National English Daily

In memory of Dr Asima Kemal and Prof. Dr. Salim W Kemal

indianhorizon2010@gmail.com

feedbackhorizon@gmail.com

New Delhi, Tuesday, June 2, 2020 Pages 12 + 4 pull out (P16) Price: 3.00Volume No: 7 Issue No: 149

www.indianhorizon.org

Indian HorizonRNI NO: DELENG/2013/51507

Published from New Delhi & Hyderabad

As of Monday morning, the overall number of cases stood at 6,165,181, while

the death toll increased to 371,995.

MORE RELAXATIONS IN KERALA AS PUBLIC TRANSPORT

ALLOWED

P-4 P-11P-8

Hyderabad, June 1 (IANS) TTelangana on Monday report-ed 94 coronavirus positive cas-es and six fatalities, taking the overall number of positive cases to 2792 and the number of Co-vid-19 deaths to 88, according to the Covid-19 health bulletin re-leased by the health authorities.

Out of the 94 coronavirus pos-itive patients, 79 persons have tested positive from areas under GHMC, three persons each from Rangareddy and Medchal, two persons each from Medak, Nal-gonda and Sangareddy districts while one person each tested positive from Mahabubabad, Jangaon and Peddapalli.

For the first time since the travel restrictions were eased, not a single migrant has test-ed positive for Covid-19 on Monday.

The health authorities have also discharged 63 Covid-19 patients, who have recovered at Gandhi Hospital, taking the total number of discharges so far to 1491. At present, there are 1213 active coronavirus posi-tive patients who are admitted to Gandhi Hospital and District Hospital in King Koti.

So far, since the fi rst corona-virus positive was detected on March 2, the health authorities have detected 2792 positive cas-es and treated and discharged 1491 patients with a recovery rate of 53 per cent.

TELANGANA RECORDS 94 NEW CASES,

SIX DEATHS ON MONDAY

WITH HIGHEST SPIKE OF 8,392 CASES, INDIA’S COVID 19 TALLY REACHES 1,90,535

THE WORLD UNDER ATTACK

New Delhi, June 1 (IANS)India’s COVID-19 tally on Monday witnessed its highest-ever spike of 8,392 cases, while 230 more deaths related to the infec-tion were also reported in the last 24 hours, according to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW).

The total number of coronavirus cases in the country now stands at 1,90,535 including 93,322

active cases, 91,819 cured/discharged/migrated and 5,394 deaths.COVID-19 cases in Maharashtra con-tinue to soar with the num-

ber reaching 67,655. Tamil Nadu’s coronavirus count stands at 22,333 while cases in Delhi the number has reached 19,844.

GLOBAL COVID 19 CASES TOP 6.1 MILLION

Washington, June 1 (IANS) As of Monday morning, the overall number of cases stood at 6,165,181, while the death toll increased to 371,995, the University’s Center for Systems Science and Engi-neering (CSSE) revealed in its latest update.

With 1,789,364 con-fi rmed cases and 104,358 deaths, the US accounts for the highest number of infections and fatalities in the world, according to the CSSE.Meanwhile in terms of cases, Brazil comes in the second place with 514,849 infections.

This was followed by Russia (405,843), the UK (276,156), Spain (239,479), Italy (232,997), India (190,609), France (189,009), Germany (183,410), Peru (164,476), Turkey (163,942), and Iran (151,466), the CSSE fi gures showed.

Regarding fatalities, the UK continues in the second position after the US with 38,571 COVID-19 deaths, which also accounts for the highest fatalities in Europe.

The other countries with over 10,000 deaths are Italy (33,415), Brazil (29,314), France (28,805) and Spain (27,127).

PUTIN TO MONITOR VICTORY PARADE FROM

RED SQUARE TRIBUNE

IN THESE CHALLENGING TIMES, OUR PARENTS NEED

US MORE THAN EVER: SACHIN

The total number of coronavirus cases in the country now stands at 1,90,535 including 93,322 active cases, 91,819 cured/discharged/

migrated and 5,394 deaths.

Bengaluru, June 1 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said the world is facing its biggest crisis since the two world wars amid the Covid pandemic. He was addressing a Bengaluru varsity’s silver jubilee cel-ebration on Monday.

“Like the world changed pre and post world war, the same way pre and post Covid world will be different,” Modi said through a video link while inaugurating the 25 years celebration of the Rajiv Gandhi Univer-sity of Health Sciences

(RGUHS).Appreciating the efforts of the medical community, Modi said the root of India’s fi ght against Covid is the hard work of the medical com-munity and the corona warriors.

“In fact doctors and medical workers are like soldiers but without the soldier’s uniform,” Modi said.Karnataka Chief Minister B. S. Yediyurap-pa, Governor Vajubhai Vala, Medical Education Minister K. Sudhakar, Deputy Chief Minister C. N. Ashwathnarayan were among those who partici-

pated in the event.Main-taining physical distance and wearing masks, the leaders sat far apart, lis-

tening to Modi speak on a giant screen.“Participated in the silver jubilee cele-brations of RGUHS along

with Vala and Yediyurap-pa. Modi inaugurated the event and addressed the gathering,” tweeted Sud-hakar.

Sudhakar said the prime minister will fl ag off the ‘Covid19 Innovation Challenge Hackathon’, a collaboration of talented minds from top institutes to showcase solutions.

The state government established the medical varsity through the Rajiv Gandhi Health Sciences University Act, 1994, with the objective of setting up a varsity for the purpose of proper, systematic edu-

WORLD FACING BIGGEST CRISIS SINCE WORLD WARS: PM

CONGRESS SLAMS KEJRIWAL FOR SEALING DELHI BORDERS

SHAH HOLDS MEET OVER CYCLONE BREWING IN ARABIAN SEA

New Delhi, June 1 (IANS)After Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday announced that the borders of the national capital will be sealed for a week as the coro-navirus cases are rising.

The Congress slammed the decision and said that blam-ing outsiders will not cover up the crumbling health care facilities.The Congress said that this is "Kejriwal Corona Blame Game".

Former Union Minister Ajay Maken said, "While just blam-ing outsiders for crumbling Delhi health care facilities and sealing the borders. Would the

borders be sealed for 630 ad-mitted at AIIMS Jhajjar (Hary-ana) out of a total of 2,395 hos-pitalised Delhi COVID patients, when they come back?"

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has sought sugges-tions from the people through WhatsApp or email till 5 p.m. on Friday, saying he also needs suggestions and guidance on whether Delhi government hospitals should be reserved for the residents of Delhi.

Addressing the media on Monday, Kejriwal said until now, his government was able to do so much work in Delhi because of the support of the

people and their trust, say-ing the guidance of the people made him implement many important decisions in the city.For the time being, he said, the Delhi government is sealing the borders for one week.

New Delhi, June 1 (IANS) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday held a meet-ing to take stock of the situation and preparedness to deal with Cyclone 'Nisarga' brewing in the Arabian Sea.

Shah held the review meet-ing with senior offi cials of the National Disaster Manage-ment Authority (NDMA), the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the India Me-teorological Department (IMD). Minister of State (Home Affairs) Nityanand Rai was also pres-

ent in the meeting.Days after the country's eastern coast was battered by Amphan, a fresh cy-clone has begun brewing over the Arabian Sea on the west-ern coast and is expected to hit some parts of Maharashtra and Gujarat.

The IMD on Monday sound-ed a 'Yellow' warning for north Maharashtra and south Gujarat coast. Cyclonic storm 'Nisarga' will affect the coastal districts of Maharashtra, including Mum-bai, more than Gujarat and other neighbouring states, the

MD cautioned on Monday.It said that the depression in the Arabian Sea is slated to inten-sify into a severe cyclonic storm 'Nisarga' and cross north Maha-rashtra and Gujarat coasts be-tween Harihareshwar in Raigad district and Daman on June 3.

Ranchi, June 1 (IANS) Maoist guerrillas set on fi re four vehicles used in road construction work in Jharkhand's Gumla district on Monday, police said.

According to police, the guerrillas, numbering 10 to 12 and carrying weapons, raided a camp offi ce of the road construction com-pany situated in Maoist-infested Lawkhamaan toli of Gumla district early on Monday.

They poured petrol on the four vehicles parked there and set them on fi re.A private company is involved in six kilometre road construction work in the area.Police reached the area six hours after the in-cident. The denial of levy is said to be the reason for the arson.

Maoists on regular basis target road and bridge con-struction fi rms in the state and torch vehicles involved in the work. Around 50 to 60 vehicles are torched ev-ery year in the state.

MAOISTS TORCH 4

VEHICLES IN JHARKHAND

Patna, June 1 (IANS) The As-sembly elections are expected in Bihar this year and almost every political party is gearing up for this.

Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad, who is currently in jail after being convicted in Fodder scam, is also constantly targeting the state government and its regime in his own style on social media.

On Monday, a tweet from his account gave 18 names to the Nitish regime and appealed to the public to remove this gov-ernment in the next election.A satirical tweet in Hindi said: "Pandrah saal se Bihar mein chhal-bal raj, daladal raj, anar-gal raj, vaakchhal raj, nishphal

raj, viphal raj, amangal raj, ko-laahal raj, halaahaal raj, akushal raj, bandal raj, adiyal raj, mari-yal raj, ghaayal raj, illegal raj, anaitik raj, dushaasan raj, vish-vaasaghaatee raj.

Ise ukhaadane ka karo kaaj, lao gareeb-gurabe ka raj.Sig-nifi cantly, Lalu Prasad, the for-mer chief minister of Bihar, is serving a jail term following his conviction in the fooder scam. Presently, he is admitted in

LALU GIVES 18 NAMES TO NITISH REGIME IN OWN STYLE

the Rajendra Institute of Medi-cal Sciences, Ranchi. But he is continuously targeting the state government through Twitter.

New Delhi, June 1 (IANS) The Delhi government on Monday allowed all shops in the markets to open without any odd-even rules and also gave its nod for starting bar-ber shops and salons in the city for the fi rst time since the lockdown.Addressing the media, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said the night curfew will remain in place between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. instead of between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. in the previ-ous edition of the lockdown. During the curfew, the move-ment will only be allowed for

UNLOCK 1.0: ALL SHOPS, INCLUDING BARBER, SALON ALLOWED IN DELHI

essential services.Announc-ing the further relaxations in the 'Unlock 1.0' phase an-nounced by the Centre, he said that the relaxations given earlier will be implemented as it is."The Central government has sent its guidelines on the next phase of the lockdown

beginning from Monday and the decisions of the Delhi government are based on the guidelines of the Central gov-ernment," said Kejriwal.He said the Delhi government is also removing the restriction of only one passenger being allowed to travel in an auto-

rickshaw, e-rickshaw, and phat-phat sewas."The barber and salon shops will now re-main open except spas.

Based on the guidelines of the Central government, the Delhi government is also re-moving the restrictions on not more than three passen-gers allowed in a four-wheel-er, and not more than one passenger allowed on a two-wheeler."

Kejriwal said that since there is no condition in the guidelines of the Central government of shops be-ing allowed to operate on an odd-even basis."The Delhi government has decided to lift this condition and now all shops will be allowed to operate in a market place.

2 City Indian HorizonTuesday, June 2, 2020

New Delhi, June 1 (IANS) The Union Health Ministry on Monday said that two specific trends were noticed in the Covid-19 situation - while the recovery rate is increasing on one hand, case fa-tality is going down on the other. The ministry said at least 4,835 Covid-19 patients had been cured in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of cured patients to 91,818.

"The recovery rate in the country is progressively increasing and has reached 48.19 per cent amongst Cov-id-19 patients. On May 18, it was 38.29 per cent, on May 3, it was 26.59 per cent and on April 15, it was 11.42 per cent," it said. The Health Ministry also said that presently there are 93,322 ac-tive cases in the country, which are un-der active medical supervision.

The case fatality rate is 2.83 per cent. On May 18, it was 3.15 per cent, on May 3, it was 3.25 per cent and on April

15, it was 3.30 per cent."A steady decline can be seen in

the case fatality rate in the country. The relatively low death rate is attrib-uted to the continued focus on surveil-lance, timely case identification and clinical management of the cases," the ministry said. It also said that the testing capacity increased in the coun-try through a total of 676 laboratories including 472 government and 204 private laboratories. "Cumulatively, 38,37,207 samples have been tested so far for Covid-19, whereas, 1,00,180 samples were tested on Sunday," the Health Ministry stated. According to the data the ministry cited in its press statement, the case fatality rate in the world is 6.19 per cent. It is highest in France, at 19.35 per cent, followed Belgium with 16.25 per cent, Italy with 14.33 per cent and the UK with 14.07 per cent.

New Delhi, June 1 (IANS) Days after the Supreme Court directed that the safety and social distancing norms should be followed in aircraft, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), here on Monday, asked airlines to keep the middle seats of a row vacant if the passenger load and seat capacity allowed.

If the middle seat was oc-cupied owing to passenger load, additional protec-tive equipment, like 'wrap around gowns', be pro-vided to people occupying those seats in addition to the three-layered face mask and face shield, the aviation regulator said in a circular.

"The airlines shall allot the seats in such a manner that

the middle seat/seat be-tween two passengers is kept vacant if the passenger load and seat capacity permits. However, the members of same family may be allowed to sit together," it said. The DGCA circular noted that the recommendations were submitted to the Ministry of Civil Aviation by the expert committee, constituted by the Ministry in pursuance of the observation of the Su-preme Court and in interest of the safety of passengers.

On May 25, the Supreme Court said there couldn't be two norms -- six feet so-cial distancing outside and shoulder to shoulder travel on flights. "The govern-ment should worry about the health of citizens than

the health of commercial airlines," it said. "We make it clear that the DGCA is free to alter any norm, it may con-sider necessary, during the pendency of the matter in the interest of public health and safety of the passen-gers rather than commercial considerations," the court said.

The DGCA circular also said airlines would have to provide passengers safety kits, including three-layered surgical mask, face shield and adequate sanitiser in bottles or sachets.

No drinks or drinking water be served on board, except in extreme circum-stances arising due to health reasons, it added.

Airlines have been asked

to set the air-conditioning system in a way that air is replaced at the shortest pos-sible intervals, and clean and sanitise plane lavatories frequently during the flight. Among other directives, the DGCA asked airlines and airports to explore the pos-sibility of having a disinfec-tion tunnel after evaluating its health impact on human beings. The new directives will come into effect from Wednesday. The domestic commercial flights started after two months on May 25. International flights will not resume till end of June. A decision to restart services will be taken by the Centre in July, depending upon circumstances prevailing at that time.

Keep middle seats vacant if capacity allows: DGCA to airlines

New Delhi, June 1 (IANS) Delhi Lt Governor Anil Baijal and Chief Minister Arvind Ke-jriwal on Monday paid condo-lences to the two Delhi Police assistant sub-inspectors (ASI) who died of coronavirus infec-

tion. "Extremely saddened at the death of two Delhi police bravehearts in the line of duty. Their untimely demise is (a) great loss for Delhi Police. Su-preme sacrifice made by them in (the) fight against Covid-19

will always be remembered. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families," the LG said in a tweet. Delhi police on Monday also paid homage to two members of its staff, "who made the greatest sacrifice in

this fight against COVID", call-ing them "corona warriors". Kejriwal saluted the brave ASIs and said the entire Delhi is with their families in the pain. While one of the ASI died on Saturday.

New Delhi, June 1 (IANS) Roche Diagnostics India on Monday said it welcomed Indian Council of Medical Research's communica-tion regarding its COVID-19 anti-body test for seroprevalence stud-ies in India.

Dr Shravan Subramanyam, Managing Director, Roche Diag-nostics India said, "Roche Diag-nostics India welcomes ICMR's communication that cites making available Roche COVID-19 anti-body test for seroprevalence stud-ies in India."

According to Subramanyam, the study includes those on high-risk groups like healthcare work-ers - to plan the country's pan-demic management efforts in the future. The lab-based antibody test that runs on fully automated Chemiluminescence Immuno-assay (CLIA) analysers with esti-mated peak testing capacity of 0.5 million tests a day is being made

available across National Ac-creditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) approved and government sites in India.

The Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2 serology test that supports detec-tion of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 has received the Import Li-cense issued by the Central Drug Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), due to the emergency health situation in the public in-terest. The test is CE IVD certified and has received USFDA emer-gency use authorisation (EUA).

Subramanyam said that this world-class COVID-19 antibody test is already deployed in UK, Singapore and other countries to test for COVID-19 antibodies. "We are committed to explore public-private partnerships to build scale and thereby access to Roche COVID-19 antibody tests in India."

Roche gets green signal for COVID

antibody test

New Delhi, June 1 (IANS) Start-ing Monday, the Delhi govern-ment gave some more relaxations in the lockdown 5.0, however, the educational institutes, malls, gymnasiums, swimming pools, metro and places of worship will continue to be barred in the city.

In an order, signed by Delhi Chief Secretary Vijay Dev, the Delhi Disaster Management Au-thority extended the lockdown period in the Containment Zones in the national capital up to June 30, while allowing some more re-laxations across the city outside Containment Zones.

Dev, in his capacity as Chair-person, State Executive Commit-tee, said a number of activities will continue to remain prohibited throughout the city, including the Metro Rail Services. "All schools, colleges, educational training, coaching institutions etc will re-

main closed. Online and distance learning shall continue to be per-mitted and shall be encouraged," the June 1 order said.

It said hotels and other hos-pitality services will also remain shut, except "those meant for housing health, police, govern-ment officials, healthcare workers or stranded persons, including tourists and those used for quar-antine facilities, and running of canteens at bus depots, railway stations and airports."

A large number of hotels in the city are currently being used as quarantine facilities for common man as well as for the frontline workers. Also, hotels in the city are being used as extended hospi-tals to deal with the rising corona-virus cases. All spas, cinema halls, shopping malls, gymnasiums, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres, bars and audito-

riums, assembly halls and similar places will also remain shut in the city, the order added. Also, it said, "all social, political, sports, enter-tainment, academic, cultural, reli-gious functions and other gather-ings and large congregations" will remain prohibited.

"All religious places, places of Worship shall be closed for the public. Religious congregations are strictly prohibited," it added.

The Central government last week adopted an exit step to-wards 67-day long nationwide lockdown, declaring that the re-striction will be limited to only containment zones up to June 30.

However, certain activities were barred even outside the contain-ment zones to check the spread of coronavirus infection.

The coronavirus cases in the national capital are approaching 20,000 mark.

Lockdown 5.0: Delhi bars metro, malls, gyms, religious places

Recovery rate rising, case fatality going down:

Health Ministry

Delhi seals borders for a week; seeks public opinion for future

New Delhi, June 1 (IANS) Delhi Chief Minister Ar-vind Kejriwal announced on Monday that the bor-ders of the national capital will be sealed for a week given the rising number of coronavirus cases, adding that further decision on the same will be based on the suggestions received from the public.

To decide on whether borders should be opened, Kejriwal has sought sugges-tions from people through WhatsApp or email till 5 p.m. on Friday, saying that he also needed suggestions and guidance on whether Delhi government hospi-tals should be reserved for the residents of Delhi.

Addressing the media, Kejriwal said that until now, his government could do so much work in Delhi because of the support of the people and their trust, saying the guidance of the people helped him imple-ment many important de-cisions in the city. For the time being, he said, the Delhi government is seal-ing the borders for one week. "Essential services will remain functional and government officials can travel showing their identity cards. Based on the suggestions received from you, we will talk to

the experts and decide on our future course of action on opening of borders," Kejriwal said. "Covid-19 positive cases are rising in Delhi, which is a matter of worry but there is no need to panic. I say this because the AAP government has invested a lot in developing the healthcare infrastruc-ture of Delhi in the last five years," the Chief Minister said. Kejriwal said there has been holistic development of the health infrastructure in Delhi and assured that when the world is fighting to strengthen its health-care systems against the Covid-19 pandemic, the Delhi government is ready to provide adequate health facilities and "a bed if you are ever infected by coro-navirus". Kejriwal said that the decision to open Delhi borders can be a challeng-ing one because of the large

influx of people from across the country for medical treatment. "People from all across the country come to Delhi for medical treat-ment because, first, Delhi's healthcare system is better than the healthcare sys-tem of any other state in the country. Secondly, the medical services in the gov-ernment hospitals in Delhi are free. People can avail free of cost treatment in the government hospitals even if the treatment costs Rs 10 lakh," he said.

