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THE LARGEST CIRCULATED ENGLISH DAILY IN SOUTH I FRIDAY 2 I APRIL 2021 WEATHER Max: 35OC CITY | 2 NATION | 5 SPORT | 8 Min: 22OC ’t forget dark rule Assam polls battle between CSK's Hazlewood pulls Rainfall: Nil of DMK in 2006-2011: CM ‘jhooth’ & ‘vikas’, says Modi out of IPL ASTROGUIDE Sarvari: Panguni 20 deccanchronicle.com, facebook.com/deccannews, .com/deccanchronicle, google.com/+deccanchronicle Vol. 17 No. 6 Established 1938 | 8 PAGES| `3.00 Tithi: Panchami Star: Anusham/Kettai Rahukalam: 10.30 am to 12 am Yamagandam: Violence mars Nandigram 3.00 PM to 4.30 PM PRAYERS Fajar: 5.01 am for superstar voting; forces rescue Didi Zohar: 12.21 pm 3.34 pm RAJIB CHOWDHURI |DC Asar: ■ with agency inputs Maghrib: 6.20 pm Highest award in Indian cinema for legendary actor , APRIL 1 ECI bans Raja from Isha: 7.31 pm ANUPAMA Despite prohibitory orders SUBRAMANIAN | DC issued under Section 144 of campaign for 48 hrs CORONA CHENNAI, APRIL 1 AT ZENITH, HE the CrPC, massive presence of Centre-ordered paramili- DC CORRESPONDENT AIADMK. It looks like the tary forces and aerial sur- CHENNAI, APRIL 1 The ECI order on C UNT Dadasaheb Phalke jury REMEMBERS veillance by the Election Thursday reprimanded had done its homework on Commission, Nandigram -- Former Union minister Mr Raja for violating the CASES DEATHS Rajinikanth's ‘Thursday’ the hot seat in West Bengal and DMK deputy general Model Code of Conduct sentiments and has timed THEM ALL Assembly elections where secretary A Raja has been and delisted him as DMK's (+81,380) (+468) its award accordingly. DC CORRESPONDENT Chief Minister Mamata debarred from campaign- star campaigner, besides Yes, superstar CHENNAI, APRIL 1 Banerjee is taking on her ing for 48 hours 'with advising him “to be watc- 1,23,02,092 1,63,428 Rajinikanth has been con- protege-turned-adversary immediate effect' by the hful and not to make inte- ferred with the 51st The star actor who is at Suvendu Adhikari -- reeled Election Commission of mperate, indecent, dero- Dadasaheb Phalke award. present shooting for under violence on India (ECI), which was gatory, obscene remarks covid19india.org Minister of Information Annaatthe directed by Thursday, leaving Ms not satisfied with his and lower the dignity of and Broadcasting Prakash has thanked Prime Banerjee stranded at a reply to a notice sent to women in future during STATE GOVERNMENT BULLETINS Javadekar took to social Minister polling booth for over two him on a complaint by the election campaign”. media to share the news. and the Union government hours. (+2,817) He wrote, “Happy to for conferring the Dadasa- Ms Banerjee had to be res- 12,738 announce #Dadasaheb heb Phalke Award on him. cued by Central paramili- TN: 8,89,490 Phalke award for 2020 to “Immensely humbled tary forces after she was ‘VIP MOVEMENT STALIN PREDICTS one of the greatest actors and honoured with your confined at a polling booth WORLD CONFIRMED CASES in history of Indian cine- greetings and the most amid an extremely tense SHOULD NOT WASHOUT FOR ma Rajnikantji. His con- prestigious #Dadasaheb face-off between BJP and tribution as actor, produc- Phalke Award award Trinamul Congress support- 12,98,84,548 er and screenwriter has respected and dearest ers. From the spot, she TROUBLE PUBLIC’ OPPONENTS been iconic.” Shri@narendramodi ji. My dialled Governor Jagdeep DC CORRESPONDENT DC CORRESPONDENT DEATHS The jury team for this heartfelt thanks to you and Dhankar, telling him the sit- CHENNAI, APRIL 1: CHENNAI, APRIL 1 year for the prestigious the .” uation was a failure of the award included ace play- In a statement, Rajini Election Commission. A division bench of DMK president M.K. 28,33,387 back singer , said, “I thank the Indian “Anything might happen Madras High Court head- Stalin on Thursday pre- COUNTRIES, director-producer ‘outstanding contribution , Sivaji government and the honor- at any moment... There is ed by Chief Justice dicted a total washout of AREAS WITH Subhash Ghai, Malayalam to the growth and develop- Ganesan, Akkineni able Prime Minister total breakdown of law and Sanjib Banerjee on the BJP-AIADMK alliance CASES 219 superstar , mu- ment of Indian cinema.’ Nageshwar Rao, K Narendra Modi for confer- order,” wheelchair-bound Thursday directed the in the April 6 Assembly worldometers.info sic composer and singer Instituted in 1969, Balachander, K. ring me Indian cinema's Ms Banerjee said, adding authorities not to cause elections as an anti- Shankar Mahadevan and was Vishwanath have been highest honour, that she feared for her life. any inconvenience to the Palaniswami wave, along actor-politician Biswajeet awarded with the honour awarded before. Dadasaheb Phalke Award. She was escorted out by the general public during with the anti-Modi wave Pawar in good health Chatterjee. in 2019. The legendary actor has I dedicate this award to my security forces, who man- VIP movements and cam- that hit them in the Lok Presented annually at Rajinikanth is the 12th been honoured with the friend and bus driver Raj aged to bring the situation paigns during the elec- Sabha elections, was set to after surgery the National Film Award south Indian to be con- and Bahadur, who discovered under control after long- tions and ensure free sweep through the State : NCP chief ceremony, the Dadasaheb ferred with this award. in the my acting talent and drawn negotiations with the flow of traffic. like a tsunami. who underwent a surgical proce- Phalke Award recognises Legends like Dr past. encouraged me.” ■P3 villagers. ■P5 ■P3 ■P3 dure for the removal of a gall blad- der stone two days ago is respond- ing well to the treatment, a party leader said on Thursday. He under- went a check-up at 7 pm and is now Govt drops small allowed to walk and take solid food, DEFERS TRADE said minister and NCP leader on Twitter. PLAN, TIES IT Pawar was responding well to the savings’ rate cut treatment and was in excellent health, said Malik. Pawar, 80, was MADHUSUDAN cut in small savings TO ARTICLE 370 admitted to the SAHOO | FC deposit rate from 4 per Hospital in Mumbai on Tuesday af NEW , APRIL 1 cent to 3.5 per cent for the DC CORRESPONDENT ter he experienced abdominal pain. first quarter of the finan- , APRIL 1 The Union government cial year starting April 1, on Thursday reversed its 2021. Giving a blow to In what is being reported Sputnik V denied emergency decision to cut interest small savings depositors, as a “swift U-turn” on rates of small savings the Centre had slashed Thursday following a use authorisation in India schemes which were interest rates on post “political backlash”, New Delhi: Russian COVID-19 vac- announced late on office deposits, public Pakistan on Thursday cine Sputnik V was on Thursday Wednesday evening. The provident fund and oth- “deferred” its move to denied recommendations for emer- decision citing “over- ers by up to 1.1 per cent or import cotton and sugar gency use authorisation by the sight” was taken hours 110 basis points. from India and linked it Subject Expert Committee, consti- after announcing the “Interest rates of small to the condition that India tuted by the central government. steepest cut in the rate on savings schemes of GoI should first restore The SEC met today on drugmaker small savings schemes. shall continue to be at the Article 370 on Jammu and Dr Reddys application seeking The government, how- rates which existed in the Kashmir that was abro- authorisation for the vaccine in ever, said the rate cuts last quarter of 2020-2021, gated two years ago. India. The expert panel has asked Dr are in line with overall ie, rates that prevailed as According to interna- Reddys and the drugmaker to sub- interest rate movement of March 2021. Orders tional news agency mit more data on the vaccine. in the financial system. issued by oversight shall reports from Islamabad Meanwhile, Dr Reddys issued a The 'surprising move' of be withdrawn,” finance on Thursday, Pakistani statement saying, We have had our the government came minister Nirmala interior minister Sheikh meeting with the SEC today and after the ministry of Sitharaman said in an Rashid Ahmed told will await the feedback from the finance had, on early morning tweet on reporters there that the CDSCO.” Wednesday, announced a Thursday. decision (to import cotton and sugar from India) had been “deferred” until COUNTER POINT India restored Kashmir's Vaccination for all special status under the (revoked) Article 370. In what was earlier seen as a huge step towards above 45 yrs starts normalisation of Indo- Pak ties, Pakistan had on New Delhi, April 1: The nation drive was rolled Wednesday approved the Covid-19 vaccination for out on January 16 with resumption of bilateral all people aged 45 and healthcare workers get- trade between the two above commenced on ting inoculated and vacci- countries and had decid- Thursday, the Union nation of frontline work- ed to import cotton from health ministry said. ers (FLWs) started on India at least till June 30 More than 6.5 crore vac- February 2. this year. Also, Pakistan cine doses have been Meanwhile, India saw was expected to soon administered across the 72,330 new infections import white sugar from country so far to frontline being registered in a span India. The decision was workers, healthcare of 24 hours, the highest initially taken by that workers, those above 60 single day rise recorded country’s Cabinet and for people aged above so far this year. Economic Coordination 45 with specified co-co- Maharashtra has report- Committee and the note morbid conditions. ed the highest daily new put up before that body by The countrywide vacci- cases at 39,544. the commerce ministry. Biden lets Trump’s H-1B visa bans lapse Washington, April 1: US ranted as the pandemic con- US companies to employ for- President Joe Biden on tinued to disrupt Ameri- eign workers in specialty Thursday let the ban on for- cans’ lives, and high levels occupations that require eign workers visa, in partic- of unemployment and job theoretical or technical ular H-1B, lapse as the noti- loss were still presenting expertise. Technology com- fication issued by his prede- serious economic challe- panies depend on it to hire cessor Donald Trump nges to workers across the tens of thousands of employ- expired, a move which is US. ees each year from coun- likely to benefit thousands Mr Biden did not issue a tries like India and China. of Indian IT professionals. uding H-1B, arguing that fresh proclamation for the The expiry of the Trump’s Amidst a national lock- these visas presented a risk ban on H-1B visas to contin- proclamation would now down and the Covid-19 cri- to the US labour market ue after March 31. He had result in the issuing of H-1B sis, Mr Trump in June last during the economic recov- promised to lift the suspen- visas by American diplo- year issued a proclamation ery. sion on H-1B visas, saying matic missions overseas that suspended entry to the On December 31, Mr Mr Trump’s immigration that would result in US com- US of applicants for several Trump extended the order policies were cruel. panies bringing in talented temporary or “non-immi- to March 31, 2021, noting The H-1B visa is a non- technology professionals grant” visa categories, incl- that an extension was war- immigrant visa that allows inside the country. DMK’s A. Raja's interim reply — in which he denied the allegations EC not satisfied and asked for copies of the full text of his speech and AIADMK's com- plaint, besides requesting an opportunity to give a detailed reply and with Raja’s reply personal hearing with his lawyer — was found not to be satisfactory by the ECI MANDATE 2021

