Chandigarh TRIBUNE

TUESDAY | 7 APRIL 2020 | CHANDIGARH

BANK EMPLOYEES IN MOHALI PAGE 2 BAN ON CHEWING GUM, PAN PAGE 3 RESIDENTS OF P’KULA VILLAGE PAGE 4
FEAR EXPOSURE TO VIRUS MASALA FOR 3 MONTHS IN UT BAR ENTRY OF OUTSIDERS
People approaching banks for cash Administration imposes a ban on sale Youths guard entry points in shifts to
have triggered a fear of Covid-19 of chewing gum, pan masala to prevent ensure no outsider enters Chowki
exposure among bank employees. the spread of Covid through spitting. village and infect its residents.
FORECAST GENERALLY CLOUDY MAX 30°C | MIN 16°C | YESTERDAY MAX 32°C | MIN 16.3°C SUNSET TUESDAY 6:45 PM SUNRISE WEDNESDAY 6:03 AM TWITTER/THETRIBUNECHD FACEBOOK/CHANDIGARHTRIBUNE

UT COVID REPORT
TOTAL SAMPLES TESTED 167
POSITIVE 18
Fire at 2 Sec 17 showrooms,
RECOVERED
NEGATIVE
REPORTS AWAITED
SAMPLE REJECTED
140
7

8
1
controlled within 90 minutes
Tribune News Service

AIR QUALITY Chandigarh, April 6

A major fire broke out at two
INDEX showrooms in Sector 17 here
CHANDIGARH 47 this afternoon.
PANCHKULA 31 The fire first broke out on
the third floor of Touchstone,
MOHALI 36 an IELTS preparation insti-
401-500 SEVERE tute, destroying the class-
301-400 VERY POOR room and office items. The
201-300 POOR The lane from where two Covid cases were reported has been sealed in Sector 68, Mohali. VICKY fire than spread to the adja-

Four fresh cases in

101-200 MODERATE cent electronics shop where
51-100 SATISFACTORY
projector screens were kept.
A dozen vehicles of the fire
0-50 GOOD
and emergency department
were pressed into service to

POLICE DETAIN 225
CURFEW VIOLATORS
Chandigarh: A total of 225
persons were on Monday
rounded up by the Chandigarh
Police for violating the curfew
orders. The police said
besides, 96 vehicles were
detained and 208 impounded
in different parts of the city.
The police also registered two
cases under Section 188 of
the IPC at the Sector 3 and 26
police stations. Since March
23, a total of 8,839 persons
have been rounded up, 4,829
vehicles detained and 1,692
Mohali, count 19
One son of Jamaat attendee, 3 kin of Dera Bassi patient
Tribune News Service
Mohali, April 6
Four new cases of Covid-19
have surfaced in the district,
taking the total count to 19.
A 30-year-old son of a man,
who had attended the Tab-
ligh Jamaat at Nizamuddin
FOUR RETURN HOME
■ Deputy Commissioner Girish
Dayalan said four more
persons had returned to their
homes on Monday after their
samples tested negative for
the virus.
■ While one of them is a male
resident of Sector 69, the
6 JAMAATIS FROM CITY
TEST NEGATIVE
Chandigarh: Six members of
Tablighi Jamaat, who were
identified after their return to thec
ity from Delhi, were tested
negative for Covid-19 on Monday.
They were quarantined at the PGI
Infosys serai. UT officials had
control the fire. Prima facie,
short circuit appeared to be
the cause of the incident.
The fire department got a call
about the mishap at 3.28 pm.
The fire was brought under
control in an hour and a half.
“Due to the curfew, the insti-
tute was closed. The damage
would have been more other-
wise. We used to see such fires
due to short circuit during
night hours. Since every
establishment is shut, such
incidents are being reported
during the daytime too,” said
a fire official.
“The way the fire and the

impounded. Moreover, 117
persons have also been
booked under Section 188 of
the IPC till April 6. TNS
SEC 46 RESIDENTS
FELICITATE COPS
Chandigarh: Residents of
Sector 46 here on Monday
offered garlands and
showered petals on the SHO of
the Sector 34 police station,
Inspector Baldev Singh, and
his team to laud their efforts in
implementing lockdown amid
the Covid-19 pandemic.
C VID-19
PANDEMIC
in Delhi recently, has tested
positive while the other three
fresh cases are of immediate
family members of a 43-year-
old man from Jawaharpur vil-
lage in Dera Bassi, who had
already tested positive.
Deputy Commissioner
Girish Dayalan said the new
case from Mohali town was that
other two are sisters
belonging to Phase 3-A and
aged 69 and 74.
■ The fourth patient to go home
is an 80-year-old woman.
of a resident of Sector 68, whose
father had tested positive on
April 3. He is admitted to Gian
Sagar Hospital at Banur. He
said 26 samples of contacts of
the Covid-19 patients had been
sent for testing. A total of five
Covid patients had been
cured, he added.
The other three cases are
identified as many as 123
contacts of these six persons and
home-quarantined them at Mani
Majra, Mauli Jagran, Bapu Dham
and Daria. TNS
from Jawaharpur village,
where a panch had earlier
tested positive. Now, his father
(aged 67), wife (43) and brother
(38) have tested positive.
The DC said four more per-
sons had returned to their
homes today after their sam-
ples tested negative for the
continued on page 4
police departments handled
the incident is commendable.
Many fire vehicles reached
the site very quickly. Brave
firemen took a lot of risk and
doused the flames. For their
quick action, a major tragedy
was averted,” said Neeraj
Bajaj, president, Business
Promotion Council. Firemen try to douse the flames that engulfed two showrooms in Sector 17, Chandigarh, on
Fire officials said a major Monday; and (below) family members of a showroom owner. TRIBUNE PHOTOS: MANOJ MAHAJAN
tragedy was averted as the
flames were prevented from
spreading to the adjacent
showroom of ‘Poshak’. “Had
❝ Had the fire spread to the apparel showroom, the
problem would have been aggravated. Clothes would
the fire spread to the apparel
showroom, the problem
have acted as fuel to fire
❞
‘QUICK ACTION AVERTED MAJOR TRAGEDY’
A fire official

Residents also raised slogans

to appreciate the efforts made
by the police department by
providing food to poor and
needy people. TNS
Tricity’s 1st case among 2 discharged would have been aggravated.
Clothes could have acted as
23-yr-old returned from UK, Sec 38 youth was her brother’s contact fuel to fire. Besides, there
would have been a major loss
Naina Mishra A total of 130 persons were too,” said a fire official.
The way the Fire and the Police departments handled the incident was
commendable. Many fire vehicles reached the site quickly. Brave firemen
took risk and doused the flames. For their quick action, a major tragedy was
averted, said Neeraj Bajaj, president, Business Promotion Council.

MOBILE PHONE
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 6 ❝ Rather than fighting

SNATCHED
Chandigarh: Two motorcycle-
borne miscreants escaped
after snatching a mobile phone
from a man at Kajheri, Sector
52. According to the police, the
complainant, Pardeep Sharma
of Model Jail Complex, Sector
51, reported that the
miscreants targeted him near
the Electricity Colony in Sector
52 on Sunday. On getting
information, cops rushed to
the spot and initiated an
investigation. A case has been
registered at the Sector 36
police station. TNS
The first Covid patient of the
tricity, a 23-year-old woman
from Sector 21, was discharged
from the GMCH late this
evening. She tested negative
for the virus on the 19th day.
Along with her, a 21-year-
old youth, a resident of Sector
38, was discharged from the
hospital today. He had come
in contact with the brother of
the UK-returned woman. He
was admitted to the GMCH
on March 23.
She had returned from the
UK on March 15. A day later,
she developed symptoms
like fever and body ache. She
the virus, I was fighting
rumours. After my mom
and I got the same
room, I felt normal.
When I tested negative, I
couldn't believe and
needed to be assured
❞
twice. Sector 21 woman
was tested on March 18 at the
GMCH and found positive
for Covid.
Around 12 persons, who
had come in her direct con-
tact, were identified through
contact tracing carried out by
the UT Health Department.
traced, who were secondary
contacts of the first case. The
14-day home-quarantine
period of these contacts is
over and none of them
showed any symptoms.
The Sector 21 woman had
tested positive for virus thrice
before her reports came nega-
tive today. She showed no
symptoms for the past 10 days.
Her mother and brother, who
were also positive, were dis-
charged from the hospital
recently. Three of her close
contacts — a male cook, a
masseuse from Panchkula and
a female friend from Mohali —
are yet to overcome the disease
and are still hospitalised.
In city, 50% Covid patients are young adults
Naina Mishra
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, April 6
Of the total 18 Covid-positive
patients in Chandigarh, nine
belonged to the age group of
21-30 years, implying the
prevalence of the virus most-
ly in young adults in the city.
Over 50 per cent of the
patients from the city
belonged to the age group of
20-30 years while 27 per cent
are between 31 and 40-year-
old. Prof PVM Lakshmi, an 21-year-old youth from Sec-
epidemiologist at the Com- tor 38 and a 23-year-old from
munity Medicine and School Sector 19.
of Public Health, PGIMER, Patients above 30 years
said, “It is the youngsters
who meet maximum people,
hence the chances of trans-
were found to be infected
with the virus after coming in
contact with their family
Age group No. of patients
0-11 1
mission are higher in this members. The 48-year-old 11-20 Nil
age group.” mother of the first patient and 21–30 9
The first patient in the city, their 30-year-old cook had got 31-40 5
a 23-year-old woman from infected from her daughter. 41–50 2
Sector 21, had come in con- Another example is that of a
51–60 1
tact with her brother, who fur- 22-year-old youth from
61 & above Nil
ther came in contact with a continued on page 4

