Few Readable books during Lockdown !

"Two hundred years ago, India was seen as a place with little history and less culture. Today it is revered for a notable prehistory, a magnificent classical age and a cultural tradition unique in both character and continuity. How this extraordinary change in perception came about is the subject of this fascinating book." -- says the cover introduction to the book 'India Discovered: The Recovery of a Lost Civilization' penned by John Keay. 

I would recommend this book for reading during lockdown which may be extended beyond May 3 - albeit with some relaxation.

Some excerpts of the book would leave one impressed about. "The nineteenth century was the age of enquiry. It was perhaps inevitable that India should have its Darwin, its Livingstone and Schliemann....The men who discovered India came as amateurs, by profession they were soldiers and administrators. But they returned home as giants of scholarship."

There is another example. "For all the excitement and the very considerable achievements, Indian history is still far from complete...It is devoid of almost everything that traditionally makes history palatable for the general readers."

Well, the book is truly an absolute joy to read even as one may disagree at times. The author also paints a rather rosy picture about the British Empire and the book will fail those who expect the story of India’s plunder by the Britishers and the Muslim rulers.

Another book, I would recommend is 'The Sewing Circles of Herat: A Personal Voyage Through Afghanistan' written by Christina Lamb. A celebrated writer Lamb also has penned serious page turners like 'Farewell Kabul: From Afghanistan To A More Dangerous World'.

The book 'The Sewing Circles of Herat' throws light on the life and times of Talibs in a pretty interesting manner.

Refer to this example - "Oh my God, he is a Talib...and that meant he's sissy or he is available".

There is another oneliner - "The inevitable result is sodomy. It's the done thing in Pashtun society because of women being shut away in houses. A good looking boy would have dozens of attempts made on him".

There is also more! "....King Zahir Shah (of Afghanistan) gazed into the distance with the terrible sadness of a man who clearly bears the weight of his conscience of one million of his countrymen dead, another one and a half million disabled".

Christina Lamb has also authored 'House of Stone: The True Story of a Family Divided in War-Torn Zimbabwe' and captures not just the source of a conflict, but also highlights her conviction that there is still hope for one of Africa’s most beautiful countries.

I would also recommend John Redwood's 'The Death of Britain?'

The book published way back in 1999 - much before the Brexit issues had rocked the country raises few vital questions: Can the United Kingdom survive devolution, European integration, reform of the Lords, slimming of the monarchy, proportional representation?

John was an Oxfordshire County Councillor and in the 1980s he was Chief Policy Advisor to Margaret Thatcher. It is said that he urged her to begin a great privatisation programme, and then took privatisation around the world as one of its first advocates!

The book also talks how Scotland could perhaps shatter the Union by demanding full independence? 

Some excerpts would make you fall in love with the book. - There is nothing wrong with reversing the past. It may be politically correct now to bemoan those who do as fuddy-duddy or old-fashioned, yet that sense of continuity in British life is our greatest strength.

However, the author also says --- "The British people are slow to awaken to provocation"and one more --- The British people are not very keen on revolutions".

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Rishi Kapoor - no more --- His death leaves a devastating loss to Indian cinema

....perhaps the best tribute for Rishi Kapoor - a permanent heartthrob came some years back when his 'Bobby' co-star Dimple Kapadia had said: "I lost my heart some years back, and yet to get it back".

It has happened within 24 hours. A day after talented Irrfan Khan breathed his last, it came the turn for Rishi Kapoor to join him in the other world. Truly, a devastating time for Indian cinema.

If the saying goes, the beginning never knows the end - then it is also true, that every end marks a new beginning.

But in the case of deaths of two very adorable and gifted stars, nothing much could be said. How does one sum up Rishi Kapoor's films and his acting talent?

Rishi's mass level success came in 1973 with 'Bobby', and it was around the same time Bollywood had its dream run with 'Sholay' - both the films were direct anti-thesis to each other. One a love story, rebellion of the younger lot and the other almost a 'masala' variety but with very powerful and magical dialogues.

With regard Rishi Kapoor, it may not be wrong to say after so many decades that son of legendary Raj Kapoor - Rishi could not be anything else other than being an actor. Prior to Bobby itself - Rishi Kapoor walked away with the 1971 National Film Award for Best Child Artist for his incredible performance in 'Mera Naam Joker'.

'Bobby' was one of the decade's biggest hits and in contrast 'Mera Naam Joker' had flopped commercially even though it was billed as one of the dream projects of Raj Kapoor. Dreams, hard work and quality performance not always get rewarded!

Making his debut in 1970 film 'Mera Naam Joker',  Rishi had played a childhood/basically an adolescent role of his father and left his mark certainly.

In an interview in 2012, Rishi had stated: "There was a misconception that the film 'Bobby' was made to launch me as an actor. The film was actually made to pay the debts of 'Mera Naam Joker'. Dad (Raj Kapoor) wanted to make a teenage love story and he did not have money to cast Rajesh Khanna in the film".

For many years Dimple Kapadia had gone into oblivion. In 1985, came in 'Saagar' and yet again the silver screen magic was created between Rishi and Dimple.

'Saagar' was a comeback film for Dimple and it also became India's official entry for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 1985. Of course, ever talented Kamal Hassan mesmerised the audience with his melancholy emotive touch as a 'wounded lover'!

Kamal Hassan bagged the Filmfare Best Actor award, his first and only award in that category for a Hindi film.

Tribute to versatile Irrfan Khan ! His Dialogues - Relationship like lifespan of a man does not come with a guarantee card !

Irrfan in 'Apna Asman': What parents often do to kids?

"An incredible talent .. a gracious colleague .. a prolific contributor to the World of Cinema .. left us too soon .. creating a huge vacuum," the iconic Amitabh Bachchan aptly summed up the life and times of actor Irrfan Khan, who breathed last
on April 29 at the young age of 53. How should one pay tribute to such a complete actor?
In contemporary setting -- perhaps more than the journalists and writers, we bloggers are better custodians of memories. It is truly the testimony to Irrfan's good works and achievements that he had, to a large extent, became synonymous with the wide range of films he worked.

One easy way to talk about actors is to refer to their movies and of course the catchy dialogues!

Dialogues actually work as a bridge between the protagonists an actor plays and his audience and fan following. But do wereally know the human being in those stars through their films and dialogues?

In effect, we need not!

But talking about Irrfan, a versatile genius, one must admit he has been a smart actor and also an interesting person with his distinct sense of intellect, sense of selection of roles and of course his own way of thinking. Truly, Irrfan's place in history of Indian cinema and also some good western movies is fixed. And he deserves all the credit - more for the ease he applies in delivering his dialogues!


He appeared in Bollywood as an alternate hero. A 'disadvantage' that he could not be a typical Hindi film hero ultimately had become his biggest asset.
More than the powerful dialogues, perhaps his expressions and the eccentric mannerism on the screen endeared him to his audience and admirers.

One good dialogue - I remember off hand is "Rishtey kisi guarantee card ke saath atey toh nahi hae (Relationship does not come along with a guarantee card)". This was from film 'Life in a Metro'.

Irrfan Khan's screen name is Monty - a somewhat confused guy but a nice guy around but who could leave his female partner unimpressed.

In this film there is another dialogue that reflects the youngman next door's spirit especially for someone who is trying to strike gold in sapno ka nagari- Mumbai. "Yeh sheher hamey jitna deta hae, badle mein kahin zyada humse leta haen (This city takes much more than than it gives you)".

