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  R                          789)85 been a top priority for the cur-   rent Government since it came nion Home Minister Amit to power in 2014, he said.   UShah on Saturday Decentralisation and devolu- informed the Lok Sabha that tion of power have taken place Statehood will be given “at an in the Union Territory follow-    appropriate time” to Jammu & ing the revocation of Article Kashmir even as he reiterated 370, Shah said, noting that   that the Centre’s commitment panchayat elections saw over 51 is to bring peace and develop- per cent voting. Panchayats   789)85 ment “first” in the Union have been given administrative Territory. and financial powers for local nion Finance Minister Replying to the debate on development, something they UNirmala Sitharaman on J&K Re-organisation lacked earlier, he added. Saturday said the Union Budget (Amendment) Bill, which Now people chosen by the 2021-22 has set the pace for includes the AGMUT cadre in masses will rule J&K, not those aatmanirbhar India and hit #$             !" the Jammu & Kashmir, Shah born to “kings and queens”, he hard at Congress leader Rahul told the Lok Sabha that the said, attacking dynastic parties Gandhi for his “hum do, healthcare capacity building on allegations levelled against Modi Government’s top prior- in the region. Even our rivals humare do” barb saying he is and development of agriculture the Government. ity is nothing but the develop- could not allege any wrongdo- becoming a “doomsday man” infrastructure, among others, “We need to recognise ment of the region. ing in these polls which were for the country by constantly which are expected to have a these two tendencies of the “You people are asking me conducted fairly and peaceful- insulting Constitutional func- multiplier effect on the econo- Congress party... this makes it what happened after scrap- ly, he said. tionaries and creating fake nar- my. clear that their belief in a ping Article 370 in 17 months                   Work on two AIIMS in the ratives. With regards to increasing democratically elected while forgetting how three    !" region has begun, and the Replying to a debate on the allocation for rural job guar- Parliamentary system is com- families ruled the State for 70 Kashmir valley will be con- Union Budget in the Lok antee scheme, Sitharaman said pletely finished,” Sitharaman years!” said the Home Minister Narendra Modi Government is Premachandran. The Rajya do with Statehood, and Jammu nected to the railways by 2022, Sabha, the Finance Minister the Government will allocate said. reiterating that the Statehood committed to bringing peace Sabha has already passed the & Kashmir will be accorded the the Union Home Minister said. said the challenges of the Covid more funds for Mahatma Responding to former will be given in “appropriate and development in the region Bill. status at an appropriate time, He also gave assurance to the pandemic did not deter the Gandhi National Rural Congress president’s speech time”. first,” said Shah. Taking a dig at Shah at one Shah reiterated. people of Jammu & Kashmir Government from undertaking Employment Guarantee on Thursday, during which he “You people don’t read the Slamming the Opposition point, Chowdhury said, “You He said the region’s Union that “no one will lose their reforms for maintaining long- (MGNREGA) scheme for spoke about farm laws but not Bill properly. This is just about for objecting to the posting of claim all development in Territory status is temporary land”. The Government has term goals of the country. 2021-22, if needed, as against on the Budget, she said, “He is AGMUT Cadre inclusion in Hindu officer in Muslim-pop- Jammu & Kashmir has been and then took a swipe at the sufficient land for develop- “The reforms undertaken Budget estimate of 73,000 probably becoming a dooms- J&K and Ladakh. This Bill has ulated region, Shah said, “I am done by Narendra Modi. Please Congress and other parties — ment works, Shah said. will lay the path for India to crore. Hitting out at the day man for India.” nothing to do with Statehood. amazed that you people are also claim Dal Lake was also which had backed Article 370 The Bill seeks to replace the become one of those fastest- Opposition, she said the The Minister said that the You people during debate just now talking about secularism created by Modi,” said of the Constitution that gave Ordinance to merge the J&K growing economies in the Government under Prime Congress leader laid the “foun- talk on Article 370. It is gone. but what kind of secularism is Chowdhury. special status to Jammu & cadre of civil services officer world, she said, adding the Minister Narendra Modi dation” but did not speak about It was only a temporary clause this?” The Home Minister also Kashmir — saying this was a with the Arunachal Pradesh, Budget has set the pace for “works for common people the Budget during the discus- which you people kept for 70 He was replying to the slammed some Opposition temporary provision but they Goa, Mizoram Union Territory India to become aatmanirbhar”, and not for crony capitalists.” sion on it. years and now asking me when objections against the Bill members for their claim that continued with it for over 70 (AGMUT) cadre. Shah said the she said. In her sharp riposte to “I wanted to know from the Statehood will be given raised by Opposition leaders the proposed law negates the years before the Modi Government expects that The Finance Minister said Rahul, she said the former the Congress why it took a U- back. I am telling you the Adhir Ranjan Chaowdhury, hopes of the region getting Government annulled it in around 25,000 Government the Budget has laid emphasis Congress chief was creating turn on the farm laws but no Statehood will be given on an Assaduddin Owaisi, Manish back its erstwhile Statehood. August 2019. jobs will be created in J&K by on increasing capital expendi- fake narratives but does not reply came,” she said. appropriate time. The Tewari and NK This legislation has nothing to Jammu & Kashmir has 2022. ture, raising allocation for have patience to listen to replies Turn to Page 4  (        !" # #   $          !"#$% &'(               )      *'         789)85 The study interviewed     around 2,500 respondents,  L ! !  789)85 Day violence, over 500 police said that 122 farmers had so far ndia has one of the worst including 1,647 respondents "M! "   ! personnel had been injured, been arrested by Delhi Police in Iroad safety records in the from low-income households, " &      rotesting farmer unions on while a protester had died. connection with 14 of the 44 world with a total of 1,50,000 432 from high-income house- !     PSaturday demanded a high- On January 26, thousands FIRs, adding that SKM will fatalities and 4,50,000 injuries holds and 420 truck drivers in    "    ' level judicial enquiry into the of protesting farmers who provide legal and financial aid in road accidents every year, the four selected States (Uttar violence during the tractor reached ITO from the to all the arrested farmers. resulting in social-economic Pradesh and Bihar representing       rally in Delhi on January 26 Ghazipur border clashed with The SKAM leaders claimed losses equivalent to a shocking Low-Capacity States and Tamil     and the alleged “false” cases the police. Driving tractors, that “false” cases were being 3.14 per cent of GDP every Nadu and Maharashtra repre-   " ( ! slapped on the peasants. many of them reached the Red slapped on farmers charging year. senting High-Capacity States) !  )     Addressing a press confer- Fort and hoisted a religious flag them with serious offences like As per World Bank report across urban and rural areas.  &   (   ence at the Singhu border, there. dacoity and attempt to murder released by Union Minister The qualitative part of the  *+  Samyukta Kisan Morcha lead- At the press conference, to “harass” them. for Road Transport and study included focus group  ! ,  -*+  ers asked farmers who are get- another leader Ravinder Singh Turn to Page 4 Highways Nitin Gadkari on discussions with road crash    .'/+ & !! "  ting police notices not to Saturday, India has one per cent survivors and their family  '      appear before the force direct- !     %#& # ' of the world’s vehicles, but it The study, released by centage terms, the number of members and in-depth inter-  "   "    ly and instead approach the accounts for 10 per cent of all Gadkari, reveals that more accidents decreased by 3.86 per views with adolescents aged 14- L    !M legal cell constituted by the + ,-    % ( road crash victims. than 75 per cent of poor house- cent in 2019 as compared to 18 years.   ' unions for any assistance. And more alarming is the holds in India reported a 2018, while accident-related “We have taken a number Kuldeep Singh, a member New Delhi: Three more men )    fact that 70 per cent of the fatal- decline in their income as a deaths decreased by 0.20 per of positive initiatives to reduce   !"  of SKM’s legal cell, said that a have been arrested in connec- #  ities are in the age group of 18 result of a road traffic crash. cent and those injured road crash deaths in India.    retired judge of the Supreme tion with the violence during to 45 years. The financial loss for the poor decreased by 3.86 per cent. With the support of all stake-   ""   Court or high court should the farmers’ tractor parade in New Delhi: The Delhi Police’s With the National Road amounted to more than seven The World Bank report holders in our society, I am     012 "  probe the incidents to unravel north Delhi’s Burari area on Crime Branch on Saturday Safety Month underway, the months’ household income, highlights the disproportionate committed to reducing road  "    1&.*3 the “conspiracy” behind the Republic day, police said on took actor-activist Deep Sidhu World Bank in association with while it was equivalent to less impact of a road crash on crash deaths by 50 per cent by  "  & January 26 violence and the Saturday. The accused — and another accused Iqbal the SaveLIFE Foundation, a than one month’s household poor households that pushes 2025,” Gadkari said in his "   !    alleged “false cases” against Sukhmeet Singh (35), Gundeep Singh to Red Fort to recreate national non-Governmental income for rich households. them into a vicious cycle of address during the release of  !" !  the farmers. Singh (33) and Harvinder the scene of events that unfold- organisation focused on road As per the Road Accident poverty and debt. It sheds light the report in the presence of &    According to SKM leaders, Singh (32) — were identified ed at the historic monument on safety, released the compre- Report, 4,49,002 accidents took on the links between road Hartwig Schafer, World Bank "  '5& 16 farmers who had partici- with the help of CCTV footage Republic Day during the hensive report on “Traffic place in the country during crashes, poverty, inequality, Vice-President for the South  !"    pated in the tractor parade are and technical probe following farmer’s tractor parade, a police Crash Injuries and Disabilities: 2019, leading to 1,51,113 deaths and vulnerable road users in Asia region. (6/"  ' untraceable. In the Republic which raids were conducted. officer said. The Burden on Indian Society.” and 451,361 injuries. In per- India. Turn to Page 4         P   !"  .    

 789)85 resident Kaniz Fatima and oth-  #  789)85 Though the International the National Tiger higher areas closer to Kalo ers seeking review of last year’s Union for Conservation of Conservation Authority $%&$'%($'$($)(& Dungar with grassy scrubland; he right to protest cannot verdict of October 7. ha caracal, a medium size Nature (ICUN) has not listed (NTCA) just one caracal was ($*&'%($()'%,&'* and in Rajasthan’s Sawai Tbe anytime and every- The top court, which con- Twild cat with long black these species as endangered as photocaptured only in one Madhopur, Karoli, and where”, the Supreme Court sidered the matter in the judges’ tufted ears, which is found in there is a huge population of camera trap from out of 150 $(%*%-%**./*'* Dholpur districts. In Gujarat 19 said as it dismissed a plea chambers also rejected the some parts of Rajasthan and caracal cats present in the camera traps locations for the $-'$0&-'*%&*' sightings were reported, all in seeking review of its verdict prayer for open court hearing Gujarat, has finally caught the African continent. In India, entire session in Ranthambhore ,0.(.,'%($() Kutch district, and nine of passed last year in which it had in the matter. attention of the Government. their number has gotten very in Rajasthan. The location is these were authenticated by held the occupation of public The apex court had on Fearing that this species might low and hence they are con- situated in the north western /'&'/'*/'%*.&*$%$ photographs. ways during the anti-CAA October 7, last year held that not survive for long, the Union sidered endangered species. part of Ranthambhore, this %)&/'$/($%$$% According to the earlier protests at Shaheen Bagh here public spaces cannot be occu- Environment Ministry has now They are a rare species of area is dominated with sparse reports, there were around 18 was “not acceptable” pied indefinitely and demon- brought it into the ambit of the the cat protected under vegetation with thorny scrub, sub-species of caracals pre- The top court said there strations expressing dissent critically endangered species Schedule I of said an official from the NTCA. gramme, a population estima- sent. But, as per the study by may be some spontaneous have to be in designated places programme for taking up its Wildlife Similarly an incident of tion will be done and a study Khandal and Dhar, there are protests but in case of pro- alone. conservation. (Protection) Act, caracals attacking a man in on their habitat so that con- only 3 sub-species of caracals longed dissent or protest, there It had said occupation of With the inclusion of this 1972 found only Mirzapur has been docu- servation measures can be present. Historically, the cara- cannot be continued occupa- public ways in the anti-CAA species from the cat family, in Gujarat and mented by Bombay Natural taken accordingly,” he said. cal was reported in 13 Indian tion of public place affecting recorded its opinion that “the protests at Shaheen Bagh local- now there are a total 22 wildlife Rajasthan. History Society in its book The semi-arid region of States in nine out of 26 biotic the rights of others. Constitutional scheme comes ity here was “not acceptable”. species, including snow leop- In fact, during “Wild Animals of India” Kutch is one of only two homes provinces. Since 2001, caracals A bench of Justices Sanjay with a right to protest and Observing that democracy ard, bustard (including flori- the 2018 tiger cen- published in 2004. of this cat species in India. presence has been reported in Kishan Kaul, Aniruddha Bose express dissent but with an and dissent “go hand in hand”, cans), dolphin, hangul, nilgiri sus conducted by The official said that According to a research report only three States and four biot- and Kirshna Murari said, “We obligation to have certain the apex court had said con- tahr, marine turtles, dugongs to the National Board for “Historical and current extent ic provinces, with only two pos- have perused the review peti- duties”. stitutional scheme comes with name a few under recovery Wildlife (NBWL) in a meet- of occurrence of the Caracal in sible viable populations. tion and record of the civil “The right to protest can- the right to protest and express programme for critically- ing in January approved India” by Dharmendra “It is possible that the cara- appeal and are convinced that not be anytime and every- dissent, but with an obligation endangered species in the inclusion of the species in the Khandal and Ishan Dhar from cal might still be present but the order of which review has where. There may be some towards certain duties. country. recovery programme which Tiger Watch and Goddilla underreported in States like been sought, does not suffer spontaneous protests but in It had said the mode and will ensure the species to have Viswanatha Reddy from Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, from any error apparent war- case of prolonged dissent or manner of dissent against colo- a separate conservation pro- Rajasthan Forest Department, Uttar Pradesh, and the eastern ranting its reconsideration”. protest, there cannot be con- nial rule during India’s freedom gramme. the caracals’ presence has been parts of India. Targeted surveys The bench, which has tinued occupation of public struggle cannot be equated “As per the noted in only three States, with will be required to further ver- passed the order recently, said place affecting rights of others”, with dissent in a self-ruled pro- just two possible viable popu- ify and adjust the putative it has considered the earlier the bench said, while dismiss- democracy. lations. These are in the marshy reduction in range size estab- judicial pronouncements and ing a plea by one Shaheen Bagh Turn to Page 4 areas of Kutch district, the lished by this study. #! $  %& *.0+04+(0   &#1 % A SAD UNNECESSARY DEATH 

