-NDTV The bananas were thrown near Nigambodh Ghat, one of the main cremation grounds in the capital, and possibly used in rituals for the dead. New Delhi: Discarded bananas rotting in the sun made for an unexpected feast for a group of men on the banks of the river Yamuna in Delhi on Wednesday afternoon. They picked through the trash for any good ones, adding one more gut-wrenching visual to the montage...

-CaravanMagazine.in A national task force on COVID-19, comprising 21 leading scientists from across the country, which was supposed to advise the Narendra Modi government on its response to the pandemic, did not meet even once in the week preceding the announcement to extend the nationwide lockdown, according to four members of the group of experts. In a national broadcast on 14 April, Modi announced the decision to extend the lockdown till...

-The Hindu Incidents spurred by propaganda campaigns by motivated people, they say New Delhi: The National Hawkers Federation, the National Coalition for Inclusive and Sustainable Urbanisation and a group of activists, academics and lawyers on Wednesday in a statement condemned the reported “discrimination against Muslim vendors” during the lockdown. “We are alarmed and disheartened to learn that hawkers continue to be intimidated and physically attacked in various parts of the country...These incidents seem...

-The Telegraph Labour ministry weighs proposal for essential goods, economists advise time limit The central government is likely to allow select factories that produce essential items to engage workers beyond the stipulated eight hours a day. The move is aimed at curbing footfall to ensure social distancing at workplaces and also averting a disruption in the supply chain of products like grocery items, medicines and processed food. The suggestion for such a step —...

-The Hindu ‘They experience hardships in accessing information on prevention and risk of infection’ People with disabilities need much more support than others in the face of a pandemic. They may not be eating properly and may experience higher stress because they are unable to understand what is happening all around them, says Professor G.V.S. Murthy, vice-president and director, Indian Indian Institute of Public Health, Hyderabad. * What are the unique challenges that...