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NATION| 3 TABLOID| 14
Satish Gujral, renowned ‘Lockdown will devastate Most Bollywood stars yet
artist and architect, poor and weak’: Rahul to loosen their purse
dies in New Delhi at 94 Gandhi on Covid-19 crisis strings for those in need
www.asianage.com RNI No. 57290/94, Regd No: DL-SW-05/4189/15-17 Vol. 27 No. 40 | 17 PAGES | `5.00
WINDOWS
RBI presses 3-mth pause on EMIs Boris Johnson
Key rate cut by an unprecedented 75 pts, reverse repo rate cut by 90 basis pts tests positive,
3-mth deferment Moody’s halves
FALAKNAAZ SYED
Repo rate reduced tural term loans, retail
MUMBAI, MARCH 27
SC allows sale
rium will apply for loan basis points to four per terms and conditions of approved polices for pro- said: “The injected liquid- symptoms and tested pos- ing.” Prime Minister
instalments falling cent. the loan. So if you don’t viding these reliefs to all ity of `3.74 lakh crores itive for coronavirus,” Narendra Modi sent a
of BS IV vehicles
between March 1, 2020, The RBI relief on loans pay your EMIs in these eligible borrowers. In a along with the three- the Prime Minister wrote “get well” message to his
and May 31, 2020. The RBI will significantly ease three months, the banks video address, RBI gover- month moratorium on all on Twitter, along with a British counterpart.
for 10 days
also announced deferment pressure on both lenders won’t term your account a nor Shaktikanta Das said: term loans will alleviate video. “I am now self-iso- “Dear PM
of interest payment on and borrowers as availing NPA. “In respect of all term short-term liquidity con- lating, but I will continue @BorisJohnson you’re a
working capital loans by such a moratorium would However, it must be loans (including agricul- cerns.” to lead the government’s fighter and you will over-
New Delhi: In a relief to come this challenge as
response via video-con-
automobile dealers, the well. Prayers for your
ference as we fight this
INDIA Positive cases 724; 75 new cases in 24 hours Army starts
Supreme Court on Friday good health and best
virus. Together we will
allowed the sale of BS IV wishes in ensuring a
beat this.”
‘Ops Namaste’
compliant vehicles healthy UK,” he tweeted.
Mr Johnson said he
fight corona
demic is lifted. The apex after displaying cough
“But, be in no doubt
court had earlier fixed the
deadline of March 31, 2020
for sale of BS IV compliant
vehicles across the country.
Full report on Page 5
will ‘jeopardise’ our efforts: Govt PAWAN BALI
NEW DELHI, MARCH 27
that I can continue,
thanks to the wizardry of
modern technology to
communicate with all my
symptoms, will be the
next in command in case
Mr Johnson has to take
some time off if he gets
AGE CORRESPONDENT government building, top team to lead the more ill.
set to face guidelines, all efforts will amount to zero’ the present Covid-19 sit-
uation there.
deaths globally, about
16,877 positive cases were
scale testing.
— Agencies
NATION| 3 TABLOID| 14
Satish Gujral, renowned ‘Lockdown will devastate Most Bollywood stars yet
artist and architect, poor and weak’: Rahul to loosen their purse
dies in New Delhi at 94 Gandhi on Covid-19 crisis strings for those in need
www.asianage.com RNI No. 57290/94, Regd No: DL-SW-05/4189/15-17 Vol. 27 No. 40 | 17 PAGES | `5.00
WINDOWS
RBI presses 3-mth pause on EMIs Boris Johnson
Key rate cut by an unprecedented 75 pts, reverse repo rate cut by 90 basis pts tests positive,
3-mth deferment Moody’s halves
FALAKNAAZ SYED
Repo rate reduced tural term loans, retail
MUMBAI, MARCH 27
SC allows sale
rium will apply for loan basis points to four per terms and conditions of approved polices for pro- said: “The injected liquid- symptoms and tested pos- ing.” Prime Minister
instalments falling cent. the loan. So if you don’t viding these reliefs to all ity of `3.74 lakh crores itive for coronavirus,” Narendra Modi sent a
of BS IV vehicles
between March 1, 2020, The RBI relief on loans pay your EMIs in these eligible borrowers. In a along with the three- the Prime Minister wrote “get well” message to his
and May 31, 2020. The RBI will significantly ease three months, the banks video address, RBI gover- month moratorium on all on Twitter, along with a British counterpart.
for 10 days
also announced deferment pressure on both lenders won’t term your account a nor Shaktikanta Das said: term loans will alleviate video. “I am now self-iso- “Dear PM
of interest payment on and borrowers as availing NPA. “In respect of all term short-term liquidity con- lating, but I will continue @BorisJohnson you’re a
working capital loans by such a moratorium would However, it must be loans (including agricul- cerns.” to lead the government’s fighter and you will over-
New Delhi: In a relief to come this challenge as
response via video-con-
automobile dealers, the well. Prayers for your
ference as we fight this
INDIA Positive cases 724; 75 new cases in 24 hours Army starts
Supreme Court on Friday good health and best
virus. Together we will
allowed the sale of BS IV wishes in ensuring a
beat this.”
‘Ops Namaste’
compliant vehicles healthy UK,” he tweeted.
Mr Johnson said he
fight corona
demic is lifted. The apex after displaying cough
“But, be in no doubt
court had earlier fixed the
deadline of March 31, 2020
for sale of BS IV compliant
vehicles across the country.
Full report on Page 5
will ‘jeopardise’ our efforts: Govt PAWAN BALI
NEW DELHI, MARCH 27
that I can continue,
thanks to the wizardry of
modern technology to
communicate with all my
symptoms, will be the
next in command in case
Mr Johnson has to take
some time off if he gets
AGE CORRESPONDENT government building, top team to lead the more ill.
set to face guidelines, all efforts will amount to zero’ the present Covid-19 sit-
uation there.
deaths globally, about
16,877 positive cases were
scale testing.
— Agencies
IN
IIT develops fabric to
BRIEF
Scaling up health infra for 3rd stage: Kejriwal
prevent infections Arrangements being made to tackle up to 1,000 cases instead of 100 per day, says CM
acquired at hospital SHASHI BHUSHAN including a comprehen-
New Delhi: The Indian
Institute of Technology (IIT)
NEW DELHI, MARCH 27 sive plan of action on the
preparations made in the
Our team is
working Kejri addresses
here has developed an
“infection-proof fabric” to be
Delhi chief minister
Arvind Kejriwal on Friday
wake of the surge in
COVID-19 cases in Delhi.
non-stop to
ensure peo-
global city heads
used at hospitals to prevent said that the government “They differentiated the ple face New Delhi, March 27:
hospital-acquired infections is scaling up the health action plan into three least difficulty during Chief minister Arvind
(HAIs). The development by infrastructure to handle stages, first is what can be Kejriwal on Friday
“Fabiosys Innovations”, a the situation in case the done if we get 100 new the lockdown. Urge attended a global meet
start-up incubated at IIT- national capital enters cases every day, second is all media friends to of C40 Cities Climate
Delhi, comes at a time when stage-3 of the coronavirus what can be done if we get continue pointing out Leadership Group to
the world is dealing with the pandemic. Mr Kejriwal 500 new cases every day, gaps in relief work discuss the coronavirus
deadly coronavirus outbreak. said that currently and third is what can be during this lockdown. outbreak where he
However, the team has been arrangements are avail- done if we get 1,000 new — Arvind spoke about the steps
working on the project for able to handle 100 patients cases every day,” said the Kejriwal, taken in the national
over a year with support of coronavirus per day chief minister. Delhi CM capital to control the
from the government’s and it will be enhanced to The chief minister spread of the pandemic.
