Category: National

PTI

Undeterred by the coronavirus lockdown, a 23-year-old man in Uttar Pradesh kept his marriage date even if he had to pedal some 100 km to reach his bride’s home, all alone — no family members in tow.

Kalku Prajapati of Pauthiya village in Hamirpur district was waiting till the last minute for permission from the administration for his marriage on April 25.

But on finding that it was not coming, he decided to go all alone on his bicycle to his bride Rinki’s place at Puniya village in neighbouring Mahoba district, 230 km south of Lucknow.

“We were not getting permission from the local police for the marriage. I was left with no option but to go on bicycle, all alone, to reach there,” Prajapati, who studied till Class X and a farmer by profession, said.

“Those people (in-laws) had also got wedding cards printed and were ready for the wedding on the decided date,” Prajapati told PTI over phone.

The marriage was fixed four-five months ago. The bride’s family had phoned for the ceremony and Prajapati went for it, according to his father.

“Though I have a motorcycle, I have no driving licence. Bicycle was most handy,” Prajapati said. “With a handkerchief around my mouth to save myself from any infection, as advised by all, I set off in the morning in jeans and T-shirt.”

Interestingly, the wedding was performed in a village temple with both the bride and the groom posing before camera in their normal attires with mouths covered, a picture for posterity of the times prevailing during their wedding.

Only the most necessary of ceremonies were held and the couple now awaits for the lifting of the coronavirus lockdown for the remaining functions, including a feast for the villagers, to be completed.

“We will get the cards printed and invite all those who had been inviting us since years and also complete the remaining ceremonies,” Prajapati said.

If anything, the return journey after the marriage was even more arduous for Prajapati who had to carry his newlywed wife as pillion.

“I pedalled all the way back with double load. Even in my dream, I had not thought that my legs will have such pain. I could not sleep and had to take pills to ease it,” he recalled, adding that both the families were happy that the marriage had been solemnised.

On why Prajapati did not wait for lifting of the lockdown, he said there were problems at his home with his mother keeping unwell and there being no one to cook for the family.

“Besides, we do not know how long it will take for the lockdown to be lifted,” he added.

PTI

Gujarat adds 313 new infections and 17 deaths, bringing the total numbers to 4395 cases and 214 fatalities. Today, 89 patients have recovered and discharged, taking the total recovery to 613.

While Mukesh Ambani would forgo his entire ₹15 crore compensation, the company’s board of directors including executive directors, executive committee members and senior leaders would forgo 30-50% of their compensation.

PTI

With coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown hitting the businesses hard, Reliance Industries has decided to cut the salary of most of its employees by 10-50% with the company’s chairman Mukesh Ambani agreeing to forgo all his remuneration.

Also, the oil-to-technology conglomerate has deferred the annual cash bonus and performance-linked incentives that are normally paid in the first quarter, according to an employee communique.

The nationwide lockdown that began on March 25 had led to evaporation of demand as factories shut down, offices closed, air flights suspended, trains stopped and restrictions on the movement of people and goods placed.

Reliance’s hydrocarbon business was adversely impacted due to a reduction in demand for refined products and petrochemicals. The company’s different vertical heads wrote to their employees about the salary-cut decision.

“This has, of course, put pressure on our hydrocarbons business necessitating optimisation and cost reduction across all fronts,” it said. “The situation demands that we maintain a razor-sharp focus on operating costs and fixed costs and all of us need to contribute to making this happen.”

While Mukesh Ambani would forgo his entire ₹15 crore compensation, Reliance board of directors including executive directors, Executive Committee (EC) members and senior leaders would forgo 30-50% of their compensation.

Employees with compensation of less than ₹15 lakh will have no reduction in compensation but those earning higher than that could see a 10% reduction in the fixed pay.

Mr. Ambani draws ₹15 crore as annual compensation for being the chairman and managing director of the company. His salary has remained unchanged since 2008-09, forgoing over ₹24 crore per annum.

