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Year:4 Issue : 35 Mumbai, Thursday 01 to 07 April 2021 Editor in Chief : Sanjay M. Bhaire Rs.5/- Pages- 24 CM Thackeray lays foundation stone for Inside NCP chief Balasaheb Thackeray National Memorial undergoes surgery, stable now Mumbai Chief Minister on Wednesday evening laid the foundation stone for a national memorial for his late father and former supremo Balasaheb Thackeray. The memorial is coming up at Shivaji Park in Dadar here. Read full story on page 2 The ground-breaking ceremony for the Balasaheb Thackeray National Memorial was organised Two French naval ships arrive in keeping in view the India on goodwill visit coronavirus pandemic and The memorial will be Shiv Sena leader and trust president Aaditya only a limited number built in two phases. While Subhash Desai, who is Thackeray, who is CM of guests were present at the memorial's architecture, general secretary of the Uddhav's son, skipped the the physical event. The electrical, interior and Balasaheb Thackeray ceremony and reportedly ceremony was also streamed exterior decoration of the National Memorial Trust, attended it virtually as he online live. building, construction of was quoted as saying earlier had recently tested positive The foundation stone for parking lot, gardening and that the party had decided for Covid-19. Aaditya's the memorial was laid today rainwater harvesting etc will to limit the attendance at mother and Maharashtra more than four years after a be taken care of in the first the event in view of the CM’s wife Rashmi national trust was set up for phase, the second phase will prevalent Covid-19 norms Thackeray had also tested the same. The memorial is being built on land at Shivaji involve putting in place the and rising coronavirus positive for the disease and Read full story on page 7 Park in Dadar where the technological features like a cases in the state. Apart she was hospitalised on bungalow of the city mayor laser show, digital mapping, from Uddhav Thackeray, Tuesday. was located. The sea-facing films, audio-visual, virtual from NCP and It was earlier said African elephant species now property was earlier with the reality etc. Balasaheb Thorat of the that the work on the Bal Endangered and Critically BMC and was transferred to The foundation-laying Congress were also present Thackeray memorial would the trust for the Rs 400-crore ceremony was organised to at the ceremony. start immediately after the Endangered says IUCN memorial. coincide with Shiv Jayanti. Maharashtra minister ground-breaking ceremony. Lockdown talk divides MVA leaders Mumbai economy on the recommendation of the people to suffer," he said. The constituents of the Maha Vikas state COVID-19 task force. State PWD (public undertakings) Aghadi (MVA) government spoke in Maharashtra is witnessing a huge Minister and Shiv Sena leader Eknath Read full story on page 16 different voices on Tuesday on the need rise in new coronavirus positive cases. Shinde, whose party heads the tripartite for a fresh lockdown in Maharashtra The state's cumulative tally of infections government, also comprising the Gibraltar of the East with some leaders of the NCP and the stood at 27,45,518 as on Monday. Congress, said the measures like a Shiv Sena questioning the effectiveness "Nobody wants a lockdown, not lockdown are not going to help anyone. of such strategy against the epidemic. even chief minister Uddhav Thackeray. "We have realised that wearing a THE RAIGAD FORT NCP leader and Maharashtra Health However, it is the last option before us. mask and maintaining hygiene is the Minister Rajesh Tope said imposing a There is nothing wrong in considering only way to curb the spread of the virus," lockdown is the last option for the state the lockdown but it would create a lot of he said. government. problems," Tope told reporters. Reiterating the BJP's opposition to Notably, in view of the rise in Tope's cabinet colleague and NCP any lockdown, its state unit president fresh COVID-19 cases, Chief Minister leader Nawab Malik, questioned the Chandrakant Patil said the state Uddhav Thackeray had on Sunday effectiveness of a lockdown in arresting government should first make financial asked officials to prepare a plan for the spread of coronavirus infection. provisions for hawkers and labourers, implementation of a lockdown which "Imposition of a lockdown will affect who he said will suffer the most if a Read full story on page 19 will have a minimum impact on the the people adversely. We do not want lockdown is clamped again. 2 Mumbai, Thursday 01 to 07 April 2021 City / Local Across State NCP chief Sharad Pawar

Mumbai undergoesprocedure was done justsurgery, a while ago, so stable now NCP chief and veteran Maharashtra currently, he is under observation," the politician Sharad Pawar underwent surgery doctor added. late on Tuesday and he is stable now, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief informed Maharashtra Health Minister Sharad Pawar, who has been diagnosed Rajesh Tope. with gallbladder disease has been admitted "Sharad Pawar Ji is doing well after the to Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai after operation. Stone has been removed from he experienced pain in his abdomen. the gallbladder successfully. It was done "Attention please, Our party president through endoscopy," Tope told reporters. Sharad Pawar saheb was supposed to be Sharing more details, doctor Amit admitted to the hospital for an endoscopy Maydeo said, "After conducting some and surgery procedure tomorrow, but since tests, we decided to perform the surgery he is experiencing some pain again in the on him (Sharad Pawar) as there were abdomen, he is admitted to Breach Candy some complications. The procedure was Hospital in Mumbai today," Maharashtra of half an hour. We will be deciding on the Cabinet Minister Nawab Malik had removal of his Gallbladder later." tweeted. "His condition is fine but since the

Mumbai interrogation in connection with a drug Actor and former Bigg Boss case: Narcotics Control Bureau,” ANI NCB Arrests contestant Ajaz Khan has been arrested tweeted. Khan was taken into custody by the Narcotics Control Bureau after after he visited the NCB office. The probe Actor Ajaz Khan 8 hours of interrogation in connection team also conducted searches at Andheri with a drug case. The actor was detained and Lokhandwala areas along with Khan After 8 Hours of by the NCB on Tuesday, an official in connection with the case. Khan landed said, after his name cropped up during in Mumbai only on Tuesday. While e Interrogation in interrogation of drug peddler Shadab speaking to media persons outside the Batata. Early on Wednesday morning, NCB office in south Mumbai, Khan had Connection with the actor was arrested. “NCB has arrested claimed he was not detained but himself Drug Case Actor Ajaz Khan, after 8 hours of came to meet the officers. Subscribe Today! Across State SUBSCRIPTION FORM Man held for stealing ATM Name :...... cards of bank customers Address :...... Palghar teller machine and later a motorcycle used by him ...... Police have arrested a money was withdrawn in the crime, he said. 30-year- old man here in from his account by the The man had allegedly ...... Maharashtra for allegedly accused. committed such crimes at ...... stealing ATM cards of bank Based on technical and various ATM centres in customers during their intelligence inputs, the Palghar and neighbouring City :...... State:...... visits for cash withdrawal, police arrested the accused Mumbai and Thane, the an official said. from Nallasopara area here official said. A victim recently lodged on Sunday, the official said. A case was registered Phone :...... E-mail: ...... a police complaint saying The police recovered against him under Indian his ATM card was stolen 26 ATM cards of different Penal Code Section 420 1 year subscription of both Across State (English) & Across by a man at an automated banks, Rs 40,000 cash and (cheating), the police said. Mumbai (Marathi+Hindi) – 500/- Rs. 1 year subscription of Across State (English) 240/- Rs. Maha Dy CM takes stock of Fashion Street fire in Pune 1 year subscription of Across Mumbai (Marathi+ Hindi) 240/- Rs. Pune with traders who had stalls at the fashion Kindly, send the Cheque in favour of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister street market," Deshmukh said. Pawar, BHAKTI PRINT MEDIA PRIVATE LIMITED. Ajit Pawar on Monday interacted with who is Guardian Minister of Pune traders at Fashion Street market in district, also directed the collector to Signature Camp area whose shops were gutted in coordinate with the Pune Cantonment Send Your Subscription Here: a massive fire on Friday night. Pawar, Board. "I will soon hold a meeting accompanied by district collector with PCB officials," said Deshmukh. B wing, 512, Knox Plaza, Mindspace, Rajesh Deshmukh, visited the spot Around 500 shops were gutted in the Contact : of the incident and took stock of the massive fire that erupted around 11 pm Off. Link Road, Behind Inorbit Mall, Mr. Sanjay M. Bhaire Malad (W), Mumbai-64. situation. on Friday. Nobody was injured in the (9819991194) "During his visit, Pawar interacted incident. color

Across State City / Local Mumbai, Thursday 01 to 07 April 2021 3 Anil Deshmukh accidental home minister, says Sanjay Raut Mumbai minister of the ruling alliance job, the Sena MP added. Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut partner may be viewed in poor "The (home minister's) job Sunday called Anil Deshmukh light, Raut later tweeted, "Bura is not only for accepting salutes an accidental home minister, na mano Holi hai.." but for giving a strong leadership. claiming he got the post after In his column, Raut said, "If How can one forget that strong senior NCP leaders like Jayant a junior officer like Sachin Waze leadership requires honesty," Patil and Dilip Walse-Patil was running a (money) collection Raut wrote. refused the responsibility. racket from the Mumbai police Deshmukh on Sunday said Raut's remarks came amid commissioner's office, why was a retired judge of the high court speculation in political circles the home minister not aware of will probe the allegations of that Union Home Minister Amit it?" corruption levelled against him Shah met NCP leaders Sharad "Waze was a mere API in by former Mumbai police chief Pawar and Praful Patel at a Mumbai police. Who gave him so Param Bir Singh. top industrialist's residence in many powers? Whose favourite Deshmukh told reporters in Ahmedabad on Saturday. by spreading such rumours. chief Param Bir Singh claimed was he? All this should come Nagpur that he had asked Chief At a press conference in New Malik claimed that Shah that Deshmukh asked cops to out," Raut wrote. Minister Uddhav Thackeray Delhi on Sunday, Shah parried a sought to create confusion by collect Rs 100 crore a month. "Deshmukh unnecessarily to initiate an inquiry into the query on the purported meeting, making a journalist ask that "Deshmukh got the home rubbed some police officials the allegations made against him by saying everything cannot be question in the media briefing. minister's post by accident. wrong way. A home minister Param Bir Singh. made public. In his weekly column Jayant Patil and Dilip Walse- cannot function properly if he "The chief minister and the NCP minister Nawab Malik, Rokhthok in the party mouthpiece Patil declined the post. That is gets surrounded by suspicious state government have decided whose party shares power in Saamana, Raut also said the why Sharad Pawar gave the post officers," he said. that a retired judge of the high Maharashtra with the Shiv Sena Maha Vikas Aghadi government to Anil Deshmukh," Raut wrote Raut said a home minister court will conduct a probe into and Congress, said no such in Maharashtra did not have in his weekly column. should always speak less. the allegations against me. meeting took place, adding there damage control machinery as was Perhaps mindful of the fact Facing the cameras frequently Whatever is the truth will come is an attempt to create confusion seen after former Mumbai police that his remarks about a senior and ordering inquiries is not his out," he said.

Nanded gurdwara violence: Holi revellers violate COVID-19 norms in Mumbai suburb 14 arrested for attack on policemen Mumbai Shinde said. Mumbai the incident, he said. when the Nishan Sahib was brought A large number of people, Considering the rise Police have arrested 14 people "We have arrested 14 people till at the gate around 4 pm on Monday, most of them without masks, in COVID-19 cases, the in connection with an attack on now on charges of attempt to murder, several participants started arguing gathered on a road in Mahim Brihanmumbai Municipal policemen by a mob of sword- rioting, and under provisions of the and over 300 youth stormed out of the area of Mumbai on Monday Corporation last week wielding Sikhs in Nanded after Arms Act and other sections. Around gate, broke the barricades and began morning and celebrated Holi announced that Holi they were denied permission to 64 people have been named in the attacking the policeman, he had said. while dancing to loud music, celebrations will not be in violation of the COVID-19 permitted in both private or hold a public procession due to the FIR, while search is on for others," Nishan Sahib is a triangular guidelines. public places in the city. COVID-19 pandemic, an official said Deputy Inspector General of Police, saffron-colour flag furling outside Around 100 to 150 Despite the appeal for on Tuesday. a gurdwara on a steel pole people came out of their a low-key Holi celebration, The Wazirabad police covered with a saffron cloth. homes to celebrate the people were seen assembling in Maharashtra's Nanded The flag also has an insignia festival on the road located at many places in the city district have registered called Khanda in the middle, in Mahim Koliwada, even as on Monday without wearing three FIRs against 64 which includes two swords police officials present there masks and violating the social people (who have been and a chakra. apparently did nothing to stop distancing norms, another named in the FIRs) Hola Mohalla (Hola) is them. police official said. and other unidentified a Sikh festival that comes a Some women danced Struggling to arrest the to loud music, while a few fresh surge in COVID-19 persons in connection day after Holi. persons in the crowd were seen cases, the Maharashtra with Monday's incident Unlike Holi, when wearing PPE suits. government on Saturday at the Sri Hazur Sahib people sprinkle coloured A police official said they announced a ban on all types gurdwara, he said. powder on each other, Hola asked the people to stop the of gatherings, including A viral video showed Mohalla is an occasion for music and go back to their political and religious. the sword-wielding mob Sikhs to demonstrate their homes, but they did not pay Chief Minister Uddhav barging out of the gurdwara, breaking Nanded Range, Nisar Tamboli told martial skills. heed to the advice. Thackeray on Sunday asked the barricades put up by police and media. Nanded is an important Sikh Later, Deputy officials to prepare a plan for attacking the policemen. The official on Monday said pilgrimage centre as it is home to the Commissioner of Police implementation of a lockdown Four constables were injured and permission for the Hola Mohalla sacred shrine - the Takht Sachkhand Pranay Ashok and other senior which will have a minimum police officials reached the impact on the state's economy. six vehicles were also damaged in the public procession was not granted due Sri Hazur Abchal Nagar Sahib. spot and stopped the revelry, Maharashtra has seen violence. The condition of one of the to the coronavirus pandemic. It was here that the 10th and he said. a huge rise in coronavirus injured policemen was serious, the "The gurdwara committee was last Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh "We asked the people to positive cases over the last official said. informed and they had assured us that (1666-1708), anointed the holy book disperse and clear the road. week. As many as one lakh The police were also trying they would abide by our directives Guru Granth Sahib as the eternal As of now, no FIR has been new cases of the viral infection to ascertain if anyone from the and hold the event inside the gurdwara Guru of Sikhism and spent the last registered," Mahim police were added to the state's tally gurdwara committee had any role in premises," he had said. However, 14 months of his life. station's senior inspector Vilas in such short period. 4 Mumbai, Thursday 01 to 07 April 2021 National News Across State No to CAA if DMK voted to power, says Stalin Jolarpet (TN) be implemented) in Tamil Nadu. passing an assembly resolution DMK President M K Stalin This is an assurance given by against the three contentious on Monday promised that the Stalin," he said. central farm laws, facing stiff Citizenship (Amendment) Act The DMK shared an resistance from farmers agitating will not be allowed in Tamil "umbilical chord" with minorities outside Delhi for about four Nadu if his party was voted to and will always back them, Stalin months, pointing out that states power in the April 6 Assembly added. like Punjab, West Bengal and elections and slammed the ruling He also recalled that his Kerala had done so. AIADMK for 'supporting' the party had opposed the bill in He promised to do the same BJP in Parliament on the issue. Parliament. in the state if his party won the Had the AIADMK and lone The AIADMK supported the April 6 polls and formed the PMK member in the Rajya Sabha ruling BJP at the Centre on issues government. voted against the bill, CAA would including in Shaheen Bagh in the CAA and also launched a like abrogation of Article 370 and Various promises made in not have seen the light of day and Delhi. massive signature campaign abolition of Triple Talaq, but was the DMK manifesto for the the two parties should be blamed Addressing an election against it. now "enacting a drama" as if it polls, including Rs 1,000 "rights for the 'plight' of minorities all meeting here, Stalin charged the "I assure. We are going to were a protector of the minorities, assistance" to women family over the country, he said. ruling AIADMK with "enacting a come to power, there is no doubt Stalin said while lashing out at his heads, cutting down petroleum Protests had broken out drama" on the matter ahead of the about that. party's arch rival. prices would be implemented if against the contentious Act earlier polls and recalled that his party So after we come to power, He also slammed Chief it was voted to power, he said. in various parts of the country, had earlier staged protests against we will not allow this CAA (to Minister K Palaniswami for not

