Google to invest $10 billion in India over 5-7 years

CORONA
ALERT
AHMEDABAD l TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2020 l Pages 12 l 3.00 RNI NO. GUJENG/2019/16208 l Vol 1 l Issue No. 229
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JAIPUR & AHMEDABAD
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COVID-19
UPDATE
GUJARAT
2,056
DEATHS
42,808
CONFIRMED CASES
KARNATAKA
759 DEATHS 41,581 CASES
RAJASTHAN
518 DEATHS 24,936 CASES
WORLD
5,73,304
DEATHS
1,31,35,134
CONFIRMED CASES
INDIA
9,06,617
CONFIRMED CASES
23,727
DEATHS
MAHARASHTRA
10,482 DEATHS 2,60,924 CASES
DELHI
3,411 DEATHS 1,13,740 CASES
TAMIL NADU
2,032 DEATHS 1,42,798 CASES
Haresh Jhala
Gandhinagar: Chief
Minister Vijay Rupani
allotted 127 industrial
plots to MSMEs (mi-
cro, small and medi-
um enterprises) at the
Tankara’s Chhatar-
Mitana GIDC through
a computerized draw.
He also inaugurated
two Common Effluent
Treatment plants
(CETP) of 40 MLD for
the treatment and dis-
posal of polluted
waste water from in-
dustries in the indus-
trial estates in Dahej
and Saykha.
He appealed to indus-
trialists to focus on
quality, marketing and
pricing to create a glob-
al brand image of a
“Make in India” nation.
In this context, he said
that--given Gujarat’s
business-friendly envi-
ronment for industries
and minimal govern-
ment intervention--it is
clear that in the coming
time, all GIDC estates
will thrive and millions
of people will get their
livelihoods.
Rupani further stat-
ed that Gujarat is the
best destination for in-
vestment for the
world’sentrepreneurs.
According to FDI in-
vestment figures re-
leased by the Central
government, Gujarat
has seen an increase of
240% in FDI and the
state’s unemployment
rate is just 3.4%--the
lowest in the country.
Gujarat is also the
Number One state in
manufacturing.
Sharing details about
financialrelief fromPM
Narendra Modi’s Rs20
lakh crore Atmanirbhar
Bharat package, Rupani
said Rs3.50 lakh crore is
dedicated for the revival
of MSME units, and
added that about 1.65
lakh units have benefit-
ed from as much as
Rs9,000 crore already. In
addition, Gujarat has
also provided financial
assistance of Rs1,371
crore to more than
11,000 MSMEs through
online payments.
The state’s Rs458
crore financial assis-
tance under the Atma
Nirbhar Gujarat
package has helped
industries in Gujarat
to revive. Turn on P6
Rupani allots 127 industrial plots to MSMEs via computerized draw
ECONOMIC REVIVAL
CM inaugurates two CETPs of 40
MLD for the treatment and disposal
of waste water from Dahej, Saykha
Chief Minister Vijay Rupani
New Delhi: Google
CEO Sundar Pichai on
Monday announced an
investment of Rs 75,000
crore or approximately
US$10 billion into India
over the next five to
seven years through
‘Google for India Di-
gistation Fund’.
Prime Minister Nar-
endra Modi on Monday
interacted with Google
CEO Sundar Pichai and
discussed a range of
subjects like a new
work culture in corona-
virus times, data secu-
rity and cyber safety.
PM termed that inter-
action “fruitful” and
lauded Google’s efforts
in the field of education,
Digital India and digital
payments. “This morn-
ing, had an extremely
fruitful interaction with
Sundar Pichai. Turn on P6
Googletoinvest$10billionintoIndia
PM Modi interacts with Google CEO
Sundar Pichai, terms it ‘fruitful’
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Google CEO Sundar Pichai having a video conference over a wide
range of issues, in New Delhi on Monday. —PHOTO BY ANI
Indo-China talks today,
to focus on Finger Area
New Delhi: Corps
Commander-level talks
between India and Chi-
na will be held on July
14 at Chushul in East-
ern Ladakh.
The talks will focus
mainly on the second
phase of disengage-
ment along the Line of
Actual Control (LAC),
said the Indian Army
officials.
It is expected to focus
on the Finger Area and
the strategic Depsang
plains, with a complex
disengagement process
thatbeganafterprevious
military talks on June 30
progressing in Galwan
Valley, Hot Springs and
Gogra, said one of the of-
ficials cited above.
Earlier, the Ministry
of External Affairs had
said that diplomatic and
military officials of In-
dia and China will con-
tinue their meetings to
takeforwardtheprocess
of troops disengage-
ment and de-escalation
at the LAC. Turn on P6
Kathmandu: Stoking a
potential controversy,
embattled Prime Minis-
ter K P Sharma Oli on
Monday claimed that
the “real” Ayodhya lies
in Nepal, not in India
and that Lord Ram was
born in Thori in south-
ern Nepal.
Condemning Oli for
his remarks, BJP na-
tional spokesperson Bi-
zay Sonkar Shastri said
that the Left parties
even in India Turn on P6
Aditi Nagar &
Kartikey Dev Singh
Jaipur: Inspite of a clear
and confident claim of
109 MLAs support to
Ashok Gehlot by Avinash
Pande and Randeep Sur-
jewala, in a surprise and
daring move, Sachin Pilot
by questioning this figure
has claimed that only 84
MLAs were present in
Monday’s Congress Leg-
islative Party meeting at
the official residence of
the Chief Minister.
National Hindi news
channel Aaj Tak carried
this report quoting sources
close to Pilot. Except this
single report, almost all na-
tional and regional news
channels carried the figure
ranging from 102 to 109 leg-
islators supporting Gehlot.
However, Tuesday morn-
ing’s legislative party meet-
ing will again provide an
opportunity to ‘re-verify
and recheck’ the number of
MLAs supporting Gehlot.
According to sources, in all,
only 90 rooms have been
booked at the Fairmont Ho-
tel out of which only 87
rooms have been occupied,
so far by the MLAs.
Political observers have
no clue as how and why such
a major difference of 25
MLAs in Gehlot and Pilot’s
figures (?) is visible where
each and every MLA could
be clearly counted from the
media photographs, which
were clicked at CMR, just
after MLAs meeting.
Meanwhile, ‘Aaj Tak’ re-
leased the first TV visuals
of Pilot camp MLAs staying
at Manesar’s ITC Grand
Bharat hotel, but the
claimed figure of 30 MLAs
could not be verified from
the visuals. It looked like a
crowd of around 20 or so
Congress MLAs without In-
dependents, who are also
staying in the same hotel,
but on a separate floor.
In one more significant
development, on Monday
afternoon, an extremely
crucial meeting to sort out
Pilot related Rajasthan is-
sues, was convened at the
residence of a powerful Un-
ion Cabinet minister, where
a top BJP leader and Pilot
was also reportedly present.
Subsequently, the Central
minister visited Manesar
hotel and exchanged pleas-
antries with a few Independ-
ent MLAs, staying in the
hotel. One such Independ-
ent MLA revealed that the
minister had even congratu-
lated him of his becoming a
minister in the coming days.
Interestingly, even as the
‘suspicion’ on numbers re-
mained, the Rajasthan Con-
gress Legislature Party on
Monday passed a resolution
supporting the Ashok Ge-
hlot-led government in
the state amid a tus-
sle for power be-
tween him and
Pilot. It also rec-
o m m e n d e d
strong discipli-
nary action
against any Con-
gress MLA and of-
fice-bearer who
“weakens” the par-
ty, however, party
leader later claimed
that doors were still
open for Pilot and others.
Prior to this, in the wee
hours of Monday, Avinash
Pande said that some other
MLAs are in touch with
Gehlot and they
will also sign
the letter.
TurnonP6
109 or 84?
Lord Ram is
Nepali, says
Nepal PM Oli
GEHLOT AND PILOT STAKE CONTRARY CLAIMS!
CM Ashok Gehlot flanked by Mahesh Joshi,
Randeep Surjewala, KC Venugopal, Avinash
Pande, Shanti Dhariwal, Ajay Maken, Vivek
Bansal and others at CMR on Monday.
—PHOTO BY SUMAN SARKAR

NEWSAHMEDABAD | TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2020
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CONCERNED
SHAH SCANS
COVID-19
Aditi Nagar
Ahmedabad : Union
Home Minister Amit
Shah on Monday held
a meeting to review the
COVID-19 situation in
his Lok Sabha constit-
uency Gandhinagar in
Gujarat.
The meeting, held via
video conference, was at-
tended by Gandhinagar
Collector Kuldeep Arya,
District Development Of-
ficer (DDO) Shalini Du-
han and Gandhinagar
Municipal Commission-
er Ratankanvar Gadhvi-
charan.
After the meet-
ing, Arya said
Shah mainly
enquired about
the latest coro-
navirus situa-
tion. He sought
i n f o r m a t i o n
about its spread
and steps taken by
the Gandhinagar ad-
ministration to con-
tain it.
"He asked us to contact
him if we need any logis-
tic support or injections,
testing kits or new health
care facilities to combat
the pandemic. He also
asked us to go for rapid
testing of suspected per-
sons identified during
surveillance exercise,"
the collector told PTI.
During the meet, Shah
also took stock of the on-
going developmental
works in his constituen-
cy.
"The Union minister
stressed on timely and
effective implementa-
tion of various govern-
ment schemes in his
constituency and told
us he will review the
progress at regular in-
tervals," Arya added.
On July 11, Shah an-
nounced selection of five
villages in his Gandhina-
gar Lok Sabha constitu-
ency as part of the
'Saansad Adarsh Gram
Yojana'.
During Monday's vir-
tual meeting, Shah asked
officials to visit these vil-
lages and prepare a plan
for their overall develop-
ment.
"Shah stressed that
the collector and DDO
should visit these vil-
lages and prepare a
plan about what has
been done till now and
what more can be done.
I and the DDO will be
visiting these villages
next week," Arya said.
The Union minister
also asked officials to
expedite the imple-
mentation of personal
benefit schemes in
these villages, such as
for providing electric-
ity connections and
granting widow pen-
sion to new beneficiar-
ies, he said.
Out of the total 934
coronavirus cases re-
ported in district so far,
590 were from areas fall-
ing under the Gandhina-
gar Lok Sabha constitu-
ency, Arya said.
SITUATIONON
HOME TURF
ASKS OFFICIALS TO VISIT VILLAGES AND PREPARE A PLAN
FOR THE OVERALL DEVELOPMENT OF HIS CONSTITUENCY
‘NoShravanmelaorreligious
congregationinJunagadh’
Are bad roads the identity of
‘Heritage City’ Ahmedabad?
Haresh Jhala
Junagadh: In an at-
tempt to control the
transmission of
COVID-19, the Juna-
gadh District Collec-
tor Dr Sourabh Par-
dhi has declared
that the administra-
tion will not grant
any permission for
organization of a
fair or religious con-
gregation in the
holy month of Shra-
van. The period,
which begins on
July 21, will not see
any gatherings in
the district this year.
Talking about the
move, Dr Pardhi told
First India, “Social
distancing is one of
the major solutions to
control the spread of
novel coronavirus.
And any gathering of
people will be counter-
productive and facili-
tate the transmission
of the virus. There-
fore, the administra-
tion has taken the de-
cision to disallow any
fair or congregation
this year. Post Unlock
1.0 & 2.0, visitors to the
Bhavnath Temple had
increased but due to a
spike in COVID-19 cas-
es, the temple was
closed for tourists. We
will only allow dar-
shan in temples, but
no gatherings.”
He added, “The rise
in novel coronavirus
cases is worrying but
what will be more
painful is a surge in
the number of deaths.
