Innehållsförteckning för May 3, 2021 från India Today

Our nation is at war,” General V.P. Malik tweeted on April 18. As the last Indian army chief to have led troops in war, he should know. Each day, over 2,000 Indians are succumbing to Covid-19, nearly four times the number of soldiers killed in the 11-week Kargil War in 1999. But there’s an important difference—this pandemic is not a distant border conflict fought by generals and professional soldiers. The tsunami of the second wave has crashed into our towns and cities, affecting our friends, neighbours and relatives, overwhelming our health infrastructure, leaving people scrambling around for hospital beds, oxygen cylinders and even slots in crematoriums to dispose of the dead. Over 200,000 persons have been infected every single day since April 15—the world’s largest number of new cases since…

Opposition parties are scrambling to claim credit for the Narendra Modi government’s April 19 decision to begin vaccinations for all Indians aged 18 and above. Shiv Sena leader Priyanka Chaturvedi, who wrote to the Union health ministry on April 7 suggesting this step, lost no time thanking the Prime Minister’s Office for heeding her letter. The Congress, Chaturvedi’s former party, also took credit, pointing out that the announcement came within 24 hours of former prime minister Manmohan Singh’s letter to the government recommending the move.…

In October 2001, when US Special Forces and CIA operatives went into Afghanistan with the express objective of removing the Taliban and dismantling Al Qaeda, could anyone have predicted that 20 years later the US would still be militarily engaged and debating its choices? It is this stark realisation that made President Joe Biden announce on April 14 that “it is time to end the forever war in Afghanistan”, and that all US soldiers would leave before September 11 this year. Yet, the harsh reality is that this may wind up US’s war in Afghanistan, but for the Afghans, their endless war shows no signs of ending. Initially, Biden was critical of the arbitrary deadline of May 1 negotiated in the Doha Agreement by US Special Representative Zalmay Khalilzad, saying…

REMDESIVIR Antiviral USED FOR: Moderate to severe cases EFFICACY: Gilead’s phase 3 trials showed that in a five-day course for moderate patients, more than 65% improved by Day 11 compared to those with standard care. WHO, however, maintains there is no concrete evidence to prove the drug’s efficacy against Covid PRODUCTION IN INDIA: Six companies manufacture it at a production capacity of 3.88 million vials per month. They also make the drug for 127 other countries. On April 14, the Centre said it would fast-track approvals so that production could be doubled in the next month PRICE: Rs 899-Rs 3,490 for a 100 ml vial, depending on the brand FABIFLU Antiviral USED FOR: Mild to moderate cases EFFICACY: Glenmark’s phase 3 data showed around 70% patients were clinically cured by…

HARRY WINSTON HAD FAMOUSLY CONCLUDED: “People will stare. Make it worth their while.” Of course, he didn’t live to witness the near-apocalyptic world where shrinking human contact accords you about 30 seconds of time to make an impression. The idea is not so much to stand out but to be remembered. Here is where the ‘trendy fashion’ versus ‘personal style’ debate rests today. What was once considered a generational divide is now the only solution with no wrong or right answer. “Don’t be into trends. Don’t make fashion own you, but you decide what you are, what you want to express by the way you dress and the way to live.” The late lamented maverick designer Gianni Versace’s words still read like an epiphany today as the fashion world gravitates…

Chivas 12 YO: Smooth, rich and generous, Chivas 12 is a classic for a reason. Crafted from the finest malt and grain Scotch whiskies, this 12-year-old blend is a signature blend from the brand. Chivas Extra is born from painstaking craft. Carefully selected first-fill Oloroso sherry casks magnify the richness and intensity of flavour, imbuing it with a deep amber colour. This extra special whisky is best served with a little extra company. Chivas 18 Complex, rich and luxurious, this 18 year old holds an incredible 85 unique flavour notes in every drop. Uniquely rich and complex, this beloved 18-year-old blended Scotch whisky has won both awards and hearts of whisky-lovers across the world.…