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    789)85 seven-day police custody by a rying a reward of Rs 50,000 on been arrested. Police said raids city court in Delhi. his arrest, was nabbed from are being conducted to nab the he Delhi Police Crime A senior police official said Hoshiarpur in Punjab on other accused. Thousands of 6        TBranch on Saturday took Sidhu and another accused Tuesday night by the northern farmers protesting the Centre's actor-activist Deep Sidhu and arrested in the case Iqbal Singh range of Delhi Police's Special new agriculture laws had another accused Iqbal Singh to were taken to the Red Fort by Cell. The Delhi police had clashed with the police during      Red Fort to recreate the scene a crime branch team to recre- announced a cash reward of Rs their tractor parade on    4  ) of events that unfolded at the ate the scene of events that 1 lakh for information that can January 26. historic monument on unfolded on Republic Day at lead to the arrest of actor Many of the protesters,     Republic Day during the farm- the monument. Sidhu, Jugraj Singh, Gurjot driving tractors, reached the     789)85 has issued a link of prisons on ers’ tractor parade. The team probing the case Singh and Gurjant Singh who Red Fort and entered the mon- Ekta Morcha IT Cell," stated     Deep Sidhu, according to will inspect the spot to ascer- hoisted flags at the Red Fort or ument. Some protesters even he Samyukt Kisan Morcha SKM 8n a statement issued on 789)85 police, was a prominent play- tain and corroborate the route were involved in the act. hoisted religious flags on its T(SKM) legal team on Friday Saturday. er behind the January 26 vio- taken by them, their activities A cash reward of Rs 50,000 domes and a flagstaff at the visited Tihar jail wherein 112 "It is also informed that he Delhi Police has arrest- lence and vandalism at the at the Red Fort and how things each was also announced for ramparts, where the national farmers are lodged. The legal now 16 persons are missing Ted three more men in Red Fort. He was arrested from unfolded at the monument on Buta Singh, Sukhdev Singh, flag is unfurled on team of SKM comprising of that is 9 from Haryana, 1 from connection with the violence Karnal bypass in Haryana on Republic Day when the vio- Jajbir Singh and Iqbal Singh for Independence Day. Prem Singh Bhangu, Raminder Rajasthan and 6 from Punjab during the farmers’ tractor Monday night by a team of lence broke out, the official allegedly instigating protesters. Over 500 police personnel Patiala, Kiranjeet Sekhon, for whom active efforts are parade in north Delhi’s Burari Delhi Police's Special Cell. On added. Of them, Sidhu, Iqbal were injured and one protestor Inderjeet Singh, Harpal Singh being made. SKM legal panel area on Republic day. Tuesday, Sidhu was sent to Iqbal Singh, who was car- Singh and Sukhdev Singh have died on that day. and Vikas met Ranjit Singh, a has strongly condemned the The accused, Sukhmeet farmer from Kajampur village Delhi Govt and police for issu- Singh (35), Gundeep Singh in Punjab and Ranjit Singh of ing notice under section 160 (33) and Harvinder Singh Moga district and enquired CRPC to the farmers in order (32), were identified with the @("  "(    '        about their problems. to rope them into false cases," help of CCTV footage and According to SKM, the they stated. technical investigation fol-  " " panel was told that all farmers "Farmers are informed not lowing which raids were con-        in jail are hail and hearty and to be present before the police. ducted to nab them, they said. have no problem. They should immediatly Police said that both Sukhmeet protesting the Centre's new ( " "They were told that SKM inform SKM leadership or the and Gundeep are residents of agri laws had clashed with the     789)85 approximately INR 1850 and Chetak as also to introduce legal panel along with Delhi legal panel for further course of Hari Nagar in west Delhi police during their tractor "  INR 1650 compared to petrol electric avatars of our market lawyers panel is persuing their action. SKM legal panel had while Harvinder is a resident parade on January 26. he first week of the Kejriwal scooter and petrol bike respec- leading 3 wheelers. We look bail applications. 10 farmers also talked to Raghav Chadda, of Libaspur area. Their parade had dis-     @5P) TGovernment's Switch Delhi tively.” forward to working vigorous- have been granted bail so far Cabinet Minister of Delhi The Special Investigation solved into unprecedented electric vehicle campaign The environmental bene- ly with the Delhi government and five bail application have Government asking that farm- Team (SIT) of north district scenes of anarchy as they haziabad Municipal focusing on electric two-wheel- fits upon switching to Delhi are to further the cause of a clean- been filed. Priority is being ers lodged in different jails be arrested the three men for fought with police, overturned GCorporation is going to ers has garnered enthusiastic significant. Gahlot said, "An er tomorrow for the city of given to the farmers who are consolidated in to single their alleged role in the vio- vehicles and delivered a start electric buses service in support from the public and average electric two wheeler Delhi.” not booked under section 307 jail,legal panel be allowed to lence at Burari area on national insult hoisting a reli- the city very soon. The industry alike as people have provides a lifetime savings of Tarun Mehta, Co-founder IPC or other serious offences. meet farmers without any Republic day, a senior police gious flag from the ramparts Corporation has sent a detailed started switching to electric 1.98 tonnes of carbon emis- and CEO, Ather Energy said, Legal panel has decided to restrictions and the officer said. of the Red Fort, a privilege project report (DPR) of Rs 27 two-wheelers in large numbers. sions as compared to an aver- “The Delhi Government has provide monetary help to each monetary help being given by With these arrest, the reserved for India's tricolour. crore to the Uttar Pradesh gov- Since the launch of Delhi age petrol two wheelers. To put been rolling out progressive farmar in Jail which will be SKM to farmers be disbursed police have arrested 14 people Over 500 police security ernment to build a bus shelter. EV policy in August 2020, 630 it simply, we need roughly 11 policies for the adoption of deposited in their accounts by easily.He has assured to do the so far in connection with the personnel were injured while The approval of DPR will new two-wheelers have been trees to sequester 1.98 tonnes electric vehicles. The Switch EV monday. Regarding the meet- needful as earliest," stated the violence at Burari on Republic one protestors died during be received by the first fort- registered and more are being of CO2. We can save our envi- campaign should revive con- ing of parents with them SKM SKM. day. Thousands of farmers the Republic Day violence. night of March and these buses registered every day, the Delhi ronment by making this switch sumer interest about electric will be run on 10 routes in the government said in a statement. and we owe this to our future vehicles in the city. We have city, 52 bus shelters will be pre- The first week of the Switch generations." seen great response across pared for stopping and main- Delhi campaign focused on Responding to Switch launch markets for the Ather      H      ) (  tenance of these buses, all these generating awareness on the Delhi campaign's call for 450X and we will open our points are mentioned in the benefits of EV two-wheelers Delhiites to step forward and experience centre, another     789)85 alia regular checking of listed DPR in a series, said official. along with the benefits offered share their experiences of space in Delhi in the next few criminals like jail/bail/parole “The bus route has been under the Delhi EV policy for switching to EVs under weeks.” Many other EV two- elhi Police Commissioner, released, temporal and special kept from Noida to Ghaziabad those who want to make the #DilliKeGreenWarrior initia- wheeler companies such as DSN Shrivastava reviewed analysis of crime incidents, also to Noida City Center. A switch from ICE (Internal tive, following are the stories of Hero Electric, Okinawa and the law and order situation and optimal use of available human charging station is also being Combustion Engine) vehicles four Delhiites who have TVS have already launched arrangements at Delhi bor- resources & technology. built in the Vijayanagar to to electric. switched to electric two-wheel- several vehicle models in ders in connection with the Performance of anti-snatch- charge batteries of electric Transport Minister Kailash ers after the implementation of Delhi.” Farmers' Agitation. ing teams and use of Crime buses. Earlier it was planned to Gahlot said, “Since the launch Delhi EV Policy. Switch Delhi is an eight- The CP also took stock on Teams be regularly assessed,” be built at Hindon Vihar in of Delhi EV policy, 630 new EV Owing to the Chief week mass awareness cam- action taken against criminals the CP said. Meerut Tiraha but in view of two-wheelers have been regis- Minister’s leadership in pro- paign by the Delhi involved in burglary, NDPS Special CP, Operations also traffic problems place has been tered and more are being reg- moting zero-emission vehi- Government to sensitize each cases, Excise Act & Gambling briefed the CP about progress shifted to Vijayanagar,” he said. istered every day. Analysis by cles, many EV two-wheeler and every Delhiite about the cases. of ongoing vaccination of Delhi The Municipal RMI India reveals that subsi- companies have decided to benefits of switching to EVs to “To reduce the crime, effec- Police personnel. ed the team that cracked the Dacoity” case of Maurya Commissioner said that 50 dies provided on electric two aggressively launch new vehi- the environment as well as to tive and sustained steps, inter- The CP Delhi also reward- “Reliance Jewellery Showroom Enclave police station. electronic buses will be run in wheelers under Delhi EV pol- cle models in Delhi. Praising make them aware of the incen- the first phase. “If this pilot pro- icy have made the upfront the Delhi government’s initia- tives and infrastructure being ject is successful, the number of purchase price comparable to tive, Rajiv Bajaj, MD of Bajaj developed under Delhi’s EV buses and routes can also be top selling petrol two wheelers. Auto, said, “The comprehen- policy. The campaign aims at increased. Petrol and diesel But the real saving is in oper- sive, pragmatic and progressive informing, encouraging, and will not be used in these buses, ating cost. EV policy of the Delhi gov- motivating each and every per- only these buses will be run By switching to electric ernment inspired us at Bajaj son in Delhi to switch from through electric batteries,” said two wheeler, an individual can Auto to accelerate our plan to polluting vehicles to zero-emis- The Municipal Commissioner. have monthly savings of scale up our iconic electric sion electric vehicles.      <        "  !    "         789)85     789)85 embezzled from the FDR without elhi Police on Saturday transferred the murder case the knowledge or authorization of Dof Rinku Sharma to Crime Branch for further he Economic Offences Wing the complainant in to the account investigation. Police had already arrested five accused T(EOW) of Delhi Police has of a person Ram Chander Vaishanav in connection with the killing of a 25-year-old Rinku arrested a 32 year old man for and company/firm Krishna Printers. allegedly by a group of men in outer Delhi's allegedly swindling public money to He also observed that the requests Mangolpuri area. the tune of Rs 6.5 crores in the for demographic change bear his The deceased, Rinku Sharma, worked as a lab tech- National Capital. forged signatures and forged seal of nician, and since the incident police personnel have The accused has been identified the company,” said the Joint CP. been deployed in the locality to avoid any untoward as Arun Kumar Swami, a resident of “The mobile number given on incident. Bikaner in Rajasthan who surren- the request letter is not of the com- According to Anil Mittal, the Additional Public dered before police. plainant. There was a request for Relations Officer (APRO), Delhi Police, the case has According to Dr O P Mishra, issuance of a debit card in the name now been transferred to the crime branch for further the Joint Commissioner of Police, of complainant accompanied with investigation. According to police, on Wednesday EOW, complainant, Arjun Saigal fake PAN Card copy. But no such night, when both the victim and the accused men were alleged that his company Interocean request was made by the com- attending a birthday party, an argument broke out Shipping Company holds current plainant,” said the Joint CP adding between them over their food joints in Rohini. account at Yes Bank and also holds that a case under relevant sections They also allegedly slapped and threatened each 3 FDRs. of law was registered and investi- other at the party, following which they left. The two “One of the FDRs was matured gation was taken up. parties had similar tussles over the same issue some- and therefore, a letter was sent on “The investigation revealed that time back as well, police said. behalf of the complainant to Yes the accused Arun Kumar Swami, Later, the four men went to Sharma's house where Bank for renewal and it was working as Branch Service Partner the victim along with his elder brother were already renewed. The bank statement was in Yes Bank in Bikaner and Nagaur standing outside with sticks. A scuffle broke out received from the bank and it was Branch and transferred Rs. 6.55 between the two sides again during which the noticed that an amount of Rs. 530 Crore fraudulently through internet accused stabbed Sharma and fled from the spot, a was credited in the account from banking from account of com- senior police officer had said on Thursday. unknown and a fake email ID of plainant company to four accounts Sharma's brother Mannu (19), however, alleged complainant is mentioned on the belongs to Ram Chandra Vaishnav that Rinku Sharma was killed as he was actively par- account statement,” said the Joint and his firm Krishna Printers. The ticipating in the donation drive for the Ram Mandir CP. amount was withdrawn through in Ayodhya. However, the Delhi Police denied any “An email stating deduction in ATM in Dubai and invested in communal angle to the murder and said the fight at the FD due to Sweep in facility was properties. Accused Ram Chandra the birthday party took place over a business rivalry. received from the bank and found Vaishnav has been arrested on So far, Tazuddin, Zahid, Mehtab, Danish and Islam that amount of approx. Rs. 6.5 December 26, 2019 while returning have been arrested in connection with the incident, Crore had been siphoned off and from Dubai,” he said. police said. O/    )   # # # !   )P     789)85 February 2021 compared to improving business develop- corresponding period February ment, incentives, speed and ndian Railway's cumulative last year, he said. customisation. Ifreight revenue has surged to As per the estimates, It may be noted that freight reach at Rs 98068.45 crore on Railways freight revenue stood loading has been showing high- a cumulative basis as compared at Rs 4571 cr for the first 12 er figures since August 20 as to Rs 97342.14 cr collected last days of Feb as compared to Rs compared to corresponding year. 4365 cr for the same period last period of previous financial A senior Indian Railways financial year. year. signal of an all round economic official said that it has over- Incidentally loading is also "This is for the first time recovery that is sweeping the taken last years freight revenue ahead by almost eight percent post Covid lock down that country and speaks volumes figures by five per cent in first as compared to last year same freight revenue for the month about the new management 12 days of February. corresponding. Railways has has also been showing higher initiatives being taken in On a monthly basis, achieved this turnaround due estimates as compared to last Railways to boost business and Railway freight revenue has to an extra ordinary set of new corresponding. Higher Freight further improve freight opera- surged Rs 206 crore ahead in initiatives being taken in revenue for the month is a great tions," he added.  %0

  ,   / $   '      B#       $     )   9,%     ( $ Gorakhpur (UP): Police on Saturday seized the  : 6 . @ half-burnt bodies of a couple, who had married Amaravati: The second phase of polling for 2,786 panchayats against their parents' wishes, from funeral pyres in Andhra Pradesh ended peacefully with 81. 61 per cent voter on the banks of a river in the neighbouring Sant Bengaluru: Amid growing clamour for reservation in government turnout. Kabir Nagar district. jobs and other sectors by various communities, Karnataka Chief '  The State Election Commission (SEC), in a statement here The family members, who were burning the Minister B S Yediyurappa on Saturday said he has been making a sin- on Saturday, however, did not provide the total number of eli- bodies on the banks of Kuano river near Bardiha cere effort towards justice for all. gible voters. The Andhra Pradesh Director General of Police village, escaped from the spot, police said. “Being the Chief Minister of the state, it's my responsibility to  ?  another OSV Priya-27 launched the Gautam Sawang, in a statement, said the second phase of polls “On getting information that bodies of a provide justice to all. I am making a sincere effort for justice to all fire-fighting operations with its ended peacefully. couple were being burnt by their family mem- sections of society,” the Chief Minister told reporters at the Mysuru hree sailors went missing and advanced Externa Fire Fighting According to the figures provided by the SEC, Prakasam dis- bers, police reached the spot and seized the bod- airport. Tone injured sailor was rescued, System and created a boundary trict witnessed the highest turnout with 86.60 while Srikakulam ies,” Sant Kabir Nagar's Superintendent of Police To a question whether there was pressure on him with the grow- as a major fire engulfed an offshore cooling to control the spread of the saw 72.87 per cent. Polling began at 6.30 AM and ended at 3.30 Kaustubh said. ing demand for reservation, he said it gave him happiness when such supply vessel “Greatship Rohini”, blaze. PM. The counting of votes began at 4 PM, a poll official said. As per villagers, the couple had consumed challenges came before him as they strengthened him to face them. 170 kms off Mumbai coast in the Owing to excessive heat, the Elections were also held to elect 20,817ward members. poison soon after getting married because their He said raising such demands was the right of the people. Arabian Sea, on Saturday. Greatship Rohini crew members With two phases being over, the polls would be conducted parents objected to it, the SP said, adding the case, The Chief Minister's statement came as the seers of various com- An Indian Coast Guard (ICG) could not enter the engine room in another two phases till February 21. however, requires a deeper probe. munities such as Panchamasali Lingayat, Valmiki, Kuruba and Idiga spokesperson said that the fire where the fire had broken out. Though the elections were to be held for 3,328panchayat “The bodies have been sent for postmortem communities intensified the demand for more reservation. broke out on the Greatship Rohin However, an ICGS Samarth team sarpanchs, 539have been unanimously elected while no nomi- and an investigation has been launched. The cul- The Panchamasali sect has been demanding category 2A status around in the morning, when it was boarded the ship for further assess- nations were filed forthreevillages, an official press release had prits won't be spared,” the SP said. within the category of Other Backward Communities, the Kurubas close to the ONGC’s Bombay High ment of the situation. said on Friday. Sagar and Kanchan of Mudadih village under for Scheduled Tribe status and Idigas for Scheduled Caste status. The NQO platform. The ICG said that while three As many as 7,507 candidates contested for sarpanch posts Dhanghata police station area were having an Valmiki community wanted their reservation to be increased from On receiving information about sailors are still missing and were and 44. 876 were in fray for ward members. affair for a long time, said SP Kaustubh. three per cent to 7.5 per cent. the mishap, the ICG diverted an off- believed to have been trapped in the The elections were held using ballot paper and without any Quoting villagers, Kanchan reached Sagar‘s These agitations were led by the seers of the communities pos- shore patrol vessel Samarth to the ship’s blazing engine room, the political party symbols. house and married him after making him put ing a challenge to the Yediyurappa government. location, while an ICG Dornier air- injured sailor was airlifted by an Totally, 29,304 polling stations were set up out of which 5,480 vermillion on her forehead, villagers told police. The Kudalasangama Panchamasali seer Basava Jaya Mrutyunjaya craft flew to the spot for an aerial ONGC helicopter to Mumbai for have been identified as sensitive and 4,181 as hypersensitive, the This marriage made the family members of Swami has taken out a march to Bengaluru to press for his demand assessment of the emergency. treatment. release had said. both Kanchan and Sagar angry at them and they to give benefits of 2A category to 72 sub- sects of the Lingayat com- The ICG ship reached the vicin- Till 2000 hrs on Saturday, the All necessary precautions were in place as per COVID-19 began beating the couple, some villagers told munities, including Panchamasali. ity of fire-ravaged vessel around fire-fighting operations were con- protocols amid tight security. Meanwhile, the SEC issued orders police. Swami Pranavananda, the seer of Sharana Basaveshwara Math 13.30 hrs, while another ship MV tinuing on board Greatship Rohini. directing the Krishna (rural) district police to register a case Others told police that the couple took poi- in Haveri, said the Idigas, who constitute about 90 lakh people, should Albatross-5 pulled out the Greatship The ICGS also dispatched a pollu- against state Civil Supplies Minister Kodali Venkateswara Rao son after the family members became angry. be categorised as Scheduled Caste. Rohini to a safe distance from the tion control vessel to the location, for his alleged derogatory remarks against the poll body under The family members were burning the bod- At a press conference in Haveri, he even threatened to stage NQO ONGC platform rig. and further details are awaited on section 504 (intentionally insulting)and 506 ( criminal intimi- ies when the police reached the spot and took protests if the demand to incorporate all the 26 sub- sects of Idigas ICGS Samarth along with the mishap. dation),among others. PTI them into possession. PTI in the SC category was not met. PTI +',-./  0(12, &)  ,;<     $ (,3   ,9!  =      5

6     444 lodged, he said.            The union leaders have requested  $#<  From Page 1 Delhi Jal Board Vice Chairman and From Page 1 cerned about “hum do, humare do,” reform of the Agriculture & ST has been reduced. “Ten farmers have been granted bail senior Aam Aadmi Party leader Raghav .    The FM added that Rahul did Sitharaman said adding that she Produce Marketing “No, they have not. Total allo- so far and five bail applications have Chadha to ensure that farmers are kept not tell the House why Congress expected Rahul to return the land 7Committees. cation for minority affairs is Rs been filed. Priority is being given to in one jail.In the statement, the SKM $0',&,R       Governments in Rajasthan, which “Damadji” had taken from The Finance Minister also 4,811 crores in 2021-22 which is an those farmers who are not booked demanded that its legal panel be allowed ""  612!"   Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh farmers at pittance. accused Rahul of insulting consti- 8.6% increase for the Ministry, under Section 307 of the IPC or other to meet the arrested farmers without !"   !  &  did not waive farm loans promised “For those who are constant- tutional authorities recalling the higher than actual expenditure,” serious offences,” the SKM said in a any restrictions and its monetary help !"  "  !     in their manifesto. ly accusing us of dealing with incidence when the Congress shestatement later. be disbursed to them. 2&66&.*3 1-&-3/" & Sitharaman further said the cronies PM SVANidhi doesn’t go leader tore an Ordinance promul- asserted. Ravinder Singh said that the “The SKM legal panel has strong-      ' Congress leader did not talk about to cronies. Damads get land in gated by its own Government led “This Budget draws from the Morcha will provide Rs 2,000 to every ly condemned the Delhi government ""     the farmers issue in Punjab where States which were governed by by then Prime Minister experience of the PM when he was arrested farmer for spending in the and the police for issuing notice under ( &6/+   " ! the Congress is in power and the some parties in Rajasthan, Manmohan Singh. CM - on the ground in Gujarat, prison canteen. A legal team of SKM section 160 CrPC to the farmers in    &   steps being taken by the Haryana once upon a time,” she Regretting that the Congress seen so many revivals happening had on Friday visited the Tihar jail order to rope them in false cases,” it stat- " 2&-3&336' Government with regard to stub- said. has joined the break India fringe at a time when the license quota raj where 112 farmers were currently ed. " "   *&21+' ble burning. The Finance Minister said the group and continuously creating was going away post-1991 and then   (   " -*. He also did not refer to any Congress leader did not say any- false narrative to demean India, she based on that experience, com- !"   !     clause in three farm laws which thing about the statement of for- said some members have ques- mitment to reform was   " '  was against the farmers, she said. mer Prime Minister Manmohan tioned whether allocation for blended into this Budget,” said !" # #  CCC Congress party is only con- Singh who had advocated minority affairs, allocation for SC Sitharaman.

