2 deaths, 44 new Covid-19As cases spike, lockdown cases ...

PNS n VIJAYAWADA

Two deaths due to Coronavirusand 44 new positive cases of thedisease were confirmed inAndhra Pradesh, a state gov-ernment bulletin said onTuesday.

With this, the overall toll hasnow increased to nine and thenumber of infections in thestate to 483.

The oldest person to test pos-itive for Coronavirus in AndhraPradesh was an 80-year oldwoman from Guntur while theyoungest were two three-yearold girls, one from Kurnool andanother from East Godavaridistrict.

Of the total 483 Covid-19cases registered in the statefrom March 12 to April 14, 125were female and the rest male.

And, 31 of those afflictedwere under the age of 15 years,data released by the AP govern-ment here on Tuesday revealed.

Among the children, therewere two each of three, five andseven years, three each of eightand six years, a nine- year oldand six were 10-year old.

Of the 31 children under theage of 15, the number of girlswere 19. The Government ofIndia authorities insisted thatAP too release the Covid-19details like other states in atransparent manner and,

accordingly, the state govern-ment finally released somedata on the pandemic thus far,official sources said. The gov-ernment data revealed that,among the 483 cases, 13 foreignreturnees contracted coron-avirus and 12 of their contactsgot afflicted through human-to-human transmission.

Another 33 cases were due to"other reasons." The remainingcases were either TablighiJamaat congregation attendeesor their contacts. According to

the state government num-bers, in all 10,505 blood sam-ples were tested till date and10,022 of them turned negative.

On Monday, the seven ViralResearch and DiagnosticLaboratories (VRDL) openedby the state, set a record by con-ducting 2,010 blood tests in 24hours. The seven labs have atotal capacity to test 990 sam-ples per day.

The government volunteersand health workers completedtwo rounds of house-to-house

survey, covering 1.31 crore ofthe total 1.46 crore householdsto identify prospective Covid-19 patients.

PNS n NEW DELHI

Prime Minister NarendraModi on Tuesday announcedthat the current lockdown willbe extended till May 3, sayingit is very necessary to containthe spread of the coronaviruspandemic in the country. Indiamay have paid a big econom-ic price, but there can be noalternative to saving humanlives, said the PM.

In a televised address to thenation, Modi said implemen-tation of the lockdown will bestrictly ensured in comingdays to ensure that the virusdoes not spread to new areas,

The prime minister saiddetailed guidelines on imple-mentation of the new lock-down will be announced onWednesday. Some relaxationsmay be allowed after April 20in places where there is no

hotspot, he said. He said Indiahas managed to contain thespread of infection well due toits holistic approach in dealingwith the crisis and sacrificesmade by people of the countryin the fight produced positiveresults. Modi said India

received huge benefits from the21-day lockdown in checkingthe pandemic and added thatthe country has dealt with thesituation better with limitedresources.

PNS n MUMBAI

Hours after Prime MinisterNarendra Modi announcedextension of the Coronavirus-enforced lockdown till May 3,a large number of migrantworkers who earn daily wagescame out on road in Mumbaion Tuesday demanding trans-port arrangements to go backto their native places.

Daily wage workers haverendered jobless ever since thelockdown was announced latelast month to stem the spreadof Covid-19, making their lifea constant struggle.

Though authorities andNGOs have made arrange-ments for their food, most ofthem want to go back to theirnative places to escape the

hardship brought by the sweep-ing curbs.

According to a police official,daily wage earners, numberingaround 1,000, assembled atsuburban Bandra (West) busdepot near the railway stationand squatted on road at around3 pm.

The daily wage earners, whoreside on rent in slums in in thenearby Patel Nagri locality,were demanding arrangementof transport facilities so thatthey can go back to their nativetowns and villages.

They originally hail fromstates like West Bengal andUttar Pradesh.

One of the labourers, whodid not reveal his name, said,NGOs and local residents areproviding food to migrant

workers, but they want to goback to their native states dur-ing the lockdown which hasbadly affected their source oflivelihood.

"Now, we don’t want food,we want to go back to ournative place, we are not happywith the announcement(extending the lockdown)," hesaid, looking dejected.

Asadullah Sheikh, who hailsfrom from Malda in WestBengal, said, “We have alreadyspent our savings during thefirst phase of the lockdown. Wehave nothing to eat now, wejust want to go back at ournative place, the governmentshould made arrangements forus.”

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BHUBANESWAR RANCHI DEHRADUNHYDERABAD

{PRASHANT KISHOR ASKS CENTRE IF ITHAS A PLAN B IF RESTRICTIONS FAIL

"This too shall pass" was superstar Rajinikanth's take on the COVID-19pandemic which has ravaged the world and to a much lesser extent

India, as he urged Tamils in every nation to follow restrictions imposedby governments to protect themselves. In a video message released toextend his Tamil New year greetings, he urged Tamilsliving everywhere, including foreign countries, to followthe restrictions to protect themselves from thecontagion, saying this would be their "biggest gift" totheir family members this year. "Coronavirus hasaffected the whole world and India and Tamil Naduare no exceptions,” he said in the video.

COVID-19 CASES CROSS 10,000 MARK, 353 DEATHS IN 21 DAYS OF LOCKDOWN

The union health ministry placed the totalnumber of cases at 10,815 and the death

toll at 353. The ministry said that 1190people have so far recovered from theinfection. The first 21 days of the nationwidecoronavirus lockdown has recorded a spikeof about 10,000 COVID-19 cases and over320 deaths since March 25, and though the

jury may still be out on the success of the unprecedented measure billedas world's biggest shutdown, many medical experts feel India wouldhave been far worse without it.

Railways is set to cancel around 39 lakh ticketsbooked for travel between April 15 and May 3 due

to extension of the nationwide lockdown andsuspension of passenger trains till then in the wake ofthe coronavirus pandemic, sources said. With thenational transporter allowing tickets to be booked

during the 21-day lockdown for journeys after April 14, around 39 lakhbookings were made by passengers hoping that trains will be in operationpost-lockdown. However, with the announcement of the extension of thelockdown period, railways on Tuesday not only cancelled all its passengerservices till May 3 but also stopped all advance bookings.

RLYS SET TO CANCEL AROUND 39 LTICKETS BOOKED FOR APR 15-MAY 3

‘THIS TOO SHALL PASS’, SAYSRAJINIKANTH ON CORONAVIRUS

Election strategist-turned politician Prashant Kishor — one of the sharpcritics of the modalities of the lockdown — today questioned if the

government has a plan in case the extension of the restriction provesineffective. "Do we have an alternate plan or the will to course correct?"questioned the former leader of Bihar's ruling Janata Dal United.Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended the lockdown till May 3,underscoring that for the next seven days, every district in thecountry will be strictly monitored. The announcement comes ona day the country witnessed the largest-ever jump in cases. With1,211 new patients testing positive in the last 24 hours, the totalnumber of coronavirus cases in the country is now 10,363.

Enough stockof essentialcommodities,no need to worry

5

Trump says OPEC+ planning to cut production20 mn bpd

8

Jagan’s decisionon SEC has set of a hidden casteconflict

3

Current Weather ConditionsUpdated April 14, 2020 5:00 PM

ALMANACTODAY

Month & Paksham:Chaitra & Shukla PakshaPanchangam:Tithi: Ashtami: 04:50 pmNakshatram: Uttara Ashadha: 09:04 pmTime to Avoid: (Bad time to start

any important work)Rahukalam: 12:16 pm – 01:49 pmYamagandam: 07:36 am – 09:09 amVarjyam: 01:24 am – 03:08 amGulika: 10:43 am - 12:16 pmGood Time: (to start any

important work)Amritakalam: 02:18 pm – 03:59 pmAbhijit Muhurtham: NIL

VIJAYAWADAWEATHERForecast: Partly cloudyTemp: 39/24Humidity: 43%Sunrise: 06:00 amSunset: 06:32 pm

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2 deaths, 44 new Covid-19cases reported in State

As cases spike, lockdownto continue till May 3

28 Telugustudentsreach homefrom Italy

Naidu hails decisionof PM on lockdownPNS n VIJAYAWADA

Telugu Desam Party NationalPresident and former ChiefMinister N ChandrababuNaidu on Tuesday laudedPrime Minister NarendraModi for “taking a bold andstatesman-like decision toextend lockdown” and saidthat the PM gave priority tosaving the lives of peopledespite the deepening eco-nomic crisis in the country.

Naidu said that Modi dulygave him a call back thismorning in reply to his(Naidu's) call on Monday anddiscussed the way forward inthe fight against the Covid -19epidemic.

"I told the PM that underhis efficient leadership, the

right decision was made onlockdown-1. That helped Indiastand at the forefront of thebattle against the virus. Manyother countries are facingproblems. You are buildingnational consensus in the rightspirit,” Naidu said.

US allows H-1B visa extension PNS n WASHINGTON

In a major relief for thousandsof stranded Indian profes-sionals in America due to thecoronavirus pandemic, theUS government has decidedto allow applications by H-1Bvisa holders for an extendedstay in the country.

The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows UScompanies to employ foreignworkers in specialty occupa-

tions that require theoreticalor technical expertise. Thetechnology companies

depend on it to hire tens ofthousands of employees eachyear from countries like Indiaand China.

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS)in a new notification has said it recognises that thereare immigration-related challenges as a direct result of the Coronavirus pandemic.

PNS n VIJAYAWADA

A bus carrying 28 Italy-returned AP students reachedhere in the wee hours ofTuesday crossing several hur-dles.

The students, who hadbeen stranded in Italy,reached Delhi on March 14.The officials there sent themto an army camp for medicalexamination. They remainedin the quarantine facility for28 days. At the end of thequarantine period, they weredespatched to AP in a bus,which was not allowed toproceed further by officials inChhattisgarh.

Thousands of migrant labourers try to leave Mumbai

Protest over cremation of APdoctor who died of Covid-19

TTD extendssuspensionof darshan till May 3PNS n HYDERABAD

In view of the governmentdecision to extend the lock-down to contain the spread ofCoronavirus virus till May 3,the TTD has decided to con-tinue the suspension of theSrivari darshan at Tirumalatemple for pilgrims till that date.

PNS n CHENNAI

Residents of a locality inChennai opposed the crema-tion of a doctor from AndhraPradesh who died of Covid-19 here, forcing authorities tocarry it out in another placeovernight with a top officialblaming 'coordination gap' forthe unsavoury turn of events.

As the body of the 56-yearold doctor, who died onMonday at a corporate hospi-tal, was taken to the cremationground in Ambattur area, thelocals protested against it, say-ing it might lead to spread ofCoronavirus in their locality,police said on Tuesday.

Following the resistance,the body of the man fromNellore was taken back to thehospital mortuary, they said.

Top government sourcessaid the man was cremated lateon Monday in another locali-

ty in the city. A top officialfrom Chennai Corporationtold PTI that the cremationwas done with full protocol forCovid-19 victims.

When asked about localsobjecting to the cremation,Tamil Nadu Health SecretaryBeela Rajesh said such an inci-dent was rare and said "coor-dination gap" could have been

the reason behind it, but didnot elaborate.

"It is a very sensitive issue.Everybody in the governmentis aware of the guidelines thatneeds to be followed to dispose(a body). We have also issuedguidelines to private hospitals.These kind of issues have notoccurred in the past.

Cop reportsfor duty withfractured legPNS n RAJAMPET

Displaying remarkable com-mitment to duty, a circleinspector, who suffered a legfracture, was seen on Tuesdaydischarging duties inRajampet. Subha Kumar, CIof Rajampet, was seen takingthe help of a crutch while ask-ing peope to take precautions.

Two weeks ago, while dis-persing crowd, Subhakumarsuffered a fracture on his left leg.

As Rajampet S-I is on leavedue to some emergency, theCI reported for work onTuesday with his leg still in a cast.

Implementlockdownnorms: Jagan

Chief Minister YSJaganmohan Reddy onTuesday told district

collectors and SPs thatlockdown guidelines should bestrictly implemented across thestate. The Chief Minister, duringa videoconference, made itclear that social distancingshould be implemented strictlyand essential good should bemade available every day at thespecified time.

IN LAST 24 HOURS

16 test positive for Covid-19 in Guntur district

l 4 persons make full recovery inAndhra Pradesh, discharged l Srikakulam, Vizianagaram remain free from virus

9,354of the 9,827 samplestested return negative

10,815number of infectionsacross India

483 number of Covid-19cases in AP

9 persons die of Coronavirus

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INSn NEW YORK

Several people lost their senseof smell or taste weeks agoglobally and are still waiting forit to come back and now,researchers have identified anassociation between sensoryloss and novel Coronavirusinfection, indicating that loss ofsmell and taste may be consid-ered as early symptoms of thedeadly disease.

Interestingly, the study alsofound that persons, whoreported experiencing a sorethroat more often tested neg-ative for Covid-19. The teamfrom University of California-San Diego found high preva-lence and unique presentationof certain sensory impairmentsin patients positive with Covid-19.

Of those who reported a lossof smell and taste, the loss wastypically profound, not mild.

"Based on our study, if you havesmell and taste loss, you aremore than 10 times more like-ly to have Covid-19 infectionthan other causes of infection.The most common first sign ofa Covid-19 infection remainsfever, but fatigue and loss of

smell and taste follow as othervery common initial symp-toms," explained studyresearcher Carol Yan from UCSan Diego.

"We know Covid-19 is anextremely contagious virus.This study supports the need to

be aware of smell and taste lossas early signs of Covid-19," Yanadded. For the findings, pub-lished in the journalInternational Forum of Allergyand Rhinology, the researchteam surveyed 1,480 patientswith flu-like symptoms and

concerns regarding potentialCovid-19 infection, whounderwent testing at UC SanDiego Health from March 3through March 29, 2020.

Within that total, 102patients tested positive forthe virus and 1,378 testednegative. The study includ-ed responses from 59 Covid-19-positive patients and 203Covid-19-negative patients.Encouragingly, the rate ofrecovery of smell and tastewas high and occurred usu-ally within two to four weeksof infection. "Our study notonly showed that the highincidence of smell and tasteis specific to Covid-19 infec-tion but we fortunately alsofound that for the majorityof people sensory recoverywas generally rapid," saidYan.

"Among the Covid-19patients with smell loss,

more than 70 per cent hadreported improvement ofsmell at the time of the sur-vey and of those who hadn'trep or ted improvement ,many had only been diag-nosed recently," she added.Sensory return typicallymatched the timing of dis-ease recovery.

In an effort to decrease therisk of virus transmission,UC San Diego Health nowincludes loss of smell andtaste as a screening require-ment for visitors and staff, aswell as a marker for testingpatients who may be positivefor the virus.

"It is our hope that withthese findings other institu-tions will follow suit and notonly list smell and taste lossas a symptom of Covid-19,but use it as a screening mea-sure for the virus across theworld," Yan said.

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VIJAYAWADA | WEDNESDAY | APRIL 15, 2020 vijayawada 02

PNSn GUNTUR

Fear psychosis gripped peoplein Guntur district with therise in Covid-19 positivecases. The district adminis-tration is geared up and takingpreventive measures tocombating the virus.

It is learnt that themedical and health offi-cials are clueless how two per-sons from Palnadu, whodied in a gap of two or threedays, and another person inPonnuru, contracted theCoronavirus since none oftheir family members did notgo either overseas or Delhi toattend religious congregation.

How many people shouldhave been affected in Palnaduand Ponnuru regions and whatis the source of infection arethe two factors that are per-

plexing thehealth department. Besidesofficials, people living in thevicinity of where the threepeople lived are living in a gripof fear. The district ranked

number one in the State push-ing Kurnool district to secondplace.

Three cases havebeen reported fromD a c h e p a l l i ,

Narasaraopet andPonnuru. One ofthe deceased hadworked as an

assistant to a cableTV operator in

Narasaraopet. Heused to live inVaravakatta locality

and visited door-to-door tocollect cable bill.

The authorities are work-ing on from whom he couldhave contracted the virus. Arethere any other who havebeen suffering from theCovid-19 symptoms, they arepondering.

Gurajala DSP Sriharibabu

said that one person belong-ing to Narayanapuram inDachepalli mandal died ofCoronavirus. He used to workas an electrician. There wereno known Coronavirus casesin the locality. A door-to-door survey is being under-taken to find if there is anyperson suffering from suchsymptoms.

Another person in Ponnurtested positive for the virus inspite of having no Markazlinks. In all, 53 persons con-tracted the virus due to com-ing into contact with nine per-sons, who returned to the dis-trict from Delhi.

Of the 17 cases reportedfrom district on Saturday, 10persons belonging to a samefamily contracted the virus. Thecases include children in theage group of 6, 7 and 8 years.

RISE IN CORONA CASES

PNSn VIJAYAWADA

Vegetables are being distrib-uted to one lakh families inWest constituency for the past11 days, disclosed Ministerfor Endowments VelampalliSrinivas.

Addressing the media hereon Tuesday, the minister laud-ed the services of medical,paramedical, police, ward/vil-lage volunteers. He said thatYSRCP activists are also serv-ing people in the hour of cri-sis.

The minister said that withtimely action of Chief MinisterYS Jaganmohan Reddy, thenumber of Covid–19 positivecases in the state is contained.Though the State is in direstraits, all schemes are beingimplemented without delay.From April 16, second phaseration will be distributed to thepoor, he informed.

He alleged that opposition

leader N Chandrababu Naiduwas trying to politicise the sit-uation to gain mileage, whileMLC Buddha Venkanna, MPKesineni Srinivas and MLAGadde Ramamohana Rao, too,are walking in their leader’sfootsteps. He alleged that TDPleaders are trying to provokepeople while the whole nationis gripped in fear due toCovid–19.

Earlier, the minister paid flo-ral tributes to Dr BRAmbedkar on his 129th birthanniversary at TummalapalliKalakshetram.

Second phase of rationdistribution from April 16

PNSn KALIDINDI

Legal Metrology departmentofficials conducted raids on 60shops selling essential com-modities and registered casesagainst 16 shops for discrepan-cies in prices and imposed a fineof Rs 35,000 on erring shop-keepers from April 1 to 12.

The State government hasfixed prices of essential com-modities, vegetables and askedtraders against selling the fooditems at higher prices than thegovernment fixed rates. It threat-ened to file cases against them,if found violating the orders.

Officials in their raidsobserved that traders are sellingrice, pulses, edible oil, red gram,sugar, bengal gram and othercommodities at higher ratesthan the government fixed rates.

Consumers feel that the num-

ber of cases registered againsttraders is normal as informationis being passed by one trader inone region to another trader inanother region. As a result,prices cannot be held undercheck.

Legal metrology department

official for Gudivada region TRamanjaneyulu warned tradersof imposing fine and registeringcases against them if they foundviolating the government orderon prices. He appealed to peo-ple to convey news of tradersviolating the rules to the depart-ment and promised to keep theirinformation under wraps.

There are no major deviationsin the sale price of Sona Masuririce, BPT rice, wheat flour butthe variation is high in respectof red gram (selling at Rs 110 asagainst government price of Rs90 a kg), groundnut (Rs 75against Rs 65 a kg), sugar (sellsbetween Rs 45 and 50 a kg asagainst Rs 42 a kg), palmolein oilsells at Rs 100 a litre as againstthe fixed price of Rs 88.Sunflower oil is being sold at Rs120 a kg as against Rs 95 and100.

Legal metrology imposesfine on erring traders

Scientists confirm smell, taste loss as early signs of Covid-19

PNSn VIJAYAWADA

The South Central Railways,Vijayawada Division, hasinformed that all ticket countersfor booking, including UTS &PRS, will remain suspended tillfurther orders. In a release onTuesday, they informed thatthere is no advance reservationfor train tickets, including e-tickets, till further orders, how-ever, the facility of online can-cellation will remain function-al.

“Full refund for reservationmade for the trains cancelled.A full refund will also be therefor those cancelling the advancebookings of tickets for trainsnot yet cancelled. In continua-tion of the measures taken inthe wake of Covid-19 lock-down, it has been decided that

all passenger train services,including premium trains,mail/express trains, passengertrains, suburban trains, KolkataMetro Rail and KonkanRailway shall continue toremain cancelled till May 3,”says the release.

To ensure the essential sup-plies in various parts of thecountry, movement of goodsand parcel trains will continue.All counters for ticket bookingfor UTS and PRS will remainclosed till further orders.

With regard to the refund forthe trains cancelled up to May3, in case of e-Tickets, refundswould be automatically remit-ted by the railways throughonline for those who bookedacross the counters, a refundcan be taken up to 3 monthsfrom the date of journey.

PNSn HYDERABAD

He wanted to become aTikTok celebrity by distribut-ing liquor during the lock-down period and by postingthe video online but this land-ed him behind bars.

Hyderabad excise policearrested a 29-year-old manand his associate for distribut-ing liquor among daily wagelabourers on Sunday atChampapet in Hyderabad.

Kumar had uploaded thevideo on TikTok and someother social media platforms.A TikTok enthusiast, he wasinspired by a similarvideo posted inPunjab. "He did allthis to go viral onsocial media andbecome popular onvideo sharing plat-form," an officialsaid. The two sawsome daily wage

labourers, including womensitting near a toddy shop. Hedistributed the liquor he wascarrying among seven per-sons.

Kumar told police that hewanted to help daily wagelabourers experiencing with-drawal symptoms. He said afew days ago, he saw a womanfalling unconscious after notgetting the toddy. The accusedwere booked under variousSections of Indian Penal Codeand Telangana Excise Act andproduced him before the mag-istrate, later, he was sent to jail.

As all liquor shopsremained closed inTelangana since thelockdown began,some addicts havedeveloped withdrawalsymptoms. The Stategovernment, however,has ruled out allowingsale of liquor duringthe lockdown.

