AHMEDABAD l WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2020 l Pages 12 l 3.00 RNI NO. GUJENG/2019/16208 l Vol 2 l Issue No.

RANGEELA GIRL URMILA MATONDKAR SALMAN KHAN GETS EXEMPTION

JOINS SHIV SENA, YEAR AFTER FROM APPEARANCE IN BLACKBUCK
P5 QUITTING CONGRESS POACHING CASE HEARING P6
OUR EDITIONS: JAIPUR, AHMEDABAD & LUCKNOW 19°C - 35°C www.firstindia.co.in I www.firstindia.co.in/epaper/ I twitter.com/thefirstindia I facebook.com/thefirstindia I instagram.com/thefirstindia

NO HEADWAY IN CENTRE’S TALKS WITH India: Trudeau’s

FARMERS, PARLEYS ON THURSDAY
Govt offers to set up panel to look into the issues; Union reps seek repeal of farm laws
New Delhi: The gov-
ernment on Tuesday of-
fered to set up a com-
mittee to look into the
issues raised by farm-
ers protesting against
new farm laws, as three
union ministers and
senior officials met rep-
resentatives of 35 agi-
tating organisations.
Sources said the farm-
er representatives were
yet to respond to the offer
from the government
more than two hours into
the meeting, but all of
them were unanimous in
seeking repeal of the
three laws that they have
been terming as being
against the interest of
the farm community.
The protesting farm-
ers have expressed ap-
prehension that the Cen-
tre’s farm laws would
pave the way for the dis-
Farmers stage a protest at Singhu border during their ‘Delhi Chalo’ march against the Centre’s new
farm laws, in New Delhi on Tuesday.
mantling of the mini-
mum support price sys-
tem, leaving them at the
mercy of big corporates.
The government has
maintained that the
new laws will bring
farmers better opportu-
nities and usher in new
technologies in agricul-
ture. For the meeting at
Vigyan Bhawan here,
—PHOTO BY PTI
Union Agriculture Min-
ister Narendra Singh
Tomar was accompa-
nied by Railways and
Commerce and Indus-
try Minister Piyush
protest comments
unwarranted
New Delhi: India on
Tuesday strongly re-
FARMERS READY FOR LONG HAUL acted to comments by
Canadian Prime Min-
Singhu, New Delhi: The farmers’ blockade continues ister Justin Trudeau
at Singhu on the Delhi-Haryana border for a sixth and other leaders
straight day today. Aerial shots of the border crossing there on protests by
show a seemingly never-ending line of tractors pulling farmers, calling the
tarpaulin-covered trailers, each of which is filled remarks as “ill-in-
with food, water, fuel, medicines and other essential formed” and “unwar-
goods. The images reinforce the farmers’ message ranted” as the matter
- that they will not back down till their concerns are pertained to the in-
heard and the new farm laws are repealed. At other ternal affairs of a added that “it is also
camps in the Singhu blockade farmers can be seen democratic country. best that diplomatic
preparing food on portable stoves; they’ve brought “We have seen conversations are not
with them rations for six months.
some ill-informed misrepresented for
comments by Cana- political purposes.”
Goyal and Minister of ture reform laws. dian leaders relating On Monday,
State for Commerce Peaceful sit-ins by to farmers in India. Trudeau, backing the
Som Parkash, also an farmers, mostly from Such comments are agitating farmers in
MP from Punjab. Punjab and Haryana, unwarranted, espe- India, said Canada
Hours before the meet- continued at the Singhu cially when pertain- will always be there
ing, Union ministers Ra- and Tikri borders with ing to the internal to defend the rights
jnath Singh, Amit Shah, no untoward incident affairs of a democrat- of peaceful protests.
Tomar and Goyal, along reported after Friday’s ic country,” MEA “The situation is
with BJP chief J P Na- violence, while the Spokesperson Anur- concerning and we
dda, had held marathon numbers of protestors ag Srivastava said. are all very worried
discussions over the swelled at the Ghazipur In a terse message, about family
farmers’ protest against border on Monday. the ministry further Turn to P6
the Centre’s new agricul- Turn to P6

May not vaccinate entire
country: Health Ministry
New Delhi: At a time
when a number of com-
panies are working on to
develop vaccine for the
deadly coronavirus, the
Union Ministry of
Health and Family Wel-
fare on Tuesday said that
it is not possible to vac-
cinate the whole country
and it is not needed also.
Addressing a press
conference, Health Min-
istry Secretary Rajesh
Bhushan said that the
Central government
has never spoken about
vaccinating the entire
country.
“I just want to make
this clear that the govern-
ment has never spoken
about vaccinating the en-
tire country. It’s impor-
tant that we discuss such
scientific issues, based
on factual information
only,” he said.
Giving further de-
tails, ICMR DG Dr Bal-
ram Bhargava said that
if the chain of corona-
virus Turn to P6
Clinical trials for
Sputnik V vax
begin in India
New Delhi: Dr Reddy’s
Laboratories on Tues-
day said it has com-
menced clinical trials
for Sputnik V vaccine
with Russian Direct In-
vestment Fund (RDIF)
in India. They com-
menced adaptive phase
2/3 clinical trials for
BJP’s RS MP FROM GUJARAT DIES
OF CORONA COMPLICATIONS
Sputnik V vaccine in In-
dia after receiving the
necessary clearance
New Delhi: Abhay Bharadwaj, a Rajya Sabha MP from the Central Drugs
from Gujarat, died on Tuesday while undergoing Laboratory, Kasauli, In-
treatment for COVID-19 complications. Prime dia. This will be a multi-
Minister Narendra Modi has condoled his death, center and randomized
saying the country has lost a “bright and insight- controlled study, which
ful mind”. “Rajya Sabha MP from Gujarat, Shri will include safety and
Abhay Bharadwaj Ji was a distinguished lawyer immunogenicity study,
and remained at the forefront of serving society. said Dr Reddy’s in a
It is sad we have lost a bright and insightful stock exchange filing.
mind, passionate about national development. The clinical trials are
Condolences to his family and friends. Om being conducted by JSS
Shanti,” he tweeted. Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani Medical Research as the
said the BJP leader was an “able leader”. P8 clinical research part-
ner. Further, Turn to P6
Yogi to attend LMC bond listing in BSE today
Lucknow: Uttar
Pradesh Chief Minis-
ter Yogi Adityanath
will attend the listing
ceremony of the Luc-
know Municipal Cor-
poration (LMC) bond,
the first such listing
from the entire north-
ern region, on the
Bombay Stock Ex-
change (BSE) in Mum-
bai on Wednesday.
The Rs 200 crore LMC
bond, which was
launched on November
13, was 4.5 times over-
Pradhan launches
India’s first 100
octane petrol
New Delhi: In a move
that can be a poten-
tial game-changer
in petroleum fuel
retail market in India,
Indian Oil launched
world-class premium
grade Petrol (Octane
100) on Tuesday. It
was launched across
10 cities by Minister
Petroleum & Natural
Gas and Steel Dhar-
mendra Pradhan.
We are not
jealous if some-
one progresses,
we do not have any
problem with someone’s
progress if one com-
petes. But if you are go-
ing to forcibly take any-
Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar calls on UP CM Yogi Adityanath in
thing away, then of
course, I won’t let it
Mumbai on Tuesday. —PHOTO BY ANI
happen and you (in-
subscribed and closed at the municipal bonds dustrialists) will not be
8.5% coupon rate for 10 launched till date, an of- willing to go.
years, which is the sec- ficial spokesman said Uddhav Thackeray, Maha CM
ond lowest rate of all on Tuesday. Turn to P6
Soon, enjoy a luxury Ramayan
Cruise Tour on Saryu River!
Ayodhya: A luxury cruise service. It will be
cruise based on the epic the first-ever luxury
Ramayan will soon be cruise service on the
launched on the Saryu Saryu river (Ghagra/
River in Ayodhya, ac- National Waterways-40)
cording to a press re- in Ayodhya, Uttar
lease from the Ministry Pradesh. It aims to give
of Ports, Shipping and a mesmerising experi-
Waterways on Tuesday. ence to devotees with
According to the of- daviya, Minister of one-of-its-kind spiritual
ficial press release, Ports, Shipping and Wa- journeys while cruising
“’The Ramayan Cruise terways chaired a re- through the famous
Tour will be launched view meeting for the ghats of the holy river
soon. Mansukh Man- implementation of Saryu.” Turn to P6

Has AMC directed pvt labs to make two lists of COVID-19 results?
AMC councillor Rajshri
alleges city’s labs give ICMR,
civic body different data
First India Bureau
Ahmedabad: Has the
civic body directed the
private labs in
Ahmedabad to make two
separate lists for the
COVID-19 results? Are
the number that goes to
ICMR are less than
which received by the
civic body? These ques-
tions and more have
arisen after Chandkheda
councillor Rajshri Kesa-
ri of the Ahmedabad
Municipal Corporation
accused the government
of hiding data.
It is to be noted that
First India has repeat-
edly reported on the
“data management” of
COVID-19 by the gov-
ernment, and that the
actual picture is not
shown to the people.
The councillor’s allega-
tions only serve to bol-
ster our point.
Kesari said Shivam
Bungalows, the residen-
tial society in which she
lives, was declared as a
micro-containment
zone after it saw an in-
crease in the number of
positive COVID-19 cases.
“When I cross-checked
the details with the local
health officer, he said
there were 20 positive
cases. I know of 31 from
my society, who were di-
agnosed by a private
The number of new cases began to rise again after Diwali. laboratory,” she said.
She further alleged
that the private labora-
different organizations’
agencies. This person
tory appears to keeps
two lists--one for the In-
asked not to be named
for fear of reprisal from
dian Council of Medi-
cal Research (ICMR)
the government and the
lab itself.
and the other for the “Many patients who
corporation--with dis- have been diagnosed by
parate data. our laboratory had ini-
Kesari’s allegations tial difficulty in getting
seem to have a ground- admission at the city-
ing in the facts run Sardar Vallabhbhai
A staffer at one of Patel (SVP) hospital. In
Ahmedabad’s private addition, the AMC does
laboratories told First not pay any attention to
India that civic officials asymptomatic patients,
have in fact instructed nor do their homes get
them to prepare two a red (COVID-19 alert)
lists of the COVID-19 sticker,” this person
positive cases for two added. Turn to P6
www.firstindia.co.in I www.firstindia.co.in/epaper/ I twitter.com/thefirstindia I facebook.com/thefirstindia I instagram.com/thefirstindia
NEWS
AHMEDABAD | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 02, 2020
02

BJP MLA CALLS FOR LOVE JIHAD LAW IN GUJ

Dabhoi people’s representative Shailesh Mehta
termed it “protection for Hindu girls & women”
First India Bureau
Vadodara: The Love
Jihad Act which was
enacted in the state of
Uttar Pradesh recently,
has already reported its
first case under the new
law at Deorania police
station in the district of
Bareilly. While Assam
is deliberating intro-
duction of a new legis-
lation that will ask cou-
ples to declare their re-
ligion and income, Bi-
har may enact the Love
Jihad ordinance as
well. The demand for
the law in Gujarat was
made by Dabhoi MLA
of Bharatiya Janata
Party (BJP) Shailesh
Mehta on Tuesday.
Announcing his sup-
port for the legislation,
Mehta stated that he
would make suitable rep-
resentation to the state
government to imple-
ment the act in the state.
He cited a wave of
‘love jihad’ sweeping
the nation as the reason
for his demand and also
the implementation of
BJP MLA Shailesh Mehta
the law in the state of
Uttar Pradesh. “As far
as Gujarat is concerned,
it has always been first
when it comes to Hindu-
tva, so how can it lag
behind in enacting a
law protecting Hindu
girls and women,” ques-
tioned Mehta.
“Despite the COV-
ID-19 pandemic wreck-
ing havoc in the coun-
try, with new cases be-
ing reported every day,
instead of strengthen-
Salient features of the
UP Love Jihad Act
z Those found guilty of conversion
done through misrepresentation, force,
undue influence, coercion, allurement
or by any fraudulent means, would face
imprisonment of one to five years and a
minimum fine of `1,500.
z If a minor belonging to a Scheduled
Caste or a Scheduled Tribe is coverted,
then those found guilty would have to
face a jail term of three to 10 years,
with minimum fine of `25,000.
z If several people are converted, then
ing the health services
those found guilty would face jail terms
and hiring more doc- of three to 10 years, with a minimum
tors and paramedical of `50,000 penalty.
teams, BJP leaders have
taken to distracting the z Under Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of
public. That in itself Unlawful Conversion of Religion Ordi-
shows how the state as nance, 2020 (Uttar Pradesh Vidhi Virudh
well as the central has
failed to gain control
Dharma Samparivartan Pratishedh
over the transmission Adhyadhesh) proposes among other
of the virus, and is us- things that marriage will declared “shu-
ing issues such as ‘love nya” (null and void), if the sole intention
jihad’ to cover it up,” al-
leged Prashant Patel,
of it is to change a girl’s religion.
President of Vadodara
Congress Committee.

