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May 05, 2021 I Wednesday YEAR : 7 I ISSUE NO.: 121 PAGES : 4 I PRICE : 1/Annual Subscription : 300/Editor: Kapilkumar M. Hirpara www.sunvillasamachar.com AHMEDABAB EDITION
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SUNVILLA SAMACHAR LEADING ENGLISH DAILY MORNING NEWSPAPER, AHMEDABAD
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Medical aid continues to pours in as COVID-19 cases soar past 20 million mark in India Page : 2
IPL 2021 postponed by BCCI after several players test positive for Covid-19 Page : 3
EC appoints Anupam Anand as new chief electoral officer of Gujarat Page : 4
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Bihar goes into lockdown till May 15 as Covid-19 cases surge The Bihar government on Tuesday imposed a statewide lockdown till May 15 in the wake of rising Covid-19 cases. The Bihar crisis management group has been directed to issue detailed lockdown-related guidelines and other protocols, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said. Agency News: New Delhi With the COVID-19 situation in Bihar aggravating with each passing day, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has announced a lockdown in the state until May 15. The decision was taken by Kumar after thorough consultation with officials and ministers. The chief minister took to Twitter to announce the same. He said, “After a meeting with ministers and officials, it
has been decided to impose a lockdown in Bihar until May 15. Detailed guidelines and relaxations will be formulated by the crisis management group.”COVID-19 situation in BiharAccording to the data compiled by the Union health ministry, 11,407 fresh cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Bihar on Monday. The addition of the fresh cases has taken the state’s COVID tally past the 5 lakh-mark.Notably, the state
has over 1.07 lakh active cases of the virus—a figure too high for the rickety health infrastructure in the state, especially in semi-urban and rural areas. Over 3.98 lakh people have recovered from the viral infection so far.Over 2,821 people have succumbed to the viral infection in the state. Of it, 82 people died in the last 24 hours. Out of 82 new deaths, Patna accounted for 24 casualties while Muzaffarpur reported
13 fatalities, Madhepura reported 6 deaths and West Champaran reported 5 deaths.
India’s COVID tally crosses 2 crore mark, 3,449 deaths in a day Agency News: New Delhi
Shraddha Kapoor pairs her vibrant crop top with a pleated metallic skirt.
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Sikh man attacked with hammer by hate-fuelled Black assailant in US A Sikh man was attacked with a hammer by a Black assailant who shouted at him “I don’t like you” and “You’re not the same skin” at a hotel in Brooklyn here, prompting a prominent New-York based advocacy group to call on investigators to examine if the assault was a hate crime incident.Sumit Ahluwalia, 32, of Astoria has said his assailant was fuelled by racial hatred, according to a report on New York Daily News website. Ahluwalia said the man, a Black, assaulted him on April 26 at his workplace.
Free Vaccine To Everyone Including Those Above 18 In Chandigarhs Chandigarh Administrator VP Singh Badnore on Tuesday announced that all beneficiaries including those above 18 years will be vaccinated for free of cost in the Union Territory.In an official statement, Mr Badnore said, “Free vaccination for all beneficiaries including those above 18 years.”According to the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), the night curfew will continue from 6 pm to 5 am every day along with a complete weekend curfew. The movement will be restricted from 5 pm on May 4 to 5 am on May 11, and only essentials shops remaining open. Home delivery up to 9 pm and takeaways till 5 pm to be allowed. All government offices to run from 9:30 am to 5 pm till further orders. Private offices will continue to work from home as much as possible. Government.
The health ministry on Tuesday informed that over 3.57 lakh fresh cases of COVID-19 have been reported in India in the past 24 hours. The addition of the fresh cases has taken the COVID-19 case tally past 2.02 crore.The ministry also informed that over 15.89 crore COVID-19 jabs have been administered so far. Of it, over 17.08 lakh people were vaccinated on Monday.India has already surpassed Brazil in terms of cases. It is now the second-worst hit nation due to the coronavirus pandemic after the US. 2.22 lakh deaths due to COVID-19Also, 3,449
COVID-19 related deaths were reported by the ministry during this period. The addition of the fresh fatalities has taken India’s death toll due to the deadly virus to 2,22,408. Previously, the death toll had touched 3,645mark on April 29.1.66 crore
PM Modi, PM Boris Johnson to boost trade during virtual summit The partnership includes lower trade barriers and improved market access for certain British items such as fruits and medical devices. The partnership is also being described by the British side as a precursor to a possible free trade agreement Agency News: New Delhi Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his British counterpart Boris Johnson are set to unveil a “Enhanced Trade Partnership” to deepen bilateral cooperation during their virtual summit on Tuesday, part of London’s postBrexit efforts to conclude new trade deals around the world. The partnership includes lower trade barriers and improved market access for certain British items such as fruits and medical devices. The partnership is also being described by the British side as a precursor to a possible
free trade agreement.Ahead of the virtual summit, Johnson announced a package of trade and investment deals with India worth £1 billion, including a £240 million investment by the Serum Institute of India (SII) in the UK, that is expected to create more than 6,500 jobs. This virtual summit is also expected to lead to deeper relationship in healthcare, climate action and defence.The trade barriers addressed by the Enhanced Trade Partnership include the lifting of restrictions to enable fruit producers across the UK to export their produce to India for the first time, and improved access for medical devices through the acceptance of the “UK Certificates of Free Sale” in India, thus removing the need for additional accreditation of British medical devices exported to India.
patients recovered Of the over 2.02 crore coronavirus cases reported so far, over 34.47 lakh are active cases of the virus. It is 17 per cent of the total caseload. Interestingly, over 1.66 crore cases have recovered from the viral infection so far. Thus, the country’s recovery rate stands at 81.91 per cent. The recovery rate had marginally dipped for the first time on August 27, 2020, because of the surge in active cases. It again dropped marginally on September 7, 10 and 11, and on November 25, 26 and 27 due to a surge in cases. It also dipped on February 21, 22, 25, 26, 27, 28 and is dipping throughout the month of March, April and May. So far, as per
India has already surpassed Brazil in terms of cases. It is now the secondworst hit nation due to the coronavirus pandemic after the US. 2.22 lakh deaths due to COVID-19Also, 3,449 COVID-19 related deaths were reported by the ministry during this period. the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), over 29.33 crore samples for COVID-19 have been tested in the country. Of the total samples tested, 19.20 lakh samples were tested on April 29. Notably, it is the highest number of samples tested in a day. The secondhighest number of over 18.04 lakh samples was tested on May 02. Over 16.63 lakh samples were tested on May 3.
