OUR EDITIONS: JAIPUR & AHMEDABAD
CORONA
26°C - 38°C
ALERT AHMEDABAD l SUNDAY, JULY 5, 2020 l Pages 12 l 3.00
COVID-19 UPDATE
WORLD
5,30,956 1,12,88,977 DEATHS
MAHARASHTRA 8,671 DEATHS 2,00,064 CASES
CONFIRMED CASES
TAMIL NADU 1,450 DEATHS 1,07,001 CASES
RNI NO. GUJENG/2019/16208 l Vol 1 l Issue No. 220
INDIA
19,279 6,72,695 DEATHS
CONFIRMED CASES
DELHI 3,004 DEATHS 97,200 CASES
‘BOYCOTT CHINA’ PROTEST AT TIMES SQUARE IN NEW YORK New York: A large number of Indian-Americans chanting Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ and other patriotic slogans staged a protest against China at the Times Square, demanding an economic boycott and a diplomatic isolation of the country for its aggression against India. Indians living in New York and New Jersey along with the officials of diaspora organisation – Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) raised slogans of Boycott Made in China’, Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ and Stop Chinese Aggression’. The protest, ‘Boycott China’ was organised by community leaders Prem Bhandari and Jagdish Sewhani. “The India of today is different from the India of 1962. We will not tolerate Chinese aggression and its international bullying. We will give a befitting reply to the arrogance of China,” Bhandari, Jaipur Foot USA Chairman and a prominent social activist said.
Today the world fights extraordinary challenges. To these challenges, lasting solutions can come from the ideals of Lord Buddha. They were relevant in the past. They are relevant in the present. —Narendra Modi, PM
we can to increase hope among people," he said in his virtual address. Recalling the eightfold path of Lord Buddha, PM Modi said it shows the way towards the well-being of many societies and nations. "Today the world fights extraordinary challenges. To these challenges, lasting solutions can come from the ideals of Lord Buddha. They were relevant in the past. They are relevant in the present. And, they will remain relevant in the future," PM Modi said. Turn on P6
US STARTS WAR EXERCISE IN SOUTH CHINA SEA TO PRESSURISE BEIJING New Delhi: The US Navy is deploying its two nuclear-powered aircraft carriers - USS Nimitz and USS Ronald Reagan - to conduct exercises in the South China Sea, piling pressure on an ambitious Beijing that has opened multiple fronts including one with India along the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh. The US supercarriers are reported to be crossing Luzon Strait, the strait between Taiwan and Luzon island of the Philippines that connects Philippine Sea to the South China Sea. The US deployment comes after Beijing’s People’s Liberation Army Navy conducted military drills in the contested waters, provoking a sharp reaction from neighbouring states and Washington. The US navy has said its operations in the South China Sea were designed to “support free and open Indo-Pacific”.
Army trashes aspersion Aatmanirbhar over Modi’s hosp visit Bharat: Evolve
Apps to satisfy our market
File photo of PM Modi interacting with injured soldiers in Leh.
New Delhi: The Indian Army on Saturday termed as “malicious and unsubstantiated” criticism in some quarters about a medical facility in a military hospital in Leh where Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with the soldiers injured in the Galwan Valley clashes. In a statement, the Army said “it is unfortunate that aspersions
GUJARAT
1,927 DEATHS
UTTAR PRADESH 773 DEATHS 26,554 CASES
RISE TO THE OCCASION TO ENHANCE HOPE, URGES PM
New Delhi: As the world fights extraordinary challenges, their lasting solutions can come from the ideals of Lord Buddha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Asadha Poornima on Saturday. Addressing the Dhamma Chakra Day event, the Prime Minister also said that in his first sermon at Sarnath, Lord Buddha referred to hope and purpose. For Lord Buddha, it was the removal of human suffering, he observed. "We have to rise to the occasion and do whatever
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are being cast on how our brave Armed Forces are treated. The armed forces give the best possible treatment to their personnel.” During his visit to the hospital, Modi met with soldiers who are undergoing treatment. Following release of photographs of PM’s interaction, there were comments on Twitter that facility did not Turn on P6
New Delhi: Days after India banned 59 Chinalinked mobile phone apps on grounds of threats to the country’s sovereignty, security, defence and public order, PM Narendra Modi on Saturday urged India’s IT workforce to take part in an innovation challenge to “code for an Aatmanirbhar Bharat”. “Today, when the entire nation is working towards creating an Aatmanirbhar Bharat, it is a good opportunity to give direction to their efforts, momentum to their hard-work and mentorship to their talent to evolve Apps which can satisfy Turn on P6
35,398
CONFIRMED CASES
RAJASTHAN 447 DEATHS 19,532 CASES
ICMR defends August 15 Covid vaccine deadline
New Delhi: Defending the August 15 target for launching Covaxin, India’s Covid-19 vaccine candidate, amid criticism from the scientific community, the ICMR said the process is ‘in accordance with the globally accepted norms to fast-track the vaccine development’. “ICMR’s process is in accordance with norms to fast-track the vaccine development for diseases of pandemic potential wherein human and animal trials can continue in parallel,” the ICMR said in a state-
NITISH TESTS -VE
ment after the scientific community questioned the “near impossible timeline” in getting a vaccine ready for public health use. Turn on P6
CRUCIAL READ KULGAM ENCOUNTER: 1 TERRORIST KILLED, 2 SOLDIERS HURT New Delhi: An unidentified terrorist was killed and two soldiers were injured on Saturday in a gun fight, which is underway in J&K’s Kulgam. Gurinderpal Singh, Kulgam’s SP, said a search and cordon operation was launched in Arreh village under Kulgam police station’s jurisdiction. Singh said the terrorists fired upon joint forces triggering an encounter. Personnel of the Indian Army’s Rashtriya Rifles, CRPF, J&K police are involved in the operation.
KOLKATA BANS FLIGHTS FROM 6 CITIES
New Delhi: Flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Chennai and Ahmedabad will not land in Kolkata till July 19, authorities said on Saturday as the West Bengal government stepped up efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
LIGHTNING CLAIMS 21 LIVES IN BIHAR
Patna: Twenty-one people have lost their lives due to lightning strikes in eight districts of Bihar, officials said on Saturday. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced an ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh each to the kin of the eight people who lost their lives in the lightning strikes on Friday.
MAN IMPERSONATES AS PMO OFFICIAL AIDE, BOOKED New Delhi: CBI has registered a case against a man for impersonating as associate of special asssistant to PK Mishra, Principal Secretary to PM. The impersonator allegedly made several calls to Boeing India between October and November last year and sought information about its defence deal bids apart from asking its officials to meet Mishra and Home Minister Amit Shah.
CM focuses on Surat but Ahmedabad also needs attention RUPANI WAS IN THE DIAMOND CITY ON SATURDAY, TO TAKE STOCK OF THE NCOV SITUATION Gargi Raval Ahmedabad: Chief Minister Vijay Rupani reached Surat to take stock of the situation after the city began to witness more than 200 fresh cases of COVID-19 on a daily basis. However, this didn’t go down well with politicians in Ahmedabad, which
has so far registered more than 21,000 cases. Congress MLA Imran Khedawala said that it is true that Surat is facing a critical time, but all is not well in Ahmedabad yet. The city administration is adding new micro-containment zones every day, as new cases surface. Yet, Unlock 1.0--the
new normal--continues to be in effect here. “I am receiving calls from Surat asking for assistance but, at the same time, the locals in Ahmedabad also need attention. The city administration needs to keep people informed regarding COVID-19 tests and antibody tests being done in the urban health centres,” the lawmaker told First India. K h e d awa l a - - wh o himself has recov-
Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel on their flying visit to Surat on Saturday.
ered from COVID-19-said that while the situation may seem normal in the city, the novel coronavirus is still running wild. “People in Ahmedabad are living in fear and aren’t even going out a lot. Here in Ahmedabad, there is a serious cause for concern as more and more containment zones are being declared every day,” Khedawala added. Meanwhile, a BJP leader--who asked not to be named for fear
of blowback--said, “The city has witnessed the worst and still people are scared to go back to ‘normal life’. The CM must visit the city, just like he visited Surat. There was a time when Ahmedabad was reporting more than 300 cases daily. Local councillors and MLAs have also been infected. Even today, the number of cases in Ahmedabad remains the highest in the state.”
NEWS AHMEDABAD | SUNDAY, JULY 5, 2020
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Tribal communities keep their culture and traditions alive with fairs such as the Dang Darbar (left) and the Kavant Mela.— FILE PHOTO
WHY IS SCHEDULE V OF THE CONSTITUTION
STILL ONLY ON PAPER?
Promised self-rule, ‘dispersed’ tribal migrants are not guaranteed food and shelter even today Haresh Jhala Ahmedabad: When Chhotubhai Vasava and his son Mahesh abstained from voting in the Rajya Sabha election on June 19, the two MLAs from the Bharatiya Tribal Party had cited the non-implementation of Schedule V of the Constitution as the main reason for their decision. They had said they wanted Schedule V to be implemented in “letter and in spirit”. The timing of the Vasavas’ demand is curious, given that it’s been 71 years since the Constituent Assembly of the then newly Independent India gave special powers to “Scheduled Areas” in 1949. To answer the question, “Why now?” First India digs deeper into the issue. In Schedule V, the
Constitution of India gives people living in designated Scheduled Areas the right to selfrule. This is yet to become a reality, 73 years after Independence. Instead, in 1994, the Union Government constituted a committee under the chairmanship of Member of Parliament Dilip Singh Bhuria to examine various dimensions of self-rule for tribal people. The committee made many recommendations in its 926page report. While a lot of these were incorporated as amendments in existing Acts, people living in Scheduled Areas were not given self-rule. On the contrary, people living outside the Scheduled Areas were given all the power. The Bhuria Committee observed that although the state had decided to allocate 17.57% of its Annual
Development Plan in 1998-99 for the Tribal Sub Plan (TSP), it was never able to do so. The Committee recommended that the Gujarat government follow the Maharashtra pattern and ensure that higher allocations are provided for TSP areas. The com-
PROVISIONS OF PANCHAYAT (EXTENSION TO THE SCHEDULED AREAS) ACT, OR PESA ACT Notify district or
areas and parts of these as Scheduled Areas
Gramsabha - Special
body
Control over local
institutions and functionaries in social sectors
Control over local
plans and resources
tion of schemes by administrations of Scheduled Areas.
