New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi today had a telephonic conversation with Aung San Suu Kyi, State Counsellor of Myanmar and talked over the status of coronavirus pandemic in the two countries.
The leaders discussed the evolving COVID 19 scenario in the domestic and regional contexts and updated each other on the steps being taken to control the spread of the pandemic, as per a statement released by Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
During the conversation, PM Modi underlined the importance of Myanmar as a vital pillar of India’s Neighbourhood First policy and conveyed India’s readiness to provide all possible support to Myanmar for mitigating the health and economic impact of COVID 19.
Apart from this, the Prime Minister assured all possible support for Myanmar citizens present in India. He also thanked the Suu Kyi for the cooperation being extended by Myanmar authorities to Indian citizens there.
New Delhi (NVI): A Control Room set up by Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has resolved or settled 1,739 out of total 1,962 queries related to industry and trade, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said today.
The control room, which was set up by DPIIT, under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry on w.e.f 26.3.2020, is playing a pivotal role in monitoring the issues of Industry and Trade, and solving the difficulties faced by various stakeholders during the lockdown period.
According to the ministry, 89% of queries have been resolved/settled. The Control Room monitors the issues of internal trade, manufacturing, delivery & logistics of essential commodities and difficulties faced by various stakeholders during the lockdown period to resolve any supply chain issues.
“Out of the total number of 1962 queries registered till 28th April 2020, 1739 have been resolved/settled. 223 are currently under resolution. Out of 1962 queries registered, more than 1000 queries were received from five States/UTs viz., Delhi, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Gujarat, the Commerce and Industry Ministry said.
The Ministry informed that a dedicated team has been put in place to monitor and tracking the disposal of queries and to generate daily reports for information of senior officers in the department.
The team closely tracks the important queries by calling up the affected people and obtains their inputs while taking up the matter with the concerned agency, it said.
This also helps in making an assessment about the efficacy of various agencies involved in resolution of issues, it said. This team of professionals helps senior officers to know the impact of their interventions and thus keeps everyone apprised of the status of resolution of grievances, it added.
Any manufacturing, transporter, distributor, wholesaler or e-commerce companies facing ground level difficulties in transport and distribution of goods or mobilization of resources can reach out to the department through phone number or email.
The queries can be emailed to “[email protected]” or informed through telephone (011-23062487). This number will be functional from 8am to 6pm, the ministry said in a statement.
The control room has been receiving queries regarding ground level difficulties as well as the procedural and policy issues being faced by the manufacturers, transporters, distributors, wholesalers and e-commerce companies, the Ministry informed.
After registering the queries, the DPIIT control room staff forwards the same to the state level control rooms and the Chief Secretary of the State with the request to initiate necessary action and ensure that the required relief is provided to the querists at the earliest, it added.
The queries received in the control room are forwarded to the senior officers of DPIIT. All the senior officers have been assigned specific States with which they continuously interact and urge upon the state functionaries to initiate action on pending issues, it said.
Meanwhile, the state government departments such as Industry, Transport, Consumer Affairs and Food and Public Distribution are also closely monitoring the resolution of such queries.
Business location (Source: WEConnect International)
New Delhi (NVI): Coronavirus outbreak has impacted women business owners and their companies worldwide, according to a survey which shows the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on various sectors where women are engaged or in control of respondents in the study.
The survey has been conducted by WEConnect International, a non-profit organization, connecting women’s enterprises with global opportunities.
Out of total 590 respondents from various Industry sectors in the survey, 97% are at least 51% owned, managed and controlled by one or more women.
Among different industry segments, 3% of the business owned by women in the Construction and Food Services sector has been affected amid Covid-19, 5% in Travel/Tourism, 4% in Human Resources and 3% in Health Care.
Apart from that, 2% of Wholesale Trade where women are engaged has been affected, 11 % in Manufacturing, 7% in Food/Beverage, 5% in both Education and Business Support, 8% in Technology Service, 1% in Utilities, 2% in Architecture, 24% in Professional Services and 9% in Others.