Bihar Opposition leader, RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav has hit out at Nitish Kumar saying the JDU leader failed to enforce the lockdown earlier as he was waiting for orders from others.“For 15 days, the entire opposition had been demanding a lockdown, but the ‘Chhote Sahab’ was following the orders of ‘Bade Sahab’ that there can’t be a lockdown till May 2. Now when the infection has engulfed village after village, they have started this pretension. Come out of the low-level gimmick and politics in this crisis,” said Tejashwi in a tweet.
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Jasmin Bhasin’s mother discharged from hospital, actress thanks fans for their prayers
Centre claims Remdesivir production up by 3 times in 3 weeks With a ramp-up in production, the Union government is hopeful of meeting the domestic demand for the jab soon. Union minister of state for chemicals and fertilisers, Mansukh Mandaviya, Agency News: New Delhi At a time when the COVID-19 crisis is surging with each passing day and the queues outside hospitals and crematoriums are getting longer, the Union government has said that the production of Remdesivir—a crucial antiviral drug used for the treatment of COVID-19 patients—has significantly gone up by three times within
a period of three weeks.With a ramp-up in production, the Union government is hopeful of meeting the domestic demand for the jab soon. Union minister of state for chemicals and fertilisers, Mansukh Mandaviya, said that the production of Remdesivir has gone up by three times as of May 4 as compared to the production on April 12. While 37 lakh vials used to be produced per month on April 12, it has increased to 1.05 crore vials on May 4.Notably, the number of plants that produce the antiviral jab has also increased significantly during this period. While 20 plants used to manufacture Remdesivir as of April 12, now 57 plants are involved in the manufacturing of the drug.Demand for Remdesivir still unmetWhile the Union government is claiming that the production of Remdesivir has gone up in the past.
An aerial view of a crematorium ground in Giddenahalli village on the outskirts of Bengaluru on May 2. 3,449 new fatalities were recorded May 4, mounting the death toll to 222,408
Amid COVID-19 curbs, baraat on camels’ back in Rajasthan Agency News: Jaipur
It’s back to basics in Rajasthan. The old-time returns as people are using camels and bullock carts for baraats in weddings. Two such processions were seen in districts Jaisalmer and Pali in the last four days. The government has put curbs on marriage ceremonies and
private vehicles are allowed only with 50 per cent capacity, so adhering to the rules people are using traditional modes and it has become a matter of attraction among others. Rajasthan is a desert state and when there were no modes of modern transportation camels and bullock carts were used. These can still be seen in the
remote areas, particularly in the desert where there are no roads, but the use of camels and bullock carts for baraat that go from one village to another is a rare thing now. People usually use buses or private vehicles for this Now due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the government has put curbs on wedding ceremonies.
COVID-19 in Delhi: Arvind Kejriwal announces free ration for two months, Rs 5,000 for autorickshaw drivers Agency News: New Delhi
The Delhi government on Tuesday announced to provide free ration to all ration cardholders for the next two months and Rs 5,000 each to all the autorickshaw drivers and taxi drivers in the national capital.“We have decided that all ration card holders in Delhi, around 72 lakh in number, will be given free ration for the next two months,” said Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.He further said that it does not mean that the lockdown will continue for two months. It is just being done to help the poor going through financial
It is just being done to help the poor going through financial issues.The Chief Minister also announced said that all autorickshaw drivers and taxi drivers in Delhi will be given Rs 5000 each by the Delhi government so that they get a little help during this financial crisis.
issues.The Chief Minister also announced said that all autorickshaw drivers and taxi drivers in Delhi will be given Rs 5000 each by the Delhi government so that they get a little help during this financial crisis.“Imposition
of the lockdown was necessary to curb the spread of the virus and to break the COVID-19 chain. But a lockdown can create great financial difficulties for the underprivileged sections, especially the daily wage labourers,” said Kejriwal. The Delhi government had last week said it has disbursed ex gratia payments of Rs 5,000 each to construction workers registered under the Delhi Building and
Other Construction Workers Welfare Board.He further said that last year the Delhi government helped around 1,56,000 autorickshaw drivers and taxi drivers. Delhi CM further urged all the people and all the political parties to help each other without doing any politics. “If we all fight together, I hope that soon we will win the fight against coronavirus,” he added. The national capital on
Monday reported as many as 18,043 new coronavirus cases and 448 deaths in the last 24 hours, Delhi’s daily health bulletin informed. This is the highest singleday death toll in the city since the pandemic broke out last year. The total active cases in the city now stand at 89,592. The cumulative positive cases now stand at 12,12,989, including 11,05,983 recoveries and 17,414 deaths.