TRUE OR FALSE: Is the state TARIFF RELIEF

`800 for RT-PCR
govt hiding facts from the HC? test at private labs,
DyCM Nitin Patel visited a kidney hospital set to
admit nCoV patients in East A’bad on Tuesday
`1.1K for home test
CM Rupani also laid foundation stones of developmental
First India Bureau
projects to come up in Vadodara at cost of `344 crore
Gandhinagar: The
state government on
Tuesday informed the
Gujarat High Court that
the COVID-19 pandemic
has been brought under
control and that the
number of cases, de-
mand of oxygen supply
and Remdesivir drug,
had lowered over the
past few days cases.
When Advocate Gen-
eral Kamal Trivedi was
putting forth the state-
ment before the first
division bench compris- The charges of RT-PCR testing have been reduced from `1,500 at laboratories and
ing Chief Justice `2,000 for a home test. —FILE PHOTO
Vikram Nath and Jus-
tice JB Pardiwala, Dep- First India Bureau jarat Cancer & Re-
uty Chief Minister Ni- search Institute has 23
tin Patel inaugurated gen demand had in- Gandhinagar: The patients, IKDRC has
the New Kidney Hospi- creased to 240 MT per state government has 62 and UN Mehta has
tal in the eastern part day in the month of finally budged and five nCoV patients.
of the city, where 418 September, dropped to lowered the charges Around 1,700 people
beds have been readied 135 MT in the first for COVID-19 testing are receiving treat-
for nCoV patients. week of October, and at private laborato- ment for the virus in
Due to a shortage of has increased to 190 to ries. Now, people will the Medi City and yet
beds in private hospi- 200 MT per day now. have to shell out just 600 beds are available
tals last week, local Yet, the government `800 for RT-PCR test- for occupation.
civic body Ahmedabad has not shied away ing at laboratories Meanwhile, Chief
Municipal Corporation from stating that the and Rs1,100 for home CM Vijay Rupani Minister Vijay Rupa-
(AMC) transferred demand for oxygen service. This decision ni on Tuesday e-dedi-
more than 80 patients to supply has reduced. has been declared af- New Kidney Hospital cated and laid the
COVID-19 hospitals in On Monday, the state ter the Supreme Court in the Civil Hospital foundation stone of
Kheda and Anand. Patel reported 1,502 new pulled up states and (Asarwa) campus, various developmen-
had stated that AMC nCoV cases and 20 asked them to have where arrangements tal projects worth
had decided to send pa- deaths, on November uniform tariffs for have been made for Rs344.45 crore of the
tients to neighbouring 29, there were 1,564 testing across the COVID- 19 patients- Vadodara Municipal
districts, where the cases and 16 deaths country. -taking the total beds Corporation (VMC) in
health facilities were ly- and on November 28, Earlier, the state dedicated for them at the presence of Guja-
ing unused. the state recorded government had Medi City (as the Civil rat Legislative Assem-
The state health de- 1,598 cases and 15 capped the amount Hospital campus is bly Speaker Rajendra
partment had also is- deaths. Despite the for testing at Rs1,500 formally known) to Trivedi.
sued a circular asking data painting a picture for laboratories, 2,100. The move comes “In order to make
all oxygen manufac- contrary to what the which has now been in anticipation of a the cities of Gujarat
turers to ensure that government is claim- lowered to `800. This surge in cases. Out of at par with modern
50% of their produc- ing, the health crisis also means that pri- 418 beds at the hospi- cities of the world,
tion is diverted to hos- situation seems miles vate hospitals will no tal, 336 are equipped the state government
pitals, health centres from being ‘under con- longer be able to with oxygen, 86 beds has extensively set
to meet medical re- trol’. So, the question charge `2,000 for have ventilators. up basic and infra-
quirements. The offi- that arises is, why is home service. In all the dedicated structural facilities
cial statement indicat- the government at- Deputy Chief Min- COVID-19 hospitals, for the overall devel-
ed a surge in COVID-19 tempting to mislead Deputy CM Nitin Patel and Principal Secretary (Health) Jayanti Ravi visiting the COVID-19 ister Nitin Patel on out of 1,200 beds, 661 opment of cities,”
cases. According to the public and also the ward of the New Kidney Hospital at Manju Shree Mill campus near Civil Hospital Asarwa in Tuesday visited the are occupied. The Gu- said the CM.
the statistics, the oxy- judiciary? Ahmedabad on Tuesday. —PHOTOS BY HANIF SINDHI
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GUJARAT AHMEDABAD | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2020
03

HC advises state govt to MOS Home orders probe

into former MLA’s event
take timely action for nCoV
Court may order mandatory community service at COVID-care centres for people caught maskless
First India Bureau

Tapi: In a belated ef-

fort to save face for
the state government,
First India Bureau JUST DO IT Minister of State for
Home Pradipsinh
Ahmedabad: The Gu- Jadeja has ordered an
jarat High Court on inquiry into a social
Tuesday observed that event hosted by a for-
the state government mer MLA from the
needed to deal with Bharatiya Janata Par-
the COVID-19 pandem- ty. The move comes
ic situation in an effi- after videos emerged
cient manner. It also showing a large crowd
warned that if action at the engagement A still from a video of the event shows a large crowd of people.
is not taken now, it ceremony of the
may result in worsen- granddaughter of for- out masks. the event. He said he
ing of the health crisis mer tribal affairs As these clips gained had no idea of any mass
in the state. Further- minister and MLA traction on social me- gathering.
more, the court asked from Songadh constit- dia, the Tapi District As more criticism be-
the state to decide uency, Kanti Gamit. Collector and District gan to come in, Gamit
whether to send peo- It is to be remem- Superintendent began handed his phone over
ple without face masks bered that the state gov- to avoid calls and mes- to a relative who courte-
to COVID-19 care cen- High Court of Gujarat. —FILE PHOTO ernment has capped the sages from mediaper- ously informed callers
tres for a week of com- ment in the pandemic number of guests for sons asking for their that there had been two
munity service or not. the state was in a dilem- let in the Shakespear- this issue, then the peo- situation in the state weddings and other so- comments on the action separate events—Tulsi
The first division ma on whether to imple- ean play’—“To be or not ple will never under- over the past three days, cial events to 100. taken against the mem- Vivah and the engage-
bench comprising ment the high court’s to be....” stand the gravity of the the court pointed out Gamit’s granddaugh- ber of the ruling party ment—and that the en-
Chief Justice Vikram recommendation to In response, the court situation,” the court that the situation cannot ter was engaged on for violation of COV- gagement had seen very
Nath and Justice JB punish people who step advised that its recom- said, and gave the state “become better” in a Monday, and an evening ID-19 protocols. few guests.
Pardiwala has been out without wearing mendation, if enforced until Wednesday to de- span of three days. of music was held as BJP district commit- When news channels
hearing COVID-19 pan- masks, by sending them now, could be reviewed a cide, after which the The government’s part of the engagement tee president Jayramb- started airing these
demic suo motu along to do social service at a week later. But, if it is court will take a call. claim had been based on festivities. Videos from hai Gamit went on the clips on Tuesday, Minis-
with clubbed petitions COVID-19 care centre. not implemented now, Expressing surprise a rise in bed availability Monday’s event show defensive to claim that ter of State for Home
to related issues. Trivedi equated the gov- then it may be of no use at the advocate general’s and a fall in daily oxygen that hundreds of people barely anyone had been Pradipsinh Jadeja
Advocate General Ka- ernment’s conundrum later. “If the government submission that there consumption and de- participated in the gar- present at the period in swung into action and
mal Trivedi submitted to that of Prince Ham- will not be serious about had been an improve- mand for Remdesivir. ba event—most, with- which he had attended ordered an inquiry.

AMC paying crores for Only 50% teaching & non-teaching

staff can be called to work: State govt
New cases fall below
1.5K, but Guj at No. 8
private COVID-19 beds First India Bureau non-grant-in-aid
schools to strictly abide
their duties there.
Sources say that the
among worst-hit states
First India Bureau Gandhinagar: The by the Standard Operat- pandemic may also af- —FILE PHOTO
state home depart- ing Procedures (SOPs), fect next year’s state
Ahmedabad: The ment through a circu- and to operate only Board exams for Class
Ahmedabad Munici- lar has now directed from 7.30 am to noon. X and XII. Instead of
pal Corporation is Secondary and Higher Although the state edu- holding exams in
paying crores of ru- Secondary schools to cation department has March, the state might
pees for private beds call only 50% of their postponed its plan to decide to hold them
for COVID-19 pa- teaching and non- resume on-campus only in May, for which
tients, even as it fails teaching staff to work. learning, staff continue the form-filling process
to use its own infra- The circular also to be expected to attend is likely to begin in Jan-
structure optimally. asks to grant-in-aid and school and carry out uary, they add.
Way back in May,
private hospitals were A warning sign outside the home of a COVID-19 patients.
told that the civic body
would pay them Rs15
lakh up front to re-
MAKING WAY FOR THE NEW First India Bureau

serve beds for COV- Gandhinagar: The 1,477 cases, 15

ID-19 patients. The Ahmedabad’s VS Hospital has been defunct for almost two years state’s death toll has fatalities take state
AMC has now desig- now, but the Congress has been calling for it to be reopened and now crossed 4,000, tally to 2,11,257
nated more than 100 used for the treatment of COVID-19 patients. —FILE PHOTO with another 15 fatali- cases, toll to 4,004
private hospitals for ties occurring over a
COVID-19 treatment. “The BJP and its of- Congress party has been 24-hour span. Tues-
While it has capped ficials are using the demanding that the day also saw Gujarat of new cases, with 332.
the cost of beds, the process of acquir- AMC reopen VS (Vadilal at No. 8 in terms of Cases also emerged in
AMC it currently pays ing private beds to line Sarabhai) hospital the number of COV- Surat (254), Vadodara
Rs720 per bed per day their own pockets at a (which has been shut for ID-19 cases, having (181), Rajkot (160),
for empty beds without cost to the common almost two year), but seen a total of 2,11,257 Mehsana (67), Gandhi-
ventilation support. people. The AMC could that demand is categori- cases since March. nagar (64) and Kheda
Empty beds with venti- have very well cally being ignored so The only sliver of (48), among others.
lation support in isola- strengthened its own that their (BJP leaders’) good news is that, at There are now 14,885
tion wards are costing hospitals for the relatives get the money. 1,477, the number of active cases, with 81 pa-
the city Rs1,800 per bed amount of money it This is a scam by the of- new cases was below tients on ventilator sup-
per day, while occupied has paid—and is con- ficials and BJP people. 1,500 for the first time port, according to the
beds without ventila- tinuing to pay—pri- Who goes and checks in several days. state health department.
tion support cost vate hospitals,” said whether the beds are ac- Of the new deaths, 1 Meanwhile, the con-
Rs4,500 per bed per day. Dinesh Sharma, for- tually occupied?” occurred in Ahmedabad, ductor of a private bus
Every occupied bed mer leader of the op- First India reached two, in Surat and one was arrested for allow-
with ventilation sup- position. out to half a dozen AMC each, in Amreli, Patan, ing 51 passengers on
port in an isolation He added, “Right from officials, but all of them A farmer burns post-harvest stubble in a paddy field near Sanand on Tuesday. The practice and Vadodara. board when the number
ward costs the AMC the beginning of the refused to comment on is more commonly seen in Punjab, Haryana and UP. —PHOTO BY HANIF SINDHI Ahmedabad again was to be capped at 39—
Rs11,250 per day. COVID-19 pandemic, the this issue. saw the highest number 50% of the bus capacity.