If this was a typical middle class man's angst or confusion. In 'Life of Pi', Irrfan appears a philosophical genius summing up various paradoxes of life and mutters : "...You cannot know the strength of your faith until it has been tested".

Irrfan Khan's movie Life of Pi has a wonderful dialogue "I suppose in the end, the whole of life becomes an act of letting go, but what always hurts the most is not taking a moment to say goodbye". 

Those of you have not seen the film, may I take the liberty of pointing out that you all have missed something as this film deciphers some of the obvious complexities of life, survival instinct at the time of the corona crisis and of course death.

The film explores the notion of morality and also highlights the human tendency to survive in adverse conditions. It is the faith that drives the protagonist - Pisci Patel.

English movie 'A Mighty Heart' is one of my favourites. The film also has Angelina Jolie who plays the role of deceased journalist Daniel Pearl's wife Mariane.

Irrfan mirrors a patient 'tenacity' of a Pakistani police investigator 'The Captain' and does it in the reality-based film as Pearl was kidnapped and eliminated by Talibans.

Talking about terrorism and Irrfan, one ought to refer to his television panel discussion (Times Now) when hehad said: "There is a huge chunk of the Muslim population that is fighting against terrorism. We only see Muslims in India. When you go abroad, you see there are people who are fighting terror… and trying to put Islam, the way they have understood, in the right perspective”.Irrfan had in effect also had challenged the clerics about some of the rituals observed by Muslims during Ramzan and Muharram.

Incidentally, Irrfan's last moment also came at a time when Muslims are observing the sacred Ramzan in between April 23and May 23.Aamir Khan was quizzed to react on Irrfan's remarks when he said: "I feel religion is a very personal issue and each one hastheir own feelings about it".

More about his films.

In 'The Lunchbox' Irrfan Khan portrays a character so well and breaks audience's heart when he writes to Ila about his old age and thanks her for giving space to him in her young life. 

And the dialogue would leave his audience again spell bound - "Life is very busy......There are too many people and everyone wants what the other has". 

There were few other gems. 'Deadline: Sirf 24 Ghante' - a surgeon's life is rattled when his daughter is taken hostage in their own home and he is given 24 hours to pay a hefty ransom.

Blogger

India bats for BRICS support to traditional medicines like Ayurveda

In the presence of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and others, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar has stressed on the importance of "efficacy of traditional medicine systems to strengthen immunity" against coronavirus and other maladies and demanded that BRICS as a multi-lateral forum should "support" these efforts.

"EAM Dr Jaishankar emphasized that the pandemic is not only posing a great risk to the health and well being of humanity but is also severely impacting global economy .....He emphasized that we need to provide support to businesses, especially MSMEs, to tide over the crisis and ensure livelihoods are not lost. EAM pointed out that the efficacy of traditional medicine systems to strengthen immunity should be recognized and that BRICS should support these efforts," an MEA statement said. 

The MEA statement:

Video conference of the BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs/International Relations

April 28, 2020

The BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs /International Relations video conference was convened by the current BRICS Chair, Russia on 28 April 2020. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russian Federation, Mr. Sergey Lavrov, chaired the meeting. EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar represented India. Amb. Ernesto Araújo, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Brazil, Mr. Wang Yi, State Councilor and Foreign Minister of China, and Ms. Grace Naledi Pandor, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa, represented the respective BRICS countries.

This video conference was convened in the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. The discussions centred around COVID-19 crisis, its impact and BRICS response. The BRICS Foreign Ministers also discussed the activities to be undertaken under Russian BRICS Chairmanship in 2020.

In his remarks, EAM thanked the Russian Foreign Minister for convening this extraordinary meeting. He noted that BRICS, which brings together almost 42 percent of global population, with impressive growth, investment and trade share, has an important role to play in shaping the global economic and political architecture.

EAM highlighted the initiatives and various decisive steps taken early by India in the wake of the pandemic including through Aarogya Setu Citizen App and Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package. He highlighted that much before the outbreak was declared a public health emergency of international concern by WHO, India instituted measures to check Corona Virus. He apprised the BRICS Foreign Ministers about the initiative to coordinate efforts to contain COVID-19 in South Asia, and creation of COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund by the SAARC countries. India is providing pharma assistance to nearly 85 nations, including many countries in Africa, on a grant basis, to support their response to the pandemic. This has been widely welcomed.

EAM emphasized that the pandemic is not only posing a great risk to the health and well being of humanity but is also severely impacting global economy and output by disruption of global trade and supply chains. Economic activity across sectors has been negatively impacted leading to loss of jobs and livelihoods. He emphasized that we need to provide support to businesses, especially MSMEs, to tide over the crisis and ensure livelihoods are not lost. EAM pointed out that the efficacy of traditional medicine systems to strengthen immunity should be recognized and that BRICS should support these efforts.

EAM emphasized that the current challenge underlines all the more the need for reform of multilateral systems and that reformed multilateralism was the way forward. He referred to the centrality of development and growth in the global agenda.

India also reaffirmed its strong support for Russian BRICS Chairship in 2020 and the overall theme of "BRICS Partnership for Global Stability, Shared Security and Innovative Growth”.

A virtual meeting of BRICS Health Officials is envisaged on COVID-19 pandemic on 7th May, 2020 to take the discussion forward in a focussed and purposeful manner.

New Delhi

April 28, 2020

Happy Birthday - A short story

(The short story has been used in website www.washingtonbanglaradio.com and also is a key story in the collection 'Heart Alone - Whispers in Relation')

Both the versions ebook and print editions are available on Amazon

https://www.amazon.in/Heart-Alone-Whispers-Relations-Collection/product-reviews/1517534356

The 6th of May would unknowingly haunt him. Initially it was once in a while phenomenon ….. something not regular but lately – in last six years or so – it has become the regular feature of his life. May 6th: birthday of Kakoli Sen, someone Dhruv always admired and believed there was the similar appreciation in reciprocation. It was on this day, he had spoken to her first. It was on this day …. after a year – they had parted ways – never to talk about each other nor to talk to each other – ever. Memories have been always like floodgates to Dhruv – easier to open and tough to close. 

He remembered the first tele talk. She sounded sweet and sexy ….. There was an air of precipitous urgency about her. She wanted him to get into the business of ‘affair’ and ‘dating’ as early as possible. But Dhruv was in no hurry. The idea of marriage never excited him in the first place. 

Thus, he had thought; there is time. Let me not hurry it up, slow and steady he wanted to win the race. Thus the talk would range from movies to holiday spots and as she was already into a part-time job writing for a mofusil newspaper; they did talk about working atmosphere in a news room. How senior scribes would simply stammer in front of the bosses or how the jobs for the young gals were often certain but punctuated with certain subtle riders? He was little amused. 

But then he agreed for a meeting. Then, a few more. Interactions soon resulted in mutual admiration for each other. Dhruv thought, he appreciated her looks, the physique and a promising career in media for her as his notion was that the media was just opening up and there lay a bright future. Dhruv was not sure of what Kakoli actually admired in him. But she would smile all the way in his presence. Importantly, she felt relaxed. The rays of the sun would cast some magical aura around the Coffee Corner and he would gauge that her mood would be turning festive. Today they could reap a rich harvest! Dhruv knew his own strengths and perhaps also his weaknesses. He started enjoying the manner the girl was turning towards him. 

