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Vol. 12 No. 264 RNI NO. DELENG/2008/25465 New Delhi, Wednesday, 3 February, 2021 [email protected] 9971359517 12 pages. 2/- Indigenous Tejas LCA better than its foreign equivalents: Rajnath Singh Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated Aeronautics Limited's second LCA production line in Bengaluru. Simmi Kaur Babbar Bengaluru.Stressing that India cannot remain The event comes a day before the opening of the Aero dependent on other countries for its defence, Union India 2021, the country's premier aerospace and minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said the Defence exhibition. indigenously developed Tejas Light Combat The Light Combat Aircraft Tejas, indigenously Aircraft (LCA) was better than its foreign designed by Aircraft Development Agency (ADA) equivalents on several parameters. under the Defence Research and Development Inaugurating Hindustan Aeronautics Limited's Organisation (DRDO) and manufactured by second LCA production line in Bengaluru, Singh HindustanAeronautics Limited (HAL), is expected said, "Tejas is not only indigenous, but it is also to be the backbone of the Indian Air Force in future better than its foreign equivalents on several and in tune with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's parameters, including engine capacity, radar 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' mantra. system, beyond visual range (missile), air-to-air Last month, the Cabinet Committee on Security refueling & maintenance, and is comparatively (CCS) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi cheaper."Singh also informed that several counties approved the Rs 48,000 crore deal to procure 73 had expressed interest in procuring Tejas M1A Tejas MK-1A variants and 10 LCA Tejas MK-1 while expressing confidence in achieving the target trainer aircraft from HAL to boost the Indian Air of Rs 1.75 lakh crore in the field of defence Force's combat prowess. manufacturing in the next 3-4 years. The delivery of the jets will begin from March 2024 "Our effort will be that HAL gets new orders. Despite and around 16 aircraft will be rolled out annually the Covid-19 pandemic, you've received Rs 48,000 till the completion of the total supply of 83 jets. crore order from armed forces. This is biggest The first squadron of Tejas LCA was raised in 2016. procurement in terms of indigenous defence Currently, the IAF's fleet is down to 30 squadrons, procurement, which will give new heights to Indian way below the sanctioned strength of 42. Each aerospace sector," the Defence Minister said. squadron comprises 18 fighter jets. Budget 2021 was RJD leaders meet Mamta Banerjee’s dream ride on digital horse, says nephew, alliance talks held ?Before meeting Abhishek Banerjee, who is handling the entire election affairs of the TMC in West Bengal, RJD leaders Abdul Bari Siddiqui and Shyam Rajak met poll strategist Prashant Kishor in Kolkata on Sunday.

Patna.Exploring possibilities of a assumes significance in the emerged from the meeting and RJD possible alliance with the Trinamool backdrop that Lalu Prasad's party is is likely to take a final decision after Congress (TMC) in upcoming West exploring possibilities of an alliance Abdul Bari Siddiqui and Shyam Bengal assembly elections, senior with the ruling party in West Bengal Rajak report to Tejaswi Yadav Rashtriya Janata Dal leaders Abdul for the upcoming elections. within a week. Bari Siddiqui and Shyam Rajak on According to sources, discussions Sources close to RJD have said the Monday met Mamata Banerjee's were held between RJD leaders and party was keen on contesting nephew, Abhishek Banerjee, in Abhishek Banerjee over the elections in areas which have a .Shiv Sena on Tuesday criticised this Kolkata at his residence. possible alliance between both larger concentration of year's Budget 2021-22 in its mouthpiece Before meeting Abhishek Banerjee, parties or RJD fighting elections as speaking people from Uttar Pradesh, Saamana, saying it has only dreams. Shiv who is handling the much of the independent with the consent of Bihar and Jharkhand. These areas Sena has termed the Budget 2021 as a "tour election affairs of the TMC in West TMC. It is also unclear how many are mostly on the Bihar-Bengal of dreams". Bengal, both RJD leaders met poll seats RJD is eyeing to contest in border. Siddiqui and Shyam Rajak strategist Prashant Kishor in West Bengal if it forges an alliance on Tuesday will be visitingAssam to Shiv Sena said like politicians, even Kolkata on Sunday. with TMC. explore the possibilities of the party economists have started showing dreams to contesting elections there too. the public. After roads, railways, airplanes The meeting between RJD and TMC However, nothing concrete has and petroleum, the government is out to sell the insurance companies. Indian Army rescues 5 injured Shiv Sena also said this Budget was only about going digital from paper. BJP threatens protest if no action taken civilians in Jammu and Kashmir's "With Budget announcement, the Sensex went up but will this Budget put money in the Kupwara district pockets of people? If not, then this year's against Sharjeel Usmani for defaming Hindu community NEW DELHI.At least five people were Budget was only about going digital from critically injured on Monday when a private paper. The finance minister took the nation Mumbai.Maharashtra Bharatiya Janata (CAA). car they were travelling in skidded off a on a ride of dreams on this digital horse," Party (BJP) on Tuesday gave a 48-hour Elgar Parishad event this year was ultimatum to the state government to take bridge and fell into a ravine (nullah) in read the editorial. organised in Pune by 'Bhima Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir. action against Sharjeel Usmani, a former Koregaon Shaurya Din Prerna Criticising the Budget 2021, Shiv Sena MP The incident took place at Kralpora area said, "The Budget has been student leader. As per a complaint filed by Abhiyan' on January 30, which is the BJYM leaders, Sharjeel Usmani allegedly birth anniversary of Rohith Vemula, a early on Monday morning. A white colour conceived keeping in mind the upcoming Alto vehicle fell down into the water body at assembly polls. This is not a Union Budget made defaming statements on Dalit research scholar of the community during his address at the Elgar University of Hyderabad whose 7.10 am. but the Budget of a political party." Parishad conclave in Pune on Saturday. "Maharashtra has contributed so much for the suicide created an uproar in 2016. TheArmy’s Road Opening Party (ROP) of the BJP MLA Ram Kadam said, "Three days Speakers like Arundhati Roy, former area and locals immediately swung into country but no one pays attention to it. have passed, but no action has been taken action and started a rescue operation. Army People of the state are seeing this and will IAS officer Kanan Gopinathan, against the leaders of Elgar Parishad till journalist Prashant Kanojia, Dalit troops despite harsh winter and freezing keep this in mind," Sanjay Raut said. now, who insulted the Hindu religion and cold water of the nullah, took off their boots be taken accordingly. I can't comment activist Sathyabama Suryavanshi Maharashtra CM also the Hindu society. The Maharashtra from Latur, retired High Court judge and gloves and jumped into the freezing issued a statement on the Budget 2021. He government is trying to save them...If the more about it as the investigation are on," nullah to rescue injured civilians. he said. Kolsepatil and retired IPS officer SM said, "Budget should be presented keeping government does not take any action in the Mushrif were speakers at the event. The doors of the car and windshield were in mind the entire nation and not elections. next 48 hours, we will have to get out on On January 31, BJP state unit spokesperson Keshav Upadhye demanded action against Advocate Pradeep Gawade, state secretary broken to pull out the travellers--three men The entire nation and people from all walks the streets and agitate as Hindu society will of the BJP's youth wing Bharatiya Janata and two women--from inside the car. Later, of life watch Union Budget and they have not tolerate insult." Sharjeel Usmani, student leader of Aligarh Muslim University. Last year, Sharjeel Yuva Morcha (BJYM) on Monday filed a all the injured people were rushed to a certain expectations." Maharashtra's Home Minister Anil complaint at the Swargate police station in nearby hospital in Kupwara for "How will a Budget that is presented by Deshmukh said on Monday that the state Usmani was arrested by Uttar Pradesh Police for his alleged role in the clashes Pune. He demanded an FIR against treatment.Locals have praised the quick keeping some states elections in mind fulfill government will examine the speeches Usmani under section 153 (a), 295 (a) and response and assistance of the Army in their made at 'Elgar Parishad 2021'. "If any that broke out at AMU following a protest their expectations?" he said. against the Citizenship Amendment Act 124 (a) for his objectionable and rescue mission. objectionable things are found, action will provocative speech. Farmer unions announce nationwide chakka jam on February 6, threaten to block state, national highways

2021-22, and water and power supply have SwarajAbhiyan's Yadav alleged that the Union Union leaders told a press conference at the Singhu been curtailed, and mobile toilet blocks being government has 'reduced the allocation to Border, on the Haryana side, that they will block removed, at their protest venues. agriculture sector' in this year's budget. And, the roads between 12 pm to 3 pm on February 6. The Samkyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), an even percentage of allocation has gone down umbrella body of protesting unions, also from "5.1 pc last fiscal to 4.3 pc this year". They also alleged that farmers have been "ignored" alleged that the Twitter accounts of Kisan He asserted that mahapanchayats are in the Union Budget 2021-22, and water and power Ekta Morcha and a user named happening in the country, while the 'Tractor2Twitter' have been restricted. government is trying to 'have its way'. These supply have been curtailed, and mobile toilet blocks Swaraj Abhiyan leader Yogendra Yadav mahapanchayats will "dismantle the being removed, at their protest venues. alleged the action against the Twitter account arrogance" of the government and the was taken on the "request of government agitation will destroy the "shrewdness of the authorities", adding accounts of some private central government," Yadav said. NEW DELHI. Farmer unions on Monday individuals, who have been very vocal Asserting that the government is committed (February 2) announced a countrywide against the movement, have also been towards farmers' welfare, Finance Minister 'chakka jam' on February 6 when they would restricted. He also claimed that the Union Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday proposed 10 block national and state highways for three government has "reduced the allocation to per cent hike in the farm loan disbursal target hours in protest against the internet ban in agriculture sector" in this budget. to Rs 16.5 lakh crore, and introduced an agri areas near their agitation sites, harassment Balbir Singh Rajewal, a farmer leader from infra and development cess of up to 100 per allegedly meted out to them by authorities Punjab, and part of the SKM, told reporters cent to create post-harvest infrastructure for and other issues. that the modalities of the 'Chakka Jam' on improving farmers' income. The minister Union leaders told a press conference at the February 6 will be decided after discussing it also proposed higher allocation for Rural Rajewal claimed during the press conference protest would also be against this harassment Singhu Border, on the Haryana side, that they with various unions unanimously, including Infrastructure Development Fund and Micro that scores of people have been 'detained by faced by journalists who are trying to report will block the roads between 12 pm to 3 pm those protesting at Ghazipur border site, the Irrigation Fund, and extended Agriculture the police' besides FIRs filed against many, the truth from the ground, and the Twitter on February 6. They also alleged that farmers new focal point of the farmers movement Infrastructure Fund to APMCs for including a journalist. "Our February 6 restrictions," he said. have been "ignored" in the Union Budget against the new farm laws. augmenting infrastructure facilities. 2 New Delhi, Wednesday, 3 February, 2021 NATIONAL THE SIKH TIMES

