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Uttar Pradesh: Mecca-returned woman tested Covid-19 positive, was part of a group of 37 who had rubbed off quarantine stamps and fled from Mumbai

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Local health and administration officials have confirmed that a group of 37 people from Pilibhit district of Uttar Pradesh, who had returned from a religious trip to Mecca in Saudi Arabia on March 19 have recently been quarantined. According to reports, to avoid detection, these people had allegedly removed the quarantine stamp with the help of a foreign perfume.

The health officials got suspicious after the health condition of a woman, who was part of this group, started deteriorating and later she was found coronavirus positive. Her son, too, has been declared corona positive, officials in Pilibhit said.

The group belongs to Amaria town of Pilibhit district in Uttar Pradesh. They had gone to Mecca to perform ‘umrah’. When they returned to the villages via Mumbai on March 19, all the group members were stamped for quarantine.

“However, they were able to rub off the stamp with the help of a foreign perfume to avoid detection,” a Pilibhit official was quoted by TV9 Bharatvarsh. The woman and her son, who have been tested positive for the COVID-19 had revealed that to health officials.

“The group avoided air route and chose to travel by train from Mumbai to Lucknow,” said the official.

Yesterday, after a 33-year-old resident of Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh, with no travel history from abroad, was tested coronavirus positive, Dr Sudhir Singh of King George Medical University, Lucknow had said that he was a confirmed case of contact transmission.

Pilibhit was recently in the news when, despite government orders restricting gatherings, police officers were seen leading a procession of people applauding healthcare workers at 5 pm on Sunday, 22 March.

COVID-19 is the infectious disease caused by the recent Coronavirus outbreak started in the Wuhan province of China in December 2019. The novel coronavirus was identified as a cause of the cluster of pneumonia cases in Wuhan. It rapidly spread, resulting in an epidemic throughout China followed by an increasing number of cases throughout the world. Globally more than 300,000 confirmed cases have been reported.

As per WHO, the initial transmission was associated with a seafood market where most patients used to work that sold live animals. Later the market was closed to avoid infection. However, the transmission progressed from person to person, which became the main mode of transmission. The person to person transmission has occurred mainly via respiratory droplets. The symptoms of COVID-19 may have aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat, and diarrhoea.

In India, a total number of cases of coronavirus has reached 649 and 13 patients have succumbed to the disease. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday in an emotional gesture with folded hands requested the citizens to avoid stepping out of the homes till the next 21 days calling for a complete lockdown across the country.

Jharkhand: Police raid Madarsa in Ranchi, rescue more than 600 girls kept hostage violating lockdown orders

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The Ranchi administration raided a Madarsa located in Parhepat in Ranchi after they got information that around 500 girls were forcibly held hostage and weren’t being allowed to go home by the main maulana of Madarsa. The Madarsa had continued its classes violating the nationwide lockdown imposed by the government to prevent the spread of Wuhan Coronavirus, and kept around 600 girls locked inside.

The case relates to Madarsa Kulliyatul Banat located at Parhepat in Ranchi, capital of Jharkhand, where more than 600 girls were forcibly held as hostages ignoring the lockdown orders. Reportedly, the main maulana was not allowing the girls to go back to their homes. The Police administration raided the Madarsa and released all the girls and sent them to their homes.

The family members of the girl students have said that they asked the Madarsa operator to let the girls go but neither the girls were released nor the family members were allowed to meet them. Some girl who was also held hostage in Madarsa had somehow informed her family members that they have been forcibly held there.

After that, the police was informed about the situation, and a police party reached the spot. The police found the gate of Madarasa closed from outside. But when they broke the gate, they found the girls present inside.

The authorities immediately took the girls out and called the parents and sent them to their homes. As per reports, about 500 girls were present in the hostel during this action. Police said that further action will be taken after they detain Madarsa Principal Abdul Ansari and Secretary Imran Ansari. Actions will be taken against the Madrasa for violating lockdown orders, police said.

Meet the suspended Jamia professor: Believes Islam is the solution to Global Warming and Democracy and eager for the establishment of Islamic Caliphate

Dr. Abrar Ahmad, a professor at Jamia Milia University, had claimed on social media on Wednesday that he had failed 15 non-Muslim students for supporting the Citizenship Amendment Act. Ahmad had later claimed that his tweet was a ‘parody’. Following OpIndia’s report on the same, he was suspended by the authorities the same day for the “serious misconduct inciting communal disharmony”. Given the fact that Ahmad is a professor at a University that has been at the heart of the violent protests against the CAA and the communal riots in Delhi that the violent protests led to, we decided to investigate his ideology and worldview further.