It was not a love affair per se as the parents in both sides had tried to broker the business of ‘knot’ and had allowed them time and rope to go around together for a while. Dhruv was confident of himself. He perhaps could understand it pretty well that Kakoli hardly saw the other side of him. Dhruv could be mean spirited and extremely self-seeking at times. But Kakoli had fallen for the man. A charming and elegant personality – were perhaps only thing that interested her. 

A small town girl pursuing a modest ambition of an ordinary working journalist, she thought Dhruv would be the best person to anchor her life and career --- in a big city or probably also abroad. But on the other hand, it was not sheer career ambition that fascinated Kakoli about Dhruv. It was her genuine love that became the most motivating factor leading her towards Dhruv. One evening, she held Dhruv’s hand and invited him for dinner in her place. Dhruv was from a well to do family in a big city. He had undergone several good technical training and was planning a huge investment – assisted by his father, friends and well wishers – to set up a showroom of IT accessories. This would fetch good money, he was confident about the prospective venture. 

The shadows were lengthening in the fading light of the twilight hours and the tastefully designed flower garden was almost deserted except for a few married couples or odd pairs like them. The invite was followed by a good shower. It rained modestly for over an hour making the temperature more soothing. 

The sky was slowly overcast and black rain-laden clouds drifted across. As if washed clean by the rain, the trees in the house compound had acquired a pristine freshness. Dhruv felt the excitement more. The house was decorated tastefully. The string of mango leaves hung across the upper doorjamb, almost like a bridal ornament on the forehead! He knew this was meant as a good omen. 

He liked the ambience of the inner courtyard too. It had a homely touch of a small town average income household. The sky appeared bathed in white moonlight. The clouds have disappeared – as he discovered staring above – almost unmindfully. There were few chairs, a tiny sofa was added to the row of beds. The centre table had a good cover too. All these were probably trying to impress Dhruv that his girl-to-be, Kakoli, excelled in arranging chairs and beds for guests. 

There were several family members standing scattered to welcome him --- and importantly to get a glance of Dhruv, a talented young budding business entrepreneur, at least Dhruv thought so. Will all them start questioning him about the probable dates for engagement and marriage? But I would not commit anything in hurry, he tried to reassure himself once again. Taking his place in the designated sofa, Dhruv thought of a ‘war’ – but his apprehension was based on a rather erroneous prospectus. Any marriage will be as healthy as the man – he thought. 

The latent male chauvinism too came into play. But that’s the self-pride of a man! However, after customary exchange of pleasantries – it was again left as a bilateral meeting. This baffled Dhruv for a while. But it was Kakoli on the other side yet again playing a good hostess – taking care of his coffee, sweet lassi and then a grand dinner followed by ‘Gurer Ice-Cream’. “This last item is not home made…..,” Kakoli voluntarily clarified. 

More intense meetings took place since then. Kakoli was more than convinced that Dhruv would ultimately confirm their marriage. She was so confident that she did never bother to ask: “henn go amader biye hobe toh (Oh dear, we will definitely get married na?)”. Days passed by…. Days became weeks, weeks turned months. As expected Kakoli was feeling the pressure. The midnight tele-talk that she used to have with Dhruv, now that he has moved to the large city, having launched his company was no more a secret affair. Almost the entire township knew about the love-on-phone tale. So, now Kakoli wanted Dhruv to act fast, confirm their relationship and agree for the marital knot at an early suitable date. 

The wish was not unreasonable by any standard but never so from the point of view of Kakoli, who has grown fond of Dhruv and wanted to settle down with him. The plea more in the tone of a demand left Dhruv thinking. It was dark and hot outside though raining. A sharp wind blowing across gave the trees no peace. 

As if the wind would hit again and again against the window pane and roof. Somewhere, he thought the breeze was singing a song mournfully. Did he stand undecided? Or it was a case of no second thought? Or Dhruv was still in two minds and not sure of whether he really liked Kakoli or not? The man in love or not in live: men have to be men, Dhruv seemed telling his inner self. Slowly, he saw a flicker of light! Hmm …… He could probably guess his own intentions, plans, ambitions and expectations from life, love and life partner to be! The business acumen ought to be tested. Life, he knew is a journey – but it could not be traversed only with emotional baggage called love. It had to be oiled by money, prosperity and prospect of further property. 

But Kakoli could offer very little of that. That’s what his mind was telling. Heart had no place. It was the man in love’s understandings of the reality. Only a few days back, Kakoli had told Dhruv in advance that she would continue to work even after marriage. Well, that was no issue to Dhruv. He was like any progressive man; an educated young damsel should work if she intended to. But how could as her husband, he allow her to forego all her salary and other perks to the gal’s house. The poor in-laws had problems; they needed his wife’s income to support their family and more importantly ensuring education of her two younger brothers as also footing the medical bills of her father and an aging uncle. “This is not the way a son-in-law should be handled,” he told his own shadow reflecting on the sidewall wondered staring up at the sky. Dhruv finished his food and walked up to the balcony. 

The heat of the day was gone. There was a softer breeze even as the yellowish light flickered on the street from behind the bush of coconut and the large banyan tree. He was angry no doubt; but he was too tired to feel irritated over what Kakoli told him. The night was passing slowly; he returned to the bed room and thought it was time to go for a sleep, rather sound sleep. “Woi meye ta --- That girl Kakoli” is not worth spending the entire night, he told himself. 

Next day, he picked up the phone and informed Kakoli of his decision. “Look here, the kind of things we were expecting from our marriage is probably not happening. So I have decided not to move ahead,” he sounded very candid. There was a momentary pause on the other hand. Bengal is famous for the bold women, Kakoli thought for a while. She knew she has to bear this out. Coming so far ….. and then pushed to the wall and shunned. Well, the pride was hurt. 

But that’s not all. She was thanking her stars that she could know of the man, Dhruv, before the marriage. After marriage, probably things could have been more difficult to handle. Kakoli had to handle things for herself and her family. She tried to conceal her emotions. Staring outside – she saw a tiny sparrow like bird hiding in the thickness of leaves. The sun ray was gradually peeping inside. 

But she was not sure what she was really waiting for. Time flew faster. Months became year and years slowly made about a decade. Kakoli got married; on the other hand, Dhruv found for himself a girl from a well to do family. She brought in largesse, as he was sophisticated enough not to call them dowry. His life has turned into a routine and money minting system. Things poured in lavishly. There was enough bank balance and property in his name. His wife Nishta could not ever complain that her husband has not given her enough ornaments and saris. 

Everything was in plenty. 

Obviously, Dhruv too could not complain. He had everything coming his way. Everything lay on his table and bank accounts. Things lay is his cupboard too, but mostly untouched and perhaps also unappreciated. His accessories, clothes and money and diamond set often lay neglected. Human life often changes very fast. It was the same Dhruv who had shunned Kakoli and her emotions today realized life cannot be run by property, a booming business and bank balance. 

Walking up to the spacious balcony, he was holding his glass of wine. This is his every evening companion now. Nishta has turned too busy over the years. She had cocktails and social obligations. Occasionally, she also threw in party herself. But all these revolved around more for exhibition than ‘enjoying the occasion’ or every moment as Kakoli used to say. 

Nishta has her priorities of life and so there was no time for her husband. Staring towards starry night, Dhruv wondered about two birds moving around. Where do these birds go every night? More, importantly where do birds really go to die, mused Dhruv. Returning to his spacious room, he stared at the moon outside – trying to brave the darkness alone. Does moon too get scared when left alone in darkness, he unwittingly asked himself. 