NEWS BOX 10 DLF-2 buildings partly razed for plan violations For classes 6-8, pvt schools to Gurgaon: The department of town and country planning (DTCP) partly demolished 10 newly- constructed residential buildings in DLF-2 for zoning plan continue online sessions violations on Monday. The enforcement team, during a Gurgaon: While the Haryana government has allowed schools to call recent inspection, had observed students of classes 6 to 8 to campuses, private schools in the city have that the builders had constructed decided to resume physical sessions only in the next academic rooms in the stilt parking area and year.On Monday, state-run schools reopened for these classes and carried out violations in the zoning started regular three-and-a-half-hour sessions in plan. While seven of the buildings classrooms.Meanwhile, a majority of private schools have decided to are located in J-Block, the rest are avoid the disruption of online classes. Some of the leading private in K-Block. schools have decided to conduct only remedial or doubt-clearing District town planner (enforcement) sessions for the students.Many schools said the course for this year is RS Batth said the balconies and nearly complete and final exams are scheduled for this month. They extended parts of these buildings argued that any disruption in the mode of teaching and examinations previously decided would adversely affect the students.DAV Public were demolished with the help of School in Sector 14 is planning to conduct online examinations for earthmovers on Monday, after students, barring those in Class 10 and 12. “We are prepared to resume which the buildings were sealed physical classes. We are already seeing a great response from the and the owners were directed to be students of classes 9 to 12. But, for students in classes 6 to 8, we’ll not present at the DTCP office within hold regular classes as exams are around the corner,” said principal a week. “The state government has Aparna Erry.Suncity School in Sector 54 is also going ahead with the already increased the floor area wait-and-watch policy. Although the school asserted that they are ratio of residential buildings, but fully geared up, it wants to assess the situation. For the students the builders still carried out studying in the national board, the school plans to resume regular construction on more area than is physical classroom sessions from next session. The school will, permitted,” Batth said. however, invite students for remedial, consultation, project work, and Sources said the razing of the practical sessions.“For national board students, it doesn’t make sense exterior of the buildings will lead to resume classes now as the course is complete and they have exams to losses of several lakhs of rupees this month. It will not be in their interest to disturb a momentum. They to the builders, who had spent are already comfortable with the online education regime. Our crores on construction.The students in international board have exams starting in May so we are department also carried out a planning on how we can resume classes for them,” said Suncity demolition and sealing drive School director Rupa Chakravarty.The schools have also cited against properties whose owners parents’ apprehension over the resumption of physical classes as were found to be involved in another deterrent. “Parents aren’t willing to send students in classes 6 illegal commercial activities, to 8 back to the school in this session. They want the Covid situation to unauthorised construction and stabilise,” said Salwan Public School principal Rashmi building norm violations on the Malik.Meanwhile, the government schools have claimed that stretch between Central Arcade attendance on the first day was very encouraging. “We saw at least 50% attendance. And the number is only going to increase. To ensure market and Dakshin Marg on physical distancing, we are planning to hold two shifts — from 10am Monday.Assistant town planner and from 1pm,” said Jacobpura government school principal Sunil Ashish Sharma said an illegal taxi Kumar. stand was being run near the market and around 10 vends had also come up in the area. A DTCP team razed all the vends and Fight over parking directed the operator of the taxi Build new roads, fix potholes, stand to furnish documents related turns ugly, 8 held to permission for operation within 24 hours. Gurgaon: A dispute over parking inside Tulip Orange residential society in Sector 70 turned violent when a Temperature rises to urge residents in new sectors group of youth attacked the RWA president and others on Sunday. The accused also threatened other 7°C, warmer days Gurgaon: Residents of several housing in 2014 and since then the population has concern in the area in the absence of residents with weapons when they tried to intervene. ahead societies in Sector 77-80 have raised increased manifolds in the area. This road streetlights, even the delivery guys and Police arrested eight people for the brawl on concerns over the development of the main was planned to be developed as an 84-metre- service providers are reluctant to come to Monday.The residents said that two men, who stay in Gurgaon: There was an increase in sector road connecting Rampura Chowk to wide road for which majority of land was our socety after dark.”They pointed out that Tower B of the society, and their friends had parked temperature in daytime on Naurangpur.The area houses more than already acquired and the shop owners were as the roads are not concrete, the area is multiple cars haphazardly in the parking area. They Monday with the maximum 2,000 families living in several housing compensated two years back, but the road facing dust pollution. Dharamveer Singh, a had parked about six to eight vehicles against the temperature being recorded at 26 societies, including Monsoon Breeze, expansion plan is still pending. As a result, homebuyer of Supertech Basera said, “The allotted space for two cars leaving little room for degree Celsius, four notches Godrej Aria, Godrej 101, Supertech Basera, there is a frequent traffic jams in the vicinity. entire stretch is filled with layers of dust and others.On Sunday, VK Bhutani, a resident of B- above the normal, while the city’s Supertech Araville, Bestech Park View The authorities concerned are doing nothing with vehicular movement, suspended Tower, was discussing the issue with RWA president minimum temperature was Altura and Umang Winter Hills.The to initiate the construction of the sector road particulate matter is also causing a negative Binu Nayar near Tower B when around 10 youths recorded at 7 degrees Celsius. residents pointed out that the road, which is despite several pleas.”Raman Gaur, a effect on residents' health. The authorities reached the spot in three different cars and started According to the IMD, there will nearly 7km long and a part of the master resident of Supertech Araville said, “The are neglecting the area for a very long abusing and thrashing them. When other residents be a gradual rise in the minimum plan, is yet to see the light of day. Even the existing road is in a poor condition with time.”Meanwhile, a senior official of the tried to intervene, the accused abused them and temperature by 2-3 degrees over existing 10-metre-wide road is filled with numerous potholes. Travelling on this GMDA said that the detailed project report is threatened them with weapons.“Before we could the next few days due to the potholes and has no streetlight, residents stretch is extremely tough. The movement of being prepared and a survey has been carried understand anything, they attacked us. Hearing the western disturbances. However, alleged.Karan Mehra, joint secretary of speeding commercial vehicles is also adding out by the department. commotion, other residents came outside but they too were abused at. They finally fled after more there will be a fall in temperature Monsoon Breeze RWA said, “I shifted here to our problems. There is a major security from February 4 onwards. residents came to our rescue,” Nayar said.Atul According to the weekly forecast, Kumar Rohatgi, secretary of the RWA, said the minimum temperature is that the occupants of one flat have been parking 5-8 likely to hover around 6 degrees Noida: ‘Fast trains’ on Aqua Line won’t stop at 10 stations cars inside the campus forcibly.Another resident said Celsius on Tuesday, while the the accused live on rent and even after repeated maximum will settle at 24 NOIDA: Commuters will soon be able to from when the new schedule would be commuters,” said Ritu Maheshwari, the requests, they haven’t vacated the flat. “They often degrees Celsius with mainly clear cover the distance between Greater Noida’s followed, however, is yet to be announced. managing director, NMRC.The 10 stations create problems after consuming liquor. Earlier, a sky and shallow fog in the Pari Chowk and Noida’s Sector 51 metroStarting from Sector 51, the Aqua Line has 21 that have been taken off the halt list usually woman had also complained of eve teasing against morning. stations in 28 minutes, with the Noida stations. Once the “fast trains start see less passengers, according to NMRC them,” the resident said.Inspector Vipin Kumar, Metro Rail Corporation (NMRC) deciding operating, during peak hours on weekdays, officials. SHO of Badshahpur police station, said, “Residents HSRP a must to get to take 10 stations off the list of stops. they will stop at only 11 of those. It takes a little over 45 minutes to travel alleged that they often invite friends and block a lot The current travel time between Sector 51 According to NMRC officials, the peak between Noida’s Sector 51 station and of parking space. On the basis of the complaint, a work done at and Pari Chowk is 37 minutes. Once the hours are from 8 am to 11 am, Monday to Greater Noida’s Depot station. Soon, it will case was registered under Section 147, 149, 323, 506 “fast” trains start plying, the distance can Friday. be shortened by about 10 minutes and of IPC and Section of the Arms Act with the transport be covered in 28 minutes and 30 seconds “Commuters will be informed in advance commuters will need a little over 36 Badshahpur police.”The accused have been during peak hours, officials said.through proper signage and also during the minutes to cover the distance.The “fast” identified as Gaurav Singh (39), a tenant, Yogesh department Once the new schedule is out, trains will not journey so that they are not trains will operate every 7 minutes and 30 Kumar (21), Ankur Singh of Rohtak, Sahil Kumar(21), Sachin Kumar (20) of Jind, Akash Singh Noida: To encourage owners of old halt at Sector 50, 101, 81, 83, 143, 144, 145, inconvenienced. Timings of normal and seconds during peak hours from Monday to Friday. For the rest of the day, the (32) of Gurgaon, Sumit Mayan (25) of Hansi and vehicles to get a high-security 146, 147 and 148 stations during the peak fast trains will be displayed and hours on weekdays, officials said. The date announcements will be made for the frequency will be 10 minutes. Rajesh Kumar of Hisar. Police have also recovered registration plate (HSRP), the four licenced weapons from them. transport department has made it clear that it’s now mandatory for getting any work done at the regional transport office like renewal or transfer of registration Farmers back at Atoha after two and address change. Officials say April 15 is the final deadline for getting an HSRP in Noida- Ghaziabad, after which a fine will be imposed on the vehicle users days, this time on service lane without the same. So far, in GB Nagar, around Palwal: Two days after they vacated the protest 1,75,000 vehicle users have got site at Atoha, protesting farmers have Since December 4, several farmers from HSRP number plates, of around regrouped again. About 1,000 farmers from Madhya Pradesh had been camping on the 7.42 lakh vehicles registered in the Palwal reached Atoha on Monday morning Delhi-Agra highway after police stopped district.GB Nagar ARTO and resumed their protest, this time on the them from moving towards Delhi. On (administration) Arunendra service lane along the Delhi-Agra highway. Republic Day, however, the protest turned Pandey told TOI that in order to Langars have also resumed at the protest site violent as farmers clashed with police get any transport-related work and according to sources, more farmers are on personnel and tried to move towards their way to join the agitation.After the tractor done in the district transport Faridabad. After the incident, Palwal police rallies on January 26, the district vacated the site and 2,200 peotesters were department from February 1, administration had cleared the protest site and booked.Arun Jaildar, the head of the 52 khaps, having an HSRP is necessary. “It officials had requested organisers to stop the said they are in touch with the Samyukta is a step to encourage the vehicle langars. Distribution of food was finally Kisan Morcha and will follow the guidelines owners to get the number plates stopped on January 30. Speaking about the issued by the outfit.Mahender Chauhan, a soon, since April 15 is now the protest, Ratan Singh Sorot, general secretary, farmer leader, said that the protest has united deadline for the same. The fine Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), said the local people irrespective of the caste. amount is yet to be decided,” he farmers have extended their support and “Many villagers have requested us to visit them said.The directions have been protesters will visit the villages soon. “The and explain the farm laws. We readily issued by the regional transport programme is now being coordinated on a accepted their invitations. We will visit them office (RTO) Ghaziabad under day-to-day basis with members taking calls to soon. Several villagers have said they will join whom the transport departments discuss about villages that have to be covered the protest in large numbers and bring in of GB Nagar, Ghaziabad, Hapur during our campaign. We have also resumed supplies too. This has restored our and Bulandshahr fall. Practically, the langars. Villagers have extended their confidence,” he said.ADC Satender Duhan from February 1, officials could support, not only thorough participation but said the police are keeping an eye on the be seen discouraging people who also by sending groceries, gas cylinders, situation. went to get their work done at the wood and donation,” he said. “We have deployed more than 500 police transport department of GB On January 30, farmers held a panchayat in personnel, including RAF, at the spot,” said a which representatives of 52 khaps were Nagar. senior police officer. present. 3 New Delhi, Wednesday, 3 February, 2021 STATE THE SIKH TIMES

PUBLIC NOTICE Information is given to general GST and VAT constitute major revenue public at large that my clientMr. Vijay Kumar S/o Mr. Bhajan Lalowner of Plot No. 447A, area measuring 40 sq. yds., part of KhewatKhata No. 67/75 & stream for Delhi Government 82/91, Mu No. 24, Killa No. 3(8- New Delhi: GST and VAT constitute major rev- port all dealers, to understand their challenges Monthly Payment of taxes) system. This system 0), 4(7-17), Mu No. 18, Killa No. 21(7-11), 22/1(1-2), 23/1(7-18), enue stream for Delhi Government. However, the and to boost revenue collection, the Department has been initiated to reduce the burden of filing 2/1(4-5), Situated at Village - 7.7 lakh dealers/ taxpayers have experienced of Trade and Taxes reached out to the taxpayers. returns on taxpayers. This will reduce the num- Sehatpur, Tehsil &Distt. challenges in tax compliance in recent times and In a state wide campaign in January 2021, the ber of tax returns to be submitted substantially. Faridabad, Haryana By virtue offices of Trade and Taxes Department, By reaching out to over 200 market associations, Sale Deed dated 12/01/1996 duly registered in the office of SR Government of NCT of Delhi interacted the Department aims to improve the monthly rev- Faridabad, as Doc No. 9851, with about 200 market Trade enue collection. Book No. 01, Dated 12/01/1996 Associations of Delhi and made associa- During this outreach initiative, taxpayers also initially Sale Deed dated tions aware about the latest develop- shared about their experience of online usage of 19/11/1993 in favour of Mr. Sanjay Kumar S/o Late Mr. Kali ments on GST/ VAT provisions. GST portal and issues being faced. Traders wel- Charan& Mr. Ravi Kumar S/o Mr. Taxpayers informed about process for fil- comed and thanked the officers for such initiative Om Prakash further, Sale Deed ing of GSTR-38 return before 20t / 24th taken by Delhi Government. dated 12/01/1996 executed by of every month so as to avoid 3A notices. Mr. Sanjay Kumar S/o Late Mr. Kali Charan in favour of Mr. Vijay The market associations were sen- LOST & FOUND NAME CHANGE Kumar S/o Mr. Bhajan Lal with- sitized back continuous non filing out the prior consent of the other It is Notified for the information I, YOGESH BANSAL S/O of 3B returns for 2 months leads to ANAND PRAKASH BANSAL co-owners and Same Property is that my Original Qualifying going to be financed blocking of e-way bill generation Examination Certificate of Senior residing at H NO-J-15, STREET NO-10, BRAHAMPURI, DELHI- byUMMEED HOUSING and GSTR*1 return filing. In this Secondary Examination of year FINANCE PVT. LTD, Branch massive outreach effort, taxpayers 2017 and Roll No-9197909, 110053 have changed my name to YOGESH KUMAR BANSAL Janakpuri, Delhi. If any Issued by CBSE . has been actu- person(s) have any objection(s) were also made aware about provi- ally Lost. Name of Candidate: for all future purpose. sions reg. non display of GSTIN or claim(s) with respect to the Ankit Raj S/o Surendra Prasad right, title or interest in the Said number on board, along with pro- Singh R/o 425/2B, Shanti Kunja NOTICE Property then contact us within motion of e- invoicing and manda- Vasant kunja , New Delhi-110070 15 days from the date of Mob No-9870258537 It is for general information that I tory issuance of tax invoices. The JITENDER S/O VED PRAKASH Publication of this notice and or department also impressed upon residing at B-1/94, Nand Nagri, the same to the undersigned if NAME CHANGE found by any one. market associations and taxpayers North East Delhi. Delhi-110093 I, Rajesh Kumar S/o Radha muni [NAVEEN KUMAR VERMA] the need for ensuring sale of goods declare that name of mine has chaudhary R/o J-56, Saurabh been wrongly written as JITEN- Advocate on valid bills and for ensuring strict Vihar , Jaitpur, Badarpur, New DRA in my SC Certificate No F-211, Sector-3, compliance with GST /VAT guide- Delhi-110044. Have Changed my SC/04/41/7901/16/10/2007/4502 Vaishali, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh-201010 lines. Name from Rajesh Kumar to 1/665. The actual name of mine is Rajeshwar Chaudhary for all (Contact at 09958871432) The department officials also JITENDER, which may be future Purposes amended accordingly explained the process of the new also COVID-19 related challenges. Hence to sup- QRMP ( Quarterly Return filing and THE SIKH TIMES Mamata Banerjee dances during mass Edited, Printed, Published Owned by Simmi Babbar wedding ceremony in Bengal's Alipurduar N - 31, Dr. Mukherjee Nagar Delhi-110009 New Delhi.West Bengal was seen dancing to the beats Banerjee was seen breaking Printed at Qaumi Patrika Printing Chief Minister Mamata of drums. A video of Mamata into dance along with tribal Press, A-4/A-144, Tronica City Banerjee was seen shaking a Banerjee dancing at a mass musician Basanti Hembram (Loni), Ghaziabad (Uttar Pradesh) leg during a mass wedding wedding function has been at a government event in Corporate Office: ceremony in Alipurduar dis- posted by news agency ANI. Kolkata. 5, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, trict of the state. The mass The video shows Mamata Press Area, ITO, New Delhi NAME CHANGE Editor-in-Chief wedding ceremony was Banerjee joyfully dancing Gurcharan Singh Babbar organised in Falakata of along with the other dancers. I, Zareena Akhtar W/o Javed Akhtar R/o A-04 Era Gardenia Estate Noor Mob : 9654077232, 9971359517 Alipurduar district.Hand in She then leaves the dancers' Nagar Meerut, U.P-250002 have Website : www.thesikhtimes.in hand with other tribal group and moves away to Changed my name from zareena Email : [email protected] dancers at the mass wedding another group of dancers.Not Akhtar to Jareena Bano for all future ceremony, Mamata Banerjee the first time though! Mamata Purpose RNI No. DELENG/2008/25465 New Delhi, Wednesday, 3 February, 2021 DELHI/NCR THE SIKH TIMES 4

NEWS BOX Fire in Mumbai-bound Delhi University teachers 'struggle' to find adequate SUV, wind blowing wads of currency help MP facilities on day 1, flay reopening order

