PM Modi was 'terrific' in allowing export of hydroxychloroquine to US: Trump
Washington: President Donald Trump has thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his decision to allow the export of anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine, which could be used in the possible treatment of hundreds and thousands of coronavirus patients in the US.
Trump, during a phone call last week, asked Prime Minister Modi to lift the hold on American order of the anti-malarial drug, of which India is the major producer. India lifted the hold on Tuesday.
India agreed to lift the ban on export of hydroxychloroquine to the US. Three Gujarat-based companies would export these tablets to the US, Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said on Tuesday.
"I want to thank Prime Minister Modi of India for allowing us to have what we requested for the problem arose and he was terrific. We will remember it, Trump told reporters at his daily White House news conference on coronavirus on Wednesday.
In a tweet, hours earlier, Trump praised Modi for his strong leadership and said that India's help during this crisis will not be forgotten.
Extraordinary times require even closer cooperation between friends. Thank you India and the Indian people for the decision on HCQ. Will not be forgotten! he said.
Thank you, Prime Minister for your strong leadership in helping not just India, but humanity, in this fight! Trump said.
By Wednesday night, more than 14,600 Americans had lost their lives due to coronavirus and over 4.3 lakhs have tested positive for the dreaded disease.
Scientists and the medical fraternity are racing against time to find a vaccine and a therapeutic solution to it.
Hydroxychloroquine has been identified by the US Food and Drug Administration as a possible treatment for the COVID-19 and it is being tested on more than 1,500 coronavirus patients in New York. Anticipating that it will work, given initial positive results, Trump has bought more than 30 million doses of hydroxychloroquine for potential treatment of COVID-19 patients.
India manufactures 70 per cent of the world's supply of hydroxychloroquine, according to Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA) secretary-general Sudarshan Jain.
The country has a production capacity of 40 tonnes of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) every month, implying 20 crore tablets of 200 mg each. And since the drug is also used to auto-immune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, manufacturers have good production capacities that can also be ramped up.
Indian Americans have welcomed the decision.
President Trump is graceful and grateful. He is honest when he says that he will not forget India's gesture. He is a True Friend of India, said Al Mason, a Trump supporter.
Thank you President! I think you are well orchestrating the compulsion of history and demand of destiny that we and India be the best of friends, joined at the hip and yet as family, free hearts and minds to love across a spectrum of emotions, but always together, tweeted Indian-American attorney Ravi Batra.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
BJP demands withdrawal of plan to acquire KSIC land for stadium
Bengaluru (PTI): The opposition BJP on Wednesday targeted the Congress government in Karnataka over its plan to take over a five-acre land parcel at the T Narasipura unit of the KSIC in Mysuru for the construction of a stadium.
The party demanded that the government immediately withdraw the proposal and safeguard the future of Karnataka Silk Industries Corporation and its iconic Mysore Silk.
In a statement on X, Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly R Ashoka alleged that the Congress government’s land acquisition targets Karnataka’s pride: Mysore Silk.
“The Congress government has cast its shadow over one of Karnataka’s most iconic heritage institutions. What generations of visionaries built with foresight and pride is now being jeopardised by a reckless and deeply questionable decision,” he claimed.
Referring to a detailed technical report submitted by the Managing Director of KSIC, Ashoka noted that the report clearly states that the five-acre land at the T Narasipura unit is essential for the corporation’s future expansion, installation of an Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP), and increased production capacity.
“The report is backed by data and operational requirements. Yet, despite this, the government appears determined to take over this critical land in the name of constructing a stadium,” he claimed.
Questioning Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Ashoka asked why the government was “ignoring its own technical experts” and whose interests were being served by what he termed a move to “weaken” a popular, profitable, and high-demand public sector enterprise.
He demanded that the CM explain why a GI-tagged heritage brand is being put at risk for a decision that “raises serious concerns”.
Ashoka claimed that the T Narasipura unit requires nearly five lakh litres of water per day for silk reeling operations.
“Officials have warned that the proposed construction could disrupt vital pipeline infrastructure, potentially paralysing the entire unit. Hundreds of workers and thousands of sericulture farmers depend on this ecosystem for their livelihoods. Is their future expendable?” he asked.
He further contended that under factory regulations, at least 30 per cent of the land must remain designated as a green zone.
Reducing the land footprint could push the unit into regulatory non-compliance, risking operational shutdown. “Is the Congress government willing to compromise legal safeguards and industrial stability for this move?” he asked.
Ashoka stressed that GI-tagged Mysore Silk is not merely a brand but Karnataka’s cultural crown jewel, built during the era of the Mysore Wodeyars and recognised globally for its authenticity and quality.
He alleged that instead of strengthening and modernising the institution, the government appears intent on undermining it.
Warning that Karnataka will not remain silent if its heritage and public enterprises are sacrificed for opaque decisions, he said, “The government must immediately withdraw this move and protect the future of KSIC and Mysore Silk.”
Meanwhile, employees of the corporation have been staging protests, fearing the closure of the factory.
Karnataka Minister H C Mahadevappa recently assured that there was no question of shutting the silk factory at T Narasipura and accused the BJP of “creating unnecessary confusion” over the issue.
