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wheelchair.”She said, “It is true of the BJP.” Roy is going to that I was badly hurt while Delhi to lodge a formal com- campaigning in Nandigram plaint with the EC on Friday. ay after fracture in her during which my leg and arm Dismissing the BJP’s the- Dankle, West Bengal Chief were injured. There were bone ory that the door of Mamata’s Minister Mamata Banerjee is injuries... ligament injuries… vehicle on which she was planning to resume her I also suffered chest pain.” standing got hit by a roadside Assembly poll campaign, Speaking about the cause post causing her the freak albeit on wheelchair, even as of the injury she said, “I was injury, Roy and Hakim said fter showing a decline, she released a video on greeting people from the car had it been so then the door AIndia’s daily Covid-19 Thursday asking her party bonnet and the crowd pressed of her vehicle — NoWB02 AN cases are now moving north- workers to maintain calm. into me, the entire pressure - 5555 — would suffer dents or wards with Maharashtra taking The Chief Minister had to was on me. My leg got injured bear scratch marks … but the lead, causing concern for be hospitalised on Wednesday after which I was given med- nothing of that sort was found the authorities. % evening after she fell and icines and taken to Kolkata.” in the vehicle. The Union Health "" ! "#$ & broke her left ankle during the Mamata’s video statement TMC Rajya Sabha mem- Ministry on Thursday election campaign in notwithstanding, her party ber Derek O’ Brien who for- expressed concern over the Nandigram. leaders continued with the mally wrote a letter to the steady rise in the number of TMC leadership said that “conspiracy” narrative accus- Commission on his party’s daily Covid-19 infections in R her election campaign pro- on Wednesday evening alleged hair-line fracture, a six-mem- ing the Election Commission behalf, said, “You have to Maharashtra as well as the rest grammes would remain “conspiracy” blaming 4-5 men ber team of doctors also said “which is in charge of the State understand the chronology. of the country. “We are very unchanged and Mamata is who committed the “mischief” that some more radiological administration now” for “com- You removed the DGP, com- worried about Maharashtra — % sure to attend five back-to- prompting the Trinamool tests would be conducted on promising the Chief Minister’s promised her security, and across several districts. We back rallies at Purulia and Congress workers to start her “to ascertain the reason for security.” then attacked her. If you go have seen their names. Bankura on March 13 and 14. demonstrating all across the the front headache and chest Harping on the conspira- through social media posts by As we came here, we came While asking the agitating State. The TMC also submit- pain. cy theory, senior TMC leaders the BJP leaders there have to know that very strict lock- &'( party workers to remain calm ted a memorandum to the In her video message, Firahd Hakim, and Saugato been indications that she down is being imposed in in a video message, the Chief Election Commission of India Mamata said, “I appeal to Roy, who visited the accident would be attacked.” Nagpur in particular. So we are Minister said her leg got seeking a thorough investiga- everyone to remain calm and spot on Thursday, said, “It is There was no reaction reaching a situation where Department, out of the total crushed when a crowd stand- tion into the matter. not create disturbance to the strange that Prime Minister from the EC though inside those approaches are being number of 5,711 beds in Covid ing by the road pressed against The condition of the Chief common man… I will soon Narendra Modi did not call up sources said that EC had brought back. elhi reported 409 fresh hospitals, 5,132 are vacant. the front door of her vehicle Minister was stable, doctors return and start campaign … even once to enquire after the instructed all the DMs and SPs This is a very serious issue Dcases of Covid-19, the The number of people which was half open while she said, adding a cast has been no programme will be ham- Chief Minister’s health. This is to take precautionary mea- for us,” Niti Aayog member highest daily count in the past under home isolation climbed was standing on it and waving put on her left leg. While the pered. I will manage it all. If unprecedented and clearly sures concerning the Prime (health) VK Paul said at a Press two months on Thursday. With to 1,028 from 982 on at the onlookers.Mamata had MRI scan showed abrasion or need be I will campaign on a speaks about the insensitivity Minister and the CM. conference here. three fresh deaths reported on Wednesday, it said, adding that As many as 22,854 persons Thursday, the death toll rose to over 6.29 lakh people have tested positive in the last 24 10,934 in the national Capital. recovered from the infection till hours, the highest daily tally The total number of peo- date. The highest single-day P since January 7 this year. This ple infected with life-threaten- spikes 8,593 cases till date was is the third time in the year ing Covid-19 has reached reported on November 11. when the daily cases crossed 6,42,439 while the daily posi- The number of contain- the 20,000 marks. On January tivity rate stayed at 0.59 per ment zones in Delhi has shown ! 1, India recorded 20,035 cases. cent, according to the health intermittent rise and fall in the ! "#$ Maharashtra on bulletin issued by the Delhi last several days, with the fig- Wednesday reported the high- Government. ure standing at 592 on expert panel recommended granted the permission for est number of fresh cases at These 409 new cases came Thursday, it said. the removal of the “clinical restricted use in emergency 13,659 (almost 60 per cent of out of the 69,810, tests con- It said four beds in Covid trial mode” label attached to situation in public interest the number of cases reported ducted the previous day, care centres are occupied by ! the emergency authorisation and that both Covid-19 vac- in the country on Wednesday), including 42,187 RT-PCR tests persons under quarantine, of Bharat Biotech’s Covid-19 cines Bharat Biotech’s followed by Kerala (2,475) and and 25,623 rapid antigen tests. including travellers who have vaccine Covaxin Covaxin and Covishield man- Punjab (1,393), the Ministry According to the bulletin issued returned by the Vande Bharat suggested by the Commission,” The Centre on Thursday ufactured by Serum Institute said. by the Delhi Health Mission. Bhushan wrote. eople queuing up in the said that the DCGI has grant- have the same licensure status he Union Health Ministry Following a complaint by Pprivate hospitals to get ed it the restricted emer- now,” NITI Aayog member Thas informed the Election the Trinamool Congress, the Covid-19 vaccination will gency use authorisation (Health) Dr V K Paul said at Commission that it has EC had written to the Ministry soon pay less than 200 for mode.“Covaxin has been a press conference here. removed Prime Minister on March 5 reiterating its Covishield. Narendra Modi’s photo from standing instructions on the Talking to media persons, the Covid-19 vaccine certifi- use of photos of political lead- Union Health Secretary * + ) & cates given to recipients in ers in Government advertise- Rajesh Bhushan said the , poll-bound Assam, West ments during elections and Government has renegotiated & & Bengal, Tamil, Puducherry, asked the Health Ministry to the price of Covishield and it &% - and Kerala. follow the model code in letter will be “significantly less” * Union Health Secretary and spirit. than 200 per dose. So far, the Copenhagen: Denmark, Rajesh Bhushan wrote to It had suggested the use of Government has allowed pri- Norway and Iceland on Udhagamandalam: Amid Deputy Election filters in the Co-Win platform vate health facilities to charge Thursday temporarily sus- increase in Covid-19 cases in Commissioner in-charge of to exclude the picture of the up to 250 for one dose of the pended the use of several States, the administra- West Bengal Sudeep Jain on Prime Minister in Covid-19 vaccine. AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine tion in Nilgiris district, home March 9 that “technical mea- certificates being given to peo- Covishield is one of the over concerns about patients to popular tourist destinations, sures to comply with the direc- ple in the poll-bound States and two Covid-19 vaccines that developing post-jab blood clots, on Thursday warned of six tions of ECI have been explored the UT. have been granted emergency as the manufacturer and months imprisonment to those promptly.” Sources aware of the cor- use authorisation in India. Europe’s medicines watchdog found without face masks in “Therefore, necessary fil- respondence between the EC The vaccine was developed by insisted the vaccine was safe. public places. District Collector ters in Co-WIN have been and the Ministry said the panel the University of Oxford and Denmark was first to Innocent Divya issued the applied for the vaccination didn’t refer to any individual or drug manufacturer announce its suspension, “fol- warning to prevent a second centres situated in the four personality but had asked the AstraZeneca, and is being lowing reports of serious cases wave of Covid-19 in the back- States of Assam, Kerala, Tamil Health Ministry to follow the manufactured in India by the of blood clots” among those drop of rise in fresh cases of late Nadu, West Bengal and Union provisions of the model code in Pune-based Serum Institute who had received the shot, the in various states and cities, offi- Territory of Puducherry, as letter and spirit. of India. Meanwhile, an Health Authority said. cial sources said. & + ! % ") "( $ 1 , - & "# $%& for 2 continuous days on 15th ' and 16th March 2021. About 10 nited Forum of Bank lakh bank employees and offi- "( UUnions (UFBU), an cers of the banks will partici- umbrella body of nine unions, pate in the strike,” he claimed. has given a call for a two-day Most of the banks, includ- . .# // 0( strike from March 15 to protest ing the State Bank of India s many as 170 MLAs left against the proposed privati- (SBI), have informed their cus- Athe Congress to join other party to join other parties sation of two state-owned tomers about the impact on parties during the elections during the elections held lenders. functioning of branches and held between 2016 and 2020, between 2016 and 2020. “It is In the Union Budget pre- offices if the strike materialis- while only 18 BJP legislators to be noted that the recent fall February 27. Finance Minister sented last month, Finance es. Banks have also informed switched parties to contest of Governments in Madhya Niranjan Pujari presented the Minister Nirmala Sitharaman that they are taking necessary he State registered 63 new the polls in this period. Pradesh, Manipur, Goa, iva temples across the State he second phase of the Budget for the financial year had announced the privatisa- steps for the smooth function- TCovid-19 positive cases in According to a report by Arunachal Pradesh and Switnessed congregations TState Assembly’s Budget 2021-22 on February 22. tion of two public sector banks ing of bank branches and 14 districts and the State pool Association for Democratic Karnataka State Assemblies of devotees on the auspicious Session will begin on Friday In the second phase of the (PSBs) as part of its disinvest- offices on the days of the pro- on Thursday, increasing its Reforms (ADR), between 2016 were due to defections of their occasion of Mahasivratri on with all Covid-19 precaution- session, Opposition BJP and ment plan. posed strike. total tally to 3,37,992. and 2020, 182 of the 405 re- MLAs,” the report said. Thursday. The festival was ary measures in place and con- Congress are set to raise several The Government has Members of UFBU include Out of the new cases, 38 contesting MLAs, who It said between 2016 and celebrated at the temples amid tinue till April 9. issues, including the forest fire already privatised IDBI Bank All India Bank Employees were from quarantine centres switched political parties, 2020, 10 of the 16 re-contest- adherence to the Covid-19 The main focus of the incidents, law and order situa- by selling its majority stake in Association (AIBEA), All India and 25 local contacts cases. joined the BJP. Thirty-eight ing Rajya Sabha members who guidelines. Government in this part of the tion and the Kotia border dis- the lender to LIC in 2019 and Bank Officers’ Confederation Mayurbhanj district reg- others joined the Congress switched political parties At the famous Lingaraj session is to get the various pute. merged 14 public sector banks (AIBOC), National istered the day’s highest 14 and 25 the Telangana Rashtra joined the BJP and five of the Temple in Bhubaneswar, lim- Demands for Grants for the BJP Legislature Party in the last four years. Confederation of Bank cases followed by Cuttack Samithi (TRS). 12 Lok Sabha members who ited numbers of devotees were year 2021-22 passed along with Deputy Leader Bishnu Charan Conciliation meetings — Employees (NCBE), All India with 11. All other 12 districts Five Lok Sabha members changed parties joined the permitted in the temple the Finance Bill. Sethi said they would raise before the Additional Chief Bank Officers’ Association registered below 10 cases. left the BJP to join other par- Congress during the 2019 LS premises in the evening for The Appropriation Bill on issues like crimes against Labour Commissioner on (AIBOA) and Bank Employees Besides, one case was report- ties during the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. lighting diyas and observing the Budget will be presented on women, irregularities in paddy March 4, 9 and 10 — did not Confederation of India (BEFI). ed from the State pool. polls while seven Rajya Sabha For the report, the Jagara. The Mahadeep was March 31. The Government is procurement, border problems yield any positive result, All Others are Indian National Currently, the active cases members left the Congress to National Election Watch and lifted atop the temple after 10 likely to get several bills passed and fire in the Similipal India Bank Employees Bank Employees Federation stood at 700 and cumulative contest elections between 2016 the ADR have analysed the pm. in the House during the peri- National Park and other forests. Association (AIBEA) general (INBEF), Indian National Bank samples tested were 85,58,112. and 2020 as candidates of self-sworn affidavits of 433 The devotees were not od. The first phase of the During the first phase, the secretary C H Venkatachalam Officers Congress, National However, 86 patients recov- other parties, the report said. MPs and MLAs, who changed allowed to enter the sanctum Budget Session, which had House proceedings had beem said in a statement. Organisation of Bank Workers ered on the day, taking the The Congress has been the parties and re-contested elec- sanctorum. They had dar- commenced with the Address affected over the Kotia issue “Hence, it has been decid- and National Organisation of total recoveries to 3,35,408 in biggest loser of political defec- tions held in the last five shan of the deity from the Ada of Governor Prof Ganeshi Lal and irregularities in paddy ed to go ahead with the strike Bank Officers. the State. tion as 170 of its MLAs left the years. Katha. on February 18, concluded on procurement. !"#"$"! 5'7 9 # $ %
Chief Minister Naveen officials were asked to take Patnaik took the first dose of steps to enhance pace of vac- & " Covaxin at the State Assembly cination so that one lakh dispensary here. Meanwhile, elderly persons can be vacci- 6 14.The IMD said that on Bhadrak, Jajpur, Koraput and the State Government has nated per day. March 12, light to moderate Nabarangpur. directed the district The Secretary also direct- rain or thundershower is like- The IMD issued a yellow Collectors and ed the officials to activate pri- & # ly to occur at one or two places warning and said thunder- Commissioners of Municipal vate hospitals as Covid over the districts of Keonjhar, storm with lightning is very Corporations to vaccinate one Vaccination Centres. Mayurbhanj, Baleswar, likely to occur at one or two n a period of 45 days, the lakh elderly persons per day Worth mentioning, sec- Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, places over the districts of IState has administered over against the virus. ond phase of vaccination he India Meteorological Gajapati, Ganjam and Jharsuguda, Sundargarh, 10 lakh doses of Covid-19 Health and Family against Covid-19 was TDepartment (IMD) Kandhamal. Angul, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, vaccine to healthcare workers, Welfare Department launched across country on Regional Office here on On March 13, light to Baleswar and Bhadrak. frontline workers and elder- Secretary Pradipta Kumar March 1, 2021 for persons Thursday issued rain and thun- moderate rain or thunder- On March 14, light to ly citizens. Mohapatra in a letter to above 60 years and those in derstorm alert for several parts shower is very likely to occur moderate rain or thunder- “More than 10 lakh doses of in a tweet. While the first five warriors for making this pos- Collectors, municipal corpo- between 45 and 59 years with of the State under the influence at one or two places over the shower is likely to occur at one Covid vaccine have been lakh doses were given in 30 sible. On March 9, an AirAsia ration Commissioners and co-morbidities. of a cyclonic circulation. districts of Bargarh, or two places over the districts administered from January days, rest five lakh were flight carrying a consignment CDM PHOs directed them to During first phase of vac- These parts of the State Jharsuguda, Sundargarh, of Sundargarh, Keonjhar, 16 to March 10, excluding administered in just 15 days, of 9,04,180 doses of accelerate pace of vaccination cination, healthcare workers would experience light to mod- Sambalpur, Deogarh, Angul, Mayurbhanj, Jharsuguda, holidays,” said the Health and the department said congrat- Covishield vaccine had of elderly persons in all dis- and frontline workers were erate rainfall with thunder- Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, Baleswar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Family Welfare Department ulating all frontline Covid reached Odisha. On March 1, tricts and urban areas. The vaccinated. storm activities till March Mayurbhanj, Baleswar, Gajapati and Ganjam. 3* ership to create a culture of global fraternity and vice versa entrepreneurship and re-estab- in a global to local and local to Q, %' R he Odisha Corporate lish Odisha as a global enter- global format,” informed OCF TFoundation (OCF), a non- prise hub. The OCF is building secretary Guru Prasad profit organisation dedicated to a community-based global net- Choudhury. “We have more : 1 3 serve the purpose they were put social service prioritising devel- work in the web and plans to than 3,000 members of Odisha up for. This was pointed out to opment of Odisha, has decid- launch it in 2022. origin belonging to the corpo- the ASI team by historian Anil o enhance the profession- ed to institute an award named “This will create 360 degree rate world, academia, Dhir at the spot; they agreed Tal expertise of the ‘Anantya’ to honour women connectivity for entrepreneurs Government, agripreneurs, that the trees are dangerous to Investigating Officers of the entrepreneurs of Odisha origin, from 30 districts of Odisha, 28 entrepreneurs and industry the structure but say that per- Vigilance organisation in con- said its founder-president States and nine Union professionals connected to each he Suka Sari Temple com- mission from the forest depart- ducting investigation in foreign Hrushikesh Behera here on Territories in India with the other globally,” he noted. Tplex in the Old Town here ment will be required. Repeated jurisdictions, an online training Tuesday. has now been taken over by the requests to the authorities have programme on the subject “The OCF Women Archaeological Survey of India fallen on deaf ears. “Investigation Abroad” was Entrepreneurship Awards 2021 (ASI) and all work on the Lessons have not been held by the Odisha Vigilance training. The programme was and presented an overview of will be held on April 24 in Ekamrakshetra beautification learnt; enough damage has Directorate on Wednesday. The inaugurated by Vigilance the investigation abroad cov- Bhubaneswar. A jury, com- has stopped, the area being cor- been done to these ancient training was conducted in col- Director Dr Debasis Panigrahi ering the formal and informal prising professionals and doned off with police protec- places. All the excavated stone laboration with the and coordinated by IGP channels available for seeking entrepreneurs of global emi- tion. The ASI has unearthed blocks and remnants should be International Police Vigilance-cum-Director, State international police coopera- nence, has been constituted to valuable temple remnants and properly preserved and kept for Cooperation Unit (IPCU), CBI Vigilance Academy, tion in investigation of crime select the most inspiring artifacts and the extent of the a site museum. and Government of India. Bhubaneswar, Ghanshyam and extradition process. women entrepreneurs of damage caused by the demoli- The three huge stone Investigating Officers of the Upadhyay.DIG, IPCU (CBI) In total, 129 officers of Odisha origin,” Behera told a tions is unraveling. blocks that were unearthed Vigilance Department from New Delhi Vijayendra Vigilance from across the Press conference at OCF office While many old trees that have been kept by the roadside; the rank of Inspector up to the Bidarialong with his team con- State participated in the train- here. The OCF is working on stood in the Sibatirtha complex they should be moved to the rank of SP participated in the ducted the training programme ing programme. leveraging the collective lead- were uprooted, about a dozen Orissa State Museum or the were left standing on small ASI complex. The lone stand- mounds with all the earth ing Gadi of the Sibatirtha Mutt 6 ! excavated around them. is on the verge of collapse; the ") A dozen such trees are four-foot retaining walls are not presently standing with no sufficient; proper protection ! R root support and can collapse measures should be taken. anytime. Two of them near the The Bhubaneswar Circle of +R' years back, till date no steps $' '! Suka Sari temple are already the ASI had earlier sent a let- have been taken for its devel- leaning towards the temple by ter to the ASI Director General their lives after bees started he Utkal Sammilani opment. Earlier, many things +! ! nearby villages. “It is purely 20 degrees and if they come for permission to excavate the attacking them. Following the TMancheswar Branch were promised before the unfortunate that though my down will cause extensive dam- two-acre plot of land near the t least 15 tourists were incident, guides and other observed the Odia Classical granting of classical status, but sister is a widow ,but she is yet age to the Kalash, Mastaka Suka Sari Temple. They have Ainjured in an attack by security personnel of the zoo Language Day here on none of them have been ful- or the poverty stricken to get widow pension. and Pidhas of the Jagamohan of proposed to excavate the entire honeybees in the Nandankanan rushed to the spot and escort- Thursday. The function began filled. Fmiddle aged widow, The district administra- the temple. area after conducting scientif- Zoological Park on the out- ed the tourists to safety. The after rendition of the State Among others, Utkal Ranjita Mallick of Panapada tion has not provided month- An 80-foot-high tree is ic clearance. skirts of Bhubaneswar on zoo authorities informed that Anthem ‘Bande Utkal Janani’. Sammilani advisor Nimai village under Chandol pan- ly pension to her physically precariously perched on a According to Anil Dhir, the Thursday afternoon. adequate steps would be taken Sammilani Mancheswar Charan Das, vice-president chayat of Derabsih block, life disabled children either," three-foot-mound with all its entire area of the Sibatirtha Sources said the incident to ensure that such incidents do branch president Dillip Pratap Chandra Swain and has become a hell. She has lamented Ramesh Swain, roots having been torn off. Mutt has rich archaeological occurred after a beehive on a not recur. As per reports, most Dashsharma, who presided Sital Chandra Mohanty and been shouldering the burden brother of Ranjita.Except Even a strong gust of wind can remnants buried underneath. tree near an enclosure in the of the tourists injured in the bee over the function, said that members Maheswar Biswal of her two disabled children ration card, my sister failed to bring it crashing down. A 15- The discovery of two 10th- zoo somehow got disturbed. attack were from other States, though Odia language was and Nalini Kumar were pre- with lots of difficulties with- get any Government help, minute rain will render the base Century temple vindicates his The tourists started running for including West Bengal. accorded classical status seven sent. out any Government sup- added Ramesh. unstable and bring down the stand; he is of the opinion that port. The destitute woman When contacted, Sub tree. there are at least four more and her two physical disabled Collector of Kendrapada The brick support walls buried temples in the complex. children are taking shelter in Niranjan Behera stated that erected around the high and A Ground Penetration ()!