Mumbai’s infamous tiffin service provider, the dabbawalas have suspended their service from Thursday till March 31 in the wake of Coronavirus. Subhash Talekar, chairman of Mumbai Daabawala Association said that the decision was taken as a counter measure.
“The decision was taken unanimously as the Maharashtra government appealed to avoid rush in local trains to prevent Coronavirus, hence responding positively, the Association decided to suspend the tiffin service in the city,” Talekar told AV.
As the state government proposed to work from home and all firms in the city agreed with the same, the tiffin delivery service declined, “Earlier, one Dabbawala used to deliver 30 to 35 tiffins in a day which has slumped to just 10 tiffins in a day due to 50 per cent formula introduced by the government in the wake of Corona,” he said while talking to AV.
Such kind of a decision is first taken in 130 years since Mumbai’s Dabdawala tiffin service was founded in 1890. Around 5,000 dabbawalas deliver about
1, 75,000 to 2, 00,000 home-cooked tiffins to working Mumbaikars each day.
However, the Dabbawala service has evolved over the year as the city keeps on evolving, depending on their alpha numerical characters which ensures smooth delivery on three different routes.
Reliance Group Chairman Anil Ambani appeared before the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) office in Ballard Estate, Mumbai on Thursday in connection with Yes Bank debacle. The unit calls Ambani for questioning under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002. Earlier, he was asked to be present before ED on Moday, but sought for exemption on personal ground.
Union Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman held a press conference on March 6 said, besides Anil Ambani Group, DHFL, Essel Group, Vodafone and ILFS were among the defaulters group stressed Yes Bank crisis. Ambani Group which went bankrupt had received loans worth Rs 12,800 crore from Yes Bank facing financial instability.
Last week, Reliance Group said, its entire borrowings from the Yes Bank were totally safe, “Reliance Group is committed to honouring repayments of all its borrowings from Yes Bank Ltd through its various asset monetisation programmes which are all at advanced stages,” said in a statement.
Moreover, Essel Group, Jet Airways has an unpaid due of Rs 8,400 crore and Rs 550 crore, respectively. However, around 44 associating with 10 large business groups reportedly accounted default of Rs 34,000 crore. There are other companies including Bharat Infra, Cox & Kings, and Dewan Housing Finance Corporation.
Essel Group chairman, Subhash Chandra did not appear before ED on Wednesday, due to ongoing parliamentary session, “Essel Group has never made any transactions with Mr Rana Kapoor or his family or for that matter any private entities controlled by them,” He twitted. Similarly, Naresh Goyal founder of Jet Airways refrained to appear before ED, referring to an ill family member.
The ED accused Kapoor and family and others for indulging in illicit money laundering of Rs 4,300 crore by receiving kickbacks to grant big loans via Yes Bank that later turned to be liability, to be specific it turned to be Non-Performing Assets (NPA) over a period of time.
Last week, speaking to AV, Uttam Agarwal former Yes Bank Director accused current management for the mismanagement. “It’s the failure of governance and current management. Yes Bank’s MD and CEO Mr Ravneet Gill and his team could not manage the show. Unnecessarily the Kapoors are under attack but Gill is solely responsible for the mismanagement. Its game of manipulations, these guys just finished everything,” told to AV.
The ED initiated an investigation on Kapoor and family and other associates after RBI imposed moratorium earlier this month on Yes Bank, restricting the withdrawals limit to Rs 50,000 per transactions.
As in the past, the floor test in a assembly is just fake and no useful purpose is served unless the speaker initiate right steps to bring democratic set up to the floor of the house. In Indian assembly set up, the Governor is less powerful and the speaker is the sole proprietor. Is the MP speaker going out of the way and make things move in the direction of Kamal Nath government. It is generally spelt that the government ‘by the people, for the people and of the people” but that doctrine is not a workable solution as might is the right and the Governor is just a puppet like the President of India. How long we see the things move against the norms and done according to the whims and fancies of the ruling party. MP government does not have majority and should tender resignation if there is Coronavirus or not and go according to the constitution.