Department of Science and 1,000 patients per day. explained that a detailed “This is a crisis of
Technology. According to Addressing a digital plan has been created to made to be future ready, if unprecedented scale
official statistics from the press conference, Mr see how many isolation the situation worsens, he and we are committed
ministry of health and family Kejriwal said a team of beds, ventilators, ICU said. to learn and collaborate
welfare, for every 100 hospi- doctors has submitted a beds, testing mechanisms “Coronavirus cases went with leaders across the
talised patients in developing detailed standard operat- and strength, ambulances, up to 39 on Friday, out of world. Together, we will
countries, 10 acquire HAIs ing procedure (SOP) on the and medical staff such as which 29 had come from win,” Mr Kejriwal said
and the risk is even higher at issue and the government doctors and nurses under aboard and were kept in at the meeting held
the time of a coronavirus is fully prepared to deal each head of 100, 500, and quarantine and 10 are through video confer-
outbreak. The team claims to with upto 100 patients per 1,000 new cases every day. cases of transmission People walk at Ghazipur in New Delhi to reach their destination on the third day of encing. — PTI
have developed an afford- day and is gearing up to Mr Kejriwal clarified from infected persons,” nationwide lockdown on Friday. — G.N. JHA
able, novel textile-process- handle 1,000 positive cases that the situation is under the chief minister said.
ing technology, which con- daily in future. control right now since In another press confer- the national capital so far. respond, he said. The chief cines and testing kits. keep up the efforts to
verts regular cotton fabric “A five-member team of there is a maximum ence on Friday evening, The AAP government, minister assured people After the press confer- maintain lockdown, social
into infection-proof fabric. doctors under the chair- increase of 3-4 cases per Mr Kejriwal, flanked by however, is readying itself that medical staff were ence, Mr Baijal tweeted: distancing & effectively
“We take rolls of cotton fab- manship of Dr S.K. day and there were also lieutenant governor Anil so that even if the number ready to tackle the situa- “Efforts to maintain social coordinate for provision of
ric and treat it with a set of Sareen, who is the head of days when no new cases Baijal, said the spread of of infected cases increases tion even if the cases go up distancing at dispensing food for the homeless &
proprietary-developed ILBS hospital, had submit- were registered. the novel coronavirus is sharply, the administra- at a rate of 100 per day, and points to be stepped up. destitute. None should go
chemicals under a set of ted its report on Thursday, Arrangements are being “quite under control” in tion is prepared to there was adequate medi- My advice to all DMs to hungry.”
particular reaction condi-
tions, using the machinery
already commonly available
in textile industries. The fab- ■ 325 city schools converted into food serving centres
ric, after undergoing these
masks, sanitisers
Kejriwal on Friday said pared to deal with upto 100 cases every day,” CM ment has also set up
lunch and dinner would be patients per day and are Kejriwal said. ‘’hunger relief centres’’ to
served to 4 lakh needy peo- preparing for 1,000 positive For the poorest sections serve free meals to the
AGE CORRESPONDENT ple across the national cap- cases daily in future. of the society, the Delhi needy people in all dis-
NEW DELHI, MARCH 27 ital from Saturday. “I had formed a team of government is providing tricts.
“So far, we were provid- five doctors under the free ration to the people. In the wake of the lock-
In view of the coronavirus ing food to 20,000 people chairmanship of Dr Those who do not have down to the combat the
outbreak, the Delhi govern- daily. The number will now Sareen, who is the head of ration cards, are being fed coronavirus threat, thou-
ment has provided masks and increase to around 2,00,000 ILBS hospital. The team meals by the Delhi govern- sands of migrant workers
hand sanitisers to the staff of from Friday. The number has done brilliant work ment at 224 night shelters. from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar
public transport buses that will be doubled from and submitted its report “I have also instructed and other states have start-
are serving as the lifeline of Saturday. We will be pro- on Thursday, including a the MLAs to ensure that no ed returning back to their
the city during the lockdown viding food to 4,00,000 peo- comprehensive plan of one in their constituency home states.
by transporting people asso- ple daily,” Mr Kejriwal action on the preparations should suffer from hunger. The chief minister said
ciated with essential services. announced. done in the wake of the They should collaborate pension of `5,000 each has
Delhi transport minister Mr Kejriwal also said surge in Covid-19 cases in with the society and pro- been transferred into the
Kailash Gahlot on Friday said People living in the streets eat food served to them in packets in New Delhi on that the Delhi government Delhi. vide food to all,” said the bank accounts of eight
drivers, conductors and mar- Friday. — PRITAM BANDYOPADHYAY had set up a team of five “They differentiated the CM. lakh beneficiaries.
shals in all the Delhi
Transport Corporation and
cluster buses were provided
with masks and hand sanitis-
ers. “All DTC and cluster bus
drivers, conductors and mar-
3 more +ve cases, number rises SDMC to rope in eateries
to 17 in Gautam Buddh Nagar to serve free food to poor
shals have been provided
with mask and hand sanitis-
ers. I am proud of you all.
Doing a wonderful job in
these difficult times by trans-
porting people involved in AGE CORRESPONDENT Institute in Sector 30 of AGE CORRESPONDENT where any individual,
`2,200cr package
■ Hindu body asks people to chant Vijay Mahamantra 108 times daily
for poor in Odisha Army set to send team to
VHP invokes divine intervention Nepal for Covid assistance
Bhubaneswar: Odisha chief
minister on Friday
announced `2,200 crore
package to provide assis-
tance to the people of the
state amid countrywide lock- AGE CORRESPONDENT the blessings of the paraa ● THE RSS and its helping people in need.
down for coronavirus out- NEW DELHI, MARCH 27 and aparaa (absolute and affiliates have Meanwhile, the BJP,
relative powers). which had announced that PAWAN BALI Army command hospitals coronavirus. “He was on
break. The state government
To combat the Covid-19 “Our country has been engaged medical its workers across the NEW DELHI, MARCH 27 in Udhampur and Luck- leave at his home in Leh,
will provide `1,000 each to professionals who are
94 lakh Food Security Act pandemic, the Vishwa fighting the deadly coron- country will provide food now. He said that six addi- taking care of his father
beneficiary families. An Hindu Parishad (VHP) has avirus pandemic. The helping people in need to over five crore people in Indian Army is ready to tional hospitals are also who had returned recent-
amount of `940 crore will be asked people to invoke Central government and the wake of the lockdown dispatch a rapid response being equipped with the ly from Iran and suffering
spent in this regard, the CM divine intervention by all state governments are Kshetra trust. The RSS after Prime Minister team to Nepal for assist- resources to begin testing. from Covid-19 infection.
said. Similarly, 48 lakh bene- chanting the “Vijay taking timely necessary has deployed its volun- Narendra Modi’s appeal, ing in the present Covid- “Presently, 28 service The soldier has made an
ficiaries of social welfare Mahamantra” 108 times actions to overpower it. teers to assist the Centre implemented the initia- 19 situation there. hospitals have been ear- uneventful recovery,” said
schemes in the state will every day at their homes. Divine blessings are nev- and state governments to tive from Friday. BJP pres- To assist the civilian marked as Covid-19 hospi- Lt. Gen. Banerji.
receive allowance of four While the Rashtriya ertheless important in assist people during the ident J.P. Nadda himself government in the coun- tals for managing purely Army Chief Gen. Manoj
months in advance and an Swayamsevak Sangh affil- fighting such crisis. lockdown. They are distributed food among try, Lt. Gen. Anup Banerji, corona infection cases. Mukund Naravane on
amount of `932 crore will be iates are helping the poor Therefore, we appeal to engaged in services like police personnel. Many DG, Armed Forces This will include Armed Friday launched opera-
spent for the purpose, said and the needy by provid- the entire country to distributing food packets, BJP leaders distributed Médical Services, said Forces patients as well as tion “Namaste” as part of
Mr Patnaik. Announcing ing food and assisting the invoke the intervention of creating awareness about food packets and essential that there are five hospi- civilian patients trans- Armed Forces effort to aid
assistance for construction people who are in distress divine powers in this diffi- the virus, promoting items, especially in slum tals across Army, Navy ferred from state health in combating Covid-19 in
workers, the CM said `1,500 during the ongoing cult hour,” reads a state- social distancing, distrib- clusters. In Punjab, the and Air Force which can authorities, in case their the country.
each will be provided to 22 national lockdown to com- ment issued by saints uting masks and other BJP has launched “roti carry out Covid-19 tests. capacity is overwhelmed,” “Apart from Maldives,
lakh such workers, for which bat the virus, the VHP has associated with the VHP, essentials and are also banks” where party volun- These hospitals include said Lt. Gen. Banerji. we are ready to dispatch a
`330 crore will be spent. also prescribed the which also includes two running 24x7 helplines. teers are reaching out to Command Hospital Air He said that as of now, RRT to Nepal for assisting
mantra as it feels that the members of the Supreme The RSS and its affiliates households urging them Force, Bangalore, AFMC there has been only one them with the present sit-
“war” against the pan- Court-mandated Shri have also engaged medical to donate food for the poor in Pune, Army R&R case of serving soldier uation there,” said Lt.
Pray at home: demic can be won “with Ramjanambhoomi Teerth professionals who are and the needy. Hospital in Delhi and who tested positive for Gen. Banerji.
NEW DELHI
no stone unturned in prepar-
ing for the impending threat
of coronavirus outbreak in
the state. He lauded the pri- An overcrowded bus carries passengers as others wait for transport to their native places
vate nursing homes for on the NH24 near Delhi-UP border on Friday in view of the nationwide lockdown. — PTI
opening their premises for
handling the flow of patients
in government hospitals. He
said that the government
would pay these nursing
homes for two months
according to charges fixed
by the national health
authority. The state health
minister added that the state
will set up five 300-bed hos-
pitals with ICU and ventila-
tor facilities in the next
60 days.
