16 june 2020 | Issue 46 | new delhi

2 9 10
No plans This wasn’t a Ready to Sharpest kid on the block

of another suicide but a coach Team This is the initial

lockdown in planned murder: India if given step in the path
towards the
Delhi: Arvind Kangana on Chance: country's finest
Kejriwal Sushant death Azhar daily newspaper.

‘Accident’

Pakistan releases arrested high commission

staff after India lodges strong protest
Two junior staffers of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad released after being arrested by Pakistani
authorities for their alleged involvement in a ‘hit-and-run accident’, which left a pedestrian injured.
in a hit-and-run accident earlier curity officials of India’s Central rived and arrested both of them. Ministry of External Affairs and Sources told IANS that the Pakistani officials, Abid Hus-
Correspondent on Monday which left a pedes- Industrial Security Force (CISF), Sources this morning had said demarched on the reported arrest Pakistan side was asked to re- sain and Mohammad Tahir, for
New Delhi
trian injured. assigned as security to the High that both the Indian High Com- of two officials of the Indian High turn the two officials along with spying on the Indian Army on

A
fter a strong Indian pro- The two staffers went missing Commissioner and other diplo- mission staffers were out on duty Commission in Islamabad. their official car to the Indian 31 May. The duo used to meet In-
test, Pakistan police re- at 8:30 am and since then were mats. The officials, as per police in Islamabad and did not reach India, in its protest against the High Commission immediately. dian defence personnel as “busi-
leased two staffers of the untraceable. India has since tak- sources, “were over speeding their destination. Strangely, there arrests, has made it clear that The intriguing drama of the ar- nessmen” to get information for
Indian High Commission, who en up the matter with Pakistani when the accident occurred”. was no information about the two there should be no interroga- rest of the two officials has come decoy news reporters. Both were
arrested by Pakistani authorities counterparts to ensure safety of However, there was no official till the evening even as the Indian tion or harassment of the Indian two weeks after the Indian gov- declared persona non grata and
for their alleged involvement in a the Indian officials. communication from Pakistan. government had taken up the officials. The responsibility for ernment deported two Pakistan expelled from India.
“hit and run accident”. According Sources in Islamabad said, At least one person has been matter with the concerned Paki- the safety and security of the High Commission officials from Amid this, the Indian High Com-
to reports in Pakistani media, the “Two Indian diplomats have been injured in the accident, sources stan authorities. concerned diplomatic personnel New Delhi after they were caught mission in Islamabad is finding it
two staffers of the Indian High arrested by police authorities” af- said, adding that as the two Indi- Sources in New Delhi said Paki- lay squarely with the Pakistani spying red-handed. difficult to resume normal func-
Commission in Islamabad were ter they were allegedly “involved an staffers tried to flee, the locals stan’s charge d’affaires Syed Hy- authorities, the government has Indian law enforcement agen- tioning as Indian diplomats and
arrested after they were involved in a road accident”. Both are se- stopped them. Later the police ar- der Shah was summoned to the conveyed to Pakistan. cies had caught red-handed two P2

intimidating figures
top of the day
Three minor MHA, Delhi govt join
earthquakes
jolt Gujarat in hands as Delhi sees
24 hours
New Delhi: Two mild-intensity
earthquakes hit Rajkot district
of Gujarat on Monday afternoon,
11,000 cases in 6 days
a day after a 5.3 magnitude Dr. Girish Tyagi, Presi- Satyendra Jain said, “More
Ajeet Srivastava
earthquake shook the region.
New Delhi  dent of Delhi Medical Asso- corona tests are being done
According to the National Centre ciation, told The Daily Guard- in Delhi; due to this, the fig-
for Seismology, an earthquake
measuring 3.5 on the Richter
As the national capital has ian: “Increasing figures are ures are rising. There is no
scale hit 132 km north by north- seen a sharp rise in the intimidating, but testing need to be afraid. This virus
west of Rajkot at 3.56 p.m, while number of coronavirus- is also a reason for the in- spreads in big cities, where
another measuring 4.1 struck positive cases, the Ministry creasing number of new there are close community
118 km north by northwest of
of Home Affairs (MHA) has cases. If there are more tests, areas. We are taking strong
it at 12.57 pm. No casualties or
damage to properties have been held three meetings in the more new cases will appear. action against this outbreak
reported so far. On Sunday night last 36 hours to combine It is right to come up with and, that is how we are able
at 8.13 p.m, an earthquake of forces and fight Covid-19 new cases, only then we can to treat the people infected
magnitude 5.3 on Richter Scale overcome this pandemic.”  with the virus. It has been
effectively. The number of
struck the same district. Sev-
eral parts of the state, including corona infected patients has Agreeing with him, Dr spreading rapidly across
Ahmedabad, had also felt the crossed the 41,000 mark Arun Gupta, President of the world. This has been
tremors. already, and as per Delhi Delhi Medical Council, also the most infectious disease
government figures, in the said, “People do not have to of all the diseases until now.” 
Yogi to visit last six days, more than be afraid of rising numbers. Congress state president

Ayodhya on 18 11,000 new cases have been

recorded. From 9 June to
This is a good thing, with
this practice, we can know
Anil Chaudhary told The
Daily Guardian: “The fig-
June, ‘bhumi 14 June, the figure has only the exact number and fix ures are telling that the Paying tribute in Covid times
pujan’ likely ballooned. The spread of
the virus has been steep,
corona affected patients
quickly.”
Delhi government’s system
is completely failing, both
on 1 July even as the Union Home Asked about the rapid the Centre and the Delhi People wear masks with the photograph of actor Sushant
Lucknow: UP Chief Minister
ministry has stepped in and surge in positive cases, Min- government are involved. Singh Rajput, in Kolkata on Monday. ANi
Yogi Adityanath would visit upped the ante. ister of Delhi Government P2
Ayodhya on 18 June to review the
preparations for the Ram temple
‘bhumi pujan’, tweeted the Chief RISING CASES Strong message New angles
Minister’s Office, here on Monday.

‘Corona testing in As protest rises against Oli govt on Sushant death mystery:
The ‘bhumi pujan’ is likely on 1
July. Champat Rai, general sec-
retary of Shri Ram Janambhoomi

Delhi to be done in 15 corona and corruption, India says Police to question actor’s
Teerth Kshetra Trust, said they
had extended a formal invitation
to Prime Minister Narendra
Modi to attend the ‘bhumi pujan’.
Sources said the Prime Minister
might not be able to attend the minutes at Rs 450’ onus on Nepal to improve ties rumoured girlfriend
function due to the Covid-19
Sanjay Singh, Congress flected that Kathmandu was businesses who had suf- The actor’s bereaved father,
crisis. He could attend it through Pulkit Nagar and Correspondent Preeti Sompura
video link. Delhi state president Anil New Delhi not serious in resolving the fered badly and were reel- Mumbai who is also a police commis-
Yatendra Sharma
New Delhi Chaudhary, Union Home decades-old issue through ing under the impact of the sioner, informed that the
India’s Covid Union Home Minister Amit
Secretary, Union Health Sec-
retary, Delhi’s Chief Secre-
As students protest in Kath-
mandu against the Oli gov-
dialogue.
“The Nepalese side didn’t
Covid-19.
The youth also said that
The tragic death of film ac-
tor Sushant Singh Rajput
deceased had informed him
that he was planning to get
count crosses Shah has himself come into tary, and the Delhi Govern- ernment demanding an end respond to the Indian offer the government had not took the entire country married in November but
3.32 lakh, action to deal with the ever-
increasing cases of corona-
ment’s Principal Secretary
Health.
to corruption and slamming
its “inefficiency” in handling
of a dialogue between the
foreign secretaries of the two
taken any measures to tackle
unemployment and dignity
by storm. Amid growing
speculations on reasons be-
never mentioned the girl’s
name. He also suspected
death toll virus in the national capital. In the meeting, Shah made the Covid-19 pandemic, In- countries... The onus is now of common man was falling. hind the actor’s unfortunate foul play and alleged that
rises to 9,520 Within 36 hours, Shah has
held three consecutive meet-
it clear that it is time to deal
with the pandemic and all
dia has sent across a strong
message that the onus is on
on them to create a positive
and conducive atmosphere
About 500 students took
part in the protest at Banesh-
end, Mumbai Police is all set
to question his rumoured
his son was murdered. He
said that there were no rea-
New Delhi: India’s Covid-19
ings. On Sunday, he had a parties should separate their the Nepal government to for talks,” sources added. wor in Kathmandu. Various girlfriend and actress Rhea sons for his son to end his
count crossed 3.32 lakh on Mon-
day with an increase of 11,502 meeting with all the mayors political agendas. Amit Shah create a “positive and condu- Meanwhile, hundreds of groups of youngsters have Chakraborty in connection life in such tragic circum-
new cases in the last 24 hours of MCDs in which Delhi had made it clear on Sunday cive atmosphere” for talks to protesting students high- continued to demonstrate in with the death mystery after stances as he was financially
while the death toll has risen Chief Minister Arvind Kejri- that the number of tests resolve the border row over lighted corruption of the Oli Kathmandu and other parts an old picture of the couple well.
to 9,520 with 325 persons suc- wal and L-G Anil Baijal were done in Delhi would now the Kalapani-Lipulekh re- government and demanded of Nepal demanding that went viral on the Internet. The police also interrogat-
cumbing to the virus in the last
24 hours. The increase in cases
also present. On Monday, he have to be increased. From gion, official sources said on strong action in such cases. the government be more ac- The actress also visited Coo- ed three persons including
is marginally lower than the called an all-party meeting 20 June, there will be 18,000 Monday. They accused the govern- countable about measures per Hospital on Monday his two cooks and manager
spike of 11,929 cases witnessed and sought the views of all tests carried out every day They said the release of ment of lacking efficiency to contain the Covid-19 pan- where Sushant’s dead body who lived with him. Neeraj
a day earlier. The Covid-19 count political parties in Delhi. The in Delhi and a new way of the new map by the Oli gov- in dealing with the situation demic. was kept.  Earlier, the police Singh (cook), Keshav Bach-
includes 1,53,106 active cases
meeting was attended by efficient testing will be re- ernment was an attempt to created by coronavirus and They are also demanding had earlier called it a suicide ner (cook) and Deepesh
while 1,69,798 patients are cured/
discharged/migrated. BJP state president Aadesh vealed soon. It will take very politicise the boundary issue said there was “lack of sup- dignity and relief measures case, but now will interro- Sawant (manager) in their
Gupta, Aam Aadmi Party’s P2 with India and the move re- port and initiatives” to local P2 gate the actress. P2
2 news t h e da i ly gua rdi a n
16 ju ne 2020
new de l h i

Demonstrations Petition

Delhi Congress to hold 1000 protests to Nurse body moves SC

highlight failures of BJP, AAP govts on proper handling
Ajeet Srivastava
New Delhi
make people aware about the reali-
ties of the Covid-19 situation in the
incompetence of the govts. Both these
governments wasted precious time
performance and it would be better if
they put it in the war against the epi-
of Covid corpses
state. in tackling the pandemic since lock- demic”. Defending his government,

A
Ashish Sinha
fter Union Home Minister Delhi Congress chief Anil Chaud- down, cases in Delhi have crossed AAP MLA Somnath Bharti said that New Delhi 
Amit Shah and Delhi Chief hary told The Daily Guardian that the 40 thousand mark and all these the Congress had nothing to lose or
Minister Arvind Kejriwal both the state and the Union govern- deficiencies and false promises will anything to gain.” The people of Del- The United Nurses Associa-
held a high-level meeting to combat ments have finally admitted what the be made known to the public, he said. hi are sensible so the Congress is on tion has moved the Supreme
Delhi’s serious coronavirus situa- Congress has been saying for many Responding to this, Delhi BJP zero. The party is not prohibited from Court, seeking to be heard in
tion, the state unit of the Congress weeks and due to their incompe- President Adesh Gupta said,” The performing but Congress leaders are the suo motu case related to
has decided to hold demonstrations tence, the coronavirus cases have party has the right to protest but following the path of BJP. The people proper treatment of Covid-19
at 1,000 places in the city against the surged in the state. He also added that now it is the time to work together of Delhi know how much work the patients and dignified han-
Union and the state governments to very few tests were done and people and win against the epidemic. Con- Kejriwal government is doing during dling of dead bodies. The
The Supreme Court of India.
highlight their failures and also to were scared due to lack of beds and gress needs to put its strength in its this pandemic,” he said. petition also seeks nutritious
food, transport and proper The petition seeks full and fected at the frontline of the Co-
accommodation near hospi- timely payment of salaries vid-19 outbreak response need
Clarification E-pass needed tals healthcare staff in view to the health workers in pri- to be looked after while they

No plans of another Mumbai local

of their continued exposure vate hospitals, claiming that undergo treatment. It seeks ex-
to Covid patients. they are at a greater risk of pansion of scope of personal
With more than 1,000 getting infected. It cites ex- accident cover provided under

trains resume
healthcare workers testing posure of health workers to the ‘Pradhan Mantri Garib

lockdown in Delhi: Covid- positive and five losing

their lives, the petitioner has
various hazards, including
long working hours, physi-
Kalyan Yojana’ to healthcare
workers fighting Covid-19, in-

for essential
sought availability of protec- cal and psychological dis- cluding those working on ad-

Arvind Kejriwal
tive kits in corona hospitals tress, fatigue, occupational hoc basis. Petition also seeks
and proper screening of sus- burnout, stigma and violence. free testing and treatment for

service providers
pected patients before admis- The petition wants that fami- healthcare workers infected in
sion to ensure speedy testing. lies of healthcare workers in- line of duty.
Correspondent
New Delhi from  5.30 am to 11.30 pm CM missing?
Preeti Sompura
Mumbai
with an interval of approx 15

