First India-Ahmedabad Edition-12 May 2021

First India Bureau
Gandhinagar: The Gu-
jarat government or-
dered the extension of
night curfew in 36 cit-
ies/towns from 8 pm to
6 am till May 18 on
Tuesday evening. Last
week, the state had add-
ed seven more towns to
its curfew roster.
The decision was tak-
en during a top-level
meeting chaired by
Chief Minister Vikay
Rupani on Tuesday, af-
ter taking into consid-
eration the Union Home
Ministry’s latest guide-
lines to control the
spread of novel corona-
virus, said a press state-
ment.
The state govern-
ment also announced
new restrictions in
these 36 cities/towns,
including closure of
restaurants, swimming
pools, cinema halls,
shopping complexes
and water parks till
May 18.
It also announced
curbs on Agricultural
Produce Market Com-
mittees (APMCs), pub-
lic transportation, reli-
gious gatherings, funer-
als and wedding func-
tions across the state.
The night curfew
from 8 pm to 6 am was
already in place since
April 07 in 20 cities, in-
cluding major cities
such as Ahmedabad,
Surat, Rajkot and Va-
dodara.
“Now, the state gov-
ernment has decided to
enforce the night cur-
few in seven more cities
namely Deesa, Ankle-
shwar, Vapi, Modasa,
Radhanpur, Kadi and
Visnagar from May 05.
On April 28, the state
had included Himmat-
nagar, Navsari, Ver-
aval, Valsad, Por-
bandar, Botad, Vi-
ramgam, Turn to P6
NIGHT CURFEW EXTENDED IN 36 CITIES/TOWNS TILL MAY 18
Chief Minister Vijay Rupani during his visit to Arsodiya village in Kalol taluka with secretary of
panchayat and rural development Vijay Nehra.
Restaurants, swimming pools,
cinema halls, shopping complexes
& water parks to remain closed
GOOD CALL
AM SHARMA IS PORBANDAR COLLECTOR
www.firstindia.co.in I www.firstindia.co.in/epaper/ I twitter.com/thefirstindia I facebook.com/thefirstindia I instagram.com/thefirstindia
AHMEDABAD l WEDNESDAY, MAY 12, 2021 l Pages 12 l 3.00 RNI NO. GUJENG/2019/16208 l Vol 2 l Issue No. 165
GAZA MILITANTS, KIDS
AMONG 24 DEAD AS
ISRAEL HITS HAMAS
SCHOOL SHOOTING IN
RUSSIA KILLS 9;
SUSPECT ARRESTED
Gaza City: Israel unleashed new airstrikes on Gaza early Tuesday, hitting
high-rise home of a Hamas field commander and two border tunnels
dug by militants, as Hamas and other armed groups fired dozens of
rockets toward Israel. Since Monday when the fighting erupted, 24 Pal-
estinians including 9 children were killed in Gaza, most by airstrikes.
Moscow: A gunman attacked a school Tuesday morning in the Russian
city of Kazan, sending students running out of the building as smoke
poured from its windows. At least 9 people were killed—7 eighth-grade
students, a teacher & another school worker— and 21 others were hos-
pitalized, Russian officials said. Officials said attacker has been arrested.
OUR EDITIONS: JAIPUR, AHMEDABAD & LUCKNOW
INDIA SEES DECLINE IN
DAILY NEW CASES!
 Total active cases dip to 37,15,221 on Tuesday
with net decline of 30,016 cases in 24 hours
 After 61 days, the new recoveries outnumber the
new cases seen in the last 24 hours: Ministry
New Delhi: An early
trend of decline in daily
new COVID-19 cases and
deaths has been noted in
the country
, the govern-
ment said on Tuesday,
indicating that the dev-
astating second wave of
the pandemic is on the
wane. According to the
government, Maharash-
tra,UttarPradesh,Delhi
and Chhattisgarh were
among 18 states and un-
ion territories showing
continued plateauing or
decrease in daily new
COVID-19 cases.
Addressing a press
conference, a senior of-
ficial, however, said Kar-
nataka, Kerala, Tamil
Nadu, West Bengal and
Punjab were among 16
states and union territo-
ries showing continued
increasingtrendindaily
new COVID-19 cases.
Thirteen states have
more than 1 lakh active
COVID-19 cases each
and 26 states have a pos-
itivity rate of over 15
per cent, the govern-
ment said.
Ministryalsoappreci-
ated containment mod-
elsof MumbaiandPune,
saying that such models
need to be replicated at
the national level.
Turn to P6
26 COVID PATIENTS DIE AT GOA
HOSP; MIN SEEKS HC PROBE
Panaji: Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane on
Tuesday said 26 COVID-19 patients died at state- run
Goa Medical College and Hospital in the early hours
and sought an investigation by the HC to find out the
cause. He said these fatalities occurred between 2
am and 6 am “which is a fact”, but remained evasive
about the cause. Goa CM Pramod Sawant, who
visited GMCH, said the gap between the Turn to P6
Bodies float in Ganga,
71 fished out so far
Congress creating false
panic:Nadda to Sonia
B a l l i a / G h a z i p u r
(UP): Bodies were seen
floating in the Ganga in
Uttar Pradesh’s Ballia
and Ghazipur districts,
according to local resi-
dents and the authori-
ties on Tuesday
.
Meanwhile, at least
71 bodies were fished
out from the Ganga in
Bihar’s Buxar, which
is downstream the two
UP districts, trigger-
ing suspicion that
these could be of Co-
rona patients.
According to Ballia
residents, at least 45
bodies were seen float-
ing at the Ujiyar, Kul-
hadia and Bharauli
ghats in the Narahi
area. However, the dis-
trict authorities did not
tell the exact number of
bodies found there.
Bodies were also seen
floating in Ghazipur’s
Gahmar and Bara vil-
lages, according to resi-
dents there.
New Delhi: BJP presi-
dent JP Nadda on
Tuesday accused the
Congress of misleading
people and creating
false panic in the fight
against COVID-19, and
alleged that the conduct
of its leaders, including
Rahul Gandhi, during
the pandemic will be re-
membered for “duplici-
ty and pettiness”.
Nadda wrote a four-
page letter to Congress
president Sonia Gan-
dhi, a day after the Con-
gress Working Commit-
tee, the apex body of the
opposition party
, hit out
at Prime Minister Nar-
endra Modi and his gov-
ernment over the han-
dling of the coronavirus
crisis. The BJP presi-
dent also accused Con-
gress leaders, including
a chief minister, of try-
ing to actively create
vaccine Turn to P6
CORONA
CATASTROPHE
INDIA
3,29,942
New cases
3,876
New fatalities
GUJARAT
10,990
New cases
118
New fatalities
ED books Anil
Deshmukh for
money laundering
Central Vista PIL a bid
to stall project: Centre
New Delhi: Enforce-
ment Directorate has
filed a criminal case
under anti-money
launderinglawagainst
ex-Maharashtra home
minister Anil Desh-
mukh in an alleged
“bribery” case, sourc-
es said on Tuesday
.
They said the case
registered under sec-
tions of the Preven-
tion of Money Laun-
dering Act (PMLA)
has been filed after
studying a CBI FIR
that was filed against
Deshmukh late last
month. The central
probe agency may now
summon Deshmukh,
71, for questioning
apart from others who
have a role in the case,
they said.
The ED case comes
about after the CBI
first carried out a pre-
liminary enquiry, fol-
lowed by filing a regu-
lar case, on the orders
of the Bombay High
Court that asked it to
look into the allega-
tions of bribery made
against Deshmukh by
former Mumbai Police
Commissioner Param
Bir Singh.
The agency has pow-
ers to attach assets of
the accused during the
probe stage.
New Delhi: The Cen-
tre has told the Delhi
High Court that the
PIL seeking stay on the
construction of Cen-
tral Vista here amid
the raging COVID pan-
demicwasjustanother
attempt to stall the pro-
ject which has been
facing such attempts
from the beginning on
one pretext or another.
The “intentions and
motive” behind filing
of the plea are evident
from the fact that the
instant project has
been singled out by the
petitioners despite sev-
eral other agencies,
including Delhi Metro,
carrying out construc-
tion activities across
the national capital,
the Centre has alleged.
“The very fact that
out of all these con-
struction activities go-
ing on simultaneously
for different projects
by different agencies,
the petitioner has cho-
sen to be a public spir-
ited citizen only with
regard to one project
only speaks volumes
Turn to P6
BJP trying to hide its
failures,says Maken
New Delhi: Congresson
Tuesday hit back at BJP
chief JP Nadda for ac-
cusing the party of play-
ing politics on COVID-19
and said it is the BJP
which is trying to make
the issue political to
hide its failures. Con-
gress senior spokesper-
son Ajay Maken said it
is not just the Congress
which is attacking the
government over its
handlingof thepandem-
ic, but leading journals
and experts have also
criticised it. He said this
issueisnotpolitical,and
it is not a Congress ver-
sus BJP issue but a gov-
ernment versus opposi-
tion one. Turn to P6
COUNTRY NEEDS A HELPING HAND
IN DISTRESSING TIMES: RAGA
New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul
Gandhi on Tuesday urged people
to provide a helping hand to the
needy in these distressing times of
the COVID-19 pandemic. He said
this while asking them to join the
SpeakUpToSaveLives’ campaign
to strengthen the fight against
coronavirus. He also shared an
over one-minute Turn to P6
RAJ SETS
TREATMENT
RATES IN PVT
HOSPS
Jaipur: Rajasthan
government on
Tuesday fixed
the package fees
for treatment of
COVID-19 patients
admitted in private
hospitals of the
state. Government
had fixed the
treatment cost in
June last year, but it
was not clear what
medicines and tests
were included in the
package.
 7-day total lockdown
in Nagaland from May
14
 Prioritise those due
for 2nd dose: Centre to
states
 PM Modi will not
attend G7 summit in
person: MEA
 RT-PCR not needed
for travel within states:
ICMR
 Bharat Biotech
begins Covaxin
supplies to 14 states
 Indian Army Common
Entrance Exam
scheduled on May 30
postponed due to current
COVID-19 situation
 17,27,10,066 vax
doses administered
through 25,15,519
sessions
COVID HIGHLIGHTS
An otherwise busy Kamaraj
Salai area wears a deserted
look during COVID-induced
lockdown, in Chennai.
SUSPENDED COP
VAZE DISMISSED
Sachin Vaze, the ‘en-
counter specialist’, has
been dismissed from the
Mumbai Police. An as-
sistant police inspector,
Vaze, is in NIA custody
in connection with the
Antilia bomb scare case
and Mansukh Hiren
death case.
Anil Deshmukh

NEWS
AHMEDABAD | WEDNESDAY, MAY 12, 2021
02
First India Bureau
Ahmedabad: As the
COVID-19pandemicrag-
es on in the country the
defenceforcesespecially
the Indian Navy and Air
Force have been de-
ployed by the Centre to
worktowardsstreamlin-
ing oxygen supply in the
nation to combat the vi-
rus. C-17s planes airlift-
ed four cryogenic oxy-
gen containers from
PunetoJamnagar,seven
from Gwalior and Bho-
pal to Ranchi and two
from Hindan to Ranchi.
As part of Operation
Samudra Setu II, Indian
naval ship Trikand was
deployed to augment a
shipment of Liquid
Medical Oxygen (LMO)
cryogenic containers
from Hamad Port, Qatar
to Mumbai. The ship en-
tered Qatar on May 05
and arrived in Mumbai
on May 10 with 40 mil-
lion ton (MT) liquid oxy-
gen.
