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NEARBY
24 COVID19 patients in Nashik Centre steps in to restore
die without oxygen as gas leaks oxygen supplies to Delhi ‘24/7 control team will mediate disputes between States’
Valve malfunction in hospital led to the incident, says State Health Minister
Special Correspondent
New COVID cases drop Special Correspondent NEW DELHI/GURUGRAM
as testing dips by 9% Pune Oxygen stocks at several hos
NEW DELHI
At least 24 COVID19 patients pitals in the national capital
The Capital on Wednesday
on life support died after a dipped to alarming lows fol
reported 249 fatalities and
24,638 new COVID19
leak in a medical oxygen lowing disruption of sup
infections in the past 24 tank disrupted the supply of plies from Haryana on Wed
hours, taking the case the gas at Dr. Zakir Hussain nesday. Supplies were
tally to 9,30,179 and the Hospital in Nashik, Maha restored by late evening af
death toll to 12,887. A total rashtra, on Wednesday. ter intervention by the
of 78,768 tests were done in Attributing the leak to a Centre.
a day, which is 8.96% less valve malfunction, State Union Health Secretary
than on Tuesday. Out of the Health Minister Rajesh Tope Rajesh Bhushan said, “The
total 20,097 beds available said a highlevel inquiry had problem regarding Haryana
for COVID treatment, 88.1% been ordered to ascertain if and Delhi has been re Gasping for air: A relative of a COVID19 patient carrying an
were occupied at 11 p.m. negligence had caused the solved.” empty oxygen cylinder for refi lling in New Delhi. PTI *
India at 142nd
rank on press
Very few postvaccine infections: ICMR Covaxin phase 3 trial shows
freedom index Council says such ‘breakthrough’ cases do not undermine the effi cacy of shots vaccine has 78% effi cacy
Sobhana K. Nair SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT cines, have been reported Jacob Koshy volunteers. the fi nal report will be sub
New Delhi New Delhi globally, including in India. NEW DELHI Effi cacy, a measure of risk mitted to a peerreviewed pu
The World Press Freedom The Indian Council of Medi “This is roughly around The effi cacy of Covaxin has reduction from a vaccine, va blication. “Based on the
Index, 2021, produced by cal Research on Wednesday two in 10,000 and is a very, dropped a tad lower to 78% ries among vaccines com achievement of the success
Reporters Without Borders said only a “small” fraction very small fraction. We have from the 81% reported in mercially available. Ranking criteria, placebo recipients
(RSF), a French nongo of people who had been vac seen similar rates of reinfec March. On Wednesday, Bha by reported effi cacy gives re have now become eligible to
vernmental organisation, cinated with either Covaxin tion internationally, too, rat Biotech, in a press re lative risk reductions of 95% receive two doses of Covax
has again ranked India at or Covishield had tested pos from the use of other vac lease, announced results for Pfi zerBioNTech vaccine, in,” Bharat Biotech said.
142nd out of 180 countries. itive for COVID19. However, cines,” said V.K. Paul, Chair from an interim analysis of its 94% for the Moderna shot, In a press briefi ng on Wed
This is despite the fact these instances of “break man, National Expert Group phase 3 trial. The effi cacy 90% for Sputnik V, and 67% nesday, Balram Bhargava, Di
that for a year, on direc through” infections did not on Vaccination that oversees against severe COVID19 dis each for the J&J and AstraZe rectorGeneral, ICMR, fur
tions from Cabinet Secre undermine the effi cacy of the COVID19 management ease was 100%, the company necaOxford vaccines, ac nished data to show that four
tary Rajiv Gauba, an index the vaccines. strategy. said, but that against protect cording to a review article in in 10,000 of those who had
monitoring cell worked to “These vaccines defi nite When comparing patterns ing from asymptomatic CO the Lancet Microbe. been inoculated with Covax
improve the rankings, even ly, defi nitely protect against of infection and mortality in VID19 infection was 70%. The safety and effi cacy re in went on to test positive.
holding a meeting between disease. However, the im ceived the second dose, 695 were as a population far the fi rst and second waves of The analysis was on a data sults from the fi nal analysis
the Indian Ambassador to mune response begins to de tested positive. more exposed to the virus the pandemic, a slight per set of 127 COVID19 positive will be available in June, and CONTINUED ON A PAGE 8
France and the RSF offi velop usually two weeks af For Covishield, of the and therefore, more suscep centage increase in cases
cials to lobby for a change ter every dose and there are 100.3 million who received tible. Second, the emer among those in the age
in the ranking. variations within indivi the fi rst dose, 17,145 tested gence of “the highly trans group of 1020 is seen in the
In 2016, India’s rank was duals, too. Even after the positive; of the 15 million missible second wave current wave — 8.5% com
133, which has steadily fi rst dose, if exposure to the who got the second dose, (newer variants)” may have pared with 8.07% earlier.
climbed down to 142 in virus happens, one can test 5,014 tested positive. contributed to instances of There is an increase in cases
2020. The RSF report says positive,” Balram Bhargava, infection among those vacci among those in the 4070
India is one of the world’s DirectorGeneral, ICMR, Key reasons nated. Several variants, age group from the previous
most dangerous countries said. Two key reasons for this, Dr. which have mutations that wave, and the same fraction
for journalists trying to do Of the 9.3 million who re Bhargava said, were that have been shown to avoid persists in the 3040 age
their job properly. ceived the fi rst dose of Co healthcare and frontline detection by the immune group.
vaxin, 4,208 tested positive; workers, who were among system and in some cases,
DETAILS ON A PAGE 8 and of the 1.7 million who re the fi rst to be vaccinated, reduce the effi cacy of vac CONTINUED ON A PAGE 8
India adds 3.15 lakh cases, 2,091 deaths SII fi xes price
for Covishield
This is the highestever singleday spike in coronavirus infections in the world special correspondent
New Delhi
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT er number of tests conduct From May 1, the Serum In
Chennai
ed in a single day in the stitute of India will sell its
For the fi rst time, India re country. This is the fi rst in COVID19 vaccine, Covish
corded more than 3 lakh CO stance when the number of ield, to the States at ₹ 400 a
VID19 cases in a single day daily tests crossed the 16 dose and to private hospi
on Wednesday. lakh mark. tals at ₹ 600 a dose, its chief
The country reported as Only the United States has executive offi cer, Adar Poo
many as 3,15,660 cases and recorded more than 3 lakh nawala, said in a statement
2,091 deaths as of 11.15 p.m. cases in a single day. On Ja on Wednesday.
This is the highestever sin nuary 2, 2021, the U.S. re The vaccines, however,
gleday case count in the ported 3,00,310 new infec would not be sold in retail
world. tions, its highest singleday for four or fi ve months,
The fi gures do not include spike. Other countries with and corporates and private
cases and deaths in Tripura signifi cantly high singleday individuals could in the
and Ladakh. The data are spikes are Brazil with meantime only get these
sourced from covid19in- 1,00,158 cases on March 25, vaccines from “statefacili
dia.org, an independent ag 2021; the U.K. with 68,192 tated machinery”, the
gregator of daily COVID19 fi cases on January 8, 2021; and statement added.
gures. of the new cases, followed by desh registered 187 new Turkey with 63,082 cases on Covishield constitutes
The country has so far re Uttar Pradesh (33,214) and casualties. April 16, 2021. over 90% of India’s vaccine
ported a total of 1,59,24,914 Delhi (24,638). As many as 16,39,357 sam The international fi gures supply and is learnt to be
cases and 1,84,662 deaths. Maharashtra also record ples were tested in India on have been collated from Our sold to the Centre at ₹ 150
Maharashtra reported ed the maximum casualties Tuesday (results of which World in Data. ₹ 200 a dose.
67,468 infections on Wed (568). Delhi followed with were made available on
nesday, accounting for 22% 249 deaths, while Uttar Pra Wednesday), the highestev CONTINUED ON A PAGE 8 CONTINUED ON A PAGE 8
CM A ND-NDE
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2 CITY DELHI
Migrant workers at Sarai Kale Khan ISBT as they continue to leave for their home towns in view of the week-long lockdown; people enquire about availability of oxygen cylinders as COVID-19 cases surge in New Delhi on Wednesday. * SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR, PTI
‘Cheap politics
being played Chaotic scenes outside GTB Hospital ward New COVID-19
cases dip as
over oxygen’ Stretchers double up as beds as the second largest Delhi government hospital struggles to cope with rising virus cases tests fall by 9%
Nikhil M Babu
Special Correspondent senior doctor of the hospital ed at the mortuary said that Staff Reporter
NEW DELHI New Delhi
<
> Our resources are
stretched and said. “Many people are dy he has been on duty from New Delhi
The Delhi Congress on People dying outside emer doctors are testing ing inside and outside the 6.30 a.m. “It’s not that we The Capital reported 249
Wednesday said that cheap gency ward of the second lar emergency ward. It’s not are not working, but 4045 COVID19related deaths
positive. The
politics is being played in gest Delhi governmentrun that doctors are not trying, people are dying every day. and 24,638 new cases in
staff er number has
the name of oxygen for pa hospital, relatives not getting but there are too many pa How will we manage it? The the past 24 hours, accord
tients and lashed out at the bodies from the mortuary not gone up with tients. I was there the whole workers had lunch just now. ing to a health bulletin re
Delhi government for its even after 18 hours, people the increase in night,” Deepak Kumar, 32, I’ll be on duty till 7 p.m. We leased by the Delhi govern
failure to tackle the spread not fi nding a bed even after patients, but we who came for his uncle’s need more manpower,” he ment on Wednesday.
of COVID19 infection in visiting fi ve hospitals. These are trying our best treatment said. said. The total number of
the Capital, which has lead were the scenes that played Senior doctor at GTB Hospital Outside Rajiv Gandhi Hos deaths went up to 12,887
to a breakdown of the out at government hospitals Delay in bodies pital, a COVID19 dedicated and cases to 9,30,179.
healthcare system. as COVID19 cases surge at a who was for the past half an Outside the mortuary of GTB hospital, Sumit Yadav, 33, A total of 78,768 tests
Congress leader Alka record high in the city. hour either lying outside the Hospital, Muskaan, 25, com said that they have been were done in a day, the bul
Lamba said that Deputy As the largest Delhi go emergency or walking with plained that her 29yearold waiting outside for over one letin said, which is less than
CM Manish Sisodia’s tweet vernment hospital and sever the help of her husband was brother, a COVID19 patient, hour for a bed for his 67 Tuesday’s by 8.96%. Last
about the lack of oxygen in al others fi lled up two days declared dead outside the died at the hospital around yearold father who was week, on many more than
the Capital created an out ago, pressure has been more emergency. 11 p.m. on Tuesday but they gasping for air inside the am one lakh tests were done in
cry due to which the family on GTB Hospital, the second Surender Kumar, 35, her were yet to get his body even bulance. “This is the fi fth a day.
of patients could not sleep largest Delhi government husband was seen shifting after 15 hours. hospital we are visiting and The positivity of new
peacefully all night and the hospital, and offi cials are her body into the ambulance “We have fought with our oxygen cylinder is also cases was 31.28%, which
government had not made struggling to cope with it. without any help and he them, but they’re saying that about to be over,” Mr. Yadav means more than 31 out of
it clear whether oxygen Inside the emergency struggled to drag her body we’ll have to wait,” Muskaan said as he broke down. 100 people taking the test
had reached those hospi ward of GTB Hospital, from the stretcher into the said. The family alleged that are now COVID19 positive.
tals. She accused the stretchers doubled up as A crowded emergency ward of GTB Hospital on Wednesday. ambulance. he had only minor symp No beds available A total of 49,461 benefi ci
“sleeping government” of beds, which were stacked up *
NIKHIL M BABU
“We were waiting outside toms when he was admitted Rajiv Gandhi Hospital had 30 aries took the COVID19
playing a “tweettweet together. In some instances, the emergency and she and the hospital did not take vacant beds at 5.30 p.m. on vaccination in the city in
game” which worked to patients shared beds. There Doctors carried out the It was around 11.45 a.m., breathed her last while wait care of him well. Wednesday, as per Delhi go the last 24 hours, as per the
shock the public and pa was a constant queue out ECG on the patient but left after waiting in a line outside ing,” Kumar, a daily wage la At 4 p.m., Mehraj Ali, 36, vernment data, but offi cials bulletin. Of the total 20,097
tients of Delhi. side the already crowded without conveying anything the emergency and several bourer from Bihar said. said that they have been at the hospital said that there beds for COVID19 treat
“There is not a single emergency ward. to the relatives. The family requests to the doctors, his In a span of an hour, two waiting for his elder broth are no beds and Mr. Yadav ment, 88.1% were occupied
ICU, ventilator vacant in understood that he might be ECG was done again. It drew people were declared dead er’s body for more than 18 was turned away. at 11 p.m. on Wednesday, as
government hospitals. Deaths at emergency dead. a straight line. outside the emergency. hours. “We were looking for People have been facing per a government website.
Why is the Delhi govern Around 11.15 a.m., an uncon However, his family kept The doctor tore a small “Our resources are a bed from 8.30 a.m. on the same issue with govern Many hospitals, including
ment silently watching the scious 75yearold man with rubbing his hands, trying to paper, which was the ECG re stretched and doctors are Tuesday and fi nally got a bed ment data on beds for many Lok Nayak Hospital, Baba
spectacle while serious pa low oxygen levels was keep him warm, and the wife port, and the family left. The testing positive. The staff er here around 8 p.m. and my days. “We don’t know where Saheb Ambedkar Hospital
tients are doing the rounds brought to the emergency repeated: “Please open your death was not recorded at number has not gone up brother died at 10 p.m.,” he we will go now. We are de and Burari Hospital, did
at the hospitals,” she ward of GTB Hospital in a car eyes once... Please open the hospital. with the increase in patients said. pending on fate now,” a teary not have a single vacant
asked. by her wife and daughter. your eyes once...” A woman in her early 30s, but we are trying our best,” a A Delhi police offi cer post eyed Mr. Yadav said. bed.
3
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CM A ND-NDE
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4 CITY
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DELHI THE HINDU
THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2021
Timings
DELHI
THURSDAY, APR. 22
RWAs face hurdles as they plan Hospitals should have oxygen
RISE 05:49 SET 18:51
stock for at least 48 hrs: doctors
RISE
FRIDAY, APR. 23
RISE
RISE
13:46
05:48
14:49
SET 02:44
SET 18:52
SET 03:24
to set up COVID care facilities Delhi says it has less than 12 hrs; Haryana says its share cut
SATURDAY, APR. 24
RISE 05:47 SET 18:53
Inadequate oxygen supply, building space and fi nding nursing staff add to woes
Staff Reporter
RISE 15:54 SET 04:01
Hemani Bhandari a community hall in their New Delhi
NEW DELHI area which they could have Doctors of several hospitals
The concept to set up small turned into a COVID care fa in Delhi said that ideally there
COVID care facility in resi cility and they had also spo should be a buff er stock of ox
dential areas was a novel in ken to doctors who were ygen for at least 48 hours. But
itiative, but practical diffi cul willing to consult but they since the record surge in CO
ties have made life diffi cult couldn’t fi nd nursing staff . VID19 cases for the past two
for Resident Welfare Associa “The cost of one nursing weeks, they have less stock
tions in the Capital. Several staff is about ₹ 25,000 a and they are refi lling almost
RWAs are thus facing hurdles month but either they are on a daily basis, doctors said.
in establishing these centres not available or they are de Meanwhile, a Delhi go Oxygen beds at the Yamuna Sports Complex isolation centre
in residential areas as per manding ₹ 80,000 for a vernment spokesperson said in the city. SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR
*
SITUATION VACANT
GENERAL
Private schools told to discontinue
0
DISCLAIMER: Readers are requested to verify and make appropriate enquiries to satisfy
themselves about the veracity of an advertisement before responding to any published in
this newspaper. THG PUBLISHING PVT LTD., the Publisher & Owner of this newspaper,
does not vouch for the authenticity of any advertisement or advertiser or for any of the
online classes during vacation
advertiser’s products and/or services. In no event can the Owner, Publisher, Printer, Ed
itor, Director/s, Employees of this newspaper/company be held responsible/liable in any
manner whatsoever for any claims and/or damages for advertisements in this newspaper. Special Correspondent
other by some private
NEW DELHI
schools. The online classes
After several private are being used as a substi
schools continued online tute of physical classroom
EDUCATIONAL OBITUARY & REMEMBRANCE classes despite Directorate learning without any
of Education’s (DoE) order break,” the DoE said in its
BIRTH CENTENARY declaring summer holidays circular.
from April 20, the DoE on “Keeping in mind the
Wednesday issued a circu prevailing situation due to
lar saying that all online the virus and in the overall
and semionline teaching interest of all stakeholders
and learning activities shall A private school student of the management of priv
attending virtual class in
remain suspended during ate schools, it is expedient
Delhi. FILE PHOTO
*
the summer vacation from that direction issued in res
April 20 to June 9. been advanced due to pect of government schools
“lt has been brought to surge in COVID19 cases, regarding suspension of on
the notice of this directo the regular online learning line classes is extended for
rate that despite the sum method continues to be private schools too,” it
mer vacation, which has adopted in one way or the added.
More farmers joining protest: SKM
Press Trust of India to guarantee the minimum laws and make a new law on
New Delhi support price (MSP), it said. the MSP,” he said.