As per the January to March findings of the survey regarding the impact on business from Covid-19, 43% of respondents are losing customers as face-to-face business goes digital.
While 35% can’t move inventory that is sitting idle due to decreased demand, 34% feel that increased anxiety about the situation has reduced their productivity/time spent on business.
The report says that 31% of respondents faced inability to source raw materials and inputs for their products due to supply chain disruptions. 27% said that employees can’t work causing delays in meeting client needs.
Another 27% were of the view that increased care demands from children, elderly and other loved ones have reduced the time they spend on their business.
19% feel that they need to shift to digital business but not sure where to start. 10% are not sure where to go for advice and guidance.
In 36% of other cases, client and partner shutdowns due to pandemic have led to a trickle-down effect.
The survey further states that 90% of women business owners have seen a significant decrease in sales or revenue from January-March 2020.
77% of them have anticipated decreased sales between April and July 2020. Among them, 55% anticipate decreases of more than half and 23% anticipate that sales will stop completely.
The global pandemic has also thrown new financial challenges at women entrepreneurs and business owners. 56% of respondents in the survey are in need of support with their employee wages. 76% need tax relief through delayed or canceled payments. While 39% of respondents are in need of extensions of credit or penalty waivers from banks, 22% are in need of government-funded healthcare for Covid-19.
(Illustration source: WeConnect International)
Some other challenges for women business owners amid Covid-19 that require immediate concern are:
1. Adjusting products or services to remain relevant in response to economic changes.
2. Securing funding to remain operational
3. Funding for the organiation to remain fiscally stable
4. Adjusting delivery of products or services at a time of social distancing
5. Directly responding to or supporting customers, suppliers and other critical businesses and partners dealing with the crisis.
6. Responding to immediate potential or actual health needs of employees
However, on a brighter side, women are adapting to optimise or refocus on their businesses. According to the survey, 54% reported identifying and cutting unnecessary expenses. 42% have shifted to a digital business model. 32% are creating a new business line in response to local or global needs.
16% have launched a new product or service early. 3% found that their clients want to move quickly to sign contracts and 5% want to finish projects more quickly. 11% have seen an increase in demand of products or services. 34% have identified new business opportunities. 37% are growing an area of business in response to local or global needs.
Coronavirus outbreak, which started from Wuhan in China in December last year, has left the global economy devastated under its impact, with markets across the world bearing the brunt. People in the tourism, aviation and hospitality sectors have lost jobs while businesses and startups in countries like the US have faced the heat of the pandemic.
New Delhi (NVI): More than 3,25,000 people are using “Janaushadhi Sugam” Mobile App to access Janaushadhi kendras amid Covid-19 lockdown, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers said today.
“Janaushadhi Sugam Mobile App is helping people in a big way to locate their nearest Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janaushadhi Kendra (PMJAK) and availability of affordable generic medicine with its price,” the ministry said in a statement.
In order to make use of digital technology for easing the life of consumers, Jan Aushashi Sugam service was announced by the Government with the Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India (BPPI) in the form of a website and standalone app for both Android as well as iOS platforms.
The Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMJAK) are delivering quality generic medicines at affordable prices to the common citizens of the country.
Presently, more than 6300 PMJAKs are functioning across the country, covering 726 districts.
In the fight against COVID-19, the government is revolutionizing the face of healthcare system through notable schemes like PMBJP.
This scheme which provides over 900 quality generic-medicines and 154 surgical equipments and consumables at affordable prices for every citizen of the nation.
However, in the lockdown period, PMBJP is also generating awareness through informational posts on their social media platforms to help people protect themselves from novel coronavirus.
New Delhi (NVI): The US government, through its aid agency USAID, has announced an additional grant of USD 3 million to help India combat COVID-19 pandemic.
The US Agency for International Development (USAID) is one of the leading aid agencies globally.