Two IAF IL-76s air-
lifted four cryogenic ox-
ygen containers from
Jakarta, Indonesia and
landed at Vizag. An IAF
C-17 plane airlifted Zeo-
lite (respiratory oxygen
raw material) from
Frankfurt to Mumbai.
Two other C-17s will
bringoxygengenerators
from Bordeaux, France
and oxygen concentra-
tors as well as respira-
tors from Israel to the
Hindan Airbase in Uttar
Pradesh.
Other C-17s will be ar-
riving with four cryo-
genic oxygen containers
from Vijayawada to
Bhubaneswar, six from
Chandigarh to Ranchi,
two from Agra to Jam-
nagar, two from Hindan
to Bhubaneswar, six
from Hyderabad to Bhu-
baneswar and two from
Jodhpur to Jamnagar.
An IAF flight carrying over 1,300 oxygen concentrators and over 400 respirators arrives from Israel. —PTI
Navy, IAF transport O2 supplies to Guj & other states
First India Bureau
Rajkot: Chief Minis-
ter Vijay Rupani,
whose home constit-
uency is Rajkot West,
along with two other
Bharatiya Janata
Party (BJP) MLAs
namely Govind Patel
and Arvind Raiyani
from the same city al-
located their MLA
grants of Rs1.5 crore
each totaling Rs4.5
crore for establish-
ment of an oxygen
plant at the Rajkot
Pandit Deendayal
Upadhyay Civil Hos-
pital.
In a recently held
core committee meet-
ing, CM Rupani had
directed all incum-
bent MLAs to allo-
cate a minimum of
Rs50 lakh from their
MLA grants to go to-
wards COVID-19
treatment of patients
and purchase of so-
phisticated medical
equipment.
“The plan is to per-
manently set up a 10
ton oxygen plant at
the Rajkot Civil Hos-
pital, so that patients
do not suffer,”said
Patel, who is an MLA
from Rajkot’s south
seat.
Meanwhile, setting
an example ahead of
BJP corporators at
the Rajkot Municipal
Corporation (RMC),
four Congress coun-
cillors from ward
number 15 donated a
total of Rs10 lakh to-
wards treatment of
COVID-19 patients.
The funds were
granted by Vashram
Sagathiya, Makbool
Dawoodani, Bhanu-
ben Sorani and
Komalben Bharai,
and will be used to
procure medicines,
injections, oxygen
and testing kits for
patients.
Despite winning 68
seats in RMC, the
BJP councillors have
yet to come forward
and donate towards
pandemic relief so
far.
Rupani, 2 MLAs
grant Rs4.5
crore to Rajkot
Civil Hospital
Rajkot PDU Civil Hospital. —FILE PHOTO
CM Vijay Rupani
Gujarat High Court. —FILE PHOTO
HC raps govt for fire incidents
at designated nCoV hospitals
First India Bureau
Ahmedabad: The Guja-
rat High Court on Tues-
day criticized the state
government and the
Bharuch municipality
authorities over the re-
cent fire at a COVID-19
hospital in Bharuch. It
also expressed surprise
on advocate general Ka-
mal Trivedi’s submis-
sion that the Patel Wel-
fare Hospital in
Bharuch, where the fire
on May 1 killed 18 peo-
ple,wassetup“surrepti-
tiously
, without intimat-
ing the authorities”.
The court stated that
it was contemptuous on
thegovernment’spartto
not remain vigilant and
avoid such incidents,
and cited many orders
passed in this regard in
the past.
Adivisionbenchcom-
prising Justice Bela
Trivedi and Justice
Bhargav D Karia heard
thepublicinterestlitiga-
tion (PIL) moved by ad-
vocate Amit Panchal,
after Ahmedabad’s
Shrey Hospital fire inci-
dent that occurred in
August last year. Eight
COVID-19 patients had
been killed in the blaze.
On April 30, 2021, a fire
broke out at the Patel
Welfare Hospital in
Bharuch and caused a
total of 18 fatalities in-
cluding 16 patients and
two nurses.
Calling out the gov-
ernment over not imple-
menting fire safety
measures at hospitals,
the bench said the gov-
ernment failed to take
actiononthecourt’spre-
vious orders pertaining
to all hospitals in the
state so that fire inci-
dents do not occur again
at these medical facili-
ties. It also allowed Pan-
chal to include Bharuch
municipality, its chief
officer, Patel Welfare
Hospital Trust and its
nodal officer as an addi-
tionalpartyinthePIL.A
notice to file a response
on the matter before
May 25 has been issued
to them all.
Trivedi said the fire-
hit COVID-19 facility in
Bharuch town was set
up “surreptitiously,
without intimating the
authorities,” and hence
No Objection Certificate
(NOC) on fire safety
couldnotbeissuedbylo-
cal authorities to the
new unit.
The court expressed
surprise over Trivedi’s
submission and said if
the state was not inti-
mated about a COVID-19
facility, how was it pos-
sible that neither the lo-
cal authorities nor the
state were aware that
the hospital manage-
ment had set up a COV-
ID-19 ward in a building
that did not have fire
NOC. It also questioned
the compilation of data
on novel coronavirus
patients who were hos-
pitalized. It was also of
the opinion that “some-
one should be held ac-
countable for the fire
incident at the Bharuch
hospital.”
Calls it out for not
implementing fire
safety measures,
ignorance of
medical facilities
set up for
pandemic effort
AMC TO TAKE A CALL
Meanwhile, the court instructed Ahmedabad
Municipal Corporation (AMC) to look into ap-
plications of five gynaecology hospitals run from
residential buildings. Petitioner’s prayer is that
these hospitals do have fire NOCs but do not
have building use certificates. It observed, “The
court is of the view that these hospitals have at
all filed applications and are in accordance with
the law and can be considered.” The matter was
adjourned as respondents to the AMC affidavit
wanted time to file a response.
First India Bureau
Ahmedabad: Advising
the state government to
review the COVID-19
Standard Operating
Protocol (SOP), the Gu-
jarat High Court on
Tuesday ordered it to
reduce the number of
guests at weddings and
other social events to 50
or lower. It expressed
concern over guests at
such events becoming
superspreaders of the
virus.
Adivisionbenchcom-
prising Justice Bela
Trivedi and Justice
Bhargav D Karia heard
the suo motu petition on
the current COVID-19
situation in the state.
Senior advocate Shalin
Mehta submitted that
permitting 50 guests at
weddings was too high a
number,consideringthe
nCoV infection rate. He
asked the state to en-
force a ban on such
eventsforatleastaweek
or 15 days “as an exer-
cise to break the chain
of corona infection.”
The court asked the
statetoconsiderthesug-
gestion.
All petitioners of the
COVID-19 PILs request-
ed the court to adjourn
as they wanted to pre-
pare a response to the
state government’s affi-
davit. Considering the
submission, the Gujarat
High Court directed the
state to now file affida-
vits at least 24 hours be-
fore the hearing date, in
order to provide re-
spondents with ample
time to compile a re-
sponse.
The court also asked
for a compilation of or-
ders and the ones com-
plied with by the gov-
ernment, fully or par-
tially
. The matter has
now been kept for fur-
ther hearing on May 17.
In its response, the
state government on
Tuesday stated that ow-
ing to a fall in nCoV
cases in the past few
days, availability of
beds at hospitals had in-
creased. It also re-
marked that the oxygen
supply demand project-
ed to touch 1,600 million
ton (MT) per day, may
remain at 1,290 MT.
‘Limit wedding guest
numbers to 50 or less’
Patel Welfare Hospital in Bharuch (inset) the gutted ICU ward after the fire.
The court recommended cutting down on social event guests
amid COVID-19 surge.

GUJARAT
03
First India Bureau
Ahmedabad: Accord-
ing to the weatherman,
a western disturbance
that will affect north-
ern India around May
13 will trigger thunder-
showers in some places
including parts of
Gujarat.
The cyclonic circula-
tion extending up to 3.1
km above mean sea lev-
el over the equatorial
Indian Ocean and ad-
joining central parts of
the South Arabian Sea
persists. Under its in-
fluence, a low-pressure
area is likely to form
over southeast Arabian
Sea and adjoining the
equatorial Indian
Ocean around May 14. It
is likely to become more
marked over the south-
east Arabian Sea dur-
ing the subsequent 48
hours.
Hence a depression
system is expected by
May 16-17. The wind di-
rection will vary, but it
will, in all likelihood, be
in the westerly and
north westerly direc-
tion during the forecast
period. High wind
speeds up to 15-30 km
per hour may be possi-
ble during evening time
from May 12-14. Subse-
quently, for the rest of
the forecast period, the
winds will be 10-15 km/
hour. Scattered clouds
are also expected from
May 14 onwards.
Some relief is to be
expected in the maxi-
mum temperature due
to clouding today. It is
likely to hover near 40
to 42 degrees Celsius
from May 12-14. How-
ever, the temperature
may climb to the range
of 42 to 44 degrees Cel-
sius from May 15-17.
The temperature dur-
ing nightfall is also
likely to be higher dur-
ing that period.
thundershowers may hit Guj
Traffic plowing through the rain in Ahmedabad.—FILE PHOTO
Expected to
bring down the
temperature;
weather to
remain cloudy
for a few days
BEING PREPARED
Woman pressured for ‘wife-swapping’ by hubby, in-laws
First India Bureau
Ahmedabad: A woman
from the city has filed a
domestic violence com-
plaint, alleging that her
husband, his brother
and sister-in-law forced
her to participate in a
“wife-swapping” ar-
rangement. The hus-
band allegedly assault-
ed and abused her after
she refused to partici-
pate, according to the
police complaint.
The Sola police de-
partment has filed a
complaint against Chi-
rag Patel (husband),
Bhavnin Patel, the vic-
tim’s brother-in-law,
and Manisha Patel, the
victim’s cousin sister-
in-law.
Manasvi (name
changed) stated in her
complaint that she is an
MA B.Ed graduate who
married Chirag in 2009.
Soon after the wedding,
she began working as a
visiting faculty at a pri-
vate college, while her
husband was unem-
ployed. In 2013, she
moved to Nigeria with
her husband only to re-
turn to the city in 2015,
due to a pregnancy
. She
then went back in 2016
but, had to come back
again owing to a second
pregnancy
.
When Chirag re-
turned to the city earli-
er this year, she claimed
that she was forced to
participate in a wife-
swapping arrangement.
She, on the other hand,
refused and went to live
with her parents.
According to the First
Information Report
(FIR), the accused hus-
band also threatened to
kill the victim’s friend.
Her brother-in-law and
cousin sister-in-law,
also allegedly harassed
her. The woman also
stated in her complaint
that her brother-in-law
had demanded sexual
favours from her. The
case is being investigat-
ed by Police sub-inspec-
tor VK Mackwana of
the Sola police station.
PUTTING FOOT DOWN
Her husband allegedly assaulted and
abused her after she refused to
participate in the arrangement
Dip in COVID-19 cases as Guj
records 10.9K cases, 118 deaths
First India Bureau
Gandhinagar: As the
state reported 10,990
cases on Tuesday, the
decline in COVID-19 fig-
ures has brought some
relief to the re-
cent surge wit-
nessed in the
p a n d e m i c.
However, 118
deaths were
recorded in
24 hours as
on 5 pm on the
day, according to a
press release by the Gu-
jarat health and family
welfare department.
The total COVID-19
case tally of the state
swelled to 7,03,594 and
the death toll now
stands at 8,629.