EXPERT SPEAK

Waste management during pandemic nets Surat ‘model city’ tag

First India Bureau The study was sup- during COVID-19”, or- the role of the informal of fruitful international

ported by the Royal ganized by the Indo-Nor- sector in efficient waste collaboration to find
Study was Surat: An Indo-Norwe- Norwegian Embassy in wegian project team and management. more local solutions to
gian study of the COV- New Delhi and jointly attended by invited ex- Study co-author Dr global issues.”
supported ID-19 pandemic’s im- conducted by an Indo- perts who discussed the Hans Nicolai Adam The study illuminates
by the Royal plications on the infor- Norwegian project
team (INOPOL) from
impact of the COVID-19
situation on key aspects
pointed out: “More inter-
disciplinary work of this
that while Surat holds
the capacity to treat bio-
mal sector and bio-
Norwegian medical and plastic Norwegian Institute for of the waste manage- nature needs to be con- medical waste, the direct
Embassy in waste generation and
handling, conducted
Water Research (NIVA),
Mu Gamma Consult-
ment ecosystem.
The experts also high-
ducted, and linked to
policy processes to find
and indirect impacts of
COVID-19 have severely
New Delhi and in Surat between ants Pvt Ltd (MGC), and lighted the fact that the broad-based, equitable, disrupted formal and in-
March and July has Toxics Link. vulnerability of the in- and environmentally formal plastic waste
jointly con- found Surat to be a The findings of the re- formal workers to liveli- friendly solutions that value chains. Health
ducted by an model city, and said port were released dur-
ing a webinar on “The
hood and health risks
needs to be reduced, and
involve the neglected in-
formal sector, and com-
risks from exposure to
contaminated biomedi-
the practices from the
Indo-Norwe- Diamond City can be Informal Sector, plastic, called for greater recog- bat plastic pollution in a cal waste of frontline
gian team emulated elsewhere in
the state and country.
and biomedical waste-
perspectives and trends
A sanitation worker carries a bag of biomedical waste to be
disposed of, in Ahmedabad. —FILE PHOTO
nition of and support to
this group to strengthen
joint manner. The study
also highlights the value
informal workers was
another key concern.
www.firstindia.co.in I www.firstindia.co.in/epaper/ I twitter.com/thefirstindia I facebook.com/thefirstindia I instagram.com/thefirstindia
NO HEADWAY IN
IN-DEPTH
TALKS, FARMERS TO
CONTINUE PROTEST
N
ot much headway was made at
Tuesday’s talks between the gov-
ernment and farmers. The gov-
ernment said it won’t repeal the
laws, while farmers refused to
end their agitation unless the laws were
rolled back. With neither side ready to con-
cede ground, farmers refused to call off
their protests on Haryana-Delhi and Noida-
Delhi borders. The only forward movement
was that the government dropped its condi-
tion asking the protesters to shift to Burari
prior to talks. The farmers softened their
stand and joined the negotiations. The two
sides left the door ajar for the next round of
parleys on December 3.
In an effort to defuse the crisis the Central
government had invited leaders of 35 farm-
ers unions for a dialogue to find a way out
of the imbroglio. The initiative failed to re-
solve the issue as farmers voiced their res-
ervations over the government’s proposal to
form a committee comprising its represent-
atives and four or five nominees of farmers
unions to discuss the new agricultural laws.
The government gave a presentation of the
contentious minimum support price (MSP)
and the Agricultural Produce Market Com-
mittee (APMC) Act but the farmers were not
convinced.
With thousands of farmers on the war-
path, a concerted attempt was being made to
discredit and politicise the movement. Kan-
gana Ranaut, the unofficial spokesperson of
the Bharatiya Janata Party, tweeted that
“same dadi who featured in Time magazine
for being the most powerful Indian…she is
available for Rs 100” and alleged that the face
of Shaheen Bagh’s anti-CAA agitation had
joined the farmers’ protest for some money
and food. The news was found to be false and
Kangana had to delete the tweet.
The other charge levelled was that of
Khalistani elements joining the protests.
Going by the sheer size of the protest it
would not be unsurprising for some such
elements to sneak in but to blame the farm-
ers for playing into the hands of extremists
is mischievous propaganda. In fact, it won’t
be surprised if some vested political inter-
ests infiltrated the protesters only to dis-
credit the farmers’ movement by raising
such slogans.
The agitation which entered the sixth day
on Tuesday got support from Canadian
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The first
world leader to comment on the protest
Trudeau said, “Canada will always be there
to defend the rights of peaceful protests.” He
said the “situation is concerning and we are
all very worried.” Trudeau’s comments
must have been directed towards the Sikh
community in Canada but they drew a
strong response from New Delhi. Labour
MPs in Britain also voiced their concern
over the protests.
With prominent sports persons returning
their national awards, there is a fear that un-
like the anti-CAA stir, this protest could give
the Centre the winter chills.
Women become collateral damage in COVID-19 pandemic
M
ao Zedong once
stated that
“Women hold
up half the sky.”
This has been
particularly true over the
past months with COVID-19
wreaking havoc across the
globe. In fact, it is legiti-
mate to claim that during
the pandemic, women have
held up significantly more
than their share of the sky.
Anyone who has regularly
gone shopping in their local
supermarket can attest to
that. Even at the height of
the pandemic in the spring
of this year, women cash-
iers, women stocking the
shelves, women at the infor-
mation counter, women
counting the number of
customers entering and
leaving the store continued
to show up for work, assur-
ing that a modicum of “nor-
malcy” was maintained.
Add to that the myriad of
women in health services
and education, to mention
 Vol 2  Issue No. 8  RNI NO. GUJENG/2019/16208. Printed and published by Anita Hada Sangwan on behalf of First Express Publishers. Printed at Bhaskar Printing Planet Survey No.148P, Changodar-Bavla Highway, Tal. Sanand, Dist. Ahmedabad.
Published at D/302 3rd Floor Plot No. 35 Titanium Square, Scheme No. 2, Thaltej Taluka, Ghatlodiya, Ahmedabad. Editor-In-Chief: Jagdeesh Chandra. Editor: Anita Hada Sangwan responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act
BJP’S BIG PLANS FOR SMALLER
GAINS IN HYDERABAD
PRASHANT
SAXENA
INDEPENDENT
POLITICAL ANALYST
I
For most, the
BJP’s newfound
enthusiasm is
based on its
victory in the
recent Dubbak
(Siddipet)
Assembly by-
election. Many
believe the
party is
preparing the
ground for the
2023 Assembly
and then for the
2024 Lok
Sabha polls.
These
conclusions are
at best abrupt.
While each
party wants to
expand its base,
in the case of
BJP, which has
a full majority
in the Lok
Sabha, things
appear different
only the most prominent
sectors, and the Herculean
effort women have made to
alleviate the fallout of this
crisis becomes glaringly ob-
vious. And this does not
even touch upon the too-of-
ten forgotten, because unre-
munerated, work women
have done in the privacy of
their homes, as wives and
mothers guaranteeing the
continued smooth running
of the household. Or the
fact that once schools
closed, mothers took on the
extra task of homeschool-
ing their kids, countless of ID-19 has once again proved
them having to make the the point. Women have been
choice of sacrificing their among the most prominent
jobs in order to do so. victims of COVID-19, not
necessarily as direct casual-
SHORT END ties — men have generally
OF THE STICK
More often than not, unfor-
been more likely than wom-
en to die from coronavirus-
tunately, reality is not a ro- related health problems —
mance novel — apprecia- but as the objects of COV-
tion does not come easy. ID-19’s “collateral damage.”
And often enough, good In the process, the pandem-
people end up getting the ic has dealt a significant
short end of the stick. COV- setback to gender equality.
PERSPECTIVE AHMEDABAD | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2020
04
n our country, there have
been several precedents to
suggest why smaller parties
became a big game changer
and why big parties became
a small, yet effective, stake-
holder. Southern states offer
several parallels, where re-
gional parties, with the ex-
ception of Leftists in Kerala,
have prospered at the ex-
pense of national parties.
But what do you figure out
from civic elections, where
storm water drains, civic amen-
ities such as roads and bijli-
paani are supposed to be the
key issues? These polls were
generally fought without party
affiliations, but circumstances won nine, BJP four, Congress again local level polls. These
have forced councilors and three, and AIMIM one. are very significant as they’d
mayors to toe political lines. The issues in the GHMC test, for the first time, the
The Greater Hyderabad Mu- polls are similar to the ones Central policies, including
nicipal Corporation (GHMC) elsewhere in any civic body. the abrogation of Art 370
elections are an eye-opener: the But the BJP has chosen to
IN THE CASE OF GHMC and 35-A provisions.
BJP has dispatched party chief attack what it calls the POLLS, ANY
JP Nadda, Home Minister Amit greater “evil” – the Nizam SIGNIFICANT THE KOLKATA LINK
Shah, and UP CM Yogi Adi- culture, where well-to-do IMPROVEMENT IN THE In the case of GHMC polls,
yanath, all guns blazing, to families prospering in the any significant improvement
BJP TALLY WOULD
wrest the civic body. The ques- erstwhile princely state con- in the BJP tally would send
tion is not if the BJP will win tinue to dominate the politi- SEND OUT A LOUD out a loud message in West
the polls. The bigger question cal scene. MESSAGE IN WEST Bengal. A breach in the Owai-
is: why such a blitzkrieg for, af- BENGAL. A BREACH IN si citadel of old Hyderabad
ter all, civic body polls? BJP’S STRATEGY would only add to BJP’s glee.
THE OWAISI CITADEL
For most, the BJP’s new- So, in a manner, the BJP
FACTS & FIGURES found enthusiasm is based OF OLD HYDERABAD strategy is not based as much
The GHMC has 74 lakh vot- on its victory in the recent WOULD ONLY ADD TO on winning the GHMC polls.
ers from 24 assembly con- Dubbak (Siddipet) Assembly BJP’S GLEE The party, in fact, wants to
stituencies and five Lok Sab- by-election. Many believe derive the maximum benefit
ha segments. In the last civic the party is preparing the for a larger share in the Ben-
polls, the BJP managed to ground for the 2023 Assem- gal sweepstakes. That’s why
win only four seats. The rul- bly and then for the 2024 the high-octane campaign in
ing Telangana Rashtra Lok Sabha polls. These con- Hyderabad.
Samithi (TRS) of Chief Min- clusions are at best abrupt. polls are due early next year In a lighter vein, Owaisi has
ister Chandrashekhar Rao While each party wants to followed by in Tamil Nadu. reportedly said he is now a
was the frontrunner with 99 expand its base, in the case The AIMIM has decided to ‘laila’ being lured by all par-
seats followed by AIMIM of BJP, which has a full ma- field its candidates in the Mus- ties. He has a point. All parties,
(All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul jority in the Lok Sabha, lim majority areas – more than opposed to the BJP, now want
Muslimeen) of Asaduddin things appear different. The 100 -- in the 294-member West to court him so that he doesn’t
Owaisi, 44 in a house with party is known to “shock” Bengal Assembly. This has al- cut into their Muslim votes.
150 wards. In the 2018 As- its adversaries and “awe” its ready alarmed the ruling Tri- Something of that sort is
sembly polls, the ruling TRS allies – the high political namool Congress of Mamata very much in evidence in Ta-
was way ahead of its rivals; drama in Madhya Pradesh Banerjee, who has activated mil Nadu, where the ruling
it has 100 MLAs in the and Rajasthan in the run-up her minority front. AIADMK, a nonchalant NDA
119-member House (exclud- to the Bihar polls is a shin- Then there are district ally, is on guard. The BJP is
ing one nominated). The ing example. In Bihar, the council polls taking place in encouraging smaller parties
TRS is unrivalled and un- AIMIM, in fact, indirectly J&K. By all indications, the being led by Tamil film stars
yielding in the civic polls. helped the NDA by dividing BJP is going to fare much to contest the May 2021
For it, BJP is a rabble-rous- the Muslim votes of Lalu better in these polls (which polls, so that pro-Dravidian
ing divisive party. Prasad’s RJD and Congress. will continue till later this votes are divided.
In the 2019 parliamentary The party is now looking at month and results will be THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY
polls, out of the 17 seats, TRS West Bengal where Assembly out soon after), which are THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL
Top
TWEET
among non-college-educat-
ed women, by 15%. On a Dr Harsh Vardhan
global scale, the consulting @drharshvardhan
firm McKinsey has estimat- India’s pragmatic, evidence-based
ed that job losses caused by response to AIDS has provided
remarkable results with 86%
the pandemic have been reduction in new HIV infections
around 1.8 times higher for since 1997 & 37% since 2010.
women than for men. Under our ‘Treat All’ approach,
The impact of the pan- we run the world’s 2nd largest
demic has been particularly Antiretroviral treatment program
