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Covid donations from India Inc

Ward boys, nurses throw medicines at patients
CM’s relief
Plates with half-eaten meals left around for days fund sees
No change of clothes for patients for nearly a week a trickle,
Bedsheets not replaced for days; filthy washrooms PMCares
a gush

SevenHells Hospital
Huge disparity in what
corporates in Maharashtra
are giving to CM’s and PM’s
funds; could this be because
only donations to PMCares
qualify as CSR expenditure?
Terrifying patients’ accounts from the
city’s second most important Covid-19
facility. Authorities admit retaining
housekeeping staff has been a struggle
operator, is the second most impor-
| Lata.Mishra and
tant centre after Kasturba in the
Makarand Gadgil
@timesgroup.com city’s fight against coronavirus and
is currently treating over 423 | Labonita Ghosh, Makarand
TWEETS @MumbaiMirror patients. Gadgil and Alka Dhupkar

H
orror stories of abysmally While BMC-run hospitals have @timesgroup.com
poor hygiene and neglect never been known for cleanliness, TWEETS @MumbaiMirror

I
emerged from SevenHills accounts coming out of SevenHills
Hospital on Thursday and are much more alarming – an aged ndia Inc has loosened its purse
the authorities admitted that retain- patient’s diapers not being changed strings for Covid-19 relief, with
ing housekeeping staff at one of for close to a day and when changed some leading firms pledging
Mumbai’s most important institu- the used diaper left by the bedside between Rs 100 crore and Rs
tion treating Covid-19 patients has for another 24 hours; nurses and 1,500 crore and others providing
become a challenge. ward boys throwing medicines at aid in kind – from personal protec-
SevenHills in Andheri, which was patients because they don’t want to tive equipment (PPE) and medical
refitted to be a Covid-19 centre after come too close; patients not getting kits to food packets and free fuel for
remaining shut for close to two a change of clothes for over a week; emergency vehicles. However, in
years following the exit of its private CONTINUED ON PAGE 6 » Maharashtra, there appears to be a
huge disparity between donations to
the chief minister’s relief fund and
Prime Minister Narendra’s Modi’s
An old lady kept Appointment of eighty recently announced PMCares fund.
requesting for a housekeeping staff While several companies have
diaper change for one was cleared on announced they will contribute gen-
entire day. When the Monday. In a day or erously to PMCares, it looks like the
diaper was changed, two, a hundred more chief minister’s relief fund has not
the used one was left will be appointed. As received as much munificence from
by her bedside and per the protocol, we corporate India. The amount donat-
there it remained for will provide PPEs to ed, at last count, was Rs 189 crore –
them. much, much less than what they
another 24 hours.
–M Ramaswami, officer in-charge of
–A patient hospital’s development CONTINUED ON PAGE 7 »

INSIDE » Top docs to

monitor Covid-19
No dialysis, chemo without
negative corona report
IN MUMBAI TODAY
The BMC has asked hospitals to not admit
patients for dialysis and chemotherapy
patients in Mumbai unless they have a negative Covid-19 test

NEW CASES 150

report. Healthcare experts said this will
The Health Department on Monday severely impact scores of people in Mumbai
formed a task force of top city doctors who are suffering from kidney related ail-

DEATHS 9 to monitor serious and critically ill

Covid-19 patients in Mumbai. The team
ments and cancer.
Modi to address the
PAGE 5
is headed by former KEM Hospital A Mumbaikar nation at 10 am today
Dean Dr Sanjay Oak and the members The prime minister is likely to
are Dr Zarir Udwadia, Dr Santosh who beat extend the countrywide lockdown
Nagvekar, Dr Kedar Toraskar, Covid-19 and also exempt a few key sectors
Dr Rahul Pandit, Dr Nitin Karnik, shares his from the restrictions.
Dr Zahir Virani, Dr Om Shrivastav story PAGES 3-10
and Dr Praveen Bangar.
 City
MumbaiMirror 2

INFORMER
Tuesday, April 14, 2020

THE
[email protected]
facebook.com/themumbaimirror
@MumbaiMirror

Think you’ve got a story? Write to us PAGE THAT’s hoping for a good morning
at [email protected]

RAJU SHELAR

Friends and lovers

ACTORS Tiger Shroff and Disha Patani’s
romance knows no bounds. While
the couple is rather low-key while discussing each other
in interviews, they have often been spotted eating out
together. Disha’s social media exchanges
with Tiger’s sister Krishna are also
well known; the two girls seem to get
along like the proverbial house on
fire. Speaking of houses, Disha
seems to be shacking up with the
Shroffs it seems. Krishna has
posted a video of the two girls in
a fun act. Just last week, she
had posted a picture of
herself crediting Disha for
her makeup, with the leggy
movie star’s reflection in a
window. How lucky for Disha
to be locked down with
boyfriend and best friend
under one roof.

TRUE BLUE
Krishna Shroff Nawazuddin Siddique in a file photo at a studio in Goregaon
Disha Patani

Good neighbours Hello baby

NOT many know that beautiful
girls Malaika Arora and OUR biggest congratulations
to Nachiket Barve. The
Sophie Choudry are neighbours; they Mumbai-based fashion designer and
live in the same Khar high-rise one floor his wife Surabhi are parents to a lit-
apart. Both are pals and have taken tle girl. Baby Barve, as the couple is
their friendship to a new level @GabbbarSingh calling their newborn, came into
in these testing times. They the world via surrogacy on April
have discovered their
These are the 6 and came home a few days
baking skills and often only days when if later. “Surabhi had a major aneu-
send food to each your meeting or rysm a couple of years ago. We
other’s homes, that are college begins at were lucky to be able to be par-
literally a flight of steps 10:00 am you can ents after her illness. Especially
away. Taking social still wake up at in the midst of all this gloom out-
distancing rather side, our daughter has come like a
9:59 am & still
seriously, they also chat ray of sunshine,” Nachiket says,
with each other from their make it. adding he’s happy to have taken
respective balconies. Sophie Choudry Malaika Arora charge of all diaper duty.

Surabhi and Nachiket Barve

CORNERED Morparia
Shooting
from the hip Tailpiece
WE adore the former THIS well-known producer is
using this lockdown to
actor Hazel Keech get all the unreleased creations
for her spunk and candour. released. One of them is the remix of
The missus of star a 1990s hit song, featuring a
cricketer-turned- romantic superstar. The song was to
entrepreneur Yuvraj Singh appear in the re-release of film that
is known not to mince words. came a couple of years ago. It was
She recently expressed part of a marketing gimmick to get
solidarity with British viewers to watch the film a second
citizens in Gujarat, claiming time. But since barely any viewers
they had not been assisted went the first time itself, the idea
by the local government. and the remix were both shelved.
Then, in a chat on Saturday Now that the producer wants to
evening, she said she didn’t release it as a single, we hear the
do well as an actor as she superstar is having second thoughts.
did not try to pamper egos. Yuvraj Singh and Hazel Keech
 City
K 3
MumbaiMirror
CORONAVIRUS OUTBRE A Tuesday, April 14, 2020

Covid-19 tests must for

chemo, dialysis patients
BMC says the move is meant to protect staff at hospitals, but health experts
believe this will cause a lot of hardships to those who are already suffering
DEEPAK TURBHEKAR

WhatsApp
group admin,
member
booked for
hate post
The member had posted a derogatory
photograph with a communal message
| [email protected]
TWEETS @MumbaiMirror

D
ays after Maharashtra police issued an order
making administrators of WhatsApp groups
responsible if any panic and false information
is circulated through their groups, Palghar
A woman undergoes a test at a drive-through testing facility at a BMC parking lot in Sewri police on Monday registered a case against one such
WhatsApp group admin. The person who had posted a
| Chaitanya Marpakwar
not be able to afford Rs 4,500 per test and MNS Spokesperson Sandeep Deshpande derogatory photograph and a message with the inten-
and Lata Mishra cannot wait for three or four days for tests said that the BMC must reopen all shut tion to create hatred between two communities has
[email protected] results. “The test results are taking more down dialysis and chemotherapy centres. also been booked.
than 3-4 days for the results to come out. “The BMC and the government must roll On Saturday, police received a complaint on Twitter
TWEETS @MumbaiMirror

W
Poor patients who go for dialysis at just Rs out a new SOP for dialysis and chemother- which contained screenshots of a WhatsApp group.
ith several hospitals in the 800 can’t afford Rs 4,500 for a test. The apy. The testing is taking too much time “The screenshot contained a photograph and a post
city that offer dialysis facilities state government must also clarify how and results are not coming for over 5-6 which was hateful in nature and was posted with an
shutting down after patients long will these tests be valid. A patient days. Such patients can’t wait for long and intention to create tension between two communities.
were found to be Covid-19 can’t get tested every time before dialysis or neither can they spend so much money. We worked on the information and identified the
positive, the BMC has made it chemotherapy,” Shaikh said. Their tests must be free,” Deshpande said. administrator of the WhatsApp group. He belonged to
compulsory for all dialysis and chemother- Metropolis, a private lab that is carrying Saravli area of Palghar. We have seized the mobile of the
apy patients to carry Covid-19 test report out Covid-19 tests are collecting around person who had posted the objectionable content on
with them when they go for treatment. 600 samples a day, including home collec- the group and have registered a case against administra-
This means that thousands of dialysis and
If such patients die wait- tions. “We get thousands of calls but we tor and the one who posted the content under sections
chemotherapy patients will now have to ing for test results, then don’t want to test those who are asympto- of Indian Penal Code,” said an officer from Bhoisar
have to get their throat swabs taken and the BMC will be responsi- matic and are looking to get certificates to police station in Palghar.
tested for coronavirus. ble for these deaths be able to join their offices once the lock- Since the lockdown started, 183 cases have been reg-
Unless they have a negative test result, down is over,” said Dr Nilesh Shah, group istered over fake news, rumours and hate speech over
they will not be allowed to get their dialysis –Samajwadi Party MLA Rais Shaikh president of Metropolis. social media in Maharashtra. Out of that 176 are FIRs
or chemotherapy done, said a civic official. He demanded that the BMC set up a He added that they are asking people to and 7 are Non-Cognizable (NC), police said.
Health experts said that this will cause a lot special cell to test dialysis and chemothera- upload the details of medical conditions “In total, 37 accused are arrested and 114 are identi-
of hardships to patients who are already py patients for free. “If such patients die authorised by doctors to get Covid-19 tests. fied. There has been a rising trend of hate speech cases
suffering. waiting for test results, then the BMC will “We have limited manpower. We are col- in the past few days. Take down notices have been
“This has been done to protect the hos- be responsible for these deaths,” Shaikh lecting swabs of only those who genuinely issued to all concerned platforms of social media. So far
pital and their staff. Many hospitals have said. need it,” he sasai 32 posts have been removed. In the last 24 hours, six
shut down as patients have infected doc- Earlier this month after two patients Dr Kiran Coelho, senior gynaecologist, cases have been registered in Maharashtra,” said Dr
tors and staffers,” said a senior civic official. registered for dialysis at Millat Nagar is advising pregnant women whose due Balsing Rajput, superintendent of police, Maharashtra
Municipal Commissioner Praveen Hospital tested positive for coronavirus, the date is near to get the Covid-19 test done. Cyber.
Pardeshi confirmed that all dialysis and hospital has been shut down. This had left Dr Vivek Talaulikar, CEO of Global Hospital The police had issued a prohibitory order on April 10
chemotherapy patients must take the over 250 people -- most of them requiring said, “Whatever happened in some private which stated that all persons designated as “Admin” on
Covid-19 tests. dialysis twice or thrice a week - looking for hospitals is also a learning for other private messaging and social media platforms, either by self or
So far hospitals like Byculla’s Saboo alternative dialysis centres, which are not hospitals. We made it compulsory for by allowing any member of the group, shall be person-
Siddique Maternity and General Hospital only much more expensive but also far patients to undergo Covid-19 test so that ally responsible for any false or inflammatory informa-
and Dadar’s Shushrusha hospital have been from their homes. doctors can take full precautions.” tion being disseminated from a group administered by
shut down after patients tested positive The BMC later allowed the dialysis cen- On Monday, municipal commissioner them. The messages could be derogatory and discrimi-
and infected staffers. Both hospitals offered tre attached to Millat Hospital at Praveen Pardeshi called a meeting with pri- natory towards a particular community; or cause panic;
dialysis to patients. Jogeshwari to reopen following Mumbai vate labs and experts from civic hospitals or incite mistrust towards government functionaries
Samajwadi Party MLA Rais Shaikh said Mirror’s report on the plight of over 250 labs who are currently handling the Covid- and their actions taken in order to prevent spread of the
that all chemo and dialysis patients will patients of renal failure registered with it. 19 testing facilities. COVID-19 virus.
 City
K 4
MumbaiMirror
CORONAVIRUS OUTBRE A Tuesday, April 14, 2020