We came across Ahmad’s blog which describes itself as “Presenting Islam as solution to ailing earth, crying humanity, sobbing ecology and crumbling capitalist world order”. On the 23rd of December 2019, a post was published with the title “CAA & NRC: India’s Islamophobia and Way Forward”. The post says, “Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) amends the Citizenship Act, 1955, and for the first time, will grant citizenship on the basis of religion to non-Muslim communities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan, who entered India on or before December 31, 2014. This act in standalone seems to be non Muslim issue, but in combination with National Register of Citizenship (NRC) it becomes an existential crisis for Muslims in India.”

Unsurprisingly, the post includes a tirade against Brahmins and claims that Hindu Rashtra is a Brahminical conspiracy. It states, “Regarding Hindu Rashtra (Brahmanism dominance) agenda, one may say that it is actually dream of Hindu Rashtra at the core, but one need to understand that when truth is too radical it is packaged otherwise. Although Hinduism has been pitched as synonymous to Sanatan Dharma; but this Dharma gives a hierarchical supremacy of Brahmins in the Varna System.” “The politicians and think tanks mostly dominated by Brahmins have been fancying about bringing their glorious past and have managed to sustain undercurrent dominance under Muslims and Britishers are now finding it most suitable time for its resurgence. The biggest road blocks to this dream are Muslims,” it adds. Ahmad also states that “Their hatred with Dalits and SC ST are more severe than Muslim, they may marry their daughters or eat in same plate with Muslims but not Dalits.”

Source: Abrar Ahmad’s blog

Ahmad also has a message for the Indian ‘rightwing’ in the post. Ahmad falsely claims that the word ‘Hindu’ was given by Muslim invaders and that it was them who gave Hindus ‘freedom’. According to him, it was the Muslim invaders who united the diverse Indian subcontinent into one ‘Hindustan’. He warns Hindus, “Now in the current debate of kicking Muslims out of India, it is preposterous. You are not dealing with Rakhine state (Rohingya) or Uighar; you are dealing with decedents of Babar (as you always mention derogatory forgetting who Babar was), Souris, Lodi’s, and those who have given you best in the world forts, minaret’s, mausoleums, architecture, technology; one of the best humanistic culture, manner and zeitgeist; exquisite cuisines; melodious vocabulary of Arabic-Persian-Urdu.” The suspended Jamia professor also says, “Worst way you may engage with Muslims must be in the sense of gratefulness. But if you think you can wipe Muslims out, you are grossly mistaken.”

Source: Abrar Ahmad’s blog

Ahmad also has a message for the Ummah. He says that ‘it is important to note’ that there are stark parallels between today’s day and age and the age of Muhammad the prophet. He says, “It is equally important to note that the present world order in this village is similar to situation of village in Makkah when prophet (saw) was explaining Islam to the polytheist and they created exactly same Islamophobia. So we see parallels of abusing Islamic values as Prophet and Quran (Cartoon publication and releasing movies like Fitna and innocence of Muslims). We witness similar to what was harassment, lynching, forced migration of Sahaba r.a. (Hate crimes, lynching, migrations such as Syria, Rohingya, Palestine and Uyghur). The situation of this Makkah 2.0 is almost same is terms of how women are being treated in terms of infanticide, foeticide, molestation, prostitution and so on; the economic situation to enslave people by interest is exactly same as was in days of ignorance.”

Ahmad further tells his readers that “most of the your so called leaders are not independent to express what is in their heart”. He also says that Muslims should not eye positions of leadership as it is not encouraged in Islam. He notes, “Those born around 80s have seen both thriving secular and hostile Islamophobic ecology; but those born after 2000 have seen dying secularism and raging Islamophobia and we can see a clear difference between these two generations; while former is more of compromising and hypocritical later is more unison about its orientation viz: Islam or Kufr. So O youth, you are precious pearls, invest more in your Islamic personality and seek more form the leader of Ummah (Prophet saw) and Insha Allah your conviction in Islam will bring the long awaited happiness of Ummah.”

Source: Abrar Ahmad’s blog

In another post in June 2019, Abrar Ahmad claims, again falsely, that Islam was the first religion on Earth and that the history of religion is the history of Islam. According to him, Lord Manu himself, who gave Hindus the Manusmriti, was a prophet of Islam. He says, “Old Testament revealed in Hebrew language and New Testament revealed in Eremite language, fundamentally asks their follower to submit to one Allah (swt). Hindu scriptures ‘Veda’ according to some scholars has fair chance to be divine book revealed in Sanskrit to most probably prophet Nuh (A) or Maha-Nuh or in short ‘Manu’ (Allah knows best), offers to worship one shapeless Allah (swt) exactly in line with any divine religion.”