This grant by USAID is in addition to the earlier aid announced on April 6 of USD 2.9 million to help India fight the spread of COVID-19.
US Ambassador to India, Kenneth Juster, stated, “This funding will support India in its continuing efforts to combat COVID-19, and is yet another example of the strong and enduring partnership between the United States and India.”
The USAID is providing these funds to the Partnerships for Affordable Healthcare Access and Longevity (PAHAL) project, an innovative financing platform, the release said.
USAID has provided a total of USD 5.9 million till date to assist India in responding to the COVID-19 outbreak. This assistance will enable India to curb the spread of COVID-19, provide care for the affected, disseminate essential public health messages to communities, and strengthen case finding and surveillance.
“Through this PAHAL project, USAID will support the National Health Authority (NHA) to establish a financial facility that can mobilize resources from the private sector to assist over 20,000 health facilities enrolled under Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), scheme for 500 million poor and vulnerable people” release added.
For decades, the United States has been the world’s largest provider of bilateral assistance in public health.
In India, the US Government, through USAID, has provided in total nearly USD 2.8 billion assistance, which includes more than USD 1.4 billion in health assistance, which the US has provided to India over the last 20 years.
United States has called on other donors to contribute to the global effort to combat COVID-19.
New Delhi (NVI): On the 16th day of the extended nationwide lockdown, COVID-19 cases keep on increasing, with total confirmed cases at 33,050 and 1,074 deaths so far, according to the Union Health Ministry.
After the first confirmed coronavirus case in India, which was reported in the state of Kerala on January 30, the virus has tightened its grip across the nation.
Total positive cases in different states/UTs:
Andaman and Nicobar Islands- 33
Andhra Pradesh- 1,332
Arunachal Pradesh- 1
Assam- 38
Bihar- 392
Chandigarh- 56
Chhattisgarh- 38
Delhi- 3,439
Gujarat- 4,082
Haryana – 310
Himachal Pradesh- 40
Jammu and Kashmir- 581
Jharkhand- 107
Karnataka- 535
Kerala- 495
Ladakh- 22
Madhya Pradesh- 2,561
Maharashtra- 9,915
Meghalaya- 12
Mizoram- 1
Odisha- 125
Puducherry- 8
Punjab- 357
Rajasthan- 2,438
Tamil Nadu- 2,162
Telengana- 1,012
Uttarakhand- 55
Uttar Pradesh- 2,134
West Bengal – 758
State/UT wise total death toll in the country:
Andhra Pradesh- 31
Assam- 1
Bihar- 2
Delhi- 56
Gujarat- 197
Haryana- 3
Himachal Pradesh- 1
Jammu and Kashmir- 8
Jharkhand- 3
Karnataka- 21
Kerala- 4
Madhya Pradesh- 129
Maharashtra- 432
Meghalaya- 1
Odisha- 1
Punjab- 19
Rajasthan- 51
Tamil Nadu- 2
Telangana- 26
Uttar Pradesh- 39
West Bengal- 22
A total of 8,325 people have been cured or discharged from hospitals in India. There are around 23,651 active cases currently.
New Delhi (NVI): The total number of positive coronavirus cases globally has crossed 3.1 million with the total number of fatalities due to the contagion has reached 2,27,600, according to John Hopkins University tally.
South Korea, which has recorded no new domestic cases of Covid-19 for the first time since February.
Four new infections were reported, all imported cases, taking the national tally to 10,765. The death toll rose by one to 247, while 9,059 have been discharged, according to media reports.
Meanwhile, the total number of positive cases in the US has crossed 1 million with 58,000 people losing their lives due to the virus.
The US economy has taken its hardest hit since the height of the Great Recession, with its GDP contracting 4.8 per cent in the first quarter of the year.
The official death toll in UK went up by 4,419, after the government included deaths outside hospital for the first time, taking the total to 26,097 deaths in the country so far.