He again turned towards his room and predictably was overwhelmed by the presence of costly decorative pieces, an aesthetic piece of painting on the wall brought from an exhibition in Paris and a few wrist watches and of course the bar in the corner. So much that he almost wanted to crush them. But man cannot do everything, he wanted to. “What have I done?,” he again asked unwittingly. He was remembering his morning meeting with a big entrepreneur from overseas. The businessman wanted to pump in some money in India. The project report was prepared about two months back and they had met during the day earlier only to give it final touches. 

To Dhruv’s surprise, the businessman invited him to lunch at his hotel and surprised him saying: “I will introduce you to my wife. She has been in this part of the city about 10 years back”. Dhruv was stunned as he knew the lady he was being introduced. Yes, that was Kakoli…. same yet again. Looked gorgeous and full of life. Kakoli’s husband intervened in their silence, “Let me introduce you both to each other …..”. Kakoli looked full of life, smiling and folding hands courteously. 

Her husband said, “You know, I was a pauper till I met this woman. She has changed my life. But the best part is she has remained how she used to be calm, composed and humane. I am the happiest husband, I swear dude”. “You know”, the businessman continued, “why I decided to sign the deal today. It is her birthday today… 6th May”. Kakoli looked that sheepishly shy, introvert and yet in control of things. "Happy Bbbbirthday !" 

Dhruv merely fumbled. Dhruv knew that’s how happy couples are made. He also realized how unhappy couples are made, like he and Nishta. Kakoli smiled graciously screwing her eyes up towards her husband – Dhruv realized for once none can beat that! 

Nishta has not even once given her that look. Kakoli sat on the nearby chair like an empress sitting at a distance --- evidently not knowing, how unhappy Dhruv has become since parting ways with her. She had no reason to bother about him. 

(ends)

My short story 'Chaitali's Father' appear in book HEART ALONE ,,,,, (print edition)

My short story 'Chaitali's Father' appear in book HEART ALONE ,,,,, (print edition)

Lockdown - no panacea to fight COVID19 when Netas are in quarrelsome syndrome

-- Fight against coronavirus finds Modi engaged in tug of war against state satraps 

New Delhi: Political class seldom works under a unified command. It is not without good reason that politicians are better known as sojourners - a group of people who have temporary status to everything. They belong to all and also belong to none.Thus when it comes to India's fight against #COVID19 and in democracy as politicians run the show, the combat against the unseen virus  has started leaving its political ramifications.

In the season of fighting against coronavirus, well we have a quarrelsome Neta class and the politics in the corridors of power in Delhi ad state head quarters is leaving common people especially the floating population and migratory workforce at
a huge risk.

There has been few reports of 'tragic deaths' amid the exodus triggered by first 21-day lockdown imposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus. The magnitude of the 'migrant workers' only grew up substantially when the lockdown was extended by yet another spell.

The movement of these migrant workers has been fatal for some. 

At initial stage the count was over 20, though the actual count may be much higher. One person  who set off on foot from Delhi to his native place in Madhya Pradesh, died mid-way after walking around 200 kilometers. Some others have been quoted in the media as saying“If coronavirus doesn’t kill us, hunger will!”

Meanwhile, the Lockdown implementation as announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi (since March 24 midnight) and relaxation brought into force from April 20 has brought to the fore the confrontation between federal Government led by Modi with states - some of them run by communists in southern state of Kerala and others by mercurial and ambitious politicians such as Mamata Banerjee in West Bengal. Making things further complex, the Federal Home ministry guidelines on 'relaxation' as announced from April 20 has put the onus on the states and local district administrations to ensure that the mandatory social distancing norms are followed by the migrant labourers and others. Moreover, the states - that is the provincial administrations - have directed individual industrial units - mostly operated by private entrepreneurs and medium size industrialists - to enforce the social distancing norms and ensure that workers are given hygienic food, sanitiser and masks. It's slowly turning into a case of number of cooks spoiling the broth! 

Migrant workers' predicament and social distancing has in the ultimate turned a case of no body's child. There have been utter confusions in various sectors including aviation.Much to the astonishment of many, some airlines including federal government-run Air India decided on their own to open bookings from May 4, a day after the all-India lockdown is to expire (on May 3) while Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri had to clarify that the government has not taken any decision in this regard. Aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) directed airlines on Sunday, April 19 to stop taking bookings for travel after May 3. Government is not sure of enforcing relaxation in train service and air service as the unseen virus that had originated in China has so far (Till Monday evening) claimed as many as 559 lives and the number of total cases has risen to 17,656.

Government sources said some of the confusion are not in "federal government's hands" as no one can work into a guess work on the quantum of damage. Data also showed that as number of tests is on increase, number of positive coronavirus cases too are on rise nationwide. Further, some of the complexity has been added by sheer circumstances and and rest of the issues have been complicated by certain state governments (run by anti-Modi politicians) ordering some relaxation in suo moto decision."These were like violation of national lockdown as announced by Prime Minister Modi," said BJP spokesman Gaurav Bhatia and hence the central government had to issue fresh guidelines and write candid and to an extent harsh letters to the state governments.On Monday, in fact the central government sent in a harsh missive to Kerala government and later convinced the communist regime in the state to withdraw some of its 'special relaxation (from lockdown) orders'.

Reacting to Marxists-led Left Democratic Front government's decision in Kerala to allow opening of restaurants and book shops at certain places, a top Home Ministry official in Delhi wrote: “This amounts to dilution of guidelines issued by Ministry of Home and violation of the Order dated 15th April 2020 issued under the Disaster Management Act 2005". BJP leader Virendra Sachdeva in Good Governance cell points up that the federal system of governance in India is "unlike" the system as practiced in the US. "Here in India, in terms of disputes, the central government's decision stands as the federal government can also take actions against a provincial government unlike in the US." Thus, his explanation was that the federal government is very much within constitutional rights and later in the day, the Kerala government has withdrawn some of its 'lockdown relaxation orders'.

The Modi government in the centre is also in constant confrontation with another state government - that is West Bengal in eastern India. In a week's time, at least three strong missives have been sent from New Delhi making it clear that the situation vis-a-vis lockdown violation and spread of the coronavirus is turning "serious" in at least seven places in the state.Therefore the centre also deputed an official team Kolkata, Howrah, North 24 Parganas, East Midnapore, Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Jalpaiguri for on the spot visit as these places were either “hotspots and emerging hotspots” which may pose serious health hazards “not only for the population living in these areas but for people living in other areas of the country”.

Mercurial Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who has often had height of love-hate relationship with Modi government, has flayed the central decision saying her administration will not allow the on the spot visits. BJP sources in Delhi, however, insist the state is duty bound to extend cooperation to a central team which functions with the powers granted to it through Disaster Management Act.The Modi government's confrontation with Mamata Banerjee-regime in Bengal and communists in Kerala is nothing new as the BJP's well known pro-HIndu tilt is always stiffly opposed by these two dispensations. While Marxists are 'natural opponents' of the BJP as says CPI-M leader Mohammed Salim, Ms Banerjee often has tried in the past to emerge as 'a direct competitor' to Prime Minister Modi.In fact, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has also last week flagged off a great concern of governance issues in India saying on the pretext of fight against coronavirus the Modi government could turn out to be more dictatorial.


There is a real "possibility" that the structure of India's democracy may change after coronavirus, Rahul Gandhi had said in a video conference with journalists adding, however, that India is nevertheless capable to protect its "democracy".

It is not only dictatorial, others say adding some of the orders from the centre especially with regard movement of migrant labourers could also add to the confusion."In order to give a boost to the rural economy, certain economic activities have been permitted in rural areas. Accordingly, District Magistrates and District Collectors  in collaboration with industries, should make arrangements to transfer labourers to their place of work within the State," said a central government order.