From Page 1 of women were severely affected by the “This report highlights the link decline in their household income after Q 5<  . )  """ muters. The top court had said such kind of between poverty and impact of road a crash. About 40 per cent of women occupation of public ways, whether at the site crashes. I urge all State Governments to reported a change in their working pat-   " !    From Page 1 in question or anywhere else for protests, is not effectively implement the Motor Vehicles terns post-crash, while around 11 per “However, while appreciating the existence acceptable and “the administration ought to take (Amendment) Act, 2019 and work cent reported taking up extra work to of the right to peaceful protest against a legis- action to keep the areas clear of encroachments together to mitigate the effects of road deal with the financial crisis. Hyderabad: The Telangana State Human Rights lation...We have to make it unequivocally clear or obstructions”.“Democracy and dissent go crashes on poor and disadvantaged sec- The study also documented low Commission (TSHRC) has sought a report from that public ways and public spaces cannot be hand in hand, but then the demonstrations tions of the population,” Gadkari added. rates of access to insurance coverage and officials on the alleged suicide of a student here occupied in such a manner and that too indef- expressing dissent have to be in designated places Following the alarming report, the poor awareness related to legal com- after she was turned away from her private school initely,” the top court had said. alone,” it had said, adding, “We cannot accept Centre urged vehicle manufacturers to pensation among truck over non-payment of fees. The apex court’s verdict had come on a plea the plea of the applicants that an indeterminable provide basic safety features in vehicles drivers. Following a representation from a students' by lawyer Amit Sahni against blockade of a road number of people can assemble whenever they at minimum affordable price. Two-thirds of truck drivers inter- union on the issue, the Commission sought the in Shaheen Bagh area by those protesting choose to protest”. Gadkari said his Ministry has been viewed for the survey were not aware of report by March 15, official sources said on against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), Restrictions were imposed on the Kaindi taking several measures to reduce road third-party liability insurance. None of Saturday. which aimed to provide Indian citizenship to Kunj-Shaheen Bagh stretch and the Okhla accident deaths by strengthening what the drivers had applied for or benefited The 16-year-old student, daughter of a labour- persecuted minorities of Pakistan, Afghanistan underpass, which were closed on December 15, he termed the “4Es” of improving road from cashless treatment at hospitals, er- couple, on Thursday died by suicide here after and Bangladesh. It had held that the protest at 2019 due to the protests. Later, due to COVID- safety - Engineering, Education, Solatium Fund for hit and run cases or she was allegedly turned away from the school, Shaheen Bagh was a blockage of a public way 19 pandemic, the area was Enforcement and Emergency care ser- ex-gratia schemes. “Road crashes can police said. PTI which caused grave inconvenience to com- cleared. vices. Pointing out that one of the key have a devastating and disproportion- findings of the report is that number of ate impact on the poor, thrusting a fam- accident deaths is dou- ily into deep poverty. ble in poor families as The World Bank is committed to compared to rich ones, supporting the Indian Government in Gadkari said that, for the creating safety nets for poor households Government, each death to ease their financial burden and help is precious, whether it is them cope with the sudden emergency from a poor family or a linked to road crashes,” said Hartwig. rich family. In addition to the financial losses, The report also the report highlights the social impact brings out the sharp of road traffic injuries. rural-urban divide and About 64 per cent of low-income the disproportionate households reported deterioration in impact on women. their standard of living (more than twice The survey shows reported by high-income that the income decline households), while more than 50 per for low-income rural cent reported mental depression post- households (56 per cent) crash. was the most severe “The findings of the report identi- compared to low- fy the areas that require immediate income urban (29.5 per improvements such as efforts towards cent) and high-income post-crash emergency care and proto- rural households (39.5 cols, insurance and compensation sys- per cent). tems. It also presents an opportunity for Women bore the development agencies, policymakers burden of crashes across and respective state governments to pri- poor and rich house- oritize a complete policy overhaul of the holds, often taking up existing system and implement sus- extra work, assuming tainable solution-oriented, inclusive greater responsibilities, measures to improve their performance and performing care- on road safety,” said Piyush Tewari, CEO giving activities after a and founder of SaveLIFE crash. About 50 per cent Foundation.  )! %1

&## %   $+5#$. +    $     " $               #'#  # #  789)85      fter holding meetings with manders of the two countries, Aa number of stakeholders the defence ministry said on engaged in the agriculture sec- Friday. filed chargesheet against six tor including Amul, ITC and The statement by the min- Hizb-ul-Mujahideen terror- Farmer Producer istry came hours after Congress ists for their role in this Organisations (FPOs), the leader Rahul Gandhi alleged attack. Supreme Court-appointed that the Government has The accused Naveed expert committee is likely to “ceded” Indian territory to Mushtaq Shah alias Naveed reach out to protesting farmer China and raised questions Babu is a former constable of unions to take their viewpoints over the agreement on the dis- Jammu and Kashmir police. over the three farm legislations. engagement process.   789)85 He had decamped with arms Top sources said that the com- The ministry also dubbed and ammunition in 2017, mittee is expected to invite agi- as “categorically false” the asser- he National Investigation when he was posted as a tating farmers for discussion '      789)85 off, militaries of Indian and tion that Indian territory is up TAgency (NIA) on guard in FCI, Budgam. After after next week. The protesting agrarian laws but also gave sug- China reached an agreement to Finger 4 in the Pangong Tso Saturday filed a supplemen- deserting the force he had farmers under the banner of  )   gestions to improve the imple- he parliamentary standing on disengagement in the north area, adding the permanent tary chargesheet against Hizb- joined the terrorist group Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM)  !  # mentation of the laws. Tcommittee on defence and south banks of Pangong posts of both sides in the area ul-Mujahideen terrorist Hizb-ul-Mujahideen and - has refused to talk to the com- #!  " The Committee has held intends to visit the Galwan lake that mandates both sides are “longstanding and well- Naveed Mushtaq Shah, alias became an active terrorist, the mittee -continue to protest at #! )  nine rounds of deliberations Valley and the Pangong lake in to cease forward deployment of established”. Naveed Babu, before the NIA said. Delhi’s borders - Tikri, Singhu, with stakeholders engaged the eastern Ladakh region troops in a “phased, coordi- “India has not conceded Special NIA Court, Jammu “Investigation has estab- and Ghazipur for over 80 days.    2/34 directly or indirectly in the which has been witness to a nated and verifiable” manner. any territory as a result of this under various Ranbir Penal lished that accused Naveed On the other hand, BJP  ) )  agriculture sector so far. The violent stand-off between the On Thursday, Defence agreement. On the contrary, it Code sections and Explosive Mushtaq Shah was actively MP Subramanian Swamy took   #    three-member committee has troops of India and China, Minister Rajnath Singh made has enforced observance and Substances Act besides involved in the planning and to Twitter on Saturday to crit-     #! been holding consultations sources said. a detailed statement in respect for LAC and prevent- Kashmir Public Property execution of the attack on the icise the Centre’s treatment of  with stakeholders, both online However, it may seek the Parliament on the disengage- ed any unilateral change in the (Prevention of Damage) Act CRPF convoy in Banihal the farmers’ agitation saying the and in person. permission of the Government ment pact. status quo,” the ministry said in and Unlawful Activities along with other terrorists farmers’ agitation may soon The SKM has planned six before visiting the strategical- According to the agree- the strongly-worded statement. (Prevention) Act. Riyaz Ahmed Naikoo, Rayees become an international issue with 12 farmers’ unions and mahapanchayats or mega gath- ly-located areas, they said. ment, China has to pull back its The MEA also said the two The case relates to an Ahmed Khan and Dr. as human rights groups plan to Farm Produce Organisations’ erings of farmers over two The 30-member commit- troops to east of Finger 8 areas countries have agreed to con- attack on the CRPF convoy at Saifullah Mir who were sub- approach the International (FPOs) and representatives of weeks as part of its efforts to tee, chaired by senior BJP in the northern bank while the vene the 10th round of senior Tethar, Banihal, Ramban dis- sequently killed in encounters Labour Organisation of the 18 State and Union Territories add more numbers to the leader and former Union Indian personnel will be based commanders meeting within trict in Jammu and Kashmir with security forces,” it said. United Nations. He further of agriculture departments and protest sites. On Friday, maha- Minister Jual Oram and of at their permanent base at 48 hours after complete disen- by a terrorist who had explod- The deceased terrorists alleged that Chinese media are sought their feedback over the panchayats were held in which Congress leader Rahul Dhan Singh Thapa Post near gagement in the Pangong Lake ed an explosive-laden Santro Sahil Abdullah Bhat, Adil distorting the farmers’ agita- farm legislations in the past two Moradabad in UP and Gandhi is a member, intends to Finger 3 in the region. area to address the remaining car on March 30, 2019 with Bashir Sheikh and Zubair tion. “Our I&B Ministry should days. Bahadurgarh in Haryana. visit the eastern Ladakh region Similar action will take issues, and added that no date the intention of killing secu- Ahmed Wani were actively see that it is effectively coun- The three-member panel Three mahapanchayats will be in the last week of May or June, place on the south bank of the has been set for Working rity personnel and waging involved in preparation of tered since Chinese media has interacted with a large organised in Sri Ganganagar, the sources said on Friday. lake as well, Singh said. Mechanism for Consultation war against the Government the explosives that went into influence in our neighbour- number of farmer unions, Hanumangarh and Seeker in The decision to visit these India has not “conceded” and Coordination (WMCC) on of India. the making of the IED. hood is considerable now,” he farmer producer organisations Rajasthan on February 18, 19 areas was taken in the panel’’s any territory to China by firm- India-China border affairs. In this regard, a case FIR Charges have been abated tweeted. (FPOs) as well as senior offi- and 23 respectively. Besides, latest meeting, they said. ing up an agreement on the dis- The agreement on disen- No 39/2019 dated March 30, against the deceased terrorists “The agitating farmers cials of state agriculture mar- one mahapanchayat will be Gandhi did not attend it. engagement process in gagement in the north and 2019 was registered at Police involved in the conspiracy. groups have been given invita- keting boards and private man- organised in Sirsa in Haryana The panel’’s visit to the Line Pangong Tso in eastern south banks of Pangong lake Station Banihal, Ramban. The Charges have been tions in the past but they dis to understand their points on February 22 to decide the of Actual Control (LAC) Ladakh, and other outstanding mandates both Chinese and NIA re-registered the case as framed by the NIA Court refused. Now, the committee of view on the contentious further course of the agitation. depends on the approval from “problems” including in Indian sides to “cease” for- RC-3/2019/NIA/JMU on against the six accused will again try to reach out the farm laws. According to the At present, the talks between the government, the sources Depsang, Hot Springs ad Gogra ward deployment of troops in April 15, 2019 and took over chargesheeted earlier. agitating farmers to seek their agriculture ministry, during the Union Government and the added. will be taken up at the upcom- a “phased, coordinated and the investigation of the case. Further trial is continu- view points, “sources said. The discussion, they not only gave farmers’ unions have come to After a nine-month stand- ing talks between military com- verifiable” manner. The agency had earlier ing, it added. committee has held meeting their frank views about the a standstill. ;;6  $$$      .  1  .    #;  04   789)85   789)85 n a big relief, at least 17 States ver 80 per cent of Indians Iand Union Territories have Oconsider the consumption not reported any new Covid-19 of smokeless tobacco to be a very fatality, while 13 States and serious problem and 88 per UTs have reported between 1 cent strongly support the and 5 new deaths due to the strengthening of the current was conducted in the backdrop infections in the last 24 hours on tobacco control law to address of Government’s proposal to Friday, indicating a significant this menace, as per a recent amend the tobacco control act. decline in the spread of the dis- study conducted by Consumer The survey noted that a least ease which has swept the worl- VOICE, an NGO engaged in 82 percent of the respondents dover for more than a year. creating awareness on consumer believe smokeless tobacco use is India’s total Covid-19 active rights and laws. a profoundly serious problem; even tobacco users supporting it. “It is looking to strengthen caseload currently stands at The survey conducted on 80 percent say so about smok- The interview was con- the provisions for prohibiting 1.36 lakh (1,36,571) comprising tobacco use and its impact in 10 ing cigarettes while 77 per cent ducted in 10 languages (Hindi, smoking in public places and a just 1.25 per cent of the total States in the country also found have the same notion on smok- Gujarati, Punjabi, Oriya, ban on point-of-sale advertising infections while a total of the past 24 hours, followed by recorded in a span of 24 hours. mark for more than a month that 72 per cent of people believe ing of bidis. Marathi, Tamil, Bengali, Telugu, displays besides ban on sale of 1,06,00,625 people have recov- 486 in Tamil Nadu. Six states account for 80.58 per now. passive smoking poses a serious The study found that more Malayalam, and Kannada) loose cigarettes and have high- ered so far with 11,395 patients A total 12,143 daily new cent of the new deaths. On February 9, India had health hazard. than nine in ten Indians are of across the country. er penalties,” said Ashim Sanyal, getting discharged in a day. cases registered in a span of 24 Maharashtra saw the maximum reported 9,110 new cases, the “The majority of the respon- the opinion that the Centre “It is very encouraging to see Chief Operating Officer, The Ministry said 81.93 hours, it said, adding that 86.01 of 36 casualties. Kerala follows lowest this year so far. Last year, dents supported banning smok- should strengthen the existing the overwhelming support from Consumer VOICE. per cent of the new recovered per cent of the new cases are with 18 daily deaths, while the lowest 9,633 cases were ing in all public places, elimi- tobacco law and ensure its strict people for strengthening the Tobacco use is the leading cases are observed to be con- from six states. Karnataka and Punjab report- recorded on June 3. nating special smoking areas in implementation across the current tobacco control law. preventable cause of disease centrated in six states with Kerala continues to report ed 8 deaths each. The recovery rate has airports, hotels, and restaurants, country. The Government has started the and premature deaths globally Kerala reporting the maximum the highest daily new cases at For over two weeks, the increased to 97.32 per cent, banning the sale of loose ciga- Support for the law is high amendment process of tobacco and in India more than 10 number of single-day recover- 5,397, followed by Maharashtra country has recorded less than while the fatality rate is down to rettes and bidis and advertising across all demographic and geo- control law COTPA 2003 which Lakhs people are losing life ies, with 5,332 newly-recov- with 3,670, while Tamil Nadu 15,000 new infections daily. 1.43 per cent. The ministry tobacco products at selling graphic areas irrespective of is an important step towards every year due to tobacco relat- ered cases. A total o f2,422 peo- reported 483 new cases. Also, the daily Covid-19 death also informed that 7,43,614 points,” said the survey which age-group and gender, with improving public health. ed diseases. ple recovered in Maharashtra in Further, 103 deaths were toll has been below the 200- samples were tested on Friday.   ),8         +  # P    $   5 --406 $  . O7  7 5 + P +)    789)85 the Congress are not baseless.  .    Quoting a report by Oxfam, ongress on Saturday Chowdhury said, “ We want   7    789)85 Cslammed Union Finance to ask the Finance Minister Minister Nirmala Sitharaman how does she explain that the he Union Health Ministry over her remarks on former lockdown made India’s bil-   789)85 hours was allocated for Ton Saturday said that no Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, lionaires 35 per cent richer, General Discussion on Union case of serious or severe describing him as a “dooms- while 84 per cent of house- he first phase of Budget Budget 2021-2022, the House Adverse event following immu- day man” for India. The party holds income suffered a loss TSession of Parliament, debated for 14 hours and 40 nization (AEFI) or death has said that she is an angry and 1.7 lakh people lost their which commenced with the minutes. As many as 117 been attributable to vaccination Minister who has ruined the jobs every hour in April, 2020 Address of the President of Members took part in the till date even as it said that the economy. alone.” India on January 29, conclud- General Discussion on Union second dose of the vaccination Speaking to the media “How does she explain ed on Saturday. The overall Budget 2021-2022. 173 have kicked off for the benefi- after Sitharaman’s speech in that income increase for productivity of the Lok Sabha Members participated in Zero ciaries who have completed 28 Lok Sabh, Congress leader in India’s top 100 billionaires remained at 99.5%, according Hour discussions. Several mat- days after receiving the first Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan since March 2020, which was to Lok Sabha Speaker Om ters of urgent public impor- dose of vaccine. Chowdhury said, “She is not enough to give each of the Birla. tance were raised by the Deaths reported so far in Finance Minister but is an 13.8 crore poorest people a Birla, while interacting Members during Zero Hour. cases where vaccination has angry minister. She is dan- cheque of over 94,000 each with the media in Parliament House lost an effective been conducted to date is 27. gerous for the Indian econo- Finance Minister’s misplaced House said that the Budget time of 43 minutes due to dis- There are 3 deaths reported in my. She along with Prime priorities include tax conces- Session of Parliament ran ruptions. the past 24 hours who had Minister (Narendra Modi) sion for corporates in finan- smoothly and transacted 49 women MPs partici- taken vaccination at some point has ruined the economy of the cial year 2019-20 that important business even pated in the discussion on in time in the recent past, country and their only motto amounted to over 1.4 lakh beyond midnight. Motion of Thanks on Health Ministry added. is ‘Hum do, hamare do’. crores. Instead of creating The first part of the Budget President’s Address and On Saturday alone, 84,807 Lashing out at the Finance jobs, they used money for Session, 2021 has been highly Budget.   789)85 ried out at least one of the four One Nation One Ration Card vaccinations (provisional fig- Minister, Chowdhury said trimming up their balance productive, the Speaker said. He said, despite the House stipulated reforms and have System ensures availability of ure) were completed till 6 pm. that the allegations made by sheets.” The Speaker thanked the sitting late beyond midnight, a unjab has become the 13th been granted reform linked ration to beneficiaries under Meanwhile, India has vac- Leader of the House the Prime large number of women PState in the country to suc- borrowing permissions. On National Food Security Act cinated close to 80 lakh bene- Minister, Leaders of all politi- Members remained present and cessfully undertake “One completion of One Nation One and other welfare schemes at ficiaries against COVID-19,     cal parties, Members of participated in the proceed- Nation One Ration Card sys- Ration Card system reform, any Fair Price Shop across the the ministry said. Till 8 AM on Parliament, media and officers ings, raising many important tem” reform. The State has these 13 states have been grant- country. February 13, a total of ! ! ! " and staff of the Lok Sabha issues. become eligible to mobilise ed additional borrowing per- The reform especially 79,67,647 beneficiaries have Secretariat for the smooth Responding to questions additional financial resources of mission of Rs 34,956 crore by empowers the migratory pop- been administered shots under Upadhyay seeking uniform conduct of the Lok Sabha. regarding disruptions in the 1,516 crore rupees through the Department of Expenditure. ulation who frequently change the countrywide COVID-19  789)85 grounds of divorce on the basis Birla Said that during the House, Lok Sabha Speaker said Open Market Borrowings. Out of these, 13 states have their place of dwelling to be self- vaccination exercise. that personal laws cannot be first part of the Budget Session that the ultimate objective is to According to the Ministry of implemented the one nation reliant in food security. One Out of these, 5,909,136 are he All India Muslim tested on the anvil of Articles 2021, Lok Sabha sat for 49 strengthen democracy. So, it is Finance, permission for the one ration card system, 12 Nation One Ration Card healthcare workers and TPersonal Law Board (AIM- 14, 15, 21 and 44 of the hours and 17 minutes against the responsibility of all same was issued by the states have done ease of doing System is an important citizen- 2,058,511 are frontline workers. PLB) has moved the Supreme Constitution. the stipulated time of 50 hours. Members to ensure that demo- Department of Expenditure. business reforms, 6 states have centric reform. Its implemen- A total of 1,64,781 sessions Court against a plea seeking “The applicant would like The Discussion on the Motion cratic and ethical standards are The other 12 States which done local body reforms and 2 tation ensures availability of have been conducted so far. “uniform grounds of divorce” to submit that the expression of Thanks on President’s maintained in the House and have completed this reform are states have undertaken power ration to beneficiaries under On day 28 (February 12) of for all citizens of the country, and ‘Custom and Usage’ in Address took place for 16 rules are followed scrupulous- Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Gujarat, sector reforms. National Food Security Act the vaccination drive, 4,62,637 keeping with the spirit of the Article 13 of the Constitution hours and 39 minutes and 130 ly. Haryana, Karnataka, Kerala, Total reform linked addi- (NFSA) and other welfare beneficiaries (healthcare work- Constitution and internation- does not include faith of a reli- Members participated in the The Speaker said that the Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, tional borrowing permission schemes, especially the migrant ers- 94,160 and frontline work- al conventions. gious denomination embedded Discussion. time lost due to disruptions has Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Tripura issued so far to the states stands workers and their families, at ers- 3,68,477) were vaccinated The AIMPLB has opposed in personal laws,” the plea said Lok Sabha Speaker also been compensated by the House and Uttar Pradesh. at Rs 76,512 crore. any Fair Price Shop (FPS) across 10,411 sessions, the the plea filed by advocate and while seeking impleadment in informed that whereas 10 by sitting beyond schedule time. Till now, 17 States have car- The implementation of across the country. ministry said. BJP leader Ashwini Kumar the petition filed by Upadhyay.  %5