The 118 deaths were
accounted in
Ahmedabad (18), Va-
dodara (10), Rajkot (11),
Jamnagar (12), Surat
(13), Junagadh (10),
Mehsana (6), Kutch (5),
three each in Aravalli,
Bhavnagar, Gandhina-
gar and Sabarkantha,
two each in Mahisagar,
Banaskantha, Panch-
mahal, Gir Somnath,
Patan, Bharuch, Devb-
humi Dwarka, and one
each in Chhota Udepur,
Narmada, Amreli,
Navsari, Valsad, Tapi
and Anand.
No district reported
fresh nCoV cases in the
single digit. Dang re-
corded the lowest num-
ber at 10. On the other
hand, Ahmedabad
(3,127), Surat (1,055)
and Vadodara (1,057)
recorded cases in four
digits.
Currently, a total of
1,31,832 cases are con-
sidered as active cases,
of which, 798 patients
are on ventilator sup-
port. The state has so
far vaccinated 1.43
crore people.
COVID-19 UPDATE
TOTAL CASES
RECOVERED
ACTIVE CASES
TOTAL DEATHS
7,03,594
5,63,133
1,31,832
8,629
+10,990
+118
A’BAD 3,127
SURAT 1,055
V’DARA 1,057
RAJKOT 553
JAMNAGAR 516
MEHSANA 418
B’NAGAR 364
JUNAGADH 473
Sola police station. —FILE PHOTO
GMERS faculty,medical staff go on flash strike
First India Bureau
Ahmedabad: Faculty
members and medical
staff of the Gujarat
Medical Education
Research Society
(GMERS) facilities
across the state went on
a flash strike on Tues-
day, demanding pay
hike. They also threat-
ened to stop treating
COVID-19 patients, if
their demands are not
met by Wednesday,
sources said. The strike
did not hamper the
treatment of patients
on Tuesday
.
According to the pro-
testers, the state gov-
ernment has ignored
their demands for the
past eight years. They
claim that they previ-
ously gave the govern-
ment until April 11 to
meet their demands.
Regularization of va-
cancies at medical fa-
cilities, benefits of the
Seventh Pay Commis-
sion were other stipula-
tions to the demands
presented by them.
The protesters
claimed that the Guja-
rat government “was
uninterested in resolv-
ing problems that medi-
cal staff and faculty at
GMERS hospitals and
medical colleges across
the state were experi-
encing.” Protests were
staged by over 2,000 doc-
tors from across the
state. According to re-
ports, the protesters de-
manded other basic job
benefits such as Em-
ployees’ Provident
Fund accounts and ad-
vancement opportuni-
ties as well.
Numerous job open-
ings for in-service doc-
tors have reportedly
been vacant for years.
Vaccination
centres run dry
in Ahmedabad
First India Bureau
Ahmedabad: In ad-
dition to a lack of
medical facilities,
medical oxygen sup-
ply, and remdesivir
injections, the city is
facing a shortage of
COVID-19 vaccines,
according to reports.
People are reported-
ly being forced to
wait up to three days
for their vaccination
tokens at the Swami-
narayan Temple and
Tagore Hall centres
in the city.
Many people com-
plained that they
were forced to re-
turn home due to a
lack of doses, despite
having waited in
long queues for
hours. According to
reports, many peo-
ple have had to wait
in line from 5 am to
receive their shots.
“Vaccines are still
unavailable three
days later. We have
been waiting here
since 5 am, and we
have still not re-
ceived tokens de-
spite waiting for so
long,” said a man
awaiting his turn
near Maninagar’s
Swaminarayan Tem-
ple.
“I left all my
housework at 5.45 am
to be here. But, I
haven’t received my
shot in three days,”
said another woman
at the vaccination
centre. Another per-
son complained that
a centre gave away 80
tokens at first and
then another set af-
ter 2-2.30 pm. “People
came in but, the per-
sonnel there did not
give tokens to any-
one. After we left, an-
other 20 tokens were
given to other people.
It is really annony-
ing,” he said.
According to
sources, some people
were forced to wait
up to a week for their
vaccine shots at the
Tagore Hall vaccina-
tion centre.
Even as several vaccination centres do not have enough
vaccine stock, a woman is administered a shot at a
drive-through inoculation held at Nikol AMC ground in
Ahmedabad on Tuesday. —PHOTO BY HANIF SINDHI
StaffersdemonstratingoutsideGMERSCivilHospital,ValsadonTuesday.
Retired nurses rejoin Civil Hospital
workforce to help COVID-19 patients
First India Bureau
Ahmedabad: Three re-
tired nurses from the
city have returned to
the medical workforce
to help the healthcare
industry combat the
second COVID-19 wave.
Starting a new innings,
Vidula Patel, Bharti Me-
hta, and Anjana Chris-
tian have returned to
work at Civil Hospital
post retirement to assist
COVID-19 patients.
Vidula retired as as-
sistant superintendent
of nursing on April 30,
2021 after 34 years of
service. Despite the rap-
idly increasing number
of nCoV cases, she
chose to voluntarily re-
turn to the hospital.
“I am looking for-
ward to doing my best
and contributing as
much as I can in these
trying times,” she said.
“Delighted to have
the opportunity to serve
the COVID patients
here,” said Bharti, who
will be looking after pa-
tients in the A-4 ward of
the 1,200-bed Civil Hos-
pital (Asarwa) in Me-
diCity. Anjana Chris-
tian, who retired after
three years of service at
a civil hospital, has re-
turned to work in the
ENT department. She
will primarily be assist-
ing patients suffering
from mucormycosis
fungal infection.
Demonstrating personnel demanded salary hike, filling of vacancies and 7th Pay Commission pay grade
Workers at the Ellisbridge crematorium in Ahmedabad send the
body of a COVID-19 deceased on its final journey.
—PHOTO BY HANIF SINDHI
Retired nurses showed up for duty at the hospital on Tuesday.

l Vol 2 l Issue No. 165 l RNI NO. GUJENG/2019/16208. Printed and published by Anita Hada Sangwan on behalf of First Express Publishers. Printed at Bhaskar Printing Planet Survey No.148P, Changodar-Bavla Highway, Tal. Sanand, Dist. Ahmedabad.
Published at D/302 3rd Floor Plot No. 35 Titanium Square, Scheme No. 2, Thaltej Taluka, Ghatlodiya, Ahmedabad. Editor-In-Chief: Jagdeesh Chandra. Editor: Anita Hada Sangwan responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act
PERSPECTIVE
04
CONGRESS
AND BJP PASS
THE BUCK ON
COVID SPREAD
s the pandemic rages in the coun-
try, Bharatiya Janata Party’s na-
tional president J.P
. Nadda has hit
back at Congress party president
Sonia Gandhi for her sharp criti-
cism of the government’s “mishandling” of
the Covid-19 crisis and Prime Minister Naren-
dra Modi’s “thundering silence” over desper-
ate cries for medical oxygen, hospital beds and
vaccines. Sonia had said that the fight against
the pandemic is a “national challenge that
should be kept above politics”. On Monday the
Congress president said, “The country is pay-
ing a horrendous price for the Modi govern-
ment’s neglect of the pandemic, indeed its
willful patronage of super-spreader events
that were allowed for partisan gains,” and ig-
noring scientific advice. She also attacked the
government “for abdicating its responsibility
and leaving the vaccination work to states”.
Sonia said that the Modi government has
“obliged the states to bear the cost of vaccinat-
ing the hundreds of millions in the 18 to 45 age
group. Every expert has said that it would
have made more sense and it would have been
financially more equitable for the Centre to
bear the costs. It is also a shame that the Cen-
tral government continues to discriminate
against Opposition-ruled states”.
The Congress may have been written off
by voters in the recent state elections but it
has not stopped Sonia Gandhi and her son
Rahul Gandhi from taking potshots at the
government over the pandemic situation.
They now face a Nadda-led counter-offensive
who slammed the mother-son duo for “con-
sistent negativity” duplicity and pettiness.
“Your party, under your leadership, is doing
no favours to itself by opposing lockdowns
and then demanding for the same (sic), ig-
noring the Centre’s advisories on the second
wave of Covid and then saying they did not
get any information, holding massive rallies
in Kerala causing a spike in Covid cases
while grandstanding about election rallies
elsewhere, supporting protests but speaking
about following Covid guidelines.” The BJP
president also accused Congress leaders of
being seen in super spreader political events
in north India.
Leaders of all parties did address huge ral-
lies in Kerala which is now seeing a spike in
Covid-19 cases. So far as Kerala goes they are
all in the same boat. About “election rallies
elsewhere” which Nadda referred to did not
see much of an outing by Congress leaders,
making it convenient for the party to assail
the BJP for flouting Covid protocol.
The shifting of blame from one to the other
will not absolve either of them of the charge
of abdicating responsibility in times of crisis.
Clearly, both the parties were focused on po-
litical issues during the pandemic. Under the
circumstances it will be naïve to expect a con-
sensus even on a critical issue like Covid-19.
IN-DEPTH
A lice: Would you tell me, please,
which way I ought to go from
here? The Cheshire cat: That
depends a good deal on where
you want to get to. Alice: I don’t
much care where. The Chesh-
ire cat: Then it doesn’t much
matter which way you go.
The unpredictability of this
pandemic has caused many of
us to scamper for exit points
without knowing which direc-
tion we ought to take.
It is logical to feel desperate,
frustrated, angry, restless and
many times directionless. We
humans are wired, ironically.
Our lives are a march towards
a sense of security. We always
want to predict and plan how
we will be secure, at a deter-
mined point in the future. This
want and will to plan and se-
cure ourselves and our loved
ones is the primary, propelling
force of our collective/individ-
ual human endeavours. The
pandemic has thrown the ma-
jority of the world’s population
off guard and onto a shaky
platform of security
.
It is a proven fact that there is
value in planning and strategy
making but one must stay flex-
ible and recalibrate when re-
quired. The purpose of this ar-
ticle is to focus on your actions
whilst you work towards secur-
ing your future. During desper-
ate times, people sometimes
make frenzied decisions. Let me
elaborate via drawing a parallel
with stock market trading
styles; From an absolute lay-
man’s perspective and in an ex-
ceedingly naive or broad rang-
ing categorization; there are
loosely 2 types of people trading
instocks1)Punters2)Investors.
Punting involves taking dai-
ly bets, the risk margins are
higher. If you fall you could fall
into an unending abyss and if
you rise, well it could be limit-
less or mediocre. Who is to say?
Punters aren’t necessarily con-
cerned with the fundamentals
of an investment; instead, they
attempt to make a quick profit
by selling to somebody else at a
higher price. In short Punting
could be termed highly specu-
lative in nature.
Whereas investing usually
means a calculated risk. This
can come with strategies to
choose from, ranging from low
risk to mediocre risk to high
risk over different spans of
time. While in essence you are
gambling, yet it is a more re-
searched, informed form of
gambling. Research has proven
this can help give a close to sta-
ble source of income/result.
I want to ask everyone, espe-
cially women of our state, who
would you rather be? A punter
who lives from day to day;
Changing strategies, panting
with a rush of adrenaline or
anxiety on a daily basis? Await-
ingtherewardorpenaltyof his/
her bets or instead, would you
endeavour to be a discerning in-
vestor; who prepares, plans and
then sets the ball rolling?
Whatever your style of plan-
ning and executing, During the
Pandemic, we all need to re-
calibrate and take stock of
Health finances (Current as-
sets/Liquid asset), homes, fam-
ily members and wellness.
SOME TIPS
SURVIVAL PLAN FOR THE
YEAR 2021: For those who
have an income source, lucky
you, remember you are a mi-
nority. Perhaps cutting extra
costs and supporting someone
in need will be you calling.