Two facilities to be set up at an investment of Rs100 cr, first to be ready in about a week
Chief Minister Vijay Rupani
for them Its approval is man-
datory for implementation of local plans
Its recommendation
is mandatory with respect to minor minerals
Consultation is
mandatory for land acquisition
SCHEDULE V OF THE CONSTITUTION AND POWERS TO SCHEDULED AREAS Planning and execu-
A tribal man plays an indigenous instrument.
mittee had noted, “As adequate benefits compared to the tribal people living in tribal areas were not received by dispersed tribal people, the state has introduced Nucleus Budget for dispersed tribal people.” However, the situation does not seem to
Laws and executive
action may be adapt-
have changed much. The Bhuria Committee had also reported that 50,000 tribal people from the Dangs had migrated to work in sugarcane fields. Dang and Panchmahal districts accounted for the largest number of migrant workers with entire families migrating in search of jobs. At the time, 57% of these migrants, most of whom worked in Ahmedabad’s construction sector, were homeless. This continues even today. The Committee also recommended that real-estate developers or contractors provide proper accommodation, adequate drinking water, healthcare, education facilities and at least a minimum wage. Decades later, these recommendations have not made the transition from paper to reality. This might explain why- in 2020-BTP leader
Chhotubhai Vasava is demanding that Schedule V be implemented. If it is implemented, tribes will have the power to decide development plans, among other things. Not everyone will be pleased to hand over the reins. In the 1980s, then Dahod Congress MP Somji Damor had suggested a separate tribal state carved out of four states: Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. This design was also propagated by BTP leader Chhotu Vasava and even Union Territory Dadra Nagar Haveli leader Mohan Delkar, but they never succeeded. This may have been because illiterate tribal people are easy to keep frightened and divided--something that has been in effect for the past seven decades.
ed for special needs of Scheduled Areas through notifications and regulations Tribal Advisory
Many tribal people now work in sugarcane fields
Council
A separate tribal development department was created under the NDA-1 government. Numerous schemes have been implemented to uplift tribal communities since BJP came to power. During my regime PESA act was also implemented. —Vijay Rupani, Chief Minister
Tribal people should have the power to decide the development of their area. So we are insisting that Schedule V be implemented. —Chhotubhai Vasava, BTP leader
I don’t know on what grounds the BTP is demanding the implementation of Schedule V. As far as tribal development is concerned, the BJP government has taken up a lot of work in the Adivasi areas and we are satisfied and have no grievances. —Parbhubhai Vasava, MP, Bardoli constituency
We support Schedule V. We wish that tribes should be empowered and decide what is good for them. However, BTP’s demand is nothing more than a political statement, as they have never meant it. —Anandbhai Chaudhary, Congress MLA, Mandvi
CM VIJAY RUPANI PROMISES SURAT TWO DEDICATED COVID-19 HOSPITALS First India Bureau Surat: Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on Saturday promised Surtis two dedi-
cated COVID -19 hospitals as a means to fight the spread of the novel coronavirus, which continues to grip the city. The Centre has also promised Surat 200 ventilators to meet the crisis. On Friday, Surat reported 226 cases. As many as 204 of these came from the city, which now has 5,288 cases. Rural areas have 713 cases, bringing Surat district’s tally to 6,001. The death toll has touched 220. Given that the city has seen a rise in cases since the
implementation of Unlock 1.0, authorities are worried. Principal Secretary for Health Jayanti Ravi has been camped in Surat for the past few days and Saturday saw Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel and Chief Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister K Kailashnathan rush to the city, where they had a closed-door meeting with local officers, elected wing, MLAs and MPs. After a marathon meeting with officials, Rupani announced that
the state government has sanctioned Rs100 crore to set up two dedicated COVID-19 hospitals in Surat: one each in city’s Kidney Hospital and Stem Cell Hospital. Rupani said, “No government can stall the spread of the novel coronavirus; it can only try to give the best treatment to patients. And the state government is committed to giving citizens the best possible treatment.” He informed the media that the facility at the Stem Cell Hospital would be operational in about a week, while the other one would be
ready in a month. Some 100 Dhanvantri Raths will be deployed in the city, to treat people in their own locality. These will be stationed at more than 500 locations, spending an hour or two at each, to diagnose and treat people. In addition, the city will receive 200 ventilators, and patients will be allowed to use mobile phones while admitted at the hospital. The city is not likely to see another lockdown since Rupani asserted: “Complete lockdown will never be enforced now.” He added
that micro containment zones will be established if cases continue to increase. He also said, “Kishorbhai and CR Patil, along with Municipal officials, will hold meetings with the leaders of the diamond and textile industries to chalk out a plan to curb the spread of the virus.” The Chief Minister has asked all industrialists to ensure that social distancing is maintained in their respective units. If any unit is found violating COVID-19 protocol, stern action will be taken against the owner.
GUJARAT AHMEDABAD | SUNDAY, JULY 5, 2020
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712 cases in 1 day, but state tries deflection as defence Health department message seems to be, ‘We’re not doing well, but neither are they’ Haresh Jhala Gandhinagar: In a bid to deflect attention from the fact that Saturday brought yet another record high of 712 overnight cases, the state government shared data from other states. By stating that Maharashtra had 6,364 cases, Tamil Nadu had 4,329 and so on, the health department’s message seems to be: “We’re not doing well, but neither are they.” Worryingly, Gujarat now has 8,057 active cases, although it did test 8,481 samples in one day—its highest yet. As many as 253 cases have emerged from Surat, while Ahmedabad seems to be doing slightly better with 208 cases. Vadodara, on the other hand, had 61 new cases—its highest. According to local reports, 625 bodies have
MISMATCH
A heath worker marks a sample ahead of testing for COVID-19.
been cremated in keeping with COVID-19 guidelines in Surat, as on July 2. However, according to the Surat Municipal Corporation and the state health department, the death toll is just 195. Local news reports say that, officially, an average of five to 10 people died every day for the past 10 days. However, crematorium
authorities have told local media that 20 corpses are being disposed of as per COVID-19 guidelines on a daily basis. Ahmedabad has 3,255 active cases of which 670 are from the West zone, 513 from the New West zone, and 474 each in the East and South zones. While the number of deaths has fallen, the mortality rate is still
—FILE PHOTO
a high 6.9%. The city’s death toll is at 1,430. At least six staffers of the state high court have tested positive. With staffers getting infected despite there only being virtual hearings, court authorities will likely be concerned with the idea of conducting physical sessions any time soon. Nineteen LRD Jawans undertaking
training at the Vadodara Police training school have tested positive as well. Across the state, some 47 jawans under training have been infected with the SarsCov-2 virus. After Dadra & Nagar Haveli, now Daman has reported 23 cases in a single day. Vadodara has 612 active cases, with 28 patients on ventilators.
03
Reckless usage leaves state short of nCov drug First India Bureau Ahmedabad: Barely a few weeks after Indian firms received nonexclusive rights to manufacture anti-viral injectible Remdesivir, Hyderabad firm Hetero Pharma put its version—called Covifor—into the market. However, reckless use of the drug has already led to a shortage in the state. Highly placed sources in the pharma sector say Hetero had supplied about 1,485 vials directly to some dedicated COVID-19 facilities in the last week of June. This person says that some hospitals have applied these injections to patients with few or no symptoms, despite directions from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to only use Remdesivir for critical COVID-19 patients, leading to a shortage. Worryingly, it will be some time before stocks can be replenished. Sources say produc-
—FILE PHOTO
STATE SEEKS NPPA INTERVENTION
tion of this injection is delayed for two reasons: first is the approval and second is the process of manufacturing and testing, which takes at least 14 days to complete. This is because this life-saving drug uses a process called lyophilisation or cryodesiccation: a lowtemperature dehydration process. Remdesivir is an experimental drug made by US firm Gilead Sci-
ences, which entered into non-exclusive licensing agreements with five Indian pharma companies last month. Of the five, Hetero and Cipla have received the Indian drug regulator’s nod to launch their generic versions of the drug. Hetero’s 100 mg injectable vials of Covifor are priced at an estimated Rs5,000-6,000 per vial. Cipla is expected to launch its generic soon.
74% paan-shop patrons 3-day remand for cop booked for extortion skip masks, survey finds First India Bureau
Ahmedabad: The Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Court of Ahmedabad on Saturday remanded a woman sub-inspector to three days’ police custody. PSI Sweta Jadeja was arrested by the Special Operation Group (SOG) on Friday for allegedly extorting Rs35 lakh from a rape accused. The SOG team produced PSI Jadeja at the
Haresh Jhala Ahmedabad: A survey conducted in three cities— Ahmedabad, Anand, and Vadodara—revealed that the COVID-19 guidelines issued to shops are not being followed. Faith Foundation surveyed 359 paan shops and found that 74.37% of customers did not wear masks. The NGO carried out its survey after lockdown was relaxed. “We have found that 267 out of 359 shops’ customers were not wearing masks. On top of that, 229 shop owners themselves were not wearing masks, which is 63.78%,” said Susan Samson, project director of the Faith Foundation. These customers and shopkeepers are also guilty of ignoring social distancing guidelines, the survey says. “Nearly 95% of shops were not maintaining social distance. Shop owners were not asking customers to keep their
A paan shop in Ahmedabad.
—FILE PHOTO
Customers at as many as 267 out of 359 shops we surveyed were not wearing masks. Also, 229 shop owners themselves were not wearing masks, which is 63.78%. —Susan Samson,
Project Manager, Faith Foundation
distance either,” Samson also said, adding, “The government has only allowed takeaway for tobacco products. However, 76.88% of customers were found consuming these near the shops, which is not allowed.”
The NGO further stated that if these units did not fall in line., it would inform the collector, police commissioner, health department, and home department regarding our survey,” it said.
Sub-Inspector Sweta Jadeja.
Metro Court, where the public prosecutor submitted that she had ex-
Shocking: Rajkot man gets `9.40L power bill First India Bureau Rajkot: The Paschim Gujarat Vij Company Ltd (PGVCL) has sent a Rajkot man an electricity bill of almost Rs9.40 lakh for four months of the lockdown period. Chandubhai Vaghela, who lives in a two-BHK flat, said his bills usually stay in the Rs2,000-2,500 range. “Yes, this is for four months, but I usually pay about Rs2,000-
2,500,” said the broker who lives in Nityanand Complex in Rajkot. This time, his bill amount was Rs9,39,240. He added, “I do not understand on what basis the electricity company has calculated this exorbitant amount when we live in a small flat with limited power usage.” Vaghela is planning to lodge a complaint against PGVCL for slapping him with such a massive bill.
—FILE PHOTO
torted Rs35 lakh from a rape accused. The police have been able to
track about Rs20 lakh of this amount, and is in the process of discovering how and when she received the remaining Rs15 lakh and hence needed to take remand of the sub-inspector, the prosecutor submitted. While the police had pleaded for a sevenday remand, the court only granted three days. According to the complaint filed against her, Jadeja—who joined the force three years ago—allegedly demand-
FOR A CAUSE
ed the massive amount from a man accused of rape to “see that he is not arrested under the Prevention of Anti Social Activities Act.” She had been heading the crime branch’s women police station at the time. The public prosecutor submitted before the court that Jadeja’s relatives had received the Rs20 lakh through courier and a cheque, which was in another relative’s name.
—PHOTO BY NANDAN DAVE
A number of members of NSUI were detained in Ahmedabad on Saturday during a protest outside the district education office urging the authorities to waive the school fees until academic sessions are conducted on school premises. Protests were also held in Rajkot.