Subdued Holi celebrations Palaniswami targets in Uttar Pradesh Lucknow town begin the celebrations by The coronavirus pandemic hurling footwear at the laat sahib Stalin over faith cast its shadow on the Holi procession, featuring a cart and a Chennai to temple," he said, apparently many party leaders sport kumkum celebrations in the state with man personifying a British. Targeting his rival MK Stalin referring to a past incident where and the sacred ash. roads wearing a deserted look and Police officials said the on the subject of faith, Tamil Nadu Stalin allegedly removed the Palaniswami, recalling the people preferring to stay indoors, procession first reached the celebrating the festival with their Phoolmati temple, from where Chief Minister K Palaniswami on 1989 episode, said the late M family members. it was taken to the Vishwanath Monday said AIADMK members Karunanidhi was the then chief Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister temple. The procession was were true believers and lashed out minister, as also the DMK Yogi Adityanath extended also taken to the Kotwali police at the DMK leader for certain past president, when Jayalalithaa greetings to people, saying in a station, where the "laat sahib" controversial acts, including him was allegedly assaulted in the tweet that the festival symbolises was given a salute. allegedly 'wiping off' kumkum Assembly. the victory of truth over evil. Laat sahib was wearing a from his forehead. However, she vowed to return "Pray to God The AIADMK Joint to the House as chief minister and that the festival Coordinator also recalled the did so two years later, he said at dedicated to love, alleged attack on late Chief another election stop in the city. cheerfulness and Minister and then Leader of kumkum put on his forehead by Taking a swipe at Stalin for joy strengthen the colours of our Opposition J Jayalalithaa in the some temple priests. not favourably responding to unity and harmony. Assembly in 1989, when the "When Stalin went to his calls for a debate on charges May the colours of DMK was in power. the memorial of Thevar levied by the former against the happiness, peace "If that had been her plight, (revered leader Pasumpon government, Palaniswami said and prosperity imagine that of the common Muthuramalinga Thevar), Stalin he was open for a discussion fill your lives," man," Palaniswami, who has threw away the sacred ash given anywhere. Adityanath said in a Hindi tweet. garland of shoes. launched a full-scale attack there," he charged. "We have nothing to hide. In Lucknow, the district A report from Etawah against the DMK while seeking Palaniswami further said that I have said in many places administration had on March 23 said Samajwadi Party chief a third term for his party in the those with devotion to God will that I'm ready for a debate on said in view of the COVID-19 Akhilesh Yadav and Pragatisheel April 6 Assembly elections, told also have other charecteristics any dais. You are accusing us situation, rain dance parties, Samajwadi Party-Lohia (PSP-L) an election rally here. like compassion and love. of irregularities, come to a open dance programmes and president Shivpal Yadav other public gatherings had been celebrated Holi at their native Speaking at T Nagar in Stalin's rivals, especially the common stage and point them prohibited till further orders. Saifai village. support of party candidate B BJP, had been targeting him for out, am ready to reply. Let The permission given earlier Akhilesh Yadav celebrated Sathyanarayanan, Palaniswami being "anti-Hindu", with the people give the judgement.. for all such type of parties was Holi at the family home while said Stalin has been speaking only leader hitting back at them saying you should also respond to my also cancelled. Shivpal Yadav celebrated the about him and that he wished him there was an attempt to brand charges regarding your (DMK) A traditional procession of festival at the village school. long life in one of the meetings. his DMK, known for rationalist rule," he said. "laat sahib" on the occasion Senior Samajwadi Party "I am living becasue of the ideology, and himself in such a "But he is not responding. of Holi was taken out in leader Ramgopal Yadav sung grace of God. We have devotion colour. He has no stuff, so he is unable Shahjahanpur. According to Holi songs along with people to God. Unlike you, we don't He had recently said that to come," the chief minister the 18th-century tradition, Holi who had gathered at the residence wipe off the sacred ash if we go while his wife visits temples, said. revellers in this Uttar Pradesh of the Yadav family in Saifai. Across State National Mumbai, Thursday 01 to 07 April 2021 5

Ex-MP calls Rahul "unmarried trouble-maker", Seven drown in UP while bathing after Holi celebrations courts controversy in Kerala Lucknow Amit Kumar (18) and Seven people drowned Raghav (20) -- all residents Idukki(Ker), George might have spoken in Uttar Pradesh -- five in of Fatehpur -- had gone to As campaigning for about his own character. Deoria district and two in take a bath. They started the assembly polls reached "The vulgarity within Fatehpur -- while bathing drowning, the SHO said. feverish pitch in Kerala, him has come out now. after Holi celebrations on The boatmen, after former MP Joyce George What is his merit to criticise Monday, officials said. courted a controversy by Rahul Gandhi? He is trying According to a police making alleged derogatory to follow the footsteps of spokesperson, three people remarks against Congress power minister M M Mani, -- Amit Pandey (15), leader Rahul Gandhi in known for making such Krishna (20) and Kush connection with the latter's derogatory comments," Yadav (23) -- drowned interaction with students of he said. while bathing in the Chhoti a women's college in Kochi Attacking the college for an interaction Kuriakose said through Gandak river in Salempur last week. opposition Congress-led with students after he the comments, the former Kotwali and Bhatni police George, who had won UDF and Rahul Gandhi arrived at the state for MP had not only insulted station areas of Deoria as the CPI(M) supported in particular, George said election campaigning. Gandhi but also the girl district. independent during 2014 Gandhi would visit only Joyce George's students. He also said Anurag (22) drowned in Parliament election from women's colleges and the statement drew intense he would soon lodge a the Saryu river in the Barhaj hearing the cries, took out Idukki, made highly girls should be "cautious" criticism from the Congress complaint with the Election police station area and Alok, Ritik and Amit from objectionable comments while dealing with the fold. Commission against 30-year-old Anil Prasad in the water, and took them to against the Nehru scion former Congress President. Leader of Opposition George in this regard. a pond in the district, the a hospital. Alok and Ritik while addressing an "Girls never bend down Ramesh Chennithala on Criticising George, police spokesperson said. were declared dead, while election rally at Irattayar in front of him.. he is an Tuesday termed the sexually Kerala Congress leader P In Fatehpur, two people the condition of Amit is here on Monday. unmarried trouble maker," coloured remarks against J Joseph said the remarks drowned and another went serious, police said. Distancing himself he alleged. Gandhi as 'unfortunate and were "immature" and missing while bathing in The SHO said Raghav from the comments, Chief The former Left unacceptable.' wanted to know whether the Ganga river, police said. is missing and efforts are Minister Pinarayi Vijayan independent MP's remarks A case should be it was the opinion of the The incident took place on to trace him. He added said the LDF's stand is came days after Gandhi had registered against the entire LDF. around 3.30 pm in Bhitaura that the bodies have been not to personally attack given Aikido lessons at the former MP and he should However, minister M village, Hussainganj sent for post-mortem. Gandhi. famed St Teresa's college in be arrested, he said. M Mani justified George Station House Officer On Sunday, two "We will oppose him Kochi based on the request Member of Parliament and said he had not made (SHO) Ranveer Bahadur children -- Mayank (13) politically not personally", of a student. and Youth Congress leader any anti-women remarks Singh said. and Vikki (8) -- died due Vijayan told reporters in The Congress leader Dean Kuriakose lashed and only criticised Rahul He said Alok Gupta to drowning in Azamgarh Kasaragod on Tuesday. had visited the women's out at the ex-MP and said Gandhi. (21), Ritik Umrav (16), district.

Assam Rifles seizes heroin worth Rs 42.3 lakh in Mizoram Coal mining case: Aizawl by a joint team of Assam Rifles, department seized 35 cases of The Assam Rifles has seized Mizoram Excise and Narcotics foreign origin cigarette at Mualkawi CBI questions heroin worth Rs 42.3 lakh from department based on specific area in Champhai district near the Bawngkawn Shalom Venglai area information, the statement said. Indo-Myanmar border on Sunday. here on Sunday and apprehended Two persons were apprehended The illegal goods worth Rs suspected mastermind two persons, a statement issued by for possessing the contraband worth 58.5 lakh was handed over to the New Delhi comprising Justices M R the paramilitary force said. Rs 42.3 lakh, it said. In another Customs department, Assam Rifles The CBI on Tuesday Shah and Sanjiv Khanna, The operation was carried out seizure, Assam Rifles and Customs sources said. questioned Anup Majhi, directed that Majhi shall the alleged mastermind cooperate in the probe in of illegal coal mining in the case. Eastern Coalfields Ltd The multi-crore coal TMC MP loses temper during Gujarat CM weighed against mines in West Bengal's pilferage scam is related 85 kgs of silver at event Asansol, in connection to the Eastern Coalfields with the coal pilferage Ltd mines in the state's roadshow, stokes controversy Ahmedabad scam, officials said. Kunustoria and Kajora Kolkata Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was The Supreme Court areas. Actor and TMC MP Nusrat Jahan has courted controversy after she on Monday weighed against 85 kilograms of apparently lost cool and abandoned a roadshow midway in North 24 silver at a function organised in Gandhinagar. had restrained the agency The CBI had registered Rupani donated the silver for the welfare of from arresting Majhi till an FIR in November Parganas district, contending that she does not take part in any rally livestock at cow shelters, a state government April 6. last year against the that lasts over an hour, even if it is in support of Chief Minister Mamata release said, adding that the 'rajat tula' event was "The petitioner shall alleged kingpin of the Banerjee. Jahan, who was recently campaigning for TMC candidate organised by Samast Mahajan Trust. Rupani said not be arrested until April pilferage racket, Manjhi Narayan Goswami at Guma in Ashoknagar segment, suddenly refused his government was committed to the welfare 6. This order has been alias Lala, ECL general to take part in the roadshow notwithstanding party workers' fervent of livestock, and had enacted a stringent law passed without going managers Amit Kumar pleas to stay back. "I am participating in the roadshow for more than an against cow slaughter with jail terms of up to into the merit of the Dhar and Jayesh Chandra hour, (which) I don't do even for the chief minister; Are you joking?" 12 years. He said his government had launched case. We clarify that this Rai, ECL security chief the Basirhat MP could be heard telling TMC supporters. Goswami 'Karuna Abhiyan' to treat birds injured during order will not restrain the Tanmay Das, Kunustoria later said that Jahan had suffered a sprain due to which she could not the kite festival, apart from operating 350 mobile continue to be a part of the roadshow. Looking to seize the initiative, veterinary vans, and offering financial assistance investigation," a bench area security inspector to cow shelters. Steps had been taken to make headed by Justice D Y Dhananjay Rai and Kajor opposition BJP posted a video of the episode on Twitter with the hashtag such cow shelters, or panjrapole, self-sufficient Chandrachud had said. area security in-charge '#MamataLosingNandigram'. Banerjee is locked in a fierce contest with by helping those running it grow fodder, the CM The bench, also Debashish Mukherjee. her protege-turned-adversary and BJP candidate Suvendu Adhikari in added. Rupani also inaugurated in online mode Nandigram in Purba Medinipur district, which will go to polls in the 'gauchar' development works in Banaskantha and second phase on April 1. Mehsana, the release said. color

6 Mumbai, Thursday 01 to 07 April 2021 National Across State Priyanka Gandhi launches attack on LDF, BJP Govts Thiruvananthapuram In a packed schedule, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi addressed party workers Gandhi on Tuesday launched a in various constituencies scathing attack on the CPI(M)- in Alappuzha, Kollam and LDF government, describing it Thiruvananthapuram districts, as a dispensation of "frauds and attacking the LDF in Kerala scams", which was following a and the BJP-NDA government "corporate" manifesto instead at the Centre, winding it up of the communist manifesto. with a road show at Valiyathura, She said the Left another fishing hamlet. Democratic Front government Taking a dig at the state hadsworn allegiance to the government in the gold communist manifesto, but was smuggling case, she said it actually following a "corporate has failed to recognise that the manifesto" like the Modi people of the state are the "real government at the Centre. gold". She also slammed the The gold scam relates to the BJP and RSS for the alleged seizure of about 30 kg of gold harassment suffered by the nuns worth Rs 14.82 crore through belonging to a Kerala based diplomatic channels in July congregation during a train last year. journey in Uttar Pradesh and Sreedharan. essential commodities are Speaking at nearby Chief Minister Pinarayi claimed that Home Minister "You have struggled in unaffordable. Poonthura, a fishing hamlet, Vijayan's former Principal Amit Shah had condemned it the last five years..you have Gas cylinders may have Gandhi urged voters to repose secretary M Sivasankar was only because it was election suffered. Many central been distributed free of cost at faith in the UDF. among those arrested, along time. government policies have some point of time,"but today, "What you do in Kerala with key accused Swapna Addressing a series of public hurt you and several LDF you cannot fill them," she said will show the way for the Suresh. meetings and road shows, she policies hurt you even more," and alleged that both the central rest of the country. It is a The case is being probed embarked on her hectic two- she said,lashing out at the and state governments are big responsibility and I am by various central agencies, day campaign across southern ruling CPI(M)-LDF and BJP focusing only on handing over confident you will discharge it including the Enforcement Kerala for the April 6 assembly governments in her rallies. the assets to corporates. fully", she said. Directorate. polls on a day when Prime "Demonetisation...faulty The Congress leader also Former Union minister The Congress general Minister Narendra Modi was GST.the Corona pandemicand explained the various promises and Thiruvananthapuram MP secretary also lashed out at the also in the state to address a then the lockdown was imposed listed in the UDF manifesto Shashi Tharoor and former government over the inking public meeting at Palakkad, without any planning." and the 'Nyay Scheme',the state minister V S Sivakumar of an MoU with a US based the constituency where BJP Gandhi said there is an minimum income guarantee were among those present at company for the manufacture has fielded 'Metroman' E unprecedented price rise and scheme of the party. the Poonthura rally. of 400 deep sea fishing trawlers.