* + a dilapidated mud house, with the matter had come to his dry monuments and trees have Radar survey should be imme- a polythene sheet comprising notice recently and he would been hurriedly and shoddily diately conducted; and the its thatch.Ranjita became a direct the District Social made; many of them have entire area should be made out high level review meeting held Odisha Public Asset meeting to start one ‘continu- widow after 10 years of her Security Officer to conduct already cracked and will not of bounds. under the chairmanship of Monitoring System (OPAMS) ous operating reference system’ marriage. Since then, she has an inquiry and submit a he Odisha Space Chief Secretary Suresh through high resolution satel- (CORS)to have updated data been struggling to to collect report for providing her the TApplication Center Chandra Mahapatra recently, lite data.Chief Secretary base of the land, forest, mining, bread. She is begging in the necessary assistance. (ORSAC) has already devel- Chief Executive of ORSAC Mahapatra had directed vari- coastal zone, urban areas, siarat oped the ‘Odisha KYL’ (Know Prafulla Kumar Mallick had ous departments to link their sources and interState bound- Your Location) mobile app presented the data treasure existing asset portals with the ary lines. The land use and land and it has geo-referenced and created by the agency and its OPAMS. encroachments in different geo-tagged location data of possible utilities. The portal would have urban areas would be cap- 'Odisha 4K Geo’. He appraised that ORSAC updated geo-tagged informa- tured through satellite data The user by opening the had developed and applied tion about all roads, canals, based ‘land use intelligent sys- app in his mobile can know his about 36 major GIS mapped water bodies, power networks, tem’. Chief Secretary had direct- own location including name digitized database during the schools, health facilities, police ed the department to link of the district, block, gram year 2019-20 for various stations, banks, fire stations, Bhulekh data with Odisha KYL panchayat, village, police sta- departments and agencies. tourist locations, storage/ so that it could be more effec- tion, Assembly constituency, Chief Secretary Mahapatra had godowns warehouses, etc It tively used by the field officers latitude and longitude etc. In a directed ORSAC to develop the had also been decided in the for filed validation of the data. 2 ,%$ %+3%
the major mineral districts, tricts. It is desirable to follow Development Corporation also Keonjhar has contributed high- the best practices under the is largely unspent.With inten- opment. But unfortunately, a provisions under law with dis- But these administrative directly in mining activities. est amount. The district has DMF fund followed in other sification in mining activities, major portion of these funds trict Collectors as chairpersons arrangements are largely unac- Minerals and metallurgical witnessed mining operation mining States such as the health condition of the remains unspent affecting the of DMF trusts and the local countable to people without products constitute about 80 for a long time but unfortu- Telengana. local people will be at greater development of the localities. MP and MLAs being the transparency in governance per cent of the export to 102 nately Keonjhar remains one of It has been observed that risk. So, adequate spending for It is reported in the Odisha members of such forums, there and fund management. Odisha countries using major ports of the most backward districts. the elected people representa- healthcare facilities and Economic Survey 2020-21 that is huge negligence in spending being a major mineral bearing the State. A majority of the popula- tives of the mineral districts improvement in livelihood till March 31, 2020, Rs 9,984.77 of development funds? It is a State, it has increased its min- The Mining sector has tion of the district are tribals seldom discuss the issues of opportunities is highly needed crore has been generated from serious violation of the right to ing activities due to demand of contributed about 10 per cent who are the worst sufferer due DMF spending and the miser- in these areas. DMFs of the State. But only development of the people in the international market and to the State GDP. But in spite to mining activities but get the able conditions of the people in So the funds demarcated about one-fifth of the fund has the mining area. the State became a major con- of all these growth the benefits least so far as benefit of min- State Assembly though it is for the development of women, been utilized for the purpose. There are reports of seri- tributor to the mining sector are not being substantially ing is concerned. their responsibility to highlight children and marginalized sec- This slow spending has ous problems such as shortage with a share of almost one- transferred to the people in Even though drinking such issues. There are no vis- tions in particular and people been a matter of concern in the of safe drinking water, lack of third of the total mineral pro- mining areas in changing their water and heathcare is the ible people’s protests, CSO and of the mining area in general context of development of the sanitation, heathcare, hous- duction of the country during vulnerable condition. most priority area under media intervention to such must not be diverted for other people in mining affected ing, electricity and connectiv- the year 2019-20. The major contributor Pradhan Mantri Khanijakhetra perceptible apathy of the State purposes. & + areas. The Union Ministry of ity. Though these amenities The State has a major districts such as Keonjhar, Kalyan Yojana but this most Government. Along with timely spend- Mines data shows till January should be created out of the share in production of bauxite, Sundergada, Jharasuguda, urgent need has not been The DMF fund has been ing of fund, the Government fter the establishment 2020, Rs 6,707 crore remained DMF funds, lackadaisical han- coal, chromite, iron ore, lime Jajpur, Koraput and Anugul solved. created out of contribution by must undertake census of min- ADMF fund under the pro- unspent in Odisha but in case dling of the funds remains a stone, manganese and nickel. remain backward in terms of It is reported by the the mining companies operat- ing affected communities and vision of the MMDR Act in of other mining States such as concern in Odisha. During the last five years from human development, access Ministry that the district of ing in these districts. There are encourage social audit of DMF 2015, it was expected that Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, There is a State level mon- 2015 to 2020, the increase in to healthcare, sanitation, safe Sundargada has spent the mining areas in the State hav- projects involving CSOs, these funds shall be utilised for Rajasthan, Telengana, itoring committee under the mineral production has drinking water, basic ameni- DMF fund on LPG gas con- ing mining for last fifty years media, lawyers, social activists, the development of the affect- Karnataka, Maharashtra and chairmanship of the Chief increased the number of direct ties, condition of women and nection to 2,550 households to without reparation over the community leaders of affected ed people in mining areas of MP, the rate of spending has Secretary and the implemen- employment as well as revenue children , employment and save forests from being natural environmental loss and mining areas and their organ- the State, especially in the been better. tation of the projects under the of the State. livelihood, environmental con- destroyed for fire wood. damages. There was also huge isations and other stakeholders major mineral bearing dis- Odisha has an accrual of fund is assigned to the The State has collected ditions. It has also implemented illegal mining by private min- to involve local people in plan- tricts which are also known for Rs 11,984.87 crore in 2021 Planning and Convergence Rs11,019.86 crore as mineral There has been no visible drinking water and health ing companies. ning, monitoring and execu- their persistence backward- which is highest amount department with DRDAs as its revenue during 2019-2020 and improvement in the life of the infrastructure projects which The fund created at the tion of project for better trans- ness in terms of human devel- among States. Why in spite of field agencies in district level. employed around 60,000 marginalised sections. Among may be followed in other dis- Odisha Mineral Bearing Area parency and accountability. ! " # $ % S ' " (
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'()#'* 6 ; ,R - , ! '$ & , 8 was reported from the Siva Linga, the other Chalunigaon village. Police devotees waiting in queue R immediately swung into objected and the priest too , %P action after receipt of the supported them. However, compliant. Simulia police they have agreed to sit in a the temple gates were locked station IIC PR Sahoo stated meeting in the village to on police instruction and fre- '!0&! % that a station diary was made resolve the issue,” said Sahoo. hile celebrating the quent supervision. When dis- on the compliant. According to reports, a WInternational Women’s trict Collector Bhumesh He said that a meeting group of 10 women of a par- Day, a big women’s rally with Chandra Behera and Sub- group of women staged would be held on March 18 ticular caste had gone to the BJD flags was allowed smooth Collector Saphalya Mandit Aprotest in front of the in the village involving the Rameswar temple to offer passage in Dhenkanal town in Pradhan were contacted, they (/9 %' ' %' "$ ' : ( ( (/ Simulia police station on aggrieved and other castes’ prayers in the morning. a diverted route, but surpris- denied to react and discon- $&' ' ' $&$ ('! ( "$ &< 1 &' % '"' Thursday alleging that they people as well as the priest to However, they alleged that ingly, three days later on nected their cell phones. &' & $ 1 & % & $ ' &%' $ ''$ were deprived of offering resolve the issue. “The pre- the priest stopped them from Thursday, women devotees Minister Praffula Mallick, % ' ' & / ' " $< < & /$ '! puja by the priest of a Siva liminary inquiry revealed entering temple and alleged- for the Sivaratri festival were who is from Dhenkanal dis- temple on the occasion of that these women used to go ly hurled casteist remarks at prevented to enter Siva tem- trict, said he has nothing to do ' -()( ' ',$ $ Mahasivratri. They alleged to the same temple to offer them. Later, the women filed ples’ premises here to offer about a Government order. that they were denied entry pujas. Today, when they sud- a written complaint at their prayers and pour milk on However, Dhenkanal MLA by the priest as they belonged denly entered the temple and Similula police station and the deity.A large number of from one temple to another Sudhir Samal assured to look to lower caste.The incident tried to offer puja directly on staged a protest there. women were seen running temple and returning back as into the matter. : ( &/ && / % & + 5 " %
5 from the St Merry School, o celebrate the International & $%9 +=' ' ' 1&' *1>?@?+< & Keonjhar, she studied law at the TWomen’s Day, an event (&$ $%O& $( '' ( /% *6 ' ' 5$ andira Mahanta, 25 years KIIT University, Bhubaneswar. ‘Abhipsa 2021’was held by social 8 in the district while Sahadeb $ < /$$ $&$! 4 /& '' ' /%& " ' '' Mold, of Keonjhar district The success story of organisation Mirambika here. and Anirudha are residents of $ ' /' &'($ ' &' % " & ' & $&O &'! ' has come out successful in her Mandira has been a matter of The programme was inau- Rekuti under the Telkoi police /$( $< ' /$ ( /% ' % "$ ( % first attempt in the Odisha discussion among local people gurated by Minister for Women Prominent among the women R'1 station in Keonjhar district. L' M $ '$ && 6/"$ ! % ( " & (&$ Judicial Service (OJS) exami- and a source of inspiration for and Child Development Tukuni achievers include actress Varsha A special team led by *6 % &$' '/ 6%' $ & ' " 6& ! nation, the result of which rural students. Sahu. The other guests were Priyadarshini, WCD Deputy <> Kamakhyanagar Range Officer have been published by the Bhubaneswar North MLA Secretary Madhusmita Sahoo, (East) Satya Narayan Sahoo & !P , ''!,! +/& Odishsa Public Service Sushant Rout, Director Animal Bargarh Superintendent of Police # carried out the raids and arrest- / & 9 '/$'& ' Commission (OPSC). Husbandry and Veterinary Padmini Sahoo, Odishi dancer ed the trio. 6' O& / $ Her rank is 36 out of 47 Science Ratnakar Sahu and the Meera Das, CEO Sum Ultimate hree persons were arrested In a separate incident, a ' '>/ $ 5 6 successful candidates for then Commissioner of Police Medicare Dr Swetapadma Das, Ton the charge of setting fire poacher was arrested for setting ?@?+ "'! (& appointment as Civil Judges. Sudhanshu Sarangi. OTDC Chairman Shreemayee at the Ranjagada Reserve Forest forest fire at the Podadiha 6%' & ' (&' & Mandira, the second daughter Mirambika founder Jiban Mishra, sportsperson Dutee in Dhenkanal district on Range near Udala in & / ( ..!,-? % ' $ ' of Upendra Kumar Mahanta, Jyoti Barik said the slogan of the Chand, Falcon Group director Wednesday by Forest Mayurbhanj district. & $ '%% & /$' /' ' Additional Labour organisation is ‘Our Village, Our Priyanka Mohanty, Sambad Department personnel. Forest Department per- ..!?,, % '! & &< Commissioner, Bhubaneswar, Mother and Our Mirambika’. On Group executive director Tanaya The accused were identi- sonnel arrested him while he ' ( < /&" < and Sujata Mahanta, a house- this theme, the organisation Pattnaik, MPS founder Poly fied as Hrudananda Singh, was burning dry leaves for $' 6' $ "&' wife, was born at Hatikucha decided to honour women per- Pattnaik, Mayfair Hotels & Sahadeb Behera and Anirudha poaching wildlife. They also / $ & & $ ., Nuagaon near Raisuan in a sonalities who have made a dif- Resorts director Astha Ray and Behera. Hrudananda is a native seized an axe, a gun used for % '! '' F= &'/$'& remote village. After complet- ference in the society with their IHM Bhubaneswar Principal of Mandiapada village under hunting and seven kg of por- & $ .@ % '! % ing her secondary education outstanding achievements. Sarada Ghosh. the Kankadahada police station cupine meat from him. ' ( '/'$ ' " ' /& &'/$'&! ( ) P -P $ ! ' ' & , "$
live Ridley sea turtles have Obegun their mass nesting : at the Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary in Kendrapada dis- Pattnaik, Dr S Samal, Dr AK Samal, Dr Sujata, trict. Over a thousand of sea ,30:- 6 < Dr L Jena, Dr Draghima, Dr H Das, Dr Amit, turtles have come ashore for Dr Swayamstuti, Dr D Sarangi, Dr Ajit Singh, laying eggs at Nasi-1 and Nasi- Dr Sudha Pradhan,Dr D Sahu and other gynae- 2 islands since Tuesday cologists actively took part. evening. n the International Women’s Day, the An advocacy statement on prevention of Around 300 turtles laid ORourkela Obstetrics and Gynaecological breast and cervical cancer was handed over to eggs on Tuesday evening and Society (ROGS) conducted breast and cervical the CDMO and PHO, Sundargarh. 800 took part in the mass nest- cancer awareness and screening camps at dif- 5 &/(/$9 $&> &$ &' / ' "% : ( & ing process late on Tuesday ferent health facilities of Rourkela from March "'$ & $$ ' *&' / ' $/&' %"' */ night, informed sources in the 5 to 8. More than 500 women along with ASHA G* *H &' &$ ( ' ' ' '( &! Forest Department. and Anganwadi Workers, ANMs and other $ & ( / ' $ ' $ '' *' < 6 Though lakhs of endan- mass nesting of Olive Ridley female olive Ridley turtle lays health workers participated in the programme. , ' ?I' * * 5/ & ! 6 ( $ $ ' & gered Olive Ridley turtles turtles at the Gahirmatha shore about 100 eggs. After laying They were sensitised about the importance 4 ( $ ' ( $ ' $! migrated to the marine sanc- had been first spotted in the eggs on seashore, the mother of early detection and timely intervention to tuary from the sea in past two year 1975. The State turtle hides the nesting hole reduce morbidity and mortality among these cat- 0 0 !, ! ! ,$ $ '& days, only 1,100 laid eggs. Due Government has prohibited with sand and returns to the astrophic diseases. / & 9 ' O& "% & ' &/ % $/ ' ' to new moon day and south fishing in sea up to 20 km from sea. In heat of the Sun, the baby Pap smear examination was provided to sus- ' $ / $ '& /'$ "%( $&$ / & wind, the turtles are expected Gahirmatha after declaring it as turtles come out of eggs with- pected cases free of cost. ROGS Dr SN Sethi, / ' /' ! ' 6$ O 6 '(< &''/' /&&& to participate in the mass lay- the first marine sanctuary on in 45 to 60 days and then head president Dr Purnima Dutta, Dr G Patri, Dr R $ & $ / && 2& &$ '' ' '//& & ing process soon. The annual September 27, 1997. Usually, a towards seawater. Dutta, Dr SR Das, Dr M Pattnaik, Dr T $&&&< ' $ ' &/ &/$ %%O& '% % '! 9R* $ '&' &'& $ , " ( &" $& ;<= &,%% 2 Kandhomal under Lepripada village, including Madhumita’s mother not to go 6 & '>> block of Sundargarh district. Madhumita’s. Jyotirmayee ahead with the marriage pro- minor girl of Sundargarh The boy’s parents came to see explained that child marriage posal. After this, the propos- and artist Satyanarayana Awho had shown her brav- Madhumita. When is a social sin and told al was stopped. SMoharana of Brahmapur Collector in this regard in ery to stop her marriage was Madhumita came to know on Thursday claimed he has 2008. The then Collector had felicitated by the district about it, she straightway told made the world’s smallest Lord former Sarpanch has asked for an inquiry, which administration on the the boy’s parents that she Shiva idol. Abeen arrested by the revealed that misappropria- Women’s Day. wanted to pursue her studies He is believed to have Kahantapara police on the tion to the tune of over Rs The girl Madhumita Bhoi and would not marry. But broken his own record of charge of financial embezzle- 2.20 lakh was committed by (16), a Class-X student, they did not listen to her and making smallest idols. His last ment which he committed the trio. resides with her parents at went ahead with the marriage work was placed in the centre- during his tenure between The Collector directed Bankibahal near Bedabahal. proposal. Finding no other spread of Indian Book of 2002 and 2007. the local BDO to lodge an FIR She was not going to school alternative, Madhumita Records and in world records height of about 1.2cm, 2.7cm, The accused Jadunath against them with police. after its closure due to Covid approached one Jyotirmayee in 2017. 