Bihar witnesses poster war

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind minutes. These will run as
Kejriwal on Monday refuted Local trains in Mumbai fast local trains over western,
the claims of another lock- resumed their services on central and harbour railway.
down being planned in the
national capital, saying there
is “no such plan”.
Monday after a gap of two-
and-a-half months. Only
essential service providers
Western Railway (WR) runs
over 120 trains whereas Cen-
tral Railway (CR) runs over
ahead of Assembly polls
“Many people are specu- identified by the state gov- 200 trains. trol of the situation. He has been interacting
Shiv Pujan Jha
lating whether another ernment are allowed to com- The CR runs 200 train Patna
with the officials across the state in the same
lockdown in Delhi in being mute by these trains. They services on its main line, be- way, ensuring development work, prepara-
planned. There are no such will be given an e-pass which tween Chhatrapati Shivaji As Chief Minister Nitish kumar was busy tions for flood control, and also ensuring skill
plans,” Kejriwal said in a will have their picture, name, Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) conducting meetings with officials in Patna, mapping and facilitating job opportunities to
tweet rubbishing the specu- Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and L-G Anil Baijal at a meeting with designation, office railway to Thane, Kalyan, Karjat and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav launched poster lakhs of migrant labourers who returned in
lations of another lockdown Union Home Minister Amit Shah, in New Delhi on Sunday. ians station, residence railway Kasara and the Harbour line, war against him questioning “Why is Nitish large numbers from the other states.
in the city. city has witnessed the lock- new coronavirus cases in the station and mobile number. CSMT and Panvel. The WR Kumar missing?” The RJD, however, has raked up the issue
The Delhi government has down from March 25 to May last 24 hours and 56 more Train service will be used will run 73 pairs of subur- Tejashwi Yadav has made it into a political of prolonged absence of Nitish Kumar from
opened most of the economic 31 to combat the spread of deaths, taking the total fa- by 1.25 lakh state govern- ban services including eight issue that Nitish Kumar has not ventured out public life. The RJD is now chalking out a
activities in the national capi- novel coronavirus. talities in the national capital ment staff working in es- pairs between Virar and Da- of his official residence ever since Lockdown plan of drum beating across the state to en-
tal from June 1. The capital Delhi has reported 2,224 due to the virus to 1,327. sential services and run hanu Road. 1.0. On Monday, he unravelled a huge poster sure “Nitish Kumar comes out of his home.”
at the RJD office in Patna which was a direct The BJP and the JD-U have both reacted
attack on Nitish Kumar and said: “Nitish sharply to the missing poster launched by
Review New angles kumar has confined himself to his palatial Tejashwi Yadav. BJP spokesperson, Nikhil

Sushant death mystery:

house for the last 90 days. Why has he not Anand said, “Nitish Kumar has been work-
Shah visits Delhi’s LNJP hospital come out? He could at least have gone to the
NMCH and the PMCH hospitals.”
ing 24×7 for the state. But Tejashwi should
explain where was he hiding for 55 days?”
to review Covid preparedness
Police to question actor’s
The opposition leader has also raised his Launching counter attack on Yadav, JD-U
voice over the testings being done in the state minister Neeraj Kumar said: “He should put
Correspondent
testing should be provided pertaining to Covid-19. out posters about the Ill-gotten property of

rumoured girlfriend
New Delhi to all, as it is everyone’s right. In the last 90 days, Nitish Kumar has rarely his family and the third son of Lalu Yadav.”
The party has also demand- come out of his official residence, with con- The poster war has become the new tool
Union Home Minister Amit ed that Rs 10,000 should be ducting most of the government works and for both the ruling party as well as the op-
Shah on Monday held a paid to every family whose meetings through video conference. positions, to counter and charge allegations
meeting with officials at Del- member is infected or in con- statement After the allegations of mismanagement at against one another in the state. As the elec-
hi’s LNJP hospital to review tainment zone, according to to the police said quarantine centres, he even established video tions are knocking on the door, the poster
the preparedness related to sources. that the actor conference with the people there to take con- was is all set to escalate.
Covid-19. The sources added that was in depres-
Earlier in the day, an all- Congress has also demanded sion since last 8 months RISING CASES
party meeting chaired by that 4th-year medical stu- and was under medication.

‘Corona testing in Delhi to be done

Amit Shah was held to re- dents should be used as non- They also informed that he
view the management of permanent resident doctors. was not taking any medi-
Covid-19 situation in Delhi Due to the crunch of health- cines in the last two months.
at the Ministry of Home Af-
fairs. During the course of
care staff, 4th-year students
of Bachelor of Pharmacy or
He also made a last call to
Mahesh Krishna Shetty, his
in 15 minutes at Rs 450’
the meeting, Congress has nursing should be used for friend since struggling days, little time 1,000 beds in the NCR. Like corona patients in private
demanded that Covid-19 health staff. around 3 am on Sunday for the report the cases of callousness hospitals. A panel of doctors
but he didn’t respond. Ma- to come and the in hospitals are out in the has also been formed to take
hesh, however, called back price will also be news, it is also a fact that the a decision on this.
Strong message Sushant around 12 pm on very low. According to AAP same hospitals have cured Anil Chaudhary, president,
the same day but there was MP Sanjay Singh, the report over 2,000 patients and Delhi Congress, said, “It is
As protest rises against Oli govt no response. Police have will come in just 15 minutes sent them back home. This better late than never. We
recorded the statement of and it will cost only Rs 450. needs to be reassured among provided a list of 11 sugges-
on corona and corruption, India Mahesh and they are also This information was given the public,” Singh said. tions. The AAP government
tracking call details of the by the Union Ministry of Aadesh Gupta, President, was sleeping for 85 days
says onus on Nepal to improve ties deceased. Health in the all-party meet- Delhi BJP, informed The and now they have taken up.
Meanwhile, the forensic ing. Right now, it takes 48 Daily Guardian, “There will Delhi government has three
for daily- agement details including lab team visited the actor’s hours for the report to come be door-to-door mapping hospitals and 2,609 beds
wage workers, re- budget allocation and ex- house on Monday to col- and it costs around Rs 4,800. in the containment zone. could have been prepared in
turnee migrants, penditure. They are asking lect samples and evidence. In many cases, it was ob- 500 more coaches will be the hospitals, but why was it
the poor and the government to be more The police also spoke to served that the report came available in 15 days, which not done? It is AAP’s respon-
marginalized communities transparent in expenses in- Sushant’s sister Nitu Singh after the death of the patient. will increase the number of sibility to respond. Nothing
and a commitment to trans- curred in attempts to control who resides in Goregaon. AAP’s Sanjay Singh said: beds. 37,000 beds will be is ready yet. I have requested
parency and accountability the pandemic. In her statement, she in- Actress Shraddha Kapoor arrives for the last rites of actor “In today’s meeting, I have available in Delhi in a few feedback regarding private
Sushant Singh Rajput, in Mumbai on Monday. ANI
by sharing all Covid-man- With agency inputs formed the police that Su- discussed all issues together days. Work is also being hospitals as well. I want a
shant came to her house on is being said that he was un- of his father, friends and from poor oxygen supply to done on the arrangement of clear policy.”
8 June and stayed there for der financial crisis and had other family members soon. availability of beds. Central ventilators. Everyone has to A few hours after conclud-
‘Accident’ two days and was alright. signed a web series during Post-mortem reports have government hospitals have fight this epidemic without ing the all-party meeting,
Both of them had made a lockdown. Police are likely revealed that the actor died 2,000 beds and we are in- any political discrimination. Union Home Minister Amit
PAKISTAN RELEASES ARRESTED plan to go to Patna in July. It to record the statements of hanging. creasing another 1,900 beds;
private hospitals have 4,400
The committee will report
on the charges of the pri-
Shah also reached LNJP
Hospital, where he took
HIGH COMMISSION STAFF AFTER intimidating figures
beds and they are increas-
ing their capacity to another
vate hospitals in two days.
From tomorrow, BJP will
stock of preparations at
LNJP. It is clear that disturb-
INDIA LODGES STRONG PROTEST 1,178 beds. In 8,000 bed- distribute decoction, sani- ing pictures from LNJP Hos-

consular their activities in keeping MHA, Delhi govt join hands as railway coaches, 500 beds
will be increased. Beds will
tizer, and face masks to 10
lakh people.”
pital are constantly coming
up on social media in which

Delhi sees 11,000 cases in 6 days

officials are facing with the Vienna Convention. also be increased in 4,000 It is also clear from the the problems faced by the
aggressive tailing India told Pakistan that hotels and several other meeting held on Sunday patients are visible. There is
and surveillance. the behaviour of its agencies places. A total of 37,000 and Monday that the arbi- negligence with regards to
Last Friday, India regis- violated the Vienna Conven- Their fail- the people, the government which the cases contin- beds will be increased by the trariness of private hospitals corpses as well. LNJP Hos-
tered a protest in the form of tion on Diplomatic Relations, ures indi- has failed on every front.” ued to grow. The Govern- Delhi government.” in Delhi will soon come to a pital is the largest hospital
a note verbale to Pakistani 1961 and also the bilateral cate that the in- Delhi BJP state president ment of India and Home “IAS officers will monitor stop. The Daily Guardian had of the Delhi government for
authorities. India asked Pak- 1992 Code of Conduct which fection is steadily Adesh Gupta also blamed Minister Amit Shah have both private and govern- informed the government the treatment of corona with
istan to ensure the safety and the two countries signed to increasing. Be it the ruling party’s misman- taken effective steps, it is ment hospitals. The test will about the loot by private 2,000 beds. The Supreme
security of the Indian High provide diplomats immunity a matter of testing, the case agement and said, “There expected that the situation give result in just 15 minutes hospitals in Delhi and the Court has also expressed
Commission and its staff from hostilities in ties. of beds or a matter of giv- were shortcomings of the in Delhi will improve in the and cost only Rs 450. We government had called for concern over the negligence
and to allow them to resume With agency inputs ing financial assistance to Delhi government, due to coming days.” also spoke of increasing a rate list of treatment for of patients there.
 t h e da ily gua r dia n
16 j u n e 2 0 2 0
n ew de l h i comment & analysis 3
Fighting pandemic perspective

India’s Covid response

NO MORE LOCKDOWNS

Ease the regulations

is well calibrated
At a time when the country is opening up after a
debilitating blow inflicted on the economy by an
over two-month-long lockdown, there must be
consensus that India will not go down the path of
another lockdown, even if there is a huge spike in
coronavirus cases. The prolonged lockdown did
help the Central and state governments to ramp
up healthcare facilities to a certain level. Even
Despite serious challenges of diverse nature, the country’s corona-related then, there is no denying the hammer blow dealt
to an already faltering economy in the process.
deaths and cases per million population are one of lowest in the world. Hence, an “automatic” reaction to the spike in the
number of cases being a stringent lockdown is best
avoided, although states like Tamil Nadu have al-
government surveillance Testing and lease quoted that the coun- pandemic. Despite serious ready imposed an “intense” 12-day lockdown on
by using this app, the au- treatment cil is working relentlessly challenges of diverse nature, Chennai and nearby districts. It is expected that

opinion
thorities took the bold step As on 9 June 2020, there are to implement scientific in- India’s deaths and cases per at the meeting the Prime Minister will have with
of putting the source code of total 823 Operational (initi- terventions to combat the million population are one the state Chief Ministers, at least some states will
the app out in open source ated independent testing) Covid-19 pandemic and the of lowest in the world. As insist on not easing several restrictions. It is hoped
on GitHub for allaying any Laboratories reporting to decision to join the WHO the country contemplates a that instead they should be seeking guidance on
Brijesh Singh & privacy related fears. ICMR with 590 government solidarity trial is an impor- relaxation of the lockdown how they can contain the spread of the virus while
Khushbu Jain Infrastructure laboratories and 233 private tant step in this endeav- measures to balance life keeping economic activity alive. For instance, Ut-
During the initial phase of laboratories. With three dif- our. Solidarity trial is an versus livelihood, it has to tar Pradesh has told the court that it is against
Covid-19 crisis, not even a ferent modalities of testing international clinical trial be extremely careful about opening up of the borders that its cities share with
single PPE kit was manu- such as: to compare four untested a second wave of infections Delhi, because over 40% of the cases in these cities
factured in India, and only - Real-Time RT PCR for treatment options against which many countries have have their origin in the national capital. So what
N95 masks were available Covid-19: 520 (Govt: 340 + standard of care to assess experienced. if many business and commercial establishments
and exported (embargo Private: 180) their effectiveness which The Government Re- have opened in the whole of Delhi-NCR and ease
was imposed by the govern- - TrueNat Test for Covid-19 : includes remdesivir, lopi- sponse Stringency Index of movement is one of the basic criteria needed for
ment for export so as to ful- 240 (Govt: 227 + Private: 13) navir/ritonavir, lopinavir/ created by researchers economic activity to get back to normal! Surely
fill local needs). As on date - CBNAAT Test for COV- ritonavir with interferon from Blavatnik School of there are better ways of handling the problem. As
almost two lakh PPE kits ID-19: 63 (Govt: 23 + Private: beta-1a and chloroquine or Government at the Univer- it is, in spite of opening up, things are far from be-
and 2 lakh N95 masks are 40) hydroxychloroquine. The sity of Oxford rates coun- ing normal in most states, with the lack of public
manufactured in India per The Union Civil Aviation ICMR’s National AIDS Re- tries across the world on transport proving to be a major hurdle. Take the
day. In order to augment Ministry availing services search Institute (NARI) was their corona response. It is example of app cabs—they are running in certain
the required infrastruc- of Air india, Alliance Air, designated as the national a composite measure based cities, but not in others. For some strange reason,
ture to deal with Covid-19 Indian Air Force, pawan coordination site for the on nine response indicators one particular city, which is allowing app autorick-
cases across the country, Hans and private carriers trial in India. including school closures, shaws to run, is not allowing neighbourhood au-
an amount of Rs. 2000 launched ‘Mission Lifeline After obtaining required workplace closures, and torickshaws to ply. And where markets are being