with 1.3 mn people on free ART
severe for women with chil-
dren. The temporary clos-
ing of nurseries and schools Ravi Shankar Prasad
@rsprasad
in early spring meant a sub-
@narendramodi government
stantial increase in the time has procured 19% more paddy
women spent on childcare, during the current kharif
including homeschooling. marketing season so far at 318
In general, women ac- (43%); and services such as All of this, of course, repre- lakh tonnes for over Rs 60,000
crore. Out of which, Punjab alone
count for roughly 40% per- arts, recreation and public sents unpaid labor, done, at has contributed 202.77 lakh
cent of the global work- administration (46%).” least in part, to allow men to tonnes, which is 63.76 per cent
force. Unfortunately, as a As a result, women have continue to work in their of total procurement.
post on the website of the been disproportionately af- higher-paying jobs. This, at
World Economic Forum fected by layoffs. In Switzer- least, is the conclusion de-
has pointed out, “they are
over-represented in three
land, for instance, 3% of the
country’s workforce lost
rived from an Austrian
study. In couples with at
Spiritual
of the four most in-decline their job as a result of the least one child, the study SPEAK
parts of the global econo- pandemic; 70% of them found, women spent on av-
my” as a result of the pan- were women. In the United erage nine and a half hours It is not eyes that are blinded
demic: “accommodation States, between March and per day doing unpaid work, but blinded are the hearts.
and food services (54%); early April, female employ- men around seven. —Surah Al-Haj 22:46
retail and wholesale trade ment dropped by 13%; SOURCE: FAIR OBSERVER
www.firstindia.co.in I www.firstindia.co.in/epaper/ I twitter.com/thefirstindia I facebook.com/thefirstindia I instagram.com/thefirstindia
Protest to continue, say farmer
leaders after talks with govt
Chanda Singh, a representative of protesting farmers, said that their protest will continue
till they take something from the government “be it bullets or peaceful solution”
New Delhi: Represent-
atives of farmers, who
held talks with the gov-
ernment on Tuesday
over their demand for
the repeal of three new
farm laws, said that
the meeting remained
inconclusive and they
will continue their
protest.
A farmer leader also
said that the meeting
was good and some pro-
gress was made and
during the next meeting
with government on
Dec 3, they will con-
vince it that the new
farm bills are not pro-
farmer. Chanda Singh,
a representative of pro-
testing farmers, later
told the media that
their protest will con-
tinue till they take
something from the
government “be it bul-
lets or peaceful solu-
tion”. —ANI
TAKING UP A NEW ROLE...
Actor-turned politician Urmila Matondkar joins Shiv Sena in presence of party President and
Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray, Rashmi Thackeray and others in Mumbai.
Railway freight records 9%
increase in November: Ministry
New Delhi: The Indian
Railways’ freight fig-
ures continue to main-
tain the high momen-
tum in terms of earn-
ings and loading as it
records a 9% increase
in the month of Novem-
ber 2020, the Railway
Ministry said. “In the
month of November
2020, Indian Railways
loading was 109.68 mil-
BRAHMOS MISSILE SUCCESSFULLY
HITS TARGET IN TEST FIRE
New Delhi: The anti-
ship version of BrahMos
supersonic cruise missile
with a strike range of 300
kilometers successfully
hit its target ship in a test
fire on Tuesday. As per
sources, the target was
set near the Car Nicobar
islands in the Bay of
Bengal, and the (DRDO)-
developed missile was
launched from the Indian
FARMERS’ PROTESTS
Bhim Sena activists join farmers during their ‘Delhi Chalo’ protest against Centre’s new farm reform laws, at Ghazipur border in New Delhi
on Tuesday.
SHED ARROGANCE, GIVE JUSTICE TO
FARMERS: RAHUL TO GOVT
New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi asked the government to wake up and
shed “arrogance” to provide protesting farmers their rights. Farmers, mostly from
Punjab and Haryana, are holding protests at the Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur borders
of the national capital against the Centre’s new agri-marketing laws. Taking to Twit-
ter, Gandhi said everyone was indebted to the farmers for their hard work and this
debt would be repaid only by giving them justice. “The food grower is sitting in pro-
test on the roads and fields and speeches are being given on TV.We all are indebted
to the hard work of farmers. This debt will be over only by giving them justice and
their rights, and not by mistreating them or by beating them with batons.” —ANI
lion tonnes which is 9%
higher compared to last
year’s loading (100.96
Navy’s INS Ranvijay at
9.25 am. A land-attack
version of the BrahMos
supersonic cruise missile
was also successfully
test-fired from the Anda-
man and Nicobar Islands
territory earlier this week.
The BrahMos super-
sonic cruise missile is the
world’s fastest operational
system in its class, told a
few reliable sources.
—PHOTO BY PTI
million tonnes) for the
same period. Despite
festival holidays and
Cyclone Nivar affecting
freight loading, Indian
Railways continued to
register impressive fig-
ures in freight loading
in last three months (in
Oct 15%, in Sept 15%)
suggesting a steady eco-
nomic recovery,” said
the ministry.—ANI
STOCKS GALLOP TO CLOSING
HIGHS ON RECOVERY HOPES
Mumbai: Equity benchmarks surged to lifetime
closing highs on Tuesday as better-than-expected
GDP data and progress on the COVID-19 vaccine
front gave fresh impetus to investor bullishness.
A strengthening rupee and persistent foreign
capital inflows further boosted market sentiment,
traders said. The 30-share BSE Sensex zoomed
505.72 points or 1.15 per cent to end at its
fresh closing record of 44,655.44. Similarly, the
broader NSE Nifty surged 140.10 points or 1.08
per cent to close at its all-time high of 13,109.05.
INDIA
AHMEDABAD | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2020
05
HARYANA FARMERS RAISE SLOGANS,
SHOW BLACK FLAGS TO ANIL VIJ
Ambala: Haryana farmers raised slogans of ‘Kisan Ekta Zindabad’ and showed
black flags to Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij outside Panjokhra Sahib Gurud-
wara in Ambala on Monday.In a video from the protest site, the farmers can
be seen blocking the Minister’s car and raising anti-government slogans amid
their ongoing protest against central farm laws. “The farmers of Punjab are
our comrades. BJP leaders are saying that there are no farmers in the ongoing
protests against farm laws from Haryana, so we will protest against the leader
of BJP and central government like this to show our dissatisfaction with the
“black laws”,” said a farmer while aspeaking to media.
SUSPEND THREE UNION MINISTERS
FARM LAWS, SAYS MEET AT NADDA’S
CONGRESS RESIDENCE
New Delhi: Even as the Centre New Delhi: Union ministers Amit
held talks with farmer leaders over Shah, Rajnath Singh and Piyush
their demands, the Congress on Goyal attended a meeting over the
Tuesday welcomed the develop- farmers’ protest at BJP chief JP
ment but demanded that the three Nadda‘s residence on Tuesday.
farm laws be suspended immedi- The meeting was the latest in a
ately and all cases against protest- series of meeting of BJP lead-
ers withdrawn. “The government ers over the issue and lasted for
should talk to farmers with an open over two hours. The farmers have
heart and the PM should announce been seeking repeal of three laws
suspension of all three central farm enacted in September to liberalise
laws and withdrawal of all cases the farm sector and have been
against the farmers, “ Congress camping at Delhi’s borders. “The
Chief Spokesperson Randeep genuine grievances of the farmers
Singh Surjewala said. were addressed, sources said.
—PHOTO BY PTI
COPS DETAIN 82-YEAR-OLD BILKIS, ‘DADI’
OF SHAHEEN BAGH AS SHE JOINS PROTEST
New Delhi: 82-year-old Bilkis Bano, also known as the “Dadi” of Shaheen
Bagh protests fame, was detained by the Delhi Police on Tuesday after she
joined the agitating farmers at the Singhu border to raise her voice against the
recently enacted contentious farm laws. “We are the daughters of farmers...
We will raise our voice, the government should listen to us,” Bano was quoted
as saying by news agency ANI, earlier.Responding to a question posed by a
media network, “Dadi” said that she was going to provide solidarity to the
“kisan bhai” (an intimate term to refer to the farmers as ‘brothers’), who are
urging the administration to listen to their demands. —ANI
IN THE COURTYARD
SC disposes off
pleas seeking
SC rejects Chanda Kochhar’s Saradha scam:
CBI probes
removal of appeal against HC order TMC leader
Andhra CM New Delhi: The Su- bank and employee, the
Asif Khan
New Delhi: The Su- preme Court Tuesday apex court said.
preme Court on Tues- rejected the appeal filed The bench was hear-
day termed as “not by Chanda Kochhar ing Kochhar’s appeal
maintainable” two peti- against the Bombay against the March 5 or-
tions seeking the re- High Court order which der of the HC which
moval of YSR Jagan had dismissed her plea had dismissed the plea
Mohan Reddy as the against being removed against termination of
Chief Minister of as the managing director her services as manag- Kolkata: The CBI Tues-
Andhra Pradesh over and CEO of ICICI Bank. ing director & CEO of day interrogated for-
his alleged unbecoming Sorry, we are not in- ICICI Bank while not- mer Trinamool Con-
actions of levelling al- clined to interfere with tice Sanjay Kishan Kaul ing that dispute arises gress leader Asif Khan
legations against the the high court order, a said. This falls within from a contract of per- in connection with an
second senior-most bench headed by Jus- the realm of private sonal service. —PTI audio clip in connection
judge of the top court. with the multicrore ru-
A bench headed by pees Saradha scam.
Justice Sanjay Kishan
Kaul, disposed off the 2G scam: HC to hear HC notice to ECI
on Swami
Khan said that the in-
vestigation agency had
CBI appeal from Jan 13
two pleas filed by law- summoned him for test-
yers GS Mani and
Pradeep Yadav and said
Chakrapani’s plea ing his voice sample in
the audio clip but it
they are not maintain- New Delhi: The Delhi New Delhi: Delhi HC could not be done for
able. While hearing an-
other plea seeking to
High Court on Tuesday
said that it will hear
issued notice to the
Election Commission
some ‘technical rea-
sons’. “The CBI called
restrain Reddy from
making any further
statements in the al-
from January 13 an ap-
peal filed by the Central
Bureau of Investigation
of India and others on a
plea seeking direction
to allow the office bear-
me for testifying my
voice in an audio clip
which has been un-
leged Amaravati land (CBI) against the ac- ers of Akhil Bharat earthed by the probing
scam case, the bench quittal of all 2G spec- Sethi, who was hearing Hindu Mahasabha, in- agency. But this could
said, “When the gag or- trum scam accused, in- CBI appeal in 2G spec- cluding its president not be done for some
der has already been cluding former telecom trum allocation case, Swami Chakrapani, to technical reasons,” he
lifted by this court ear- minister A Raja. retired on November 30. contest Assembly elec- told newspersons.”I
lier, then how does this A single-judge bench Recently, Justice Sethi tions in several states will come and cooper-
prayer survive now?” of Justice Yogesh Khan- rejected several peti- under the party’s flag. ate whenever I am
Petition filed by one na said it will hear the tions of acquitted ac- A division bench of called again,” he said.
SK Singh, was tagged “leave to appeal” in the cused against sanctions CJ DN Patel & Justice Khan was interrogated
with another matter al- matter from January granted by the central Prateek Jalan issued by CBI in connection
ready pending before a 13. The case was trans- government for CBI to notice to respondents with Saradha scam in
bench headed by Justice ferred to Justice Khan- file an appeal against on the plea filed by 2014. He was arrested &
Ashok Bhushan. —ANI na after Justice Brijesh their acquittal. —ANI Chakrapani. —PTI is now on bail. —PTI
J&K: ABDULLAH’S BROTHER AMONG
ALLEGED LAND ENCROACHERS LJP THANKS RJD, SAYS WON’T
Jammu: The name of registered three separate CONTEST RS POLL IN BIHAR
Mustafa Kamal, brother of cases in pursuance of Patna: The LJP led by Chirag Paswan refused
former J&K Chief Minister the orders of Jammu and to take bait thrown by RJD to contest one RS
and National Conference Kashmir High Court on a seat in Bihar, while expressing gratitude to
President Farooq Abdul- Public Interest Litigation opposition party for extending support. The
lah, appears as an alleged related to the alleged Rs RS seat from Bihar fell vacant after the demise
illegal occupant of land 25,000 crore Roshini land Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan. The filing of
(other than Roshni) in the scam. This comes over nominations will start from Dec 3 and the elec-
document published by a month after the divi- tion, if needed, will be held on Dec 14. RJD had
Divisional Commissioner sion bench of the Jammu offered to support candidature of Ram Vilas’s
Jammu. On November and Kashmir high court widow Reena Paswan in case she wished to
16, the Central Bureau handed over the probe of challenge NDA candidate Sushil Kumar Modi.
of Investigation (CBI) the case to the CBI.
www.firstindia.co.in I www.firstindia.co.in/epaper/ I twitter.com/thefirstindia I facebook.com/thefirstindia I instagram.com/thefirstindia
INDIA
AHMEDABAD | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2020
06

