Around the Nation

Lockdown violators greeted with ‘Aarti’

Instead of wielding the stick, the police are now resorting to ‘Gandhigiri’ of sorts. In Kanpur, the Kidwai Nagar police has hit upon a new idea to make people realize their folly if they violate the lockdown. The cops, on Wednesday morning, stood at the Juhi Gaushala crossing in Kidwai Nagar and performed ‘aarti’ of about two dozen people who were strolling on the road in violation of the lockdown rules. The cops performed the ‘aarti’ amidst chanting of ‘mantras’ and then showered flower petals on the violators. They even gave a banana as ‘prasad’ to the wrongdoers. The exercise adequately shamed the people, some of whom were seen apologizing to the cops and promising not to repeat the mistakes. Kidwai Nagar Inspector, Dhanesh, said, “We do not want to beat anyone but people do not realize how important it is to stay at home at this time. We hit upon this idea with the belief that they would realize their mistake.” (IANS)

DU faces heat over online exams

Delhi University’s probable plans to conduct online examinations for 6th semester have started to face friction even before it could take steps. A group of professors along with various students have started to raise concerns with the probable plan. The teachers cited a letter by the Dean of Faculty of Technology in Delhi University to the Vice Chancellor that suggested the DU administration give up plans for online examinations. The teachers argue that instead of focusing on online examinations, the varsity administration must focus on extending the academic calendar and taking sit-in examinations. The group of teachers called Academics for Action and Development (AAD) shared the concern raised by the Dean, Faculty of Technology, University of Delhi, Sachin Maheshwari who in a letter to Vice Chancellor of DU spoke about the conduct of online examinations by the university without taking into consideration the concerns of the stakeholders, that is the students and teachers, and without consulting the statutory bodies, the Executive Council and the Academic Council. (IANS)

‘Lift ban on fishing for 2020’

Citing conflicting orders issued by two wings of the central government, the National Fisherfolk Forum (NFF), here on Wednesday, requested Home Minister Amit Shah to lift the fishing ban. In a letter to Shah, NFF chairperson M. Ilango said, “In the order released on April 10 by your honourable ministry, all fishing, including marine fishing, was announced as the activity permitted during the lockdown.” “But as per the order of the fisheries ministry, the annual ban on fishing from April 14 is implemented. There is difference between the Home Ministry and the Fisheries Ministry orders,” Ilango said. According to him, considering the plight of fishermen and the need for cheap protein supply to citizens, the fishing ban between April 14 and June 15 shall be lifted for this year. Ilango said it should be a joint order of the Home Ministry and the Fisheries Ministry, covering both territorial waters and the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). (IANS)

‘I have nothing to hide’

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday asserted he has nothing to hide on the transfer of coronavirus data to Sprinklr, a US-based PR and marketing company. “I have made my position very clear...I have nothing to hide and so I don’t have any fear and those who claim to have the proof of the allegations, let them come out with it,” said Vijayan. “All that I have said on this in the past few days is I do not have time to waste on allegations. Perhaps those who raise this (opposition Congress) see themselves when they do such acts. (IANS)

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