According to Ahmad, “Paramatma of Hindus, Jehovah of Jews, Ila’h of Christians, and Allah (swt) of Muslims are all the same reference to one shapeless Allah (swt)”. He further states, “Except Islam, the name of all the religions is either based on region (Hinduism – people beyond river Sindh), Judaism – tribe of Judah) or language or the name of the prophets (Christianity, Buddhism, Confucianism, Zoroasterism). If name of these religions would have been in terms of teaching, they would surely mean ‘religion of submission and peace’ or in Arabic ‘Islam’.”

Source: Abrar Ahmad’s blog

Abrar Ahmad is also not very fond of Capitalism, or Communism for that matter, and blames the secular world order for a great many evils. He says in a post published in October 2019, “Capitalism, Communism and Islam are only three ideologies that claim to solve the issues of the world comprehensively. While first two are man-made, Islam happens to be God sent. While communism collapsed in 1990, Capitalism is gradually collapsing on every front. Apart from material progress, capitalism has failed to sustain environment, ecology and earth; failed to provide basic necessity, equality, security, and prosperity for humanity; it has failed human values, morals, and spiritual contentment; it has failed solve problems of individual, family, society, economy, and humanity. Therefore Islam is not just the solution but only solution. Islam doesn’t deserve hate, but appreciation as it is panacea of all human problems. Islam indeed is the Solution.”

Abrar Ahmad is not too fond of Democracy either which he calls “rule of the 1% by the 1% for the 1% in the name of 99%.” “So elections in democracy are smokescreens to allow illusion of societal participation to cover reality that power is exercised by unelected elite,” he adds. He states further, “To keep the power within their own party electioneering can go to any level be it polarization, riot, genocide, lynching, and staged attacks. Since judges are ultimately human with whims and prejudices, delaying justice has become standard way to disburden judiciary. Education system is teaching paradoxical concepts such as promoting nationalism and abolishing racism; encouraging sex education and discouraging rape; teaching materialism and expecting morality. Never wonder if your son comes out as atheist or gay and your daughter runs away in this education system.”

Source: Abrar Ahmad’s blog

The solution, of course, is Islam. Ahmad says, “Islamic political system or Khilafah deems politics as taking care of the affairs of people and not ‘career’ as viewed in present system. So politicians do not work for aristocrats, or elites. Since rule of Islam is relevant for all time and clime, it does not change as per whims and biasness of individuals. There are no 5 year elections as the khaleefah is appointed for lifetime eradicating scourge of electioneering.” “Khilafah (Islamic Caliphate) and Democracy are like Human and Robot, while former are God made, later are manmade. For 13 centuries until 1924 this system has pioneered in the world and now it’s time to comeback,” he adds.

In another post published in October 2019, Ahmad implies that we are living in the age of ‘Makkah 2.0’. He says, “We may recognize it or not, we may like it or not, we may own it or not; but Ummah of Prophet Mohammad (saw) for last few decades is sailing same path and facing similar events as was faced by Sahaba (r.a) during struggle in Makkah.” He claims that ” we witness parallels of burying of girl child (foeticide), similar enslavement by loans (banks), same profanity in society; a similar call of Islam taken up by Ummah to revive the deen and similar Islamophobia in response; same abuse to prophet (saw) and Quran (cartoons and fitna movie), same torture (lynching), boycott of Muslims, forced migrations just for being a Muslim in Makkah 2.0 as was in Makkah.”

Drawing further parallels between the two ages, the suspended professor writes, “The political system of Makkah was tribal conglomeration. Internal elections within tribes were selected on the basis of popularity and/or dominance that in turn would represent his tribe in the parliament of Makkah known as Darun-Nadwa. Today again in Makkah 2.0 different nations may have kingship, autocracy, or democracy in their country but the head of the tribe would represented in United Nation – The Global Darun-Nadwa. They are the guardians of current world order where God has been sidelined and even the Muslim countries are not allowed to be ruled by Islamic teachings (except for name sake).” Ahmad also noted that “the scourge of gayism, lesbianism, and open LGBT were at least not reported during Makkah 1.0.”

