History Today: When India observed 'Janata Curfew' to halt spread of Covid-19

On March 22, 2020, India observed the ‘ ‘Janata Curfew’ from 7 am to 9 pm.

Just days earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the nation, had asked people to isolate and not leave their homes unless absolutely necessary.

Modi said that the success of such a people’s movement and the experiences gained from it will prepare us for the challenges ahead and be a symbol of self-restraint and determination to perform duty in the national interest.

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In 1993, Intel Corporation unveiled the first Pentium computer chip.

And on this day in 1945, the Arab League was founded in Cairo by Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen.

Here is what happened on this day across the world

India observes ‘Janata Curfew’

On 22 March 2020, the ‘Janata Curfew’ began across India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had proposed the day-long initiative as a social distancing measure to halt the spread of the coronavirus.

Cities across India awoke to empty roads and deserted spaces as people stayed in their homes to support the curfew.

Modi, after the curfew, had said that it was the beginning of a long battle against coronavirus outbreak and the countrymen have proved that together they can defeat any challenge.

“Today’s Janta Curfew may end at 9.00 pm, but this does not mean we start celebrating,” Modi wrote on social media.

He said the self-imposed curfew should “not be considered as a success” as it is the “beginning of a long battle.”

“Janta Curfew is the beginning of a long battle. Today countrymen have told that we are capable, and once we decide we can take on any challenge together,” Modi said.

Intel outside, Pentium inside

Intel released its next generation processor codenamed 80501 on this day in 1993.

The company, headed up by the then CEO Andrew S Grove caused a stir with its Pentium chip.

Comprising 3.21 million transistors, the chip known as P5 was around twice as fast as the previous generation’s 486 chip.

The P5 came in two models – 60 MHz and 66 MHz respectively. T

It also used a traditional 5 Volt power supply – which resulted in high energy consumption.

The chips, which would also produce a lot of heat, were known as “coffee warmers.”

Intel used the name Pentium because of legal troubles surrounding the trademarking of 80501.

Arab League founded

The birth of the League of Arab States (Arab League) came as a result of Pan-Arabism.

The idea behind the league was to fortify political, cultural, economic, and social ties among the members.

The league was also established with an eye on settling any disputes the members might have.

Founded before the United Nations, the Arab League is the world’s oldest international group.

Today, the league has 22 members including nations from North Africa and West Asia.

Arguably the most important issue facing the league is the Palestinian question.

Its charter reiterates the need for Palestinian independence and states that “even though the outward signs of this independence have remained veiled as a result of force majeure,” an Arab delegate from Palestine should “participate in [the league’s] work until this country enjoys actual independence.”

However, some critics of the league – pointing to its lack of collective action – have described it as “glorified debating society.”

This day, that year

2019: US Special Counsel Robert Mueller delivers his report on Russian interference in 2016 election.

1948: Famed British composer Andrew Lloyd Webber is born.

1934: The Augusta National Golf Club hosts the first Masters Tournament in Georgia.

1894: The Montreal Amateur Athletic Association wins the first Stanley Cup.

1832: Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, the great German philosopher, dies in Weimar.

1349: The Black Death massacre, which leads to pogroms of Jews in Europe, begins.