"As soon as we open the borders, people from across the country will come to Delhi for better treatment. We have a ca-pacity of 9,500 beds for coronavirus treatment in Delhi hospitals as against 2,300 patients today, but all the beds will be occupied in just 2-3 days if we have an influx of patients from

across the country. What should we do? Should Del-hi borders be opened," he asked.

Kejriwal said some peo-ple believe that the bor-ders should be opened, but medical treatment in the hospitals should only be provided to the residents of Delhi. "But how can we do that? Delhi is the national capital and it belongs to all. How can Delhi deny treat-ment to all these people now? Some people believe that this practice should be adopted only for the coronavirus pandemic. We have various suggestions and we need your guid-ance on what should be done," he added. Kejriwal asked people to send their suggestions through What-sApp (8800007722), email (delhicm.suggestions@gmail.com) or call (1031).

Delhi shares its border with Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. While Delhi has so far allowed people from its satellite cities -- Guru-gram, Sonepat, Faridabad (in Haryana) and Noida, Greater Noida and Ghazi-abad (in Uttar Pradesh), the neighbouring states have blocked the move-ment. However, from Mon-day, the Haryana govern-ment opened its inter-state borders with Delhi.

Delhi LG, CM pay condolences to ASIs who died of Covid-19

New Delhi, June 1 (IANS) Car-rying forward the tradition of serving food through commu-nity kitchens beyond the walls of gurdwaras, Delhi Sikh Gurd-wara Management Committee on Monday started 'Langar on Wheels' to provide food and wa-ter to the destitute.

Even though the lockdown restrictions have been relaxed, lack of income and dwindling finances have pushed people into a state of deep despair and distress. To ensure that no one sleeps empty stomach, esti-mated fifteen thousand people living in Jhuggi-Jhopri clusters, railways stations, bus stands, rain shelters and pavements will be served food daily.

Committee President Man-jinder Singh Sirsa said that 15

vans will leave Gurdwara Ban-gla Sahib, situated in the heart of the national capital, in the wee hours of the day and serve food to people at various plac-es across the city. "They will be left in a lurch if proper food etc is not provided to them," Manjinder Singh Sirsa added. He said that the vow was taken after several NGOs and insti-tutions, which were providing food to the needy amid lock-down, withdrew their services. Harmeet Singh Kalka, General Secretary of the committee, said that the decision to start 'Langar on Wheels' has been taken as it was 'impractical' for most of the poor people to find the near-est Gurdwara. "Now, we have decided to go where the people are." The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara

Management Committee had earlier launched a similar com-munity kitchen initiative for migrant labourers at around ten locations in the national capital re gion. The Committee Presi-dent added that the initiative has been started for one month but will be extended from time-to-time till the economic activi-ties are restored and disadvan-taged people are able to sustain themselves.

The Committee will remain in touch with the Sikh leaders, government officials and resi-dent welfare associations of the respective areas to gauge the de-mand of the food. He added that additional food will be rushed to any place if the demand esca-lates.

Vans with banners highlight-

ing food and water arrange-ments for needy persons will also be stationed at different places like railway stations and bus stands. Those in need will be served 'langar' at a conve-nient place with social distanc-ing.

Harmeet Singh Kalka, General Secretary of the committee, said that the decision to start 'Langar on Wheels' has been taken as it was 'impractical' for most of the poor people to find the near-est Gurdwara. "Now, we have decided to go where the people are." The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee had earlier launched a similar com-munity kitchen initiative for migrant labourers at around ten locations in the national capital region.

Delhi's 'Langar on Wheels' to feed over 15,000 daily

EPFO releases Rs 868 cr pension, Rs 105 cr arrears

New Delhi, June 1 (IANS) The Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) released Rs 868 crore pension along with Rs 105 crore arrear on account of restoration of commuted value of pension by the central government, the Ministry of Labour and Employment an-nounced, here on Monday.

Earlier the central government accepted the EPFO Trust's recommendation on one of the longstanding demands of workers to allow res-toration of commuted value of pension after 15 years, allowing pensioners receive enhanced pension. Without the provision for commuted pension, pensioners continued to receive re-duced pension lifelong. "This is a historical step for the benefit of pensioners under EPS-95," the Ministry said.

The Employee's Pension Scheme (EPS 95) was rolled out in 1995. Initially, the ceiling was Rs 5,000, which was raised to Rs 6,500 in 2011 and then to Rs 15,000 in 2014. The EPFO ca-ters to more than 65 lakh pensioners through its 135 regional offices. The EPFO employees processed May pension and ensured its credit in the pensioners' bank accounts on schedule, battling all odds during the Covid-19-induced lockdown.

3StateIndian Horizon, Tuesday, June 2, 2020

New Delhi, June 1 (IANS) The Parliamentary Standing Com-mittee meeting on the issue of lockdown and other issues per-taining to Ministry of Home Af-fairs, scheduled to meet on June 3, has been postponed after a majority of the members ex-pressed their inability to attend, source said.

The Home Secretary was schedule to appear and brief the committee on the ongoing lockdown and its impact on the country.

This was supposed to be the first meeting after the an-nouncement of the lockdown.

The Committee chairman, Congress Deputy Leader in Ra-jya Sabha, Anand Sharma had called the meeting. In April,

the move to hold a virtual meet was stalled by the Rajya Sabha Secretariat on the ground that the standing committee meet-ing can't be held virtually on ground of secrecy.

The principal opposition par-ty, Congress has been demand-ing parliamentary oversight on the government function-ing. This meeting would have paved way for meetings on the other standing committees. The Centre on Saturday adopted an exit step towards 67-day long nationwide lockdown, declar-ing that the restriction will be limited to only containment zones upto June 30 and prohib-ited activities will be opened in a phased manner in areas outside these zones.

Standing Committee on Home's meeting on lockdown, other issues put off

New Delhi, June 1 (IANS) As the Delhi government on Mon-day removed the restrictions on the number of persons travelling in four-wheelers, two-wheel-ers, auto-rickshaws, e-rickshaws and other vehicles in the city, Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot urged all to maintain social distancing.

Delhi Chief Minis-ter Arvind Kejriwal on Monday said there will also be no restric-tions on the number of persons travelling in four-wheelers, two-wheelers, auto-rick-shaws, e-rickshaws and other vehicles in the city. "As per the new rules of the Delhi government, there will be no restrictions on vehicles such as autos, e-rickshaws, rural services for al-lowing only one pas-senger. There will also be no restriction on cars and two-wheel-ers etc. But I request you to fully follow the social distancing norms at the time of this corona disaster

and be safe," Gahlot tweeted in Hindi.

While all public transports in Delhi were shut since March 25, with the coronavi-rus lockdown in force, public transport in the city has been started with a cap on the number of pas-sengers from May 19.

In 2-wheelers, pil-lion riders were not allowed and in four-wheelers, only three people were allowed, including the driver.

Auto-rickshaws, e-rickshaws, and cycle-rickshaws were al-lowed in Delhi with only one passenger. Taxis and cabs were allowed with only two passengers. Gramin,

phat-phat, and eco-friendly sevas were also allowed with only two passengers. Maxi cabs were allowed with only five passen-gers and RTVs with only 11 passengers.

The drivers are di-rected to ensure the disinfection of the passenger seat after each drop-off for the safety of the next pas-senger. Public buses were also started from May 19, how-ever, Kejriwal has not mentioned about any change in the limit of 20 passengers in the bus. Meanwhile, the Metro services will continue to remain shut in the national capital.

No bar on passenger count in autos,

cars in Delhi

New Delhi, May 31 (IANS) Two Pakistan High Commission officials were caught spying on Sunday after an operation by Mili-tary Intelligence (MI) found the men would visit Indian defence personnel as "busi-nessmen" to secure infor-mation for "news report-ers", triggering a demarche by the Narendra Modi gov-ernment. Both Abid Hus-sain and Mohammad Tahir have been declared persona non grata and expelled from India.

An official statement of the Ministry of External Af-fairs (MEA) said that two officials of the High Com-mission of Pakistan in New Delhi were apprehended for indulging in espionage activities. Pakistan's Charge de Affaires was issued a de-marche, in which a strong protest was lodged with re-gard to the activities of the officials of the High Com-

mission of Pakistan against India's national security, the government said.

Sources said that out of the two, Hussain (42), working as an assistant in the Department of Trade in Pakistan High Commission, was an operative of Paki-stan's spy agency, ISI and is from Punjab province of Pakistan. Delhi Police's Special Cell and the Intelli-gence Bureau assisted MI in the operations.

The law enforcement agencies, who apprehended the two officials, recovered some incriminating docu-ments, Rs 15,000 and two iPhones from them. Of the two iPhones, they were to give one to their informants.

Sources said after they were caught, both Abid and Tahir admitted to be in communication with many other persons for gathering information. The Ministry of External Affairs,

in its statement,described the activities of the officials "inimical to India" and "in-compatible with their diplo-matic status". While indulg-ing in espionage activities, he told Indian defence per-sonnel that he was from Amritsar. His colleague, an upper division clerk in the high commission, Tahir (44), who is from Islam-abad, would accompany him on the espionage mis-sions to gather information for "news reporters".

The Indian government has declared both the offi-

cials persona non grata "for indulging in activities in-compatible with their status as members of a diplomatic mission and asked them to leave the country within twenty four hours".

The two would pay Rs 25,000 for every exchange of information and expensive gifts such as Apple iPhones. They were paid via phone wallet application such as Paytm. Both were in the commission for the last two years, sources said adding that the duo were driven around by Javed Akhtar

(36), a resident of Mianwali in Pakistan's Punjab, who has also been arrested.

The two officials had been on the radar of the In-dian agencies for their sus-picious activities including attempts to contact and lure service personnel for espio-nage, sources said.

Delhi Police's Special Cell and the Intelligence Bureau assisted MI in the opera-tions. The law enforcement agencies, who apprehended the two officials, recovered some incriminating docu-ments, Rs 15,000 and two iPhones from them. Of the two iPhones, they were to give one to their informants.

Sources said after they were caught, both Abid and Tahir admitted to be in communication with many other persons for gather-ing information. The Min-istry of External Affairs, in its statement,described the activities.

Two Pak HC officials caught spying, met defence personnel as 'businessmen'

New Delhi/Srinagar, June 1 (IANS) Pakistan's new terror group for Kashmir 'The Resistance Front' (TRF) has threat-ened to kill non-Kash-miris if they try to settle down in Kashmir under the new domicile law of the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

In a statement which was released through its channels on online mes-saging platforms, TRF--a front of the banned Paki-stani terror outfit Lash-kar-e-Taiba--"openly" declared that "any Indian who comes with the in-tention to settle in Kash-mir will be treated as an agent of RSS and not as a civilian and will be dealt with appropriately".

The TRF threat issued on its letterhead, comes

weeks after the central government introduced a new domicile law for the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. As per the new law, any person who has resided in J&K for a period of 15 years will be eligible for the domi-cile certificate. A student who has studied for seven years and passed Class 10 or Class 12 in the Union Territory of J&K can also apply for the domicile certificate.

The law also offers do-micile rights to all the displaced people due to militancy and are regis-tered with the Relief and Rehabilitation Commis-sioner (Migrants) in J&K.

On Monday, TRF in its statement alleged that the new domicile law was an RSS-BJP

"plot to change the de-mography of Kashmir" "hatched whereby RSS fascists will be settled in Kashmir under the garb of civilian cover". The terror group said that though it observes the principles of Islam and does not harm "non-combatant/civil-ian of any race, religion or ethnicity under any circumstances" but "it will not be deceived by the machinations of RSS-BJP". Inciden-tally, Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan has been persistently running a social me-dia campaign against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and the Rashtriya Swayamse-vak Sangh, using the same rhetoric.

TRF threatens to kill 'Indians' who plan to

settle down in Kashmir

New Delhi, June 1 (IANS) One of the most prestigious institutions of the national capital, the Delhi Golf Club had to lay off 59 staff of its food and beverages division as membership fee has not been sufficient to support their high wages which were over Rs 1 lakh per month for the head cook, and nearly Rs 90,000 for a waiter.

Were the club to continue paying such high salary for a few more months then in four to five years it would go bankrupt, said President Delhi Golf Club R.S. Bedi.

"Rs 11 crore was paid as full and final settlement to

59 workers. This money has come from our reserves. For example, the head cook got Rs 39 Lakh. On an average every worker had between Rs 15 to 16 Lakh compensa-tion, and plus the provident fund. As a gesture, we will ask our F&B outsourcing partner to consider these employees for contractual engagement," said Bedi. Last week, the club put up a statement shutting down its food and beverage divi-sion citing a high wage bill, negotiated by a committee in 2015, which led to huge losses and threatened its fi-nancial stability. As a result,

the lay off happened, and the club had to outsource the division. We told these workers to come to an ar-rangement where the club survives and they continue. "We told them the Rs 12 crore wage bill will go up to Rs 25 crore in 2025. But, on March 22, they refused to step down on their de-mands," said Bedi. Accord-ing to a senior official in the club, the management has worked out full and final legal dues of these workers including, notice pay, re-trenchment compensation, leave encashment, gratuity, and LTA.

Speaking to IANS, Bedi said the coronavirus pan-demic has run havoc on the financial health of the club, there was no revenue in the past three months, and it seems the situation, in the backdrop of social distanc-ing norms, will not improve till the end of 2020.

He added that the mem-bership fee of the club is not enough to support the wage bill of F&B division. "We were paying 40 percent higher salaries than any other club in India. In the past two years, we were in constant touch with the em-ployees of this division and

asked them to renegotiate the wage agreement.

Bedi said as per 2015 wage agreement, the committee agreed to pay 250 per cent more than the market rate, insisting that the club has taken every step in compli-ance with the labour laws of the state.

A source familiar with the development said that the every five year wage revi-sion happens, and the wage agreement had come to an end in March 2020. The management had urged the employees to renego-tiate the arrangement, as the club's finances were

dwindling in past few years funding salaries of this di-vision, added the source. According to the club, the head cook was earning Rs 1.01 Lakh per month, su-pervisor-kitchen Rs 91,452, waiter Rs 87,356, masalchi Rs 60,288 and supervisor Rs 83,585. "The financial health of our club does not permit us to continue our F&B op-erations as the same are not economically viable as at current trends the cost will be @ Rs 17.40 crore against a revenue receipt of Rs 12.12 crore from our F&B servic-es at the club," said club's statement. Bedi added that

the club will be unable to fulfil its objective of promot-ing golfing, if it were to com-pensate food and beverages division losses from its sub-scription. "We cannot afford to shift funds from golf to F&B. The golf course was in ruins, we spent nearly Rs 12 crore to renovate it. We told these workers to come to an arrangement where the club survives and they con-tinue. "We told them the Rs 12 crore wage bill will go up to Rs 25 crore in 2025. But, on March 22, they refused to step down on their de-mands," said Bedi. Accord-ing to a senior official.

Squeezed dry Delhi Golf Club lays off 59, as head cook walks off with Rs39L

New Delhi, June 1 (IANS) The Delhi government on Monday allowed all shops in the markets to open without any odd-even rules and also gave its nod for starting bar-ber shops and salons in the city for the first time since the lockdown. Addressing the media, Chief Minister Ar-vind Kejriwal said the night curfew will remain in place between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. in-stead of between 7 p.m. and

7 a.m. in the previous edition of the lockdown. During the curfew, the movement will only be allowed for essential services. Announcing the fur-ther relaxations in the 'Unlock 1.0' phase announced by the Centre, he said that the re-laxations given earlier will be implemented as it is.

"The Central government has sent its guidelines on the next phase of the lockdown beginning from Monday and

the decisions of the Delhi government are based on the guidelines of the Central gov-ernment," said Kejriwal.

He said the Delhi govern-ment is also removing the restriction of only one passen-ger being allowed to travel in an auto-rickshaw, e-rickshaw, and phat-phat sewas. "The barber and salon shops will now remain open except spas. Based on the guidelines of the Central government, the

Delhi government is also re-moving the restrictions on not more than three passengers allowed in a four-wheeler, and not more than one passenger allowed on a two-wheeler."

Kejriwal said that since there is no condition in the guidelines of the Central government of shops be-ing allowed to operate on an odd-even basis. "The Delhi government has decided to lift this condition and now

all shops will be allowed to operate in a market place. The Delhi government also announced the operation of the industries based on stag-gered timings on the guide-lines of the Central govern-ment, which have also been removed now," he said. The Central government on Satur-day announced steps for exit-ing the nationwide lockdown, declaring that the restriction will be limited.

Unlock 1.0: All shops, including barber, salon allowed in Delhi

South4 Indian HorizonTuesday, June 2, 2020

Thiruvananthapuram, June 1 (IANS) With authorities try-ing their level best to bring back normalcy to day-to-day lives of people -- thrown haywire by the coronavirus outbreak and subsequent lockdown -- Kerala has opted for online teaching to ensure the studies of schoolchil-dren in the coastal state does not suffer. Online classes have been enabled through state-owned KITE-Victers Channel to benefit about 4.5 million stu-dents from Class 1 to 12 of state syllabus schools.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijay-an appeared on TV at 8.30 am on Monday and announced the commencement of the online classes.

“Each class will have sepa-rate time slot and schoolteach-ers concerned will have to constantly interact with their students to ensure that all fol-low the new routine of online classes,” said Vijayan.

For students who miss online classes due to power failure or connectivity issues, there will be a daily repeat telecast, as also availabile on YouTube.

But for the Covid scare, Mon-day would have witnessed the usual hustle and bustle in Ker-ala schools as students would have walked in wearing new school uniforms and carrying schoolbags. Vice-Chairman and Executive Director Anwar Sadath of Kerala Infrastructure

and Technology for Education (KITE) -- which is behind the IT-enabled education in over 16,000 Kerala schools -- told IANS that they have been work-ing on the project for a while, with the biggest advantage that all digital content was ready.

He said it could never ever be imagined that online class-rooms would be put into effect so quickly. “We have prepared time-tables for all classes. The first class of the day was for Class 12 English subject for half an hour in which lectures recorded by two teachers were aired. This service reaches every student’s home through KITE-Victers channel, which is aired by cable TV network,” said Sadath.

Daily, there will be four pe-riods for Class 12, 3 for Class X and two each for Class 8 and 9, and one period each for all other classes. Each period will be of 30-minute duration.

“KITE-Victers is holding on-line classes through broadcast, web and even offline. One or two teachers handle one sub-ject for a 30-minute period. The telecast is watched by all the students of that particular class across the state. At the end of the day, the teachers concerned at every school interact with their students through mobile phones for feedback. It’s the re-sponsibility of the teacher con-cerned to clear all doubts of his or her students,” said Sadath.

Modi lauds Karnataka’s handling of Covid crisis

Lucknow, June 1 (IANS) The Is-lamic Centre of India has issued a fresh advisory regarding opening of mosques from June 8.

Maulana Khalid Rashid Firangi Ma-hali, chairman of the Centre, said that people should wait for 15 days before going to mosques.

He asked people not to crowd in mosques and added that people above 65 years and children below 10 years should not visit mosques in the pandemic. The Maulana said that the Friday prayers would be held in four

different groups so that social dis-tancing is maintained. He said that all carpets and rugs would be removed from mosques and a distance of six feet would be maintained between each person.

The mosque would be cleaned with disinfectants before and after each prayer.

