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IN BIG LEAGUE ANDHRA MYSTERY DISEASE EVEREST TALLER THAN BEFORE Actor Priyanka Chopra Jonas is set to Lead and nickel content in drinking water and Nepal and China announced the revised height of perform at the Global Citizen Prize milk caused the mysterious disease in Mt Everest is 8,848.86 metres, 86 cms more than before Awards 2020 LEISURE | P2 Eluru which killed one TWO STATES | P7 INTERNATIONAL | P10

VOLUME 10, ISSUE 247 | www.orissapost.com BHUBANESWAR | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9 | 2020 12 PAGES | `4.00

IRREGULAR by MANJUL No need for green clearance for NH Bandh peaceful in state projects, rules SC Normal life came to a halt as vehicular movement in many AGENCIES New Delhi, Dec 8: The Centre is routes was disrupted due to blocking of roads by agitators not required to obtain “prior en- vironmental or forest clearance” POST NEWS NETWORK under the laws before declaring a stretch as national highway (NH) Bhubaneswar, Dec 8: The response to and expressing its intention to ac- the ‘Bharat Bandh’ called by various quire the land for building, main- We need better infrastructure. Easy-to-dig farmer outfits, political parties and tenance or operating such roads, highways, mobile towers which can be jammed Nod for use of effortlessly, roads with speed breakers... labour unions against three farm laws the Supreme Court held Tuesday. brought in by the Centre was total in the This significant observation state, Tuesday. was made by the top court in its The shutdown was peaceful and no un- judgement upholding the notifi- Covaxin sought SHORT TAKES toward incident was reported from any cation for acquisition of land for part of the state. Adequate security the `10,000-crore Chennai-Salem AGENCIES mittee of the Central Drugs arrangements were made as a precau- eight-lane green corridor project. Standard Control CP to move court tionary measure. While essential serv- A bench of Justices AM New Delhi, Dec 8: Bharat Organisation (CDSCO) will ices including ambulances, medicine Khanwilkar, BR Gavai and Krishna Biotech has applied to the meet Wednesday to review for Akash remand shops and vehicles carrying milk were Murari dealt with relevant pro- drug controller for emer- applications of Pfizer, kept out of the purview of the bandh, PIC: MAUSAM NANDA visions of the National Highways gency use authorisation for Serum Institute of India Bhubaneswar: The markets, shopping malls and petrol An otherwise busy Unit-II market in Bhubaneswar wears a deserted look during the Act, 1956, the National Highways Covaxin, one of the two in- and Bharat Biotech seek- commissionerate police will pumps remained shut at most places. countrywide strike called by various farmer unions to protest the new farm laws, Tuesday Rules, 1957 and the National digenous Covid vaccines ing emergency use autho- soon seek permission from the court to take Akash Pathak, son Normal life came to a halt as vehicular Highway Authority of India Act, being developed in India. risation for their COVID- of suspended IFS officer Abhay movement in many routes was dis- stranded on the highway near Jaydev 1988 while examining the Madras Covaxin is being indige- 19 vaccine candidates. Prime Kant Pathak, on remand to rupted due to road blocks by the agita- Square. Movements of auto-rickshaws NO REPEAL OF NEW High Court's decision that a prior nously developed by Bharat Minister Narendra Modi probe the allegations of tors. Train services were affected due to and taxis were also hit. Vehicular move- environmental clearance was Biotech in collaboration had expressed hope that a cheating lodged by a city- rail roko agitation at many stations. ment was hit in Cuttack, Balasore, FARM LAWS: SHAH needed for the project. with the Indian Council of COVID-19 vaccine may be Various farmers’ organisations, Bhadrak, Sundargarh, Bhawanipatna, The High Court verdict April 8, Medical Research. The firm ready in a few weeks. based travel agency. NEW DELHI: A late evening meeting of Commissioner of Police Congress, AAP and Left supporters Berhampur, Sambalpur, Jagatsinghpur, farmers with Union Home Minister Amit 2019 had held as “illegal and bad is conducting phase-3 clin- That evening, the Indian Sudhanshu Sarangi said. blocked roads and railway tracks to en- Kendrapara, Khurda and Puri. Shah at at National Agriculture Science in law” the notifications issued ical trial of its vaccine at arm of US pharmaceuti- Notably, the owner of Sky King, force the nationwide shutdown. Train Activists of the Nabanirman Krushak Centre here Tuesday remained inconclu- under Section 3A(1) of the National around 25 places. cal giant Pfizer had sought Prabhash Kumar Chouddhury services were affected in Bhubaneswar, Sanghathan (NKS) staged demonstrations sive. During the two-hour marathon ses- Highways Act for acquisition of The Hyderabad-based firm, approval for its vaccine has alleged that Akash Cuttack, Rourkela, Bhadrak and Balasore in Jagatsinghpur and Hansapal. The sion, Shah refused to repeal the three con- specified lands for construction while applying for the phase- from the central drug reg- impersonating as Managing as activists held sit-ins on railway tracks Centre, through these new laws, is going troversial farm laws. The home minister, of the new highway which was 3 trial, had stated that the ulator, after the firm se- Director of Tata Motors at these places. Government offices re- to remove the Mandi and MSP systems however, told farmers that the govern- part of the larger 'Bharatmala vaccine was well-tolerated cured such clearance in the (passenger division) had mained closed. Essential services re- which cannot be accepted at any cost, ment would give them a written proposal Pariyojna– Phase I5' project. in all dose groups and no UK and Bahrain. booked chartered flight tickets mained functional. Employees were said Lingaraj, a farmer leader. regarding the amendments in laws Justice Khanwilkar, in the 140- serious adverse events have The Serum Institute and rooms in star hotels seen reaching banks and private offices Thanking people of the state for mak- Wednesday. After the meeting, All India judgement, said: “There is nothing been reported. The most sought the nod for the outside the state worth over early in the morning. In the capital, ing the bandh successful, state Congress Kisan Sabha General Secretary Hanan in the 1956 Act, which impels the common adverse event was Oxford COVID-19 vaccine, `2.78 crore with forged movement of vehicles was disrupted as president Niranjan Patnaik said, “The Mollah said farmers stick to their demand Centre to obtain prior environ- transient pain at the injec- Covishield, on December documents. However, he made of complete repeal of the three laws. He ` the bandh supporters blocked roads by pressure of corporate on Modi govern- ment clearance before exercise of tion site, a source said. 6. "DCGI has already started payments for 2.13 crore but also said that the farmer leaders would denied to pay the balance `65 burning tyres at different places. ment is higher than that of farmers. that power and in issuing notifi- The Drugs Controller processing the applications. Hundreds of vehicles, mostly trucks, That’s why they have passed three black hold a meeting at Singhu border at 12 pm cation under Section 2(2), much General of India (DCGI) The subject expert com- lakh. He also allegedly to discuss about the government's propos- threatened Choudhury when he were stranded near Satsang Vihar as bills in the Parliament. Not only will less Section 3A expressing its in- had October 23 granted per- mittee on COVID-19 will Congress workers and Rashtriya Kisan farmers suffer and consumers will also al and take a final decision. It is to be men- tention to acquire the designated mission to the firm for con- deliberate on the applica- demanded the above amount. tioned here that the farmers have been Mazdoor Mahasangha workers blocked suffer with the implementation of the land. The environmental or forest ducting phase-3 clinical trial tions by Pfizer, SII and protesting for 13 days at borders of Delhi. both sides of the highway. laws.” Dubbing the new farm laws as "anti- The government has already held five clearance, however, is to be ob- of Covaxin after assessing Bharat Biotech seeking While a large number of passengers farmer", CPI leader Narayan Reddy said rounds of meetings with farmer leaders tained by the executing agency in the safety and immuno- emergency use authorisa- Ambani to roll out were seen stranded at Baramunda bus they should be repealed to safeguard but the crisis has not been resolved yet. terms of this notification 'before genicity data of phase 1 and tion for their vaccines on 5G in H2 of 2021 terminus, many trucks and buses were the interests of farmers. More P8 commencing the work, it said. 2 trials. An expert com- December 9," a source said.

New Delhi: Billionaire Mukesh Ambani Tuesday hinted at HC REPRIEVE FOR rolling out 5G telecom services Pari case: Residents bar WHITE CLAD in the second half of 2021 and SATISH GAJBHIYE said policy steps are needed to accelerate the early rollout of SIT from entering village POST NEWS NETWORK ultra-high-speed 5G services that are affordable and handed amid protests by locals. Cuttack, Dec 8: The High Court available everywhere. Ambani, According to the source, Manas Tuesday quashed disciplinary pro- whose Jio has captured the is a daily wager. However, police are ceedings against IPS officer Satish No.1 spot offering free voice suspecting his involvement in Pari’s Gajbhiye in connection with al- calling and data at dirt-cheap murder case. SIT team had reached leged non-payment of reward money rates, also pitched for at the village to detain and inter- announced for anti-Naxal opera- developing hardware rogate Manas. tions during his tenure as manufacturing in India, saying Villagers, however, alleged that Malkangiri SP. A division bench the nation cannot rely on the police are trying to hide the of Justice SK Panigrahi and Justice imports in such a critical area. POST NEWS NETWORK real accused of the case by ar- Sanju Panda pronounced the ruling 5G is the 5th generation mobile resting Manas. Raising doubts on and paved the way for Gajbhiye to network that enables Nayagarh, Dec 8: The special in- the investigation by the SIT, the avail promotion and other benefits. connecting virtually everyone vestigation team (SIT) formed to in- locals questioned as to how they will A hardcore Maoist had been ar- and everything together vestigate Nayagarh minor girl manage their households if the rested May 25, 2007 during including machines, objects, Pari’s death case Tuesday reached residents belonging to Harijan Sahi Gajbhiye’s stint as Malkangiri SP. and devices. India, he said, is today among the best digitally Jadupur village in the district but are picked up by the SIT. At least six cops and a few civilians connected nations in the world. irate villagers cordoned off the area While the murder of the minor were involved in the operation. A ` "In order to maintain this lead, alleging ‘arbitrary’ action by the SIT girl took place where the upper- total of 3.55 lakh was sanctioned policy steps are needed to in the sensational murder case. class people reside, a political con- as reward for the policemen and accelerate the early rollout of The SIT team reached the vil- spiracy is being hatched to trap civilian informers. Gajbhiye was 5G, and to make it affordable lage to raid the house of a suspect dalits in the case, Magi Nahak, a pro- told to pay `1.55 lakh from the re- and available everywhere," he named Manas Nayak (29) in con- testor, said. "We will not allow the ward money to six cops and the bal- said. "I assure you that Jio will nection with the case. The SIT SIT nor the police to enter Harijan ance to the civilians. It was alleged pioneer the 5G Revolution in team, however, couldn’t enter the Sahi of the village to investigate into he did not distribute the award India in the second half of village and had to return empty- the case," Nahak added. People walk on a snow-covered road after the fresh snowfall at Gulmarg in Baramulla district of north Kashmir, Tuesday money among cops. 2021." Jio's 5G will be powered by the indigenously-developed network, hardware and technology components. P11 90-yr-old British grandma world’s first to get anti-Covid jab MARKET WATCH

AGENCIES staff enough who have looked after "life-saving jab". INDEX VARIATION me tremendously, and my advice "Today marks a huge step for- William Shakespeare London, Dec 8: The UK kicked off to anyone offered the vaccine is to ward in the UK's fight against coro- among 1st recipients SENSEX 45608.51 181.54 its biggest-ever vaccine campaign take it – if I can have it at 90 then navirus, as we begin delivering the in history Tuesday, as 90-year-old you can have it too," she said. vaccine to the first patients across London: One of the BOURSES NIFTY 13393.00 37.20 grandmother Margaret Keenan be- "It's a huge honour to be the first the whole country. I am immensely first people in the DOLLAR 73.94 `0.31 came the first person in the world person in the country to deliver a proud of the scientists who devel- UK to get the to receive the Pfizer/BioNTech jab COVID-19 jab to a patient, I'm just oped the vaccine, members of the Pfizer/BioNTech EURO 89.36 `0.28 coronavirus vaccine

CURRENCY against COVID-19. glad that I'm able to play a part in public who took part in trials, and is called William At 6:31 am GMT early riser this historic day," said nurse Parsons. the NHS who have worked tirelessly GOLD `49,945 `1 Shakespeare. COVID-19 jabs are being Maggie was given the life-saving Maggie is among the first set of to prepare for rollout,” said Prime administered at dozens of UK hospital SILVER `65,018 `481 jab by nurse May Parsons at her local people contacted in advance by the Minister Boris Johnson.

BULLION hubs for the first time Tuesday. At the hospital in Coventry to mark what NHS for the jab based on a pre-de- However, the UK prime minis- weekend, doses began arriving at UK the National Health Service (NHS) termined health risk criteria. ter struck a note of caution to say hospitals from the US, where the vac- has dubbed a "landmark moment" LANDMARK MOMENT An 87-year-old man and his 83- that mass vaccination will take cine was developed. The first jabs were WEATHER on V-Day or Vaccine Day in the own for most of the year," said n year-old wife from the north east of time, and therefore there was a given at University Hospital in

y Maggie is among the first set of BHUB CTK fight against the deadly virus. Maggie, who turns 91 next week. people contacted in advance by England Tuesday became the first need to remain "clear-eyed" about Coventry early Tuesday morning and

"I feel so privileged to be the first The former jewellery shop assistant Indian-origin couple in the world to the challenges that remain. the second patient to receive the vac-

k y m NHS based on a pre-determined c MAX 32.7° 32.8° person vaccinated against COVID- who retired four years ago has a health risk criteria get a vaccine against COVID-19. "As the programme ramps up in the cine was 81-year-old William “Bill” 19, it's the best early birthday pres- daughter, a son and four grandchildren n People aged 80 and over as well as weeks and months ahead, it is as im- Shakespeare. Mr Shakespeare, an in- TEMP MIN 17.2° 16.4° People aged 80 and over as well as Forecast ent I could wish for because it means and is looking forward to being able care home workers will be first to care home workers will be first to portant as ever to keep to the COVID patient on the hospital’s frailty wards, Humidity 96% 77% Fog/mist in I can finally look forward to spend- to go out again once she receives the receive the jab this week, along receive the jab this week, along Winter plan – following the rules in is local to his namesake’s county of morning, later ing time with my family and friends top-up booster dose 21 days later. with NHS workers who are at higher your area and remember the basics birth, Warwickshire. Rainfall Nil Nil clear sky with NHS workers in the New Year after being on my "I can't thank May and the NHS risk among the first to receive the of hands, face and space," he said. P2 JEREMY IRONS JOINS ANGELINA’S MESSAGE FOR WEDNESDAY | DECEMBER 9 | 2020 | BHUBANESWAR LADY GAGA IN GUCCI VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE Actor Jeremy Irons will join singer-actress Lady Actress Angelina Jolie has urged women to speak Gaga in the upcoming Ridley Scott directorial, up against domestic abuse, and talk to someone Gucci. The true-crime drama with focus on crime is to protect themselves from such abuse. She has

based on the book ‘The House Of Gucci: A also urged people to ‘learn about domestic y

leisure Sensational Story Of Murder, Madness, Glamour, violence’, and how trauma affects the health.

k y m And Greed’, reports hollywoodreporter.com. c FORTUNE FORECAST Priyanka to Unpaused explores new ARIES perform at beginnings in Covid era Ideas play havoc in your head today. The good thing is that you will exe- cute them well. Here is a word of cau- Fresh starts are the only hope for many across the globe in such tion for you: avoid hasty decisions. Experienced people will help you find a Global Citizen unprecedented times, says director Tannishtha Chatterjee firm footing. Ganesha advises you to pay heed to elders’ counselling. Mumbai: Filmmakers Raj and DK, Nikkhil Advani, Tannishtha Chatterjee, Avinash Arun and TAURUS Prize gala Nitya Mehra will explore the themes of new beginnings and Luck is a four-leaf clover Los Angeles: Actress Priyanka Chopra Jonas is moving on through five different in your pocket. You might set to perform at the Global Citizen Prize Awards short films, which have been get the long desired suc- this year, to be hosted by singer John Legend. The shot during the ongoing Covid cess in education related matters today — a favourable result of a competitive exam- awards are given as recognition to people working pandemic. ination, maybe. You will proudly smile at towards ending extreme poverty. The five short films comprise your power of resilience and sense of pro- The show will also feature performances by Alessia the anthology Unpaused, the portion, says Ganesha. Cara, Carrie Underwood, Common, Gwen Stefani, JoJo trailer of which was released and Tori Kelly, besides actor Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Tuesday. reports people.com. Glitch lowed him to “explore complex family who after being thrown GEMINI Priyanka's hubby Nick Jonas will also perform at Raj and DK have made Glitch, emotions in a simple way.” out of their rented house during the gala. starring Gulshan Devaiah and Rat-A-Tat lockdown, decides to illegally The day will be dedicated to spending quality time Top prizes to be given out include the Global Citizen Saiyami Kher. It is about a Tannishtha has directed Rat- sneak into a lavish flat. with children, predicts of the Year, Global Citizen Prize for World Leader, Global hypochondriac man who meets A-Tat, featuring Rinku Rajguru Chaand Mubarak Ganesha. You will be overloaded with Citizen Prize for Business Leader, Global Citizen a strange girl on a blind date. and Lillete Dubey. In the short, There is also Nitya Mehra’s household responsibilities and will find it Artist of the Year, Cisco Youth Leadership Award and “Creating The Family Man the protagonists will be seen Chaand Mubarak, featuring tough to deal with them. However, you will the Global Citizen Country Hero Award. was a liberating experience for confronting loneliness and form- Ratna Pathak Shah and Shardul manage to do well and will be satisfied with the outcome. Avoid getting too sentimental New awards and accolades include Global Citizen us as content creators, and the ing an unlikely friendship dur- Bharadwaj. The story is about an if you are a parent; also, you may have to act Prize for Philanthropy, Global Citizen Prize for assurance of thinking uncon- ing lockdown. affluent middle-aged single tough with your kids, suggests Ganesha. Culture & Education, Global Citizen Prize for Activism strained encouraged us to ex- Giving an insight into her woman who is forced to seek and the #My2020Hero social media campaign. tend our collaboration with story, Tannishtha said: “In such help from a young rickshaw The award ceremony will stream globally from Glitch,” said Raj and DK. unprecedented times, new be- driver to run errands during CANCER December 19. IANS Apartment ginnings are the only hope for lockdown in Mumbai. Today, it will be all about Apartment is directed by many across the world... Shot “It felt great to be back on set finding your comfort Nikkhil Advani, starring Richa under lockdown rules it was and back on shoot after months zone, and spending the Chadha, Sumeet Vyas and both exciting and challenging of being indoors. I was happy that day there. You are likely Ishwak Singh. It will throw light to bring alive the story.” Amazon said it wasn’t just about to spend most of the day with your ‘Living in harmony close friends. Your smooth on how a woman spirals into a Vishaanu lockdown, but it was about them demeanour will help you breeze maze of self-blame and attempts Avinash Arun has helmed wanting us to tell stories that through all business deals. The oppo- to end her life when she finds out Vishaanu with Abhishek reflected positivity,” Nitya Mehra site sex may find you irresistible. with animals makes about her husband’s sexual in- Banerjee and Geetika Vidya said. The Hindi anthology film discretions. Ohlyan leading the cast. The will release on Amazon Prime For Advani, Apartment al- story is about a young migrant Video December 18. AGENCIES LEO Don't expect you'll be handed everything on a us better humans’ silver platter. Especially Love working on challenging today, you must put Mumbai: Actor John rights, the one that such expectations on the back burn- er, says Ganesha. Today, you would Abraham, who has they can’t voice for do better to dig deep into your been named Person of themselves, consis- fictional characters: Shilpa resources of persistence, as a some- the Year for 2020 by tently. I support their what less productive day awaits you. the People for the goals and am very Mumbai: Actress dominated laws where women teresting and challenging fic- Ethical Treatment of grateful for this spe- Shilpa Shinde says are objectified. tional characters, as it al- Animals (PETA), says cial recognition,” he the upcoming web “Besides portraying an lows me to explore a new VIRGO living in harmony added. series ambitious character of a world every time,” A day to look inside with birds and ani- He dedicated the Paurashpur queen, the show touches said Milind. and contemplate. Find mals makes people bet- award to all his ‘four touches upon se- upon a lot of serious is- The show will peace and prosperity, ter human beings. limbed friends!’ rious issues as sues like male patri- premiere on says Ganesha. Clam “I find that living in John had earlier patriarchy and archy, gender politics December 29 on up like those oysters and discover the peal within you. A fine helping hand harmony with birds sent a letter urging the gender poli- and power. I am de- ALTBalaji and you shall lend today to those who and animals makes us e-retailer Quikr to stop tics. lighted to be a part of Zee5. IANS need it, says Ganesha. better human beings,” trading in live animals. Set in 16th an interesting show shot John said. Over the years, he has century India, the on such a grand scale,” “Caring for them, teamed up with PETA show is about the said Shilpa. LIBRA showing kindness to India to push for a ban world of Paurashpur Actor Milind them and being com- on animal circuses, where actor Annu Soman as the third Ganesha has a feeling that today may not be passionate towards speak up for Mumbai’s Kapoor’s character, Raja gender Boris questions the best day to under- their nature teach us dancing monkeys, and Bhadrapratap Singh, rules the rules of the king- take any government to be kind and empa- star in an ad-campaign the misogynistic kingdom. dom and is also the one dealings. Call it red-tapism, or bureaucrat- thetic too. PETA has urging people not to Shilpa, who plays Queen who starts a revolution. ic procrastination, but it is highly unlikely led this fight for animal keep birds in cages.IANS ‘Meerawati’, challenges the male- “I like working on in- that such tasks shall be fruitful today.

