Covid stalks Kumbh! Niranjani Akhara exits as saints test +ve

OUR EDITIONS: JAIPUR, AHMEDABAD

& LUCKNOW

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Honest & transparent dialogue with public will help: HC

First India Bureau

Ahmedabad: During the suo motu proceed-ings of the current COVID-19 situation in the state, the Gujarat High Court insisted that the government re-lease actual data of the pandemic to the public in order to gain their trust. “The state has

nothing to gain by hid-ing the real picture and hence, suppression and concealment of accu-rate data would gener-ate more serious prob-lems such as fear, loss of trust and panic amongst the public at large. At the same time, an honest and transpar-ent dialogue by the state would instill trust in

the minds of people” stated the court on Fri-day.

A first division bench comprising Chief Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Bhar-gav Karia has been

hearing the suo motu. In its interim order, the court observed, “Any material, facility or in-frastructure, if lacking in required numbers should be accepted by the state Turn to P6

The court also asked the govt to take action and set up testing labs in places where people still do not have access to it

NEW NORMALSmoke billows out the chimney of a crematorium in Ahmedabad’s Makarba area on Friday, when the city saw as many as 26 deaths due to COVID-19. Area residents say the smoking chimney has become a regular feature of the skyline over the past several days. —PHOTO BY HANIF SINDHI

Civil Hospital staffers wheeling the dead body of a COVID-19 patient into the mortuary in Ahmedabad on Friday.

—PHOTO BY HANIF SINDHI

AHMEDABAD l SATURDAY, APRIL 17, 2021 l Pages 12 l 3.00 RNI NO. GUJENG/2019/16208 l Vol 2 l Issue No. 140

Any material, facility or infrastructure, if lacking in required numbers should be accepted by the state publicly and re-

medial steps should be taken immediately to im-prove the situation. The state should take up the onus of declaring accurate data so as to eliminate others from propagating the same with spice and causing panic amongst the people.

—Guj HC fi rst division bench

READmustmust

BY-POLLS ON 3 RAJ SEATS TODAY AMID COVID-19 SURGE

SENSEX, NIFTY END MARGINALLY HIGHER

Jaipur: All the prepara-tions have been com-pleted for the bypolls in three assembly con-stituencies of Rajasthan where the polling will be held from 7 am to 6 pm. The polling will be held with strict compliance of all guidelines related to covid-19 at 1145 polling booths. The polling will decide the fate of 27 candidates in Sahara (Bhilwara), Sujangarh (Churu) and Rajsamand (Rajsamand) constitu-encies where a total of 7,43,802 voters will be able to exercise their franchise.

Mumbai: Equity benchmarks Sensex and Nifty ended marginally higher after a volatile session on Friday amid positive cues from global markets. The 30-share BSE Sensex ended 28.35 points or 0.06 per cent higher at 48,832.03. Similarly, the broader NSE Nifty rose 36.40 points or 0.25 per cent to 14,617.85. —PTI

Covid stalks Kumbh! Niranjani Akhara exits as saints test +veDehradun: With the number of Covid-19 cases in the Kumbh Mela area of Uttara-khand seeing a steady rise, Niranjani Akhara, a prominent body of seers, said that it will not take part in the next Shahi Snan on April 27 and has asked its saints and followers to leave the campus.

Niranjani Akhara president Ravindra Puri said that only a dozen saints will take the holy dip in the Gan-ga on the next Shahi Snan and no procession will be taken out as it draws followers and devotees in huge num-bers. He added that fol-lowing the social dis-tancing norm becomes impossible during the Shahi Snan.

“I have asked all the saints, who arrived from other districts and states, to leave the akha-ra premises as per their convenience, for their own safety. Entry of fresh outsiders, includ-ing followers, has been completely prohibited in the campus,” he said. Justifying the decision, Puri said that at least five saints in Niranjani Akhara campus have tested Covid positive so far and the test reports of others are awaited.

Turn to P6

Dehradun: At least 30 sadhus have tested posi-tive for the coronavirus disease and one has died during the ongoing Kumbh Mela in Haridwar, adding to fears that one of the world’s largest reli-gious gatherings may add to the already spiralling cases of Covid-19. Medi-cal teams are going to akhadas and RT-PCR tests of sadhus are being done continuously. The process will be further quickened from April 17, Haridwar chief medical offi cer, Dr SK Jha said. —ANI

30 SADHUS CONTRACT COVID-19, CALL FOR CAUTION

INDIA TO WITNESS NORMAL MONSOON THIS YEAR: IMD

West Bengal polls: ‘Khela’ from hills to plains in phase-V todayKolkata: From hills to plains, West Bengal plugs in for the next bout of ‘Khela’ of pow-er as the fifth phase of state Assembly polls will be held today, Sat-urday 17 April. 45 con-stituencies covering the districts of Jalpaiguri, Kalimpong, Darjeeling and a segment of Na-dia, North 24 Parganas and Purba Bardhaman will go to polls in the fifth phase of West Ben-gal Assembly elections on April 17.

In Phase-V, there is a clear division among political dynamics. Among the 45 constitu-encies, 13 are from North Bengal, which is believed to be a strong-hold of BJP. On the con-trary, the ruling TMC finds it a relatively com-fortable position in the south Bengal seats. De-spite its losing foot-

holds, the Left Front can also create some surprise in some of the seats in South Bengal.

—ANI

North 24 Parganas:Ahead of the fi fth phase of West Bengal Assembly polls, Union Home Min-ister Amit Shah on Friday claimed that BJP will win over 93 seats out of 135 seats which went to polls in fi rst four phases. Speaking at a public rally in Khardaha, Turn to P6

SHAH CLAIMS BJP’S VICTORY ON 93 SEATS IN FIRST 4 PHASES

CBI: UK govt approvesextradition of Nirav ModiLondon: United King-dom Home Secretary Priti Patel has approved the extradition of fugi-tive diamond merchant Nirav Modi, a Central Bureau of Investigation official said on Friday.

Nirav Modi, wanted in India on the charges of fraud and money-laundering, was arrest-ed in March 2019 in Lon-don and charged with money laundering and defrauding Punjab Na-tional Bank (PNB) of more than Rs 11,000 crore. In February, a UK

court had ordered his extradition to India to stand trial after dis-missing arguments of his “mental health con-cerns,” saying they are not unusual in a man in his circumstances.

Turn to P6

Pune: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said that the country will experience a normal monsoon this year. It was stated in the IMD’s fi rst stage Long Range Forecast (LRF) released on Friday. If realised, this will be the third consecutive year when the country’s monsoon would be normal. During the online briefi ng, IMD Director General M Mohapatra said the quantitative rainfall during the upcoming June to September season would be 98 per cent of the Long Period Average (LPA), which falls under the normal rainfall category.

Saints sprinkle milk before taking a holy dip at Har ki Pauri during Kumbh, in Haridwar.

PM Modi reviews status of oxygen availabilityNew Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a compre-hensive review to en-sure adequate medi-cal-grade oxygen sup-ply in the country. In-puts from ministries like Health, DPIIT, Steel, Road Transport, etc. were also shared with the PM. PM stressed that it is im-portant to ensure syn-ergy across ministries & state governments.

PM Modi also took a detailed review of current situation of oxygen supply and projected use in the coming 15 days across

Turn to P6

COVID UPDATE Congress Working Committee meet-ing today to discuss COVID-19 situation

Majority parlia-mentary panel meet-ings postponed amid COVID-19 surge

Priyanka Gandhi urges people to follow COV-ID-19 precautions amid rapid surge in infec-tions as Uttar Pradesh imposes lockdown on Sundays to curb spread of virus

Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan to hold

COVID-19 review meet-ing with state health ministers today

India’s cumulative COVID-19 vaccination coverage exceeds 11.72 crores

Union minister Prakash Javadekar, Karnataka CM BS Yediyurappa and Con-gress leader Digvijaya Singh test positive for COVID-19

Plea in Supreme Court to give COVID-19 vaccine to all above 18 years

Nirav Modi

—PHOTO BY ANI

NEWSAHMEDABAD | SATURDAY, APRIL 17, 2021

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INDUSTRIES SHOW GUMPTIONWHERE STATE FALTERSTrade bodies voluntarily shut down even as govt continues to drag its feet on imposing lockdown

First India Bureau

Ahmedabad: With the economy still reeling from the two months of lockdown imposed last year, the government has been hesitant to shut the state down again, even as the sec-ond wave of COVID-19 threatens to submerge Gujarat. Even amid the constantly worsening health crisis, Chief Minister Vijay Rupani has reiterated on multi-ple occasions that the government has no plan to impose lock-down in Gujarat for the foreseeable future, de-spite advice to the con-trary from the medical fraternity.

At such a time, sev-eral local bodies and captains of industry have stepped up to the challenge and volun-teered to shut down, in order to break the chain of infection.

For instance, Patidar leader and trustee of the Khodaldham Trust, Naresh Patel leader has set an example by down-

ing shutters at his firm, the Patel Brass Works Company, for a week.

Patel’s son, Shivraj told the media: “Consid-ering the current situa-tion in Rajkot city and surrounding areas, the only way to break the chain is through self-imposed lockdown. As part of this exercise, 450 workers of Patel

Brass Works have been given paid leave and asked to stay at home for seven days.”

Similarly, the South-ern Gujarat Chambers of Commerce and In-dustry (SGCCI) and its various member asso-ciations have also de-cided to shut down for the weekend.

“All our member as-

sociations have an-nounced their support for the voluntary two-day shutdown. We also appeal to the people of Surat to observe Janata curfew for Saturday and Sunday to break the chain. Do not ven-ture out unless abso-lutely necessary,” SGC-CI President Dinesh Navadiya said.

These are not solitary incidents, neither are they easy to enforce.

As Jayendra Tanna, president of the Gujarat Traders Federation, told First India: “We have ap-pealed to our member associations to go into self-lockdown. The state may have its reserva-tions, but the time has come for trade and in-dustry to take the lead. Even if 80% of business-es stay closed, a majori-ty of people will stay indoors and this will help in breaking the chain of infection.”

Hemant Shah, vice-president of the Guja-rat Chambers of Com-merce and Industry, seconds Tanna’s appre-hension.

“There is no doubt that human lives are more important than the economy or trade and industry interests. If the state takes decide and impose the lock-down, we will abide by it, but it is not easy for industry bodies alone to implement voluntary lockdown successfully.”

Sacks of cumin (jeera) lie unattended at the APMC market in Unjha—Asia’s largest producer of the spice—on Thursday, after the town voluntarily shut down to break the chain of COVID-19 infections earlier this month. —PHOTO BY HANIF SINDHI

Cong offers A’bad HQ for 50-bed covid-care centre

First India Bureau

Ahmedabad: The Congress party has offered the state government use of its Ahmedabad headquarters Rajiv Gandhi Bhavan to treat COVID-19 pa-tients, while simul-taneously urging it to be more transpar-ent.

Making the an-nouncement on Fri-day, Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee president Amit Chav-da told the press, “To start with, we have written to the munici-pal commissioner of Ahmedabad asking for permission to start a 50-bed covid-care centre at Rajiv

Gandhi Bhavan.”Echoing the High

Court’s interim order, Chavda also called for more transparency from the government.

“We are asking the government to issue a white paper on COV-ID-19--including total cases, total deaths, ac-tive cases, availability of medicines, injec-tions, oxygen, etc. We also demand that the government declare its planned steps and strategies if the situa-tion worsens in the state,” he said.

Accusing the gov-ernment of hiding data, he added: “The government is with-holding data on COV-ID-19 cases and deaths to downplay the sever-

ity of the situation. But this helps no one. Instead, it is leading people to be more careless and is thus causing an increase in cases.”