Curfew violators to be For Flying Sikh, self-discipline is the key to fitness

kept at Mohali stadium 90-year-old former sprinter Milkha Singh follows a strict routine, spends quality time with family in home confines
Tribune News Service 8/9 light point. Deepankar Sharda this can only be possible doing physical activities. Eat-

March, April 6
Dayalan said since March
23, a total of 289 FIRs were
Tribune News Service

The district administration
has converted the hockey sta-
dium in Phase IX into a tem-
porary jail to keep those vio-
lating the curfew imposed
due to the Covid-19 outbreak.
Disclosing this here today,
Deputy Commissioner Girish
Dayalan said the stadium
would be a temporary jail till
the prohibitory orders
remained in force. He said
the main reason behind the
move was to ensure that the
Covid-19 did not spread.
In Mohali subdivision,
nakas were put up near
Franco Hotel, Amrit Con-
fectionary light point,
Sohana chowk and Phase
registered in the district
while 391 persons were
arrested and 410 vehicles
impounded. He exhorted
people to stay indoors in the
larger interests of the socie-
ty. He added that the viola-
tors of curfew would be
strictly dealt with.
SSP Kuldeep Singh Cha-
hal said the temporary jail
was an open jail. He said the
curfew violators would be
kept there for the whole day
and released in the evening
to avoid any overcrowding.
Social distancing would
be ensured at the tempo-
rary jail complex, SSP Day-
alan added.
Chandigarh, April 6
The 90-year-old former
sprinter Milkha Singh has
not restricted his quarantine
period just to reading books
or performing regular
prayers. Instead, he was
quick to make a schedule for
spending this 21-day lock-
down period in the most effi-
cient way — as he always
likes — high on energy.
“Fitness is the most impor-
tant shield for one’s body.
The ongoing Covid-19 pan-
demic has destroyed many,
but it has also taught us the
importance of living a
healthy and simple life. I
urge everyone to include reg-
ular exercise in their daily
LIFE DURING
LOCKDOWN
❝ Self-discipline is the
most important part of
one’s life. I feel hurt when I
see people attacking
doctors, police personnel
and mediapersons. People
need to understand that all
these frontline warriors are
working for their
❞
welfare. Milkha Singh
schedule,” said Milkha.
He starts his day by attend-
ing a gym session with his 48-
year-old son Jeev Milkha
Veteran athlete Milkha Singh exercises at his home in Sector 8,
Chandigarh, on Monday . TRIBUNE PHOTO: PRADEEP TEWARI
Singh, a noted international
golfer, at his Sector 8 resi-
dence. The father-son duo
spends good time sweating it
out on the treadmill before
stretching, skipping and
weight training exercises.
“I always want to stay fit and
through sheer hard work. I
am doing as much I can at this
age,” said the Flying Sikh.
He said, “Earlier, I used to
play golf or jog daily. But
now with this lockdown in
place, I spend most of my
mornings exercising at
home. After gym, my family
performs jumping exercises
and mild yoga.”
If the gym session is not
enough, the veteran athlete
plays basketball with his 10-
year-old grandson Harjai
Milkha Singh — which he
believes is the toughest part
of the day. “There’s no com-
petition with him... he is the
best without any doubt,”
laughed Milkha.
“Half of the day, I am busy
ing less is also one of my
secrets to remain fit. It’s
been 30 years now that I am
following a strict diet. Eat
good and live light is the only
mantra that keeps my diges-
tive system healthy. I advise
all to also follow the same,”
said Milkha.
In the afternoon, the family
plays card games. “We usual-
ly play rummy after lunch.
Jeev and I talk about sports
and Harjai gives us a patient
hearing. It’s good to remem-
ber old days,” he said.
He also gives a piece of
advice to the parents... “This
is the perfect time to teach
your kids about the rich his-
tory of Indian sportspersons.
continued on page 4
CHANDIGARH PLUS
Bank employees fear Covid exposure
Say families worried, demand medical insurance cover on line of healthworkers
Harshabab Sidhu
Mohali, April 6
A large number of panic-
stricken people are
approaching banks for
cash instead of opting for
digital payment, trigger-
ing fear of Covid-19 expo-
sure among the bank staff.
C VID-19
PANDEMIC
Bank officials said they
were highly prone to the
virus as they were not
aware about the health of
customers visiting the
banks. Also, the currency
notes and documents they
dealt with were easy carrier
of communicable disease.
An employee of
IndusInd Bank, Mohali,
said due to the present sit-
uation, their health was in
danger as they had no idea
from where the customers
were arriving in the bank.
An employee of HDFC
Bank, Saneta village
branch, said their families
were worried as they
spend maximum hours in
banks these days. “All my
family members are
home-quarantined. I am
the only member who is
going out for work every
day,” he said and demand-
ed that the government
should provide medical
insurance cover to bank
employees like it had done
for the health workers.
100-bed facility earmarked at Sec 48 Civil Hospital 3-D printing technology may help
Tribune News Service
PSYCHIATRY PATIENTS SHIFTED
Chandigarh, April 6
A 100-bed facility at the Civil
Hospital, Sector 48, has been
earmarked for isolation and
treatment of people affected
by Covid-19 if all 250 beds at
the dedicated Covid facility at
the PGI are occupied, said UT
Health Secretary Arun Gupta.
The psychiatry patients at
the hospital have been shift-
ed to the Mental Health Insti-
tute of Chandigarh and sur-
gery patients to the
Government Medical College
Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32.
The 250-bed facility at the
Nehru Hospital Extension
(NHE) block of the PGI
became fully functional on
Friday. As many as 12 positive
patients are already undergo-
ing treatment at the block.
500 N95 masks donated to PGI Online classes send parents in a tizzy
Members of the Property Consultants Association donate N95 masks to the PGI Director, Dr Jagat
Ram, in Chandigarh on Monday. TRIBUNE PHOTO
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, April 6
Members of the Property
Consultants Association,
Chandigarh, today donated
500 N95 masks to the
PGIMER, Chandigarh.
Kamaljit Singh Panchhi,
Chairman of the association,
said as per instruction of the
Adviser to the UT Adminis-
trator, they had decided to
provide medical support to
the Administration, instead
of providing food to the
needy people, as authorities
are taking care regarding dis-
tribution of food items.
Customers outside a bank branch at Phase 7, Mohali, on Monday. TRIBUNE PHOTO: VICKY
❝ We are highly prone to the virus as we aren’t aware about the health of customers
visiting the banks. Also, the currency notes and documents we deal with are easy carrier
of communicable disease.
❞ Bank officials
Some bank employees
said they were wearing
masks, gloves and were
also using sanitiser, but
still these were not enough
to make them 100 per cent
safe. They said, “Money
changes hands very fre-
quently and can transmit
the virus very easily.”
A Yes Bank employee
said, “Every day, a number
overcome shortage of ventilators
■ The psychiatry patients at the the Civil Hospital, Sector 48 have been
shifted to the Mental Health Institute of Chandigarh and surgery
patients to the Government Medical College Hospital, Sector 32.
The quarantine facility for
the PGI healthcare workers
has also been arranged. They
will be accommodated in var-
ious private wards/guest
houses of the institute and
facilities provided by the UT
Administration.
Patient undergoes
hemodialysis at PGI
One of the Covid-positive
patients, who is on ventilator,
was admitted to the ICU of
the Nehru Hospital Exten-
sion block yesterday after he
suffered renal shutdown. He
then underwent hemodialy-
Kamal Gupta, president of
the association, said that
they would also donate sur-
gical masks to the PGI. He
also said that the associa-
tion was trying to arrange
more N95 masks for distri-
bution to GMCH-32,
GMSH-16 and hospitals in
Mohali and Panchkula.
Prof Jagat Ram, Director,
PGIMER, appreciated the
contribution of members of
the association, including
Kamaljit Singh Panchhi,
Kamal Gupta, JK Bedi, Man-
preet Singh and Jatinder
Singh, and suggested that
other associations of Chandi-
of customers, especially
senior citizens, visit our
branch. They give us
excuses that they visit
bank as they have no work
to do at home.”
A senior employee of
rural SBI branch in the
district said the chances
of Covid spreading were
higher in rural branches
due to their congested
sis and his condition is stated
to be stable.
Covid is a disease caused by
a novel corona virus (SARS
CoV-2), is currently a pan-
demic, which produces high
morbidity in the elderly and
in patients with associated
comorbidities. Chronic kid-
ney disease stage-5 (CKD-5)
patients on dialysis [mainte-
nance hemodialysis (MHD)
or continuous ambulatory
peritoneal dialysis (CAPD)]
are also vulnerable group
because of their existing
comorbidities. These patients
are, therefore, not only more
garh should also come for-
ward during this crises period.
Agro firm donates PPE
kits worth ~18 lakh
Frontier Agrotech Private
Limited, a local agrochemical
distribution company, donat-
ed personal protective equip-
ment (PPE) kits worth Rs 18
lakh to the PGIMER, Chandi-
garh, to mitigate the impact
of Covid-19 outbreak.
Shailendra Verma, manag-
ing director of the company,
said it’s our moral duty that
we all come together and sup-
port the community in this
time of national crisis.
size and more customers.
He said villagers visited
bank even for small work
and they hardly main-
tained social distancing.
“Business correspondents
are at high risk as they
have to visit villages dur-
ing duty,” he added.
Meanwhile, Mohali
Deputy Commissioner
Girish Dayalan said it was
prone to acquire infection,
but also develop severe dis-
eases as compared with gen-
eral population.
There will be three situa-
tions of patients who require
dialysis; patients already on
maintenance dialysis,
patients requiring dialysis
due to acute kidney injury
(AKI) and patients critically-
ill requiring continuous renal
replacement therapy
(CRRT).
Docs donate one-day salary
Keeping in view the COVID-
19 pandemic, the PGI has
decided to contribute one-
day salary (~2.15 crore) of all
categories of PGI employees
towards the Prime Minister’s
Citizen Assistance and Relief
in Emergency Situations
Fund (PM CARES).
Naina Mishra
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, April 6
City parents have flagged
concerns over online classes
being started by private
schools for Montessori.
A parent wrote a letter to the
Director, School Education, UT,
stating, “The entire world is
fighting Covid-19 and survival
of human beings is at stake.
The school authorities want to
further overburden us by their
impractical experiment of
online classes without framing
of any policy or guidelines.”
“Teachers have started intim-
idating students that if they
Sanitisation drive conducted at Sec 26 mandi
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, April 6
To prevent and control the
spread of the Covid-19 at
the Sector 26 vegetable
market, the Municipal
Corporation (MC), Chandi-
garh, today sanitised the
whole market using 10
mechanical sprayers.
The sanitisation drive was
‘CUSTOMER CAN BE
A COVID PATIENT’
■ According to an employee of a
Chandigarh-based bank during
the lockdown period, we witness
a few customers in the branch.
Many customers visit the
branch just for cash withdrawal.
The banks have become their
coffee houses during the period
of curfew. The bank employees
will continue to serve the
customers to the best of their
abilities. Its not that we are not
vulnerable to the disease, but
we seem to be way apart from
getting infected.
■ Many times we don’t have any
details of the person walking in
the branch. Our duty is such
that we can neither investigate
nor restrain from providing
services to customers, who
might be infected with the
Covid-19. The bank staff are
really worried.
up to the Reserve Bank of
India to issue instructions
to them. “We have already
asked the residents to vis-
it bank on foot only if
there is something
urgent,” the Deputy Com-
missioner said.
He said residents should
follow social distancing
guidelines and avoid
crowding, failing which
there should be a penal
action. Branch managers
can report any violation to
the local police station.
Mohali SDM Jagdeep
Saigal said, “Bank man-
agers have been sensi-
tised to take necessary
precautions.”
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, April 6
At the University Centre for
Research and Development
(UCRD) of Chandigarh Uni-
versity (CU), Prof Ranvijay
Kumar and students of the
Mechatronics Department
have designed a two-way,