SCORPIO SUDOKU It is about time you learn PEANUTS post To solve the Sudoku puzzle, each row, to deal with frustration in CROSSWORD column and box must contain the numbers a more healthy manner. 0 to 9 and the letters A to E. The right choice is always the hardest to make. Do not let sentiments sway you into hasty choices because they may feel right, but might also be extremely impractical. There may some strain on your relationship with near and dear ones.

SAGITTARIUS You will enjoy the magic of the Midas touch today, feels Ganesha. In busi- ness, sheer brilliance will help you derive the best possible results in productivity and clinching new con- tracts. Your approach, in general, will be methodical, disciplined and systematic CALVIN AND HOBBES for most part of the day.

CAPRICORN Your power of reasoning will be strong today, says Ganesha. Those of you SOLUTIONS beginning your career will show a disposition to take up a job in television or print media. The spiritual side of you may also come to the fore and make you feel at peace, especially when visiting a holy place.

AQUARIUS You zoom in on research and development today. Your fabulous work BREVITY CROSSWORD speaks volumes and your commitment pays off. You're keen to play Romeo today, and all your gim- micks and surprises will work wonders!

Love on, says Ganesha. y

PISCES

k y m c You set irreproachable standards for yourself, but what keeps your subordi- nates from grumbling about it is the efforts you make to help them achieve perfection in their endeavours, says CHECK FOR SOLUTIONS OF THE PUZZLES TOMORROW SUDOKU Ganesha. You inspire, they aspire. COVID-19 TRACKER P3 FOR FARMERS’ CAUSE WEDNESDAY | DECEMBER 9 | 2020 | BHUBANESWAR INFECTED RECOVERED DEAD Members of Sikh community hold a demonstration at World 6,81,50,029 4,72,16,870 15,55,125 Master Canteen Square in Bhubaneswar, Tuesday, to India 97,03,770 91,78,946 1,40,958 protest against the new downtown Odisha 3,21,913 3,16,970 1,784

farm laws

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State yet to file IA in Polavaram case POLITICKLE by MANJUL

KULDEEP SINGH, OP embankments will result in back- water flooding causing submer- New Delhi, Dec 8: With the state gence of huge area in the state. of Andhra Pradesh announcing According to Justice Bachawat that it would complete construc- tribunal award, the level of back- tion of Indirasagar dam or water effect in the state should not Polavaram project by December be more than 174 feet. However, 2021, the fate of a case in this regard Odisha submitted that Andhra pending with the Supreme Court is Pradesh had itself admitted that in limbo as Odisha hasn’t proceeded the backwater effect will be 216 feet for early listing of the case. which will result in huge submer- The Supreme Court had last gence of areas in Odisha. heard the matter in February this Odisha had also sought details year and directed the Odisha gov- pertaining to backwater effect in the ernment to file a rejoinder affi- state to conduct public hearing. davit. Since then, the matter has not The Union Ministry of come up for hearing in the apex SUBMERGENCE THREAT Environment and Forest (MoEF) court. had written to Andhra Pradesh in Legally, Odisha can file an in- disha submitted to the SC that ince then, the matter has January 2009 directing it to get a terlocutory application (IA) in the OAndhra Pradesh had itself Snot come up for hearing in fresh environment clearance but SC for early listing of Polavaram admitted that the backwater effect the apex court the latter didn’t obtain that. The case as Andhra Pradesh has ac- will be 216 feet which will result in MoEF in February 2011 gave stop celerated the pace of work. However, huge submergence of areas in Odisha egally, Odisha can file an work order to Polavaram project. But the state did not file any IA for early Linterlocutory application later in April 2013, the MoEF kept listing of the case. he Supreme Court had last heard (IA) in the SC for early listing of stopwork order in abeyance for a pe- Andhra Pradesh Irrigation Tthe matter in February this year Polavaram case as Andhra riod of six months which has been Minister P Anil Kumar had and directed the Odisha government Pradesh has accelerated the continuing year after year. November 17 inspected the con- to file a rejoinder affidavit pace of work It is to be mentioned here that Ekamrakshetra in City to struction work and stated that his gov- Odisha had in 2007 filed an original ernment would complete Polavaram Shravan Kumar, appearing for one their land and homes. Earlier, Odisha suite in the Supreme Court against project by December 2021. of the petitioners in the case, said had apprised the SC that Andhra the Andhra Pradesh government’s Significantly, the major submis- that huge area of Odisha and Pradesh has changed the scope of the decision to build multipurpose be made beggar-free soon sion of Odisha in the court was that Chhattisgarh will submerge after project from 36 lakh cusecs to 50 Polavaram project on Godavari the Polavaram project has been operation of Polavaram dam. He lakh cusecs of water which will River citing that the project will POST NEWS NETWORK To make the land going on without proper backwa- said that without proper backwa- have more impact on Odisha. lead to submergence of huge area ter impact assessment survey and ter effect study, it is unclear as to how Odisha had submitted to the in the state and many tribal people Bhubaneswar, Dec 8: The acquisition process environment clearance. Advocate many tribals in Odisha will lose court that the construction of big will lose their home and hearth. Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation hassle-free for elderly (BMC) and the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) have and senior citizens, the Stricter rules for started initiating the process to BMC officials are Millet Mission 14 places record below 15 ° C make 'Ekamrakshetra', the abode storage, transport of of Lord Lingaraj and heritage hub reaching their doorsteps gets NITI pat POST NEWS NETWORK Phulbani records the of the Temple City, beggar-free on ammonium nitrate priority basis. them to shelter homes. plete the paper work considering POST NEWS NETWORK Bhubaneswar, Dec 8: Cold wave lowest temperature of The move is part of the beautifi- Meanwhile, about 90 per cent of their healthcare need and limitations situation continues to grip inte- 8 degrees Celsius POST NEWS NETWORK cation and developmental work of the land acquisition work has been during this pandemic time. Bhubaneswar, Dec 8: NITI Aayog rior pockets of the state as mercury state government's Ekamrakshetra completed for the Ekamrakshetra “We are very pleased and satisfied CEO Amitabh Kant appreciated fell below 15 degrees Celsius at 14 Bhubaneswar, Dec 8: The state Amenities and Monumental Revival Heritage Project. The remaining the way BMC has helped us in fi- Odisha Millet Mission for its work places in the state, Tuesday. Baripada recorded a minimum government will tighten rules for Action (EKAMRA) Plan. Efforts are will be completed by end of this nalising the paperwork and mak- to promote cultivation of millets As per a weather bulletin issued temperature of 15 degrees Celsius, storage and movement of ammo- on to rehabilitate the beggars/des- month under the Ekamra Kshetra ing the agreement for land acquisi- and its consumption. by Bhubaneswar Meteorological while the night temperature at nium nitrate. titute roaming around the temple by Rehabilitation and Resettlement tion,” said Priyabrata Mahapatra, “My Congratulations to Centre, lowest temperature of 8 Cuttack and Bhubaneswar was The Transport and Commerce providing livelihood support and Policy, said a BMC official, who is who is giving 38 decimal of plot near @MilletsOdisha for the path break- degrees Celsius was recorded at 16.4 degrees at 17.4 degrees, re- department has directed the bring them to the mainstream under nodal officer for Land Acquisition. Bindusagar lake for construction ing work it is doing to revive mil- Phulbani while it was 8.2 degrees spectively. Transport Commissioner in this re- 'Sahaya' scheme of the state gov- Meanwhile, the land acquisition of the alternate road. The City ad- lets in farms & on plates. They at Sonepur, 10.2 degrees at There will not be any large gard. The action came following a ernment. The BMC has started sur- process and pre-construction work ministration has requested traders have low glycemic index, high in Bhawanipatna and 10.8 degrees at change in minimum temperature communication from Union Home vey in Old Town area to identify beg- on the 60-ft alternate road starting and business establishments in the dietary fibre, high in calcium & iron Koraput. in the districts of Odisha during Ministry, which says, “The mat- gars and homeless people. The civic from Sanitarium Chhak to Lingaraj Ekamrakshetra to replace the signage & gluten free. Millets now being Similarly, the minimum tem- next 4/5 days, the Met centre said. ter does not pertain to narcotics sec- body will help the beggars who temple has started. The develop- by uniform heritage, interpretative, used for curd rice, khichdi, pako- perature at Angul was 12 degrees, However, shallow to moderate tion or Narcotics Control Bureau want to return to their homes, and ment of alternate road will help directional signage in the area. das, kheer & payasam,” Kant Sundargarh, Boudh & Malkangiri fog is very likely to occur at one and is related to preventing disas- those who don't wish to return will pedestrians and devotees reach the Heritage signage should be de- tweeted. The Millet Mission was 13.5 degrees each, Jharsuguda 13.7 or two places of Kalahandi, ter due to ammonium nitrate ex- be rehabilitated in shelter homes. temple smoothly. signed in such a way that it would launched in March 2018 to pro- degrees, Keonjhar & Talcher 13.8 de- Kandhamal, Rayagada, Boudh, plosion. The ammonium nitrate The administration has deployed To make the land acquisition respect the age, architecture, and mote large-scale production of grees each, Bolangir 14 degrees, Sonepur, Koraput and is an explosive material. Therefore, non-government organisations process hassle-free for elderly and scale of historic building as well as millets in tribal pockets and its Titlagarh 14.5 degrees and Nabarangpur districts early it is requested to take appropriate (NGOs) and government officials in senior citizens, the BMC officials are the historic nature of the overall consumption in the state. Sambalpur 14.8 degrees. Thursday morning, it said. action on this matter.” identifying beggars and shifting reaching their doorsteps to com- streetscape. BANDH EFFECTS IN TWIN CITIES

1 2

1 Activists of various trade unions take out a rally at 3 4 PMG Square in Bhubaneswar, Tuesday, to support the countrywide strike called by several farmers’ unions to oppose the new farm laws

2 Police detain a protester at Madhupatna Square in Cuttack

3 The strike leaves vehicles stranded on the NH-16 near Jaydev Vihar Square in the Capital City

4 Passengers at Baramunda

k y m c bus stand in Bhubaneswar bear the brunt of Bharat Bandh

PICS: MANORANJAN, BIKASH & RAJKISHORE P4 WEDNESDAY | DECEMBER 9 | 2020 | BHUBANESWAR downtown

PRATHAMASTAMI AT SRIMANDIR

k y m School infra poor in villages: Study c

POST NEWS NETWORK Bhubaneswar have the highest per- DIRE STRAITS centage of its schools with a play- Bhubaneswar, Dec 8: Poor school ground (70%), which is also infrastructure in rural Odisha is a Many schools still lack a abysmally low despite being in the key factor for plummeting enrolment functional kitchen safe which capital city, shockingly, 2% of schools numbers in government schools, is vital for storing, cooking in Boudh district had a playground a survey suggests. and serving of cooked food by the end of September this year. Critical gaps in school infra- As a fall-out, an astounding 54% structure need a major overhaul The study reveals that 31% of schools did not have an elec- to sustain public education in the of the schools in surveyed tricity connection even though state as the majority of those schools districts of the state lack a Odisha has claimed to have achieved do not comply with the RTE norms. functional toilet facility 100 per cent rural electrification A state-level study report on the under the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya 34% OF SCHOOLS IN THE SURVEYED DISTRICTS DID NOT HAVE DRINKING ‘Status of school infrastructure in WATER FACILITIES AND CHILDREN OFTEN GO OUTSIDE THE SCHOOL Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY) from Odisha’ by CSOs including PREMISES TO COLLECT DRINKING WATER April 2018. Atmashakti Trust, Odisha Whereas 77% of schools in Shramajeebee Mancha and Mahila districts of the state, where there veals a huge dearth in school in- Nuapada have an electricity con- Shramajeebee Mancha, Odisha re- is a large chunk of tribal and Dalit frastructure despite 10 years hav- nection, the rate was pegged at as vealed as much. populations. ing passed since RTE’s com- low as 15% of schools in Schools were closed for the last The RTE Act states that each mencement. The study report Nabarangapur district. However, 7 months due to pandemic-induced school should have at least one reveals that 58% of the surveyed the state government report re- lockdowns. With the state govern- classroom for every teacher, office schools did not have a boundary veals that 35,769 schools have no ment giving the green light for re- cum-store-cum-head teacher's room, wall. Whereas the Nuapada dis- electricity till 2018-19 financial year, opening of the schools, it was an op- separate usable toilets for girls and trict has stood well with 78% of its which is a worrying fact. portunity to check the ground boys, safe and adequate drinking schools have a boundary wall, 88% After the Cyclone Fani inflicted realities of government schools of water facility, a kitchen in the school of schools from Gajapati district severe damage on school buildings the state. where the mid-day meal can be do not have a boundary wall. across 14 districts in the state, they Conducted between July and cooked, playground and arrange- The NGO study reveals that needed immediate repair. The study October, the study covered over ments for securing the school build- presently, 87% of government report reveals that 75% of govern- 9,693 government schools, cover- ing by boundary wall or fencing. schools in the state did not have a ment school buildings need either The idol of goddess Laxmi at Srimandir’s Lion’s Gate in Puri being adorned with new clothes on the occasion of ing 1,225 GPs of 80 blocks across 17 But a read between the lines re- playground. While urban slums of minor or major repair. Prathamastami, Tuesday OP PHOTO `170 crore black money unearthed State registers six Plan on Vitamin C laced rice decried by I-T raids POSTNEWSNETWORK (Odisha) and others. rice will lose more than 75% of the “The letter notes with concern “They have pointed out that it is Vitamin C added to the rice as that it would be a travesty of food PRESS TRUST OF INDIA more Covid deaths Bhubaneswar, Dec 8: Several civil a whimsical decision leading to Vitamin C is a water-soluble vita- justice and mockery of food secu- society organisations have now op- wasteful use of people’s taxes dur- min lost in boiling and further in rity if artificially laced Vitamin C New Delhi, Dec 8: Raids con- PNN & AGENCIES posed the state government’s pro- ing the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. draining of water from cooked rice. rice would be introduced to the ducted by the Income Tax posed plan of providing Vitamin C PDS rice is enough for only 10 days The decision will only benefit com- people of Malkangiri under the (I-T)department against an Bhubaneswar, Dec 8: State re- laced rice in Malkangiri under for- and in the rest of the days, people panies engaged in artificial Vitamin- pretext of ‘eradicating malnutri- Odisha-based group involved in ported 349 new Covid-19 cases tification plan. use other rice. People also grow and C enrichment.” tion’. If the Government of Odisha manufacturing and trading of Tuesday, taking the tally to 3,21,913, The bodies have now demanded eat millets and under the NFSA, Civil society members have now is truly committed to eradicating steel products has led to the de- a senior Health and Family Welfare that the Chief Minister roll back the the government has committed to demanded that fresh vegetables malnutrition, it would be more so- tection of about `170 crore black (H&FW) department official said. plan. Organisations from the state provide millets under PDS,” a state- rich in the particular vitamin cially and ecologically just to sup- income and presence of bogus Meanwhile, six more deaths as well as other parts of the coun- ment from the bodies said. should be distributed under the port the PDS beneficiaries access directors who are actually raised the state's toll to 1,784, said try have now written to the CM on It also added, “The government PDS system instead. They have Vitamin C and calcium nutrition gullible daily wage earners, the the official. the issue. They include Right to is providing Vitamin C for only 10 demanded promoting mixed crop- through creating a support system CBDT said Tuesday. Of the new cases, 198 were re- Food Campaign (RTFC), National days. Also it is forcing tribal people ping practices and diversifying around naturally gown crops in The group which has premises ported from different quarantine Alliance of People’s Movements, to change their agro-cultural food natural dietary practice among the adivasi region,” the statement in and around Rourkela was centres. SUNDARGARH RECORDED THE HIGHEST Desi Bihan Surakhya Mancha habits. But more importantly, cooked the tribal communities. from the bodies said. searched December 3 by the de- Sundargarh district recorded 46 NEW CASES, FOLLOWED BY KHURDA partment. the highest 46 new cases, followed (44) AND ANGUL (26) “The group entities were book- by Khurda (44) and Angul (26). WHILE TWO DEATHS WERE REPORTED Brown sugar worth ing bogus purchases of around While two deaths were reported STATE CABINET ` FROM THE PURI, ONE PATIENT EACH ` Lady duped of 5 lakh 170 crore for two financial years from the Puri district, one patient DIED IN JHARSUGUDA, KHURDA, `17L seized; 2 held in the name of 17 bogus entities,” each died in Jharsuguda, Khurda, SAMBALPUR AND SUNDARGARH TO MEET TODAY the Central Board of Direct Taxes Sambalpur and Sundargarh. POST NEWS NETWORK at Delhi Airport, June 6, 2019. Later, POST NEWS NETWORK said in a statement. The state has altogether tested POST NEWS NETWORK another member of the racket iden- The I-T department did not 62.14 lakh samples for Covid-19, in- tients recovered in Odisha, taking Bhubaneswar, Dec 8: Cyber crooks tified as Priya, a staff of Customs Barang, Dec 8: Cuttack division identify the entity raided, but cluding 32,184 Monday, said the the total recovered cases in the Bhubaneswar: The state Cabinet duped a woman in city of around department, called her and asked Excise sleuths Tuesday claimed to said all the 17 entities have ‘con- H&FW department official. coastal state 3,16,970. is scheduled to hold a crucial meet- Rs 5 lakh on the pretext of sending to deposit of `15,000 as courier have arrested two persons after re- fessed’ in their statements that Odisha’s positivity rate is 5.18 per The recovered cases include 55 ing under the chairmanship of costly gifts for her from outside charges which she deposited on covering around 165 gram of brown they were unaware of any such cent, as per data released by the from Bolangir, 52 from Mayurbhanj, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik the country. She has lodged a com- the same day. sugar from their possession here. business concerns registered in Health department. 51 from Khurda, 47 from at 6.45pm Wednesday. In view of plaint in this regard with the She again called up the victim Acting on a tipoff, a nine-mem- their names. Meanwhile, another 523 Covid pa- Sundargarh and 45 from Cuttack. Covid-19 pan- Laxmisagar police. and told that the sender has sent il- ber team of the sleuths arrested demic, the According to sources, the vic- legal items like foreign currency and Prasant Behera of Belagachhia meeting will tim received a friend request from gold through the parcel. She told the under Barang police limits and be held a person identified as Silas Ferdric victim that 55,000 as penalty to re- Santosh Behera of Padasahi under TAKING TO STREETS through allegedly from London in the UK lease the parcel. Nandankanan police limits while videoconfer- last year. She accepted his friend re- The lady aide of the fraudster the duo was on way to Cuttack with encing. quest and started charting with asked the victim to deposit `1.5 the contraband worth `17 lakh, Though the details of the agenda the person. Subsequently, the fraud- lakh and `2.8 lakh to convert British said a source. “They used to target are yet to be known, the Cabinet ster informed her that he had sent pound into INR and other tax. The youths, mostly college goers, to dis- is likely to take some important de- a parcel and gift through courier. victim in the process deposited pose of the contraband. A two- cisions related Health department Later, the accused told the lady around `5 lakh into various banks wheeler has also been recovered and infrastructure projects. that the courier has been received accounts given of the the crooks. from their posse son,” an official said. ‘Law won’t stop early marriage, empowerment will’