FEAR PSYCHOSIS GRIPSPEOPLE IN GUNTUR DIST Minister for Endowments Velampalli

Srinivas said that with timely action ofChief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy,the number of Covid–19 positive casesin the State is contained. Though theState is in dire straits, all schemes arebeing implemented without delay

Consumers feelthat the number ofcases registeredagainst traders isnormal asinformation isbeing passed byone trader in oneregion to anothertrader in anotherregion

Minister for Endowments Velampalli Srinivas

NSTL recalls servicesof Ambedkar to nationPNSn VISAKHAPATNAM

The Naval Science andTechnological Laboratory(NSTL) celebrated the 129thbirth anniversary of the chiefarchitect of the Constitutionand freedom fighter Dr BRAmbedkar in a simple mannerhere on Tuesday. Floral trib-utes were paid to DrAmbedkar by officers andstaff of the laboratory. Officersand staff of NSTL, members ofthe NSTL Civil EmployeesUnion, Works Committee, SCand ST Employees WelfareUnion participated in the pro-gramme.

Dr OR Nandagopan,Outstanding Scientist andDirector NSTL, recalled thecontributions of the visionaryleader in building an indepen-dent India, on the principles of

equality, democracy, libertyand fraternity. Paying richtributes, Dr Nandagopan saidthat Dr Ambedkar was a rolemodel for all, and that oneshould always strive to emu-late the multifaceted leader.

He described Ambedkar asan idol for all - a legal lumi-nary, economist, scholar,politician and social reformer,a linguist, who was well versedin nine languages - a tallleader, and a worthy son of thecountry. He exhorted scientistsand staff of NSTL to re-dedi-cate themselves to the cause ofthe nation.

"Based on our study, if youhave smell and taste loss, youare more than 10 times morelikely to have Covid-19infection than other causes ofinfection. The most commonfirst sign of a Covid-19infection remains fever, butfatigue and loss of smell andtaste follow as other verycommon initial symptoms,"explained study researcherCarol Yan from UC San Diego

TikTok video lands Hydman in police lockup

No passenger trainservices till May 3

PNSn VIJAYAWADA

Governor Biswa BushanHarichandan paid glowingtributes to Baba Saheb BRAmbedkar on his birthanniversary in a programmeat the Raj Bhavan here onTuesday. He offered floraltributes to Dr BR Ambedkarby garlanding his portrait.Speaking on the occasion, hesaid the nation is grateful toAmbedkar for giving the bestConstitution in the worldand he will always remain inthe hearts of people as aleader, who dedicated his lifefor uplift of the poor.

Governor paystributes toAmbedkar

Bihar migrantworker endslife in HydPNSn HYDERABAD

Depressed over his inability togo home, a migrant workerfrom Bihar committed suicidein Hyderabad, police said.Mohammed Amir (24) endedhis life by hanging in his rent-ed room in Uppal on Monday.The incident came to lightafter Amir's friend went to hisroom after receiving a callfrom his family members inBihar that he was not respond-ing to calls on his mobilephone. According to police, theyouth working as a vehicledenting mechanic was upset ashe could not go home and hehad no money to pay theroom rent. Amir was sharingthe room with one Azeem, whoalso hails from Bihar. Azeemhad gone to Bihar on March 13.

Amir was left alone and wasstranded with no money afterthe announcement of lock-down on March 23.

n The district rankednumber one in the State

with 90 cases pushingKurnool district to second place

n In all, 53 persons contracted thevirus due to coming in contact

with nine persons, whoreturned to Gunturdistrict from Delhi

From the time TelanganaChief Minister KChandrashekhar Rao, in

his press meet on April 11,mentioned “QuantitativeEasing” (QE) and “HelicopterMoney”, the words havebecome so popular that evenlaypersons have started talkingabout them.

KCR had said: "In this criti-cal time, we should think of asolution and QE is the only waythe country will be out of thiscrisis.” He added that sincemoney comes as aid from thesky, it is called helicoptermoney and generally centralreserve banks resort to thismethod to revive theeconomies of countries in largeeconomic crises.

KCR wrote to PrimeMinister Narendra Modi soonafter the Cabinet meeting heldthat day. In his letter, he said:“All over the world, the centralbanks have taken very boldmeasures to counter the glob-al recession which is worse thanthe Great Depression of 1929and global financial crisis of2008. Distressed times needdesperate measures. The only

way to counter the impendingrecession is throughQuantitative Easing (QE) andthe effective use of helicoptermoney. This approach is beingfollowed by all major centralbanks of the world. QE pro-posed should be at least 5% ofGDP of the country. The 2019-20 GDP of India is 203.85 lakh-crore and the QE at 5% worksout to be Rs 10.15 lakh-crore”.

QE, also known as large-scale asset purchases, is a mon-etary policy whereby a coun-try’s central bank, like theReserve Bank of India, buyspredetermined amounts of gov-ernment bonds or other finan-cial assets in order to pumpmoney directly into the econ-omy. It is a monetary policyestablished by central banks inwhich newly-created moneyis used to buy state debts andonce the period of QE ends,these capital flows reverse,leaving behind a stock ofunpayable debts.

QE can fuel economicgrowth since money funnelledinto the economy allows peo-ple to comfortably make pur-chases. This can have a trickle-down effect on both the con-sumer and business communi-ties, leading to increased stockmarket performance and GDPgrowth. The problem is that themoney created through QE isused to buy government bondsfrom the financial markets.The newly-created moneytherefore may go directly intothe financial markets, boostingbond and stock markets near-ly to their highest level in his-

tory. The end of QE may bedeflationary.

The goal of QE policies is toboost economic activity byproviding liquidity to the finan-cial system. But QE may causehigher inflation than desired ifthe amount of easing requiredis overestimated and too muchmoney is created by the pur-chase of liquid assets. QE mayfail to spur demand if banksremain reluctant to lend moneyto businesses and households.

If central banks increase themoney supply, it can causeinflation. In a worst-case sce-nario, the central bank may

cause inflation through QEwithout economic growth,causing a period of so-calledstagflation. QE has been nick-named "printing money" by asection of the media, centralbankers, and financial ana-lysts. With QE, the newly cre-ated money is usually used tobuy financial assets other thangovernment bonds.

According to USA Economy

Expert, Kimberly Amadeo, thepresident of World MoneyWatch, Japan was the first touse QE from 2001 to 2006. TheUS Federal Reserve undertookthe most successful QE effort in2008, adding almost $2 trillionto the money supply. That’s thelargest expansion from anyeconomic stimulus programin history. The EuropeanCentral Bank adopted QE inJanuary 2015 after seven yearsof austerity measures.

QE stimulates economicgrowth, although it didn'tachieve the goal of makingmore credit available.

Helicopter money is theterm used for a large sum ofnew money that is printed anddistributed among the public,to stimulate the economy dur-ing a recession or when inter-est rates fall to zero. It is alsoreferred to as a helicopter drop,in reference to a helicopter scat-tering supplies from the sky.

This is an unconventional

monetary policy tool aimed atbringing a flagging economyback on track. American econ-omist Milton Friedman coinedthis term. Friedman used theterm to signify "unexpectedlydumping money onto a strug-gling economy with the inten-tion to shock it out of a deepslump."

QE also involves the use ofprinted money by central banksto buy government bonds. Butnot everyone views the moneyused in QE as helicoptermoney. It's not the same asbond-buying by central banks"in which bank-owned assetsare swapped for new centralbank reserves." Helicoptermoney is also different from acentral bank directly financingthe debt of a government.

According to ArvindSubramanian former EconomicAdvisor to Prime Minister, QEhas generally had a positiveimpact on emerging marketsand the global economy. But in

some instances, they haveadded to pressures and volatil-ity for EMs, complicatingmacro-economic management,and the impact has dependedsignificantly on the globalmacroeconomic situation aswell as the situation in partic-ular countries.

QE has its own advantagesand disadvantages in theIndian context. In an economylike the present Indian sce-nario and the possibleimpending crisis, it enablesadequate money into circula-tion. It ensures brisk econom-ic activity, increases purchas-ing power, facilitates reserve ofenough money with the gov-ernment and enhancement ofborrowing capacity as well asspending power. The disad-vantage is, in consonance withthe money in circulation, if theproduction is not increased,not only the purchase capaci-ty falls down but also leads toinflation.

Quantitative Easing and Helicopter Money

VANAM JWALA NARASIMHA RAOCPRO to Telangana Chief Minister

According to USA Economy Expert,Kimberly Amadeo, the president ofWorld Money Watch, Japan was thefirst to use QE from 2001 to 2006. TheUS Federal Reserve undertook themost successful QE effort in 2008

VIJAYAWADA | WEDNESDAY | APRIL 15, 2020 vijayawada 03

PNS n ANANTAPUR

Gooty Circle Inspector andtwo constables sustainedminor injuries on Tuesday asmigrant labourers f romMadhya Pradesh and UttarPradesh lodged in SKDEngineering College at Gootypelted stones and chappals atthe police demanding thatthe authorities to releasethem from quarantine centre.

Stating that they have com-pleted 14 day quarantineperiod at the facility, themigrant workers demandedthat the police make arrange-ments to send them back totheir native places.

Tension prevailed at thequarantine centre as themigrant labourers refused totouch food till they are sentback to their respective places.

When the police tried topacify them saying that theyhave no powers to releasethem t i l l the Distr ic tCol lector ordered theirrelease, the migrant workers

attacked the police withchappals and stones.

As the migrant workersdid not relent, police had todisperse them by resorting tolathi-charge.

Three injured as migrantlabourers pelt stones at police

By all accounts, AP ChiefMinister YS JaganmohanReddy believes that

everyone in the state, includ-ing Constitutional agencies,should carry out his wish-es, even if means thatorders to this extent arescrutinised by Courts.

The Ordinance cur-tailing the tenure of theState ElectionCommissioner, has sentshockwaves among the peo-ple, coming as it did at a timethe world is grappling with theCoronavirus pandemic.

It’s not just this ordinancethat has stoked a row, Jagan’searlier move to appoint gov-erning bodies for various uni-versities also raised many eye-brows.

Jagan got NimmagaddaRamesh Kumar removed fromthe post of SEC by amendingthe Panchayati Raj Act, thuspaving the way for GovernorBiswabhushan Harichandanto appoint a new man in theseat. The move has unleasheda caste conflict just beneath thesurface of AP politics, at a time

Covid-19 is spread-ing its tentacles

across the state. Ramesh Kumar’s

removal has naturallyirked the powerful

Kamma commu-nity which had ruled the

state for more than twodecades. The Kammas havebeen a dominant force eversince the redoubtable NTRama Rao established theTelugu Desam Party.

Till then, the Reddy com-munity had been well-entrenched in politics. TheKamma community had towait for nearly three decadesfor the right time to make itspresence felt, and the processstarted by its dominance overthe Telugu film industry in the1950s.

In 1983, the prevailing polit-ical vacuum due to the absenceof a strong opposition partycame in handy for NTR to endthe almost uninterrupted rule

of the Reddy community. From the time the viable

political alternative came intobeing in AP, the two powerfulcastes of and Reddy have heldfort in the state. This essential-ly meant that either of thesetwo castes dominated the polit-ical scenario in the state. Byvirtue of an unspoken under-standing, the ruling caste usedto select a few key faces to playa prominent role in the govern-ment. In the ChandrababuNaidu regime, a few prominentReddy faces catered to theneeds of their community; inJagan’s government, Kodali SriVenkateswar Rao alias Nani is

the face of Kamma communi-ty. This arrangement has con-tinued over the last fewdecades.

Coming back to the SEC'sremoval, Jagan's decisionappears to be hasty, while cal-culated at the same time. Thetiming of the ordinance raisedmany an eyebrow, and ques-tions, due to the Coronaviruscrisis.

In such a serious situation,the appointment of retiredJustice Kanakaraj as the newSEC has stunned political cir-cles as well as general public.

Getting the 74-year-oldretired judge to assume charge

of the post during lockdownhas raised many questions.

How did a septuagenariantravel from Chennai toVijayawada when total lock-down was in place? What washis mode of travel? What hap-pened to the rule of sendingany person crossing one stateto another to quarantine?Aren’t rules applicable to all asper law? Or are some personslike judges and retired judgesexempt? Even if there is an

exemption to travel, whatabout the quarantine?

Justice Kanakaraj travelledfrom Tamil Nadu, a state thathas reported the second high-est number of Covid-19 cases,and his age makes him themost vulnerable to the infec-tion. Were all precautionstaken before allowing him intoAP?

It may be mentioned herethat some YSRCP leaders havebeen insisting thatChandrababu Naidu, strandedin Hyderabad due to the lock-down, would have to be quar-antined for 14 days if he didenter AP at this juncture.

The Ordinance itself is beingconsidered to be an undemo-cratic act. Public interestshould be the ultimate goal inpromulgating any ordinanceand it should be acceptable toall, including the opposition.

While for the ruling party,promulgating an Ordinanceis a sign of power, it is always

opposed by the opposition,irrespective of their strength inthe legislature.

M. Venkaiah Naidu, in theearly 1980s, questioned thepropriety of the then govern-ment headed by NTR in issu-ing ordinances. It may appearto be trivial for the youngergeneration now, but Venkaiah’sstand received prominent cov-erage in the print media.

Jagan had earlier mademoves to abolish the LegislativeCouncil for not toeing his line.Interestingly, his father, late YSRajasekhara Reddy had madestrenuous efforts for revival ofthe Council in 2007, threeyears after he assumed office inundivided AP.

However, his son opted tofollow the footsteps of NTR(with his decision to abolishthe Council) with whom YSRhad crossed swords throughouthis political career.

Also, the way GovernorHarichandan approved the

Ordinance has also drawnsevere criticism. Many peopleopine that it was not the righttime to approve the Ordinance.Interestingly the Ordinancenow being challenged in thecourt of law by KamineniSrinivas, a BJP leader. Srinivasclaims that he has the permis-sion of his party high com-mand to challenge the ordi-nance. It’s quite amusing to seea BJP leader moving courtagainst an Ordinance that wasapproved by a Governor whohas been appointed at thebehest of the BJP-led govern-ment at the Centre.

While everybody may agreethat the role of a Governorshould be apolitical, it’s wide-ly accepted that these days, thepost is considered to be a sys-tem of safeguarding the inter-ests of the party ruling at theCentre. This was one of thereasons NTR had stronglyadvocated for abolition of theGovernor system.

M D RATNA KUMAR Senior Journalist

In 1983, the prevailing politicalvacuum due to the absence of a strongopposition party came in handy forNTR to end the almost uninterruptedrule of the Reddy community

Jagan’s decision on SEC has set off a hidden caste conflict

PINPOINT

PNS n CHITTOOR

A group of 80 pilgrims fromChittoor, who went to Ajmerin Rajasthan, appealed toChief Minister YSJaganmohan Reddy helpcomeback to their respectiveplaces.

The pilgrims were strand-ed in Rajasthan and takingshelter in a choultry. Thegroup includes women, elder-ly and children. They set outfor Ajmer dargah pilgrimageon March 13.

On account of declaringlockdown suddenly, pilgrimssaid they were pushed intotroubles. They appealed to the

government for support toenable them to reach theirnative places.

They all belong to Chittoor,Tirupati, Pakala,Damalachervuu and Kalluruin Chittoor district. TheMuslim pilgrims, who havebeen taking shelter in a choul-try, said that money withthem completely exhausted.

The pilgrim narrated theirtale of woes to the districtpolice, but there was noresponse, they said. Therefore,they appealed to theJaganmohan Reddy for inter-vention so that they can safe-ly go back to their respectiveplaces.

AP pilgrims’ SOS to CM

Indian Navy ensures 24x7operations from Vizag AirfieldPNS n VISAKHAPATNAM

With the nationwide lockdown to pre-vent spread of virus during the ongoingCovidd-19 pandemic, INS Dega ofEastern Naval Command (ENC)ensured that the joint-user airfield atVisakhapatnam remains open round-the-clock.

The manning of the airfield has beenmodified to ensure that all requisite safe-

ty services and airfield facilities contin-ued to be available. This ensured that allspecial flights, as well as, the cargo flightof SpiceJet continued its operationsunhindered. So far, 15 sorties of the cargoflight have operated since the lockdownhas been enforced. Furthermore, theIndian Navy continued to maintain itsoperational vigil carrying out regularMaritime Surveillance missions by dayand night.

PNS n VIJAYAWADA

The government on Tuesday bannedblood donation programmes in theState in view of the spread ofCoronavirus.

The medical, health and fam-ily welfare department on Tuesdayissued a statement in this regard.Fearing that the virus will spread asmany would take part in the blood dona-

tion programmes, the government hassaid it prohibited the donation of blood

in the State.However, it gave some relaxation

keeping in mind the blood needsof patients suffering fromtalassemia, sickle cell anemia,haemophilia and so on.However, it asked officials to take

necessary action upon scrutiny of iden-tity cards given to patients by hospitals.

Govt prohibits blooddonation during lockdown

GOVT HIDING CORONA STATUS REPORT: TDP

Jagan’s bid to paint Vizag asgreen zone unwarranted: UmaPNS n VIJAYAWADA

TDP senior leader and for-mer minister Devineni UmaMaheswara Rao on Tuesdaycharged the YSRCP govern-ment with hiding Corona sta-tus report of Visakhapatnamdistrict so as to paint it as agreen zone as part of a plan torelocate the capital toVisakhapatnam by April 28.

Speaking to the media hereon Tuesday, he alleged that theCoronavirus testing is notproper in Visakhapatnam toproject it as the green zone.

Vijayawada and Guntur dis-tricts are included under greenzone, he said charging ChiefMinister YS JaganmohanReddy hatching a plan to relo-cate the state capital toVisakhapatnam by April 28paying heed to the advice of aswamiji.

Hence, the facts aboutspread of Coronavirus in theState are brushed under a car-pet, he said. He questioned therationale behind the govern-ment not increasing the testing

laboratories and conductingnumber of tests in the State.

He said that results of about300 reports were kept underwraps for the past several days.

Furthermore, he alleged thatthe State government hadplanned to conduct local bodyelections in five days if theCentre were to lift the lock-down on Tuesday.

He demanded that the gov-ernment produce facts aboutmoney spent to create isolationwards in the State.

He accused the CM of mak-ing his Cabinet colleaguesblame the Opposition as theTDP is trying to take the

problems of people to thenotice of the government.

He accused the governmentof threatening to resort tophysical attacks on him bywithdrawing gunmen.

It was high-time the govern-ment focussed on reining inCoronavirus, he said.

n Vijayawada and Gunturdistricts are includedunder green zone,Devineni Uma saidcharging Chief MinisterYS Jaganmohan Reddywith hatching a plan torelocate the capital toVisakhapatnam by April28 paying heed to theadvice of a seer

n The facts about spreadof Coronavirus in theState are brushed undera carpet, Uma said andquestioned the rationalebehind the governmentnot increasing the testinglaboratories

Classes for SSCstudents on SaptagiriPNS n VIJAYAWADA

As the lockdown was extendedtill May 3, Class X exams in theState cannot be conducted now,disclosed Minister for EducationAdimulapu Suresh here onTuesday. The minister said thatas per the instruction of ChiefMinister YS Jaganmohan Reddy,lessons are being taught throughthe Saptagiri Channel to the stu-dents of Class X.

Lessons will be telecastedboth in the morning andevening session on SaptagiriChannel from 10 am to 11 amand 4 pm to 5 pm. ThroughVidyamrutam programme, stu-dents will be taught how to pre-pare for examinations andlessons will be explained.Teachers from Social Welfare,Tribal Welfare, Backward ClassWelfare and Minorities Welfaredepartments were selected forthe programme and a trial runwas also held, said the minister.

As many as five lakh students

are viewing the programme,the same session is made avail-able on YouTube for students,who miss the session, and 1.5lakh students had viewed thesession on YouTube, he said.

He appealed to parents tomotivate their children to viewthe sessions telecasted on theSaptagiri Channel. Sessions areplanned in a systematic waythrough a Steering Committeeof higher officials.

The minister appealed toteachers, who wish to teachclasses can send a two-minutevideo clipping.

Naidu urges Palaniswamito provide relief to APstranded workers in TNPNS n VIJAYAWADA

Opposition leader NChandrababu Naidu on Tuesdayappealed to the Tamil Nadu gov-ernment and the Centre toextend relief measures to the1,500 construction and industri-al workers hailing from AndhraPradesh, who were stranded inChennai city and surroundingareas.

Naidu wrote separate letters toTamil Nadu Chief Minister KPalaniswami and Union HomeSecretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla,thanking them for takingprompt and swift action in pro-viding relief to stranded Telugupeople following his earlier let-ter dated April 7. Now, theextended lockdown till May 3has further increased the burden

on Telugu people stranded inTamil Nadu. In addition to theearlier list of Telugu people,some more AP workers werestranded in Tamil Nadu. At pre-sent, around 1,500 constructionand industrial workers fromSrikakulam, Vizianagaram,Visakhapatnam and Prakasamdistricts were stranded in andaround Chennai.

Donations pourin to CMRFPNS n VIJAYAWADA

Donations are pouring in tothe Chief Minister ReliefFund (CMRF) to supportthe fight against Covid-19.The Sea Food ExportsAssociation of India (APregion) has donated Rs 8.60crore to the CMRF.Association president A IndraKumar, Minister MopideviVenkataramana and otherswere present on the occasion.

The Reliance IndustriesLimited (RIL) and RelianceFoundation have contributeda sum of Rs 5 crore to theChief Ministers' Relief Fund(CMRF) to support the gov-ernment in its fight againstCovid-19.

The RIL has created coun-try’s first Covid-19 facilityand addressing the challengeof increasing the nationalcapacity for testing, masks,PPE and other critical equip-ment.

Continued from Page 1

In the third round of survey,1.45 crore houses were coveredand 22,272 symptomatic caseswere identified.

Of these, 6,509 persons werekept in home quarantine andanother eight in institutionalquarantine, the governmentdata said.