SUNVILLA SAMACHAR
EDITORIAL
05.05.2021, Wednesday
Medical aid continues to pours in as COVID-19 cases soar past 20 million mark in India
Editorial
SUNVILLA SAMACHAR May Account For 70 Per Cent Of The Global Job Loss Asia is now running the risk of a financial turmoil. The hopes of its recovery have beendashed by the second wave of Covid-19 in India. It has even endangered the globaleconomic recovery. The drop in employment for the region has been projected nearly 70 percent of the total employment loss globally. The estimated wage income losses for the regionmay range anywhere from $348 billion to $533 billion as against the global loss of $1.3 to$1.8 trillion, and it is only an early estimate. Given the low earnings of the working class inthis region, its impact would be devastating though the loss would be only about 30 per centof the global wage loss.There are many other lingering risks clouding the regional outlook, says an ADBI workingpaper on “Macroeconomic Impact of COVID-19 in Developing Asia” while warning that risksof financial turmoil and financial crises cannot be discounted. Employments have severelybeen impacted and the most affected jobs would be of unskilled workers, women, informalsector workers, and foreign workers. Particularly at risk are the workers in the informalsector, which is characterized by low wages and lack of access to social protection. Around7 in 10 workers in the region are in the informal economy. South Asia, where at least 9 in 10people are informal workers, would be at higher risks of poverty because of the crisis.Even before the pandemic struck, manual and routine jobs were at risk from robotization andautomation. Technological change is leading the polarization of low and high-skilled jobs andhollowing out of middle-skilled ones, displacing middle skilled workers into lower-paying workand further driving down wages of low-skilled workers. Covid-19 has now accelerated digitaltransformation and automation as workers are forced to work from home and stay out ofoffices. This has fast-tracked job polarization trends and widening of wage inequality, to thedetriment of workers in labour intensive, low-skill, and informal jobs.Jobs held by migrant workers may be particularly vulnerable, the paper said, who accountedfor 91 million ie about one third of all migrant workers worldwide, and about 44 per cent ieover $316 billion of global remittances in 2019. With the pandemic triggering a globalrecession, destination economies of these Asian migrants are projected to suffer contractionin economic output and numerous jobs lost. Severe losses of migrant jobs have beenreported in retail trade, manufacturing, hospitality and recreation, and accommodation and food services sectors. In addition, border control restrictions are putting migrant workers’ jobsecurity and well-being in peril. Crucial remittances they send home to their families are thusexpected to decline dramatically. The pandemic has put severe strain on firms, especially on MSMEs. Asian DevelopmentBank has conducted a series of surveys and found that most of the enterprises are in verybad shape, reduced their workforce, experiencing production and supply disruptions, andsharp reductions in sales and revenues. Lack of funds has made retaining their businessdifficult. Only few were able to obtain bank credit, though authorities in all countries introduced measures of special refinancing, soft loan, or guaranteed loans. Most MSMEs need further assistance from governments to survive.The crisis could reverse years of progress towards eliminating poverty in developing Asia,the paper warns. In 2020, Covid-19 has added to the number of poor in the region by 162 million (below $3.2 earning per day). Even at $1.9 dollar per day, 78 million were pushed intoextreme poverty. Covid-19 could further worsen income inequality, chiefly because it ishitting harder the working people in general and less skilled ones in particular. Economiccontraction and containment measures would lead to slower recovery. The governmentfiscal stimulus measures could also exacerbate income inequality if these are not well- designed and targeted at protecting jobs and livelihoods of low-income households andvulnerable groups.It has been warned that the “new normal” may exacerbate the “digital divide” by creatingtechnological unemployment, especially among the poor, as well as disproportionatebusiness failures of MSMEs by facilitating rapid digitalization. For example, a UNICEF reportshowed that around a third of schoolchildren in Asia as well as in the world cannot accessremote learning during school closures due to lack of home-based technology and tools. The projected contraction in the majority of developing Asia’s economies has raisedconcerns about the threat from rising non-performing loans (NPLs) - Kapilkumar M. Hirpara and financial instability.
Editor
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Agency News: New Delhi Amid the unprecedented rise in coronavirus cases in India, COVID-19 assistance, in form of oxygen concentrators, ventilators, and other medical aid continued to come from countries around the world at the beginning of May, as the infections in the country reached the grim mark of 20 million cases on Tuesday. A total of seven ISO tankers with 20 MT Liquid Medical Oxygen (LMO) each arrived from United Arab Emirates (UAE) at Mundra Port in Gujarat today to help augment India’s oxygen availability in the fight against the raging COVID-19 pandemic. The fifth in a series of consignments carrying 545 oxygen concentrators also
‘Bigg Boss 14’ contestant Nikki Tamboli’s brother Jatin, who was battling COVID-19, has passed away. He was 29.The actor shared the tragic news with her fans on Tuesday and penned down a heartbreaking note on Instagram. Mourning the demise, she wrote, “We didn’t know that this morning god was going to call your name. In life we loved you dearly, in death we do the same, It broke our heart to lose you. You didn’t go alone, For part of us we went with you, The day god called you home, You left us beautiful memories, Your love is still our guide, And though we cannot see you, You are always by our side, Our family chain is
Soundarya Sharma shows off her legs in the red dress. (
JEE Main Exam 2021 for May session postponed: Education Minister Agency News: New Delhi National Testing Agency, NTA has postponed JEE Main Exam 2021 for May session. The Joint Entrance Examination has been postponed keeping the safety of students amid rise in COVID19 cases across the country. The May session exam was scheduled to be conducted on May 24, 25, 26, 27 and 28, 2021.As per the
official notice, the registration for the May session will be announced at a later stage and also the rescheduling of the April and May session will be done subsequently. Education Minister has shared a tweet in this regard. The tweet reads, “Looking at the present situation of COVID-19 and keeping students safety in mind, JEE (Main) - May 2021 session has been postponed .
Students are advised to keep visiting the official website of NTA for further updates.” Candidates will have to keep checking the official site for the latest updates on JEE Main exam dates and other details. The appearing candidates are also advised to use this time to prepare themselves for the examination in a better way. They can practice tests that are available.