Humbled by nurses’ Kerala begins to

selflessness: Survivor flatten the curve Reports 178 active cases and 198 recoveries; health
Bandra engineer who battled Covid-19 says they made minister cautions against letting down guard
his hospitalisation tolerable and boosted his morale
Yogesh.Naik tomatic and placed under isolation.
@timesgroup.com Faraz began showing signs of im-
provement only last week.
TWEETS @MumbaiMirror
Back home but still struggling to

F
or nine days, it was touch breathe, he wants to dispel the myth
and go for Faraz F. The 38- that the virus only affects the aged or
year-old Bandra engineer the immunocompromised. “I was in
was on the ventilator after the best of health, but I contracted it
being diagnosed with Co- too. It can affect people of all ages
vid-19 on March 25. with varying degrees of severity. So
Three days after being discharged regardless of whether you are young
Faraz F says he isn’t sure
on Friday, Faraz tells Mirror that he’s or old, practise social distancing and
where he picked up the virus
forever indebted to the nurses of Lila- good hygiene protocol,” he says.
vati Hospital. “There was one day but returned with a chronic cough Dr Jalil Parkar, a pulmonologist
when a nurse had to clean me up two days later. who led the team that treated Faraz,
three times in a few hours, but she did Faraz visited Kasturba Hospital for says the medical staffers counts his re-
it with so much care each time. Then a Covid-19 test on March 21, but his covery as a double success—not only
there was the time when another results came back negative the next did the treatment work but they also
nurse boosted me morale and urged day. Tests can throw up false negativ- avoided performing a tracheostomy Residents of Kozhikode throng a market on the eve of Vishu, the
me not to give up.” es owing to low viral load or inade- on him. A tracheostomy is an open- Malayalam New Year. The Kerala government asked people to
Faraz, who also runs a consultan- quate samples. Faraz returned home ing created at the front of the neck so a continue to stay vigilant and practise social distancing
cy company, says he isn’t sure where but his symptoms didn’t abate. After tube can be inserted into the wind-
he picked up the virus—he returned he began experiencing breathless- pipe (trachea) to help one breathe. Gladwin.Emmanuel ebrating Vishu (the Malayalam New
from the US via Dubai on February 7 ness on March 24, he was admitted to While it’s generally a safe procedure, @timesgroup.com Year) on Tuesday, and to continue
and then took another trip to Dhaka Lilavati Hospital. His second test complications include bleeding, practising social distancing. “We’re
TWEETS @MumbaiMirror
on February 19-20—he is sure that it came back positive the next day. “I damage to the oesophagus (the food seeing the result of measures taken by

F
wasn’t during any of his foreign trav- was immediately sent to the ICU, and pipe), and a build-up of mucus and rom reporting the country’s the government to combat the pan-
els. The first symptom of the virus sur- then put on the ventilator a few days fluids in the tracheostomy tube, first three Covid-19 cases in Ja- demic. But the moment has not come
faced on March 13, when he had a rag- later,” says Faraz. His father and sister which can make breathing difficult nuary to registering the high- for us to feel full relief. There are chanc-
ing fever for three days. It subsided also tested positive but were asymp- and lead to infection. est tally in a second wave of in- es of a surge in cases even if one person
fections three months later, Kerala has is left out,” she said.
now begun to flatten the curve. Experts attribute Kerala’s success
SATYAJIT DESAI Flattening the curve refers to stag- to aggressive testing and contact trac-
gering new cases over a longer period, ing. The quarantine protocol is strictly
giving doctors time and resources to followed, and people with even mild
treat more people. symptoms of the virus are being test-
Active cases in the state over the ed. Shailaja said 10 laboratories have
past week have declined, and the been roped in to conduct tests. “We
number of recovered cases has over- combated Covid-19 by ensuring 1,000
taken them. beds when only 10
On March 10,
the state registered
17 cases and by
NATION beds were suffi-
cient,” she said.
Another cru-
March 24, the number crossed 100. cial decision was shifting patients ail-
Just four days later, it crossed the 200- ing from other diseases to different
mark and then 300 on April 4. hospitals and converting state-run
Since then, though, the number of hospitals into exclusive Covid-19
positive cases started staggering and treatment facilities. “With the help of
the recoveries began to see an expo- health workers and the intelligence
nential rise. On April 6, when the state department, we were able to ensure
had 327 total cases, 266 were still un- contact tracing effectively,” said the
der treatment. While 59 of them reco- health minister.
vered, two died. Seven days later, Kera- Shailaja also pointed that spikes in
la had 378 cases, 178 active and 198 re- cases in neighbouring states were a
covered cases. On Monday, though, cause for concern. “It is not enough if
86 more people were hospitalised with the virus are under control in Kerala. It
symptoms of the virus. Their test re- is a pandemic. The cases in our neigh-
ports are awaited. bouring states are increasing,” she
State Health Minister KK Shailaja said. While Tamil Nadu has reported
cautioned that it was still early to cele- 1,173 cases and 12 deaths, Karnataka
Dil maange mor brate. She urged people not to let accounts for 247 cases, which includes
Taking advantage of the empty streets, a peacock in Juhu sets off on a stroll on Monday evening down their guard, especially while cel- six deaths and 59 discharges.

Spain’s toll falls as manufacturing sectors resume work

tries in the world, and saw the daily parts of its economy after a two-week The restrictions were further tight- arm’s length to avoid getting too close.
Cases rise by 3,477—the lowest death rate fall for three consecutive “economic hibernation” period. ened on March 30 when all non-essen- “It’s amazing that the government
daily increase since March 20 days last week, only to rise again on Although health chiefs say the out- tial activities were frozen for two week- is doing this because either you can’t
Sunday. break in Spain has peaked, they have s—largely targeting the construction find them in shops or they’re very ex-

W
orkers in Spain’s construction But on Monday it fell again, with and manufacturing sectors. pensive,” said nurse Brenda Palacios,
and manufacturing sectors
cautiously returned to work
on Monday as the daily death toll re-
517 deaths in 24 hours, putting the
overall death toll at 17,489 with the
number of cases now standing at
WORLD But those restrictions were lifted
on Monday, and train stations were
staffed with police and Red Cross vol-
who took two of them. “I have one at
work but I can’t take it home with me
so I leave it there.” Masks have been
sumed its downward trend and new 169,496. urged the population to keep observ- unteers handing out face masks for hard to come by in recent weeks and
infections fell to the lowest level in Confirmed cases also rose by ing a strict national lockdown im- those returning to work. some commuters said the handouts
three weeks. 3,477—the lowest daily figure since posed on March 14 to slow the spread At Madrid’s Atocha station, com- put them at ease during their trips to
Spain is one of the worst-hit coun- March 20—as Spain began reopening of the virus. muters took the masks from officers at work.
 City
K 5
A
* Tuesday, April 14, 2020
MumbaiMirror
CORONAVIRUS OUTBRE
PM address at 10am today
APMC veggie markets Lockdown extension,
to reopen tomorrow relaxations for key
Will enforce strict restrictions; decision on grain-pulses market pending sectors on agenda
RAJU SHELAR

Alka Dhupkar
@timesgroup.com Curbs on agriculture, commerce industries, steel,
TWEETS @alka_MIRROR
coal, pharmaceutical sectors may be eased

T
o make sure the supply of
vegetables doesn’t take a Sweta.Dutta
@timesgroup.com
beating during the extend-
ed lockdown, the Mumbai TWEETS @MumbaiMirror
COVID-19 TEST FREE
Agriculture Produce Market ONLY FOR POOR: SC

A
Committee (APMC) in Vashi has de- s the 21-day nationwide lock-
cided to reopen the vegetables and down to combat Covid-19
comes to an end today, Prime The Supreme Court on Monday
onion-potato markets from April 15.
Minister Narendra Modi will modified its April 8 order which
The decision to reopen the grain and
address the nation at 10am seemingly asked private labs to conduct
pulses market will be taken in the
to announce a further extension of the free COVID-19 tests and said the
next two days.
lockdown. Although this time, sources benefit will be available only to
APMC Secretary AK Chavan issued
say, there may be certain relaxations for “economically weaker sections”
a circular on Monday, stating that on-
key sectors as the country grapples with who are covered under the Ay-
ly100 vehicles will be allowed from ru-
a struggling economy. ushman Bharat scheme.
ral areas on first-come-first-serve basis The Vashi APMC has been shut
Rumour mills were abuzz after PM’s The top court said it never
at the onion-potato market between since April 11
midnight and 8 am every day. As per a FRESH SET OF RULES meeting with chief ministers on Satur-
day that the lockdown seemed ‘inevita-
intended to make testing free for
those who can afford to pay.
fresh set of rules, retail buyers won’t be other two are fruit market and the dry
allowed and wholesalers won’t be al- fruits-spices market. A trader in the ● First 100 trucks to be ble’. And even though at least five states It had on April 8 directed that
allowed at the onion-potato –including Maharashtra – have already private labs, which were allowed
lowed to sell less than 250 kg (five spice market had tested positive for
market between midnight announced a two-week extension, to charge Rs 4,500 for COVID-19
sacks) of a product. At the vegetable Covid-19 on April 8, following which
and 8 am there has been no official word from tests, would not charge for the
market, first 300 vehicles will be al- the entire APMC market was shut to
lowed entry between midnight and 8 avoid crowding as it sees a daily aver- ● Can’t sell less than five the PMO or any government notifica- tests observing that they need to
sacks tion. be philanthropic in the hour of
am. In this market, wholesalers won’t age footfall of around 50,000. Of the
be allowed to sell less than 10 kg of any 640 shops in the spices market, only ● First 300 trucks to be Top sources in the government said national crisis.
allowed at the vegetable that while the priority remains con- A bench of Justices Ashok
given vegetable. Using face masks will 25 have continued to operate.
market between midnight tainment of the novel coronavirus, Bhushan and S Ravindra Bhat
be compulsory and those violating In the last15 days, this is the second
and 8 am there is also a pressing need to resume took note of the submissions of
the rule will be fined Rs 1,000. time the decision to close and reopen
The decision was taken after a se- the markets has been taken. The ● Can’t sell less than 10 kg per regular day-to-day business. While Solicitor General Tushar Mehta
vegetable making a public appeal to be patient and senior advocate Mukul Ro-
ries of meetings between the APMC APMC authorities have had several
administration, Navi Mumbai Mu- marathon meetings with the whole- ● No retail buyers allowed and follow strict social distancing, Mo- hatgi that according to the direc-
nicipal Corporation officials, whole- salers, who have been trying to figure ● Rs 1,000 fine for not wearing di is expected to announce various re- tive of National Health Authority
face masks laxations across sectors including agri- under the Ayushman Bharat
salers, Konkan divisional commis- out a way to balance steady supply of
culture, commerce, industries, steel, Yojana, the COVID-19 tests were
sioner, the police and the secretary to food essentials and safety measures. In
coal, pharmaceuticals among others. A being conducted free of cost in all
the state government (marketing and the days that the five markets have
separate plan for migrant workers is al- private laboratories even when
cooperation). APMC president Nilesh been shut, the wholesalers have been been a shortage of manpower at the
so being chalked out, sources main- the order was passed on April 8.
Veera said the body is trying to resolve directly supplying vegetables and APMC market. Narendra Patil, leader
the issues and also open the grain and fruits to the city. On Monday, 452 ve- of mathadi workers, said, “At the tained, to ensure they are able to move
pulses market by April 15. hicles carrying fruits and vegetables grain-pulses market alone, we need from one place to another smoothly. tak, Sirsa (Haryana), Pauri Garhwal (Ut-
The Mumbai APMC is the apex from the APMC were allowed direct 6,000-7,000 workers. However, we Officials said that the existing per trakhand), Bhadradari Kothagudem
body of 300 APMCs in Maharashtra entry into Mumbai. just have 25 per cent of the strength. I day numbers of Covid-19 cases may be (Telangana).
and constitutes five wholesale mar- With loaders (mathadi workers) am trying to talk to the district author- frightening, but as many as 25 districts The government is also in the proc-
kets. Apart from the vegetable, onion- having left for their villages in Pune, ities and mukadams (contractors) to that had reported cases earlier have had ess of segregating districts and states in-
potato and grain-pulses markets, the Solapur and Satara districts, there has bring these workers back.” no fresh instances in the past 14 days. to three possible colour codes – red, or-
These districts are Gondia (Maha- ange and green – depending on the se-
rashtra), Raj Nandgaon, Durg, Bilaspur verity of cases reported from there.

