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Haryana under Manohar Lal Khattar held its fort strongly in fight against Coronavirus: The silent but effective fight

Shivam
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Haryana under Manohar Lal Khattar held its fort strongly in fight against Coronavirus: The silent but effective fight

The Wuhan Coronavirus, which originated in the Wuhan Province of China, has disturbed global peace, order and security. As the world struggles to fight the Coronavirus, one must remember that China suppressed information about the pandemic for weeks after the first case was discovered in November. With China being in India’s immediate neighbourhood, the threat was perhaps the greatest for India, however, India has managed to tackle the pandemic rather well thus far. A section of the Indian media, however, have resorted to practice political partisanship even during a pandemic. The pettiness is such, that Haryana, which is doing a remarkable job at arresting the spread has hardly been covered or given attention, while Kerala and Maharashtra have been touted as doing a great job.

The Chief Minister of Haryana, Manohar Lal Khattar is not one who believes in PR campaigns but is an able administrator who knows the ins and outs of public policy. When he was briefed about the Wuhan Coronavirus crisis late February, he immediately reduced his public visits, asked leaders across political lines to do the same and even refrained from celebrating Holi with the public on March 15th.

After Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the nation-wide lockdown, two orders were extended. They were:

  1. Under Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897, all Social, Cultural, Sports, Political, Religious, Academic and Family mass gatherings of 200 or more people are banned till 31st March 2020 in the state of Haryana.
  2. Under Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897, all Cinema Halls, Gyms, and Night Clubs shall remain closed till 31st March 2020

Haryana then faced its first major migration challenge when the migrants’ workers started leaving from the 19th of March onwards. The state government acted decisively and asked districts, be it Faridabad, Gurugram or Palwal, to ensure that they deal with the issue. They were asked to first convince the migrant workers to stay in relief camps and ensure that they were taken carer of. Then, the government released funds to the tune of Rs. 1 crore to the districts on an immediate basis along with the existing funds.

Here are some steps that were taken by the Haryana Government to fight the Coronavirus pandemic:

Health

The Health Department of Haryana performed an audit of their preparation to fight against the Wuhan Coronavirus and ensured that each district had sufficient ventilators and medical kits. There were some motivated campaigns by the Congress party to malign the government and demoralize the health workers too. A Medical student who had nothing to do with the Coronavirus fight was made to mount fake charges, which were immediately debunked.

Further, the Health Department of Haryana issues medical bulletins twice a day to ensure that people are apprised of the state’s fight against Coronavirus. So far Haryana has a total of 8 testing facilities, almost 9000 isolations beds in over 350 hospitals (private and government booth), close to 15000 capacity of quarantine facility at over 3800 places identified. Hospitals and Medical colleges have been asked to reserve 25% for COVID-19 patients. Ventilator procurement was increased by almost 40%.

A total of 177 cases have been found positive in the state as of the time of writing and 29 of them have been treated and discharged. A sudden rise in Haryana came as briefed by Health Minister Sh Anil Viz on the 9th of April. A significant number of these cases have links with the Tablighi Jamaat.

Lockdown Enforcement

The administration had a serious job to do here. Firstly, senior IAS officers were deputed in the district along with the concerned MPs and Ministers of the districts. The Police has significant responsibilities here, from distributing food items to ensure that no one gets out. Here are a few figures:

162 Inter-state border nakas setup; As per the request of MEA, Foreign National evacuation too is being done with the help of police. There are close to 150 foreign nationals in the state.

68 FIRs have been registered against 86 persons. 41 arrests have been made for speeding fake news, rumors on social media.

In general, a total of 6376 violations took place, 1892 FIRs registered, 2613 arrested and 7044 Vehicles seized.

To allow movement for the needy Haryana government had come up with the Saral portal, here you can register and make a request for the movement pass. The website is working since 27thmarch.

Supply of essential commodities

This was yet another major challenge faced, so the government came up a website where vendors can register their shops and accordingly, the administration would grant them permission with due approval with due checks. Here is the website.

Let me summarize the numbers here: Total count-55112; Milk-9807; Bread-5408; Eggs-2214; Groceries-9442; Vegetable-5773; Potato/onion suppliers -4367; Soaps/bathroom items-7450; Packaged food item-6659; Chemists-3992.