3cm and 1 inch, respectively. Ghadei of Bahanaga block In 2013, an FIR was last year. Das, a social worker, and Presently, Moharana has The wood-made idol is having had committed the financial lodged with the Khantapara In the meantime, her requested her to persuade made four idols with chalk height 5mm, 1.3cm and 4.2cm. irregularities along with oth- police by the BDO. The war- father Rohit and mother her parents not to pressurise pieces and one idol of is stone The stone idol is of height ers, including the VLW and rant against the former Puspalata were planning for her for marriage. work and the other one ‘Shiv 1.4cm and Shiva idol is of secretary, towards the end of Sarapanch while pending in her marriage. A marriage Jyotirmayee called a Linga’ made in wood. The height 7mm. He has devoted his term. The villagers had the want of execution, he was proposal came from meeting of all mothers of the chalk piece idols are having all these works to Lord Shiva. approached the district arrested on Monday. % , , + ! wrong step by us will lead to tions, organised on the occa- + were taken at a meeting held accident or misfortune.” He sion were awarded. PPT CME another scholarship examination between the district adminis- earn from Disaster and urged the winners of various SK gave the welcome address of Class-III level, known as, 7 1 tration and Puja Committee at LPrepare for a Safer Future” essay and debate competitions and called upon all the stake- s many as 12 students of the Primary Merit Scholarship the Berhampur Municipal being its theme, the 50th to propagate the theme of safe- holders to make safety a team- AMahendra Tanaya Ashram (Class-III), two students of the 6 Corporation (BeMC) office National Safety Week observed ty not only within the organi- work. (MTA) School, Koinpur, one of school cleared the exam and are here on Wednesday. by the Paradip Port Trust (PPT) sation but also in the society as Safety Officer Kar offered the four schools run by the now eligible for a monthly schol- he biennial festival of Maa BeMC Commissioner B concluded on Wednesday. a whole. a vote of thanks. Safety Rath Gram Vikas, have received schol- arship of Rs 100 each. TBudhi Thakurani in Sidheshwar Balaram Bonder PPT Deputy Chairman AK The winners of the com- and Safety Rally were the major arship of various degrees from A total of seven students Brahmapur would be held this has also suggestedfor shorten- Bose lowered the National petitions like safety essay, highlights of the weeklong cel- the State Government. have cleared the scholarship year amid strict adherence to ing the festival period. Priests Safety week Flag at an event debate and poster competi- ebrations. Seven students have cleared examination out of which two Covid-19 safety protocols. and committee members held at Gate No. 4 in the pres- the Primary Scholarship (Class- belong to the MTA School, in While locals would be allowed would soon hold another meet- ence of Assistant Director, V) level exam, and thus are now this category. to participate, they have been ing to find out tithi and decide Dock Safety, P Gopinath along entitled to receive Rs 200 per In one more category of a advised not to invite friends and Manasika Besha have been on rituals. The final decision with other HODs and PPT offi- month as the scholarship scholarship examination, known and relatives from outside restricted, no cultural events would be taken by the district cials and various stakeholders. amount in their joint account. as, Primary Merit-cum-Poverty Ganjam district. and Kalakunja would be organ- administration. A tribunal salute was The examination for it was Scholarship (Class-III), three People would not be ised in streets. Deity's Father B offered by Safety Officer PK conducted by the Block more students from MTA allowed to participate in the All rituals relating to move- Durgaprasad Desibehera has Kar. Addressing the gathering, Education Officer, Rayagada on School, cleared the scholarship Ghata Parikrama (movement ment of the goddess idol to and sought cooperation from all Bose said, “We shouldn’t sign December 16 last. All the seven examination and hence will of the goddess idol in proces- from her parental house would concerned for smooth con- off safety as the week concludes successful students of the said receive a monthly scholarship sion). While the ritual of be conducted amid Covid safe- duct of the Budhi Thakurani but continue this throughout Block belong to MTA School. In amount of Rs 100 each. Godadhua (washing of feet) ty protocols.These decisions Yatra. the year. Any miscalculation or !"#"$"! , ! ?8 8 $%& 9 eight phases from March 27 to April 29. The result will be he BJP has roped in more of % declared on May 2. - ! Tits MPs and MLAs across the country to work in West - & P Bengal to fully charge and acti- vate its organisational machin- . /! "% % 9 / $ ery for the first-phase of polling % in the State. ''/ $ According to sources, 22 +!0& leaders have been added to the *( && BJP’s West Bengal’s already huge est Bengal Chief # 66 political team engaged in mass WMinister and
mobilisation and campaigning. Trinamool Congress supremo he Congress on Thursday According to sources, Mamata Banerjee appears to ongress president Sonia Tdemanded the Prime Union Home Minister Amit be the only politician whose CGandhi on Thursday gave Minister Narendra Modi order Shah met these 22 leaders which income and assets have temporary charge of the posi- a thorough probe into the mat- included Nitin Navin, Arvind declined in the last few years. tion of Lok Sabha leader to ter even as Union Minister Limbawali, Radha Mohan The TMC supremo, who is Ludhiana Lok Sabha MP Nitin Gadkari’s office termed as win the Lok Sabha election. said. Gadkari’s office said it was Singh, Pravesh Verma, Ramesh ruling West Bengal for the Ravneet Singh Bittu. Bittu will “malicious, fabricated, and Such a scathing report by two an internal affair of the Bidhuri, Vinod Tawde, Sankar two consecutive terms, has discharge the role for the baseless” the findings of inter- reputed international govern- Swedish company. “Since the Choudhary, Vinay declared assets which are less ongoing Budget Session of national media reports that ment broadcasters of grave entire episode of the Scania bus Sahastrabuddhe, Nishikant than her declaration made Parliament. Bittu is the party’s alleged that Swedish truck and corruption in India seriously is an internal affair of the Dubey, Mangal Pandey and during the 2016 Assembly 13,53,356.71. She has invested Sonowal, in his affidavit chief whip in Lok Sabha. bus manufacturer Scania deliv- damages India’s reputation as a Swedish company, it will be Pradeep Singh Vaghela. elections. 18,490.00 in NSS. She also submitted as a BJP candidate The appointment came ered a luxury bus to Gadkari nation and that of Prime prudent for the media to wait Besides, seven union min- According to her affidavit owns jewellery worth 43,837. from Majuli (ST) candidate for on Thursday after Adhir for use in his daughter’s wed- Minister Modi in particular. I for an official statement by isters on the field, two additional filed before the Election Her income was 10.34 lakh in the 2021 Assembly polls in the Ranjan Chowdhry, leader of ding in 2016. hope Prime Minister Modi Scania India which handled central ministers petroleum Commission on Wednesday, 2019-20; 20-71 lakh in 2018- state, has declared total assets Congress in Lok Sabha, had to “The media allegations that will institute a thorough the matter,” it said. Minister Dharmendra Pradhan Mamata’s assets come around 19; 8.35 lakh in 2017-18 and worth over 3.17 crore as leave for campaigning in the in November 2016, Scania inquiry to find out the truth in Gadkari’s office clarified and Power Minister R K Singh only 17.41 lakh which include 9.18 lakh in 2016-17 and against over 1.85 crore in upcoming State elections. delivered a luxury bus to a this matter,” said Chavan in that the minister was a “pio- have also been put on the job in cash in hand of 69,255. In 1.72 lakh In 2015-16. As per 2016, an increase of With Deputy leader of company that had close ties statement. neer in introducing Scania’s the high-stake eight-phased 2019-20, her income was the affidavit, Mamata don’t 1,32,26,475. The 59-year old Congress in Lok Sabha Gaurav with Gadkari’s sons are mali- On Wednesday, news Ethanol-run bus in Nagpur as battle for ballots in the State. 10.34 lakh as per income tax own any agricultural, non- chief ministers movable assets Gogoi also busy with cious, fabricated and baseless,” agency Reuters quoted a a part of his drive to bring in The election campaign is in return filled by her. agricultural land and immov- have increased to more than Assam polls, Bittu would have said a statement issued by the Swedish media report saying green public transport in full swing in West Bengal. Top On the other hand, Assam able properties in any form. 1.14 cr in 2021 as against to lead party’s strategy in the office of the Union Road Scania delivered a specially- India”. It said Gadkari encour- leaders of BJP and Chief Chief Minister and BJP leader She has no liabilities, criminal more than 70.44 lakh in 2016 lower house where legislative Transport and Highways. “And equipped bus to a company aged the Nagpur Municipal Ministers of BJP-ruled States are Sarbananda Sonowal’s assets, cases and FIRs. while the immovable assets business remains held up due the allegations that the bus was with connections to Gadkari Corporation to initiate a pilot visiting the state for the cam- both movable and immovable, In 2016, Banerjee had have shown a rise from 1.15 to opposition’s demands to not paid for and was used for that was intended for his project and the Nagpur civic paign have increased by over 71 per declared assets worth a little cr submitted in the last polls to suspend all work and discuss the wedding of Gadkari’s daughter’s wedding and was body signed a commercial Prime Minister Narendra cent since the last assembly over 30 lakh.Her movable over 2.02 cr. His bank fuel price rise first. daughter are nothing but a fig- not fully paid for. MOU with the Swedish com- Modi kick-started his poll cam- polls in 2016, despite not hav- assets comprise cash in hand of deposits have escalated more Bittu is a three-time ment of media’s imagination,” Denying the allegations, pany. paign from Kolkata parade ing bought any new immov- 18,436, 27.61 lakh in bank than three-fold to 38,02,498 Member of Parliament and has it said. Gadkari’s office said the min- “Accordingly, Scania’s ground this week, his first since able assets. investments, nine grams of in 2021 from 12,13,320 in been closely associated with Former Maharashtra Chief ister and his family members Ethanol-operated buses start- the announcement of poll dates As per the affidavit filed by jewellery worth 6,380, and a 2016 while the value of his the current farmers’ protest Minister and senior Congress have “absolutely nothing to do ed plying in Nagpur. It was by the election commission. her before the Election multi-gym machine worth insurance policies have swelled against the three controversial leader Prithviraj Chavan, how- with the purchase or sale of the purely a commercial arrange- Modi will address over 22 pub- Commission, Mamata’s mov- 2.15 lakh, besides 5,188 as from 28,90,794 to 43,26,461. farm bills. ever, demanded a thorough bus”. “Nor do they have any- ment between the Nagpur civic lic rallies in the state. able assets comprise cash in personal advances. In the 2011 The Chief Minister owned AICC sources said in probe into the matter. “Na thing to do with any firm or body and the Swedish bus The BJP has released the list hand of 69,255, and a total Assembly polls, her assets, shares in Oil India Limited recent times he has been lead- khaunga na khane dunga was individual who might be manufacturers and Gadkari of 60 candidates for the first two movable assets of comprising entirely of move- (OIL) worth 8,77,500 in ing from front and has come PM Modi’s key campaign linked with the purchase or and his family had nothing to phases of the elections. West 16,72,352.71 which include ables - were valued at 15.84 2016 whose worth has risen to into the good books of party’’s promise which helped him sale of the bus,” the statement do with it,” it said. Bengal elections will be held in FDR and others worth lakh. 13,04,697 this year. high command. / & P . 0 & 0)
is committed to fulfilling their Dr. Atul Chauhan, # On the other hand the dreams, that’s why the youth Chancellor, Amity University, party’s students unit, NSUI ok Sabha Speaker Om Birla of India is leading in every advised students to always ormer Congress chief Rahul will stage a protest march on Lon Thursday said that edu- field in the world. Universities learn from people. Amity FGandhi on Thursday Friday named cation is an essential factor for are an inspiration for stu- Youth festival is a unique slammed the ruling BJP and - % ‘Chattr Adhikar March’ the all-around development of dents that build students’ online platform for students to said that India was no longer a across the country. The protest the country, so Government character and capacity. showcase their talent without democratic country. “India is accused the Modi Government will be concerning the major and private sector participation ing a direction to the society. Institutions like Amity pro- boundaries. Prof. (Dr.) no longer a democratic coun- of not paying attention on the $% points like reduced % in bud- is also important. In such a situation, it is nec- vide students with a growth Balvinder Shukla Vice- try,” Rahul said in his tweet as price rise and it was just to earn get for education sector, unem- “Our country has its own essary to stay connected with environment and opportuni- Chancellor, Amity University he shared a news clipping taxes. the constitution and demol- ployment, issue of scholar- identity in the field of knowl- our culture and move forward ties,” said the Lok Sabha was also present on the occa- which read ‘India now as auto- Earlier, the Congress leader ishing our democracy. In 2018, ships and fellowship grants edge, where Zero was also dis- in the field of science, tech- Speaker. sion. cratic as Pakistan, worse than had appealed citizens to raise people of Rajasthan elected etc. covered in India and today nology, and art,” Birla said He also talked about New The online festival will Bangladesh: Sweden institute’s their voice to “protect democ- the Congress government but This protest is against the India is leading in the world while inaugurating the Amity Education Policy, Skill policy comprise 97 creative and Democracy Report’. racy” and launched the party’s BJP conspired to topple the autocratic Government and in the field of knowledge Youth Festival 2021. and youth development poli- knowledge-driven events/ Rahul has been consis- campaigndemocratically elected their failed governance. The wherein youth have a special “The role of educational cy that have been prepared by activities in which around tently targeting the #SpeakUpForDemocracy. Congress government after campaign is regarding Naukri role. Today’s society is tech- institutions is to transform the government by keeping 10,000 students from India Government over the rising “Today, When the entire doing the same in Madhya Do ya Degree Vapis Lo (either nology and innovation based dreams into sankalp and the youth at the center for all- and 35 countries internation- fuel prices, farm laws and other nation is fighting against coro- Pradesh,” Rahul posted in the gives jobs or take back the and skill development is giv- sankalp into sidhi. The youth round development. ally will be participating. issues. Recently, Rahul Gandhi navirus, the BJP is ripping up video message. degrees). !#$& /% +( , -. ' ( (*( *!/. / interest, he said. relevant,” he asserted. It could “At the core of provide strength and direc- Atmanirbhar Bharat is to cre- tion to once again emerge vic- impressions about the elec- been brought to his notice that ate wealth and values not only torious from the challenges tion process,” the EC said in a a fake news which had for ourselves but for the larger humanity faces, he said aking a strong note of an statement. appeared in a Hindi newspaper humanity. We believe that an “In India, we saw many Told fake news about the According to the EC, the quite some time back is being Atmanirbhar Bharat is good for instances of this. Our people- hacking of electronic voting news item dated 21st activated and re-circulated as if the world,” he added. In the powered fight against COVID- ubsequent to searches con- machine (EVM) being circu- December, 2017 maliciously that I express doubts about the recent past, when the world 19, the outstanding spirit of the Sducted at five different loca- lated on some social media attributed that former Chief credibility of the EVM in the needed medicines, India did people, the courage of citizens, tions at Hyderabad, the platforms/internet, the Election Election Commissioner T.S. conduct of elections in India. sserting that a self-reliant whatever it could to provide one can say that behind this is Enforcement Directorate (ED) Commission has lodged an Krishnamurthy had opined “This is utterly false and AIndia is good for the world, them, the Prime Minister said, a glimpse of what the Gita on Thursday arrested accused FIR under the IPC Section 500 that a particular party won mischievous to circulate a Prime Minister Narendra Modi referring to India providing highlights,” he said. Noting Preet Kumar Agarwal under Customs as well as to generate (punishment for defamation) Assembly elections by hacking wrong impression in the ensu- said on Thursday that creating medicines and now vaccines that E-books are becoming the Prevention of Money and launder huge proceeds of and Representation of the EVMs. This wrongful infor- ing elections. I would like to wealth and value “not only for during the COVID-19 pan- very popular specially among Laundering Act in connec- crime,” the ED said in a state- People Act 1951 Section 128 mation was previously reiterate that the EVMs are ourselves but for the larger demic. the youth, Modi said, therefore, tion with diversion of gold jew- ment. (maintenance of secrecy of debunked by former CEC him- most credible and I have no humanity” is at the core of “Our scientists worked in a this effort will connect more ellery in the domestic market The investigation con- voting), 134(breach of official self, soon after this matter had doubt about its efficacy and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’. Modi quick time to come out with youngsters with the noble despite availing zero duty in ducted by DRI inter alia duty in connection with elec- come to his knowledge in 2018. reliability. EVM is indeed our also asked youngsters to read vaccines. Now, India is hum- thoughts of the Gita. The beau- procurement of gold for mak- revealed that gold weighing tions). This news is again being cir- nation’s pride and that there ‘Bhagawad Gita’, saying its bled that vaccines made in ty of the Gita is in its depth, ing export of finished prod- 250 kg (approximately) had “Investigation has been ini- culated by some miscreants on cannot be any doubt whatso- teachings are extremely prac- India are going around the diversity and flexibility, he said. ucts. been diverted/smuggled by tiated in this matter and stern social media. ever about its credibility,” tical and relatable. In the mid- world. We want to heal as well He quoted a peer reviewed The PMLA case was initi- the accused in the domestic action will be taken against the Refuting this fake news Krishnamurthy said. dle of their fast-paced lives, as help humanity. This is exact- journal of cardiology published ated on the basis of investiga- area. DRI had filed criminal miscreants who have uploaded Krishnamurthy has again The FIR was lodged by Gita will provide an oasis of ly what the Bhagavad Gita by the University of Oxford tion conducted by the complaint under various fake news to create wrong issued a statement saying it has Chief Electoral Office Delhi. clam and peace, he added. teaches us,” Modi stressed. He which talks at length about the Directorate of Intelligence Sections of the Customs Act, Speaking at the launch of said the Bhagavad Gita was relevance of Gita during the (DRI), Kolkata relating to the 1962. the Kindle version of Swami born during conflict, a refer- time of the COVID-19 pan- diversion of “gold jewellery” in During the searches con- * & & +,F!,-> /$ Chidbhavananda’s ‘Bhagavad ence to Mahabharat, and many demic. Modi said this e-book the domestic area, which was ducted by ED, incriminating Gita’ via video conferencing, feel that humanity is passing will also deepen the connect meant for export. documents, valuables and case against a Hyderabad based from SBI, Commercial Branch, the Prime Minister said the through similar conflict and between the eternal Gita and “The gold was procured records were recovered and private company Parikh Fabrics Hyderabad under a consortium epic’s core message to people is challenges now, Modi said. the glorious Tamil culture and duty-free by the said accused seized, which also indicate he CBI has registered a case Pvt. Ltd., and its directors arrangement. to perform action and assert- “The world is fighting a enable the Tamil diaspora persons from the nominated large scale hawala transactions Tagainst a Hyderabad-based Nikhil B Parikh and Rita B. “It was further alleged that ed that 1.3 billion people of tough battle against a once-in- spread across the world to agencies like MMTC/State being carried out by accused private company and others on Parikh besides unknown pub- the Company had defaulted in India have decided their course a-lifetime global pandemic. read it easily. He praised the Trading Corporation of India persons, it said. the allegations of bank fraud lic servants/private persons on payment of interest and instal- of action which is to make The economic and social Tamil diaspora for scaling new Ltd., Diamond India Ltd. and It has also been found that involving 173.76 crore and the allegations that the com- ments, hence, the account was India ‘Aatmanirbhar’ or self- impacts are also far reaching. In heights in many sectors and yet was being sold illegally to var- the accused persons have conducted searches in pany had availed various loan classified as Non Performing reliant. In the long term, a self- such a time, the path shown in carrying the greatness of its cul- ious persons in the domestic acquired assets in the name of Hyderabad and Chennai. facilities from December 26, Asset (NPA) on 30.08.2011,” reliant India is in everyone’s Bhagavad Gita becomes ever ture wherever they went. territory to evade duty of other persons, it added. The agency registered a 2003 to December 31, 2010 the CBI said in a statement. ! & & %
virus-spreading mosquitoes showed that the most deprived Scientists, including water had higher abundances of low mosquito densities, they breeding ground,” said the areas also had poorest water researchers from the National mosquito larvae, suggesting a said wealthy colonies had a ccess or non-access to tap study published in journal access and had the highest pro- Institute of Malaria Research in higher risk of dengue. Despite higher risk of recent infection Awater is an important risk PlOS Neglected Tropical portion of containers positive Delhi, measured dengue anti- better infrastructure and lower than intermediary colonies. factor for spread of mosquito Diseases. for mosquitoes. bodies in 2,107 individuals and mosquito densities, wealthy The scientists believe this causing vector-borne dengue The researchers found that Hence, improved access to mosquito larval prevalence in 18 colonies had a higher risk of may likely reflect the import of disease, according to an inter- tap water access was notably tap water could lead to a reduc- areas within Delhi. They also recent infection than the poor dengue virus by commuters national study, making the case lower in socially disadvan- tion in dengue risk, not only for analysed social and environ- ones. coming into the high income for ensuring potable water in taged areas. those who are directly affected mental risk factors for the virus. The researchers report that areas during the day. every household. The lack of access to tap but also for the general popu- Of the tested individuals, infected commuters who move They said close to 3.5 billion “Greater use of water stor- water likely results in more lation, said the researchers in the 160 were positive for dengue into high-income areas during people across the world are at ing containers in tap-water water bearing container stores study, “ Social and environ- virus antibodies, indicating a the day import the dengue risk of dengue viral infection deprived densely populated in homes that could breed mos- mental risk factors for dengue recent or current infection. virus to the wealthy areas, con- which is spreading increasing- urban areas of the national cap- quitoes due to the storage of in Delhi city: A retrospective Colonies with less than 61 tributing to that higher risk. ly with growing rates of urban- ital could be potential dengue- clean water in jars, said the researchers after conducting random survey of houses, which study” per cent having access to tap However, despite relatively isation. !"#"$"! 0
