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Ahmedabad Airport Authority bust lies peddled by a traveller alleging that there was no thermal screening at the airport

OpIndia Staff
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Ahmedabad Airport Authority bust lies peddled by a traveller alleging that there was no thermal screening at the airport

As the country continues to wrestle with the scourge of novel coronavirus, some users on Social Media websites are using the grim situation as an opportunity to peddle lies and criticise the authorities tasked with limiting the spread of the virus. Airports Authority of India, Ahmedabad today busted lies of one such user who made spurious claims about lack of his thermal screening at the Ahmedabad airport while returning from Toronto.

A passenger named Abhimanyu Acharya took to Twitter to falsely claim that he did not undergo thermal screening or any other kind of checks when he landed at the Ahmedabad airport from Toronto. He added that he was simply asked to fill a self-declaration form and was advised to stay in isolation for two weeks before letting him go. Abhimanyu tagged PMO India and Ahmedabad Airport Fan Club Twitter account to assert that if this is how screenings are happening at the Indian airports, the country will be in great trouble.

However, before long, the official Twitter account of the Airports Authority of India, Ahmedabad, called out Abhimanyu for making unfounded allegations designed to incite panic in the society. The tweet read that the Airport officials are endangering their lives to support the society and his (Abhimanyu) statements are inappropriate and hurting. The tweet also included the details of the flight with precise timing as to when Abhimanyu deplaned and underwent infrared thermal scanning at the airport along with relevant pictures attached to back their claims.

Furthermore, the official Twitter account of the Airports Authority of India, Ahmedabad, also released a CCTV footage from the Ahmedabad airport, in which it is clearly visible that Abhimanyu Acharya did undergo infrared thermal screening after deplaning his flight.

However, after being called out for his deceit with the relevant video footage, Abhimanyu deleted his tweet and appeared to defend himself by claiming that he felt infrared thermal screening was “mere eye checking”.

It is not known what he was expecting at a thermal check, because it means reading the temperature of the travellers, which was done with him, to see if they are having a high temperature, a primary symptom of Covid-19. The thermal screening at airports is being done using handheld infrared thermometers, which can read the temperature of persons without coming into contact with them. They are ideal for airport screenings, because if contact devices like digital thermometers or mercury thermometers are used, they will need to be disinfected after every single person is checked.

Read- Old photo of Baba Ramdev in hospital circulated with false claim that he fell ill after overdosing on cow urine to prevent Coronavirus

The cases of coronavirus in the country are steadily increasing as the confirmed positive case crossed the 300-mark. The central government have intensified their efforts to stem the spread of the contagion by mandating thermal screening at the airports and sending suspicious cases for quarantine. It has also announced the suspension of all international flights from March 22, 2020, and has been vigorously endorsing “social distancing” to its populace.

Chemist booked for selling N-95 masks four times the fixed price in Himachal

OpIndia Staff
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Chemist booked for selling N-95 masks four times the fixed price in Himachal

An FIR has been registered against a chemist for allegedly selling N-95 masks at four times the fixed price amid the Wuhan Coronavirus epidemic scare in Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra District on Saturday.

The First Information Report was lodged against the owner of the medical store under section 3/7 of the Essential Commodities act at Kangra Police station on a complaint by the district Food and Civil Supplies Department which was reported to the department by the locals. The medical store is located in Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College (RPGMC), Tanda.

Additional SHO of Kangra Police station Jasbir Singh told PTI that the FIR has been lodged against the pharmacy’s owner Rakesh Vohra. As the matter is being investigated the accused isn’t arrested so far.

If the accused is found guilty then he’ll be liable for the jail of up to five years under the Essential Commodities Act, the SHO said.

Narinder Dhiman, the Kangra district Controller of Food and Civil Supplies told PTI that the FIR was lodged after the chemist had been found selling N95 masks at Rs 500 each against its fixed selling price of Rs 115.50.

The department received complaints against the chemist selling the overpriced masks by the local people. Following this, Dhiman sent two food and civil supplies department inspectors for collecting evidence. They were also quoted rupees 500 each mask by the pharmacy.

Subsequently, Dhiman raided the medical store along with his team and seized the store’s stock of 100 black coloured and N-95 masks.

District Controller Dhiman stated that the chemist had purchased N95 masks at Rs 105 each as per the bill and was supposed to sell it at Rs 115.50 with a maximum 10 percent margin of profit as per the notification but he was caught selling it at Rs 500.

Under Clause 3(1)(d) of the Himachal Pradesh Hoarding and Profiteering Prevention order 1977 that was issued by Kangra Deputy Commissioner Rakesh Prajapati, a wholesaler may charge 5 percent and a retailer may charge 10 percent margin of profit on as per notification but he was caught selling them with 376% margin.