The cleric said that soap would be provided for ‘wuzu’ (washing of hands and people should bring skull caps from their homes, instead of us-ing the ones provided in a mosque.

Thiruvananthapuram, June 1 (IANS) IAS officer Viswas Mehta on Monday took over as the new Chief Secretary of Kerala after incumbent Tom Jose re-tired.

Jose, who served as Chief Secretary for 23 months, retired on Sun-day but came to his of-fice on Monday morning to hand over charge to Mehta. Jose, who served as Chief Secretary for 23 months, retired on Sun-day but came to his office on Monday morning to hand over charge to Meh-ta. “Wish to carry forward

all what Jose took up and the biggest issue before me is to tackle the Co-vid-19,” Mehta said.

A 1986 batch IAS officer, Mehta was presently the Home Secretary. Hailing from Rajasthan, he began his service as Kollam As-sistant Collector in June 1987. He has held impor-tant posts and superan-nuates in May 2021.

Though he was not the senior most officer, he got the plum post as the se-niors to him presently on central deputation wished to continue in their pres-ent position.

Thiruvananthapuram, June 1 (IANS) Even as the daily number of Covid-19 positive cases is on the increase, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vi-jayan insisted there is no community spread in Kerala and no reason for any undue worry. Vijayan said on Monday that 57 people turned positive, of which 28 came from within the country and 27 from outside the country.

“Even though we are yet to trace the origin of 30 people turning positive, statistics clearly show that there is no cluster spread in the areas of these 30 cases. Hence there need be no undue concern or worry and there is no

community spread in our state,” said Vijayan. Starting January 30 when the first case was registered in the country at Thrissur, till Mon-day there have been 1,236 positive cases.

“We have recorded 10 deaths and at the moment 708 people are positive. As of now 1,38,397 are in isolation at homes or corona care centres, while 1,246 are in various hos-pitals. Five more hot spots were added taking the total to 121,” said Vijayan and added that one reason why there is a spike in cases is be-cause of people returning from abroad and within the country.

Bengaluru, June 1 (IANS) Karna-taka’s Covid tally crossed 3,000-mark, a record jump of 299 infections in the past 24 hours, mostly constituting re-turnees from Maharashtra, raising the state’s tally to 3,221, an official said.Continuing the trend of past several days, domestic returnees formed the lion’s share of new cases, accounting for 258 or 86 per cent of the cases.

Of the 258 returnees, 252 returned from Maharashtra alone, 98 per cent of the domestic returnees. Returnees from other states are a miniscule -- two from Delhi and one from Andhra Pradesh. Unfortunately, three young healthcare workers working at an isolation ward in Davangere has also

contracted the virus. There were sev-en international passengers who got infected on Sunday, four from Doha, two from Malaysia and one from In-donesia.

Incidentally, cases with contact history rose to 34.

In the past 24 hours, cases spiked in Vijayapura, Bengaluru Urban, Raichur, Kalaburagi, Bidar, Mandya, Yadgir, Belagavi, Udupi, Davangere, Dakshina Kannada and Uttara Kan-nada. Among the new cases, Benga-luru Urban contributed 21, followed by Yadgir (44), Kalaburagi (28), Man-dya (13), Raichur (83), Udupi (10), Bi-dar (33), Belagavi (13), Davangere (6), Dakshina Kannada (14), Vijayapura

(26), Uttara Kannda (5), Ballari, Shi-vamogga and Kolar (1 each).

Of the new cases, 168 are men and 131 women, including 33 children be-low 10.

Across the state, 1,950 are active cases, 1,218 discharged, 51 deaths and 15 patients in ICU.

In the past 24 hours, Karnataka has tested 13,358 persons, of which 12,841 tested negative.

In total, 2.93 lakh samples have been tested so far, of which 2.86 lakh were negative.

Top five places with active cases in the state include Yadgir (275), Rai-chur (214), Mandya (209), Kalaburagi (146) and Bidar (131).

Thiruvananthapuram, June 1 (IANS) Numerous Keralaites working in the government sector in Oman are a wor-ried lot, for more than one reason.

Not only has Oman taken rapid steps in nationalising the work force in the government sector by replacing the large number of Keralite diaspora with its own nationals, but there are now reports that retirement benefits are also going to be culled, which has sent shockwaves, especially among the nursing community.

Oman has a huge number of nurses from Kerala and the speculated double blow has not gone down well with the Keralite community.

According to a few of the nurses, the news that is spreading is even though their appointment letter clearly states that at the end of every year of com-pleted service, one month’s salary will be paid as end of service benefits, but the new rule which is now going to be implemented states that irrespective of the number of total years of service,

the maximum number of years would be restricted to 12. The latest is that this is likely to be further curbed to a maximum of just six years.

A nurse, who completes a quarter of a century in service when she retires, until now used to get a minimum of Rs 5 million and if the new rules are go-ing to be implemented, it would come down to just Rs 1.2 million.

A deeply saddened nursing commu-nity there is worried that if they decide to go to the court, would it be detri-

mental to them in any respect. “Will the Indian government come to our rescue as many are scared to take le-gal steps for fear of any action. Do not know what will happen, as this is all what will be there for our future when we finally return to our home state,” one of the nurses said.

According to studies, there are about two lakh Keralites in Oman and a huge majority of them work in the govern-ment sector which includes a sizeable working force in the medical sector.

Bhubaneswar, June 1 (IANS) The Odisha gov-ernment on Monday announced to enforce two-day shutdown in 11 districts every week till June end to tackle the rising COVID-19 cases.

The 11 districts will remain shut on Sat-urdays and Sundays. These districts are -- Ganjam, Puri, Nay-agarh, Khurda, Cut-tack, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Jajpur, Bhadrak, Balasore and Balangir.

Chief secretary Asit Tripathy said essen-tial services, includ-ing healthcare services and medicine shops will be exempted from

the shutdown norms. Briefing on the guide-lines for ‘Unlock 1’, Tripathy said the schools, colleges and other educational in-stitutions will remain closed till July 31.

He said the public worshiping at religious places will not be per-mitted till June 30 in the state.

“No religious, social and political congrega-tion will be allowed till June 30,” he said.

Besides, shopping malls will also remain closed till June 30.

However, hotels can operate with 30 per cent of their capacity by adhering to social distancing norms.

Panaji, June 1 (IANS) In view of the heavy pre-monsoon showers ex-pected over the next 48 hours, swimming in Goa seas, is off-limits, a state-ment issued by a private beach management agency said on Monday.

Drishti Marine, a pri-vate agency appointed by the Goa government for the maintenance of lifeguard services, said, “The coastal belt will also witness fast currents and high waves in the range of 2.8 to four metres in height. Citizens are ad-

vised to be cautious as rough weather and sea conditions will prevail during these days.

“Visitors should also avoid rocky areas, cliffs and hills on the shore-line specially to click self-ies. These can be very slippery. Moreover, the wave height and inten-sity are expected to be high and one can easily lose their footing,” the statement said, urging special care of children while visiting beaches to ensure that they do not venture into the sea.

Thiruvananthapuram, June 1 (IANS) Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday an-nounced further relaxations in lockdown norms based on the Centre’s directives which includes public transport to nearby districts.

“Public transport will be allowed to the near-

by districts. Only seating capacity travel is al-lowed and use of masks and placing of a sani-tizer in the bus is essential,” said Vijayan.

Hitherto only intra-district public transport was allowed and from Tuesday onwards the new travel guidelines will be followed. The state has 14 districts.

“At no cost will be any public function al-lowed, but marriages can be held at halls and auditoriums but no more than 50 people can take part. In cars, driver plus three passengers will be allowed while in auto-rickshaws, two passengers can be allowed,” said Vijayan and added that the famed Sree Krishna temple at Guruvayoor also can commence conducting of marriages.

“Now that train and flight services have started to operate, from now on those who ar-rive from outside the state, if they possess a valid return ticket within seven days, need not

go for quarantine,” said Vijayan. He said film shooting can resume but should be only indoor shooting and not more than 50 people can as-semble there, likewise for TV serial, shooting also can start indoors with a maximum of 25 people only.

“As things stand, educational institutions are likely to open in July or later. Until then, online classes can be held, which began on Monday. We will ensure that all will get the benefit of this. None need to be worried if they have not been able to connect today,” added Vijayan.

With regard to opening of religious places, the decision has to come from the Centre and it’s expected to come on June 8, he said.

“Let them come out with guidelines, then we will discuss with religious heads here. The Cen-tre will also decide on opening of malls and ho-tels and we will also take the call then,” added Vijayan.

Bengaluru, June 1 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Mon-day lauded Karnataka government for its handling of coronavirus situ-ation in the state.

“I would also like to appreciate the efforts of the Karnataka gov-ernment in handling the Covid-19 situation, Modi said while inau-gurating through a video link the silver jubilee celebrations of the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences here.

“Virus may be the invisible en-emy but our corona warriors are invincible and in the battle against the invisible versus invincible our medical workers are sure to win,” he said. Modi urged people to de-liberate and ideate on telemedi-cine, how to make gains in the health sector through ‘Make in In-

dia’ and how to incorporate more IT services into healthcare.

Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa, Governor Vajubhai Vala, Medical Education Minister K. Sudhakar, Deputy Chief Min-ister C. N. Ashwathnarayan were among those who participated in the event.

The Prime Minister called for a strategy to improve healthcare, its infrastructure and access to one and all, including Preventive Healthcare, Affordable Healthcare, and Improvements on Supply Side.

On Sunday, the southern state’s Covid tally crossed 3,000-mark to settle at 3,221 cases, significantly lower than many other states.

Had it not been for several re-turnees from others state’s, es-pecially from Maharashtra, who

account for a lion’s share of new infections, Karnataka’s tally would have been significantly lower.

Unlike before, the number of people contracting the virus from

infected contacts has plummeted.Similarly, Karnataka has also

witnessed only 51 Covid deaths, though the first such death in the country occurred in this state.

Advisory issued for prayers in mosques in UP

Viswas Mehta takes over new Kerala Chief Secretary

No community spread in Kerala: Vijayan

With record jump in new cases, Karnataka Covid tally crosses 3K

Kerala diaspora worried as Oman mulls cutting retirement benefitsOdisha govt announces weekend

shutdown in 11 districts

Swimming banned off Goa beaches for

48 hours

More relaxations in Kerala as public transport allowed

In a first, Kerala schools’ new academic year

begins online

Nation 5Indian HorizonTuesday, June 2, 2020

Maharashtra and Gujarat are on pre-

cyclone alert

Offices, shops re-open, buses back on roads in Gujarat

Jindal law school partners upGrad for online LLM course

Furore over woman doc’s video lambasting Jamaatis,

ex-MP seeks action

Punjab CM hails reduc-tion in power tariff

COVID-19: 105 new cases in Punjab for 2nd consecutive day

BSF defied COVID-19 norms, 162 troopers, kin among infected: Tripura CM

Mumbai, June 1 (IANS) The India Meteorological Depart-ment (IMD) on Monday said that the depression in the Ara-bian Sea is slated to further intensify into a cyclonic storm ‘Nisarga’ and cross north Ma-harashtra and Gujarat coasts between Harihareshwar in Raigard district and Daman on June 3.

According to IMD’s scientist Ananda Kumar Das, the de-pression is located about 370 kilometres southwest of Goa’s Panjim, 690 kilometres south-southwest of Mumbai and 920 kilometres south-south-west of Gujarat’s Surat.

“It is very likely to move nearly northwards initially till June 2 morning and then re-curve north-northeastwards and cross north Maharashtra and south Gujarat coasts be-tween Harihareshwar (Raigad, Maharashtra) and Daman dur-ing evening or night of June 3,” Das stated.

Harihareshwar town is over 200 kilometres from both Mumbai and Pune, and is over 360 kms from Daman.

The well-marked low-pres-

sure area over the south-east and adjoining east-central Arabian Sea and Lakshadweep area had concentrated into a depression in the early hours on Monday morning.

A low pressure area and a de-pression are the first two levels on the IMD’s eight-category scale used to classify cyclones based on their intensity.

The depression is likely to in-tensify into a deep depression by Monday evening. It will fur-ther become furious and turn into a cyclonic storm in the wee hours of the morning on June 2 and then into a severe cyclonic storm by evening or night of June 3.

When it becomes a severe cyclonic storm, it will have a wind speed of 105-115, gusting to 125 kilometre per hour at 5.30 p.m. on June 3. According to the IMD, it again will weak-en into a cyclonic storm with wind speed of 60-70, gusting to 80 kilometre per hour at 5.30 p.m. on June 4.

IMD’s cyclone track shows that Nisarga will cross very close to the Mumbai coast while entering the land.

Gandhinagar, June 1 (IANS) With the announce-ment of relaxations in lock-down norms, the wheels of administration in Gujarat started rolling again, here on Monday, after more than two months of shut-down.

The government offices, including the Secretariat, returned to normal func-tioning. However, curbs continued for offices lo-cated in containment zones and employees residing in those areas.

According to the govern-ment announcement, all shops outside the contain-ment zones have been allowed to operate from Monday.

Sports complexes and stadia have been allowed to open -- not for spectators, only for sportspersons and games.

Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and other Ministers attended their

offices at the ‘Swarnim Sankul’ complexes of the State Secretariat, here.

Entering the SS-1 com-plex, where the Chief Min-ister’s office is located, Ru-pani chanted the “Vaishnav

jan to tene re kahiye”, fa-vourite hymn of Mahatma Gandhi. The Chief Minister and other Ministers kept 2-minute silence to pay re-spects to all those who lost their lives due to Covid-19.

At the Secretariat, em-ployees and visitors were allowed only from Gates No 1 and 4 after thermal screening.

The state transport bus-es, the Ahmedabad Munici-pal Corporation-run (AMC) AMTS and BRTS also start-ed operating, barring in the containment areas.

The dedicated state transport buses, ferry-ing government employ-ees from Ahmedabad to

Gandhinagar, also plied at 50 per cent strength dur-ing the day. The passengers were thermal screened by the conductor before enter-ing the bus and sat main-taining social distance.

The AMC also declared micro containment zones in place of earlier declared containment zones, where instead of declaring the entire ward as contain-ment zone, only the affect-ed portions of the wards have been identified for a lockdown till the end of this month. 46 wards from Ahmedabad’s 7 zones have been identified, covering 14,160 houses and 69,624 residents.

Sonipat (Haryana), June 1 (IANS) Jindal Global Law School (JGLS) on Mon-day announced the launch of its first on-line Master of Laws (LLM) degree in cor-porate and financial law in partnership with edtech major upGrad. The course is tailor-made for corporate lawyers who are interested in pursuing higher stud-ies to specialise in one of the many areas of corporate and financial laws. “This world class online LLM programme will foster teaching and research to provide a

thorough knowledge of corporate and fi-nancial law to meet the challenges of the global economy, and to familiarise learn-ers with the practice and procedures of the corporate legal world,” C. Raj Kumar, Vice Chancellor of O.P. Jindal Global University and Dean, Jindal Global Law School, said in a statement.

“Through the online LLM pro-gramme, JGLS, in association with upGrad, will help learners gain a 360-degree perspective of the law and

regulation governing corporations and the financial system in India and beyond.” JGLS of O.P. Jindal Global University is India’s first ranked law school in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2020 (Law).

“upGrad so far has been known for cutting edge courses in the areas of Technology, Data & Management. Through our new partnership with O.P. Jindal Global University and Jindal Global Law School, we plan to foray

into the area of law programmes and create meaningful impact,” said Ron-nie Screwvala, Co-Founder & Executive Chairman, upGrad. The programme will be for one year with students receiving the LLM degree from O.P. Jindal Global University upon successful completion of the academic credits. In keeping with the advancements of the digital age, the format of instruction and evaluation for this LLM will be entirely online with 24/7 access to online recorded lectures, JGLS said, adding that anybody with an LLB degree is eligible to apply for the online LLM in corporate and financial law and can appear for the JSAT (Jindal Scholas-tic Aptitude Test) online entrance test.

Kanpur, June 1 (IANS) Even as a video clip showing Ganesh Shan-kar Vidyarthi Memorial Medical College Principal referring to Tab-lighi Jamaat members as “terror-ists” went viral, a former Kanpur MP has demanded the woman doctor be removed from the post and a case be registered against her.

On the other hand, Dr Aarti Lal-chandani said that she did make the remarks in the initial days of the coronavirus outbreak, but claimed that the video clip was “tampered” with and that she did not refer to any community or tar-get the Muslims as a whole.

“We should not say this, but they are terrorists. And we are provid-ing them VIP treatment, provid-ing them food... exhausting our resources on them,” she allegedly said in the video clip, adding that the hospital was “wasting” PPE kits on the Jamaat members.

CPI (M) leader Subhashini Ali, who had earlier been an MP, de-manded a probe into the video clip by the district administration. “If found guilty, the Principal should be immediately removed from the post and a FIR lodged against her,” said the leader.

In the video clip, Dr Lalchandani can also be seen and heard saying that instead of keeping such pa-

tients (Tablighi) in isolation wards and exhausting resources on them, they should be put in solitary con-finement in jails or sent to the jun-gles and locked up in dungeons.

While the authenticity or timing of the undated video clip could not be independently verified, it ap-pears that it was shot secretly by someone and showed Dr Lalchan-dani making unsavoury remarks seated in a room along with several persons.

She is also heard accusing the BJP government of “appeasement” and criticising it for “exhausting” the state’s manpower and resourc-es on treating infected Jamaat members.

She argued that Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath should issue an order that no state manpower or resources should be used on the treatment of Jamaat members.

“Those who should be in jail, you are bringing them here for treat-ment, feeding them, getting others infected, wasting manpower and kits,” she is heard saying.

“They should be kept in solitary confinement in jail. You are keep-ing them in isolation ward,” Dr Lalchandani remarks in the clip.

“I said it in anger and frustration. I did not issue any statement. I said this but in those circumstances,” she said.

Chandigarh, June 1 (IANS) Punjab Chief Minister Ama-rinder Singh, here on Monday, welcomed the Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Com-mission’s (PSERC) decision to reduce the domestic tariff de-spite dip in revenue due to the Covid-19 lockdown.

The rates could be further rationalised in the interest of the people, he hoped.

The Chief Minister said his government had recom-mended even more reduction in tariff for domestic as well as industrial consumers, but the PSERC had been unable to accommodate the request in view of the steep fall in rev-enue.

In April, the Punjab State Power Corporation had suf-fered Rs 30 crore losses a day due to shutdown, he said.

Pointing out that the do-mestic power tariff rationali-sation had been done after many years, he said even with the current reduction in 50 paise per unit for load up to 50 Kw and 25 paise per unit for 0-100 unit and 101-300 unit slabs would give Rs 354.82 crore relief to 69 lakh domes-tic consumers. Pointing out that the domestic power tariff rationalisation had been done after many years, he said even with the current reduction

in 50 paise per unit for load up to 50 Kw and 25 paise per unit for 0-100 unit and 101-300 unit slabs would give Rs 354.82 crore relief to 69 lakh domestic consumers.

The poor, worst-hit by the pandemic, would benefit most from power tariff cut, he said.

The PSERC has not in-creased tariff for small shop-keepers, who were also badly affected by the lockdown.

Though the industry’s de-mand for lowering of fixed charges could not be met, the Chief Minister expressed sat-isfaction that there was no in-crease either for any category of industrial consumers.

He also welcomed the PSERC decision to continue with the special night tariff with 50 per cent fixed charges and energy charge of Rs 4.83/kVAh for industrial consum-ers using electricity exclusive-ly during 10 p.m. to 6 a.m, and to extend it to small power in-dustrial category consumers.

This would help the small units overcome some of the economic losses suffered due to the lockdown, he re-marked. This would help the small units overcome some of the economic losses suffered due to the lockdown, he re-marked.

