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  "    Samajwadi Party (SP) and the          Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) on    "    
         Saturday announced a mega            alliance in Uttar Pradesh, deliv- Lucknow: On a day when the Varanasi: Senior Congress 
   !"Q $   "   % ering the first opposition front BSP and the SP announced a leader P Chidambaram on &       ' to take on Prime Minister tie-up in UP for the coming Saturday said his party was (  
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 Narendra Modi in the Lok Lok Sabha polls, the Rashtriya ready to fight the Lok Sabha   % 
 $   "   % !" Sabha election due by May. Lok Dal (RLD) kept its hopes elections alone but hoped             Both parties will contest 38 alive, saying the talks for find- there would be a rethink on *  Q       seats each and they have left ing a place in the alliance were the SP-BSP alliance for Uttar               two seats out of 80 for smaller continuing. Pradesh. The Congress can’t be ) '(         allies. “The alliance of the two underestimated in Uttar   
         '( % That times have changed parties has been announced Pradesh and will fight on its 
           was evident from the missing today...As far as we are con- own strength if required, he +      
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        Mayawati’s mentor Kanshiram )   *+ spokesperson Anil Dubey said. keeping the Congress out.       $    from the hoarding behind the Detailed report on P5 Detailed report on P5 --.      /'0  dais at the venue of the joint SP- This will be a new political rev- Bareli, represented by Congress (This will last long, even      .-     
  BSP press conference. The olution. We have buried the president Rahul Gandhi and beyond LS polls and in UP with the United Progressive Mayawati said.           ' announcement of the alliance hatchet and decided to come UPA chairperson Sonia Assembly elections). Alliance if needed. “Our prior experience +
  
          comes ahead of Mayawati’s together. We have decided to Gandhi, respectively. Mayawati said that the SP- “Now, our party has with the Congress has not   
        !" ' birthday on January 15. On that prioritise national interest, “I have full confidence that BSP alliance was not limited to decided not to forge an been good. Our votes get 1   $Q    %  day, Mayawati and Akhilesh are putting behind the incident — just as our alliance defeated the Lok Sabha polls but would alliance with the Congress transferred to other parties   %       /    expected to share the stage to the state Guest House incident BJP in the Lok Sabha bypolls, continue for UP polls and anywhere in the country. but not of the Congress. In      '   
   give out a message of unity of June 2, 1995 — so that the we will crush the saffron party other elections as well. “This Looking at our past experi- such a scenario, Congress        " $ 
 among their respective cadres. BJP is not able to form a in the general elections,” alliance will also continue dur- ence, when it comes to SP and gains from us but our own  
              ' Kannauj MP Dimple Yadav, Government this time,” Mayawati said, referring to the ing the 2022 UP Qssembly BSP, our votes get consolidat- (vote) percentage dips. In the (       .   wife of Akhilesh Yadav, too Mayawati said in the joint BJP’s defeat in the Phulpur, elections and media need not ed successfully. And that is last 2017 UP Assembly elec-            shares her birthday with press conference she addressed Gorakhpur and Kairana Lok be bothered about the longevi- why we have decided to tie-up tions, even Samajwadi Party               Mayawati. along with Akhilesh Yadav Sabha bypolls in 2018. ty of the alliance,” she said. with SP. We believe that we lost due to its alliance with the  
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  give ‘guru and chela’ (Prime Mayawati said even as ural alliance”, Mayawati said, criticised THE Congress, a Centre, provided that the BJP “Why we didn’t take   
 
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      sleepless nights. We will contest decided not to field candi- nav ke baad, UP Assembly leaves room for the post-poll seat share has also been the Congress was at Centre         the 2019 elections in alliance. dates from Amethi and Rae mein bhi yeh sthayee chalega alliance of SP-BSP combine finalised between SP and BSP,” and in many States. 345 !     L         

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    '4  %  ay before the first festivals all PM2.5 level — fine partic- SAFAR said. start receding by Tuesday but Meteorological Department and adjoining Pakistan is like-           DLohri and Makar Sakranti ulate matter in the air with a It said the air quality will to remain in very poor. Other (IMD) forecast light rain on ly to affect the upper reaches 
           '0 of the New Year, air quality in diameter of less than 2.5 deteriorate further by Sunday meteorological conditions are Sunday and Monday. of Jammu region by January   Q
  
  
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hey are successful, chivalrous, kind and complete men everyone Tdesires in life. They suit up to kill and carry themselves with a lot of grace. They wear their heart on their sleeve and believe in binding the family together. From Naitik (played by Karan Mehra) of Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, to Shivaansh Oberoi (Nakuul Mehta), of Ishqbaaaz, the good boys of small screen have always grabbed many eyeballs. Adding to the bandwagon is Rahul Sudhir who is making his debut with Rajaa Betaa on Zee TV. Some relationships are beyond blood relationships and Rajaa Betaa is the story of an orphan child Vedant Tripathi who was found lying in a train compartment and was brought home by Gangadutt Tripathi. He gives the responsibility to his good-for-nothing son Ramesh to bring him up as his own child. Raised by a disinterested father, Vedant grows up to become a successful gynaecologist but his family never 1,$/&12 ($-& keeps the action tagged to reality. Soldiers and appreciates him for anything and uses “Every big family needs a Banyan affection that came his way from his 3 ,4 5-     6  commandos sent to the front are as sizzling him as a pay-check. tree and Vedant plays this role. He takes foster grandparents,” he adds. 2 
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  as are the huddles in PMO giving shape to the “Vedant is an ideal son and -):-1::2-)-- up all the responsibilities that are Debutant Sambhabna Mohanty, 
,789: idea of a never before strike. husband. He is a selfless man who is );#-T-,##, traditionally considered to be a woman’s who plays Poorva Mishra— Vedant’s The action looks well studied and looking for acceptance in his life. He domain in the family. People will get to wife, says: “The concept of the show researched. Silently intruding unmanned wants to make sure that everyone in the !#,2))&--;1 see up to what extent a man can go to is fresh with an interesting tagline — war film on an event so near in time vehicles in the form of an eagle, choppers family is happy and he is ever ready to B#1:?)2-;->#,% keep his family together. Through this ‘Vedant sab sambhal lega.’ Poorva is a and territory is bound to be engaging camouflaged in Indian colours, soldiers sacrifice his own happiness for their #&-0#::;- concept we wanted to move on from the modern day girl, she is fierce, Aand stoke a wave of nationalism, sneaking into Pakistan through dark caves lit sake. He longs for love and affection. age-old concept where it is only a independent and abides by her more so if it is Pakistan on the receiving only by night vision devises, slick shootings Being orphaned at birth, he wasn't >-),1 1:11-;# woman's duty to do all the sacrifice and principles. The layers of this character end of India’s rare wrath. Only in the without much ado – everything inexorably fortunate enough to have the #>->#%11),#::? keep her family together. The concept is what attracted me to play this role.” extreme case can this go wrong. The real builds up to a climax which we all know went relationships the rest of us inherit at of the show is different and we are While Fenil Umrigar will be surgical strike on PoK in retaliation to the in India’s favour. birth. Though he hasn’t received the love !),1%->-%) -# confident that our audience will playing Poorva’s sister Pankhuri, Anil terror strike in Uri had come as a surprise The action on the other side of the he deserves from the family, he still feels )#,O%)#1,- welcome this show with open hearts,” Misra will essay the role of Vedant’s to the nation with most of the populace border, with groovy spy ops and India blinding forever indebted to them for lending producer Smruti Shinde says, adding father Rakesh Tripathi. lauding the one-time invasion. Keeping it as its neighbour with the unfathomable move him their surname and wants to 1:: ->-C->1,2;- that the show goes aired from January There have been many male- a peg to pan out on the trials and travails of goes a long way in punctuating this movie with constantly give back to the family in >):-)B#)#,;) 15, Monday to Saturday at 6:30 pm. centric shows like Jamai Raja and an Army family has worked. a lot of ying and yang energy. The action every way possible.” For Sudhir, to get such an integral others that have showcased an ideal This film works on many levels and that blends beautifully with the dilemma Kaushal Small screen showmakers are #>-#:#?!),1%->-% role to play in debut show is sheer luck son-in-law or an ideal husband but the includes the controlled but brilliant acting of faces in choosing his duties between his breaking the monotony of women- )%)#::;-#!>1B1!- and comes with lots of responsibility. highlight of this storyline is an ideal a simmering Vicky Kaushal who helms the mother and the nation. centric shows, highlighting the fact that 1,)>%->)&--;-> “Through this role, I am looking son, which not many serials have surgical strike. The other characters, including The dialogues are to the point and not all men are bad and vengeful. Shows forward to the change in people’s focussed. The essence of the show will veteran Paresh Rawal who essays the role of sometimes jingoistic but it all goes well with like Rajaa Betaa celebrates men and B#1:?)2-;-> perception of an ideal man. The thing be the struggle of Vedant to find the NSA head Ajit Dhoval with a cell phone the mood of the story which is otherwise introduces the male-protagonist as the K>)%0!->>01 that attracted me to play Vedant was that love that he has been longing all his breaking idiosyncrasy, are fully fleshed out and reality meets reality on the big screen which one who go all out and make sacrifices he is a man full of values and despite of life. second to the plot which is a refreshing change is otherwise known to go OTT with song and to keep the whole family together. The ;1,%- being grown up in a negative Well, whether this family drama coming from Bollywood. dance around everything that Bollywood makers have gone an extra mile by environment where no one appreciates sticks to this unique concept or would The director has done well not to take too attempts. reversing the role of a woman with a him, he still emerges to be a very positive fizzle and turn into a love story, only many cinematic liberties with the peg and A must watch by all ages. man. soul and holds on to the string of time will tell.

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O  # !    election results would put the Uttarakhand Chief Minister the unemployed why over 25 ! !  # Congress in the position Trivendra Singh Rawat, lakh posts in the Government     attained by it in 2009 when it equating the Prime Minister have been scrapped by the had won 23 seats in UP and Narendra Modi with Bhim Centre and why 24 lakh posts # %-;>#%0,    $%P formed the Government for Rao Ambedkar for providing are still lying vacant. Similarly the second consecutive term at 10 percent reservation to the about 3 crore posts are lying rue to style, the former # %-;>#%0, the Centre. “Time is still left poor of upper castes, Rawat vacant in different States,’’ TChief Minister Harish for the election and I am sure said that there could not be Rawat said. Rawat organised a ‘Khichadi he All India Congress that the people of UP would two Ambedkars. “Ambedkar The Congress veteran tore Mushroom party’ in Dehradun TCommittee general prefer Congress to the alliance worked selflessly for the uplift into the BJP Government for on Saturday. The party was secretary and former Chief and BJP,” he said. of the backwards and Modi is not doing anything on attended by a large number of Minister Harish Rawat has Rawat, however, evaded a out and out a politician,” he Gairsain. He also slammed the people associated with the claimed that Uttar Pradesh question asked about the said. Rawat reminded that BJP Government for not Congress aside from the people would prove to be the game parliamentary seat he would the Congress had attempted to paying dues to the sugarcane from all walks of the life. changer for Congress in the contest and said that it was for give reservation to the upper farmers. “An amount of Addressing the gathering, upcoming Lok Sabha election. the Congress president to caste poor way back in 1992. 22,000 crore is pending to the the former CM said that the Responding to a question on decide. But he said in the “But the move was scuttled in sugarcane growers in the event was an apolitical one Congress being left out of the same breath that he has been the court,” he said. “We country while in Haridwar organised to greet the people alliance between SP and BSP touring the State in his supported the Bill in the district alone, a payment of ahead of Makar Sankranti. in UP, the senior Congress endeavour to expand the social parliament even though we 300 crore is pending. This Rawat referred to his campaign Uttarakhand have been put Known as ‘Mushroom mushroom. leader said on the sidelines of base of the party. know that it is another Jumla Government is forcing me to to promote local produce and into the category of highly Girl’ for her efforts in the Those present on the the khichadi mushroom party Taking strong exception to by Modi,” he added. undertake a fast in front of the cuisine of mountainous area of nutritious food by World promotion of mushroom occasion enjoyed the treat of he hosted on the day that the the recent statement of “PM should explain to Vidhan Sabha,’’ he said. the State in 2014 when he was Health Organisation (WHO),” culture in Uttarakhand, Divya ‘Khichadi’, cuisines prepared helming the State Government. he added. He added that the Rawat said that her company from mushroom, cordyceps the occasion were the former Panwar, senior Congress leader spokespersons-R P Raturi and Singh and the leader of the “I am now happy to learn that solution to the problem of is engaged in providing tea and local dishes prepared Minister Dinesh Agarwal, Lt Gen T P S Rawat (Rtd), Garima Dasauni. However, the opposition Indira Hridayesh millets and other food grains migration from the hills must training to a large number of from millets and pulses. Kedarnath MLA Manoj Rawat, former MLA Rajkumar, Jot Congress leaders loyal to the were conspicuous by their produced in the hills of be evolved locally. local people for cultivation of Among those present on Dhanaulti MLA Pritam Singh Singh Bisht and Congress State Congress chief Pritam absence. 5 !   #)  ""  & "'       71   8           - -#   # %-;>#%0, that all the hospitals have been asked to open a swine flu ward. !   