Farmers in large numbers “On the call of the SKM, Mr. Pal, who also virtually
have started coming towards farmers in large numbers participated in the Interna
Delhi after the harvesting have started coming towards tional Press Conference at
season to strengthen the Delhi. The farmers are com Press Club Geneva, claimed
protest against the Centre’s ing back after harvesting, to that the Indian government
new farm laws, the Samyuk strengthen the protest at failed to consult the farmers,
ta Kisan Morcha (SKM) said Singhu, Tikri, Ghazipur and farmer organisations, people
on Wednesday. Shahjahanpur borders,” living in rural areas, pro
The only way for the SKM leader Darshan Pal said farmer economists or politi
Centre to resolve the dea in a statement. cal parties, while framing the
dlock with the protesting “If the government is controversial laws in viola
farmers is by repealing the equally worried about the tion of a UN declaration
contentious farm laws and health of farmers, it should which grants rural dwellers a
coming out with a legislation immediately repeal the three right on such issues.
Published by N. Ravi at Kasturi Buildings, 859 & 860, Anna Salai, Chennai-600002 and Printed by S. Ramanujam at HT Media Ltd. Plot No. 8, Udyog Vihar, Greater Noida Distt. Gautam Budh Nagar, U.P. 201306, on behalf of THG PUBLISHING PVT LTD., Chennai-600002. Group Editorial Officer: Krishna Prasad. Editor: Suresh Nambath (Responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act).
Regd. DL(ND)-11/6110/2006-07-08 RNI No. UPENG/2012/49940 ISSN 0971 - 751X Vol. 11 No. 95
● ● ● ●
CM A ND-NDE
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THE HINDU
THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2021
DELHI
SOUTH 5
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IN BRIEF
Case surge crosses 23,500 in Karnataka Weather Watch
Rainfall, temperature & air quality in select metros yesterday
116 die in State, Bengaluru accounts for 13,640 cases; Kerala announces travel testing protocol
Special Correspondent
reported on Wednesday. A
Bengaluru
TPR of 24.52% was recorded
Karnataka on Wednesday re from 39,619 samples.
Vaccine sites now hubs
ported 23,558 new cases of The State branch of the All
of transmission: Minister
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM
COVID19, of which 13,640 India Lawyers’ Union (AILU)
Union Minister of State were from Bengaluru Urban. requested the Chief Justice of
for External Affairs V. With 116 deaths, the toll the Andhra Pradesh High
Muraleedharan on rose to 13,762. The test posi Court to disallow physical
Wednesday said the Kerala tivity rate (TPR) for the day appearance of advocates and
government should procure stood at 15.47%. parties at the trial court level
vaccines directly from Kerala’s mass testing led and to declare vacation from
manufacturers to tackle the to the identifi cation of 22,414 May 1 to June 1.
shortage. “Kerala could new cases . The TPR rose to In Tamil Nadu, new CO
deliver only fewer than 1 lakh 18.41%. Nine districts report VID19 cases exceeded
doses a day. But it invited ed over a thousand new cas 11,000 on Wednesday. A to
double the number of people es and there were 22 more tal of 11,681 persons tested
to Staterun vaccination deaths. positive and 53 persons died,
centres. The resultant Temperature Data: IMD, Pollution Data: CPCB, Map: INSAT/IMD (Taken at 18.00 Hrs)
As per the State’s revised taking the overall case tally
anarchy turned the centres Forecast for Thursday: Thunderstorm with lightning/hail/gusty
travel guidelines, all domes to 10,25,059 and the toll to
into virus transmission hubs,” wind likely at isolated places over Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh,
tic travellers coming in must 13,258. Chennai accounted Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Delhi, Arunachal Pra
the Minister said.
undergo RTPCR test, irres for 18 of the 53 fatalities desh, Assam, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Sikkim, West Bengal,
pective of vaccination status. while Kancheepuram and Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Vidarbha, coastal Andhra
TTD sacks channel editor The highrisk primary Chengalpattu recorded six Pradesh, Yanam, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Kerala
named in smuggling case contacts should undergo and fi ve deaths respectively. city rain max min city rain max min
TIRUMALA Agartala................ —....37.1....26.2 Kozhikode................. 0.6....33.2....25.8
quarantine for 14 days. They and remain in home isola Those without RTPCR test pitals said deaths exceeded The active caseload rose
The Tirumala Tirupati Ahmedabad ........... —....39.8....26.0 Kurnool ....................... —....38.6....26.0
Devasthanams (TTD) issued
must undergo RTPCR test tion. Even if they test nega should take one on arrival. fi gures in offi cial bulletins. to 84,361, of which Chennai Aizawl................... —....31.4....16.9 Lucknow...................... —....35.4....25.5
orders terminating the ing on the eighth day. Even if tive, they should be on self Cases and deaths conti Of 6,542 cases, the highest accounted for 29,256 Allahabad.............. —....36.4....27.0 Madurai ....................... —....38.7....26.1
they test negative, they observation for seven days. nued to rise in Telangana of 898 cases were from Grea patients. Bengaluru .......... 0.6....34.6....22.8 Mangaluru ................... —....34.2....25.0
services of Mittapalli Bhopal .................. —....37.5....24.2 Mumbai ....................... —....32.6....25.6
Ravikiran, working as editor should continue in quaran Business travellers should re and on Tuesday, 20 patients ter Hyderabad region. (With inputs from Bhubaneswar......... —....39.2....27.6 Mysuru ........................ —....33.6....20.6
on contract basis in Sri tine for seven more days. gister on ejagratha portal died and 6,542 were detect The coronavirus claimed Thiruvananthapuram, Chandigarh ........ 3.6....31.3....18.3 New Delhi ................... —....33.4....19.2
All international travellers and produce a negative RT ed with the virus. Doctors in 38 lives in Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad, Vijayawada Chennai ................ —....36.4....28.0 Patna .......................... —....35.5....25.7
Venkateswara Bhakti Channel Coimbatore ........... —....35.0....23.2 Port Blair..................... —....32.2....24.2
(SVBC), for his alleged should undergo RTPCR test PCR test got within 48 hours. government and private hos while 9,716 infections were and Chennai bureaus) Dehradun .............. —....32.0....19.8 Puducherry .................. —....35.0....26.5
involvement in the smuggling Gangtok ................ —....19.5....13.6 Pune............................ —....38.4....20.2
Goa....................... —....34.2....26.0 Raipur ......................... 1....40.0....22.5
of red sanders. He is
Guwahati .............. 1....33.0....21.5 Ranchi ......................... —....36.0....24.1
No lockdown in Kerala; Karnataka seeks oxygen
presently in Piler subjail in Hubballi ................ —....36.0....22.0 Shillong.................. 35.8....25.8....14.8
Chitoor district of Andhra Hyderabad ............ 5....37.9....24.0 Shimla.................... 16.2....18.6......7.4
Pradesh. The officials of Imphal .................. —....31.5....16.6 Srinagar....................... —....18.8......8.8
Jaipur ................... —....33.2....21.0 Thiruvananthapuram......... —....34.0....25.2
Red Sanders AntiSmuggling Kochi ................. 0.4....32.0....24.0 Tiruchi......................... —....40.2....26.8
Task Force had booked a hours of collecting samples. Kohima ................. —....27.4....13.8 Vijayawada .................. —....38.4....27.0
criminal case recently Telangana gets a little over 6 lakh Amid concerns over shor Kolkata ................. —....37.9....27.8 Visakhapatnam ............. —....33.6....27.9
against Ravikiran. additional doses of vaccine tage of oxygen, the Karnata (Rainfall data in mm; temperature in Celsius)
Pollutants in the air you are breathing Yesterday
ka government has request
Ganja worth ₹ 100 crore Special Correspondent vernment had not insisted ed the Centre to fi ll the
CITIES SO2 NO2 CO PM2.5 PM10 CODE
seized in Kerala Ahmedabad..... 36 .50 .33 ....82 .114 ....* In observation made at
Thiruvananthapuram
on a lockdown. It was incum lacunae, State Health Minis Bengaluru ....... ..5 .42 .67 ..114 ...93 ....* 4.00 p.m., Singrauli,
PALAKKAD
Kerala Chief Minister Pina bent upon citizens to save ter K. Sudhakar said on Wed Chennai .......... ..4 .16 .83 ....47 .....— ....* Madhya Pradesh recorded
An Excise special squad seized Delhi .............. 36 .64 .76 ..132 .118 ....* an overall air quality index
1,000 kg of ganja from a rayi Vijayan on Wednesday the State from a shutdown, nesday. He said the State Hyderabad ...... ..4 .51 .35 ....89 .111 ....* (AQI) score of 275
indicating an unhealthy
truck at Walayar on the ruled out a Statewide lock he said. The 9 p.m. to 5 a.m might require 1,500 tonnes Kolkata ........... 11 .20 110 ....81 ...93 ....* level of pollution. In
down. curfew would continue till of oxygen every day. Lucknow ......... 11 .62 .65 ..258 .180 ....* contrast, Khanna, Punjab
KeralaTamil Nadu border Mumbai .......... 46 .16 .67 ....47 ...81 ....* recorded a healthy AQI
near here on Wednesday However, the government May 3. Shops should shut at Pune............... ..— .54 .48 ....80 ...61 ....* score of 34
night. It is roughly valued at would curb civic life to a con 7.30 p.m. District magis Vaccine doses Visakhapatnam 14 .39 .13 ....51 ...90 ....*
₹ 100 crore. The ganja, said to siderable measure on the trates could relax hotel tim Telangana received a little Air Quality Code: * Poor * Moderate * Good (Readings indicate average AQI)
be brought from Visakhapa weekend to slow down the ings to deliver food to citi over 6 lakh additional doses SO2: Sulphur Dioxide. Short-term exposure can harm the respiratory system,
transmission of the virus. zens observing Ramzan fast, of COVID19 vaccine on Tues making breathing difficult. It can affect visibility by reacting with other air
tnam in Andhra Pradesh, was Fighting the virus: Annam Varkey, 104, taking her fi rst jab at particles to form haze and stain culturally important objects such as statues
being taken to Kochi. Excise There was no change in the he said. the Angamaly Taluk Hospital in Kerala on Wednesday. She is day. and monuments.
officers said it was the higher secondary examina the oldest recipient of the COVID19 vaccine in the State. Up to Wednesday night, NO2: Nitrogen Dioxide. Aggravates respiratory illness, causes haze to form by
biggest seizure ever in the reacting with other air particles, causes acid rain, pollutes coastal waters.
tion schedule, he said. Karnataka CM’s plea the State had around seven CO: Carbon monoxide. High concentration in air reduces oxygen supply to
State. It could be the biggest Only essential services Amid raging cases in Karan districts to check the spread. dling of the crisis. lakh doses. This is expected critical organs like the heart and brain. At very high levels, it can cause
in the country too, they said. would operate on April 24 taka, Chief Minister B.S. Ye The direction comes a day af The Karnataka govern to last for four to fi ve days. dizziness, confusion, unconsciousness and even death.
The ganja was hidden in a PM2.5 & PM10: Particulate matter pollution can cause irritation of the eyes,
and 25. The government has diyurappa on Wednesday ter Opposition leaders, at an ment has directed labs and The State is vaccinating over nose and throat, coughing, chest tightness and shortness of breath, reduced
compartment in the truck. declared Saturday a holiday. asked his Cabinet colleagues allparty meeting, criticised testing agencies to give the 1.2 to 1.7 lakh people a day. lung function, irregular heartbeat, asthma attacks, heart attacks and premature
Three youngsters were held. Mr. Vijayan said the go to work more proactively in the government over its han RTPCR test results within 24 (With PTI inputs) death in people with heart or lung disease
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6 EDITORIAL DELHI
I
f Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address to the perpetuation of historical evils. To properties. er by dominant groups.
country amid the raging storm of COVID19 cases treat religion as a subject beyond To be sure, that this was once
I
was intended as reassurance of the government’s n the midst of the recent electo the state’s sovereign reach was to the case does not by itself suggest In other religions
ral campaign in Tamil Nadu, a thwart the Constitution’s aim of es that state control over religious in Those calling for deregulation also
R. RAGU
commitment to averting economic decline and ramp
movement to free Hindu tem tablishing a free and egalitarian so stitutions must now continue. But point to the state’s approach to
ing up health facilities, he provided little insight into ples from state control gained ciety at its very founding. The the circumstances that existed in other religions. But a reading of
specifi c measures. It should be evident from the pace of some traction. Ask the proponents framers were also conscious that sions shows us that a religious de the 1920s, when the government the Waqf Act, 1995, will show us
infection spread and the large number of deaths in sev of the movement who they see as achieving these goals meant that nomination has substantial free of Madras enacted its fi rst endow that the government also exercises
eral regions that the sensible course open to the Centre the state’s successor and the answ the government had to ensure that dom over matters concerning its ment law, have not substantially substantial supervisory control ov
and State governments is to enable economic produc er you get is, the community of resources vital to the common faith. But this right does not over changed. The provincial adminis er management of properties ded
tion and consumption while massively scalingup the Hindus. But by that, what do they weal were properly managed. As ride the state’s power to make laws tration of the time introduced the icated for religious purposes un
mean? Who selects the personnel they saw it, it was the state’s res regulating the management of pro law because it found that the colo der Muslim law. It is possible to
health response. Mr. Modi, who advised States to treat
that will constitute this communi ponsibility to guarantee, for in perties belonging to these denom nial regime, in ceding regulatory argue that this legislation does not
lockdowns as a last resort, has virtually acknowledged, ty? Does the movement want a re stance, that a temple dedicated for inations. The state’s authority is authority over temples, had paved go far enough, as Justice S.A. Kad
with the benefi t of hindsight, that last year’s measure version to the status quo ante that public use was, in fact, being put wider still in attending to religious the path for a division of power in er, a former judge of the Madras
dealt a severe blow to unorganised labour and the self existed before the state intervened to such use. institutions that partake a public which powerful castes and com High Court has in his book, The
employed. The priority now is for the workforce to be in the management of temples? If character. The protections of Arti munities within the Hindu fold ap Law of Wakfs. Similarly, in the
vaccinated and containment measures against disease so, what was that status quo ante? Caveats and provisos cle 25 are expressly restricted to propriated control over religious State of Kerala, repeated demands
spread to be restricted to micro locations. Yet, the cru A lack of clear answers to these It was with these ends in mind that matters within the domain of reli institutions. The statutes of 1951 have been made by reformist
questions suggests that what the various caveats and provisos were gion. Government has every auth and 1959 which succeeded the Christian groups for the creation
cial question is that of universalising vaccinations for
programme really seeks is to plant written into Articles 25 and 26 of ority to regulate and restrict a sec 1927 legislation were both framed of statemanaged committees to
everyone above 18 years of age from May 1. The Centre’s in the state’s position powerful the Constitution. The former ular function performed by a with the same objective: to ensure administer the church’s fi nances
latest policy has eff ectively opened the fl oodgates to an private interests, and in the pro makes the freedom of conscience public religious institution. It was that Hindu public endowments and properties. Perhaps a time
unregulated system with marketdetermined vaccine cess, reinstate some of the hierar and the right freely to profess, in exercise of this power that the were being put to use for the true will come for such laws.
pricing. Rather than use monopsonist power to pro chical divisions that might have practise and propagate religion government of Madras enacted a purposes for which the endow In the meantime, though, we
cure all vaccines for pricecapped distribution, extend been negated, albeit not nearly en subject to public order, morality Hindu Religious and Charitable ments were fi rst made. must consider the HR&CE law on
ing the model that has been in place since March 1, the tirely, through the Constitution and health. What is more, this Endowments Act in 1951, which To that end, the law accords to a its own merits. An examination of
and its processes. right, the provision clarifi es, will was replaced in 1959 by the Tamil stateappointed commissioner a the legislation enforced in Tamil
move has led to a 266% to 400% price increase for Cov
not stand in the way of the state Nadu Hindu Religious and Charita power of general superintendence Nadu demonstrates that the move
ishield for State governments and private hospitals, res Civic history and faith making laws regulating any eco ble Endowments (HR&CE) Act. over all Hindu religious endow ment seeking a delinking of state
pectively. Bharat Biotech has also hinted at the need to At an intuitive level, the idea of go nomic, fi nancial, or other secular ments, and it authorises the com and religion misprizes the law’s
recover its investments in Covaxin through price fl exi vernments overseeing the man activity associated with religion, As essential role of the state missioner, among other things, to value. If applied properly, the re
bility. Manufacturers should not be rushing to seek ap agement of religious institutions or in the way of the state making But this power to oversee adminis appoint executive offi cers to tem gime will allow the state to act as a
provals in those regions where the profi ts are the high strikes one as anathema to a secu laws providing for social welfare tration of religious bodies was ples to ensure that their funds are genuine tribune of social justice.
est, leaving out the poorer territories. All vaccines need lar, democratic republic. But the and reform. seen as an incident of sovereignty being properly applied. The Su No doubt there might be defi cien
principles on which secularism Article 26, on the other hand, long before the Constitution came preme Court of India tested the ra cies in how the statute is applied
a sustainable manufacturing base, but the government
rests in India are distinct from protects group rights. It grants to into force. In his 1918 treatise, The tionale for this oversight in the Shi today. For this reason, we must
must ensure a good, free people’s vaccine for all. their western antecedents. The every “religious denomination” Law Relating to Hindu and Mo rur Mutt c ase (1954). In constantly demand transparency
With 2,94,365 new cases and 2,011 dead on just April makers of India’s Constitution the right to establish institutions; hammedan Religious Endow substantially upholding Tamil Na and hold the state responsible to
20, India is waging a war against the virus that calls for were conscious of the dangers in to manage its own aff airs in mat ments, P.R. Ganapathi Iyer points du’s 1951 legislation — which was the administrative standards pre
strong leadership, decentralisation to allow States to promising an American style right ters of religion; to own and acquire to how Hindu kings habitually em repealed and reenacted in 1959 — scribed under the law. But a call to
take speedy action and the eff ective use of regulatory to nonestablishment. To them, property; and to administer that ployed ministries to supervise the Court recognised that the basic do anything more is to risk the
authority. The Prime Minister is right to identify urban there was little doubt that all per property in accordance with law. temples and charitable bodies. In framework of the law was in per abandoning of the promises that
workers and labour as key coverage groups for vaccina sons must be entitled to a freedom This right too is bound by consid deed, the regulation of temple fect consonance with the authori underpin the Constitution.
of conscience. But that freedom, erations of public order, morality, management was seen as an es ty vested in the state under Arti
tion, with support from the Centre and States. Here, the
they believed, ought not to be cir and health. sential role of the state. The book cles 25 and 26. Today, with no Suhrith Parthasarathy is an advocate
Union Budget allocation of ₹ 35,000 crore for COVID19 cumscribed by extending to ex A plain reading of these provi also shows us how under Mughal obvious successor available, practising at the Madras High Court
vaccines should be able to cover more categories this
year and the outlay can be enhanced if necessary.