Addressing the shortage of remdesi-vir supplies, Chavda said, “Some people are suppressing the state’s citizens by hoarding injections for their own politi-cal gain. The people of Gujarat are fight-ing for injections and yet injections have been sent to other states, including Ut-tar Pradesh. We have asked the govern-ment to supply 10,000 vials of remdesivir to the Congress. If we are given 10,000 injec-tions, the party will provide distribute them for free with no discrimination, to the villages through hospitals and covid-care centres.”

Demands state issue white paper on nCoV situation including all data and future plans

—FILE PHOTO

LOCKED DOWN

DOCTORS SAY…

The graph is constantly ris-ing, I don’t see

any curve that can be flattened. The hospi-tals are overwhelmed, even the covid-care centres are full. Elec-tion rallies and cricket matches were among the factors that added fuel to fire of infection. There is a need for lockdown in the state if the chain is to be bro-ken.Dr Dipak Mehta, Secretary, IMA-Vadodara

The govern-ment must consider im-

posing complete lockdown for at least seven days, ex-cept for essential services. This step will not only de-crease the infection rate but also reduce the burden on the hospitals which are struggling to accom-modate more pa-tients.Dr Hiral Shah, President, IMA-Surat

With the state reporting a high number of cases

every day, there seems to be no end in sight to the current northward trend. Worryingly, more and more youngsters are being infected. Plus, COVID-19 protocols are not being followed as they should be, if the spread is to be controlled. This is a serious disease and everyone needs to behave responsibly.A doctor from the COVID-19 task force in Ahmedabad

With patients fl ocking to the government-run Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad on Friday, personnel of the 108 ambulance services struggled to drop off their fares and get back into the fi eld to transport more patients. Having to wait for hours for each patient, they could barely keep up with the fl ood of calls for transportation.


GUJARATAHMEDABAD | SATURDAY, APRIL 17, 2021


5-day wait for RT-PCR results tests Kutch patients’ patience Delays are taking a mental and physical toll on patients and their relativesFirst India Bureau

Ahmedabad: The hike in the proportion of RT-PCR (Reverse Transcription Poly-merase Chain Reac-tion) tests in the dis-trict has done nothing to quell the worries of people of eastern Kutch, who are having to wait up to five days to find out if they have COVID-19.

Long queues outside government hospitals are just the first of many that people in Anjar, Gandhidham, Bhachau, and Rapar talukas must endure every day. When it’s finally their turn, they are first examined by a doctor, then given a receipt and finally swabbed to be tested for the novel coronavirus—a process that could take all morning.

Then comes four to

five days of suspense, until the results of the RT-PCR test come back.

“The long waits are exhausting both physi-cally and mentally for the patients and their families,” one patient’s relative said, “Often, the patient gets sicker while

awaiting the test results and then we have no op-tion but to shell out exor-bitant fees for treatment at private hospitals. The district administration should have improved test facilities at our healthcare centres, to shorten the wait time.”

State government, data said Kutch had 81 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday. However, lo-cals say about 200-300 samples go to Bhuj from the eastern parts of the district for testing every day. They cite the hamlet of Chobari, 30km from

Bhachau, as an example. “Chobari has a popu-

lation of about 100, of which at least 25 families have been infected by the Sars-CoV-2 virus,” one person close to the devel-opment told First India asking not to be named for fear of blowback.

The Kutch administration recently increased the proportion of RT-PCR tests to ensure better accuracy, unlike at roadside testing centres in Ahmedabad (seen here), which rely on antigen tests.

INDICTMENT

First India Bureau

Vadodara: Seven ro-bots bought for Rs50 lakh to serve COV-ID-19 patients in Saya-ji and Gotri Hospital of Vadodara are now gathering dust, even as the city battles a surge of cases. The reason for not using the machines given by medical personnel was their slow operational speed. Donated by

leading corporate companies under Cor-porate Social Respon-sibility (CSR) initia-tives around seven to eight months ago, the machines were used for about month be-fore being set aside.

“At that point (first wave of the pandemic), we thought that robots would be of great ser-vice to these hospitals. But, to our surprise, they were much slower

than human staffers in serving patients. That is why they have not been pressed into ser-vice,” said OB Belim, Resident Medical Offic-er, SSG Hospital.

The robots were do-nated to the district ad-ministration to assist medical personnel amid severe labour shortages in hospitals last year.

Of the seven, three were allotted to SSG and four to Gotri Hospital.

There was even talk of getting more robots if these were successful.

“Since March 2021, the second wave of the pandemic has in-creased COVID-19 cas-es manifolds; wards and hospitals are re-porting full occupancy every 48 hours,” said officer on special duty Vinod Rao, who hired 1,700 paramedical staffers on contract last week.

‘Slow’ robots lie unused at Vadodara’s SSG & Gotri hospitalsWHITE ELEPHANTS

Donated by local firms to

ease burden on medics, machines

worth `50L have not been

used in months Great things had been expected of these robots when they were fi rst introduced. —FILE PHOTO

First India Bureau

Gandhinagar: Gujarat added another 8,920 new cases of COVID-19 and 94 fatalities attrib-uted to the novel coro-navirus in the 24 hours ended 5 pm on Friday, the state government’s health and family wel-fare department said. With this, the state’s case load stands at 3,84,688 and the death toll has risen to 5,170 since the pandemic broke out in the state in March last year.

Meanwhile, the Guja-rat government has capped the cost of High-resolution CT (HRCT) scans of the chest—used alongside antigen and RT-PCR tests in the diag-nosis of COVID-19—at Rs3,000.

Ahmedabad and Su-rat each reported 26 of the day’s deaths, while Rajkot had 13, Vadodara had nine, Morbi and Jamnagar each wit-nessed four, Suren-

dranagar had three, Dang and Sabarkantha saw two each, and Devb-humi Dwarka, Mahisa-gar, Mehsana, Panch-mahal and Valsad each reported one death.

With 2,898 cases, Ahmedabad also led the day’s chart in terms of new infections, followed by Surat with 1,920. Tri-ple-digit jumps in cases were reported in Rajkot (759), Vadodara (600), Mehsana (330), Jamna-gar (314), Bhavnagar 197, Gandhinagar (142), Junagadh (135), Banas-kantha (110), while Am-

reli (92), Dahod (91), Kutch (89),Anand (81), Panchmahal (79), Tapi (78), Gandhinagar (75), Surendranagar (69), Narmada (67), Sabar-kantha (66), Mahisagar (62), Morbi (55), and Val-sad (52) saw new cases in the high double digits. Just eight districts re-ported less than 50 new cases through the day.

There are currently 49,737 active cases in Gujarat with 283 pa-tients on ventilator sup-port. The state’s recov-ery rate fell to 85.73% on Friday.

Patients wait in ambulances outside A’bad’s Civil Hospital on Friday, as hospitals around the state report a dearth of beds.

Daily jump spikes to 9,000 cases, 94 deaths

Out of time: Wait for hosp admission turns fatal in Valsad

Second wave carries 25K migrants back home from Surat

First India Bureau

Valsad: A patient, who was brought to Valsad Civil Hospital late on Thursday night for COVID-19 treatment, died while awaiting his turn for admission. After the patient died, his fam-ily members took the body on a stretcher and left for their res-idence.

The police were in-formed about the inci-dent, following which the family was inter-cepted on the way and the body was brought back to the hospital. The deceased’s family then proceeded to place his body on the road and express their grief.

According to reports, the patient was to be shifted from a private

hospital in Valsad to the Civil Hospital for fur-ther treatment. But, due to a long queue at the Civil Hospital, he was kept in an ambu-lance right outside the hospital premises, where he succumbed to the virus.

The body was brought back to the hospital by the police and handed over for further action. As cases continue to surge in the state, in-stances of patients suc-cumbing to the virus inside ambulances, awaiting their turn for admission to hospitals are not unknown.

First India Bureau

Surat: The surge in COVID-19 cases amid the second wave of in-fection has prompted more than 25,000 mi-grant workers to head back to their native states for fear of an impending lockdown.

More than 12 buses transported migrant la-bourers from Surat’s Pandesara area to Uttar Pradesh and Bihar in the last week. Several la-bourers claimed that bus owners fleeced them. When Pandesara police reached the bus depot, they were told that the exodus was not only due to fear of lockdown.

Member of Federa-tion of Surat Textile Traders Association (FOSTTA) Ashok Jeer-wala, said, “Migrant la-

bourers took buses to head back home due to a ‘business crisis’. They are not paid well and the pandemic has hit them hard. The second wave of COVID-19 has again marred businesses. There is not much work for them.”

Meanwhile, cancella-tion of waitlisted Rail-way tickets has com-pelled migrants to seek bus transportation. Ac-cording to official data, over 18,000 people mi-grated back to Jharkhand, Chattisgarh, Odisha, Bihar, UP and Madhya Pradesh from Surat on April 15. The roughly 15 trains that ply between Surat and these states have been unable to meet the demand. A new train from Surat to UP is slated to launch from April 21.

A family member cries over the man’s body outside the hospital. A crowd outside the offi ce of a travel agent, in Surat on Friday.

GRIM REALITY

A pot used in cremations lies deserted at a crematorium in Ahmedabad’s Thaltej area, where the high volume of bodies has forced relatives of deceased nCoV patients to wait for hours before saying their fi nal goodbyes. —PHOTO BY HANIF SINDHI

First India Bureau

Bharuch: As the sec-ond wave of the COV-ID-19 pandemic wrecks havoc in the state, fear of death has taken hold of the peo-ple in Bharuch. Ac-cording to reports, the number of people set-ting their wills and testaments has in-creased recently. Amid uncertainty about bed availability in hospi-tals, remdesivir, oxy-gen and medicine sup-ply, citizens have Bharuch are worried

about succumbing to the virus before re-ceiving treatment.

As a result, in order to stay prepared for such an eventuality, people have been ap-proaching the sub-reg-istrar’s office and the notary to set their wills. The usual norm is that the younger family members inherit at an older age. But, given the current situation, peo-ple in the age group of 35 to 50 years have be-gun inheriting their family heirlooms, prop-erties, investments,

money and other assets. In the previous year, this number accounted for only 20 to 30% of all wills and testaments set in the district.

According to Mahen-dra Kansara, a senior advocate and notary in Bharuch, “Amidst the uncertainties of a per-son’s life during the dif-ficult times we are in (COVID-19 pandemic), people are making wills. This sudden rise in cases has also in-creased the uncertain-ty in everyone’s lives. People, especially

above the age of 40-45 years have begun thinking in this direc-tion. As a result, more than double the people in Bharuch have initi-ated their will and tes-tament process than last year.”

Meanwhile, the cem-etery in Bharuch has also witnessed a rise in the number of burials over the past month. As people as young as 40 years succumb to the virus, the fear of dying has indeed taken root in the minds of the youth.

nCoV fear drives people in Bharuch to write wills, set their affairs in order


Patient was being shifted to Valsad Civil

Hospital from a private hospital


l Vol 2 l Issue No. 140 l 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-In-Chief: Jagdeesh Chandra. Editor: Anita Hada Sangwan responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act

PERSPECTIVEAHMEDABAD | SATURDAY, APRIL 17, 2021

04www.firstindia.co.in I www.firstindia.co.in/epaper/ I twitter.com/thefirstindia I facebook.com/thefirstindia I instagram.com/thefirstindia

ndia is in the grip of a mas-sive second wave of COV-ID-19 infections,

surpassing even the United States and Brazil in terms of new daily infections. The current spike came after a brief lull: daily new cases had fallen from 97,000 new cases per day in September 2020 to around 10,000 per day in January 2021. How-ever, from the end of Febru-ary, daily new cases began to rise sharply again, pass-ing 100,000 a day, and now crossing the 200,000 mark.