Difficult times don’t call for extravagant couture. Instead, it summons a design sensibility that is rooted, sustainable and also calm. 2021, (many are calling it the 202won) is a year that holds the promise of leading us out of the dark tunnel of a pandemic. Despite prevailing conditions, the vaccine does herald a promise of normalcy but not without altering perspectives and preferences. In such tough times, just like during the melt down of the 30s, what will prevail in industrious America (and I think the rest of the world as well) is diffusion and sustainable fashion—Slow, steady design, hand-made by local artisans that generates employment, and is linked to the earth and easy on bottomlines. Leading couture houses in Paris and Milan are already looking inwards. Dior has introduced…

On April 13, when former district judge Ramesh Chandra, a resident of Lucknow’s Gomti Nagar, and his wife Madhu had a bout of fever and a sore throat, they got themselves tested for Covid-19. The report found both of them positive. As Madhu’s condition deteriorated over the next two days, the former judge made frantic calls to city hospitals for ambulances and, when none came, called up and pleaded with the district magistrate and even officials in the chief minister’s office—to no avail. His wife died on the morning of April 15. But the ordeal was not over yet. Chandra spent a harrowing time trying to get a hearse to take her body to the crematorium. A weeping Chandra says he spent four hours calling friends in high places before…

A comprehensive national database of unorganised workers is in the works. Estimated cost of project: Rs 704 crore A survey to track the socioeconomic conditions of migrant workers and their shifting job preferences has been launched The NITI Aayog has prepared an umbrella policy framework—the National Action Plan for Migrant Workers—for migrant labourers. For coordinated implementation of the policy, it proposes a governance structure and mechanisms for managing inter-state migration. No action has yet been taken on these proposals…

Shane Nigam He made a splash as a young actor to look out for with films like Eeda,Kumbalangi Nights and Ishq Soubin Shahir The magic of recent Malayalam cinema is lit by actors in the background, one of the best being Soubin Shahir. He began with Annayum Rasoolum (2013) and had great turnsinPremam,Maheshinte Prathikaram, SudanifromNigeria and Kumbalangi Nights Suraj Venjaramoodu Known for his comedic roles initially, Venjaramoodu came into his own with films like Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum, Android Kunjappan Version 5.25,Driving License and The Great Indian Kitchen…

What happens when you marry the world’s most iconic jeweller with one of 21st century’s most popular shows? Fables are ordained. Inextricably linked with Easter since their annual tradition of Imperial Easter eggs began in 1885, Fabergé’s legendary eggs have captured imaginations for generations. This April, Fabergé is hatching a new collaboration with Warner Bros. Consumer Products to commemorate the extraordinary story of HBO®’s award-winning television series Game of Thrones. Co-designed by Fabergé and Michele Clapton, the Emmy® and BAFTA® winning costume designer from Game of Thrones, this one-off work of art is history in the making and offers a unique opportuntiy to acquire a modern day heirloom, as Game of Thrones celebrates the 10th anniversary of its debut episode. Dubbed “The Iron Anniversary”, this global year-long celebration will be…

It is in a world of precision and performance that luxury watchmaking brand Panerai has distinguished itself since the 1940s. Today the brand reaffirms its role in the universe of chronography. Panerai began perfecting its expertise in the category as early as 1943, the reference year of the Mare Nostrum project, a model designed to serve the deck officers of the Italian Navy, developed only to the prototype stage. Its mastery has extended into the 21st century, with the introduction of a series of efficient, high-performance new proprietary calibres——the sportiest complications combined with the iconic shape of the Luminor collection in three models. The aesthetic expression and Italian heritage of the Luminor Chrono PAM01109, PAM01218 and PAM01110 feature a sandwich dial and crown-protecting bridge on the right side of the…