'Puducherry Polls Unique As Even Night curfew to continue in Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Sitting CM Denied Ticket': PM Surat and Rajkot till April 15 as COVID cases rise Modi Takes Jibe at Congress Gandhinagar some states, it is a huge cause for Puducherry The night curfew imposed in four worry. No state, no part of the country Targeting senior Congress leader V Narayanasamy, metro cities of Gujarat - Ahmedabad, should be complacent." Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the Vadodara, Surat and Rajkot – will At a press conference, Health previous party government headed by him was a continue till April 15, the state Secretary Rajesh Bhushan listed out 'disaster' that failed on all fronts and underlined the government has announced in the wake the 10 districts which have reported NDA's commitment to ensure its growth. Addressing of rising coronavirus cases there.. the maximum COVID-19 cases, they an election rally of the NDA, attended by AINRC According to the Additional Chief The total cured, discharged and are; Pune (59,475), Mumbai (46,248), founder and former chief minister N Rangasamy, Secretary, Home Department, Gujarat migrated cases are 2,86,577, the death Nagpur (45,322), Thane (35,264), AIADMK and BJP leaders, Modi said he saw a "huge wave" in support of the National Democratic Alliance government, the night curfew in four toll is 4500. The Centre Tuesday pulled Nashik (26,553), Aurangabad in the poll-bound states of Assam, West Bengal, Tamil metros of the state, Ahmedabad, up the states with a high number of (21,282), Bengaluru Urban (16,259), Nadu, Kerala and this union territory. Vadodara, Surat and Rajkot, which is coronavirus cases claiming that the Nanded (15,171), Delhi (8,032), Single phase polling is scheduled here on April 6. currently in force from 9 pm to 6 am, situation is turning from 'bad to worse' Ahmednagar (7,952). Training his guns against Narayansamy, who resigned will also continue till April 15, 2021. and stressed that the whole country is Eight of the top 10 districts are as chief minister last month after his government was Considering the prevalence at risk. from Maharashtra and that Delhi, reduced to a minority following a spate of resignations, of coronavirus spread, the state "We are facing an increasingly taken as one district, is also on the list. Modi pointed out that the senior Congress leader was government has decided to keep severe and intense situation, more Meanwhile, India on Tuesday not contesting the polls this time. the COVID-19 Transition Control so surely in some districts. But the reported 56,211 new cases in the last "In the long list of non-performing Congress Guidelines of the Central Government whole country is potentially at risk and 24 hours. The Health and Family governments over the years, the previous Puducherry unchanged till April 30, as per the therefore all efforts to contain and save Welfare Ministry's data showed that government has a special place. The high command government, Delhi high command government Additional Chief Secretary. lives should be taken," NITI Aayog India registered 68,020 new cases of Puducherry failed on all fronts," he said. The According to data from the member (Health) V K Paul said. which was also reportedly the highest Narayanasamy-led dispensation failed in all sectors Union Ministry of Health and Family Further, he said, "COVID-19 single-day rise in over 5 months. like education, filling of medical seats, welfare of SC/ Welfare, the number of active cases situation is turning from bad to worse. More than 60,000 infections are being ST communities and "there was loot and only loot," of coronavirus in Gujarat are 12,041. In the last few weeks, especially in reported daily for the past few days. Modi alleged. color

Across State News Mumbai, Thursday 01 to 07 April 2021 7 Two French naval ships arrive

New Delhi in India on goodwillin mutual cooperation visit and comprising an aircraft The French Navy's jointmanship," said an carrier, accompanied by a amphibious assault Indian Navy official. large number of destroyers, helicopter carrier Tonnerre India has been frigates and other ships. and frigate Surcouf arrived expanding cooperation The exercise came over in Kochi on Tuesday ahead with navies of the US, a week after US Defence of a mega naval war game Japan, Australia and France Secretary Lloyd Austin involving France and four in the last few years. flew to India as part of his member nations of the On March 28 and 29, three-nation first overseas Quad grouping, officials India and the US navies tour that signalled the said. carried out a two-day naval Biden administration's The French ships are exercise in the eastern strong commitment to its on a two-day goodwill Indian Ocean Region. relations with its close visit to Kochi, in reflection The Indian Navy allies and partners in the of deeper military ties deployed its warship Indo-Pacific region. between the two navies, Shivalik and long-range During the visit, both they said. maritime patrol aircraft P8I sides resolved to further The ships will be sailing in the 'PASSEX' exercise consolidate their robust to the Bay of Bengal on while the US Navy was defence cooperation Thursday to participate in the US, Japan, Australia commanding officers of the "The regular conduct represented by USS through deeper military- the France-led 'La Perouse' and India, all member French naval ships called on of bilateral exercises, Theodore Roosevelt Carrier to-military engagement naval war game from April nations of the Quad or Flag Officer Commanding- goodwill visits by ships and Strike Group. with Austin describing 5-7. Quadrilateral coalition. in-Chief, Southern Naval high level delegation visits A carrier battle group the partnership as a The exercise will see In Kochi, the French Command, Vice Admiral involving both the navies or carrier strike group "stronghold" of a free and participation of navies of delegation and the A K Chawla. are indicative of growth is a mega naval fleet open Indo-Pacific.

India's quick response to COVID, vaccination drive President Kovind undergoes cardiac bypass surgery resulting in 'V-shape-recovery': Sitharaman New Delhi Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on New Delhi and promote environmental and President Ram Nath Kovind Saturday. India's quick response social safeguards to enhance the on Tuesday underwent a cardiac Kovind, 75, had undergone in limiting the impact of sustainability of infrastructure. bypass surgery at the AIIMS a health check-up at the Army the COVID-19 pandemic and "India is going to set up a here, a statement issued by the Hospital (R&R) here following undertaking massive vaccination new DFI with initial paid-up Rashtrapati Bhavan said. The chest discomfort Friday drives are resulting in a "V-shaped capital of around USD 3 billion recovery", said Union Finance with a lending target of USD 69 Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on billion in the next three years," Tuesday. achievements and progress over she said while suggesting NDB to Speaking at the sixth annual the last six years and highlighted develop a synergistic relationship meeting of the Board of Governors the bank's role in countercyclical with these institutions that share of New Development Bank(NDB) lending through USD 10 billion its development priorities to through video-conference, Emergency Assistance Programme achieve greater results. NDB, a Sitharaman highlighted that India's for supporting the member multilateral development bank COVID-19 vaccination drive, the countries in fighting the COVID was set up by the BRICS countries largest in the world, is underway pandemic. (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and and to date, 63.9 million doses She further stressed the need South Africa) in 2014 with the of made-in-India COVID vaccine for NDB to maintain and improve objective of mobilizing resources surgery was successful and his morning. have been supplied to 80 countries upon the ratings assigned by for infrastructure and sustainable condition is stable, it said. Union Home Minister Amit including 10.4 million doses of the international rating agencies development projects in the "The President of India, Shri Shah conveyed good wishes vaccine as grants. through adequate capitalisation, BRICS as well as other EMDCs Ram Nath Kovind underwent and prayers for the president’s "The Finance Minister high-quality governance and of the world. The Bank has been cardiac bypass surgery today speedy recovery. underscored India's quick prudent management. operationalised since 2015, with morning (March 30, 2021) at “Glad to learn about response to limit the impact of Sitharaman also encouraged its Headquarters in Shanghai, AIIMS, New Delhi. Surgery Rashtrapati Shri Ram Nath the pandemic and to undertake the NDB to facilitate private China. NDB has so far approved was successful. He is stable and Kovind Ji’s successful bypass massive vaccination drives sector participation, explore more 18 projects of India for an amount is being closely monitored by surgery at AIIMS, New Delhi. which are resulting in a 'V shape innovative financing structures, of USD 6,924 million. The meeting a team of senior doctors," the May each day bring him recovery'," a statement from discover co-financing opportunities was also attended by Governors/ statement said. renewed strength. My good the Finance Ministry said. She with other MDBs, develop a Alternate Governors of Brazil, The president was shifted wishes and prayers for his also acknowledged the NDB's pipeline of bankable projects, China, Russia and South Africa. to the All India Institute of speedy recovery,” he tweeted. 8 Mumbai, Thursday 01 to 07 April 2021 National Across State Mehbooba Mufti's mother's passport rejected following adverse police report Srinagar India with any foreign country. Regional Passport Office here had The passport application of This section can also reject informed the People's Democratic Gulshan Nazir, wife of former an application if the central Party (PDP) president on March Union home minister and two- government is of the opinion 26 that her application for a time Jammu and Kashmir chief that issuing a passport or a travel passport was rejected on the minister Mufti Mohammed document to the applicant will not basis of the "adverse" police Sayeed, has been rejected be in public interest. verification report. following an adverse police There are other reasons in this The passport officer also report. section which bars processing any informed the former Jammu and According to a letter sent application where an applicant Kashmir chief minister that the to Nazir, who is the mother of has been convicted or is facing CID of the Union Territory had former Jammu and Kashmir criminal proceedings or has a recommended against granting a chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, pending summon, according to passport to her. the Regional Passport office the Act. But this is not attracted in The letter said Mehbooba informed her that the Jammu and the case of Nazir, whose husband can appeal against the decision Kashmir Police's CID department Mohammed Sayeed had served as GoI (Government of India) is of the considered view that no at a higher forum provided by has not cleared her passport Union home minister in the 1990s employing absurd methods to direction can be issued by this the Ministry of External Affairs application under section 6 (2) and later as chief minister twice harass and punish me for not court for issuance of passport (MEA). (c) of the Passports Act. of the erstwhile state of Jammu toeing their line," she said. in favour of the petitioner," the Commenting on the rejection Under this section, a passport and Kashmir. Mehbooba's passport has also judge said in his order of her application, the PDP is rejected by authorities if they "...your application for been rejected under the same "Even otherwise, the scope president had said it shows the feel that the applicant may issuance of passport is refused," clause and her petition in the of this court in the matter of level of normalcy achieved in engage outside India in activities said the letter issued by the Jammu and Kashmir High Court grant or otherwise of passport in Kashmir. prejudicial to the sovereignty and passport officer to Nazir. was also dismissed. favour of an individual is very "The Passport Office integrity of India or the departure Mehbooba tweeted that the Dismissing the petition, limited in as much as the court, refused to issue my passport of the applicant from India may, passport office has rejected her Justice Ali Mohammad Magray in this behalf, can only direct based on CID's report citing it or is likely to, be detrimental to mother's passport application. had observed that Mehbooba's the concerned authorities to as 'detrimental' to the security the security of the country. "CID (Criminal Investigation application for a passport was expeditiously consider the case of India. This is the level of A passport can also be Department) claims that my rejected by the passport officer, of an individual in the light of normalcy achieved in Kashmir rejected, under the section, if mother who is well into her Srinagar, as the police verification the mandate of the scheme of since Aug 2019 that an ex-chief the presence of the applicant seventies is a 'threat to report recommended against the law governing the subject," the minister holding a passport is outside India may, or is likely to, national security' and therefore issuance of the document to her. order read. a threat to the sovereignty of a prejudice the friendly relations of doesn't deserve a passport. "In such circumstances, I am In a letter to Mehbooba, the mighty nation," she had tweeted. NITI Aayog Releases Report ‘Investment Opportunities in India’s Healthcare Sector’ New Delhi economy, in terms of both revenue and including insights about its employment With respect to pharmaceuticals, India NITI Aayog released a report outlining employment. generation potential, the prevailing can boost domestic manufacturing, the range of investment opportunities in “Several factors are driving the business and investment climate as well supported by recent Government schemes various segments of India’s healthcare growth of the Indian healthcare sector, as the overarching policy landscape. The with performance-linked incentives, as sector, including hospitals, medical including an aging population, a growing second section highlights the key drivers part of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. devices and equipment, health insurance, middle class, the rising proportion of growth for the sector and the third In the medical devices and equipment telemedicine, home healthcare and medical of lifestyle diseases, an increased elaborates upon the enabling policies and segment, expansion of diagnostic and value travel. emphasis on public-private partnerships investment opportunities in seven key pathology centres as well as miniaturized The report was released by NITI Aayog as well as accelerated adoption of digital segments—hospitals and infrastructure, diagnostics have high potential for Member Dr VK Paul, CEO Amitabh technologies. The Covid-19 pandemic health insurance, pharmaceuticals and growth. Further, medical value travel, Kant, and Additional Secretary Dr Rakesh has not only presented challenges but biotechnology, medical devices, medical especially wellness tourism, has bright Sarwal. also several opportunities for India to tourism, home healthcare as well as prospects, given India’s inherent strengths India’s healthcare industry has been grow. All these factors, together make telemedicine and other technology-related in alternative systems of medicine. growing at a Compound Annual Growth India’s healthcare industry ripe for health services. Technology advancements such as Rate of around 22% since 2016. At this investment,” wrote NITI Aayog CEO In the hospital segment, the expansion Artificial Intelligence (AI), wearables rate, it is expected to reach USD 372 Amitabh Kant in the foreword. of private players to tier-2 and tier-3 and other mobile technologies, along with billion in 2022. Healthcare has become In the first section, this report provides locations, beyond metropolitan cities, Internet of Things, also offer numerous one of the largest sectors of the Indian an overview of India’s healthcare sector, offers an attractive investment opportunity. avenues for investment. Across State Global View Mumbai, Thursday 01 to 07 April 2021 9 Suez Canal reopens after stuck cargo ship is freed Suez (Egypt) Mission accomplished, Salvage teams on Monday villager Abdalla Ramadan said. finally freed the colossal The whole world is relieved. container ship stuck for nearly a The US Embassy in Cairo week in the Suez Canal, ending a tweeted its congratulations to crisis that had clogged one of the Egypt. world's most vital waterways and The breakthrough followed halted billions of dollars a day in days of immense effort with maritime commerce. an elite salvage team from the A flotilla of tugboats, helped Netherlands. Tugboats pushed by the tides, wrenched the and pulled to budge the behemoth bulbous bow of the skyscraper- from the shore, their work sized Ever Given from the canal's buoyed by high tide at dawn sandy bank, where it had been Monday that led to the vessel's firmly lodged since March 23. partial refloating. Specialized The tugs blared their horns in dredgers dug out the stern and jubilation as they guided the Ever vacuumed sand and mud from Given through the water after beneath the bow. days of futility that had captivated The operation was the world, drawing scrutiny and extremely delicate. While the social media ridicule. shipping company that operates between 12 million to 15 million. national pride and crucial revenue Ever Given was stuck, the We pulled it off! said Peter the ship. The Suez Canal is not guilty for Egypt, and President Abdel rising and falling tides put Berdowski, CEO of Boskalis, Buffeted by a sandstorm, of what happened. We are the Fattah el-Sissi praised Monday's stress on the vessel, which is the salvage firm hired to extract the Ever Given had crashed into ones who suffered damage. he events after days of silence about 400 meters (a quarter mile) the Ever Given. I am excited a bank of a single-lane stretch said. the blockage. long, raising concerns it could to announce that our team of the canal about 6 kilometers At least 367 vessels, carrying Egyptians have succeeded crack. of experts, working in close (3.7 miles) north of the southern everything from crude oil to in ending the crisis, he wrote on Rabei praised the team, collaboration with the Suez Canal entrance, near the city of Suez. cattle, had backed up to wait Facebook, despite the massive saying they achieved a very Authority, successfully refloated That created a massive traffic to traverse the canal. Dozens technical complexity. difficult mission in record the Ever Given thereby making jam that held up 9 billion a day in of others have taken the long, In the village of Amer, which time, without damaging the free passage through the Suez global trade and strained supply alternate route around the Cape of overlooks the canal, residents vessel or its cargo. Canal possible again. Berdowski told Dutch radio Navigation in the canal station NPO 1 the company resumed at 6 p.m. local time had always believed it would (1600 GMT, noon EDT) said Lt. be the two powerful tugboats Gen. Osama Rabei, head of the it sent that would free the ship. Suez Canal Authority, adding Monday's strong tide helped that the first ships that were push the ship at the top while moving carried livestock. From we pulled at the bottom and the city of Suez, ships stacked luckily it shot free, he said. with containers could be seen We were helped enormously exiting the canal into the Red Sea. by the strong falling tide At least 113 of over 420 we had this afternoon. In vessels that had waited for Ever effect, you have the forces of Given to be freed are expected nature pushing hard with you to cross the canal by Tuesday and they pushed harder than morning, Rabei added at a news the two sea tugs could pull, conference. Berdowski added. Analysts expect it could take The crew on the tugs was at least another 10 days to clear euphoric, but there also was the backlog on either end. a tense moment when the huge The Ever Given sailed to the chains already burdened by the Good Hope at Africa's southern cheered as the vessel moved ship was floating free so then you Great Bitter Lake, a wide stretch coronavirus pandemic. tip a 5,000-kilometer (3,100- along. Many scrambled to have to get it under control very of water halfway between the Rabei said an investigation mile) detour that costs ships get a closer look while others quickly with the tugs around it north and south ends of the canal, would determine why the Ever hundreds of thousands of dollars mockingly waved goodbye to the so that it doesn't push itself back for inspection, said Evergreen Given got stuck, and he estimated in fuel and other costs. departing ship from their fields into the other side of the canal, Marine Corp., a Taiwan-based daily losses to the canal of The canal is a source of of clover he said. color

