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GOING DESI COVID RELIEF BILL PASSED DEMORALISING DEFEAT Actor Priyanka Chopra has launched her own The evenly split US Senate narrowly passed a PV Sindhu goes down tamely to restaurant ‘Sona’ in New York, which $1.9tn Covid-19 relief Bill after a marathon Carolina Marin in the final of the Swiss Open offers LEISURE | P2 overnight session INTERNATIONAL | P10 SPORTS | P12

VOLUME 10, ISSUE 335 | www.orissapost.com BHUBANESWAR | MONDAY, MARCH 8 | 2021 12 PAGES | `4.00 Wildfires still raging in Similipal DESPITE THE CLAIMS OF THE PCCF THAT THE FOREST FIRE IN SIMILIPAL HAS BEEN CONTAINED, SATELLITE IMAGES SHOWED THAT MANY AREAS ARE STILL ENGULFED BY THE INFERNO

POST NEWS NETWORK Kaptipada/Balasore, March 7: Fires threaten Notwithstanding the claims of the au- thorities that the wild fire raging in- side the Simlipal sanctuary in Kutra forests Naveen among 6 from Mayurbhanj district since the past eight days, satellite images showed KUTRA/JODA: Despite the best efforts of the Forest department, that the fire has not been contained fully, fires have been raging in the forests a report said. state in central panel in Badagaon range in Sundargarh district for the past one week. DEVASTATION According to a report, valuable trees, AGENCIES 75th I-Day celebrations plants and herbal and wildlife have perished. As the fires continue to Bhubaneswar, March 7: President Pratibha Patil, he fire is still raging in 272.35 spread, wildlife such as elephants, Chief Minister Naveen Chief Justice of Sharad Tacres of the hill. It is boars, hares, jackals have been Patnaik and five other dig- Arvind Bobde, National suspected that fire has already cornered. Scared and unable to nitaries from state have been Security Advisor Ajit Doval, decimated scores of wildlife tolerate the heat, they are seen included in the central com- 28 Chief Ministers, Union running out of the forests and mittee constituted to com- ministers, several Governors, eople in 10 panchayats at the straying into human habitations. It memorate 75 years of India’s artistes like Lata Mangeshkar, Pfoothill of the sanctuary have was reported that before collecting been facing the heat from the ALL ENGULFING BLAZE: Forest fire continues to rage in the Similipal Sanctuary, Sunday OP PHOTO independence. AR Rahman, Nobel laureate mahul flower from under trees, some They are Andhra Pradesh Amartya Sen, senior BJP raging forest fires amid the rise people set the forest floor afire, in mercury across the state very difficult amid rising temperatures fire is still raging in 272.35 acres of hill. workers visited Tinikosia area and Governor Biswabhusan leader LK Advani and emi- in the area,” said Markand Hembram, It is suspected that fire has decimated its peripheral area where fire has de- leading to forest fires to spread. Harichandan, Jharkhand nent citizens from several former sarpanch of Ranipokhari. scores of wildlife, the report said. stroyed flora and fauna. Reports from Joda in Keonjhar Governor Draupadi Murmu, walks of life. Opposition lead- district said, a part of Baitarani In fact, Forest officials and fire- Kaptipada ranger Maheswar Singh Though three days have passed “The PCCF has claimed to have Union Petroleum and ers, including Congress pres- reserve forest has been reduced to fighters have been struggling to douse Natural Gas Minister said that a 10-member team has been since fire broke out in Kuldiha, the tamed the fire in Kuladiha, but in re- ashes. Notably, this forest plays host ident Sonia Gandhi, CPI(M) fires, though the PCCF earlier claimed formed to contain fires in Podadiha, Forest department has not been able ality, the fire has not been contained, to a number of elephants. Dharmendra Pradhan, PM’s general secretary Sitaram that the fire has been brought under Nato, Badakhaman and Manikpur to bring it under control. It is said, “Congress leader Sudarshan Das said. Meanwhile, the forest department Principal Secretary Pramod Yechury, NCP leader Sharad control. area. Help of local people and fire- that fire is spreading from one hill to The fire is the handiwork of some has engaged a six-member squad to Kumar Mishra and eminent Pawar, West Bengal CM The truth is that people in 10 pan- fighters is being taken in the exercise. another with the passing of each day. miscreants who have set the hilly ter- keep vigil on the elephants. sculptor Sudarshan Sahoo. Mamata Banerjee and for- chayats at the foothill of the sanctu- Reports from Balasore said that for- Over 100 Forest officials led by rain afire. The blaze has posed a grave The panel, headed by mer Uttar Pradesh Chief ary have been facing the heat from the est fire has destroyed thousands of Kuladiha ranger Bijay Mohapatra threat not only to the greenery, but reduced to ashes, he added. Forest of- Prime Minister Narendra Ministers Mulayam Singh raging forest fires amid the rise in tem- valuable trees at Nandari hill near have been struggling to contain fire. also the wild animals inhabiting these ficials and villagers joined hands to Modi, comprises 259 mem- Yadav and Mayawati, are perature across the state. “Life has been Balianala of Kuladiha sanctuary. The Meanwhile, a team of Congress forests. Many valuable trees have been douse the flames. bers including former also part of the committee. IRREGULAR by MANJUL INDIA ENDS EXPERIMENT NOTHING TO CHEER ABOUT WITH DUAL CITIZENSHIP Women A NOTIFICATION ISSUED BY CENTRE MARCH 4 IMPOSES SEVERAL RESTRICTIONS labourers work at a ON OCIS AND CURBS THEIR RIGHTS AND LIBERTIES IN INDIA brick kiln on the AGENCIES fered by the government in several eve of cases filed by Overseas Citizens of International New Delhi, March 7: The Ministry India in the court of law. For in- Women’s Day of Home Affairs issued a notifi- stance, now it is mandatory for the in Patna, You can use such language against cation March 4 this year that ended OCIs to obtain special permit before Sunday your opponent from tomorrow, sir. the country’s experimentation undertaking any missionary ac- PTI PHOTO You see, today is Women’s Day! with dual citizenship, aside from tivities. It is presumed that this altering the short and sweet rela- new restriction has been imposed tionship with Overseas Citizens keeping in view the judgement of SHORT TAKES of India (OCI). the Delhi High Court favouring an The latest notification, issued American-Indian physician. The under Section 7B of the Citizenship or “restricted.” government had cancelled his OCI Varavara Rao Act, 1955, superseded three earlier no- These aside, the notification clas- card on the ground that the doc- released on bail tifications issued by the government sifies OCIs as ‘foreign nationals’ tor was engaged in “evangelical April 11, 2005, January 5, 2007 and vis-à-vis “all economic, financial and subversive activities” as he of- PM Modi scalds Mamata January 5, 2009. All these notifications and educational” activities in India fered free medical services to the Mumbai: Telugu poet and set down the rights of the OCIs. wherein the Foreign Exchange poor and needy in Bihar. PRESS TRUST OF INDIA (nephew) instead of becoming smashed to smithereens (- activist Varavara Rao, an The latest notification not only Management Act, 2003 will be ef- It is worth mentioning here that “Didi” (elder sister) to the people. choor) their hopes and dreams,” accused in the Elgar Parishad case being probed by the humiliated the OCIs by categoriz- fective. As a result of the new no- the government earlier located the Kolkata, March 7: Prime Minister Addressing a massive BJP rally he said, excoriating the TMC National Investigating Agency ing them as “foreign nationals, but tification, the status of the OCIs OCIs in the Citizenship Act, 1955, Narendra Modi Sunday launched at the Brigade Parade Grounds, supremo. He alleged Banerjee pro- (NIA), was discharged from also introduced several new re- has been dramatically reversed. which governs the activities of a blistering attack on West Bengal his first in West Bengal after the an- moted nepotism while neglecting the Nanavati Hospital in Mumbai strictions that curtailed the rights For the past 16 years, they were en- Indian citizens, with a view to grant Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, nouncement of Assembly polls, people who fondly called her ‘Didi’. late Saturday night, sources and liberties on the OCIs. The new joying the same rights as the Non- them dual citizenship. If this was accusing her of “betraying and in- Modi hit out at his detractors who “Bengal chose you in role of said. Rao, 82, was initially notification has made it manda- Resident Indians (NRIs), but hence- not the case, the OCIs could have sulting” the people of the state who accuse him of favouring a handful ‘Didi’ but you preferred being ‘bua’ arrested by the Pune Police tory for the OCIs to obtain special forth they would be treated as been included in the Foreigners trusted she will bring about a change of his businessmen friends. to your ‘bhatija’,” he said. The BJP under the Unlawful Activities permits for undertaking any “re- “foreign nationals.” Act, 1946 and the Foreign Exchange after the Left rule. “You have betrayed and insulted has been accusing Banerjee of try- (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for search,” “journalistic activities,” or According to a report, the new re- Management Act, 2003, which ex- He also accused her of nepotism the people of Bengal who trusted that ing to install her nephew and having connections with for visits to any area that has been strictions imposed on OCIs are clusively deal with foreigners and by choosing to play the limited role you will be the harbinger of change Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek as banned Maoist groups. He was notified as “prohibited,” “protected,” probably owing to the defeats suf- their rights in India. of “bua” (aunt) to her “bhatija” after the end of the Left rule. You the next Chief Minister. More P9 granted bail on medical grounds for six months. INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY Budget Session Part II from today

New Delhi: The month-long Away from their families, they served humanity second part of the Budget session of Parliament begins Monday in the middle of a high Risks of infection and extra hours of work aside, women healthcare professionals were pained to be away from their families, especially children octane campaign for Assembly elections in four states and one MANISH KUMAR, OP fected while on duty. To keep their is attending them and even it was UT. The main focus of the families safe, several doctors and tough for them to differentiate a government in the second part Bhubaneswar, March 7: The nurses kept themselves in isolation doctor from a nurse as all of us of the session is to get the COVID-19 pandemic was a grueling for almost a month. And many of were wearing PPE kits. However, various demands for grants for test for the healthcare profession- them suffered mental break-downs,” after getting well, most of them the year 2021-22 passed along als, especially women doctors and said Lekha Aminakutty, Nursing thanked us and for being able to re- with the Finance Bill which nurses, many of whom served in ex- Superintendent, Utkal Hospital. turn to their near and dear ones.” carries various tax proposals. tremely vulnerable sites. Meanwhile, the Odisha govern- The above issues notwithstand- The government has listed Aside from the risks of infection ment also framed protocols of 14-day ing, working throughout the day various Bills for passage in the and extra hours of toil, they were service in such environments and wearing PPE kits, gloves, masks session which concludes April 8. pained to remain away from their mandatory isolation periods to stop and respirators increased the health families, especially children. This the spread of the disease from the workers’ woes. Dr Gita Devi, who often resulted in trauma for both – Dr Gita Devi Dr Diptimayee Mallik Dr Subhasmita Rout Lekha Aminakutty health workers to their families worked in a COVID ward at the

WEATHER the healthcare professionals as well and others. Central Railway Hospital, y BHUB CTK as their worried families. “I have a three-year-old son and and it also disturbed me emotion- the fear of morbidity as well as Most of the doctors claimed that Mancheswar, told Orissa POST, “It

Dr Diptimayee Mallik, an anes- he bolstered my confidence when ally,” Mallik said. mortality was at its peak. in the initial phase they were over- was a strenuous task. Wearing PPE

k y m c MAX 38.4° 37.6° thesiologist at SUM Hospital, is a I was deputed at the COVID Hospital. Many women doctors and para “Several families were reluctant loaded with hyper anxious patients. kits and other safety gears during case in point. She worked at the He told me, ‘Mama return only medical staff who worked in such to send their daughters and daugh- Dr Subhasmita Rout, a city-based the humid summer in the City made TEMP MIN 21.6° 17.6° Forecast COVID Hospital when the common after eradicating the monster highly exposed environment faced ter in-laws to work as health pro- doctor who served in a COVID it all the more difficult to carry out Humidity 60% 42% people were confined to their homes (COVID-19)’. Initially he cooper- similar incidents. They were com- fessionals in COVID Hospitals. Their Hospital, said, “Working in a COVID our duties. However, we tried our Dry weather Rainfall Nil Nil likely fearing exposure to the deadly virus ated and understood the situation, pelled to keep themselves away fears were not unfounded as a num- ward was a different experience. best to meet all requirements even and due to lockdown compulsions. but slowly I saw him breaking down from their kids and families when ber of health professionals were in- Here the patients hardly knew who in such testing times.” P2 GYLLENHAAL REMEMBERS WAS SNUBBED BY FRIENDS MONDAY | MARCH 8 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR BEING ‘IN AWE’ OF LEDGER AFTER DIVORCE: REDKNAPP

American Hollywood actor Jake Gyllenhaal loves learning from Singer-songwriter Louise Redknapp said that his co actors and one such actor who left a lasting impression many of her friends stopped talking to her on him was late Heath Ledger. During an appearance on a after her split with English football star

podcast with Marc Maron, the 40-year-old recalled being ‘in Jamie Redknapp. She says comedian Jimmy y

leisure awe’ of Ledger’s process of preparing for a role. Carr was the only friend who stood by her.

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FORTUNE FORECAST PC to open Indian Alaya’s quirky spin INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY restaurant Breaking the ARIES ‘SONA’ in NYC to Romeo and Juliet Today, you may want to glass ceilings wear your power suit, says Ganesha. If you Los Angeles: Actress Priyanka Chopra Mumbai: Actress Alaya notice people bending and bowing a Jonas has announced her own restau- F has a quirky spin to bit, understand that your hard work rant in New York, which offers Indian Romeo and Juliet by has paid off! If not, then you need to cuisine for foodies. William Shakespeare in get more organised. Either way, there's The actress says she poured her love her latest post on social work to be done. for Indian food into this restaurant and media. has named it Sona. The restaurant will Alaya posted a pic- be inaugurated later this month. ture on Instagram, TAURUS “I’m thrilled to present to you SONA, where she is seen stand- The competitive streak in a new restaurant in NYC that I poured ing on a balcony dressed you might relent today as my love for Indian food into. SONA in a lavender bralette you look for a lifestyle is the very embodiment of timeless paired with denims. that is more relaxed and laid-back. The rat India and the flavours I grew up She captioned it: “O race is tiring and you will feel the urge to with. The kitchen will take you on Romeo, where is my sun- get away, far from the maddening crowd a food journey through my amazing tan lotion?” and the never-ending routine. country. SONA is opening later this Alaya is an avid user The campaign titled month, and I can’t wait to see you of social media. She #NotJustAnotHER entails a there!” Priyanka tweeted. keeps her fans enter- GEMINI The actress also shared a few tained with stunning theme-based photoshoot with five photographs where she can be pictures and videos. Today, you will realise incredibly inspiring women whose that close relationships seen performing a puja together Daughter of actress need care and concern to with husband Nick Jonas. Pooja Bedi, Alaya made fearless stories will be featured grow, predicts Ganesha. You will have new On the work front, Priyanka her Hindi film debut responsibilities and achieve huge profits in features in the recently released dig- with Jawaani Jaaneman across social media handles all your dealings. Pay special attention to ital film The White Tiger. The Ramin earlier this year. She has your personal health. Bahrani directorial features the a three-film deal with New Delhi: A prominent of Nirbhau Naari actress alongside Rajkummar Rao producer Jay shopping mall of South Suraksha Foundation for and Adarsh Gourav. IANS Shewakramani. Delhi Sunday launched training women in self-de- CANCER During lockdown, she a campaign titled fense. You will be quite sharp dedicated her time to #NotJustAnotHER to cel- Sonal is the third in- at work, and equally honing and improving ebrate every woman and spiring woman, who penetrating in the mat- her skills as an actor. cherish her inspiring urges people to love them- ters of the heart. She had also been read- story. The aim is to cre- selves enough and then Though, you may temporarily lose focus, Yami gives tutorial your mind will bring you back to the real ing scripts, taking mas- ate a safe platform some more. All her life world. You will work at a break-neck ter classes and work- wherein stories of she had felt insecure speed, only to be able to spend as much on how to get shops too. IANS courage and determina- about her size and wished time as possible with your sweetheart. tion are told and shared. to stay behind the camera, The campaign entails but it was when she clicked for picture a theme-based photo shoot molded her courage into LEO with five incredibly in- confidence that she felt Mumbai: Actress Yami Gautam has spiring women who broke the immense joy in being Get ready to bask in applause. Well, not liter- shared steps on how to get the per- the glass ceiling by being who she is. ally, but Ganesha does fect picture on her social media true to themselves. The Similarly, Sabika, a foresee you getting that platform. idea is to celebrate wom- poet and a mental health long due recognition today for all the Yami posted a throwback picture anhood fearlessly. advocate who was once hard work you've put at your workplace. from her recent film release Ginny The photo shoot with diagnosed with code- This goes hand-in-hand with the support Weds Sunny. She is seen dressed their fearless stories will of your colleagues and the good wishes pendency at the peak of of your seniors, especially if it is some in a stunning embellished be featured on company’s her career runs her own new project that you are undertaking. lehenga and smiling at the social media handles to in- support group to help peo- camera. spire other women. ple talk about mental “Smile check aaaaand click The campaign features, health. Her journey is no #ginnywedssunny #hap- Sapna Dutta, a 64-year- less than of a super- VIRGO pymemories,” she wrote as old cancer survivor who woman who made her If being humanitarian the picture’s caption. has always lived on her way from self-exploring needed a definite The film which released dig- own terms. Her idea of thoughts to help make physical form, you are itally also features Vikrant living a fulfilling life has life easier for herself and most likely to be nomi- nated. Such is the mix of values and Massey and is directed by always been to fight and others. practicality today, says Ganesha. Devise Puneet Khanna. never give up, taking up Last but certainly not strategies to achieve more productivity. Yami would next be seen in acting and modelling at the least Taksh, an See the bigger picture, says Ganesha. the spooky adventure comedy the age of 55. LGBTQ icon and equal Bhoot Police which also stars The other one is rights supporter is an ab- actors Saif Ali Khan and Arjun Prabsharan Kaur, who solute brave-heart who LIBRA Kapoor. The horror comedy wishes to shatter the finds power in her femi- would be directed by stereotypes of women All things passionate ninity, and channels that seem to engulf you Pawan Kripalani, who being the weaker gender. power to fight redundant today. It is one of those has helmed thrillers A Krav Maga learner and stereotypes. She has em- moments when chance like Phobia and teacher for the past 8 braced her true self even dictates every possibility of a new Ragini MMS in the years, she now runs a when her loved ones did romantic love episode in your life. The past. IANS foundation by the name not accept her reality. last time a moment like this came by, Romeo met Juliet. Ganesha expects you to try hard to please your heartthrob. Also, you may want to spruce up and pay special attention to your looks. SUDOKU PEANUTS post To solve the Sudoku puzzle, each row, SCORPIO CROSSWORD column and box must contain the numbers A happening day where a 0 to 9 and the letters A to E. lot may happen today, suggests Ganesha. Grey hairs will teach valuable lessons, so keep your ears open to bosses and elders. Seniors will extend their best possible cooperation to you. Stay clear of courtrooms, warns Ganesha, lest the legalities sink you deep.

SAGITTARIUS A paradigm shift in your temperament and your looks is on the cards today. Your personality will get better as you don some chic attire, jewellery and a rather loud perfume today. CALVIN AND HOBBES

CAPRICORN Money will flow in from various quarters today, but it will also find its SOLUTIONS way out of your pockets. Keep a tab on your income and more on your expenses, says Ganesha.

AQUARIUS You are ambitious, and quite unapologetic about the way you pursue your goals! You will work hard and push your way through if you have BREVITY to. Not just that, you will see to it that CROSSWORD you have all the skills and competency required to make it big.