POST NEWS NETWORK power to negotiate their marriages with their families. We also know Bhubaneswar, Dec 8: School of that early marriage in India is the Women Studies, Utkal University result of several deep-rooted so- in collaboration with Oxfam India cial norms, such as the belief that organised a youth festival titled early marriage will save a woman ‘Empowerment Not Age’ under its from sexual violence, assure a lower campaign ‘Bano Nayi Soch’ at here dowry, prevent elopement and will Tuesday. protect her honour. While there is “The festival aims to sensitise no evidence to back these claims, Members of IMA and OMSA demonstrate near Puri district headquarters hospital to press for fulfilment of their young people about the issues of these deep-rooted norms are un- demands, Tuesday OP PHOTO early marriage and empowerment likely to shift because of a legal of young girls. It aims to create amendment.” conversations and help young peo- “Consequently, the families of ple voice against old social systems RAISING AWARENESS 56% of women in India who will Youth held for stalking minor that promote gender inequality and likely get married under the age CLASSIFIED oppress women and girls,” said The central This is to delay the age of motherhood, improve of 21 as per existing evidence, most government recently nutritional levels among young mothers and POST NEWS NETWORK Akshaya Kumar Biswal, Regional of whom belong to poor and mar- The accused used to stated that it is Manager, Oxfam India. decrease maternal mortality rates ginalised communities, will be SALEAFFIDAVIT considering raising Bhubaneswar, Dec 8: The com- follow the victim on her ‘Bano Nayi Soch’ is a campaign the minimum legal The ‘Bano Nayi Soch’ campaign takes a hard look turned into criminals overnight missionerate police Tuesday ar- by Oxfam India to end violence Sale of Office Furniture, way to a college under age of marriage for at ground realities and evidence-backed research with the introduction of this law,” rested a youth on the allegations of against women and girls. The cam- she added. Electronic Items, Air Lingaraj police limits young women from in order to examine whether a legal intervention Conditioners and stalking a minor girl and making paign calls on men and women to 18 to 21 is the best route to delay the age of marriage “We demand that the govern- objectionable gestures at her in help change social practices that dis- ment should focus on creating pos- Computers to be held on Lingaraj area here. criminate against women and lead The campaign takes a hard look increased agency all directly con- itive incentives for young women 10th & 11th December 2020 The accused has been identified Some locals spotted him follow- to violence, Biswal added. at ground realities and evidence- tribute to delaying marriage. We and their families to delay mar- at World Vision India as Subash Kabu, 28, who is a resi- ing the minor and making obscene “Recently, the central govern- backed research in order to exam- know that if women have the op- riage, instead of criminalising them Office, Flat # 280, Bhoi dent of Sisupalgarh area under gestures at her. Upon getting in- ment informed that it is consider- ine whether a legal intervention portunity to complete their edu- through this law,” she said. Nagar, Behind Sahid Dhauli police limits. formed, her father lodged a com- ing raising the minimum legal age is the best route to delay the age of cation and earn money, they are Utkal Univeristy’s first women Nagar Police Station, According to sources, the ac- plaint with the Lingaraj police in of marriage for young women from marriage in young women. less likely to be viewed as finan- Vice Chancellor Sabita Acharya Bhubaneswar - 751022. cused used to follow the victim on this regard. 18 to 21, ostensibly to delay the age “The evidence clearly demon- cial burdens that need to be married said, “We will make sure that the her way to a college under Lingaraj The accused was Tuesday ar- of motherhood, improve nutritional strates that a focus on improving off at an early age,” he explained. Contact Number: varsity and all its affiliated col- police limits. He also followed the rested by Lingaraj police by reg- levels among young mothers and de- young women’s lives through bet- Rukmini Panda, program offi- leges provide violence-free and dis- 7978717151, 8895124899, minor wherever she went during istering a case under various sec- crease maternal mortality rates,” ter education, employment oppor- cer, Gender Justice, Oxfam India, crimination-free environment to

9556924899. the last couple of months. tions of IPC and POCSO Act. he further said. tunities, safety from violence, and said, “Educated girls have more the students.”

k y m c P5 WEDNESDAY | DECEMBER 9 | 2020 | BHUBANESWAR state

Hopes begin to sprout in migrant workers Timber mafia killing

k y m SCORES OF MIGRANTS ARE AVERSE TO THE IDEA OF ANNUAL MIGRATION; RATHER PREFER STAYING WITH THEIR FAMILIES rural forest in Angul c DEBI MOHANTY chicken items I prepared. The owner ing to 1800 youths- men and women- was happy with me, he is a very in three districts (Keonjhar, Smugglers have fell over 780 trees in the forest during Keonjhar/Jajpur, Dec 8: Chunmun nice person,” tells Nakul. Chunmun Mayurbhanj and coastal Jajpur), the last three months Malik, 36, cannot forget the first recalls her few visits to Hyderabad. is setting up a spawn unit to ensure few days following the announce- According to Nakul, things were supply of better quality seeds to ment of the national lockdown due going well, before the pandemic. the farmers. It’s already begun real to Covid-19. With her husband Nakul The restaurant’s business came time mentoring and handholding to Malik, 40, a migrant worker, away to a grinding halt post lockdown the growers, through Whatsapp. in Hyderabad and the pandemic and as a result, salaries of the “It’s a tiny attempt to minimize beginning to wreck havoc across forty staffs including Nakul were distress migration; it’s not easy to the country, Chunmun, alone in stopped. The owner though had stop the process, entirely,” says her mud and bamboo house in made provision of ration for the Program Manager, CYSD, Niladri Purusottampur village under employees. Sahu. “The objective of the initia- Lalitagiri panchayat of Mahanga However, one day, Nakul’s neigh- tive is to create alternative livelihood block in Cuttack district, kept bour, died of coronavirus. option for the migrant workers. I am praying God to end the It Scared, Nakul left the sure, once they succeed, others will POST NEWS NETWORK to regular and proper care of the terrible time, soon. “It (lockdown) rented accommodation be attracted to it.” villagers. The timber smugglers was the worst period was the worst and took shelter with Kaibalya, Nabhatna and the other Boinda, Dec 8: Mindless tree felling sensing a goldmine hidden in the of my life, I can’t de- his other colleagues for timber smuggling at Charkhaman trees have now set their eyes on period of my life; I youths, say their families are yet to scribe how difficult it in the restaurant, it- get over the traumatic images of rural forest under Handapa forest the forest for smuggling. can’t describe how was,” reminisces self. Nakul Malik (L) and Chunmun Malik migrant workers in the first three- range in Angul district has pushed The villagers alleged that timber Chunmun. difficult it was The severity of in- four months of the pandemic. “Covid the rural forest to the verge of ex- smugglers are carrying out such il- However, today, she CHUNMUN MALIK fection and news of Nabhatna Naik, 23, of Jhatiasahi Kaibalya arrived home in early has created a lot of doubts, full of tinction, a report said. legal act in connivance with some thinks, the pandemic rising deaths terri- under Kundala panchayat of March this year, the national lock- ‘ifs’ and ‘buts’ in their mind, Sir,” The timber smugglers have so far lower rank officials of the Forest changed her life, in more than fied, Chunmun. “We Saharapada block of Keonjhar district. down was announced. Till then, puts, Nabhatna, who couldn’t com- cut down over 780 trees in the for- department. one way, for the better. As Nakul has interacted three four times a day Hundreds of others migrant workers Kaibalya or anyone in his family that plete his intermediate degree due est during the last three months. The They are regularly cutting down decided not to go out to a distant through mobile,” she says. Each in the adjoining villages, who also includes his widow mother and un- to family’s condition. forest has been grown for over last timber trees like mohua, mahogany, place, the couple will stay together time, she would advise her hus- left home for distant cities, are not will- married sister had any knowledge Citing a few trainees of the lo- 30 years, villagers lament. sal, Indian Kino (piasal) and teak in their village, forever. Post com- band to stay calm and return home ing to step out for a job, either. about Covid. cality who have already begun sell- The matter came to fore after trees with impunity with the help pletion of training conducted in a as soon as train services resumed. A senior citizen in Kundala in- Nor, Nabhatna had any hint of ing their produce, Kaibalya says, in the villagers of Charkhaman vis- of machines and transporting the neighbouring village under Jajpur Finally, after days of long wait, forms that the reason of annual the deadly disease. While Kaibalya the first month, they have earned ited the district Collectorate in logs in vehicles for smuggling. district by centre for youth and so- Nakul was lucky as he managed to migration in this region is lack of was a casual labor in a plastic goods Rs15,000-20,000. “It’s quite an Angul and lodged a complaint with Villagers claimed that the smugglers cial development (CYSD), an NGO, reach home by a special train “The employment avenues post paddy manufacturing unit, Nabhatna amount,” he thinks. By his own the Collector demanding security have cut down over 780 trees from Nakul has taken up a new job— moment I reached home, the fears harvest. Those who are lucky get to worked as a daily wager in a copper admission, Kaibalya earned `14000 and protection to the rural forest August to November, this year. mushroom farming. The couple that gripped my mind, were almost work regularly, but the wage is far factory, both near Bangalore. a month and saved almost half the to check smuggling, Monday. On being informed, ACF Sadhana has planned to complement each over. We don’t need anything other too less. “But, after the pandemic, Nabhatna had returned to his village, amount. It’s almost the same with The villagers alleged that the Swain conducted a probe by visit- other and make their venture a suc- than a square meal a day and a roof not many are ready to go out. I think a couple of days ahead of Kaibalya. the rest. forest will soon become a thing of ing the spot and arrested four per- cess. over us,” intones Nakul as Chunmun it’s a good change,” he believes. Incidentally, families of both, “Mushroom has a big market the past if proper security and pro- sons in this connection. However, Incidentally, landless, Nakul, who nods her head in agreement. The pandemic has created a sense Kaibalya and Nabhatna, like the here. The biggest advantage is that tection were not provided to safe- that has failed to deter the timber had left for Hyderabad close to two Interestingly, Covid has not of fear and insecurity, apprehension other scheduled tribe migrant work- it fetches returns in just over a cou- guard the green cover. Smugglers smugglers as they have become decades back, begun his career as changed only Nakul’s annual rou- as well as skepticism, forcing them ers, own very little land. They have ple of weeks,” the youths maintain, are threatening to kill the villagers active again after lying low for a a helper in marble job, before, switch- tine. Scores of other migrant work- for a change in career options. “Life already harvested paddy and saved excitedly. They are confident before if they try to prevent them from cut- brief period. ing to cooking on the advice of an ers like him are now averse to the and family are the most precious the rice straws and are in the ini- the end of the year, they would mar- ting down trees, it was alleged. When contacted, Handapa ranger acquaintance. A few years after, he idea of annual migration. They things. Why should we risk both?” tial stages of mushroom produc- ket the mushroom and make some The villagers claimed that the for- Chaitanya Behera admitted that landed at a ‘decent hotel’ where he aim to stay with their family mem- they ask. Also, they are not sure, tion. Last month, they learned the money. Which, they intend to spend est came into existence from 1990 some locals are involved in the tim- served as a chef, till Covid-19 broke bers, devote their time and ener- whether their employers would ab- processes of mushroom farming during the Makar Sankranti festi- when the villagers started planting ber smuggling. “A probe is under- out. His salary Rs20,000, plus one gies and earn well by growing and sorb them, after these, life changing, at CYSD’s resource centre, a few val in January. With mushroom, saplings that was provided to them way to find out the people involved time free food. selling, mushroom. past nine months. kms away in Kapundi. their hopes, too, have begun to by the Forest department. The area in the act and very soon a raid will “The customers were fond of the Like Kaibalya Dandapat, 29, Incidentally, just weeks after CYSD, besides, imparting train- sprout. After a long time, though. soon turned into a dense forest due take place.” JOB REGULARISATION Ganjam targets 2L workdays daily COLLECTOR VIJAY AMRUTA KULANGE REVIEWS PROGRESS OF VARIOUS DEVELOPMENTAL WORKS

POST NEWS NETWORK Under ‘Mo Upakari Bagicha Yojana’, more and more people are Chhatrapur, Dec 8: Thousands of being encouraged to cultivate veg- migrant labourers have returned to etables. Till date, 1,10,000 benefici- Ganjam from other states dur- aries have been included in the ing the pandemic-induced scheme. Besides, a target has been lockdown. As allega- Covid set to provide work to 1,001 benefi- tions galore about has become less ciaries in cultivating cattle fodder lack of job scope intense. There should (grass cultivation) in 1,100 acres. and work in some be efforts to provide job Of them, 347 beneficiaries have parts, Chief cards to people through been provided scope of jobs in the Minister Naveen ‘melas’. ...BDOs should cultivation of grass in 219.9 acres. Patnaik has laid go on field visits to see if The Collector also reviewed works stress on ensur- works are being done January, 2020. been set to create 2,92,74,750 work- related to Forest department, soil ing them work and properly “Covid has be- days in the district while 1,37,46,936 conservation, and horticulture. creation of more VIJAY AMRUTA KULANGE I come less intense. workdays have been created till The Collector has directed offi- labour days. The dis- COLLECTOR, GANJAM There should December 6, which is only 47 per cent cials to take up creating nurseries, trict administration has be efforts to of the target. The administration fruit plantation, coconut planta- been on its toes to make pro- provide job has also set a target to engage 15,000 tions, creation of water bodies and vision for the migrants. The ad- cards to people through ‘melas’. workers in 503 panchayats. By promotion of mushroom cultivation. ministration has set a target of pro- Around two lakh workdays should Sunday, 1,00,493 labourers have got He directed the officials to make viding two lakh workdays daily. be created every day while BDOs scope of labourers. documentation of these works. Collector Vijay Amruta Kulange should go on field visits to see if reviewed progress of various de- works are being done properly. velopmental works in the blocks Officials of all the lines departments Berhampur: Nurses engaged at MKCG Medical Covid Hospital in Berhampur continued their protests for the second at a meeting, Monday. The Collector should become proactive,” he noted. day near the office of the superintendent, Tuesday. They are demanding regularisation of their jobs. Over 280 nurses observed that the official become He also added that FIRs should were appointed in the Covid hospital on a temporary basis. Some of them have been shifted to Tata-High Tech Covid proactive in ensuring work to the be filed against beneficiaries or Hospital at Shitalpalli. A recruitment advertisement was out for 6,432 nurse posts in various hospitals and in the Health migrant workers. He directed offi- groups who have not started their department. There are 250 nurse posts in the MKCG Medical College and Hospital. They demanded that they should cials to provide job cards to 500 or work even after receiving funds. be directly recruited into the 250 posts OP PHOTO more people in each panchayat by It was learnt that a target has Here, you have to climb trees if you need cellular network

POST NEWS NETWORK Anjali Das lamented that Internet has failed in their areas due to a paralysed Joda, Dec 8: People in mining areas tower. Our studies are getting affected, like Jurudi, Jajanga, Jaribahal and they said. Bamebari under Joda block of Keonjhar A BSNL tower set up at Joda has thin have been suffering a lot as telephone serv- signals in some of these areas. People have ice of the BSNL has gone for a toss. to climb trees or hills with their cell Thousands of people are deprived of phones to receive signals when they communication through cell phones. have to make urgent communication. Life has come to a stop, locals lamented. BSNL, Joda SDO, Nabakishra Sethi Reports said BSNL has set up a tower said that after mines lease of Essel com- on the premises of Essel mine at Jurudi. pany was over, the latter has snapped elec- The company has lost lease of the mine. tricity supply to the tower. After that, the company has snapped “The BSNL has set up a generator power to the tower. The new leaseholder students have been badly affected for there and runs it from 10 am till 4 pm. has not started its work till date. over a month. We have applied to the electricity dis- The tower has failed to function while Students like Sima Subhadarshini tributor company concerned for power online studies of the thousands of the Kar, Pihu Mohanty, Mamata Patra and supply,” he added. Irregularities alleged in `107-cr water project

POST NEWS NETWORK companies have taken contract of laying pipes at Badadamba, Badagumuda, Balenga, Binjili, Kodinga, Dec 8: A mega drinking water BM Semla, Elori, Kosagumuda, Mahidhanua, project is being set up in Kosamguda block of Ukiapalli, Santoshopur and Taragan. . Nabarangpur district at a cost of `107.07 crore. GVR is constructing an overhead water The project aims at providing drinking water tank at Mo deigan panchayat. Locals alleged to thousands of people in 15 panchayats. that the company has not set up informa-

But people alleged that the contractor doing tion plaque about the cost of the project.

k y m c this work is botching it up, raising doubts Pipelines are supposed to be laid about about its durability. They accused the con- five feet below underground, but three-ft deep tractor of paying no heed to the instruction of pits are dug up, it was alleged. Construction the administration. This has caused a lot of re- work of the mega drinking water project is sentment among people. The project is funded being carried out at 15 places, but the RWSS under a scheme of the Centre. JMC and GVPR is not monitoring it, locals alleged. P6 WEDNESDAY | DECEMBER 9 | 2020 | BHUBANESWAR power post

FOCUS DEMOCRACY In silence lies the source of

the highest inspirations.