Another 243 samples weresent for further testing.

While the governmentopened 338 quarantine centresacross the state, 5,864 personswere accommodated in them.

The government also openedone state-level Covid-19 hospi-tal each in Chittoor, Krishna,Nellore and Visakhapatnam butthey have not yet been readiedto their full capacity.

While the government pro-visioned for 444 ventilators inthese four hospitals, only 335 areavailable now, with 332 (out of444) ICU beds.

2 deaths, 44 newCovid-19 cases...

Implementlockdownnorms: Jagan


He instructed the officials tominimise the public gatheringsand ensure essential goods aredelivered in hotspots and redzones. Jagan instructed theofficials to ensure that aquaproducts are purchased at theprice fixed by the MarineProducts Export DevelopmentAuthority (MPEDA) andprocessing units and exports arefunctional. Ordinance on seedand feed would be brought in sothat the sector is stabilised, headded. All the required facilitiesshould be provided inquarantine centres and qualityfood supplied for quarantinedpeople, said the Chief Minister.

Protest overcremation...


A small coordination gaphas occurred", she said.

The government hasalready informed the dis-trict collectors about theprocedures to be followed,Rajesh said, adding, "wewill reinforce them again".

The doctor who contract-ed coronavirus from aTablighi Jamaat attendeewas first admitted to a gov-ernment hospital in Nellore,about 175 km from here,and later shifted to the cor-porate hospital on April 6.

He was a diabetic andalso suffered from hyper-tension.

Tamil Nadu has so farreported 11 fatalities due tothe virus while the cumula-tive total of those infectedas on Monday stood at1,173.

Of these, 31 of were chil-dren below the age of 10,the government said.


The lockdown that came intoeffect on March 25 was to expireon midnight of April 14. Thedrastic measure shone the spot-light on the miseries of lakhs ofmigrant workers whose jour-neys on foot from several urbancentres to their villages hundredsof kilometres away grabbedheadlines for many days lastmonth.

The catastrophic effect of thelockdown on the overall econ-

omy and livelihoods of lakhs ofmigrant workers triggeredsevere concerns following whicha number of chief ministers intheir video conference withModi on Saturday sought somekind of relaxation for a numberof sectors. Late last month, thegovernment announced a Rs 1.7lakh crore package aimed at pro-viding relief to those hit hard bythe lockdown as well as an insur-ance cover for healthcare profes-sionals handling virus infectedpeople.

Modi extends lockdown...Continued from Page 1

Addressing a press conferenceonline, Naidu said that thewhole world is shaken in thisbattle against the invisible enemyeven as 20 lakh people contract-ed virus globally till date, while1.15 lakh patients had lost theirlives. Had Modi not announcedlockdown-1, India's positivecases would have gone up, hesaid.

The TDP chief said infectiontransmission is very rapid in

India as the first 1,000 cases werereported in 59 days, the secondin seven days and the third intwo days with total reaching10,450 now. Naidu expressedconcern over the economicblow which has led to a spectreof socioeconomic and psycho-logical problems that requirepeople a lot of courage and dis-cipline to successfully standagainst the 'unknown killer'.Even a superpower like the USis fully shaken and not able tohandle Coronavirus, he said.

28 Telugustudents reachhome from Italy


Learning about the travailsof the students. Union Ministerof State for Home G KishanReddy and officials broughttheir problems to the notice ofthe Central and state govern-ments. The officials took mea-sures for the safe travel of thebus carrying students toVijayawada.


Another labourer, AbdulKayyum, said, “I am inMumbai for last many years buthave never seen such a situa-tion. The government shouldstart trains to shift us from hereto our native place." Heavypolice deployment was made atthe protest site to tackle anyuntoward incident.

Thousands ofmigrant...


It may be recalled that overthe instructions of Govern-ment, TTD had imposed a totalsuspension of Srivari darshanfor pilgrims in Tirumala tem-ple till April 14. This has beenextended till May 3. As a result,all kainkaryams will continueto be performed in temples asper the agamas in Ekantam,according to a press releaseissued here on Tuesday.

Suspension ofdarshan at Tirumala...

Relief for Indians as USallows H-1B extension


The announcement comesat a time when countriesaround the world have closedtheir borders and all interna-tional passenger flights havebeen suspended globally. Thetravel restrictions have left anumber of H-1B visa holders

stranded in the US withtheir visa permits soon toexpire. However, the DHS willshortly start accepting applica-tions for the extension ofexpiring visas. "We recognisethat non-immigrants mayunexpectedly remain in theUnited States beyond theirauthorised period of stay dueto Covid-19,” the DHS said.

"We continue to carefullyanalyse these issues and toleverage our resources to effec-tively address these challengeswithin our existing authorities.The DHS also continues totake action to protect theAmerican people and our

communities, and is consider-ing a number of policies andprocedures to improve theemployment opportunities ofUS workers during this pan-demic," it said.

Generally, non-immigrantsmust depart the United Statesbefore their authorised periodof admission expires, it said.

Non-immigrants couldapply for an extension of stay(EOS) or change of status(COS) permit. Without a visaextension, thousands of stu-dents and professionals in theUS would have suffered.

If applicants put in theirforms within the specified timeframe, their presence will not betaken as "unlawful" and whereapplicable, employment autho-risation with the same employ-er, subject to the same terms andconditions of the prior approval,is automatically extended for upto 240 days when an extensionof stay request is filed on time,"the notification said.

Naidu hails decision...

PNS n AHMEDABAD

With Ahmedabad aloneaccounting for 346 of the total617 coronavirus positive casesin Gujarat, the city civic bodyhas readied the country'slargest COVID-19 Care Centrewith a capacity to accommo-date 2000 patients who are notsuffering from any underlyinghealth issues.

The facility, created in a hos-tel complex near the GujaratUniversity Complex, will easethe load of COVID-19 patientson government hospitals, offi-cials said on Tuesday.

The care centre is alsoequipped with a library, and aYoga and indoor game facili-ty for patients.

"We can accommodate2,000 patients in this facility,which is the first and thelargest COVID Care Centre inthe country," said AhmedabadMunicipal CommissionerVijay Nehra.

He said each patient to beadmitted at the care centre willbe provided with a bed and aseparate kit containing essen-tial items like a soap, a tooth-brush and a bucket.

Besides, medical teams will

examine the patients twice ina day and the personnel willremain stationed in the build-ing with an objective to preventthe spread of the viral infec-tion, he said.

"Medical teams will also betested every 14 days for theinfection," Nehra said.

Out of the total 617 coron-avirus positive cases beingreported from across Gujaratso far, 346 patients are fromAhmedabad alone, Nehra toldreporters after visiting thefacility.

The care centre is alsoequipped with a library, a Yogaand indoor game facility forpatients, said DeputyMunicipal Commissioner

Nitin Sangwan. "Patients willbe served food cooked outsidethe care centre. They will bechecked twice in a day. For anyemergency, one ambulancehas been stationed at the carecentre," said Sangwan.

VIJAYAWADA | WEDNESDAY | APRIL 15, 2020 nation 04SHORT READS

Extended lockdown willfurther increasesufferings of poor: CPI-MNEW DELHI: The CPI(M) onTuesday said the extendedlockdown till May 3 wouldfurther increase the sufferingsof the poor and marginalisedand accused the governmentof not laying down anyconcrete plans for thisduration. "The experience ofthe three-week lockdown hasshown the large-scale spreadof hunger and inadequateshelter for a significantsection of our people. It isimperative that thegovernment must immediatelyimplement a Rs. 7500 ex-gratia cash transfer to all non-Income Tax paying familiesand resort to universaldistribution of free foodgrainsto all needy people. Thecentral government mustensure that no starvationdeaths occur," the party said ina statement. It further saidthat Prime Minister NarendraModi did not lay down anyplan of action that would beimplemented during thelockdown. "The primeminister listed seven tasksthat the people shouldimplement during theextended lockdown. However,he did not spell out concretelywhat the government will do,"it said. India has reportedover 10,000 COVID-19 casesand 339 deaths so far.

7 new COVID-19 casesdetected in Nagpur

Himachal's Unaadmin to senddetained people homeDHARAMSHALA: Thosedetained in Himachal's Una ina bid to check the coronavirusspread will be allowed to gohome, said an official onTuesday. The districtadministration had detainedseveral Himachal residentswhile on their way home inother districts of the stateduring the lockdown imposedto contain the spread of thedisease. Una DeputyCommissioner SandeepKumar said those detained willhave to undergo themandatory 14-day isolationwhen they reach home. “Thedistrict administration is goingto start the process of sendingthe people home. Initially,those who had personalvehicles will be allowed toleave,” he said. The otherswill be sent home throughbuses, he said, adding that aplan is being prepared afterdiscussions with deputycommissioners of otherdistricts.

NAGPUR: Seven new patientshave tested positive for COVID-19 in Nagpur in Maharashtra,an official release said onTuesday. With detection of thenew cases since Monday, thetally of the people infected bycoronavirus has gone up to 54,it stated. All the seven patientswere admitted in a governmenthospital in Nagpur.

PNS n CHENNAI

The Tamil New year 'Sarvaari'was celebrated in Tamil Naduon Tuesday, although low-keycelebrations marked the day inview of the lockdown imposedto curb the spread of coron-avirus.

Governor Banwailal Purohitand Chief Minister KPalaniswami greeted peopleon the occasion.

The lockdown promptedmuted celebrations, as peopleconfined themselves to homesto offer prayers indoors.People greeted each other overphones and through socialmedia platforms, even as tem-ples, generally buzzing duringthe new year, remained closeddue to the lockdown.

Many households preparedspecial delicacies to enjoy theTamil new year, the first majorfestival to be celebrated during

the ongoing lockdown.Incidentally, Prime Minister

Narendra Modi on Tuesdayannounced extension of thenational lockdown till May 3 aspart of the country's fightagainst COVID19.

On Monday, Palaniswamihad announced that the statewas extending the lockdowntill April 30. Extending his

greetings, Purohit said the newyear is celebrated on the firstday of Tamil month 'Chithirai'every year to "mark the onsetof peace, prosperity and joy inour families" and stressed onsocial distancing.

"It (the new year) marks thegreatness of our tradition, her-itage and culture. May thestate and its people be filled

with hope and happiness for aglorious future during thisyear," he said in his message.

Purohit urged people toresolve to work together in thespirit of harmony and friend-ship to usher in progress anddevelopment so as to create abrighter and better tomorrow.

"I also request all the peopleof Tamil Nadu tofollow the

government guidelines regard-ing COVID-19 scrupulouslyand to stay at home and besafe," he said.

Palaniswami said the Tamilpeople, known for their plural-ism and culture, had been cel-ebrating the new year in'Chithirai' for long.

His government was strivingto realise the late chief minis-ter J Jayalalithaa's aim of mak-ing the state numero uno inmany areas, including econo-my and social justice.

"Let prosperity flourish inthe homes on the occasion ofthe new year and let there belight of joy in all our lives," hesaid in his greetings.

TNCC president K S Alagiri,AMMK leader and indepen-dent legislator TTVDhinakaran and MakkalNeedhi Maiam founder KamalHaasan also extended theirnew year greetings.

PNS n NEW DELHI

Indian Railways on Tuesdaysaid that it will not charge anydemurrage, wharfage, stacking,stabling, detention and groundusage charges till May 3 forthose using its freight servicesin view of the extension of thelockdown period.

These charges were previ-ously waived off till April 14.

Prime Minister NarendraModi on Tuesday announcedthat the lockdown across thecountry will be extended till May3 to fight the coronavirus pan-demic, saying the measure hasproduced a significant outcomein containing the infection.

These charges were alreadywaived off by the ministryduring the period when the 21day lockdown was in force.

Treating the period till May3 as force majeure — unforsee-able circumstances – the rail-ways had waived off thecharges.

It further said that the com-petent authority has decidedthat this period shall be treatedunder "force majeure and noneof the charges for demurrage,wharfage, stacking, stabling,demurrage in case ofprivately/jointly owned stock,demurrage on parcel traffic,wharfage on parcel traffic,detention charge in case of con-tainer traffic and ground usage

charge in case of container traf-fic shall arise for this period."

Demurrage charges arelevied for the detention of anyrolling stock after the expiry offree time, if any, allowed forsuch detention. Wharfage isthe charge levied on goods fornot removing them from therailway after the expiry of thefree time for such removal.

The national transporter has

been running its freight servicesnon-stop carrying essential com-modities across the country.From April 1 to April 12, toensure kitchens in homes keeprunning and farmers keep get-ting support, railways had trans-ported 36724 wagons-foodgrain,861 wagons-sugar, 1753 wagons-salt 606 tanks-edible oil & 14317wagons-fertilizer.

Testing should be intensified in Bengal, notgetting enough samples: NICED directorPNS n KOLKATA

Screening and testing should beintensified to ascertain if therehas been any case of communi-ty transmission of COVID-19in West Bengal, Shanta Dutta,director of the National Instituteof Cholera and Enteric Diseases(NICED), said on Tuesday.

Expressing her dissatisfactionover testing being conductedonly on those who have acutesymptoms or the ones who havecome in contact with COVID-19 patients, the director ofNICED — the state's primaryCOVID-19 testing facility —stressed that people should beexamined, irrespective of theirtravel history.

"It's high time we start con-

ducting tests on people residingat microspots -- identified bythe health department. Testsmust be conducted even whenpeople don't show symptoms.This will help us find out if therehas been any case of communi-

ty transmission of COVID-19.And conducting swab tests isnot a big deal," Dutta told PTI.

Describing the current situ-ation as "quite alarming", shewent on to emphasise the needto carry out door-to-door tests.

"We must also start con-ducting door-to-door tests inBengal, which has a dense pop-ulation. This will help us get aclearer picture on the degree ofthe contamination," she said.

"If we were to compare, thenumber of tests conducted inother states is far higher thanwhat it is here... it's a state sub-ject and the government has totake a call on this," she said,adding that her institute isready to help the ruling dispen-sation in this regard, ifapproached.

Dutta insisted that the insti-tute was getting lesser numberof samples for testing from thegovernment compared to whatit used to receive in the initialdays of the outbreak.

PNS n SRINAGAR

Doctors on Tuesday dis-charged 13 COVID-19patients from a hospital herefollowing their successfulrecovery, officials said here.

"More PositiveDevelopments: 13 moreCOVID +Ve patients dis-charged from CD (ChestDiseases) Hospital Srinagarafter treatment/recovery.Good Job everyone,"Government spokesman RohitKansal said in a tweet.

Leading pulmonologist ofKashmir Dr Naveed Shah,who is heading the COVIDteam at Chest DiseaseHospital, said while it was asatisfying moment, thereshould be no lowering of theguard.

"A satisfactory moment...

relieved 13 covid patients forhome quarantine... not tolower our guard....stay home ..stay safe.. maintain social dis-tance..obey advisories.

"Together v can overcomeall challenges," he tweeted.

Two minor sisters, who hadcontracted the infection fromtheir grandfather, werereleased for home quarantinein Monday.

PNS n NEW DELHI

Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital,one of the nodal facilities tocombat the coronavirus, hasreported the most number ofCOVID-19 fatalities in Delhi,official data showed Tuesday.

Till Sunday, 12 of the 24deaths had taken place at RMLHospital, the data showed.

Three deaths took place atLNJP Hospital, five at privatehospitals, and one each atSafdarjung Hospital, RajivGandhi Super SpecialityHospital and AIIMS-Jhajjhar.

One COVID-19-affectedperson died at home.

"Most of the COVID deathsthat have occurred in our hos-pital are of the patients whowere referred from other hos-

pitals at an advanced stage andhad significant comorbidities,"RML Hospital in a statement,referring to existing medicalconditions in the patients. Thepatients admitted to the hos-pital early in their course oftheir diseases or do not

have“significant comorbiditiesare faring very well”, it added.

On Monday, the number ofcoronavirus cases in thenational capital spiralled to1,510, with356 fresh cases andfour deaths reported in a day,pushing the death toll to 28.

Majority of COVID-19 fatalitiesin Delhi reported at RML

PNS n PALGHAR

At least 11 more people testedpositive for coronavirus inMaharashtra's Palghar districton Tuesday, taking the tally to53 in the region. A health bul-letin issued by the districtadministration stated that 11new cases of coronavirus werereported in Palghar and the tollstood at five. According to thereport, of the 11 new cases, 10were reported from the VVMClimits, while one person testedpositive in Dahanu taluka. TheVVMC now has 47 positivecases, Palghar taluka has twoand Vasai rural has threepatients, it said. As many as fourpersons have succumbed to theinfection in the Vasai-VirarMunicipal Corporation limitsso far and one person had diedin Palghar taluka.

PNS n GUWAHATI

Assam Chief MinisterSarbananda Sonowal onTuesday urged people to be"more determined" to fightCOVID-19 and strictly followrules imposed during thecoronavirus-induced nation-wide lockdown which hasbeen extended till May 3.

The Assam government hadearlier decided to support anydecision by the Centre onextension of the ongoing 21-day lockdown, which was toend on April 14, instead ofdoing it on its own like someother states.

"On PM Shri @naren-dramodi ji's call, let us togeth-

er be more determined tofight #COVID2019.

"Follow #Lockdown rulestill May 3 without any com-promise," Sonowal tweetedafter Prime Minister NarendraModi's addressed the nationon extension of the lockdown.

Assam Health and FamilyWelfare minister HimantaBiswa Sarma also requestedthe people to abide by therestrictions announced by theprime minister.

"Hon PM Sri @naren-dramodi has drawn the#LakshmanRekha for Indiatill May 3, and we should reli-giously abide by it.#WeShallBeatCorona," Sarmatweeted.

Be more determinedto fight COVID-19

Ahmedabad readies country'slargest Covid-19 care facility

PNS n LUCKNOW

SP chief Akhilesh Yadav onTuesday questioned PrimeMinister Narendra Modi'sassertion that the country hadbegun screening people com-ing from abroad long beforeeven a single corona-positivecase was found in the country.

In a tweet in Hindi onTuesday, Akhilesh Yadav said,"It was claimed that the screen-ing started at different airportswhen there was not even a sin-gle corona case in the country."

"But the question then ishow much serious and mean-ingful it proved. If it is true,then it should be told how thecountry got its first coronacase," said the Samajwadi partypresident.

"The country would be trulybenefitted, if and only if themeaningful work is done,"added Yadav.

While announcing theextension of the current lock-down by another 19 days, theprime minister, in his addressto the nation on Tuesday, hadsaid the country had begun

taking preventive and pre-cautionary measure againstthe virus much before thedetection of even a singlecase.

"Long before we had even asingle case of Corona, Indiahad started screening travellerscoming in from corona-affect-ed countries at airports," theprime minister had said.

"Much before the number ofcorona patients reached 100,India had made 14-day isola-tion mandatory for all thosecoming in from abroad," hehad added.

Akhilesh questions PM'sclaim on screening oftravellers at airports

No demurrage, ground usagecharges till May 3: Rlys

Demurrage chargesare levied for thedetention of anyrolling stock after theexpiry of free time, ifany, allowed for suchdetention. Wharfageis the charge leviedon goods for notremoving them fromthe railway after theexpiry of the freetime for such removal

Low-key celebrations mark Tamil New Year in TN 13 patients dischargedafter recovery in Kashmir

11 new COVID-19cases reported inPalghar

"We can accommo-date 2,000 patientsin this facility, whichis the first and thelargest COVID CareCentre in the coun-try," said AhmedabadMunicipal Commi-ssioner Vijay Nehra

Many householdsprepared specialdelicacies toenjoy the Tamilnew year, thefirst majorfestival to becelebrated duringthe ongoinglockdown

PNS n NEW DELHI

Hours after Prime MinisterNarendra Modi announcedextension of coronavirus lock-down till May 3, Vice PresidentM Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesdaysaid the country needs toendure some hardship todayfor a better tomorrow.

"It's upon us to decide theduration of this fight. We needto endure some hardship todayfor a better tomorrow. It is nowin the hands of the people andall concerned to ensure desiredresults from 'lockdown 2.0'," hesaid in a series of tweets.

He appealed to the people torise to the occasion withenhanced commitment to beatthe challenge of the virus.

"PM's announcement is thebest possible course in thegiven circumstances. PM hasduly articulated concerns aboutlivelihoods of vulnerable sec-tions assuring that they will betaken care of in the best possi-ble way. I fondly hope the gov-ernments will formulate andexecute necessary measures for

benefit of these sections includ-ing farmers and farm workers,"the vice president said.

People should realise thatfinal exit from lockdowndepends on how well webehave during these testingtimes to contain the behaviourand spread of the virus.

He said it highlights the wide-ly-held view that there is noroom for complacency even asour country did well so far andthe gains of 'lockdown 1.0' needto be sustained. "The prime min-ister's announcement todayextending the lockdown reflectsthe concerns of the people and

other stakeholders at this stageof our collective fight againstcoronavirus," Naidu said.

Need to endure hardships todayfor better tomorrow: Naidu

People shouldrealise that finalexit from lockdowndepends on howwell we behaveduring thesetesting times tocontain thebehaviour andspread of the virus

VIJAYAWADA | WEDNESDAY | APRIL 15, 2020 nation 05SHORT READS

MP govt will followCentre's guidelines onlockdown: CMBHOPAL: With Prime MinisterNarendra Modi on Tuesdayextending the national lockdownto fight coronavirus till May 3,the Madhya Pradeshgovernment has said that it willdraft a plan on theimplementation after the Centreissues guidelines onWednesday. Announcing thatthe lockdown in the state willremain in force till May 3, ChiefMinister Shivraj Singh Chouhansaid, "Prime Minister has guidedthe entire country. The countryand Madhya Pradesh will followthe path shown by the PrimeMinister to defeat thecoronavirus pandemic". He saidthe state government willprepare its strategy after theCentre issues the guidelines andadded that the lockdown willremain in force in MadhyaPradesh till May 3. MadhyaPradesh has so far reported 730COVID-19 cases with 50 deaths.