Worldwide, governments have made COVID19 vaccina
tion a fully statefunded eff ort. The case for free market
pricing for vaccines, on the ground that private enter
Strengthening the process of choosing the police chief
prise is leading vaccine development, is overstated. For A balance needs to be struck between the government’s legitimate role and the police chief ’s operational autonomy
AstraZenecaCovishield, the single biggest research the appointment and removal of these terms or specifying their ele Kingdom provides a useful exam
funding component, at over £38 million, came from the police chiefs was fi rst suggested by ments to guide the appointments. ple. The Police Reform and Social
British government, followed by overseas govern the National Police Commission What qualifi es as a “good” range of Responsibility Act, 2011, intro
ments, universities and charities. What India needs is (NPC), constituted in 1979, and experience? How is the integrity of duced public confi rmation hear
free universal vaccination, modelled on the polio cam much later reaffi rmed by the Su a candidate measured during ap ings as an additional layer of check
preme Court of India in its judg praisals? What is the process re for the appointment of the heads
paign. The Centre cannot abdicate that responsibility.
Devyani Srivastava ment in 2006, in Prakash Singh. quired to be followed by the SSC in of their police forces known as
While the top court entrusted the reviewing the suitability of candi Chief Constables (outside of Lon
Towards racial justice
VIVEK BENDRE
R
ecent developments in the (UPSC) with a role in shortlisting the candidates be considered as a
Conviction in the George Floyd case and the Mumbai Police which result candidates from which the State requirement, for instance? Enabling fairness
ed in the removal of Param government is to appoint the pol Similarly, no scrutiny process The proposed candidates are re
police reform bill should help build bridges Bir Singh from the Mumbai Police ice chief, the Model Police Bill, meetings since 2014), their design has been prescribed to justify re quired to participate in a hearing
A
U.S. judge found Derek Chauvin, a Minneapolis Commissioner’s post focus the 2015 (https://bit.ly/3at9U8q) plac itself will have to be strengthened movals from tenure posts. The organised by the police and crime
police offi cer, guilty of murdering an unarmed spotlight once again on long over es the responsibility with a multi if they are to drive meaningful re NPC had required State govern panel in each area(made up of re
AfricanAmerican man, George Floyd, an inci due reforms needed in the process party State Police Board, also re forms. ments to seek the approval of the presentatives from local councils
dent last May that ignited a nationwide storm of protest of appointing and removing police ferred to as the State Security Moreover, in as many as 23 State Security Commission before and coopted independent mem
chiefs. A crucial way in which go Commission (SSCs), instead (Sec States (https://bit.ly/3as9aAC), go removing the police chief before bers) where questions centre on
against police brutality and a worldwide outpouring of
vernments exercise control over tion 8). Made up of government of vernments retain the sole discre the end of term. This important the candidate’s ability to “recog
anger at America’s racial injustice. Mr. Chauvin has the State police is through their fi cials, the Leader of the Opposi tion of appointing the police chief. check was diluted under the Pra nize and understand the separa
been convicted of seconddegree and thirddegree mur unregulated power to decide who tion as well as independent Assam, Jharkhand, Karnataka, kash Singh judgment that only re tion of political and operational
der, and manslaughter — all three for an encounter that the chief will be. members from civil society, the Meghalaya and Mizoram are the quires governments to consult the responsibilities in relation to the
lasted around nine minutes, during which he pinned There is no independent vetting board provides the additional safe only States where, on paper, the SSC. Most States omit even this post”. This constitutes a crucial
Mr. Floyd’s neck to the roadside with his knee until he process to assess the suitability of guard of civilian oversight over the SSC is given the responsibility of cursory step. Broad terms such as step of the timebound vetting pro
stopped breathing. Mr. Floyd’s fi nal words, “I can’t qualifi ed candidates, and the go appointment process. shortlisting candidates. Whether “on administrative grounds” or “in cess based on which the panel
vernment’s assessment, if it is this process is followed in practice the public interest” continue to be makes its recommendations on
breathe”, became the clarion call of a massive wave of
done at all, remains opaque and is Gaps in SSCs each time remains to be verifi ed. retained in police acts to justify the suitability of the candidate.
street protests across the U.S. At the time, erstwhile an exercise behind closed doors. India, however, has made little the government’s power to re Importantly, these panels have the
President Donald Trump fanned outrage when he de While the principles of democratic progress in constituting truly inde Need for transparency move the police chief. Such terms power to veto (by twothirds ma
scribed the protests a result of the “radical left” and accountability necessitate the pol pendent bodies. While 26 States The second element critical to pol remain liable to misuse. jority) the proposed appointment
threatened to send in the National Guard. President Joe ice chief to remain answerable to and the Union Territories (https:// ice reforms is instituting an inde Indeed, the Supreme Court has as well. On removals too, the pa
Biden, at the time a presidential race frontrunner, con the elected government at all bit.ly/2P8nab3) have established pendent and transparent selection rightly emphasised that “prima fa nels allow the police chief an op
trarily went to Houston to meet with Mr. Floyd’s rela times, the moot reform issue is in SSCs, either through new police and decisionmaking process cie satisfaction of the govern portunity to respond to the allega
ensuring the right balance bet acts or amendments or through around appointment and removal, ment” alone is not a suffi cient tions on the basis of which their
tives. He said at the time that he would not “fan the
ween conditioning the govern executive orders, not a single one against objective criteria. Much ground to justify removal from a removal is being sought as part of
fl ames of hate”, but instead, “seek to heal the racial ment’s legitimate role in appoint adheres to the balanced composi standardsetting work is needed tenure post in government, such the scrutiny process.
wounds that have long plagued this country”. A few ing or removing the police chief tion suggested by the top court. on this as only basic safeguards as that of the police chief (T.P. Sen- Such steps can help ensure fair
months ahead of one of the most remarkable presiden with the need to safeguard the Some do not include the Leader of have been defi ned in reform mea kumar vs Union of India, 2017). ness in administrative decisions
tial elections in recent history, his words lent hope to chief’s operational autonomy. the Opposition; others neither in sures towards protecting the oper The rule of law requires such deci and need to be considered in our
many Americans that should he win, there might be a clude independent members nor ational autonomy of the police sions be for compelling reasons context as well in order to protect
real possibility for reform in law enforcement and cri Have an oversight panel follow an independent selection chief. On appointments, the Court and based on verifi able material the political neutrality of the pol
Two elements are vital to reforms process of the members. In es and the Model Police Act require that can be objectively tested. ice. Any further delay in imple
minal justice that could result in less violence against
in this area. The fi rst is the need to sence, the commissions remain the UPSC/SSC to shortlist candi Clear and specifi c benchmarks menting reforms in this area will
racial minorities. shift the responsibility of appoint dominated by the political execu dates on the basis of length of ser need to be integrated into deci continue to demoralise the police
Yet, it is clear that the road towards achieving a more ment and removal from the go tive. Keeping aside the concern ov vice, service record, and range of sionmaking processes, both on and cripple the rule of law.
perfect union is laden with pitfalls that render the task vernment alone to a bipartisan, in er nonfunctioning SSCs (as of experience and a performance ap appointments and removals, to
at hand formidable. Literally minutes before the verdict dependent oversight body of 2019, information secured praisal of the candidates over the prevent politically motivated ad Devyani Srivastava is Head, Police
in the Chauvin trial, a teenage girl in Columbus, Ohio, which the government is one part. through the Right to Information past 10 years. verse actions. Reforms Programme, at the
was killed by the police. Her death comes in the wake of Establishing a statelevel over Act (https://bit.ly/3n7D1n1) indi However, no further guidance In improving transparency of Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative
others felled in police encounters, including Eric Gar sight body with a specifi ed role in cates that only four SSCs have held has been developed on explaining the review process, the United (CHRI)
ner, Michael Brown and Tamir Rice in 2014, and Breon
na Taylor in 2020, to name but a few. In most such cas LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Letters emailed to letters@thehindu.co.in must carry the full postal address and the full name or the name with initials.
es, charges have been rare, and convictions rarer still.
To read more letters
Analysis of these cases suggested that most often charg Pandemic fi ght situation is not surprising. were not asked for to honour take place. The Union at the root cause of the online, scan the QR code
CM A ND-NDE
YK
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THE HINDU
THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2021
DELHI
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OPED 7
REUTERS
stage for State governments, private tricted use. The rich can then avail of the global manufacturing order to Asia’s dis ability between central bank digital curren
hospitals and the private market vy the best vaccines in the open market, advantage. But in the ‘Digital Data Revolu cies at the Bank for International
ing to have access to vaccines from in line with the government’s an tion’, algorithms requiring massive amounts Settlements. The U.S., far behind in mobile
*
the Serum Institute of India (SII) and nouncement that all imported vac of data determine innovation, the nature of payments, is falling back on data alliances
Bharat Biotech. gamble in allowing companies to sell profi ts, but we have sacrifi ced what cines will be available only in the productivity growth, and military power. and sanctions to maintain its global position.
The April 19 announcement of the vaccines at huge profi ts amid a pan we call ‘super profi ts’,” he told private market. Mobile digital payment interconnections im India’s goal is to become a $5trillion eco
rollout of vaccines in the third demic, and particularly so when the NDTV. “Super profi ts are needed to The second wave has amply de pact society and the international system, nomy by 2025. While the country is fast
phase, wherein anyone above 18 second wave is ravaging the country further build capacity, innovate and monstrated that unlike last year, having three strategic implications. tracking its digital rupee, the challenge is
years is eligible for vaccination, and daily deaths are spiralling. compete with the western compa more people in the age group of 18 First, because of the nature and pervasive promoting engagement with major powers
comes at a time when many States The government’s projected pop nies. But we don’t care for these at 40 years have been symptomatically ness of digital data, military and civilian sys while retaining its data for innovation and
have already been reporting shortag ulation for the year 2021 for the 1844 the moment as we want to address infected, with many requiring hospi tems are symbiotic. Cybersecurity is national competitive advantage.
es in supply, which is refl ected in the years age group is 595 million. With the needs of the nation fi rst … and we talisation. Hence, a policy that pro security, and this requires both a new mili
dropping number of vaccine doses two doses per person, this translates can make profi ts after a few months.” motes vaccine inequity based on age tary doctrine and a diplomatic framework. Fluid dynamics
administered daily, the fourday Tika to 1,190 million doses. This huge pop However, since the Centre has al bands is a dangerous proposition. Second, the blurring of distinctions bet With Asia at the centre of the world, major
Utsav (vaccination festival) ulation has not been included in ready agreed to advance ₹ 3,000 A bigger issue is that with States ween domestic and foreign policy and the re powers see value in relationships with New
notwithstanding. priority groups to have access to vac crore to the SII and ₹ 1,500 crore to required to procure 50% of vaccines placement of global rules with issuebased Delhi. India fi ts into the U.S. frame to provide
While allowing all adults above 18 cines, and it would be covered solely Bharat Biotech to ramp up manufac directly from manufacturers, the go understanding converge with the growth of leverage. China wants India, also a digital
years is indeed a welcome move, the by State governments and the private turing facilities, would the two vac vernments will end up competing smartphonebased ecommerce, which en power, to see it as a partner, not a rival. And
Centre’s announcement comes with sector. While the private sector may cine manufacturers still feel the need with each other and with private sures that massive amounts of data give a China remains the largest trading partner of
several caveats. be able to cater to a small percentage to make a killing? players. A similar situation was seen sustained productivity advantage to Asia. both the U.S. and India despite sanctions and
The two vaccine manufacturers of the population that can aff ord to in the United States last year, when Third, data streams are now at the centre border skirmishes. These fl uid relationships
will supply 50% of their vaccine dos pay a higher price per dose, the Rising costs former President Donald Trump of global trade and countries’ economic and have their own tradeoff s, raising the ques
es to the Union government, while States must buy vaccines and admi On several occasions, the latest being made individual States procure ven national power. India, thus, has the capacity tion: whose interests do the current rules
the remaining doses will be made nister them for free for a huge num December 30 last year, both Oxford tilators and Personal Protective to negotiate new rules as an equal with the really serve? India, like China, is uncomfor
available to State governments and ber of people, lest the poor are left University and AstraZeneca pro Equipment (PPEs) on their own, U.S. and China. table with treating Western values as univer
private hospitals. A press release out. Whatever policy each State go mised to manufacture and distribute leading to a chaotic situation where sal values and with the U.S. interpretation of
from the SII says Covishield will be vernment formulates to identify the vaccine “on a notforprofi t basis States outbid each other and diver A renewed strategy Freedom of Navigation rules in others’ terri
available in retail and free trade after those eligible for free vaccines, it for the duration of the coronavirus sion of supplies from one State to Innovation based on data streams has contri torial waters. New Delhi’s IndoPacifi c vision
four to fi ve months. would need to allocate huge resourc pandemic”. When AstraZeneca another became rampant. buted to China’s rise as the secondlargest is premised on “ASEAN centrality and the
Unlike the rest of the world, the In es to buy the doses. A signifi cant walked back on its word with Brazil, With around 2.4 million doses be economy and the “nearpeer” of the U.S. The common pursuit of prosperity”. The Euro
dian government took the fi rst step number of people are likely to be left the company said it had the right un ing produced a day, the SII is current U.S. IndoPacifi c Commander recently said pean Union recently acknowledged that the
of charging for vaccines by fi xing the out in this process. der the contract “to declare the pan ly manufacturing 6065 million dos the erosion of conventional deterrence capa path to its future is through an enhanced in
cost of jabs at private hospitals at up As per the Centre’s demand, on demic over by July 2021” and that it es a month. According to Mr. bilities was the greatest danger in the strateg fl uence in the IndoPacifi c, while stressing
to ₹ 250 per dose. But with the April Wednesday, the SII announced the could extend the agreement beyond Poonawalla, the company will be ic competition with China. The national se that the strategy is not “antiChina”. The U.S.
19 announcement, the government price at which vaccines will be sold July 2021 but only in “good faith” and able to ramp up production only af curity strategy of the U.S. puts more position in trade, that investment creates
has gone the whole hog by allowing to States and private hospitals. Adar if it considered that the COVID19 ter June; capacity addition at Bharat emphasis on diplomacy than military power new markets, makes it similar to China’s Belt
the two companies to decide the Poonawalla, CEO of the Serum Insti pandemic was not over. Biotech, too, will take a few months. to resolve confl icts with China, acknowledg and Road Initiative.
price of vaccines. tute of India, told CNBC-TV18 that In India, the SII, despite not selling Hence, the current shortage is likely ing that its military allies have complex rela India alone straddles both U.S. and China
Covishield will cost ₹ 400 for both the vaccine at the cost price, is mak to continue for a few more months. tionships with Beijing, as it seeks to work led strategic groupings, providing an equity
A contradictory approach Central and State governments and ing a small profi t while supplying it at Amid the sharp criticism for the with them to close technology gaps. based perspective to competing visions. It
Many developed countries have ₹ 600 for private hospitals. ₹ 150 per dose. With the price tags of shortfall, the Central government, by China’s technology weakness is the de must be prepared to play a key role in
sealed vaccine supplies many times On April 6, Mr. Poonawalla went ₹ 400 and ₹ 600 per dose, the compa allowing States to procure vaccines pendence on semiconductors and its power moulding rules for the hyperconnected
their total population; most coun on record saying that even at the sub ny will be earning more than 2.5 to directly from manufacturers, has lessness against U.S. sanctions on banks, 5G world, facing off both the U.S. and China to
tries, including the U.S., where sidised price of ₹ 150–₹ 160 per dose, three times the profi t as early as May deftly shifted any future blame to and cloud computing companies. But its realise its potential of becoming the second
healthcare is highly privatised, are the company was not selling at the 1, when the pandemic is nowhere State governments. Fourteenth Five Year Plan emphasises a $1.4 largest economy.
vaccinating adults for free. Against cost price but was making a profi t. “I close to ending and the second wave trillion strategy for the development of
this, India has taken a dangerous would not say we are not making any is raging in India. prasad.ravindranath@thehindu.co.in science and technology. China’s digital tech Mukul Sanwal is a former UN diplomat
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Very few postvaccine dialogue and the rights of all
communities at bilateral and
multilateral forums “such as
On the National Register
of Citizens (NRC), the report
says, “The consequences of
In an apparent reference
to the Tablighi Jamaat Mar
kaz in March 2020, the US
he said. Last year, three of 10
commissioners — including
Mr. Moore — had presented
job properly. They are ex
posed to every kind of at
tack, even police violence
nearly a year. The Ambassa
dor said the shutdown was
for the security of the re
Covaxin phase 3 trial Police because of lack of evi
dence, sources said on Wed
nesday. The commission is
Awanish Kumar Awasthi
said, “I would not like to
comment on it.” According
were, however, witnesses
supporting the police ver
sion, he added.
in an encounter at Maudaha
village in Hamirpur district.