The registered shops have been categorized as per geographical areas and have been given to the helplines so that they can help people in locating them. This is helping people panic less as of now.

This website also has a volunteer section. The great people have come forward in huge numbers. These volunteers are being engaged in various activities by the local administration. Here are the numbers:

Total volunteers-70,623; Doctors-1017, nurses-964, paramedics-2339, Home delivery-12375, Social Distancing Communicators- 12073, Public communicator- 14812, District Management -11847, others-15182

Financial Support

Haryana government has announced a 1200 crore package apart from the central government’s package. The brainchild of CM Manohar i.e. Mukhyamantri Parivar Samriddi Yojna has come to rescue. Families registered under the scheme are being provided Rs. 4000 with contributions to different insurance and pension schemes. As of 9th April, around 12.56 Lakh families have registered under MMPSY. A total of 6.23 lakh families have received a one-time payment of Rs. 4000, a sum of rupees 211.62 Crore.

Then the question of assign construction workers came up. So CM Manohal Lal Khattar came up with Rs.1000/week to each registered construction worker. Those who have registered with the Haryana Board of Construction Workers but have not registered under MMPSY shall be provided maximum a sum of Rs. 4500 per month on a weekly basis rupees starting 30th March. So far a total of 3.50 lakh workers have registered under Haryana building and other construction workers welfare board.

A total amount of over 70 crore rupees has been released as financial assistance to workers. However, the registration of such workers has been stopped on 7th April until further notice. So far, rations for the month of April has been distributed to 27 lakh ration cardholders free of cost by the Food and Supply department. A total of 6 lakh BPL families have received Rs. 1000 weekly as financial assistance, a sum of total 60.48 crore INR in its entirety; 585 shelter homes for migrant labour have been set up with free food and health facilities in which about 17,000 labourers are residing currently and over 63 lacs+ food packets have been distributed.

Helpline

Haryana State Control Room Covid-19

GENERAL HELPLINE: 

1100, 8558893911 (Except Gurugram & Faridabad)

1075 (For Gurugram & Faridabad)

FINANCIAL HELPLINE:

18001806222 (For Gurugram & Faridabad)

1100 (For Rest of Haryana)

108 for Ambulance

The direct helplines for districts can be found on this link.

So far, Over 1 lakh calls have been answered and help is being extended. The twitter handles of the Chief Minister and his office along with various government officials/departments are actively helping people as well.

Corona Relief Fund

It was an initiative launched by CM so that people could donate and help the government in their efforts against COVID-19. Here are the details of the same:

Account number: 39234755902
Haryana Corona Relief Fund
IFSC SBIN0001509
State Bank of India
Sector 10 Panchkula
UPI- hrycoronarelieffund@sbi

Communication

CM Manohar Lal Khattar has started addressing people on a daily basis at 5 pm since the 31st of March and he talks about one issue daily and tries to engage and explain various things to people. Here, the CM is playing the role of a guardian of 2.6 Crore people of Haryana as well as others who’re stuck in the state. Apart from this, various media houses and newspapers are carrying out the message and while I kept looking for advertisements from Government, all I could find was the one strip of 4*2 inches in newspapers telling people about helplines.

CM Manohar Lal Khattar has been proactive in communicating with various sectors. For example, he spoke to doctors on the 9th of April, religious leaders on 8th April and many other groups on various occasions. He also dials the phone of people randomly and talks to them. He has started his Digital Press conferences since lockdown. He connects with the journalists over the audio bridge and speaks to them. So far 3 such PCs have been done. He has been in regular sync with opposition leaders like BS Hooda, Ajay Chautala and various other senior leaders and except a few leaders, all the opposition leaders have been supporting and sharing their experience with CM Manohar Lal and team.

I’m loving the nonpartisan and proactive support of the opposition. Such tough times are bringing the best out of a democracy. CM Manohar Lal has also announced the doubling of salaries of all those who’re in the first line against the fight in COVID-19 which is much appreciated and a morale booster. The 22nd of March’s  clapping for the warriors of COVID-19 and 7th April’s lighting of Diyas and candles have brought people together. It was a nice experiment and the whole nation supported it and made it a huge success which was later followed by various countries.