10 Mumbai, Thursday 01 to 07 April 2021 Global View Across State Biden, CDC director warn of virus

Washington rebound if nationis moving lets to double the numberup longer. President Joe Biden and a top of pharmacies participating in the She added: We are not health official warned that too federal retail pharmacy program powerless, we can change this many Americans are declaring it has emerged as among the most trajectory of the pandemic." virus victory too quickly, efficient avenues for administering Walensky pointed to an uptick appealing for mask requirements vaccines and increase the number in travel and loosening virus and other restrictions to be of doses for them to deliver. Retail restrictions for the increase in maintained or restored to stave pharmacies are located relatively cases. People want to be done off a fourth surge of COVID-19. close to most Americans and have with this. I, too, want to be done The head of the CDC said she had experience delivering vaccines with this, she said. a feeling of impending doom if like flu shots. "We've seen surges after every people keep easing off. Biden announced that the U.S. single holiday, she reiterated: The double dose of warnings is expecting delivery of 33 million Please limit travel to essential on Monday came even as Biden doses of COVID-19 vaccine this travel for the time being. laid out hopeful new steps to week including 11 million of the The White House, meanwhile expand coronavirus vaccinations, single-dose Johnson & Johnson is ruling out the creation of with all adults to become eligible shot. a national vaccine passport over the next five weeks. Biden More than 1 in 5 adults and for Americans to verify their announced plans to expand the I'm going to lose the script, Biden delivered a direct nearly 50% of senior American immunization status, saying it is number of retail pharmacies that and I'm going to reflect on appeal to governors, state and are fully vaccinated, according to leaving it to the private sector to are administering vaccines, and the recurring feeling I have of local leaders to reinstate mask- data from the CDC. On Thursday, develop a system for people show investments to help Americans impending doom." wearing requirements if they the U.S. set new single-day record they've been vaccinated. Some get to vaccination sites. But the Cases of the virus are up have lifted them, and said he for shots in arms: more than 3.2 other countries are establishing optimism was tempered by stark about 10% over the past week encouraged leaders to pause million. national databases to allow warnings about the potential for from the previous week, to about plans to further ease virus-related Now is not the time to let vaccinated people to resume another wave of cases. 60,000 cases per day, with both restrictions. down," Biden said. Now's not normal activities. This is deadly serious, hospitalizations and deaths Please, this is not politics, the time to celebrate. It is time to We do know that there is a Biden said, urging governors ticking up as well, Walensky reinstate the mandate if you let it do what we do best as a country: segment of the population that is to reinstate mask mandates and said. She warned that without down," he said. our duty, our jobs, take care of concerned that the government other restrictions that some states immediate action the US could Biden announced that by one another." will play too heavy-handed have been easing. follow European countries into April 19 at least 90% of the "Fight to the finish, he added. of a role in monitoring their Hours earlier, during a virtual another spike in cases and suffer adult U.S. population would be "Don't let up now. vaccinations," said White House White House health briefing, Dr. needless deaths. eligible for vaccination and would Walensky and Dr. Anthony COVID-19 adviser Andy Slavitt. Rochelle Walensky, director of I have to share the truth, and have access to a vaccination site Fauci, the nation's top infectious He said officials are worried that the Centers for Disease Control I have to hope and trust you will within 5 miles of home. Quick disease expert, appealed to elected it would discourage people from and Prevention, grew emotional listen, she said. vaccination would still depend officials, community leaders and getting vaccinated if the federal as she reflected on her experience Later Monday, Biden on supply. everyday Americans to maintain government was involved. treating COVID-19 patients who addressed the nation from the Biden had previously directed social distancing measures and The administration, instead, are alone at the end of their lives. White House, declaring, If we that all states make all adults mask wearing. is developing guidelines for such We have so much to look let our guard down now, we can eligible for vaccination by May "We are doing things passports, touching on privacy, forward to, so much promise and see the virus getting worse, not 1, but many have moved to lift prematurely, Fauci said, referring accuracy and equity, but the potential of where we are and so better. People are letting up on eligibility requirements sooner in to moves to ease up on restrictions. White House has not said when much reason for hope," she said. precautions, which is a very bad anticipation of supply increases. Walensky appealed to Americans, those guidelines will be ready. "But right now, I'm scared. thing. Meanwhile, the White House Just please hold on a little while Witness describes seeing Floyd 'slowly fade away' Minneapolis From there on he was lifeless, Williams said. He didn't The white officer didn't let up" even after a handcuffed A man who was among onlookers shouting at a move, he didn't speak, he didn't have no life in him no Floyd said 27 times that he couldn't breathe and went Minneapolis police officer to get off George Floyd last more on his body movements. limp, Blackwell said. May was to continue testifying Tuesday, a day after he Williams was among the first prosecution witnesses as He put his knees upon his neck and his back, grinding described seeing Floyd struggle for air and his eyes rolling trial opened for Chauvin, 45, who is charged with murder and crushing him, until the very breath no, ladies and back into his head, saying he saw Floyd slowly fade away and manslaughter in Floyd's death. gentlemen until the very life was squeezed out of him, ... like a fish in a bag. Prosecutors led off their case by playing part of the the prosecutor said. Donald Williams, a former wrestler who said he bystander video that captured Floyd's arrest on May 25. Chauvin attorney Eric Nelson countered by arguing: was trained in mixed martial arts including chokeholds, Chauvin and three other officers were fired soon after the Derek Chauvin did exactly what he had been trained to testified Monday that he thought Derek Chauvin used a video touched off outrage and protest, sometimes violent, do over his 19-year career. shimmying motion several times to increase the pressure that spread from Minneapolis around the world. Floyd was fighting efforts to put him in a squad car on Floyd. He said he yelled to the officer that he was Prosecutor Jerry Blackwell showed the jurors the as the crowd of onlookers around Chauvin and his fellow cutting off Floyd's blood supply. footage at the earliest opportunity, during opening officers grew and became increasingly hostile, Nelson Williams recalled that Floyd's voice grew thicker as statements, after telling them that the number to remember said. his breathing became more labored, and he eventually was 9 minutes, 29 seconds the amount of time Chauvin The defence attorney also disputed that Chauvin was stopped moving. had Floyd pinned to the pavement last May. to blame for Floyd's death. Across State News Mumbai, Thursday 01 to 07 April 2021 11 Waze procured explosives found in SUV near Ambani's house: NIA Mumbai plates in Thane by throwing The gelatin sticks found in an them into some water bodies, the SUV near industrialist Mukesh sources said. Ambani's residence in Mumbai The NIA on Sunday recovered last month were procured by a laptop, a printer, two hard disks, suspended police officer Sachin two vehicle number plates, two Waze, NIA sources claimed on DVRs and two CPUs from the Wednesday. Mithi river here with the help of However, they did not divers, they said. elaborate on the source of the Waze was arrested by the NIA explosives. on March 13. The National Investigation The agency is probing the Agency (NIA), which is probing alleged role of Waze in parking the case, has also found that Waze Waze at the spot, the sources said. aspects. (Waze) destroyed any DVR of the the explosives-laden SUV along with his driver parked the As a part the probe into the There were some attempts to Mumbai police commissioner's near Ambani's residence on SUV near Ambani's house, the case, the NIA team is going tamper with the CCTV footage office and the surrounding area, February 25 and in the murder sources said. to collect CCTV footage of and digital video recorders they said. of businessman Mansukh Hiran. "The gelatin sticks, which the compound of Mumbai (DVRs) of the police chief's Waze allegedly tried to destroy The body of Hiran, who was were placed in the SUV, were police commissioner's office office, but majority of the footage the CCTV footage and DVRs of in possession of the SUV, was procured by Waze," a source said. andsurrounding areas, they said, is available, the sources said. Saket society in neighbouring found in a creek in Mumbra The NIA has CCTV footage adding that this will establish The probe agency is verifying Thane, where he was staying, as town of Thane district on March which shows the presence of Waze's movements and other whether the accused person well as of a shop making number 5. DCGI extends shelf life of Covishield from 6 to 9 months Lt Gen Kler relinquishes New Delhi glass vial (10 dose-5ml) from six India's drug regulator DCGI has months to nine months. charge of Army's SW Command extended the shelf life of Covishield, "You are permitted to apply the Jaipur over the baton to Lt Gen the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 shelf life of nine months to unlabelled Lieutenant General Amardeep Singh Bhinder vaccine, from six to nine months from vials available on hand, subject to Alok Kler on Wednesday from the Armoured Corps, its manufacturing date. the condition that the details of such relinquished his charge defence spokesperson Lt In a letter to the Serum Institute of stock, batch-wise, shall be submitted as the chief of the Jaipur- Col Amitabh Sharma said. India (SII), Drugs Controller General to this office and Central Drugs based South Western Before handing over of India V G Somani said the SII is Laboratory, Kasauli," Somani said Army Command. He the charge to his successor, permitted to apply the vaccine's shelf in the letter. was commissioned in the he paid tributes to martyrs life of nine months to unlabelled vials The Drugs Controller General of According to an update by UK Armoured Corps in 1982 at Prerna Sthal in the available on hand. India (DCGI) said it has no objection drug regulator dated February 22, and served in the Army for Jaipur military station. Shelf life is the length of time for in respect of 'Extension of Shelf Life the shelf-life of the AstraZeneca 40 years. On the occasion, he said which an item remains fit for use. of Covishield Vaccine' in multi-dose COVID-19 vaccine is six months. Lt Gen Alok Kler hands the command is fully prepared from all aspects. Our command is fully prepared, be it mission readiness, training or Ravi Shastri calls on administration. Our training at the western Maharashtra Governor border is 100 percent. Mumbai Though I do not want Indian cricket team head coach Ravi but if required, the Shastri on Wednesday called on Maharashtra southwestern command and Goa Governor will show a miracle that here. has not happened in Shastri is back in the city after guiding the last 75 years on the India to a series sweep over England. western border, he told "The Head Coach of the Indian Cricket reporters. Team and well known cricketer Ravi Shastri With his penchant met the Governor of Maharashtra and Goa for physical fitness and Bhagat Singh Koshyari at Raj Bhavan, adventure, Lt General Mumbai on Wednesday. Kler is an avid cyclist and "This was a courtesy call," read a Raj skydiver and he cycled Bhawan statement. from Delhi to Jaipur in September 2019 to take over the command. 12 Mumbai, Thursday 01 to 07 April 2021 EdiTrack Across State Volte-face by Manipur ed-faced over the criticism of its March 26 order to the deputy commissioners of Rborder districts to ‘politely turn away’ the fleeing Rohingya, the Manipur Government has hastily sought to undo the damage. Projecting a humanitarian visage, it has withdrawn the directive that was ostensibly aimed at preventing illegal immigration. Annulling the order — that also prohibited food and shelter to the persecuted refugees — Manipur laid emphasis on how the state is giving medical aid to the injured refugees who had fled Myanmar after last month’s bloody military coup. Incidentally, neighbouring Mizoram, which has seen an influx of Myanmar nationals, has been giving them shelter. The issue has been simmering since 2016- 17 when lakhs of Muslim Rohingya began feared in Assam — and the capacity of India them to Myanmar. Significantly, the SC had escaping the torture in their country, which the to absorb and help the needy refugees at the dismissed an earlier similar petition seeking UN has accused of ‘ethnic cleansing’. Many of cost of ensuring the depleting resources to its the retention of some Rohingya in Assam over them have crossed into India. With a number own citizens. the genocide in Myanmar. Even as international of bilateral infrastructure projects tied to it, In this regard, all eyes are on the Supreme humanitarian conventions call for giving shelter Myanmar is an important link in India’s Look East Court which is looking into a related case. On to persecuted minorities, the MHA has told the Policy. The Centre needs to break its silence and March 27, a Bench led by Chief Justice Bobde SC that their stay is illegal and fraught with give clear instructions on the course of action to reserved its order on a plea seeking the release serious national security ramifications. be taken by the affected states so as to avoid and protection of around 150 Rohingya detained any more faux pas. It is a complicated subject in a Jammu centre. These immigrants are being // satyasya paramaṁ nidhānam // We would like to hear from you. Please share your comments on with implications of a demographic shift — as identified as illegal immigrants so as to deport [email protected]

"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or India-Bangladesh ties even touched - they must be felt with the heart." -Helen Keller Preserving the gains of the decade he defining images of and Bangladesh its credulous Printer-Publisher & Editor In Chief India-Bangladesh ties victim. during PM Modi’s just The turning point was the land Sanjay Mangesh Bhaire T Allied publication Across Mumbai concluded Dhaka visit would boundary agreement and the (Marathi & Hindi) be his presence as chief guest at trust reignited among the two Managing Editor the National Day celebrations armies after years of close Suchita Bhaire and New Delhi’s entry into interaction. The steady rise in Editor an upcoming Russian nuclear trucks and trains crossing the Sreeraj N. power plant there. The nuclear borders, a huge increase in Legal Advisor plant foray, buttressed by a $1 documented travel and talks Adv. Ameet Mehta billion line of credit, preceded for an FTA indicate the two Special Correspondents by India gifting Kilo class countries’ preference for steady K V Raman Vinod Raghavan submarines to Dhaka establish investment in ties rather than a Asha Gopalan Menon India’s strategic proximity to myopic view. But uncontrolled Chief Designer Bangladesh as compared with passions of ideology and Vikram Jadav China. The joint celebrations of the election of his surviving Islamism made Bangladesh religious fervour also roil the Cartoonist Bangladesh’s 50th anniversary daughter Sheikh Hasina. a staging point for ISI’s land, as was evidenced from Sunil Vinekar of liberation from Pakistan There was a five-year interlude depredations, shattered its the police firing on protestors Photographers need no subtexts to underline when Hasina in her first term economy causing massive during PM Modi’s visit. Both Ajit Raut Bhooshan Koyande the complete distancing of the as PM established her pro- infiltration into India and New Delhi and Dhaka would Sheikh Hasina government India leanings by inking the generated hostility about do well to avoid trying to Contributors and Advertisements Satish Shetty from Islamabad. India- Ganga water sharing pact and Indian proposals to restore squeeze in domestic political Savita Tiwari Bangladesh ties today are a far ending unrest in Chittagong connectivity and transit. objectives. Rekindling of J D Rodrigues cry from the dark era that began Hills where rebels from the Favourable political winds in suspicions about a Hindu India Circulation Dept. with the assassination of most north-east found safe havens. Dhaka since 2008 have finally trying to dominate Bangladesh Dinesh Gupta Suchit Kumar Saytonday of Sheikh Mujib’s family in Yet those decades of political dispelled the misgivings about is a spoiler both sides might 1975 and closed in 2008 with hostility and a slide into India as a conniving giant want to avoid. Across State Opinion Mumbai, Thursday 01 to 07 April 2021 13 Women Army officers Counting pandemic losses SC sets right the gender-skewed Worst may be over, but that is of little comfort selection criteria

he Supreme Court directive to have with tenacity met the exacting he Supreme Court’s decision to not stimulus package dishes out $1,400 reconsider giving permanent standards of the armed forces. With allow waiver of complete interest payments to most Americans. More than Tcommission in the Army to Short postings in difficult terrains and conflict Tand extension of the six-month money, what it sends out is a message of Service Commission women officers zones, they have time and again proved Covid-related loan moratorium came optimism and hope — in short supply — calling the medical grounds for that valour has no gender. In the last six with a telling observation that courts are as small and medium businesses in our their rejection as being systematically years, their strength in the military has not advisers to the executive on matters country struggle to stay afloat and there discriminatory — smoothens the path for increased three-fold, with over 9,000 of economic policy. What the apex court is no end to job losses, even though aspiring lady officers to equal opportunity women currently serving in the Army, did permit was the waiver of interest- the stock exchange may have us feel in public employment and also underscores Navy and Air Force. on-interest or compound interest for all otherwise. gender equality. It is a pity that the But sadly, it has been an uphill battle and borrowers, while making it clear that it The loan moratorium was SC’s watershed ruling of February 2020 they have had to petition the Supreme cannot interfere with the government’s conceptualised as a crisis-response that allowed SSC women officers’ full Court at every stage to get their rightful decision to fix priorities for relief measure, so the banks have a valid integration into the defence services, dues. The forces must remedy the during the pandemic. As the country argument to charge interest on the including in combat positions, was not hesitancy in providing them with greater marks a year since the first lockdown deferred EMIs. But that the crisis is being upheld in letter and spirit. The apex responsibility. Removing the hurdles that was announced — resulting in untold far from over cannot be lost on the court has minced no words in pointing are detrimental to the induction and career suffering — several questions continue government. For many, the worst may out the gender-skewed selection criteria progression of the lady defence officers to lurk. Has enough been done to help be over, but what has followed is equally adopted. and providing the qualified women a those affected the most? Did the series challenging, especially in the absence A pattern of evaluation of merit that is level playing field is bound to make the of sector-specific packages announced of any direct support. The silence and derived from an equal society — one that armed forces better and stronger. It also by the Centre have the desired effect? inaction on the visible markers of an affords a fair work ambience and dignity assumes significance in light of the acute Did the decision-makers fall way short upward spiral for home budgets, the to women — is needed. The one prevailing shortage of officers in the Army. There is in extending assistance, and continue to? exponentially high fuel and LPG prices, is drawn from a world created by ‘males a lot to learn from the armies of Israel, Comparisons are odious and inspires little trust in policy intervention for males’, as the SC observed, and only Germany, Australia and the USA, which misplaced all the more in the Indian to bail out the struggling millions. A year serves to bestow equality on a superficial have benefited from the services of their context, but it would be erroneous to not since the announcement to lock down or symbolic level. Ever since their entry women soldiers in intensive combat roles take note of Joe Biden’s ‘rescue plan’. the country is as good a time as any for into the tri-services was allowed, women for many years. The massive $1.9 trillion economic serious stock-taking.