On July 9, Praveen Dubey,
this cell, accessed by The
Hindu, on April 26 last year,
the Additional Director
ported as attacks on journal
ists are often a consequence
of the law and order situa
shows 78% effi cacy headed by former Supreme
Court judge B.S. Chauhan.
to the sources, the inquiry
commission has found no
On July 3 last year, eight
policemen were killed in an
alias Bauwa, 48, and Prab
hat, alias Kartikeya, 28, were
General, Public Information
Bureau, fi rst wrote to RSF
tion in some areas of India.
This is often misrepresented
The other two members are evidence of wrongdoing by ambush in Bikru village in killed in separate encounters chairman Pierre Haski ask as targeted attacks on jour
“Even if it had been fi ve or 10 Wednesday. former Allahabad High the State police. Chaubeypur area of Kanpur in Etawah and Kanpur ing for the criteria on the ba nalists by the State in west
per 10,000, it wouldn’t be a Krishna Ella, chairman Court judge Sashi Kant Agra Speaking to PTI, a senior when they were going to ar districts. sis of which it compiles the ern media.”
cause for worry because the and managing director, Bha
objective of the vaccine is to rat Biotech, said, “Effi cacy
tested against emergent in dia. “The effi cacy data CHANDIGARH The claims are totally baseless, say Chhattisgarh police Terming pendency of
ternational variants of con against severe COVID19 and With wheat harvesting in around 57 lakh cases in
cern, such as the U.K. strain
and the Indian B.1.617 strain,
the scientist said. “Because
asymptomatic infections is
highly signifi cant, as this
helps reduce hospitalisa
full swing in Punjab and Ha
ryana, farmers, for the fi rst
time, have started receiving
Special Correspondent
New Delhi
The Maoists said in a state
Call to free Hidme Markam High Courts as “docket ex
plosion”, the Supreme
Court activated a “dor
the vaccine produces a very tions and disease transmis the minimum support price ment on Wednesday that SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT freed and all charges mant” constitutional pro
broad range of antibodies, sion, respectively.” (MSP) payment directly in security forces had on NEW DELHI against her, including vision to pave way for ap
unlike many other vaccines The phase 3 study en their bank accounts under April 19 dropped 12 bombs Over 1,000 activists, UAPA, be dropped. pointment of retired High
that are solely directed at rolled 25,800 participants in the Direct Benefi t Transfer from a drone near a village academics and concerned Hidme Markam was Court judges as adhoc
the spike protein, it does a the age group of 1898, in Scheme (DBT). in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur citizens from across the arrested on March 9 by ones for a period of two to
great job at neutralising the cluding 2,433 above 60 and The government data district. globe have petitioned police and paramilitary three years to clear back
various.” The company has 4,500 with comorbidities. show ₹ 5,385 crore had been Bharat Bhushan Ashu The Chhattisgarh police Chhattisgarh Chief Minister forces from Dantewada’s log and came out with gui
reported effi cacy against the The primary endpoint of transferred in the ongoing said the “allegation being Bhupesh Baghel demanding Sameli village, where a delines to regulate
U.K. variant in a peer re phase 3 clinical trial is based procurement season by the been procured and more levelled by Maoists regard that Hidme Markam, an programme was under way appointments.
viewed journal (Journal of on the fi rst occurrence of Central and State procure than 20 lakh tonnes lifted by ing air strike/drone attack adivasi human rights to remember and mourn Article 224A, used rare
Travel Medicine) but is yet PCRconfi rmed symptomat ment agencies to farmers various government were baseless and it was defender and the rapes and murders of ly, of the Constitution
to publicise results on the ic (mild, moderate, or sev against purchase of their agencies. an outcome of fear and environmental activist, be adivasi women. deals with appointment of
vaccine’s effi cacy against the ere) COVID19 with onset at crops in both the States. “In Punjab, both the confusion in the rank and DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD adhoc judges in High
Brazilian strain. least 14 days after the second In Punjab, ₹ 2,600 crore farmers and the arhtiyas fi le of Maoist cadres”. Courts and says “the Chief
“Covaxin has been found study vaccination in serolog has been paid to accounts of [commission agents] are A statement signed by ‘Vi minutes before the attack of the native population. It is Justice of a High Court for
to eff ectively neutralise the ically negative (to SARS farmers till April 20 under happy over the wheat pro kalp’, spokesperson of the took place. They claimed the Maoist cadres who have any State may at any time,
double mutant variant as CoV2) adult participants at the scheme. In Haryana, curement,” he said. Dandakaranya Special Zonal that this was the fi rst time taken away the lives of thou with the previous consent
well,” the ICMR tweeted on baseline. ₹ 2,785 crore has been trans In Haryana, ₹ 2,785 crore Committee of the Maoists, that a drone had been used sands of innocent civilians of the President, request
ferred directly to the ac has been transferred direct said on April 19, the drone to aerially bomb areas, ad by using IEDs and explosive any person who has held
counts of farmers. ly to the accounts of farmers dropped “12 bombs” bet ding the attack was a retalia materials. They haven’t even the offi ce of a Judge of that
fi xes Covishield price payments more than ₹ 2,600
crore has been paid to the
nesday procured 3.11 lakh
tonnes through various pro
some plants and trees were
destroyed and a few animals
curity personnel were killed
by the banned group.
curity forces by using IEDs.
The Maoists do not have any
that State”. A bench of
Chief Justice S.A. Bobde
accounts of farmers till April curement agencies on the were injured. Chhattisgarh IGP P. Sun moral authority to level such and Justices S.K. Kaul and
On Monday, when announc States abdicating their 20”. MSP. Of the 64.77 lakh The Maoists also shared a darraj said, “The security baseless allegation against Surya Kant issued a slew of
ing vaccination for all above responsibility. He said 54 lakh tonnes of tonnes of wheat that arrived photograph of the aff ected forces in Bastar operate the security forces. It is high guidelines pertaining to is
18, the Centre said compa In an interview to CNBC wheat have arrived in ‘man at procurement centres till area and the “bombs”. The within the legal framework time that they stop unleash sues such as tenure, salary,
nies could sell half their ap TV 18, Mr. Poonawala said dis’ till April 20, out of April 20, 55.62 lakh tonnes statement said they were with a single objective of ing cruelty against innocent perks, etc, and their role in
proved lot of vaccines in the his company had sold 100 which 50 lakh tonnes have have been procured. able to change their location protecting life and property tribals of Bastar.” adjudicating cases.
open market, opening up million doses at ₹ 150 a dose,
avenues for the States to di and was fulfi lling a fresh or
rectly procure them without
intervention from the
Centre.
der from the Centre of 110
million doses at ₹ 2,000
crore (about ₹ 180 a dose),
Delhi HC verdict likely today in Special Task Force to monitor
States have, however, ex but in future, it would also
pressed reservation. Kerala
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vi
jayan said such a policy
charge the Centre ₹ 400 a
dose. “I’ve always main
tained that ₹ 1,000 a dose
WhatsApp privacy policy case J&K government employees
would only place additional would be a reasonable
burden on States’ fi nances. price. However in the early The messaging app had challenged CCI order for a probe It will scrutinise cases in timebound manner, says govt.
West Bengal Chief Minis days we had to support the
ter Mamata Banerjee said country and so had agreed Staff Reporter issue of its privacy policy CCI, on the other hand, Peerzada Ashiq the concerned department man said the STF shall spee
the policy amounted to to reduced prices.” New Delhi was before the Supreme said the probe order was Srinagar as its members,” reads a not dily scrutinise such cases in
The Delhi High Court is like Court. Social media giant Fa made to gauge whether ac The J&K government on ifi cation issued by Commis a timebound manner.
ly to pronounce its verdict cebook, which owns the in cess to data would lead to Wednesday constituted a sionerSecretary Manoj Ku The move comes as a
THE HINDU
THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2021
DELHI
NEWS 9
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States promised seamless oxygen supply
ceived the most reach. male characters are more signifi cant impact on wo
The study fi nds that wo likely to be shown making men — and young girls — and
men characters dominate decisions about their future how they view themselves
screen time (59.7%) and than female characters (7.3% and their value to society.
speaking time (56.3%), but compared with 4.8%), the While we do see female re
Pharma fi rms to raise Remdesivir output from 36 lakh vials a month to 1 crore one of the drivers of this is latter are twice as likely to be presentation dominate in In
their depiction for selling shown making household dian ads, they are still margi
Special Correspondent ties, stopping exports of the cleaning supplies and food decisions than male charac nalised by colorism,
NEW DELHI injection and APIs and for and beauty products to wo ters (4.9% compared with hypersexualisation, and
Finance Minister Nirmala mulations used in its manu men consumers. For exam 2.0%). without careers or aspira
Sitharaman on Wednesday facture, and allowing export ple, almost all the detergent Female characters are tions outside of the home,”
assured the States of a seam oriented units and manufac and food commercials dep more likely to be shown do said Geena Davis, Academy
less supply of medical oxy
gen, even as pharmaceutical
turers in Special Economic
Zones to sell in the domestic Poet Sankha icted a woman taking care of
her family who speaks di
ing the following activities
than male characters —
Award Winning Actor, Foun
der and Chair of the GDI ad
manufacturers told the go
vernment that they will
market.
CII members that produce Ghosh passes rectly to women viewers
about caring for their fami
shopping (4.1% compared
with 2.3%); cleaning (4.8% as
ding that the stark inequality
must be addressed to ensure
ramp up production of Rem
desivir injections from 36 menal increase in demand FICCI, she said oxygen sup
Remdesivir told the Minister
“that they were in fact work away at 89 lies. In comparison, in a sep against 2.2%); and being in an equitable society.
lakh vials a month to 1 crore. for medical oxygen, a critical ply has been “very neatly ing towards exceeding the
“Measures that the go treatment tool for COVID19, mapped and new permis committed target of 78 lakh
4 more Rafale jets arrive in India
Special correspondent
vernment is taking include the Finance Minister assured sions have been given, par vials per month and aiming Kolkata
importing medical oxygen, seamless supply to States,” ticularly for the hard to reach a production of 1 Eminent poet and critic
roundtheclock working of the Finance Ministry said in stressed 12 States”. crore vials per month,” the Sankha Ghosh passed away
the oxygen fi lling stations a statement after she met 150 She also laid out measures statement added. “The go in Kolkata on Wednesday. This completes fi rst Rafale squadron of IAF based in Ambala
and allowing containers industry leaders virtually, in taken to ramp up production vernment has cleared an ad The Jnanpith awardee was
used for nitrogen and argon an interaction hosted by the capacity of Remdesivir from vance payment of ₹ 4,600 89 and had tested positive Special Correspondent after fl agging off the jets.
to be used for oxygen,” Ms. Confederation of Indian In 36 lakh vials to 78 lakh vials crore to Serum Institute of for COVID19. He was un NEW DELHI The fi ghters fl ew a dis
Sitharaman said. dustry (CII). per month, such as rapid India and Bharat Biotech,” der home isolation for the The fi fth batch of four Rafale tance of almost 8,000 km
“On meeting the pheno In a separate meeting with clearances for new capaci Ms. Sitharaman said. past few days, but his con jets landed in India on Wed with airtoair refuelling sup
dition deteriorated late on nesday night, fl ying non port by the French Air Force
Tuesday. He is survived by stop from France after being and the UAE Air Force, the
Punjab okays
reward policy
for drug cases
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
CHANDIGARH
10 NEWS DELHI
Variant in Bengal can evade immune system Shashi Tharoor, Adhir
Ranjan test positive
It has a major mutation that can lead to increased infectivity and possibly compromise vaccine effi cacy
Both had campaigned for the polls
Jacob Koshy icant role in the nearly He said that at the mo whose data have been shared
NEW DELHI monthlong exponential rise ment, there was no “conclu by Indian scientists on the Special Correspondent
With the election on in West in cases that is now seeing sive” evidence that the li global repository GISAID, a New Delhi
Bengal, scientists report the nearly 3,00,000 new infec neage was driving the forum for researchers eve Senior Congress leader and
emergence of a new lineage tions a day, the most in the epidemic in West Bengal, rywhere to collate data and MP Shashi Tharoor tested
of the novel coronavirus that world, and straining India’s other than the fact that the track emerging variants and positive for COVID19 on
may make up as much as 15% health infrastructure to its numbers and proportions strains. In spite of its huge Wednesday.
of the genomes identifi ed in seams. were rising. As in other number of cases, there are “After waiting two days
the State from January to States, West Bengal too has relatively fewer samples and for a test appointment and
March. The new variant, Characteristic mutations seen a sharp spike in cases. details of their genetic infor another day & a half for the
B.1.618, has a major mutation The B.1.618 was fi rst isolated On April 1, it was reporting mation regularly uploaded results, I fi nally have confi r
called E484K — found in sev on October 25, 2020 and 829 cases a day and that has out of India. mation: I’m #Covid posi
eral internationally identi most recently on March 17. since spiked to 7,000 a day tive,” Mr. Tharoor tweeted.
fi ed variants of concern — The variants that carry some with 53,000 active cases re Laboratory tests “Hoping to deal with it in Shashi Tharoor
that helps it evade the im of the mutations associated ported as of Tuesday. This Some laboratories have start a ‘positive’ frame of mind,
mune system and possibly with B.1.618 have also been has prompted some Opposi ed tests on the virus contain with rest, steam & plenty of he said on Twitter. While
compromise vaccine effi ca found in the U.S., Switzer tion parties to scale down ing these mutations. Rakesh fl uids. My sister & 85 year Mr. Tharoor was actively
cy. land, Singapore and Finland. the campaigns and calls to Mishra of the Centre for Cel old mother are in the same campaigning for his party in
On April 8, INSACOG (In While mutations occur in all club the remaining phases of lular and Molecular Biology, boat.” the recently concluded Ker
dian SARSCoV2 Consorti parts of the coronavirus ge the polling. Hyderabad, said the institute Leader of the Congress in ala election, Mr. Chowdhury
um on Genomics), a group of nome, key changes to the Partha Majumdar, geneti was testing plasma from the Lok Sabha and West has been leading his party’s
10 Indian labs working spike protein — that help the cist and former director of those inoculated with Covish Bengal State unit chief Adhir campaign in West Bengal.
across the country on se virus bind better to the bo Temporary relief: Beds and fans are arranged in a quarantine the NIBG, said though the ield and Covaxin against vi Ranjan Chowdhury too test These Congress leaders
quencing genomes from co dy’s cells — are most closely centre for COVID-19 patients at a stadium in Kolkata. AFP * variant was spreading rapid rus variants to check if it es ed positive. have joined party col
ronavirus patients, named a tracked. In the case of ly, it alone could not be caped antibodies. Studies “I have been tested covid leagues who recently
“double mutant variant” as B.1.618, there are four cha researches genome muta of the virus was collected by linked with the acceleration have shown that the Nova positive, requesting all who turned positive.
B.1.617 that contains two mu racteristic mutations to the tions at the CSIRInstitute of the National Institute of Bio of cases in West Bengal. vax, Johnson and Johnson came in contact with me for While former Prime Mi
tations: E484Q and L245R. spike protein associated with Genomics and Integrative medical Genomics (NIBG), “Mutations play a role but and Pfi zer vaccines were less last 7 days must comply with nister Manmohan Singh and
Though more studies are un increased infectivity and im Biology, said on Twitter. Kalyani, West Bengal, also an as only 15% of those infected eff ective against the South Covid protocols, I will be senior leader Anand Shar
der way, there is suspicion mune escape. “Along with B.1.617, it forms a INSACOG lab. Though its carry the B.1.618, it cannot African variant, which has continuing my campaign ma are recovering in hospi
that this variant, whose mu “The proportion of B.1.618 major lineage in West Ben goal is to sample 5% of coro alone explain the surge,” he the E484K mutation. Some through virtual platform, I tal, former party chief Rahul
tations have also been found has been growing signifi cant gal.” The IGIB is part of the navirus samples, the consor said. vaccine makers are develop do suggest and request all to Gandhi isolated himself af
in variants in other coun ly in recent months in West INSACOG. The samples de tium has sampled around The 15% only represents ing vaccines that reportedly take utmost care to keep ter testing positive on Tues
tries, may be playing a signif Bengal,” Vinod Scaria, who tailing the genetic structure 1%. the number of samples work against the mutation. away covid from your lives,” day.
38 inmates of
Byculla jail Congress fl ays pricing of vaccine Doortodoor vaccination not
test positive The higher cost for States will bleed them dry, say Opposition leaders possible: Centre to Bombay HC
Special correspondent SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT ment by the Serum Institute
Mumbai New Delhi of India (SII) on vaccine pric Contamination and wastage may aff ect effi cacy, says govt.