There are a few dis-
tricts where the death
toll is higher than the
number of positive
cases. In order to avoid
such a situation, the
district administra-
tion has been working
on a twin strategy- en-
courage people to
come forward if they
show even the slight-
est symptoms of Sars-
CoV-2 or self-quaran-
tine at home if they
have mild symptoms.
There are 3,771 people
under home quaran-
tine in the district as
of July 12. This will
also automatically re-
duce the burden of the
COVID-19 hospital and
its medical team. Only
those with high viral
load are being admit-
ted at the hospital for
treatment.”
Even after conduct-
ing awareness drives
in the district, the ad-
ministration has had
to treat cases, wherein
patients and their rel-
atives reported their
symptoms late mostly
in the advanced stag-
es, thereby making the
task of the health de-
partment difficult. Cit-
ing one such example,
the collector recount-
ed the case of two sen-
ior citizens from Surat
who reached Juna-
gadh when their oxy-
gen levels had dropped
drastically. “Under
these circumstances,
the medical team gets
just 12 hours to treat
and try to save the pa-
tients. Therefore, to
prevent this from hap-
pening, we have con-
ducted awareness
drives in the rural ar-
eas as well as the city,”
he said.
First India Bureau
Ahmedabad: The mon-
soon season has arrived
in the state but, the city
of Ahmedabad is yet to
receive a substantial
amount of rainfall. De-
spite not receiving
heavy showers, roads
across the city have al-
ready sustained quite a
bit of damage. A few
problems commonly
seen during the mon-
soon are waterlogging,
damaged roads and
cave-ins. Over the last
few years, the city has
also witnessed a pattern
of cave-ins mainly re-
ported on stretches of
Bus Rapid Transit Sys-
tem (BRTS) lanes. Due
to one such cave-in, the
BRTS service has re-
mained suspended on
the Khodiyarnagar to
Danilimda stretch as re-
pair work has been go-
ing on for the past two
years.
Despite multiple at-
tempts to fix city
roads by local civic
body Ahmedabad Mu-
nicipal Corporation
(AMC), they get dam-
aged every year and
the cycle is repeated
every monsoon. Ac-
cording to Leader of
the Opposition Dinesh
Sharma, there is a
nexus of officers and
the political wing who
earn money because
of bad roads. “The au-
thority does not want
to build good roads in
the city. And that is
the reason why bad
roads have become the
identity of
Ahmedabad under
BJP’s rule. They do
not want to repair
them and fix the un-
derlying problem,” as-
serted the leader.
Vatva resident
Gaurav Mishra lament-
ed about a road in his
area that gets washed
away every year. “A road
called Vatva Crossing
opposite Sadbhavna po-
licechowkygetswashed
away even when it only
rains a bit. The AMC
conducts temporary re-
pairs and on the cycle
goes. No permanent so-
lution has been implant-
ed to ensure quality
roads,whichleadtotraf-
fic jams, damage to vehi-
cles and inconvenience
for the citizens,” he said.
Echoing a similar
sentiment, Danilimda
resident Farid Sayid
said that he had no
hope that the road
would ever get re-
paired. “These roads
see movement of
heavy-load vehicles
every day unlike other
city roads. Several
garbage trucks, inter-
state buses and regu-
lar vehicles pass
through this road but
half of it has been
closed for the last two
years. The repair
work is going on but,
rather than rooting
out the cause of the
problem, it is just a
temporary fix,” as-
serted Sayid.
CollectorwillonlyallowtempledarshanstocurbspreadofCOVID-19
Union Home Minister Amit Shah
(Above) A cordoned off gaping pit at Danilimda Cross Road, (Below) Ongoing repair work at a huge
pit on the Manekbaug stretch. —PHOTOS BY HANIF SINDHI
Junagadh District Collector Dr Sourabh Pardhi (centre) with other officials. —FILE PHOTO

GUJARATAHMEDABAD | TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2020
902 cases: ST bus services
on hold but still no lockdown
Chief Secy Mukim visits B’katha,
asks admin to curtail death toll
SMC asks residential societies to get oximeters as state’s tally touches 42,808 cases
Haresh Jhala
Gandhinagar: Even
as the state marked
yet another all-time
single-day high with
902 new cases, the Gu-
jarat State Road
Transport Corpora-
tion (GSRTC) on Mon-
day discontinued its
bus services connect-
ing major cities. The
Surat Municipal Com-
missioner has ap-
pealed to office-bear-
ers in residential so-
cieties as well as in-
dustrialists with
units in Surat to pro-
cure pulse oximeters
to check oxygen levels
of residents and staff-
ers, respectively.
WhileSuratwitnessed
287freshcases,Vadodara
had 74, Junagadh, 46,
Bhavnagar, 40, and Ra-
jkot, 32. A total of 29 dis-
tricts and eight munici-
pal corporations have
reported902casesand10
deaths on Monday.
Asaresult,theGSTRC
has discontinued its bus
services connecting
Ahmedabad, Vadodara,
Bharuch and Surat. Af-
ter the entry point at
Ahmedabad, the local
civic body has deployed
teams at the Ranip and
KrishnanagarSTDepots
to test incoming passen-
gers COVID-19. With 12
new micro-containment
zones added on Monday,
thecitynowhas195such
zones. The Ahmedabad
Municipal Corporation
has also sealed as many
as376paanshopsforvio-
lating COVID-19 norms.
In another develop-
ment Surat Municipal
CommissionerBanchha-
nidhi Pani in a video cir-
culating on social media
has appealed to chair-
men and secretaries of
residential societies and
commercial complexes
and even industrialists
to procure pulse oxime-
ters and oxygen concen-
trators and test each
member of their society
and organizational staff.
“Anyone whose oxy-
genlevelislessthan94%
should be referred to the
hospital immediately,”
he says in the video.
His appeal for oxygen
concentrators could be
taken to mean that the
city is expecting to run
out of ventilators if a
large number of people
reportlowoxygenlevels.
Meanwhile, Principal
Secretary (Health) Jay-
antiRavionMondayvis-
ited Jamnagar and Ra-
jkot to take stock of the
situation there. She
seemed to be satisfied
with the current efforts
put in by the local ad-
ministration but laid
stress on strengthening
the system.
In the past 24 hours,
the state has tested 5,619
samples. As on Monday,
there are 10,945 active
cases, of which 74 are
on ventilator support.
Haresh Jhala
Palanpur: The State
Chief Secretary Anil
Mukim has directed
the Banaskantha dis-
trict administration
to pull up its socks
and ensure that no
surge is recorded in
the number of deaths
due to novel corona-
virus. Mukim was on
a day-long visit to the
district to assess the
on-ground situation
of the virus.
The state chief sec-
retary advised the local
administration to in-
crease surveillance
across the district, es-
pecially in the contain-
ment and micro-con-
tainment zones.
Mukim is of the view
that every person who
showcases symptoms
of Sars-CoV-2 should be
admitted to a hospital
and receive treatment.
He also asked the Ba-
naskantha administra-
tion to take stern action
against those who vio-
late the COVID-19
Standard Operating
Procedure (SOP) proto-
col such as collecting
fines from people not
wearing masks or spit-
ting in public.
Further,heremained
empathetic towards
lowering the death toll
fromtheviraloutbreak.
Mukim also empha-
sizedontheimportance
of identification and
subsequent treatment
of symptomatic COV-
ID-19 patients in the
early stages.
In a briefing with
Mukim, District Collec-
tor Sandip Sagale stat-
ed that a war room had
been created which was
acting as the communi-
cations and screening
centre from where a
close watch was being
kept on the COVID-19
hospital, containment
zones and public move-
mentinthecitythrough
CCTV cameras. Sagale
also claimed that pa-
tientswhohadbeendis-
charged after recover-
ing from the virus were
also being closely moni-
tored with regular vis-
its from health officers.
A medic takes a swab from a passenger at the Ranip bus terminal in Ahmedabad.
Rains likely to continue across
state, weatherman predicts
Shift patients from Surat to A’bad: LOPNABARD
marks 39
years since
foundation
Pay more for spitting,
not wearing a mask
First India Bureau
Ahmedabad: On Mon-
day, very heavy rain-
fall occurred at iso-
lated places in south
Gujarat’s Valsad,
while rainfall oc-
curred at most places
over the Gujarat re-
gion, at many places
over the Saurashtra
region and at a few
places over Kutch.
There will be rain
across the state on
Tuesday too. According
to a bulletin from the
India Meteorological
Department, light
thunderstorms with
lightning and surface
winds of speeds less
than 40 kmph (in gusts)
accompanied by light
to moderate rainfall is
very likely at isolated
places in all the dis-
tricts of Gujarat region
and the Saurashtra re-
gion, namely Kutch,
and in Diu.
Heavy rains are very
likely at isolated places
in the districts of South
Gujarat region, namely
Valsad and in Daman,
Dadra & Nagar Haveli;
and in Junagadh.
First India Bureau
Gandhinagar: Leader
of the Opposition
Paresh Dhanani has
written a letter to
Deputy Chief Minis-
ter Nitin Patel—who is
also the health minis-
ter—asking him to
shift COVID-19 posi-
tive patients from Su-
rat to Ahmedabad.
His reasoning is that
cases of Sars-CoV-2 in-
fection have been on the
rise in Surat, while they
have been falling in
Ahmedabad. So, pa-
tients from the textile
city should be given the
benefit of established
facilities in Ahmedabad.
“Hospitals are full, so
people from Saurashtra
residing in Surat are try-
ing to go back there for
treatment. However,
Saurashtra does not
enough beds,” Dhanani
said, adding, “The Surat
and Ahmedabad civic
bodies can together save
thousands of patients as
around 2,000 beds in
Ahmedabadarevacant.”
First India Bureau
Ahmedabad: The
Ahmedabad Munici-
pal Corporation has
hiked the fines for
spitting and not wear-
ing masks in public.
The move comes a
week after the
Ahmedabad Hospi-
tals and Nursing
Homes Association
wrote to Chief Minis-
ter Vijay Rupani ask-
ing him to take strin-
gent measures man-
dating the use of
masks to curb the
spread of the novel
coronavirus.
With the increase,
violators will now pay
fines of Rs500, a 150%
increase from the pre-
vious fine of Rs200 that
was levied for these of-
fences.
Aiming to prevent
mass gatherings, espe-
cially at paan shops, the
civic body has also de-
cided to impose a pen-
alty of Rs10,000 on the
shop owner, if any of
his or her patrons are
found spitting outside
the shop.
It is to be noted
that in a recent sur-
vey by a local NGO in
three districts
(Ahmedabad, Anand,
and Vadodara) re-
vealed that 74% of
customers at such
Paan shops do not
wear masks, while
76% of the customers
were consuming to-
bacco products near
the shops, in viola-
tion of COVID-19
guidelines.
In the letter date July
5, the body had suggest-
ed that the penalty of
Rs200 was not serving
any purpose and the ac-
tual cost of implement-
ing the rule cost more
than Rs200. It added
that increased fines
have led to fewer traffic
violations, and suggest-
ed that the authorities
similarly impose penal-
ties in shopkeepers and
tea joints, where large
gatherings occur and
people often violate
mask norms.
First India Bureau
Ahmedabad: The
National Bank for
Agriculture and
Rural Development
(NABARD) cele-
brated its 39th
Foundation Day on
Sunday.
As the apex devel-
opment bank of the
nation, NABARD
has—overtheyears—
played an important
role in creating an
excellent rural infra-
structure and devel-
oping rural financial
institutions in Guja-
rat, with support
from the Govern-
ment of Gujarat and
other stakeholders.
In 2019-20 alone,
NABARD Gujarat Re-
gional Office extend-
ed financial assis-
tance of Rs15,342.63
crore including dis-
bursement of Rs2,860
crore for creation of
rural infrastructure
in the state.