hospital administration would vaccination room to the female wine flu is continuing to take He further said that the # %-;>#%0, continue for some more days in Celsius-three degrees above the   
be able to take prompt action. wing of the hospital so that the Stoll in Uttarakhand as one medical officers have been the hills of the State. normal-and 4.2 degree Celsius- It is worth mentioning here female patients do not face more patient has succumbed to asked to be cautious on ehradun might experience As per the weather forecast, two notches below the normal- #   that the MS Dr Tamta has been problem in coming for the disease in Dehradun on suspected cases of the disease Dthunder cloud the sky would be partly to respectively in Pantnagar on the    consistent in his demand that vaccination. Saturday. With it, the number and added that all the hospitals development and light rain generally cloudy across the day while at Mukteshwar, the he should be provided with With an objective of of patients who have lost life to have adequate supply of Tami while a number of districts of State on Sunday with the maximum and minimum more financial and providing more space for the H1 N1 this season has mounted flu(medicine of swine flu) and Uttarakhand might record likelihood of rain and snow in temperatures were recorded at # %-;>#%0, administrative powers so that patients, the principal ordered up to three. The associate triple layer masks. heavy snowfall on Sunday, the hills, in particular. The Met 10.4 degree Celsius-two degrees he is able to take effective that offices and demo rooms professor Medicine, Mahant The CMO said that since according to the regional department further said that below the normal-and 0.8 degree he newly appointed decisions. located on the ground floor Indiresh Hospital Dr Amaranth the disease spreads by droplet meteorological department. In the maximum temperature in Celsius-one notch below the Tprincipal of Government The principal inspected should be shifted to some other Pandey said that a 41-year-old infection, the people should a yellow alert issued on Dehradun would dip by a few normal. Doon Medical College both the male and female wings place. resident of Vikasnagar had cover their nose and face with Saturday, the centre said that notches in Dehradun if it rains In New Tehri, the maximum (GDMC) Dr Ashutosh Sayana of the hospital on the day. He He said that proposals to been admitted at the hospital on handkerchief while sneezing the higher reaches of several while the minimum might rise and minimum temperatures appeared on an active mode said that the number of beds in repair or replace old equipment Friday afternoon with or coughing and should districts, including Uttarkashi, up a little. The sky would be recorded were 13 degree Celsius soon after assuming charge. He the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in the radiology and other complaint of high fever. “The regularly wash hands and face. Chamoli and Pithoragarh, are partly to generally cloudy here and 2.8 degree Celsius inspected the GDMC Hospital of the biggest Government departments should be sent to patient was diagnosed with H1 Swine flu is a viral disease most likely to experience heavy on the day. respectively on the day. on Saturday. In an important hospital of the State would be him. N1 positive. He, however, died and its virus is called H1 N1. Its snowfall on the day. Besides, The mercury in Dehradun The Met officers said that decision, the principal said increased as per the parameters The principal, himself an on Saturday afternoon,” he genetic analysis has shown that there might be thunder cloud settled at 5.8 degree Celsius- the western disturbance- that all the administrative and of the Medical Council of India eminent surgeon, operated a added. it originates from the animals, development and light rain in normal-while the maximum triggered rain might prolong the financial powers would be (MCI). The principal, along female patient suffering from The chief medical officer especially pigs, and hence, it is several areas of Dehradun, as hovered around 22.6 degree chill of the winter for some more given to the medical with MS Dr Tamta, visited the gall bladder stone when he (CMO), Dr S K Gupta claimed called Swine flu. The virus per the weather forecast. Celsius on Saturday. In other days. superintendent (MS) of the emergency ward, Operation removed it with the help of that the health department has spreads from person to person The Met department places of the State, the maximum However, since the third hospital Dr K K Tamta. Theatre (OT) and Swine Flu laparoscopic equipment. He been brought on an alert mode similar to that of seasonal officers further said that the and minimum temperatures week of this month, the mercury He further said that by ward of the hospital too. He said that he would now regularly to combat the disease. He said influenza. snowy/rain spell would were recorded at 22.6 degree might show upward trend. providing these powers, the directed shifting of the see patients in the hospital. )  #) ! 9
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 (   take care of one village each so that their proper development  # ! #!  P takes place. Evoking the famous saying # #,,#2#> of Swami Vivekananda ‘Arise, awake and stop not till the goal he Governor Baby Rani is reached’, she exhorted the TMaurya said that the youth youth to do the national service should not get deviated from by engaging in new and fruitful path of serving the nation. She research. was addressing a seminar The Governor said that the organised on the life and works students can do path- breaking of Swami Vivekananda on his researches in the area of water birth anniversary at GB Pant conservation, preventing University of Agriculture and pollution, adopting scientific education in the best possible women should be marketed. Technology in Pantnagar on methods in agriculture and way. The Governor also visited The vice-chancellor of the Saturday. sustainable agriculture. the home science department of university Tej Pratap handed She appealed to the Terming India as country the university on the day. She over a statue of Swami students, teachers and scientists of the youth, she said that the said that the handicraft and Vivekananda to the Governor present on the occasion to students should take benefit of other items produced by the on the occasion. ) ! 9
-  P *  #!   