Maha Home Ministervisits COVID-19hotspot in Mumbai

COVID-19: Thane getstwo drive-throughtesting centresTHANE: The Thane MunicipalCorporation (TMC) has set updrive-through COVID-19 testingfacilities for suspected patientsat two traffic junctions inMaharashtra's Thane city, acivic official said on Tuesday.Deputy municipalcommissioner Sandeep Malavisaid the civic body along withGuardian Minister EknathShinde and a private lablaunched drive-through testingfacilities at Cadbury and Kalwatraffic junctions. People whowish to get tested first need toget a prescription from doctorsand register themselves onhttp://infexn.in/COVID-19.html,he said. They can then drive tothe centres at a specified time,he said, adding that test resultswill be made available onlinewithin 24 hours. Doctors, labtechnicians and trainedemployees were deployed atthese facilities, which willremain open from 10 am to 6pm, he said.

MUMBAI: Maharashtra HomeMinister Anil Deshmukh onTuesday visited Worli Koliwada,one of the coronavirushotspots in Mumbai, and urgedlocals to stay at home tocontain spread of the diseaseand cooperate with police.Deshmukh made theannouncement through aloudspeaker attached to adrone that is being used tomaintain vigil in densely-populated areas like theKoliwada, a fisherfolk village,and issue government instruc-tions to residents. Drones willbe used in densely-populatedareas like this to give instruc-tions to people that they shouldnot step out of their homesunnecessarily, and cooperatewith police. They should stepout only to buy vegetables andfood grains. People should re-main safe by staying at home,the minister told reporters.

PNS n NEW DELHI

The World HealthOrganization on Tuesdaylauded "India's tough andtimely actions" against thecoronavirus spread as PrimeMinister Narendra Modiannounced the extension ofcurrent lockdown till May 3.

"It may be early to talkabout results in numbers, buta six-week nationwide lock-down to facilitate effectivephysical distancing, coupledwith the expansion of corepublic health measures such asdetection, isolation and trac-ing contact of coronaviruspositive people, would go along way in arresting the virusspread," said WHO's South-East Asia Regional Director,Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh.

"Despite huge and multiplechallenges, India has beendemonstrating unwaveringcommitment in its fightagainst the pandemic," shesaid.

"In these testing times, the

action lies as much with thecommunities as with theauthorities and the healthworkforce," she added.

"It is indeed time for eachand every one to contributetheir best and together to beatthe virus," Dr Singh said.

Modi on Tuesday said theimplementation of the lock-down will be strictly ensuredin coming days to ensure thatthe virus does not spread tonew areas

The prime minister said adetailed guideline on theimplementation of the newlockdown will be announcedon Wednesday.

WHO lauds India's ‘tough andtimely’ anti-corona actions

PNS n KOCHI

Kerala Chief Minister PinarayiVijayan deputed top cop VijaySakhare to the northern districtof Kasaragod as a special officeron March 23, when it wasemerging as India's biggestCOVID-19 hotspot.

Three weeks down the line,the district is slowly turning intoa safe haven for people, pavingthe way for a discussion on"Kasaragod Initiative of theKerala Police"-- a model thatcould be emulated in otherheavily-hit areas in the country.

On March 31, the number ofCOVID-19 cases in Kasargodhad touched 106. They became164 on April 6 and now in thelast six days only 14 cases havebeen reported, a significant dropin the number of cases in the dis-

trict. "It was possible only beca-use of our containment strategy.

Basically our strategy wasbased on three locks-- Lock 1,Lock 2, and Lock 3 to ensure thatthe people do not mix up andinfection does not spread,"Sakhare, who is the commis-sioner of Kochi city police said.

Taking the charge as specialofficer, the Inspector Generalrank officer enforced three locksin the district in line with thelockdown measures taken by thecentral and state governments toarrest the spread of the deadlyvirus there. The locks were putas part of a three-pronged strat-egy to completely isolate the per-sons who were primary and sec-ondary contacts of the COVID-19 positive persons came fromabroad, particularly Gulf coun-tries, Sakhare said.

PNS n BENGALURU

The Karnataka labour depart-ment has directed private sec-tor employers in the state notto lay off workers and paythem wages on the due datewithout any deduction duringthe lock down.

"The labour department hasissued a circular directing theprivate sector employers toabstain from layoffs or unpaidleaves during this countrywidelockdown.

Employees would be paidwages on the due date withoutany deduction during thisperiod," Labour MinisterShivaram Hebbar tweeted lastnight.

The Minister also postedthe order copy, signed by theSecretary, Labour Depart-ment, P Manivannan.

During COVID-19 emer-gency situation , employers ofall public/private organisa-tions should not layoff theiremployees, especially casual orcontract workers and their

wages should not be cut, theorder said.

If any employee has takenleave during this period, theyshould be considered to be onduty without any effective cutin their salaries.

"On not being able to func-tion at work place due toCOVID-19, such working unitemployees should be consid-ered as on duty," it said.

The order said any violationwould be punishable under theDisaster Management Act,2005. A helpline will be set upwithin 48 hours in this regard,it said. The lockdown that cameinto effect on March 25 was toexpire on midnight of April 14.

Pvt employers directednot to lay off workers

PNS n NEW DELHI

Amid the nationwide lock-down till May 3 to combat thecoronavirus outbreak, SpiceJetCMD Ajay Singh on Tuesdaysaid that it is the right time tobring about structural reformsin the country's aviation sector.

"Bringing aviation turbinefuel (ATF) is a long pendingrequest... Second thing weneed to look at this wholestructure of airports and theway the airport concessions aregiven," the Chairman andManaging Director of the bud-get airline said at a webinarorganised by the Bird group.

If an airline puts fuel in anairport's tank - which costsaround Rs 25 crore in Delhi tobuild - the airport operatorrecovers Rs 450 crore per year,

he mentioned. "We have crazyanomalies like that. This is thetime when we should look inthese areas," he added.

The Indian aviation sectorneeds short term help from thegovernment and the govern-ment is actively looking at

what they can do, he men-tioned.

"People say that India onlyreforms in a crisis and if thatis true, we should certainly usethis crisis to bring about thereforms that we have soughtfor so long," he noted.

Use COVID-19 crisis to reformaviation sector: SpiceJet CMD

PNS n NEW DELHI

The Indian Railways onTuesday extended the suspen-sion of all its passenger servicestill May 3, following PrimeMinister Narendra Modi'sdecision to extend the nation-wide lockdown amid COVID-19 threat.

It also said that full refundof fare would automatically beprovided to its online cus-tomers for trains cancelled upto May 3, while those who havebooked at the counters canclaim the refund till July 31.

Customers will also get fullrefunds of their tickets if theyare cancelling their advancebookings for trains not yet can-celled, it said.

Modi on Tuesdayannounced that the lockdownacross the country will beextended till May 3 to fight thecoronavirus pandemic, sayingthe measure has produced asignificant outcome in contain-ing the infection.

"In continuation of the mea-

sures taken in the wake ofCOVID-19 lockdown, it hasbeen decided that all passen-ger train services on IndianRailways, including premiumtrains, mail/express trains, pas-senger trains, suburban trains,Kolkata Metro Rail, KonkanRailway shall continue toremain cancelled till 2400hours of May 3," a statementfrom the railways said.

It also said that to ensureessential supplies in variousparts of the country, move-ment of goods and parceltrains will remain operational.

The railways further said thatall counters for booking of railjourney tickets for reserved/unre-served travel at railway stationsand outside railway stationpremises shall remain closed tillMay 3 midnight.

The railway board has issuedinstructions to the zones thatfull refunds for fares of cancelledtrains should be initiated bythem. It said no advance reser-vation of trains tickets, includ-ing e-tickets, will be allowed tillfurther orders. However, facil-ity of online cancellation willremain functional.

PNS n NEW DELHI

Federal cyber agency CERT-Inon Tuesday warned ofincreased cyber attacks, includ-ing 'social engineering hits', onVirtual Private Network (VPN)being used by organisationsthese days to facilitate workfrom home for its employees inview of the nationwide lock-down to combat the COVID-19 outbreak.

In a fresh advisory,Computer EmergencyResponse Team of India(CERT-In) advised againstsocial engineering attackswhere cheats pose as genuineback-end support and obtainsensitive data from gullibleemployees.

These trends have emergeddue to increase of online activ-ity during the ongoing lock-down to contain the spread ofCOVID-19.

"The coronavirus pandemic

has led many organisationsworldwide to restrict theiremployees from coming towork in office and have advisedthem to maintain social dis-tancing and to continue work-ing from the safe environmentof their homes.

"Organisations are usingenterprise VPNs for commu-nicating through emails, video

conferencing and other chattools. A VPN enables commu-nication through secure onlineservers using encryption ofdata," the CERT-In said.

With a large number oforganisations using VPN forbusiness continuity, it said,attackers are finding vulnera-bilities to target organisationsfor various cyber attacks.

"Therefore, organisationsshould set up a system incoordination with their infor-mation technology staff tosecure the VPN service tomaintain business confiden-tiality, integrity and availabil-ity," the CERT-In, a federalagency to combat cyberattacks to guard the Indiancyber space, said.

PNS n NEW DELHI

Union Home Minister AmitShah on Tuesday assured every-one that there is enough stock offood, medicines and other essen-tial commodities and no oneshould worry for the extendedperiod of lockdown.

In a series of tweets in Hindi,the home minister also appealedto the affluent people to help theneedy living nearby.

"As the home minister of thecountry, I assure the public againthat there is enough stock offood, medicines and other com-modities in the country. No oneshould worry about that.

"I also request the affluent peo-ple to come forward and help thepoor living nearby," he said.

Praising the role of state gov-ernments, Shah said the way allthe state governments are work-ing with the central govern-ment is truly praiseworthy. "Now,we have to intensify this coordi-nation so that all citizens followthe lockdown properly and nocitizen should have the problem

for the things they need," Shahsaid.

The home minister said thecontribution of the doctors,healthcare workers, sanitationworkers, police and all the secu-rity personnel who are playing animportant role in this fight is verytouching.

"Your courage and under-standing in this odd situationinspires every Indian. Everyoneshould follow the guidelines andcooperate with them," he said.

The home minister's state-ment came hours after Prime

Minister Narendra Modiannounced the extension of theongoing lockdown till May 3.

Shah said, today, when thewhole world is facing a globalpandemic, under the leadershipof the prime minister, the peo-ple of India have given an exam-ple on how to fight it.

"All the decisions taken by thegovernment on time and the par-ticipation of the people in it arereflective of it," he said.

The home minister said theprime minister has taken thedecision to extend the lock-

down in the country till May 3to prevent and eliminateCOVID-19 from spreading andto protect India and Indians.

"I express my heartfelt grati-tude to the prime minister forthis," he said.

Shah, a former president ofthe BJP, also praised the BJPworkers for their contribution inhelping the poor during thelockdown. "The way the BJPworkers are helping the poor andneedy under the leadership ofShri @narendramodi ji and Shri@JPnadda ji is truly admirable.

COVID-19 tests, hotspots: All you need to knowPNS n NEW DELHI

As the world is reeling underthe COVID-19 pandemic,medical terminologies likerapid antibodies test, RT-PCRtest, hotspots and containmentzones have come into focus.

Doctors explain for the com-mon man what these testingand containment terminologiesmean. Two kinds of diagnostictests are being currently usedin India — RT-PCR test andrapid antibodies test, as per theglobal health norms.

A reverse transcription poly-merase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test is a laboratory tech-nique combining reverse tran-scription of RNA into DNAthat detects the virus while theantibody tests, which useblood, detect the body'sresponse to the virus, expertssaid.

"In RT-PCR, it is tested if thevirus is present or not. A sam-ple is taken from the respirato-ry tract of a person, throat swab

or a sample fromthenaseopharyngal region andthen rested. The results takeabout 12-24 hours," said notedDelhi-based lung surgeonArvind Kumar.

Kumar, who works at SirGanga Ram Hospital here,said, RT-PCR tests take timeand are a costly affair becauseof its elaborate kit.

"On the other hand, therapid antibodies test are less

expensive and the results cancome in 20-30 minutes. Itessentially tests if the antibod-ies in response the coronavirusinfection has been generated ornot," he said.

These tests are generallyused in hotspots where theinfection is found concentrat-ed in a given area. A hotspot isa zone from where a largenumber of COVID-19 casesare reported.

In Delhi, till Monday nightthe number of hotspots stoodat 47, which have been madecontainment zones and sealed.

"In rapid antibodies test, theresult will be positive only if theantibodies have been generat-ed. So, even if a person isinfected but the antibodies arenot generated, the result willcome negative," Kumar said.

In many cases, it has hap-pened in the past that a persontested negative earlier but aftera few days when he or shereached another country, thetest came out positive there.

This same person wouldhave come out positive had theRT-PCR test been conducted,

but the issue of feasibility of itsuse.

In government labs, the testsare free but at private labora-tories, which use RT-PCR testthe cost is Rs 4,500.

The Supreme Court onMonday modified its April 8order that asked private labs toconduct free COVID-19 testsand said the benefit will beavailable only to "economical-ly weaker sections" who arecovered under a governmentscheme such as AyushmanBharat.

The apex court said it neverintended to make testing freefor those who can afford to pay.

It had on April 8 directed

that private labs, which wereallowed to charge Rs 4,500 forit, would not charge for thetests observing that they needto be philanthropic in the hourof national crisis.

A spokesperson of theThyrocare labs, one of the lab-oratories authorised by thegovernment to do testing, said,testing has to be done judi-ciously as there are less num-ber of kits in India.

"A doctor's recommenda-tion is required before we cando testing. Well-known videoblogger Mumbiker Nikhil hadrecently returned from theUK and he got his testingdone and even made a videoon it to raise awareness as peo-ple coming from abroadshould consult doctors, espe-cially if they are showingsymptoms," he said.

The death toll due to coro-navirus in the country rose to339 while the number of casessoared to 10,363 on Tuesday,said the Union Health Ministry.

"On the other hand, the rapidantibodies test are less expensive andthe results can come in 20-30 minutes.It essentially tests if the antibodies inresponse the coronavirus infection hasbeen generated or not," he said.

Enough stock of essentialcommodities, no need to worry

Railways extends suspension of passengerservices till May 3, offers full refund of fare

Police efforts to enforcelockdown in Kerala'sKasaragod bears fruit

CERT-In asks to guard VPNs against cyber attacks

As the HomeMinister of the coun-try, I assure thepublic again thatthere is enough sto-ck of food, medicinesand other commo-dities in the country.No one should worryabout that

"The coronaviruspandemic has ledmany organisationsworldwide to restricttheir employees fromcoming to work inoffice and haveadvised them tomaintain socialdistancing and tocontinue workingfrom the safe environ-ment of their homes

Migrant workers come out on road;say want to travel back homePNS n MUMBAI

Over 1,000 migrant workerswho earn daily wages gatheredhere on Tuesday demandingtransport arrangements to goback to their native places,hours after Prime MinisterNarendra Modi announcedextension of the coronavirus-enforced lockdown till May 3.

A police official said themigrants were dispersed twohours later and have beenassured accommodation andfood till the lockdown lasts.

In viral videos, police wereseen using mild cane- chargeto disperse the migrants, whohad gathered near the Bandrarailway station in suburbanMumbai.

Daily wage workers havebeen rendered jobless ever sincethe lockdown was announcedlate last month to stem thespread of COVID-19, makingtheir life a constant struggle.

Though authorities andNGOs have made arrange-ments for their food, most ofthem want to go back to theirnative places to escape thehardship brought by the

sweeping curbs.Maharashtra Home

Minister Anil Deshmukh saidthe migrant workers who gath-ered outside Bandra railwaystation might have expectedthat Prime Minister NarendraModi would order reopeningof state borders.

They were told by the policethat borders are not going to beopened and the situation wasnow under control, he said,adding the migrants wereassured that the state govern-ment will make arrangementof food and accommodationfor them, following which thecrowds dispersed, he said.

State Tourism Minister

Aaditya Thackeray blamed theCentre for the protest by themigrant workers and sought aroad map to facilitate their jour-ney back to their native places.

In a series of tweets,Thackeray said, "The currentsituation in Bandra, now dis-persed or even the rioting inSurat is a result of the uniongovernment not being able totake a call on arranging a wayback home migrant labour."

"They don't want food orshelter, they want to go backhome," Thackeray said. Hesaid feedback from all migrantlabour camps is similar - thatthese workers want to go backto their native places.

The third decade of the 21st centu-ry has begun with a challenge ofimmeasurable magnitude.Practically, the entire productivehuman activity has come to a

screeching halt as nations have been underlockdown, forced as they are to confront aninvisible enemy that makes no distinctionbetween the rich and the poor, colour or creed,national boundaries, religious distinction orany other aspect of diversity/similarity. For theCoronavirus, every human being is just a tar-get, nothing more, nothing less.

For the first time, nations across theworld are on the same side in the war againstCoronavirus. Never before in contemporarytimes of great scientific and technologicaladvancements had human beings foundthemselves so inadequately prepared to tack-le an unprecedented situation. Never before,the daily routine of the people changed somuch as the compulsory social distancing,which has been necessitated to curb thespread of Corona, has done. Children findit so restrictive, people are worried, concernsand apprehensions are being shared.Helplessness is even being experiencedamong mature and seasoned people. Whilenations have come together to confront thedisease, we have not been able to arrive ata universally applicable counter strategy.

History may not record the Corona waras World War-III but its debilitating effort maybe far higher than the combined losses andsufferings inflicted by WW-I and WW-II.Though everyone is busy struggling for sur-vival and minimising the losses and impact,realisation is already dawning upon theconcerned and knowledgeable that it’s timeto have a fresh look on the epistemologicalstrategies being implemented in the humanpursuit of “progress, growth and develop-ment” in the post-colonial era. It ushered theera of globalisation, concentration of wealthamong the top few, enhanced measures of vio-lence and wars among nations and gave riseto an unprecedented armed race. The out-break of Caronavirus has made sensible peo-ple realise that no nuclear arsenals, noweapons of deterrence, military agreementsor defence treaties are of any use in every war.

The Corona interlude has created an envi-ronment of tension, turmoil and turbulenceacross the globe. The only ray of hope is thatfinally, human ingenuity would triumph overthe venomous virus intrusion but the worldafter this victory shall no more be the same,nor should it remain the same. Learning fromthese times, nations and people must thinkof alternative strategies. Interestingly, spend-ing rare undisturbed kinship with close onesin the confines of their homes, people arealready pondering seriously over the shape ofa post-Corona world. One could be sure thatafter the return of normalcy, new ideas andthoughts would emerge at the national andinternational level. The world must realise thatthe relationship between man and naturestands shattered; that man has failed in dis-

charging his/her responsibility tomaintain this sensitive life-givingbond with care and caution.

Instead, it indulged in wan-ton destruction of naturalresources. Clear warning signsappeared in terms of climatechange, rising pollution levels andtemperature, environmentaldegradation, depletion of theozone layer, among others. Theseissues were never seriouslyresponded to. And now, there isno way out but to devise long andshort term strategies to restore thevital link. It should be a survivalstrategy to ensure the very sur-vival of human race on earth andalso of the planet itself.

After WW-II, it was realisedthat brutality is no answer tohuman advancement.Consequently, global organisa-tions like the United Nations(UN), United Nations SecurityCouncil (UNSC), UNESCO,International LabourOrganisation (ILO), the WorldHealth Organisation(WHO)besides others were created. Allof these institutions were sup-posed to derive their ethos andethics from the Preamble of theUNESCO, which said, “Sincewars begin in the minds of men,it is in the minds of men that thedefences of peace must be con-structed.” It is very well knownthat in spite of appreciable con-

tributions, the structures so cre-ated could not construct “thedefences of peace in the minds ofman.” In essence, the crux of thechallenge before the nations,which are under the clutches andclaws of the enemy, is: Howshould we restructure the ideol-ogy of progress, development andgrowth to create a world ofpeace? This, to ensure equality ofaccess and success to one and alland bestow human dignity oneach human being without anydistinction or diversity.

But what would be the roleof India, its people, traditions andits ancient civilisation in accept-ing this global challenge?Expectations would be very highfrom our country as we are theonly civilisation which conceptu-alised/comprehended the critical-ity in sustaining the man-naturerelationship and the role inreshaping human life. MahatmaGandhi was convinced that Indiais essentially a land of duty andnot mere that of enjoyment.This articulation is very relevantin a globalised world that hasplayed havoc with nature andcontinues to do so withunscrupulous plundering of nat-ural resources only to satiate itsgreed of accumulation.

Here again, it was MKGandhi who summarised theessence of Indian philosophi-

cal perception when he wrotethat nature has sufficientresources to meet the needs ofeveryone but not the greed ofanyone. The hope for a futurebeyond Corona emerges fromanother visionary statement, “Ifeel that India’s mission is dif-ferent from that of others.”

He elaborated further, “Indiais fitted for the religious suprema-cy of the world. There is no par-allel for the process of purifica-tion across the globe that thiscountry has voluntarily under-gone. India is less in need of steelweapons; it has fought withdivine weapons… History sup-plies numerous instances toprove that brute force is nothingbefore soul force.” Is this not thetime for a global resolve thatweapon of steel and brute forcemay just be of no consequence insome of the toughest situations?Something more may be neces-sary. Can India take a lead?

First, it must accept this as itsmoral and ethical responsibility,as the inheritor of a culture andthe most illustrious civilisation inthe world. To ascertain its emerg-ing global role in evolving newglobal strategy it must revert toGandhi, who gave a “call foradventure” in the Young India ofMay 6, 1926, which very clearlyarticulates how to proceed ahead:“If we are to make progress, we

must not repeat history but makea new one.” We must add to theinheritance left by our ancestors.We must ask: If we may makenew discoveries and inventionsin the phenomenal world, mustwe declare our bankruptcy in thespiritual domain? Is it impossi-ble to multiply exceptions so asto make them the rule? Mustman always be brute first andman after, if at all?