three-way and four-way ven-
tilator splitters which can
help in quadrupling the ven-
tilator capacity of hospitals in
the quickest possible time.
The device has been
designed using 3D printing
technology and will help in
fighting ventilator shortage
in the country.
According to a WHO
report, India has only 48,000
❝ On April 3, it was announced that the UT Education
Department has chalked out a plan to start online classes
for government school students. The draft plan will be
submitted to the higher authorities.
Rubinderjit Brar, DIRECTOR, SCHOOL EDUCATION
miss online classes, the syllabus
covered will not be repeated
and their absence will be taken
seriously,” the letter read.
Concerns have been raised
over the reserved slot of
online classes for children
between 9 am and 12 pm, as
they feel the ‘screen time’ is
too much for children.
School teachers have start-
carried out under the direct
supervision of KK Yadav,
Commissioner, MC.
Vegetables, fruits and gro-
cery items are being sup-
plied to the citizens on a dai-
ly basis from the market, he
said. A total of 62 CTU buses
and 20 vehicles of the MC
have been roped in for this
purpose, he added.
To curb the spread of the
Sanitation workers collect ration packets at the community centre, Phase 1, Mohali, on Monday. VICKY
Cops distribute ration
amongsanitationworkers
Tribune News Service
Mohali, April 6
The Mohali police today dis-
tributed food to over 150 san-
itation workers, including
women, in cooperation with a
team of volunteers of
Quarkcity, Industrial Area
Phase 8-B here.
The police had conducted
surveys of different areas of
the city and prepared lists
after coordinating with the
contractors.
ventilators and as cases tick
up, their availability is the
biggest concern.
“We have used polylactic
acid also known as polylactide
(PLA) to manufacture the two-
way, three-way and four-way
ventilator splitters which is
one of the biodegradable and
biocompatible thermoplastics
derived from renewable
sources such as corn starch,
tapioca roots and sugarcane”
said Prof Ranvijay.
The university had consti-
tuted a core research group
on the call made by Depart-
ment of Science and Technol-
ogy (DST), which invited pro-
posals from companies,
universities and research
institutions to derive techno-
❞
ed forming class-wise What-
sApp groups and have been
sending chapter-wise PDFs
to parents of junior classes.
Shipra, a parent, said, “It’s
quite tricky to teach junior
class children as basic things
have to be taught with tech-
nique. Sometimes we as par-
ents become hyper and lose
patience while teaching. This
virus, it has been decided to
close the market every Mon-
day to sanitise it, Yadav said.
The market was properly dis-
infected using sprayers,
besides routine manual
sweeping, he said.
A fleet of 10 different vehi-
cles with mechanical sprayer
facility fitted on them have
put into service to sanitise
the market, including water
CHANDIGARH TRIBUNE
CHANDIGARH | TUESDAY | 7 APRIL 2020
Inspector Manphul Singh,
Sub-Inspector Baljinder
Singh Mand and ASP (City 1)
Ashwini Gotiyal were present
along with CEO (Chief Exec-
utive Officer) of Quarkcity,
Rajesh Kumar Sharma.
Inspector Manphul said
workers were called by the
police near Community Cen-
tre, Phase 1, here. He said
Quarkcity team has pur-
chased several dry ration
packets for the workers.
“Flour, sugar, salt, tea,
logically driven innovative
solutions such as low-cost
masks, cost-effective scan-
ning devices, technologies for
sanitisation of large areas as
well as for contactless entry,
rapid diagnostic kits and oxy-
genators, and ventilators.
“We have submitted our
designs to DST for further test-
ing and the university is ready
to start mass production of
splitters once we get a nod
from medical nodal agen-
cies,’’ Prof Kumar said. Sat-
nam Singh Sandhu, Chancel-
lor, CU, said, “We have
allocated a budget of Rs 5 crore
for the UCRD which will exclu-
sively work on to find solutions
to address the problem caused
by the Covid-19 pandemic”.
is getting more miserable
than any healp to us.”
Preeti, another parent, said,
“This is giving us too much
stress. I wonder what’s the
need to start online classes for
younger ones. It is so difficult
to teach them at home with-
out proper methodology.”
“On April 3, it was
announced that the UT Edu-
cation Department has
chalked out a plan to start
online classes for govern-
ment school students. The
draft plan will be submitted
to the higher authorities, said
Director, School Education,
Rubinderjit Brar.
cannon mechanical sprayer
from the Chandigarh police,
two tractors fitted with
mechanical sprayers donat-
ed by farmers from Punjab
and Fire Fighting Vehicles
of the MC.
He said in the early morn-
ing the routine sweeping
was done through mechani-
cal sweepers and manually
by the sanitation staff of the
02
turmeric and mustard oil
were distributed today. We
laid special emphasis on
social distancing during the
distribution of food,” said
Inspector Manphul Singh.
“Today workers from Phas-
es I to VI were called as per
the list. Tomorrow we will be
distributing the food packets
to the sanitation workers of
Phases 7 to 11. These workers
are among the front line war-
riors in the current situation,”
said Baljinder Singh Mand.
INBRIEF
STUDENT BAGS
SCHOLARSHIP
Panchkula:
Ishmita
Jindal (pic),
a student of
Class X of
Saupin’s
School,
Panchkula, won a scholarship
worth Rs 2,00,000/- in a ‘Live
Olympiad – VOLT-20’ organised
by Vedantu. She scored 51
points and was ranked 225
with a percentile of 78.2.
Principal Jayeta Auddy
congratulated Ishmita for her
splendid achievement. TNS
RWA CONTRIBUTES
~2L IN COVID FIGHT
Chandigarh: Members of the
Resident Welfare Association
(RWA), Modern Housing
Complex, Sector 13, have
contributed Rs 2 lakh to fight
the rapidly-spreading Covid-19
pandemic. “This has been
done in response to your
appeal for contributions to the
Red Cross, headed by UT
Administrator VP Singh
Badnore for fighting the
pandemic. We are ready to
assist the UT Administartion in
any manner it thinks fit,”
Colonel Gursewak Singh (retd),
president, RWA, wrote to the
Adviser. TNS
PU ENTRANCE
TESTS PUT OFF
Chandigarh: The common
entrance test (PU-CET) for
postgraduate courses offered
by Panjab University (PU) and
the migration engineering test
(PUMEET) have been
postponed, keeping in view the
Covid-19 lockdown across the
country. TNS
MC and after that every
nook and corner has been
cleaned with Fire Fighting
vehicles besides spraying
chlorine spray with the
mechanical sprayers.
In addition to that the buses
and vehicles deployed to sup-
ply vegetables and fruits to
the citizens on daily basis
have been cleaned with the
water and chlorine spray.
 03 CHANDIGARH TRIBUNE
CHANDIGARH | TUESDAY | 7 APRIL 2020
Ban on chewing gum, pan
masala for 3 months in UT
DGP told to take more action on fake news on social media
C VID-19
PANDEMIC
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, April 6
The UT Administration has
imposed a ban on the sale of
chewing gum, bubble gum,
pan masala and other allied
products in the city to pre-
vent the spread of Covid-19
through spitting.
Arun Kumar Gupta, Princi-
pal Secretary, Health, said
the ban had been imposed for
a period of three months and
officials had been directed to
implement it strictly. Several
other states had already
banned the sale of chewing
gum, bubble gum and other
pan masala.
During the daily review
meeting, which was presided
over by UT Administrator VP
Singh Badnore, Adviser
Manoj Parida stated that an
amount of Rs 5 crore had
been received from the Cen-
tral Government towards
Disaster Response Funds.
He also stated that the
Union Government had allo-
cated 1,376 MTs of wheat per
month for distribution
among the beneficiaries.
Deputy Commissioner
Mandip Singh Brar informed
that 55,630 cooked food pack-
ets were distributed among
the destitute in various parts
Karm hi pooja hai, says traffic cop Sarwan
Feels there has to be someone at the forefront to ensure the safety of residents
FRONTLINE
WARRIORS
Amit Sharma
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, April 6
At a time when everyone
is staying indoors to
ensure their safety, there
are people from various
professions who are risk-
ing their lives to ensure
everyone stays safe.
Police force is among
those who are spending
long hours out on roads to
enforce the curfew orders
in the city.
Sub-Inspector (SI) Sar-
wan Kumar (56), who is
posted in the traffic wing,
says “karm hi pooja hai”.
Nature’s bounty
A mirage on a road in Chandigarh on Monday. TRIBUNE PHOTO: PRADEEP TEWARI
Waive min charges on electricity: Bansal
Chandigarh, April 6
Former Union Minister Pawan
Kumar Bansal has demanded
that since every person has
been adversely affected due to
the lockdown, the govern-
ment should immediately
come out with an effective
financial assistance package
for all sections of society.
He said extra time given for
repayment of bank loans was
not an adequate relief. He
demanded that interest on
UT Administrator VP Singh Badnore presides over a daily review meeting with senior officers of the
Administration in the war room at the UT Secretariat in Chandigarh on Monday.
DAILY REVIEW MEETING
■ During the daily review meeting, which was presided over by UT
Administrator VP Singh Badnore, Adviser Manoj Parida stated that
an amount of Rs 5 crore had been received from the Central
Government towards Disaster Response Funds.
■ Manoj Parida also stated that the Union Government had allocated
1,376 MTs of wheat per month for distribution among the beneficiaries.
of the city yesterday.
Finance Secretary AK Sin-
ha stated that necessary
arrangements for payment of
wages to labour and salary to
government employees had
been made. Mobile ATM
vans were serving people in
various sectors.
Director General of Police
Sanjay Beniwal stated that a
“There has to be someone
at the forefront to ensure
the safety of residents and
to enforce the curfew orders
in the city,” Sarwan said.
Sarwan leaves home by
8.30 am and spends his
entire day at nakas to
loans should be waived for
three months and no account
should be declared a non-per-
forming asset (NPA).
Bansal said, “With no
income during this period and
weak business sentiment that
would prevail for some time
after the lockdown is lifted,
owners of all industrial and
commercial enterprises will
continue to pay salaries to
their staff. To mitigate their
own hardships, it is imperative
larger number of vehicles had
been seized that were violat-
ing the curfew guidelines.
The Administrator directed
him to take more action on
fake news on social media.
The Administrator
expressed happiness
regarding the arrangements
being made and requested
the officials to be on alert.
check the vehicles plying
on the road in violation of
the curfew orders.
For him, lunch is also at
the naka only.
“I bring my lunch from
home and eat it on the
roadside, which is fine
that all recoveries should be
postponed by three months.”
He said such a package
should include waiver of min-
imum charges on electricity
and house tax for a period of
two months. Bansal empha-
sised that daily-wage earners
and self-employed daily earn-
ers had been hit the hardest.
They needed to be compen-
sated with a one-time assis-
tance equivalent to one
month’s wages. — TNS
CHANDIGARH
❝ Necessary
arrangements for payment
of wages to labour and salary
to government employees
have been made.
❞
AK Sinha, FINANCE SECRETARY
He thanked the doctors for
continuous recovery of
affected patients.
The Administrator also
interacted with the Deputy
Commissioners of Mohali
and Panchkula, Director,
PGI, Director, Health Ser-
vices, and Director Princi-
pal, GMCH-32, through
videoconferencing.
❝ I always leave my
belongings, including
challan book, in my car. I
maintain distance from my
family and sleep separately
to keep them safe.
❞
Sarwan Kumar, SUB-INSPECTOR
<< Sub-Inspector Sarwan
Kumar issues a challan to a
curfew violator at a checkpost
in Chandigarh. PRADEEP TEWARI
with me as duty comes
first,” Sarwan said.
He said checking vehicles
and taking impounded
vehicles to the impound
yard involves risk of getting
infected of Covid-19. How-
ever, they are provided with
Ex-employee makes
ransom call, booked
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, April 6
A former employee of a bou-
tique has been booked by the
UT police for threatening to
kidnap the boutique owner’s
minor son and demanding a
ransom of Rs 20 lakh.
According to the police, the
complainant, Anmol, a resi-
dent of Sector 34, reported that
a threatening call was received
on WhatsApp number on April
3. An unknown person had
threatened to kidnap his four-
year-old son and demanded a
ransom of Rs 20 lakh.
Sources said the com-
plainant’s wife, who owns
the boutique, had also
received a threatening call on
WhatsApp on February 23.