Kerala: Thousands defy social distancing guidelines to celebrate ‘Arattu’ festival in Thiruvananthpuram amidst coronavirus outbreak

OpIndia Staff
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Kerala: Thousands defy social distancing guidelines to celebrate ‘Arattu’ festival in Thiruvananthpuram amidst coronavirus outbreak

Even as the country is grappling with the menace of coronavirus, thousands of devotees in Kerala brazenly violated the guidelines mandated by the state government to avoid large gatherings and participated in the traditional procession ‘Arattu’ held at Malayinkeezhu Sree Krishna Swami Temple in Kerala’s capital Thiruvananthapuram on Friday. 

Arattu (Holy Bath) is a part of the rituals of the festivals in most of the major temples in Kerala. This ritual marks an end of the festival at the temple and in which the priest takes the Deity form of the god with him and takes a bath in Holy Water.

Hundreds and thousands of devotees attended the event while the number of coronavirus cases across the country is steadily on the rise. The devotees displayed shocking disregard of the government decree proscribing large public gathering. The local police have taken cognisance of the matter and an investigation has been ordered in the case.

Read- Wuhan Coronavirus: Ignoring social distancing appeal, Muslims continue to gather in large numbers to offer Friday Namaaz

It is noteworthy to mention that just a day ago on Thursday, PM Modi had urged the countrymen to exercise restraint in venturing out in public places, much less crowded places. PM Modi had also called for observing “Janta Curfew” on March 22, 2020, as an attempt to stem the ominous rise of coronavirus cases in the country.

However, paying no heed to the Prime Minister of the country and in flagrant disregard of the state government’s enforced strictures, a large number of devotees assembled at the Sree Krishna Swami Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, posing a severe threat of community transmission of the novel coronavirus in the state which has so far reported about 37 cases.

As the country is grappling with the scourge of novel coronavirus, many state governments, including the Kerala government had ordered the cancellation of public gatherings and enforced strict lockdown to curtail the spread of the disease. Almost all places of worship in the state, including the iconic Guruvayur temple, have shut their doors to the devotees following strict directions from the Kerala government.

Pune Swayamsevak comes out with a way to feed students during shut down of hotels, canteens and mess halls due to Coronavirus outbreak

Shriya Gune
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Pune Swayamsevak comes out with a way to feed students during shut down of hotels, canteens and mess halls due to Coronavirus outbreak

Whenever this nation is hit by any calamity or disaster, the RSS swayamsevaks are often seen coming on the forefront and working to combat the crisis situation. Recently the world has been attacked by Wuhan Corovirus or Novel Coronavirus causing COVID 19 (Coronavirus Disease 2910), a dangerous pandemic. India is not untouched by this calamity. We are fighting COVID 19 and the Modi govt has displayed exceptional efficiency and seriousness in leading this fight.

Maharashtra has the most cases of persons affected by Coronavirus as of now. Most of these cases are from the city of Pune.

Thus, to contain the outbreak it was decided that hotels, canteens, mess halls in the city will be shut for a few days. Pune is known as the Oxford of East and many students from all over the world come to Pune to pursue their education. All these students are completely dependent on hotels and canteens and mess halls for all their meals. Now the shutting down of these services created a panic situation among students. Amidst this panic, a senior RSS swayamsevak in Pune, Adv. Nandu Phadke has come up with a brilliant initiative. He has requested people who are willing to provide for the meals for these students.

Phadke has proposed to create two groups, one named Annapurna, where those volunteering to provide food will join. The other group will be named Aniket, the group of students needing food during the shutdown. The members of Annapurna group can contact him on the email id [email protected]. Those who wish to contribute by providing meals have to send their details along with the number of students they are ready to feed on this email address.

And the students who are stranded in the city with no meal providers are requested to send their details on [email protected]. Then the meal providers and students will be connected to each other through the coordinators and the problem will be solved.

In times such as these when nobody thinks about others, this RSS swayamsevak has set an example. RSS has time and again displayed its commitment towards building a strong nation and has emphasised on character building. When the left and the intellectuals crib and complain, the Swayamsevaks work. When the armchair activists write long essays blaming the govt for everything, the Swayamsevaks silently continue to work for the people. Mr. Phadke’s initiative may look like a simple idea but there’s such thoughtfulness and concern for our fellow Indians in it.

Such initiatives help us sail through difficult times. On one hand, we have Sangh Swayamsevaks working relentlessly for the people and on the other hand, we have people like Rana Ayyub saying ‘what’s left in a morally corrupt nation to be killed by a virus’.