I have seen various controversies related to the efforts being done by the government and people, I tried to ignore them as this fight against COVID-19 is for the survival of the people. Let’s join our hands together and assist everyone by following the guidelines issued by the government. I’ll sum it up with “Ev ya Tau (Manohar Lal) ne Thaan li hai, Corona harega bhi or Bhagega bhi” (Since Tau (Manohar Lal) has committed to it, Now Corona would be defeated and chased away).

Let’s stay committed to keeping ourselves at home. Stay safe, stay healthy. We’ll defeat Corona COVID-19.

India could have 8.2 lakhs Coronavirus positive cases by April 15 if lockdown and containment were not implemented: Union Health Ministry

OpIndia Staff
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India could have 8.2 lakhs Coronavirus positive cases by April 15 if lockdown and containment were not implemented: Union Health Ministry

The Union Health Ministry claimed on Saturday that if the lockdown and containment measures weren’t implemented then the country could have witnessed 8.2 lacs of cases till April 15.

According to a statistical analysis made by the Health and Family Welfare Ministry, if India had not imposed both lockdown and containment, the coronavirus cases would have grown by 41% to reach 8.2 lakh by April 15. And if only containment measures were taken without total lockdown, the number would have been 1.2 lakh by April 15. But as both lockdown and containment was imposed, the number has reached 7,447 on April 11.

The same was said by the Joint Secretary Lav Aggarwal during the regular press briefing. He said that lockdown and containment measures are necessary measures to keep the virus at the bay.

The Joint Secretary Lav Agarwal said, “The lockdown and containment measures are important to fight COVID-19. If we had not taken any measures then we might have had 8.2 lacs of cases till April 15.”

He mentioned that the estimation is a result of statistical analysis by the ministry and it is not an ICMR study.

He further added, “It is a statistical rate growth based analysis. It is not an ICMR study. Before the national lockdown, the rate of growth in cases was 28.9 percent and if we had not announced nation lockdown but followed the usual preventive only, then we might have had 45,000 cases at this time.”

Read- Arvind Kejriwal ‘leaks’ decision taken in PM’s meeting with CMs, thanks PM Modi for ‘decision to extend the lockdown’ to contain coronavirus

He asserted that the government is following twin measures, at one hand we are promoting social distancing and lockdown and on the other hand we are ensuring containment action plan, contact tracing and planning to deal with COVID-19.

He mentioned that India’s response to Coronavirus has been proactive. “We have followed a graded approach. There are 586 COVID-19 dedicated hospitals and more than 1 lakh isolation beds and 11,500 ICU beds reserved for COVID-19 patients across the country. PPE’s, ventilators and other critical medical supplies are being ensured by the centre to states. The containment action plan, contact tracing, and other planning are being ensured,” he said.

According to ministry data at 5 PM today, the total number of Coronavirus positive cases has reached 7,447, which went up by 1,035 in the last 24-hours. The virus has claimed the lives of 239 people while 642 people have been cured of Coronavirus.

West Bengal Doctors Forum writes to Mamata Banerjee asking that Coronavirus data should be genuine, transparent and verifiable

OpIndia Staff
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West Bengal Doctors Forum writes to Mamata Banerjee asking that Coronavirus data should be genuine, transparent and verifiable

The West Bengal Doctors Forum (WBDF) has written a letter to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee urging to ensure transparency in the data being collected for coronavirus.

The letter of WBDF to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has listed certain points such as “Ensuring segregation of suspects, positive patients with meticulous screening, triage, and testing. Also ensuring good quality PPE for HCWs everywhere.” The Forum raised a concern that the healthcare workers are staring at a situation of losing their livelihood in the near future that should be dealt with extreme urgency involving all the stakeholders.

The West Bengal Doctor’s Forum has concluded with a request that all the data collected and published should be genuine, transparent and verifiable. Stating that “We cannot afford to send wrong signals to the world.”