Source: Abrar Ahmad’s blog

Ahmad states, “As far 360 gods in Kabah, we have now gods in form of thoughts like secularism and nationalism. These gods are not small gods but are revered to such extent that one can take life and give life for the sake of these tribal chauvinism and fanaticism.” He observed that in Makkah 2.0 “slandering of prophet (saw) started as terrorists, sketching of cartoons etc. (I seek forgiveness of Allah), slandering of Quran as book fitna (we seek forgiveness of Allah), and an atmosphere has been created very much same as Makkah well known as ‘Islamophobia’ and they fought war on Islam in the guise of war on terror.”

The post ends with the hope that a global Islamic caliphate will be established across the world. Ahmed wrote, “Rasulullah saw faced all such issues unless the nusrah (material help) came from Madina and thus Islam was established as political power which in next 10 years made the whole Arabians peninsular into Islamic land. Insha Allah Makkah 2.0 would be no different we just need to keep doing what Rasulullah saw did in Makkah and nusrah will come when Islamic political authority will be re-established. This will start uniting physically fragmented Ummah into one Ummah and take the message of Islam to the rest of the world Insha Allah. This comparison has also brought us to pin point the solution for present problems i.e. becoming ambassador of Islam as Mus’ab bin Umair in non Muslims world and try to establish the deen of Islam in Muslim world.”

Apart from such deluded proclamations, Abrar Ahmad has also engaged in other ramblings. In one post from September 2019, he declared that “Islam is the only ‘GREEN’ For Global Warming and Climate Change”. He claims, “Islam is solution for all our problems including the environmental issues such as Global Warming and Climate change.” The previous month, he had said, “Capitalism has given up on GLOBAL WARMING but Islamic teachings can make the world GREENER”. Elsewhere, the suspended professor declares, “The complete demography of Europe has changed because of conversion to Islam and immigration so much so that 100s of churches have been transformed into mosques.”

Abrah Ahmad also believes that the Quran is more updated than Science. In a post in July 2019, he says, “The problem with science is: it always confines itself to the ‘What, Why, and How’ of the phenomenon. If it broadens its horizon to the ‘Who’ of the things, without any exception, it would lead itself to Allah (swt).” “The scientific evidences of the Qur’an clearly prove its Divine Origin. No human could have produced a book, fourteen hundred years ago, that would contain profound scientific facts to be discovered by humankind centuries later. The Qur’an, however, is not a book of Science but a book of ‘Signs’. These signs invite Man to realize the purpose of his existence on earth, and to live in harmony with Nature,” he adds. In the same post, Abrar Ahmad also declares, “Darwin’s Theory of Evolution that has been conclusively proved false in the wake of latest scientific developments, especially in the field of genetics and fossils records.”

In a post published in May 2019 titled ‘WHAT MUSLIMS CAN DO FOR ISLAM IN INDIA’, Abrar Ahmad claims that “Indian Muslims have largely forgotten it or have considered it impractical due to the fog and smoke of secularism and eastern culture.” He also states, “Muslims from last 100 years (since fall of ottomans and evolution of nation states based on Sykes Picot agreement) have been subjected to living in a secular, liberal, democratic, capitalist, nationalistic, non Islamic atmosphere thus they have developed a mixture of understanding where they think SURVIVAL is the biggest objective of life.”

Abrar Ahmad tells his fellow Indian Muslims, “We, Muslims of India must exhort ourselves to that pristine and pure attitude that was taken by prophet Nuh (a.s.), Ibraheem (a.s.), and prophet Mohammad (saw). We must present Islam to India in a fashion prophets (a.s.) did. They did not make Islam equivalent to pagan religions as we have done today (for the sake of secular values), but they confidently and humbly presented Islam as a solution for their problems, they suggested a way forward to come out of darkness they lived in, to the light and vastness of Islam.”

The suspended professor states, “We should view ourselves as doctors and should not care what patient call us due to fear of sourness of medicine or injection. Survival should never be a question in our mind, because our sustenance and death is already written and we can’t die before our death (time). So Instead of bothering about our survival we must think about bringing people from darkness to light as MUSA (A.S.) did and prophet (saw) did. We must make sure the real master i.e Allah (swt) is not unhappy as it doesn’t matter if whole world is happy if Allah is not. So let’s give our examination well in the examination hall (world), in classroom (India) because our home in not India or world but Jannah Insha Allah.”

Apart from such ramblings, Abrar Ahmad declares the ICC World Cup to be an ‘organized distraction’. He also heaped praises on the Bollywood actress Zaira Wasim for quitting Bollywood for the sake of Islam. Another post on his blog states, “The West needs to realize that the Khilafah is an intrinsic part of Islam which instead of condemning they need to understand and will have to engage with in future when it is re-established.” From the numerous posts on his blog, it is evident that Abrar Ahmad is a typical Islamist who is salivating at the prospects of the reestablishment of an Islamic Caliphate. Under such circumstances, his defense that his tweet saying he failed 15 non-Muslim students for supporting the CAA was a parody becomes greatly untenable.