Raj had contested from ward number 5 for the panchayat polls and has defeated Independent candidate Nirdosh Chaudhary by 2,150 votes. Agency News: Bulandshahr (up) Yogesh Raj, a former Bajrang Dal worker who was arrested in connection with mob violence that led to the killing of police inspector Subodh Singh in 2018 in Uttar Pradesh’s Bulandshahr, has won a panchayat poll in the district.Raj had contested
from ward number 5 for the panchayat polls and has defeated Independent candidate Nirdosh Chaudhary by 2,150 votes. He was on bail while he was contesting the elections.“Earlier I have worked with many organisation but for some work, you have to enter in politics such as farmers’ issue, pensions for widows, etc. You cannot complete these works without being
a politician. I had contested from ward number 5 and won by 2,150 votes,” said Raj. Talking about the Siyana violence, he said that two people died in the incident but he is not charged for their murder.“In Siyana violence two people died and I express my condolence to both of their families but I am just accused of instigating the mob and I am not accused of murder,” he said.He further said that if people wished, he will fight the upcoming assembly elections in the state as well.“In future also I will fight the election and if people wish I may fight the assembly election. One year ago I was with Bajrang Dal but now I am not with any organisation,” he added
Full lockdown only way to stop COVID-19 spread, says Rahul Gandhi amid rising cases Agency News: New Delhi Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday slammed the Central government over the surge in COVID-19 deaths, saying that the government’s inaction is killing innocent people.The Congress leader said the only way to stop the spread of coronavirus now is a full lockdown with the protection of minimum income guarantee scheme, NYAY, for the vulnerable sections.Taking to Twitter, Rahul Gandhi said: “GOI doesn’t get it. The only way to stop the spread of Corona now is a full lockdownwith the protection of NYAY for
The Congress has been critical of the government’s response to the COVID-19 crisis. The party has been asserting that the central and state governments’ move to control the situation by resorting to partial curfews, travel restrictions, closure and lockdowns will again be restricting economic activity that will hit the poor and, therefore
the vulnerable sections. GOI’s inaction is killing many innocent people.” Rahul Gandhi has been pushing for the implementation of the party’s proposed Nyuntam Aay Yojana (NYAY) providing
minimum income guarantee to vulnerable sections.The Congress has been critical of the government’s response to the COVID-19 crisis. The party has been asserting that the central and state governments’ move to control the situation by resorting to partial curfews, travel restrictions, closure and lockdowns will again be restricting economic activity that will hit the poor and,
therefore, it was imperative to provide monthly income support. Last month, in his address to the nation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged the state governments to use lockdowns only as the last option and focus only on creating micro-containment zones. Meanwhile, India registered a slight dip in COVID-19 cases as it registered 3,57,229 new coronavirus infections in the last
tinue to work together for their foundation Agency News: New Delhi
broken, And nothing seems the same, But as god calls us one by one, The chain will link again.” An emotional Nikki further added, “You gave no one a last farewell, Not ever said good bye, You were gone before we knew it, And only god knows why, A million times we will miss you, A million times we will cry, If love alone could have saved you, you never would have died, We will meet again someday.
Oxygen Company has offered 5000 oxygen cylinders to India to help the country in its fight against rapidly spreading second wave of COVID-19.Prior to this, the UK on Sunday announced that it will be sending additional 1,000 ventilators from the UK’s surplus supply to Indian hospitals as part of its commitment to support India’s fight against the second wave of coronavirus.
Uttar Pradesh: Man arrested for 2018 Bulandshahr violence wins panchayat poll
Nikki Tamboli’s brother Jatin, 29, dies of COVBill and Melinda Gates to part ways, will conID-19 complication Agency News: Mumbai
arrived from the United States on Tuesday. A shipment of 282 oxygen cylinders, 60 oxygen concentrators, ventilators and other medical supplies from Kuwaiti reached India on Tuesday to help the country fight the second wave of coronavirus. The first batch of 900 oxygen cylinders offered by the British Oxygen Company was airlifted by Indian Air Force (IAF) to India on Monday. The British
Microsoft founder and billionaire Bill Gates and his wife Melinda have decided to part ways and have filed for a divorce. One of the world’s richest couples, Bill and Melinda Gates are known for their philanthropy and have spent billions of dollars on charitable work across the globe through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The fourth-richest man in the world, Bill Gates has a net worth of $130.5 billion and is surpassed only by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, Bernard Arnault and family, and Tesla founder Elon Musk.Statement by Bill and Melinda GatesIn
a statement on Twitter, the couple announced that although they are ending their marriage, they would continue their joint work on the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which funds programs in global health, gender equality, education and other causes.
The statement reads, “After a great deal of thought and a lot of work on our relationship, we have made the decision to end our marriage. Over the last 27 years, we have raised three incredible children and built a foundation that works all over the world to enable
“We continue to share a belief in that mission and will continue our work together at the foundation, but we no longer believe we can grow together as a couple in this next phase of our lives. all people to lead healthy, productive lives.” Melinda met Bill Gates at Microsoft in 1987 and the couple got married in 1994. Bill stepped down as the company’s CEO in 2008 to devote.
24 hours, informed the Union Health Ministry on Tuesday. With this, the cumulative count of the cases has gone up to 2,02,82,833. As many as 3,449 people succumbed to the disease in the country in the last 24 hours, taking the cumulative death toll to 2,22,408. Currently, there are 34,47,133 active cases of COVID-19 in the country, as per the government data.
Zoos, national parks shut as four lions test positive for Covid-19 The direction came after Hyderabad’s Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) confirmed the infection among the Hyderabad zoo big cats to the ministry’s wildlife division on Monday Agency News: New Delhi The Union environment ministry has directed the closure of national parks and sanctuaries after four lions at the Hyderabad zoo tested positive for Covid-19, an official said.The direction
came after Hyderabad’s Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) confirmed the infection among the big cats to the ministry’s wildlife division on Monday. Soumitra Dasgupta, the assistant director-general of forest (wildlife), said it is not the new mutation that has infected the lions but the old one. “We had a video conference with CCMB officials yesterday [Monday] and they confirmed the diagnosis to us. The problem is we cannot collect throat or nasal swab samples from animals. So, most probably, we will put in place a method to collect scat samples. CCMB is devising that method and guidelines.”Dasgupta said all wildlife wardens have been asked to be alert.
SUNVILLA SAMACHAR
3
Everything is a mess yet everyone is trying to do their bit
05.05.2021, Wednesday
SPORTS - BUSINESS
Nia Sharma is irritated and upset with “woke celebrities” and their “sanctimonious talk” about vaccination. Recently, she tweeted asking them to slow down with their posts as vaccines aren’t available in most centres and “people queuing up in thousands for days now, don’t look stupid”Explaining her viewpoint, she says, “Everything is a mess yet everyone is trying to do their bit. This is a world crisis and the world knows about what is happening in India. I have stopped using Instagram because the situation is so overwhelming.