BMC removes 6 Malabar Hill bldgs

(Chattisgarh), Davangiri, Kodagu, The Home Ministry that had per-
Tumkuru, Udupi (Karnataka), South mitted plying of trucks carrying essen-
Goa (Goa), Wayanad and Kottayam tial as well as non-essential goods across
(Kerala) ,West Imphal (Manipur), Ra- states, on Sunday in yet another notifi-

from list of containment zones jouri (J&K), Aizwal West (Mizoram),

Mahe (Puducherry), SBS Nagar (Pun-
jab), Patna, Nalanda & Munger (Bihar),
cation has asked states to ensure com-
pliance. The Ministry said it had been
receiving complaints that the order was
Pratapgarh (Rajasthan), Panipat, Roh- not being followed in ‘letter and spirit.’
DEEPAK TURBHEKAR

S
ix buildings in Malabar Hill Containment zones elsewhere
completed their 14-day quar- In Thane, as positive cases rose from
antine period on Monday and 45 on Sunday to 74 on Monday, the
are no longer in the BMC’s contain- Thane Municipal Corporation
ment zone list. The buildings were (TMC) increased the number of con-
sealed after one resident from each of tainment zones from 15 (declared on
them tested positive for coronavirus Friday) to 74. The number shot up as
two weeks ago. Malabar Hill comes the TMC decided to seal all residen-
under the D-Ward, where there are tial buildings with even a single case
still 41 sealed buildings, including and declare a 500 sq mt radius around
some on Pedder Road and Nepean it as a containment zone.
Sea Road. D-Ward still has 41 such zones In Navi Mumbai, the municipal
Assistant commissioner of D- Another resident, Daleep Har- corporation has gradually increased
Ward Prashant Gaikwad confirmed chandrai, said they took several mea- the number of containment zones as
the development and said the restric- sures to prevent outsiders from enter- 50 people have tested positive since
tions have been eased as no new pa- ing. “We were the first in Malabar Hill the coronavirus outbreak. While ear-
tients or people in high-risk category to lock down,” said Harchandrai, lier these areas were limited to some
have been found here. adding that they hired two extra sectors in Vashi, Nerul and Ghansoli,
DESPERATE TIMES A man and a pack of stray dogs scrambling for
One of the residents said the re- guards and told the staff in the build- new areas in Airoli, Koparkhairane,
spilt milk on a road in Agra is perhaps the most telling picture of how
moval from the containment zone ing to not go home. “We have provid- Belapur village and Seawoods Darabe
the poor are struggling to survive during the lockdown. The un-
list hasn’t made much of a difference, ed them food, shelter and medica- have been sealed, said NMMC health
verified viral video shows the man desperately trying to scoop up
except that it's a relief that all resi- tion. We stopped all temporary work- officer Balasaheb Sonavane.
the milk, which was reportedly spilt after a milk tanker overturned,
dents in quarantine have tested neg- ers and guests from entering and LINAH BALIGA, ALKA DHUPKAR &
into an earthen pot as dogs drank from the small stream nearby.
ative. locked our gates,” he said. DAVID DELIMA
 City
K 6
MumbaiMirror
CORONAVIRUS OUTBRE A Tuesday, April 14, 2020

DEEPAK TURBHEKAR

CITY TOLL HITS 100

Tally of positive cases crosses the 1,500-mark, BMC says

(PICTURE FOR REPRESENTATIONAL PURPOSE ONLY)

T
SATISH MALAVADE
he toll from the novel
coronavirus in Mumbai
reached 100, while the tally
of positive cases crossed the
1,500-mark, the BMC said on
Monday.
As many as 352 more people tested
positive in Maharashtra, taking the
tally to 2,334, while the death toll in
the state increased to 160, said a state
BMC workers outside
health official.
Kasturba Hospital
According to the municipality,
with 150 more people testing posi-
tive in Mumbai, the coronavirus case
count jumped to 1,549 in the city.
Nine more Covid-19 patients
succumbed during the same period,
Covid deals blow to
taking the death toll in the epicentre
of the disease in Maharashtra to 100, a
BMC release said.
Health workers go door-to-door in Dharavi checking residents safai worker’s family
The civic body said the total num-
ber of recovered patients reached 141
the officials. The ten people found
positive on Monday included family
The president of Durbal Ghatak
Aghadi Vilas Rupvate even released Wife dead, worker and son-in-law positive;
with 43 more people discharged from
hospitals.
members and neighbours of the first
two patients.
a video asking people to celebrate
Ambedkar Jayanti from their homes.
workers demand accommodation, insurance
The BMC claimed that seven out Corporator of the area Parmeshwar Other than the population density | Rahi.Gaikwad we would lose her,” the daughter
of the nine deaths were due to co- Kadam said, “These patients were and small houses, the problem in the @timesgroup.com told Mirror.
morbidities (pre-existing illnesses), asymptomatic but they were marked locality is people are not very disci- A few days ago, the worker
TWEETS @rahi_MIRROR
while the other two were linked to with quarantine stamps. They were plined, he said, giving example of himself made an appeal through

T
age-related factors. initially kept in a lodge for quaran- how people with quarantine stamps he family of a BMC a video message from SevenHills,
tine as the houses in the area are too were freely moving around. safai kamgar (sanita- for urgent attention to his wife’s
Ten slum cases small.” He added that those in close tion worker), who tested health. “We clean everyone’s dirt,
Ten of those who tested positive were contact with the first two patients Patient management positive for Covid-19, has but when we are in difficulty,
from one of the city’s biggest slum were also tested. protocol been devastated after his wife we are shunned. The disease has
pockets, Ramabai Ambedkar Nagar. All the people found positive on Meanwhile, the state public health also contracted the virus and affected my whole family,” he
Despite the news, people flocked the Monday were admitted to Rajawadi department set up a task force for died on Sunday. The incident has said.
markets, breaching the rules of the Hospital, said senior inspector Suhas patient management protocol for seri- shocked the worker community, Dr Chandrakant Pawar, medi-
lockdown. Local residents and public Kamble of Pant Nagar police. “We are ous and critically ill patients in the six whose work exposes their family cal superintendent of Kasturba,
representatives appealed the state gov- in touch with BMC officials about the designated hospitals for treatment of members to high risk. denied the allegations. “There
ernment for enforcements to ensure need to seal off or contain any area,” coronavirus in Mumbai. The worker, who was assigned was no medical negligence as
discipline among the slum dwellers. he said. The committee is headed by for- duty at Dharavi, first tested alleged. A specialist from Nair
Two residents of Yashodhara Social workers and volunteers in mer dean of KEM Hospital, Dr Sanjat positive and was admitted to Hospital attended to the patient.
Chawl who had travelled to New the area tried to ensure that people Oak. Dr Zarir Udwadia, Dr Santosh SevenHills Hospital on March 31. The relatives should have asked
Delhi last month were the first people stayed indoors but the narrow streets Nagvekar, Dr Kedar Toraskar, Dr Rahul Two days later his wife showed for post-mortem if they thought
in the slum area to be found positive. were still full. “The markets are open Pandit, Dr Nitin Karnik, Dr Zahir symptoms of fever and was admit- there was negligence,” he told
They were among a group of five with only for a limited time, which is caus- Virani, Dr Om Shrivastav and Dr ted to Kasturba Hospital. While Mirror.
travel history that was not disclosed ing people to crowd the streets as they Praveen Bangar are members. she tested negative at first, by the The virus outbreak has further
to the authorities. They were tested on indulge in panic buying,” said resi- time her results turned positive a endangered BMC workers’ lives,
April 9 after some neighbours alerted dent Namdev Ubale. With inputs from Payal Gwalani few days later, her condition had whose work is hazardous even
worsened to such an extent that under normal circumstances.
she had to be taken to the ICU. They are now demanding sepa-
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 bed sheets have not been changed for given to me on my first day here. The virus also infected the rate accommodation for a couple
a week and smelly plates lie around in Bathrooms are filthy and bed sheets worker’s son-in-law, who is now of months so that their families
and plates with half-eaten meals and the room for days. “We are four to a are not changed for days,” he said. admitted to the PWD hospital are not exposed to the risk.
used tea cups lying around in rooms room. I have no problem with that. I Dr Balkrishna Adsul, head of in Andheri. His daughter and “Most of us stay in slums and
for days. can understand there is a space Community Medicine Department at her two children were briefly rental accommodation in Kalyan,
Some of these accounts are sup- crunch, but can they not keep the Sion Hospital and currently in-charge quarantined at Kasturba, and his Thane, Panvel. We travel from far
ported by videos and pictures sent out room clean?” she asked. of SevenHills admitted hiring house- son and daughter-in-law were to the city. The administration
by patients. She said the nurses and ward boys keeping staff is a struggle. “Many have in home quarantine; they are all can put us up somewhere closer,”
The hospital administration is throw medicines at them from a dis- quit. Their main concern is that only negative. a safai worker said.
aware of the grave situation and is try- tance and added that an old lady kept doctors and nurses get PPEs (personal “Last month I had cough and A worker who works in
ing everything possible to hire more requesting for a diaper change for one protection equipment). Since Friday, a sore throat. I took medicine, Byculla and stays in Bhayandar
housekeeping hands. One of the main entire day. “When her diaper was we are making sure house keeping but one day I came home feeling said he spends four to five hours
reasons nobody is willing to take up changed, the used one was left by her staff get PPEs too. We are talking to severely drained. My wife and a day just commuting. “I have
the job is the fear of coronavirus. In bed side and there it remained for multiple agencies to hire attendants. I went to Nair Hospital. They to leave home at 4 am if I have
just the past couple of days, 15 house- another 24 hours,” she said. Hope things will get resolved soon,” tested me and admitted me to to report for work at 6.30-7 am. I
keeping staff quit. “They just stop While acknowledging that what he said. SevenHills. Later my wife took take a bus to Borivali and change
reporting to work. Their main con- she is saying may scare those yet Everybody at SevenHills Hospital ill and went to test at Kasturba. I to a bus for Dadar. From Dadar I
cern is their families, to whom they undetected and may push them to seems to have been taken by surprise must have given the virus to her,” take another bus to Byculla. The
go back after work. They believe they hide their symptoms or lie about trav- at the speed at which they are having the worker said. buses are scheduled every half an
could endanger their loved ones’ well- el history, the woman said it is impor- to ramp up services to take in more The worker’s daughter, who hour. At Borivali there is a queue.
being,” said a source. tant for her to talk because things may and more patients and more and more was the last to see her mother, Since only one person is allowed
On Sunday, SevenHills was making improve after her account reaches responsibility. said nobody from the caregiving on one seat, the wait to get on the
do with housekeeping staff strength senior BMC officers. “I have not met a M Ramaswami, former Navi staff attended to her mother’s bus is long,” he said.
of 53. Its requirement to serve 432 doctor ever since I have been admit- Mumbai municipal corporation who needs. “She had fever and had Sunil Yadav, a PhD scholar
patients -- 300. ted here. We are only dealing with has been appointed to oversee the become weak and disoriented. at TISS, who is also a BMC safai
A 46-year-old woman, who was nurses and ward boys. Nobody tells us development of SevenHills, said She kept asking for hot water, but worker and is currently on sabbat-
admitted on Thursday, said her fear is how is our condition and when we appointment of 80 new housekeeping no one gave her. When I took ical, said workers were stripped of
that she will contract some other dis- will be discharged,” she said. staff was cleared on Monday. “In a permission to see her, her clothes health insurance in 2017. “Since
ease while being treated for Covid-19 A doctor, who works with a private day or two, a hundred more will be were soiled. I gave her a change of we are most vulnerable to illness,
infection. This home-maker from hospital and tested positive for Covid- appointed. As per the protocol, we clothes. The staff did not pay any we needed the insurance. But for
Andheri, whose husband is positive 19 recently, said his room has not will provide PPEs to everybody – doc- attention to my mum. She was a everyone, we come last,” he said.
too but asymptomatic and thus at an been cleaned for five days. “I am still tors, nurses and housekeeping staff,” strong woman, with no medical He has volunteered to join work
isolation facility in Andheri, said her wearing the hospital clothes that were he said. condition. We never imagined during the lockdown period.
 City 7
CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK
MumbaiMirror Tuesday, April 14, 2020