Jyoti Jagtap, accused in the The Congress on Wednesday ing. Mr. Ramesh tweeted,
Bhima Koregaon violence criticised the Centre over dif “The Central government Special Correspondent “There was also the possibil
case, and Indrani Muker ferential pricing of the Cov will continue to pay ₹ 150 per Mumbai ity of high wastage as inocu
jea, prime accused in the ishield vaccine, with former dose for Covishield. State go The Central government lation drive will take longer.
Sheena Bora murder case, Union minister Jairam Ra vernments will now be told the Bombay High Court At the request of State go
have tested COVID19 posi mesh calling it “atrocious” charged ₹ 400 a dose. This is on Wednesday that doorto vernments, more vaccina
tive among 38 other in that the Centre could pro not cooperative federalism. door vaccination against the tion centres have been ap
mates in the Byculla jail. cure it for ₹ 150 per dose but This will bleed dry the alrea COVID19 virus is not possi proved with special
A prison offi cial, re States would have to pay Can’t they talk to Opposition fi ed a person he is. If he is dy reeling State fi nances. ble as it was expected to lead consideration for senior citi
questing anonymity, said ₹ 400 per dose. leaders? I don’t think there is giving suggestions when the Atrocious. We demand One to contamination and zens.”
Sudha Bharadwaj and Sho While former Finance Mi any Opposition leader who is nation is facing a pandemic, Nation, One Price for Centre wastage. As to the registration for
ma Sen, also accused in the nister P. Chidambaram not giving them constructive then suggestions should be and State governments.” Satyendra Singh, Under vaccination, it said that peo
Bhima Koregaon case have posed a series of questions and positive suggestions... taken up with the same dig “Who will pay the ₹ 400 Secretary in the Ministry of ple could register in advance
been vaccinated but have on Twitter, party general se The government needs to be nity with which they were of for one dose in government Health and Family Welfare, Adverse events after or on site.
fever and an upset cretary Ajay Maken, at an on sensitive at this time. The fered,” she added. hospitals? The State govern fi led an ffi davit and listed vaccination can be better The reply was submitted
stomach. line press conference, Prime Minister needs to Ms. Vadra fl agged the is ment or the benefi ciary? reasons for not being able to managed at hospitals. in a public interest litigation
They have all been kept charged the Narendra Modi show up, he needs to get off sue of shortage of vaccines How many persons between go doortodoor. (PIL) fi led by two citybased
in a quarantine centre at government of reducing In the stage of the rally where because of “the Modi go 18 and 44 years can aff ord to The affi davit read, “In 30 minutes after vaccina lawyers who sought those
Patankar School opposite dia from being “a vaccine he is laughing and cracking vernment’s PR exercise”, pay ₹ 400 per dose? Will the case of any Adverse Event tion. There were chances of above 75 years, bedridden
Arthur Road jail. Rapid An leader to a vaccine beggar”. jokes. He needs to come lack of planning to ensure benefi ciary be burdened Following Immunisation, contamination as during or wheelchairbound may be
tigen Tests were conducted Congress general secre here, sit in front of people, smooth supply of oxygen with the cost ? How many case management may not doortodoor inoculation, vaccinated at home.
on the inmates and some tary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, talk to them and tell them despite India being its largest States would be willing to be proper and there will be the vaccine container will be A Division Bench of Chief
of those infected are admit in an interview to news agen how is he going to save lives.” producer, and allowing ex pay the price of the vaccine delay in reaching the health taken out at each house, Justice Dipankar Datta and
ted to JJ Hospital, St. Ge cy ANI, said, “This govern “Manmohan Singhji was port of critical drugs. and subsidise the people?” facility and challenges in which could aff ect its Justice G.S. Kulkarni is ex
orge Hospital and GT ment can speak to ISI. They Prime Minister for 10 years. The party also sharply asked Mr. Chidambaram. maintaining protocol of ob effi cacy.” pected to hear the PIL on
Hospital. are speaking to ISI in Dubai. Everyone knows how digni reacted to the announce servation of the patient for The affi davit mentioned, April 22.
The tests were conduct
ed on 350 women prison
Assam gives ambulance status Maharashtra tightens restrictions
ers, 225 men prisoners and
60 prison staff out of
whom 40 women prison
to carriers of medical oxygen
ers tested positive. The By
culla prison has the capaci
ty of 462 prisoners (262
Govt. offi ces to can operate only with 15% at
tendance, except for emer
tending beyond two hours,
with a maximum of 25 per
ty. Thermal scanners shall
be used. Alighting passen
women and 200 men), but function with gency services directly con sons attending. Any family gers shall have a mark
presently, it houses 306 fe
male and 203 male
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
GUWAHATI
sam for speedy delivery of
oxygen to critical centres,”
doses of the COVID19 vac
cine free.
15% attendance nected to management of
the COVID19 pandemic.
fl outing the rules may be
fi ned ₹ 50,000 and the loca
stamped on their hand for 14
days of home quarantine.
inmates. The Assam government has Health Minister Himanta Bis Staff reporter Private offi ces should tion closed till pandemic is For public passenger tran
Ms. Jagtap is an artiste granted ambulance status to wa Sarma tweeted on Wed Covaxin doses Mumbai function only with 15% of over. sport, trains, metro and mo
belonging to Punebased all vehicles carrying oxygen, nesday. The State government, he Contrary to speculation over their total strength or fi ve Private passenger buses no rail services shall be used
cultural group Kabir Kala nitrogen and argon. Offi cials said the ambu said, had also written to Co a complete lockdown in the persons, whichever is more. can ply only for emergency only by government person
Manch who was arrested “Assam Govt has granted lance status would also be gi vaxin maker Bharat Biotech State, the Maharashtra go For work required for essen services, and at only 50% of nel, and passes, and tickets
from Kondhwa on Septem all oxygen vehicles – tankers ven to oxygen carriers to for procurement of 1 crore vernment on Wednesday tial services, offi ces can the seating capacity, with no will be issued based on go
ber 8, 2020. Ms. Mukerjea, carrying Nitrogen, Argon and from Assam’s neigh vaccine doses. night issued guidelines that work at no more than 50% of standing travellers. vernment identity cards.
a television executive was and Oxygen – the status of bours in the northeast. “Funds collected in Asom only tightened restrictions. their total strength. For intercity or interdis Medical personnel and those
arrested in August 2015 ambulance, to enable their The State Health Minister Arogya Nidhi account shall Under the new guidelines Wedding ceremonies may trict travel, the bus service needing medical treatment
and has been lodged at By hasslefree movement in also said everyone in Assam be used to procure the vac to kick in at 8 p.m. on Thurs be conducted as a single operator must restrict halts are allowed to use public
culla jail since then. state & transit through As aged 1845 would get two cines,” he added. day, all government offi ces event in a single hall, not ex to a maximum of two in a ci transport.
DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD
DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD
THE HINDU
THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2021
DELHI
SHOWCASE 11
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I’ll see you
esha modi New old friends (Clockwise from gether while guessing who it was
below) The writer when she fi rst from. “Whenever it is someone’s
It’s been a year since I joined col met her MOP Vaishnav College birthday, or the end of an exam,
lege, and I haven’t once stepped friends; students from Stella or a festival, we party online.
Maris on a beach hangout, and at
soon?
into my classroom. I haven’t run Everyone grabs some snacks and
across the campus, I haven’t a cafe SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
*
something to drink. We synchro
whiled away afternoons over sa- nise our virtual backgrounds
mosas at the canteen, I haven’t and this one friend plays the DJ
conspired a mass bunk in the and makes us dance,” says
back benches. All my classmates Khushiyaa Taleda from Chennai.
are in tiny boxes on a screen in
my lap. Cross country for you
Can you be friends with some At Chennai’s Loyola college, ho
one you have never met, but wever, the party was not virtual.
spent over 100 hours talking to? Before the second surge began,
It is a strange idea of friendship, There are no shared tiffi ns or dorms this and the situation seemed stable,
one that us fi rstyear college stu the fi rst year batch planned an
dents have been perplexed by,
year. Yet, friendships are blossoming over informal fresher’s day in March
ever since we enrolled in 2020. crosscountry Secret Santas, socially 2021. Of the 26 people that made
A year into the COVID pan it, 15 were from Chennai. The
demic, this is the new college ex
distanced walks and Zoom dance parties. rest fl ew in from Delhi and Kera
perience. What seemed like a This is the new college experience la, and other parts of Tamil Nadu
stopgap measure in 2020, on such as Salem, Coimbatore and
line classes have changed the Erode.
way 17 and 18yearolds are ap though their college was still and fostered deeper, meaningful Hosted at Level Up in Amini
proaching new friendships. shut, to fi nally spend some time relationships. But to help break jikarai, they met the faces they
For many teenagers, college is in real life. the ice, they fi rst had to move had only ever seen on Zoom
their fi rst window into adult life. “It didn’t feel like I was meet away from the stilted formality calls, muddling through awk
The homogeneity of schools ing them for the fi rst time be of Zoom classes. In afterschool ward introductions. A twisted
gives way as they meet people cause I already knew so much icebreaker sessions, party morning walks so they can meet friends had never been an issue friends in Chennai for the fi rst version of Bingo to crown a Mr
from a wider variety of back about them,” says Vedant. games like ‘2 truths and 1 lie’ each other safely. The girls hope for the selfproclaimed extrov time, she stayed at her best Fresher soon warmed things up.
grounds. The hours and hours “I didn’t expect the fi rst year helped get them more comforta to eventually be able to meet up ert, but she adds, “I was very friend’s house, whom she had The boys, joined by their se
spent together in libraries, hos of college to be like this even in ble. When they did fi nally meet, as a class at least once a month — sceptical about how genuine vir just met, for two days. niors, headed over to a private
tels and dive bars result in a life my wildest dreams. But once it was at college while submitting at cafes, restaurants or the tual friends could even be.” Because, she eventually dis villa on ECR and stayed up the
time of infl uential alumni net you fi nd the right people — on their documents. Spotting and beach. “It’s such a tough time What she did not foresee was covered that as diffi cult as it is entire night, talking. When they
works and friendships. line or offl ine, everything works recognising maskcovered faces but having each other’s back that she would be bingewatch making friends online, the more left the next day, they were un
Could this experience be just itself out,” says Ayushi Jain, an that they had only so far seen on through it all helps,” she says. ing romcoms till 2.30 am every real is the connection for it re sure if they would ever meet
the same on a single computer 18yearold studying Economics their screens was like a game in Back in 2020, Salembased other night and practising Chloe quires that much greater time again in person.
screen? I ask others in the same at MOP Vaishnav College in itself, says Ayushi. Mithali Surana, a 1st year BBA Ting workouts in the day, with and eff ort. Cut to the second wave of the
boat as me. Chennai. The girls in her batch, She and Chetana have now student had zero expectations these very newfound friends. Just ask the fi rstyear students pandemic, and now with Mum
she says, cherish a close bond — started to coordinate their from online classes. Making When Mitali came to visit her of ISDI, Mumbai. In the class of bai under a crippling load of pos
A digital family surprising, as a majority of them 28 people, everyone is scattered itive cases, the ISDI batch can
In the past year, over group pro had not met each other despite across 22 states including Guja only dream of meeting their
jects, assignments, and Zoom being in the same city. rat, West Bengal, Delhi, Harya friends from other cities. They
classes, Vedant Dugar found a “Initially, it was funny know na, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Kar wonder out loud how they
close bond with his classmates ing your new best friend lives nataka, and more. would react when they do. Dra
from Mumbai, Gurugram and only 15 minutes away and you That did not stop 13 of them matic gushing? Sprinting? Bear
Kolkata. Often, their days would still can’t meet her,” says Ayushi from playing a crosscountry Se hugs?
begin by waking each other up of her friend, Chetana Boothra, cret Santa last December. In a “If we meet.. No, wait not ‘if’,
for attendance. who like her, lives in T Nagar. sisterhood of travelling gifts, when we meet it’s going to be a
By February 2021, they decid Long calls for work eventually everyone couriered their pre full Bollywood kind of run and
ed to fl y down to Mumbai, even turned into lighter conversation sents to another and on Christ hug,” says Khushiyaa, "And I
mas Eve, unwrapped them to can’t wait.”
The
mewashed as it is porous and al
lows breathability, unlike acrylic
paint,” says Chakraborti.
Whenever the team had doubts,
yellow paint. it conducted an excavation. “The
in Bengal
landmarks are being on the church, it rolled up its ed to the 100plus workers from photographer Ismail Shariff tion went into lockdown.
restored back to life, sleeves and plunged neck deep into Bengal who toiled on it. was enroute to Ladakh on “Unfortunately, my hard
recreating memories Denmark Tavern and the unspeak work when he decided to disk crashed and the only
able quantity of debris that lay Thriving with life take a break at Dras, in Kar image that I could salvage
brick by brick around it. Getting access was a pro Initially, there was talk of turning gil, in the hopes of catching was that of the snow leo
ject unto itself, laughs Chakraborti, the space into a museum. “If you a glimpse of the Himalayan pard drinking water.”
who is delighted with the fi nal out put so much cost into restoring a brown bear. Ismail and his A snow leopard expedi
PRIYADARSHINI PAITANDY notable buildings — set up between project partner in India for the tav come. “It has a fantastic presence. building, then why convert it into a team knew they were in luck tion conductor for bespoke
1755 and 1845, during the years of ern and other buildings, while the To anybody passing by it says, “I am museum? It is not a money earner,” when they learnt that a tour operator Voygr in India
It is snooker night at The Denmark the Danish Colony in Serampore — Bishop of Calcutta, CNI (Church of here. Look at me!” says Chakraborti. In its third year brown bear had strayed into and Central Asia, Ismail says
Tavern. Dressed in my weekend fell into obsolescence. All that re North India) was for the church. “When the decision was taken at now, the restored tavern is a popu a nearby village for food; he that it is an extremely shy
best, I wait for the ferry to take me mained were crumbling vestiges of “In the meantime, in 2009 the the highest level, to restore the lar hangout for locals as well as whipped out his camera and animal. “One needs trained
across the Hooghly river. As the their thriving past, overrun by Government of West Bengal had whole building, we looked at a lot those coming from Kolkata and the captured them at leisure. eyes to spot it in the snow,”
motor vessel glides to my destina creepers. decided to restore the former Dan of documents in India and Copenh surrounding districts. Some take a While Ismail’s photos of he adds. Snow leopards are
tion, I see my friends waving from Fortunately, The Serampore In ish Governor House,” says Wolff . agen, Denmark. We didn’t get a cab, some cover half the distance the brown bear show the smaller in size to regular le
the grand balcony of the tavern. itiative, founded in 2008 by the Na “Fully ready now, the house is plan, but we got a lot of sketches,” by local train, and then there are mammal in all its glory, so opards found in the wild,
The 10,000 squarefeet property tional Museum of Denmark, (fund known as the Serampore Informa says Chakraborti. Aided by solid those who prefer the ferry. mething unexpected hap but they appear bigger due
looks like a large yellow fondant ed by Realdania) came up with the tion and Culture Centre. It will documentation and archaeological The area is fairly quiet, but by pened when he posted the to their thick fur. “The thick
cake. In its elegant new avatar, it idea of documenting and preserv house, among other things, an ex evidence — that required a lot of ex sundown, every other sound gets shots on various wildlife ness of their fur in the sto
houses a restaurant, bar, an outlet ing cultural heritage from the Dan hibition space that will showcase ploring — the team, including resto drowned out by the birds. As night photos websites — his pho mach can be upto 12 inches,
of the popular Flurys, and six cosy ish period. In 2013, work started on Serampore’s history and restora ration agency Mascon Kolkata, falls, lights come alive and the river tos of a snow leopard in and the tail is as long as its
rooms — all run by The Park. some of these buildings; the fi rst tion,” she says, pleased with the tried to retain authentic, building glitters like molten gold. The large 2017 resurfaced started body. The snow leopard us
There are wooden stairs, large being St Olav’s Church. It was a way these projects have given the walls exactly where they existed verandah, overlooking a narrow trending, receiving over 12K es its bushy tail as a muffl er
green louvered windows, high ceil mammoth eff ort. area more visibility over the last earlier. “We are true to the layout of street and a wide expanse of the riv shares and 58K likes. “The to wrap around when sleep
ings and arched doorways. More “For the fi rst time in West Bengal few years. The church, today, is a the site,” announces Chakraborti. er, is fi lled with the aroma of roast snow leopard has been my ing curled up,” he notes.
Danish elements make their pre you saw external funding coming vision in yellow and white. From chicken and Danish pastry. muse ever since I fi rst saw It took him several visits
sence felt, right from prints in the from Denmark, and the State Tou barely existing with a collapsed Patrons settle down with their its photograph in 2012 ta to track the animal’s move
upholstery, cane headboards and rism Department of the Govern roof and weak columns, to now liv meals and drinks. In the distance, ken by Dhritiman Mukher ment in the snow. “The pho
wood carved fl owers to distressed ment of West Bengal also chipped ing an aweinspiring life with its ferries lit in psychedelic lights fl oat jee, the baap of Indian Wil tograph resurfacing shows
white furniture and vintage in,” says conservation architect majestic spire visible from as far as past, their passengers singing songs dlife photography,” he says. that there are a lot of people
chandeliers. Manish Chakraborti, who worked Barrackpore, it has come a long of Kishore Kumar, set to what Ismail started photo who are learning about In
It might be 2021, but here, in Se on these projects. way. While working on the church, sounds like orchestral background graphing snow leopards in dian wildlife.” The com
rampore it still feels like 1786 at the “The church also received the a detailed paint analysis was fol music. Trees sway, their leaves rus 2014; this particular photo ments on his viral photo
tavern, started by Englishman UNESCO award for conservation in lowed. To ascertain the original co tling melodiously, and a cool breeze graph that has gone viral made him wonder if con
James Parr in this area once known 2016,” says Bente Wolff , associate lour, the team went through the dif frolics through the imposing fa shows the animal camou ducting online sessions may
as Frederiksnagore (after Danish professor at University of Copenha ferent layers of paint and found that çade, caressing each face and dis fl aged in the rocky Hima help add more awareness on
King Frederik VI). gen and project director of the Se the last level of mortar on the exter hevelling hair. In that moment, all layan terrain. Ismail is a reg the elusive big cat. “I will
Over the centuries, the charming rampore Initiative, adding that IN nal wall was yellow. The restored that matters is being alive and pre ular to Spiti Valley; every conduct sessions for anoth
Denmark Tavern and a few other TACH Kolkata Chapter was its Governor House also has the same sent in the now. year he visits to photograph er week,” he says.