The WBDF wrote the letter calling for transparency in Coronavirus data when the numbers published by the state govt have come under the scanner. BJP has alleged that West Bengal govt is suppressing Coronavirus positive cases in the state. The govt has on record admitted that they formed an audit body to investigate whether some Coronavirus related deaths can be attributed to other co-morbidity factors. Discrepancies have also been observed in the data provided by the Mamata Banerjee government.

covid19india.org, the crowd-sourced website that provides real-time data on Coronavirus cases in India, has also reported that WB state bulletin on the disease only reports the number of active cases, which makes it difficult to know the total cases and daily new positive cases.

Earlier on Saturday, the Ministry of Home Affairs wrote a letter to Mamata Banerjee government calling out her irresponsibility and the gradual dilution of lockdown in West Bengal. The MHA letter cites a lack of control on mutton, fish markers, etc functioning unabated and people thronging in complete violation of social distancing norms set by the government. It also revealed that non-essential shops have been allowed to function in the state.

The letter cites certain areas like Metiabruz, Raja Bazaar, Narkel Danga, Topsia, Ikbalpul, etc. Incidentally, these areas have a high concentration of Muslim population.

It also mentions that “religious congregations” have been allowed in the state. Invoking the Disaster Management Act, the letter says that these actions are in violation of the guidelines released by the Ministry and are liable for penal action. The ministry then demands that strict action be taken and that a report be sent to the ministry regarding the matter.

Meerut: Police attacked as they seal area where Coronavirus patients were hiding in mosque, 4 including Imam arrested

OpIndia Staff
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Meerut: Police attacked as they seal area where Coronavirus patients were hiding in mosque, 4 including Imam arrested

A team of police personnel and district officials were attacked by locals in Meerut’s Jali Kothi when they reached there to seal a part of the area following a confirmation about presence of coronavirus patients in a mosque in the area. The agitated crowd was subsequently pacified and the entire area was cordoned off.

The Meerut police have made four arrests in this regard, including the Imam of the mosque where the coronavirus patients were sheltered. As per the police, action will be taken against the four accused under the National Security Act. A phalanx of policemen including DM Anil Dhingra and SSP Ajay Sahni were present on the spot when the mob went on a rampage against the police personnel who had come to seal the area. City magistrate Sushant Jain sustained a fracture in his hand during the sparring between the sides. He was sent to the district hospital for treatment.

While the police force and healthcare workers are going out of their way to stop the spread of highly contagious coronavirus, some of the folks are bent on sabotaging the district administration’s efforts of taming the contagion. Late last night, 4 coronavirus positive patients were found, three of whom were staying in Meerut’s Dari mosque in Jail Kothi.

Therefore, the administration had decided to seal off the area to limit the spread of the virus. On Saturday morning, the police administration and Health Department team reached Jali Kothi to cordon off the neighbourhood. However, they met with stiff resistance from the people, who attacked the police personnel who had gathered there to contain the possible spread of coronavirus to other parts of the city.

According to the reports, the brawl broke out when locals started pushing and shoving the police officers in the presence of Circle Officer. Subsequently, police officials from four police stations were summoned to control the exacerbating quagmire. However, the situation was brought under control and the entire area of Jali Kothi was completely sealed off. In view of the seriousness of the case, a large number of police personnel are deployed at the place to avoid any untoward incident. A flag march had been carried out in the area by the police. After touring the area, all the people have been warned against venturing out of their houses and the area has been completely fenced off.

‘Duggal Sahab’ of Ramayana wishes there was social media in those times, would have helped him in his career

OpIndia Staff
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‘Duggal Sahab’ of Ramayana wishes there was social media in those times, would have helped him in his career

The return of Ramayana on the television screen has seen the show attracting record viewership from citizens across the country. With the show gaining instant popularity, it was certain that the popularity will be reflected on social media and it was only natural that the actors started receiving a lot of attention. One certain actor who has been at the thick of it is Aslam Khan, an individual who has played a host of characters in Ramayana. Indeed, Aslam Khan has played the most number of characters in it.

Memes are flooding social media on Aslam Khan. Some have started calling him ‘Duggal Sahab’. People on social media are cracking jokes about the fact that he played so many roles in the hugely popular show. Among many roles, he has appeared as Samudra Dev, a Sadhu, a spy and a Sainik in the Vanara Army.