   * +    5)   (  " + '##       "     ,       5<5 $  1'*2"& >& '     R;5 and tried to block my car. M Sivsankar, former principal    The driver of my car was told secretary to chief minister -  here was an attempt on the life by the security officer not to stop Pinarayi Vijayan, C M Tof a top customs officer in the car which he obliged. When Raveendran , additional special 7    # Kerala who heads the investiga- we entered the suburb of secretary, and K T Jaleel, minis-     tion into the gold smuggling Kozhikode, the vehicles which ter for higher education had been cases that had rocked the Pinarayi were chasing us took a different interrogated by the Customs and        O ? through a drone. Vijayan-led Kerala Government. route and sped away,” said Sumit other investigating agencies in     In recent weeks several incidents of Sources in Customs Department Kumar. connection with the gold smug-      dreaded terrorist involved in the killing weapons dropping via drones have come to said the attack on the official had The official, later went to the gling. Sivsankar was in jail for 98 Jaipur: The Rajasthan Housing Aof three BJP workers in Kulgam last year light along the border belt of Samba and political patronage. police station and filed a report of days on charges of hawala trans- Board organized a state-level    #- was arrested by the Jammu and Kashmir Kathua districts. Sumith Kumar, Preventive what happened during his jour- action and alleged connivance workshop on the topic police in a late night swoop down on a ter- Soon after his arrest the TRF terrorist was Commissioner, Customs, who ney from Kalpetta to Kozhikode. with persons who were arrested “Rajasthan RERA Challenges  ?  rorist hideout near Bari Brahmana in the shifted to police station in Bari Brahmana heads the team of investigators The Police have registered a case in connection with gold smug- and Solutions” at Bhagwat Samba district. from where he was later shifted to a Joint probing the gold smuggling scam under 279, 283 of the IPC and gling through diplomatic chan- Singh Mehta Auditorium. ith no let up in the con- The operation was led by the Anantnag Interrogation centre. in which officials from the Chief 120(B) of the Kerala Police Act. nels. While addressing this work- Wtinued crackdown by the police while jawans of Samba police assisted Last week, Hidayatullah Malik, a cate- Minister’s Office too figure, was The incident sent shockwaves Sources of Customs told The shop as the chief guest, the security agencies g on the drug them during the operation. gorised terrorist from Shopian district, was on his way to Kozhikode after across the State as this was the first Pioneer that there has been an Chairman of RERA Rajasthan peddlers operating in the The arrested terrorist has been identified caught alive in a daring operation near a shop- inaugurating the Customs House incident of this kind on the life of increase in gold smuggling Shri NC Goyal said that he is metropolis and surrounding as Zahoor Ahmad Rather, alias Khalid a ter- ping mall in the Kunjwani area. Hidayatullah at Kalpetta in Wayanad district on an investigating officer, member through airports in happy that Rajasthan Housing areas, the Mumbai Police rorist of TRF or The Resistance Front, a frontal is the chief of Lashkar-e-Mustafa, a front for Friday when a group of strangers of the highly sensitive Indian Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Board is the first institute in the sleuths have arrested two drug name for Pakistani terror group Lashkar-e- Pakistani terror group Jaish-e-Mohammad in in a car and four bikes tried to Revenue Service. Kozhikode during the last one country to comply withthe peddlers and seized Charas Taiba. Zahoor had killed three BJP workers Kashmir valley.Police is currently interrogat- waylaid the former. The Customs offcials at year. 100% RERA provisions. He worth 1.59 crore from them. in Vessu, Kulgam district last year in October ing his wife Seeba, a LLM student in Kashmir The Preventive Thiruvananthapuram airport who “But we have successfully said that private builders and Identifying one of the the and one policeman at Furrah in the same dis- University. Her involvement in the terror relat- Commissioner told reporters that had brought to light the gold seized a large portion of gold government institutions should arrested drug peddlers as one trict. The terrorist is the second-in-command ed incidents has also surfaced during her pre- the car and bike-borne assailants smuggling through diplomatic which was being smuggled into learn from the Housing Board. Kisan H. Gaud alias Sathe (24), at TRF after Abbas Sheikh. liminary interrogation in the case. She along gave him a chase for almost 25 km channels had faced threats from the country. These smugglers Today Rajasthan Housing the police said that a police Official sources claimed Zahoor was with her husband was tasked to conduct recce and tried to force his car to the some people and had been pro- enjoy political patronage and that Board has become a role model team had caught him from camping in Samba to collect a weapons’ con- of vital security installations in and around side of the road. “Many times they vided with security cover by the too from the State’s highest politi- in the country in terms of com- Parekh Nagar in Malad east signment which was to be routed via Pakistan Jammu before launching fresh terror strikes. succeeded in overtaking my car CRPF cops. cians,” said the officials. pliance of RERA provisions. earlier, but he managed to escape from the clutches of the police. However, the police arrest- 6     #   7 P   ' 8' P ) ed him on Saturday along with a plastic bag with 3.20 kgs  ?  building in Pune’;s Wanwadi Amid a controversy over the had gone viral on society into the circumstances leading Director-General of Police Samant said it was improper for Charas worth Rs.1.02 crore. locality, BJP leaders controversy over the circum- media. to Pooja’s death. “Truth will Hemant Nagrale requesting for him to comment on the issue, Earlier on Thursday, the he Opposition BJP on Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil, Kirit stances leading to Pooja’s death, The Opposition leaders emerge in the investigations,” he a probe. Along with the letter, since the chief minister had police had arrested another TSaturday upped the ante Somaiya and party’s woman the BJP leaders alleged that the alleged that Pooja was pregnant said. Fadnavis had submitted 14 pur- Already asked for a report from identified as one Suraj over the alleged suicide of a 22- leader Chitra Wagh said that the Tik-Tok star had committed at the time of death and that Official sources said that the ported audio-clips allegedly the Pune Police Commissioner. Vijaybahadur Yadav alias Potya year-old Tik-Tok star Pooja minister hadc no moral right to suicide due to her reported love there were reasons to believe that chief minister had sought a linked with Chavan’s death. Preliminary reports said (21) and seized Charas worth Chavan, by rooting for the arrest continue in the office. “In fact, affair with the minister. the minister was responsible report from Police Senior Shiv Sena Minister that Pooja, hailing from Beed Rs.57 lakh from him. of Maharashtra’s Forest Minister he should be booked abetting Maharashtra’s former chief for her pregnancy. Commissioner Amitabh Gupta Eknath Shinde defended the district in Mar Marathwada Both the arrested drug Sanjay Rathod of the Shiv Sena, Pooja’s alleged suicide and arrest- minister and senior BJP Meanwhile, Maharashtra on the death. On his port, accused minister saying that it region, had gone to Pune a week peddlers were produced before who was reportedly in love with ed immediately,” Wagh said.A Devensra Fadnavis demanded chief minister Uddhav Rathod could not be reached all was not proper to make allega- prior to her death last week. She a magistrate court which has the deceased woman. four-time Shiv Sena MLA from that Pooja’s death be investigat- Thackeray downplayed the through the day. tions against a minister’s name was attending an English-speak- remanded them in police cus- Five days after she alleged- Yavatmal, Rathod is a prominent ed in view of the fact that the Opposition’s demand for On Friday, Leader of before the completion of the ing course and was living with tody till February 16. ly committed suicide by jump- leader of the Banjara commu- telephonic conversations Rathod;’s arrest, by saying that Opposition Devendra Fadnavis investigations by the police. two youths, said to be brother Saturday's was the second ing off off the Heaven Park nity. between her and the minister an inquiry had been ordered had written a letter to the Another Minister Uday and his friend major action by Mumbai Police in the past 24 hours. Earlier, the police had seized 1.80 tonnes Ganja worth Rs.3.60 crore con-  !"#$%&$'()&&$!"(" cealed under a consignment of coconuts from a truck in the     R;5 Pioneer on condition of anonymi- Ernakulam district. eastern suburbs. ty. “The rank list prepared by the The Sanskrit university may be he CPI(M) which came to Kerala Public Service Commission the only institution of its kind to Tpower in Kerala winning the for appointment to various uni- appoint persons with no knowledge 2016 Assembly elections had versities in the State has been in Sanskrit as its vice-chancellors. promised the people of the State thrown to the winds by the CPI(M). “Though R Ramachandran Nair, that the Left Democratic Front of Wife of higher education minister former chief secretary of Kerala and which the party was the leader K T Jaleel too figures in the list of a Sanskrit scholar himself, took all would form a Government that relatives who have been appointed the pains to get this University would care. as assistant professors in established as an institution for Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan Universities in the State,” said the research studies in Sanskrit, what had told the people that this would professor. Details given by the is happening in the University is not be an administration with a Kerala Government to a query at all Sanskritised,” said Dr Rajeeve. humane face. But at the fag end of under the right to information R Ananthanarayanan, hon- its tenure, the Vijayan regime is (RTI) has disclosed that these orary secretary, Bharatiya Vidya being projected as the most corrupt appointments are nothing new. Bhavan, said he too had a disap- government the State has ever Persons without qualifications spec- pointing experience from the seen by former Chief Minister ified by the University have been Sanskrit University. Oommen Chandi, leader of the appointed as associate professors “We had sent special invitations Opposition Ramesh Chennithala ignoring qualified candidates. to the University inviting them for and P K Kunhalikutty, leader of the Sunil P Elayidom, an employ- the National Sanskrit Seminar on Muslim League. ee working with a party publication Vedas, Vedangas and Darshanas The appointment of Ninitha was appointed as assistant profes- held at Puthucode in Kerala in Kanicheri, wife of M B Rajesh, for- sor though he did not possess the February 2020. They did not even mer CPI(M) MP, in Sree minimum qualifications as man- acknowledge the invitation letters Sankaracharya Sanskrit University dated by the University. which is strange because it is the as assistant professor, violating all The interview board mem- one and only institution of its kind norms associated with the recruit- bers, all CPI(M) activists, gave in Kerala,” said Ananthanarayanan. ment process is being seen as the first rank to Elayidom superseding He was of the view that the tip of the iceberg. Wife of A 211 qualified candidates. “I had the Union Government or the Vijayaraghavan, CPI(M) State unfortunate experience of University Grants Commission Secretary, has been appointed as approaching the Sree should order a thorough probe into deputy principal of Sree Kerala Sankaracharya Sanskrit University the functioning of the University Varma College at Thrissur in gross to pursue a Ph D programme in and the credentials of the acade- violation of all laws in the land. Ayurveda. The response from the mic staff should be subjected to an Appointing close relatives of authorities was painful. It has audit. party MPs, MLAs and other lead- degenerated into an employment Sree Sankaracharya Sanskrit ers has become the order of the day, agency to recruit CPI(M) members University needs to be Sanskritised, a Sree Sankaracharya Sanskrit and its fellow travellers,” said Dr said both Dr Rajeeve and University professor told The Rajeeve, Ayurvedic physician in Ananthanarayanan. ) %9

<3 +(=.&$.&045.0/+ ':3''+;< !     $     Q  #R       &$ 8 " "! ! (  ! !     957@;7 There is a complete lack of Trump had made allega-  @ &     evidence on the article of tions of voter fraud and urged - .$&   .     *      (   onald Trump’s insurrec- impeachment against Donald his supporters to converge at  !   ((   !&  Dtion incitement charge is a Trump, his lawyers told the the Capitol building a short &>(  . R   0 0 (! “monstrous lie” and the United States Senate. while before the riot broke out.         !' impeachment proceedings “We have a complete lack “To claim that the presi-  957@;7 “The overwhelming num- against the former president a of evidence for the article of dent in any way wished, desired ber of Republican voters don’t <   “politically motivated witch impeachment presented by the or encouraged lawless or vio-     / eldom has Mitch McConnell want Trump convicted, so that  P   hunt” by the Democrats, his House managers,” Trump’s lent behaviour is a preposter- Ssignalled so little about such means any political leader has &'$   K   lawyers said as they presented lawyer Castor said. ous and monstrous lie. In fact,  957@;7 the case: THE FREQUENT a consequential vote. to tread carefully,” said John  "      & evidence in the US Senate. The impeachment by the the first two messages the pres- TRUMP CRITICS Many expect the Senate’s Feehery, a former top congres-    !(   Trump, a Republican, is House, the case for which was ident sent via Twitter once the ost every senator has Republican Sens. Lisa top Republican will back sional GOP aide.  ! ! accused of inciting riots in the laid out by the House managers incursion at the Capitol began Mpledged to listen to the Murkowski of Alaska, Ben Sasse acquitting former President While Feehery noted that !" '7"    US Capitol on January 6 which in the Senate during the last were ‘Stay Peaceful’ and “No evidence in Donald Trump’s of Nebraska, Mitt Romney of Donald Trump of a charge of McConnell was clearly out-   ! "    left five people, including a two days, was political. violence because we are the historic second impeachment Utah and Susan Collins of inciting rioters who assaulted raged over the attack, he said   N"   police officer, dead. “Their goal is to eliminate party of law and order,’” the trial, but most minds were Maine have been clear that the Capitol last month, but no the senator is “trying to keep    "  !! Trump’s lawyers Bruce a political opponent, to substi- lawyer said. likely made up before the trial they believe Trump incited the one is really sure how his party together.”  ' Castor, David Schoen and tute their judgment for the will “The article of impeach- began. Democrats would need riot. While none of them is a McConnell will vote. McConnell is the cham- Michael van der Veen each of the voters,” he said as he ment now before the Senate is a minimum of 17 Republicans lock to vote for conviction, The Washington political ber’s most influential  4     took turns addressing the showed clips of various an unjust and blatantly uncon- to vote with them to convict they have joined with universe and the world beyond Republican and the longest-  =    Senate members on Friday, Democratic leaders. stitutional act of political Trump of incitement of insur- Democrats twice to vote against will hold their collective breath serving GOP leader ever, and $%-'%($*  1-+ day four of Trump’s impeach- Castor said that the critical vengeance,” Trump attorney rection, and that appears GOP efforts to dismiss the trial. when the Senate impeachment a vote to acquit would leave the "  "     ment trial, to describe Trump issue in this case is the very van der Veen argued. unlikely. Collins said after the siege trial roll call reaches the party locked in its struggle to R  R  D    as a staunch supporter of law narrow issue that is charged “Like every other politically Still, Democrats say they that Trump does “bear respon- Kentuckian’s name. define itself in the post-Trump "!     and order, not someone against the 45th president. motivated witch hunt the left are holding out hope they will sibility for working up the Over 36 years in the Senate, presidency.   &  who incited the chaos at the “That issue is did the 45th pres- has engaged in over the past win over enough Republicans crowd and inciting this mob.” the measured McConnell has A guilty vote could do !,(      Capitol. ident engage in incitement of - four years, this impeachment is to convict the former president Murkowski called on Trump to earned a reputation for inex- more to roil GOP waters by sig-  ("  (   His attorneys had up to 16 - they continue to say -- insur- completely divorced from the for his role in the Jan. 6 Capitol resign after the attack on the pressiveness in the service of naling an attempt to yank the , "! O hours over the course of two rection. Clearly there was no facts, the evidence and the riot, in which five people died. Capitol, telling a local paper caution. party away from a figure still "  K  " &"  days to push back on House insurrection,” he said. interests of the American peo- If Trump were convicted, the three days later that “I want This time, the suspense revered by most of its voters.     " '5  impeachment managers case Trump’s lawyer van der ple,” he added. Senate could take a second vote him out. He has caused enough over how he’ll vote under- Either way, McConnell’s "   " "(  that Trump should be convict- Veen used his opening remarks Citing reports from the to ban him from running for damage.” scores how much is at stake for decision could influence the (1-/  < ed and barred from running for to dispute the Democrats’ case FBI, the Department of Justice, office again. A final vote is like- Romney tweeted on Jan. 6: McConnell and his party, party’s short- and long-term    (  " future office for inciting the that the former president had and several former and present ly on Saturday. “What happened at the U.S. though it seems extremely election prospects and affect      0     attack on the Capitol to try to incited violence during his officials, Trump’s lawyers A look at the Republicans Capitol today was an insurrec- unlikely that 17 GOP senators the political clout and legacy of " "D   stop Joe Biden’s presidential speech to supporters on argued that the riots were pre- whom Democrats are eyeing as tion, incited by the President of will join all 50 Democrats to both Trump and the Senate   0   election victory being certified. January 6. planned. they make final arguments in the United States.” convict Trump. minority leader. O '    ,  )#'#           4A$ 