“We will closely monitor the economic- and business environment, re-evaluate our response to the situation on a continuous basis and strive to improve the earning capacity of our business,” it said.

The lockdown period, the company communique said, has also provided several opportunities to reorganise and digitalise business processes to generate significant improvements in productivity, efficiency and costs.

“Together, we will embrace these opportunities and work towards restoring our compensation levels to normalcy,” it said.

The communication said the firm’s various initiatives on all fronts will help strengthen the organisation to become more resilient in coping with business uncertainties in a volatile and uncertain world. They will help us navigate through these challenging times with agility and emerge as industry leaders.

The budget carrier has a total of 116 passenger planes and five freight aircraft in its fleet.

PTI

SpiceJet on Wednesday told its pilots that they will not be paid salaries for April and May, and said those who have been operating cargo flights will get paid for “block hours flown”.

SpiceJet’s flight operations chief Gurcharan Arora told pilots through an email that “as of today, 16 per cent of our aircraft and 20 per cent of our pilots are flying”.

“We are doing this by flying our five cargo aircraft and also flying more ‘cargo on seat’ on our passenger aircraft,” he said.

The budget carrier has a total of 116 passenger planes and five freight aircraft in its fleet.

India has been under lockdown since March 25 to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus. All commercial passenger flights have been suspended.

Mr. Arora told pilots: “We will not be getting any salary for April and May 2020. Those of us who have been flying cargo, will get paid for the block hours flown.”

Block hours is the duration of a pilot operating the flight.

The email, which has been accessed by PTI, stated: “Over the coming weeks, we intend to increase the number of aircraft flying (cargo+cargo on seat) to more than 50 per cent and the number of pilots flying to 100 per cent.”

The 67-year-old actor was admitted to Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital in Mumbai on Wednesday after he was not keeping well

PTI

Veteran Bollywood actor Rishi Kapoor has passed away at a private hospital in Mumbai at 8.45 a.m. on Thursday, his brother Randhir Kapoor said.

The 67-year-old actor was admitted to Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital in Mumbai on Wednesday after he was not keeping well.

“Our dear Rishi Kapoor passed away peacefully at 8:45am IST in hospital today after a two-year battle with leukemia. The doctors and medical staff at the hospital said he kept them entertained to the last,” the family said in a statement.

“He remained jovial and determined to live to the fullest right through two years of treatment across two continents. Family, friends, food and films remained his focus and everyone who met him during this time was amazed at how he did not let his illness get the better of him,” the statement said.

Rishi Kapoor was diagnosed with cancer in 2018 following which he was in New York for nearly a year to undergo treatment. He returned to India in September last year.

Post return to India, Kapoor’s health has frequently been in focus. In February, Kapoor was hospitalised twice due to his health issues.

A third generation actor, Rishi Kapoor, was the second son of actor Raj Kapoor and a grandson of Prithviraj Kapoor. He began is career as a child artiste in Mera Naam Joker (1970), for which he received the National Award. As an adult protagonist, his first film was Bobby in 1973. Kapoor went on to act in over 90 films in the next four decades.

He was last seen in 102 Not Out co-starring Amitabh Bachchan, where the latter played Kapoor’s centenarian father.

His autobiography Khullam Khulla: Rishi Kapoor Uncensored… was published by Harper Collins and launched at ‘The Hindu Lit for Life 2017’.

The actor recently announced his next project, a remake of Hollywood film The Intern, also featuring Deepika Padukone.

Family’s statement

In a statement to the media, the Kapoor family asked that Rishi Kapoor be remembered with a smile rather than tears.

“He was grateful for the love of his fans that poured in from the world over. In his passing, they would all understand that he would like to be remembered with a smile and not with tears,” it added. 

The family requested the public to respect the laws surrounding the national lockdown to combat the spread of coronavirus.

