Blog - The Purbottar

23 Mar

After Backlash, Amitabh Bachchan Deletes Controversial “Amavasya” Tweet

editor0 CommentsEntertainment

After being savaged on social media, actor Amitabh Bachchan on Monday deleted a tweet and Instagram post on the alleged bacteria-destroying powers of noise. The posts shared by the 77-year-old actor on his social media handles - Big B is among the most followed Indian celebrities online - repeated a snippet of superstition that has been doing the rounds ever since Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked citizens to clap and bang plates on Sunday evening. PM Modi's stated intent was to show appreciation for health workers, essential service providers and others who are putting themselves out there so that the…

23 Mar

Little Upset With China, Should Have Told Us About Coronavirus: Donald Trump

editor0 CommentsBusiness

President Donald Trump said Sunday that he is "upset" with China over a lack of cooperation and information early on in the coronavirus crisis."They should have told us about this," Trump told a regular press conference at the White House."I'm a little upset with China. I'll be honest with you..., as much as I like President Xi and as much as I respect the country and admire the country," he said.

23 Mar

Social Distancing A Luxury For Workers In India On $2 A Day

editor0 CommentsBusiness, Health

The quandary facing India's informal workforce of 450 million people is one of the starkest examples of how social inequality threatens to undermine virus containment efforts around the world. From undocumented minimum-wage workers in the world's richest postcodes to job-seekers flooding into swelling metropolises, the urban poor often have limited access to health care, no medical insurance and no financial safety net.

23 Mar

Centre To Announce Bailout Package To Soften COVID-19 Blow

editor0 CommentsBusiness

The government is expected to announce economic package shortly amid high expectation of bailout by sectors hugely affected by coronavirus, sources told. Four days ago, during his address to the nation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced the formation of a special task force headed by finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The COVID-19 Economic Response Task Force, he said, would take an overview of the situation and suggest the way ahead.Ms Sitharaman has already declared that the donations made towards fighting COVID-19 would be counted as "Corporate Social Responsibility".

23 Mar

India’s 8th COVID-19 Death In Bengal, Man Had No Travel History

editor0 CommentsHealth

The eighth coronavirus-linked death in the country took place in Kolkata today. The patient, a 57-year-old, had no history of foreign travel, said sources in the private hospital where he was admitted - injecting concern about the chain of transmission. Inability to trace the chain of transmission indicates that the virus has entered the third stage. This was the seventh case of COVID-19 in the state, where the virus made a late appearance last week.The first patient detected in Bengal was a student who returned from UK. The young man was out and about and even visited a mall before…

22 Mar

Ola Suspends Shared Rides To Curb Coronavirus Spread

editor0 CommentsNorth East

In wake of the coronavirus pandemic, ride-hailing firm Ola has suspended shared rides in the country. This is a temporary move which will help in curbing the spread of coronavirus which has already caused the death of more than 10,000 persons so far globally. According to a statement made by the company to PTI, the 'Ola Share' feature will be temporarily suspended until further notice.The company statement said, "In our efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19, we are temporarily suspending the 'Ola Share' category until further notice".

22 Mar

Lisa Haydon “Finally Not Staying Inside After 8 Weeks”, She Did Postnatal Surfing

editor0 CommentsEntertainment

Actress Lisa Haydon, who shuttles between India, London and Hong Kong throughout the year, shared a video of her surfing in Hong Kong and accompanied it with a lengthy note. Lisa Haydon, who welcomed baby boy Leo in February, began her note by saying: "Having a new born baby in a corona virus world had me very busy with a bottle of sanitiser... thus haven't been posting that much lately. But here is a video of me finally not staying inside after eight weeks." Lisa and her husband Dino Lalvani are parents to another son named Zack. Lisa even went…

22 Mar

MS Dhoni Will Silently Retire From The Game, Says Sunil Gavaskar

editor0 CommentsSports

Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar feels it would be very difficult for MS Dhoni to find a place in the India squad for the T20 World Cup slated to be played in October-November in Australia. "I would definitely like to see Dhoni in India's World Cup squad but it's highly unlikely that it is going to happen," Gavaskar told Dainik Jagran. "The team has moved on. Dhoni is not someone to make big announcements so I reckon he would silently retire from the game."Dhoni, 38, last played for India at the 2019 World Cup in England where the Men in Blue were…

22 Mar

22 Ex-MLAs, Whose Exit Sank Congress In Madhya Pradesh, Join BJP

editor0 CommentsNorth East

The twenty-two former Congress legislators, who had resigned from the party following Jyotiraditya Scindia's resignation, formally joined the Bharatiya Janata Party on Saturday.The resignation of these MLAs played a critical role in the eventual fall of Kamal Nath-led Congress government in Madhya Pradesh.These leaders, along with Jyotiraditya Scindia, met BJP president J P Nadda at his New Delhi residence, who welcomed their decision to join the saffron party.

22 Mar

Former Real Madrid President Lorenzo Sanz Dies After Contracting Coronavirus

editor0 CommentsSports

Former Real Madrid president Lorenzo Sanz, who was hospitalised with coronavirus, died on Saturday at the age of 76, his son announced. Sanz was in charge of the Spanish giants from 1995-2000, overseeing two Champions League titles. "My father has just passed away. He did not deserve this ending and in this way," tweeted his son, Lorenzo Sanz junior. "One of the best, bravest and hardest-working people I have ever seen. His family and Real Madrid were his passions." Three days ago, Sanz Jr., a former professional basketball player, said that his father had been admitted to a Madrid hospital…