The police said during pre-
liminary investigations, the
suspect had been identified
as Nafees Ahmed, who earli-
er worked at the boutique on
a trial basis.
The police investigated and
found that the mobile number
was obtained at an address of
Sector 56, Chandigarh. How-
7,565 LPG
cylinders
delivered
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, April 6
The Administration has tak-
en several steps to ensure
smooth supply of LPG cylin-
ders to residents or house-
holds in the present situation.
A total of 7,565 LPG cylin-
ders were delivered by gas
agencies, wherein 4,870 were
supplied by IOCL, 1,650 by
HPCL and 1,045 by BPCL.
The Administration assures
all residents that the supply
of LPG cylinders in the city
will be maintained and there
is no need to panic.
However, it is clarified that
no individual is allowed to
PLACE ORDER
TELEPHONICALLY
Residents can only place order
telephonically for delivery of
LPG cylinder on their doorstep.
In case anyone is found
violating the provision, then
strict legal action will be taken
against both individual and the
shop owner as per the law.
visit any gas agency for buy-
ing/refilling LPG cylinder.
Residents can only place
order telephonically for
delivery of LPG cylinder on
their doorstep. In case any-
one is found violating the
provision, then strict legal
action will be taken against
both individual and the shop
owner as per the law.
masks, gloves and sanitis-
ers by the Police Depart-
ment to ensure their safety.
“I sanitise my hands after
driving impounded vehi-
cles,” he said.
Sarwan has three children
and a wife. So he takes all pre-
cautions on returning home.
“Their safety is also my
responsibility. I always
leave my belongings,
including challan book, in
my car,” he said.
On reaching home, he
washes his uniform and
takes bath. “I maintain dis-
tance from my family and
sleep separately to keep
them safe,” Sarwan said.
Sarwan says no matter
how serious the situation
turns out to be, his duty will
always be his priority.
THREATENS TO
KIDNAP CHILD
According to the police, the
complainant, Anmol, a resident
of Sector 34, reported that a
threatening call was received
on WhatsApp number on April
3. An unknown person had
threatened to kidnap his four-
year-old son and demanded a
ransom of Rs 20 lakh.
ever, it was found that the own-
er of the house has gone to
Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh.
The police checked the tow-
er location of the suspect who
made the call, which was also
found to be of Bijnor.
“As per the verification, the
tower location of the mobile
phone used and the sus-
pect’s location have been
found to be same,” said a
police official.
A case under Section 384
(punishment for extortion) of
the Indian Penal Code (IPC)
has been registered against
the suspect at the Sector 34
police station. An investiga-
tion has been initiated.
Promote social distancing among
workers & residents: DC to parties
Briefs representatives about decisions taken by Admn
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, April 6
Deputy Commissioner (DC)
Mandip Singh Brar today
presided over a meeting with
representatives of all major
political parties here.
The DC informed all present
about various decisions taken
by the Administration in the
present situation.
Further, he informed that
contact tracing of the primary
and secondary contacts was
being done aggressively.
“More than 1,000 people
have been home-quaran-
tined in the city. A 24x7
working feedback number
(112) for residents for any
kind of grievance is working
effectively. All grievances
are being addressed timely
by the nodal officers con-
cerned,” he said.
He also informed that e-
pass system was also func-
tioning to facilitate the
process of issue of passes for
individuals or organisations
UT Administration to implement
containment policy, if required
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, April 6
The UT Administration will
implement the containment
policy prepared by the Gov-
ernment of India (GOI) for
high load district if any par-
ticular area in the city wit-
nesses unusual increase in
Covid-19 positive cases.
“Necessary steps will be
taken for the implementation
of the policy as and when
such restrictions become nec-
essary,” said Manoj Parida,
UT Adviser.
As per the policy, in case of
a localised increase in coro-
navirus cases within a
defined area like colony or a
sector, the Administration
ATM ROUTE PLAN FOR TODAY
ATM van, Andhra Bank
Location to start: Andhra
Bank, Sector 17-B, Chandigarh
Coordinator: Satvinder
Gurnam
Contact No. 8146903533
Proposed route: Makhan
Majra village (10.30 am -1.30
pm) and Faidan village (2 pm
to 4.30 pm)
Time to start: 10.30 AM
ATM van, Canara Bank
Location to start: Canara
involved in the supply chain
of essentials items.
With respect to food distribu-
tion, he stated that Tejdeep Sai-
ni had been appointed as the
nodal officer for food distribu-
tion to the needy in the city.
Various individuals or social
organisations had come for-
ward and helping the Adminis-
tration in preparation of food.
However, the distribution of
food among the needy was
being ensured in various areas
through respective SDMs only.
Saurabh Arora had been
deputed for coordination with
all NGOs and voluntary organ-
isations who want to help.
He stated that a sum of Rs
3,000 had been credited into
the accounts of beneficiar-
ies of construction regis-
tered labour.
“Instructions have already
been given to all employers,
be it in the industry or in
shops and commercial estab-
lishments that they should
make payment of wages to
their workers, at their work
will create a containment
zone, which will be sur-
rounded by a buffer zone.
Surveillance in contain-
ment zone, including con-
tact listing, tracking and fol-
low ups, will be carried out.
The surveillance pro-
gramme will gauge if there
is any possibility of an
increase in the spread of the
disease based on the esti-
mates of primary and sec-
ondary contacts.
No unchecked outward
movement of people will be
permitted from the contain-
ment zone except for main-
taining essential services
(including medical emer-
gencies) and government
business continuity.
Bank, Plot No. 1, Sector 34-A,
Chandigarh
Coordinator: Ripin Sukhija
Contact No. 9466779525
Proposed route: Dhanas
places, on the due date, with-
out any deduction, for the
period their establishments
are under closure during the
lockdown,” he said.
“Moreover, wherever work-
ers, including the migrants,
are living in rented accommo-
dations, landlords of those
properties should not demand
rent for a period of one month.
In case any landlord is forcing
labourers and students to
vacate their premises, they
will be liable for strict action as
per law,” the DC warned.
The DC appealed to all
political party representa-
tives to promote the message
of “social distancing” among
all political workers and also
all residents of the city.
All political parties gave
feedback regarding different
initiatives taken by the
Administration. They all
spoke in one voice that Covid-
19 was a threat to entire
humanity and they would be
fighting it together along with
the Administration.
All roads connecting the con-
tainment zone will be guarded
by the police. For people and
vehicles requiring regular
movement, a pass/identity
card will be issued.
Meanwhile, VP Singh Bad-
nore, UT Administrator,
advised Parida to take up
with the GOI a proposal for
compensating doctors,
policemen and other staff
concerned, who are working
as frontline soldiers in fight
against corona.
AK Sinha, Finance Secre-
tary, Labour Department,
contacted industrialists and
factory owners for payment
of wages to labourers. Around
10,000 labourers have already
received their salaries.
village, Small Flats and Milk
Colony (10.30 pm – 4.30 pm)
Time to start: 10.30 am
ATM van, SBI
Location to start: LHO, SBI,
17-B, Chandigarh
Coordinator: Deepak Chechi
Contact No. 9478535876
Proposed route: Sector 28
colonies (10.30 am–1.30 pm),
Sector 29 colonies (1.30 pm –
4.30 pm) Chandigarh
Time to start: 10.30 am
CHANDIGARH PLUS
P’kula villagers bar entry of outsiders
Youngsters guard entry points in shifts to ensure no outsider enters village
Amit Bathla
Tribune News Service
Panchkula, April 6
Standing vigilant at the entry
of his Chowki village, Jeewan
Singh (26) won’t let any out-
sider sneak in, except for
emergency reasons, to
ensure Covid doesn’t infect
the villagers.
There are several others
like him who have volun-
teered to guard the village
instead of sitting idle at
home. Most of them work in
the private sector.
The village, which is located
near the Deputy Commis-
sioner’s office in Sector 1, has
closed its doors for outsiders
since the past one week.
“We have been guarding the
village to ensure the Covid-19
pandemic doesn’t affect the
residents. We work in four
shifts – 6 am to 11 am, 11 am
to 2 am, 2 pm to 5 pm and 5
pm to 9 pm and there are five
volunteers in each shift. Vil-
lagers can only step out of the
village between 8 am and 11
am to purchase essential
items. We try to make people
understand how deadly the
virus is and ask them to stay
indoors,” Jeewan said.
Their work is not just con-
fined to standing vigilant.
Four fresh cases in Mohali, count 19
from page 1
virus. One is a male resident
of Sector 69 while the other
two are sisters belonging to
Phase 3A, aged 69 and 74.
The fourth patient to go
home is an 80-year-old
woman.
Dayalan said a total of 1,458
persons were placed under
home quarantine. Of these,
For Flying Sikh...
from page 1
Children should watch some
inspirational movies to know
the importance and struggle
of a sportsperson. Good
things start in a nick of time
and for many parents this is
the right moment.”
He spends most of his
evenings beholding paint-
ings made by his daughter-
in-law Kudrat, taking knit-
ting lessons from his wife
Nirmal Milkha Singh and
talking to his friends over
the phone.
INBRIEF
55 PEOPLE VIOLATE
LOCKDOWN,BOOKED
Panchkula: The police have
booked 55 people for violating
lockdown order under Sections
188, 269, 34 of the Indian
Penal Code and relevant
sections of the Epidemic Act
today. On Sunday, 10 cases
were registered against
violaters and subsequently 30
people were arrested. Around
107 vehicles have been seized
and 1,173 persons challaned
till date. Over Rs 43 lakh has
been collected as penalty from
the violators. TNS
HOSPITAL STAFF
HOME-QUARANTINED
Kharar: Five staff members,
including doctors working at a
private hospital in Kurali have
been home-quarantined by the
administration today. The
hospital staff had come in
contact of a resident of
Chatamli village near Morinda,
who tested Covid-19 positive.
Kharar Civil Hospital SMO Dr
Tarsem Singh said samples of
five staff members have been
taken and sent for testing.
According to information,
Covid-19 positive patient had
visited the hospital before
being admitted at a hospital in
Chandigarh.TNS
Residents of Chowki village at a naka at the entry point to Panchkula on Monday. TRIBUNE PHOTO
PANCHKULA COVID-19 REPORT
■ Total samples collected so
far: 166
■ Results awaited: 48
■ Samples taken on Monday: Nil
■ Positive till date: 2
1,157 had completed the
quarantine period, he added.
He said the containment
protocol was being strictly
followed and the district
administration was ensuring
that sanitisation was done at
regular intervals.
Civil Surgeon Manjit Singh
said the three Covid-19 posi-
tive cases from Dera Bassi
His wife and former Indian
volleyball team captain Nir-
mal also takes inspiration
from Milkha when it comes
to fitness. “We have tried to
change our schedule and so
far, it’s good to remain safe at
home. Not only they (Milkha
and Jeev), but I also exercise
regularly. I perform yoga and
my routine includes knit-
ting, talking to friends and
reading books,” said the 85-
year-old, who remained the
UT Director, Sports, from
1984 to 1993.
Corona-screening corners Power engineers get a pat
to be set up at hospitals
Patiala, April 6
Amidst Covid-19 pandemic,
to restart general OPDs, all
hospitals, including private,
will have corona-screening
corners at their entrance.
All patients entering any
hospital will first be screened
at said corners as a precau-
tionary step to safeguard
doctors and paramedical
staff. The staff at these cor-
ners would be equipped with
personal protective equip-
ment (PPE) kit.
“Screening corners are
being set up to protect med-
ical staff dealing with Covid
patients,” said the adminis-
tration.
“By setting up these cor-
ners at the hospital entrance,
the authorities will be able to
identify suspected Covid-19
‘Seal entry, exit points of villages’
Our Correspondent
Fatehgarh Sahib, April 6
In order to combat Covid-19
outbreak, Fatehgarh Sahib
Deputy Commissioner Amrit
Kaur Gill has ordered to seal
■ Those at isolation ward at Civil
Hospital, Sector 6: 66
