THE LARGEST CIRCULATED ENGLISH DAILY IN SOUTH INDIA
VISAKHAPATNAM I SUNDAY I 25
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ASTROGUIDE
Plava; Uttarayana
Tithi: Chaitra Shuddha Trayodasi
till 4.08 pm
Star: Hasta till 1.52 am (Monday)
Varjyam: 11.53 am to 1.19 pm
Durmuhurtam: 4.50 pm to
5.41 pm
Rahukalam: 4.30 pm to 6 pm
HIJRI CALENDAR
Ramzan 12,1442 AH
PRAYERS
(ROYAL MOSQUE)
Fajar: 5.05 am
Zohar: 1.30 pm
Asar: 5.00 pm
Maghrib: 6.19 pm
Isha: 8.30 pm
SUNSET TODAY 6.15 PM
SUNRISE TOMORROW 5.34 AM
MOONSET TODAY 4.33 AM
MOONRISE TOMORROW 4.09 PM
RAMZAN TIMINGS
IFTAR: 6.19 PM (TODAY)
SEHRI: 4.16 AM (TOMORROW)
COUNTER POINT
SHORT TAKES
TN ‘lockdown’
from April 26
Chennai: Cinemas, places of
worship, malls, bars and
salons must be shut effec-
tive April 26, the Tamil
Nadu government
announced on Saturday
reintroducing more curbs
following surging COVID-19
cases. People from abroad
and other states shall be
allowed entry to Tamil
Nadu only if they have reg-
istered in the portal
http://eregister.tnega.org
and information on regis-
tration should be produced
to authorities on arrival.
Those from neighbouring
union territory of
STATE | AHEAD
APbags 17 national
panchayat awards
DC CORRESPONDENT
VIJAYAWADA, APRIL 24
Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan
Mohan Reddy on Satu-
rday presented National
Panchayat Raj Awards
2021 to panchayats, man-
dals and districts of the
state on the occasion of
National Panchayat Raj
Day.
Earlier, Prime Minister
Narendra Modi had
launched the National
Panchayat Awards cere-
mony through video con-
ference with chief minis-
ters of various states.
With the switch of a but-
ton, the Prime Minister
deposited cash incentives
in accounts of panchay-
ats, mandals and districts
that had won the awards
throughout the country.
Modi also launched dis-
tribution of e-property
cards in 5,000 villages of
seven states. Speaking on
the occasion, the PM
pointed out that village
panchayats had dealt well
during the Covid-19 situa-
tion last year. They
should continue to do this
year too with the same
spirit.
Andhra Pradesh won 17
awards in 2021 as against
the 15 awards last year.
AP received state-level
second award in e-pan-
APRIL 2021
deccanchronicle.com, facebook.com/deccannews, twitter.com/deccanchronicle
Justice Ramana sworn in as India’s 48th CJI
President Ram Nath Kovind administers the oath of office to Justice Nuthalapati
Venkata Ramana, after he was appointed as the 48th Chief Justice of India (CJI) at
Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on Saturday. ■ Report on Page 4
Covid hospitals yet to get
NOC from fire department
DC CORRESPONDENTS
VISAKHAPATNAM/
VIJAYAWADA/TIRUPATI,
APRIL 24
Many private hospitals
notified as Covid treat-
ment facilities in the state
have not obtained their
Fire (No Objection
Certificate) NOC till date.
Officials, while notifying
private hospitals, had
insisted that they adhere
to safety norms and obtain
NOC from the fire safety
department.
In January last, the gov-
ernment launched a spe-
cial drive and issued
notices to hundreds of hos-
pitals after fire erupted at
a health care centre in
Bhandara in Maharashtra
in which 10 infants were
killed.
In Visakhapatnam, 40
private and corporate hos-
pitals were notified as
Covid treatment facilities
and those that were locat-
ed in Health City at
Arilova were declared as
fire safety compliant.
Ten hospitals outside the
Health City have not
obtained the NOC.
“Six hospitals got NoC
during the last two days
and four are yet to comply
with the fire safety
15 won last year
Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy
chayat category, two
awards at district level,
four awards at mandal
and 10 awards at pan-
chayat level.
A cash incentive of
`50,000 is given at the dis-
trict level, `25,000 at man-
dal level and `8,000–10,000
at the level of villages
depending on their popu-
lation. The Chief Minister
presented the state-wide
second award for Andhra
Pradesh in e Panchayat
category to panchayat raj
minister Peddireddy
Ramachandra Reddy and
panchayat raj commis-
sioner Girija Shankar.
District-level awards
(Deen Dayal Upadhyay
P a n c h a y a t
Sashaktikaran Puraskar)
went to Guntur district
ZP CEO D. Chaitanya and
Krishna district ZP CEO
Surya Prakash Rao.
■ Page 2: Vijayawada Rural
in winning MPDOs list
WORLD|5
Merkel defends
tough Covid curbs
norms,’’ said regional fire
officer with GVMC,
Niranjan Reddy.
He said unlike in normal
times, the authorities
would not hesitate to close
down the hospitals.
“Merely having safety
equipment is not enough.
The hospitals should con-
duct mock drills, which
they have not done despite
repeated advisories.”
Reports from
Vijayawada said 26 pri-
vate hospitals have been
notified as Covid hospitals
and four of these have
applied for NoC.
However, the requests
were held up as they did
not adhere to all the
norms.
Tirupati reports said
three out of the eight hos-
pitals notified there as
Covid treatment facilities
are not having the Fire
NoC. The fire department
refused to issue NoC to
RUSH hospital, Lotus hos-
pital and ESI hospital.
The Purnas Remedy hos-
pital, DBR hospital,
Sankalpa hospital,
Narayanadri hospital and
Amara hospital have
obtained fire NOC, said
Kiran Kumara Reddy,
assistant district fire offi-
cer in Tirupati.
— PTI
STATE REGISTERS
11,698 FRESH
COVID CASES
DC CORRESPONDENT
VIJAYAWADA, APRIL 24
AP has registered 11,698
fresh Covid cases and 37
deaths in the last 24 hours.
Health officials said that
out of 50,972 samples test-
ed, 11,698 have been found
infected with Covid-19. Of
total 1,59,31,722 samples
tested so far, 10,20,926 per-
sons were infected. Amo-
ng them, 9,31,839 have
recovered while 81,471 are
active with the virus and
undergoing treatment.
All districts crossed the
200 cases. Srikakulam
topped with 1,641 cases,
followed by 1,581 in
Guntur, 1,306 in Chittoor,
1,066 in Anantapur, 947 in
Visakhapatnam, 909 in
East Godavari, 902 in
Nellore, 820 in Kurnool,
631 in Krishna, 592 in
Vizianagaram, 549 in
Kadapa, 462 in Prakasam
and 292 in West Godavari.
■ Page 3: Chittoor found to
be worst affected
SPORTS|8 TABLOID
Sachin to donate
his plasma
20 critically ill die due to
lack of oxygen in Delhi
Delhi grappling with shortage of oxygen as Covid rises
BHASKAR HARI
SHARMA | DC
NEW DELHI, APRIL 24
Twenty people died at
Delhi’s Jaipur Golden Ho-
spital as medical oxygen
supply was not replen-
ished on Saturday, expos-
ing the danger to critically
ill Covid patients admitted
in the national capital.
The hospital in south-
west Delhi’s Rohini locali-
ty had feared the worst
and predicted a disaster
could repeat itself a day
after 25 patients died at the
Ganga Ram Hospital.
“Next impending oxygen
crisis in Jaipur Golden
Hospital. Over 200 lives at
stake if liquid medical oxy-
gen is not supplied by 9 pm
tonight,” the hospital had
tweeted at 7.15 pm.
Medical Director D.K.
Baluja said, “Oxygen pres-
sure has dipped as we are
running out of stock.”
The hospital officials
added that over 80 per cent
of the 200 patients in the
hospital were on oxygen
support and 35 were in the
ICU.
At the Ganga Ram
Hospital, authorities
struggled to avoid a repeat
of the earlier day’s
tragedy. The hospital
requires a minimum of
11,000 cubic metres of oxy-
gen daily but was left with
just 200 cubic metres when
a tanker with 1.5 tonnes of
oxygen arrived at 11.35
am, officials said.
“Now it is at 0.7 tonnes,
AP targets vax for 1.5 cr youth
DC CORRESPONDENT
VIJAYAWADA, APRIL 24
The Andhra Pradesh gov-
ernment aims to adminis-
ter Covid-19 vaccine free of
cost to nearly 1.5 crore
youths aged above 18
years from May 1. State
health authorities are get-
ting some 1,400 vaccina-
tion centres ready for the
purpose.
From the start of the vac-
cination in the state on
Lost year: Up to adults
to mentor their kids
Vol. 36 No. 331 Established 1938 | 16
Delhi HC warns oxygen
blockers will be hanged
DC CORRESPONDENT
NEW DELHI, APRIL 24
The Delhi High Court said
on Saturday that if any
official at the Central,
state or local administra-
tion was obstructing in
the picking up or supply of
oxygen, then it would
“hang” that person. The
observation by a bench of
Justices Vipin Sanghi and
Rekha Palli came during
the hearing of a plea by
Maharaja Agra-sen
Hospital over shortage of
oxygen for seriously ill
Covid patients.
The court told the Delhi
government to give it one
instance of who was
obstructing the oxygen
supply and said “we will
hang that man”. “We will
not spare anyone,” the
bench added. It told the
which will last for one
hour only,” hospital chair-
person D.S. Rana said in a
statement released around
2 pm. “We are getting sup-
plies of 500 to 1500 cubic
meters only. We have 516
Covid patients, of which
129 are in ICU and 29 on
invasive ventilation.
These 29 patients are on
manual ventilation since
January 16, some nine
lakh persons have been
given the jabs so far. These
included frontline war-
riors including health care
staff and those above 45
years, the original target
being 11 lakh persons.
“A good number of peo-
ple aged above 45 years,
out of a total of nearly 80
lakh, have been vaccinat-
ed so far while vaccination
of both the first and sec-
ond dose is going on for
Delhi government to
inform the Centre also
about such officials of the
local administration so
that it could take action
against them. The HC also
asked the Centre when the
480 metric ton-ne (MT) of
oxygen per day allocated
for Delhi would see the
light of the day.
“You (Centre) had
assured us (on April 21)
that 480 MT per day will
reach Delhi. Tell us when
will it come? The 480 MT
per day is still to see the
light of the day,” the court
said.
The Court directed the
Centre and Delhi to coor-
dinate between them-
selves for arranging the
cryogenic tankers to
ensure that hospitals in
the national capital are
given the complete allocat-
midnight due to scarcity of
supplies. This can’t go on
for long, the staff is getting
exhausted," he said.
“Hospital has and is
approaching all authori-
ties and nodal officers but
no help is coming,
Hundreds of calls made,
nobody picking the calls,”
he added.
In a pincer effect, the
the remaining targeted
beneficiaries,” officials
said. Though the state has
big plans for administer-
ing the jabs to those
between 18 and 45 years,
the coverage will be based
on the quantum of vaccine
doses that are available to
the state.
The state has set a record
by administering 6.2 lakh
doses of the jab in a day,
thanks to the presence of a
strong health infrastruc-
PAGES | `6.00
ed quantity of 480 MTs of
oxygen.
The High Court asked
the Delhi government to
set up its own oxygen
plant and said that a
smooth and fully allocated
supply of oxygen to Delhi
can resolve many prob-
lems. The court on
Saturday also pulled up
the Delhi government for
not providing proper sug-
gestions to the Centre
regarding supply of oxy-
gen from nearby plants in
place of its allocated oxy-
gen supply from plants in
West Bengal and Odisha.
It also asked the Delhi gov-
ernment to make arrange-
ments for tankers.
The bench also asked the
Centre on Saturday about
the arrangements being
made to deal with the rise
in Covid cases.
shortage of oxygen and the
explosion in the number of
cases in Delhi together
stretched healthcare infr-
astructure to its limits,
leaving hospitals big and
small struggling and com-
ing up with band aid solu-
tions — limited supplies to
see them through for the
next few hours before plac-
ing another SOS call.
ture backed by the com-
mitment of the health care
personnel to fight the men-
ace.
“The health department
is planning to administer
nearly five lakh doses per
day subject to availability
of doses in order to vacci-
nate all the targeted bene-
ficiaries in an expeditious
manner,” officials said.
■ Page 2: Only limited
RT-P
PCR tests could be done
 STATEDECCAN
DECCAN CHRONICLE
CHRONICLE
| RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM
IN BRIEF
LOKESH DEMANDS
CANCELLATION OF
SSC, INTER EXAMS
DC CORRESPONDENT
VIJAYAWADA, APRIL 24
Telugu Desam national gener-
al-secretary Nara Lokesh la-
shed out at the Jagan Mohan
Reddy government for 'not
cancelling or postponing' Cla-
ss 10 and Intermediate exams,
in accordance with the appeals
made by thousands of stu-
dents and parents in view of
rising Covid-19 cases, on
Saturday.
Addressing a press confer-
ence here, Lokesh expressed
his fears about examinations
turning into Covid-19 super
spreaders. He said that after
he wrote a letter to CM Jagan
Mohan Reddy, the latter seems
to have taken a "more stub-
born attitude, with total disre-
gard for the safety of stu-
dents."
Lokesh asked why had the
government failed to under-
stand that preventive meas-
ures would be very difficult to
implement in examination
centres. Stating that not even
six students can be accommo-
dated in a room if six feet dis-
tance has to be maintained, he
added that there was a lack of
infrastructure to meet this
demand. “The government
promised to give face masks to
each family but had failed to
fulfil the same,” he said.
Lokesh also demanded an
explanation from the CM as to
why his government turned
indifferent to the 48-hour dead-
line issued by the TD regard-
ing cancellation of exams.
He stated that even the CBSE
and ICSE boards have can-
celled their exams.
SURESH TO TD, JS:
DON’T CREATE PANIC
AMONG STUDENTS
DC CORRESPONDENT
ANANTAPUR, APRIL 24
Education minister Adimul-
apu Suresh lashed out at MLC
Nara Lokesh and Jana Sena
chief Pawan Kalyan for creat-
ing panic among students and
their parents.
Reacting to the ongoing
issues and demands to cancel
Class 10 exams by Opposition
leaders, Suresh said, "We
already discussed and
obtained opinions from par-
ents regarding conduct of
Class 10 exams. The final deci-
sion on whether to conduct the
exams, or cancel them, will be
announced soon after
analysing the situation. In
fact, our top priorities are both
- health of students and their
academic future"
"Instead of giving appropri-
ate advice to the government
during the peak of Covid-19
pandemic, the TD and Jana
Sena are throwing mud at the
state government," said
Suresh while addressing the
media after the convocation
ceremony at JNTU-A. He fur-
ther said that the quality and
standard of education in the
state sets a role model for the
country but the TD leaders
were "unable to digest facts."
Suresh added that the total
number of exam papers were
reduced to seven, and asked
the leaders of Opposition par-
ties to stop their political
tricks to defame the govern-
ment.
The minister also unveiled
the statue of Sri Krishnadev-
arayulu, Vijayanagar emperor,
on Sri Krishnadevaraya
University premises on the
occasion of their convocation.
AYYANNA OBJECTS
TO THE MANNER OF
DHULIPALLA ARREST
DC CORRESPONDENT
VIJAYAWADA, APRIL. 24
Former minister and Telugu
Desam politburo member Ch.
Ayyanna Patrudu on Saturday
strongly objected to the man-
ner in which their party form-
er MLA Dhulipalla Narendra
Kumar was arrested as if he
was a terrorist trying to esc-
ape from the law of the land.
He asked the government to
explain whether it was wrong
on the part of Narendra to
bring the Sangam Dairy under
the Companies Act. He
recalled that even the Visakha
Dairy was also brought under
this Act but the Jagan Mohan
Reddy regime has not initiated
similar action against them.
Addressing a press confer-
ence here, Ayyanna termed it
as a sadistic step on the part of
the YSRC government to
harass and arrest a leader who
had the record of getting elect-
ed as an MLA for five consecu-
tive terms previously.
He said the ACB and the CID
officials should discharge the-
ir duties in an impartial man-
ner without succumbing to the
pressure from the ruling party
leaders.
| VISAKHAPATNAM
| SUNDAY
| SUNDAY | 25 |APRIL
25 APRIL
2021 2021
Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, minister Peddireddy Ramchandra Reddy, panchayat raj commissioner Girija Sankar with National awardees
MPDOs and CEOs on the occasion of National Panchayat Raj day at the CM’s camp office on Saturday.
VIJAYAWADA
Date-expired drugs given
RURAL IN WINNING
MPDOs LIST
from page 1
The mandal-level
to Covid-affected patients
awards went to MPDOs
of Sodem in Chittoor Patients allege fresh stocks are being sold in market at high price
district, Kakinada Rural
in East Godavari dis- DC CORRESPONDENT
trict, Vijayawada Rural KURNOOL APRIL 24
in Krishna district and
Penugonda in The Kurnool Government
Anantapur district. General Hospital has, for
Panchayats that got the the past one month, been
award from the CM are administering remdesivir
Varkuru in Kurnool dis- injections whose shelf-life
trict, Pedalabudu in had expired – by a few
Visakhapatnam district, weeks, though.
Gullapalli in Guntur dis- About 520 patients are
trict, Thada Kandriga, undergoing treatment in
T h a a l l a p a l e m , the Corona wards special-
Parthavellanti and ly kept outside of the gen-
Pennabarthi in Nellore eral medicine wards. The
district and G. second wave of Covid is so
Rangampeta in East severe that the district
Godavari district. reported an average of
Minister Peddireddy 1,000 positive cases every
Ramachandra
principal
Reddy,
secretary
day for the past nearly a
week.
(Revenue) V. Usha Rani,
panchayat raj commis-
Covid patients undergo-
ing treatment at the GGH
sioner Girija Shankar,
land records commis-
are worried as to whether
the remdesivir doses given
sioner Siddarth Jain, to them as a life-saving
officers of various dis- drug would cause more
tricts, mandal-level offi- harm to them than good.
cers and sarpanches An attendant of a patient
were present on the undergoing treatment in
occasion. the Male medical ward -1
found that the remdesivir
KAKINADA RURAL, injection given to his rela-
G. RAGAMPETA GET
NATIONAL AWARDS
Virtual learning turns innovative: Gov
DC CORRESPONDENTS
DC CORRESPONDENT VIJAYAWADA/ANANTAPUR,
KAKINADA, APRIL 24 APRIL 24
East Godavari district The Covid-19 pandemic
collector D. Muralidhar caused universal shift to
Reddy received two na- virtual learning, which
tional awards through proved to be innovative for
virtual mode on teachers, students, and to
Saturday. all stakeholders, said
Kakinada Rural man- Governor Biswabhusan
dal of East Godavari was Harichandan while taking
selected for Deen Dayal part in the 11th convoca-
Upadhyaya Panchayat tion of JNTU-Anantapur
Sa Shakthi Karan virtually, on Saturday.
Puraskar-2021 for the The Governor lauded the
appraisal year 2019-20 university for its share in
and G. Ragampeta pan- contributing to the devel-
chayat in Peddapuram opment of Andhra
mandal was selected for Pradesh in the field of
Grama Panchayat technological education,
Development Plan-2021 adding that the university
for the appraisal year was taking steps to imple-
2019-20. The Prime ment the National
Minister Narendra Modi Education Policy, with
spoke about the nation multi-disciplinary nature
through a virtual based
online system.
of education, globalisa-
tion, and with collabora-
tions.
Congratulating those
APPP SEEKS FUNDS students who received
medals for best academic
FOR DEVELOPMENT performance,
Governor called upon
the
OF VILLAGES
them to play a pivotal role
in building our nation,
and appreciated the uni-
DC CORRESPONDENT versity for successfully
VIJAYAWADA, APRIL 24 conducting all exams
The Andhra Pradesh Pa-
online and as per sched-
ule, despite the challenges
nchayat Parishad sought
the government's help to
due to Covid-19.
The Governor appreciat-
develop village panchay-
ats in all aspects. APPP
ed Chief Minister Y.S.
Jagan Mohan Reddy for
conducted national pan- initiating a series of meas-
chayat raj day on Satur- ures to improve the quali-
day and paid floral trib- ty of education in all uni-
utes to Gandhi during a versities across the state.
programme at Guntur. AICTE chairman Prof.
APPP chairman Jasti Anil Sahasra Bude appre-
Veeranjaneyulu said ciated the educational
that Corona is putting reforms being introduced
huge impact on villages, in AP.
disturbing lives of peo- Minister for education
ples and stated that Adimulapu Suresh stated
newly-elected sarpanch- that the state government
es are taking necessary
measures for the con-
tainment of pandemic DOUBLE | STANDARDS
Covid-19 by cooperating
with the government.
Veeranjaneyulu said
that the panchayat raj is
the oldest system of gov-
ernance within the local
government. The word
Bengaluru contributing to rising cases in Seema
DC CORRESPONDENT
is a confluence of two ANANTAPUR, APRIL 24
words- "Panch" which
means "five" and "Ayat" Lack of restrictions and
means assembly and preventive measures at
"Raj" means the rule. border check posts along
Quoting that India the Karnataka border
lives in villages, they have led to a substantial
sought the government increase in the number of
to provide required cases reported in
funds for the villages Rayalaseema region.
towards all-round devel- While passengers enter-
opment in all aspects to ing into borders of
strengthen the panchay- Bengaluru are required to
at raj system. carry a Covid-19 negative
● A professor at Kurnool Medical College said it is not
yet known if remdesivir is safe and effective for the
treatment of Covid-19. The distribution of remdesivir
has been authorised only for the treatment of hospi-
talised patients with severe Covid19 symptoms.
● He said doctors can administer only what is supplied
to them.
tive was having an expiry
date of 13/3/2021.
The KGGH continues to
administer the expired re-
mdesivir doses to Corona-
virus patients as they
have a stock of 3,000 vials,
said hospital superinten-
dent in-charge Dr
Bhagawan.
Another story doing the
rounds is that date-
expired drug is given to
KGGH patients while the
fresh stocks are being sold
in the market at high
price.
Dr G. Narendranath
Reddy, an ophthalmolo-
gist, is the hospital super-
intendent and he is down
with Coronavirus infec-
tion.
Kurnool Government
Minister for education Adimulapu Suresh presents award to a student during the 11th
convocation of JNTU-A on Saturday.
had been implementing
several welfare schemes
for the benefit of students,
and also for those pursu-
ing higher education.
"JNTU-A was one among
five universities selected
by the state government to
transform into a multi-dis-
ciplinary education and
research university," he
added.
He stated that the state
government planned on
recruiting teaching staff
in all universities across
the state soon, and that an
amount of `671.45 crore
was deposited directly in
the accounts of mothers of
No Covid-19 negative certificate needed for people entering Seema from Karnataka
certificate, no such meas-
ures are there when it
comes to people entering
Rayalaseema from neigh-
bouring Karnataka.
A 25-year-old youth work-
ing as a software engineer
in Bengaluru tested posi-
tive a few days ago after
returning home in Anant-
apur. The youth had to be
treated at a private hospi-
tal for more than a week.
Saturday saw 1,066 posi-
tive cases being reported
General Hospital has been
administering remdesivir
injections for the past one
month and their shelf-life
has expired. About 520 pa-
tients are undergoing tre-
atment in the Covid
wards.
A professor at Kurnool
Medical College said it is
not yet known if remde-
sivir is safe and effective
for the treatment of Covid-
19. The distribution of re-
mdesivir has been autho-
rised only for the treat-
ment of hospitalised pat-
ients with severe Covid19
symptoms. He said doc-
tors can administer only
what is supplied to them.
The hospital superinten-
dent was under intense
pressure to fulfil the
10,88,439 students in the
state under the fee reim-
bursement scheme.
Suresh stated that the
state government had
been implementing sever-
al welfare schemes for the
benefit of students and
also for students pursuing
higher education. He
added that JNTU-A was
one among five universi-
ties selected by the state
government to transform
into a multidisciplinary
education and research
university.
Former JNTU vice-chan-
cellor and former UPSC
chairman Y. Venkatarami
in Anantapur district, 215
from Hindupur town, whi-
ch is closer to Bengaluru
city. 549 cases have been
witnessed in Kadapa, 1,306
in Chittoor and 820 in
Kurnool district. Four
deaths have been reported
in Anantapur district.
Serious cases are invari-
ably referred to Bengaluru
due to lack of proper med-
ical services in Anantapur
district and other parts of
Rayalaseema region.
demands of political lead-
ers including MLAs and
MPs. Everyone has a cut
in the hue hospital sup-
plies pie. It is a well-oiled
mechanism and district
collector is chairman of
the hospital development
committee (HDC). There
is corruption at all levels
in all medicines/equip-
ment purchases/supplies
and quality is often over-
looked, said a doctor.
The in-charge superin-
tendent said the remde-
sivir drug was supplied by
Mylan Laboratories of
Hyderabad. “We have
received a letter from
Mylan Laboratories that
their drug’s shelf-life was
extended by the Drugs
Controller General Dr. GV
Somani on March 15 this
year by six months to 12
months. Whether the said
letter was genuine or not
we cannot certify, but we
are administering the
remdesivir of 100mg vial
(lyophilized),” the health
official said.
— DC
Reddy was awarded an
honorary doctorate by the
university.
Later, the Governor vir-
tually took part in the 19th
convocation of Sri
Krishnadevaraya
University, Anantapur.
Praising the university for
its excellent track record
in teaching, research, and
extra-curricular activi-
ties, he also appreciated
the appreciation received
by the university from
Niti Aayog for setting up
the prestigious 'Atal
Incubation Centre' to cater
to the state's entrepre-
neurial ecosystem.
Sources said at least four
persons hailing from the
district have died owing to
Coronavirus in Bengaluru
hospitals in the past two
days. A 35-year-old youth
from Madakasira town
died at a private hospital
in Bengaluru on Friday.
Sources said Bangalore
corporation authorities
were not handing over
dead bodies but conduct-
ing cremations or burials
in Bengaluru itself.
Essential, emergency
services exempted
from night curfew
DC CORRESPONDENT
VIJAYAWADA, APRIL 24
The AP government on
Saturday issued detailed
guidelines on implemen-
tation of night curfew
from Saturday, detailing
the essential and emer-
gency services exempted
from the curfew.
Issuing G. O. 161, chief
secretary Aditya Nath
Das made it clear that
wearing of masks will be
compulsory and every-
body must follow Covid
appropriate protocols in
public places.
Any violation will result
in prosecution under
Sections 51 to 60 of
Disaster Management
Act 2005 and Section 188
of IPC as well as other
applicable laws. District
magistrates and collec-
tors, district superintend-
ents and commissioners
of police will enforce
these regulations in the
state with immediate
effect, the chief secretary
underlined.
As per night curfew
orders, all offices, firms,
shops, establishments
and restaurants shall
close by 10 pm and reopen
after 5 am.
Hospitals, diagnostic
labs, pharmacies and
those dealing with supply
of essential services, su-
Bandar Road wears a deserted look as the night cur-
few imposed to control the Covid-19 cases in
Vijayawada on Saturday.
MINISTER TO OFFICIALS: HAND OVER
BODIES TO KIN WITHOUT DELAY
DC CORRESPONDENT
VIJAYAWADA, APRIL 24
Deputy chief minister
and minister for health
Alla Kali Krishna Srin-
ivas directed the health
authorities to hand over
the dead bodies of people
infected with Coronavir-
us, to their family mem-
bers without any delay.
The minister enquired
about keeping 81 dead
bodies in the mortuary
having the capacity to
store only 50 at govern-
ment hospital with its
medical superintendent
Dr Siva Sankar and RMO
Dr Hanumantha Rao over
phone on Saturday. They
informed him that 135
persons died in the last
two days and of them, 80
PEOPLE ADVISED NOT TO PANIC SEEING
MORE DEAD BODIES AT CREMATORIA
DC CORRESPONDENT
VIJAYAWADA, APRIL 24
Covid-19 state nodal offi-
cer Dr Arja Srikanth
advised people against
panicking over news of
more number of dead
bodies being burnt in cre-
matoria, assuming them
all to be Coronavirus-
infected persons.
Srikanth said he had
visited Gunadala and
Krishnalanka crematoria
in the city.
Gunadala crematorium
had eight to nine dead
bodies of people. But they
had died of natural caus-
es on the same day and
their bodies brought for
cremation. He pointed out
that it takes nearly four
hours for a dead body to
turn into ashes.
With night curfew and
restrictions in Bengaluru
city and other district
headquarters in
Karnataka, a large num-
ber of migrant labourer
have been returning to
their native villages in
Rayalaseema. Farm
labourers from Anantapur
and parts of Kurnool and
Chittoor districts depend
on Bengaluru for employ-
ment during summer sea-
sons. All of them have
pg 2
ch as print and electronic
media, telecommunica-
tions, Internet services,
broadcasting and cable
services, IT and IT-enabl-
ed services will be exe-
mpted from the curfew.
Petrol pumps, LPG,
CNG, petroleum and gas
outlets, power generation,
transmission and distri-
bution, water supply and
sanitation departments
are also exempted from
night curfew, as are cold
storage and warehousing
services, private security
services, production uni-
ts or services, which requ-
ire continuous process,
and food delivery servic-
es.
Further exempted from
curfew will be all medical
personnel, such as doc-
tors, nursing staff, para-
medics and providers of
other hospital services,
on production of valid id-
entity card; pregnant wo-
men and patients for pur-
pose of receiving medical
care, and persons coming
from or going to airports,
railway stations, bus sta-
nds holding valid tickets.
All inter-state and intra-
state movement of essen-
tial and non-essential
goods will be permitted.
No separate permissions
will be required for move-
ment of essential or non-
essential goods.
— C. NARAYANA RAO
bodies were handed over
to their family members.
Reacting on long delay
in cremation of dead bod-
ies at Krishnalanka elec-
tric crematorium, the Dy
CM directed the officials
to arrange another cre-
matorium at Ajithsingh
Nagar. He also asked the
officials to arrange two
freezers having the capac-
ity to keep six dead bod-
ies.
The minister asked both
the Krishna district med-
ical and health officer Dr
Suhasini and government
hospital medical superin-
tendent Dr Siva Sankar to
work in coordination
with regard to handing
over dead bodies of peo-
ple infected with Covid-19
to avoid prolonged delay.
With regard to
Krishnalanka electric
crematorium, the Covid
nodal officer said it is cre-
mating eight to 10 bodies
due to natural deaths and
a few bodies of those who
have died due to Covid-19.
He said it takes nearly
one-and-half-hours for a
body to burn in the elec-
tric crematorium.
Srikanth asked people
not to be carried away by
visuals or reports of
more number of bodies
being cremated.
He turned critical about
a section of media for giv-
ing widespread publicity
claiming all dead bodies
belong to people infected
with Covid-19. He advised
such media to desist from
spreading misinforma-
tion.
returned home following
rise in Covid cases in
Bengaluru city.
Hundreds of buses, taxis
and trains operate from
AP and TS to Bengaluru
and vice versa every day.
"There are no restrictions
on them. Only state gov-
ernment can take a decisi-
on on imposing minimum
preventive measures at
border check posts,” a sen-
ior official from
Anantapur said.
 STATE
DECCAN CHRONICLE
DECCAN CHRONICLE
| VISAKHAPATNAM
IN BRIEF
Oxygen plant
reopened
Vijayawada: A closed oxy-
gen manufacturing plant was
reopened in Guntur to fulfil
the growing needs of
Corona patients. Guntur dis-
trict collector Vivek Yadav
has taken special care to
reopen the medical oxygen
production plant for medical
needs in the district.
Souvenir Oxygen Industries
in Guntur Autonagar has
been closed for a year. At
present, the demand for
medical oxygen for
Coronavirus treatment is
high and on the instructions
of district collector, the dis-
trict industries general man-
ager A.V. Patel discussed
with the Souvenir Oxygen
Industries and immediately
sanctioned the necessary
permits to restart the indus-
try. Mr Vivek Yadav said that
the production of medical
oxygen in the Souvenir oxy-
gen industry started on
Saturday.
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| VISAKHAPATNAM
| SUNDAY
| SUNDAY | 25 2021
| 25 APRIL APRIL 2021
pg 3
Teams formed to Shutdown to fight Covid-19
check hospitals
DC CORRESPONDENT ● Aarogyasri attached
NELLORE, APRIL 24 hospitals have to provide
treatment at free of cost
Joint collector-develop-
ment N. Prabhakar Reddy ● Hospitals have to dis-
directed the officials to play the charges on the
form teams and conduct notice board visibly
surprise checks in the
hospitals to examine
issues related to addition-
al charges from the any additional charges
Covid-19 patients and would be viewed serious-
other irregularities. ly.
During a review with He maintained that the
the officials on Saturday, Aarogyasri attached hos-
he instructed them to ini- pitals have to provide
tiate action suo moto treatment at free of cost.
without waiting for his The others should
orders. obtain permission from
The joint vollector told the Trust if they want to
the Aarogyasri coordina- maintain beds for walk-in
tor, Dr Chandrasekhar, patients apart from those
tahsildars and deputy eligible under the
tahsildars to arrange Aarogyasri scheme.
teams and take the The charges for patients
responsibility of resolv- other than Aarogyasri
ing the problems of the should be as per the rates
patients on the spot. fixed by the Government.
He called upon the The joint collector said
patients to record their the hospitals have to dis-
complaints through 104 play the charges on the
for instant action. notice board visibly.
Stressing that the Covid- There are additional
approved hospitals have
to collect charges from
charges for the accommo-
dation, PPE kits, and
Jewellery shops were shut down voluntarily by 2 pm to curb the spread of Covid among the public at Kurupam Market in Visakhapatnam on
Saturday. — P. NARASIMHA MURTHY
the patients as per GOs 77 other tests in the non-
and 78, he said collecting Aarogyasri hospitals.
SPIKE IN COVID
BEDS TO BE
INCREASED
Covid-19
cases on the
Srikakulam continues CASES IN
BHIMILI
IN WG DIST
DC
CORRESPONDENT
rise every day
DC CORRESPONDENT
KADAPA, APRIL 24
to lead in Covid cases DC CORRESPONDENT
VISAKHAPATNAM, APRIL 24
KAKINADA, APRIL 24
Covid-19 cases in the district 1,641 cases in a single day, 8,516 patients in home isolation
Minister for tourism
Muttamsetti Srinivasa
Deputy Chief Mini- are increasing day by day. Rao on Saturday visited
ONLY LIMITED RT-
ster and medical According to the health bul- DC CORRESPONDENT his constituency Bhimili
and health minister
Alla Kalikrishna
Srinivas (Nani)
letin issued by the district
medical health department
on Saturday, 549 cases have
SRIKAKULAM, APRIL 24
The district is leading in
Chittoor found to PCR TESTS COULD
on Saturday and alerted
the officials on the steep
hike in the Covid-19 pos-
said the bed capaci-
ty will be increased
to 8,500 in West
Godavari district
been registered in the past 24
hours, the highest number of
reported cases in the district
after the onset of the second
the Covid-19 cases in the
state as 1,641 cases were
reported on Saturday.
During the last four days
be worst affected BE DONE
itive cases in some areas
of the constituency.
He told the officials
that the cases were high
and 104 services are wave. The highest numbers of the figure has been hover- FROM PAGE 1 Godavari. FROM PAGE 1 in Bhimili and
playing a vital role
during the Covid-19
cases were reported from Ka-
dapa, Proddatur, Rajampet,
ing between 1,200 and
1,500. Chittoor district has been
East
Nellore
Godavari
reported
and
six On the other hand, with
Madhurawada zones
and three mandals in the
pandemic time. Rayachoti, Pulivendula and Reports said that 6,158 found to be the worst deaths each during the more number of people constituency. He asked
He said the num- Badvel areas. samples were collected affected, registering last 24 hours, followed by turning up to undergo the officials to disinfect
ber of beds will be According to the health bul- during the last 24 hours cumulative 12,171 Covid- four each in Anantapur Covid-19 test and the state the localities where peo-
increased to 3,500 letin on Saturday, 4,865 people and of them 1,641 tested 19 cases, followed by and Chittoor, three each government deciding to ple have tested positive.
and another 5,000 were tested and 549 reported positive. 10,366 in Srikakulam, in Srikakulam and West conduct only RT-PCR test, He asked the volun-
beds will be provid- positive. The health officials said 8,574 in East Godavari, Godavari, two each in only a limited number of teers of the ward and
ed in Covid care At present, 588 people are 8,516 patients are in home 7,620 in Guntur, 7,206 in Guntur, Krishna, Kurnool tests could be done in village secretariats to
centres. being treated at Kadapa Rims isolation, 975 in Covid-19 Kurnool, 6,711 in Nellore, and Vizianagaram, and some districts. Health offi- visit every home and get
and Proddatur Covid-19 hos- Care centres and 875 in 6,502 in Visakhapatnam, one in Prakasam district. cials in the districts admit tested the people who
pitals. In addition, 1,506 peo- various hospitals. The 6,259 in Krishna, 5,057 in With this, the death toll in they are having huge have been suffering from
ple are in home isolation. total active cases stood at Anantapur, 4,443 in AP has risen to 7,616. backlogs of swab samples fevers.
About 200 people recovered 10,366 on Saturday. Prakasam, 3,226 in AP health authorities for the test and hence not The ministers insisted
and were discharged after Around 522 were dis- Vizianagaram, 2,094 in have discharged 4,421 taking fresh swab sam- MPDOs, tahsildars and
DAILY 4 SHOWS
TELUGU
Corona treatment.
However, there are still alle-
gations that many people are
wandering around taking
charged during the last 24
hours.
Chittoor
Srikakulam with 1,306
follows
Kadapa and 1,242 in West
which the cases are being
reported, the administra-
Covid-infected.
imposed and police strict-
ly implement the rule of
ples. The state govern-
ment plans to address the
issue by resuming
TrueNat tests from April
zonal commissioners of
the GVMC that the
premises of the Covid-19
test centres must be
self-medication without even
mentioning the Covid-19
symptoms. Doctors say the
cases and Anantapur
1,066. A senior official said
that the district has
tion needs to increase the
present strength by anoth-
er 2,000 beds. The officials
mask and the traders have
voluntarily agreed to shut
down shops after 6 pm.
26 and conducting Rapid
Antigen tests also, besides
the ongoing RT-PCR tests.
clean with all the basic
facilities.
A health official told
Covid-19 outbreak is exacer- around 2,000 beds in both were worried that more Reports said that guest State Covid-19 nodal offi- the minister that the
bated by them. It is recom- government and private and more younger persons workers were pouring in cer Dr Arja Srikanth said, suspected patients who
mended to undergo a test sector and as on date only were being admitted into from different seriously “There are nearly 1.5 crore have given their swab
even if there is any minor half of them were filled. ICU wards. affected states causing the youths aged between 18 for testing are moving
symptom. However, the speed at Curbs have been rapid spread of the virus. and 45 to get the jab.” freely.
Experience From Reputed Com-
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DC CORRESPONDENT
KAKINADA, APRIL 24 GVMC
Ekta Highland, Eden garden, 30Acres in Banjarahills, The Kakinada traders
River edge, and more villas in Jubileehills, Filmnagar, Nalla- MATRIMONIAL versity. WES Documentation&
will close their shutters
Attestation Support Available.
Gandipet, Tellapur, kollur gandla, Gopanpally, Tellapur, BRIDE WANTED 47-years Educational Experience. by 6 pm from April 26 to
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from Gachibowli. Contact: Deccan Chronicle Holdings Ltd. does not vouch for any
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not be held responsible / liable for any consequences, in
case such claims are found to be false.
to light on April 23.
 NATION
DECCAN
DECCAN CHRONICLE
CHRONICLE | VISAKHAPATNAM ||SUNDAY
| RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM SUNDAY ||25
25APRIL
APRIL 2021
2021
pg 4