BMC races to order body bags amid rising toll SACHIN HARALKAR
Officials said the civic body has official. tive gear and no family members are al-
Chaitanya Marpakwar
called for an Expression of Interest (EoI) According to World Health Organi- lowed to go near the body,” said a senior
@timesgroup.com
asking suppliers to meet the require- zation (WHO) guidelines, all Covid-19 civic official.
TWEETS @chaiMIRROR ment. bodies are to be transported in body Officials said that the WHO also rec-
Several public and private hospitals bags to prevent the spread of the virus. ommends packing the body of a de-

W
ith the city recording 100 Co- have demanded the bags. “We have “We are following the WHO guide- ceased victim with acute respiratory in-
vid-19 deaths so far, the Bri- been told that around 50 bags are re- lines. All bodies are wrapped in the fection in an impermeable body bag be-
hanmumbai Municipal Cor- quired per day. Not just Covid-19 pa- body bags and are transported to the fore being removed from the isolation
poration will order 50 body bags per tients but even suspected patients who burial ground or the crematorium in a area to avoid leakage of body fluid. The
day to ensure it does not run out of the die are being wrapped in body bags. So special ambulance. The staffers who Officials said the BMC has called guidelines recommend proper use of
material to dispose the corpses. the EoI was issued,” said a senior civic bury or cremate the body wear protec- for an Expression of Interest Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

CM’s relief fund sees

a trickle, PM-Cares a gush
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 ror reached out to refused to go
on record about the issue, how-
have reportedly given to PM- ever, saying that it had become
Cares. Announced on March 28, “too political”. One large con- Government of
PM-Cares is said to have received glomerate said it had contribut- Maharashtra
Rs 6,500 crore in donations in the ed Rs 5 crore to the CM’s fund.
first week, albeit from all over In- “Several states had approached
dia. us for help, and some asked for
“There could be two reasons funds and others for medical re-
for this,” says Deepak Mukhi, Di- lief in terms of PPE and other
rector, FICCI Maharashtra State equipment,” said a spokesper-
Council. “Contributions to the son. “We just give where we
Centre are allowed as part of the think it will help the most. We
two per cent mandatory alloca- don’t try to figure out if it would
tion for CSR, whereas companies be better to give to the state than
cannot avail of that benefit when the Centre.”
they give to the Chief Minister’s Trade bodies, however, are
Relief Fund. Moreover, compa- exhorting their members to give
nies would want to first extend wherever they can. Ajit Mangrul-
their charity to the people with kar, director general of the Indi-
whom they are already work- an Merchant Chamber, says:
ing.” Large manufacturing or in- “We are collecting funds for both
frastructure companies, for in- PM’s fund and the CM’s fund and
stance, might want to start their will contribute to both equally.”
giving with their stakeholders – Shashikant Jadhav, president
people who work and live of the Nashik Industries and
around their factories or work- Manufacturing Association (NI-
sites, or in markets where they MA), says his organisation is
have a large presence. Since these helping the local municipal cor-
aren’t always in Maharashtra, poration by providing facilities
Mukhi adds, large corporations for isolation and quarantine,
might feel that giving to the PM’s and also providing medical

An Intellectual Par Excellence

fund will allow their aid to be dis- equipment which some of our
tributed more equitably. members manufacture. “Besides
However, Maharashtra Con- this we have taken the responsib-

The Harbinger of Transfo rmation

gress spokesperson and general ility to provide food to a large
secretary Sachin Sawant said that number of migrant labourers
allowing donations to PMCares who are stranded as many facto-

The Great Crusader of Social Equality

to qualify as CSR expenditure but ries have closed down.” Jadhav
not allowing this for donations adds, however, that many more
to the CM’s fund was a “very seri- companies and HNIs would con-
ous injustice”. He said, “Al-
though many corporations wish
tribute to the chief minister’s
fund -- like they do to PMCares -- Humble Tributes To
The Extraordinarily
to donate to the CM’s relief fund if they could get tax rebates un-
they are unable to do so due to der section 80G, for instance.
non-eligibility under CSR. As it Pradeep Bhargava, president
is, many union ministers are
pressuring big Industrialists to
give their funds to PMCares.
of the Pune-based Mahratta
Chamber of Commerce, Indus-
tries and Agriculture (MCCIA),
Talented Mahamanav...
Hence the government of Maha- adds, “The MCCIA collected Rs
rashtra must persistently de- 12 crore from its members and
mand that the union govern- used it to procure ventilators,
ment consider allowing dona- PPE and other medical equip-
tions to the CM’s fund to qualify ment from countries like Singa-
as CSR expenditure.” pore, South Korea and China
However, former chief minis- among others, and distributed
ter and leader of the opposition these at various government and
Devendra Fadnavis refused this, municipal hospitals in and
Instructions : On the backdrop of Carona crisis , this year citizens
saying, “The State Disaster Re- around Pune. Apart from this we
sponse and Mitigation Fund has are also helping the state govern-
a provision under which CSR ment and civic authorities by ar- should observe birth anniversary by staying at homes only.
funds can be accepted. Therefore ranging for food for daily wage
the political allegations are un- earners and stranded people, he
true. The restrictions on the added. He adds, however, omt
CM’s relief fund were put in place
by the UPA government in 2013,
“Whether one contributes to the
PM’s or CM’s fund should not be
De puty Chief Minister Minister, Revenue Chief Minister
after discussions. Certainly SDRF an issue since ultimately, it all www.mahanews .gov.in Follow : Z/ O /MahaDGIPR Subscribe : MaharashtraDGIPR mahasamvad.in
is an option for the state.” goes towards the same, big
Several companies that Mir- cause.” Directorate General of Informat ion and Public Relations, Government of Maharashtra
 City 8
CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK
MumbaiMirror Tuesday, April 14, 2020

Red, orange,
Muslim bodies join hands to green: TMC
divides Thane
facilitate burials of victims DEEPAK TURBHEKAR
into zones
Hotspots with more than
Three-member team Mahim residents
available 24X7 to help oppose burial one case are red; those
relatives; cemetery of bodies with a single case are
workers bring trained
R orange; and areas with
esidents of a hous-
ing society in Marie
to bury bodies in a Nagar, Mahim (West), no cases are green
have opposed the burial of
safe manner Covid-19 victims in a cem- | Kamal.Mishra
@timesgroup.com
etery nearby.
| Chaitanya Marpakwar and The society shares a TWEETS @KMMIRROR
Sharmeen Hakim boundary wall with the
mirrorfeedback@ Sunni Muslim Kabristan,
timesgroup.com where three people were
TWEETS @MumbaiMirror buried on Sunday. An ambu-

T
lance carrying one of the
he BMC has asked the bodies entered the society
Raza Academy and Bada by mistake, adding to the
Qabrastan at Marine Lines to Bada Qabrastan members are helping members of the community residents’ concerns.
facilitate the burial of Mus- “We are scared of living
lim victims of coronavirus. local trusts. Depending on the avail- Khatib and the other two mem- here because Covid patients
The municipality recently identi- ability of space and where the family bers of the team, Sabir Nirban and are being buried in our back-
fied 20 rural grounds in the city for lives, we arrange the burial,” said Irfan Shaikh, are available 24x7 to yard. The world over bodies
burials. However, since relatives of Shoaib Khatib of Bada Qabrastan, help bury Covid-19 victims. of victims are being cremat-
the deceased are still struggling to who is a member of the task force. “In Goregaon we used an excava- ed. How is the BMC allow-
find space at burial grounds, the Khatib said staff at burial grounds tor to dig graves overnight. We want ing them to bury the bod-
Raza Academy and Bada Qabrastan are also being trained to bury the to be prepared so there is no short- ies?” Said Michael D’Souza,
have formed a three-member team bodies in a safe manner. age of graves later and relatives don’t one resident.
to help them. “Usually the graves are six to have to run from one burial ground Advocate Joe Sodder,
The team has already overseen eight feet deep. But for Covid-19 vic- to another,” Khatib said. another resident, said:
the digging of 25-30 graves at tims, the graves are 12-14 feet deep. “We have formed three teams: “Yesterday an ambulance
Goregaon’s Aarey Muslim Cemetery. We don’t perform regular rituals. one for Mumbai, one for Thane and with a body inside entered
“We are coordinating with the The body is wrapped in a plastic one for extended western suburbs our society. We got so Mumbra, a red zone (top); entry
trusts and managements of burial bodybag. There is a disinfection pro- such as Mira Road and Bhayander. scared. We locked the back to Kopri Village is barred (above)
grounds that have been marked. As cess that has to be followed, so there But the Bada Qabrastan is our cen- gate.”

T
soon as there is any death, relatives is no spread of the virus in the burial tral office and we coordinate from —Linah.Baliga he Thane Municipal Corpo-
call us. We then coordinate with the ground,” Khatib said. here.” ration (TMC) on Monday
divided the entire city into
three zones: Red, orange,

14 of Awhad’s contacts test positive

green. Hotspots with more than one
case of Covid-19 are red; those with a
single case are orange; and areas with
no cases are green.
Seventy-six cases of coronavirus
They include five bodyguards, cook; minister tests negative but goes into self-quarantine were reported in the city till Monday.
The decision to segregate areas
PRASHANT NARVEKAR
tested positive. according to the number of cases
| Vinay.Dalvi
@timesgroup.com The senior inspector, who had will allow authorities to manage the
returned to his home in Nashik after crisis better, TMC spokesman Sandip
TWEETS @VinayMIRROR feeling unwell on April 7, later tested Malvi said.