- / /1 . = , 55 = ! 4 7+ 2P ! &'5 & ??21 Kolkata: The Left Front (LF) on led ISF, the front stated, main- industries to the state, the draft Mumbai: Maharashtra on Thursday came out with a “draft taining that their views and said, adding that the success of Kolkata: In the wake of the Thursday recorded 14,317 new manifesto” for the West Bengal opinions, too, will find a place previous Left Front govern- Nandigram Incident in which coronavirus cases, the highest Assembly elections, asserting in the final manifesto. ments in the matter will be kept Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee one-day spike this year, which that it will ensure safety and Claiming that both the in consideration. was hurt, the Election took its caseload to 22,66,374, a security of all minorities and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and The manifesto also Commission has asked the State health official said. frame policies for the State’s the Trinamool Congress (TMC) promised to fill up vacancies in administration to be more cau- With 57 fatalities, the death industrial development, if voted are playing the communal card the state government. tious while planning for securi- toll reached 52,667, he said. to power. to polarise the state’s populace, At least 20 per cent of the ty arrangements for high-profile On October 7 the state had The CPI(M)-led front, the front said that it would state budget will be allotted for VVIPs when they campaign for reported 14,578 cases after Kolkata: The Enforcement which has formed an alliance strictly abide by the principles education, it said, while assert- the coming Assembly election, which the number of daily Directorate (ED), which is with the Congress and newly- of the Constitution, and ensure ing that the National Education an EC official said. cases had declined. probing the money laundering floated ISF, also said that it equal rights for all religions. Policy, 2020 will not be imple- The state chief election offi- As many as 7,193 patients aspect of the multi-crore would work towards re-estab- The Left Front, which ruled mented in West Bengal. cer Ariz Aftab along with ADG were discharged from hospitals Saradha scam, has summoned lishing democracy in the state West Bengal for a record 34 Claiming that severe draw- (Law and Order) and state nodal on Thursday, taking the total of TMC MLA Samir Chakraborty and not implement “repressive years, contended that its fight backs in the state’s healthcare officer Jagmohan held virtual recoveries to 21,06,400. increased to 3,38,643 and four now. and noted painter laws” brought into force by the against “the Centre’s anti-people infrastructure have come to the meetings with district magis- The number of active cases deaths took the fatality count to Nagpur division has report- Suvaprasanna in connection BJP, such as the ones on cow policies will continue”. fore amid the Covid-19 pan- trates in the state and asked to in the state crossed one lakh to 11,519. ed 2,46,363 infections and 4,886 with the case. slaughter and ‘love jihad’. Stress will be laid on small demic, the draft further said adopt strict security measures. reach 1,06,070. On November 6 Mumbai division reported fatalities so far. Sources said Chakraborty The draft has been for- and medium enterprises for “priority will be accorded to epi- "The EC has said security the state had reported 1,02,099 2,856 new cases and 11 deaths, With 97,778 tests carried has been asked to depose warded to alliance partners job creation, and policies would demic control and disease pre- arrangements must be made in active cases and the numbers taking the cumulative caseload out on Thursday, the state has before ED officials on Friday, Congress and Abbas Siddique- be framed to bring in large ventive measures”. PTI a very cautious manner. We can- had dwindled after that. to 7,49,849 and death toll to so far tested 1,72,13,312 samples while Suvaprasanna will face not be casual when it involves However, since February 19,921. for coronavirus. interrogation next Monday. important high-profile VVIPs 14 new cases have surged. Nashik division’s case tally There are 4,80,083 people in Thousands of investors % like the Prime Minister and the Nagpur city recorded the stood at 3,09,421 and death toll home quarantine while 4,719 have been duped by the Chief Ministers. All DMs and highest 1,701 new cases, fol- at 5,340. are in institutional quarantine. Saradha group by means of the the police administration have lowed by 1,514 cases in Pune Kolhapur division has Out of 57 deaths, 25 fraudulent schemes floated by ' Q R to be very alert when such fig- and 1,509 in Mumbai city. reported 1,20,744 cases and occurred in the last 48 hours the firm. ures come to the State to cam- The Pune division com- 4,082 deaths till now, while and 19 in the last week. Two years ago, Sambhal (UP): Samajwadi ing pre-poll conspiracies incidents might take place?” paign for the coming elections," prising civic bodies of Pune, Aurangabad division’s case tally Remaining 13 deaths were from Suvaprasanna was interrogated Party president Akhilesh Yadav against the Trinamool Yadav said while talking to the official said. Banerjee was Pimpri Chinchwad as well as stood at 87,369 and death count the period before the last week. by the CBI for his alleged Thursday demanded a probe Congress and Banerjee, Yadav reporters at the residence of his hurt while campaigning at districts of Pune, Solapur and at 2,081. Maharashtra’s COVID-19 involvement. into the alleged attack on West asserted that people in West party MP Shafiqur Rahman Nandigram on Wednesday Satara reported 3,088 new cases, Latur division has reported figures are as follows: Positive Sources in the Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Bengal know Mamata Banerjee Burq here. “I hope the people evening hours after she filed her highest among the divisions. 90,144 cases until now and cases: 22,66,374, new cases: Enforcement Directorate said Banerjee during electioneering has been the sole popular chief of Bengal will once again elect nomination to contest from the The number of cases in the 2,556 fatalities. Akola division 14,317, death toll: 52,667, dis- Chakraborty had allegedly in Nandigram and hoped that minister of the state. Mamata Banerjee. The people seat in East Midnapore district, Pune division stood at 5,49,484 has reported 1,12,854 cases charged: 21,06,400, active cases: funded a TV channel with people would elect her their “The BJP may hatch as know if there is any popular where she will take on her one and death toll at 11,825. while 1,886 people have suc- 1,06,070, people tested so far: money received from the now- CM once again. many conspiracies as they chief minister, it is Mamata time protege and now BJP leader Mumbai’s Covid-19 tally cumbed to the disease until 1,72,13,312. PTI defunct Saradha group. PTI Accusing the BJP of hatch- want… how many more such Banerjee,” said Yadav. PTI Suvendu Adhikari. PTI .3 ! ?
! ! 66 “We are postponing the MPSC resorted to rasta rokos, of the examinations had badly preliminary examination as a dhranas and other forms of affected morale of the students % ours after the protests precautionary measure taken protests in various parts of the who had been preparing for Herupted in several parts of in view of the spurt in the state. The police resorted to the examination with hard the State over the sudden number of Covid-19 cases in mild lathi charge at Amravati. work. He said that the decision Srinagar: Two Jaish-e- postponement of preliminary the state,” a statement issued by Soon after the protests had also affected the students Mohammad (JeM) militants examinations of the the MPSC had said. erupted in various parts of the financially. “That being the were killed in an overnight Maharashtra Public Service The MPSC 2020 prelims state, the chief minister spoke case, I advise the state gov- encounter with security forces Commission (MPSC)-2020, exams, scheduled to be con- to Director-General of Police ernment to suspend the post- in Anantnag district of Jammu Chief Minister Uddhav ducted on March 14, have Hemant Nagrale and other ponement of examination and and Kashmir, police said on Thackeray announced on been postponed for the fifth senior police officials and hold it as scheduled,” Fadnavis Thursday. Thursday evening that his time in the past one year asked them to deal with the said. The security forces Government would re-sched- owing to the Covid-19 crisis. protestors with restraint. Fadnavis wondered as to launched a cordon and search ule the MPSC within next An estimated 260,000 plus On their part, the leaders why the state government had operation at Kandipora in eight days. candidates were to appear for of the ruling alliance partner chosen to defer the MPSC pre- Bijbehara area of the district on Interacting with the peo- the prelims exams for two Congress – Nana Patole and liminary exams at a time when Wednesday following infor- ple across the state live would not able to appear for objective-type papers at vari- Vijay Wadettiwar – also called there was no ban on political mation about presence of mil- cordon remained intact scribed outfit JeM. through the social media, the exam as they had crossed ous centres in the state on up the chief minister and rallies and several other pub- itants there, a police official throughout night, he said. As per police records, the Uddhav said that the state the age criteria — would not March 14 (Sunday). urged to come out with a lic activities. “Given that the said. “During the search oper- “Today in the morning, official said both the militants government would announce come in the way of their The decision to postpone solution for the unrest among social distancing norms are ation, as the presence of ter- repeated announcements were were involved in several terror the new dates for the MPSC appearing for the postponed the MPSC preliminary exam- the affected students caused by normally enforced at the rorists got ascertained they again made to hiding terrorists crime cases, including attacks preliminary examination examination as all the students inations sent the students the sudden postponement of examination centres, the rea- were given opportunity to sur- to surrender, but the terrorists on security forces and civilian tomorrow. would be allowed to appear for across the state into tizzy. the examination. son for the postponement render. However, they fired fired on joint search party and atrocities. In another relief to the stu- the deferred exam. There were spontaneous Slamming the Uddhav given by the MPSC is wrong. indiscriminately upon the joint the fire was retaliated resulting “Incriminating materials, dents appearing for the exam- The MPSC had earlier in protests in various parts of the Thackeray government for the Hence the state government search party, which was retal- in the elimination of two hid- including arms & ammunition, ination, the chief minister said the day attributed its decision state, including Pune, Nagpur, postponement of the MPSC should hold the examination iated, leading to an encounter,” ing terrorists,” he added. were recovered from the site of that owing to the postpone- to defer the MPSC preliminary Amravati, Aurangabad, preliminary examination, as scheduled earlier,” the for- the official said. The slain militants have encounter. All the recovered ment of the examination, age examinations-2020 to the Solapur, Nanded, Kolhapur, leader of the Opposition mer chief minister said, while Due to darkness, the oper- been identified as Adil Ahmad material has been taken into limit of a section of students – increasing spread of Covid-19 Jalgaon and some other places. Devendra Fadnavis said that talking to a regional television ation was suspended on Bhat and Zahid Ahmad Rather. case records for further inves- who apprehended that they in various parts of the state. The affected students the repeated postponement channel. Wednesday evening but the They were affiliated with pro- tigation,” he added. PTI ,1R +:1
- ! 45 ! & % *6 7 5 & & + ! + * Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) Vilavankode, both in 66 agreed upon the six segments Kanyakumari, besides Guwahati: The newly floated 2 MLA from Karimganj South, he DMK and Congress on the latter will fight from, Karaikudi and ctor Kangana Ranaut has Raijor Dal on Thursday joined the AGP on March 7 TThursday reached an agree- including four reserved con- Udhagamandalam—all held by Aapproached a sessions announced that its chief and uling alliance member after the news spread that ment on the 25 seats the latter stituencies. it and Coimbatore South. court here challenging a bail- jailed anti-CAA activist Akhil RAsom Gana Parishad Badruddin Ajmal headed party will field its candidates from for MDMK leader Vaiko also Tenkasi, Nanguneri (won able warrant issued by a mag- Gogoi will withdraw his nomi- (AGP) on Thursday released its had left the seat to Congress as the April 6 Assembly polls in named candidates for all six by the party in 2016 but lost to istrate in a defamation com- nation from Mariani con- second list of candidates con- part of an understanding in the Tamil Nadu, with the national seats his party has been allot- AIADMK in 2019 bypoll), plaint filed against her by lyri- stituency and contest only from taining six names for the sec- Grand Alliance. party set to lock horns with ted by the DMK, where it will Srivillliputhur and Velachery in cist Javed Akhtar. Sivasagar seat. Congress has fielded its sit- ond phase of polling on April AGP announced eight can- rival BJP in five segments contest on lead partner’s Rising Chennai are the other seats Ranaut’s plea, filed on Addressing a press confer- ting MLA Rupjyoti Kurmi from 1. didates on Sunday as part of its including two in Kanyakumari. Sun symbol. allotted to it by DMK. Wednesday, is slated to be ence here, Raijor Dal Working Mariani and it was anticipated AGP General Secretary first list for the opening phase The AIADMK allotted six Further, TTV Dhinakaran’s Similarly, VCK will contest heard on March 15, her lawyer President Bhasco De Saikia said that he would have a direct con- Ramendra Narayan Kalita of polling on March 27. seats to former Union Minister Amma Makkal Munnetra from Kattumannarkoil, said. the decision to withdraw Gogoi’s test with Gogoi. issued the second list for the six The ruling BJP has formed GK Vasan-led Tamil Maanila Kazhagam struck a poll pact Arakkonam, Cheyyur, Vanur- The Andheri metropolitan nomination from Mariani was With Gogoi leaving constituencies, where the an alliance with the AGP and Congress (TMC) and one seg- with Social Democratic Party - all reserved constituencies magistrate’s court had on March taken primarily to ensure defeat Mariani, the 3-time heavyweight regional party did not have any United People’s Party Liberal ment to a local outfit, with can- of India (SDPI) and allotted it and Nagapattinam and 1 issued a bailable warrant of the BJP from the constituen- Congress MLA will now have a MLA. (UPPL). didates of both parties set to six seats including Ambur and Tiruporur, party leader and against the actor after she failed cy. “Though Akhil Gogoi would direct fight with BJP’s Ramani The nominated AGP can- Out of the 126 seats in the contest on the ruling party’s Palayamkottai to its partner. Lok Sabha member to appear before the court. have won Mariani very easily as Tanti, a lesser known face. Gogoi didates are- Bishnu Das (Raha), Assembly, the BJP has left 26 Two Leaves symbol. The DMK and Congress Thol.Thirumavalavan told Magistrate RR Khanhad it is his home constituency, but had also filed nomination from Habibar Rahman (Dalgaon), and eight constituencies for its With today’s allocations, agreed on the 25 seats the reporters. earlier issued a summons to her we took this decision only to Sivasagar constituency, from Aziz Ahmed Khan (Karimganj allies AGP and UPPL respec- AIADMK, eyeing a third national party will contest from AIADMK ally TMC will in February. help form an anti-BJP where he will contest, Saikia told South), Aptabuddin Laskar tively. record term, would face the and this includes five segments fight elections from six seats As the actor failed to Government in Assam. reporters here. (Algapur), Saddikulla Bhuyan The AGP currently has 13 polls from 189 of the 234 seats presently represented by its including Thiru Vi Ka Nagar appear, the court issued a bail- “Our this step has now Sivasagar and Mariani are (Jamunamukh) and Sabbir MLAs in the Assam Assembly, while two more are yet to be party MLAs. and Patukkotai on the Two able warrant against her and ensured that BJP will be defeat- going to polls in the first phase Ahmed (Patharkandi). which is going for polls in three allotted. The Congress will take on Leaves symbol, party chief posted the matter for hearing ed in Mariani,” he added. on March 27. PTI Khan, who is an AIUDF phases. DMK and ally Viduthalai BJP in Colachel and Vasan said. on March 26. . > ! = > / 0! & P * 6! .7 && - 4; Mumbai: A special court here the people of India, and violation Thiruvananthapuram: In poll- something which had pained all injustice shown to Sabarimala, on Thursday deferred till March of democratic rights of the mar- bound Kerala, Devaswom of us.It should never have hap- even if he takes a dip in the holy / 15 its order on the bail plea of ginalised citizens of the country. Minister Kadakampally pened.It has pained everyone...It River Ganga a thousand times. Agra: Three members of the Hindu tribal rights activist Stan Swamy, The bail plea had also said Surendran on Thursday virtu- has pained me also,” Surendran Kerala had witnessed high Mahasabha were arrested on Thursday for Shillong: Meghalaya Health Minister AL Hek on arrested in the Elgar Parishad- that Swamy was not connected ally expressed regret for the told television channels. drama during the nearly three- offering prayers to Lord Shiva inside the Thursday said East Khasi Hills district has the high- Maoist links case. in any way to the organisation incidents that had rocked the The statement of the senior month long annual pilgrimage Taj Mahal compound, police said. est tobacco related cancer cases and also the second The court was likely to pass of Elgar Parishad event in Pune Lord Ayyappa temple at CPI(M) leader, who is con- season in 2018 with around a A case was registered against the trio, highest cancer incidence rate in the country. the order on Thursday, but on December 31, 2017. Sabarimala in 2018 over the testing the April 6 Assembly dozen women in the 10-50 age including a woman, after they were “Yes, it is a fact that as per National Cancer deferred it as the National However, the NIA has women entry issue and said it polls, has come at a time when group being prevented from apprehended by Central Industrial Registry Programme, Cancer statistics 2020, East Khasi Investigation Agency (NIA) filed claimed that it has sufficient evi- “should never have happened”, the opposition Congress and entering the Sabarimala temple Security Force personnel deployed at the Hills district of Meghalaya has the second highest can- some additional documents and dence to prima facie prove that as the Congress and BJP sought BJP are sparing no efforts to by protesting devotees after the monument and handed over to the police, cer incidence rate. It is a fact that East Khasi Hills dis- Swamy’s lawyer soughttime to the accused was involved in the an apology from the left gov- rake up the Sabarimala issue to apex court permitted women of Inspector Umesh Chandra Tripathi of trict has the highest relative proportion of cancers asso- respond. deep-rooted conspiracy and was ernment. attack the Marxist government. all age groups into the hill Tajganj police station said. ciated with the use of tobacco for both males and Swamy, currently lodged in directly involved in the Naxalite He also vowed that the the While senior congress shrine. Police said Meena Diwakar, the females,” Hek told the Assembly. Taloja jail in Navi Mumbai, was movement. final verdict of the Supreme leader Ramesh Chennithala The LDF, particularly provincial president of the Hindu He said tobacco related cancer of 66.9 per cent in arrested on October 8 last year In a related development, Court would be implemented felt the statement was to CPI(M), had drawn flak from Mahasabha, started praying along with the men and 43.1 per cent in women in the district is the by the NIA. the court allowed the exemption only after consultations with “deceive” the devotees, BJP several quarters over the other two on a bench near the central tank highest in the country. In his bail plea, Swamy had plea of activist Varavara Rao, believers, political parties and State president K Surendran women’s entry issue for its in the complex. The Health minister also said that the total num- said that he was being targeted who has been granted interim the general public. said the minister was shedding alleged hastiness in imple- The Mughal-era monument is pro- ber of cancer patients from East Khasi Hills, West by the central agency due to the bail for six months on medical “The incidents that took crocodile tears and would not menting the Supreme Court tected by the Archaeological Survey of Khasi Hills, Jaintia Hills and Ri-Bhoi district is 7,014 nature of his writings and work grounds by the Bombay High place in Sabarimala in 2018 was be forgiven for the cruelty and order. PTI India (ASI). PTI in the past five years. PTI about caste and land struggles of Court. PTI !"#"$"!