■ Quarantined at Mouli: 46
■ Quarantined at Gujjar Bhawan:
27
■ Under home quarantine: 281
had been admitted to the
Banur hospital. The condi-
tion of the trio was stable. “We
are taking samples from their
areas. Their contacts are
being traced. The work is on
to identify others as per the
lists being provided to us,” he
said.
Of the 24 samples collected
so far from the close contacts
In city, 50% Covid
patients are young...
C VID-19
PANDEMIC
from page 1
Sector 30, who had returned
from Dubai on March 11. He
had come in contact with
his two 23-year-old friends,
who also tested positive for
the virus.
patients at the gate itself,”
said the Health Department.
Thereby, vulnerability of
doctors, paramedical staff
and patients could be
reduced to a great deal, the
department added.
Patients with influenza-like
symptoms and severe respi-
ratory illness, identified at
these corners, would directly
go for Covid-19 testing, the
department said.
At these corners, each
patient entering the hospital
complex would first wash
his/her hands with soap, the
department added.
The Patiala Civil Surgeon,
Harish Malhotra, insisted
that any hospital without
functional flu corners would
not be allowed to run OPDs.
Patients with cough and
all the entry and exit points of
villages in the district.
The Deputy Commissioner
has exercised her powers
under Section 3(1) of the Pun-
jab Village and Small Town
Patrol Act 1918. These orders
These youths also ensure
nobody in the village has
shortage of food or ration dur-
ing the lockdown.
“Recently, we had con-
tributed around Rs 25,000
and distributed dry ration
among the needy in the vil-
lage,” he said.
of the patient, three were
found positive for Covid-19
while 13 tested negative. The
reports of eight were awaited.
He stated that after the cas-
es were confirmed, the local
administration cordoned off
the village and containment
plan was being set in place.
His 40-year-old mother
had also tested positive
after coming in contact
with him.
The youngest patient in
the city is a nine-month-
old child of an NRI couple
and the oldest patient is
the grandmother of the
baby. Both are currently
undergoing treatment at
the PGIMER.
fever would not be allowed to
mix up with general patients
to avoid the spread of disease
at the hospital, he added.
Pharmacy at Civil Hospitals
and CHCs would be converted
into flu corners as they would
be isolated from the main hos-
pital complex, he said.
“Hospitals can be a hotspot
of virus infection because
asymptomatic patients of
Covid-19 can infect other
patients. Therefore, precau-
tions are being taken at hos-
pitals,” he added.
In an advisory to doctors,
District Health department
stated, “Doctors at screening
centers should preferably sit
inside cabin and converse
with patients through a win-
dow in order to take relevant
history from them.” — TNS
will remain in force till May 2.
She said panchyats will set
up ‘Threekri Pehras’ with
help of youths. She has
exempted senior citizens and
physically challenged per-
sons from duty.
Going high-tech for
better coordination
All their communication and
coordination is done through
a WhatsApp group, ‘Bhagat
Singh Group’, which has
around 73 members.
“We have made this group to
reach out to people who are in
dire need of help. The group
members have been asked to
identity such people around
their homes and subsequent-
ly share inputs in the group,”
Jeewan, who is also the group
admin, said.
Residents of Chowki village
are, however, fearful of nearby
slum-dwellers. These ‘jhug-
gis’ are located on the out-
skirts of the village and have
around 250 migrant labourers
from Jodhpur in Rajasthan
living in poor sanitation con-
ditions. “We have to remain
extra vigilant due to the prox-
imity of slum colonies to our
village,” he said.
Devise long-term strategy
“Things don’t seem to be
improving very soon. We
have to devise a long-term
strategy. Those who have
stored ration will also run out
of items,” Jeewan said when
asked about how long they
would remain on duty.
No fear of contagion in cremation of
corona-infected body, say experts
Karam Prakash
Tribune News Service
Patiala, April 6
Amid the growing fear of
infection during the cre-
mation of Covid-19 infect-
ed cases, forensic experts
said there was no chance of
contagion if the protocol
was followed.
Experts said there was a
misconception that virus
would remain on the
ground or in the air follow-
ing cremation of the
Covid-19 patient.
Notably, last week, resi-
dents of Verka village in
Amritsar district had
refused the cremation of
Padma Shri recipient and
Hazoori Ragi Nirmal
Singh, who died of
Covid-19 infection.
Experts said the main
driver of Covid-19 trans-
mission was only
droplets. There was
‘DIYA JALAO’ APPEAL
Tribune News Service
Patiala, April 6
All India Power Engineers Fed-
eration (AIPEF) today congrat-
ulated power engineers for
successful handling of power
grid operations during the
nine minute lights-off event.
VK Gupta, a spokesperson
of the AIPEF, said there was
an unprecedented variation
of 31,089 MW at the national
level, which was about 27 per
Liquor shop
owner held
Mohali, April 6
A flying squad team of the
Punjab Vigilance Bureau
today arrested owner of a
liquor shop at Dhakoli for vio-
lating curfew norms. The sus-
pect has been identified as
Praveen Kumar, a resident of
Himachal Pradesh. Praveen
runs a liquor shop at
Panchkula Modern Complex,
Dhakoli. The suspect was
selling liquor to customers
illegally through a small win-
dow . A case was registered
against the suspect under
Section 188 of the IPC. — OC
Women stitch masks while practising social distancing in Patiala on Monday. RAJESH SACHAR
Industrial assn donates 60K
masks to Patiala admn
Tribune News Service
Patiala, April 6
In the wake of Covid-19 pan-
demic, the Patiala Industri-
al Association donated
60,000 two-layered hand-
made masks worth Rs 4
lakh to the district adminis-
tration today.
Patiala Deputy Commis-
sioner (DC) Kumar Amit
thanked the association for
the association’s contribu-
unlikely increased risk of
virus infection from a
dead body to health work-
ers or family members,
experts added.
“Before body is taken to
the cremation ground it is
sanitised by the health-staff
and placed in a double-lay-
ered bag,” experts said.
“After the death of the
Covid-19 patient, the
mouth, nose and wounds if
any are washed with 1 per
cent sodium hypochlorite
solution,” experts added.
“Thereafter, the body
openings and wounds are
dressed with impermeable
material to prevent leakage
of body fluids. The body
then is placed in a leak-
proof double-layered bag.
The exterior of the body bag
is decontaminated with 1
per cent hypochlorite,”
experts said.
“Viewing dead body by
cent of the total load.
Power engineers worked
overtime to see that fre-
quency and voltage was kept
within limits and the power
did not go out of control,
Gupta added.
The national-level genera-
tion before 9 pm was 11,6887
MW, which came down to
85,799 MW. In the northern
region, the load crash was
9,730 MW. The load fall in
Punjab was 464 MW from
2,995 MW to 2,531 MW during
15-minute period.
Admn to set up additional
grain markets in Mohali dist
Tribune News Service
Mohali, April 6
The Mohali administration
is taking extra measures to
safeguard farmers and
labourers from Covid-19 out-
break as harvesting of Rabi
crops will commence soon.
The administration is plan-
ning to increasing number of
grain markets to more than
double to ensure social dis-
tancing and combat spread
CHANDIGARH TRIBUNE
CHANDIGARH | TUESDAY | 7 APRIL 2020
tion in the fight against
Covid. Many social organisa-
tions and associations had
been coming forward to pro-
vide masks, the DC said.
Members of the associa-
tion and self-help groups
were preparing masks col-
lectively, the DC added.
Meanwhile, HPS Lamba,
general secretary, Patiala
Industrial Association,
said, “The association will
provide all possible help
unzipping the face end of
the body bag by the staff
using standard precau-
tions is allowed for rela-
tives for one last time,”
experts added.
“However, bathing, kiss-
ing and hugging of the dead
body should not be
allowed,” experts said.
“For the sake of precau-
tion, after cremation, the
funeral staff and family
members should wash their
hands,” experts added.
Dr DS Bhullar, senior
forensic medicine and tox-
icology expert of the Gov-
ernment Rajindra Hospital
Patiala, said, “All the
required protocol is being
followed. Therefore, there
is no chance of spread of
the virus from dead body.”
“The cremation rituals are
performed following all pre-
cautions of health experts.
Therefore, there is no
Subsequently, the ramp-up
was done smoothly as
demand and supply became
normal afterwards. Hydro
generation across the coun-
try was minimised by 20:45
hours and was again ramped
up after the nine-minute
event to meet the increase in
demand.
“Power engineers have there-
by managed the power sys-
tem of country by operating
within safe and secure limits
with no outage or contin-
gency,” said Gupta.
of Covid-19.
An official spokesman
said that farmers will be
issued special passes indi-
cating the date on which
they will be entitled to carry
their produce to grain mar-
kets. He said social distanc-
ing will be practised in
grain markets. He said
steps are being taken to pro-
vide masks, sanitisers and
soaps in grain markets.
The spokesman said an
04
to the district administra-
tion in fight against the
corona battle. The associa-
tion has already con-
tributed to the Chief Min-
ister’s relief fund.”
“In future too, we will be
providing PPE kits to
strengthen the health care
system of the state. We urge
other organisations to come
forward and help the admin-
istration in this hour of cri-
sis,” Lamba added.
chance of spread of the
virus while cremating
Covid-19 patient,” he added.
Commenting on the post-
cremation rituals, Bhullar
said, “People who attend
the cremation and rituals
thereafter have no chance
of contagion. Coronavirus
in the body gets killed after
cremation. Ashes don’t
pose any risk and can be
collected to perform the
last rites.”
Dr Ashok Chanana, Pro-
fessor, Government Med-
ical College, Amritsar, said
the government had
already laid the protocol,
which was duly followed by
the health staff.
“People should trust doc-
tors and experts and do
not believe in rumors. If
there is awareness, people
won’t fear about crema-
tion of the virus-infected
patient,” he added.
L&T provides
ration to 250
workers
Kharar, April 6
Larsen & Toubro (L&T),
which is constructing Kharar
flyover is providing its work-
ers ration, masks, hand sani-
tisers and regularly sanitis-
ing labour camp in the wake
of the Covid-19.
According to information,
250 workers are residing at
L&T labour camp near
Padiala village. The firm is
also monitoring health of
workers. — OC
elaborate security system is
being put in place to ensure
that farmers come to grain
markets on given dates only.
He said combine har-
vesters will be allowed to
operate from 6 am to 7 pm
and payment will be made to
farmers through arhtiyas
within 48 hours of procure-
ment of crop.
The government will regu-
larly spray disinfectants in
grain markets, he said.
 05 CHANDIGARH TRIBUNE
CHANDIGARH | TUESDAY | 7 APRIL 2020
If your birthday is on April 7
Number 7 and the Neptune make you intelligent. You will
reach the pinnacle of success. You may, however, face con-
flicts in partnerships. Until June, the progress in your career
will slow down because of the not-so- favourable atmosphere.
Later this year, some sort of a financial windfall is indicated.
The Year Ahead It may be an inheritance from a relative or a sudden increase
MADAN GUPTA SPATU
in the equity you bought at a low price. Friends will ask for
TELLY TALE
favours and if you do not have the time, you should be hon- very well crack under the pressure of these tests. Summer is You share your birthday with
est. The year is favourable for health. However senior citizens set to bring relationship challenges and new business part- Jeetendra (Ravi Kapoor, April 7,
may complain of minor health issues. Some of you would nerships. Decemberis not the time to rush into new decisions. 1942), who got his first big break in
receive recognition for your work. Until 2021, the areas of Positive colours: White and yellow. Geet Gaya Pattharon Ne (1964).
your life that require a ‘back to basics’ approach are associ- Select days: Monday and Sunday. Since then, he has appeared in
ated with the sector in your solar chart that rules career, pro- Favourable numbers: 2 and 7. almost 200 films. The combo of
fession, reputation, and public life. There may be tests of sorts Gems recommended: Pearl and diamond. seven and nine will keep him
in these areas of life. Things built on weak foundations may Charity on birthday: Donate red fruits. evergreen in the industry.