   -       #
    curve at Tambidhar near # %-;>#%0, am and the people from # %-;>#%0, Suwakholi. The deceased have across the societal spectrum, been identified as Suraj Rawat, he birth anniversary of particularly the children and hree youngsters were killed Prince Tanwar and Mannu TSwami Vivekananda was the youth, participated in it Tin an accident when the while Rahul Rawat was the observed across the State enthusiastically in the vehicle they were travelling in injured. through cultural programmes, district,” he said. plunged into a deep gorge near All the four friends were seminars and prayers on Meanwhile, the students Dhanaulti on Mussoorie- residents of Laxmi Nagar area Saturday. The day is also of PEN India School located Suvakholi road on Saturday. in Delhi. observed as the National Youth near Sapera Basti in The accident occurred in the Day. A large number of people Dehradun appealed to the wee hours of the day, but the gathered at Ramakrishna youth to support their police and administrative    Missions in Dehradun and education. officers reached the spot much    Haridwar to mark the day. PEN India School is an later after they were informed A cultural programme initiative of PEN India by the local people.  involving the children and the Foundation for providing free The in-charge of the !   youth was organised in the and quality education to the Mussoorie police station, (  ( morning in the Ramakrishna underprivileged children in Bhawana Kaithola said that Mission premises in Dehadun Bhaniawala. the police had received !
)#  while puja and aarti were On the occasion of information about the accident    held in the evening. Several National Youth Day, the at around 7.30 am after which eminent persons who were students wrote slogans and a team of police and fire   #   present spoke volume of the made passionate request to brigade rushed to the spot. ! *  monumental role Swami the youth to come forward as The place where the Vivekananda played in the volunteers and support them accident occurred is said to be     renaissance of India. in their education. a blind curve. After an  (   A senior functionary of Prakash Keshaviah, the operation which lasted for # !   Ramakrishna Mission patron of PEN India three hours, the police Haridwar Swami Foundation, said that despite extracted three bodies from    Daydhipananda said that a many such schools existing in under the gorge and one badly (  ,! tremendous response has the State, there are still many injured person was rushed to been received from the children from the the Government Doon Medical     people regarding the national unprivileged families for College (GDMC) Hospital. !    level online quiz competition whom education remains out It is learnt that four friends on the life and teachings of of bounds. “We appeal to all in their 20s were heading to -
 Swamiji hosted by the youngsters to come Dhanaulti from Delhi to spend .    Ramakrishna Mission forward and volunteer in the weekend.  /-.0 Bengaluru to commemorate such schools to fulfil the Their plan went horribly the 125th anniversary of the dream of India dreamt by wrong when the I-20 car they 1  Chicago address of the monk. Swami Vivekananda,” he were travelling fell into a deep “The online quiz started at 10 added. gorge while negotiating a steep   (  )( *+, -.*/  6 9.:   !  
   23$425 #-   # #  #  #  &>& ' !   !  #        # !;#,%12#>; more than what Punjab used to Moga has increased to Rs 1                   earn annually from all 167 crore as against the previous 
        %   2 unjab minister Navjot Singh ULBs through advertisement income of Rs 30 lakh, while 2   1     !       PSidhu on Saturday said his under the previous regime. that of Pathankot increased to              department has set a target of "You can well imagine the Rs 67 lakh from Rs 20 lakh. &    #   3"++      Rs 150 crore annual revenue magnitude of theft. The cartels "Similarly, the annual     / N! &  O       from outdoor advertisement in were formed and money was income targets pertaining to    22   '     all urban local bodies. going to personal pockets dur- Amritsar and Mohali cities               !  He also lashed out at the ing the Akali regime," he have been set at Rs 20 crore      22   '(  
   previous SAD-BJP regime, alleged. each and the minimum base     
      

  accusing it of indulging in The Congress leader said price concerning Jalandhar has            "theft" and causing loss to the with fresh tender allotted in been fixed at Rs 18.15 crore," state exchequer. "The target of Ludhiana for advertisements, Sidhu said.       #6  the income through outdoor the revenue generation is The minister said the &>&!        '  ;  advertisement has been fixed at expected to be to the tune of Rs increase in income would allow     #          Rs 150 crore in all the 167 289 crore in nine years. He said the urban local bodies to <+ !   0   !     urban local bodies (ULBs)," the a comprehensive policy on become self-dependent and '       I5 !    minister told reporters here. outdoor advertisement was enable them to spend on devel-   
          #  The local government min- framed in March, 2018 with an opment works.      ' # :      
 ister said his department has objective of raising the income He added that his depart-      "I3 S5 !    
  taken several steps in plugging from this segment. ment would also implement the   
    ;        leakage of revenue from adver- "In Ludhiana city alone, the whereas during the Akali crore," he said. "After the launch of the online building plan approval   
   H+"5 " !   tisement which led to a signif- tender for outdoor advertise- regime, the income from this "The income of Rs 28 crore new policy, the annual income in all municipal bodies in the 1 ;  #  ;  &     icant jump in the income. ment has gone for Rs 28 crore, city stood at a mere Rs 1.75 from Ludhiana is Rs 10 crore of Municipal Corporation state from January 15.     I4IH H" !    
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   -          *  35 # !;#,%12#>; . !  # #1#:#    %  .        @     n the high profile bye-elections to he Technical Training Institute, Patiala of # !;#,%12#>; &?)#/     8  ;    ( !  IJind Assembly constituency in    7##  TPunjab State Power Corporation Limited      ,     Haryana, the candidates could with- 8      (PSPCL), has been recognized as Category-I aryana Police on Saturday   !   %      U# draw their nominations by January 14 ! (    training institute in the field of Thermal, Hydro, Hclaimed to have arrested   8   <<  >     34<3 up to 3 pm. After this election sym- Transmission, Distribution and Power three persons for allegedly pos-       H    !  bols would be allotted to the contest- % ! 9# :  Management fields by Ministry of Power, sessing 37 gram heroin from        '    U    ing candidates. ;)  !  Government of India, Baldev Singh Sran CMD two different locations in dis- ;    !         