DECCAN CHRONICLE | FRIDAY | 2 APRIL 2021 | CHENNAI pg 2

OTHER STORIES HC rejects Pondy Don’t forget dark rule BJP stand on access to voters’ numbers Chennai: Expressing dissatis- of DMK in 2006-2011: CM faction over the response of Puducherry unit of the BJP B. RAVICHANDRAN I DC secretary of the DMK’s positions in many fields, that mobile numbers of local COONOOR, APRIL 1 women’s wing. This clear- including higher educa- voters were collected by party ly proves that how family tion, he said that distribu- workers over a period of time, Chief Minister Edappadi rule is dominant in the tion of laptops to the stu- the Madras High Court on K. Palaniswami has DMK”, he added. dents enabled even the Thursday directed the Unique appealed to the voters not Saying that women will poor to pursue higher edu- Identification Authority of to forget the dark rule of not be safe during DMK cation with zeal and com- India (UIDAI) and the Election the DMK in the state rule, he said that DMK fort. Commission (EC) to probe into between 2006 and 2011 and leaders and cadres never Listing the various the matter. added that Nilgiris MP A. respect women and they achievements of the When the PIL petition by A Raja’s recent disrespectful do not even help those who AIADMK government Anand, president of the and suffer. People should teach over the decade, he Puducherry unit of the distasteful comments on a lesson to the DMK in this appealed to the voters to Democratic Youth Federation of women reflect the cruel election too. People elect the AIADMK again Modi visiting Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai on Thursday evening. India (DYFI) came up for fur- mentality of that party. should not forget the poor for a peaceful living. He — K. Manikandan ther hearing, the first bench of Hitting the campaign law and order situation also touched upon the var- Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee trail in Coonoor on loot the state again. “If a during the 2006-2011 DMK ious schemes that were and Justice Senthilkumar Thursday, Palaniswami Nobel prize was to be rule and how people suf- implemented in Nilgiris Ramamoorthy found something said that it is shameful instituted for a person fered due to the electricity during the AIADMK rule, fishy. The UIDAI should pursue that Stalin failed to who speaks maximum crisis. When AIADMK which includes govern- receive petitions from the lies, then Stalin is the best came back to power in ment medical college for Defeat anti-women the matter involving a breach in the maintenance of secrecy, public to address issues person to receive it” he 2011, not only was the Ooty, Emerald water sup- without any attempt to cover up when he was a minister noted. power crisis solved, but ply scheme for Coonoor the issue, the judges said.— PTI during the 2006-2011 DMK “DMK is meant for fami- Tamil Nadu has become a and Halakarai water sup- regime, but now he col- ly rule. Mr. Stalin occu- power surplus state now. ply scheme for Kotagiri. DMK: Shah to voters lects petitions and seals pied the DMK president’s This is enough to prove Palaniswami said the Do not disturb them in boxes to find solu- post after the demise of the administrative capa- state government has rec- Thirukoyilur (TN), poor programmes in the tions. The DMK leaders, his father. He made his bility of the AIADMK, he ommended to the Centre April 1: Union Home country should go to public during VIP including Stalin, are son the chief of DMK’s said. to include the Badaga Minister on Ramachandran, fondly speaking only lies with an youth wing. His sister Stating that Tamil Nadu community in Nilgiris Thursday hit out at the addressed as MGR, he movement, aim to come to power and Kanimozhi was made the has begun to occupy top under the ST list. DMK over its leader A said. It was in his honour, Raja's alleged vulgar that the Chennai Central campaigns: HC remarks against Tamil Railway Station was earli- DC CORRESPONDENT AIADMK candidate Nadu Chief Minister K er named after MGR by CHENNAI, APRIL 1 Palaniswami's mother, Modi, Shah said, adding saying it showed the party were not bothered about the AIADMK founder is The Madras high court has DMK prez predicts tests Covid +ve had no regard for women. the people of Tamil Nadu, the "true Makkal thi- directed the authorities not to DC CORRESPONDENT The "mothers and sisters" Shah claimed. The lagam" (People's leader). cause any inconvenience to the TIRUCHY, APRIL 1 of the state should teach a Election Commission, Under the PM's leader- general public during VIP 'lesson' to the DMK in the Shah said, has chosen ship, Palaniswami and movements and campaigns a washout of rivals AIADMK candidate for April 6 Assembly polls by April 6 as the polling day Panneerselvam were also during the elections and ensure Thuraiyur (reserve) con- defeating it, he said. in Tamil Nadu and it coin- taking the state foward in free flow of traffic. DC CORRESPONDENT stituency Indra Gandhi Addressing an election cided with the BJP's the path of development, The first bench comprising CHENNAI, APRIL 1 was admitted in a pri- rally here, Shah can- Foundation Day and he said. Later in the day, Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee Bid to bribe voters in vate hospital at Tiruchy vassed votes for NDA can- therefore the NDA will Shah participated in a and Justice Senthilkumar DMK president M.K. on Thursday after test- didates--those from the win the polls, he said. He road show at Ramamoorthy gave the direc- Stalin predicted a total ing positive for Covid-19. AIADMK, BJP and the described Palaniswami as Velayudampalayam to tive while disposing of a Public washout of the BJP- Sources confirmed PMK,even as he charged a "son of the soil" and a canvass votes for the Interest Litigation filed by AIADMK alliance in the Stalin’s constituency that she was infected the DMK with aiming to farmer and lauded both party's BJP candidate advocate M.Gnanasekar, which April 6 Assembly elec- with the Coronavirus romp home in the polls by the chief minister and his from Aravakurichi in sought to forbear the authori- tions as an anti- DC CORRESPONDENT and she went on the clin- 'hook or crook.' Referring deputy O Panneerselvam Karur, K Annamalai and ties from preventing the people Palaniswami wave, along CHENNAI, APRIL 1 ical analysis which con- to Raja's alleged offensive for protecting the people travelled on an open top of Tamil Nadu from using the with the anti-Modi wave firmed it as positive. remarks targeted at of the state against coron- van. In his address, he roads in the name of political that hit them in the Lok The DMK has lodged a Palaniswami, leader of avirus. "On the other side, said there were two choic- campaigns by the political lead- Sabha elections, was set to complaint with the the BJP's ally AIADMK, the DMK and Congress es before Tamil Nadu--the ers and permit free flow of traf- sweep through the state Election Commission of Shah also accused the are not bothered about the "corrupt DMK and fic to public during the Tamil like a tsunami. India (ECI) accusing the DMK and Congress of cor- people of Tamil Nadu," he Congress on one side" and Nadu State election to the Addressing crowds at AIADMK of trying to seeks votes for ruption and dynasty. "I said. While Congress on the other side it was Legislative Assembly. Mettupalayam and bribe voters in Kolathur saw the statement by President the PM-led NDA "which is According to the petitioner all Goundampalayam in the constituency, where their DMK leader A Raja. The was "worried" about her fighting the polls for the political parties started Western part of the State party president M K AMMK candidates kind of statement he son Rahul, DMK chief M Tamil Nadu's develop- their campaigning vigorously on Thursday, Stalin Stalin is contesting in the DC CORRESPONDENT made against a deceased K Stalin was "worried" ment." While Modi, from the date of nomination stressed on the need for April 6 Assembly elec- TIRUCHY, APRIL 1 woman. I think they about his son Palaniswami and itself. reclaiming the rights of tions, through money also seize lists of phone (DMK) have no regard for Udhayanidhi, Shah Panneerselvam want the the State that had been transfer digital platforms. numbers and copies of el- Desiya Murpokku Dravi- women and want to win alleged. "We all know development of Tamil lost in the AIADMK rule. In a complaint to the ection ID cards if they we- dar Kazhagam founder- this election by hook or DMK and Congress party Nadu and jobs for youth HC restrains petitioner The BJP government at ECI, DMK organization re found in the vehicles. president Vijayakanth crook," he said. "In the well. DMK and Congress "Stalin wants the Centre was whipping secretary R S Bharati said Meanwhile, The ECI on Thursday went on a past, DMK made such bad mean corruption, rowdy- Udhayanidhi to become from instituting PIL in up communal hatred, pre- that AIADMK cadre were transferred the District whirlwind electioneeri- remarks against (the late ism, land encroachment Chief Minister," he said. venting the State’s chil- collecting mobile phone Collector and Superinten- ng in favour of the Am- Chief Minister) and furthering the inter- "Do you want develop- court for one year dren from studying medi- numbers and copies of dent of Police of Karur ma Makkal Munnetra Jayalalithaa ji. I appeal to ests of their sons and ment of Tamil Nadu or cine through Neet and election ID cards from district in one stroke and Kazhagam candidates in the mothers and sisters of daughters and not both- Udhayanidhi? The time DC CORRESPONDENT imposing on the voters in various con- made new appointments Tiruchy East and Sriran- Tamil Nadu-- teach a les- ered about people," Shah has come that the foot- CHENNAI, APRIL 1 Tamil people, Stalin stituencies across the with immediate effect gam assembly segments. son to the anti-women alleged. On the other steps of great MGR and alleged. State, including Kolathur. based on inputs. Vijayakanth campaig- DMK in the polls by hand, the NDA, under Jayalalithaa be followed Dismissing a Public Interest Prime Minister The numbers were Collector and District ned at Gandhi Market defeating it," the BJP vet- Prime Minister Narendra for the state's growth. And Litigation, the Madras high Narendra Modi had spo- taken from voters with a Election Officer, S Malar- seeking votes for AMMK eran said. The electoral Modi's leadership, was only the AIADMK and court has restrained the PIL ken about lack of safety view to transferring vizhi, was shunted out Tiruchy East candidate battle was between the concerned about the wel- BJP can do this and no petitioner from instituting any for women under the money through the digi- and Prashant M Wadnae- R. Manoharan. Earlier, NDA which was walking fare of Tamil Nadu and one else." "Reject the cor- public interest litigation in the DMK when he addressed a tal platforms like Google re was brought in her Vijayakanth campaign- the path of development was walking in the path of rupt and Tamil Nadu will court for a period of one year crowd at Dharapuram, he Pay, Phone pee and place and SP, S S Mage- ed at Srirangam for Cha- and the UPA which was late chief minister M G become one of the most without first obtaining the said and added: ‘I would PayTM, the complaint swaran, was replaced by rubala Thondaiman, the into corruption and Ramachandran and J developed states in the leave of the relevant Bench. like to invite the Prime said, adding that voters G Shashank Sai. AMMK candidate for the dynasty, he said. Both the Jayalalithaa, he said. In country," Shah said. The first bench comprising Minister to visit Pollachi were also being lured to Also the ECI appointed Srirangam assembly. parties (DMK, Congress) fact, the credit for all pro- — PTI Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and check for himself go out of the constituency T Jeyachandran as Depu- and Justice Senthilkumar how safe women are in the to collect the cash. ty Commissioner of Po- Ramamoorthy dismissed the AIADMK rule.’ The complaint urged the lice in the post that was PIL filed by S.P.V.Paul Raj, He said that he learnt ECI to instruct the flying lying vacant in the Coim- HC rejects plea to forbear unlawful use which sought a direction to the that Modi was visiting the squads that search vehi- batore Police Commissi- Chief Electoral Officer and the State again and would be cles for money and gifts to oner’s office. State government to issue nec- in Madurai where Chief of electronic media to communicate voters essary order to carryout com- Minister Edappadi K Pala- bringing in of the CAA. government. pulsory medical test to all the niswami would be sitting Also, Stalin urged Stating that he heard DC CORRESPONDENT days) before the election how the media acts or candidates contesting in the with him on the stage. Palaniswami to prevail that the Chief Minister CHENNAI, APRIL 1 date till the end of date of how the social media may ongoing Tamil Nadu Stalin wanted Palanisw- upon the Prime Minister would be visiting Gudalur voting. be used. Legislative Assembly elections ami to enquire with the to withdraw the three con- by helicopter, Stalin said The Madras high court The first bench com- It is only if any viola- so that 6, 29, 43, 512 voters can Prime Minister what hap- troversial Agriculture that when a landslide has dismissed a Public prising Chief Justice tion is brought to the be protected from infecting the pened to AIIMS in Ma- laws that were passed to occurred in the Nilgiris, it Interest Litigation, Sanjib Banerjee and notice of the Court or the deadly Covid-19 virus. durai, for which he gave enable corporate compa- was he who visited the which sought a direction Justice Senthilkumar Election Commission The bench said this is utterly the sanction in 2015 and nies to make huge profits district to provide succor to the Election Commiss- Ramamoorthy dismissed that any action may be a frivolous matter and it is then laid the foundation at the cost of farmers’ to the people and not ioner/Officers to issue the petition filed by taken. hoped that some degree of before the 2019 elections. livelihood. Palaniswami. appropriate measures to M.J.Logesh Babu. responsibility will be exercised Asking the Chief He wanted the Chief He recalled the incident, forbear the unlawful use The bench said the before rubbish is thrown at the Minister to also tell Modi Minister to enquire with saying that as a leader of of Electronic Media to present petition per- Court in future. The petitioner to repeal the CAA since the Prime Minister if it the opposition he mobi- communicate the voters tains to apprehension has instituted a public interest the AIADMK had men- was right on the part of lized funds to the tune of by SMS, Whatsapp, of unlawful use of the litigation since the petitioner tioned in its present mani- the Centre to legally Rs 10 crore through the Social Media electronic media to desires that all candidates con- festo that it would oppose oppose the passing of the MP’s Local Area Develop- Advertisement in Search communicate to the testing in the Legislative it. Stalin said that the bill providing 7.5 per cent ment Fund of Nilgiris MP Engine, Apps, E-mails voters. Assembly elections scheduled AIADMK and the PMK reservation for students of A Raja and and all these possible It is well-nigh impos- next week should undertake a had supported the passing government schools in members Trichy Siva and means of communicating sible for both the Court compulsory medical test. of the bill enabling the medical admission by his T K S Elangovan. voters at large during the and the Election vital 48 hours (i.e two Commission to control How political parties are making the most of television channels