PISCES y A good day for those look-

ing for romantic liaisons,

k y m c says Ganesha. You will seek the company of your sweetheart to fight feelings of solitude and boredom today. Those who are single ought to strike gold, considering how Lady Luck will

be grinning at the efforts you make to win CHECK FOR SOLUTIONS OF THE PUZZLES TOMORROW SUDOKU over your love. COVID-19 TRACKER P3 DISPLAYING TALENT MONDAY | MARCH 8 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR INFECTED RECOVERED DEAD Youths participate in a World 11,72,00,151 9,27,48,491 26,01,783 swimming competition at Akhandalamani pool in India 1,10,63,140 1,08,68,520 1,57,756 , Sunday

downtown Odisha 3,37,744 3,35,080 1,917

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‘Harishchandra’ Five held for attacking norms thrown to the BHUB IS MOST SECURE PLACE IN wind at Swargadwar INDIA TO DO BIZ: MITESH KHIMJI POST NEWS NETWORK CRP killers, PCR staff Puri, March 7: Several irregu- Khimji Jewellers is known for its finest jewellery that is larities in the implementation of POST NEWS NETWORK Harishchandra Sahayata Yojana exclusively designed, catering for both classical and The five have been to take law into their hands. Only the courts are empowered to award at Swargadwar cremation ground modern tastes of its customers. It is an 84-year-old Bhubaneswar, March 7: The charged with rioting, punishments in any act of crime. here have come to the fore. jewellery brand and Odisha’s oldest jewellery Commissionerate Police Sunday assault, causing Neither the police nor the public About 90 per cent of people, arrested five persons for attacking have the right to punish anyone. who cremate the bodies of their chain. The pandemic was a challenging situation the siblings who hacked Tukuna injuries, trying to The police have till now identi- near and dear ones at Swargadwar for the company. However, despite difficulties, the Das, 26, of Salia Sahi at VIP Colony lynch the killers— fied 15 persons involved in the cremation ground, are report- under Nayapalli police limits here lynching bid. edly availing benefits of the brand stood strong and never compromised its Saturday. Sudhir and Sagar On the other hand, the siblings scheme, which was launched to The accused were identified as were Sunday produced before the provide financial assistance to services of the customers. During an interaction with Prasant Das, 48, Kantabada under handed over to the PCR staff. Police court that sent them to judicial poor and destitute for conduct- Orissa POST, Khimji Group Director Mitesh Khimji Chandaka police limits, Akshaya claimed the accused Prasant Das in- custody. Meanwhile, police are yet ing the last rites of their family Kumar Das, 49, Badal kumar tercepted the PCR van and took to trace the absconding driver of the members and for the cremation shared several glimpses of his company’s journey. Kanhar, 20, of Tikabali in out the vehicle’s keys forcefully pickup van. of unclaimed bodies. Kandhamal , Srikant Das, 28, of while the cops were taking the sib- The DCP also informed the media As per the guidelines, people n How was the buying trend of rescuer during the pandemic. n Any comment on the Budget Patkura in Kendrapara and Prakash lings to police station. that the accused persons killed who do not own a vehicle and hav- jewellery in Odisha during the Naik, 24, of Khandapada in Soon, the five along with several Tukuna in self defense. The police ing no government employee in pandemic? n How did Khimji stand with the n We have been urging the gov- Nayagarh. All the accused are the others dragged the accused out of claimed that Sagar and Sudhir met their families can avail benefits of employees during ernment to reduce custom duty residents of Rental Colony. the PCR van and started beating the deceased at Maila tanki sahi the Harishchandra scheme. n Every sector has been affected the crisis? for last five years. It has been The five persons have been them mercilessly with plastic pipes where the trio engaged in a heated Moreover, the beneficiaries must by the pandemic and jewellery now reduced and it will surely charged with rioting, assault, caus- and whatever means they found argument over a fight they had yes- not have landed properties ex- industry is no exception. The n Everyone has suffered. Nine boost demand and one kind of ing injuries, trying to lynch the nearby. The PCR staff faced the terday night. ceeding 5 acre. This apart, no tax market was very bad due to months was a challenge as we relief to all stakeholders. But killers--Sudhir and Sagar Prusty. The mob’s wrath. The police vehicle Soon, Tukuna started attacking payer can be included in the lockdowns. However, we have have taken care of our em- the new custom duty rate will police also accused them of trying was damaged by the infuriated the siblings who managed to grab scheme. registered some growth in post ployees. However, we didn’t go be applied only to new stocks to deter the PCR-18 staff and other mob. Speaking to media persons, him. The brothers with an intention “About 90 per cent people, who lockdown. Odisha is mainly a for the salary cuts. We offered or consignments. The avail- police personnel from discharging DCP Umashankar Dash Sunday to hand over Tukuna to police force- perform the last rites of their rel- marriage market. Those mar- early salary to our employees able stock will not be under their duties Saturday. said the accused also attacked the fully made him sit in their pick up atives at Swargadwar, are getting riages which were postponed considering the dire emergency. new custom duty policy. Sources claimed that the locals lady police staff. van. They tried to take Tukuna to financial assistance under are now being gradually held. They need money. We are here present at the crime scene rushed DCP Dash said, “A case has been police station via VIP Colony fear- Harishchandra scheme. Many So, the sale is increasing. because of our employees. n Future plans in Odisha towards the pick-up van after hear- registered in this regard. We de- ing retaliation by Tukuna’s people are getting the benefits ing the screams of the victim who tained the accused Saturday night aides midway. even without producing the BPL n Did you see any change in n Gold price is increasing day by n We are coming up with new was begging for help. Later, they after collecting all the details from However, Tukuna attacked the cards and other documents,” said consumer behaviour? day. Where do you see the showroom in Jharsuguda. We chased and collared both the killers the PCR staff, video footage and lo- duo with a big knife concealed in a social activist. future of jewellery had delayed this due to the pan- who were trying to flee. Upon receipt cals present at the spot. The five were his dress. The duo in a fit of rage It is learnt that the municipal n See, we have a saving mental- industry? demic but it is coming up now. of information, the PCR-18 staff Sunday arrested and produced be- snatched away the knife from his authorities of the city are quite ity in our country but the pan- The new showroom will be reached the spot. fore court.” hand and started stabbing Tukuna aware of the violation of demic has changed the mind- n Yes, gold price was on a peak but 10,000 sq ft and it will be the Subsequently, the accused were DCP also urged the public not on his neck and chest. Harishchandra scheme guide- set. After the lockdowns, people now it has come down. You largest showroom in western lines at Swargadwar. The mu- have increased their spending know, gold price is always af- Odisha. Over 80 people we get nicipal executive officer has raised ticket sizes. Now people are fo- fected by everything happing in direct employment. All products the issue with the state govern- cusing on enjoying their life our surroundings. The price will be available under one roof ment through the district ad- rather savings. In this case, has come down because the with Khimji guarantee. We POLITICKLE MANJUL ministration. gold gives very good returns. vaccine has arrived. We are have also lined up some more Interestingly, the state govern- Physical gold be- also expecting little bit of cor- showrooms in the state. ment has reduced the amount of came rection. the assistance to Rs 2,000 from Rs n Is Bhubaneswar a friendly 3,000 for the beneficiaries at n Do you think online environment to do business? Swargadwar. But, it is yet to take selling is now a convenient any step to weed out the ineligible mode for business? n Yes, of course. Bhubaneswar is people. At present, the beneficiaries most secure and safest place are getting woods and other goods n Online selling is very in India to do business. The worth Rs 2,000 at Swargadwar, low in jewellery market be- state government has been very sources said. cause the buyers believe in supportive. What the jewellery “Some people are getting the touch-and-feel factor. But we industry requires most from assistance under the scheme at all are present in online plat- the state government is safety their panchayat level and at form. The value of gold is and security to do business. Swargadwar simultaneously,” said very high so customers pre- Police personnel here are very a source. fer to go to a store and touch active. Municipal executive officer and feel it before buying. Bijay Kumar Dash said that they We are not seeing that n Any suggestion to the are implementing Harishchandra much success in government scheme as per the guidelines selling com- laid by the state government. pared to n The state government should “We are reading out the guide- other goods encourage youths’ skill devel- lines to the beneficiaries and sold in the opment in jewellery making. telling them that submission of online plat- New generations do not pay fake data for the scheme will in- form. But it much interest to get into jew- vite notice from the adminis- is still evolv- ellery manufacturing. The tration,” he added. ing. youth has to be attracted. BMC’s tax hike against Fog likely in parts of state for next two days POST NEWS NETWORK fog could also be seen said the evening weather re- for the next three days post Monday. However, there is no port of IMD. The depart- Tuesday. The IMD has fore- Bhubaneswar, March 7: The warning of dense fog for ment predicted similar con- cast a rise in temperatures law, says Congress India Meteorological the next few days. dition for Tuesday. “Shallow above the normal in the com- Department (IMD) Sunday “Shallow to moderate fog to moderate fog is also likely ing days. Congress leader and predicted fog at different parts is very likely to occur at one to occur at one or two places Angul and Sambalpur re- former Finance of the state over next two days. or two places over the dis- over the districts of Angul, ported the maximum tem- The department said tricts of Bhadrak, Jajpur, Dhenkanal, Cuttack, Khurda perature of 38.7 degrees minister Panchanan while dry weather is likely Jagatsinghpur, Angul, and Nayagarh,” it said. Sunday while Phulbani re- Kanungo blamed the to prevail in several dis- Dhenkanal, Cuttack, Khurda, The department, however, ported the lowest temperature tricts of Odisha, moderate Nayagarh and Kendrapara,” did not predict fog condition civic body for of 10 .5 degrees. overburdening the middleclass

ality. He said, “There should be a notification of such pan- els and ought to take objec- tions from the people which has not been done by the civic body. The move to take ap- peals from people has been Congress leaders brief media in Bhubaneswar, Sunday OP PHOTO ignored by the BMC when in- creasing their taxes” POST NEWS NETWORK taxes on them multi-folds. We “The district committees had been raising our voice of our party have decided to Bhubaneswar, March 7: and concerns on the issue. protest against the move. The Congress party in the We also announced that if There are around 54 types of state Sunday blamed the they did not consider our re- taxes people of Odisha are Bhubaneswar Municipal quest to reduce the taxes, we paying to the governments. Corporation (BMC) for ille- would organise intense This includes tolls, water tax, gally imposing higher tax protests against such anti- parking fees and many others. regime in the state capital al- people move,” he said. At this crucial time of people legedly in gross violation of He said the BMC has vio- recovering from pandemic its own rules. lated the BMC Act of 2003. losses, the price of fuels, elec- Odisha Congress leader “As per norms, there should tricity as well as taxes are and former Finance Minister be five stages for such actions. rising,” he said. Panchanan Kanungo Sunday There should be a valuation He also raked up the need held a press conference and committee for such actions. for urgent elections in BMC. blamed the civic body for over- But such panels have not been He said, “This is why we de- burdening the middle class. He formed. They have not taken mand that the officer Raj

urged the state government to into consideration the unit should end and the elections

k y m c conduct the local polls sooner cost but used the benchmark of urban local bodies should .“The Bhubaneswar price to increase their taxes,” be undertaken at the earli- Municipal Corporation (BMC) he said. est. I want to demand that has been over burdening the Kanungo said that notifi- the BMC should answer the middle class and the poor in cation of the evaluation finds media and the people of the city by increasing the place in the law but not in re- Odisha on the issue.” P4 MONDAY | MARCH 8 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR downtown

Rickety market complex in Cuttack cries for attention With 70 new cases, state’s

k y m Covid-19 tally at 3,37,744 c POST NEWS NETWORK The ceilings of many shops at the market complex have suffered PNN & AGENCIES Cuttack, March 7: A market com- extensive damage due to poor plex, set up and managed by the maintenance Bhubaneswar, March 7: State’s Cuttack Development Authority Covid-19 tally mounted to 3,37,744 (CDA), at Bajrakabati Road in the Moreover, toilet The authorities Sunday as 70 more people tested pos- Silver City here has been facing a and drinking concerned itive for the infection, a senior myriad of problems for last sev- water facilities have taken no Health and Family Welfare (H&FW) of the complex step to repair eral years. official said. have been lying the shops at Poor maintenance, unhygienic unutlised for the complex, it As many as 41 new cases were re- ODISHA’S CORONAVIRUS atmosphere and vacant rooms have last several days is alleged ported in quarantine centres, while DEATH TOLL REMAINED become hallmarks of the market 29 fresh infections were detected dur- UNCHANGED AT 1,917 AS NO complex set up in 1979. Laxmidhar Swain, another local. ing contact tracing, said the official. FRESH FATALITY WAS The two-storey market complex CDA sources, meanwhile, claimed Khurda district, of which capi- REPORTED has altogether 55 rooms for com- Damaged ceilings; vacant shops at the market complex at Bajrakabati Road in Cuttack OP PHOTOS that traders are not interested to take tal city Bhubaneswar is a part, re- mercial use. At present, only 42 underground rooms at the com- ported the highest number of new THE STATE HAS SO FAR rooms have been rented out to shop- the market complex have suffered The entire place had been filled CDA has not taken any measure to plex. Moreover, many occupants cases at 14, followed by Sundargarh TESTED OVER 84.72 LAKH keepers while the remaining 13 are extensive damage due to poor main- with garbage some days ago. We upgrade facilities at the market are not paying the rents regularly. (12) and Angul (11). SAMPLES FOR COVID-19, lying vacant, sources said. tenance. Moreover, toilet and drink- had undertaken a cleanliness drive complex that can attract shop- “We have huge pending dues on The coastal state’s coronavirus INCLUDING 20,834 SATURDAY The CDA is charging a rent of ing water facilities of the complex at the complex recently. In the ab- keepers to the vacant rooms. some shopkeepers. We will discuss death toll remained unchanged at Rs 35 per square foot for under- have been lying unutlised for last sence of CCTVs, some antisocial el- “There was information that the all these issues and take appropri- 1,917 as no fresh fatality was re- Odisha now has 784 active cases, ground shops at the market complex several days. ements are using the place for con- civic body would demolish the mar- ate steps. The local police would ported. while 3,34,990 patients have re- while the rent for shops at the “The market complex is in a state sumption of liquor,” said locals ket complex. The structure may be informed to check the move- As many as 53 other coronavirus covered from the disease so far. ground floor has been fixed at Rs 25 of dilapidation. The authorities Sanjay Kumar Pradhan and collapse at any moment. Some peo- ment of antisocial elements near the patients have died due to comor- The state has so far tested over per square foot, sources added. concerned have taken no step to Dhirendra Kumar Pradhan. ple are running shops at the com- market complex,” said Priyanka bidities so far, the H&FW depart- 84.72 lakh samples for Covid-19, in- The ceilings of many shops at repair the shops at the complex. The locals are of the view that the plex under unsafe condition,” said Mallick, an official of CDA. ment official pointed out. cluding 20,834 Saturday. WASSUP TODAY Address climate change Parents’ body SAFFRON MEET BHUBANESWAR warns of hunger n Press meet on ‘Gastritis’, Sai Institute of Gastroenterology & more responsibly: OES strike March 18 Liver Sciences, Sahid Nagar, 4pm n Mini marathon by Ajaswi POST NEWS NETWORK Adverse impacts are felt in sectors POST NEWS NETWORK Foundation, Utkal University, like agriculture, health and water 7.40am Bhubaneswar, March 7: A sem- availability; rise in the number Cuttack, March 7: The Odisha inar on the theme ‘Individual and and intensity of natural disasters Abhibhabak Mahasangha (OAM), n International Women’s Day by collective roles to combat climate like floods, cyclones, droughts and a state-level outfit of parents, Annapurna Foundation, hotel change’ was organised by Odisha heat waves as well as the increase Sunday threatened to sit on a Swosti Premium, 10am onwards Environmental Society where the in coastal erosion, seawater in- hunger strike March 18 over ‘ar- n International Women’s Day experts expressed that massive trusion and sea level rise. Though bitrary’ change in the course cur- celebrations by Prasanna use of fossil fuels such as coal, pe- the effects of climate change are far- riculum of SCB Medical Public Foundation, Barpita School troleum and natural gas in the af- reaching, it is particularly affect- School here. premises, near Deras dam, 11am termath of the industrial revolu- ing the livelihoods of people strug- The meeting discussed n International Women’s Day by tion has the disastrous sequel of gling with poverty, hunger and Forum Against Inequality, Lohia releasing colossal amounts of green- diseases, enhancing further their issues like enforcement Academy, 11am house gases into the atmosphere. vulnerability. In the seminar, experts also dis- Aditya Pundir, Director, India of the HC order on n Stage play by Bidyakanak, cussed Similipal fire incident. They and South Asia at The Climate school fee waiver Rabindra Mandap, 7pm said Similipal forest fire is a human- Reality Project India highlighted n International Women’s Day by induced tragedy that the various cli- “It’s tough for a student of Indian Manabadhikaar Mancha, Adruta has far-reaching con- Similipal forest fire is a mate-related dis- Certificate of Secondary Education BJP leaders, including Union Ministers Dharmendra Pradhan and Pratap Chandra Sarangi, at the Sishu Sadan, 6pm sequences for the asters occurring (ICSE) board to get acquainted inauguration of party’s state executive meeting in Bhubaneswar, Sunday OP PHOTO ecosystems and the human-induced tragedy globally and de- with the Central Board of BALIANTA animals, plants and mi- that has far-reaching scribed how the Secondary Education (CBSE) pat- crobes inhabiting them. consequences for the ecosystems and tern all of a sudden. As per the dis- n International Women’s Day, The local communi- diverse species trict Collector’s instruction, par- Kashmir houseboat owners refresh bond with state Benupur Panchayat Kalyan ties, mostly tribals, ecosystems and the inhabiting them, ents had cast their vote on changing Mandap, 11 am As part of the whose lives and liveli- animals, plants and including hu- SCB Medical Public School’s cur- POST NEWS NETWORK people of the country including n Inauguration and foundation laying hoods are deeply in- manity, are in- riculum to CBSE from ICSE. promotional drive, people of Odisha that J&K is ready tertwined with the for- microbes inhabiting creasingly af- Around 1,265 of the 1,600 parents Bhubaneswar, March 7: Buoyant to welcome and host you for a ceremony of developmental Jammu and Kashmir projects, Panchayat office, Kenduli, est, are bound to suffer them, said experts fected by these in the city took part in the vot- by the encouraging rush of tourists memorable time there with our 11 am as a sequel to the dis- happenings. He ing. It’s totally unjust to change the during the winter months, Jammu Tourism is hosting renowned hospitality and of course aster. In the scenario emphasised that curriculum without even open- and Kashmir Tourism department the best measures in place to en- KANTAPADA of global warming and climate it was imperative for the government ing the vote box,” OAM chief has kick-started extensive spring and roadshows in cities sure your health safety. The re- change, the frequent forest fires will to limit the use of fossil fuels to re- Basudev Bhatt said at a meeting summer tourism promotional cam- across the country vival efforts have borne fruit as do- n International Women’s Day, Badbil, 4 pm cause havoc for all the stakehold- duce greenhouse gas emissions and held on the premises of Saraswati paigns across major cities of the mestic tourists have shown keen ers. The need is to have a network of prioritise alternative energy sources Sishu Vidya Mandir at College country to pull in the massive do- of Bhubaneswar recently. interest in J&K and have visited NIMAPARA the forest officials, VSSs, NGOs and such as solar energy. On the other Square here. mestic tourist market available The tourism promotional show during winters and enjoyed snow local people for effective awareness hand, the people of Odisha must More than 200 parents of dif- that is keen to move out and spend was held in collaboration with the in Gulmarg, Srinagar, Pahalgam, n International Women’s Day, Devi generation to reduce such happen- prepare and empower themselves ferent schools in the Silver City at- holidays with their loved ones after Kashmir Houseboat Owners’ Patnitop, Sanasar, Natha Top, Mandap Ground, 10 am ings and extinguish the fire. to cope with the adverse effects of tended the meeting that brain- the pandemic forced people to re- Association (KHBOA) with Ideel Sonmarg and Doodhpathri in en- KONARK OES president Sundara Narayan climate change as well as to make stormed several issues including main indoors for months together. Saleem, deputy director (Publicity), couraging numbers.” Patro said India is one of the five their own contribution to combat the enforcement of the Orissa High As part of the promotional drive, J&K Tourism and Ashwani Gupta, Chairman, Kashmir Houseboat International Women’s Day, Arkashri countries most affected by the ad- most pressing challenge of time. Court’s order on school fee waiver J&K tourism is organising tourism deputy general manager, J&K Owners’ Association, Hamid Wagnoo Shilpi Vatika, 3 pm verse effects of climate change, OES secretary Jaya Krushna during the pandemic. roadshows in cities spread across all Tourism Development Corporation speaking on the occasion said that Programmes/announcements and our state Odisha is one among Panigrahi acknowledged the seri- While urging the district corners of the country with active representing the Jammu and the core aim and objective of the Road for wassup today may be sent to the three most affected states of ousness of climate change and said Collector to address the issue at the involvement of the various tour and Kashmir Tourism department. The Show is to invite the people of Odisha [email protected] for the country. With the long coastline it is the moral responsibility of earliest, Bhatt threatened to sit travel associations of the J&K. KHBOA was led by its chairman, to Kashmir, to enjoy a plethora of record, it must also carry the of 482 kms on the east coast of everyone, from an individual to the on a hunger strike March 18 if As part of the tourism promo- Hamid Wagnoo. beautiful destinations and tourism sender’s mobile number for our India, Odisha has been hit hardest globe, to make their own contri- the authorities give cold shoul- tional outreach, a grand roadshow Ideel Saleem said, “We want to products of J&K including the her- verification, but not for publication. by the effects of climate change. bution for mitigating the impacts. der to their ‘legitimate’ demand. was organised in the eastern city communicate the message to the itage and iconic houseboats. CAPTIVATING AUDIENCE Car rally organised on the eve of Int’l Women’s Day AN ALL-WOMEN BIKE RALLY AND SEVERAL OTHER EVENTS WILL BE ORGANISED IN THE CITY TO MARK THE OCCASION