If you are jobless due to the
pandemic: Don’t lose heart!
This is the year for survivors,
no matter what, keep in per-
spective that all situations are
temporary and so is this pan-
demic. Strategize how much
savings you have to see you
through this calendar year or
perhaps 2 years. This could be
individually or as a family
unit. Up skill yourself with
technology and paid/ free
courses online. This will keep
you in a positive mood and help
you with a future job. So choose
and skill wisely. If you don’t
have the money to buy into an
expensive course, please don’t
spend on those expensive
courses. There are many train-
ers training via youtube on the
basics of several forms of skill-
ing. Remember the important
thing is to start.
DISCIPLINE AND PRO-
DUCTIVITY ALONG WITH
A DOSE OF MEDITATION/
EXERCISE: will help in build-
ing positive mental health and
hope: Aristotle said: We are
what we repeatedly do; excel-
lence hence is not an act but a
habit. Build daily habits that
keep you positively occupied
rather than living lives be-
tween Netflix and hot star or
something else.
Finally, whatever your style:
punting, investing or a bit of
both or something sixteenth,
the important bit to remember
is that you thought, you
planned and you chose. That
you have stable hands in con-
trol of your own reins, and
then whether you trot, canter
or gallop, you made an in-
formed choice.
THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY
THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL
PLANNING DURING
THE PANDEMIC
A
Punting involves
taking daily bets,
the risk margins
are higher. If you
fall you could fall
into an unending
abyss and if you
rise, well it could
be limitless or
mediocre. Who is
to say? Punters
aren’t necessarily
concerned with the
fundamentals of
an investment;
instead, they
attempt to make a
quick profit by
selling to
somebody else at a
higher price
PALLAVI
SINGH
IT IS LOGICAL TO
FEEL DESPERATE,
FRUSTRATED, ANGRY,
RESTLESS AND MANY
TIMES DIRECTIONLESS.
WE HUMANS ARE WIRED,
IRONICALLY. OUR LIVES
ARE A MARCH TOWARDS
A SENSE OF SECURITY.
WE ALWAYS WANT TO
PREDICT AND PLAN HOW
WE WILL BE SECURE,
AT A DETERMINED POINT
IN THE FUTURE
The writer is life coach, interpersonal
skills trainer storyteller, and has
18 years of work experience in the
services and hospitality industry
OVAX, the glob-
al initiative to
coordinate the
distribution of
COVID-19 vac-
cines in an equitable way,
is crucial for bringing the
pandemic under control.
But COVAX’s aim of de-
livering 2 billion doses to
participating countries by
the end of 2021 — including
92 low-income countries
that can’t afford to buy vac-
cines directly from manu-
facturers — is threatened
by chronic under-invest-
ment, vaccine nationalism
and export restrictions.
COVAX is not intended
only for low-income coun-
tries: Canada has so far re-
ceived316,800dosesthrough
the scheme. As such, it rep-
resents an important “in-
surance policy” for Austral-
ia, potentially enabling ac-
cess to a wider portfolio of
vaccines than we could se-
cure through negotiations
with suppliers.
The vulnerability of our
vaccine procurement strat-
egy has become clearer
over the last few weeks,
with supply blockages lim-
iting vaccine imports from
Europe and now the gov-
ernment’s warning about
the AstraZeneca vaccine
and its links to a rare
blood-clotting disorder.
Saving COVAX will re-
quire more than donations
(of both funds and vac-
cines), as well as the remov-
al of export bans. Coun-
tries must collaborate to
urgently remove the legal
and technical barriers pre-
venting more widespread
vaccine manufacturing in
order to increase the global
supply of vaccines for CO-
VAX to distribute.
HOW DOES
COVAX WORK?
COVAX is led by the Coali-
tion for Epidemic Prepar-
edness Innovations (CEPI);
Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance
(a public-private partner-
ship that aims to increase
vaccination in low-income
countries); and the World
Health Organization.
It aims to deliver doses
to all of the participating
countries that have re-
quested them in the first
half of 2021, and 2 billion
vaccines in total by the end
of 2021.
COVAX is complex, but
essentially it works by in-
vesting in a portfolio of
promising vaccines and
then distributing them ac-
cording to a formula to both
“self-financing countries”
and “funded countries”.
Self-financing countries
are those which have con-
tributed funds to COVAX,
such as Australia. They are
able to buy the vaccines at
cheaper prices negotiated
by COVAX and will initial-
ly receive enough to vacci-
nate 20% of their popula-
tions. In the longer term,
these countries may re-
ceive enough doses to vac-
cinate up to half of their
populations, depending on
how much they contribute.
Funded countries in-
clude 92 low-income coun-
tries that can’t afford to
buy their own vaccines.
They will also receive
enough to vaccinate 20%
of their populations, pro-
vided COVAX is able to
meet its goals. This is no-
where near enough to
achieve herd immunity,
but will at least allow
health workers and the
most vulnerable groups to
be vaccinated.
Australia has committed
A$123.2 million to enable it
to purchase 25 million vac-
cines for domestic use.
It has also committed
A$80 million specifically
earmarked for providing
vaccines for low-income
countries. This money will
be drawn from existing aid
funding, however, and
won’t go very far in terms
of assistance.
SOURCE: THE CONVERSATION
Fairly distributing COVID-19 vaccines globally
C
Work for work’s sake, not for
yourself. Act but do not be
attached to your actions. Be
in the world, but not of it.
—Bhagavad Gita
Spiritual
SPEAK
Top
TWEET
Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank
@DrRPNishank
A group of @IITKanpur alumni has
started a fundraising drive, ‘Breathe
India’, and raised three crore rupees
in a week. They will be using this
fund to buy oxygen concentrators
which they will donate to Delhi and
Uttar Pradesh governments.
Dharmendra Pradhan
@dpradhanbjp
#ModiGovt remains committed to
mitigate the hardships of farmers.
Pumping more liquidity into the
rural markets, GoI has disbursed
`49,965 crore, 42% more money
directly into the bank accounts
of 3.4 million wheat farmers this
year as compared to 2020.

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Night curfew...
Chhota Udepur and
Palanpur in the night
curfew list,” an official
release said. Informing
further about the new
curbs, the release said
while essential services
and factories will con-
tinue to function in
these cities, establish-
ments such as beauty
parlours, gardens, sa-
lons, gyms, auditori-
ums and malls would
also remain shut in
these cities.
Central Vista...
about his intentions and
motive behind filing the
present petition,” the
Centre’s affidavit has
contended. Since the af-
fidavit was not yet on
record, a bench of Chief
Justice D N Patel and
Justice Jasmeet Singh
listed the matter for
hearing on May 12. —ANI
India sees...
India has been reeling
under a calamitous sec-
ond wave of the corona-
virus infection. Howev-
er, the daily numbers of
deaths and infections
have started to go down.
New cases of corona-
virus in India fell to 3.29
lakh after 14 days, tak-
ing the infection tally to
2,29,92,517, according to
the Union Health Min-
istry data updated on
Tuesday
.
A total of 3,29,942 in-
fections were reported
in a span of 24 hours,
while the death toll
climbed to 2,49,992 with
3,876 fresh fatalities, the
data updated at 8 am
showed. After register-
ing a steady rise for two
months, the active cases
have reduced to
37,15,221, accounting
for 16.16 per cent of the
total infections, while
the national COVID-19
recovery rate was re-
corded at 82.75 per cent.
Country needs...
video showing shortage
of oxygen, ventilators,
ICU beds and vaccines
and people scrambling
to get them. “Our coun-
try needs a helping
hand in these distress-
ing times. Let’s all do
our bit to save lives.
Join the campaign
#SpeakUpToSaveLives
and strengthen our
fight against Corona,”
he said in a tweet.
The Congress has set
up a control room at the
All India Congress
Committee headquar-
ters and Pradesh Con-
gress Committee offices
to help people.
The party has been
arranging oxygen, beds
and essential medicines
for those in need while
it has also called for free
vaccination for all in
the country
.
BJP trying...
Hittingback,Makensaid
thetopCongressleaders,
including former prime
minister Manmohan
Singh, and Sonia Gan-
dhi and Rahul Gandhi,
have been giving con-
structive and positive
suggestions to the gov-
ernment in letters to the
prime minister.
Congress creating...
hesitancy during the
“once-in-a-century”
pandemic.
Under Modi, the fight
against the pandemic is
driven by unwavering
belief in science, sup-
port to innovation,
trust in COVID warri-
ors and cooperative fed-
eralism, he said.
Nadda said he is sad-
dened but not surprised
by the conduct of the
Congress during these
challenging times.
Defending the ongo-
ing Central Vista pro-
ject, he said there is a
“new trend” in the Con-
gress to put all the
blame on this. The need
for a new Parliament
building was raised
during the Congress-led
UPA time with the then
Speaker Meira Kumar
underscoring the need
for this, he said, noting
that Urban Develop-
ment Minister Hardeep
Singh Puri has ad-
dressed queries regard-
ing it.
26 Covid...
“availability of medical
oxygen and its supply to
COVID-19 wards in the
GMCH might have
caused some issues for
the patients” even as he
stressed that there is no
scarcity of oxygen sup-
ply in the state.
Speaking to report-
ers, Rane admitted the
shortfall in the supply
of medical oxygen at
the GMCH as of Mon-
day
.
“The high court
should investigate the
reasons behind these
deaths. The HC should
also intervene and pre-
pare a white paper on
oxygen supply to the
GMCH, which would
help to set the things
right,” the health min-
ister said after CM’s
visit to the GMCH.
Rane said the medi-
cal oxygen requirement
of the facility as of
Monday was 1,200 jum-
bo cylinders of which
only 400 were supplied.
“If there’s a shortfall
in the supply of medical
oxygen, the discussion
should be held about
how to bridge that gap,”
he said. —PTI
FROM PG 1
New Delhi: The Con-
gress on Tuesday set up
a five-member group
headed by former Ma-
harashtra CM Ashok
Chavan to evaluate the
party’s performance in
just-concluded assem-
bly polls, and another
team under senior lead-
er Ghulam Nabi Azad to
coordinate its Covid-19
relief work.
It comes a day after
party chief Sonia Gan-
dhi proposed, at a meet-
ing of the Congress
Working Committee
(CWC), the formation
of a group to assess the
party’s losses in Kerala,
Assam, West Bengal
and Puducherry
.
The other members
of the group are Sal-
man Khurshid, Manish
Tewari, Vincent H Pala
and Jothi Mani, said
AICC general secretary
K C Venugopal. The
group will submit its
report within two
weeks, the communica-
tion further said.
“Congress President
has constituted a Cov-
id-19 Relief Task Force
to coordinate the relief
activities of the Con-
gress Party with imme-
diate effect. It has Ghu-
lam Nabi Azad as
Chaiman and its mem-
bers are Ambika Soni,
Mukul Wasnik, Pawan
Kumar Bansal, Priyan-
ka Gandhi Vadra, K C
Venugopal, Jairam
Ramesh and Randeep
Singh Surjewala,
among others, another
official statement said.
The task force also
has other party leaders
Manish Chatrath, Ajoy
Kumar, Pawan Khera,
Gurdeep Singh Sappal
and IYC chief BV Srini-
vas. Azad, Wasnik and
Tewari were prominent
members of the group
of 23 leaders who had
written to Sonia Gan-
dhi in August last year,
demanding organisa-
tional overhaul. —PTI
INDIA
06
90% INDIA HAS HIGH POSITIVITY
RATE, RURAL AREAS A WORRY: GOVT
The skyrocketing active caseload has overwhelmed the hospitals and crematoriums
New Delhi: Close to 90
per cent of India is wit-
nessing a high Covid
positivity rate as 640
districts out of the 734
are above the national
threshold level of 5 per
cent positivity rate, the
centre said on Tuesday
.