Furthermore, Abrar Ahmad has locked his account of Twitter but his blog is more than evidence enough of his Islamist leanings. He believes that Islamic diktats are the solution to Global Warming and the inherent contradictions within the system of democracy. He holds great grudge against Capitalism which he believes is the cause of much strife today. Furthermore, Abrar Ahmad believes that the Quran is more updated than Science and is firmly of the belief that we are living in the age of ‘Makkah 2.0’ and the establishment of a global Islamic caliphate is imminent.

Pakistan spreading coronavirus deliberately to get more international aid: Activists in Pok

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The Kashmiri activists in the Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK) have alleged that Pakistan is deliberately spreading the Chinese Coronavirus to claim the international aid, as per reports.

The Kashmiri activists have slammed the terror-state of Pakistan for shifting coronavirus affected people from the eastern province of Punjab and the rest of the country to Mirpur city in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) to help spread the disease and to seek more aid from the international agencies.

Nasir Aziz Khan, spokesperson of United Kashmir People’ National Party condemned Pakistan’s move to shift coronavirus patients to PoK, despite it having a lot of free areas and hospitals. Nasir said as soon as coronavirus started spreading across Pakistan, they did not take it seriously. In Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK), there was only one positive case. Positive cases of coronavirus from Punjab province are being shifted to Mirpur city of PoK, he added.

“In Pakistan, there are better hospitals as compared to PoK, but they are shifting coronavirus positive cases to this region. When the locals started protesting, they were harassed,” he said.

Nasir added that 27 people were brought to Mirpur on Monday, of which 13 were coronavirus positive. The results of the rest of them are awaited. According to the locals, Pakistan is planning to shift hundreds of other patients from Pakistan to PoK.

“When Coronavirus started spreading across the world, many countries took it seriously and used their best infrastructure to fight the pandemic. For example, Italy has the best infrastructure in medicine. Similarly, Switzerland and other European countries like Germany, France, Great Britain, and Belgium, spared no attempt to fight the pandemic”.

Read: Pakistan: Government officials in Sindh take a selfie with Coronavirus patient, get suspended

“And despite having the best medical infrastructure, they are not able to stop the number of casualties. The virus continues to spread rapidly”, said Nasir, a political activist from the PoK, now settled in Zurich, Switzerland. Nasir added that there are no basic health facilities and they used to take their patients to other parts of Pakistan for treatment. Some patients die while transporting them to hospitals due to poor road infrastructure, added the activist.

The activist said that there is no testing facility in the PoK that could do basic blood and urine tests and noted the coronavirus test needs trained doctors and testing kits.

The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Pakistan surged to more than 1,000. More than 400 COVID-19 cases were reported from Sindh alone, the worst-hit region in the country. Besides, the eastern province of Punjab recorded nearly 300 coronavirus cases. The northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa confirmed 78 COVID-19 cases while Balochistan reported 110 cases. The country has also reported eight deaths.

Coronavirus: 65-year-old woman, who had tested positive of COVID-19, dies in Ujjain, had attended anti-CAA protests

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Madhya Pradesh on Wednesday reported the first fatality due to the coronavirus infection as a 65-year-old Ujjain-based woman, Rabia Qutubuddin died at a hospital in Indore. The woman had fallen ill on March 22 and was initially admitted to a charitable hospital in Ujjain and later shifted to government-run Maharaja Yeshwantrao Hospital in Indore. The woman breathed her last at around 5.30 pm.

“The woman who died on Wednesday was suffering from high diabetes and respiratory issues,” Indore collector Lokesh Kumar Jatav told the media, confirming that the woman had tested positive for COVID19.

According to the information, the deceased was admitted to the hospital on March 22. The woman was a resident of Janasapura, Ujjain. She reportedly had a cold and cough and breathing distress. Seeing the symptoms, doctors shifted Rabia to MY Hospital in Indore. She was tested positive for the novel Covid-19.

Hailing from a poor family, Rabia had no significant travel history accept that she had participated in an ongoing sit-in organised by Muslim woman in protest against the CAA in Ujjain and had reportedly gotten in touch with her daughter who is married in Indore.

Curfew was clamped in Ujjain early on Wednesday after the woman tested positive. The district administration has sealed the area where the woman used to live.

The health department screened 40 people who came in contact with the woman amongst whom, two are at high risk. Meanwhile, the woman’s 11 family members were also screened, Her daughter-in-law and son have also been tested positive.