Justice Ramana had ensured

end of internet ban in Kashmir
PARMOD KUMAR | DC
with agency inputs
NEW DELHI, APRIL 24
Justice Nuthalapati Venkata
Ramana on Saturday was sworn
as Chief Justice of India. He was
administered the oath of office
by President Ram Nath Kovind.
He is the 48th Chief Justice of
India with a term of a little over
one year and four months until
August 26, 2022.
The swearing in ceremony of
Justice Ramana, amongst others
dignitaries, was attended by
Prime Minister Narendra Modi,
Vice-president M. Venkaiah
Naidu, Law Minister Ravi
Shankar Prasad and his prede-
cessor Sharad A. Bobde.
Justice Bobde had his last work-
ing day in the top court on April
23. Justice Ramana was elevated
as a judge of the top court on
February 17, 2014.
Born in an agricultural family
on August 27, 1957, in
Ponnavaram village, Krishna
District, Justice Ramana did his
B.Sc., B.L and was enrolled as an
advocate on February 10, 1983.
Justice Ramana began his
career as a journalist of a leading
Telugu newspaper for a short
while before turning to legal
practice in 1983.
During his student days, he was
known as an activist, involved in
the issues concerning farmers
and industrial workers.
Justice Ramana was appointed
ARMY RESCUES
2 KIDNAPPED Covid-19: New
ONGC STAFFERS rules for pvt
● He was also a part of a five-
judge constitution bench of the
top court that had in a landmark
verdict in 2016 ordered restora-
tion of the Congress government
in Arunachal Pradesh. The bench
had said the “clock should be
turned back” as it quashed all
decisions of the governor that
precipitated its fall in January,
holding them “violative” of the
Constitution.
as a permanent Judge of the
Andhra Pradesh High Court on
June 27, 2000. He functioned as
Acting Chief Justice of Andhra
Pradesh High Court from March
10, 2013 to May 20, 2013.
He was appointed as the Chief
Justice of Delhi High Court on
September 2, 2013.
The new chief justice of India,
has authored path-breaking ver-
dicts as a Supreme Court judge
and one of them led to the end of
internet ban in Jammu and
Kashmir, and another brought
the apex court under the ambit of
transparency law.
He will demit office on August
26 next year and have to deal with
key task of ensuring smooth
functioning of apex court amid
resurgence of the coronavirus
pandemic. The judgement
penned by Justice Ramana in the
Anuradha Bhasin case related to
internet ban in Jammu and
Kashmir following the abroga-
tion of Article 370 provisions has
been hailed by many as one of
the progressive verdicts.
It held that freedom of speech
and conducting business on the
internet are protected under the
Constitution and had directed
the Jammu and Kashmir admin-
istration to immediately review
curb orders.
The bench had directed the
authorities in the Union territo-
ry to immediately review all
orders suspending internet serv-
ices and said orders not in accor-
dance with the law must be
revoked.
A five-judge constitution bench
headed by Justice Ramana had in
March last year declined to refer
to a larger seven-judge bench a
batch of pleas challenging the
constitutional validity of the
Centre’s decision to abrogate pro-
visions of Article 370.
He was part of a five-judge con-
stitution bench that had held in
November 2019 that the office of
the CJI was a public authority
under the Right to Information
Act.
In the November 2019 verdict,
the top court had also said “judi-
cial independence has to be kept
in mind” while disclosing infor- Covid patients getting free oxygen, by a Sikh organisation at Indirapuram Gurdwara in Ghaziabad on Saturday. - PTI
mation in “public interest”.
He was also a part of a five-
judge constitution bench of the
top court that had in a landmark
verdict in 2016 ordered restora-
tion of the Congress government
in Arunachal Pradesh.
Centre says Delhi got more
MADHYA oxygen than they asked for
PRADESH CONG On ground, people continue to beg for oxygen beds in hospitals
MLA DIES OF VINEETA PANDEY | DC Health Minister Dr
● IAF planes are bring- 24 hours. Ten states - need to augment the