I
ndia had its first case of ical followed by technol- crores in PM CARES Fund Udan’ to ensure supply of regulatory and ethical ap- travel bans, rescaled to a allowed to open, their days of opening are being
onavirus infection on ogy based contact tracing, are marked for purchase ICMR consignments of Co- provals, recruitment of value from 0 to 100. In a regulated severely, thus defeating the whole pur-
30 January. It was con- augmentation of health of 50,000 ‘Made-in-India’ vid-19 diagnostic materials covid-19 patients as par- data set from 73 countries, pose of “unlocking”. These problems arise primar-
firmed in Kerala’s Thrissur services, relevant adviso- ventilators to be provided such as enzymes, regents, ticipants for trial has begun that calculates govern- ily because Indian bureaucrats thrive in flexing
district when a student who ries and mobilisation of the to the government run Cov- medical equipment, test- and around nine sites have ments’ response to Covid-19, their bureaucratic muscles and the lockdown has
had returned home for a administrative machinery. id-19 hospitals in all States/ ing kits and PPE, masks, been approved for such tri- India’s response has been given them immense opportunity to come up with
vacation from Wuhan Uni- Initial measures worked UTs,for better treatment of gloves and other essential als. shown to be one of the most rules and regulations where the natural tendency
versity in China was found well for India and the num- the critical Covid-19 cases. items reaching every labo- This step of the Indian stringent in the world, top- is to control, to regulate. In such circumstances,
positive. After that the Cen- ber of days to reach 10,000 As on 10 May 2020, ratory across the country in government is applauded ping the chart. it is heartening that states such as Delhi and Gu-
tral and state governments cases from 100 was 64, one around 7,740 facilities in a timely manner amid the widely and is the founda- As India fights corona, it jarat have said that they would not go for further
began to undertake a series of the slowest in the world, 483 districts have been nationwide lockdown. In tion for India’s role in both has to take urgent measures lockdowns, however steep the spike. In the case of
of measures aimed at pre- comparatively the US took identified in all the States/ the last 2 months, despite research as well as manu- to revitalise and revive the Delhi, it is commendable that the Centre and the
venting the spread of conta- only 25 days, Spain 30 and UTs that include hospitals the lockdown, approxi- facturing once trials con- economy, augment the ca- state have joined hands to tackle the virus. Now is
gion. It started with inten- Italy took only 36 days to and facilities of the State/ mately 40 tonnes of testing clude successfully. pacity of the health sector not the time for politics and it is good that all talk
sive screening of incoming reach a similar figure. How- UT govts as well as the cen- material was transported As per Ministry of Health to handle a demand surge about “Delhi will see a shortfall of beds because
flyers and compulsory ever, country comparisons tral government. There are in more than 150 flight op- when the first lockdown as efforts are taken to flat- outsiders are being allowed to be treated here” is
quarantine, leading to flight should be made with cau- around 65,6769 isolation erations, reaching out to the started, the recovery rate ten the curve and also stem now in the past. Now is the time to ramp up the
restrictions form countries tion as India’s population beds, 30,5567 beds for con- remotest corners of the na- was around 7.1%. The re- a wave of misinformation testing. The more India tests, the higher the num-
which were hotbeds of in- of 1·3 billion across diverse firmed cases, 35,1204 beds tion. To streamline the flow covery rate during the sec- leading to public order cri- bers will be—that is the nature of the disease. But
fection, to manual contact states, health services and for suspected cases, 99492 of supplies to the last mile ond lockdown was 11.42%, ses which can potentially even as our numbers increase manifold, a whole
tracing of positive patients. access inequalities, econom- oxygen supported beds, doorstep deliveries were co- it then rose to 26.59%. Dur- have large disruptive con- lot of other factors need to be looked into—the per-
As the infections further ic and social disparities, po- 1,696 facilities with oxygen ordinated with India Post, ing the third lockdown, the sequences. It is time when centage of infected people when compared to the
spread, India implemented litical and administrative manifolds and 34,076 ICU several courier companies recovery rate was 39.62%, states and centre work in whole population and the mortality rate, both of
visa suspensions and in- asymmetries add to the beds. and state governments. currently it has improved unison, fighting a common which are very low; the severity of the infection,
creasing flight restrictions, complexity of the problem. India has been instrumen- Research to 47.99% amongst Covid-19 enemy and showing to the often very mild; and the recovery rate, which is
this was done much before India’s own contact trac- tal at international level by The centre demarcated an patients, the rate of recover- world that this democracy very high. There is one more thing that needs to
other countries at the same ing app Aarogya Setu today providing aid by supplying amount of Rs. 100 crore ies has been moving steadily and nation can survive be looked into right away and that is the exorbitant
time. Stricter measures has more than 128 million hydroxychloroquine. An- from the PM Cares Fund upwards. shocks, fight calamities on rates—in the range of Rs 8-10 lakh—being charged
starting from the Prime users, this app has helped other instrumental step to- for the research of Covid-19 conclusion and its own and even rebound by many private hospitals to treat corona cases. If
Minister’s announcement form a fair picture of the wards creating infrastruc- vaccine developers design- recommendations to rally on a path of growth anything needs to be regulated, it is this. The ef-
on 24 March 2020 of vol- contagion, hotspots in dif- ture for tackling Covid-19 ers. This additional amount India’s response to the Co- and prosperity. fort should now be on finding innovative ways and
untary lockdown called ferent areas and efficacy patients was by Indian to catalyse the vaccine de- vid19 pandemic has been a (Brijesh Singh, is Inspector means of ensuring that the vast majority of this
Janta Curfew to lockdown of lockdown measures by Railways to earmark 5,000 velopment will be utilized well calibrated one, it pre- General of Police, Maharashtra country remains unaffected from the virus even as
phases 1-5 followed soon. providing an aggregated coaches for providing isola- under the supervision of the emptively announced strin- and Khushbu Jain is a practic- they go about their daily lives.
Meanwhile extensive test- picture of the spread over tion facilities having around Principal Scientific Advisor. gent measures much before ing advocate, Supreme Court Joyeeta Basu
ing, contact tracing — phys- time. After initial fears of 80,000 beds. The ICMR in its press re- WHO declared a global of India).

unique chance

Economic package draws from Gandhi, Deendayal & Thengadi

Shri niwas
while dealing with a crisis. It established that Indian Gov- country, therefore to ensure at an open price as the marker Dayal and Dattopant Thengdi. overlooked. Similarly the ne- strengthening the agricul-
is an essential attribute of deft ernment is fully committed that the model of economic was controlled by the ruler. He The confluence of this trinity glect of agriculture converted tural and MSME industries
crisis leadership. It is a well- towards it and that the people development is balanced, the identified this as a prominent creates an elixir and potent it into a business of loss. All of along with handloom based
documented and established have embraced it with open labour-intensive industries cause for the poverty of farm- medicine to address long- this resulted in the conversion industries to suggest durable
fact that the economy of India hands. On one hand, through must be focused. He has given ers. In the regard, the reforms standing imbalances in the of farmers and rural skilled and long-term solutions to our
has suffered heavily due the the Pradhanmantri Gareeb a motto- ‘Industrialization of initiated by the Central Gov- economic structure. workmen into the migrants economic problems.
pandemic-induced lockdown Kalyan Yojana and other Rashtra, Labour-intensifica- ernment will be an important If we look at the past, we find of large cities for employment. Under the exemplary leader-
stretched till 31 May. How- means, the Government has tion of business, and national- effort towards the dreams of that there are lots of imbal- The magnitude of mi- ship of India’s Prime Minister
ever, it is important to note taken due care of the concerns ization of Laborers’. Dattopant Mahatma Gandhi. ances in the economic order grant labourers in crores is Narendra Modi, the govern-
that even while dealing with of the downtrodden and eco- believed that the partnership, The idea of JAM (Jandhaan, based on agriculture, industry a depressing example of the ment has taken a brave leap
this immediate challenge, the nomically weaker sections of importance and weightage of Aadhaar, Mobile) Trinity and service sectors. We par- economic imbalance of the to use this crisis to convert
After nearly one month from government’s economic pack- community, and on the other, labourers must be increased based modelling of schemes ticularly observe the historic economic system. We must India into an ‘Atmanirbhar
the declaration of Aatmanirb- age has remained inclusive, we have decided to invest in business as labour is eas- for the welfare of the poor is burden upon the agricultural understand that when a per- Bharat’. When the opposi-
har Bharat Abhiyan and near- holistic and visionary. The nearly 10% of the GDP(20 ily available in India. The driven by the inspiration of and industrial sector. From a son migrates from his village tion and intellectual com-
ly 2.5 months after declaration package has clear and indel- Lakh Crores) through various declaration to provide a Antyoday provided by Deen point of time, when in the be- or town, it is not the case of munity was limited to only
of the Lockdown 1.0, we are ible imprints of the confluence means to provide impetus and stimulus of Rs 10,000 crore Dayal. In his model of eco- ginning of the 18th century, movement of an individual, addressing the momentary
seeing an ascending legiti- of the economic thoughts of hand-holding to the diverse and Rs 15,000 crore to food- nomic development, ‘work India had 29% share in the rather it is a painful separa- questions, the government has
macy and social trust in the Gandhi, Deendayal Upadhy- sections of Industry — from processing and dairy reflects for each hand’ is critical and global products; the 200 year tion from his family, society clearly signaled that besides
Narendra Modi-led Central ay, and Dattopant Thengadi. street vendor to MSME to the that the government has em- essential. The present package long colonial rule has led to and local practices, The re- addressing these problems,
government. This is primar- Even while taking due care of corporate houses. braced the path suggested by reserving Rs 3 lakh crore for visible and large shrinking of cent reverse-migrant of the the Government shall proceed
ily a result of the leadership the necessities of food, medi- The detailed package has fa- Dattopant Thengdi. Similarly, collateral free loans will cre- this share. Even after achiev- migrant labourers during the with fundamental changes.
skills and understanding of cine and other essential items, cilitated mechanisms where Gandhi believed in the idea of ate a way and ecosystem for ing independence in 1947, this lockdown has put this ques- The government hasn’t
PM Narendra Modi to not the government has invested a person may start industrial Village based economic model the talented prowess of youth colonial legacy, along with the tion at the centre of national panicked or shown over-
merely deal with this pan- its energy and resources in production through local re- and for this it was important to aiming for self-employment. centralised planning and red- debate. zealousness to merely start
demic, rather convert it into metamorphosing and bring- sources even while eyeing end the license-permit Raj and This loan will pave the way for tapism had led to an economic If the people born in villages the dormant economy, but
a unified battle and unique ing about fundamental struc- for the global market. For that people doing animal hus- establishment of small scale policy which has never suited and towns are provided better has tried to provide an en-
chance for Indians to con- tural changes in the economic example, reforms in APMC bandry must also be treated as industries and businesses at the Indian physic. economic opportunities at the tirely new design by meticu-
vert this into an opportunity system via reforms. The ‘Self- Law, Fisheries, Animal Hus- a farmer, and that a person is the village and tehsil level. India grew slowly in com- local level, they may produce lously attempting to bring
to excel and progress. In the Reliant India Movement’ has bandry, MSME, Agriculture now free to sell his products This shall transform them parison to the expected pace. wonderful results from their about paradigm shifts and a
recent public interaction, he filled India with exuberance etc. will provide a stable, in- anywhere. Economic history from ‘job-seeker’ to ‘job-pro- Economic Planners like Ma- energy and talent. For the new model of economy. All
has confidently reiterated and confidence to aspire and clusive, financially accessible expert Sanjeev Sayal has said vider’. Besides this, it will pro- halnobis became the creator ‘Swadeshi-based’ economic segments of society must ex-
this goal of the Aatmanirbhar achieve. The Covid-19 crisis and assistive environment to that the reforms in the agri- vide employment to the local of India’s fate. They believed system, it is extremely pru- perience that this is a golden
Bharat Abhiyan and the path is a very painful crisis, but grow. These developments are cultural sector shall be an end people in their surroundings. that the heavy and big indus- dent to focus on the domestic opportunity to take concrete
to be followed. India has decided to use it as in tune with the economic to the 700 year ordeal of the In this way, we find that the tries were the key to India’s production of all products es- steps to address long-awaited
One of the distinguishing an opportunity to convert this thoughts of Saintly Intellec- farmers. He has observed that efforts of the Government development and distributed sential for domestic consump- targets while dealing with a
features of a credible and suc- into a historic opportunity. tual Dattopant Thengdi who from the times of Allaudin have irrefutable influence and all industries to few metropoli- tion. It is quite evident from slowdown tornado.
cessful leadership is to not lose The details of the action last has repeatedly reiterated that Khilji, the farmers were not confluence of the economic tan cities. The small and coop- the detailed package that the The author is the National Joint-
sight of the long-term goals month towards the goal have as India is a labour-surplus allowed to see their produce thoughts of Gandhi, Deen erative based industries were Government is focused on Organising Secretary of ABVP.
 4 news plus t h e da ily gua r dia n
16 j u n e 2 0 2 0
new de l h i

Bollywood NEXUS REQUEST

The Sushant Singh Syndrome Punjab CM urges PM Modi to

extend PMGKAY benefits
Sushant Singh Rajput was a ‘Quintessential Outsider’ born as a small- Anil Bhardwaj
Underlining the need to
continue it, the CM pointed
town boy from Bihar with big dreams, big talent and grit to not toe the line. Chandigarh

Punjab CM Captain Ama-

out that the economic
situation of the poor has not
Shweta Shalini the important fourth that is This is what I call the “Su- The Bolly-Nexus consists left even the privileged in rinder Singh has urged PM improved much even after
driven by the missing car- shant Singh Syndrome” of 50-year-old production awe of her. Many others Narendra Modi to extend the resumption of industrial
bohydrates in the protein- — the Quintessential Out- houses, PR firms, paparaz- have kept a safe distance benefits under the Pradhan activities in Punjab. Of the
based fad diets of the mil- sider who was a small- zi, financiers, distributors, from this nexus but had to Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna 2.60 lakh industrial units
lennials. town boy from Bihar with and elite families that have create parallel production Yojana (PMGKAY) for an- in the state, over 2.32 lakh
Data shows that in the big dreams, big talent, and ruled the city of dreams for and distribution channels. other six months due to the units have resumed opera-
UK and the US 80% of the grit to not toe the line. He years. Any “Outsider” that The Shetty-Devgan pair has Covid-19 crisis, to facilitate Captain Amarinder Singh. tions, but the loss of wages
suicides are caused due had everything from the tries to fit-in, relying merely been a good example of this. free wheat and pulses to the Noting that the earlier over the past few months
to depression but the de- outside -- dreams, success, on talent, is an outcast and Most, however, try to either beneficiaries of National announcement of PMGKAY has crippled the purchas-
mography in India shows money, women and future reminded time and again of fit-in or keep them in good Food Security Act (NFSA). provided major relief to poor ing power of the people,
a different story. Suicides -- yet, for everyone else in his “unbelongingness” to humour. In a letter to the PM, Capt NFSA beneficiaries, the especially the NFSA ben-
in India are impulsive. To the industry he was a cross- the fraternity. Sushant was a simple Amarinder said that this CM said that the nation- eficiaries, he said. Further,
quote Dr Soumitra Pathare, over, a television star who One of the counter-reac- young man; he was an en- would go a long way in en- wide lockdown to contain the number of COVID-19
who drafted India’s men- did not belong to the world tions to this debate is the gineer who had dreams suring that the poor do not the spread of COVID has cases is also seeing a steep