NOWHERE TO GO
About 90 families from Kagdapith Police quarters petitioned Police Commissioner Ashish
Bhatia asking for alternative accommodation after they were asked to vacate the flats,
which are set to be demolished to make way for a 10-storey tower, in a week.
—PHOTO BY HANIF SINDHI
Anil Mukim flanked by Collector Sandip Sagale and other
officers on his left, and DDO Ajay Dahiya and DSP Police Tarun
Kumar Duggal on his right.
Customers at tea stalls and paan shops commonly violate
guidelines on wearing masks. —FILE PHOTO
—PHOTOBYHANIFSINDHI

G Vol 1 G Issue No. 229 G RNI NO. GUJENG/2019/16208. Printed and published by Anita Hada Sangwan on behalf of First Express Publishers. Printed at Bhaskar Printing Planet Survey No.148P, Changodar-Bavla Highway, Tal. Sanand, Dist. Ahmedabad.
Published at D/302 3rd Floor Plot No. 35 Titanium Square, Scheme No. 2, Thaltej Taluka, Ghatlodiya, Ahmedabad. Editor: Jagdeesh Chandra, responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act
PERSPECTIVEAHMEDABAD | TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2020
ver since it came into existence
as a free country, India has not
been challenged like in the pre-
sent face-off with China. This is
because in our past conflicts -
the two wars we fought with Pa-
kistan and the one with China
in 1962 - India did not face an
opponent that could become an
existential crisis. A nuclear-
armedIndianowtakesonChina
that is the undisputed number 2
power in the world. Or is it?
India must see the world as it
exists for us -by role and rele-
vance- and decide who mat-
ters? First is the EU and USA
representing a liberal order
wheresecurityisguaranteedby
militarymightbutevenmoreso
by economic interdependence
and the force of law. It is our
largest economic partner bloc.
Second comes the Islamic
world consisting of the Wah-
habi fundamentalist forces
which feed terrorism. Our de-
pendence on Arab and Iranian
oil makes it critical.
Russia with its deep state-
run power apparatus is an im-
portant military supplier and
partner.
And then there is China!
China is a vast country with
economic dynamism, focused
leadership, and military might.
ItalsoseesIndiaasanadversary.
China, unlike the other
world powers, has not promot-
ed a worldview. While there is
an endless comment on its eco-
nomic, political, and military
affairs but no one has seen it as
a powerhouse of “ideas”.
China – love or hate it – is an
inexhaustible force whose
economy rose fast enough for it
to become the world’s largest
economy in Purchasing Power
Parity (PPP) terms. It domi-
nates the world supply chains
and has managed to drag 400
million people from rural pov-
erty to prosperity in less than
40 years. The ‘Made in China’
label was acquiring clout, till
the COVID crisis began.
The scale, speed, and impact
of material progress are
prompting a deeper question.
Will China rise to rule the
world as a hegemon? Will India
inevitably face ruinous conflict
with China?
As a professional marketer,
content maker, business man-
ager, socio-economic observer
and writer my assessment is
that China lacks the soft power
to dominate the world. It is act-
ing aggressively and is being
acquisitive but it does not in-
spire deep adoration. The
world is wary of China. We re-
main uninspired by its intellec-
tual output. Can we name even
five contemporary Chinese
writers, thinkers, and artists?
China has got richer but has it
got enriched holistically?
China has not accommodat-
ed itself to the rules of a glo-
balised world with democracy,
privatisation, and collabora-
tion at its core.
China’s government is a me-
ga-state business enterprise.
This is what allows China to
have the confidence to be a
military aggressor and a politi-
cal despot. State economics is
their engine.
On April 15th 1989, a memo-
rial march for the former com-
munist party Secretary-Gener-
al Hu Yaobang turned into a
mass protest for political re-
form, workers’ rights, and an
end to official corruption. It
dominated the heart of Beijing
for six weeks but was abruptly
crushed by soldiers and tanks
on 4th June 1989. The crack-
down was a human tragedy and
it showed us that China is ‘all
economics no politics’.
Deng Xiaoping – China’s su-
preme leader after Mao Tse
Tung had made his directive
clear - “Tao guang Yang Hui”
literally meaning “hide bright-
ness, nourish obscurity”. The
state media has officially trans-
lated this as “be patient and
build capability“.
Now China has decided that
its time has arrived. However,
it still does not have “Soft pow-
er”. The Chinese state’s estab-
lishment rues its lack of ex-
portable cultural dominance
that they call “Ruan Quan Li”
This is where- I believe- cur-
rently India has a decisive edge
over China. India is an intellec-
tual power with credits to sev-
eral large impact ideas and new
cultural content that appeals to
a larger world. We have a free-
dom of expression that leads to
widespread dissemination.
In my opinion, China’s path
to superpower status is not
smooth. Beijing is the formula
of state capitalism, open mar-
ket but a closed political sys-
tem will not last the course of
its attrition with powerful lib-
eral democracies.
Soft power will beat hard
power eventually.
THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY
THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL
CHINA EXPORTS EVERYTHING
EXCEPT BIG IDEASChina is acting aggressively & is being acquisitive but it does not inspire deep adoration
E
China, unlike
the other world
powers, has not
promoted a
worldview.
While there is
an endless
comment on its
economic,
political, and
military affairs
but no one has
seen it as a
powerhouse
of “ideas”
China has not
accommodated itself
to the rules of a
globalised world with
democracy,
privatisation, and
collaboration
at its core
he world needs
to shift from the
current fossil-
fuel-based en-
ergy system to
carbon neutrality. Most
obviously, this will require
countries to roll out renew-
able energy and integrate
it into the electricity grid,
boost energy efficiency, up-
grade infrastructure, and
refine the governance of
electricity and energy mar-
kets. Less apparent, suc-
cess will require that wom-
en are able to contribute to
the transition on an equal
footing with men.
Energy transitions will
differ depending on coun-
tries’ development priori-
ties, the proportion of the
population with access to
power grids, the current
energy mix, and projected
demand. Some transitions
may involve simply retro-
fitting old, unsustainable
assets in order to reduce
carbon dioxide emissions,
while others may be part
of a multifaceted develop-
ment strategy for societal
transformation, includ-
ing gender equality and
inclusion.
Although the available
data vary considerably,
women probably represent
– at most – one-third of the
global sustainable energy
workforce. And their share
typically is much lower in
the so-called STEM profes-
sions (science, technology,
engineering, and mathe-
matics) and in executive
positions. Unsurprisingly,
awareness of gender dy-
namics in the workplace
also tends to be low. Moreo-
ver, policies that could help
redress the current imbal-
ance in the sector – such as
flextime, parental leave,
return-to-work schemes,
bias-free recruitment and
promotion, and gender-
balanced boards and pan-
els – are scarce.
These barriers to the full
participation of women
are, first and foremost, an
infringement of human
rights, in particular wom-
en’s right to full and equal
participation in the life of
their communities.
In addition, the under-
representation of women
deprives energy transi-
tions of diverse talent, and
thus impedes the transfor-
mational change required
to achieve global climate
targets and the United Na-
tions Sustainable Develop-
ment Goals. Conversely,
the equal participation of
women in the workforce is
demonstrably good for
business, the economy, so-
cial development, and the
environment.
These findings are not
new. In its 2012 World De-
velopment Report, for ex-
ample, the World Bank em-
phasized that gender
equality not only is a core
development objective in
its own right, but also en-
hances an economy’s pro-
ductivity and improves
future generations’ pros-
pects. And during the 2009
global economic down-
turn, a global survey by
the consulting firm McK-
insey & Company conclud-
ed that women leaders rep-
resent “a competitive edge
in and after the crisis.”
Likewise, having a higher
percentage of women in
decision-making positions
increases innovation and
profitability, decreases
risk, and enhances sus-
tainability practices.
Green-energy transi-
tions provide opportuni-
ties to tackle systemic gen-
der discrimination and
enable societies to reap the
benefits of a more diverse
workforce. That is partly
because sustainable ener-
gy is a new and fast-grow-
ing field: the number of
people employed world-
wide in the sector is expect-
ed to increase from an esti-
mated 11 million today to
over 42 million in 2050.
FOR FULL REPORT LOG ON TO
WWW.PROJECTSYNDICATE.COM
How women can power the green transition
T
Green-energy
transitions
provide
opportunities to
tackle systemic
gender
discrimination
Work out your own
salvation. Do not depend
on others —Buddha
Spiritual
SPEAK
Top
TWEET
Ravi Shankar Prasad @rsprasad
There is immense scope for
@Google through its good
application of Artiﬁcial Intelligence
to undertake new initiatives in
the ﬁeld of agriculture, weather
predictions, in health care in the
wake of COVID challenges & most
importantly in Digital education.
#GoogleForIndia
Mallikarjun Kharge @kharge
The #RajasthanPoliticalCrisis is
another example of “continued
expansionism” by the BJP. Our
nation would have been better
off economically & socially
if BJP put the same effort in
administration & governance
rather than removing non BJP
Govts unconstitutionally.
SHUBHRANSHU
SINGH
The writer is a corporate professional,
marketing leader, columnist and a social
and political commentator. He writes
on brand building, marketing, history,
politics, technology and business
IN-DEPTH
Google follows
Foxconn as FDI flows in
India buying Arms
to Meet threats
he United Nations Conference on Trade
and Development (UNCTAD) warned
last month that the coronavirus pan-
demic, lockdown measures, supply
chain disruptions, and economic slow-
down may adversely impact foreign investments in
India despite inflows of $51 billion in direct invest-
ments in 2019. Last year India had improved its
position among nations receiving maximum for-
eign investments from 12th in 2018 to ninth in 2019.
The India story may not be as bleak as predicted
by UNCTAD as foreign investments are not trick-
ling but flowing in. Taiwanese company Foxconn
recently announced its plan to invest $1 billion to
expand its Sriperumbur based plant near Chennai
in a move seen as gradual shifting of business
from China to India. The contract manufacturer,
it is learned, assembles Apple iPhones.
InanotherimportantdevelopmentSundarPichai,
Chief Executive Officer of Google announced last
FridaythatthetechnologygiantwillinvestRs75,000
croreoverthenext5-7yearstohelpaccelerateIndia’s
digital economy. “Today, I am excited to announce
theGoogleforIndiaDigitizationFund.Throughthis
effort will invest Rs 75,000 crore, or approximately
$10 billion, into India over the next 5-7 years…”
Reliance Jio has attracted foreign investments
worth Rs 1.15 trillion.
ThesedevelopmentsmustbemusictoPrimeMin-
ister Narendra Modi’s ears. While delivering the
inauguraladdressattheIndiaGlobalWeek2020just
a few days back, Modi fervently invited investors to
India. “We are laying a red carpet for all global com-
panies to establish their presence in India,” Modi
had said. They seem to be headed towards India.
ost-June15skirmishbetweenIndianand
Chinese soldiers at Pangong Tso India is
on a spree to buy defence equipment to
adequately arm its forces against an un-
reliable adversary. With Rafales already
on there, India approached Russia to urgently pur-
chase21MiG29fighterjetstobolsterthethreesquad-
ronsalreadyinserviceand12Su30s.Russiarespond-
ed with alacrity and said it was ready to supply the
fighters in the shortest time-frame possible.
With the skies secured, India was mulling the
purchase of rifles for the 13- lakh strong army from
the US. Originally it was planned to produce 6.71
lakh AK 203 Russian Kalashnikov rifles under the
Make in India programme. The project ran into
trouble as the price quoted by the Russian manu-
facturer was found to be “ureasonable and unac-
ceptable”. While a committee is looking into the
cost issue, the army which has acquired 72,400 SiG
Sauer rifles is now intending to buy an equal num-
ber of Sauer rifles to meet the shortage. The shop-
ping list doesn’t end here.