F
ourteen people with whom positive for Covid-19. The authorities closed all entry
Maharashtra Minister for Hous- “Today, Thane has reported 30 points to green zones, to prevent
ing Jitendra Awhad had come positive cases, taking the total num- outsiders from entering and infect-
in close contact tested positive ber of patients to 78. They have been ing the residents there.
for Covid-19 in Thane on Monday. admitted in Thane Civil and Kopri Village is one of seven such
They include five bodyguards and Horizon Hospital. A TV journalist zones - six are in Wagale Division.
a cook. Although the minister, who and a cameraman have also tested One red and two orange zones have
represents Kalwa-Mumbra Assembly positive,” said Sandeep Malvi, depu- been declared in Naupada.
constituency, has tested negative, he ty commissioner of TMC. “With the help of the local police,
decided to go into self-quarantine for Malvi said TMC was continuous- all roads to Kopri and six other green
14 days. ly establishing contacts with the sus- zones identified in Wagale area have
The Thane Municipal pected cases to make sure that been closed by the municipality.
Corporation (TMC) officials said Jitendra Awhad supervising distribution of food in his constituency nobody was missed. Outside access to these areas has
that the people who tested positive Kalwa-Mumbra during lockdown He said the TMC has appealed to been closed,” a civic official said.
included a TV journalist from tive, they started reaching all his distribution of food packets among people to come forward if they came Residents of green zones are
Thane, his cameraman, three con- high-risk contacts. the poor, and am worried that it will in contact with those found posi- allowed to move within their areas.
stables from a police station and After conducting a rigorous get affected,” said Awhad. tive. Shops there are open.
NCP workers. screening, on Monday 30 people “All my people will be taken Several reporters were tested for In orange zones, entry and exit
According to the officials, prima were found to be positive in Thane good care of. I am in touch with the the virus as some of the cases had are restricted and only essential ser-
facie, it appears that these people and Mumbra. authorities concerned in this visited the press room of TMC. vices are allowed.
contracted the virus from a senior Awhad and his family members, regard,” he said. Some of the journalists had visit- In red zones all types of move-
inspector who had earlier tested pos- including his wife and daughter, NCP workers said that Awhad ed Mumbra with the minister and ment is strictly prohibited. No one is
itive. tested negative. was distributing food in Mumbra, met the senior inspector concerned allowed to leave their homes and
With the new cases, the total The contacts who tested positive Kalwa and Diva areas, and the work several times. essential services are provided by the
number of people testing positive in were immediately taken to Horizon is bound to get affected. “We have been taking swab sam- concerned agencies.
Thane has reached 76. Hospital in Thane West. After a senior inspector had test- ples of journalists and social workers Details of the zones are being
The TMC officials said after the “I have home quarantined ed positive, 35 constables had gone from the minister’s constituency,” share with the local police for strict
senior police inspector tested posi- myself. I was doing good work of into quarantine. Of these, three have said a TMC official. implementation, officials said.
 City 9
CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK
MumbaiMirror Tuesday, April 14, 2020

Boris Johnson tests negative ‘Ghosts’ help Indonesian villagers stay in

K
epuh village in Indonesia has been haunted

B
oris Johnson’s spokesman says the Brit- seriousness of Johnson’s condition. by ghosts recently – mysterious white figures
ish PM is continuing his recovery from Johnson was admitted to St Thomas’ on jumping out at unsuspecting passersby, then
COVID-19 and, on the advice of his doc- April 5 after his condition worsened and he was gliding off under a full-moon sky. The village has de-
tors, is “not immediately returning to work.” transferred the following day ployed a cast of “ghosts” to patrol
Johnson was discharged from St Thomas’
Hospital in London on Sunday and then went
to its intensive care unit,
where he received oxygen but WORLD the streets, hoping that age-old su-
perstition will keep people indoors
to Chequers, the prime minister’s country resi- was not put onto a ventilator. and safely away from the virus.
dence, around 40 miles (65 kilometers) north- He spent three nights there before moving back Known as pocong (pictured right), the ghostly
west of the capital. to a regular hospital ward. figures are wrapped in white shrouds with pow- they had the opposite effect. Instead of keeping peo-
James Slack confirmed that Johnson has Slack said Johnson spoke over the weekend dered faces and kohl-rimmed eyes. In Indonesian ple in they bought them out to catch a glimpse of the
now tested negative for the coronavirus and de- to Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, who has folklore they represent the trapped souls of the dead. apparitions. The organisers have since changed
nied that the government had downplayed the been deputising for him during his illness. AP But when they first started appearing this month tack, launching surprise pocong patrols. REUTERS

CR staff take 120

stray dogs, cats WIW*W

under their wing

A group of Parel workshop employees STAYIIA q:L
continue the practice despite lockdown
T K%#Wtw
HOULDN'T
OCK DOWN
OUR PROPERTY
The group sources 20 litres of milk and 400 pieces of bread

Kamal.Mishra
@timesgroup.com
Dadar woman continues
EARCH
TWEETS @MumbaiMirror feeding mission
For Hindu colony resident

T
he Central Railway’s Pa-
rel loco workshop team Viral Gogri, feeding the
has taken on the re- stray dogs and cats in her Today,when your safety is of the
neighbourhood has been a
sponsibility of feeding
practice since she was a utmost concern and stepping out of
around 120 stray dogs
child. The 41-year-old
and cats in their neighbourhood
Dadar (East) resident said home is not an option,we also advise
amid the lockdown. Before the
lockdown, railway employees she also treats their
you to stay at home and stay safe.
and residents would feed the ani- wounds. She said it takes
mals. her six hours to feed the Meanwhile,we are always there to
Vivek Acharya, chief work- strays. “I feed 162 cats and
shop manager of the Central Rail- 109 dogs every day. The ensure that the search for your dream
way loco workshop in Parel, pro- areas I cover include
posed the idea to his colleagues Hindu colony, Matunga home doesn't slow down.We are fully
Santosh Sakpal, Vijay Purabiya, Road and Sion’s Koliwa-
Bramhanand Pandey and Lak- da,” Gogri said. prepared with all the options and
han Saini. The employees began information that you need to choose
by conducting a survey of the ries,” Acharya said. “These dogs
stray dog and cat population in and cats rarely leave their territo- the right property, while staying safe
the area and found that around ries, because dogs and cats in oth-
70 strays live inside the work- er areas can get aggressive if an inside your present home.
shop’s premises while around 50 outsider enters their territory.
live in the area outside it. They will be injured if they ven-
The group places buckets of ture beyond what they have Together, we will get through this.
water at various spots in the area
for the animals to quench their
marked as their territory. That
was a wake-up-call for us to take
Happy and safe searching!
thirst. They have been preparing care of these dogs and cats.”

PA?ABADLO
meals twice a day since March 23 The group sources 20 litres of

LIVE SADLO
for the animals. The meals in- milk and 400 pieces of bread to
clude boiled rice mixed with eggs feed the animals every day.
to ensure that the animals are get- Acharya also proposed a system
ting the protein they need. “We where those who want to help
also mash bread with milk for the effort can “adopt a dog” for Rs
them,” Acharya said. 600 that will provide 15 days’
Animal lovers in the neigh- worth of food. He alone has
bourhood have also started adopted five dogs.
pitching in to help. “While the The team has asked members
workshop remains closed be- of the public interested in help-
Rated
Ra
cause of the lockdown, the ani-
mals have not left their territo-
ing their effort to contact HK Di-
garse on 9920133266. Download ma9icbricks app now 4.3 WTffCN

PW
 City
K 10
MumbaiMirror
CORONAVIRUS OUTBRE A *Tuesday, April 14, 2020

Developer invokes force majeure clause

NAMRATA ZAKARIA

LET THEM
Residents’ society accuses developer of using the clause to delay rent dues EAT CAKE
to the tenants this week by the struction has come to a standstill There’s more to fashion than
| Satish.Nandgaonkar
@timesgroup.com managing committee to cover the and so have the sales and collec- meets the eye
rent dues for May and June 2020. tions. Post lifting of lockdown, we
TWEETS @satishMIRROR Write to her at [email protected]
However, on April 6, MIG will require at least 60 days to re-

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nvoking the force majeure (Bandra) Realtors and Builders Pvt mobilise the contractors and work-

Whose life is it anyway?

clause in view of the Covid-19 Ltd wrote a letter to the MIG force for construction to recom-
lockdown, the promoters of X Society stating that the Covid-19 mence,” said the letter signed by
BKC project in Kala Nagar, Bandra pandemic and the lockdown Pankaj Rajmachikar, one of the
to-wafer-eating twins (with ketch-

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have asked the original tenants of ordered by the government had directors of the company. don’t know about you but I
MIG Colony not to deposit their seriously impacted its business, The Society Treasurer DP tuned out of Andrea Boccelli’s up, like our kids, not Marmite on
rent cheques for May-June period. and hampered its ability to fulfil Somani wrote back to the promot- ‘Music for Hope’ live virtual con- Ryvita). KJo being KJo must show
Citing financial difficulties and obligations. ers, accusing the developer of cert in less than ten minutes. I us his expensive taste too, so we are
bad market conditions, the MIG The letter also recounted how using force majeure clause alleg- don’t mean to be rude. Perhaps it often trapped inside his teak-and-
(Bandra) Realtors and Builders Pvt the Brihanmumbai Municipal edly to delay the payment of rent was the famous tenor singing to an Travertine walk-in closet. No, it’s
Ltd, a part of DB Realty group, had Corporation had gradually or hardship compensation. empty cathedral that was distress- hardly suffocating, it’s bigger than
given post-dated cheques to pay enforced a lockdown from March A spokesperson for DB Realty ing. Perhaps the sweeping images many middle-class homes actually,
the hardship compensation or 16 to March 24 invoking Section said, “Since March 16, we are una- of Italy, the most favoured holiday and there’s even a poster of an SRK
transit rent for a six- month peri- 144, followed by the Epidemic ble to carry out constructions and spot that’s been hit the hardest dur- lookalike. The twins think so too.
od in three instalments. Diseases Act, and then the sales. As per the development ing this pandemic, were upsetting. MS Dhoni is mowing his lawn.
The last of the three cheques Disaster Management Act. agreement, this constitutes a force Or perhaps I was just done with Radhika Madan and Sanya
dated April 7 was to be distributed “As you are aware that the con- majeure event. “ celebrities performing out of my Malhotra have taken to gardening.
laptop. Suresh Raina is frying something.
Since the advent of social Alia Bhatt baked banana bread.
Obituary: Ashok Desai, former AGI media, movie stars are not what
they used to be. Larger than life,
Diljit Dosanjh goes live every night
cooking his own dinner, constantly
only seen on a celluloid screen or chatting with us in his adorable

One of finest public

heard from in glossy magazines mix of Hindi and Punjabi.
edited by unctuous journalists. But Anushka Sharma has given
on social media, they were in our Virat Kohli a haircut. Sonam
hands now. From our tiny cell Kapoor has given Anand Ahuja a
phone screens, we watched them haircut. Nikhil Dwivedi gave him-

spirited lawyers
dress up for their shoots. We self a haircut. While award-win-
watched them exit airports in giant ning screenplay writer Apurva
sunglasses carrying giant totes Asrani just shaved his head bald.
wearing giant sneakers. We Justin Timberlake got some flak
watched them workout in their when he said 24-hour parenting
| Pallav Shishodia these polarised times of rancorous itsy sports bras and expensive wasn’t humanly possible. He came
mirrorfeedback debates. Lululemon tights, their few-thou- under fire for elitism, saying that
@timesgroup.com I recall one of the summer sand-rupees-an-hour fancy trainers while he checked into his vacation
vacations when Ashok Bhai decid- playing videographer. We watched home, a 15,000-acre private com-
TWEETS @MumbaiMirror