POST NEWS NETWORK

Bhubaneswar, March 7: A women’s car rally was organised by Seva Prayas foundation in the city here on the Seva Prayas Foundation, said this seven different categories. highlight the contribution of women eve of International Women’s Day. rally is also a fund-raising event Similarly, a walkathon was also during Covid- 19 pandemic. “The The theme of International for project ‘SPF eSHiksha’ to set organised by Rotary Club of bike rally will make people re- women’s Day-2021 is ‘Choose To up a digital classroom for the stu- Bhubaneswar and Odisha Trekkers’ member the exemplary role played Challenge’. “A challenged world is dents of two villages of Nayagarh Club for the cause of women’s em- by women health workers and an alert world and from challenge district. These students do not have powerment and positive health on women staff during the pandemic. comes change. So, let's all choose mobile phones and laptops for on- the eve of International Women’s Women doctors, health profession- challenge. Collectively, each one of line studies, she added. day Moreover, a host of events will als, journalists and teachers have con- us can help create a gender equal The 15-km rally started from be organised in the Capital City tributed a lot to our fight against the world. We can actively choose to Janata Maidan and passed through Monday to mark the occasion. A deadly virus,” said Sangeeta Sahoo challenge stereotypes, fight bias, Jaydev Vihar, Acharya Vihar, Vani bike rally, titled #Ride For Women’s of We-The Road queens. broaden perceptions, improve sit- Vihar and Rasulgarh, before cul- Pride, will be organised by city Similarly, an event would be or- uations and celebrate women's minating near Utkal Galleria women bikers’ group, WE -The ganised at Master Canteen Square achievements,” said Linkan at Kalpana Square. Road Queens, in association with in the city to observe the International Subudhi, founder of Seva Prayas On the occasion, seven women the Commissionerate Police of Women’s Day. The event would high- Artistes performing Odissi at Guru Debaprasad Das Samman Utsav organised by Nrutyarchana at Bhanjakala Mandap Foundation. personalities were awarded with Bhubaneswar. light issues related to gender violence,

in Bhubaneswar, Sunday OP PHOTO Namrata Chadha, director of ‘Kalinga Biraangana’ awards in The all-women bike rally will sources said.

k y m c P5 MONDAY | MARCH 8 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR state

REAL EMPOWERMENT

WILL CONTINUE TO FOCUS ON MEETING 40 women earning lakhs

k y m c CUSTOMERS’ EXPECTATIONS: ALISHAN from chandua-making

The Covid-19 triggered lockdowns and shutdowns in the country dealt a severe blow to all genres of businesses. Restrictions on public gatherings and the mandate to adhere to social distancing made marriages and other social events low-key. These limitations hit the garments business. Marriages were either postponed or celebrated in a stripped-down manner. However, with its strengths of customer relationship and employee friendliness, city-based Alishan came out of the pandemic unscathed. The showroom continues to train its focus on customers’ satisfaction and has planned to develop the showroom by introducing more brands and newer collections. In an exclusive interview with Orissa POST, Jugal Agrawal, proprietor of Alishan, Ashok Nagar, Bhubaneswar talks about his future plans and programmes. Excerpts

n What has been the impact of Covid-19 the showroom and introduce more brands they didn’t face difficulties like economy and bring nor- POST NEWS NETWORK women as members. All had deposited on garments business? as well as new collections. There’s a lot many others. malcy back to the busi- Rs 200 each. They were imparted train- The garment business has witnessed of love and affection of customers towards ness and market. Balasore, March 7: International ing on chandua making by the DIC. a slump in 2020-21 as compared to that in the showroom. And we’ll try to retain it. n How will the Union Budget help We’ve got a special Women’s Day will be observed Monday Later, 28 of them took a loan of Rs 28 2019-20. The Covid-induced lockdowns, As usual, we’ll provide discounts and a your business? identity in the that is March 8. It is a day when woman lakh from the DIC and started mak- shutdowns, restrictions and the obvi- host of attractive offers on the items to The 2021-22 budget is a market. Hope we empowerment is highlighted. There ing chandua. ous fear for life dealt a severe blow to the serve the customers. multifaceted document. Once will witness are numerous tales of how women They get orders from local markets, business. The business was not up to implemented, it will be the growth in have become successful by the dint of temples and private institutions. These the mark from April to September. n How many employees do you have in responsibility of a business their efforts and determination. items are sold in Digha, Kolkata, However, with the changing market sce- the showroom? How were they affected businessman to keep vigil very One such example is an SHG of Kharagpur and Sagardeep in West nario, there was a slight improvement in by the pandemic? on its impact on soon. Srirampur under Baliapal block in Bengal and Pipili and Puri in Odisha. business by December. The situation is Currently, we have 30-40 employees. businesses and Balasore. About 40 women in the group A chandua is sold for Rs 200 to Rs 2000 expected to improve further by the end Although we suffered a lot owing to the businessmen. The have become financially empowered according to its size and decoration of the current financial year. pandemic, we ensured our employees Covid scourge is by taking up the vocation of ‘chandua’ works. The SHG is earning Rs 2,00,000 didn’t get into trouble. A business runs yet to get over. The making. They are also making vari- to Rs 3,00,000 per month. n Your business development plan for with customers and employees. As an government has ous other decorative items like jhu- SHG’s president Chandrakanti Jena 2021-22? owner and a human being, I continued presented such mar, jhaleri, letter box, khadi bags, said that the loan taken from the DIC There’s no specific plan for this year, facilitating the staff with all that I could a budget in an laptop and shopping bags. These items has been paid off. “The women have be- but our focus will be on meeting cus- at the hour of crisis as they have been effort to have good demand in local markets come self sufficient due to their hard tomers’ expectations. We’ll further develop working with me for a long time. Hence, stabilise the and even outside Odisha. work. The items are being sold at fairs The SHG named as ‘Laxmi Home and exhibitions organised by ORMAS Works’ was formed in 2009 with 40 and Mission Shakti,” she informed.

2 days after Covid-19 positive report, Unused fly ash gives doctor tests negative

POST NEWS NETWORK pollution headaches Rourkela, March 7: A con- tractual doctor working as POST NEWS NETWORK Assistant Surgeon at the Rourkela Government Jajpur, March 7: Unused fly Hospital (RGH) had recently ash produced from the coal- tested positive for COVID-19 based thermal power plants after receiving the 2nd does of of various industrial firms COVID-19 seventeen days back. has allegedly contributed to However, his swab sample serious atmospheric pollution was retested again two days in Odisha. later and his report came out Reports said that the Odisha to be negative. Forest and Environment Informing about the de- Minister Bikram Keshari velopment, official sources Arukh while replying in the Sunday said the 71-year-old State Assembly has said that doctor has tested negative for the coal based power plants the industrial firms are not Similarly, the thermal power the virus in an RT-PCR test have produced over 22,82,38,135 implementing the guidelines plant of Jindal Stainless Steel conducted at Regional Medical metric tonne (MT) of fly ash of Centre regarding use of fly has produced 5,98,355 MT of Research Centre (RMRC) in during from 2012-13 till 2019-20. ash. The minister however, fly ash while 68,275 MT was Bhubaneswar. The minister was replying to admitted that rules are being produced by Visa Steel. The a question posed by MLA Naba followed in Kalinganagar in- fly ash produced has been used Charan Majhi in the State dustrial area. in road construction, manu- Group clash in Assembly. It is alleged that air pollution facturing of fly-ash bricks, ce- Out of the total fly-ash pro- has assumed an alarming pro- ment and in levelling of fallow Jajpur: 13 held duced 16,05,98,673 MT have portions due to fly ash pro- land. The plants where fly ash been utilised in road con- duced from various factories is stored is being utilised in struction, heightening of em- in Odisha. The Ministry of phases, Arukh said in his reply POST NEWS NETWORK bankments and in manufac- Environment, Forest and in the State Assembly. turing of bricks while Climate Change issued a no- The state government has Jajpur March 7: 6,76,39,462 MT have remained tification February 15, 2019 in relaxed rules for the fly-ash Balichandrapur police here unutilised. this regard. manufacturing units func- detained 13 villagers in con- The huge volume of fly-ash The notification directs not tioning in the interior areas of nection with torching of two remaining unutlised has con- to establish clay brick kilns Odisha. The state government police vehicles during a group tributed to atmospheric pol- within 300 km radius of the has said that these units do not clash that broke out at lution in the state. However, the thermal power plants but in- require any consent letter of Panasudha village in Jajpur Odisha government has no de- stead to establish fly ash brick ten state pollution control district late Saturday night. tailed knowledge where the kiln for proper use of the waste board to operate. However, The clash between the two unutilised fly ash has been produced. It was also said that many kiln owners complained groups erupted over rights of dumped. It has sparked fear on these power plants will supply of not getting fly ash for man- a pindi (altar) for perform- the industrial waste con- raw materials as per the re- ufacturing of bricks. When ance of Astaprahari rituals. tributing polluting the at- quirement of fly ash brick contacted, Pramod Kumar A police team intervened to mosphere. Reports of farm- kilns functioning within their Behera, regional officer of stop the clash, but some irate lands in Sambalpur and periphery. Accordingly flyash SPCB said that industrial villagers set the police ve- Jharsuguda district getting produced by the thermal power houses in Kalinganagar are hicles afire. The two police damaged due to breach of em- plants has been in use in man- providing fly ash on the basis vehicles were reduced to bankment of fly ash pond is not ufacturing of fly ash bricks of rules framed by the Union ashes by the time firefighters new. This is indicative that from 2012-13. government. reached the village. Innovative farming: Youth scripts success story in Nabarangpur POST NEWS NETWORK port of the soap is provided, they are packed and sold in the Nabarangpur, March 7: market,” informed Ajit. While scores of educated With help of CIMAP, he has youths in Nabarangpur dis- cultivated bena chera (vetiver trict are jobless and frustrated, roots) on three acre of land and 26 year-old Ajit Kumar Nayak mentha in another three acre. has become self sufficient by Vetiver roots are known as taking up farming. Most ‘khus khus’ in India. It is an youths after the completion aromatic tall grass that boasts of their education, are reluc- of medicinal benefits in tra- tant to take up farming as a ditional healing system. profession. However, Ajit has He added that CIMAP has store. He has taken training at Initially, Ajit had cultivated proved to be an exception to the been conducting multidisci- CIMAP (a frontier plant re- the roots in five decimal of rule. Now he is earning suf- plinary high quality research search laboratory of Council land and later expanded it. ficiently to run his family. in biological and chemical sci- of Scientific and Industrial He has managed to extract “Nabarangpur district is ences and extending tech- Research) on new technology two litres of oil from an agrarian region, where nologies and consultancy serv- in farming and its marketing. vetiver roots. farmers eke out their living by ices to the farmers and In his medicine store, he has “A litre of vetiver roots oil farming paddy, maize and sug- entrepreneurs of medicinal been selling soaps of different is sold for Rs 25,000. This farm-

arcane. Farming needs a lot of and aromatic plants. varieties. ing is more profitable than

k y m c labour and investment. The Ajit also informed that the He is presaging soaps paddy farming. Scientist of Central Institute of Medicinal district administration is ex- (weighing 60 and 40 gram) CIMAP Prashant Kumar Rout and Aromatic Plants(CIMAP) tending a helping hand to from neem, tulasi,turmeric has been providing me all nec- has shown new ways and tech- youths interested in farming. and alovera. He sends his soaps essary technical consultan- nology, making farming easy Ajit after completing B. to CIMAP for checking the cies in this matter,” and cost effective,” Ajit said. Pharma has opened a medicine quality. “After approval re- informed Ajit. P6 MONDAY | MARCH 8 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR power post

FOCUS PRICE RISE Let all circumstances, all

happenings in life be occasions,

k y m constantly renewed for learning c more and ever more. THE MOTHER SILENT KILLER OF ECONOMY