A
lazy Sunday was tal health law, “Half the of movies. acceptance of various so- and plans beyond films, sleep hungry. The CM urged not only slowed down the upward trend daily after
r o cke d by t h e suicides in India do not I have been an outsider to called outsiders, the King his bucket list included Modi to advise the Ministry economy but also led to relaxations and further
news of the young have a diagnosable mental the field of politics and can Khan who in all sense is the sending underprivileged of Consumer Affairs, Food a major reduction in the lockdown and restrictions
34-year-old talented Su- illness.” In fact, a deeper vouch for the fact that as breakout superstar of all children to NASA; his as- and Public Distribution ac- incomes and savings of the could not be ruled out, the
shant Singh Rajput’s death study shows that in India an outsider you only have times, or Akshay Kumar, or sets apart from a Maserati cordingly. people. CM said.
allegedly by committing suicide victims are more two choices: one to follow for that matter Sonu Sood. included a telescope; his
suicide, as confirmed by the distressed than depressed. the rules set by the nexus Follow their journeys memorable acts apart from
early reports of the police. Albert Camus had once of settled, nepotism-driven closely and you will find playing M.S. Dhoni in-
As the news spread, sym- said, “There is only one re- dominant cartels, or be an out how they became a part cluded playing a Samaritan
pathies poured in from dif- ally serious philosophical outlier creating a distinct and parcel of the nexus and who a donated a sum of Rs
ferent corners of the world problem, and that is sui- personal-spiritual path secured their seats to gain 1 crore for the Kerala floods.
on social media, TRPs of cide. Deciding whether or of success. The second, their powers to veto. Un- He was hugely successful
media channels flew with not life is worth living is to however, needs immense fortunately, from casting to in the eyes of the segment
theories and counter-theo- answer the fundamental strength of mind and body counting crores at the box he came from who saw him
ries on conspiracy and the question in philosophy. All and an attitude to accept office is governed by this rise from nothing to the top,
dark secret gallows of Bol- other questions follow from failure, because that comes nexus. but could not audition his
lywood. It also opened up that.” Everyone answers often and fast. Creating barriers of entry way to the privileged class.
a Pandora’s box for mental the question in his way. Though what I call as the for competitors is a long- The story of Sushant
health discussions and the Hence, my take is that Sushant Singh Syndrome is drawn management princi- Singh Rajput is over but
need to address depression. change in the ecosystem relevant for nearly all sec- ple; it is when unfair means the show will go on. The
Research suggests that and the community you be- tors -- politics, construc- are used to curb competi- curtains have been drawn
stereotypes about mental long to at large are the key tion, businesses but Bol- tion -- cartels are formed. on the struggles of another
illness often stop people interventions required to lywood stands out because The Ravishing Divya Bharti outsider but the Sushant
from speaking out or seek- tackle suicides as a whole. stars are always under in- fell prey to the same nexus Singh Syndrome will stay
ing treatment. Incidents That drives us down to cessant media and public that first celebrated the up- on and haunt others like
like these spark the conver- Bollywood and how the glare. Failure usually comes rising and then witnessed him who want to make a
sations of four main kinds: ecosystem is responding to as a lifelong stamp and suc- the downfall of Jia Khan. mark but does not fit in.
One that empathises; sec- carve heroes out of the ordi- cess and fame have a price But we have seen a few sur- The author is a politician,
ond that questions; the nary and reject the “unfit”. tag that includes a great vivors too: Priyanka Cho- entrepreneur, tech enthusi-
suggestive third that talks Only the unfit more often body, expensive lifestyle, pra who saw a fallout with ast, blogger, columnist, TEDx
about “keeping in touch” are the talented, hardwork- party invites, and social ac- the nexus created a distinct speaker, SDG and government
and “asking for a hug”; and ing outsider. ceptance. niche path for herself which policy expert.
 t h e da ily gua r dia n
16 j u n e 2 0 2 0
new de l h i legally speaking 5
IMPACT

Covid-19 and tenancy

agreements: Pity or humanity?
In India, every state has its own mechanism of rent control laws and evolution of this can be traced when the first
rent control act was enacted in 1918 immediately after the First World War. These were enacted to provide relief to
the tenants against the demand of excessive rent and indiscriminate, inhuman, arbitrary eviction by landlords.
pact on the income sources agreements has also raised
of countless individuals, in- but after considering pro-
dustries, business entities nouncements of the Apex

opinion as well as the sudden losses

of jobs and incomes due to
which many households,
Courts and provisions avail-
able in distinct legislations
it is apparently clear that,
business owners, micro, a temporary suspension
Mohit Singhvi & small & medium business
entities have plummeted
of business caused by pan-
demic tenancy agreement
Himanshu Choudhary and ipso facto are unable to would not frustrate the
continue paying their rent contract. Though it cannot
payments leading to failure be ruled out or ignored that
to pay rent consequently the pandemic and resultant
attracts eviction proceed- lockdowns have caused tre-
ings. In the present circum- mendous financial distress
stances, it is crucial to find and whole nation is travel-
the answer to a question for ling through a phase of tem-
avoiding plethora of doubts porary misery & economy is
which are answered below: also at ventilator but the fact
1. Whether non-payment of remains that the revenue
rent can be benefited under losses alone cannot be the
the provision of Force Ma- ground for non-payment of
jeure Clause? rent and also for avoiding
As d e f i n e d i n C a m - the obligations. If the lease
bridge Business English agreement itself does not

H
ousing is one of nism of rent control laws Dictionary,  «Force Ma- provide for a discharge of
the quintessential and evolution of this can be jeure»  means, ‘an unex- payment obligations, it may
requirements of a traced when first rent con- pected event such as a war, not be possible for a tenant
human being. The dogma trol act was enacted in 1918 crime, or an earthquake’ to refuse payment of rent.
of adequate housing is also immediately after the First which prevents someone Negotiation and mutual
a very well renowned one World War. The acts were from acting in consonance relief under Section 56 of dated quarantines, closed one month…if any landlord is rent to the lessor is suspended.” consent is the only mode
and finds place as part of the enacted to provide relief to with the terms and con- the Act of 1872. It has been district/state borders and forcing labourers and students The aforesaid ambiguity/ whereby; a tenant can seek
right to standard of living in the tenants against the de- ditions stipulated in the held that ‘where performance business operations, to to vacate their premises, they query can also be clarified waiver of rent. Another side
the Universal Declaration mand of excessive rent and agreement. Hence, where is rendered invalid by inter- restrict further outbreak. will be liable for action under from the recent observation of the story, which cannot be
of Human Rights, 1948 as indiscriminate, inhumane reference is made to force ma- vention of law, or where the Not only this, prior to dec- the Act.” of the Hon’ble Delhi High left abandoned, is that, dur-
well as in the International and arbitrary eviction by jeure, the intention is to save subject-matter assumed by the laration of lockdown, on 19th The said guidelines are Court in Ramanand & Ors. ing this span of economic
Covenant on Economic, the landlords. Impractical the performing party from contracting parties to continue February, 2020 the Ministry ambiguous & woolly in na- vs. Dr. Girish Soni & Anr., hardships, where it is dif-
Social and Cultural Rights, & insufficient provisions consequences of anything to exist is destroyed or a state of Finance, Government ture and seems incomplete where the Hon’ble High ficult for tenant to pay the
1966. In the landmark case contained which could not over which he has no con- of thing assumed to be the foun- of India issued a notifica- in as much as it does not categorically expressed rent, the lessor/landlords
of Olga Tellis v. Bombay sustain the pragmatic cir- trol. A force majeure clause dation of the contract fails, or tion  clarifying that “corona have in its kitty, issues re- that, “The force majeure are also facing financial
Municipal Corporation, cumstances led to catena should be construed in each does not happen, or where the virus should be considered as lated to commercial estab- clause in the contract could crunches.
the Hon’ble Supreme Court of amendments and post- case with a close attention to performance is to be rendered a case of natural calamity and lishments and whether the also be a contingency un- That it would not be out of
elaborated on the right to independence almost every the words which precede or personally by a person who force majeure may be invoked, Force Majeure Clause can der Section 32 which may place to mention here that
adequate housing, shelter state had adopted its own follow it, and with due re- dies or is disabled, the contract wherever considered appro- be invoked in relation to ten- allow the tenant to claim when starvation wreaked
and livelihood being part of rent control legislations. The gard to the nature and gen- stands discharged. Thus, in a priate, following the due pro- ancy agreements or not. In that the contract has be- havoc, the British manage-
the all-encompassing Right preamble of the legislation is eral terms of the contract. nutshell, it can be attribut- cedure…a force majeure clause such circumstances, there is come void and surrender ment often turned a blind
to Life under Article 21 of primarily to prevent unrea- The effect of the clause may ed that, when there is clear does not excuse a party’s non- opacity regarding invoking the premises. However, if eye to the melancholy of
the Indian Constitution. sonable eviction and also to vary with each instrument averment in the terms of a performance entirely, but only of the clause by companies the tenant wishes to retain citizens, though during
The moot question arises control rent but staring at depending upon the facts contract upon which the suspends it for the duration of in its rental contracts to not the premises and there is this hour of need Indians
is when a person cannot af- the present scenario owing and circumstances of each performance of the contract the force majeure. The firm has pay rent for the entire pe- no clause giving any respite have once again depicted
ford to build a house he has to the outbreak of the COV- case. The relevant provision is dependant, such contract to give notice of force majeure riod of lockdown across the to the tenant, the rent or the sense of responsibility,
to resort to other options ID-19 pandemic and subse- is contained in Section 32 of would be governed by Sec- as soon as it occurs and it can- country. Lockdown has af- the monthly charges would humanity and generosity
for his housing, one of that quent lockdown which has the Contract Act, 1872. tion 32 of the Contract Act, not be claimed ex-post facto…If fected income sources and be payable.”…The Hon’ble and risen to the occasion.
is to take it on rent and this led to the pity of the tenants, However, when no perti- 1872 and when, there is no the performance in whole or in resultantly, it has become High Court also observed The overwhelming and
concept is known as, ‘Con- the fact which dawns upon nent occurrence/happening averment in the contract, part or any obligation under the difficult to afford regular that, ‘In view of the above teary stories of the citizens
tract of Letting’ wherein the the mind is whether the is mentioned in a contract, such contracts would be contract is prevented or delayed expenses including rental settled legal position, tem- extending assistance and
Landlord lets the house to law needs a throwback or the occurrence of which governed by Section 56 of by any reason of force majeure payments but it is not im- porary non-use of premises nourishing the poor, with
another and allows him to requires to be amended to frustrates the very purpose the Contract Act, 1872. An- for a period exceeding ninety possible to meet the prom- due to the lockdown which whatever resources they
use it for a specific period, adduce the humanity angle of the contract, in those cir- other question, which arises days, either party may at its ises of rental payments and was announced due to the have or could raise gives
in lieu of a certain amount, and looked upon through cumstances Section 56 of while discussing Force Ma- option terminate the contract pragmatically it would be COVID-19 outbreak cannot you goose bumps and this
which is known as, ‘rent’ the angle of the Indian Con- Contract Act, 1872 comes jeure Clause, which is as without any financial reper- difficult to get the benefit of be construed as rendering should have touched the
and are governed by the tract Act, 1872. into role, which revolves follows; cussion on either side”. How- Force Majeure Clause. the lease void under Section sense of hallowed seat of
rent/tenancy/lease agree- The relationship of tenant around the “doctrine of 2. Whether Covid-19 will ever, it is to be understood After having meticulous 108(B)(e) of the TPA.’ justice too.
ment. According to the Unit- and landlord is based on frustration”. Frustration be considered as a ‘force that the aforecaptioned deliberation over the pri- That though the law does As the nation grapple with
ed Nations Human Settle- an agreement and which is is an English contract law majeure’ event & will it be office memorandum is not mary issues, it is apparently not aid the tenants but then the economic shutdown
ments Programme, nearly 2 governed by rent laws. Nor- doctrine and is based on the applicable upon tenancy binding document for the clear that, in the absence of the entire philosophy of leading to halt of earnings
million tenants in the world mally, at the time of execu- Latin maxim “les non cogi- agreements or not? contracting parties, but is Force Majeure Clause, ra- pragmatic approach to be and revenues, it could wel-
are under duress evicted, tion, the contracting parties tad impossibilia” which At the outset, it is to be advisory/recommendatory tionally it is not possible to adapted by the courts are come a legislative amend-
rather dispossessed every often settle on the terms and means that the law will not understood that COVID-19 in nature. Furthermore, the avail the benefit of suspen- also under dark clouds in ment in the rent control
year, while millions are en- conditions such as monthly compel a man to do what he pandemic has spread across Ministry of Home Affairs, sion of rent but on the other as much as if even in these law also to add a feature or
dangered and threatened rent, security deposit, du- cannot possibly perform. In the globe and resultantly Government of India vide hand, if Clause of Force extreme distress and terri- a provision of exemption/
with strained evictions. Se- ration & termination of the common parlance, due to lockdown was imposed in its notification dated 29th Majeure is available in the ble circumstances which is deferment from payment of
curity of tenure which is the agreement to be followed unforeseen circumstances, the nation leading to clo- March, 2020 issued guide- tenancy agreement, onus also termed as a pandemic rent during these pathetic
cornerstone of the right to but sometimes performance if it becomes impossible sure of activities which pre- lines that, “wherever the work- would be on the tenant/les- by WHO and a disaster times relying upon the law
adequate housing, can take of the said contract are pre- to perform any part of a vented the free flow of cash ers, including the migrants, see for getting benefit of sus- by the Ministry of Home laid down in P G Gupta vs.
a variety of forms, including vented or affected due to contract and purpose or flows. In India, several State are living in rented accommo- pension of rent but chances Affairs, the court does not State of Gujarat & Ors.
rental accommodation and certain unforeseen and er- foundation of the contract Governments and the Cen- dation, the landlords of those for exemption are minimal. bend towards the needy, wherein the Hon’ble Su-
as such, it is not restricted ratic circumstances which becomes upset, in that situ- tral Government imposed properties shall not demand In support of the said con- the entire notion of justice, preme Court held that, the
to the bestowal of ceremo- are beyond the reasonable ation, the court can grant travel restrictions, man- payment of rent for a period of tentions, the precedent of equity and good conscience, right to shelter in Article
nial permissible title. In the and judicious control of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of fails! Arguendo, several 19(1)(g) read with Articles
Social and Economic Rights parties. Presently, the whole India can also be referred. leases do not permit tenants 19(1) (e) and 21 included
Action Center and the Cen- world is facing pandemic In Raichur Matham Prab- to withhold or suspend the the right to residence and
ter for Economic and Social outbreak of COVID-19 and hakar & Anr. vs. Rawatmal payment of rent and dues, settlement. Protection of
Rights v. Nigeria, the Afri- resultantly, the Government Dugar,  it was held by the regardless of any event. life guaranteed by Article 21
can Commission on Human of India proclaimed lock- Apex Court that “So long as In such cases, the solution encompasses within its am-
and Peoples’ Rights found down across the nation vide the lessee pays the rent reserved can be arrived either by a bit the right to shelter to en-
that even though the right its order dated 24th March of by the lease and performs the mutual agreement between joy the meaningful right to
to adequate housing was not 2020, while exercising its obligations cast on him by the the contracting parties or by life. In the humble opinion
explicitly recognized in the powers under section 10(2) contract of lease, he is entitled resorting to concept elabo- of the authors, the time has
Charter, it could be inferred (I) of the National Disaster to hold and enjoy the property rated in Section 62 and 63 come for the courts and the
from other rights. Management Act, 2005. without interruption by any- of the Indian Contract Act, legislators to rethink and re-
Moving further, it is to be In light of the said order, one including the lessor. Under 1872. vamp the existing laws and
understood that the tenancy regular activities have been Clause (l) the lessee is bound philosophy by understand-
agreements in India is gov- at a standstill apart from to pay or tender, at the proper Concluding ing that the same is related
erned by the Rent control termination/suspension of time and place, the premium Remarks to the fundamental right of
laws which is within the various contracts including or rent to the lessor. There has There is no gainsaying housing in order to protect
legislative competence of tenancy agreements. developed what is known as the that, due to outbreak of the right of the tenants at
the states which have ab- Lockdown has though doctrine of suspension of rent COVID-19 distinct sectors least in nastiest times, like
solute power to enact rent played a major role in con- based on principles of justice, are facing inter alia novel these if not forever.
control laws having exclu- taining the disease and re- equity and good conscience. If complications, which were Adv. Mohit Singhvi is founder
sive territorial jurisdiction. fraining it from contaminat- the lessee is dispossessed by the never even imagined. The and head of Singhvi & Co. Adv.
In country like India, every ing the millions of persons lessor from the leased property, elementary question regard- Himanshu Chaudhary is Prin-
state has its own mecha- but have had a gigantic im- the obligation of the lessee to pay ing frustration of tenancy cipal Associate.
6 defence t h e da i ly gua rdi a n
16 ju ne 2020
new de l h i