The army is also eyeing some state-of-the-art
defence equipment from the US and Israel. Promi-
nent among them are 200 pieces of Raven, or RQ-11,
the US-made hand-launched, remotely controlled
aerial vehicle, and Israeli “loitering” ammunition
Spike Firefly. Artillery shells with a range of 40
km are also on the list. Ravens and the shells are
aimed at adding lethal power to the infantry.
T
P

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INDIAAHMEDABAD | TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2020
New Delhi: The Su-
preme Court upheld the
rightsof theTravancore
royal family in the ad-
ministration of historic
Sree Padmanabhaswa-
my Temple in Kerala,
considered to be one of
the richest temples in
the country.
It set aside the Kerala
High Court’s 2011 ver-
dict which had directed
the state government to
setupatrusttotakecon-
trol of management and
assets of the temple.
A bench headed by
Justice UU Lalit said
that as an interim meas-
ure, the District Judge
of Thiruvanan-
thapuram will head an
administrative commit-
tee to manage the tem-
ple’s affairs.
The top court deliv-
ered the verdict on a
batch of appeals, in-
cluding the one filed by
legal representatives of
the Travancore royal
family, challenging the
January 31, 2011 verdict
of the High Court.
The sprawling tem-
ple, an architectural
splendour in granite,
was rebuilt in its pre-
sent form in the 18th
century by the Travan-
core Royal House which
had ruled southern
Kerala and some adjoin-
ing parts of Tamil Nadu
before integration of
the princely state with
the Indian Union in
1947.
While pronouncing
the judgement, the apex
court held that the
death of earlier ruler of
Travancore royal fami-
ly does not affect the
right of ‘Shebaitship’
(the right to manage the
deity and the temple as
a priest) of Marthanda
Varma, the brother of
last ruler of the royal
family, and his legal
heirs.
The top court said
that death of the last
ruler of royal family
does not entitle the
state government to
take over the manage-
ment of committee as
law of escheat does not
apply in this case and
the management of the
temple continues to
vest in trust of the ruler
of Travancore.
While making an in-
terim arrangement to
manage the affairs of
the temple, the apex
court said that it will
remain in force till a
fresh committee is set
up and all the members
of the committee must
be Hindus.
The controversy over
management of the his-
toric temple was pend-
ing in the apex court for
last nine years. —PTI
SC UPHOLDS TRAVANCORE ROYAL FAMILY’S RIGHTS
New Delhi: Union Min-
ister Nitin Gadkari on
Monday said that the
world is reluctant to
deal with China in the
wake of coronavirus
and termed it as a
“great opportunity” for
Indian industries.
“World economic sce-
nario is very favoura-
ble, the world is not
very much interested to
deal with China. So it is
a great opportunity for
Indian industries. It is
a blessing in disguise.
We can be more com-
petitive, quality-con-
scious, and take advan-
tage of the situation,”
Gadkari said while ad-
dressing webinar on
“Aatmanirbhar Bharat
in New India”. The
Minister said that the
Central government
aims to increase gross
domestic product
(GDP), agriculture
growth rate, and village
industry growth.
“World Bank has in-
creased our ease of do-
ing business rank but
clearance, certificate,
and compliance proce-
dures are very compli-
cated. We are trying to
make all systems digi-
tal. Our aim is to in-
crease GDP, agriculture
growth rate, and village
industry growth,” he
said. Minister for Road
Transport said, “In
NHAI, we have now in-
come of Rs 28,000 crores
per year and my plan is
to take to Rs 1 lakh
crores in the next five
years. I am not fully de-
pending on the govern-
ment’s budget.” —ANI
‘Great chance for Indian as world
reluctant to deal with China’
New Delhi: Girls out-
shone boys in the class
12 examination, results
of which were an-
nounced by the Central
Board of Secondary
Education (CBSE) on
Monday, recording an
increase of over 5 per
cent in pass percentage
against last year.
The board decided
against coming up
with any merit list
amid the exceptional
circumstances arising
out of the COVID-19
pandemic.
The board also decid-
ed to replace the term
“fail” with “essential re-
peat”. Accordingly, the
term “fail” will not fig-
ure in result documents
issued to the candidates
as well as those hosted
on the board website.
Girls outperformed
boys by 5.96 per cent.
While the pass percent-
age of girls is 92.15 per
cent, that of boys is
86.19 per cent, this year.
The transgenders have
recorded a pass percent-
age of 66.67%. The over-
all pass percentage in-
creased by 5.38% as
against last year. —PTI
CBSE class 12 exam results out, girls outshine boys
New Delhi: The SC re-
fused to entertain a
plea which sought di-
rections for restriction
on this year’s Shri Am-
arnath Yatra due to the
COVID-19 pandemic.
A bench headed by
Justice DY Chandra-
chud said that the deci-
sion on permitting pil-
grims and imposing
conditions for their
safeguard falls within
the domain of execu-
tive and the adminis-
tration would take a
call on it.
The apex court was
hearing a plea filed by
Shri Amarnath Barfa-
ni Langars Organisa-
tion’ which had sought
a direction to Centre,
Jammu and Kashmir
and Shri Amarnathji
Shrine Board to re-
strict the access of pil-
grims in the Yatra in
wake of the coronavi-
rus outbreak. —PTI
SC refuses to entertain plea seeking
restrictions on Amarnath Yatra
New Delhi: The Delhi High
Court Monday extended till Au-
gust 31 all the interim orders, in-
cluding bails, which were to ex-
pire on or after July 15, in cases
before it and the district courts
here so as to ensure safety of
litigants, lawyers and under-trial
prisoners during the prevailing
COVID-19 pandemic
A special bench, headed by Chief
Justice D N Patel, said it was ex-
tending the interim orders, includ-
ing bails, till August 31 as the pris-
ons were already overcrowded and
if anyone prisoner returns to jail
from outside, there was a risk he
might bring the infection with him
and it could spread among the oth-
er inmates. —PTI
HC EXTENDS INTERIM
ORDERS TILL AUG 31
TABLIGHI: BAIL TO 85
KYRGYSTAN NATIONALS
New Delhi: A Delhi court Monday
granted bail to 85 Kyrgyzstan na-
tionals who were chargesheeted for
attending the Tablighi Jamaat con-
gregation here allegedly in viola-
tion of visa norms, indulging in
missionary activities illegally and
violating government guidelines
issued in the wake of Covid-19 out-
break. Chief Metropolitan Magis-
trate Gurmohina Kaur granted the
relief on furnishing personal bond
of Rs 10,000 each.
Till date, 532 foreigners from 34
countries, who were chargesheeted
in the case, have been granted bail
by the court. The police had in June
filed 59 charge sheets, including
supplementaries, against 956 for-
eigners in the case. —PTI
Bhopal: MP Chief Min-
ister Shivraj Singh
Chouhan distributed
portfolios on Monday
among 28 new minis-
ters, who were inducted
in the cabinet on July 2.
CM holds the follow-
ing portfolios -- general
administration depart-
ment, public relations,
Narmada valley devel-
opment,aviation. Narot-
tam Mishra, retains
home and has also been
givenadditionalcharges,
including jail, parlia-
mentary affairs, law, &
legislative affairs.
YashodharaRajeScindia
has been given charge of
sports & youth welfare,
technicaleducation,skill
development, & employ-
ment ministries.
Scindia camp gains as
MP CM allots portfolios Kolkata: A West Ben-
gal MLA was found
dead under mysterious
circumstances near his
home in North Dina-
jpur district on Monday,
an incident his family
and the BJP claimed
was a “cold-blooded
murder”, and blamed
the ruling TMC for it.
The body of Deben-
dra Nath Ray, in his 60s,
was found hanging
from the ceiling of a ve-
randah outside a shut-
tered shop near his
home in Bindal village
in Hemtabad area of
the district, police said.
West Bengal police
said a suicide note was
found from his shirt
pocket where he blamed
two people for his death.
Ray had won the
Hemtabad (reserved)
seat on a CPI-M ticket in
2016 but later joined the
BJP. Ray’s death
whipped up a political
storm, with BJP brand-
ing it a murder by
“TMC goons” and call-
ing a 12-hour shutdown
in North Dinajpur dis-
trict from 6 am on Tues-
day. BJP national presi-
dent J P Nadda tweeted
saying, “The suspected
heinous killing of De-
bendra Nath Ray, BJP
MLA from Hemtabad in
West Bengal, is ex-
tremely shocking & de-
plorable. This speaks of
the Gunda Raj & failure
of law and order in the
Mamta govt. People will
not forgive such a govt
in the future. We strong-
ly condemn this.” —PTI
Bengal BJP MLA found hanging
BABRI MASJID: KALYAN SINGH
APPEARS BEFORE TRIAL COURT
Lucknow: Senior BJP
leader Kalyan Singh ap-
peared before the special
CBI court here in connec-
tion with the 1992 Babri
mosque demolition case.
The 88-year-old former
Uttar Pradesh chief minis-
ter and former Rajasthan
Governor arrived at the
court to record his state-
ment before the CBI spe-
cial judge. The CBI court
is currently recording the
statements of 32 accused
under CrPC section 313
(court’s power to examine
the accused), a stage in
the trial that follows the
examination of accused.
Other alleged accused,
including former deputy
prime minister L K Advani
and senior BJP leaders
M M Joshi, are yet to be
examined at this stage.
TWO MILITANTS KILLED IN
ENCOUNTER IN ANANTNAG
Srinagar: Two militants were killed in an encoun-
ter with security forces in Anantnag district of
J&K , police said. Security forces launched a cor-
don and search operation early Monday morning
in Srigufwara area of Anantnag district following
information about the presence of militants there.
The search operation turned into an encounter
around 6:40 am when the hiding militants opened
fire on the security forces, who retaliated. In the
ensuing gunfight, two militants were killed and
incriminating material, the police said.
PANEL PROBING KANPUR
AMBUSH, VISITS BIKRU VILLAGE
Kanpur: Justice (retd) Shashi Kant Agar-
wal, heading the one-member judicial
commission probing the Kanpur ambush &
encounter of slain gangster Vikas Dubey,
visited Bikru village to probe the attack in
which eight policemen had died. Agarwal
visited the ambush site in the village near
Kanpur and interacted with the locals. He
also took a round of the village and tried to
persuade locals into recounting the details
of the July 3 incident, an official said.
CONG LEADER, 38 WORKERS BOOKED
FOR VIOLATING PROHIBITORY ORDERS
Aligarh: A Congress lead-
er and 38 party workers
were booked for violating
prohibitory orders after
they staged a protest
against high electricity
tariff in the state, police
said on Monday. National
Secretary of All India
Congress Committee
(AICC) Vivek Bansal,
however, said that as the
agitation was organised
inside a private property,
they had not defied any
restriction that have been
enforced across the state
due to the coronavirus.
According to police, the
Congress workers were
booked under sections
188 & 269 of the Disaster
Act for holding a protest
at Dharampur courtyard
marriage hall without
obtaining permission.
IN THE COURTYARD
Jammu: Indian
Army chief General
MM Naravane on
Monday reiterated
India’s “zero toler-
ance” policy against
the ceasefire viola-
tions by Pakistan and
attemptsbyterrorists
to infiltrate from
across the border.
Pakistan has inten-
sified ceasefire viola-
tions in Jammu and
Kashmir and the In-
dian Army has said it
has recorded as many
as 2,542 violations till
June 30. On Sunday,
Pakistan initiated
cross-border firing in
Nowshera sector of
Rajouri and Kirni
and Qasba sectors of
Poonch.
The 3,289 viola-
tions of the mutual-
ly-brokered a truce
deal in November
2003 were recorded
last year and were
the highest in 16
years.
“The COAS rein-
stated the fact of
‘zero tolerance’
against the ceasefire
violations by Paki-
stan and infiltration
attempts by terror-
ists,” Lieutenant
Colonel Devender
Anand said in a state-
ment. “He further
highlighted that all
agencies of services
and Govt are work-
ing together relent-
lessly & will continue
to do the same to de-
feat the nefarious de-
sign of proxy war
being fueled by our
adversaries.”