MANOJ ANAND | DC COVID-19 NEW DELHI, APRIL 24 Harsh Vardhan said

ing in cryogenic oxygen
Delhi has been allotted
Maharashtra,
Pradesh,
Uttar
Delhi,
supply of medical grade
oxygen as well as equip-
GUWAHATI, APR. 24

The Indian Army and

Nagaland police with
hosps in Kerala RABINDRA NATH
CHOUDHURY | DC
BHOPAL, APR 24
tanks from Singapore
The harrowing times
for Covid-19 patients
and their families con-
tinues despite several
more than the Oxygen
quota they had asked
for and UT government
has to now rationalise
and transporting oxy-
gen tanks in the coun-
try to reduce travel
Karnataka, Kerala,
Chhattisgarh, Madhya
Pradesh, Tamil Nadu,
Gujarat and Rajasthan -
ment required
patient care both at
home and in hospitals.
for

It was suggested that

the support of some
local villagers on Friday
night rescued two
employees of state-
owned Oil and Natural
Gas Corporation
(ONGC), who were kid-
napped earlier this week
from Sivasagar, in Mon
district of Nagaland.
The operations are still
on to trace the third
abductee, Retul Saikia.
The rescued employees
were identified as
Alakesh Saikia and
Mohini Mohan Gogoi.
The police also recov-
ered one AK 47 from the
location, the ONGC
employees were rescued.
Informing that securi-
ty forces had launched
joint coordinated opera-
tions since April 21, the
day suspected Ulfa-I
rebels had kidnapped
three employees of
ONGC from a rig site at
Lakwa oil field in
Assam’s Sivasagar dis-
trict, security sources
said that security forces
have also sealed the
international
with Myanmar.
border
GILVESTER ASSARY I the private hospitals in
DC an organised manner
THIRUVANANTHAPU- for providing critical
RAM, APRIL 24 care to the Covid-19
patients.
With many states wit- Chief minister Mr
nessing a surge in Pinarayi Vijayan on
deaths of Covid-19 Saturday convened a
patients due to short- meeting of representa-
age of oxygen, ventila- tives of the private hos-
tors and criticial care pitals. The meeting
facilties, the Kerala decided to mandatorily
government has initiat- set aside 25 per cent of
ed measures to prevent beds mandatorily for
such a horrific situa- Covid-19 patients.
tion in the state. The chief minister
The state reported also directed the pri-
26,685 new cases on vate hospitals to not to
Saturday taking the levy high charges for
total number of active Covid-19 treatment. He
cases to 1,98,576. assured the private hos-
Besides, 25 deaths were pitals that the pending
also reported in dues connected with
Saturday taking the Covid care under
death toll to 5,080. Karunya scheme would
During the last 24 be cleared in two
hours 1,31,155 samples weeks.
were tested and the test The private hospital
positivity rate was managements have
20.35.
In the wake of the
huge spike in cases
reported in the state
urged the chief minis-
ter not to impose uni-
form treatment rates
for Covid related com-
Tribal Congress MLA
from Alirajpur district
in Madhya Pradesh
Kalawati Bhuria died of
Covid-19 in a private
hospital in Indore early
on Saturday morning,
family sources said on
Saturday.
She is the first sitting
MLA in MP who suc-
cumbed to the virus. She
was admitted to the
Shalby Hospital in
Indore 14 days ago after
she tested positive.
Her condition deterio-
rated fast two days ago
and the end came early
on Saturday morning,
her family sources said.
“Her lungs were 70 per-
cent infected. She was
on ventilator”, hospi-
tal’s medical superinten-
dent Vivek Joshi said.
The 47-year-old leader
who had shunned mar-
riage to devote her time
for social service was
emerging as a key tribal
leader of Congress in
Madhya Pradesh, partic-
high level meetings by the quota in a timely
the Centre for the last manner but on ground
couple days as hospitals people continue to beg
in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, for Oxygen beds as
Haryana, Punjab, Delhi hospitals kept
Gujarat continued send- pleading for Oxygen.
ing SOS messages for On Saturday, Prime
Oxygen to the Centre Minister Mr Narendra
and state governments Modi held another
and patients died due to round of meeting on
lack of O2. measures to increase
While Delhi Chief supply of Oxygen and
Minister Mr Arvind related equipment. The
Kejriwal wrote to all government has
States requesting them announced to waive off
to divert their spare basic customs duty and
Oxygen reserves to health cess on Oxygen
Delhi, Punjab CM Capt and equipment related
Amarinder Singh such as Oxygen concen-
ordered shutdown of trator and cylinders,
operations of some of ventilators and ventila-
the state’s industries to tor masks and all other
divert Oxygen for med- devices that can be used
ical use as five patients for Oxygen generation.
died at a hospital in Besides, Covid-19
Amritsar due its short- related vaccines will
age. On his part Union also be exempted from
Kejriwal writes to all CMs,
times. Railways Oxygen
Express has delivered
nearly 150 tonnes of
Oxygen in the last 24
hours in Maharashtra
and UP.
basic customs duty.
Centre feels these meas-
ures will boost availabil-
ity of these crucial
items and make them
cheaper. The exemption
is for three months.
India on Saturday
recorded 3,46,787 new
cases and 2,624 deaths.
At the same time, over
2.19 lakh recoveries
have been registered in
the last 24 hours and
Case Fatality Rate has
come down to 1.14%.
Eleven States/UTs
have not reported any
Covid deaths in the last
reported 74.15% of the import of equipment
new cases in the coun- related to providing
try. While Maharashtra Oxygen to patients
reported the highest needs to be expedited.
daily new cases at 63,818 This will boost avail-
and 676 deaths, there ability of these items
was some respite in and make them cheaper.
Mumbai where major Senior officials in the
decline in fresh cases Centre said the
were noticed. Government is taking a
Mumbai reported 5,888 lot of measures to
new cases and 71 deaths improve supply of
while 8549 people got Oxygen and medical
cured. supplies.
The Brihanmumbai IAF planes are bring-
Municipal Corp-oration ing in cryogenic oxygen
released the third Sero tanks from Singapore
survey data, in which and transporting oxy-
36.30% of residents of gen tanks in the country
Mumbai were found to to reduce travel times.
be positive. The survey Railways Oxygen
was carried out on Express has delivered
blood samples of 10,197 nearly 150 tonnes of
people. Oxygen in the last 24
During the meeting, hours in Maharashtra
Prime Minister empha- and UP and more trains
sised the immediate are on way.
CBI BOOKS
FORMER MAHA

Meanwhile, a total of
14 linkmen, who aided
the United Liberation
Front of Assam-
Independent (Ulfa-I) in
kidnapping the three
over the past one week,
the government apart
from utilising the pub-
lic health care infra-
structure to the fullest,
plications. They point-
ed out that the rates are
based on the facilities
provided in each hospi-
tal including speciality
ularly among her tribe
of Bhil in western belt of
the state.
The niece of former
Union minister and
seeks O2 supply for Delhi
DC CORRESPONDENT few days, many Delhi “Delhi does not pro- organization in your
HOME MINISTER
BHAGWAN PARAB | DC
MUMBAI, APRIL 24
has decided to involve care. Congress MLA Kantilal NEW DELHI, APRIL 24 hospitals had run out duce any oxygen. Due state. Kindly treat this
Bhuria, Kalawati was of oxygen. to the severe rise in as an SOS. I would be The Central Bureau of
elected as Jhabua dis- Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal wrote that corona cases in the last personally grateful for Investigation (CBI) on

Maha to float
ONGC employees, were trict zilla panchayat Arvind Kejriwal on while the Central few days, many Delhi your support.” Saturday conducted
apprehended by Assam president four times Saturday wrote to Government is helping hospitals have run out Two days ago, searches at former
police. The Assam police before being elected as Chief Ministers of all Delhi in this regard, of oxygen. Daily sup- Kejriwal had said how Maharashtra Home
also said that it has MLA from Jobat con- states requesting them the intensity of the plies of oxygen to Delhi in this time of crisis, Minister Anil
received specific infor- stituency in Alirajpur for oxygen if they have spread is so severe that are woefully short of all states should come Deshmukh’s premises in
mation that the banned
Ulfa (Independent) was
involved in the kidnap-
ping of three ONGC
global tender district in 2018 polls.
“She was a very popu-
lar leader in the tribal
region in the state. Her
any to spare.
Kejriwal said that he
would be grateful if the
chief ministers could
the quantity is proving
inadequate.
Kejriwal tweeted, “I
am writing to all CMs
our requirements.”
The CM
“Central Government
added,

is also helping us a lot

together to help each
other out. Calling the
current wave a collec-
tive crisis, the Delhi
Mumbai and his home-
town Nagpur after regis-
tering a case against
him in connection with
employees from
for Remdesivir death is an irreparable
loss to Congress”, for-
mer minister and MP
provide Delhi with any
oxygen, along with
tankers, from their
requesting them to pro-
vide oxygen to Delhi if
they have spare.
in this regard.
However, the intensity
of the spread is so
Chief Minister had
said, “If we decide to
split ourselves into
allegations of corrup-
tion levelled against him
by former Mumbai

MAOISTS KILL BHAGWAN PARAB | DC

PCC vice-president Raja
Pateria said.
state or any organiza-
tion in their state. He
Though Central govt. is
also helping us, the
severe that it is proving
inadequate. Therefore,
Haryana, Punjab,
Tamil Nadu, Gujarat,
Police Commissioner
Param Bir Singh.

ABDUCTED
directed the chief sec- Former chief minister asked for this request severity of corona is I would be grateful if West Bengal, India will However, the NCP has
MUMBAI, APRIL 24 retary to issue a global and veteran Congress to be treated as an SOS. such that all available you could provide us not survive. We need to termed the agency’s
tender. It will decide on leader Kamal Nath He also wrote that resources are proving with any oxygen, along- come together and action as a ‘political
JAWAN To meet a growing
demand for coron-
avirus vaccines and
which vaccines should
be purchased,
Pawar added.
Mr
expressed shock and
grief over the untimely
death of the party legis-
due to the severe rise in
Covid cases in the last
inadequate.”
In the letter, he wrote,
with tankers, from
your state or any
unite as Indians and as
human beings.”
witch-hunt.’
“The preliminary
enquiry (PE) prima facie
DC CORRESPONDENT remdesivir injections CM Thackeray has lator. “The news of the revealed that a cognis-
BHOPAL, APR 24 in the state, the also discussed the sad demise of Jobat able case is made out in

A jawan who was abduct-

ed by Maoists three days
ago in Chhattisgarh’s
M a h a r a s h t r a
Government has decid-
ed to float a global ten-
der for the procure-
details of the vaccine
with CEO of Serum
Institute of India (SII)
Adar Poonawala. The
MLA Kalawati Bhuria is
very disturbing and
shocking. She was an
active, gutsy, strong-
34-hour curfew begins in J&K as the matter wherein for-
mer Maharashtra Home
Minister,
Deshmukh
Anil
and
south Bastar district of
Bijapur was brutally
killed by the ultras,
police said on Saturday.
ment of these drugs
used in the treatment of
Covid-19.
Maharashtra, which
SII has agreed to pro-
vide vaccines to the
state as per its produc-
tion capacity. But we
willed and friendly legis-
lator”, Mr Nath tweeted.
Meanwhile, two Indian
Forest Service (IFS) offi-
situation continues to be grim unknown
attempted to obtain
undue advantage for
others