CM A ND-NDE
YK
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bris is, the size of each
individual particle, its
luminosity, and its rate
per hour. The standard
for measuring that last
A win for the
factor, says Ladia, “is
zhr or zenithal hourly
rate: how many meteors
Partition Museum
can one person see per
hour on a clear night. It is As the iconic Amritsar museum
the measure of the quality of a
meteor shower.”
wins a prestigious tourism award,
Lyrids has a zhr of 15 to 20 on Lady Kishwar Desai speaks on
dark skies, adds Ladia: “It isn’t ve
ry good, it is considered a fairly
the future of history tourism
normal zhr. Geminids [in Decem amid the pandemic
ber] on the other hand has almost
120 zhr. Perseid, which is coming
in August, will have around 80
meteors per hour.”
He further adds that Lyrids
might be even less bright this
year, because of its close proximi
ty to the supermoon. “There is al
ready a gibbous moon in the sky,
which will only set around 1 am or
2 am each night,” he states, ad
ding that post1 am is the best time
to make an attempt if you live
close to dark skies.
What the
The biggest danger of the meteor
comet
shower being drowned out by lu
minosity still stems from the su Remember, remember Partition Museum at Town Hall
The mild Lyrids meteor permoon, which also happens to houses personal artefacts of refugees, among other
things SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
shower has been gracing our be the fi rst of its kind this year. Su *
What’s
14 Square peg in a round hole (slang) (4)
trip from seven years ago a “very no.” who is more loving, more caring,
(6) 7 Directional antenna — good
special” experience. Stamos, who has also appeared a better version of you. That rings 15 Have ambitious plans for looking woman or man (4)
“I went to Rishikesh where the in other successful shows like ER true everyday with my kid.” (6) 10 Poorly (10)
Maharishi’s (Mahesh Yogi) Ash and Grandfathered, says Big Shot What is next for him? “I have 17 In a sticky situation? 12 Severe recurrent headache
Uncle Jesse
ram is. I had heard so many tales feels like a “show for the times” had a nice steady career, stayed (2,1,3,4) (8)
from when The Beatles met him, because of how much it bats for under the radar and kept working 20 Selfimportant (8) 13 Graveyard (8)
and my friends, The Beach Boys, women’s equality in sports. “It constantly. There are several high 21 Illtemper (4) 16 Set alight (6)
told me all about their fascinating reiterates that women are just as lights, working with other great 22 Better balanced (8) 18 Loch in the Great Glen (4)
concert tour with him. But you good as men, if not better. It fo actors and producers, being men 23 Reject as false (4) 19 Unemployment benefi t (4)
know what, we couldn’t fi nd the cusses on the relationship bet tored by Jack Clugman, and get
got to say?
place! Still, it was an incredible ween individuals, and shows how ting into theatre on Broadway,
To play The Guardian
trip and I loved the people there, this character of a resentful coach and so on. I was fearless then, Quick Crossword,
who had great hearts and lived life lets go of his preconceived no much like the young teen actors I The Hindu Cryptic
crossword, Sudoku &
to the fullest really.” tions, and listens and learns from have worked with on Big Shot. other puzzles online,
scan the QR code.
Stamos is as handsome, if not the teenagers he is mentoring.” Now? Apart from my career, I love
Actor John Stamos talks about his new more, as he was during his Full
House days. “Call it good genes, I
The actor is also full of praise
for coactors such as Yvette Nicole
fatherhood so much that I am
looking forward to having my se Solution will appear
dramedy, Big Shot, in which he plays a guess?” grins the 57yearold ac Brown and Jessalyn Gilsig and cond child soon.” on April 29, 2021
disgraced basketball coach, and the legacy of tor, as he gets ready to talk about
his latest project, the Disney+ dra
calls them “superpros”. Were
they impressed that they were
The fi rst episode of Big Shot is
currently streaming on Disney+
Solution No. 13408
THE HINDU
THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2021
DELHI
WORLD 13
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
Chauvin convicted of Floyd’s murder Sri Lanka detects nuclear
The former police offi cer faces a potential 40year jail sentence; Biden slams ‘systemic racism’ in U.S. material on Chinabound vessel
Sriram Lakshman polis did the right thing,” calling systemic racism “a
Washington former U.S. President Barack stain on the nation’s soul.” Shipping fi rm didn’t obtain prior nod for ‘dangerous cargo’
Former Minneapolis cop De Obama wrote, saying justice Mr. Biden said he had spoken
rek Chauvin, 45, was found was done in this particular with the family of Mr. Floyd Meera Srinivasan
Colombo
guilty of murder and man case at least. again — he had spoken with
slaughter by a jury on Tues “But if we’re being honest them on Monday. Sri Lanka on Tuesday detect
day, nearly a year after he with ourselves, we know that “I’m praying that the ver ed radioactive material on a
used his knee to pin the neck true justice is about much dict is the right verdict,” Mr. Chinabound vessel berthed
of an African American man, more than a single verdict in Biden had said earlier. It is at the southern Hambantota
George Floyd, to the ground, a single trial,” Mr. Obama, rare for a sitting President to Port. The vessel has been
killing him. Mr. Chauvin, said. comment on the outcome of asked to leave the Port, ac
who is white, faces a poten a trial before its conclusion. cording to offi cials, as the
tial 40year jail sentence. Biden’s address However, Mr. Biden said he shipping company failed to
Floyd’s death sparked President Joe Biden and had waited until the jury was obtain prior clearance for
‘Black Lives Matter’ protests VicePresident Kamala Har sequestered (i.e., without ac “dangerous cargo”, as per
for racial justice across ris, the fi rst African Ameri cess to the outside world) be Sri Lankan law.
America, the likes of which Day of reckoning: Derek Chauvin listening to the verdict can woman in her position, fore calling the family. When contacted, Sri Lan
the country had not seen before being taken away and people marching in Atlanta. *
AFP addressed the nation on “Let’s also be clear that kan Navy spokesman Cap
since the civil rights move Tuesday night after the ver such a verdict is also much tain Indika de Silva con A fi le photo of the Hambantota Port. * R.K. RADHAKRISHNAN
ment of the 1960s. gree murder and secondde Mr. Chauvin, 45, dressed in a dict was announced. too rare,” Mr. Biden said on fi rmed the development.
Floyd’s brother, Philonise gree manslaughter. grey suit and wearing a surgi “America has a long histo Tuesday night. “For so many Offi cials said a local ship nium hexachloride is nu Port,” he said.
Floyd, speaking to CNN, de Floyd had said, “I can’t cal mask, appeared to listen ry of systemic racism,” she people, it seems like it took a ping company, handling the clear material that is com Meanwhile, Leader of Op
scribed sitting in the cour breathe” repeatedly during intently, eyes darting from said, adding that Black peo unique and extraordinary vessel sailing under the fl ag monly transported from one position and the Samagi Jana
troom listening to the verdict the approximately ninemi side to side, as the judge read ple — Black men in particular convergence of factors. A of Antigua and Barbuda, country to another. But as Balawegaya (SJB or united
as, “a moment I would never nute encounter with Chau out the verdict for each of — have been treated as “less brave young woman with a from Rotterdam in the Neth per Sri Lankan law, we need people’s front) Sajith Prema
be able to relive, I will al vin on May 25 last year, an three charges brought than human” throughout the smartphone camera, a erlands to China, cited a any vessel carrying radioac dasa raised the issue in Par
ways have inside of me.” An encounter that was fi lmed by against him by the State of course of history. crowd who was trauma “mechanical emergency” tive material to obtain prior liament on Wednesday. The
emotional Mr. Philonise bystanders, particularly a Minnesota. The judge re “Black men are fathers, tised... a murder that lasts and sought permission from permission before berthing Navy had “not been allowed
talked about his faith and teenage girl, whose footage voked his bail $1 million and and brothers, and sons, and [sic] almost ten minutes in the harbour manager at the at any of our ports. This ves to board the vessel to carry
listed the names of other vic went viral on social media. Chauvin was handcuff ed and uncles, and grandfathers, broad daylight... offi cers Chinarun Hambantota Port. sel had not obtained that out an inspection”, he said,
tims of police violence. Witnesses to the incident taken into custody and friends, and neighbours. standing up and testifying However, the company did clearance,” H.L. Anil Ran adding: “The government
Tuesday’s result was an pleaded with the police to let immediately. Their lives must be valued in against a fellow offi cer in not declare that the cargo jith, Director General of Sri appears to be under pres
nounced after a jury of six go of Floyd. While the verdict was wel our education system, in our stead of just closing ranks… was radioactive material, a Lanka Atomic Energy Regu sure from a diplomatic mis
white and six racial minori comed in Washington D.C., healthcare system, in our for so many it feels like it requirement under Sri Lan latory Council, told The Hin- sion.” He did not name the
ties reached a (necessarily) Others charged the expressions of relief housing system, in our eco took all of that for the judi ka’s Atomic Energy Act. du on Wednesday. mission. “I am asking the go
unanimous verdict deliberat Three other offi cers have were tempered with remin nomic system, in our crimi cial system to deliver... just The vessel was found to vernment to examine this
ed for some 10 hours and been charged with aiding ders that this was a begin naljustice system, in our na basic accountability.” be carrying uranium hexa Ordered to leave …this is a very serious mat
found Chauvin guilty on and abetting murder in the ning and not an end to syste tion,” Ms. Harris said. Chauvin will be sentenced fl uoride, which is classifi ed “After consulting the Minis ter, something that can af
counts of second degree un second degree. matic racism. “It was a murder in the full in approximately eight under “dangerous cargo”, try of Defence, we have fect the life of our communi
intentional murder, third de The trial was televised and “Today a jury in Minnea light of day,” Mr. Biden said, weeks. according to offi cials. “Ura asked the vessel to leave the ty,” Mr. Premadasa said.
Justice department to probe Minneapolis policing U.S. lawmakers back $100 bn
Associated Press
WASHINGTON
The Department of Justice is
murder and manslaughter in
Floyd’s death last May, set
ting off a wave of relief across
and may result in major
changes to policing there.
It will examine the use of
ment’s current systems of ac
countability, Mr. Garland
said.
the past have typically ended
in settlement agreements or
consent decrees to force
science push to take on China
opening a sweeping investi the country. force by police offi cers, in It’s unclear whether the changes. Reuters The measure, sponsored sents a signifi cant eff ort by
gation into policing practices cluding force used during years under investigation The Minneapolis Police WASHINGTON by Senate Democratic Lead the government to shore up
in Minneapolis after a former ‘Pattern or practice’ protests, and whether the will begin when Floyd died Department is also being in A bipartisan group of U.S. er Chuck Schumer, Republi private sector and university
offi cer was convicted in the The new investigation is department engages in dis or before. Mr. Garland said a vestigated by the Minnesota lawmakers on Wednesday can Senator Todd Young and research eff orts in advanced
killing of George Floyd there, known as a “pattern or prac criminatory practices. It will public report would be is Department of Human introduced legislation call others, would also authorise technologies with federal
Attorney General Merrick tice” — examining whether also look into the depart sued, if the department fi nds Rights, which is looking into ing for $100 billion in go $10 billion to designate at funding.
Garland announced on there is a pattern or practice ment’s handling of miscon a pattern or practice of un the department’s policies vernment spending over fi ve least 10 technology hubs and The Senate Commerce
Wednesday. of unconstitutional or unlaw duct allegations and its treat constitutional policing. and practices over the last years on basic and advanced create a supply chain crisis Committee is expected to
The decision comes a day ful policing — and will be a ment of people with The department could al decade to see if it engaged in technology research and response programme. mark up the Bill next week
after former offi cer Derek more sweeping probe of the behavioural health issues so bring a lawsuit against the systemic discriminatory science in the face of rising The Bill, called the “End as Mr. Schumer looks to fast
Chauvin was found guilty of entire police department and will assess the depart police department, which in practices. pressure from China. less Frontier Act,” repre track approval.
Putin warns rivals against Sri Lanka marks Easter bombing anniversary
‘crossing red line’ with Russia Devotees gather at attacked church; Opposition, Catholic leaders slam government for delay in probe
Meera Srinivasan after the Easter attacks, on the Easter day attacks were
Moscow’s response will be asymmetric and harsh, he warned COLOMBO the plank of enhanced na “politically motivated”, and
Sri Lanka on Wednesday tional security, vowing to the “real mastermind” is yet
AGence France-Presse where it will be — we will de marked the second anniver bring perpetrators to justice. to be identifi ed.
Moscow termine that ourselves,” he sary of the Easter terror His victory brought hope to A Parliament Select Com
President Vladimir Putin on added. bombings that killed more many who were outraged by mittee, set up under the
Wednesday warned Russia’s Moscow has seen its di than 250 people on April 21, the security lapses in the former government, and a
foreign rivals against “cross plomats in recent months 2019, amid mounting criti former Maithripala Sirisena commission appointed by
ing the red line” with Mos expelled from a host of West cism from the Catholic Ranil Wickremesinghe admi President Maithripala Sirise
cow, as he gave a state of the ern countries, which have church and political opposi nistration ahead of the terror na, which continued its
nation speech amid deep imposed sanctions on Russia tion over the delay in com attack, despite receiving probe after regime change,
tensions with the West. over allegations of cyber at pletion of the probe into the prior intelligence, including submitted detailed reports
Russia’s ties with the West tacks, hacking and the poi incident. from India. on the incident. However,
have deteriorated to near soning of Mr. Navalny. On Wednesday morning, Grim memories: Families of victims of the 2019 Easter attacks Making a special state neither has conclusively es
Cold War lows, with Moscow The Kremlin last week hundreds of devotees, in at St. Anthony’s Church in Colombo on Wednesday. AP *
ment in Parliament on Wed tablished what or who drove
and Western capitals at log Vladimir Putin said it was “good” that U.S. cluding relatives of victims, nesday, Prime Minister Ma the nine suicide bombers
gerheads over jailed Kremlin President Joe Biden was gathered at the St. Anthony’s the eastern city of Batticaloa, the commemorative service hinda Rajapaksa said all who blew up themselves,
critic Alexei Navalny, a Rus a new kind of sport.” seeking dialogue with Mr. Church in Colombo, which and three luxury hotels in at St. Anthony’s Church. those responsible for the killing and injuring hun
sian troop buildup on Uk Mr. Putin added that Mos Putin by off ering a summit was one of the sites of the se Colombo, griping the coun Easter attacks would be dreds.
raine’s borders and a series cow wants “good relations” between the two leaders, rial bombings executed by try in shock a decade after its More time brought to justice. His state Although the police have
of espionage scandals. with all members of the in even as Washington slapped suicide bombers from an IS civil war. Days before the anniversary ment came a day after Oppo arrested some 200 people
ternational community — Moscow with new sanctions. inspired local Islamist radial The head of Sri Lanka’s event, however, the cardinal sition lawmaker Harin Fer since the suicide attacks, no
Blame game even with those that it does It has said, however, it is group. Roman Catholic Church Car — who earlier called for an nando from the Samagi Jana one has yet been charged in
“In some countries, they not see eye to eye. “But if so still considering the off er. Most gathered at the dinal Malcolm Ranjith said international investigation Balawegaya (SJB, or United connection with the bomb
have started an obscene cus meone perceives our good Meanwhile, thousands of church were attired in black, he was “deeply saddened” into the bomb attacks — told People’s Front) made serious ings. On the eve of the se
tom of blaming Russia for intentions as weakness... let supporters of Mr. Navalny as they mourned and prayed by the lack of progress in the a media conference he was accusations in Parliament, cond anniversary, 16 men
anything,” Mr. Putin told them know that Russia’s res took to the streets in Mos for their loved ones. Bombs investigation. “We have to willing to give the govern linking a senior intelligence among them were charged
gathered lawmakers and re ponse will be asymmetric cow and elsewhere on Wed had simultaneously explod stress that what is happening ment some more time as offi cial with the Easter terror for allegedly desecrating
gional governors in a speech and harsh,” he said. nesday to protest his deten ed two years ago at the St. at the moment is an attitude such investigations take network. Earlier, Janatha Vi Buddha statues in December
broadcast on national “I hope that no one will tion. Police detained over Sebastian’s church in Ne of ‘don’t care’, where all fac time. President Gotabaya Ra mukthi Peramuna ( JVP) 2018, an incident that inves
television. think of crossing the red line 450 protesters, according to gombo, 40 km north of Co tors are not properly investi japaksa fought elections in leader and MP Anura Kuma tigators consider a precursor
“It’s some kind of sport — in relation to Russia. And monitoring group OVDInfo. lombo, the Zion Church in gated,” he said, speaking at November 2019, six months ra Dissanayake alleged that to the Easter day attack.