ONE-TO-ONE ChatterBox
‘Mad about Leo’ A quiet birthday for Pallavi
Pranati Rai Prakash, who acted in Kartik
Aaryan starrer, Love Aaj Kal 2, is the face of
MX Player’s new web series, Mannphodganj
Family value
Bollywood comes
Pallavi Joshi turned a year
older and the actress cele-
brated a quiet birthday due
to the coronavirus lockdown.
Says Pallavi, “I was com-
Ki Binny. From modelling to acting, Pranati pletely engrossed in watch-
says her dream is to work with Leonardo Di together for Sony’s ing the film when suddenly I
Caprio. short film, Family saw my son coming out of the
kitchen with something in
Was acting a natural progression from modelling? ‘Stay at home’, ‘stay safe’, ‘wash his hand. He had made a
As a child, I was a fan of Govinda, Urmila Matond- your hands’, ‘work from home’, cake for me! We could not go
kar and Karisma Kapoor. I used to watch films of ‘maintain social distancing’ are the out to buy a cake and did not
Rajesh Khanna and Hema Malini.My mom used to statements that one hears these even have the necessary
tell me that actors like Rajesh Khanna are no more, days. Giving weightage and sup- ingredients to bake one at
but his films would always be with us. And that is port towards the cause are stal- home. Despite that, he man-
one reason that attracted me towards acting. warts like Amitabh Bachchan, aged to bake a pancake on
Rajnikanth, Ranbir Kapoor, his own. Since I do not con-
What inspired you to participate in a beauty pageant? Priyanka Chopra, Alia Bhatt, Chi- sume maida/wheat
Icons like Priyanka Chopra, Lara Dutta and Sush- ranjeevi, Mohanlal, Mammootty, flour, he used choco
mita Sen. I wanted to follow in their footsteps. Sonali Kulkarni, Shiv Raj chips. He put a candle
Kumar, Prosenjit Chatterjee and on the pancake and
You worked with Imtiaz Ali recently in Love Aaj Kal 2. Tell us Diljit Dosanjh. These super- asked me to cut it. I invite could celebrate with
about your experience. stars have come together in a was overwhelmed her online. On work front,
I have a habit of writing a diary and I had written unique short film – Family, with emotions.” Pallavi will host the second
in my diary that one day I would work with Imtiaz conceptualised and virtually The veteran actress season of Bharat Ki Baat.
Ali. And that’s exactly what happened. Last year, I directed by Prasoon Pandey in considered live- Also this year she is produc-
got a call from him asking me to meet him. It was collaboration with Bachchan. It streaming the cake ing The Kashmir Files, being
a dream come true. I actually made a card for him, shows us that staying at home, cutting, so that the helmed by her husband,
which I gave him on the sets! staying safe, maintaining guests she wanted to Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri.
hygiene, working from home
What prompted you to work in Manphodganj Ki Binny? and maintaining social distanc-
When I first went for the audition, I had no idea ing can be productive and
what my role would be. But during the audition, I should be taken in one’s stride.