Analysis

VIRTUE OF THE UNIFORM:

WHY MARK ESPER SPOKE UP
When Defence Secretary Mark T. Esper said that he did not support President Trump’s plan to use the Insurrection
Act of 1807 to quell the current protests in the US, he set a sterling example of the virtues of selfless soldiering.
TUS. While the dissenting which appeals to the al- in uniform, made a statement
statements from anyone else mighty “to guide us to choose apologising for having been
can be explained away, what the harder right instead of in a situation, which could
Dr Esper spoke and why he the easier wrong”. Repeat- send a very wrong message
decided to speak up merit ed invocation of the prayer to the country about the apo-
comment, especially because for three years, an intended litical nature of the military.
he has a past in uniform. In indoctrination, is expected The fact that he did this in a
Commodore G. Prakash (Retd) a charged atmosphere where rub the tenets of the prayer video message to be shown
President Trump showed into the very DNA of cadets. to graduating cadets of the

M
ilitary training, up- that he would easily fire top Later in life, as Officers, when National Defence Univer-
bringing and ethos officials, including National facing tough situations, they sity, was great. What better
are unique. They Security Advisors, who did are likely to instinctively re- source of motivation could
have to be, because they cater not toe his line, was it Dr member these words, and future Officers have asked for.
to the needs of preparing and Esper’s past in uniform that actually find the strength to
maintaining an entire system gave him the strength to take the harder right. Dr Es- Enabling system of
for fitting into its unique role stand up for defending the per’s episode was one such. specialists
in the national security spec- country’s constitution, at He had actually placed his Of the 27 Secretaries of De-
trum. The depth to which great peril to himself? service, before himself. It was fence that the US has had
military training, upbringing a fantastic manifestation of in its history, 19 have actu-
and ethos change the DNA of Military service the ultimate responsibility of ally spent life in uniform.
those who receive this train- Upon graduating from the any military leader. Several of the remaining 8,
ing and honourably spend United States Military Acad- could boast of close associa-
time in uniform, determines emy at West Point in 1986, Dr Values flow from tion with the armed forces
the utility of the process to Esper was commissioned top through military related
their respective countries, as an Infantry Officer. He The greatest contribution of research, industrial work or
especially, to functional de- served in the illustrious 101st File photo of US President Donald Trump and Defence Secretary Dr Mark T. Esper. Dr Esper’s words was the policy making experience
mocracies. Events of the last Airborne Division and par- each graduate is a commis- stem from the values that be- specially so for the military ence. A good leader must clear vision that they gave to for long years before they
two weeks in the US, a large ticipated in the 1990-91 Gulf sioned leader of character, came a part of his DNA owing in democracies, where they withstand the flames, and his constituency, the armed got appointed as Secretary of
democracy, merit attention in War. He retired in 2007, after committed to the values to his military training and enjoy a special status, as the protect his force. It is also forces. Now, it was easy for Defence. The advantages of
this regard. twenty-one years in uniform, of Duty, Honour, Country life. The sheer timing and the surest hedge against exter- important for the force the individual service chiefs having people who complete-
including eleven years in the and prepared for a career of settings prove this. While the nal enemies. under the leader to clearly and subsequent formation ly understand the nuances of
A bold step National Guard and Army professional excellence and foremost thing he said was Militaries serve democra- understand the enormity of commanders to issue neces- the environment placed in
On 3 June 2020, Dr Mark T. Reserve. The extremely hard service to the Nation as an that he did not support the cies best when they remain the leader’s task. Being hu- sary statements to retain the their charge, are immense. It
Esper, Secretary of Defence, training that he would have Officer in the United States use of active duty military strong, competent, obedient man, the leader could falter. confidence of their subordi- is most efficient when those
declared at a press confer- had to undergo to qualify for Army”. To achieve their forces in support of law and and resistant to any form of I think Dr Esper addressed nates and also to retain the who have lived well in a sys-
ence that he did not support the 101st Airborne Division, stated mission, they try to get order, in direct contradiction unwanted domestic influ- all of this beautifully when confidence US citizens have tem go on to be in charge of
President Donald Trump’s the live bullets that he would their cadets to “learn to live of POTUS, his boss, he but- ence. While commenting he said: “I did everything in their military. It is this the same system. That is be-
plan to use the Insurrection have faced during the Gulf honourably, lead honourably, tressed his position with a on this, Dr Esper said that I can to try to stay apoliti- confidence of the people that cause having lived the system,
Act of 1807 to quell the cur- War, and the absolute trust and demonstrate excellence solid volume of justification. inevitably, immense pres- cal and to try to stay out of gives the ultimate legitimacy they are most suitable to be
rent protests going on in the that would been reposed by following through Char- He said he was “proud to sures are brought to bear by situations that may appear for the armed forces, a legiti- the living breath of that sys-
US over the killing of an Afri- in him by his subordinates acter, Academic, Physical and be a member of the United politics on militaries, espe- political, and sometimes I’m macy that becomes a great tem. Viewed from the black
can American by a policeman. in life and death situations Military programs”. Among States military, that em- cially in times of impending successful with doing that, moral enabler in carrying or white world of the military,
Voices of dissent had been would have brought alive the above, Character being braces diversity and inclu- elections, and admitted that and sometimes I’m not as out military tasks. Moreover, Dr Esper’s example will go
rising over Trump’s words every nuance of the theory of the most critical asset of a sion and prohibits hate and the military leadership, de- successful. But my aim is for a country like the US, it down in history as a sterling
and actions from the time the military ethos and life taught military leader, the training discrimination in all forms”. spite the greatest effort, does to keep the department out also has the potential to gain example of the timeless vir-
Covid-19 crisis started pos- to him at West Point. This at West Point aims to shape By this he clearly pointed out sometimes falter. But here of politics, to stay apolitical, more respect and trust from tues of selfless soldiering.
ing serious challenges to the surely enriched him for life. their cadets into Officers, that “once a soldier, always a is where the good old train- and that’s what I continue to their allies as well as instil Commodore G. Prakash
US. After resisting for about who will live by “Loyalty, soldier”, regardless of what ing and life lived in uniform try and do.” more fear into the hearts of (retd), Nau Sena Medal,
three months, senior retired Military training Duty, Respect, Selfless Ser- job one was doing, in or out come to one’s rescue. A mili- For the leader under pres- their enemies. A truly up- served the Indian Navy for
military voices too began to All good military academies vice, Honour, Integrity and of uniform. He recalled the tary leader is the protective sure, this is where indoctrina- right military is unbeatable. 35 years. A specialist in avia-
be heard. And then, Dr Mark prepare future military lead- Personal Courage”. oath he had taken many cover of the force he leads, tion comes to the rescue. An tion and anti-submarine
Esper too spoke out. It was an ers. At West Point, which times, starting at the age of giving them the confidence indoctrination borne out of Resonating voices warfare, he has held several
unexpected step, extremely describes itself as the US’s What Dr Esper 18 at West Point, to “uphold to perform the toughest of repeated prayers, oaths and Several Commanders made Command and Staff appoint-
bold, as he, as the Defence “preeminent leader develop- spoke and defend the Constitution tasks for their country, risk- a life lived for many years statements in consonance ments at sea and ashore. He
Secretary, “oversees the De- ment institution”, their Mis- Some of what Dr Esper spoke, of the United States of Amer- ing their lives. The leader, as by the tenets of those oaths. with Dr Esper’s message has been a speaking and writ-
fence Department and acts as sion Statement reads, “to especially during these times ica”. Oaths once taken, are the protector, also becomes For instance, the daily prayer and even Gen Mike Milley, ing on military and strategic
the principal Defense policy educate, train, and inspire of unprecedented political for life, in many professions. the first one to get singed in for cadets in our National the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of affairs for long. He is available
maker and advisor” to PO- the Corps of Cadets so that and societal strife, obviously The military is one such. It is the flames of unholy influ- Defence Academy has a line, Staff, the senior most Officer at gp1064@gmail.com.

Analysis

Pakistan is the new epicentre of narco-terror network

Islamabad’s primacy in the global narcotics trade and the funding of terror activities has been time and again confirmed by investigation agencies around the globe.
heroin has been the main the Indian subcontinent. To become a viable option 2. ISIS-linked Pakistan gladesh and Thailand. in November and Decem- Acetic anhydride. This is a
source of illegal revenue It has been noticed that for smuggling, the drugs gangs use Makran coast Last year, investigations ber 2019 involving Paki- restricted item to trade and
for the countries, especially from 2015, both the routes, in tonnes need to be trans- as the staging point and into the seizure of 532 kg of stani nationals, where the is completely controlled
for Afghanistan, where the namely the Balkans and the ported through trucks or also use the traditional heroin on the Wagah-Attari law enforcement agencies and restricted. As far as
narcotics trade has fuelled Central Asian countries, cars through these borders dhows that are plying border in Punjab showed have caught Methamphet- Afghanistan is concerned,
the birth, existence and rise have reported less seizures and then further split for between West and South that the same Pakistani amine along with Heroin. this product needs to be im-
of the Taliban, a dreaded Is- of heroin indicating that distribution inside Paki- Asia as a part of their dis- network pushed narcotics In the recent seizure made ported by air. However, with
lamic terror outfit. there may be an increase in stan into smaller quantities tribution channels. consignment and trans- by the Sri Lankan Navy, it stricter law enforcement in
As per the UNODC annual government intervention in of 100 kg or 200 kg. Many 3. The network has Paki- ferred funds to terror outfits was noticed that along with place, it is noticed that the
report of 2019, it is seen that Iran and Central Asia in con- gangs based in Lahore and stani nationals based operating in Jammu and 400 kg heroin, there was processing labs in Pakistan,
there is a major increase of trolling the menace. With Faisalabad are involved in in Sri Lanka, Maldives, Kashmir. The Customs De- another 100 kg of ICE. This controlled by a few gangs,
37 per cent opium produc- such bumper production of such splitting and then the Dubai and East Africa partment seizure on 29 June indicates the same Pakistani are sourcing Acetic anhy-
N.C. Bipindra tion in Afghanistan and heroin in Afghanistan, the consignment are transport- to assist the kingpins in last and the law enforcement gang’s operation. dride from within Pakistan,
a reduction of 25 per cent only other alternate route ed to Karachi or Gwadar for Pakistan. probe brought out that the ICE has been a recent ad- where there are huge indus-
The world is at present ob- production in Myanmar, the available for global distri- further transport through 4. Involvement of Nigeri- contraband was concealed in dition to the Golden Cres- tries, which can fudge utili-
sessed with, rightly so, the main player in the Golden bution is through Pakistan. fishing vessels. In many of ans is also noticed in the six rock salt consignments. cent. A naturally growing sation of Acetic anhydride as
fight against coronavirus, Triangle. This further crys- The drugs that are pro- the seizures that happened transactions, which leads Gurpinder Singh, the own- shrub in the region named a raw material.
with suspicion and rumours tallises the fact that Afghani- duced in the rugged places in 2019, the packing cov- to the suspicion of Heroin er of Kanishk Enterprises Ephedra has been found to Undoubtedly, the hardcore
of it being a bio-weapon. In stan contributes to more of Afghanistan -- more than ers were of some popular moving out and Cocaine (Amritsar), was arrested contain an easily extractable evidence now points out that
this fight against the virus than 87 per cent of the opi- 10,000 tons as per 2018 brands of oats and wheat coming into the region. along with the contraband drug called Ephedrine. This Pakistan is the epicentre of
that has claimed hundreds um production of the world. estimates -- finds an easy flour in Pakistan. Pakistan’s primacy in the and subsequently, Tariq drug is the precursor for both the international nar-
of thousands of human lives, Most of the areas that grow outlet at the hands of the global narcotics trade and Ahmed Lone of Handwara ICE and was synthetically cotics trade and global ter-
the world’s attention to an- opium in Afghanistan are Pakistan-based networks The trends of the funding of terror activi- in Jammu and Kashmir was manufactured earlier. It is rorism, and an international
other major war, this one under the control of the Tal- that are working with the seizures indicate: ties has been time and again arrested. The National In- noticed that there are illegal effort is required, led by the
against terrorism, fuelled iban, whose close ties with ISI. These drugs produced 1. Involvement of Paki- confirmed by investigation vestigation Agency, which labs in Pakistan, where they Indian government, to not
by the dark money from the Pakistani establishment, at the heart of Afghanistan stani nationals linked agencies around the globe. was brought into the inves- are able to extract Ephed- only name and shame In-
global narcotics trade, par- especially the Pakistan spy travels at least thousands with ISIS as the king- On 18 May, in one of Asia’s tigations in July last, has so rine from the plant. Recent dia’s western neighbour, but
ticularly in Asia, has weak- agency Inter-Services Intel- of kilometres to reach the pins. They are the ones biggest ever drug bust in far charged Lone’s Pakistani seizures in huge quantities also to get the multilateral
ened. ligence (ISI), is well known. coast of Pakistan for further who procure and further Myanmar brought out the uncle Farooq Lone, Paki- indicate that the trade is institutions to impose hard
The region’s “Golden Cres- Heroin obtained through distribution. The border distribute it to countries links of top Southeast Asian stani nationals Sahil and slowly moving towards ICE punitive action against Is-
cent” comprises Muslim- further refining of opium between Afghanistan and like the Maldives, Sri drug syndicates and the in- Sohaib Noor. in the region. lamabad for its shenanigans.
majority nations Pakistan, in Afghanistan tradition- Pakistan is one of the most Lanka, Seychelles, India, volvement of Karachi-based Recent seizures of Meth- Illegal labs have mush- The writer is chairman, Law
Afghanistan and Iran. These ally takes three routes for its sensitive zones and Pakistan Mozambique, Tanzania, underworld don Dawood amphetamine (ICE) along roomed in Pakistan for and Society Alliance, and edi-
nations have been the most global distribution, namely has deployed huge military and Kenya from where it Ibrahim, who controls ma- with heroin are also a dis- processing opium into tor, Defence.Capital. He can be
important poppy cultivating through Balkan States or apparatus to guard these is further transported to jor narcotics operations in turbing trend. There have heroin. The main precur- reached at ncbipindra@gmail.
triumvirate of the world and Central Asian countries or borders. the West. the region including Ban- been cases in Mozambique sor for production of his com.
 t h e da ily gua r dia n
16 j u n e 2 0 2 0
new de l h i policy & politics 7
Implementation