COVID-19 shows a downward trend POWER Gallery

Coronavirus cumulative positivity rate in India dips from 7.15 % to 6.69% MERGER OF EIGHT RAILWAY
SERVICES IN PROGRESS
The merger of eight prominent Railway Services

Patients treated as untouchables

New Delhi: The cumu-
into Indian Railway Management Services (IRMS)
lative Covid-19 positiv-
ity rate has decreased is said to be in progress in Government of India.

if posters pasted near homes: SC

in India from 7.15 per The services of eight different cadres: Indian
cent to 6.69 per cent Railway Traffic Service, Indian Railway Service of
during November 11 to Engineer (Civil), Indian Railway Accounts Service,
December 1 period, the New Delhi: The Su- they are treated as un- Indian Railway service of Signal Engineers, Indian
Union Health Ministry preme Court said that PUNJAB REPORTS touchables. Railway service of Electrical Engineers, Indian
said on Tuesday. Health once posters are pasted 630 NEW Solicitor General Railway Service of Mechanical Engineers, Indian
Secretary Rajesh outside the homes of
COVID-19 CASES, Tushar Mehta, appear- Railway Stores Service, Indian Railway Personnel
Bhushan said that cu- COVID-19 patients, ing for the Centre, said Service are to be merged into one.
mulative positivity rate these people are treated 14 DEATHS that some states on
in the country dipped as "untouchables", re- Chandigarh: Punjab re- their own are pursuing WILL LT GEN SANJEEV SHARMA BE
from 7.15 per cent to flecting a different ported 630 new COVID-19 this practice to prevent DGMI?
6.69 per cent during No- "ground reality". The cases and 14 deaths on the spread of the virus. Lieutenant General Sanjeev Sharma is likely to be
vember 11 to December Centre informed the top Tuesday. According to the Tushar Mehta said appointed new Director General of the Military
1 period. “In November court that although it state Health Department, the Centre has filed its Intelligence (DGMI)
this year, the number has not prescribed this 812 people recovered reply to the plea in pur-
of recoveries has been DELHI REPORTS 4,006 NEW CASES rule, the practice has from infection in the suance of the top court's CHARANJIT SINGH QUITS INDIAN
more than the number nothing to do with "stig- last 24 hours. A total of direction asking it to STATISTICAL SERVICE

D
of new Covid-19 cases,” matising" COVID-19 pa- 1,52,709 cases of corona- consider issuing na- Charanjit Singh, Joint Director presently working
Bhushan said. With tients as it is aimed at virus have been recorded tionwide guidelines to
in the state which includes in AHS Division, Department of Animal Husband-
31,118 new Covid-19 in- protecting other people. do away with practice ry and Dairying, has resigned from the Indian
1,40,254 recoveries and
fections in the last 24 A bench of Justices of pasting posters out- Statistical Service (ISS). The Government of India
4,821 deaths. There are
hours, India’s active Ashok Bhushan, R Sub- side the homes of COV-
7,634 active cases in has accepted his resignation with effect from
cases stand at 4,35,603, hash Reddy and MR ID-19 patients.
the state. India reported November 30, 2020.
much below the five- Shah said that the 31,118 new COVID-19 "Let the counter filed
lakh mark, the Union ground reality is "some- infections in the last 24 by Union come on re- ASST COMMISSIONER TAKES
Ministry of Health and thing different" and as hours, according to the cord we will take it up VOLUNTARY RETIREMENT
Family Welfare in- once such posters are Health Ministry.—ANI on Thursday," the
Sueinderjeet Singh Chugh has taken voluntary
formed on Tuesday. pasted at their homes, bench said.
retirement w.e.f . November 26, 2020. He was
Asstt Commissioner at Chandigarh.

After high decibel campaigning, Shehla Rashid denies TUHIN KANTA PANDEY IS ALSO
SECRETARY, CORPORATE AFFAIRS

allegations of father Tuhin Kanta Pandey has been assigned an addi-

low voter turnout for GHMC polls New Delhi: Denying

Hyderabad: A high-
decibel, no holds barred
campaign involving a
battery of BJP leaders
such as Amit Shah ver-
sus the ruling TRS for
the Greater Hyderabad
Municipal Corporation
(GHMC) election was
followed by a low turn-
out polling on Tuesday.
About 35 percent of
the 74 lakh-odd voters
turned up to cast their
votes. Counting of votes
will be taken up on De-
cember 4. Polling passed
off peacefully, but not
without any glitch, as
repoll was ordered in
ward number 26 owing
to a symbol mix-up in-
Poaching case: Salman gets
exemption from appearance
capital, fielding the
“who’’s who” of the saf-
fron party, from Shah to
UP Chief Minister Yogi
Adityanath to Smriti
Irani, for canvassing of
votes.
While Shah assured
development to the
southern city and free it
from “Nizam Culture”
if voted to power, UP
TRS MLC Kalvakuntla Kavitha shows her finger marked with chief minister Adity-
indelible ink after casting vote during Greater Hyderabad Municipal anath, whose adminis-
Corporation (GHMC) elections in Hyderabad. —PHOTO BY PTI tration changed names
of Faizabad & Alla-
volving the two Left par- in on its surprise suc- habad in his state to
ties-- CPI and CPI (M), cess in the recent Dub- Ayodhya & Prayagraj, ,
officials said. Ballot pa- bak assemblyy bypoll, said Hyderabad could
pers were used in total the BJP seemed to have follow suit to become
150 wards of the corpo- upped the stakes in the ‘’Bhagyanagar’’ if his
ration. Aiming to cash- civic polls in the state party captured GHMC.
48.62 PERCENT TURNOUT IN SECOND
the allegation of threat-
ening her father with
death, student leader
Shehla Rashid said that
it was baseless. "What-
ever allegations have
been made against me
by my father are base-
less," Rashid said.
She added, "First of
all, I don't regard it as
an allegation because it
is like a fictional story. It
would have been an al-
legation if there was
any proof or document.
It is nonsense & false."
“On the contrary, she
had given a statement
on how her father has
been involved in vio-
lence against her, her
mother and sister. Ab-
Shehla Rashid
dul Rashid Shora, the
father of former JNU
students' union leader
Shehla, has alleged he is
facing a threat to life
from his daughter. Ab-
dul Rashid said he had
asked his daughter not
to take money because
it was coming from ille-
gal channels and would
be used for unlawful ac-
tivities. —PTI
tional charge of Secretary, Ministry of Corporate
Affairs till the return of the present incumbent
from leave. He is a 1987 batch IAS officer of
Odisha cadre.
SNEHLATA SRIVASTAVA TO BE
HONORARY OFFICER OF LOK SABHA
Outgoing Secretary General of the Lok Sabha,
Snehlata Srivastava has been appointed honor-
ary officer of the Lok Sabha. She is former 1982
batch IAS officer of Madhya Pradesh cadre.
PR. CCIT UP AND UTTARAKHAND
MEHROTRA TO MOVE TO
AHEMDABAD IN RERA
Principal CCIT UP and Uttarakhand - Ajay Mehro-
tra who is retiring today - will now move to Gand-
hinagar as Administrative /Technical Member of
newly constituted Gujarat Real Estate Appellate
Tribunal. The appointment is for five years or till
the age of 65. He is 1984 batch IRS(IT) officer.
LBSNAA TO APPOINT READER IN
HINDI ON DEPUTATION
Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Admin-
istration, Mussoorie, is seeking to fill up the post
of Reader in Hindi on deputation.
OUTGOING CS, RAJENDRA PRASAD
MANDAL IS CHAIRMAN, NAVA

Jodhpur: Actor Sal-

man Khan was on Tues-
PHASE OF DDC POLLS IN J&K
Srinagar: A 48.62 per- the Kashmir division.
RAIPUR DEV AUTHORITY
Outgoing Chief Secretary, Rajendra Prasad
Mandal will serve as Chairman, Nava Raipur Atal
day given exemption cent turnout was re- The election is signifi- Nagar Development Authority after retirement on
from appearance by a corded in the second cant as it is the first ma- November 30, 2020 in Chhattisgarh. He is a 1987
court here during the phase of polling in Dis- jor democratic exercise batch IAS officer of Chhattisgarh cadre.
hearing of an appeal by trict Development since the Centre abro-
him against the five- Council (DDC) elections gated Article 370 that MRS RENUKA GERA TAKES OVER AS
year sentence in the Oc- in Jammu and Kashmir gave special status to FIRST WOMAN DIRECTOR (IS&P),
tober 1998 blackbuck which passed off peace- J-K and bifurcated the BHEL
poaching case. fully on Tuesday. state into two union ter- Mrs Renuka Gera, Executive Director of BHEL,
Additional District Jammu region wit- ritories in August year. has taken over the charge as first woman Director
and Sessions Judge nessed 65.54 percent Poonch recorded the (Industrial System & Products), Bharat Heavy
Brajesh Panwar grant- voting, while Kashmir Voters wait in queues to cast their votes in Jammu. highest turnout of 75
Electricals Limited (BHEL). She succeeded S
ed the relief after valley recorded an aver- percent, while Pulwa-
Balakrishnan retired in November, 2020.
Khan’s counsel cited for the hearing could be age of 33.34 percent trict recorded the high- turnout of 51.76 was re- ma retained its position
the “rising” number of risky for the actor. turnout, state election est turnout in Kashmir corded in the first phase at the bottom, as in the
COVID-19 cases in The court has fixed commissioner K K at 69.66 percent which on November 28, 64.2 first phase, with just By arrangement with: http://
Mumbai and Jodhpur January 16 for the next Sharma told reporters was the third-highest in percent in the Jammu 8.67 percent people cast- whispersinthecorridors.com
and said that travelling hearing. here. Bandipora dis- the union territory. A division and 40.65 % in ing their votes.

FROM PG 1
No headway... me remind you, Cana- purpose is to break the vaccine. mation (AMRUT) cruise and the boarding made video film of 45- receive.d similar in-
The opposition par- da will always be there chain of COVID-19 Scheme, he added. point will be based on 60 minutes duration, formation in Surat
ties too stepped up the to defend the right of transmission. If we’re Yogi to... With this, LMC will the theme of Ram- based on Ramcharit- and Vadodara, which
pressure, asking the peaceful protest,” he able to vaccinate criti- With this, Lucknow be the first North Indi- charitmanas. The fully manas by Goswami raises another ques-
Centre to “respect the said speaking at an on- cal mass of people and becomes the ninth city an state to do so. Many air-conditioned 80-seat- Tulsidas, covering the tion: Are local bodies
democratic struggle” line event on Monday break virus transmis- in the country to have popular Bollywood ce- er cruise will have large period from the birth even counting patients
of the farmers and re- to mark the 551st birth sion, then we may not raised municipal lebrities are expected glass windows for expe- of Lord Ram to his Ra- diagnosed at private
peal the laws. anniversary of Guru have to vaccinate the bonds and the first to be present at the riencing the scenic jyabhishek. The entire laboratories in their
An earlier meeting Nanak Dev. Canada entire population,” city to issue such a venue and are expect- beauty of the Ghats. tour will cover approx- list of active cases?
on November 13 had has a significant num- Balram Bhargava said. bond after the launch ed to discuss the up- The cruise will be imately 15-16 Km dis- “The BJP-run gov-
failed to give any ber of Indians and —Agencies of AMRUT Scheme. coming film city pro- equipped with kitchen tance. There will be ernment is keeping
breakthrough and the most of them are from The funds raised ject of Uttar Pradesh. and pantry facilities for several activities and people in the dark,
next one was original- Punjab. —Agencies Clinical trials... through the bond will —ANI the comfort of the tour- selfie points inspired even at the cost of
ly scheduled for De- Dr. Reddy’s has part- be invested in various ists. The cruise con- by different episodes lives. People are suf-
cember 3, but it got May not... nered with the Bio- infrastructure Soon, enjoy... tains bio-toilets and hy- of Ramayan. The tour fering because of this
advanced due to the transmission is broken technology Industry schemes in the state “The cruise will be brid engines system for will be followed by Sar- mentality. There are
ongoing protests on by vaccinating the crit- Research Assistance capital, including the equipped with all luxu- the ‘zero effect’ on the yu Aarti, in which eve- cases everywhere we
Delhi borders. ical mass, then there is Council (BIRAC), De- water supply project ry comfort and facili- environment.” ry member will be able look, yet government
no need to vaccinate partment of Biotech- and housing project ties along with all es- “Tourists will be tak- to actively partici- data insists that every-
India: Trudeau’s... the whole population. nology (DBT) for advi- being implemented sential safety and secu- en on the ‘Ramcharit- pate.” —ANI thing is under con-
and friends and I “Vaccination would sory support and to under the Atal Mis- rity features at par with manas Tour’, of 1-1.5 trol,” said Dinesh
know that is a reality depend on the efficacy use BIRAC’s clinical sion for Rejuvenation the global standard. hour duration, featur- Has AMC... Sharma, former leader
for many of you. Let of the vaccine and our trial centres for the and Urban Transfor- The interiors of the ing an exclusively First India has also of the opposition.
 www.firstindia.co.in I www.firstindia.co.in/epaper/ I twitter.com/thefirstindia I facebook.com/thefirstindia I instagram.com/thefirstindia
TALKING POINT AHMEDABAD | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2020
07

—PHOTO BY MOHAMMAD SHAHNAWAZ

India’s New Education Policy

NOT PAYING The COVID-19 pandemic
holds the promise of a

ATTENTION
radical overhaul of what
we value in education

INSTITUTIONALIZATION URBANIZATION
Chittaranjan Kaul

I
t was instructive that probably the most

OF EDUCATION OF COMMUNITIES
consequential event in the life of the In-
dian Republic merited nothing more
than three pro-forma single-sentence refer-
ences to “epidemics and pandemics” in the