Chandigarh, May 1 (IANS) Punjab on Friday reported 105 more coro-navirus cases, a day after the state saw an equal number of cases -- the highest single-day spike -- including 97 returnees from the famous Sikh shrine in Maharashtra’s Nanded.

The new cases include 48 from Amritsar, 16 from Jalandhar, 13 from Ludhiana and six from Mohali.

The northern state’s total is 585 corona cases, of which 457 are active.

As per official figures, over 3,500 pilgrims have returned from Takht Sri Hazur Sahib in Nanded, where they were stranded due to the lockdown. A majority of them have reached Punjab in batches in government-arranged buses.

Likewise, 153 students from Rajast-han’s Kota had returned to Punjab, in addition to 3,085 labourers received at the Fazilka-Rajasthan border.

Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has ordered compulsory institutional quarantine for both positive and neg-ative cases.

In a televised address to the peo-ple, he said there was no misman-agement of the coronavirus crisis or widespread infections in the state, as was allegedly projected by the Shiro-mani Akali Dal (SAD) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

Most of the cases now were of those returning from other states, he said.

The Chief Minister called upon the people not to be wor-ried about the sudden spike in corona cases since that could be expected over the next few days as more people return to their homes from other states after the government of India’s decision to allow the movement of stranded people.

Urging the opposition to join hands in tackling coronavirus, and work shoulder to shoulder with his government in the inter-est of Punjab and its people, the Chief Minister said: “It is time not to score brownie points but to show unity.”

Agartala, June 1 (IANS) Vio-lation of COVID-19 protocols,

including social distancing has taken place, Tripura Chief Min-

ister Bipalab Kumar Deb said here on Monday, attributing it to the spurt in coronavirus cas-es among the Border Security Force personnel and their fam-ily members.

Quoting a report of a central expert team, Deb said the report submitted to the state govern-ment points at violation of so-cial distancing and quarantine norms by the BSF that has led to the spread of the COVID-19 disease among the para-military personnel and their kins.

The Chief Minister told the media: “We have sent the central team report to the union Home Ministry. I have learnt that the

Commandant of the 138th BSF (Border Security Force) battal-ion was replaced after the out-break of the disease.

“As the BSF jawans and their family members came from dif-ferent parts of the country, they should follow the COVID-19 guidelines including social dis-tancing and quarantine norms.”

In all, 135 BSF officers and troopers, 26 family members and a mess worker of the two battalions (138th and 86th) have been infected by the coronavi-rus.

However, all the BSF men and their kin, including children and women, recovered from the dis-

ease and they are now undergo-ing extended quarantine period in the battalion headquarters at Ambassa (in northern Tripura) and nearby areas.

After the outbreak of COVID-19 among the BSF troopers and their family members, the Tri-pura government had asked the National Centre for Disease Con-trol to study the outbreak among the para-military personnel.

A three-member central team, led by G.K. Medhi, Professor and Head of the Department of Community Medicine of the Shillong-based North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences

after an 11-day visit and study-ing the source and other aspects of the infection among the BSF troopers in Tripura, on May 24 submitted their report to the state government.

Tripura so far has tested 321 COVID-19 positive cases and 173 of them, including 162 BSF men and their kins, recovered from the disease.

“COVID-19 community spread is not possible in Tripura as peo-ple are very conscious about the disease. Besides the BSF, the re-turn of 14,000 stranded people to Tripura caused the tally to peak,” said Deb, who also holds the Health Department.

6 Edit indian Horizontuesday, June 2, 2020

tuesday, June 2, 2020

Readers Response and contribution Welcome

indian Horizon

In keeping with its policy to unlock businesses in a staggered manner and in deference to the demands of tour-ism hotspots like Goa, Kerala and oth-er stakeholders, the Central govern-ment gave the ailing hospitality sector respite as Lockdown 4.0 ended on May 31. Fresh guidelines allowing restau-rants and hotels to open their doors to diners from June 8 inject a fresh lease of life into a sector which has been in a state of coma these past nine weeks of closure. Other than some hotels and motels that have been converted into quarantine centres or have been hous-ing doctors and other staff on Covid duty, the hospitality sector had come to an absolute standstill. This led to the unfortunate pay cuts and layoffs of employees as cash-strapped man-agements were unable to sustain the manpower and infrastructure. Many an enterprise wound up, with little hope of revival in the near future as debts piled up. In Himachal Pradesh alone, the loss to hotels has been pegged at around Rs 800 crore in this period. A revenue fall of Rs 5 lakh crore is feared in the country’s hospitality and tour-ism segment this financial year.

Jobs in the hotel industry account for nearly 9 per cent employment and over 9 per cent of the GDP. Industry figures put the number of workers at 73 lakh. Add to it the allied livelihoods that largely thrive on the hospitality services — the airlines, tour operators, transporters, vegetable farmers, fish-eries, poultry, dairy — and we have crores of workers staring at a mone-tary crunch or joblessness. And, this squeeze is bound to impact the already dwindling revenues of states.

However, despite the lifting of curbs in areas other than containment zones, the sector faces bleak prospects as most people are still hesitant to step out. To attract customers, the hoteliers and restaurateurs will have to spruce up their act and ensure social distanc-ing protocols by spacing out the seat-ing arrangement, maintain sanitation and hygiene, conduct thermal screen-ing of the visitors and regulate the air-conditioning system so that fears of infection are kept at bay. Shrines and malls that also open on June 8 will need to adopt similar practices. The road to recovery is indeed long and weary.

By M RajivlochanGrandma, stop! That is what the

anonymous girl who wore a red rid-ing hood should have told her grand-mother. She did not. We know that she ended up in a piquant situation where she could not notice the difference be-tween her grandmother and the wolf. If you are unfamiliar with the story of the Red Riding Hood, then you need to understand that we, Indians, the peo-ple of India, all of us who have a stake in the future of India need to tell the government to stop meddling in high-er education. That is the only thing which will ensure that the universities of India will rise to the occasion and lead the country into a golden future once the Covid pandemic is over.

Essentially, this revolves around the matter of trust. Trust the university administrator to do good for the uni-versity. Trust the teacher to do good for the student. Trust the student to actually focus on the task of studying and learning the meta-skills that are required for doing well in the rapidly transforming world of the 21st centu-ry. There are only two things that the government needs to do. The first is to provide funds for higher education. The second is to ensure that those in-volved in higher education produce tangible results, outcomes, of the sort that the government, as the caretaker for society, expects them to produce. By all means, tie down the funds to outcomes but do ensure that the out-comes are not secret and available to the public for scrutiny. Today, the gov-ernment is involved in all the ructions of a university and committed to haul-ing up everyone who has desisted from total inaction.

We need to keep in mind that for the

past three decades, the higher educa-tion sector has been working on worse than a shoe-string budget. Yet, the professors and researchers continue to produce good results even while baby-sitting more than 20 million young adults who emerge out of a completely dysfunctional system of school educa-tion.

The even more heartening thing to notice is that most of these 20 million end up being productive members of society. The only problem is that they aren’t productive enough. They haven’t learnt enough meta-skills to make them creators of knowledge or wealth. And that — few people in so-ciety realise this connection — has substantially to do with the fact that our entire system of higher education is built on layers of distrust. The gov-ernment distrusts the university. The university distrusts the students and teachers. The students and teachers distrust each other. Little wonder that everyone finds various excuses for not doing what essentially is the core task of higher education: the task of creat-ing new knowledge, knowledge that is useful to society, and, knowledge which will make India great again.

Today, India has a better gross en-rolment ratio in higher education than it did ten years ago. A lot of private investment has been made in devel-oping the educational infrastructure. Now is the time to ensure that this in-frastructure actually provides value for money invested. In this, the most im-portant would be a renewed focus on quality and ensuring that higher edu-cation actually provides students with meta-skills that they could then use to do well in any field of life after obtain-ing a degree.

There is also a very important gap in our system of higher education that needs to be addressed with alacrity. This is about taking feedback from stu-dents on their expectations from high-er education and their experience in college. What is expected from them? What do they expect from education? To what extent is higher education ac-tually living up to their expectations? What are the gaps from their point of view?

A few years ago, some non-Indian students attending some of the most prestigious courses in some presti-gious institutes of India, had taken time off to share their actual experi-ence of higher education in India. It would do us well to take note of what they had to say.

‘All my fellow exchange students… concurred that the academics were a joke compared to what we were used to back home. In one economic histo-ry class, the professor would enter the room, take attendance, open his note-book, and begin reading. He would read his notes word for word while we, his students, copied these notes until the bell sounded. Next class, he would find the spot where the bell had inter-rupted him, like a storyteller reading to children and trying to recall where he had last put down the story. He would even pause slightly at the end of a long sentence to give us enough time to fin-ish writing before he moved on. And this was only when he decided to show up — many a time, I arrived on campus to find the class abruptly cancelled. Classmates exchanged cell phone numbers and created phone trees just to circulate word of a cancelled class. I got a text almost daily about one of my classes. My foreigner peers had many

similar experiences.‘I would sit in class and think to

myself, ‘Can you just photocopy your notebook and give me the notes so I can spend my time doing something less completely useless?’ I refused to participate. Instead, I sat at my desk writing letters to friends.’ Another ex-change student had to say this about one of the top-ranking institutions of India: ‘Classes always start 10 minutes late, half of the students seem to sleep or talk, and students don’t seem very passionate about the subject. I was shocked to learn that while submitting assignments, usually, a few students do the work and the rest of the class copies and for exams, cheating is al-most a norm. Of course, not all the stu-dents I have seen are like this but this behaviour at Rice (University) would have met with serious punishment, so I have just been amazed. I have been told that these actions are because most students plan to go into business or finance so engineering does not in-terest them very much. At Rice, since we have the ability to choose our ma-jor, students are often eager to come to class or at least enjoy the subject they are studying.’

This, we would say, is the conse-quence of distrusting the university, its teachers and administrators from doing good. The top down approach in the management of higher educa-tion that the government has taken for almost three decades now has not yielded any positive result. Can we do away with it? Let the teacher do good to the students? And let students learn subjects that really interest them? In a form that enables good placement for them?

IANS

tackling trust deficit in higher education

By Ira PandeBy now it should be fairly evident to

all of us that life will never be the same as it was before the pandemic. The world has altered in so many radical ways that to imagine we can seamlessly slide back into life as it was a few months ago is a pipe dream.

Those who live in denial will have a rude awakening when the world is fi-nally unlocked, so be prepared and learn from the lessons this long lockdown has taught us. The first is to become as self-sufficient as you can be. Depending on a helper to perform every small task out of self-indulgence or laziness will be a hid-eous mistake. Those hard lessons learnt in the kitchen and sweeping, swabbing the home must become a way of pitch-ing in with your wife in running a home. Gender parity was never so keenly felt, and a mutual respect for each other de-veloped over shared worries and work must become the foundation of a new

and more meaningful family relation-ship. Second, treat your staff with the re-spect and dignity they so richly deserve. This means not just paying them a fair wage, but giving them a day off for their own families, taking care of their health and insurance and generally being kind and compassionate. How many of us even bothered to find out how they lived and where? Some did not have a name: driver, guard, sabziwala, bartanwali. This must change. Think of the great support the local grocer and vegetable vendor gave you throughout the time when the grand retail outlets were unable to reach customers. The humble sabziwala braved police barriers and infection to go to the mandi and keep you supplied with fresh fruit and veggies. So do not aban-don him now when things are changing. Your money has helped him ride out this lockdown, so what if he charges you a little extra? Those of us who are retired and spent a lifetime in one job with pen-

sions and health insurance are the lucky ones. The young are going to be the hardest hit: all the fancy management degrees earned after hard toil and huge financial loans may not translate into a cushy high-paid job in a blue chip com-pany. In fact, many such companies are struggling to stay afloat and what was on top of the Stock Exchange has tumbled out of reckoning. The small and medium entrepreneurs may well turn out to be winners even as mighty oaks get uproot-ed. Hotels, airlines, travel and tourism — heaven knows when they will find their feet again.

The young are facing the biggest chal-lenges as far as I can see. Cushioned by indulgent parents and a system that wor-shipped money and looks rather than brain and merit, these spoilt and sullen brats — visible in every strata — may no longer be able to lead an irresponsible life. This goes not just for us middle class families but even for our maids and driv-

ers, who have made sure that their chil-dren are given all the advantages they themselves were denied. I have seldom seen a child who has hesitated before de-manding a new pair of jeans or a fancier mobile phone from his hard-working domestic worker parents, or a child from an affluent home who wants the latest iPhone if only to use it for impressing his peer group or downloading a new app. This is the pollution that came in the wake of the great digital revolution and the damage it has wrought in young people the world over is truly frightening.

Many who were afraid to argue with strict parents swung in the opposite di-rection and gave in to the children even when their own conscience was never at ease. Now when the world will change and only the fittest will survive, these soft-bellied children, fattened on junk food and junk watching, will be the first to fall prey to the post-Covid world.

IANS

Embrace changed world

By Bharati SadasivamAll crises and disasters affect men

and women differently. Gender roles and gender inequalities inevitably determine the ways in which men and women bear the immediate and long-term impacts of natural disasters and disease outbreaks. But disaster re-sponses have remained gender-blind. Gender disparities, in public and pri-vate spheres, have deepened the fault lines of this pandemic. Nearly three months into an unprecedented global lockdown, the gender impacts of Co-vid-19 are unfolding in many expected and sometimes startling ways. And once again, the world is mostly unpre-pared.

Globally, violence against wom-en and girls has spiked. In many countries, sexual and reproductive health services are becoming a ca-sualty to Covid-19 funding pres-sures, prompting ministers from 59 countries to call for urgent steps to stop this dangerous trend. Experts have sounded the alarm on the risks to women healthcare workers using personal protective equipment uni-versally designed for men. Women, overwhelmingly in service and in-formal sectors deemed inessential in the lockdown, have lost jobs at faster rates than men. Women’s unpaid domestic and care work — tending to the household, children, the sick and elderly — has risen exponen-tially, affecting their ability to earn a living. While women academics have struggled, research papers published by men have soared.

The sharp rise in domestic violence has made the home the most unsafe place for women and girls, locking them in with their abusers and cut-

ting them off from normal sources of support. The scourge of gender-based violence affects on an average one in three women worldwide. Dur-ing the lockdown, it has reached the proportions of a shadow pandemic. Cases have more than doubled in India. They have tripled in the Hu-bei province of China, and have shot up in countries from Kyrgyzstan and Ukraine to the EU, US, and the UK, by a third to three-fourths.

Some governments have scram-bled to respond. For example, India is among those that have introduced hotlines; France and the UK have launched web-based tools; work-ing with UNDP, Montenegro has launched a mobile app for women to safely seek help and Serbia has ensured that courts prosecute com-plaints of violence without delay; Ar-gentina, Germany and Norway have partnered with pharmacies to help women report covertly; and the po-lice in Italy can remove the perpetra-tor from home.

But these measures are too few and far between. Much more can be done. Employees of shelter and support services for survivors can be classified essential workers. Police and prosecutors can better prioritise and swiftly adjudicate complaints of domestic violence. Neighbour-hood watch groups can reach out to local communities. Violence is vastly under-reported, now more than ever: it is imperative that public service messages target violent men and shore up support for women who face violence, as often as they advocate safe practices like washing hands and wearing masks. Most of all, support must go to the millions

of poor and disenfranchised women at daily risk of violence at home, who remain beyond the reach of hotlines and mobile apps, silenced by fear of discovery.

Governments have done much less to address another glaring gender impact of the pandemic: unpaid care and domestic work. Extended school closures, overstretched health sys-tems and intensified household tasks have made this burden, mostly borne by women, much heavier. Globally, women do more than twice as much unpaid work as men; in In-dia, women’s unpaid work is as much as six hours a day to 52 minutes by men. Almost everywhere, women work many more hours than men when paid and unpaid work is com-bined. This is even more starkly the case during the lockdown as women juggle home and work demands.

With unpaid work absent from most national policy agendas, van-ishingly few governments have in-troduced pandemic measures that help to mitigate its impact — such as direct cash transfers to vulnerable households in India and Kazakhstan, vouchers for care in Italy, or paid sick and family leave in Belgium and Denmark. Women’s burden of care work scarcely figures in public ser-vice messaging aimed at role model-ling and transforming gender norms to redistribute unpaid work. But no lasting recovery can be built on the backs of women.

This is because the immediate health and psychological toll of unremitting unpaid work can long outlast a crisis for women and girls. Evidence from past outbreaks shows that girls much more than boys have

been pulled out of school to help at home, and women have lost or re-turned to jobs at much lower pay — with multigenerational household and societal impacts. Upskilling and reskilling for new and sophisticat-ed forms of virtual working, which may fast become the post-pandem-ic norm, will be much harder for women shouldering the expanded burden of care and domestic work at home. Policymakers must look at the pandemic’s implications for gender gaps in workforce participation — countries like Turkey and India rank poorly in both women’s labour force participation and share of unpaid work.

Covid-19 may have claimed the lives of more men, but it is prov-ing equally if not more deadly for women. Few policymakers are using a gender lens to examine the accu-mulating evidence. Equal participa-tion by women in decision-making — at 24 per cent, still a distant global goal — could change that. Women are everywhere on the frontline of this pandemic, doing phenomenal and essential work as health work-ers, caregivers, service providers and researchers. But they are in far fewer numbers at the table. Little surprise that a petition by women in Italy de-manding more of a say in the coun-try’s recovery, gathered thousands of signatures in days, and brought women into the national task force. Covid-19 is an urgent reminder that crisis response is a project that must be shared, with equal say by men and women. That could make this and future pandemics less lethal for all.

IANS

Gender disparities deepen pandemic’s fault

Hospitality biz unlocked

But buzz in Hotels, Malls still some way off

7op-edIndian HorizonTuesday, June 02, 2020

The views expressed in these columns are the writers’ own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Indian Horizon or its management.-Editor

By AdAm mInTEr

The SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule that’s orbiting the Earth with two US astronauts is the picture of New space

age glamour. It’s a sleek, stylish commer-cially made capsule that’s destined to be featured beside Italian sports cars in future design textbooks.

Just don’t tell that to Elon Musk, SpaceX’s chief executive and chief designer. “Is a Ferrari more reliable than a Toyota Corolla or a Honda Civic?” he once asked a space journalist. The answer, of course, is that the simpler sedans are far more reliable than the well-crafted sports car. So SpaceX, Musk made clear, was going to make Corol-las. Nasa requires that SpaceX’s technol-ogy meet its high safety standards (often to Musk’s chagrin). But it does mean that SpaceX has a strong incentive to find ways to control costs while building cutting-edge technology

It’s a practically minded outlook for a company founded on the galactically large ambition to transform humanity into a multiplanetary species.

But Musk and SpaceX implicitly under-stand something that national space pro-grams haven’t really accepted: Success in space exploration isn’t, ultimately, about achieving “firsts” like the moon landing. Rather, it’s repeat business that will estab-lish moon colonies and Musk’s Martian city. To get that business, SpaceX has to show that national space programs, with their expensive, Ferrari-like rockets, cap-sules and contractors, won’t get there. On Saturday, it succeeded.

The 20th century space race wasn’t about the money, it was about the record books. The respective financial strengths of the US and Soviet systems certainly played a role, but when national pride is at stake, perfor-mance matters more than costs.

For decades, Nasa, in particular, inter-nalised that priority by adopting cost-plus contracts with its contractors. Under these arrangements, Nasa agrees to pay the value of a project’s development costs, plus an

associated fee (often about 10%). It’s an excellent system for encouraging contrac-tors to invest in difficult, long-term projects with hazy costs.

Finishing on deadlineBut if the goal is to create something that

works repeatedly, and on-budget, cost-plus is a problem. After all, if a contractor’s fees increase during project delays, then that contractor lacks an incentive to control costs and finish on deadline.

Making matters more difficult, expensive government programs must meet political requirements that no profit-seeking busi-ness would ever consider.