Police seize Rs 1.74 Irked over the lack of arrangement, DUTA president Rajib Ray alleged in a statement on Monday, "teachers turned up at the workplace to find that they had to struggle to find an appropriate space from where crore they could teach. The internet collapsed in many colleges and teachers were found roaming around with their portable devices or laptops to be able to meet their online classes." New Delhi. The Delhi University Teachers' classes and in the college to mark their library. However, the facility can only be Association (DUTA) has criticised the attendance was ridiculous," it alleged. availed 24 hours after sending an email to the varsity for not giving colleges and teachers The DUTA further said, "The DUTA takes librarian. Only five students will be allowed "adequate time for preparation" on the first strong exception to this mindless order and to enter the library at a time to take the day of limited reopening of colleges. The demands its immediate withdrawal so that requested books. Reading rooms, teachers were seen roaming around with precious teaching time is not wasted and bookshelves and reading halls will remain their portable devices or laptops to be able to classes remain unmet." closed till further notice. meet their online classes. JNU reopening It also asked the students and other users to Irked over the lack of arrangement, DUTA The Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) on comply with COVID-19 guidelines, failing president Rajib Ray alleged in a statement on Monday announced that fourth semester which "will attract a penalty of withdrawal of Monday, "teachers turned up at the MPhil and MTech students of its science library facilities". workplace to find that they had to struggle to Police said a Mumbai-bpund SUV had caught practical classes at all its colleges. school and special center, and final semester The university also announced the immediate find an appropriate space from where they reopening of authorised shops, including fire near Bahmani village in Madhya Pradesh. The Delhi University allowed final year MBA students, both day-scholars and hostel could teach. The internet collapsed in many students, who need to use college facilities residents, will be allowed to return to the those providing tea, snacks and "When the people inside the car kept the bags colleges and teachers were found roaming for their practicals, to return to campuses, campus from February 8. refreshments, of hostels, residential areas of on the road as part of rescue efforts, a strong around with their portable devices or laptops while making staff's presence mandatory The B R Ambedkar Central Library of the shopping complex and Tapti, Paschimabad, gust of wind blew wads of currency into the air to be able to meet their online classes." from Monday. university also announced the partial and Poorvanchal complex. However, dhabas and onto the road, attracting the attention of Earlier on January 29, the Delhi University The DUTA claimed that it had pointed it out to resumption of service. A notification by the and canteens in the campus will remain passersby," said an official. issued a notification to the varsity staff and the vice-chancellor that the order "was university said those students who require closed until further notice. instructed them to "attend to their bound to create chaos and confusion", access to the laboratory and have to submit The university has also started classes for New Delhi.Afire in a SUV and winds that workplace" from Monday (February 1), adding "No proper mechanism had been put their dissertation or thesis before June 30 are fourth-year PhD, MSc, MCA students from which the teachers' association termed as in place to ensure no disruption to the allowed to enter the campus in its seventh Monday. It had also reopened the sports blew currency from bags kept inside helped "mindless" and demanded its "immediate police in Seoni district of Madhya Pradesh teaching-learning process before issuance of phase of reopening. complex for "walking and running purposes" seize Rs 1.74 crore, an official said on withdrawal". the order.""It was clear that all teaching had The B R Ambedkar Central Library will now only, and the canteen of Aravali Guest House Monday. The teachers' association had also announced to be conducted in the digital mode, hence, allow students, scholars, and faculty and the India Coffee House for "takeaway According to report in Press Trust of India that it will allow final year students for expecting teachers to be at home to take members to get books issued from the facility". (PTI), the SUV caught fire near Bahmani village, which damaged Rs 1.50 lakh in 500 rupee denomination notes. CBSE class 10, 12 board exam 2021 datesheet, timetable: Actor Sushant Singh, When the people inside the car kept the bags on the road as part of rescue efforts, a strong gust of wind blew wads of currency into the Caravan among those air and onto the road, attracting the attention Check out release date, time and other important details of passersby, said Seoni Superintendent of 250 accounts Police Kumar Prateek. Candidates must note that CBSE Class 10 and Class 12 admit cards are likely to be released in April, "The incident took place on Sunday evening. On being alerted, a police team rushed to the according to the report. This year, the syllabus has been reduced to 30 per cent, and the paper will contain 33 withheld by Twitter spot. The people apprehended said they per cent internal choice questions. carried gold from Mumbai to Varanasi, and NEW DELHI. Twitter on Monday (February 1) were carrying Rs 1.74 crore cash back on CBSE board exam 2021 datesheet. appear on the screen suspended several accounts of high-profile the instructions of a trader," PTI quoted the The Central Board of Secondary Step 4: Download, take a print out for celebrities and organisations, including actor official as saying. Education (CBSE) is all set to release further reference. Sushant Singh, Caravan magazine among for The accused had hid the currency in a the official datesheet for Class 10 and This year, the CBSE Board spreading misinformation during the farmers' chamber under the vehicle's bonnet, seats 12 board exams 2021 on Tuesday examinations will be held following protests. According to the Delhi Police, both etc, and the fire may have started in the (February 2). Candidates who are all COVID-19 pandemic guidelines. Caravan magazine and Sushant Singh were vehicle due to a short circuit, the SP said. preparing for the examination must Wearing face mask will be a must and allegedly spreading false news on Twitter on "The three persons in the car escaped after note that the exam will be held in the social distancing will be maintained. farmers agitation. passersby spotted the cash, but were nabbed offline mode from May 4 to June 10. The schools will conduct the practical The IT ministry and law enforcement agencies had by Kurai police on national highway 44. Soon after the formal announcement exams from March 1. Results will be last week ordered Twitter to block these tweets The three, identified as Sunil Verma (35), of CBSE Class 10 and CBSE Class 12 announced by July 15. and accounts under Section 69A of the Gyas Babu (42) and Hariom Yadav (38), Timetables, the same will be available The Central Board of Secondary Information Technology Act. According to residents of Uttar Pradesh, are giving on the official website of the board i.e. Education (CBSE) is restructuring Twitter, the company blocked these accounts in conflicting statements about the antecedent cbse.nic.in. 30 per cent, and the paper will contain 33 the affiliation system for schools and the interim in response to a valid legal request of the cash. Further probe is on," the SP Nearly 30 lakh students are set to appear for per cent internal choice questions. making the process completely digital and from the MeitY pending discussions with them. said. the CBSE Board exam 2021 this year, the For the convenience of the students, we have based on data analytics with least human A Twitter spokesperson said that many countries commencing date for which has already mentioned the steps through which the intervention, officials said. The new have laws that may apply to Tweets and/or been announced. candidates can check the datesheets: system, which will come into effect from Twitter account content. "In our continuing Twitter withholds Candidates must note that CBSE Class 10 Step 1: Visit the official website- cbse.nic.in March 1, has been restructured as per effort to make our services available to people and Class 12 admit cards are likely to be Step 2: Click on the link- ‘classes 10, 12 various recommendations for systemic everywhere, if we receive a properly scoped released in April, according to the report. datesheets’ reforms laid down in the new National request from an authorised entity, it may be services of prominent This year, the syllabus has been reduced to Education Policy (NEP). necessary to withhold access to certain content Step 3: Class 10/ 12 exam schedule will in a particular country from time to time," the accounts over 'legal micro-blogging platform said in a statement. Transparency is vital to protecting freedom of reasons', restores later Indian-American Bhavya Lal appointed expression, so we have a notice policy for withheld content. Upon receipt of requests to According to sources, Twitter detained services of numerous withhold content, we will promptly notify the prominent accounts on the ground of 'legal request'. Though the affected account holders (unless we are Acting Chief of Staff of NASA prohibited from doing so e.g. if we receive a services of the handles were restored by the end of the day, the court order under seal)," the company informed. event created a kerfuffle on social media throughout the day. NEW DELHI. Indian-American Bhavya Lal is an active member of the space chair of the policy track of the American Twitter last week said it suspended more than Lal was on Monday appointed by NASA as technology and policy community, having Nuclear Society's annual conference on 300 accounts engaged in spam and platform NEW DELHI. The month of February saw an the Acting Chief of Staff of the US space chaired, co-chaired, or served on five high- Nuclear and Emerging Technologies in manipulation as the farmers' tractor rally went explosive start after Twitter on Monday agency. Lal served as a member of the impact National Academy of Science Space (NETS) and co-organises a seminar violent in the national capital on the 72nd (February 1) blocked several accounts and Biden Presidential Transition Agency committees.She served two consecutive series on space history and policy with the Republic Day. The farmers swarmed the Red tweets following an instruction from the Review Team for the agency and oversaw terms on the National Oceanic and Smithsonian National Air and Space Fort and waved farmer union flags from its Ministry of Electronics and Information the agency's transition under the Atmospheric Administration Federal Museum. ramparts. They even hoisted farmer union flags Technology to the microblogging platform administration of President Joe Biden. Advisory Committee on Commercial For her many contributions to the space as well as a pennant with a Sikh religious symbol to take action against 250 far-left Twitter In a statement, NASA said Lal brings Remote Sensing and was an External sector, she was nominated and selected to from a flagpole. handles for containing false and proactive extensive experience in engineering andCouncil member of NASA's Innovative be a Corresponding Member of the A Twitter spokesperson had told IANS that the content related to the farmers agitation space technology, serving as a member of Advanced Concepts Program and the InternationalAcademy ofAstronautics, the company has taken strong enforcement action to According to sources, Twitter detained the research staff at the Institute for Technology, Innovation and Engineering statement said. protect the conversation on the service from services of numerous prominent accounts DefenceAnalyses Science and Technology Advisory Committee of the NASA Lal earned Bachelor of Science and Master attempts to incite violence, abuse and threats that on the ground of 'legal request'. Though the Policy Institute (STPI) from 2005 to 2020. Advisory Council. of Science degrees in nuclear engineering, could trigger the risk of offline harm by blocking services of the handles were restored by the There, she led analysis of space technology,Before joining STPI, Lal was president of C- as well as a Master of Science degree in certain terms that violate our rules for trends. end of the day, the event created a kerfuffle strategy, and policy for the White House STPS LLC, a science and technology technology and policy, from the "Using a combination of technology and human on social media throughout the day. The list Office of Science and Technology Policy policy research and consulting firm. Prior Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and review, Twitter worked at scale and took action included names of various pro-farmer and National Space Council, as well as to that, she was the director of the Center holds a doctorate in public policy and on hundreds of Tweets that have been in protest handles, like the national news federal space-oriented organisations,for Science and Technology Policy Studies public administration from George violation of the Twitter Rules and suspended magazine Caravan, social-political activist including NASA, the Department ofat Abt Associates, a global policy research Washington University. She is a member of more than 300 accounts engaged in spam and Hansraj Meena and Kisan Ekta Morcha's Defence, and the intelligence community.consultancy based in Cambridge, both the nuclear engineering and public platform manipulation," the spokesperson handles. Massachusetts.She co-founded and is co- policy honor societies. informed. Initially, the microblogging website didn't specify the exact reason for the action but said the step was taken in view of some 'legal request'. Later in the day, news agency ANI reported that the Ministry of India reports 8,635 new COVID-19 cases, 94 Electronics and Information Technology had made the request to Twitter to block over 250 handles on the account of using fake hashtags. The ministry further disclosed that the tweets were provocative fatalities; daily deaths fall below 100 after 9 months in nature and was violating section 69A of the ITAct. New Delhi. India on Tuesday (February Even the announcement of the Budget was 29, 90 lakh on November 20 and over 2.12 lakh, the bulletin said. The case overshadowed by the step of discontinuing 2) registered 8,635 new coronavirus surpassed the one-crore mark on fatality rate in the state was 0.54 per cent, services of various far-left handels. The infections in a day, the lowest in eight December 19. while it was 1.4 per cent at the national level. central government is yet to release an months, while the daily deaths fell According to the Indian Council of The recovery rate in Telangana was 98.77 official statement over the extreme action below 100 after almost nine months, Medical Research, 19,77,52,057 per cent, while it was 97 per cent in the against the concerned accounts. according to Union health ministry samples have been tested up to country. Meanwhile, a total of 7,893 people - Incitement to genocide is a grave threat to data. The number of COVID-19 cases February 1 with 6,59,422 samples - around 75 per cent of the targeted public order and therefore the Ministry of stands at 1,07,66,245 and the death toll being tested on Monday. beneficiaries -- were administered the Electronics and IT (MEITY) ordered for increased to 1,54,486 with 94 new added 152 fresh vaccine against the coronavirus in Delhi on blocking of these Twitter accounts and fatalities, the data said. COVID-19 Cases, taking the total Monday. Fifteen cases of adverse event Tweets under Section 69A of the In the last 24 hours, India has reported infection count to over 2.94 lakh following immunisation (AEFI) were Information TechnologyAct, said sources. 13,423 discharges and 94 deaths while one fatality pushed the toll to reported during the day, authorities told . On January 26, farmers broke barricades to taking the total discharges and death 1,602. Vaccines were administered at 106 centres. enter Delhi and indulged in vandalism toll to 1,04,48,406 and 1,54,486 Greater Hyderabad Municipal Each centre has a target of 100 across several parts of the national capital respectively. The total number of rate has dropped to 1.43 per cent. The Corporation (GHMC) accounted for the immunizations against COVID-19 per day, a during their tractor rally organised to protest active COVID-19 cases stands at 1,63,353. COVID-19 active caseload remained below most number of cases with 29, followed by senior Delhi government official is quoted as against the Centre`s three new farm laws. According to the data, a total of 19,77,52,057 two lakh for the 14th consecutive day. Rangareddy and Medchal Malkajgiri with 11 saying."The vaccination percentage was Farmers have been protesting on the borders samples was tested for COVID-19 up to According to the data, there are 1,63,353 each, a government bulletin said on Tuesday 74.46 per cent. There were 23 sites where of Delhi since November 26 against the February 1. Out of these, 6,59,422 samples active coronavirus infections in the country providing details as of 8 pm on February 1. 100 or more vaccinations (were) achieved. three newly enacted farm laws: Farmers` were tested on Monday, said the Indian which comprise 1.52 per cent of the total The total number of cases stood at 2,94,739 These included seven centres set up at Delhi Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion Council of Medical Research (ICMR). So caseload. while recoveries were at 2,91,115. As many government hospitals," he told . and Facilitation) Act, 2020; the Farmers far, 39,50,156 people have been vaccinated. India's COVID-19 tally had crossed 20 lakh on as 2,022 patients are under treatment On Saturday, Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Empowerment and Protection) Agreement The number of people who have recuperated August 7, 30 lakh on August 23, 40 lakh on and36,058 samples were tested on Monday. Vardhan said that the world`s largest on Price Assurance and farm Services Act from the disease surged to 1,04,48,406 September 5 and 50 lakh on September 16. It Cumulatively, over 79.15 lakh samples have vaccination drive is going on in the country 2020 and the Essential Commodities pushing the national recovery rate to 97.05 went past 60 lakh on September 28, 70 lakh been tested. and is progressing quickly with 37 lakh plus (Amendment) Act, 2020. per cent, while the COVID-19 case fatality on October 11, crossed 80 lakh on October The samples tested per million population was beneficiaries vaccinated in the first 15 days. New Delhi, Wednesday, 3 February, 2021 DELHI-NCR THE SIKH TIMES 5 Burnt notes in MP's Seoni leads police to hawala racket; Rs 1.74 crore recovered, 3 held The Seoni police in Madhya Pradesh has arrested three persons, residents of Uttar Pradesh, and recovered Rs 1.74 crore hidden in the bonnet of the car they were travelling in.