Zero tolerance on
ceasefire violations
by Pak: Naravane
Army Chief GenNaravane (2nd R) during his visit to
forward areas along the border in Jammu region.
BJP state president Dilip Ghosh along with party supporters
participate in a silent protest in Kolkata.
SREE PADMANABHASWAMY TEMPLE CASE SO FAR
Lucknow girl Divyanshi Jain, a
class 12th student of Navyug
Radiance Sr Sec School, scored 600
marks out of 600 to get 100% marks
in the CBSE class 12 results declared
on Monday. “This is unbelievable. I
am elated and surprised at the same
time,” said jubilant Divyanshi Jain with a big smile.
LUCKNOW GIRL DIVYANSHI JAIN
GETS 100% MARKS

INDIAAHMEDABAD | TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2020
Rupani allots...
Rupani said he was
proud that about
60,000 industries in
217 GIDCs in the
state are providing
direct employment to
more than 18 lakh
people and helping
the state to increase
its per capita income.
He has expressed
confidence that Guja-
rat will move forward
at a faster pace than
before and Gujarat
will fulfil the call of
the Prime Minister to
turn challenges into
opportunities. To this
end, and in the wake
of the Adhia Commit-
tee report, the state
has announced a
Rs14,000 crore pack-
age, he added.
On this occasion,
GIDC Chairman Bal-
vantsinh Rajput, Prin-
cipal Secretary to the
Chief Minister MK
Das, GIDC Managing
Director Thennarasan,
Joint Managing Direc-
tor Kishore Bachani
and officers were also
present.
Indo-China talks...
On July 5, the Special
Representatives of In-
dia and China on the
Boundary Question--
Ajit Doval and Chi-
nese State Councillor
and Minister of For-
eign Affairs Wang Yi--
- had a ‘frank and in-
depth exchange’
during a telephone
conversation during
which they agreed
that both sides should
complete the ongoing
disengagement pro-
cess along the LAC ex-
peditiously. —ANI
Lord Ram...
played with people’s
faith, and the Commu-
nists in Nepal will be
rejected by the masses
in the same way they
have been here.
“Lord Ram is a mat-
ter of faith for us, and
people will not allow
anybody, be it prime
minister of Nepal or
anyone, to play with
this,” he said in New
Delhi.
Speaking at an
event on the birth an-
niversary of Nepalese
poet Bhanubhakta at
the Prime Minister’s
residence in Kath-
mandu, Oli said that
Nepal “has become a
victim of cultural en-
croachment and its
history has been ma-
nipulated.”
Valmiki Ashram is
also in Nepal and the
holy place where King
Dasharath had execut-
ed the rites to get the
son is in Ridi, which is
in Nepal, he said.
Google to...
We spoke on a wide
rangeof subjects,partic-
ularly leveraging the
power of technology to
transform the lives of
India’s farmers, young-
stersandentrepreneur,”
the PM tweeted.
“During our interac-
tion, Sundar Pichai and
I spoke about the new
work culture that is
emerging in the times
of COVID-19. We dis-
cussed the challenges
the global pandemic has
brought to areas such as
sports. We also talked
about the importance of
data security and cyber
safety,” the Prime Min-
ister tweeted.
FROM PG 1
New Delhi: Congress
leader Rahul Gandhi
questioned the govern-
ment’s claims on bat-
tling COVID-19, asking
is India at a “good posi-
tion” in the battle
against the virus.
His remarks came a
day after Union Home
Minister Amit Shah
said India is in a “good
position” in the battle
against the coronavirus
pandemic and the coun-
try will fight the disease
with determination and
enthusiasm.
In a tweet, Gandhi
asked, “India at good
position in COVID19
battle?”
He tagged a graph of
India’s daily average
COVID cases that
showed a steady rise,
against that of other
countries like South Ko-
rea & New Zealand
which have shown a
steady decline in cases.
India saw a daily rise
of 28,701 cases in last
24 hours, taking the to-
tal number of cases to
8,78,254 as on Monday
morning, while the
death toll climbed to
23,174 with 500 people
succumbing to the in-
fection, according to
the Union Health Min-
istry data.
Gandhi has been crit-
icising government on
handling of COVID cri-
sis and has accused it of
having failed to tackle
the situation. —PTI
RaGa questions govt’s
good position claim
The Gandhi scion has been criticising the Centre over handling of the pandemicCORONA UPDATE
New Delhi: The ICMR
said that a total of
2,19,103 samples have
been tested for corona-
virus in the last 24
hours. With this, the to-
tal number of tests in
India have reached
1,18,06,265.
Meanwhile, ICMR is
continuously scaling up
its testing facilities for
COVID-19 by giving ap-
proval to government
andprivatelaboratories.
a total of 688 labora-
tories across India has
been given the approval
to conduct tests.
Over 1.1 cr samples
tested till July 12: ICMR
New Delhi: A 39-year-
old man was discharged
from the newly set up
SardarPatelCOVIDcare
centre on Monday, be-
coming the first patient
to be completely cured
of the disease at the fa-
cilityhere,officialssaid.
The patient, a resi-
dent of South Delhi,
was admitted to the
COVID care centre on
July 5, they said. He is
the first patient to be
discharged from the fa-
cility created at the
Radha Soami Beas cen-
tre in Chattarpur, a sen-
ior official said.
ITBP doctors at the
facility clapped for him
and bid him goodbye.
The man was also given
a rose stem, a memento,
and a COVID-19 free cer-
tificate as he boarded an
ambulance for home,
the official said. He has
been advised another 7
days of home isolation.
A total of 147 patients
have been admitted to
the centre till now. A
team of over 1,000 doc-
tors, nurses and para-
medic staff of ITBP and
other paramilitary forc-
es have been earmarked
to work at the facility.
Sardar Patel
centre: 1st
patient
discharged
Moscow: The clinical
trials of the world’s first
coronavirus vaccine on
volunteers at Sechenov
First Moscow State
Medical University has
been successfully com-
pleted, Vadim Tarasov,
the director of the Insti-
tute for Translational
Medicine and Biotech-
nology, told Sputnik,
adding that the first
group of volunteers
would be discharged on
Wednesday and the sec-
ond on July 20.
The university began
clinical trials of the vac-
cine produced by Rus-
sia’sGamaleiInstituteof
Epidemiology and Mi-
crobiology on June 18.
“Sechenov Universi-
ty has successfully com-
pleted tests on volun-
teers of the world’s first
vaccine against corona-
virus,” Tarasov said.
According to Alexan-
der Lukashev, the direc-
tor of the Institute of
Medical Parasitology,
Tropical and Vector-
Borne Diseases at Sech-
enov University, the ob-
jective of this stage of
the study was to show
the vaccine’s safety for
human health, which
was successfully done.
“The safety of vac-
cine is confirmed. It
corresponds to safety of
those vaccines that are
currently on the mar-
ket,” Lukashev said.
Russia successfully completes
trials of world’s 1st vaccine
Thiruvananthapuram:
The Congress-led Unit-
ed Democratic Front on
Monday decided to
bringinano-confidence
motion against the state
government as part of
its protest seeking
Chief Minister
Pinarayi Vijayan’s res-
ignation alleging that
his office was linked to
the recent case of gold
smuggling through a
diplomatic baggage.
UDF convener Benni
Behanan said the Front
has also decided to
move a resolution
against Speaker P
Sreeramakrishnan and
seek his resignation.
“The UDF meet today
has decided to move a
no-confidence motion
against the government
and resolution against
the Speaker. The UDF
has entrusted the mat-
ter with the Opposition
Congress Leader
Ramesh Chennithala,”
Behanan said.
He said the Speaker,
who has alleged links
with one of the accused
in the gold smuggling
case,needstostepdown.
“We will continue our
protest seeking the res-
ignation of the Chief
Minister. The attempts
to protect the accused
have become evident
now. The link of the
(former) IT secretary,
who was also the secre-
tary to the Chief Minis-
ter, with one of the ac-
cused is clear now,” the
UDF Convenor alleged.
The UDF leader also
said that asking him to
go on long leave was not
any kind of discipli-
nary action.
Swapna Suresh and
Sandeep Nair, the two
key accused in the gold
smuggling case, were
remanded to custody by
a NIA court at Kochi on
Sunday, a day after their
arrest from Bengaluru
in connection with the
case that has led to a po-
litical storm, targeting
the Pinarayi Vijayan-led
LDF government. —PTI
Congress-led UDF to bring no-confidence
motion against Left government in Kerala
Swapna Suresh & Sandeep Nair, key accused in case, were remanded to custody by a NIA court.
GOLD SMUGGLING CASE
New Delhi: The series
of pro-active, pre-emp-
tive and coordinated
steps taken by the Cen-
tre and the State gov-
ernments for contain-
ment and prevention of
COVID-19 has contrib-
uted to a gradual surge
in COVID-19 recovery.
Aggressive testing cou-
pled with timely diag-
nosis has led to identify-
ing COVID affected pa-
tients before they pro-
gress into an advanced
stage of the disease; ef-
fective implementation
of containment zones,
surveillance activities
ensured that the rate of
infection stays under
control. The norms and
standards for care of
Home Isolation along
with use of oxymeters
have helped to keep a
check on the asympto-
matic or mildly sympto-
matic patients.
India has more than
5.5L recovered cases
‘NO LOGIC IN BABY PACK LOCKDOWN’
Bhubaneswar: In a
major development
capable of helping
in drug formula-
tions for COVID-19,
the Institute of Life
Sciences has suc-
cessfully estab-
lished in vitro cul-
tures of coronavirus
from patient sam-
ples using vero cells,
a top ILS official
said. 17 virus cul-
tures have been
established from
swab samples origi-
nating from differ-
ent locations of the
country with vary-
ing virus loads by
ILS, an autonomous
institute of Dept of
Biotechnology,
New Delhi: Drug
firm Glenmark Phar-
maceuticals said it
has cut price of
its antiviral drug
Favipiravir, under
the brand name
FabiFlu, for patients
with mild to
moderate COVID-19,
by 27% to Rs 75
per tablet.
Glenmark Phar-
maceuticals had
launched FabiFlu
last month at a price
of Rs 103 per tablet.
In a regulatory fil-
ing Glenmark an-
nounced a price re-
duction of 27 %for
FabiFlu. The new
(MRP) is Rs 75 per
tab, it said.
ILS takes
major step
in drug
formulations
Glenmark
drops
price of
Favipiravir
480 RETURN
Mumbai: As many as
480 Indian medi-
cal students, who
were stranded in
Russia due to the
coronavirus- induced
restrictions, arrived in
Mumbai by a private
chartered ﬂight
on Monday. They
thanked Maharash-
tra minister Aaditya
Thackeray for the
help in facilitating
their return. The stu-
dents, included 470
from Maharashtra, 4
from UT of Dadra &
Nagar Haveli, 4 from
MP & two from Goa.
From P1
“As many as 109 MLAs
have signed the letter to
express full confidence
in the Congress govern-
ment led by CM Gehlot
and in the leadership of
Sonia Gandhi and Ra-
hul Gandhi. Some other
MLAs have spoken to
the chief minister over
the phone and they will
also sign the letter,”
Pande told reporters at
the CM’s residence.
Party sources
claimed that 109 MLAs,
both from the Congress
and those supporting it,
were present in the
meeting while Pilot and
some of his loyalists,
the actual numbers of
whom remained a mys-
tery till late night, did
not attend it.
The resolution also
blamed the BJP for con-
spiring to destablise the
Congress government
and murdering democ-
racy with the misuse of
power and money to
lure MLAs. This is an
insult to eight crore
people of Rajasthan,
the resolution added.