VOLUNTARY ACTIONS
Traders in CM Rupani’s hometown to down shutters at 5 pm Rajkot businesses took the decision without waiting for Govt directive
Masuma Bharmal Jariwala Rajkot: With a spurt in Covid-19 cases, businessmen in Chief Minister Vijay Rupani’s hometown Rajkot have taken a major decision to keep shops open only till 5 pm from Monday, without waiting for a cue from the State Government. Rajkot has witnessed
an increase in Corona positive cases under Unlock 1.0. On Saturday, the positive cases crossed the double century mark, reaching 209 with 10 deaths. The Rajkot Danapith Vepari Association came forward and convened a meeting of its members and decided to shut shops at 5 pm to prevent the crowds who have given social dis-
Para Bazaar in Rajkot.
—FILE PHOTO
tancing a convenient go-by. Danapith is one of the most crowded areas and around 4000 to 5,000 people, including traders and retailers, come here daily. Apart from Danapith, the shopkeepers which are the members of the association include Para Bazaar, Gumansinhji Shopping Centre and Mochi Bazaar. The wholesalers for sugar, oil, and other grocery items are located in these areas. Speaking to First
India, president of The Rajkot Danapith Vepari Association Bipin Kesariya said, “Looking at the way Corona positive cases are rising in the city, we decided that we should also do something urgently. So, it was unanimously decided to keep shops open only from 8 am to 5 pm effective from July 6 to July 20. We will take a call about extending it later.” The association has formed a 11-member
committee to ensure this is implemented. A fine of Rs500 will be imposed on shops which do not follow the decision. There are an estimated 1,200 shops in these areas. People too have welcomed this initiative. Meanwhile, like traders in Vadodara’s Padra, those in Dhoraji have also decided to keep their market shut for a while week. Those in Junagadh will keep their business open only from 8 am to 2 pm.
PERSPECTIVE AHMEDABAD | SUNDAY, JULY 5, 2020
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IN-DEPTH
WHY THE RUSH TO DEVELOP A COVID VACCINE
C
ovid-19 cases are rising in India despite efforts to control its spread. Such is the urgency to find a cure that there’s a global race underway to find a vaccine, which is possibly the only way to treat Covid-19. India too has thrown its hat in the ring with Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin being developed together with the Indian Council of Medical Research and the National Institute of Virology, Pune. Bharat Biotech was expected to start human trials in August. In a letter addressed to 12 hospitals selected for clinical trials of Covaxine, ICMR’s Balram Bhargava said, “It is envisaged to launch the vaccine for public health use latest by 15th August 2020 after completion of all trials,” and warned that “non-compliance will be viewed very seriously”. Some virologists and scientists called the move “ridiculous” as a vaccine developed under a diktat without following due procedures and trials could give horribly wrong results. The ICMR’s clarification that it won’t compromise on quality may not hold water. Covaxine is one among a hundred vaccines in the preclinical stage of development. The World Health Organisation is said to be tracking over seventy of these. The race has apparently narrowed down to 18 vaccines undergoing clinical trials in 10 countries. Country-wise, there are four contenders from United States, six from China, three from Australia, one from Britain’s Oxford University, two from Germany and one each from Russia and South Korea. Of these, Oxford University-led and UK government funded AstraZeneca has emerged as the front-runner. World Health Organisation’s Chief Scientist Soumya Swaminathan recently confirmed that AstraZeneca was the leading vaccine candidate in the world. It has advanced into Phase 2 trials and will soon go into Phase 3, she said. Candidate number 2 is the vaccine being developed by USA’s Moderna Inc. which started larger human trials in June after early encouraging results. Swaminathan said Moderna plans to go to Phase 3 sometime this month. She cautioned that it would be early to discuss the efficacy of these vaccines. Swaminathan said that development and supply of Coronavirus vaccine may take up between 12-18 months. One reason for ICMR’s sense of urgency could be the big pandemic-hit market for the vaccine. With 11, 231, 300 Covid-19 cases and 529,909 deaths in the world the need for a vaccine could never be more urgent. Further, with virologists predicting that the virus is here to stay with us governments can’t afford people dying in such large numbers. Nor can they afford disruptions in economy and people’s lives. The first vaccine, thus, will mean billions of dollars in profit. The last blockbuster vaccine was Merck’s human papillomavirus (HPV). It brings in one billion pounds for the pharma giant every year. Ramdev must have had that kind of moolah in mind with his Coronil.
NARASIMHA RAO FIXED THE INDIAN ECONOMY K NATWAR SINGH The author is Former Minister of External Affairs of India
PRIME MINISTER’S HOUSE NEW DELHI 9 June 1980
Dear Natwar, Your letter to the 4th Just when you are talking about the working of the democratic process coherently, Badshah Khan is busy giving statements from a Srinagar Hospital that there is no democracy in India and compares us in a vague sort of way to Pakistan! Can you believe it? All this keeps one from getting a swollen head. We have won the elections but the going was pretty tough and many of the seats either won or lost, were neck-to-neck. The real difficulties now begin. The people’s expectations are high but the situation both political and economic is an extremely complex one. I cannot help being an optimist and I do not doubt that if only our legislators and the people as a whole have the patience and forbearance to climb the steep and stony path for the next few months, we can get over the hump and arrive at a place from which progress is possible once again. However, politics is at a low ebb. All those who shouted so much about democracy have no compunctions now in saying as Charan Singh2 has, that ‘Parliament is irrelevant’, or the Jan Sang encouraging anti-national elements in the North-East. The Opposition parties are making frantic efforts, egged on by Bahuguna, to unite. What for? Only to have agitations and violence or to encourage defections. I am glad you are enjoying Islamabad. Yours sincerely (Indira Gandhi) Shri Natwar Singh, High Commissioner of India, Islamabad
PRIME MINISTER’S HOUSE NEW DELHI 3 August 1981
Dear Natwar, I have read some of the interviews in the book you left and I am depressed. I feel isolated, not because of politics, the correctness of which will be seen in time as it has been before. But while the earth spins on the beauty and with the method, the world of men is a hollow one, where words have no meaning and sentiments no feeling, the young have lost wonder, elan and even hope. What can a leaden-eyed civilization do? Can the flame of idealism or a vision of a better man be protected from all this cynicism, hypocrisy, and hatred?
8 August 1981 I did not send this as I thought you were coming to Delhi. I am sorry to hear you are unwell and in hospital. Do get well soon. Thank you for Galbraith’s book though I have it already. We might exchange-you can take mine as it has no name on it. Yours sincerely (Indira Gandhi) Shri Natwar Singh, High Commissioner of India, Islamabad.
RAJENDRA JAIN The writer is a former Managing Director at ITG Inc., a New York headquartered global technology-enabled trading company. He is BE (Mech.) and MBA from IIM, Lucknow
I
is only possible between similarly situated countries in terms of democracy, free speech, labor & environmental laws, IP protection, transparent private ownership, etc., etc. Opaque state influenced entities do not deserve the same privileges as private entities of free-market democracies. China’s entry to WTO was a blunder for freemarket democracies. Calculative and soft-pedaling western nations can have wishful thinking that they can extract a winning format out of China’s engagement. However, China’s trading partners will ultimately have social strife arrive
Andhra Chief Minister YS Jagan Reddy has announced year-long programmes for observing the birth century of the late PV Narasimha Rao. He was the ninth Prime minister of India. He will go down in history as one the greatest. He rescued the country from financial bankruptcy. He made India a world-class economic power. He was, as I have written in the past the most cerebral and scholarly. PM Jawaharlal Nehru wrote better English and was a front-rank intellectual. He lacked PV’s subtlety of mind and linguist versatility PV could read, write, and speak half a dozen languages besides Telugu and English. I knew him intimately. We had at one time serious public differences. These, fortunately, did not last long. Sonia Gandhi was allergic to PV. This speaks poorly of her judgment. PV once told me, “I can take her on, but I do not wish to do so.” PV Narasimha Rao was born on 28th June 1921 and passed away in New Delhi on 21 December 2004. It was December 1948. I was in my first year at St. Stephen’s College. The first-ever West Indies cricket team had come to India. The opening Test match was played at Ferozshah Kotla ground. About fifty Stephenians trooped into the Feroz Shah Kotla ground, two hours before the match started. We sat on wooden benches. The West Indies won the toss. They scored over 600 runs. Everton Wacks, 5 feet six inches tall scored a century. Clyde Walcott also clobbered our bowlers. I vaguely remember the handsome Frank Worrell. Amarnath was captaining India. From our side, Hemu Adhikari scored a century. Everton Weekes died earlier in the week, at the age of ninety-five in Bridgetown Worrell died in 1967 at the age of 43. Wolcott at 80 in 2006. It was an unforgettable experience to watch such great cricketers play. THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL
India Did What Western Democracies Couldn’t Dare Do!!!
ndia’s government banned nearly 60 Chinese mobile apps Monday, including TikTok, citing national security concerns. The New York Times said – “The move is part of tit-for-tat retaliation after the Indian and Chinese militaries clashed earlier this month.” Similar comments can be seen all over the internet. While the comment is correct, it misses the much profound statement that India made – the Chinese regime and free market are incompatible! It further means that durable free & fair trade
04
on their shores because of the hollowed-out industrial base, especially manufacturing unless there is transformational reform in China. Bring into the mix the geopolitical imbalances created by China’s hunger for
controlling conduits and resources of the modern economy. India happens to be the unfortunate neighbor and has pulled the trigger early in the game. I hope Indian politicians and policymakers are smart enough not to lose the rewards com-
mensurate to the earlystage risk taken by India, hence its citizens. Market share vacated by Chinese entities should not be offered on a platter to players –domestic or foreign! Hardly any nation is currently a net winner by
having economic or trade relations with China. India is no different. However, this provides India an opportunity to inflict relative economic pain on China and possibly achieve strategic goals. I believe the economic disentanglement of India from China would be positive for the Indian economy with gains in the industrial base, capital formation, employment, and stock market. India has arrived at a historical moment in its journey as a nation. India has a tradition of not being an aggressor nation. A military truce, which doesn’t compromise India’s sovereignty, may be acceptable to India. However, there should be no economic truce with China. Economic engagement with China doesn’t work for India!!! . THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL
Top
TWEET Dr Harsh Vardhan @drharshvardhan PM Shri @narendramodi Ji said that he is “very hopeful about the 21st century and this hope comes from my young friends.” Bright young minds are finding solutions to global problems. India has one of the largest start-up eco-systems. Ghulam Nabi Azad @ghulamnazad Can the inflation in retail prices of agricultural commodities be really attributed to supply chain disruption or is it due to black marketing and hoarding as the wholesale market shows a decline?Is this an artificially induced inflation? What is the BJP govt doing to stop this?