Night curfews and week-end lockdowns have been reinstated in some states, such as Maharasthra (in-cluding the financial capi-tal Mumbai). Health ser-vices and crematoriums are being overwhelmed, COVID test kits are in short supply, and wait times for results are increasing.

HOW HAS THE PANDEMIC BEEN SPREADING?Residents in slum areas and those without their own household toilet have been worst affected, imply-ing poor sanitation and close living have contrib-uted to the spread.

One word that has domi-nated discussions about why cases have increased again is laaparavaahee (in Hindi), or “negligence”. The negligence is made out to be the fault of individu-als not wearing masks and social distancing, but that is only part of the story.

Negligence can be seen in the near-complete lack of regulation and its imple-mentation wherever regula-tions did exist across work-places and other public spaces. Religious, social and political congregations con-tributed directly through super-spreader events, but

this still doesn’t explain the huge rise in cases.

The second wave in India also coincides with the spread of the UK variant. A recent report found 81% of the latest 401 samples sent by the state of Punjab for genome sequencing were found to be the UK variant.

Studies have found this variant might be more capa-ble of evading our immune

systems, meaning there’s a greater chance previously infected people could be re-infected and immunised people could be infected.

A new double mutation is also circulating in India, and this too could be con-tributing to the rise in cases.

LOW FATALITY RATE?In the first phase of the pan-demic, India was lauded for

its low COVID death rate (case fatality rate) of about 1.5%. However, The Lancet cautioned about the “dan-gers of false optimism” in its September 26 editorial on the Indian situation.

In a pandemic situation, the public health approach is usually to attribute a death with complex causes as be-ing caused by the disease in question. In April 2020, the

World Health Organization clarified how COVID deaths should be counted:

A death due to COV-ID-19 is defined for sur-veillance purposes as a death resulting from a clinically compatible ill-ness, in a probable or con-firmed COVID-19 case, un-less there is a clear alter-native cause of death that cannot be related to COV-ID disease (e.g. trauma)

It is unclear the extent to which the health authorities across the states of India were complying with this.

Many states have set up expert committees to re-examine and verify COV-ID-19 deaths after coming under criticism that re-ported death rates were not accurate. Many states made corrections in mor-tality figures, and the full extent of undercounting is being actively researched.

SOURCE: THE CONVERSATION

India’s daily COVID infections have surpassed the US

I

Whatever words we utter should be chosen with care for people will hear them and be influenced by them for good or ill. —Buddha

SpiritualSPEAK

TopTWEET

Piyush Goyal @PiyushGoyalReviewed the progress of various sections of Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs) & discussed ways for efficient & time-bound completion of projects. DFCs will play a vital role in unlocking the huge freight potential by ensuring cost effective, faster & safer movement of goods.

Mallikarjun Kharge @khargeNero fiddled as Rome burned. Our Nero is busy with elections while the number of #COVID19 deaths have risen to 1.73 lakh & cases have crossed 2 lakh per day. Chaos has set in with no vaccines,oxygen or Remdesivir available. 7 years up,when can we expect Nero to start governing?

aking another person’s life into your hands is not a good thing because it sits on you in a cer-tain way. A doctor is constantly taking someone else’s life into his or her hands. It is a big thing to carry on your head. If you have sufficiently explored whichever system of medicine, you know your role is not even 50%. The remaining percentage you don’t know what the hell! This is always the experience of the greatest doctors in the world.

If you are a believer in god it is very easy. You look up and say “Shiva, Rama.” Even if a patient dies, after all they are going into god’s lap, so it’s okay! But when you cannot subscribe to these belief systems but you still see that your role is so small in making things happen, that’s when you realize the presence of grace. The real question and struggle begins for someone who does not know whether to believe or not – someone whose intellect is struggling with both. For some-one struggling with the limita-tions of his own logic and capa-bility, and struggling with the other dimension which doesn’t seem to be tangible, for such a person, the presence of grace becomes absolutely clear in his life. He clearly understands that when he really wants to cross a narrow bridge, nothing can happen here without the help of the other dimension.

The question is, how to invite this presence? When we say we are doing sadhana, it means we

are just trying to become an in-vitation to the divine. Some-thing beyond yourself begins to function. And allowing it to function – having the sense to do what you can, and to stand by with what you cannot and still be there alert and present, is the whole essence of yoga. That is how you become a re-ceptacle or a doorway to grace.

Grace is subtle. If your pres-ence is not there, its presence also will not be there. This is the nature of the divine. This is why most people miss it, be-cause they are mostly absent. Either your thoughts, emo-tions or activity is ruling you; not your presence. This is the transformation that you are trying to bring about with a spiritual practice. Your body, mind and emotion can follow you but you want your pres-ence to be the dominant thing. But right now, you have made your thought, emotion and body far more important than yourself. In this upside down condition you cannot feel grace.

If you reverse this condition within yourself, suddenly, ordi-nary becomes extraordinary.

Every aspect of life is trans-ported to a completely different experience of life. This doesn’t happen because you believe something. With belief sys-tems, you can imagine; this is the problem with believers. To have a solid logical base and still be open to grace is some-thing that one has to do. If you do not get established in your logical base, you are suscepti-ble to fly off into imagination and think it’s grace.

The mystical and the logical, both the realms are equally im-portant. If your logical realm

is well established, the mun-dane aspect of your life is well conducted. If the mystical di-mension of your life is open to you, your experience of life is indescribable. Once you have conducted your mundane pret-ty well, it’s time to be open to the mystical. Here, your logic will not work, it will only limit you. “How do I fight my logic?” You just shun the product, not the logic industry. You cannot kill the mind, but you can ig-nore the produce. It generates thought, you ignore it. It gener-ates emotion, you ignore it. It generates opinion, you ignore it. It churns up a whole ideolo-gy, ignore it.

If you do that, you will be in a natural state of devotion. De-votion does not mean adulation of someone. Devotion is that which is devoid of yourself. What you call as “myself” right now is just a bundle of thought, emotion and opinion, isn’t it? If you rest these three things, your personality will be ab-sent. Then the life in you will be present. If this is present, you cannot miss grace.

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY

THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL

T

SADHGURU, ISHA FOUNDATION

Ranked amongst the fifty most influential people in India, Sadhguru is a yogi, mystic, visionary and a New York Times bestselling author Sadhguru has been conferred the Padma Vibhushan by the Government of India in 2017, the highest annual civilian award, accorded for exceptional and distinguished service

BECOMING AN INVITATION TO THE DIVINE

THE MYSTICAL AND THE LOGICAL, BOTH THE

REALMS ARE EQUALLY IMPORTANT. IF YOUR

LOGICAL REALM IS WELL ESTABLISHED, THE

MUNDANE ASPECT OF YOUR LIFE IS WELL CONDUCTED. IF THE

MYSTICAL DIMENSION OF YOUR LIFE IS OPEN TO

YOU, YOUR EXPERIENCE OF LIFE IS INDESCRIBABLE

The question is, how to invite this presence? When we say we are doing sadhana, it means we are just trying to become an invitation to the divine.

Something beyond yourself begins to function. And allowing it to function – having the sense to do what you can, and to stand by with what you cannot and still be there alert and present, is the whole essence of yoga. That is how you become a receptacle or a doorway to grace.

IN-DEPTH

US’ KABUL EXIT PLAN WORRIES INDIA

oe Biden has announced American troop pullout from Afghanistan by September 11, 2021, leaving only a small contingent to defend its embassy. The pullout date marks the 20th anniversary of al-Qae-

da’s attack on American twin towers. The decision comes after America’s “endless war” in the region has taken a heavy toll on American, Nato and Af-ghan forces, besides costing approximately $2 tril-lion in expenditure to the US. At present there are only about 3,500 American troops, a very small number compared to nearly one lakh troops sta-tioned there under the Barack Obama administra-tion. The US occupation of Afghanistan did bring down the Taliban government and restore demo-cratic processes but the Taliban and al-Qaida mili-tants sheltered by Pakistan’s military establish-ment regrouped in that country. President Donald Trump had fixed the May 1 deadline for withdraw-al of American troops on the condition that it will not allow al-Qaida to take shelter in Afghanistan and agree on power-sharing with the Afghan gov-ernment. The deadline has now been extended by President Biden but without any conditions. Tali-ban has said it will renew attacks on US and Nato troops if they don’t leave by the May 1 deadline.

Unconditional US troop pullout is bad news for India which fears that Pakistan will once again have a friendly regime to needle India. The return of Tali-ban and establishment of Islamic Emirate would mean Afghanistan will again become a haven for ter-rorists like it was in the Nineties when Taliban and other Pakistan-based militant groups hijacked Indi-an Airlines flight to Kabul. Therefore, India has rea-sons to feel worried about Biden’s announcement.

J

BENGAL ELECTIONS IN TIMES OF PANDEMIC

ith political leaders throwing caution to the wind while drawing huge crowds in campaign rallies fears of Covid-19 spreading in West Bengal seem to be coming true. At least one candidate,

RSP’s Jangipur nominee Pradip Kumar Nandi, died of Covid-19 on Friday. Taking note of the spike in Covid-19 cases in the State, the Election Commis-sion has extended the silence period for the remain-ing four phases from 48 hours to 72 hours. The poll panel has also banned rallies, public meetings and street plays in West Bengal from 7 pm to 10 am. The Left Front, though, opposed the move saying, “The election is in motion. There is no question of change of schedule at this point of time.”

Of the eight phases polling for four is over and the remaining four phases will be held between April 17 and 29. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wanted the remaining three phases, excluding the fifth due on Saturday, to be clubbed but her request was turned down by the Election Commission. It was a futile request as the EC had devised the poll plan before officially announcing it. The long-drawn poll pro-cess for the State was criticised by the Trinamool Congress and other opposition parties who alleged that the poll schedule had been planned under the Union Home Ministry’s directions. The reason why TMC wanted polling for remaining phases to be held together was the spread of Covid-19. The BJP ob-jected to the suggestion saying that it would go against the “democratic spirit”. Of course, “demo-cratic spirit” is more important than Covid-19.

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INDIAAHMEDABAD | SATURDAY, APRIL 17, 2021


INDIAN ARMY TURNS FLAGS ‘BLUE’ FROM ‘RED’ FOR FRIENDLY LOOK Srinagar: In an effort to make the Indian Army cantonments and military convoys more population friendly, the Indian Army has now changed the red flags on its convoys to blue colour. Lieutenant Colonel Q Khan said, “the flags on the military con-voys moving with troops from different locations in and out of the Kashmir

valley have been changed to blue from red while the walls on the cantonments are proposed to have the pictures of young achiev-ers from Kashmir.”

NUN’S BODY FOUND INSIDE WELL AT KERALA CONVENTKollam: A 42-year-old nun was found dead inside the well of a convent in Kerala’s Kollam district on Friday. Identified as Mebil Joseph, the deceased nun hailed from Pavumba in Kollam district. Based on a preliminary assessment, police of-ficials believe that the nun died by suicide. Sister Mebil’s body was discovered on Friday morning inside the well at the Workers of St Joseph con-vent in Kureepuzha. According to the local police, other members of the convent launched a search for Sister Mebil Joseph.

BIDEN NAMES 2 INDIAN-AMERICANS TO KEY JOBSNew Delhi: US President Joe Biden is tapping two Indian American women already working in his administration as part of a 10 member team to lead on climate and transportation matters across key agencies. While Meera Joshi is being named as Administrator, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Department of Transpor-tation, Radhika Fox would become Assistant Administrator for Water, Environmental Protec-tion Agency. Biden’s intent to elevate Joshi, an attorney with over 16 years of experience.

