePMLA to do so as part of itsmandate to check and flagserious crimes like tax evasion,money laundering, terrorfinancing in country's eco-nomic channels.
India is part of the globalFIU network of 164 membercountries as part of the EgmontGroup that aims to "provide aforum for FIUs to improveunderstanding and awarenessof issues and an opportunityfor enhancement of their
capacities to develop intelli-gence to combat money laun-dering and terrorist financing."
The Indian FIU became partof this grouping during theMay, 2007 plenary of theEgmont Group in Bermuda.
As per the report, the FIUreceived a total of 906 requestsfrom investigative agenciesduring 2018-19 while the fig-ures for the previous five yearswere: 463 in 2017-18, 132 dur-ing 2016-17, 267 in 2015-16, 96during 2014-15 and 221 dur-ing 2013-14.
A senior official in thefinance ministry said the spurtin these requests made by var-ious probe agencies to FIU andfrom the FIU to its globalcounterparts is "primarily dueto an increased number ofinvestigations taken up bythem to investigate variousbank loan fraud cases, trade-based money launderinginstances and high-profile taxevasion, undisclosed foreignassets holding and terror fund-ing cases".
PNS n NEW DELHI
The Income Tax Departmentwill share PAN and bankaccount details of any entitywith 10 investigative and intel-ligence agencies, including theCBI and the NIA, under theintegrated counter-terrorismplatform NATGRID, accordingto an official order.
The Central Board ofDirect Taxes, which framespolicy for the I-T Department,said in a July 21 order thatinformation like permanentaccount number (PAN), TaxDeduction and CollectionAccount Number (TAN),bank account details, summa-ry of IT Returns and taxdeducted at source (TDS) and"any other information asmutually agreed" will be
shared with the 10 agencies.The "furnishing and receiv-
ing of information to andfrom" these central agencieswill be done through theNational Intelligence Grid(NATGRID), a robust mech-
anism envisaged to track sus-pects and prevent terroristattacks with real-time dataand access to classified infor-mation like immigration,banking, individual taxpayers,air and train travels.
‘India made record requestsfor info on money laundering’
I-T to share PAN, bank accountdata with 10 probe, intel agencies
PNS n NEW DELHI
Chinese smartphone brandssaw their market share in Indiafall to 72 per cent in June quar-ter from 81 per cent in the pre-ceding three months due toCOVID-19 supply chain dis-ruption and growing anti-China sentiment,Counterpoint Research saidon Friday.
Chinese brands such asOppo, Vivo and Realme had acommanding market share inthe world's fastest growingsmartphone market but theirshare declined during April-June, Counterpoint said in areport.
India's smartphone ship-ments declined by 51 per centyear-on-year to just over 18million units in the June quar-ter, impacted by the nationwidelockdown imposed by theIndian government to combatCOVID-19 in April and May,Counterpoint said.
Shilpi Jain, Research Analystat Counterpoint Research, saidthe contribution of Chinesebrands fell to 72 per cent inJune quarter from 81 per centin March 2020 quarter.
"This was mainly due to themixture of stuttering supply forsome major Chinese brandssuch as Oppo, Vivo andRealme, and growing anti-
China sentiment thatwas com-pounded bys t r i n g e n tactions takenby the gov-ernment toban morethan 50 appsof Chineseorigin anddelay the import ofgoods from China amidextra scrutiny. This all result-ed from the India-China bor-der dispute during June," shesaid.
However, local manufactur-ing, R&D operations, attractivevalue-for-money offerings and
strong channele n t r e n c h -
ment by
Chineseb r a n d s
leaves veryfew options
for consumersto choose from,
she said."... in the era of
globalisation, it is difficult tolabel a product based on coun-try of origin as components arebeing sourced from many dif-ferent countries. This develop-ment has given a window of
opportunity for brands likeSamsung and local Indianbrands such as Micromax andLava, to recapture marketshare," Jain said.
She noted that Jio-Google'spartnership - which wasannounced earlier this month- to bring a highly affordable4G Android smartphone couldalso gain ground, banking onthe growing #VocalforLocalsentiment.
Xiaomi led the tally with 29per cent share of the smart-phone market, followed bySamsung (26 per cent), Vivo(17 per cent), Realme (11 percent), Oppo (9 per cent) andothers (8 per cent) in the June
PNS n KOLKATA
With the USA revoking thepreferential trade status ofHong Kong earlier thismonth, India sees brighterfuture for its gems and jew-ellery exports, a senior jew-ellery export council officialsaid on Friday.
Gems andJ e w e l l e r yExport PromotionCouncil (GJEPC)officials said withChina imposingthe nationalsecuirty law onHong Kong, theUSA has given indi-cation of raising duty ongoods from there to 7.5 percent from 3.3 per cent.
Without going into thenuances of the US move, I feelit will possibly create oppor-tunities for India in gems
and jewellery trade," GJEPCchairman Colin Shah toldPTI.
For USA, Hong Kong andChina are the fourth largestdestinations for importinggems and jewellery afterIndia, France and Italy.
Hong Kong and Chinaexported gem and jewellery
worth USD980.85 millionand USD
2622.19 mil-lion respec-tively to theUS in 2019.
"The end-ing of the pref-
erential treaty asper the new order
with HK would open newbusiness avenues for India.
The manufacturing businesshas the potential to witness ashift to India from China,"Shah said.
PNS n JAMSHEDPUR
As part of the efforts to checkspread of novel coronavirus,Tata Steel has adopted a digi-tal technology-based initiativenamed "connected workforce"to ensure safe working insidethe factory premises and minesspanning various geographiesby real-time tracking, alertsand Quick Response Team(QRT) protocols.
The objective behind the"connected workforce" app is tomonitor coronavirus-relatedrisks. It is among a series ofmeasures that have been takento effectively combat COVID-19, said Kulvin Suri, ChiefCorporate Communications(India & South East Asia),
Tata Steel.There are altogether 32,000
employees in Tata Steel across-the country and 55,000 con-tractual workforce. Its manu-facturing facities are- TataSteel, Jamshedpur (Jharkhand),Kalinganagar (Odisa), Longproducts in Gamariah,
Seraikela-Kharswan district ofJharkhand, one unit in Angul,Odisha. The company hasmines in Jharkhand andOdisha of iron- ore, collieriesand magnese. "We, in TataSteel, have been following allnecessary health and hygienenorms, in line with the govern-
ment guidelines, at our officesand plant facilities to safe-guard the health and safety ofall our employees and stake-holders. "The company hasestablished robust standardoperating guidelines (SOP)and work protocols which arebeing followed",Suri added.