 >7@;7  58<D@577 the form of fire fighting aircraft. Wahidullah Tawhidi, “For the time being, we spokesman for the Ministry of ass street demonstrations fuel tanker exploded can’t even talk about the casu- Power Supply. Min Myanmar entered their ASaturday at the Islam Qala alties,” Qatali told The Iran’s state-run IRNA news second week Saturday, with crossing in Afghanistan’s west- Associated Press. agency reported that following neither protesters nor the mil- ern Herat province on the The intensity of the flames the request from Herat’s gov- itary government they seek to Iranian border, injuring at least meant ambulances were having ernor, Iranian “rescue forces unseat showing any signs of seven people and causing a trouble reaching the wounded and fire fighters are underway backing down from con- massive fire that consumed or getting close to the site of the to extinguish the fire inside frontations. more than 500 trucks carrying blast, said Mohammad Rafiq Afghanistan,” according to Protesters in Yangon, the natural gas and fuel, according Shirzy, spokesman for the Mohsen Nejat, director-gener- country’s biggest city, again to Afghan officials and Iranian Herat regional hospital. al of crisis management in congregated at Hleden inter-  '$           state media. Seven people injured by the Iran’s Khorasan Razavi section, a key crossroads from /    It wasn’t immediately clear fire have been admitted province. which groups fanned out to what caused the blast. Wahid to the hospital in Herat so far, Iran’s semi-official ISNA other points, including the support is crucial to them members of her government Qatali, Herat’s provincial gov- he said. news agency quoted truck dri- embassies of the United States keeping their grip on power. and party remain in detention. ernor, said Afghan first respon- The fire has forced vers as saying more than 500 and China. Demonstrations also The junta, led by Senior ders did not have the means to Afghanistan to shut down its trucks carrying natural They marched despite an resumed in Myanmar’s sec- Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, said it put out the fire and had electrical supply from Iran, gas and fuel have been burnt so order banning gatherings of ond-biggest city, Mandalay, was forced to act because Suu requested support from Iran in leaving Herat in the dark, said far. five or more people. with lawyers making up one Kyi’s government failed to The U.S., especially after large contingent. properly investigate allegations President Joe Biden announced The military ousted the of fraud in last year’s election, >   sanctions against the military country’s leader, Aung San Suu which her National League for regime, is regarded as an ally in Kyi, and her government and Democracy party won in a  #R the protesters’ struggle against prevented recently elected law- landslide. ##  the February 1 coup. makers from opening a new The election commission China is detested as an ally session of Parliament. said there is no evidence to sup- Mogadishu: Police say a sui- of the ruling generals, whose Suu Kyi and other senior port the military’s claims. cide bomber died and seven civilians were wounded when a vehicle exploded near a  D' checkpoint outside the presi- '     dential palace in Somalia’s cap- R ital, Mogadishu. Police     spokesman Sadiq Ali Adan   E says the driver defied orders to stop on Saturday morning, and  #      police opened fire as passers- by ran for their lives. He says Tokyo: A strong earthquake hit  <; 8 front of President Sergio more than a dozen vehicles off the coast of northeastern Mattarella. It was Mattarella were destroyed in the blast. Japan late Saturday, shaking ario Draghi, the man who tasked Draghi, a former This latest bombing Fukushima, Miyagi and other Mcredited with largely sav- chief of the European Central occurred as Somali politicians areas, but there was no threat ing the euro currency, on Bank as well as of Italy’s central argue over how to hold a of a tsunami, officials said. Saturday formally took the bank, with trying to form a national election. The vote had The Fukushima Dai-ichi helm as Italy’s premier, after government up to managing been scheduled for February 8, nuclear plant, which had melt- crafting a government that bal- the Covid-19 health, econom- and some argue that President downs following a massive quake ances economic experts and ic and social crises. Mohamed Abdullahi and tsunami 10 years ago, was other technocrats with career Perhaps in a sign of Draghi’s Mohamed has overstayed his checking to see whether there politicians from across the intent to get quickly to work in mandate. He seeks a second were any problems following the spectrum to guide the pan- healing Italy, the swearing-in four-year term. More talks on magnitude 7.1 quake. There were demic-devastated nation ceremony began three minutes the election crisis are set for no immediate reports of irregu- toward recovery. early. In deference to coron- Monday. The al-Qaida-linked larities from other nuclear plants Ending weeks of political avirus precautions, all partici- al-Shabab extremist group in the area, such as Onagawa or crisis, Draghi and his Cabinet pants in the ceremony were based in Somalia often targets Fukushima Dai-ni, government ministers took their oaths of masked, and a palace aide pro- high-profile areas of spokesperson Katsunobu Kato office in a ceremony at the vided each minister with a fresh Mogadishu. It has threatened to told reporters. AP Quirinal presidential palace in pen to sign their oath. attack the polls. AP !  %= 1

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 789)85 acquire academic expertise and Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana     technical competency in 3.0 and today’s academic part- he Ministry of Skill understanding the overall skill nerships with IIMs, IITs, GIZ-  789)85 The Oversight Board is an TDevelopment and ecosystem along with being IGVET, KILA under our independent body set up by Entrepreneurship on Saturday attached to District Skill SANKALP scheme, together acebook’s Oversight Board Facebook last year to look into said it is rolling out the Committees, it added. we will empower the districts Fhas taken up a new case hate speech and other unde- Mahatma Gandhi National The ministry has also ensuring demand-driven related to a user’s post that was sirable content on the platform. Fellowship (MGNF) pro- partnered with Kerala Institute skilling,” Skill Development shared from a Punjabi-lan- Previously, the Oversight gramme in all the districts of of Local Administration to and Entrepreneurship Minister guage online platform and Board had undertaken five the country. conduct capacity building pro- Mahendra Nath Pandey said. contained insinuations against cases, including one from India So far the programme grammes for district officials SANKALP (Skills Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh wherein a user had called for was working across 69 districts, from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Acquisition and Knowledge (RSS) and Prime Minister violence against French and the ministry “is now Puducherry and Lakshadweep. Awareness for Livelihood Narendra Modi. President Emmanuel Macron expanding MGNF to all “Our partnerships going Promotion) is a World While the post was initial- over a cartoon of Prophet. remaining districts in the forward will be more focused Bank loan assisted programme ly taken down for violating In that particular case, the country,” the ministry said on strengthening the overall to strengthen the district skill Facebook’s community guide- Board has overturned in a statement. quality of skill training. With administration and the District lines, the social media compa- Facebook’s decision to remove Fellows under MGNF will the recent launch of Pradhan Skill Committees (DSCs). ny later restored the content. the content. .     1/.> 1 $       2* 0123+      ) #,!%   $    (    ,$?      ! +  +    ! @  3,#        ! !     789)85 from the ongoing KMS pro- Bhubaneswar:National curement Operations with Aluminium Company Limited New Delhi:Petrol price in addy procurement has MSP value of Rs 1,20,562.19 (NALCO), the Navratna PSU,  ?  Mumbai neared record 95 Pincreased 16 per cent so far crore,” the statement said. under Ministry of Mines, Govt. per litre mark on Saturday as its this kharif marketing season at Out of the total purchase of India and country's leading ir India’s regional sub- rate as well as diesel prices were 638.57 lakh tonne, valued at Rs of 638.57 lakh tonne, Punjab manufacturer and exporter of Asidiary Alliance Air will hiked for the fifth day in a row. 1,20,562 crore, amid ongoing has contributed 202.82 lakh alumina and aluminium, resume its flight services to Petrol price was increased by 30 farmers’ protest at borders of tonne. Procurement operations clocked a net profit of 240 cr Pantnagar, in Uttarakhand paise per litre and diesel by 36 the national capital. of seed cotton (Kapas) under for the 3rd quarter ended Dec from Delhi via Dehradun from paise a litre, according to a price Kharif marketing year MSP are going on smoothly 2020. The net profit has jumped February 16, the airline has notification of state-owned fuel starts from October. “In the across many states. “Till by 123% over the previous said. retailers.This took petrol price ongoing Kharif Marketing February 12, a quantity of quarter of current fiscal, which The airline will be deploy- to an all-time high of 88.414 Season (KMS) 2020-21, 91,35,211 cotton bales valuing was 107 cr.The net profit for ing its 70-seater ATR 72 aircraft a litre in Delhi while diesel rate Government continues to pro- Rs 26,643.55 crore has been the nine months ended Dec to operate the route, Alliance climbed to 78.74.In Mumbai, cure Kharif 2020-21 crops at procured benefitting 18,90,736 2020 has grown more than Air said in a late night release petrol price soared to 94.93 MSP from farmers as per exist- farmers,” it said. ten-fold to 364 crore as against on Friday. per litre and diesel price jumped ing MSP schemes, as was done Thousands of farmers, 35 cr in corresponding period According to the airline, its to record 85.70 a litre.In 5 days in previous seasons,” an official especially from Punjab, of last year. The total income in flight 9I-645 will depart Delhi this week, price has gone up by statement said. Haryana and parts of Uttar Q3 of FY21 witnessed sub- at 9.50 am and arrive in 1.51 per litre for petrol while The government has pur- Pradesh, are protesting at stantial growth, clocking 2,415 Dehradun at 10.55 am, from diesel rate has risen by 1.56 a chased 638.57 lakh tonne till Delhi’s borders for over two cr compared to 2,137 cr in Q3 where it will depart for litre.The relentless hike in prices February 12, up 16.25 per cent months seeking repeal of the of FY20. On sales front, the net Pantnagar at 11.45 am and has been criticised by the oppo- from 549.30 lakh tonne in the three new farm legislations, sales of alumina hydrate for Q3 arrive there at 12.30 pm. sition parties, including corresponding period of the introduced by the Centre last of FY21 was 3.44 lakh tonnes The return flight 9I-646 Congress that has demanded an previous marketing year. year, saying those are pro-cor- compared to 3.33 lakh tonnes will depart Pantnagar at 1 pm immediate cut in taxes to ease “About 91.69 lakh farmers porate and can weaken the achieved in the corresponding for Dehradun, where it will the burden on the common have already been benefitted mandi system. period of last year. arrive at 1.50 pm. man. 3#)     )8?@    )  )

 ;7);7 shown that it is safe, produces tion, it is important to establish strong immune system the safety and immune he University of Oxford responses and has high effica- response to the vaccine in chil- Thas launched the first study cy in all adults. dren and young people as some to assess the safety and immune From Friday, it would be children may benefit from vac- responses in children and extending its trials to assess if cination,” said Andrew Pollard, young adults of its coronavirus children and young adults aged Professor of Paediatric vaccine. 6-17 years also show a good Infection and Immunity, and The university said that immune response to coron- Chief Investigator on the previous trials of its ChAdOx1 avirus from it. Oxford vaccine trial. “These nCoV-19 jabs, which are being “While most children are new trials will extend our produced by AstraZeneca and relatively unaffected by coron- understanding of control of also have a tie-up with the avirus and are unlikely to SARS-CoV2 to younger age Serum Institute of India, have become unwell with the infec- groups,” he said.  %@

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ver 85 per cent of dis- complex; it was a combination of this region. “Economic growth and by the Ministry of Earth Sciences , difficult to monitor; the time can’t the ground. Second, the infrastruc- tricts in Uttarakhand, landslide and ice avalanche on a environment needs to be balanced the Hindu Kush Himalayas experi- be pinpointed. One can say that ture has to be resilient to any disas- home to over nine hanging glacier. This brought down and worked at with care,” one is told. enced a temperature rise of about cyclones in Odisha will increase but ters. The climate in hill regions frag- crore people, are a lot of debris with it. This kind of Deforestation, Azam says works 1.3°C during 1951-2014. The can’t say when they will occur. The ile. For every one degree of rise in hotspots of extreme phenomenon is commonplace and in two ways. “When trees are cut, increase in temperature has led to same holds true for glaciers,” temperatures in plains, it is equiv- floodsO and its associated events. happens on a small scale. Our that particular area absorbs more micro-climatic changes and faster Prakash says. alent to 1.5 degree C rise in the According to an analysis by the team, composed of two dozen sci- heat, this is a local phenomenon. glacial retreat in Uttarakhand, there- The Hindu Kush Himalayas mountains due to elevation-depen- Council on Energy, Environment entists from across the globe, to our When there is local heating, it will ' A! by triggering frequent and recurrent has 54,000-plus glaciers spread dent warming,” Prakash says. and Water (CEEW), frequency and best understanding have an expla- dissipate in the environment. There    flash floods. In the coming years, across eight countries with 10,000- Dr DP Dobhal, former scientist intensity of extreme flood events in nation; it is the failure of a bedrock will be immediate local effect lead- * B this could also impact 32 major plus in India and 1495 in at the Wadia Institute of Himalayan the State have increased four-fold of a hanging glacier. At present, it ing to global warming,” he says. ongoing infrastructure projects in Uttarakhand alone. “However, only Geology in Dehra Dun corrobates since 1970. Associated flood events is too early to predict how that water Other contributors to such dis-      the State. a few are being monitored especial- what Azam says that says that it was like landslides, cloud bursts and came to be inside the glacier,” Azam asters in the region points to the fact ! "  The CEEW analysis also high- ly in Nanda Devi region. There is a snow avalanche that triggered the glacial lake outbursts have also says. that the Himalayas are young moun-   lighted that droughts had increased need for closer monitoring because disaster on the early morning of increased four-fold during this peri- He tells you that the source of tains and continue to grow. “In two-fold in Uttarakhand since 1970 such events will only rise,” Prakash Febraury 7, 2021. od. the water of this flash flood that car- December 2020, when the height of  !   and more than 69 per cent of dis- tells you. “It brought with it a lot of mar- Abinash Mohanty, programme ried with it lots of debris had a con- Mt Everest was taken it has grown #" )   tricts were vulnerable to it. Eastern and Western Himalayas iane debris downstream causing loss lead at CEEW, tells you that the centrated mixture of everything. by 0.86 metres. There are bound to ) !  # Dr Anjal Prakash, research are vulnerable because this moun- of lives and loss of property that it recent devastating flash flood in “Where this water came from can’t be tectonic activities. The possibil- director and adjunct associate tain range are young fold moun- was in its path. Since it was a verti- Uttarakhand is a proof that the cli- be ascertained for now. There was ity of landslides increases even with  * ' Professor at the Indian School of tains. The landforms have not solid- cal fall, the force was high and mate crisis can no longer be ignored. friction and due to the heat pro- no global warming. The phenome-   )  Business, Hyderabad tells you that ified. What makes Uttrakhand’s flowed into the gorge. With it took “In the last 20 years, the State has duced the ice melted and mass of it na at work here are complex and     there is no denying that global position more precarious as com- two hydel power stations as well,” lost more than 50,000 hectares of fell from 5,000-6,000 feet. But we work together,” Azam says. warming has impacted glacier melt- pared to other regions along the Dobhal explains. forest cover, leading to micro climat- believe that there is another reason Arun Krishnamurthy of !  # ing according to IPCC Special Himalayas is the rampant con- This phenomenon is common ic changes in the region. This in turn for this water,” Azam and his team Environmentalist Foundation of   * Report on Oceans & Cryosphere in struction, population increasing in the region that takes place at over has triggered a rise in extreme cli- members opine. India believes that in an era of cli- '    2018. The Himalayan Assessment 50-fold and 640 km of river flow 5,000 feet altitude; such hanging mate events. A focus on land use- Even though this slide hap- mate change, abnormal and sudden Report by International Centre for being diverted for more than 70 glaciers are commonly found at this based forest restoration could not pened on a hanging glacier, not nature events are becoming frequent ! Integrated Mountain Development dams. height, near main glaciers. only reverse the climate imbalance uncommon, there are reasons to be rather than rare.  #  in 2019 also corroborated the same. “One needs a different trajecto- “Any movement will lead to its but also help promote sustainable worried. With global warming and “As one of the most vulnerable  ) !  The IPCC Special Report on ry of development and understand breakage. The reason for such mass tourism in the State. Equally impor- climate change, such events will eco-systems, the Himalayas and ) * B  Oceans & Cryosphere, Chapter 2 the eco-system of the region. One destruction was due to the intensi- tant would be climate proofing of increase even though it is a natur- the upper glaciers are threatened. says: Glacier retreat and permafrost is cutting trees to construct hydro ty of the fall. Global warming is infrastructure, investments, and al phenomenon. Snow accumulat- Therefore, more than being worried,     thaw are projected to decrease the power stations. Trees are first line of leading to glacier melting leading to policies,” Mohanty says. ing at high altitude, after a period one has to be prepared. We have to  !  "  stability of mountain slopes and defense against any disaster. Lower small lake formation. Snow cover is The tragedy in Uttarakhand of time becomes too heavy to hold be prepared for such an anomaly.  #  increase the number and area of mountain regions need to be forest- reducing. It is important to look at reiterates the need for detailed dis- and it comes down in the form of We are still unclear on what is in glacier lakes. Resulting landslides, ed,” Prakash says and cites an exam- the topography and look at the fre- trict-level climate risk assessments snow avalanche. Global warming store to even identify the problem     floods, and cascading events, will ple of a tunnel construction. He tells quency of landslides and avalanch- and enhancing adaptive and makes such occurrences frequent. to its full extent. Destruction of    emerge where there is no record of you how a tunneling in Sikkim had es. Unfortunately, hanging glaciers resilience capacities. With the rising Second, it is worrisome for people habitats, unplanned urbanisation  !!  previous events. There is also high disturbed the flow of a local water are difficult to monitor. Every aspect frequency of extreme climate events, living at high attitudes. and exploitation of natural resources confidence that the number and body. Due to the construction, the needs to be looked at before any India needs to urgently develop a “There are settlements below should be heavily curtailed to pre-   area of glacier lakes will continue to stream had started drying up. construction is done,” Dobhal says. nationwide but decentralised and hanging glaciers, below water bod- vent the worsening of the situation,” ) ! increase in most regions in the com- “The present nature of con- One main reason to be alarmed structured, real-time digital emer- ies, glacier lakes and below steep Krishnamurthy says. ing decades and new lakes will struction across the country is mas- is that we have lost a source of fresh gency surveillance and manage- slopes that are unstable. We have to According to him, one could develop closer to steep and poten- culine — the need to control and water. “With such a large chunk of ment system. think of ways to mitigate disasters not have stopped this nor prevent L D  D!" tially unstable mountain walls where capture as much as possible — has ice breaking away, we should be What happened during the from taking place. We have had future occurrences. “The current #"  # lake outbursts can be more easily to be changed. What is needed is a alarmed, but we can take heart that early hours of February 7, 2021 that many wake-up calls in the past, this emission levels globally do not give   !  triggered by the impact of land- feminine approach. Go along with events are rare. There is a possibil- has left 26 dead and 171 missing? is yet another one,” Azam says. us a sign of recovery. The short lived  " 6 slides. Nature; work with it. Protect the ity that where the breakage has Dr Mohd Farooq Azam, assis- This means that the develop- lockdown restrictions and the ensu- ;   “There are a few take aways. Nature, it will protect you. Lack of taken place, the main glacier is there tant professor, Glaciology & ment that is taking place in this ing industrial normalcy clearly indi- These kind of climate-led events will resilience is another cause for this only. Next year, when it snows, what Hydrology, IIT Indore tells you region needs a fresh pair of eyes. cates that we are not looking at cut- increase in magnitude and fre- disaster. There is need to have a is broken will get replenished even that the earlier observation made by While one can’t turn away from con- ting down on emissions in a man- quency. The problem with climate- resilient development approach. All if it takes time. If the depression is the team that he is a part of, has to struction of roads, there is a sustain- ner that would positively impact the led events lies in its unpredictabil- the planning has to take environ- deep and wide, there is a chance for be revisited. able development that takes into climate,” Krishnamurhty tells you. ity. All one can say is that the event ment and climate change into con- this glacier will mend itself over a “What took place is far more consideration the vulnerability of According to a report released will take place. But when would be sideration even before one breaks period of time,” Dobhal says. .        