Recently, Aslam Khan gave an interview to Naarad TV through a telephonic conversation. In the interview, he said that he never really had any interest in acting as such. During his pursuit of a job in the private sector, he was taken to watch a stage show by a friend. Through the friend, he was introduced to the world of acting. He has acted for the first time in a Vikram and Vetaal show at the time.

The role of Samudra Dev which he played in the Ramayana came to him under fortunate circumstances. The person who was originally designated to play the role did not turn up for shooting on the given date. As backup, it fell on him to deliver the lines on screen. As it turns out, his role as Samudra Dev is the one that has gained a lot of traction on social media. He said in the interview that he got a lot of love for that particular role.

Aslam Khan is from Jhansi and was born in 1961 in the month of May. Apart from the Ramayana, he has also acted in numerous shows but it was due to his roles in the Ramayana that gained him the most prominence. He played some roles in Krishna as well. But unfortunately, he never got the opportunity to work in a movie. He quit the acting industry in 2002. He lives in Jhansi but is currently stuck at Mumbai due to the lockdown. He works at a marketing company now and has a son and a daughter, who are grown up.

About the recent outpouring of memes on social media about the characters he played in the Ramayana, Aslam Khan rues the fact that there was no social media in those times and says that had there been social media then, he might gained a lot of popularity and would have started receiving more prominent roles. He said that he is feeling very happy now that his work is being acknowledged.

Journalist-cum-troll Vidya Krishnan displays ignorance by mocking PM Modi with ‘mask tokenism’ jibe: Here is why she is wrong

Dibakar Dutta
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Journalist-cum-troll Vidya Krishnan displays ignorance by mocking PM Modi with ‘mask tokenism’ jibe: Here is why she is wrong

On April 11, ‘Health and Science journalist’ Vidya Krishnan took to Twitter to express her displeasure over the mask worn by Prime Minister Narendra Modi while addressing the Chief Ministers of all States over the issue of extension of the nationwide lockdown that was imposed on March 24, in the wake of the Wuhan Coronavirus outbreak.

She claimed that the Prime Minister wearing a mask during video conference somehow suggested ‘tokenism’ and lack of ‘common sense’ in India’s response to the Chinese virus. While India has been lauded by the likes of the World Health Organisation for its efforts in containing the pandemic, Vidya Krishnan left no stone unturned in correlating two mutually independent events.

It is indeed a matter of common sense that the Prime Minister needs to wear a mask during the video conference because is not alone at that time. The prime minister is surrounded by officials at all times and often in close proximity. The PM is also constantly surrounded by SPG commandos are per security protocol. The mask is not meant for protection during the video conference but rather from the people who stay in his vicinity. Though wearing masks is not mandatory for everyone, but covering the nose and mouth can prevent droplet infection and thus the transmission of virulent diseases.

Moreover, while Vidya Krishnan, who has emerged as one of the harshest critics of India’s response to Coronavirus, claims that India’s response is high on tokenism and low on common sense, the reality is actually the opposite. Despite being having the second-highest population in the world, lack of proper healthcare facilities for all, and high population densities, India has managed the COVID-19 pandemic well so far. Despite the first cases were detected in January, India’s total infections are still below 10,000, way behind first world’s countries like USA, Italy, UK etc. While many of those countries have reached community transmission or stage two, India is still at the second stage, which means the source of the infection can be traced. Moreover, almost half of India’s total coronavirus cases are linked to one event, the Tablighi Jamaat in Delhi, without which India’s numbers would have been much better.

The Indian govt imposed total lockdown in the country even when the COVID-19 positive cases were less than one thousand, which has succeeded in preventing mass transmission of the virus. Not only India has managed to keep Coronavirus numbers relatively low, the country is also helping other countries by delivering them the Hydroxychloroquine, the Malaria and Arthritis drug which has emerged as successful in combating the virus.