“The mood and colours were crucial in creating the vibe. The visualisation and experimentation from inspiration to iteration took two years.”POONAM SONI Ingenuity, inspiration and imagination are the holy trinity of design,where material and form fluidly unite to create stark beauty. Raising the mundane to new aesthetic highs, breezing in with the confidence to find beauty in simple objects, combined with meticulous craftsmanship and an innate sense of proportion and flair, the next few pages are dedicated to three wildly disparate jewellery collections that are evocative, haunting, with an otherworldly take on the luxury of adornment. The three designers: Poonam Soni, Aaradhana Jhunjhunwala and Gokul Bakshi have shaken the formality out of jewellery to giveit swagger, attitude and dare I say, purpose too. Bold enough to choose style over the…

Within the predictable cycles of restrictive house arrest and rationed social connections, online is the new lifeline. From e-commerce to e-dating and even e-gaming, the pandemic-indused New Normal could well be the E-Normal. No wonder then that the entire gaming segment is thriving despite the widespread economic downturn caused by Covid-19. Gaming has quickly emerged not just as an engaging distraction, but one of the leading in-house solo entertainment options. Crippling boredom has translated into landmark growth in playing time and total sales. Improved access has rendered gaming more competitive as compared to other forms of entertainment. While social distancing restricts physical meeting, it doesn’t eliminate the need to connect with others. And more than any other digital medium, gaming has the built-in infrastructure to facilitate large-scale socialisation. Nearly one-quarter…

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar is the only prominent politician in the state to have refrained from criticising the BJP for the Covid crisis in the state, despite his government and party laying the blame at the saffron party’s doorstep. Pawar has also mobilised the state administration to reach out to the poor in this moment of crisis, and while Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has been working from home, Pawar has been regularly visiting Mantralaya. Are these signs that he is preparing for a bigger role?…

INDICATIONS THAT THE VIRUS HAS SPREAD MORE AND FASTER THIS TIME 8% to 16% Test positivity rate from Apr. 4 to Apr. 17. It has doubled in 12 days 2 mn Active cases, as on April 20. The last wave saw half the number at its peak in Sept. 2020 THE MUTANT STRAINS ARE MORE CONTAGIOUS 60% The India variant is now present in 60% of all samples in Maharashtra, compared to 20% a month ago 20% greater transmissibility of the virus owing to the L452R mutation, according to CDC BREATHLESSNESS, A COMMON SYMPTOM 13% Additional demand for oxygen among those hospitalised in this wave BUT THE MORTALITY RATE HASN’T BEEN HIGHER, SO FAR, NOR HAS IT INFECTED MORE YOUNG PEOPLE ONLY 1% more under-30-year-olds are…

OCCUPATION: Construction workers CITY OF WORK: Delhi STATE OF ORIGIN: Uttar Pradesh THEIR PLIGHT IN LOCKDOWN 2020: The duo, who live together in Delhi’s Mangolpuri area, were stranded in Delhi without a job for two months. While both took a train to Uttar Pradesh, Manoj returned to Delhi within two months as he did not get any work in his village. Chaman worked under MNREGA and returned to Delhi in November. This year, they are not planning to go home GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE: Both did not get any foodgrains support…

Her parents named her Sheela Ambalal Patel. After she married for the second time, her name in official records appeared as Sheela Birnstiel. Most of us, however, know her by the name Osho had once given her, Ma Anand Sheela. In the early 1980s, Sheela was indomitable, feisty. She had spunk. Back then, Osho was known to the world as Bhagwan Rajneesh. Sheela, his secretary, had his ear. She brought him what he wanted—cars, diamonds, fame, his own city in the US. She made real his utopia. The Netflix documentary, Wild Wild Country (2018), told the story of how Osho’s American dream of sex and samadhi soured. It made Sheela the protagonist of a tragedy, one that ended in scandal and a jail term. Osho accused Sheela of arson, wiretapping,…