ELSEWHERE
Slain Chad leader’s son takes over reins Blast in Pak.
luxury hotel
Japan PM sends off ering
Opposition parties call it a ‘coup d'etat’; rebels threaten to depose Mahamat kills at least 3 to controversial shrine
China, Koreas often slam such moves
Agence France-Presse installing Deby’s 37yearold months and lead to demo Associated Press
Associated Press son Mahamat Idriss Deby as cratic elections, though it QUETTA Associated Press War criminals among about
N’Djamena
Indonesian submarine President and head of a tran can be extended once. A powerful bomb exploded TOKYO 2.5 million war dead.
missing with 53 aboard Chad faced an uncertain fu sitional military council Chad’s main opposition in the parking area of a Japanese Prime Minister Chief Cabinet Secretary
JAKARTA ture on Wednesday as the while dissolving Parliament parties were unconvinced, fi vestar hotel in the south Yoshihide Suga on Wednes Katsunobu Kato told repor
Indonesia’s military said it son of slain leader Idriss De and the government. denouncing an “institutional western Pakistani city of day donated a religious of ters that Mr. Suga’s off ering
was searching for a by Itno took power in what coup d’etat” in a statement Quetta on Wednesday, kill fering to a Tokyo shrine at the shrine was considered
submarine with 53 crew the opposition called a coup Transition period and calling on citizens “not ing at least three people viewed by China and both “an activity as a private per
aboard after losing contact and Western allies that rely They tore up Chad’s Consti to obey illegitimate and wounding at least nine Koreas as a symbol of war son” and the government
with the vessel during naval on the country’s military tution and established a decisions”. others, police said. time aggression, though he was not in a position to com
exercises off the coast of Bali might pleaded for stability. “Transition Charter” that Rebels have threatened to It was unclear who was avoided a visit. ment on it.
on Wednesday. The German Deby had ruled the impo lays out a new basic law for depose Mr. Mahamat, raising behind the bombing at Se Mr. Suga’s off ering of Mr. Suga’s predecessor,
built KRI Nanggala 402 was verished desert country for the country of 16 million pe the spectre of a violent pow rena Hotel. Police said res “masakaki” leaves at Yasu Shinzo Abe, known for revi
Mahamat Idriss Deby
scheduled to do live torpedo three decades before the Ar ople that spans western and er struggle. The rebel group cuers were transporting kuni Shrine was his second sionism concerning Japan’s
exercises when it asked for
my announced his death on West’s antijihadist eff orts. central Africa. that the military blamed for the victims to nearby hos since taking offi ce in Sep wartime atrocities, visited
permission to dive early
Tuesday from wounds suf Deby’s death was an The charter issued on Deby’s killing said on Wed pitals. Footage on Pakistan tember. the shrine on Wednesday.
Wednesday morning,
fered while leading troops in nounced only a day after Wednesday proclaimed that nesday that they were giving news channels showed Victims of Japanese mili Mr. Abe stayed away from
authorities said. A helicopter
looking for the missing vessel
battle against rebels. provisional results declared Mr. Mahamat, a career sol his family until midnight to burning cars. tary aggression during the the shrine for seven years af
spotted an oil spill in waters The shock demise of the him the winner of an April 11 dier like his father, will “oc bury him. The fi ghters gave Balochistan is the scene fi rst half of the 20th century, ter his 2013 visit triggered
where the submarine was 68yearold led to immediate election giving him a sixth cupy the functions of the no indication of their posi of a longrunning insurgen especially the Koreas and outrage from China and the
thought to have submerged, concerns of a power vacuum term in offi ce. President of the republic” tions after saying the day be cy by secessionist groups China, see the shrine as a Koreas. However, he has
it added. The Navy said it had in Chad, which sits at the Allies of the late leader and also serve as head of the fore that they were “heading like the Balochistan Libera symbol of Japanese milita regularly visited since he re
narrowed down the search heart of the troubled Sahel moved swiftly to assure pow armed forces. The transition toward N’Djamena at this ve tion Front and the Balo rism because it honours signed as Prime Minister last
based on the spill. AFP region and is key to the er remained in their hands, period is meant to last 18 ry moment”. chistan Liberation Army. convicted Second World year.
CM A ND-NDE
YK
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14 BUSINESS DELHI
Farm exports
rose 16.9% in Exporters fret over delay in rebate rates Wait and watch, FM tells
industry on second wave
AprilFeb. FY21 The RoDTEP scheme came into eff ect on Jan. 1 but lack of clarity is hampering sector’s ability to price
‘Govt. with industry in fi ghting COVID’
Press Trust of India Special Correspondent and concerns would be ad count with the Customs de
New Delhi NEW DELHI dressed in the early stages of partment, which could be Special Correspondent
India exported agricultural Even as exporters fret over operationalisation,” RSM As utilised to pay basic customs NEW DELHI
commodities worth ₹ 2.74 an inordinate delay in notifi tute noted in a white paper duty on imported goods. Assuring industry of ‘full go
lakh crore till February of cation of the rates under a on the scheme. “Due to CO “Clarity would be required vernment support’, Finance
the 202021 fi scal, a 16.9% new WTOcompliant scheme VID19, India’s exports may whether the refund could be Minister Nirmala Sithara
increase from ₹ 2.31 lakh for rebating taxes and duties require more stimulus and utilised to pay other taxes on man said India Inc. must
crore in the year earlier, to the export sector, they are the exporters hope that RoD imported goods such as IGST ‘wait and watch’ as the se
notwithstanding the pan also seeking greater clarity TEP would not be an impedi and Social Welfare Sur cond wave of COVID19
demic, the agriculture mi from the government on ment to their business charge,” the tax consultant plays out. She added that
nistry said on Wednesday. some grey areas in the plans,” it added. said. Under the MEIS the PM’s address and new
Similarly, imports of scheme’s functioning, ac scheme, which RODTEP has vaccination norms would
agriculture and allied com cording to tax consultancy Grey areas replaced, these refund cre add ‘a sense of reassurance’.
modities increased by 3% fi rm RSM Astute. The consultancy fl agged the dits could be used to pay cus “With all these steps, we Nirmala Sitharaman
to ₹ 1,41,034 crore during power given to Customs of toms duty, additional cus should hope to see a posi
the AprilFebruary period ‘Very near future’ fi cers to suspend the scrips toms duty (with some tive change in the way the FICCI president Uday
of 202021 from ₹ 1,37,014 On Tuesday, Commerce Se or refund credits or even to exceptions) as well as central second wave of COVID19 Shankar fl agged the need
crore in the year earlier pe cretary Anup Wadhawan Booster dose: Due to COVID19, India’s exports may require bar exporters from utilising excise duties. pandemic is moving,” she for clarity on the supply of
riod. Despite COVID19, ba had said that the rates under more stimulus, RSM Astute said. B. JOTHI RAMALINGAM
*
these scrips especially as the The delay in operationa said in a meeting with the essential and nonessential
lance of trade in agricul the RoDTEP (Remission of grounds on which such sus lising the scheme is aff ecting FICCI national executive. goods aff ected by local lock
ture has favourably Duties and Taxes on Export ing the government to lift the the absence of the crucial in pensions could be done have the exporters by restricting “I would request the in downs in some parts of the
increased to ₹ 1,32,579.69 Products) scheme, which uncertainty over the benefi ts formation especially in sec not been spelt out. their ability to price pro dustry to watch the next few country as also the need to
crore from ₹ 93,907.76 came into eff ect on January that would accrue to them tors with thin margins. As per government state ducts competitively and the days a bit more carefully, extend support to the mi
crore in the said period, 1, would be notifi ed in the under the scheme, as they “The trade and industry is ments, the refund of taxes uncertainty was making it and then assess for yourself cro, small and medium en
the ministry said in a ‘very, very near future’. are it fi nding it diffi cult to hopeful that the scheme’s on exports would be credit harder to fi nalise contracts, what this quarter is going to terprises, which were cur
statement. Exporters have been urg price fresh global orders in operation would be smooth, ed to exporters’ ledger ac RSM Astute pointed out. be like,” the minister added. rently facing diffi culties.
“India has consistently
maintained trade surplus
in the agricultural pro
ducts over the years. COVID cuts a Oil slips as India’s COVID India among Care Ratings lowers FY22 ‘Curbs costing
...Even during the diffi cult
fi fth of ONGC top 5 markets truckers daily
time of the pandemic, In
dia took care not to disturb
capex in FY21 surge dents outlook for Ericsson
GDP forecast to 10.2% ₹ 1,000 crore’
the world food supply
chain and continued to ex Key importer reports record deaths ‘Lockdowns to aff ect GST collections’
port,” the ministry said. PRESS TRUST OF INDIA Special Correspondent Press trust of india
During AprilFebruary NEW DELHI Reuters NEW DELHI Special Correspondent mumbai
of the 202021 fi scal, the ONGC spent about one London Swedish telecom gear mak MUMBAI Truckers’ body AIMTC on
country exported agri fi fth less than its budgeted Oil prices fell for a second er Ericsson, which posted Care Ratings has lowered its Wednesday said the tran
commodities worth ₹ 2.74 capex in 202021 fi scal after day on Wednesday, heading a net sales of SEK49.8 bil India GDP growth forecast sporters are suff ering loss
lakh crore as against ₹ 2.31 COVID19related restric for their biggest daily drop lion in the JanuaryMarch to 10.2% for FY22 following es of about ₹ 1,000 crore
lakh crore in the same pe tions delayed projects but in more than two weeks and 2021 quarter, said India fi fresh lockdowns imposed in per day due to the fresh
riod of the previous year. fuel marketers such as IOC weighed down by concerns gured among the top fi ve parts of the country to con restrictions and weekly
Among agricommodities exceeded targets, a govern that surging COVID19 cases countries, accounting for trol the pandemic. lockdowns in some of the
exported, wheat ship ment report showed. in India will drive down fuel 3% of the net sales. On March 24, it had pro States, and the losses could
ments rose in terms of va Oil and Natural Gas Cor demand in the world’s third Other countries in the jected growth for FY22 to be spike further if certain re
lue to ₹ 3,283 crore in April poration (ONGC) had bud biggest oil importer. er record increase in the dai top fi ve with regard to sales in the 1111.2% range based lief measures are not taken
February, from ₹ 425 crore geted ₹ 32,502 crore of cap Brent crude futures for ly death toll from COVID19. were the U.S. (36%), Japan on Gross Value Added (GVA) up by the government to
in the yearearlier period. ital spending in the fi scal June declined $1.14, or 1.7%, Raising the possibility of (8%), Australia (4%) and growth of 10.2%, and on added. Earlier this month mitigate the situation.
NAFED exported 50,000 from April 2020 to March to $65.43 a barrel at 12:50 further oil supply, Iran and the U.K. (3%). April 5, a day after Maha the RBI had stuck to its FY22 On April 12, when res
tonnes wheat to Afghanis 2021 but ended up spend GMT. world powers have made The fi rm said that its cur rashtra imposed restric GDP forecast of 10.5% des trictions were imposed in
tan and 40,000 tonnes to ing only ₹ 26,441 crore, ac “Demand jitters were headway in talks to save a rencyadjusted sales in tions, it further lowered its pite the surge in infections. Maharashtra, the research
Lebanon under govern cording to the report of the thrust back into the spot 2015 nuclear accord. creased by 21% yearon GDP forecast to 10.710.9%. “As tax collections too unit of the All India Motor
menttogovernment ar Oil Ministry's Petroleum light yesterday amid a sharp Still, major oil trading year in southeast Asia, “With conditions chang would be aff ected, there Transport Congress
rangement. In the case of Planning and Analysis Cell. rise in global coronavirus companies are stowing die Oceania and India region. ing very swiftly it does be would be an impact on GDP (AIMTC) had assessed daily
nonbasmati rice export, A company offi cial said cases,” PVM analysts said. sel and jet fuel on newly “Sales increased YoY in come imperative to revisit growth which is now placed loss of about ₹ 315 crore per
the ministry said the ship projects’ implementation “Nowhere is this more ob built supertankers in Asia networks, driven by conti these numbers more often at 10.2%. Therefore, the loss day, it said.
ments increased to ₹ 30,277 was delayed following the vious than in India.” and Africa in anticipation of nued investments in LTE, to get a better sense of the in GDP this year due to the According to a fresh as
crore in AprilFebruary of disruption caused to sup India, also the world’s COVID19 vaccinations driv primarily in India, and by future; and the picture lockdowns would be... sessment, the daily losses
202021 from ₹ 13,030 crore ply chain and labour move thirdlargest oil user, on ing prices higher in the 5G momentum, predomi shows a 1% dip from our fo 0.81% from our earlier esti have mounted to about
in the yearearlier period. ment by COVID19 curbs. Wednesday reported anoth months ahead. nantly in Australia,” it said. recast on March 24, 2021,” it mate of 1111.2%,” it added. ₹ 1,000 crore per day.
THE HINDU
THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2021
DELHI
SPORT 15
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Du Plessis, Deepak Chahar help CSK conquer KKR and go top
Opener’s 95 n.o. and swing bowler’s fourfor reduce Kolkata to its knees; freeswinging Russell and Cummins threaten a miracle but 221 proves a bridge too far
Sunrisers Hyderabad dismantles Punjab Kings, gets off the mark Can RR ground RCB?
After bowlers skittle Rahul’s men out for 120 on a dry wicket, Bairstow powers Hyderabad to its fi rst win in four games Samson’s unit will need to bring its best
Ashwin Achal
Ayan Acharya an elbow niggle — saw the
SCOREBOARD
S unrisers Hyderabad made
light work of Punjab
team home with eight balls to
spare.
Earlier, electing to bat, PUNJAB KINGS (not out) 63 (56b, 3x4, 3x6),
R oyal Challengers Banga
lore holds all the aces in
its fi xture against Rajasthan
K.L. Rahul c Jadhav b Bhuvnesh Kane Williamson (not out) 16
Kings’ 121run target, romp PBKS openers Rahul and war 4 (6b), Mayank Agarwal c (19b); Extras (lb1, w4): 5;
Royals at the Wankhede Sta
ing home by nine wickets at Mayank Agarwal were suff o Rashid b Khaleel 22 (25b, 2x4), Total (for one wkt. in 18.4 dium in Mumbai on
Chennai’s M.A. Chidamba cated by tight bowling. With Chris Gayle lbw b Rashid 15 (17b, overs): 121. Thursday.
ram Stadium on Wednesday the wicket dry and off ering 2x4), Nicholas Pooran run out 0 FALL OF WICKET RCB is fl ying high with
for its fi rst win of IPL14. turn, leftarm spinner Abh (0b), Deepak Hooda lbw b Ab 173 (Warner, 10.1). three wins in as many
ishek Sharma opened the at hishek 13 (11b, 2x4), Moises Hen PUNJAB KINGS BOWLING games, while RR has slipped
Positive start tack and would have dismis riques st. Bairstow b Abhishek 14 Shami 20160, Allen 41 to two losses in three
David Warner and Jonny Bair sed Agarwal in his fi rst over (17b), Shahrukh Khan c Abhishek 221, Arshdeep 3.40310, outings.
stow got SRH’s chase off to a had Rashid Khan held on to a b Khaleel 22 (17b, 2x6), Fabian Henriques 1070, M. Ashwin RCB has fi red in all de
Allen c Warner b Khaleel 6 (11b), 40220, Hooda 40220.
positive start, racing to 50 for tough chance at deep partments and looks a do
M. Ashwin c Bairstow b Kaul 9 Toss: PBKS; MoM: Bairstow.
no loss in the sixover Power midwicket. (10b, 1x4), Mohammed Shami run Sunrisers won by nine wick-
minant force. The evergreen done against Chennai Super
Play, with the latter’s two six out 3 (3b), Arshdeep Singh (not ets with eight balls to spare. AB de Villiers underlined his Kings on Monday. The team
es off Fabian Allen and Mois Rahul goes cheaply out) 1 (2b); Extras (b9, w1, class in the 38run victory depends heavily on Jos But
es Henriques the highlights. SRH, though, didn’t have to nb1): 11; Total (in 19.4 overs): over Kolkata Knight Riders tler and captain Sanju
The duo blunted the PBKS at wait long for its fi rst break 120. with a whirlwind unbeaten Samson.
tack with some good running through, with Rahul hitting a FALL OF WICKETS 34ball 76. The middleorder Samson was magnifi cent
and positive strokeplay. shortofalength delivery 115 (Rahul, 3.1 overs), 239 (May is further solidifi ed by Aus in the campaign opener
PBKS captain K.L. Rahul from Bhuvneshwar Kumar ank, 6.6), 339 (Pooran, 7.1), 447 tralian Glenn Maxwell, who against Punjab Kings, nearly
would have hoped his spin straight to Kedar Jadhav — (Gayle, 8.4), 563 (Hooda, 11.3), has backtoback fi fties to taking his side over the line
ners would take control one of three changes made by 682 (Henriques, 13.4), 7101 (Al his name. with a 63ball 119. The Kerala
len, 16.4), 8110 (Shahrukh, 18.1),
through the middle overs and SRH — at short midwicket. In bowling, seamers Har cricketer, however, has
9114 (M. Ashwin, 19.1).
up the asking rate. But the Warner gave his bowlers one shal Patel and Mohammed since recorded two single
SUNRISERS BOWLING
SRH openers kept the score over spells in the fi rst six ex Siraj have withstood the digit scores. Opener Buttler
Abhishek 40242, Bhuvneshwar
board ticking with occasional cept for Bhuvneshwar, who 30161, Khaleel 40213, Kaul pressure at the death. Har made 49 against CSK, but is
big hits while pinching ones bowled three up front. 3.40271, Vijay Shankar 10 shal, with nine scalps, has yet to light up the
and twos. Rashid made up for his 60, Rashid 40171. emerged as a wickettaking tournament.
earlier dropped catch imme SUNRISERS HYDERABAD matchwinner. RR’s bowling is led by left
Williamson returns diately after the PowerPlay The orchestrator: Bairstow piloted Sunrisers home with an David Warner c Mayank b Allen 37 If skipper Virat Kohli — arm seamer Chetan Sakari
Warner added 73 for the fi rst when he took a sharp catch at unbeaten 56ball 63. SPORTZPICS/IPL
* (37b, 3x4, 1x6), Jonny Bairstow going at a subpar tourna ya, who has two threewick
wicket before holing out for a midwicket to get rid of Agar ment average of 23.67 — et hauls in his fi rst season.
runaball 37. That didn’t de wal, and off the fi rst ball of livery. Two balls later, Deepak side it. Then the spinners given out lbw off Abhishek. some late powerhitting, fi nds the big runs, RCB Chris Morris can contribute
ter Bairstow, who hit an un the very next over, Nicholas Hooda would have been took over, and PBKS lost its The batsman reviewed the clearing the ropes twice in a could be unstoppable. handsomely with bat and
beaten 63 off 56 balls and in Pooran, batting at No. 4 for caught if Siddarth Kaul had way further. Rashid trapped decision, but DRS upheld the 17ball 22, before being After notching up an ex ball. RR will need its big
the company of Kane Wil the fi rst time this season, was been on the fi neleg boun Chris Gayle in front with a umpire’s call. caught off Khaleel Ahmed citing threewicket win over match players to step up if it
liamson — who returned after run out without facing a de dary instead of being well in legbreak before Hooda was Shahrukh Khan provided (three for 21). Delhi Capitals, RR came un hopes to halt RCB’s charge.