k y m c THE MOTHER WHITHER RIGHT TO PROTEST

utocratic leaders often Africa – operate non-stop tele- seek new ways to un- phone hotlines for those who in- dermine the right to tend to protest peacefully, provid- Dragon’s Design Aprotest, because they ing information and advice on know protesting can be an ex- legal frameworks. When protest- isturbing reports have come that China has constructed three villages, traordinarily powerful force for ers are arrested, these groups con- about 5 km from the Bum La Pass near the tri-junction of India, political and social change. Over nect them with lawyers who work DChina and Bhutan in western Arunachal Pradesh. It could be a major the past decade, protests have top- to ensure that they are granted step in realising China’s territorial claims in the region as part of its grand pled autocrats, forced governments bail and, if necessary, defend them design of settling Hun Chinese and Tibetan members of the Communist Party and corporations to recognise the (often pro bono) at their trials. of China in the area. Satellite images of construction done by China in Bhutanese climate emergency, given a voice Other groups specialise in legal sovereign territory, just 7 km from Doklam where Indian soldiers had a face- to workers suffering under unfair challenges to official policies and off with Chinese soldiers in 2017, show the villages are within the Chinese economic systems, and urged re- practices that infringe on the right territory. What is happening in the region is more than territorial disputes. forms to address police brutality to protest. In Uganda, for example, It seems after the honeymoon between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and and structural racism. a five-year litigation effort spear- Chinese President Xi Jinping has become redundant, China is showing its As Peter Mutasa – president of headed by four civil-society or- true colours mixing aggression with its strategic-diplomatic-economic ini- the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade ganisations led to a major victory tiatives wooing Pakistan and Nepal over to its side. Chinese Defence Minister Unions, which has protested this in March, with the Constitutional Wei Fenghe and other diplomats have been too frequently shuttling be- year for better working condi- Court striking down part of a law tween Pakistan and Nepal for some time in a clear attempt to encircle India. tions – has observed, protests are Governments are repurposing existing laws to allowing Ugandan police to prevent As the BJP-led-government was following a myopic foreign policy vis-a- often the “only countervailing limit protests and detain participants. In India, or stop public gatherings arbi- vis the neighbouring countries, the linchpin of which being anti-Pakistan Sharan Srinivas power and force” to repressive trarily. In September, Colombian and anti-Muslim rhetoric, China consolidated its position with overtures to governments and the only way police have arrested protesters under sedition civil-society groups won a sweep- Pakistan and Nepal. There has been clearly a rift between the government for marginalised people to gain ac- and anti-terrorism laws, while officials in Hong ing judgment in the country’s and the RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on this issue as their perceptions about cess to public services. And even Supreme Court that called for po- China run at cross purposes. WITHOUT in contexts where they have not Kong have cracked down on protests by lice reform and a gag order pre- The chemistry between Modi and Xi, as reflected in their meetings in Gujarat yet achieved their goals, protests deploying public-order laws (ostensibly to venting public officials from openly in recent times, led to a number of delegations from Gujarat visiting vari- SOLIDARITY, have shaken entrenched power demonising peaceful protesters. ous parts of China for investment. Adani Group-operated Mundra Port THE RIGHT TO structures. prevent spread of COVID-19). Other countries, Ultimately, though, the best pro- signed a ‘sister port’ agreement with Shanghai port, 5,700 nautical miles away. PROTEST IS In Belarus, for example, peace- including Algeria, Angola, Lebanon, and tection for protest movements and Modi had visited China when he was chief minister. Chinese media then praised ful protests led by women (with the Thailand, have also used anti-COVID measures those who defend them is the op- sky high his so-called Gujarat Model. However, during the run-up to the 2014 ALWAYS active involvement of broad sec- portunity for participants to be general election Modi had ridiculed the UPA government’s ‘soft’ handling tions of Belarusian society, in- to harass, intimidate, and jail protesters part of something larger than of China. But, once he became the PM, his government showed keenness to VULNERABLE. cluding artists and trade unionists) themselves. “Solidarity is the en- do business with China. Regulations were eased and changed in favour of have continued since August’s gine that keeps us going,” says Chinese companies, leading to a boost in Chinese exports to India. From hi- AND WHERE rigged presidential election. In tries, including Algeria, Angola, Belarusian government has also Mutasa. tech components for computers and mobile phones to firecrackers and idols THAT RIGHT IS Thailand, protesters’ ongoing Lebanon, and Thailand, have also repeatedly shut down the Internet Everyone – not only lawyers of Ganesha from China flooded the Indian market. Even everyday con- demonstrations for democratic used emergency anti-COVID meas- during this year’s protests. and NGOs – can play a part in up- sumer goods such as lamps and torches made in China were sold at prices NOT UPHELD, reforms have highlighted a crucial ures to harass, intimidate, and Fourth, governments, non-state holding the right to peaceful protest. cheaper than products made in India. Chinese companies initially set up proj- FEW OTHER debate about the monarchy's con- jail protesters. Such arrests and actors, and some media organi- Doctors and nurses can provide ects in industrial clusters of Gujarat. But after 2014 they began to expand stitutional role, which until re- crackdowns occur despite the sations have demonised and stig- emergency first aid. Teachers can in a big way. China seemed to have set its eyes on the Gujarat coast, where RIGHTS ARE SAFE cently was off-limits for public recognition of the right to peace- matised protesters. US President educate their students about the the ports would enable them to export to Africa and the Middle East. The discussion. And protests in the ful assembly in many of these Donald Trump, for example, has right to peaceful protest and why sea route from China to the Middle East and Africa is too long. But, if wake of George Floyd’s murder in countries’ constitutions, as well as called peaceful protesters rioters, it matters. Telecom operators can Chinese goods containers could come over land to ports on India’s west May made structural racism a international law. looters, thugs, and anarchists. disregard government orders to coast, the cost and time would be greatly reduced. Chinese state owned port central issue in the US presiden- Second, some governments – Another way to delegitimise shut down the Internet during company, Guangzhou Port, invested in Adani-owned Mundra port in 2018 and tial election campaign. most recently in Belarus and protesters is to cast doubt on their protests. Media professionals and shared technical knowledge and expertise. But governments are employing Nigeria – have tried to quash motives by referring to them, with- citizen journalists can provide a China, possibly, could have become annoyed since India opposed its flag- ever more sophisticated and ag- protests violently. These govern- out evidence, as ‘paid protesters,’ powerful counter-narrative to those ship One Belt One Road (OBOR)-initiative to cover 70 countries as the gressive tactics to curtail people’s ments not only disperse and detain or by characterising pro-democracy seeking to demonise protesters. China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) passes through Pakistan ability to protest. This fundamental protesters, but also torture and demonstrators as ‘anti-national’ And as individuals, we can all take Occupied Kashmir. OBOR seeks to expand the Kashgar corridor all the way right is often threatened in four even kill them. and environmental activists as to the streets or voice our dissent to Aksai Chin and Tibet. The Chinese have carried out rapid industriali- main ways. Third, governments have cur- ‘anti-development.’ Such narra- online. sation and mining in these two regions and are now looking to connect it First, governments are repur- tailed protesters’ ability to or- tives aim to diminish public sup- Without such solidarity, the to the CPEC corridor. posing existing laws to limit ganise by ordering repeated port for protesters and justify gov- right to protest is always vulner- With the USA supporting India’s opposition to OBOR, China seemed to protests and detain participants. Internet shutdowns. The ernment crackdowns. able. And where that right is not start bristling with anger. India’s joint military exercises with the US mil- In India, police have arrested pro- #KeepItOn coalition, convened by Despite the threats posed by upheld, few other rights are safe. itary and the decision to join the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, known testers under sedition and anti- the digital-rights group Access such tactics, there is hope. A grow- as QUAD, along with the US, Australia and Japan have caused further wor- terrorism laws, while officials in Now, recorded at least 65 Internet ing number of individuals and The writer is Senior ries to China. Hong Kong have cracked down on shutdowns during protests in 2019, organisations worldwide are work- Program Officer at the Open To make matters worse, India has decided to stay away from the Regional protests by deploying public-order including in Sudan, Iraq, Iran, ing to safeguard the right to protest. Society Foundations’ Human Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) amidst fears that cheaper Chinese laws (ostensibly to prevent the Venezuela, Zimbabwe, Algeria, Some groups – for example, the Rights Initiative. goods would destroy domestic industry. The Confederation of All India spread of COVID-19). Other coun- India, and Indonesia. The Right2Protest coalition in South ©PROJECT SYNDICATE Traders (CAIT), with leanings toward the BJP, has been leading the campaign to boycott Chinese goods. In such a complex situation the RSS chief slams China at a programme organised by the RSS on 30 November, charging it with ‘embracing expan- IN JEST THIS sionist ideals’ of its past emperors. “China has now risen. This is what it wants now. MS Golwalkar (the second RSS chief) said in 1960s China would come back to its basic nature. It would have little of Confucius and more of ex- pansionism. And that’s what we are seeing today. China has become a big economic power and it wants to expand its influence,” Bhagwat said. The silence of Bhagwat all this while when Modi was cozying up to Xi was Great teachers deserve to be recognised perhaps because he was biding his time before he could take up the devia- tion from the teachings of Golwalkar on the Chinese design. was happy to hear that Ranjitsinh Disale is indeed a Friend: “My son treats cancer. Most important in Mohan Bhagwat’s speech is the recognition by the RSS Ranjitsinh Disale, a primary Does your son do any treating?” of the shifting of goal posts. It is no more Moslems and that toothless Ischool teacher in Maharashtra, special teacher. I hope his parents Mahadev: “Yes, my son treats Pakistan that ought to perturb Indian thinking. The organisation seems to has been awarded the 2020 Global are proud of him and have no illiteracy.” If dedicated doctors have realised that the real enemy in terms of military and economic might Teacher Prize. The prize, spon- never win any prizes, it doesn’t against India will be China. This may be good for India. sored by the Varkey Foundation regrets that their son didn’t go bother me, partly because they are in partnership with UNESCO, into medicine, engineering or generally paid handsomely, and comes with enough money to any of the countless other also receive a lot of respect and WISDOM CORNER change a teacher’s life: Rs 7.4 crore gratitude. Teachers do receive grat- ($1 million). With that kind of professions considered more itude and respect, but if a doctor’s money, Disale can employ another pay is handsome, a teacher’s pay re- Love, work, and knowledge are the wellsprings of our lives, they teacher to do all his work, while he prestigious than teaching fuses to look in the mirror. should also govern it. WILHELM REICH lounges under an umbrella on Baga The Varkey Foundation deserves The greatest deception men suffer is from their own opinions. Beach, Goa. of the (finalist) teachers, they will proud of him and have no regrets credit for creating the Global LEONARDO DA VINCI Melvin Durai But Disale would never do that, get a chance to continue their work... that their son didn’t go into medi- Teacher Prize and recognising the The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move because he’s dedicated to his pro- and we can reach out and lighten cine, engineering or any of the importance of education in lifting with it, and join the dance. TEACHERS fession and eager to help others, as the lives of as many students as countless other professions con- people out of poverty, as well as ALAN WATTS shown by his generosity upon re- we can,” he said. One of his students sidered more prestigious than teach- the unsung heroes that work tire- DO RECEIVE ceiving the prize. In his winning immediately sent him an email: ing. His father, Mahadev, might be lessly in classrooms. Every school GRATITUDE AND speech, he pledged to share half “Sir, if you want to lighten our having some interesting conver- has a few teachers that deserve a WORDSWORTH the prize with his fellow finalists. lives, please lighten our homework.” sations with his friends. “Teacher of Year Award,” but few RESPECT, BUT IF A The other nine finalists will each Actually, his students probably Mahadev: “Do you remember schools have programmes to recog- Wait DOCTOR’S PAY IS receive Rs 41 lakh ($55,000) each. appreciate all the work he puts in when you said that your son was nise these outstanding teachers. nce upon a time, a wait was a watchman, a word derived from an Old This was the first time in the prize’s to ensure that they learn at their more ambitious than my son?” They don’t even get the day off on ONorthern French word that’s related to modern German wachen, to be HANDSOME, A six-year history that the winner own pace and don’t struggle. He Friend: “Yes, because my son World Teachers’ Day. awake (watch, wait and wake are all linked etymologically). Early senses of had made such a gesture, even has not only translated textbooks wanted to become a doctor. Yours Even a few cakes to share with the verb included lying in wait for an enemy, observing carefully and being TEACHER’S PAY without drinking any celebratory into their mother tongues, he has just wanted to become a teacher.” their students would be nice. If watchful. Watchmen in British towns in medieval times sounded the watch REFUSES TO LOOK champagne. put unique QR codes in the books Mahadev: “Mine just won the local bakeries are willing to provide three or four times a night on trumpets, shawms or pipes as a way to show Disale, 32, who teaches at Zilla that allow students to access audio Global Teacher Prize. What did these cakes for free, we’ll name the they were alert and to deter thieves. The term seems to have been transferred IN THE MIRROR Parishad Primary School in the poems, video lectures, stories and yours win?” awards after them, such as the to musicians at the end of the thirteenth century. The waits were a group of village of Paritewadi, Solapur dis- assignments using cellphones. Most Friend: “My son hasn’t won any “Bhubaneswar Bakery Best Teacher wind musicians kept at public expense by a town or city. They played on trict, Maharashtra, deserves not importantly, he has adjusted the prizes, but he is doing very well. He Award.” Hopefully the bakers in ceremonial or festive occasions and also paraded the streets to entertain the just the Global Teacher Prize, but content to reflect each student’s has a lot of patients.” Mahadev: Solapur district, Maharashtra, public, sometimes at night or in the early morning as a continuing association also the Global Generosity Prize. “If abilities. Disale is indeed a special “My son is doing well too. He has have sent a few goodies to the Global with watch calls. Waits were not just for Christmas at this time. From the latter I share the prize money with the rest teacher. I hope his parents are a lot of patience.” Teacher of the Year. part of the eighteenth century, the practice of waits being employed by a municipality have slowly died out, though they were finally despatched as an accidental by-product of Municipal Corporations Act of 1835, which forced towns to publish accounts and demonstrate that they had taken steps to cut Celebrities & politics Goodwill gesture out unnecessary expenditure. The name was transferred to self-appointed musicians and singers who perambulated streets playing and singing carols Sir, It feels overwhelming to learn that Padma Vibhushan Rajinikanth is all set to launch his po- Sir, In a real goodwill gesture the and other appropriate music at Christmas in hope of reward. In many places, litical party and contest the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections next year. I am somewhat confident Indian authorities repatriated two especially rural areas, those who went by the name walked house to house in etters that with the support of the people, honest, transparent, non-corrupt, secular and spiritual poli- girls from the PoK region who in- daylight or evening, as carol singers do now, but others maintained the old tics may emerge in the southern state. On the other hand, it is feared that Rajinikanth may walk advertently crossed the border. The tradition of going their rounds at night. They were considered an abominable on the path of another actor-turned-politician Chiranjeevi, who with much fanfare launched the siblings were seen off with gifts nuisance by many, who complained about the discordant nocturnal noises TOL THE EDITOR Praja Rajyam Party (PRP) in 2008 as an alternative to the Congress and the Telugu Desam Party by senior Indian administration that became one of the perils of Christmas. Readers of Orissa POST in Andhra Pradesh but finally the party lost its identity after being merged with the Congress. Nowadays, and army officials and handed over are most welcome to contribute letters a large number of actors and sportspersons prefer to join different political parties or launch their to the Pakistani authorities. The (200 words), articles and own political parties with much fanfare but with the passage of time they lose their credibility and goodwill gesture from the Indian au- columns (between 750-1250 CORRECTION words). Contributors are become showpieces of different parties or merge with big parties. Recently, many Odia cine stars thorities, especially at a time when requested to send their joined different political parties and campaigned for them also. But in reality it is the political par- there is fierce conflict between In the article headlined “Bitter battle ahead” published in Page-6 of contact numbers and full ties that use their popularity and fan following to increase their vote percentage. In some cases peo- the armies and tension prevails

Orissa POST on 7 December, 2020 it was inadvertently written that Andhra postal address/email ID. They may also ple shun celebrities who step forward into politics. In recent Assembly elections most loved and on either side, is worth mentioning

k y m send in their valuable comments, opinion c Pradesh was the first linguistic State in India. In fact, Odisha was the first and suggestions, preferably by email, popular celebrities like Aparajita Mohanty, Subas Dash, late Bijay Mohanty, Tatwaprakash Satpathy and goes to prove that we have al- linguistic State in India formed on 1 April, 1936. On the internet many sites to: [email protected] (Papu Pom Pom), and Pinky Pradhan failed to attract votes and lost to their rivals. In Odisha, the ways welcomed and are for peace originating in India have erroneously mentioned Andhra Pradesh as the first scenario and results may be different but in Tamil Nadu a large section of people loves and respects and friendship. language-based State. It may be noted that there was no State named superstar Rajinikanth and worships him as a demigod. These people will undoubtedly support and Andhra Pradesh pre Independence. -Editor B-15, Rasulgarh Industrial Estate, vote for his party. M Pradyu, Bhubaneswar-751010 Kamal Lochan Dash, JAJPUR KANNUR (KERALA) NORTHEAST P7 ANDHRA PRADESH

WEDNESDAY | DECEMBER 9 | 2020 | BHUBANESWAR

k y m c Heavy metal content in water caused mystery disease Gauhati HC stays Lead and nickel content and other state and central insti- pitals in Vijayawada and Guntur. clearance for drilling tutions, health officials presented Apart from experts deployed by in drinking water and a report to Chief Minister YS Jagan the World Health Organisation, a milk was primarily Mohan Reddy here Tuesday. three-member team drafted by the A CMO release said lead and Union Ministry of Health and inside national park established as the root nickel were found to be the causative Family Welfare arrived in Eluru cause of the mysterious agents for the mysterious disease, Tuesday and went round the af- citing a report prepared by the fected areas to collect samples. disease in Eluru city, AIIMS experts. The disease saw Deputy Chief Minister (Health) which so far claimed people suddenly falling unconscious AKK Srinivas said the affected peo- after suffering from fits and nausea ple were recovering well and there was one life and left over since Saturday night. no need to panic. “Full details as to 500 people sick The symptoms, according to GGH what triggered the mysterious disease doctors, included a bout of epilepsy will be known only after the central for 3-5 minutes, memory loss for a agencies submit their reports. PRESS TRUST OF INDIA few minutes, anxiety, vomiting, Primarily, lead has been found to be headache and back pain. the cause of the outbreak,” he said. Eluru (AP), Dec 8: Lead and nickel “More tests are being conducted A special sanitation drive was content in drinking water and milk by Indian Institute of Chemical undertaken in Eluru city and also was primarily established as the Technology and other institutes in the adjoining rural pockets and root cause of the mysterious disease and the results are expected soon. CM YS Jaganmohan Reddy visits the sick people at a hospital. Denduluru from where the cases in Eluru city of Andhra Pradesh, The Chief Minister directed the were reported. Srinivas, who rep- which so far claimed one life and left authorities to conduct a thorough process,” the CMO release added. another 120 were being treated in resents Eluru, went round the lo- INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE over 500 people sick. investigation on the heavy metal According to the health author- the hospital. calities Tuesday and inspected the Based on the preliminary findings content in the patients' bodies and ities here, of the 505 persons in- Another 19 people were sent for overhead drinking water reservoirs Guwahati, Dec 8: The division ECO DAMAGING of the expert teams from AIIMS constantly monitor the treatment fected, over 370 had recovered and better medicare to government hos- and supervised the sanitation drive. bench of the Gauhati High Court he Dibru-Saikhowa National Monday stayed the Centre’s per- TPark, where the OIL proposed to mission to government-owned Oil drill for its ambitious hydrocarbon India Ltd (OIL) to drill seven wells projects is adjacent to Baghjan well Meghalaya to reopen inside a famous national park in (in Tinsukia district), where after Andhra lays out plan to introduce eastern Assam, officials said. nearly six months a blowout well The Dibru-Saikhowa National was successfully ‘killed’ and the Park, where the OIL proposed to 160-day-long fire there was doused for tourists from Dec 21 drill for its ambitious hydrocar- completely November 15 10 lakh electric vehicles by 2024 bon projects is adjacent to Baghjan In 2019, over 1.2 million domestic and he PIL was earlier filed against well (in Tinsukia district), where Tthe Centre’s approval to OIL for international tourists had visited the state THE SOUTHERN STATE PLANS TO ATTRACT AN INVESTMENT OF `30,000 CRORE after nearly six months a blowout drilling inside the forest and well was successfully ‘killed’ and national park, a biodiversity PRESS TRUST OF INDIA sure the safety of everyone. AND CREATE 60,000 JOBS IN THE ELECTRIC VEHICLES MANUFACTURING SECTOR the 160-day-long fire there was hotspot, by amending existing Visitors will have to upload their doused completely November 15. norms like public hearing under the Shillong, Dec 8: Meghalaya will photo identity on the app and pro- PRESS TRUST OF INDIA A court official said that the di- draft Environment Impact be open to tourists from December vide the complete tour itinerary vision bench of the High Court Assessment Notification 2020 21 for the first since the COVID-19 besides showing proof of con- Amaravati, Dec 8: Andhra Pradesh comprising Chief Justice (acting) he PIL also argued that if the OIL pandemic made its way into the firmed booking, the official said. plans to attract an investment of N. Kotiswar Singh and Justice Tis allowed to undertake the country earlier this year, Chief Upon successful registration, `30,000 crore and create 60,000 jobs Manish Chowdhury stayed the cen- drilling then similar situations like Minister Conrad K Sangma said tourists will receive an e-invite in the electric vehicles (EVs) man- tral government’s environmental Baghjan's gas well leakage can take Tuesday. which will have to be produced at ufacturing sector, even as the state clearance following hearing a PIL place there too, thereby threatening Travellers, however, will have the entry checkpoint together with government laid out a plan to in- filed jointly by advocate Mrinmoy the adjoining environment and to adhere to a host of guidelines and a COVID-19 negative certificate troduce 10 lakh EVs by 2024. Khataniar and mountaineer Amar human habitations health protocols to visit the 'Land not more than 72 hours old. The state said it planned to de- Jyoti Deka. of Clouds', he said. The state government has also velop a holistic research and de- The PIL was earlier filed against had failed to carry out the Bio- “#Meghalaya reopens its set up a Facilitation Centre at velopment ecosystem, together the Centre’s approval to OIL for Diversity assessment study and #Tourism from 21st December, Umling in Ri Bhoi district, where with manufacturing units, to pro- drilling inside the forest and na- hence it stayed the exploration and 2020... The Home of Clouds looks those visiting the state are to manda- pel EV growth in AP. tional park, a biodiversity hotspot, drilling of seven hydrocarbon proj- forward to welcoming you,” Sangma torily check in, he said. The state government presented AP Transport Principal Secretary ing infrastructure across the state, by amending existing norms like ects in Dibru-Saikhowa National said on Twitter. Meghalaya Rural Tourism Forum its plans on EVs at a high-level (vir- MT Krishna Babu, Industries the officials told Niti Aayog. public hearing under the draft Park. A Tourism Department official Chairperson Alan West welcomed tual) meeting convened by Niti Director JVN Subrahmanyam and They requested that the Centre Environment Impact Assessment The Gauhati High Court had said registration would be made the decision, and urged visitors to Aayog Tuesday. senior officials represented the extend support in development of Notification 2020. The High Court has October 20 imposed a fine of `10,000 mandatory through a dedicated strictly follow COVID-19 protocols. A Centre for Advanced state at the meeting attended by charging stations at prominent lo- stayed the Centre’s environmental on Assam forest department for app of Meghalaya Tourism, along In 2019, over 1.2 million domes- Automotive Research, in collabo- Niti Aayog CEO Amitab Kant, cations on National Highways. clearance May 11 for non-compli- failing to submit an affidavit about with standard operating proce- tic and international tourists had ration with organisations like ISRO, Union Ministry of Road Transport They also sought financial sup- ance of the Supreme Court order the violation of the Supreme Court dures (SOPs) put in place to en- visited the state. IISER and IITs, to foster advance re- and Highways Secretary A Giridhar port from the Centre for retrofitting passed September 7, 2017 which re- order related to the Bio-Diversity search in chemical, mechanical, and other top officials. EV kits to two and three-wheelers. quired the OIL to conduct the Bio- Impact Assessment study. electrical and electronics engi- The state government told Niti The AP government also sought Diversity Impact Assessment study. The PIL also argued that if the neering will soon be set up to drive Aayog that it planned to phase out the Centres financial support to “The High Court Division Bench OIL is allowed to undertake the the new EV policy. fossil fuel-based vehicles in the top set up swapping stations in the moved a step further and under drilling then similar situations A Centre for Advancement of four cities (Visakhapatnam, state. A top official, who attended its power conferred under Article like Baghjan's gas well leakage can Smart Mobility has also been pro- Vijayawada, Tirupati and Guntur) the meeting, said all government ve- 226 of the Constitution of India take place there too, thereby threat- posed in a 100-acre site (location by 2024 and all cities by 2030. hicles in the state would be con- and on prima facie being satisfied ening the adjoining environment yet to be identified) with a test track Plans were also afoot to install one verted to EV by 2024. that the OIL had failed to carry and human habitations. for all new EVs and autonomous ve- lakh (EV) charging stations by 2024. The state currently has a fleet of out the standard prescribed as re- The OIL had claimed that it would hicles. The New and Renewable Energy 9,001 battery electric vehicles (two- flected in the apex court order,” drill the seven wells inside the All the 11,000-odd buses of the pub- Development Corporation of AP wheelers), 16,826 CNG and 971 BEV the official said. Dibru-Saikhowa National Park lic sector AP State Road Transport has entered into a memorandum of (three-wheelers), 8,208 BEV and The petitioners’ advocate Debajit from about 1.5 km distance outside Corporation will be converted into understanding with NTPC and 4,535 CNG (four-wheelers) and 313 Kumar Das said that the High Court the boundary of the forest with the EVs by the year 2029. EESL for development of charg- CNG-run buses. was prima facie satisfied that OIL help of advanced technology. Bharat Bandh call evokes Filtered water elusive in West Godavari

INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE partial response in northeast Kalla (AP), Dec 8: At a time when people are pointing fingers at the quality of drinking water in Eluru and its vicinity, amid other things, as the culprit for giving rise to the mysterious illness rattling West Godavari district headquarters, it is pertinent to understand the decades long struggles numerous vil- lages in this district are going For through, bereft of filtered drink- nearly two ing water. decades, many people Located on the west side of the in these villages have got Godavari river in the southern state used to buying drinking of Andhra Pradesh, West Godavari is a lush green rice bowl, whose water or travelling to agriculture is nurtured by the ir- neighbouring villages to fetch rigation system laid by legendary water which is better than British engineer Sir Arthur Cotton what their village more than a century ago. panchayati tanks Blessed by the Godavari river, supply INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE eastern states, excluding Meghalaya open in some sub-divisions, in- major part of the district has abun- TALLURI RAJ KUMAR and Sikkim, and in seven districts cluding capital city Agartala with dant supply of water all through the Guwahati/Agartala, Dec 8: The of West Bengal and five districts of fewer shoppers. year, barring the summer season. villager. After converting swathes of paddy Gudivada main road reeks with 'Bharat Bandh' called Tuesday by north Bihar. In Bharatiya Janata The number of private and pas- "Though we have plenty of water, Moved by the lack of potable fields into fish and prawn ponds, unbearable stench between Seesali the farmer unions over the con- Party-ruled Assam, markets, shops senger vehicles was less in opera- we do not have filtered drinking water, a few generous NGOs such many farmers are releasing the and Jakkaram villages after cross- tentious farm laws enacted by the and business establishments were tion. water. The water supplied by the pan- as Vegesna Foundation, Nandi and water from the ponds laden with ing one such company. Central government, evoked partial open in some places and closed in All India Kisan Sabha leader chayati tank is not fit for drinking others have set up water filtration months long feed, medicines and The contaminants from the com- response in the northeastern states. many parts, especially in the semi- and former parliamentarian and this has been the case for more centres, selling 20 litres at a sub- chemicals into the irrigation canals. pany flow into a 'bodhe' (a small Banking operations across the urban and rural areas. Narayan Kar claimed that the than three decades now," sidised price of Rs 10. "This is a very serious problem canal), leading to the devastation of northeastern region were partially There were very few passenger 'Bharat Bandh' evoked a massive re- Vantabathina Prakash, a resident However, a few enterprising in- as this water will contaminate the ecosystem there, killing coconut hit as a section of bank employees vehicles on the roads. But many sponse everywhere as the shops of Kalla village, told IANS. dividuals have also found a business entire irrigation network of canals trees and totally polluting a bigger joined the countrywide shutdown government offices functioned al- and markets were closed and most This village is not alone, as there opportunity in this problem to di- which supply water for paddy cul- water body on the right side of the while another section joined their most normally and schools and passenger and private vehicles went are several like this. Two more ad- versify into selling ground water tivation. Some are earning higher road. These companies deliberately duties. other educational institutions also off the roads. jacent villages to Kalla, Seesali and after filtering it. profits through aquaculture but dispose of their untreated waste, According to the officials, train remained open, though with very BJP spokesman Nabendu Doddanapudi, have the same prob- Just like the panchayati water, some are also giving up paddy cul- with hardly any regulation to re- and flight services in most north- less attendance. Bhattacherjee said the people out- lem. Achanta, Undrajavaram and ground water in these villages is not tivation," highlighted Kumar. strain them as government offi- eastern states remained unaffected Trade union leader Biswajit right rejected the shutdown every- several other villages have no respite potable as it is salty. Tuesday, Palakollu MLA Nimmala cials seldom pay attention. by the nationwide strike. Ghatak told the media in Guwahati where. from this scourge as government Further aggravating the drink- Ramanaidu tabulated all the ex- According to people from these An official of the Northeast that the 'Bharat Bandh' is total and The nationwide shutdown evoked after government and the pan- ing water issues in this geography, penses being incurred to cultivate villages, unavailability of filtered Frontier Railways (NFR) said in spontaneous in most parts of Assam. very little response in other north- chayati officials turned a blind eye aquaculture and prawn process- one acre of paddy field nowadays drinking water is an utter shame Guwahati the train services were "In the morning, some shops and eastern states, including Meghalaya to their plight. ing and export companies have to arrive at a figure of Rs 48,000. as they cannot believe that Godavari

unaffected in its jurisdictions though markets were opened, but as the and the BJP-ruled Manipur and "For nearly two decades, many come as a severe bane. Across West and East Godavari

k y m villages are going through this cri- c some picketers in a few places tried day progressed, the business es- Arunachal Pradesh. people in these villages have got Transforming centuries old agri- districts, there are several prawn pro- sis because of government apathy. to halt the plying of passenger tablishments closed in support of Different parties, including the used to buying drinking water or cultural practices such as growing cessing, packing and exporting Will the officials and the gov- trains, but the security forces dis- the strike," Ghatak claimed. Congress and Left parties have ex- travelling to neighbouring villages paddy, many farmers have turned companies which openly dispose ernment wake up after the Eluru cri- persed them. In another BJP ruled state tended their support to the farmers, to fetch water which is better than towards cultivating fish and prawn their industrial waste. sis? We have to wait and watch as The NFR operates fully and par- Tripura, shops and markets were who are agitating for repealing the what their village panchayati tanks for better returns than farming For instance, a small stretch of muddy water continues to be sup- tially in six of the eight north- closed in some places, but were new farm laws. supply," said Talluri Raj Kumar, a and selling rice. land by the Bhimavaram and plied in these areas. P8 PM WISHES PARKASH SINGH BADAL WEDNESDAY | DECEMBER 9 | 2020 | BHUBANESWAR Coordination between educational Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday institutions and the industry is spoke to Shiromani Akali Dal patriarch necessary to help educated youth Parkash Singh Badal, who has been not only become self-employed severely critical of the Centre over the but also create employment contentious farm sector laws, and extended

y national opportunities for others best wishes to him on his 93rd birthday

k y m KALRAJ MISHRA | RAJASTHAN GOVERNOR c

of the day uote Number of Haj Bandh peaceful, life SC to hear Maha Governor’s plea applicants declines The Centre PRESS TRUST OF INDIA Uttarakhand High Court had May should 3 last year ordered former chief INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE withdraw New Delhi, Dec 8: The Supreme these farm laws and ministers of the state to pay mar- it is time for the Court Tuesday agreed to hear a ket rent for the entire period they Lucknow, Dec 8: The ongoing government to act hit in some states plea of Maharashtra Governor occupy government accommoda- Covid-19 pandemic has clearly af- Bhagat Singh Koshyari against is- tion since demitting office. fected the Haj pilgrimage, as there BHUPINDER SINGH suance of a show cause notice by The high court had declared all were only 3,200 applicants from HOODA | FORMER HARYANA CM the Uttarakhand High Court on a government orders from 2001 pro- Uttar Pradesh to travel in 2021, petition seeking contempt pro- viding housing and other facilities compared to last year's 29,000. ceedings against him for his al- to former chief ministers in the The window for online and of- It wants to leged failure to pay rent for a gov- state as illegal and unconstitu- fline applications opened on loot farmers ernment bungalow allocated to him tional. November 7 and the last date for again with the as ex chief minister of the state. The high court had directed that depositing the form is December farm laws... these A bench of justices R F Nariman, all amount due and payable to- 10. Officials have said that the laws will cause K M Joseph and Krishna Murari is- pandemic was one of the main injustice to farmers wards amenities such as electric- sued notice to the Uttarakhand gov- plea that he is the sitting Governor ity, water, petrol, oil, and lubricants reasons for a lesser number of NAWAB MALIK | NCP ernment and tagged the matter of Maharashtra and referred to provided by the state to the former Haj applications this year. SPOKESPERSON along with the pending petitions on Article 361 of the Constitution chief ministers shall be computed Not even a single woman has ap- the issue. The counsel appearing for which provides protection to by the state government within plied under the category of 'with- the state government accepted President and Governors from in- four months from the date of receipt out mehram' (only women group). In its 2019 the notice. voking any such proceedings. of the copy of the order. Under the category, women can election October 26, the top court had The plea said the amount of mar- It had also said that the amount apply in the groups of three. The manifesto, the PTI PHOTO stayed contempt proceedings ini- ket rent has been arrived at with- Haj Committee of India has re- Congress had said it shall be intimated to the former would bring PRESS TRUST OF INDIA of clashes between workers of the tiated against Union minister out any rational and is highly ex- chief ministers, who shall within served 500 seats for such women. changes in the state's ruling Congress and the Ramesh Pokhriyal for alleged non- orbitant for residential premises six months from the date of such With nothing final on the num- APMC Act if voted to New Delhi/Chandigarh, Dec 8: BJP. In Delhi, where most main compliance of the Uttarakhand in Dehradun and have not been as- intimation, pay the said amount ber of pilgrims to be allowed by power and give farmers the Farmers took the national cen- markets were open, tension spi- High Court's last year order on pay- certained without affording an op- to the state government. The high Saudi Arabia, the quota of states freedom to sell their produce trestage Tuesday as their call for a ralled with the ruling Aam Aadmi ment of rent by former chief min- portunity to hear him. court had passed the order on a has not been decided as yet. No one outside these markets. Now, when ‘Bharat Bandh' to push for a repeal Party (AAP) alleging that Delhi isters of the state for occupying The petition challenging the high plea by a Dehradun-based NGO. knows how many pilgrims would Prime Minister Narendra Modi of the new agri laws disrupted life Police had put Chief Minister government accommodation. court order has been filed through The NGO had filed a plea in the be visiting Mecca and Medina brings in these reforms, why is the in myriad ways with shops closed, Arvind Kejriwal under house arrest. Koshyari, who sought stay of the advocates Ardhendhu Mauli Prasad high court alleging non-compli- from Uttar Pradesh next year. Congress opposing it? transport affected and protesters City police denied the claim high court order, contended in his and Pravesh Thakur. The ance of the order. However, the Secretary State

VIJAY RUPANI | GUJARAT CM squatting on roads and train tracks but the party stuck to its guns Haj Committee, Rahul Gupta, said: in several places, though many and said the move was a response "We want to send the maximum states remained largely unaffected. to Kejriwal meeting protesting number of pilgrims for Haj but As analysts, politicians and oth- farmers at the Singhu border. All WINTER WALK some things are not in our hands. SHORT TAKES ers assessed how effective the 'bandh' India Kisan Sabha general secre- We cannot comment on the quota had been, Swaraj India leader tary Hannan Mollah described of Uttar Pradesh because we are still Yogendra Yadav claimed it was ob- the shutdown as a show of strength awaiting directives about the num- Navy sailor served in around 10,000 places in 25 by the farmers. "We are standing bers." He admitted that Covid was states. Emergency services were by our demand that we want a having a major effect on Haj pil- found dead exempted and banks, too, continued complete repeal of the three laws grims and the number of boarding Panaji: A 33-year-old Navy operations as the pan-India shut- and will not accept any cosmetic points for Haj in Uttar Pradesh sailor was found dead at a down, backed by most opposition changes… If our demands are not has already been reduced. There will construction site in a parties and trade unions, rolled met, we are ready to take our ag- be no Haj flight from Varanasi this residential area near INS out noisily but peacefully with its itation to the next level," Mollah year. Boarding points for the pil- Hansa naval base in South impact felt in Punjab, Haryana and said. Opposition parties are ex- grimage all over the country have Goa, an official statement Delhi, the epicentre of the snow- pected to meet Kovind Wednesday been reduced from 21 to 10. said Tuesday. The deceased balling protests, as well as in states evening to raise their concerns has been identified as Rajesh such as Maharashtra and Bihar. about the three farm laws. All Kumar Kushwaha. "The body In several parts of the country, major parties in Punjab — the was found in the vicinity of a including in BJP-ruled Goa, ruling Congress, AAP and the 90% beds vacant building under construction Himachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and Shiromani Akali Dal -- extended in the naval residential area. Arunachal Pradesh, life continued their support. Over 50,000 gov- in Telangana’s Goa Police is investigating unimpeded. In other places, the ernment employees took mass ca- the matter with the pandemic appeared to recede into sual leave in support of farmers, assistance of naval Covid hospitals authorities," the the background. Security was said Punjab Civil Secretariat Staff statement added. stepped up, restive crowds demon- Association president Sukhchain INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE strated in some places and the num- Khaira. bers swelled at Delhi's border points. In neighbouring BJP-JJP ruled PTI PHOTO Hyderabad, Dec 8: More than 90 From the Rajasthan capital Haryana, the opposition Congress per cent beds in government-run 3 killed in UP Jaipur, where ‘mandis' were closed and the Indian National Lok Dal hospitals treating Covid-19 pa- Hardoi (UP): Three persons but shops open, there were reports backed the call. People walk on a snow-covered road after fresh snowfall near Atal Tunnel at Rohtang in Lahaul-Spiti district, Tuesday tients in Telangana remain va- were killed and five others cant as the number of infected sustained serious injuries people continued to decline, offi- when the car in which they NOVEL TECHNIQUE cials said. were travelling, rammed into Of the 8,561 beds available in 61 a stationary truck in BENGAL CID TO PROBE government hospitals treating Shahabad area in Hardoi Researchers develop method Covid-19 patients, 7,803 beds were district. The accident took vacant as on Tuesday. Only 758 place late on Monday night. to harvest water from air people were undergoing treatment All the passengers in the car in these hospitals. Similarly in were returning from Lucknow BJP WORKER’S DEATH PRESS TRUST OF INDIA Manna, Associate Professor at 220 private hospitals treating Covid- to Shahjahanpur after IIT Guwahati's Centre of 19 patients, only 1,304 beds were oc- attending a wedding. INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, Dec 8: Researchers Nanotechnology said. cupied. Of the 8,470 beds, 7,166 at Indian Institute of Technology "The concept of hydropho- were vacant. Kolkata, Dec 8: The Mamata (IIT), Guwahati have developed bicity can be understood by The state has 7,696 active Covid Man booked Banerjee-led West Bengal govern- novel materials that can efficiently looking at the lotus leaf. The cases and of them 5,634 were in ment Tuesday asked the state harvest water from humid air. lotus leaf is water repellent be- home or institutional quarantine. Thane: A case has been Criminal Investigation Department The research has also been cause there is a layer of trapped The state on Tuesday reported registered against a man (CID) to investigate the death of a published in the reputed inter- air between the leaf surface 682 new Covid cases during the from Bhiwandi in Thane district of Maharashtra for Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national journal of the Royal and the water droplet, which last 24 hours, taking the tally to allegedly preparing a fake worker in Siliguri. Society of Chemistry. causes the droplet to slide off the 2,74,540. Three more persons died birth certificate of his A statement issued by the state "With increas- leaf," Manna due to the virus, taking the death daughter for school police said: "There was a mala fide ing water scarcity added. toll to 1,477. admission, a civic official intention to create violence by the throughout the According to The fatality rate stands at 0.53 said Tuesday. The incident use of firearms. CID West Bengal world, there have the team, the re- per cent as against the national av- came to light when the has been asked to investigate." been attempts to searchers have erage of 1.5 per cent. According to accused, Nazir Hussain Ulen Roy, 50, a resident of collect and con- used the concept the Director of Public Health and Momin, submitted an Jalpaiguri's Gajoldoba area, died due serve water of chemically Family Welfare, 44.96 per cent of application with the to pellet injuries during a protest through non-tra- patterned SLIPS the deaths were due to Covid-19 Bhiwandi Nizampur march on Monday. The police said A statement issued by the state police Ulen Roy, 50, a resident of ditional means. for the first time, while the remaining 55.04 per cent Municipal Corporation the deceased received pellet in- said: “There was a mala fide intention Jalpaiguri's Gajoldoba Scientists have turned to nature to effectively harvest water from were due to comorbidities. (BNMC) seeking a birth juries from a shotgun fired from to create violence by the use of area, died due to pellet to design ways of water har- moist air. Telangana's Covid-19 recoveries certificate of his daughter. close range by a person standing firearms. CID West Bengal has been injuries during a protest vesting. "For example, in re- "We have produced a highly ef- continued to outnumber the daily near the deceased in the protest asked to investigate” march Monday gions of the world with natu- ficient water harvesting interface count of new infections as the re- programme. rally scanty rainfall, plants and where the fog collecting rate is covery rate jumped to 96.65 per Tigress kills boy "This is unprecedented. Bringing to arson, brick-batting, firing and person has been reported. The insects have devised ingenious really high. The researchers cent. As many as 761 people re- armed persons in protest pro- vandalism of government property, body is being sent for post-mortem. strategies to pull and collect have also compared the per- covered from the virus during the Shahdol (MP): A 12-year-old grammes and inciting them to fire said the police. It had issued a The actual cause of the death will water right out of the air. formance of their pitcher-plant last 24 hours. Greater Hyderabad boy was allegedly mauled to is unheard off," it said. statement saying that police be known only after the post- Mimicking this, scientists inspired materials to other bio-in- reported 119 new cases. Medchal death by a tigress at a village Earlier, the state police said on showed restraint and didn't do a mortem examination."Truth will worldwide are trying to build spired ideas and have found theirs Malkajgiri district has the sec- in Madhya Pradesh's Shahdol Monday evening that serious acts district, an official said lathi charge or used firearms. come out and strong action will be technologies that can pull out to be superior in terms of effi- ond highest number at 64, followed Tuesday. The big cat attacked of violence were committed by Only water cannons and tear gas taken against all those who planned water from thin air, both liter- ciency of water harvesting," by Rangareddy 47, Warangal Urban the victim who had stepped the supporters of a political party were used to disperse the violent and executed the heinous crime," ally and figuratively," Uttam Manna said. 41, Khammam 38, Nalgonda 31 outside to relieve himself in during their protest. They resorted crowd. However, the death of a police said. and Karimnagar 30. Bochro village, located next to the buffer zone of Sanjay Gandhi National Park, on Monday evening, Shahdol's chief conservator of forest P K Verma said. Human-leopard conflicts surge in Maharashtra

