Health Minister Satyendar Jain on Monday said <keyword id="66" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Delhi">Delhi</keyword> has only one day's Covaxin stock left and its Covishield doses will last for just three to four days. The minister's remarks came a day after Chief Minister <keyword id="260213" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Arvind-Kejriwal">Arvind Kejriwal</keyword> urged the Centre to direct manufacturers to increase vaccine supplies to the capital between May and July. "Covaxin doses can last up to one day only, while Covishield doses can last up to three to four days," Jain told reporters after reviewing preparations at Guru Teg Bahadur <keyword id="8764262" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="covid">COVID</keyword> Care Centre at Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib in central Delhi. Delhi has so far received 5.5 lakh doses of <keyword id="8901548" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="coronavirus-vaccines">coronavirus vaccines</keyword> for the 18-44 category, and over 43 lakh doses for 45-plus, and healthcare and frontline workers, according to government data released on Sunday. Around 39 lakh doses have been administered in the national capital so far. Till Sunday evening, Delhi had 4.65 lakh doses of coronavirus vaccines available for those above 45, and healthcare and frontline workers, while 2.74 lakh doses were available for the 18-44 age category. The health minister said the dip in the positivity rate and the number of new infections over the last fortnight is a "glimmer of hope". "The number of cases has reduced from around 28,000 to 13,000 now. The positivity rate has come down from a high of 36 per cent to around 20 per cent," Jain said. He, however, said there's no room for any leniency and urged everyone to keep their guard up. Jain said the 400-bed Guru Teg Bahadur COVID Care Centre has been attached with the Delhi government-run Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital. The <keyword id="6427062" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="delhi-sikh-gurdwara-management-committee">Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee</keyword> has provided the infrastructure for the facility and the Delhi government has given medical support, he said. Manjinder Singh <keyword id="6379504" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="sirsa">Sirsa</keyword>, president of the <keyword id="6541108" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="dsgmc">DSGMC</keyword>, said the COVID care centre will be managed by 50 doctors from <keyword id="6394484" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="lnjp-hospital">LNJP Hospital</keyword>. They will be supported by a team of 150 nurses and ward boys. All beds have oxygen concentrators. The facility has a backup of 150 D-type cylinders. It has all the essential drugs, including Remdesivir and Fabiflu, used in the treatment of COVID-19, Sirsa said. "Patients who need up to 20 litres per minute of oxygen can be treated here," he said, adding that the treatment and food will be completely free. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/this-ev-startup-mobycy-went-from-solving-last-mile-commute-to-delivery/articleshow/82513392.cms">It took one pivot and five years for this EV startup founder to hit the sweet spot for business in India</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/clubhouse-android-download-release-date-beta-version/articleshow/82515109.cms">Clubhouse for Android finally launched as downloads and hype take a plunge</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/banks/news/bandhan-bank-share-price-falls-after-reporting-an-80-fall-in-its-net-profit/articleshow/82516642.cms">Bandhan Bank falls 4% after reporting an 80% fall in its net profit – positive market trends help it bounce back into the green</a>

Delhi left with only one day’s stock of Covaxin, says state Health Minister Satyendar Jain