The UN was created afterHiroshima and Nagasaki, a clas-sic example of “brute force.” Thesincerity of purpose and com-mitment to the cause was notthere at any stage. It needed aspiritual bent of mind, a genuinedesire to stick to the word andspirit of the global resolve. Wemust learn from history of therecent past.

One may like to recall whysuch expectations emerge fromdifferent groups within Indiaand also from those abroad who“know our country.” The ancientIndian civilisation earned glob-al appreciation for some of itsphilosophical foundations ofeternal nature. These includeYavadjeevait Adhiyate Viprah;Lokah Samastah SukhinoBhavantu; Sarva Bhuta HiteRatah and several others. Onceone internalises the basic importof ancient Indian civilisation,the aspects of essential unity ofall human beings, in spite of vis-ible diversities and variations ofnumerous kinds, emerge veryclearly in practical terms.

This universal vision pavedthe way for acceptance — notmere tolerance — of all religionsand faiths, respect for the faith ofothers. It was also realised veryearly in the Indian civilisation thathuman beings must establish alasting kinship based upon thebasics of respect for othernessand resolve to move aheadtogether, to live and let everyoneelse also live a better, decent, dig-nified and satisfying life.

To comprehend universalhuman obligations, three debtsthat every human being weredestined to repay were articu-lated in clear terms: Debt to theparents and ancestors; to thelearned and knowledge cre-ators; and to the forces ofnature.

Human beings have persis-tently faltered on all the three.Hence, they are forced to facethe fury of the nature. This isthe right time that India, theoriginator of these eternal val-ues, relearns its lessons, acceptsglobal responsibility to makeothers comprehend it and cre-ate a new world in which spir-itualistic pursuits would deter-mine the extent of materialityacquisition that human beingsneed, not greed.

(The writer works in educa-tion and social cohesion)

News about salary delays, cuts and out-right layoffs are rampant on groups ofjournalists. The seemingly heavy-hand-

ed cutbacks, which are being blamed on theCoronavirus, have affected both veteran jour-nalists and rookie reporters. Lest it be uponus to judge the decisions made by other mediagroups, every single media entity is in a spotof financial trouble, including this newspaper,as revenue sources — be it from theGovernment or the private sector — have com-pletely dried up during the lockdown. At the

same time, costs for printing and distribution as well as salaries have remainedthe same. Then virulent misinformation about the spread of COVID-19 throughnewspapers has prevented distributors from giving them out in all areas.Newspapers are still better off than their brethren in the magazine sector, wherein many cases, printing presses are shut as news stands, which are the prima-ry source of distribution for many magazines, are empty. In a way, the Indianmedia is responsible for some of the crisis, thanks to the “price wars” of the1990s that have driven down the subscriber costs of newspapers, making themmore dependent on private sector advertising.

Yet, it is not just the print media that is suffering. Layoffs and salary cuts aretaking place in television as well. Flawed distribution strategies by channels andpolicies by the regulator have meant many news channels are free-to-air and,thus, survive on advertisements. With India’s industry shut, that source of rev-enue has dried up. While people may believe that the web is a land of milk andhoney, much advertising revenues are swallowed up by the likes of Facebookand Google and eyeballs are not equal to revenue. Indeed, the high establish-ment cost of several start-up media sites will ensure that many might not makethe cut once COVID-19 is dealt with, leaving a scarred and empty media land-scape. Can the Government do much? For one, supporting the media throughadvertising as well as relaxing the wage board for print will be a start. Despitethat, cutbacks will be brutal, many journalists and managers in the media willbe out of a job and almost no journalism graduates will be hired for the nextyear. Our role in the media will be job preservation and creation and for that, theGovernment has to think out of the box and cut the industry some slack.

There is a visual that is far more telling thanthat of our pater familias Prime MinisterNarendra Modi speaking to his family of

soldier citizens whose sacrifice, pain and toilhe acknowledged. What was unacknowledgedwas the destitution of a man and street dogslicking the milk off the tarmac that had spiltfrom a tanker on a road in Agra. Nobody isdisputing the fact that given India’s particu-larities — clustered populations, frail health-care systems and a resource-starved man-agement — a lockdown was necessary, even

its extension. But this in the end is just a holding out operation. As the spiral ofcases continues with increased testing, though it is not at the aggressive paceas is required, there is a spread that even lockdowns may not be able to pre-vent all too much. Yes, we have been slow in acting against the Coronaviruspandemic, we should have suspended international flights at least two weeksago, the screening of passengers was limited to just thermal scans (the quar-antine condition came much much later), the lockdown was imposed abruptlywithout preparation and because of still low testing, our disease burden is diffi-cult to fathom. Although Modi countered such claims, all of which are by theway based on official data, saying India had acted much earlier than any othercountry, this is not the time for comparatives. There will be more deaths due tojob losses, food riots and prolonged suspension of economic activity. This isanyway India’s lost year and lost opportunity. It is appreciable that Modi knowsa nation ardently waits to listen to his words of wisdom in times such as theseand he plays to the gallery. But he ought to have acted more like a father figureand given us an economic package that everybody was looking forward to, talkedof a plan B of living with the virus till a vaccine is found, mentioned fund dis-bursement from all the PM’s relief funds that have been set up overnight to closegaps in the COVID-19 war room and given a directive on supply-chain manage-ment that would ensure the food reaches the beneficiaries it is intended for ratherthan being wasted on a hot summer day. In short, he had to be more specificthan asking us to look after the old and the poor. The civil society knows whatit has to do, the PM does not have to remind us of that but he needs to give usa direction that we do not know about.

The point is there was no mention of an increased GDP allocation to aid liq-uidity and working capital for industries that have already gone under. Other coun-tries have done it and some experts have even suggested borrowings. Althoughthe Opposition Congress doesn’t have much political or emotional heft now, itdid raise the right questions about “targetted monetary injections; Keynesian spend-ing, loosening the FMRB and so on.” Also, by saying that districts that do wellin containing the spread might see lockdown relaxation from April 20, Modi speltout no plan for those that are worst-hit. Are people living here to be condemnedfor their geographical choice or are they to be tested aggressively, treated andthe infection-free made to sign up for zonal work permits with given protocols?But there was no such assurance or even interest for those locked out indefi-nitely. They almost seemed like being a test subject under surveillance in China.While rural harvesting and agricultural work have been resumed in places, indus-trial units and infrastructure projects need to be started in uninfected areas imme-diately. Zoning and phasing production with certified staff need to start as well.You may hold fleeing migrant labourers and daily wage earners in camps butthings are not so welfarist there either. There are complaints of inadequate rations,cramped conditions and common toilets which they want to escape in the absenceof gainful employment. They would rather be healthy in the subsistence econ-omy of their village homes than risk it in alien cities and towns that were the firstto turn them out. Job losses are not only about the unorganised sector, they arehappening in the organised sector, too. Be it hospitality, tourism, retail majorsor media, the vapourisation of visible products has meant that companies areslashing salaries, furloughing employees or retiring those on the cusp of theirsunset years. Small businesses have all but wrapped up. And this is just threeweeks. If indeed the spiral merits an extended lockdown, then an economic pack-age must be in place. It cannot come in a piecemeal manner or a measuredway to gain political mileage later. Modi, the PM, has to appear as everybody’sbenefactor, not of his constituents. A pan-India TV speech is the best platformto do it, rather than telling employers not to sack people.

Dear PM, we need more

Fight it out

Sir — This refers to the article,“Coronavirus has turned PMinto a team player” (April 14) byKalyani Shankar. The writer’sobservation about Prime MinisterNarendra Modi’s image makeoverholds good given that his earlierpublic persona of a belligerentorator has undergone a sea-change for the better. He hasbecome more polite and humble.Be it his public apology for theharsh Coronavirus lockdown orhis show of confidence with sev-eral bigwigs and political adver-saries, all of his actions prove thathe is a changed man.

To be honest, had the PrimeMinister not taken timely prag-matic and precautionary mea-sures to fight the global pandem-ic, the number of Coronavirusinfection cases as well as the resul-tant fatality rate would have beenmuch higher than the US, Italyand China, who have been facingthe brunt of the epidemic. Nowthat the lockdown has beenextended till May 3, efforts mustbe made to check its exponentialspread.

Azhar A KhanRampur

Save the producers

Sir — It is appalling that the ryotsare destroying their vegetableproduce due to their inability to

transport and market them in thewake of lockdown. Vegetablesbeing perishable commodities,they start rotting in the heat andwithout storage. With the coun-

try waging a relentless fightagainst COVID-19, the destruc-tion of vegetables will compoundexisting difficulties. TheGovernment must buy the veg-

etables at a reasonable rate anddistribute them to the people whoare in dire need of it.

The Government must alsosensitise the people that destruc-tion of crops for whatever reasonsis not permissible. It must not cre-ate a situation where the farmersare obliged to destroy the eatablesfor want of fair return on theirinvestments in agriculture.

KV SeetharamaiahHasaan

Commendable act

Sir — It is distressing to note thata group of Nihangs chopped offan officer’s hand in Punjab’sPatiala. The cop was only per-forming his duty. In this hour ofnational crisis, we must be grate-ful to the frontline warriors, thepolicemen, the medical fraterni-ty and those supplying essentialsto the people. The Nihangsshould be severely punished forthis brutality. Otherwise peoplewill have no fear in committingsuch crimes.

NR RamachandranChennai

P A P E R W I T H P A S S I O N

www.dailypioneer.comfacebook.com/dailypioneer | @TheDailyPioneer | instagram.com/dailypioneer/

op nionVIJAYAWADA | WEDNESDAY | APRIL 15, 2020

06

A post-Corona world

JS RAJPUT

India’s role in restructuring the ideology of progress, development and growth to create anew world of peace is immense. It must remember what its ancestors had said

His (Modi’s) speech normally ismore of a rhetoric than substance.There was nothing substantial (in the address). The only takeaway was that thelockdown was extended.

Shiv Sena leader—Manisha Kayande

I know for a fact that the audience wants to listen tooriginal music. And if theyhave to hear an old song, theycan listen to that song anywhich way in its own avatar.

Singer—Shaan

Facilitating India’s imports ofCovid-19-related critical med-ical equipment and keepingthe drug production supplychain open by China is thebest signal for bilateral ties.

Indian Ambassador —Vikram Misri

S O U N D B I T E

L E T T E R S T O TT H E E D I T O R

The economic debacle

According to the census of 2011, 45 million Indiansmoved outside their birthplaces for economicopportunities, be it for employment or business.

However, more than a half a million have left their citiesafter the unscheduled lockdown. Many more are just wait-ing to return home but it is difficult to imagine such apossibility. Here, the emergence of two divergent but inex-tricably intertwined situations is not unlikely. Economicactivities will remain in deep hibernation for some moretime now. The creation of enough jobs for the natives,who have returned, is beyond capability. Acute povertyof unimaginable proportion in rural homes once the Coronathreat vanishes is set to be the next serious concern.

Unconcerned, the ruling dispensation liquidated thecountry’s accumulated wealth to keep the fiscal deficitwithin limits. It spirited out `1.76 lakh crore from thecontingency reserves of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI),assiduously conserved over time, with the tacit help ofa willing custodian. Profitable PSUs paid high dividendsrepeatedly from the reserves. They were nudged to buy-back Government stake in them and/or forced to buystakes in other PSUs. Life Insurance Corporation, the all-season milch cow, doubled its investment in risky PSUsfrom `11.94 lakh crore to `22.64 lakh crore, depletingits cash reserves by a whopping ̀ 10.7 lakh crore between2014 and 2019. To cap it all, at a time when revenue

receipts were dwindling, corporates got a generous taxcut. This cost the exchequer a princely `1.45 lakh crore.There is, therefore, not much left behind to fall back on.When COVID-19 struck, the Indian economy wasalready in meltdown, with the ruling dispensationindulging in ritualistic denials. The economy now looksfor an extraordinary level of stimulus to avoid the onsetof recession. “Beg, buy or steal,” massive funds needto be raised for that. It is imperative that shrewd mindsput heads together to formulate novel ways to mobiliseadequate capital. Lest the killer pathogen, Corona, putsthe economy, too, on a ventilator.

Haridasan RajanKozhikode

Send yyour ffeedback tto:[email protected]

Media in distressThe poor have been left tofend for themselves. There ismoney, there is food but theGovernment will not releaseeither money or food. Cry,my beloved country.

Congress leader—P Chidambaram

Lockdown extension was inevitable but without specifics ofa bailout, Modi’s speech remained anodyne

The media is a tertiary industry and as a result will facemore trouble before things improve. Which may take years

Globalise the policy narrative

AFTER TAKING INTO ACCOUNT ALL SUGGESTIONS,WE HAVE DECIDED TO EXTEND THE COUNTRYWIDE

LOCKDOWN TILL MAY 3. —PRIME MINISTER

NARENDRA MODI

WHAT HAPPENS IF WE DON'T GET THE DESIREDRESULT EVEN BY STAYING THE COURSE ON OURCHOSEN PATH TILL MAY 3? DO WE HAVE A PLAN B?—FORMER JD(U) LEADERPRASHANT KISHOR

POINTCOUNTERPOINT

On February 23, Italy recorded around 150 pos-itive cases of COVID-19. Within a week, thatnumber touched 3,000 and four days later it

had surpassed 7,000. What happened in Italy afterthat was surreal as the numbers and deaths mount-ed exponentially. It was the same with the US whichhas turned into a hotspot after President DonaldTrump ignored repeated warnings by scientists, doc-tors and experts to act in time and impose a lock-down. The businessman in Trump prevented thePresident from paying heed and he chose the econ-omy over lives and at one point even considered let-ting the Coronavirus “wash over” the US in keep-ing with the “herd immunity” theory that manyexperts were propounding.

Worldwide, too, the numbers are going up eachday with the cases touching 19,31,261 and 1,20,134casualties. What is even more worrying is that Chinaand South Korea have seen cases resurfacing, giv-ing this nightmare another dimension altogether. TheWorld Health Organisation (WHO), which haddeclared COVID-19 a pandemic on March 11, andhas come under fire for allegedly covering it up ini-tially on China’s behest has now announced that theCoronavirus is 10 times more dangerous than theSwine flu . But, despite the world health watchdog’swarning in early March, it had taken over two weeksfor world leaders to take comprehensive action tocurb the spread of the Coronavirus. By that time itwas too late and too little. Now, as the number of casesis spiralling, countries across the world have reced-ed into a lockdown. India, which began its shutdownfrom March 25 for 21-days, has now extended itslockdown till May 3.

It is now more than ever that the world is look-ing up to its policy makers for tackling the spreadof COVID-19. However, as more countries across theworld impose heavy restrictions on their citizens andstress upon the urgent need for social distancingamidst this growing pandemic, there are still manycountries that haven’t completely acknowledged theimpact of this virus. Such inward and self-centeredpolicies of nations have severely limited the globalconsistency of action in such a trying time as this.

A global health crisis like COVID-19 goesbeyond borders and the need of the hour is unanim-ity across the world. In a short span of time, the virushas spread rapidly through the world and with eachpassing day, the pandemic lays bare the inadequa-cies of healthcare systems and crisis unpreparednessacross the globe.

From infrastructure and medical technology toresources and administration, there are glaring insuf-ficiencies in the healthcare industry. Europeancountries with developed healthcare systems havefailed to battle the enormity of this pandemic. TheUK took a different approach towards dealing withthe problem by experimenting with the “herdimmunity.” However, this approach backfired on theUK as the number of cases in the country soaredwhile their National Health Service struggled to keepup. Even though now the UK has imposed a full-fledged lockdown, a crucial period when the spreadof the virus escalated was spent without active admin-istrative action. This existing introversion of ideolo-gies to tackle global health emergencies has led toan unsynchronised response of countries in tacklingthe crisis. There has not only been a delay in actionresponse but also a failure in delivery of productiveaction making it extremely difficult for countries to— at this stage — flatten the curve. In an era of suchpopulist inward-looking ideologies, there is a needto revamp our crisis management strategies and lookoutward to avoid a situation where the internalmachinery reaches the edge of a collapse.

In India, the COVID-19 pandemic hasgradually been exposing the neglected stateof healthcare. WHO executive director JRyan recently referred to India as a coun-try with immense capacity when it comesto eradicating epidemics. His reference wasin line with India’s contribution in eradi-cating polio and smallpox. In addition tothat, Dr Roderico Ofrin, WHO’s RegionalEmergencies Director, commended Indiaon its comprehensive and robust action-plan to tackle COVID-19. However,healthcare in India has for most partremained an ignored industry. Less thanthree per cent of the Gross DomesticProduct (GDP) is allocated to healthcareand the country is perpetually dealing witha shortage in medical resources and infra-structure.

According to the Government, Indiahas about one doctor per 1,500 citizenswhile the WHO recommends one doctorper 1,000 residents. In rural areas, wheretwo-thirds of Indians live and rely almostsolely on Government hospitals, the ratiois one doctor to more than 10,000 people.

These statistics are haunting whenevaluating the action response required totackle a pandemic such as COVID-19which is growing by the minute. Moreover,India faces a problem of plenty within aninformal sector of residence and profes-sion where crowd control is difficult.

For instance, 49 people from thefamous Dharavi slum in Mumbai weretested positive for COVID-19 and therehave been five deaths till now. This slumcould turn out to be India’s biggesthotspot. The nationwide lockdown thatIndia is currently experiencing is one stepin ensuring social distancing and break-ing the chain of transmission of theCoronavirus. However, in a slum likeDharavi, social distancing cannot be prac-tised and contact-tracing is very difficult.The challenge is manifold without ade-quate resources to know the extent ofspread of the virus.

Until a couple of weeks ago, India hadonly 52 official testing centres for COVID-19 but now that number has gone upslightly. In Tuesday’s address to the nation,Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured

people about the arrangements to fight theCoronavirus pandemic in India. “It is saidthat around 1,500 beds are required for10,000 COVID-19 patients. In India, wealready have made arrangement for onelakh beds. More than 600 dedicatedCOVID hospitals too are there. These facil-ities are being expanded speedily,” he said.For a population of 1.3 billion, that num-ber still falls way off the mark. We are ata point where the nation is entirely depen-dent on internal policies to drive the healthmarket. On the other hand, a coordinat-ed global lockdown could have avoidedpanic and given countries time to strength-en healthcare systems.

Another point of worry that hasemerged amid this crisis is the supply-chain disruption especially in the healthsector. Countries which have been severe-ly affected by the pandemic have resort-ed to sealing borders and enforcing com-plete lockdowns, which is an entirelyunprecedented situation. Most nationsdon’t have a support system or infrastruc-ture to manage such large-scale disruptionsin the supply-chain of essential goods,especially pharmaceutical and medicaldevice companies. International collabo-ration on delivery of essential services likemedical equipment and pharmaceuticalscould go a long way in ensuring availabil-ity of these services during a crisis.

India is popularly known as the phar-macy of the world. In this regard, Indiacould particularly look at expanding itspharmaceutical industry into a morerobust operation that caters not only todomestic but also international needs inthe time of crisis. The recent decision toallow export of anti-malarial drugs chloro-quine to other nations in need is a stepin the right direction. The Governmentneeds to rope in experts in the industryfrom the world-over to develop policiesthat expand the market significantly andalso make it self-sufficient during a timeof crisis. This could create a mutually ben-eficial global platform wherein all agenciescan be timely brought in to effectively tack-le a public health emergency. For long,India’s protectionist economic tendencieshave prevented this from happening

which emphasises upon the need for a pol-icy revamp even more.

If COVID-19 has taught us anything,it is that we need to initiate an active unit-ed response where world bodies cometogether to develop long-lasting policieswhich can be played out during publichealth emergencies. It has become imper-ative to incorporate globalisation in poli-cy narratives and work actively towardsproviding comprehensive solutions toworld problems.

A simple case study of the turn ofevents in Italy would clarify the importanceof preparing a comprehensive strategy oftesting, tracking and self-isolation to fightCOVID-19. While Italy wasn’t prepared,it gave other countries the time to do so.Unfortunately, the lack of coordination indealing with this crisis on a global level hasslowed down the fight against COVID-19today. Even though ultimately countrieshave resorted to a lockdown to curb thespread of the Coronavirus, the actionresponse in the interim has been lack-adaisical.

Significantly, Modi roped in SAARCleaders to develop a strategy to deal withthe growing COVID-19 pandemic. Thediscussion revolved around creating a glob-al fund to tackle COVID-19 in the regionand also to be better prepared for thefuture. Taking a cue from that, steps needto be taken at the stakeholder level to devel-op more inclusive strategies for when dis-asters hit. East-West collaboration lies atthe core of this strategy. One way to moveforward in this regard is for policymakersto think globally and act locally. There isa need to break out of existing tradition-al practices and align with the global view-point while thinking of implementation onthe grassroot level. We live in a world withextensive cross-country interaction andmovement. It is essential now to be awareof possible health threats that mightrequire a coordinated policy narrative todeal with. Countries should focus on pol-icymaking at a local level while integrat-ing and defining these policies at a glob-alised macro level.