PRESS TRUST OF INDIA well as leopards indicates growing causes while others were killed by curb instances of conflicts between Cop injured incidents of conflicts between wild WORRYING TREND poachers. When contacted, Principal humans and leopards. Aurangabad, Dec 8: The number animals and humans. "A total of Chief Conservator of Forest Nitin "At this moment, the state has no Panaji: A police constable of people killed in attacks by leop- 27 people have been killed in at- Kakodkar said the population of plan ready for conservation of leop- attached to the Anti-Terrorist ards in Maharashtra more than tacks by leopards in various parts leopards in the state has gone up ex- ards but we have a plan for tigers. Squad (ATS) was injured in a tripled to 27 in the year 2020 com- of Maharashtra till December 3 ponentially. "We don't have the exact Herbivorous animals and water stunt grenade explosion pared to eight such incidents this year. figures as many leopards are found should be made available to leopards during a mock drill at Goa recorded in 2019, a senior Forest "At 12, Nashik district in north- in sugarcane fields and other areas in their habitats," he said. Tarte Medical College and Hospital department official has said. ern Maharashtra accounts for the which are under cultivation," Patil said leopards living outside for- y (GMCH) near here Tuesday, At the same time, the number of highest number of deaths of people he said. He said the Maharashtra est areas should also be included in an official said. ATS

deaths of leopards also rose com- in attacks by leopards, followed by State Board of Wildlife (MSBW) conservation efforts and their habi-

k y m commando Jaidev Sawant c was injured after a stunt pared to the last year, he said. A Marathwada region which reported has decided to form a group to study tat should be managed systemati- grenade went off at the total of 172 leopards have died in the seven deaths. Remaining deaths the causes and circumstances sur- cally."To save leopards from un- newly-constructed super state so far this year due to various were reported from other parts of PTI PHOTO rounding deaths of leopards and natural deaths, farmers should be speciality block of the GMCH reasons. This figure stood at 110 Maharashtra," the official said. people. MSBW member Yadav Tarte encouraged to cover wells in fields in the morning hours, a last year, the official said. When asked about the reasons for leopards, he said some of them some drowned in wells. He said Patil, who is based in Amravati, and other small water bodies," police spokesperson said. The rise in deaths of humans as the rise in the number of deaths of were killed in road accidents, while some leopards died due to natural has suggested various measures to he added. I had proposed SNOWFALL IN HIGHER P9 that illegal WEDNESDAY | DECEMBER 9 | 2020 | BHUBANESWAR (coal) factories be REACHES OF VALLEY legalised by the Centre and The famous ski-resort of Gulmarg the state jointly, so that and other higher reaches of people get employment. Kashmir received snowfall for the The Union government, second day Tuesday, while the

y however, did not respond plains were lashed by rains, the

national MAMATA BANERJEE | WEST BENGAL CM MET Office said

k y m c

of the day uote 30cr Indians to be vaccinated first HONEY ADULTERATION Congress workers and CSE rebuts Chinese AGENCIES so that other vaccination pro- office bearers are being arrested grammes do not get hamper," all over Uttar New Delhi, Dec 8: The govern- Bhushan informed. More than Pradesh today for ment has marked 30 crore Indians 154,000 healthcare workers had company’s claim supporting the for the large-scale immunisation been identified to help conduct the farmers. Farmers sitting in the of Covid-19 vaccine after it gets the vaccination drive and the country bitter cold are fighting to save MSP. necessary approval, the Union had enough cold chain capacity to PRESS TRUST OF INDIA Congress workers are with the Ministry of Health and Family innoculate the first 30 million peo- farmers till the end Welfare informed in a press brief- ple, Bhushan said. New Delhi, Dec 8: The Centre for ing Tuesday. 3 VACCINE CANDIDATES Science and Environment (CSE) PRIYANKA GANDHI VADRA | CONGRESS LEADER The ministry said that the na- UNDER CONSIDERATION: Three Tuesday rebutted the Chinese com- tional expert group on vaccine ad- Covid-19 vaccines candidates, de- pany Wuhu Deli Foods's statement For the sake of ministration has recommended 30 veloped by Bharat Biotech, Serum which denied having knowledge our land we crore Indians to receive the vac- Institute of India and Pfizer, are that their transaction had to do will fight on cine shots first. The figures include under active consideration of anything with adulterating honey and they will have to 1 crore healthcare workers, 2 crore India's drug regulator and there with sugar syrup. is not a food importer, it did not have deal with us frontline workers and 27 crore gen- is hope that early licensure is pos- In a statement, China-based requisite clearances to import food AKHILESH YADAV | eral population falling in priority sible for all or any of them, the Wuhu Deli has categorically de- products and had to cancel the FORMERUPCM groups set by the expert group. Union health ministry said nied that it knew the said syrups shipment from Wuhu Deli. If we "One crore healthcare FIGHT AGAINST Tuesday. being solicited by the CSE inves- manage to get possession of this Modi ji, stop providers and workers in the carrying preparatory ac- COVID-19 ment at about Over the last four days, the tigators were to bypass the tests shipment, we will be happy to get stealing from healthcare settings, both gov- tivities for the roll-out of 28,947 cold- Indian arm of US phar to prove the authenticity of honey its contents tested," the CSE said. farmers. All ernment and private, 2 crore per- Covid-19 vaccine in collaboration chain points across the country. maceutical giant Pfizer, Pune- in India. Its statement also mentions Wuhu Deli was one of the com- fellow citizens know sonnel from state and Central with all the states and Union "The current cold-chain system is based Serum Institute of India and that the company believed the trans- panies that were contacted by that today is Bharat police departments, armed Territories. capable of storing additional quan- Hyderabad-based pharmaceuti- action had only to do with syrup, investigators from CSE posing as Bandh. Make our forces, home guard and civil de- "The governments at the Centre tities of Covid-19 vaccine required cal firm Bharat Biotech have ap- and nothing to do with honey. a fictitious honey trading firm food growers' fence organisations, including and states and Uts have started for the first 3 crore healthcare work- plied to the Drugs Controller The CSE, in a statement, re- trying to find out if Chinese sugar struggle successful by fully disaster management volunteers preparing the line-listing of pri- ers and frontline workers," he added. General of India (DCGI) seeking butted the claim, and said it is a fact and rice syrup could be brought into supporting it and municipal workers, and 27 oritised population groups for Meanwhile, the ministry in- emergency use authorisation for that Wuhu Deli sent it a shipment India and mixed with Indian honey,

RAHUL GANDHI | CONGRESS LEADER crore persons above the age of vaccination, augmentation of formed that the country has around their potential Covid-19 vaccines. of samples that contained syrup and whether this syrup-spiked 50 years and people below 50 cold-chain infrastructure for stor- 2.39 lakh vaccinators consisting of At a press briefing, NITI Aayog with the intention of helping it to honey would pass the Indian years with associated comor- age of vaccine vials, and roping auxiliary nurses and midwives member (Health) V K Paul said bypass the honey testing protocols testing standards. SHORT TAKES bidities are recommended by the additional vaccinators for smooth (ANM) who already provide their the Covid-19 situation in India has in India. "It is a fact that Wuhu CSE said that its investigators national expert group on vac- execution of Covid-19 immuni- services for 13 kinds of vaccine stabilised with active cases show- Deli sent us a shipment of sam- wrote to Wuhu Deli seeking syrups cine administration to be vacci- sation," he added. drives under Universal ing a "clear-cut declining trend" ples that contained syrup with the that could bypass the honey spec- NIA arrests nated on priority," said Union Bhushan also informed that the Immunisation Programme (UIP). even though the pandemic situ- intention of helping us to bypass ifications as mandated by the Food Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan. present cold-chain system to store "However, we would use only 1.54 ation in many other countries the honey testing protocols in India. Safety and Standards Authority of arms trafficker Bhushan said that the Centre is the vaccines consists of 85,634 equip- lakh ANMs for Covid vaccination is becoming quite serious. It is unfortunate that because CSE India (FSAAI). New Delhi: The NIA has arrested an alleged arms trafficker from Bihar's Gaya PM Modi speaks district in connection with Army chief Naravane NO BUSINESS the theft of weapon parts from Jabalpur's Central to Qatar’s Amir Ordnance Depot, an official PRESS TRUST OF INDIA said Tuesday. Rajeev Ranjan leaves for UAE, Saudi Singh, a resident of Gaya, New Delhi, Dec 8: Prime Minister was arrested Monday, he Narendra Modi and Qatar's Amir said. The case pertains to Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al- the recovery of three AK Thani Tuesday vowed to boost bi- series weapons in Bihar's lateral cooperation in the fields Munger from the of investment flows and energy se- house of an accused, Rizwana Begum, the NIA curity, and decided to create a spe- spokesperson said. The NIA cial task-force to further facilitate has already arrested and investments by the Gulf country chargesheeted 13 accused into India. in the case. In a telephonic conversation, Modi conveyed his felicitations to the Qatar Amir for the forth- coming National Day of Qatar, 18 held for the Prime Minister's Office said in sex trade a statement. While thanking Prime Minister Noida (UP): Eighteen people, Modi for the greetings, the Amir including seven women, appreciated the enthusiasm with have been arrested for which the Indian community in alleged involvement in PRESS TRUST OF INDIA "During the visit, he will be meet- Qatar participates in the National illegal sex trade in Uttar Pradesh's Greater Noida, ing his counterparts and senior Day celebrations. police said Tuesday. The New Delhi, Dec 8: Chief of Army military leadership of these coun- "Had a very pleasant conver- racket was busted after the Staff Gen MM Naravane Tuesday tries. The visit is historic in the sation with my good friend local police raided a spa left on a six-day tour of the United sense that it will be the first time @TamimBinHamad. Conveyed centre located at the Jagat Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, an Indian Army Chief is visiting greetings for Qatar's forthcoming Farm market Monday in a first-ever visit by a head of the UAE and Kingdom of Saudi National Day. Qatar is a vital pil- evening, according to the Indian Army to the two strate- Arabia," it said. According to the lar of India's energy security and A street vendor carrying his rickshaw cart shop during a nationwide strike called by agitating farmers to press for officials. Deputy gically important Gulf countries. official schedule, the Army Chief a valued source of FDI. repeal of the Centre’s farm laws, in Mumbai UNI PHOTO Commissioner of The visit by the Army chief is will visit Saudi Arabia from Police, Greater Noida, seen as a reflection of India's grow- December 13 to 14. Rajesh Kumar Singh said the ing strategic ties with the two coun- The Army chief is also scheduled raid was conducted by tries and is expected to further to visit Saudi Arabia's National Delhi air officials from the local Beta open up new avenues for coopera- Defence University and address CROCODILE ENTERS UP VILLAGE, CAUSES PANIC 2 police station. tion in the defence and security the students and faculty at the in- quality turning sphere. stitution. Gen Naravane's visit to INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE a safe distance from the agitated Gen Naravane's visit comes in the the Gulf region comes days after reptile, a team of forest officers and ‘severe’ again TMC worker midst of fast-paced developments External Affairs Minister S Agra, Dec 8: A five-foot-long croc- Wildlife SOS rescuers who were in the Gulf region including nor- Jaishankar's trips to Bahrain and odile, which wandered into a vil- geared with the necessary equip- INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE shot dead malisation of Israel's relations the UAE. lage in Uttar Pradesh's Hathras, ment, safely carried out the rescue Kalyani (WB): Unidentified with several Arab countries as well In the last few years, India's was rescued in a late-night oper- operation. The crocodile was New Delhi, Dec 8: Despite neg- gunmen shot dead a as situation arising out of the as- ties with Saudi Arabia and the ation by Wildlife SOS and the deemed fit and later released in ligible stubble burning, there Trinamool Congress worker sassination of Iran's top nuclear UAE have witnessed a major up- Forest Department, and released Hazara Canal located in Etah. seems to be no respite from the pol- at Gayeshpur in Nadia weapons scientist Mohsen swing. In a significant move, India into a nearby water body, officials Kartick Satyanarayan of Wildlife lution in the national capital as the district, police said Fakhrizadeh. and Saudi Arabia last year de- said Tuesday. SOS said: "When dealing with big, air quality index inched closer to Tuesday. Bappa Sarkar was The Army chief's first destination cided to establish a strategic part- The crocodile was spotted rest- powerful animals like crocodiles, the "severe" category Tuesday af- fired upon in a field at will be the United Arab Emirates nership council to further ramp ing in a bajra field near the Nagla our rescuers have to exercise ex- ternoon. Sukanta Nagar locality of where he will meet senior mili- up their cooperation in strategi- Tara Singh village by farmers operation. A three-member team treme caution to avoid any The city's air quality index stood Gayeshpur Monday night. tary officials and discuss avenues cally key areas. It is learnt that Monday evening, stirring panic from the NGO drove nearly 100 mishaps. It is essential that we re- at 392 micrograms per cubic meter, Local people took him to a for enhancing bilateral defence co- Saudi Arabia is keen to collabo- amongst the local residents. The km to reach the location in main sensitive to the presence of which is in the "very poor" category. hospital where he was operation. "General MM Naravane, rate with India on joint produc- Forest Department was immedi- Sikandrarao area of Hathras. In wild animals and learn to co-exist. According to the Central Pollution declared "brought dead", a the Chief of Army Staff has pro- tion of defence equipment. ately alerted about the incident the meantime, a crowd had gath- We are happy to assist the Forest Control Board (CPCB), 18 out of 36 police officer said. It was ceeded on a visit to the United Arab Last month, the Army Chief and contacted the Wildlife SOS ered around the field to catch a Department and the state gov- pollution monitoring station in not clear why the 40-year- Emirates and the Kingdom of Saudi travelled to Nepal on a three-day team asking for their expert as- glimpse of the crocodile. After en- ernment in mitigating man-animal Delhi showed severe air quality old man, who owns a tea stall, had gone to the field. Arabia from December 9 to 14," the visit that had significant diplo- sistance in carrying out the rescue suring that the onlookers were at conflict situations." index reading. Jahangirpuri has Army said in a statement. matic overtone. the most noxious air at 439. The Ministry of Earth Sciences has advised sensitive groups to avoid all physical activity outdoor and move activities indoors. If Vijayashanti’s homecoming a shot in the arm for BJP asthmatic, then keep relief med- icine handy, it emphasised. The INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE joined the BJP a day after meeting who may be unhappy with the party constituency in 2009. System of Air Quality and Weather Union Home Minister Amit Shah, leadership. There was some drama on the Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), Hyderabad, Dec 8: With veteran said only the BJP can provide an al- Popular as 'Lady Amitabh' for eve of the 2009 elections. Vijayashanti a central government agency, said actress and former MP M. ternative to the TRS. She exuded con- her action roles in Telugu films, had threatened to quit TRS after that dominating factors influenc- Vijayashanti's return to the fidence that the BJP will come to Vijayashanti had joined the BJP in she was named party candidate ing air quality are making a swift Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after power in the state in 2023. 1997 and served as general secretary from Mahabunagar. TRS chief K. transformation from biomass to in- 15 years, the party has received a shot Vijayashanti, who was heading of the party's women's wing. Riding Chandrasekhar Rao, who wanted to tense winter cooled stagnation in the arm in Telangana. campaign committee of Congress, on her popularity, BJP had named contest from Medak, conceded her conditions, lowering of boundary Vijayashanti quit the Congress to said she was ready for any role that her as the party candidate for demand at the last minute. In August layer height and fog formation. formally join the BJP and the move may be assigned to her by the BJP Kadapa Lok Sabha seat after re- 2013, a few months before the for- "Surface winds are likely to be came at a time when the saffron leadership. She recalled that she ports that Congress leader Sonia mation of Telangana state, TRS picking up slightly and the AQI is party is upbeat over its impressive began her political journey in 1998 Gandhi will be contesting from suspended Vijayashanti for anti- forecast to be in the very poor cat- performance in the elections to the by joining BJP. She said for some rea- there. She withdrew from the race party activities. egory for the next two days. AQI y Greater Hyderabad Municipal sons she left the party in 2005. after Sonia Gandhi filed her nom- The TRS politburo cracked the is likely to improve and stay in

Corporation (GHMC). Political analysts say BJP may use ination from Bellary. Vijayashanti whip as she was planning to switch the middle-end of the very poor cat-

k y m c Increasing its strength in the 150- the actor for an aggressive cam- quit the BJP in 2005 to float a sep- loyalties to the Congress for de- egory on 11th December," the fore- member municipal body to 48 from heels of BJP's victory in the by- party in Telangana. The develop- paign against TRS ahead of 2023 arate outfit, Talli Telangana, to ciding to grant statehood to casting agency stated. The con- a mere four, it emerged as the main elections to the Dubbak Assembly ment may help the party to attract polls. The BJP may also try to woo fight for separate statehood for Telangana. She had stayed away tribution of stubble burning to opposition to the ruling Telangana seat. some key leaders not only from the senior leaders of Congress party who Telangana. She later merged Talli from TRS activities for few months the pollution crisis is also negli- Rashtra Samithi (TRS). Now Vijayashanti's return is Congress, but also from the TRS. are losing hopes of revival of party's Telangana with TRS and was elected because of differences with gible at one per cent, according to This surge came close on the likely to give further boost to the The actor-turned-politician, who fortunes and also the TRS leaders to the Lok Sabha from the Medak Chandrasekhar Rao. the SAFAR. P10 AUSTRALIA TO MAKE FACEBOOK, WEDNESDAY | DECEMBER 9 | 2020 | BHUBANESWAR GOOGLE PAY FOR CONTENT It testified to the fact that CPEC’s contribution to Australia finalised plans Tuesday to make strengthen Pakistan’s Facebook Inc and Google pay its media economic landscape has outlets for news content, a world-first been real and substantial move aimed at protecting independent journalism that has been strongly international SOHAIL MAHMOOD | PAKISTANI

FOREIGN SECRETARY opposed by the Internet giants

k y m c of the day uote Taller than before, Mt Everest stands at 8,848.86 metres China and PRESS TRUST OF INDIA world's highest peak, is 8,848.86 me- urement, the height of Mount border dispute in 1961 with the India have tres, China and Nepal jointly an- Everest is 8844.43 metres which boundary line passing through the been in Kathmandu/Beijing, Dec 8: Nepal nounced on Tuesday, China's state- were four metres less than Nepal’s communication summit of Mount Everest. through diplomatic and China Tuesday jointly an- run Xinhua news agency said in a calculations. Mount Everest is located in the and military nounced that the revised height of brief report. Earlier, the media reports said collision and compression zone be- channels on the the world’s highest peak Mount Nepal recalculates the height of Chinese surveyors have conducted tween the edges of the Indian plate border issue and we are working for Everest was 8,848.86 metres, about Mount Everest at 8848.86 metres, six rounds of scaled measurement and the Eurasian plate, where crustal further de-escalation of the border 86 cms more than the previous the country's Foreign Minister and scientific research on Mount movement is very active. situation measurement done by India in 1954. Pradeep Gyawali announced in Everest and released the height of “Accurately measuring the height The Nepal government decided Kathmandu. The new height is 86 the peak twice in 1975 and 2005, of Mount Qomolangma is helpful HUA CHUNYING | CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY to measure the exact height of the cms more than the previous meas- which were 8,848.13 metres and to the study of the elevation changes SPOKESPERSON mountain amid debates that there urement. According to the meas- 8,844.43 metres respectively. of the Himalayas and Qinghai-Tibet might have been a change in it due urement done in 1954 by Survey of In Tibetan language, Mount Plateau,” Gao Dengyi, an atmos- to various reasons, including the dev- India, the height of Mount Everest Everest is known as Mount pheric physicist with the Chinese New York astating earthquake of 2015. is 8,848 metres. Qomolangma. Academy of Sciences told the state has been The new height of Mt Everest, the According to China's past meas- China and Nepal settled their Chinese state media earlier. well-prepared against the Covid-19 pandemic and is expected to carry out its plan in a US lawmakers back smooth way in is ongoing battle WHO against mandatory Covid vaccination with the health crisis ANTHONY FAUCI | TOPUSINFECTIOUS Indian farmers’ protest DISEASE EXPERT The WHO said it would be down to individual countries as to how they want to conduct