The skyrocketing ac-
tive caseload during the
deadly second wave of
coronavirus has over-
whelmed the hospitals
and crematoriums.
There is an acute short-
age of medical oxygen
and key drugs needed to
treat the critically ill
Covid patients.
Last month the cen-
tre widened the vaccine
net to include everyone
over the age of 18. How-
ever, most states have
struggled to vaccinate
their people due to vac-
cine shortages. Under-
lining the need to break
the chain of transmis-
sion, officials have cau-
tioned states about the
spread of the virus to
rural areas.
The Indian Council
Of Medical Research
(ICMR) has revised
norms for testing with a
particular focus on ru-
ral India. The focus,
they say, should not be
on RT-PCR tests but in-
stead on Rapid Antigen
Tests which will help in
surveillance and aid in
breaking the chain of
command.
Cabinet Secretary
Rajiv Gauba, chaired a
high-level meeting to
review and discuss the
Covid management.
Goa CM Pramod Sawant visited COVID19 wards in Goa Medical College and Hospital on Tuesday. —PHOTO BY ANI
Mumbai: The Ma-
harashtra govern-
ment has diverted
the Covid-19 vac-
cine procured for
inoculating those
between the age of
18 and 44 to give sec-
ond dose to 45+ ben-
eficiaries. This was
announced by state
health minister
Rajesh Tope on
Tuesday
. “The deci-
sion has been taken
in the wake of the
short supply of vac-
cines for 45-plus
beneficiaries by the
central govern-
ment,” Tope said.
He added that more
than 2.1 million
people are due for
their second dose.
Maha diverts
vaccines for
18-44 to 45+
amids crisis
COVID VICTIM’S WIFE ALLEGES HARASSMENT,
NEGLIGENCE AT BIHAR HOSPITALS
Bihar: In a video that
has gone viral and trig-
gered angry reactions
on social media, a
woman from Bhagal-
pur in Bihar has al-
leged that she was sex-
ually harassed by the
staff of a hospital in
Bhagalpur while try-
ing to get treatment for
her Covid-infected hus-
band and mother. The
woman, whose hus-
band succumbed to the
virus, also alleged neg-
ligence on part of the
hospital authorities in
Patna and Bhagalpur
in providing proper
treatment. At the
Bhagalpur hospital,
the woman claimed she
was molested by an at-
tendant, “The atten-
dant snatched my du-
patta and put his hand
on my waist. I kept
mum as both my hus-
band and my mother
were admitted there.”
—ANI
Police and officials visited the hospital in Bhagalpur.
GOOGLE RAISES
$4.6 MILLION
THROUGH
DONATIONS
New Delhi: Internet
giant Google said it has
so far raised $4.6 mil-
lion (Rs 33 crore)
through an internal
donation campaign for
COVID-19 relief in In-
dia. The funds raised
will go to nonprofit or-
ganisations, including
GiveIndia, Charities
Aid Foundation India,
GOONJ, and United
Way of Mumbai, Goog-
le said in a blog post.
Google has updated
Search, Maps, and You-
Tube to help people .
COVID-19 figures
worrying: WHO
Chief Scientist
GENEVA: As India
is in the grasp of a
devastating second
wave of COVID-19,
WHO Chief Scientist
Soumya Swamina-
than on Monday
termed the rate of
infections and deaths
in the country as
“worrying” and
called on govern-
ments to boost exer-
cises on reporting
actual numbers.
In an exclusive in-
terview, Swamina-
than said that the
projections of one
million deaths by Au-
gust projected by the
Institute for Health
Metrics and Evalua-
tion (IHME) are
based on models and
available data, which
are not predictions
of the future and can
be changed.
“I would say that at
this point of time,
the situation is very
worrying, the daily
number of cases and
deaths in India,” she
told ANI.
Doctors warn
against cow
dung therapy
Ahmedabad: Doc-
tors in India are
warning against the
practice of using cow
dung in the belief it
will ward off COV-
ID-19, saying there is
no scientific evi-
dence for its effec-
tiveness and that it
risks spreading oth-
er diseases. In Hin-
duism, the cow is a
sacred symbol of life
and the earth, and for
centuries Hindus
have used cow dung
to clean their homes
and for prayer.
WHO WARNS AGAINST USE OF
IVERMECTIN FOR TREATMENT
New Delhi: The
World Health Organ-
ization on Tuesday
recommended
against the
general use of
‘Ivermectin’ –
a widely used
drug in India for
treating parasitic in-
fections – for treat-
ment of COVID-19
patients. A similar
warning has also
been issued by Ger-
man healthcare
and life sci-
ences giant
Merck. WHO
said Ivermec-
tin is to be used
only as part of clini-
cal trials till enough
data is collected.
Soumya Swaminathan
Share vaccine formula
to ramp up production
New Delhi: Chief Min-
ister Arvind Kejriwal
on Tuesday suggested
to the Central govern-
ment that it should
share the COVID-19 vac-
cine formula of Serum
Institute of India and
Bharat Biotech with
other firms in the coun-
try in order to scale up
production of the coro-
navirus jab.
The Delhi Chief Minis-
ter stated that there is a
shortage of COVID-19
vaccine doses across In-
dia. Kejriwal added that
there is an urgent need
for the country to scale
up its manufacturing
on a war footing. Kejri-
wal explained that vac-
cine production should
be ramped up while de-
veloping a national pol-
icy for administering
the jab to everyone in
the next few months.
Arvind Kejriwal has
urged the Narendra
Modi-led Central gov-
ernment to ensure that
all vaccine production
units in the country
start manufacturing.
Cong panel to evaluate poll
debacle and Covid-relief
WBGuvtovisitareasaffected
by post-poll violence on May 13
Kolkata: West Bengal
Governor Jagdeep
Dhankhar will visit
the areas affected by
post-poll violence on
Thursday.
“Governor... will be
leaving Kolkata by BSF
Helicopter on May 13 to
visit post poll unprece-
dented violence affect-
ed areas @MamataOf-
ficial #Sitalkuchi and
other places in Cooch-
behar to connect with
sufferers,” he tweeted.
Dhankhar will visit
West Bengal’s Sital-
kuchi and other places
in Coochbehar where
he will interact with
victims of post-poll vio-
lence.
Governor said, “As
part of my constitution-
al duty, I’ve decided to
visit affected parts in
State and asked govern-
ment to make arrange-
ments. Unfortunately
their response hasn’t
been very responsive.
I’ll go ahead with my
schedule and make ar-
rangements for self
visit in coming days.”
He called the Mamata
government to “restore
credibility and bring to
book the culprits who
have chosen to tarnish
our democratic fabric”.
Bharatiya Janata
Party (BJP) alleged that
nine of its party work-
ers have been killed in
the post-poll violence.
However, the Trina-
mool Congress (TMC)
has been refuting the
allegations.
—ANI
Jagdeep Dhankhar

COVID-19 VACCINE?
WHAT’S THE VALNEVA
WHAT’S THE VALNEVA
A
COVID-19vaccinefromFrench
company Valneva has yet to
complete clinical trials. But it
has caught the eye of governments in
the UK, Europe and Australia.
One of the vaccine’s main selling
points is its apparent ability to mount
a more general immune response
against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that
causes COVID-19, rather than rely on
the spike protein to do this.
This means the vaccine is more
likely to be effective against the type
of virus variants we’ve already seen
emerging, and may emerge in the fu-
ture. Some reports describe it as “var-
iant proof”.
The hope is vaccines using this tech-
nology would be able to provide pro-
tection for longer, rather than keep
being reformulated to get ahead of
these new variants.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Valneva’svaccine,calledVLA2001,
is based on tried and tested vac-
cine technology
. It’s the technology
used in the vaccine against poliovi-
rus and in some types of flu vac-
cines. And the company already has
a commercially available Japanese
encephalitis vaccine based on the
same technology
.
VLA2001 uses an inactivated ver-
sion of the whole virus, which cannot
replicate or cause disease.
The virus is inactivated using a
chemical called beta-propiolactone or
BPL. This is widely used to inactivate
other viruses for vaccines. It was even
used to make experimental versions
of vaccines against SARS-CoV
, the vi-
rus that caused SARS (severe acute
respiratory syndrome).
This type of inactivation is expected
to preserve the structure of the viral
proteins, as they would occur in na-
ture. This means the immune system
will be presented with something sim-
ilar to what occurs naturally, and
mount a strong immune response.
After being inactivated, the vaccine
would be highly purified. Then, an ad-
juvant (an
immune stimulant) is
added to induce a strong immune re-
sponse.
VLA2001 isn’t the first inactivated
vaccine against COVID-19. Leading
COVID-19 inactivated vaccines, such
as those developed by Sinopharm and
Bharat Biotech, have been approved
for use in China and received emer-
gency approval in other countries, in-
cluding India.
However, VLA2001 is the
only COVID-19 vaccine candidate us-
ing whole inactivated virus in clini-
cal trials in the UK and in mainland
Europe.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS
WE KNOW SO FAR?
This approach to vaccine development
presents the immune system with all
of the structural components of the
SARS-CoV-2 virus, not just the spike
protein, as many other COVID-19 vac-
cines do.
So Valneva’s vaccine is thought to
produce a more broadly protective im-
mune response. That is, antibodies
and cells of the immune system are
able to recognise and neutralise more
pieces of the virus than just the spike
protein.
As a result, Valneva’s vaccine could
be more effective at tackling emerg-
ing COVID-19 virus variants and, if
approved, play a useful role as a
booster vaccine.
Valneva’s vaccine can be stored at
standard cold-chain conditions (2-8 )
and is expected to be given as two
shots.
HOW ABOUT RESULTS
FROM CLINICAL TRIALS?
According to the company, no safety
concerns or serious adverse events
were associated with VLA2001 in ear-
ly-stage clinical trials.
VLA2001 was given as a low, medi-
um or high dose in these trials with all
participants in the high-dose group
generating antibodies to the virus
spike protein.
One measure of immune response
in the high-dose group after complet-
ing the two doses indicated antibody
levels were, after two weeks, at least as
high as those seen in patients natu-
rally infected with SARS-CoV-2.
Interestingly, VLA2001 induced im-
mune responses against a number of
virus proteins (including the spike
protein) across all participants, an
encouraging sign the vaccine can
provide broad protection against
COVID-19.
The vaccine has since advanced to
phase 3 clinical trials in the UK. The
trial, which started in April 2021, will
compare its safety and efficacy with
the AstraZeneca vaccine.
The phase 3 trial is expected to be
completed by the northern hemi-
sphere’s autumn this year. And if suc-
cessful, would be submitted for regula-
tory approval after that.
WHO’S INTERESTED?
Despite phase 3 clinical trials only
just starting, the UK government has
pre-ordered more than 100 million
doses of the vaccine from Valneva,
with the option of buying more down
the track. If trials prove successful
and pass regulatory approval, this
means the vaccine could be used as a
booster in time for this year’s north-
ern hemisphere’s winter.
Australia has confirmed it’s also in
talks with Valeneva about importing
the vaccine. Some countries in Eu-
rope are also reportedly keen to strike
a deal.
As new cases of COVID-19 increase
globally, we’ll continue to see new vi-
ral variants emerge that threaten to
escape the protection existing vac-
cines offer.
Already, we are seeing vaccines
from companies such as Moderna and
Novavax begin to reformulate their
spike protein-based vaccines to get
ahead of emerging variants.