ndia is on a galloping price anaemic growth in core also reflects roller coaster. It has turned that physical production has de- into a silent killer of the econ- clined by 8.8 per cent for the year. Long Road Ahead Iomy, forcing the country to go There is a linkage to the core sec- into a virtual policy vacuum. tor growth and prices. Inflationary here was widespread celebration as Kamala Harris became the first Worse, the people are simply tired pressures reduce the purchasing female US Vice President. But beyond the borders of the US, of debating the issue this election capacity of the people causing se- T other countries, especially “developing” nations, were long past year, as nothing seems to matter vere demand slump. It calls for this milestone. Well before 1966, when Indira Gandhi became India’s to governments. prudent economic measures right Prime Minister, the country already had the first woman governing a The spiraling prices across the from reducing fuel price burden on State. Sarojini Naidu was Governor of Uttar Pradesh for two years from board are impacting production the consumers to resorting back August 1947. Most of India’s South Asian neighbours – Pakistan, Bangladesh, and costs of different commodities, to low diesel prices, often being op- Sri Lanka and Myanmar have been or are led by a woman. When India had though the producers are aware posed by ecologists supported by a woman Chief Minister of a State in 1963, Supreme Court judge in 1989, that each hike has an impact on global petro giants for boosting President in 2007 and Defence Minister in 2017, there was much to cheer. consumption in an economy that The spiraling prices across the board are their sales. Yet these milestones have not solved the problems of Indian women, bet- has gone into recession with high impacting production and costs of different They want to do away with tered their situations or advanced their positions at every level of soci- job losses. Reserve Bank of India diesel so that a country like India ety. Corporate India is an example. Governor Shaktikant Das says, commodities, though the producers are increases its oil purchase by three An increasing number of women are heading companies, corporate Shivaji Sarkar “Enabling a calibrated unwind- aware that each hike has an impact on times. The nation cannot afford groups, banks, financial enterprises, and public sector undertakings. If you ing of high indirect taxes on petrol such a luxury. India has to set its look carefully, a token few, may be found in corporate board rooms. However, THE BENEFIT OF and diesel – in a coordinated man- consumption in an economy that has gone own ‘Swadeshi Atmanirbhar’ it is largely still talk: talk about the improving gender diversity in corporate ner by centre and states – are crit- into recession with high job losses course for helping its economy India, and talk about bringing more women into leadership positions. While LOWEST CRUDE ical to contain the further build- boom. It also has to make its elec- there is some improvement, or ostensibly at least the feeling that there is some up of cost-pressures in the tioneering affordable for an av- improvement, the data indicates otherwise. PRICES OF $19 A economy,” as per the minutes of the Despite crude prices rising since bear. A policy standard for linking erage person. Unwise decisions are According to figures from the database man- BARREL DURING latest monetary policy meeting. the opening of the lockdown, the the consumer prices to the bulk making electioneering an ex- agement company, Prime Database, the per- The strangest phenomenon is prices are far lower than some crude prices is required to stop pensive proposition, particularly centage of women CEOs in March 2019 was 2020 LOCKDOWN that except for petrol price hike no years ago when the absolute peak bleeding of the entire economy, for smaller parties even though about 3.9% vs. 3.2% in March 2014. This shows WAS NEVER voice is raised for a phenomenon occurred in June 2008 at $148.93 a including its base agriculture. larger parties supposedly flushed that the percentage of women CEOs has re- that is thawing the economy. Or is barrel or near $120 in 2012-13. In Fiscal deficit is rising and is with cash get the jitters too. Why mained almost stagnant over a five-year period. PASSED ON the silent killer working through February 2021, the OPEC basket likely to touch $18.48 lakh crore for not? Every party ferries crowds Let us take a step back and ask ourselves why TO THE the minds and may have a volatile stood at $59.58 and Brent crude at a total 2021-22 budget of ` 34.83 to meetings of their top leaders has the percentage of women on corporate expression in the elections to four $57.97. Brent crude reached $50 in lakh crore or 9.5 per cent of the and transportation costs have boards not increased in proportion to the num- CONSUMERS States and a Union Territory? It is December 2020. GDP. In reality, it would be a bor- shot up. Truck rentals have gone ber of women entering the workforce? If I don difficult to fathom but rural distress Ideally, the benefits should have rower’s economy. The fiscal deficit up 10-12 per cent, as fuel consists my scientist’s hat, I would explain it as being is being felt among the poorest of been passed on to the recession-hit, had breached the annual target 45 per cent of its operational cost. “due to disproportionately high-altitude rar- the poor Ujjwala beneficiaries job-losing consumers. This could in July 2020. It had soared to a The cost of raw material and efication effects.” This means that as one pro- Valli Arunachalam across the country. have been a sigh of relief. The high seven-year high of 4.6 per cent of packaging is increasing. gresses higher up the corporate ladder there According to Indian Oil, except taxes on the fuel have hit every GDP in 2019-20. The food and vegetable trans- is a disproportionate decrease in the density Women are for about 30 to 35 per cent Ujjwala individual, business and agricul- This calls for national deliber- portation cost rises by Re 1 a kg, of women compared to men. While there are gas recipients, a second refill is rare ture. Diesel prices in India were kept ation. It has become a politically jet fuel prices, 40 per cent of air- many reasons for this anomaly, the primary overlooked, for a as LPG prices shot up from `575 in low for its low production cost as scoring point but no discussion lines’ costs, have surged by about 50 one is that the road from the lower levels of the variety of reasons, February 2016 to `794 in February also because it is bellwether for takes place on how the nation per cent per kl in seven months to organisation to the C-suite has significantly 2021. This severely hits the rural the economy. The concept was to could bridge the expenditure and January. Even online food aggre- more barriers for women than for men. These when it comes to women, who are largely again keep inflation low and help people revenue earning gap. The high gators Swiggy and Zomato are hik- barriers broadly fall into two categories-societal promotions despite using smoke-spewing wood or in every aspect of life grow with- development expenses on roads, ing payments to absorb the increased and organisational. charcoal, which the Ujjwala scheme out any subsidy. The present pric- hydel or thermal power projects or cost of fuel. After the spectrum sale In India, many of the societal barriers being competent aimed at banishing. ing policy needs to be changed for race for arms industry are not at `77,147 crore, phone connectivity that women face have roots in patriarchal op- and qualified. Some A policy change is necessary a faster growth and ease of life. trickling down. will also be expensive adding to the pression. In a patriarchal system, sons are of the primary (with high petrol price at over `91 As per an RBI report of The discussion is needed also prices in every segment. groomed to run the business. The daughters touching `100 also at many places February 2021, every $10 a barrel for the reason that eight core in- Prices are a priority issue. The are conditioned to think that a woman’s place reasons are and diesel at `82 in most places) for increase in crude prices leads to dustries’ output could rise by a rupee has been hit too. A review is at home. Such practices are hopelessly centered around life Central and State governments an additional $12.5 billion deficit, mere 0.1 per cent in January 2021. of the policies is needed to lead the outdated in current times and have gradually trying to sustain out of high excise roughly 43 basis points of Indian Except for fertilizer, steel and elec- country towards Prime Minister eroded the confidence and enthusiasm of events such as duties, VAT and cesses on the basic GDP. So expecting the government tricity the rest – coal, crude oil, nat- Narendra Modi’s goal of a $5 tril- women. However, despite this thinking, marriage and price of around `30. The benefit of to pass on the entire benefit of ural gas, refinery products and lion economy. But a high cost women have shown that they are capable of lowest crude prices of $19 a bar- low prices may not be rationale. But cement recorded negative growth. economy could be a hiccup. taking care of the family and work, and being childbearing and rel during 2020 lockdown was what is being dumped on the con- The core sectors had expanded by exceptional at both. Many of India’s large busi- the responsibilities never passed on to the consumers. sumers is far more than they can 2.2 per cent in January 2020. The INFA nesses are family owned and operated. While some family businesses have kept pace with that come along changing times, and have accepted daughters with them into the business, others remain steadfastly SPECTRUM WORLD ORDER rooted in the past and have shut their doors to daughters. If gender bias is pervasive at the promoter level, it will ob- viously percolate down through all levels of the organisation. Organisational barriers such as pre-conceived notions and stereotyping of women are products of social conditioning. Creativity, decisiveness, col- Asian demonstrators & the American dream laboration and transparency are among the qualities that define truly great leadership. But they aren’t always recognised or appreciated in women. For example, research shows that when men and women display identical ne month ago, in Myanmar, Kennedy’s words, as a country “en- The main reason is that the for- wave in the streets. levels of creativity, men are evaluated as being more innovative and considered protesters against the mil- gaged in a world-wide struggle in mer three countries were what left- Dependence on the US in Europe more deserving of praise and reward. Women’s creativity just isn’t seen for Oitary coup gathered around which we bear a heavy burden to ists called “client states” during and Asia, and the clout that what it is or touted to the same extent as men’s creativity. Although decisiveness the United States embassy in preserve and promote the ideals the Cold War. Their dictators were Americans held as a result, was is appreciated and lauded in men, projecting authoritativeness through de- Yangon. They called on President that we share with all mankind.” “our dictators,” protected by the US sustained by the Cold War. Now, a cisive actions is often perceived as arrogance when women engage in it. There Joe Biden to make the generals go As Hungarians found out when as anti-communist allies. new cold war is looming, this time is little doubt that all of these qualities, which research shows can be criti- back to their barracks and free they rose up against the Soviet Union Propped up by American money with China. But US power has been cal for success, are embodied in today’s female leaders. However, they are Aung San Suu Kyi from detention. in 1956, words often prove to be and military largesse, they could greatly diminished since its zenith perceived through the lens of outdated social conditioning. Women are Her party, the National League for empty. The Hungarian Revolution, continue to oppress their people, so in the twentieth century. Trust in overlooked, for a variety of reasons, when it comes to promotions despite Democracy, won a big victory in the encouraged by the US, was crushed long as the US saw communism American democracy has been being competent and qualified. Some of the primary reasons are centered 2020 general election, which is why after 17 days; the US did nothing to as a global threat. Once China eroded by the election of an ignorant around life events such as marriage and childbearing and the responsibil- the generals, afraid of losing their help those it had egged on. opened for business and Soviet narcissist who bullied traditional al- ities that come along with them. Managers often have unfounded concerns privileges, seized power. Sometimes, however, freedom power waned, they suddenly be- lies, and China is a more formida- that such life events will negatively impact a woman’s performance at work. But is the US embassy the best has been gained with American came vulnerable. ble power than the Soviet Union The few women that are able to overcome these headwinds, soon find out that place to protest? Can the US presi- help, and not just against Hitler’s Similarly, when South Korean ever was. It is also vastly richer. the headwinds only get stronger, and that they have to fight harder as they dent do anything substantial apart tyranny in Western Europe. During students, supported by much of the Countries in East and Southeast progress up the ladder to the boardroom. Only the strongest and the most from expressing disapproval of the the 1980s, people in the Philippines middle-class, poured into the streets, Asia still need US support for their resilient make it. coup? The protesters’ hope for a US and South Korea rebelled against angry not only with their military security. As long as Japan is hindered It is only when the road to the boardroom is cleared of these unfair bar- Ian Buruma intervention shows that America’s dictatorships in huge demonstra- government, but with its US backer, from playing a leading military riers, and women have equal access as men to mentorship, training and de- image as the champion of global tions, not unlike those in Hong America finally came down on the role, because of a tainted past and velopment can true gender parity be achieved in corporate boardrooms. The THE PROTESTERS’ freedom is not yet dead, even after Kong, Thailand, and Myanmar in side of democracy. Dependent on a pacifist constitution, the US will onus lies squarely on the occupants of the boardroom. It is not enough to four years of Donald Trump's the last two years. So, of course, did American military protection, the continue to be the main counter- have women on the board as a token, or to check a box for regulatory com- HOPE FOR A US ‘America First’ isolationism. people in the People’s Republic of generals had to listen when the US weight to China’s increasing dom- pliance. It should be because the leadership recognises the unique benefits INTERVENTION Demonstrators in Hong Kong China, where a ten-meter tall urged them to step aside. inance. But as Thailand’s deft bal- that qualified and competent women can bring to the business. last year, protesting against China’s “Goddess of Democracy,” modeled The generals in Thailand and ancing of powers demonstrates, US Research shows that combining people of different backgrounds results SHOWS THAT harsh crackdown on the territory's on the Statue of Liberty, was erected Myanmar have no reason to do allies are unlikely to become “client in “cognitive diversity,” which enhances collective problem-solving. McKinsey AMERICA’S IMAGE autonomy, even regarded Trump as on Tiananmen Square in 1989. likewise. Biden can threaten sanc- states” in the way some were before. and Credit Suisse have each produced research showing that companies se- an ally. He was erratically hostile The Chinese demonstrations tions and voice his outrage. But Even the South Koreans are careful rious about gender diversity and inclusion achieve superior financial re- AS THE CHAMPION to China, so the protesters waved ended in a bloody disaster, but pro- with China willing to step in as not to upset their relations with sults. Gender diversity creates positive benefits when society believes in its OF GLOBAL the stars and stripes, hoping that democracy forces toppled Ferdinand Myanmar’s patron, the junta has China. The US is far; China is near. intrinsic value, and not just as a mere obligation. Professor Letian Zhang America would help to keep them Marcos’ dictatorship in the no reason to worry very much. Being a “client state” can be hu- of Harvard Business School in his research on 1,069 leading firms across FREEDOM IS free from Chinese communist au- Philippines and South Korea’s mil- Thailand’s rulers, too, benefit miliating. Yet, the day may come 35 countries and 24 industries found that gender diversity relates to more thoritarianism. itary regime. Support from the US from Chinese influence, and the when some people, somewhere, productive companies, as measured by market value and revenue, only in NOT YET DEAD America’s self-appointed mis- was an important factor. In Taiwan, country has a long history of play- might miss Pax Americana, when contexts where it is viewed as “normatively” accepted. Normative accept- sion to spread freedom around the too, authoritarianism was replaced ing one great power against an- the US was powerful enough to ance means a widespread cultural belief that gender diversity is important. world has a long history. Many fool- by democracy, again with some US other. And because Hong Kong is push out the unwanted rascals. There were positive effects of diversity in societies with normative ac- ish wars were fought as a result. But assistance. But what worked in the officially part of China, there is ceptance of working women, but not in societies with only regulatory sup- US democratic idealism has been Philippines, South Korea, and little any outside power can do to The author is a port. We all know that without biodiversity our planet will be in peril, sim- an inspiration to many as well. Taiwan is unlikely to work in protect its freedoms, no matter writer and editor. ilarly, without gender diversity global economies will be in peril. The time America long saw itself, in John F. Thailand, Hong Kong, or Myanmar. how many American flags people ©PROJECT SYNDICATE to act is now. On the occasion of International Women Day, let us be inspired by the words of the late astronaut Kalpana Chawla: “The path from dreams to suc- Attitudinal shift for a gender-just world cess does exist. May you have the vision to find it, the courage to get on it and the perseverance to follow it.” Sir, As the theme for this year’s International Women's Day goes – Let us “Choose to Challenge”- for with challenge comes a chance to break the barriers of gender discrimination. Women’s rights around the world are an important indicator to understand global well-being. Impossible The writer has a doctorate in nuclear engineering and is a etters as it may sound, it is indeed a challenge to achieve a gender-just world, but the task is laid out for us to firmly make concerted efforts at local technology consultant with 23 years of work experience in and national levels to bring women to parity with men. An attitudinal shift is also essential to break the glass-ceiling. It is indeed sad that even Fortune 500 companies. She is leading the fight against after a decade of implementation of the National Rural Health Mission which is aimed at eradicating persistent inequalities in maternal health- gender bias in the Murugappa group, her family’s TOL THE EDITOR care, the health outcomes of both mother and child are yet to reach the targets set by international conventions. The Covid-19 pandemic has `37,000 crore industrial conglomerate. Readers of Orissa POST unveiled a number of discrepancies in utilising such services. Pregnant women and newborns are losing lives for want of admission to hos- ©THE BILLION PRESS are most welcome to contribute letters pitals and also due to lack of medical attention because of diversion of the health machinery to concentrate on Covid cases. There is there- (200 words), articles and fore an urgent need to apply a human rights-based approach to reduce maternal mortality and it is the duty of health agencies and fore-run- columns (between 750-1250 words). Contributors are ners of health departments to ensure that transparency and accountability are maintained in such a crucial issue as health. Women have become requested to send their victims of various forms of violence and discrimination. There are innumerable forms of sexual violence that are reported every day in the contact numbers and full news, not to speak of those that remain untold. In addition to all this, new barriers have emerged with the pandemic. Across the world women

WISDOM CORNER postal address/email ID. They may also are facing increased domestic violence, unpaid care duties, unemployment and poverty. Women make up a majority of front-line workers, but

k y m send in their valuable comments, opinion c and suggestions, preferably by email, there is inadequate representation of women in national and global policy spaces. Indeed, it is a violation of human rights when babies are Find ecstasy in life; the mere sense of living is joy enough. to: [email protected] denied food, or drowned or suffocated or their spines broken, simply because they are born girls. It is violation of human rights when women EMILY DICKINSON Elegance is inferior to virtue. and girls are sold in the slavery of prostitution. It is a violation of human rights when women are doused with gasoline, set on fire and burned MARY SHELLEY to death because their marriage dowries seem too small. It is a violation of human rights when women are victims of rape. It is a violation of

Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud. B-15, Rasulgarh Industrial Estate, human rights when women are denied the right to plan their own families and enjoy their reproductive rights. It is a violation of human rights MAYA ANGELOU Bhubaneswar-751010 when women in rural areas are denied access to sustainable livelihoods in poor economies. K Ravi, BHUBANESWAR JAMMU & UTTARAKHAND KASHMIR

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MONDAY | MARCH 8 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR

k y m ‘Sticky bombs’: Public asked not Rohingyas living in Jammu fear deportation c More than 13,700 foreigners, including to leave vehicles unattended Rohingya Muslims and Bangladeshi nationals, are PRESS TRUST OF INDIA settled in Jammu and Samba districts, where Srinagar, March 7: Suspecting that 'sticky bombs' may have en- their population has tered the valley, security forces are increased by over 6,000 redrawing their standard operat- ing procedures and also advising gen- between 2008 and 2016, eral public not to leave their vehi- according to cles unattended, officials said Sunday. In the middle of last month, the government data Jammu and Kashmir police re- covered an arms consignment con- REUTERS sisting of an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) with an in-built mag- Srinagar, March 7: Indian police net which could be placed on any have detained more than 150 vehicle and exploded with the help SOPs REDRAWN Rohingya refugees found living il- of a timer or a remote. The magnetic IEDs, known The ‘sticky bombs’, dropped by terrorists legally in the northern region of The magnetic IEDs, known as as ‘sticky bombs’, have sitting across the border in Pakistan using Jammu and Kashmir and a process 'sticky bombs', have found their found their maximum use in drones, were recovered in Samba sector of has begun to deport them back to maximum use in war-ravaged war-ravaged Afghanistan Jammu region along the International Myanmar, two officials said Sunday. Afghanistan where Taliban used where Taliban used them Border February 14 Dozens of Rohingya are in a them against US-led allied forces and against US-led allied forces makeshift “holding centre” at Rohingya Muslims leave their settlement for a centre following a police verification drive, in Jammu, Sunday. PTI PHOTO in Iraq and Syria where IS terror- and in Iraq and Syria where Suspecting that 'sticky bombs' may have Jammu’s Hira Nagar jail after local ists have triggered them against IS terrorists have triggered entered the valley, security forces are authorities conducted biometric Kashmir’s special status in August Rohingyas living in Jammu said be deported,” he said. “They took the government forces. them against government redrawing their standard operating and other tests on hundreds of peo- 2019 and now administers the region they were concerned about the mother and father ... Who will take The 'sticky bombs', dropped by ter- forces procedures ple to verify their identities. from New Delhi. weekend’s detentions and the threat care of them?” rorists sitting across the border in “The drive is part of an exercise Hundreds of thousands of of deportation. India rejects a United Nations Pakistan using drones, were re- nism, a development which took plained about magnetic bombs and to trace foreigners living in Jammu Rohingya were forced to flee their “We will go back when peace re- position that deporting the Rohingya covered in Samba sector of Jammu the security agencies back to the its damage capabilities. without valid documents,” said one Buddhist-majority homeland after turns to our country,” said Sufeera, violates the principle of refoule- region along the International drawing board for redrawing its The video, originally used in of the two officials, who declined to a crackdown by Myanmar’s military 28, who said her uncle and brother ment – sending refugees back to a Border on February 14. Standard Operating Procedures Afghanistan training modules, be named as they are not autho- in 2017. Most are in ramshackle had been sent to the holding centre, place where they face danger. Immediately after their recov- (SoP) for their movement. The video has been given a voice over in rised to speak to the media. camps on the border with leaving her alone with her chil- Rohingyas staying in India have ery, a video originated from across issued in the name of People's Anti- Kashmiri language explaining “We have started the process of Bangladesh. Myanmar denies ac- dren. Another refugee, 48-year-old said conditions are not conducive the border on social media which Fascist Front (PAFF), believed to be how to use this bomb for more deportation of these refugees,” the cusations of genocide and says the Sadiq, said members of his family for them to return to Myanmar gave step by step instructions about a shadow outfit of the banned and effective damage of the target, official added. The Union govern- army was fighting a legitimate had also been detained. after fleeing violence and persecu- its usage and triggering mecha- Lashker-e-Taiba terror group, ex- the officials said. ment scrapped Jammu and counter-insurgency campaign. “We have been told that we will tion over the years. Rawat told to go strict on ‘resentment’ in party ‘Mass movements INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE and watch,” said a top party leader server which itself was a surprise on the condition of anonymity. A element in the core committee meet- Dehradun, March 7: The BJP reshuffle as well as the expansion ing. “In normal circumstances still occurring in high command has asked in the state cabinet is also on the Dushayant Kumar Gautam, who is Uttarakhand Chief Minister cards, the sources said. the in-charge of the party affairs Trivendra Singh Rawat to take "se- The Chief Minister along with the in the state is himself a competent rious action" in the face of the sim- party MLAs was asked to fly to to hold such meetings. But the high mering resentment within a sec- Dehradun by helicopter in the af- command by sending Raman Singh Himalayan state’ tion of the state party MLAs and ternoon on Saturday soon after the has made it a point that it was very MPs who are opposed to his style of budget session of the state assem- serious on the political affairs in functioning, top party sources said bly was adjourned sine die in a the state,” the leader said. here Sunday. hasty way. State BJP President Bansidhar The high command's decision to “There was something very se- Bhagat when contacted stated that send former Chhattisgarh Chief rious indeed when the party high the core committee meeting did Minister Raman Singh to hold an command suddenly decided to send not discuss anything related to the unscheduled meeting of the core Raman ji to Dehradun without any change of guard in the state. “I committee Saturday in Dehradun prior information to the CM's office,” have made it clear earlier also that when the Assembly session was a source close to the Chief Minister there was no discussion on change discussing the state budget at said. However, the party observers summon CM Rawat to New Delhi mand before they take any future de- of guard,” he said. On March 18, CM Gairsain has raised many eyebrows here claim that the party high com- shortly. cision,” a senior party leader said. Rawat will complete four years in both in the Chief Minister's camp mand is not in favour of a change “We believe Rawat is likely to In this context, the leader pointed out office, an event which will be cele- as well as that of his opponents. of guard for the time being. The travel to New Delhi to hold further that Raman Singh was sent to brated in a big way in the state, “Something is going on. Just wait party high command is likely to discussions with the party high com- Dehradun as an independent ob- Bhagat said.