Bhopal.The Seoni district police in Madhya out...The locals noticed this and informed the Pradesh has arrested three persons and police," Kurai police station SHO Manoj Gupta recovered Rs 1.74 crore from them hidden in the said.The accused had fled before police reached bonnet of the car they were travelling in. The the spot but their car was intercepted with the police were alerted by the locals who found help of the highway patrol as locals were alert burnt currency notes on a road close to the enough to note the car's registration number. Banhani village. The Innova car had a Mumbai registration The locals of the Banhani village in Seoni said number and the three accused have been they found burnt currency notes in the identified as Sunil of Jainpur, Hariom of denomination of Rs 500 on the Seoni-Nagpur Azamgarh and Nyas of Jaunpur in Uttar national highway during the intervening night Pradesh. The accused were supposed to buy of Sunday and Monday. gold jewellery from the money that was to be The accused, according to the police, had stopped bought from Mumbai. at the spot to check the engine of their car after "The accused have claimed that same was being smoke started coming out of it. done to evade tax and that the money belonged "The accused had hidden the currency notes in the to jewelers in Varanasi. The addresses of bonnet of the car to give a slip to police but their jewelers in Varanasi and the destination in engine caught fire and when they opened the Mumbai are being verified," police said. hood to check it, half-burnt currency notes flew Income Tax authorities have been informed. Delhi riots: Year on, police yet to identify cops who Daughter missing ED attaches assets for a month, UP worth Rs 130 crore of forced injured protesters to sing national anthem woman alleges Hyderabad-based The court was hearing a petition filed by Faizan's mother seeking an jewellers in SIT probe into his death during the northeast Delhi riots. police apathy demonetisation scam New Delhi.Nearly a year "In these video clips, efforts" to trace the New Delhi.The Enforcement Directorate after a video had surfaced persons in police uniform assaulters through helmet (ED) attached assets worth Rs 130.57 of a group of men lying are seen assaulting numbers and uniform crore of several jewellers who allegedly on the ground as security Faizan and four other badges. Police also told deposited Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes post personnel forced them to individuals, namely the court that Faizan and demonetisation, officials said. sing Vande Mataram and Farhan, Kauser, Rafique others were kept at Jyoti The probe agency attached 41 immovable the National Anthem and Wasim. Of these four Nagar police station as properties, movable properties in the form during the northeast clips, three are distantly per their own wish since of stock in the trade having a current value Delhi riots, Delhi Police shot videos where the they were reluctant to go of Rs 18.69 crore and investments in the has told the High Court pictures of the personnel to their respective stock market in the form of shares worth that they were yet to are blurred and are not residences due to the Rs 63 lakh.The attachment also includes identity the cops seen in recognisable as they are communal tensions. gold jewellery, bullion and ornaments the video. One of the men wearing helmets and The High Court bench of seized during the earlier searches worth Rs in the video, identified as other safety gadgets Justice Yogesh Khanna 83.30 crore.The ED had initiated its 23-year-old Faizan, except one person who is pulled up the police for New Delhi.Awoman in Uttar investigation against Musaddilal Gems succumbed to injuries seen without helmet. their "vague" reply and Pradesh has hit out at the Uttar and Jewels Pvt Ltd and others based on the suffered during the However, his face is also directed them to file an Pradesh Police for failing to find FIR registered by Telangana Police. assault. not clear as this clip has affidavit on whether her minor daughter, who has It was alleged that Musaddilal Gems and The court was hearing a been shot from a low CCTV cameras of Jyoti been missing for a month. The Jewels Pvt Ltd, Vaishnavi Bullion Private petition filed by Faizan's 11.resolution mobile Nagar police station were woman alleged that the police at Limited and Musaddilal Jewellers Pvt Ltd mother Kismatun seekingcamera. The fourth clip is functioning or not at the Chakeri police station forced had deposited demonetised notes of Rs an SIT probe into his clear but neither the faces time. The court also noted her to fill fuel in their vehicles so 500 and Rs 1000 to the tune of Rs 111 crore death. In a status report, nor name plates of the that the police had not that they could search for the in their bank accounts immediately after police said faces of none policemen can be given details on whether missing girl. Prime Minister Narendra Modi of the cops were visible in visible," the status report the deployment registers The woman, disabled and announcement of demonetisation on the four video clips said. and other relevant identified as Gudiya, alleged November 8, 2016.“They had raised fake available with them as Delhi Police also stated d o c u m e n t s w e r e that her 15-year-old girl went cash receipts and sale invoices showing they were "blurred". they had made "sincere preserved. missing about a month ago. She that around 6000 fictitious customers alleged that her daughter was visited their showrooms to purchase gold kidnapped by one person, jewellery between 8 pm to midnight on identified as Thakur. She November 08, 2016, immediately after the Farmer unions accuse railway authorities of alleged that though a first announcement of demonetisation,” said information report (FIR) was the ED.The ED claimed that the filed, police did not even try to companies of Kailash Chand Gupta and diverting, short terminating trains carrying protesters look for her missing daughter. his sons, in connivance with his chartered The woman later met the Kanpur accountant Sanjay Sarda, fabricated Chandigarh.Various farmer unions, laws.According to the inputs, Punjab SSP and told him that the police invoices to justify the fictitious source of including Bhartiya Kisan Union (Ugrahan) Mail, which runs between Firozepur and personnel had been asking to get income and large amounts of cash and Bhartiya Kisan Union (Dakaunda), Mumbai, was allegedly diverted by the fuel for their vehicles in the deposits. Sanjay Sarda allegedly advised have accused the railway authorities of authorities from Rohtak to Rewari and name of finding her daughter. raising fabricated invoices below Rs 2 diverting and short terminating various later towards Mumbai.Farmer unions The woman claimed that she has lakh, so that there would be no trains carrying the Delhi-bound farmer have alleged that this train was carrying spent Rs 15,000 so far on diesel. requirement of recording the KYC proof protesters. nearly 1,000 farmers who were supposed The poor mother kept getting the or PAN of the customers. BKU (Ugrahan) leader Sukhdev Singh to deboard at Bahadurgarh, four diesel for her daughter's search, “The CA also contributed demonetised cash Kokrikalan said the farmers were boarding kilometres before Tikri border. They but the police could not find her for conversion and also received a hefty the trains to reach the protest site on Delhi were forced to get down at Rohtak and and later started scolding her for commission for rendering this advice,” borders but the railway authorities have Rewari.Another train, which runs coming to the police station. added the ED. diverted the trains.Sukhdev Singh between Ganganagar to old Delhi, was An investigation has been Kokrikalan said hundreds of farmers from also short terminated at launched into the alleged police According to officials, after depositing apathy in the case, SP Brajesh around Rs 111 crore cash into their bank three Punjab's Bathinda, Mansa and Bahadurgarh.The Northern Railway Ferozpur had boarded the trains to reach the Delhi. They are moving in large numbers via authorities have, however, clarified that Kumar Srivastava said. On the accounts, a major portion of these deposits direction of the SSP, who found was transferred to gold bullion dealers to Delhi borders where thousands of farmers have tractor trolleys, buses and tempo travellers," this train was diverted for a day due to some been camping since November to protest Kokrikalan told India Today TV.There have operational reasons.Earlier on January 13 and the woman crying, the police buy bullion, which was delivered to officials were directed to find various jewellers, individuals and entities against the Centre's farm laws."Diverting been allegations that the railway authorities 16, the railway authorities had also diverted, diverted the Delhi-bound trains to derail the cancelled and short terminated various trains the woman's 15-year-old involved. trains is highly condemnable. But this does not daughter immediately. mean that the farmers have stopped going to farmers' protest against the farm allegedly to stop farmers reaching New Delhi. Rajya Sabha chairman calls for disruption- free, orderly discussions in House New Delhi.Keen to ensure orderly functioning maintain discipline and dignity and also "disruption-free proceedings as per rules and Budget session and the need to ensure the Youth and Sports reported the highest of the Upper House of Parliament, Rajya participate in debates in a meaningful conventions," Naidu said.Over 20 hours smooth and effective functioning of the average attendance of 53.45 per cent in 7 Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu on manner," Naidu said. have been allocated for discussion on the august House," he added. meetings.Six committees of Rajya Sabha, Tuesday asked MPs to follow rules, maintain "I have all along been appealing to members to Motion of Thanks to the President for his Referring to work between two sessions of during the inter-session period, spent 38 discipline and dignity while discussingprevent any such situation which will affect address to members of both houses and the Parliament, Naidu said eight department- hours and 34 minutes discussing various issues of national and public importance inthe interest of Parliament and also the General Budget for 2021-2022, offering related Parliamentary Standing Committees aspects of the outbreak of the pandemic, its the House.Making a veiled reference to the nation," he said.On the first full-day ample opportunities to raise and discuss a of Rajya Sabha worked overtime and held a consequences and management. ugly scenes witnessed in the House duringfunctioning of the House in the current wide range of issues of public concern to total of 55 meetings during the inter-session "These committees of Rajya Sabha have the passage of farm bills in the last session, Budget session which started on Friday, which the Government will respond, he said period."These committees met for a total examined the pandemic related issues in a Venkaiah Naidu asked members to make the Naidu said the nation has completed 100 and referred to discussions he had with duration of 110 hours and 4 minutes which bipartisan and constructive manner and not current budget session "more purposeful"years of representative democracy. leaders of all parties on Sunday. comes to an average duration of 2 hours and 7 as fault finding so as to provide guidance for where issues are discussed threadbare in "a The first direct elections to the imperial and "I sincerely hope that this important Budget minutes. This is an improvement over the such sudden challenges in future."These peaceful, orderly and dignified manner." provincial legislative councils were held session will turn out to be highly productive previous average of 1 hour 54 minutes per committees have also complimented the "Last time some unfortunate incidentsduring the winter of 1920."Democracy is all in the spirit of the last four sessions," he said. each meeting," he said.The committee on governments, the people and all other happened," he said without going into the about the participation of people in the Naidu said he could sense the enthusiasm on Commerce has reported substantial stakeholders for rising to the occasion in details. management of public affairs and policy- the part of all sections of the House to further improvement in holding 10 meetings during handling the pandemic challenge," he FOLLOW LIVE UPDATES ON BUDGET making through their elected move on with this important session with the the inter-session period for a total duration of said.Noting that the change between the SESSION HERE representatives," he said. President presenting the vision of the 26 hours 18 minutes. same time last year and now is perceptible, he In September last year, opposition MPs tore the "The occasion of being a 100-year-old modern government to members of both the Houses The average duration of each meeting has said India has moved from being a nation rule book, climbed on the podium and representative democracy calls for serious and the government presenting the General increased to 2 hours 37 minutes against the with few testing facilities, quality masks and created a ruckus during the passage of three reflection on the state of democracy and the Budget for the next financial year with a average duration of only 1 hour 42 minutes personal protection equipment to one that farm sector reform bills. "It is binding on all functioning of legislatures in our country, he focus on post-COVID-19 recovery and earlier.The committee on Transport, Tourism "successfully contained" the pandemic and of us to see that the House functions properly, said. On this occasion, the House should health. and Culture held the highest number of 11 has emerged as the hope for other countries members follow rules and regulations, resolve to enhance the dignity through "I once again reiterate the importance of this meetings for a total period of over 22 hours. with indigenously made vaccines and as the The committee on Education, Women, Child, vaccine factory for the world. New Delhi, Wednesday, 3 February, 2021 EDITORIAL THE SIKH TIMES 6 Stomach ache? Here are some home remedies from Bombay HC judgment is a hair-splitting a nutritionist exercise that restricts scope of POCSO

A recent judgment of a single-judge bench of the argued that when the police refuse to Bombay High Court (at Nagpur) held that it is register a complaint, how can the illiterate necessary for the accused to have a “skin-to-skin” The Bombay HC judgment needs mother be blamed for delay in filing. She contact with the survivor in order to bring the convicted and sentenced the accused to10 offence within the purview of Section 8 of the years of rigorous imprisonment.The most Protection of Children from Sexual Assault challenging case she presided over is the (POCSO) Act, which stipulates a minimum to be set aside and the sexual abuse by multiple men at Kalyani punishment of three years. This has created shock Mahila Bal Seva Sanstha in Navi Mumbai. waves among child rights and women’s rights We had marvelled at the manner in which activists in Maharashtra as well as nationally. comments expunged to repose she conducted the trial. There were around It has also moved national-level bodies such as the 10 accused and some survivors had to be National Commission for Women (NCW) and the examined in sign language. In May 2013, Child Rights Commission into action. The the faith of all survivors of six accused were convicted, including the Supreme Court, too, has ordered a stay on the founder-director, of the rape of five ruling. mentally-challenged female inmates, three The judgment seems to be a futile hair-splitting sexual violence in the judicial of whom were minors. One of the victims exercise that restricts the scope of POCSO Act. died after she was gang raped. Hence, Justice Pushpa Ganediwala of the Nagpur bench of prime accused and director of orphanage the Bombay HC modified the order of a sessions system. was also convicted of murder. court, which had sentenced a 39-year-old to three So, what happened in this case? Why such a One can experience stomach ache due to various years of imprisonment for sexually assaulting a reasons such as constipation, diarrhea, acid 12-year-old girl. She held in her verdict that mere reflux, lactose intolerance, stress, gas and groping a minor’s breast without “skin-to-skin bloating. While there are many ways to treat the contact” cannot be termed as sexual assault. The same, nutritionist and lifestyle educator phrase “skin-to-skin contact” is not mentioned in Karishma Chawla shares how one can manage Section 7 of the Act, which states, “Whoever, with different types of stomach aches with the help of sexual intent touches the vagina, penis, anus or home remedies. breast of the child or makes the child touch the Read on to know. vagina, penis, anus or breast of such person or any Constipation other person, or does any other act with sexual Constipation is caused by lack of dietary fibre, intent which involves physical contact without indulgence in processed foods, dehydration, too penetration, is said to commit sexual much dairy, medication, lack of exercise or assault.”However, the bench said: “The act of movement, ignoring the urge to defecate, and pressing of breast of the child aged 12 years, in the stress. Chronic constipation can lead to gas absence of any specific detail as to whether the top production, stomach bloating, and ache. Dietary was removed or whether he inserted his hand interventions include consuming whole grains inside top and pressed her breast, would not fall in such as dalia, red rice poha, rajgira and legumes; the definition of ‘sexual assault’”. It would, fruits and vegetables rich in fibre like dark green however, fall within the ambit of Section 354 of leafy vegetables, pear and papaya; drinking the Indian Penal Code, which criminalises plenty of water and other fluids — like starting outraging the modesty of a woman, the court held. the day with lemon water and consuming vegetable smoothies. Lifestyle measures include These comments were deemed as “insensitive” by slowing down the morning ritual, having a many activists, some of whom have commented routine, a set wake-up and sleep time along with that the judge, who was elevated to the high court yoga and stretches. Avoid refined, deep-fried, and in 2019, lacks exposure to the letter and spirit of the POCSO Act. I beg to differ. Lawyers and high sugar foods. One can experiment with black convicted the accused, a watchman, for seven years. A salt which may help to relieve gas and bloating activists engaged with the RAHAT project of Majlis Legal mindboggling judgment that has been condemned by all and aid digestion. Garlic helps to relieve gas, Centre have closely observed the manner in which she high-profile criminal lawyer, Majeed Memon, appeared concerned stakeholders — one which can become a constipation and treat the infection. conducted the trials in cases of child sexual abuse even for the accused supported by the trustees of the school. On precedent to be followed by subordinate judiciary? The the other hand, our support person was a fresh graduate It can be caused by a viral infection, drugs, food before the enactment of the POCSO Act, when she was the harm that has been caused to the minor in this particular allergies, and food sensitivities to name a few. trial judge for sexual offences against women and children with no exposure to criminal courts. But it was the judge’s case as well as all future cases, cannot be easily Management of diarrhea includes fluid balance in the Bombay City, Civil and Sessions Court.In our first sensitivity that helped in a fair trial. overlooked. This judgment needs to be set aside and the with coconut water, buttermilk, salted rice kanji, case, which involved the sexual abuse of a four-year-old In another case which concerned the father raping his comments expunged to repose the faith of all survivors of or lemon, sugar, salt beverage. and where the police had delayed filing an FIR, she had daughter, where the FIR was filed after 18 months, she had sexual violence in the judicial system. Lactose intolerance Individuals with lactose intolerance usually lack the enzyme lactase to digest the lactose in milk leading to stomach cramps and diarrhea. Growth with inequality: On Economic Survey 2021 Avoiding milk is beneficial. One can substitute regular milk with almond or coconut milk. The Economic Survey for 2020-21 is an but also, crucially, so far avoided a bruising at 15.4%. Also, while batting for a fiscal push to Gas and bloating expansive attempt at reviewing the second wave of infections seen in much of support the reviving economy, it posits an upside It can be a result of food sensitivities, constipation, The developments in the Indian economy during Europe and the U.S. While it may be debatable to the growth prognosis predicated on, among or indigestion leading to abdominal pain. This can the current financial year and providing an as to how much of the turn in the pandemic’s other factors, a rapid roll-out of the COVID-19 be managed by dropping food irritants that cause Economic outlook for its near-term prospects. Spread progress could be attributed wholly to vaccines and a recovery in demand in the gas, eating a diet high in fibre, adequate water, over 700 pages, the survey opts for a self- proactive policy measures, the survey’s battered services sector. However, the document and chewing food properly. One can also Survey congratulatory tone while highlighting the contention that India has turned the crisis into fails in providing an honest assessment of the experiment with herbs such as turmeric that help policy achievements of the government in an opportunity to strengthen its long-term on-ground economic situation by overlooking to break down food and absorb nutrients. seems to steering the economy through the treacherous growth potential through ‘seminal reforms’ key aspects including the extent of Acid reflux shoals of “the most unfathomable global sounds off-key, especially given the ongoing unemployment even as it hints at the level of It is caused by low stomach acid, magnesium privilege deficiency, certain foods, hiatus hernia, and health emergency experienced in modern farmers’ agitation against the new farm laws rural joblessness, which followed the return of eating food too quickly. For relief, avoid citrus wealth history”. Citing an approach that used ‘graded as well as the plight of the struggling small and millions of urban casual workers in the wake of foods, alcohol, and spicy foods. Practice mindful public health measures to transform the short- medium-scale industries and informal sectors. last year’s hastily implemented lockdown. This eating by chewing every mouthful 20-30 times. creation term trade-off between lives and livelihoodsThe survey goes on to forecast that the economy it does by taking credit for a record 311.92 crore One can also have aloe vera juice in the morning into a win-win that would save both lives and is currently experiencing a V-shaped recovery person-days of work generated over the last 10 and fennel and black cumin water before meals to over livelihoods over the longer term’, the surveythat would enable GDP to expand, even by a months under MGNREGA. And in contending secrete stomach acid. asserts that India established a globally unique‘conservative estimate’, by 11% in real terms that growth should be prioritised over inequality Stress reduction model of strategic policymaking in containingin 2021-22. Still, to achieve that level of real in tackling poverty, when the pandemic has stomach ache Stress can also lead to stomach aches. the COVID-19 pandemic while helping thegrowth, retail inflation must moderate exacerbated the gap between the rich and the (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock) of income economy recover quickly from its deleterioussubstantially to average 4.4% or less over the poor and the Finance Minister is set to present It can cause low stomach acid, which can lead to impact. There is no denying that the country12-month period through March 2022, given her Budget, the survey seems to privilege wealth heartburn, acid reflux, burping, bloating, gas, and disparity appears to have not only flattened the curve that the survey has projected nominal growth creation over all else. even nausea after eating. The problem of ageing dams

