SRINAGAR, MARCH 25: Amid Coronavirus scare, SHG women from Jammu and Kashmir State Rural Livelihoods Mission have started making masks in an effort to prevent the spread of pandemic.

On the directions of Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, the SHG members associated with JKSRLM is stepping in to fill the void and contribute for the noble cause.

The first consignment of 10770 masks were made available within 36 hours and handed over to the District Administration, Srinagar.

Sajid Yehaya Naqash, Additional Mission Director -Kashmir JKSRLM said “In the light of shortage ,Directions were given to SHG members across the division to stitch cotton based cloth masks for use by the people recommended by the experts to fight against the shortage of masks amid COVID-19 pandemic”, he said.

COVID-19: SC bans admission, hearing only urgent matter

India
Top Stories

Asian Mail

March 23, 2020

New Delhi, Mar 23 :The Supreme Court on Monday banned the entry of people in the premises, in view of the rapid spread of Novel Coronavirus in the country and decided to hear only the most urgent cases through video conferencing.
A division bench of Chief Justice Sharad Arvind Bobde and Justice DY Chandrachud decided that hearing would be done in urgent matters, till further orders.
Justice Bobde said that all lawyers were requested to remove their files and other papers from their chamber, as the same would be sealed by 1700 hrs on Monday.
No petitioner-in-person would be allowed to argue in the case, till further orders by the court.
The apex court has also banned all types of admissions.
It has installed a large television set for video conferencing in the court room, whose link would be released on the official website soon, Justice Bobde added.
UNI.

Panic buying of essentials, petrol in Kashmir amid restrictions to combat Coronavirus

Regional
Kashmir
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Asian Mail

March 19, 2020

Srinagar, Mar 19 : People in Kashmir, particularly summer capital Srinagar, have started to stock essential commodities and fuel amid restrictions on public gatherings, assembly and movement in many areas to prevent spread of Coronavirus.
The panic buying is happening despite authorities assuring people that it will ensure effective services and supplies of essentials.
Curfew-like restrictions were imposed since early Thursday morning in many areas in Srinagar, which witnessed its first positive coronavirus case on Wednesday.
Long queues of vehicles could be seen lined-up at petrol pumps across Srinagar city and other parts of the valley to get fuel. People could be seen lined up to get cash outside ATMs, which have started to go out of cash, despite authorities asking people to avoid public gatherings.
People have also started to stock essential commodities, including food and medicines, in view of the rumours that further curbs will be imposed in the coming days in the city to curtail spread of the virus.
“We have purchased essentials, including onion, potato, different type of dal and dry milk following rumours about worsening of situation in the valley,” Rameez Khan told UNI.
In series of tweets, Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, Shahid Iqbal Chaudhary said the restrictions on public gatherings, assembly and movement in many areas are aimed at avoiding spread of any likely cases.
“Restriction imposed in Srinagar city for containment of any likely spread of Coronavirus. Medical teams are following SOP. There will be initial problems for a day or so. Adm will ensure effective services & supplies. Pl stay at home. Contact District Control Room for any help,” he said.
Mr Chaudhary said it’s important that people who come in contact with Coronavirus positive case(s) should immediately report to nearest health facility or our 24×7 control room.
“We urge all residents who might have come in contact with the COVID-19 positive case in Srinagar to report to their nearest health facilities or contact our control room at 2457552 or 2457543 or 9419028251 or 9419028242 or 9419014723 — this is urgent and cannot be ignored @diprjk,” Chaudhary twitted.
“Rumours and unverified information shared on social media will certainly attract strict action. Let’s act like responsible citizens. Every information /advisory will be shared officially. Srinagar Coronavirus,” he added.
J&K administration spokesperson Rohit Kansal on Wednesday said first positive case was detected from Khanyar, Srinagar. “History of foreign travel. Arrived on 16/3/2020. Put in Isolation. Surveillance started in 300m area. Request all to cooperate. Also Immediately self report any symptoms,” Mr Kansal wrote on twitter.
(UNI)

Coronavirus: 3 more tested positive in Ladakh, toll mounts to 6

Regional
Kashmir
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Asian Mail

March 17, 2020

Srinagar, Mar 17 (KNO): Three more persons have been tested positive for the deadly coronavirus in Union Territory of Ladakh, officials said on Tuesday.

Spokesperson of Union Territory of Ladakh, Rigzin Sampheal told—KNO that three more cases from Ladakh Union Territory have been tested positive, taking the toll of positive cases to six.

He further added that among three new cases, two are from Leh while as one is from Kargil district.