It mentioned that the
Congress government
led by Gehlot took revo-
lutionary decisions in
public interest in the
past a year and a half
and its efforts to deal
with the coronavirus
crisis were appreciated
across the country.
After the meeting was
over, the MLAs were
shiftedtoFairmonthotel
in Kukas on the Jaipur-
Delhi highway and The
chief minister accompa-
niedotherMLAsinabus
to the hotel. While state
capital Jaipur had its
own colors of polity, the
national capital was also
abuzz with various scep-
tical predictions. Inspite
of Pilot’s repeated ‘NO’,
to join BJP, there was
still a buzz in JP Nadda’s
camp at New Delhi that
attheendof thedayPilot
will be joining BJP.
Interestingly, there
were media reports on
Monday morning sug-
gesting the formation
of a new political party
named as ‘Progressive
Congress’ by Pilot, but
till late evening, there
was no specific an-
nouncement to this ef-
fect by Pilot camp.
However, a close Pilot
confidante and a former
Gehlot loyalist, Deep-
endra Singh Shekhawat
again reiterated that
they will not be joining
BJP and stressed that no
work has been done over
the past one and a half
years. He also claimed
that the group has sup-
port of thirty legislators
andappealedtoothersto
come and join them.
According to sourc-
es, this confusion will
continue to prevail for
another day or two, till
the entire ‘deal’ is fi-
nalised with BJP, who
broadly is open to the
idea of supporting Pi-
lot from outside but a
section of BJP leader-
ship feels that first of
all Pilot must join BJP
andonlyaftertheissue
of supporting Pilot
from outside will be re-
solved. Though Pilot is
intouchwithBJPlead-
ership,maybethrough
JyotiradityaScindiaor
Zafar Islam or anyone
else, but still it appears
that there are some
‘gaps’ in Pilot’s deal or
understanding with
the saffron party.
Will Pilot’s Cong be ‘progressive’?
Ajay Maken, Randeep Surjewala and Avinash Pande.

TALKING POINTAHMEDABAD | TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2020
he oft-repeated idea that
COVID-19 is “the great
equalizer” is a myth. There
is no equality of suffering
or equality of sacrifice dur-
ing a pandemic that is dis-
proportionately hurting the
poorest and most vulnera-
ble.
And while the health
emergency has dispropor-
tionately harmed the elder-
ly poor, the unprecedented
education crisis caused by
the pandemic is now hurt-
ing the poorest children
hardest and creating a gen-
eration that will lose out on
learning. Lockdowns and
other social-distancing
rules have forced schools all
over the world to shut their
doors, affecting a peak of
nearly 1.6 billion children.
But while wealthier chil-
dren have had access to al-
ternatives, such as online
learning, the poorest do not.
The world’s least-advan-
taged children – for whom
education offers the only
escape route from poverty
– have thus fallen further
behind, placing the Sustain-
able Development Goal 4
(SDG 4) of ensuring inclu-
sive and equitable quality
education for all by 2030
even further out of reach.
Even before the pandem-
ic, the world was falling
short of this goal. Globally,
nearly 260 million children
were out of school, and 400
million dropped out after
the age of 11. In some re-
gions, such as rural Sub-
Saharan Africa, few girls
were completing secondary
school, not least because of
widespread child marriage.
Nearly 50 countries have no
laws banning child mar-
riage, and many more fail to
enforce their bans. As a re-
sult,about12millionschool-
age girls are forcibly mar-
ried off each year.
When schools reopen,
there is a good chance that
many poor children will
never return. Poverty is the
biggest reason why children
don’t attend school, and the
economic repercussions of
the COVID-19 crisis will far
outlast lockdowns, especial-
ly for the poorest people.
The likely result is that
more children will be
pushed into the ranks of the
152 million school-age chil-
dren forced to work, as 14
countries still have not rati-
fied the International Labor
Organization’s minimum-
age convention. And even
more girls will be forced
into early marriage. When
the West African Ebola epi-
demic that started in 2014
closed schools in Sierra Le-
one, the number of
15-19-year-old-girls who
were pregnant or already
mothers nearly doubled, ris-
ing from 30% to 65%. Most
of thesegirlsneverreturned
to school.
With the right policies in
place, economies will start
to recover, jobs will slowly
be restored, and social-pro-
tection policies will ease the
poverty of the unemployed.
But there is little protection
against the effects of a fore-
gone education, which can
last a lifetime.
As it stands, more than
half the world’s children –
nearly 900 million boys and
girls – are unable to read a
simple text by age 10. That is
900 million children who do
not receive the knowledge
andskillsneededtoimprove
their economic lot as adults.
If we do nothing to help
“Generation COVID” make
up for lost time, that figure
could easily approach one
billion or more. When
schools in Kashmir closed
for 14 weeks in the after-
mathof thedevastating2005
earthquake, the most af-
fected children lost the
equivalent of 1.5 years of
learning.
As the recently published
UNESCO Global Education
Monitoring Report advises
us, children who have fallen
behind need the kind of
catch-up programs that in
Latin America have in-
creased educational attain-
ment by up to 18 months
since the 1990s. But the
needed support will cost
money. Unless we bridge the
gap in education funding,
SDG4 will remain out of
reach.
UNESCO estimates that
before the COVID-19 crisis,
50 countries were failing to
spend the recommended
minimum of 4% of national
income,or15%of thepublic
budget, on education. Inad-
equate funding from gov-
ernments and donors has
meant that many of the 30
million refugee and forcibly
displaced children age out
of education without ever
setting foot in a classroom,
despite the efforts of Educa-
tion Cannot Wait and other
groups.
Now, the pandemic is set
to squeeze education budg-
ets even further. As slower
or negative growth under-
mines tax revenues, less
money will be available for
public services. When allo-
cating limited funds, urgent
lifesaving expenditure on
health and social safety nets
will take precedence, leav-
ing education underfunded.
Likewise,intensifyingfis-
cal pressure in developed
countries will result in re-
ductions in international
development aid, including
for education, which is al-
ready losing out to other
priorities in the allocation
of bilateral and multilateral
aid. The World Bank now
estimates that, over the next
year, overall education
spending in low- and mid-
dle-income countries could
be $100-150 billion lower
than previously planned.
This funding crisis will
not resolve itself. The quick-
est way to free up resources
for education is through
debt relief. The 76 poorest
countries must pay $106 bil-
lion in debt-service costs
over the next two years.
Creditors should forgive
these payments, with a re-
quirementthatthemoneyis
reallocated to education, as
well as health.
At the same time, multi-
lateral financial institu-
tions and regional develop-
ment banks must increase
their resources. The Inter-
national Monetary Fund
should issue $1.2 trillion in
Special Drawing Rights (its
global reserve asset), and
channel these resources
toward the countries that
need them most.
The World Bank, for its
part, should unlock more
support by replenishing
the International Develop-
ment Association (or bor-
rowing on the strength of
it) for low-income coun-
tries, and by using guaran-
tees and grants from will-
ing aid donors, such as the
Netherlands and the Unit-
ed Kingdom, which stand
ready to unlock billions in
extra finance for education
in lower-middle-income
countries through the In-
ternational Finance Facil-
ity for Education.
In the next few days,
both NGOs and all interna-
tional education organiza-
tions will begin “back to
school” campaigns. Save
Our Future, a new cam-
paign launching in late
July, advocates building
back better, rather than re-
storing the pre-pandemic
status quo. That means up-
dating classrooms and
transforming curricula,
implementing effective
technologies, and helping
teachers offer personalized
instruction. Making
schools safer (over 620 mil-
lion children lack basic
sanitation services at their
schools, which particular-
ly affects girls) and ensur-
ing school meals (a lifeline
for 370 million boys and
girls) would also ease the
effects of poverty and im-
prove educational out-
comes. Save the Children
will add to this pressure
with its own grassroots
campaign focused on debt
relief to pay for education.
But investing in schools
is only part of the solution.
In Sierra Leone, support
networks for girls halved
the dropout rate during the
Ebola crisis. In Latin
American, African, and
Asian countries, condi-
tional cash transfers have
boosted school attendance.
The latest Global Educa-
tion Monitoring Report ad-
vocates implementing sim-
ilar programs today.
Generation COVID has
already suffered immense-
ly. It is time for the interna-
tional community to give
children the opportunities
they deserve. Even when
faced with momentous
challenges, we remain
committed to making ours
the first generation in his-
tory in which every child is
in school and learning.
DURING THE COVID-19 CRISIS, LOCKDOWNS AND OTHER SOCIAL-DISTANCING RULES HAVE FORCED SCHOOLS WORLDWIDE TO
SHUT THEIR DOORS, LOCKING OUT A PEAK OF 1.6 BILLION CHILDREN. UNLESS THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY ACTS NOW,
THE CONSEQUENCES FOR THIS GENERATION – ESPECIALLY ITS POOREST MEMBERS – WILL BE SEVERE AND LONG-LASTING
SAVING GENERATION COVID
nSOURCE:PROJECTSYNDICATEnCONCEPT:DIVYAHEMNANI
nDESIGN:ABHISHEKGUPTA

Think, life responds, it does not
simply happen. It responds to
your thoughts, action - to your
attitude.
—Jagdeesh Chandra, CEO & Editor, First India
AHMEDABAD | TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2020www.firstindia.co.in I www.firstindia.co.in/epaper/ I twitter.com/thefirstindia I facebook.com/thefirstindia I instagram.com/thefirstindia
08
2NDFRONT
Masuma Bharmal
Jariwala
Rajkot: Necessity is
the mother of all in-
ventions and Rajkot
seems to be taking
the lead in manufac-
turing some of the
most essential equip-
ment to meet the Cov-
id-19 crises.
After low cost ven-
tilators, PPE sealing
machines and N95
mask making ma-
chines, the city has
now taken to manu-
facturing laminated
corrugated card-
board furniture (bed,
side table and parti-
tion). And this has
been supplied to the
Covid facility centres
across the country.
This is not all an
autorickshaw ambu-
lance that can pass
through narrow con-
gested lanes is also in
the making along
with the world’s first
mobile X-ray unit
built inside an au-
torickshaw.
The design of the
cardboard furniture,
autorickshaw ambu-
lance and autorick-
shaw x-ray testing unit
has been done by
Dhaval Monani, who is
director of affordable
housing at Anant Na-
tional University in
Ahmedabad. The man-
ufacturing is being
handled by Rajkot-
based Avantgarde De-
sign studios.
On Monday, a set of
such 75 beds, includ-
ing cardboard lami-
nated side-tables,
partition, rexine-cov-
ered mattresses and
pillows, was handed
over to the Rajkot
Municipal Corpora-
tion at RMC commu-
nity hall on Morbi
Road.
Speaking to First
India, Monani said,
“Shortage of beds is
a major issue in In-
dia during the ongo-
ing pandemic. We
came up with the
idea of using corru-
gated cardboard beds
by laminating them.
They are sturdy, re-
usable, 100% recycla-
ble, can be easily dis-
infected after every
use and costs 10-15%
cheaper. And they
can be easily discard-
ed. We have already
supplied 700 beds to
three centres in
Mumbai, 1200 to Del-
hi, 20 Trivandrum
and now 75 at Rajkot.
The furniture can be
easily set up.
For example, the
Rajkot set-up was
done in just over two
days by 10 volun-
teers. And it is all
free, through do-
nors.”
Now, corrugated Covid furniture, autorickshaw ambulances
INNOVATIONS GALORE!
With Corona, Surat now
plagued by paucity of docs
Authorities have asked MBBS students to report for Covid-19 duty
Shishir Awasthi
Surat: The paucity of
government doctors
in Gujarat has now
come to haunt the
State’s new corona
hotspot Surat, forc-
ing the authorities to
ask students of Guja-
rat Medical College
(GMS), attached to
the New Civil hospi-
tal here, to join the
battle against Cov-
id-19.