Ramani Subbu C.K
Swift action by Finance Ministry and govt saves Yes Bank from sinking
Finance Ministry and RBI’s swift action on Yes Bank saved India’s 4th largest bank from sinking for which the government deserves accolades. The consortium led by SBI would oversee normalcy returning to Yes Bank. 75 % of equity shares has been locked in for 3 years and this move I felt was a masterstroke. The bank’s shares climbed substantially when the whole market was in the doldrums.
With the entire net worth of the bank being wiped out, the arrangement is a big bonus for shareholders who can sell 25 per cent shares now at an good price and at the same time expect 75 per cent of the balance remaining to appreciate in 3 years time. Coronavirus is the next challenge facing the government and I am sure PM Modi has an appropriate plan to save not just the nation’s economy but the lives of our citizens as well.
S.N. Kabra
Strangling of democracy
The media commentaries around the recent political turns in Madhya Pradesh (MP) offer a sense for the trends in shaping of India’s political culture. The goings-on in MP are now becoming frighteningly familiar, but we cannot afford to let them be seen as legitimate politics. Euphemistic phrases like “Operation Kamala” and “resort politics,” which have routinely surfaced in public discussions in the wake of several “mass defections” of legislators seen in recent years to bring down freshly elected governments, threaten to do just that. They rationalize it as inevitable power games. The sole focus on strategy and benefits has nearly reduced representative politics to a procedural formality. The anti-defection law, of course, needs to be strengthened and every other possible legal route explored to curb the practice of manipulating political defections, but the matter is fundamentally less about the legal framework and more about a genuine commitment to the spirit of democracy. The voters — irrespective of the political party they support — should want political parties to abide by the latter. Otherwise, they remain irresponsible witnesses to the strangling of democracy in the country.
Amjadullah Abuzar Bajpatti
Renowned family sets good example to combat Coronavirus
It was indeed an admirable step of a renowned industrial family (Sujata Mixi and fans) to personally request relations and others not to attend cremation of a family-member and not holding other death-related rituals. Even the family-members did not inform about the death at their own.
Central and Delhi governments should urgently issue an advisory so that people at large may adopt similar steps by avoiding gatherings at cremation and other death-related rituals. Government offices and public transport should be closed so that Coronavirus in India may not reach the fatal and most dangerous third and fourth stage. India with population of 135 crores may not be able to tackle third and fourth stage of Coronavirus even though Central and Delhi governments should be complimented for joining hands to tackle the biggest challenge of Coronavirus to humanity.
Madhu Agrawal
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
Going by the statement that birds of the same feather flock together, sparrows find a home in every housing society in the satellite city. But the sparrow community had flown away with as the radiation from TV antennas was getting too much for them.
World sparrow day is an occasion to create awareness of the house sparrow and other common birds to urban environments and of threats to their populations observed on March 20. However, greenery surrounding with bamboo bushes in housing societies can help out the cause and bring more birds and avoid the extinction of sparrow in the two decades. As a senior citizen, I am able to propagate the importance of preserving the endangered species and bring more sparrows to the bamboo garden in the vicinity. The society provides enough greenery for the survival of this species of birds.
World Sparrow Day is an international initiative by the Nature Forever Society of India in collaboration with the Eco-Sys Action Foundation and numerous other national and international organisations across the world. The Nature Forever Society was started by Mohammed Dilawar, an Indian conservationist who started his work helping the house sparrow in Nashik and who was named one of the “Heroes of the Environment” for 2008 by time for his efforts. The idea of marking a World Sparrow Day came up during an informal discussion at the Nature Forever Society’s office. The idea was to earmark a day for the house sparrow to convey the message of conservation of the house sparrow and other common birds and also mark a day of celebration to appreciate the beauty of the common biodiversity which is taken so much for granted. The first World Sparrow Day was celebrated in 2010 in different regions of the world. The day was celebrated by carrying out by various kinds of activities and events like art competitions, awareness campaigns and sparrow processions as well as interactions with the media.