PM THANKS UAE
FOR ITS HELP TO 19
INDIANS IN DUBAI
AGE CORRESPONDENT
NEW DELHI, MARCH 27
MUMBAI
coronavirus pandemic, India
“thanked the UAE authori-
ties for accommodating 19
Indian nationals who were
An aerial view of deserted J.J.
stuck at Dubai airport for
the past several days”. The PRAYAGRAJ Bridge during the nationwide
lockdown in the wake of coron-
Indian mission in Dubai
tweeted: “They got stranded People maintain social distancing as they wait to collect food distributed by police personnel on Day 3 of the avirus outbreak in Mumbai on
due to various restrictions to nationwide lockdown in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, on Friday. — PTI Friday. — PTI
deal with Covid-19 pandem-
ic. Hotel rooms have been
given to them inside the air-
port. Our consulate had
been in constant touch with
the Indian nationals and UAE
and Indian authorities. We
had also provided some
financial help to enable our
stranded passengers to buy
food. The situation was
tough due to the pandemic
situation.” During their chat
on Thursday evening, Abu
Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh
Mohammed Bin Zayed Al
Nahyan had “assured Prime
Minister Narendra Modi
about the welfare of the
over two million Indians liv-
ing in UAE and contributing
to its economy”. Mr Modi
“thanked the Crown Prince
for his personal attention to
the health and safety of
Indian expatriates in the JAMMU GUWAHATI PRAYAGRAJ
present situation”. Migrant workers along with their familes walk to return
A policeman chases away a commuter for defying the nationwide lockdown A policeman punishes a rickshawpuller for allegedly flouting to their villages after a 21-day nationwide lockdown was
MAHA RECORDS imposed in the wake of coronavirus pandemic in Jammu on Friday. — PTI lockdown in Guwahati on Friday. — PTI imposed by the government in Prayagraj on Friday. — PTI
28 NEW CASES
IN 24 HOURS 6-month-old among 5 of Bengal family tests +ve Give info on public
AGE CORRESPONDENT
MUMBAI, MARCH 26
RAJIB CHOWDHURI
KOLKATA, MARCH 27
woman. They came in con-
tact with a youth, who had
travelled from London, at
Special flight
◗ SPICEJET FLEW a
ly in the state were found
to be infected by Covid-19.
The development comes as
surveillance” till March
26. These will increase the
total number of such test-
issues: Modi to RJs
Number of coronavirus cases The total number of a relative’s wedding in Boeing 737 from Delhi to the 10th Covid-19 patient, ing facilities to six here. New Delhi, March 27: ies swiftly and
in Maharashtra climbed to Covid-19 patients jumped New Delhi recently. On Coimbatore carrying only admitted to a private hos- The new testing facilities Prime Minister Narendra in a timely
153 with 28 new patients in to 15 including a death in March 16-17, the youth was pital, been put on ventila- are School of Tropical Modi on Friday urged manner, he
the state on Friday. The new West Bengal on Friday admitted to Ram Manohar one Hazmat suit and no tor after his condition Medicine Kolkata (STMK), radio jockeys to provide said.
patients included 15 persons after five members of a Lohia Hospital with ill- other cargo to help local turned very critical. The Midnapore Medical feedback on the difficul- The Prime
in Sangli district, four from family including a new- ness. He was later found authorities replicate and 66-year-old man had come College and Hospital ties and challenges faced Minister said
Nagpur, two each from born among three chil- infected with the deadly start manufacturing of in contact with some for- (MMCH), North Bengal by people due to the coro- as mass communicators,
Mumbai and Thane and one dren from Tehatta in virus. The family of five suits. The flight was oper- eigners at a relative’s wed- Medical College and navirus outbreak to help radio jockeys can play a
each in Palghar, Kolhapur, Nadia tested positive to returned home to stay in ated free of cost. ding in Midnapore recent- Hospital (NBMCH) and a the government resolve proactive role in inform-
Gondia and Pune. State the virus. The five infected isolation allegedly with- ly. private hospital: Apollo their problems swiftly. ing their listeners about
health minister Rajesh Tope family members are a six- out informing the state Infectious Diseases Meanwhile, the state will Gleneagles Hospital Interacting with a group the announcements,
said the state government is month-old female child, a health department about Hospital in Beliaghata for get four more centres for Kolkata which have been of radio jockeys via along with educating
considering providing insur- nine-year-old girl, an 11- their visit, sources quarantine. testing Covid-19 virus approved by the Indian video, he also urged them them about social distanc-
ance cover to the medical year-old boy, a 27-year-old revealed. The five patients This is the first time so samples as 25,096 suspect- Council of Medical to spread information ing and the importance of
staff treating Covid-19 woman and a 45-year-old are being brought to many members of a fami- ed patients were in “home Research (ICMR). about the views of self-quarantine.
patients in the state. Several experts and steps taken He also stressed on the
India for shared Saarc platform to fight virus Youth ends life over non availability of liquor
private doctors have by the government to importance of educating
stopped their medical due to tackle the situation. the public about the dedi-
the coronavirus scare. As per Underlining the impor- cation of police personnel
the information received by AGE CORRESPONDENT professionals on Thursday on the AGE CORRESPONDENT According to relatives of Sanoj, tance of empathy, the who are working continu-
the Sangli district collector, NEW DELHI, MARCH 27 coronavirus pandemic in which THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, the youth was showing signs of prime minster said it is ously to assist people.
medical squad had collected all eight Saarc member-nations MARCH 27 restlessness and disorientation important to tell the sto- The Prime Minister said
swab samples of 25 mem- India has proposed a “shared elec- including Pakistan participated, for the last two days because of ries of misbehaviour people should cooperate
bers of a family who are tronic platform for all Saarc the MEA said on Friday, adding A youth committed suicide non availability of alcohol. A with doctors, health care with the police, adding
under institutional quarantine nations to share and exchange that the participation was at the allegedly because of non availab- painting worker, he used consume workers and airline staff that while police should
in Islampur. Out of which, 15 information, knowledge, expert- level of directors-general of ility of liquor in Kunnamkulam liquor thrice a day at a local bar. due to societal fears of avoid use of strong arm
reports turned out to be pos- ise and best practices for jointly health services, and chaired by in Thrissur district of Kerala. They say the youth probably them being infected by tactics, it is also neces-
itive. They had come in con- combating the coronavirus epi- India. Pakistan was the only The body of Sanoj, 38, was found could not cope with the withdraw- the virus so that such sary to enforce discipline.
tact with a family, which had demic”. India “proposed that till Saarc country not to make a mon- hanging from the ceiling of his al symptoms and had severe challenges are overcome. He observed that the
returned from Saudi Arabia. such time the electronic platform etary contribution to the Saarc room at his house in Thuvanooor health and mental complications Mr Modi said the gov- public broadcaster All
On Friday, the health minister is fully operational, a network of Covid-19 fund proposed by India. in Kunnamkulam on Friday . He that finally pushed him to take ernment has announced a India Radio (AIR) has a
went live on Facebook to experts representing the health Despite that, however, New Delhi was unmarried. the extreme step. Kunnamkulam number of measures to particularly important
inform that apart from the services of all Saarc countries on Friday said “the enthusiastic The Kerala government on police has registered a case in assist the poor and under- role to play in stopping
insurance cover, the govern- may be set up on email/WhatsApp and constructive participation by Wednesday decided to shut all connection with the incident. privileged in these diffi- the flow of rumours.
ment also plans to give mon- to enable exchange of all relevant all Saarc member states demon- liquor outlets in the state during CM Pinarayi Vijayan referred to cult times. The Prime Minister also
etary incentive to the staff information between the Saarc strated the shared commitment the 21 day lockdown period. There the youth’s suicide and said the It is important that requested the radio jock-
working to provide medical countries on real-time basis”. to work together to defeat the are 265 outlets run by government closure of liquor retail outlets has information about these eys to also work towards
treatment to coronavirus The suggestion was made earli- challenge posed by the coron- owned Beverages Corporation started resulting in unfortunate announcements reaches checking the spread of
infected people. er at a video conference of health avirus epidemic in the region”. and 36 rub by the Consumerfed. incidents. the intended beneficiar- rumours. — PTI
NATION
THE ASIAN AGE | SATURDAY | 28 MARCH 2020 | NEW DELHI
pg 5
SHORT
INDIA CALLS FOR
COMPLIANCE OF
TAKES
Renowned artist Satish Gujral dies at 94
THE ARTIST WAS AWARDED THE PADMA VIBHUSHAN, INDIA’S SECOND-HIGHEST CIVILIAN AWARD, IN 1999
BIO WEAPON PACT
New Delhi: India on Friday New Delhi, March 27: Satish Gujral, Gujral, who was awarded the Mumbai.