Parties find regional TV of the state. Though have a field day. channels more relevant social media is popular The ad videos have spe- because they have a huge among people, especially cific target audiences and reach and candidates can the youth, television con- gain considerable trac- B. Vijayalakshmi communicate in local lan- tinues to be the best medi- tion. Campaign planners guage and dialect. It also um to woo people in areas in parties ensure their ads gives them an opportunity where there is low inter- with targeted slots reach Viewpoint to have the extra personal net penetration during first-time voters, adults touch to connect with peo- these pandemic times. and senior citizens in both ple in the constituency. DMK and AIADMK have urban and rural areas. V channels have are flooded with political With strong content pre- maximum ads telecast on They not only woo first become the best tra- advertisements during pared for elections, TV television. Their time voters but also keep Tditional medium for this election season. With channels also offer a com- Nadai Podum their loyal voters engaged. political parties and their April 6 nearing, not only plete package to political Thamizhagame and Stalin Only May 2 poll results leaders to give a local twist news channels but also parties. Advertisements, thaan vararu series will reveal how prominent to their poll agenda and entertainment channels campaign speeches, elec- seemed to have left an was the role played by reach out to voters. have begun airing cam- tion rallies, debates and impressive impact on the television in reaching out Regional Tamil channels paign ads frequently interviews on TV help par- audience. Meanwhile, par- to the masses in the and local cable channels between programmes. ties reach interior pockets ties owning TV channels digital era. SPECIAL DECCAN CHRONICLE | FRIDAY | 2 APRIL 2021 | CHENNAI pg 3 From Shivaji Rao Gaekwad to Rajinikanth: The rise of the superstar All-time cult superstar WORD OF PRAISE Amit ANUPAMA “My heartfelt Shah @ SUBRAMANIAN I DC AmitShah CHENNAI, APRIL 1 thanks to the Rajni government kanth ji is a true legend, a Born in a Marathi family of india, respected & versatile actor, whose as Shivaji Rao Gaekwad, No politics, acting and cinematic the doyen of Tamil cine- dearest talent has millions of fans ma, K. Balachander, dis- @narendramodi ji, across the world. I join covered him and intro- our countrymen in duced him in his 1975 @PrakashJavdekar ji congratulating Shri national award-winning and the jury for @rajinikanth Ji for being film . please conferred the prestigious It was on a Holi day the conferring upon me Dadasaheb Phalke Award. legendary film-maker the prestigious rechristened him as #DadasahebPhalkeA When even God cannot save Rajinikanth and the rest is history. ward. I sincerely Though Rajini started dedicate it to all TN to ippo illana eppovum illa his career as a baddie and Chennai, April 1: When continued doing films those who have been he thundered in 1996 that with shades of grey, it was a part of my journey. “even God cannot save” his ultimate negative Thanks to the Tamil Nadu if the then character ‘Parattai’ in ace Chief Minister J almighty,” he director Bharathiraja’s Jayalalithaa won a suc- @KSChithra debut film 16 Vayadhinile, tweeted. cessive term in elections, which made him an many saw it as Heartiest Congratulations instant hit. His inimitable his self-imposed sabbati- Rajinikanth's prelude to to Shri @rajinikanth sir on style combined with the cal following the fiasco of the political entry of the winning the 51st punch line ‘Edhu Eppidi his writing and produc- uncrowned king of Tamil Dadasaheb Phalke Award. Irukku’ was admired by tion venture Baba. It was cinema known for his all. Rajini's third all-time sureshot hits. For, cinema Veteran film-maker S.P. blockbuster and complet- to politics transition was the people yearning for a Muthuraman’s Bhuvana ed a 700-day run at the box nothing new in Tamil change ushering in clean Oru Kelvikuri, in which office. About 20 million Nadu as former chief politics, prompting Rajini portrayed a positive tickets were reportedly ministers, CN intense debates of “will character, changed his sold worldwide. Annadurai, M. he or won't he.” However, image overnight. His yet His last film was Darbar, Karunanidhi, M. G. within months, he another milestone film which was released in Ramachandran and seemed to have a change with SPM was award in state awards. had superseded Leonardo 2020. Jayalalithaa had success- of heart and categorically @ARMurugadoss Arilirundhu Arubadhu Rajinikanth did only a Di Caprio as Japan’s Rajinikanth has a cult ful cinema stints before announced floating a Varai, a blockbuster in single yet significant film trendiest heartthrob. fan following with 55,000 blending with politics to party in January 2021. Congrats which Rajini was project- Thalapathy with Mani Shankar, known for his fan clubs registered lead the state. But ever This was the best time superstar@rajinikanth ed as an emotional person Ratnam. The movie grandeur and extravagan- around the world in 2017 since it was a guessing to take the shot, he had sir on winning the 51st and his histrionics were emerged as a crucial film za, collaborated with and few thousand unoffi- game, occasional punch said with a catchy Tamil Dadasaheb Phalke award portrayed without any in his career, apart from Rajinikanth for Sivaji. cial ones. The first fan dialogues in films, an phrase “ippo illana another feather on your antics. Together, the duo being a commercial hit. The blockbuster became club was started in assertive statement in eppovum illa,” meaning if cap sir. You are always an made 25 movies and some Baasha directed by the first Tamil movie to be Madurai by one of his 2017 and a 2020 marked not now then never. With inspiration. of the memorable films Suresh Krishna and listed as one of the top 10 ardent fans called with flip-flops which cul- the spirited fans once include Netrikkan, released in 1995 went on to best films of the UK and Muthumani 45 years ago minated with the actor again rallying behind the Murattu Kaalai (first time become a cult classic, South Africa. Rajini, who and the actor got in touch finally saying a big no to veteran, Rajinikanth Rajini in a full-fledged which made Rajini was reportedly paid a with him and gave him politics, citing his frail made another U-turn in rural action role), Naan ‘Baasha’ of all times. whopping Rs 20 crore financial assistance when health. His roar of “now December, when he said Mahan Alla, Nallavanu Rajini played an auto driv- salary for Sivaji, is said to the former was hospi- or never” in politics last he will not enter politics Nallavan etc. er with a deadly past. The be the second highest paid talised recently. year ended with a whim- in view of his frail health, The actor, who is 71 and Prolific film-maker Superstar became an actor in all of Asia. per in the same when he putting an end to his long- @Aariarujunan Thanu, who identified the overnight rage among Enthiran, yet another arguably one of south finally said he would not nurtured plans and India's biggest stars till star in him, gave the auto drivers of Tamil film with Shankar, was take the political plunge describing his then hospi- Very very happy and 'Superstar' title to Rajini Nadu. the first sci-fi for him today, sparks extreme fan owing to his frail health. talisation as a God's mania before every film’s proud to know that our when he released Bhairavi Commercial director which was released in 2010 This, after a 2017 asser- warning. “Only I know @rajinikanth sir has been in 1978. Much later in 2016, K.S. Ravikumar teamed and touted to be the most release – from erecting tion that he would launch the pain behind making massive cutouts and doing conferred with Thanu made with up with Rajini for Muthu, expensive Indian film to a political party and fight this announcement,” the #DadaSahebPhalke Rajini where the latter which was a huge box be made then (Rs150 crore) pal abhishekam to them, from all 234 assembly 70-year old actor then offering special prayers award. Congratulations played an aged gangster. office hit and was the first and highest grossing seats in the 2021 elections said, days before he was sir. Mullum Malarum with film to be dubbed into Tamil film of its time. and celebrating it as a spe- in Tamil Nadu which to spell out the contours ace Mahendran was a Japanese as Mutu – Odoru Rajini commanded a cial festival. enthused his diehard fans of his party based on spir- major breakthrough for Maharaja. The film went remuneration of Rs 45 The iconic star has acted who had been awaiting an itual politics aimed at Rajinikanth, whose per- on to create a huge fan crore for his dual roles of in more than 160 films in announcement that their bringing a total change in formance as ‘Kali’ base and market for a robot (a negative one) all south languages as well 'Thalaiva' who beat up the Dravidian heartland received unanimous Rajinikanth in Japan. The and a scientist. as Hindi and in an evil men on screen black Tamil Nadu in the 2021 praise, and is widely con- success of Muthu in , a come- American cinema with a and blue was now ready assembly elections. His sidered as the best per- Japan led American news dy-horror film directed by supporting role in the to clean up the 'system' announcement came as a formance in his career magazine Newsweek to P. Vasu, was a comeback mystery adventure film with his political avatar. shock to many, with Radhikaa Sarathkumar and also won him special comment that Rajinikanth film for Rajinikanth after titled Bloodstone in 1988. However, their joy was to Manian quitting politics be short-lived when in and Moorthy later float- Congratulations to March 2020, he ing his own outfit. Many @rajinikanth sir on being announced in a press con- members of his Rajini conferred with the Rajini dedicates award to CM, Deputy CM, Stalin, ference that he never Makkal Mandram, seen #DadaSahebPhalke . Truly desired to be Chief as a precursor to the pos- deserving to a man who Minister and that he sible political party, quit rose to this meteoric Kamal greet actor would enter politics when it and joined other organ- stardom those responsible for his rise he saw an upsurge among isations in the poll year. Chennai, April 1: Rajini that is now. “I dedi- Chennai, April 1: Rajinikanth as a “dear Superstar Rajinikanth on cate this award to my Congratulating the friend” and an “unpar- Thursday dedicated the friend and bus driver Raj actor over phone, CM alleled performer” and prestigious Dada Bahadur, who discovered Palaniswami said the expressed joy over him Saheb Phalke Award my acting talent and Dada Saheb Phalke being selected for the announced by the Centre encouraged me, my elder Award recognises his award. “Delayed but to be conferred on him to brother Sathyanarayana hard work in the film welcome,” he said in a those who made him what Rao Gaekwad, who sacri- industry. “I pray to God tweet. He wished that he is now, including a bus ficed a lot to make me an that you will receive Rajinikanth, “a symbol driver friend and his men- actor while struggling with many more awards and of acting and friend- tor who launched him in poverty, my guru K live long,” the chief ship,” continues with cinema, the late K. Balachander, who created minister said. his journey in film- Balachander. this Rajinikanth,” he said. His long-time friend dom. Union Information and In a statement he also and Makkal Needhi PMK leader and for- Broadcasting Minister dedicated the award to pro- Maiam founder Kamal mer union minister Prakash Javadekar had ducers, directors, techni- Haasan said the award, Dr Anbumani announced on Thursday cians, distributors, theatre highest to be bestowed Ramadoss congratulat- that Rajinikanth will be owners, media, the Tamil on a performing ed the superstar. bestowed with the Dada people, “who have artiste, is 100 per cent “Actor Rajinikanth Saheb Phalke award for the given me my life, and my appropriate for has been honored with year 2019, making him the fans across the world.” Rajinikanth while the Dada Saheb Phalke third from Rajinikanth said he Stalin said that though Award, the highest after the late thespian thanked the Indian 'delayed' the recogni- award of the film and government and Prime tion was welcome. “It industry in India. late director Balachander, Minister Narendra Modi is a great pleasure that Award winning close his mentor, to have for conferring him the the highest award, the friend @rajinikanth been chosen for the “Indian cinema's highest Dada Saheb Phalke Congratulations,” he award. Congratulatory honour.” The star thanked Award, has been tweeted. messages poured in from Palaniswamy, announced to AMMK leader TTV various quarters to the vet- Panneerselvam, Leader of Rajinikanth, the Dhinakaran, BJP state eran. Opposition Stalin, “my supreme star and my president L Murugan, The 70-year old actor friend ,” dearest friend. The national award win- thanked the Centre for con- national and state politi- award is 100 per cent ning lyricist ferring the prestigious cians, his friends, his appropriate for Rajini, Vairamuthu, popular award and said he dedicat- friends in the film industry who has proven that he comedian Vivekh and a ed it to his friend Raj and my well-wishers. can win over fans by number of film person- Bahadur, elder brother “Long live Tamil people! appearing on screen,” alities greeted the Sathyanarayana Rao and Long live Tamil Nadu! Jai Haasan tweeted. actor on being selected all those who made him the Hind!!,” he said. —PTI Stalin described for the award. —PTI