On this many Congress leaders said generally an impression has been created that the movement of labourers within a state (India is a union of 29 states) would not be spreading the virus; but their movement between two states posed serious danger for the spread of the pandemic.Under the given situation, the Modi government in the centre is convinced that in a country like India - lockdown is the only visible and pragmatic roadmap for fight against corona.Addressing a media briefing, top Health Ministry official Lav Agarwal said there has been no new COVID-19 case for the last 14 days in 54 districts across 23 states. But the concerns remain for all obvious reasons.Federal government has expressed concern on Kerala government's decision to allow supply of liquor for alcoholics while in West Bengal sweet shops were allowed to function. It also allowed five jute mills to be opened in West Bengal as part of giving such permission to 300 such small scale industrial units.

However, in general sense the Modi government may not be all that lucky to get away just by passing the buck on some states for announcing unilateral relaxation when situation has 'not improved'. MUmbai, India's commercial capital, last week saw desperate scenes near a popular Railway terminus to catch distance trains expecting Indian Rails to restart their business and take them to their native villages in the development-starved northern states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.

"Send us home, if you cannot feed us” the migrants screamed but the nationwide lockdown was extended until May 3.

The centre was under attack on migratory workers' plight in Delhi earlier. Prime Minister Modi understands the gravity of the challenges and more than used his pet Hindi phrase eloquently - 'Jaan hae toh Jahan Hae (Survival is the key issue, if one lives he/she can live long to conquer the world at a later stage)". Modi's rhetoric may not generate confidence among millions of his country men or women.Government officials have expressed concern over the news of some journalists in Mumbai testing positive for the virus. In many cases police personnel and medical (corona warriors) are also falling victim to the unseen virus.

The Union Health Ministry on Monday said the rate at which the number of COVID-19 cases in the country was doubling in the last one week improved to 7.5 days, as against 3.4 days unlike pre-March 24-25. Obviously, they feel lockdown is a major weapon to fight the malady. But it is certainly no panacea - or cure all magical trick especially when politicians continue to learn to show an unity of purpose and will.

Uddhav wants Modi Govt to "send migrants" back home - mostly in UP and Bihar

"If the centre apprehends that the Covid-19 impact may worsen between April 30-May 15, then the government must consider running special trains to send the migrants back to their native states, for which guidelines must be formed by April-end. I have already raised this issue with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi," says Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray. 

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on April 21 urged the Centre to frame guidelines by April-end to send home the migrants stuck in the state due to lockdown, amid indications of an extension in the restrictions

Thackeray was interacting via a video-conference chat with the Five-member Inter Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) which arrived in Maharashtra for an assessment of the Covid-19 management and the lockdown implementation.

In fact, the crucial fight against coronavirus finds the Modi Govt engaged in tug of war against state satraps including Mamata Banerjee of West Bengal.


Shortly after they complained of non-cooperation from the Mamata-led Trianmool Congress dispensation, a central visited parts of Kolkata at arund 1700 hours.
Earlier, there was a stern letter from the Home Ministry directing the West Bengal government to cooperate with the teams.

Apurba Chandra, an additional secretary in the defence ministry and the leader of the team, had alleged in the morning that they were told they "will not be going out" during the day.

The Modi government in the centre is also in constant confrontation with another state government - that is West Bengal in eastern India. In a week's time, at least three strong missives have been sent from New Delhi making it clear that the situation vis-a-vis lockdown violation and spread of the coronavirus is turning "serious" in at least seven places in the state.Therefore the centre also deputed an official team Kolkata, Howrah, North 24 Parganas, East Midnapore, Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Jalpaiguri for on the spot visit as these places were either “hotspots and emerging hotspots” which may pose serious health hazards “not only for the population living in these areas but for people living in other areas of the country”.

Mercurial Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who has often had height of love-hate relationship with Modi government, has flayed the central decision saying her administration will not allow the on the spot visits. BJP sources in Delhi, however, insist the state is duty bound to extend cooperation to a central team which functions with the powers granted to it through Disaster Management Act.

In Maharashtra context, CM Thackeray says while the state has made adequate arrangements for food and shelter of the ''guests'' from other states, there have been occasions when the migrants have resorted to agitational methods, like the Bandra incident of April 14.

Even the centre was irked by the episode.

Under pressure as the western state is battling the unseen virus, the Chief Minister has urged that "end-to-end: precautions should be taken for migrants from the starting point till they reach their destinations and are sent to home quarantine.

The state has also asked the Central team to study the status of Covid-19 pandemic and patients in other countries like the UAE and the US, since 80 per cent of the patients here are asymptomatic.

Maharashtra has demanded additional stocks of personal protective equipment like masks, gloves, sanitisers, coats and ventilators.

The central team visited the Worli Koliwada fishing village, Kasturba Hospital in Mumbai and other locations in Pune, besides holding discussions on a wide range of subjects pertaining to the pandemic management in the country''s two worst-hit hotspots.

The Modi government's confrontation with Mamata Banerjee-regime in Bengal and communists in Kerala is nothing new as the BJP's well known pro-HIndu tilt is always stiffly opposed by these two dispensations. While Marxists are 'natural opponents' of the BJP as says CPI-M leader Mohammed Salim, Ms Banerjee often has tried in the past to emerge as 'a direct competitor' to Prime Minister Modi.In fact, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has also last week flagged off a great concern of governance issues in India saying on the pretext of fight against coronavirus the Modi government could turn out to be more dictatorial.

There is a real "possibility" that the structure of India's democracy may change after coronavirus, Rahul Gandhi had said in a video conference with journalists adding, however, that India is nevertheless capable to protect its "democracy".

Guest Column: Non-Naga groups fear becoming homeless in Nagaland

Guest column

Swati Deb

Dimapur, 2020: It has hardly anything to do with coronavirus crisis. But ‘genuine’ Indian citizens are getting restive in Dimapur township – only commercial hub and gateway to Nagaland – as a new law may be enforced soon to deprive the ‘non locals’ their legitimate rights.

The development is linked to an irony perpetrated by the country’s ruling dispensation BJP.

Contrary to ‘One Nation One People’ theory as propounded by ‘nationalist forces including BJP leaders,’ thousands of non tribals including linguistic communities Bengalis, Gorkhalis, Marwaris (original inhabitants of Rajasthan) and Biharis now face the chance of being rendered ‘homeless’ in Nagaland.

The apprehension of confrontation has also led many Hindu Bengalis and other Hindi speaking people convert to Christianity, some locals say.

Therefore, there are sudden emergence of Bengali Baptist Church and Hindi Baptist Church in the township which is famous for its cosmopolitan characteristic for over eight decades and more.

As a matter of principle, Nagas never mixed relations with socio political issue even a decade back but now apparently, several non Nagas feel switchover to Christianity can give them security and no harassment from Inner Line Permit (ILP) vigilante bodies.

In fact, thousands of non Nagas are settled in Dimapur much before December 1, 1963, when Nagaland was granted full-fledged statehood.

Local residents in Dimapur say – much to the surprise of many — the state government under the BJP and its regional partner Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) has decided to introduce Inner Line Permit (ILP) system in state’s only commercial hub Dimapur.

“This issue can trigger off a major controversy as a large section of Dimapur town is inhabited by non-Nagas – belonging to Hindu and Muslim religious groups and linguistic communities such as Bengalis, Gorkhalis or Nepalis, Marwaris and Biharis,” one resident said.