Four other people who tested positive for the virus in Indore on Wednesday, also surprisingly did not have any foreign travel history. Though, two of them did visit Hrishikesh in Uttarakhand recently.

Alarmed with this trend, the administration in Indore is busy scanning the travel history of these patients and is ascertaining whether they came in touch with any foreign national recently.

Yesterday, it was reported that the former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister and Congress senior leader Kamal Nath isolated himself on Wednesday after a journalist, who attended his news conference in Bhopal, was tested positive for coronavirus.

The 55-year-old journalist, a resident of Professors Colony, is the father of the first coronavirus case in Bhopal. The daughter of the journalist had tested positive earlier for coronavirus.

His family is under quarantine and his daughter is undergoing treatment for Covid-19 at AIIMS Bhopal. Other journalists who were present at the press conference have been asked to self-isolate themselves in order to avoid possible transmission.

The number of COVID-19 cases in Madhya Pradesh rose to 20 with five more patients in Indore hospitals testing coronavirus positive, health officials said on Thursday. According to the official website of the Ministry of Health, the total number of cases in India has increased to 606, including 43 such cases which have been cured and 10 such who have succumbed to the infection.

WHO ‘very much’ sided with China on the Wuhan Coronavirus outbreak: Donald Trump

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Just days after the president of United States Donald Trump said that he will stop using the term ‘Chinese Virus’, he has said that the World Health Organisation (WHO) ‘very much’ sided with China in the global pandemic.

Referring growing criticism of the global health agency over its handling of the Wuhan Coronavirus outbreak during the initial weeks, Trump said, “I think that a lot of people feel it‘s been very unfair, it’s been very much sided with China.” The US was president was replying to a question on whether he felt that WHO showed favouritism towards China over the issue of Covid-19.

Donald Trump was responding to a question on allegations made by Republican Senator Macro Rubio that WHO showed favouritism towards China. Although he also added that the organisation has “a lot of good people, a lot of good professionals”, he added, “But the fact is that I have heard for years that that is very much biased towards China, so I don’t know.”

Earlier, Trump had triggered a diplomatic war with China by repeatedly referring the Novel Coronavirus as Chinese Virus. Several leaders in the United States have been highly critical of both China and WHO of their handling of the situation, accusing them of hiding vital information and underplaying the crisis at the beginning.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said that that China  has put thousands of lives at risk. He said that the Communist government in the state is still denying to give information about the pandemic that the world needs to combat it. “My concern is that this cover-up, this disinformation that the Chinese Communist Party is engaged in, is still denying the world the information it needs so that we can prevent further cases or something like this from recurring again,” he said. He also accused Iran and Russia of starting a disinformation campaign by blaming US for the virus. “They’re talking about it coming from the U.S. Army and they’re saying maybe it began in Italy, all things to deflect responsibility,” Mike said.

Republican Congressman  Michael McCaul said that China’s handling of coronavirus is ‘one of the worst cover-ups in history’. He also accused US media of helping the Chinese Communist Party to spread propaganda against the United States. “They’re trying to cover up what really happened. In my opinion, this is one of the worst cover-ups in human history”, he said media on Tuesday. He also questioned the role of WHO director Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, saying that “that there were several red flags in his past with respect to his relationship with China.”

Read- One Belt, One Road, One Pandemic: Are China and WHO accountable for spreading the Novel coronavirus across the world?

Similarly Senator Ted Cruz tweeted, It is deeply troubling WHO  Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesu is helping the Chinese Communist Party obfuscate the origins and trajectory of COVID19, at the risk of health around the globe.

WHO and its director Ghebreyesus has come under severe criticism for their comments on the Wuhan Coronavirus outbreak earlier this year, when it was already creating havoc in Wuhan in China. The organisation took long time in declaring a pandemic, leading to countries not being vigilant enough on time. In January, WHO had endorsed the conclusion  of Chinese authorities that the Novel Coronavirus does not spread from person to person, and had said that it does not recommend any specific health measures for travellers to and from Wuhan. WHO also ignored Taiwan which had informed that it has evidence of human-to-human transmission of the virus. Taiwan wrote to WHO in December 31 regarding this, but WHO was denying human-to-human transmission till mid-January. It may be noted that Taiwan has been denied membership of WHO due to objections of China, which considers the island nation as its territory.