1+'( 1/(# ! "#$% &'( "! "#$% # 1+1=3624>1+--20* 2 Q4 2 < < & 23,* ' *A ! & B 2 2++3 $ R S :# ; (0=>4 4 P> - Q * G6HK& $ & ' ' 6/>$ % ' ( 4 # 0 O - ? 4 @AAAAA 0 O & ! & ' % ' ' ( ' " 6 &'$ & $7 B 0S % # $ - - # he Congress and the C P# 4 $ - - CPI(M)’s decision to ally 0=>4 0 2 4(0 Q = with the Indian Secular 4S Front (ISF) in West BengalT has scandalised many. # 4S ( Despite its paradoxical nomen- ( clature, the ISF is headed by Pirzada Abbas Siddiqui, a cleric 4 $ of the Furfura Sharif shrine in the State. It is, however, not a novel ( ?@ experiment for the Congress, R- 4S 0=>4 (DE ( which catapulted the Ulema into + $ 4 O P ( mass politics during the Khilafat Q FA movement in the 1920s. O (0=>4 However, for the CPI(M), Siddiqui appears a strange bed- fellow. The communists, in + - + - principle, abhor any transaction - / / 2 ( with religious groups. We have # GFDE? all grown up hearing the Marxist adage “religion is the (0=>4 FH@ ( opium of the people”. However, 3E??? it is true that MN Roy formed 9 % S the Communist Party of India # (in exile) in Tashkent with a T Nagi Reddy (Anantapur) While speaking in the Lok theology diametrically oppo- group of Mohajirs (those who introduced a private member’s Sabha on March 14, 1960, he site to their godless ideal? The 9 0 B 0 P tried to emigrate from India to Bill, viz; ‘Catholic Church did not contest the right of February 28 rally at Kolkata’s Q % ( Afghanistan, the nearest Dar-ul- Premises and Ecclesiastical the clergies to dissuade peo- Brigade Parade Ground is 0=>4 (DE P(( Q Islam) at the onset of the Order (Restriction of Political ple from voting for the com- already reminding some peo- 4 = - ? + C P* Khilafat movement. “Most of Activity) Bill’, in the Lok munists. However, he rated ple of Comrade Jyoti Basu’s them transferred their fanatical Sabha. The Bill, originally the excommunication threat decision to be present at the : ; ( allegiance from Islam to com- registered in the name of his as dangerous to the morale of Direct Action Day rally con- # Q 9 munism,” Roy wrote. One does- party colleague TB Vittal Rao, a Christian. vened by the Muslim League S / n’t know how much of his claim was an outspoken document. Gupta observed: “To a on August 16, 1946. The end 4 was actually true. However, The statement of objects and devout Catholic, Hell means of the rally marked the begin- there was at least an attempt at reasons stated: “It has been much more than to a devout ning of the Great Calcutta 4 B communist conversion. noticed that the Catholic 1 * G6H< Hindu. Among Hindus, there Killing (August 16-18), 1946. # ( The instant case is different, Church and its ecclesiastical is a spirit of penal reforms in Karl Marx, in his article where the alliance partner could personnel are engaging in Hell; a term in Hell is not titled ‘Declaration of War — # S retain its essentially religious political activities. This is * 1 indefinite; after five years, 10 On the History of Eastern character. This brand of secular- contrary to the concepts of a years or 50 years or 100 years Question’ (New York Daily S % ( ism might be tolerated by the secular State. It has become or even 1,000 years, he can Tribune; April 15, 1854), B 4 ( Congress, which can form necessary to restrict such 2 have the life of a worm or a makes no bones of Islamic the- alliance with the Muslim League political activities in the para- 1 ! dog or, perhaps, a man and ology. He writes: “The Koran and the Shiv Sena with equal mount interests of the secular then go back to whatever he and the Mussulman legislation ease. While secularism for the State. Restriction of such *66 < deserves…. That is not the emanating from it reduce the 1' Congress is only self-certifica- political activities is also pro- * < Catholic doctrine. If a Catholic geography and ethnography of tion of non-communalism, for vided for by Article 25(2)(a) does not secure the aid of the the various people to the sim- the CPI(M) it must also be of the Constitution.” 3 * Church in this life, he is con- ple and convenient distinction strict non-religiosity. The Bill had its origin in 2 demned to be eternally in Hell. of two nations and of two In this regard, one should the politico-spiritual power That is a very serious matter countries; those of the Faithful recapitulate an episode in India’s struggle between the Catholic 2! 4 for a devout Catholic.” and of the Infidels. The Infidel parliamentary history. It was the Church and the CPI in Kerala 2 Neither Reddy nor Gupta is “harby,” i.e. the enemy. undivided CPI which had sought and Andhra Pradesh in the was critical of Christianity in Islamism proscribes the nation a ban on political influence of the 1950s. The Church was issuing 2 general. Yet, they showed the of the Infidels, constituting a Catholic Church in India. While edicts against communism as 6L 2 courage to take on an eccle- state of permanent hostility one might expect such bravado a political ideology and excom- N 2 siastical institution which between the Mussulman and from the BJP (or its predecessor municating those Christians could issue a spiritual veto the unbeliever.” Will the Bharatiya Jana Sangh), they actu- who had joined the CPI or 6 1 against an individual’s polit- CPI(M) “excommunicate” ally took no such step. It was Revolutionary Socialist Party. O ical conviction. Marx to appease Siddiqui? actually the communists who Sadhan Gupta, a commu- The Gupta-Reddy (The writer is an author seriously questioned the political nist leader from Bengal, episode has a special lesson and independent researcher role of the Church. flagged the ex-communica- for the present-day CPI(M). based in New Delhi. The views On April 1, 1960, CPI leader tion threat as alarming. Can they accommodate a expressed are personal.) !*++*# + ++** '+ # SOUNDBITE
8 - 9 & Sir — While the Goa Police needs to be Q % "& ' " ( appreciated for cracking the double mur- /' & ' der case in Fatorda and apprehending the $< '& %/ &/'< ' $ : >$ " %' three accused in Mumbai within 24 hours $&%&' & $ ' &%$ %/ "! % ( ""&! A ' % ' ' %& %' % ' ' ' &' %/ > of the crime, the gruesome killing of the "%(& < two senior citizens brings into sharp N/ & ' " $ ( > && ! 9 Q @ focus the irresponsible behaviour of the '! 2 "' & (' ' &%$ " 35'& general public when it comes to adhering %/ " (&( % ( ""& L6"' : ' ' to simple rules that could go a long way '&" '" ' ''&!& "/'& in protecting them against the evil designs ' & &'( ' 2 "'K& & P * + Q - + * P of criminals. $ "/&' &'%%$! ( Q +.$ PQ ( P Q ( Tenant verification process as a means "' "/&' " /& & % / ( ' & $ ' # S ! &' '( ' '' 2 "'& ' %> to check the criminal antecedents of *4 >+. &! $'/ $ ''& &/$ ' $ ' &%$ ( those staying on rent in various leased-out $ ' & '' properties has never been accorded the ' ' "& $ &! & %/( / %% # & & ' ' $' N K sort of seriousness that it actually warrants. &' ( ' " &/ '' ' "%'& ' ""/&$ (&$ ' '& G6 ++H! %' % ' '& ' Seen as a rather cumbersome task, land- ' 5 ' ' '&! $%$ '&! / lords have preferred overlooking this '& ! & ' K& &' $ ' /$ ' & +.$ # #-0 statutory obligation while renting out their '&" & & ' &&/< $> ' % ' ' &' '! < ' '& :; & ( premises. Not that the police have been ( ' &' ' 2 $ $ ' $ '&"< ' % ' ' / ' K 4 N " " "$ % & $ $& ' ( overly strict over the matter, either! It is ' % &% '& ' 5 $ ' *( && $ only on the commissioning of crimes of $%$ ! & :/&' ( ' '> " $' ' ' &! S + #-0 this nature that the police wake up to the &'%& ' 5 $ ' *( && ' " 4& ' -$ matter of registration of tenants at the % ! % ' & '& ' %$ $ 103 ' & &" /" /& & &! P+.$ nearest police station and begin cracking 'K& & +1 %2 / - 3 the whip. It is indeed an alarming situa- % '& $ (&! % Q # +.$ tion where, despite the steady influx of of passers-by and policemen are often com- None other than our politicians are ' &' &< migrants into the State, the tenant verifi- plicit in the crime. responsible for this situation as they P Q 0+4 'K& & '! cation process has not kept pace with the It is a known fact that police person- make false promises and indulge in 71 requirements. nel take “cut money” from such criminals rhetoric during elections but fail to fulfill K * : - As much as the landlords and owners and allow them a free hand. Further, many these. People feel cheated and thus devel- #-0 of business premises, the police too are people don’t have civic sense and throw op a sort of hatred towards the politicians. K ($ 1 ( responsible for the mess arising out of such garbage on roads and on footpaths with- Further, the Government is hell-bent situations. Hence, it becomes essential that out caring for others. Some people, who on breaking the farmers’ protest and not " '''/$ ' $& 1 ( the administration tightens protocols and travel by car, throw packets of chips or cig- ready to concede their genuine demands. %( ($! +.$S - begins a sustained identification process arette butts at signals. We must remember On the other hand, much to the misery of K & '$ ' of every migrant in Goa. that it is our collective responsibility to keep the common people, the prices of petrol, % ' "'&! * - ' &K' ($! PQ O 1 0 Pachu Menon | Goa our city neat and clean. The mindset that diesel and LPG are on the rise. Citizens it is the responsibility of civic authorities who are already overburdened due to the (% + $ +.$ 353717<1 and not of citizens needs to be changed. loss of jobs and salary cuts because of the K 5 O # / Sir — The footpaths should be made free We should have some sense of respon- Coronavirus pandemic, are not in a posi- 6 of encroachments and illegal street vendors sibility towards our environment. It is our tion to bear any more. # 0 - ( who create nuisance must be taken to task. surroundings that define our behaviour in The politicans must do something for '& /" & - 78 9 It is the responsibility of both the munic- a big away. We must keep it safe, clean and the people that should make the masses ' $< $ ipal authorities and the police to act healthy. believe in what they say. They must sincere- %&& *6 / P Q : ; ( against such vendors and illegal traders Seetharam Basaani | Telangana ly walk the talk. /' ! & ( who not only do their business on footpaths Bhagwan Thadani | Mumbai 2 "' & / but many of them live there, too. Many of ' % ' N/ &"/((( ! them are pickpockets and bootleggers.They Sir —It is very sad that people have lost 0 snatch chain, purse and other belongings faith in political parties and politicians. 123145676 +$1 * K :& 3$ !"#"$"! 5
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ecently a short video made by Dananeer Mobeen, a young Pakistani woman, went Rviral in the subcontinent and spawned a *33#43 host of memes. It was a casual video in which 4 $ - the woman lightheartedly parodied the : 4$-; Americanised Urdu accents of certain upper- # 3HH 0 $ / 6 :0$/6; class Pakistanis. Indeed, viral videos and memes are nothing out of the ordinary. Their “fame” usually lasts a few days. Like most popular cul- P Q 4 ( ture products, they are quickly consumed and then disposed. But like any other popular cul- DAD $/6 P Q ( ture product they, too, can add something sub- stantial to an ongoing social or political dis- course. Popular culture products have rapidly evolved, but their nature has remained the same. I They have managed to not only exercise social ( influence but also impact various political " $/6 ( aspects of a society. It is thus not uncommon for governments to ban or try to control certain * products of popular culture. $/6S " But what is popular culture? Is it a recent * occurrence or was there always a popular cul- * ture when humans began to band together as 4 3 societies? Professor of Cultural Studies John 44 < Storey writes in his book, ‘Inventing Popular Culture’, that the term “popular culture” was first 6 coined in 19th century England. According to 6! Storey, popular culture was a product of indus- 3 4 trialisation and the consequential urbanisation 62 in Europe, when cities began to grow and wit- 3 nessed an influx of migrants from rural areas L* * The American cultural theorist a monopoly over defining and ship, folk and national songs arriving to work in factories. They brought with 1* John Fiske disagrees with Adorno designing popular culture prod- became lyrical manifestations of them, what came to be known as, folk culture. 6* and Horkheimer. In his 1989 book ucts. This meant that these were faith, family values and the glory But in a rapidly evolving urban modernity, folk 4 ‘Understanding Popular Culture’, being generated from above of State institutions (such as the culture was derided as being superstitious, Fiske writes that popular culture because folk cultures below were military and the police). By the conservative and static. * was made from within and below, seen as promoting ethnic provin- 1990s, the profane had become pri- In response, the urban working classes * 1 not imposed from above. He writes cialism. For example, till the late vatised and the sacred had become * 3! 4 with roots in the rural areas formulated their own that there is always an element of 1960s, the State-owned media was public. The country’s cultural modernity, by utilising inventions such as the popular culture that lies outside not allowed to air folk songs. spaces had shrunk or they had to ( printing press and the railways to mass-produce *66 1 social control, which escapes or Popular culture products were to add some element of the sacred to S ( and proliferate cultural products drawn from 246 opposes hegemonic forces. follow the State’s instructions to continue existing. These included # $ their daily experiences in the cities. 3 LW Levine, in his essay for the promote Pakistani society as an spaces sponsored by multination- / + :$/+; The mythos of folk cultures were fused with * * 1992 issue of The American integrated cultural whole. al organisations. From the mid- ( the lived experiences of urban modernity to * 1 Historical Review, writes that, to Films based on ancient folk 2000s, popular culture in the # %> ! develop cultural products that were inexpensive, * the purveyors of popular culture tales (such as the 1950s Sassi) were country splintered. The popular 0 0 DEEH mass-produced and expressed as being modern. products, a majority of people buy an example of the “Urduisation” of culture products below — such as They were an exhibition of the modernity of the into this culture of their own a non-Urdu folk tale. exhibitions of religiosity through + ( urban working classes. accord. The nature of their According to RB Qureshi in unregulated sermons and speech- =S P The makers and sellers of popular culture demand influences the creation ‘Exploring Qawwali and es via digital audio mediums on Q products often belonged to the emerging mid- and evolution of this culture’s Gramophone Culture in Pakistan’, the one hand, and the more secu- 3F " ( dle classes, some of whom came from rural back- products. To them it is a culture of the qawwali was not played on lar popular culture expressions grounds but had “made it big” in the cities. Their the people, by the people. Radio Pakistan until the creation such as Umer Sharif’s stage plays 4 products were weaved to enthrall the masses toil- However, in the anthology of the Urdu qawwali in the late employing everyday Urdu — jos- " ing in factories and living in cramped conditions. ‘Popular Culture and World 1950s. However, the line between tled for space with the ideas of By the mid-1940s, though, popular culture Politics’, Jutta Weldes and Christina what was being dictated from popular culture coming from the O had become a melting pot of varied industries, Rowley write that states and gov- above and what was brewing below middle, such as Coke Studio, - 2 /B : churning out films, songs, pulp novels, tabloids ernments actively use popular began to blur during ZA Bhutto’s award shows and lavish TV soap ; 9 7 2 / : and so on. In their 1944 book, ‘Dialectic of culture products in many ways and populist regime (1971-77). operas. > % ; Enlightenment’ the German social scientists for multiple purposes. Take, for But even then, the more con- What was emerging from the # $/6 Theodor Adorno and Max Horkheimer savage instance, the relationship between centrated “regional” or Sufi themes State above was defused and ! / the “popular culture industry” as a cynical out- popular culture and the State and running across folk songs and defanged. It seemed especially so 0 4 JA ( come of capitalist production. governments in Pakistan. qawwalis were stripped down and when the three strata, above, mid- They agree that the main consumers of pop- In South Asia, popular culture presented as secularised media- dle and below, all landed on social B ular culture products were the urban working — as it began to be understood tions on spiritualism, which could media sites in full view of each / / 61 % 1 / and lower-middle classes, but lament that these from the 19th century onwards — now be enjoyed as entertainment other. I do not see their interaction S > % K % # 3HH products “confine them, body and soul.” To was a by-product of the many eco- as well. In the 1980s, the General in this respect as a cultural war. It 0$/6 ( ( Adorno and Horkheimer, the popular culture nomic and political changes intro- Zia dictatorship was quick to use is a discourse between varied pop- The views expressed ( industry “is not the art of the consumer but are personal. duced in the region by British colo- certain popular culture products to ular culture products and ideas. L "( rather the projection of the will of those in con- Courtesy: Dawn nialism. In Pakistan, right from the broadcast its ideas of Islamisation. However, it is still early to predict trol on to their victims.” onset, the State began developing For instance, during the dictator- exactly what this might lead to. * $/6 ( M 9 2 M I POINTCOUNTERPOINT * + ( G@ " N! N 9 !!, !