A circular issued
from the Dean’s office
stated, “Local students
and those living in hos-
tels have to remain pre-
sent in the college. As
per the guidelines of
Medical Council of In-
dia, clinical posting is
mandatory. The accom-
modation, food and
transport facilities will
be provided. Students
who fail to comply shall
be treated as absent
and will not be eligible
to sit for the examina-
tions.”
The circular has in-
vited angry protests
from the MBBS stu-
dents of GMC who took
to Twitter to voice their
resistance to clinical
posting.
The GMC’s student
union has raised
questions about the
safety of students, es-
pecially those who
will have to travel
from remote areas
and demanded that
clinical postings be
voluntary. They
asked if the students
will get stipends, re-
lief in internship,
proper hotel stay
during quarantine
and PPE in lieu of
the services.
“MBBS part 2 stu-
dents are being called
for clinical posting.
There are 131 students,
31 of whom have al-
ready reported to us.
They are being trained
to work as assisting
staff and in couple of
days they shall be post-
ed at the New Civil Hos-
pital to be clinical as-
sistants,” Dr Jayesh
Brahmbhatt, Dean of
GMC, Surat told report-
ers.
The GMC authori-
ties have also assured
and claimed that the
students will receive
proper training and
only then act as sup-
porting staff at fa-
cilities where COV-
ID-19 patients are be-
ing treated.
Surat, where the
number of Covid-19 pa-
tients has surged to
8,659, has vacancies for
91 doctors, including
Professors, Associate
Professors, Assistant
Professors and Tutors.
Gujarat has been
grappling with short-
age of doctors in gov-
ernment hospitals
for more than a year.
On May 28, the Guja-
rat Health Depart-
ment, in the middle
of the pandemic, had
issued an advertise-
ment seeking 686
contractual doctors
for various depart-
ment and designa-
tions for the six civil
hospitals in
Ahmedabad, Rajkot,
Surat, Bhavnagar,
Jamnagar and Va-
dodara.
In June 2019, Health
Minister Nitin Patel
had stated during an
Assembly session that
there were 479 vacan-
cies. By May 2020, the
number of vacancies
had gone up to 686 sug-
gesting that doctors
had quit from govern-
ment service.
Rajkot firm comes up with laminated corrugated beds that it has supplied across India.
OPERATION DEMOLITION
Bharuch district authorities on Monday demolished a dilapidated water tank in Jalalpura
area of Jambusar town, after first getting the entire area evacuated.
Guj to restore tribals’
forest land tilling rights
First India Bureau
Ahmedabad: The State
Government on Mon-
day gave an undertak-
ingtotheGujaratHigh
Court that it would is-
sue official directives
(Adesh Patra) within a
month to certify to the
tribals in Narmada
district their rights to
cultivate forest land.
Reposing trust in the
government, the High
Court has disposed of
the petition moved by
Action Research Com-
munity Health and De-
velopment (ARCH) or-
ganisation.
TheARCHhadmoved
a Public Interest Litiga-
tion which came up for
hearing before the prin-
cipal bench of Chief
Justice Vikram Nath
and Justice J B Pardi-
wala. Appearing for the
petitioners, advocate
Anand Yagnik submit-
ted that in August 2019,
Project Administrator
of Rajpipla, Narmada
district, had submitted
by an affidavit that 1018
pending claims and 1376
partially approved
claims were finally ap-
proved in July last year
but no Adesh Patras had
still been issued.
In reply, Government
PleaderManishaLavku-
mar Shah submitted
thatapproximately3,000
tribals’ applications
have been approved and
allof themwillbeissued
the Adesh Patra within
four weeks from today.
With severe shortage of doctors, the authorities have requisitioned MBBS students for Covid duty.
Hospital swaps two newborns,
DNA test to decide on parents
First India Bureau
Vadodara: Two fami-
lies who simultane-
ously welcomed new-
borns at a government
referral hospital on
Saturday in Jam-
bugam village of
Bodeli taluka in Chho-
ta Udepur district, un-
derwent a DNA test on
Monday to confirm
which of the two ba-
bies is their respective
biological child.
A nurse at the hospi-
tal had accidentally
handed over one fami-
ly’s baby to the other in
a “state of confusion”.
On Saturday, two
women were wheeled
simultaneously into the
operation theatre of
Jambugam referral
hospital and both un-
derwent a cesarean sec-
tion. The first woman
delivered a baby girl,
who was immediately
shifted to the neonatal
intensive care unit
(NICU), and the second
woman delivered a
healthy baby boy.
However, when the
nurse on duty brought
the baby boy outside,
she allegedly did not
confirm anybody’s
name before handing
over the newborn to
the family members
that rushed towards
her first. “It was a lack
of communication. The
nurse did not ask for
names before handing
over the baby to the peo-
ple that stretched their
hands out first. The oth-
er family was told that
their baby girl was in
NICU. Later, when the
doctor arrived to check
up on the two women, he
noticed that the family
of the woman whose
baby girl was in NICU
was holding the baby
boy born to the other
family,” said an official
of Bodeli police station.
But, to satisfy the
now squabbling fami-
lies, a DNA test has
been ordered.
ED attaches `204-cr
assets of Gujarat firm
HC to hear only cases
from Wed to Friday
First India Bureau
Ahmedabad: The En-
forcement Directorate
(ED) on Monday at-
tached assets worth Rs
204.27 crore of Gujarat-
based Ardor Group of
Companies for allegedly
cheating and causing
loss to a consortium of
banksledbytheBankof
India up to Rs 488 crore.
The attached proper-
ties include
Ahmedabad-based com-
mercial office of the
company at SG High-
way, a residential plot at
Satellite, five residen-
tial plots at Ambali, 17
residential plots at
Gokul Dham, four shops
at Bodakdev, office
premises at Ellisbridge
and Ashram Road. A
non-agricultural land at
Surat was also attached.
The ED initiated in-
vestigation on the ba-
sis of six FIRs regis-
tered by the CBI and
A n t i - C o r r u p t i o n
Branch(ACB),Gandhi-
nagar, based on allega-
tion that the Ardor
Groupanditsdirectors
in connivance with un-
known bank officials
hadcheatedandcaused
wrongful loss to the
consortium of banks.
First India Bureau
Ahmedabad: With
more employees being
infected by coronavi-
rus, the Gujarat High
Court on Monday is-
sued a circular inti-
mating all stakehold-
ers that only urgent
matters will be heard
fromJuly15toJuly17.
TheHighCourtRegis-
trar-General stated that
the situation had wors-
enedthanwhatitwason
July 2 with 17 staffers
testing positive as of
now. This decision had
to be taken since the
Registrar office is piv-
otal to the functioning
of the court.
It has been decided
that only urgent matters
like applications for
temporary, regular and
anticipatory bails, mat-
ters related to parole,
furlough, habeas corpus
and detention and ur-
gent fresh civil matters
will be listed. Pending
matters filed during the
lockdown will not be
listed unless a note ex-
plaining urgency is
moved by the advocate
concerned. The same
would be placed before
the Chief Justice on the
administrative side.
DOUBLE WHAMMY
Narmada district tribals now will have legal rights to till forest lands.
Two women delivered babies at the same time, but the newborns
got swapped by mistake.

rust me when I
say, dressing up
for bedtime is so
relaxing and re-
j u v e n a t i n g .
Wearing fashion-
able, yet comfort-
able clothes to get that 8
hours of beauty sleep is
one of the best feelings in
the world. To many dress-
ing up for bed may sound
absurd, but there are
many girls out there who
will swear that it is the
best part of the day. A set
of comfortable and
breathable night suits
will not only make you
feel good at home, but it
will also promote a good
night’s sleep. If you have
been the wearer of old t-
shirts at home, consider
swapping it with a soft-to-
touch night suit set that
makes you look and feel
good at the same time.
Leaving the confines
of the hours between the
after-work and the morn-
ing alarm, sleepwear has
come a long way ranging
from nightgowns, shorts,
pyjamas, babydoll to
many more.
Sleepshirt: For all those
humid nights when
you feel stuffy and
uncomfor table,
sleep shirt is at
your rescue.
Nightgown: Old school
looks never die, and
nightgowns are every
woman’s favourite. But
we ask you to upgrade
your plain-looking
nightie to stylish em-
broidery, printed, lace
pattern nightie.
Robe sets: If you are a
bride to be then you
ought to buy these se-
ductive, stylish robe
sets.
Jumpsuit / Romper: Girls
who like subtleties can
opt for full-length
jumpsuit whereas bom-
bastic girls can defi-
nitely pick the short,
printed playsuit- you
are spoilt for choices.
Pyjama set: It is impos-
sible not to own pyjama
set, they exhibit utmost
comfort and style.
Babydoll: It’s easy to get
into a comfort zone
with nightwear,
but sexy can be fun
too.
Short set: Make
your nights even
more comfortable
and fashionable
with these cute babies.
Short sets are a fusion
of allure and noncha-
lant look.
As much of the world
shelters at home to pre-
vent the spread of the
coronavirus, most of
us have become habitu-
al with wearing the
nightdresses even dur-
ing the day. Believe it
or not, it is still hard
for some of us to
come out of that com-
fort zone. I say let the
scenario be a new
trend because the world
seems so much pretty
when you wake up look-
ing all good and sexy.
AHMEDABAD, TUESDAY
JULY 14, 2020
www.firstindia.co.in I www.firstindia.co.in/epaper/ I twitter.com/thefirstindia
facebook.com/thefirstindia I instagram.com/thefirstindia 09
City First looks into the huge evolution of night-
wear that lets you be fashionable during the day
and night, with a few types of the same!
T
KARISHMA GWALANI
karishma.gwalani@firstindia.co.in
THE CRIB
COUTURE

n season one of the
average 2018 Prime
Video series
Breathe, a father
went on a killing
spree to keep his
son alive. In the
second season, also created
by Mayank Sharma, anoth-
er father justifies murder to
save his daughter. In both, a
father will kill to improve
an immunocompromised
child’s chances of staying
alive.
When Delhi-based psy-
chiatrist Avinash Sabhar-
wal’s daughter Siya (Ivana
Kaur) is kidnapped, Avi-
nash (Abhishek Bachchan)
and his wife Abha (Nithya
Menen) meticulously plan
murders to meet the kid-
napper’s demands to free
their child. A well-off and
educated couple cave in and
easily become killers, with
the simple justification that
all is fair if you are trying
to save your family.
The kidnapper invokes
the 10 traits represented by
each of Ravana’s 10 heads
– anger, lust, ego, fear, and
so on – for the murders to be
committed. But Avinash
thinks he can outwit the
kidnapper because, after
all, he is a specialist in
“mind games”.
For that to happen, the
story (written by Sharma,
Bhavani Iyer, Vikram Tuli,
and Arshad Syed) would
have to follow the logic, be
constructed intelligently,
and be creative and origi-
nal. Instead, we see a cata-
log of cliches associated
with the murder mystery
genre.
Despite all the commut-
ing by the characters with-
in and around Delhi, the
story itself crawls along.
Barring the kidnapper’s
story, the other characters
swivel in a single spot. I bet
you will guess the crimi-
nal’s identity before hitting
the mid-point of this bloat-
ed 12-episode series.
The Delhi police team in
charge of the case is at a
loss as videos of these bru-
tal crimes beam across tel-
evision channels. Joining
in their efforts are inspec-
tor Kabir Sawant (Amit
Sadh) and his trusted depu-
ty Prakash Kamble (Hrishi-
kesh Joshi) from the first
season. Kabir is carrying
the emotional baggage of a
thoughtless act, and guilt
draws him to Delhi, where
he reacquaints himself
with Meghna (Plabita
Borthakur), his victim
from the past. Not only is
Meghna now a sponsor at
Narcotics Anonymous, but
she’s also a chirpy, life-pos-
itive young woman who has
named her wheelchair
“Max”.