improper and dishonest

Body of Murali Tati,
who was a sub-inspector
in district reserve group
(DRG), an exclusive trib-
al counterinsurgency
wing of Chhattisgarh
police, was found on the
outskirts of the village
of Peddepara in Bijpur
district early on
Saturday morning,
Bastar police said.
The slain jawan was
abducted by Maoists
near Palsumpara under
Gangalur police station
on April 21. Maoists’
west Bastar division
owned responsibility for
his killing. The jawan’s
widow had earlier
appealed to the Maoists
to release.
is the worst coron- have to also keep other cers of MP cadre died of YUSUF JAMEEL | DC ● J&K has witnessed cases, taking the tally senior most official performance of his pub-
avirus-affected state in options open, he said. Covid-19 on Friday. SRINAGAR, APRIL 24 an upward trajectory to 1,58,374. Also, 15 D i v i s i o n a l lic duty,” said the CBI
the country, is facing an The deputy CM The two deceased for- in Covid-19 cases over more people died of the Commissioner P.K.Pole FIR.
acute shortage of vac- claimed that the Centre est officers are Entire Jammu and the past couple of virus in the last 24 had said that the gov- The CBI has charged
cines and remdesivir has halved the supply Additional Principal Kashmir was placed weeks. The officials hours, they said. With ernment has no plan to Mr Deshmukh under
drugs. Deputy Chief of medical oxygen to Chief Conservator of under a complete cur- these, the total fatality impose fresh lockdown Section 7 of the amend-
Minister Ajit Pawar Maharashtra. Force Ashish Verma and few for 34 hours from said that the UT on count has went up to in the Valley as the ed Prevention of
announced that the “We were getting 250 Sendhwa divisional for- Saturday night in view Saturday reported 2,126. administration is fol- Corruption Act (PCA),
State Government will metric tonnes of oxy- est officer S S Meheta. of worsening Covid-19 2,030 fresh cases, tak- The government had lowing the mantra of 2018, along with Section
purchase these drugs gen, but it has been ● The niece of former situation. ing the tally to earlier this week Jaan bhi, Jahaan bhi. 120 B of the IPC. After
from foreign compa- reduced to 125 MT,” he
Union minister and Lieutenant Governor 1,58,374. extended night curfew Around the same registering the case, the
nies. added. Manoj Sinha, while in all twenty districts time, the authorities in CBI conducted a search
“We have decided to Maharashtra on Congress MLA Kantilal taking to micro-blog- of the Union Territory J&K and Ladakh had operation at a number of
float a global tender for Saturday recorded Bhuria, Kalawati was ging site Twitter market, commercial besides announcing a informed the Union locations including the
remdesivir. For this, a 67,160 new Covid cases elected as Jhabua dis- announced, “Complete institutions will slew of other tough government that the premises of Mr
five-member committee taking its caseload to trict zilla panchayat Corona curfew to be remain closed”. (sic) measures including surge in the positive Deshmukh in Mumbai,
will be appointed and it 42,28,836. president four times observed in the Union J&K has witnessed an allowing only fifty per- cases in the twin UTs is Nagpur and other
will be headed by state The state also regis- before being elected as Territory from 8PM, upward trajectory in cent shops and other a result of inbound places. A CBI team had
chief secretary tered 676 deaths due to MLA from Jobat con- 24th April (Saturday) Covid-19 cases over the business establish- travellers as many of arrived in Nagpur from
Sitaram Kunte,” he the infection, taking stituency in Alirajpur till 6AM, April 26 past couple of weeks. ments on alternate them have turned out Delhi on Friday night
said in Pune. the toll to 63928. The (Monday). Essential The officials said that days to curb the spread to be the carriers of the and carried out searches
Chief minister state now has 694480 district in 2018 polls. and emergency servic- the UT on Saturday of the virus. asymptomatic trans- at Mr Deshmukh’s
Uddhav Thackrey has active Covid cases. es to be allowed. All reported 2,030 fresh However, Kashmir’s mission of virus. house.
 WORLD
DECCAN CHRONICLE
DECCAN CHRONICLE | VISAKHAPATNAM
| HYDERABAD | SUNDAY||SUNDAY
IN
Stop killings,
BRIEF
Myanmar told
Jakarta, April 24: Indonesian
President Joko Widodo has
said that Southeast Asian lead-
ers have demanded an immedi-
ate end to killings and the
release of political detainees in
Myanmar, in an emergency
summit with its top general
and coup leader in the Indon-
esian capital.
The leaders of the Associati-
on of Southeast Asian Nations
also told Senior Gen. Min Aung
Hlaing in the talks Saturday in
Jakarta that a dialogue betwe-
en contending parties in Myan-
mar should immediately start,
Widodo said, adding that the
situation in the troubled
Southeast Asian nation is
unacceptable.
Zarif to visit Iraq,
Qatar today
Tehran, April 24: Iranian
Foreign Minister Mohammad
Javad Zarif is to visit Iraq and
Qatar on Sunday, his ministry
announced, following reported
talks brokered by Baghdad
between Tehran and regional
rival Riyadh.
The talks in the Iraqi capital
earlier this month, which have
not been confirmed by either
capital, were held at the level
of officials not ministers and
aimed at restoring relations
severed five years ago, an Iraqi
official and a Western diplo-
mat said in Baghdad. Tehran
has neither confirmed nor
denied the reports saying only
that it has “always welcomed”
dialogue with Saudi Arabia.
Riyadh has flatly denied them.
PoC shot: 7
deputies on leave
Elizabeth City (US), April
24: Seven North Carolina dep-
uties have been placed on leave
in the aftermath of a PoC man
being shot and killed by mem-
bers of their department serv-
ing drug-related search and
arrest warrants, authorities
said Friday.
The disclosure comes as calls
increase for the release of
deputy body camera footage
amid signs, including emer-
gency scanner traffic, that
Andrew Brown Jr. was shot in
the back and killed as he was
trying to drive away.
Pasquotank County Sheriff's
Office Maj. Aaron Wallio con-
firmed the number of deputies
on leave due to the shooting in
an email Friday.
New crew
reaches ISS
Washington, April 24: A
recycled SpaceX Crew Dragon
capsule carrying four astro-
nauts docked with the Interna-
tional Space Station early Sat-
urday, the third time Elon
Musk's company has safely de-
livered humans to the orbital
outpost. The spacecraft named
Endeavour, piloting herself
autonomously, locked on to a
docking port at 5:08 am Eas-
tern time (0908 GMT), some 260
miles (420 kilometers) above
the south Indian Ocean.
Two hours after the process
was completed, Endeavour's
quartet posed for photos with
the last crew of four sent by
SpaceX, and three Russian cos-
monauts — making the ISS
unusually crowded with 11
people in total.
CHAUVIN TO
BE SENTENCED
ON JUNE 16
Minneapolis, April 24: Sack-
ed US police officer Derek
Chauvin will be sentenced on
June 16 for the murder of
African American George
Floyd in a case that sparked
nationwide anti-racism protes-
ts. The Hennepin County Dis-
trict Court in the Midwestern
city of Minneapolis, where
handcuffed Floyd died last
May, said in its online sched-
ule that the white ex-cop will
be sentenced at 1:30 pm (1830
GMT).
The ex-officer — who knelt
on Floyd's neck for more than
nine minutes — faces up to 40
years in prison after being
found guilty of all charges
Tuesday over the death of the
unarmed man.
The crime was recorded by a
bystander whose video shock-
ed the world, triggering mass
protests across the United
States and beyond, while also
prompting a national reckon-
ing on racial injustice and
police brutality.
Last year's killing of Floyd as
he lay face down and hand-
cuffed saying repeatedly “I
can't breathe” has prompted
some police reforms, but advo-
cates, including President Joe
Biden, say more is needed.
While the Chauvin trial prog-
ressed, Minneapolis was rock-
ed by the police shooting of yet
another African American.
| 25 APRIL 2021
25 APRIL 2021
New Zealand band Six60 perform at Eden Park in Auckland, on Saturday. Six60 is being billed as the biggest live act
in the world since the Coronavirus pandemic struck after New Zealand stamped out the spread of the virus. — AP
Clot: US lifts J&J vax pause
Washington, April 24:
US health officials lifted
an 11-day pause on Covid-
19 vaccinations using Jo-
hnson & Johnson’s single-
dose shot, after scientific
advisers decided its bene-
fits outweigh a rare risk of
blood clot.
The government uncov-
ered 15 vaccine recipients
who developed a highly
unusual kind of blood
clot, out of nearly 8 milli-
on people given the J&J
shot. All were women,
most under age 50. Three
died, and seven remain
hospitalised.
But ultimately Friday,
the Food and Drug Admin-
istration and Centers for
Disease Control and Prev-
ention decided that J&J’s
one-and-done vaccine is
critical to fight the pande-
mic and that the small clot
risk could be handled
with warnings to help
younger women decide if
they should use that shot
or an alternative.
Above all else, health
and safety are at the fore-
front of our decisions,
CDC Director Dr. Rochelle
Walensky said. Our vac-
cine safety systems are
working. We identified
exceptionally rare events
out of millions of doses”
of the J&J shot and will
continue to monitor them.
The US decision similar
to how European regulat-
ors are rolling out J&J’s
shot comes after CDC adv-
isers earlier Friday voted
10-4 to resume vaccinati-
ons but panelists made
clear that they must come
with warnings about the
risk. The group debated
but ultimately steered cle-
ar of outright age restric-
tions. This is an age group
that is most at risk (of the
clotting) that is getting
vaccine predominately to
save other peoples’ lives
and morbidity, not their
own. And I think we have
a responsibility to be cer-
tain that they know this,”
said Dr. Sarah Long of
Drexel University College
of Medicine, who voted
against the proposal beca-
use she felt it did not go
far enough in warning
women. The panel mem-
bers all agreed the J&J va-
ccine “should be put back
into circulation, chair-
man Dr. Jose Romero,
Arkansas’ health secreta-
ry, said. — AP
Merkel defends new law
Bwelin, April 24: Chanc-
ellor Angela Merkel on Sa-
turday defended a fiercely-
opposed new law imposing
tough Coronavirus re-
strictions across Germa-
ny, including night cur-
fews and school closures.
With many of its neighb-
ours lifting restrictions
despite higher virus rates,
Europe's biggest economy
is bucking the trend with
the new national law dub-
bed the “emergency bra-
OUT OF | THE CAVE
French isolation study ends after 40 days
Lombrives Cave, April
24: Ever wonder what it
would feel like to unplug
from a hyperconnected
world and hide away in a
cave for a few weeks?
Fifteen people in France
found out.
After 40 days in volun-
tary isolation in a dark,
damp and vast cave, eight
men and seven women
who took part in a scientif-
ic experiment emerged Sa-
turday from their self-seg-
New, more potent
virus strain in Lanka
Colombo, April 24: A
new Coronavirus strain
that is airborne and more
potent than all those
found previously in Sri
Lanka has been discov-
ered in the island nation.
The variant, which is
highly transmissible, can
remain airborne for near-
ly an hour and is spread-
ing fast, Neelika Malavige,
the head of the Departme-
nt of Immunology and
Molecular Sciences of the
Sri Jayawardenapura Uni-
versity said.
This variant of Coronav-
NZ PAUSES TRAVEL BUBBLE WITH
W. AUSTRALIA AFTER VIRUS CASE
Wellington, April 24:
New Zealand on Friday
paused arrivals from Wes-
tern Australia, temporari-
ly excluding the state’s
travellers from a quaran-
tine-free bubble between
the countries due to a
Covid-19 outbreak.
“As set out in our Trans-
Tasman bubble protocols,
travel between New Zeala-
nd and Western Australia
has been paused, pending
further advice from the st-
ate government,” a state-
GERMANY
BERLIN RESTRICTS
TRAVEL FROM
‘HIGH-RISK’ INDIA
Berlin, April 24: Germa-
ny will shut out all trav-
ellers arriving from India
apart from its own citize-
ns, Health Minister Jens
Spahn said Saturday, as a
new variant has made the
South Asian country the
latest Coronavirus hots-
pot. “We're very worried
about the new mutation of
the virus discovered in
India. So as not to endan-
ger our vaccination pro-
gramme, India travel has
to be significantly limit-
ed,” Spahn told the Funke
newspaper group.
— AFP
ke”. Passed amid huge pr-
otests in Berlin this week,
the law prescribes uni-
form national restrictions
GERMANY
and is designed to end a
tug of war between the
federal government and
Germany’s 16 states.
The law “is something
new in our fight against
the pandemic. And I’m co-
One of the sensors was a thermometer inside a capsule
regation in the Pyrenees.
With big smiles on their
pale faces, the 15 particip-
ants exited the Lombrives
cave to a round of applau-
se and basked in the light
of day while wearing spe-
cial glasses to protect their
eyes after so long in the
dark. “It's really warm!”
said one.
For 40 days and 40 nights,
the group lived in and ex-
plored the cave without a
sense of time. There were
irus is more highly trans-
missible than all found so
far in the island. The dr-
oplets can remain airbor-
ne for nearly an hour, Ma-
lavige said. Health author-
ities feared that the new
variant is spreading rap-
idly after last week's New
Year celebrations with
more younger people get-
ting infected.
In the next two incuba-
tion periods, the disease
can progress to a third
wave, Upul Rohana, of the
Public Health Inspectors
said. — PTI
ment on the New Zealand
government website said.
Earlier on Friday the
Perth and Peel regions
were sent into a three-day
lockdown after Western
Australia recorded its fir-
st community transmissi-
on of the virus in 12 mon-
ths. A man in his 50s, who
recently left hotel quaran-
tine, flew into Melbourne
from Perth on Wednesday
and tested positive for the
Coronavirus earlier Frid-
ay. — AFP
KUWAIT
ALL COMMERCIAL
FLIGHTS FROM
INDIA SUSPENDED
Dubai, April 24: Kuwait
on Saturday suspended all
direct commercial flights
from India due to the
worsening Covid-19 situa-
tion in the country.
The move came after in-
structions from health au-
thorities. Kuwait’s direct-
orate general of civil avia-
tion said that it had suspe-
nded all direct commerci-
al flights from India, effec-
tive April 24. Passengers
arriving from India or via
another country will be
banned from entering un-
less they have spent 14
days out of India. — PTI
nvinced that we need it
urgently,” Merkel said in
her weekly video podcast.
“If we manage to signifi-
cantly and quickly reduce
infections, gradual openi-
ng-up will be possible in
the near future,” she
added. Tough measures
will apply from Saturday
in all regions with inci-
dence rates of more than
100 new infections per
100,000 people over the last
seven days. — AFP
no clocks and no sunlight
inside, where the tempera-
ture was 10 degrees Celsi-
us (50 F) and the relative
humidity stood at 100 per
cent. The cave dwellers
had no contact with the
outside world, no updates
on the pandemic or any co-
mmunication with friends
and family above ground.
Scientists at the Human
Adaption Institute leading
the 1.2 million-euro $1.5
million) “Deep Time” proj-
PAKISTAN
IMRAN EXPRESSES
SOLIDARITY WITH
INDIA OVER CRISIS
Islamabad, April 24:
Pakistan Prime Minister
Imran Khan on Saturday
expressed solidarity with
the people of India battl-
ing the deadly wave of the
Covid-19 pandemic, saying
we must fight this global
challenge confronting hu-
manity together.
In a tweet, Khan said:
Our prayers for a speedy
recovery go to all those
suffering from the pande-
mic in our neighbourhood
and the world. His tweet
came after Foreign Minis-
ter Shah Mahmood Qur-
eshi expressed support to
the people of India.
— PTI
SPAIN
MALLORCA MAN
INFECTS 22 WITH
COVID, ARRESTED
Madrid, April 24: A
Mallorca man who infect-
ed 22 people with Covid-19
has been arrested on sus-
picion of assault for going
to work and the gym des-
pite signs he had the vir-
us, police said Saturday.
Police on the Spanish isl-
and began investigating at
the end of Jan. after an ou-
tbreak in the town of Man-
acor, following reports an
employee had “become
infected but hidden his ill-
ness”, a statement said.
Days before the outbreak
was detected, he began to
show symptoms.
— AFP
IRAN
TEHRAN BANS
FLIGHTS FROM
INDIA, PAKISTAN
Tehran, April 24: Iran's
state-run IRNA news age-
ncy is reporting the coun-
try's civil aviation agency
has banned all flights to
and from India and Pakis-
tan because of the dramat-
ic surge in Coronavirus
cases in the two nations.
IRNA says the decision
was made by Iran's Health
Ministry and it takes effe-
ct Saturday at midnight.
Mohammad Hassan Zib-
akhsh, spokesman for Ira-
n’s Civil Aviation Organ-
isation noted there are no
routine flights between
Iran and India and flights
are operated occasionally.
He said flights to and
from 41 countries were pr-
ohibited in Iran, while th-
ose who want to fly to oth-
er countries listed as high
risk are required to have a
test in Iran. — AP
ect say the experiment
will help them better und-
erstand how people adapt
to drastic changes in livi-
ng conditions and environ-
ments, something much of
the world can relate to
because of Coronavirus
pandemic. In partnership
with labs in France and
Switzerland, scientists
monitored the 15-member
group's sleep patterns,
social interactions and
behavioural reactions via
Lost submarine
sank: Indonesia
Says vessel went down, cracked open April 21
Banyuwangi (Indones-
ia), April 24: Indonesia's
navy on Saturday said it-
ems were found from a
missing submarine, indi-
cating the vessel with 53
crew members had sunk
and cracked open, and
that there was no hope of
finding survivors.
Military chief Hadi Tja-
hjanto said the presence
of an oil slick as well as
the discovery of debris
near the location of KRI
Nanggala 402’s last dive
on Wednesday off the isla-
nd of Bali were clear pro-
of the vessel had sunk.
Indonesia earlier consid-
ered the vessel to be only
missing. Navy Chief Yudo
Margono told a press con-
ference in Bali, “If it’s an
explosion, it will be in pie-
ces. The cracks happened
gradually in some parts
when it went down from
300 metres to 400 metres to
500 metres...If there was
an explosion, it would be
heard by the sonar.” The
navy previously said it
believes the submarine
Israel, Gaza engage
in exchange of fire
Jerusalem, April 24:
Palestinian militants in
the Gaza Strip fired some
three dozen rockets into
Israel overnight Saturday,
while the Israeli military
struck back at targets
operated by the ruling
Hamas group. The excha-
nge came as tensions in
Jerusalem spilled over
into the worst round of
cross-border violence in
months. The barrage of
rocket fire came as hund-
reds of Palestinians clas-
hed with Israeli police in
east Jerusalem.
The clashes, in which at
least four police and six
protesters were injured,
have become a nightly oc-
currence throughout the
Muslim holy month of
Ramadan and show no
signs of stopping. Israeli
Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu says he held
talks with top security of-
ficials about Gaza and Je-
rusalem. He said he instr-
ucted officials to be ready
‘for every scenario’ in
Gaza. In Jerusalem, he
said Israel would guaran-
tee ‘freedom of worship’
for everyone, and he appe-
aled for calm.
“We ask now for people
to obey the law and I call
for a calming of tempers
on all sides.” The UN
envoy to the region, Tor
Wennesland, condemned
the violence and said the
United Nations was work-
ing with all sides to resto-
re calm. “The provocative
acts across Jerusalem
must cease. The indiscri-
Biden: Atrocities against
Armenians were genocide
Washington, April 24 :
President Joe Biden has
formally recognised that
the systematic killings
and deportations of hun-
dreds of thousands of
Armenians by Ottoman
Empire forces in the early
20th century were “geno-
cide” — using a term for
the atrocities that his
White House predecessors
have avoided for decades
over concerns of alienat-
ing Turkey.
With the acknowledge-
ment, Biden followed thr-
ough on a campaign prom-
ise he made a year ago Sa-
sensors. One of the sens-
ors was a tiny thermome-
ter inside a capsule that
participants swallowed
like a pill. The capsules
measure body tempera-
ture and transmit data to a
portable computer until
they are expelled natural-
ly. The team members fol-
lowed their biological
clocks to know when to
wake up, go to sleep and
eat.
— AP
● THE NAVY previously
said it believes the sub-
marine sank to a depth of
600-700 metres (2,000-
2,300 feet), much deeper
than its collapse depth of
200 metres (655 feet), at
which point water press-
ure would be greater than
the hull could withstand.
sank to a depth of 600-700
metres (2,000-2,300 feet),
much deeper than its col-
lapse depth of 200 metres
(655 feet), at which point
water pressure would be
greater than the hull co-
uld withstand. The cause
of the disappearance was
still uncertain.
The navy had previously
said an electrical failure
could have left the subma-
rine unable to execute em-
ergency procedures to res-
urface. Margono said in
the past two days, search-
ers found parts of a torpe-
do straightener, a grease
bottle believed to be used
to oil the periscope, debris
minate launching of roc-
kets towards Israeli popu-
lation centres violates int-
ernational law and must
stop immediately,” he
said. “I reiterate my call
upon all sides to exercise
maximum restraint and
avoid further escalation,
particularly during the
Holy month of Ramadan
and this politically charg-
ed time for all.”
Meanwhile, Israeli chief
of staff, Lt. Gen. Aviv
Kochavi, is weighing “a
series of steps for possib-
le responses,” and prepa-
rations if the situation
continued to escalate, the
military said in a statem-
ent. He also postponed a
trip to the United States
that was scheduled for
Sunday. The US also appe-
aled for calm, while neig-
hbouring Jordan, which
serves as the custodian
for Jerusalem's Muslim
holy sites, condemned Is-
rael's actions.
Jerusalem, home to holy
sites sacred to Jews, Chri-
stians and Muslims, has
long been a flashpoint in
the Israeli-Palestinian co-
nflict. In 2014, similar ten-
sions erupted into a 50-
day war between Israel
and Gaza's ruling Hamas
militant group.
The Israeli military said
a total of 36 rockets were
fired into Israel through-
out the night. It said six
rockets were intercepted,
while most of the others
landed in open areas.
There were no reports of
injuries. — AP
● WITH THE acknowled-
gement, Biden followed
through on a campaign
promise he made a year
ago Saturday — the ann-
ual commemoration of
Armenian Genocide Rem-
embrance Day — to reco-
gnise that the events of
1915 to 1923 were a
deliberate effort to wipe
out Armenians.
turday — the annual com-
memoration of Armenian
Genocide Remembrance
Day — to recognise that
LANKAN EX-MINISTER, BROTHER
ARRESTED OVER EASTER ATTACKS
Colombo, April 24: Sri
Lankan Police on Saturd-
ay arrested a former min-
ister and his brother for
allegedly aiding and abet-
ting the suicide bombers
responsible for the 2019
Easter Sunday attacks in
which 258 people, includ-
ing 11 Indians, were kill-
ed. Rishad Bathiudeen,
the leader of a minority
Muslim party that is part
of the main Opposition
party, the SJB, and his
brother Riyaj Bathiudeen
were arrested from their
respective residences.
pg 5
from prayer rugs and a br-
oken piece from a coolant
pipe that was refitted on
the submarine in South
Korea in 2012. “With the
authentic evidence we
found believed to be from
the submarine, we have
now moved from the sub
miss’ phase to sub sunk,’”
Margono said at the press
conference, in which the
items were displayed.
Margono said rescue
teams from Indonesia and
other countries will evalu-
ate the findings. He said
no bodies have been found
so far. Officials previously
said the submarine’s oxy-
gen supply would have
run out early Saturday. An
American reconnaissance
plane, a P-8 Poseidon, lan-
ded Saturday and was set
to join the search, along
with 20 Indonesian ships,
a sonar-equipped Austra-
lian warship and four Ind-
onesian aircraft. Singap-
orean rescue ships were
expected Saturday, while
Malaysian rescue vessels
were due Sunday. — AP
BORIS EX-AIDE’S
WAR OF WORDS
AGAINST UK PM
London, April 24: Do-
minic Cummings, once
Boris Johnson's top aide
and closest ally as his
Chief Strategy Adviser,
has unleashed a fierce
war of words against his
former boss after Dow-
ning Street pointed to
him as the leak behind a
controversial text mes-
sage exchange between
the UK Prime Minister
and vacuum cleaner ent-
repreneur James Dyson.
In a lengthy blog post
published on Friday, Cu-
mmings vehemently de-
nied leaking any text
messages and goes on to
reveal several of Johns-
on's actions during his
time as his aide as being
foolish and unethical
and ends by questioning
his “competence and int-
egrity”. Downing Street
has responded to deny
any impropriety and str-
essed the adherence to
all codes of conduct and
transparency norms.
It is sad to see the PM
and his office fall so far
below the standards of
competence and integri-
ty the country deserves,
writes Cummings.
I am happy to meet
with the Cabinet Secret-
ary (Simon Case) and for
him to search my phone
for Dyson messages. If
the PM did send them to
me, as he is claiming,
then he will be able to
show the Cabinet Secre-
tary on his own phone
when they were sent to
me, he writes. — PTI
the events of 1915 to 1923
were a deliberate effort to
wipe out Armenians.
Biden used a presiden-
tial proclamation to make
the pronouncement. Whi-
le previous presidents
have offered somber refle-
ctions of the dark moment
in history via remembr-
ance day proclamations,
they have studiously
avoided using the term
genocide out of concern
that it would complicate
relations with Turkey — a
Nato ally and important
power in the Middle East.
— AP
“They have been arrest-
ed under the provisions of
the prevention of terror-
ism Act based on direct,
circumstantial and scien-
tific evidence,” Ajith Roh-
ana, the senior deputy in-
spector general, said.
In May last year, Riyaj
was nabbed for making
contacts with suicide bo-
mbers and given bail in
Oct. Rishad, a former Mi-
nister of Industry and Co-
mmerce, was nabbed in
Oct and given bail in Nov.
over misappropriation of
state resources. — PTI
 EDIT
DECCAN
DECCAN CHRONICLE
CHRONICLE | VISAKHAPATNAM || SUNDAY
| RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM SUNDAY | |25
25APRIL
APRIL 2021
2021
pg 6

LETTERS
Subhani
VACCINES
The nation is in the dark-
est days of the pandemic
25 APRIL 2021 and still darker days are
not ruled out (No time to
lose, ramp up vaccine pro-
duction now, DC, April
Sucheta Dasgupta 24). There has been an
astronomical surge in
Off the beaten track Covid cases. The Centre
and all states need to pool
in resources to meet the
demand without political
Hope and sorrow in bickerings. The ruling dis-
pensation has to scale up
production of vaccines

the time of C-virus immediately. Medical

infrastructure has to be
declared as the “thrust

A
ghost lives in my body and watches over the state of my heart. It area” in the country as
does not take up space. It refuses food and drink, and speaks only
when spoken to. I consult it when I need to identify my feelings. Coronavirus will be there
For my benefit, it keeps a record of them. For some reason, for long.
strange or otherwise, I alone was never an adept at that. Dr C. Ghanshyam
The only time the ghost speaks to me of its own accord is when I am
tired. Whenever I expend myself beyond my lung capacity, it tells me: Visakhapatnam
This is how it felt for him, too, when, for instance, he resumed breathing
for your sake, twice coming out from under ventilation. And the cold fin- SECOND WAVE
ger of guilt grips my heart. Though various reports predicted

An AWOL government
The first time I heard the ghost speak was when I was perspiring over a second wave of Coronavirus
the griddle a full year after Baba died. more virulent than the first, the
Baba went under ventilation three Marches ago, in the late spring of Centre could not wake up from
2018. The lone tree tucked away at the back of the interstate bus terminus slumber. As a result the nation is
was full of stars. facing shortage of vaccine and
Baba did not die of the coronavirus. Following cardiac and kidney fail- emergency drugs like remdesivir.
ure, he died of septic shock. Between the two illnesses, the pneumonia With a 32 lakh crore with chlorine water, cane- It is heart-breaking to read 25
was the common factor. hole in the Union charged and made to suf- patients dying due to lack of med-
Baba, a doctor, has missed out on the whole pandemic plus the vaccine fer a million other igno- ical oxygen. The Union govern-
budget spread over
conversations.
I have given up exercising for fitness. There is no one to perform for, vie
Manish Tewari two fiscals, 2020-21
minies by a callous state to
prevent them from reach-
ment’s lack of coordination to
ensure oxygen supply is becoming
against, show off. It puts me on a better footing than the children in my and 2021-22, and ing their home and hearth. so clear. Why is the vaccine not
neighbourhood, fretting because they want to but cannot play. Less than no cushion to fall Once again as states being provided for free when there
a month ago, I saw a desi mother
supervising their games in the park
State of the Union back upon, for the announce lockdowns and
curfews, you see the same
is a budget provision of `35,000
crore for it?
as I silently applauded her. To me, she
economy has stampede at bus stands Pratapa Reddy Yaramala
was the pith of society, salt of the been grossly and railway stations as Tiruvuru, Krishna district
mismanaged,