The app is enabled by"Suraksha Card". This digitaltechnology also enables crowdsensing solution to pre-empt &detect violation of social dis-tancing at shopfloors with thehelp of the cameras installed,COVID risk profile assess-ment of employees, scientificcontact tracing and face-detec-tion and social distancingchecks through artificial intel-ligence, he said.
PNS n MUMBAI
In view of the government'sproposal to ban 27 pesticides,most manufacturers have start-ed diversifying their productbaskets to avoid any major hiton their revenues, according toa report.
The government issued adraft ban order in May, citinghigh toxicity level of these 27pesticides and their impacton soil health, Crisil said in itsreport. The government hassought responses from variousstakeholders on the proposalby mid-August 2020.
The ban is unlikely to beimplemented in the current fis-cal due to the COVID-19 pan-
demic and as seen in the past,such bans are implemented ina phased manner, Crisil noted.
Given the pandemic-induced challenges faced byboth, farmers and agricultur-al input suppliers, the govern-ment is likely to implement the
final ban only from the nextfiscal, that too in a phasedmanner, it added.
Besides, over 50 per cent ofannual sales of these productswill be completed in the ongo-ing kharif season of the fiscal2020-21, Crisil said.
PNS n MUMBAI
Drug maker Cipla Ltd. onFriday said it has received reg-ulatory approval from DrugController General of India(DCGI) for the launch ofFavipiravir in the countryunder the brand nameCiplenza to treat mild to mod-erate Covid-19 patients.
Favipiravir is an off patent,oral antiviral drug that hasbeen shown to hasten clinicalrecovery in Covid-19 patientswith mild to moderate symp-toms.
Cipla said it will commer-cially launch Ciplenza in thefirst week of August priced atRs 68 per tablet.
The price of Favipiravir hasbecome a matter of great con-cern in the country asGlenmark Pharmaceuticalsfaced flak after it initiallylaunched its Favipiravir drug
under the brand name FabiFluat Rs 103 per tablet.
Subsequently on July 13,Glenmark reduced the price ofFabiFlu to Rs 75 per tablet.
Cipla said to ensure fairand equitable distribution ofthe drug, supplies will beundertaken predominantlythrough hospital channels andvia open channels, prioritisedfor regions with a high burdenof Covid-19 cases.
The drug has been jointlydeveloped by Cipla and CSIR-Indian Institute of ChemicalTechnology (IICT).
PNS n MUMBAI
Even as several states haveopened their doors for tourists,a survey has showed that mostpeople are not comfortabletravelling for at least a year dueto the coronavirus pandemic.
The states that have openedtheir borders for the visitorsinclude Himachal Pradesh,Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Goa,and Madhya Pradesh, accord-ing to the survey by Neta App.The technology platformmainly aims to foster politicalaccountability by enabling cit-izens to signal a change intheir political preferences atany point in time.
Over 54,000 people partic-ipated in the survey across 19
states and Delhi-NCR, whichwas conducted between July16 and 20.
However, it found that 71per cent of the people sur-veyed said they are not com-fortable travelling for at leasta year, while 25 per cent feltthey might only consider trav-elling after six months fromnow.
PNS n NEW DELHI
Honda Motorcycle & ScooterIndia (HMSI) on Friday saidit has crossed 11 lakh cumu-lative sales mark in thedomestic market for BS-VIcompliant two-wheelers.
The company said it hadended 2019-20 fiscal withsales of over 6.5 lakh units ofBS-VI compliant two-wheel-ers. “It's a matter of greatpride for us at Honda, thatour 11 advanced BS-VI mod-els have won the vote of con-fidence and created a new joyof riding among customersacross India," HMSI Director- Sales and MarketingYadvinder Singh Guleria saidin a statement.
The company's productportfolio stands out as theindustry's most diverse start-ing from 110cc scooters andmotorcycles going up to1,100cc premium adventurebikes, he added. "As manycustomers are now preferringpersonal mobility for safetyand hygiene in the challeng-ing times of new normal,Honda is unlocking newvalue with its many initiativeslike online bookings, andattractive retail financeschemes," Guleria said.
PNS n MUMBAI
The Sensex and Nifty endedmarginally lower after a high-ly volatile session on Friday asa global equity selloff out-weighed stock-specific gains onthe indices.
After gyrating 487 pointsduring the session, the 30-shareBSE Sensex settled 11.57points, or 0.03 per cent, lowerat 38,128.90.
Similarly, the NSE Nifty
declined 21.30 points, or 0.19per cent, to 11,194.15.
Axis Bank was the top lag-gard in the Sensex pack, shed-ding over 3 per cent, followedby SBI, ICICI Bank, ONGC,HDFC and Kotak Bank.
On the other hand, RelianceIndustries' market valuationcrossed the Rs 14 lakh crore-mark after its stock ralliedover 4 per cent to scale its freshpeak.
HCL Tech, Tech Mahindra,
Sun Pharma, IndusInd Bankand Infosys were among theother gainers.
According to traders, despitethe rally in index-heavyweightRIL, domestic markets turnedvolatile amid a selloff in glob-al equities on escalating ten-sions between the US andChina.
Earlier in the day, Chinaordered the US to close its con-sulate in Chengdu in retaliationto Washington's decision toshut the Chinese mission inHouston, further straining thealready tense bilateral ties.
PNS n GHAZIABAD
Ambica Steels Limited, theleading manufacturer of brightbars in India has established anew factory in Ghaziabad.This new factory is the Unit -4 of the industry and it is locat-ed on Plot No-C11,Bulandshahr Road IndustrialArea, Ghaziabad-201002. Thisnew unit proved to be verybeneficial for Ambica SteelsLimited as it has enabled theindustry to increase the pro-duction of bright bars. TheIndustry is one of the mostsuccessful stainless-steel man-ufacturers of the country andit also excels in exporting itsproducts worldwide.
Maharashtra, India – BusinessWire India New Age ContentStartup WYN Studio hasraised a seed round of fundingfrom India Angel Fund led bySanjeev Sinha: India JapanPartnership Fund based inTokyo, Pranay Anthwal: Media& Entertainment industryleader, Narendra Firodia:Founder, Sohamm Unicorpand Rahul Narvekar: Co-Founder, India Angel Fund.
WYN - What's YourNarrative is a content startupfounded by Souniya Khuranaand Bijay Gautam. Creatingnew-age content or narrativesfor brands, startups and indi-viduals, WYN Studio has cre-ated video content for brandssuch as HP and also producedpodcasts for inspiring individ-uals and contemporarybrands.
Cipla gets DCGI nod to sellFavipiravir under brand ‘Ciplenza'
Many not comfortabletravelling for at least a yr
PNS n NEW DELHI
In a major move aimed at pro-moting inland water transport,the government on Fridayannounced waiving waterwayusage charges.