141.67%, 808.64% and 426.59%, respectively. Studies in later years showed similar findings. India’s ageing Almost every scholarly study on reservoir sedimentation shows that Indian reservoirs are designed with a poor understanding of sedimentation science. The designs dams can threaten underestimate the rate of siltation and overestimate live storage capacity created.Therefore, the storage space in water security, Indian reservoirs is receding at a rate faster than anticipated. Reservoirs are poised to become extinct in less than a few decades with untold consequences affect farmers’ already under way. Consequences income, and When soil replaces the water in reservoirs, supply gets choked. The cropped area begins receiving less and less water as time progresses. The net sown water area either increase flooding shrinks in size or depends on rains or groundwater, which is over-exploited. Crop yield gets affected severely and disrupts the farmer’s income. In fact, the Dams and reservoirs are believed to secure our water needs farmer’s income may get reduced as water is one of the for the future. However, data and studies show that they crucial factors for crop yield along with credit, crop can threaten our water security. Here is how.It is not a insurance and investment. It is important to note that no secret anymore that India’s dams are now ageing and plan on climate change adaptation will succeed with concomitantly, reservoir water is being replaced by soil, sediment-packed dams. technically known as silt or sediment. All about India's dams Becoming obsolete The flawed siltation rates demonstrated by a number of India is ranked third in the world in terms of building large scholarly studies reinforce the argument that the dams. Of the over 5,200 large dams built so far, about designed flood cushion within several reservoirs across 1,100 large dams have already reached 50 years of age many river basins may have already depleted and some are older than 120 years. The number of such substantially due to which floods have become more dams will increase to 4,400 by 2050. This means that frequent downstream of dams. The flooding of Bharuch 80% of the nation’s large dams face the prospect of in 2020, Kerala in 2018 and Chennai in 2015 are a few becoming obsolete as they will be 50 years to over 150 the water-scarce Cauvery river basin.As dams age, soil Rohan D’Souza writes that the observed siltation rate in examples attributed to downstream releases from years old.The situation with hundreds of thousands of replaces the water in the reservoirs. Therefore, the India’s iconic Bhakra dam is 139.86% higher than reservoirs. The nation will eventually be unable to find medium and minor dams is even more precarious as their storage capacity cannot be claimed to be the same as it originally assumed. At this rate, he wrote, “the Bhakra sufficient water in the 21st century to feed the rising shelf life is even lower than that of large dams. Krishna was in the 1900s and 1950s.To make matters worse, dam is now expected to function for merely 47 years, population by 2050, grow abundant crops, create Raja Sagar dam was built in 1931 and is now 90 years studies show that the design of many of our reservoirs is virtually halved from the original estimate of 88 years”. sustainable cities, or ensure growth. Therefore, it is old. Similarly, Mettur dam was constructed in 1934 and flawed. In a paper, Supply-side Hydrology: Last gasp, Similarly, the actual siltation rate observed for the imperative for all stakeholders to come together to is now 87 years old. Both these reservoirs are located in published in 2003 in Economic & Political Weekly, Hirakud, Maithan and Ghod dams are way higher at address this situation urgently. New Delhi, Wednesday, 3 February, 2021 FILM THE SIKH TIMES 7 Happy Birthday Jackie Shroff: Anil Kapoor, Disha Patani, Ayesha Shroff pour Priyanka in heartfelt wishes for actor ChopraChopra Showers Love on Anushka-Virat's Daughter: May All Your Dreams Come ollywood's renowned actor Jackie Shroff celebrated his 64th birthday today. As the star True, Vamika Bturns a year older, his fans, followers and friends from the fraternity including Anil Kapoor, Disha Patni, his wife Ayesha Shroff poured in their Birthday wishes. Jackie is a versatile actor who has portrayed various roles during his four decades- long Bollywood career. Jackie's wife Ayesha Shroff took to her Instagram and penned down a heartfelt note for her husband. Sharing a vibrant picture of Jackie she wrote, "Happppppiest birthday to the BEST father in the World!And the man with the BIGGEST heart in the World!! @apnabhidu @tigerjackieshroff @kishushroff." Many popular stars wished Jackie in the comments section, including Tiger Shroff's rumored girlfriend Disha Patani who wrote,"Happy b'day uncle". Jackie's old friend Anil Kapoor too shared throwback pictures with the actor and wrote, "Janam Din Mubarak Ho @bindasbhidu mere bhai... My bhidu in life and bade bhaiya on screen, may this be the riyanka Chopra Jonas has showered best year yet". They have also worked together in a Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli's newborn daughter Vamika with love and blessings. number of films earlier which includes, Ram P Lakhan,Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja ,Lajja, Priyanka dropped a heart-warming comment on the picture that Anushka shared on Monday Parinda, Kala Bazaar. Reportedly, they will be morning with her daughter and Virat. Anushka coming together with Subhash Ghai after 32 long posted the first photo of her baby girl, revealing years for their next, Ram Chand Kishen Chand. On that the couple named her Vamika. the professional front, Jackie will be seen next in Sharing the adorable photo, Anushka wrote, "We Salman Khan's Radhe: Your Most Wanted Bhai have lived together with love, presence, and which is set to release later this year. The film also gratitude as a way of life but this little one, features Disha Patni and Randeep Hooda. Vamika has taken it to a whole new level! Tears, laughter, worry, bliss - emotions that have been experienced in a span of minutes sometimes! Kartik Aaryan shares stunning Sleep is elusive but our hearts are SO full. Thanking you all for your wishes, prayers, and good energy." photo, asks fans if he should Priyanka gave her blessings to the baby, and wrote, "Such a beautiful picture. Sending you all so try hair and toothpaste ads much love. May all your dreams come true, Vamika." Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli had earlier sent a note to the paparazzi fraternity in Mumbai, requesting them not to carry pictures of their baby. "While we will always ensure that you get all the content you need featuring us, we would request you to kindly not take or carry any content that has our child. We know that you will understand where we are coming from and we thank you for the same," read an excerpt from their statement. Acceptance I Have Had

in Reality TV Space is ollywood star Kartik Aaryan is wondering if he should pursue a modelling career now, and Bhe seeks the opinion of fans. The actor's Instagram post on Monday underlines his funny Amazing, Says quandary. In the monochromatic photograph, Kartik is seen sporting a black t-shirt, while sporting long hair and flashing his million-dollar smile. The actor looks handsome while posing candidly for the lens. Asking his fans if he can do a hair and toothpaste advertisement, the actor wrote in the caption, "Hair aur tooth paste ka toh ad kar hi sakta hu...Kya bolte ho." Celebrity followers including Bhumi Pednekar and more than 2 lakh fans liked the picture within an Gauahar Khan hour of it being posted. Scores of fans also chimed into the comments section, praising the picture and auahar Khan has worked across mediums like films, approving him as a perfect model for toothpaste and OTT, and television. Although acting is her first love she hair advertisement. Gadmits the acceptance she has got in reality shows is Meanwhile, on the work front, the 30-year-old actor, amazing. who had made his Bollywood debut with 'Pyaar Ka Gauahar's tryst with reality shows began in 2009, with Jhalak Punchnama', was last seen in Imtiaz Ali's 'Love Aaj Dikhla Jaa 3. She was then seen in The Khan Sisters, Bigg Boss Kal', co-starring Sara Ali Khan. The film was a 7, Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 5 and in the ongoing 14th sequel to Imtiaz's 2009 movie by the same name, season of Bigg Boss as a toofani senior among others."Acting which starred Padukone and Saif Ali Khan. is my first love. So for me, if I am in front of the camera I am Kartik will next be seen in the horror comedy film most happy. But I thoroughly enjoy the reality space as well," Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 where he features alongside Gauahar told IANS.She added: "The kind of acceptance I have Kiara Advani. had in the reality space is amazing. So, I am not going to say that ‘Oh, I don't enjoy that'. I enjoy that as well, but for me Apart from this, the actor gets an intense makeover in when I am performing in front of the camera that is a different the upcoming thriller Dhamaka that casts him as a high." journalist who covers the live broadcast of a terror attack in Mumbai. The film is directed by Ram Gauahar's latest release is the Saif Ali Khan and Dimple Kapadia starrer web series Tandav, which drew the ire of a section of Madhvani, who earlier called the shots on the film politicians as well as the public who claimed the show Neerja as well as the web series Aarya. provokes communal disharmony and hurts Hindu sentiments. New Delhi, Wednesday, 3 February, 2021 WORLD THE SIKH TIMES 8

NEWS BOX Indian-American Bhavya Lal appointed Snow, wind hammer US Northeast Acting Chief of Staff of NASA World Indian-American Bhavya Lal was on Monday appointed by in 'life-threatening' blizzard NASA as the Acting Chief of Staff of the US space agency.Lal served as a member of the Biden New York Apowerful winter storm engulfed the place across the Northeast. Outdoor subway Presidential Transition Agency US Northeast on Monday, blanketing much of service in New York City and PATH commuter Review Team for the agency and the region in heavy snow, blasting coastal areas trains linking Manhattan and New Jersey were oversaw the agency’s transition with high winds and bringing New York City suspended. The city closed public school under the administration of and other major urban centers to nearly a buildings through Tuesday.New York state President Joe Biden.In a statement, standstill.The nor’easter - an East Coast storm Governor Andrew Cuomo declared a state of NASA said Lal brings extensive with winds blowing from the northeast - could emergency in the city and 44 other counties, experience in engineering and bring accumulations of 1 to 2 feet (31 cm to 61 and warned of possible road closures in the space technology, serving as a cm) to the country’s most densely populated hours ahead.“This is a dangerous situation. A member of the research staff at the region before tapering off on Tuesday, the life-threatening situation,” Cuomo told a Institute for Defence Analyses National Weather Service said.By early noontime news conference. “Expect closures. Science and Technology Policy Monday evening, the nor’easter had dumped as It’s going to get very bad very quickly.” Institute (STPI) from 2005 to much as 27 inches (68 cm) of snow in parts of More than 90% of flights at New York City-area 2020.There, she led analysis of New Jersey and Pennsylvania and 17 inches (43 airports were canceled, said Rick Cotton, space technology, strategy, and cm) in parts of New York City. More than 13 executive director of the Port Authority of New policy for the White House Office inches (33 cm) covered Manhattan’s Central York and New Jersey, and operations of Science and Technology Policy Park, as bands of snow began moving north into suspended at La Guardia and John F. Kennedy and National Space Council, as New England.By early evening, Boston airports in Queens.COVID-19 vaccination well as federal space-oriented reported a mix of snow and rain, the Weather sites and testing locations were forced to close organisations, including NASA, Service’s forecaster Marc Chenard said. But or change schedules.All six vaccine mega-sites the Department of Defence, and the just a few miles inland from the New England across New Jersey were closed on Monday, and intelligence community. coast, up to 12 inches (30 cm) of snow were Damaging winds of 30 to 40 miles per hour (48 to “It’s the storm of the century!” predicted vaccine appointments were rescheduled at Lal is an active member of the space reported, he said. By Tuesday morning, some 64 km per hour) were forecast along the New snowplow operator James Carew, 56, of Union, many New York state-run sites. Vaccinations technology and policy community, areas could see 15 inches (38 cm). Jersey coast. In Massachusetts, the weather New Jersey, noting he had been clearing snow and testing were also suspended at New York having chaired, co-chaired, or If the winter storm achieves its maximum service forecast gusts up to 60 mph (97 kph) on for 30 years.The storm’s intensity and rapid City public hospitals and health centers.De served on five high-impact potential, it would be the first to bring more than Cape Cod and the islands of Martha’s Vineyard snow buildup means multiple visits to clear Blasio said that, with the city facing up to 22 National Academy of Science 2 feet of snow in New York City since 2016, and Nantucket.Power outages driven by wind residential driveways like the one he was inches (56 cm) of snow, vaccinations would be committees.he served two when a record-breaking blizzard dumped 27.5 and heavy, wet snow are possible overnight plowing in Maplewood, New Jersey. “This is a postponed on Tuesday. “The storm is disrupting consecutive terms on the National inches (70 cm) on the country’s most populous across the region, but no major outages were 10 out of 10 for storms,” Carew said.Winter our vaccination effort, and we need to keep Oceanic and Atmospheric city, according to the weather service. reported early Monday evening. storm warnings and weather advisories were in people safe,” he told a news briefing. Administration Federal Advisory Committee on Commercial Remote Sensing and was an Concerned By China's External Council member of NASA’s Innovative Advanced Coronavirus: Pandemic’s deadliest Concepts Program and the Attempts To ''Intimidate'' Technology, Innovation and Engineering Advisory Committee month in US ends with signs of progress Neighbours: White House of the NASAAdvisory Council. Before joining STPI, Lal was Washington The deadliest month yet of the average, well over the president’s oft-stated Washington: In its first response to the China-India president of C-STPS LLC, a coronavirus outbreak in the U.S. drew to a goal of 1 million per day. More than 5.9 border standoff, the Biden administration has science and technology policy close with certain signs of progress: COVID- millionAmericans have received the required voiced concern over Beijing's ongoing attempts to research and consulting firm. Prior 19 cases and hospitalizations are plummeting, two doses, the CDC said.However, the CDC "intimidate" its neighbours and said it was closely to that, she was the director of the while vaccinations are picking up speed. reported Monday that many nursing home monitoring the situation. Center for Science and Technology The question is whether the nation can stay workers are not getting their shots when doses A top official of the new Biden administration also Policy Studies at Abt Associates, a ahead of the fast-spreading mutations of the are first offered.Researchers looked at more asserted that the US will stand with its allies to global policy research consultancy virus.The U.S. death toll has climbed past than 11,000 nursing homes and other such advance its shared values in the strategically-vital based in Cambridge, 440,000, with over 95,000 lives lost in facilities that had at least one vaccination Indo-Pacific region."We are closely monitoring Massachusetts. January alone. Deaths are running at about clinic between mid-December and mid- the situation. We note the ongoing talks between 3,150 per day on average, down slightly by January. While 78% of residents got at least the governments of India and China and continue one shot, only 37.5% of staff members did. to support a direct dialogue and a peaceful US concerned by about 200 from their peak in mid-January. COVID-19.Dr. Philip Landrigan, an But as the calendar turned to February on Surveys suggest some nursing home workers resolution to border disputes," Emily J Horne, epidemiologist at Boston College, said are skeptical of the shots’ effectiveness and spokesperson, National Security Council (NSC) of Beijing's attempts to Monday, the number of Americans in the vaccines are a factor in the sharp drop in cases hospital with COVID-19 fell below 100,000 don’t think viruses spread easily from them to the White House, told PTI on Monday.He was intimidate but are not the primary cause. Instead, he said, the people they care for. responding to a question on recent Chinese for the first time in two months. New cases of the crisis has become increasingly infection are averaging about 148,000 day, Three mutated variants of the virus from Britain, attempts to intrude into Indian territories and neighbours, closely “depoliticized” in recent weeks as more occupy it."The United States is concerned by falling from almost a quarter-million in mid- people come to grips with the threat and how South Africa and Brazil have been detected in monitoring India- January. And cases are trending downward in the U.S. The British one spreads more easily Beijing's pattern of ongoing attempts to intimidate they can help slow the spread of the virus.I its neighbours," Emily J Horne said. China border row, all 50 states.“While the recent dcline in cases don’t think you can underestimate the and is believed to be deadlier, but the South and hospital admissions are encouraging, they importance of this culture change. I think it’s Africa one is prompting even more concern "We will stand with friends, partners and allies to are counterbalanced by the stark reality that in critically important,” he said. because of early indications that vaccines may advance our shared prosperity, security and values says WH not be as protective against it.The more the in the Indo-Pacific region," he added. January we recorded the highest number of After a slow start, the vaccination drive that Washington The United States is COVID-19 deaths in any month since the virus spreads, the more opportunities it has to This is the first response of the Biden administration began in mid-December is picking up the pace. mutate.Walensky urged Americans to get "concerned" by Beijing's pattern of pandemic began,” said Dr. Rochelle More than 32.2 million doses have been on the India-China border clashes. Former vice ongoing attempts to intimidate its Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease vaccinated as soon as shots become available president Joe Biden, a Democrat, was inaugurated administered in the U.S., according to the to them, and stressed it’s no time to relax basic neighbours, the Biden Control and Prevention. CDC. That is up from 16.5 million on the day as the 46th US President on January 20.China and Administration said on Monday, Deaths do not move in perfect lockstep up or precautions such as wearing India are locked in a military standoff in eastern President Joe Biden took office, Jan. 20. masks.Meanwhile, a snowstorm Monday Ladakh since May 5 last. The two countries have adding that it is closely monitoring down with the infection curve. They are a The number of shots dispensed in the week and a the situation along the India-China lagging indicator, because it can take a few forced the closing of many vaccination sites in held several rounds of military and diplomatic half since Biden’s inauguration has been the Northeast, including in New York City and talks to resolve the face-off, but no significant border."We are closely monitoring weeks for people to get sick and die from running at around 1.3 million per day on the situation. We note the ongoing Connecticut. headway has been made so far.The evolving talks between the governments of situation in the Indo-Pacific region in the wake of India and China and continue to China's increasing military muscle-flexing has support a direct dialogue and a Dubai Shuts Bars Until End Of Month After Coronavirus Surge become a major talking point among leading peaceful resolution to border global powers. The US has been favouring making Quad a security architecture to check China''s disputes," Emily J Horne, Dubai: Dubai on Monday ordered bars and pubs Abu Dhabi, which has large oil reserves and spokesperson, National Security growing assertiveness.China is engaged in hotly to close until the end of the month to suppress a is less dependent on tourism, has taken a contested territorial disputes in the South and East Council (NSC) of the White spike in coronavirus cases, after tourists more conservative approach, generally House, told PTI.He was China Seas. Beijing has also made substantial flocked to the emirate over the holiday period. requiring quarantine on arrival.Images of progress in militarising its man-made islands in the responding to a question on recent The closures, effective from Tuesday, are among sports and media celebrities at Dubai's Chinese attempts to intrude into past few years.Beijing claims sovereignty over all a raft of steps "taken in response to rising multitude of beach clubs and cocktail bars of the South China Sea. But Vietnam, Malaysia, the Indian territories and occupy it. violations of preventive measures," flooded social media over Christmas and "The United States is concerned by New Year.However, guidelines for the city- Philippines, Brunei and Taiwan have authorities said in a statement.Indoor venues, counterclaims. In the East China Sea, China has Beijing's pattern of ongoing including cinemas and sports venues, will state have been gradually tightened over attempts to intimidate its recent weeks, with an earlier clampdown on territorial disputes with Japan.The South China have their capacity cut by half. Sea and the East China Sea are stated to be rich in neighbours," Horne said."We will Dubai's vast shopping malls, as well as hotels, the entertainment scene, and non-essential stand with friends, partners and surgery in hospitals has been minerals, oil and other natural resources. They are swimming pools and private beaches, must also vital to global trade. Although the US lays no allies to advance our shared operate at 70 percent of capacity. been badly battered during the pandemic. suspended.Britain last week announced a travel ban on non-citizens arriving from the claims to the disputed waters, it has challenged prosperity, security and values in Restaurants and cafes are required to close by The United Arab Emirates is also racing to roll China's growing territorial claims in the South the Indo-Pacific region," he added. 1.00 am."Penalties will be strictly imposed on out vaccines -- administering some 3.4 million UAE, and severe quarantine measures for citizens arriving from the country, hitting China Sea by deploying warships and fighter jets to This is the first response of the Biden anyone found posing a risk to public health by doses of vaccine to its population of about 10 assert freedom of navigation and overflight patrols Administration on India-China deliberately disregarding preventive measures million, for the second-fastest delivery after Dubai holidaymakers and expatriates.Direct flights from the UAE to Britain were also in the strategically-vital region.Addressing a joint border clashes.Addressing a joint or not observing them properly," the Crisis and Israel.But while masks and social distancing session of Parliament, President Ram Nath Kovind session of Parliament, President Disaster Management committee said. are mandatory, it has not prevented a sharp cancelled until further notice, although Dubai- based carrier Emirates said Monday it would last week said India had strengthened its military Ram Nath Kovind last week said Dubai has sought to manage the pandemic increase in cases in the new year after Dubai presence at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) along branded itself as an open, sunny and resume some one-way services between India has strengthened its military without closing its doors, and in July reopened Britain and Dubai. with the two countries'' shared border to protect its presence at the Line of Actual to tourism -- an economic mainstay which has quarantine-free winter escape.Neighbouring sovereignty. Control (LAC) along the two countries' shared border to protect its sovereignty. US Should Stop Meddling" Myanmar coup: Generals tighten grip on In China's Internal Affairs: Top Chinese Diplomat power as US calls for sanctions GENEVA: It is time to start solving After Myanmar’s generals seized hours after her arrest.The UN Security Council allies on international challenges, especially on the mystery of Long Covid, an was due to meet later on Tuesday, diplomats China’s rising influence. That stance contrasts aspect of the pandemic blighting power in a coup and detained said, amid calls for a strong global response to with former President Donald Trump’s often millions of lives, the World Health the military’s arrest of the Noble Peace laureate go-it-alone ‘America First’ approach.The Organization's leader on post- elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi, and dozens of her political allies on dawn raids United Nations-led condemnation of the coup Covid conditions told AFP. US President Joe Biden said the on Monday.The coup followed a landslide win and calls for the release of detainees and Little is known about why some for Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy restoration of democracy in comments largely people, after coming through the coup was a direct assault on the (NLD) party in November elections, a result the echoed byAustralia, the European Union, India, acute phase of Covid-19, struggle military has refused to accept citing allegations Japan and the United States.China did not join to recover and suffer ongoing country’s transition to of fraud.The army handed power to General the condemnation, saying only that it noted the symptoms including tiredness, democracy and the rule of law, Min Aung Hlaing and imposed a state of events and calling on all sides to respect the brain fog, cardiac and neurological emergency for a year, crushing hopes the decade based on progress toward democracy. constitution. Other countries in the region disorders.At this stage of the and said his administration poverty-stricken country also known as Burma The reversal of that progress will necessitate an including neighbouring Thailand refused to pandemic, the world is fixated on was on the path to stable democracy after immediate review of our sanction laws and comment on Myanmar’s “internal affairs”.The vaccine roll-out and new, more would be watching how other decades of military meddling in politics.Read:authorities, followed by appropriate action,” streets of Myanmar were quiet overnight during contagious variants of the countries responded. Emergency in Myanmar as military coupBiden said in a statement.“We will work with a curfew already in place to stop the spread of coronavirus.However, Long overthrows Suu Kyi govt: What we know so our partners throughout the region and the coronavirus. Troops and riot police took up Covid deserves similar urgent farUS President Joe Biden said the coup was a world to support the restoration of democracy positions in the capital, Naypyitaw, and the attention, said Janet Diaz, the Reuters The United States threatened to reimpose direct assault on Myanmar’s transition to and the rule of law, as well as to hold main commercial centre Yangon.By Tuesday clinical care lead in the WHO's sanctions on Myanmar’s generals after they democracy and the rule of law, and said his accountable those responsible for overturning morning, phone and internet connections were emergencies programme, ahead of seized power in a coup and detained elected administration would be watching how other Burma’s democratic transition,” he said.The running again but usually bustling market a push for a globally-unified leader Aung San Suu Kyi, whose whereabouts countries responded.“The United States crisis in Myanmar is one of the first major tests places were quiet and the airport in the approach to the problem. remained unknown on Tuesday more than 24 removed sanctions on Burma over the past of Biden’s pledge to collaborate more with commercial hub ofYangonwas closed. New Delhi, Wednesday, 3 February, 2021 TRAVELHealth THE SIKH TIMES 9