I
earth. That was then, though. This is t is like a nightmar- rent rampage, was first people make a beeline
now. In-between, the coronavirus has ish deja-vu moment detected as way back on livelihoods are now back to their villages. The The second Covid-19 wave has not
exploded and is now spreading furi- for me. Opening the the 5th of October 2020. being prioritised clock has turned a full yet reached its peak. Experts says
ous and fast. debate on the Since both earlier muta- over lives cycle. careless people and governments
Despite its no-pussyfooting bravado demands for grants tions, E84Q and L425R, It, therefore, begs a ques- have led to the rise of a new “dou-
and stupendous majority, the govern- for the ministry of health were discovered in the tion; Should people them- ble mutant” variant of
ment did not declare a lockdown on and family welfare in the virus’ crucial spike pro- now being prioritised over selves not have come Coronavirus in samples collected
Holi. The Kumbh continued uninter- Lok Sabha on March 17, tein, its devastation poten- lives. If the wheels of the together to enforce Covid- from India. Pace of vaccination
rupted. The virus, meanwhile, 2021, I, at the outset, stated: tial should have been economy do not keep tick- appropriate behaviour should rise as it is a sure shot solu-
reached the interiors and the second Less than a month ago, I “Mr Speaker Sir, this dis- sequenced on a war foot- ing, the Union govern- during the lull when cases tion and people should maintain
wave has since surpassed the first cussion is taking place at a ing. Instead, it was con- ment stares at the spectre had come down? But given simple preventive measures
one. The daily case count is over three saw a desi mother point in time when the signed to the back burner of bankruptcy. our intrinsic sense of fatal- known to everyone. Refusal to take
lakhs. Experts say the peak is many supervising their games world is being engulfed, if and never taken seriously It is, therefore, not trite ism — it is all in God’s vaccine is not a good sign as the
weeks away. India is notorious for its in the park as I silently not overwhelmed, by the because Covid infection that even in times of a rag- hands — we threw all cau- risk of dying from Covid is higher
non-existent chains of primary and applauded her. To me, second wave of coron- numbers had started ing pandemic, the alloca- tion to the winds. This, than when one is vaccinated.
secondary medical infrastructure. My she was the pith of avirus infections.” These declining. tions in the Union budget even when it is known that Vani Venkatesh
husband held that these omissions on words have unfortunately How could we have for health in the current there is never a govern- Kurnool
the part of the government — failing
society, salt of the proven to be prophetic in missed the second wave of fiscal are at best tardy. I ment when it is required
earth. That was then,
to declare a curfew, call off the Kumbh
MODI’S CALL
the case of our nation. Covid-19 with all the had pointed this out dur- the most.
and so on — fell on its policy though. This is now. The last two weeks have empirical evidence of hun- ing the Parliament debate. Maybe, given the hand-
blindspot. In-between, the been a nightmare for India dred years of history star- In 2020-21, the ministry to-mouth existence of the It is well-known that Indian busi-
Well, one didn’t. The decision to hold coronavirus has as the second wave of ing us straight in the face? received an allocation of bulk of our people who ness people are always ready to
an eight-phase legislative assembly exploded and is now Covid-19 hit the nation in Downright negligence, `67,112 crores. This is an need to migrate to urban exploit any emergency and adept
election, ongoing in the present, was all its fury. Overflowing coupled with hubris, made increase of a measly 3.9 agglomerations to keep at “managing” their escape
deliberate. My home state, West spreading furious and hospitals, oxygen scarcity, the governments, both at per cent over the revised their body and soul togeth- through political clout. While this
Bengal, was chosen for this singular fast. hoarded life-saving drugs the Centre and some in the estimates of 2019-20 — er, it is not even humanly is a fact, there is no point in asking
punishment. being sold on the black states, let their guard `64,609 crores. In 2019-20, possible to think beyond states to act against hoarders. The
Our leaders thus dropped the ball when our severely constrained health market, diagnostic centres down. the cumulative public the next meal. They are Centre should first declare a
workers had almost won the match. The latter slogged away alone. Many stretched to a breaking Surprisingly, when the health expenditure of all thus destined to play the national health emergency.
did not return home in days. The hospitals were full of despair. point and hospitals app- Prime Minister addressed the states put together was Russian roulette, for the Paramilitary and Armed forces
A young man asked a photographer to click the smoke coming out of his roaching the courts to the nation on Tuesday a meagre `1,96,659 crores. choice is a really a binary should be deployed urgently to tide
mother’s pyre. She was there. maintain oxygen supplies. night, he said lockdown The Union government’s between death by hunger over the situation..
The high courts stepped in. They bore upon the Centre to direct unin- The worst is even crema- should we used as a mea- performance was even or death by virus. Govardhana Myneedu
terrupted transport of oxygen across state borders. India is the world’s tion and burial grounds sure of the last resort. On worse at `36,339 crores. Will this situation ever Vijayawada
largest producer of industrial grade oxygen. But earlier, state govern- not being able to cope with March 23, 2020, when India We all know India’s change? Can we build a
ments had refused to come on the same page on this simplest of measures. inflow of dead bodies and was at 341 cases and only health system is in sham- state-of-the-art education
Eventhough I am his eldest, I am not going to my hometown to perform
Baba’s annual rite. My younger sister will fill in for me. The coronavirus
is a factor. But what made the decision for me is my awareness from the
death numbers literally
being fudged. People are
being cremated on make-
seven dead, he was the
most enthusiastic champi-
on of a national lockdown.
bles. Last year in these
columns, I had argued that
what we need is a new
and healthcare system for
our people? The answer is
yes. However, it would
50 YEARS AGO IN
start that I have not been a good child. While he never needed me to, I did shift platforms set up on All through the whole of health deal for India. I had first and foremost require
not help Baba take care of the family. No one took care of him, on the public pavements — den- last year, ministers and calculated that India req- population control. With
other hand. I spurned his wish for me to become a doctor. For the sake of ied dignity even in death. spokespersons of the uires an infrastructure in- 135 crore people and grow-
my journalistic quest, I abandoned him. The imagery of the past NDA/BJP alliance kept vestment of `6 lakh crores ing by the minute, it is just
My rishirin to Baba will be paid when I complete my memoir of our dif- fortnight could not have touting it as the magic bul- to rebuild its public health not possible for any sys- Russia’s 2-year
ferences. Baba was a flawed man. But no one, including a never-genuine- been more bizarre. On one let that had saved millions system bottom upwards. tem to provide even the
ly exceptional me, had a mind like Baba’s. hand, the Prime Minister of lives. Jan Hai To Jahan The human resource cost basic level of amenities lead over U.S.
Periodically, the seed of my guilt bursts on my skin in angry hives. and home minister were Hai (If there is life there to staff it is separate. required for a decent liv-
When I work very hard and accomplish a minuscule amount of good it addressing frenzied sup- would be paradise) — they Given this state of play, a ing. A broad national con- HOUSTON, April. 24
goes away. I risk losing a bit of my memory of Baba whenever that occurs. porters in West Bengal sang in chorus. One year second wave meant that it sensus regarding the need American space officials today
The young child I know in our condominium has started school. But and, on the other hand, later, the Prime Minister would be each to their to contain population conceded that Russia would
school is online and she does not speak a word, and I worry that the lack sick and even dying people and his band of not-so- own. One would be pri- needs to be created at the have atleast a two-year lead over
of physical contact with classmates and peers will further rob her of that were being turned back merry men are singing an marily responsible for sav- earliest. How many more the United States if its Soyuz-10
incentive. Whenever we meet, I am infected by her boundless energy. But from hospitals for lack of entirely different tune. ing one’s own life and tragedies would it take to cosmonauts were preparing to
she is more poised than I ever will be and never exposes her weak spots. space. With a 32 lakh crore hole those of one’s loved ones. understand this? man an orbiting space station.
Like her inability to articulate. Her absence of vocabulary. The government is in the Union budget Had we not experienced America’s first prototype
I, too, had once chosen certainty over sharing, but I had been pushed to AWOL— absent without spread over two fiscals, the same a year back? The The author is a lawyer, space station, basically a con-
do that. leave. 2020-21 and 2021-22, and no disadvantaged sections of Member of Parliament verted Apollo rocket called
I dream of her growing up. To being from nothingness, darkness to light. What is, however, even cushion to fall back upon, our society — the millions and former Union Skylab, is not due to be launched
Like Vak, daughter of Ambhrin, she will give a name to all existence, one far more felonious if it for the economy has been of internal migrants who information and until 1973. It will house teams of
by one, that will, in turn, give rise to noun, thought, knowledge and iden- turns out to be true is that grossly mismanaged going keep the wheels of our broadcasting minister. three astronauts for an initial
tity. That day, should I be around, she will probably look into my eyes the Indian-origin double back to the illogical economy turning — were The views expressed are period of 28 days followed by two
with those great big ones of hers and there will be a reckoning. Or there mutant strain, B.1.167, that demonetisation in Novem- compelled to walk home as personal. Twitter handle 560day missions.
will be not. is responsible for the cur- ber 2016, livelihoods are they were doused with @manishtewari.

H
aryana is the latest addition
Pradeep S. Mehta to the growing phenomenon
where Indian states are for-
and Prashant Tak mulating laws and policies to
reserve jobs for locals in the private
sector. Other states that have under-
taken such measures, though with
negligible implementation, include
Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya
Pradesh and Maharashtra. Is it a race
to the top or the bottom? It is certainly
petty, immoral and may not achieve
its objectives.
The Haryana government recently
ties. It may also push employers to
leave places where such laws are
applicable. Most critically, it will lead
to the erosion of national unity.
The perceived economic rationale of
such laws — to generate jobs for locals
and boost local industrial ecosystems
— seems to get defeated.
To govern a commercial ecosystem,
the state government is entitled and
mandated to enact laws concerning
land, labour, capital and energy.
These laws are meant to ensure
smooth commercial activity. Each or
making, driven by populism.
There already exists a trust deficit
between the government and private
sector, as each has avoided account-
ability towards the other on various
occasions. The private sector know-
ingly failed to adequately distribute
its acquired wealth and institution-
alise precarious jobs. The government
has overregulated the private sector,
leading to a high compliance burden.
The world is debating stakeholder
capitalism vs shareholder capitalism:
to ensure that every enterprise works
It’s true there is migrant influx for
low-paid jobs in Haryana or the entire
National Capital Region as it is in
Mumbai or Kolkata. There can be two
possible reasons. First, availability of
abundant work opportunities under
different industry segments; and sec-
ond, lack of work in the states where
the workers migrate from.
However, the primary reason for the
burden on local infrastructure, hous-
ing and proliferation of slums is not
the presence of migrants. It can be
attributed to factors like lack of state
itself and has an economic rationale of
increased productivity and develop-
ment of human beings. Working
towards it requires the efficient per-
formance of the compact between the
government, labour and the private
sector.
The state governments also need to
realise such quota enabling measures
are accompanied by newer compli-
ances for enterprises. The prolifera-
tion of compliance responsibilities
dilute the state’s agenda of facilitating
the “ease of doing business” and also

Haryana law a enacted the Haryana

Employment of Local Candidates Act
State

2020, which requires private establish-

ments that employ 10 or more workers
bad example: to reserve 75 per cent of new jobs with
a monthly salary of less than `50,000
for domiciles of Haryana.
both of the objectives forms the eco-
nomic rationale towards formulation
of a law. Additionally, under the new
paradigm of stakeholder capitalism,
the government, private sector,
labour and civil society need to work
in a compact over each other’s actions
for society, not just its owners.
In both instances of state supervi-
sion of business, however, labour has
borne the brunt of the adverse conse-
quences. What is unfortunate is that
self-interest, rather than mutual inter-
est, drives the solution of modern eco-
capacity in undertaking welfare mea-
sures, non-availability of decent jobs
in the private sector. Further, the
reduces the governance deficit.
The policies enabling employment
quotas for locals is driven by pop-
quality of life and livelihood is affected ulism. It has far-reaching conse-
for the same reasons.
Therefore, the solution to address
this doesn’t lie in reserving jobs for
quences which goes beyond the direct
impact on labour, the government and
the private sector. It adversely affects

Populism won’t It has resulted in a rift between the

state government and the private sec-
tor, as evident from the backlash it
has received from private entrepre-
for inclusive and mutually beneficial
governance.
While enacting this law, the
Haryana government failed to do ade-
nomic problems.
There is nonalignment between the
problem statement specified in the
statement of objects and reasons of the
locals but in enhancing the invest-
ment on local infrastructure, welfare
measures and strengthening skill
development initiatives. The solution
the investment prospects for a com-
mercial ecosystem, urban mobility of
workers and has an immense opportu-
nity cost. Therefore, any state action

create new jobs neurs and industry bodies. Many pri-

vate sector firms have threatened to
move out.
quate pre-legislative exercises to test
its economic rationale. It also under-
mined its compact of cooperation with
Haryana law and its objectives.
The statement specifies the influx of
migrants competing for low-paid jobs
also demands ensuring decent work
for low-paid workers in particular.
Decent work implies that the primary
towards enhancing employment must
be anchored through an economic
rationale. This will be clear when the
This practice of regional protection- the private sector. The law restricts as the prime reason for the adverse needs of workers, including health, compact between the government,
ism has a ripple effect, that is likely to the opportunities of migrant workers impact on local infrastructure and food, shelter and clothing, are fulfilled. labour and the private sector is evi-
push other states to follow suit due to and disrupts the industrial ecosystem housing, and proliferation of slums. It It also places a worker in a position dently functional.
populist considerations, or a race to of Haryana. It seems like an expres- further attributes these factors to the where monetary savings are ensured
the bottom. It will end up restricting sion of the state government’s insecu- rise of environmental and health and there is an opportunity for skill The writers work for CUTS
the freedom of workers to migrate and rity towards unemployment and a issues, thus affecting the quality of life enhancement. International, a global public policy
access better employment opportuni- classic example of ad hocism in law- and livelihood. Ensuring decent work is a goal in research and advocacy group
Editor: Kaushik Mitter, Printer & Publisher: K. Sudhakar, Hyderabad: 36, Sarojini Devi Road, Secunderabad - 500 003, Ph: 040-27803930-4; Fax : 040-27805256 Vijayawada: No.C-3 & 4 Patamata, Industrial Estate, Auto Nagar, Vijayawada (A.P.), Ph: 0866-2555284/2555287; Telefax: 0866-2555234 Visakhapatnam: Survey No.1/3A Beach Road, Near
Kailasagiri Ropeway, Sector-9 MVP Colony, Visakhapatnam - 530 017 (A.P), Ph: 0891-2552333/2552334; Fax: 0891-2755285 Rajahmundry: Vemagiri, Dhawaleswaram Rd, Rajahmundry, Ph: 0883-2417618/2417208; Telefax: 0883-2417208 Anantapur: Thapovan colony, Bangalore By-Pass Road, Anantapur - 515004, Ph: 08554-276903; Fax: 08554-276904
Karimnagar: Survey No.1341, Vavilalapally Colony, Jagityala Road, Karimnagar - 505 001, Ph: 0878-2228908; Telefax: 0878-2220433 Nellore: Survey No.527/2, Burranpur Village, Venkatachalam (M), Chemmudugunta Panchayat, Nellore, Ph: 0861-2348581/82; Telefax: 0861-2348580 Chennai: SP-3 Developed Plot, Industrial Estate, Guindy, Chennai - 600 032,
Ph: 044-22254747/ 48/50/51; Advt Fax: 22254765/22254766/42305325 Coimbatore: 77, Vivekananda Road, Ramnagar, Coimbatore - 641 009, Ph : 0422 2231255. Gram: CHRONICLE Postal registration no: No. H/SD-348/2006-08
 WORLD
DECCANCHRONICLE
DECCAN CHRONICLE | VISAKHAPATNAM | |SUNDAY
| RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM
SHORT TAKES
HRW WELCOMES
RELEASE OF THAI
ACTIVISTS
Bangkok, April 24: A leading
human rights group on
Saturday welcomed the
release on bail of two Thai
activists charged with insult-
ing the country's monarchy,
but repeated its contention
that the apparent use of pretri-
al detention to punish anyone
who criticizes the royal insti-
tution is unjust.
Jatupat Pai Dao Din Boonp-
attararaksa and Somyot Pru-
ksakasemsuk were released
Friday evening from Bangkok
Remand Center. They had been
held on lese majeste charges of
defaming the monarchy in
connection with their involve-
ment in a political rally last
September. They have also
been charged with sedition
and several minor offenses.
Lese majeste carries a penal-
ty of three to 15 years’ impris-
onment. The legal assistance
group Thai Lawyers for
Human Rights said the two
men each posted 200,000 baht
($6,400) bail and were released
on the condition that they
must not leave the country or
be involved in any activities
that could damage the monar-
chy's reputation.
Holding pro-democracy acti-
vists in detention prior to trial
and conviction on charges of
insulting the monarchy seems
aimed to punish them, in total
disregard of fair trial proce-
dures and the right to the pre-
sumption of innocence, said
Sunai Phasuk, a senior resear-
cher for Human Rights Watch.
It sends a clear message that
not only are demands by pro-
democracy groups for monar-
chy reforms not tolerated, but
they would result in harsh
punishment.
Jatupat and Somyot are
prominent figures in a pro-
democracy movement that
started last year and held
street demonstrations with
three core demands: The resig-
nation of Prime Minister
Prayuth Chan-ocha and his
government, amending the
constitution to make it more
democratic and reforming the
monarchy to make it more
accountable.
GAMES
SHORT
Nadal surges into
TAKES
Barcelona semis
Barcelona: Rafael Nadal stepped
up his bid for a 12th Barcelona
Open title with a 6-1, 6-4 victory
over Cameron Norrie in the quar-
ter-finals on Friday, while
Stefanos Tsitsipas will play
Jannik Sinner in the last four.
Nadal, who captured his first
Barcelona title as an 18-year-old
at the 2005 tournament, will
face Diego Schwartzman or
Pablo Carreno Busta in
Saturday’s semifinals.
Tsitsipas swept aside Felix
Auger-Aliassime 6-3, 6-3, the
Canadian who recently teamed
up with Toni Nadal, the uncle
and former coach of the 20-time
Grand Slam winner. Tsitsipas
extended his winning run to
eight matches. — AFP
Barty battles past
Pliskova in QFs
Stuttgart, Germany: World num-
ber one Ashleigh Barty fought
back to reach the semifinals of
the WTA Stuttgart clay-court
tournament with a 2-6, 6-1, 7-5
win over Karolina Pliskova on
Friday. Barty faces fourth seed
Elina Svitolina in Saturday’s
semifinal after the Ukrainian
staged a remarkable comeback
in her 6-7 (4/7), 7-5, 6-2 win over
Petra Kvitova. Second seed
Simona Halep is yet to drop a set
in Stuttgart as she reached the
semifinals with a 6-1, 6-4 win
over Ekaterina Alexandrova. In
her semifinal, Halep will face
either fifth seed Aryna Sabalenka
or Anett Kontaveit. — AFP
Persepolis hammer
FC Goa in return leg
Margao: Starting with as many as
eight fresh faces, FC Goa were
thrashed 4-0 by Iranian champi-
ons Persepolis FC in their return-
leg AFC Champions League
Group E match here on Friday.
Shahriar Moghanlou (24th
minute), Mehadi Torabi (43rd),
Issa Alkasir (47th) and Kamal
Kamyabinia (58th) scored for the
winners in a completely one-
sided match.
The result saw Persepolis, with 12
points from four games, extend-
ing their 100 per cent win record
while FC Goa suffered their sec-
ond consecutive defeat after the
1-2 loss to Yahya
Golmohammadi’s side on
Tuesday. — PTI
SUNDAY || 25
25APRIL
APRIL 2021
Dispute over Russian pipeline
tests Biden’s Europe outreach
Pressure on Prez to act, stop Moscow getting leverage over US allies
Washington, April 24:
Pressure is growing on
President Joe Biden to
take action to prevent the
completion of a Russian
gas pipeline to Europe that
many fear will give the
Kremlin significant lever-
age over US partners and
allies.
Yet such action could
provoke an enormous rift
in trans-Atlantic relations,
notably with Germany, at a
time when Biden has made
restoring good ties with
Europe a priority.
As the Nord Stream 2
pipeline nears completion,
U.S. lawmakers from both
parties have stepped up
demands on a reluctant
White House to impose
new sanctions on Russian
and European companies
to halt the project.
But prospects of that
happening would seem
slim: Germany continues
to support the project as it
steps up consumption of
natural gas, and the
pipeline is roughly 95%
finished.
Biden has said he oppos-
es the pipeline, which is
owned by Russian state
company Gazprom, with
Officials say carrier to help protect Afghan pullout
Washington, April 24:
The Pentagon has decided
to keep an aircraft carrier
in the Middle East to help
provide protection for
American and coalition
troops during their
planned withdrawal from
Afghanistan in coming
weeks, United States
defence officials said on
Friday.
Also, two United States
Air Force bombers will be
Toffees add to Gunners misery
Own goal from Arsenal goalkeeper gifts Everton first win in seven games
London, April 24: An
own-goal from Arsenal
goalkeeper Bernd Leno
handed Everton a 1-0
Premier League win on
Friday as around 2,000
fans protested against
Gunners owner Stan
Kroenke outside the
Emirates Stadium.
With both sides chasing
places in Europe next sea-
son, it was Carlo
Ancelotti’s side who came
out on top with a first win
in seven games.
German keeper Leno
turned a Richarlison cross
into his own goal in the
76th minute to give the
Toffees victory.
Arsenal supporters had
gathered outside the
ground demanding
Kroenke stand down after
the club’s attempt to join
the doomed Super League
project.
The result left Everton in
eighth place, three points
off the Champions League
places after their first
league win at Arsenal
since 1996.
Arsenal are ninth, nine
points off the top four.
“It was really important
to stay attached to the top
of the table,” Ancelotti
told the BBC.
“The performance was
Super League fiasco gives clubs
LEAGUE CUP | FINAL
Man City look to open goal to reset with UEFA
end title drought
London,
Treble-chasing
April 24:
Man-
chester City face a
Tottenham side desperate
to end their trophy
drought in the League
Cup final as two members
of the failed European
Super League clash at
Wembley on Sunday.
Just seven days after the
bombshell revelation that
City and Tottenham were
among 12 clubs plotting
the breakaway Super
League, they will contest
the first major silverware
of the English season.
Alarmed by the furious
public backlash against
the Super League, City’s
owners were the first to
2021
Biden’s Georgia rally next
week to promote jobs
Washington, April 24:
President Joe Biden is
heading to Georgia next
week to mark his first 100
days in office and promote
his infrastructure and
jobs plan with a drive-in
rally in Atlanta.
The White House said
the president and his wife,
Jill Biden, will travel to
the state on April 29, a day
after he delivers his first
address to a joint session
of Congress. In his addr-
ess, he's expected to tout
the accomplishments of
his first 100 days in office
and lay out his agenda for
investment from several
European companies.
He has been keen to por-
tray himself as tough on
Russian President Vladim-
ir Putin while being a str-
ong supporter of Eastern
European countries like
deployed to Afghanistan as
part of the pre-pullout bol-
stering of security.
The moves back up
Pentagon officials’ public
assurances that United
States forces will be pre-
pared to meet whatever
resistance the Taliban
might present during the
withdrawal of more than
10,000 United States and
coalition troops starting
after May 1.
good. It’s all good news
tonight and this gives us
confidence for the next
games. Finally I can say we
are back.”
The game produced few
lose their nerve when they
pulled out on Tuesday.
City’s exit sparked a
chain reaction that saw
Spurs withdraw along
with fellow Premier
League teams Liverpool,
Chelsea, Manchester
United and Arsenal. But
amid grovelling apologies
from owners, supporters
remain furious at the cyn-
ical betrayal and there
have been calls for sanc-
tions against the six
Premier League teams.
Against that backdrop, it
is ironic the League Cup
will be the focus of atten-
tion for two of the Super
League founders this
weekend. — AFP
the rest of his term.
One of his next top pri-
orities is a massive $ 2.3
trillion infrastructure
plan, which provides fun-
ds to update the nation's
infrastructure, shift to gr-
een energy and expand ca-
regiving options for older
and disabled Americans.
It will mark Biden's sec-
ond visit to the state since
becoming president. His
first visit was to promote
his Covid-19 relief pack-
age, but those plans were
derailed by a series of sho-
otings at Atlanta-area spas
that killed eight people,
Poland and Ukraine that
are dead set against it as it
bypasses both.
Of potentially greater
concern to the US, the Ru-
ssia-to-Germany pipeline
would increase Western
Europe’s already heavy
About 2,500 to 3,500 of
those troops are American.
I would advise the
Taliban that we will be
well-prepared to defend
ourselves throughout the
withdrawal process, Gen.
Frank McKenzie, the head
of United States Central
Command, said Thursday
at the Pentagon.
Prior to President Joe
Biden’s announcement last
week that he would com-
chances.
Everton’s Gylfi
Sigurdsson saw a 30-yard
free-kick come back off the
crossbar.
Arsenal were furious
Geneva, April 24: Purged
of most of its leaders in
the Super League fiasco
this week, the group rep-
resenting European soc-
cer clubs was given a
chance to reinvent itself.
Now the European Club
Association is free to push
for reversing Champions
League changes that
favour the wealthiest and
more powerful who threat-
ened to tear apart soccer’s
traditional fabric.
The decisions UEFA
made on Monday for a
Champions League
revamp in 2024 — of 36
teams each playing 10
games in a single stand-
ings — clearly favour the
rebels.
Two wild cards for sto-
ried clubs is one gift that
including six Asian wo-
men. Biden instead spent
his visit meeting with co-
mmunity leaders and state
lawmakers from the Asian
American and Pacific Isla-
nder community to discu-
ss the events, which came
amid an outbreak of anti-
Asian violence nationwi-
de during the Coronavirus
pandemic.
His second visit comes
as Georgia's controversial
new voting law has put the
state's election system in
the spotlight. Biden has
called the law Jim Crow in
the 21st century. — AP
dependence on Russian
energy while US-Russian
tensions are soaring over a
number of issues, includ-
ing Ukraine, election inte-
rference, cyber intrusions
and the crackdown on
opposition figure Alexei
● THE TALIBAN had
insisted that Washington
stick to a February 2020
agreement the militants
had reached with the
Trump administration to
complete the United
States withdrawal by
May 1.
plete the United States
withdrawal by September
11, the Taliban had insist-
Everton’s
Richarlison (left)
vies for the ball
with Granit
Xhaka of Arsenal
in an EPL match
in London on
Friday. — AFP
when a second-half penal-
ty, awarded for a foul by
Richarlison on Dani
Ceballos, was overturned
by VAR for an offside in
the build-up. — AFP
● The decisions
UEFA made on
Monday for a
Champions League
revamp in 2024 —
of 36 teams each
playing 10 games in
a single standings
— clearly favour the
rebels.
can be taken back now
they no longer dominate a
key UEFA committee.
Hours earlier around
midnight on Sunday, the
246-member ECA lost 12 of
the most influential — and
most demanding — when
they left to announce their
own Super League.
The project quickly col-
Navalny and his support-
ers. At the same time, the
administration is seeking
broad European support,
especially from Germany,
the continent's economic
powerhouse, for its plan-
ned withdrawal from Afg-
hanistan, climate change
measures and efforts to
counter China's increas-
ingly global assertiveness.
It's not clear if sanctions
targeting businesses from
Germany and elsewhere
would undermine efforts
to advance those goals and
repair relations that were
frayed during Donald
Trump's presidency.
On Wednesday, the Sen-
ate Foreign Relations Com-
mittee unanimously sign-
ed off on legislation that
would require the admin-
istration to either impose
sanctions on 20 companies
involved in the pipeline’s
financing and construc-
tion or explain why they
deserve exemptions.
In January, the Trump
administration hit several
Russian firms and ships
with penalties for their
involvement, but Biden
has not expanded the list.
— AP
ed that Washington stick
to a February 2020 agree-
ment the militants had
reached with the Trump
administration to com-
plete the United States
withdrawal by May 1.
United States officials
said after Biden’s
announcement that extra
military personnel would
likely be positioned in
Afghanistan to facilitate
the pullout of troops and
PAYET PROPELS
MARSEILLE TO
WIN AT REIMS
Paris, April 24: Dimitri
Payet scored two goals and
set up Arkadiusz Milik for
another as Marseille came
from behind to defeat
Reims 3-1 away in Ligue 1
on Friday.
Reims took the lead
when Nathanael Mbuku
powered a header in at a
corner, but Marseille lev-
elled almost immediately
as Payet swept in a pass
from Pol Lirola.
Payet then delivered a
fantastic low cross for
Milik to tap in from close
range in first-half stop-
page time.
Marseille goalkeeper
Steve Mandanda turned
an effort from Senegal
striker Boulaye Dia onto
the post in the second half,
while Reims were reduced
to 10 men. Payet was
denied a hat-trick by an
excellent stop from
Predrag Rajkovic, with
Milik ruled offside as he
poked in the rebound.
— AFP
lapsed amid a ferocious
backlash from fans and
domestic leagues, govern-
ments and Champions
League organizer UEFA,
handing the ECA a chance
to restore trust.
“Over the past week, we
have seen the worst but
also the best of football,”
ECA chief executive
Charlie Marshall said in a
statement Friday.
“Ultimately, the best has
triumphed.”
The “worst” was done by
clubs and people that were
Marshall’s bosses until
the early hours of
Monday. They led ECA
through talks with UEFA
to shape the Champions
League’s future while
plotting a rival to usurp it.
— AP
pg 7
Officer shoots man
who had charged
at him with knives
Nashville (US), April 24: about 25 yards from his po-
A Tennessee police officer lice car, Aaron said. Royer
fatally shot a man who could be heard on the vi-
charged at the officer with
knives during a traffic
stop early
authorities said.
Saturday,
deo requesting backup, tel-
ling the passenger to drop
the knives and saying, I
don’t want to shoot you.
Metropolitan Nashville
Police Department Officer
Christopher Royer has
been placed on adminis-
The man continued run-
ning at Royer, who fired
three times, the video
showed. The man fell onto
trative assignment after the street.
he shot the man on a Nas- Dude, what are you doi-
hville road, department ng, man, come on, Royer
spokesman Don Aaron said. I did not want to have
said at a news conference. to do that. Police Chief
The man died at a hospi- John Drake said five offic-
tal, Aaron said. He was not ers rendered aid to the
immediately identified. man. Drake said Royer re-
Royer was on patrol in treated and and he asked
his police car when he ran the man to drop the knife
a license plate for a white several times in an attem-
Mercedes sedan, but the pt to de-escalate the situa-
plate was actually registe- tion. He continued charg-
red to a green 1998 Chev- ing at him, and he was left
rolet, Aaron said. with no choice, Drake
After the officer stopped said. Drake said officers
the Mercedes, the passen- regularly run licence tags
ger ran out of the car hold- to determine if vehicles
ing a knife in each hand, are stolen. Nashville poli-
Aaron said. ce are issued stun guns,
The passenger began Drake said, but Royer did
running around and brie- not appear to attempt to
fly entered the driver’s use it, according to the
side door of Royer’s police video.
car, police body camera That's a lethal situation,
footage released at the Drake said, calling the
news conference showed. passenger’s behaviour
The man then ran towa- bizarre.
rd Royer, who retreated — AP
equipment, and the the Arabian Sea, will
Pentagon typically beefs remain in the region.
up its military presence as Also, two United States
a precaution when execut- bomber aircraft will be
ing a sizeable withdrawal. deployed to Afghanistan,
When the United States along with hundreds of
pulled troops out of Army Rangers to provide
Somalia in January it kept security during the pull-
an aircraft carrier in the out, the officials said.
region as a precaution. The officials spoke on
Officials on Friday said condition of anonymity to
the USS Dwight D. discuss moves that had not
Eisenhower, an aircraft yet been announced.
carrier that is operating in — AP
SNAP SHOTS
Hyderabad cricketer Ashwin no more
F ormer Hyderabad fast
bowler Ashwin Yadav died
after suffering a cardiac
arrest in Hyderabad on
Saturday. He was 33 and is sur-
vived by his wife and three
sons.
Ashwin played 14 first class
matches and took 34 wickets
after making his Ranji Trophy
debut in 2007 against Punjab
in Mohali. His best figures
were 6 for 52 against Delhi at
the Rajiv Gandhi
International Cricket Ashwin Yadav
Stadium in Hyderabad in the 2008-09 season.
Ashwin’s last Ranji Trophy match was against
Mumbai in 2009.
He, however, continued to play for State Bank of
Hyderabad and then SBI in the local league. Ashwin
played for the Evergreen cricket club for many years
before he joined SBH.
Indian team’s fielding coach R. Sridhar condoled
Ashwin’s demise. “Devastated to hear the news of
#Ashwinyadav passing away. A Very jovial and fun
loving guy, team man to the core, punched way above
his skills as a fast bowler. I pray to God for strength to
his family. #gonetooearly #OmShanti You will be
missed,” Sridhar said in a tweet.
Women archers storm into WC final
R ecurve women’s team of Deepika Kumari, Ankita
Bhakat and Komalika Bari assured India of its
first medal in the Archery World Cup Stage 1 after
cruising into the final with a straight-set win over
Spain in Guatemala City.
However, the men’s team, which qualified as third
seed, lost in the quarterfinals to their Spanish rivals
26-27 in a shoot-off after both teams were tied 4-4.
India are also in the medal hunt in three more
events with newly-wed Atanu Das and Deepika
advancing into the mixed pair bronze playoff. The
duo will also vie for individual medals, having made
the last-four in their respective sections.
In the women’s semifinal, Spanish trio of Elia
Canales, Ines De Velasco and Leyre Fernandez
Infante were no match to the top seeded Indians, who
drilled in consistent scores of 55, 56 and 55 to seal a 6-
0 win and make their first World Cup final since
Shanghai, 2016. — PTI
Zimbabwe beat Pakistan in T20
Harare, April 24: Zimbabwe beat Pakistan for the
first time in a Twenty20 international Friday, with
four-wicket Luke Jongwe the star of a shock 19-run
triumph at Harare Sports Club.
A maiden victory in 16 attempts seemed unlikely
when the tourists restricted the hosts to a meagre 118-
9 with Tinashe Kamunhukamwe (34) the only bats-
man to impress.
But right-arm medium pacer Jongwe (4-18) wreaked
havoc and Zimbabwe bowled out Pakistan for 99 in
19.5 overs.
It was the lowest total defended in a T20 interna-
tional in Harare and victory for Zimbabwe levelled
the three-match series at 1-1 ahead of the decider at
the same venue on Sunday.
Pakistan arrived in Zimbabwe brimming with con-
fidence after completing a double in South Africa,
winning a one-day international series 2-1 and a T20
series 3-1. — AFP
Brief scores: Zimbabwe 118/9 in 20 overs (Tinashe
Kamunhukamwe 34, Mohammad Hasnain 2/19) beat
Pakistan 99 in 19.5 overs (Babar Azam 41, Luke Jongwe
4/18, Ryan Burl 2/21).