HIMALAYAN BLUNDER Copper craftsmen hope According to a report The increase in temperature has led to micro climatic Country’s first forest healing released by the changes and faster glacial retreat in Uttarakhand, Ministry of Earth thereby triggering frequent and recurrent flash floods Sciences last year, the Hindu Kush Himalayas A recent independent analysis by the Council on for better times ahead Energy, Environment and Water (CCEW) says more experienced a temper- centre comes up in U’khand than 85 per cent of districts in Uttarakhand, home to ature rise of about 1.3 over nine crore people, are hotspots for extreme floods PRESS TRUST OF INDIA degrees Celsius during 1951-2014 and its associated events Dehradun, March 7: The country's first forest healing centre based on Studies say the Indian government aims to construct 292 dams throughout the Himalayas, doubling current hydropower capacity and contributing approximately the concept of making people six per cent to projected national energy needs by 2030 healthy by bringing them into di- rect contact with nature was opened If all dams are constructed as proposed, in 28 of 32 major river valleys, the to the public Sunday at Kalika near Himalayas would have one of the highest average dam densities in the world, with Ranikhet, an official said. one dam for every 32 km of river channel Signboards on either side of its sloppy entrance advise visitors to INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE Nanda Devi mountain. This caused hug trees, walk barefoot on the the massive floods in the Rishiganga grass, lie on their back and gaze at New Delhi, March 7: High reso- and Dhauliganga rivers that left the swaying trees or the ever chang- lution satellite imagery indicates 204 people missing out of which 72 ing sky above to soothe their senses. that mass movement activities are bodies have been recovered so far. Cute little wooden structures still occurring where the rock and Analysis of satellite imagery called tree platforms have been ice collapsed that led to a disaster from the area shows this event oc- built for the purpose of providing in Uttarakhand last month, as per curred due to failure deep within visitors a perfectly natural ambience latest observations of national and the bedrock of the mountain, and to meditate. international scientists. the glacier ice was most probably Drawing inspiration from the In case of another slope failure entrained with the collapsing block Japanese technique of forest bathing and avalanche, this can be critical of bedrock. REUTERS (shinrin - yoku), the healing centre for people and infrastructure down- The failing mass covered an area has been developed by the research stream, close to the riverbed. of around 0.2 km. They explained Srinagar, March 7: The end of wing of Uttarakhand Forest On the another disaster in the to IANS the depth of the failure lockdown brought some relief for Department after a detailed study making, scientists working under plane is more than 100 metre below Kashmir’s traditional copper uten- We have been labouring of the revitalising impact of forests the Glacier and Permafrost Hazards surface, where no seasonal tem- sil makers, renowned for their im- for the past 40 years but on human health, Chief Conservator in Mountains (Gaphaz) -- a stand- perature variations are expected. maculate craftsmanship, but their there has been barely of Forest Sanjiv Chaturvedi said. ing group of the International The zone is in permafrost con- industry is under threat and their any change in our Spread over an area of around 13 Association of Cryospheric Sciences ditions, meaning ground temper- earnings low. compensation, it’s acres, the centre was inaugurated and the International Permafrost atures are perennially below zero. Copperware, locally known as almost the same as we by noted environmentalist from Drawing inspiration from Association -- believe large vol- Speculations are that heat fluxes “Traam”, is deep-rooted in Kashmiri used to get about 20 Ranikhet Joginder Bisht. the Japanese technique of umes of material have been eroded from the warmer south face of the culture and is famous for intricate years back The visitors can indulge in sev- forest bathing and deposited along the river chan- mountain to the colder north face, calligraphic engraving that re- eral activities at the centre in- nel. In combination with water where the avalanche detached, GURMOHAMMAD SHEIKH | ARTISAN (shinrin - yoku), the quires extensive time and labour. cluding forest walking, tree hug- healing centre has been from rivers, snow melt, heavy (mon- could have warmed the frozen Feeling the ever-increasing com- ging, forest meditation and sky soon) rainfall or overflow of tem- bedrock, leading to the avalanche. developed by the research petition from modern gadgets and and other utensils considered a gazing. porary lakes, debris flows can be Furthermore, liquid water from home appliances, artisans and sell- part of every Kashmiri family’s It has been found that because of wing of Uttarakhand triggered from these depositions. snow and ice melting could have in- ers were dealt a severe jolt last heirlooms. typical molecular vibration pat- Forest Department after a They say erosion by the flood filtrated the bedrock in cleft systems year by a months-long lockdown im- However, their numbers are terns of trees, tree hugging has a detailed study of the researches that these compounds probably has undercut some slopes, and destabilized the rock through posed due to the coronavirus dwindling as they turn to other very beneficial impact on increas- revitalising impact of have a very positive impact on de- and this instability could affect freeze-thaw processes. pandemic. ventures to make ends meet. ing the level of feel good hormones forests on human health creasing level of stress hormones roads, villages and other infra- Historical imagery also indi- “The lockdown troubled us; we Artisan Gurmohammad Sheikh in the body like oxytocin, serotonin SANJIV CHATURVEDI | CHIEF and have a relaxing effect, he said. structure located far above the cates that a similar event has oc- didn’t get to do any work. There is said copper had become very ex- and dopamine, Chaturvedi said. CONSERVATOR OF FOREST The forest healing centre main- riverbed. Scientists and environ- curred in the neighbouring gla- a slowdown in the market,” said a pensive while their profits had re- The healing centre has been es- tains a register in which visitors can mental organisations are still re- cier just east of the current in

shopkeeper, Mushtaq Ahmed, in mained the same. tablished in a pine dominated for- It has been found in various re- share their experiences. searching the cause of floods in September 2016. However, the ini-

k y m c downtown Srinagar. “We have been labouring for the est as it has been found in various searches that these compounds The signboards also advise vis- Chamoli district. Early findings tiation of the failure as well as the Artisans, mainly based in the past 40 years but there has been studies that conifers like pine trees help to multiply natural killer cells itors to leave behind phones, cam- reveal that a major rock or ice av- eventual trigger of the avalanche old quarters of Jammu and barely any change in our com- emit certain oil compounds to safe- in our blood, which help in fighting eras or any other distractions to alanche detached itself at an ele- remains unclear. Unstable geolog- Kashmir’s summer capital Srinagar, pensation, it’s almost the same as guard themselves from various mi- infections and cancerous growth and feel the sensations a direct contact vation of about 5,600 m above sea ical configuration and steep to- engrave the traditional samovar we used to get about 20 years back,” crobes & pathogens, which are enhance overall immunity, he said. with nature sends to the brain, level from a north facing slope pography can, on its own, be a suf- used for boiling water, cutlery sets he said. called phytoncides, he said. It has also been found in various Chaturvedi said. northeast of Trisul Peak in the ficient driver of large slope failures. In India too, women P8 have made their DAY TO CELEBRATE MONDAY | MARCH 8 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR mark in every sphere of life. With their The Telangana government has distinguished role in all declared a holiday for all women walks of life, they have employees in the state on Monday contributed significantly to on the occasion of International y national the progress of the nation Women's Day

RAM NATH KOVIND | PRESIDENT

k y m c

of the day uote Another farmer China talks peace, prosperity with India commits suicide You (PM Modi) have made many empty “CHINA, INDIA ARE EACH OTHER’S FRIENDS AND PARTNERS NOT THREATS AND RIVALS,” CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER WANG YI SAID near Tikri border promises. People will not accept your INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE operation instead of harboring sus- China to truly deliver on impor- falsehood every day. picion over each other." tant common understanding of the We demand you New Delhi/Beijing, March 7: The boundary dispute, an issue leaders of the two countries that make LPG cylinder affordable for China Sunday talked peace, part- left from history, is not the whole India and China are not threats to every citizen of the country. You nership and prosperity with India, story of the China-India relationship, each other but opportunities to have made LPG cylinders insisting that it is committed to he said. "It is important that the each other's development. inaccessible for the common man settling the boundary dispute with two sides manage the dispute prop- Together, the Xi Jinping and New Delhi through dialogue and erly and at the same time expand and Narendra Modi governments can MAMATA BANERJEE | WEST BENGAL CHIEF MINISTER consultations. enhance cooperation to create en- bring greater benefit to the people After troops of both countries abling conditions for settlement of of China and India, and make disengaged along the Line of Actual the issue." greater contribution to efforts for PRESS TRUST OF INDIA I say to them Control in Ladakh last month, New Following the disengagement an Asian century, the Chinese (people), why Delhi had warned Beijing over a along the LAC in Pangong Tso area, Foreign Minister said. Chandigarh, March 7: A 49-year- do you come week ago that it was not in the in- there has been no progress over The China-India relationship, he old farmer from Haryana's Hisar to me for such small terest of either side to prolong the other disputes in Gogra-Hot Springs argued, is essentially about how district on Sunday allegedly hanged things. MPs, MLAs, remaining boundary issues. area, Demchok and Depsang plains. the world's two largest developing himself from a tree, about seven village mukhiyas, At his annual press meet, Chinese However, Sunday, Wang said it countries get along and pursue de- kilometers from the Tikri border DMs, SDMs, BDOs. Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Sunday falls on both sides to solidify exist- velopment and rejuvenation to- protest site, police said. These are all under obligation to said that the right and wrongs of he said. China's position, he said, is rights and interest. ing consensus, strengthen dialogue gether, he said that. "As two ancient The farmer, who supported the serve the people. If they do not what happened in the border area very clear. "We are committed to The foreign minister said, "China and communication and improve the civilisations next door, and two agitation against Centre's new listen to you, pick up a bamboo last year are clear, so are the stakes settling the boundary dispute and India are each other's friends various management mechanisms major emerging economies each farm laws, has purportedly left a stick with both hands and give a involved. "It again proves initiating through dialogue and consulta- and partners and not threats and ri- to jointly safeguard peace and tran- with over one billion people, China suicide note, they said. "The vic- crushing blow on their head confrontation will not solve the tions," he said, adding that at the vals. Both need to help each other quillity in the border areas. and India have broad common in- tim, Rajbir, hailed from a village GIRIRAJ SINGH | UNION MINISTER problem. Returning to peaceful ne- same time the Xi Jinping regime has succeed instead of undercutting In the year ahead, he said, Beijing terests and tremendous potential in Hisar district. He was found gotiation is the right way forward," resolved to safeguard its sovereign each other, we should intensify co- hoped that India will work with for cooperation," Wang pointed out. hanging from a tree," Bahadurgarh City police station SHO, Vijay For over 100 Kumar said over phone. days, farmers His body was found hanging are sitting on by some farmers who informed the the borders of Delhi, Delhi among top 3 states with TOGETHER IN ‘JOY’ police. In the suicide note pur- but the government portedly left behind by Rajbir, it is is not concerned. mentioned that the three farm The government, in most contaminated sites fact, is being run by the friends of laws were responsible for him to the Prime Minister PRESS TRUST OF INDIA tional capital. According to the take the extreme step. He also said Union Environment Ministry, that the Centre should fulfil his last PRIYANKA GANDHI VADRA | CONGRESS New Delhi, March 7: The na- 'Contaminated Sites' are delin- wish by repealing the legislations, GENERAL SECRETARY tional capital stands third on the eated areas in which the “con- police said. Last month, a farmer list of states and Union territories stituents and characteristics of the from Jind in Haryana who was also SHORT TAKES with most contaminated sites, toxic and hazardous substances, supporting the agitation against according to the Central Pollution caused by humans, exist at levels the Centre's farm laws had allegedly Control Board data. and in conditions which pose ex- hanged himself from a tree, merely Yedi to present There are 112 isting or immi- two kilometres from the Tikri bor- K’taka Budget today sites in India nent threats to der protest site. Earlier, another contaminated by human health farmer from Haryana had allegedly Bangalore: Amid the Covid toxic and haz- and the envi- consumed a poisonous substance at pandemic and its year-long ardous sub- ronment”. the Tikri border. He had died dur- fallout, Karnataka Chief stances. Besides, Contaminated ing treatment at a Delhi hospital later. Minister B.S. Yediyurappa is there are 168 sites may in- In December last, a lawyer from set to present the state sites that may be clude production Punjab had allegedly killed him- Budget for ensuing fiscal year contaminated areas, landfills, self by consuming poison a few 2021-22 in the Assembly but require investigation and dumps, waste storage and treat- kilometres away from the protest Monday, an official said confirmation, as per the CPCB. ment sites, mine tailings sites, site at the Tikri border. Thousands Sunday. Since Yediyurappa Odisha tops the list with 23 took over the reins of the spill sites, chemical waste handler of farmers have been protesting southern state as Chief contaminated sites, followed by and storage sites located in var- since November last year at Delhi Minister for the fourth time Uttar Pradesh (21) and Delhi (11). ious land uses. borders with Haryana and Uttar July 26, 2019, he tabled in the Bhalswa and Ghazipur landfill Remediation work has been Pradesh, demanding a rollback House the state Budget then sites, industrial areas at Jhilmil, started to clean up 14 contami- of the Farmers' Produce Trade JD-S chief minister HD Wazirpur, New Friends Colony, nated sites in 7 states on the di- and Commerce (Promotion and Kumaraswamy presented Dilshad Garden and Lawrence rections of the National Green Facilitation) Act, 2020, the Farmers February 8, 2019 for fiscal Road are among the 11 contami- Tribunal. These states include (Empowerment and Protection) 2019-20 and got it passed by nated sites in Delhi. Gujarat, Jharkhand, Kerala, Agreement on Price Assurance voice-vote July 29, 2019 to Also, there are 12 “probably Maharashtra, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Farm Services Act, 2020, and ensure continuity. contaminated sites” in the na- and Uttar Pradesh. the Essential Commodities A flock of Egret birds on a pond, on the outskirts of Amritsar PTI PHOTO (Amendment) Act, 2020. 2 dead in Maha Cong, DMK finalise road mishap ‘Ready to take up any responsibility’ INDIA TO LAUNCH SATELLITE Jalna: Two people were killed seat sharing for and two injured after a truck TO KEEP EYE ON BORDERS rammed into their hut in the The 'Metroman', who is all set to contest the assembly polls on a BJP ticket, TN polls PRESS TRUST OF INDIA early hours of Sunday in had recently resigned from the post of DMRC's Principal Advisor Nidhodna area of Jalna, police said. All four are INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE Bangalore, March 7: India plans labourers from Madhya PRESS TRUST OF INDIA welcoming him into the BJP. to launch March 28 an earth ob- Pradesh working at a site of Chennai, March 7: Congress and Speaking at the rally, Shah was servation satellite that will pro- the Mumbai-Nagpur the DMK Sunday finalised a seat Thiruvananthapuram, March all praise for the 88-year old for- vide it near real-time images of its Samruddhi Corridor, sharing deal for the Tamil Nadu 7: 'Metroman' E Sreedharan Sunday mer technocrat,who was part of borders and also enable quick mon- and the deceased have been Assembly polls. said he was ready to take up any re- various developmentprojects in itoring of natural disasters. identified as Dhanikram The seat sharing deal was signed sponsibility given to him by the the country. "I would like to say a GISAT-1 is slated to be lofted Bhumiya (24) and his kin between DMK President MK Stalin BJP, which he had recently joined. few words about Sreedhran ji. An into space by GSLV-F10 rocket from Mukesh Bhumiya (23), a and Tamil Nadu Congress Speaking at a rally attended by engineer and a teacher, who was part Sriharikota spaceport in Andhra Chandanjhira police station Committee (TNCC) President KS Union Home Minister Amit Shah, of various developmentalprojects. Pradesh's Nellore district, about official said. Alagiri. at nearby Shangumugham, He is known as Metroman because 100 kms north of Chennai. originally planned for March 5 last Congress will get a total of 25 Sreedharan said he wanted to utilise he constructed the first Metro in the "We are looking to launch this year but postponed a day before seats. The party will contest from his energy for the state of Kerala. Vijay Yatra taken out by BJP state country. But we cannot ignore his Geo imaging satellite March 28, sub- the blast-off due to technical rea- Four Naxals held the Kanyakumari Loksabha seat "For the last 67 years I was a gov- president K Surendran from engineering marvel- the Konkan ject to weather conditions", an of- sons. Experts said positioning the where by-election will take place ernment servant. Many people have Kasaragod to Thiruvananthapuram, Railway- which connected southern ficial of the Bengaluru-headquar- state-of-the-art agile earth obser- in Dantewada following the death of asked me why I ventured into pol- ahead of the April 6 assembly polls. India to the rest of the country in tered Indian Space Research vation satellite in geostationary Raipur: Four Naxals, one of H.Vasanthakumar, the sitting MP. itics after these many years. For Days ago, Sreedharan had said his a rapid manner," Shah said. "I am Organisation (ISRO) told PTI orbit has key advantages. them carrying a reward of `1 Former Union Minister and 67 years, I worked as part of many main aim was to help the BJP to already 56. Many times, I have felt Sunday. The rocket will place the Listing the objectives of the mis- lakh on his head, were senior BJP leader Pon projects for this country." come to power and hewasopen to that it's time to stop. But even at his spacecraft in a geosynchronous sion, ISRO has earlier said the arrested from two places in Radhakrishnan is the BJP can- "I am still energetic and want to chief ministership, to which the age, Sreedharan ji is energetic and orbit. It will be subsequently po- satellite would provide near real- Chhattisgarh's Dantewada didate from the seat. utilise my energy for the state of party isyet to respond. ready to work for this country. I sitioned in geostationary orbit, time imaging of the large area re- district Sunday, police said. In the 2019 general elections, Kerala. Whatever responsibility is In the 2016 elections, the saffron would like to salute him. The in- about 36,000 kms above earth's gion of interest at frequent inter- While three of them were Vasanthakumar had defeated given to me I will take it up with all party, had won only one seat in the frastructure developer, Metroman equator, using its onboard propul- vals. It would help in quick apprehended from a forest Radhakrishnan by a margin of courage and energy," he said at the 140-member assembly. Shah also has decided to join BJP for the na- sion system. The launch of GISAT- monitoring of natural disasters, between Etepal and Jiakodta more than 3 lakh votes. The rally marking the culmination of the wrapped a shawl around Sreedharan tion building," Shah added. 1 onboard GSLV-F10 rocket was episodic and any short-term events. villages under Kuakonda Congress wanted 45 seats, but the police station limits, a Maoist DMK was adamant to offer a max- commander was held near imum of 21. Highly placed sources Medpal village under Aranpur police station area, they said. in the Congress told IANS that a late night call by Rahul Gandhi to UP farmers face days-long line just to get sugarcane weighed Separate teams of District Reserve Guard (DRG), Central MK Stalin contributed towards Reserve Police Force (CRPF) clinching the deal, with the FARMERS ALSO CLAIM THAT SUGAR MILLS ARE PROCURING SUGARCANE AT `325 PER QUINTAL, LOWER and District Force were Congress getting 25 Assembly involved in these actions, seats and a possible Rajya Sabha THAN THE GOVERNMENT-FIXED MINIMUM SUPPORT PRICE OF `385 Dantewada Superintendent of seat The Congress has also been Police Abhishek Pallava. in direct talks with Kamal Haasan's AGENCIES Haryanvi songs continue to blare out drying up under the sun and by Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) loudly, either from their mobiles the time one's turn comes for meas- for a third front initiative after Muzaffarnagar (UP), March 7: As or small speakers fitted in their ve- urement, the weight comes down a Tiger dies the DMK was not willing to budge. thousands of farmers lay siege to hicles. Also, problems for them are bit," the 21-year-old Balyan said While speaking to IANS, AICC Delhi borders for over 100 days de- much more beyond the three laws while lighting up a cigarette bor- Bhopal: A 20-year-old tiger General Secretary (Organization) manding the repeal of three con- that have been in limelight due to rowed from a friend waiting next in died Sunday while being KC Venugopal said: "We were cer- tentious farm laws, those staying the protests at the national capital the queue. However, mill owners treated for a variety of tain that the Congres-DMK seat back in Western Uttar Pradesh have borders. Almost a hundred trac- put the blame for the delay in weigh- ailments in Bhopal's Van sharing will end smoothly as we to endure a different kind of long tor-trollies, each loaded with 300 ing the crop on farmers growing sug- Vihar National Park, an are into a political alliance for the wait -- at times for multiple days just quintals of sugarcane on an aver- arcane way beyond the daily in- official said. The tiger, called past several years." Meanwhile, to get weighed quintals of sugarcane age, can be seen parked in a barren Representative image take capacity of the mills and also y Munna, was brought from TNCC President Alagiri told IANS: lying in tractor-trollies on their field near the Bhopada weighing on lack of weighing facilities in

Mandla in October, 2019 and "The seat sharing between the way from farms to mills. scale in Budhana tehsil here, barely arrangements made for sleeping days for my work to be done so that the region.

k y m both his legs were paralysed, c Congress and DMK has went off Some pass their time chit-chatting two kilometres from the Dhampur on cots fitted under their 'trollas' (cus- I can take my stock to the sugar They also claim that sugar pro- he said. "It stopped eating about the ongoing protests, others sugar mill -- the final destination of from March 2 and the big smoothly. We are old allies and tomised and bigger trolleys used mill," Rohit Balyan, who hails from duction from the region is often in cat's condition deteriorated we have settled the matter. Of while smoking bidis or cigarettes, the load and their carriers after to transport sugarcane). Kutba village, told PTI. surplus vis-a-vis the market de- further. It was 20 years old course during seat sharing, there but all of them sound worried about days-long 'weighing' halt. Some "It has been two days since I am "The exhausting long wait at mand and therefore they do not and died of old age-related will be certain issues and there was loads of sugarcane drying under a drivers, many of them farmers waiting at this weighing scale and weighing scales hurts farmers be- have enough incentives to further ailments," he added. nothing more than that. scorching sun, while Punjabi and with small landholdings, even have looks like it will take me another two cause the sugarcane load starts enhance their processing facilities. I salute the entire P9 medical fraternity PRISONS RECEIVE VAX MONDAY | MARCH 8 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR from doctors to nurses, para-medical staff and sanitary The Delhi Prisons Department workers, technicians and ASHA said that around 85 per cent jail workers in villages, who, as staff and over 58 per cent Team India came together as security personnel deployed in three jails under it have received y one to fight the pandemic national COVID-19 vaccine shots