Besides, making a mockery of herself, she also compared PM Modi to Harry porter’s villain named ‘Voldemort’ who had a distorted nose in the fantasy book penned by author J.K. Rowling. Anyone with an iota of rationale and logic left in them would have refrained from exhibiting such stupidity. But for the Hate-Modi brigade, this is an everyday affair. Nevertheless, the miffed netizens did not mince any words before slamming her.

In a reply to her tweet, columnist and tax lawyer Amrita Bhinder asked Vidya Krishnan about the people in the vicinity of the Prime Minister. She explained the journalist-cum-troll to be aware of the fact that the Prime Minister cannot be left on his own during an official meeting.

A Twitter user (@AnandHumour) pointed out how a section of journalists who were once medical experts on HCQ and IT experts today will soon reach NASA if their trend of expertise continued.

Common sense is indeed uncommon among ‘experts’ these days. Avinesh said while stating the obvious fact that the Prime Minister has medical staff and security team in his vicinity. He also questioned the rationale behind her name ‘Vidya’, which means knowledge.

Another Twitter user, Rakesh Rao while taking a jibe at Vidya Krishnan for her reference to “Voldemort”shared a GIF of Chinese Premier Xi Jinping with a caption, “He is so proud of you.”

Yogi Patel, in response to Vidya’s tweet, shared a ‘Ramayana meme’ and compared her to ‘Supnakha’, the sister of Ravana whose nose was axed by Laxman.

Earlier, the featured image of the article titled- “The Callousness of India’s COVID-19 Response“, penned by Vidya Krishnan in ‘The Atlantic’, showed a distorted version of the Indian flag in which the much hallowed Ashok Chakra in the Indian flag was replaced by the artistic image of deadly pathogen- Novel Coronavirus. The sanctity of a nation’s flag is inviolable. However, the hatred for PM Modi amongst some individuals like Vidya is so intense that they have no qualms in eroding the sanctity of the national flag if it helps their propaganda of showing the Modi government in the bad light.

Pakistanis stage protest in Dubai, beg authorities to take them home as Pakistan and UAE abandon them amidst Coronavirus

OpIndia Staff
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Pakistanis stage protest in Dubai, beg authorities to take them home as Pakistan and UAE abandon them amidst Coronavirus

Flouting all social distancing guidelines imposed in the wake of the Wuhan Coronavirus in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), hundreds of stranded Pakistanis protested outside the Pakistan Consulate and demanded to be taken back to their home country. The demonstrators were soon dispersed by the cops for breaching the lockdown.

Amidst the travel restrictions imposed in the Gulf State, more than 20,000 Pakistanis are stuck in the UAW. They have reportedly registered with the Pakistan Consulate on April 3 to return to Pakistan.

Several Pakistanis who had expressed their desire to return home have expired visas or have entered the country on a tourist visa. Many such blue-collar migrant workers had lost their jobs or stopped being paid by their Arab employers. Even though the Pakistan Government was in talks with its UAE counterpart to arrange flights for their return, the plan did not materialise.

UAE which had reported 3,360 live cases of the Chinese virus and 16 deaths as of April 10 suspended all its flight operations in March. Even though Etihad Airlines and Emirates have vowed to resume outbound services again to ‘limited destinations’, Pakistan did not feature in the list. As such, the fate of the abandoned Pakistanis is now shrouded in obscurity.

While India continued with its operation to safely evacuate its citizens from Coronavirus hit China, Pakistanis remained stuck at Coronavirus hit China as Pakistan refused to evacuate their citizens stranded in Wuhan, as an “act of solidarity” towards their ally China.

Earlier, a heartbreakingly tragic video had emerged in which a Pakistani student shamed Pakistani authorities for their apathy towards them as he watched Indian students boarding a bus sent by the Indian embassy. The bus carried these Indian students to the airport from where they were airlifted to India.

Pakistan President Arif Alvi also shocked the world when he resorted to preaching Islam to fellow Pakistanis stuck in China instead of advising the Pakistan government on the urgent need of evacuating their citizens who are begging for help amidst global health crisis of Coronavirus attack in China.

“Prophet’s directions regarding disease outbreaks are a good guide even 2day. ‘If you hear of an outbreak of plague in a land, do not enter it, but if the plague breaks out in a place while you are in it, do not leave that place’ (Bukhari & Muslim) Let us help those stuck there,” tweeted Pakistan President Arif Alvi.