Spiritual SPEAK
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. —Hebrews 11:1
Vol 1 Issue No. 220 RNI NO. GUJENG/2019/16208. Printed and published by Anita Hada Sangwan on behalf of First Express Publishers. Printed at Bhaskar Printing Planet Survey No.148P, Changodar-Bavla Highway, Tal. Sanand, Dist. Ahmedabad. Published at D/302 3rd Floor Plot No. 35 Titanium Square, Scheme No. 2, Thaltej Taluka, Ghatlodiya, Ahmedabad. Editor: Jagdeesh Chandra, responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act
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OPPN SPEAK Patriotic Ladakhis are raising their voice against Chinese intrusion, Rahul Gandhi tweeted
‘IGNORING LADAKHIS’ WARNING FATAL’ New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday said that ignoring the voices of “patriotic Ladakhis” must be heard and ignoring them would cost India “dearly”. “Patriotic Ladakhis are raising their voice against Chinese intrusion. They are screaming a warning. Ignoring their warning will cost India dearly. For India's sake, please listen to them,” wrote Gandhi on Twitter. The former Congress President also shared a video allegedly showcasing testimonies of the people of Ladakh regarding previous India-China clashes besides the recent Galwan Valley face-off. PM on Friday made a surprise visit to Ladakh and was briefed by senior officers at Nimmoo amid ongoing tension with China. He was accompanied by CDS General Bipin Rawat and Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane. The situation at the India-China border remains tense after 20 Indian soldiers lost their lives in a violent faceoff in the Galwan valley on June 15-16 when Chinese troops attempted to unilaterally change the status quo during the de-escalation. India and China have been involved in talks to ease the ongoing border tensions. —ANI
RaGa attends virtual meeting with Bihar Cong leaders ahead of polls New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday held a virtual meeting with the party leaders of Bihar unit ahead of the State Assembly elections. Rahul assured the party leaders that he will give his full time in the campaigning for the assembly elections. He also said that the matter regarding seatsharing should be decided later. “We will fight the
which Rahul was present for only about one hour. During the meeting, Akhilesh Prasad Singh, Rajya Sabha MP from Bihar, said: “Ram Vilas Paswan is talking to me.” His remarks have given rise to the speculation of whether Lok Janshakti Party leader Ram Vilas Paswan is trying to contact Congress ahead of State polls. —ANI
Nehru was unrelenting on China over LAC: Sibal New Delhi: While tension between India and China continues to be high, the bickering between BJP and Congress is also no less. Taking recourse to history, Congress leader Kapil Sibal said Nehru was unrelenting on China drawing its own LAC and claimed that China during his time accepted that Galwan Valley belongs to India. “The term, Line of Actual Control, or LAC, was coined by Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai in 1956 and then repeated
SUSHANT’S FATHER DEMANDS CBI INQUIRY Patna: There is a demand for CBI inquiry into the death of Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput, who allegedly committed suicide at his Mumbai residence on June 14. Sushant’s father KK Singh tweeted, “Today my son Sushant’s soul is crying and is demanding an investigation by the CBI.” He also wrote, “My son Sushant Singh Rajput was very brave. I know he can never commit suicide. An attempt is being made to prove his death as suicide though it is a murder. I request for a CBI inquiry into the entire matter.” —Agencies
elections and form the government,” he said. The meeting lasted for three hours, of
in 1959, and during and following the 1962 war. After China’’s invasion of India, Zhou Enlai sent Nehru a letter asking India to accept the
1959 Chinese claim line and saying China was willing to withdraw 20 kms from this claim line,” he said. “In response, Nehru’’s letter of November 4 said Zhou’’s proposal was nothing short of a victor’’s diktat,” he added. The Congress on Saturday, quoted Nehru where he wrote, “The demand for India to accept the Chinese 1959 line is a demand to which India will never submit whatever the consequences and, however, long and hard the struggle may be.” —ANI
Privatisation of Railways: IYC protests New Delhi: In a “symbolic” protest the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) protested shirtless against the privatisation of the Indian Railways at their headquarters in the national capital. “Since the present BJP led NDA government came to power in 2014, many government PSUs and otherwise governmentheld assets have moved towards privatization. The anti-poor government at the Centre has also consistently moved towards privatization of Indian Railways, which will gradually lead to the railway becoming unaffordable for the common man,” stated the release. It added that government was attempting to turn Railways into “private business”, whereas, on account of it being the most “affordable means of communication for the common man, it remains a public service”. —ANI
‘Sonia’s demand for OBC quota is for social justice’
New Delhi: Lending her support to Congress President Sonia Gandhi's demand for reservation of seats for Other Backward Class (OBC) students in medical institutions in the states and union territories under the national quota in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), AICC General Secretary in-charge of eastern Uttar Pradesh, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Saturday said the demand is legitimate and would ensure social justice. Vadra tweeted in Hindi, “Congress President Sonia Gandhi has raised the legitimate demand for reservation for OBC students in medical institutions in the states and union territories under the
EXPOSE BJP: PRIYANKA
national quota in the seats being filled by NEET. This is a demand for social justice. It is expected that the Central Government will implement this.” Sonia Gandhi had written a letter to PM Modi on the matter. —ANI
Commuters wade through heavy rain at Fort area in Mumbai on Saturday. —PHOTO BY PTI
Ayodhya: Mahant Kamal Nayan Das, spokesperson for president of Shri Ram Janambhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, said that the trust members are scheduled to meet on July 18 in Ayodhya for the purpose of construction of Ram temple. “Trust members will meet on July 18 in Ayodhya. The purpose will be the construction of Ram temple. We want that Modi Ji should visit here once so that construction begins,” said Mahant Kamal Nayan Das. Earlier on Wednesday, Nritya Gopal Das said that they have requested the Prime Minister to inaugurate the construction activities at the temple site in Ayodhya. “We have written a letter to the Prime Minister requesting him to visit Ayodhya and inaugurate the construction activities of Ram temple. Pooja and other rituals have been ongoing for three months at the site,” Das said. “We just want him to come and we will ensure that there is no crowding,” he said.
Dist admn demolishes history sheeter Vikas dubey’s home
The tragedy was foretold: Chidu on death of cops
Kanpur: The district administration on Saturday demolished the house of history sheeter Vikas Dubey, the main accused in Kanpur encounter case in which 8 policemen including a DSP were killed. As many as seven other policemen were injured in the incident. A total of eight police personnel including DSP Devendra Mishra lost their lives after they were fired upon by criminals in the early hours of Friday. Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh police has suspended the Station House Officer (SHO) of Chaubey-
New Delhi: Congress leader P Chidambaram slammed the UP government for the incident in which eight cops were killed in an ambush. The incident took place when a police team had gone to raid history-sheeter Vikas Dubey’s house in Kanpur and were fired upon by criminals. “It is difficult to believe that a trained police force will go after sunset to arrest a notorious criminal in his bastion. The tragedy was foretold. I offer my condolences to the families of the unfortunate victims,” he tweeted. —ANI
KANPUR ENCOUNTER
DRENCHED!
Ram temple trust to meet on July 18 at Ayodhya
The debris lies on ground after the demolition process was over.
pur Police Station in Kanpur district for fleeing from the spot during a raid to arrest history sheeter Vikas Dubey, in which eight policemen were killed after a group of assailants opened fire on a police team.
The police eliminated two criminals in the combing operations after the incident. As per the police, both were the residence of Bikaru village, which comes under the jurisdiction of Chaubepur Police Station in Kanpur. —ANI
STEADY RISE
Odisha’s Paradip port handles highest volume of cargo in country
The port handled 25.73 million tonnes of cargo during the first quarter of the current fiscal, the highest among major ports in India
Vaishali Bhubaneswar: Paradip port in Odisha has handled 25.73 million tonnes of cargo during the first quarter of the current fiscal, the highest among major ports in the country, a top port official said on Saturday. Overcoming the hurdles caused by the COVID-19 outbreak, the port has handled 25.73 million tonnes of cargo during the April to June quarter of 2020-21 financial year, Paradip
Port Trust (PPT) Chairman Rinkesh Roy said. This is the maximum traffic recorded among major ports in the country during the quarter that ended on June 30, he said. “As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to stifle the global supply chain, the maritime industry is facing a daunting task to function smoothly. Despite all the obstacles, PPT has come out with flying colours,” Roy said. Odisha Chief Minis-
“Yet another milestone for @paradipport. Happy to learn that Paradip port has achieved the highest volume of traffic i.e. 25.73 million tonnes, among all the major ports in India during April-June 2020 (1st Quarter)” —Dharmendra Pradhan
Union Petroleum and Steel Minister
ter Naveen Patnaik and Union Petroleum and Steel Minister Dharmendra Pradhan have congratulated the Paradip port authorities
for handling the highest volume of cargo. Patnaik said his father Biju Patnaik, a former CM, would have been proud of the giant
strides made by the state in maritime trade. “Congratulate @ paradipport for becoming No-1 major #port for cargo handling in
the country. Biju Babu would have been proud of #Odisha’s giant strides in maritime trade. A tribute to Odisha’s glorious seafar-
ing history,” Patnaik tweeted. Pradhan said PPT has set a new milestone in cargo handling. Roy and PPT Deputy Chairman A K Bose have conveyed their gratitude to all the employees, unions, the state government and the Jagatsinghpur district administration for their cooperation. They also thanked the importers, exporters, stevedores, steamer agents, port users and other stakeholders. —ANI
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Follow discipline amid corona: Prez
President Ram Nath Kovind lights a lamp during a virtual event organised by International Buddhist Confederation on the occasion of the Dharma Chakra Diwas, at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. —PHOTO BY PTI
New Delhi: President Ram Nath Kovind on Saturday urged people to follow discipline and maintain physical distance to protect themselves from the COVID-19 pandemic. He said this on the occasion of Asaadh Poornima while inaugurating the Dharma Chakra Day from the Rashtrapati Bhavan. “We are in the midst of a virulent pandemic that has overwhelmed the entire humanity. Perhaps no part of the world remains untouched by this calamity that adversely affects every individual. We have to follow certain discipline and maintain
‘11,300 ‘MADE IN DINESH GUNDU RAO INDIA’ VENTILATORS’ UNDER QUARANTINE New Delhi: As many as 11,300 ‘Made in India’ ventilators have been dispatched so far and 6,154 have been delivered to hospitals, said Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Health Minister. “So far, 11,300 ‘Make In India’ ventilators have been dispatched; 6,154 delivered to hospitals. Ministry is supplying 1.02 L oxygen cylinders across India; 72,293 delivered,” he tweeted physical distance,” the President said. Delivering his address on the occasion to
Bengaluru: Karnataka Congress leader Dinesh Gundu Rao said on Saturday that he and his family will be in-home quarantine after one of his security persons tested positive . “One of my police security person has tested positive for COVID yesterday. My family members and I are getting tested now and will be in-home quarantine,” he said. emphasise the teachings of Lord Buddha and the eightfold path shown by him, Kovind
JAMA MASJID REOPENS
—PHOTO BY PTI
said, “The world has suffered much this year, and I sincerely wish that this sacred day heralds a new ray of hope and grants a glimpse of happiness. “I also pray that it lights the lamp of wisdom in the heart of everyone,” Kovind said. Union Minister of Culture Prahlad Patel, MoS for Minorities Affairs Kiren Rijiju and MP Vinay Sahasrabuddhe also addressed the opening ceremony of the event. This day is also aptly observed as Guru Poornima by both Buddhists and Hindus as a day to mark reverence to their Gurus. —ANI
Kolkata: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee on Saturday said that the state’s unemployment rate for June stands at 6.5%, which was “far better” than that of India at 11%. “We have implemented a robust economic strategy to tackle COV-
ID-19 and the devastation caused by Amphan. Proof lies in West Bengal’s unemployment rate for the month of June 2020 which stands at 6.5%, far better than that of India at 11 per cent, UP at 9.6% and Haryana at 33.6%, as per CMIE,” She tweeted.