& %', &$ ! + ! !', & ! ! N 1 ' $=> ,0!'' ! $ !' $=> ,0!'' '& , ,% '' '' ( ( ,0!$ # % " K ! K 3ADA I L+ ! '! & L+ ! + '! 0 !0!, &,,!& * & & he historic Dandi march making salt started to improve, Sabarmati ashram and had Dandi coast in the morning of Ellis Ashmead-Bartlett wrote, be treading on the same soil in that began on March 12, but over time, salt was also faith in the Mahatma’s philos- April 5 wearing khadi. A Press "Who knew that this event will a padyatra on the occasion of 75 T1930, played a significant beginning to become a com- ophy. In the letter to Lord briefing was also organised at become historical in the future? years of independence. But role in India’s freedom struggle mercial item. The Dandi March Irwin, Mahatma Gandhi Dandi. Sarojini Naidu, Sumant, Is the arrest of a Mahatma a there is a sea change in the sit- as it was the most influential was part of Mahatma Gandhi’s informed him about the deci- Abbas Tyabji, Mithuben Petit small thing? No doubt, uation of the country between and inspirational moment in non-violent protest against the sion to break the salt law which joined the Dandi march. In his Gandhiji has emerged as a then and now. The journey of the fight for independence. British monopoly on produc- Gandhiji felt was the biggest address, Gandhiji gave informa- Mahatma and a divine man in India will now be defined by This is the reason why the tion of salt. injustice to the poor. tion about breaking the Salt the eyes of crores of Indians self-reliance and self-respect. day marking the beginning of 2 313+*! In a letter to Lord Irwin on The Dandi March started Law next morning. today.” We will no more be seekers and the Dandi march was chosen March 2, 1930, Mahatma from Sabarmati Ashram on The Mahatma broke the This was the most impor- our image on the world canvas to launch the celebrations sur- Gandhi said that “politically, March 12 as per schedule. At Salt Law by the simple yet tant turn in India’s freedom will be that of a contributor. In rounding 75 years of India’s our position is no better than exactly 6:30 am, Gandhiji left symbolic act of picking up a fist- struggle, which emerged from this hour of crisis across the Independence. The events after that of slaves, the roots of our the ashram with 79 followers ful of salt on the Dandi coast on the Dandi March. People globe, we have delivered med- the Dandi yatra, certainly culture have been hollowed and started the yatra. They ensured that civil disobedience the morning of April 6. He was understood that non-cooper- icines and vaccines to various brought the colonial rulers out.” He further wrote that completed 241 miles up to was not resorted to before immediately detained under ation was not just an idea but a countries. That shows that our under pressure. Through this “this letter is not intended as a Dandi in 24 days. During this Gandhiji broke the Salt Law at British law. well-thought-out plan for resis- age-old belief in “Vasudhaiva movement, Mahatma Gandhi threat. It is just a simple and period, the Father of the Nation Dandi. With the permission of Prior to his arrest, Gandhiji tance to the British rule. With Kutumbakam” is still alive. once again introduced the sacred duty of a Satyagrahi. used to address the gatherings Gandhiji, a pledge was written had clearly sent across the mes- Gandhiji’s visit to Dandi, a India wants to speak the power of truth and non-vio- Therefore, I am sending it during the yatra. His speech- for the satyagrahis. The letter sage that Swaraj cannot be sus- wave of nationalism swept language of labour and toil so lence to the world. through a young English friend es were successful in influenc- stated: “I am ready to go to jail tained without sacrifice and, across India. The symbolic that our future generations are The system of making salt who is an advocate of the ing the minds of the people and I will be happy to bear therefore, it is possible that Dandi yatra created a sentiment carved out in strength. The in India had existed since Indian view, who has full faith against the policies of the whatever hardships and punish- people will have to make unlim- in favour of freedom among the Prime Minister envisions that ancient times and the tradition The writer is in non-violence and who has British. ments will be meted out to me ited sacrifices to achieve it. A people. Gandhiji’s Dandi march when the country celebrates the was carried forward by salt Union Minister of State been perhaps sent to me for this During the march, it was true sacrifice is one in which still shows us how to take the centenary of India’s (Independent Charge), as part of this movement.” farmers. In Bihar and many Ministry of Tourism and purpose only by the Almighty.” clearly spelled out that the peo- On the night of April 4, one side suffers without resort- right decision in difficult times Independence, then our other provinces, this work was Culture. The views The name of the Mahatma’s ple should keep their attention 1930, the padyatra entered ing to retaliation. Describing the and highlights the importance achievements and cultural glory left to a special community. expressed friend was Reginald Reynolds, focused on the Salt Law itself Dandi. Hundreds of Gandhian Dandi march, the reporter of of sacrifice to the people. should be a shining example Gradually, the technique of are personal. who had lived with him in the and at the same time it was satyagrahis gathered on the The Daily Telegraph, London, After about 91 years, I shall before the world. !"#"$"! 6 / ! (*P 9 *
Beijing: China’s rubber-stamp in a city which had enjoyed parliament voted on Thursday greater political freedoms than ! O P. ! for sweeping changes to Hong on the authoritarian mainland Kong’s electoral system — under a system dubbed “one including powers to veto candi- country, two systems”. tral Myanmar’s Myaing town- ted giving Suu Kyi $600,000 in dates — as Beijing moves to On Thursday, only one " 0 ship. cash, along with more than 11 ensure only “patriots” run the member of the 2,896-strong 7 & “Six men were shot dead kilograms ($680,000 worth) of city following huge pro-democ- National People’s Congress Beijing: Chinese Premier Li Chinese mainland’s policy separatist activities aimed at while eight people were gold. racy rallies. abstained in the vote, which crit- Keqiang said on Thursday that regarding Taiwan has been “Taiwan independence” and wounded — with one man in “We have learned Daw Beijing has acted decisively ics say will hammer another nail China opposes separatist activ- consistent and clear-cut, adher- foreign interference in cross- a critical condition,” a rescue Aung San Suu Kyi herself took to dismantle Hong Kong’s lim- in the coffin of Hong Kong’s ities aimed at “Taiwan inde- ing to the 1992 Consensus that Straits affairs, he said. worker told AFP. this $600,000 and seven visses ited democratic pillars after democracy movement. pendence” but welcomes any embodies the “one-China” “We believe that the two A witness told AFP five of (11.2 kilograms) of gold. The massive and sometimes violent The decision aims to place dialogue by Taiwanese politi- principle. sides of the Straits are one and them were shot in the head. anti-corruption commission is protests coursed through the the power of governing the city cal parties on cross-Strait rela- “Under this premise, we the same family. Over the Yangon: Seven protesters were There was also a fatality in investigating,” Zaw Min Tun financial hub in 2019. “firmly in the hands of forces tions. welcome any political party or years, we have introduced a shot dead in Myanmar on Yangon’s North Dagon, where said. At last year’s meeting of the that are patriotic and love Hong China considers Taiwan as group in Taiwan to communi- number of policies benefiting Thursday as the junta reacted Chit Min Thu, 25, died after Nobel peace laureate Suu National People’s Congress, the Kong”, parliamentary part of it and vows to integrate cate with us and conduct dia- Taiwan businesses and com- to international condemnation being shot in the head. Kyi, detained since the Communist Party leadership spokesman Wang Chen said in it with the Chinese mainland. logue on cross-Straits rela- patriots,” Li said. of its crackdown by claiming “I recently learnt that his February 1 putsch, is already imposed a draconian national Beijing at the opening of the It opposes the present tions and the future of the The mainland will contin- ousted civilian leader Aung wife is two months pregnant,” facing several criminal charges security law on the finance hub congress on Friday. Taiwanese President Tsai Ing- nation,” Li said. ue to enable Taiwan residents San Suu Kyi had accepted hefty his mother Hnin Malar Aung including owning unlicensed that has since been weaponised Senior Chinese officials wen, who is a firm advocate of The mainland is commit- to enjoy the development illegal payments. told AFP. walkie-talkies and violating against the democracy move- have since made clear loyalty to Taiwan independence. ted to promoting peaceful opportunities on mainland Diplomatic pressure has “No one will be in peace coronavirus restrictions by ment. the Communist Party will be key Addressing a virtual press development across the Taiwan and promote integrated devel- been building since the gener- until this situation ends. They staging a campaign event dur- Dozens of campaigners have to deciding if a Hong Konger is conference at the end of the Straits and national reunifica- opment across the Straits, he als seized power on February 1, were so cruel with my son. I ing last year’s election. been jailed, smothering protests a “patriot”. AFP. Parliament session, Li said tion and opposes any form of added. PTI triggering daily protests around never expected my son would On Thursday, state-run the country that they have be shot in the head... I’m wor- newspaper the Mirror carried struggled to quell. ried about all the unarmed an announcement that the The United Nations on youth, they will be in trouble.” Arakan Army (AA) — which : & Q ? 27R. = Wednesday condemned the The military, which has fights for more autonomy for junta’s increasingly violent defended its takeover by citing the ethnic Rakhine population crackdown, which has seen voting irregularities in in northern Rakhine state — & more than 60 killed and 2,000 November elections won by was no longer considered a ter- R 8 9 arrested, with even China — a Suu Kyi’s party, held a rare news rorist organisation. traditional Myanmar ally — conference Thursday accusing The AA has been locked in <=C calling for “de-escalation” and Suu Kyi of corruption. battle with the military for London: Britain’s royal family “We are very much not a “Whilst some recollections dialogue. In the capital Naypyidaw, nearly two years in a conflict is “very much not racist”, Prince racist family,” said Prince may vary, they are taken very Thursday saw more hard- junta spokesman Zaw Min that has left hundreds dead and William said on Thursday, in William during an official visit seriously and will be addressed Minneapolis: A judge on another former Minneapolis line action against demon- Tun said the detained chief forced some 200,000 civilians his first public remarks since to a school in East London. by the family privately. Harry, Thursday granted prosecu- police officer in the unrelated strators, with six killed in cen- minister of Yangon had admit- to flee their homes. AFP his younger brother Prince Asked further if he had Meghan and Archie will always tors’ request to add a third- killing of an Australian Harry and his wife Meghan spoken to his brother yet, he be much loved family mem- degree murder charge against woman. The appeals court Markle made explosive claims replied: “I haven’t spoken to bers,” the statement read. the former Minneapolis police recently affirmed Mohamed in a TV interview. him yet, but I plan to.” The statement indicated officer charged in George Noor’s third-degree murder : +6! William, the Duke of The Duke and Duchess of that Queen Elizabeth II was Floyd’s death. conviction in the 2017 shoot- Cambridge, also revealed that Cambridge visited School 21 in “saddened” to learn the full Hennepin County Judge ing death of Justine Ruszczyk he had not spoken to Harry Stratford, East London, to mark extent of how challenging the Peter Cahill reinstated the Damond, and the state used since the tell-all interview to children’s return to classes and last few years had been for her charge after the former officer, that affirmation to argue that &&& Oprah Winfrey was first broad- the rollout to secondary schools grandson Harry and his wife Derek Chauvin, failed to get it established new justification cast over the weekend but of a mental health project for Meghan, the Duke and appellate courts to block it. for the charge in Chauvin’s Albany: An aide to New York series of women against the year when he closed the door, plans to do so. pupils, which Kate Middleton Duchess of Sussex. Cahill had earlier rejected the case. Governor Andrew Cuomo says embattled Democrat. reached under her shirt and Harry and Meghan’s inter- had launched in primary It followed an extensive charge as not warranted by the Cahill agreed that the he groped her in the governor’s The Times Union of fondled her. view has sent Buckingham schools in 2018. interview by the couple with circumstances of Floyd’s death, precedent has now been estab- residence, a newspaper report- Albany reported that the The newspaper’s report- Palace into a tailspin. Prince William’s visit is Winfrey in which Meghan but an appellate court ruling in lished. ed Wednesday, in the most seri- woman, who it did not name, ing is based on an unidentified The 38-year-old second not the first appearance by a spoke about her suicidal an unrelated case established “I feel bound by that and ous allegation made yet by a was alone with Cuomo late last source with direct knowledge in line to the British throne senior royal since the interview thoughts when she was preg- new grounds for it. I feel it would be an abuse of of the woman’s accusation. was joined by wife Catherine, aired - the Prince of Wales car- nant with Archie and also Chauvin already faced discretion not to grant the The governor had summoned the Duchess of Cambridge, ried out an engagement earli- shared her dismay at some second-degree murder motion,” he said. her to the Executive Mansion when he was asked by er this week. racist undertones within the and manslaughter charges. Floyd was declared dead on in Albany, saying he needed reporters about the contro- Prince William’s comments royal ranks towards her son. Legal experts say the addi- May 25 after Chauvin, who is help with his cellphone, the versy that has dominated UK follow a rare statement issued In reference to Prince tional charge helps prosecutors white, pressed his knee against newspaper reported. media headlines ever since by Buckingham Palace earlier William and wife Kate by giving jurors one more the Black man’s neck for about “I have never done any- Harry, 36, and Meghan, 39, this week to say that the issues Middleton, Prince Harry told option to convict Chauvin of nine minutes. Floyd’s death thing like this,” Cuomo said revealed that an unnamed raised during the interview the American chat show host murder. sparked sometimes violent through a spokesperson royal had raised concerns with Winfrey, the American that there was a “space” The dispute over the third- protests in Minneapolis and Wednesday evening. about their mixed-race son talk show host, particularly between the brothers which he degree murder charge revolved beyond, leading to a nationwide “The details of this report Archie’s skin colour. that of race, are concerning. hoped time would heal. PTI around the conviction of reckoning on race. AP are gut-wrenching,” Cuomo said, adding that he would not speak to the specifics of this or any other allegation, given % .8 .& ; an ongoing investigation over- seen by the state attorney general. AP Copenhagen: Denmark, European Economic Area, the showed that the batch of praised vaccine rollout has “Things have gone well in Norway and Iceland on European Medicines Agency AstraZeneca vaccines used in been largely underpinned by Denmark, but there are some Thursday temporarily sus- (EMA) said. Austria was likely not to blame the AstraZeneca jab, also risks linked to the AstraZeneca 1 pended the use of Austria announced on for the nurse’s death. defended it as “both safe and vaccine that need to be exam- AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine Monday that it had suspended “This is a super-cautious effective”. ined more closely. That seems -++3 over concerns about patients the use of a batch of approach based on some iso- The Danish suspension, to me to be the right way to developing post-jab blood clots, AstraZeneca vaccines after a lated reports in Europe,” said which will be reviewed after proceed.” AFP as the manufacturer and 49-year-old nurse died of Stephen Evans, a professor of two weeks, is expected to slow /.0 Europe’s medicines watchdog “severe blood coagulation pharmacoepidemiology at the down the country’s vaccination insisted the vaccine was safe. problems” days after receiving London School of Hygiene campaign. Denmark now =B