Student of Jamia Millia Islamia and member of Jamia Coordination Committee, who had assaulted Muslim activist, arrested by Delhi Police

OpIndia Staff
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Student of Jamia Millia Islamia and member of Jamia Coordination Committee, who had assaulted Muslim activist, arrested by Delhi Police

Safoora Zargar, an MPhil student from Jamia Millia Islamia University, has been arrested by Delhi Police. She is a member of the Jamia Coordination Committee and has been very active in protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act and the National Register of Citizens. She was called for questioning yesterday.

The reason for her arrest is not yet clear. However, in February, it was reported that an FIR had been registered against seven individuals including Safoora Zargar for an alleged assault against one Seema Aiman Rizvi, a Muslim activist. Rizvi had alleged in her complaint that she was assaulted on her way back home from the protest site at the Jamia Milia Islamia University when she was stopped by some protesters near Jamia Mosque at Gate No. 7. She alleged that she was assaulted while being accused of being an agent of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.

Earlier, Meeran Haider, also a member of the Jamia Coordination Committee, was arrested by Delhi Police. He was arrested on the 2nd of April in connection with rioting and criminal conspiracy pertaining to anti-Hindu riots in north-east Delhi that have claimed the lives of 53 people and left over 400 injured. Meeran Haider is also the president of the Rashtriya Janata Dal youth wing’s Delhi unit.

CRPF and ITBP takes on a new role, fortify India’s battle against coronavirus by aiding in the production of PPE

Jinit Jain
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CRPF and ITBP takes on a new role, fortify India’s battle against coronavirus by aiding in the production of PPE

The Central Reserved Police Force (CRPF) has a new frontier to conquer. This time, it is the fight against the novel coronavirus that threatens to ravage the country which has so far affected 7000+ people in the country with several fatalities. As India grapples with the scourge of Wuhan coronavirus, the Central Reserve Police Force(CRPF) has stepped up to ensure that there is no dearth of Personal Protective Equipment(PPE) and masks in her fight against the COVID-19.

Recognised for their preparedness and battle-readiness against Naxalites and other enemies of India, the jawans of CRPF are prepping to bolster the nation’s crusade against the coronavirus. PPE kits, which are the most important gear to be donned by healthcare workers while treating positive COVID-19 patients, are being prepared by CRPF jawans and delivered to hospitals and police personnel, who are at the vanguard of the country’s campaign against coronavirus.

CRPF and ITBP have deployed specialised machines and manpower at their bases in and around the national capital for helping in the production of PPEs and masks. The country’s largest paramilitary force, CRPF, with a strength of 3.25 lakh personnel, has brought in a large automated machine in a Delhi-based camp that produces about 1 lakh three-plier masks a day which can be scaled up to 2 lakh units based on the demand on availability of raw material.

As per a senior CRPF official, the three-plier mask made by the machine deployed by the CRPF will cost only ₹5 per piece compared to ₹15 in the market. He also added that the northern sector office of the force has also put together a team of its tailors and other professionals who will prepare 500-1,000 hand-made cloth masks in a day and 400-500 PPEs per day.

CRPF is also producing PPEs which will provide healthcare workers or other frontline persons operating in the virus-infected environment complete safety with a special lamination cover and all accessories. The cost of the PPE kit is worth Rs 450 per set.

On the other hand, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) is involved in a similar initiative at its supply and support battalion in Saboli near Sonipat (Haryana). An ITBP official claimed that they are preparing PPEs that will cost just about Rs 100 and a three-layer mask which will be available at Rs 5.

Thousands of PPEs and 2000 face masks have already been manufactured by the ITBP. It has the capacity to produce 200 PPEs and 500 masks per day.