  Deputy Commissioner Jind and ! (   ,PSPCL said on Friday. trict Sirsa. District Electoral Officer Amit Khatri in a statement, Sran said that the institute A spokesman of Police said that polling would be held on #     obtained Grade 'A' on the basis of appraisal car- Department said that the January 28 from 10 am to 5 pm. The !  #
  ried out by team of Central Electricity Authority. accused have been identified as *5 

 results would be declared after com-  % ! : The institute was assessed on the basis of Lakhbir Singh alias Bohar pleting the counting of votes on requirements in terms of institutional facilities, Singh of Bhatinda, Punjab January 31. organization and staffing, instructional capabil- presently residing at Mandi 
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  He said that Chief Electoral ensure proper checking, separate ities and training methodology required as per Dabwali, Gora Singh of Officer, Rajeev Ranjan would give nec- teams have been constituted for day CEA regulations. Gadrana in Kalanwali and # !;#,%12#>; essary directions to the district elec- and night. The Technical Training Institute was estab- Ranjit Singh alias Ranjeeta, a tion officers and Returning officers on The Deputy Commissioner said lished in 1971 and provides training to non- resident of Balasar. of supplier, a case under NDPS ive persons were killed after a tractor trolley overturned in January 13 through video conferenc- three teams have been constituted gazetted and gazetted technical and non-techni- While Lakhbir Singh and Act has been registered against FPunjab’s Amritsar district on Saturday. ing. He would also review the prepa- from excise and taxation department. cal employees. There are also four zonal knowl- Gora Singh were apprehended the accused. The incident took place in the morning at Vallah in Amritsar rations and other arrangements of Jind Besides this, two separate teams have edge centers at Bathinda, Amritsar, Ludhiana and with 30 gram heroin during All accused would be taken district when the tractor trolley carrying labourers was on its way bye-election. been deputed from excise and police Jalandhar under the training wing of PSPCL. checking from near Bus Stand, on remand by producing them to a construction site, Amritsar Assistant Commissioner of Police Khatri said five teams have been staff. These teams are keeping check O.P. Garg, Director/HR said that the train- Dabwali, another accused in the Court. Stern action Jaspreet Singh said. constituted to check and prevent the on illegal sale of liquor or its trans- ing institute of PSPCL is the only recognized Ranjit Singh was arrested with would be taken after identify- The front wheel of the tractor got dislodged and it overturned illegal sale of liquor during assembly portation. During the checking by Govt. training institute in power sector in north 7 gram heroin from village ing the other persons involved near a canal, he added. The police suspect that construction mate- bye-elections. These teams would these teams in the last 15 days, 558 India and has the rare distinction of composite Balasar in the district. in the racket of heroin smug- rial including heavy iron pipes, which were being transported keep check on illegal movement or bottles of liquor were seized by these certification by Govt. of India within the same The spokesman said that gling and efforts were being in the trolley when it overturned, may have inflicted serious sale of liquor round the clock. To teams, he added. complex. after enquiring about the name made to nab them, he added. injuries on the labourers leading to their deaths. *!   . /     !1B   % #      -!
  "     #!
 "   "  ")"      # %-;>#%0, # !;#,%12#>; # %-;>#%0, vigilance enquiry, it was found not of scientist Dr. Ashok &  ;< octors of the Government # !;#,%12#>; that appreciation letter was Kumar as well as such letter was o celebrate Golden jubilee DDoon Medical College book comprising articles not issued by Dr. Ashok Kumar, not recovered from the hard Tyear 2018-19, the Central (GDMC) Hospital have suc- Aand research papers writ- unjab Vigilance Bureau on Scientist-F, Incharge Genetic disk of computer used by Dr Industrial Security Force # ;0 #,-#> the applications, following cessfully removed a tumour ten by intellectuals and PSaturday said it had regis- and Tree Production Ashok Kumar. In fact, the let- (CISF) units of Punjab and which the applicants would weighing 10 kilograms from a researchers on the subject, “ tered a case against forest con- Department, Forest Research terhead used by Dr Ashok Haryana Civil Secretariat, ooperation Minister get the assistance. woman patient. The medical Migration from Indian servator Harsh Kumar posted Institute (FRI) Dehradun Kumar carries a green logo, but Chandigarh will organize a CSurjya Naryan Patro on The Government has superintendent of the hospital, Himalayas, challenges and at Hoshiarpur for submitting (Uttarakhand). the logo printed in this forged Walkathon on January 13. Saturday said the beneficia- earmarked 10,180 crore for Dr K K Tamta who had him- solutions,” was presented to the fake appreciation letter to state During vigilance enquiry, appreciation letter was black. An official spokesman of ries of the Krushak Assistance the KALIA scheme for three self operated the patient said director general, Information government for removing Harsh Kumar, Vijay Kumar On the basis of the inves- CISF said that a 10 km for Livelihood and Income years. The scheme aims at that 42-year-old Madhuli Devi, Deepender Chaudhary, the adverse remarks in his annual DFO Hoshiarpur and Ajay tigations, Vigilance Bureau Walkathon from Sukhna Lake Augmentation (KALIA) providing financial, liveli- a resident of Chamoli, had media advisor to the Chief confidential report (ACR). Palta, submitted an affidavit concluded that Harsh Kumar Sports Club to Matka Chowk, scheme would get monetary hood, cultivation and insur- been admitted at the hospital Minister Ramesh Bhatt and the In this case a private per- and stated that this apprecia- and his accomplice Vijay Chandigarh would be flagged assistance by January 26. ance support to small, mar- on January 9 on complaint of media coordinator to the CM son Ajay Palta , Director, Palta tion letter was typed by Dr. Kumar (deceased) and Ajay off by Haryana Director “Money will be directly ginal and landless farmers, consistent pain in the lower Darshan Singh Rawat on Engineering Works Private Ashok Kumar, Scientist on his Palta in connivance with each General of Information, Public credited to the bank accounts Patro said. abdomen area. “On diagnosis, Saturday. The research book Limited, Focal Point, Jalandhar computer and presented to other have dishonestly brought Relations and Languages of nearly 12.4 lakh farmers, However, the BJP alleged it was revealed that she was was reviewed by the director was also booked under relevant Vijay Kumar DFO in the pres- in forged document to cover up Department, Sameer Pal Srow who are having regular trans- that that though the State having a large ovarian tumour,” general, Information. On the sections at police station SAS ence of Harsh Kumar and Ajay the adverse remarks entered and Commissioner, Municipal actions with us right from Government is claiming that he said. topic, a two-day national sem- Nagar. Palta. against him in the ACR. Corporation, Kamal Kishor selling paddy and purchasing the KALIA scheme is for the A team of doctors consist- inar was organised jointly by An official spokesperson of During investigation it was Yadav. seeds and urea,” said Patro. benefit of farmers, it is being ing of Dr Tamta and Dr Kumaon University and the Vigilance Bureau said dur- found that the FRI was closed .!  He said that the Golden Besides, the farmers who used to distribute funds to Dhananjay Dobhal operated Himalayan Educational ing the investigation, chief for- on the date on account of 
   * Jubilee year is celebrated have recently applied under ruling party workers. the patient. After a complex Research and Development est conservator, Kuldeep Budha Pornima holiday. The throughout the country by the the KALIA scheme would How can the Government surgery, a large tumour weigh- Society (HERDS) on Kumar Lomis had written office or institute could be  #!   CISF. As many as 150 officers also get assistance by January identify the farmers in such a ing 10 kg was removed. Dr November 19 and 20 during some adverse comments in opened only after taking prior and soldiers of CISF units of 26 after necessary verifica- short period of time? The Tamta said that the patient is which the Uttarakhand Harsh Kumar's ACR of year permission from the FRI head  542  Punjab and Haryana and var- tions by concerned officers,” scheme is only meant to now recovering fast in the hos- Migration Commission chair- 2014-15 and the later had sub- but no such permission was     ious armed security forces said the Minister. hoodwink people, said BJP pital. man S S Negi spoke. Notably, mitted his written request to granted for the same. besides others would partici- District Collectors have Krushak Morcha president The principal GDMC, Dr Prof Atul Joshi, director, minister of forests, Punjab for The spokesperson further   ! pate in this walkathon. been asked for verification of Sibaji Mohanty. Ashutosh Sayana congratulat- IPSDR, who is a recipient of omitting negative notes from added that as per the reports of #$!  ed Dr Tamta and his team of Presidents’ award, has edited ACR by attaching copy of an Forensic Science Laboratory, - %!( doctors for successfully oper- the book. appreciation letter. VB has found that signatures        (  ating the case. On the occasion, During investigation of on the appreciation letter was %4/  #    Deepender Chaudhary said    #. that the research book would prove to be a milestone in    . understanding the reasons   #! .