At times, the thoughts of Lord Buddha will even calm you down or cheer you up, he said. “In fact, Lord Buddha’s teaching that ‘be your own guiding light’ is a wonderful management lesson,” he pointed out. The need of the hour, PM Modi said, is to connect more and more people with Buddhist heritage sites. “We in India have many such sites. You know how people also know my parliamentary constituency of Varanasi? As the home to Sarnath,” he said. —ANI Army trashes... look like a hospital as
there were no medicine cabinet, and other equipment. “There have been malicious and unsubstantiated accusations in some quarters regarding the status of the facility visited by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to the General Hospital at Leh on July 3,” the Army said. The Army further said: “It is clarified that the said facility is part of the Crisis Expansion capacity of 100 beds and is very much part of the General Hospital complex.” It said the COVID-19
protocol had necessitated some wards of the hospital to be converted into isolation facilities. “Hence, this hall which otherwise was normally used as a Training Audio Video Hall was converted into a ward ever since the hospital was also designated as COVID-19 treatment hospital,” it said. The Army said the “injured braves have been kept there since their arrival from Galwan to ensure quarantine from COVID areas. The Chief of Army Staff General M M Naravane and the Army
Devotees offering Namaz at Jama Masjid as it reopened during the unlock 2 in New Delhi on Saturday. Syed Ahmed Bukhari, Shahi Imam of the mosque said that it will remain open from 9 am to 10 pm & social distancing norms will be followed.
‘WB better off for job opportunities’
POWER Gallery
WHO team to visit China to investigate origins of corona
SIBI GEORGE MAY ASSUME CHARGE AS AMBASSADOR TO KUWAIT NEXT WEEK
New Delhi: Amid global concerns that China delayed giving information regarding the novel coronavirus outbreak, a team of WHO (World Health Organisation) will visit the country next week to investigate the origins of the virus and its spread to human beings. The visit will take place more than six months after the WHO’s Country Office in China picked up a statement from the Wuhan Municipal Health Commission on cases of ‘viral pneumonia’. WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus spoke in January about an agreement with China for sending a team of international experts “as soon as possible” to work on increasing the understanding of the outbreak. COVID-19 has killed over 500,000 people in the world and cases and deaths are increasing by the day. In an exclusive interview with ANI, Dr Soumya Swaminathan, Chief Scientist, WHO
ANOOP SRIVASTAVA RETURNS TO PARENT CADRE
WHO LAUDS INDIA’S EFFORT
Sibi George currently India’s Ambassador to Switzerland is likely to assume charge as Ambassador of India to State of Kuwait early next week.
Anoop Srivastava, Joint Secretary & Financial Adviser, Department of Space, has been given premature repatriation to his parent cadre on the grounds of availing promotion in the cadre. He is a 1989 batch IDAS officer. VINOD KUMAR JINDAL RETURNS TO PARENT CADRE
Vinod Kumar Jindal, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Housing & Urban, has been given premature repatriation to his parent cadre on the grounds of availing promotion in the cadre. He is a 1988 batch ICoAS officer. POST OF ANIL KUMAR AS PS TO FAGGAN SINGH KULASTE UPGRADED TO DIRECTOR LEVEL
The post of Anil Kumar, working as Private Secretary to Faggan Singh Kulaste, Minister of State for Steel, has been upgraded to the Director level. He is a 2006 batch IOFS officer. said that a “thorough investigation” needs to be done into the origins of the virus. She said that the WHO has been working with the Chinese government for the visit. “A team is going to China next week to investigate the origins of the virus,” Swaminathan said. —ANI
Pakistani Hindu refugees will get citizenship: Shah New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday assured of providing long term visas to Pakistani Hindu refugees residing in the national capital as well as enable them to settle in India. The Home Minister said that the grant of citizenship will be expedited as per the provisions of the law and all Hindu refugees will be accepted as the country’s citizens. He said that the head of the family would get a certificate and it will be valid for the rest of the family as well. Hundreds of Pakistani Hindus fled the neighbouring country to seek refuge here after facing religious persecution. They came to India on tourist, pilgrim or visitor visas and want to settle down in India. These families did not return to Pakistan as
06
POST OF DR AJAY KUMAR AS PS TO DHARMENDRA PRADHAN UPGRADED TO DIRECTOR LEVEL
The post of Dr Ajay Kumar, working as Private Secretary to Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister for Steel and Petroleum and Natural Gas, has been upgraded to Director level. He is a 2006 batch IAS officer of Gujarat cadre. K SUNITHA RETURNS TO PARENT CADRE
K Sunitha has returned to the parent cadre from central deputation. She is a 1996 batch IAS officer of AP cadre NIKUNJ SHRIVASTAVA RETURNS TO PARENT CADRE; POSTED AS URBAN DEVELOPMENT COMMISSIONER
Nikunj Kumar Shrivastava has returned to parent cadre from central deputation and been posted as Commissioner, Urban Administration and Development with additional charge of Commissioner Housing and Infrastructural Development Board, Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh. He is a 1998 batch IAS officer. ALLAHABAD HC HAS MOST PENDENCY OF CASES
they felt unsafe there and hoped to get Indian citizenship. Around 750 Hindus are living in makeshift tents on the Yamuna bank and homes in north Delhi’s Majnu ka Tila area that have unplastered walls and metal roofs. Many others live in resettlement colonies on the outskirts of New Delhi in Rohini’s Sectors 9 and 11, Adarsh Nagar and near the Signature Bridge. Shah’s assurance came when a delegation of these Pakistani Hin-
dus led by Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee President Manjinder Singh Sirsa met him and pleaded to grant citizenship to these families. Sirsa thanked the Home Minister for taking various measures and initiatives like the Citizen Amendment Act for granting Indian citizenship to such people facing persecution. The DSGMC chief said he discussed with the Home Minister in detail about the insecurity these people faced in Pakistan. —Agencies
Commander have also visited the injured braves in the same location.” The Indian and Chinese armies are locked in a bitter standoff in multiple locations in eastern Ladakh for the last seven weeks. —PTI
you feel you have the vision and expertise to create such products. I urge all my friends in the tech community to participate,” Modi added. The Prime Minister laid out his vision for products to tap the huge potential of India’s markets. “We all know the huge potential of our market and the scale products can achieve if they can satisfy the demands of the market. Nowadays, we are seeing huge interest and enthusiasm among the start-up and tech ecosystem to innovate, develop and promote homegrown
High Courts Uttar Pradesh’s Allahabad high court has the most pendency of cases among High Courts. It accounts for 30%, or 2,76,000, of 9,20,000 cases pending in High Courts for over 10 years. Over 55% of cases awaiting completion for 20 years in High Courts are pending at the Allahabad High Court. The percentage is 86 (40,374 out of 46,754) when it comes to three-decade-old cases according to National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG). DEEPAK KUMAR GETS YET ANOTHER EXTENSION AS CHIEF SECRETARY, BIHAR
The GoI has extended IAS for yet another six months till February 28, 2021. Deepak Kumar who belongs to a 1984 batch is presently CS of Bihar.
FROM PG 1 Rise to... Buddhism, the Prime Minister noted, teaches respect. “Respect for people. Respect for the poor. Respect for women. Respect for peace and non-violence. Therefore, the teachings of Buddhism are the means to a sustainable planet.” PM Modi said he is very hopeful about the 21st century. “This hope comes from my young friends - our youth... would urge my young friends to also stay connected with the thoughts of Lord Buddha. They will motivate and show the way ahead,” he said.
Aatmanirbhar Bharat:... our market as well as compete with the world,” Modi wrote in a LinkedIn post on Saturday titled Let us Code for an Aatmanirbhar Bharat! “This challenge is for you if you have such a working product or if
apps.” “For promotion of existing Apps and Platforms across the categories of E-learning, Work-from-Home, Gaming, Business, Entertainment, Office Utilities, and Social Networking, Government will provide mentoring, hand-holding and support. Track-01 will work in mission mode for identifying good quality Apps for the leader-board and shall be completed in around a month,” he wrote.
ICMR defends... The official claim by the ICMR that it envisaged
the “launch” of the vaccine for “public health use latest by August 15” has sparked fears that its safety and efficacy could be compromised to meet the timeline. The August 15 timeline is mentioned in a letter that ICMR director general Balram Bhargava wrote to the 12 hospitals selected for carrying out clinical trials of Covaxin, a candidate vaccine developed by Bharat Biotech, a Hyderabad-based pharmaceutical company, in partnership with Punebased National Institute of Virology, an ICMR laboratory.
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Cities around the globe are allowing restaurants and cafes to expand into public spaces to enable safe dining after COVID-19 lockdown. It could usher in a new era of socializing outdoors. Streets are also being widened and given over to cyclists, which could also mean greener, cleaner city centres
New culture of outdoor
LIVING AND DINING
tion in Europe, with just over 1,800 confirmed cases. The hospitality industry in the UNESCO-listed capital recently invited tourists to come back, with hot air balloons flying over the Old Town carrying the message “Vilnius is calling”. From July, there will also be fewer cars in the city centre, as Vilnius brings in the permanent pedestrianization of four streets in the Old Town.
“Cars cannot dominate the most sensitive and beautiful part of our city – Vilnius is choosing to be a city of the future now,” said the city’s Mayor, Remigijus Šimašius. Other cities around the world are now looking to Vilnius’ pivot to outdoors hospitality as a model to draw back customers and visitors for their own reopenings. Could unlocking public
spaces as real-estate assets to boost the economic recovery from COVID-19 usher in a new age of outdoor entertaining and change the way we use our cities?
THE PUB CAR PARK When pubs and restaurants open in the United Kingdom on 4 July, they will be allowed to use car parks and sidewalks to cater for diners safely, while maintaining social distancing
measures. New laws have been introduced to make it simpler for pubs to serve alcohol outside of their premises, according to Bloomberg, and that pave the way for more street trading, fairs and markets. Summer fairs and car boot sales will not require a planning application, Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s office said. The Cartford Inn in Lancashire, north-west England, is installing greenhouses for diners to eat in, sheltered from the elements, in preparation for the 4 July opening. In a Twitter post, they said they had taken inspiration from the quarantine greenhouses at Amsterdam's Mediamatic arts centre.