The decision is aimed atincreasing the inland water-way traffic to 110 milliontonne (MT) in 2022-23 from72 MT in 2019-20.
"The Ministry of Shippinghas decided to waive water-way usage charges withimmediate effect consideringthe Government of India'svision to promote inland
waterways as a supplemen-tary, eco-friendly and cheap-er mode of transport," theshipping ministry said in astatement.
The charges have beenwaived initially for three years.
"Union Minister of Statefor Shipping (I/C) MansukhMandaviya said that current-ly only 2 per cent of total cargotraffic moves through water-ways. Decision of waivingwaterway charges will attractthe industries to use thenational waterways for theirlogistical needs," the state-ment said.
Govt waives waterwayusage charges
HMSI crosses11 lakh sales mark
Govt issued adraft ban order inMay, citing hightoxicity level ofthese 27pesticides andtheir impact onsoil health
The objectivebehind the"connectedworkforce"app is tomonitorcoronavirus-related risks
Tata Steel adopts tech-based iitiative for safeworking inside factory,mines during pandemic
Chinese smartphone brands' market share slips
Sensex, Nifty end flat after see-saw trade
he first half of2020 has beenunlike any otheryear we’ve seenbefore. Withlockdowns and
quarantines, people acrossthe country have spentmonths staying indoorsand adjusting to the ‘newnormal’. While many tookto cooking and even bak-ing at home, ordering infrom select restaurants andfood delivery servicesbecame a lifeline for thosestuck indoors away fromfamily, busy at work, orbored with ‘ghar kakhaana’.
During this time,Swiggy, India’s leading on-demand delivery platform,has been delivering gro-ceries, food, and otheressentials, helping Indiastay indoors.
While the quarantinehas opened a Pandora’sbox of behavioral changesthat have become the ‘newnormal’, some old habitsdie hard. For instance,India’s love for Biryanicontinues to grow, eventoday. Swiggy has conduct-ed StatEATistics: TheQuarantine Edition — an
order analysis that revealswhat Indians have beenordering for the past fewmonths.
Behind every personwho didn’t step out of theirhomes, was a deliverypartner who ensured theydidn’t have to.
SAAFDHAN INDIA:
While the battle is farfrom over, it is good to seepeople spend on safetyprecautions. Swiggy deliv-ered over 73,000 bottles ofsanitizers and hand washalong with 47,000 facemasks as the definition of‘essentials’ changed duringthese uncertain times. Thisis besides the lakhs of sani-tizers and masks that weequipped our deliverypartners with.
DISTANCING RULESDON'T APPLY TOBIRYANI:
As far as food is con-cerned, data shows thatwhen people weren’t whip-ping up Dalgonas or bak-ing Banana Bread, theyfound comfort in theirBiryanis, which continuedto rule the roost with near-ly 5.5 lakh orders. Clearly,
no distancing rules appliedto the ever-favoriteBiryani! This was followedby orders for Butter Naanand Masala Dosa.
When you needed apick-me-up, nearly 129,000of you turned to ChocoLava Cake.
While last year, Indiansindulged the most intoFaloodas, this year, we wit-nessed the moist and deca-dent Choco Lava Cakegrab the top desserts slot.Around 1,29,000 ChocoLava Cake orders wereplaced to satiate thosesweet cravings in the pastfew months of the lock-down period. The humbleGulab jamun and chicButterscotch Mousse Cakefollowed suit. This surge isclear that in times likethese, everybody needs apick-me-up.
EVEN TUMMIESEXPRESSED THEIR MANN KI BAATAT 8 PM.
Whether working fromhome or not, one thing isfor sure — most Indianslove to have their food ontime. On average, 65,000meal orders were placed by
8 pm each day tomake sure foodarrives in time fordinner. This wasthus the busiesthour for Swiggydelivery partnersand restaurants.It was humblingto see peopleacross the coun-try, recognise theefforts of ourhunger savioursa.k.a deliverypartners by usingthe new featurefor tips. On aver-age, they chose totip Rs 23.65, withone particularlygenerous customertipping Rs 2,500!
As birthday partiesmoved to video calls,and virtual cake cuttingsessions, nearly 1,20,000cakes were delivered tocomplete these celebra-tions.
While some were busyshowing off their culinaryskills on social mediaevery day, a large set ofconsumers resorted to theevergreen college hack ofliving on instant noodles.Around 3,50,000 packets
ofthisidealeasy tocook mealwere orderedduring the lock-down.
ONE THING THATCOMES TO YOUR MINDWHEN YOU THINK OFHYDERABAD ANDWHY?
Karnataka ShikshanSamithi, a 90-year-oldKannada educational soci-ety which gave rise tomany followers who arenow scattered throughoutthe world occupyinghonourable designations.This is a very prestigiousinstitution for mebecause it caters toquality academicals andmoral education forchildren coming fromall strata of society,Kannadigas in partic-ular. I worked for thisinstitution for 22years as a manage-ment member. ThisKarnataka SahityaMandira conductedmany literary eventsat regular intervalswhich I was a partof and remainsclose to my heart.Besides, the histo-ry of Hyderabad’sgrand heritagevisible in its
majesticmonumentsalwaysstrikesmymind
when I hear its name.
CAN YOU SHARE ONEOF YOUR FONDESTMEMORIES HERE?
My expedition to the IndianSchool of Business! It filledme with immense happiness,made me meet numerouswomen entrepreneurs fromdifferent fields and the specificevent of multilingual poetsmeet at Ravindra Bharatiwhere I got a chance to readmy poem titled — Hyderabadas a Global city.
HOW IS THE CITY HELP-ING YOU IN YOURCAREER?
When I ventured out formy entrepreneurial curiosities,I remembered Robert Frost’slines — ‘two roads diverged ina wood and I took the one lesstravelled by and that has madeall the difference.’
Thereafter, I began Pharmaand consumer products withthe chemical synthesis in thecity alongside my husbandand brother who have alwaysbeen a great support to me. Iwasn’t sure how long I wouldtread but this dynamic city butthe vast market with con-sumer awareness of qualityproducts accepted me and myideas with open arms. It's a
diverse and rewarding city. Irelish the fact that I own my
business regardless of howmany novelties I earn! Simplybeing an entrepreneur isenough for me, I am thrilledto work every day.
WHAT IS AKHIL BHARATMADHAV MAHILAMANDAL, YOUR ASSOCI-ATION WITH IT, AND THEIMPORTANCE OFWOMEN IN IT?