Do you struggle to get out of bed, feel constantly drained and rely on pick- me-ups like coffee and sugary treats to get you through

the day? your energy levels. As we get older we lose our thirst reflex. Also, working in an air- conditioned office, going for a long walk can lead to depleted 99 reasonsreasons whywhy you’reyou’re fluid levels. This causes blood pressure to drop and not enough blood gets to the brain or muscles. It results in headaches, fatigue and loss of concentration. Remedy: Try to drink water every two hours. If you need ConstConstantlyantly avoid headaches and irritability. encouragement, add , basil, lemon or cucumber to liven its Iron deficiency flavour. Figures show that around one third of women are low on iron Sugar Overdose often due to heavy Sugary energy drinks and snacks like periods. Some have biscuits, chocolate and crisps cause sharp WornWorn outout low enough iron spikes in blood sugar levels that can leave If so, you're far from alone. Research reveal exercise makes your heart and lungs work relaxing bath and a cup of levels to be you tired. Remedy: Swap to low-sugar foods. that one in three of us admit we're more efficiently, delivering oxygen and vital anaemic. If you pull Avoid white carbs such as bread and pasta permanently worn out because of the pace of warm milk. Throw in some nutrients around the body. Remedy: Next time easy reading, as that helps. down your bottom which quickly convert to sugar in the body. modern life. A survey by a vitamin company you're tempted to flop on the sofa, force eyelids and the Choose wholegrain carbs such as granary revealed that a whopping 97% of us claim yourself up for a brisk 10-minute walk — Caffeine addiction inner rim looks pale bread, wholemeal pasta and brown rice. we feel tired most of the time and doctors' you'll feel more alert. Although we think of rather than pink, it's Missing out on protein records reveal that 10% of people who visit caffeine as a pick-me-up, it an indicator. Surviving on fruit and salad might feel them complain of unexplained tiredness. So Lack of sleep actually makes us feel more Remedy: Include worthy, but avoiding protein will leave you much so that doctors have even created a Recent research shows many of us survive on tired once the initial surge wears off. This is plenty of iron-rich foods in your diet, such as exhausted, as it's a vital energy giver. handy acronym — TATT (Tired All The so-called 'junk sleep' — the kind when we because our brain chemistry doesn't like lean meats, dark green vegetables, pulses and Remedy: Eating a minimum of a palm-sized Time). Here, experts point to some of the wake up frequently throughout the night. It being interfered by stimulants, so it releases dried fruits, and pair them with foods like amount of protein with meals and eating causes and how to deal with them. doesn't replenish our energy levels as well as chemicals to dampen down the alert response. citrus fruit high in vitamin C. No Exercise long stretches of continuous sleep do. Drinking coffee even six hours prior to seeds and nuts or nut butters can prevent Remedy: Develop good sleep hygiene. Go to bedtime meant poorer quality kip. Remedy: Dehydration tiredness. Meat, fish, cheese, tofu, beans, Avoiding exercise because you're tired bed on time, avoid staring at screens an hour Losing even as little as 2 per cent of your lentils, yogurt, nuts and seeds are good actually makes you feel worse. Regular Avoiding caffeine will increase energy levels before bed time. If sleep evades you, have a in the long run. But cut down gradually to body's normal water content can take its toll on sources of proteins. Breakfast high in protein better for kids: Study Abeakfast high in protein - like eggs - keeps children fuller longer than cereal or oatmeal, causing them to eat fewer calories at lunch, says a new study. "It is really important that we identify certain types of food that can help children feel full and also moderate caloric intake, especially in children who are prone to excess weight gain," said lead researcher Tanja Kral, associate professor at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing in the US. The study, published in the journal Eating Behaviours, also found that the effects of a protein-rich meal do not last throughout the day. It only impacts a mid-day meal. The study recruited forty, eight to 10-year-old children to consume one of three, 350-calorie breakfasts (eggs, oatmeal, or cereal), then play games with research staff and then eat lunch once a week for three consecutive ref lux. 3 home remedies to get relief from Avoid adding sugar, however a spoon of ghee added to it is more effective. AcidityAcidity attackattack 3. Tulsi: One of the safest ayurvedic and in case of a bad bout of acidity eat an products, Tulsi helps in stimulating Do you find yourself often under the overripe banana. deadly attack of acidity or acid reflux and rid of your problems without worrying stomach to produce more mucous. It much about the side effects. Here are some 2. Cold milk: Milk has a high amount of contains antiulcer properties and have tried on varied medications to get rid calcium, which helps to prevent acid of the deadly acidity attacks? While there simple and easy home remedies to keep reduces the effects of gastric acids. acidity at bay. build up by absorbing the excess acid One of the easiest way to beat the might have been times when these produced. Also with if the milk is cold it medicines have showed their wonders and 1. Bananas: Known to be rich source of discomfort felt during acidity is by potassium they keep the acidity levels in sure does provides instant relief from the chewing 4-6 Tulsi leaves to find made acidity shoo off, there are certain burning sensation that one feels during home remedies which you can use, to get check. The next time keep a banana handy, instant relief. weeks. On each occasion, every participant had to eat their Exercises for a toned midriff entire breakfast, but could eat as much or as little lunch as desired. want to wear that crop top, but are afraid of According to the research, after consuming the egg degree angle, while turning your upper showing off a flabby stomach? Attaining a knees slightly bent. Cross your left foot breakfast (scrambled eggs, whole wheat toast, diced body to the left. Get your right elbow flat and toned stomach is every woman's in front of your right foot. Place your peaches, and one percent milk) children reduced their toward the left knee to create a pedalling dream. However, even if most women follow right hand on the floor directly beneath energy intake at lunch by seventy calories - roughly motion. Do 10-20 reps a healthy diet and exercise regularly, getting a shoulders and your left hand behind the equivalent to one small chocolate-chip cookie. 2. Downward dog: Lie on your stomach. toned midriff is no cakewalk. Here's how you head. Lift your hips off the floor, so that Moderately active children in the same age range as Maintain a tight spine with your shoulder can work out the belly fat and look fab. your body is diagonal to the ground. those who participated in the study generally need blades depressed and palms resting on the 1. Bicycle crunches: Lie flat on the floor and 4. Plank exercise: Lie with your face to between 1,600 and 1,800 calories daily. floor. Exhale and lift your back toward the press your lower back to the ground. Interlace the ground. Support your the wight of The 70-calorie drop at one meal equals about four ceiling in such a way that your legs are your fingers, and put your hands behind your your upper body on your forearms with percent of a child's daily caloric needs. pushed back. Assume an upturned 'V' head. Bring your knees in toward your chest elbows firmly placed on the ground. Lift by your forearms and toes. Avoid Eating beyond the caloric threshold, even by a little, pose. and lift your shoulder blades off the ground. your torso off the floor to form a straight drooping and hold for 10 to 20 seconds. can cause excess weight gain and obesity in children, if 3. Side stretch: Lie on your right side with line with your body, which is propped up sustained, the researchers pointed out. Straighten your right leg out to about a 45- New Delhi, Wednesday, 3 February, 2021 BUSINESS THE SIKH TIMES 10