pitched for strict compliance one of India's best known artists One of the major turning points
of a global treaty banning and architects, died in his Delhi Padma Vibhushan, India's sec- in his artistic career was when he
production of entire range home, his family said on Friday. He ond highest civilian honour, got a scholarship to travel to
of biological weapons of was 94. was an architect, painter, Mexico. His interactions with
mass destructions, highlight- Gujral, who was renowned for his muralist, sculptor and graphic Mexican painter Diego Riviera
ing the need for effective versatility across different medi- artist. went on have a deep influence on
response to the challenges ums, died on Thursday night of old In 1952, he got a scholarship his work.
posed by new scientific age reasons. to study at the revered Palacio “Unlike many of his peers, who
developments in the area. In He was the brother of former went to Paris or London in the early
making the fresh call to ban Prime Minister I.K. Gujral and is
de Bellas Artes in Mexico City 1950s, Gujral went to Mexico City to
biological weapons on the survived by his wife Kiran, daugh- where his friends included study with Diego Rivera and
occasion of 45th anniversary ters Alpana and Raseel, and son Frida Kahlo and Octavio Paz Siqueiros. Gujral's was a versatile
of the Biological and Toxin Mohit. Gujral's familiar works practice spanning painting, sculp-
Weapons Convention com- “The noted painter and architect include the alphabet mural on ture and architecture. RIP,” curator
ing into force, India also passed away peacefully at 10.30 last the outside wall of the Delhi and artist Ranjit Hoskote said on
made a mention of the fast night in his home. He died of old high court. Twitter.
spreading coronavirus and age,” the artist's nephew and Rajya He also designed the Belgian Adwaita Gadnayak, director gen-
its global impact. In a state- Sabha MP Naresh Gujral told PTI. eral of Delhi's National Gallery of
ment, the MEA, without Gujral, who was awarded the
Embassy in Delhi, UNESCO Modern Art, said the artist's bril-
elaborating, said the impact Padma Vibhushan, India's second building in Delhi, Goa liance lay in his “ability to use his
of the Covid-19 pandemic highest civilian honour, was an University and even the sum- creativity to the fullest in many
has underlined the need for architect, painter, muralist, sculp- mer palace for the Saudi Royal forms and ways”. Self portrait (above) by Satish
international cooperation, tor and graphic artist. family in Riyadh. “His highlight happened in 1952, Gujral and some of his famous
including institutional His artworks were heavily Satish Gujral had told inter- when he got a scholarship to study
paintings
strengthening of the World inspired by the turbulence viewers that he immersed him- at the revered Palacio de Bellas
Health Organisation. It said of his early years, includ- self in painting after witness- Artes in Mexico City, where he was
India has been working with ing the illness that ing the horrors of Partition. apprenticed under renowned
other member countries of impaired his hear- artists Diego Rivera and David
the Convention to establish ing as a child and Alfaro Siqueiros - who were
a database which can play the Partition of Narendra Modi condoled the death remarkable figures of the 20th-cen-
an important role in dealing the subconti- of the artist, who was born in 1925 tury art scene. To have Frida Kahlo
with bio-threats and bio- nent. in Jhelum in pre-Partition west and Octavio Paz as his friends
emergencies. “India strongly P r i m e Punjab and not just witnessed the became the important point of syn-
believes that the BWC must Minister division of the country but also ergy,” he said. Several others also
respond effectively to the helped several refugees cross the mourned his death.
challenges posed by the new border safely. Congress leader Rajeev Shukla
and emerging scientific and "Satish Gujral Ji was versatile said Gujral must also be remem-
technological developments and multifaceted. He was admired bered for rescuing people during
of relevance to the conven- for his creativity as well as the Partition.
tion,” the MEA said. It said determination with which he over- "Passing away of famous painter,
India has been submitting an came adversity," Mr Modi artist Satish Gujral will leave a
annual resolution at the wrote on Twitter. deep void in world of art. Brother of
UNGA on the “Role of sci- He said Gujral's intel- ex-PM I.K. Gujral, Satish ji was
ence and technology in the lectual thirst took him known for his services to rescue
context of international far and wide, yet he people during Partition @mohitgu-
security and disarmament”, remained attached jral @NareshGujral," he said.
which has been adopted by to his roots. Union minister Harsimrat Kaur
consensus. “The global eco- "Saddened by Badal and SAD leader Sukhbir
nomic and social implica- his demise. Om Singh Badal also expressed their
tions of the pandemic, Shanti," the condolences.
caused by Covid-19, have Prime Minister “Saddened to learn about the
underlined the need for added. demise of legendary painter, writer,
international cooperation, Gujral's famil- sculptor & architect Satish Gujral
including institutional iar works include ji. His contribution to the creative
strengthening of the WHO,” the alphabet field shall always be cherished. My
it added. — PTI mural on the out- thoughts and prayers are with the
side wall of the bereaved family, friends & admir-
HACKERS USING Delhi high court.
He also designed
ers. May his soul rest in peace!
#RIP," the union minister tweeted.
CORON MALWARE the Belgian
Embassy in Delhi.
“Deepest condolences on the sad
demise of acclaimed artist, archi-
TO STEAL DATA He received his
training in art
tect, sculptor, writer & Padma
Vibhushan recipient Satish Gujral
AGE CORRESPONDENT first at Lahore's ji. Passing away of Satish ji will
MUMBAI, MARCH 27 Mayo School of leave a deep void in the world of art.
Art and then at May his noble soul rest in peace!”
Amidst the Covid-19 out- the Sir J.J. Sukhbir Badal said on the micro-
break, Dhule police has School of Art in blogging site. — PTI
unearthed a malware called
“coronavirus map” devised
to steal confidential data,
including bank account
details and passwords. The
police found out about the
malware a week ago and
have urged people not to
SC gives marginal relief to auto sector Rana Kapoor may
open any coronavirus-relat-
ed links circulated on social
messaging apps. The offi-
cials said that the malware
Allows 10-day sale of 10% of BS-IV unsold inventory post lockdown face lie-detection
was being used in various PARMOD KUMAR 2018 top court order is Automobile Dealers unsold inventory of BS IV would be permitted to be AGE CORRESPONDENT
links named under coron- NEW DELHI, MARCH 27 March 31, 2020. Association, the court said vehicles by relaxing its sold and registered across NEW DELHI, MARCH 27
avirus and was circulated via Observing that vehicle that it understood the October 24, 2018 order. the country.
social messaging apps. “The In the wake of the Covid- dealers wants to take “psychology of business- The court relaxed its The court by its said Fresh trouble seems to be
accused are being ques- 19 lockdown, the Supreme “advantage of a few days es, dealers”. October 24, 2018, order on order had said, “No motor brewing for Rana Kapoor
tioned on how many persons Court on Friday permitted lockdown” in March on Observing in the course a plea by the Federation of vehicles conforming to the as the Central agencies —
have been targeted so far the sale of 10% of the account of corona, a bench of the hearing that there Automobiles Dealers emission standards CBI and the Enforcement
and the quantum of the unsold BS IV vehicles of Justices Arun Mishra was “no point extending Association seeking exten- Bharat Stage IV shall be Directorate (ED) — are
fraud. This malware link was within 10 days of the lift- and Deepak Gupta said time for BS IV vehicles, sion of April 1, 2020, dead- sold or registered from preparing to conduct “lie-
being shared on messaging ing of the lockdown with a that the BS IV vehicles burdening environment line in the wake of ongo- April 1, 2020.” It was con- detection” on the co-
apps like WhatsApp and caveat that these vehicles that have been sold prior further”, the court said, ing three weeks lockdown. tended that 15,000 passen- founder of Yes Bank as Rana Kapoor
other social networking plat- would not be sold in Delhi to lockdown could be regis- “Understand frailty of The court had on October ger cars, 12,000 commer- part of their investiga-
forms,” said a police officer. NCR. tered after it was lifted. humans.” The top court 24, 2018, ordered that from cial vehicles, seven lakh 2- tion into multiple cases the person concerned.
The link lured the persons The last date for the sale Relaxing its order on a permitted the automobile April 1, 2020, only Euro VI wheelers were at stake due against him. After that the agencies
with information on preven- of BS IV vehicles as per plea by the Federation of dealers to sell 10% of their fuel complaint vehicles to BS IV deadline. Sources said, “Kapoor is will have to seek permis-
tion of coronavirus, claiming not cooperating with the sion from the competent
that it has important infor- investigation. He has not court for conducting this
mation about ways to pre-
vent infection. If one clicks
on the link, it installs a spy
4 more test yet provided the required
information regarding
the laundering of pro-
scientific test, they added.
The ED recently filed a
case of money-laundering
software, which can steal
bank account details, pass-
+ve in J&K, ceeds of crime and other
crucial details pertaining
against Rana Kapoor, his
wife Bindu Kapoor and
words and other personal
data The police said that the
cyber wing is now gathering
total is 18 to several cases against
him and his family mem-
bers to the sleuths of the
promoter of Avantha
Realty, Gautam Thapar.