It’s time we decide whose side we’re on.

Movie producer Manish Mundra pledges Rs 3 crores to secure 70 ventilators amidst the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak

OpIndia Staff
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Movie producer Manish Mundra pledges Rs 3 crores to secure 70 ventilators amidst the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak

As the Wuhan coronavirus cases witness a sudden surge in the country, Masaan movie producer Manish Mundra has pledged his support to arrange as many as 70 ventilators to push back against what has become a national epidemic.

Mundra took to Twitter to announce that he has earmarked a whopping Rs 3 crores for securing as many as 70 ventilators. He also added that he is looking to connect with Scanray from Mysore for getting the supplies and sought help from his followers to connect him with the organisation.

In addition, Mundra added that he will also start identifying the hospitals which will need help as cases of coronavirus swell across the country. Mundra identified Bangalore, Cochin, Jaipur, Deoghar, Jodhpur and Mumbai as possible cities where the procured ventilators are to be set up.

“We will start looking to identify the hospitals. Will need help on that too. This is to be done in war-footing. Cities in my mind for setting up these ventilators are Bangalore/Cochin/ Jaipur/ Mumbai/ Jodhpur/ Deoghar,” Mundra tweeted.

The coronavirus cases in India are steadily on the rise. Today, the country reported its 300th confirmed coronavirus case. The government authorities are scrambling to thwart the disease which is known to spread at an alarming rate once it evolves into community transmission stage. Sweeping strictures have been put in place by local and state government in certain cities and localities which have a likelihood of turning into hotspots for the dissemination of the virus.

As India braces for an onslaught of the coronavirus cases, hospitals across the country are facing a grim reality: There are not enough ventilators around to treat the patients if the virus goes full throttle. Against this backdrop, Mundra has extended his assistance to help the medical institutions across the country to cope up with the imminent public health crisis.

Mundra has been a paragon of a responsible citizen, acutely aware of his civic responsibility and standing up to the cause when required. Earlier, he had donated Rs 10 lakhs to BJP leader Kapil Mishra’s call for crowdfunding for the rehabilitation of Hindu victims who had lost their loved ones, their commercial and residential places ravaged in the vicious anti-CAA riots in Delhi in February 2020.

WB govt orders rice and potato distribution at schools on Sunday, BJP alleges deliberate move to defy Janta Curfew called by PM

OpIndia Staff
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WB govt orders rice and potato distribution at schools on Sunday, BJP alleges deliberate move to defy Janta Curfew called by PM

Senior leaders of the BJP have accused Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee of engaging in vindictive politics and making attempts to ensure that Prime Minister Modi’s appeal for ‘Janta Curfew‘ across India on Sunday is not successful in the state of West Bengal. The Prime Minister had made an appeal to the citizens of the country to observe a self-imposed curfew on Sunday between 7 am and 9 pm in the wake of the Wuhan Coronavirus pandemic. But the West Bengal government has issued a directive to distribute rice and potato in Schools on Sunday, triggering allegations that the Mamata Banerjee govt has decided to this just to defy the Prime Minister’s appeal.

The distribution of rice and potato under the Mid-Day Meal programme which was earlier slated to occur on the 23rd and 24th of March has now been preponed to Sunday in West Bengal. The distribution will clash with ‘Janta Curfew’ and hence, during the time when the Prime Minister urged people to remain within the confines of their homes, people will gather schools in order to collect the provisions allotted for them, while officials will also need to be out in schools to distribute the items.

Swapan Dasgupta, a Member of the Rajya Sabha, said, “The exercise, which could have been done Monday is aimed at subverting social distancing. This is vindictive politics.” The order he shared on Twitter, issued on the 21st of March, reads, “It has come to the notice of the undersigned (District Inspector of Schools, SE, Kolkata) that Higher Secondary Examinations are postponed for the present and I have received directions from Higher Authorities that The Hon’ble CM desires distribution of rice and potato from the Schools among Guardians from today by 10:00 pm and complete the rest within 22.03.2020 and send a report in prescribed format to the office of undersigned in every day by 3 pm.” The order also instructed all the HOI of Junior/High/Higher Secondary schools of Kolkata district to treat the matter as “very urgent”.

Source: Swapan Dasgupta/Twitter

Amit Malviya, in charge of BJP’s social media team, has also shared an order by the District Inspector of Schools of Barrackpore Education District which urges the heads of all schools and Madarsa to ensure the “picking by Sunday” for “smooth distribution”. Malviya said, “All primary school teachers have been asked to report. It has been done just to spike the #JantaCurfew.”