I worked as a secretary toAkhil Bharat Maha Mandal,Hyderabad which was estab-lished by the holyVishveshteerth Swamiji ofPejavarmutt who has dedicatedhis whole life to secularism,spiritual upliftment, nationalintegration. Women in thisorganisation have taken theresponsibility of awakeningspiritualism, patriotism and tobring awareness about theirsocial responsibilities in chil-dren. Every year hundreds ofchildren take part in a summercamp organised under the ban-ner of Poorna Pramti below theaegis of SRS Mutt Linampally.Once you connect with anawakened woman, she will notentertain your ego nor play inlower vibrationalfrequencies.The organisa-tionbelieves inbuilding
stronger women through theirwider training and acquire-ments, to recognise their rightto a greater part of the worldlyaffairs!
WHAT DO YOU LIKEAND DISLIKE THE MOSTABOUT HYDERABAD?
Because I am a lover of poetry,let me express this through afew lines from my poem:o The city is verily a paradiseo There is nothing that is not
found hereo If an old man hurries to the
cityo He could recover his youtho Everything that is good is
found ino Hyderabad in plentyo We find in the city allo That is fortunate and noth-
ing thato Causes pain or sorrow.o Also, let’s work together,
end the pandemic andmake the city plastic-free!
WHAT IS HYDERABADTO YOU?
Hyderabad for me is a citywith all the best of global sci-ence, technological institutes,and a meeting point wheredifferent people having dis-similar languages, ethnicityand rituals blend to create anextremely tolerant culture anda place that’s given me mypermanent residence.
T
Follow us on
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SaturdayJuly 25, 2020
After workingfor around 20years inHyderabad,from an ancientKannadaeducationalsociety in the citythat gave birth tomany stalwarts tobeing thesecretary of AkhilBharat MahaMandal, MeeraJoshi hascontributed toholistic methods ofeducation. Bornoriginally inBagalkot, UttarKarnataka, she iscurrently rising in thepharma industry re-presenting a shift inthe city's elite pharmabusiness. Apart fromthe entrepreneurialpersonality that shepossesses, she's also apoet and lover of peace.Being a keen observer ofliterally everythingaround her, the poemsshe pens down arepriceless to her. She talksto The Pioneer's SHIKHA
DUGGAL on how hershift to Hyderabad led herto dream big, be innovativeand creative.
AN YOU SHARE YOUR ASSOCIA-TION WITH HYDERABAD?
My association dates back 45 years ago.I visited Hyderabad in 1945 when theAll India Industrial Exhibition was
being conducted. I was excited to seealmost two thousand stalls from all thecorners of the country at one place and toknow that this is the only event in theworld which is organised for a stretch of31 days, it was amazing. People werecoming from nearby towns with familyand friends to visit this exhibition and Ifound that amusing. Although the cityis filled with super malls, exhibitionshold their own sheen offering umpteennumber of choices for entertainment,fun rides, joy train, and a wide array ofeateries.
HOW HAS THE CITY BEENTREATING YOU?
I take pleasure in saying that thiscity has embraced me with a lot ofaffection. I kept prospering as the citygrew. I am enjoying the cultural hap-piness and togetherness here. Thiscity is a unique multicultural region,it makes different cultures co-existwith equal comfort and happiness.There is the Bonalu festival to payour respect to Goddess Mahakali, aBathukamma festival where beauti-ful flowers are stacked and ladiesdance around representing a cul-tural spirit. These kinds of thingsallowed me to learn about allsorts of traditions. My family andI enjoy the celebrations, wearingnew attires, authentic food, lotsof people around, and lovely rit-uals.
FOR EVERYONEWHO IS MIGRATINGFROM OTHERCITIES, HAVE APPRE-HENSIONS OR PRE-CONCEIVED NOTIONSABOUT THE CITYTHEY ARE GOING TOLIVE IN, WHAT KINDOF THOUGHTS DIDYOU HAVE ABOUTHYDERABAD BEFOREMOVING HERE ANDHOW DO YOU FIND ITNOW? WERE YOURAPPREHENSIONSRIGHT?
Before migrating here I hadapprehensions about the lan-guage barrier but after Imoved, I realised that Teluguand Kannada are soul sistersand much like twins with a dif-ferent face. Both are Dravidianscripts and the language isderived from the Devanagariscript, so there were quite somesimilarities. Above all,Hyderabad is like an ocean wheremany rivers can join. This is truein the case of language and cul-ture. Here, netizens don’t hold anyreservations which show theirbroad minds and welcomingnature.
HAVE YOU LIVED IN OTHERCITIES IN THE COUNTRY?HOW IS HYDERABAD DIFFER-ENT FROM THEM?
I lived in Mumbai which is consid-ered to be the land of dreams and isone of the most crowded cities alwayskeeping you on your toes. In compari-
son to Mumbai, our city is peaceful,compassionate, liberal, and is
one of the most affordablecities. It is an arches trial icon
where tradition weddedmodernity and visionary’sdreams come true. Thereare developing areas likeGachibowli, Hitec city,Nanakramguda, Kondapur,Madhapur, etc. with betterroads than Mumbai. Theyouth is more career-orient-ed here away from philo-sophical notions. Apart from
this, it’s a paradise for foodlovers!
‘Hyderabad city is
VERILY APARADISE'
C
Lockdown or not: Biryanirules the roost in IndiaBehind every personwho didn't step outof their homes, was
a delivery partnerwho ensured they
didn't have to.Swiggy, one ofIndia's leading
delivery platform,has conducted an
analysis on themost ordered items
during the lockdownand the results
clearly prove India'slove for food, finds
K RAMYA SREE
10
FUN
Rules
ARCHIE
GARFIELD
SUDOKU
REALITY CHECK SPEED BUMP CROSSWORD
GINGER MEGGS
NANCY
CALVIN AND HOBBES
l Each row and column cancontain each number (1 to 9)exactly once.
l The sum of all numbers inany row or column mustequal 45.
Yesterday’s solution
what’s brewing?Hyderabad Saturday July 25 2020
WHY DAILY STRETCHINGIS A HEALTH NECESSITY
When it comes toworking out, stretching
has always been theunderdog. Some
people believe it is anessential part of
exercise to avoidinjuries, while others
say can lead to injuriesitself. The truth of the
matter is that both ofthese claims aren't
entirely incorrect. It'sthe execution is what
makes all thedifference when it
comes to stretching.According to Dr SnehSoni, MD Physician,
myUpchar, stretchingon a daily basis, the
right way, can lead tomany health
benefits. Theserange from:
INCREASING YOUR RANGE OF MOTION:
Just like most inanimate objects, if wedon't use our body and our jointsregularly, they begin to get rusty.Doing stretching exercises regularlyensures that your muscles remainhealthy, maintain their flexibility anddon't become a hindrance when youdo need to use them. Proprioceptiveneuromuscular facilitation (PNF)stretching, in particular, is found to beextremely effective in increasing yourrange of motion. PNF stretching is atechnique that uses your naturalreflexes to give you a deeper stretch.Consult a physical therapist if youwould like to explore PNF.