A
ed to work on appeals against them step out of expensive salons munity ranch. Several stars are
shok Desai – the distin- elections of then Shiv Sena lead- with glistening hair as passers-by guilty of what is now branded as
guished Senior Advocate, ers, which had won on the asked for selfies. “disaster gentrification”, travelling
former Solicitor General Hindutva plank. It was commit- Now, there are no shoots. There from urban centres to rural areas in
(1989-1990) and later ment to cause that for this pro- are no awards functions and no red the wake of the health crisis.
an Attorney General for bono group of cases he returned carpets. The airports are shut. The Salman Khan is currently in his
India (1996-1998) - was a mentor several lucrative briefs, including gyms are shut. The salons are shut. plush farmhouse in Panvel, appar-
of mine. He was also a Guru to from one MNC bank, which had But we still need to gawk at them. ently spread over 150 acres and
many leading lawyers and judges recently come to India and offered And they still need us to gawk at inclusive of a gym, swimming pool
in Mumbai, Delhi and the rest double the fee for commitment them. and a large animal farm. Anushka
of India. A true renaissance man that all their matters be attended Now, we see them do things we Sharma and Virat Kohli are in
with lots of love outside law for lit- on priority. Ashok Bhai declined it do daily. This discovery of life, as Alibaug, as are scores of rich
erature, art, music and finer things in the finest traditions of a coun- we know it, is seeming to be a Mumbaikars who have homes
of life, he was a great friend; sel who valued professional inde- greater crisis than the coronavirus, there.
someone who loved to dine out pendence than mere profit. The as most of our stars don’t know Pop culture critic Amanda Hess
and had a childlike curiosity of high values of learning, gold what to do with themselves. writes in ‘The New York Times’:
new technology. standard professional ethics, nur- Without their hair-and-makeup Among the social impacts of the
Born about 88 autumns ago to turing junior bar and principled girl, social-media guy, stylists and coronavirus is its swift dismantling
leading criminal lawyer Haribhai stand on public issues has been minions, they seem even more of the cult of celebrity. The famous
Desai, Ashok Bhai was one of the hallmark of lawyers of that gener- ordinary than they would like to are ambassadors of the meritocra-
finest public-spirited lawyers, who ation, difficult to find now. be. No blow-dries, no Botox. Our cy; they represent the American
led the crusade against violation of association with him, both in and It was magnanimity of his stars are all about baking banana pursuit of wealth through talent,
civil liberties and institutionalised outside law, began, and continued mind and heart that juniors in the bread, making Dalgona coffee, or charm and hard work. But the
corruption in cases like Backbay till his days as Attorney General. It matter were allowed to speak out well, banging utensils then. dream of class mobility dissipates
reclamation, discretionary alloca- was his cases of former PM PV of turn, lest a good thought even Madonna called the virus a when society locks down, the econ-
tion of cement by the then Chief Narasimha Rao, fodder scam, if raw is lost. For bad points there “great equaliser” while sitting in a omy stalls, the death count mounts
Minister of Maharashtra AR Armed Forces, Deployment in was always a smile. In the end, milk-and-rose petals-filled bathtub. and everyone’s future is frozen
Antulay. In 1970-80s, it was a big Disturbed Areas, Presidential Rule Ashok Bhai passed away truly like The poor girl must have meant inside their own crowded apart-
legal fiat to expose powerful politi- in UP, election cases of Sharad an enlightened Buddhist soul he that it could happen to any of us, ment or palatial mansion. The dif-
cians through the not so familiar Pawar, where his legal acumen was, early in the morning at Ram or that we are all in this together, ference between the two has never
idea of public interest litigation. spoke for itself. Ashok Bhai pos- Mahal at Mumbai in midst of or that we all have to cook and been more obvious. The #guillo-
Equally tough was the battle he sessed a vast knowledge, and he lockdown. We feel deprived of clean like ordinary folks. But oh, tine2020 hashtag is jumping. As
waged against infraction of civil covered a gamut of subjects in dignity of grand last journey he that bathtub. grocery aisles turn bare, some have
liberties during the Emergency, civil, criminal, constitutional cases deserved an appropriate closure Our stars are trying their hands suggested that perhaps they ought
which he fought on behalf of as well as in matters pertaining to his fans in and outside law would at showing us their ordinary lives to eat the rich.”
socialist friends like Mrinal Gore, international laws. From cases like expect. Maybe he would have pre- too. Katrina Kaif is now teaching So what must our stars do? How
MadhuDandvate, George criminal liability of directors of ferred his last rites in this quiet us how to do dishes and sweep the must they behave when there is a
Fernandes. Union Carbide, Assam accord and manner only. Maybe nature has floor. She tried cooking something severe health and hunger crisis
After joining the Bar in 1984, I citizenship, Salwa Jadum to com- conspired to overrule our wishes that looked like an Australia- around them? How can they be
saw Ashok Bhai in action in all plicated tax disputes, he could for vain externalities with crowd shaped omelette. And oh, like the empathetic or relatable?
branches of law, but only to manage it all. Apart from being an and fanfare he never liked. rest of us, she had a stool and a Maybe they can start by giving
admire him from a distance, not to eminent jurist, Ashok Bhai would plastic bucket stored in her kitch- our eyeballs some rest. And know-
assist this top lawyer. I was very also be remembered as a public (The author is a practising Senior en’s flower-bed area. ing that, right now, all that matters
fortunate that Ashok Bhai came to intellectual with nuanced and bal- Advocate in the Supreme Court and Karan Johar, who is almost is other people’s lives
settle in Delhi as Solicitor General anced views placed with polite one of the juniors from the chamber never seen with his kids, is delight-
of India. This is where my lifelong firmness – a virtue not in vogue in of Ashok Desai since 1989) ing us by playing da-da to his pota- Tweets: @namratazakaria
 You HEALTH TIP: Cheese is a rich source A powerhouse of antioxidants,
MumbaiMirror 11
Tuesday, April 14, 2020
# of calcium, magnesium, vitamins and
protein, which boost bone health
Vitamin C and minerals such as copper
zinc and broccoli keeps the skin healthy
[email protected]
facebook.com/themumbaimirror
@MumbaiMirror

success. Very often we confuse thirst

for hunger as our hunger and
thirst centres are situated very close
to each other in the brain. So, the
next time you think you are hungry,
first drink a glass of water and wait
for 15 minutes.
Most importantly, don’t give up.

Kindness and gratitude

Gratitude will not only put you in a
positive frame of mind; it is also
extremely empowering. Each day,
focus on finding things or people
that you are grateful for and express
your gratitude to them. You can be
grateful to a friend, family member,
even your pet.
Similarly, small acts of kindness
can go a long way to elevate your
spirits. It could be kindness to
family members or sending some
food and tea down to the security
staff in your building — it doesn’t

A BETTER YOU
have to be some grand gesture.

How many
times have
Use this time to replace bad habits with some healthy ones you told
yourself that
you are too busy
to meditate? Now is
Observe your breath for just 10 or 15 minutes every day, or download a breathing app
the time when you
| Maadhuri Sharma the world. Meditation will help need it the most
[email protected] you ease stress and anxiety and and as luck would
help you stay calm in the face of
TWEETS @MumbaiMirror have it, you have all

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uncertainty. Pick any meditation
n Saturday, the Maharash- technique: You can try observing the time in the world
tra government decided to your
extend the ongoing lock- breath or download a breathing Strengthen the core
down up to April 30. That app, or use any simple meditation Tighten your belly and start the
gives you more than two routine described online. Start plank challenge by holding plank
weeks to work towards replacing bad practicing this for a few minutes for twenty seconds. Do this for the
habits with healthy ones. You won’t a day and build it up slowly to reap first two days, then increase it to
always be motivated to do so, so you the benefits. thirty seconds for the third and
must learn to be disciplined. Here fourth day, rest on the fifth, and
are some personal challenges you Overhaul your diet take it up to forty seconds on days
can take on over the next weeks: Start by swearing off all junk and six and seven. By days eight and
processed foods, sugar and alcohol. nine, you should be able to hold the
Sugar detox challenge To fend off sugar cravings, make sure you plan your meals in advance The goal is to consume 0.8 to 1 gm pose for a full minute. Keep increas-
Sugar affects our brain pathways in of protein per kg of body weight, ing the duration steadily in this
the same way that some addictive quinoa. Completely eliminate all crunches, tricep-dips and glute and 25 to 30 gm of fibre, so pay way; by day 20, you should be up to
drugs do. So, this is a really hard processed sugars, but do continue to bridges. Or, simply do 100 attention to your serving sizes. three minutes.
habit to kick. Although it typically eat natural sugars like fruits. suryanamskars, building up to Drink adequate water — around 2.6 With all of these, however,
takes 21 days to break a habit, two this figure gradually. to 3 litres a day. remember: If it doesn’t challenge
weeks is enough time to reset the Get fit Eating home-cooked fresh meals you, it doesn’t change you.
palate. At the very least, if you get Along with clean eating, you can Gain mental focus where one can monitor what goes
started now, by the time the lock- follow a simple routine of walking How many times have you told into each meal is the key to your The writer is a certified nutritionist
down ends, you’ll be better able to 12,000 steps at home. If possible, yourself that you are too busy and health coach
appreciate the natural sweetness of also add some free body-weight to meditate? Now is the
fruits and vegetables. exercises to your routine. Try and time when you need it
One way to fend off sugar crav- include a Tabata routine in your the most and as luck
ings is to make sure you plan your workout, which is 20 seconds of would have it, you
meals in advance. Incorporate intensive activity and 10 seconds of have all the time in
healthy fats like nuts, chia seeds and rest, for four minutes. Do simple
avocado and complex carbohy- jumping jacks, jump squats, lunges,
drates like sweet potato, oats and push-ups, mountain climbers, Start with simple workouts

1 I want to have sex with apply a local anaesthetic (Lox 2% you are now 18 years old. should only be done only when
my boyfriend but I find gel), which is available at most I recommend that you limit you are sexually excited. Do
that sex is extremely painful. pharmacies — apply this in and masturbation to only when you not make it a habit. Hygiene
Every time I have engaged around the vaginal opening. are sexually excited. Wish there must be maintained. Masturbation
in intercourse, I have were instruction manuals for does not increase or decrease
experienced immense 2 I am 18 and I am just over things like this. If you figure it out, testosterone levels. If you feel
pain and we have had to stop. five feet tall. I masturbate please let me know as I’m sure my there is some deficiency, consult
I am worried this this will four times a week, and fear other readers are keen to know a doctor.
keep me from having a normal that it is this that has stunted too. All the best.
life. What can I do to reduce my growth. Does masturbation
SEND YOUR QUERIES TO
the pain? affect height, and what can be 3 I am 21. I masturbate once Ask the Sexpert, Mumbai Mirror,
ASK THE Until you get a chance to visit a done now? a day. Is this normal? Will Times Of India Building, Dr D N Road,

SEXPERT gynaecologist, who can identify the

cause of your pain and recommend
Masturbation does not affect
height or any part of the body.
it affect muscle development
and testosterone?
Mumbai 400001 or email at
[email protected].
DR MAHINDER WATSA a line of treatment, you can Your growth will probably stop as While masturbation is normal, it
Contact Dr Watsa, send an email to
[email protected]
 Movies
MumbaiMirror 12
Tuesday, April 14, 2020
16 Reunion for One Direction? [email protected]
@MumbaiMirror
Entertainment Industry Promotion

‘Once normalcy returns,

Sooryavanshi and ’83 will be the first two films to arrive’
Shibasish Sarkar confident that hunger for big films will increase after six months; says it’s best to wait
| [email protected] announced the closure of all theatres for six
TWEETS @HimeshMirror months, starting from March. Will this impact

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the overseas releases of his films? Shibasish
n March 12, producers Rohit Shetty, reveals that the makers plan to open in over 80
Akshay Kumar and Shibasish Sarkar countries, including traditional markets like the
pulled back the release of their US, UAE, Australia and New Zealand, which
upcoming cop-drama, Sooryavanshi, account for 80 per cent of the overseas collec-
slated for March 24, owing to the cor- tions. “That’s why we are in no hurry to
onavirus outbreak. Shibasish had another film release,” he avers, adding that he doesn’t rule
opening on April 10, the Kabir Khan-directed out a change in consumption pattern of the
sports drama ’83. Even that was indefinitely audience post the pandemic. “I don’t expect
postponed. With uncertainty looming large viewers to return to cinema halls immediately
over two big-budget films, the CEO of Reliance after the crisis has passed. There will be some
Entertainment admits it’s a tough situation, but psychological fear and we will have to build up
reasons that it’s a global crisis, so one must take their confidence over a period of time. But, one
such setbacks in stride and move ahead. thing is for sure, the craze for cinema would
“It’s unfortunate and depressing that the never die in India. On the contrary, I think the
films couldn’t arrive on schedule, but we are hunger for big films will probably increase after
thankful that we managed to hold back We are thankful that we These are big films. six months. The eagerness of the audience to
Sooryavanshi a week before its release. partake of these products will be high if we can
Otherwise, it’d have been a debacle with the
managed to hold back When they release, we’ll convince them that theatres are safe.”
lockdown enforced suddenly,” he points out. Sooryavanshi a week before earn enough to recover cost Prod him on losses incurred due to the delay
For now, the producer is trying to its release of holding them back and Shibasish reasons that they were almost up
stay calm and informs that both films for release, so there is a lot of money at stake.
will release only once things are back plete both the films. Only after that will films till normalcy returns and release them “But these are big films and when they do
to normal. “We are wondering how we decide on the release,” he explains. theatrically since they are big screen experienc- release, we will earn enough revenue to recover
and what to do if this situation con- Following the closure of cinema halls, es,” Shibasish avers. Having seen major por- the additional cost of holding back,” he says
tinues for the next three to six Hollywood film Artemis Fowl is now tions of both Sooryavanshi and ’83, he is confi- confidently, adding that six months have been
months. We have seven-eight days of headed directly for a digital release. Is that dent they’ll work no matter when they arrive. wiped out from everyone’s lives and this will
work left on Sooryavanshi and atleast a a possibility they are considering? The largest cinema chain in the US, AMC result in a chain reaction of delays in releases
month’s work of VFX on ’83. Once “No, all of us, including the Entertainment, has been shut since mid-March and shooting schedules. “Once normalcy
things start functioning, the actors and directors, are clear and is expected to re-open only in July. The returns, Sooryavanshi and ’83 will be the first
first priority will be to com- that we want to hold both New Zealand and Australian governments have two films to arrive,” he assures.