Shopkeeper Jitender Gurung, a Gorkhali or Nepali and an original inhabitant from West Bengal, says: “Please do not mind my rhetoric. But it s like building ‘another Kashmir’ ….If the BJP government in the center could do away with restrictions in Jammu and Kashmir, in a reversed role they are now encouraging widening of differences between Naga tribals and non-Naga plains dwellers from Bengal, Bihar and Rajasthan.”

Emphasizing his point further he says: “We were born here, my grandfather had come to Dimapur and settled in 1950s. But we are being called outsiders today. We will need ILP, it is like a temporary residential card….This is reverse intolerance.”.

His views are endorsed by many local residents. One of them said rather enthusiastically, non Nagas say even the name Dimapur is “not a Naga name” as this township was “earlier the capital of Dimasa tribal group” – now confined to some parts of Assam only.

Endorsing the view, a former Nagaland Chief Minister K L Chishi, also a prominent Christian leader, had said, “…in 1900, Dimapur was just a jungle or a forest area between Diphu forest region and Dhansiri (both falling in neighboring state of Assam).”

In more ways than one the decision of the BJP-NDPP government to extend ILP provisions is controversial. There is already a litigation in the Supreme Court vis-a-vis boundary dispute between Assam and Nagaland states and most of these issues – vis-a-vis the ‘citizenship status’ of non-Naga residents of Dimapur township are expected to be addressed in this case.

The crux of the issue, therefore, now before the law enforcing agencies and also non-Naga population is: How can the earliest settlers of Dimapur (either Bengalis, Biharis and Marwaris, Gorkhalis(Nepalis) and others) can be debarred from citizenship in the town and denied normal rights? Why should their possibility or decision to reside in Dimapur depend on a Permit?

At the state-level, the BJP leaders are divided the manner ILP is to be enforced or will be implemented. “As a Naga leader, I support ILP; no Naga worth is salt can say he is against ILP. But I am certain about one thing, if ILP is enforced in Dimapur like the rest of Nagaland, let it be implemented in true spirit and most importantly, non-tribal population should not be harassed,” says a BJP worker Hukato Sumi.

Meanwhile, citizens are getting restive over certain developments related to ILP and there have been a few incidents of ‘troubles’ between Nagas and non-Nagas along Assam-Nagaland border. Residents of Bokajan and Lahorijan in Assam also reportedly imposed ‘Nagaland blockade’ for about two hours on March 1.

Police officials in both sides later intervened and brought the situation under control but tension is palpable and the residents in both sides are blaming the Nagaland government and its Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio.

“These could be work of the unscrupulous elements creating tension between Naga Christians and non-Naga mostly non-Christians – Hindus and Muslims mainly. But the Nagaland government run by BJP and its alliance partner NDPP is responsible. Assam government is also run by BJP and yet there is no effective coordination,” says businessman Sanjeev Sethi at Bokajan-Dimapur border.

ILP regulations are enforced in Nagaland’s hilly region for last several decades but Dimapur being in the plains were ‘exempted’ when the law was enacted during the erstwhile British regime.

Such relaxations helped numerous non-Nagas and ‘genuine Indian citizens’ to settle in the township from early 1950s and gradually the township has emerged as one of the fastest growing commercial towns in the eastern India.

The ILP regulations, have, however failed to stop infiltration of ‘illegal immigrants’ from Bangladesh as most Bengali Muslims (illegal ones) arrive Nagaland with certain plans and connivance of some unscrupulous elements, locals say.

Historically, this township was like a ‘no man’s land’ for decades and after 1947 periodically, non-Naga residents got settled here. It is they who organized and build up the township and made it such a dynamic city out of “no man’s jungles.”.

There is an estimated 300,000 non-Naga population in Dimapur and their stand vis-a-vis the ILP is quite unambiguous, say local residents.

“Any genuine Indian having any evidence of staying permanently in Nagaland must not be harassed at all in the name of ILP,” said a resident but cautious that he should not be identified.

Sources said a delegation of non-Naga leaders met senior BJP leader Ram Madhav in March.

“Dimapur Mouza is the only business hub not only for Nagaland but for the adjoining areas of Assam as well. Daily floating population of more than 40,000 visit Dimapur for shopping, business, jobs, tourism and other social reasons,” said the memorandum submitted for the BJP central leadership.

(Courtesy: Matters India)

COVID19 Impact: Spitting to be a punishable offence under Disaster Management Act

Government of India says there has been no community transmission of the disease in the country so far.

"There is no community transmission in the country so far. What we are seeing is some local outbreaks and clusters, where cluster and outbreak containment strategies are being adopted," said Lav Agarwal, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Health.

Spitting in public places has been prohibited and it will be a punishable offence with a fine under the Disaster Management Act. Any violation may result in imprisonment of up to one year or a fine, or both.

Wearing of masks in public places has also been made compulsory and sale of liquor, gutka and tobacco totally banned.

The guidelines come a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the extension of the three-week nationwide lockdown for another 19 days till May 3 to battle the coronavirus pandemic.
The first round of lockdown had started from March 24 mid-night and was scheduled to continue till April 14.

Prime Minister had indicated conditional easing of some curbs after April 20 in areas which are not hotspots to allow some select necessary activities .

The permitted activities from April 20 are aimed at ensuring agricultural and related activities remain fully functional, rural economy functions with maximum efficiency, employment opportunities are created for daily wage earners and other members of labour force, select industrial activities are allowed to resume their operations, with safeguards and mandatory standard operating protocols and digital economy, the MHA said.

To ensure maximum containment of coronavirus during the lockdown period, the Union Health Ministry has asked states to classify districts into hotspots, non-hotspots and green zones.

The Centre has declared 170 hotspots--123 hotspot districts with large outbreaks and 47 hotspot districts with clusters--in 25 states and Union territories.

Besides, it has identified 207 non-hotspot districts with clusters in 27 states.

Districts witnessing high number of cases or high growth rate of infections are being marked as hotspots; districts where some cases have been found as non-hotspots; and those which have reported no cases as green zones.

In a letter to all chief secretaries of states and UTs, Union Health Secretary Preeti Sudan said hotspot districts need to ensure implementation of the outbreak containment plan, adding the states also need to identify hotspots based on the doubling rate of confirmed cases.

Agriculture, construction, Information Technology and industrial units in the SEZs and rural areas are among some sectors where the coronavirus-induced lockdown restrictions will be lifted with safeguards from April 20 in a bid to kickstart the country's battered economy and reduce the distress caused to millions of people.

As the second phase of the national lockdown came into force on Wednesday, the Ministry of Home Affairs(MHA) unveiled the consolidated revised guidelines' relaxing the curbs with conditions.

The relaxations lay strict emphasis on social distancing with a warning by Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla that it will be withdrawn if there is any violation of the lockdown norms, as coronavirus cases in the country crossed 1,000 for the second consecutive day on Wednesday. The 40-day lockdown period ends on May 3.

The total number of COVID-19 infections crossed 12,000 while the death toll touched 423 mark.

Good news however is -- 1513 people have recovered.


Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba held a video conference with all chief secretaries, DGPs, health secretaries, collectors, SPs, municipal commissioners and CMOs where hotspots were discussed and orientation on field level implementation of containment strategy was given.

"They were told about large outbreak containment strategies, cluster containment strategies. Delineation of buffer and containment zone, parameter mapping, defining of entry and exit point were also discussed in detail," Agarwal said.