The development of the 1970s-era space shuttle was spread out over states and pro-duced an outrageously expensive “reus-able” rocket that took thousands of hours to prepare for reuse. In 2012, Musk correctly called the shuttle “a Ferrari to the nth pow-er.” By that point, Musk, too, was working with the US government. But unlike tradi-tional Nasa contractors such as the Boeing

Co, he was doing it on a fixed-fee basis. So, rather than get paid along the way, SpaceX accepted a fixed fee to build a technology, and whatever wasn’t used in development could be kept as profit.

That doesn’t mean cutting corners. Nasa requires that SpaceX’s technology meet its high safety standards (often to Musk’s chagrin). But it does mean that SpaceX has a strong incentive to find ways to control costs while building cutting-edge technol-ogy. For example, rather than try to perfect a single rocket for a flawless first launch, SpaceX opted for iterative design, whereby it launched — and failed — early prototypes repeatedly, as a means to learn from its mistakes and speed up rocket design.

It’s an approach that differs substantially from traditional aerospace companies, which spend years and money perfecting a design before flying it (the Ferrari ap-proach). Likewise, SpaceX, freed from po-litical constraints, concentrated its design and testing in single locations, rather than

spread it out geographically. It’s what any rational for-profit manufacturer would do.

This approach has been fruitful. The rocket that carried the Crew Dragon cap-sule into orbit is a Falcon 9, from a family of rockets developed for $390 million with assistance from Nasa under fixed-price contracts.

According to a 2011 Nasa report, the cost would’ve been $1.7 billion to $4 billion if the same rocket had been developed using traditional means. More dramatically, the development of the Falcon 9 has reduced the cost of a space launch by a factor of 20, at least. A kilogram launched on the space shuttle, which last flew in 2011, cost about $54,500. A kilogram on the Falcon 9 runs about $2,700.

Of course, launching humans into space is more difficult and expensive than launching cargo. Even so, SpaceX managed to lap more traditional contractors. In 2011, Nasa announced plans to build the Space Launch System, a massive new rocket to send Americans back to the moon.

To save on costs and time, the rocket was to be built using engines and other com-ponents from the space shuttle program. Ominously, it was also to be built by the Boeing Co under a cost-plus contract. In 2014, Nasa committed to a November 2018 launch date at a cost of $9.7 billion.

Then the launch dates started slipping, all to the benefit of Boeing. By March, the launch date had moved to the second half of 2021, with costs escalating to $18.3 bil-lion. If and when it flies, each rocket will exceed $1 billion — more than three times what it cost to develop the Falcon 9.

For now, SpaceX’s approach is the clear winner, but its challenges are far from over. Above all, the company must demonstrate that its relatively inexpensive human-capa-ble flights have a commercial market — an idea that’s far from certain.

Similarly, the company will need to prove the business case for its longer-term, and substantially more expensive, ambitious exploration program. But today, at least, the Musk’s Corolla is beating the Ferrari by millions of miles.

Adam Minter is a columnist. He is the au-thor of “Junkyard Planet: Travels in the Bil-lion-Dollar Trash Trade” and ‘Secondhand: Travels in the New Global Garage Sale.’

courTEsy : Gulf nEws

What Went Wrong With our World

By THomAs l. frIEdmAn

If recent weeks have shown us anything, it’s that the world is not just flat. It’s fragile. And we’re the ones who made

it that way, with our own hands. Just look around. Over the past 20 years, we’ve been steadily removing man-made and natural buffers, redundancies, regulations and norms that provide resilience and protec-tion when big systems — be they ecologi-cal, geopolitical or financial — get stressed.

We’ve been recklessly removing these buffers out of an obsession with short-term efficiency and growth, or without thinking at all.

The latest coronavirus is aptly named SARS-CoV-2 — with emphasis on the number 2. We don’t yet know for sure where this coronavirus that causes the dis-ease COVID-19 came from, but it is widely suspected to have jumped to a human from a wild animal, maybe a bat, in Wu-han, China

At the same time, we’ve been behaving in extreme ways — pushing against, and breaching, common-sense political, finan-cial and planetary boundaries.

And, all the while, we’ve taken the world technologically from connected to inter-connected to interdependent — by re-moving more friction and installing more grease in global markets, telecommunica-tions systems, the internet and travel.

Direct flights from WuhanIn doing so, we’ve made globalisation

faster, deeper, cheaper and tighter than ever before. Who knew that there were regular direct flights from Wuhan, China, to America?

Put all three of these trends together, and what you have is a world more easily prone to shocks and extreme behaviours — but with fewer buffers to cushion those shocks — and many more networked companies and people to convey them globally.

This, of course, was revealed clearly in the latest world-spanning crisis — the coronavirus pandemic. But this trend of more frequent destabilising crises has been building over the past 20 years: 9/11, the Great Recession of 2008, COVID-19 and climate change.

Pandemics are no longer just biologi-cal — they are now geopolitical, financial and atmospheric, too. And we will suffer increasing consequences unless we start behaving differently and treating Mother Earth differently.

Note the pattern: Before each crisis I mentioned, we first experienced what could be called a “mild” heart attack, alert-ing us that we had gone to extremes and stripped away buffers that had protected us from catastrophic failure. In each case, though, we did not take that warning seri-ously enough — and in each case the result was a full global coronary.

“We created globalised networks be-cause they could make us more efficient and productive and our lives more conve-nient,” explained Gautam Mukunda, the author of “Indispensable: When Leaders Really Matter.”

“But when you steadily remove their buf-fers, backup capacities and surge protec-tors in pursuit of short-term efficiency or just greed, you ensure that these systems are not only less resistant to shocks, but that we spread those shocks everywhere.”I don’t think that I need to spend much time on the COVID-19 pandemic, except to say that the warning sign was also there. It appeared in late 2002 in the Guangdong province of southern China. It was a viral respiratory illness caused by a coronavirus — SARS-CoV — known for short as SARS.

As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website notes, “Over the next few months, the illness spread to more than two dozen countries in North Amer-ica, South America, Europe, and Asia” be-fore it was contained.

More than 8,000 people worldwide be-came sick, including close to 800 who died. The United States had eight confirmed cases of infection and no deaths.

courTEsy : Gulf nEws

SpaceX haS taken a giant Step in manned flightS

By wIll JoHnson

A month ago, I would have made an important call behind a closed door to create some sacred business-do-

ing space. But the other day, I was in the kitchen, prepping lunch while holding a video chat with a colleague, as my 6-year-old, Teddy, glided into view, iPad in hand, telling me his battery was low. I paused my call to get him a charger.

During that moment, I assured Teddy that I was there for him. When I returned to my call, my colleague (also a father) ap-preciated my work-family blending. His peek inside my life brought us closer, and it seemed, in the days that passed, our work went more smoothly because of it.

We want the things that make for real self-esteem: earned accomplishment and contributing to a worthwhile endeavour. Our job as parents and business leaders is creating that environment. The better we do at that, the easier our jobs become

As the pandemic requires the hundreds of folks who work for my company to rede-fine how they do their jobs, we’re noticing an unexpected rise in morale. After more than six weeks of working from home, we’ve shared life-management tips, suc-cesses and the inevitable failures.

My workday now includes new direct re-ports — ages 3 and 6. Absurd demands that we’d never consider in normal times are daily negotiations.

Add managing a new home schooling routine, and the struggle for balance can exhaust and discourage. Buried in this mo-ment is clarity — my kids upend my old ways and show me how to be a better CEO.

While I didn’t welcome working from home, it’s taught me some lessons.

During pandemic parenting, we’ve grown more comfortable taking risks that make an impact. By my kids’ standards, “making an impact” is anything fun and engaging. So

far, this has gotten us a small explosion, a black eye and plenty of crying — but also several repeatable, impactful ideas. “Edible crayons” have entertained my youngest son for a solid week. That’s a strong ROI by any measure. I’ve been re-examining incentive structures. In a stressful environment, in-centives for good performance are particu-larly essential. And while I’ve always known this as a leader, seeing it play out first-hand with my kids has reminded me just how personal incentives are.

For my 3-year-old, doughnuts get the toys put away. For my older son, it’s flight simulator time on the iPad. As both kids re-mind us every hour, attention is love. And, yes, we crave it in our work lives, too.

A “sense of urgency” that has always dominated work is now what my kids de-mand. My boys want everything this min-

ute. The challenge is balancing their drive for instant gratification with the proper or-der of things. I now see that when I expect my work team to deliver on every goal by an arbitrary time, I’m acting a bit like my chil-dren. Better to be clear, patient and fair in my expectations. When giving feedback, I also need to focus on the positives as I ex-plain what needs improvement.

In my field, we love frameworks and phi-losophies. But when they become stifling, you need to drop them and find some com-fort with chaos and uncertainty.

My wife and I are both Type A, so this is especially hard. We want to measure, plan, anticipate and, above all, control. Good luck doing that consistently in business — and just forget about it in parenting.

You become flexible or you break. And sometimes you only become flexible after

you break. Parenting is the ultimate slow-motion illustration of this lesson. You lose control almost from the first day. So you control what you can and let go when you have to. With luck — and effort — you’ve built the kind of connections that endure even as the power structures fade. And at the end of the day, that’s what will drive be-haviour. At home it’s love. In the office it’s loyalty or respect, but still a personal bond.

One benefit of the pandemic workplace, where our personal lives are often on dis-play, is that opportunities for forming these bonds have increased dramatically.

When you pare back the c-suite trappings and refocus on the basics, parenting and managing a company have a lot in com-mon. If you pause, focus and listen, you can hear what people need even when they are talking about something that seems ir-relevant. In this new work-from-home era, one-on-one conversations with colleagues have helped me understand work problems in new ways. I have also discovered new tal-ents and abilities in my team.

Now, when my employees call me to talk something through, I find myself more fo-cused on their needs and more disciplined in resisting the urge to suggest an instant solution. In short, I’m listening. I’ve no-ticed that they are hearing me, too. When I look back at my list of lessons learnt, I re-alise the big takeaway: Inside all of us is a 6-year-old. We want to feel safe, to feel we belong and are loved, to have clarity about what is expected and to have the freedom to figure out how to do it on our own. And we want acknowledgement when we get it done. We want the things that make for real self-esteem: earned accomplishment and contributing to a worthwhile endeavour. Our job as parents and business leaders is creating that environment. The better we do at that, the easier our jobs become.

courTEsy : Gulf nEws

What it is like parenting through a pandemic

By lIndA s. HEArd

As if US authorities didn’t have enough to worry about in this age of Covid-19 which has led to economic devasta-

tion and massive unemployment, justifi-able fury over the murder of yet another unarmed African American at the hands of police has erupted into widespread civil unrest not seen since the 1960s.

Night after night the downtown areas of almost every major city, including the capital, have been besieged by looters and arsonists causing governors to call out the National Guard.

Clearly black Americans have had enough. The killing of George Floyd, ar-rested over his possession of an allegedly forged $20 note, was hard to watch. Strug-

gling to breathe with a knee pressing down on his throat he called for his mother. He was held on the ground by three uniformed officers for nine minutes.

In spite of several videos to the contrary, those responsible falsely claimed he was resisting arrest. To date, only one, Derek Chauvin, has been arrested and charged.

The killing echoed that of another black man, Eric Garner, by New York City police officers who sat on his head ignoring his pleas “I can’t breathe”.

The list of Black Americans whose lives were cut short by police or white vigilan-tes, like the father and son who shot and killed Ahmaud Arbery while he was jogging through a white neighbourhood in Georgia, is too long to reproduce here but suffice to

say that the perpetrators are often given a mere smack on the wrist.

For sure, African Americans along with decent people of all ethnicities are appalled by the culture of police brutality towards certain communities, a culture that has been tolerated as the norm since the Jim Crow apartheid era that established differ-ent laws for blacks and whites.

The 1950s civil rights movement was successful in bringing about equal rights legislation at least on paper. But the facts tell a different story. Institutional racism is alive and well not only deep within the structure of policing but also the judicial system whereby black Americans receive longer custodial sentences than their white counterparts who commit the same crime.

Why is black america so angry right noW? Data shows that the Los Angeles police search four times as many black and La-tino drivers than white. The New York Civil Liberties Union reports that stop-and-frisk measures have overwhelmingly targeted Af-rican Americans and Latinos.

Last year out of 13,459 stops in New York 59 per cent were black, 29 per cent Latino and just nine per cent were white. It is not surprising that black parents who fear for their sons warn them to avoid the police who more often than not act first and ask questions later.

Peaceful protesters and militants are chanting George Floyd’s name while regur-gitating the mantra ‘Black Lives Matter’ but what they want besides justice and recom-pense for Floyd’s family is an overhaul of the system that relegates minorities to second class citizens.

It is no accident of fate that three times as many African Americans have fallen vic-tim to Covid-19 than white people. The US Health Secretary says the black commu-nity has “greater risk profiles” in terms of obesity, diabetes, and hypertension, with no mention of those factors — joblessness, poor housing, lack of health insurance and high levels of poverty — that contribute to ill health.

The right of African Americans to be hurt and angry is incontestable but how the fed-eral government and the governors of states stricken by violence channels that rage is paramount to obtaining a peaceful outcome.

Will the grievances suffered by black com-munities be listened to and addressed or will there be crackdowns akin to throwing petrol on the flames?

courTEsy : Gulf nEws

8 international indian Horizontuesday, June 02, 2020

US states clamp down on protests against Floyd's death Washington, June 1

(IANS) Some 5,000 US Na-tional Guard troops were deployed in major states amid the ongoing protests against the death of the unarmed African-Ameri-can man, George Floyd in police custody on May 25 in the city of Minneapolis, while also demanding an end to racism and police violence.

The troopers would as-sist law enforcement offi-cers in the states who are in charge of security in the face of riots, and "thou-sands more stand ready if needed", Xinhua news agency quoted the Chief of the National Guard Bureau Gen. Joseph Lengyel as say-ing in a tweet on Sunday.

Demonstrators in at

least 30 cities across 16 states in the US have been protesting against police violence and racism since May 25, when Floyd, an unarmed 46-year-old man, died after Derek Chauvin, a white police officer, held him down with a knee on his neck though he re-peatedly pleaded, "I can't breathe", and "please, I can't breathe".

Chauvin has been ar-rested and charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter.

On Saturday evening, Army Secretary Ryan Mc-Carthy directed the ac-tivation of Washington D.C. National Guard in response to the US Park Police asking for assistance with the protests, Com-

manding General William Walker said in a statement.

As many as 25 cities have imposed curfews while at least eight states and Wash-ington D.C. have called on the National Guard to help respond to protests as of Saturday, said a CNN re-port. Nearly 1,400 people have been arrested dur-ing the protests in 17 cities since May 28. But the ac-tual number is likely higher as protests continued over the weekend.

According to CNN, among the cities impos-ing night-time curfews on Sunday are Los Angeles, Denver, Miami, Atlanta, Chicago, Louisville, Roch-ester, Cleveland, Portland, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Charleston, Nashville, Salt

Lake City and Seattle.Minnesota Governor

Tim Walz on Sunday an-nounced another night-time curfew from 8 pm to 6 a.m. in Minneapolis and neighbouring St. Paul, re-ports Efe news.

At a Sunday press con-ference, Walz explained his decision, saying that it would be "naive and ir-responsible to abandon strategy" considering how well the curfew had worked on Friday and Saturday night, combined with the fact that the Minnesota National Guard was fully mobilized on Saturday eve-ning. In Washington D.C. on Saturday night, about 70 Secret Service agents and Metro Police officers were injured during the dis-

turbances near the White House and elsewhere and where police arrested 18 people, both departments reported on Sunday.

The law enforcement and presidential protec-tion service personnel were injured by being punched, having bricks, stones, bot-tles, firecrackers and other objects thrown at them.

The Secret Service said that nobody was able to penetrate into the grounds of the White House and none of the people inside the presidential residence, including the President, were ever in danger.

A number of popular landmarks of the US capi-tal around the National Mall in central Washington D.C. were defaced.

Moscow, June 1 (IANS) Russian Presi-dent Vladimir Putin and foreign leaders will monitor the Vic-tory parade on June 24 from the tribune on Red Square, Krem-lin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

"Certainly, the pres-ident and the guests will (watch the pa-rade) at the tribune," TASS News Agency quoted Peskov as say-ing in an interview on Sunday.

"No doubt, there will be foreign heads of state," he said, adding that it was necessary to take into account "epide-

miological modality" and expressed hope that the COVID-19 lockdown would be a thing of the past when the parade takes place.

On April 16, the Russian President an-nounced a decision to postpone the Victory Day Parade, which is held annually on May 9, because the prepa-

rations for it could not be carried out amid the coronavirus spread.

On April 28, Putin said an air military parade would be held on May 9.

Putin pledged that the Victory parade would take place later this year.

On May 26, Putin told a meeting with Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu that the parade would be held on June 24. Pu-tin explained that he had chosen the date since the legendary, historic parade of vic-tors was held on June 24, 1945.

Putin to monitor Victory parade from red Square tribune

London, June 1 (IANS) Seven former UK Foreign Secretaries have urged Prime Min-ister Boris Johnson to form a global alliance over China's controver-sial national security law for Hong Kong.

In their letter to Johnson, the cross-party group compris-ing Jeremy Hunt, David Miliband, Jack Straw, William Hague, Mal-colm Rifkind, David Owen and Margaret Beckett, said that the UK government must be seen to lead the in-ternational response, as many countries take their cue from Britain over its former colony, the BBC reported on Monday.

All the former Secre-taries expressed their concern at what they call China's "flagrant breach" of Sino-British

agreements by impos-ing tough national secu-rity laws on Hong Kong.

They urged Johnson to set up an "interna-tional contact group" of allies to coordinate any joint action, similar to that set up in 1994 to try to end the conflict in the former Yugoslavia.

In response, a Down-ing Street spokesman insisted the govern-ment was already play-ing a leading role with international partners in urging China to think again.

Incumbent Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said the new security legislation "very clearly violates" the autono-my that is guaranteed under Chinese law as well as that in the 1997 agreement.

He confirmed the UK will allow those who hold British National

(Overseas) passports to come to the UK and apply to study and work for an extendable 12-month period.

This will in turn "pro-vide a path to citizen-ship", he told the BBC on Sunday.

China is facing mounting criticism over a planned security law for Hong Kong which would make it a crime to undermine Beijing's authority, said the BBC report.

Hong Kong was handed back to China from British control in 1997 but under a unique agreement.

The former British colony enjoys some freedoms not seen in mainland China - and these are set out in a mini-constitution called the Basic Law.

But there are fears the proposed law, which

UK PM urged to form alliance over China security law

Kabul, June 1 (IANS) The Afghan government will continue the release of Taliban prisoners in an effort to begin intra-Af-ghan negotiations and to continue the announced reduction in violence, the National Security Coun-cil said. The council's announcement on Sun-day came after President Ashraf Ghani on May 24 pledged to release 2,000 Taliban prisoners as a goodwill gesture in re-sponse to the Eid cease-fire announced by the Taliban., TOLO News re-ported.

"The process will con-tinue so that based on President Ghani's decree, 2,000 prisoners are re-leased," Council spokes-man Javid Faisal said.

So far, the government has released 1,700 detain-

ees of this latest pledged tranche, bringing the to-tal number of Taliban re-leased to 2,700.

The release of prisoners is part of the US-Taliban agreement and is intend-ed to pave the way for the start of the intra-Afghan negotiations, for which the Afghan government has shown a readiness to begin.

The Taliban has also re-leased over 420 prisoners, 73 of them during the last few days from Balkh, Log-ar, Kunduz, Paktia, Pak-

tika and Khost provinces.Also on Sunday, the

Presidential Palace says the Afghan government was ready for intra-Af-ghan negotiations.

"We are fully ready for the process," TOLO News quoted presidential spokesman Sediq Sediqqi as saying. "The negotia-tion team is ready, and the High Council for National Reconciliation has been established and we are fully ready for beginning the negotiations."