NEWS BOX Jack Ma’s name omitted from Chinese state Budget 2021: Gems and jewellery industry cheer newspaper’s list of leading entrepreneurs decision to cut import duty on gold, silver New Delhi Alibaba Group founder Jack Ma has been left off a list of Chinese entrepreneurial leaders published by state also attract Agriculture Infrastructure media - the snub underscoring how just far The Modi government and Development Cess at the rate of he has fallen out of favour with Beijing. 2.5 per cent. All these provisions are China’s best-known businessman was not has announced a cut in encouraging and highly beneficial to mentioned in an front-page article published the sector as it boosts growth, by the Shanghai Securities News. Instead, the import duty on gold investment and capital," Ranka said. Huawei Technologies’ Ren Zhengfei, Saurabh Khandelwal, Owner of Xiaomi Corp’s Lei Jun and BYD’s Wang and silver, a move Dhanvi Diamond, said that custom Chuanfu were lauded for their contributions. duty revision has already seen the It was published on Tuesday when Alibaba welcomed by the effect in the afternoon session on the will also report its latest quarterly earnings. day of Budget. He said that more The e-commerce giant did not immediately industry as it will bring effects on the prices of gold will be respond to a request for comment.The visible in the coming days. catalyst for Ma’s current woes was an Oct. down prices of "This spurs the demand for gold in the 24 speech in which he blasted China’s market. NRIs who buy gold outside regulatory system, leading to the suspension precious metals in the India will also find Indian gold of his Ant Group’s $37 billion IPO just days industry attractive and begin to buy before the fintech giant’s listing. domestic market and more in the coming times with this Regulators have since launched an anti-trust budget. We definitely expect a boost probe into the tech sector with Alibaba boost exports of gems taking much of the heat, while tighter in sales as the domestic market will regulations for Ant Group are also being improve and, people will be more considered.Ma, who is not known for shying and jewellery. motivated to invest in gold and away from the limelight, subsequently boosting exports. "It was our long pending exporters as prices in the international purchase gold for festivals and demand to cut the import duty on gold and markets come down making India more disappeared from the public eye for about New Delhi All these sectors, however, would occasions," Saurabh said.India is the largest silver. It is a welcome move for the domestic competitive in the global market. As three months, triggering frenzied also attract 'Agriculture Infrastructure and importer of gold, which mainly caters to organised sector," he said. expected, the customs duty on gold and speculation about his whereabouts. He re- Development Cess' at the rate of 2.5 per cent. demand of the jewellery industry. In volume Vastupal Ranka of Gem & Jewellery Trade silver have been reduced by 2.5% - from emerged last month with a 50-second video Welcoming the decision, Gems and Jewellery terms, the country imports 800-900 tonnes of Council of India said that the Budget 2021 is 10% to 7.5%. Gold Dore bars and Silver appearance.The Shanghai Securities Nws Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) gold annually. Gems and jewellery exports favourable for the industry and the industry Dore bars will respectively attract customs said that while some of the entrepreneurs it Chairman Colin Shah said that it would help declined by about 40 per cent to about USD praised had once behaved like “reckless players are happy that not extra duties or duty of 6.9% and 6.1%, compared to the in promoting domestic manufacturing and 17 billion during the nine months of the heroes” in their efforts to break away from taxes are levied."The budget proves good for existing rates as well. These three items will current fiscal. an old, rigid economic system, they now led “a group of companies that respected the rules of development and abided by market Indigo Paints shares listing rules.” Budget 2021: Rs 50k crore allocated for Jal Jeevan on BSE, NSE today: Grey Markets cheer Budget market premium strong, 2021: Sensex reclaims Mission, FM announces its urban segment bumper debut likely 50,000-mark, Nifty gains and Sanitation under the Jal Shakti Ministry has Shekhawat said in this budget, the government New Delhi Shares of Indigo Paints A whopping Rs 50,000 crore been allocated Rs 60,030 crore, while Rs has set aside Rs 50,000 crore for drinking water will be listed on BSE and NSE on over 400 points 9,022.57 crore has been earmarked for the and Rs 10,000 crore for sanitation. Tuesday. Indigo Paints is an has been earmarked for the Department of Water Resources, the River "In this way, the budget allocation for Jal Jeevan innovative paint company and fifth Mumbai Enthused over various measures Jal Jeevan Mission in Development and Ganga Rejuvenation. Mission has increased by 450 per cent this year. largest decorative paints announced in the Budget, Sensex on Tuesday "The total budget of the ministry has also manufacturer in the country. It reclaimed the 50,000-mark in the opening increased by about 180 percent, which shows offers a wide range of interior and session while the Nifty climbed over 400 Budget 2021-22, with exterior wall paint colours, enamels points to trade over 14,700 points.The BSE the priority and seriousness of the Modi Finance Minister Nirmala government on the issue of water," he said. and wood coatings for homes and gauge Sensex was trading over 50,000 mark, offices. witnessing a strong rally of over 1500 points Launched in 2019, the Jal Jeevan Mission, a or 3.16 per cent in opening deals.Likewise, Sitharaman Monday flagship programme of the Modi government, Indigo Paints' Rs 1,170-crore initial the NSE barometer Nifty was higher by 447 aims to provide tap water connections to rural share-sale garnered an points or 3.15 per cent at 14,728 in early announcing the scheme's households by 2024. So far, tap water overwhelming response from trade. urban segment that aims to connections have been given to 3.3 crore rural investors. The IPO received bids According to exchange data, foreign portfolio households.The ambitious urban segment of for 64.58 crore shares against an provide tap water the mission will be implemented over five offer size of 55.18 lakh shares, years with an outlay of Rs 2,87,000 crore. translating into a subscription of connections to 2.86 crore "The Jal Jeevan Mission (urban) will be 117.02 times. The portion reserved The DDWS has seen a hike of more than three launched. It aims at universal water supply in all for Qualified Institutional Buyers households. times in its budget allocation. In 2019-20, the 4,378 Urban Local Bodies with 2.86 crore (QIBs) was subscribed 189.57 DDWS was allocated Rs 18,264.26 crore. It household tap connections, as well as liquid times, while that of non- came down marginally to Rs 17,023.50 crore in waste management in 500 AMRUT cities. It institutional investor category New Delhi Awhopping Rs 50,000 crore has been 2020-21. In the coming fiscal year, the DDWS received 263.05 times subscription earmarked for the Jal Jeevan Mission in Budget will be implemented over 5 years, with an has been earmarked Rs 60,030 crore. outlay of Rs 2,87,000 crores," Sitharaman said and retail portion was subscribed 2021-22, with Finance Minister Nirmala In this budget, Rs 50,000 crore has been 15.93 times. The company mopped Sitharaman Monday announcing the scheme's in her budget speech. earmarked for the Jal Jeevan Mission, which is The Union Minister also expressed happiness up Rs 348 crore from anchor urban segment that aims to provide tap water implemented by the DDWS. Additionally, investors. The Rs 1,170.16-crore connections to 2.86 crore households. over the importance given to liquid waste investors (FPIs) purchased shares worth a net Sitharaman announced the urban segment of IPO comprised fresh issuance of In the budget, the Department of Drinking Water management in 500 AMRUT cities under the Rs 1,494.23 crore on Monday. Asian markets this scheme.Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Swachh Bharat 2.0 campaign in the budget. stocks aggregating to Rs 300 crore were also trading broadly higher in afternoon and an offer-for-sale of up to 58.40 trade.Economists and market analysts are of lakh equity shares by private equity the view that this is a bold growth-oriented Amalgamation of OBC, UBI into Punjab National Bank: What happens firm Sequoia Capital, through its budget and absence of the much-feared two funds SCI Investments IV and COVID tax and the surcharges on Income SCI Investments V, and promoter Tax is a great relief. Besides, privatisation of Hemant Jalan. The price band was two nationalised banks and proposal of to your existing debit cards and internet banking after April 1, 2021? fixed at Rs 1,488-1,490 a share for monetisation of assets like land are clear the initial share-sale, which was positives, according to them.Market New Delhi: After the Amalgamation of OBC, According to information tweeted by PNB, the card for exciting services and offers. open for public subscription during response to the budget reflects growth UBI into Punjab National Bank, several user ID of the old customers of Oriental Bank There will be no immediate closure of ATMs. January 20-22.Indigo Paints shares customers are curious to know as to happens to optimism and in brief, the government has of Commerce and United Bank of India has Moreover, each customer can now benefit listing Indigo Paints shares presented a pragmatic, bold and visionary their existing debit cards and internet banking from a network of 13,000+ ATMs without any afterApril 1, 2021. changed. After the merger of OBC and UBI allotment process was completed budget in these difficult times, they said. additional charge. Post amalgamation, on January 28. The refund process According to information tweeted by PNB, the banks with PNB, the MICR Code and IFSC customer of Oriental Bank of Commerce and was initiated on January 29 for user ID of the old customers of Oriental Bank of Code will also change from April 1, 2021. United bank of India will be able to access Elon Musk says THIS Commerce and United Bank of India has Punjab National Bank’s ATM and vice versa those who didn't get the IPO. The changed. After the merger of OBC and UBI without any additional charges subject to shares were credited in the Demat about Bitcoin; statement banks with PNB, the MICR Code and IFSC credit card. Your PNB credit card will be Terms and conditions as stipulated by RBI. account of those who received the Code will also change from April 1, 2021. That renewed upon its expiry. Merger Announced in August 2019 allotment was done on February 1. sends the means, the account holder will no longer be able OBC – Your existing OBC SBI credit card shall be Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had in Indigo Paints shares listing will be on to transact with the old user ID. Additionally, if valid until the date of expiry printed on the card. August 2019 announced that PNB, Oriental the stock exchange will be done on cryptocurrency up 14% customers dont change the User ID they will Your credit card will be renewed upon its expiry. Bank and United Bank will be merged to February 2. It will be listed on both also not be able to use Net Banking .Although, You may also approach PNB for a fresh credit become the second largest PSU Bank in India the BSE and NSE.Indigo Paints San Francisco: Billionaire Elon Musk said on your existing ATM cum debit card will be valid card for exciting services and offers. with business of Rs 17.95 lakh crore (1.5 times shares grey market premium Monday bitcoin was "on the verge" of being until date of expiry printed on the debit card. UBI – Your existing credit card shall be valid until that of PNB). Total Employee strength: PNB – Experts feel the listing premium of more widely accepted among investors as he Your debit card will be renewed upon its the date of expiry printed on the credit card. 65,116, OBC – 21,729, United bank – 13,804, at Indigo Paints could be around 50 expressed his support for the cryptocurrency expiry.PNB – Your existing credit card shall be Your credit card will be renewed upon its expiry. the time of the announcement. per cent over the issue price. in a chat on social media app Clubhouse that valid until the date of expiry printed on the You may also approach PNB for a fresh credit drew thousands of listeners. The comments followed his use of the "#bitcoin" tag on his Twitter profile on Friday, which pushed the cryptocurrency up RBI appoints external firm to audit 14%.Musk, CEO of Tesla Inc, is known for making comments on Twitter that move markets and he acknowledged this during his debut on the invitation-only app Clubhouse. HDFC Bank IT Infrastructure "I am a supporter of bitcoin," he said. "I was a little slow on the uptake," he said, New Delhi HDFC Bank on Tuesday said the provided to the RBI and the bank has taken "We cannot have thousands and lakhs of adding he should have bought it eight years Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has appointed this positively as it will raise the standard, customers who are using digital ago."I think bitcoin is on the verge of getting an external IT firm for carrying out a special according to a senior official of HDFC banking to be in any kind of difficulty broad acceptance by conventional finance audit of its IT infrastructure in the aftermath Bank.The action plan will take 10-12 for hours together and especially when people."Bitcoin last traded up 3.7% at of repeated service outages at the country''s weeks for implementation, and further we are ourselves giving so much $34,390, having surged over 300% in 2020. largest private sector lender over the past time-frame will depend on the RBI''s emphasis on digital banking. Public On the wide-ranging chat Musk discussed two years."RBI has appointed an external inspection. Based on the satisfaction level, confidence in digital banking has to be memes, Mars, his companies, and vaccines, professional IT firm for carrying out a the regulator will lift the ban, the official maintained," Das had said.HDFC among other topics. He also interviewed special audit of the entire IT infrastructure said at an analysts'' meet.In December, the Bank, the largest lender by assets in the Vladimir Tenev, co-founder of online stock of the bank under Section 30 (1-B) of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) temporarily private sector, has been classified as a broker app Robinhood, which is under fire Banking Regulation Act, 1949..., at the cost barred HDFC Bank from launching new systemically important entity by the for blocking retail investors from purchasing of the Bank under Section 30 (1-C) of the digital banking initiatives and issuing new RBI in the past. It is also the largest GameStop stock.GameStop stock surged Act. The bank shall accordingly extend its credit cards after taking a serious view of in the primary data centre," HDFC Bank had issuer of credit cards and has a some 400% in the past week after retail cooperation to the external professional IT service outages at the lender over the last said in a regulatory filing. significant share in the payment processing investors banded together to buy shares in the firm so appointed by RBI for conducting the two years. The bank has been penalised for two major segment. U.S. video game retailer, sending hedge special IT audit as above," HDFC Bank said "RBI has issued an order dated December 2, outages, one in November 2018 and the The bank is the largest issuer of credit cards funds scrambling to cover losing bets.Tenev in a regulatory filing.Last month, HDFC 2020, to HDFC Bank Ltd with regard to other in December 2019. and had 1.49 crore customers as of Bank had submitted a detailed plan of action said the market rumour was untrue that certain incidents of outages in the internet Taking a stern view of the repeated outages, September 2020 while on the debit cards Citadel Securities - the market-making arm to the RBI to address repeated service banking/ mobile banking/ payment utilities front, it had 3.38 crore customers. disruption issues due to outage, saying it RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das had said in of billionaire hedge-fund manager Ken of the bank over the past two years, December the regulator had some concerns Earlier, HDFC Bank''s Managing Director Griffin - had pressured Robinhood into was hopeful of improving its technology including the recent outages in the bank''s and Chief Executive Officer Shashidhar platform in three months. about certain deficiencies and it was blocking retail investors. internet banking and payment system on necessary that HDFC Bank strengthens its Jagdishan had apologised to customers and Progress is being made on the plan of action November 21, 2020, due to a power failure IT system before expanding further. promised to work on the deficiencies. New Delhi, Wednesday, 3 February, 2021 SPORTS THE SIKH TIMES 11 India vs England: Ravi Shastri welcomes India players to 1st training session with 'rousing address'

New Delhi Ravi Shastri helped kickstart India's training session in /Ravi Shastri addressed the lead up to the Test series against England with a "rousing address". The head coach was addressing a team huddle as India the team huddle ahead of players had their first outdoor practice session at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Tuesday. Ravi Shastri looked charged up as India players were seen listening India's first net session in to the head coach with rapt attention. "Day 1 of our nets session in Chennai and it is Head Coach @RaviShastriOfc who welcomes Chennai the group with a rousing address," the BCCI said in a social media post sharing photos from the morning training session at /India and England Chepauk.Ravi Shastri will be geared up to inspire India to another series win after the heroics of Australia. India battled against odds players will have 3 net and injury setbacks to beat Australia 2-1 in a 4-Test series and retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.Ajinkya Rahane-led side went on to breach Australia's fortress at the Gabba, gunning down a sessions each before the record 328-run target on a memorable final day of the tour.India players and support staff completed their mandatory 6-day 1st Test quarantine period in Chennai and cleared the three mandatory RT- PCR tests for Covid-19. The players had their first outdoor session /MA Chidambaram on Monday evening while they will have 3 days of nets in the lead up to the first Test, starting February 5. England players, who also Stadium will host the Test cleared the mandatory RT-PCR tests, will begin their training session from 2 pm IST on Tuesday. The visitors will also have 3 net sessions before the first Test.Earlier on Monday, India players series opener from welcomed back the likes of captain Virat Kohli and fast bowler Ishant Sharma to the squad. Both Kohli and Ishant were seen in February 5 training gears as they managed some running and warm-up in the evening outdoor session. India vs England: Definitely Roger Federer set to return missing being part of squad, ATP Cup 2021: With two wins on day 1, Novak in March, says focus on was with team for last few Wimbledon and Tokyo months - T Natarajan Djokovic has now won all his 10 matches at ATP Cup Olympics in 2021 New Delhi By the time Australian tour ended in /Novak Djokovic defeated New Delhi It's official! Roger Federer is all set to mid January, the Tamil Nadu player was an return to competitive action in March at the ATP all-format player for India, He spent a long Canada's Denis Shapovalov in 250 event in Doha, 13 months after playing on the time with the Indian team in his debut outing the singles face-off tour at Australian Open 2020. The tennis great said and being in bio-bubbles meant added time / he is gutted about missing the Australian Open Djokovic and compatriot Filip 2021 action but wanted to return at a smaller with the team and teammates. Krajinovic defeated Canada's The pacer is not part of the squad for the first 2 tournament where there will be less stress on him. Tests against visiting England side. He Shapovalov and Raonic in the Federer last played in the Australian Open 2020 naturally misses the Indian dressing room doubles match semi-final wherein he lost to Novak Djokovic. The 20-time Grand Slam champion ruled himself out of atmosphere now.“Definitely [missing being /Novak Djokovic had was part of the squad], especially after being with the remainder of the season due to knee injury the team for the last few months. But I do undefeated in the inaugural issues and underwent 2 surgeries last year.Federer understand that it’s important to take a break. edition of ATP Cup in 2020 was part of the entry list for the Australian Open but Given that I did not spend time with the family he decided to pull out of the season's first Grand Slam, starting February 8 in Melbourne as he in the last six months, I am fine with it. But New Delhi Another day and another undoubtedly, I will feel bad that I’m not able wanted to focus on his long-term future and allow milestone in life of wolrd number one himself more time to recover. Notably, Federer had to be with the national team when they are tennis player Novak Djokovic. Leading playing in Chennai,” said Natarajan while trained in the UAE in a bid to feature in the Team Serbia in the ATP Cup 2021, the 33- Australian Open but decided against it after speaking to . year-old helped his nation win two discussions with his coaches Severin Luthi and Further, T Natarajan said that he would like to matches on day one of the tournament's Ivan Ljubicic and fitness coach Pierre Paganini."I play in all the formats for India and at the same second edition.First up, Novak Djokovic Germany on Wednesday, while Novak After the completion of the singles match, have been thinking about when and where to come time also maintain his work load.“I am hammered Canada's Denis Shapovalov 7- Djokovic-led Serbia will face Alexander Djokovic thanked fans for the atmosphere 5, 7-5 before his teaming up with his Zverev-led Germans on Thursday. they helped to create. "We don't get to see back for a long time. Australia was a touch too looking to play in all formats and will early because of my knee," Federer told SRF maintain my workload accordingly. I am keen compatriot Filip Krajinovic to defeat "Filip Krajinovic was the key," said crowds in the tennis stadiums these days so Shapovalov and Milos Raonic in the Djokovic. "The way he played today is much, so it's definitely a blessing. I'm Radio. at a smaller tournament so that I wasn't fully doubles encounter. phenomenal. He came out [with] very really grateful to see you guys here in the in focus and where the stress is also a little less," he Notably, Djokovic has won 8 matches in the solid returning. He found his serve, great stands," Djokovic said. added.Speaking about his decision to miss inaugural edition, including six singles as rhythm. [He] just played some really key "It was a very close match. Playing Shapo is Australian Open 2021, Federer said: "That hurts. Serbia claimed the title. With 2 wins on shots in the second set when we needed it always a great challenge on hard courts. It's one of the places where I love to play the Tuesday, Djokovic now has a 'Perfect 10' the most."Earlier in the day, Milos Raonic He's such a dynamic, explosive player; most."I will try to play on clay again: atATP Cup.Serbia are now also leading the had put Canada ahead with a victory over very talented. I thought we played on a FedererFederer stressed he will try to play in clay Group A after their good show against Dusan Lajovic in the No. 2 singles players’ very high level, so I'm really pleased with but his priority will be being fit and ready for Canada. Germany is the third team in match. Djokovic sealed a win over how I've started the season. This is the best Wimbledon, the Tokyo Olympics, and the US Group A. Canada will face-off against Shapovalov to take the match to the way to kickstart the season, playing for Open. decider in doubles decider. your country.