The death toll due to coronavirus rose to 392 with 39 fatalities reported since Tuesday evening, while the number of cases saw a jump of 1,118 to go up to 11,933 on Wednesday, according to the Union Health Ministry. As many as 1,343 people were cured and discharged, and one has migrated, it said. A single day highest increase of 1,463 cases was recorded on Tuesday.


Data obtained from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said that till April 14 the number of samples tested stood at 2,44,893, an increase of 27,339 from the corresponding figure till the previous day (2,17,554).

Experts feel the figures are modest for a country of the size of 1.3 billion and "much more number of tests" are needed to combat the COVID-19 outbreak in the country.

COVID19: Hospital founder dies in Meghalaya: Cremation Issues figure: Things getting scary in northeast

Things are turning serious in northeast.

In Meghalaya, a medico and founder of a popular hospital Dr John L Sailo Ryntathiang died of coronavirus at around 2.45 am on April 15.

"I am deeply saddened to inform that the first #COVID19 positive patient in Meghalaya passed away
this morning at 2:45 am. My heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. May his soul rest in peace," Chief Minister Conrad Sangma tweeted.

Meghalaya government has also imposed curfew in Shillong and a nearby township Nongpoh.
Cases of Corona positive have already been reported from Mizoram (one case of a pastor who traveled to Amsterdam) and one in Nagaland (an employee with a private firm).
Two cases of corona positive in Tripura including one woman have travel history of traveling in train between Delhi and Guwahati. The train also reportedly had a number of Muslims and clerics who attended the now infamous Tablighi conference at Nizamudin in Delhi.
In Assam, the most populous state in northeast, the number of people affected by the unseen virus has gone up to 32.

A fresh case of COVID-19 has been reported from Dhubri district, a region with substantial Muslim presence.

The latest COVID-19 patient in Assam is the wife of a COVID-19 positive person.

Taking to Twitter, Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma wrote, "Alert ~ A woman from Dhubri has tested #COVID positive. She is wife of a #COVID19 positive person who is connected both with #NizamuddinMarkaz, and Athgaon Kabristan congregation in Guwahati".

What has enhanced the fear in Christian-dominated states in idyllic hilly region in northeast of India is the fact
that few 'relatives' and 'helpers' of the deceased medico has also tested positive.

Of the 68 tested from the samples of 90 in Meghalaya - mostly from the hospital and contacts - so far, six more have come out positive.

They all are "family members and helpers of the first #Covid19 positive case (Dr Sailo)", the Chief Minister said.

Six other caases were being retested and all the rest are negative.

Bethany Hospital in capital Shillong and another in small hamlet Nongpoh have been sealed.

Chief Secretary Meghalaya has issued an Urgent Notice stating anyone who visited Bethany Hospital Shillong on or after March 22 or Bethany Hospital Nongpoh on or after March 30, should get in touch with authorities or register themselves with government on the coronavirus related online.
"You and your family should self quarantine at home. We will get in touch with you," the notice said.

It is presumed that the deceased medico Dr Sailo had contracted the disease from pilot son in law, who traveled from New York to Delhi on March 16.

The episode in Meghalaya is a matter of concern in other northeastern states too.

The pilot, who works for Air India, had traveled from Delhi to Imphal (capital of Manipur) on March 17 and on March 20, he traveled from Imphal to Delhi. On March 24, the pilot then traveled from Delhi to Shillong where he was put under "home quarantine".

However, the present/latest status of the pilot is known being revealed yet.

Son-in-law issues statement:

Arthur Wungthingthing is son-in-law of Dr. John L. Sailio Rynthathiang, director of Bethany Hospital in Shillong,

It’s been almost 48 hours since the news was made public and the media and social media jumping in to vilify us. The ripples have reached my family in Manipur and Nagaland. Nobody has been spared.

The coronavirus is a tiny virus- unseen, lifeless yet intelligent. And yet, it has made us humans, the greatest creation of God, show our ugliest side.

Up until the time I write this, I believe I have tested negative twice. I have not been officially informed but I conclude so, as sample collection was repeated on two successive days. I was told a third sample would be taken. CM Conrad Sangma’s 10:17 tweet also said that fresh tests are being taken. It is well into the day and we are still waiting for our samples to be collected.

Six of my wife’s family members have unfortunately tested positive. There have been no efforts to segregate us, we have not been taken to quarantine. We are still all together in the same house.

Many of you have read my travel itinerary and maybe feel I am an irresponsible traveller. Flying is my profession. Pilots unfortunately do not have the luxury of being quarantined, except in the case of this unprecedented lockdown, but we take the highest care because our professions demand of it.

Upon my return from the US on March 14, I travelled to Imphal on March 16. I was called to Delhi on March 20 to operate a flight to Rome to evacuate Indian citizens from Italy.

It turned out that one of my colleagues operated that flight instead. I stayed back in Delhi for any other emergent assignment that may have been required of me, considering the situation. On the announcement of the lockdown, I returned to Shillong on March 24 and remained under home quarantine, thoroughly observing all respected sterilisation and isolation protocols for 14 days and emerged on April 7.

Perhaps I will be tested positive the third time around, and I will be most regretful if I did. But even then, is this how we fight the virus together? Look at what we have come to as humans, created in perfection!

It might be pertinent to consider that one of the patients that Dr Sailo treated in the line of duty may be responsible for the transmission. The search and isolation of this person is where the state’s energy and resources should be directed at, not target people with or without reason.

My father-in-law literally spent his life in the treatment of his patients. This is not an acceptable way to honour his memory. I request the Meghalaya government to make official the test results and let the baying crowd pass their final judgement (as reported in regional media)

Arthur: Courtesy NE Now

In Assam:

Golaghat district has reported the highest of nine cases.

Other affected regions in the state are four each from Goalpara, Nalbari Morigaon and Dhubri, two from Silchar, one each from Hailakandi, Kamrup, Lakhimpur and South Salmara.


Two COVID-19 patients were released from hospital on Wednesday as they recovered from coronavirus, Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

Two males, aged 55 and 46-year-old respectively, who attended the Tablighi Jamaat congregation at Nizamuddin in Delhi, and hailing from Morigaon district were released from the Sonapur district hospital this evening, the minister said at a press conference.

The duo had tested negative twice after tests were conducted following 14 days of treatment on April 13 and 14.

Mandatory chest X-ray was conducted and the doctors certified that they have no symptoms of cough and cold, Sarma said.

According to WHO guidelines, the recovered persons must stay in isolation for the next 14 days and the government will keep them in the guest house of Hindustan Paper Corporation at Jagiroad, he said.

Another positive person from Morigaon tested negative on April 13 but was found positive on Tuesday and so further repeat tests will be conducted on him again, the minister said.

Three more persons being treated in Goalpara Civil Hospital are expected to be released on Thursday, he added.

With the release of these two persons, 29 others from the state are currently undergoing treatment in different hospitals and one person died while another from Nagaland tested COVID-19 positive at Guwahati Medical College Hospital where he is currently undergoing treatment.

A woman, wife of a COVID-19 patient, who attended both the congregation at Nizamuddin in Delhi and Athgaon Kabristan Masjid in Guwahati, tested positive on Tuesday night taking the total to 32, including one dead, in the state.

The 25-year old woman from Dhubri, mother of three minor children, tested positive at Barpeta Medical College Hospital, and was shifted to Mahendra Mohan Choudhury Hospital in Guwahati where her husband is also being treated, Sarma said.

The children, however, tested negative, he added.