The case is in connection
details of the victims and YUSUF JAMEEL central agencies”. with the alleged suspi-
will identify them and record SRINAGAR, MARCH 27 Investigators are explor- cious deal between
their complaints for carrying ing the possibility of con- Avantha Realty and
out detailed investigation in The number of Covid-19 ducting lie-detection test Kapoor and wife through
connection with the fraud. cases in Jammu and A farmer on him, they added. Bliss Abode. Bindu Rana
The police have filed a case Kashmir went up to 18 drains rain- “Investigators want to Kapoor is one of the direc-
of cheating, forgery, acts of on Friday after four water from trace the end use of the tors of Bliss Abode. The
common intention as per the more persons, all of his flooded huge amount (in several CBI had also on March 13
Indian Penal Code and as them Srinagar resi- wheat field crores), which appear to registered a fresh case
per the provisions of the dents, tested positive. have been laundered by against Kapoor, Gautam
on the out-
Information Technology Act Thirteen more persons the accused”, sources Thapar, Bindu Rana and
and further investigation is are being treated for the skirts of said. The investigation unknown others for the
underway. deadly disease in Amritsar agencies will first seek same deal. The case by
Ladakh. One of the after heavy his consent as legal provi- CBI was registered under
rainfall on
BENI PRASAD,
affected persons died at sions entail that such a sections 120 B and 420 of
a hospital in Srinagar Friday. test cannot be conducted IPC and Section 7, 11 and
on Thursday. — PTI without the permission of 12 of PC Act, 1988.
SP FOUNDING Meanwhile, no Friday
congregations were held
MEMBER, DIES
Lucknow: Beni Prasad
Verma, a founding member
in any major mosque in
J&K or Ladakh. While in
most cases the custodi-
ans of mosques volun-
‘Jugaad’ in corona time: Leaves, tissue paper become masks
of the Samajwadi Party and tarily called off the RABINDRA NATH crisis. Tribals are prepar- told this newspaper. market. They are selling at
former Union minister who weekly gatherings, the CHOUDHURY ing masks out of leaves, Mr Sunderraj however highly inflated price of Rs
was considered close to law enforcing agencies BHOPAL, MARCH 27 now popularly called “bio- appeared worried about 150 per piece against the
party patriarch Mulayam had to intervene at place mask” in the region. possible Maoist plan to actual price of Rs 5.
Singh Yadav, died on Friday. to prevent people from Contrary to hue and cry Tribal women and men disrupt efforts of local Hence, people have no
He was 79. The Rajya Sabha entering the places of over shortage of masks all were currently seen mov- administrations to protect option but to use hankies
MP was not well for past few worship. across India, people in ing wearing “bio-masks” the tribals from virus and tissue papers as
days. He was admitted to a Srinagar’s DC Shahid Chhattisgarh are not com- in villages in south Bastar infection. Maoists had ear- masks when they venture
private hospital in Lucknow, Iqbal Choudhary had on plaining. People in the districts of Narayanpur, lier this week ambushed a outside,” eminent tax con-
where he died around 7 pm, Thursday with a view to state have turned to vari- Sukma and Bijapur. search party of security sultant of Raipur in
his son Rakesh Verma told prevent the spread of ous ways to make masks. “We have received personnel in south Bastar Chhattisgarh, Ajey Dewta,
PTI. Verma was the telecom the virus issued a formal Leaves, hankies and tissue reports of tribals in remote district of Sukma and told this newspaper.
minister between 1996-1998 order for the closure of papers are being used to pockets of Bastar using killed 17 soldiers. Meanwhile, some enter-
in then prime minister H.D. all places of worship in make masks to meet the masks made of leaves due The urban people in prising businessmen in
Deve Gowda's cabinet and the district. urgent demands of the to coronavirus outbreak. Chhattisgarh have also Raipur have started plac-
was the steel minister in the However, the manage- health emergency. This clearly indicates that been seen making up with ing orders with the local
Congress-led UPA govern- ments of Srinagar’s The tradition tribal awareness has already the acute shortage of med- tailors to make designer
ment. Samajwadi Party pres- famed Dargah Hazrat- knowledge of making cups been generated among the ical masks by using hand- masks to attract cus-
ident Akhilesh Yadav bal, historic Jama Masj- and other utilities out of tribals in Bastar on the kerchiefs and tissue tomers, particularly the
reached the hospital and id and Khankah-e-Naqa- tree leaves has come in virus outbreak. It is a good papers to cover their women, leading masks to
condoled his death. Verma is shbandia had already handy for the adivasis in development,” P. mouth and noses. appear in various hues
survived by three sons and been shut for worship- remote pockets of Bastar Sunderraj, Bastar range “There is acute shortage and shapes such as stars
two daughters. — PTI pers. region in this period of inspector general of police, of medical masks in the and ribbons. Tribal people wearing masks made of leaves.
EDIT
THE ASIAN AGE | SATURDAY | 28 MARCH 2020 | NEW DELHI
pg 6
28 MARCH 2020
T
rity of poor. Given the loopholes in the he lockdowns near-unanimity of the 100,000 or so who gloom and doom. The
ease. Now we are waiting
public distribution system, one cannot guarantee its smooth implementation. in Italy, Spain, view that viruses are not medical fraternity feels
to be classed with living
have recovered... less confident when it is for a vaccine to make us
Of the `1.7 lakh crores stimulus package, a significant amount — according to France, Brit-
an estimate `60,000 crores — is spent for transferring `2,000 in advance for ain, the United matter as they cannot must provide clues... not armed with a tested
vaccine or medicine to
Covid-19-proof.
each farmer under the existing PM Kisan Yojna (PMKY) scheme. Minus this States and of replicate themselves.
scheme, the size of the bailout package aimed at supporting the poor and lower course India in the wake There is no getting the points, it can be readily fight Covid-19. But clini- R. Sivakumar
middle class shrinks to `1.1 lakh crore. of the coronavirus (or world of the viruses. We inferred that all those cal data about the 100,000 Chennai
The government has also proposed to transfer 24 per cent of wages to PF Covid-19) outbreak is a must learn to deal with who are infected would or so people who have
accounts of people drawing a monthly salary of below `15,000. It proposed to them, and thankfully not require hospital care, recovered from the infec-
WELL DONE, RBI
necessary response, but
transfer between `500 and `1,000 to women, senior citizens and differently- it hides the fact that gov- there are just over a though they would need tion, as well as the infor-
abled people. Success, however, depends on the efficient functioning of vari- ernments and people the dozen viruses from to be quarantined wher- mation connected with
ous stakeholders. An ideal and simple way, however, could have been the world over are running among millions of them ever they are, including the 30,000 or so who died I WELCOME the Reserve Bank of
transfer of cash — may be `10,000 per month — to the bank accounts of 27.5 scared of the virus. It is which threaten the life the home, and that all of because of it, must pro- India action to minimise the
crore LPG users (which cover 96 per cent of population), entailing a total the not the best way of and well-being of humans them would not end up in vide enough clues to the economic impact of Covid-19 by
expenditure of `2.75 lakh crores. On the supply side, an efficient door delivery grappling with the pan- and which need to be an intensive care unit doctors of dealing with it, allowing banks to introduce a
system for essential commodities would prevent jacking up of prices. demic. The exponential combated through vac- and they would not and telling people that moratorium on payment of
infection rates which cines and retroviral med- require ventilators. Covid-19 does not mean a instalment on term loans for three
caused the panic, and ications. So, the reality is Many of those who have death sentence. The new months. These include home and
After Omar, free Mufti swiftly rightly so, will be flat-
tened out in the new few
weeks and months, but
that the medical fraterni-
ty can combat Covid-19
through the discovery of
died are not merely the
aged, but they were suf-
fering from other serious
viral strain is dangerous
and can wreak havoc on
the health of large popu-
auto loans but not credit card dues.
Bhagwan Thadani
Mumbai
T
he release earlier this week of former J&K chief minister and National we have not seen the last a vaccine which may ailments, which have lations, which is unac-
Conference vice-president Omar Abdullah from nearly eight months of Covid-19 yet. It is likely need to be updated regu- now been classified as co- ceptable. But what is
in detention, just 10 days after his father Farooq Abdullah, also a for-
mer CM and NC chief, was set free on March 13, is likely to release some
to return next winter. All
governments and the
larly as in the case of the
flu vaccine.
morbid conditions. There
is then a need to under-
needed is a field strategy
of dealing with it through
WORSE PLIGHT
international pressure on the Narendra Modi government on the Kashmir medical fraternity, At the moment, howev- stand that Covid-19 is a what is at hand by way of THE CENTRE has come out with
issue. This should help India free its arm somewhat in tackling Pakistan. including doctors and er, the justified panic viral fever, which can medication and other plans to provide financial aid and
Regardless of that, however, the release of key Kashmiri political figures researchers, hope that response of the govern- turn fatal, but it need not. precautions. Lockdown free rations to millions, but how far it
from imprisonment on trumped-up charges is a public good in its own right. they would be armed by ments through wide- The fear of governments is a partial response, and will be fairly distributed to genuine
It is noteworthy that upon their release, the Abdullahs have sought to press then with some form of spread lockdowns has and that of the public the doctors as well as beneficiaries is anybody’s guess.
the Centre to immediately set free Mehbooba Mufti, the PDP leader who too vaccine or other medica- sent out a message to the health system managers medical researchers are Even the announcement to distrib-
is a former CM, besides all political prisoners. tion. The greatest fear people that Covid-19 is is that they would not be fully aware of this truth. ute grain to needy is confusing.