IMPROVING BLOOD CIRCULATION
A recent study published in ‘TheJournal of Physiology' suggested thatpassive stretching, done for a periodof 12 weeks, can help dilate thearteries and aid in reducing thestiffness in them. This leads to betterblood circulation, which is one of keyfactors in the prevention of vasculardiseases like strokes, hypertensionand diabetes. Passive stretching iswhen you remain in one (relaxing)position while your muscles arestretched with thehelp of a partner,prop,accessory oreven a wall.
IMPROVING BLOOD CIRCULATION
A recent study published in ‘The Journal of Physiology' suggestedthat passive stretching, done for a period of 12 weeks, can helpdilate the arteries and aid in reducing the stiffness in them. Thisleads to better blood circulation, which is one of key factors in theprevention of vascular diseases like strokes, hypertension anddiabetes. Passive stretching is when you remain in one (relaxing)position while your muscles are stretched with the help of apartner, prop, accessory or even a wall.
BOOSTING PERFORMANCE
When it comes to sports, engagingin an active warm-up is consideredthe norm. This is where dynamicstretching proves to be very useful.A study published in the ‘Journal ofStrength and Conditioning Research'shows that instead of staticstretches, dynamic stretches canboost overall performance byimproving flexibility, speed,endurance, etc. In dynamicstretching, you don't hold a positionfor too long, instead you keep yourmuscles moving in a similar motionto that of the sport you're about toplay.
HELPING YOU RELAX
Over the duration of theentire day, many of us
can end up accumulatingstress with physical
implications. Sitting at a desk witha slight hunch, for example, can
prove to be extremely harmful to yourposture, muscles and even bone structure.
Even stress can stiffen your muscles. Byemploying the use of some basic and
practical stretching techniques, you canrelieve this physical discomfort and stress,
which may allow you to rest easierduring the night and wake up feeling
refreshed.
PREVENTINGSTRAINS ANDINJURIES
Stiff muscles canprove to bedangerous — whenyou suddenly stretchthem during your dayto day activities, theycould either end upputting unexpectedpressure on yourjoints or lead to aninjured muscles itself.Adding even just afew stretches to yourdaily routine can helpyou avoid this byimproving theflexibility of yourmuscles and givingthe endurance.
RELIEVINGCHRONIC PAIN
There's a reasonwhy stretching hasbeen included inphysical therapyinterventions for themanagement ofshoulder, neck, backand knee pain.While you mightimagine thatstretching is not aseffective in painmanagement asmuscle-strengtheningexercises are, astudy in the journal‘ClinicalRehabilitation' foundthat only stretchingwas just as effectivein reducing pain asa combination ofstrengthening andstretching over ayear of physicaltherapy.
Southern star Sai PallaviSenthamarai says she wokeup with a smile.
Pallavi took to Instagram,where she shared a video ofthe cloudy sky. At the end ofthe clip we see a rainbow.
“The reason I woke upwith a smile...was coz mamaearth threw in a surprise#rainbow #6am #hatti,” shecaptioned the image.
Pallavi hadearliershared apictureof
herself playing with bunnies.“We had Visitors today...Thesnugglepuffs,” she wrote.
On the acting front, SaiPallavi is waiting for therelease of her upcoming filmLove Story directed by SekharKammula. The film also fea-tures Naga Chaitanya, RaoRamesh and Posani KrishnaMurali.
The romantic drama wasscheduled to be released in
April but has beendelayed owing to
the Covid-19outbreak.
11
Hyderabad Saturday July 25 2020tollywood
fter a promising featuredebut with delightfulromance Raja VaaruRani Gaaru last year,actor Kiran Abbavaramhas taken it on himself to
find the love of audience again, ashe has penned the script of hissophomore acting gig, SRKalyanamandapam. He was sure onwhat kind of film he wanted toembark upon — after the maidenone. His confidence stems from theresearch he had undertaken onTelugu cinema for a year after hisshort film Gachibowli, whichearned him rich plaudits. “AfterGachibowli, I wanted to test myself— whether I was fit for the screen,whether the audience will be able tosee my face without feeling boredand whether all kinds of emotionswork on my face. I’ve almost devot-ed a year on knowing about Telugucinema later from 1980 — on howKrishna garu and Chiranjeevi garuevolved into matinee idols andwhat kind of stories writ-ers wrote during a spe-cific time period. Thisprocess of watchingfilms helped me todevelop writing skillsnaturally. VanaraSainyam wasthe first shortwhich I wroteand directed. Itreceived good praise,”he tells us.
He goes on, “Short filmslike Sreekaram, 1991 fol-lowed and I’ve used them tosharpen my acting skills further.The success of these short filmsgave me a big high and I got movieoffers as early 2017 itself. But Itook a six-month break, followingwhich I’ve decided that the best betwas to debut as an innocent lad.The script of Raja Vaaru RaniGaaru facilitated that. For my sec-
ond film though I wanted to intro-duce myself to directors and writersas someone who can portray a widerange of emotions.”
While admitting that it’s easy foran actor to slip into a role that hehas penned, he simultaneously addshe has written challenging scenes,including a lengthy monologue andemotional scenes, for his secondproject, which is 40 per cent over.“I’ve given more than what I’mcapable of for the role so far and Iwould have to wait to gauge thereaction of the audience,” he states.
In the film, he plays a final-yearengineering student Kalyan, a char-acter which he says is close to hisreal self. “Kalyan comes from amiddle-class background and wantshis family to be respected by thevillage. The family owns SRKalyanamandapam, which is nolonger finding patronagethe way it used to,back in the day.The film nar-rates myrole’sefforts toreclaim itslost gloryalongsideother emo-tions likeromance andfriendship. It is arealistic commercialfilm set in Kadapa,” hepoints out, adding thathe has made his bestefforts to present Seema’saccent in its purest form. “I’veseen many Rayalaseema-setfilms where charactersspoke in an accent thatbelonged to my grandfa-ther and father’s gen-eration. With SRKalyana-manda-
pam, I wanted torepresent theaccent of cur-
rent youth.Some lines
will be newto theaudi-enceand
they
may not get it. For example peoplefrom my place refer to 111 asNootapaskondu. They address Annaas Yenno. The film is bound to givea new experience to the audience.”
The actor has many other ironsin the fire for an indeterminatepost-pandemic future. He hadrecently green-lit Sebastian P.C.524, where he plays a constable.“When I was doing short films,many aspiring directors expressedtheir interest to work with mebecause they knew I would portrayall kinds of emotions. SRKalyanamandapam is being direct-ed by Sridhar who directed a shortfilm which I featured in, 1991. Thescript works of my next two-threenext projects with directors who Iknow have commenced sometimeback. I’ve liked a couple of other
scripts from directors I’mnot familiar with but
my schedule didn’tallow me to
commit tothem. Nor doI believe inmakingthem wait,”he signsoff.