TN Governor congratulates Rajinikanth Chennai, April 1:Governor and variety." "You provided to AP CM Banwarilal Purohit on millions of people not just a Cong questions timing of award Thursday congratulated healthy escape from mun- wishes Rajini actor Rajinikanth on being dane lives through your New Delhi, April 1: The controversies. Rajinikanth is a chosen by the Centre for the movies, but also a dream to Congress on Thursday ques- respected film personality. The Amaravati, April Dada Saheb Phalke award, chase lofty ideals of human tioned the timing of Dadasaheb BJP and the government should 1: Andhra Pradesh saying his contribution to virtue of courage and convic- Phalke Award to superstar be wary of this and it should not Chief Minister Y S Indian Cinema has been of tion in right values," he told Rajinikanth, saying the govern- try to take political advantage out Jagan Red- "an iconic quality and vari- the actor. ment should not do anything that of everything," Shukla told dy on Thursday wi- ety." The veteran star always unnecessarily drags celebrities reporters. shed Rajinikanth In his greetings to addressed himself to larger in political controversies. He alleged that the government on being selected Rajinikanth, the Governor issues of socio-cultural and Congress leader doing anything with elections in for the Dada Saheb stated the actor has added up political interests. "It is not said the government should not view is not proper, but noted that Phalke Award. to the great galaxy of lofty without reason that millions try to take political advantage out people know everything. "The The stylish Tamil achievers who have got this of people across the barriers of everything and be wary of government should not try to superstar made a honour previously, a Raj of region and language treat such actions. "This award should take political gains out of every- profound impact on Bhavan release said. "You you as an icon whose images have been given to him long back, thing it does. If the government silver screen with have added to the honour of often adorn walls in count- why is it being given this year," he has done this with the intention his inimitable man- the award as well. Hence my less homes as an ambassador said. of making political gains and nerisms and per- cheers to you. Your contribu- of social causes," the release "The government should not do with elections in mind, then this formance, the Chief tion to Indian cinema at large quoted Purohit as telling anything which unnecessarily is not appropriate in politics," he Minister said in a has been of an iconic quality Rajinikanth. -PTI drags our celebrities in political said. — PTI statement. —PTI STATE DECCAN CHRONICLE | FRIDAY | 2 APRIL 2021 | CHENNAI pg 4

SHORT TAKES HC upholds recovery order imposed on 14 arrested for Chennai Covid daily vandalising TNCSC employee for adulteration DC CORRESPONDENT based on the documentary disputed. On mere techni- eatery on NH CHENNAI, APRIL 1 evidence, the recovery calities, the petitioner order has been passed, cannot be allowed to go DC CORRESPONDENT The Madras high court which was confirmed by scotfree, more so, when CHENNAI, APRIL 1 count crosses 1K has upheld an order of the the Appellate Authority. there is a loss to the Chennai, April 1: Tamil Appellate Authority of Be that as it may, the Corporation to an extent The police on Wednesday Nadu on Thursday reported the Tamil Nadu Civil Appellate Authority has of Rs 2, 65, 079 and the act arrested 14 persons for alleged- 2,817 fresh coronavirus Supplies Corporation, for given detailed reasons for of the petitioner in replac- ly creating ruckus and vandal- cases with the state capital''s recovery of Rs 2.65 lakh finding fault with the peti- ing substandard jaggery izing an eatery and threaten- daily Covid19 count cross- from an employee, who is tioner, imposed recovery causes revenue loss not ing the owner when he ing 1,000 besides 19 more responsible for replacing on the petitioner, which only to the Corporation, demanded money from them. fatalities, taking the case- sub-standard jaggery in was based on the material but also becomes menace Police sources said, around load to 8,89,490 and the toll respect of 11,440 packets, documents and this court to the public at large, who, 14 men on Wednesday night to 12,738. The number of thereby causing loss to the finds no substance in the without knowing its quali- came on a van to an eatery in active cases as on date went corporation. submission of the peti- ty, would have bought it Acharapakkam on Trichy- up to 17,043. About 1,634 peo- Justice S.Vaidyanathan tioner, the judge added. from different forum sup- Chennai National Highways. ple were discharged follow- dismissed the petition The judge said, “On a plied by the Corporation The men, who were all ing treatment today and the filed by T.Marimuthu, careful scrutiny of the and consumed it. This drunk, asked the staff of the cumulative figure of recov- challenging an order of entire averments, I find court feels that the pun- eatery to give them food. While eries stood at 8,59,709. the Managing Director/A- that there is no violation ishment imposed on the eating they reportedly abused Chennai accounted for 1,083 ppellate Authority, Tamil of principle of natural petitioner for the loss and the woman staff. After having new cases while six people Nadu Civil Supplies justice and even assuming supply of substandard eaten the food, they refused to died in the metro, according Corporation, dated March for the sake of argument, jaggery is not proportion- pay the bill citing overprice to a health bulletin here. 5, 2020. there is a discrepancy in ate to the misconduct and threatened the owner. Chennai''soverall COVID-19 The judge said a reading the order of the Appellate committed by the petition- When the eatery owner alerted case tally is 2,50,000, with of the original order and Authority, it can be con- er, as there is adulteration the police, the gang the active cases remaining the appellate order make strued as minor in nature, everywhere in the State vanadalised the hotel and fled at 6,695. With 589 people dis- People above 45 years take Covid-19 vaccine at Government Omandurar Medical it very clear that a in a case involving and the persons, like the the scene. charged in Chennai today, College and Hospital on Thursday. Hospital Dean Dr R. inspects the drive. —DC detailed enquiry was con- replacement of substan- petitioner are the root Based on the alert by the the total recoveries stood at ducted and the petitioner dard jaggery to the tune of cause for the free move- owner, police personnel from 2,39,056 while the toll at was given an opportunity 11,440 packets, especially ment of adulteration/sub- Acharappakam and 4,249. Of the 19 deaths, 16 to defend the memo and when the said fact is not standard goods”. Maduranatakam blocked the were due to comorbidities. Puducherry logs 260 fresh cases vehicle near Madurantakam. Next to Chennai, They were arrested and sent to Coimbatore reported 280 Puducherry, April 1: last 24 hours ending 10 AM Puducherry (190), Karaikal judicial remand. new cases, followed by Puducherry logged 260 new Thursday, taking the toll to (54) and Mahe (16). Also, 43 AG refuses to accord Chengalpet with 258, Covid-19 cases in the last 24 683, Director of Health and patients were discharged SHRC asks ex-cop to pay `1 L Thiruvallur, 158 and hours taking the overall Family Welfare Services S after recovery during the consent to punish Thanjavur 113. Barring tally to 41,728, a senior offi- Mohan Kumar said in a last 24 hours. As many as damages to retired ranger Perambalur, which reported cial of the Department of release. The deceased had 6.73 lakh samples have one fresh case and Health and Family Welfare comorbidities, he added. been examined so far and DC CORRESPONDENT K. , inspector of Gurumurthy Dharmapuri two new cases, services said on Thursday. The 260 new cases were of them 6.22 lakh turned CHENNAI, APRIL 1 Thirupathiripuliyur police Chennai, April 1: Tamil the remaining districts A 72-year old male patient identified at the end of the out to be negative, he said station, summoning him Nadu Advocate-General reported cases in double died in the government examination of 2,355 sam- adding the overall Covid-19 The State Human Rights for an enquiry. He was Narayan has digits.PTI general hospital during the ples and were spread over tally was 41,728. —PTI Commission has directed unnecessarily detained for refused to grant consent an inspector in Cuddalore hours. On January, 2, 2013 to initiate criminal con- district to pay a compensa- Geetha came along with her tempt proceedings tion of `1 lakh to a retired henchmen and broke the against columnist and forest ranger for harassing lock of one portion of the editor of Tamil Magazine Man murders father over family dispute him in custody nine years house. When Sairam went 'Thuglak' for his alleged ago. to the police station to lodge remarks against the judi- DC CORRESPONDENT deceased Chandrasekar, business and was unem- head was rushed to a pri- Former forest ranger G. a complaint, Ravi refused to ciary and the judges at a CHENNAI, APRIL 1 (68) lived with wife Cha- ployed. Meanwhile, Cha- vate hospital by Balamuru- Sairam of Saraswathi receive it and also ordered function in January. "On ndra (65) and two sons, Sr- ndrasekar began looking gan and Chandra, where Nagar, Thirupathiripuliy- others not to receive his the facts and circum- A 32-year-old man alleged- ivinivasan (32) and Balam- for an alliance for the you- he passed away in the early ur, Cuddalore district, stat- complaint. Ravi denied the stances of this case and ly murdered his 68-year-old urugan (29) in Singape- ngest son Balamurugan hours of Thursday. ed he was living in a house allegations made in the by application of the law father, over a family dis- rumal Kovil. The couple’s and this irked Srinivasan. The Maraimalai Nagar that was bequeathed to him complaint. laid down in the three pute at their house in elder son was married On Wednesday evening, police registered a case by his mother. His brother’s SHRC member A. judgments cited above, I Singaperumal Kovil in and he lives with his fami- he picked up a quarrel regarding the murder. wife Geetha claimed a Chittaranjan Mohandoss do not think that any case Chengalpet district on ly in Madurai, the police with his father, which soon They have sent the body of share in the house. She said the complainant has to is made out to initiate Wednesday night and said. turned into a fight. the deceased to Chengalpet lodged a complaint with the be compensated for the criminal contempt pro- Social activist ‘Traffic’ absconded. Police sources said that Srinivasan allegedly took government hospital for Thirupathiripuliyur police harassment and loss of dig- ceedings against the Ramasamy’s 88th birthday According to police, the Chandrasekar and Sriniv- an iron rod and assaulted post-mortem. The police station, for partition of the nity by the actions of then respondent celebrated in the city on accused identified as C. asan often exchanged ver- his father, according to the have intensified search to property. inspector Ravi. Hence, he (Gurumurthy)," the AG Thursday. Srinivasan (32), is still at bal fights, as the latter police. Chandrasekar who nab the accused who is on He said on December 31, has to pay a compensation said in his order issued on —DC large. Police said that the incurred huge loss in the suffered injuries to his run. 2012 he received a call from of `1 lakh to Sairam. March 31. —PTI COFFEE-BREAK CALVIN AND HOBBES| Bill Watterson Your day today By Dr C.V.B. Subrahmanyam QUICK CROSSWORD Aries: Be open and honest in your communica- tion with your beloved. Dissent is possible, so say your words with extreme care. Work towards your long-term goals. Taurus: Don’t hand over important files to your boss until you are sure that it is complete . Ignore colleagues who openly criticise you, they THE WIZARD OF ID| Parker and Hartsd do not need attention. Gemini: Your rude behaviour could create some rift in your relationship. You should always keep in mind that in love life you have to adjust with each other. Cancer: Love and romance is in the air. Creativity in new ventures at your career will be appreciated. Unexpected financial gains through profession are possible. Leo: Women, friends and your spouse will con- tribute to your gains. This is not the right time ARCHIE| Bill Henry Scarpelli & craig boldman for you to involve in major money transactions.