IPL 2021 postponed by BCCI after sevBOLLYWOOD-HOLLYWOOD eral players test positive for Covid-19 Why The big questions to be answered are how the foreign players will return home, and how BCCI will deal with the health concerns of teams and the financial fall-out of the postponement. Agency News: New Delhi The 2021 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2021) has been suspended indefinitely after several players and staff members from different teams tested positive for Covid-19. The Indian Premier League Governing Council (IPL GC)
Wriddhiman Saha of Sunrisers Hyderabad tests positive for Covid-19
Agency News: New Delhi
Sunrisers Hyderabad’s wicketkeeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha has tested positive for COVID-19 and it is unlikely that his team’s IPL game against Mumbai Indians here this evening will go ahead.The development was confirmed to PTI by a source in the SRH team who also said that the entire squad has gone into insolation.“He had fever and had been in isolation for the past five days. We are also being asked to stay in the room,” the source said.This comes after Wednesday’s IPL game between Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals was postponed after CSK bowling coach L Balaji tested positive for the virus.
and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in an emergency meeting unanimously decided to postpone IPL 2021 season, with immediate effect. “The BCCI does not want to compromise on the safety of the players, support staff and the other participants involved in organising the IPL. This decision was taken
keeping the safety, health and wellbeing of all the stakeholders in mind. These are difficult times, especially in India and while we have tried to bring in some positivity and cheer, however, it is imperative that the
tournament is now suspended and everyone goes back to their families and loved ones in these trying times.“The BCCI will do everything in its powers to arrange for the secure and safe passage of all the participants in IPL 2021. The BCCI would like to thank all the healthcare workers, state associations, players, support staff, franchises, sponsors, partners and all the service providers who have tried their best to organise IPL 2021 even in these extremely difficult times,” an official IPL statement said.Earlier, IPL chairman
COVID-19: PIL seeking cancellation or postponement of IPL filed in Bombay High Court
Brijesh Patel had confirmed the development to news agency PTI. “The tournament has been suspended indefinitely. We will try to conduct the event in the next available window but this month is unlikely,” league chairman Brijesh Patel told Doubts over IPL’s continuation had grown on Monday after Varun Chakravarthy and Sandeep Warrier of Kolkata Knight Riders—among teams based in Ahmedabad—tested positive. While Monday’s game between KKR and Royal Challengers.
IPL 2021: CSK-RR match rescheduled after Balaji tests positive for COVID-19 - Report
Agency News: New Delhi
Agency News: New Delhi
Day after several players tested positive for COVID-19, a PIL has been filed in Bombay High Court seeking direction to Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to cancel or postpone IPL 2021 owing to the COVID-19 situation.The petitioner in his plea has stated that the resources deployed for IPL players can be used for COVID-19 patients.The Bombay High Court will hear the PIL on Thursday.Demands for cancellation or postponement of the tournament were raised after several players tested positive.A COVID-19 outbreak left the star-sprinkled IPL on tenterhooks as Kolkata Knight
BCCI will reschedule Wednesday’s IPL match between Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals as CSK players have been forced into hard quarantine after bowling coach L Balaji tested positive for COVID-19. As per the Board’s Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), anyone who has come in contact with an infected person has to undergo six days of hard quarantine and return three negative RT-PCR reports during the course of it. “Tomorrow’s match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium between CSK and RR will be rescheduled as per SOP rules. As Balaji was in contact with the players.
Riders’ Varun Chakravarthy and Sandeep Warrier tested positive for the dreaded virus, forcing postponement of their game against Royal Challengers Bangalore, while cases also came to light in the Chennai Super Kings camp.The match, which was to be held in Ahmedabad this evening, will be rescheduled some time later
during the tournament, which will conclude on May 30.Apart from this, Chennai Super Kings CEO Kasi Viswanathan, bowling coach L Balaji and a bus cleaner with the contingent tested positive on Sunday. A top BCCI official, after declaring all three cases to be “false positives”, later clarified that Balaji.
Paytm to set up oxygen plants Rupee rises 14 paise to 73.81 against dollar in in hospitals across 13 cities early trade Agency News: Mumbai
Paytm announced its Paytm Foundation will be setting up oxygen plants in hospitals in around 12-13 cities as India faces oxygen shortage in the second COVID-19 wave. These oxygen plants would be directly installed at hospitals, which would serve the oxygen needs of the entire hospital. Paytm Foundation has sourced over 21,000 Oxygen Concentrators that would be
sent to government hospitals, COVID care facilities, private hospitals, nursing homes as well as Resident
Welfare Associations in the mid of May, the company said in a statement. Oxygen plants are devices that make the production of medical oxygen possible from ambient air while simultaneously supplying the gas to multiple beds. The company has currently raised Rs 10 crore from people across the country under its #OxygenForIndia initiative and has matched the donation amount making it a total contribution of Rs 20 crore.
Agency News: New Delhi The Indian rupee advanced by 14 paise to 73.81 against the US dollar in opening trade on Tuesday, as a positive trend in equity markets lifted investor sentiment.At the interbank forex market, the local unit opened at 73.83 against the US dollar, then gained some strength to quote at 73.81, reflecting a rise of 14 paise over its last close.The dollar index, which gauges the greenback’’s
Sensex slumps 465 points; Nifty slips below 14,500 Market benchmark Sensex tumbled 465 points on Tuesday, tracking losses in index heavyweights Reliance Industries, HDFC twins and Infosys despite a positive trend in global equities. Agency News: New Delhi Market benchmark Sensex tumbled 465 points on Tuesday, tracking losses in index heavyweights Reliance Industries, HDFC twins and Infosys despite a positive trend in global equities. The 30-share BSE index ended 465.01 points or 0.95 per cent lower at 48,253.51, and the broader NSE Nifty slumped 137.65 points or 0.94 per cent to 14,496.50.Dr Reddy’s was the top loser in the Sensex pack, shedding around 2 per cent, followed by Reliance Industries, Sun Pharma, HDFC twins, Infosys, M&M
and PowerGrid. On the other hand, ONGC, Bajaj Finance, TCS, Nestle India and SBI were among the gainers. Domestic equities gave up gains towards the second half of the day and fell sharply as mounting uncertainty led by rise in second wave of COVID-19 cases weighed on investors’ sentiments,” said Binod Modi, Head Strategy at Reliance Securities.Barring PSU banks, selling pressure was visible across the sectors with pharma witnessing steep correction.While a persistent increase in daily caseload in several states is still a matter of concern, visible modest
decline in new cases in many parts like Maharashtra and Delhi offers comfort, he noted.Active COVID-19 cases in India rose to 34,47,133 against 34,13,642 on Monday, according to a Health Ministry update Tuesday morning.Elsewhere in Asia, bourses in Hong Kong and Seoul ended on a positive note. Stock exchanges in Shanghai and Tokyo were closed for holidays.Equities in Europe were largely
trading with gains in midsession deals. Meanwhile, international oil benchmark Brent crude was trading 1.79 per cent higher at USD 68.77 per barrel. Market benchmark Sensex tumbled 465 points today, tracking losses in index heavyweights Reliance Industries, HDFC twins and Infosys despite a positive trend in global equities. The 30-share BSE index ended 465.01 points or 0.95 per cent lower at 48,253.51.