Making things happen:

Connect with ground realities
Why do some schemes work and others don’t? In answer to this question lies
one of the secrets of making things happen in the Government.
and most of them do not so
as to derive some lessons
on how to make such ideas/
schemes work.s

opinion For any idea to fructify

and sustain in the govern-
ment it has to be politically
acceptable, socially desir-
Anil Swarup able, technologically fea-
sible, financially viable and
administratively doable. It
is said that comparisons are
that exists between Delhi odious but in order to illus- lem. Utilization was. it helped “buy-in” from var-
and the field. We revel in trate or drive home a point Another difference be- ious stake holders. A “con-
coming up with ideas and sometime it becomes neces- tween the schemes was the nect” was established with
schemes without even sary. Let us now compare extent to which the ideas each stake holder.
caring to understand the Smart City Scheme and were “practicable” and the The outcomes under two
ground realities. How do Swachh Bharat. The two manner in which these schemes speak for them-
we expect a recipient of old schemes were dissimilar schemes were actually im- selves. Until 2014, approxi-
age pension go down to a in content and objectives plemented. In the absence mately 60% of the world’s
branch far distant from his but the comparison is in of clear articulation of the open defecators (600 mil-
residence to collect a small the context of the approach concept of “smart“ cities, lion people) were practicing
amount that he gets as pen- adopted to implement these there was lack of clarity in open defecation across in
sion from the government? schemes and the distance role definition as well. For India. This changed signifi-
Earlier, the postman did the two schemes have trav- any scheme to be success- cantly. Within a few years

W
hy do some this job for him. However, elled in terms of benefit ac- fully implemented and sus- of the scheme, the open
schemes work someone in Delhi came cruing to the masses. tained there needs to be a defecation number came
and others up with this brilliant idea Both Swachh Bharat and For any idea to fructify and sustain in the government it has clarity about what needs to down significantly and now
don’t? In answer to this of Direct Benefit Transfer Smart City schemes were be done, how it will be done, rural India has actually be-
question lies one of the se- (DBT) and made bank ac- big announcements. How- to be politically acceptable, socially desirable, technologically who will do it and by when come open defecation free.
crets of making things hap- count mandatory. The idea ever, there was a key differ- feasible, financially viable and administratively doable. It it will be done? The Swachh As against this, the stated
pen in the Government. We of DBT is extremely laud- ence between them. Right Bharat Abhiyan had clar- progress under smart city
can learn both from what able but without a bank from the beginning, there is said that comparisons are odious but in order to illustrate ity on all these fronts. Not scheme is less than 10% of
is happening and what is branch close by, it makes was clarity of thought re- only were the national tar- the target to be achieved by
not happening. Someone no sense. The officers either garding Swachh Bharat,
or drive home a point sometime it becomes necessary. gets clearly defined, the ac- 2020-21. The 25th Report of
should first have the cour- did not have the courage to while not many knew how tion plan clearly outlined the Standing Committee on
age to accept the ground inform the decision maker Smart Cities were to be de- the tasks and roles at each Urban Development (17-18)
reality and then indulge in about the limitation of such fined. It was just a thought between what was being to corner as many as they pillars on which Swachh level of operation. The mentions that only 2% of
course correction. a drive or perhaps were not with no concrete action designed in Delhi and the could. It was more in the Bharat rode. For those State Governments were the funds released since
I had the occasion to visit aware of the ground reality. plan with defined targets ground reality was clearly hope of getting something that were implementing taken into confidence. The 2015. The disconnect with
certain interior areas of the More often not the ideas are except perhaps the number in evidence and became out of this nebulous con- Swachh Bharat this connect Central team travelled the the ground realities and
state during the brief stint almost always pretty great of the cities that were to be one of the foremost causes cept. How much they ac- was considered critical. length and breadth of the with the stake holders is
in the state of Jharkhand but unless they are do-able made “smart”. of the scheme not happen- tually got was a different Th e r e wa s n o p r ob - country. They were on a responsible for this dismal
after my superannuation there is little chance of their From purely technology ing on the ground. In sheer matter altogether. Swachh lem with the availability mission to engage with the performance.
in 2018. While visiting the effective implementation. point of view both were to- contrast, Swachh Bharat Bharat faced serious prob- of funds for either of the stake holders and convey a Anil Swarup served as head
Bansjor and Kersai Blocks Grandiose announce- tally dissimilar. However, used rudimentary innova- lems initially with regard schemes. Swachh Bharat value proposition to them. of Project Monitoring Group
in a remote District (Sim- ments regarding schemes technology was to play tions to improve upon the to social acceptability but did face some initial hic- Going down to the villages (PMG), which is presently un-
dega) in the State, I dis- are made perhaps because a critical role in both the technology for toilets and it recognized this and cups unlike the Smart City enabled them to assess der the Prime Minister’s Of-
covered that these Blocks it is considered to be a po- schemes. Ironically, despite pits. launched a massive com- Mission that was flush with ground realities that consti- fice. He served as Secretary,
did not have a single bank litical necessity. This is ir- being technologically driv- In the context of owner- munication campaign to funds. However, as the tuted very useful input in Ministry of Coal, during his
branch. It was extremely respective of the nature of en, in the evolution of smart ship by the stake holders, bring about a change in the schemes rolled out, Swachh formulating policies. This tenure the first ever Coal auc-
difficult to explain this ex- the government. Let us try cities the nature and extent the states jumped on to the attitude. In fact, reaching Bharat was also provided was a game changer. The in- tions were conducted. He also
cept that perhaps it was on and understand why and was neither known nor idea of Smart Cities with out to the masses effectively with requisite funds. Fund tensity of engagement and served as Secretary, Ministry
account of the disconnect how some schemes succeed defined. The disconnect a number of them vying was one of the foremost availability was not a prob- the passion that went with of School Education.

Judiciary & Executive

Public Interest Litigation: A law and economic perspective

After the Supreme Court judgment in Tata Cellular case, normally courts restrain themselves from interfering in policy matters and this
development is stated to have an effective check on unnecessary exercise of judicial discretions in entertaining public interest litigation.
rule in reaching efficient India are invoked by public vestment of $ 300 million has allowed the HSV to pro- decision. Subsequently, the gal researchers and scholars
outcomes. The law and eco- spirited persons fighting for and as reported it was the ceed with the project but the Supreme Court has applied point out that Judicial activ-
nomic movement in USA the vulnerable groups who largest foreign direct invest- investors and promoters lost the economic reasoning over ism is beneficial if it is within

opinion started in 1960 focusing law

as an incentive for changing
behavior and instrument for
are affected by non-imple-
mentation of law/ welfare
polices resulting depriva-
ment in tourism sector. The
project contemplated world-
class ski slopes, star hotels
interest as the project is not
viable and the initial invest-
ment of several crores has
the ethical consideration in
deciding the question of eu-
thanasia [Common Cause v.
the limits of judicial compe-
tence as the judiciary is not
equipped to make technical
achieving efficiency. The term tion of their fundamental which would be the destina- become futile. Union of India: (2018) 5 SCC choices.[EPW,Vol-37,2002].
Bhagabati Prasad Padhy ‘economic analysis of law’ rights guaranteed under the tion of high-end adventure 1].The High Court of Chhat- The HSV case while demon-
first time used by Richard Constitution of India. With tourists. The project pro- Economic Analysis tisgarh in applying the obser- strating the economic cost of
Posner in the title of his book the passage of time PILs have posed to employ directly and of Law and Indian vation of the Supreme Court PILs, may offer justification
in 1973 and generalized that been filed challenging the indirectly more than 4000 Judiciary in Shivashakti Sugar case, in application of economic
individuals are rationales in policies of the government. local youth. The company The HSV may be one of such has considered the econom- reasoning in entertaining
his project reported, “it is not economic analysis of law and Sometimes PILs were filed entered a Memorandum of instances which opens up ic impact of judicial decision PILs. The Supreme Court
easy for any company to do in particular in analysis of ju- raising conflicting rights con- Understanding (MOU) with the debate on the economic in deciding a writ petition and the High Courts are cus-
business in India, with its dicial decisions. cerning an individual’s right Government of Himachal consequences of judgments. on 23.3.2018.[ M/S E. Tech todians of protecting the fun-
mercurial and ponderous The difference between to carry an economic activ- Pradesh in 9.12.2005 and The judgment of the Supreme Projects Private . vs State damental rights of the people
decision-making, creaky the legal reasoning and the ity vis-à-vis collective rights implementation agreement Court of India in Shivshakti Of Chhattisgarh in W.P.(C) and therefore cannots shut
court system and woeful in- economic reasoning is that of vulnerable groups. How- was executed on 5.6.2006. Sugar case [(2017) 7 SCC No.1509 of 2016.] their eyes to the violation of
frastructure”. The said case economic reasoning attempts ever, after the judgment of The HSV in pursuance of 729] emphasized the im- The judgment in Shivashak- the basis fundamental rights
offers a reason to analyze to deal with the issues like the Hon’ble Supreme Court the implementation agree- portance of application of ti Sugar case is a landmark affecting right to life and per-
PILs from the perspective of incentives and efficiency di- in Tata Cellular case [(1994)6 ment started execution of economic analysis of law by development in application sonal liberty.. While taking
law and economics. rectly whereas legal reason- SCC 651], normally courts re- the project and the detailed judiciary when the country is of economic analysis of law cognizance of such violations
ing requires the application of strain themselves in the in- project report was approved marching towards economic in Indian legal system. It may of fundamental rights either
Legal Reasoning statutory law, procedural law, terfering in the policy matters by the State Government on growth in an era of globaliza- be commented that the judg- suo motu or entertaining PILs,
vis-a-vis Economic and judicial discretions based and this development stated 5.6.2007 after obtaining EIA. tion. ment may not be strict appli- the instrumentalities of the
Whether courts can interfere Reasoning in on the principles of justice, to have an effective check on While the project was un- However, the judgment cation of economic analysis of state must be made aware
in matters which are within Judicial Decision equity and fair conscience.. unnecessary exercise of judi- der implementation, two leaves no doubt that the law as it applied in American of the failure of their duties
the realm of the executive? Making cial discretions in entertain- PILs i.e. one by an environ- economic reasoning to be legal system but is a guiding which resulted in violations
And at the same time wheth- Legal reasoning i.e applica- Public Interest ing public interest litigations. mental NGO and another by applied only an aid to inter- principle in exercise of discre- of fundamental rights and the
er courts can shut their eyes tion of statutory law, judi- Litigations (PIL) a local hotelier filed before pretation of a provision and tionary jurisdictions. economic reasoning may be a
to the cases of blatant depri- cial precedents and judicial The PIL which started as The HSV Case the High Court of Himachal in exercise of judicial discre- guiding principle in passing
vations of basic fundamental discretion guided by justice, catalyst in making justice Himalyan Ski Village (HSV) Pradesh. Challenging the tion. The Supreme Court has Economic directions to the government
rights affecting right to life equity and fair conscience are accessible to the vulnerable case relating to a mega tour- project on environmental observed that it is the duty of Reasoning and PILs which may have financial
and personal liberty, are the guiding principles for judicial who on their own could not ism project in the Western grounds. Finally, after years the court to decide a case by The higher judiciary’s role to implications.
questions normally arise in decisions. Economic reason- knock the door of justice. The Himalayan town of Manali of litigations the Hon’ble applying the statutory pro- review the decision making Bhagabati Prasad Padhy is an
public interest litigations. ing is based on the principle jurisdictions of the Supreme undertaken by Mr. Alfred High Court vide judgment vision of law and the court process of the government Advocate-on-Record of Supreme
The New York Times quoting in creation of appropriate Court of India under Article Ford, the great grandson of dated 22.6.2012 directed HSV while exercising its discre- within the ambit of Article Court of India and also prac-
the plight of a promoter af- incentives to people who are 32 and High Courts under Mr. Henry Ford in 2004. The to proceed with the project. tion can keep in mind the 14 of the Constitution of India tises in High Court and District
ter dismissal of a PIL against subject to a particular legal 226 of the Constitution of project contemplated an in- Even though the High Court economic aspect /effect on cannot be questioned. The le- Courts of Delhi.
 8 health & wellness the daily guardian
16 june 2020
new delhi

Corona impact

Guest
Lockdown, loneliness Column
Dr Bhushan Bhavsar

and mental health Beating Covid-19

As the tragic death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput suggests, we are getting lonelier with Ayurveda
in this fast-moving world. More so after the Covid-19 pandemic that has forced us to When the Covid-19 pandemic hit us in India earlier this year,

confine ourselves at home. With cases of depression and mental breakdown rising it forced us to look back to our rich heritage, for modern sci-
ence wa s unable to find a panacea. As the scientific commu-

rapidly, The Daily Guardian talks to health experts to find a way out.
nity continues its sincere efforts to develop a vaccine, devel-
oping immunity remains an individual’s best defence against
the highly-contagious virus. The extensive knowledge base of
Dr Prakriti Poddar, Direc- calls to identify patients of Ayurveda on preventive care derives from the concepts of Di-
Kritika Dua tor Poddar Wellness Ltd mental trauma and angst.” nacharya or daily regimes and Ritucharya or seasonal regimes
New Delhi
and Managing Trustee of The current situation has that are key to maintain healthy life.

