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Muktsar: Some Sikh policemen of the Muktsar police on Saturday set an example for others to follow by lending a helping hand in the burial of an elderly Muslim man, who passed away after an illness at his residence on the Ferozepur road here. Rajbachan Singh Sandhu, SSP, Muktsar, said, “Due to curfew restrictions, our employees helped the family in the burial. Jabar Din was suffering from an illness for the past few months. Our personnel were daily distributing langar to them and when they came to know about his death, they helped the family in his burial.” TNS

Help real estate sector, govt urged

Chandigarh: The Confederation of Real Estate Developers Association of India (CREDAI) has urged the state government to come up with a revival package for the real estate sector. CREDAI Punjab president Jagjit Singh Majha said real estate was the largest employer after agriculture, supporting 269 industries that could play a major role in reviving the economy. He said the government should waive interest on pending instalments so that real estate should be in a position to give regular salaries to workers. TNS

MLA gives diet packets to players

Chandigarh: Khanna MLA Gurkirat Singh Kotli on Saturday distributed free diet packets among sportspersons on their doorstep in his segment. “My volunteers have launched two helpline numbers. Callers need to give proof that they are sportspersons. Since morning, about 250 packets, comprising six eggs and chicken, have been distributed. The diet will give energy to sportspersons who are unable to practice because of the lockdown,” he said. TNS

Sanitation staff feted with garlands

Sangrur: Residents on Saturday applauded sanitation workers of the local Nagar Council for ensuring cleanliness across the city by showering flowers and offering garlands of currency notes to them amid the Covid pandemic. “The sanitation staff are our real heroes. They have been collecting waste and cleaning streets even in the hour of crisis when all citizens are compelled to stay indoors. I, along with local social workers, honoured them,” said Anil Kicha, chairman of the Sangrur Market Committee. TNS

BBMB earns Rs25 crore profit

Chandigarh: The Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) has recorded an all-time high transmission system availability of 99.82 per cent during the 2019-20 fiscal, a notch above 99.69 per cent that was achieved during 2018-19. The board has also achieved the highest-ever machine availability of 98.94 per cent during 2019-20 as compared to 97.95 per cent for 2018-19, according to a statement issued here. The BBMB has accrued an additional revenue of Rs25.32 crore during 2019-20. TNS

CAPF men to use ‘Aarogya Setu’ app

Chandigarh: All Central Armed Police Forces personnel have been ordered to download ‘Aarogya Setu’ application on their phones and report compliance to the Ministry of Home Affairs as a part of government’s efforts to contain the spread of Covid-19. Launched a couple of days ago, the app will send automated updates on Covid and alert personnel if they come in contact with any infected person. TNS

2-day ‘public curfew’ in Abohar

Abohar: The city on Saturday wore a deserted look on the first day of 48-hour “public curfew” that was proposed voluntarily by the local Beopar Mandal. Only milk vendors were allowed to reach out to consumers from 7 am to 10 am. Curfew passes were issued to only three NGO volunteers to serve food to the poor in their areas. OC

In interview to ThePrint, Rawat also says Quick Reaction Medical Teams (QRMTs) have been readied to mobilise at short notice to meet the requirements of civil administration.

His remarks in an interview to ThePrint come at a time when the government is increasingly utilising the resources and expertise of the Army, Air Force and the Navy to fight the coronavirus outbreak that has led to a nationwide lockdown of 21 days.

“We would like to emphasise that our main objective now is nation first – ‘Har Kaam Desh ke Naam‘,” he told ThePrint.

Gen Rawat further said the armed forces are mandated to provide assistance to civil authorities whenever requisitioned. “But we have decided to operate beyond our mandate and provide all kinds of assistance that we can provide, even if it causes inconvenience to our people, without compromising on health and hygiene issues,” he said.

The CDS, who is spearheading the military’s response to the challenges posed due to coronavirus, said the armed forces are in constant liaison with civil administration so that if there is additional requirement of assistance, they are able to respond effectively.

Asked specifically if the military should be deployed more in the war against coronavirus, he said, “Armed Forces are ready to operate beyond the stated mandate and assist the nation in the fight against coronavirus”.

Also read: It is war. Modi govt must deploy Indian military to fight coronavirus

Services strictly adhering to guidelines

Gen Rawat also said that the Services are strictly adhering to all instructions and guidelines being disseminated by the Prime Minister’s Office, Ministry of Health and its own medical authorities.