<ul><li>From Apollo Hospitals, India’s largest chain, to <keyword id="6427062" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="delhi-sikh-gurdwara-management-committee">Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee</keyword> to many NGOs and private initiatives have sought help.</li><li>Khosla’s tweet saw a flood of responses seeking resources to tackle the explosion of COVID-19 infections in India.</li><li>In the last week alone, India has seen over 1.8 million new COVID-19 cases and over 11,000 deaths.</li><li>A big chunk of the fatality has been caused by inadequate health infrastructure like the dearth of <keyword id="8434525" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="hospitals-beds">hospitals beds</keyword> and oxygen.</li></ul>Within hours of his tweet offering funding to Indian hospitals looking to import oxygen, Indian American billionaire investor <keyword id="1584" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Vinod">Vinod</keyword> Khosla is flooded with responses. Even Sangita Reddy, the Joint Managing Director of Apollo Hospitals, India’s largest chain in that space, <a href="https://twitter.com/drsangitareddy/status/1386065013568262145">responded soon enough</a>. “Vinod, how generous and timely. We are running two medical college hospitals mostly free and have free wards in most of our hospitals. Will reach out. Speed is of the essence,” she wrote in response to the offer from the founder of Khosla Ventures, and the co-founder of <keyword id="67928" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sun-Microsystems">Sun Microsystems</keyword>. <div type="twitter" handle="vkhosla" handlename="Vinod Khosla" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/2398344802/bm0r011ulnx6nd6ndtn9_normal.jpeg" favoritecount="37610" retweetcount="10625" status="I'm willing to fund hospitals in India that need funding to import bulk planeloads of oxygen or supplies into India… https://t.co/wH8RSrrT3D" createdat="1619292076000" id="1386037544979111936"></div> Even the government-funded <a href="https://www.csir.res.in/">Council for Scientific and Industrial Research</a>, under the Ministry of Science and Technology, said that it would need Khosla’s support for the new oxygen concentrators it aims to set up across the country. COVID-19 infections have exploded in India and just in the last seven days, the country has seen over 1.8 million new cases and over 11,000 deaths. The existing health infrastructure has been stretched beyond its limits and a bulk of the damage is caused by lack of oxygen supply and beds in hospitals. No wonder then, from Manjinder Singh Sirsa (President of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee) to the Cancer Aid Society to Hemkunt Foundation to numerous other non-government organisations and private initiatives sought the support of the Silicon Valley venture capitalist <a href="https://www.forbes.com/profile/vinod-khosla/?sh=724b8f413e07">worth nearly $3 billion, according to Forbes</a>. His son Neal Khosla,, too, has been voicing his thoughts on what’s happening in India. The healthtech entrepreneur ⁠— <a href="https://curaihealth.com/about">founder of the Curai Health</a>, which provides artificial intelligence driven primary consultation for patients needing cardiac care, diabetic care, mental health care ⁠— lashed out at the Biden administration for not extending its support by allowing the export of vaccines and raw materials to India. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/delhi-lockdown-extended-till-may-3-says-arvind-kejriwal-as-active-covid-cases-cross-one-million/articleshow/82240391.cms">Delhi, with over a million active COVID cases, has extended the lockdown for another week</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/tamil-nadu-covid-restrictions-whats-open-and-whats-shut-this-sunday/articleshow/82234062.cms">Tamil Nadu COVID restrictions — what's open and what's shut</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/how-to-wear-double-masks-surgical-mask-cloth-mask-in-second-wave-of-covid-19/articleshow/82231342.cms">Double masks for COVID-19 – how to wear them and other things you should know</a>

India’s biggest hospital chain, a government organisation and many others line up for Indian-American billionaire Vinod Khosla’s offer to fund oxygen supplies