So Valneva’s vaccine, with the po-
tential to elicit a more broadly protec-
tive immune response, may prove to be
a useful tool to combat the rise of the
virus and its mutations. However,
whether the vaccine is really “variant
proof” or merely less affected by
emerging variants remains to be seen.
ADAM TAYLOR
Early Career Research Leader, Emerging
Viruses, Inflammation and Therapeutics
Group, Menzies Health Institute Queensland,
Griffith University
TALKING POINT
07
SOURCE : THECONVERSATION.COM
The French shot that is
supposed to be ‘variant
proof’ and likely to work
against the virus mutations
that have emerged and may
develop in the future
nology would be able to provide pro-
tection for longer, rather than keep
being reformulated to get ahead of
cine technology
. It’s the technology
used in the vaccine against poliovi-
rus and in some types of flu vac-
cines. And the company already has
a commercially available Japanese
encephalitis vaccine based on the
VLA2001 uses an inactivated ver-
sion of the whole virus, which cannot
The virus is inactivated using a
chemical called beta-propiolactone or
BPL. This is widely used to inactivate
other viruses for vaccines. It was even
used to make experimental versions
of vaccines against SARS-CoV
, the vi-
rus that caused SARS (severe acute juvant (an
immune stimulant) is
cluding India.
However, VLA2001 is the
only COVID-19 vaccine candidate us-
ing whole inactivated virus in clini-
SARS-CoV-2 virus, not just the spike
protein, as many other COVID-19 vac-
cines do.
produce a more broadly protective im-
mune response. That is, antibodies
and cells of the immune system are
able to recognise and neutralise more
pieces of the virus than just the spike
protein.
be more effective at tackling emerg-
booster vaccine.
standard cold-chain conditions (2-8 )
and is expected to be given as two
shots.
—REUTERS
—SOPA IMAGES/LIGHT ROCKET VIA GETTY IMAGES

First India Bureau
Ahmedabad: When
most States complain
about the paucity of
Covid-19 vaccines, a
predominantly rural
and tribal district of
Banaskantha in North
Gujarat has reported
vaccine coverage of a
whopping 98% in the 45-
plus age group -- all
thanks to an alert dis-
trict administration.
Gujarat Rural Devel-
opment Commissioner
and Secretary in-charge
for Covid-19 for Banas-
kantha district Vijay
Nehra, who stated this
on Tuesday, passed on
the entire credit to the
district administration
with him playing only a
catalytic role.
In a letter to the gov-
ernment, Nehra said
the 98% vaccination
coverage was the result
of the “Meticulous
planning by the district
administration.” Vijay
Nehra arouses public
interest for he was the
Ahmedabad Municipal
Commissioner during
the Covid-19 crisis last
year and was trans-
ferred out reportedly
after differences with
the government. In re-
cent days, following a
spike in Covid cases,
there are scores of so-
cial media posts plump-
ing for him to be back as
the Ahmedabad chief.
The rural district of
Banaskantha with 14 ta-
lukas and 1,233 villages
has seen 98% vaccina-
tion coverage for those
above 45 years of age.
Nehra’slettersaiditwas
unfair to give him credit
as all the work was done
by District Collector
AnandPatelandDistrict
Development Officer
Ajay Dahiya.
In the letter, he said
his involvement was
limited to guiding the
district administration
in the stupendous vac-
cination coverage was
marginal.
Nehra said, “Micro-
planning, meticulous
execution and close
monitoring played a
role.” The administra-
tion roped in religious
and community lead-
ers, self-help groups
and dairy cooperatives.
He said the district
had put in place a plan
to ensure maximum
vaccination in the 18-44
age group also.
08
2NDFRONT
One more held
for Tocilizumab
black-marketing
Surat Civil Hosp
starts ward for
mucormycosis
First India Bureau
Surat: A special team
of doctors has been
formed by Surat New
Civil Hospital after re-
ports of surge in mu-
cormycosis cases.
About 250 injections
have been allotted to the
hospital against the de-
mand of 2,000.
An operation theater
has also been set up in a
separate ward. Since
treating mucormycosis
is expensive, the hospi-
tal is readying itself in
advance.
Given the risk of mu-
cormycosis along with
Covid-19 and patients
from other cities also
coming to Surat for
treatment, a separate
ward has been started
in Surat New Civil Hos-
pital where 14 patients
with mucormycosis are
currently undergoing
treatment.
The Civil Hospital
has also ordered 2,000
injections for the pur-
pose, against which
only about 250 injec-
tions have been allot-
ted. Hospital authori-
ties, however, said the
injections would be al-
lotted on a daily basis.
They said the hospi-
tal has 30 beds ready,
while doctors and nurs-
ing staff have also been
isolated.
First India Bureau
Surat: The Umra police
have arrested two more
persons in a recent case
of black marketing Toci-
lizumabmedicine.Three
peoplewereidentifiedin
astingoperationbySOG
and one Rasik Kathiria
was arrested.
On Tuesday
, the cops
arrested Dr Hetal
Kathiria of Tristar Hos-
pitalandVrajeshMehta,
who works at the billing
counter of Ratandeep.
They were to sell 40,000
Tocilizumab injections
for Rs 2.70 lakh. Hetal’s
father Rasik Kathiria
has already been arrest-
ed and is on a three-day
remand. It was found Dr
Hetal Kathiria, who was
on duty as a medical of-
ficer in Tristar Hospital,
where she used to target
patients to sell the injec-
tion at a premium. She
was associated with Dr
Vrajesh Mehta.
The injections were
brought from a medical
store at Surat General
Hospital. Based on
Rasik’s confession, the
police had arrested Dr
Vrajesh Mehta. He
boughttheinjectionfrom
Mayank Jariwala from
themedicalstoreof Surat
General Hospital. Both
accusedwereproducedin
the court on Tuesday
.
FIVE ARRESTED
IN ‘HONOUR’
KIDNAPPING CASE
First India Bureau
Mehsana: The
Mehsana police have
arrested five persons,
including a minor boy,
in an ‘honour’ kidnap-
ping case. The key ac-
cused and five others
are still at large.
Intercaste marriage
is still not accepted in
some sections of the
society, especially if a
girl is marrying a per-
son from a lower caste.
Jay Patel and his
friends kidnapped Ji-
nal Patel and Paras Nai
on Sunday afternoon
since Jay’s family was
against Jinal’s mar-
riage with Paras, who
is from a lower caste.
In a police complaint
with the Mehsana Ta-
luka Police, brother of
Paras has alleged that
the kidnappers had
also ransacked their
house while kidnap-
ping his brother and
sister-in-law.
Acting swiftly, the
Mehsana DSP formed
three teams. Mean-
while, the kidnappers
called Paras Nai’s sis-
ter residing in Assam
and demanded Rs 5
lakh. This helped the
police get the kidnap-
pers’ cell numbers and
immediately put the
numbers under sur-
veillance.
Through this, the po-
lice found that kidnap-
pers were moving in
the Kheralu area of
Patan and created bar-
ricades to intercept ve-
hicles. When they saw
an Eeco car with regis-
tration number
GJ01HX 9294, they
stopped it. Four per-
sons stepped out of the
car and ran towards
nearby farms.
The police rescued
Jinal and Paras, who
informed them that
one more Eeco car was
following. Six persons
from this tried to flee,
but the cops nabbed
four of them on Tues-
day morning. Police
also recovered Rs 4.44
lakh cash from them.
Police are now look-
ing for key accused Jay
Patel and three others.
First India Bureau
Ahmedabad: Amid ris-
ing Covid-19 cases, re-
ports have emerged that
many people in Gujarat
have resorted to “cow-
dung therapy” to treat
the infection, which
medical experts call a
hoax and say it can
cause mucormycosis.
Mucormycosis is a
serious and rare fungal
infection caused by a
group of fungi called
mucormycetes. It has
been reported among
Covid-19 patients. Also
known as ‘Black Fun-
gus’, the infection af-
fects the brain and the
lungs.
Doctors say “cow-
dung therapy” might
increase the chances of
people contracting the
infection.
A group of people
has been visiting a cow
shelter run by Shree
Swaminarayan Gu-
rukul Vishwavidya Pr-
athisthanam (SGVP) in
Ahmedabad to take the
therapy, believing that
it increases immunity
against Covid-19.
The shelter houses
over 200 cows. For the
last one month, around
15 persons visit it every
Sunday to apply cow
dung and cow urine on
the body
. It is then
washed off with cow
milk, said an SGVP of-
ficial. Those taking the
therapy include some
frontline workers and
people working at medi-
cal stores, he said.
Doctors scoff at this.
“I don’t know if this
therapy would really
help people. I have nev-
er come across any re-
search that applying
cow dung on the body
would increase immu-
nity against coronavi-
rus,” said Dr Dileep
Mavlankar, Director of
the Indian Institute of
Public Health, Gandhi-
nagar.
Dr Mona Desai called
it humbug. “Cow dung
is nothing but body
waste. Applying it can
never protect you from
coronavirus. People
should consult doctors
and stay away from such
therapies,” said Dr De-
sai, chairperson of the
women’s wing of the In-
dian Medical Associa-
tion (IMA).
Docs decry ‘cow dung therapy’, say it may give mucormycosis
HUMBUG THERAPY
Men bathing with cow dung and urine in Ahmedabad.
The arrested culprits.
The arrested 5 persons.
Cow dung could give other
infections, including mucormycosis,
since cow dung also carries several
fungi, warn experts
NHRC warns action against Guj over manual scavenger deaths
First India Bureau
New Delhi: The Na-
tional Human Rights
Commission (NHRC)
has directed the Chief
Secretary of Gujarat to
submit a detailed re-
port on the compensa-
tion paid to the kin of
the deceased manual
scavengers of the State
and status of criminal
casesregisteredagainst
the accused persons.
The NHRC passed the
direction in response to
the petition filed by hu-
man rights activist and
Supreme Court lawyer
Radhakanta Tripathy
.
Tripathy stated that
the State Government
had not paid compensa-
tionin165casesof man-
hole scavenger deaths
in Gujarat, citing the
SupremeCourt’sMarch
27, 2014, order in the Sa-
fai Karamchari An-
dolan case. By this or-
der, a minimum com-
pensation of Rs 10 lakh
was to be paid to the kin
of the deceased manual
scavengers since 1993.
Tripathy sought an
investigation and a de-
tailed report on the pre-
ventive and legal action
on the death of sewage
workers and manual
scavengers of the State.
Tripathy
, who was in-
strumentalinconstitut-
ing the defunct Nation-
alCommissionforSafai
Karmacharis (NCSK),
had in 2010, through his
PIL, before the High
Court of Delhi and
again in 2017, through
his petition in the Su-
preme Court, stated
that the issues related
to Safai Karmacharis
and manual scavengers
in Gujarat were grave.
According to the
NHRC notice, the gov-
ernment stated that out
of 152 cases, 19 cases do
not pertain to this de-
partment. However, out
of the 133 cases, he had
stated that in 50 cases
compensation of Rs 10
lakh has been paid to
legal heirs of deceased
manual scavengers, 39
cases were not found to
be eligible for compen-
sation for various rea-
sons, and likewise.
The NHRC had then
asked the State Chief to
send a consolidated re-
port on the status of
compensation paid
within six weeks, fail-
ing which the NHRC
warned of coercive ac-
tion. But the State
failed to send the up-
dated status report.