IPL
14
● CHENNAI SUPER KINGS ● DELHI CAPITALS ● KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS ● MUMBAI INDIANS ● PUNJAB KINGS
● RAJASTHAN ROYALS ● ROYAL CHALLENGERS BANGALORE ● SUNRISERS HYDERABAD
ORANGE
Shikhar
Dhawan, DC 231
KL Rahul,
PBKS 221
Rohit
Sharma,MI 201
PURPLE
Harshal
12
Patel, RCB
Rahul
9
Chahar, MI
Chris
Morris, RR 9 It was Royals’ second
Off the field
Delhi Capitals opener Shikhar
Dhawan plays volleyball in the
pool. — DC
Sachin says he will
donate his plasma
F ormer India captain
Sachin Tendulkar on
Saturday said he has recov-
ered from COVID-19 and will
donate plasma when he is eli-
gible. Tendulkar, celebrating
his 48th birthday on Saturday,
tested positive for the virus on
March 27 and had to be briefly
hospitalised as a precaution-
ary measure. “Last year, I had
inaugurated a plasma dona-
tion centre and their message,
if plasma is given at the right
time, patients can recover
faster. I personally, when per-
missible, will donate it and I
have spoken to the doctors,”
Sachin added.
Kumble all praise
for leggie Bishnoi
P unjab Kings head coach
Anil Kumble was all praise
for the team’s 20-year-old spin-
ner, Ravi Bishnoi, who flum-
moxed the Mumbai Indians
batsmen and took two crucial
scalps in the nine-wicket win
against the defending champi-
ons on Friday.
“I thought he was not the
same bowler we had seen last
year. I worked on his run-up
and a few other things
because he was drifting down
the leg side even in practice
games. That’s why he didn’t
start the tournament earlier.
But, I think, over the last
week or so, his commitment,
his focus is now sorted; he's
back. It's wonderful to see him
(bowl so well),” Kumble said.
Stokes criticises
Chepauk track
E ngland all-rounder Ben
Stokes has criticised the
slow track of Chennai’s
Chepauk Stadium and hoped
that teams competing in the
IPL do not end up regularly
scraping to low scores
because of wickets that are
“trash”. Stokes feels that for
an enjoyable T20 contest, a
score in the range of 160 to 170
is paramount.
“Hope the wickets don’t get
worse as the IPL gets deeper
into the tournament..160/170
minimum not scraping to
130/140 cause the wickets are
trash,” Stokes tweeted after
Mumbai Indians painstaking-
ly reached 131 for 6 which was
chased down by Punjab Kings.
Till Friday, Chennai has
hosted nine IPL games and
only twice has the team bat-
ting first scored in excess of
170.
Regd No.J/VM-RNP/72
Regd.
Printed andNo. HQ/SD/509/2021-23
Published from Visakhapatnam by
K. Sudhakar
on behalf of DeccanPublished
Printed and
Chronicle Holdings
K.Limited
Sudhakar on behalf of Deccan
Chronicle
at Deccan
Holdings
Chronicle
Limited.
Printed at
Survey No.1/3A, Beach Road,
Deccan Chronicle
Near Press
Kailasagiri Rope situated
Way,
Plot No. Sector-9,
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RNIEditor: Kaushik
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No.44813/85.
SUMMER
SLAM
MORRIS BARRAGE
Chris bombards Knights with 4/23 as Royals win by 6 wickets
Mumbai, April 24: Chris
Morris (4/23) was effec-
tive at the death yet again
as Rajasthan Royals
thrashed Kolkata Knight
Riders by six wickets in
an IPL game on Saturday.
Royals pacers combined
accuracy and guile to
restrict Kolkata Knight
Riders to 133 for nine.
Chasing the modest
total, Royals skipper
Sanju Samson (42 not out)
played
knock.
a responsible
win of the season in five
matches while KKR have
managed to get just one
win under their belt, thus
far.
Royals pacers, who were
smart with change of pace
pace, stifled the KKR bats-
men who could not find a
way to deal with it after
being put in to bat.
KKR skipper Eoin
Morgan said the batsmen
let the team down. “We
lacked a lot of intent
throughout the whole
innings. We were behind
the eight ball right from
the get-go. Possibly, we
were 40 short which is a
lot in a T20 game. The
bowlers had too much to
do. It’s a stark contrast to
the last game. The wicket
hasn’t been as good as it
has been in the previous
games and we couldn’t
overcome the challenge.
“It left us with a lot to do,
which we couldn’t do.
Ultimately, one guy needs
to play free-flowing crick-
et. Two sides struggling to
gain momentum in the
tournament and we
missed big two points,”
added Morgan.
Morris, the most expen-
sive player in the IPL auc-
tion history, proved his
worth with a brilliant
four-wicket haul.
The other pacers, Jaydev
Unadkat (1/25), Chetan
Sakariya (1/31) and
Mustafizur Rahman
(1/22), were also impres-
sive.
KKR were not able to
find rhythm in their
underwhelming innings.
The highly rated
Shubman Gill (11) disap-
pointed yet again. He was
dropped before his
uncomfortable stay in the
middle finally ended with
a run out off a brilliant
CSK head coach Stephen Fleming (from left), fielding coach Rajiv Kumar, opener Faf du Plessis and batting
coach Michael Hussey during a training session in Mumbai.
Kohli vs MSD in Sunday matinee
Mumbai, April 24: It
would be nothing short of
a clash of the titans when
Virat Kohli’s on-a-roll
Royal Challengers
Bangalore takes on
Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s
Chennai Super Kings in a
top-of-the-table IPL show-
down here on Sunday
with two points and
momentum at stake.
RCB has won all its four
matches so far and sits on
top of the standings. CSK,
on the other hand, has hit
back after losing its open-
er to claim three straight
wins for the second spot
in the points table.
RCB, boosted by a 10-
by
wicket hammering of
Press,
Rajasthan Royals, will be
keen to continue its win-
at
ning streak. However, the
task is easier said than
done as CSK is riding
high with three good
results of its own.
Kohli and the highly-
Chris Morris (left) of Rajasthan Royals celebrates taking a KKR wicket with team-
mate Chetan Sakariya during their match in Mumbai on Saturday.
direct hit from Jos Buttler.
The Royals pacers were
impressive with their
variations and did not
offer the batsmen any
freebies in the powerplay
as KKR laboured to 25 for
one in six overs.
It became 45 for two in
the eighth over when
Gill's opening partner
Nitish Rana (22) made
room to cut a wide ball off
rated Devdutt Padikkal
toyed with the Rajasthan
Royals bowling the other
day and will look to lay a
strong foundation again
for RCB against a varied
CSK bowling attack.
RCB, which has more
often not under-per-
formed amid high expec-
tations, has started well.
And, Kohli will be aware
of the importance of
maintaining the intensity
in a long league.
The RCB batting
appears to be top heavy
and reliant on the per-
formances of Kohli,
South African maestro
AB de Villiers and
Australian maverick
Glenn Maxwell.
Padikkal’s good form also
augurs well for the team.
However, the RCB bat-
ting unit will front up to
Deepak Chahar, who is
known for his ability to
strike early.
DECCAN
DECCAN CHRONICLE
CHRONICLE, | VISAKHAPATNAM
HYDERABAD,
Sakariya but the extra
bounce led to his downfall
as he ended up edging it to
the wicketkeeper.
Skipper Eoin Morgan
sent Sunil Narine ahead
of himself to give the
innings a much needed
boost but it did not work
with the West Indian
departing after hitting
one boundary, leaving
KKR at 55 for three in 10
Live on TV
Chennai Super Kings vs
Royal Challengers Bangalore
from 3.30 pm on
Star Sports 1, HD1
It remains to be seen if
the team has what it takes
to bounce back in case
there is lose of wickets
early in the innings.
The RCB bowling has
done the job so far with
Mohammed Siraj being
impressive. However,
they come up against a
formidable CSK which
bats deep and the impor-
tance of early wickets
can’t be emphasised
enough.
Ruturaj Gaikwad
emerged from three fail-
ures with an impressive
knock against Kolkata
Knight Riders and forms
a strong opening partner-
ship with Faf du Plessis.
| SUNDAY
SUNDAY, 25 APRIL 2021 | 25 APRIL 2021
— IPL
overs.
KKR’s troubles wors-
ened after Morgan got run
out without facing a ball
following a bad mix-up
with Rahul Tripathi (36
off 26).
Their most destructive
batsman Andre Russell
had to wait till the 16th
over to get into the middle
with the innings not going
anywhere at 94 for five.
— CSK
A good start will help
their cause and with an
in-form Moeen Ali pen-
cilled in at No.3 and
Suresh Raina to follow,
CSK has the firepower to
strike late as well.
Skipper Dhoni is yet to
hit his straps but coach
Stephen Fleming believes
he would get better with
every outing.
While Chahar has been
in the thick of things at
the start, spinners
Ravindra Jadeja and
Moeen Ali have also
struck crucial blows.
Shardul Thakur has
proved expensive at times
but is a vital cog in the
CSK bowling unit.
Add to this the fact that
the Wankhede stadium
has seen mostly high-
scoring games and the
team that holds its nerves
is likely to come up
trumps on a track like
this. — PTI
SCORECARD
Kolkata Knight Riders:
Nitish Rana c Samson b
Sakariya 22, Shubman
Gill run out (Buttler) 11,
Rahul Tripathi c Parag
b Mustafizur Rahman
36, Sunil Narine c
Jaiswal b Unadkat 6,
Eoin Morgan run out
(Morris) 0, Dinesh
Karthik c Sakariya b
Morris 25, Andre
Russell c Miller b Morris
9, Pat Cummins c Parag
b Morris 10, Shivam
Mavi b Morris 5, Prasidh
Krishna (not out) 0.
Extras (b 2, lb 1, nb 1, w
5) 9. Total (for nine
wickets in 20 overs)
133.
FoW: 1-24, 2-45, 3-54,
4-61, 5-94, 6-117, 7-118,
8-133, 9-133.
Bowling: Jaydev
Unadkat 4-0-25-1,
Chetan Sakariya 4-0-
31-1, Mustafizur
Rahman 4-0-22-1, Chris
Morris 4-0-23-4, Rahul
Tewatia 3-0-24-0,
Shivam Dube 1-0-5-0.
Rajasthan Royals: Jos
Buttler lbw b Varun 5,
Yashasvi Jaiswal c sub
(KL Nagarkoti) b Chidambaram
Shivam Mavi 22, Sanju
Samson (not out) 42,
Shivam Dube c Prasidh
Krishna b Varun 22,
Rahul Tewatia c sub
(KL Nagarkoti) b track and hence the DC
Prasidh Krishna 5,
David Miller (not out)
24. Extras (lb 7, nb 1, w
6) 14. Total (for four
wickets in 18.5 overs)
134.
FoW: 1-21, 2-40, 3-85,
4-100.
Bowling: Shivam Mavi
4-0-19-1, Pat Cummins
3.5-0-36-0, Varun
Chakravarthy 4-0-32-2,
Sunil Narine 4-0-20-0,
Prasidh Krishna 3-0-
20-1.
Dinesh Karthik (25)
came up with some badly
needed boundaries in his
bid to improve the scoring
rate. Russell smashed a
straight six off Morris in
the fifth ball he faced but
that remained his only big
hit of the night.
Morris removed both
Russell and Karthik in the
same over.
— Agencies
GAVASKAR SAYS
BANGALORE CAN
RELY ON MAXWELL
Mumbai, April 24:
Former India captain
Sunil Gavaskar ha
spraised RCB’s new sign-
ing Glenn Maxwell for
easing the pressure off
Virat Kohli and AB de
Villiers within the batting
department.
“It’s great that Maxwell
has come good. It has
taken the pressure off
Virat Kohli and AB de
Villiers. They know that
they can rely on one more
batsman to get the runs.
Last time, there was
Padikkal at the start of
the innings who was get-
ting the runs but this
time, Maxwell has been
batting extraordinarily,"
Gavaskar said.
“You could possibly say
that now, RCB have anoth-
er 360-degree player in
Maxwell,” he added.
— Agencies
HEAD to HEAD
Matches 26
CSK 16 RCB
No result
FOR THE RECORD
● Devdutt Padikkal’s century off
51 balls against Rajasthan Royals
in the previous match was the
fastest century by an uncapped
player in IPL.
● Suresh Raina with 199 sixes in
192 innings needs just one more to
become the seventh batsman to
complete a double century of sixes
in IPL.
LAST YEAR’S MATCHES
● RCB beat CSK by 37 runs at
Dubai.
● CSK beat RCB by 8 wickets at
Dubai.
STATS: S. PERVEZ QAISER
pg 8
POINTS TABLE
Teams P W L N/R Points Net RR
RCB 4 4 0 0 8 +1.009
CSK 4 3 1 0 6 +1.142
DC 4 3 1 0 6 +0.426
MI 5 2 3 0 4 - 0.032
PBKS
RR
5
5
2
2
3
3
0
0
4
4
- 0.428
- 0.681
SRH
KKR
4
5
1
1
3
4
0
0
2
2
- 0.228
- 0.675
Capitals to lock
horns with SRH
Chennai, April 24:
Rishabh Pant’s
power will be put to test
brute Live on TV
against Rashid Khan’s bag-
ful of tricks in an IPL
Sunrisers Hyderabad
vs Delhi Capitals
encounter where Delhi from 7.30 pm on
Capitals will start as
favourites against
Star Sports 1, HD1
Sunrisers Hyderabad due
to their better bowling HEAD to HEAD
resources.
The much-criticised
Chepauk track will host its Matches 18
10th and final IPL game of
the season in which both SRH 11 DC 7
Pant and his opposite num-
ber David Warner would FOR THE RECORD
pray for a decent surface ● David Warner with 3,949 runs at
for their flamboyant bat- an average of 51.28 in 91 innings
ters. needs 51 runs to become the first
With only a couple of Sunrisers Hyderabad batsman to
first innings total in excess complete 4,000 runs in IPL.
of 170 across nine games ● Shikhar Dhawan with 195 fours
here, the slow and gripping in 51 innings needs five more fours
surface at the MA to become the second Delhi Capitals
batsman after Virender Sehwag
Stadium (266 fours in 79 innings) to complete
tests the skills of the bats- a double century of fours in IPL.
men in a different manner.
Possibly, it’s the ability to LAST YEAR’S MATCHES
muscle the ball that will ● Sunrisers beat Delhi by 15 runs at
come in handy on this at Abu Dhabi.
● Sunrisers beat Delhi by 88 runs at
skipper’s role as a batsman Dubai
will become all the more ● Delhi beat Sunrisers by 17 runs at
important. Abu Dhabi (Qualifier 2)
While Shikhar Dhawan is STATS: S. PERVEZ QAISER
in good form and Prithvi
Shaw in not so great touch
after the first game, the bulk of the responsibility
willow-wielders, who is on overseas recruits
depend on sheer timing Warner, Jonny Bairstow,
compared to power may Williamson and Rashid.
struggle. The wily Afghan has
In fact, Hyderabad, after again been very consistent
playing all its four games and his duel with Pant
in Chennai, has only now could be one of the most
started to crack the code of eagerly-awaited match-ups
a slow track, evident dur- that can send the TRPs
ing the team’s comfortable soaring. SRH’s weak link is
victory over Punjab Kings certainly its bowling
after a hat-trick of defeats. attack with none among
With Kane Williamson Sandeep Sharma,
back in the mix, SunRisers Siddharth Kaul or all-
seemed to have got a better rounder Vijay Shankar
balance in a set-up which inspiring any sort of confi-
is acutely short of quality dence whatsoever. So DC
India internationals. will have 12 overs out of 20
With T Natarajan’s death on which they can feast
bowling unavailable for upon if one takes away the
this season and Manish eight bowled by Rashid and
Pandey only able to man- Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
age a strike-rate of 112 odd, — PTI
Allrounder Axar Patel’s return has bolstered Delhi
Capitals line-up. — DC
AXAR’S RETURN LENDS
PERFECT BALANCE: KAIF
9 Chennai, April 24: Delhi Capitals assistant coach
Mohammad Kaif feels how his team plays star
1 Sunrisers Hyderabad spinner Rashid Khan on a slow
Chepauk surface will hold key in their IPL match here
on Sunday.
“The way we play Rashid Khan is going to be the key
for us on this pitch,” said Kaif in a team release.
Kaif added that batting on the pitch in Chennai has
been difficult, but the experienced their batting line-
up is certainly up for the challenge. “Shikhar has been
batting really well and Smith batted well in the last
game. Amit Mishra bowled beautifully in the last
game, and we have Ravichandran Ashwin as well.
Marcus Stoinis bowled well with the new ball in the
last match and the way Rishabh has been leading the
side, especially on a turning track, has been a great
sign.”
When asked about all-rounder Axar Patel’s return,
Kaif said, “The balance of the Delhi Capitals squad is
now perfect. He has been a key member of this fran-
chise.” — PTI
 cmyk
the buzz
A survivor
speaks
2 >>
THE
LOST
YEAR IT’S UP TO ADULTS TO
MENTOR THEIR CHILDREN,
WHO HAVE BEEN ROBBED OF
A YEAR AND MORE OF
ACADEMIC AND
PSYCHOLOGICAL
DEVELOPMENT, BY
MODELLING RESILIENCE AND
CRISIS-MANAGEMENT
SWATI SHARMA
DECCAN CHRONICLE
They’re calling it a ‘lost year.’
Almost everyone has waded
through hardships this past
year — job loss, relationship strug-
gles, chronic stress and the loss of
loved ones to COVID-19. Adolescents
are among the worst affected. It isn’t
only academics that they have lost,
but also mental health. Being robbed
of an entire year at this stage of
their lives is producing a mental
health crisis that some professionals
describe as unprecedented.
The United Nations estimates that
at least 1 billion learners have been
affected globally by the closure of
schools due to the pandemic. With
extracurricular activities also being
out of reach, teenagers no longer
have opportunities to socialise with
their peers during and after school,
bringing that developmental stage to
a halt. Now that the Central
Government has decided to postpone
the Class 12 CBSE exams and
cancel those for Class 10, stu-
dents have been left with an
overwhelming sense of loss.
The mental health and well-
being of at least 332 million
children are at risk, warns the
UNICEF.
“For the past one year,
we have been buried
deep in the pandemic
crisis; no matter
what precautions we
take, the contagion
does not seem to
cmyk
vizag tollywood
Gopichand
visits 100-yr
CHRONICLE
old library
5 >>
SUNDAY | 25 APRIL 2021
are programmed to learn,” says Dr C
Parents are GLAM SHAM
going Manjula Rao, a top Clinical
through much Psychologist at Apollo Health City.
“Parents are going through much
already. The recent The
perfect fit
news that the already. To top it all, the recent news
Standard 10 Board
that the Standard 10 Board exams
exams have beenhave been cancelled has added fuel
cancelled has added
to the fire,” notes Garima Juneja, Sports bras have
fuel to the fire. “It’s
Psychologist, founder of Lightroom
natural that they
come into their own,
Therapy & Counselling. “It’s natural
opt to vent online
that they opt to vent online and offline.
not just as sensible
and offline. Unfortunately, this venting takes
“Unfortunately, this venting takes gym wear, but as
the form of outbursts, overreacting to the form of outbursts, overreacting to fashion state-
situations, adopting a problem-centric situations, adopting a problem-centric ments in their
approach, resorting to anger or creating an
environment of misery
approach, resorting to anger or creat- own right
ing an environment of misery,” she
— GARIMA JUNEJA, Psychologist says. “But take a step back and
assess your actions. This constant
end, implying that we have lost lashing out isn’t changing the sit-
control of our lives. When adults uation in any way. On the con-
are in this mode of stress, chil- trary, it’s proving to be vicious for
dren are watching and they are kids’ and teenagers’ minds,” she
learning to imitate them, cautions.
because that is the way, they TURN TO PAGE 2
FULL
For the past one year, we have been buried deep in the
STORY
pandemic crisis; no matter what precautions we take, the ON PAGE
contagion does not seem to end, implying that we have lost control of
our lives. When adults are in this mode of stress, children are
watching and they are learning to imitate them, because that is the
3
way, they are programmed to learn
— DR C MANJULA RAO, a top Clinical Psychologist
 Sunday 25 April 2021 2