Dr. Anirban Ganguly, head of the Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee Research Foundation (SPMRF), shared another order to the same effect and stated, “In an unthinking & extremely retrograde move Govt of #WestBengal has issued an order (20.3.2020) for distributing rice & potato in different schools on Sunday, 22 March 2020 during the #JanataCurfew. All teachers (primary) have been asked to be present.”

Earlier, Mamata Banerjee had claimed that the Central Government was ‘creating coronavirus panic’ to ‘divert attention’ from the Delhi anti-Hindu riots. She had said “that some channels are hyping coronavirus to cover up the Delhi riots. It’s the disease people should not panic, it’s a concern worldwide… those dead in Delhi violence did not die in coronavirus, they were killed by BJP.”

SP leader Ramakant Yadav booked for calling the Coronavirus outbreak in India a ‘BJP’s tactic to divert attention from the protests against CAA’

OpIndia Staff
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SP leader Ramakant Yadav booked for calling the Coronavirus outbreak in India a ‘BJP’s tactic to divert attention from the protests against CAA’

Samajwadi Party (SP) leader and former MP from Azamgarh, Ramakant Yadav has been booked by the UP Police for calling the coronavirus outbreak in India a “tactic” devised by the Centre to “divert attention” from the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act and the National Register of Citizens.

The police in Azamgarh have booked him under Section 3 of the Epidemic Act, along with Section 505 (inciting people to commit any offence), Section 188 (disobedience of order promulgated by public servant) and Section 269 (negligent act likely to spread infection of disease which is dangerous to life) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

While speaking in Azamgarh on Friday, Ramakant Yadav said the coronavirus outbreak in India has “been manufactured by the Centre to divert people’s attention” from issues like CAA, NRC and inflation.

In the video, which has gone viral on social media, the ill-informed SP leader is heard asking to name a single person in India who has died because of Coronavirus. Calling it BJP’s tactics the MP from Azamgarh said that he is willing to hug people infected with coronavirus to prove that it isn’t contagious.

The FIR against him was registered following orders from DIG Azamgarh Subhash Dubey after taking cognisance of his video which went viral on social media.

It is appalling that even when Novel coronavirus cases in India has risen to over 250 today and we stand at the brink of entering stage-3 (community transmission) of Wuhan Coronavirus, opposition leaders are not refraining themselves from playing politics over the issue.

But what can be expected from the minister who’s party supremo has only made such outrageous remarks in the past. The Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav had recently gone on to equate BJP to coronavirus. In a statement, the SP bigwig had called “BJP a bigger virus than corona”.

Moreover, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee had also accused the central government of ‘creating coronavirus panic’ to ‘divert attention’ from Delhi anti-Hindu riots. She even alleged that BJP killed those who died in the communal violence in the national capital. The TMC chief alleged that the BJP government at the Centre is trying to cover up the riots with coronavirus.

Telangana: Police nab absconding coronavirus-suspect Indonesian national, co-passengers kept in isolation

OpIndia Staff
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Telangana: Police nab absconding coronavirus-suspect Indonesian national, co-passengers kept in isolation

An Indonesian national suspected to be carrying the Coronavirus, who was also missing, has been finally nabbed by Telangana police officials. He has been put in an isolation ward at a government hospital in Kurnool, reports Deccan Chronicle.

Reportedly, an Indonesian man, who is a coronavirus (COVID-19) suspect, was absconding leading to a tense situation in the city. The police who had begun their search to find the suspect got information that the suspect was travelling in a bus from Dharmavaram to Kurnool. They were told to intercept the bus and detain the passenger.

As the police and health officials intercepted the bus, it was found out that the Indonesian passenger had already got down from the bus at Dhone much before they could nab him. When the sub-inspector of police intercepted the bus, it had nine passengers, who reported that the Indonesian suspect was sneezing and coughing. Soon, the passengers were taken to the Kurnool government hospital for observation and are now kept in isolation.

Later, the police intensified their search for the suspect and learnt that he was travelling by the Sampark Kranti Express train from Tirupati to Nizamuddin in Delhi. They alerted the security at Kurnool railway station to detain him. The health team and police finally nabbed him and took him in an ambulance to an isolation ward at a government hospital.

Dr Rama Giddaiah, district medical and health officer, said that the suspect has been kept in an isolation ward. Dr Giddaiah said that as of now, 187 people have been kept under house observation. Nearly 300 foreign returned people have been identified in the district, he said.

He further added that the remaining 123 foreign-return individuals had either given a wrong address or were not available in the district. A door-to-door survey was initiated across the district and all houses were being checked to account for foreign returnees, he said.