Modi govt announces a Rs 1.70 lakh crore welfare scheme for poor during Coronarvirus lockdown: Here are the 12 announcements made

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today held a press conference and announced a financial package which would take care of the welfare concerns of the poor and the suffering migrant workers after the 21-day lockdown has been announced to arrest the spread of Wuhan Coronavirus. The package was called ‘Prime Minister Gareeb Kalyan Yojana and totalled a whopping 1.70 lakh crores. The Finance Minister said that one side of the scheme would focus on cash transfers through DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) and the other would focus on food security as the government does not want anyone to remain hungry.

Insurance cover for frontline workers like medical staff

Nirmala Sitharaman announced that in the next three months, medical staff and doctors who are exposing themselves to Coronavirus patients would get an Insurance Cover. The Government of India announced a medical insurance cover of Rs 50,00,000 per person. This would include everyone working in the frontline including sanitation workers, ASHA workers, paramedical staff etc including medical staff and doctors.

Food related package

Finance Minister today announced the Pradhan Mantri Gareeb Kalyan Anna Yojana in which 80 crore poor people, which is 2/3rd of our population, will get 5 Kgs of wheat or rice per month for the next 3 months will be provided for free to each person in addition to the 5 Kg of rice or wheat they already get. They will also get 1 Kg of pulse (whichever pulse is preferred regionally) for each household. This is being done so no poor person remains without food while the Wuhan Coronavirus pandemic is ongoing. They can also claim this benefit in installments in they so choose.

Cash Transfers

Under the Cash Transfers there were 8 specific announcements that were made.

Farmers

They already receive Rs 6,000 annually through the PM Kisan Yojana. Now, the first instalment of that will be given at the beginning of the year. This will benefit 8.69 crore farmers. This instalment is of Rs 2000 which will be given to the farmers before April 2020.

MNREGA

The government of India announced a wage increase for MNREGA workers. This will benefit 5 crore families, the FM said. The wage rate increase will accrue at Rs 2,000 per worker as the rate is being increased from Rs 182 to Rs 202.

Widows, pensioners (over 60 years of age) and Divyangs

A one time Ex Gratia amount of Rs 1,000 which shall be given in two instalments over the next 3 months was announced by the Finance Minister. This is expected to benefit 3 crore poor senior citizens, poor widows and the poor people among the Divyangs. This amount would be directly transferred through DBT.

Women who have Jan Dhan Yojana

There are 20 crore women Jan Dhan Account holders. They will be getting an ex-gratia amount of Rs 500 per month for the next three months so they will be able to run the affairs of their household during this period of disruption.

Households who get benefit under Ujjwala Scheme

Nearly 8.3 crore BPL families who get benefit through Ujjwala Scheme, will get free cooking cylinders for the next three months.

Self help women who are dealing with Livelihood missions

This announcement will have an impact 7 crore households, FM said. FM said that currently, under the Deen Dayal Upadhyay National Livelihood mission, they get up to Rs 10,00,000 collateral free loans. The FM said that now that amount will be doubled to Rs 20,00,000.

Organised Sector workers (EPFO)

Provident Fund: The government of India will pay the EPF contribution both of the employer and the employee (12% each = 24%) for the next three months so that nobody suffers because the EPF contribution might have lost its continuity. This is for all those establishments which have up to 100 employees and 90% of whom are such employees who earn less than Rs 15,000 per month.

Money in hand: The FM said that the Provident Fund Scheme Regulations will be amended to allow non-refundable advance of 75% of the amount standing to the credit of the member or three months wages, whichever is lower. This will benefit 4.8 crore workers who are registered with EPF.

Construction workers

By a central government act, there is a welfare fund that benefits building and other construction workers. It has about 31,000 crores and 3.5 crores registered workers. The Govt of India intends to give direction to state governments to utilise this fund to assist those construction workers who are feeling the economic impact of the lockdown. Using this welfare fund, the registered 3.5 crores workers can benefit from it through state governments.

District Mineral Fund

The Finance Minister requested the state governments to use the funds available under the District Mineral Fund for supplementing medical testing activity, screening activity and other requirements that are necessary to fight the Coronavirus spread.

The full press conference can be viewed here:

Railways considers offering its coaches and cabins to be used as isolation wards in case of need

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The Indian railways have offered its coaches and cabins to be used as isolation wards for the patients who are tested positive of COVID-19 novel coronavirus. It will be used as a hospital on the wheel for mainly those areas where people have inadequate medical facilities.

As per a report in Hindustan Times, the proposal to use the empty coaches and cabins to be used as an isolation and care units for patients was discussed in a meeting of Railway Minister Piyush Goyal with Chairman Railway Board VK Yadav, General Managers of all zones and Divisional Railway Managers through video conferencing on Wednesday.