(The writer is Co-founder andManaging Partner, SPAG)

The pandemic has reinforced the need for inclusive policy-making where countries think internationally and act locally during a crisis

analysis 07F I R S T C O L U M N

The edutechadvantage

AJIT CHAUHAN

Technology is playing a critical role in thedissemination of content and is turning the tide in

the COVID-19 affected educational landscape

AMAN GUPTA

IF COVID-19 HASTAUGHT US

ANYTHING, IT ISTHAT WE NEED TO

INITIATE AN ACTIVEUNITED RESPONSE

WHERE WORLDBODIES COMETOGETHER TO

DEVELOPLONG-LASTING

POLICIES WHICHCAN BE PLAYED

OUT DURINGPUBLIC HEALTH

EMERGENCIES. ITHAS BECOME

IMPERATIVE TOINCORPORATE

GLOBALISATION IN POLICY

NARRATIVES ANDWORK ACTIVELY

TOWARDSPROVIDING

COMPREHENSIVESOLUTIONS TO

WORLD PROBLEMS

These are trying times for not just the education sector but also theentire human race. The unprecedented pandemic that hit the worldtowards the fag end of 2019 has altered all our lives and forced us

to take drastic measures. The rapid spread of the Coronavirus within weeksacross Europe, South Asia, Australia, West Asia, the US and India forcedgovernments to take swift and decisive action to mitigate the impact of afull-blown pandemic and avoid its community transmission. Thus shut-downs became a startling reality and changed the course of action in thepublic sphere. In order to keep students safe and stem the spread of theCoronavirus among the young, schools and higher education institutionswere shut down as a precautionary measure. This challenged the educa-tion sector and broadened the horizon of learning and teaching. It becamea catalyst for educational institutions worldwide to search for innovativesolutions in a relatively short period of time. According to a recent reportby the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation(UNESCO), the education of over 290 million students across 13 coun-tries is expected to get interrupted because of the Coronavirus outbreak.

Thankfully, technology is playing a critical role in the creation and dis-semination of educational content and is turning the tide in the COVID-19affected global educational landscape. Amid the unprecedented ongoinglockdowns, schools, colleges and universities across the world have start-ed a bouquet of online offerings to continue coursework. Due to these onlinelearning organisations, big or small, the impact on the education of stu-dents can be minimised globally and ensure that learning never stops. Infact, technology has the potential to completely alter the education sectoreven after COVID-19 is long gone.

In fact, in recent years, universities like Stanford, Yale and Oxford havebeen providing online courses accessible all over the world through plat-forms such as EdX, Coursera and Udemy. However, online education andeducational technology (edutech) in India are still not a part of the main-stream education system. Hence, it is vital to introduce investments in thissector to integrate edutech with mainstream education, because a reportby KPMG says that the Indian online education industry will grow from1.6 million users in 2016 to a whopping 9.6 million users by 2021.

In a move in the right direction, the Central Government’s Departmentof Higher Education has undertaken the ‘National Mission on Educationthrough Information and Communication Technology’ (ICT) to leverage thepotential of ICT in providing information to learners free of cost.

Similarly the Amity Future Academy (AFA) has come up with solu-tions for both corporates as well as colleges and the edutech player is nowrunning a “Free Learning Month” where one can get free access to all theprograms designed by industry specialists in partnership with Ivy Leagueuniversities like Harvard Business School Online for Product ManagementProgram, Wharton Online for Digital Marketing Program and so on. Manyedutech players are providing Industry 4.0 online courses in areas like DataScience, Blockchain Technology, Machine Learning (ML) and ArtificialIntelligence (AI), Cyber Security, HR Analytics, Product Management andFintech to help students improve their skill-sets and become prepared indisciplines that will shape the economy of tomorrow. Such offerings aimto plug the gap of learning experienced by institutions or working profes-sionals amid the shutdowns caused by COVID-19. With a slew of insti-tutions being present online and powered with courses in collaboration withforeign universities of repute, these educational solutions will bridge thegap in the education and corporate landscape being created by the glob-al pandemic.

India Skills Report 2018 reflected that about 47 per cent of futurejobs in India will be in the areas of Analytics, AI and Robotics. Educationalinstitutions in India have embraced Education 4.0 and designed coursesto rationalise the concept of knowledge for tomorrow. Such programmesaim to get the future leaders ready, making them contribute to the visionof seeing India as the knowledge superpower. From digital classrooms tocollaborative learning, these programmes are offering a platform and expo-sure to students and industry professionals to skill-based learning. Theneed of the hour and of the future is to create programmes in collabora-tion with premier global institutions and industry experts and follow theconcept of “to, by and for the industry” to create a workforce of tomor-row. Subject domains including Data Science, Business Analytics andIntelligence, Digital Marketing Strategies, ML and AI, Blockchain Technologyand Management, Big Data Architecture, HR Management and Analytics,Cyber Security, Fundamentals of Python, Search Engine Optimisation, DeepLearning, Content Marketing, Ethereum, Basics of Java, Mobile AppMarketing, Social media Marketing are needed to grow with the changingrealm of education.

With education on the go becoming a new reality, subject domainslike AI can make learning adaptive and personalised while Augmented Reality(AR) can help in contextual learning along with AI-aided chatbots that enhancethe student’s learning experience. Messaging services like WhatsApp andpopular social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook are also beingused for interactive and informal learning by education institutions. Onlinelearning will certainly help the education sector tide over the current cri-sis and also prepare the next generation to become tech-enabled globalcitizens.

(The writer is Chairman, Amity Future Academy)

The ongoing COVID-19 pan-demic has instilled a new-foundrespect for the environment

among the people of India and theworld at large.

As people stay barricaded insidetheir homes, the value of taking a sim-ple walk in the park, soaking in the sunand the greenery, admiring the flow-ers and listening to the chirping of thebirds, is driven home like never before.

What was taken for granted earli-er has become a shockingly difficult

task to accomplish. Given the consid-erable health risk involved in steppingout of the house due to possible expo-sure to COVID-19, and, of course, theadditional risk of inviting the ire of thepolicemen tasked with the job ofkeeping citizens indoors during thenationwide lockdown, it is well nighimpossible to enjoy this simple pleasureof life. However, as we ponder overmankind’s behaviour in hindsight(during this enforced break fromactivities), taking nature and the envi-ronment for granted seems nothingshort of a sin now.

This respect and value beingaccorded to nature is new-found,because as recently as the first week ofFebruary, all the nations of the worldcontinued to turn a blind eye to envi-ronmental well-being. They went onmindlessly exploiting natural resources,guzzling fossil fuel, carelessly dispos-ing plastics and other non-biodegrad-able waste in landfills, rivers and pol-luting ground water and even the

oceans and mountains. Even as one nation after another

fell prey to COVID-19, otherCoronavirus-free countries did notcomprehend the danger ahead andpeople went about their routinesunperturbed, powered by greed andconsumerism. Now, the Coronavirushas brought almost the entire world toa standstill and our crimes againstnature are staring us in the face. Inmore ways than one, this crisis hadbeen in the making for quite some time.Rising levels of consumerism paved theway for the environment to be exploit-ed and compromised on a systematicscale for long.

Interestingly, according to a pan-India study commissioned by theMahindra Group in 2019, Indians arevery well aware of the human impacton the environment. The study sawfour out of five Indians confirming thatthey were aware of the consequencesof their actions on the environment andclimate change. The study further

revealed that 83 per cent of the respon-dents evinced interest in makinglifestyle changes towards a more sus-tainable living, while 70 per cent dis-played sufficient awareness of waterconservation. However, despite theawareness, the respondents could notelucidate how they were going to takesteps to reduce/prevent the negativeimpact of their lifestyles on the envi-ronment. So, all the awareness regard-ing climate change and the state of theenvironment is unable to alter humanbehaviour and ensure that people tryto lead a low carbon foot-print lifestyle.For this to happen there needs to be amajor change in attitudes, wherein con-scious, environment-friendly con-sumerism replaces the current patternof consumerism which is self-servingand oblivious to environmental conse-quences.

As of now, mankind’s exploitativeforays into nature’s domains haveresulted in the release of harmfulpathogens that were hitherto unknown

to mankind. The hunt for exotic ani-mals that can be sold for a premiumin wet markets has put man in thecrosshairs of virulent viruses searchingfor a host. The Coronavirus pandem-ic is a result of this form of mindlessconsumerism.

This cavalier attitude towardsnature and abject consumerism havemade the world shoot itself in the legand this has to stop now.

Consumerism that spells doom forhumanity has to be urgently replacedby alternativism, where sustainablelifestyles become the norm ratherthan the exception. Governmentsacross the world must provide sustain-able alternatives for humans to adoptso that the livelihoods and lifestyles thatresult in compromising the environ-ment are phased out.

This not only means changingone’s buying behaviour by shifting togreen products but also means that suf-ficient efforts must be made to preventwastage, be it of food, water, electrici-

ty or any natural resources. Forinstance, there is need to ask all the five-star hotels across the world to not throwunused food at the end of a businessday and instead give it to the poor. Thisact alone will feed millions of hungrypeople and will also lead to saving oftrillions of litres of water that is usedin growing more food.

According to EcoBusiness, cur-rently 25 per cent of the food that pass-es through global five-star kitchens iseventually thrown out, this is the hall-mark of irresponsible consumerismand it needs to be replaced with a con-scious one. Lastly the mindlessexploitation of natural resources has tostop. Else, we should prepare for a grimfuture where overexploitation of foodresources leads to depletion, forcinghumans to look for other, more uncon-ventional sources of food. Then pan-demics like the Coronavirus willbecome a routine affair.

(The writer is an environmentaljournalist)

Humanity must adopt conscious consumerism As of now, mankind’s exploitative forays into nature’s domains have resulted in the release of harmful pathogens

that were hitherto unknown to mankind

KOTA SRIRAJ

VIJAYAWADA | WEDNESDAY | APRIL 15, 2020

www.dailypioneer.com

F O R E I G N E Y E

Huge political shifts areunder way, with fiscallyconservative governmentssuch as Boris Johnson’sintervening in economies toan unprecedented extent.What was once impossiblenow turns out not to be, atall. Could the renewed shockof human vulnerability in theface of COVID-19 make wayfor an increased willingnessto face other perils, climatechaos among them?(The Guardian editorial)

A CHANGE FORTHE BETTER?

VIJAYAWADA | WEDNESDAY | APRIL 15, 2020 money 08

CAPSULE

Biocon, Mylanlaunch Fulphila,biosimilarPegfilgrastim

Pvt lenders may losedeposits to PSBs dueto Yes Bank bailout:Report

Bengaluru: Biocon Ltd. andMylan N V on Tuesdayannounced the launch ofFulphila, a biosimilar toNeulasta (pegfilgrastim), inAustralia. Fulphila is approvedby the Therapeutic GoodsAdministration for thetreatment of cancer patientsfollowing chemotherapy, todecrease the duration ofsevere neutropenia and reducethe incidence of infections, asmanifested by febrileneutropenia, city-headquartered Biocon said ina statement. The approval ofFulphila was based on acomprehensive package ofanalytical, nonclinical andclinical data, which confirmedthat the product is highlysimilar to Neulasta and noclinically meaningfuldifferences in terms of safetyand efficacy exist, it said.

Mumbai: The Yes Bank rescuehas undermined confidence ofdepositors in private sectorlenders and will lead to smallerentities losing deposits to state-run banks, a report said onTuesday. The research reportfrom global ratings agencyMoody's Investors Servicecomes at a time when manyprivate sector lenders havereported a contraction ofdeposits in the March quarterwhen the Yes Bank crisishappened. The RBI - which hadto steer the over Rs 10,000crore Yes Bank bailout - hasrepeatedly assuaged suchconcerns, saying money in allthe banks is safe. "The YesBank event underminesdepositor confidence in privatesector banks, whereas publictrust in PSBs (public sectorbanks) will remain strong,underpinned by a perception ofstrong government protectionfor them," the rating agencysaid.

India Inc stands by extensioncall; seeks stimulus packagePNS n NEW DELHI

India Inc on Tuesdaysaid the nationwidelockdown extension wasnecessary to avert ahumanitarian crisis, butinsisted on the need fora stimulus package torebuild the economy hithard by the Covid-19pandemic.

Earlier in the day,Prime MinisterNarendra Modiannounced that the cur-rent lockdown will beextended till May 3, say-ing it is necessary tocontain the spread of thenovel coronavirus in thecountry.

He said detailedguidelines on imple-mentation of the newlockdown will beannounced onWednesday, and somerelaxations may beallowed after April 20 inplaces where there areno hotspots.

The catastrophic

effect of the lockdownon the overall economyand livelihoods of lakhsof migrant workers trig-gered severe concernsfollowing which a num-ber of state chief minis-ters in their video con-ference with Modi onSaturday sought somesort of relaxation for anumber of sectors.

Late last month, thegovernment announceda Rs 1.7 lakh crore pack-age aimed at providingrelief to those hit hardby the lockdown as well

as an insurance coverfor healthcare profes-sionals handling virusinfected people.

“Estimates show thatIndia may be losingclose to Rs 40,000 croredaily due to the nation-al lockdown with anestimated loss amount-ing to Rs 7-8 lakh croreduring the past 21 days,"said Ficci PresidentSangita Reddy.

Further, it is alsoexpected that close to 40million jobs are at riskduring the period April-

Sept 2020. Hence, anurgent relief package isalso critical, she said.

She observed that thePrime Minister's direc-tions on graded openingwill help start some pro-duction activity toensure that as soon aslockdown opens, thereare no shortages faced.

CII Director GeneralChandrajit Banerjeesaid the Covid-19 curvetrajectory as of nowrequired a fitting con-tainment response andPrime Minister's deci-sion for continuation ofthe lockdown is neces-sary to avert a largerhumanitarian crisis.

"Prime Minister hasalso provided a guid-ance on exit from thelockdown after 20 April

which helps industryplan better.

"The extension givesthe government ade-quate preparation timeto organise an orderlyand safe restart of theeconomy as and whenhealth conditions per-mit. Industry too candevise its strategies forcommencing operationsaccordingly duringthisextension period,"Banerjee said.

IT industry bodyNasscom said the exten-sion announcement bythe government willhelp India to build onthe containment strate-gy of the last threeweeks and strengthenour readiness to supportthe post lockdownphase.

The extension gives adequatetime to organise an orderly andsafe restart of the economy

PNS n NEW DELHI

IT industry body Nasscom onTuesday said it is hopeful thatthe government will announceeconomic stimulus packagessoon to help rebuild the econ-omy even as the nationwidelockdown was extended tillMay 3 to contain the spread ofcoronavirus infection.

Welcoming the move toextend the lockdown,Nasscom said it is imperativethat people to adapt to this"new normal" and build inpractices like social distancingin everyday lives over the nextmany months.

"The nationwide three-weeklockdown (that was to end onApril 14) has played a key rolein helping India contain thespread of Covid-19.

"While, there are some dis-tricts that are still heavilyimpacted, it is heartening tohear about patients recoveringand some districts reportingno new cases over the last 2-3 days," Nasscom said in astatement.

There is still a long battleahead and the extensionannouncement by the govern-ment till May 3 will help Indiato build on the containmentstrategy of the last three weeksand also strengthen readinessto support the post-lockdownphase, it added.

"We are also happy to notethe relaxation of restrictions ingreen zones and hope thegovernment will alsoannounce the economic stim-ulus packages soon so that wecan start focusing on rebuild-ing the economy," Nasscomsaid.

Information technology andbusiness process management(IT-BPM) companies haveasked most employees to workfrom home with very few staffbeing present at locations tohandle critical workloads.

The industry body said IT-BPM industry is committed totake all precautions onhygiene, sanitisation andensuring all necessary guide-lines are followed by the indus-try and employees, as it con-tinues to support critical ser-vices.

"Nasscom is also workingclosely with the government toenable technology solutionsfor Covid-19 that will enablethe post lockdown phase," itadded.

PNS n NEW DELHI

Apex exporters body FIEO onTuesday said the micro, smalland medium enterprises(MSME) do not have ade-quate liquidity to pay wages totheir employess for the monthof April as they are unable toconduct any business activityduring the lockdown.

The Federation of IndianExport Organisations (FIEO)reiterated that the governmentshould immediately announcean incentive package and givepermisssion for partialresumption of operations inmanufacturing units.

"The exporters, particularlyMSME exporters, have no liq-uidity to pay wages for themonth of April as they areunable to conduct any businessactivity during the lockdown,"FIEO President Sharad KumarSaraf said in a statement.

He also expressed disap-pointment on deferment of thedecision to allow selectiveopening of the manufacturingsector, particularly exportunits. "We were expectingsome announcement in thisregard in the Prime Minister's

address to the nation thismorning. Non-adherence tothe delivery schedule forexports will result in cancella-tion, penalties and market loss,besides the business loss toenterprises, he added.

Prime Minister NarendraModi on Tuesday announcedthat the current lockdown willbe extended till May 3, sayingit is very necessary to containthe spread of the COVID-19pandemic in the country.

Saraf also said that the shift-ing of the goalpost will not helpin avoiding the stark realitieswhich exporters have to facewhenever "we open".

PNS n NEW DELHI

The board of auto componentsmajor Motherson SumiSystems Ltd (MSSL) has givenin-principle approval to raiseRs 1,000 crore to enhance liq-uidity during the uncertaintimes of coronavirus pandem-ic, according to a companystatement.

The firm, which has plantsin India, Europe and Americasthat are currently temporarilyclosed, said it has received pos-itive reopening dates for vastmajority of the plants by endof April/early May.

However, the situation beingdynamic there could be furtherdelays in reopening plants incase the local governmentsextend lockdowns, of whichthere are no current clear indi-cations, the company said in astatement.

Stating that the company isfully prepared to tackle theCovid-19 situation, MSSL saidit has created multiple internaltask forces to monitor the sit-

uation on a daily basis acrossall its plants.

Reassuring its investors,MSSL said it had institutedmany projects across the globeaimed at cost rationalisation,controlling non-critical busi-ness investments and generatecash flows.

"To further enhance liquid-ity in these uncertain times, theboard of directors has accord-ed in-principle approval toraise up to Rs 10 billion anddelegated its committee ofdirectors to evaluate anddecide on various borrowing

proposals," the statement said. It further said, "We are also

proactively working to leverageon various government sup-port schemes to enhance liq-uidity."

Stating that its liquidity isstrong, the company said as ofMarch 31, 2020, it had a con-solidated cash Rs 4,690 crore.

MSSL Chairman VivekChaand said: "Our team hasdone a phenomenal job inalmost doubling MSSL'sturnover over the last fiveyears to USD 9.6 billion on anunaudited basis.”

‘MSME exporters have no liquidity to pay wages’

‘Extension rightmove, impacton EV sector in1 to 2 months’ PNS n NEW DELHI

Society of Manufacturersof Electric Vehicles (SMEV)on Tuesday said extensionof the lockdown is the rightmove although there will becertainly an adverse impacton the operations of itsmembers for the next 1-2months.

Describing the situationas a testing time for the EVindustry, SMEV DirectorGeneral Sohinder Gill saidit is also time for its mem-bers to conserve cash, takecare of workmen and utilisethis time to plan ahead.

"Looking at the currentsituation in the country,the extension of the lock-down is the right move.

Though there will be cer-tainly an adverse impact onthe operations for the next1-2 months, I believe thatwe will be able to save livesof thousands and emerge asa healthier nation," Gill saidin a statement.

India has opportunity tobuild more resilient anddiverse economy: USIBC PNS n WASHINGTON

After the COVID-19 pan-demic, India will have theopportunity to build an econ-omy that is more resilient,diversified and attractive to theglobal manufacturers and ser-vices as the majority of thebusinesses world wide havefaced disruptions and eco-nomic fallout, according to thehead of a India-centricAmerican business represen-tative group here.

Nisha Desai Biswal, thepresident of US India BusinessCouncil (USIBC) said India isexpected to benefit as it isexpected that businesses willwant to de-risk in having toomuch of a supply chain con-centrated in one area and tryto diversify and disperse.

“Now after the pandemic, Ithink it just further under-scores that there's an opportu-nity here for India.

In the midst of all of the dis-ruption and economic fallout,there's an opportunity to buildan economy that is moreresilient, that is more diversi-fied and that is more attractiveto more global manufacturingand global Services,” Biswal,who served as the AssistantSecretary of State for Southand Central Asia during theprevious Barack ObamaAdministration, told PTI in aninterview on Monday.

Globally, the coronaviruspandemic has killed 119,666people and infected almosttwo million people, accordingto Johns Hopkins Universitydata.

MSSL gives nod to raise Rs 1k-cr toenhance liquidity during pandemic

Lockdown-hit paper demand unlikely to recover in Q1PNS n MUMBAI

The ongoing Covid-19 drivenlockdown will see paper salesplunging as demand frompackaging, education, corpo-rates and the print media hascome to a naught with over 80per cent of the economy is ona standstill.

Stating that there is no recov-ery possible in the first half, areport says the impact willhave be harder as the lockdownhas been extended by morethan two weeks till May 3. Thisis on top of the three-weekshutdown that ends on Tuesday.

According to an IndiaRatings report, with an annu-al demand for 19 million tonne

(4 per cent of global demandshare), India is the fifth largestpaper consumer, after Chinawith 109 mt (21 per cent ofglobal share) and the US with70 mt or 17 per cent of globaldemand, and also warns ofimport threat hitting the

domestic industry harder again.Significantly, the report nei-

ther quantifies the demandplunge nor how much will beimports.

The report expects a demandrecovery in the second quarterwith resumption of education

and corporate sectors, drivingdemand for writing and print-ing paper and a gradual nor-malisation of manufacturingand logistics, pushing packag-ing demand.

“However, there is downsiderisks as the lockdown isextended to May 3 now.Besides, domestic paper pro-ducers have already been fac-ing volume pressure from ris-ing imports, which grew 18 percent in the first 10 months of

the FY20, significantly fasterthan domestic demandgrowth.

“While logistical disruptioncan provide a breather, importthreat continues with subduedpulp prices and the possibili-ty of overseas manufacturespushing their inventory amida weak global demand oncenormalcy returns,” says thereport without quantifying thedemand loss or spike inimports.

Trump says OPEC+planning to cutproduction 20 mn bpdPNS n WASHINGTON

Top global oil producers areconsidering cutting produc-tion by 20 million barrels perday under the terms of a dealto boost prices, US PresidentDonald Trump said onMonday.