—FILE PHOTO
The Gujarat
Government
admitted that in
161 cases, people
were eligible to
get compensation
‘North Guj district’s 98% vaccine
coverage due to smart planning’
Former A’bad Muni Commissioner Vijay Nehra diverts his credit to Banaskantha dist administration
Vaccination in full throttle in Banaskantha district. (Inset) In-
charge Secretary, Vijay Nehra.
FIRE AT HOSP ICU, NO CASUALTIES
First India Bureau
Surat: A minor fire
broke out at the ICU of
Surat’s Mission Hospi-
tal after a short circuit
in the window air-con-
ditioner. No casualties
were reported.
AccordingtoMajura
firestationofficials,the
firebrokeoutlateMon-
day night on the
ground-floor ICU. The
unit was empty as the
hospital was readying
the ward for Covid-19
patients. Fire officer N
M Dave said, “The fire
brokeoutduetoashort
circuitinawindowair-
conditioner. As the
smoke spread through
the entire ground floor
andadjacentrooms,we
opened the doors and
windows of the unit
and that of other
wards.Wealsochecked
thefiresecuritysystem
of the hospital and it
was found to be okay
.”
On Tuesday
, the fire
departmentconducted
a mock drill at Apple
Hospital. Surat chief
fire officer Basant Ba-
reek said, “During the
drill, our teams res-
cued four dummy pa-
tients on oxygen sup-
port and shifted them
to another ward.”
Teamwork and Delegation are
the key to success, both go hand
in hand and are based on trust
for the other, choose the team diligently
and then delegate to achieve the goals.
—Jagdeesh Chandra, CEO Editor-in-Chief, First India

AHMEDABAD, WEDNESDAY
MAY 12, 2021
www.firstindia.co.in I www.firstindia.co.in/epaper/ I twitter.com/thefirstindia
facebook.com/thefirstindia I instagram.com/thefirstindia 09
dity Sharma,
a young talent
from Karauli,
Rajasthan is
making her
mark on the
modelling in-
dustry with her ener-
getic and attractive
persona. While find-
ing her interest, she
started modelling
with just a few
shoot and now
she is playing
the lead role in
a few movies.
In an exclu-
sive inter-
view with
City First,
A d i t y
s h a r e d
her jour-
ney and
struggles in the fashion
industry. “I have always
wanted to show my person-
ality in a fancy way to the
world. I was greatly in-
spired by Priyanka
Chopra’s story and the
way she achieved success
against many odds and
represented India on a
world stage. I wish to do
the same one day,” she
said.
While talking about how
she started, Adity said, “I
was in 11th standard when
I started doing some basic
shoots. No one was there to
guide me initially. I used to
face a lot of negativity and
harsh sexist comments
from people on social me-
dia. Modelling as a profes-
sion is not very well appre-
ciated and respected in
most parts of our country.
My family supported me
completely and has been
with me throughout my
journey.”
Adity, among her many
works, has recently ap-
peared as the main lead in
a web series by Pocket FM
and is working as a lead in
a movie that is going to be
released soon.
“I want to thank my fam-
ily, the Elite Miss Ra-
jasthan team and mentor
Gaurav Gaur who moulded
me in my growing days
and provided me with a
good network and environ-
ment for growth,” she said.
“My goal is to be a suc-
cessful businesswoman
one day. I want to become
an actor, a dancer, a model.
I wish to reach a stage
where young girls can see
me as a good role model
and be inspired to never
give up on their dreams,”
she said while talking
about her goal.
She believes that one
should stand for what they
believe in. Always head up
with confidence. Never
compromise on ethics and
morals. Always keep learn-
ing and don’t let the nega-
tivity from People harm
mental peace. Stay focused
and go for the stars.
A Multitalented
PERSONALITY
Adity Sharma from Karauli shared how she
converted her struggles into success in the
modelling industry, with City First!
KARISHMA
GWALANI
Karishma.gwalani
@firstindia.co.in
A

10
ETC
F
A
C
E
O
F
T
H
E
D
A
Y
JENNY BIGALL, Model
LEO
JULY 24 - AUGUST 23
Luck favours you today
both personally and
professionally. Your effort
to keep in touch with
everyone will come in for appreciation
by all on the social front. A good turn
done to someone is likely to be
returned with interest. A diet plan will
suit your system well.
LIBRA
SEPT 24 - OCTOBER 22
A match-making process
may get underway for the
eligible. You will find
yourself much more active
on the social front and will make
efforts to remain in touch with all.
You will be able to buy property that
you had been wanting for long.
Overseas travel plans may be on halt.
ARIES
MAR 21 - APR 20
A property deal is likely to
be sealed, as you are able
to complete all the
formalities. Someone close
may pay you a visit and brighten
your day. You gain recognition on the
professional front. If you are a
working mother, you may find it
difficult to balance home and office.
SAGITTARIUS
NOV 23 - DEC 22
An excellent opportunity to
get close to the one you
admire is likely to come to
you. Don’t think twice in
taking outside help. Your initiative will
help mend fences with someone you
were not in talking terms. A chance to
prove your mettle on the professional
front will be nicely availed by you.
GEMINI
MAY 21 - JUNE 21
Worries regarding a health
issue are likely to
disappear, as you make
quick recovery. Do not
misunderstand someone trying to
help you. Spending quality time with
your near and dear ones is indicated.
Enjoying togetherness with partner is
indicated today.
AQUARIUS
JAN 21 - FEB 19
Keeping minor ailments at
bay by taking up yoga or
exercises will prove
successful. Some of you
may want to opt for a break from the
monotonous routine. This is the best
time to forge your own path, as there
are opportunities galore. You remain
on a safe wicket on the financial front.
TAURUS
APR 21 - MAY 20
Academic front looks
promising. Some of you
are set to enjoy a trip out
of town. Setting up a new
house is on the cards for some.
Money well spent may give you inner
satisfaction. You will be able to
remain regular in whatever you do on
the health front and benefit.
CAPRICORN
DEC 23 - JAN 20
Career wise, you are likely
to fare well as per the
expectations of your
seniors. An ancestral
property is likely to come in your
name. Luck favours you on the
academic front. You will need to get
a hang of things, before you chip in
with suggestions.
VIRGO
AUG 24 - SEP 23
A good beginning will be
made in a venture you are
undertaking. A raise in
earning is foreseen and will
help you realise your dreams. Good
command over a particular subject
may find you amongst the top
positions on the academic front.
Those in love may expect happiness.
CANCER
JUNE 22 - JULY 23
You will be able to
establish yourself firmly on
the professional front. You
will succeed in asserting
your authority on the social front by
having your way. A property issue
gets resolved amicably. You manage
to stabilise expenses and bring
yourself into the saving mode.
PISCES
FEB20 - MARCH 20
Appreciation for the work
done on the professional
front is in the pipeline for
some. You make all the
right moves on the social front and
manage to retain your popularity. A
property may finally come into your
name, as the paperwork is slated to
get over soon.
SCORPIO
OCT 23 - NOVEMBER 22
An excellent time is
foreseen for those taking a
break from the daily grind.
Success is foreseen for
those playing the stocks. Intelligent
application on even unfamiliar
territory on the academic front will
keep your flag flying high. A windfall
can be expected.
YOUR
DAY
Horoscope by
Saurabbh Sachdeva
oday India is in the
throes of its big-
gest crisis since
1947.
In such danger-
ous times, it’s al-
ways the youth of
the country that steps for-
ward to pull the Country
towards safety
.
This time, even though
all students from KG to Uni-
versity are languishing at
home, supposedly restless
impatient to get back to
their classrooms, there
seems to be not a tremor in
this most energetic sensi-
tive section of society
against the jackboot. The
reason is not difficult to
fathom:“ITISTHESMART-
PHONE.......Stupid !! “
The addiction is so deep
and widespread that it
could become the new Men-
tal sickness. The youth na-
ively thinks that just by
posting comments on FB,
Twitter, WhatsApp etc they
have played their part in
stopping the rot.
India, with a 65% popula-
tion under the age of 35,
should have had the most
alert society
.
Unfortunately, most are
asleep !!
To exemplify, it would be
a rare sight if a young per-
son is seen helping an el-
derly or infirm. At the most,
all they do is give a glance
and then get back to staring
at that 10 sq inch screen.
University campuses
used to be the crucibles of
all civil movements against
corruption or misgovern-
ance !! It was here that the
youth learnt to dream
debate a bright future. It
was here that idealism
sprouted in virgin minds
and mowed the weeds of
corruption and immorality
.
It was here that fos-
sil layers were
peeled to
push the
s l o w
wheel of
e vo l u -
tion.
T o -
d a y
t h a t
spark has
b e e n
robbed of
Oxygen by the
ubiquitous Smart-
Phone, thus creat-
ing a dangerous ad-
diction. Far from be-
ing a tool of learning
and instant informa-
tion, it is a destructive
gadget eating into all the
revolutionary impulses
of impressionable
minds. The toxins, lies
and untruths that swirl
on those screens is the
quicksand for our youth.
Playing mindless
games, sending lewd
comments or watching
the crushing porn sites
is eating into the en-
trails of our future.
The cynical politicians
laugh sinisterly at seeing
theirvotersgettingnumbed
by their subterfuge she-
nanigans broadcast via this
gadget!
Young people sitting in
restaurants, living rooms,
or other places of social in-
teraction, are invariably
hunched over this gadget
exchanging only an occa-
sional word!
This double-edged sword
is cutting in the wrong di-
rection by a disproportion-
ate degree.
It is highly imperative
that this weapon is convert-
ed into a bludgeon to break
into new frontiers of learn-
ing and discovery
.
Students in Universi-
ties, fresh out of regi-
mented schools and
just learning to
formulate their
surging new
thoughts, did not
allow police to
blasphemy their
Campuses, let
alone get beaten
to submission.
But it happened
not once, but
again and
again. Unchar-
acteristically,
theyhidbehind
the smoke-
screen of
their Smart
Phones that
click them
into a false
world. Po-
t e n t i a l
r e b e l -
lion is
t h u s
quashed before birth.
It is the same opium that
prevents them from dis-
mantling wasteful Vistas
being built instead of up-
grading their educational
institutions.
Till even one student is
deprived of the dignity of a
desk chair in her/his
classroom, there is no place
for wasteful vanity projects
statues.
The youth have to put
away that Stupid Smart
Phone for some hours in the
day to become aware of the
chainsaw feeling all that
was good and sacred. Don’t
look down at that screen for
too long if you want the
world to look up to you.
It is THE SMARTPHONE,
It is THE SMARTPHONE,
STUPID !
STUPID !
RAINU SINGH
singh.rainu@gmail.com
T

M
argot Robbie has success-
fully brought to life one
of DC Comics’ antihe-
roes, Harley Quinn on-
screen and is now pushing for an-
other character to make an entry
into the DC extended universe. Rob-
bie has essayed the role of Harley
Quinn in three DC films now including,
Suicide Squad, Birds of Prey and the
upcoming The Suicide Squad. The ac-
tress is now hoping to see her character’s
relationship with Poison Ivy to make it
to the screen and hence has been pes-
tering DC to introduce Poison Ivy in
films. —Agency
ETC
www.firstindia.co.in I www.firstindia.co.in/epaper/ I twitter.com/thefirstindia I facebook.com/thefirstindia I instagram.com/thefirstindia AHMEDABAD | WEDNESDAY, MAY 12, 2021
11
Parenthood phase
E
mma Roberts and
boyfriend Gar-
rett Hedlund wel-
comed a baby boy
back in December 2020, are
loving their parenthood
phase. On Monday, the ac-
tress shared the first
glimpse of her son Rhodes
almost five months after
welcoming him. Emma is
soaking in her journey of
motherhood as the ac-
tress held her son Rho-
des close and cuddled him on Mother’s Day
. The actress
was celebrating her first Mother’s Day which made it all
the more special. In the picture, Emma can be
seen standing on a back pa-
tio as she affectionate-
ly holds her son
close and they
sweetly touch
their nose.