FORMER CBI DIRECTOR RANJIT SINHA PASSES AWAY IN DELHINew Delhi: Former Cen-tral Bureau of Investiga-tion (CBI) director Ranjit Sinha passed away in Delhi on Friday morning at the age of 68 due to Covid-19-related com-plications, people close to him said. Sinha tested positive for Covid-19 on Thursday evening and passed away on Friday around 4.30am.

“He showed no serious symptoms ,” said a close friend. He is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter. Sinha was an Indian Police Service of the 1974 batch.

West Bengal: Chief Minister Mamata Ba-nerjee said on Friday she will call upon the Election Commission to stop the BJP from bringing “outsiders” during campaigning, squarely blaming the saffron party for exac-erbating the COVID-19 situation in the state.

Kolkata: West Ben-gal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Friday she will call upon the Election Com-mission to stop the BJP from bringing “outsid-ers” during campaign-ing, squarely blaming the saffron party for exacerbating the COV-ID-19 situation in the state. Banerjee, during a public meeting here in Nadia district, said the BJP brought people from “worst-hit” states like Gujarat for erect-ing marquees for Prime Minister Naren-dra Modi's poll rallies.

“I will tell the EC to

stop the inflow of out-siders from states like Gujarat who are re-sponsible for the COV-ID-19 spread in Bengal. “We have nothing to say if the PM or other leaders come for cam-paigning... Why should the BJP bring people from worst-affected states to set up podi-ums and pandals for rallies,” she said.

The Trinamool Con-gress boss said local laborers and decora-tors can be engaged for the purpose after nec-essary COVID-19 tests. Referring to her inju-ry, the chief minister said the BJP wanted to stop her from canvass-ing by “targeting her leg”, but she has man-aged to come out tri-umphant.

“They had targeted my leg, but I proved them wrong with the blessings of people. The injury has healed 75 percent,” she said. —PTI

BJP RESPONSIBLE FOR COVID SURGE: MAMATAShe will call upon the EC to stop the BJP from bringing “outsiders” during campaigning, blaming them for COVID-19 situation

Banerjee addresses an election rally, at Palta in North 24 parganas.

New Delhi: The Su-preme Court, in its or-der recently, appointed former Additional So-licitor General (ASG) and senior apex court lawyer Maninder Sin-gh and advocate Rajesh Batra as Special Public Prosecutors (SPPs) to argue for the Enforce-ment Directorate (ED) in the coal block alloca-tion scam cases. A three-judge bench of the apex court, headed by the Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sharad

Arvind Bobde, and also comprising Justices A S Bopanna and V Ra-m a s u b r a m a n i a n passed the order on April 12 which was up-dated on Friday on the Supreme Court's web-site.

The top court had passed the order, after the probe agency, came up with the present ap-plication seeking ap-propriate directions for the appointment of a new SPP to conduct prosecution of cases.

New Delhi: A group of MBBS doctors who had filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking direction to postpone the NEET-PG exams scheduled on April 18 citing growing con-cerns amid the sudden upsurge of Covid-19 cases, withdrew their plea as the government has already postponed the exam. The plea chal-lenged the conduct of NEET-PG 2021 sched-uled to be conducted on April 18, 2021.

The plea challenged the clause in the April 9 notification of the Na-tional Board of Exami-nations, which bar Covid-19 infected per-sons from exams, as an arbitrary exclusion. —ANI

SC APPOINTS MANINDER SINGH AS SPP FOR ED

Plea seeking direction to postpone NEET-PG exams

New Delhi: A Special Court on Friday ad-journed the hearing in the INX Media money laundering case against former Union Minister P Chidambaram, his son Karti Chidambar-am and others, till May 4. P Chidambaram and Karti Chidambaram marked their presence virtually in the video-conferencing hearing. The matter was ad-journed as Special Judge M K Nagpal.

New Delhi: Public In-terest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Su-preme Court on Friday seeking COVID-19 vac-cination for all above the age of 18 years bea-cuse of a sudden up-surge in coronavirus cases across the coun-try. The plea filed by ad-vocate Rashmi Singh said that widespread vaccination of all young and working population is essential to arrest the deadly surge. —ANI

Hearing in INX media case adjourned

Plea in SC to give COVID-19 vaccine to all

New Delhi: Earlier this year the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) had conducted a nationwide donation drive to raise funds for the construc-tion of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

Though the official figures are unknown, it is said that around Rs 25,000 crore were collected during this drive that was held be-tween January 15 and February 17. But now it has emerged that at least Rs 22 crore of this may not turn out into the actual amount. That is be-cause some 15,000 cheques bounced.

New Delhi: The gov-ernment agencies have procured 18,24,310 tonnes (18.24 lakh tonnes) of wheat from Punjab and 36,30,790 tonnes (36.30 lakh tonnes) from Haryana in the ongoing Rabi Marketing Season till April 15.

From the country on the whole, 81,63,669 tonnes (81.64 lakh tonnes) has been procured at an MSP of Rs 1,975 per quintal, against an estimated target of 427.36 lakh tonnes this year, according to the FCI data released recently.

Cheques worth `22 cr donated for Ram Temple bounced: Reports

Rs 13.71 crores transferred directly into farmers account

New Delhi: In view of the rise in Covid- 19 cas-es, Haryana Chief Min-ister, Manohar Lal Khat-tar, on Thursday ap-pealed to farmers pro-testing against the Cen-tre’s new farm laws to withdraw their move-ment on humanitarian grounds. Presiding over a meeting called to re-view Covid-19 cases and vaccinations in Haryana today, Khattar said it is the Constitutional right of every person to pro-test, but it’s not the right time for this. “We have no problem with those who protest. However, at this time, due to Cov-id-19, life may be put in danger, so this is not the right time to protest,” the CM said. “If they (farmers) have to hold or protest for any of their demands, they can do it when the situation im-proves,” he added.

Khattar also directed the deputy commis-sioners to contact the agitating farmers and try to persuade them. He appealed to the peo-ple of the state to only leave their homes whenever necessary and to wear masks, use sanitiser and maintain social distancing when-ever they go out of the house. He said that there is proper ar-rangement of oxygen, ventilators and beds in the state. So people need not panic, the CM said. He said strict pre-cautions should be tak-en to prevent the spread of Covid-19 so that eco-nomic activities are not stalled in the state. The CM said due to increas-ing number of Covid-19 cases in the country and the state, everyone should take strict pre-cautions. —ANI

WITHDRAW MOVEMENT

KHATTAR APPEALS TO FARMERS TO WITHDRAW STIR

New Delhi: Ahead of the fifth of eight phase assembly elections in West Bengal on Satur-day, Nobel laureate Am-artya Sen spoke to Sun-etra Choudhury about the elections and the issues involved. There is a lot of time differ-ence between Kolkata and where I stay right now [Harvard]. So as closely as possible, I do try to follow these elec-tions. The elections are largely seen as a battle for Bengal’s soul where-in all the parties are claiming to be repre-sentatives of real Ben-gal. What do you make of this electoral fight? Well, it’s an extraordi-nary fight and there can’t be any other occa-sion when an election in a state has generated

so much interest, given the unusual amount of importance that the Central government has given it. On the oth-er hand, it’s not so unu-sual that the local Ben-galis think the elections really are an important thing. The two together have caused a confron-tation rare in the histo-ry of elections any-where in the world.

Bengal has been committed to secularism: Amartya Sen

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has writ-ten a letter to the Election Commission of India saying that in order to ensure level-playing field to all candidates, the poll panel must hold the remaining phases of the West Bengal Assembly election as per schedule. This comes a day after Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee urged the EC to consider club-bing the remaining phases of the Bengal election. —ANI

HOLD WEST BENGAL POLLS AS PER SCHEDULE: BJP TELLS EC

IN THE COURTYARD

CSK DEFEATS PUNJAB KINGS BY 6 WICKETS

Mayank Agarwal of Punjab Kings bowled by Deepak Chahar of Chennai Super Kings during match 8 of the Vivo Indian Premier League 2021 between the Punjab Kings and the Chennai Super Kings held at the Wankhede Stadium Mumbai on Friday.

MK STALIN RAISES DOUBTS OVER SAFETY OF EVMS

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) president MK Stalin has raised doubts over the safety of EVMs and strong rooms after polling ended in Tamil Nadu on April 6. In a letter to the state’s chief electoral officer, MK Stalin said the proto-col formulated by the poll panel for safety of EVMs and strong rooms isn’t being fol-lowed in Tamil Nadu. “There is a total lack of protocol in many state,” Stalin said.

Amartya Sen

MK Stalin

Manohar Lal Khattar

Honest & transparent...publicly and remedial steps should be taken immediately to im-prove the situation. The state should take up the onus of declar-ing accurate data so as to eliminate others from propagating the same with spice and causing panic amongst the people.”

It added, “A responsi-ble officer of the state should issue state-ments with regard to the number of positive COVID-19 patients, number of deaths due to the virus, and also the nCoV death toll

with comorbidities, so that faith and trust can be restored in the minds of public.”

The court also opined, “We expect the state to meet not only the expec-tations of the court but also of the public at large. Further affidavit on all the issues stated above and any other is-sues which the state may like to bring to the notice of the court may be submitted latest by March 19.”

The division bench has allowed an Indian Medical Association (IMA) Gujarat branch office-bearer to join the court proceedings.

Commenting on the RT-PCR testing in the state, the court stated, “The government must ensure that such labo-ratories are set up in all the districts, towns/ta-lukas and tribal areas where testing is not available, as soon as possible. The existing capacity for RT-PCR testing must be in-creased across the state, in order to reduce time in collecting sam-ple and test results.

The matter has been kept for further hear-ing on April 20.

Covid stalks...Only those found

healthy will be allowed to stay in the akhara, he said, adding that at pre-sent, over 300 saints and their followers are there in the akhara premises.

“I don’t want anyone to die here. The situa-tion in Haridwar is worrisome. Social dis-tancing is not possible during Shahi Snan. Also, people are com-paring this Kumbh with Markaz (a reli-gious assembly of Mus-lims in Delhi where many tested positive last year and were la-beled as super spread-ers), which is unfortu-nate. The Kumbh is be-

ing defamed,” Puri said.

PM Modi...12 high burden states (Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Chhat-tisgarh, Karnataka, Ker-ala, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Haryana, and Ra-jasthan). An overview of district-level situation in these states was pre-sented to the PM.

PM was informed that the Centre and States are in regular contact and estimates for projected demand have been shared with states. Accordingly, 4,880 MT, 5,619 MT and

6,593 MT have been al-located to these 12 states for meeting their projected demand as on 20th April, 25th April and 30th April, respec-tively.

PM was briefed about production capacity in the country to meet the rising demand who sug-gested increasing oxy-gen production as per capacity of each plant. —ANI

CBI: UK...Judge Samuel Goozee, sitting at Westminster Magistrate’s Court in London, rejected each of the grounds laid out by Modi’s defence

against extradition.Modi faces multiple

charges in cases being handled by the Central Bureau of Investiga-tion and the Enforce-ment Directorate. —ANI

West Bengal...he exuded confidence about BJP getting over 200 seats in Assembly polls. “Didi (Mamata Banerjee), listen to me very carefully, your exit from the state has been confirmed on May 2. BJP’s double century is confirmed and Didi’s tally in double figures has also been decided,” Shah said.

“After May 2, no one

will require permission from High Court to cel-ebrate Durga Puja. Do you want a state gov-ernment that imposes restrictions on Saras-wati Puja? I tell you, after May 2, uproot Di-di’s government and throw it away and no one will be able to stop you from celebrating Saraswati Puja,” he added.