Trump, who took credit forbrokering the deal, said theagreement was bigger thanexpected and will help theenergy industry recover fromthe impact of the coron-avirus pandemic.

"Having been involved inthe negotiations, to put itmildly, the number thatOPEC+ is looking to cut is 20Million Barrels a day, not the10 Million that is generallybeing reported," Trumptweeted.

"Thank you to all of thosewho worked with me on get-ting this very big businessback on track, in particularRussia and Saudi Arabia."Oil prices have been ham-mered by a slump in global

economic activity caused bythe pandemic, as well as aprice war between SaudiArabia and Russia.

Top producers have beeninching towards a deal fordays, with an agreementannounced on Friday andTrump saying he would helpMexico, which had resistedcutting production, meet itsend of the deal.

OPEC producers dominat-ed by Saudi Arabia and alliesled by Russia again met byvideoconference on Sundayto cement the agreement.

PNS n SINGAPORE

Oil prices rose Tuesday afterUS President Donald Trumpsaid producers are consideringcutting 20 million barrels perday -- more than double thefigure publicly announced --to help the virus-hit sector.

US benchmark West TexasIntermediate rose nearly 2percent to trade at $22.85,while international bench-mark Brent crude climbed 1.5percent to trade at $32.26.

OPEC producers dominat-ed by Saudi Arabia and alliesled by Russia thrashed out acompromise deal on Sunday tocut production by nearly 10million barrels per day fromMay.

The agreement was aimedat boosting prices after monthsof heavy falls, with theCOVID-19 outbreak sappingdemand as countries aroundthe world have put their pop-

ulations under lockdown.A Saudi-Russian price war

compounded the crisis, withboth countries ramping upproduction as they bid to holdon to market share and under-cut US shale producers.

Prices fluctuated after theoutput cut was announced,however, with traders still ner-vous about a supply glut amidestimates that demand hasplunged 25 million barrelsper day. Trump said Mondaythat the cuts may be deeperthan the headline figure --with top producers consider-ing slashing output by 20 mil-lion barrels a day under thedeal. "People are saying 10 mil-lion but we think the numberthey will actually hit is goingto be closer to 20 million bar-rels a day," Trump said at apress briefing about the coro-navirus, referring to howmuch oil production would becut.

Oil prices rise asTrump flags deeperoutput cuts

RIL to hitmarket withRs 10k-croreon April 16PNS n MUMBAI

To cash in on cheap fundsflooding the debt marketthrough the targeted long-term repo operations route,Reliance Industries (RIL) willraise Rs 9,000 crore throughan NCD sale to refinance theexisting high-cost rupee debt.

The most cash-rich compa-ny is also one of the mostindebted corporates sittingon debt pile of over Rs 1.54lakh crore as of March 2020.

According to an exchangefiling, RIL is launching a Rs9,000-crore non-convertibledebenture (NCD) issue onApril 16 and the proceedsfrom the debt sale will be usedto repay existing rupee debt.

The issue has two compo-nents: a Rs 4,500-crore fixedrate tranche and an equaltranche with floating rate andboth the issues are offering acoupon of 7.20 per cent-4.40per cent of repo with a spreadof 2.80 per cent.

‘Concern amongtransportersregardingsustenance’PNS n NEW DELHI

Truckers' body All India MotorTransport Congress (AIMTC)on Tuesday said there isrenewed concern among trans-port sector regarding its suste-nance due to the extension ofthe lockdown while seeking Rs200 crore from the govern-ment's coronavirus combatcorpus to ensure food andwater for drivers and helperson the move.

The truckers body alsoclaimed that while the homeministry has issued directivesthat trucks carrying goods,essential or non-essential orempty vehicle should not bestopped but on the groundlocal authorities are not hon-ouring it in many places andstated if such a scenario persiststhen the scarcity of essentialsupplies is inevitable.

While the prime ministerhas asked corporate and pub-lic sector enterprises to coop-erate in this hour of crisis bytaking care of the workforceand their dependent, Singhclaimed, "it has come to lightthat even public sector enter-prise like Maharashtra NaturalGas Limited, a joint venture ofMaharashtra Government andGAIL, are rescinding theirwork and rendering hundredsof poor truckers without work."

"The corporates should hon-our their existing work con-tracts as on it depends liveli-hood of many others," he said.

Hero MotoCorpto provide 60ambulances forCovid patientsPNS n NEW DELHI

Leading two-wheeler makerHero MotoCorp on Tuesdaysaid it is donating 60 first-responder mobile ambulancesto authorities across the coun-try as part of its Covid-19relief efforts.

The mobile ambulanceswill be useful for reaching outto patients in rural andremote areas and comfortablymoving them to the nearesthospitals, the company said ina statement.

The ambulances have beencustom-built as an accessoryto be fitted on HeroMotoCorp motorcycles, withan engine capacity of 150ccand above, it added.

The ambulance accessoriesinclude sleeping arrangementwith essential medical equip-ment such as a first-aid kit,oxygen cylinder, fire extin-guisher and siren, HeroMotoCorp said.

These mobile ambulanceswill be handed over to author-ities in multiple regions acrossthe country, it added.

The three-weeklockdown hasplayed a key rolein helping Indiacontain the spreadof Covid-19

Hope govt will announceeconomic stimuluspackages soon: Nasscom

Stating that there is no recoverypossible in the first half, a report saysthe impact will have be harder as thelockdown has been extended

urther extensionof the nationwidelockdown hasupset many.People were eager-ly looking forward

to the lockdown to end, butwhen it did not happen,social media has been flood-ed with people frowning atthe decision. A large sectionof them put up messages say-ing their birthday plans havebeen quashed.

But worry not, the internethas come to your rescue.Birthday or not, one justneeds an excuse to have one.Celebrities too have beenspending their time bakingyummy and mouth-wateringcakes at home. FromSayessha, Kangana Ranaut,Malaika Arora Khan,Deepika Padukone toTamannah Bhatia and VickyKaushal, everyone is seenbeating the blues duringquarantine by indulging theirsweet teeth.

Agrima Asthani, founderof Cake’olock is a self-taughtbaker who notifies us thather business has leaped amidthe coronavirus outbreak.“The number of orders havecome up as bakeries too, haveshut down. Clients are morethan happy to invest in fresh,home-baked items,” she says.

Asthani, however, grappleswith the concern of limitedingredients. This cheesecakelover caters to around 2-3customers a day, especiallyon the occasion of birthdays

and anniversaries. Shesources her ingredients froma local store that deliversthem home.

Asthani has one reason tobe thankful to the lockdown— the mass communicationdrop has resulted in people

beginning to try out andappreciate the art of baking.“I now see people looking forDIY cooking videos anddoing things themselves, giv-ing tough competition toowners of huge businesses,”she explains. In times ofsocial isolation, the bakerhopes that her comfortingdesserts serve as an act oflove that brings smiles uponpeople’s faces.

All of 21, this passionatebaker hopes to expand herbusiness to e-commercesoon. “I take orders onInstagram and deliver themvia Whizzy, Rapido, Uberand even self-pickup. Theprices range between Rs1,200 and Rs 1,400, based onvarious designs and flavours,”she informs.

Brownies, themed candies,cupcakes, pastries, you nameit, you will have it deliveredat your doorstep!

hat would you doif you can see thefuture? As excitingas it sounds,actress AshikaGopal plays a sim-

ilar role in Zee Telugu’sTrinayani. The Kannadaactress made her Telugudebut with KathaloRajakumari and hasmanaged to make acomfortable spot forherself in the Telugu TVindustry.

The beginning Ashika made her

debut with a Kannadaserial Niharika when shewas in the final year ofher engineering course.She bagged the role ofplaying the leadactress inflashback

episodes of the serialsince the two look simi-lar. “I was pursuing myengineering when I gotthe opportunity to act inNiharika. My uncleadvised me to auditionfor the role since thelead actress and I looksimilar. After this serial,I was offered a role forthe Triveni Sangama,”she shares. Followingthat, Ashika playedsmaller roles in otherserials.

Telugu entry Ashika got placed in

an MNC after her gradu-ation but she put herjoining date on hold to

try her luck withserials.

She adds, “After acting ina few serials in Kannada,I got a call fromAnnapurna Studios forKathalo Rajakumari.Initially, I was hesitantbecause the place andlanguage were new. Butafter a friend convincedme, I decided to audi-tion for the role and wasselected. After KathaloRajakumari, I found noreason to look back atmy placement in theMNC. Although I neverplanned to be an actor, Inow feel serials are all Ilive for.”

Interesting roles Ashika enjoys playing

different roles and loveshow interesting her rolein her current serialTrinayani is. “I’m playingthe lead and can see

what happens in thefuture. It is a unique

concept and hasreceived tremen-dous response forthe same. Therole has variouschallenges andI’m enjoyingit,” she tells us.

Languagedifficulties

Ashika saysshe never had to

face any majordifficulty when she

was new to theindustry. “I didn’t

know anything aboutthe Telugu industry,even the language. But I

love to learn new thingsand was able to learn thelanguage within sixmonths. I would talk tomy co-stars in Teluguand whenever I couldvisit my hometown inKarnataka, I would con-verse with my family inTelugu. They now sayI've become a completeTelugu girl,” she says.

Working style is different

Asked if there are anydifferences between theKannada and Telugu TVindustries, Ashika replies,“The working style is dif-ferent in both the indus-tries. Kannada peoplelove to act in a very calmmanner and Teluguactors are more active.Both the industries aregreat at production andother departments.”

Film Industry?Depends on roles

Ashika doesn’t wish tostop with TV. She saysthat she might take upacting for films if she isoffered a good role. She

shares, “I have no dreamrole per se, but

would take up acharacter if it isinteresting. I don’twish to stick to asimilar kind ofrole. When Ientered the TVindustry, I didn’tknow how to act.And here I amtoday. I’m a fast

learner and am willingto take up challenges —be it TV or films.”

Set of the audienceis different

On OTT platformstaking over TV, she says,“Serials are differentfrom other content onOTT platforms. Peoplewho love serials will staywith us for years. Onecan’t say the same aboutweb series or content ina shorter format. Somemediums target a partic-ular audience, but I’d liketo believe that peoplerelate more to serials foreverything is more realand stays for years,” sheexplains.

Hyderabad connect About the city, Ashika

shares, “My Telugu isgetting better and betterwith each day. I love thecity and its cuisine. Ilove that Hyderabadiseat spicy food. When Ivisit my home inKarnataka, I sometimesmiss Hyderabadi food,”she smiles.

Speaking to V SATEESH

REDDY, televisionactress Ashika

Gopal talks abouther entry into

acting, love fordifferent roles,

languagedifficulties,

working withTelugu and

Kannada industries,Hyderabad-

connect andmore

W

F

I HAVE NO DREAMROLE PER SE, BUT WOULD

TAKE UP A CHARACTER IF IT ISINTERESTING. I DON’T WISH TO

STICK TO A SIMILAR KIND OF ROLE.WHEN I ENTERED THE TV INDUSTRY, I

DIDN’T KNOW HOW TO ACT. AND HERE IAM TODAY. I’M A FAST LEARNER AND

AM WILLING TO TAKE UPCHALLENGES — BE IT TV OR

FILMS

Delivering SMILES toAs the nationcontinues toremain inlockdown,baker AgrimaAsthani,founder ofCake’olock,allows ThePioneer'sShikhaDuggal, asneak peekinto herbaking lifeduring thistime ofisolation

THE PRICESRANGEBETWEENRS 1,200AND RS1,400,BASED ONVARIOUSDESIGNSAND

FLAVOURSYOUR HOMES

What will you need?FlourWater

Step1: Mix flour and water ina small bowl.

Step2: Cover the bowlloosely with a lid andleave the mixture onyour counter at room

temperature.Step 3: Twice a day, add one

to two tablespoons eachof flour and water. Inabout three to five days,your starter will begin tobubble. After day five,your starter should haveat least doubled in volumeand will be ready to use.

HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN YEAST DURING QUARANTINE!

out of the

BOX

‘I'm almost a Telugu girl now'

WednesdayApril 15, 2020

Follow us [email protected]/dailypioneer

he COVID-19 pan-demic will haveafter-effects on themedia and enter-tainment industry,turning out to be

disastrous for films, entertain-ment events and theme parks.It will, however, boost digitalmedia consumption in India.

KPMG has released a reporttitled COVID-19: The ManyShades Of A Crisis- A MediaAnd Entertainment SectorPerspective, which highlightsthe impact of COVID-19 inthe media and entertainmentindustry. The report states thatthe current environment couldresult in a dip in media con-sumption in the near term.

During the lockdown peri-od, TV, gaming, digital andOTT platforms are seeing con-sumption growth. On the otherhand, outdoor consumptionmodels such as films, events,theme parks, are witnessing adramatic fall with social dis-tancing norms in place.

The report states that “digitalconsumption will see rapidincremental growth withIndia’s edigital billion trajectorylikely to accelerate materially.”

“Digital media consumption,particularly OTT, has seen asurge during the lockdownperiod in terms of both timespent and newer audiences.The resultant habit formationis likely to result in a new high-er normal once the situationaround COVID-19 comesunder control,” it read.

It also stressed that the OTTconsumption in India couldstart seeing a shift from themobile screen to the large TVscreen “owing to the lockdowneffect with broadband internet”.

Gaming is another sectorwhich can benefit in the overalldigital ecosystem, saying that“media companies, includingOTT platforms, could seriouslylook at gaming as an extensionto their ecosystem offerings”.

The study stressed that whilethe TV viewing has increased,it lacks fresh content. As ofnow, news channels are popu-lar as viewers follow COVID-19 updates in real time..

“Sports could emerge as thebig draw when recoverybegins, especially if IPL dates

are announced,” it predicted.Talking about films, the

report mentioned that “foot-falls and therefore revenueshave dried up with cinema hallclosures”.

“Rental cost savings antici-pated due to invoking of forcemajeure clause. Recoveryprocess may be different acrossdemographics based on specif-ic COVID-19 experiences andperceived risk from social gath-ering,” it added.

The “medium term release”might be impacted due to“crowding of projects andrestart of on-hold projects”.

Overall, footfalls could takea while to return to normalcywith risk of narrowing of the-atrical windows and expansiondelays likely.

There’s a silver lining ofOTTs. Even though contentpipeline has dried up, the plat-forms have a larger, vibrantlibrary — which is acting in itsfavour. “OTT play-ers

offering extended free periodsto drive subscription pick upthrough habit formation,” itpointed out. It means that habitformation could result in a newnormal and accelerated growthin consumption and monetisa-tion. There’s another sectorwhich is set to bloom — that’sanimation.

“Animation and VFX workmore long-term so demandcould hold up despite the crisis.TV and digital projects couldincrease while film projectshave taken a bigger hit,” thereport explained

As a result, VFX and post-production on films are likelyto be hit. Animation for TVand digital could recover faster.

When it comes to liveevents, it would be a delayedrecovery for them as social dis-tancing behaviour will take awhile to dissipate.Government

support essential.Talking about radio, the

demand for timely, localisedcontent should remain strongeven after recovery. But ad-spends could take time torecover. Print can get a newlease of life.

“Higher credibility in theface of proliferation of fakenews on social media,” it said,suggesting that the circulationmight pick up once restrictionsare lifted also resulting inimproved ad monetisation.

It pointed out that monetisa-tion in the sector is predomi-nantly “reliant on advertising,which has seen a major con-traction”.

“Overall ad-spend is deter-mined by the performance ofsectors such as FMCG, e-com-merce, automotive,finan-

cial services, real estate etc., allof which currently face theirown challenges and couldtherefore take time to recover,”it stated.

As per the report, at-homeentertainment options (digital,TV, gaming) will see anupswing as “lockdown behav-iour” results in habit forma-tion.

“Outdoor entertainment(films, events, theme parks)particularly in COVID-19hotspots to see lingering riskaversion even in the mediumterm. ePent-up' demandbehaviour among some sec-tions of population may pro-vide some respite," it added.

COVID-19 spells disaster

for film biz, OTT to surge

10

Vijayawada Wednesday April 15 2020 health

T

Onion oil: For all your haircare needs

hile home-made oils arehandy, theydoesn’t neces-sarily sort hairproblems such

as hair fall, thinning anddandruff.

An oil that doesaddress all these issues inone potion is ‘onion hairoil’. Our hectic lifestylesand consequentlyunhealthy eating habitsalong with pollution andstress become the maincontributors to hair prob-lems. Making quicklifestyle changes can bechallenging but using ahair oil that helps nourishyour hair is easy.

Onion hair oil helpsnourish your hair strandsto make them lookhealthy and lustrous. Ithelps enable growth,therefore improving thin-ning and adding volumeto their hair. Massagingonion oil with consistentsmall circular motionsinto the scalp can boostblood circulation whichin turn helps in strength-ening the roots.

Shrey Jain and Dr VivekMehta, co-founders ofCorporation, underlinethe benefits of onion oil:

o Onion is highly nutri-tious,

which helps inenabling hair growth

o It helps to addstrength to weak hairstrands especiallycaused due to pollu-tion

o Due to its organicnature, onion hair oilnourishes the hair fol-licles to increase hairvolume and improvestrength

o Onion oil when mas-saged into the scalpby applying simplemassage techniquesenables good bloodcirculation that helpsmoisturise the scalp,reduces thinning andbreakage

o Juice of onion alsohelps control dan-druff and revealssparkling strongerhair

o The potent antibacte-rial properties inonion hair oil helpfight infections of thescalp. This reduceshair fall as scalpinfections can causemassive loss of hair

o Onion is rich innatu-

rally potent antioxi-dants, which is why ithelps reverse theeffects of prematuregreying.

o This magical veg-etable lends a healthyshine to the hair,which can becomepermanent when usedregular

o The rich in sulphurvegetable has so manyadvantages that itmakes for the bestdaily use. Thanks toits infection-fightingcapabilities it can alsoprevent lice infesta-tion.

W

FUN

Rules

ARCHIE

GARFIELD

SUDOKU

REALITY CHECK SPEED BUMP CROSSWORD

GINGER MEGGS

NANCY

CALVIN AND HOBBES

l Each row and column cancontain each number (1 to 9)exactly once.

l The sum of all numbers inany row or column mustequal 45.

Yesterday’s solution

sport 11VIJAYAWADA | WEDNESDAY | APRIL 15, 2020

IANS n NEW DELHI

Veteran India batsman Suresh Raina onTuesday said MS Dhoni was trying toinnovate a lot while batting during the

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) camp which gotcancelled midway due to the COVID-19pandemic. There has been a lot of debateabout Dhoni’s future if the Indian PremierLeague (IPL) does not eventually see the lightof the day due to the lockdown gettingextended till May 3.

“He was batting really well. Cricket is stillleft in him. He has looked innovative. Weplayed practice games and those sixes are asbig as they were. Three hours of batting inthe evening, that too, in Chennai heat is noteasy and we did that (during the camp). Ifyou ask me, Mahi bhai is batting brilliant-ly,” Raina said in an Instagram Live session.

“His body is not showing signs of age-ing. He was looking different and was try-ing to do something else, something differ-ent, new. So people will get to know whenthey see him,” said Raina who won the 2011World Cup and 2013 Champions Trophyunder Dhoni’s leadership.

Raina further said he is still hopeful ofa comeback in the T20 team ahead of theWorld Cup, slated to be held in October.The 33-year old also slammed the selec-tors for not providing enough reasonas to why he was dropped after theEngland tour in 2018.

“I have played for 14-15 years.Under Mahi bhai then Dada(Sourav Ganguly)..they alwaysused to tell me what was wrong.Virat (Kohli) also does that butthe selectors don’t all thetime.

“They shouldhave taken moreresponsibility(when dealingwith) seniorplayers. You

need to knowthe reason whyyou are not bat-ting in nets onefine morning.

Someone has to give us detail where to bat,what to do?” said Raina who has played 18Tests, 226 ODIs and 78 T20s for India.

Putting his weight behind youngwicketkeeper batsman Rishabh Pant,Raina said he is lacking in confidence atthe moment and seniors need to guidehim.

“Rishabh Pant is very talented.Someone has to step up and guide him.When I used to play, Yuvi (Yuvraj Singh)paa used to tell me, ‘you make mistakesand we will guide you’. So Rishabhshould be backed. He has hundredsabroad and he is not a fluke player.Somewhere I think he is not gettingconfidence..he is missing something,”

he said.

IPL 22020 PPOSTPONEDINDEFINITELY

The BCCI onTuesday told IPL fran-chises that the eventstands “postponed indef-

initely” after the lock-down to combat theCOVID-19 pan-demic was extendedtill May 3, leavingno scope for the

league to take placeduring its designated

window.While the development hasn’t been

officially announced as yet but it is learnt thatthe BCCI has reached out to all the stake-holders, including the eight franchises andthe broadcasters, to convey that the eventstands “postponed and not cancelled”.

“Yes, the BCCI has intimated us that IPLhas been postponed for the time being butthey are hopeful of finding a window later

this year as and when things normalise,”a veteran franchise official said.

It is understood that BCCI presidentSourav Ganguly and secretary Jay Shahwere waiting for the government direc-tive and once the lockdown was extend-ed till May 3 on Tuesday, they saw nopossibility of holding the IPL during itstraditional April-May window.

Melbourne : Former Australia captain AllanBorder has given a thumbs down to the conceptof Australia hosting the ICC WorldT20 in emptystadiums in the wake of the COVID-19 pandem-ic. Currently, the Australian government hassealed its border for six months till September 30to deal with the global health crisis.

With the flagship event starting October 18,there are speculations that Cricket Australia mightbe forced to conduct matches in empty stadiums,something that is not acceptable to the World Cupwinning former skipper.

“I just can’t imagine playing at empty stadi-ums ... It defies belief,” he told Fox Sports News.