On Saturday, Abdul-lah Abdullah, head of the High Council for National Reconciliation, said he hopes the intra-Afghan negotiations will begin in the next week, and he re-iterated that the negotia-tion team and the Afghan government were ready for the process.

'afghan govt's release of taliban prisoners will continue'

netanyahu warns of new restrictions

UK's Queen pictured outside for 1st time since lockdown

Jerusalem, June 1 (IANS) Israeli Prime Minister Ben-jamin Netanyahu warned that new restrictions will be re-imposed if the corona-virus spread in the country continues, after most of the lockdown rules had been lifted.

Speaking during a weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusa-lem on Sunday, Netanyahu told his Ministers that there was a steep increase in the number of coronavirus cases in recent days, reports Xin-hua news agency.

"The coronavirus is not behind us," said Netanyahu.

"In order to know if there is a real trend change, we will review our next steps over the next few days and if needed we will change the policy accordingly," he said.

On Saturday, Netanyahu addressed the nation and warned that "there has been a general loosening in disci-

pline".He urged people to wear

masks and keep social dis-tancing.

On Friday, Israel recorded 115 new confirmed cases of coronavirus, the high-est daily increase since the beginning of May, accord-ing to official figures by the Health Ministry. At least 78 of them were students and staff members at the Hebrew Gymnasium, a prestigious high school in Jerusalem.

The outbreak was diag-nosed some ten days after the school was re-opened.

Israel has lifted over the past two weeks most of the lockdown rules, including re-opening of schools, kin-dergartens, shops, swim-ming pools, restaurants and cafes.

As of Monday, the total number of COVID-19 cases in Israel stood at 17,071, with 285 deaths.

Istanbul, June 1 (IANS) Many businesses across Turkey prepared to re-sume their operations for the first time after over two months of closure amid a slowdown in the COVID-19 pandemic.

Restaurants, cafes, parks, beaches, daycare centers, kindergartens, li-braries, sports facilities, swimming pools, and mu-seums will be operational as of June 1 as part of the new normalization process which was announced on May 28 by Turkish Presi-dent Recep Tayyip Erdo-gan after a cabinet meeting on Sunday, Xinhua news agency reported.

Following the announce-ment, the Health Ministry prepared a guide in par-ticular for the eating and

drinking industry at which it explained the new rules in a detailed way.

The guide said that the distance between the tables should be 1.5 meters in all directions and 60 centime-ters between the chairs to ensure the social distancing rule, and the hygiene rules should be strictly followed to combat COVID-19.

Several restaurants in Turkey's biggest city Is-tanbul on Sunday disin-fected their facilities and redesigned their seating ar-rangements in line with the ministry's guide.

Under the new measures, restaurants will only accept customers with facial pro-tective masks, and the cli-ents will be allowed to take off their masks only during eating.

Turkey will also lift re-strictions on domestic trav-els as of midnight on Sun-day, and public personnel will return to their jobs on Monday.

Turkey's national flag carrier Turkish Airlines an-nounced on its website that it would start its domestic operations with a limited number of flights departing from Istanbul to four major cities, including the capital Ankara, and western Izmir province, as of Monday.

The carrier will begin to fly to other cities on June 4 and launch its international flights on June 10, it added.

Meanwhile, bars and night clubs will remain to be closed, and the restric-tion on the movements of those aged over 65 and un-der 18 will continue.

Brasilia, June 1 (IANS) Groups supporting and op-posing Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro clashed in violent disturbances amid the political and health crisis besetting the South American giant, one of the countries hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic.

The most serious inci-dents occurred on Sunday along Paulista Avenue in the heart of Sao Paulo, Brazil's largest city, where the pro-Bolsonaro forces demanded the "closure" of both Parliament and the Supreme Court and a "military intervention" but encountered a huge op-position group that had gathered for a protest "in defence of democracy", re-ports Efe news.

Tensions rose among those aligning themselves with the "conservative values" proclaimed by the ultra-rightist Bolsonaro as they confronted those

demonstrating in favour of "democratic institutions" and against the "authori-tarianism" they accuse the reserve army captain turned president, who was inaugurated in Janu-ary 2019, of fomenting and pursuing.

The pro-democracy forc-es carried signs to that ef-fect and were joined by the fans of several soccer clubs.

The demonstrations, convened in several cities around the country, come

at a point where Brazil, with almost half a million confirmed coronavirus cases, finds itself in the No. 2 spot worldwide in terms of people infected with the virus and No. 4 in terms of deaths, with 28,834, ac-cording to the latest offi-cial tally. Also on Sunday in Brasilia, Bolsonaro at-tended an event organized by his supporters at which there were also harsh words for Parliament and the Supreme Court and

calls for a military inter-vention to impose "order and progress", the slogan on the Brazilian flag.

Bolsonaro made no re-marks at the event, limit-ing himself to greeting and embracing many of those attending, lifting children in his arms and posing for selfies with the crowd, all without wearing a face-mask, although doing so is obligatory for the general public in moving about the streets of the capital.

After greeting his some 3,000 followers partici-pating in the event, the Pesident headed over to a group of mounted police-men, got into the saddle on one of the horses and took the horse through the crowd, after which the throng dispersed without any further incident.

The demonstration came after a day after a small group of ultra-right-ist activists who have been

camping out for days in downtown Brasilia head-ed toward the Supreme Court building in a torchlit march.

In a scenario evok-ing neo-Nazi memories, dressed in black and some wearing facemasks, the demonstrators chanted slogans against the high court, which they accused of "yielding to communist interests".

Bolsonaro and three of his sons are currently be-ing investigated in several probes being pursued by the Attorney General's Of-fice and supervised by the Supreme Court.

The President is sus-pected of trying to illegally intervene in the Federal Police, an autonomous entity that is under the authority of the Ministry of Justice, the former head of which, Sergio Moro, has denounced those alleged irregularities.

Riyadh, June 1 (IANS) Saudi Arabia has reopened 90,000 mosques, except for the Mecca as part of the second phase of lifting the coronavirus restric-tions in the country, an official said. For the first time since late March, worshippers were allowed to perform the congre-gational prayers in the 90,000 mosques across the Kingdom on Sunday, Efe news quoted the state-run SPA news agency as saying.

Mecca, home of the Haram Mosque and the Kaaba, has been excluded from the plan to lift the coronavirus restrictions.

Devoted Muslims returning to the mosques, however, had to respect rules aimed at pre-venting the spread of the virus, including a two-metre distanc-ing and the closure of bath-rooms, where people perform the pre-prayer ablutions.

The precautionary measures also included worshippers

having to wear face masks and bring their own mats, accord-ing to the SPA. Also on Sunday, Saudi railways resumed trips as part of the second of a three-phase reopening plan. Passen-gers seats have been relocated to a diagonal position, among other precautionary measures that included temperature checks, according to the source.

The government unveiled its lockdown easing strategy last week. It came following a

96-hour curfew imposed dur-ing Eid al-Fit following a surge in infections during the month of fasting. Besides ending the round-the-clock curfew, which came into force on May 28, in-cluded the resumption of in-ter-provincial travel by private vehicles. All restrictions will be lifted June 21, but wearing a mask in public will be manda-tory. It remains unclear when and how this process of nor-malization will be extended to

Mecca and whether the annual pilgrimage (Haj) to the holy city by Muslims from around the world will take place this year.

The Saudi government has offered no additional guidance regarding the 2020 Hajjsince early March, when Riyadh ad-vised Muslims abroad to delay making reservations for the journey to Mecca.

Saudi Arabia imposed some of the toughest measures in the region to contain the corona-virus, including closing its air-space and quarantining entire provinces. Those measures, however, had an impact on the country's economy, leading the government to reduce subsidies and public investment while boosting the value added tax by 200 per cent. Saudi Arabia has reported 1,877 fresh coronavi-rus cases over the past 24 hours, bringing the confirmed infec-tions to 85,261 while the death toll stood at 503.

London, June 1 (IANS) The UK's Queen Elizabeth II has been pho-tographed riding in the grounds of Windsor Castle - the first time she has been seen outside since the coronavirus lockdown began in the country.

The 94-year-old monarch was pictured on a 14-year-old Fell Pony called Balmoral Fern over the week-end, the BBC reported on Monday.

Wearing a colourful headscarf and smartly dressed in a tweed jacket, Jodhpurs, white gloves and boots, the Queen can be seen in the new photographs taken by the Press Association riding during the week-end's sunny weather.

A passionate horse lover and breeder of thoroughbred racehors-es, the monarch regularly rides in the grounds of Windsor, which is said to be her favourite royal resi-dence. The Queen has been isolat-ing there with her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, 98, and a small number of staff.

The last public picture of the Queen was taken as she was driven

away from Buckingham Palace to her Berkshire home on March 19.

The last public picture of the Queen was taken as she was driven away from Buckingham Palace to her Berkshire home on 19 March.

The Queen carried out official duties the day before her planned departure, but held her weekly face-to-face audience with Prime Minis-ter Boris Johnson on the phone in-stead.

turkey to resume business operation amid CoViD-19 normalization

Clashes erupt between pro- and anti-Bolsonaro groups

Saudi arabia reopens 90,000 mosques, Mecca still shut

9businessindian HorizonTuesday, June 02, 2020

7.26 million records of bHiM user data leaked: ReportNew Delhi, June 1 (IANS)

Security researchers have discovered that about 7.26 million records linked to us-ers of mobile payments app BHIM were left exposed to the public by a website.

The exposed data in-cluded sensitive informa-tion such as names, dates of birth, age, gender, home address, caste status and Aadhaar card details, among others, said the report from VPN review website vpnMentor.

"The scale of the exposed data is extraordinary, af-fecting millions of people all over India and exposing them to potentially devas-tating fraud, theft, and at-tack from hackers and cy-bercriminals," the security researchers from vpnMen-tor wrote in a blog post on Sunday.

Offered by the National

Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), the app BHIM, or Bharat Interface for Mon-ey, was launched in 2016.

In a statement on Mon-day, the NPCI said that "there has been no data compromise at BHIM App."

"We have come across some news reports which suggest data breach at BHIM App. We would like to clarify that there has been no data compromise at BHIM App and request everyone to not fall prey to such speculations. NPCI fol-

lows high level of security and an integrated approach to protect its infrastructure and continue to provide a robust payments ecosys-tem," said the NPCI. In its report, vpnMentor also said that the website that leaked the data was developed by a company called CSC e-Gov-ernance Services LTD. in partnership with the Indian government.

The issue was resolved late last month after the researchers contacted In-dia's Computer Emergency

Response Team (CERT-In) twice in a month's time.

"In this case, the data was stored on an unsecured Am-azon Web Services (AWS) S3 bucket," the researchers said, adding that S3 buckets are a popular form of Cloud storage across the world but require developers to set up the security protocols on their accounts.

"We reached out to the website's developers to no-tify them of the misconfigu-ration in their S3 bucket and to offer our assistance. After not receiving a reply, we contacted India's Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), which deals with cybersecurity in the coun-try," they added.

It appears CSC estab-lished the website connect-ed to the misconfigured S3 bucket to promote BHIM usage across India and sign

up new merchant business-es, such as mechanics, farm-ers, service providers, and store owners onto the app, according to the research led by vpnMentor's Noam Rotem and Ran Locar.

The volume of exposed data which was first dis-covered by the security researchers on April 23 amounted to 409GB.

"It's difficult to say pre-cisely, but the S3 bucket seemed to contain records from a short period: Feb-ruary 2019. However, even within such a short time-frame, over 7 million re-cords had been uploaded and exposed," said the report. "The exposure of BHIM user data is akin to a hacker gaining access to the entire data infrastructure of a bank, along with millions of its users' account infor-mation," it added.

New Delhi, June 1 (IANS) Covid-hit online travel major MakeMy-Trip has laid off nearly 350 employees as the pandemic has changed the context and viability of some of its business lines in its current form.

The company is offer-ing mediclaim coverage for the impacted individ-uals and their families till the end of the year.

According to an inter-nal letter from Founder Deep Kalra and CEO Rajesh Magow sent to employees, the impacted employees will also get leave, gratuity, retention of company laptops and outplacement support, apart from salary pay-

ments as per their notice periods.

"It is undoubtedly the toughest decision we have had to take so far and it's the saddest day for us as an organiza-tion," read the letter. The company analysed Co-vid-19 impact closely and spent considerable time thinking about the path to business recovery.

"It is evident that the pandemic has changed the context and viability

of some of our business lines in its current form. Keeping this in mind we have had to take this sad but inevitable decision of rightsizing our workforce in these businesses," said the duo.

The staff rationaliza-tion, they said, is mapped to their future business strategy and "is in no way a reflection of the work done by people in these teams". According to Kalra, the word of travel has been ravaged due to global Covid-19 pandem-ic. "What's evident is that the impact of COVID-19 crisis is going to be long drawn for us. It's unclear when traveling will be-come a way of life, as it

was pre-Covid," said the letter.

The tourism industry in India is staring at two crore job losses as indus-try insiders cite central apathy and a predictably long recovery period.

Indian tourism travel and hospitality impacts 10-12 per cent of India's employment which cov-ers almost 5 crore plus direct and indirect jobs.

"We are living through extraordinary times which have impacted in-dividuals, communities, businesses, countries and our world at a mag-nitude unknown before and there is no let-up in sight," said the MakeMy-Trip executives.

New Delhi, June 1 (IANS) The Reserve Bank of India's decision to ex-tend the moratorium on loan repayment by three more months will be cred-it negative for non-bank-ing finance companies (NBFC), according to a re-port by Moody's Investors Service.

It said that NBFCs man-age their liquidity primar-ily by matching outflows, mainly debt repayments, with inflows from cus-tomer loan repayments. The moratorium on cus-tomer loan repayments, initially effective from March 1, has led to a sig-

nificant decline in cash inflows and has adversely impacted the liquidity of NBFCs. "The extension of the moratorium will add additional stress to cash inflows, which will continue for at least three more months," it said.

The credit outlook re-port noted that the Gov-ernment of India and the Reserve Bank of India have announced a series of measures to alleviate li-quidity stress at the NBF-Cs, but the measures have been mostly ineffective.

"In the most recent measure, the government said it will guarantee up

to Rs 300 billion (30,000 crore) of NBFI (non-bank-ing finance institution) debt. However, only debt maturing within three months is eligible, accord-ing to the implementation guidelines," it said.

The short tenure of the debt guarantee means that it is likely to have lit-tle effect in alleviating the liquidity stress being ex-perienced by the NBFCs, as per the report. It, how-ever, said that currently the moratorium by banks to NBFCs on bank loan repayments is the only meaningful relief for NBF-Cs to withstand liquidity

stress. Bank loans are an important source of fund-ing for NBFCs, therefore, repayment holidays from bank loans will signifi-cantly help NBFCs man-age liquidity.

However, it is not clear whether all of the NBFCs will benefit from the bank moratorium as banks may evaluate individual NBF-Cs on case-by-case basis. Further, a moratorium on bank loan repayments does not address the structural access to fund-ing issues of NBFCs, said the report.

The Moody's report also said that the impact of the

extension of the morato-rium will be different for public and private sector banks.

Public sector banks in general have been much more open to offering moratoriums than private sector banks, it said, add-ing that as lockdowns are progressively removed, private sector banks will be much more proactive in their collection efforts, magnifying the different stand of public sector and private sector banks. "As a result, public sector banks may end up holding more residual credit risk, which will expose them.

Noida, June 1 (IANS) E-commerce platform Paytm Mall, owned by Paytm Ecommerce Pri-vate Ltd, on Monday announced to move its operations from Noida to Bengaluru and hire over 300 new members for product and technol-ogy roles.

The company also ap-pointed Abhishek Rajan as chief operating officer (COO) who, during the last four years, has built and scaled up Paytm's Travel business driving large revenues for the company at a positive contribution margin.

Paytm Mall said in a statement that the move would help it tap into the

rich talent pool available in Bemgaluru's consum-er internet and startup ecosystem.

"In the post-COVID world, we want to bring commerce to even more customers and serve the SMEs across the country. We are well-capitalized, have a great team, and a massive network of cus-tomers to make our O2O model penetrate fur-ther in India," said Vijay Shekhar Sharma, Found-er and CEO, Paytm.

The existing workforce has the flexibility to ei-ther shift to Bengaluru or continue working from their current location in various roles.

Additionally, Srini-

vas Mothey has been elevated to Senior Vice President Merchants Solutions at Paytm who would be working on innovative retail solu-tions for merchants in his new role. In his new role as COO, Rajan will set the vision for Mall and oversee the opera-tions across categories, products, technology, supply chain, marketing and finance.

He will specifically fo-cus on strengthening the commerce customer ex-perience and expanding the hyperlocal merchant base, thereby enabling more Kirana stores to be part of the digital com-merce journey

New Delhi, June 1 (IANS) Amidst the nationwide lock-down, banks' credit to non-banking finance companies (NBFC) increased by Rs 5,000 crore in April 2020, according to an SBI report.Among the ser-vices, credit to NBFCs, transport operators and retail traders in-creased in April. Credit to retail traders in-creased by Rs 6,900 crore and that to trans-port operators rose by Rs 4,300 crore, said the SBI Ecowrap report.

"YoY credit growth to industry declined to 1.7 per cent (6.9 per cent last year), services to 11.2 per cent (16.8) but on YTD basis credit growth to industry has increased. Within ser-vices, there has been an increase in credit to NBFCs, transport op-erators, retail traders," it said.

Generally, agricul-ture sector credit de-

mand increases in May and June before sow-ing season and banks are now disbursing to all the eligible farmers and also issuing Kisan Credit Cards to all the farmers to meet their credit requirements timely, it said.

"The important thing is that the de-cline in retail credit was the largest since January 2008, from when the data series is available," it said.

Though credit to all major industries de-clined, credit to infra-structure like power, iron and steel, petro-chemicals and petro-leum, coal products and nuclear fuels in-creased by Rs 23,900 crore in April 2020.

The report authored by Soumya Kanti Ghosh, Group Chief Economic Adviser of State Bank of India, said that going for-ward, the decline in credit to the retail sec-

tor may continue with extension of lockdown in states. Banks are also leveraging digital platforms to meet the credit requirement in the retail sector.

For corporates, they will require more en-hancement of working capital loans as well as term loans over the medium term until the growth environment stabilizes, it said.

The report also said that deposits in all forms, savings, current and term, increased significantly during Lockdown-1 as people were apprehensive in the beginning of spending and turned frugal. During Lock-down-2, there was a 25 per cent decline in such bank deposits, but term deposit ac-crual was very healthy. "The increase in de-posits is also attribut-able to government spending picking up pace.

New Delhi, June 1 (IANS) Au-tomobile major Maruti Suzuki on Monday posted total sales of 18,539 units in May 2020.

Accordingly, the company's total off-take included 13,865 units in the domestic market and sales of 23 units to other OEM.

"The company resumed its manufacturing operations post lockdown strictly in accordance with the government regulations and guidelines, from May 12 at its Manesar facility and from

May 18 at its Gurugram facility," the company said in a statement.

"Production also resumed at Suzuki Motor Gujarat Pvt Lim-ited (SMG) from May 25, 2020. SMG manufactures cars on a contract basis for Maruti Su-zuki."

As per the statement, the company exported 4,651 units following resumption of port op-erations at Mundra and Mumbai ports, "ensuring that all guide-lines for safety were followed".

Mumbai, June 1 (IANS) Pet-rol and Diesel prices in the economic capital of the coun-try have been increased by Rs 2 per litre on Monday. Now, petrol will cost Rs 78.32 per litre to Mumbaikars while die-sel will be available at Rs 68.21 in the city.

The prices were increased after the Maharashtra govern-ment decided to levy a cess of Rs 2 on the vehicular fuel w.e.f. June 1. This increase will be applicable in the entire state.