the buzz Deccan Chronicle

The
lost year
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

“Kids won’t learn as much from their

books or exams as from us, because we as
parents influence them through vicarious
learning of how to deal with crises.”
If adults want to guide their children, they
need to get themselves out of crisis mode.
Experts feel teenagers and tweens will be
fine if adults model resilience.
“Human beings come with an inbuilt abili-
ty to withstand adversity and bounce back
from it, and that ability is called resilience,”
says Dr Manjula. Now is the time to take
action so that we can ensure this isn’t a lost
year. Garima’s advice is, “Take up the
responsibility of teaching children life skills
by navigating real life problems with a solu-
tion-focused approach, a glass half-full atti-
tude to life, making the most of what’s on the
plate, dealing with crises in calm manner.”
She cites an
example of a solu-
One way of tion-centric
developing approach, rather

A survivor speaks
Leading nephrologist Dr Ravi Andrews speaks of his family’s
encounter with the Novel Coronavirus
DC CORRESPONDENT himself developed high fever,
chills, sore throat, cough,
After undergoing loose motions, headache,
emergency spine fatigue, loss of taste and loss
surgery on February of smell — all symptoms of
18, 2020 for a disc prolapse, Dr COVID -19.
Ravi Andrews resumed duty The result of the COVID
at Apollo Health City as a test was positive. “Since I did-
senior consultant nephrolo- n’t have breathlessness, I was
gist on March 9, 2020. As he advised home isolation and
went about his task caring treatment,” he says. He iso-
for his patients, nine of them lated himself in a room, and
simultaneously tested posi- food was left for him outside
tive for the Novel the door.
Coronavirus, indicating a Despite care, symptoms did
very high viral load which not improve, and on June 30,
would have overridden any he developed chest pain and
type of PPE. breathlessness. Blood oxygen
“Because of the strict limi- levels dropped too, and he
tations imposed by the was admitted to the ICU.
Telangana Government on Intensive treatment, includ-
COVID-19 testing, I had been ing a high dose of intra-
treating some of these people venous steroids, blood thin-
for a week for other ailments ners (heparin) and the exper-
without realising their imental drugs Remdesivir
COVID+ve status,” recalls Dr. and Tocilizumab were given,
Andrews. On June 20, he along with high flow continu-
resilience is by than a problem-
engaging in physical centric one.
“One of my
activities together as clients recently
a family. Go for walks tested COVID-posi-
or rides, or play tive. We zeroed in
board games. on the solution-
Spiritual activities focused approach
like yoga, meditation of not showing any
kind of negative
etc., also help the emotion to kids,
whole family de- just being support-
stress. ive of each other
By the time I recoveredto 2 litres per minute. But Adults, especially and exchanging
from Covid-19, I got then, Dr. Ravi got news that parents, have to take fun video calls; and
news that my wife Sonal had his wife Sonal had tested pos- these steps they eventually
tested positive too, and had itive too, and had been admit- sailed through.
ted to another room in the consciously and This is real learn-
been admitted to another deliberately so that ing, and now is a
same ICU, with severe lung
room in the same ICU, with children pick up the wonderful time to
damage. She received the
severe lung damage. Later,
my maid had also tested
same treatment except for quality of resilience inculcate the
the experimental virtue of
positive
— Dr Ravi
Tocilizumab. Dr C Manjula Rao, resilience and
While Dr. Ravi and Sonal adaptability in
were under treatment, their Clinical Psychologist kids and
ous oxygen therapy and 16-year-old daughter, who teenagers,” says
insulin to control his blood was preparing for her ICSE Garima.
sugar, says Dr. Ravi. examination, was at home One way of developing resilience is by
A doctor visited the isola- with only the family’s maid engaging in physical activities together as a
tion ICU once a day and nurs- for company. Both the couple family. Go for walks or rides, or play board
es came thrice daily. He was was on the mend when they games. Spiritual activities like yoga, medita-
on continuous CCTV surveil- got the news that the maid tion etc., also help the whole family de-
lance. had also tested positive. stress. Adults, especially parents, have to
His only contact with the They immediately got them- take these steps consciously and deliberate-
outside world was through selves discharged, and went ly so that children pick up the quality of
the mobile phone. From July home to be with their daugh- resilience” sums up Dr Manjula.
2 onwards, the breathless- ter. “We continued to be given
ness and chest pain reduced, blood thinner injections,
and the requirement of oxy- steroids, insulin and other
gen came down from 6 litres medications,” says Dr Ravi.

Mahesh Babu appeals

fans to donate plasma
M ahesh Babu took to Twitter
to urge people to donate
plasma to those who are suffer-
ing from Covid-19. He said that
plasma donors are needed now
more than ever.The actor
pledged his support to the
Cyberabad police for taking up
this initiative to tackle the Covid-
19 crisis. Taking to his Twitter,
he wrote, “Let’s do everything in
our stride to help those battling
with Covid. Plasma donors are
needed more than ever now. I
pledge my support to @cpcybd
VC Sajjanar sir & @cyberabadpo-
lice for taking up this initiative.
DonatePlasmaSaveLives”.
Mahesh is currently under
home quarantine after one of his
personal staff tested positive for
COVID 19.
 Sunday 25 April 2021 3

glam sham Deccan Chronicle

The perfect fit

OFF THE WEB

Sports bras are not

only incredibly
fashionable, but
also super
supportive
SWATI SHARMA
DECCAN CHRONICLE
The ‘athleisure’ trend has
been on the rise - it’s cloth-
ing made for workouts but
with an added attraction so that
you can also wear them outside
the gym, even to office. And the
BREATHING IN
best news is, with the changing
trends, sports bras have under- NATURE
gone a makeover!
It has often been said that ‘A suit-
able sports bra is like an old
A ctor Kirti Kulhari, who is vaca-
tioning in the mountains of
Uttarakhand, shared scenic pictures
friend who offers comfort when from her trek on Instagram. The
you need it, holds you close and Sara Ali Khan and Janhvi Kapoor practicing yoga in their trendy athleisure actor can be seen sitting on a rock
gives unconditional support!’ while enjoying the tree cover on the
Celebrities like Malika Arora, “Most importantly, sports bras keep you mountains. Dressed in travel friend-
Ananya Pandey, Disha Patani, held in, you don’t feel conscious or have ly sports casual - yellow jacket
Sara Ali Khan paired with leggings and sneakers,
and Janhvi
to keep adjusting your top. You can comfortably
Kapoor have all move during your workouts or pursue any kind the actor wrote : “Breathing it all
been spotted in of physical activity without worrying about in...Till you and Nature become
ONE... #ghadwal #uttarakhand
sports bras that spilling out of your clothes, especially women #trekking #metime.”
are not only with heavier chests,”
incredibly fash-
ionable, but also — SHEVVY, health coach and fitness trainer
super supportive.
“There is such
Dr Manjula a huge variety of

Fitting in
Anagani, sports bras with
Gynaecologist different impact
levels -- low
impact, medium impact and high
impact,” says Shevvy, health

E
coach and fitness trainer. “One xperts have warned of the dangers of not wearing the
can choose to wear a low-impact right sports bra and the potential damage it can cause.
sports bra while at home. Once the Cooper’s ligaments inside the breasts are
Medium impact sports bras are damaged, they reach ‘a point of no return’ resulting in
great for daily gym workouts. stretch marks and sagging.
And high impact bras are suitable “Sports bras are intended to grip movement and motion
for running and other intense while working up a sweat and toning body. They offer max-
movement days,” she explains. imum support and hold your breasts firmly in
There are several advantages to place. Regular bras in this particular case
wearing a sports bra to the gym. lag to offer enough support and may
“These sports bras serve different cause tension on the shoulders along
purposes according to the way with accumulated sweaty patches,”
they are designed, and the mater- says Padma Shree Dr Manjula

A copy editor
ial, padding and strap adjustment Anagani, Chief Gynaecologist
levels all have a role to play,” and Laparoscopic Surgeon at
says Shevvy. Maxcure hospitals.

in the making?
Physical activity makes Athletic sport bras account
breasts bounce up, down and to be more than being an
sport bras are designed to extremely fashionable
reduce this movement. item to wear. Know Former actor and author Twinkle Khanna
Breasts have no muscle, and more on how sports commemorated World Book Day by sharing
without proper support, the bra is a big workout a video of her daughter Nitara reading Roald
skin and Cooper’s ligaments boon. Dahl’s The BFG, on Instagram. In the video the
(ligaments near the breast which detail oriented eight-year-old can be seen point-
gives them their size and shape) ed out ‘spelling mistakes’ in the book.
● Sports
bras
can break and cause sagging. “Roald Dahl makes a lot of spelling mistakes.
Once the Cooper’s ligaments Deepika help in Look, here is one,” Nitara said, pointing out
stretch, they do not bounce back. Padukone avoiding work- that ‘written’ was spelt as ‘ritten’.
“Most importantly, sports bras out discomfort The BFG is one of the most famous examples
keep you held in, you don’t feel ● It helps reduce of ‘literary nonsense writing’ which is a type of
conscious or have to keep breast pain fiction that often defies common sense and cre-
adjusting your top. You can ● They help avoid nasty ates an entirely new world through the manipu-
comfortably move during lation of language.
stares and look supercool Sharing the cute video on Instagram Twinkle
your workouts or pursue any
● Prevents long term sagging
kind of physical activity wrote, “On World Book Day, here’s to all the lit-
● They are a must-have for extensive
without worrying about tle readers out there. On the other hand, though
spilling out of your clothes, workout sessions someone may just have a future as a copy editor,
especially women with ● Sports bras are strongly recommended after Dahl’s ‘spelling mistakes’ are deliberate in this
heavier chests,” says an injury or cosmetic surgery case:) #readmore #worldbookday.”
Shevvy.
 Sunday 25 April 2021 4

fortune cookie Deccan Chronicle

SUPER PROSPECT IN STORE

I
s it a bird? Is it a plane? It's not easy to confuse a Supermoon with Superman, but I know
OSCAR CAINER which I'd rely on to ride to the rescue! The lingering Saturn/Uranus link reasserts itself as
Mercury and Venus converge around Uranus, before the Sun takes their place as the
YOUR HOROSCOPE
Moon turns full. Phew! That's a lot of cosmic activity! It indicates that as we take
FOR THE WEEK BEGINNING responsibility and set boundaries we can make meaningful progress in our relationships.
25 APRIL 2021 We won't need super-hearing to appreciate kindness this week.
ARIES CAPRICORN
CANCER June 23-July 23
March 21 - April 20 December 22-January 20

J igsaws have seen a resurgence of
interest over the past year. The fact
that so much pleasure can be achieved by
the act of sorting through little pieces of
jumbled up images, and putting them
together to achieve a picture, must have
been a source of amazement for the
younger generation; their electronic
games are so much faster. This week, the
cosmos is encouraging you to reconstruct
something that was once deliberately dis-
mantled. Expect to feel deeply satisfied
by what you create.
IN YOUR LOVE LIFE: Much-needed change
is about to occur. Courage is all you
need; Don't miss out… free audio and
H ave you ever been stuck
and watched, with envy, as a motorcy- you've got in mind? Well, as they say,
N ews editors put the most headline-grabbing items on the front
pages of their newspapers or websites. Yet the most interesting
articles aren't always found there. Likewise, in our conversations, the most use-
ful discoveries don't always occur straight away. Sometimes, the most valuable W e have to work at
being sensible, and strive to be
safe. Yet we all aspire to be inspira-
points arise as an after-thought. And sometimes, the best suggestions are
made in a playful manner. This week, you'll hear what you need to hear. Your tional. No wonder it's hard to find the
challenge is to pay attention for long enough... and then, take action! right balance; life is so full of glaring
contradictions. It's not always easy to
IN YOUR LOVE LIFE: Heed an inspiring vision and respect what touches some-
feel safe and secure when we're sur-
one else's heart; Discover the inner you… free audio and video forecasts:
rounded by so much mystery. Yet, if
infree.cainer.com
we're not here to enjoy the craziness
and the impossibility of it all, what
LEO VIRGO are we supposed to be doing? It's
July 24-August 23 August 24-September 23 important for you to worry less and
enjoy yourself more this week.
in a long queue of traffic A re you going to get away
with the bold activities
Fortunately, the cosmic climate
makes that entirely possible.

video forecasts: infree.cainer.com
TAURUS
April 21-May 21
A s the Supermoon, in your opposite
sign, combines with all the other
planetary activity, it promises a new
way to comprehend a significant agree-
ment or understanding between you and
clist wends and twists their way
through all the stationary vehicles?
Although these machines aren't partic-
ularly comfortable, and don't protect
their riders from the elements, they
easily find a way to skirt past obsta-
cles. There's a lot to be said for keeping
things small, simple, flexible and fluid.
The security you're craving comes
with a sense of responsibility. It's on its
way… but, meanwhile, enjoy the free-
dom.
'you can't make an omelette without IN YOUR LOVE LIFE: You'll profit if you
breaking eggs'. While it's likely that allow yourself some uncertainty; Our
you'll experience a concern that the gift to you… free audio and video fore-
side-effects of your actions negate the casts: infree.cainer.com
advantages you gain, we all feel like
that when we're doing our homework.
But, those thoughts melt away when we
pass our exams! As your ruler, Mercury, AQUARIUS
is empowered by creative Venus, any
efforts expended intelligently will meet
January 21-February 19
with success this week.

IN YOUR LOVE LIFE: Forget your needs,

someone who means a great deal to you.
Is that good news? Yes and no! Although
it's important to see what's really been
going on, it can throw us off balance
when we discover that things aren't
quite as we thought they were. But if
you're willing to work with what you
ascertain, everything will work out
rather well.
IN YOUR LOVE LIFE: You have height-
ened sensitivity right now. Trust your
instinct; Unmissable gift… free audio
and video forecasts: infree.cainer.com
LIBRA
September 24-October 23
look at what is needed of you; There's
more… free audio and video forecasts:
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SCORPIO
October 24-November 22
Y ou're known for your
intelligence. Although people
born under your sign aren't necessar-
ily smarter than other folk, you've
been blessed by an enviable ability to
phrase convincing arguments, and to
back these up with apparently
irrefutable proof. Yet this week, you
need to be wary of using your razor-
sharp mind as a weapon that ends up
cutting you. There's another way to
look at the situation you seem to be

IN YOUR LOVE LIFE: Some feelings are

simply beyond explanation. A great
S ome folk believe that success is
impossible until failure has been
T he world doesn't seem to be a very
balanced place. There are excesses
in some places, scarcities in others.
stuck in. It involves being willing to
hear someone
Teamwork is key.
else's advice.

week beckons; Oscar's gift… free audio
and video forecasts: infree.cainer.com
GEMINI
May 22-June 22
experienced. But that's not strictly
true. It's a question of being able to
spot the warning signs, and then tak-
ing preventative action. Life's downs
aren't a predictable result of its high-
lights, but the two are inextricably
linked. If there were no downs, there
would be no ups… everything would
be flat. Despite the challenges you
And these discrepancies don't only
occur in the material world. On a spir-
itual level too, there are parts of our
planet where belief and faith is high,
and others where non-believers far
outweigh those who do. And it often
seems that half of us are bored,
whereas the other half are scared.
What have you got too much of ? And
IN YOUR LOVE LIFE: Diplomacy is
called for. Being sensitive will spare
you from trouble; Ready now... free
audio and video forecasts: infree.cain-
er.com
PISCES

S ome people seem to lead normal,

ordinary lives. Nothing much
face, this week's cosmic climate
enables you to climb to an impressive
what do you lack? This week, a very
good swap can be made.
February 20-March 20
appears to happen to them.
Uncontroversial and quiet, they just
get on with things and don't expect too
height - and to remain there.