The NC and PDP have been bitter regional rivals and yet NC leaders have haunting governments is fatal, and if they are able to cope with it if too They are looking for Without a transparent system in
said they will address political matters only after they have had a chance to that if too many people Covid-19 positive, and if many people need to be breathing time for them place, it will add to the people’s woes.
confer with Ms Mufti. This is a new kind of development for Kashmir. are infected with Covid- they develop the pneu- admitted to hospitals and to sequence the Covid-19 M. Jeevanand
If some accommodation is reached between NC and PDP, the quisling Apni 19, the public and private monic fever which is its if a large number of them genome and create the via e-mail
Party of tier-two defectors — got together by the government recently with health systems cannot signature, then they will were to require critical antidote to successfully
the avowed aim of inaugurating a new era of politics in J&K — could turn
out a stymied enterprise. In such a scenario, the message whispered around
cope with it, and the
health infrastructure
die. It is an exaggerated
fear and the statistics
care should not be the
sole factor in describing
battle the pathogen.
Lockdown is a way of
TEST INDIANS
that the NC has done a “deal” with the Centre is likely to get scotched. will crash. It is to stop the prove that it is not so. In the pandemic. And they buying time. It does not THE TOTAL NUMBER of
Just a day before their arrest in August 2019, the leaders of Kashmir’s people’s run on the the more than 400,000 want to put the fear of the eliminate the threat coronavirus deaths rose to 19 in India
mainstream parties, including Ms Mufti, had met at Dr Abdullah’s house to healthcare system that people who have been pandemic in the hearts of posed by Covid-19. with 780 active cases as on Friday but
pass the so-called “Gupkar Declaration”, that aimed to uphold Kashmir’s governments are anxious infected with it, nearly people, which is not a bad The epidemiology of encouragingly there has been little
“identity” and “autonomy”. How feasible that goal is in today’s situation and eager to prevent the 100,000 have recovered thing when there is no Covid-19 need not be community transmission. Following
will become clear when the freed politicians get into their stride. In his long infection spreading so and around 30,000 people ready medical remedy, restricted to the figures in the footsteps of South Korea and
public life, Dr Abdullah has never refused conversation with the Centre. It that people do not get it, have died. Without but it should not push of those who tested posi- Germany, India should increase
is the terms of engagement that will be watched. do not develop the symp- resorting to arguments people into mental mor- tive, who passed through testing on a war footing to isolate the
toms and fever, and they about percentages of bidity, which is counter- the phases of infection critical population.
would not require hospi- mortality rates to score productive. But the and survived, and also S.S. Paul
THE ASIAN AGE tal care. Even if a fraction statistical brownie desire to control the con- those who did not. What Chakdaha, West Bengal
of those testing positive tagion by emphasising we need is also the other
T. VENKATRAM REDDY for Covid-19 were to fall the dangers should not aspect of the pandemic —
Printer & Publisher: T. VENKATESWARLU
Editor in Chief
critically ill, the entire
hospital system would
The new viral strain push people to the brink
of panic and breakdown.
the people who survived
the symptoms and what
BOLD MOVE
THE ASIAN AGE offices are located at: is dangerous and
break down. There is also the need to was the available medica- IT IS HIGHLY commendable that
New Delhi: Jawaharlal Nehru National Youth Centre, 219 Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg,
New Delhi-110002. Phone: (011) 23211124. Microbiologists and can wreak havoc cut through the myth of tion that saw them finance minister Nirmala
Mumbai: Sigma House, # 43, Ground Floor, R. A. Kidwai Marg, Near Wadala Rly Station, Wadala (West), Mumbai -
virologists know only too on the health of general perceptions that through it. The co-mor- Sitharaman has announced a relief
400 031 Phone (022) 24195301 Fax (022) 24195347
Kolkata: 4th Floor, Chowdhury Building, 8/1A Little Russel Street, Kolkata 700 071. well that viruses are an large populations, young people are bidity conditions have to package worth `1.70 lakh crore.
Phone: (033) 2289 0676/77 Fax (033) 2289 0686 inherent part of the pro- which is unaccept- immune to it, and that be a necessary part of Thousands who have lost their jobs
Registered as a newspaper at the Post Office in the United Kingdom tein chain, though there the old have no defences the Covid-19 mortality due to the lockdown are in dire need
Air surcharge for Kathmandu and J&K `1
is the definitional dis-
able. But what is against it. The young profile. of such assistance. It’s a bold move.
Published and Printed on behalf of and for
◗ Deccan Chronicle Holdings Limited, Jawaharlal Nehru National Youth Centre, 219 Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg, agreement whether needed is a field could catch the viral
New Delhi 110 002 at BFL Infotech Ltd., C-9, Sector-III, Noida -201301. ◗ Mumbai: Dangat Media Pvt Ltd, Plot No viruses are anterior to strategy of dealing fever and the old could M.N. Qasmi
22, Digha MIDC, TTC Industrial Estate Area, Vishnu Nagar, Digha, Navi Mumbai-400708. ◗ Kolkata: Satyajug
Employees Cooperative Industrial Society Ltd, 13/A, Prafulla Sarkar Street, Kolkata 700 072. ◗ London: Quickmarsh
the emergence of early with it through manage to either escape The writer is a Delhi- via email
cellular life or they came the fever and they based commentator
Ltd, 8th Floor, Block 2, Elizabeth House, 39 York Road, London, SE1 7NQ. RNI Registration number: 57290/94
after. There is, however,
what is at hand. may survive the fever
Postal registration numbers: DL(S)-05/4189/15-17
and analyst letters.asianage@gmail.com.
A
few months ago, it would Harari’s words are thought-pro- There will be positive conse- all the women saddled with this physical proximity.
have been impossible to voking and to some extent hearten- quences from this as energy will be thankless job now have to work For whom the requirement of
imagine the world so still. ing. It feels good to consider the saved when offices shut down. constantly. And that is the most physical presence has been oner-
Planes flew across the future, beyond the question of the Instead, businesses will have to positive scenario; as happens often ous, halted and stymied by borders
skies, men and women rose in the sickened and the dead. That future, invest in ensuring that workers during public holidays, more and passports, this may just be the
mornings and set out to work, chil- the long-term future brought close have access to adequate housing women are likely to face violence breakthrough they need. If an
Rafia Zakaria dren went to school and the world
hummed along. All of that is fast
by transformations and decisions
that are taking place now, will
and communication facilities.
Women, who often face hostile
when their abusers (usually
the men of the family) are con-
accountant works from home, it
does not matter whether that
becoming the jurisdiction of mem- sound different, look different and and adverse work environments, stantly at home. accountant is in Tibet or New York
ory now. Human contact, any- feel different. could well have an edge in such a Those who live alone but rely on or Karachi. The already borderless
where and everywhere in the Take, for instance, the question of new world. Motherhood and sex- visits and interaction with friends virtual world will become even
world, now carries the burden of work: of where it is done and how it ism, both of which tend to take and family members are also fac- more important.
contagion. Invisible enemies are is done; how co-workers communi- women out of the workforce, might ing a long period of adjustment. To The coming days will be challeng-
the worst, blurring as they do the cate, and how they are managed. have less of an impact on the work preserve life, these interactions ing. For humankind, there is noth-
lines between truth and paranoia. As one business owner in lives of women. must be sacrificed at least in the ing less macabre and unsettling
Watch the birth Who has it and who can give it and
who will get it are the subtext of
every exchange.