Virgo: Some problems like misunderstanding with clients are foreseen. The latter half of the day will be progressive for your official affairs. People will excel in their works today. Across Down YESTERDAY’S ANSWER 1.Effluent (6) 1. Confident (4) Across: 1. Hourglass, You share your b’day with 3. Auction items (4) 2. Money holder (6) 6. Dates, 7. Stall, 9. Ajay Devgn is an Indian actor. He starred in films like 7. Regulation (4) 4. Unctuous (4) Ulna, 10. Common, 8. Wine store (6) 5. Distribution (6) 12. Loiter, 14. Toga, Dilwale, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, The Legend of Bhagat 17. Drake, 18. Exile, Singh, Golmaal: Fun Unlimited, Singham, Tanhaji amongst 10. Evil (7) 6. Mexican spirit (7) 19. Centenary. 13. Anarchic (7) 9. Heighten (7) others. 16. Come away (6) 11. Impede (6) Down: 2. Often, 3. Rust, 4. Lesion, 5. BLONDIE| Dean Young and John Marshall Libra: If you are working with a female busi- 17. Opinion (4) 12. Help cut (6) Spasm, 6. Doubled, 8. ness partner, it is a profitable period for your 18. Gemstone (4) 14. Butt (4) Lineage, 11. Deceit, 19. Frittered away (6) 15. Outstanding (4) 13. Image, 15. Osier, business. Do not opt to execute your expan- 16. Keen sion plans during this day. Scorpio: You will remain fit all through the day. It will be better to stay away from junk foods and switch to healthy foods. Take Word Mine jumble proper care of your eyes. Sagittarius: Practicing yoga and meditation S will avoid mental disturbances. Your best efforts coupled with your confidence will AAN fetch you success. Capricorn: Your children will bring about gains to ANDY CAPP | Reg Smythe you; at the same time, their health issues could I A L S T bother you. Too many tasks might put you in a TODAY’S RATINGS: 13 AVERAGE; 15 dilemma. Support from family is not on cards. GOOD; 17 OUTSTANDING How many words of four or more Aquarius: Health conditions of your family mem- letters can you make from the bers will get improved. Visiting religious spots will letters shown in today’s puzzle? In making a word, each letter may help you overcome mental depression and gift you be used once only. Each word with mental peace. It is not a good day for love. must contain the letter at the top of the pyramid. There should be at Pisces: You will not be stably inclined towards least one nine letter word. Plurals, the matters of your heart. If you are planning to foreign words and proper names

are not allowed.

propose, postpone it to some other time. Your stain

sail, saint, salt, satin, silt, slain, slant, slat, slit, snail, slit, slat, slant, slain, silt, satin, salt, saint, sail, expenditures will overrule your gains. nasal, list, last, lass, ASSAILANT, assail, ANSWERS: TARZAN| Edgar Rice Burroughs ark Twain wrote, “One round two. But if you have the club four, as would most worked, he drew the last bridge of the most striking nine cards, it is better to play top players in my opinion. trump and lost only three Mdifferences between a off the ace and king, expecting Janusz Pietruk (South) called tricks, one in each side suit. PHILLIP cat and a lie is that a cat has the to drop. However, for dummy’s 10, and when At the other table, East had ALDER only nine lives.” in this latter case, that is only East contributed the nine, bid hearts. So West began Well, it is hard to call an about 2% better than a sec- Pietruk felt confident that with the ace and another adage like “lead through ond-round finesse. If you West had started with four heart. Now it looked as though EIGHT strength and up to weakness” know something about anoth- clubs and East with a single- West would be long in spades. a lie. There are exceptions, but er suit, the odds can change. ton. If so, the odds had The American declarer cashed USUALLY, it is usually correct. Another This deal occurred during altered. Now it was better to his spade ace and went down adage is “eight ever, nine the 1972 World Team play East for long spades. one, losing a trick in each suit. never.” As you probably know, Olympiad in Miami Beach, Trusting his judgment, declar- NINE this means that if you have when the Aces faced Poland. er cashed dummy’s spade Copyright United Feature eight trumps missing only the The American West had an king, then led a spade to his Syndicate SOMETIMES queen, you should finesse on unenviable lead and selected jack. When the finesse (Asia Features) NATION pg DECCAN CHRONICLE | CHENNAI | FRIDAY | 2 APRIL 2021 5

SHORT TAKES Troops sent to JAWAN BEGINS KASHMIR TO stop Myanmar KANYAKUMARI RUN YUSUF JAMEEL | DC SRINAGAR, APRIL 1 refugees’ entry An Army corporal on Thurs- DC CORRESPONDENT been rushed to the day began a walk from Kashm- NEW DELHI, APRIL 1 Myanmar border. ir to Kanyakumari with a res- Sources said so far it has olve to set a Guinness World Additional battalions of been decided that illegal Record. ITBP, SSB and Assam migrants will not be Naik N.A. Velu P. of the Rifle are being rushed to allowed into India. Army’s 60 Para Field Hospital the India-Myanmar bor- However, as a humanitar- who was sent off from the der as some refugees from ian gesture, Indian secu- headquarters of the Chinar or Myanmar have been try- rity forces have been pro- 15 Corps headquarters here by ing to enter India in wake viding food, medicine his colleagues on the journey of Army action against and water to some resi- covering a distance of approx- protestors there. Though dents of villages in imately 4,300 kilometres with- so far Myanmar residents Myanmar which are close in 50 days is an “ultra-marat- are not being allowed, to the border. However, honer who is attempting a Gui- Cabinet Committee on they are not being permit- nness book of world record, Security (CCS) will dis- ted to cross over into defence spokesman Lt. cuss the issue in its meet- India. Colonel Emron Musavi said. ing next week, sources Top security sources He was flagged off from 92 said. said that the Cabinet Base Hospital at Srinagar with Security and intelli- Committee on Security, a heart-warming gathering of gence agencies are closely which is likely to meet enthusiasts. People queue up to vote on Thursday during the second phase of Assembly elections in East Medinipur district of West Bengal. monitoring the situation sometime next week, will — PRITAM BANDYOPADHYAY all along the India- discuss the Myanmar sit- Myanmar border as there uation in detail. ODISHA SIZZLES is considerable tension in A decision could also Myanmar as Army has be taken on the crucial UNDER SEVERE launched a massive offen- issue on whether some sive against protestors in refugees from Myanmar HEAT WAVE their country. This has should be allowed inside Cong, AIUDF aim to make big forced people to flee from India purely on a tempo- DC CORRESPONDENT Myanmar and a lot of rary basis till the time the BHUBANESWAR, APRIL 1 them have been trying to situation normalises in enter India. Myanmar. Bhubaneswar which on But so far border guards “So far government poli- Wednesday recorded the coun- gains in Assam 2nd phase have managed to stop any cy is clear that no illegal try’s maximum temperature of illegal entry into India migration would be 44.2 degrees Celsius, contin- and have contained the allowed from Myanmar. ued to sizzle under intense Assam records 73% polling in 39 Assembly constituencies in phase-II situation along the bor- But maybe some relax- heat wave on Thursday. The der. India shares almost a ation could be given only city, according to local meteo- MANOJ ANAND | DC 1,500-km long border with on temporary and huma- rological office sources, GUWAHATI, APRIL 1 Myanmar. nitarian basis to give recorded 39.8 degrees Celsius RAJA BANNED Following the tense situ- shelter to some refugees. temperature. In the second phase of Assam polls battle between ation in Myanmar it is But the decision will have While Angul and Talcher polling, Assam on has been decided that to be taken by the Cabinet recorded the highest 42.7 Thursday recorded more FROM CAMPAIGN additional central para- Committee on Security,” a degrees Celsius temperature, than 73 per cent polling in military forces like ITBP, senior home ministry mercury hovered over 40 39 Assembly seats spread ‘jhooth’ & ‘vikas’, says Modi FOR TWO DAYS SSB and Assam Rifle have official added. degrees Celsius in at least 13 across six different other cities. regions of the state. The DC CORRESPONDENT people have yet again sho- grand victory of NDA,” he FROM PG 1 Stating that the heat wave Nowgong seat recorded GUWAHATI, APRIL 1 wn a Red Card to Congress said COVID UPDATE conditions would continue till the highest turnout of and its Mahajot. People of Referring to BJP govern- The AIADMK's com- next 24 hours, the weather 83.10 per cent. Prime Minister Narendra Assam have trust in the ment’s developmental ini- plaint dated March 27, department cautioned people The six regions which Modi on Thursday came NDA for the development, tiatives in the state, Modi alleging that Mr Raja had not to venture out under the went to polls on Thursday down heavily on peace, security of the sta- said, “Medical college is made a derogatory and NEW VARIANT FOUR MORE DIE scorching sun. included Southern Opposition Congress and te. This is an election bet- being set up in Kokrajhar scandalous speech dur- Like Wednesday, normal life Assam’s Barak Valley said that the ongoing ween the ‘maha jhooth’ of at a rapid pace. A package ing a campaign on March was severely affected on Thu- with 15 seats, Central Assam Assembly election Mahajot (Congress-AIUDF of `1,500 crore has also be- 26 at the Thousand FOUND IN IN J&K, 461 NEW rsday after mercury began to Assam’s 12 seats, Hill dis- has become a “battle” grand alliance) and ‘maha en provided for developm- Lights constituency, was shoot up after 8 am. tricts’ five seats, Bodoland between the Congress- vikas’ of the double ent. Bodoland University, forwarded by the chief CHHATTISGARH CASES REPORTED Soon after, the local Met Territorial Council’s four AIUDF grand alliance of engine government.” Central Institute of Tec- electoral officer (CEO) to office posted a tweet warning seats, Kamrup rural’s two “maha jhooth” (great lie) Asserting that the BJP is hnology, Bodoland Bha- the ECI. RABINDRA NATH DC CORRESPONDENT people to avoid direct heat seats and one seat of lower and National Democratic set for a grand victory in wan and several other ins- Mr Raja was asked to CHOUDHURY | DC SRINAGAR, APRIL 1 exposure till 4 pm. The Assam. Alliance of “maha vikas” Phase-I polls, Modi said t- titutions are becoming the give his explanation after with agency inputs Regional Meteorological The political battles are (great development). he NDA government is wo- identity of this region.” the ECI obtained a factu- BHOPAL, APRIL 1 The number of Centre forecasted that there also different in each of Addressing a public rking for welfare of Assa- He said, “From providi- al report from the CEO Coronavirus cases are would be a fall in temperature these regions. The biggest rally in Kokrajhar which m with the mantra of ‘sab- ng land pattas to over 3.25 and on the basis of pre- New variant of increasing with each in the state from Friday. chunk of seats in the sec- is scheduled to go for pol- ka saath sabka vikas sab- lakh families, increasing liminary reports and Coronavirus, named N- passing day in Jammu ond phase are in the Barak ling in the third and final ka vishwas’. “People of A- rates of workers to maki- transcripts of his speech- 440, has been found in and Kashmir. Valley, in southern Assam. phase of polling on April ssam have given blessings ng the life of women work- es made at Keelapalur Chhattisgarh indicating On Thursday, as many TIGERESS FOUND Bengali speaking voters 6, Modi said, “Football is to NDA in 1st phase of po- ing in tea gardens, the and Meensuruti. mutation of virus in the as 461 fresh cases of the are in a majority in this very popular among youth lling. In the 1st phase, As- NDA has tried to bring all- The order said that Mr state, Chhattisgarh virus were reported DEAD IN MP region, which has a siz- here. In terms of football sam has put a stamp on round development.” Raja had described DMK health minister T.S. including 361 from the able number of migrants, president M.K. Stalin as Singhdeo said on Valley and 100 from RESERVE FOREST both — Hindus and a child of good relation- Thursday. Jammu region of the Muslims. The BJP has tra- Like Barak Valley, ship and good birth and According to him, the Union Territory which DC CORRESPONDENT ditionally been stronger Central Assam too has a VIOLENCE MARS NANDIGRAM Chief Minister Edappadi Centre has sent a report is the highest daily rise BHOPAL, APRIL 1 among Bengali Hindus. sizable Muslim popula- K. Palaniswami as a child to the Chhattisgarh gov- this year. This region also has a tion, though it is a mix of of a bad relationship and ernment recently con- Also, four more A female tiger died in sizable number of Muslim Assamese and Bengali a prematurely born child firming that the new people died of the infec- Bandhavgarh reserve forest population — 60 per cent speakers. VOTING; FORCES RESCUE DIDI at Keelapalur. At variant of Coronavirus tion, raising the toll to core zone which was struck by in Hailakandi district, 56 Muslims account for 56 turnout of more than 80 Meensuruti, he had said was found in five sam- 1,998. “The total num- a wildfire a couple of days ago, per cent in Karimganj dis- per cent of the population FROM PG 1 per cent was recorded. that Mr Palaniswami ples from the state. ber of Covid-19 positive forest officers said on Thurs- trict and 37 per cent in in central Assam’s Bankura recorded the crawled and held the feet However, doctors say a cases in J&K has day. Carcass of the 13-year-old Cachar district. The Barak Nagaon district, 52 per Soon after, the Governor highest turnout at 82.92 of former party general study was yet to be done risen to 1,31,421. tigress was found in Rahania Valley Muslims are also cent in Morigaon, 53 per tweeted, “Issues flagged per cent, followed by secretary V.K. Sasikala to as to how the new vari- However, only 2,874 are forest beat area under Magad- Bengali speaking. In the cent in Hojai and 64 per @MamataOfficial a while Purba Medinipur at 81.23, come to his present posi- ant of the virus would active positive whereas hi range in the reserve late on 2016 Assembly polls, the cent in Darrang. This ago on phone have been South 24 Parganas at tion, the order said, exactly affect our 1,26,549 patients have Tuesday night, field director of BJP had won eight out of region, too, is likely to wit- imparted (sic) to the con- 79:65 per cent, Paschim adding “after consider- immune system. recovered and 1,998 Bandhavgarh tiger reserve 15 seats, the All India ness a major impact of the cerned”. Medinipur at 78 per cent. ing your statements and But, it has been found have died,” an official Wincent Rahim said. United Democratic Front Congress-led grand Despite this Nandigram The Election reports, the Commission that the mutant was spokesman said in Post-mortem of the body was (AIUDF) four and the alliance with AIUDF. recorded voter turnout of Commission has sought a had found the contents of capable of weakening Jammu. done on Wednesday by the vet- Congress three. In 2016, NDA had won 9 over 81 per cent till 5 pm. report from the East the speech made by you the immune system. Several areas in the erinary doctor of the range This time, however, the out of 12 seats, but four of “Eighty per cent votes Midnapore district are not only derogatory Singhdeo said no Valley have been Nitin Gupta in the presence of equations have changed these were due to a split in here were rigged. administration on Ms but also obscene and Coronavirus variants of declared contaminated representatives of National with the Congress and votes between the Cheating was done in Banerjee's presence at lower the dignity of Britain, South Africa zones following resi- Tiger Conservation Authority AIUDF joining hands. In Congress and AIUDF. The polling here. I lodged 63 the booth for a long time motherhood of women.” and Brazil were so far dents in fairly large (NTCA) and senior officers of 2016, out of the eight seats political observers are of complaints to the EC. and her allegations of Since it was a serious detected in numbers contracted the the state forest department BJP won, four were due to view that the NDA may Why are the goons of the electoral malpractices. violation of the provi- Chhattisgarh. virus. including Rahim. a vote split between the have to struggle to hold on BJP from other states Violence erupted across sion of the Model Code of All India Institute of Also, eight schools The post-mortem report, Congress and AIUDF. This to its seats in this area too. like Uttar Pradesh the high-profile con- Conduct, the ECI issued a Medical Science have been shut for three made public late on Wednesd- time the two parties have The battle for one seat — allowed here? I have stituency as the polling notice on March 30, ask- (AIIMS), Raipur, gathers to seven days after the ay night, suggested that the come together therefore, Barhampur in Nagaon dis- never seen such an EC. I got underway in the ing Mr Raja to explain samples in Chhattisgarh swab samples of more big cat may have succumbed to the alliance is hoping its trict has also become urge it to act impartially. morning. At Satengabari, his position by March 31. and sends them to the than 60 students and injuries caused by a fierce chances of inflicting interesting as the BJP has I am not blaming the TMC activists pelted Mr Raja's interim reply National Centre for half a dozen teachers fight with another tiger, a sen- heavy losses on the BJP in taken over the seat of its Central forces because stones on the convoy of - in which he denied the Disease Control for tests. collected during a recent ior forest officer told this this region. ally AGP, denying a ticket Union home minister Mr Adhikari of the BJP, allegations and asked for The first positive case drive by the J&K Health newspaper. Three seats each in to former chief minister Amit Shah is giving and shouted “Go Back”. copies of the full text of in Chhattisgarh was Department turned posi- “Prima facie it appears the Darrang, Morigaon, and AGP stalwart Prafulla orders to BSF, CRPF and Bombs were hurled at his speech and reported in Raipur on tive for the virus. tigress had suffered grievous Nagaon and Hojai dis- Kumar Mahanta. others,” Ms Banerjee Sonachura and AIADMK's complaint, March 18, 2020. The Jammu & wounds due to a tussle with a tricts also voted in the sec- The polling in Assam said. Kalicharanpur. In besides requesting an Meanwhile, India on Kashmir government male tiger during their mat- ond phase of polling on was almost peaceful with a Though sporadic inci- Bhetukiya a BJP worker, opportunity to give a Thursday recorded had on Tuesday ing. The big cat had injury ma- Thursday. Five seats in significant number of vot- dents of violence and Uday Dube (48), was detailed reply and per- 79,275 new cases and 461 announced a slew of rks on her shoulder and neck. Nagaon have already ers turning up since allegations of vote fraud found hanging in his resi- sonal hearing with his deaths in the last 24 measures to contain She may have succumbed to voted along with Upper morning hours to exercise marked the second phase dence. His party accused lawyer - was found not to hours taking the nation- Coronovirus in view of her injuries”, Rahim said. Assam in the first phase of their franchise on of West Bengal Assembly the TMC of driving him be satisfactory by the wide tally of cases to fresh surge in positive polling. Thursday. polls, a large voter to commit suicide. ECI. 1,22,99,987. cases. Odisha infant dies as doc gives HOLY | GATHERING It is for the 1st time in history that the event is held for just a month injection after ‘Google search’ Kumbh Mela begins in Haridwar AKSHAYA KUMAR Thursday took his critically On the other hand, the med- Haridwar, April 1: The Uttarakhand’s borders Kumbh by the ties in Haridwar to ramp pandemic. SAHOO | DC ill son to the Dabugaan ical officer at the health cen- Kumbh Mela formally with Uttar Pradesh at Uttarakhand High Court. up testing from 5,000 per In normal circum- BHUBANESWAR, APRIL 1 Health Centre after his condi- tre rubbished the allegation began in Haridwar on Narsan in Roorkee and In an order on day to 50,000. Uttarakhand stances, Kumbh is held for tion deteriorated. of ‘Google search’ medica- Thursday with several Kashipur in Udham Singh Wednesday, the high court reported 293 positive nearly four months. Its A couple hailing from The doctor who attended tion. restrictions imposed on Nagar district has been said a negative RT-PCR Covid-19 cases on last edition was held in Odisha’s Nabarangpur on the infant wrote the prescrip- “There was no medical neg- devotees coming to attend intensified to ensure that certification will be com- Wednesday with Haridwar from January 14 Thursday alleged that their tion after searching the medi- ligence. The child suffered the event amid rising only people with a nega- pulsory even in the case of Dehradun and Haridwar to April 28 in 2010. six-month-old infant son suf- cine on Google, he said. from severe pneumonia and cases of Covid-19 in vari- tive RT-PCR test report devotees who have districts accounting for a Between April 1 and 30, fering from pneumonia died “The doctor advised that my was admitted to the hospital ous states including proceed for the Kumbh received the first dose of majority of them. there will be three major after he was administered an son needed a life-saving injec- in a critical condition. Uttarakhand. Mela. the Corona vaccine. Dehradun reported 171 bathing dates (shahi snan injection which was pre- tion. He prescribed the injec- Appropriate medicines were Officials associated with “Besides registering on Devotees who have taken cases followed by or royal baths) on April 12, scribed by the doctor after a tion not from his memory but used. But, he was in the last organising the event, our portal, it is compulso- the anti-Covid vaccination Haridwar which reported 14 and 27. ‘Google search’ at Dabugam after doing a Google search. stage,” said Subhasis Sahoo, including Mela Officer ry for devotees to bring a will have to show their 70, the Covid Control room Besides the shahi snan Health Centre. Soon after the baby was the medical officer at Deepak Rawat, Mela IG negative RT-PCR test certificates and follow the in Dehradun said. dates when people descend The local medical officer, administered the injection, Dabugam. Sanjay Gunjyal and report with them,” Mela anti-Covid guidelines like It is for the first time in in droves on the banks of however, denied the allega- he closed eyes and died,” “They took the patient Haridwar SSP Janmejay Officer Deepak Rawat wearing masks, maintain- the history of the grand the Ganga in Haridwar for tion and said proper injection Bisoyee added. to Umerkote, but returned Khanduri, worshipped in said. ing social distancing and religious congregation a holy bath, a heavy was given to the infant. “The doctor didn't bother to mid-way after his condition temples along the banks of A negative RT-PCR test frequently undertaking held on the banks of the turnout of devotees is also According to the reports, refer us to the Umerkote hos- deteriorated. When they the Ganga to pray for a report not older than 72 hand sanitisation in the Ganga in Haridwar once expected on the occasion Prasant Bisoyee of pital in time where we could reached here the patient had safe and unhindered hours before arrival has Kumbh Kshetra. in 12 years that its dura- of Chaitra Pratipada on Badaolama village in have availed better treat- become very critical,” Sahoo Kumbh fair. been made mandatory for The high court has also tion has been curtailed to April 13 and Ram Navami Nabarangpur district on ment,” he alleged. claimed. Checking on devotees gathering for the asked the health authori- just one month due to the on April 21. — PTI EDIT DECCAN CHRONICLE | FRIDAY | 2 APRIL 2021 | CHENNAI pg 6