Return of the Angry Young Man

With Shahenshah, Satte Pe Satta, among others, B’wood ready for new wave of Bachchan remakes
| Himesh.Mankad
@timesgroup.com
TWEETS @HimeshMirror

A
fter Don, Agneepath, Zanjeer
and Sholay, among others,
2.0 versions of several yester-
year hits featuring Amitabh
Bachchan are under consideration.
An industry source tells Mirror that
Tinnu Anand, who directed the
1988 vigilante-drama Shahenshah, shares. ers, and the antagonist, Babu.
has been approached by many for Bhushan Kumar had announced Farah was keen to have OTHER REMAKES
the remake rights of the film. “He a remake of Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s Hrithik Roshan step in for the SHAKTI
is yet to part with them. Another Dharmendra and Bachchan-starrer Big B for the second time after A few years ago, a filmmaker was planning a
one of his directorials, Kaalia, is classic, Chupke Chupke, with Agneepath. After several rounds remake with Bachchan Sr. playing DCP Ashwini
also a strong contender, with a lot Rajkummar Rao as botany professor of discussions, the actor Kumar, originally portrayed by Dilip Kumar, and
of industry insiders keen to put a Parimal Tripathi, who masquerades walked out, reportedly due to Abhishek Bachchan stepping in to play the son,
modern-day spin on the action- as chauffeur Pyare Mohan to hood- differences over the script. The Vijay Kumar. Sanjay Gupta was to direct the film
entertainer,” informs the source. wink his wife’s (Sharmila Tagore) director then approached which was shelved before reaching the rewrite
Meanwhile, we hear negotiations protective brother-in-law (Om Salman Khan, who was skepti- stage.
are underway for the rights of Prakash). The actor, who will step cal about playing a character
Prakash Mehra’s 1982 comic-caper, into Bachchan’s shoes to play litera- previously essayed by the veter- DO AUR DO PAANCH
Namak Halaal, which featured the ture professor, Sukumar Sinha, is yet an actor. Buzz is, the makers are In the 2010s, Vashu Bhagnani was planning to
Big B, Shashi Kapoor and Smita undecided. now in talks with Ajay Devgn revamp the Rakesh Kumar-directed comedy,
Patil. “It’s a timeless comedy and Rohit Shetty is bank-rolling a for the part. which also featured Shashi Kapoor, Hema Malini
multiple producers are in talks. If Satte Pe Satta remake, with Farah “It’s challenging to get such a and Parveen Babi. After the success of Karan
the deal is locked, one of them is Khan in the director’s chair. The huge ensemble in place. An offi- Johar’s Dostana, the producer approached
looking to approach a top actor-star 1982 original was top-lined by cial update on the film is expect- John Abraham and Abhishek Bachchan but the
kid, whose forte is comedy, to step Bachchan in a double role—as Ravi ed once the coronavirus pandem- film, to be directed by debutant Akshaye Puri,
into Bachchan’s shoes,” the source Anand, who lives with his six broth- ic subsides,” adds the source. never saw the light of day.
 13
Unwind
MumbaiMirror
Tuesday, April 14, 2020
[email protected]
facebook.com/themumbaimirror
@MumbaiMirror

RENCY PHILIPS

Of desi desires and

social distancing
An audio show on social media is inviting people to read and get a taste of erotica
| Barkha Kumari the days of kissing in dark alleys and dog, says, “I wanted to look at the stop one from creating interesting bed and that sends us in a complete
[email protected] daring to go intimate in museums internet as a site of performance. shows. What the applied theatre state of anxiety. So I like that I have
TWEETS @MumbaiMirror to aching for a lover’s breasts and I mean, can my Instagram page practitioner from Mumbai, who something personal and visceral to

E
tangled hair — these audio bites become a platform for others to moved to Bangalore a year ago, look forward to at 11 pm and go to
ver since India went into of one to five minutes are every express their thoughts, their vulner- liked about the Club is that “it’s a bed with it, feeling warm,” he says.
a full lockdown on March bit sensorial, racy and queer. “But ability?” She also believes that a non-capitalistic platform to talk Don’t fall for the name, the
25, people have been do- none sound too dramatised,” says good artist ought to respond to the about desi sexual lives and desires, Club is not just for loners. Case in
ing all kinds of things to Ghoshalkar, sharing that she asks moment, and given this period of which we don’t do openly.” Plus, it point is documentary and short
keep busy online — from contributors to record lines in their social distancing, the idea of inti- focuses on queer erotica. “I chose filmmaker Pooja Das Sarkar, who
making the Dalgona coffee to do- natural voice, preferably inside a macy becomes interesting. to read female queer erotica (by stays with her partner in Mumbai.
ing the ‘FlipTheSwitch’ challenge closet full of clothes to shut the She was, of course, a bit appre- Audre Lorde) because it’s so under- The 37-year-old says she felt drawn
and posting embarrassing photos ambient noise. Still, two filmmakers hensive about running a night pod- represented. Female desire is seen to the show and eventually read
under #UntilTomorrow. Anuja have gone as far as adding sounds of cast, with hashtags like #sensual, as passive, which considering my out an explicit excerpt of forbidden
Ghoshalkar, a documentary theatre flowing water and train journey #climax and #gspot, for it could own lived experiences and that of love from Arundhati Roy’s The God
maker from Bangalore, decided to to their clips, because why not set be deemed sleazy. That too, with a others, is highly untrue,” she says of Small Things, because “it aligns
use her time differently, curating the mood? Most source their mate- title like The Lonely Hearts Club. with a laugh. with her ideology”. “Sexuality is a
a late-night audio show of erotica rial from existing literature, others “It’s a playful and ironic take on the Coincidentally, 99 per cent of big part of our lives and it’s impor-
on her personal Instagram han- get original. world of cheap dating sites and pop the contributors have been women tant to talk about pleasure even
dle. Now, in just few weeks, The Ask Ghoshalkar why she started culture. Yes, it’s kitschy, it’s corny. in the age-group of 18 to 40. “It’s in times of pain, grief and anxiety
Lonely Hearts Club has blown into this project and the 41-year-old, It’s not meant to be taken seriously,” not a function of gender but the as we are in now.” She found the
a separate page of its own. It is called who’s cooped up she defends and then adds, “The pressures put by the society on process of recording her lifelong
the lonelyhearts5678. The traction with her response has been amazing. I started males,” rues Ghoshalkar. Former favourite passages “cathartic” but
might not be much to speak of, spouse by inviting my acquaintances and ethnographer Ajay Ravi Varma, also “empowering”.
given that the page has only and artist friends to read and now I have who’s cooped up in Uttarakhand The followers are loving the
109 followers, but it draws strangers writing in to contribute. where he volunteers for an NGO, experiment and want Ghoshalkar
contributors from Ban- None have had issues revealing their is an outlier. He wrote a poem on to continue it even after the lock-
galore, Mumbai, Goa names.” Any unsavoury feedback? the uncontained urge to touch down. As the 28-year-old Husan
and even Nainital, “Only one funny DM, where a man and get intimate in crowded cities quips, “There is no such thing like
which speaks asked for a photo of my toe. I and admits it was a way of access- too much pleasure poetry”.
of the idea of blocked him!” ing the moments shared with his
intimacy and “The internet is much partner(s), who are away cur- For more, follow @lonelyhearts5678
self-care in vaster than you assume,” rently. “The news about Covid-19 is on Instagram
times of says the Club’s first perform- almost the last thing
social dis- er Ayesha Husan, implying we read as we
tancing. that there are all kinds of hit the
From people online — literati CHECK
invoking to lurkers and it must not OUT
Andy Warhol at Tate Modern
A
s a pioneer of the exhibition is now available online, which
pop art movement of includes stories behind his famous works,
Documentary the 1960s and 1970s such as pop images of Marilyn Monroe,
filmmaker and with friends like David Coca-Cola and Campbell’s soup can. It
Anuja Bowie and Jean-Michel Basquiat, also features 25 pictures from the Ladies
Ghoshalkar is Andy Warhol has always been an and Gentlemen series, which includes por-
the founder iconic figure in pop culture. The traits of black and Latinx drag queens and
of the Lonely silver-haired, bespectacled artist is trans women. Curators Gregor Muir and
Hearts Club the subject of the latest show at the Fiontán Moran focus on Warhol’s LGBTQI
Tate Modern in London, which opened identity and notions of death and religion
on March 12, only to be shut a few during the virtual tour of the retrospective.
days due to the Covid-19 outbreak. The Visit: www.tate.org.uk

To feature an event on this page, send the details and photographs to Vijayeta Basu on [email protected]
 14
Chai-Time MINDCHOW JOKE OF THE DAY MumbaiMirror
You've gotta dance like there's nobody Someone stole my mood ring. I Tuesday, April 14, 2020
watching, love like you'll never be hurt, do not know how i feel about [email protected]
and live like it's heaven on earth. that facebook.com/themumbaimirror
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Kakuro LOOP

Sudokuchallenge
The numbers in the grey 15 whereas for 9, it is the 2 Rules
squares refer to the
9
boxes placed vertically » Connect adjacent dots with vertical
sums of the digits that under it that must add up to or horizontal lines, creating a single
you must fill into the 9. No zeros are used here, loop (Fig A).
empty spaces directly only the digits 1through 9. » Crossovers or branches are not
below or to the right of the Note: A digit cannot appear allowed (As shown by dotted lines in Fig
grey square containing the more than once in any B).
number. For instance, in the particular digit combination. » Numbers in the puzzle indicate the
given example, the 3 boxes For instance, in the example, number of lines that should surround
horizontally next to 15 must we cannot have the it, while empty cells may be
contain 3 digits that add up to 15, combination of 4+7+4 for 15. surrounded by any number of lines. Not allowed
» You can’t draw lines around zeros. (Fig B)
» Each puzzle has just one unique
solution. (Fig A)

How to begin:
Example (Fig A) – Begin with the zero To solve a Sudoku puzzle, every digit from one to nine
next to 3. Since no lines must appear in each of the nine vertical columns, in each
can be drawn around zero, mark of the nine horizontal rows and in each of the nine boxes.
crosses around it, as shown. Now
there is a cross in one space around 3.
So we know the three lines of 3 can only
be drawn in the remaining three
spaces. Next, these lines can only be Gofigure Easy
= 15
extended in one direction each. Place the four numbers in
Continue, using the same logic. the first, third, fifth, and 1 2 6 8
Hints: Keep eliminating possibilities by seventh boxes and
marking crosses in spaces between Medium
whatever operators you
dots where a line isn’t possible, i.e, if care to use in the second, = 17
you have already completed required fourth, and sixth boxes in
lines or where a line extension may the correct order to get 4 5 5 8
create a branch or cause a dead-end the answer. Use the Hard
(Fig B) numbers only once. =1
The operators 1 3 6 7

Strikeout Fastfive

Hocusfocus
Quick
How long do you think it
will take you to unscram-
ble the ten words shown
below and fit them cor-
rectly into the grid in the
order given? One letter
has already been entered
to get you started. On
your marks, get set…