The condition of all positive cases, except a cancer patient, who was the first to test positive in Silchar, are stable and they would be gradually released, if their condition do not deteriorate, he said.

"We expect the cases related to the Nizamuddin event to close by April 20 as all those who attended have been either quarantined or isolated", he said.

Thirty one of the 32 patients in the state are connected with the Jamaat event.

The minister said that 50,000 PPEs are being imported from China directly by the state government.

"We already have one lakh PPEs and with the arrival of this consignment, we will be nearer to our target of two lakh at which it will be capped", Sarma said.

First mega impact of COVID-19:US Prez Trump orders funding halt to WHO

According to observers the corona menace has badly hit the prospect of what was once seen as an 'easy re-election' chances for President Trump.

"With the outbreak of the COVID-19, we have deep concerns whether America's generosity has been put to the best use possible. The reality is that the WHO failed to adequately obtain, vet and share information in a timely and transparent fashion," says Donald Trump. 

Text of PM’s address to the Nation: April 14, 2020 -- Announcing Lockdown 2.0

"From an economic only point of view, it undoubtedly looks costlyright now; but measured against the lives of Indian citizens, there is no comparison itself. The path that India has taken within our limited resources has become a topic of discussion in the entire world today."

Journalists cry foul as known 'anti-BJP' scribe Siddharth Varadarajan is booked by UP police

New Delhi: "Freedom of the press is doubly important in such a context as people cannot make news themselves, but independent media is the most important medium of expressing their concerns. We demand that such politically motivated harassment of media persons should stop immediately," said a statement from a number of senior journalists on a FIR filed against a Siddharth Varadarajan of the 'Wire'.

The website has been accused of causing panic when it reported that UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath attended a religious event on March 25 at Ayodhya on the occasion of Ram Navmi, when a national lockdown was in force.

Founding Editor of 'The Wire' - Siddharth Varadarajan - known for its confrontationist approach towards Modi regime - has been booked by Uttar Pradesh police and asked to appear at the Ayodhya police station at 1000 hours April 14, Tuesday.

Predictably, several media organisations and individual journalists flayed the UP government decision.

A statement on behalf of number of journalists say the Yogi Adityanath led dispensation's move is a "brazen attempt to muzzle the media".

The statement has been endorsed among others by N Ram, Chairman, Hindu Group of Publications; Rajdeep Sardesai, Prem Shankar Jha, Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay and Harish Khare, former media advisor to the then PM Manmohan Singh and also a former Editor with 'The Hindu'. among others.

Signatories also include likes of Sagarika Ghose and John Dayal -- certainly also known for their prejudices against BJP and RSS.

The controversy refers to an article reported by 'The Wire' on March 31 -- and not attributed any byline and simply given credit to 'The Wire Staff' says among other things - "On the day the Tablighi Jamaat event was held, Yogi Adityanath insisted that a large fair planned for Ayodhya on the occasion of Ram Navami from March 25 to April 2 would proceed as usual while Acharya Paramhans said that ‘Lord Ram would protect devotees from the coronavirus”. One day after Modi announced the “curfew like” national lockdown on March 24, Adityanath violated the official guidelines to take part in a religious ceremony in Ayodhya along with dozens of people."

Varadarajan, who is often described in BJP circle as 'agenda driven' journalist, had been in controversy in the past as well. In an article for a popular magazine in 2004, Siddharth Varadarajan wrote, “Far from being a spontaneous mass reaction to the attack on the Sabarmati Express at Godhra the day before in which 58 Hindu passengers died, the killings across most of Gujarat seemed scripted. So well chosen were the targets that it is almost as if there was already in place a plan to do something dramatic as part of the ongoing Ayodhya agitation, probably in order to polarise the state on communal lines"


In 2004 article, he had further said : Had Godhra not happened, would Naroda Patiya have burned, would Ehsan Jafri have been killed, the Best Bakery been destroyed and Bilkis Bano been raped? These questions are deeply problematic because they are tainted by the bankruptcy of the Sangh parivar’s moral arithmetic.

Varadarajan has his own approach tand editorial judgement on issues. As Editor of 'The Hindu', he had famously disallowed carrying a story on the then Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's speech (in 2013) at Delhi's famous Shri Ram College on page 1 -- when the news value of the event suggested otherwise !


The FIR had referred to a tweet by Varadarajan which reads:  "On the day the Tablighi Jamaat event was held, Adityanath insisted a large Ram Navami fair planned for Ayodhya from March 25 to April 2 would proceed as usual and that Lord Ram would protect devotees from the coronavirus".


Later, the scribe also wrote - "I should clarify that it was Acharya Paramhans, Hindutva stalwart and head of the official Ayodhya temple trust, who said Ram would protect devotees from coronavirus, and not Adityanath, though he allowed a public event on 25/3 in defiance of the lockdown and took part himself."

On April 10, a team of the UP police descended at Varadarajan's residence to serve him a notice for appearing on April 14.

ends

First case of COVID19 throws Nagaland out of gear

First case of COVID19 has been reported from Nagaland in the northeast - where the malady is
gradually spreading.

The patient has tested positive in a Guwahati hospital, where he was referred to by doctors in Dimapur.

There is no testing centre in Nagaland and the state government recently announced 
its decision to establish two Bio Safety Laboratory (BSL) one in capital Kohima (under Level 3) and the other in Dimapur (under Level 2).

Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma tweeted: "A private hospital in Dimapur, Nagaland referred a patient to GMCH after he was found with symptoms of COVID19. He has tested positive and is undergoing treatment".

Nagaland government - run by NDPP-BJP coalition has plunged into action and privately-run Zion Hospital, where the patient had originally visited in Dimapur, has been sealed.

Sources said the localities where the patient used to stay - Marwari Patty and adjoining Ghorapatty areas have been sealed. Members of the joint family of the patient have been shifted to Nagaland government quarantine centre in Dimapur while his parents were undergoing test in Guwahati.

The patient, who works in a private company, had reportedly flown into Dimapur from Kolkata on March 24 in an Air India flight.

After few days as he developed symptoms for COVID-19, the patient was admitted to the private hospital in Dimapur and later referred to Guwahati for test.

According to the sources, the sample tested positive on April 11.

Nagaland Health minister S. Pangnyu Phom is personally monitoring the situation, sources said.

Meanwhile, contact tracing has been started for all passengers who were on the same flight from Kolkata to Dimapur on March 24.

Dimapur civic authorities have also ordered that the wholesale market at Guwahati-Shillong Road in Dimapur and the retail shops in the locality will remain closed until further directives.

"We appeal all citizens not to panic (in Dimapur and Nagaland) as necessary precautionary measures are taking place to tackle the current situation....," said Y Kikheto Sema, a senior IAS officer in the Special Committee on COVID19 in Nagaland.
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For obvious reasons, reports of the positive COVID19 case spread like wildfire leaving citizens and authorities wondering whether Nagaland health system was effective enough to tackle the challenges thrown by COVID-19.

There is also apprehension over transportation of various commodities from Assam and other states through Golaghat (in Assam) where some COVID-19 cases were reported.

Assam has so far reported 29 cases including one death -- of the person who had reportedly attended the Tablighi Markaz
in Delhi in March.
From Tripura - two cases were reported with both the patients (one of them being a woman) having travel history
of boarding a train from Delhi to Guwahati. Reportedly, many of those who attended the Nizamudin conclave of
Muslim clerics also traveled in the same train.

In Mizoram, one pastor who had travelled to Amsterdam and other European cities was tested positive and was undergoing treatment.