New Delhi, May 10 () The 'gurdwaras' in the national capital are facing shortage of ration and cash following a steep rise in the number of homeless people being fed amid the ongoing lockdown, says the Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee. Since the imposition of the countrywide lockdown on March 25 to stave off the spread of coronavirus, the DSGMC-managed gurdwaras across the city have provided free meals to around 50 lakh homeless people, migrant workers and elderly. Some of the gurdwaras have also provided shelter to around 200 health staff, including doctors and nurses, besides taking care of coronavirus positive patients in various hospitals.The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) has deployed 500 people, including cooks, drivers, and sanitation workers, to carry out relief services during the lockdown. Manjinder Singh Sirsa, the president of the Sikh body said, "Earlier, the gurdwaras in Delhi would receive around Rs 40 lakh in donations which kept the 'langar' (community kitchen) service going." As a large number of people are unable to visit the gurdwaras during the lockdown, the donations have reduced drastically to just 20 per cent, he said.The langar service is going on thanks to some kind people who have been donating ration, including ghee, oil, sugar, flour, rice, pulses, spices, salt etc. "But the number of people who need to be fed is increasing every day and our resources are under tremendous strain," Sirsa said. He said the DSGMC has been receiving calls from various gurdwara across the national capital, informing it of the depleting resources.The Sikh body is completely dependent on donations. It is because of the help of a few large-hearted people across the globe that the DSGMC is able to continue with the services, Sirsa said. A few people have come out and donated cash anonymously. A couple donated Rs 2.5 lakh on their 50th anniversary to the DSGMC, he said. "At least 20 trucks of ration have been donated to the gurdwara anonymously," the official added. Families based in various parts of the world and belonging to different faiths have been donating ration and cash, he said. Recently, the World Punjabi Organisation, a body representing Sikhs across the globe, donated Rs 51 lakh to the DSGMC. Similarly, some businessmen and companies based in India donated cash to help the DSGMC feed the needy. "But, considering the number of people who need food, we require more people to come out and donate in cash and kind. If you cannot go to a gurdwara to do 'sewa' (service) during the lockdown, please donate ration to a nearby gurdwara or make monetary contributions to DSGMC through its website," Sirsa added. GVS SRY

As donations reduce drastically, Delhi gurdwaras face trouble feeding the needy during lockdown

New Delhi, June 16 () The Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee (DSGMC) on Tuesday offered to create 850-bedded COVID care centres in premises of its gurudwaras and educational institutions in the city amid the rising number of coronavirus cases. These centres could be used to admit those with low-grade fever, sore throat and other mild symptoms, DSGMC president Manjinder Singh Sirsa said. The offer was made in a letter sent to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to set up 850-bedded COVID care centres in premises of its gurudwaras, he said. The DSGMC has requested the Delhi government to give necessary permissions and sanctions for immediate operation of COVID care centres. Sirsa said best medical care, oxygen and laboratory services will be provided to coronavirus patients at these centres. The committee has offered 200 beds at its fully air conditioned marriage hall at Gurdwara Nanak Piao Sahib, 235 beds at Guru Harkrishan Yatri Niwas in Gurdwara Bangla Sahib, 60 beds (30 rooms) at Guru Arjan Dev Yatri Niwas in Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib, 11 beds at Guru Hargobind Institute of Management and Information Technology, 100 beds at Guru Harkrishan Public School, 40 beds at Gurdwara Damdama Sahib and 50 beds each at Guru Tegh Bahadur Polytechnic Institute and Guru Nanak Sukhshala. Sirsa said if the condition of any patient gets critical, then the person could be referred to the COVID-19 hospitals. VIT SNE

Sikh body offers to run COVID care centres in Delhi gurudwaras, educational institutions

New Delhi, Apr 8 () The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) on Wednesday offered the city government a 50-bedded hospital and an unfurnished 500-bedded hospital building for treatment of coronavirus patients in the national capital.In a letter to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, DSGMC president Manjinder Singh Sirsa said the Delhi government is developing infrastructure including hospitals to manage foreseen exponential rise in COVID-19 patients and converting even hotels and banquet halls into health facilities.Sirsa said the DSGMC is also running several polyclinics and hospitals to deliver quality healthcare services to the needy in Delhi."We have no inhibition to offer you Guru Harkrishan Hospital, a 50-bedded multi-disciplinary hospital with intensive care unit, which is functional at Gurdwara Bala Sahib," he said."A 500-bedded six-storey building of Guru Harkrishan Institute of Medical Sciences and research located in 11-acre compound of Gurdwara Bala Sahib in Sunlight Colony is almost ready. If the Delhi government desires, it can be completed in an expedited manner and used for this purpose," Sirsa said. GVS TDSTDS

Delhi Sikh body offers 2 hospital buildings for treatment of coronavirus patients