World Sparrow Day also has a broader vision to provide a platform where people who are working on the conservation of the house sparrow and other common birds can network, collaborate and exchange conservation ideas which will lead to better science and improved results. It aims to provide a meeting ground for people from different parts of the world to come together and form a force that can play an important role in advocacy and in spreading the awareness on the need of conserving common biodiversity or species of lower conservation status. As a resident of Sanpada, with a garden view in front of our flats, we are able to bring in more feathered birds including sparrows to have their nests among us. Both food and water is provided to them to help out the cause and bring the sparrow to come to our doorsteps.
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
A 20-year-old girl died and another 38-year-old woman was critically injured after fire broke out at residential building opposite Shah Rukh Khan’s bungalow in Bandra on Thursday morning.
According to a fire official, the incident took place in a seven-storey building name Sea Spring in Bandra Bandstand around 7.30 am.
A Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) official said “After being alerted, the fire brigade personnel rushed to the spot and doused the blaze in some time. Two women were later rescued from the flat and they were immediately rushed to the nearby Bhabha Hospital.”
Evana Morrece (20) was pronounced dead at the arrival however another woman who has been identified as Sifra Japhari (38) has suffered 90 per cent to 100 per cent burn injuries. The doctors said the injured women condition is critical and she has been admitted to the ICU. The exact cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained.
The moment news reports about the Coronavirus epidemic came floating in, the social media got hyper active not only that but the text messages, emails, WhatsApp posts about imaginary testing and prevention techniques so much so that the local remedies of using cow urine to cow dung was in circulation. You’ve probably seen them yourself: surefire ways to determine if you have the disease or simple tricks to avoid getting it. And while some of the advice is easy to spot as false and disregard, other suggestions sound plausible. It can be difficult to separate fact from fiction. There are many imaginary stories and advices from all sides that is doing dangerous spread across people. But no one is talking about the myths spread across. Coronavirus folklores that are being conceded around are not in human interest, as a civilised society member, you need to be very cautious about such meaningless forwards.
Next time, if you receive such forwards, you just have to delete it without reading. While we’re hoping that Coronavirus tests become more available, as of now, they’re not, because India does not have such infrastructure and facilities largely available. And even once they are more widespread, according to health ministry that probably won’t mean everyone who wants to get tested will make that call. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says, “Clinicians should use their judgement to determine if a patient has signs and symptoms companionable with COVID-19 and whether the patient should be tested. If you think you may have been exposed to or infected with COVID-19, the CDC advises calling your healthcare provider for advice.
The second most important thing, the import and export form various countries just on halt assuming that the consignment may carry virus along with it but in reality, the chances of contracting Coronavirus from courier are very slim although it’s hypothetically possible but it’s virtually impossible for the virus to survive when it’s in transit. You may want to avoid ordering non-essential items through the mail right now, but that’s more to lighten the burden you’re placing on people like delivery drivers not because the packages themselves could be carrying the virus. Meanwhile, if the virus is that dangerous, imagine those who travelled to India from Corona affected countries, the travellers are quarantined but not their luggage or belongings. Those things are handed over to the family members immediately after their admission to hospitals. Even when you return from a foreign tour, the traveller (passenger) undergoes the health scan but not his belongings or luggage. If they can’t be infected, how can your courier or mail be? Both travelling from same zone to similar destinations. Precaution is better remedy but propaganda is threat.
Many people are circulating advisory that the consumption of turmeric and milk is another remedy to kill the virus, some say chanting particular mantras can prevent Coronavirus in the era where religious places are quarantined, how can something prevent you from virus if you do not adopt to prevention methods. As chanting cannot help, even bathing in sun also is not a preventive measure. Heat can kill the disease, but that fact is often misconstrued because only extreme heat which is beyond your tolerance may help but heat in your everyday normal life won’t kill Coronavirus. So, there is no point in sitting in broad day sunlight and soak yourself, you might get dehydrated or pigmented. Both the symptoms are not healthy for human lives.