Across Down
This crossword has no clues and answer is there 1Both C 1Gable
waiting for you. All you have to do is find it in each 6 A coho 2 Uli Co
square. You have a choice of two letters, one of which 7 Rungs 3 Mr Hut
missing 6.Chair is larger
you must strike out. If you choose correctly, you will be shade is smaller 4.Ear is different 5.Glasses are
left with a grid that contains real words. 8 Lu Tee 4 Cento
Differences: 1.Box is longer 2.Leg is moved 3.Lamp-
Across Down 9 Smile 5 Shoes
1Escape (3,3) 1Ethnic (6)
4 Official decrees or orders (6) 2 Female relative (5)
9 More obvious (7) 3 Italian F1team (7) Quoteuncode Mensapuzzle Bull’seye Alphatriangle
10 Perfume ingredient - "i.e. 5 Performing (5) This puzzle is a substitu- Which symbol is needed How many words of four Beginning at the top move towards the bottom
tion cipher in which one to balance the bottom or more letters can you seven-letter word by adding a letter at each step and
nor" changed? (5) 6 Preparing food by heating (7) letter stands for anoth- scale? make from the letters rearranging. A correct and different word must be
11Battleground (5) 7 Boil with anger (6) er. If you think that Q shown? Every word made at each step answering to the clue given.
equals C, it will equal C must contain the cen- 18th letter 2Expression of appreciation3Did possess
12 Very great distress (7) 8 Famous hospital in South throughout the puzzle. tral letter. There should 4Chief 5Dragged 6Nickname or alias 7Breathed in
Single letters, short be one seven-letter
13 Study of birds (11) Mumbai (6,5)
words and words using word. British English
18 Organ composition (7) 14 Former Kiwi all-rounder an apostrophe give you Dictionary is used as a
clues to locating vowels. reference.
20 Inner circle (5) ___ Hadlee (7) Solution is by trial and
22 Respond to stimulus (5) 15 Thrashing (7) error.
H
23 Made a hole in the tooth? (7) 16 Sound system (6) A
TODAY’S CLUE: H
24 Instructions (6) 17 Sell from door to door (6) R EQUALS W. M R
H
25 Set on fire? (6) 19 At a later time (5) VN V XIFT RT O
21Our capital New ___ (5) I M H
YCNMTFCTZT VFF GET
L H
SVJGN VPY GETWXCTN
SWX RECJE RT EVZT H

»
PW INT.
Riddler When you behead a word, you remove the first letter and still have a
valid word. You will be given clues for the two words, longer word first.
04 Average; 05 Good;
07 Outstanding
H
1. Useless - Useful
2. Falling behind - Feature to prevent falling
3. Holds waste water - Holds drinking water
4. Poke with a stick - A pole or stick
DIFFICULT TO SOLVE? FIND THESE SOLUTIONS ON THE NEXT PAGE
 ChaiTime MumbaiMirror Tuesday, April 14, 2020 15

COMICS Ferd”nand SIGN POST Shirley Bose

If it’s your birthday today

Those in a long distance relationship need to be in touch as often as possible. Plans
to meet both sets of parents have to be put on hold. How you communicate with
your spouse is important to keep irrational arguments away. Business/
career will pick up eventually, so just be patient. Travel increases gradual-
ly after July. Some receive a job offer after September.

Capricorn Taurus Virgo

Frank and earnest by bob thaves Life experiences
help us become wise
It’s alright to be
different. You don’t
The changes you are
going through are
and patient. See have to be like positive as plenty is
yourself doing well and everyone else. Karmic happening behind the
you will achieve your heart’s undercurrents urge you to scenes and will be revealed
desire. Karmic undercurrents send positive vibes to the soon. Karmic undercurrents
advise allowing actions to speak Universe regarding a promo- advise peacefully flowing in
for themselves. Colours: silver tion later on. this karmic cycle.
blue/ white. Colours: maroon/ lemon. Colours: grey/ green.

Aquarius Gemini Libra

Letting go of anger or Though working A perplexing issue
Bizarro by Dan Piraro blame helps you also
achieve mental peace.
online; it is impor-
tant to keep team-
unravels. Now you
understand the
Newly married Aquar- work together and ‘whys’ of it. Enjoying
ians feel appreciated and very strong. Do get enough sleep. unique time together is re-
loved. Karmic undercurrents Karmic undercurrents reveal vealed. Karmic undercurrents
advise explaining immediately forgiving from the soul level advise being honest about
if someone misunderstands and without expectations is your feelings in an important
you. Colours: yellow/ brown. best. Colours: pink/ cream. matter. Colours: pink/ black.

Pisces Cancer Scorpio

There is just too Do remember to Work requires
much work to do and drink enough water total focus. Try to
co-ordinate with all during the day. just sleep on your
Jumpstart colleagues and workers. Patiently wait out the worries. The action to
Karmic undercurrents advise present situation as best as be taken will be clearer in the
deliberately stopping yourself you can. Karmic undercur- morning. Karmic under-
from being in an awful situation rents reveal discussing some currents reveal receiving a
once more. property matters with family. surprising message.
Colours: blue/ white. Colours: white/ violet. Colours: lilac/ cream.

Aries Leo Sagittarius

Receiving good Don’t worry about A new client being
news in the pre- what cannot be non-committal
sent scenario is like a changed for now. makes you slightly
miracle. A gradual balance Enjoy spending time anxious. Don’t be. A
evolves eventually. Karmic together and re-bonding with ‘yes’ manifests very soon.
Pearls before swine by Stephan Pastis undercurrents advise experi- love. An old friend gets in touch Karmic undercurrents reveal
encing and enjoying all the unexpectedly. Karmic under- an essential waiting period
thoughts and feelings of love. currents advise remaining before life moves fast once
Colours: turquoise/ white. relaxed. Colours: tan/ black. more. Colours: red/ olive.

KIDZONE WHATZIT
Agastya Thungani, 8 Years, Mumbai

Redeye by Mel Casson

Wine and cheese party

SOLUTION:

Mumbai Mirror, Times of India Bldg, Dr D N Road, Mumbai– 1

or email us at [email protected] LINEMARO
Is there an airport nearby, or was
Please send hard copies of your artwork in A4 size only. that just my heart taking off?

SOLUTIONS
3 + 6 - 7 - 1= 1 have no use. oral, roam, roil
Hard theories for which we molar, moral,
4 x 5 - 8 + 5 = 17 all the facts and IMMORAL, loam,
Medium As a rule we disbelieve
BULL’S EYE
8 + 2 - 1+ 6 = 15 QUOTE UNCODE
Easy
GO FIGURE 4. Prod - Rod
3. Sewer - Ewer,
and the Bun = 7 Railing,
Handle, Inhaled. nut = 4, the Eclair = 6 2. Trailing -
H, Ah, Had, Head, Haled, Doughnut The Dough- 1. Futile - Utile,
KAKURO LOOP ALPHA TRIANGLE SU DOKU MENSA PUZZLE QUICK STRIKE OUT FAST FIVE RIDDLER

Volume No 15, Issue No 269 REGD. NO. MAHENG/2005/16272

Published for the proprietors, Metropolitan Media Company Limited, by R Krishnamurthy at The Times of India Building, Dr D N Road, Mumbai 400 001and printed by him at (1) The Times of India Suburban Press, Akurli Road, Western Express Highway, Kandivli (E),
Mumbai 400 101. Tel. Nos. 66353535, 22733535 and (2) The Times of India Print City, Plot No. 4, T.T.C. Industrial Area, Thane Belapur Road, Airoli, Navi Mumbai-400 708. Tel. No. (022) 2760 9999; Fax: (022) 2760 5275, Response - 66353636, 22733636,
Email - [email protected], Fax - 22731160. Editor: Pankaj Upadhyaya (Responsible for selection of news under PRB Act). Reproduction in whole or in part without the written permission of the Publisher is prohibited.
 Movies MumbaiMirror Entertainment Industry Promotion Tuesday, April 14, 2020
16

One Direction ready

to get back together?
O
ne Direction fans are convinced the

‘Most people
boys are set to reunite for the band’s
10-year anniversary on July 23. The
clues had been adding up for weeks
before #OneDirectionReunion began
trending on Twitter on Monday, sparking
speculation that the group is planning
something special to mark their formation.
under stress
In a surprise turn of events, Harry Styles, Niall
Horan, Louis Tomlinson and Liam Payne have
all recently re-followed ex-member Zayn Malik
right now’
- after his departure from the band in March Shekhar Ravjianii’s calming chant
2015 and severing ties with his former friends.
The official One Direction Twitter account has to help one deal with lockdown
also re-followed him. However, Zayn - who has | [email protected]
become more private since embarking on a solo
career - has yet to follow them back. —Agencies TWEETS @AnkitaMirror

O
n Monday, Day 20 of the lockdown, singer-

Guardians, Suicide JLo, Diddy reunite composer Shekhar Ravjianii unveiled his
version of the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra, which
he recorded and released in collaboration with

Squad on track: Gunn for dance-a-thon T-Series within a span of four days. “I am lucky to have
a fully-equipped recording studio at home. Bhushan
Kumar’s recording label is amazing with devotional

T
here’s no bad blood the rap mogul’s dance-a-thon songs. They quickly put together a video,” he says.
between exes Jennifer to raise money for coronavi- The idea came to Shekhar during one of his daily
Lopez and P Diddy. The rus relief. At one point, when morning prayer sessions. “I start my day chanting the
former couple, who dated Diddy busted some moves, Hanuman
from 1999 to 2001, reunited Lopez told him, “I prob- Chalisa, Gayatri
virtually on Instagram Live ably taught you that.” Later, Mantra and the
over the weekend for Lopez’s fiancé, former New Mahamrityunjaya
York Yankees slugger Alex Mantra which my
Rodriguez joined the party. grandmother
The singer even revealed to taught me. I

J
ames Gunn, director Gunn said that the new Diddy that Rodriguez is a don’t sing them
of the upcoming third Suicide Squad film is moving huge fan of his. to a tune; it’s just
Guardians of the Galaxy along as planned for its —Agencies a recitation,
A stil from the video
and The Suicide Squad, said August 6, 2021 release. “Right which calms me
that neither movies will be now there’s no reason for down and keeps me going through the day,” he shares,
affected by delays during The Suicide Squad date to hoping that it’ll help those who are under stress and
the coronavirus pandemic. move. We are on or ahead of losing hope in these uncertain times, “like the daily
Answering fans’ questions, schedule. We were fortunate wage workers,” he avers.
to wrap shooting and set A day before the song’s launch, Shekhar took
up editing from our homes to the ‘gram to share some powerful words, one of
(due to a post production which goes, “You are not necessary. The air, earth,
team and studio water and sky without you are fine. When you
with foresight) before come back, remember you are my guests. Not
quarantine. Plans with Vol masters.” Ask him about them and Shekhar says,
3 are also exactly the same “From what I am hearing, we have a long way to go.
as before coronavirus,” Hence I wanted to put these messages of positivity out
Gunn said. —Agencies in the universe.”

Song for a soup MIRRORLIGHTS

Bride in waiting Alia in Magicland
T
he lockdown
seems Parineeti Alia Bhatt, meanwhile, seemed
to have Chopra is in to be in the mood for some
inspired the a dilemma. contemplation. With her head on
poet in Javed Sharing the table, the actress proclaimed
Akhtar. No, he’s some bridal that she still believes in magic.
not rhyming outtakes from Her co-actor Arjun Kapoor, tutorial,” he quipped, without
about staying a magazine however, dropped in a cryptic context. Wonder if it’s an inside
home, staying covershoot, comment on her post. “It’s a joke or perhaps a magical spell.
safe. Instead the actress
the poet made declared
a song about that she was
ready as a
Love is...
his carelessness
bride but was While many are complaining
when wife
wondering about the lockdown and how
Shabana Azmi pointed it out. Taking to Facebook,
where her it has cut off their wings, here
she sang his version of the soup song to the tune of
husband was. is one couple who are reveling
“Abhi Na Jao Chhod Ke, Ke Dil Abhi Bhara Nahi”. The
Well, hope in their togetherness. Virat
hilarious impromptu lyrics talk about how it will be Kohli hit a six with this pic and
difficult to get rid of soup stains from clothes. It goes, she won’t
look at her the accompanying caption,
“Jo is tarah se khaoge, toh kitna tum giraoge, Jo soup is “Knowledge of what truly
pe gir gaya toh jaante ho, hoga kya...Yeh daag dhul naa last release
for ideas to matters in life is a blessing.” With
payega, yeh daag dhul na payega, Jo dhoyega batayega, their monopoly games, their pets
find herself a
Ke saabun uspe ghis diya, par daag yeh mita nahi”. and each other, Virushka is one
bridegroom.
Singing without rhyme or reason is a challenge we’d happy twosome that likes being
love to see catch on. —MMB back in the pavilion. Howzattt!