strength against a basket of six currencies, rose 0.20 percent to 91.12.Global oil benchmark Brent crude futures fell 0.19 per cent to USD 67.43 per barrel.On the domestic equity market front, the BSE Sensex was trading 62.8 points or 0.13 percent higher at 48,781.32 in early deals, while the broader NSE Nifty rose 12.20 points or 0.08 per cent to 14,646.35. Foreign institutional investors were net sellers in the capital market.
Kotak Mahindra Bank shares gain over 2% after Q4 results Agency News: New Delhi Shares of Kotak Mahindra Bank gained over 2 per cent in morning trade on Tuesday after the company reported a 35 percent jump in its consolidated net profit for the January-March quarter.The stock jumped 2.13 percent to Rs 1,761.20 on the BSE. At the NSE, it rose by 2 percent to Rs 1,761. At the NSE, it rose by 2 percent to Rs 1,761. Thon Monday reported a 36 percent jump in consolidated net profit to Rs 2,589 crore for the fourth quarter ended March 2021.The total income rose to Rs 16,175.87 crore during the fourth quarter from Rs 12,084.71 crore in the yearago period, the bank said in a statement.During the quarter, the standalone profit also increased by 33 per cent to Rs 1,682 crore as compared to Rs 1,267 crore in the same period a year ago.
Kangana Ranaut’s Twitter handle was suspended
Agency News: New Delhi
Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut’s Twitter account has been permanently suspended after a controversial tweet related to the post-election result violence in West Bengal.The actor’s account repeatedly violated Twitter policy on “hateful conduct and abusive behavior”, the social media site said on Tuesday.“We’ve been clear that we will take strong enforcement action on behavior that has the potential to lead to offline harm. The referenced account has been permanently suspended for repeated violations of Twitter
Rules specifically our Hateful Conduct policy and Abusive Behaviour policy,” read a statement shared by the micro-logging site. “We enforce the Twitter rules judiciously and impartially for everyone on our service,” it added. Moments after her account was suspended, in an official statement shared by the ‘Panga’ actor’s team, Kangana has said that ‘Americans feel entitled to enslave a brown person.’ “Twitter has only proved my point they are Americans and by birth a white person feels entitled to enslave a brown person, they want to tell you what to think, speak or do,” she said.
TV actress Shama Sikander says she’s had Botox but no plastic surgery Shama rose to fame playing Pooja in the 2004 slice-oflife TV show “Yeh Meri Life Hai”.
Agency News: Mumbai Actress Shama Sikander, who has been rumoured to have gone under the knife, has finally come out and debunked all such talk.In an interview with Times of India, the 39-year-old that while she hasn’t had any plastic surgery, she did get Botox to enhance her features.She credits her youthful appearance to working out, eating right and meditation.Back in 2020, Shama had said that it is not
necessary that you have gone for cosmetic surgery every time you change. It all started when she did the #10yearchallange and posted her then-andnow pictures.“Firstly, I don’t understand these accusations. Accused? I am not some criminal standing here that I have done something wrong. They are not even sure if I have even done it. I don’t see any reason to explain or to speak about this. It is my life. I can do whatever I want. Secondly,
you have no idea what I have gone through,” Shama.Shama rose to fame playing Pooja in the 2004 slice-of-life TV show “Yeh Meri Life Hai”.She credits her mind for helping her turn a new leaf. “When I tell you, this is my mind that has changed me, you don’t believe me! So, I’d rather let them live with their lies and they can feel whatever they want to feel they can feel and understand,” she declared.“You cannot make the whole world understand what you have gone through because it is you who has gone through it and understand exactly what it is. It’ is not necessary that you go under the knife every time people change,” Shama added.
Jasmin Bhasin’s mother discharged from hospital, actress thanks fans for their prayers On Sunday, the actress took to Twitter
to share the ordeal of struggling to get a bed for her COVID-positive mother, who needed to be hospitalized Agency News: Mumbai Television actor and Bigg Boss 14 contestant Jasmin Bhasin informed her followers on Monday that her mother has been discharged from the hospital and is recovering well.She also thanked them for their prayers. The Dil Se Dil Tak actress wrote, “My mom is much better now and discharged. Thank you everyone for your prayers. Stay safe and take care guys (sic).”On Sunday, the actress took to Twitter to share the ordeal of struggling to get a bed for her COVID-positive mother, who needed to be hospitalized.She was also heartbroken and disappointed with people losing lives and struggling to find basic medical facilities amid the second wave of coronavirus in India. “Disappointed and heartbroken. Everyday deaths, people on streets trying to find beds and oxygen. My own mother was in the same situation two days back where finding a bed was a task. My old father was running around to find medical care for her, many are going through same,” Jasmin had tweeted. Jasmin is currently in Jammu with Aly Gony and his family. She has also been shuttling between cities for shoot commitments. In one of her recent interviews with ETimes, the actress had talked about how everyone has been suffering.
SUNVILLA SAMACHAR Photo inbox
05.05.2021, Wednesday
LOCAL NEWS
EC appoints Anupam Anand as new chief electoral officer of Gujarat
Anand (44), currently serving as Secretary of the state Tribal Development Department, has replaced S. Murali Krishna, who served as the Gujarat CEO for the last three years, said the notification issued by the state general administration department. Sunvilla News: Ahmedabad The Election Commission of India (ECI) has appointed Gujarat-cadre IAS officer Anupam Anand as the new
Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Gujarat, as per an official notification issued on Monday. Anand (44), currently serving as Secretary of the State Tribal Development Department, has
Rape accused former councillor held from Jaipur Agency News: Vadodara
Avneet Kaur’s photos from her Goa vacation will give you serious wanderlust.