“Viruses do not distinguish a person in uniform from others, however, our personnel follow a disciplined regime and hence are less likely to be affected,” he said.

He said the Services have taken various measures like curtailing movement by cancellation of courses of instructions, restrictions on leave, work from home wherever feasible, social distancing and ensuring proper health and hygiene of all personnel and families.

This will help in preventing the spread of the virus.

Asked if the virus has impacted operational preparedness, he said the Service Chiefs are aware of their roles and tasks in maintaining operational preparedness at all times.

“This is their primary responsibility,” he said.

Medical infrastructure to be augmented

Gen Rawat also said necessary instructions have been communicated to augment medical facilities and infrastructure including increasing the capacity for surveillance and isolation facilities at military hospitals.

“Services hospitals have been kept on standby for establishing Covid-19 hospitals in high infection identified areas. Responsive and agile Quick Reaction Medical Teams (QRMTs) are ready to mobilise at short notice to meet the requirements of civil administration.

“Also, services of military hospitals and laboratories are extended to assist civil administration on requisition,” he said.

The CDS underlined that there is excellent synergy between all organs of the government and the three services are geared to deal with any challenge arising out of the current Covid-19 situation.

“It is important to follow guidelines that will prevent the spread of the virus amongst our citizens. Mass movement of people from areas that are witnessing higher numbers of infected people, to the lesser affected regions, will only compound the problem,” he said.

He added that under such conditions, one must appreciate that it is not business as usual.

“Everyone has to be prepared for some inconvenience that is caused due to imposed restrictions, for our safety and well being,” he said.

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 5

To honour and motivate the police personnel working at the frontline of the battle against Covid-19, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has authorised the DGP to institute a new award for cops doing exceptional work and going beyond the call of duty during the current crisis.

DGP Dinkar Gupta said he had chosen ASI (LR) Bikar Singh and constable Sukhjinder Pal Singh of Moga for the ‘DGP’s Honour & Disc for Exemplary Seva to Society’. The two policemen assisted a woman of Moga’s Dharamkot in delivering a baby two days ago after she had been denied admission by many hospitals late at night.

In addition, the DGP has also selected SHO Sanjeev Kumar of Amritsar, who has been feeding the poor and hungry with a missionary zeal.

Nearly 50,000 policemen are deployed in the field, helping out people, especially the poor, underprivileged, unemployed and homeless people. At times, they also spend out of their pockets to help the needy.

In these difficult times, policemen have taken the lead in galvanising and mobilising the community to arrange for food for the less fortunate such as daily wage workers and migrant labourers. The cops are also working in close coordination with NGOs and religious organisations, especially gurdwaras, to ensure that everyone is fed and taken care of. Till date, they have fed over 3.2 crore people in the state which is more than the state’s total population.

Woman delivers baby on roadside

Tribune News Service

Moga, April 5

A woman was forced to deliver a baby on a roadside in Dharamkot town, Moga district, as no doctor was available to attend to her.

SSP Harmanbir Singh Gill said two policemen on duty called two local women, who helped Jyoti (30) deliver a baby. Her husband Harmesh Kumar, a daily wage earner, said he took Jyoti to the PHC in Dharamkot, but found no doctor there. He then took her to a private hospital, where no one came forward to help them. “Police officials came to our rescue. They also dropped us home,” he said.

Earlier on January 9, two women — Amandeep Kaur and Mamta Rani — gave birth on the floor of the maternity ward in the district hospital here.

No doctor attended to them. Nurses and paramedical staff helped the women deliver babies on the floor of the hospital.

Unfortunately, Amandeep Kaur’s child died of pneumonia later.

Dr Rakesh Bali, Senior Medical Officer, Kot-ise-Khan, said the Health Department staff, posted in the primary health centre (PHC) at Dharamkot, were away to Janer village for screening Covid suspects.

The naval dockyard in Mumbai has designed a hand-held temperature sensor while a Portable Multi-feed Oxygen Manifold was designed by personnel in Visakhapatnam

New Delhi: As the country steps up its battle against Covid-19, the Indian Navy’s Mumbai and Visakhapatnam dockyards have also turned their attention to fighting the deadly virus.

While the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai has designed and developed its own hand-held infrared-based temperature sensor for screening of personnel, the one in Visakhapatnam has manufactured a portable system that can supply oxygen to six people at a time.

India has so far seen 50 deaths and over 1,700 positive cases of Covid-19.

The 285-year-old dockyard in Mumbai, of the Western Naval Command, has an average influx of 20,000 people every day. In view of the pandemic, initial screening of those entering the premises has become essential to prevent the spread of Covid-19 within the yard and the Western Fleet.