Reportedly, the increasing influx of religious preachers from Indonesia and Vietnam has become a major problem in Kurnool district. The locals say that mosques in the districts were regularly engaging services of Indonesia-based clerics to preach the congregations of religious Islamic scholars.

It was learned that at least 10 Indonesian and Vietnamese origin religious teachers were found to have visited masjids in Kurnool district in the last few days. A health official said that they were kept in isolation wards created in masjids.

The Islamic Republic of Bangladesh shuts down its largest brothel amidst coronavirus outbreak

OpIndia Staff
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The Islamic Republic of Bangladesh shuts down its largest brothel amidst coronavirus outbreak

In an unprecedented move, Bangladesh has closed the operations of Daulatdia, the largest brothel in the country located on the bank of river Padma, amidst the outbreak of coronavirus that has infected 20 people in the Islamic Republic. 1500 sex workers are known to work in the brothel and serve around 5000 customers.

Local Police Chief Ashiqur Rahman was quoted as saying, “The brothel at the Daulatdia was closed temporarily as part of precautions against coronavirus. The sex workers were asked not to allow any visitor until April 5.” He revealed that even though prostitution was illegal in the country, law enforcement authorities never interfered in their operations.

Jhumur Begum, a social worker, said, “The sex workers accepted the government order because it’s a serious health issue. But at the same time, we request the authorities help them. If the brothel remains closed for long it will be difficult for them to survive.”The cops had also requested the administration to provide 32 metric tonnes of rice to the sex workers that would help them sustain during the lockdown.

On Wednesday, thousands of Muslims gathered in Raipur town of Lakshmipur district in Bangladesh to recite “healing verses” from the Quran to get rid off the virus, despite the fact that such mass gatherings can accelerate the spread of infection. The event was organised by influential local religious leaders and no permission was sought from the administration. Apparently, people in Raipur “passionately believe” that Islamic sermons are the quick-fix to all their problems in life.

Earlier, Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Imran Khan, said that the country could not afford a nationwide lockdown, despite 501 Pakistanis tested positive for the deadly Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19). The inability to implement drastic measures to contain the pandemic has largely to do with Pakistan’s crippling economical condition.

“Lockdown means curfew-like situation, which will create unrest in the country and we cannot afford that. It would make poor people more vulnerable”, Khan was quoted as saying.

Coronavirus: Boxer Mary Kom breaks quarantine protocol after returning from Jordan, attends breakfast hosted by President

OpIndia Staff
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Coronavirus: Boxer Mary Kom breaks quarantine protocol after returning from Jordan, attends breakfast hosted by President

The callousness of many citizens including celebrities may act as a deterrent to India’s efforts to grapple the threat of entering stage-3 (community transmission) of Wuhan Coronavirus. According to reports, ace boxer and Rajya Sabha MP Mary Kom has broken the 14 days mandatory quarantine protocol put in place by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the governments across the world and attended the breakfast hosted by President Ram Nath Kovind at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Mary Kom had competed in the Asia-Oceania Olympic qualifiers in Amman, Jordan and had returned home on March 13. She was supposed to be in self-isolation for a minimum of 14 days. But flouting the rule put in place by the government amidst the coronavirus threat, Mary Kom attended the breakfast on March 18.

In one of the four pictures tweeted by the official Twitter of President of India, Mary Kom can be seen with other Members of Parliament. The caption of the post read: “President Kovind hosted Members of Parliament from Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan for breakfast at Rashtrapati Bhavan this morning.”

Speaking to IANS, boxing coach Santiago Nieva had informed that the members of the Indian boxing contingent, who participated in Jordan, are all under the mandatory 14-day quarantine. “10 days we had planned but now it becomes 14 days. So after 10 days, I am working on a training programme which I will send them. After this period they can start on that. If this is not solved within two weeks then we will have to continue like this as best as we can,” Nieva had said.

Mary Kom has, also admitted that she attended the President’s event. In a statement, she said: “I am home since I came back from Jordan. I only attended the President’s event and did not meet Dushyant or shake hands with. My quarantine after Jordan ends but I’m going to be at home only for the next 3-4 days.”

Incidentally, that breakfast party was also attended by BJP leader Dushyant Singh, who came in contact with infected Bollywood singer Kanika Kapoor. Dushyant Singh is now in self-quarantine, and according to reports he has tested negative.

After the news of Singh going into self-quarantine broke, the President took to twitter to quote an article: “The coronavirus outbreak has forced us to keep a respectful distance from others. This isolation, self-imposed or medically mandated, can be taken as an ideal opportunity to ponder our journey so far and the future path.”

According to reports, President Kovind is likely to undergo a coronavirus test as he also met Singh when he attended the party.

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