The Home Minister also said that Chief Minister Mamata Ba-nerjee, the Left and Con-gress cannot stop in-truders from coming into the state as they constitute the vote bank for these parties.—ANI

FROM PG 1

INDIAAHMEDABAD | SATURDAY, APRIL 17, 2021


New Delhi: Taking a dig at the government, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday said its strategy to fight the COVID-19 pandemic consisted of imposing a ‘’Tughlaqi lockdown’’, ringing bells and sing-ing praises to the Lord.

The Congress-led op-position has been criti-cising the government over its handling of the pandemic and the vac-cination drive, while the Centre has maintained that its timely steps have been instrumental in fighting COVID-19.

In a tweet in Hindi, Gandhi said, “The Cen-tral government’’s COVID-19 strategy -- Stage 1- Impose a Tu-ghlaqi lockdown, Stage 2- Ring bells, Stage 3- Sing praises to the Lord.” The Congress in the past also has com-pared some of the gov-ernment’’s decisions to

those taken by Delhi Sultanate ruler Mu-hammad bin Tughlaq, to allege that they were arbitrary and not well though out.

The party has also taken swipes at the gov-ernment over its ‘’taali-thaali’’ call last year in which people across In-dia clapped, rang bells, blew conch shells and beat metal plates in sol-idarity with health workers fighting the novel coronavirus. —PTI

RAGA SLAMS GOVT’S COVID STRATEGY‘Our people continue to suffer, infra continues to crumble & PM continues to turn away from responsibilities’

New Delhi: Amid cases of the coronavirus infection being reported post vac-cination from a few parts of the country, experts have said inoculation against COVID-19 “does not produce a shield” against the deadly virus, but helps reduce the

severity of the infection and chances of death. They have also said that “no causal link has been established” yet between vaccination and the complications suffered thereafter by a person through any clinical or epidemiological studies.

Vaccination not shield against Covid, can reduce severity: Experts

SECOND WAVE AFFECTING NEWBORN AND YOUTH, SAYS EXPERT PANEL

INFECTION PREDOMINANTLY SPREADING VIA AIR, SAYS LANCET JOURNAL STUDYNew Delhi: There is a strong evidence to prove that virus, behind COV-ID-19, is predominantly transmitted through the air, as per new assess-ment published in The Lancet journal. The analysis by 6 experts from the UK, the US and Canada says public health measures that

fail to treat the virus as predominantly airborne leave people unprotected and allow the virus to spread. The team, led by researchers at the Uni-versity of Oxford in the UK, reviewed published research and identified evidence to support the predominance of the airborne route. —PTI

New Delhi: The total number of positive cases comprises young people and even infants. The doctors have dubbed the new wave of infections as “very dangerous”. Dr. Ritu Saxena, Head of Emer-gency Department at the LNJP Hospital in Delhi said that almost 30%

of young people have been infected, and these young people had fever also. Some doctors say that the reason for a large number of people getting infected this year could be that the “virus has mutated” and the current strain is more infectious than the one in circulation previously.

Ambani bomb scare: Officer Riyaz Kazi in JC till April 23New Delhi: A court here on Friday re-manded police officer Riyaz Kazi, an associ-ate of suspended cop Sachin Waze, in judi-cial custody till April 23 in connection with the case of an explo-sives-laden SUV found near industrialist Mukesh Ambani’s resi-dence and the subse-quent death Thane-based businessman Mansukh Hiran.

Kazi, an assistant po-lice inspector, was ar-rested by the c(NIA) on April 11. He was pro-duced before a holiday

court at the end of his NIA remand on Friday.

The court sent him to judicial custody as the central probe agen-cy did not seek his fur-

ther remand. The NIA has alleged that Kazi is involved in the con-spiracy of the case, along with Waze, who is the prime accused.

Charges framed against Hooda by CBI Court in land allotment caseChandigarh: A special CBI court in Panchkula on Friday framed charges against former Haryana Chief Minis-ter Bhupinder Singh Hooda in the Associat-ed Journals Limited (AJL) plot re-allotment case.

“The charges were framed against Mr Hoo-da under Sections 420 (cheating) and 120-B (party to criminal con-spiracy) of the Indian Penal Code and under Section 13(1)(d) of the Prevention of Corrup-tion Act,” a defence law-

yer said.Hooda was present in

the court when charges were framed.

On Thursday, argu-ments on Hooda’s dis-charge application and the framing of charges had been completed be-fore the court in the case. —PTI

Indian-Americans laud new rules on OCI cardsWashington: Indian-Americans have wel-comed the Indian gov-ernment’s decision to simplify the process of maintaining Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) cards, saying more overseas citizens will now opt for this form of residency.

The Overseas Citi-zens of India (OCI) cardholders will now be required to get their document re-issued only once at the age of 20 instead of multiple times needed to be done currently, according to the Indian Union Home Ministry. —PTI

Bhupinder Singh

Sena, NCP slam Fadnavis for campaigning in KarnatakaMumbai: Two constitu-ents of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) - Shiv Sena and NCP - on Fri-day criticised BJP lead-er Devendra Fadnavis for “campaigning against a Marathi-speaking candidate” for the Lok Sabha bypoll in Karnataka’’s Belgaum, which continues to re-main at the centre-stage of the decades-old bor-der dispute between the two neighbouring states. The parliamen-tary bypoll, which was

necessitated following the death of Union Min-ister of State for Rail-ways Suresh Angadi due to COVID-19 last year, will be held on Sat-urday. While Shiv Sena

leader Sanjay Raut said that political leaders from Maharashtra should not campaign against a Marathi-speaking candidate in Belgaum, Maharashtra.

North states likely to receive rainfall & thunderstormsNew Delhi: Rain and thunderstorms are likely to impact the western Himalayan re-gion and some parts of northwest India today, according to IMD. A Western Disturbance as a trough (area of low pressure) with an induced cyclonic cir-culation is lying over central Pakistan and adjoining west Ra-jasthan and another cyclonic circulation is lying over Haryana and its neighbourhood in the lower levels. —PTI

Devendra Fadnavis & Sanjay Raut

IAF receives LBPV from Ashok LeylandNew Delhi: Ashok Leyland’s first of its kind Light Bullet Proof Vehicles (LBPV) was handed over to the In-dian Air Force.

The vehicle is an adopted version of Lockheed Martin’s (LM) CVNG (Common Vehi-cle Next Gen). And has been fully indigenised and developed in India under Transfer of Tech-nology (TOT) from the US based company to Ashok Leyland, the flag-ship company of the Hinduja Group. Vipin

Sondhi, MD & CEO, Ashok Leyland, said, “This LBPV is another example of our team’s capability which is com-bined with a strong sense of understanding of what is required in arduous conditions.”

Light Bullet Proof Vehicles

National Investigation Agency special holiday court sends accused Riyaz Qazi, Sachin Waze’s associate, to NIA custody.

22 IRS-IT OFFICERS PROMOTED TO PRCCIT GRADE KEPT WAITED FOR POSTINGS ? As many as 22 IRS-IT officers, who were pro-moted to the Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax (PrCCIT) grade in March, are awaited for postings.

908 POSTS OF INDIAN POLICE SERVICE VACANT As many as 908 posts of Indian Police Service (IPS) have been lying vacant till January 1, 2020. A total posts of 460 are to be filled through RR quota while 448 through promotion. 150 IPS officers were being recruited through CSE each year since CSE-2012. Now, the strength has been increased to 200.

IRS OFFICER JOINS DOPT Amol Madukar Ket will join the DoPT as DS on deputation for a period of four years. He is a 2008 batch IRS (C&IT) officer.

FOUR IRS OFFICERS PROMOTED TO CC/DG Four IRS (C&IT) officers have been promoted to the Chief Commissioner and DG grade. They are Sandeep Srivastva, Roopam Kapoor, Ms Kanu Verma Kumar and Navneet Goel.

TENURE OF JAGMOHAN GUPTA AS JOINT SECRETARY, WATER RESOURCES ENDS IN MAY Jagmohan Gupta, Joint Secretary & Financial Advisor (JS&FA), Department of Water Resourc-es, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation, is coming to an end on May 31, 2021 with his superannuation.

DIPTI SACHDEVA SENT TO NORTHERN RAILWAY Ms. Dipti Sachdeva has been shifted from North-east Frontier Railway (NFR) to Northern Railway and posted in the cadre. He is an Indian Railway Accounts Service (IRAS) officer.

FOUR IPS OFFICERS GET FIELD POSTINGS IN MP D R Teniwar has been appointed as Comman-dant, 24 Bt SAF, Jaora, Ratlam, while Mrs Anita Malviya was made Commandant, 18 bt SAF, Shivpuri and Deepak Kumar Shukla is Comman-dant 13, Bt SAF, Gwalior. Besides, Mrs Vahini Singh has been appointed as Commandant 8th Bt SAF, Chhindwara in Madhya Pradesh.

G S G AYYANGAR RETURNS TO PARENT CADRE G S G Ayyangar, Senior DDG, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has been given premature repatriation to his parent cadre on the grounds of availing promotion in the cadre. He is a 1987 batch IAS officer of Tripura cadre.

3 OFFICERS OF 2014 BATCH CONFIRMED IN IFS The Central Government has confirmed three Regular Recruits (RR) IFS officers of 2014 Batch in the Indian Forest Service. Mohit Gupta and Rakesh Sepat have been confirmed with effect from De-cember 2016 and Vinod S from September 2016.

DHARMRAJ KHATIK APPOINTED DEPUTY SECRETARY, OFFICIAL LANGUAGE Dharmraj Khatik has been appointed as Deputy Secretary in the Department of Official Language. He is a 2009 batch IRS-C&CE officer.

10 IPS OFFICERS IN J&K GET NEW RESPONSIBILITY 10 IPS officers in J&K have been assigned new responsibility. Sujit Kumar has been appointed as DIG, North Range, M Suleman Choudhary posted as DIG, Udhampur-Reasi Range and Atul Kumar Goel will join as DIG, Jammu-Samba-Kathua.

POWERGallery

By arrangement with: http:// whispersinthecorridors.com

TALKING POINTAHMEDABAD | SATURDAY, APRIL 17, 2021


W hen teaching an undergraduate class on “Buddhism and Violence”, I usually start by asking students to

rank religious groups in the order of how many followers they have in the British army. Typically Christians are at the top of students’ lists and Buddhists at the bottom.

This reflects an unconscious bias many of these students have regarding Buddhism—they assume that all Buddhists are peaceful and that a Buddhist isn’t likely to embrace a career that may well involve violence at some point.

So they’re always surprised to find out that there are more Buddhists in the British Army than Muslims and Sikhs put together—despite the relatively small number of Bud-dhists in Britain.

But why do so many peo-ple in the west associate Buddhism with peace?

According to histo-rian Professor Jona-than Walters, the roots lie with coloni-alism and Christian missionaries. In en-countering different beliefs among colo-nised peoples, mission-aries adopted a strategy of framing other religions in such a way that Christianity could be presented as supe-rior and attractive.

In their eyes Islam was too aggressive and focused on strict adherence to rules. Buddhism was too other-worldly, pacifist, and passive to the point of stagnation. Chris-tianity was placed in the Goldilocks spot be-tween the two.

The framing still has serious traction and leads to a certain cognitive dissonance when, for example, Buddhists make the headlines for the wrong reasons.