Hospitals and medical facilities use that kind of heat in the hundreds of degrees Fahrenheit to clean their medical instruments to disinfect and kill viruses. Or sterilise their equipment but things like taking a hot shower or bath, sipping hot tea or just being in warm weather won’t kill COVID-19. Another misconception is that Coronavirus will stall out when it’s warmer out, this is the case with the regular flu which thrives in cold, dry conditions such as winter weather and tends to die out when it’s hot and muggy. But it’s too early to tell if that will be the case for Coronavirus as well. What’s more, since the disease is spreading in hotter climates including Singapore and Australia, there’s reason to believe warmer weather won’t be enough to stop it in its tracks.
Now let’s look at the usage of face masks, we assume that they offer some protection but aren’t recommended for healthy people. Face masks are generally used to prevent the spread of airborne viruses which COVID-19 is not airborne. Coronavirus spreads from person-to-person via respiratory droplets that are produced when someone who is infected coughs or sneezes, according to the CDC. Surgical masks can be useful in theory but not those random masks getting sold across. If someone has to sneeze, and there was a drip, it could protect your face from that droplet. But Coronavirus may enter through other areas like your eyes especially if you touch your face. They may act as a reminder to avoid doing that, though. Still, the benefits aren’t so big that wearing a face mask is recommended. In fact, if you’re healthy, the CDC wants you to steer clear of them. They say to only wear one if a healthcare professional recommends it or if you’re a health worker. Sick people should don face masks, though. They can contain those respiratory droplets that could go on to infect others. Beyond this, drinking water won’t stop you from getting sick. Don’t believe that drinking water continuously will prevent you from Coronavirus. Rather, it will bloat your tummy by leaving you uneasy. While staying hydrated can keep your body healthy, drinking water beyond required limits may get you in trouble.
Any age, any colour and anybody can get COVID-19 — and they can definitely spread it around. Kids can also get Coronavirus and they may even be the biggest source of spread because they’re all over the place and they tend to be handy. No drugs or dopes or liquors can kill Coronavirus, at the same time eating non-vegetarian food can’t get you the virus infections. Maybe it’s not a huge surprise that people wanted to believe this one. After all, we’re all cooped up inside. We’re looking for something to take our minds off the stress of social distancing. If you’re worried about your cat or dog spreading Coronavirus, you can rest easy, currently, there is no evidence that pets such as dogs and cats have infected humans. At such a crucial time, one needs to be protective and alert but not extreme with illusionary forwards. We as a society need to be calm and not panic. Unless and until you don’t stop spreading gossips spread by others, no one can treat your mental illness, Corona is a far thing.
(Any suggestions, comments or dispute with regards to this article send us on feedback@www.afternoonvoice.com)
After noticing that prices of sanitisers and masks going up by the day, the Maharashtra government has included these two items under the Essential Commodities Act up to June 30. The government has taken this decision to make these commodities available at a fair price for citizens. Both masks (2-ply and 3-ply surgical masks, N 95 masks) and hand sanitisers have been brought under the Essential Commodities Act.
The decision would empower the state to regulate the production, quality and distribution of hand sanitisers and masks. Taking cognizance of the rising cases of hoarding and black marketing by Coronavirus suppliers, the government has been compelled to take this bold step.
Talking on the same, State Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) minister Rajendra Shingne said, “Strict action will be taken against suppliers indulging in black marketing of these commodities.” The government has taken action against suppliers who hoard sanitisers and masks at 22 locations of the state. Shingne has also asked medical stores to stop the sale of suspected fake sanitisers. Various sub-standard and fake sanitiser manufacturing units have emerged across the country amid the Coronavirus outbreak. Shingne also warned that excess usage of sanitisers will cause damage to health. Maharashtra is already witnessing shortage of masks and hand sanitisers and therefore the government is procuring these commodities from other states.”