New Delhi, May 9 () The Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee (DSGMC) on Saturday announced an insurance cover of Rs 2 lakh for its employees in the forefront of the coronavirus fight in case of death due to the disease. As the country battles the COVID-19 pandemic, the DSGMC has been providing free food to the lockdown-hit homeless people and shelter to health workers in its gurudwaras. It will now provide an insurance cover of Rs 2 lakh each to its 2,500 frontline workers who are providing free community meals, and sanitation and transport-related services across the national capital, its president Manjinder Singh Sirsa said. Staff members of the DSGMC-managed gurudwaras have been distributing food and relief material in JJ colonies, labour camps, shelter homes, etc., as a result of which there is a risk of them contracting the novel coronavirus, Sirsa said. The life insurance scheme will include sanitation staff, cooks preparing langar, religious preachers, security staff and other frontline workers tasked with distributing food. "We salute the efforts of our frontline workers to provide services to mankind at the ground level amid the coronavirus threat," he said. The DSGMC has been taking care of accommodation and food requirements of around 200 doctors, nurses and other healthcare staffers involved in treating COVID-19 patients. GVS SMNSMN

Coronavirus: Delhi Sikh body announces life insurance cover for staff providing relief services

New Delhi, June 16 () The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) on Tuesday offered to create and operate COVID care centres for mild coronavirus cases in the national capital. "We can create COVID care centres on the premises of our gurdwaras across the city to cater to those with low fever, sore throat, and other such mild symptoms," DSGMC president Manjinder Singh Sirsa said in a letter to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. The Sikh body requested the Delhi government to grant it permission to operate the centres in view of the growing demand for beds for coronavirus patients. Sirsa said that these centres will provide the best medical care, oxygen and laboratory services to the patients. The DSGMC will take care of food, drinking water, medicines, oxygen, hematological and biochemistry laboratory services, he said. GVS AAR

DSGMC offers to create COVID care centres in its gurdwaras

(Eds: Merges related stories) Aurangabad/Chandigarh, May 1 () Local authorities sealed Nanded's Hazur Sahib gurdwara on Friday, hours before Punjab reported that 91 more people who returned from the shrine in Maharashtra had tested positive for coronavirus. So far, 197 pilgrims out of the 3,500 rought back from the Maharashtra gurdwara, among the holiest sites in Sikhism, have contracted the infection, according to authorities in Punjab. The returning pilgrims formed the bulk of 105 fresh cases reported in Punjab on Friday. The 197 Nanded pilgrims are a third of the 585 confirmed coronavirus cases reported so far in Punjab. Taking into account the 20 deaths and people who have recovered, they represent about 40 per cent of the "active cases" in the state. In neighbouring Haryana, 18 Nanded pilgrims are in quarantine, officials said. About 4,000 pilgrims from Punjab had remained stranded for about a month at Hazur Sahib gurdwara in Nanded due to the nationwide lockdown to fight the coronavirus pandemic. Gurdwara Langar Sahib on the same premises, which serves food to all visitors, has also been closed, officials said in Nanded. "District and civic officials reached the gurdwara in the morning on Friday and directed that it be closed and the langar service be stopped," gurdwara superintendent Gurvinder Singh Wadhwa said. The pilgrims heading back to Punjab had made halts at Indore, one of the country's worst coronavirus-affected cities, Bhilwara and Hanumangarh in Rajasthan, and Bhatinda, according to gurdwara functionaries. Baba Balwinder Singh of Langar Sahib said there are still about 175 people from different states in the complex. In a video clip, Akal Takht jathedar Harpreet Singh on Friday claimed there was a conspiracy to "malign" the Sikhs just as the Muslims were after the Tablighi Jamaat episode. The reference by the Amritsar-based jathedar was to the Tablighi Jamaat congregation in Delhi in March. Hundreds of people who participated and then returned to their homes across the country had tested positive. "It is being propagated as if Takht Sri Hazur Sahib was the home to coronavirus and these people carried it with them to Punjab," he alleged. "It is a very big conspiracy," the jathedar said. He said the pilgrims stayed at the Nanded gurdwara's "sarai" for over a month, volunteering for the "langar sewa". "How come they turned coronavirus positive after they reached Punjab? This question comes to the mind of everyone," the religious leader claimed. Harpreet Singh said there were complaints about the quarantine arrangements made for them and urged Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh to set things right. "A video surfaced in Amritsar where some women are complaining that they are not getting water to drink. Some are being kept in 'deras' which is against their sentiments. It appears to be the irresponsibility on the part of the government," he said. He said the state government should have contacted the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) for arranging the stay and meals for the quarantined pilgrims. Amarinder Singh has asked people not to be worried about the sudden spike in cases, saying most of the new cases are people coming from other states. The state government had already ordered a 21-day quarantine for people coming from outside. CHS SUN VSD AW BNM VT ASHASH