their vaccination campaigns against the coronavirus pandemic PRESS TRUST OF INDIA The situation AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE vaccines as they become available. Washington, Dec 8: Several US law- is more The organisation’s emergencies makers and eminent members of complicated than the last wave Geneva, Dec 8: The World Health director Michael Ryan said people the Sikh community in America as infections Organization said Monday that per- needed to ask themselves what they have voiced their support for farm- scattered across suading people on the merits of a were willing to do in order to pro- ers agitating in India against the Hong Kong and a Covid-19 vaccine would be far bet- tect themselves and those around new farm laws and urged that they number of clusters were involved ter than trying to make the jabs them. “The vaccine story is a good be allowed to protest peacefully. lowed to protest peacefully against mandatory. news story. It is the victory of human Thousands of farmers have been their government without fear of CARRIE LAM | HONG KONG CHIEF EXECUTIVE The WHO said it would be down endeavour, potentially, over a mi- protesting on various borders of violence,” said the Republican law- to individual countries as to how crobial adversary,” he said. Delhi since November 26, seeking maker who represents Californian's they want to conduct their vacci- “We need to convince people and repealing of three farm laws enacted first Congressional district. SHORT TAKES nation campaigns against the coro- we need to persuade.” in September. Dubbing these laws India has called the remarks by navirus pandemic. As for making vaccines manda- as “anti-farmer”, these farmers foreign leaders and politicians on But the UN health agency in- tory, he said: “I think all of us who claim that the newly enacted leg- protests by farmers as “ill-informed” Romanian PM sisted making it mandatory to get work in public health would rather islations would pave the way for the and “unwarranted” as the matter immunised against the disease avoid that as a means for getting peo- dismantling of the minimum sup- pertained to the internal affairs resigns would be the wrong road to take. ple vaccinated”. port price system, leaving them at of a democratic country. Bucharest: Romanian Prime “I don't think that mandates are “We are much better served to the “mercy” of big corporations. “India is the world’s largest Minister Ludovic Orban has the direction to go in here, espe- vaccination without those kinds highly recommended, such as res- present people with the data and the “I stand in solidarity with the democracy - they owe it to their cit- announced his resignation cially for these vaccines,” Kate of requirements”. piratory technicians and intensive benefits and let people make up Punjabi farmers in India protesting izens to allow peaceful protest. I en- after his ruling National O'Brien, director of the WHO's im- “I don’t think we envision any care medics in hospitals, for the their own minds. “There are certain for their livelihoods and protection courage these folks and PM Liberal Party (PNL) leads munisation department, told a vir- countries creating a mandate for vac- safety of both the staff and the pa- circumstances... where I would be- from misguided, manipulative gov- (Narendra) Modi to have peace- failed to secure majority of tual news conference. cination.”O'Brien said there may be tients. But WHO experts admitted lieve that the only responsible thing ernment regulations,” Congressman ful, productive discussions,” the votes in the recently- “It is a much better position to ac- certain professions in which being there was a battle to be fought to con- would be to be vaccinated,” Doug LaMalfa said Monday. Democratic Congressman Josh held parliamentary tually encourage and facilitate the vaccinated might be required or vince the general public to take the he added. “Punjabi farmers must be al- Harder said. elections. President Klaus Iohannis accepted Orban’s resignation late Monday night and appointed Defence Rtd General Lloyd GLITTERING SKY Minister Nicolae Ciuca as Essential workers win TIME’s interim Prime Minister, Austin to be first reports Xinhua news agency. 2020 ‘Person of the Year’ poll Orban’s resignation is Black Pentagon chief generally seen as clearing the way for his party to lighted several other figures negotiate a future ruling AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE and groups who stood out dur- alliance with other political ing an unprecedented and gru- parties. Washington, Dec 8: Lloyd Austin, elling year. who led US troops into Baghdad Director of the US National in 2003 and rose to head the US Institute of Allergy and Central Command, has been cho- Infectious Diseases Anthony US OKs Taiwan sen by President-elect Joe Biden Fauci, who “emerged as a arms sale to be the first African-American PHOTO: TIME magazine trusted figure amid Covid-19 Secretary of Defense. misinformation”, came in at Washington: The Trump A veteran of conflicts in Iraq and PRESS TRUST OF INDIA second spot with 5 per cent of administration has approved Afghanistan, the retired four-star the votes. a new major arms sale to army General, 67, beat out the fa- New York, Dec 8: Essential “Fauci has been on the re- Taiwan. The move is sure to vorite for the job, former Under- workers – the nurses, doctors, ceiving end of President draw a firm rebuke from China, which regards Taiwan Secretary of Defense Michele delivery people, grocery-store (Donald) Trump’s public wrath as a renegade province. The Flournoy, amid pressure on Biden employees and others who as he raised the alarm about the State Department Monday to nominate more minorities for risked their lives on the front- US’ failure to contain the virus, said it had approved a $280 positions in his Cabinet. CNN, lines during the Covid-19 pan- and continues to be one of the Children look at lights from inside their family car as they visit Luminna Fest, a drive-through Christmas light festival million sale to Taiwan of Politico and the New York Times demic this year to provide crit- most authoritative voices in in Sao Paulo, Brazil REUTERS PHOTO advanced military cited unnamed sources familiar ical services to the people – the country on combating communications equipment. with the decision, after Biden said have won TIME’s 2020 Person Covid-19,” TIME said. The department said it had earlier Monday that he had made of the Year Reader Poll. Coming in at third place were approved the communica- his choice and would announce it TIME said “these heroes” firefighters with 4.3 per cent of the UK PM rushes to Brussels to save post-Brexit deal talks tions sale to “help improve Friday. Austin would require won with 6.5 per cent of the votes. “Having repeatedly risked the security of the recipient Senate confirmation to take more than 8 million votes cast their lives to battle historic wild- PRESS TRUST OF INDIA bloc January 1, 2021, with the erwise, we are willing to try any- and assist in maintaining up the post. in this year’s poll that had asked fires all over the world this year, prospect of tariffs on goods as both thing. But there are just limits be- political stability, military readers to select the person or from Australia to the Western London, Dec 8: British Prime sides trade on World Trade yond which no sensible, independent balance, economic and group of people who had the United States,” TIME said. Minister Boris Johnson will fly to Organisation (WTO) terms. government or country could go progress in the region." greatest influence on 2020. The Black Lives Matter ac- Brussels this week for crunch talks “I’m always hopeful, but I've got and people have got to understand “Essential workers beat out tivists who “led and inspired to try and break the deadlock with to be honest, the situation at the mo- that,” he said. some 80 other candidates, in- global demonstrations against the European Union (EU) over a ment is very tricky,” Johnson told Johnson and European Journalist killed cluding famed figures like (US) systemic racism and police post-Brexit trade agreement ahead the BBC. But he added that he re- Commission President Ursula President Donald Trump, brutality” after the killing of of the December 31 deadline. mained optimistic and hopes for von der Leyen issued a joint in Pakistan Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg several African Americans, in- The clock is ticking for the end “the power of sweet reason”. statement Monday night after Peshawar: A local journalist and Pope Francis, for the read- cluding George Floyd and of the Brexit transition period and “We will see where we get to in their respective Chief was killed by two unknown ers’ top pick,” TIME said. Breonna Taylor, followed in unless the UK and EU are able to the course of the next two days, Negotiators, Michel Barnier and gunmen at his home in It added that this year’s next in the reader poll with 4 per thrash out and ratify a deal by the but I think the UK government’s po- Lord David Frost, failed to over- northwest Pakistan, police reader poll results also high- cent of the votes. end of this month, Britain will sition is that we are willing to en- come the final hurdles in three said. The assailants, riding a have left the 27-member economic gage at any level, political or oth- key areas of divergence. bike, barged into the house of He spent four decades in the Qais Javed in Madina Colony army, graduating from the West in Dera Ismail Khan district of Point Military Academy and fol- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa lowing a career with a wide range province. The attackers of assignments, from leading pla- escaped after the incident, Does Trump have power to pardon himself? toons to running logistics groups police said. Javed was shot in and overseeing recruiting, to sen- his belly and succumbed ior Pentagon jobs. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP HAS DECLARED THAT HE HAS “ABSOLUTE POWER” TO ISSUE A PARDON TO HIMSELF while on way to hospital. He was associated with a private In March 2003 he was the as- TV Channel for ten years as a sistant division commander of ASSOCIATED PRESS come up under a legal provision. Constitution’s text – affording the no one – in this case, a president is- then issue a pardon. The president cameraman and was running the 3rd Infantry Division when it This is why we have the courts," president “power to grant reprieves suing himself a pardon – may serve could then either resign or resume his own web channel. marched from Kuwait into Washington, Dec 8: President said University of Baltimore law pro- and pardons for offences against as a judge in his own case. his duties, the opinion said. Baghdad in the US invasion of Donald Trump has declared that fessor Kimberly Wehle. the United States, except in cases of That was the reasoning cited The question Iraq. From late 2003 to 2005, he he has “absolute power” to issue a Talk of a potential pardon comes impeachment” – can be read to sug- in a 1974 opinion from the Justice of whether was in Afghanistan commanding pardon to himself. Yet the law is with Trump facing a swirl of in- gest that the Founding Fathers en- Department's Office of Legal Trump will Kuwait’s Emir the Combined Joint Task Force much murkier than his confidence vestigations as he prepares to visioned some sort of limitations Counsel, dated days before do it, appoints new PM 180, the principle US-led opera- suggests. leave office, including New York on a president's pardon power. It President Richard Nixon's res- though, is as tion seeking to stabilize the secu- No President has attempted to State inquiries into whether he could also mean the power is to be ignation, that said “it would unsettled as Kuwait City: Kuwait’s Emir rity situation in the country. pardon himself while in office, so misled tax authorities, banks or used on someone else, not yourself. seem” a president could not par- the question Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al- In 2010 he was made com- if Trump tries to do so in the next business partners. “You could say, implicit in the def- don himself. of whether Jaber Al-Sabah Tuesday manding general of US forces in six weeks, he will be venturing into In favour of a self-pardon is the inition of a pardon or implicit in the But that same opinion does sug- he can. appointed Sheikh Sabah Iraq, and two years later became legally untested territory without broad power the Constitution af- notion of granting a pardon –be- gest a potential workaround, en- Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah the commander of the Central clear guidance from the Constitution fords a President when it comes to cause the Constitution uses the visioning as legally acceptable a as the Kingdom’s new or from judges. Prime Minister, state Command, in charge of all absolving federal crimes – both word ‘grant’ – is that it’s two sepa- scenario in which a presi-

Pentagon operations in the Middle Legal experts are divided on an charged and not-yet charged – and rate people,” said Brian Kalt, a con- dent declares himself

k y m media reported. The emir c also assigned him to form East and Afghanistan. inherently ambiguous question the absence of any law or language stitutional law professor at Michigan temporarily unfit for a government and provide Austin retired from the mili- that was left vague by the Founding that explicitly prohibits such an State University. “You can’t grant office under the a list of names for tary in 2016, and joined the board Fathers and has never had to be act. But some scholars say a self-par- something to yourself. You can’t Constitution’s 25th approval; Xinhua news of directors of Raytheon definitively resolved in court. don collides with other provisions pardon yourself.” Amendment and trans- agency quoted the state Technologies, one of the Pentagon's “It's impossible to anticipate of the Constitution or even funda- It would also seem to run afoul fers power to the vice media report as saying. largest contractors. every factual scenario that could mental principles of law. The of the fundamental principle that president, who could Mobile technology has TRADE UNAFFECTED BY ‘BANDH’ P11 helped provide WEDNESDAY | DECEMBER 9 | 2020 | BHUBANESWAR benefits worth billions India-Bangladesh trade along the of dollars to millions. It is also northeastern states Tuesday with the help of mobile remained unaffected by the ‘Bharat technology that we will embark Bandh called by the farmers’ unions on one of the world’s largest over the contentious farm laws business Covid-19 vaccination drive enacted by the Central government,

NARENDRA MODI | PRIME MINISTER

k y m officials said c of the day uote Kotak Mahindra to Festive season sequentially lifts Nov auto retail sales give ‘fitness This facility (lubricant The festive period saw good traction in the current pandemic hit world as overall degrowth of (-) 4.74% was much less than expected allowance’ to staff blending) AGENCIES overall degrowth of (-) 4.74% was provides a strategic sales decreased by (-) 31.22% to opportunity for Gulf much less than expected. 50,113 units from 72,863 units sold to invest further in New Delhi, Dec 8: The festive sea- "While registrations during during the corresponding month the marine segment son boosted India’s automobile re- Navratri were tepid, people came out of last year. Likewise, two-wheeler and grow its market share in tail sales by 29.32% in November on in good numbers to purchase their sales de-grew by 21.40% to 14,13,378 marine lubricants and other a sequential basis, industry data dream vehicles during the Dhanteras- units from 17,98,201 units sold dur- services. It will also provide a showed Tuesday. However, sales re- Diwali period," Gulati said. ing November 2019. regional hub to accelerate our mained in the red on a year-on-year "Tractor segment continued to gal- In its near outlook, FADA said: business development plans in SE (y-o-y) basis. The Federation of lop ahead. The fear of pandemic "With festive season now over, heavy PRESS TRUST OF INDIA Asia within the automotive sector Automobile Dealers Associations leading to safer means of travel for rains in certain parts of the coun-

SANJAY HINDUJA | CHAIRMAN OF GULF OIL (FADA) data showed that vehicle the entire family saw good sales in try leading to crop damage and Mumbai, Dec 8: Private sector LUBRICANTS INDIA registration in November rose to passenger vehicles as it grew in pent-up demand almost negligible, lender Kotak Mahindra Bank 18,27,990 units from 14,13,549 units double digits at 13.6%." On a yearly demand revival now solely depends Tuesday said it will be giving a 'fit- sold in October. comparison, passenger vehicles re- on exciting year end schemes. If ness allowance' to its employees for From a Nevertheless, on a y-o-y basis, tail sales rose by 4.17% to 2,91,001 the supply chain issues in PV seg- their health and wellness. The national November retail sales declined by units from 2,79,365 units off-take ment is controlled, we may see con- employees will have to share their perspective, 19.29% to 18,27,990 units from unlocking began as November con- continues with a degrowth of (-) during the like month of last year. tinued growth in December." health and fitness goals with the what is important is 22,64,947 units off-take during the like tinues to see positive momentum by 19.29%." Similarly, tractor sales grew by "FADA once again cautions 2W bank to get the monthly fitness that India today has month of last year. growing 29.32% on M-o-M basis," According to Gulati, the 42-days 8.47% to 49,313 units from 45,462 OEMs and dealers to keep a check allowance, it said in a statement. embarked on a "Automobile industry has seen FADA President Vinkesh Gulati said. festive period saw good traction in units sold during November 2019. on vehicle inventory as post festi- The bank has also classified journey where it is one of the best recovery rates since "On Y-o-Y basis, the negative slide the current pandemic hit world as In contrast, commercial vehicle vals, demand may remain subdued." employees' roles as full-time or creating its own technologies in 5G partially remote working ones, and who knows by the time 6G and will be giving a 'remote work- comes, we could be a significant player in the technology arena for ing allowance' as per their role's communications classification, it said. Fitch revises India’s GDP Many employees, especially AJAY KUMAR | DEFENCE SECRETARY GOVT AIMS TO RAISE MSMEs’ those not working in branches, have been working from home ei- The onus of forecast to -9.4% for FY21 ther full time or partially since making the the onset of the pandemic in March country self- CONTRIBUTION TO GDP TO 50% AGENCIES this year. reliant in While working from home in manufacturing lies PRESS TRUST OF INDIA New Delhi, Dec 8: Fitch Ratings what are sedentary jobs, the em- with the industry Tuesday raised India’s GDP forecast ployees have to depend on dedicated and not with the Hyderabad, Dec 8: Describing to -9.4% in the current fiscal year equipment for connectivity and government which can at best act Micro, Small and Medium to March 2021 from a previously pro- also take care of their health. as a facilitator Enterprises (MSME) is backbone of jected contraction of 10.5% after the The bank said the two al- PAWAN GOENKA | MD AND CEO, MAHINDRA Indian economy, Union Minister economy staged a sharper rebound lowances have been introduced & MAHINDRA of Road Transport Nitin Gadkari in the second quarter. "The rebound in activity was es- to give a boost to employees' health Tuesday said the government’s aim In its Global Economic Outlook, pecially sharp in the manufactur- and wellness in the new normal is to increase the sector's contri- Fitch said the coronavirus recession ing sector: output reached its pre- and will be applicable from SHORT TAKES bution to the GDP to 50% from the has inflicted severe economic scar- pandemic level in 3Q20 December 1 onward. existing 30%. ring and the country needs to re- (July-September), and the manu- Speaking at the inaugural session pair balance sheets and increase facturing PMI hints at further ‘NBFCs’ loan of the three-day TiE Global Summit caution about long-term planning. gains," it said adding that manu- TVS Srichakra to invest collections improves (TGS)being held virtually, Gadkari “We now expect GDP to contract facturing is buoyed by strong de- said the MSME sector currently backbone of the country,” he said. Requesting industrialists to in- 9.4% in the fiscal year to end March mand for autos and pharmaceuti- `1K cr to ramp up Mumbai: Non-bank lenders constitutes 48% of total exports "Now we have decided to make vest in India, the union minister said 2021 (FY21) (+1.1 percentage point), cal products, in particular. have witnessed a good rise in from India and the government this 30% contribution to GDP to that the country currently has an followed by +11 per cent growth The rebound in the services sec- production capacity loan collection efficiencies in aims to take it to 60% in future. 40% and 48% of the exports con- excellent network of roads, abun- (unchanged) and +6.3% growth tor was more muted amid contin- the September quarter after dantly available power and water (+0.3pp) in the following years,” ued social distancing, with con- the reverses in the first three A total of 30% of the GDP in and reformed labour and other ad- the rating agency said. tainment measures scaled back months of the fiscal, a ratings economy is contributed by the ministrative laws. The projections compare to a only gradually. agency said Tuesday. The MSMEs. Out of our total He said his ministry was planning GDP growth of 4.2% in 2019-20 "The outlook is brighter owing build-up in provisions will help exports, 48% is also from MSMEs. At the to take up 22 new green highway (April 2019 to March 2020) fiscal to an expected rollout of various vac- non-banking finance same time, up till now MSMEs have road projects across the country. and 6.7% annual expansion be- cines in 2021. India has pre-ordered companies (NBFCs) against created 11 crore jobs. And that is one of incremental uncertainties, Icra According to him, though there tween 2015 and 2019. 1.6 billion doses including 500 mil- said in a report, adding that the reasons why MSME is the backbone is an impact of COVID- 19 globally, In September, Fitch had sharply lion doses of the such bodies are carrying about of the country the Indian industry may get some lowered its forecast for India’s Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine. 50% higher provisions at 3.1% NITIN GADKARI I UNION MINISTER opportunities out of it. gross domestic product (GDP) to Distribution should allow a faster- of the AUM as against 2% in Lauding the achievements of a contraction of 10.5% in current than-expected easing of social-dis- the year-ago period. the Indian automobile industry, fiscal 2020-21 (FY21) versus its tancing restrictions and boost sen- “MSME is the backbone of Indian tribution to 60%. And we want to Gadkari said the sector witnesses previous estimate of 5% con- timent," it said. economy. A total 30% of the GDP in create five crore jobs, he added. `4.5 lakh crore turnover annually traction. However, it seems likely that AGENCIES Indian economy is contributed by Gadkari said currently village in- and the country can become a Fitch, Tuesday, said the Indian the vaccine rollout over the next ‘Eyeing 25% the MSME. Out of our total ex- dustries such as handlooms, hand- global hub for automobile manu- economy staged a sharper rebound 12 months will not reach the ma- New Delhi, Dec 8: Tyre maker TVS growth in 2021’ ports, 48% is also from MSME. At icrafts, Khadi Gram Udyog are gen- facturing. He said currently re- in the July-September quarter from jority of the people given the huge Srichakra Ltd Tuesday announced the same time up till now MSME cre- erating `80 thousand crore revenues search is going on to use hydro- the coronavirus-induced recession. logistical and distribution chal- a `1,000 crore investment over a pe- Mumbai: Marsh India ated 11 crore jobs. And that is one which needs to be taken up to `five gen fuel cells as an alternative GDP fell 7.5% year-on-year, up from lenges in a heavily populated coun- riod of three years to ramp up its Insurance Brokers is hopeful of the reasons why MSME is the lakh crore in the next few years. source of energy for automobiles. -23.9% in the April-June quarter. try like India, Fitch said. manufacturing capacity. of growing over 25% in 2021 The capital expenditure of `1,000 to clock `7,500 crore premium crore will be used to ramp up man- sales on the back of recent acquisition of rival firm JLT ufacturing at its Madurai and Insurance Brokers, a top FB adds carts to WhatsApp Pantnagar plants, the company company official has said. The As infections rise, ECB to said in a statement local arm of the New York- to make shopping easier "This investment is planned to based brokerage, which is the be made over a three-year period. world's largest, has sold over AGENCIES shopping happening through chats, The investment, when fully made, 3 million health policies alone we want to make buying and sell- unleash another stimulus will result in an increase in two and in the country in 17 years. New Delhi, Dec 8: WhatsApp Tuesday ing even easier," WhatsApp said three-wheeler tyre capacity by 25- Marsh India, which entered said it is adding 'carts' feature to make in a blog post on Tuesday. AGENCIES Frederik Ducrozet and Nadia 30% and doubling of off-highway the country in 2003, is the it easier for businesses to conduct WhatsApp said the 'Catalogs' Gharbi at Pictet Wealth tyre capacity from current lev- largest insurance brokerage transactions through the platform. Last feature has allowed buyers to Frankfurt, Dec 8: The European Management. els," it added. TVS Srichakra has with 5,800 corporate clients. month, the Facebook-owned quickly see what's avail- Central Bank (ECB) is expected to Bond purchases drive down bor- manufacturing facilities at company had started rolling able while helping busi- prepare for another blast of stim- rowing costs in the bond market, Madurai in Tamil Nadu and out a shopping button on nesses organise their ulus Thursday to help businesses where governments get their fi- Pantnagar in Uttarakhand with a JSW Steel output its app to make it easier for chats around particular bridge the gap until the economy nancing, and thus takes some of production capacity of over 3 mil- people to discover a busi- items. recovers from the pandemic - and the financial pressure off govern- lion tyres a month. grows 3% in Nov ness' catalog to get infor- "Starting today, we're to support governments that are ments that otherwise might restrict VS Srichakra Limited Director New Delhi: JSW Steel Tuesday mation about the goods and services excited to bring carts to WhatsApp. ramping up spending to cushion the risk of a new eurozone debt crisis. their spending at the worst possible S Ravichandran, said, “With a reported a 3% growth in its offered by the firm. Carts are great when messaging blow as the winter wave of the If the pandemic purchases are ex- time. Analysts Chiara Cremonesi and wide distribution network in India, crude steel production to 13.32 "WhatsApp is fast becoming a businesses that typically sell mul- virus worsens. panded as expected, and combined Francesco Maria Di Bella at growing international presence lakh tonnes (LT) for November store counter to discuss products tiple items at once, like a local The bank could add a half-trillion with a previous bond purchase pro- UniCredit bank say that the ECB will and building state-of-the-art ca- 2020. The company’s output and coordinate sales. Catalogs have restaurant or clothing store...This euros or more to its existing bond gram amounting to 20 billion euros remain “extremely active” in the pabilities in R&D and product de- stood at 12.90 LT in the allowed people to quickly see what's will make it simpler for businesses purchases. That means the central ($24 billion) per month, the ECB bond market: “Indeed, we expect velopment, we are further strength- corresponding month last available and helped businesses to keep track of order inquiries, bank will vacuum up much of the “will continue to absorb a very the ECB to purchase an amount ening our manufacturing year, the steelmaker said in a organise their chats around par- manage requests from customers new debt being issued by hard- large part of gross debt issuance similar to the entire new net is- capabilities to cater to the growing statement. During the month ticular items. With more and more and close sales," the blog said. pressed governments, lowering the from euro area states,” wrote suance in 2021.” demands in India and abroad." under review, there was a 6% growth in the production of flat-rolled products at 9.61 LT compared to 9.09 LT in November 2019. Ambani hints at 5G rollout in second half of 2021