Avoiding “onslaught on living beings” and instead cultivating loving-kindness towards them is at the heart of Buddhist ethics; it’s the first of five moral precepts, and the one that you have to take if you opt to take any of them at all. The Buddha discouraged violence and counselled kings to find alternative ways of resolving problems. Selling weapons is consid-ered an inappropriate livelihood for a Buddhist.

BUDDHIST VIOLENCEBut Buddhists have been involved in violent conflicts pretty much since the religion first emerged. Justifications for such actions have typically been based on defending the Dharma (the Buddhist teachings), occasionally demon-ising or dehumanising the enemy to make it less karmically wrong to kill them.

A particularly uncomfortable example of this is found in the fifth century Sri Lankan quasi-mythological Mahavamsa chronicle, in which monks reassure a king that out of the millions he’d just slaughtered only two were Buddhists and the others were more like ani-mals than humans.

When it comes to “Buddhist violence”, as with any perceived religious conflicts, religion is only one factor in a complex situation. Often ethnic identity is the real issue—it just hap-

pens that one of the ethnic groups in question has historical Buddhist affiliations, the others do not.

At one point the Sri Lankan conflict of 1983-2009 saw three different civil wars playing out at once, as much as anything along ethnic and political lines: Sinhalese vs Tamils, Sinhalese extremists vs the Sinhalese government, and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam vs other Tamil militant groups.

While it was not as simple as Buddhists, Muslims, and Tamil Hindus fighting each oth-er, the conflict nevertheless saw the rise of Jathika Chintanaya or “Nationalist Thought” which promoted an exclusively Buddhist vi-sion for Sri Lanka which is influential today in organisations such as the Bodu Bala Sena (“Buddhist Power Force”).

Tensions between Buddhist and Muslim eth-nic groups in Rakhine State in Myanmar spilt over into riots in 2012 and eventually led to the displacement of more than 700,000 Rohingya Muslims to neighbouring Bangladesh. While it explicitly describes itself as non-violent and not responsible for these events, the Buddhist nationalist 969 Movement has nevertheless stoked anti-Muslim sentiments in Myanmar and framed Muslims as a threat to national identity. It’s important to note, meanwhile, that these nationalist movements do not speak for all Buddhists—lay or monastic—in either Sri Lanka or Myanmar.

Buddhist monks actually bore arms and fought in the Korean defence against Japanese invasions of the late 16th century. While mili-tary service is not prohibited in Buddhist texts, a soldier’s life is considered problematic be-cause of the likelihood of dying in battle, psyched up for killing and fixated on violence. Ideally, a Buddhist wants to die with a calm mind which is more likely to be attracted to a positive rebirth. A violent mind could lead one to Buddhism’s realms of hell.

It’s not only war and external threats that pro-vide examples of Buddhist violence. Corporal punishment was a feature of the pre-modern Tibetan legal system. In 1997 three Tibetan monks were murdered in Dharamsala—the po-lice linked the suspects in the case to an ongoing controversy within Tibetan Buddhism. Thailand retains the death penalty, last using it in 2018.

PEACEFUL AT ITS COREAt the end of the class, I always fear that stu-dents will fixate on the more sensationalist and violent material covered: that one extreme view will replace another. However, the pacifist ste-reotype of Buddhism is not without foundation.

Witness the Dalai Lama’s continued opposi-tion to violence when it comes to the issue of Tibetan independence, the peace activism of Vietnamese monk Thich Nhat Hanh, or the ef-forts of Navayana (“Ambedkarite”) Buddhists in relation to social justice in India, lifting mil-lions of Dalits out of the structural violence of the “caste” system.

But then Buddhism is at least as internally diverse as Christianity or Islam—and, as such, we should be wary of making generalisations. After all, few Christians would like the percep-tion of their religion to be based solely upon images of the Quakers or of the Westboro Bap-tist Church.

WAR

SOURCE : THECONVERSATION.COM

NICK SWANN

Lecturer in Buddhist Studies, University of South Wales

A religion of peace with a shrine to war heroes: Sri Lankans light oil lamps to commemorate the

fallen of the civil war. —EPA-EFE/CHAMILA

KARUNARATHNE

Emblem of passive resistance in Tibet: the Dalai Lama.

—EPA-EFE/SANJAY BAID

PEACE&

Where did Buddhism get its reputation for pacifism?

However difficult times may be, there is always something to be grateful for; if nothing else let us be thankful that we are alive, today! God Bless us all!.

—Jagdeesh Chandra, CEO & Editor-in-Chief, First India

AHMEDABAD | SATURDAY, APRIL 17, 2021www.fi rstindia.co.in I www.fi rstindia.co.in/epaper/ I twitter.com/thefi rstindia I facebook.com/thefi rstindia I instagram.com/thefi rstindia082NDFRONT

BJP sending ‘worst Covid-hit Gujaratis’ in WB campaignFirst India Bureau

Nabadwip (West Ben-gal) : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday as-serted that she would urge the Election Com-mission to stop the BJP from bringing “outsid-ers” from worst Covid-affected states like Gu-jarat during campaign-ing and exacerbating the situation in her state.

“For 5 months there was no Covid-19, now they (BJP) have brought people from outside and no one is being tested. Whoever comes from outside should be test-ed. People from outside are coming and spread-ing Covid-19. When our people will die, they will blame us,” Baner-jee told reporters after a rally in Noapara.

She went on, “I will tell the EC to stop the inflow of outsiders from states like Gujarat who are responsible for the COVID-19 spread in Bengal.”

“We have nothing to say if the PM or other leaders come for cam-paigning. Why should the BJP bring people from worst-affected states to set up podiums and pandals for rallies,” she wondered.

The Trinamool Con-gress boss said local la-bourers and decorators could be engaged for the purpose after necessary tests.

Referring to her in-

jury, Banerjee said the BJP wanted to stop her from canvassing by “targeting her leg”, but she has managed to come out triumphant. “They had targeted my leg, but I proved them wrong with the bless-ings of people. The in-jury has healed 75 per cent,” she said.

She said the Covid-19 surge in West Bengal could have been under check had Modi en-

sured vaccination for every citizen of the state.

“The virus had weak-ened in the last five-six months. But, the PM did not take steps to vacci-nate every citizen. He did not even respond to my suggestion for free vaccination for people of the State for political reasons.

“On our part, we have already started free in-oculation at some

camps in Kolkata and other areas,” Banerjee said. West Bengal on Thursday recorded the highest single-day spike of 6,769 coronavirus cases and at least 22 more fatalities.

Urging all voters to exercise their franchise on Saturday, the fifth phase of assembly elec-tions, she alleged, “If you don’t, the BJP will try to delete your name from the voter list.”

First India Bureau

Ahmedabad: Though the city was under various phases of lockdown almost through half of 2020, Ahmedabad reported as many as 1,600 inci-dents of fire destroy-ing assets worth a whopping Rs 108 crore during 2020-

2021.According to the data

released by Ahmedabad Fire and Emergency Services (AFES), be-tween April 2020 and March 2021, it recorded 1600 incidents of fire within the city that re-quired help from the service and 67 mishaps from outside the mu-nicipal limits.

During the period, 18 lives were lost to the fire of which seven were women and 11

men.The Fire Department

said though the citizens lost Rs 108 crore worth

assets, its timely efforts helped save damage to property to the extent of Rs 240 crore.

Apart from fire inci-dents, the department attended 2,751 rescue calls in 2020-21 of which 2,710 were from within the city. The res-cue call incidents re-sulted in the death of 104 people, including 70 men and the rest of them women.

As for ambulance services, 11,637 desper-ate calls were made to the service from within the city and 63 from out-side. As many as 26,846 calls were made for am-bulances to ferry dead

bodies.The AFES also pro-

vides ambulance and dead body ferrying ser-vice within the AMC limit.

The AFES had also played an important role in the Covid battle and had provided sani-tization services at var-ious public places and buildings.

Chief Fire Officer Rajesh Bhatt, who is under Covid-19 treat-ment and on oxygen support, conveyed his thanks to his men and all those who served in the AFES on the National Fire Safety Day on April 14.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee addressing an election rally.

Mamata Banerjee asserted that she would ask EC to stop ‘outsiders’ from coming‘BLAME OUTSIDERS’

Amdavadis lost `108 cr assets in Covid year firesDOUBLE WHAMMY!

Chief Fire Offi cer Rajesh Bhatt.

Ahmedabad Fire and Emergency Services (AFES) said between April 2020 and March 2021, it recorded 1,600 incidents of fire that needed its services

FREAK ACCIDENT

A car overturned after a major accident at the Surdhara Crossroads in Ahmedabad on Friday. The driver and passengers survived with minor injuries and were admitted at the Sola Civil Hospital on Friday. —PHOTOS BY HANIF SINDHI

Gujarat hikes stipend of medicos on Covid-19 dutyFirst India Bureau

Gandhinagar: With a view to keeping the morales of the medi-cal fraternity, espe-cially the freshers, high during these dif-ficult times, the Guja-rat Government has announced an addi-tional stipend for medical, dental, phys-iotherapy, homeopa-thy, and ayurvedic interns and resident doctors in super-spe-cialty disciplines who are on COVID-19 duty.

Earlier, the State Gov-ernment had increased the stipend for interns and resident doctors to Rs13,000 per month. It

has now announced that the interns and resident doctors on Covid-19 duty will get an additional Rs 5,000 per month till June 30, 2021. With this, their monthly stipend now stands at Rs 18,000 a month.

Rajkot cops nab two for selling Remdesivir injections at premium

MLA donates salary for Covid cause

First India Bureau

Rajkot: The Rajkot Crime Branch has ar-rested two persons for black marketing of Remdesivir injections. They were selling these injections at a premium price of Rs 10,000 per vial.

Crime branch Police Inspector V J Jadeja and his team had re-ceived information that two persons were sell-ing the injections at a hefty price and that they had sold three vi-als to one Abhay Trive-di. They were to deliver the fourth injection on Thursday night.

Jadeja’s team ap-proached Abhay and requested him to help the police. With his help police were successful in arresting Devang

Mer, a contract worker with Prime Hospital. This is an eye hospital but for the last few months has been desig-nated a Covid-19 hospi-tal.

Devang informed the police that he had pro-cured these injections from his friend Paresh Arsibhai, who is an em-ployee of the Satkar Hospital, Talala, Gir Somnath. Satkar Hospi-tal too is designated

Covid-19 hospital.Both have told the po-

lice that they used to buy Remdesivir injec-tions in the name of pa-tients, who did not re-quire them. Once they procured it, they would look for customers and sell it for a premium.

Paresh too admitted before the police that earlier too he sold five injections to another customer. Police have arrested both.

First India Bureau

Surat: In the present veritable health emer-gency when the entire infrastructure seems to have crumbled in the second ferocious wave of Covid-19, every single contribution helps. It is all the more better when help comes from where the people expect it from -- the elected public rep-resentatives.

Katargam’s business family, the Mitravrunds, has proved to be a good samaritan having taken up the responsibility of setting up a 75-bed isola-tion ward for Covid-19 patients.

And they have found support from Katargam MLA Vinod Moradiya, who has committed to donate his one-month’s salary of Rs 1.16 lakh as

a legislator for the cause.This private isolation

ward being set up by the Mitravrund family would be a boon for sev-eral patients, especially when there is a severe shortage of beds, medi-cal oxygen and medi-cines because of the tsu-nami of coronavirus cases. At this isolation centre, patients would be provided with oxy-gen, meals and other medical help.

Two youth were booked for black-marketing of injections. Surat MLA Vinod Moradiya

First India Bureau

Ahmedabad: Not-withstanding the un-precedented Covid-19 crisis, farmers in Gu-jarat are a happy lot. They have sown over 10.61 lakh hectares of summer crop this year, which is a mind-boggling 127% over the previous year. The reason is good rainfall last year.