to work on my strength and endurance levels India vs Australia: I got very tense and cried when in the coming months. This is the first time I’ve played for six long months at a stretch in my life. Because I trained continuously during India won at the Gabba, says VVS Laxman those months of lockdown, I was able to take boundary to win the match for Team India. care of the workload in IPL and in Australia,” /I just wanted India to beat Australia and "There is no doubt about it. In fact, I became he added win the Test series: VVS Laxman very emotional. I was watching the last day / India became the first team in 32 years and following it along with my family. Justin Langer not willing When Rishabh and Washington were to beat Australia in a Test at the Gabba batting, I got very tense myself because to ignore reports of / India won in Melbourne and Brisbane when you’re not playing the game, you’re to win the series 2-1 and retain the not in control."I just wanted India to beat player discontent, calls Australia and win the series, especially after Border-Gavaskar Trophy what has happened in Adelaide and what it a wake-up call after had happened before the Gabba Test match New Delhi Former cricketer VVS Laxman where everyone was talking about Indians India defeat revealed that he broke down in tears when are scared of going to Brisbane where India beat Australia at the Gabba to clinch Australia hadn’t lost in a long time," Laxman New Delhi Australia head coach Justin Langer the Test series 2-1 in Brisbane last month. told Boria Majumdar on Sports said he is not going to ignore media reports India breached Australia's fortress and became Today.Laxman, who averaged nearly 50 that suggested his coaching style has caused the first team in 32 years win a Test match at against Australia and also played his final discontent in the dressing room and that they the venue when Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill Test in Adelaide, also revealed that it was the will serve as a 'wake-up call'.Following and Cheteshwar Pujara helped the visitors second time he cried after India won a crunch Australia's Test series defeat at home to India, gun down the target of 328 on Day 5 of the game."Twice I cried, once in 2011 when the Sydney Morning Herald reported last final Test to clinch the series and retain the India lifted the World Cup because I always week that senior members of the group are not Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the second time wanted to be part of a World Cup-winning World Cup."And I always wanted to beat eyes. Words cannot express what a happy with the atmosphere in the dressing in a row.Laxman said he was watching the team and I played alongside this group of Australia in Australia, I was not able to do wonderful, inspirational achievement not room and Justin Langer's coaching style has final day's play with his family and "got very players who were so close to me and they that as a cricketer. I was so proud that this only for cricket but for the entire country," left them frustrated.Langer had taken over as emotional" when Pant hit the winning went on to realise their dream of winning the young Indian did that. Tears came down my Laxman said. the head coach of the Australian cricket team after the ball-tampering scandal led to the exit of former coach Darren Lehman. Langer has All discussions surrounding Virat Kohli's been credited for bringing back the respect and India vs England: Spinners Jack Leach and Dom fandom to Australian cricket after it hit a low captaincy are quite unnecessary: Saba Karim during the scandal.However, there seems to be a fall-out after Australia were handed a 2-1 New Delhi Former cricketer and lucky to have two great leaders in Bess have their job cut out, says Nikhil Chopra defeat by an Indian team which was without national selector Saba Karim has the team rather than worry about a several of their first-choice players, including put his weight behind Virat change in guard from Kohli to Chennai Former India cricketer English spinners bowl to the against India, who have a far captain Virat Kohli."I'm not going to ignore Kohli's captaincy amid the Rahane."To be honest, I feel all Nikhil Chopra feels England Indian batsmen. superior batting lineup than the this ... absolutely, it's a wake-up call," Langer ongoing debate that the Indian such discussions are quite spinners Jack Leach and Dom Bess "If they complement their fast- Lankans."While Bess and Leach told ESPNcricinfo."Whenever I finish this team should look at Ajinkya unnecessary. We should feel will be key for the visitors in the bowling attack, England will found success in the recently coaching career I hope I'm still calling myself Rahane as the skipper in Test blessed because we have 2 senior upcoming four-Test series incompete, but if they fall apart, like concluded series in Sri Lanka, it's a novice ... I'll see this criticism as a great gift cricket after he led the side to a players who can lead the side: Chennai andAhmedabad.many other spinners in the past, probably safe to say they will be in a few weeks or months. My greatest famous series win in Australia last Virat Kohli as captain andAjinkya Spinners play an important role in India will bulldoze their way to countering a more organised and mentors in life are the people who told me the month.Kohli is the captain in all Rahane as vice-captain," Karim any side in the sub-continent as the another Test series victory at competent attack from the Indian truth and were toughest on me ... I've always three formats but had to leave after told Sportskeeda."And it is good pitch offers a lot more turn in Asia home," Chopra wrote in his batsmen."The English spinners needed that honest feedback. I might not enjoy the first Test defeat in Adelaide in to have diverse personalities in a than anywhere else.Leach and column for ESPNCricinfo. have their job cut out, for it's not it at the time, but it's so, so December for his paternity leave. team as leaders. One lead with so Bess both are on their maiden tour Bess (12) and Leach (10) both easy to make changes to basic skill valuable."Meanwhile, Justin Langer said he Rahane then took charge in his much aggression, the other is very to India and are likely to feature all played a crucial role in England's sets and tactics for an extended expects the Australia players to come up to absence and led India to a come- calm but the result is the same and the four Tests which is why Chopra recent Test series sweep in Sri period, especially when you don't him and talk about the issues they are facing from-behind 2-1 series win to both are extremely effective. They says that they need to be at their Lanka as they shared 22 wickets see tangible returns in the form of with his style so that they can collectively become the second Asian skipper know how to handle tough best all the time for England to between themselves in the two wickets - and it's more or less work things out."Do I get grumpy sometimes? after Kohli to clinch a Test series situations and how to inspire their challenge India. games. England will be expecting certain that Indian wickets aren't Yeah ... I'm not perfect, that's for sure, but I'm in Australia.But Saba Karim is of colleagues and that's what India "In my opinion, that's where the a similar, if not the same, going to fall in heaps to the spin of pretty good at some of the things I do. the opinion that India should be needs at this stage." series will be decided - how the performance from both spinners Bess and Leach," Chopra added. 12 New Delhi, Wednesday, 3 February, 2021 TravelBEAUTY THE SIKH TIMES

The multi-faceted country of UK has something for everyone. In Bath, I found a little piece With trinket shops, bars, restaurants, funny designer jewellery and fancy dress shops, photo spots, thrilling rides and tons of deck the North Laines are a great haunt for the of Rome...In Windsor, the true Brit royalty complete with all its grandeur... and in Brighton, chairs to bask in the sun. wandering window shopper as well as the The pier makes you enjoy a summery serious buyer! And the Laines spread out in the undying party spirit that you would see in Ibiza, the party capital of the world! afternoon even in the winter! At the centre four directions from a little square with a of the pier lies a casino with fun and games fountain in the centre - you feel like you've for all ages. been transported into a fairytale world The Royal Pavillion inhabited by hobbits. But let this not put a damper on the spirits of South Laines - Think food and drinks - lip The Royal Pavillion was built as a the more sober - for Brighton has much smacking, finger licking, delectable food! residence for the Royal Family for when more to offer than the crazy night life. From streetside bars, to organic food they visit Brighton. However, Queen restaurants to quaint little coffee shops, the Climate Victoria was not very approving of this South Laines have it all. Step in to Casa Don Definitely one of the warmest parts of the building as her residence and it was sold to Carlos for authentic Spanish fare complete UK, Brighton is located comfortable on the Brighton city in the 1800s and was with Sangria and Tapas. Southern coast of the country and is blessed eventually turned into a museum. Bang in Do not miss the 'Naked' coffee shop. With with more sunshine than is rewarded to the Brighton the heart of the city, it is hard to miss this corporate looking sofa seating on the rest of UK. With high humidity and coastal Brighton fine amalgamation of Chinese, Indian and ground floor and large throw pillow floor winds, Brighton has easy weather for all Islamic architecture. When inside the gates seating on the first, the tea and coffee shop except 3 months of the year - the peak of this building, spend time examining and provides a space for meetings as well as winter months - Dec, Jan and Feb. And then appreciating the curves and folds of the lounging. The hot chocolate topped with too it is not entirely impossible to take a The party never stops building and strolling through the lush cream and marshmallows is to die for, as are walk on the sea front or enjoy a cuppa out on green lawns. The property is open to the gluten free breads and homemade cakes. your balcony. buskers, some of whom are extremely good Way to go organic food! Food gripping view of the waves. performers and end up having a sizeable purchase some lovely street art in Brighton. audience sitting in the lawns watching and How to get there The other thing I got lucky with this trip was The Brighton Pier listening to them. Food. I happened to be there during the Places of interest By rail A leisurely walk down the beach will bring you to Brighton and Hove Food Festival and it was There are plenty of trains out from London The Seafront the Pier - vibrant, colorful and fun, this The Lanes a complete delight. With food stalls around getting in to Brighton. The Southern Different from other beaches in that it has spot allows for hours of Spelt slightly differently as the market area as well as in the main Railways operate between London Bridge pebbled shores contrary to most white sandy entertainment and 'Laines', this is area can square, the streets were abuzz with people. probably be called the and Brighton with trains almost every two beached coastal towns, Brighton has a large relaxing. hours. Alternatively the First Capital From cupcakes and organic muffins to salt and beautiful coastline accompanied by a energy centre of water taffy and pies, the smells wafting our Brighton. Divided into Connect trains operate out of Waterloo. The walking path as well as a bicycling track. A train journey from London to Brighton and way were divine. walk straight down from the Brighton and the North Laines and When in Brighton, if you're a real party South Laines, back can cost anything between 20 and 40 Hove station will bring you to the beach which GBP depending on how lucky or unlucky animal, you'll drink more than you'll eat. is covered with tiny white, cream, red and Brighton wouldn't Head to 'Yates' for great music and 'The be the same without you are (the luck factor usually applying brown pebbles. In the summer there are only if like me you land up at the station to Victory Inn' for a range of brews. This is the dozens of shacks, ice cream vendors and these. oldest pub in Brighton - started in 1766. For North Laines - buy your ticket). It is however advisable that pubs open all day across the length of the you purchase the ticket in advance or book Britain's famous fish and chips, have lunch beach. Surprisingly even nearing the end Think shopping - at Harry Ramsdens which is known to have fun, crazy, exciting online. The journey takes just a little over an of September, a lot of these are open for hour. the best fish and chips. The restaurant is business. shopping - from located on the seafront in Brighton. The wind ruffled our hair, gustled in clothes and shoes, to By road Shopping our ears and at times almost made quirky gift items and The journey by road can be completed in Other than the North Laines, Brighton has a us feel like we would be swooped bags to tattoos, under an hour. Infact Brighton is less than main square where you'll find all the major up with it Wizard of Oz style. half an hour away from London Gatwick. It global brands. High end designer labels are Closer to the winter, be sure to is said to be a fairly good journey traveling located next to eachother in a row which wear ear muffs as you stand and south on the M25. forms the high street bang opposite which gaze at the threatening yet are some very famous diners. You can also

which today also bears a silent Tsarist hangover. And the Turns out it's more of a have-at-home poison, especially 'kanals' have inspired articulate bridges (539 to be precise, during the bitter winter. Midnight boat rides at highest in the world) so make sure you tag your architect If, however, you like them drinks mixed with music and in Midnight boat rides at friends in your Facebook pictures. the company of damsels, Nevsky Prospekt is what you Take my weird for it should mark on your map. Not to give you yardsticks, but Always a sucker for history or culture walks, I went into here are the takeaways of my weekend here: overdrive at St Pete's. Judging by one of the day cruises I 1.After extensive pub crawls here, I figured that there's much took, this city feels like one huge gleaming museum, with its to experience in both the hole-inthe-wall and the 'closed- onion-domed churches, lavish palaces and former homes and footwearonly' categories of bars (snooker with drunk working spaces of Russia's greatest artists including Pushkin, middle-aged men and grooving to David Guetta St.St. PetersburgPetersburg respectively, for instance). Dostoyevsky and Tolstoy. However, it didn't need me a guide to spot the reasonable share of Soviet blandness here, for just 2. The absolute mayhem on the streets with loud, drunk around corners sculpted with Greek Gods, I'd run into an odd- revelers spilling out and loitering till breakfast hours, is looking apartment or a defunct prison from the Cold War. enjoyable and free of moral police. These reminders of the city's military history can be eerie for 3. Beer's cheaper than water and can be picked up at some, and the lack of English signs or the locals' shy convenience stores (FYI, President Medvedev signed a bill demeanour could only confuse matters. which acknowledged beer as 'alcoholic' only this year!) But then, there are sights of the most opulent buildings (St 4. Many Sharapova-esque damsels are drop-dead stunning, Isaac's Cathedral, Mariinsky theatre, Winter Palace) which but unless you have a Rapidex Russian booklet or some make up for the above and swoop you to the time when St prolific gestural skills up your sleeve, you wouldn't get close Pete's was Leningrad and further back, when it was the to scoring with any. All this said, if there's one reason why capital of imperial Russia. Throw in some stern-looking, big- you must take your partner or children to this ex-Tsarist nosed modern Russian characters (cabbies, shop attendants, kingdom, it's for the charm you'd find after getting over its waiters et al) and you'd have a blog-ful of anecdotes. 'weirdness'. Many would credit this to its proximity to Europe (an hour's ride from Helsinki), but its homegrown Eat, play, love appeal shouldn't be overlooked. The petunias which dot the The cuisine is perhaps where lampposts, the violinists who fill sidewalks with Kalinka or Peter's idea of this city being just the sharp, stylish locals you spot on the other side of the 'window to Europe' seems unending subway escalators - you could either find all this to have worked. Most of St strange or fascinating. But then it would just take a river Pete's eat streets look Parisian cruise down the Neva on a white night for you to decide on by ambience, feel German for the latter. their love of beer and sound Getting there Spanish with their live gigs. -There are direct flights to St Petersburg from Delhi. While it would be callous to Stopover at Moscow and spend at least 3 days exploring. ignore the pastas and tapas, it'll Spend 2 days in Tashkent. be criminal to miss local hits -The best months to visit Russia - May and October, ideally such as the blini (stuffed June for its stunning white nights. Some brave travellers pancake), kartoshka (huge would even vouch for St Pete's freezing winter charm. potato filled with all the vices he curly haired guide on the motorboat I am fully, dramatically posing you can think of) and Baltika Costs jumping into from a pier near Zaharevskaya, against a still-blue sky. beer (the city is a proud home to -On the lower side by European standards, St Pete's costs are T Saint Petersburg, shoots unflattering looks. Is it Subsequent bridge sightings Eastern Europe's most popular remarkably lesser than Moscow's. just the strange Russian temperament I've encountered on and sips of 'champanska' brew). 150 Roubles in bars. About 50 Roubles this trip or can she actually be annoyed at me for arriving make me feel like I'm in a fine coffee table book. Also, note -Beer pint: And wait, after having had 'Russian' salad in fast food joints outside (Rs 80) two-and-a-half minutes later than 11.30 pm, the reporting to self: in this far-west Russian city, sunset will happen well or the Stroganoff in aspiring European restaurants back time, I wonder. It is only after our twilight cruise zips past midnight (or won't happen at all one month every year), home, it was worthwhile tasting the real deal here. Especially -Main course: 250 Roubles (Rs 414) » Budget through narrow canals and reaches the imposing Neva river bridges will creak open at the stroke of midnight and tourist the latter, whose original beef version comes from the noble hostel: 800 Roubles - 1000 Roubles (Rs 1300-Rs 1500) that I infer her reaction - the bridge we're beholding has boats will leave just before midnight. kitchen of the Stroganovs, prominent art collectors of this -Flights: Return fares from Mumbai-Moscow during begun to creak open from the middle as traffic on both sides With dozens of channels of St Petersburg serving as arteries city! non-winter times range from Rs 42,000 - Rs 55,000. A and that of click-happy visitors underneath has paused to the Neva, it's only fair that one takes the water way to I hit upon a couple of 'surprise entrants' though; in finding a second-class A/c train ride to St Pete's costs approx 2700 itself. explore it. After Peter the Great discovered this swampland sushi place more easily than a traditional Russian place (yes, Roubles (Rs 4,500). By ten minutes after midnight, its illuminated ends open in 1703 and planned it with careful imaginations of Vienna, Japanese is the 'Chinese' here). Secondly, it felt foolhardy to London and Paris, the result was a heady ode to Europe, expect locals downing vodka like we down nimbu pani. -Web: www.saint-petersburg.com