MUMBAI
BANGLADESH IN SL He and captain Mominul Novak Djokovic who was Madrid and Barcelona are
Mannarino 64, 64; Andrey
Former India wicketkeeper Associated Press Haque (64) added 150 in the disqualifi ed from the 2020 Rublev bt Federico Gaio 64, still offi cially involved. cerns of fans around the Super League.
and Mumbai Indians' talent Pallekele unbroken thirdwicket US Open for hitting a line 63; Felix AugerAliassime bt The English clubs desert world have clearly been ex “While Juventus remains
scout Kiran More has Bangladesh batsman Najmul partnership. judge with a ball. Lorenzo Musetti 46, 63, 60; ed amid an escalating back pressed about the Super convinced of the soundness
recovered from COVID19 and Shanto posted his fi rst Test Tamim Iqbal gave Bangla Nick Kyrgios was also de Stefanos Tsitsipas bt Jaume lash from their supporters League, and AC Milan must of the project’s sport, com
is fit to join team's bio hundred on Wednesday and faulted at the Rome tourna Munar 60, 62; Alex de Minaur and warnings from the go be sensitive to the voice of mercial and legal premises,
desh the early advantage as
bubble, the IPL defending helped his team reach 302 ment in 2019 after hurling a bt Alexander Bublik 76(3), 62; vernment that legislation those who love this wonder it believes that at present
he attacked from the start.
champions said on for two at stumps on the chair on to the court. Pablo Carreno Busta bt Jordan could be introduced to ful sport,” the Italian club there are limited chances
He hit 90 off 101 balls. Thompson 64, 60; Bernabe
Wednesday. The 58yearold, fi rst day of the fi rst Test At the 2017 US Open, Fog thwart them. said. that the project be complet
who is also the wicket The scores: Zapata Miralles bt Fabio Fognini
against Sri Lanka. Bangladesh 302/2 in 90 ov nini was booted out of the 60, 44; Corentin Moutet bt AC Milan signalled it was ed in the form originally con
keeping consultant for the
Shanto fi nished the day ers (Tamim Iqbal 90, Najmul tournament and fi ned Daniel Evans 64, 57, 63; Ra leaving a few hours after At Not yet abandoned ceived,” the club said.
fivetime IPL champions MI,
unbeaten at 126 (288b, 14x4, Shanto 126 batting, Mominul $24,000 for a series of in fael Nadal bt Ilya Ivashka 36, letico and Inter Milan made Juventus followed moments Atletico said the decision
had tested positive for the
dreaded virus on April 6.
1x6) after Bangladesh elect Haque 64 batting) vs Sri Lan sults aimed at a female chair 62, 64; Kei Nishikori bt Cris their announcements. later, but didn’t completely was made after its board of
PTI ed to bat fi rst at the Palle ka; Toss: Bangladesh. umpire. tian Garin 76 (5), 46, 61. “The voices and the con abandon plans for a future directors met on Wednesday.
CM A ND-NDE
YK
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16 SPORT DELHI
TV PICKS
IPL: Star Sports 1 & SS Select ‘India Open postponement is disheartening’ Rizwan and Qadir help
1 (SD & HD), 7.30 p.m.
Serie A: Sony Ten 2 (SD & Pakistan down Zimbabwe
HD), 10 p.m. & 12.15 a.m.
(Friday)
Kashyap says Saina is nearing full fi tness, despite being troubled by niggles
Premier League: SS Select 2 players getting a fair chance
PAK IN ZIM
(SD & HD), 12.15 a.m.. BADMINTON of qualifying for the Games. Agence France-Presse
(Friday)
South Africa vs V.V. Subrahmanyam “Exactly for this reason, I HARARE
Bangladesh: 1st Test, Sony HYDERABAD feel the All England Cham
Six (SD & HD), 9.45 a.m. Mohammad Rizwan scored
pionships early this year a fi ghting 82 while legspin
The postponement of the In
should also have been treat ner Usman Qadir grabbed
dia Open, an Olympics quali
IN BRIEF fying tournament scheduled
ed as a qualifying event.” three wickets as Pakistan
to be held in New Delhi from Kashyap added that Saina edged out Zimbabwe by 11
May 11, is disheartening and is nearing full fi tness, despite runs in the fi rst Twenty20
shows that the players’ inter being troubled by niggles International here on
ests are not taken care of, which are taking a long time Wednesday.
said P. Kashyap, husband of to heal. Pakistan managed 149 for
Saina Nehwal. seven in its 20 overs with in
Tough phase form wicketkeeperbatsman
Helpless “It has been a very tough last Rizwan anchoring the in Usman Qadir. AFP
Lewandowski back in two years for her. Because of nings after the team was
*
“It is really upsetting that the
training the pandemic, the condi Haris Rauf bowled a tight
Delhi event is postponed. We sent in to bat.
MUNICH
are helpless. tions are bad. length to concede just eight
Robert Lewandowski and pull off a hard earned
returned to training with the “We have serious doubts “But when IPL and tennis Aggressive start
Ready, but...: Saina Nehwal and P. Kashyap hope that the Malaysian and Singapore Opens win, helping Pakistan to 10
Bayern Munich team on whether anyone cares for would be held as scheduled. SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
*
can go on, a way should be Zimbabwe looked threaten
found out to ensure the ing at 77 for two in the 10th lead in the threematch
Wednesday as the Polish the players when they take
Olympics qualifying events over but Qadir (3/29) and series.
striker aims to break a long these decisions,” the 34 reer, said the India Open, with only the last two events. pics cut were bright,” Kash
The scores: Pakistan 149/7 in
standing record for most yearold Kashyap told The along with Malaysian and the “Our calculations were yap said. are held,” he said. pacer Mohammad Hasnain
20 overs (Mohammad Rizwan
goals in a Bundesliga season. Hindu here on Wednesday. Singapore Opens, are the last that if Saina were to make it “Now, it has come to two “Now all we can do is to (2/27) kept it to 138 for seven 82 n.o., ) bt Zimbabwe 138/7 in
Lewandowski has 35 goals Kashyap, who also dons three Olympics qualifying to the quarterfi nals in two of out of two. It is not going to hope that at least the Malay in the allotted 20 overs. 20 overs (Craig Ervine 34, Luke
from 25 league games with the role of a mentor to Saina events and now players like the three tournaments, her be easy and I strongly believe sian and Singapore Opens Zimbabwe needed 20 off Jongwe 30 n.o., Usman Qadir
four matches left in which to besides pursuing his own ca Saina and Srikanth are left chances of making the Olym no one cares about the will be held on schedule.” the last over but fast bowler 3/29). Pakistan won by 11 runs.
break Gerd Muller’s record of
40 goals from the 197172
season. AP
ECB removes national
selector in shakeup
Chelsea fourth despite goalless draw against Brighton Arjun Kalyan is
LONDON
The national selector of the
England men’s cricket team
In Bundesliga, Schalke relegated, Bayern Munich pulls further ahead even as Leipzig loses
rival Arminia Bielefeld on
India’s 68th GM
was removed as part of a EURO LEAGUES Tuesday.
restructuring that made the CHESS
role redundant after more Associated Press Fabian Klos’ 50thminute
than a century. Ed Smith is London goal was enough for the Special Correspondent
home side to boost its own CHENNAI
leaving at the end of April As Chelsea’s ownership
after about three years in the climbed down from plans to chances of survival. Arjun Kalyan became the
role, the England and Wales join a breakaway Super country’s 68th Grandmaster
Bayern Munich capital
Cricket Board (ECB) said on League, the team climbed in in the ongoing GM round ro
ised on secondplace Leip
Tuesday. Overall to the top four of the Pre bin “Rujna Zora3 2021”
zig’s shock 21 loss at Co
responsibility for future tournament at Arandjelovac
mier League with a farfrom logne by moving 10 points
squad selections will fall on in Serbia.
impressive 00 draw against clear at the top with a 20
Chris Silverwood, the team’s The 18yearold B. Com.
Brighton on Tuesday. win at home over Bayer
head coach.
Leverkusen. student defeated GM Kosic
Thomas Tuchel’s side was
Dragan of Montenegro in the Arjun Kalyan.
stifl ed inside Stamford The results: Premier League:
FC Goa loses to fi fth round to achieve the
Bridge, barely creating a Chelsea 0 drew with Brighton
Persepolis
MARGAO
clearcut chance against the 0.
feat.
“I was 2477 before leaving
<
> Ileaving
was 2477 before
for Serbia
FC Goa put up a spirited fight relegationthreatened Serie A: Hellas Verona 1 (Salce for Serbia and needed 23 and needed 23
before going down 21 to visitor. do Mora 72) lost to Fiorentina 2
points to become a GM. I am points to become a
Group E leader Persepolis FC, The point moved Chelsea (Vlahovic 45+2pen, Caceres
65).
happy that I did that beating GM
bringing to an end the Indian above West Ham on goal dif Kosic,” Arjun told The Hindu Arjun
club’s unbeaten run in the ference and into fourth Bundesliga: Cologne 2 (Hector on Wednesday.
AFC Champions League here place. 46, 60) bt RB Leipzig 1 (Haidara
Arjun said that he was re robin “Rujna Zora2” last
on Tuesday. 59); Bayern Munich 2 (Choupo
The results: Persepolis FC 2 Schalke was fi nally rele Moting 7, Kimmich 13) bt Bayer
lieved to achieve the feat as week, Arjun needed a win to
(Mahdi Torabi 18pen, Seyed gated — for the fi rst time Leverkusen 0; Arminia Bielefeld he had come close to becom become a GM, but he missed
Jalal Hosseini 24) bt FC Goa 1 since 1991 — from the Bun 1 (Klos 50) bt Schalke 0; Ein ing a GM quite a few times it. “Now I just want to keep
(Edu Bedia 14); Al Wahda 3 bt Final nail: Arminia Bielefeld’s Fabian Klos scores to send Schalke hurtling into the second desliga after a dismal season tracht Frankfurt 2 (Hinteregger earlier. improving my game and my
Al Rayyan 2. division. REUTERS
* with a 10 loss at relegation 37, Silva 58) bt Augsburg 0. In fact, in the GM round ratings,” he said.
Sathish Kumar pulls out
Timings were tampered with: Likith George delivers for the Clippers
from Asian meet
KOLKATA
Twotime Commonwealth
Games champion S. Sathish
Kumar withdrew from the
Asian weightlifting Claims Uzbek offi cials off ered a bribe to not go public with his grievances Knicks pull off a seventh straight win
championships in Tashkent
due to ‘an injury’. “Sathish got ming’s governing body, to “I touched the pad and tion of India (SFI) said that NBA
injured during the warmup
SWIMMING look into the matter. stopped my own time and the issues with the heats tim Reuters
prior to the competition and asked the offi cials if it was ings were corrected before PORTLAND
N. Sudarshan
had to withdraw from it,” said Mark of protest the new world record to the fi nal in the respective
Indian Weightlifting Paul George made two free
show them that what they events after Indian coaches
Federation secretary Sahdev
Yadav on Wednesday. Sathish I ndia swimmer S.P. Likith
has alleged that organisers
at the recently held Uzbekis
On the fi nal day of the com
petition, Likith had refused
to dive into the pool in the
were doing was wrong,” Li
kith said. He even claimed
and swimmers present at the
site fl agged them.
throws with 4.8 seconds left
to cap a 33point eff ort and
propel Los Angeles Clippers
had entered his name in that the local offi cials off ered
Group B of men's 81kg tan Open Swimming Cham 200m breaststroke event Monal Chokshi, SFI secre to a narrow 113112 victory
him a bribe so that he tary also didn’t approve of
category. pionships (April 1317) tam and just stood on the starting over host Portland
doesn’t go public with his Likith’s conduct on the fi nal
pered with race timings to block for over two minutes. Trailblazers.
grievances. day of the event in Tashkent.
Divij loses in doubles suit local athletes. He said it was a mark of prot George scored the fi nal
quarterfinals The competition was a To est. But the Swimming Federa “He didn’t approach us,” six points of the game as the
BELGRADE kyo 2020 qualifi cation said Chokshi, about Likith Clippers won for the 15th
Wild card entrants Ivan event, where Srihari Nataraj airing his views in public. time in the past 18 games
Sabanov and Matej Sabanov came within 0.22 seconds of “On the fi rst day, heats times and defeated the Trail Blaz
of Croatia beat Aljaz Bedene making the Acut in 100m were a problem and the dis ers for the sixth consecutive Just in time: Paul George uncorked two baskets with less than
of Slovenia and Divij Sharan backstroke and Indian swim play was not working. time. fi ve seconds remaining to help Clippers edge Trailblazers. AP *
Sachin was the lone Indian
man to book a place in the
fi nal of the World youth
boxing championships
Khush shocks Atanu and Ankita ranked second Victorious Anish Giri
here.
Sachin defeated former
top seed Aditya ARCHERY WC back in the hunt
European junior champion Sports Bureau
ing phase and then tight
darth Madhavan 62, 61; Ab
Michele Baldassi of Italy TENNIS hay Chhabra bt Yash Baghel
GUATEMALA CITY CANDIDATES CHESS ened the noose around his
with a 50 verdict in a 56kg 64, 64; Rushil Khosla bt Ar Atanu Das and Ankita Bha Rakesh Rao Chinese rival who struggled
Sports Bureau
semifi nal bout to set up a nav Yadav 61, 60. kat took second spots in NEW DELHI with his timemanagement
JHAJJAR
title clash with Yerbolat Sa men and women’s indivi Anish Giri was back into the during this 38move
Khush Sharma shocked top Yogee Panwar bt Skandha
byr of Kazakhstan. dual recurve ranking titlerace after a clinical vic encounter.
seed Aditya Nandal 63, 62 Rao 26, 63, 63; Aditya Balda
Three other Indian men bt Sagar Kumar 62, 62; rounds respectively in the tory over Wang Hao for a
in the boys’ prequarterfi Of the three drawn
— Bishwamitra Chongtham Daksh Prasad bt Aditya Rathee archery World Cup Stage 1 share of the second spot be
nals of the AITA National se games, jointsecond Max
(49kg), Ankit Narwal 46, 64, 76(5). here. hind leader Ian Nepom
ries under18 tournament at ime VachierLagrave es
(64kg) and Vishal Gupta Girls: Tirsha Malik bt Shreya Atanu collected 680 niachtchi in the ninth round
the Joygaon Tennis Acade caped with an 88move
(91kg) — lost their lastfour Bhat 76(4), 57, 62; Tejasvi points to lie behind USA’s of Candidates chess tourna
my on Wednesday. Second draw against Ding Liren.
bouts and will get bronze Dabas bt Karthika Vijay 60, Brady Ellison (694), while ment in Yekaterinburg in
medals. seed Daksh Prasad managed 64; Kundali Maigaine bt Niyati Pravin Jadhav (666), B. Dhi Ninth round results: Alexan
Russia, on Tuesday. der Grischuk (Rus, 4) drew
The results: Men: Semifi nals: to pull through to a 46, 64, Kukreti 76(5), 62; Bhumika raj (664) and Tarundeep Ankita Bhakat. FILE PHOTO Atanu Das. FILE PHOTO The victory for Giri, the with Ian Nepomniachtchi (Rus,
49kg: Bishwamitra Chong 76(5) victory over Aditya Rohilla bt Harnoor Kaur Sidhu Rai (663) placed 15th, 20th
* *