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ndia opener Rohit .4+0(5 4 ISharma is very clear in his mind that even an iota of doubt while play- ing the sweep shot on a      .      rank turner could lead to inevitable trouble.   2     * With one of the best exhibitions of sweep shots played at the Chepauk since       6   Sachin Tendulkar’s valiant 136 against Pakistan in 1999, Rohit has put his team in a commanding posi-  5877 tion on a track that is deteriorating NUMBER GAME pretty fast. ohit Sharma oozed class with an aestheti- England know a tough task cally pleasing 161 on a challenging track, <   Q   await them in the second Test, 5        <  ,3,'   ++"@! Rhelping India seize the initiative with a solid  ' -+/ which started here on Saturday. opening day score of 300 for 6 against England in 9!"AA(   "   “Before it’s too late, you start Indian batsmen in the past and for feet and cover the spin while reach- the second Test here on Saturday.  1*++  K   (  &) doing what you want to do and you Rohit, it was imperative that ing towards the ball.” Ajinkya Rahane looked equally attractive dur-   &   ('<      can’t be tentative. If you want to England’s senior off-spinner need- In the case of left-arm spinner ing his knock of 67 off 149 balls and the two -/   &! "! ( 1*+0 sweep, you sweep it,” Rohit’s state- ed to be swept from the rough to Jack Leach, it was about presenting Mumbaikars added 162 runs for the fourth wick- "';  " (    ! ment had a touch of Mexican ban- negate any chance of a leg before a straight bat. et, making it worth the effort for the 12,000 who  1*+ !   1++ dit Tuco Ramirez’s famous punch decision. “Leach was bowling stump-to- flocked the Chepauk as Indian welcomed line — “When you have to shoot, “What helped me was prepara- stump, so it was important that I its fans back in the stadium amid the Covid-19 5  !<      " "  shoot, don’t talk” from the tion I had before the game. play with the turn. It was important pandemic.  "( !-+1.& Hollywood classic ‘The Good The Understanding the line that Moeen to play with a straight bat as the turn #<   (  'F  R 1. A score of 350 plus in the first innings will be Bad The Ugly’. Ali was bowling. He was bowling was slightly angled. I was making equivalent to 550 plus on any other track and O<1/    '<  " Having watched Joe Root slay into the rough, so there is a slight sure that I push the ball between Rishabh Pant’s (33 batting) dangerous presence !   &1/ ;)  -+N the Indian spinners in the first Test, chance of getting leg before deci- cover and point and rotate the strike. could also take India well beyond the magic fig- (   "     it was like a ready reckoner for sion,” he explained. “Once you rotate strike, its not ure on this track. At stumps, he had debutant Axar  "!     Rohit, who had prepared well dur- “Also I saw the deep square leg easy for a bowler to bowl to a dif- Patel (5) for company.    (    ing the last two training sessions. was pushed back, so even if I top- ferent batter every time. I wanted to Rohit had scored six Test hundreds prior to ,  <  ';  "  Q “We knew how the pitch was edged it wouldn’t carry and land in bat as long as possible since the pitch #-,!0 "       this knock but he will be the first to admit that in prepared and we knew that it would safe place. Those were my ideas and is going to show a lot of wear and terms of conditions on offer and the quality of   8  C     turn. So we had a good few train- thoughts.” tear from days two and three.” attack he faced, the seventh one would be at the     12+&  ing sessions before today and According to Rohit, sweep is a The Hit-Man didn’t want to rate top of the list.  & 12.* trained according to what were sup- percentage shot, which takes the any of his hundreds even though he On a hot Saturday, Rohit did two things at one )" !R  & ! " posed to expect today,” he said. condition of the pitch out of the would know in his heart that this go.  "   -1 K  !  “When you play on turning equation. “Sweep shot is something would be the top most among his Firstly, he put India in a commanding posi- $ "    -+1G   pitches where you have to be pro- that you know can frustrate a bowler seven three-figure marks. tion on a track which was way more difficult for   & " ' -1 & active and you can’t be reactive. if you are playing that very well. If “I am not going to rate any of batting than he made it look with 18 fours and two &R   G3'66&  "  ' Getting on top of the bowler and you play that shot, there is not much my knocks because every knock sixes in his 231-ball knock. making sure you are ahead of him. that the bowler can do from there or comes under different kind of pres- Secondly, he put all the naysayers in their place Little adjustment based on that. pitch can do from there. sure and this came under different by scoring runs when it mattered the most. a classical off-spinner’s from Moeen — “If it’s turning, then how much “It was a percentage shot to play circumstances. Joe Root was marvellous with his sweep shot flighted outside the off-stump and enticing him of it... Things like that before mak- as he was bowling outside off- “I am not the person to rate any during the first Test but Rohit was simply mag- to go for a cover drive only to find his defence ing decisions on shot selection,” the stump and lbw doesn’t come to play. of my knocks. Little disappointed to nificent with his execution on a doubly difficult breached. white ball vice- said. Only an odd ball he was bowling on get out like that but happy that team track on which he gave England spinner Moeen If Rohit played those sweeps in a regal man- had troubled the the where I wanted to use my is in a good position,” he said. Ali (26-3-112-3) a lesson in controlled aggression. ner, Rahane was no less classy in his drives — the The way Rohit put a big front-foot stride out- front and back-foot punches off the pacers and side the off-stump to sweep deliveries off both those lovely cut shots off the spinners were delight- Moeen and Jack Leach (26-2-78-2) will not be for- ful to watch. gotten by all who were fortunate to witness the Call it irony, Rahane chose a wrong delivery innings. from Moeen for playing the sweep and Rohit’s defence was spectacularly solid and was bowled in the process. 2  12 offence as assured as a safe house. He hit nine boundaries in a half-  4563!# Knowing fully well that the track would start century that came after a barren run +4(&*(+ /0+,*( crumbling with the passage of play, Rohit attacked of seven innings. This was after he sur- at the first go, picking 80 runs in the first session, vived an umpiring howler from Anil Chaudhary. something that will perhaps play the biggest role But then, he was destined to be in Rohit’s in the final context of the game. shadow on a day when determination became his It started with a cover drive off Stuart Broad primary capital. "'     $   ! $ " and then there was a pulled six over mid-wicket It wasn’t the easiest of conditions but for  >  /       ?! off Ben Stokes. India’s Hit-Man, difficult has always been the   "<   +   # $  ! "  ?!    While skipper Virat Kohli (0) was done in by easiest route. +    "++@! "<   +  +  !" Q, '    B/    : 

 5877 However, the visitors appeared to clarify that they were appealing for a 4@'  #R ngland spinner Jack Leach, who catch off the glove and not the bat. Efound himself at the receiving end Seeing the replays on the big screen, of a third umpiring error on the open- Root was left unimpressed and the skip-  5877 ing day of the second Test, compared per also raised the matter with the on- the DRS to football’s Video Assistant field umpires. Chaudhary turned down jinkya Rahane has always Referee (VAR), saying it is “still contro- that too. Amade himself counted versial”. Rahane was, however, dismissed by when the team has been in England were on Saturday left frus- Moeen Ali before he could capitalise on testing situation which is a tes- trated and their captain Joe Root miffed the lifeline. timony to his class as a bats- after a blunder by Anil Chaudhary On the stumping decision against man, feels second Test centu- denied them the wicket of India vice- Rohit Sharma, which also did not go in rion Rohit Sharma. captain Ajinkya Rahane after a DRS their favour, Leach said it was touch and Rohit and vice-captain review. go. Rahane added 162 runs for the “We were trying to get the third “Well Ben (Foakes) didn’t say it’s fourth as India scored umpire to roll it through, they were definitely out, he wasn’t sure about that 300 for 6 at stumps on the first checking the LBW, we knew that would one. And then when we saw, we were day of the second Test. have been . We were just trying hoping... It was touch and go,” he said. “Ajinkya, he is one of our to get them looking at what happened Leach added, “They said they were over of the day when a Leach delivery Asked about his thoughts on how top players. He has done after the ball hit the pad. checking it, then the LBW picture kissed Rahane’s gloves on the way to the the day panned out, Leach said it was extremely well and played “It is a bit like the VAR today, still came up, we were saying no, no. We forward short-leg fielder Ollie Pope. a hard outing but felt they were still in some crucial knocks (over controversial, (but) it is what it is,” Leach wanted to check the other one. I got the As England appealed for a catch off the game. the years). He has time and told reporters at the end of the day’s play. impression that they hadn’t checked it. the gloves, it was turned down by the “It was a hard-fought day, we had again shown that when the batsmen who are currently runs because already the The Decision Review System (DRS) “There is nothing I can do about it, on-field umpire before Chaudhary also to be patient throughout. We got a cou- team needs a batsman to stand batting (Rishabh) Pant and rough patches have been cre- referral, which they had lost after at that time I was angry but to get rejected the review thinking that the ball ple of wickets towards the end and it was up, he has done that many Axar (Patel), make as many ated.” Rahane was adjudged not out by the Rahane’s wicket in the next over made had landed outside the leg-stump and good. With the new ball tomorrow times,” Rohit was all praise for third umpire, was later restored to things little easier.” that the visitors had appealed for an morning, we can get a couple of wick- his fellow Mumbaikar, who England as per ICC playing conditions. The incident took place in the 75th LBW. ets quickly and get back. scored 67 on the day. No doubt their stand was A  B   crucial in the context of the match and Rohit acknowl- #)  &   7    edged that.       .5 “Three wickets had fell before lunch and at the time  5877 myself on this wicket. The key  5;<8 an ideal start by dismissing skipper Babar Azam opened the he came to bat, it was crucial was to use good footwork,” Janneman Malan with the second batting but was soon on his way for us to build a partnership. he strategy was to make Rahane said after the opening ast bowler Dwaine Pretorius ball of the innings and Jon-Jon back to the pavilion as Pretorius We have seen many times, TEngland bowl to India’s day’s play. Frecorded the best figures for Smuts in the following over, finish- trapped him leg before in the sec- when the team need runs, he strengths, said home vice-cap- “We had the strategy (on South Africa in the shortest format ing with 2-18 in three overs. ond over. (Rahane) has shown his bats- tain Ajinkya Rahane on the sweep), we did discuss the to help his team beat Pakistan by But Hendricks and Biljon pun- At 48-6, the home side were manship and made runs in Saturday, quite pleased that game plan on this, and want- six wickets in the second Twenty20I ished some erratic bowling during struggling but Rizwan, who became difficult times,” added Rohit. his and Rohit Sharma’s plan of ed to make them bowl to our on Saturday. their 77-run third wicket stand only the fourth Pakistani batsmen Rohit was slightly using the sweep shot to good strengths, good that the plans The 31-year-old grabbed 5-17 before both fell in successive overs. to score three consecutive T20I annoyed that there were even effect worked out just as they came off. to keep Pakistan down to 144-7 in Hendricks, who hit three sixes fifties, added 45 for the fourth talks about Rahane’s form had envisioned on day one of “I thought the first 20-30 20 overs before Pite van Biljon (42) and as many boundaries in his 30- wicket with Iftikhar Ahmed who since he didn’t get runs in the second Test. balls were important. Then and Reeza Hendricks (42) took ball knock, was finally caught off made 20. seven successive innings. Having registered 1 and 0 you get an idea on the pace and South Africa past the modest tar- leg-spinner in the Mohammad Hafeez (twice), “I don’t understand why in the series-opener, Rahane the bounce, you’re never in on get in 16.2 overs. 12th over. Biljon hit two sixes and , Umar Akmal and these talks take place? But, found form with a 67-run this wicket, so it was important It was a canny performance by three boundaries off 32 balls before Azam have previously hit three anyway, his knock was very knock, while Rohit shone the to be positive,” he added. Pretorius who marginally improved he returned a gently leading edge fifties in successive T20I matches. important for the team at brightest among Indians with At stumps, Rishabh Pant on the previous best figures by a back to left-arm spinner Rizwan finally departed for that point and our partnership an effort of 161, which includ- was batting on 33 and giving South African, 5-19 by medium Mohammad Nawaz. 51, holing out to Andile was also necessary for the ed some mesmerising stroke- him company at the other end pacer Ryan McLaren against the David Miller (25 not out) and Phehlukwayo after falling for a team and we took the team to play. was debutant Axar Patel on 5. West Indies at North Sound in skipper Heinrich Klaasen (17 not Pretorius slower ball. a comfortable position till The two added 162 runs Rahane felt anything above 2010. out) added 40 in an unbroken Pretorius also removed Iftikhar tea, because I believe 350 will for the fourth wicket. 350 in the first innings on this Mohammad Rizwan top-scored fifth wicket stand to see their team and Khushdil Shah for 15 before be a good score on this wick- “We knew that it was going track will be a challenging task for Pakistan with a 41-ball 51 across the line. yorking Mohammad Nawaz for a et,” added Rohit. to turn from day one, obvious- for the opposition batsmen. laced with six boundaries and a six Pakistan were once again lift- second-ball duck to take more Rohit expects Rishabh ly (it was) good to win the toss. “Another 50-60 runs from while Faheem Ashraf hit two ed by Rizwan who followed his 89 than one wicket for the first time Pant and Axar Patel to bat as Rohit said it was important to here will be good, Rishabh is boundaries and as many sixes in his against New Zealand in December in his 13-match Twenty20 interna- long as possible. be positive on this wicket...I still there, another partnership 12-ball 30 not out. and 104 not out in the first match tional career. “We still have four wick- wanted to be positive, back or two will be good,” he said. Pakistan’s lanky paceman with another superb knock. The third and final match will ets left and we hope that the Shaheen Shah Afridi gave his team After losing the toss, Pakistan also be in Lahore on Sunday.  ??    C   

  8;?<78   Ashleigh Barty made light work of has given a good account American Jessica Pegula reach the fourth round of Russia’s Ekaterina Alexandrova. of herself so far. who beat Kristina a Grand Slam for the first ed-hot Russians Daniil   Croatia’s 28th seed Donna Vekic She will next face Mladenovic, 6-2, 6-1, to time. Medvedev and Andrey had a battle on her hands but got RRublev moved closer to a Melbourne: Veteran Rohan past Kaia Kanepi, who had beaten quarter-final showdown with con- Bopanna crashed out of the defending champion Sofia Kenin, 5- trasting wins at the Australian mixed doubles event with a 7, 7-6 (7/2), 6-4. Open on Saturday while top-10 straight-set loss in the opening Barty’s all-round prowess frus- seeds Stefanos Tsitsipas and Matteo round to draw curtains on India’s trated the big-hitting 29th seed in Berrettini set up a fourth-round campaign at this year’s Australian the 6-2, 6-4 third-round clash in an clash. Open here on Saturday. Bopanna empty Margaret Court Arena on the Rafael Nadal also accelerated his and his Chinese partner first day of Melbourne’s snap, five- pursuit of a record 21st Grand Slam Yingying Duan lost 4-6, 4-6 to day lockdown. She will face Shelby title with a testing victory over the pair of American Bethanie Rogers in the fourth round after the Cameron Norrie in a battle of the Mattek-Sands and United American dispatched Estonian 21st left-handers. Kingdom’s Jamie Murray in a seed Anett Kontaveit 6-4, 6-3. The Spanish second seed has first round match that lasted an Frustrated sixth seed Pliskova altered his service motion due to hour and three minutes. PTI was out of sorts throughout and fell lower-back tightness, but it didn’t 7-5, 7-5 in one hour and 54 minutes stop him emphatically demolishing Khachanov -6(1), 7-6(5), 7-6(5) in the all-Czech third-round clash. his first two opponents in straight despite a long medical timeout. After Pliskova lost a tight first sets. Britain’s 69th-ranked Norrie Casper Ruud became only the set, she took her frustration out on proved a tougher assignment, with second Norwegian to make the last her racquet which cost her a code Nadal pressed much harder before 16 of a Grand Slam, emulating his violation. She then walked into the emerging a 7-5, 6-2, 7-5 winner. father Christian who made the players’ tunnel to inflict further Daniil Medvedev overcame but- grade at the Australian Open in 1997. damage, but it was seen by an offi- tock pain and a walk-out by his coach The 22-year-old outlasted Radu cial who informed chair umpire as he withstood a five-set test from Albot 6-1, 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 to book a Alison Hughes resulting in a docked Filip Krajinovic. The fourth seed matches unbeaten, dating back to seed Medvedev with the young guns fourth-round Melbourne Park clash point for a second code violation. blew a two-set lead and needed treat- November and including title wins aiming to break their country’s 16- with Russian Andrey Rublev and Muchova will play either 11th ment to his left glute before finally at the Paris 1000, the ATP Finals in year drought in Slams. The last said he was proud to match his dad’s seed Belinda Bencic or 18th seed moving past the Serb 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, London and the ATP Cup. Russian man to win a Grand Slam achievement. Elise Mertens on Monday for a place 3-6, 6-0 and into the fourth round, Rublev, the seventh seed contin- was Marat Safin at Melbourne Park in the quarter-finals. extending his win streak to 17. ued his red hot form and crushed in 2005. PLISKOVA OUT, BARTY WIN Ukraine’s Svitolina made it He will play Mackenzie veteran Spaniard Feliciano Lopez 7- Fifth seed Tsitsipas put friend- Former world No 1 Karolina three straight-sets wins in as many McDonald for a berth in the quar- 5, 6-2, 6-3 in one hour and 32 min- ship aside to crush Mikael Ymer the Pliskova was docked a point for matches through the first week ter-finals after the unseeded utes to reach the fourth round. Swede 6-4, 6-1, 6-1 on John Cain smashing her racquet off the court after a 6-4, 6-0 win over 26th seed American cruised past South The Russian plays 24th seed Arena. He will now play big-hitting and then slumped out of the Yulia Putintseva. It was yet anoth- African Lloyd Harris in straight sets. Casper Ruud next and remains on ninth seed Matteo Berrettini who Australian Open to Karolina er tricky match after dispatching Medvedev has now gone 17 a collision course to meet fourth beat 19th-seeded Russian Karen Muchova while current world No 1 Coco Gauff in her last one and she $   

8    )<) second half.      !*#  There was a hint of luck in tletico Madrid swerved a Granada’s equaliser too, Yangel        , Asecond consecutive slip in Herrera’s shot deflecting off La Liga on Saturday by squeez- Marcos Llorente, who had him-  888< ance was converted by Jamie ing past Granada 2-1 to move self put Atletico in front only Vardy. eight points clear at the top of three minutes earlier. iverpool crashed to a dismal It was another miserable the table. Suarez had scored in six of L3-1 defeat at Leicester to afternoon for Alisson following After drawing at home to the previous seven games but for leave their top four hopes in his two costly mistakes in last Celta Vigo on Monday, Diego once the 34-year-old was not the jeopardy after Alisson Becker’s weekend’s 4-1 defeat against Simeone’s side got back on track matchwinner, with Llorente and latest blunder sparked a stun- Manchester City. with a narrow victory at Los Correa — two unsung heroes ning collapse from the troubled Harvey Barnes put the seal Carmenes, secured by Angel this season — instead proving Premier League champions on on Leicester’s superb comeback, Correa’s fortuitous winner in the the difference. Saturday. leaving fourth placed Liverpool Jurgen Klopp’s side endured languishing 10 points behind a third successive defeat to leaders City, who have two effectively end any chance of games in hand including one retaining the title. against Tottenham later on The calamitous nature of Saturday. Liverpool’s late meltdown rais- While Klopp would pri- es serious questions about their vately concede that Liverpool bid to qualify for next season’s won’t win the title, it is their top Champions League. four place that he will be more Mohamed Salah had given worried about after the Reds the Reds the lead in the second were left with just two wins from half at the King Power Stadium. their last 10 league games. But James Maddison trig- They could be as low as gered a remarkable burst of sixth place by Monday if Chelsea three goals in seven minutes and West Ham win their games from the hosts. in hand. Maddison’s VAR-assisted Leicester climbed above equaliser was followed by a Manchester United into second howler from away keeper place after feasting on Alisson, whose miscued clear- Liverpool’s problems.   ?& O)P  $   $     P