Sadh carries the burden
of a traumatized Kabir, who
has lost his daughter and
his equilibrium, on his
muscular shoulders. His
character barely rises out
of the pit of gloom and only
occasionally shows a flash
of edgy police work, par-
tially egged on by an ambi-
tious and publicity-hungry
senior officer. Kabir should
have been the binding ele-
ment between the two sea-
sons, but his part is relegat-
ed to the wings. Credit,
though, to Sadh for convey-
ing the pain and fleeting
pleasures of a man coming
out of the shadows.
Nithya Menen and Ab-
hishek Bachchan are fet-
tered by the material and
look as bewildered at the
vapid writing. There was
an opportunity to explore
childhood trauma and men-
tal health issues here, but
it’s unharnessed. Notable
performances come from
supporting cast members,
such as Saiyami Kher, Re-
sham Shrivardhan, Shruti
Bapna, and Nizhalgal Ravi.
Most of the twists can be
seen coming to an episode
in advance. A dozen epi-
sodes of 45 minutes each
give you plenty of time to
join the dots and take a cof-
fee break without missing
anything crucial to the in-
flated and exposition-heavy
plot.
Any gains made by pro-
duction, background mu-
sic, art direction, and cine-
matography are lost by the
writing and editing. A side-
plot of two sub-inspectors
vying for Kabir’s attention
is negated by a pointless
sidebar about a recently
transferred employee jug-
gling a wife’s nagging with
a flirtation with an old
flame. The season was
filmed before the pandemic
and lockdown, but watch-
ing it in this environment,
and seeing men in N95
masks and a germaphobe
obsessively sanitizing his
surroundings resonated in
a very strange way.
https://scroll.in/
10
ETCAHMEDABAD | TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2020www.firstindia.co.in I www.firstindia.co.in/epaper/ I twitter.com/thefirstindia I facebook.com/thefirstindia I instagram.com/thefirstindia
FACEOFTHEDAY
PRATIBHA JAIN, Model and Artist
LEO
JULY 24 - AUGUST 23
Alliance with promising
parties is the best decision
you will take today. You
may decide to start a small
business from home. You are fit and
fine and people derive inspiration
from you. You may rearrange the
decor in your house today. Love life is
very important for you.
LIBRA
SEPT 24 - OCTOBER 22
Certitude of any degree
cannot make you predict
your future, there is
nothing to worry. Be
careful of what you speak and in
front of whom you speak.Instead of
flaunting your preparation this time
try to be quiet and concentrate on
being the best for outstanding results
ARIES
MAR 21 - APR 20
Requisite for a peaceful
life for you is a life full of
money . For those whose
survive on salaries can
totally expect some bonus. If
someone has helped you in the past
than remember to do the same when
that person needs you. You need to
carefully make any monetary deal.
SAGITTARIUS
NOV 23 - DEC 22
Endurance power is both
your strength and weakness
depending on the situation.
You like to play around a lot
as physical fitness is crucial in your
life. You are carefree sometime even
towards the closest friends or family
members. Good company will change
your mood today.
GEMINI
MAY 21 - JUNE 21
Visionary, practical
minded, determined is how
people define you. You
easily beat anyone in
competitions and you are always on
the top. You have surplus of energy
and you never get tired. You love
your kids more than anything in the
world and can do anything for them.
AQUARIUS
JAN 21 - FEB 19
Rapacious company must
be avoided at any cost, such
people are a big problem
when they show their true
colours. No matter is big enough to
break ties with your dear ones
therefore control your anger and talk
things out, everything will be just fine.
You will win the hearts of your parents.
TAURUS
APR 21 - MAY 20
Austerities of any kind can
be dealt with properly
when you strategise well
and in advance. A time
consuming task is no big deal for as
you as no one can match your speed.
Don’t be scared of the work.
Sometimes it should be all about
your partner than you.
CAPRICORN
DEC 23 - JAN 20
Freebie complimentary
benefits are on the cards,
you are one hell of a lucky
one today. Pending work
on work front will be completed
timely today. Those who are out of
shape can resolve to work hard and
walk on the path of fitness. You are
desperate for a big break.
VIRGO
AUG 24 - SEP 23
Bunfight on the business
front should be avoided
and the best way to do that
is to not disrespect anyone
by using wrong words. You are
saving day and night seeing the
current situations. You have no other
option than to work day and night to
achieve what you want.
CANCER
JUNE 22 - JULY 23
Ameliorate your pains from
the past is the best option
and never look back again.
Your life is full of positivity
and you make everyone positive too.
You will successfully raise funds for
the new business that you want to
start as soon as possible. Your
spouse madly loves you.
PISCES
FEB20 - MARCH 20
Cosseting your child is
good but only till a certain
age, when the chicks start
growing you have to teach
them how to fly on their own. You
are very calculative about everything
and that an awesome quality. Don’t
be disheartened because of minor
ailments, its just no big deal.
SCORPIO
OCT 23 - NOVEMBER 22
Disingenuous behaviour
when it comes to
relationships is not an ideal
thing to do, change if you
don’t want to loose your terms. You
get protection from every where such
is your luck. Money is no big deal for
you as you have plenty. Don’t let love
break your heart, stay strong.
YOUR
DAYHoroscope by
Saurabbh Sachdeva
MYSTERY
TO REACH THE
KIDNAPPERS
I

C
hristina Perri has special news for her fans.
The singer took to Instagram to reveal she’s
pregnant and expecting the second baby with
husband, Paul Costabile. The couple who ties
know in 2017, share a 2-year-old daughter, Carmella
Stanley Costabile. “Carmella is gonna be a big sis-
ter!!! our rainbow baby is coming in January,” the
songstress captioned her Instagram post.
“Surprise !! Our little fam is growing,” Paul
wrote on his Instagram page,
with an adorable pic of
his daughter. ‘New
bambino/Bambina.’
Christina’s heart-
warming pregnancy
news comes six
months after she con-
fessed she suffered a
miscarriage. —Agency
K
elly Preston, the ‘Jerry Macquire’ actor
who had been battling cancer, has
passed away. She was 57.
According to The Hollywood Re-
porter, Preston’s husband John Travolta
confirmed the news of her demise
through an Instagram post. “It is with a
very heavy heart that I inform you that
my beautiful wife Kelly has lost her
two-year battle with breast cancer. She
fought a courageous fight with the love
and support of so many,” Travolta
wrote.
“Kelly’s love and life will always be
remembered. I will be taking some
time to be there for my children
who have lost their mother, so
forgive me in advance if you
don’t hear from us for a
while. But please know
that I will feel your out-
pouringof loveintheweeks
and months ahead as we
heal,” he added. —ANI
ETCwww.firstindia.co.in I www.firstindia.co.in/epaper/ I twitter.com/thefirstindia I facebook.com/thefirstindia I instagram.com/thefirstindia AHMEDABAD | TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2020
11
riyanka Chopra Jonas was all
hearts for Nick Jonas’ mum and her
mother-in-law Denise Jonas as she
wished her on her birthday on Ins-
tagram. Priyanka, who fondly calls
Denise as Mama Jonas, shared an
adorable selfie with her as she
showered some birthday love on Denise. Pri-
yanka thanked her mother-in-law for the
‘constant grace and generosity’ they have
shared over the last few years since the ac-
tress married Nick. Despite US recording an
extremely high number of coronavirus cas-
es every single day, Priyanka’s caption hint-
ed that a party is in order as Nick’s parents
seem to be living with them.
PeeCee’s birthday caption for Mama Jo-
nas read, “Happy Birthday MamaJ ! Thank
your for your constant grace and generosity..
I’m So glad you are here and we can cele-
brate you today together ...Love you so
much...@mam-
adjonas @nick-
jonas.” Nick
also took to Insta-
gram a little later
to wish his mother
as he shared a goofy
picture with her. He
wrote, “Love you mom. Happy
birthday!” —Agency
Celebrating B’day!
P
Priyanka Chopra Jonas;
(inset) Her post
K
anye West re-
cently re-
vealed he was
running for
president. While it
has invited all kinds
of reactions, Kim
has shown her sup-
port towards
Kanye’s decision on
Twitter. Now, a new
report suggests that
the ‘Keeping Up
With The Kardashi-
an’ star is a little
concerned for her
musician husband
Kanye after recent
comments regarding
his presidential can-
didacy raised eye-
brows across
the internet.
This comes
after his
lengthy in-
terviewwith
Forbes was
published.
Earlier this
week, Kanye’s
Forbes interview
was described as a
“ r a m b l i n g ,
four-hour” take
about his experience
battling COVID-19,
his presidential
campaign plans and
his mental health,
among other topics.
Recalling his well-
documented strug-
gle with bipolar dis-
order, Kanye said,
“God just gave me
the clarity and said
it’s time to run for
president. Between
all of the influences
and the positions
that we can be put in
as musicians—you
go on tour, you put
out these albums,”
he said.
—Agency
CONCERNED! 18 YEARS OF
DEVDAS
M
adhuri Dixit
Nene, who
owned up the
iconic role as
‘Chandramukhi’ in
‘Devdas’,gotnostalgicas
the 2002 movie complet-
ed 18 years on Sunday.
As the movie com-
pleted a milestone mark
today, the 53-year-old ac-
tor took to Twitter and
remembered the char-
acter she played in the
movie. The ‘Dil’ actor
shared an iconic dia-
logue of her character
‘Chandramukhi’ and
also noted the character
as to be her “most mem-
orable, and favourite”
role. “Har dukh aane
wale subh ki chithi hoti
hai, aur ha nuskaan
hone wale faiyda ka
ishara,” Dixit tweeted
to mark the 18 -year-
completed of ‘Devdas.’
The 2002 romantic
drama had grabbed the
attention of not only the
domestic audience, but
it was also well-received
overseas with the view-
ers going gaga over the
gigantic beauty. —ANI
EMOTIONAL
GOODBYE
‘MY UNENDING
GRATITUDE, LOVE’
A
ctress Divvya Chouksey,
who made her Bolly-
wood debut with ‘Hai
Apna Dil Toh Awara’,
passed away on Sunday after los-
ingbattlewithcancer.Sheshared
a heartbreaking note on social
media before passing away.
Divvya wrote on Instagram
hours before her death, “Words
cannotsufficewhatIwanttocon-
vey, the more the less, since it’s
been months am absconded and
bombarded with plethora of
messages. It’s time I tell you
guys, I am on my death bed. S**t
happens. I am strong. Be there
another life of non suffering. No
questionsplease.Onlygodknows
how much you mean to me. DC
Bye.” Divvya’s sister Soumya
Amish Verma confirmed the
news of the model-actress’ death
on social media. —Agency
L
egendary actor Amitabh
Bachchan on Sunday ex-
pressed his gratitude to
all those who showed con-
cern and extended prayers to
the family after four family
members of the Bachchan’s
family tested positive for COV-
ID-19.
Addressing the overwhelm-
ing support of his fans, the
77-year-old star took to Twitter
and extended his “unending
gratitude and love to everyone.
“To them that have expressed
their concern, their prayers,
and their wishes for Abhishek
Aishwarya Aaradhya and me ..
my unending gratitude and love
..,” the actor tweeted. —ANI
Kelly Preston passes away
GOOD NEWS!
“Surprise !! Our little fam is growing,” Paul
months after she con-
fessed she suffered a
—Agency
Kanye West and Kim Kardashian
Late Kelly Preston
Divvya Chouksey
‘MY UNENDING
—Agency
Amitabh Bachchan
Madhuri Dixit Nene in a still from ‘Devdas’
Christina Perri and Paul Costabile
...her post

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