CALCULATED
MOVESAfter a promising
feature debut withRaja Vaaru Rani
Gaaru, actor KiranAbbavaram has
penned the scriptfor his second
film, SRKalyanamandapam,
where he plays afinal-year
engineeringstudent Kalyan, a
character which hesays is close to his
real self, findsNAGARAJ
GOUD
A
ijay Antony’sbiggest commercialhit till date,Bichagadu (2016),will be getting asequel soon. As the
musician-turned-actor cele-brated his birthday on Friday,the sequel-under the directionof Priya Krishnaswamy whosefilm Baaram had won theNational Award for BestFeature last year — wasannounced. The title logotoo-for Tamil and Telugu lan-guages — was unveiled tomark the occasion. The film
will roll and release next year.While Antony’s dubbed
ventures post Bichagadu failedto win the appreciation ofTelugu audiences, his name isstill a decent draw at theTelugu box-office. InBichagadu, he played a bil-lionaire businessman wholeads a 48-day long secret lifeas a beggar as part of a reli-gious offering to save hishopeless dying mother. Itremains to be seen what rolehe will be playing in thesequel. He will, however, bethe film’s music director.
Bichagadu toget a sequel
V
A wedding giftto Nithiin fromteam Rang De
he makers ofNithiin andKeerthy Suresh-starrer Rang Deare toying with theidea of releasing a
small glimpse from the filmtoday or on Sunday — as awedding gift to Nithiin whowill enter marital bliss withlong-time girlfriend ShaliniKandukuri on Sundayevening at Falaknuma Palace,Hyderabad. However, thereseems to be a small hiccupas Nithiin needs to dubfor a couple of linesin the promo-tional stuff.With weddingactivities at full-swing at his resi-dence, the makerswere doubtful if hecould dub but hehad given a wordto director VenkyAtluri that he would.If the glimpse getsready in time, themakers would releaseit as their weddinggreetings to Nithiin,else would drop theplan.
A production venture ofNaga Vamsi under SitharaEntertainments, Rang De,featuring Naresh, Rohini,Kousalya, Brahmaji, VennelaKishore, Satyam Rajesh,Abhinav Gomatam andSuhas in supporting roles, isnearly 70 per cent completed.The makers are consideringshooting a small schedule inNew Zealand in Septemberwith a crew of 30.
T
Sai Pallavi shareswhy she woke upwith a smile
elugu star Ram Charan insists onpaying heed only to credibleinformation.
In his latest Instagram picture,Ram Charan strikes a pensivepose. One arm folded, the actor
scratches a earlobe as if immersed indeep thought. A full beard completesthe intense mood of the frame.
“Listening to Credible info ONLY!”he captioned the snapshot.
Actor Akhil Akkineni took to thecomment section and wrote: “What acaption! completely you!”
Actor Varun Tej Konidela comment-ed: “Hahahah..good one anna!”
On the work front, the actor will beseen in SS Rajamouli’s much-awaitedbig-ticket film RRR. The mega-budgetfilm stars Ram Charan along with Jr.NTR and Bollywood stars Alia Bhattand Ajay Devgn.
The film also features internationalactors Ray Stevenson, Allison Doodyand Samuthirakani.
The period drama narrates a ficti-tious tale based on the life of Telugufreedom fighters, Alluri SeetharamaRaju and Komaram Bheem.Unconfirmed reports have stated thatthe film is being produced at an esti-mated budget of Rs 450 crore.
T
Ram Charan listens to
credible information only
Recently, Mythri Movie Makers’ producerRavi Shankar took up the Haritha Haramchallenge, who nominated his film’s lead
actors to take this challenge further. ActressKrithi Shetty accepted the challenge andplanted saplings. The actress further nominatedall the people who liked Nee Kallu Neli
Samudram song from her latest flick.
12HYDERABAD | SATURDAY | JULY 25, 2020
PTI n NEW DELHI
The eagerly-awaited IndianPremier League will start on
September 19 in the United ArabEmirates (UAE) with the finalslated on November 8, IPLChairman Brijesh Patel told PTI onFriday.
While the event’s GoverningCouncil will meet next week tochalk out the final details andapprove the schedule, it is under-stood that the BCCI has informal-ly intimated the franchises aboutthe plan.
“The GC will meet shortlybut we have finalised the schedule.It will run from September 19 toNovember 8. We expect the gov-ernment approval to comethrough. It is a full 51-day IPL,”
Patel confirmed the developmentafter PTI reported the dates onThursday.
The IPL has been made possi-ble by the ICC’s decision to post-pone the October-November T20World Cup in Australia owing tothe COVID-19 pandemic due towhich the host country expressedits inability to conduct the event.
Patel said that the StandardOperating Procedure to combat theCOVID-19 threat is being pre-pared and the BCCI will formallywrite to the Emirates CricketBoard.
“We are making the SOP andit will be ready in a few days. Toallow crowd or not depends on theUAE government. Anyway socialdistancing has to be maintained.We have left it for their govern-
ment to decide on that. Will alsobe writing to the UAE board for-mally,” Patel said.
There are three grounds avail-able in the UAE -- DubaiInternational Stadium, SheikhZayed Stadium (Abu Dhabi) andthe Sharjah ground.
It is learnt that the BCCI willbe renting the grounds of the ICCAcademy for training of the teams.
The ICC Academy has twofull-sized cricket grounds alongwith 38 turf pitches, 6 indoorpitches, a 5700 square foot outdoorconditioning area along with phys-iotherapy and medicine centre.
As per the current health pro-tocol in Dubai, there is no need tobe in quarantine if people are car-rying a negative COVID-19 testreport, but if they are not, they will
have to undergo a test.While there was speculation
that the IPL will start fromSeptember 26, the BCCI decided toadvance it by a week in order toensure that the Indian team’s tourof Australia is not jeopardised.
“The Indian team will have amandatory quarantine of 14 daysas per the Australian governmentrules. A delay would have sent theplans haywire," a BCCI official saidon conditions of anonymity.
“The best part is that 51 daysis not at all a curtailed period andbroadcasters will be happy with fullseven-week window,” he added.
While the original schedulehad five double-headers, Patel saidthe new one will feature around 12double-headers which means twomatches each on both Saturdays
and Sundays.The Indians are set to play a
four-match Test series againstAustralia starting December 3 inBrisbane after the IPL.
It is expected that with eachand every team needing at least amonth’s time to train, the IPL fran-chises will be leaving base byAugust 20 which gives them exact-ly four weeks time to prepare.