 How does it feel to be back on TV got a chance to work with each other. 9 pm every day in a week. Hence, it tor like Sooraj Barjatya. I am grateful she loved every other family member screens with the promo film on Rohit and Sanaya are such lovely peo- will be convenient for people to set a to them for casting me in the film and of the family. She was not a doormat &Prive HD? ple to work with too. Also, I am get- time and watch that movie within that creating characters that continue to by any standards. It feels great to be back on TV ting to play a meek character, that was week. Then the film will change the stay with people. I am known as Pooja.  How do you see your journey in especially with something that has something I haven’t done before. next week and people can see anoth- I haven’t done too much work in all these years? such a unique concept and idea that  A message that you would like to er film in another language and per- Hindi cinema but my calling card is It has been incredible. When I we have created with &Prive HD for give on the occasion of the launch haps another genre. It will be exciting Hum Aapke Hain Koun. I owe my suc- started out, I didn’t have any ambi- the ad. It was lovely to work with Prive World Box Office. and entertaining for the whole fami- cess and popularity to Sooraj ji and the tions. I never practiced my award win- Deepak Tijori. I have There is no message as such, but ly, that’s the best part of it. film. And of course there are so ning speeches. There was nothing as known him for many like it is aptly put in the ad that films  What keeps you so grounded? many things. I remember when we dramatic. It was a process of learning years but we never have their own language and that it is It’s the kind of upbringing that I were shooting Dhik Tana in Ootie and on the job. I was not formally trained not a barrier for you to enjoy have that keeps me grounded. I am an between takes we used to play dumb and yet the amount of love I have entertaining cinema. So World extremely simple person and luckily chirades and there was a lot of cama- received over years is overwhelming. Box Office on March 5 is I have got a partner who is as simple raderie. The kind of atmosphere you  You were also a part of the fan- coming up with a bou- as I am. We keep our work out of our saw in the film was exactly like we had tastic series What The Folks. How quet of films in 10 homes because at the end of the day on the sets. A lot of credit goes to did that happen?  languages and all of we are just husband and wife. Also, the Madhuri and Salman, they were so It was something that just dropped them are block- fact that both Rana ji and I are bal- down to earth and respectful to into my lap out of the blue. It was the  busters in their anced about the way that we look at everyone on the sets. There was a lot first series that I have acted in for a own language. But ourselves. We don’t give ourselves that to learn from them. We had shot for digital platform. I heard of the series She is still as charming as she was in the it is sad that we much importance. It is just that we are 150 days and through the making of from my close friend Deepika do know about a part of a profession that is glam- the film we had become a really tight Deshpande Amin. She was in Season 90s and there’s no way one can steal it. the Hollywood orous, but otherwise we are simple. unit. 1 and she plays Eisha Chopra’s moth- Musba Hashmi speaks with Shahane blockbusters, but  If one talks about Renuka, there  There is always a learning with er. So, when I got the offer for Season not the ones that is no way of not talking about Hum every film one does and the charac- 2, I was excited to be a part of it. Also about her association with &Prive HD, are of other lan- Aapke Hain Koun. Some memories ter one plays. What was it with the character that I was offered to play what keeps her grounded and a lesson guages. The good from the sets of the film? Pooja? was cute. She was a modern mother thing is people can There are so many memories With Pooja, what stayed with me and had a different relationship with that her character in Hum Aapke experience the joy of from the sets. The whole shooting of is her grace and resilience. She had a her daughter-in-law. It was refreshing family viewing with that film was once in a lifetime expe- clear point of view which was seen in to see such relationships. I enjoyed Hain Koun taught her these films because the rience to get. It’s rare to get produc- the way she treated Lallu and Chameli myself and that association has been =/)$ +0(0% *60same film will be showed at ers like Rajshri Productions and direc- and how she loved them as much as wonderful. F   O)  ! '?7)>;788<  "(  !    " !   '&%;'%%&* 5 ! 4R         B  R '   (*'/'*,'-'%   ( " &"!! "      and not just bank on Bollywood? %(-      "     S!  ! N( (! & ! & I believe that one should not be dependent on only one  Put the gelatine in cold water    "!! &  Q      ' industry. It is not possible for everyone to hitch a ride on one to soak. ture, folding it in from the bottom up.  0!  ! '>" !! (;'$%/'@*)(( !   medium. Bollywood makes a certain number of films but artists  Mix the sugar with the egg yolks.  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rom your living room to office, in you can choose to settle down with your your handbag and in the glovebox of choice. This is precisely how our approach to your car; and on every journey you snacking has also evolved. Today, we demand can remember — there has always and have access to far more choices than ever been an omnipresent companion — before! Fyour favourite snack. As Indians, we started travelling a lot Snacking has always been a part of our more in the last decade. And the more we culture. Those hunger pangs before lunch... travelled, we exposed our taste buds to more That little something with chai... And with cuisines. India is home to 4,635 communities the passage of time, we have only added spread across its geographical expanse and more snacking occasions to our busy lives. each region has its own snacking culture and Can study or work be complete without a taste profile. For example, the snacks in pack by your side? And what fun is the latest Kerala have a distinct aroma of coconut oil, Netflix show if there isn’t something chatpata those of Punjab and UP are more hearty, the to match the histrionics on screen! mixtures of the East have more jhal (spice) To speak numbers, all of this translates while the Kathiyawadi style is intense in its into a snacking industry that’s worth INR 1 sweet-savoury combination. In comparison, Billion which continues to expand at scorch- the snacks of the Chettinad are more mildly ing double digit growth rates. flavoured. The pandemic has only enhanced our Each of these microcultures also has its love for snacks. A recent survey by the own repertoire of snacks. For example, have FMCG giant Mondelez revealed that 88% of you tried the Kolhapuri Bhadang that is made Indians were snacking more than before the in Jaysinghpur of Maharashtra? Or the Sattur pandemic with a large majority of millennials Sev of Tamil Nadu? How about the kachoris and those working extended hours from of Jamnagar? Or the Bhakarwadi of Pune? home preferring snacking over meals. With That sense of adventure and that joy of tast- entertaining also becoming a home-bound ing and liking something new — all those activity, snacks have also proved to be a con- experiences added up to the fun of travelling venient and hygienic replacement to a restau- across the country. Today, thanks to e-com- cus- rant starter. merce, all these unique local foods are avail- tomer has Our fascinating love for snacks has able to us through a few brands and e-retail- distinct needs prompted many surveys and the findings are ers who are challenging the status quo foisted and these need to telling. When we see a snack, we don’t just upon us by big FMCG companies over the reflect on the shop see a packet. We see comfort in that wrapper. years. shelf. For the consumer who We see snack time as our break from the rou- On a national level, Postcard seeks diversity, the shelf must incor- tine. A source of momentary happiness. We (www.thePostcard.in) helps in discovering porate local flavours which change in sync also see snacks as a complement or substitute local flavours of snacks, sweets and pickles best to with the seasons. Similarly, the health food for nourishment. These findings are direct or across geographies with a promise of authen- respond section must have options for vegans, gluten- obvious. And therefore, they are very signifi- ticity, quality and service. There are region- to this need. For allergies, calorie-conscious folks, elders, chil- cant insights into the changing focussed options such as example, there is an emphasis on dren, office-goers etc. The one generic nature of our lives. Evidently, we Gujaratisnacks.in (Gujarat), avoiding the use of colouring addi- “healthy” option would not cut it. expect a lot more from our snacks Pettikadai.in/Nativespecial (Tamil tives or preservatives as much as possible ● With their scale and expertise, the legacy than just flavour! Nadu), even though these are permitted by law (with FMCG companies have a responsibility to While our snacking habits may Indorinamkeen.com/TasteofIndore etc the necessary safeguards, of course). Smaller adapt and assist the ecosystem. There are seem like evolution, our snacking which bring out the specialities of their local brands such as Pure & Sure Phalada many brands with unique food products that choices are undergoing a revolution. respective regions. have introduced snacks made with organic emerge only to fade away due to the lack of To someone born in the 80s, snack- Consumers too appear to enjoy ingredients! financial or operational muscle-power that is ing typically meant munching on this journey of discovering new critical to survive in the offline channel. Can chips or namkeen — remember foods. It’s not uncommon to hear    a partnership model evolve between the big that transparent plastic wrapper people in Gurgaon talk about how Alongside the typical snack forms of and small that is mutually beneficial? filled with salted potato chips or they enjoy the Bihari thekua as a desi chips, namkeen and extruded snacks, we see While the benefits to the small brands are peanuts or a local mixture? If it was a cookie. Or consumers in the Guwahati who ;7? 8<<8 bars emerge as a snack of choice for the obvious, big brands will also get an insight branded snack picked at a store, it would be are getting to try South Indian flavours like younger generations. The younger generation into how smaller companies are able to do Pepsico Lays chips or Haldirams Bhujia. Murukku, Thattai, etc. Local food discoveries 87O;>7@5O;?<78> that works odd hours or seeks convenience more with less. We see this happen in the My earliest recollection of the first inno- have become a conversation starter, a badge ;D);F8<7@789 prefer the range of energy bars while protein personal care space. Take the example of the vation in snacking as a consumer came along of pride for the adventurous and a common D;;)'7; bars are preferred by consumers who seek Bombay Shaving Company, a homegrown with the launch of Kurkure back in 1999 — a joy to share within the family. ?7; ;7;58< targetted nutrition. brand of mens personal care that has new flavour and a new form. Unfortunately, Energy bars first made an appearance in received investment from global FMCG very little has changed in offline retail today   8;87@?<@;7R the 1960s when the American FMCG giant majors Colgate Palmolive & Reckitt as these legacy brands and products continue Today, health and wellbeing are an ;?5;958>87O;> Pillsbury introduced them as “Space Food Benckiser. It’s time that Indian FMCG brands to dominate shelf space. Retailers have also important consideration and this aspect is 585<*+ ,  Sticks” claiming that the bars had a balance entered such partnerships so that new-age made no effort at innovation or disruption being reflected in snacking choices too. We )8;;R8';< of all nutrients. It has taken the bar form 50 companies have an option other than VC but have launched private labels with the see a wave of snack brands focused on super- years to reach its current popularity. investments. same legacy products. foods — from kale-based snacks by Green ;7? 8<758 Bars have caught on in India over the last ● Fresh fruit is one of the most under-served For the mass-affluent and beyond, food is Snack Co to the millet based Soulful and @?9595;<8 two to three years. There are a number of snack options. It is easily available on street more than just nutrition. It’s also a way of Healthy Cravings Co. These brands use @87@;<>;?5 brands vying for this space with Yoga Bars corners but hygiene is a concern. Can either enjoying life, a treat for the senses. But where superfoods as ingredients to create familiar having the first mover advantage. Insurgent brands or retailers work on models that is that joy when you get served the same food snacks and flavours with enhanced nutrient 7)7DF;?<R8 brands such as The Whole Truth are success- transform the vending of cut fruit as nutri- again and again? profiles (such as higher fibre). Imagine how ,(, ,&***8' fully disrupting this space with a disarmingly tious snacks? That would be a genuine It’s only thanks to brave entrepreneurs comforting it would be to not feel any pang ;D;;));F8<8 honest approach to clean eating with a func- healthy clean snacking option that benefits who have chosen to tread the difficult path of of guilt while snacking! The challenge of 5F88; 8 tional focus. customers, retailers and farmers. disrupting their industry enabled by e-com- course lies in adoption of new ingredients by The beauty about the snacking industry merce that we have seen our snack choices the palate. ;7F8<;7<8<&      is that there is space for everyone. really explode in the last few years. Trail Mixes of nuts and seeds are another )@8;D<)8D;<58 As the pandemic fear recedes and we Each of us have a few fixed slots for superfood-packed snack choice. A few )F87?<;?7) emerge into a new normal, it will be interest- snacks in our day. And there is a preference    brands have tried to popularise these options ; ;7O;>;5<8 ing to see how our snack choices evolve with of a kind of snack for each of those slots. The evolution of snacking is oddly simi- although they have faced headwinds in view our lifestyle and the impact of these changes With multiple brands providing accessible lar to the evolution of marriage. For the of the higher price points involved. 95758D > on business. While I’m no soothsayer, here options for each of these preferences and longest time, marriage decisions were made Besides superfoods, there is also a trend are three ideas for the common good: slots, we are spoilt for choice. A golden age of between a few choices. You made your peace of clean eating. For the longest time people ● It’s high time that retailers adopted a cus- choice has dawned. with that and made it work. But today, you were unaware of the ingredients going into tomer-centric approach by understanding The writer is an entrepreneur can swipe right and left, you can date and their food choices. But today, we see a lot their changing needs and aspirations. 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n 2005, India facilitated the his- toric Peace Agreement between the Maoists and the Seven Party Alliance in Nepal, ending a decade-long war waged against Nepal’sI centuries-old monarchy. A (%)'%& ##'(*+ decade and a half later, Nepal and India hit the lowest point despite the two countries share close socio-cultur- al, political, economic, and strategic hidden push for a Hindu Rashtra in ties. Similarly, Karan Singh, who had Nepal backfired on India. India cannot successfully convinced King deny that its shortfalls are due to Gyanendra to accept the people’s short-sighted strategic interests and demand and pave the way for democ- lack of promised deliveries to Nepal. racy in 2006; visit by the Foreign For instance, in 2016, the Eminent Secretary S. Jaishankar to Kathmandu Persons Group (EPG) was formed to at the eleventh hour to convince the revise the 1950 Treaty and smoothen Nepal Government to accommodate border management. Still, five years the demands of Madhesis, was termed since its formation, the final report of as the ‘wrong advice.’ What led Nepal the EPG continues to dust in the to shift from ‘special relations’ with Prime Minister’s Office. Nepal also India to ‘conditional relations’ and waits for India to exchange the demon- forge strategic ties with China? etised Indian currency stuck with the Many such questions seek an Nepal Rashtra Bank. answer as one begins to unfurl the In contrast, the “Chinese have Roti-Beti relations between India and acted purely on national interest”. Nepal amidst ongoing India-Nepal There has been no compromise on fiasco. China’s security concerns looming The book entitled The Backfire in from a critical border between Tibet Nepal: How India Lost Plot to China by and Nepal. From cracking down the US-based Nepali journalist Sanjay 2008 free-Tibet movement to the sign- Upadhya helps find these answers. The ing of Mutual Assistance Treaty in book provides a detailed account of Criminal Matters in 2019, and Nepal’s Nepal-India relations in the last fifteen unequivocal support to ‘One China years. In his previous books, Nepal and Policy’, China has shown an uncom- the Geo-Strategic Rivalry Between promised bargain in Nepal. On the China and India from Routledge in other hand, India continues to misread 2012, and The Raj Lives: India in Nepal how Beijing sees Nepal — both in from Vitasta in 2008, Upadhya had terms of China’s visions of the past and carried ground-breaking works on the future. This complicates the core India’s colonial past and its impact on trilateral challenge: ensuring that Nepal, and Nepal’s geo-strategic loca- Nepal is not sucked deeper into the tion between two Asian giants. Unlike Sino-Indian vortex, only to be scorned his previous research works, The for aggravating the Asian giants’ Backfire in Nepal is a journalistic rivalry. account of Nepal-India relations focus- As the events unfold between India ing on China’s diplomatic and strategic cism was a beneficial ‘New Nepal’ President, Prime Minister, and Chief of Parliament, Oli was seen taking a and Nepal, the book could not have success in Nepal in recent years. China. the Nepal Army, allowing the former moderate view of India. However, it been timelier. The book becomes a Divided into seven chapters, the Between 2005 to 2020, Nepal has to make public appearances in these changed very soon after he reiterated must-read for policymakers, journal- book provides a timeline of events in forged new transit, trade, security and offices and advise on administrative Kalapani, Lipulekh as Nepalese territo- ists, researchers intending to know India-Nepal relations beginning with strategic ties including Belt and Road and political matters. Millions of mili- ries, and relocated Ayodhya in Nepal. recent developments in India-Nepal the 2006 peace-building process in Initiative and first-ever Joint-Military tary assistance from China have helped On the other hand, despite a tur- relations as it covers history and the Nepal which was officially overlooked exercises with China. Chinese invest- Beijing buy diplomatic immunity to its bulent relationship, India’s humanitari- most recent events. That said, the book by the United Nations Mission in ment in Nepal accounts for more than citizens involved in scamming, phish- an assistance to Nepal helps ease the falls short on the analytical front. The Nepal to facilitate inclusion of the for- sixty per cent of the total Foreign ing, and trafficking in Nepal. tensions. Noteworthy, India was the author has also avoided dealing with mer Maoist fighters into the Nepal Direct Investment in Nepal, which was While previous administrations in first country to reach on the ground dates which makes the reader seek dig- Army, their arms surrender and peace- once topped by India until 2014. Nepal strike a balance between India after a major earthquake had hit Nepal ital support that breaks the rhythm. ful conduct of first Constituent China’s annual aid to Nepal had also and China including Prachanda who in 2015. India has also supplied a mil- Overall, unlike history books, the Assembly elections in 2008. In the sec- reached USD 128 from a meagre USD stood as a staunch critic of alleged lion doses of Covid-19 vaccine and books’ language keeps the momentum ond chapter Provisional Posturing, the 20-24 million in the past decade. The Indian ‘expansionism’ since 1950, KP other medical assistance including for a reader until a few scattered pages author has beautifully portrayed the number of high-level visits from China Oli has used India’s 2015 unofficial medicines, ambulances, and medical of the last chapter: All in Mind, often free-Tibet movement of 2008, which to Nepal including President Xi’s in border blockade to his advantage in appliances. However, India continues repeating the arguments. The book is got China worried as it hosted world October 2019 amidst border row evoking ultra-nationalism based on +# to misread Nepal’s political develop- pocket friendly and most recent athletes for the Beijing Olympics. The between India and Nepal over anti-India manoeuvrings. Oli also ments. additions to the literature in India- unconditional support from a new Kalapani and Lipulekh, have provided holds India accountable for his ouster #,#- Prime Minister Modi’s 2014 visit Nepal relations with a focus on China Maoist Prime Minister Pushpa Kamala China with an ultra-edge in the politi- in 2016 from the Government, and .# after seventeen years gap by an Indian factor. Dahal alias Prachanda in cracking cal and foreign affairs of Nepal. Most with his present tenure, he continues . / 01   Prime Minister to Nepal helped India The reviewer is ICSSR Doctoral down on the protesters and arrest of importantly, the Chinese Ambassador to be revengeful. Meanwhile, post- “dispel many traditional Nepalese mis- Fellow, School of International Studies, Tibetan refugees amidst global criti- to Nepal has direct hotlines with the December 13 dissolution of the 2  ' (3) givings about India policy”, but the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) ;B /       ::+E   O!    *  .  /   "  :3B; 3/ 'A3:; 'A 3:3;E+: ;D        (   &  <O5?)5?<  ani Basu’s Shwet Patharer Thala (A  Plate of White Marble) has in its three decades since publication got ;F)012 &  B deeply embedded within the Bengali  "   ( !! '(      !     "0 "  reader’s psyche. One would like to think    "& " (   that books such as this, a story of the  " ! O ! ' young widow Bandana, in post-indepen-    &! & (  (  dence Calcutta, and her relentless battles "  ';F)012   against orthodoxy, where a son and a , (<0F0-'  ( lover play nuanced and memorable   '9 "    roles, fortify the winds of liberalism  !  !  '9  which are on retreat in our troubled  "  S5   times.  ""  7 S So it is definitely good news that this - .*  "  "   much-admired novel has now been    K  made available to readers in English in a      " O"  ' pitch-perfect translation by Nandini )   R  Guha. Many who would have been    &   R  <  & introduced to this story through the    !    " movie featuring a sterling performance    "        by Aparna Sen as the widowed Bandana,       ' would nonetheless do well to read the       ! book because the layers of the story with its depths and nuances are not always #  $ +7<+; +/ '3:+ captured in the language of celluloid. # %& ! '()* 3/ 3:D+;:( Bandana is married to the elder son 3 B+'A Abhimanyu of the well-to-do G':3:D+;:( Bhattacharjee family of Shyambazar in have to bother about any restriction. dante who eventually raises her voice in Question) and the nonconformist Memorial could be seen like some mys- <:+' north Kolkata but early in the plot the They were reserved for the women and Bandana’s support. But there is no easy Bandana of this novel, and examine how terious, celestial presence in the dis- husband dies of heart attack. It is inter- women alone.’ resolution of Bandana’s woes at her in- these portraits of liberated women tance.’  esting to note that in the movie it is a car The first knock on the edifice of laws’ till the appearance of an uncle, the reflect each other across the corridors of But most of all you read this book to @, 'R''  &"    accident which kills him and there are this stultifying tradition comes from nomad-like Somnath babu, who takes Bengali fiction. marvel at the many roles a strong  !  " other such departures from Basu’s origi- her son Abhiroop, still a child, who her away from the Bhattacharjees. Calcutta, from the decaying splen- woman like Bandana plays as she juggles  &(  "     (' nal plot. Immediately after the husband’s suffers convulsions and the doctor Still, back at her own home, things dour of the ‘north’ to a ‘south’ of between mother, daughter-in-law, 5 &  &"   & death the weight of patriarchy, personi- makes it clear that his mother’s sudden won’t be easy as with the kindly uncle’s Hindustani classical music concerts and oppressed widow, and finally an emo-  (0 0   fied here by the father-in-law and the transformation into a white-sari clad passing and Abhiroop’s coming of age, busy flowing streets is also a character in tional connect with her son’s art teacher  "'; &  !  acquiescing members of the joint family ascetic is the cause. Despite their reluc- new tensions begin to simmer which the background of this finely crafted Sudipto Sarkar. Which of these will    "&@, !    of her in-laws, come to bear upon her. tance, her in-laws have to relent and might very well tear her apart. Bani Basu novel and often you want to linger and redeem which will break her apart or is  !     '  0 Bandana is pushed into a life of forced make some concessions in allowing her develops her characters with love and a enjoy the passing scenery — the passage it some totally new calling, a wider street !      N & austerity and abnegation where she has to wear a coloured sari but soon new kind of academic rigour which would of time itself, as the river of the narrative that will finally let her discover herself  "( & "  0( ! to wear white saris, live like an ascetic situations bring the clash with ortho- appeal to students of literature while draws you along: behind many masks? This engaging ( & &  & "& and have frugal meals on the floor from doxy out in the open. pleasing the seeker of a good story. It is ‘The concert came to an end after novel has some answers which speak to " "  &  &"   a plate of white marble. In the carefully woven plot appear also not difficult to draw a line connect- the Bhairavi Thumri. It was past mid- our time as it did to the one it so bril- " "  "'  @, O The customs of this prejudiced other characters like Mili and Koli, two ing Tagore’s powerful protagonist Mrinal night. The roads were empty but well-Iit. liantly evokes.         "      &' .  household are revealed at the beginning sisters-in-law of which the former of Streer Patra (A Wife’s Letter), The sky above was full of stars. Bandana The writer is the author of The  "  (  ' when the author writes, ‘The men of the becomes a conduit for the widow’s Saratchandra’s equally uncompromising had never seen Kolkata looking so beau- Butterfly Effect (Niyogi) and other works house, the ruler class that is, did not oppression while Koli is more of a confi- heroine Kamal in Sesh Prosno (The Final tiful. The huge silhouette of the Victoria of fiction and translation      uvitiut " *   0:*2320 =R 5  5R 