The availability of water for irrigation, especially from the Narmada river, has contributed to the in-creased sowing.

Though a third (3.27 lakh hectares) of the sown area consists of fodder, the farmers have sown bajra (2.63 lakh hectares), sesa-mum (97,600 hectares), vegetables (93,300 hec-tares), paddy (71,700 hectares), groundnut (58,600 hectares) and Mung or green bean (57,900 hectare), as on April 12, 2021, accord-ing to data released by the Gujarat agricul-ture department.

There has been a huge 314% and 202% rise in the area sown with sesamum and urad respectively, vis-a-vis 2020.

Almost all the sesa-mum, urad and mung has been sown in Sau-rashtra region. Suren-dranagar (32,300 hec-tares) and Junagadh (23,500 hectares) dis-tricts have reported the lion’s share of sesam-um sowing, while Jun-agadh (9,200 hectares) and Gir Somnath (5,900 hectares) have highest acreage for urad. For mung too, Junagadh (13,400 hectares) and Gir Somnath districts

(7,300 hectares) have the maximum sowing area.

For bajra, Banas-kantha (1.66 lakh hec-tares) accounts for more than half of the total sowing, while maximum paddy has been sown in Ahmedabad (31,300 hectares) and Kheda (14,300 hectares). Ba-naskantha also ac-counted for the maxi-mum groundnut sow-ing (22,300 hectares).

There is plenty of water in the dams due to a good monsoon last year, says Sagar Ra-bari, head of Khedut Ekta Manch.

With 127% rise over last year, Gujarat farmers break sowing records

—FILE PHOTO

—FILE PHOTO

hen words fail to ex-press our emotions, fashion comes to the rescue. Apparel can change your mood, de-pict your mood or even make your mood.

On days when the sun shines while your personality doesn’t, an extraordinary outfit can make your day better.

To walk you through the ul-timate style guide based on dif-ferent types of moods, City First has bought you some voguish suggestions.

What do you wear when you’re feeling confident? Go for a power suit. Be it in bold-est shades like scarlet or crim-son or subdued in the hues khaki and lilac. This 80s, sharp cut, laced with shoulder pads

power suit has made a smash-ing comeback, embraced by women worldwide.

But what if the mood is a lit-tle flirty and whimsical? Turn to your silk satins & playful polka dots in colours that ooze fun like yellow, white, orange & even black; if you’re feeling flirty more than cheerful.

On days when it’s hard to get the willpower to get up and en-able yourself to face the world, move your wardrobe in the dire of athleisure. It gives you much-needed comfort while working from home. The cropped top and ankle fitted joggers give you a nice feel without skin hugging. The line of cut out tops to pair with joggers and leggings will make you go gaga, forfeiting the fear of otherwise looking homeless in baggy clothing.

However, the next mood could be fierce. And to be ready to take it head-

on, a ferocious, outspoken and something in black would fit perfectly. Serve some intense looks in a black slit dress or an all-white dress crowned with a white blazer because there’s nothing sexier than women who wear fearless-ness on their sleeve.

But what if it’s a mix of emotions? Look no fur-ther; denim is to your rescue. A denim dress or light washed jeans paired with a black sweetheart neckline top or a floral one is a pre-cise representa-tion of your mixed emotions curbed by a dash of denim.

AHMEDABAD, SATURDAY APRIL 17, 2021

www.firstindia.co.in I www.firstindia.co.in/epaper/ I twitter.com/thefirstindia facebook.com/thefirstindia I instagram.com/thefirstindia 09

To walk you through the

ultimate style guide based on

different types of moods, City First has brought you

some voguish suggestions!

ATTIRE FOR EVERY MOODMONICA [email protected]

10ETC

AHMEDABAD | SATURDAY, APRIL 17, 2021www.fi rstindia.co.in I www.fi rstindia.co.in/epaper/ I twitter.com/thefi rstindia I facebook.com/thefi rstindia I instagram.com/thefi rstindia

FACE

OF TH

E DAY

ROOP VERMA, Blogger

LEOJULY 24 - AUGUST 23

Self-discipline and not succumbing to temptations will help in maintaining good health. Some of you

may get tied up in offi ce and reach home late today. It may become diffi cult to fi nd time for family today, but you will be able to make up for it later.

LIBRA SEPT 24 - OCTOBER 22

On the fi nancial front, a new source of income is likely to be tapped soon that may get your coffers

brimming! Health counselling will do wonders for those longing to come back in shape. You are likely to win much appreciation by completing a task in record time.

ARIESMAR 21 - APR 20

Time has arrived to reap rich rewards of your hard work. Parents or elders may nag you into doing

something you don’t want to, but you will manage to wriggle out of it! Accompanying a family member overseas or out of town cannot be ruled out for some.

SAGITTARIUS NOV 23 - DEC 22

A profi table venture is likely to fi ll up the coffers of some businesspersons. You may be held responsible for a

deed that you have not committed at work. Fitness classes will prove immensely benefi cial, especially for those in the middle age group. A family youngster will take long strides.

GEMINIMAY 21 - JUNE 21

Your initiative will help mend fences with someone you were not in talking terms. You can join your

friends in undertaking a trip. A chance to prove your mettle on the professional front will be nicely availed by you. Things promise to work in your favour.

AQUARIUSJAN 21 - FEB 19

Taking up a good health scheme will prove benefi cial. A practical solution may be found for a complex

problem on the professional front. Support of family members is assured in whatever you undertake. Some builders may start thinking in terms of a township soon.

TAURUSAPR 21 - MAY 20

An alternative to your staple diet may prove immensely enjoyable. An argument with senior can

make you feel insecure. You may fi nd the atmosphere on the home front serene and most welcoming. Places of tourist attraction may be on the agenda of those travelling.

CAPRICORNDEC 23 - JAN 20

A profi table day is also indicated for professionals. There is much that needs to be done, so tighten your

belt. Good health is likely to provide you with oodles of energy and enable you to fi nish your work in a jiffy. Budgetary planning will be required for those going in for a renovation.

VIRGOAUG 24 - SEP 23

A new exercise regime may need to be dovetailed to your requirements to benefi t. Your professional

rivals are likely to punch holes in your cost-cutting ideas for a project. Disagreements with a family member is possible. Those proceeding out of town are likely to make good speed.

CANCERJUNE 22 - JULY 23

Good diet and regular exercise will keep you both physically and mentally robust. At work, you are

likely to remain in control and see a project to completion. Financially, you remain in a comfortable situation. Travelling long distance is not recommended today.

PISCESFEB20 - MARCH 20

Your efforts on the professional front will be noted by those who matter. A child or younger sibling

can make you proud by his or her achievements. Good health keeps you energetic all throughout. A get together can prove expensive and pinch your pocket.

SCORPIOOCT 23 - NOVEMBER 22

A senior will repose full faith in you for tackling a man management situation at work. Situation on the

fi nancial front will remain satisfac-tory, despite rising expenditure. A property issue may create tension on the home front. You are likely to be more happy today.

YOUR DAY

Horoscope by Saurabbh Sachdeva

zad Singh Rathore, in his latest publication titled ‘Balochistan: The Heights of Oppression’ (published by Partridge India), presents a chronicle of the Baloch

history and its homeland and uncovers the betrayals and in-justice Pakistan inflicted on them as well as the resistance and insurgencies in Balo-chistan.

Tao Pa Sarani GoddagaZendeHay-laankoshe

Pa SendagaDaashtkanePulla’n Che Bo Taalanya

-Atta Saad, Poet & architect of modern Balochi poetry

Can you, by cutting the heads, from the bodies,

Kill the living thoughts and ideas?

Can you, by wrenching, The Flow-ers from branches,

Stop their fragrance from spread-ing?

Never has an independent civilization suffered the kind of oppression and tyranny as the Baloch have for centuries now. A classic example of rich land, poor people! The land is so rich in natural resources yet so poor that its owners are even deprived of basic amenities. Over dec-ades, facts have been manipu-lated, lives are slain, human rights violated and the canvas of an abundant civilization tainted. What Pakistan chooses to call an “economic liability” is a saviour of its economy. Balochistan has been playing the role of a step-child who has been abused to the core, yet serves the purpose of earning the daily bread. Surpris-ingly, a heart-rendering tale of a culpable homicide, which many have not dared to find out!

The country of the Baloch has been known as Balochistan since the founding of the first Baloch confederacy in the 12th century. The Greater Balo-chistan region was remotely lo-cated far away from the King-dom of Persia in the west and equally at distance from Indian princely states in the east. At present time, Balochistan, a part of Greater Balochistan, is a disputed remote territory be-tween the Sindh province of Pa-kistan and the western interna-tional border of Iran since 1947.

The whole region was populated most heavily by ethnic Baloch people and thus, named this re-gion Balochistan, the homeland of Baloch people. Geopolitical developments in the area divid-ed Greater Balochistan into three separate countries. This book is mainly focused on pre-sent Balochistan, the region un-der the occupation of Pakistan. It describes the history, culture, and the Baloch people’s suffer-ing from the last seven decades of pain, atrocity and oppres-sions that Pakistan have given them to suppress their voice. A

voice that wants to save the Ba-loch culture, people and home-land from Pakistan’s army and its leadership.

It is interesting and rather disturbing that not many politi-cians or experts of foreign poli-cies have touched upon the sub-ject much. Balochistan remains an untold tale. A world that is so near to us, yet so mysteriously hidden from view. Azad, with this book, has made an effort to touch on many aspects of the land including its history, econ-omy, socio-political issues and its people. One can see the

amount of research that has gone into the illustrations of a place that remains out of bounds for almost all.

“As a citizen of the biggest de-mocracy in the world, India, We, everyone, learned from our con-stitution that we should take

stand up against everything which is unconstitutional, un-ethical, injustice full and une-qual. As a political activist, I try my best to raise a voice against injustice and unconstitutional issues matters happening around. As a citizen of India, a

country whom I love more than anything, I felt I must raise my voice until justice served to the last man standing in the queue. In the same compassion, I firm-ly believe that, as a responsible citizen of this beautiful world, I must speak and take a stand for any deprived soul on this earth. Through this book, I am making an effort to express my sensitiv-ity towards Baloch people, who are around 350 km away only from my hometown, living in traumatic conditions under suppression and oppressions of our neighbouring country Paki-stan,” Rathore states, on his in-spiration in writing the book. Readers are invited to join hands to take a firm stand on the Balochistan issue after read-ing this book.

Balochistan:‘The Heights of Oppression’

LUNARAM [email protected]

A

Azad Singh Rathore

Over the past few days, the entire nation has been battling the COVID 19 surge and

hence, several restrictions on movement have been imposed in many states including Ma-harashtra. Taking to Twitter, Kangana Ranaut shared a pho-to of how the restrictions im-

posed by the Maharashtra Gov-ernment looked like in real life.

—Agency

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11

NEW PROJECT

Actor-producer Ajay Devgn is planning to team up with

producer Siddharth Roy Kapur to bankroll a comedy-drama titled ‘GOBAR!’ that will be inspired by real-life events. Siddharth and Ajay confirmed their collaboration on his sa-tirical film. Ajay will back the film under his banner Ajay Devgn Films while Siddharth will produce it under his banner Roy Kapur Films.

—Agency

Gal Gadot recently revealed that she used the late Princess Diana as an inspiration for her role of the Amazonian superhero

‘Wonder Woman’ in the DC verse flick. The actor revealed that after watching a documentary about the Princess of Wales, she felt there was a connection between the late royal and the DC Comics superhero. Gadot said, “I re-member watching a documentary about Princess Diana and there was a part where they said she was full of compassion and always cared for the people and that was like, ‘Ding, ding, ding,’ that should be the Wonder Woman we have.”