—Agency
T
he trailer of the
m u c h - a w a i t e d
American superhe-
ro film ‘Venom: Let
There Be Carnage’ starring
Tom Hardy has been released on
Monday. The movie based on the
Marvel Comics character Venom will
unveil the look of Carnage for the first
time. Fans of the
adventure drama
‘Venom’ have
been on their
toes ever since
the makers had
announced the
sequel of the
film. The
makers of
movie have
now re-
leased the
first trailer.
—Agency
A
mid the ongoing pandemic of COVID 19, the na-
tion is currently battling the disease at home
and at hospitals. Kareena Kapoor Khan has
also joined in and shared WHO prescribed
guidelines to take care of loved ones who are sick at
home while remaining safe. Taking to her Instagram
stories, Kareena shared a step by step guide by
WHO (World Health Organisation) in which
there were 3 steps prescribed by them to take
care of sick loved ones at home. Sharing the
document, Kareena advised everyone on how
to take care of their loved ones while keeping
themselves safe. —Agency
R
adhe song Zoom Zoom featur-
ing Disha Patani and Salman
Khan came out and now, the
colourful and vibrant looks
donned by the actress are taking
over the internet. Disha, who was
seen shaking a leg with Salman in the
song, has gone ahead and shared be-
hind-the-scenes photos and videos from
the shoot of the quirky song Zoom
Zoom from Radhe: Your Most Wanted
Bhai. Her pictures not only left her
fans in awe but many celebrities com-
mented and appreciated her dance
moves. Her hardwork could be seen
in every song. —Agency
B
ollywood couple Neha Dhupia and
Angad Bedi celebrated three years of
togetherness on Monday. Their sud-
den wedding was a shock for many
fans. However, both are not together this
time to celebrate their wedding but they
wished on social media. They shared pic-
tures on their Instagram and even wrote a
very heartwarming post for each other.
While the actress talked about the different
moods of her husband and wished that she
could be with him. —Agency
Happy Anniversary!
Heartbroken Split
G
u r m e e t
Choudhary, a
Bollywood ac-
tor, is a man
of action. Gurmeet,
not one to back down
from a challenge,
flew to Nagpur to
open a makeshift
hospital, the Astha
Dedicated Covid Hos-
pital, in partnership
with Dr Sayyed Waja-
hatali and his team.
Despite the challeng-
es of travel and the
deadly virus looming
in the air, nothing
proved to be a deter-
rent for the actor.
—Agency
L
isa Ray recently
posted a string
of pictures
where she is
seen making goofy
faces at the camera.
“Nerve, charisma,
uniqueness and talent
(thanks mama Ru), I
got it all from my
mama...along with my
chunky arms and rest-
lessness. Without her
watching me from the
eternity of trillions of
years of stars I would
just be another misun-
derstood eccentric,”
she wrote. The actress
added that she misses
her mother. —Agency
Serving the Humanity Goofy faces
2021 Brit
2021 Brit
AWARDS
AWARDS
ne song at a time, Taylor
Swift is conquering the uni-
verse! At the 2021 Brit
Awards, the singer-songwrit-
er will become the first fe-
male to receive the Global
Icon award. Taylor will also
be the first non-British winner of the
award. Prior to Taylor Swift, only
three other artists have been
awarded with the Global Icon recog-
nition. While announcing her as
the recipient of the Global Icon,
the Brits Awards stated, “Tay-
lor’s career is unparalleled and
her music has resonated with
millions of people all over the
world. She’s used her plat-
form to highlight many is-
sues.” —Agency
O
Kareena shared
GUIDELINES
Social Media
Brightened
Poison Ivy
Poison Ivy
LET THERE BE
LET THERE BE
CARNAGE
CARNAGE
Lisa Ray
John Mulaney and Anna Marie Tendler
Gurmeet Choudhary
Angad Bedi and Neha Dhupia
Kareena Kapoor Khan
...her post
Taylor Swift
Disha Patani
Margot Robbie
Tom Hardy
Emma Roberts
A
ftersixyearsof marriage,JohnMulaney
and his wife Anna Marie Tendler are get-
ting divorced. In separate statements to
Page Six, the pair declared their separa-
tion.Johnwouldliketofocusonhisrecoveryand
getting back to work while , “I am heartbroken
thatJohnhasdecidedtoendourmarriage.Iwish
him support and success as he continues his re-
covery
.”, said Tendler. —Agency

CITY FIRST
I
nthesecondwave,In-
dia has witnessed the
worst outbreak of
Covid. The demand
for Medical Oxygen has
risen multiple times. To
meet the continuous de-
mand for Medical Oxy-
gen,ShreeCementUnits
havebeenrunningallits
Oxygen Plants at 100%
capacity
. These Oxygen
Plants are in Rajasthan,
Chhattisgarh and Kar-
nataka. Till now the
company has supplied
40,000+oxygencylinders
to various hospitals in
Rajasthan, Karnataka
and Chattisgarh.
The management
team is working with
the State and Central
Administration to
maintain a steady sup-
ply to places that need it
the most. Shree Cement
has been specifically fo-
cusing on far-reaching
villages of India that do
not have a strong Medi-
cal infrastructure.
On April 29, Shree Ce-
ment had imported 50
Oxygen Concentrators
which were handed
over to the Government
of Rajasthan. These
concentrators have
been installed in the
Covid Care centre
in Bilwa, Jaipur.
Since the onset
of Covid, the team
has been creating
awareness about Covid,
providing medical sup-
port, ambulance etc. in
the villages adjoining
the plant locations.
On Tuesday, Shree
Cement Company do-
nated 5 oxygen concen-
trators to SDM Ram-
prakash and PMO Dr
Alok Srivastava which
will help them in the
fight against the Cov-
id-19 pandemic at Govt.
Amrit Kaur Hospital,
Beawar. Neeraj Shar-
ma, Dr RG Sharma, Dr
SN Pandey, Amit Tank
and Bharat Sharma
were present on the
occasion. SDM
Ramprakash paid
immense gratitude
to Shree Cement Com-
pany and said that now
infected patients can
undergo treatment
without having to panic
about the non-availabil-
ity or shortage of oxy-
gen. cityfirst@firstindia.co.in
12
CITY BUZZ
GET VACCINATED
STAY MASKED
AN EXPRESSION OF GRATITUDE
W
hat we are expe-
riencing right
now, the crisis,
will be remem-
bered for many more years
to come, the struggles of
our ongoing battles. While
we remember everyone we
have lost and the drastic
change that the pandemic
has brought in our
lives, it is also im-
portant to express
our gratitude for
whatwehave.Mame
Khan’s, ‘Shukrän’,
is bound to take us
on a spiritual jour-
ney, as we express
our gratitude. An
original Sufi compo-
sition, the song is
dedicated to Khwajaā
Ghareeb Nawaz.
In an exclusive in-
terview with City First,
Mame Khan shared, “In
this circle of life, noth-
ing lasts forever, life
begins and life ends.
The greatest lesson that
the pandemic has taught is
to not take our
blessings for grant-
ed. “He further
quotes from the
song, “Ajab gham
dukh dard dil da,
dur kiya mere
pyaare Khwaja,”
leaning towards
the only pillar of
hope, Khwaja.
Including al-
most 50 people in his team,
the song was shot at Chun-
da Palace, Udaipur. The
song is all set to release
this Eid.
SUSHMITA AIND
cityfirst@firstindia.co.in
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Senior advocate A K Jain celebrated his 65th birthday on
Tuesday, only with his family due to the corona pandemic.
His large circle of friends and associates greeted him on
the day and cut the cake on zoom, keeping in mind the
lockdown protocol.
SAKSHI SAINI
e all know due
tothisCOVID19
a lot of indus-
tries are facing
so many prob-
lems and crisis.
During an in-
teraction with gorgeous
models of Elite Miss Ra-
jasthan- Mona Gautam,
Charvi Dutta, Akansha
Bhalla and Sonaxi Cha-
nana, the models shared
how they are coping up
with the shoots during
thelockdownandhowin
such hard times they
have worked to keep us
updated with fashion
trends.
Model Mona Gautam
said, “I prefer health
aboveanythingandtook
a proper diet and
healthy food to build my
immune system. In
these hard times, I usu-
ally try my best to do
shoot in the early morn-
ing and try to complete
it as soon as possible.“
Akansha Bhalla said,
“I used to prefer indoor
shoots because outdoor
shootswereprettyrisky
.
I make sure that I don’t
come in close contact
with anyone so I tell my
clients and any other
person who is linked not
to be physically present
there. I did a shoot over
FaceTime as well.”
“I used my makeup
kit, and I am going to
follow this routine for
all other shoots as well.
Using brushes, mascar-
as and lipsticks earlier
used by other models
can cause infection.
Whenever we reached
the venue, we went
through a temperature
screening, and every-
one maintained social
distancing,” said Char-
vi Dutta.
S o n a x i
C h a n a n a
said,“Imake
sure that all
the people
around me are
wearing mask
and gloves. I use
my vehicle to go
for shoots to
keep myself safe
and protected.”
M o d e l l i n g
agencies are also
ensuringthatthedesign-
ers are following all the
safety measures, before
sending their models for
anykindof assignments.
“Our models are also be-
ing very cautious at this
point. They are check-
ingwithusaboutthe
safetymeasuresthe
designer con-
cerned or the
brand is taking
before giving
their nod for
the shoot,”
saidGaurav
Gaur and Dr
Maulik Shâh
directors Elite
Miss Ra-
jasthan.
ANEWNORMALINTHEFASHIONINDUSTRY
W
Serving the Humanity
BACK IN THE GAME!
After defeating Covid, fully recovered Apurvi Chandela was seen
on her way to Croatia for 2 months and further on to Tokyo to
represent India in Olympic Games.
Mame Khan
Oxygen plant at Shree Cement Units
Mona Gautam Sonaxi Chanana
Akanksha Bhalla
Charvi Dutta
A K Jain with Samarth Jain and Sushila Nagar
Poster of the song
MUSIC AND ART MARATHON
U
nder Seva Inter-
national USA, in-
ternational artist
Pt Salil Bhatt
from Jaipur will collect
funds from donors for
thehelpof India’ssuffer-
ing patients by giving a
free presentation of his
work. Salil Bhatt said
that ‘Help India: Music
and Art Marathon Fund’
established under Seva
International USA of
America is collecting
funds for expenditure on
transportationof oxygen
plants,constructors,vac-
cines etc. to India. Help
Indiahasinvolvedartists
from all over the world.
All these artists will col-
lect money from donors
by presenting their work
free of cost. Famous
Veena player Pt. Salil
Bhatt told that he got as-
sociated with this cam-
paign at the request of
Sandeep Das, the con-
venor of Help India: Mu-
sic and Art Marathon
Fund Raisor and famous
tabla player of the USA.
Dozens of voluntary or-
ganizations established
in America have also
steppeduptohelpthepa-
tients suffering from
CovidinIndia.—CITYFIRST
BIRTHDAY WISHES!
Principal, St Xavier School, Nevta, Father John Ravi SJ,
celebrated his birthday on Tuesday, May 11. His family
members, friends and well-wishers extended their best
wishes to him. We wish him all the best!
Salil Bhatt

First India-Ahmedabad Edition-12 May 2021

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First India-Ahmedabad Edition-12 May 2021