Cases dip for 2nd day in Surat Agency News: Surat For the second consecutive day, Surat city witnessed a decline in the number of Covid-19 cases.On Monday, 1,309 new cases were reported as against 1,494 on Sunday. Moreover, according to Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC), cases started declining since March 24 when the the city hadclocked the highest single-day infections of 2,361 On Monday, 10 patients succumbed, taking the death toll to 1,454. Those who died included a 37-year-old woman from Amroli,a 44-year-old man from Adajan and a 56-yearold man from Navi Civil Road in the city.Athwa and Rander zone continue to report the highest daily infections cases in the city. On Monday, Rander reported 349cases and Athwa zone had 335 infections
Man, woman saved from jumping off bridges, videos go viral in Surat Agency News: Surat Two different videos of an unidentified woman in Surat and a manin Ankleshwar being saved from jumping off bridges were widelycirculated on WhatsApp and social media on Monday.In Surat, an unidentified woman was seen trying to jump off Savji Koratbridge into in Tapi river. The woman had even crossed the high iron grillsinstalled on the bridge’s parapet by the Surat Municipal Corporation.
Former councillor Bhavesh Patel, accused of raping a 25-year-old woman in Padra, was arrested by the local crimebranch (LCB) rural from Jaipur in Rajasthan on Sunday.“He has been sent for Covid test and will be arrested if the results are negative. Patel will be produced before the court and wewill seek his remand,” the police said.The cops are now trying to ascertain if anyone helped Patel in fleeing to Rajasthan and if some other person is involved with him in the crime The police said that Patel is a bootlegger and has been booked few times under the Prohibition Act in the past. The woman had approached the police on April 29 accusing
Patel of rape. The girl, who stays in Padra, told the police thatPatel had raped her on April 26 She alleged in her complaint that she was invited to a party at a farmhouse in Sokhda by her friend Shivam Gandhi on April 26.When she reached the farmhouse some of the persons present in the party were having liquor. At about 11.15 pm, they sawpolice patrolling van near the farmhouse following which farm owner Bhumit Patel, Shivam Gandhi and Neel Patel fled from thespot. The complainant called up Gandhi who told her that he is sending his friend Prithvi Patel to pick her up from the farm. Prithviarrived sometime later with the accused Bhavesh Patel. Patel told the girl that he will drop her at her home.
replaced S. Murali Krishna, who served as the Gujarat CEO for the last three years, said the notification issued by the state general administration department.As directed by the
EC, Anand, a 2000-batch IAS officer, was also appointed as the Ex-officio Secretary in the Election division of the state GAD, said the notification. Muralikrishna has served as the
Sunvilla News: Ahmedabad Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said that the number of COVID cases in the state was stabilizing. He
spoke to the media during a visit to Junagadh on Tuesday. Rupani reiterated that despite the stabilizing of cases, the government was not taking anything lightly and was prepared for the worst scenario if needed.He said over 2 lakh doctors, nurses, and other para-medics were engaged in the COVID battle and that the number of cases had stabilized in the last few days. “We are not in
Sunvilla News: Ahmedabad
money for these items after
centre
Bhupendra Patel, a BJP MLA from Ghatlodiya Assembly constituency, wrote to the district authorities last week to use Rs 25 lakh from his Local Area Development (LAD) fund for buying ECG machines, defibrillators and multipara monitors for Sola civil hospital, one of the government hospitals treating Covid-19 patients in Ahmedabad. “I have little knowledge about medical equipment and so I donated
having discussions with the local doctors at the hospital. I wanted to do my bit in fighting Covid-19,” Patel told The Indian Express.State Minister for Home Pradeepsinh Jadeja, too, said he would give Rs 25 lakh to Singarva health
of Ahmedabad from his MLA grants for purchasing equipment for fighting the infection.A number of MLAs, across party lines, in Gujarat have come forward to provide LAD funds for fighting the infectious disease
any sort of overconfidence and are prepared for any eventuality,” Vijay Rupani told the media about the COVID situation in the state.He said the state has not allowed for a drop in oxygen supply. He said by March 15, the state was using 225 tons of oxygen while now it was 1100 tons. Vijay Rupani said the surge in oxygen demand could be addressed because the state had quickly set up
AFTER RAPID Antigen test (RAT) and RT-PCR test kits, the state is now facing an acute shortage of diagnostic kits for blood tests to determine the extent of coronavirus infection. Further, pathology equipment such as test tubes, sample collection kits and reagents is also running short across the state.Diagnostic blood tests, including D-Dimer that can be used to help rule out the presence of a serious blood clot, Ferritin tests and C-reactive protein (CRP) test that can be used in the
facilities for the same.He said hospitals were being set up at many industrial plants that were also generating oxygen. He told of the hospitals being set up at Arcelor steel factory in Hazira, at Reliance’s unit in Jamnagar, and also at Essar.He said the focus was on oxygen concentrator production and that they were also trying to buy the same from other countries as well.On whether the state will go for a lockdown or not, Rupani said the state will make a decision following the meeting of the core committee that will meet at 5 pm today. COVID in Gujarat Gujarat has reported 12,820 fresh cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours ending 5 pm on Monday. The addition of the fresh cases has taken Gujarat’s total tally past 6.07 lakh.