The most preliminary way to screen a probable Covid-19 patient is by checking their body temperature.

In a statement, the Navy has said that the decision to develop hand-held sensors was taken to overcome the scarcity of temperature guns and their higher price in the market due to the pandemic.

The hand-held thermometer developed by the Navy, which has an accuracy of 0.02 degree Celsius, was manufactured for less than Rs 1,000 using in-house resources. A statement by the Indian Navy also noted that the dockyard has the capability to scale up production of the temperature guns if required.

The price of temperature guns in the market start at Rs 3,000 with the more sophisticated ones costing around Rs 30,000.

The hand-held thermometre is expected to reduce the load on security guards at the gate of the Mumbai dockyard.

Also read: Coronavirus doesn’t stop Indian Army from carrying out its annual cyber security exercise

Oxygen supply system

Personnel from the Visakhapatnam Naval Dockyard have developed a ‘Portable Multi-feed Oxygen Manifold’ which can supply oxygen to multiple patients. Covid-19 is known to affect the respiratory system of patients.

The instrument fits into a single cylinder and can supply oxygen to six patients simultaneously from one bottle. A typical oxygen providing facility at hospitals comprises of an oxygen cylinder feeding only one patient through a Ventimask arrangement.

The preliminary trials of the Portable Multi-feed Oxygen Manifold were conducted at the dockyard in Visakhapatnam. It was followed by rapid trails at the Naval Hospital INHS Kalyani during which the portable instrument was set-up in 30 minutes.

Following these successful trials, the Visakhapatnam dockyard has now begun manufacture of 10 such devices.

While the Union health ministry’s data shows there are 8,432 ventilators in the public sector in India, Chennai-based medical device maker Trivitron Healthcare has said that there were about 40,000 ventilators across the country — mostly in the private sector.

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 5

Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh has called up the son and the nephew of former Hazoori Ragi Bhai Nirmal Singh, who died of Covid last week, to extend his condolences. He also assured them of the government’s support in the treatment of family members, who have tested positive for the virus.

All Covid patients would be provided proper care in line with the government’s medical protocol, the Chief Minister assured Bhai Nirmal Singh’s son Amiteshwar Singh and nephew Jagpreet Singh.

The Health Department would monitor their progress, he said, and asked them to contact him in case they needed any assistance. Capt Amarinder also enquired about the well-being of the members of the family who had tested positive.

The Chief Minister termed as “unfortunate” the delay in ragi’s cremation because of unfounded fears of Verka village residents. “I have ordered authorities that no such incident should take place again,” he said.

Capt Amarinder said he had asked the Chief Secretary and the DGP to ensure that health and other officials at the district level complied with government instructions and take action against those found violating instructions.

Taksalis hit out at govt

Chandigarh: Shiromani Akali Dal (Taksali) president Ranjit Singh Brahmpura on Sunday criticised the Capt Amarinder Singh government for alleged negligence in the treatment of Bhai Nirmal Singh. In the four-minute audio clip, which is being circulated, Bhai Nirmal Singh is heard telling his son Amiteshwar Singh about the poor facilities in the isolation ward and that he may not survive. “The Health Department’s preparedness for Covid has been exposed,” Brahmpura said in a statement. The former MP added, “Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh should order an inquiry into the ragi’s death.” TNS

He said that the army, navy and air force have moved into action by dedicating 17-18 hospitals to care for the infected, and the total bed capacity in the forces has been ramped up to 15,000 so far.

ndia’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen Bipin Rawat believes that India must break the Covid-19 virus chain by April 14, through the lockdown and social distancing, or be prepared to weather the long-term consequences of the pandemic.

“The military dictum is ‘prepare or perish’, but in these times of Covid we have refined it to ‘prepare or suffer’. We must arrest the spread of the virus through a 100% lockdown and social distancing by April 14. With the harvesting season around the corner, India cannot afford the numbers to go up. The military is totally prepared to stand up to the demands made by government and the people,” Gen Rawat said in a phone interview.

Click here for the complete coverage of the Covid-19 pandemic

He said that the army, navy and air force have moved into action by dedicating 17-18 hospitals to care for the infected, and the total bed capacity in the forces has been ramped up to 15,000 so far. “We have hospitals ready even in far-off places like Dimapur and Zakhama in Nagaland, even though the virus has not spread in North-east India. We have now two to three hospitals ready in each zone to treat, manage and control the infection,” he said.