, .(  behind migration, in general,      ) and the mitigation from #    Himalayan region in Uttarakhand, in particular. ! *  " #, +++4 !!    :    (< <   
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  (  .. #   ;)#: Motilal Taurani, GM              (Thermal) and RK Arya, GM     * HEL has secured a presti- (PCG) handed over the wit- Bgious order from Nepal ness test data to SJVNL and 
 #     2 #   )7   for Arun-III HEP through SAPDC representatives. Both   *  =  International Competitive GMs appreciated the perfor-    Bidding. The project has Four mance of Hydro Lab and con-    Turbine-Generator Sets, each gratulated it for maintaining , (8!  of 225 MW rating (total 900 the tradition of excellence MW) with Francis type of while assured customer that  
  Turbine operating under rated all the milestones of the pro- 1   net head of 286.21 m. Design ject would be met on time.  !   and development of turbine VS Rao, HOD (COE- 4   suitable for this project was HM) declared the result and .
 carried out by BHEL COE- thanked all associated depart- HM Engineers. ment and COE-HM team.  /14.0 The Turbine Model He said the model has 3
( :> Witness Test has been suc- achieved all the guaranteed  !    cessfully carried out at COE- parameters and said that  < HM from 4th Jan 2019 to 10th Arun-III was the highest rat-   Jan 2019 in presence of a team ing individual turbine which of Executives from SJVN and BHEL is going to supply. He  SAPDC. The test proved the especially thanked customer    3  turbine capability to meet the for their co-operation and < guaranteed efficiency, output dedication during model wit- and other parameters. ness test.   (  )( *+, -.*/   <; <
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,  TSP and the BSP joined '&''&C'B>&' ' #  ;    hands for their survival, and not for the country or Uttar 0&
 # ,-%-:;1 Pradesh. It also downplayed B?'&))C/ assertions that the alliance will #0)0HC'   -    '  dmitting reverses in have a major impact on the Arecent three States upcoming Lok Sabha polls. It C)?0?1# Assembly elections, BJP pres- said that any grand alliance of C&B' # ,-%-:;1 Azad earlier met Uttar I think there is space for that,” ident Amit Shah on Saturday Opposition parties against the Pradesh Congress chief Raj he said. said the party was “not defeat- BJP for the upcoming Lok #0' F&)0& eft out of the SP-BSP Babbar, Congress Legislature On Friday, the Congress ed” as it did not lose ground Sabha elections will bring in 
'&''& Lalliance in Uttar Pradesh, Party (CLP) leader and Rajya had claimed that it would be a in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan anarchy, corruption and polit- even as the Congress is likely Sabha member Sanjay Singh “very dangerous mistake” to and Chhattisgarh. For his ical instability. C?>'>'&)) to contest the Lok Sabha polls and former MP Pramod ignore it in Uttar Pradesh. part, Union Minister and Addressing a Press confer- &
?H?C' on its own in the crucial Hindi Tiwari at his residence. “We For his part, CPI leader D senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley ence on the second day of the '&)?' heartland State, nevertheless, heard the Press conference of Raja felt that the SP-BSP asked the party workers to BJP National Council meeting, former Finance Minister and the BSP and SP leaders. alliance was not a setback to build the narrative of the Lok Union Law Minister Ravi ))0$)'0 senior Congress leader P The party will come out opposition unity as all the Sabha polls campaign around Shankar Prasad said that the Chidambaram expressed hope with its stand in Lucknow on parties were together on Prime Minister Narendra BSP and the SP alliance is for and political instability. Those that the two UP parties will Sunday,” Azad merely said, defeating the BJP in the Lok Modi’s “matchless” leadership their survival. It is not in the who who did not like each rethink their decision to while refusing to react on the Sabha election. and his Government’s perfor- interest of the country or Uttar other are talking about a maha exclude the Congress. Congress being left out of the “I do not think it is a set- mance as this will ensure the Pradesh.” gathbandhan (grand alliance). “Perhaps this isn’t the last alliance. back to opposition unity. saffron party’s victory in the Prasad said that the parties This is an alliance for corrup- word, maybe there will be He said the party would Everyone agrees that the pri- election. know that they cannot fight tion, anarchy and political some rethink as the elections not react on the announce- mary objective is to defeat the “Three election results Modi and so have formed the instability,” Yogi said . approach. A truly broad-based ment on Saturday and any BJP,” he said. Raja asserted that were not good, our alliance. Prasad also rejected Yogi asserted that in the alliance will be formed in UP. leader commenting on the there was no difference among Opposition won but we were claims made by BSP chief upcoming Lok Sabha polls, If necessary, Congress party issue would be putting forth the secular parties and the seat- not defeated,” Shah said and Mayawati and SP president the BJP will perform better will contest elections on its his personal view. Asked sharing arrangement would sought to define defeat in Akhilesh Yadav that their com- than it did in 2014 and a own strength,” he told whether the tie-up was a set- be amicably worked out terms of Congress getting ing together will have a major “strong and capable” reporters. However, back for the Congress, he among them. wiped out from Uttar Pradesh, impact on the parliamentary Government under Modi’s Chidambaram asserted that refused to comment. “All the secular, democra- Bihar and Bengal. poll results. “Elections are not leadership will be formed the Congress will contest the Congress spokesperson tic parties and the Left parties “Humne apni zameen about mathematics but chem- again. “Ask any impartial per- polls on its own if necessary. Manish Tewari said Azad must work together and ensure nahin khoyi,” S h a h s ai d istry,” he said. son — a rural woman, a solid- Asked to comment on the would give a structured that the BJP is defeated in addressing the National The Minister’s remarks er, a farmer or youth — they tie-up announced by BSP-SP, response to it on Sunday. order to save the Constitution Council on Saturday. Stating came soon after BSP supremo will all say ‘Kaho Dil Se Modi senior Congress leader and “In so far as alliances are and take the country forward. that the upcoming Mayawati and SP chief Phir Se’ (they will vouch for AICC secretary general in- concerned, we have always “The electoral pacts and Parliamentary polls “very %&      ,! )      #   %& Akhilesh Yadav, at a joint bringing in Modi once again).” charge of Uttar Pradesh, believed that state-specific seat-sharing arrangements will important” for the party, he  