2 APRIL 2021

Small savings U-turn: Bad Subhani economics, bizarre optics t is a bizarre moment for policy. Since Assembly elections are on in many states, evidently the fear of electoral backlash has forced an about turn by the Centre in something like 12 hours flat. On Wednesday night, the government Iannounced substantial cuts in interest rates for small savings, meaning instruments such as PPF, post office savings, bank fixed deposits, Kisan Vikas Patras, and Senior Citizen Savings Scheme which ordinary people use to save their lifelong earnings. On Friday morning, the announcement was reversed in a tweet by Union finance minister . Small savings, or common people’s savings, are critical. They constitute as much as 60 per cent of all savings in the economy. The savings rate in the country was already touching a 15-year low, with household savings (small savings) declin- ing steadily on account of shrinking interest rates, especially since early 2020. If the savings rate is low, investments will be inadequate. As a result of low invest- ment funds available within the country, India has had to take recourse to exter- nal borrowings. So, that’s how important small savings are. LETTERS The core inflation rate in India was six per cent in January. The proposed cuts in interest rate for small savings would have brought the real value of most of these savings into negative territory. So, why was the finance minister unmindful BJP has a different take… EYE ON ELECTION of the daily needs of ordinary Indians when it is well known that millions of peo- ple depend on the interest earnings from their savings to meet their everyday needs? Finance Minister Nirmala This is not just bad poll-time optics, hurting the lower end of society is deplorable Sitharaman has announced political economy. During the year-long pandemic, and for three years before that that the interest on savings (as a consequence of demonetisation), it is the poor, the middle classes, and small and medium businesses that really suffered in terms of job losses and output loss- On history, science, cows! deposits, provident fund es. They have struggled to survive. In contrast, the richest Indians — especially interest rates, etc., would not big industry — have made handsome gains. And yet, the government’s policy on and Pandavas. Bengal’s duce gold with the help of interest rates, which is done quarterly, singled out small savings for punishment. Jagdeep Dhankhar sunlight”, he has be reduced for the financial A probable reason is that the government may have calculated that if the inter- insists that Arjun’s declared. So rather than year 2021-22 (as mentioned est rates are pushed down, it can borrow on better terms to meet its needs. Which Karan Thapar arrows had nuclear drink a glass of the stuff, means the ordinary people, rather than the better off citizens, were being asked to power. UP’s Dinesh you ought to sift it. in the budget). This shoulder the burden of government borrowings which for the financial year 2021- Sharma maintains jour- Michael Lobo, a BJP announcement has rightly 22 is slated to be 12.06 trillion rupees. In effect, the section of the population which nalism started to cover minister in , says been criticised by the oppo- is already teetering on the brink was expected to surrender more to finance the As I See It the battle at that cows in Calangute government’s plans, as compared to the big boys. Kurukshetra. Not just have recently changed sition party leaders as it is The plan was jettisoned overnight, but even at the prevailing rates of interest for that, there were live tele- their character and now clearly influenced by assem- small savings, the ordinary householder is eking out a hard living. Is the present y office together and discussed casts too. And he adds: “only eat non-vegetarian finance minister responsible for the poor woman’s misery, or is it that the policy keeps a spirituality”. It’s an inter- “Your Google has started food”. I wonder if earlier bly elections in four states set responsible for accelerating poverty pre-dates her assuming charge of finance? track of esting idea but as impos- now but our Google start- they were fond of beef? and a union territory. It seems Policymaking is highly centralised in the present set-up. Whether it is finance or some of the sible as the claim Jesus ed long time back”. Uttarakhand’s former that Finance Minister Nirmala foreign affairs or defence, or matters concerning home, agriculture or industry, it outlandish and Muhammad had a Much the same sort of chief minister Trivendra is widely thought that decisions are made on high. That is where answers ought Mthings said by leaders of fireside chat or as inaccu- claim is made about Singh Rawat had once Sitharaman has either made to be sought for the goof-up. On account of elections, the panic button was pressed the BJP. I am not sure rate as the belief Buddha genetic science, plastic proclaimed that cows a mistake or has been made at the last minute. But what happens in the next quarter will be keenly watched. how it started, and I and Zarathustra were surgery and test-tube exhale oxygen. So what doubt if we follow other buddies. babies. In 2014, in a do they breathe? to announce the same to parties equally assidu- However, my favourite speech at the inaugura- Our file reflects these please the electorate. If the ously. But the BJP collec- is a bloomer about the tion of the Reliance days BJP leaders have former is the reason it does tion, if I can use that man many consider the Hospital in Mumbai, the become specialists in K’taka: ‘Lotus’ probe welcome term, is quite a hoard. It Prime Minister’s party’s Prime Minister said the haute couture. They’ve not speak well of an FM's cal- includes the offensive revered founder. This is fact Karan was born from taken to advising women ibre to bungle in matters of he high court has allowed an inquiry into the “Operation Lotus” and the ludicrous, it what Mr Modi told a Kunti’s ear is proof that what to wear. Tirath controversy that surfaced before the Janata Dal-Congress government of ranges from the Prime gathering in Gujarat in genetic science was Singh Rawat has firmly finance. TH.D. Kumaraswamy was brought down in July 2019 through defections. This Minister to the least 2013: “Syama Prasad known at the time. He ruled out ripped jeans. M.C. Vijay Shankar, is a setback for the BJP as well as its Karnataka chief minister B.S. Yediyurappa known MLA, and it cov- Mookerjee was a revolu- added the fact Ganesh He doesn’t approve of who was charged with engineering the collapse of the government through vari- ers subjects as varied as tionary. He died in 1930 has an elephant head is bare knees. “If this kind Chennai ous inducements, including an offer of money reportedly made in a telephone call religion, mythology, his- in London.” I would call proof there were plastic of woman goes out in with the son of a JD(S) legislator. tory, couture, cuisine, that a three-in-one. surgeons in those days. society to meet people STOP SLANDERING The judge John Michael D’Cunha, known to take a tough stand on corruption in practically everything to Mookerjee was not a rev- No doubt inspired by his and solve their problems, This refers to the report, ‘Modi slams politics as evidenced in his sensational 2014 ruling to convict J. Jayalalithaa of do with cows and, of olutionary. He was a leader, Dinesh Sharma what kind of message are Cong-DMK over remark against CM’s graft and fine her `100 crore, has based his judgment on the allegations and the course, sex. On a slow member of Jawaharlal has more recently pro- we giving to society and mother. DMK Raja’s remark has been contents of the complaint being so serious as to not allow a court to empower itself day it can be quite fun to Nehru’s first Cabinet. claimed Sita was a test- to our kids?”, he asks. So blown out of proportion. What Raja said to quash the complaint and FIR. It is a different matter that the agencies that will browse. Before that he was presi- tube baby! clearly, he’s not in favour had been taken out of the context by the be tasked with running the probe would be controlled by the powers that be. The Well, that’s what I did dent of Less surprising but also of a plunging décolletage. CM as it has not been understood by highest degree of morality would be sustained only if Mr Yediyurappa were to step over the recent holidays Mahasabha. Earlier, he far more frequent is evi- Dilip Ghosh, his col- him. Raja's remark has been clearly down for the pendency of the probe but such ideals have been thrown by the way- and I noticed a few was a lawyer and acade- dence of the BJP’s incred- league in Bengal, who explained to the public in the press con- side long ago in Indian politics. intriguing patterns. mic. He didn’t die in 1930 ible faith in the Indian perhaps hopes to replace ference by Raja himself. He also sought In a sensational audio clip that became public at the time, a conversation Perhaps the most strik- but 1953. It wasn’t in cow and its many prod- Mamata Banerjee as the pardon from the public who were between Mr Yediyurappa and Sharanagouda Patil, son of JD(S) MLA ing is that the BJP has a London but in a jail in ucts. Suman Haripriya, a chief minister, is more hurt, if any, by the miscarriage of Naganagouda Patil, had revealed an offer of `10 crore as well as a ministerial very poor grasp of histo- Jammu and Kashmir. member of the Assam avant-garde. He’s sug- words. He also rendered his apology to berth if he could get his father to switch sides. Mr Yediyurappa had, of course, dis- ry. For instance, Tirath And, of course, he found- Assembly, believes “gau- gested Ms Banrejee the Chief Minister. The ill-feelings missed it as a conspiracy hatched by the then chief minister to entrap him. Singh Rawat, the new ed the Bharatiya Jan mutra” and “gobar” can should wear Bermudas. between the two subsided and the issue Facile explanations should cut no ice with probe agencies provided they run a chief minister of Sangh. cure coronovirus. Sadhvi “If she has to keep her leg stood closed now. But, again the Prime thorough investigation to get to the bottom of the affair and establish that com- Uttarakhand, believes A second theme in the Pragya believes it’s out then why wear a Minister came in and this was the main pelling offers had indeed been made for legislators to switch loyalties. The fact that “America enslaved India file is the BJP’s question- already cured her cancer. sari”, he asks. “She could topic for him to talk to the audience. He a probe has been ordered itself brings into focus the widely held view that the rul- for 200 years”. His coun- ing of science alongside Meanwhile, for those wear a pair of Bermudas rakes up the issue again and compli- ing party at the Centre had been playing toppling games through which non-BJP terpart in Tripura, its conviction that most who have blood pressure instead. So that it can be cates it by slamming both Congress and governments were targeted and brought down, as in and Biplab Kumar Deb, is modern achievements problems, she strongly seen clearly”. DMK. Where does the Congress come Puducherry, but proved unsuccessful in Rajasthan. convinced that actually occurred cen- recommends a good rub Of course, the thickest into this issue? The reason is simple. turies or even millennia of a cow’s back. part of the file is what The pre-poll predictions by almost all returned his Nobel Prize earlier. When he was If, however, wealth BJP leaders have to say agencies suggest a massive victory for to protest against the junior minister for rather than health is about Muslims, their reli- the DMK-Congress alliance. DECCAN CHRONICLE British. But what really human resources devel- your concern Dilip gion Islam and the fact Jubel D’Cruz Ghosh, the BJP’s Bengal that they would be better KAUSHIK MITTER K. SUDHAKAR surprised me is the num- opment — which, inci- Mumbai Editor Printer & Publisher ber of times the Prime dentally, includes educa- chief, insists that cow’s off in Pakistan. Termites R. MOHAN Minister is confused by tion — Satyapal Singh milk contains gold. feature in this part fairly NO IDEOLOGY Resident Editor the past. said Charles Darwin’s “There’s a nari (blood substantially. So does the In Indian politics there is absolutely DECCAN CHRONICLE offices are located at: Chennai: SP 3 Developed Plot, Industrial Estate, Guindy, Chennai 600032. Phones: (044) 22254747, Alexander’s army, he Theory of Evolution was vessel) that helps pro- size of their families. But no set ideology for any party. There is 22254748 once said, conquered the “scientifically wrong”. there’s nothing imagina- only one mantra - win by hook or Coimbatore: 77 Vivekananda Road, Ramnagar, Coimbatore 641009. Phone: (0422) 2231255, 2231256 entire world but was Since no one had seen tive or fanciful about this crook and following "My enemy’s : 36, Sarojini Devi Road, Secunderabad 500 003. Phone: (040) 27803930-4. Fax: (040) defeated by the Biharis. “an ape turning into a My favourite is a portion. Just offensive enemy is my friend". 27805256. and horribly wrong. Bengaluru: 5th Floor, BMTC Commercial Complex, 80 Ft. Road, Koramangala, Bangalore-560095. Ph: On another occasion he man”, he said, that was bloomer about the Of course, such alliances do differ 08043460500; Fax: 080-22960551/52/55 relocated Taxila to some- proof dear Charles had man many consider Now I don’t know how from state to state for these parties. Visakhapatnam: Survey No. 1/3A Beach Road, Near Kailasagiri Ropeway, Sector-9 MVP Colony, where not far from got things mixed up. Our other parties compare The present-day political leaders’ atti- Visakhapatnam - 530 017. Phones: (0891) 2552333/2552334, Fax (0891) 2755285 Patna. On a third, he said textbooks, he concluded, the PM’s party’s with the BJP. My office tude is "even if I lose an eye, no prob- Vijayawada: No. C 3 & 4, Patamata, Industrial Estate, Auto Nagar, Vijayawada (A.P.). Phones: (0866) hasn’t kept a track of 2555284/ 2555287, Fax (0866) 2555234 when he thinks of the need to be changed. revered founder. lem. But the enemy should lose both Rajahmundry: Vemagiri, Dhawleswaram Rd, Rajahmundry 533125. Phones: (0883) 2417208, 2417618 Gupta dynasty, he And not surprisingly, This is what their statements. My pro- his eyes". Ironically, later on, the Anantapur: Thapovan Colony, Bangalore Bye-Pass Road, Anantapur 515004. Phones: (08554) 276903, remembers Chandra- long is the list of BJP Mr Modi told a ducer, Arvind Kumar, same alliance is broken on some per- Fax: 08554-276904 gupta. Of course, at the leaders who believe some tells me this is something sonal ego and the ruling party loses its Nellore: Survey No. 527/2, Burranpur Village, Venkatachalam (M), Chemudugunta Panchayat, Nellore. gathering in he intends to do. But will Phone: (0861) 2348581/ 82, Telefax (0861) 2348580 time he was wooing the of the greatest modern majority to force a re-election at the Karimnagar: Survey No. 1341, Vavilalapally Colony, Jagityala Road, Karimnagar 505 001. voters of Bihar so per- achievements actually Gujarat in 2013: it be as much fun? Or is cost of honest taxpayers' money. At Phone: (0878 ) 2228908; Telefax (0878) 2220433 haps this was intended as existed in the times of the ‘Syama Prasad this one respect in which that time none of these leaders would Kochi: No. 3-B, 3rd Floor, DD TRADE TOWER, Kaloor-Kadavanthara Road, Ernakulam, flattery. Mahabharata. Tripura’s Mookerjee was a the BJP is truly special? be concerned, either about their ideol- Ph: 0484-4039408 But what do you make Biplab Deb claims the ogy, secularism or even democracy, Kozhikode: No 6/1002 E, First Floor City Mall, Opp. YMCA Kannur Road, Kozhikode - 673 001 revolutionary. He Fax : 0495 4019018 of this? In 2018 he claimed Internet and satellite The writer is a which goes for a toss. Thiruvananthapuram: St Joseph Press Thycaud post, Cotton Hills, Thiruvananthapuram-14, Ph: 0471- Kabir, Guru Nanak and communications were died in 1930 in television commentator N. Mahadevan, 2735105/6/7, Fax: 0471-4016112 Gram: CHRONICLE Postal registration no: No. H/SD-348/2006-08ss Baba Gorakhnath “sat known to the Kauravas London.’ and anchor Chennai

his year marks a very special and to share the new dynamics of where unedited images from their We are also working on a very spe- one as we celebrate the exchanges between the protagonists travels throughout India in the late cial project on Italian Indology and Festival of Italian Culture in of the Italian and Indian culture and 1950s and 1960s are a testament of life Sanskrit studies. Together with the TIndia which is held in paral- creative industries. in those days. University of Rome La Sapienza, we pandemic is not easy. As with all the lel with the Indian Cultural Festival The cultural exchanges between Cultural ties between Italy and are putting together a collection of cultural institutions around the Vincenzo in Italy. The initiative was promoted the two countries date back to India are not only rooted in the past, publications by the most prominent world, we also had to reinvent our- at the last bilateral digital summit ancient history. Not only can ties but they are very much driven by Italian Indologists. The project is selves taking full advantage of the de Luca held on November 6, 2020 between between European and Indian cul- innovation, creativity and contempo- composed of four volumes — the first digital tools we familiarised with, the two Prime Ministers and it was tures be traced back to 700 BC, there rary cultural contamination. one will be a collection on Italian without giving up on the possibility also acknowledged by the President are also testimonies of linguistic To celebrate the Festival of Italian studies on Indian History, Economy, of nurturing our Indian friends with of the Italian Republic, Sergio influences in the sixteenth century. Culture in India, together with the Society; the second volume focuses limited outdoor events carried out in Mattarella, as one of the pillars of the In the last century, Giuseppe Tucci Embassy of India in Rome, we craft- on culture and literature; the third is full observation of health safety pro- bilateral cooperation between Italy and Luigi Tessitori contributed to ed a rich agenda of events in various the English translation of the biogra- tocols. It is thanks to the digital tools and India. In his message to Prime the knowledge of Indian culture and fields — cinema, , literature, phy of Giuseppe Tucci; the fourth that we have been able to connect Minister Narendra Modi on the occa- artistic tradition in Italy by collect- visual arts, fashion and design. This will be entirely dedicated to Indian Italy and India even more. The avail- sion of , Mr Mattarella ing scientific studies and artistic tes- year Italy celebrates the 700th contemporary art. ability of digital performances Linking Italian, said: “The Festival of Italian Culture timonies still preserved in Italy. anniversary of the death of the most Our events are a constant dialogue through the channels of the Embassy in India and Indian Culture in Italy Thanks to these experiences, Italy important figure of the Italian cul- between innovation and tradition. of Italy in New Delhi, the consulates will take place in 2021. These events boasts the most important tradition ture — the father of Italian language We are focusing on our traditions but in Mumbai and Kolkata and the Indian cultures, will facilitate the reciprocal compre- of Indology studies in the world out- and its most famous poet, Dante also on our dynamic and contempo- Italian Cultural Institutes of New hension and the closeness among our side India. In the last 50 years, Alighieri. We are commemorating rary cultural drive. We are also Delhi and Mumbai, along with the people.” exchanges in the cinematic field him in many of our cultural activi- attaching great importance in forg- innovative platforms launched by the We inaugurated the festival in have flourished with the production ties — from theatre to literature, ing partnerships with our Indian Italian foreign ministry have been past & present, January and had the honour to host of docu-films by Pierpaolo Pasolini exhibitions and musical perfor- counterparts and are thus working quite successful. The promotion of the minister of external affairs, S. and Roberto Rossellini and awards at mances. In February, I moderated a on strengthening cooperation among arts, music, culture knows no limits. Jaishankar, for the first in-person the Venice Film Festival to Satyajit panel with two eminent professors museums, developing projects on the Numerous more events still lie in Covid times event since the outbreak of the Ray and Mira Nair. We recently host- from Rome and Trento University in protection of our cultural heritage, ahead, and I am sure the “Festival of Covid-19 pandemic. The festival is a ed the screening of Rossellini’s and which we analysed the figure of enhancing collaboration among Italian Culture in India” will further unique opportunity to further Pasolini’s masterpieces during a Dante Alighieri and how contempo- artists, musicians and our creative consolidate the relations between strengthen the historical cultural three-night open-air “Notti Stellate, rary its masterpiece The Divine industries. Italy and India, two culture super- relations between the two countries Italian Cinema under the Sky”, Comedy is today. Promoting culture in the midst of a powers. pg FRIDAY | 2 APRIL 2021 | CHENNAI 7

 Collection tops `1 L cr for 6th month in a row TAFE’S MALLIKA SRINIVASAN TO PE/VC funding quick GST mop-up hits record SELECT PUBLIC soars 85% in Q4 BITES SECTOR HONCHOS INDICATORS % `1.23 lakh crore in March Sensex 50,029.83 1.05 FC BUREAU period is a clear indicator Nifty 50 14,867.40 1.20 NEW DELHI, APRIL 1 GST REVENUE COLLECTION of a rapid economic recov- 1,20,000 ery post-pandemic. S&P 500* 4,009.89 0.93 In line with the trend of "The revenues from Dollar (`) 73.11 0.01 constant recovery in GST import of goods was at 70 97590 1,00,000 90917 Mallika Srinivasan Pound Sterling (`) 101.03 -0.26 revenues over the past five per cent higher and the 119875 113143 months, the gross goods 50,000 115174 revenues from domestic New Delhi, April 1:

Euro (`) 85.99 -0.25 and services tax (GST) rev- 62151 transaction (including Mallika Srinivasan, 104963 105155