Islamabad: Pakistan said on Denmark was first to an anti-Covid shot. and Tropical Medicine. expects to have its entire adult Thursday that it was ready to announce its suspension, “fol- Four other European coun- “The risk and benefit bal- population vaccinated by mid- C host the long delayed summit lowing reports of serious cases tries — Estonia, Latvia, ance is still very much in August instead of early July, the of the South Asian Association of blood clots” among people Lithuania and Luxemburg — favour of the vaccine,” he said. health authority said. for Regional Cooperation who had received the vaccine, have also suspended the use of AstraZeneca, an Anglo- “We are of course sad- The Hague: The EU’s medi- (SAARC), which is an impor- the country’s Health Authority vaccines from this batch, which Swedish company which devel- dened by this news,” said Prime cines regulator approved the tant organisation for regional said in a statement. was sent to 17 European coun- oped the vaccine with Oxford Minister Mette Frederiksen. single-shot Johnson & cooperation. It stressed the move was tries and consisted of one mil- University, defended the safe- Frederiksen, who has Johnson coronavirus vaccine “Pakistan is committed to precautionary, and that “it has lion jabs. ty of its product. pushed for the production of on Thursday, making it the its process and to hold the not been determined, at the Denmark however sus- “The safety of the vaccine more vaccines and has formed fourth jab to get the green SAARC summit...It believes time being, that there is a link pended the use of all of its has been extensively studied in a controversial alliance with light for the 27-nation bloc. that all artificial obstacles in between the vaccine and the AstraZeneca supply, as did phase III clinical trials and Austria and Israel to do so, “This is the first vaccine the way of long overdue blood clots”. Iceland and Norway in subse- peer-reviewed data confirms defended the Danish health which can be used as a single SAARC summit should be As of March 9, 22 cases of quent announcements on the vaccine has been general- authorities’ decision. dose,” Emer Cooke, chief of removed,” Foreign Office blood clots had been reported Thursday citing similar con- ly well tolerated,” a spokesman “There is always a risk the Amsterdam-based spokesperson Zahid Hafeez among more than three million cerns. On Wednesday, the for the group told AFP. associated with vaccines,” she European Medicines Agency Chaudhri told reporters dur- people vaccinated in the EMA said a preliminary probe Britain, whose widely- told reporters. (EMA), said in a statement. ing his weekly media briefing here. The last SAARC summit was held in Kathmandu in R8 ! 2014. The 2016 SAARC summit was to be held in Islamabad. ; R But after the terrorist attack on P 0 an Indian Army camp in Uri in Jammu and Kashmir on + Washington: China for to freedom-loving people “This year, as we mark this September 18 that year, India decades has waged a cam- worldwide,” the top Democrat solemn anniversary, we con- expressed its inability to par- paign to destroy Tibet’s proud said. tinue to take inspiration from ticipate in the summit due to Cairo: Sudan’s prime minister ations, the countries have failed culture and history, House of That is why, last year, the the Dalai Lama’s powerful “prevailing circumstances”. held talks with the Egyptian to reach a three-way deal. Representatives Speaker Nancy US reaffirmed its bipartisan, message of peace, faith and The summit was called off president in Cairo on Thursday Karthoum has recently Pelosi has alleged, asserting bicameral support for the peo- love,” Pelosi said. after Bangladesh, Bhutan and as both nations seek to build a called for internationalizing that the US will continue to ple of Tibet by enacting the “Guided by His Holiness’s Afghanistan also declined to united front in the ongoing the dispute to include the U.S., stand with the Tibetan people Tibet Policy and Support Act, spirit of hope, we will never participate in the Islamabad dispute over the controversial the European Union, the U.N. and honour those who sacri- which strengthens diplomatic rest in our efforts to advance meet. dam that Ethiopia is building And the African Union to ficed all for their rights and ties between the US and the freedom and opportunity in SAARC summits are usu- on the Blue Nile. facilitate reaching an agreement freedom. Central Tibetan Tibet and throughout China – ally held biennially and host- Prime Minister Abdalla on the filling and the operation Speaking on the occasion Administration and makes because if we do not stand up ed by member states in alpha- Hamdok and President Abdel of Ethiopia’s massive dam. of the 62nd anniversary of clear that decisions regarding for human rights in China due betical order. The member Fattah el-Sissi agreed that both Sudan wants Ethiopia to Tibetan Uprising Day on Tibetan religion should be to commercial interests, then state hosting the summit governments should “work coordinate and share data on Wednesday against the made solely by Tibetan reli- we lose all moral authority to assumes the Chair of the closely at this critical moment” the dam’s operation to avoid Chinese occupation of the gious leaders, she asserted. talk about human rights in any Association. until they mobilize interna- flooding and protect its own remote Himalayan region, Previous US president other place in the world. We In his message on the tional and regional players to power-generating dams on the Pelosi said, “Sixty-two years Donald Trump in December will not be deterred in this vital occasion of the 36th charter help mediate a solution to the Blue Nile, the main tributary of ago, brave Tibetans rose up last year had signed into law a mission,” said the House day of SAARC on December water dispute with Ethiopia, the Nile River. against the Chinese invasion to bill which called for establish- Speaker. 8 last year, Prime Minister according to a statement by the The Blue Nile meets with protect their way of life and ing a US consulate in Tibet and The Dalai Lama, Tibet’s Narendra Modi said the full Egyptian presidency. the White Nile in Khartoum. culture. Today, we continue to building an international coali- exiled spiritual leader has been potential of the eight-member The dispute centers on the From there, the Nile winds stand with the Tibetan people tion to ensure that the next demanding meaningful auton- bloc can only be realised in an Grand Ethiopia Renaissance northward through Egypt and and honour those who sacri- Dalai Lama is appointed sole- omy for Tibetans. atmosphere free of terror and Dam and how much water flows into the Mediterranean ficed all for their rights and ly by the Tibetan Buddhist The 85-year-old Dalai violence. Ethiopia will release down- Sea. freedom.” community without China’s Lama fled to India in 1959 fol- On December 8, 1985 at stream if a multi-year drought Egypt, the Arab world’s “Tibetan men, women and interference. This prompted lowing a crackdown on an the first SAARC Summit in occurs and how the three coun- most populous country with children want simply to prac- China to warn that the act will uprising by the local popula- Dhaka, the leaders of the seven tries would settle any future over 100 million people, has tice their faith, speak their lan- seriously disrupt and hurt tion in Tibet. India granted South Asian states — the disputes. called the dam an existential guage and celebrate their cul- bilateral relations. him political asylum and the Maldives, India, Bhutan, Egypt and Sudan also call threat and worries that it would ture free from violence and The new Joe Biden admin- Tibetan government-in-exile is Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh for a legally binding agreement reduce its share of Nile waters. intimidation. Yet, Beijing for istration on Tuesday said the based on Dharamsala in and Sri Lanka signed a charter on the dam’s filling and oper- The country relies almost decades has waged a cam- Chinese government should Himachal Pradesh since then. to establish the bloc. ation, while Ethiopia insists on entirely on the Nile to supply paign to destroy Tibet’s proud have no role in the succession China views the 14th Dalai Afghanistan became the eight guidelines. water for agriculture and its culture and history, which process of Tibetan spiritual Lama as a “separatist” working SAARC member in 2007. PTI Despite years-long negoti- people. AP remains a clarion call for action leader the Dalai Lama. to split Tibet from China. PTI !"#"$"! % 7
R R .4" '()#'* ,%', ,"& P$% 0) $@ ' '$ ' ' ' "O& >?@?+ ' $N/ ' & < $ /& 66 $&$! ' /$$ ' ' $( $ % & ments to gradually ease lock- &'& 2(< 2 6( < ' ! 2(< down measures. However, a assenger vehicles and two- % &$'< $ ' & & & % &' oody’s Investors Service residual level of Covid-19 like- Pwheeler dealers in the coun- ' &! Mon Thursday said the ly will persist over time, raising try are expected to see higher credit downturn arising out of the prospect of global pockets revenue growth and prof- 'A' &" !0!, Covid-19 will be short-lived of risk in regions where vacci- itability in the next fiscal with but most economies will not to pre-pandemic activity levels nation progress is slow, and of a revival in demand driven by return to pre-pandemic activ- until 2022, Moody’s said it localised outbreaks. rural demand and an increas- ity levels until 2022. expects a slow and bumpy “In addition, new muta- ing preference for personal In the year since the World global recovery and uncer- tions that increase the virulence mobility, a report said on Health Organisation (WHO) tainty around the macroeco- or spread of the virus pose a Thursday. declared Covid-19 a pandem- nomic outlook remains much key risk to efforts to normalise With 20-22 per cent rev- than vehicle sales, will support fiscal 2022, supported by ic on March 11, 2020, the virus higher than usual. conditions. Rather than elim- enue growth and 50-100 basis overall operating profitability for improving economic activity, has disrupted the global econ- Policy actions will contin- inating the virus, we expect to points (bps) improvement in automobile dealers, and boost increase in budget allocation omy and triggered a credit ue to support economic activ- ‘learn to live with it’ at low case operating margin expected for cash accruals, the report said. for infrastructure and low base downturn accompanied by a ity and financial markets after rates,” it added. next fiscal, overall revenue and “We are seeing a turn- effect, he added. spike in bond defaults. the pandemic has eased, it The rating agency said it operating profits of automobile around. PV and 2W dealers are Over the past 12 months, “The credit challenges aris- added. Policymakers will con- took several rating actions in dealers are set to scale back to expected to see revenue growth the cost of ownership of pas- ing from Covid-19 have been tinue to support economic response to the credit conse- pre-Covid levels, rating agency of 20-22 per cent and 15-17 per senger vehicles (PVs) and two- substantial, but the credit activity long after the pan- quences of the pandemic and Crisil said. cent, respectively, in fiscal 2022. wheelers (2Ws) has risen 8-10 downturn likely will be rela- demic has faded, in some cases does not expect to conduct The revenues, which were Healthy rural demand and an per cent following a 15-17 per tively short-lived. Risks remain for years, Moody’s said. another wholesale review of significantly impacted in fiscal increasing preference for per- cent surge in fuel prices, price $@ 1 * % ' '$! G1*H ( ' * '$! more significant for the sectors Moody’s expects the inci- credit ratings this year unless 2020 and 2021, will see a steep sonal mobility will drive this hikes by OEMs to BS-VI costs &($ 6" $/" $ &'$( G6H ' ( / most vulnerable to restrictions dence and prevalence of the there is a significant shock to recovery due to improved growth,” Crisil Ratings Director and costlier raw material, $ ( '$ G H '$( " P<@I= on their normal activities,” pandemic to gradually decline the global economy or to finan- demand for automobiles across Gautam Shahi said. CRSIL said, adding while that -@@ 6 $ ' : ' ' &3('&< /'! Moody’s said in a global report over the course of this year, as cial markets, or a shock result- segments, it added. This, along Revenue growth for com- affected sales, the nationwide % : ' & % %&$ ' /$$ $ '>N/' ' ,@9F@ $ ' in coronavirus. Stating that vaccination numbers rise. In ing from a dramatic change in with improved ancillary rev- mercial vehicle (CV) dealers is lockdown also slammed the " P<@I= & & $ 1* $ * N/ most economies will not return turn, this will allow govern- the trajectory of the virus. enues, which is more profitable expected at 35-40 per cent in brakes on ancillary revenue. % % '! % ' " 1* $ *< P@@ & % %&$ ' ($ " /' G?@@ H $ 1< /' G?@@ H! $8! # $$ $ % & ' " 0&! $ $ Q #D.E $@ /% /" &&/"$ ' ( ! " 2 ( ) ( & /' ' ' /: ' R New Delhi: Cooking gas LPG 11 ernment bonds have risen by $&$! ' ( consumption rose 7.3 per cent about 0.3% since the start of the /% '& &&("'< & in the last three months despite he European Central Bank year in the eurozone. That is 8 6( G* acceptance of these efficient a steep price rise, with usage Tsaid it would step up its not much, and rates remain 2 6( H< / forms of owning gold. eventeen states have opera- among the PMUY beneficia- bond-purchase stimulus to low. But it is too early for the /: ' ! nvestors pumped 491 crore “With gold prices having Stionalised ‘One Nation-One ries, who are mostly poor rural support an economy whose eurozone to withstand higher &%( F@ Iin gold exchange traded corrected by 9 per cent in Ration Card’ system with households, jumping near 20 recovery is expected to lag a rates, usually associated with &< & $ funds (ETFs) in February as 2021, gold investors are show- Uttarakhand being the latest to per cent, state-owned oil com- year behind the US, held back recovering growth and infla- $ ' % '& $ & they seem be taking advantage ing maturity and further complete the reform, the panies said. by slow vaccine rollouts and tion. $ && ' /' ! of the lower domestic prices adding gold on corrections. finance ministry said on “LPG consumption has less relief spending by govern- ECB President Christine & $ %&/ caused due to declining inter- Gold ETFs saw net inflows of Thursday. improved amongst PMUY cus- ments. Lagarde told a news conference /" &/ national rates, appreciating 491 crore in February, fol- States completing the One tomers,” Indian Oil The central bank for the 19 that the rise in market bor- %"'< &/ < ' ' (< * $'< & rupee and reduction in custom lowing the 625 crore net Nation-One Ration Card sys- Corporation (IOC) said in a countries that use the euro said rowing rates, “if left unchecked, 6("'< (&' &' / '/ ( $ $ "'' &! duty. inflows in the first month of the tem reform are eligible for statement. Thursday that over the next could translate into a prema- This came following a net year,” Chirag Mehta, Senior additional borrowing of 0.25 Cooking gas consumption quarter the purchases would be ture tightening of financial ' $ !, , $ '!, investment of 625 crore in Fund Manager, at Quantum percent of gross between December 2020 and conducted “at a significantly conditions for all sectors of the 1@ ' " ' ' N/' $ && ' January and 431 crore in Mutual Fund said. state domestic product February 2021, the period that higher pace than during the economy. This is undesirable.” $/ ' ' ( &'/$'&< 2$ $ "'$ & &' '$ & December. Prior to this, gold According to him, Indian (GSDP). saw a massive 175 per cylin- first months of the year.” The The bond purchases have &/%% '( 2 "' 2 & " < +< 1 $ $ $ ETFs had seen an outflow of investors seem to be taking Accordingly, these states der increase in rates across all move is aimed at preventing a the effect of pushing down 2 "' 2 & " < ' F< ( & % ' '& 141 crore in November, data advantage of the lower domes- have been granted additional categories, jumped 19.5 per premature rise in borrowing bond yields, which are used as * ''< &' / '/ $%"' $ $/ ' available with Association of tic prices caused due to a com- borrowing permission of cent among the Pradhan Mantri costs while businesses are still benchmarks for borrowing N/' "' ''& ' /% ' & &! $% Mutual Funds in India bination of falling internation- 37,600 crore by the Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) bene- struggling with coronavirus across the region. So the ECB’s 6:< " Q "(( $ ' < 2$ $< &$ L showed. al gold prices, appreciating Department of Expenditure, ficiaries — the over 8 crore poor restrictions like curfews and move would in theory help $('$ ' &/%% ' 2 "' & & 1 $ $ $ Continuing flows in gold rupee and reduction in custom the ministry said in a state- households that got free con- shutdowns. keep credit cheap for compa- ( $ ( && ' ' $/ ' ' ( $ $ ETFs further indicate increased duty. ment. nection since 2016. PTI Yields on long-term gov- nies "% ' % ' %' ' & ( $ % " $/ '!M !"#"$"! O &&'() +& , +) -). ( + )P L121 8 ()) &344 4)4
have gone in making this... As I said it 2 was that frightening picture of a lone hand pump sticking out of the sea 8& %97 8%P which made me curious. After reading that story, I started researching. I began finding more about those villages. Then later, I decided to go there to see ( the reality. I spoke to various people, the government and, also, noted the scien- tific perception... All put together, I realised that there is one conclusion ?9+39& 9) which is: Climate is changing. Your films portray responsibility and humanity, highlighting social issues, which are important to be considered. What motivates you to create films based on social issues? Well, I come from a small village so I have seen the perfect ecosystem of a village. When I started travelling around the world I realised that the world is changing too fast. We are not realising what we are doing to our environment directly or indirectly... As a storyteller, I realise that it’s very important to address these issues. I feel that it’s a responsibility on my shoul- ders to be able to make a difference and show it to the world.