—Agency

The Imperfects

Streaming platform Netflix has ordered a 10-episode staright to se-ries project for ‘The Imper-

fects’, a sci-fi drama starring Cana-dian actor Italia Ricci. The drama re-volves around three twenty-some-things who, following experimental gene therapy, are turned into monsters who band together to hunt down the scientist responsible and force him to make them human again. —ANI

Bollywood Singer Jonita Gan-dhi has recently come up with a new single ‘Me-herma’. The song takes us

back to the first time we fell in love. In an exclusive interview with City First, the singer shared, “It’s a ro-mantic song which I’ve sung along-side Shashwat Singh, composed by Samira Koppikar.”

On being asked about what in-spired her to come up with this song, the songstress said, “Working with Samira is what inspired me to sing this song. I’ve sung this genre many times before and I assume that’s why she thought of me.”

“I’m currently working on a few independent singles that I’m ex-cited to release soon. Stay tuned to my social media accounts to get

the updated details,” Jonita said.

Kiara Advani is one of the most active and fol-lowed Indian actresses on social media. Re-

cently one of Kiara’s die-hard fans from Delhi wrote a long post about how she is her idol and she missed many opportuni-ties to meet Kiara when she was in Delhi for film shoots and promo-tions. Kiara responded to the fan tweet by writing, ‘Dreams do come true, very very soon with multiple heart emojis.” —Agency

Absolute honourB

ollywood producer Ritesh Sidhwani re-cently travelled to Jam-mu and Kashmir and

while he was there, he met up with the Lieutenant Gover-

nor of Jammu and Kash-mir, Manoj Sinha. The

Toofaan producer also shared the update re-garding his meeting with the LT Governor of J&K with fans on

Twitter and re-vealed that they

discussed a cou-

ple of important matters including the possibility of having film shoots in the picturesque valley of Jammu and Kashmir. —Agency

Happy B’day!Happy B’day!ara Dutta celebrated her 43rd birthday on Friday. The actress, who had started her ca-reer in Bollywood in 2003 with Andaaz, has come a long way in her career and will be next seen in Bell Bottom with Akshay Ku-mar. Lara Dutt is one of the actresses in Bol-lywood, who doesn’t need an introduction

and has carved a niche for herself with her sheer tal-ent and hard work. She was born in the year 1978 to a Hindu father and an Anglo-Indian mother in Ghazi-abad, Uttar Pradesh but the family moved to Bengaluru in 1981. But her journey towards showbiz started much later in 1997 when she was crowned Miss Interconti-nental in 1997. Lara Dutta got crowned the Miss Universe in 2000. —Agency

L

New single

OUT!KARISHMA [email protected]

I’ll be back

Indiana Jones

SWEET response

The actual The actual superherosuperhero KANGANA KANGANA

takes a jibetakes a jibe

Arnold Schwarzenegger is known for trademark catchphrases in his films, and he confesses using these in real life as well. The action star’s

son Patrick Schwarzenegger, who was a guest on “The Kelly Clarkson Show” to pro-mote his new film “Moxie”, was asked if his father used his famous catchphrases. “Yeah, everybody asks that. They’re like, ‘Does your dad always say his one-liners?’ And I’m like, ‘All the time’,” Patrick replied, accord-ing to eonline.com. To this, Kelly added: “Like, I hope every time he exists a room, he says, ‘I’ll be back.”

—Agency

A fter English actor Phoebe W a l t e r Bridge was

roped in as the female lead in the new ‘Indi-an Jones’ film, the makers have discov-ered Harrison Ford’s next co-star in Mads Mikkelsen, who is set to join the upcoming instalment. Film Di-rector, James Man-gold is taking over directing reins from Steven Spielberg, who actually is filming in as a producer and is very much involved in various elements of the film. —ANI

AHMEDABAD | SATURDAY, APRIL 17, 2021

Lara Dutta

Jonita Gandhi

Kiara Advani

A still from The Terminator

Mads Mikkelsen

Italia Ricci

Ajay Devgn

Gal Gadot Kangana Ranaut

...Ritesh Sidhwani’s post

Fiction turned Drama

‘The Underground Railroad’ from Academy Award-winner Barry Jenkins has dropped a soul-stirring trailer featuring debutante Thuso

Mbedu. The 10-episode limited series is based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Col-son Whitehead. The trailer chronicles Cora Randall’s (newcomer Thuso Mbedu) desper-ate bid for free-dom in the ante-bellum South. After escaping a Georgia planta-tion for the ru-moured Under-ground Rail-road, Cora dis-covers no mere metaphor, but an actual railroad full of engineers and conductors. —ANI

Poster of ‘The Underground Railroad’

urvai Jain, a 21-year-old strong independ-ent woman, grew up in a middle-class family. She is a certi-fied radio jockey and an anchor by

profession. In an exclusive interview with City First, Purvai said, “I have always loved the idea of grooming and becoming better each day. I was fascinated by TV anchors and since a young age which eventually led to me becoming a radio jockey.” She further added, “I wasn’t this confident before until the day I won various titles for my beauty and confi-dence like ‘Ms Jaipur’, ‘Ms Style Icon’ among many oth-ers. I wish to have a garden

full of bougainvillaea than my neck covered with dia-monds and platinum.”

On her challenges and family support, she said, “I had to face many challenges and work on myself a lit-tle extra than the oth-ers as I was over-weight since child-hood. My parents were my biggest pil-lar of support. They encouraged me since the beginning and I have immense gratitude towards them.”

When asked what advice would she give someone start-ing, the alluring beauty replied, “To the girls who want to come into this indus-try should be mature enough to tackle every situation with a positive attitude and immense patience.

12AHMEDABAD | SATURDAY, APRIL 17, 2021www.firstindia.co.in I www.firstindia.co.in/epaper/ I twitter.com/thefirstindia I facebook.com/thefirstindia I instagram.com/thefirstindia

CITY BUZZGET VACCINATED

STAY MASKED

EVENTS!

The 400th centenary festival of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib, the ninth Guru of Sikhism, will be celebrated on May 1. To commemorate the occasion, Gurudwara Nehru Nagar on behalf of the Istree Satsang Samiti began a series of ‘Sehaj Path’ from March 4 under the leadership of Kuljit Kaur and Joginder Kaur Bagga. In this series, the 6th Sehaj Path finished on Thursday and the 7th began. Sehaj Path was concluded by Pinky Singh at Gurdwara Sahib. The series will conclude on April 29.

A 5-day Women Entrepreneurship Training Program was started on Friday at Diya Kumari Foundation in Badal Mahal at City Palace, Jaipur. Amarendra Mishra and Rajiv Sharma from EMI, Jaipur (an autonomous institute of the Government of Rajasthan); Executive Trustee, Rama Dutt from PDKF; Urvashi; Deepti and Aditi Dadhich were

present on the occasion.

CONFIDENCE PERSONIFIED‘CHANGE OF GUARD’

GUJ, CITY FIRST

FICCI Ladies Or-g a n i z a t i o n ( F L O )A h m e d a b a d

chapter appointed Nandita Munshaw as the chairperson for the year 2021-22 at the ‘Change of Guard’ ceremo-ny organised for 17 chapters PAN India. The webinar hosted by FICCI FLO outgoing President Jahnabi Phookan and incom-ing President Ujawala Singhania across the digital platform on Thursday.

Nandita Munshaw is the Founder of Sad-aiv Rishtey, a Bou-tique Matrimonial and has previous ex-perience in working at forex. With a desire to

seek an identity for herself and be fi-nancially stable she got herself in-

volved in the retail-ing and marketing of FOREX Business and worked for a good number of 15 years. This business allowed her to liaise with some of the well-known Corporates for their Forex requirements.

[email protected]

MITALI [email protected]

P

BIG DECISIONCITY FIRST

In a decision that is expected to signifi-cantly ease the pro-cess for re-issue of

Overseas Citizen of In-dia (OCI) cards, the Modi Government has decided to simplify the process. This decision has been taken on the directions of the Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The OCI Card has proved to be very popular amongst foreigners of Indi-an Origin and spouses of foreign origin of Indian citi-zens or OCI cardhold-ers, as it helps them in hassle-free entry and unlimited stay in India. The OCI cardholders

will now be required to get their document

re-issued only once at the age of 20 in-stead of multiple

times needed to be done currently. If a per-son has obtained regis-tration as an OCI card-holder after attaining the age of 20 years, there will be no require-

ment of re-issue of the OCI card.

After the OCI process simplification guide-lines were issues on Fri-day, Prem Bhandari tweeted, “Previously, it was just a long-term visa, & OCI renewal, which was necessary after passport renewal or 20/50 year age OCI renewal req, was very cumbersome process. Travelers with valid OCI, but renewed pass-port were denied board-ing. The excruciating difficulties NRI’s have gone through due to the tedious OCI renewal process after getting a passport renewed, are resolved once for all. GREATFUL.”

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IPS Lata Manoj Kumar and IPS Raj Kumar Gupta celebrated their birthdays on April 16, Friday. We wish them all the best!

HAPPY B’DAY!

DURING THE DAY!

SMEBIZZ Entrepreneur’s Star Awards 2021 was organised at Hotel Pullman, New Delhi recently. Shyam Jaju, Ex-National Vice President graced the occasion as the Chief guest.

Amrita Gupta has been appointed as the Central Coordinator of the CREDAI Women Wing. Amrita will look over the responsibility of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh among other states.

RAJ: Kusum Yadav and Ajay Yadav along with other activists celebrated the birth anniversary of Bhimrao Ambedkar by laying the garland on Baba Saheb’s portrait and distributed fruits at Koliyo Ka Mohalla on Wednesday. Highlighting his biography, Kusum Yadav shared that he always paid attention to ‘education’.

RAJ: After the second wave of coronavirus and the next lockdown in the state, people followed the Roza Iftar at their homes on Friday and this will be followed for the coming two three days. Residents of Chaar Darwaza, Syed Colony shared that it is a great experience to keep fast and following the rituals with family.

On the occasion of 130th birth anniversary of Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar, architect of the constitution, celebrations were held across the world with pomp and show. A program was also organised in Dubai’s Shurton Check on behalf of Ambedkar Global. Santosh Kumar, Minister of Bihar Government was present as chief guest at the event. An award ceremony was also organised by Ambedkar Global Chief Advisor, moreover social worker, Shankar Lal Gurjar, who had been working for the upliftment of teaching of Baba Saheb Ambedkar, said that through this program, a call is being made to walk with the common man on the path described by Baba Saheb.

RAJ: Teen Celebrity Model Bhavya Sharma, the brand ambassador of India’s growing modelling platform Fashgenix, charmed everyone by walking down a special ramp walk at the finale of Miss Diva Rajasthan Season 3. Fashgenix Founder Director Mahesh Kumawat told that during this time, Bhavya Sharma’s website bhavyasharma.in was also launched.

In an ongoing tradition, Painter Chandra Prakash Gupta gifted yet another Oil Painting Portrait to the family of Martyr Data Ram Chaudhry who lost his life in an encounter with terrorist in Jammu and Kashmir. Painter Gupta has made 275 oil portraits in last 22 years and gifted them to the family of martyrs.

GUJ: Employees at the Umiya Mata Temple in Unjha sanitized the temple premises after it was shut down for devotees till April 30, owing to the COVID-19 case surge in the state.

Prem Bhandari

Nandita Munshaw

Purvai Jain

WHAT’S HAPPENING!—PHOTO BY HANIF SINDHI

Covid stalks Kumbh! Niranjani Akhara exits as saints test +ve

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