Gold (10gm)* (`) 44,701▲881 1.97 enue collected in March 60,000 95480 1,23,902 import of services) are 17 chairman and managing 87422 2021 stood at a record high 86449 per cent higher than the director of Tractors and Brent crude ($/bbl)* 64.00 2.01 of over Rs 1.23 lakh crore. 40,000 32172 revenues from these Farm Equipment (Tafe) SANGEETHA G highs. In the June quar- IN 10-Yr bond yield 6.177 0.00 The total revenues earned sources during the same Limited has been CHENNAI, APRIL 1 ter, total investments had US 10-Yr T-bill yield* 1.679 -0.067 for the month are 27 per 20,000 month last year. The GST appointed as the chair- touched $13.95 billion cent higher than the GST Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar revenue witnessed growth person of the Public Private equity (PE) and and in the September * As of 8:30 PM IST collected in the same 2020 ------2021 ------rate of (-) 41 per cent, (-) 8 Enterprises Selection venture capital (VC) quarter it stood at $11.87 month last year, according per cent, 8 per cent and 14 Board (PESB), an order investments in the billion. However in the to finance ministry data Figures in ` crore Source: KBK Infographics per cent in the first, sec- issued by the personnel March quarter was up 85 March quarter, there released on Thursday. ond, third and fourth quar- ministry on Thursday per cent against the pre- were no investments into "The gross GST revenue (including Rs 31,097 crore The GST collections for ters of this financial year, said. lock-down quarter of last the group. Wipro to acquire collected in the month of collected on import of March this year is the six respectively, as compared This is the first time a year. Piramal Enterprises March 2021 is at a record of goods) and Cess is Rs 8,757 consecutive month of rev- to the same period last private sector specialist PE and VC firms invest- winning the bankruptcy Oz’s Ampion Rs 1,23,902 crore, of which crore (including Rs 935 enue crossing Rs 1-lakh year," it said. has been appointed as ed over $11.86 billion bid for Dewan Housing CGST is Rs 22,973 crore, crore collected on import crore mark. The finance The Centre has settled Rs the head of the PESB, across 188 deals in the Finance for $5.2 billion for $117 million SGST is Rs 29,329 crore, of goods)," the ministry ministry said that a steep 21,879 crore to CGST and responsible for appoint- first three months of was the largest deal in IGST is Rs 62,842 crore said. increasing trend over this Rs 17,230 crore to SGST. ment of top manage- 2021—an increase of the quarter. Some of the Wipro said it will acquire ment posts in the about 85 per cent com- tech unicorns like Ampion, an Australia-based Central Public Sector pared to the same period Zomato and Byjus provider of cyber security, Enterprises (CPSEs), in 2020, as per the data of attracted $500 million DevOps and quality engineer- officials said. Venture Intelligence. and $460 million, respec- ing services for $117 million The Appointments The pre-pandemic quar- tively, in the quarter. Car sales rebound in March Committee of the ter of January-March "The high level of fund (about Rs 857 crore). The acquisition of Ampion is an Cabinet has approved 2020 had recorded PE/VC flows during the latest important step for Wipro in this MICHAEL GONSALVES clocked a 126 per cent jump March to 52,600 units as sold in March last year. the appointment of investments of $6.5 bil- quarter, coming as they direction, and strengthens the , APRIL 1 in March sales to 3,15,946 against 26,300 units sold in Similarly, Toyota Kirlos- Srinivasan as the chair- lion across 238 deals. did without any invest- commitment towards clients units, up from 1,39,761 cars the same month last year. kar Motors posted a 114 per person of PESB for a The value of invest- ments into Reliance and stakeholders in Australia Most carmakers in the sold in March 2020 when Tata Motors, India’s third cent sales increase to 15,001 period of three years ments in the March quar- Industries Group compa- and New Zealand, Wipro said. country—such as Maruti the lockdown had begun to biggest carmaker, recorded units as against 7,023 units, from the date of assump- ter was also 58 per cent nies, is very encourag- The acquisition is expected to Suzuki, Hyundai, Tata hit production. a 422 per cent increase at clocking the best monthly tion of charge, or until higher compared to the ing. It would be interest- close in the June quarter. Motors, Kia Motors, Car sales have been 29,654 units as compared to sales for it since 2013. the attainment of the previous December quar- ing to see how the invest- Mahindra & Mahindra, improving in the last few 5,676 units sold in March Sales at French car brand age of 65 years, it said. ter, which saw $7.5 bil- ment figures in the com- Toyota Kirloskar Motors, months and March showed last year. This is the high- Renault also jumped 278 Sailesh, a 1985-batch lion being invested ing quarters match up Renault, Ford Motor, a substantial year-on-year est-ever sales in a month per cent at 12,356 units last IAS officer, has been across 231 deals. against the high bar set Printed & Published by Honda Cars, MG Motor growth. for the company in nine month against 3,269 units appointed as member, However, deal volumes by RIL Group deals K Sudhakar on behalf of Deccan and Nissan Motor—on Maruti Suzuki, which years. A total of 705 Nexon sold in February last year. PESB. He is at present were down by 21 per cent which had dominated the Chronicle Holdings Limited. Printed & Thursday reported sub- sells one car out of two EVs were sold in March. Ford Motor India clocked secretary, Department of against the March quar- last three quarters of Published at Deccan Chronicle Presses stantial year-on-year sales bought in India, reported Korean brand Kia Motors 7,746 units sales in March, Public Enterprises. ter of last year and 19 per 2020,” said Arun situated at SP-3 Developed Plot, growth in March 2021 in 91.76 per cent sales growth logged a 123 per cent a growth of 120 per cent The PESB shall consist cent compared to the Natarajan, founder of Industrial Estate, Guindy, Chennai. comparison to the unusual- to 1,46,203 units last month growth in volumes to 19,100 from 3,519 units. of one chairperson and December quarter. Venture Intelligence. Editor: T.Venkatram Reddy, RNI Reg. ly low sales in March 2020 compared to 76,240 units units against 8,583 units. Sales at Honda Cars India three full-time members. In the past few quar- Exits too were active in No. TNENG/2008/25473 Air surcharge Re because of the lockdown. sold in March 2020. Sales at Mahindra & was up 92 per cent at 7,103 M. K. Gupta and Rear ters, investments into the March quarter, as 1. © All rights reserved. Reproduction in These 11 of the 14 car- Hyundai, the South Mahindra, the SUV spe- units versus 3,697 units. Its Admiral Shekhar Mital Reliance Group entities there were eight success- whole or in part without written per- Korean carmaker, clocked cialist, climbed 394 per cent production in March was (retd) are its two serving have been pushing the ful domestic IPOs of PE- mission of The Editor, Financial makers in India who con- Chronicle ® is prohibited. trol 99 per cent of India's a 100 per cent rise in to 16,700 units during the impacted due to a shortage members. —PTI aggregate funding to new VC backed companies. domestic car market domestic sales during month against 3,383 units of semiconductors. WORLD

SHORT TAKES PAK COURT US court lets Rana file reply Race review: LIFTS BAN Hearing of Tahawwur, declared fugitive by India, is scheduled April 12 Johnson’s PoC ON TIKTOK Washington, April 1: A queline Chooljian, in his which is currently set for nic conference, even if he an additional motion. US court has acceded to brief order on Wednesday, April 22. wished to do so, the judge On Wednesday, the court Peshawar, April 1: A Pakis- the request of Pakistani- said: Rana shall file a sur- Under the existing law, said. As such, the judge ruled in favour of Rana. tani court on Thursday lifted origin Canadian business- reply of no more than 20 hearings in cases of extra- ordered the two parties to Rana, a childhood friend adviser resigns its ban on popular Chinese man Tahawwur Rana, who pages by not later than dition under treaty stipu- confer and file a status of David Coleman Headl- video-sharing app TikTok and is sought for his involve- April 5. lation or convention shall report within a week. ey, was re-arrested on London, April 1: UK curate,” the spokesperson ordered the country's telecom- ment in the 2008 Mumbai The government may, be held on land, publicly, Last week Rana, who is June 10 in Los Angeles on Prime Minister Boris Jo- said. munication authority to make terror attack, to file an but is not required to file and in a room or office eas- being sought in connec- an extradition request by hnson's senior-most PoC Kasumu had previously sure that "immoral content" is additional reply against any surrebuttal to the sur- ily accessible to the public, tion with his involvement India for his involvement adviser, Samuel Kasumu, handed in his resignation not uploaded on it. his extradition to India. reply, which may not exce- the judge said. in the 2008 Mumbai terror in the 2008 Mumbai terror has stepped down from in February but went on The Peshawar High Court on The in-person extradi- ed 20 pages, by not later However, an in-person attack, approached the co- attacks in which 166 peo- his post as Special Advis- to retract it. At the time, March 11 had ordered a ban on tion hearing of 59-year-old than April 12, the judge hearing is not currently urt that it wanted to file an ple, including six Ameri- er for Civil Society and he had said he wanted to the TikTok over alleged Rana, who has been decla- said. In a separate order, authorised due to the pan- additional reply in opposi- cans, were killed. Communities, it emerged continue work he had “obscene content”, the second red a fugitive by India, is the judge asked both Rana demic, the federal judge tion to the motion of the Pakistani-American on Thursday, a day after been doing fighting misi- time in less than six months. scheduled for April 12. and the government repre- said. Nor is it clear to the US government that sup- Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) ter- the release of a controver- nformation on Covid-19 The court on Thursday lifted The United States has sentatives to confer and Court on the current reco- ported his extradition to rorist Headley was involv- sial government-appoint- vaccines with Britain's the ban. supported India's request submit a status report wit- rd, that Mr. Rana may wa- India. The US government ed in plotting the 2008 ed race review. PoC community, with for his extradition to hin a week regarding the ive an in-person extraditi- quickly reached out to the Mumbai terror attack. He Kasumu's resignation “the view to leaving at the India. US District Court scheduling of the in-pers- on hearing and consent to court arguing that there was made an approver in will come in effect from end of May”. However, ac- LONDON COP IN Judge in Los Angeles Jac- on extradition hearing, proceed by video/telepho- was no med for Rana to file the case. — PTI May 1 and Downing Stre- cording to The Politico, et has dismissed as comp- Kasumu confirmed his NEO-NAZI GROUP letely inaccurate reports decision to leave Downing that it is linked to the Co- Street on Tuesday morn- CONVICTED mmission on Race and Et- ing, just as the findings of hnic Disparities (CRED) the CRED report were London, April 1: A London WHO blasts Europe’s vaccine rollout report, which had conclu- released. It comes as jury has found a rookie police ded that Britain was not a racial equality campaign- officer guilty of belonging to a structurally racist nation ers criticised the find- banned neo-Nazi organisation, France latest to impose new restrictions to combat soaring virus infections even though overt racism ings, and the Opposition the first time a British police remained a reality in the Labour Party accused the officer has been convicted of Copenhagen, April 1: country. It has been cla- government of downplay- membership of an outlawed The WHO on Thursday sl- imed that Kasumu's exit ing institutional racism. far-right group. ammed Europe's “unacce- Osaka, 2 other Italy extends Lockdown once was on the cards for some Labour's shadow equali- After 32 hours of delibera- ptably slow” vaccine roll- time due to tensions with- ties secretary Marsha de tion, the jury at the city's Old out and warned of a “wor- Covid-19 curbs again in Ontario in Downing Street and is Cordova called the report Bailey court found Benjamin rying” surge in cases, as areas put under not directly linked to the “divisive”, adding it was Hannam, 22, guilty Thursday France became the latest much-criticised report. “no wonder” the govern- of being a member of the country to impose new re- through April from tomorrow “Mr Kasumu has played ment was “losing the exp- extremist group National strictions to combat soar- semi-emergency an incredibly valuable ertise from their team”. Action. ing Coronavirus infectio- Tokyo, April 1: Japan designated Rome, April 1: Coronavirus restr- inMontreal, April 1: Canada's most role during his time at No “To have your most sen- ns. In a sign of the devas- Osaka and two other areas for new ictions in most of Italy that closed populous province is expected to 10,” a Downing Street spo- ior adviser on ethnic min- tation the virus is still virus control steps on Thursday as restaurants, shops and museums return to lockdown after a sharp kesperson said. As he pre- orities quit as you publish US SAYS ISRAEL causing while the world infections there rise less than four through Easter will be extended rise in Covid-19 infections, local viously set out, he will be a so-called landmark rep- races to roll out vaccines, months before the Tokyo Olympi- through April, the government media reported Wednesday. leaving government in ort on race in the UK is ‘OCCUPIES’ Brazil reported the coun- cs. Osaka, neighbouring Hyogo and said on Wednesday. Premier Doug Ford is set to May. Any suggestion that telling of how far remov- try's death toll had spi- Miyagi in the north have had sharp But “an easing of measures” announce that Ontario — home to this decision has been ed the Tories are from the WEST BANK ralled last month. Offici- increases in daily cases since early could be decided if the trend of the 14 million people, more than a made this week or that everyday lived experi- als said more than 66,000 March, soon after Japan scaled epidemic and the vaccination roll- third of the country's population this is linked to the CRED ences of PoC people,” she Washington, April 1: US people had died of Covid- down its partial and non-binding out warrant it, according to the — will return to lockdown for 28 report is completely inac- said. — PTI President Joe Biden's adminis- 19 in Brazil in March — state of emergency that began in decree approved late Wednesday by days from Saturday, TV channels tration said Wednesday that Is- more than twice as many January. the government of Prime Minister CBC and CTV reported. rael's control of the West Bank fatalities as the country's Japan lifted the state of emer- Mario Draghi. The province has reported 2,000 is indeed “occupation,” clarif- second-deadliest month of gency in the Tokyo area on March Under the new decree, schools for new cases daily for a week, double Navalny health ying its stance after the relea- the pandemic, July 2020. 21, fully ending the measures lower grades will remain open, and the daily infections seen in the se of a report that seemed to “Never in Brazilian his- aimed at slowing the Coronavirus it makes vaccines for healthcare beginning of March. downplay the term, adopting tory have we seen a single and relieving pressure on medical workers compulsory. The number of patients in inten- language used by Donald Tru- event kill so many people” systems treating Covid-19 patients. Anyone refusing to be vaccinat- sive care also rose to 421 on Wedn- raises concern mp's government. in one month, said doctor Experts have raised concerns ing can be reassigned, where possi- esday, equaling the peak reached in The State Department's ann- Miguel Nicolelis, former about Osaka's rapid spike — with ble, in roles that will be away from January, according to Radio- Moscow, April 1: Suppo- Wednesday to demand ual report on human rights pandemic response coor- many cases linked to new variants the public. Canada. Essential services will rters of jailed Kremlin proper medical treatment “does use the term 'occupa- dinator for Brazil's impov- of the virus from Britain — and If not, their pay will be suspend- remain open with capacity limited critic Alexei Navalny are in prison. The 44-year-old is tion' in the context of the cur- erished northeast. the burden on health care. — AP ed. — AFP to 50 percent. — AFP raising deep concerns ab- serving two-and-a-half rent status of the West Bank,” With the southern hemi- out his decision to launch a years on old fraud charges State Department spokesman sphere winter approach- make agonising decisions emerged in Wuhan in late Europe. “Vaccines present Kluge said. “We must speed hunger strike, saying they in a penal colony east of Ned Price told reporters. ing and the virus spread- over whom to give life-sav- 2019. And though the wor- our best way out of this up the process by ramping fear more damage to his Moscow. He was arrested “This has been the long- ing fast, Brazil is facing “a ing care — prioritising ld is looking to vaccines to pandemic... however, the up manufacturing, reduc- already-fragile health. when he returned to Russia standing position of previous perfect storm”, he said. those most likely to sur- end the upheaval the virus rollout of these vaccines is ing barriers to admin- Navalny, President Vlad- in January from Germany, administrations of both par- The surge in Brazil has vive. The virus has killed has brought, rollouts are unacceptably slow,” the Wo- istering vaccines, and imir Putin's most promi- where he had spent months ties over the course of many overwhelmed hospitals more than 2.8 million peo- off to a sputtering start in rld Health Organisation's using every single vial we nent opponent, announced recovering from poisoning decades,” he said. and forced doctors to ple worldwide since it many countries, notably director for Europe Hans have in stock,” he added. the hunger strike on he blames on the Kremlin. GAMES pg 8 DECCAN CHRONICLE | CHENNAI | FRIDAY | 2 APRIL 2021