In addition to this, Brazil has become the new hotspot for coronavirus pandemic with a whopping 6,276 new cases being reported in a single day, taking the total cases in the country to 78,162.
New Delhi (NVI): Veteran Bollywood actor Rishi Kapoor, known for his roles in films like ‘Bobby’ and ‘Karz’, passed away today at the age of 67 in Mumbai after a long battle with cancer.
The actor has been fighting cancer since last 2 years and was hospitalised at H N Reliance Hospital by his family members last night.
The actor had returned to India last September after undergoing treatment for cancer in the US for almost a year.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid condolence to the veteran actor and also tweeted in this regard saying, “Multifaceted, endearing and lively…this was Rishi Kapoor Ji. He was a powerhouse of talent. I will always recall our interactions, even on social media. He was passionate about films and India’s progress. Anguished by his demise. Condolences to his family and fans. Om Shanti.”
Multifaceted, endearing and lively…this was Rishi Kapoor Ji. He was a powerhouse of talent. I will always recall our interactions, even on social media. He was passionate about films and India’s progress. Anguished by his demise. Condolences to his family and fans. Om Shanti.
Amitabh Bachchan, who worked with Rishi Kapoor in films like Amar Akbar Anthony and Coolie, wrote on Twitter on the actor’s demise: “T 3517 – He’s GONE .. ! Rishi Kapoor .. gone .. just passed away .. I am destroyed !”
Superstar Rajinikanth also paid tribute to the late actor. “Heartbroken … Rest In Peace … my dearest friend #RishiKapoor,” he tweeted.
Heartbroken … Rest In Peace … my dearest friend #RishiKapoor
Actress Priyanka Chopra also took to Twitter and paid tribute to the legendary Bollywood actor.
“My heart is so heavy. This is the end of an era. #Rishisir your candid heart and immeasurable talent will never be encountered again. Such a privilege to have known you even a little bit. My condolences to Neetu maam, Ridhima, Ranbir and the rest of the family. Rest in peace Sir,” she wrote.
My heart is so heavy. This is the end of an era. #Rishisir your candid heart and immeasurable talent will never be encountered again. Such a privilege to have known you even a little bit. My condolences to Neetu maam, Ridhima, Ranbir and the rest of the family. Rest in peace Sir. pic.twitter.com/TR6GVSN4m7
In another loss to Bollywood, actor Irrfan Khan passed away at the age of 53 in a Mumbai hospital yesterday. Known for his roles in films like ‘Paan Singh Tomar’ and ‘Maqbool’, Khan had been unwell for a long time and was hospitalised after being diagnosed with colon infection earlier this week.
New Delhi (NVI): The total number of coronavirus cases in India has risen to 33,050 and fatalities from the virus have gone up to 1,074, according to the Union Health Ministry.
In the last 24 hours, there have been 1,718 fresh cases of COVID-19 across the country and 66 people have died in a day.
Maharashtra continues to record the highest number of COVID-19 cases at 9,915 followed by Gujarat at 4,082 and Delhi at 3,439, as per Health Ministry data.
The other worst affected states are Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh.
With no new cases reported in Goa, Tripura, and Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh, these four states have become coronavirus-free.
Meanwhile, the mortality rate in COVID-19 patients in India is 3% as compared to 7% globally, ministry said.
At least 8,325 people have been discharged or cured.
Srinagar (NVI): Three Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) personnel and a policeman were injured after militants hurled a grenade at Nowhatta area of old Srinagar late today.
A police official said that militants hurled a grenade towards police personnel in Nowhatta area of downtown Srinagar at around 9:30 pm, resulting in injuries to three SSB men and a cop. “The attack took place near the main gate of historic Jamia Masjid at Nowhatta,” he said.
The injured cop has been identified as Constable Abdul Majeed while the three SSB men were identified as Sub-Inspector Anurag Roa, Head Constable Sananta Kumar and Constable Dugesh.
Officials said that the injured persons have been shifted to Police Control Room (PCR) hospital for treatment.