The Value Added Tax (VAT) on petrol and diesel is 26 per

cent and 24 per cent respec-tively in the state.

Beside, a cess is also ap-plicable on both type of fuels that the state government has increased from Rs 8.12 to Rs 10.12 per litre on petrol and Rs 3 per litre from the earlier Re 1 on diesel.

According to the Indian Oil website, prices of petrol in the four metro cities, Delhi, Kolka-ta, Mumbai and Chennai were Rs 71.26, Rs 73.30, Rs 78.32 and Rs 75.54 per litre, respectively.

While the diesel prices were Rs 69.39, Rs 65.62, Rs 68.21 and 68.22 per litre, respectively.

Chennai, June 1 (IANS) Global nuclear power major Russia's Rosatom on Monday said its group company OKB GIDROPRESS has completed shipment of critical compo-nents to St Petersburg's port, which was cleared by NPCIL officials.

The equipment -- a set (135 pieces) of step electromagnet drives of reactor control and protection (CPS drives SHEM-3) -- was inspected by representa-tives of Nuclear Power Corpora-tion of India (NPCIL) for quality and availability for shipment, Rosatom said.

The inspectors were satisfied by the quality of production.

According to Rosatom, the CPS drives SHEM-3 is for the fourth 1,000 MW atomic power plant coming up in Kudankulam in Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu.

India's atomic power com-pany NPCIL) s building two more 1,000 MW reactors at Ku-dankulam while the first two re-actors of similar capacities are generating power.

The shipment was done after successful completion of the approval tests on the benches for hot running-in and after acceptance inspection of the drives, said Rosatom.

The CPS drive SHEM-3 is intended for reactor start-up, power regulation and reactor shut-down by means of inser-tion of CPS absorbing rods into the core and their removal.

The drive is designed and manufactured at OKB GIDRO-PRESS that is a designer of all modifications of CPS step elec-tromagnet drives for nuclear power plants with VVER-type reactors.

New Delhi, June 1 (IANS) Oil marketing companies have hiked the prices of non-subsidised cooking gas and aviation turbine fuel with effect from Monday.

The price of the 14.2 kilogram cylinder of non-subsidised LPG gas in Delhi has been raised by Rs 11.50 from May to Rs 593 per cylinder.

In Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai, the price of LPG has been raised at Rs 616, Rs 590.50 and Rs 606.50, against Rs 584.50, Rs 579 and Rs 569.50 per cylinder respectively. The highest increase was witnessed in Chennai with a hike of Rs 37 from the price in May.

The government cur-

rently subsidises 12 cyl-inders of 14.2 kilograms each per household in a year. Additional purchas-es have to be made at the market price.

In a statement on Sun-day, Indian Oil Corp said that the retail selling price of LPG in Delhi market for

the month of May 2020 was reduced from Rs 744 to Rs 581.50 per cylinder for all consumers in line with drop in International prices. "For the month of June, there has been an increase in Interna-tional prices of LPG. Due to increase in the prices

in international market, the RSP of LPG in Delhi market will be increased by Rs 11.50 per cylinder," it said. It however said that, this increase will not impact the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala (PMUY) beneficiaries, as they are covered by the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yo-jana, and entitled to a free cylinder till June 30.

Price of ATF in the na-tional capital has been raised by Rs 11,030.62 to 33,575.37 per kilolitre, according to data on the Indian Oil Corp's website.

Similarly, that in Kol-kata, Mumbai and Chen-nai has been raised to Rs 38,543.48, Rs 3,070.56 and Rs 34,569.30 per kilolitre.

Covid-hit MakeMyTrip lays off 350 employees, says no respite in sight

extension of loan moratorium credit negative for nbFCs: Moody's

samsung to open $6.5 billion nAnD flash production line in s Korea

Credit to nbFCs rises in April, retail credit plunges: Report

Maruti Suzuki's May sales crosses 18k units

Fuel prices hike by Rs 2/L in Mumbai

Paytm Mall moves ops from noida to bengaluru, to hire 300

NPCIL clears shipment of components for Kundankulam

reactor: Rosatom

non-subsidised LPG rate hiked, aviation fuel ups by Rs 11,000/kl

Seoul, June 1 (IANS) Samsung Electronics said on Monday it will add a NAND flash pro-duction line in South Korea to meet the grow-ing demand in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Inter-net of Things (IoT) and 5G-based technologies. The tech giant did not reveal how much money will be spent on the new line but industry insiders estimate it around $6.5 billion.

The world's largest memory chip maker said it plans to start mass pro-duction of the new line at its second chip fab, named P2, in Pyeongtaek - some 70 kms south of

Seoul, in the second half of 2021. The facility will produce Samsung's lat-est V-NAND memory.

A NAND chip is a non-volatile computer mem-ory primarily used in memory cards and sol-id-state drive products. "The new investment re-affirms our commitment to sustain undisputed leadership in memory technologies, even in un-certain times," said Choi Cheol, an executive vice president of memory global sales and market-ing at Samsung. Sam-sung has been the global leader in the NAND flash market since 2002.

In the first quarter

of this year, the com-pany held a 33.3 per cent share of the global market, according to in-dustry researcher DRA-MeXchange, far above Japan's Kioxia Corp that took a 19 per cent share.

Last July, the company mass-produced sixth-generation V-NAND memory that boasts a fast data transfer rate.

Samsung currently runs NAND flash produc-tion lines in Hwaseong and Pyeongtaek, both south of Seoul, as well as Xian, China.

Amid rising uncer-tainties due to the virus pandemic and renewed tensions between the US and China, Samsung has been reinforcing its ef-forts to expand its chip business, reports Yon-hap news agency.

Last year, the South Korean tech titan un-veiled a plan to become the world's No 1 logic chip maker by 2030 by investing 133 trillion won.

10 BUSINESS Indian HorizonTuesday, June 02, 2020

Keep middle seats vacant if capacity allows: DGCA to airlinesNew Delhi, June 1 (IANS)

Days after the Supreme Court directed that the safety and social distancing norms should be followed in aircraft, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), here on Monday, asked airlines to keep the middle seats of a row va-cant if the passenger load and seat capacity allowed.

If the middle seat was oc-cupied owing to passenger load, additional protec-tive equipment, like 'wrap around gowns', be pro-vided to people occupy-ing those seats in addition to the three-layered face mask and face shield, the aviation regulator said in a circular.

"The airlines shall allot the seats in such a manner

that the middle seat/seat between two passengers is kept vacant if the passen-ger load and seat capac-ity permits. However, the members of same family may be allowed to sit to-gether," it said.

The DGCA circular noted that the recommendations were submitted to the Min-istry of Civil Aviation by the

expert committee, consti-tuted by the Ministry in pursuance of the observa-tion of the Supreme Court and in interest of the safety of passengers.

On May 25, the Supreme Court said there couldn't be two norms -- six feet so-cial distancing outside and shoulder to shoulder travel on flights. "The govern-

ment should worry about the health of citizens than the health of commercial airlines," it said. "We make it clear that the DGCA is free to alter any norm, it may consider necessary, during the pendency of the matter in the interest of public health and safety of the passengers rather than commercial consider-ations," the court said.

The DGCA circular also said airlines would have to provide passengers safety kits, including three-lay-ered surgical mask, face shield and adequate sani-tiser in bottles or sachets.

drinks or drinking water be served on board, except in extreme circumstances arising due to health rea-sons, it added.

Airlines have been asked to set the air-conditioning system in a way that air is replaced at the short-est possible intervals, and clean and sanitise plane lavatories frequently dur-ing the flight.

other directives, the DGCA asked airlines and airports to explore the pos-sibility of having a disinfec-tion tunnel after evaluating its health impact on human beings. The new directives will come into effect from Wednesday. The domestic commercial flights started after two months on May 25. International flights will not resume till end of June. A decision to restart services will be taken by the Centre in July, depend-ing upon circumstances.

Mumbai, June 1 (IANS) Global technol-ogy solution integra-tor AGC Networks on Monday announced to acquire IT company Fujisoft (along with its associated companies in the UAE) for an un-disclosed sum.

The acquisition that will substantially strengthen AGC's pres-ence and offerings in the MEA region, is done through its indirect sub-sidiary Black Box Hold-ings Limited Cayman Islands, the company said in a statement.

"This acquisition ac-celerates our expan-sion in MEA region. The

combination of Fujisoft and AGC will strengthen our relationship and relevance with our com-bined customers in the region," said Sanjeev Verma, Executive Di-rector and CEO of AGC Networks and President and CEO of Black Box Corporation.

The proposed ac-quisition is subject to approval from the De-partment of Economic Development in Dubai and from Abu Dhabi Department of Eco-nomic Development for the company in Abu Dhabi. "This acquisi-tion is a logical next step that creates substantial

value for customers and stakeholders of both AGC and Fujisoft," said Albert Raj, Managing Director, Fujisoft.

The acquisition would also enhance the current solution portfo-lio of AGC and Black Box across cloud computing and virtualization, cy-ber security, data center and collaboration solu-tions.

With dominance in India in the enterprise communication space, AGC which is an Essar Enterprise is a strong player in the USand Eu-rope markets and has a 4,000-strong team glob-ally.

AGC Networks to acquire Fujisoft to boost presence in MEA region

San Francisco, June 1 (IANS) Amazon Founder and CEO Jeff Bezos is reportedly investing in a British startup Beacon that aims to become a global logistics chain.

According to Sky News, the world's richest man is "tak-ing part in Series A fundraising worth $15 million for the British startup".

Beacon is a digital f r e i g h t - f o r w a r d i n g and supply chain fi-nance firm.

Launched in 2018, it uses Artificial Intelli-gence (AI), Cloud and other technologies to improve operational efficiency for custom-ers organising inter-national trade in their products.

Beacon is under-stood to have seen

strong demand dur-ing the Covid-19 cri-sis from companies in the e-commerce and homewares sector, in particular, the report said.

The company of-fers a range of servic-es - including global ocean, air freight and truck - which can be accessed and man-aged on a single plat-form. Beacon was founded by two for-mer Uber executives, Fraser Robinson and Dmitri Izmailov.

Beacon's investors include executives from Uber, Google and Amazon, accord-ing to its site.

Pierre Martin, the company's chief tech-nology officer, previ-ously worked at Ama-zon.

Jeff Bezos to invest in UK logistics startup Beacon

New Delhi, June 1 (IANS) India's manufac-turing output remained at historic low levels, as weak demand due to Co-vid-19 outbreak led to lower production in the month of May.

Accordingly, the lat-est reading of seasonally adjusted IHS Markit In-dia Manufacturing PMI index pointed to another substantial decline in the health of the Indian man-ufacturing sector, "albeit one that was slightly soft-er than recorded in April".

Consequently, the sea-sonally adjusted PMI reading inched up to 30.8 in May from 27.4 in April.

According to the survey report, in a sign of further demand weakness, new orders placed with goods producers continued to fall after April's record

contraction."The rate of decline

decelerated but was still the second-fastest since the series' inception in March 2005. Panellists of-ten mentioned prolonged closures at their clients when explaining the lat-est reduction in sales," the survey report said.

"Weak demand from international markets added to the deteriorat-ing sales trend, with new business from abroad plunging further in May. Anecdotal evidence sug-gested that global mea-sures to stem the spread of COVID-19 continued to

stifle exports."Furthermore, the in-

dex report said that lower production requirements saw Indian manufacturers continue to reduce work-er numbers in May.

Commenting on the survey results, Eliot Kerr, Economist at IHS Markit said: "The latest PMI data suggested that Indian manufacturing output fell further in May. This result is particularly poi-gnant given the record contraction in April which was driven by widespread business closures."

"The further reduc-tion in May highlights the challenges that business-es might face in the recov-ery from this crisis, with demand remaining sub-dued while the longevity of the pandemic remains uncertain."

India's manufacturing output remains historic low in May: PMI

Sensex jumps 1,100 points, Nifty above 9,900

CAPF canteens get 1st 'Swadeshi' consignment from KVIC

Mumbai, June 1 (IANS) The Indian stock market surged on Monday with the BSE Sensex gaining over 1,100 points, tracking positive cues from its Asian peers.

The Nifty50 on the Na-tional Stock Exchange (NSE) was trading above the psychological level of 9,900-mark. Healthy buy-ing was witnessed in bank-ing, finance, metal and consumer durable stocks.

The government's an-nouncement to lift the nationwide lockdown in a

staggered manner starting June 8 also boosted inves-tor sentiments.

At 12.25 p.m., Sensex was trading at 33,578.01, higher by 1,153.91 points or 3.56 per cent from the previous close of 32,424.10.

It had opened at 32,906.05 and has touched an intra-day high of 33,673.83 and a low of 32,876.55 points so far.

The Nifty50 on the Na-tional Stock Exchange was trading at 9,902.30, higher by 322 points or 3.36 per cent from its previous close.

New Delhi, June 1 (IANS) Prime Minister Naren-dra Modis flagship 'One Nation One Ration Card' scheme has been imple-mented across 20 states so far with the Central gov-ernment targeting the en-tire country by March 31 next year.

Union Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribu-tion minister Ram Vilas Paswan on

Monday said that af-ter Odisha, Sikkim and Mizoram joining the 'One Nation One Ration Card' scheme, 20 states are now linked to IMPDS (Integrat-ed Management of Public Distribution System).

The Union minister tweeted, "As I earlier an-nounced, three more states -- Odisha, Sikkim

Mizoram -- have been added to the government's ambitious 'One Nation One Ration Card' scheme today. With this 20 states have joined the IMPDS scheme."

In another tweet, Paswan said, "'One Nation One Ra-tion Card' Scheme is to be implemented across the country by March 31, 2021. In this regard, neces-sary steps are being taken to connect Uttarakhand, Nagaland and Manipur by August 1, 2020."

After the implementa-tion of the scheme across the country by March 31, 2021, any beneficiary of the Public Distribution System (PDS) under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) can avail of ration anywhere in the country.

Under the NFSA, nearly 81 crore people in the country are provided foodgrains at a cheaper rate.

They are provided wheat at Rs 2 a kg and rice at Rs 3 a kg. In the ongoing co-rona pandemic, the Cen-tral government gives five kg rice or wheat and one kg pulses per month free to every PDS beneficiary. This will continue for three months since its inception in April under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY).

Besides, the Central gov-ernment is also giving five kg foodgrains and one kg grams free for two months to the migrant labourers who are not beneficiaries of any other grain distribu-tion scheme.

Chandigarh, June 1 (IANS) While curbs were eased in Punjab and Haryana on Monday with an eye on revival of econ-omy, small retailers and businessmen expressed anguish over fall in rev-enue due to lockdown.

Both the states an-nounced extension of lockdown until June 30 with different sets of guidelines.

In line with the central government's guidelines for 'Unlock 1.0', Punjab has ordered formulation of norms for reopening of hotels, other hospitality services, shopping malls, places of worship and restaurants for in-dining from June 8.

It also announced im-mediate reopening of shops, including liquor and barber outlets, beau-ty parlours and spas, in the non-containment zones.

Haryana has decided to reopen the restricted areas in a phased manner in accordance with provi-sions of the National Di-saster Management Act and guidelines issued by the District Magistrates and other state depart-ments.

In Punjab, on Monday there were no restrictions on either inter-state or intra-state movement of passenger vehicles, like

taxis, cabs, stage carri-ers, tempo travellers and cars. Plying of bicycles, rickshaws and auto-rick-shaws were also allowed.

In Haryana, inter-state and intra-state buses, taxis and cabs operated in accordance with the standard operating pro-cedures (SOPs), officials told IANS.

The movement of peo-ple in Punjab for all the non-essential purposes

will remain banned be-tween 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. as per the Centre's guide-lines. District authorities have been asked to issue prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC and ensure strict compli-ance.

Shops in main mar-kets will open between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m and liquor vends from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

In Haryana, there was no restriction on inter-state and inter-district movement of people and goods. Shops will remain open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. The Deputy Com-missioner can, however, impose suitable restric-tions in the congested markets as per their as-sessments.

Shops and business es-tablishments reopened in most towns of both states, but the business activity was largely dull.

Punjab Finance Min-ister Manpreet Badal expressed anguish over shopkeepers' losses due to lockdown. "Whether it is sweet shop owners, electrical goods sellers or tailors, the pain and anguish of shopkeepers is visible. Business senti-ment has never been so low," he tweeted.

Badal said he visited markets in Bathinda to learn about their imme-diate needs. Shopkeepers were taking extra steps to follow Covid-19 protec-tion norms, he added.

An anguished shop-keeper in Karnal, Hary-ana, said small retailers had been hit hard by the over two-month-long lockdown. "Our business has been severely im-pacted. The Centre has announced no package for small shopkeepers," said Naresh Chaudhary, a grocery owner.

New Delhi, June 1 (IANS) Fur-ther widening the definition of micro, small and medium en-terprises (MSME), the Union Cabinet on Monday announced that entities with turnover up to Rs 250 crore or investment up to Rs 50 crore will qualify as me-dium enterprises.

Addressing the media here, post the cabinet meeting, Union Information & Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar said that the decision was taken post suggestions coming in af-ter the government announced the broadening of the scope of MSMEs to support and more businesses.

Also, the turnover criteria for MSME will not include revenue from exports further providing flexibility to the sector to ex-pand their operations and push overseas sales, he said.

On May 13, Finance Min-

ister Nirmala Sitharaman an-nounced to increase of in-vestment limits for MSMEs. Further, she had also said that an additional criteria of turn-over has also been introduced for recognition of an MSME.

During that announcement, Sitharaman had raised medium enterprises definition to one with investment and machinery to the tune of Rs 20 crore and turnover of Rs 100 crore. This stands further enhanced now

after the cabinet decision.As per the new changes, busi-

nesses with investment of less than Rs 1 crore and turnover of Rs 5 crore would be classified as micro enterprises. Under the existing criteria, a company with investment of less than Rs 25 lakh in the manufacturing sector and less than Rs 10 lakh in the services sector were con-sidered micro enterprises.

The Cabinet had changed this distinction as well and a unified

criteria will be applied for micro enterprises.

The investment limit of small enterprises has been increased to Rs 10 crore, and the compa-nies would have to have turn-over of less than Rs 50 crore.

Further, the investment limit for medium enterprises has been increased to Rs 20 crore and the turnover limit has been kept at Rs 100 crore, which has now been extended to com-panies with investment of Rs 50 crore and turnover of up to Rs 250 crore. Under the Aat-manirbhar Bharat package, the government has also done away with the distinction of services and manufacturing MSME.

Briefing media persons about the cabinet decision, MSME Minister Nitin Gadkari said that the changes would benefit 6 crore MSMEs that together em-ploy 11 crore people.

New Delhi, June 1 (IANS) Beginning sale of only indigenous goods from Monday across India -- a first ever such step adopted so far -- the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) canteens re-ceived delivery of first "Swadeshi" items through the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC).

Khadi kurta, cotton jackets, honey, mus-tard oil, Agarbatti, Na-tional flags and other eatables are among 13 products which KVIC delivered to five CAPF canteens in Delhi last Saturday.

KVIC has constituted a special team to look after CAPF supplies as it is entrusted to fulfill maximum demands in these establishments across the country.

The development comes within two weeks after Union Home Minister Amit Shah issued an order making it mandatory for CAPF canteens to sell only local prod-ucts procured through KVIC. The order comes into effect from June 1 (Monday).

The supply order re-ceived by the KVIC also includes cotton towels, achar (pickles), agar-batti (incense sticks), papad, dalia (oatmeal), murabba and amla candy etc.

The KVIC has also received a list of 63 new products like Khadi clothes, woolens, cos-metics like herbal oils, shampoo, soaps, face wash, tea and coffee and others to be sup-plied at these canteens.

The move aims at

promoting local prod-ucts, empowering farmers and strength-ening village industries to make India "At-manirbhar", a call giv-en by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said a KVIC statement.