Nanded gurdwara closed, 91 more Punjab pilgrims test positive

New Delhi, Apr 19 () The historic Gurdwara Bangla Sahib in the city was specially illuminated on Sunday evening to express "hope and solidarity" in the nation's fight against coronavirus.Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee president Manjinder Singh Sirsa said prayers were held on the occasion for success in the fight against the deadly virus."Gurdwara Sri Bangla Sahib, a Beacon of Faith, is illuminated tonight as our gesture of extending hope &amp; solidarity to all #coronawarriors serving society.We prayed to Sri Guru Harkrishan Sahib Ji to dispel this darkness &amp; bring the light of health &amp; joy in our lives," Sirsa tweeted.The number of coronavirus cases in Delhi crossed the 2,000-mark on Sunday. A total of 45 people have died so far due to the virus in the city. VIT IJT

Prayers held at Gurdwara Bangla Sahib for those in the forefront of fight against coronavirus

(Eds: Incorporating related stories ) New Delhi, Jun 1 () Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday announced a slew of relaxations like lifting restrictions on markets and allowing salons to reopen as the fourth phase of the lockdown ended, but closed Delhi's borders for a week citing the rising number of coronavirus cases which crossed the 20,000 mark. Kejriwal also sought views of the people of Delhi by Friday on whether its borders should be opened and the city's health facilities reserved for its residents. Since the last four days, the daily rise in cases has been upwards of 1,000 in the national capital. With 990 fresh cases, the total number of coronavirus cases reached 20,834 on Monday while the death toll mounted to 523. Among the fatalities was a junior engineer with the North Delhi Municipal Corporation. Addressing an online media briefing, Kejriwal said there will be no restrictions on the number of people travelling in four-wheelers, two-wheelers, auto-rickshaws, e-rickshaws and other vehicles in the city. Measures like 20 passengers on a bus will be in place to maintain social distancing. He said that until now shops in markets were being allowed to open on an odd-even basis, adding that there are no such restrictions mentioned by the Centre in its latest guidelines. Now, all shops in the markets will be permitted to function, Kejriwal said. However, if social-distancing is not maintained outside a shop, it will be closed by authorities, according to an order issued by Chief Secretary Vijay Dev. It stated that cinema halls, gymnasium , swimming pools, shopping malls, entertainment parks, theatre, bars and auditorium will remain closed. Hotels and hospitality services except those meant for government services will remain closed. Restaurants will be permitted only for home delivery and takeaway facilities. Dining facility is prohibited. An official said that the government will issue fresh orders allowing more activities in the city from June 8. However, lockdown will remain in place in containment zones. The chief minister said the Delhi government will implement the relaxations permitted by the Centre. Kejriwal said Delhi's borders will be sealed for a week in the wake of rising coronavirus cases in the city. Some people say borders should be reopened after one week but healthcare services in the city should be available only for Delhiites, Kejriwal said. Seeking "guidance" from Delhiites, the chief minister asked them to send their suggestions on WhatsApp number 8800007722, delhicm.suggestions@gmail.com or by dialling 1031 by 5 pm on Friday. Although falling in different states, Delhi and its satellites cities are closely linked. A large number of people either stay in these satellite cities and work in Delhi or vice versa. There was chaos on the Delhi-Faridbad and Delhi-Noida borders in the morning, as authorities allowed entry and exit of those who had valid passes Kejriwal said as Delhi has best healthcare facilities in comparison to other states and it offers free medical treatment in public hospital, people from across the country will come to Delhi to get treatment and the 9,000 beds available here will be occupied within two days. "So, what should we do? Should we reopen borders?" he asked. "Delhi belongs to all of us. (Dilli to dil walon ki hai). Delhi is also of people living in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Maharashtra among others. Till now, Delhi treats all people. So, how can Delhi deny medical treatment to other people?" he added. On further easing of curbs on economic activities, he said there will also be no restrictions on the functioning of industries in the national capital. Construction activities will be allowed wherever workers are available on-site or could be transported to the site from the NCT of Delhi. Social, political, sports, entertainment, academic and religious functions and other gatherings are prohibited, the order said, adding that all religious places will also remain closed. Fifty people will be allowed to attend a marriage function. Twenty people will be allowed in gatherings related to funeral. According to the government, resident welfare associations (RWAs) will not prevent any person from performing his or her duty, which has been allowed in the new guidelines. District authorities may advise individuals to install Aarogya Setu app for timely provision of medical attention. "Movement by passenger trains and Shramik Special trains; domestic passenger air travel; movement of Indian nationals stranded outside the country and of specified persons to travel abroad; evacuation of foreign nationals...will continue to be regulated as per SOP issued," it added. Meanwhile, temples, mosques, gurudwaras have started preparations to open their doors for devotees again, once the decision is taken. Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid Syed Ahmed Bukhari said stickers will be affixed on the floor and verandas of the mosque to ensure social distancing during namaz. "We have also decided to discontinue using carpet on which people offer namaz at the mosque and ask people to carry their own 'musalla' (mat for offering namaz). "We will also suggest them to do 'wuzu' (ritual ablution before namaz) and avoid using mosque tanks," Bukhari said, elaborating on steps to be taken to keep people safe from the infection. Vinod Kumar Mishra, the administrator of the Laxmi Narayan Mandir, also known as the Birla temple, in central Delhi, said the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) staff had been sanitising the complex regularly. The Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee (DSGMC) said social distancing norms will be strictly enforced at the shrines with focus on Sis Ganj Sahib, Bangla Sahib and Rakabganj gurudwaras that attract large numbers of devotees. BUN SLB VIT GVS KND PR RT