M VENKAIAH NAIDU | VICE PRESIDENT

k y m c

of the day uote Dengue, malaria 6 states reporting high Mithun joins BJP danger grips Bhopal The people of India will not INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE accept this. The people of Bhopal, March 7: Amid the in- Bengal have made daily COVID-19 cases up their minds that creasing number of Covid-19 pa- those who are with tients, the threat of dengue and Lord Ram, they will be with them malaria has started looming large in Bhopal. This is the reason that YOGI ADITYANATH | UTTAR PRADESH CHIEF ‘Indian Covid vax check-up campaigns are being run MINISTER rescued the world’ in various areas in the state capital. It has been reported that in var- HOUSTON: The rollout of the ious areas of the city, extra-sensitive The Jawans COVID-19 vaccines by India in succeeded collaboration with leading global AGENCIES areas, slum areas and other set- due to good institutions has “rescued the tlements, there is a possibility of strategy and use of world” from the deadly Kolkata, March 7: Veteran actor Suvendu confident increasing dengue larvae, malaria, force and had dealt coronavirus and the Mithun Chakraborty Sunday joined and spread of coronavirus. Hence, a body blow to contributions by the country the BJP at Brigade Parade Ground of defeating Mamata the campaign is being run at a Naxals in their must not be underestimated, a here ahead of Prime Minister broader level under which rapid haratiya Janata Party (BJP) Abujhmad stronghold, and this top American scientist has said. Narendra Modi's mega rally. tests and blood slide collection leader Suvendu Adhikari would reduce the activities of the The country is one of the world's Chakraborty was welcomed into B are being done. Sunday challenged West Bengal ultras in the region in a big way biggest drug-makers and an the fold by BJP national general sec- Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee increasing number of countries ANIL DESHMUKH | MAHARASHTRA HOME retary Kailash Vijayvargiya and saying that he would defeat the have already approached it for MINISTER state president Dilip Ghosh among Trinamool Congress supremo in procuring coronavirus vaccines. AGENCIES Eight states are displaying an others. The National Award-win- East Midnapore's Nandigram in Dr Peter Hotez, Dean of the upward trajectory in daily new ning actor, after being handed the the Assembly elections. “I urge National School of Tropical Received a call New Delhi, March 7: Six states in- cases, the ministry highlighted. saffron party flag by Ghosh, said he you all to have faith in me. I will Medicine at Baylor College of from US cluding Maharashtra, Kerala, India's total COVID-9 active cases had always wanted to work for the defeat the honourable CM on Medicine (BCM) in Houston Special Punjab and Gujarat are reporting increased to 1.84 lakh (1,84,523) underprivileged, and the saffron the soil of Nandigram. She will during a recent webinar said Representative high daily COVID-19 cases, ac- which now consists of 1.65 per cent camp has given him a platform to only look at the whole show on that the two mRNA vaccines may Zalmay Khalilzad counting for 84.71 per cent of the of the total infections. fulfil his aspiration. television,” he said. A total of 29 teams @US4AfghanPeace. not impact the world's low and 18,711 new cases, the Union Health According to the data, 100 deaths He also asserted that he was Discussed latest middle income countries, but have been constituted in Ministry said Sunday. were reported in a span of 24 proud to be a Bengali. who visited Chakraborty at his res- developments pertaining to peace India's vaccines, made in the city to check talks. We will remain in touch Maharashtra continues to re- hours. Six states account for 87 collaboration with universities “I always wanted to do some- idence here on Saturday evening, port the highest daily new cases per cent of the new deaths. across the world such as BCM thing big in life, but had never dreamt had announced that he would be par- dengue larvae S JAISHANKAR | EXTERNAL AFFAIRS MINISTER at 10,187. It is followed by Kerala with Maharashtra saw the maximum ca- and the Oxford University, have of being a part of such a huge rally ticipating in the rally. 2,791 while Punjab reported 1,159 sualties (47). Kerala follows with “rescued the world” and its which is to be addressed by world's Last month, RSS chief Mohan new cases. The Centre is continu- 16 daily deaths. Punjab reported contributions must not be most popular leader Narendra Modi. Bhagwat met the actor at his District Malaria Officer Akhilesh SHORT TAKES ously engaging with the states and 12 deaths. underestimated. I wished to work for the poorer sec- Mumbai bungalow over breakfast, Dubey said that a campaign is UTs reporting higher caseload of ac- In the past two weeks, 10 states tions of our society, and that wish setting off speculation that he being run for the prevention of UP to get 16 tive cases and those showing a rise have not reported any COVID-19 Sikkim, Lakshadweep, Ladakh will now be fulfilled,” he said. might join the BJP. Chakraborty, malaria by appointing teams in in the daily new COVID cases, the deaths while 12 states reported (UT), Manipur, Meghalaya, Amid huge cheers from sup- who earlier maintained close ties different areas. Nearly 799 people new ITIs soon ministry said. between 1 and 10 deaths. Nineteen Nagaland, Daman and Diu, Dadra porters, Chakraborty, borrowing with Mamata Banerjee, was nom- have been tested so far for malaria It has deputed high-level teams states and UTs have not reported and Nagar Haveli, Tripura, a dialogue from one of his films, said, inated to the Rajya Sabha by the in Bhopal through rapid tests. Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has to Maharashtra and Punjab, that are any COVID-19 deaths in a span of Mizoram, Andaman and Nicobar "Ami joldhorao noi, bele borao noi... TMC in 2014. Children are at the most risk of issued directives to set up 16 showing steep increase in the daily 24 hours. These are Rajasthan, Islands and Arunachal Pradesh. Ami ekta cobra, ek chobol-ei chobi He, however, quit the Upper get infected by the malaria. new Industrial Training new cases. The other states re- Uttar Pradesh, Chandigarh, As on Day-50 of the vaccina- (Don't mistake me for a harmless House seat in 2016 citing health Therefore, the District Malaria Institutes (ITIs) based on a porting high daily COVID-19 cases Uttarakhand, Goa, Odisha, tion drive (6th March), more than snake, I am a cobra, can kill people reasons, after his name surfaced in Officer has suggested people to PPP model, across the state. are Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, 14 lakh vaccine doses were given. in one bite)," he said. Vijayvargiya, the Saradha ponzi scam. make children wear full sleeves The move is a part of the clothes and use mosquito nets. initiative to make the youth People can also smoulder neem efficient and skilled and to leaves. If someone has fever at provide them decent job CHEERFUL MOOD the home, get him tested at the opportunities. According to India orders Assam nearest hospital at earliest. the government spokesman, The teams have so far surveyed the admission process to the 1,015 houses out of which 20 have 16 new ITIs at various been found with larvae. Around districts in the state will Rifles to prevent 8,000 utensils have also been begin from August 2021. checked at various places and dengue larvae was found in 20 of them. Dengue larvaes were de- Cong MLA gets influx from Myanmar stroyed by spraying Temephos. death threat INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE local authorities. Betul: A Congress MLA from There are over 250 villages with Madhya Pradesh has alleged Kolkata, March 7: The Union over 300,000 people living within 10 3 fishermen die that he has received a death Home Ministry has asked the para- km of the border who frequently threat and lodged a police military Assam Rifles to prevent any cross through 150 small and large after consuming complaint into the matter, an Myanmar national from crossing formal and informal crossings. official said Sunday. Nilay into Indian territory and push back The order follows the consider- Daga, the legislator from any found attempting to cross over. able embarassment now faced by liquor like liquid Betul, in his complaint said he The Assam Rifles guards the New Delhi after Myanmar offi- received a phone call from an India-Myammar border in the cially asked for immediate return PRESS TRUST OF INDIA unidentified person northeast, while the BSF guards the of eight policemen who had crossed Saturday evening. border with Bangladesh. over and sought shelter in the Nagapattianam/Rameswaram, Top sources in the paramilitary northeastern state of Mizoram. (TN) March 7: Three fisher- force said that the "instructions The policemen told state au- man died after they consumed Narcotics seized from the top" was clear and unam- thorities that they were hounded PTI PHOTO a liquid found in a container biguous -- no Myanmar national down by the army after they re- Indian Army officers during a media interaction, a day before International Women’s Day, at South Block lawn in New Delhi floating in the sea, mistaking Three Thiruvananthapuram: should be allowed to enter India fused to open fire on peaceful demon- it to be foreign liquor, fisheries Sri Lankan fishing boats, without valid visa or travel permit. department officials said carrying unauthorized strators in the Chin state. One communication equipment The India-Myanmar border has Indian intelligence official said the Sunday. and narcotics, were seized by a Free Movement Regime (FMR) Myanmarese are perhaps not yet Free entry for women visitors to all ASI monuments A 38-year old fishermen died the Indian Coast Guard off which allows tribes living along aware of all those who have fled the onboard the boat itself, another Minicoy, following which a the border to travel 16 km across ei- country and had confirmed infor- aged 40 was declared brought dead joint and detailed probe has ther side without visa restrictions mation about only eight policemen INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE under the ASI. On Monday, there at a hospital in Nagapattinam and been launched by concerned and on a simple permit issued by whose repatriation has been sought. WOMEN’S DAY GIFT would be free entry for women to a 26-year old man succumbed while agencies. The three boats-- New Delhi, March 7: As the monuments like Taj Mahal, Red undergoing treatment Sunday, Akash Duwa, Chathu Rani 03 International Women's Day is ob- Fort, Qutub Minar, Humayun's they said. and Chathu Rani 08, with served on March 8 every year to Tomb, Sun Temple, Ellora caves, They were among a group of totally 19 men on board, were salute the struggles of women, the Khajuraho and Ajanta caves. six fishermen from the intercepted by the coast guard Central government has announced The main purpose of Rameswaram region that ven- ship 'Varaha' in the Indian a major gift to the women across International Women's Day is to tured into the sea from nearby territorial waters about seven the country. On March 8, the make people aware of the honour Kodiakarai March 1. nautical miles off Minicoy Archaeological Survey of India to this order, Indian and foreign and rights of women. Women are Their bodies were brought to March 5, for moving in a (ASI) has decided to allow free women tourists would be given free also honoured on this day in offices, Rameswaram late Sunday and suspicious manner. entry to women visiting protected entry on International Women's schools, government institutions, buried. According to the three monuments across the country. Day across all protected monuments etc. so that they could feel special others who accompanied, the fish- This order has been issued by and archaeological sites. on this day. Several programmes ermen had spotted the container Woman raped the ASI Joint Director General (mon- There are 3,691 monuments pro- are also organised at various places Saturday. They opened it and drank uments), M. Nambirajan. According tected by the Central government across the country. the liquor like substance inside. All Muzaffarnagar (UP): A 28- three fainted some time later. year-old woman was allegedly raped by a man in Uttar Pradesh's Shamli district, police said. The PILs. This is the Lutyens Delhi feels babus are to be blamed for it will hold the writ and give the go- Even the trade between the two Uneasiness in victim had gone to relieve culture that Modi talked about in and gave them public bashing. ahead to retaliate by the forces in countries has come down $85.5 herself in the fields when 2014 when he came to Delhi as PM. provocative situations. This tied the billion in 2019 to $77.7 billion during Sangh Parivar too she was sexually assaulted, Since then, Modi has been Business & border hands of the forces to every extent. 2020. This is more than Rs 50,000 they said. The incident took Kuru tightening screws and Babus have The previous government and even crore in a single year. This is the f there is a problem in the place in a village under the become nameless & faceless class. inter-linked Modi kept the border issues biggest fall in trade between the ICongress, there are signs of Thana Bhavan police Kolumn The Lutyens’ Delhi knew Nripendra pending and went about doing two countries. Earlier, any FDI uneasiness in the Sangh Parivar too station area Saturday, Mishra, PM's Principal Secretary. odi has made two major business with China and Pakistan. investment from China was through though reasons are entirely police said. But no one even recognizes when Mchanges while dealing with an automatic route. But the rules different. Needless to say, the the new Principal Secretary PK China and Pakistan; one is that No relief for were tightened April, 17, 2020 and RSS leadership has been Mishra walks in the mornings in the Business bonhomie and Border it was stipulated that no country extremely happy with the Modi 4 shops gutted Lodhi Gardens. Modi wants to end confrontation can’t go together and Chinese companies sharing borders with India or any of government for many feats; PM angry Babus direct interaction with the two; External Affairs Ministry will its citizens or companies can abolition of Article 370, building of Thane: Four shops were businessmen completely and not be allowed to dominate rime Minister Modi continues to automatically invest in India. Such Ram Temple, CAA, triple talaq, gutted in a fire in a shopping with babus doggedly pursuing the ‘faceless’ decisions of the Defense forces on Pbe tough with the Chinese entities and persons will have to placement of RSS workers in key complex in Maharashtra's resolution of grievances. But the the ground/borders. The new despite some gestures shown by seek prior approval of the positions etc. But it is upset over Thane city early Sunday ver since Modi came to power in babus never got the bashing in policy is a departure from the past retreating from the Pongon Tso government. The amended rules Sardar Patel Stadium being named morning, a civic official said. E2014, the babus have lost their public. But they were crestfallen by the successive Congress areas in Galwan Valley. The Modi bar automatic investments from after Narendra Modi. The RSS has No casualty was reported, big clout. In some of the ministries, when Modi had a dig at them in the governments or even the Vajpayee government has refused to relax other neighboring countries like always been opposed to the the bureaucrats used to work as government. In simple terms, it conditions relating to its Foreign ‘Vyakati Pooja’ (individual worship). y he said. The fire broke out in Lok Sabha the other day saying Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh,

the shopping complex brokers between the private ‘babus are not experts that they meant that whenever there was a Direct Investment (FDI) from across Myanmar and other countries too. No one in the RSS is willing to

k y m located in Noopur building at players and ministers and reap the should run airlines, chemical report of anything untoward the border and strict conditions In all, Chinese companies have comment about it. But privately c Lokpuram in Pawar Nagar harvest. The bureaucrats will be factories, steel and everything. incident happening on the borders imposed in April 2020. As many as made 2,474 investments in Indian many in the Sangh Parivar area around 5 am, Thane partying in 5 star hotels, playing They cannot run each and every with Pakistan and China, an officer 150 proposals of investment companies and ventures. PM Modi ideologues feel that it did not set a Municipal Corporation's golf, coming to office at will and facet of the country.’ The of the Ministry of External Affairs amounting to $2 billion in Indian had banned hundreds of Chinese good example particularly when Regional Disaster deciding policies. In some cases government has been failing to will rush to the strategic committee companies from China are pending apps and had slowed approvals for Modi is a true disciple of the RSS Management Cell (RDMC) they used to engineer even the attract buyers for PSUs and Modi of the Defence Ministry. This officer for clearance since April 2020. investments from the neighbour. philosophy and culture. chief Santosh Kadam said. I think this is one of NEPAL SC ANNULS UNIFICATION P10 those issues we were MONDAY | MARCH 8 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR always bound to have in the Nepal’s SC annulled the unification of early stages of our new the ruling NCP’s factions and paved relationship with our friends the way for them to be divided into in the EU and the various two separate parties. The SC ruled technical issues that we are that the original NCP is headed by international going to iron out Kattel and not PM KP Sharma Oli or

BORIS JOHNSON PRIME MINISTER, BRITAIN the faction led by ‘Prachanda’