“In this hour of personal loss, we also recognise the world is going through a very difficult and troubled time. There are numerous restrictions around movement and gathering in public. We would like to request all his fans and well-wishers and friends of the family to please respect the laws that are in force. He would not have it any other way,” said the statement.

Rishi Kapoor is survived by his wife Neetu and son Ranbir, both actors, and daughter Ridhima.

The government has clarified that no order has been issued directing the hotels and restaurants to remain closed till October 15 in the wake of coronavirus outbreak.

India Today

HIGHLIGHTS

• Hotels and restaurants have not been asked to remain shut till October 15, says government
• A letter circulating over social media claimed hotels are to remain closed
• Tourism ministry has termed the letter as fake and misleading

The government on Wednesday dismissed rumours that hotels have been directed to remain closed till October 15. The tourism ministry clarified that no such notification was issued directing the hotels and restaurants to remain shut until October 15 in the wake of novel coronavirus outbreak.

This has come in response to a letter doing rounds on social media claiming that the government has asked hotels and restaurants not to resume operation before October 15. The tourism ministry has termed the letter as fake.

Identifying that this may create panic in tourism sector, the ministry issued a formal clarification. It said “no such letter has been issued by Ministry of Tourism” and that “people must not believe such kind of fake news.”

The ministry’s note adds that the PIB fact check has already clarified it on twitter.

No letter has been issued by @tourismgoi on closing of hotels/restaurants till 15th Oct 2020 amidst #CoronaOutbreak.
It's a request to all to ignore such messages and only believe the official communication. https://t.co/MjDTVwaX9i

— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) April 22, 2020

As Covid-19 has had massive impact on tourism sector, the ministry has decided to use technology to let people visit places and destinations virtually and plan the travels for a later date.

“In these unprecedented times, technology is coming handy to maintain human contact and also keep faith that times will be good to be able to travel again soon,” reads a department’s note issued on April 16, when it launched “DekhoApnaDesh” webinar series. The first in the webinar series was ‘City of Cities– Delhi’s Personal Diary’, which touched upon the long history of Delhi.

Union Minister of State for Tourism and Culture Prahlad Singh Patel said webinar series will be a long-term feature of the ministry’s programme. It will work towards showcasing history and culture of India including its monuments, cuisine, arts, dance forms, natural landscapes, festivals and other aspects of rich Indian civilisation.

All persons to be screened at source, kept under home quarantine

Srinagar: The government of India Wednesday ordered to all the states and union territories to facilitate inter-state movement of stranded people including migrant labourers, students and other workers. However, it claimed that all the persons will be medically screened at source and destination who would later be kept under home quarantine as per the guidelines.

An order available with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), issued by the Ministry Of Home Affairs, stated that the transportation of asymptomatic people stranded in parts of country will be allowed and all the persons will have to be examined by local medical authority.

As per official figures over twenty five thousand people including, labourers, students, pilgrims and others from union territory of Jammu and Kashmir who made despite appeals to government in recent days are stranded in parts of India due to lockdown issued in wake of the pandemic coronavirus throughout the nation to contain the spread of deadly virus.

Pertinently, due to lockdown migrant workers, pilgrims, tourists, students and other persons are stranded at different places. They would be allowed as per the MHA advisory.

According to the order issued by MHA it has asked all the states and union territories to designate nodal authorities and develop standard protocols for receiving and sending such stranded persons. The nodal officer shall also register the stranded with their state/UTs.

The order says in case a group of stranded person wish to move between one state/UT to other state/UT, the sending and receiving states may consult each other and mutually agree to movement by road. The moving persons would be screened and found asymptomatic would be allowed to move—(KNO)

PTI

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Wednesday said curfew would continue in the State for another two weeks, after May 3 amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

Limited lifting of the lockdown restrictions will start from tomorrow, April 30, in the non-red zones.

Relaxation in curfew will be given for four hours during the day between 7am till 11am.