Philadelphia wondered, why
should I keep paying the exorbitant
rent for my office space when all
These are things that are immi-
nent, but it feels odd to consider the
worth of the world that is
short term, leaving relationships
transformed. The new isolation,
which produces depression and
than an invisible enemy whose
contagion spreads in mysterious
ways. The normal, already inter-
my employees are successfully coming upon us when the con- even suicidal thoughts in some, rupted, will be reborn as some-
of a brave new
In the midst of darkness, it is dif-
ficult to imagine light or a future. working from home? For this to straints of a confined globe press so will be just as heavy to bear as the thing different and for those of us
The future that will be will not happen, the world’s employers will hard upon us. virus and its associated risks of who will remember what had been
resemble the past we have known. have to shift from a ‘presence’ to a The lockdown is forcing people to death. Some will be able to make before, it might be particularly dif-
IN
Iran virus toll
rises to 2,378
BRIEF
US tops world, Italy logs 1K deaths
Tehran: Iran on Friday
announced 144 new deaths
USA has recorded 1,178 deaths and more than 83,000 people have tested positive for virus
from the novel coronavirus, Washington, March 27,
bringing the official number The United States on
of fatalities to 2,378 in one of Thursday took the grim
the world's worst-hit coun- title of the country with
tries. “In the past 24 hours, the most coronavirus
we've had 2,926 new con- infections and reported a
firmed cases of Covid-19 record surge in unemploy-
infections across the coun- ment as world leaders
try,” health ministry vowed $5 trillion to stave
spokesman Kianoush Jah- off global economic col-
anpour said in a televised lapse.
news conference. “This More than 500,000 people
brings the overall confirmed around the world have now
cases to at least 32,332,” he contracted the new coron-
added, noting that 11,133 of avirus, overwhelming
those hospitalised so far healthcare systems even in
have recovered. wealthy nations and trig-
Flights sent to
economies held crisis talks supply, with China and the conversation” with closely together. Much gate the crisis” and that it yet scheduled any meet- few restrictions through-
by video link Thursday, United States trading Chinese President Xi respect!” US President was the “best illustration ing to discuss the rapidly- out Hungary between
pledging a “united front” barbs over their handling Jinping and praised Trump tweeted. of global cooperation”. escalating coronavirus March 28 and April 11,”
rescue tourists to fight the outbreak —
along with an enormous
of the coronavirus crisis.
And Italy as well as
China, adding that both
countries were “working
China had
Wednesday lashed out at
on It may be recalled that
angered over United
crisis even as the number
of Covid-19 cases across
he told public radio. “For
two weeks we can all lea-
Kathmandu: Foreign govern- financial injection. Spain, which has the sec- together” amid “much its critics and said it had States President Donald the world crossed 530,000 ve our homes or places of
ments on Friday stepped up “The virus respects no ond-highest death toll, respect”. “neither created the (coro- Trump’s initial use of the and over 24,000 people residence only for work
operations to evacuate tens borders,” the leaders said objected to a draft econom- This was just hours after na)virus nor intentionally term “Chinese virus”, have died due to the dis- or for managing basic
of thousands of tourists in a statement. ic plan by the European a G-20 “Extraordinary transmitted it”, adding Chinese foreign minister ease. needs.” Exemptions inc-
stranded by the coronavirus “We are injecting over $5 Union which they saw as Virtual Summit” in which that the “so-called (term) Wang Yi had spoken to The number of Covid-19 lude trips to shops and
pandemic in remote locations trillion into the global too weak. leaders did not discuss the ‘Chinese virus’ is Indian external affairs cases across the globe has pharmacies for necessi-
across South Asia from Ev- economy, as part of target- Italian Prime Minister origins of the virus nor absolutely wrong”. minister S. Jaishankar skyrocketed to 531,860 and ties, with infringements
erest base camp to beach ed fiscal policy, economic Giuseppe Conte wants a China’s initial handling of Beijing had also claimed ahead of the G-20 Summit a total of 24,057 people liable to police fines of
hotels in Sri Lanka. A plane measures, and guarantee “strong and sufficient” the crisis when the pan- “there is no evidence that to drum up support have died so far. At 85,653, up to 500,000 forints.
chartered by Berlin took 304 schemes to counteract the financial response that demic first broke out in China is the source of the and had conveyed the US now has the high- Shops will be open
people out of Kathmandu in social, economic and finan- deploys “innovative finan- Wuhan. virus that caused the saying that China should est number of confirmed exclusively for those
the first of a series of flights cial impacts of the pan- cial instruments truly The US is reeling under Covid-19 (Coronavirus) “not be stigmatised” and coronavirus cases in the aged over 65 between 9
aiming to ferry more than demic.” They also pledged adapted to a war,” his the coronavirus pandemic although Wuhan city in that India should world, surpassing China am and 12 noon to “sepa-
10,000 people from Nepal. “robust” support for devel- office said. and there are fears it may China first reported the “oppose such a narrow and Italy. rate youth from elderly
Almost 17,000 tourists are oping nations, where coro- — AFP become the new epicentre virus outbreak”. mindset”. — PTI in a bearable way,” said
stuck in Sri Lanka while tens Orban. The move is the
of thousands of travellers and
■ Injects massive liquidity into system, facilitates credit flow, eases burden of borrowers Quotes
quick RBI brings cheers amidst gloom
BITES FALAKNAAZ SYED
MUMBAI, MARCH 27
SBI cuts lending, FIRING ON ALL CYLINDERS
as on March 1, 2020 without
any impact on the asset
classification downgrade
INDICATORS %
In an unprecedented move,
the Reserve Bank of India
(RBI) on Friday unleashed
deposit rates ● Repo rate slashed by 75 basis points to 4.4%
and an impact on borrow-
ers credit score. The move
provides huge relief to
Sensex 29,815.59 -0.44 ● Reverse repo rate cut sharply by 90 basis
war efforts to fight Covid- FC BANKING BUREAU home loan borrowers, car “Today RBI
points to 4%, making
Nifty 50 8,660.25 0.22 19 impact on the economy, MUMBAI, MARCH 27 loans, personal loans, cred-
bring in financial stability unattractive for banks to deposit funds it card borrowers, MSME
has taken
S&P 500* 2,544.36 -3.26
and restore business confi- State Bank of India on ● Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) decides and corporate borrowers. giant steps to
Dollar (`) 4.85 0.419 dence. The Monetary Friday reduced its lend- to continue with the accommodative stance as Banks are allowed to defer safeguard our
Pound Sterling (`) 91.45 -1.51 Policy Committee (MPC) of ing and deposit rates long as it is necessary payment of interest rate on economy from the
the RBI cut interest rate after the RBI cut the working capital loans for impact of the
Euro (`) 82.449 -0.01 sharply to a two-decade repo rate earlier in the ● Several measures taken to infuse liquidity of three months.
Gold (Oz)* ($) 1,653.70 -0.40 low, surpassing market day. India's largest bank about `3.74 lakh crore into the financial system In a video address, Coronavirus. The
expectations. cut interest rate by 75 Shaktikanta Das, governor, announcements
Brent crude ($/bbl)* 24.61 -6.57 ● RBI to undertake repo operation to infuse `1
In addition, the RBI also basis points on loans RBI, said the decision to will improve liq-
IN 10-Yr bond yield 6.144 -1.318 announced a series of linked to External Ben- lakh crore advance the MPC meeting uidity, reduce the
measures to address the chmark-linked lending has been warranted by the
US 10-Yr T-bill yield* 0.738 -8.663
stress in the financial con- rate (EBR) and Repo
● Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) cut sharply by one destructive force of the cost of funds, help
* As of 9:30 pm IST ditions caused by the pan- Linked Lending rate per cent to three per cent releasing `1.37 lakh coronavirus. "We are living middle class and
demic such as injecting (RLLR) from April 1. crore into the system through an extraordinary businesses”
sizeable liquidity in the The EBR reduced to ● RBI assures to work in mission mode, moni- and unprecedented situa-
Clearly a war effort has — Narendra Modi,
Govt raises financial system, ensuring
credit flow, relaxation in
7.05 per cent per annum
from 7.80 per cent while
toring the evolving financial market and
macroeconomic conditions
to be mounted and is
being mounted to com-
tion. Everything hinges on
the depth of the Covid-19 Prime Minister
`11,500 cr from
repayment and debt servic- the RLLR reduced to 6.65 outbreak, its spread and its
ing pressures for individu- per cent per annum from ● All instruments — conventional and uncon- bat the virus, involving duration. Clearly, a war
als and corporate borrow- 7.40 per cent. ventional — on table to support financial sta- both conventional and effort has to be mounted
strategic sale ers and improving the
functioning and stability of
SBI said EMIs on home
loan accounts linked to
bility and revive growth unconventional meas-
ures in a continuously
and is being mounted to
combat the virus, involv-
The government has raised Rs the financial markets. EBR or RLLR will get ● RBI assures that banking system in India battle-ready mode
ing both conventional and
11,500 crore through strategic Temporary compliance cheaper by Rs 52 per Rs safe; deposits safe in private bank; public unconventional measures
sale of its stake in two state- relaxations were also 1 lakh on a 30-year loan. should not resort to panic withdrawal — SHAKTIKANTA DAS in continuous battle-ready
owned power companies, THDC announced for the banking The lender has also RBI governor mode. Life in the time of
and Neepco, to NTPC. With sector. reduced interest rates on ● RBI says macroeconomic fundamental Covid-19 has been one of “Appreciate
this, the total disinvestment The RBI announcement retail and bulk deposits stronger than that in aftermath of 2008 finan-
cial market crisis
FORECAST unprecedented loss and
isolation. Yet, it is worth-
RBI Governor
proceeds in the current fiscal came days ahead of the by between 20 to 100 Shaktikanta
stand at over Rs 46,500 crore. MPC meeting that had to basis points across vari- ● GDP growth rate of while to remember that
Das' reassuring
be held on March 31 to ous tenors. ● Last tranche of the capital conservation tough times never last;
The government has sold 74.49 five per cent for 2019-20 words on financial
April 3. buffer (CCB) for banks deferred for 6 months only tough people and
per cent stake in THDC for Rs at risk from the impact
7,500 crore and 100 per cent in The benchmark repo rate to September
of pandemic
tough institutions do," said stability. The 3-
North Eastern Electric Power (the rate at which banks towards the markets. Das. month moratorium
borrow short-term money The measures are expect- ● Global slowdown to Liquidity to the tune of
Corp (Neepco) for Rs 4,000
from the central bank) has ed to bring down the lend- deepen with adverse Rs 3.74 lakh crore would be on payments of
crore. term loan install-
been cut by a whopping 75 ing rates for new and exist- implication for India; made available in the bank-
basis points to 4.40 per cent ing home, auto loan and crude oil slump upside ing system on account of ments (EMI) and
below the global financial corporate borrowers.
