World Bank approves $1 billion emergency funding for India to tackle coronavirus
In South Asia, the World Bank also approved $200 million for Pakistan, $100 million for Afghanistan and $128.6 million for Sri Lanka.
Quarantined in Kashmir, Jamia student booked after he posted photos of ‘unhygienic’ centre
Pulwama police says the Jamia PhD scholar was involved in a scuffle after which the FIR was registered.
Inside Modi govt’s virus ‘war room’ — ministers sleep over, 50 phone lines, 4 control rooms
From coordinating with states to tracking cases around the world, North Block is guiding the Covid-19 effort, with Amit Shah monitoring from his residence.
Indian women are locked in with their abusers, but are finding new ways to seek help
Several domestic abuse helplines say the number of calls has fallen since the lockdown kicked in last week. But the number of complaints hasn’t.
Ramayan records 17 cr viewers for DD in first weekend, YouTube numbers double
BARC-Nielsen report says 5.1 crore saw Ramayan episode on Sunday while DD officials say the show along with Mahabharat & Shaktimaan have doubled Doordarshan’s YouTube traffic.
After bartan bajao, PM Modi asks Indians to light lamps, candles as symbols of hope
Prime Minister Narendra Modi calls for lamps to be lit for 9 minutes at 9 pm Sunday 'to defeat despair of coronavirus', but says social distancing is imperative.
These Bengal villagers found ways to keep Covid-19 out, instead of waiting for govt help
Residents of tribal villages in Purulia, West Midnapore, Bankura, Birbhum voluntarily inform district authorities about people returning from other states, say officials.
IAS, IPS officers say 50-70% pay cuts are mere optics, unnecessary and will hit morale
Amid Covid-19 outbreak, Maharashtra, Telangana, Rajasthan, Odisha & Andhra have announced pay cuts or delays for elected representatives & govt employees.
India isn’t on top of list for coronavirus test kits suppliers
Red tape is slowing deployment of local test kits and global suppliers are prioritising countries such as Italy, Spain, US and UK.
Angry sadhus, deserted Janmabhoomi, but no social distancing in Ayodhya on Ram Navami
The Ram Janmabhoomi site & the city gates were deserted, but in the inner lanes and temples, devotees and even policemen could be seen violating orders.
Chewing gum ban good but Haryana’s hookah culture can be real Covid-19 culprit
Hookah is popular in the state of Haryana and people, especially the elderly are defying Covid-19 lockdown and coming together to smoke hookah.
Modi’s 9-min candle plan Sunday: Needless spectacle or much-needed motivation for Indians?
PM Modi requested Indians to light candles, lamps or mobile torches at 9 pm Sunday for nine minutes in a show of solidarity in the fight against Covid-19.
Defence
In a first, Army deploys medical team at civil coronavirus quarantine camp in Delhi
The Indian Army has so far only been operating out of quarantine camps set up by the armed service for coronavirus patients.
Modi’s India isn’t Mao’s China. Silly forecasts assume we’ll let corona kill millions of us
There are many scary scenarios about how badly we Indians may be affected or how many killed by Covid-19. But they presume we will do nothing to influence our fates.