KVIC Chairman Vi-nai Kumar Saxena said, "This will open new employment avenues for khadi artisans, Prime Minister Em-ployment Generation Programme (PMEGP) units and lakhs of peo-ple already engaged with KVIC programs in cottage and village in-dustries."

"We have received the order from para-military canteens for supplying 13 products. The supply has already started. More products will be made available at these canteens.

'One Nation One Ration Card' to cover all states by March 31

Punjab, Haryana ease curbs to revive economy

Entities with up to Rs 250 cr turnover, excluding exports, to be medium enterprises

Sports Indian HorizonTuesday, June 2, 202011

New Delhi, June 1 (IANS) The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) on Monday recommended the names of Amit Panghal and Vikas Krishan for the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award.

“Boxing Federation of India has made due diligence exercise on the performances of athletes and coaches during the last four years,” the BFI statement read.

Boxers Simranjeet Kaur, Lovlina Borgohain and Manish Kaushik have been recommended for the Arjuna Award while N. Usha has been recommended for the

Dhyanchand Award by the federation.

The two recommendations for Dronacharya Award were coaches Chhote Lal Yadav and Mohammad Ali Qamar.Amit has been nominated for India’s highest sporting honour for his consistent performances in the last few years. In 2019, he won the silver medal at the prestigious World Championships in the flyweight category.

He is also an Asian Games gold medallist, having stood on top of the podium in Jakarta in 2018. In the same year, he won the silver medal in the Commonwealth Games.

BFI RECOMMENDS AMIT, VIKAS FOR KHEL RATNA AWARD

KIREN RIJIJU, ARJUN MUNDA INAUGURATE KHELO INDIA E PATHSHALA

In these challenging times, our parents need us more than ever: Sachin

Mumbai, June 1 (IANS) Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar on Monday stressed on the importance of taking care of parents even more at this time of crisis when the world is fighting with the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The unconditional love, support and attention that our parents showered on us as we were growing up laid our foundation as individuals. In my life too, the support and guidance from my parents helped me become the person I am today.“In these challenging times, our parents need us more than ever. It’s our responsibility

to take care of them & even more so now during these tough times,” Tendulkar said

in a post on popular social media platform Instagram with a throwback photo of

him spending time with his parents.The coronavirus outbreak has brought the world to a standstill with India being under lockdown since March 25 to curb its spread.

Recently, Indian footballer Sandesh Jhingan said Tendulkar’s positivity is contagious also revealing an interesting anecdote featuring ‘The Master Blaster’.

After Kerala Blasters lost the Indian Super League (ISL) final in 2014 to ATK, Jhingan revealed how Tendulkar gave him a pep talk and said he won the World Cup in 2011 after six attempts.“I was so drained

and upset. He came to me and calmly said ‘Sandesh, it took me 6 attempts to win the World Cup.

You can’t lose your heart after losing it in the first go,” Jhingan said during a Facebook Live session organised by the All India Football Federation (AIFF).

Tendulkar was the co-owner of Kerala Blasters previously.

All cricket in the country is currently on hold due to the pandemic which has forced the cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL) to also get postponed indefinitely. The BCCI is now looking at a November window to stage the 13th edition of the league with talks of the T20 World Cup in Australia likely to be called off this year.

New Delhi, June 1 (IANS) Union Ministers Kiren Rijiju and Arjun Munda on Monday inaugurated Khelo India e-Pathshala program through a webinar which was attended by young archers, archery coaches and experts of the discipline, from across the country.

Launched by the Sports Authority of India, in association with National Sporting Federations, the program is India’s first-ever national-level open online coaching and education program for grassroot-level athletes. It aims to improve the technical skill of grassroot-level athletes all across India, through a module that will be taught by eminent athletes and senior coaches.Inaugurating

the session on archery, Sports Minister Rijiju said an initiative like this is the need of the hour and will be immensely helpful for young athletes.

“The unique program will connect athletes from secluded areas of India, who may not always have access to established players and coaches. I am confident this programme will motivate

more young athletes to take up sport professionally.”

Union tribal Affairs Minister Munda reiterated Rijiju’s thoughts and said: “The program will help connect even those young archers who are in small villages and tribal areas and will make sure they get access to the best coaches via Khelo India e-pathshala.

It is an unique initiative taken by SAI and gives a level-platform for athletes from all geographical areas and backgrounds.” The SAI has been conducting online developmental programmes for coaches, elite athletes and other stakeholders since April 16, following the nationwide lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Guardiola’s Barcelona best team I played against, says Scholes

Japan round of MotoGP cancelled amid COVID-19

pandemicTokyo, June 1 (IANS)

Japanese MotoGP became the latest race to be cancelled on Monday in the wake of coronavirus pandemic that has wreaked havoc across the world.

The race at the iconic Twin Ring Motegi circuit, which was supposed to be held between October 16-18, joins a long list of races to be officially called off looking at the virus threat.

The circuit has been on the MotoGP roster since 1999 and will now be hosted next season.

“It is with great sadness that we announce the cancellation of the Motul Grand Prix of Japan at the very unique Motegi circuit, meaning we will not have a Japanese Grand Prix on the calendar for the first time since 1986,” Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna Sports said in an official statement.

“The MotoGP family is working very hard to be able to re-start the racing season and hold as many events as possible, and in the safest way possible.”

London, June 1 (IANS) Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes stated the Barcelona team under Pep Guardiola was the best side he came up against during the course of his illustrious career.

Scholes, often regarded as one of the finest playmakers in the history of the game, conceded that Barcelona had assembled an ‘unreal’ team when Manchester United came up against them in the first decade of this century.

Scholes also recalled the time when Manchester United were defeated by Barcelona in two UEFA Champions League finals in a span of three years.

In 2009, Barcelona blanked Manchester United 2-0 in Rome while they thumped the Red Devils 3-1 in London in 2011. Scholes admitted that United would have won more UCL titles in a different era.“We were quite unlucky really. In any other era

we might have won four, five, or six European Cups,” Scholes told the A Goal In One Podcast as per Daily Mail.

“But the teams that were about -- you look at Guardiola’s Barcelona team. Jesus, how good were they?!

“You could go right through the team. In midfield, you had Andres Iniesta, Xavi, Sergio Busquets and Lionel Messi.

“Henry on the left. Centre halves of Gerard Pique and Carlos Puyol. Just unreal.“They’re without

doubt the best team I’ve played against. They’re one of the best teams that has ever been.”

Despite suffering two heartbreaks at the hands of Messi and Co, Scholes ended his career as a two-time Champions League winner, having won the title in 1998-99 and 2007-08 seasons respectively.Scholes is also the most decorated Englishman in the Premier League history as he won the top-flight title 11 times during his stay at Old Trafford.

London, June 1 (IANS) The English Football League (EFL) on Sunday confirmed that 17 people have tested positive for coronavirus in the latest round of testing.

While 10 positive tests returned from eight clubs in the Championship, there have been seven positive cases from three clubs in League Two.

There is no programme of testing for League One at present.“Following the latest round of COVID-19 testing, the EFL can confirm that 1058 players and Club staff from the 24 Championship Clubs were tested over the course of Thursday 28 May and Friday

29 May, with 10 individuals testing positive from eight Clubs,” the statement on www.efl.com said.

“Those players or Club staff who have tested positive will now self-isolate in line with the guidelines provided by the EFL and only those who have tested negative will be permitted to enter training ground facilities.”

“Following an initial round of COVID-19 testing, the EFL can confirm that 135 players and Club staff were tested from four League Two Clubs over the course of Thursday 28 May and Friday 29 May, with seven individuals testing positive from three Clubs.”As per a Sky Sports report,

Preston confirmed their player Jayden Stockley was one of the positive tests in the Championship.

The striker is asymptomatic and says he feels fine.He said: “I feel absolutely well. I haven’t shown any symptoms.

I feel great. This has given it a sense of realism for me. I’m the first person I know who has had it. It’s a strange feeling, but I’m well and want everyone to take care.”

COVID : ENGLAND’S EFL CONFIRMS POSITIVE TESTS

Barcelona, June 1 (IANS) Lionel Messi is set to remain at Camp Nou for at least another 12 months as his clause to leave FC Barcelona for free this summer expired over the weekend.

“Messi had signed terms, which run until the end of the 2020-21 campaign, in 2017. At the time, a clause was included that he could leave for nothing in the summer of 2020 as long as he communicated his decision to Barcelona before June,” a report in ESPNFC said.

But as per multiple ESPN sources at the club, the actual deadline was May 30, in sync with the date when this season’s UEFA Champions League final

was supposed to be held in Istanbul.Messi’s camp was also contacted by ESPN for confirmation, but they said,

as a rule, “we don’t speak about contractual issues.”

Barcelona captain Messi recently said that it is too early to think about how far the team can go in the season once it restarts amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Barcelona were top of the LaLiga table, two points above Real Madrid, before football came to a standstill due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The 2020-21 season of Spanish top-flight football league, LaLiga, will commence from September 12, according to President Javier Tebas recently.He also confirmed that the current football season will resume from June 11 after being suspended since March.

Messi set for extended stay as exit clause at Barcelona expires

Berlin, June 1 (IANS) Jadon Sancho, who scored his first professional hat-trick during Borussia Dortmund’s comfortable win over Paderborn, has paid tribute to George Floyd, an unarmed African-American who died in Minneapolis, US under police custody.

During Sunday’s game in the ongoing Bundesliga, Sancho revealed ‘Justice for George Floyd’ message on his t-shirt.

In the match, Sancho scored a second-half hat-trick as Dortmund secured a comfortable 6-1 win over bottom side Paderborn.

Following the match, Sancho tweeted: “First professional hat trick. A bittersweet moment personally as there are more important things going on in the world today that we must address and help make a change. We have to come together as one and fight for justice. We are stronger together!

#JusticeForGeorgeFloyd.”Floyd, aged 46, died last

week shortly after Derek Chauvin, a white police officer, held him down with a knee on his neck though he repeatedly pleaded, “I can’t

breathe,” and “please, I can’t breathe.”Chauvin was then arrested and charged with three-degree murder and manslaughter amid a national outrage following Floyd’s death.Meanwhile, hundreds of

demonstrators flooded the streets of the city of Santa Monica on Sunday afternoon. But the peaceful protest turned violent as some demonstrators began to attack stores along the streets.

We are stronger together: Jadon Sancho pays tribute to George Floyd

Tuesday - June 2, 2020

ENTERTAINMENTIndian HorizonIndian Horizon

Printer Publisher & owner By Dr, Rahimmuddin Kemal Printed at Sonu Printer B-180 Okhla Industrial Aria Phase-1-New Delhi-110020-Editor Fahim Arij Kemal.Published From k-556,Bowli Gate, Nizamuddin (w) -Lodhi Road New Delhi-110013- Ph,No +919885003940

Email: indianhorizon2010@gmail.com feedbackhorizon@gmail.com

Jacqueline Fernandez shares her secret mantra to happiness, check it out!

Jacqueline Fernandez holds the best name and fame for being happy and lightning

up the place wherever she goes. The audiences always wonder how she keeps up with this charming nature?Sharing her secret mantra to staying happy Jacqueline shares, "It is not that I am consistently happy.

I am consistently at peace with myself. I am consistently aware that life cannot be a constant state of happiness, and that bad days don't last forever either. The struggle is not that I need to stay happy all the time. People who are running after happi-ness all the times, will honestly drive themselves insane. It is

not possible to be happy all the time. But yes there are tricks to help yourself get into a good state of being,`This truly is a statement all should take a note of. The actress has very well explained how she has a life like just any other human would have and not all days are best or worst its just an adventure we

all are on and we should enjoy it to the fullest.Jacqueline is surely the perfect synonym to "Bol-lywood's Miss Sunshine". Jac-queline has surely not reached this stage easily and has had her own biiter-sweet memories at-tached to everything and shares a perspective of her own.

IANS

PRABHAS AND POOJA HEGDE STARRER ROMANTIC COMEDY TO RELEASE ON THIS DATE?

Prabhas and Pooja Hegde will reportedly head to Georgia for the next schedule on March 15 for the next schedule of Prabhas 20

Baahubali star Parbhas, who currently enjoys the

pan India stardom is busy with the shooting of his next romantic fi lm with Pooja Hegde, which is tentatively titled Prabhas 20. While the reports are surfacing that the cast and crew will head to Georgia for the next schedule on March 15, the latest development suggests that the makers are planning to release the fi lm October 16. It is said that the fi lm will be Radhe Shyam or O Dear. It is produced by Gopikrishna Movies and

UV CreationDirector of the fi lm Radha Krishna earlier told to Mumbai Mirror in an interview, “At the moment, all I can say is that it’s going to be a love story, which will be shot on a lavish scale. We’ve fi nalised Europe where most of the shooting will happen.The regular shoot will begin very soon.”Actress Pooja Hegde also told the tabloid that she will do a workshop before starting the shooting of the fi lm. "I have not been told what the prep is about but both Prabhas and I will be attempting some unique action and musical sequences for the fi rst time.” Prabhas has dropped 10 kilos to look leaner for Jaan which is supposed to have some steamy sequences between Pooja and him.

Courtesy : Bollywoodlife

KARISHMA KAPOOR LOOKS

RAVISHING IN RED

Karishma is the one actress who needs no introduction, the '90s

star who's not only acted in movies but also made sure to impress people with her style and charisma.

The gorgeous actress has been and is still is a fash-ion inspiration for many of her fans right from her early filming days till now, she has maintained herself quite amazingly, she re-cently shared a few capti-vating pictures for herself.

Lolo wore an off-shoulder overlapping red dress, she paired it up with a match-ing red pair of pumps.

The actress has her hair let down in sleek style with slight curls, she illuminates her face with nude and bronzers.

She accessorized her out-fit with tiny earrings from Misho's Jewellery by Suhani Parekh and was overall styled by Ami Patel.

Karishma was last seen in a cameo in the movie Zero and will be next seen in Ekta Kapoor's drama web series.

Courtesy : Santabanta

KRITI KHARBANDA MAKES HER FASHION STATEMENT SOPHISTICATED AND SIGNIFICANT

Kriti Kharbanda is a talented and ver-satile actress who

recently endorsed Swisse, Australia's leading well-ness brand which was of-fi cially launched in India today.

The actress expresses her happiness on being the part of the `Incred-ible Quest` that's all about making people's lives healthier and happier.

Kriti astounds in a mint green short dress, with pastel monochromatic print. The print is a cute fl oral print in soft pastel colours by Mishru, the ac-tress paired the dress with a pair of white T-strap heels and accessorized

it with silver hoops. She wears her down in natu-ral waves by hairstylist Seema and illuminates her face in highlights done by Kalyani Nayak.

She was last seen in An-ees Bazmee's action-com-edy fi lm Pagalpanti along with Anil Kapoor, John Abraham, Arshad Warsi, Urvashi Rautela, Pulkit Samrat and Iliana D'Cruz.

The fans are waiting to see her in the upcoming re-venge drama movie Taish, directed and co-produced by Bejoy Nambiar and Nis-hant Pitti, the movie will also be starring Pulkit Sam-rat, Jim Sarbh and Harsh-vardhan Rane in lead.

IANS

SALMAN KHAN ON WAJID'S DEMISE: WILL ALWAYS LOVE, RESPECT, REMEMBER AND MISS YOU

Bollywood superstar Salman Khan took to social media to mourn the demise of Wajid

Khan of the sibling composer duo Sajid-Wajid.

"Wajid Vil always love, respect, remember n miss u as a person n ur talent, Love u n may your beau-tiful soul rest in peace ..." tweeted Salman Khan.

Music composer Wajid Khan succumbed to heart at-tack in the early hours of Monday. The 42-year old singer-composer was reportedly affect-ed by COVID-19 apart from battling heart and kidney related ail-ments.

Sajid-Wajid shared a special bond with Salman Khan and were close friends with the actor. In fact, it was Salman who gave them their Bol-lywood break, way

back in 1998, in his home produc-tion "Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya". Sajid-Wajd composed the song "Teri jawaani badi mast mast hai" in that film.The duo shot to fame composing many of the songs in the three "Dabangg" films of Salman Khan."Dabangg" se-

ries heroine Sonakshi Sinha also tweeted to express grief. "Rest in peace Wajid Bhai! You left us too soon... Will always remember how you called me your lucky charm... deepest condolences to the fam-ily!" wrote the actress.Sajid-Wajid recently composed a few non-

film songs for Salman during the ongoing lockdown, one of which was a number titled "Pyaar karo-na", a pop anthem encouraging all to fight the coronavirus. The song released in April was sung by Salman and also featured the ac-tor in the video.

The composer duo also recently composed Salman's Eid special song, "Bhai bhai", which talks of communal harmony.

"He had multiple issues. He had a kidney issue and had a transplant a while ago. But recently he got to know about kidney infection... He was on the ventilator for the last four days, after his situation started getting worse.

As a singer, Wajid recorded many hit songs in Salman fi lms, including "Do you wanna partner" and "Soni de nakhre" ("Partner"), "Hud hud Dabangg" ("Dabangg"), "Tujhe Aksa Beach" ("God Tussi Great Ho"), "Jal-wa" ("Wanted"), and "Pandeyji seeti" and "Fevicol se" ("Dabangg 2").

IANS

Actress-popular dancer Nora Fatehi has shared a video on Instagram

where she shows off a few sen-suous moves. She declares that hips tiktok when she dances!

In the video, she is seen dancing on Megan Thee Stal-lion's "Savage".

"Hips tiktok when i dance! Stepping it up a notch with.. by my side.They are comfort-able, secure and stay put through all my dance moves," she captioned the video.

Nora will next be seen in the Ajay Devgn-starrer "Bhuj: The Pride Of India." In a short time, Nora has established herself as one of the best danc-ers in Bollywood.

IANS

NORA FATEHI : HIPS TIK

TOK WHEN I DANCE!

Actor Sanjay Dutt on Mon-day shared a video trib-ute for "the best mother",

on the birth anniversary of his mother, the late legendary ac-tress Nargis Dutt.

"Happy Birthday Ma, miss you," wrote Sanjay, with the In-stagram video.In the video, one can see stills of Nargis from her movies, some adorable mo-ments with her husband, late ac-tor Sunil Dutt, and some lovable pictures with her kids.

Sanjay called her mother: "The best actress, best wife and best mother".Nargis died in 1981 of pancreatic cancer, a few days before Sanjay made his de-

but in Bollywood. The bond that Sanjay and Nargis shared was briefl y captured by Rajkumar Hirani in "Sanju".

On work front, Sanjay was last seen on the big screen in the 2019 period drama, "Panipat" and, post lockdown, will be look-ing forward to the release of "Sa-dak 2" among other projects.

IANS

SANJAY DUTT'S TRIBUTE TO 'BEST MOTHER' NARGIS ON HER

BIRTH ANNIVERSARY

A 16-page offi cial directive com-prising guiding

principles has been issued for the restart of the media and enter-tainment industry.

The guidelines pertain to managing COVID-19 risks on sets and in edit facilities, and the utilisation of offi ces, tents, and trail-ers, as well as domestic travel to location of cast and crew.

Shooting has to be done in a completely locked down environ-ment and adhering to government rules.

The directive talks of the optimum crew that can be allowed on set, and also lays down medical and administrative deco-rum to be followed on set. It also lays down guidelines on handling of shooting equipment by crew.The artiste and staff management guide-lines stress upon the use of masks, gloves being optional, and the overall use of video and audio con-ferencing wherever possible. The direc-tive also lays down

protocols for location management, staffing, as well as norms to be followed by individual departments such as art, electric, ward-robe, camera, sound and catering depart-ments.

It is important to spread awareness of precautions and symp-toms of the disease, besides the necessity of regular tempera-ture and oxygen level checks. The notice stresses on handwash-ing, sanitation and respiratory hygiene.

IANS

16-page directive lays down shooting guidelines

for fi lm industry