RECLAIMING THE STREETS San Francisco’s Economic Recovery Task Force has set up Shared Spaces, a programme that allows businesses to use parts of outdoor public spaces – from sidewalks to plazas – with free, fast-tracked permits. In return, merchants have to maintain the pathways and ensure they’re accessible. The programme will also enable expanded outdoor restaurant seating, once cleared by public health officials. “The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically changed our relationship with our streets, open public spaces and public facilities,” Laura Petrella, chief of planning, finance and economy at UN-Habitat told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. “Public space has emerged as a critical lifeline for cities and their residents.”
She said local authorities in Kisumu, Kenya, have converted public spaces into open-air markets; and streets in Kalaw, Myanmar, have been closed to allow for social distancing at vegetable markets.
CLEANER AND GREENER Streets across Europe are also being closed to traffic to allow people to cycle instead of take public transport – in what could be a major step towards easing pollution and a greener future. And from Barcelona to Bogota, miles of pop-up bike lanes have been appearing all over the world. COVID-19 has seen the acceleration of some city centre transport initiatives that were already planned, too. The UK is investing around $2.4 billion in bike lanes and wider pavements to encourage more people to cycle and walk. More than $300 million of that was released early to enable emergency pop-up lanes. What were initially temporary solutions to enable economic recovery and improve mobility and recreation could become permanent, urban planners predict. Francesco Cerroni, an urban planner at Buro Happold, told Commercial Observer that what starts as a temporary solution or a test – closing a lane of traffic, for example – can become more permanent if it proves to be effective. With decreasing car use a real possibility as people work from home, walk and cycle more, could this be the beginning of a more permanent trend of cities freeing up space for businesses and outdoor entertaining?
n SOURCE: WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM n CONCEPT: DIVYA HEMNANI n DESIGN: SITARAM SHARMA
he Lithuanian capital of Vilnius has become the poster child for how cities can embrace outdoor living and socializing as they come out of COVID-19 lockdown. It’s been turned into a giant open-air cafe, with restaurants and bars spilling over into plazas, squares and 18 closed streets to enable responsibly distanced socializing. Lithuania has had one of the lowest rates of infec-
2ND FRONT
An apology from the heart always helps, it helps both- the seeker and the ‘giver’. —Jagdeesh Chandra, CEO & Editor, First India
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PM’S MOVE TO LEH WORKED t a time when China, which tries to arm-twist nations, is becoming isolated in the international fraternity and the support of Western countries for India is becoming vocal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also made an all-out cry on China without naming it. The Foreign Ministry was in constant dialogue with China for the last twoand-a-half months, but it remained inconclusive. In Galwan, we continued to witness violent Chinese activities after which came the first strike from India, in which government contracts of Chinese companies in In-
A
dia were revoked, so that China could be pushed even if very slightly, towards an economic slowdown. India recently bought arms from Russia and France, followed by a letter of support from France and a change in the attitude of Russia, which is considered a natural friend of China. Meanwhile, our Ministry of External Affairs kept in touch with other Heads of State, in which it was successful to a large extent. Thirdly and most importantly, for the first time, India supported the issue of Hong Kong in the United Nations, since until now, India had neither raised its voice for Tibet nor said two
FIRST INDIA SUNDAY SPECIAL BY TRIDIB RAMAN
words for the troubled Uyghur Muslims in China. After this, 59 Chinese apps were banned in India giving yet another jolt and when the PM from Ladakh border defied China without naming it, China had come out to say, “We have peacefully resolved our border dispute with 12 of our 14 neighbouring countries.” This statement is being seen as India’s diplomatic victory.
SISODIA’S EDUCATION REFORMS elhi Government’s Deputy Chief Minister and Education Minister
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Manish Sisodia has undertaken many innovative experiments in the past to improve the quality of Delhi’s government schools, and as a result, his efforts towards reforms in education have received many accolades. In this phase of lockdown, when all the schools and colleges are closed and all the public schools are making up for it through online classes, Sisodia has made more than 10 lakh phone calls through teachers of government schools in Delhi to find from the children if are keeping alright, and also find out how much study material has reached the c h i l d r e n through What-
Narendra Modi
sApp. It was the learn that there are only 75 per cent children who are able to take advantage of this WhatsApp facilities, wherein the teachers are sharing worksheets to their students on their WhatsApp on a daily basis. For children or their parents who do not have a smartphone, teachers have been asked to share a printout of this worksheet. Different days have been set for the parents of the children according to the roll number for taking the worksheet.
Manish Sisodia
NUMBED SENSES? When Covid victim’s funeral was resisted
Locals protest Covid victim's funeral, claiming the pyre smoke spreads the virus Shishir Awasthi Bharuch: We must fight the disease, not the sick -- people must have heard this appeal from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and on their mobile phones countless times. But the scare created by the deadly coronavirus may have numbed the sensibilities of many. Take this instance of Bharuch district where people frantically fought against the funeral of a Covid-19 victim, insisting that the smoke from the pyre of the burning body spreads the virus. And the controversy over the funeral of a corona patient at the Shantivan Crematorium near Dasashwamegh Ghat on the banks of the Narmada in Bharuch stretched for two days before the
I am not requesting you. But I warn you to get out of here now. If you create obstacles in the work of the system, punitive action will be taken. —D P Vaghela, DySP, Bharuch warned people Scores of people staged a protest against the funeral of Covid-19 patients on the banks of Narmada.
police and the administration prevailed upon the villagers. Not just one, another person was also cremated after much ruckus. The locals staged a protest on Friday at the Shantivan cemetery in Bharuch over the funeral of a retired policeman, who succumbed to Covid-19. The administration then took the
body to a crematorium in the neighbouring Ankleshwar town. Here too, the locals resisted the cremation, and the body was taken back to the Covid hospital. Again on Saturday, when the body was brought to the Bharuch crematorium but the protests continued and the people were adamant. Upon learning of
the incident, a team of police and authorities rushed to the spot. At one point of time, DySP DP Vaghela, who was present there, told the locals clearly, “I am not requesting you. But I warn you to get out of here now. If you create obstacles in the work of the system, punitive action will be taken.” After long-stretched discussions, Bharuch
sub-divisional magistrate NR Prajapati was able to convince the people and finally brokered the reconciliation efforts and the funeral was held on the banks of Narmada river. During this time, people also resisted the funeral of another person whose body was also brought there and this was resolved eventually.
HOW TO CONTROL THE ARBITRARINESS OF PRIVATE HOSPITALS he rate at which corona cases are increasing in Delhi, a tussle has been witnessed for hospital beds. Delhi government had information that those private hospitals authorized to treat Corona, are undertaking their money-making venture with it. They are shifting patients to their private wards and when asked by government, they give an incorrect number of beds, while also making a mistake in stating the number of ventilators. When the matter was reported to Delhi govt, they found a unique way to deal with this situation. In 114 such private hospitals, the Delhi government has put its people at the rate of 2 nursing staff per hospital and they were
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named as the Liaison Officer. The task of these liaison officers was to find out the ground reality of these private hospitals, so that they know the exact number of empty beds, and how many ventilators are available. They were also to find the amount charged from patients from the time they are admitted till their discharge and to see whether or not they are in line with the Supreme Court’s directions. On Wednesday, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and Deputy CM Manish Sisodia spoke to all their Liaison Officers and heard about their issues.
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sentment is such that when the District President of Munger in his party made a statement that everything is going well in the NDA, the person was immediately discharged. Chirag wanted at least one of the 12 Legislative Council seats in the state to fall in his party’s kitty, but Nitish retained seven of these seats for JDU and asked Chirag to ask BJP for his quota seat. Chirag understood Nitish’s attitude. He was already annoyed with Nitish for not including at least two MLAs from his party into his cabinet, however, the Bihar CM did not budge. The author is a journalist and political commentator and views expressed are his personal
WHY IS CHIRAG PASWAN MIFFED? JP leader and MP from Jamui in Bihar Chirag Paswan is annoyed these days. His resentment is from both BJP and Nitish. He feels that the competition between the BJP and JDU to be the bigger power hub than other parties, and is resulting in complete ignorance of LJP. ChiChirag Paswan rag’s re-
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Hair raising: Barber says no to Dalit man First India Bureau
Rapar (Kutch): A Dalit man in Kutch has lodged a complaint with Adesar police alleging that a barber refused him a haircut because he hails from a lower caste. Though the incident occurred in March, an offence was lodged only this week since the last three months were spent on trying a truce that didn’t materialise.
Ramesh Parmar, a resident of Padampar village of Rapar taluka, has also accused the barber of hurling casteist slurs at him. He said he had gone for a haircut to Dharamshi Valand’s shop on March 2. But Valand asked him to leave and said he would talk later. The barber later told Parmar not to come to
his shop “as it would create problems for both of them.” At this, another villager, Karamshi Patel, tried to intervene but Valand refused to provide Parmar his services, allegedly on the grounds that the latter was a Dalit. DySP (SC/ST Cell) Kishorsinh Zala said, “We have registered an offence under Atrocity Act.”
Coast Guards seize charas worth `36 lakh off Jakhau First India Bureau Jakhau (Kutch): Even as the country grapples with the corona crisis, crime seems to be rearing its head again. The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has seized 24 packets of charas (cannabis) having market value of approximately Rs 36
lakh from an island off the Kutch coast in Gujarat, an official said on Saturday. These packets were recovered on Friday while the force was on patrol at Kadiyari beyt (island) near Jakhau port, said the defence wing of the Press Information Bureau in a release. According to an of-
ficial press release, since May 20, the Coast Guard, in coordination with other enforcement agencies, has recovered over 1,200 packets of charas, including 88 packets worth Rs 1.32 crore that was seized from an uninhabited island off the port between June.
GENDER-BENDER ZOYA, FIRST TRANSGENDER TO ‘STEER’ CSC
The Common Service Centres (CSC), under the Digital India programme, are access points for delivery of public utility services
First India Bureau Vadodara: With an aim to support the transgender community and bring them to the mainstream, Zoya Khan became India’s first transgender operator of a Common Service Centre in Gujarat to provide tele-medicine consultation. The Common Service Centres (CSC), under the Digital India programme, are access
points for delivery of essential public utility services, social welfare schemes, healthcare, financial, education and agriculture services, apart from host of services in rural and remote areas. As part of the telemedicine services, patients can get consultation through video calling from their nearest centre. Union Information and Technology Minister Ravi Shankar Pras-
Zoya Khan from Vadodara is the first from the transgender community to operate a CSC.
ad said Zoya Khan is India’s first transgender operator of a Common Service Centre from Vadodara district of Gujarat. “She has started CSC work with tele-medicine consultation. Her vision is to support transgender community in making them digitally literate and give them better opportunities,” he tweeted, with pictures of Khan at work. Zoya Khan’s work is being seen as an inspi-
ration amid the employment issues that many are facing due to a slowdown in business activity amid the coronavirus pandemic. Common Service Centres are a “pan-India network catering to regional, geographic, linguistic and cultural diversity of the country, thus enabling the government’s mandate of a socially, financially and digitally inclusive society,” the official website says.