The cash-rich event was orig-inally scheduled to start at the endof March but the COVID-19 pan-demic and the travel restrictionsthat were put in place to containthe virus, led to an indefinitepostponement.
However, BCCI PresidentSourav Ganguly had always main-tained that the event will be heldsome time this year.
PTI n NEW DELHI
The lesson of “forwardpress against fast bowlers”
from Sachin Tendulkar and atip from head coach RaviShastri to stand outside thecrease led to his transforma-tion as a prolific Test batsmanafter a disastrous Englandtour in 2014, feels India cap-tain Virat Kohli.
Kohli had a nightmare ofan England tour where hefailed in 10 successive inningsbut came back later in theyear against Australia scoringfour tons in four games,including two in Adelaide.
In a chat with MayankAgarwal for 'bcci.Tv', theIndian skipper decoded histechnical changes post thatEngland tour.
“The 2014 (tour) will bea milestone in my career. Lotof people take good tours asa milestone in their careersbut for me 2014 will be amilestone,” Kohli toldAgarwal in the show ‘OpenNets with Mayank’.
“I came back fromEngland and spoke to SachinPaaji and had a few sessionswith him in Mumbai. I toldhim that I am working on myhip position. He made merealise the importance of bigstride, a forward press againstfast bowlers,” Kohli explained.
“The moment I starteddoing that with my hip align-ment, things started falling inplace nicely andthen theA u s t r a l i atour hap-p e n e d ,”said Kohli.
H eexplainedwhat wentwrong inEngland andhow herealised it.
“My hipposition was anissue during thatEngland tour. It wasbasically not adjustingto the conditions anddoing what I wanted todo. So being rigiddoesn’t take you any-where. It was a longand painful realiza-tion but I realized it,”he said.
The opening ofhip limited his shotmaking abil ity,Kohli realized.
“One thingstood out, right hipopens or closes toomuch you now you arein trouble. Keep thathip position nice and
side-on and balanced so thatyou can play through both offside and leg side with equalcontrol is very very impor-tant,” he said.
Anderson was taking himout mainly with outgoingdeliveries.
“I was too worried think-ing about the ball that mightcome in. I was opening up abit too early so the ball thatwas going away I was gettingout to it every time. I justcouldn't get past that confu-sion,” he admitted.
However with the tweakin technique also came atweak in his stance, which wassuggested by Shastri (TeamDirector in 2014-15) justbefore the start of 2014-15Australia tour and the rest ishistory.
“He (Shastri) told me onething, to stand outside thecrease. He explained themindset behind it. 'Youshould be in control of thespace you are playing in andnot giving opportunities tothe bowler to get you out’.”
Shastri also explained thelogic that by standing outsidethe crease, so many dismissalsget taken out.
“So I started practisingthat the same year and resultswere unbelievable.”
He also credited formerIndia coach Duncan Fletcher,someone with vast knowledgeabout batting.
“I made my stance biggerafter a conver-
sation withD u n c a nF l e t c h e r ,
who has amaz-ing understanding
of the game. He onlyasked one question,‘Will I be able toplay the short ballwith a forwardpress and thatbase (widenedstance)’. I said Ican.”
T h e r ewas anoth-er interest-ing l itt lechat with
S h a s t r iwhich was anexample of
Kohli's deter-mination.
“Ravi bhaiasked me that if Iwas scared of
short ball,” Kohlilaughed.
“I said I am notscared and I don’t
mind getting hurtbut I don't want to get
out,” the India skipperadded.
PTI n LONDON
Former West Indies T20skipper Carlos
Brathwaite feels Englandpacer Jofra Archer is the“do-it-my-way” type ofplayer which every teamneeds and also has thepotential to be a futureleader of the side.
The 25-year-oldArcher was included inthe England team forthe third Test after beingdropped from thesecond game forbreaching theside’s COVID-19 bio-secureprotocol. Heapologised forhis action ofvisiting hishome whilethe team was in abio-secure envi-
ronment.“There is the tradi-
tional English way of doingit by the book, but all goodteams need the X-Factor. Ithink he (Archer) bringsthat X-Factor and I thoughtKevin Pietersen broughtthat X-Factor,” Brathwaitetold BBC Sport.
“While you’re hop-ing that the majority ofthe team are 75 percent consistent andthey do everything by
the book - they arealways early, theyeat right, they dothis and they dothat - you do needthat rogue.
“I am notsaying thath e(Archer)
is that, butevery team needs
that rogue, that X-Factor,that doesn't play by therules of the book and ‘do itmy way’ type of character.”
Brathwaite cited theexample of star all-rounderBen Stokes, who has court-ed trouble in the past butemerged as one of the mostconsistent performers forEngland in the last twoyears. He also led theEngland team in the firstTest in the absence of JoeRoot.
Brathwaite sees aleader in Archer and wantsEngland to support him indiscovering his leadershipqualities so that he canserve English cricket for along time.
“If you think about it,Stokes not so long ago, wasseen as that type of charac-ter. Now he’s seen as aleader,” Brathwaite said.
IANS n LAHORE
Veteran South Africa spinner Imran Tahirheaped praise on Pakistan white-ball skipper
Babar Azam and referred to him as one of the bestin the world.
Over the years,Azam has been oneof the most consis-tent Pakistan bats-men across formats.He holds the topspot in ICC rank-ings for batsmen inT20Is, third spot inODIs and sixth in Tests.
Tahir also lauded Azam” leadership skills andstated he is perfect for young Pakistan cricketersto follow.
“The current team led by Babar Azam is veryyoung and I wish him all the best because I believehe is one of the best players in the world today,”Tahir was quoted as saying by Cricket Pakistan.
“He is surrounded by youngsters. Young play-ers put a lot of effort into the game. My experi-ence tells me that they will do well in the futurebut at the same time they should be prepared tonot give up if they lose some games,” he added.
AP n MANCHESTER
England’s truncated battingdepartment fell cheaply as dis-ciplined bowling by the West
Indies reduced the hosts to 131-4 bytea on the first day of the deciding testat Old Trafford on Friday.
Ollie Pope (24) and wicketkeep-er Jos Buttler (2) were aiming torebuild the innings in Manchester,with only a long tail left for Englandafter the dismissals of Ben Stokes andRory Burns in the second session.
Stokes - promoted to No. 4 soEngland could squeeze in another fastbowler - was bowled by a beautythrough the gate by Kemar Roach for20, having added 13 runs to his scoreat lunch.
Burns reached his sixth test half-century but departed soon after for57, wafting at a ball from spinnerRoston Chase that was too close tohim and finding an edge that wastaken one-handed - and brilliantly -by Rahkeem Cornwall at slip.
England is crawling along, scor-ing 65 runs at a rate of 2.5 per overbetween lunch and tea.