Also Read: Coronavirus: How world reached a million cases in 93 days

The CDS said that the military and its doctors were constantly in touch with the Union health ministry, and he, as secretary of military affairs, was attending meetings with PK Mishra, principal secretary to the Prime Minister, and cabinet secretary Rajiv Gauba.

Gen Rawat said that one ward in each hospital, including places such as Delhi where the base hospital is normally crowded, will be dedicated for Covid-19 patients. “We have created isolation and quarantine facilities in Jaisalmer, Jodhpur and Jhansi to accommodate 500 patients each for treatment, to add to the capacity of para-military facilities, such as the one in Manesar,” he said.

The single-point military advisor to the government said that since army, navy and air force schools are closed due to the lockdown, the premises can be prepared as quarantine centres. “We have three army public schools, one navy school and one air force public school in Delhi. It has been decided that these schools should be made ready to be made quarantine centres, if required. Even though the capacities of these schools is about 1,500 patients each, only 200 will be put up in each school due to proper sanitation requirements. The same model is being readied in other parts of the country if there is a requirement, or in a worst-case scenario.”

Also Read: Covid-19: What you need to know today

Gen Rawat also said that the defence ministry has made an important change in the procurement manual by allowing advance payments to be made to the manufacturers of medical equipment such as ventilators, masks and protection suits. “We have already placed an order of 370 ventilators with the DRDO {Defence Research and Development Organisation} and are asking ordnance factories also for manufacture of masks and PPE {personal protective equipment} suits. The power to make advance payments has been given to director generals of armed medical services, army commanders, corps commanders and brigade commanders so that there is no shortage of any medical supplies, both for troops and the public,” he said.

The CDS also said that two naval medical ships were ready to help neighbouring countries in case of a medical emergency. The air force, which recently flew a 14-member team to the Maldives, is prepared to ferry medical supplies in and out of the country.

Although Gen Rawat is optimistic that India can contain the virus, he is “keeping his fingers crossed” and hoping that “social distancing, lockdown, and the Indian summer heat” will end the threat.

Amit Sharma

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 5

From providing medicines and ration to getting their wheelchairs fixed and taking them for a health check-up, the UT police have come to the service of senior citizens in all possible ways during the lockdown.

Understanding the need for keeping in touch with the elderly, especially when there are restrictions in the city, police personnel started making calls through the control room on March 31 and till April 5, 4,480 senior citizens were called up of whom 2,328 attended their calls. The police said 105 of them sought police assistance.

UT SSP Nilambari Jagdale said senior citizens had sought help for delivering medicines, ration, vegetables and fruits. “A Sector 21 resident also asked to get her wheelchair repaired,” the SSP said.

She said the SHOs concerned were being apprised of the need and they were doing the needful on priority.

The police said a few senior citizens were also taken for a check-up to the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32, besides banks and ATMs to withdraw money. “We will continue providing assistance to them in future as well,” the SSP said.

“We are taking special care of senior citizens who are staying alone,” the police official said.

The police are also making calls to pregnant women to ensure their well-being. “Those in need can call the emergency number 112 for assistance and we will send our team for help,” said a police official.

New Delhi: India has delivered 6.2 tonnes of essential medicines and hospital consumables to Maldives, which were stuck due to the 21-day coronavirus lockdown in the country.

The consignment was airlifted to Male by an Indian Air Force (IAF) C-130 aircraft Wednesday as part of ‘Operation Sanjeevani’.

These medicines and consumables were procured by Maldives’ State Trading Organisation (STO) from eight different suppliers in India.

A statement from the Indian embassy in Maldives Thursday said that due to the lockdown in India to contain the spread of Covid-19, the consignment could not be transported to Maldives by the suppliers through any other means.

So, at the request of the Maldivian government, the IAF aircraft lifted these medicines from the airports in New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Madurai, and flew them to Maldives.

The Indian Army facilitated the transport of these medicines and consumables from warehouses across India to the respective airports.

Also read: India ramps up Covid-19 assistance to SAARC nations, team set to leave for Nepal

Medicines included influenza, cancer drugs

The medicines included influenza vaccines, anti-viral drugs such as lopinavir and ritonavir (which have been used to treat Covid-19 patients in other countries), medicines for cardiac conditions, kidney ailments, hypertension, high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, allergies and cancer treatment.

The consignment also included anticonvulsants and consumables such as catheters, nebulisers, urine bags and infant feeding tubes.