You know you will read about fascinating wildlife if you pick up Wild and Wilful—conservationist and writer Neha Sinha’s first book—but you also need to be prepared for rumination and retrospection. The book may make you smile but it will also tug at your heartstrings, offering a lot of troubling food for thought. Sinha’s vivid descriptions take the reader across spaces that people and wildlife share in India—from the research institutes located within the woodlands and wetlands in Uttarakhand, to the “prickly” heat of Kutch and the open, grassy vastness of Kaziranga. Through 11 personal essays—sprinkled with drama, perspectives and science—she introduces the reader to not only the charismatic, well-known species (like tiger and elephant) but also the common-yet-overlooked ones (like tiger butterflies). She talks of conflict and coexistence. The…

Q. What prompted you to announce your retirement this year? I wanted to retire in 2016-17. I was waiting to be picked after having a really good 2016 season. Even though I was No. 1, the highest wicket-taker in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, it didn’t get me anywhere, so I thought that was the time. But I wanted to give something back to the game. I worked for Jammu and Kashmir cricket for two years and chose to retire after that. Q. Have you enjoyed being a commentator? It’s going to be my fourth season of IPL. It’s really exciting. I like to describe minute details, which a fan watching the game might miss. From the expert point of view, we need to ensure we give them the best…

Race Against Time In celebrationof the 2021 F1 season in Bahrain, TAG Heuer has unveiled four new references in its Formula 1 collection. Bright colours and the added asphalt-effect dial lend these watches a fresh urban look, promising to enchant the new generation of racing fans. Price on request; Availability Brand Stores Pastel beauty Ikai Asai’s Vasetto Rose jar is part of the brand’s soulful and small-batch products that rediscover local craftsmanship and the artisanal industry. The glass jar uses the same craft as first found in the form of glass beads at Maski, a Chalcolithic site in Southern Deccan. Price ₹2,450; Availability www.ikaiasai.com Colour Parade Holi may be over, but who says colour can only be a festive accompaniment. Casio’s G-shock DWE-5600KS range of watches are colourful, stylish, tough,…

1 WORK OUT—BUT NOT TOO MUCH I don’t like workouts where you sweat too much, but then again I don’t like my workout to be too slow. So Pilates is the happy middle ground. I do 30 minutes of daily exercise in the morning, as I think the first few minutes of your day dictate how confident, productive and happy you’ll be for the rest of the day. 2 VINTAGE DENIM IS A CLASSIC I wear an old pair of jeans with the 1980s Versace logo all over them and an emerald green oversized sweater, and it feels so good. 3 A MINIDRESS IS ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA There is just one rule when it comes to wearing a minidress: feel good with what you are wearing! Clothes are not…

Individualistic, confident, bold and refreshingly original, pirouetting gems in vibrant colours and compelling styles weave a sparkling saga that play protagonist to the Zoya narrative. This year, Zoya celebrates over a decade of artistry with rare masterpieces in diamond, gold and precious stones. The luxury jewellery brand from Tata visualises an exclusive, personalised world of limited edition pieces, handcrafted to delight an audience for whom standing out is the only thing worth standing up for. With exceptional design, authentic storytelling and masterful craftsmanship, Zoya has been redefining the space of luxury jewellery. Ajoy Chawla, CEO, jewellery division, Tata Inc gives us interesting insights into what makes the brand tick and click. The Zoya woman—From muse to storyteller When we thought of Zoya, we were looking to connect with a woman…

The Mercedes E-Class donned a new avatar in 2017 and hasn’t looked back since. The luxury sedan maybe a notch lower than the iconic S-Class but doesn’t discount the pleasures of the latter. In fact, it’s the hybrid fruit of two passions, the important back-seat traveller who ponders the next move in a bespoke suit and the wild-child who tosses his blazer aside for a polo shirt and leaves town for a weekend rendezvous. This can be attributed to its sporty exteriors and interiors, which are almost an anomaly. Style and Substance The 2021 E-Class isn’t as stylish as the Jaguar XF, but it does put in some honest hours in the gym to muscle up. The body is chiselled with lines and dents that give it a sharp feature,…