Before lunch, the West Indiessnared Dom Sibley in the first overand captain Joe Root - to a run-out- near the end of the session afterputting England into bat under grayskies.
England's batting lineup has beenweakened after choosing to select fourfast bowlers as well as a spinner forthe test. Stokes, the star of the secondtest won by England inManchester, is struggling for full fit-ness and unlikely to bowl, so isbeing used as a specialist batsman.
West Indies paceman ShannonGabriel started for the third straightmatch this series and spent some timeoff the field with an apparent ham-
string strain after pulling up duringhis fourth over. He returned, though,to the relief of captain Jason Holderand is back bowling.
Roach has 2-28 off 12.4 overs, andneeds one more wicket for 200 intests.
The series is tied at 1-1 and the
Windies, who won the first test inSouthampton, are looking to capturea test series in England for the firsttime since 1988.
PTI n NEW DELHI
Top Australian cricketerAlyssa Healy has
expressed disappointmentat the cancellation of theIndian women’s team’s pro-posed tour of Englandowing to the COVID-19pandemic.
The Indian women’steam was originally slated toplay a bilateral series com-prising three ODIs and asmany T20Is againstEngland in June which gotpostponed due to the coro-navirus outbreak.
But the UK sojourn wascalled off earlier this week.
“Would be sad to see itnot happen especially withthe hope of a WC (WorldCup) early next year,” Healytweeted in response to apost by Sydney-based crick-et writer Rick Eyre.
The ICC Women’s
World Cup is scheduled tobe played in New Zealandfrom February 6 to March7 next year.
Healy’s remark is signif-icant as she is one of the topfemale cricketers of notonly Australia but theworld.
Eyre wondered why it’sso difficult for the women’steam to tour England evenas the BCCI plans to goahead with the rescheduledIPL in the United ArabEmirates.
His tweet read, “Why isit harder to send the Indiannational women’s team toEngland than it is to sendthe entire IPL to the UAE?”
A challenging tour ofEngland would have helpedimmensely in the Indianteam’s preparations for theWorld Cup, reckoned a fewfrom the cricket communi-ty after the cancellation.
IPL SET TO START ON SEPT 19
ENG STUMBLES TO 131-4 ‘I don't mind getting hurt,just don't want to get out’
Azam one of the bestplayers in the world: Tahir
Healy disappointed after Indcancelled tour of Eng
‘Archer brings that X-Factorwhich every team needs’
Meet friends Tom Cook and Joe Feeney who're setting the barfor friendship really high. The friends are happy winners of a
$22 million Powerball jackpot, a prize they split among eachother respecting a pact they made years ago. In a video sharedon YouTube by Wisconsin Lottery, the friends speak about theirreaction to the big win and this pact they made with each other.Cook, has been playing the Powerball since 1992. When herealised he finally had the winning ticket recently, he called hisbest friend, Feeney. Thoughthe ticket had been boughtby Cook, the friends haddecided years ago that theywould split the winnings ifthey ever win irrespective ofwho bought the ticket. "Wesaid whenever the bigwinner comes we'd split it,so we buy (a ticket) everyweek," says Feeney in thevideo. "That happened manyyears ago and it just kindacontinued," says Cook, adding, "handshake's a handshake, man".Watch the entire video to see the friends and hear what they planto do with the winning amount. The Wisconsin Lottery says, thefriends will get about $5.7 million after taxes, reports USA Today.Well, don't these friends set a great example for everyone? Whatdo you think?
Sonu Sood comes to therescue of Aaji Maa
Ex-Nazi guard convictedover 5,232 murdersA
former Nazi concentration camp guard was convicted ofthousands of counts of being an accessory to murder and
given a two-year suspended prison sentence Thursday, a courtannounced. The 93-year-old man, identified as Bruno D., wascharged with 5,230 counts of accessory to murder over his timeas an SS guard at the Stutthof concentration camp from 1944 to1945. He wasfound guilty by theHamburg juvenilecourt of aiding andabetting in themurder of at least5,232 people. Hefaced a juvenilecourt because hewas 17 years oldat the time he served in Stutthof. The defendant had previouslyadmitted to being a guard at the camp, but told the court at thebeginning of his trial that he had no choice at the time. He grewup in a village by Danzig, which is now the Polish city of Gdansk.More than 40 co-plaintiffs from France, Israel, Poland and theUnited States testified against the former SS guard during thetrial, which began in October. Concluding just over 75 years afterWorld War II ended in Europe, it will be one of the last trials of aformer Nazi. It is estimated that around 65,000 people weremurdered during the Holocaust in the Stutthof concentrationcamp, near the Polish city now called Gdansk.
The internet is in love with the 75-year-old Warrior Aaji Maawhose video of juggling sticks has gone crazy viral on social
media. Actor Sonu Sood is also among them. Impressed withher impeccable martial arts skills, the Simmba actor tweetedthe viral video and said that he wants to open a training schoolwhere she can teach self-defence techniques to women. "Can Iget her details please. Wanna open a small training school withher where she can train women of our country some selfdefence techniques," hewrote. Netizens laudedSonu Sood's idea andtook to the commentssection to express thesame. The 75-year-oldwoman is from Pune.She displays her skillsand collects money onthe streets in order tosustain herself amid thenovel coronaviruslockdown. Earlier, RiteishDeshmukh also applauded the elderly woman and shared hervideo on his Twitter handle. He also asked for the contactdetails and later announced that he was successful inconnecting with the woman. The video of the elderly womanwas first shared on Twitter by a user, Hatinder Singh. It wentinsanely viral in no time.
3-year-old, stranded due to Covid, returns to Israel
Friends split $22 milliondecades after promise
NEW
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MostRead M
elaniya Petrushanska spent almost a sixth of her life inaccidental exile after Israel sealed its borders while she was
abroad on what was meant to be a short holiday. The three-year-old daughter of Ukrainian immigrants had a tearful reunion withher parents this week after an Israeli airline agreed to bring herback, with a special escort, from Kyiv, where she had flown withher grandmother inJanuary. Return flights haddried up as Israel imposedclosures to stem the spreadof the pandemic - withinitial success, though thecountry is now strugglingwith a resurgence.Petrushanska's motherAlona recalled how,speaking to her strandeddaughter by videoconference, she had explained that "the planes are sick ... thatthere was no way to return her because everyone was sick".Although Petrushanska was an Israeli citizen, her grandmotherwas not, which made it impossible for her to enter the countryduring lockdown on one of the few planes still available, Alonasaid. The girl's parents also felt marooned. Flying to Ukraine wouldhave entailed two 14-day quarantines, there and upon returning.Alona said she and her husband could not afford that, given theirshaky job prospects as Israel's economy tanked.