T
he tragic death of Poddar Foundation, adds: brought about a surge in Immunity, based on the Ayurvedic principle, is categorised
actor Sushant Singh “Currently, healthcare anxiety levels, certainly as Bala or the concept of strength, Vyadhi Kshamathwa or the
Rajput shook the workers feel insecure and wrecking mental health. concept of resistance to developing illness, and Ojas or the
entire film industry and the anxious at times. The dis- Thus, a wholesome diet concept of supreme resilience. The concept of Bala refers to
country. Ironically, the ac- ease can be contracted by coupled with rich nutri- the ability of the body to repair and nourish itself and be ef-
tor, who was seen teaching anyone which makes their tive elements is a defensive fective in disease prevention, whereas Vyadhi Kshamathwa is
his on-screen son in his film workplace risky. At the mechanism, while an un- the ability of the immune system to fight against the disease-
Chhichhore to never give hospital, they are constant- healthy diet can further causing pathogens. The former is acquired through proper
up in life despite hurdles ly thinking of their health, trigger depression and aahar (food), vihar (lifestyle changes) and yoga, while the lat-
and failures, could not keep seeing their patients suf- stress. Dr Siddhant Bhar- ter is immune power gained via Aushadhi or various herbal
up with his own pressures fer. Moreover, precautions gava, nutritionist and co- supplements and medicines used for recovery after encoun-
and met an unfortunate are not stringent in many founder, Food Darzee, says: tering pathogenic organisms.
end. His death has sparked hospitals due to lack of “Vitamins present in the
a debate on loneliness and safety gear. They also have body facilitate the function
mental health in the entire to spend a lot of time away of enzymes that allow reac-
country. Due to the corona- from their families which tions such as the amalga-
virus pandemic, the cases can cause separation anxi- mation of serotonin, which
of depression and suicide ety coupled with stress”. plays a vital role in boost-
have increased and it has To alleviate these issues, ing happiness. Meanwhile
become more important to doctors are trying to limit reducing sugar intake can
address the elephant in the the shifts to four to six majorly help in enhancing
room. Anyone can succumb hours, taking breaks, prop- immunity and mental well-
to mental illness despite er dieting and doing breath- being. When you start tak-
Actor Sushant Singh Rajput was found dead in his home in Mumbai on Sunday. He was 34.
fame, money or success and ing exercise or relaxation ing charge of your health by
thus, it is important to seek activity at the workplace refining your diet habits,
professional help and talk with positive mindsets. Dr bardment of news about has forced people to stay on their mind. People are your moods start picking
to therapists to unload the Abhinav Aggarwal, Inter- coronavirus is naturally indoors. The situation has in pain as they don’t have up and this is a major anti-
trauma. nal Medicine Resident, GTB making people scared or resulted in rise of domes- any job, some are even suf- depressant.”
The doctors who are at Hospital, chooses to stay in anxious as negative news tic violence cases, difficul- fering from high stress and “People with a stronger Aahar (food): It is the most important aspect as food con-
the frontline in the battle his flat in the same build- is always taken more seri- ties for pregnant women anxiety.” immune system are much tributes to building the cells of the body and enables them
against the pandemic are ing as his parents and not a ously,” he says. and rift within families. Experts feel that stress more likely to have a bet- to fight diseases. It is recommended to have fruits such as
more prone to mental hotel since that makes him Talking about how are the Couples, who are agonised and anxiety can be man- ter chance of staying away oranges, sweet lime, strawberries, papaya, guava, apple, and
breakdowns due to con- feel better. Agarwal says, patients in isolation wards because of divorce or do- aged by making simple from coronavirus and also mango throughout the year as per the season of their avail-
stant pressure, workload, “I keep interacting with and those fighting with mestic violence are finding lifestyle, dietary changes of survival if at all the vi- ability. Include turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, fennel, spinach,
risk of infections, etc. Even friends who work in other coronavirus dealing with it difficult to manage their and also by speaking up. Dr rus gets them. To ensure carrot, green leafy vegetables, fresh asparagus, whole grains,
though burnout and ex- Covid-19 special hospitals mental health issues, Dr mental health in lockdown. Anju Sharma, Psychiatrist, a strong immune system honey, and nuts in the diet. These are necessary for being a
haustion are quite common as they are going through Sunit Mediratta, Neurosur- Dr Aditi Sinha, Lead Sound & Energy Masters, consume Vitamin C, zinc rich repository of nutrients as well as antioxidants that guard
among doctors, the mental a similar phase. It does geon, Apollo Hospital says, Counsellor, Soul’s Connect, says, “My advice for people and iron. To boost your the body against free radicals, molecules that can harm cells.
health of the healthcare get exhausting at times. “One of the major chal- says: “Recently, I have seen who were dealing with a mental health, consume Ayurveda prescribes drinking plenty of warm water. Avoid
workers cannot be ignored. Around 7-8 people in my lenges of treating Covid-19 a spate of separations and mental health disorder the anti-anxiety food such alcohol, meat, processed food, products that are high in salt,
Dr Puneet Khanna, Con- department have already patients has been manag- talk of divorces amongst before the pandemic is to as brazil nuts, mushrooms, fats or sugar, such as carbonated drinks, packaged fruit juices
sultant and HoD, Respira- tested Covid-19 positive so ing their anxiety and fear the younger generation. communicate with closed soybeans, pumpkin seeds and ready-to-eat food. In modern life, ghee and milk are taken
tory Medicine, Manipal we do understand the risk.” psychosis which occasion- Suddenly they are pushed ones and seek professional and bananas, fatty fish, vi- in moderation but they are cherished in the Ayurvedic tradi-
Hospitals, says, “Covid-19 Others are no less under ally leads to depression. into this closed situation, help as the current scenario tamin D, eggs, dark choco- tion for their Ojas-enhancing properties. Ghee contains es-
is affecting the mental well- stress these days. Fear- Long periods of physical where each one is exposed can aggravate it. I would late, turmeric, chamomile, sential fatty acids and can be digested easily.
being of healthcare work- mongering, hoax and lack isolation without an ad- to the negativities of their also recommend indulging yoghurt and green tea in Vihar (Lifestyle changes): Maintain a healthy lifestyle and
ers on three fronts: first, the of awareness of corona- equate and convincing ex- respective partners, some- in creative art or playing your daily diet,” says Preety avoid irregular sleep, stress, smoking; all of these weaken the
disease burden, morbidity virus are seen as a reason planation accompanied by times leading to domestic with the colours. Another Tyagi, lead health coach, body’s defence system. Avoid stress and make every effort to
and mortality that you see behind developing anxiety, financial losses take a toll violence. Low frustration way to heal is breathing ex- nutritionist and founder of stay happy -- build a social network, think about the brighter
around due to this disease stress and fear among com- on mental health. Talking tolerance exists in these ercise or chanting ‘AUM’.” My22BMI. side, and exercise a hobby. Ensure that your routine has some
and suffering. Since many mon individuals as well. with them about specific couples which bring in Meanwhile, several NGOs Nutritionist Nupuur Pa- amount of exercise and a large amount of good sleep to main-
patients who are getting in- Dr Puneet Khanna says anxieties is one of the best rifts.” are using tele-counselling til believes that for stron- tain healthy weight.
fected and suffering are our that patients with mental ways to reduce it and lone- Swati Sawhney, Director, to make individuals un- ger immunity and staying Yoga and Pranayam: Yoga is the gateway to holistic well-be-
old patients and to see their health issues, in recent liness and boredom dur- The Centre of Healing, says, derstand that they are not healthy, people should ex- ing. Yogasanas, such as Ardha Matsyendrasana, Uttanasana,
health deteriorate is affect- times, are a common sight ing isolation. Patients are “This is the worst situation alone and can deal with ercise daily, have Vitamins Matsyasana, Bhujangasan, Halasan, Dhanurasan, together
ing us. Second, it is the huge in hospitals. “We get two encouraged to do activities that can happen to humans. the coronavirus crisis in a and eat healthily. Without with Pranayam (breathing techniques) such as Anuloma
burden of the influx of the to three patients every day they enjoy and we also con- During pregnancy, women healthy manner. Santanu a healthy mind, a fit body Viloma and Bhastrika help in boosting immunity naturally,
virus coupled with fatigue who have a known case of nect them with their near take a lot of stress as they Mishra, co-founder and is of no use. “Mental fitness without any supplements.
of long shifts, PPE and anxiety disorder and now ones through calls. They tend to overthink about the executive trustee, Smile and emotional well-being Aushadhi (herbal supplements): Referred to as Rasayana,
healthcare policies. Third, because of corona, their are advised to take breaks delivery and the process. Foundation, says, “We needs strength too. When there are herbal supplements in Ayurvedic practice which act
healthcare workers are anxiety has gone up. Also, from watching and read- This pandemic is making have mobilised our team you first wake up in the as strong antioxidants and immunity builders. The popular
scared for themselves and some patients who had re- ing news about Covid-19. it worse for them as they of trained doctors, nurses morning, while still lying and well-known ones include Amla juice (dose: 10ml twice
family. Lack of sleep due spiratory diseases before People in isolation and are more worried about and counsellors associated on your bed and your eyes a day) and Chawanprash (5gm twice a day with warm milk).
to long shifts is increasing and now they are anxious quarantine should avoid the new-born. Watching with us. Our trained medi- still closed, imagine your- Herbs such as Ashwagandha, Triphala, Neem, Guduchi are
anxiety, depression or other if these symptoms are due alcohol and drugs.” and reading news daily is cal professionals have been self to be in a happy and also used for building immunity.
forms of mental stress.” to Covid-19. Constant bom- The nationwide lockdown making a negative impact making several thousand joyous mood,” she adds. The writer is MD, Herbal Consultants Pvt Ltd.

Eat wisely

Healthy, nutritious food for an uncertain, pandemic time

Dr Mickey Mehta peeled the contents to a blender. cept the salt and oil, along with 1 dal) • For the seasoning, sauté the
1 onion, roughly chopped • Blend the vegetables along with cup of water in a deep bowl and 1/3 cup split black gram (urad mustard seeds, cumin seeds and
There is a lot to learn from ani- 1 teaspoon roughly chopped gin- the stock and strain the soup. mix well. dal) split black gram in 1 teaspoon of
mals. They don’t eat once they ger • Add salt, pepper and lemon to • Just before making the pan- 1 onion, finely chopped ghee.
are full or when they are ill. Have 1 teaspoon roughly chopped gar- taste. cakes, add salt and 2 teaspoons 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger • Add onions, ginger, chillies and
breath for breakfast, and remem- lic • Garnish with parsley and roast- of water to the batter. 1–2 chillies curry leaves and sauté for an ad-
ber to breathe a lot before we eat a Olive oil, as required ed crushed garlic powder. • Once the bubbles form, mix the 6 curry leaves, torn into halves ditional 3 minutes.
lot. Mostly whatever we eat now- 1 litre vegetable stock Serves 4 batter gently. 50 grams finely chopped broccoli • Drain the soaked rice and other
adays tends to react with our be- Salt and pepper to taste • Grease a non-stick pan with ½ 50 grams French beans, chopped grains and add to onion mixture.
ing. We should aim to eat in a way Lemon to taste MICKEY’S FAVOURITE a teaspoon of oil. 1 small green capsicum, finely Add 4 cups of water and bring to
that our body does not react but Parsley for garnish STARTER • Pour 2 tablespoons of batter at a chopped a boil.
responds to what we eat. The fol- Roasted crushed garlic powder NACHNI PANCAKES WITH DRY time and spread it lightly. 50 grams snow peas, chopped • Add vegetables and cook for 5
lowing are some of my favourite for garnish COCONUT CHUTNEY • Cook, using 1 teaspoon of oil, till 50 grams Brussels sprouts, minutes on medium heat. Do not
healthy meals: Ingredients they turn brown on both sides. halved overcook the vegetables.
Method ½ cup red millet (nachni/ragi) • Serve with dry coconut chutney. 1 teaspoon ghee • Add 1 cup of water to cooked
MICKEY’S FAVOURITE • In a heavy bottom pan, sauté flour Makes 6 pancakes vegetables and continue cooking
SOUP onion, ginger and garlic in olive 1 tablespoon semolina (rava) Seasoning in a thick-bottomed utensil, until
RED PUMPKIN, BUTTERNUT oil till translucent. 1 tablespoon Bengal gram flour MICKEY’S ALL-TIME 1 teaspoon mustard seeds all the water has been absorbed.
SQUASH AND CARROT SOUP • Add chopped vegetables and (besan) FAVOURITE 1 teaspoon cumin seeds Add a teaspoon of ghee and mix
Ingredients toss. Add vegetable stock or plain ¼ cup finely chopped onions 2½ teaspoons olive oil for greas- MULTIGRAIN KHICHDI 1 teaspoon split black gram thoroughly before serving.
½ cup 1-inch pumpkin pieces, water and bring to boil. 2 tablespoons finely chopped co- ing and cooking Ingredients 1 teaspoon ghee Serves 4
peeled • Once the stock comes to a boil, riander (dhania) Dry coconut chutney, to serve 1/3 cup wild rice
½ cup 1-inch butternut squash lower heat and let it simmer. Once 1½ teaspoons finely chopped 1/3 cup sorghum (jowar) Method Excerpted with permission from
pieces, peeled vegetables are cooked, remove green chillies Method 1/3 cup pearl millet (bajra) • Soak rice and other grains in ‘Lose Weight, Gain Shape’ by Mickey
½ cup 1-inch carrots pieces, the utensil from heat and transfer Salt to taste • Combine all the ingredients, ex- 1 cup split green gram (moong water for about 3-6 hours. Mehta, published by Westland.
 t h e da i ly gua rdi a n
16 ju ne 2020
new de l h i entertainment 9
This wasn’t suicide but planned murder:
Kangana on Sushant’s death
Why.. Why .. Why .. Why .. Sushant Singh Rajput .. why
do you end your life .. your brilliant talent .. your brilliant
mind .. laid to rest, without asking, seeking .. why .. .. his
work was sheer brilliance .. and his mind even more ..
his speak was measured .. as was his screen presence...
Amitabh Bachchan, superstar
Sushant Singh Rajput never got acknowledgement or awards for his films like Pyaare Sushant, naa film dekhi na kabhi mila tum se....
‘Kedarnath’, ‘Chhichhore’ and ‘MS Dhoni: The Untold Story’, says Kangana Ranaut. par tere achaanak chale jaane se bada sadma laga (Dear
Sushant... I had never met you or seen your films but
and MS Dhoni: The Untold many good films, Sush- do you want to put the your sudden departure comes as a shock, big shock).
Correspondent
Mumbai Story. Films like Gully Boy ant didn’t receive any ac- thought of suicide in my This beautiful beloved ‘show business’ is very cruel. I can
got all the awards.” knowledgement or awards, mind,” she asked. imagine your unbearable pain. I share the pain of your