It was discussed how railways can contribute in the fight against the deadly contagion by manufacturing essential commodities like ventilators, beds, trolleys along with the proposal of using these coaches which are equipped with toilets as isolation wards.

The idea popped up after Prime Minister Narendra Modi told the cabinet to look for innovative ideas in order to boost medical facilities across the nation in wake of novel coronavirus crisis that is spreading rapidly. The compartments of railways will be used as a hospital on wheels with consultation rooms, medical stores, Intensive Care Unit, and pantry.

These hospitals on wheels will be settled anywhere across the country wherever the patients will be found with inadequate medical facilities. Railways will also have a slew of Accident Relief Medical Equipment Vans (ARME) called as rail ambulances.

Indian railways have suspended all its trains and journeys till 14 April in the wake of the novel coronavirus outbreak in the country.

Wear gloves when you use the sticks: Former COAS and Union Minister Gen VK Singh’s light-hearted advice to police to ensure Indians stay at home

The spread of the novel coronavirus is concerning, if not downright scary. As the deadly Coronavirus is spreading through communities in many countries now, the best way to fight this spread is for everyone to practice social distancing. For this reason, many countries including India has gone in for a complete lockdown.

In such serious times, when everyone is cooped up in their respective houses, people are using quirky messages and even videos to educate the public (and each other) on how to stay safe and prevent a greater outbreak.

In once such Tweet, union minister and the former Chief of the Army Staff, VK Singh, in a lighthearted manner reminds people of the importance of social distancing to break the chain of Covid-19 infection and also takes a jibe on the lockdown offenders who have been deliberately violating orders.

Using hashtags like #LaatonKeBhoot and #SomeHumorToKeepEveryoneGoing, the union minister wrote, “I watched videos of police using force against lockdown offenders. It’s quite wrong. I urge all police personnel not to forget to wear gloves. You are risking your life while disciplining some fools. Thank you”. Gen Singh (R) reminded the police to wear gloves as they use the sticks on deter people from loitering around amidst the lockdown to prevent getting infected with coronavirus.

Read: Watch: As Haryana goes into state-wide lockdown, SP tweets video showing ‘full tyari’ of how they plan to enforce the law

Though it is evident that Singh was joking, but, as it is rightly said that there’s a grain of truth in every joke, Singh’s lighthearted tweet too has an underlying meaning.

General Singh’s tweet was appreciated by the netizens.

It is true that ever since the government has urged people to stay at home and maintain social distancing to curb the coronavirus outbreak there are umpteen covidiots who are purposely flouting rules and meandering aimlessly on practically deserted streets and also encouraging people to resort to risky social behaviours. In fact, taking pride in defying rules, few of these people have also been sharing their videos on various social networking sites.

And while it is indeed true that strict action must be taken against those who are defying rules and putting public health at risk, the Police should also be considerate to those in genuine distress. However, in times such as these, it is moral responsible of the citizens to follow the rules and not to overburden the already stressed administration.

Don’t be a Covidiot. Stay at home. Kill virus, not your sense of humour.

Indian-born chef Floyd Cardoz dies due to Wuhan Coronavirus

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Indian-born international chef Floyd Cardoz passed away on Wednesday in the United States due to complications from the coronavirus, his company confirmed in a statement.

According to the reports, the 59-year-old co-founder of Hunger Inc. Hospitality, that runs restaurants, tested positive for COVID-19 in the USA on March 18. He was being treated at the Mountainside Medical Centre in New Jersey. Cardoz had travelled from Mumbai to New York through Frankfurt, Germany, on March 8.

Cardoz is the co-owner of Hunger Inc, which runs three restaurants in Mumbai-Bombay Canteen, O’Pedro and Bombay Sweet Shop. The Indian-American chef partnered with restaurateur Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group to open ‘Tabla’ in Manhattan 1997.

He is survived by his mother Beryl, wife Barkha and sons Justin and Peter.

Reportedly, the chef had made the food industry more sustainable by beginning his hospitality training in his native Mumbai. He later moved to Switzerland, where he learnt French, Italian and Indian cuisine before moving to New York City.

Floyd Cardoz was the moving force behind several restaurants in New York and Mumbai, the star of the TV show, “Top Chef Masters” and the author of two books, “One Spice, Two Spice” and “Flavorwalla.”

Chef Cardoz, was active on social media and contributing to the conversation surrounding the Wuhan Coronavirus before he succumbed to the virus

Chef Cardoz’s tweet prior to his death due to coronavirus

He was of the option that the Wuhan Coronavirus should not be attached to the place if it’s origin, which is China.