T
recently-adopted National Education Policy hree impor-
2020. The policy must have been discussed and tant mecha-
agreed by the Union Cabinet wearing masks, nisms of so-
a clear and present reminder of how much cial organization that
has changed. Yet the document approved ac- have been taken for
knowledges COVID-19 only to exhort higher granted in education
education institutions to undertake epide- during recent decades
miological research and advocate greater use are institutionaliza-
of technology in delivery mechanisms. tion, urbanization and
That is a pity. COVID-19 has brought lessons globalization. If COV-
in its wake that we will ignore at our peril. In ID-19 is not a one-off
a societal sense, the pandemic has laid bare event—and there is no
the fragile and counterproductive assump- reason to assume that
tions that underpin the way we have organ- it is given how exploita-
ized ourselves. Education, as the primary tive our engagement
mechanism that drives long-term change in a with our environment
society, must respond in a way that protects continues to be—each
and strengthens children today and the na- one of them must be
rows and columns in tres closed, COVID-19
classrooms and made has brought attention
them unfamiliar with squarely to the role of
their surroundings. It parents in the holistic
has taken them away development of their
from the productive young children. (We
use of their hands and started Sajag, a pro-
bodies, and valourized gramme for coaching
“brain work,” creating caregivers in nurtur-
an artificial crisis of ing care in April 2020.
periodic unemploy- It now reaches over 1.5
ment even before the million families and is
unimaginable destruc- set to expand further.
tion of employment Many others have
caused by COVID-19. started similar pro-
It has snapped chil- grammes.) By forcing
dren’s’ connections the closure of schools
with their land, their and colleges, COV-

tion tomorrow. reassessed for worth,
especially for how they
affect the future of our
children.
Institutionalization
has promoted the idea
that the only learning
worth our children’s
time and our money is
the one that is provided
in schools, colleges and
universities. Across
most of the world, this
has made learning in-
formation-centric and
—PHOTO BY MAHESH KUMAR A./AP uncritical. It has
packed children into
U
environment, their cul- ID-19 presents us with rbanization ourselves solely for only source of infor-
ture and their commu- the opportunity to ex- has caused economic efficiency. It mation promoted by
nities, replacing them plore what exactly is us to believe asks us to reconsider our policies, have con-
with words in ink on being lost when that ghettoization of how physical commu- sistently failed to ig-
paper or typeface on a schools close. It also people in cities is in- nities should be laid nite an examination
computer screen. In In- creates the possibility evitable as we “devel- out, how large they of the underlying as-
dia, a mindless peda- that we will discover op.” With economic should be, how they sumptions and the all
gogy has further en- how much there is to and social policies in should harmonize too visible outcomes
sured that institution- learn in communities, most countries orient- into the surrounding among our children.
alization fails even in on land, in relation- ed toward this shibbo- landscape and how COVID-19 has alert-
its own objectives as ships and in discovery leth, we have seen un- their cultural, eco- ed us to the downsides
student achievement and invention, outside hygienic conditions nomic and political of these Faustian bar-
in “learning metrics,” the school. It has the grow exponentially in sinews should func- gains. Its dramatic
mainly focused on lit- promise of suggesting cities, even as rural tion. spread is certainly a
eracy, numeracy and a radical overhaul of communities have We have also been result of our way of
data, has kept falling. what we value in edu- been devastated by the fed the inevitability of life, with air travel be-
With pre-school cen- cation. loss of populations. globalization, almost ing the primary vec-
Mental health chal- as a primal force. It is tor. The heart-break-
lenges in urban com- true that it promises ing spectacle of tens

GLOBALIZATION OF SOCIETY munities have become

alarming, accentuated
simply by the inhu-
economic efficiency,
but we have, in the
process, lost much. Di-
of millions of migrant
workers walking hun-
dreds of kilometres

T
he globalizing
impulse has
led to entire
education systems be-
ing unmoored from au-
thentic experience and
unresponsive to local
needs. As a result, it
has fostered and val-
ourized the creation of
an alienating and al-
ienated elite. The reac-
tion to that is a dis-
tressing level of anti-
intellectualism
throughout the world.
That, of course, cre-
ates the fodder for the
assembly line that is
perhaps the holy grail
of the globalizing phi- only tear everything aging our children, in-
losophy in the first apart. hibiting their learning
place, but it also cre- To the extent that we and creating a world
ates a dangerous level continue to regard glo- that is less fit for them.
of instability and irra- balization as self-evi- Time has come to drop
tionality in society dently good, we create the fiction that local
that can eventually the potential for dam- wisdom is somehow in-
ferior and to engage in
a meaningful dialogue
that hasn’t foreclosed
on the alternatives.
To disregard such
fundamental questions
in an education policy
adopted in the middle
of the pandemic makes
little sense. These
should be the subject
of widespread dia-
—PHOTO BY MOHAMMAD SHAHNAWAZ logue, including in our
schools and colleges, man stresses that ac- versity is the essence and sleeping on as-
before and after the company urban liv- of risk reduction and phalt roads in India’s
adoption of the policy. ing. For our young, it long-term survival scorching summer
The sensibilities that has meant few physi- and thriving, whether heat is another. They
arise from such delib- cal spaces for whole- at the level of an or- discovered that they
erations must inform some growth and play, ganization, a commu- had no means of sup-
our liberal education little opportunity for nity, a nation or, in- port, no community,
as well as the conduct meaningful commu- deed, evolution of life no fallback when their
of professions such as nity engagement, and itself. In a few short employment ceased.
engineering, town a social landscape decades, blinded by COVID-19 has also
planning, medicine, tragically barren of the promise of eco- awakened us rudely to
economics, sociology nurturing experienc- nomic efficiency, we the reality that having
and, indeed, education. es. have traded diversity the world’s fastest
An education policy By attacking dense- away for massive ine- GDP growth rate is no
that doesn’t even con- ly-packed urban com- quality and loss of lo- protection against
sider the questions rel- munities dispropor- cal skills, trades, ending up with the
evant to how our edu- tionately, COVID-19 crafts, self-reliance, world’s steepest fall in
cation system should has laid bare the fal- agency and autonomy. GDP and widespread
be structured has sure- lacy of organizing Our textbooks, the misery.
ly not paid attention.
SOURCE: FAIROBSERVER.COM
 You have to be your own

2ND FRONT
master and your own disciple
to ensure a successful life and
also contentment.
—Jagdeesh Chandra, CEO & Editor, First India

www.firstindia.co.in I www.firstindia.co.in/epaper/ I twitter.com/thefirstindia I facebook.com/thefirstindia I instagram.com/thefirstindia AHMEDABAD | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2020

08
WORLD INDIA GUJARAT
COVID-19
UPDATE 14,79,977 6,38,73,941 1,38,090 94,95,661 4,004 2,11,257
DEATHS CONFIRMED CASES DEATHS CONFIRMED CASES DEATHS CONFIRMED CASES
MAHARASHTRA UTTAR PRADESH KARNATAKA DELHI RAJASTHAN
47,246 DEATHS 18,28,826 CASES 7,761 DEATHS 5,43,888 CASES 11,792 DEATHS 8,86,227 CASES 9,260 DEATHS 5,74,380 CASES 2,331 DEATHS 2,70,410 CASES

DON’T SUPPRESS FACTS: SC State shifts 12 leopards

to RIL rescue camp
pulls up Guj over Rajkot fire
What kind of affidavit is this? Asks the apex court, and orders State to file a new one
First India Bureau

Junagadh: In a first
—FILE PHOTO

ever public-private
Shishir Awasthi partnership of sorts,

—FILE PHOTO
Inquiry the Gujarat Govern-
New Delhi: The Su- committee ment has handed over
preme Court on Tues- has been a dozen leopards, list-
day tore into the Guja- constituted. The ed under schedule 1
rat Government as it FIR was lodged of the Wildlife Pro-
returned an affidavit tection Act, 1972, for
by the State in Fri-
but people have their upkeep to the
day’s Rajkot fire at a got bail for what- Reliance Industries
Covid-19 hospital that ever reasons. Com- Limited (RIL)-owned
left 5 people dead, ask- missions after ‘Greens Zoological
ing it not to conceal commissions are Rescue and Rehabili-
the facts. constituted but tation Kingdom’
“We have seen Guja- nothing happens. based in Jamnagar. will ease the govern- porate social respon-
rat’s reply. Five people Forest officials said ment from the burden sibility) initiative
have died on the seventh —Justices Ashok 23 more leopards, which of feeding and incur- and to support the
floor. What kind of affi- Bhushan, R S Reddy were captured after ring others expenses to state forest depart-
davit is this? No at- and M R Shah, they came in conflict keep them in cages, a ment, the RIL has es-
Supreme Court of India
tempts should be made Five Covid-19 patients were killed in a fire at a Rajkot hospital (left); Supreme Court concerned over it. with the humans over forest official said. tablished a rescue
to suppress the facts,” the years, will be hand- These leopards were centre in Jamnagar
asserted a bench headed wondered the bench, what are they filing,” fire safety in hospitals utmost precautions ed over to the private kept at the Sakkarbaug district after obtain-
by Justice Ashok Bhush- also comprising Justic- the bench said. across the country. “The must be taken at a time rescue centre as part of Zoological Park in Jun- ing all the necessary
an, which had taken cog- es R S Reddy and M R Mehta told the bench Central government when the country is a memorandum of un- agadh. Officials said approvals from the
nisance of the incident. Shah. he would look into the have issued guidelines fighting the coronavirus derstanding between there are 70 such leop- CZA (central zoo au-
“Inquiry committee The bench asked So- report and talk to the on fire safety. I have filed pandemic. Union Home the State Government ards which have been thority) and the state
has been constituted. licitor General Tushar State Government. The the affidavit,” Mehta Secretary Ajay Kumar and the RIL. captured over the years forest department. So
The FIR was lodged but Mehta to look into the bench has posted the told the bench. Bhalla had written to all These leopards were after they were found to far 12 leopards from
people have got bail for report and ensure that matter for hearing on The Centre on Mon- chief secretaries in the not going to be released be involved in conflicts Sakar-Baug Zoo-Jun-
whatever reasons. Com- better affidavit is filed in December 3. day had asked all states wake of recent fire inci- in the wild and hence 35 with humans. agadh have been re-
missions after commis- the apex court. Mehta informed the to ensure proper fire dents in two hospitals in of them are being hand- Parimal Nathwani ceived in our rescue
sions are constituted “Mr Mehta, you look court that the Centre safety in hospitals and Gujarat which killed 13 ed over to the RIL’s res- of RIL, said in a state- centre for their up-
but nothing happens,” into the affidavit and see has issued guidelines on nursing homes, saying people. cue centre. Primarily, it ment, “As a CSR (cor- keep.”

Docs held for hosp Four killed in Guj loses another RS member 7 new faces in Rajkot
road mishap Abhay Bhardwaj to Covid-19 city BJP’s new team
fire given bail in Dwarka First India Bureau
—FILE PHOTO
First India Bureau
First India Bureau
First India Bureau Rajkot: Abhay Bhard- Rajkot: The Rajkot
Rajkot: In less than waj, renowned lawyer city BJP announced
24 hours of the arrest Devbhumi Dwarka: and BJP’s member of its new team on Tues-
of 3 doctors in Fri- Four members of a Rajya Sabha from Gu- day with Kamlesh Mi-
day’s fire at the Uday family were killed af- jarat died at a Chen- rani as the president.
Shivanand Covid-19 ter a truck dashed into nai hospital on Tues- It includes 7 women, 2
hospital, a local court an Alto car they were day afternoon. He was medical doctors and 2
on Tuesday granted the remaining two doc- travelling in in the shifted to Chennai af- persons holding doc- Parekh and Kanchan
bail to them and re- tors, Dr Tejas Motivaras Dwarka district on ter his lungs were se- torate and 2 lawyers Sidhpara.
jected the police plea and Dr Digvijaysinh Tuesday afternoon. verely affected due to BJP RS member Abhay Bhardwaj succumbed to coronavirus on Tuesday. and has seven new Three general secre-
for their remand. The Jadeja, after their Co- Two of them died on coronavirus. faces. taries including Devang
fire had claimed 5 rona tests. the spot, and another Bhardwaj suffered a that we have lost a bright waj and offered condo- Mirani said, “A strong Makar, Jitu Kothari and
lives. Investigating Officer succumbed to his inju- severe cardiac arrest and insightful mind, lences to his grieving team has been formed Kishore Rathod, eight
The police had on JV Dhola said the police ries at a hospital. The and could not recover passionate about nation- family members. with talented members secretaries including
Monday night arrested petition for a five-day accident o ccurred after that. He breathed al development.” Congress leader Ar- who can dedicate time Vikram Pujara, Raghu
Dr Prakash Modha, Dr remand was rejected. near Dhrevad in the his last at the MGM hos- Bhardwaj was elected jun Modhwadia ex- to strengthen the party.” Dholakiya, Manhar
Vishal Modha and Dr Meanwhile, a video Devbhumi Dwarka pital, Chennai. to Rajya Sabha this June pressed anguish over Besides Mirani, the Dave, Dr Darshita Shah,
Tejas Karamta, all three went viral alleging district, where a truck Prime Minister Nar- only. He had tested posi- his sudden demise. He new team comprises 8 Rasila Sakariya, Jyot-
directors of the hospi- that the police offered ran into the car bear- endra Modi broke this tive on August 31. said, “It is indeed an vice presidents, includ- sana Halwadiya and Dr
tal. VIP treatment and ing register number news through his tweet. Chief Minister Vijay unfortunate loss for ing Virendrasinh Jhala, Unnati Chavda. While
The case was regis- served mineral water GJ-02-BD-8462 in A PMO tweet stated, Rupani, Governor Acha- the state, to have lost Praful Kathrotiya, Anil Parekh has been
tered with Malaviyana- and fruits to the doc- which the family was “PM Modi condoles de- rya Devvrat, BJP state another voice and rep- Pradip Dov, Ketal Patel, appointed as treasurer
gar police station. Po- tors during their travelling from mise of Gujarat MP Ab- unit President C R Paatil resentative in the Ra- Mahesh Rathod, Kiran and Haresh Joshi as of-
lice are likely to arrest overnight custody. Mehsana. hay Bharadwaj. It is sad paid tributes to Bhard- jya Sabha.” Makadiya, Punitaben fice secretary.