Meanwhile, Union Territory administration has imposed section 144 in Kargil as a precautionary measure—(KNO)

Google India employee tested positive for COVID-19

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World

Asian Mail

March 13, 2020

Bengaluru, Mar 13 : A Google India, employee, working one of its offices the city here, was diagnosed with the COVID-19 disease, and the company had put him in quarantine and had also other employees who had close contact with him to quarantine themselves for few days.
In a statement issued here, it was stated that “We can confirm that an employee from our Bangalore office has been diagnosed with COVID-19. They were in one of our Bangalore offices for a few hours before developing any symptoms. The employee has been on quarantine since then, and we have asked colleagues who were in close contact with the employee to quarantine themselves and monitor their health.’
‘Out of an abundance of caution, we are asking employees in that Bangalore office to work from home tomorrow. We have taken and will continue to take all necessary precautionary measures, following the advice of public health officials, as we prioritize everyone’s health and safety,’ the statement added.
So far, the state has five confirmed cases of Coronavirus and its first death, a 76-year-old from Kalaburagi on Thursday.
Karnataka Health minister B Sreeramulu had convened a meeting of the higher officials of the department to review the situation.
Meanwhile, the Infosys Foundation, chairperson, Sudha Murthy, have came forward to operate a hospital, exclusively for the treatment of COVID-19 patients, if the state government approves to handover a hospital to it.
Karnataka, Primary education minister Sureshkumar, while confirming the offer made by the Sudha Murthy, had her for joining hands with the state government’s efforts to contain the disease.
(UNI)

UP: 10 test positive for COVID 19

India
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Asian Mail

March 12, 2020

Lucknow, Mar 12: Altogether 10 people have tested positive for coronavirus in Uttar Pradesh.
Of this, the highest seven were detected in the Taj city of Agra, followed by one each in Noida, Ghaziabad and latest in Lucknow.
A report said that the 10th coronavirus patient was a lady doctor from Toronto in Canada. She tested positive in Lucknow on Wednesday evening.
Officials said that the doctor, who was visiting the city along with her husband, has been admitted in the isolation ward of the KGMU while doctors were testing other nine people for spread of the virus with whom she might have made any contact.
According to the officials, 128 symptomatic travelers have been identified in UP and one such traveler was hospitalised at Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi. Besides, four symptomatic contacts have also been hospitalised — three in Agra and one each in Lucknow and Noida.
Five asymptomatic contacts from Agra have also been hospitalised at Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi.
The officials said 1,913 travelers had completed the 28-day observation period. The officials said that so far 554 samples had been sent for nCoV testing — 5 to National Institute of Virology, Pune; 366 to KGMU, Lucknow; 177 to NCDC Delhi and six to IMS-BH, Varanasi. They said 469 samples were found negative and the results of 77 were awaited.
According to State surveillance officer Vikasendu Agarwal so far, 15,903 travellers have been screened at airports in the state and 12,01,945 at border check posts till Wednesday evening.
Sensitisation meetings have been held in 1,896 villages on Indo-Nepal border.
Officials said that 2,701 passengers from 12 specified countries were in Uttar Pradesh and 740 among them were under observation.
The state Health and Family Welfare Department appealed to all citizens of the state and foreign guests staying in UP at present, who had returned after visiting South Korea, Italy or Islamic Republic of Iran on or after February 22, to call state helpline number 1800 180 5 145 or contact chief medical officers of the district concerned to keep themselves and their families and society safe and protected from coronavirus.
(UNI)

While busy destabilising Cong govt, ensure to share benefits of oil price crash to Indians: Rahul to Modi

India

Asian Mail

March 11, 2020

New Delhi, Mar 11 (UNI) Hitting out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s office, former Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said while the former was busy destabilising an elected Congress government, the global oil prices crashed but common people are not getting its benefits.
‘Hey Prime Minister’s Office, while you were busy destabilising an elected Congress Government, you may have missed noticing the 35 per cent crash in global oil prices,’ Mr Gandhi tweeted a day after crisis unfolded in Madhya Pradesh, where senior Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia resigned from the grand old party.

‘Could you please pass on the benefit to Indians by slashing petrol prices to under 60 per litre? Will help boost the stalled economy,’ the Congress leader further said.

Mr Gandhi’s remarks came amid the global oil price crash, however, according to him, the government is not ready to share the benefits to common people and using the oil prices windfall to recover the economy.
Fuel prices were slashed Rs 2 per litre in major metropolitan cities across the nation. In Delhi, petrol prices were reduced by Rs 2.69 per litre to Rs 70.29 per litre, while diesel saw a Rs 2.33 cut to Rs 63.01 per litre.

Mr Scindia, who was at loggerheads with the Kamal Nath government in Madhya Pradesh, had met Mr Modi on Tuesday, which was seen as an attempt to destabilise the Congress government.

According to the BJP, the former Guna MP will join the BJP today at the headquarters of the saffron party in the national capital.