   ( !    "  )   *+ Presser in Lucknow, BJP leader and UP Deputy Ghulam Nabi Azad said the alliances, which further the be state specific, taking into asked all party workers to announced the alliance saying Chief Minister Keshav Prasad party would not react imme- progressive and pluralistic consideration the State-level ensure that the votes of their lost our ground. The workers about the general election, so they will contest the coming Maurya termed the SP-BSP diately and would come out ideals, which further consoli- realities. The parties must be families and friends are cast by need not lose their hope,” he whenever they spoke or deliv- Lok Sabha polls together in joining hands as an “alliance of with a detailed reaction in date the liberalised idea of realistic and accommodative to 10.30 am on the polling day. said at Ramlila Ground here. ered a speech, they should Uttar Pradesh sharing 38 seats corruption and goondaism”. Lucknow on Sunday. India, are the way forward and each other,” he said. Speaking just before “Lok Sabha elections are always keep the polls and the each of the 80 in the state, while “And let me make it clear that Prime Minister Narendra very important for us. If we man- party’s victory in mind. leaving Rae Bareli and Amethi people are solidly behind Modi Modi took to mike on the age a massive victory, the BJP will Suggesting that Modi’s lead- for the Congress, which has and the BJP will do better than ( /        =&;) concluding day of the two-day rule the country from Panchayat ership was the BJP’s biggest been kept out of the alliance. it did in 2014. The backward meet, BJP president for the to Parliament for a long time,” he strength in the upcoming Reacting on the alliance, community is backing Modi,” second day attacked Congress, said. He asked his party workers polls, Jaitley said the party UP Chief Minister Yogi he said at the national conven- # :0!&,) parties has been announced any party had to be included in saying the “cancer” of to ensure that every voter is con- workers should build the cam- Adityanath said “This is a tion. The parties kept the today...As far as we are con- the alliance, a way could always casteism, nepotism and tacted in an intensive campaign paign narrative around it as coalition of casteist, corrupt Congress out of the alliance, n a day when the Bahujan cerned, our talks for the same be found. appeasement policy was its for the elections. Shah asked the Opposition would try to and opportunistic mindset that but said they will not field can- OSamaj Party (BSP) and are continuing,” RLD national “If anyone has to be adjust- contribution, which, he said them to go back to their respec- divert the attention from it. doesn’t want development and didates in Amethi and Rae the Samajwadi Party (SP) spokesperson Anil Dubey told ed, there will be no problem “weakened the democracy tive states with a pledge to “Whether it is the prince good governance. “Public Bareli, represented by announced a tie-up in Uttar PTI. On the SP and the BSP with seats as those can be and halted development”. ensure BJP's thumping victory in of the Congress, Didi from knows everything and this Congress president Rahul Pradesh for the coming Lok deciding to contest 38 Lok found,” he stressed. “In the elections in the the Lok Sabha elections and Bengal, Babu from Andhra or unholy alliance will be given a Gandhi and UPA chairperson Sabha polls, the Rashtriya Lok Sabha seats each in Uttar The RLD leader said his three States (Madhya Pradesh, make Narendra Modi Prime Behenji of Uttar Pradesh, they perfect answer. Any grand Sonia Gandhi. Dal (RLD) kept its hopes alive, Pradesh and leaving two seats party's intention was to defeat Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh) Minister for a second term. all want to be the Prime alliance of Opposition parties In the 2014 Lok Sabha saying the talks for finding a for the Congress, thereby spar- the ruling Bharatiya Janata our opponents won but we The Finance Minister told Minister and their swords will against the BJP for the upcom- elections, the BJP had won 71 place in the alliance were con- ing only two seats for other Party (BJP), for which like- were not defeated. The results the party workers that the next come out after the results of ing Lok Sabha elections will out of the 80 Lok Sabha seats tinuing. parties, Dubey claimed that minded parties had to join were not good but we have not five months would be all the election,” he said. bring in anarchy, corruption in the State. “The alliance of the two seats were not an issue and if hands. 0$   1  2 "    5   * 5   

-  ,-%-:;1 During the review meet- up of polling stations for the sive Hands on experience of    ##  !;-,,#1 ished the contest with 88 seats, especially women who pour Karunandhi has also promot- ing, the EC directed all States Bru community in coordina- the EVM and VVPAT among a commendable performance out their grievances to the ed his other children M K he Election Commission and Union Territories to acti- tion with the state of Tripura the voters as well as during the fter the potential partners despite the fact that the party’s DMK chief. Lagiri and Kanimozhi besides T(EC) on Saturday decided vate the voter helpline centre was a notable achievement. training of polling officials as Aof a Rainbow Alliance to be then president M Karunanidhi Chief Minister Edappadi grand nephew Dayanidhi to take a leaf out of the way the 1950 so that the grievances of Both Rajasthan and it helps to minimize the glitch- led by his party cold shouldered could not campaign because of Palaniswamy was quick to Maran. Now Stalin is grooming five States of MP, Chhattisgarh, the voters are promptly Telangana cited several es and also boosts confidence his proposal to project advanced age. point out the fallacy behind Udhayanidhi to be his succes- Rajasthan, Mizoram and redressed and it should be instances of innovative among the stakeholders. Congress president Rahul This time, Stalin is the star Stalin’s claim that he would sor. AIADMK is the only Telangana used technology to ‘first point