Fact Check: Alt News Co-founder Mohammed Zubair deliberately misrepresents gathering for relief work as a ‘religious gathering’ of Jain monks

OpIndia Staff
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Fact Check: Alt News Co-founder Mohammed Zubair deliberately misrepresents gathering for relief work as a ‘religious gathering’ of Jain monks

On April 11, Alt News Co-founder and serial fake news peddler Mohammed Zubair wrote on Twitter, “Leading by example, Surat Dy Mayor Nirav Shah shares a video of him attending a ‘religious ceremony’ presided by Jain Monks.” The caption was accompanied by a video wherein the Surat Mayor could be seen prostrating in front of a Jain monk.

What is the Truth?

A longer video of the same event was shared by Nirav Shah on his Facebook page. During the first leg of the video, Jain devotees, along with Dy Mayor Nirav Shah, who also happens to be a Jain, is seen greeting the monks and paying a ritualistic obeisance to them. Jainism entails a ritual where an adherent has to bow down before the monks and ask for their well being when they meet them. This is not a “religious ceremony” as contended by the uninitiated individuals like Mr Zubair.

Later, the Jain monk could be heard appreciating the relief work being carried out. Another leader said that the money and supply of food would be taken care of. He added that everyone was free to take as much food they want for the relief work.

A closer look at the banner, seen at 6:27 minutes sheds more light on the truth. The loose translation from Gujarati reads as, “Feed the stray animals and birds during the Coronavirus pandemic and exhibit humanity.”

Another picture from the event with stockpile of food to be distributed for relief work further confirms the point.

One of the key facets of Jainism is “Jiva Daya”, meaning showing mercy and compassion towards all the other living beings, including those invisible microorganisms who exist in the air surrounding us. This explains why the Jain monks in one of the above pictures hold a white-coloured handkerchief, called as “Muhpatti” in Jain parlance, to avoid hurting those invisible microbes around them while speaking.

Amidst the lockdown, since most of the people are mandated by the government enforced restrictions to stay at home, there are fewer prospects for the speechless animals and birds to get food for themselves. Street animals may get emaciated and many may not be able to survive the ordeal. It is to this end that Jain monks in Surat organised an initiative to help the stray animals and birds sate their appetite and slake their thirst. In the video, the monks are simply applauding the relief work carried out by the individuals and motivating them to help even greater number of people and animals in distress.

Earlier, PM Modi has repeatedly asked the citizens of the country to be heedful of the food needs of the speechless animals and birds around them who will be worst-hit by the harsh restrictions. PM Modi had appealed people to feed such animals and birds with food and water and prevent them from starving to death.

The ‘religious ceremony’ which Mr Zubair claims was in fact a meeting presided over by the Jain monks to devise a strategy to provide food to the needy and destitute in Surat as well the stray animals and birds devoid of the food due to stringent lockdown. Being the Deputy Mayor of Surat, Nirav Shah simply attended the meeting to oversee the measures taken by the Jain community and guide them in the effective implementation of the same.

It was not a religious congregation by any stretch of the imagination, as asserted by Mohammed Zubair, who is trying to paint all the faiths from the same brush with the ulterior aim of absolving Muslim members of Tablighi Jamaat members who wantonly violated the lockdown restrictions and partook in transforming their centre of Markaz Nizamuddin into a raging coronavirus hotspot.

There is a stark contrast between the two events that Mr Zubair is trying to equate, in order to extenuate the criminal role of Tablighi Jamaat members in spreading the coronavirus across the country. While the defiant holdouts of Tablighi Jamaat members deliberately wreaked havoc which was illustrated by their perverse behaviour of spitting on healthcare workers, taking a dump in the corridor of the quarantine facility and intentionally concealing their travel history to the Markaz Nizamuddin, the Jain community members in Surat, were involved in helping the underprivileged, disadvantaged and speechless animals who are amongst worst-hit by the scourge of coronavirus outbreak.

Conclusion

It is evident that the event was aimed at voluntary relief work and not a religious congregation as suggested by Mohammed Zubair. Ever since the role of Tablighi Jamaat has been exposed in endangering public health and safety, apologists and closet Islamists have left no stone unturned to defend them through whataboutery or deliberately misinterpreting social work as a religious event. Mohammed Zubair is a serial purveyor of fake news. Last year, the Alt News co-founder, who has often displayed Islamist tendencies was found shielding radical Islamists who may have been responsible for the serial bomb blasts in Sri Lanka. 

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