C
oming down heavily She also criticised the unlike the other “star-kids” Meanwhile, Sushant’s loving family and friends.
on the Hindi film in- media for projecting the of the industry. rites were held on Monday. Dharmendra, legendary actor
dustry and the me- actor’s “weak mind” as The actress said that Among the celebrities, Kir-
dia for the poor handling the reason for his death by Sushant’s only fault was ti Sanon, who had worked I knew the pain you were going through. I knew the story
of actor Sushant Singh suicide. “If celebrities are in believing those peo- with Sushant in Raabta, of the people that let you down so bad that you would
Rajput’s tragic death, ac- struggling with personal ple who told him he was Shraddha Japoor (who was weep on my shoulder. I wish I was around the last six
tress Kangana Ranaut said and mental health issues, “worthless” and forgot his seen last year in Chhich- months. I wish you had reached out to me. What hap-
that this wasn’t suicide but the media should try and mother’s words to him. hore with the late actor) pened to you was their Karma. Not yours.
planned murder. “Ye sui- empathise with them, rath- Taking head-on rumour- and Mukesh Chhabra, who Shekhar Kapur, ace filmmaker
cide nahi, planned murder er than making it difficult mongers and a “paid jour- had directed Sushant in his
tha,” the actress said in a for them,” read the caption nalist” who wrote pieces last film Dil Bechara, were He loved me so much...I will miss him so much. His en-
strong statement made on of the video post. alleging that Sushant was present during the last ergy, enthusiasm, and his full happy smile. May Allah
her official fan-handle. Kangana said that Sush- “psychotic, neurotic and rites. His grieving family bless his soul and my condolences to his near and dear
Sushant was found dead ant was a rank holder and an addict,” Kangana said, arrived in Mumbai from ones. This is extremely sad....and so shocking!
in his Mumbai home on Sun- asked how he could have a “Sanjay Dutt ka addiction Patna for the rituals. Shah Rukh Khan, actor
day. He was 34. “weak mind”. Taking refer- ko aap log bahut cute lagte According to reports, no
Kangana blamed the film ence from a viral post of the hai.” She further said that suicide note was found Rest in Peace my friend. Shocked and heartbroken... Still
industry for not giving Su- star pleading with people she has been receiving at Sushant’s Bandra resi- can’t believe it .To star gazing and our endless chats... I
shant his dues. “He never to watch his movies as he messages from people ad- dence and his house help am going to spot you twinkling bright up there with the
got acknowledgement for his “didn’t have a godfather” vising her not to take any had stated that he was rest cause you are and will always be a star my dearest
films, no awards for his films in the industry, the actress such drastic step. “Why are quite disturbed since the SSR.
like Kedarnath, Chhichhore said that despite doing so Actress Kangana Ranaut. you telling me this? Why past few days. Bhumi Pednekar, actor

Sushant death: Karan Johar, Kashmiri band debuts with a stunner

Alia trolled for ‘fake tears’ Peerzada Muzamil
which is reflected in their
signature sound. While
release, Ramooz’s Aalav
music video contains mul-
New Delhi
Correspondent
the percussionist Srinath tiple storylines and scenog-
Mumbai Founded by Srinagar na- and the bassist Ayan have raphy that do not follow a
tive Zeeshaan Nabi (vocals, studied music from Delhi linear trajectory or a sim-
Sushant Singh Rajput’s guitar, keys), and made University and Chennai’s ple plotline. A protagonist,
death has put Karan Johar complete by Kerala-born Swarnabhoomi Academy a young Kashmiri man in
and Alia Bhatt in the Twit- Ayan Joe (bass) and Srinath of Music respectively, the his 20s, opens his eyes and
ter’s line of fire as the two S. Kumar (drums), rock walks within a home that is
celebrities were trolled for seemingly his, with photos
shedding “fake tears”. of family and loved ones on
Last night, Alia had tweet- the walls, while all sorts
ed, “I’m in a deep state of of people, from an actual
shock. No matter how much mother figure and stran-
I think about it, I don’t have gers crowding the hallways
the words. I’m totally dev- of the house, are masked
astated. You’ve left us too with their faces covered in
soon. You will be missed by
each and every one of us.
My deepest condolences to
Sushant’s family, loved ones,
and his fans (sic).
As for Karan, he wrote,
“This is heartbreaking....I
have such strong memories band Ramooz spent eight
of the times we have shared months conceptualising
...I can’t believe this ....Rest and recording their first
in peace my friend...when studio album in Nabi’s Mee-
the shock subsides only the rakii studio in Kashmir.
best memories will remain.... During that time in Sri-
Broken heart (sic).” nagar, Article 370 was ab-
Sushant’s fans on Twitter and Alia in particular, have web series, is also being cir- rogated and a lockdown
went on an overdrive and also gone viral. culated. was imposed. The families
pointed out that such “fake” Another screenshot of an Clips of a particular Rapid of the two South Indian
condolence messages mean old tweet, revealing that Fire session on Karan’s Kof- band members grew wor-
nothing right now, especial- Dharma Productions, Yash fee With Karan show, featur- ried and tried to get them to
ly after Sushant is no more. Raj Films, Balaji Motion ing Alia, Varun Dhawan and return to their Delhi homes
The hashtag #BoycottBol- Pictures, Salman Khan Sidharth Malhotra, where as soon as flights were re-
lywood has been trending Films, Sajid Nadiadwala, T the four discuss Sushant, is sumed. But loyal to their
on the micro-blogging site Series and Dinesh Vijan have also being shared widely to artistic endeavour and the
since morning. Screenshots banned Sushant Singh Ra- point out how little star-kids many tasks at hand, the
of tweets calling out the ‘Bol- jput, leaving him no choice thought of the late actor. two, Ayan and Srinath,
lywood elite club’, and Karan but to work in TV series or With agency inputs were able to convince their Rock band Ramooz is led by Srinagar native Zeeshaan Nabi.
families of the urgency of Kashmiri as “the calling” dience with their originals frontman of the band Zee- black. The video suggests

Andriani’s good mood mantra:

their studio album project, or “the call”, is sung en- ranging from an amalgam of shan Nabi has studied estrangement from real-
since it was midflight in the tirely in the Kashmiri lan- jazz, blues, progressive rock, from A.R. Rahman’s K.M. ity or existence beyond its
band’s creative process. guage and comes across as and Kashmiri folk. Fans College of Music and Tech- palpable dimensions, such

Doing yoga with her pet The album was recorded

in Srinagar, with parts of its
first track, Aalav, re-record-
ed, mixed, and mastered
a song of lamentation and
grief, much like an elegy
laced with the longing for
a mother.
of the trio have since been
waiting for the launch of the
album, and the wait finally
culminates with Ramooz
nology, and partly in The
Sir Zelman Cowen School
of Music in Australia. The
academic insights of the
that either the protagonist
is a ghost or those sur-
rounding him are ghosts
while he is from the world
at Seven Point Studios in Before the pandemic dropping their first number three-man enable them to of the living. The other in-
New Delhi last month. The struck, Ramooz had per- Aalav from the album. experiment with a multi- terpretation, of many, is
official music video was formed at The Piano Man, Ramooz’s debut num- versed approach to musi- that the protagonist walks
released on 6 June 2020 Gurugram, on 5 January. ber puts the band a step cal genres, especially with into a dream or out of it to
at 7 pm, getting more than Their exquisite perfor- ahead of their contem- their intricate harmonies find an eerie scene of devas-
42,000 views within five mance consisted of a set-list poraries especially given and uncustomary time sig- tation much like visualisa-
days of its launch. that lasted for nearly three the fact the trio has pur- natures. tions of debris from a world
Aalav, translated from hours, exhilarating the au- sued music academically, With this new and first that once was.

Brad Pitt donates $1 mn to aid racial justice

strengthen the political voice of Af-
Correspondent
New Delhi rican Americans, earlier this month.
Britain’s Daily Mirror newspaper
Bollywood actress Giorgia Andriani.
After his former wife and actress reported that Pitt had donated the
Digging through the social side Shreyas Talpade, San- Jennifer Aniston donated $1 million same amount after being “deeply
Ruzella Fernandes 
Mumbai
media archives, we stum- jay Mishra and Tigmanshu to aid racial justice, Hollywood star affected” by the death of African-
bled upon an old picture Dhulia. Besides that, she Brad Pitt has reportedly followed American George Floyd in police
Giorgia Andriani is one of where she is seen doing is set to raise the tempera- in her footsteps. Pitt has reportedly custody in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
the Bollywood actresses yoga with her pet dog. “‹You ture with an item number given $1 million to racial justice or- “Brad is really involved with the
who has proved her love are just one yoga session in much-awaited Sridevi ganisation, reports aceshowbiz.com. charity because of Jen and said he
for fitness. The actress has away from a good mood,” Bungalow starring Arbaaz According to Entertainment To- would match her donation. He went
been known to follow dif- she said.  Khan and Priya Prakash night, Aniston secretly donated to the protests this week and was at
ferent fitness routines to The Italian beauty will Varrier. money to several charities, includ- her home the day after. They are both
stay in shape. She has also soon debut in Bollywood Giorgia recently shot for a ing Colors Of Change, an organisa- very passionate and want to help as
been showing how much with Welcome to Bajrang- short film Victim, where she tion formed in the wake of Hurricane much as they can,” said a source.
fun working out can be. pur and will be seen along- is portraying a lawyer. Katrina to use online resources to Hollywood actor Brad Pitt. With agency inputs
 10 sports t h e da ily gua r dia n
16 j u n e 2 0 2 0
n ew de l h i

Big infection risk INTERVIEW

Swimmers must wait till Ready to coach Team India if

given chance, says Azhar
Covid-19 tsunami is over our correspondent
new delhi

Former Indian skipper

Mohammad Azharuddin has
need a batting coach. Isn’t
it?” explained Azhar who
is now the President of the
Hyderabad Cricket Associa-
tion (HCA).
Asian Games medallist Virdhawal Khade says he may consider retiring if said that he is willing to coach The former also said he
Team India if he is given the is hopeful that the Indian
swimming activities don’t resume. It doesn’t seem to be a judicious decision. opportunity. “Yes, I am ready Premier League (IPL), which
to give it a shot. If I get an was also postponed due to
K.V. Sharma &
wherein the researchers ex- opportunity to work with the Mohammad Azharuddin. the health crisis, will see the
Sanjeev Sharma pound, “the use of disinfect- Indian team, I would jump at light of the day in a window
new delhi ing agents is widely imple- it without batting an eyelid,” the resumption of interna- provided later in the year. The
mented to avoid microbial Azharuddin told Gulf News in tional cricket after the sport BCCI is working on an Octo-

A
mid the pandemic, contamination of the waters”. an interview. was suspended since March ber window if the T20 World
all the sporting ac- Further, the study mentions, Ravi Shastri is the current due to Covid-19 crisis. Cup does not take place in
tivities across the “The residual concentration head coach of the Indian Azharuddin wondered why Australia.
world have come to an un- of the disinfecting agent pres- team and his contract runs too many ‘support staff’ travel “I hope the league can
precedented halt. India, be- ent in the water should be suf- till the T20 World Cup in with teams these days. “I am eventually get a window
ing no exception, has how- ficient for virus inactivation.” 2021. Cricket is currently on amazed to see so many peo- where we get to host a mini-
ever managed to quell the However, they do not shy hold due to the coronavirus ple accompanying the team mum of seven matches. The
fears and taken a step ahead away from admitting that is outbreak and England is all these days. For example, my league, whether one likes it
by resuming the training “currently no data” regarding set to host West Indies for a specialisation is in batting or not, has given a lot to the
activities in bio-secure fa- what happens to SARS-CoV-2 home Test series in July. The and fielding and hence if I sport in the last 10-12 years.”
cilities across the country in seawater. three-Test series will mark coach any team, I don’t really he concluded.
in a phased manner. As the The uncertainty and the
majority of the athletics have lack of the rudimentary re- ATHLETICS
undergone a reincarnation, search about the behaviour
vulnerable sports like swim-
ming—where there is a high
of coronavirus in the water
give us enough reason to halt Sprinter Hima Das nominated
for Khel Ratna award
risk of viral contamination— the swimming activities till
have not been resumed, leav- the virus goes away, or till the
ing the elite swimmers in further studies come out with
utter dejection. It’s not sur- From left to right: Michael Phelps and Virdhawal Khade. the efficacious panacea.
prising that during the times Why set up a wrong prece- our correspondent Phogat, TT player Manika
new delhi
when saving lives outweighs same as other sports in In- sent to a 45-day rehab for ding sportsmen. Soon after dent to the upcoming champi- Batra, women’s hockey
all the priorities, swimmers dia,” the swimmer said. alleged drunk-driving and his recovery, Popov again ons of India and put their lives Sprinter Hima Das has captain Rani Rampal and
are left in the lurch. I don’t feel this should be over-speeding, and after dominated the swimming at stake? We remember the been nominated for the cricketer Rohit Sharma for
Asian Games bronze med- the attitude of a profession- coming out, he shared his world. I would not think that Spanish flu of 1918, wherein prestigious ‘Khel Ratna’ country’s highest sporting
allist Virdhawal Khade said al sportsman. I remember experience with fans about Virdhawal Khade has been millions of people died over by the state government honour.
in an interview on Sunday seeing Michael Phelps, Ion his isolation from the sport. through such turmoil. What a span of two excruciating of Assam. Assam sports The 2018 had turned to
that he might consider retir- Thorpe, or Alexander Popov “I was in a really dark place,” has worn his will out? Why is years. I believe the authori- secretary Dulal Chandra be a memorable season
ing from the sport if swim- swimming at the Olympics. he said. “Not wanting to be he so discouraged? ties have not given the green Das sent the letter of rec- for the 20-year-old, who
ming pools continued to Their character and psycho- alive anymore.” Recently a report from the signal to the sport keeping in ommendation to the sports followed her U-20 world
remain shut due to restric- logical strength give them Similarly, when Alexan- Spanish Consejo Superior de mind the inadequacy of the ministry on 5 June. The title with 400m silver, 4X400
tions. “Might have to consid- the upper hand over their der Popov was stabbed and Investigaciones Científicas ongoing research. 20-year-old sprinter is one Hima Das. mixed relay gold (upgraded)
er retiring from swimming. contemporaries. I believe the the serious injury kept him (Higher Council for Scien- K.V. Sharma has been a National of the youngest nominees and women’s 4X400m
No news or communication right attitude and focus are away from swimming, he tific Research) summarised Coach for 22 years and Prof San- for Khel Ratna this year. Tampere, Finland in 2018, gold at the Jakarta Asian
of any sort for being able to the two key ingredients of a did not retire or threaten to what is known about possible jeev Sharma is Licence B holder, India’s first track athlete Hima will compete with Games. Hima is already a
start swimming again. Wish great athlete. do so. He chose not to attenu- transmission of SARS-CoV-2 DSV Germany Swimming Fed- to win a global title at U20 ace javelin thrower Neeraj recipient of Arjuna Award,
swimming was treated the For instance, Phelps was ate the morale of other bud- through swimming pools, eration. World Championship in Chopra, wrestler Vinesh which she received in 2018.