k y m | c of the day uote ‘China to operate US Senate passes $1.9tn Covid relief Bill The US is urging Iraq to After a session that lasted more than 24 hours, the upper chamber Saturday approved the Bill, quickly investigate the called the 'American Rescue Plan', by a vote of 50 to 49 incident at the base high-speed bullet INDO ASIAN NEWS SERVICE located in western - and until midday on a series of Anbar province and amendments, most of which by determine who was responsible. Washington, March 7: The evenly Republicans, who called the bill US officials have said the incident split US Senate has narrowly passed partisan and too expensive, and fit the profile of a strike by Iran- a $1.9 trillion Covid-19 relief bill proposed to slash spending. backed militia trains in Tibet’ after a marathon overnight ses- Democrats, who highlighted the sion, with lawmakers voting along urgency to fight the pandemic and LLOYD AUSTIN | DEFENSE SECRETARY, US party lines. support businesses and families, After a session that lasted more voted down dozens of Republican than 24 hours, the upper chamber amendments. High levels of Saturday approved the bill, called Earlier Friday, a group of inequality are the 'American Rescue Plan', by a vote Democratic senators, including associated of 50 to 49, with Senator Dan Manchin, joined Senate Republicans with economic Sullivan, a Republican from Alaska, in voting against Bernie Sanders' pro- instability, missing the vote, reports Xinhua nally reached a deal, allowing the ployment payments tax-free for corruption, financial posal to increase the federal mini- crises, increased news agency. "vote-a-rama" to resume shortly be- households with incomes of less mum wage to 15 dollars per hour. crime and poor physical and mental The so-called "vote-a-rama", a fore midnight. A motion to adjourn than $150,000. Senate parliamentarian ruled last health. Crime prevention, criminal long series of amendments votes, until Saturday morning proposed The $1.9-trillion measure, a major week that an increase to the federal justice and the rule of law have a initially began Friday morning, by Senate Minority Leader Mitch legislation for President Joe Biden, minimum wage violates the budget key role in renewing the social and was delayed for hours as McConnell narrowly failed. also includes a new round of up to reconciliation process and cannot be contract between states and their Democrats struggled to convince The amended bill includes a $300 $1,400 of direct payments for included in the relief bill. populations Senator Joe Manchin from West weekly federal unemployment ben- Americans, $350 billion for state and Last week, Republican Senator AGENCIES China State Railway Group. Virginia, a moderate, to support efit through September, instead of local governments, support for hard- Ron Johnson objected to waiving ANTONIO GUTERRES | SECRETARY-GENERAL, UN China aims to extend the total their provision on unemployment the $400 in the House-approved hit small businesses, as well as fund- the reading of the legislation, in- Beijing, March 7: China will op- length in operation of its high- benefits. After a lengthy negotiation, package. It also added a provision ing to directly combat the pandemic. sisting that the entire 628-page bill erate bullet trains in Tibet, close to speed train network to around Manchin and Senate Democrats fi- to make the first $10,200 of unem- Senators voted through the night be read out loud. China will not the Indian border in Arunachal 50,000 km by 2025, up from 37,900 km change the Pradesh before July this year, mark- by the end of 2020, Lu said. course of ing the opening of high-speed train promoting The high-speed railway network Iranian-British friendship and services to all Chinese mainland will cover 98 per cent of cities with cooperation (with provincial-level regions, a senior of- over 500,000 residents, he said. NATURE’S FURY national ends 5-yr Myanmar), no ficial has said. China's self-developed Fuxing matter how the situation evolves. A 435-km rail link to the regional trains now operate at a speed range sentence in spy case Instead, Beijing will try to bring capital of Lhasa will of 160 kmph to 350 about reconciliation by engaging run Fuxing high- China aims to extend kmph, Lu said. ASSOCIATED PRESS with all relevant parties speed trains powered China is ramp- by both internal- the total length in ing up the train Tehran, March 7: A British- WANG YI | FOREIGN MINISTER, CHINA combustion and elec- operation of its network in the Iranian woman held in an Iranian tricity, Lu Dongfu, country’s south- prison for five years on widely re- board chairman of high-speed train east Tibet futed spying charges ended her SHORT TAKES China State Railway network to around Autonomous sentence Sunday, her lawyer said, Group Company 50,000 km by 2025, Region connecting although it remains unclear when Limited, told state- its remote parts she can leave the country. Saudi-led run Xinhua news up from 37,900 km by with the Chinese agency Saturday. the end of 2020 mainland. coalition strikes Construction Last December, Cairo: The Saudi-led coalition started in 2014 on the the track-laying fighting Iran-backed rebels in railway line connecting Lhasa with work was completed for a railway Yemen said Sunday that it Nyingchi in eastern Tibet. It is the line linking the cities of Lhasa had launched a new air first electrified railroad in Tibet and Nyingchi in Tibet close to campaign on the country's and is slated to begin operations in Arunachal Pradesh. Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was capital and other provinces, June 2021. The Sichuan-Tibet Railway will able to remove her ankle bracelet for in retaliation for missile and The track-laying work was com- be the second railway into Tibet the first time since she was released drone attacks on Saudi pleted by the end of 2020, the report after the Qinghai-Tibet Railway. It from prison on furlough last March Arabia. "The targeting of said. The railway has a designed will go through the southeast of the because of the surging coronavirus civilians and civilian facilities speed of 160 km per hour, accord- Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, one of the pandemic, the lawyer said. She has is a red line,” Col. Turki al- ing to Tibet Railway Construction world's most geologically Streams of red hot lava shoot into the night sky during an eruption of the Pacaya volcano, as seen from Los Rios, been under house arrest at her par- Maliki, a spokesman for the Company Limited, a subsidiary of active areas. Guatemala REUTERS ent's home in Tehran since. coalition, was quoting as saying by the official Saudi Press Agency. He was referring to the missile and Myanmar protests: drone strikes on Saudi cities Pak seeks economic in recent weeks that the Suu Kyi party official Swiss vote on proposal to Iranian-backed rebels, known as Houthis, had claimed. dies in custody re-engagement with US REUTERS S African Hindus ban face coverings in public Yangon, March 7: An official INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE host prayer meet from the party of deposed ASSOCIATED PRESS Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi Islamabad, March 7: The Pakistan Johannesburg: Three South died overnight in police custody, government is looking to explore Berlin, March 7: Swiss voters de- African Hindu organisations associates said, while security economic avenues to re-engage livered their verdict Sunday on a pro- hosted a prayer meeting here forces cracked down on demon- with the new US administration posal to ban face coverings, both the Sunday for global peace, amidst the coronavirus strators staging some of the most under President Joe Biden, with a niqabs and burqas worn by a few outbreak. Besides a yajnya widespread protests against last possibility of exploring investment Muslim women in the country and (fire ceremony), priests and month’s coup. under the China-Pakistan Economic the ski masks and bandannas used individuals from Malaysia, The cause of Khin Maung Latt’s Corridor (CPEC) project. The gov- Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government. by protesters. A projection after Singapore, Kenya, Germany, ernment has formed an apex com- Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood polls closed pointed to a very close the US, Indonesia, Mauritius, mittee to work on finding avenues Qureshi is the Chairman of the result. Nigeria and India delivered of economic ventures to put forward apex committee. The measure would outlaw cov- discourses. Groups from the to the new Biden administration. "The government wants to re- ering one's face in public places participating countries The committee comprises a 14- engage the Joe Biden administra- like restaurants, sports stadiums, rendered devotional songs member ministerial team, which tion in areas of trade, investment, public transport or simply walking and dances in Hindi, Tamil, will meet next week to contem- energy and economic cooperation, in the street. Telugu, Gujarati, Bengali, plate on different ranges and do- which had also remained the com- There would be exceptions at re- Switzerland are visitors from well- pression of women and say the Marathi and Sanskrit. mains of economic and commer- mon grounds for discussion during ligious sites and for security or heeled Persian Gulf states, who measure is needed to uphold a cial proposals, aimed at re-aligning former President Barak Obama's health reasons, such as the face are often drawn to Swiss lakeside basic principle that faces should death was not known, but Reuters relations with the US. term," said a government official. masks people are wearing now to cities. And it says that it wouldn't be shown in a free society like Oli receives saw a photograph of his body with However, matters related to na- It is pertinent to mention that protect against COVID-19, as well help the women affected. Switzerland's. a bloodstained cloth around the tional security and defence coop- Pakistan is also seeking the US' sup- as for traditional Carnival cele- It backs instead requiring peo- A projection for national public Covid vax jab head. Sithu Maung, a member of eration are not to be tabled dur- port to options of availing financial brations. Authorities would have two ple to show their faces if requested broadcaster SRG after polls closed Kathmandu: Nepal Prime the dissolved parliament, said in ing the committee's meeting. lines with the World Bank and the years to draw up detailed legislation. to do so by authorities. put support for the proposal at Minister KP Sharma Oli took a Facebook post that Khin Maung As per the agenda, the Imran International Monetary Fund open. The Swiss government opposes Supporters of the proposal, 51%, with a margin of error of the Covishield coronavirus Latt was his campaign manager Khan-led government aims to re- The US administration came in the measure and says that people which is coming to a vote five plus or minus 3 percentage points. vaccine Sunday, as the and was arrested on Saturday vive economic ties with Washington. Pakistan's support to bail it out by covering their faces is a “marginal” years after it was launched and has Pre-referendum polls had sug- Himalayan nation gears up to night in the Pabedan district of This comes at the backdrop of slow the IMF the last time, using its in- issue. It argues the measure could come to be known colloquially as gested that backing had eroded start phase II of its Yangon. Police in Pabedan de- progress on the CPEC during the fluence to waive core conditions harm tourism — most Muslim the “burqa ban,” argue that the full- over recent weeks, and a close re- immunisation drive in which clined to comment. tenure of the ruling Pakistan of the programme. women who wear such veils in face coverings symbolise the re- sult was expected. all persons above 65 years will be inoculated. Oli and wife Radhika Shakya received the Covishield jabs at the Tribhuvan ‘Covid negatively affected women’s income, health, security’ University Teaching Hospital Sunday morning. PRESS TRUST OF INDIA One year into the tionately on women, who are doing tioned that if this continues to play pandemic, we are seeing housework, helping children with out the way it is, countries will see New York, March 7: The Covid-19 the real impact of all this homework, ensure there is food on a decline in productivity because half Explosion on pandemic has negatively affected playing out. But one thing the table. “The new problem that we the population is not working. Gaza kills three women's income, health and secu- has become crystal clear are seeing now, one year into the pan- Declines in productivity will be rity, and now there is a “magnified through the pandemic demic, is not only that women lost followed by a fall in GDP because the Gaza City: Three Palestinian problem” of the impact of care bur- which wasn't so clear at jobs. It's that even as economies pie is getting smaller.“It is absolutely fishermen were killed Sunday den that is precluding them from re- the beginning, is the impact open up, you are not finding women imperative that as governments after a blast ripped through joining the workforce, top Indian- of the care burden that going back to their jobs in the same think about building back better, they their boat off the Gaza shore, origin official at the UN Women women have numbers,” Bhatia said. think very explicitly about what union officials said. Nezar Anita Bhatia has said ahead of the As the pandemic hit, there was does this mean for women. How do Ayyash, of the fishermen International Women’s Day. ANITA BHATIA, ASST SECRETARY GENERAL & an already declining labour force par- we make sure that women are at the DEPUTY EXEC DIR, UN WOMEN syndicate, said the anglers — Bhatia, the Assistant-Secretary- ticipation of women around the center of the response. two brothers and a cousin — General and Deputy Executive world. “When you add to that, the And that we are doing every-

were plying their trade off Director of New York-based UN are seeing the real impact of all Ahead of the International tively affected due to the global huge impact of the care burden, thing we can to make sure that we

k y m c the coast of the city of Khan Women, a United Nations entity this playing out. But one thing has Women's Day which is on March 8, health crisis. She said that women what you see is a magnified new are growing our economies and not Younis in southern Gaza Strip working for the empowerment of become crystal clear through the Bhatia said that the impact of the were doing three times as much problem, which is the impact of shrinking them,” she said. when the explosion women, stressed on the need for pandemic which wasn't so clear at pandemic on women has been dis- unpaid care as men before the pan- the care burden on women, and Bhatia emphasised that the issue happened. The cause women-focussed policies as nations the beginning, is the impact of the proportionate relative to the im- demic and this number has “expo- how that is precluding them from of care burden on women is not a of the blast was not strive to build back better. care burden that women have,” she immediately clear. pact on men, with women's income, nentially increased” because the going back to work in the same way family or an individual issue but a “One year into the pandemic, we told PTI in an interview Saturday. health and security begin nega- care burden has fallen dispropor- as before,” she said. Bhatia cau- public policy one. The onset of the GOVT PROPOSES TO RAISE P11 pandemic has given MONDAY | MARCH 8 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR a boost to welcome digital and LIC’S AUTHORISED CAPITAL API based banking in India The government has proposed to significantly with most salaried increase the authorised capital of Life Insurance respondents already being Corporation of India (LIC) to Rs 25,000 crore to highly comfortable with facilitate its listing slated for the next fiscal.

business digital banking Currently, the paid-up capital of the life insurance

k y m SANDEEP SONPATKI | PARTNER, DELOITTE INDIA firm with over 29 crore policies is Rs 100 crore c of the day uote FDI in computer India Inc’s biz confidence highest in decade: Survey software, hardware We now plan PRESS TRUST OF INDIA globally," the Federation of Indian to go into IMPROVEMENT IN CONDITIONS AS Chambers of Commerce and interior parts WELL AS EXPECTATIONS HAS jumps 4-fold to $24.4bn New Delhi, March 7: FICCI's of the country as we PULLED THE OVERALL BUSINESS Industry (FICCI) stated. have already Overall Business Confidence Index CONFIDENCE INDEX VALUE TO A Improvement in conditions as AGENCIES established our has witnessed a decadal high of DECADAL HIGH IN THE CURRENT well as expectations have pulled sales network in the 74.2 in the current round on ac- SURVEY the Overall Business Confidence New Delhi, March 7: Foreign big cities. The company needs to count of improvement in present Index value to a decadal high in direct investments (FDI) in the conditions as well as expectations, OUTLOOK ON EMPLOYMENT AND the current survey, FICCI said. computer software and hardware bolster its presence in smaller cities, EXPORTS REPORTED A VISIBLE the industry body said Sunday. The Union Budget 2021-22 has sector jumped nearly four-times towns and rural areas as the demand IMPROVEMENT, AS ABOUT 35% for Glanza and Urban Cruiser is much The Index had stood at 70.9 in RESPONDENTS WERE OPTIMISTIC been forward looking, said FICCI. to USD 24.4 billion during April- stronger in such areas the previous survey and 59 a year ABOUT BETTER HIRING This, together with measures an- December 2020-21, according to NAVEEN SONI | SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, TKM ago, noted the survey. It revealed re- PROSPECTS OVER THE NEXT nounced as part of the Atmanirbhar the latest data of DPIIT. covery of demand conditions, im- TWO QUARTERS Bharat package, has infused opti- While in the year-ago period proved capacity utilisation and a mism among industry members the sector received USD 6.4 bil- promising outlook on various op- and the same is corroborated in lion FDI, the entire 2019-20 saw We are erational parameters. shift in global supply chains is being the improved outlook for various op- overseas investment of USD 7.7 launching the With regard to the constraining billion, the Department for e-tron in India. witnessed, it added. erational parameters, it added. Not just one model, factors for business, the demand panies, FICCI stated on the survey. on loans, higher inward and outward "In this context, respondents also Improved economic conditions Promotion of Industry and we are going to situation has improved on back of Companies participating in the transport and logistics costs, greater added that leaving trade policy is- and greater pricing power are likely Internal Trade (DPIIT) data launch two models: the release of the pent-up demand survey cited high input costs in- compliance burden on the back of sues unaddressed will create an to drive profits of corporate India showed. the e-tron and the e- build up during the lockdown. cluding man power costs, weak de- frequently changing statutory com- even bigger challenge with China over the next two quarters. The tron Sportback. We are going to However, rising raw material mand conditions and lack of avail- pliances and increased manpower as well as other countries including percentage of participants citing launch in the next 2-3 months. Right costs is emerging as a bothersome ability of affordable credit as their costs are further pushing the cost Vietnam regaining market share higher profits over next six months now we are in the process of factor for members of India Inc. top-most concerns for the year 2021. of doing business in India, FICCI to become global suppliers. increased to 36 per cent in the lat- planning this The rise in fuel and other com- A near-unanimity was observed stated. "Lack of adequate export in- est survey from 33 per cent re-

BALBIR SINGH DHILLON | INDIA HEAD, AUDI modity prices is beginning to exert as far as input costs were concerned. This does not bode well in the centives is also making it difficult spondents stating likewise in the pre- pressure on the input costs of com- This along with high interest costs current environment wherein a for Indian entrepreneurs to compete vious round, the survey showed.

There was a general trend FUND FLUSH of people moving from broadcast television Cairn Energy wants India to to more OTT but Banks slash home loan that got accelerated According to experts, the ac- during Covid. We understand that celerated digitalisation and in- people subscribe to multiple OTT honour its word, pay $1.4 bn creased use of artificial intelli- services and want to make it easier rates to decadal lows gence due to the pandemic led to access these and so, we are work-from-home scenario have all bundling multiple OTT services with PRESS TRUST OF INDIA The British oil firm has PRESS TRUST OF INDIA resulted in a huge opportunity for our package the computer software and hard- VIVEK RAINA | CEO, EXCITEL New Delhi, March 7: British oil already moved courts Mumbai, March 7: Flushed with ware sector. firm Cairn Energy plc Sunday said in the US, UK, France excess liquidity as general credit "There has been extensive un- its shareholders, including top fi- and six other countries demand still way below the desired locking of value, and we have SHORT TAKES nancial institutions of the world, levels, leading home loan players seen huge FDI into this sector," expect the use of the company's to get the December State Bank of India, HDFC, ICICI Arvind Sharma, Partner, Shardul "strong powers of enforcement" to Bank and Kotak Mahindra Bank Amarchand Mangaldas & Co Ambani launches recover $1.4 billion from the Indian 21 international have slashed their rates to a decadal said. 'Her Circle' government should it not keep its arbitration tribunal low, leaving consumers spoilt for Bimal Raj, Partner, Singhi word of honouring international ar- award registered choices. per cent in January 2021. Advisors, too said the sector wit- New Delhi: Reliance bitration tribunal awards on ret- The interest rate war comes as For banks, housing loans are nessed an increase in FDI as Foundation chairperson Nita rospective taxes. banks are sitting on huge excess liq- safe bets in the current scenario as there was a surge in the elec- Mukesh Ambani Sunday Cairn has already moved courts uidity which as of last week was the risk of default is minimal with tronics and digital transforma- launched a social media in the US, UK, Netherlands, Canada, who last month met top finance forcement which we have to do". over Rs 6.5 lakh crore, according to a gross NPA of just 0.67 per cent for tion globally and the Indian tech platform 'Her Circle' aimed at France, Singapore, Japan, UAE and ministry officials for three straight Finance Minister Nirmala Care Ratings. Excess liquidity is a SBI which leads the market and firms were ideally poised to cap- empowering women. Her Cayman Islands to get the December days over the issue, said the Indian Sitharaman had on March 5 in- drag on the banks bottomlines as for HDFC too this NPA is under 1 ture that potential. Circle is envisioned to be a 21 international arbitration tribu- government should keep its word dicated the government's intent they have to pay interest to depos- per cent. The other sectors which one-stop destination to nal award registered and recog- on honouring arbitration awards to appeal against the award when itors which are as low as 2.5% now, Banks are hoping that the nascent recorded significant growth in for- provide women-related nised - the first step before it can seek and return the $1.4 billion that an she said it is her "duty" to appeal though. economic recovery will lead to more eign inflows during the nine- content that is engaging and seizure of the Indian government international arbitration tribunal in cases where the nation's sov- The rate war also comes on the home purchases, which has been fal- month period of 2020-21 include upliftment-oriented even as assets such as bank accounts, pay- has ordered rescinding a retro- ereign authority to tax is ques- back of continuous prodding by tering since last March. With cor- construction (infrastructure) ac- it connects women through a ments to state-owned entities, aero- spective tax demand. tioned. the monetary authority which has porates demand still a far cry and tivities (USD 7.2 billion), and social platform. "I am planes and ships in those jurisdic- "Our shareholders are watch- Interestingly, the December 21 slashed the repo rates by a whop- down in the dumps from an NPA pharmaceuticals (USD 1.24 bil- delighted that we can create tions; in case New Delhi does not ing," he said in a Twitter post. arbitration award specifically made ping 200 bps since March 2020 to 4 point of view, for banks the biggest lion). such a circle of support and return the value of the shares seized "They expect India to honour its ob- clear that the basis of the judg- per cent to help revive the economy reason to push home loan is its FDI in telecommunication solidarity for millions of and sold, dividend confiscated and ligations and to quickly bring this ment was not a challenge to the ravaged by the pandemic, but still risk-free nature. Unlike personal dipped to USD 357 million from women through HerCircle. tax refund stopped to adjust a Rs matter to a conclusion and if India 2012 law, which gave the govern- credit demand remains under 6%. loans, housing loans involve a col- USD 4.3 billion during April- 10,247 crore tax demand raised do not do that, and if India delay, ment powers to tax deals retro- According to the RBI data, home lateral. In case of default, banks December 2019-20. Automobiles using retrospective legislation. then our shareholders expect us spectively, or India's sovereign right loan growth decelerated in FY21 due can seize the asset and auction it off. too witnessed a slowdown with MFs selling Cairn CEO Simon Thomson, to pursue our strong powers of en- to tax. to the pandemic, though the de- At Rs 14.17 lakh crore as of USD 1.18 billion in April- spree continues cline in fact began in March 2020. November 2020, live housing loans December 2020-21 as against USD From 17.5 per cent in January 2020, account for more than half of per- 2.5 billion in the same period of New Delhi: Mutual funds WOMEN'S DAY home loan growth halved to 7.7 sonal loans for banks. the previous fiscal. pulled out Rs 16,306 crore DoT TO ISSUE DEMAND from equities in February, NTPC announces making it the ninth consecutive monthly outflow recruitment drive as small investors booked NOTES TO TELECOM COs ‘Local shops on Amazon’ gets profit amid a rally in stock PRESS TRUST OF INDIA markets. Gopal Kavalireddi, PRESS TRUST OF INDIA head of research at FYERS, New Delhi, March 7: State-run said this trend of New Delhi, March 7: The power giant on Sunday an- over 50K retailers onboard redemptions could continue till the time stock market Department of nounced a special recruitment rally slows down and Telecommunications (DoT) will drive for women executives on the AGENCIES More than 50,000 offline retailers "What started as a pilot, has now consolidates, giving investors issue demand notes to telcos next eve of women's day. "On Women's and neighbourhood stores from become a pan-India phenomenon the opportunity to deploy week on an upfront payment for Day, NTPC Ltd, India's largest New Delhi, March 7: e-Commerce 450 cities - from metros to tier II and enabling local businesses to come their profits into longer time spectrum acquired in the just-con- integrated power company an- major Amazon Sunday said more tier III cities like Sangli, online and benefit from technol- frame instruments like cluded auctions, sources said. nounces plans for recruiting only than 50,000 offline retailers and Osmanabad, Jamnagar, Gorakhpur, ogy adoption and e-commerce. The mutual funds. The demand note follows auc- (MHz) out of the total 855.60 MHz women executives as a special neighbourhood kirana stores across Jabalpur, Ratlam, Bikaner, Tumkur, encouraging response to the 'Local tions raking-in winning bids of of radiofrequency acquired by all recruitment drive across its areas 450 cities in the country are now Jalpaiguri, Kanchipuram and Shops' on Amazon programme re- over Rs 77,800 crore, for 855.6 MHz telcos, while Vodafone Idea, bought of operations," a company state- part of its 'Local Shops' programme. Dehradun have joined the Local flects in the rapid scale up of the PVR eyes 1,000 of spectrum. Billionaire Mukesh 11.80 MHz of spectrum worth Rs ment said. Launched in April this year, Shops on Amazon programme, a programme to over 50,000 sellers in Ambani's Reliance Jio spent the 1,993.40 crore. According to statement this will 'Local Shops' aims to enable local statement said Sunday. less than one year of launch," screens by FY’23 most in the auction, picking up DoT sources told PTI that the further strengthen women power shopkeepers and kirana store They offer customers in their Amazon India Vice President 488.35 MHz spectrum in bands such demand notes will be sent out to the in India's largest power genera- owners to sell online. In October, cities a wide range of products in- Manish Tiwary said. New Delhi: Multiplex major as 800 MHz, 1800 MHz and 2300 three companies this week, and tion company. Such recruitment Amazon India had said the cluding fresh flowers, home and It underlines how digital en- PVR plans to invest Rs 150 MHz for Rs 57,122.65 crore. entails largely the upfront pay- drive will further enhance gen- programme had seen participa- kitchen products, furniture, elec- ablement and digital inclusion can crore to open up to 40 screens across the country in the next Bharti Airtel bid about Rs 18,699 ment for spectrum that is ready to der diversity as parameter for tion from over 20,000 retailers in tronics, books and toys amongst help them scale and contribute to fiscal. The company’s target of crore to acquire 355.45 megahertz be allocated. NTPC, it said. 400 cities. others, it added. a digital economy, he added. having 1,000 operational screens has been pushed by a year due to the Covid outbreak, to the end of fiscal 2022-23, a top company ‘Global trends, oil price to dictate market trend this week’ official said. "We had to push back our plan by exactly a AGENCIES take a cue from global developments Financial Services. Securities. year because of the pandemic. and the US markets," said Rusmik On a weekly basis, the Sensex Further, Chouhan noted that "in By the end of 2022-23, we New Delhi, March 7: Stock mar- Oza, Executive Vice President, Head gained 1,305.33 points or 2.65 per the coming week, we could see should be able to reach 1,000 kets will focus on long term bond of Fundamental Research at Kotak cent. Analysts, however, believe the Nifty/ Sensex touching minimum screens," Sanjeev Kumar Bijli, yield trends, crude oil prices and Securities. broader market is expected to con- 14,750/ 50,000 or 14,550/ 49,300 lev- Joint MD, PVR Ltd said. macroeconomic data this week as The tone of the market seems to solidate or correct further amid a els. On the higher side, 15,150/ 51,200 investors look for cues amid volatil- be on the downside, for now, Oza bearish market sentiment. and 15,280/ 51,600 would be major ity, according to analysts. added. "On a weekly basis, despite the hurdles. The focus should be on Jungo TV launches Besides, investments by FPIs March 5, benchmark BSE Sensex market closing in the posi- FMCG and auto companies". (Foreign Portfolio Investors) as tumbled over 440 points and the In tive territory the mar- Moreover, investors will also Jungo Plus app well as domestic investors, move- NSE Nifty cracked below the psy- the coming ket mood was slug- track domestic macroeconomic trig- New Delhi: The US-based ment of rupee against the US dol- chological 15,000-level amid re- week, the market will gish. A substantial gers -- CPI, WPI and IIP -- for further streaming media company lar and developments on the coro- lentless sell-off in global equities as be mainly focusing on jump in the long cues. Jungo TV is betting big on the navirus front are likely to be closely US bond market turmoil contin- the expectations on term treasury Investors will also track move- Indian market and has watched for cues. ued to rattle investors. whether the Fed, in its yields and up- ments in Brent crude prices as ris- launched its Jungo Plus app "The US 10 Year G-Sec yields have The 30-share Sensex plummeted upcoming meeting, will ward activity in ing oil prices is another risk for that will deliver free live TV surpassed 1.5 per cent on a closing by 440.76 points or 0.87 per cent to maintain its accommodative the dollar index Indian markets. Brent crude fu- and video-on-demand basis which is somewhat negative close at 50,405.32, continuing its stance in a rising bond towards 92, re- tures, the global oil benchmark, is