The outrageous incident on March 19 or postulants en route home to Rourkela resumed their journey the next morning. at the Jhansi railway station where four in Odisha after they had completed their Is this the new Indian normal? Have our legitimate travellers were forced out of course. The two teenagers were hoping constitutional rights of freedom of life, the train by vigilantes is the new nadir in to don the habit soon. But the ABVP movement, speech and religion been India’s slide into the abyss of lawlessness workers travelling from Rishikesh to withdrawn? Will the State machinery New nadir and bigotry. This is not just a case of four Jhansi insisted that the nuns were ‘taking’ act according to the assumptions and women getting heckled by rowdy men, the two youngsters to get them converted. prejudices of political activists? which is a miserable, everyday reflection According to news reports, the vigilantes It is heartening to note that Home of our patriarchy. This is about a few Akhil called in the police and forced the Minister Amit Shah, while campaigning of bigotry Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad activists, women to get down at Jhansi, their own for former Union minister KJ Alphons who have no business to examine travel destination, where the women were kept at a Christian-dominated constituency documents or personal identification of at the Government Railway Police station in Kerala, assured that the government The shocking fellow travellers, arrogating to themselves till 11 pm. Had it not been for the local of Uttar Pradesh will bring the culprits the powers of the State with the railway St Jude Church, the travellers would have to justice. BJP’s attempt to grow beyond employees and the police obsequiously had to spend the night at the railway police the cow belt should make it more vigilante action obeying them. station because of the assumption made representative, and accountable towards Two nuns of the Delhi-based by some Hindutva hotheads. They were minorities and their rights as citizens of Congregation of the Sacred Heart were let off after the parents confirmed that this country. against nuns in UP accompanying two 19-year-old students the youngsters were born Christians, and 14 Mumbai, Thursday 01 to 07 April 2021 Views Across State The Hero With Idealism Is Much

LessThe post-independence yearsVisible are regarded Now in Hindi filmCinema which is dominated by the heroine by many as the golden age of Hindi cinema. Sharmila Tagore. The idealism of the freedom movement Similarly although Bandini is a film was still alive and this was reflected well in centered mostly on the heroine Nutan, the films of those days. Since many Hindi the role played by Ashok Kumar as the films tend to be more dominated by heroes troubled revolutionary caught up constantly or the male lead roles, the idealist film hero in difficult and complex situations is figured significantly in many films and many outstanding . memorable roles and films can be recalled in Among working class heroes the role this context. played by Dilip Kumar in Naya Daur can Perhaps it is equally a reflection of more not be forgotten easily ( Saathi Haath recent times that the idealist film hero is seen Badaana). This is a film which actually much less frequently now, or when seen, his starts with a quotation by Mahatma Gandhi idealism is less clear, more confusing, less against indiscriminate mechanization perfect, more ambivalent, and sometimes and the entire film revolves around this, what is sought to be presented as idealism with Dalip Kumar playing the role of may even be found a bit insulting by the a leader of villagers who are resisting more sincere idealists. So those yearning indiscriminate mechanization, the entire for a sense of identity for their idealism may conflict culminating in a tonga racing still find more support in some of the more creates a character that is a marvel , a gem. endearing role, even though the focus really against a motor vehicle. memorable roles of older films which are This is the inimitable Raju, an orphan who is on the other very memorable role of Rajesh However the role of idealist hero worth recalling. Some of these roles have has grown up without a home and family ( Khanna, which is again idealism of a different which has left perhaps the deepest impact very great songs linked closely with them, mera naam Raju , gharana anaam), making kind. Another very important film on this is that of the brilliant but struggling poet which makes them all the more unforgettable. his living by singing songs with a message of theme is Dr. Kotnis Ki Amar Kahani, with Vijay played by Guru Dutt in his own film Whether it is Raj Kapoor in Anari or Jis Desh hope and love ( kaam naye nit geet banana, V. Shantaram playing the role of the great Pyaasa. This role has also been immortalized Mein Ganga Behti Hai, or Balraj Sahni in geet bana ke sabhi ko sunaana). He dresses real-life Dr. Kotnis who served the Chinese by the association of the brilliant poetry of Sahir Anuradha, or Dharmendra in Satyakam or up in a most peculiar way, unlike any other people so well in very difficult conditions and Ludhianvi , some of which has been turned into Anupama, or Dalip Kumar in Naya Daur, dashing Hindi film hero, yet appears as sacrificed his life in the process. all-time great songs by the music of Sachin Dev or Sunil Dutt in Sujata and Usne Kaha Tha, the most endearing young man. It is this Dharmendra plays the uncompromising Burman. In particular the song Yeh Duniya Agar or Ashok Kumar in Bandini, or Guru Dutt simpleton who by force of circumstances gets honest engineer in a great film, Satyakam, Mil Bhi Jaaye To Kya Hai just has to be there in Pyaasa it is just not possible to forget caught in the web of a gang of deadly dacoits. losing one job after another but refusing to in any listing of the best songs of Hindi cinema. these roles and the great songs associated The film is all about his love conquering all give up on his ideals. He plays a somewhat These roles provide strength and support with them and leading dacoits to a different path( aa ab similar role of a very honest civil engineer in to those in the audience who are inclined The character of Raj Kapoor as the laut chalein ). Aadmi Aur Insaan, but his role in Satyakam towards idealism and face problems and simple, struggling, happy-go-lucky, jovial In Anuradha Balraj Sahni’s brilliant really stands out and makes a deeper dilemmas which are all too familiar to young man with a heart of gold in Anari , acting captures very well all the conflicts and impact. Dhrmendra is also remembered those with idealistic yearnings. This is the (also a very sincere but awkward lover) is problems an idealist doctor can face when for his role of an idealist journalist in reason for durable, longer-term memories simply adorable, made even more affectionate he devotes his life to serving the rural poor. Baharein Phir Bhi Aayengi. His portrayal associated with these roles and this is by songs like kisi ki muskrahto pe. But Raj Hrishikesh Mukherjee returns much later to of a struggling and sensitive poet in also the reason why sometimes the young Kapoor in his own production Jis Desh Mein the idealist doctor in Anand, although here Anupama is also memorable ( is dil ki generation often finds solace and inspiration Ganga Behti Hai goes a step further and Amitabh Bachan has only a supporting yet suno duniyawalo), even though this is a in these classic films.

Resolving Water Sharing Disputes Should Not Lead to Hurried Construction of Dams The generally perceived massive ecological disruptions so the possibility of such gigantic paving the way for hurried water sharing are often followed attitude regarding inter-state including intrusion of saltwater mistakes being repeated remains implementation of many dam by hurried execution of dam water disputes in India has been over wide stretches of coastal area with us. projects may be repeated time and and related projects, as though that these should be resolved as were involved. Recently there was celebration again, particularly as powerful water sharing agreement is by soon as possible so that the many- So what actually happened regarding the states of Uttar construction lobbies are often itself a green signal for this. sided potential of various river- over the next five decades was a Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh exerting pressure for this all This may prove very costly in valley projects can be realized as complete disruption of the entire reaching agreement on sharing of the time. But the real task is to terms of very adverse social and early as possible by taking up the environment, livelihoods and in river waters, paving the way for first access very carefully and environmental costs. Such hurried construction of dams, canals and fact the basic geography of the the early implementation of the independently all the possible and indiscriminate tinkering with hydro power plants. Narmada region the like of which Ken-Betwa link project, a project adverse impacts as well as rivers has always been costly, and So when the Narmada Tribunal had perhaps not been seen in the that has been widely criticized, examine the stated benefits so that it is likely to prove all the more settlement led to resolving water past five thousand years. The among others by several eminent a decision which is truly beneficial costly in times of climate change sharing agreement about five tunnel vision which celebrates experts, regarding its disruptive for society can be taken. The which have brought their own decades back , this was widely this change is incapable of seeing impacts including the felling of fact that an inter-state agreement uncertainties and difficulties. seen as a great opportunity to or understanding what they have over two million trees, while on sharing of waters has been The same can be said also of go ahead with a number of large done to peacefully living farming its basic rationality in terms of reached cannot itself be taken as projects involving sharing of water dam projects. However when communities, forest and tribal its stated aims has also been a signal for rushing through dam with neighboring countries. In such these projects came to ground communities, to various forms questioned seriously projects which have not been cases the need for caution is even level implementation it became of life including animals and But then this is only the first of investigated properly regarding more, as here any carelessness or clear that the displacement of fish, to forests and habitats. If many rivers inter-linking projects, all their impacts and regarding uncalled for hurry can not only hundreds of thousands of people , they are incapable of seeing and conceived as components of a which many serious questions cause a lot of harm to environment the submergence of highly fertile understanding all this, then of gigantic river-linking project at have been raised in the past. and people but also have adverse farmland and invaluable forests course they are also incapable of national level. Such a scenario However past experience tells implications for relationships and habitats as well as other learning any lessons from this and of water sharing agreements us that actually agreements on between two countries. Across State Business & U Mumbai, Thursday 01 to 07 April 2021 15 OCI card holders no longer required to carry old passports for India travel; diaspora welcomes move card bearing old passport number visas of foreign nationals and suggesting measures that can be Washington/New York are not required to carry their old OCI cards were suspended as taken to ensure smoother travel People of Indian origin passport. However, carrying a part of the new international for these families. and the Indian diaspora having new passport is mandatory. travel restrictions following the Bhandari had suggested Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) New York-based social COVID-19 pandemic. that holders of Indian passport/ cards are now not required to activist Prem Bhandari, who OCI cardholders were asked to PIO/OCI card be allowed to carry their old, expired passports has been taking up the cause of carry their old passport with them travel with their US-born minor for travel to India, as required OCI card holders for the past to fly to India. Now, under the children under the age of 14 earlier, according to a government several years, welcomed the new provisions, OCI cardholders with any unexpired visa obtained notification that has been announcement. He expressed The OCI card, among other are not required to carry their old anytime without applying for an welcomed by members of the gratitude to the Ministry of Home benefits, allows multiple entry, passports but will still need to emergency visa at consulates. community. Affairs, Ministry of External multi-purpose life long visa to an carry their new passport. He added that in case it The Overseas Citizens of Affairs and the Government of Indian-origin foreign national to Bhandari said that Ministry is difficult to carry out these India or OCI card is issued to India for not only extending the visit India. Under the provisions of Home Affairs guidelines for measures, authorities may people of Indian origin globally renewal up to December 31 this of the OCI card, which gives the OCI card holders to carry old consider either granting which gives them almost all the year but also for relaxing the cardholder lifelong visa to India, expired foreign passports had Emergency Visa on Departure privileges of an Indian national guidelines and not requiring OCI those below 20 years and above been in place since 2005 but till (E-VoD) or restoring immediate except for the right to vote, card holders to carry their old, 50 years need to renew their OCI 2019, it was not being thoroughly e-Visa process for approval government service and buying expired foreign passports. card every time they have their checked or applied. online. agricultural land. The OCI card The OCI card holders can passport renewed. Bhandari had previously also Last year, Bhandari had also gives them a visa free travel to heave a sigh of relief worldwide, The Indian government has requested Indian authorities to requested extension of the date India. with these new guidelines, he relaxed the provisions since initiate measures such as granting of renewal of OCI cards till In a March 26 press release, said. He expressed thanks to last year due to the coronavirus emergency visas on departure to December 31, 2020 such that the the Indian missions in the US Home Secretary Ajay Kumar pandemic. The timeline has been help Indian-origin families travel Non-Resident Indian/Person of said that in order to ease the Bhalla for the new guidelines. extended multiple times so far. to their homeland for health Indian Origin community had travel of OCI card holders, it has Bhandari said that he had However, this is for the first time or other emergencies amid the enough time to understand the been decided that the time line seen first-hand the inconvenience that the guidelines have been COVID19 pandemic. new requirement and renew their for re-issuance of OCI cards in caused to members of the Indian relaxed for carrying old passports Bhandari, Jaipur Foot USA OCI cards. r/o OCI card holders, who may diaspora due to certain OCI card and the new passports along Chairman, had said that late Bhandari also expressed hope be required to get their OCI card rules as they undertook travel to with the OCI cards for overseas last year he had written to the that the issue of tourist visas reissued has been extended until India during the pandemic. Indians. Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan will also be resolved soon. In 31 December, 2021. He said some of the passengers In May last year, the central Shringla, as well as the Civil October last year, the Indian Further requirement of were not allowed to board flights government had allowed certain Aviation Secretary Pradeep Singh government had decided to carrying old and new passports to India and were sent back from categories of OCI card holders, Kharola and Home Secretary Ajay restore with immediate effect along with the OCI card has been airports as they were not carrying who were stranded abroad, to Kumar Bhalla outlining some of the validity of all existing visas, done away. Henceforth, the OCI their old foreign passports, which come to the country. Earlier, the hardships faced by Indian- except electronic, tourist and card holders travelling on the was required as per government according to the regulations origin families in travelling to medical category visas. strength of their existing OCI rules. issued by the Indian government, India for emergency reasons and

Stepping up Myanmar coup Payworld expects 60 pc increase in gross penalties, US suspends trade deal Washington transaction value to Rs 12,000 cr next fiscal The United States on Monday suspended a trade deal New Delhi Odisha, Assam, as people do need with Myanmar until a democratic government is restored in the Southeast Asian country after a February 1 coup Fintech firm Payworld expects these services and the competition followed by a violent crackdown on protests. the gross transaction value carried is less," Dhabhai added. He said The military overthrew the elected government, out from its platform to increase by that COVID-19 has fast tracked the jailed Aung San Suu Kyi and other civilian leaders and over 60 per cent to around Rs 12,000 retailers' boarding process on the has killed and imprisoned protesters in the country also crore in the upcoming financial year. platform through webinars and video known as Burma. The United States supports the people of The company expects to close calls compared to the earlier mode of Burma in their efforts to restore a democratically elected the current financial year with gross physically reaching out to them. government,' US Trade Representative Katherine Tai said transaction value (GTV) of Rs 7,500 The company expects that new in a statement. The United States strongly condemns the crore by providing payment interface Payworld CEO Praveen Dhabhai told services like FASTag and launch of Burmese security forces' brutal violence against civilians. to sell train tickets, Aadhaar enabled media. Payworld is looking to double its debit card in collaboration with The killing of peaceful protestors, students, workers, payment services, mutual funds, its distributors as well as headcount RuPay will help in increasing GTV labour leaders, medics, and children has shocked the conscience of the international community.' Tai's office insurance, among others. on the field to widen its payment of the platform. At present, Dhabhai said the United States was immediately suspending all "Payworld's retail points have network. claims that almost 10,000 train tickets US. engagement with Burma under the 2013 Trade and become more than 5 lakh, we conduct "We have right now around 3,500 are booked from its platform every Investment Framework Agreement.' Under the agreement, almost 2 lakh transactions every day. distributors. So we want to double day. the two countries cooperated on trade and investment Payworld GTV is about Rs 7,500 our workforce from the sales point He also said Payworld has tied issues in an effort to integrate Myanmar into the global crore. With this current run rate, of view because there are a lot of up with the government's e-services economy, a reward for the military's decision to allow a next financial year Payworld plans areas which we have seen are yet delivery arm CSC to provide services return to democracy a transition that ended abruptly with to touch Rs 11,000-12,000 crore," to be covered, like the states of at 11,000 outlets at panchayat level. last month's coup. color