for country
the measures announced interest on work-
crisis level in 2009. The In another significant with regard to targeted
Cognizant to cash reserve ratio (CRR)
was cut by 100 basis points
move to ease the impact of
the coronavirus outbreak
● Upside growth
impulses to emanate
long-term repo operations
(TLTRO), CRR cut,
ing capital give
much-desired
pay extra 25% to 3 per cent. CRR is the
portion of banks deposits
on the livelihood of mil-
lions of individuals follow-
from monetary, fiscal
measures and the early
increased marginal stand-
ing facility (MSF) accom-
relief. The slashed
interest rate
on base salary
that needs to be kept with ing the lockdown in the modation, said the gover-
the RBI. country, the central bank
containment of Covid-19 nor.
needs quick
The cut in the repo rate said that all commercial ● Food prices to soften All the six members of transmission”
was accompanied by an banks, including housing on back of record food- the MPC voted to cut the — Nirmala
asymmetric slicing of the finance companies, have grain production policy rate, however in
Sitharaman,
reverse repo rate by 90 bps been allowed to give a terms of quantum of the
to 4 per cent in an attempt moratorium of three ● Refrains from giving rate cut, four members finance minister
to dissuade banks from months on the monthly out growth, inflation voted for a 75 bps cuts
parking money with it and instalments in respect of outlook for coming fis- while two member sought
instead divert the money all term loans outstanding cal on uncertain outlook a 50 bps cut.
Sachin steps up
The heat’s off Tokyo
SHORT TAKES
O’Brien in tears
after crowd-fund
Christchurch: Stranded after his
to fight Corona
flight was cancelled thrice due
to the Covid-19 pandemic, for-
mer New Zealand fast bowler
Iain O’Brien couldn’t hold back
Olympic postponement provides silver lining New Delhi, March 27:
Batting maestro Sachin
Tendulkar on Friday
donated `50 lakh to fight
tears after mustering enough Tokyo, March 27: Every the Covid-19 pandemic,
money via crowd-funding to cloud has a silver lining which has so far claimed 17
book his way back home. and the devastating post- Indian lives and wreaked
The 43-year-old from ponement of the Tokyo havoc globally.
Wellington, who now lives in 2020 Olympics could hand Tendulkar’s donation is
the UK, was in New Zealand to organisers a heaven-sent so far the biggest contribu-
deal with his mental health opportunity to solve their tion among India’s leading
issues but his month-long trip other massive problem: sportspersons, some of
was disrupted after countries the summer heat. whom have pledged their
went into a lockdown mode. The historic decision to salaries while a few others Sachin Tendulkar
After three of his flights were delay the Games due to have donated medical
cancelled, O’Brien decided to the coronavirus pandemic equipment to fight the
seek donations to arrange the gave Tokyo a wide range dreaded outbreak, which
money for his ticket. of options when resched- has caused more than
On Friday morning, he woke uling: the Games will be 24,000 deaths globally.
up to find that his target of held “beyond 2020, but not “Sachin Tendulkar decid-
£2,250 was well surpassed and later than summer 2021.” ed to contribute `25 lakh
he now had £3,660 in the cof- This leaves open the pos- each to Prime Minister’s
fers, more than enough to cover sibility of a spring Relief Fund and Chief
his travel cost. Olympics when the weath- Minister’s Relief Fund in
“I woke up this morning and er in Tokyo is at its finest his bid to join the fight
maybe for the third or fourth and removes at a stroke against Covid-19. It was his
time in my life I cried before I the worries about athletes decision that he wanted to
got out of bed,” he said in a and fans suffering in the contribute to both funds,” Laxmi Ratan Shukla
tearful video message to the brutal heat and humidity a source privy to the devel-
people who had contributed for of Japan’s summer. opment said on conditions months of my MLA salary
his return. — AFP Tokyo Governor Yuriko of anonymity. to the Chief Minister’s
Koike confirmed the post- Tendulkar has been asso- Relief Fund. Also, I get
ponement had opened up ciated with a lot of charity pension from BCCI. I have
Badminton body this tantalising option —
that would also give her
work and there has been
umpteen times, he has
donated three months of
my BCCI pension,” Shukla
takes dig at stars the opportunity
reclaiming the marathon
of taken up social causes,
helped people, which has
said on Friday.
Shukla, played three
New Delhi: The Badminton which before the post- never been brought to pub- ODIs for India in 1999
World Federation said it is “dis- ponement was shifted to lic notice. before ankle injury cut
appointing” that some players, the northern city of short his career.
including Indian star Saina Sapporo over heat fears. Cricketer-MLA Laxmi A respected all-rounder
Nehwal, questioned its “sinceri- “Since we are in this sit- donates three months in domestic cricket, he rep-
ty and motives” when it contin- uation, one idea is to have resented Bengal and East
ued with the All England (the IOC) move the date to
salary, BCCI pension Zone in over 100 first-class
Championships despite the a time that is not hot,” she In this file photo, Governor of Tokyo (left) Yuriko Koike exchanges fist bump with Japan’s President Shinzo Abe. Meanwhile, former India matches and has also been
rapid-growing threat of Covid- said. cricketer Laxmi Ratan a part of IPL-winning
Djokovic donates
Lund wrote. — PTI new schedule to be done
by the summer. It might be
earlier... As a result, if the
hottest part of the sum-
2021 due to the coron-
avirus on Tuesday.
The IOC and 32 interna-
tional sports federations
rescue of patients
mer could be avoided, held a teleconference on New Delhi, March 27: Star @himantabiswa,” Das
one million euros wouldn’t that be a happy
thing,” he said just min-
Thursday where it was
decided to respect the
Indian sprinter Hima Das
has donated her one
tweeted on Thursday.
Hima joined a growing
Belgrade: Tennis world number utes after the postpone- qualification process. month’s salary to the list of sports personalities,
one Novak Djokovic said on ment. “Thomas Bach first Assam government to help including shuttler P. V.
Friday he was donating one Bach has described the explained the reasons for the state combat the dread- Sindhu, wrestler Bajrang
million euros ($1.1 million) to unprecedented task of the postponement of the ed Covid-19 pandemic. Punia and BCCI President
help his native Serbia buy respi- reorganising the world’s Games, then said that the Das, an Asian Games Sourav Gangully, who have
rators and other gear to com- biggest sports event as a athletes qualified for gold-medallist besides come forward to provide
bat the coronavirus. huge “jigsaw puzzle” and Tokyo 2020 would auto- being an under-20 world financial aid to fight the
The player was speaking in a any rearranged date matically be qualified for champion in 400 metres, is pandemic.
video conference from the brings challenges. 2021,” one of the partici- employed with PSU major The Assam Cricket
southern Spanish city of A spring Olympics pants in the conference Indian Oil as an HR officer Association offered to con-
Marbella, where he and his fam- would clash with the end said. in Guwahati. vert its Barsapara Stadium
ily are currently hunkering of the European football “One of the main sub- “Friends it’s high time to premises into a quarantine
down under nationwide lock- season, as well as the NBA jects was to know when stand together & support centre as the state govern-
down orders. playoffs and the early part and how to organise the people who need us. I am ment braced up for the
“Our donation is for the pur- of the baseball season in qualifications. In some contributing 1 month of Covid-19 pandemic.
chase of life-saving respirators the US, noted Marcus federations, many sports- my salary to Assam Govt. Though Assam is yet to
and other sanitary equipment,” Luer, CEO of sports men and sportswomen are in Assam Arogya Nidhi report a positive coron-
said the tennis star. branding firm Total not qualified and it takes India’s star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra has already qualified for the Olympics. Account made to safeguard avirus case, the state gov-
Normally based in Monaco, the Sports Asia. at least three months for the health of people in the ernment is not taking any