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AHMEDABAD, SUNDAY JULY 5, 2020
IT’S BLACK! “Black is modest and arrogant at the same time. Black is lazy and easy—but mysterious. Black says: I don’t bother you—don’t bother me.” – Yohji Yamamoto. City First goes Black!
KARISHMA GWALANI
karishma.gwalani@firstindia.co.in
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lack has traditionally been associated with death and evil but it is one colour which has shrugged off its negativity and become the colour of power and fashion. The little black dress and the tuxedo is the byword for the sophisticated fashion conscious. As Christian Dior commented, “You can wear black at any time. You can wear it at any age. You may wear it for almost any occasion.” Black is the core of palette of colours and is required for all colours to have depth and variation of hue. Black is the absence of colour. It is a mysterious colour, which represents strength, seriousness, power, and authority. Black is a formal, elegant, and prestigious colour, it evokes strong emotions of sensuousness and allure. Black colour straddles many a contradiction as it helps to boost confidence is the appearance (it has a slimming effect) and also increases the sense of potential and possibility but at the same time, it produces feelings of emptiness, gloom, or sadness. It represents both the negative and the posi-
tive. As the opposite of white, movies, books, print media and television typically depict the good guy in white and the bad guy in black. In more recent times, the good guy is shown in black to create mystery around the character’s identity. Black can have a different symbolic meaning for everyone and every individual can have a different reaction to the colour. In Feng, Shui black has a way of harmonizing your home, office, and other environments. It can be associated with water elements and evokes power, mystery, and calm. It even can have a grounding effect when it is used sparingly. Black has been the favourite of the fashion world since many decades, Yves Saint Laurent once said, “I love black be-
cause it affirms, designs and styles. A woman in a black dress is a pencil stroke.” With black you cannot go wrong, in case you are wondering what to wear for a formal event and can’t make up your mind- choose anything in black and see the level of confidence go up.
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ARIES
MAR 21 - APR 20 The week brings self-confidence and a surge of goal-directed energy. You should feel extremely motivated to complete goals and will have all you need to do just that. The extra initiative, energy, and self-belief mean you can succeed at the toughest of tasks in the shortest time possible. It also brings fun and excitement to your social and love life. You will be expressing your love nature with a flair that can also manifest as a unique fashion style. Your displays shall attract equally interesting and eager people, willing to take a risk and see where it goes.
TAURUS
WEEKLY JULY 5 TO JULY 11
SOFIA VERGARA’S BIRTHDAY FALLS IN THE COMING WEEK, ON JULY 10. THIS YEAR SHOULD BE SATISFYING AND BALANCED OVERALL FOR SOFIA. SHE WILL BE IN DEMAND AND PERSONALLY POPULAR AND ABLE TO ACHIEVE A DECENT BALANCE BETWEEN WORK AND PLAY; PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL LIFE
AHMEDABAD | SUNDAY, JULY 5, 2020
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LIBRA
SEPT 24 - OCTOBER 22 You should feel strong, sexy and brave. You can take the initiative and act with passion when your emotions are aroused. Your quick instincts and fighting spirit can be used to stand up for yourself or defend your home and family. This is a good time to improve sexual relations with your partner or to find a new playmate. Increased charisma and sex appeal will make you more popular. Positive change in your love life could lead to love at first sight. Creative breakthroughs can help you develop your artistic potential and find your unique style.
SCORPIO
APR 21 - MAY 20
OCT 23 - NOVEMBER 22
This is the right time to tell someone you love them. You are in touch with what you love about a person and can more easily express this than at other times. You could also be on the receiving end of someone else’s love or appreciation. Trading and negotiating are favoured because of your smooth communication style and eye for a bargain. Setting some boundaries will help you to enjoy a sense of togetherness with loved ones. You may benefit from joining or learning more about environmental, charity, social, or community work and groups.
The week brings a feeling of inner balance and also a sense of harmony and contentment with life. This is a good time to sort through any personal problems. Your intimate relationships can grow through strong emotional bonding and mutual respect. You will feel more connected in a spiritual way. Your increased empathy and concern can have an uplifting effect on others which could materialize as more involvement. However, you are just as likely to benefit from a more individual quest for spiritual developments.
GEMINI
MAY 21 - JUNE 21 This week brings increased power and influence with positive change and success. Spiritual and personal growth, wealth, and career advancement are possible. A strong urge to reform something in your life will coincide with an opportunity to do just that. Go with the flow and take full advantage of the opportunities that open up in front of you. It is a good time to relax and enjoy quality time with friends, lovers, and family. Increased personal charm. Your openness and honesty in sharing your feelings support true friendship and genuine love.
SAGITTARIUS NOV 23 - DEC 22
You should be focused and driven to succeed at what you are most passionate about. A mix of effort and good luck gives you the power and influence to make a big difference in your life. Business success, wealth, travel, or a promotion at work are possible. This is a good time to help those less fortunate than yourself. Your generosity will be repaid. An exciting new romance is possible. If you already have a partner then you will be seeking a different kind of pleasure. There is also the chance of a financial bonus or windfall.
CANCER
CAPRICORN
Enhanced communication and social skills make this an excellent time for making new friends and for dating. Show your appreciation for someone through a gift or any display of love. You could receive a compliment, letter, invitation, gift, or even some money. Any artistic and creative skills should be enhanced. An excellent time for selfpromotion because of increased self-confidence, courage, sexual magnetism, and attractiveness. If you are dating you can conquer any natural shyness you may have to break the ice.
A tendency towards rushed thinking that could cause you to jump to conclusions say the wrong things, and make mistakes. You may become irritable, short-tempered, aggressive. It is important to listen carefully and think before speaking. Otherwise, disagreements, arguments, even open hostility are possible. Release built up energy through creative projects or physical exercise. Greater empathy and receptivity means your relationships will benefit from a shared understanding that may be non-verbal.
LEO
AQUARIUS
JUNE 22 - JULY 23
JULY 24 - AUGUST 23 Opportunities arise to positively transform your own life, your environment, and the lives of other people. The transitions could involve more power, influence and wealth and power. You will feel in control of situations and may find yourself in better positions. Issues involving politics, religion, law, and travel will likely play a bigger part. You won’t have to think about what to say because you are in tune with your feelings and the feelings of other people. This is also a good time to talk about family and relationship problems.
VIRGO
AUG 24 - SEP 23 The week brings harmony to your relationships. It is likely you will be friendly and outgoing even if you are a shy person. This is the right time to tell someone special you love them, to ask them out on a date, or even propose. Creative skills are enhanced, especially with your hands and your voice. You will gain a deeper understanding of your place in the world. Importantly, you may realize that achieving your goals and dreams is of prime importance before you can help others. Relationships will enjoy more spiritual bonding.
DEC 23 - JAN 20
JAN 21 - FEB 19
Increased charm and a smooth communication style make this a time of love, friendship and diplomacy. You can bring people together and encourage coöperation. This is a great time to find peaceful settlements to disputes and break down any barriers to progress.. This is also a good time to ask for favours. Is a good time for meetings and socializing with a group of friends but you will be most comfortable and most effective with one to one relationships. Your thinking will be rational and logical, read the fine print, and speak clearly.
PISCES
FEB20 - MARCH 20 Positive energy and clarity make you feel more comfortable and confident in being yourself. If you have to work you will be able to focus on the job with ambitious energy and do it well. If you want to relax you will be able to without feeling you should be doing something else. Relationships in your private, social, and professional life should be pleasant, relatively stress-free. You may feel an urge to follow spiritual path. You could enjoy a spiritual connection with your partner or meet someone special you can really connect with.
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ate Beckinsale took to Instagram earlier this week to post a funny video that featured her on the floor next to her cat decked out in googly eyes. “Nightclubs are closed but we have googly eyes and mostly it’s the same except less risk of illness and no one has peed all over the ladies loo seat,” she wrote. Nevertheless, it seemed as though her fans were more concerned with her personal life than her PSA to remain indoors during the Coronavirus pandemic. “Why do you keep dating guys that could be your children?” one user posted, referring to her earlier romances with Pete Davidson, 26, and Goody Grace, 23. But the British actress didn’t take criticism lying down, she sarcastically wrote back, “Every relationship I have had has been solely to annoy you.” The questionable comments didn’t end there though. After another follower told her she “NEEDS A MAN...BAD,” Beckinsale replied with a simple “hmm.” Later, when someone asked if she was married, she wrote, “to the cat, yes.” —Agency
AHMEDABAD | SUNDAY, JULY 5, 2020
Honest TALKS!
To Minimalist
COOKING
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couple of years back, we read about the art of simplifying our food. It highlighted that having too many appliances in the kitchen doesn’t always mean a fancy treat on your table. This habit of enthusiastically accumulating and investing in kitchen gadgets or utensils often result in despair, and we couldn’t agree more. If you, too, are someone who believes in simple eating and maintaining a minimalist kitchen then this is a must-read for you. In this blog, we’re sharing easy tips to simplify the kitchen space as well as your food! Scroll down…
Kate Beckinsale
BEFITTING RESPONSE
S
ushant Singh Rajput’s tragic demise has left everyone heartbroken but at the same time, this has also led to some increasing debates and controversies. A particular section of people have also been blaming some members from the film fraternity and holding them responsible for the late actor’s death. Most of them have been
taking a strong stand against nepotism. When Taapsee Pannu was asked about the same in a recent interview, she did have a befitting response to the entire matter. The actress initially reveals that it is a bit difficult for an outsider to survive in the industry without a godfather or a contact. She further adds that it takes more time to
WHY YOU DON’T NEED TO HOARD KITCHEN APPLIANCES AND INSTEAD KEEP IT MINIMAL?
make connections because of the same. Taapsee says that it is easy for someone born within the film fraternity to get opportunities as compared to an outsider. Ask her about nepotism in the industry and its flag bearers, the actress replies in the affirmative about the same. —Agency
More appliances mean
you’re adding to the carbon footprint and ultimately harming the environment, which is currently a global issue.
You don’t want to put a
hefty amount of money into buying something that you barely use.
Before any purchase, contemplate a lot and ask yourself if you really need that machine in your kitchen. Take a juicer, for example. The process of juicing extracts the juice and sadly, the fibre of the fruit gets thrown away. Clearly, eating whole fruit/vegetable is a healthier option, so why buy a juicer at all?
CO-PRODUCER
AJAY
Adding such fancy, not-
so-important stuff reduces the space in the kitchen. Result? They land up in the storeroom.