53-year-old has been mourning the loss of his mother, who passed away last week

PTI

New Delhi: Actor Irrfan Khan died on Wednesday in Mumbai’s Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, where he was being treated for an colon infection. A statement released by his family said that Mr Khan spent his final hours “surrounded by his love, his family for whom he most cared about.” Just hours ago, the actor’s spokesperson said in a statement that Mr Khan was “still fighting the battle.”

Irrfan Khan’s mother Saeeda Begum died at the age of 95 on Saturday morning in Jaipur. According to news agency ANI, Irrfan, who couldn’t travel from Mumbai due to the coronavirus lockdown, paid his last respects to his late mother through a video conferencing session.

The Piku star, one of Indian cinema’s most respected thespians, battled a tumour for several months and returned to Mumbai some months ago after being treated in London. Irrfan Khan is survived by his wife Sutapa and two sons. Yesterday, his spokesperson confirmed that he had been taken to the intensive care unit and later, dismissed rumours that Irrfan Khan had died.

Filmmaker Shoojit Sircar, who directed Irrfan Khan in Piku, tweeted: “My dear friend Irfaan. You fought and fought and fought. I will always be proud of you.. we shall meet again.. condolences to Sutapa and Babil.. you too fought, Sutapa you gave everything possible in this fight. Peace and Om shanti. Irfaan Khan salute,” he tweeted. He was admitted last night after a decline in his health conditions because of a colon infection.

https://twitter.com/ShoojitSircar/status/1255377784773410818

As news of Irrfan Khan’s hospitalisation spread on Tuesday evening, the actor’s spokesperson released this statement: “Yes, it is true that Irrfan Khan is admitted to ICU at Kokilaben in Mumbai because of a colon infection. We would keep everyone updated. He is under doctor’s observation. His strength and courage have helped him battle and fight so far and we are sure with his tremendous willpower and prayers of his well wishers, he will recover soon.” Irrfan’s wife Sutapa Sikdar and his sons Babil and Ayan Khan were also reportedly at the hospital.

The Piku actor was diagnosed with an neuroendocrine tumour in March 2018, soon after which he flew to London for treatment. He returned to India in February 2019 to shoot Angrezi Medium and flew back to London after a brief stay. The actor returned to India in September last year after surgery and treatment in London.

T 3516 – .. just getting news of the passing of Irfaan Khan .. this is a most disturbing and sad news .. 🙏
An incredible talent .. a gracious colleague .. a prolific contributor to the World of Cinema .. left us too soon .. creating a huge vacuum ..
Prayers and duas 🙏

— Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) April 29, 2020

Irrfan Khan was last seen in Angrezi Medium, which released a little over a week before the lockdown was imposed in India. The actor wasn’t part of the film’s promotions because of his health; he spoke to his fans via a video message ahead of the trailer release of the film. His movie credits include movies like The Lunchbox and Jurassic World.

PTI

53-year-old has been mourning the loss of his mother, who passed away last week

Actor Irrfan Khan is once again hospitalised. Amid the ongoing nationwide lockdown, the actor reportedly has been admitted in Mumbai’s Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani hospital.

The actor’s health suddenly deteriorated as a result of which he needed immediate medical attention. The 53-year-old actor has been admitted to the hospital’s ICU, according to reports. His wife Sutapa Sikdar and two sons are with him.

The actor has been ailing ever since he was diagnosed with neuroendocrine tumour a while back, and has been under medical attention for the same.

Irrfan is currently mourning the loss of his mother. The actor’s mother Saeeda Begum breathed her last on Saturday in Jaipur where she used to stay. However, owing to the ongoing lockdown, the actor could not physically attend his mother’s last rites and reportedly paid his last respect through video conferencing.

The actor’s latest film is Homi Adajania’s comedy “Angrezi Medium”, the last-released Bollywood film before COVID-19 forced complete shutdown of cinema halls. “Angrezi Medium” ran in theatres for just a day before halls all over India were shut down. The film has eventually released in the OTT space.

“Angrezi Medium” marked Irrfan’s return despite his ailing condition.