Ram Yashvardhan
got to know about Binny. I went with an open mind Through this film, Amitabh
for the audition and eventually I ended up loving Bachchan will also unveil an initia-
the character. tive to support the sustenance of daily
wage workers associated with the
How did you prepare for the role?
For the role of Binny, I had to learn a lot of things
about acting and dialect. I come from Army back-
entertainment industry.
The initiative undertaken by Bachchan,
We Are One, has been supported by Sony
to play Bhaironath
They say that, ‘You do not
ground, and so my upbringing is completely different Pictures Networks India, through which
from Binny’s. It was challenging for me to play her. I the monthly ration of 1,00,000 households choose a character, the
worked extra hard to make Binny Bajpei come alive across the country will be funded. character chooses you.’ And
on screen. Through a commercial tie-up, digitally
something special has
happened with Star Bharat’s
barcoded coupons will be distributed to a
Ek Thi Rani Ek Tha Raavan
Who has been your role model? verified list of workers from the All-India fame Ram Yashvardhan.
Priyanka Chopra for the way she has established Film Employees Confederation. Monetary
Sources share that the
herself—from winning a pageant to conquering the help will also be extended to those in need.
makers of the show were
world, which is commendable! looking for someone with a
strong personality to play
What is your focus now as an actor? the character of
Web series and films are my Bhaironath and when
focus now. I would like to offered the role, Ram took
work with top directors. And this as an opportunity to
working with Leonardo Di showcase his talent.
Caprio is my dream. I am mad The actor said,
about him! “Bhaironath was a great
devotee of Lord Shiva. I
AMITABH BACHCHAN have played Shiva
previously in a show, so
this character seems very