content. The app will house for global equities. The Dollar Index falling trend for the second day on sulted in weak- currently hovering around USD 69

k y m yield market c content from Hollywood has also moved up from 90 to 92 Friday due to concerns over bond ness across the per barrel. blockbusters to passion- level, which is seen as a negative for yields. The NSE barometer Nifty expectations on whether the Fed, in terest rate and high VINOD NAIR, HEAD OF RESEARCH I globe," said Meanwhile, foreign institutional GEOJIT FINANCIAL SERVICES centric content verticals like emerging market currencies and ended lower by 142.65 points or 0.95 its upcoming meeting, will maintain liquidity will also pro- Shrikant investors were net sellers in the combat sports, LGBTQ, K-pop, also equities. per cent at 14,938.10. its accommodative stance in a ris- vide relief to the market Chouhan, capital market as they offloaded international and Indian "In the absence of any major do- "In the coming week, the mar- ing bond yield market. Additionally, sentiments," said Vinod Executive Vice President, shares worth Rs 2,014.16 crore Friday, traditional music among mestic trigger Indian markets could ket will be mainly focusing on the Fed's measures to maintain low-in- Nair, Head of Research at Geojit Equity Technical Research at Kotak according to exchange data. other categories. P12 MONDAY | MARCH 8 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR sports

‘STAYING INSIDE BIO-BUBBLE HAS HELPED PLAYERS BOND BETTER’ FIRST ODI AGAINST SOUTH AFRICA

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k k y y m m c INDIAN EVES GO c Shastri lauds Sundar show DOWN TAMELY PRESS TRUST OF INDIA for Axar Patel who had missed out on a number of op- PRESS TRUST OF INDIA Ahmedabad, March 7: Ravi portunities due to injuries. Shastri was both Sunil Gavaskar Incidentally, Patel finished with Lucknow, March 7: Lizelle Lee Big milestone and Kapil Dev’s ‘go to man’ with The bio-bubble has helped 27 wickets in the three Tests he (83 n o, 122b, 11x4, 1x6) and Laura Lucknow: Indian batswoman his all-round abilities during the players understand each played against England. Wolvaardt (80, 110b, 12x4) shared Harmanpreet Kaur achieved 1980s. The Indian head coach firmly other better. They Shastri also said that the bio- their highest opening wicket stand Sunday a big milestone when believes that young Washington understand each other’s bubble has played an important against an under-prepared India to she took the field in the first ODI against South Africa here. Sundar could play a similar role mental state and it has role in the success of the team. give South Africa an emphatic in the current Test team. The left- “The players are bonding together, eight-wicket win in the first ODI of She became the fifth Indian helped them improve a lot woman cricketer to represent handed specialist batsman, who spending more and more time to- the five-match series here Sunday. as players India in 100 or more ODIs. She also bowls mean off-breaks, has gether,” Shastri stated. “The The two South African batswomen RAVI SHASTRI joined Mithali Raj (210), scored three half centuries along bonds are getting stronger by put on a record 169-run stand as Jhulan Goswami (183), Anjum with six wickets which included the day and a lot of conversa- South Africa chased down the tar- Chopra (127) and Amita the prized scalps of Steve Smith No. 4 for his state team. tion regarding the game is tak- get in 40.1 overs Sharma (116) in the elite list and Joe Root in the four Tests that For Shastri, Sundar’s innings of ing place. So there is constant Asked to bat, India never got the of players who have played he has played so far. 96, coming in at 153 for six was a improvement,” he added. momentum it needed and could 100 or more ODIs. The Indian Do you see glimpses of you in better effort than his unbeaten 85 Known for not mincing only manage 177 for nine despite a ODI vice-captain has scored him? “I think Washy (Sundar) has in Chennai. “Sundar, this is unreal. words, Shastri criticised the sedate 50 from skipper Mithali Raj 2,412 runs in 100 matches, far more natural ability than I He faced some of the toughest ICC for changing the qualifi- (50, 85b, 4x4, 1x6) and a quick-fire with an unbeaten knock of 171 had,” said the veteran of 80 Tests bowlers in the world. I would say cation criteria for the World 40 (41b, 6x4) from her deputy as her highest score. BCCI who had close to 4,000 runs and 150 this innings at Ahmedabad was far Test Championship (WTC) Harmanpreet Kaur congratulated Kaur on her plus wickets. better as the WTC final spot was final. He wasn't happy that mid- The South African opening duo achievement. “He has the ability and he be- on line,” Shastri said. way through the tournament did not look in any sort of trouble longs at this level and he can go a Shastri is also very satisfied ICC changed the criteria from against the India pacers as well as long way. If he could focus on his that Rishabh Pant has understood maximum points earned to max- their highly-rated spinners. Veteran at long- off. bowling (in Tests), India could the value he brings into this set- imum percentage points earned. India pacer Jhulan Goswami (2/38), Raj then shared a 52-run part- have a very good No. 6 for overseas up with his match-winning abili- “If you ask me about first cycle, playing her first game since nership with Deepti Sharma (27) to conditions. He is someone who can ties. “Rishabh, he came in after IPL please don’t shift the goalposts,” November 2019, was the most im- keep the innings moving. But her get you those 50s, 60s and 70s and with a lot of baggage and that Shastri said. “I am sitting at home pressive in an otherwise disap- dismissal off a full-toss triggered then bowl for you 20 overs and showed in his size and he had to because of COVID-19 in the month pointing bowling effort. a collapse that saw India reeling at can pick up 2-3 wickets. That was lose that (weight) which he did. He of October with more points than Earlier, the 62-run stand between 160 for eight from 154 for four. my role overseas (during whole worked his backside off. The results any other team, 360 apparently Raj and Kaur steadied the innings Brief Scores: India: 177 for 9 of 1980s) and I think he can do are not just for him to see but for (having won three series and lost after India lost their first three (Mithali Raj 50, Harmanpreet that role easily,” the head coach said world,” Shastri pointed out. “A one). A week later without know- wickets for 40 runs, including star Kaur 40, Shabnim Ismail 3/28) during a virtual press meet Sunday. brilliant match-winner, playing ing some rule comes that we are opener Smriti Mandhana (14). lost to South Africa 178 for 2 in 40.1 Shastri also said that he would to his potential and there is no going to go (move) into the per- Harmanpreet, playing her 100th overs (Lizelle Lee 83 n o, Laura talk to the Tamil Nadu team man- greater sight than that,” he added. centage system and we go (slip) ODI, looked ominous but played Wolvaardt 80, Jhulan Goswami agement so that Sundar can bat at Shastri also said he is happy from No. 1 to No.3,” Shastri added. one big shot too many to be caught 2/38) by eight wickets.

SHORT TAKES 10 WINS IN LAST 11 LA LIGA GAMES NO HOME GAMES FOR ANY SIDE Vinesh wins gold, regains No.1 rank Sudha, Srinu cruise to easy victories Barca close in on Atletico RCB face MI in New Delhi: Srinu Bugatha (2:14:59s) clocked a personal best to comfortably AGENCIES win the sixth edition of the Barcelona, March 7: Barcelona 2021 IPL opener New Delhi Marathon while Asian Games gold medallist cranked up the pressure on Sunday’s Madrid derby by beat- PRESS TRUST OF INDIA Sudha Singh (2:43:41s) MATCHES TO BE PLAYED AT ing Osasuna 2-0 Saturday night to PRESS TRUST OF INDIA bagged the top honours in MUMBAI, AHMEDABAD, the women’s category, edge two points behind leaders New Delhi, March 7: The 2021 BANGALORE, CHENNAI, here Sunday. However, Atletico Madrid in the La Liga. edition of the IPL will run from KOLKATA, DELHI Rome, March 7: Living up to the both failed to meet the Lionel Messi set up both goals April 9 to May 30 across six venues. expectations, star Indian wrestler Tokyo Olympics qualifying in Pamplona as Jordi Alba ham- None of the teams will get to play NO SPECTATORS ALLOWED Vinesh Phogat (53kg) won her sec- mark. Sports Minister mered home in the first half before at home, its governing council an- DURING THE INITIAL PHASE ond gold medal in as many weeks Kiren Rijiju, who presided the 18-year-old Ilaix Moriba came nounced Sunday. OF THE TOURNAMENT with a dominant win in the Matteo over the prize-distribution off the bench to curl in an im- Despite COVID-19 surge, Mumbai FINAL COMES OFF MAY 30 AT THE Pellicone Ranking Series event ceremony, exhorted both pressive shot late in the second. has been named as one of the host NARENDRA MODI STADIUM and reclaimed the top rank in her of them to continue to “Thankfully Leo (Messi) gave me cities and the tournament will be IN AHMEDABAD category here. The 26-year-old chase their dreams of the pass and I don’t know how I cut held behind closed doors at least in World Championships bronze representing India at the in and shot with my left foot, I’m the initial phase of the tourna- ues during the league stage. Out of medallist and the only Indian upcoming Olympics. just glad it went in,” Ilaix said ment. The other venues are the 56 league matches, Chennai, woman wrestler to have qualified Uttarakhand’s Nitendra Singh Rawat (2:18:54s) and after the game. “I will never forget Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Mumbai, Kolkata and Bangalore for the Tokyo Games, Vinesh Army Sports Institute’s it, I will take that goal to my grave,” Delhi and Kolkata. The Nardendra will host 10 matches each while blanked Canada’s Diana Mary Rashpal Singh (2:18:57s) the youngster added. Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad will Ahmedabad and Delhi will host Weicker 4-0 in the title clash. Vinesh clinched the silver and Ilaix’s strike was his first goal in host the final May 30 as well as the eight matches each. scored all her points in the first bronze medal in the men's La Liga and another breakthrough MOMENT TO CHERISH: Ilaix Moriba is over the moon after scoring his play-offs. “One of the highlights of this edi- period and held on to her lead in elite category, while moment for a Barca youngster. maiden Barcelona goal during the game against Osasuna, Saturday Defending champions Mumbai tion of the VIVO IPL will be the fact the second to ensure a top-of-the- Maharashtra’s Jyoti Gawate Sunday night Atletico will meet Indians (MI) will face Royal that all matches will be played at podium finish. (2:58:23) and Ladakh’s Real in the Madrid derby at the good for us,” said Koeman. posite side. Messi clipped a pass Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in neutral venues, no team will play In the men’s segment Bajrang Jigmet Dolma (3:04:52) Wanda Metropolitano. Barca will Their success in recent months through three Osasuna defenders the tournament opener in at their home venue. All teams Punia also sealed his spot in the emulated them among certainly want anything, other than has owed much to a talented crop for Alba to collect and he lashed it Chennai, April 9. will play at four out of six venues title round. The 27-year-old the women. a home (Atletico) win. of youngsters, with Ilaix – a dy- high and in from the angle. Sunday, the BCCI released sched- during the league stage,” read an Haryana wrestler defeated Joseph A few weeks ago, Ronald namic but technically gifted mid- There was more control about ule for the first four weeks till May IPL statement. Christopher of the USA in the Koeman’s side looked too far adrift fielder – the latest to emerge. the second half but Barcelona needed 6 during which 33 matches will be “The VIVO IPL this year at semifinal with a 6-3 margin while Dutee may skip in the title race. However, 10 victo- Messi was in his elements from a second to make it comfortable and played. Not a single game has been home will be played behind closed his quarterfinal victim was ries out of 11 have shot them back the start. He shot wide and then substitute Ilaix seized his moment, slotted in Kolkata during the phase doors to begin with and a call on al- Turkey's Selim Kozan whom he de- selection trials into contention, even if Atletico set up the opener, drifting in from shaping to shoot with his right be- as there will be eight-phase lowing spectators will be taken at feated 7-0 in bouts fought Saturday. New Delhi: Double Asian remain in the driving seat with the right and spotting the scuttling fore coolly rolling onto his left and Assembly elections in Bengal. a later stage of the tournament,” The Indian will face Tulga Tumur Games silver medallist Dutee two games in hand. “Any result is Alba racing in behind on the op- whipping his shot into the corner. Each team will play at four ven- the statement read further. Ochir of Mongolia for gold. Chand is likely to skip the All India University (AIU) selection trials to pick the team for the SWISS OPEN FINAL AGAINST MARIN World University Games to be held in China August 18-29, BLOSSOMING TALENT hinted her coach N Ramesh said Sunday. “Being a defending champion she SINDHU GOES should get a direct entry in the AIU squad,” Ramesh said. Dutee is the defending champion in the 100m dash of the World University Games. DOWN TAMELY The two day trials begin PRESS TRUST OF INDIA Monday in Bhubaneswar. The Carolina Marin official reason that may cited Basel, March 7: World Champion if Dutee skips the trials will be PV Sindhu finished a distant sec- she is preparing for the July- ond best in the Swiss Open final after August Tokyo Olympic Games. being completely routed by Olympic Incidentally, Dutee is training gold medallist Carolina Marin of daily at the Kalinga Stadium Spain in a lop-sided women’s singles where the trials will be held. title clash here Sunday. This was the 14th clash between the two arch ri- vals who are very good friends off game under pressure as Marin ajhpara girls and Subdega boys have emerged champions of the Odisha Naval Tata Hockey Grassroot League. In the Fighting back court. Marin now leads 9-5 in the came up trumps to claim her third Mfinals played Saturday at the Kalinga Stadium in the state capital, Majhpara beat Alanda 2-0 while Subdega overcame head-to-head clash. title of the year. Incidentally Sindhu Berlin: Bayern Munich shook Majhpara in the boys’ summit clash by an identical margin. In the girls segment’ Puja Majhi of Majhpara was adjudged the The 25-year-old Indian, who had last played in a final in August 2019 off a 0-2 deficit and rallied won the coveted World when she won the World back to crush rivals Borussia player of the finals while the same award went to Ankit Minz of Subdega in the boys’ title round encounter. Championship gold medal here in Dortmund thanks to Robert Championship title. Lewandowski's hat-trick in 2019, couldn’t match Sindhu committed too the Bundesliga game played the speed and accu- Carolina Marin many unforced errors as Saturday. The Bavarians were racy of Marin during Marin made her run from down 0-2 within the first her 12-21, 5-21 defeat bt PV Sindhu one side of the court to the nine minutes with Erling in the final that lasted 21-12, 21-5 other constantly. In her Haaland scoring both the only 35 minutes. haste to finish off points goals. Lewandowski pulled It was Sindhu’s third quickly, Sindhu also hit one back for Bayern in the successive loss to Marin. The lat- the shuttle long on a number of 26th minute before scoring ter had won both the Super 1000 occasions. Overall it was a match from a penalty to restore events in Thailand in January be- which Sindhu would like to forget y parity for his side a minute fore finishing runner-up at the as quickly as possible.

before the interval. Leon HSBC BWF World Tour Finals. Marin, the current World No. 3,

k k y y m m c c Goretzka put Bayern in the Playing her first final in 18 had also defeated Sindhu in the lead midway into the second months, Sindhu, ranked seventh in final of the Rio Olympics in 2016. half before Lewandowski the world, entered the match hav- Sindhu will next compete at got his 31st goal of the ing lost her last two matches against the USD 850,000 All England season to complete his the former World No 1. However, Championships, a Super 1000 event hat-trick. AGENCIES Sindhu failed to summon her ‘A’ to be held from March 17 to 21.

1 Printed and published by Tathagata Satpathy on behalf of Navajat Printers and Media Pvt. Ltd. and printed at Navajat Printers, B-15 Industrial Estate, Rasulgarh, Bhubaneswar -751010, Odisha;Phone:7894447142(Marketing). Editor: Tathagata Satpathy, RNI No. ORIENG/2011/37159