injiang has become an Mandatory Birth Control: The XAchilles hill for China. CCP’s Campaign to Suppress The indigenous Uighur people Uighur Birth Rates in Xinjiang” of this western province, the released by the Jamestown largest of the administrative Foundation, based in regions of the People’s Republic Washington in June 2020, says, of China (PRC), have had the “Natural population growth in history of discord with the Xinjiang has declined dramat- authorities in Beijing as the ically; growth rates fell by 84 strategically located Xinjiang per cent in the two largest  $**%'%* borders with eight countries - Uighur prefectures between 2$%($.&$%$0 Mongolia, Russia, Kazakhstan, 2015 and 2018 and declined Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, further in several minority %0&(%()*';/ Afghanistan, Pakistan and regions in 2019. In 2020, one %&&(&$%&*% India. Uighur region set an unprece- Uighurs are the Turkic- dented near-zero birth-rate .&($/()=$F'$01 speaking Muslims and Islam is target: a mere 1.05 per mile, (&$% an important part of their life compared to 19.66 per mile in and identity. Importantly, they 2018. This was intended to be $';())0%$0% regard themselves as cultural- achieved through family plan- *';/%&&(&% ly and ethnically closer to the ning work.” people of Central Asia than the It has been found that /$%&' people of mainland China and intrauterine contraceptive '-;$*%&'% are one of largely persecuted devices (IUD), sterilisations ',%(&%*$F$0 Muslim minorities in Xinjiang, and forced family separations including Kazakhs, Uzbeks, came into force since a sweep- ';.(*-/,&2* Kyrgyz, and Hui. Though ing crackdown started in the ($*';/.&'/%/* administratively, the region, region in the later part of 2016. known as Xinjiang Uighur Thus, Xinjiang has become $=$F'$0.&($/ Autonomous Region (XUAR), a draconian police state. The '$-$)%&'%-'$* is autonomous like the Tibet local witnesses account of Autonomous Region (TAR), its intrusive state interference of $(&-&%(/'$0 administrative control is pure- the state into the reproductive %-;(0&'.() ly in the hands of the Central autonomy of the Uighurs and Government. There are Uighur other minority groups in the %&0($ minorities also in China’s XUAR. And this kind of a prac- neighbouring countries such as tice has become ubiquitous Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and across the region. The Uighurs Kazakhstan. And some of Islamic terror in this restive Islamic practices like fewer And China, denies all such alle- third, stability in the region is for the XUAR, has dramatical- feel that one fine day all will be Uighurs are living in Australia. province. In the name of fight- mosques and religious schools. gations raised either by foreign critical to the safe rolling out of ly enhanced the security appa- exterminated from their home- The historic ties between ing terror, the Communist Even the Government depart- governments or prominent the signature project of Xi’s ratus of the province. land. Xinjiang and Beijing have been State is creating complete para- ments in Xinjiang have banned human rights groups. China prestigious Belt and Road There has been a wide- Recently, a legal opinion troublesome since the begin- noia among the locals. But the Muslim civil servants from has often blamed the East Initiative (BRI) or One Belt ranging international cam- has been published in Britain. ning of its accession to the many say that the ethnic ten- observing fasting during Turkestan Islamic Movement One Road (OBOR); strategic paign against Beijing for mas- And it has also clearly claimed PRC. The region had inter- sion brewing in Xinjiang is due Ramzan. A report published by (ETIM) and its followers for all crossroad for trade and invest- sive violations of human rights that Beijing is carrying out the mittent autonomy and occa- to economic and cultural fac- the Amnesty International stat- sorts of violence and sepa- ment in Central and South of the Uighur Muslims in this crime of genocide against the sional independence before it tors long aided by the author- ed that the authorities crimi- ratist activities carried out both Asia, West Asia and further to western province. Washington Uighur Muslim people. Thus became an integral part of ities in the mainland. nalised what they labelled “ille- in Xinjiang and in other parts entire Europe. has officially declared that international pressure is China in 1949. However, an The gargantuan develop- gal religious” and “separatist of China. In 2013, a car However, much more than China is committing genocide mounting against China today. East Turkistan State was ment projects propelled by activities” and clamped down ploughed into a crowd and all these, at the moment and and crime against humanity on Will Xi regime listen to all /"/" declared before 1949, but it Beijing, both to eradicate on “peaceful expressions of burst into flames in the historic even for future, Xinjiang is sit- the Uighur Muslims. these? Of course not, for now. could not sustain and finally, poverty and to attract huge for- cultural identity”. Tiananmen Square in Beijing. uated on the border areas of Just before Joe Biden took However, the best such con- the region had to be merged eign direct investment (FDI), This aptly demonstrates Even incidents of mass stab- India’s Ladakh region. The up the reins of the Presidential certed effort must come from with the PRC, then under the have brought a bunch of young how Beijing has come up with bing in Kunming and Yunnan eastern part of Ladakh became office, then Secretary of State international organisations iron rule of legendary Mao and technically qualified Han severe measures both to control Province in the past accompa- a disputed area between both Mike Pompeo said, “This geno- such as the UN, top human Zedong. But then a major fil- migrants from eastern parts of the assertion of the Uighur nied by killing of dozens by India and China since the cide is going on…and we are rights agencies and all the big lip to the separatist movement China to the XUAR. And the identity and to change the suspected Uighur separatists occupation of Aksai Chin in witnessing the systematic Western nations. came after the breakdown of central administrative author- demographic structure of the and their agents have alerted 1962 by the latter. And today, attempt to destroy Uighurs by China’s growth is not detri- the Union of Soviet Socialist ities have specifically promot- province. Beijing to spread a reign of ter- India’s border conflict with the Chinese Party State. Since mental to the global economy, Republics (USSR) in the 1990s. ed the Hans so as to attract With the coming of Xi ror over Xinjiang. China that has been continu- at least March 2017, the local but it must be ensured that it Also, these movements more of them to the Xinjiang Jinping to power in 2012, the In fact, the separatists’ ing in eastern Ladakh almost authorities dramatically esca- stays in the international arena received an indirect support province. This has fast changed state agencies in connivance killing spree has spilled out of for a year has made the XUAR lated their decades long cam- a law-abiding nation. The from the rise of independent the demographic scenario of with Chinese Communist Xinjiang today. And this has more strategically important, paign of repression against Uighurs must be saved from Muslim States across the the region. At the same time, Party (CCP) officials are fast fast becoming a serious con- than the TAR, for Beijing. Uighur Muslims and mem- physical elimination at best by Central Asian region. With the commercial and cultural making the province a fortress. cern for both the CCP and the So from this, it can safely bers of other ethnic and reli- the Chinese state. They all massive crackdown from the activities of the Uighurs have In this process, the central Chinese state. be said that the political boss- gious minority groups, includ- have the right to live the way Chinese State, the separatist been systematically curtailed by government is making several Therefore, this province es in the Communist Party may ing ethnic Kazakhs and ethnic they want. Their basic rights movement and its leaders could the Chinese State. This has vocational training centres in of China is on the top agenda tighten the security and mobil- Kyrgyz.” and freedoms must be restored hardly make an impact on the fuelled tension between the the name of maintaining skilled of both the domestic and for- ity of people in Xinjiang more The veracity and the scale and respected by Beijing. Else status of the province. local Uighurs and the Han workshops for the local eign security agencies. The than ever. of these intensive atrocities more resistance will grow for Why the XUAR is again migrants. Further the author- Uighurs. But many activists reasons are: first, the constant Interestingly, China has have confirmed as reported by sure from the Uighur commu- turning into a boiling point for ities have gradually increased across the globe say these are resistance coming from the been trying to impose strict the locals and some of the nity. China? surveillance and control over like concentration camps for local Uighurs; second, Islamic security control across research organisations of glob- Today, the Chinese state is religious activities by imposing torturing the Uighurs and pun- extremism that is gaining Xinjiang. Since 2016, Chen al repute. In a report called (The writer is an expert on all out to prevent the growth of draconian restrictions on ishing the erring elements. ground around the region; Quanguo, the Party Secretary “Sterilizations, IUDs, and international affairs) :'+E   D *      7

uslims’ political behav- The entry of the damaging- reported after Independence. Miour varies across India. It duo Owaisi and Abbas Siddiqui The two-and-a-half crore '*P*)(&'$%( customarily consolidates itself will surely create confusion Muslims of West Bengal, whose with the “secular” parties wher- among Muslim voters who ancestors happily rejected two $0'/%($*'* ever the political race is direct- have significant influence on nations theory and chose to live 2((*%-%#P* ly between the secular and near about 100-110 seats in India, have equally and non-secular narratives. together in the State. Most admirably contributed to .'$%(0(''- However, in States with more extensive districts are nation building. %;(& multifaceted political compe- Murshidabad, Malda, Birbhum, Therefore, it is the pru- tition, they appear divided 24 Parganas, Dinajpur, dential and democratic respon- '00&**$-,%' among political parties for a Bardawan and Nadia. sibility of every ruling party, be /';.'0$'$-'* variety of local or class interests. This is worth noting that it in the State or at the Centre, As far as the Muslims of Nadia is the place chosen by the to ensure the safety and secu- /&'%-/($),*($ West Bengal are concerned, BJP to launch its Statewide rity of the Muslims of the ';($0%,*;*1 they have always played an Rath Yatra to gather public sup- State, as they have been doing instrumental and significant port. They perhaps know the for so long. Owaisi’s foray, first &%** role as voters. The Congress, importance of the regions in Maharashtra, then Bihar ,*;(%* the Communist parties and the where minority votes can sub- and now in Bengal, has worried /&%'$2-/* TMC have always earned con- stantially help Mamata’s TMC. the Opposition heavily as he siderable political and upright Muslims constitute 27 per paved the way for the BJP by $%)(&;'%($()' support of Muslims. cent of the population in the dividing minority votes in (&$;$%$% Since Muslims’ condition State and division of Muslim Maharashtra and Bihar. was quite backward economi- votes will consequently help the On the other hand, quitting %'% cally, politically and educa- BJP. On the other hand, the AIMIM to join the TMC, tionally, they expected consid- AIMIM’s aggressive minority Sheik Abdul Kalam, former erable sustenance from the politics will certainly suit the West Bengal acting president of establishment of all time. BJP’s aggressive Hindutva nar- AIMIM, shows the beginning According to the Sachar rative. This is why some so- of the confusions among Committee report in 2006 on called secular parties accuse Muslims of Bengal. the social, economic and edu- Owaisi of being “agent of BJP” This is just the beginning. cational status of Muslims in Scheduled Tribes in all spheres the minorities either in Bengal among themselves due to per- once again as Asaduddin and “vote katua”. The presence In fact, Bengal is most likely to the country Bengal was placed of developmental programmes. or anywhere else in the coun- sonal and political interests Owaisi and prominent Bengali of the damaging-duo is more witness a fierce battle in the in the category of “worst” per- In fact, both the try, initiated by any ruling par- have resulted in creating an Muslim leader Abbas Siddiqui likely to prove the political Assembly elections due in forming States. Muslims are Communists and the TMC, ties, have been termed as atmosphere of fear among have established an under- strategist Prashant Kishore’s April-May 2021. Additionally, largely deprived of the process though hesitantly and mutely, Muslim appeasement. Muslims that paved the way for standing to go together in the anticipation wrong where he Muslim votes will certainly be of economic development and tried to work on the Muslim’s For the deteriorated con- the political parties to treat State elections. strongly emphasised to retrain decisive in the formation of its benefits. upliftment to some extent so as dition of Muslims not only in them as mere vote bank. It is noteworthy that the the BJP to less than three-digit Government in West Bengal. Furthermore, according to not to be accused of “Muslim Bengal but also in other States In the present scenario, Muslim vote bank played an numbers. "#55 <58<' <857@;?& 8; >58<7) R7;95 >58<D?7;7 €axu€! 7;< >'D88@<8D?D;< >58< K5575575    

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o long as the indwelling soul is holds the key to healthy living and brain, thus, vitalising its dynamism fur- process involves holding the breath for there, one is alive. And, when longevity. For, it does not simply bring ther. a while (Kumbhaka as is termed in Swithdrawn, the gross body turns in fresh oxygen supply. At subtle level it It will not be out of place to men- Indian terminology) in between every into a dead matter. Here again, mind carries life forces (Prana as is termed in tion here that an elephant supposedly inhalation and exhalation. One is sup- and the element of consciousness shall Indian context). So long as we are breathes 10 to 12 times a minute, and posed to dwell on space in between the not be outplaying in full strength, nor breathing, we are in receipt of life forces lives for around 100 years. A tortoise is inhalation and exhalation. For, this would it be possible to effortlessly fol- that keep us alive, animate all our believed to breathe 3 to 4 times a space is at rest. Not simply that, one’s low the process. dynamic functionalities, including our minute and survives up to 300 years. attention is straightaway on the element Accordingly, it would, be desirable body organs, which, when stops, the But a dog which keeps breathing briskly of consciousness available there. So, to subject oneself to Yoga-asana, which gross body becomes a dead matter. The has an average life of around 12 years dwelling on this space, for a small is a set of physical exercises set in tune way we breathe defines the quality of only. So, as we slow down our breathing stretch of time though, but it virtually with breathing cycle, as laid down by our bodily and mental health as well as cycle, our aging process slows down, puts us in a state of meditation. As one sage Patanjali. Following the process, their agility, and hence the need for and lifespan would expand. progresses in the process, one has direct through regulated body movements correct breathing. Breathing cycle relates to our state realisation of the life forces driving us. and increased supply of oxygen, the Pursuing Pranayama process, it of mind as well. It will be interesting to In this sense, pranayama can be said to joints remain supple, softness of mus- becomes possible to slow down the note here that a human being ordinarily be the beginning of meditation process. cles is secured, bodily agility gets toned breathing cycle. Consequently, in the breathes 18 counts per minute. But Following the above two processes up, and one remains physically fit. The first place, the ageing process gets when in an agitated state, the breath — Asana and Pranayama — help process, however, should not be pur- retarded. For, as many times the breath count goes up to somewhere between ensure body-mind coordination, apart sued unguided. For, only a trained count comes down, the run of vital 30 and 36. So, by reducing our breath from toning up the body, mind, as well expert would know as to what exercises internal organs do also get correspond- count, even the mental agitation gets as nerves. This is vital for proper func- would suit the individual, based on ingly get reduced, as they are tuned to calmed down. tioning of our internal communication one’s individualistic health vulnerabili- the breath cycle. This way the running Pranayama too, is a delicate mechanism. With this, the third and ties. Unguided, it could have adverse time of the vital organs comes down, process, not difficult though. Therefore, fourth steps of eightfold path get cov- bearing on one’s health mechanism. and thereby their servicing abilities the process needs to be pursued under ered, and the ground is now laid down Next in line comes Pranayama, increase in terms of time frame, with- guidance of a trained expert. The for pursuing the dhyana process proper. preparatory to dhyana. Pranayama, in out compromising with the oxygen process as such is not being discussed, !      ( $$    apparent terms seems to be just a intake level, vital to a healthy living. as it should be learnt from a trained    $$  4++ $   breath regulating exercise, but actually The beauty of the process is that it expert. But in a passing reference, it ! .--,',,,'--;,;D82?28@-;2,D82?2? it is more than that. Our breath cycle helps augmenting oxygenation of the needs to be mentioned here that the <.    E4$

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