Ahmed Patel’s legacy is beyond politics: Faisal and Mumtaz

Son and daughter say no to joining active politics
Anita Hada
Ahmedabad: The Con-
gress well knows that it
will be impossible to
fill the void left by the
untimely and tragic de-
mise of its stalwart
leader Ahmed bhai.
Ahmed Patel’s broad
shoulders were carry-
ing innumerable bur-
dens of the Congress
stoically and the Gan-
dhis and Congress are
still reeling from the
loss. The search is on
and is naturally nar-
rowing on Ahmed
MLA Gyassudin Shaikh, Members of Centre Gujarat Mulsim Seva Community and others take part in prayer bhai’s son Faisal and
meeting Kesra village near Memdavad in Gujarat in a condolence meet for late Ahmed Patel on Tuesday. daughter Mumtaz to
carry forward the lega-
cy of their father but
both of them have clar-
ified that they are not
interested in joining
active politics. Faisal
has said that he feels
that becoming an MP/
MLA is not the only
way to carry forward
the legacy but to carry
on the social work ini-
tiated by their father is
the most important
thing. Mumtaz shared
that she has been
amazed at the outpour-
ing of grief and love at
the demise of Ahmed
bhai, the truth is th at
she has lost a father
but thousands have
lost a mentor, guide, a
helping hand, a broth-
er in the time of need
and a father figure that
he was and the past few
days have strength-
ened her belief that
real Ahmed bhai will
live on not as a ‘larger
than life Congress
leader’ as he is known
in Delhi but as a ‘fa-
ther-figure’ through
the social work done
and which will be car- Faisal and Mumtaz
ried forward by her
and Faisal. ments were made to between 11:00 AM - 5:00
Considering the cur- pay tributes to Shri PM where Faisal Patel,
rent scenario of Covid Ahmed Patel ji on Mumtaz Patel and oth-
crisis, online arrange- Tuesday, December 1, er were present.
 www.firstindia.co.in I www.firstindia.co.in/epaper/ I twitter.com/thefirstindia
facebook.com/thefirstindia I instagram.com/thefirstindia 09
AHMEDABAD, WEDNESDAY
DECEMBER 2, 2020

A FUR-RY TALE
Since the climate is becoming colder with every passing day, City First
brings you a new fashionable way to deck yourself up using faux-fur,
and how you can maintain it for a longer time!

NEHAL NAYAR
nehal.nayar@firstindia.co.in

T
here are trends that
come and go, but
there are also a few
you make a mark
and stay for the
longest time. The
faux-fur fashion is
one such style that has been
winning everyone’s hearts
every winter season, as they
make the person look abso-
lutely dashing and fashion-
able.
For the ones wondering if
faux fur is legal or not, and
what exactly it is, don’t wor-
ry. We’re here to explain it to
you. Faux fur is dominating
the fashion industry as an
alternative to real fur. It ap-
pears to be the more ethical
choice for shoppers because
no animals are harmed in its
production. The best thing
about this is that it keeps
you super warm, and makes
you look fashionable, both at
the same time. Oh, and it is
also cheaper than real fur.
But one thing about faux
fur is that it needs good and
proper maintenance. You
will have to take extra care
of it, to ensure it looks fresh
and new, for as long as pos-
sible.
1. Keep brushing the fur:
This way, you can constantly
take the dirt off from it from
time to time (if any), and
also make sure that it stays
fresh for a longer time.
2. Safety first: Make sure
to keep it in a place where it
isn’t too exposed. This will
ensure that the fur does not
get spoiled too soon.
3. Prefer Handwashing:
This is the best and the saf-
est method for washing faux
fur. It will make sure that it
is gently washed, and even-
tually make it look as good
as new for a longer period.
 www.firstindia.co.in I www.firstindia.co.in/epaper/ I twitter.com/thefirstindia I facebook.com/thefirstindia I instagram.com/thefirstindia
ETC
AHMEDABAD | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2020
10

Three Questions with Mahima Hada

their users because a shift is oc-

curring largely in the tech, ser- INTERVIEWER: DAVE DONARS
vices and solution sectors (as Freehand Circle is a brand new marketing consultancy and
opposed to OEMs where little thinks tank based in Brooklyn, New York and North Carolina;
change will occur). With the ad- www.freehandcircle.com
vent of API’s and cloud services
and solutions, B2B decision
making is shifting from the C-
Suite to the end user in an or-
ganization. So sales is not going
to be one large license anymore.
Companies will have defined vet-
ting processes that vendors need
Dr Mahima Hada is an Associate to go through, but the valuation
Professor of Marketing and and purchasing decisions are go-
Director of Marketing Analytics ing to be done by the experts
Programs at Baruch College, within a company who will use
New York, USA. Her parental a specific product or service.
home is in Rajasthan. Subscription models delivered
Her research focuses on over the cloud lower commit-
marketing strategies that impact ment and risk. The cost and
both B2B and B2C markets. Her risks of switching between ven- ated by COVID, but these chang- ning medical studies and diag- wish marketers would look at
published research abounds in dors are so low now that corpo- es have been happening for nosing people over the phone marginalized people, develop
premier journals like the rate procurement is becoming years. And it will drive a perma- with their own variables. For products for them, give them the
Journal of Marketing and antiquated. That is the shift, nent transformation to B2B sales example, Google trained a right information and help
the International Journal of away from corporate sales to processes. machine learning model them make the right choices.
Research in Marketing. consumers within organiza- (ARDA: Automated Reti- Instead of just trying to sell
tions: from B2B to B2C2B. 2: Building on that, over the nal Disease Assessment) more to the same type of per-
For B2B organizations that next decade what do you to diagnose diabetes with son over and over. We’ve seen
1: What is the most important will dramatically change think is the most vital eye scans more accurate- this shift slightly. For example
trend happening in marketing their sales and route-to- development in mar- ly than traditional diabe- Unilever has done some really
right now? market models. People keting and commu- tes tests. Advancements great things in India. Their
It should be noted that my re- are just not sitting over nications? like these will once again laundry products are really
search focuses on B2B, and in- a glass of wine with a I think pharma and disrupt the traditional expensive and it is not possible
creasingly the subscription B2C client anymore for healthcare are going to B2B space. The problem for the large majority of the
domain, so my point of view is some “big sale.” I used to lead the way forward. is consumers don’t know Indian consumers to purchase
influenced accord- work in robotic design Healthcare is a huge indus- enough. So, they are hand- them. So they shifted their prod-
ingly. I think software and it was al- try that has always been a very ing over their own life fit- uct line to address the needs of
B2B sales are ways a very well B2B domain, selling to conglom- ness data from wearables (Fit- the community. Rather than
going to con- structured B2B pro- erates, health insurance compa- bit, Apple Watch, etc) to various shipping large containers, Unile-
t i n u e cess. But as soon as nies and hospitals. private vendors. Consumers are ver started selling small sachets
switching you start moving to The advent of Electronic trusting an app to give them of laundry detergent, which are
from B2B a subscription Health Records (EHR is the uni- medical advice as opposed to the be so huge that consumers may literally one rupee at the corner
to B2C2B. model, it is possi- form digital code Obamacare healthcare provider seeing that sign away all their privacy to im- store. Now people can buy those
Right now ble for the end put into place for the transfer of objective data and giving medi- prove their health. So, in market- every three days to wash laundry.
B 2 C 2 B user; say one en- medical data) laid the ground- cal advice. So the entire market- ing we have to really consider Everyone needs good products
sales are gineer sitting in work for big improvements in ing strategy has to switch back how much data do we actually so why is access not more wide-
very low. one place at Toy- the exchange of data. Apple and to the consumer but for relevant need? What is okay and what spread? Why are we not doing
Yet B2B ota or General Google entering the healthcare domains (lifestyle vs prescrip- crosses the line? more? Developing countries are
firms have Motors — to de- space is going to disrupt the cur- tion drugs). Changes in consum- one side of the story, but there
to start look- cide whether she rent model, and how consumers er behavior and the health de- 3: Finally, what should be the are unfulfilled needs right here
ing at how to wants to use Auto- consume healthcare (and the vice marketplace are driving most vital development that in the US as well. Marketing is
sell in a distrib- CAD, Adobe or IBM. current B2B healthcare model). how marketers use technology. happens over the next decade? not doing enough. I just wish we
uted manner to Everything was acceler- Apple and Google are now run- The benefits in healthcare can It’s not going to happen, but I would.

YOUR ARIES TAURUS GEMINI CANCER

AY
ED

MAR 21 - APR 20 APR 21 - MAY 20 MAY 21 - JUNE 21 JUNE 22 - JULY 23

DAY
TH

You are likely to maintain Helping out someone in This is the time for you to This is the day when
OF

an excellent image on the need will provide immense establish yourself firmly on everything goes right for
CE

social front by not inner satisfaction. You are the academic front. you. You do well on the
FA

Horoscope by involving yourself in any
controversy and being nice to all.
Saurabbh Sachdeva Whatever you decide on the
academic front will work in your
favour. Buying property may be on
your mind and you may get one.
likely to experience a
positive phase in your existence.
Favourable decision can be expected
regarding a piece of property under
dispute. You may take the initiative of
organising a family gathering.
Builders and property
dealers can find the day profitable. It
will be important to resolve certain
domestic issues in a timely manner.
Professionals are likely to earn much
as their reputation grows.
academic front through
sheer hard work. Time is favourable
as your real estate investments start
giving handsome returns. Your help
and support to a youngster will help
boost his or her self-confidence.

LEO VIRGO LIBRA SCORPIO

JULY 24 - AUGUST 23 AUG 24 - SEP 23 SEPT 24 - OCTOBER 22 OCT 23 - NOVEMBER 22
You can be sought after by Earning some quick bucks Resolving a contentious Meeting someone new is
some good people in your is possible today, property issue amicably likely to enlarge your social
social circle. Changed especially for those will be in your interest. A circle. Your focus on the
routine will do you good. involved in trading and business trip is likely to academic front will help
This is a great day for you on the speculation Investing in property is bring profitable deals. You may visit you take long strides. A sightseeing
academic front. A construction or likely to give good returns. Good a family member living out of town A tour with family or lover will prove
renovation at home is likely to upset news awaits you on the academic favourable turn of events is likely to most enjoyable. Something you had
your daily routine. Efforts may be front. As the sun rises, so will your add to your prestige on the wanted for the home may be gifted to
required to get back money loaned. spirits. professional front. you. Your ideas will work.