Curbs eased further in Delhi but borders closed for a week; Coronavirus cases cross 20K

Chandigarh, Apr 13 () Baisakhi festivities in the streets and rush of devotees in gurdwaras were missing across Punjab on Monday as people largely celebrated the festival indoors amid a curfew in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.Baisakhi is one of Punjab's biggest festivals and it marks the foundation day of the 'Khalsa Panth' (Sikh order) by the tenth Sikh Guru, Gobind Singh. It also marks the start of harvest season.The Golden Temple in Amritsar, one of Sikhism's holiest shrines, saw very few devotees turn up to offer prayers.Normally, nearly two lakh devotees visit the Golden Temple on the occasion of Baisakhi.The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), which manages gurdwaras in Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh, has also deployed task force staff to discourage people from assembling.SGPC Chief Secretary Roop Singh said the committee has never stopped anyone from coming to the Golden Temple but one should not violate the government orders.Barricades have been put up at all roads leading to the Golden Temple to prevent overcrowding, a police official said.A similar scene was witnessed at the Takht Kesgarh Sahib in the holy city of Anandpur Sahib, where the Khalsa Panth was founded in 1699.Managements of several other gurdwaras across Punjab and state capital Chandigarh politely refused to let devotees inside. They appealed to them to offer prayers at homes and listen to 'Gurbani' by tuning in to their YouTube channels."In the morning, 'sangat' (devotees) came to pay obeisance but we requested them to offer prayers at their homes and also asked them to listen to 'kirtan' on our YouTube channel."We have shared a link of the video of 'kirtan' with devotees on our WhatsApp group," said an official of Gurdwara Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib in Chandigarh's Sector 34.He said normally, 60,000 to 70,000 devotees visit the shrine on Baisakhi every year."It is for the first time that we could not enter the gurdwara," a disappointed devotee said.The management of a gurdwara in Ludhiana said it will reach out to those on the frontlines of the fight against coronavirus on the occasion of Baisakhi."We will distribute 'langar' among frontline workers, including policemen and medical staff," a gurdwara official said.Earlier, the Akal Takht (the highest temporal seat of Sikhs) had asked members of the Sikh community to offer prayers at home on Baisakhi and directed Sikh organisations not to organise religious gatherings on the festival in the view of the COVID-19 outbreak.On Sunday, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh had also appealed to people not to step out of their homes on the occasion of Baisakhi. TEAM CHS VSD DIVDIV