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Lastly and probably the most important point, consuming over-processed food is not very good for your health in the long term. What you ACTUALLY
need is – Pressure Cooker, Blender, Microwave/Oven,
Taspsee Pannu
Deepika Padukone
Engaging in Yoga!
jay Devgn to coproduce a film on Galwan Valley incident. According to the film’s description, it will narrate the ‘story of the sacrifice of 20 Indian army men who fought the Chinese army’. It is not clear if Ajay will star in the film. The cast and other crew are under finalisation. The film will be coproduced by Ajay Devgn FFilms and Select Media Holdings LLP. On June 15, 20 Indian soldiers lost their lives in a violent faceoff in Galwan Valley in Ajay Devgn eastern Ladakh with the Chinese forces. The Galwan clash occurred at the south bank of the river, which flows in an east-west direction, before its confluence with Shayok river. Coming up for Ajay soon is ‘Bhuj: The Pride of India’. The film also stars Sanjay Dutt, Sonakshi Sinha, Ammy Virk, and Sharad Kelkar and is written and directed by Abhishek Dudhaiya. The film is slated to premiere digitally on an OTT platform soon. —Agency
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W
ABOUT CAULDRON SISTERS
Ratika & Richa Khetan, two Sisters, started Cauldron Sisters in 2015. It started as an exotic food gift hamper business, but their love for food encouraged them to start culinary workshops, food deliveries, and slowly and gradually it turned huge as restaurants and cafes started approaching them for consultancy. a couple of Non-Stick Pans and a few high-quality Knives. Items like a food proces-
sor, dough-maker, slowcooker, rice cooker and even a toaster seem essential but they are not. However, these choices are very subjective but again if you are determined to adopt a minimalist life, these suggestions can take you a long way.
HOW TO SIMPLIFY FOOD?
Foremost is to reduce
the buying of packaged or processed food. Start embracing farm-fresh items or at least something that’s prepared right before your consumption. Begin with small things like making that ginger-garlic paste at home.
Don’t over-pour sauces in your pasta, dressings on your salads or for that matter, masalas in your sabzis. Let the original aroma of the vegetable and fruit freshen up your taste buds. Learn how to balance. If you’re eating a heavy meal in the morning, enjoy a simple soup or green salad at dinner. Don’t complicate your health with complicated food choices.
ith her talent and on-screen presence, Deepika Padukone has proved that she can play any character with utmost passion. Ever since her upcoming movie with Shakun Batra has been announced, we hear that Deepika has recently started engaging in yoga as part of her preparation for her role. According to a well-placed source, “Ahead of commencing the shoot for Shakun Batra’s directorial, Deepika Padukone has started training for Yoga. It is a part of her preparation for the film. While there is no understanding of how this is going to be of help to her in the film, as not much is known about her character, it is only known that she has recently started training for it.” There could be some connection of it with her role and the makers are keeping all the details under wraps. The actress has been reading parts of the script every day as she doesn’t want to lose touch with her character by the —Agency
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AHMEDABAD | SUNDAY, JULY 5, 2020
UNITED WE STAND
From Darkness to LIGHT
SANT RAJINDER SINGH cityfirst@firstindia.co.in
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uru Purnima is a special day celebrated in India, in the honour of the great sage, Ved Vyas, who classified the Vedas and wrote the 18 Puranas and the Mahabharata. This day is celebrated to honour our Guru, teacher or a spiritual Master, and to show our respect and gratitude towards them. To gain worldly knowledge, we seek teachers who are adept in their subject and can help us learn it. Similarly, if we wish to grow spiritually we have to reach the feet of a true spiritual Master. In every age, there are sages and Saints who can take us on the journey within. Saints and mystics give us the gift of spirituality. Without such divine, enlightened beings, we would stay mired in a life of darkness and spiritual ignorance. They come to this earth to take seekers from darkness to light. Guru means “one who takes seekers from darkness into light.” We are living in a world of darkness since we are unaware of our spiritual heritage and God. A Guru’s role is not only to en-
lighten seekers with knowledge and wisdom but also to help us connect with God’s vibrant, radiant Light shining within us. They open our inner eye to help us see that inner Light and begin our spiritual journey back to the Source of Light, God. If we were to examine various religious and spiritual traditions, we would find that at the core all religions say one and the same thing. They all believe in a Higher Power that created all of us. the Creator. They educate us and show us a path to tap into the spiritual aspect through prayer, meditation, or inversion and achieve the purpose of selfknowledge and God-realisation. Buddha did not come for Buddhists as there were no Buddhists before his time. Similarly, Christ and Guru Nanak Dev Maharaj did not come for Christians or Sikhs alone. They came for the entire humankind. The spiritual Masters want us to experience the union of our soul with God. They want to free our soul so that there is nothing that interferes with it becoming one with God. Sant Rajinder Singh is a Guru of Radha Soami.
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CITY FIRST
Blessed is the soul who has found a true Guru in one’s lifetime. A True Guru is one who possesses the ocean of knowledge and hence can teach disciples the knowledge of the self. I’m fortunate enough to find not one but many teachers in my life. I can not thank them enough for guiding me onto the right path in life. —SAKSHI RAJPUT
In 30 years of my life, I came across hundreds of people who taught me lessons of love, modesty, friendship and hard work. I consider all of them as my teachers beyond the blackboards and classrooms. When you are out in the world you can find a teacher in women selling vegetables or a business tycoon. All you have to do is be students in life. —CHARU BHATI
Having a mentor/guru is a blessing in disguise, they guide when we are lost, they influence you to achieve greater heights, and they make you understand it is much more than just a job. Their faith in you helps you in excelling in the difficulties. Thank you Alpesh Kotadia for being the adviser, confidant, teacher, guide, the guru who helped me when I was lost, you instilled a love of learning in me. “ A guru is not someone who holds a torch for you, he is the torch” by Sadhguru is the quote Alpesh Kotadia lives by. —POOJA PAREKH
A teacher’s significance is unmeasurable. The grounds are infinite for considering a teacher’s significance as magnus, but for me, a teacher is an embodiment of living god who gives meaning to the student’s life and shows them the path of righteousness like Lord Buddha who gave the students guide to always go along with the path of Dharma. Thus, I would like to say that a teacher could change the world if students abide teaching with perseverance. —SHIVAM PATHAK
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large number of IndianAmericans chanting ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ and other patriotic slogans staged a protest against China at the iconic Times Square, demanding an economic boycott and diplomatic isolation of the country for its aggression against India. The protest titled ‘Boycott China’ was organised on Friday, by community leaders Prem Bhandari and Jagdish Sewhani. Indians living in New York and New Jersey states along with the officials of the diaspora organisation Federation of Indian Associations (FIA), raised slogans of ‘Boycott Made in China, Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ and ‘Stop Chinese Aggression’ among others. Owning to the pandemic, the social distancing norms were followed during the protest. Members of the Tibetan and Taiwanese community also joined the protest with the placards that read ‘Tibet stands with India’, ‘Stop Chinese Abuse’, ‘Justice for human rights’, ‘minority religions’, ‘China out of Tibet’, ‘China stop crimes against humanity’, ‘Boycott Chinese Products’, among many others. “The India of today is different from the India of 1962. We will not tolerate Chinese aggression and international bullying. We will give a befitting reply to the arrogance of China”, said Jaipur Foot USA Chairman and a prominent social activist,
Prem Bhandari. He added: “We are sending a strong message to China. The Indian community around the world is standing with its homeland. India believes in the philosophy of the ‘World is one family’ and while focusing on its self-reliance, it will also work for international peace and solidarity. Bhandari shared that he is planning to bring together diplomats from various nations, from Australia to India, on a common unifying platform against China. President of the American India Public Affairs Committee, Jagdish Sewhani also spoke out strongly against China. Chairman of FIA, Ankur Vaidya urged the international community to unite as one to express collective and noticeable displeasure about China’s unauthorised and unacceptable extension of boundaries in breach of UN treaties and disregarding the sovereignty of free countries. Among the community members participating in the protest were FIA President Anil Bansal, former President of FIA Alok Kumar, Rajendra Bafna, Ashok Pande , Deepender Singh and Pritam Shah, after the protest all of them met as part of a special committee founded by Prem Bhandari whuch will reach out to all the neighbouring nations of China and empower them to stand up against China. Bhandari said that China functions as a bully and now India will take on the role of World Guru and strengthen these small nations to be stronger.
WHAT’S HAPPENING! RAJASTHAN: Under the self-reliant India campaign in the country, applications were sought from the IT companies across the country for the innovative challenge of video conferencing solution, in which thousands of companies applied. Out of which 12 were sorted in the first phase and then after the presentation, Sarv.com of Jaipur has been ranked among the three selected. Now the Government of India will give them Rs. 20 lakhs for research and development.
RAJASTHAN: Bank of Baroda handed over a cheque of Rs. 35 lakh 42 thousand to Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot for the Assistance Fund to help out the people of Rajasthan in the epidemic situation of the corona. The cheque was handed over by GM and SLBC, Rajasthan Convenor Mahendra S.Mehnot along with C.P Agrawal, AGM.
GUJARAT: Avadh Utopia Club, Surat has started a unique ‘Drive-in Reception’ concept with all safety measures and social distancing guidelines, where people can wave, cheer and congratulate the Bride and Groom from their cars while driving.
RAJASTHAN: The poster of the upcoming National level fashion show, ‘Rajasthan Culture Heritage’ to be organised by Ahuja Productions was launched at Shivaay Fashion Studio by Show Director, Devesh Ahuja in the presence of celebrity Fashion Designer, Ayush Soni, Shivani Soni and Piyush Soni on Saturday.
RAJASTHAN: Newly elected Rajya Sabha MP, Neeraj Dangi was felicitated by the Team Pali leaders at his Jaipur residence, on Saturday. Seen with him are (L TO R) Lalit Parihar, President Youth Congress Sumerpur, Karan Singh Mertiya, Senior Congress leader and Shishupal Singh Nimbara, Ex-Vice, Chairman, Central Child Labour Board. After the meeting, the public issues of Sumerpur Assembly constituency were discussed and understood by Neeraj Dangi. He assured to complete the work in the public interest and redress the problems quickly.
GUJARAT: On the occasion of National Doctors day, United Nations Organization (UNO), San Francisco, USA organised a UN Charter Day Dialogue TeleWebinar with 110 participants from 38 countries, 5 continents, 12 United nations associations across the globe. Senior Academician of Ahmedabad, Dr Amit Patel, represented from SouthWest Asia as an Expert of Telehealth professional. In the Virtual meeting, Dr Patel interacted with various eminent stalwarts at the UN and discussed the recent advancements in Orthopaedic Rehabilitation conditions.
RAJASTHAN: The Grande Finale of Khandelwalas Got Talent (KGT) Season 2 is going to be organised today, where 35 candidates will demonstrate their talent in dancing, singing and instrumental. Owing to the pandemic, the show is going to be online with its Live on KGT India YouTube channel and Facebook page.
JNU INAUGURATES NEW CLINIC
CITY FIRST
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utrition Medicine Clinic inaugurated in Medicine department of JNU Hospital by Chancellor Dr Sandeep Bakshi, on Saturday. Consultancy at Clinic shall be available on Tuesday, Thursday and
Saturday from 9 AM to 11 AM. Opening of this clinic is being seen with the perspective of providing diagnosis and comprehensive treatment to patients under one roof. In-charge of the clinic, Dr Gautam Sarkar shared that our aim is to control the chronic disor-
ders like heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, thyroid, among many others. Chancellor, Dr Sandeep Bakshi denoted it as achievement and said that consultancy at this clinic will definitely help the people of the region to enhance the immunity during prevailing pandemic conditions.