16 Mumbai, Thursday 01 to 07 April 2021 Environmental Protection Across State African elephant species now Endangered and Critically Endangered says IUCN frican Elephants are such “Just like us, elephants rely magnificent animals that on trees and the ecosystem Awhen the IUCN press- services they provide in order note popped up on my email, to survive. BGCI’s Global Tree my heart plummeted to read that Assessment (GTA) — the first they are critically endangered and global conservation assessment endangered. of all of the world’s known The note attributes the decline tree species, to be released over several decades due to later this year — will provide a poaching for ivory and loss roadmap for conserving the tree of habitat. The African forest species and ecosystems upon elephant is now listed as Critically which elephants, and species like Endangered and the African them, depend,” said Dr Malin savanna elephant as Endangered Rivers, Head of Conservation on the IUCN Red List of Prioritisation, Botanic Gardens Threatened Species. African Conservation International elephants were treated as a single (BGCI). species, listed as Vulnerable; this “Regular re-assessment of a is the first time the two species species’ status on the Red List have been assessed separately helps to highlight worrying for the IUCN Red List, following trends like what the elephants the emergence of new genetic of Africa are experiencing. The evidence. health of our planet depends Our Indian species thankfully on the health of elephants and are safe for now with all the the ecosystems they inhabit, checks and balances in place, but which is why Global Wildlife the African Elephant has always continues to threaten populations. a site level, some subpopulations approach to consolidate the Conservation supports the been treading a fragile path with The ongoing conversion of their are thriving. For this reason, decades-long efforts of many Elephant Crisis Fund to get several issues, spiralling out of habitats, primarily to agricultural considerable caution and local survey teams for the first time. funding to groups across Africa control, in the country. and other land uses, is another knowledge are required when The results quantify the dramatic working to save, recover, and “Africa’s elephants play key significant threat. The 2016 IUCN translating these results into extent of the decline of these manage elephant populations,” roles in ecosystems, economies African Elephant Status Report policy,” said Dr Dave Balfour, ecologically important animals. said Dr Barney Long, Global and in our collective imagination provides the most recent reliable assessor of the African elephants With persistent demand for Wildlife Conservation’s all over the world. Today’s new estimate of the continental and member of the IUCN Species ivory and escalating human Senior Director of Species IUCN Red List assessments of population of the two species Survival Commission (SSC) pressures on Africa’s wild lands, Conservation. both African elephant species combined, at around 415,000 African Elephant Specialist concern for Africa’s elephants is If African Elephants are to underline the persistent pressures elephants. Group. high, and the need to creatively survive the fact that so many faced by these iconic animals,” Despite the overall declining The decision to treat African conserve and wisely manage groups have woken up to the said Dr Bruno Oberle, IUCN trend of both African elephant forest and savanna elephants as these animals and their habitats catastrophe is heartening to Director General. “We must species, the assessments separate species is the result of is more acute than ever,” said Dr note. urgently put an end to poaching also highlight the impact of the consensus that has emerged Kathleen Gobush, lead assessor “These two Red List and ensure that sufficient suitable successful conservation efforts. among experts following new of the African elephants and assessments reflect the outcome habitat for both forest and savanna Anti-poaching measures on research into the genetics of member of the IUCN SSC of the IUCN SSC African elephants is conserved. Several the ground, together with more elephant populations. Forest African Elephant Specialist Elephant Specialist Group African countries have led the supportive legislation and land elephants occur in the tropical Group. taking a bold, collaborative, way in recent years, proving that use planning which seeks to foster forests of Central Africa and “We are proud to have evidence based decision to we can reverse elephant declines, human-wildlife coexistence, have in a range of habitats in West supported almost 30% of the assess the African elephant as and we must work together to been key to successful elephant Africa. They rarely overlap 6,218 assessments in this two separate species for the ensure their example can be conservation. As a result, some with the range of the savanna update, including assessments first time and understanding the followed.” forest elephants have stabilised elephant, which prefers open of underrepresented species such implications and consequences The latest assessments in well-managed conservation country and is found in a variety as trees, fungi and invertebrates,” of this shift. The outcome highlight a massive decline in areas in Gabon and the Republic of habitats in Sub-Saharan said Masako Yamato, General are robust assessments that African elephant numbers across of the Congo. Savanna elephant Africa including grasslands and Manager, Environmental Affairs provide users with the options the continent. The number of numbers have also been stable or deserts. The forest elephant, Division of Toyota Motor to focus conservation efforts African forest elephants fell by growing for decades especially which has a more restricted Corporation. “This contributes to appropriately for the Critically more than 86% over a period of in the Kavango-Zambezi natural distribution, is thought the growing diversity of species Endangered forest elephant 31 years, while the population Transfrontier Conservation to occupy only a quarter of its on the IUCN Red List, making and the Endangered savanna of African savanna elephants Area, which harbours the largest historic range today, with the it an increasingly powerful tool elephant. It will be essential decreased by at least 60% over subpopulation of this species on largest remaining populations for guiding conservation in this for IUCN SSC to engage the last 50 years, according to the the continent. found in Gabon and the Republic important year for the Post 2020 with African range states assessments. “While the results of the of the Congo. Biodiversity Framework.” and other agencies in dealing Both species suffered sharp assessment place the continental “For these assessments, a There are scientific ways to with the implications of the declines since 2008 due to a population of savanna elephants team of six assessors used data help elephants survive like the assessments,” said Dr Jon Paul significant increase in poaching, in the Endangered category, it is from as far back as the 1960s and variety of trees that the elephants Rodríguez, Chair of the IUCN which peaked in 2011 and important to keep in mind that at a fully data-driven modelling require to survive. Species Survival Commission. color

Across State Counter Solutions Mumbai, Thursday 01 to 07 April 2021 17 History reveals that our controlling class is irresponsible he dominant class writes our history from their own perspective, therefore its harsh brutal and Tdishonest, and that’s blame on our human nature to absolve our masters. We are unaware of our entrapment in that harsh competitive society that’s bounded together by our compulsive socialness; we therefore see that setup as something of an asset as it still nurtures our economies; however, it’s degrading the planet’s ability to support its life. Especially with our overpopulation that’s stimulated by a competitiveness. We can’t maintain our per capita use of the planet’s resources without continually diminishing them. Pre-fossil fuel era was only locally and temporally unsustainable; on the other hand, capitalism with its depend on economic and or population growth that can only be sustained by burning fossil fuels until “our” climate becomes too harsh for most living things. We own the planet because we think we do, and that allows us to use its renewable resources well beyond their renewability almost regardless of consequences for other life. Capitalism was a logical outcome for western European feudalism when it allowed the serfs and artisans to supply the needs of those societies in the best and easiest way they could. That freedom and responsibility fostered a number of technical innovations, embracing whatever was useful from other civilization. It allowed them to achieve a temporary but necessary “perpetual” built-in economic growth; it’s the way capitalism gave that necessary illusion of progress. Nonetheless, we are on a treadmill that’s moving ever faster impelled on by a need to have and control more to satisfy a few dominant ones, by using people’s socialness information media, which now has largely supplanted That innovation became a necessity in England to harness their intelligence, cooperativeness, and stamina religion. That education is in the main antisocial due when forest were reserved to maintain its wind jammers to extract from the planet whatever is needed to fulfill the to its specialized and intense competitiveness, which’s ships, and that forced the lower class to burn coal needs of the privilege few. the governing mode of capitalism that has now lost instead of wood, which eventually solved an ever Fossil fuel has increased our ability in manifolds some of its sustainability to satisfy the unjustifiable increasing energy need. It also released a few educated of ways; it enabled us to support a vast growth in our needs of its dominant controlling class. from their navel gazing to explain natural phenomenon, population and a few to have an extravagant life style, Nevertheless, that dominant class is unaware of which puzzled them and demanded an explanation, in a world where most people are making do and many its dependence on a viable biosphere that’s presently which it shaped the laws of thermodynamic. are in extreme poverty. The callousness of the wealthy is stressed by an economic growth to satisfy that tiny Although capitalist are in control of innovations unforgivable but accepted as natural by them and as they minority who always want more. While the rest of that were created when a few of those individuals dominate and their power, at present, can only be taken were originally in the middle or working class. by those who are as egotistic as they are. It will lead to Part I However, after they attained their wealth and power our offspring and life’s demise unless we understand why from their innovation and establish themselves in a we do what we do. the population are indoctrinated and manipulated to dominant position of power they in the main became Therefore, we need a savvy public and a few non carry out the aspiration of those few, which is justified conservative in their outlook or the concept is taken specialized scientists who can assess society’s needs by spiritual or legal jargon according to societies’ over by entrepreneurs. within nature’s ability to thrive. Humans are very social. technical ability. Early in Europe, slaves were the Although there are many forms of civilization, We can’t live long in a solitary state without psychological primary energy and work agent that could satisfy the they’re all control by very few domineering people damage. That need of company is not only for our mental few with their craving until the Roman Empire fell and therefore the multitude is expected to fulfill their health, it’s a practical need that enables us to cope with leaving a chaotic condition of the Christian church cravings. However, now that we are using fossil fuels almost any situation due to our different interest and verses the feudal lords and their vassals all dependent to support and grow our economy, but unfortunately ability of compassion, physical and mental skills. The on serfs who maintain the system and themselves the it’s also in the process of changing our climate from a importance of a specific ability over another depends best way they could. behind one to one that would be eventually too hot to on the circumstance in our constantly changing world It was that freedom to support their lord and be livable as it’s becoming self-energized. Although so we need the widest range of talents to cope with a themselves the best way they could, that motivated we know we must drastically reduce our total world largely unpredictable future. the use of labor saving devices such as wind, water carbon emission, and not just transfer it to the other The purpose of nearly everyone in civilized and animal power, all of which not only reduced parts of the planet, however and tragically, it’s the only societies is to support the one to two percent of the drudgery that slave endured, but released the way we can maintain that necessary growing economy, the population in luxury and attempt to fulfil mental constraint to innovate that slavery had on the which unfortunately will sacrifice our children, and whatever their desires maybe. Civilization has always intellectuals. It was that little bit of freedom that enable it’s the hopeless future we are leaving. indoctrinated its citizens to fulfill the wants of a western society to dominate the planet by allowing its dominant few; it’s the purpose of education and the workforce to innovate and the incentive to do so. To be Contd. 18 Mumbai, Thursday 01 to 07 April 2021 Nature Watch Across State A Beginner's Guide To Starting An Herb Garden, No Matter Where You Live erb gardening is one of the easiest if all or any of your seeds will germinate; ways to get your hands in the dirt. you can just immediately plant your herbs H Here's everything you need to know into your garden. about how to start and maintain an herb "Starting with young plants gives garden, indoors or outdoors, from scratch us instant gratification and allows us to or from a kit. start harvesting fresh herbs quicker," How to choose a site. says Enfield. You simply gently place Step 1 of creating an herb garden is the seedlings in an appropriate-size hole, figuring out where to put it. According to making sure the bottom is flush with the Amy Enfield, a horticulturist at Bonnie ground and pat the surrounding soil so they Plants, the most important factor to consider stay snug. here is sunlight. Growing herbs from seed requires more Outdoors: time and patience, but it tends to be much "Whether you have a large backyard or a more affordable. If you go the seed route, small patio or balcony, herbs will grow well start the process of germinating them four to anywhere that receives at least six hours of six weeks before you're ready to plant, then sunlight each day," she says, adding that the move the seedlings to your garden. ideal outdoor spot will be southward-facing When to plant. for optimal light. Outdoors: Another point to consider when choosing Outdoor herb gardens are typically a site is water access. "The ideal spot for started in spring, after the last frost in your your herb garden, beyond having enough geographical zone. sunlight, is someplace with a water source Indoors: nearby so you won't have to drag hoses will thrive. slightly damp but not soggy), it should grow Many herbs can grow indoors year-round or lug heavy watering cans around," says If you don't have a spacious yard or patio just fine. as long as they receive a minimum of six Enfield. and are limited to a porch or balcony, you Parsley: This crowd-pleaser grows hours of sunlight, so no need to wait until Indoors: may prefer to plant your herb garden in pots. easily outdoors and indoors since it can spring rolls around to start an indoor garden. If your outdoor space is limited or This is also a better choice if your garden tolerate lower light levels. Water your How to maintain your herb garden. doesn't get much in the way of sunlight, area doesn't receive sufficient sunlight. parsley infrequently so its soil is moist but The most important part of tending to you can always cultivate your herbs indoors. "Use a high-quality potting mix to fill not saturated. any herbs—indoors or outdoors—is making Although most herbs love the sun, there are your containers," recommends Enfield. Rosemary: A fragrant and healthy sure you're giving them the right amount of “some herbs like mint, parsley, and thyme Most herbs can grow in a limited space, addition to any dish, rosemary is a great herb water. Most herbs like to be watered about [that] are great for growing indoors because making it easy to experiment and have a to have around. "Make sure it is planted in a once a week. If you live in a really dry area, they need less light than other herbs to variety of herbs within reach. "An 18-inch sunny spot, and keep it trimmed back so it you might need to water yours more often. thrive," says Enfield. container has enough growing space for doesn't become leggy," Enfield recommends. "The simplest way to determine if your The best placement for your indoor around five herbs, and a 14-inch container Sage: Sage is best grown from a cutting herbs need water is to gently insert your herb garden will be, unsurprisingly, the will successfully hold about three plants," or a starter plant. As long as sage gets ample index finger into the soil near your herb plant part of your home that receives the most says Enfield. sunlight and isn't watered too frequently, it's an inch deep. If the soil is cool and damp, light. Ideally, it's a bright windowsill that Indoors: happy. "The only thing sage will not tolerate check again tomorrow," says Enfield. "But faces south. Use a well-draining potting mix that's is wet, poorly drained soil," says Enfield. if the soil is dry, it's time to water." If your indoor space is also too dark, made for herbs and vegetables to fill your Thyme: Thyme is also best purchased Signs that you're overwatering your indoor grow lights can stand in for a sunny indoor pots. It's also important to make sure as a seedling instead of from seeds. Plant plants include yellowing, limp leaves. window. that your pots have drainage holes to give in full sun, avoid overwatering, and you'll "Unfortunately, like many other plants, How to prep your soil. excess moisture a place to escape. have a happy herb. herbs will wilt (look limp) when they Now that you know where the best area How to choose your herbs. Herbs that pair well: are underwatered or overwatered," is for your garden, it's time to figure out the Now the fun part begins: selecting the Most herbs play nicely together, so you explains Enfield. If you're unsure if you're condition of your soil. herbs! Since herbs are easy to grow and take don't need to worry too much about which overwatering or underwatering, testing with Outdoors: care of, deciding which ones to have in your ones you plant next to one another. a soil moisture meter will tell you for sure. According to Greg Pongetti, the Living garden is really a matter of preference. There are a few exceptions, though, How to tell when it's time to harvest. Collections curator at the California State If you have a favorite herb you always as some herbs can overtake your garden if One of the best parts of growing herbs University Fullerton Arboretum, herbs need use in the kitchen (or want to start using not contained. "Mint is known to be very is being able to use them in your kitchen rich, well-draining soil in order to grow more frequently), that's a clear choice to vigorous to the point that it may take over creations. So how do you know when they're well. "Herbs do not like their roots to be begin with. You can also try varieties that areas in the garden," says Pongetti, as is ready to harvest? constantly wet, so if your soil drains poorly, aren't readily available at the grocery store. oregano. Enfield explains, "Your herbs can be they are likely to die," he says. If you're taking recommendations These herbs can actually spread resilient harvested as soon as their stems are big You can test your outdoor soil drainage for beginner-friendly herbs, these are all underground rhizomes that overtake smaller enough to eat." Once you reach this stage, by digging a hole about 1-foot deep and fantastic: herbs. Consider keeping them 1 to 2 feet don't be afraid to get clipping! "Herbs 1-foot across. Fill the hole with water, wait Basil: Basil is a delicious herb to have from the rest of your garden, or in a totally respond well to harvesting and will grow 12 hours, and then fill it with water again. on hand, but it needs ample sunlight (a separate pot. thicker and bushier with frequent trimming," This time around, set a timer and see how minimum of six hours a day). Enfield says Planting herbs together that have similar she adds. long it takes for the soil to absorb the water. that basil is "probably the most popular and needs will also make your life a bit easier. For Don't go too crazy, though. While it's Well-draining soil should soak it up in widely used herb," but it's important to keep example, Enfield explains that sage, thyme, exciting to eat what you grow, there is a under two to three hours. If yours doesn't it trimmed regularly. rosemary, oregano, and lavender all prefer to limit to how much of a plant you should be drain quickly, you might want to bring Mint: Is there anything better than fresh have their soil kept on the drier side, so they taking at once. some bagged soil into your garden that's mint? This sweet herb does best when given would make for a nice little cluster. An easy rule to remember is "Regardless specifically for herbs and vegetables. some shade. "The only caution with mint is Planting your herbs. of the type of herb, never harvest more than If you're growing directly in your to plant it in a container by itself. Otherwise, You can plant your herbs from seed or a third of the plant at one time—even if it's garden's own soil, Pongetti adds that it's a you will have mint growing everywhere," buy seedlings, also known as "starts" or tempting to take more," Enfield says. good idea to "amend" the soil by mixing in says Enfield. (More on that below.) "transplants." She adds that if you're looking to harvest 1 to 2 inches of compost into its top layer Oregano: Oregano loves the sun. As Planting seedlings is the easier option just a few leaves at a time, you're better off before planting to help ensure your herbs long as you place it in a bright area and because it gives you a head-start in the selecting the larger, more mature leaves near water occasionally (so the soil is kept growing process. You won't have to wonder the bottom of the plant. Across State Travel Mumbai, Thursday 01 to 07 April 2021 19