Low-key Baisakhi celebrations in Punjab amid COVID-19 lockdown

Chandigarh, April 12 () Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder on Sunday appealed to the people of the state not to step out of their homes on Baisakhi, which will be celebrated on April 13, and follow the ongoing lockdown imposed to combat the coronavirus outbreak. He also asked them to pray from their homes at 11 am on Monday for the state's victory over the deadly COVID-19 "enemy" and the safety of children. In a message on the eve of the festival, the chief minister said Baisakhi would be "different" this year as the celebrations will lack traditional fervour because people will not be able to venture out of their homes and gather in large congregations. It is necessary for all to stay at home in this difficult time and observe the occasion with prayers for the total elimination of COVID-19 from the state, he said in a statement here. "Let us pray to Waheguru (almighty) to keep us and our Punjab in Charhdi Kala, to keep us safe and happy always," urged the chief minister, pointing out that even the Akal Takht and SGPC had appealed to the people not to congregate or gather outside to celebrate Baisakhi this year. The Akal Takht had asked people from the Sikh community to offer prayers at home on Baisakhi and directed Sikh organisations not to organise large gatherings on the festival in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic. Baisakhi, which falls on April 13 or 14 every year, is a major festival in Punjab as it marks the foundation day of the Khalsa panth' (Sikh order) by the tenth Sikh Guru, Gobind Singh. It also marks the start of harvest season. On this day, people throng gurdwaras to pay their obeisance. Expressing hope and confidence that Punjab would be victorious over the pandemic, Singh appealed to the people to do their duty in this battle, just as lakhs of frontline warriors were doing to keep them safe and protected. He thanked the doctors, nurses, paramedical staff, other health and sanitation workers, the police, the revenue staff, the religious organisations, the NGOs and everyone else engaged in fighting the battle on the frontline, putting their own lives on the line. He thanked the SSPs and the DCs for managing the situation "effectively and efficiently", and expressed confidence that they would all continue to work relentlessly in the coming days in the interest of Punjab and its people. Pointing to the global COVID-19 crisis, the chief minister said the situation was relatively better in Punjab, and in fact across India, due to the early lockdown/curfew and its strict enforcement. It was important to continue with these stringent and difficult measures, despite the inconvenience and frustration being caused to everyone, he added. Underlining the need to continue with such strict restrictions, he cited various studies and expert opinions and said, "If we do not implement the lockdown in the coming days, then the situation can get out of control." The numbers being projected by the experts in the absence of isolation/lockdown are scary, he pointed out. Though, there were some problems with the supply chain at the beginning of the clampdown, things were now on track and would improve further in the coming days, said the CM, assuring full support to everyone in the state in this hour of crisis. He promised the migrant labourers and other poor/needy people that his government will continue to take care of them, and ensure that not a single one of them will go hungry, till the COVID crisis ends. Singh said all arrangements were in place for harvesting wheat which is set to commence on April 15 and promised another season of smooth procurement, in line with his government's track record. Underlining the need to give serious thought to the way ahead, the chief minister said the Task Force set up to work out the curfew/lockdown exit strategy will submit its report within 10 days, and a high-powered committee, to be headed by a leading finance expert, would work on ways for economic and industrial revival of the state post COVID-19. CHS VSD RHLRHL

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