IN YOUR LOVE LIFE: A new source of

much in return. You find it hard to
relate to this kind of attitude. It's not
as if you consciously seek drama… it
just seems always to be around!
Rather than wishing you were some-
one else this week, be glad of who you
IN YOUR LOVE LIFE: You need to move
light is entering your world; Try this
out… free audio and video forecasts:
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SAGITTARIUS November 23-December 21
on and explore a new perspective;
Especially for you… free audio and
video forecasts: infree.cainer.com
O h soldier, soldier won't you marry
me with your musket fife and
drum?' The words, from this old folk
song, illustrate what happens when
we allow our common senses to be
overridden by romantic notions. The
soldier demands an ever-growing list
of gifts from his potential lover, and
even when she fulfils them, he still

are and what's happening. As your
ruler, Mercury, conjoins with Venus,
the planet of love, the story that's
unfolding is very right.
IN YOUR LOVE LIFE: A brilliant idea
may bring a change in your heart and
priorities; An amazing service… free
audio and video forecasts: infree.cain-
WANT TO KNOW MORE?
The late Jonathan Cainer’s nephew Oscar, will bring you your weekly zodiac forecasts over the weeks and months to come. For more from Oscar, visit cainer.com
Y
ou appear to be surrounded by people and situations that need lets her down. Don't worry! This isn't
you to expend every last ounce of effort. You're struggling, striv- what lies in store for you. As long as
ing and courageously grappling with a long list of challenging obsta- you keep an eye on your empathy lev-
cles, whilst worrying about what will happen if you don't do your els, and don't give too much of your-
absolute best. The good news, is that there's a big difference between the way self away, this will be a very reward-
things appear, and the way they really are. The Supermoon signals a welcome ing week.
change. Something that seems impossible will become delightfully encourag-
ing. IN YOUR LOVE LIFE: Act now. You can
make the story of tomorrow a tale of true
IN YOUR LOVE LIFE: Say what must be said and listen to an emotive message; triumph; A brilliant offer… free audio and
Right here, right now… free audio and video forecasts: infree.cainer.com video forecasts: infree.cainer.com
 Sunday 25 April 2021 5

tollywood Deccan Chronicle

Gopichand visits 100-year old library

SASHIDHAR ADIVI
Script for new film nearing completion
DECCAN CHRONICLE
Recently , director
Gopichand Malineni visit-
ed the Saraswata
Niketanam library in Vetapalem
town in Prakasam district of
Andhra Pradesh to do research
for a film with Nandamuri
Balakrishna, and ended up
being captivated by the 100-year-
old institution.
“I felt like I visited a temple,”
says the filmmaker, adding that
he spent around four hours in
the heritage institution.
At the library, Gopichand got to
see a newspaper brought out on
the day India won Independence
– August 15, 1947. “I felt so nos-
talgic,” he said. Gopichand Malineni checks out a
Sharing that the library has book at the Saraswata Niketanam
books, newspapers, magazines, library in Vetapalem
journals and other documents
dated even earlier than the 1920s, “At this time when people are send a photo of the newspaper
he said he had come to know that getting information online and edition published on the day he
one person had willed his prop- through YouTube videos, I was born in the 1970’s.“Harish
erty to pay for the upkeep of the believe it is imperative to go to a felt so amazed to see the image of
institution. library to get authentic data. In the newspaper, and said he
Gopichand first heard of the fact, you can get information would also make it a point to
library while he that’s not even avail- visit the library soon,” said
was shooting for Gandhiji had visited able online,” the Gopichand.
one of his earlier the library to get Pandaga Chesko “Meanwhile, the script of his
films Krack. He had helmer points out. new film is nearing completion.
been eager to check some information. “I urge everyone to “The more the research, the
it out ever since. While he was make book reading a better the script turns out, so I
“I needed some there, his walking habit, especially dur- am in no hurry to wrap up the
information and stick broke, and he ing these tough times; script,” he says, adding that he is
had to check old it encourages people excited to work with
newspaper records left it there. The to find out more about Balakrishna. “I
for my upcoming library has history. I started am sure it’ll be a
film, and decided to preserved the stick spending more cracker of an
visit the library,” he carefully, and put it time on reading experience,
revealed. on display these days. For and I can’t
The visitor’s book my last film wait to shoot
at the library has Krack, I had to with him,”
the names of many luminaries, do extensive research and he says,
led by Mahatma Gandhi. read books for my signing
Apparently, Gandhiji had visited script,” says the direc- off.
the library to get some informa- tor, adding that the
tion. While he was there, his research work
walking stick broke, and he left helped him to better
it there. The library has pre- the script of his
served the stick carefully, and action drama.
put it on display, says Gopichand shared
This is the first time I would be working with Balakrishna Gopichand. his excitement at
garu. I very excited, and I am sure working with him will India’s first President Babu visiting the
be a cracker of an experience, and I can’t wait to shoot with Rajendra Prasad and former library with
Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha another filmmak-
him. The script is nearing completion, but I am in no hurry to Rao are among other prominent er, Harish
wrap it up personalities who visited the Shankar, who
— Gopichand Malineni institution. asked him to

Meditation to beat stress

“The father of my close friend
passed away after contracting the
virus, and a few of my friends have
been quarantined, so all I have been
listening to is grief and depressing
news. Thankfully, my meditation prac-
tice is helping me beat the stress,” says
Renu Desai.
The actress states that she was intro-
duced to the practice of meditation
when she was just 12 years old, by her
mother. “Ever since, I have been prac-
ticing it to stay strong in times of dis-
tress,” she says, adding that it’s time
people cultivated gratitude and
focused on things they have, rather
Renu Desai focusses on the small joys of life
than on what they don’t have.
If the stressful news about COVID-19
gets too overwhelming, Renu also
takes a break from social media.
“As much as spreading the word
about the need for oxygen cylinders
and other medical equipment is signif-
icant, I believe mental health is equal-
ly important. We need to embrace the
tiny joys in day-to-day life to stay
upbeat. I believe the purpose of life is
to find joy in times of difficulty whilst
empathising with others and hoping
for the best,” she says. As a mother,
Renu, who also directed and produced
a Marathi film, Ishq Wala Love, has
decided to make Saturdays gadget free-
days for her kids. “Most of the time my
daughter Aadya (11) is on the laptop
doing her school work or other stuff.
Or, she is on her mobile phone. I feel
kids’ brains need some rest from gad-
gets. I have started reading with them
every day so that they don’t lose touch
with their reading habit,” explains the
Badri actress, adding that, fortunately,
her son Akira (17) isn’t a gadget freak.
— SA

leisure
PHANTOM
FUNDAMENTALS
T
he most prestigious
awards of the movie
world will be pre-
sented in less than 24
hours. This quiz is on the
India connection of
Oscars.
Write with your sugges-
tions, questions (with
answers) to
senjam@gmail.com.
INDIA AT OSCARS
1. When Bhanu
Athaiya became the first
Indian to win the Oscars
(for costume design),
another Indian was nomi-
nated for the best original
score for the same film
'Gandhi'. He however did
not win. Name him?
2. The honorary
Oscars given to a promi-
nent film personality is
usually presented by a leg-
endary figure from the
GARFIELD
world of films. Satyajit
Ray received his Oscar on
a hospital bed, but who
was the designated pre-
senter?
3. Two Indians
were awarded for 'Jai Ho',
the global hit from
Slumdog Millionaire. One
of them is AR Rahman.
Who is the other?
4. Ben Kingsley
won the best actor Oscar
for his role as Gandhi.
Kingsley is of Indian
descent. What is his real
name?
5. Claudio Miranda
(Best Cinematography)
Bill Westenhofer,
Guillaume Rocheron,
Erik-Jan de Beor, Donald
R Elliott (Best Visual
Effects) and Mycahel
Danna (Best Original
Score) - all won the Oscars
for their work on an India
theme movie. Which
movie and also name the
director?
6. Fill in the list
BLONDIE with a third name. Ian
Tapp, Richard Pryke and
…?
7. At the 30th
Academy award, the Best
Foreign Film Award went
to the Italian Producer
2. MDH Masala. He is the founder of
1. Bluetooth
ANYTHING GOES
8. 127 Hours
7. Mother India
Slumdog Millionaire
Oscars for best sound mixing for won the test by an innings and 70 runs
6. Resul Pookutty. All three won the was Pakistan's first ever test. India
for Life Of Pi.
Lee. Lee won the best director award 4. The first India-Pakistan cricket
5. Life of Pi and the director is Ang at the 1924 Chamonix Winter Games.
4. Krishna Pandit Bhanji
3. Gulzaar
2. Audrey Hepburn
1. Ravi Shankar
INDIA AT OSCARS
Sunday 25 April 2021 6
Deccan Chronicle
SENJAM RAJ SEKHAR
match attracted some
FUNDA OF important dignitaries.
THE WEEK Jawaharlal Nehru and
Indira Gandhi met the
Charlie Chaplin won teams during lunch. The
his only competitive then president Rajendra
Oscar in 1973 for his Prasad visited the stadi-
film 'Limelight' The um and greeted both the
award came over 20 teams. Which historic
years after the film's match are we talking
release. The award was about? (UN Murthy,
given for best original Secunderabad)
dramatic score. Under 5. The father and
what circumstances son duo of Christian
was the award given Ruud and Casper Ruud
even when two decades are the only two from
have elapsed? (S their country to reach pre
Miracle, quarters at a grand slam
Secunderabad) event. Incidentally, both
featured in the pre quar-
awards ters of the Australian
tention for the 45th Academy Open (1997 and 2021).
decades-old film to be in con- Which country are they
from? (BK Harinath,
Angeles. This allowed the
included its first screening in Los
the United States in 1972, which Mysuru)
boycotted. It was re-released in
1952 in the US, it was heavily 6. Name this per-
When the film was released in son who was executed in
1659. He translated the
ANSWERS:
Bhagavad Gita and
Upanishads from Sanskrit
into Persian to make them
Dino de Laurentiis' Nights known to the public for
of Cabiria. Which film the first time. He also
lost by one vote? wrote a book called the
8. A.R Rahman, has 'Mingling of the oceans'
bagged two Oscars in 2009 for showing the similari-
for Best Original Song and ties between Quran and
Best Original Score for Brahma Shastra?(Arnab
Slumdog Millionaire. In Ghosal, Secunderabad)
2011, he was again nomi- 7. Some people call
nated twice. For which him the "father of elec-
movie? tricity and magnetism".
This 16th century scien-
ANYTHING GOES tist was the first one to
1. Swedish engi- coin the word 'electricity'.
neer Jaap Haartsen holds He was also the first per-
the US Patent No. son to use the terms "mag-
6,590,928. What invention netic pole", "electric
of his is now used by mil- force", and "electric
lions of people across the attraction"; and he was
world? (Soulath also the first to clearly dis-
Mohammed, Mumbai) tinguish between magnet-
2. M a h a s h a y ic and electrical forces.
Dharampal Gulati is one Name this little known
of India's most famous pioneer? (L Shruti,
brand ambassadors. Secunderabad)
Which brand? (Philip 8. "And to India,
Joshua, Secunderabad) our much-loved mother-
3. Name the only land, the ancient, the eter-
athlete to successfully
defend his Summer
nal and the ever-new, we
pay our reverent homage
Olympic title at the and we bind ourselves
Winter Olympics? afresh to her service."
(Bikram Keshari Jena, What ends with this line?
Nayagarh) (Pravalika Durgalla,
4. This cricket Tirupati)
ANSWERS
famous than the ending line
The opening lines of course is more
8. Nehru's Tryst with Destiny speech.
7. William Gilbert
son).
6. Dara Shikoh (Shah Jahan's eldest
5. Norway
match in 1952 at Feroz Shah Kotla. It
Antwerp Games and later defended it
gold in figure skating at the 1920
3. Gillis Grafstrom won the individual
December 2020
appears on its ads. He died in
this company and is the old man who
 Sunday 25 April 2021 7

leisure Deccan Chronicle

BRIDGE | Janet de Botton SUNDAY CROSSWORD — 983
ACROSS: DOWN: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

1 Belief system 1 Joker or jester 10

(5) (5)
4 Dan Brown's 2 Descriptive of 11 12
__ ___ a self-centred
Code? (2,5) person (8) 13 14
8 Superior of a 3 Unequal (con-
maj. (3) test) (3-5) 15 16
10 Nickname 4 Resist boldly
used for the (4) 17 18
late Mr. 5 Passport
Bevan (3) endorsement 19 20 21 22 23
11 An isotope of (4)
oxygen? (5) 6 Serviette (6) 24 25 26
12 Well done! 7 Receive into
(5) the mind (6)
13 A small 8 Climbs using
songbird (7) hands and 27 28 29 30
15 Japanese- feet (8)
American (5) 9 See in a way 31 32
16 Drank or which
absorbed (7) expresses 33 34
17 Examine (4) great hostili-
20 Revise copy ty? (4,7)

T
35 36 37
here are many drawbacks to play-
ing bridge online but there is one (4) 14 Heeding,
thing that’s quite enjoyable: the 23 Talk boast- lending an 38 39 40
speed and accuracy with which fully (4) ear? (9)
you can see your results — available as 24 Ten years (6) 18 An original 41 42
soon as a round is completed. Great fun 26 Converts type or
when you have done something clever, not into money model (9) 43
so thrilling when you are on the receiving instead of 19 Repriman-
end of an opponent’s brilliance or, worse, putting in ding, scold- 44 45 46
your own idiocy. the bank? (8) ing or berat-
The teams at the EBU Easter Online 27 Rouse into ing (11)
Festival was won by Simon Gillis playing activity (8) 21 Disparage, SOLUTION FOR CROSSWORD - 981 WIN A PRIZE
with three top Norwegians. On today’s 28 Make criticise (5)
deal, his team mate Odin Svendsen Heres your chance to
beloved (6) 22 Made an M B R A H M A P U T R A L win a cash prize of
brought home 5♣ in a most instructive 31 Pinches or enquiry (5)
way. I had a quick look online and, sure T I B I A O K V E N O M `200 each.
bites (4) 23 Curve or turn
enough, only five of the 17 declarers play-
32 Commotion (4) N T S C R A P E S E G All you need to
ing in a Club contract made 11 tricks — the
(4) 25 “Swan” ana- M I L K S H A K E A S P E R S I O N do is rush in your
rest ten. How would you have done? (See completed crossword
diagram). 34 Offensive to gram for
O A D V R R B I entry to us by
Regardless of who became Declarer sight (4) grassy
(some Norths opened 1 or 3 Clubs) all tables 35 Uphold, sup- appendages? U T P A L N I A G A R A P I E C E Wednesday with your
got a Heart lead after West had bid the suit. port or bear (4) S T E E M G Y A R C full name and address.
Tempting as it may be to check the trump (7) 27 Formal let- Mark the envelope to:
suit immediately, we must look a step fur- 36 Electronic ters or mis- S H O W E R S P O E R U D I T E
ther into the future; if we have to lose a message (5) sives (8) E P H R A S E S N A D A L A S Sunday
trick to the ♣K, it would be nice to get the 38 Sieves; con- 29 Person with- O H N P Crossword-980
trick back somehow… ceals (7) out equal (8)
Odin showed us how; he ruffed the lead 41 Cove or bay W E M U S I C A D A G I O S O Sunday Magazine, 36,
30 Charles
and played a Diamond to his hand — the (5) Lamb for S.D. Road,
A S S A U L T O N C Y N I C A L
Jack winning — and ruffed a second Heart. 42 Bring togeth- one? (8) Secbad-03
East took the next Diamond, but had noth- er (5) 33 Ink-drawing L K L O C A R S A D
ing better to do than play another one. WINNERS OF
43 Plastic type on skin (6) L O I R E O T H E L L O T A M I L CROSSWORD 981
South won and ruffed his last Heart. Next (3) 34 Not dis- O M D L Y N P A
came a Spade to hand and, finally, Odin
44 Sparse fluid patched (6)
advanced the ♣Q. West showed out, but P R O S E C U T E S K Y D I V I N G P.V. Ramarao
Ace and another Club put East on lead,
(3) 37 Faithful (5)
Hyderabad
who had to play a Spade or give a ruff & 45 Remain 39 Hire pay- O P P H A N T O M D A
discard. If West follows to the trump, longer (7) ment (4) B.V.N. Rao
46 House for
F U N G I A O L I S P S
declarer will run it with the same result. 40 Notice (4) Vijayawada
travellers (5) E C I T I Z E N K A N E S

CROSSWORD JIGSAW STRIKE OUT

Here the 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
This crossword
crossword Y T R A G A A G D A S G E I N E T S P L H

puzzle is A H A D MU N V I E
8
has no clues and T
O R
O
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A
R C
T
G
N A
P
A
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G
A O
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broken up N R H H O N E R P 9 10 11 the answers S A S A B E G M R

O A T I A N N A O I P A
into there waiting for C O U A L A D I M E R S
fragments U F O S U R O I L I E H 12 13
you. All you S L E B A E
which may or 14 15 16 17
have to do is E
E
A L
O
E S
L
O
D
S N A
O
F E R
R
may not be F I O O E R A C
shuffled. Your
18 19 20 find it! In each T E P R R E L E E N O E
S E UM L A T E B U S E square you have
G O T T E T A
task is to I D P R A F B
reconstruct C P V A A T C H 21 22 23
a choice of two A
C
A
T
T
S
C
A
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S
Y
G
A
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P
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the complete U T E S E S T A R K D 24 25 26 27 28
letters, one of G S T I C A A
puzzle from 29 30 31 which you must P B
M
O A D
A
E
K
D
E D
M E L
L
R S
M
the A E S E B O D G E L strike out. If you A A R G E A V A V D E E
fragments. 32 E B L A A N
We have
E S U S E D C A R A E chose correctly, R M E E E A
retained the H I I R K E D S G 33 34 35
you will be left T
S
R
H
A
T
N
O
T
H
N
A
B
E
J
R
I
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R
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black squares T E A R S N E E E L K M 36 with a grid that R T A S U L O L S
in the grid to 37 38
contains real A
L
G E
V
R
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T
N A
S
R
E R
E
N Y
G
M D
E
help you out. U R V E R EW A C E D S words. M L T T S T P T A E E R
 Sunday 25 April 2021 8

matinee Deccan Chronicle

Nihalani finishes
second film
amidst pandemic
Will be starting 3rd with Mishika soon
Producer Pahlaj Nihalani
has completed his second
film in the pandemic with
actress Mishika Chourasia,
who he launched in the contro-
versial Rangeela Raja opposite
Govinda.
Sources inform us that the
prolific producer, who has
made hits like Aankhen, Shola
Aur Shabnam, Paap Ki Duniya
and Aag Hi Aag, has also shot
with some big actors for the
film, which was finished with-
out fanfare in a start-to-finish
schedule.
"He will be starting his third
film with the actress soon. Not
many producers actually com-
plete the quota of three film
deals with any newcomer, but
Pahlaj comes from the old “He will be starting his third film
brigade. He wants to keep his soon. Not many producers actually
word,” says the source. complete the quota of three film
It may be recalled that deals with any newcomer, but
Rangeela Raja had to be post- Pahlaj comes from the old brigade.
poned and had suffered a loss He wants to keep his word,”
because the marketing spends -Source
had to be done twice over for
the release after the censors
gave 20 cuts just before the
film's release, which Pahlaj, a
former Censor Board chief
himself, refused to accept.
Meanwhile, the produc-
er is also making
Ayodhya Ki Katha.

— Sanskriti Media

Rhea offers
help to the needy
Rhea Chakraborty, who has
been away from social media
for a long while, has now asked
people in need to Direct Message
(DM) her on Instagram. Rhea has
been keeping off Twitter and
Instagram in the wake of the nega-
tivity that dogged her after the death
of Sushant Singh Rajput. She had
also turned off the DM and comment
options on her Instagram account.
However, now she has posted a mes-
sage telling people they can DM her
in case they need any help, big or
small. “Tough times call for unity,
help all those that you can… Small
help or big help, help is help... Dm me
if I can help in any way... will try my
best... take care, be kind... Love and
strength,” she wrote. Rhea will be
seen next in the Amitabh Bachchan
and Emraan Hashmi starrer Chehre.
She featured for a blink of an eye in
the trailer.

Back on social media

Kartik wants help for a friend
Kartik Aaryan, who has
been off social media
since the Dostana 2 issue, has
resurfaced, to appeal for help
for a friend in Prayagraj,
Uttar Pradesh.
“A friend needs an ambu-
lance on urgent basis in
Prayagraj... help with con-
tacts please,” the actor tweet-
ed.
There has been much specu-
lation recently about Kartik
and Dostana 2. Rumor has it
that he has been ousted from
the project, and replaced by
another actor, possibly
Akshay Kumar.
Karthik will be seen next in
the Netflix original film
Dhamaka where he plays
Arjun Pathak, a TV news
anchor who works for a chan-
nel called Bharosa 24x7.