Gibraltar of the East THE RAIGAD FORT

By Asha Gopalan Menon should be provided with defensive village. Shivaji was coronated, Raigad Fort people of the fort to celebrate Holi fortifications. A whole civilization The two villages of Pachad has an esteemed place in history. in early days. he Indian History is vast and was nurtured within a fort, hence & Raigadwadi are located at the The Raigad fort is a major tourist The Bara Tanki comprised of pulsating. Every kingdom has it also became an important place base of the Raigad fort. They were spot for its trekking and adventure more than a dozen water reservoirs Tleft behind indispensable signia where key office bearers were a call considered very important during the opportunities. The actual climb to and its ruins still amaze people with of their existence. Every kingdom away. History has many accounts of Maratha rule in Raigad. Shivaji also the top of the Raigad fort starts from their magnificent structure. had a different culture, behaviour such civilizations. built another fort Lingana around Pachad. Enthusiasts need to climb The Takmak Tok and people, which is why India is With such an education The 2 miles away from Raigad. The up to 1737 steps. Every step has a The Takmak Tok is a massive multicultural. Amongst every culture, Founder of the Maratha Empire, Lingana fort was used to home memory left behind. And from the rock cliff located at a height of 1200 amongst every kingdom there is one Maharaj Shivajiraje Bhonsale prisoners. top, the view is a spectacular one feet exposing enchanting valleys of common dynamic – The Forts. conquered the Fort of Raigad in 1656, The fort has a famous wall called of the landscape below and around. Sahyadri hills.Local legends say, the Forts speak volumes of the which was then known as the fort "Hirakani Buruj" (Hirakani Bastion) For those who do not wish walk up, Takmak Tok used to be a punishment history of the Kingdom that reined of Rairi from The King of Jawali - constructed over a huge steep cliff. there is a splendid ropeway ride to point for the wrongdoers. It is also from within them. Forts are the living Chandraraoji More. Shivaji renovated The legend behind the wall goes, give you goose-bumps as you move believed that Shivaji Maharaj evidences of the rich Indian past. and expanded the fort of Rairi and "A woman by the name Hirakani through the winds with an exquisite punished a number of enemies and Kautilya- TheChanakya;in his renamed it as Raigad (meaning the from a nearby village had come to aerial view of the scenery. traitors by sending them hurtling Arthashastra treats forts highly. The The fort itself is a city in ruins, yet down this valley. fort was one of the seven constituents the ruins fascinate every adventure The Samadhis (saptanga) of a king's sovereignty. A seeker. Within the fort the Rani Vasais The monuments, that of Jijamata King would never be a King if his prominently structured. These were is located in Pachad village while the Kingdom didn’t possess forts. In the chambers were used by Mata Jijabai, remains of Maharaj still rests in the words of Kautilya; “The haven of mother of Shivaji along with the other Fort. A visit to these two completes the King and of his army is a strong royal ladies. a long historical experience and Fort.” (Shamasastry, 426). Ancient The PalkhiDarwaja passes by a visit to these tombs is a gesture texts like the Buddhist Nikaya also the queen chambers which served of gratitude to a great leader and give valuable information about as a special doorway for Shivaji the lady who mothered him, who forts.Through a fort a king could Maharaj’s convoy. remained his friend, philosopher successfully carry out his reign Raj Bhavan is the main palace and guide. Shivaji’s pet dog Waghya and keep enemies in check while of Shivaji made out of wood. Today was the epitome of loyalty and expanding his own strength. Virtually only the bases of the pillars remain. devotion. When the pyre of Maharaj every kingdom possessed forts. The Raj Sabha was burning Waghya is said to have Forts and sieges held a key The Raj Bhavan leads to a jumped into it and given up his life to position in ancient Indian Kingdoms massive, sprawling lawn also known be eternally with his master. A statue and their historic warfare. They were as the Raj Sabha. This open ground is put up on a pedestal next toShivaji's built after elaborate considerations King's Fort). It became the capital of sell milk to the people living at the has witnessed various important Samadhi at Raigad Fort. Such is the of any strategic location, alongwith the Maratha Empire. fort. She was late to return home. events of the Maratha rule. From loyalty, such is the history of Man topographic studies and the natural Raigad Fort is a majestic fort in She was inside the fort when the the splendor of battle wins to the and Animal. compensations available. They were Maharashtra located in the Sahyadri gates got closed and locked at sunset. coronation of ChhtrapatiShivaji, When to go: required not only for the security mountain ranges of Western Ghats. Once the gates are closed, they the Raj Sabha has seen it all. This Raigad Fort is good to go anytime of the populace that lived in its Raigad is a hill fort situated in Mahad, would open only at sunrise. She was is also where Shivaji Maharaj broke of the year. November to March is the vicinity but for the protection of the Raigad district of Maharashtra. It is trapped. While she was sitting nearby the shackles of slavery that lasted best though. Each season has its own kingdom as a whole. A fort could one of the strongest fortresses on the gates waiting for the sunrise, for over 300 years and established beauty to explore in Raigad. provide shelter to the king and his the Deccan Plateau.The fort is a she heard the cries of her infant Hindavi Swarajya. The king’s throne Let us go: armies against enemies and check symbol of Maratha pride and one of son from the village. The cry was was a magnificent masterpiece By Air: The nearest airport the invaders from advancing into the great reminders of the history of echoing after nightfall. The anxious studded with precious jewels such will be Chatrapati Shivaji Airport the kingdom. Capturing forts was Marathas. Named as “Gibraltar of mother couldn't wait till dawn. as diamonds and pearls and rested in Mumbai or Pune International a need, as enemy capitals were the East” by the British due to its Desperation took the better of her on a column of 1000 kilograms of Airport. Another 160 kms drive from usually fortified and no invader could strategic location, it is one of the most and she courageously climbed down pure gold. Mumbai to Raigad Fort and you are proclaim victory unless he conquered significant landmark of Maharashtra. the steep cliff in that pitch dark night, The Royal Bath in history. the strategic holdings. The Raigad Fort was built only because of her love of her little The impressive drainage system Forts were majorly built atop byShivaji and the chief architect of one. When Maharaj was informed, of the Royal Bath speaks volumes of By Rail: The closest railway hills so that the King could keep the new Fort was Hiroji Indulkar. he was amazed. He asked her to the architectural excellence prevalent station to the fort is Mangaon. 28 an eye on his Kingdom and be The main palace was constructed show him the feat. She repeated this centuries ago. kms drive and you are at Raigad Fort. ready for conquests. Forts were using wood, of which today only the extraordinary achievement in front of The watchtowers key to the kingdom's security and base pillars remain. The main fort Shivaji. Hirakani was rewarded for The fort is also home to the By Road: A clear 161 kms could stop invaders from reaching ruins consist of the queen's quarters, her bravery and in the appreciation remains of three watchtowers drive from Mumbai to Raigad Fort the capital. Forts on water front six chambers, with each chamber of hervalour,Shivaji built the Buruj that once guarded this enormous by road. Once at Pachad Village, were built to protect the Kingdom having its own private restroom. In or Bastion over this cliff, and called structure. Two of the three towers you can either choose to trek up from sea invasion. Book II of the addition, ruins of three watch towers it the Hirakani Buruj. still remain while the British seige approximately the 1700 steps to the Arthashastra mentions that forts can be seen directly in front of the Home to the royal Marathas, the destroyed the third. fort or use an alternate method of should be constructed in the palace grounds out of which only two Royal Court has witnessed victories, Holi Cha Mal commute like the Raigad Ropeway. extremities of the kingdom, manned remain as the third one was destroyed anger, joys and sorrows along with The Holi Cha Mal just outside The tramway is aerial and reaches the by boundary-guards (Antapala). during anattack.A cavalry of 10,000 ShivajiChhatrapati’s overwhelming the Nagarkhana Darwaja is a massive destination in about 4 minutes. All the four quarters of a kingdom was always kept on standby in Pachad generosity. Being the place where open ground which was used by the 20 Mumbai, Thursday 01 to 07 April 2021 Health Across State 5 Tips For Feeling Empowered & Confident This Summer

his time each year, we can't a quality we can actively create more of friendly for confidence-building. Take a selves, it's helpful to let go of what help but daydream of warmer through practices like learning and ritual. Zumba class, bounce on a trampoline, try no longer serves us, on every level. Tweather and summer fun. And So we've done the digging to share the some pole fitness dancing or aerial silks. That includes cleansing and detoxifying given the last year or so, we're ready to most helpful tips for feeling your most Connect to movement that reminds you our body to better support our modern shake some stress off and reconnect to physically confident this summer because how amazing and capable your body is. lifestyles. But instead of going wild on the good things in life. But ever notice you deserve all the fun under the sun: Don't forget to energize with the Sculpt beet juice for days, try simpler solutions how preparing for summer seems to be Body Burn supplement, as its cutting-edge, like the Sculpt Slim Kit—made from clean inseparable from conversation about diets 1. Enhance your daily routines with natural formula turns fat into energy. Fuel ingredients with detoxifying properties. and beach bodies? Well, we're inspired to positivity, like mantras for self-acceptance. that self-love! Pair this supplement with more plant-based rewrite that narrative. This summer we plan A positive mindset is the baseline meals in your rotation. Clean, nutritious to sidestep the pressure and set our sights for creating confidence, especially as 3. Place more priority on quality rest ingredients help us feel good inside and on what really matters: feeling confident. we weather the inevitable obstacles and and relaxation. out. Confidence: the new way to do summer. setbacks of everyday life. A little bit of When we're tired, cranky, and leaning It's easy to fixate on "looking our positivity in your daily routine goes a long on caffeine, we're unlikely to feel bursting 5. Don't forget about healthy indulgence best" as summer makes its (all-too- way. Use a daily mantra that helps build with confidence. Studies show that good and having fun. slow) approach. But in terms of actually physical confidence, like "I love and accept sleep is associated with more optimism Sometimes, in our focus on staying enjoying summer, the ticket is feeling my body exactly as it is." Science has and self-esteem—but if you find yourself healthy, we forget that our bodies are our best through unshakable confidence. proved that affirmations activate positive trading hours of sleep for streaming, you're designed to enjoy healthy indulgence Why? Because research has linked high pleasure centers in our brain, meaning they not alone. Prioritize your rest routine and fun. There's so much empowerment confidence and self-esteem to greater help us feel our best. The Sculpt Day Kit with guided meditations—like yoga nidra in simply acknowledging the pleasure happiness—simple as that. It's all about is a supplement that also uplifts your daily before bed, to help clear your mind of potential of our body (is this a good cultivating an intentional lifestyle and routine while helping to curb cravings and negative self-talk. Help your body push the theme for this summer or what?). Nourish choosing products like Sculpt supplements maintain energy levels. reset button with the Sculpt Night Kit. Your yourself with a spa treatment or bodywork. (found at The Vitamin Shoppe) that help nighttime ritual is connected to starting And if you eat the dessert, savor it women feel their best by supporting 2. Choose types of exercise that you the next day with a spring of confidence unapologetically! For extra support, try out nutrition and fitness. actually enjoy. in your step. the Sculpt Cheat Day supplement, which The thing is, confidence seems to What if we could get ready for summer prevents the body from storing sugars as have a mind of its own... It's not exactly without forcing cardio? (Sigh of relief.) 4. Focus on clean eating and detoxifying fats. We all deserve a gluttonous cheat day reputed to show up when we need it most. The joy of moving how we please, versus your system. from time to time! But science does tell us that confidence is pressuring a certain workout, is much more As we embrace our most confident Across State The Stage Mumbai, Thursday 01 to 07 April 2021 21 Want to keep surprising myself as an actor - Vijay Varma

New Delhi He was first noticed when he featured Pagedar, the show imagines a near future mockumentary, all rolled up into one in Actor Vijay Varma says he feels in Amitabh Bachchan and Taapsee Pannu- where, for the first time, the Homo-Sapiens an Indian context and milieu. So it was blessed to be at a point in his professional starrer "Pink" but his big moment came in meet the Robo-Sapiens. a very tempting script for me and I just life where he has the option to choose from 2019 when he starred as Moeen in Zoya It places viewers in the middle of a grabbed it." different offers. Akhtar's critically- crime scene when a murder is committed Another reason that made "Ok With his critically-acclaimed lauded movie "Gully by a self driving car with Varma playing Computer" special for him was that it performances in movies and shows such Boy". the role of cyber cell agent Saajan was Varma's first project as a leading hero. as "Pink", "Gully Boy", "Mirzapur" and When asked Kundu, who is trying to solve "The feeling that I can lead a show or "A Suitable Boy", Varma has emerged as if he has the complex case. a film has been inside me for a while. And one of the go-to actors in the industry for mapped The 36-year-old actor then, it was also the audience that gave me filmmakers for unconventional parts. out a plan said he was attracted the confidence to go ahead and take this The actor prefers to go "with the flow" for his to the show's novel chance. They have been showering love thanks to the momentum his career has concept. on me for what I have been doing for the gained post "Gully Boy" and "Mirzapur". "It was the past few years. They wanted to see me in "I want to keep putting myself in first time that I more capacity. uncomfortable spots and in pursuit of professional read anything "Also, it was Anand's conviction newer performances. I want to have a long life, Varma in which there that I could do this. It was a genre and a lasting and impactful presence as an artist said, "There were elements performance, which is out of my comfort on the screen and keep surprising myself," is a plan in of science zone. So I'm so glad that I took that he told news agency in an interview. place. But then fiction, satire, chance." Though the option to choose is a boon I have also seen comedy and With his performance as Saajan for him, it does not always make things all of these plans Kundu, Varma said he has tried to break easy for the actor. fall apart at the very the stereotype of "brooding and loner" "I feel blessed to be finally at a place early stages of my investigating officers shown in films and where I have a choice. But it's not easy career. So the plan is shows. because sometimes, when you have two to not stick to the plan." "We have a lot of stereotypes for or three decent options, then it gets a little "Also when you have investigating officers on the screen. It is difficult to make the choice. certain things in your kitty, always a brooding, loner kind of a man "Also, sometimes personal equations then you want something who doesn't talk too much. We took all come into picture and people might not like else. I was at a different stage these stereotypes and we made fun of it my choices. So it comes with baggage, but in life a few years ago." because it's a comedy. I'm happy to carry it as long I get to do the Varma currently features "Buster Keaton was a key reference stuff that I want to," Varma said. in Anand Gandhi's sci- for me as he was also straight-faced and The actor, who hails from Hyderabad fi comedy series "OK melancholic vibe to him. There's also a and is a graduate from the Film and Computer", which is certain kind of innocence and brokenness Television Institute of India (FTII), started streaming on Disney+ in his performances." his journey with 2012 movie "Chittagong", Hotstar VIP. "Ok Computer" also features Radhika which he followed up with films such as Created and directed Apte, Rasika Dugal, Kani Kusruti and "Rangrezz" and "Gang of Ghosts". by Pooja Shetty and Neil Jackie Shroff. 22 Mumbai, Thursday 01 to 07 April 2021 Sports Across State Hardik, Krunal, Suryakumar join MI squad in Mumbai Mumbai much-deserved India debut in India all-rounder Hardik the T20I series against England. Pandya, his brother Krunal and The 30-year-old produced a Suryakumar Yadav on Monday sensational half century on his joined the Mumbai Indians squad debut. here ahead of the upcoming "Firstly really happy and very , starting proud to represent India. It was on April 9. always my dream to play for the The three were on national country. It feels great and I was duty for the ODI series against really happy to be part of such an England, which India won 2-1 amazing unit," Suryakumar said after defeating the tourists by in the video. seven runs in the third match in "And now, that role is over Pune on Sunday. and I am back to my Mumbai The franchise posted a video Indians family. Looking ahead of the three players arriving in to unbelievable times ahead," Mumbai on its official Twitter he added. handle. Defending champions MI While Krunal made his ODI will take on 's Royal debut in the series, Suryakumar Challengers Bangalore in the failed to make the playing XI in tournament opener to be played all three matches. at the MA Chidambaram Stadium Suryakumar had made his in Chennai on April 9.