In fact, Border said that he doesn’t see theWorld T20 happening if spectators are not allowedinside the stadiums as the purpose of the sportis lost. “Having teams, support staff and every-one else associated with the game wanderingaround the country, playing games of cricket, butyou can’t let people into the grounds. I just can’tsee it happening,” Border said.

For him, it’s an either-or situation for CricketAustralia. “It’s either you play it and everyone justgets on with the job and we’re past this pandem-ic or it just has to be cancelled and you try to fitit in somewhere else,” said the 64-year-oldBorder. PTI

PTI n SYDNEY

Cricket in front of emptystands came up for dis-

cussion between Australianoff-spinner Nathan Lyonand pacer Mitchell Starcwith both wondering howIndian captain Virat Kohliwould adapt to such anatmosphere if their Testseries this year is held with-out fans.

India are set to play afour-match Test series inAustralia later this year.But with the COVID-19pandemic wreaking havoc,speculation is rife that thegames could be held behindclosed doors.

This led Lyon andteammate Mitchell Starc todiscuss how Kohli’s on-fielddemeanour would changewithout the backing andnoise of the crowd, some-thing the Indian captainthrives on.

“He’s probably goodenough to adapt to any sce-nario. But I was talking toMitch Starc the other dayand we actually said that ifwe are playing with nocrowd, it’ll be quite amazingto see Virat trying to rev upthe (empty) seats,” Lyonwas quoted as saying bycricket.Com.Au.

“It’s going to be a littlebit different, but Virat is asuperstar. He’ll be able toadapt to any climate thatwe’re able to play in,” Lyonadded.

Sports calendars havebeen shredded worldwide,including international anddomestic cricket all over.

The 32-year-old Lyon isstill excited by the prospectof the series against India.

“I’m excited about theprospect of India comingout to Australia, it’s upthere with the biggest seriesalongside the Ashes.They’re an absolute power-house of the cricket world,and to have those guys outhere is going to be fantastic,”he said.

Lyon remains hopefulthat the home series will goahead, with or without fans.

“Playing in front ofcrowds or no crowds is outof our control, we’ve got tofollow the advice of all theamazing medical people

around the world.“I haven’t thought about

no crowds or massivecrowds, it’s just about theopportunity of playingagainst India again,” he said.

Australia tasted theirfirst Test series loss to Indiaon home turf in 2018-19when Kohli’s men handedthem a 2-1 defeat.

However, with the likesof Steve Smith and DavidWarner, who were undersuspension last time, andMarnus Labuschagne, theAustralian batting unitseems pretty solid now.

“They had the woodover us last time they cameover here but we’re a muchstronger Australian cricketside at the moment, and I’mjust unbelievably excitedabout playing them here athome.”

‘PUJARA NNEW WWALL’Apart Kohli, Lyon also

heaped praise onCheteshwar Pujara and hastermed him as ‘new wall’ ofTeam India.

Pujara was one of themain architects of India’sfamous win in 2018-19. Hescored three centuries andwas the leading run-getterin the four-match rubber.

According to Lyon,Australia need to reassesstheir approach to Pujaranext time around.

“I think Pujara fliesunder the radar a little bitwhen you look at theIndian side,” Lyon said.

“Obviously you look atRahane and Virat and theseguys. But Pujara is a wall.He’s the new wall I shouldsay. It helps that he playedexceptionally well last timeout here. He adapted hisgame. He had a bit of luckwhich is what you needwhen you’re playing at thetop level.

“He obviously playedhis absolute backside off,which for India was good tosee but we’re going to haveto make sure that come thissummer we have to comewith some new plans tocombat Pujara. As I said, heflies under the radar a lit-tle bit — he definitely won’the flying under the radarcome this summer,” headded.

IANS n NEW DELHI

Former Indian batsman VVSLaxman has rejected the idea

of having four-day Test matches,saying reducing the length of thegame by a day will reduce thechances of it yielding the desiredresults.

“I am not really a fan of thisfour-day Test cricket, five days fitsperfect because it gets moreresults and reducing it the fourdays will not achieve the desiredresults according to me,” Laxmansaid while speaking on StarSports Cricket Connected show.

“Another point aspect is thetoss, especially during the over-seas tour the captain from the vis-iting side gets to decide what hewants to choose because we

want to see teams travelling andwinning matches on away turfwhich makes it more interestingfor spectators,” he added.

The ICC cricket committeeis considering having four-dayTests a part of the World TestC’ship from 2023. The ICC’sincreasing demand for eventwindows, the proliferationof domestic T20 leagues,BCCI’s demands for itsown sizeable share ofbilateral calendar space,and the costs of stagingTest series are all saidto be the factors con-tributing to themove.

Meanwhile onthe same show,former England

captain Nasser Hussain believesthat quality of pitches and spec-tator experience is key to preserv-ing Test cricket.

“The keys areas I can pin-point to one’s pitches is that ifthey are flat, like one inCambridge which years agowhen Jimmy Anderson got 90

odd runs from 600 balls.The games on these pitch-es are boring and old

school. Those days have gotto go in Test match cricket,300+ score in first innings

where the ball slightly domi-nates back making it great for

viewing and crowd experi-ence. The match gives a valueadd to the tickets boughtand England Test matchticket are not cheap.”

AP n TOKYO

Tokyo organizers on Tuesdaysaid that they have no ‘B Plan’

in the event the Olympics needto be postponed again becauseof the coronavirus pandemic.

Masa Takaya, thespokesman for the TokyoOlympics, said organizersare proceeding under theassumption the Olympicswill open on July 23, 2021.The Paralympics follow

on August 24.Those dates were set

last month by theInternational Olympic

Committee and Japaneseofficials after the coron-avirus pandemic made it

clear the Olympics could not

be held as scheduled this summer.“We are working toward the

new goal,” Takaya said on a telecon-ference call with journalists.

“We don’t have a B Plan.”The severity of the pandemic

and the death toll has raised ques-tions if it will even be feasible tohold the Olympics in just over 15months. Several Japanese journal-

ists raised the question on the call.“All I can tell you today is that

the new games’ dates for both theOlympic and Paralympic Gameshave been just set up,” Takayasaid.

“In that respect, Tokyo 2020and all concerned parties now aredoing their very best effort todeliver the games next year.”

IOC President Thomas Bachwas asked about the possibility ofa postponement in an interviewpublished in the German newspa-per Die Welt on Sunday.

He did not answer the questiondirectly, but said later that Japaneseorganizers and Prime MinisterShinzo Abe indicated they “couldnot manage a postponementbeyond next summer at the lastest.”

AFP n ROME

Aleading Italian doctor spe-cialising in infectious

diseases said on Mondayhe would be against SerieA restarting its seasonnext month.

Football across thecountry, which hasrecorded more than 20,000deaths from the coronaviruspandemic, has been postponedsince March 9 due to the out-break.

According to local reportsthe league could begin again at

the end of next month, withplayers returning to training onMay 4.

“If I had to give a techni-cal view, sincerely it would notbe a favourable one. That beingsaid, it will be of course for thepoliticians to decide,” saidGiovanni Rezza, the head ofinfectious diseases at Italy’sNational Institute of Health.

“I’ve heard certain peoplepropose more strict observa-tions with players tested everyfew days. But sincerely it seemsto me a slightly far-fetched the-ory. And we’re almost in Mayalready.

“It’s obvious that politicswill decide. But it’s a sport thatinvolves contact and that con-tact could imply a certain riskof transmission.”

The Italian FootballFederation (FIGC) is setto meet on Wednesdayto discuss the medicalprotocols surroundingplayers training again,with lockdown measuresin the country extended

to May 3.“We’ll start, I hope, at the

start of May with tests to makesure the players are negativeand that training can start,” theFIGC’s president GabrieleGravina told Sky Sport.

AFP nMUNICH

Chelsea andManchester City

are reportedly interest-ed in signing Germanycaptain Manuel Neuer,whose contract exten-sion talks have stalled atBayern Munich,according to Kickermagazine.

The goalkeeper’scurrent deal expires inJune 2021 and Neuer,34, is said to be angrythat details of the rene-gotiations have beenleaked to the Germanpress, according toKicker.

Germany’s top-sell-ing daily Bild claimsthat Neuer’s agentThomas Kroth hasasked Bayern for asalary for his client of20 million euros ($22million) per season.

If the talks fail, clubcaptain Neuer could befree to leave Bayern inJune and attract theinterest of the PremierLeague clubs.

Kicker’s chiefreporter KarlheinzWild says the“willingness toresume negotia-tions” is weakon both sidesb e t w e e nBayern andNeuer.

“It couldstill takeweeks, evenmonths, before a finaldecision is taken.Positions have sofar become toohardened.”

According toBild, Neuer reported-

ly wants a contractextension until 2025,but Bayern are onlyprepared to offer a dealuntil 2023 — when hewill be 37 years old —with the option of anextra year.

The leaking of thedetails of Neuer’sdemands has ‘seriouslyshaken’ the trustbetween the player andhis club, according toKicker.

Neuer, who helpedGermany win the 2014World Cup title, hasbeen named worldgoalkeeper of the yearfour times.

He has kept 191clean sheets in 373appearances for Bayernsince joining fromSchalke in 2011 andmade 92 appearancesfor Germany.

KOLKATA: The remaining 28matches of the suspended I-League is set to be cancelledin the wake of the extensionof nationwide lockdown.

Mohun Bagan will beofficially crowned the I-League champions as theyhave already clinched thetitle with four rounds left inthe competition.

A top official of the AllIndia Football Federationsaid that a formal decision tocall off the remaining match-es of the I-League is expect-ed to be taken in a video callmeeting on Thursday.

The other issues to besorted out are determiningthe second and third placeclubs as well as the team to berelegated to second division.

There is a three-way raceamong East Bengal, MinervaPunjab (both with 23 pointsfrom 16 matches) and RealKashmir (22 points from 15matches) for the runners-upslot. With cancellation ofremaining matches on cards,the AIFF meeting will have totake a call on a likely split ofthe prize money among thesecond and third placedteams. PTI

PARIS: A decision on whether to goahead with June’s French FormulaOne Grand Prix behind closed doorsor to postpone or scrap the event willbe made in the coming days, organ-isers said.

The grand prix scheduled forJune 28 is the first race on therevised Formula One world champi-onship calendar with nine racesalready scrapped or suspended.

Following French PresidentEmmanuel Macron’s announcementthat the lockdown in France will beextended until May 11 and publicgatherings banned until mid-July, aspokesman for the race organiserssaid that they “have been studying allscenarios” including postponementor staging the event behind closeddoors. AFP

AFP n SHANGHAI

Former ManchesterUnited star Marouane

Fellaini was discharged onTuesday after spendingmore than three weeks in aChinese hospital beingtreated for coronavirus.

The 32-year-old mid-fielder, the only playerknown to have contractedthe disease in the Chinese

Super League, will nowspend 14 days in quarantinefor further observation, hisclub Shandong Luneng said.

The Belgium interna-tional said on March 22 thathe had tested positive forthe virus, having justreturned to China, butassured fans that he wasfeeling fine.

In an Instagram updateon Tuesday, he wrote: “The

time has come for me tothank from the bottom ofmy heart the medical staffof the hospital, their nurs-ing staff as well as my cluband its medical staff for tak-ing such good care of mewith so much kindness andfor ensuring my comfortwhilst there.

“The hardest part isbehind me! Let’s keep fight-ing, it’s important.”

Usain Bolt showed he's still a few steps ahead when heposted a picture of him outstripping his rivals at the 2008Beijing Olympics with cheeky caption: “Social DDistancing”

Marouane Fellaini poses for photo with medical staff

Will be interesting to see Kohliadapt to empty stadiums: Lyon

Nathan Lyon celebrates after he dismissed Virat Kohli cricket.com.au

Dhoni still has cricket left in him: Raina‘MS is greatestfinisher of all time’PTI n NEW DELHI

Afinisher of repute himself, former Australia batmanMichael Hussey believes India’s World Cup-winning for-

mer captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s “unbelievable power”and “self-belief ” make him the greatest of all time in that role.

“Dhoni is the greatest finisher of all time that the crick-eting world has ever produced,” Hussey told Sanjay Manjarekaron ESPNcricinfo.

“Dhoni can keep his cool and make the opposition cap-tain blink first. Dhoni also has unbelievable power. He knowsthat when he needs to clear the ropes he can do it. He hasthat kind of self-belief. Honestly, I didn’t have that kind of beliefin myself.”

The 44-year-old Hussey said he also picked up a trick ortwo about chasing from Dhoni while playing for ChennaiSuper Kings.

“I tried not to let it reach 12 or 13 runs an over. And Ilearnt this from MS Dhoni. He is incredible. He believes thathe who panics last wins the game. So Dhoni would keep hiscool, and keep it longer because the pressure is on the bowleras well.”

Talking about the traits of great players, Hussey said: “Theydon’t hang on to a defeat for too long. If they lose, they moveon quickly. They don’t let a loss or a win hamper their think-ing. They are always consistent, and level headed whether it’sMS Dhoni or Ricky Ponting”.

Dhoni led the CSK to three IPL titles besides winning thenow-defunct Champions League T20 twice.

Asked what is the reason behind three-time championsCSK’s consistent run in the IPL, Hussey said: “Supportive own-ers who let the coach (Stephen) Fleming and captain Dhonidecide how to run the team, excellent chemistry between thecoach and the captain, Dhoni’s leadership.

“This has built an excellent continuity in the team. Andonce you have continuity, you build relationships and trustthat otherwise takes time to grow.”

However, Hussey believes it will be more challenging forCSK to build a new team once Dhoni hangs his boots.

“I believe the owners would like to keep Dhoni involvedin some way or the other. However, whenever the change ofguard happens, CSK might want to start all over again, builda brand new team, and use their existing philosophy as theyenter the next decade of IPL. It is definitely going to be morechallenging in current times,” he said.

Four-day Tests will not achieve desired results: VVS

Can’t imagine hosting WorldT20 in empty stadiums: Border

Fellaini out of hospital after virus scare

Neuer extensiontalks stall at Bayern

Remaining I-Leaguematches set to be cancelled

‘No B Plan’ for another Oly postponement French GP decisionexpected in days

Top Italian doctor againstMay restart for Serie A

Cristiano Ronaldo represents Juventusin Serie A UEFA/Twitter

ith lockdownin place,manyTollywoodcelebs areinteracting

with their fans onTwitter. After NiddhiAgerwal and Sai Tej,actor and TV anchorRashmi Gautam hasdone a chat sessionwith her fans onTuesday, takingquestions related to

her marriage, lock-down diaries

and muchmore.

Insisting that she isn’tmissing shoots much, theactress, a pet lover,replied to a fan whenasked what is she doingin the prevailing times:“I’m absolutely not bored6 hrs every day goes intofeeding and preparingfood for strays. And thenthere is upkeep of thehouse and helping momwith daily chores. Sothere is no scope of get-ting bored In fact I hitthe bed by 10.30 unlike11.30 before. And myday starts by 7. (sic).”

Like most other celebs,she has also bingewatched on shows. She

informed completingGrey’s Anatomy,

Outlander and Siren dur-ing the lockdown.

Speaking about herfavourite holiday desti-nation, the actress, whohas put on two kilos afterthe

lockdown wasannounced, wrote, “I likehills and water both Sono place specificallyEvery destination has it'sown beauty But yesSEATTLE holds a splplace (sic).”

When a fan specifical-ly asked when she isgoing to tie the knot, sheaffirmed, “There is a rea-son y personal life iscalled personal From myend all u will ever knowis about my professionaland community serviceThe rest will alwaysremain personal (sic).”

he US leg filmingof PavanSadineni’s nextwith BellamkondaGanesh was foiledbecause of the

Covid-19 outbreak. Theunit, after completing allformalities, planned to leaveto US on March 25 for aschedule of 20 days but withthe lockdown here and theUS government imposing atravel ban; Pavan had toabort his plans. With coronapositive cases in the USspiking day by day, suspensearound the untitled film’s USschedule looms large butPavan is willing to hangaround. “We can wait foranother six months for theUS schedule. We can’tchange the setting, as US, asa place, is another characterin the film. We planned toshoot in and aroundCalifornia for around 20-22days when Coronavirusslowly began to spread overthere,” Pavan tells us exclu-sively.

He goes on, “My produc-ers are not in a rush as theybelieve they have a winner ofa product in hand. Theywant to meet the storyrequirements even if there isa delay. We are fighting forour lives, can’t we fight for afilm, which is dear to us?”

So far, Pavan has wrappedup 40 per cent of the film-ing, including three songs.Once the lockdown is liftedand once the industrydecides the right time to

resume shootings, Pavan andhis team is eager to work at ajet speed to wrap up remain-ing portions. “We want tocomplete the remaining 40per cent Indian leg of shoot-ing first, leaving us to shootonly the US portions. If theUS portions stare a delay, wewant to use the time to workon the post-production ofthe 80 per cent portions shotthus far. That’s the plan as ofnow. Let’s see how the situa-tion unfolds as daysprogress,” he points out.

The director is pleasedwith the way Ganesh, who ismaking his debut as a lead-ing actor, is going about hisjob. The movie chroniclesthe actor’s heartbreaks andrelationships in a poetic way.“He is extremely dedicatedtowards his craft and is adirector’s actor. He under-stands his plusses andminuses very well. Despitebeing the son of noted pro-ducer, he is behaving like anew kid who has landed abig project and is ready togive multiple takes as long asI’m happy. He absorbs myinputs well. As an actor, hewants to be liked by every-one,” Pavan adds.

With restrictions in place,

Pavan has used the time towrap up a new script. “It’s adrama which unfolds in asmall village in Telangana.It has an Indie flavour to it,”he shares, further revealingthat he is not much intoshows as he doesn’t like sto-ries to be dragged into mul-tiple seasons. “I’m mostlyinto watching films. I’m alsoplaying tambola topass thetimerightnow.”

Vijayawada Wednesday April 15 2020

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12

tollywood

The producersof the film,

starringBellamkonda

Ganesh, want tomeet the storyrequirements

even if there isa delay, finds

NAGARAJGOUD

We are willing to waitto shoot in the US:

PAVAN SADINENI

T

Ganesh is extremelydedicated towards hiscraft and is a director’sactor. He understandshis plusses andminuses very well.Despite being the sonof noted producer, he isbehaving like a new kidwho has landed a bigproject and is ready togive multiple takes aslong as I’m happy.

PAVAN DIRECTOR

or the past oneweek, rumourshave swirledabout Kannadastar Upendra’sparticipation in

superstar Mahesh Babu’snext with Parasuram.According to the grapevine,the actor, who is making hisTollywood comeback withVarun Tej’s boxing drama,was attached to play thefilm’s principal, an antago-nist. Sonu Sood’s name toowas tossed around but awell-placed sourceclose to the pro-duction housescoffed at therumours, sayingthat Upendra’scasting doesn’tarise becausethey haven’t dis-cussed his name inthe first place. “As amatter of fact,the castinghasn’tbegunyet.

Director Parasuram hassome names on his mindbut he is yet to sit downwith Mahesh and MythriMovie Makers and narrowthem down. The castingprocess will begin shortly,”added the source.

The untitled film, a jointproduction venture betweenMythri Movie Makers, 14Reels Plus, and GMBEntertainment, is a lovestory laced with familyemotions, plenty of humourand action. Gopi Sunder

has been roped in tocompose tunes. An

official announ-cement aboutthe project isaround the cor-

ner. — NG

Uppi not doingMahesh’s filmF

THE ACTRESSSAYS SHE ISSPENDING 6 HRSEVERYDAY INFEEDING ANDPREPARING FOODFOR THE STRAYS

Deverakonda liftsthe morale of cops

escribing themas ‘frontlinefighters’ in thebattle againstcoronavirus,actor Vijay

Deverakonda lauded theefforts of Hyderabad citypolice as they ensure thatthe lockdown is observedin all parts of the city.The actor was invited bycity Police CommissionerAnjani Kumar to hisoffice on Monday toboost the spirits of thepolice force on ground.He personally extendedhis appreciation to theforce. “You are working

for us by increasing yourwork hours. My utmostthanks to you all,” henoted. Later, he fieldedsome questions from theforce.

Answering a questionon whether he is helpinghis mother with house-hold chores at home, hesaid, “When I’m shoot-ing, I don’t generally don’tpay attention to whatgoes at home. But nowthat I’m at home mostly, Ican notice her hard workfirst-hand. When Iextended help to her, shepolitely declined, sayingher ‘work would get dou-

bled’ (smiles). In thesetimes, I also pay myrespects to women forcewho are performing theirduties on ground and aremanaging home.”

When a cop expressedhis wish to seeDeverakonda as a cop,the actor replied, “Iwould do a cop role inthe next two-three yearsfor sure.”

He also noted that if hewas a cop now, he woulddischarge his duties withgreat responsibility. “Iwould follow the ordersof the Commissionerdutifully.”

D

RASHMI’S personal lifewill ‘remain personal’

hile there isno clarity onwhen shoot-ings willrestart afterthe lockdown

is lifted, BoyapatiSreenu has madeup his mind torelease his nextwith NandamuriBalakrishna inOctober. Havingforged a success-ful working bondwith the actor, thedirector is surethat Balayya willco-operate tocomplete the filmby September andrelease it inOctober. The factthat there is nonews about theactor’s new signings

should also augur

well for Boyapati’s plans.Also, as opposed tosome reports whichclaimed that ShriyaSaran is cast oppositeBalayya in the film, thedirector will be intro-ducing a new actress.He will reveal her nameat an appropriate time.

In the action-enter-tainer with an underly-ing social message,Balayya will be seen indual roles-- of whichone role is that of anaghora. Expectationsare high on this untitledfilm as it marks thereteaming up of Balayyaand Boyapati after suc-cessful ventures likeSimha and Legend inthe past. Produced by MRavinder Reddy, thefilm has music byThaman.

W

Balayya's nextfor October

2 deaths, 44 new Covid-19As cases spike, lockdown cases ...

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