Saurastra 425 runs and set a huge task for Bengal in Ranji Trophy final

Sports

Asian Mail

March 11, 2020

Rajkot, Mar 11 : Aiming to win the glittering Ranji Trophy for the
first time, Saurastra were on the driver seat after scoring 425 runs
in the first innings and set up a huge task for Bengal in the final
play at the Saurastra Cricket Association Stadium here, thanks to
Arpit Vasavada’s brilliant 106.
The host resumed their first batting at 384 for loss of eight wickets,
they picked up valuable 41 runs in remaining two wickets
today.
Bengal got an early wicket through pacer Akash Deep but the last
wicket stand between skipper Jaydev Unadkat ( 20) and Dharmendrasinh
Jadeja (33 not out) frustrated the visiting side The duo added 38 runs and more
importantly forced the fielders to labour in the sun before batting.
Saurashtra have posted a mammoth total and have kept the opposition
out in the field for a very long time, over two days in the five-day
play.
Earlier 31-year-old left handed Arpit Vasavada set the tune for
Saurastra’s big total as he hit his successive ton in country’s top
tier play with 106 before being stumped by wicketkeeper Wriddiman Saha off
Shabaz Ahmed.
Arpit had scored a century in the previous semifinal
play against Gujarat and Unadkar 7 wickets haul put the hosts into the
final for 4th time in eight years.
But the silverware for Saurastra is still illusive and this time may
fructified if they restrict Bengal under 400 in the first knock.
Cheteshwar Pujara and Arpit Vasavada gave a huge boost in defensive
batting with a five-hour partnership on day two, taking Saurashtra to
a strong position in their Ranji Trophy final on Tuesday. Their 142-run stand
off 380 balls wore down the opposition who had a slight edge after
reducing Saurashtra to 206 for five on the opening day. Pujara (66 off 237),
who was on five when he retired hurt on day one due to fever, and
Vasavada (106 off 287) batted for two sessions and five overs as the hosts reached 384 for
eight at the close of play.
On day two, the hosts managed 178 runs in 79.1 overs for the loss of
three wickets.
Shahbaz Ahmed today ended Saurashtra innings straightaway with Jaydev
Unadkat’s wicket, but the 38 runs the last-wicket pair added could
come back to bite Bengal. Saurashtra’s 425 is a steep task for Bengal in
what should be a first-innings-lead game.
Bengal pacers Akash Deep ended with 4/98, followed by Shabaz Ahmed
3/103, Mukesh Kumar 2/103 and Ishan Porel 1/51.
Bengal made 16 runs in their first innings so far.

BJP holds CEC meeting chaired by PM

India

Asian Mail

March 11, 2020

New Delhi, Mar 10 (UNI) A meeting of BJP Central Election Committee was held under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at party headquarters here on Tuesday.
The CEC discussed party’s nominations for Rajya Sabha among other issues, sources said.
BJP president J P Nadda, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari Narendra Singh Tomar attended the crucial meeting here on Holi evening.
Amid political turmoil in Madhya Pradesh, disgruntled Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia earlier in the day announced his resignation from the Congress after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.

Mr Scindia visited Mr Shah’s house in the morning and met him. After that, Mr Shah and Mr Scindia went to Prime Minister’s residence to meet him. Shortly afterwards, Mr Scindia posted his resignation on Twitter which he has sent to Congress president Sonia Gandhi.
Even as political developments are occurring at breakneck pace in Madhya Pradesh, a delegation of the state’s opposition BJP leaders met Assembly Speaker Narmada Prasad Prajapati at his residence in Bhopal for the express purpose of submitting hard copies of resignations of 19 ruling Congress lawmakers who are camping in the Karnataka capital.
Mr Scindia might join hands with the BJP to topple the Madhya Pradesh government, and may be given Rajya Sabha seat.
The election for three Rajya Sabha seats from the state is slated for March 26.

UK Health minister Nadine Dorries tested positive for COVID-19

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World

Asian Mail

March 11, 2020

London,: UK’s Health minister and Conservative MP Nadine Dorries has been diagnosed with coronavirus.
After being diagnosed with the disease Ms Dorries said, she had taken all the advised precautions after finding out, and had been self-isolating at home as reported by BBC.
Ms Dorries, the MP for Mid Bedfordshire, said in a statement that Public Health England had started tracing people she had contact with, and the department and her parliamentary office were closely following its advice.
The 62-year-old, later tweeted that it had been “pretty rubbish but I hope I’m over the worst of it now”.
It is not known how many meetings Ms Dorries had attended at Westminster or in her constituency in recent days.
All health ministers, including Health Secretary Matt Hancock, are to undergo testing for the virus, along with other officials who have come into contact with Ms Dorries.
On Tuesday evening, the UK health authorities have confirmed that at least 382 people were affected by novel coronavirus.
(UNI)