India had on 14 March gifted 5.5 tonnes of essential medicines to Maldives to deal with coronavirus.

India had also sent a 14-member Covid-19 Rapid Response Team of doctors and specialists to enhance Maldives’ preparedness. The team has come back after providing necessary training and help.

The IAF, meanwhile, Wednesday said it has transported around 25 tonnes of essential medical supplies from Delhi, Surat, Chandigarh to Manipur, Nagaland and the union territories of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.

The medical supplies included personal protective equipment (PPE), hand sanitisers, surgical gloves, thermal scanners, the IAF said in a statement, adding that medical personnel are also being taken from one place to another using their aircraft.

Vijay Mohan

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 5

From evaluating the technical parameters of missiles and explosives, Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL) here has switched its expertise and in-house innovation to develop personal protective gear for the medical fraternity in the nationwide fight against COVID-19.

As many as 10,000 full face protective shields and 15 acrylic enclosures for examining infected persons are being produced by TBRL for the Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Research and Education (PGIMER) here.

“The face shields are single use as well as multiple use type while the lntubation protective enclosure can be used multiple times,” Dr Manjit Singh, Director TBRL said. “We are making about a 100 face shields and 3-4 enclosures each day,” he added.

An important Defence Research and Development Organisaltion (DRDO) establishment based in Chandigarh, TBRL is involved in development, production, processing and characterisation of different high explosive compositions, fragmentation studies of warheads, captive flight testing of bombs, missiles and airborne systems and ballistics evaluation of protective system like body armour, vehicle armour and helmets.

The face shields are light weight and can be worn full day with comfort. Commonly available A-4 size transparency sheets used in overhead projectors are being used as visors while the holding frame is manufactured through Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), commonly known as 3-D printing. Polylactic Acid filament, a biodegradable thermoplastic derived from renewable resources such as corn starch or sugarcane, was used for 3-D printing.

The enclosures were requested by PGIMER’s Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care to act as first level of protection for doctors and medical staff during the intubation of COVID-19 patients. This is a process in which a tube is inserted into the patient’s mouth to keep the airway open so that the patient can be placed on a ventilator.

Made of perspex sheets the transparent enclosure is a cuboid that covers the patient’s face and upper chest, with two holes on one side through which a doctor has insert his arms to work. Medical professionals are at elevated levels of risk of infection as virus particles can become aerosolised during intubation.

Mass production of the products is planned using injection moulding technique to expedite the process. Industrial partners are also being developed to meet the possible demands from neighbouring states. Being a research laboratory, in-house production in TBRL is limited.

Dr Manjit said that TBRL is also making hand sanitizers for the Chandigarh Police using base compositions developed by the DRDO. The requirement is for 6,000 bottles of 500 ml and 1,200 bottles have already been supplied. TBRL was to get the sanitizers bottled from a commercial plant in Baddi in Himachal Pradesh, but the area has been sealed-off due to the death of an infected person. Alternate measures are being explored.

In addition, TBRL is also acting as a facilitator for the procurement of bio-suits developed by another DRDO lab for use by health care service providers. A walk-through disinfection tunnel, which is placed at the entrance to a building or complex, is also being evaluated at TBRL. Developed by Research Center Imarat, Hyderabad, the tunnel is equipped with sensors to assess body parameters, air showers and disinfectant sprays. It has the potential of being deployed at any public place or office complex.

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 2

Taking a tough stand on the issue in the light of the Nizamuddin incident, Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Thursday completely prohibited all gatherings, including religious, in the state. He said the state government would impose a total ban on all congregations, irrespective of the religion involved.

He said he would talk to Akal Takht Jathedar. He also directed the Chief Secretary to discuss the matter with the SGPC, in view of the upcoming Baisakhi festival.

The Chief Minister also ordered 21-day quarantine for all those who had returned to the state from Nizamuddin (Delhi) since January and asked the police and administrative officials to move aggressively to track, trace and isolate all such people. He directed the police and health officials to constitute special teams to track and follow up on those who had returned to Punjab from Nizamuddin.

Capt Amarinder was discussing and reviewing the current situation through a video conference with DCs and other senior officials of the civil administration and police department.

Meanwhile, DGP Dinkar Gupta said some 200 persons from Punjab had visited Nizamuddin and returned at different times, with 12 districts believed to be affected. They were being tracked, along with some from others states who had come to Punjab for Tabligh Jamaat work.

Health Secretary Anurag Aggarwal informed the Chief Minister that the department had so far received a list of 125 such persons.