India end best-ever World Cup campaign with 2 more gold New Delhi Kynan, who finished fourth in the India pulled the curtains down on its individual men's trap to miss out on a best-ever ISSF World Cup campaign with podium finish on Friday, had something two more gold medals here on Sunday, to cheer about as he ended the campaign somewhat making up for missing out on on a positive note. the chance to swell its unprecedented tally In the women's trap, the Indian shooters, of 15 Olympic quotas. especially the experienced Shreyasi and Dominating the event from start to Manisha, missed very few shots in the end, hosts India topped the chart with an final and proved to be too good for their incredible tally of 30 medals, half of them opponents. being gold. Commonwealth Games gold-medallist The country also bagged nine silver Shreyasi, Rajeshwari and Manisha scored and six bronze medals in what could be 321 in the qualification rounds. the last major international outing for rifle Kazakhstan's Rysbekova, and pistol shooters before this summer's Dosmagambetova and Dmitriyenko shot Tokyo Olympics. a total of 308. On the last competition day, shotgun "I had hoped that the home range would In the tournament's last event, the On Saturday, the pair of Shreyasi and shooters Prithviraj Tondaiman, Lakshay help me get my 16th quota... the cookie visitors led 2-0 at the start before the Kynan Chenai missed out on a podium Sheoran and Kynan Chenai ended India's crumbled. But that boy (Vijayveer), he is Indians came back to level the scores. The finish as they settled for the fourth place in campaign with a gold medal in the men's very young and he shot very well... In the Kazakhstan team again went ahead only the trap mixed team final of the prestigious trap team event. long run you will see a lot of good things for the home shooters to rally one more tournament. Before that, the trio of Shreyasi Singh, from him," National Rifle Association of time and make it 4-4. In rapid fire Qualification 2, the Indian Rajeshwari Kumari and Manisha Keer India (NRAI) president Raninder Singh In the deciding round, India shot better trio of Gurpreet, Vijayveer and Adarsh claimed the gold medal in the women's trap said after the tournament. to emerge 6-4 winners. was second with a total score of 552, team final after blanking Kazakhstan 6-0. The national shooting body's chief Kazakhstan's Victor Khassyanov, with the three shooting 184, 178, and 190 In the gold medal match, the team was satisfied with the performance of his Maxim Kolomoyets and Andrey respectively. fielded by the host nation did not break athletes. Mogilevskiy bagged the bronze medal The American team of Keith, Jack and a sweat as it romped to a crushing win "Athletes morale is high, but, as I beating Qatar's Mohammed Al Rumaihi, Henry topped this stage with an aggregate over Kazakhstan's Sarsenkul Rysbekova, had said earlier this is not a marker for Saeed Abusharib and Nasser Ali Al of 571. Aizhan Dosmagambetova and Mariya Olympics. But it's important that we have Hemaidi 6-4. While the visiting team shot a total Dmitriyenko, taking the number of gold done well, because it leaves us morally Together, the Indian team of Prithviraj, of 868 in the qualification, the Indians won by India to 14 in the tournament. high, these things matter, psychologically Lakshay and Kynan aggregated 494 in the managed 857 at the Dr Karni Singh Vijayveer Sidhu, Gurpreet Singh and it's important for us. qualification held here on Thursday. Shooting Range. Adarsh Singh looked off colour and settled "We have also set an example for rest of The Slovakians Michal Slamka, Filip The 18-year-old Vijayveer won the for the silver medal in the men's 25m rapid the shooting community so that they don't Marinov and Adrian Drobny shot a total of individual silver medal in the rapid fire fire pistol team event. shy away from not hosting tournaments 498 in their qualifying outings. event on Friday. The USA's Keith Sanderson, Jack because of COVID-19. We are making The Kazakhs shot 489 in the On Saturday, he teamed up with Hobson Leverett III and Henry Turner sure that we will have regular international qualification while Qatar managed to 466 Tejaswani to win the gold medal in the 25m Leverett won the gold medal with a 10-2 engagements that's why I was asked to to set up a bronze medal match ahead of rapid fire pistol mixed team event. victory over the home team. conduct this first," Raninder said. fifth-placed UAE (327). Across State Get Set Go... Mumbai, Thursday 01 to 07 April 2021 23 Harmanpreet Kaur tests Interested in captaining positive for COVID-19 Australia again: Steve Smith that the scandal will forever be attached to his name and he will not let that get in the way of assuming leadership again. "I'm always going to have to live with Cape Town regardless of whether I lead again or not. It's always there," he said. "I've been through all that now. Time keeps moving forward, and I've Patiala thought it was best to get learnt so much the last few The Indian women's T20 tested. She is doing fine years about myself and team captain Harmanpreet otherwise and should grown as a human being. Kaur has tested positive recover soon," a source "I feel as though I'd for COVID-19 and close to the player told Sydney role in the incident in which approach to the game. be in a better place if the is experiencing mild media. Steve Smith says he Australians were caught Smith returned to help opportunity did come up. If symptoms. "She was getting tested is interested in becoming using sandpaper to alter the Australia win the Ashes in it doesn't, that's fine as well Kaur, who did not play regularly during the South Australia captain once condition of the ball against 2019 after his ban ended and I'd support whoever is in the T20 series against Africa series so she must again if the opportunity South Africa. but has resolutely avoided in charge the same way I've South Africa in Lucknow have caught the virus comes, asserting that he "I've certainly had a the subject of captaincy. supported (Test captain) after injuring herself in the after that only," the source has learnt to live with the lot of time to think about "If it was what Cricket Tim (Paine) and Finchy fifth ODI on March 17, got added. damage caused to his career it and I guess now I've Australia wanted and it (ODI captain )." herself tested on Monday Kaur had shown decent and reputation by the 2018 got to a point where if the was what was best for Paine has been under after developing mild fever. form in the ODIs scoring a ball-tampering scandal. opportunity did come up the team at the time, it's fire ever since Australia "She is self-isolating half-century and a 40. The 31-year-old Smith again I would be keen," certainly something I lost a high-stakes Test at home. She got tested India, who returned to served a one-year ban from Smith told 'News Corp'. would be interested in series to an injury-plagued yesterday and the report international cricket after playing and was disqualified The ball-tampering now, that's for sure," he India earlier this year. came positive today 12 months, lost both the from leading Australia for scandal led to a review of added. Finch, on the other hand, morning. She had mild ODI and T20 series. two years because of his the team's win-at-all-cost Smith acknowledged has turned 34. fever since four days so

England garnered valuable experience in India, it will stand them in good stead: Silverwood

Pune that's been shown towards the game. I think good teams going at each other," he added. look at those conditions," he pointed out. England may have suffered series we've learned a lot and from that point of England, who were coming off a "So there's a lot of encouraging signs defeats across all formats but head coach view I couldn't ask any more of them," Test series win against Sri Lanka, began out here and a lot to take away. We'll be Chris Silverwood feels his team has learnt he added. their tour of India in remarkable fashion, working on various things between now valuable lessons from the tour of India that "We've got valuable experience for inflicting a 227-run defeat on the hosts in and the World Cup," he said. will come in handy when it returns here for the T20 World Cup coming up, and if we the first Test. Silverwood also spoke about England's the T20 World Cup later this year. look back at the Test series...the lessons However, India, on the back of stellar much-debated rotation policy that has India completed triumphs in all three they've learned, when they come back performances from spinners Ravichandran garnered a lot of criticism recently, formats against England, with a seven-run again they'll know what to do and have a Ashwin and Axar Patel, came back reiterating that he wouldn't change the win in the series-deciding third ODI on better game plan." stronger to take the four match Test series approach. Sunday. India are slated to travel to England 3-1. "I would do the same again. I've said all Silverwood, in an interaction with the for a five-match Test series in August "It's a very difficult place to come and along the priority has to be that the players British media on Monday before the side and September and Silverwood feels his win, we know that. India are very strong are alright. Stepping in before anybody headed home, reflected on the long tour players will be keen to settle scores at in their conditions, but there's been lots of breaks, so to speak, is the best way to go. with pride and said the English will be that time. encouragement," Silverwood said. "Prevention is better than a cure. Trying stronger when they come back here for the "These experiences will stand them in India is set to host the T20 World Cup to keep the players fresh in mind and body T20 World in the last quarter of the year. good stead moving forward. When they later this year and Silverwood feels the is key to that, and I think we've just about "It was a good, competitive game and play against India in England, that will English players will be better prepared got that right." a good, competitive series throughout. give them a bit of spice to fight back with. after getting familiar with the Indian Star pacer Jofra Archer is set to miss I'm very proud of them, I'm proud of each I think they will. conditions. the first part of the IPL due to an elbow and every player who has been out here," "There's a little time between now and "From a T20 point of view it's been injury. Silverwood said in the series-ending then, but we're looking forward immensely really interesting how India operate in Silverwood said the 25-year-old is also presser. to the Test series in England. We always their conditions, what types of balls they being treated for a hand injury he suffered "I'm proud of the effort and the attitude know it's very competitive, with two very bowled. Equally our batsmen have had a before to the Sri Lanka and India tours. color

24 Mumbai, Thursday 01 to 07 April 2021 Last Page Across State New Delhi Star India batsman Rishabh Pant was on Tuesday named captain of Delhi Capitals in place of an injured for the upcoming Indian Premier League season beginning on April 9. Iyer has been ruled out of the IPL after injuring his left shoulder during the recently- concluded India-England ODI series. PANT "Under Shreyas' captaincy, our team reached newer heights, named Delhi and he is going to be missed immensely. In his absence, the franchise has collectively picked Rishabh to lead the team this year," DC Chairman and co- Capitals owner Kiran Kumar Gandhi said in a release. "While it has come under unfortunate circumstances, it is a tremendous opportunity for him captain for to grow further. I wish him all the best in his new role." This will be 23-year-old Pant's debut as IPL captain. The wicketkeeper-batsman has IPL 2021 captained Delhi's state team in the past. win in Australia in January. edition of the IPL, I had no doubt England which will no doubt give plays a passionate and fearless "Delhi is where I grew up, He then played a big role in that Rishabh would be the best him the confidence needed to take brand of cricket, and Rishabh and where my IPL journey India's 3-1 Test series win against man for the job," he said. on a new role that comes with Pant embodies that best. The began six years ago. To lead this England, scoring 270 runs from "He has all my good wishes a lot more responsibility," the Delhi team has played an team one day is a dream I've six innings with the help of a to make amazing things happen former Australian captain said. important role in his growth always harboured. And today, century. with our absolutely incredible "The coaching group is as a cricketer, just like he has as that dream comes true, I feel Pant also returned to India's team. I'm going to miss the excited to work with him, and played an equally important humbled," Pant said. white-ball team against England. team tremendously, and will be we can't wait for the season to role in the growth of the Delhi "I am truly grateful, After a decent outing in the T20 cheering for them throughout." get started." team." especially to our team owners, Internationals, he was in cracking Head coach Ricky Ponting Co-owner Parth Jindal said The Delhi Capitals will who considered me capable form in the ODI series, hitting said Pant's success in the series Pant embodies DC's passionate take on Chennai Super Kings in enough for this role. With an 77 and 78 in the two matches he against Australia and England and fearless brand of cricket. their first match of the IPL 2021 amazing coaching staff, and a played. will give him the confidence "There is no doubt that season, at the Wankhede Stadium, plethora of accomplished seniors Iyer described Pant as the best needed to take on the new role. Shreyas Iyer's leadership and on April 10. around me, I can't wait to give my player to lead the Delhi side. "This is a tremendous batting will be missed this year, Delhi Capitals finished as absolute best for Delhi Capitals." "When I sustained the opportunity for young Rishabh, and we hope to see him back runners-up in the last edition Pant was one of the architects shoulder injury, and Delhi who is coming off successful on the field soon," Jindal said. of the IPL, losing to Mumbai of India's historic 2-1 Test series Capitals needed a leader for this stints against Australia and "Delhi Capitals as a team Indians in the final. RCB begins training ahead of IPL Chennai Sports Science (CSS) facilities at Sri Ramachandra Royal Challengers Bangalore on Tuesday Institute of Higher Education and Research, started a nine-day conditioning camp here as part Chennai...," the franchise said in a release. of its preparation for the upcoming edition of the "The camp will provide an opportunity for Indian Premier League beginning on April 9. all players to work with experienced coaches & As many as 11 players, including spinner staff like , Sriram Sridharan, Adam , pacers and Griffith, Shankar Basu & Malolan Rangarajan. , began their training under the "The camp is focused on strenuous fitness drills guidance of Mike Hesson, director of cricket for conditioning and strengthening regimes under operations and head coach . the guidance of Shankar Basu," it added. The rest of the players will join the camp after RCB will take on defending champions Mumbai completing their seven day mandatory quarantine Indians in the tournament opener to be played at the put in place by the IPL due to the raging COVID-19 MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on April 9. pandemic. Players participating in the camp: Yuzvendra RCB skipper Virat Kohli will join the squad Chahal, Navdeep Saini, Mohammed Siraj, on Thursday. He is also likely to undergo the , Shahbaz Ahmed, , mandatory week-long quarantine. Mohammed Azharuddeen, , Sachin "A nine-day conditioning camp has begun for Baby, Suyash Prabhudesai, K S Bharat. Royal Challengers Bangalore at the Centre for Printed, Published and Owned by Mr. Sanjay Mangesh Bhaire. Printed at Somani Printing Press, Gala No.4, Amin Industrial Estate, Sonawala Cross Road-2, Near Jawahar Nagar Fatak, Goregaon (East), Mumbai- 400063 amd published at B/s, Mangal Murti, Goregaon Subhash Nagar Co-op. Hsg. Soc.,Near Sanskardham College, Goregaon (West), Mumbai- 400 104. Editor- Sanjay Mangesh Bhaire Phone : 022-49719932 Email: [email protected]