SHORT TAKES Female lifter fails dope test, axed Umpire’s call to stay New Delhi: A woman weightlifter, who was part of the ongoing national camp at But ICC introduces minor changes to DRS protocols the National Institute of Sports in Patiala, has been provisional- , April 1: The con- ly suspended after testing posi- tentious ‘Umpire’s Call’ tive for banned substance. will continue to be a part The weightlifter, a national of the Decision Review record holder and who has par- System, the International ticipated in several international Council's Board tournaments including the ruled on Thursday, but Commonwealth Championship introduced a few changes where she won gold, was set to to the current DRS proto- be a part of the Indian team for cols. Called “confusing” the Asian Championship to be by India captain Virat held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan Kohli, the Umpire’s Call from April 16 to 25. has been a subject of con- “Yes, she has failed a dope test. troversy for a while now. The report came about 10-15 As per the existing rule, 50 days back,” a source in the per cent of the ball should Indian Weightlifting Federation be hitting at least one of (IWLF) confirmed. the three stumps for the Taking a break from the nation- batsman to be adjudged Action during the semifinal between Mahesh Mangaonkar al camp, the weightlifter went LBW on review in case an (right) and Abhay Singh. home in October last year when umpire’s not out call has national coach Vijay Sharma been challenged. and star lifter Mirabai Chanu “The Cricket Committee had travelled to the United had an excellent discus- States. sion around Umpire’s Call Mahesh to meet After she returned to the camp, and analysed its use her sample was collected by extensively,” ICC’s Cricket the National Anti-Doping Committee head and for- Agency (NADA) in November mer Indian captain Anil Harrity in final last. The weightlifter had Kumble said in statement allegedly consumed a supple- issued by the governing DC CORRESPONDENT 11-9 8-11 11-1 in 53 minutes. ment that contained the pro- body after the end of its CHENNAI, APRIL 1 In the women's section, hibited substance. — PTI board meetings on India's Tanvi Khanna, the Wednesday. CSK skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Suresh Rains (left) share light moment in this photo. — Twitter Top seed Mahesh third-seed, went down “The principle under- Mangaonkar of India fighting to Egyptian sec- Ex-Olympian guilty pinning DRS was to cor- quelled the challenge of ond seed Hana Moataz 6-11 rect clear errors in the compatriot Abhay Singh in 4-11 11-9 5-11 in 31 minutes. of drug smuggling game whilst ensuring the four games to reach the Moataz will face compa- role of the umpire as the men's final in the second triot Malak Kamal in the Brisbane: Former two-time decision maker on the Hazlewood pulls out of IPL HCL-SRFI Indian Tour - final. Olympic silver medallist field of play was pre- Chennai Leg 1 at the Kamal ended the run of canoeist Nathan Baggaley and served...Umpire’s Call Melbourne, April 1: which will start on April 9 going to be a long tour, (SRH) in withdrawing Indian Squash Academy fellow Egyptian Rana his younger brother have been allows that to happen, Australia and Chennai and go on till May 30, and with Bangladesh (T20 from the IPL, while some here on Thursday. The Ismail (seventh seed) with found guilty of plotting to which is why it is impor- Super Kings fast bowler spend time at home for the tour) potentially thrown other Australians may Indian world no 47 won 12- a 11-13 11-6 11-2 12-10 win in smuggle 200 million Australian tant it remains,” he added. Josh Hazlewood has next two months. on the end of that. Then consider opting out also, 10 8-11 11-4 11-9 in a 66- 36 minutes. dollars ($150 million) worth of The ICC introduced pulled out of the upcom- “It’s been a long 10 potentially the T20 World according to the report. minute encounter. Results: Semi-finals: cocaine into Australia. three minor changes to ing edition of the Indian months in bubbles and Cup leading into the Hazlewood has been Mangaonkar edged Singh Women: Malak Kamal The 45-year-old Baggaley and the DRS and third Umpire Premier League to take a quarantine at different Ashes, so it’s a big 12 under restrictions from in a tight opening game beat Rana Ismail 11-13, 11- his 39-year-old brother Dru protocols. “For LBW small break from cricket times, so I decided to have months. July last year before leav- before losing the next 8-11. 6, 11-2, 12-10; Hana Moataz were charged with attempting reviews, the height mar- and keep himself fresh for a rest from cricket and “As it always is with ing for England with He, however, stepped up (Egypt-X2) beat Tanvi to import 650 kilograms (1,430 gin of the Wicket Zone the Ashes and the T20 spend some time at home Australia, and I want to Australia’s limited-overs his level of play to take the Khanna (India-X3) 11-6, 11- pounds) of cocaine in 2018. will be lifted to the top of World Cup later this year. and in Australia in the give myself the best team where he was in next two games 11-4 11-9 to 4, 9-11, 11-5 After about eight hours of the stumps to ensure the Hazlewood was to depart next two months,” chance to be mentally and strict bio-secure lockdown book a spot in Friday's Men: Mahesh Mangaonkar deliberating, a Brisbane same Umpire’s Call mar- with other Australia’s Hazlewood was quoted as physically ready for that,” before heading to the UAE final against American (India-X1) beat Abhay Supreme Court jury found both gin around the stumps for IPL-bound players and saying by cricket.com.au. he added. for the IPL where again Todd Harrity, the second Singh (India) 12-10, 8-11, men guilty on Thursday. both height and width,” join CSK but decided to “We’ve got a big winter He follows Josh Philippe safety protocols were seed. 11-4, 11-9; Todd Harrity Nathan Baggaley won two the ICC stated. — PTI skip the cash-rich league, ahead. The West Indies is (RCB) and Mitchell Marsh tight. — PTI Harrity got the better of (USA-X2) beat Rana canoeing silver medals at the third seeded Karim El Ismail (Egypt-X7) 11-13, 11- 2004 Athens Olympics and also Hammamy of Egypt 11-8 6, 11-2, 12-10. was a three-time world champi- on. But his career was tarnished with drug scandals testing posi- IPL WILL BE A CITY CLIPS tive for banned steroids in 2005 and also being jailed with HUGE BENEFIT SPFA summer tournament Dru Baggaley 10 years later for Sabir Pasha Football Academy summer tournament for U-15 his role in a drug manufacturing category will be held at Ambattur ITI ground on Friday. As syndicate. TO US: STOKES many as eight teams have been invited to compete in the 11- The Baggaley brothers will be a-side tournament. sentenced on a date yet to be Mumbai, April 1: The Participating teams: SPFA, Mahogany, Chennai Crystals decided by the court. — AP increased participation of FA, Cosmos FC, Puzhal FC, AVP FC, Great Goals, YMSC. English players in the IPL, where there is con- Presidency Clup lift ‘D’ zone title Investigators mum stant pressure to perform, Presidency Club ‘C’ registered a 2-1 win over Gandhinagar will benefit them during Club ‘B’ to lift the ‘D’ zone title in the Sanmar–TNTA the T20 World Cup to be Chennai City Club League championship. over Woods crash held in India later this Results: Presidency Club ‘C’ bt Gandhinagar Club ‘B’ 2-1 Los Angeles: Police in Los year, reckons star all- (Ankur Malhotra/Palani Vale bt Vijay Bose/Shivakumar Angeles said Wednesday inves- rounder Ben Stokes. Viswanathan 6-4, 7-5; Sidharth Sangvi/Charan Asokan lost tigators have identified the This year, there are 14 to K. Guhan/Chirrag Sheth 6-4, 4-6, 3-6; Suraj Kumar cause of the crash which left England cricketers con- Ramniklal Sayani/Vivek Bhandari bt Tiger Woods seriously injured tracted to play IPL, Eoin Athreya/Sujan Karthik 6-4, 6-1) last month but did not release Morgan Jos Buttler, further details, citing concerns Stokes, Johnny Bairstow, Sounderamani sizzles about the golf star’s privacy. Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, N.K. Sounderamani’s five-wicket haul helped Kumbhat Los Angeles County Sheriff Tom Curran, Sam Cricket Club beat Venkat Cricket Club in the TNCA fifth Alex Villanueva said the probe Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Virat Kohli (left) and star batsman AB de Villiers join the RCB squad in Billings, Liam Living- division championship league match. into the one-vehicle accident Chennai on Thursday ahead of upcoming edition of the . — Twitter stone and Dawid Malan. Brief scores: IV-Division (Relegation play-off): on February 23, which left “Yes — the percentage of Vigneswara Cricket Club 282/9 in 50 overs (R. Abinandh Woods with a shattered right English players in the IPL 95, K. R. Shrreyas Raghavan 69, V. R. S. Guru Kedarnath leg, was now complete. has probably grown in the 43, H. Sathish Babu 37; P. Vignesh 4/57) bt Fox Trotters However, Villanueva said no last five or so years,” Cricket Club 140 in 30.1 overs ( M. Dhinakaran 49, R. information about the cause of Virat, AB arrive in Chennai Stokes told Sky Sports. Aarudhra Simhadev 30; I. Selva 3/27). the accident would be released “Not only is that great V-Division (Championship): Venkat Cricket Club 112 in 34 unless Woods waived his right Chennai, April 1: India Kohli, who has been The 37-year-old batting who started his IPL for the individual but it is overs (S. Senthil Kumar 52; N. K. Sounderamani 5/16) lost to privacy. and Royal Challengers with the RCB since the great has been a key play- career with the Delhi also great for the players to Kumbhat Cricket Club 113/5 in 20.1 overs (R. Santhosh “A cause has been determined, Bangalore captain Virat inception of the IPL in er for the team since he franchise, returned to the involved in the England 42, R. Hrishikesh Trilochan 32). the investigation has conclud- Kohli reached here on 2008, quit the bio-bubble joined the franchise in side after being acquired set-up; it gives them expe- ed,” Villanueva said. Thursday to join his IPL in Pune on Monday after 2011. for his base price of `1 rience in the most high- Challengers Hockey thump St. Paul’s “However, we have reached out squad before which he India’s ODI series win Head coach Simon crore in the auction in profile competition in the Challengers Hockey, Chennai posted a thumping 7-0 win over to Tiger Woods and his person- will undergo a seven-day against England. Katich also came out of February. world but not only that — St. Paul’s Combined XI in the Shri N. P.V. Ramasamy Udayar nel. quarantine. He has been part of bio- quarantine, along with “After being in quaran- you are under constant Hockey Cup. “There’s some privacy issues on The team has already secure bubbles since the pacer Navdeep Saini as tine for one week, it was pressure to perform,” he Results: Tamil Nadu Postal Hockey 1 (Yuvraj) bt Chennai Hockey releasing information on the started its training camp end of January, ahead of the RCB team underwent great to step onto the added. Association U-21; Challengers Hockey, Chennai 7 (Sunil Moorthy 2, investigation, and we’re going on Tuesday for the the England series, and another practice session. ground and spend some “You’ve got billions of Veera Thamizhan 2, Arun Kumar, Nambi Ganesh, Thangaraj) bt St. to ask them if they waive the upcoming season which was part of each of the time with the boys,” people watching you and Paul’s Combined XI; Indian Overseas Bank 5 (Hariharan 2, V. Vinod UMESH READY TO HIT privacy. Then we’ll be able to begins on April 9. four Tests, five T20 Yadav said. you’ve got the pressure of Rayer 2, Manoj Jojo) bt Southern Railway 1 (Saravana Kumar). THE DECK FOR DC do a full release on all the infor- “Captain Virat Kohli Internationals and three “I just want to do well the franchise on you. mation regarding the accident,” has arrived in Chennai,” ODIs. Out of mandatory seven- whenever I have the ball “Being constantly he further added. — AFP RCB said, announcing Another key RCB player day quarantine, India and in my hand. I will defi- exposed to that is a huge Kohli’s arrival in a tweet, and South African star Delhi Capitals fast bowler nitely give my best for my benefit to us as a team, along with a picture of batsman A B de Villiers Umesh Yadav is ready to team and keep getting especially with the T20 their captain wearing a also joined the RCB bio- hit the deck as he returns better everyday,” he said World Cup coming up at Naomi crumbles Osaka Guv wants mask. bubble on Thursday. to be with the familiar in a DC release. the end of the year in RCB face defending “The spaceship has faces at his old franchise Yadav, who has picked India; it’s a great chance to nix torch relay champions Mumbai landed! AB de Villiers has in the Indian Premier up 119 wickets in 121 IPL for the English guys to get Tokyo: The governor of Osaka Indians in the tourna- joined the RCB bubble in League, beginning on matches, said he felt at more experience in these to Sakkari power prefecture said on Thursday that ment opener on April 9 Chennai,” the RCB tweet- April 9. home in the Delhi conditions,” Stokes said. he wants to cancel the torch here. ed. The 33-year-old Yadav, Capitals camp. — PTI — PTI Miami, April 1: Top-seed- year-old Italian Jannick relay legs going through Osaka ed Daniil Medvedev Sinner, the world No. 31 later this month, less than four crashed out of the Miami who beat Kazakhstan’s months before the the opening Open Wednesday on a day Alexander Bublik 7-6 (7/5), of the Tokyo Olympics. Governor of upsets that also saw 6-4. Hirofumi Yoshimura said the pre- GRITTY NISSANKA, RAIN Australian Open champion Sakkari will face eighth- fecture is coming under new Kiwis down Bangla by 65 Naomi Osaka ousted from seeded Canadian Bianca Covid-19 control measures the quarterfinals. Andreescu for a place in because of rising case numbers. HOLD UP WI IN 2ND TEST Seventh-seeded Spaniard the women’s final. He said that will mean people North Sound (Antigua and Barbuda), April 1: Roberto Bautista Agut beat Andreescu, ranked ninth being asked to stay home runs to sweep T20 series Pathum Nissanka kept the West Indies at bay, with Sri Medvedev 6-4, 6-2, for his in the world, clawed out a 6- except for essential outings. “I Lanka limping to the close at 250 for eight in reply to third win in as many meet- 4, 3-6, 6-3 victory over tena- think the torch relay through the Auckland, April 1: New the standout bowler, tak- Allen was also finding the home side’s first-innings total of 354 on a rain- ings with the Russian who cious 58th-ranked Spaniard middle of Osaka should be can- Zealand beat Bangladesh ing four wickets for 13 the boundary but rode his affected third day of the second and final Test in was runner-up to Novak Sara Sorribes Tormo. celed,” he said. — AP by 65 runs in a rain-short- runs in his two over spell. luck with two dropped Antigua on Wednesday. Bursting with confidence fol- Djokovic at the Australian Osaka, playing her first ened third Twenty20 Captain Tim Southee catches as the Black Caps lowing a debut hundred in the first Test at the same Open and ascended to No. 2 tournament since lifting International in Auck- said it was satisfying for raced to 69 without loss venue just a week earlier, the Nissanka defied the in the world with his victo- her fourth Grand Slam title Regd. No. land on Friday to claim a the New Zealanders to after five overs. Caribbean pacers in compiling an unbeaten 49. ry at Marseille in March. at the Australian Open, series clean sweep. notch their seventh home Guptill smashed 16 off It gave visitors some hope of continuing to whittle Women’s world No. 2 won just eight points in the TNENG/2010/35692 With their innings series win of the season the first three balls from away at what is potentially a critical first-innings lead Naomi Osaka — seeded sec- first set as she failed to reduced to 10 overs due to on all formats. Mahedi Hasan but the for the West Indies going into day four. ond behind Ashleigh Barty muster a single winner. Printed & Published by bad weather, Bangladesh Bangladesh captain spinner had his revenge Nissanka’s determination for almost three hours, in in the prestigious ATP Osaka broke in the sec- K. Sudhakar on behalf of Liton Das said mistakes when the batsman was Masters and WTA hard- ond game of the second set Deccan Chronicle Holdings Limited were all out for 76 with which he faced 119 deliveries and stroked four bound- and Printed at three balls to spare, well cost his side, including a caught on 44 trying to aries, could yet prove beneficial for Sri Lanka should court tournament — had and seized a 3-0 lead before Deccan Chronicle Presses situated short of the 142 target set series of dropped catches clear the rope. — AFP the other overnight batsman, Lasith Embuldeniya, bowed out hours earlier, Sakkari roared back for a at SP 3, Developed Plot, Industrial Estate, by New Zealand. that allowed Allen to run Brief scores: New and last man Vishwa Fernando replicate the resist- the Japanese star’s 23- victory that ended Osaka’s Guindy, Chennai - 600 032. The Black Caps made away with the match. Zealand 141/4 in 10 overs ance shown by the Windies lower order in their first match winning streak com- chance of overtaking RNI Registration No: TN ENG/2005/14987 141 for four after losing New Zealand made a (F. Allen 71, M. Guptill 44) innings. — AFP ing to a crashing halt with Australia’s Barty — who Ph Nos: 22254747, 22254748, 22254750, the toss and being asked blistering start, with bt Bangladesh 76 in 9.3 Brief scores (Day 3, stumps): West Indies 354 vs Sri a 6-0, 6-4 loss to Greece’s had already booked her 22254751 to bat, with Finn Allen Martin Guptill smashing overs (M. Naim 19; T. Lanka 250/8 in 103.1 overs (Chandimal 44, P. Nissanka 49 Maria Sakkari. semi-final spot — atop the Editor: KAUSHIK MITTER hitting 71 from 29 balls. three sixes in the first two Astle 4/13, Tim Southee batting; J. Holder 2/39, A. Joseph 2/64). Bautista booked a semi- world rankings this week. Spinner Todd Astle was overs. 3/15). final showdown with 19- — AFP