Diagnostic blood tests, including D-Dimer that can be used to help rule out the presence of a serious blood clot, Ferritin tests and C-reactive protein (CRP) test that can be used in the early diagnosis of coronavirus are the worst affected among all these tests, say pathology laboratories across the state. early diagnosis of coronavirus are the worst affected among all these tests, say pathology laboratories across the state. Dr Rajendra Lalani, president of Gujarat State Pathologist and Microbiologist Association from Rajkot said, “There was a shortage of antigen kits but now due to high demand of these diagnostic tests to ascertain
the extent of infection, supply has not been able to meet this demand.” Laboratories said that while the suppliers are limited, the demand that has jumped to more than 400 per cent over the past two weeks has way surpassed the existing production capacities. Meanwhile, a few laboratories have also highlighted the issue
of quality amid this shortage, smaller labs that are worst affected have stopped altogether conducting these tests. “There has been a 400-500 increase in the workload of these tests. For instance, in a month where two kits were required for the CRP test, this has increased to over 10 kits now. While the manufacturing companies
in
Daskroi
taluka
State Minister for Home Pradeepsinh Jadeja, too, said he would give Rs 25 lakh to Singarva health centre in Daskroi taluka of Ahmedabad from his MLA grants for purchasing equipment for fighting the infection.
Demand high in Gujarat: Diagnostic blood test kits running short Sunvilla News: Ahmedabad
Sunvilla News: Ahmedabad
Consider it a silver lining for the state — the daily Covidcases have been dropping for three consecutive days. The tally dropped12.2% in three days. But a close inspection reveals that the drop in casescould be attributed to the drop in testing, which also fell by 18.1% in threedays. Thus, while the daily cases are falling slightly, the state is witnessing a risein the test positivity rate (TPR). Compared to the TPR of 9% last Monday —meaning every 1,000 tests finding 90
positive cases — on May 3, the TPRwas 9.7%, finding 97 positive cases for every 1,000 tests. An analysis of the figures reveals that testing has fallen in almost all districts. Of the four most populous districts, Ahmedabadtopped with a TPR of 17.4%, followed by Vadodara (10.8%), Rajkot (5.5%), and Surat (5.3%) “Testing is one of the most important and basic tools for Covid control. The faster a person is identified as a positive patient, thequicker he/she can be isolated and further multiplication of the spread can be arrested
Across party lines: MLAs donate LAD funds for fight against Covid
COVID cases stabilizing, but we are prepared for everything: Guj CM Vijay Rupani He said the state has not allowed for a drop in oxygen supply. He said by March 15, the state was using 225 tons of oxygen while now it was 1100 tons. Vijay Rupani said the surge in oxygen demand could be addressed because the state had quickly set up facilities for the same.
CEO for the last three years. Muralikrishna is yet to hand over the charge of the office and is awaiting the next appointment. The change in guard comes after the bye-election results for the Morva Hadaf assembly seat were declared on May 2.Manoj Aggarwal, additional chief secretary, social justice and empowerment department will hold the additional charge of the post of additional chief secretary, tribal development department.
4 Covid-19 in Gujarat: Cases dip, but positivity rate rises
remain the same, every lab is facing serious issues in meeting this overload in demand. In the middle of this shortage and high demand labs are forced to compromise on the quality,” said Dr Mukesh Maheshwari, senior pathologist and coordinator of Indian Medical Association Gujarat Branch.
after the state government last week announced that it will allow MLAs in state to spend up to Rs 25 lakh more than the grants they currently can spend on civil hospitals, government dispensaries, hospitals operated by municipal corporations and municipalities and on medical equipment and appliances. Member of Legislative Assembly Local Area Development (MLALAD) is a scheme that enables each MLA to undertake small development works
in his or her constituency. Though Pankaj Desai, chief whip of the BJP in the Gujarat Assembly could not immediately provide a consolidated figure of MLAs from his party who have expressed willingness to provide their LAD funds for Covid-19 fight, he said, “Chief Minister Vijay Rupani recently announced that MLAs can spend up to Rs 30 lakh on Covid-19. This is a new provision. Now, we will see more participation from all the MLAs.
Exemption on integrated tax for equipment donated to hospitals: Govt affidavit to Gujarat HC
and individuals as the state was faced with an “acute shortage”.Noting that a “large number of corporates, NGOs and individuals are coming forward to help the state government… by way of procuring such material from foreign countries…” in order to “encourage such efforts, it is necessary in the public interest to incentivise procurement” of such items. The incentives
include “reimbursing/ giving grant-in-aid the integrated tax leviable under the Customs Tariff Act… already paid by the recipient on such imported material,” and secondly, by way of “upfront payment of applicable integrated tax leviable under the Customs Tariff Act…on such imported material.”The resolution which shall remain in force up to July 31, adds two other preconditions that such imported material “shall be donated free of cost” to the Gujarat government and hospitals run by it or hospitals run by local authority or any such hospital which the state government has g ranted permission to receive such goods.
Health Centres, Municipal Corporation-run hospitals and community halls.“Vaccination for citizens above 45 years of age would be done once the vaccine stock is received,” AMC’s statement, released Monday, saidOnly vaccination of persons in the 18 to 44 age group will be conducted at municipal and private schools designated as a part of the 80 vaccination centres as per online registrations, the statement said.On Monday, AMC vaccinated a total of
22,556 persons under all categories of whom 6,910 were in the 18 to 44 age bracket. The number of people vaccinated under the new category has been on a decline since Saturday when the inoculation for this category commenced. While 13289 people between 18 and 44 years were vaccinated on May 1, just 7,074 received the jab on Sunday. Of the over 22,000 persons vaccinated on Monday, 8,692 were above 45 years of age, 4,330 senior citizens more than 60 years.
The resolution which shall remain in force up to July 31, adds precondition that such imported material “shall be donated free of cost” to the Gujarat government and hospitals run by it or hospitals run by local authority Sunvilla News: Ahmedabad In an affidavit before the Gujarat High Court on Monday, the state government has submitted a resolution which was passed by the finance department on May 1 to incentivise procurement “medical oxygen and related accessories, ventilators, vaccine, medicine, etc” from foreign countries through corporates, NGOs
Stock shortage in Ahmedabad: AMC suspends vaccination for above 45 years Of the over 22,000 persons vaccinated on Monday, 8,692 were above 45 years of age, 4,330 senior citizens more than 60 years of age, 1,683 frontline workers and 941 healthcare workers. Sunvilla News: Ahmedabad In the wake of a shortage of vaccine stock, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) on Monday announced the suspension of its vaccination drive for citizens above 45 years, frontline and healthcare workers from May 4 at its Urban Health Centres, Community
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