ilmmaker Nila Madhab Panda is How do you think such realistic always moved by what surrounds films can impact people’s mindsets Fhim. And we can say this by the and make them start acting towards choice of content that he showcases. His becoming more responsible citizens? filmography usually deals with the During the lockdown, as people things that affect our society at large. For across the globe stayed home to stop instance, take Halkaa, Kadvi Hawa, I am the spread of the Coronavirus, the Kalam and the latest Kalira Atita earth became cleaner. An unplanned (Yesterday’s Past), which has also entered grand experiment changed our plan- the Oscars 2021 race in the general entry et. I feel it’s god’s way of making peo- category for Best Picture, Best Actor, Best ple understand — ek hi planet hai, Director and others. We talk to him to kadar karo uski. When you will learn find out the reason why his films always to become selfless, the world will portray responsibility, highlighting social become normal again. The pandemic issues, what motivates him to create such is a god’s way of telling you to intro- content and his ideology behind it? spect what you have been doing to Excerpts: climate change made it a very essential an area located in the east coast of India challenging survival on the abandoned nature. Certainly, Coronavirus has film of my life. And that’s why I thought (Odisha), where there used to be a clus- coast, his very existence and his strug- given people a lesson of a lifetime, that Oscars are usually people’s ‘once in of sending it to the Oscars. However, it ter of seven villages out of which three gle to survive the fury of nature make look, it’s high time that you start act- a lifetime’ dream. Your film Kalira doesn’t really matter to me if I win the of them have already gone under the sea. his journey a poetic portrayal of emo- ing towards becoming more responsi- Atita has entered the Oscars 2021 race award or not. Of course, I’ll be on cloud In 2006, on the front page of a nation- tional trauma and human triumph. ble citizens. We keep changing as and that too under multiple cate- 9 if it happens but right now what mat- al daily newspaper, I saw a frightening humans but I don’t know how much gories. How are you taking it? What ters more is that people must watch this picture of a lone hand pump sticking out There have been many films and people have actually changed. We can was your reaction when you got to film as a duty. This story is talking about of the sea. It was surprising. So I decid- shows around climate change. How and only hope for the best. know about it for the first time? something that the world is going to face, ed to follow that story... and I did that why do you think this is different? To be honest, it’s a very natural rather what the world is facing already. for almost 14 years continuously. Then I think my film comes as a shock Why do you think there is lesser process. If you see the kind of films I have later, I decided to make a feature film value. It’s like you are actually seeing and audience available for such films that made in my entire career, they have How did you conceptualise it? An on it. So Kalira Atita is about how those realising it now when all this has been are not commercialised but deliver an always been around social issues. I pre- insight into the storyline... villages disappeared because of climate happening in front of you since decades. important message? fer covering important stories during Earlier, in 2005-06, people were not change and rising sea levels. I hope you get what I am trying to con- I don’t blame people because important times. It’s something that I aware that climate change is real. They Well, the story revolves around vey... everybody needs entertainment in believe in and work towards achieving never recognised it as a threat to civili- Gunu, a young man from Satavaya vil- life in one way or another. And films it. I never give up. I constantly try and sation. It’s only now, and that too, after lage, who travels back to his now dev- How much research and fieldwork are a major source of that. People pre- find such stories. That’s my forte. This the pandemic hit us that people are astated village confronting his tragic you had to do in documenting this fer light, comedy content but at the is my first film dedicated to my own lan- accepting this fact and acknowledging past, reliving moments as prophesied by story? same time, they do realise the impor- ) < ) guage — Odia. So an Odia film about it seriously. I made this film based on a priest who keeps frequenting him. His Can you believe 14 years of my life tance of such films. =) .! .8% ? & &&* / ' $! ($(! ($$( +$! & $(-$ 1 ! 56$!3 ( #, $+$$ #'$ $(/ $ , %= the BMW 2-series Gran Coupe into the equation. And here comes the rub, the &($$! (# $ !(/ $! /!-+( /+$ (-$! 1 Bimmer is a better car to drive more /'$+1 &$! 2 +!( #7 (/$($!$! engaging and more powerful, the 'B Mercedes is just far more comfortable $$ ( # $7$! - $+ ($++$(#( ( because it is bigger. While both cars are he Mercedes-Benz A-Class is the front-wheel drive, the BMW has a rear- Tnew kid on the block when it 6 wheel-drive feel to it thanks to a tight comes to both Mercedes-Benz and the suspension that makes it engaging but, entry-level luxury sedan segment. This yeah, you feel the road. The Mercedes car effectively replaces the old CLA feels and rides like a good front-wheel- sedan, which was based on the old A- drive sedan without compromising Class which — some of you might recall comfort. — was a hatchback. This new A-Class Don’t get me wrong here, the is longer, wider and taller than the old Mercedes is not a bad car to drive, it is CLA and most importantly, it was built just that both the petrol and diesel vari- as a sedan from the ground-up, primar- ants of the BMW produce 190PS com- ily for the Chinese market. But the car pared to the 150PS A200d and the brand has figured out that selling cars 170PS A200. In addition, the BMW, like designed for the Chinese market can be all cars from that carmaker, feels more quite profitable in India, the long-wheel- dynamic and planted to the softer and base E-Class being a great example. positively smoother riding Mercedes. It This has always been an interesting comes down to the point of why you are segment. The CLA competed with the buying a car in that segment. And, of Audi A3, which is currently not on the course, the price. The BMW is not market and the new A-Class goes up cheap at 50 lakh. The Mercedes, against the equally new BMW 2-series thanks to being slightly down on power, Gran Coupe. That said, the BMWs and will likely be ever so slightly cheaper the Mercedes might not exactly go up although both cars are assembled in against each other, and I say that India. When it comes to creature com- because the cars are different. And we forts, they’re both more or less the same will get to that after a few lines on the but keep in mind that the car wearing new offering from India’s largest luxu- the star is bigger than the car wearing ry car marque. the propeller (or Bavarian flag, whatev- Much like human beings have er you want to believe) and that will grown over the past century thanks to make the Mercedes=Benz A-Class a industrialised agriculture and fast food, better buy for someone looking for a cars have also grown bigger to accom- badge coupled with some degree of modate those larger human beings. The practicality. The BMW is, like its A-Class sedan is, thus, not a small car. ger. And thanks to modern materials Class finally goes on sale, orders are cur- brethren, something for those who like It is over 4.5 meters long, indeed a fair and conveniences such as widescreen rently being accepted but the official having a spot of fun, someone in their bit longer than the CLA. In fact, it is digital displays, a panoramic sunroof prices are yet to be announced, it will 30s and single. The Mercedes-Benz A- only a little bit shorter than the W203 and better interior materials, the A- not be cheap. Prices, in absolute terms, Class, therefore, is something for some- C-Class that was sold until 2014-15 in Class feels a world apart from a car that have gone up. Of course, so has the one with a family-oriented point of India and actually feels larger inside. was sold in India by the same carmak- exchange rate of the Euro to the Rupee view. But until we know the sticker Because it is wider than the old C-Class er just six years ago. and the feature set offered by the cars. price, it is going to be hard to tell you and just as tall, the cabin space is big- Make no mistakes, when the A- That said, let us bring in its closest rival, which one you should buy. +#*( )!39*# 4 3 N " :/ < N $/ ' & % ' 2 ' %% '/'& (' 3 ** 2 ' O& :/ ! &'/' % "$ ' '0%0!, $ ! ' " ' " ' ( >&( ' !% %, ' ' & & & ' ( $ ' '" ' & " %> ' %( ' ' ' ' "( -F $ %(/$ ' & ' '&< /$ % "! < &< ' ' 2 "" $&< & $/$ ' ' % & >$/ ' /' ' &' $ ' $ ' /$ /$! $ ' ' "! 4 & $ ' %/&& " ' $ %% '& / < ''O& 5 /&&"< * /' 4 %' & &'/' &'( "! '' ! $ > %% ( ' &% &< "/& $ '&< > ' "(< 4 &'$( &' (' ' & ' ' ' & / ' "! "$ ' % " ! &O& < &' ( ' ' $& '! $O' ' & %/' ' L3/ $K' ' ' "&& ' '% ' &' ' $! ' "$ '' & > ' % &&/ /&! $O' ' &! 'K& (( ' "/& "( ' / '$ % O& %'( ' " $ ' ( ! $ $ /K ' & ' ' $ $ &/ && < % O& ' 6:/ ' ' $ &' &! ! K (' '&< '& $ / ! ' ' '' ' $ %'$ $ &'$( ' ' ' ' &' &!O ' ' < ' ' '% ' & $ K & ($ "!O &! :/&' % "( ' / burnt chilli dip with roasted dry red chillies blended with oil and slow cooked along with ginger and garlic was better than any other that I have tasted. But even superior was the one made with grounded green coriander celery and spring onion over which is poured hot oil. A treat for those who prefer their flavours a little less fiery. While these had set the bar he organic food industry is not a smaller than their conventional high, the Honey pepper black Tnew concept in India. The wave counterparts. Small farms don’t mushroom and Jumbo five spices towards it started almost a decade ago receive the same benefits from the golden fried prawn raised it fur- and there has been no looking back economies of scale that large oper- ther. The mushroom had been ever since then. Gradually, people ations do and sometimes it may cost hollowed out and stuffed with have become more conscious of them a bit more. This is where big cheese — a combination that is healthy eating. One of the reasons for companies help small farmers to sur- surely made in my idea of culinary this is the side effects of artificial vive by creating jobs for them if that A FLAVOURFUL FEAST heaven. Fried crisp on the outside chemicals in food, which have led to food were produced using conven- and squishy inside, it was love at various lifestyle concerns. The growth tional agricultural methods. Due to first bite. I was still revelling in the in the e-commerce sector has acted the support by big companies, small taste when the prawns landed on as a gift for this industry as now they ventures gain the confidence to $! ( #+7$! #' (-! $/ $!$ ' - /$ the table. Piping hot, the soft and can reach out to consumers directly. start cultivating organic farms. flavourful prawns had a delicious Here are a few reasons why the organ- &+/ 7 * crunchy coating. Certainly, the ic food industry is expected to see an INCREASE IN EXPORT four starters were food for the accelerated demand in the coming The demand for Indian organ- t has been a while since I ate soul. years. ic food has witnessed a steady rise out for its own sake. For the A Ginseng chicken with veg- in India but it is receiving appreci- Ipast one year it has been pri- etable broth followed. However, AWARENESS OF EATING RIGHT ation all over the globe. Due to marily for business meetings or despite its medicinal properties, I People are realising that holistic India’s favorable agro-climatic con- while I was travelling. And that would not rank it at par with the health is from eating right as opposed ditions, the quality of organic food too, with some trepidation. So, starters as it needed a little more to depending on medication or sup- to export is very high. If we contin- when the Empress of China, flavouring. Despite that, we were plements. Artificial chemicals were ue to supply with the same growth which puts on the table cuisine looking forward to the main used in food items that were causing as today then this export trend will from three main provinces — course. The spread was certainly changes in hormones, which were definitely increase in the next five Sichuan, Yunnan and Hunan — extensive and covered all five further creating health and lifestyle years. reopened with safety measures in tastes. Stealing a march over the issues. People have become more place, I decided that it was time other dishes was a Crispy lamb health-conscious and as a result, FOOD KITS to head out. Irrespective of our with peppers which got the bal- they are now focussing more on eat- Creating food kits is a new nor- relations with our western neigh- ance of flavours and textures just ing organic food items which are mal nowadays. Many companies bour, it is one cuisine that I dig. right. It was just perfect with the served to them straight from the are adopting this technique to gain Once inside the restaurant, I Brown garlic fried rice… and farms. people’s interest. These kits have just appreciatively noted the place even on its own. The Claypot taken place after the pandemic exuded a distinct old-world charm chicken with dry red chilli despite EASY ACCESSIBILITY when people started having doubts with its mix of wood-panelled and its name was not too hot but Due to the surge of smart-phone about food items. These food items glass interiors. The restaurant spiced just right. There was also usage in India, there has been an are cooked up to 3/4th of 100 per also has a spacious private dining Steamed river sole with spicy increase in access to information cent, and are well-packed with prop- room which overlooks a lawn, if garlic sauce, which I am told is about organic food. E-commerce er cooking instructions. As we know you wish to enjoy an exclusive get- quite a hot seller, as well as Wok platforms acted as a bridge for reach- we have to start living with the fact together. Ushered into a discrete tossed bok choy with broccoli and ing out to potential customers across that COVID-19 is here to stay for corner, I could see a large party Mapo Tofu – all of which had sim- the country. Due to the heavy usage some time, the trend towards ready thoroughly enjoying their meal. ple, clean flavours. But if I was to of the internet, people have started to eat and ready to cook organic But keeping the social distancing go back, I would stick with the ordering food online, which is mak- meals at home is the way forward. norms in place, there was ade- slightly more complex chicken ing their life much easier. Delivering The organic food industry will quate space between the two and lamb. organic food at home is a new trend witness a humongous rise in the next tables. We were quite full but then in the market, which not only attracts five years. The industry is still naive Coming to the more serious the passion with which he spoke always more in sync with my taste again partake both. What certain- there is always some room for consumers to buy but also creates a and in an emerging phase. But it has business of food, master chef made me certain that we would buds but the succulent chicken ly raised the taste a notch higher dessert, especially when it is platform for future generations to huge growth potential and may Tenzin Losel informed me that he not be disappointed. We started where the juices practically oozed were the dips that accompanied something as delicious as Honey have easy access to such foods. even contribute to the economic had curated a special fare that had off with Vegetable lohan dimsum out as we bit into it had us reach- the dimsums. On being asked, baked yoghurt. The mildly sweet growth of the country in the long its share of both vegetarian and and Chicken siu mai. As far as ing out for seconds. That is not to Chef Tenzin informed me that, dish, with flavours that were in INDIRECT SUPPORT TO SMALL run. non-vegetarian dishes. And I dimsums go, I have always found say that the vegetarian was not unlike the store-bought variety, perfect harmony, was certainly a VENTURES (The writer is the CEO and decided to go with his selection as that the vegetarian varieties are delicious. Given a choice, I would these were made in-house. The perfect ending to the meal. The majority of organic farms are founder of Everything Organik.) #*'1* ' '' ' ' %< 2 , " ( /' / '' & ** 2 ' '"! "! % $ ● * "$/" ' ' "/'& /' ● * / 9 F@@" ($ $ " ' ● ( %$ 9 R '&% /$ &$! 1% ' '' & ● 1/> " " 9 +I@" $ / ' ● ((& G (< (' ' "/'& /' ($ 'H9 ? ! 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( ' ' (( >( ! 0; @ . ● &" &% ( ● " $ ' 9 P '&% % &$! ! 0 . %&'< $$( ' '/ " < / !.! 7 ● $ &% ( ) P < ? ● 2( ( %&'9 + '&% ● (' ' '" $ ' $ / $! * ? !"#"$"! 8 2 & & ! 9 $: ; - (#<'# 6 Rohit Sharma and the flamboy- multi-skilled cricketers like -4+3-1034-5C 5>2*2 ant KL Rahul will be the settled Stokes, Sam Curran and IPL blend of favourable first choice opening combina- auction sensation Moeen Ali results in the present tion going into the World T20 for starters, who can change the Aand finding the perfect with Shikhar Dhawan being in complexion of any game in combination for the near future the reserves. either departments. will be India’s main endeavour “If Rohit plays, then it’s Throw in specialists like when they square off against a simple. KL (Rahul) and Rohit pacers Jofra Archer, Mark well-rounded England in a have been performing consis- Wood, Chris Jordan and wrist five-match T20I series starting tently at the top of the order for spinner Adil Rashid, it will be here on Friday. us and those two will start,” a contest where India can never For skipper Virat Kohli, the Kohli was unambiguous in his be termed firm favourites. primary aim will be to get an reply that the seasoned Shikhar The next week and half idea of his core group of play- Dhawan will have to wait. would be an indication as to ers going into the ICC T20 “In a situation, Rohit takes which direction the teams are World Cup in October. And he rest and KL has a niggle or headed in terms of preparations couldn’t have hoped for a bet- something, Shikhi (Dhawan’s for the marquee event later this ter opposition than a world- nickname in team) obviously year. class English white-ball side comes in as the third opener under Eoin Morgan, ready to but the starting composition, SQUADS be way more challenging on Rohit and Rahul will be the India: Virat Kohli (c), Rohit flatter tracks which promise a ones who will start.” Sharma, KL Rahul, Shikhar run-feast. While Suryakumar Yadav Dhawan, Shreyas Iyer, While there are more is a sentimental favourite for Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh advantages of having multiple many after last year’s IPL and Pant (wk), Hardik Pandya, options, fashionably described his subsequent non-selection Yuzvendra Chahal, as a “happy headache” for any for the Australia tour, fellow Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Axar captain, there are a few pitfalls Mumbaikar Shreyas Iyer looks Patel, Washington Sundar, that come with such a situation. a likely starter at least in the Shardul Thakur, Navdeep Saini, The Indian team understands first couple of games in that ness a lot of fireworks from in the stands more often than against slow bowlers’ well-doc- Deepak Chahar, Rahul Tewatia, this fully well, having burnt its middle-order slot at No 4 or 5 both ends. not. umented in these conditions, Ishan Kishan. hands during the 2019 World depending upon the match Whether it’s vice-captain With the unavailability of Chahal could have both England: Eoin Morgan (c), Cup. situation. Rohit, the indomitable duo of Thangarasu Natarajan in the Washington Sundar and Axar Joss Buttler, Jason Roy, Liam It was one event where till The Motera track will cer- Rishabh Pant and Hardik bowling department, Patel for company which leaves Livingstone, Dawid Malan, Ben last moment, they didn’t have tainly be a flat deck, suiting the Pandya for the hosts or captain Bhuvneshwar Kumar will be Shardul Thakur, Deepak Stokes, Moeen Ali, Adil Rashid, a settled number four. needs of the shortest format Morgan, Ben Stokes, Jos back leading the attack along Chahar and Navdeep Saini in Reece Topley, Chris Jordan, However on the eve of the and with a lot of batting fire- Buttler, Dawid Malan and Jason side another senior Yuzvendra a three-way battle. Mark Wood, Sam Curran, Tom first T20I, skipper Virat Kohli power in both sides, the Roy at the other end, the kook- Chahal for company. For England, the white ball Curran, Sam Billings, Jonny made it clear that his deputy Ahmedabad skyline could wit- aburra white might find itself With England’s weakness format presents them with Bairstow, Jofra Archer. = O P 6 a few things we needed in specific,” Kohli bat and found tough to accelerate after the said on the eve of the game referring to the fall of early wickets. That should change ndia skipper Virat Kohli expects his team likes of Suryakumar and Kishan. now, feels Kohli. Ito play much more freely in the five- “Guys who can be ‘x factors’ with the “The players have added in the squad match T20 series as the infusion of fresh bat and do things which are the need of the is precisely to give our batting more depth blood has provided much-needed “x-fac- hour in T20 cricket. These guys have done and not play in a similar kind of pattern tor and depth” to the batting unit, which so on a regular basis in the IPL so we have we have played with in the past. We want it lacked in the past. tried to cover all those basis. Now it will to be a side that plays free cricket, not hav- The selectors have picked IPL perform- be interesting to see how they go about in ing any baggage of lack of depth or one guy ers like Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan these five games.” having to bat long enough to make sure we and Rahul Tewatia for the England series Having not had enough options in the get to a big total. while the in-form Rishabh Pant has made past, Kohli is happy with what he has at his “We have explosive guys in the team a comeback. disposal now. who can change the game at any stage and With the IPL yet to be played, Kohli “These are the only five games we have that is exactly what we have tried to address. feels another fresh face or two may sneak as a team before the World Cup and we “This time around you will see guys into the squad ahead of the T20 World Cup want to see how these guys fare in the mid- playing more freely, more expressive in at home in October but finds the current dle. I feel the squad right now we have bar- terms of approaching the innings even after side full of balance and options. ring Jaddu, who will come back whenev- we have lost couple of wickets which was- “We have have played with a certain er fit, is the most balanced in terms of the n’t the case to be honest because we did not kind of pattern in the past. We did not have options available to take the field as and have enough depth in the batting to play a big tournament to work towards in the when required.” freely for about 10 to 12 overs but I see past. If you look the squad, the additions The Indian team has been guilty of much more positivity from this series we have made we have have tried to address playing one dimensional cricket with the onwards,” said Kohli. ' & ' & 6/" Chasing 323, Karnataka lost ment with 737 runs. in form skipper R Samarth (8). umbai’s in-form skipper Then Devdutt Padikkal (64) NATH'S ALL-ROUND SHOW MPrithvi Shaw slammed a and Siddharth KV (8) tried to In the other semifinal played 122-ball 165 and powered his rally the innings, with their 68- at Feroz Shah Kotla, Akshdeep team to a comfortable 72-run run-stand, but it was 22-year-old Nath’s tight seam-up stuff along win over Karnataka in the semi- off-spinner Tanush Kotian with a useful half-century helped final of the Vijay Hazare Trophy (2/23), who inflicted Karnataka Uttar Pradesh defeat Gujarat by here on Thursday. a double blow by dismissing five wickets to reach the Vijay Mumbai will meet Uttar Siddharth and skipper Manish Hazare Trophy final after 16 long Pradesh in the final at the Feroz Pandey. years. Shah Kotla on Sunday. In the Leg-spinner Prashant Opting to bat first, Gujarat other semi-final, UP defeated Solanki (2/61) put Mumbai on top-order put up an ordinary Gujarat by five wickets. top after castling the dangerous show and found the going tough Owing to Shaw’s brilliance, Padikkal, who was in ominous against some relentless UP bowl- Mumbai posted 322 after being touch, and had by then smashed ing attack to be bundled out for put in to bat at the Airforce nine fours and a six. a paltry 184 in 48.1 overs with ground before bowling out the Left-arm spinner Shams Nath taking 1 for 29 in 6 overs opposition for 250, with their Mulani (2/47) got the better of apart from pacers Yash Fayal and bowlers putting up a splendid Shaw had earlier scored Karun Nair (29) as Karnataka Aaqib Khan finishing with three performance. three tons, including a double — lost half their side for 134, while and two scalps respectively. It was Shaw’s show all the 105 not out against Delhi, 227 Yashashvi got the better of In reply, UP survived some way as he toyed with an experi- not out against Puducherry and Shreyas Gopal to leave them early hiccups before Nath wrest- enced Karnataka attack, and 185 not out against Saurashtra. staring at 152/6. ed control with a calculated 104- went on to register his fourth He has amassed 754 runs so far BR Sharath (61) delayed ball 71 (8x4), while the in-form century of the tournament, in the tournament — the single the inevitable and tried to put up Upendra Yadav sealed the issue hammering 17 fours and seven highest in an edition of the a fight, but that wasn’t enough. with an unbeaten 31 from 25 maximums. national ODI championship. Padikkal ended the tourna- balls. + 7 - A ! the outstanding Keylor Navas to tip his spot-kick onto the bar. ionel Messi scored one stun- Barcelona certainly went Lning goal but then had a for it, but there was to be no penalty saved as Barcelona repeat of their infamous recov- failed in their attempt to pro- ery against the same opponents duce a second Champions four years ago, when they lost League comeback for the ages the first leg 4-0 but triumphed against Paris Saint-Germain 6-1 in the return. on Wednesday, a 1-1 draw tak- It is the first time they have ing the French side through to gone out before the quarter- the quarter-finals 5-2 on aggre- finals since 2007 and, after gate. Juventus were knocked out on Kylian Mbappe netted a Tuesday, neither Messi nor hat-trick as PSG stunned Barca Cristiano Ronaldo will feature 4-1 in the first leg last month, in the last eight for the first time and he extended their advan- since 2005. tage in this last-16 tie by netting “We are out, and that is a first-half penalty in the sec- what counts in our sport, but ond leg to put last season’s run- we can feel good about it ners-up ahead on the night. because we had chances to But Messi made it 1-1 with make life difficult for our oppo- a ferocious strike from 30 nents,” Koeman told Movistar metres and the Argentine had Plus. the chance to put the visitors “We deserved more, and ahead after Antoine Griezmann things could have been differ- was fouled in the area, only for * ! ent had it been 2-1 at half-time.”