Ellen continues
America’s favourite talk connected to me. The
show host Ellen DeGeneres character is really strong
and with a lot of
is returning to TV follow-
variations. I hope I will do
ing weeks of hiatus due to

shoot from home

justice to this character and
the coronavirus outbreak. I also hope that the audience
The host is shooting from will appreciate my work.”
home, as she is practising
self-quarantine.
The Ellen DeGeneres
Show and The Wendy Ellen DeGeneres
Williams Show will return
with new content in a cou-
ple of days. The at-home
edition of Ellen’s hit talk
show will feature celebrity
interviews, including Jen-
nifer Lopez, ChrissyTeigen,
John Legend, Drew Brees,
David Spade and more via
video chat.
“Since going into quar-
antine two weeks ago, I’ve
been doing my show at
home every day. But only
for Portia. Starting Mon-

Giorgia throws Savage day, you’ll be able to watch

it, and I can’t wait,”
DeGeneres said in a state-
ing busy creating social
media content to keep her
YouTube channel’s new
series is titled Ellen’s Ram Yashvardhan

Challenge at Sunny Leone ment. She has been keep- followers entertained. Her Home Quarantine.

Live with Quarantina...

As people across the globe
are staying safe at home-
challenges are going viral.
Savage Dance Challenge
has been keeping celebri-
ties entertained. Actress
Giorgia Andriani is the lat-
est celeb to join in.
Recently, she was seen
doing Macarena Challenge
for which she nominated Eli
Abraham and Anjini
Dhawan. Now, for Savage
Dance Challenge, Giorgia
shared her version on her
Instagram page and chal-
lenged Sunny Leone, dance
GIORGIA ANDRIANI king Mudassar Khan, and
her bestie Nandini.
Richa Chadha presents a parody series
In the testing times that we
are living in, laughter is
indeed the best medicine.
That seems to be the strategy
that Richa Chadha has adopt-
ed to spread some cheer.
She’s started a new parody
series on her Instagram han-
dle, where she appears as a
news reporter called Quaran-
tina, who shares weird news
RICHA CHADHA from all over the world.
Penning down some crack-
ling sequences and perform-
ing them with finesse, Richa
is in top form as she makes
Quarantina shine because of
her dark humour. Richa
shares, “In the first week of
the lockdown, I was getting
depressed looking at the
death toll and at those people,
who are suffering because of
the lockdown. It was giving
me anxiety. So, I decided to do
something about it. While my
donations for the underprivi-
leged are on-going, I wanted
to create something that
would make people smile.
Worrying about what’s in
store can push us into a dark
space. I am not making fun of
the disease and its impact,
simply trying to highlight
that even in such conditions,
sometimes there’s bizarre
news that can make you
chuckle despite yourself.”
Wish from a distance!
It’s actor Karan Wahi’s girlfriend Uditi
Singh’s birthday on April 6, and the former
has penned a post for her. “Happpy happy
bday baby...It’s not the best time to celebrate
your bday but may you find happiness in every
thing around you....To celebrating many more
togther,” Karan wrote on Instagram.
Along with it, Karan posted a picture in
which he is seen making cute expressions
with Uditi. Karan made his relationship
public in January earlier this year.
Sharing a picture of the two of them
together, Karan had written, “Waise toh main
kaaafi sakht launda hoon par isss baar main
pighal Gaya.” — IANS
 ARJUN CONTRIBUTES FOR RELIEF
Actor Arjun
Kapoor has
come out to
support amidst
the coronavirus
crisis. He has
contributed to the
PM-CARES Fund,
Maharashtra Chief Minister’s Relief
Fund, GiveIndia, The Wishing Factory
and Bollywood’s Federation of Western
India Cine Employees (FWICE).
Shaza tests positive for COVID-19
Karim Morani, who bank-rolled movies such as
Dilwale and Chennai Express, has revealed that his
daughter Shaza Morani has tested positive for
coronavirus. The producer revealed that she has
been admitted to Nanavati Hospital in Mumbai.
The Morani brothers (Aly, Karim and Mohamed)
live with their families at Juhu. After the COVID-19
diagnosis, their houses have been kept under
lockdown. BMC officials reached Morani
household on Monday, April 6, to check the rest of
the family members for any symptoms. Karim
Morani sent out text
messages on Sunday
evening to people whom he
knows in the vicinity. The
message read, “Dear all,
Shaza, my daughter, has
tested COVID-19 positive
without any symptoms
at all, although she
has been in
isolation and not
mingled with any
foreign travellers.
Since we are all law-
abiding citizens, it is
my duty to inform the
authorities and you
all, being in the
closest proximity
to you. We are
admitting her
to isolation
ward in
Nanavati
Hospital.”
Fatherhood calling
Adorable couple Sumeet Vyas
and Ekta Kaul have shared a
cute post announcing that
they were expecting their
first child. Soon after
posting, many celeb
friends of the duo
congratulated them
through wonderful
comments. While the fans of
the couple are waiting for the
little bundle of joy, the baby is
expected to be born in the first week of June.
B-town supports #9PM9Minutes Doctors on call
On Sunday, the nation
observed Prime Minister
Narendra Modi’s ‘9 pm 9
minutes’ initiative of light-
ing diyas and Bollywood
wasn’t behind! Celebrities
showed their support as
they switched off lights in
their homes and came to
their balconies with diyas
as well as candles. It was a
symbolic gesture of the
country’s ‘collective
resolve’ to defeat the coro-
navirus pandemic. Celebs,
including Ranveer Singh
and Deepika Padukone,
Aishwarya Rai and
Abhishek Bachchan,
Anushka Sharma and AKSHAY KUMAR
Virat Kohli, Katrina Kaif,
Akshay Kumar, Kapil to coronavirus pandemic
Sharma, Kangana Ranaut, and how we will eventually
Alia Bhatt and Vicky emerge victorious. Kangana
Kaushal, among others, joined her entire family in
joined the initiative. Manali, as they lit up the
Akshay shared a photo diyas. Anushka took to
where he can be seen light- Instagram and captioned
ing up a diya, making a ref- her image as, “I light a
erence to the dark days due diya every day for many
KARTIK AARYAN VIRAT AND ANUSHKA
TRIBUNE
Healing touch on screen
On the World Health Day today, here’s a look at some movies that have truly
celebrated the role of the medical fraternity, which deserves a salute
Mona
T
HIS World Health Day
holds a special signifi-
cance for the medical fra-
ternity, as it is working
selflessly to bring comfort
and hope to people battling
the coronavirus pandemic.
The celluloid too has
brought doctors and nurs-
es alive over the years,
while creating inspiring
stories. Here are a few that
are worth the watch.
WORLD HEALTH DAY
About a goon who goes to
medical school, Rajkumar
Hirani’s mega hit Munna
Bhai M.B.B.S. won many
hearts. While protagonist
Sanjay Dutt’s medical skills
can be questioned, it’s his
magical hug (jadoo ki jhappi)
that works!
Silence speaks
The 1970’s black and white
gem Khamoshi has nurse
Radha (played by Waheeda
Rehman) taking care of her
patients in the psychiatry
ward. She eventually loses
her mental balance, as her
professional life merges
with personal.
Live life
The hit song Zindagi Kaisi
Hai Paheli from the film
Anand brings along many
memories. The film’s heroes
– the cancer patient Anand,
played by Rajesh Khanna
and the doctor, Bhaskar, by
Amitabh Bachchan — inspire
us to live life fully.
Sumeet
Vyas and
Ekta Kaul Tough journay
Dr. Kotnis Ki Amar Kahani, a
AMITABH BACHCHAN
years now. And as I light
the diya I seek guidance,
asking for the darkness in
me to be dispelled.” Kartik
Aaryan shared a picture
and wrote, “Together,
Everything is Possible.”
Big B was seen pointing a
torch to the sky. This marks
KANGANA (L) WITH FAMILY KATRINA KAIF
1946 Hindi film, which was
also made in English under
the title The Journey of Dr.
Kotnis, charts the story of an
Indian doctor who worked in
China during the Japanese
invasion during World War II.
Played by V. Shantaram, this
doctor triumphs over plague
but loses his life. About seven
decades down the line, Indi-
an doctors are found in simi-
lar circumstances working in
Corona-hit countries the
world over as of now.
Powerful message
Directed by Tapan Sinha, Ek
Doctor Ki Maut is the story of
Dr. Dipankar Roy (played by
Pankaj Kapur), who is a pio-
neer in discovering a vaccine
for leprosy. He’s denied the
recognition by the system for
the discovery. To keep striv-
ing towards the betterment of
mankind is the overall mes-
sage the film.
Medical thriller
The 2019 Malayalam medical
thriller Virus has Kunchacko
Boban as Dr. Suresh Rajan. It
is a story set during the 2018
the second initiative by
Prime Minister as
before this, the nation
had earlier appreci-
ated the efforts of
the medical stuff
by applauding
while standing in
their balconies.
RANVEER AND DEEPIKA
CHANDIGARH | TUESDAY | 7 APRIL 2020
Nipah virus outbreak in Ker-
ala. A commercial and critical
success, this film gives many
lessons that we need to
embrace in current times, as
we fight Corona pandemic.
Strong plea
Patch Adams is loosely Holly-
wood’s Munnabhai counter-
part! Played by versatile actor
Robin Williams, this one
makes a strong plea for how
due significance must be giv-
en to treating body as well as
spirit. After many struggles,
Patch Adams too passes out
of the medical school and
becomes a qualified doctor by
the end of 1998.
Mission mode
Based around a Manhattan
ambulance paramedic and his
fight to maintain sanity as he
tries to save lives, Bringing
Out the Dead (1999) is a Martin
Scorsese drama starring Nico-
las Cage. From Spiritual col-
lapse to redemption, this para-
medic is on a mission.
Heart-warming tale
India’s official entry to the
What a
talent!
Vidyut Jammwal
uses ancient
martial art to put
out his candles
Actor Vidyut Jammwal
too responded to Prime
Minister Narendra
Modi’s appeal to switch
off and light up candles
on Sunday night at 9pm,
but with a difference.
Instead of lighting and
blowing off can-
dles the tra-
ditional
way,
Vidyut
exer-
cised
the
ancient
Indian
martial art of
Kalaripayattu to
get the job done.
In a couple of videos
he posted on social
media, Vidyut can be
seen lighting the can-
dles and then putting
them out without actu-
ally touching them, but
by simply using his
Kalaripayattu skills.
— IANS
Called off
Actor Chris Hemsworth
says he was “incredibly
excited” about coming to
India to celebrate his
Netflix film Extraction. The
tour was called off
due to
coronavirus
outbreak. IANS
PHOTO: ISTOCK
2004 Oscars and a National
Bringing Out
Award-winning film, Shwaas,
which was first made in
The Dead
Marathi, is the story of a vil-
lager, Vichare Arun
Nalawade, who takes his
eight-year-old grandson,
Parshuraam, who suffers
from retinal cancer, to Mum-
bai. How the doctor and a
social worker convince the
old man to give consent for a
surgery is a heart-warming
Khamoshi
tale about how the medical
fraternity gives their all to
the patients.
True devotion
The Lady with a Lamp is a
1951 historical film set
around the life of Florence
Nightingale and her staff,
Munna Bhai
M.B.B.S.
who went to battlefield dur-
ing the Crimean War to take
care of wounded soldiers.
Devotion is the leitmotif of
the film.
This list by no measure is
exhaustive, and not all films
around medical fraternity
are serious, from comedies
to romantic comedies, a
number of films reflect dif- The Lady with
ferent aspects! a Lamp
Medical dramas to watch on World Health Day
CHANGING STARS
Sanjivani
Three years later, a heart-
broken Ishani has given
up on her dreams of
becoming the best doctor
and finding love. Enter her
husband NV Singh, who’ll
do anything to see her SANJIVANI
smile. You can catch the
series on Disney+ Hotstar.
DESI TOUCH
New Amsterdam
This international series
stars our very own Anu-
pam Kher playing the role
of Dr. Vijay Kapoor. The
series revolves around Dr.
Max Goodwin and the new NEW AMSTERDAM
medical director at Ameri-
ca’s oldest public hospital.
MEREDITH’S LIFE
Grey’s Anatomy
This one is about Meredith
Grey, an aspiring surgeon
and daughter of one of the
best surgeons, Dr Ellis
Grey. The series is avail- GREY’S ANATOMY
able on Disney+ Hotstar.
STRONG CHARACTER
Ek Nayi Umeed Roshni
Ek Nayi Umeed Roshni is a
medical drama with Dr
Roshni Singh at the centre
of it. She values life and
refuses to be bound by
rules or protocol. EK NAYI UMEED ROSHNI