SAGITTARIUS CAPRICORN AQUARIUS PISCES

NOV 23 - DEC 22
A suitable alternative is
awaiting those wanting to
switch jobs. Someone’s visit
is likely to brighten your day.
You are likely to get favourable
treatment on the academic front by
those who matter. Real estate gives
good returns. Good preparation will
SRISHTI CHOUDHARY, Influencer find you enjoying.
DEC 23 - JAN 20
You are at a juncture in
your life when things will
begin to turn positive on all
fronts. Initiative taken on
the academic front is likely to benefit
you now. General happiness is likely
to pervade the home front, as you
feel elated about things happening all
around you.
JAN 21 - FEB 19
Property you had been
contributing to may finally
be yours. You may go in for
replacing an old vehicle with
a new one. You are likely to consolidate
your position on the professional front.
You are likely to gain financially, as
profits accrue in something you are
currently involved in.
FEB20 - MARCH 20
You may get to know
someone influential and
benefit from the
association. Academic
front looks rosy, as you get to
complete the given tasks in time.
Solid returns may be expected in a
real estate deal. Someone may follow
your advice on the career front.
 www.firstindia.co.in I www.firstindia.co.in/epaper/ I twitter.com/ thefirstindia I facebook.com/thefirstindia I instagram.com/thefirstindia
ETC
AHMEDABAD | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2020
11

LOSS OF
Jacqueline in Remembering...
Bachchan Pandey
S
years
ajid Nadiadwa- with Sajid and Bach-
la’s action-come- chan Pandey will mark
dy ‘Bachchan their 8th film together
Pandey’ now after Judwaa & House-
ropes in another Bolly- full series. She can’t
wood superstar to the wait to reunite with Ak-
ensemble cast. The ver- shay once again. Talk-
satile cast of Akshay ing about the shooting
Kumar, Kriti Sanon, schedule she shares,

J
Arshad Warsi now “I’m looking forward to ennifer Lawrence‘s family suf-
brings Jacqueline Fer- begin the shoot in Janu- fered a big loss over the weekend!
nandez aboard for this ary with them. I can’t Over the weekend, the 30-year-old
fun ride. spill the beans on my actress’ brother Blaine revealed
Jacqueline excitedly character yet but I can on Camp Hi-Ho’s Facebook that
shared that she is elat- tell you it’s a different the barn had burnt down. The Meadow Walker’s post
ed to be back working avatar.” —Agency barn was the base of a summer

S
camp in Kentucky that has been going on
for several years. “It is with the heaviest
of hearts that we confirm the news that
we lost our barn last night in a horrible
fire. We are deeply thankful that no
people or animals were hurt, but we
are still mourning the loss of years
of hard work and memories that
occurred in these walls,” the state-
ment from the Lawrence family
read.
“Words cannot describe the
pain we are in, but we are so in-
credibly grateful for the
Simpsonville Fire Department
and all the other firefighters
who responded to our emergen-
cy. You are true heroes. We are
also so grateful for the count-
less members of our commu-
nity who have reached out to
support us during this time.
Your love and kindness mean
the world to us,” it continued.
Jacqueline Fernandez Jennifer Lawrance —Agency
even years ago, the heart-
breaking news of Paul Walk-
er’s death made the headlines.
As the world remembered the actor
on his seventh death anniversary,
his daughter Meadow Walker took
to Instagram and penned a sweet
tribute to her late father. She shared
a picture from her childhood featur-
ing her father. Meadow said it is a
day to celebrate love and happiness
that Paul brought to the world. “A
silly day to remember in sadness.
today’s a celebration of the love and
happiness you brought to the world.
here’s a photo of my best bud & I
napping,” she said. —Agency
The Royal
Family

ANUSHKA’S
SHIRSHASANA
B
ollywood actress Anushka Sharma
and her husband, Indian cricket
captain Virat Kohli, are expecting
their first child. Anushka shared a
photograph on her Instagram account
where she can
be seen per-
forming the
Shirshasana
with hubby Vi-
rat’s help. Her
Kate Middleton
Karisma Kapoor Sara Ali Khan yoga teacher
virtually as-

SARA VS KARISMA sists her while

the actress
T
he Duchess of Cambridge
recently spoke to Alice Haynes

J
performs the at the Anna Freud Centre and
ust over the and Kunwar Mahen- it, Sara opened up in asana by lean- opened up about raising the next
weekend, Sara dra Pratap is a re- a chat and claimed ing against a generation of the Royal Family. The
Ali Khan and make of the 1995 Go- that copying Karis- wall, head highlight of the interview remains
Varun Dha- vinda and Karisma ma would be ‘impos- down. Anushka Sharma’s when she asked the experts for
wan launched the Kapoor starrer. As sible.’ “This exer- post advice on handling her children’s
trailer of their film, soon as the trailer Sara shared that cise is hands- tantrums. While responding to
Coolie No 1, and left dropped, compari- comparisons were down (and legs up) the most difficult one a question “how do you manage
fans in awe of the sons began to happen ‘inevitable’ as the #Throwback. P.S. — As yoga is a big part temper tantrums in your household”
comedy flick. The between Sara and Ka- film is a remake of of my life, my doctor recommended that I via video message, Kate said: “Yes,
film that stars Sara risma’s performance. the 1995 blockbuster. can do all such asanas that I was doing be- that’s a hard one”, before laughing
and Varun as Malti Now, speaking about —City First fore I was pregnant barring twists & ex- and saying “I’d also like to ask the
treme-forward bends, but of course with experts myself”. — Agency
the appropriate and required support.”
Anushka wrote. —Agency

KING KHAN SPOTTED More neck

I
t was December 21, 2018, when
we last saw Shah Rukh Khan
on the big screen in his film
Zero. Post that, he has been a
very active producer and made
titles like Bard of Blood, Betaal,
Badla, and Class of 83.
Shah Rukh Khan SRK’s next big-screen outing
tattoos?
has been discussed a lot. And ac-
cording to rumours it has been
tentatively titled Pathan which
also stars John Abraham and
Deepika Padukone. The film,
directed by War fame Siddharth
Raj Anand, is bankrolled by
Yash Raj Films. —Agency

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! Justin and Hailey Bieber

J
ustin Bieber reunited with

P
talk show host Ellen De-
riyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas celebrat- Generes as a recent guest
ed their second anniversary on Tuesday. on The Ellen DeGeneres
The couple tied the knot in Decem- Show where the topic of
ber 2018 after dating each other for discussion was his married
quite some time and they never fail to dish life with Hailey Baldwin.
out major couple goals. Besides talking about
Not just we are in awe of their mushy Thanksgiving, Bieber con-
romance, their pics with their pets have fessed to DeGeneres how
also taken the social media by a storm Baldwin doesn’t want the
time and again. To note, this stunning Yummy singer to get any
couple has been proud parents of three more neck tattoos. Justin
furry babies – a Chihuahua named Di- endearingly admitted that
ana, a Husky Australian Shepherd mix he is leaving space on his
named Panda and a German shepherd back to get tattoos for his
named Gino. Not just the three pets kids whenever he becomes a
have their surname as Chopra Jonas. dad. — Agency
Priyanka’s post
—Agency
Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra Jonas
 www.firstindia.co.in I www.firstindia.co.in/epaper/ I twitter.com/thefirstindia I facebook.com/thefirstindia I instagram.com/thefirstindia
CITY BUZZ AHMEDABAD | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2020
12

MOTIVATIONAL SESSION AT DBM CITY FIRST Biyani appreciated the ef- wanted to know that how

D
forts of Digital Baal mela can he prevent his body
uring the ‘Digital team and motivated chil- from being physically un-
Baal Mela’ organ- dren during the interac- fit and be fit in this tough
ised by LIC on tion. time; Sanjay advised him
Tuesday, children Anadi from Pratapgarh to work-out every morn-
from many districts of asked that where can she ing and continue to be
Rajasthan joined the find a platform to healthy. Digital Baal mela
special interaction show her writing is getting a huge success
session with Educa- skills, to which, San- with entries from many
tionalist Dr Sanjay Bi- jay said that she al- states of the country and
yani. ready has a platform, and active participation of lit-
Janhvi Sharma started she just needs to think tle talented children. This
the session and Gauri Ma- creatively. He motivated special interaction ses-
heshwari of Baal Mela her by saying that she can sion was 1 of the 15 ses-
team introduced the guest digitally spread her talent. sions to be held from 1-15
Dr Sanjay Biyani
on the occasion. Dr Sanjay Hitesh from Jaipur December.

Cartist Festival
‘DEAR MAMA’ Women
UNVEILED empowerment
Seminar

CITY FIRST equally exhausting but when

we saw that this is welcomed

A
rt has no bounds and
Cartist has proved it.
Amidst the challeng-
ing times, Cartist has
carried forward its
legacy of providing a
by people with arms wide
open, we were happy that we
did it and never gave up!” said
Himanshu Jangid, Founder,
Cartist
The four-day festival began CITY FIRST

I
platform to the art- on 27th November with an
CITY FIRST also the wife of former ists despite various adver- opening session on the fes- n association with Maan

T
UK prime minister Tony sities that have come in tival’s core theme “Sus- Foundation, Argus Homes
he Prabha Blair, at the Kitab online the way. “In 5 years of tainability”. In a span of 4 and Pearlcon consultants
Khaitan Founda- event presented by Shree Cartist, we now have a fam- days, prominent personali- present Shakti – the power
tion, Kolkata, an- Cement and joined in by ily of artists and people from ties from the field of Art, Au- to empower women for their
nounced the on- hundreds of invitees the automobile industry who tomobile as well as people who safety and security and is go-
line launch of “Dear from across the globe. support us and look up to us advocate a sustainable way of ing to organise a seminar on
Mama”–a collection of Cherie Blair was in con- for contributing to the fields living for a future joined in top today at Argus homes.
intimate letters to their versation with Mohini by way of our automobile art. share their views on various CEO of Argus homes shared
mothers - written by bil- Kent, author and found- Organising a virtual event is topics. cityfirst@firstindia.co.in that the event is going to focus
lionaires, spiritual er-chairperson on the equal rights of women
gurus, members of of LILY Against and their well being where 35
the British House of Human Trafficking women who have achieved
Lords, – a charitable organi- success and supported the
political leaders, sation which works cause will share their views on
members of royal fami- against the trade in hu- women empowerment with
lies, actors, entrepre- man beings. The event Alok Shrivastava, CEO of Ar-
neurs, journalists, pho- was conducted by Swati gus and head sales, Aman Dug-
tographers and doctors. Agarwal on behalf of gal. The event will be held on
The book was formal- Prabha Khaitan Founda- 2nd of December at Argus
ly launched by Cherie tion. Homes, Tonk Road, Jaipur.
Blair, British barrister, cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

HAPPY B’DAY!
COVID AWARENESS
CITY FIRST Nikhil Sawhney,
New President of IIHA
CITY FIRST of IHHA for 26 years.

W R
Chairman, CII North- The Association
hile Pan- ern Region, said, “We andhir Vikram members present pro-
demic fa- must also ensure that Singh has been posed and seconded the
tigue is an those around us, includ- unanimously names for various posts.
expected ing family, friends and elected as the There was no contest
and natural response to workforce also follow President of Indian and the election was
a prolonged public these rules at all times Nikhil Sawhney Heritage Hotels Associ- unanimous decision
health crisis, we without fail. At the ation (IHHA). This was and vote. Some other
need to understand same time, in our Covid-19 and to ensure health & hygiene and declared at the Election new office bearers in-
and keep in mind Offices, we need to that the prescribed boosting our immunity of the IHHA for Office clude – Vice Presidents,
the repercussions maintain Work from norms of wearing are followed. CII has pre- Bearers and Executive Steve Borgia, Vijai Lal
of dropping our guard the Home policy for a masks, maintaining a pared a detailed work- Committee Members and Jose Dominic; Gen-
not only on the health few more months.” physical distance of at place protocol, which held on Tuesday on eral Secretary: Gaj Sin-
and safety of those He has written to the least 6 feet, washing our has been shared with the virtual plat- gh Alsisar and Joint
around us but also its industry in North India hands at regular inter- the industry members form. Randhir Secretaries: Joerg
impact on our work and and urged them to not vals, avoiding large to adhere to. Vikram Singh was Drechsel and Prithvi
lower guard against gatherings, maintaining Randhir Vikram Singh
everyday lives. cityfirst@firstindia.co.in the General Secretary Singh. cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

WHAT’S HAPPENING!
RAJ: Rohit Jangid of Jaipur
was declared the national brand
ambassador in a nutrition company
on Friday. Rohit has won several RAJ: 18-year-old Ronit Raj, who
national and international medals belongs from a small district of
in Wushu and represented India Rajasthan, namely Dholpur, and
in Thailand, Georgia, Hong Kong, currently lives in Jaipur, is the first and
Dubai and various countries. Rohit young blogger in the cinema category.
is the son of Rajendra and Sunita Ronit is currently studying in the 11th
IAS Deepak Nandi, IAS Jangid. Rohit shared that the standard and is a commerce student.
Sohanlal Sharma and IAS company officials had talked to him For the last 10 months, Ronit has been
Sourabh Swami celebrated a few days ago and after knowing writing blogs on films, celebrities and
their birthdays on 1 the quality of the product, it was other related things, and provides his
December, Tuesday. We found that the product is joint and feedback on the same. He owns a blog
wish them all the best! cooperative nutrition of the players. named ‘The Cinema Blogs’.