ADB approves AGENCIES Jio and other service providers such as Bharti Airtel and Vodafone $500mn loan New Delhi, Dec 8: Billionaire I Idea offer 4G services. The ‘India to be 5G ready in next 3 yrs’ Mukesh Ambani Tuesday hinted can say with country however also has a New Delhi: Multilateral lending at rolling out 5G telecom services utmost confidence 2G network that supports NEW DELHI: Bharti Enterprises years, prices of the equipment agency Asian Development in the second half of 2021 and said that 5G will enable India only voice calling and text Chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal will come down and the devices Bank (ADB) Tuesday said it has policy steps are needed to acceler- to not only participate in messaging. Tuesday said that India will be also would be readily available. approved a $500 million loan ate the early rollout of ultra-high- "As many as 300 mil- ready to reap complete benefits of "We may not have been able to to construct new metro rail the Fourth Industrial speed 5G services that are affordable Revolution but also to lead lion mobile subscribers 5G technology in the next two to achieve many of the things that lines in Bangalore. The and available everywhere. in India are still trapped three years. Speaking at inau- we are seeing today for several it Bengaluru Metro Rail Project Ambani, whose four-year-old tele- in the 2G era. Urgent pol- gural session of the India Mobile more years but the force multiplier will establish two new metro com venture Jio has captured the MUKESH AMBANI I CHAIRMAN icy steps are needed to en- Congress (IMC), he said that over effect of the pandemic has been rail corridors to augment an AND MD RELIANCE No.1 spot offering free voice calling , sure that these underprivi- the period 5G will become a norm in some sense a boon for the dig- efficient and safe INDUSTRIES LTD and data at dirt-cheap rates, also for telecom connectivity across the italization of our country," the transportation system. The leged people have an affordable project will construct two new pitched for developing hardware India, he said, is today among smartphone so that they too can country. Bharti Enterprises Chairman metro lines, mostly elevated, manufacturing in India, saying the the best digitally connected nations Revolution in India benefit from direct benefit trans- "I think in two or three years said.

nation cannot rely on imports in in the world. in the second half of 2021." fer into their bank accounts, and ac- India will be ready to receive the Speaking on Bharti Airtel's

k y m with a total length of 56 c kilometres along Outer Ring such a critical area. "In order to maintain this lead, Jio's 5G will be powered by the in- tively participate in the digital econ- benefit of all the investments foray into several new spheres Road and National Highway 44 5G is the 5th generation mobile policy steps are needed to acceler- digenously-developed network, hard- omy," he said. that the globe would have made including enterprises and broad- between Central Silk Board network that enables connecting ate the early rollout of 5G, and to ware and technology components. India has over a billion phone on to the 5G standard and the 5G band, Mittal said that the company and Kempegowda virtually everyone and everything make it affordable and available "Jio's 5G service will be a testimony users. His company offers low- ecosystem," he said. is looking forward to be a part of International Airport, ADB said together including machines, ob- everywhere," he said. "I assure you to your inspiring vision of priced smartphones that allow in- He noted that in the next few the BharatNet project. in a statement. jects, and devices. that Jio will pioneer the 5G AtmaNirbhar Bharat." ternet access. P12 WEDNESDAY | DECEMBER 9 | 2020 | BHUBANESWAR sports

AUSTRALIA WIN FINAL MATCH, ONLY TO END UP LOSING T20Is; WHITE BALL SERIES GET A DÉJÀ VU-LIKE FINISH

y Kohli uncertain over

k k y y m m c playing tour match c

PRESS TRUST OF INDIA “I feel the crowd was a factor as well, it’s always giving you a di- Sydney, Dec 8: India captain Virat mension of motivation. Our crowd Kohli Tuesday hinted that he might pulls us through sometimes, and skip the three-day pink-ball warm- Australia has got great support up game ahead of the eagerly- too, and we as players feed off the awaited Test series against Australia crowd’s energy.” after an intense limited-overs leg Having won the series, Kohli of the tour ended with his team was looking forward to the Tests and winning the T20 series 2-1 here said the current team is stronger Tuesday. than the one that made history by The tour game against Australia winning its first Test series Down A is due to begin in three days’ Under two years ago. time and will be India’s final tune- “We need to take the same com- up before the opening day-night petitive attitude into the Tests, and Test in Adelaide from December 17. having played here a few times, we Kohli will lead the team in the can score runs as well. Once it’s opener of the four-match series, time to capitalise and score, we after which he will go back to India need to do that session by session. for the birth of his first child. I’m sure the current side is stronger “I will wake up tomorrow and see than last time,” Kohli said. if I can play the tour match. Playing Australian captain Aaron Finch it on and off is not my thing and I was delighted to be on the winning like to play the full game. I will side after the reverses in the first talk to our physio and then decide two matches. on my participation,” Kohli said “It was a great series, and we after the third and final T20I here, just happened to be on the wrong which India lost by 12 runs. end of the first two. It’s the first time Overall, Kohli was pleased with we’ve had two leg-spinners (Adam the way his side fought and found Zampa and Mitchell Swepson) in ways to win matches from tough sit- the side, and they were bold with CLEAN SWEEP PREVENTED uations. “We are finding ways to the short boundaries here, so credit come back and give the opposition to both of them. PRESS TRUST OF INDIA an effortless six off Abbott after a scare and the series win is a lit- “Swepson bowled the seventh the completion of the milestone SCORECARD tle asterisk for us to finish the 2020 over against Shikhar (Dhawan) Sydney, Dec 8: It was like a déjà vu- gave much-needed relief to the AUSTRALIA INNINGS R B 4s 6s season on a high.” and Virat, both destructive in their like finish to the white ball series. Indian dug-out. This was after man Matthew Wade lbw b Thakur 80 53 7 2 Kohli also thanked the sports-lov- own ways, but Zampa bowled really The only difference was two dif- of the match Mitchell Swepson’s Aaron Finch c Pandya b Sundar 0 2 0 0 ing Australian crowd for the man- well as well. We played some great ferent winners. In the ODI series, (3/23) innocuous leg-breaks reduced Steve Smith b Sundar 24 23 1 0 ner in which it turned up despite white-ball cricket over the last 18 Australia won the first two matches them to 100/4. Glenn Maxwell b Natarajan 54 36 3 3 the threat posed by the COVID-19 months and really proud of the before losing the final match to seal Swepson would be the first to Moises Henriques not out 5 2 1 0 pandemic. bunch,” Finch said. series 2-1. In the T20Is, it was India admit that he was lucky to dismiss D’Arcy Short run out 7 3 1 0 who had the same fate like what Shikhar Dhawan with a half-tracker the Aussies had in the ODIs. and ever unreliable Sanju Samson Daniel Sams not out 4 2 1 0 While India won the shortest for- (10) with a low full-toss. The only EXTRAS: 12 (LB-1, W-10, NB-1); Total: 186/5 (20 Overs) mat 2-1, it was overall an even result wicket-taking delivery he bowled Fall: 14/1 (Finch), 79/2 (Smith), 169/3 (Wade), 175/4 (Maxwell), 182/5 (Short). for the two teams which won three was the one that got Shreyas Iyer Bowler: Deepak Chahar 4-0-34-0, Washington Sundar 4-0-34-2, T white-ball games each. Tuesday’s loss out for a first-ball duck. Natarajan 4-0-33-1, Yuzvendra Chahal 4-0-41-0, Shardul Thakur 4-0-43-1. ended the visitors' 10-match winning While Pandya initially took time, INDIA INNINGS R B 4s 6s streak in the format. Kohli decided to take matters in KL Rahul c Smith b Maxwell 0 2 0 0 Australian bowlers held their his own hands as he first deposited Shikhar Dhawan c Sams b Swepson 28 21 3 0 nerves to come up trumps against Sams into the mid-wicket stands Virat Kohli c Sams b Tye 85 61 4 3 the genius of Virat Kohli, stalling and then guided a rising delivery be- Sanju Samson c Smith b Swepson 10 9 0 0 an Indian clean-sweep with a 12- hind square. Zampa dismissing Shreyas Iyer lbw b Swepson 0 1 0 0 run victory in the third and final T20 Pandya turned out to be the turn- Hardik Pandya c Finch b Zampa 20 13 1 2 International here Tuesday. Mitchell Swepson is congratulated by ing point. Kohli got as many as four reprieves keeper Matthew Wade after a wicket Earlier, Wade’s second consecu- Washington Sundar c Tye b Abbott 7 6 1 0 and cashed in well enough to smash tive half century was well-com- Shardul Thakur not out 17 7 0 2 his way to 85 off 61 balls but India with the bat. Once Pandya was plemented by Maxwell’s blazing Deepak Chahar not out 0 0 0 0 could only reach as far as 174/7 in their gone, there was too much pressure strokeplay as Australia posted a Extras: 7 (B-1, W-6); Total: 174/7 (20 Overs) pursuit of 187 in 20 overs. on Kohli and this was one rare oc- competitive 186/5 after being put into Fall: 0/1 (Rahul), 74/2 (Dhawan), 97/3 (Samson), 100/4 (Iyer), 144/5 It was a slash drive off Andrew casion when he failed to take the bat. Maxwell got into the act during (Pandya), 151/6 (Kohli), 164/7 (Sundar). Tye in the penultimate over which team home. the last six overs and added a third- Bowler: Glenn Maxwell 3-0-20-1, Sean Abbott 4-0-49-1, Daniel Sams 2-0-29-0, was plucked inches off the ground While he hit four fours and three wicket stand of 90 runs in 8.4 overs Andrew Tye 4-0-31-1, Mitchell Swepson 4-0-23-3, Adam Zampa 3-0-21-1. by Daniel Sams, who compensated sixes, Kohli did lead a charmed life with Wade. for a forgettable day with the ball. as Steve Smith missed a dolly at India’s bowling heroes were inant partner during the 65-run Riding on his luck, he got an- An over before that Hardik deep mid-wicket fence when he Washington Sundar (2/34) and stand with a scratchy Steve Smith other life in the 17th over when a mis- Pandya’s swagger was checked by gave Maxwell the charge. Thangarasu Natarajan (1/33). (24) but played the second fiddle hit was dropped by Deepak Chahar Adam Zampa (1/21). Zampa’s leg- Then Sean Abbott failed to get his Natarajan, despite a few bound- once Maxwell got his touch back. running in from deep point. break turned enough to force the hands on a tough return catch while aries conceded in the final over, For Maxwell, the 15th over by Between overs 13th to 18th, ‘Baroda Bomber’ to hit one against another slipped through Tye’s palms. was pretty impressive. Chahal was the one that changed the Australia racked up 68 runs. In the the turn and be caught at short During the fag end, Matthew Wade The Australian innings largely course. Once he got the reprieve, he final two overs Shardul Thakur third-man. missed an easy stumping. dominated by Wade’s power-hitting deposited Chahal for a straight six (1/43) and Natarajan dismissed the Pandya was deservedly adjudged The Indian captain scored his after Sundar got rid of Aaron Finch and followed it with another into the two set batsmen and final two overs player of the series for his heroics third half century of the tour and (0) very cheaply. Wade was the dom- mid-wicket stands. went for only 18 runs. Warm-up tie: Saha shines, others fail Breakdance gets Olympics status ASSOCIATED PRESS two years ago after positive trials PRESS TRUST OF INDIA ance in the first innings, during SET FOR DEBUT at the 2018 Youth Olympics in which he picked up three wickets, Lausanne, Dec 8: Breakdancing Buenos Aires. Sydney, Dec 8: In the form of a pacer Umesh Yadav added another became an official Olympic sport. IN PARIS 2024 Breaking passed further stages sedate half century, Wriddhiman scalp to his name when the The International Olympic of approval in 2019 from separate Saha got himself some invaluable Australians went out to bat again. Committee’s (IOC) pursuit of urban by one year to open July 23, 2021. decisions by the IOC board and batting practice ahead of the first Australia were overnight 286 for events to lure a younger audience However, Paris organizers need full membership. In Paris, break- Test against Australia, but his other eight with Green batting on 114. In saw street dance battles officially time to prepare their project and ing has been given a prestige down- famed Indian colleagues failed to bat the first session of the final day, added to the medal events pro- so the IOC kept to its long-time town venue, joining sport climb- long as their warm-up game against Green added another 15 runs before gram at the 2024 Paris Games. schedule to confirm the 2024 sports ing and 3-on-3 basketball at Place Australia A concluded in a draw the hosts declared their first in- Also confirmed for Paris by the lineup this month even before de le Concorde. here Tuesday. nings. IOC executive board were skate- some are tested in Tokyo. Surfing will be held far from Medium pacer Mark Steketee, The Indians started on a prom- boarding, sport climbing and surf- Breakdancing will be called France – more than 15,000 kilo- who returned impressive figures ising note but soon started losing ing. Those three sports will make breaking at the Olympics, as it meters (9,000 miles) away in the of 5/37, came in the way of what wickets at regular intervals, with their Olympic debuts at the Tokyo was in the 1970s by hip-hop pioneers Pacific Ocean – at the beaches of could have been a few sessions of Stekette doing the bulk of the dam- Games which were postponed be- in the United States. It was pro- Tahiti, as the IOC already agreed good batting practice on the third age. cause of the coronavirus pandemic posed by Paris organizers almost in March. and final day for the touring Indians. The Test series starts with the Making up for his first-innings Wriddhiman Saha pulls one away during his innings against Australia A, Tuesday Day-Night game in Adelaide from nought, Saha top-scored for the vis- December 17-21. itors with 54 after facing 100 deliv- Vihari made 28 before Nesar had scored a hundred in the first in- BRIEF SCORES: India 247/9d & eries at the Drummoyne Oval on the him caught by Burns. nings which ended at 306 for nine 189/9d (Wriddhiman Saha 54; Mark third and final day of the tune-up. For the home team, Green en- declared. Steketee 5/37) Australia 306/9d & Machado saves NEUFC’s day Bracing for the first Test, the joyed a fine all-round outing having After his impressive perform- 52/1. Match drawn. seasoned Saha found the fence seven keeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu times during his stay in the middle. could only look on in despair as Beginning with a deficit of 59 runs, the ball looped in. the Indians declared their second Pucovski ruled out of 2nd Tour match However, Bengaluru faught back innings at 189 for nine and in reply, and found the equaliser. A Rahul the Australians, needing 130 in 15 PRESS TRUST OF INDIA squad but will not play in the three- Bheke throw caused all sorts of overs to register an outright victory, day tour match against India at the chaos in the NEUFC box and it fell reached 52 for one when the stumps Sydney, Dec 8: Potentially in line SCG,” he added. to Juanan, whose first-time shot were drawn for one last time in the for a Test debut against India, Pucovski was hit on the front of found the net. game. Australian batsman Will Pucovski his protective equipment and he Bengaluru had a number of India vice-captain Ajinkya suffered a concussion after being fell to his knees, staying there for chances to take the lead in the first Rahane, who is going to lead the struck on the helmet by pacer a few minutes before managing half. They finally had their lead in team in the absence of Virat Kohli Kartik Tyagi during the warm- to walk off the field. the 70th minute and it was some lax after the first Test, followed up his up game against India A here The 22-year-old opener was im- defending from the Highlanders neat first-innings century with a Tuesday and was ruled out of the mediately attended to by the med- that led to it. Sunil Chhetri won a knock of 28. second tour game starting Will Pucovski (2nd from R) is assist- ical team even as he dropped the bat header at the edge of the box and di- Cheteshwar Pujara, who made a December 11. ed off the ground at Drummoyne Oval and remained on his hands and rected it towards the far-post. Dylan solid half century in preparation for Considered a sure-shot selec- after a blow to the helmet, Tuesday knees for a few minutes on the Fox should have cleared it but let it the marquee series opener, how- tion for the series-opener, beginning PIC: ESPNCRICINFO pitch. The impact had put a ques- POST NEWS NETWORK Juanan (13th) and substitute Udanta roll into the path of the onrushing ever, failed to open his account in December 17 in Adelaide, with tion mark on his availability for Singh (70th). Just as the Blues Udanta, whose shot crept in under the second essay. David Warner ruled out owing to team doctor John Orchard said the first Test but Cricket Australia Goa, Dec 8: Bengaluru FC and looked set for a win, Machado (78th) goalkeeper Gurmeet’s hands. On the y The young opening duo of Prithvi an injury, Pucovski was batting in a statement posted by confirmed that he was able to walk NorthEast United FC (NEUFC) split struck again to ensure his team touchline, Cuadrat appeared ecstatic.

Shah (19) and Shubman Gill (29) on 23 when he was hit on the hel- ‘cricket.com.au’. after being attended by team doctor the points after playing out a got a share of the points. However, his joy was not to last

k k y y m m c c added 37 runs for the first wicket be- met by a delivery from Tyagi in the “He was monitored in our med- John Orchard. Tipped to partner thrilling 2-2 draw at the Fatorda NEUFC got off to the best possible long as Bengaluru’s lead lasted just fore Cameron Green sent the former 13th over of Australia A’s second ical room and was communicating opener Joe Burns in the Day/Night Stadium, here Tuesday. start when they scored in just the under eight minutes. Juanan went back. innings. “Will experienced mild freely with staff and teammates as first Test at Adelaide Oval, Pucovski Gerard Nus’ men took an early fourth minute. Rochharzela cut from hero to villain as his failure Pujara did not last long and was concussion symptoms but was well as family over the phone. Will has a history of facing concussion lead through a fortuitous strike into the box and unleashed a shot to deal with a ball from midfield al- bowled by Michael Nesar, which able to leave the field unassisted,” will remain with the Australia A problems in his career. from Luis Machado (fourth minute) at goal. His strike struck his team- lowed Machado to slot past Gurpreet brought to crease Hanuma Vihari. but Bengaluru hit back through mate Machado and Bengaluru goal- and grab the equaliser.

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