There has been a surge in number of Coronavirus cases in Maharashtra with the number of persons infected by the virus reaching 43. As a precautionary measure, people have been using masks and sanitisers to combat Coronavirus. There has been a huge demand for masks and hand sanitisers. As a result of this there has been a massive shortage of masks and hand sanitisers. Taking advantage of the rising shortage of these commodities, suppliers have been selling fake masks and hand sanitisers. Therefore Shingne said that the government is planning to take stringent action against hoarders and black marketers of masks and hand sanitisers. The Maharashtra government has taken various steps to prevent the spread of Coronavirus.
Despite this, there has been a rise in the number of cases of Coronavirus. The government has asked schools, colleges and malls to shut down till March 31. The government has also asked various temples in the state to shut till March 31. Prominent temples which have been asked to shut include Siddhivinayak Temple, Shitladevi Temple, Tuljabhavani Temple, Shirdi Sai Baba Temple and Dagdusheth Halwai Temple among others.
On Wednesday afternoon a tanker carrying inflammable liquid caught fire at Shil Phata in Thane. The fire was brought under control within couple of hours, said chief of Regional Disaster Management Cell Santosh Kadam.
After the tanker caught fire, there were two explosions and it fallen on its side.
The tanker driver, who received minor injuries, was taken to a nearby hospital, he said.
The accident caused a huge traffic jam on Shil Mhape road.
Fire brigade officials said the tanker was carrying some kind of “highly inflammable material” but it was not petrol or diesel, and further probe was on.
Acting Chief Justice Bhushan Pradyumna Dharmadhikari was appointed as the new Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court on Wednesday. The senior most judge, Justice Dharmadhikari was appointed as acting chief justice following the retirement of Justice Pradeep Nandrajog, the Chief Justice of Bombay High Court.
More than a month ago, his cousin Justice S.C. Dharmadhikari – who was the then senior most judge after Chief Justice – had resigned.
A notification issued by Law and Justice ministry said on Wednesday: “In exercise of the power conferred by Clause (I) Article 217 of the Constitution of India, the President is pleased to appoint Justice Bhushan Pradyumna Dharmadhikari, Judge of Bombay High Court, to be the Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court with effect from the date he assumes charge of his office.”
Former Union minister, Suresh Prabhu has self-quarantined himself, even after tested negative took precautionary measure for 14 days at his residence following his return from a meeting in Saudi Arabia on March 10.
Earlier, Union Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan had self-quarantined himself following his recent visit to medical institute had found positive COVID-19 case. However, later he was tested negative.
The total number of the COVID-19 cases in India has hiked to 152 as of now and around 14 people recovered. Moreover, Union External Minister Jaishankar presented a reporter; articulating more than 250 Indian students have been tested positive that went to Iran.
There are instructions on self-quarantined people who had recently visited to foreign land. This is being done to stop dissemination of deadly COVID-19. The duration of self-quarantine is set to be 14 days by the centre government.
Reliance Group Chairman Anil Ambani appeared before the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) office in Ballard Estate, Mumbai on Thursday in connection with Yes Bank debacle. The unit calls Ambani for questioning under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002. Earlier, he was asked to be present before ED on Moday, but sought for exemption on personal ground.
Going by the statement that birds of the same feather flock together, sparrows find a home in every housing society in the satellite city. But the sparrow community had flown away with as the radiation from TV antennas was getting too much for them.
A 20-year-old girl died and another 38-year-old woman was critically injured after fire broke out at residential building opposite Shah Rukh Khan’s bungalow in Bandra on Thursday morning.
After noticing that prices of sanitisers and 
On Wednesday afternoon a tanker carrying inflammable liquid caught fire at Shil Phata in Thane. The fire was brought under control within couple of hours, said chief of Regional Disaster Management Cell Santosh Kadam.
Acting Chief Justice Bhushan Pradyumna Dharmadhikari was appointed as the new Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court on Wednesday. The senior most judge, Justice Dharmadhikari was appointed as acting chief justice following the retirement of Justice Pradeep Nandrajog, the Chief Justice of Bombay High Court.
Former Union minister, Suresh Prabhu has self-quarantined himself, even after tested negative took precautionary measure for 14 days at his residence following his return from a meeting in Saudi Arabia on March 10.