of care’ for the vot- Systematic Voters' Education “The commission desires Gandhi as the Prime campaigner for the DMK as address all issues concerning democratic party in Tamil conduct the recent Assembly ers. and Electoral Participation from the CEOs that elections Ministerial candidate for the there are no leaders in the party the villagers. “Stalin was the Nadu and you have seen an polls, and emulate it to hold the According to EC, (SVEEP) campaigns incorpo- are made totally voter-friend- 2019 Lok Sabha election, MK with mass appeal. He may be minister for local administra- ordinary villager neing sworn coming Lok Sabha elections. Chhattisgarh had developed an rating local cultural practices ly and accessible for persons Stalin, the DMK chief is on a depending on his son tion and rural development in as chief minister,” said These five States demon- app to track their polling per- which led to a good turn out with disabilities, senior citi- mission to mobilise villagers in Udhayanidhi Stalin, who is during 2006 to 2011. Had he Palaniswamy. strated how technology can be sonnel which streamlined the in these States. zens,” the EC said. Tamil Nadu to ensure they vote waiting in the wings to take the taken the trouble of visiting the Political commentators in leveraged to enhance voter process while MP developed a During the conference, the EC also reviewed the sta- for his party. The DMK presi- plunge into active politics. But villages those days, we would Tamil Nadu are not impressed experience and also provide software to ensure queue less EC to assess the preparedness tus of facilitation provided to dent is busy with Ooratchi how far Udhayanidhi’s popu- not have faced this much by Stalin’s mass contact pro- crucial data in an instant to the voting experience for people for the coming Lok Sabha voters provided to voters by Sabai a kind of Gram Sabha) larity as a film star would help issues,” Palaniswamy told a gramme. “He is lucky that election commission officers with disabilities, pregnant polls, Chief Election commis- both online and offline meth- where he visits villages and the DMK to win the election is public meeting on Saturday. there are no powerful second and made detailed presenta- women and women with sioner Sunil Arora stressed ods. interacts with villagers, espe- not known. Stalin’s focus dur- The chief minister said wrung leaders in the DMK to tions on the takeaways and infants to ensure smooth that States and UTs must assess During the conference, the cially women. ing the interaction with the vil- there were many villages in the challenge him. These kind of learning from the previous polling during polls. their electronic voting chief electoral officials (CEOs) Stalin has been enthused lagers is the “all- round failure State which do not have any programmes are not new in Assembly polls. Mizoram highlighted its machine/ Voter verifiable of all states and UTs made by the response he received of the AIADMK government sanitation or drinking water Tamil Nadu,” said G The EC also reviewed the successful conduct of elec- paper audit trail (VVPAT) comprehensive presentations during the Namukku Naame ruling the State and the anti- supply schemes. “These issues Satyamurty, veteran colum- status of vulnerability map- tions despite initial problems. requirements and also ensure of their poll preparedness on (We For Ourselves) campaign Tamil Nadu and anti-secular could have addressed by Stalin nist. ping, security planning, avail- Mizoram experience was on adherence to the timelines all important parameters. The he held prior to the 2016 Narendra Modi government at had he been serious in his He said situations may ability of police forces and building bridges with the civil specified for completion of CEOs also informed the com- Assembly election by touring the Centre”. words,” said Palaniswamy. He undergo big change in the their requirement during Lok society organisations, opening their First Level checking. mission that all States and all the 234 Assembly con- Stalin said he would pre- also lambasted the DMK chief State as the election fever catch- the Sabha elections. dialogue and also the setting He laid stress upon exten- UTs are ready for polls. stituencies in which he met the pare the election manifesto of for his locus standi to address es p in days to come. “It is not voters and discussed with them the DMK for the Lok Sabha the villagers. “He is a product going to be a cake walk for the their grievances. Though the election by incorporating the of dynasty and family politics. DMK or the AIADMK as 4.1 DMK could not cross the issue highlighted by the vil- Karunanidhi was the party Jayalalithaa and Karunanidhi /  !2 
magic figure of 118 to form the lagers. The Gram Sabha meet- president for 50 years and he are not there this time,” said " 3$ " Government, the party fin- ings are drawing good crowd, was succeeded by son Stalin. Satyamurtty. 
  
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'& 00? High Court in connection with Mallikharjuna Kharge have seat sharing arrangements for call of their parties and must referred to the state govern- Accord, has declined to be a 00?1)'& the Saradha Chit Fund Scam refuted the remarks of Prime the Lok Sabha elections. have strong faith on their own ment of Karnataka, claiming part of it, leaving the nine- )C)10B'& on Saturday. Minister Narendra Modi who This is going to be a major strength”. that the Congress is treating member body in the lurch. The CBI had filed a charge had said, “Congress in task and both the party work- Maintaining that there is a JD(S) leader and Chief Minister Bezbaruah is the fifth ''B 00?06 sheet against Nalini in a Karnataka is treating Chief ers are demanding to go on dire need for all the secular par- HD Kumaraswamy as a “clerk”. member to leave the commit- 100
> Calcutta court in connection Minister HD Kumaraswamy as their own in the Lok Sabha ties to join hands and fight the “The coalition Government in tee. He has written to the '&0B>$0 with the Saradha Chit Fund a “clerk”. Chief Minister HD polls. It is very difficult to communal forces, he said that Karnataka has reduced the Union Home Ministry in this scam. Nalini, a lawyer, has Kumaraswamy who is heading assess the political move of “people belonging to exploited Chief Minister to a clerk,” regard. Accord states “constitutional, been accused of accepting a a fragile coalition reacted Devegowda who keeps his classes and poor will get the Modi said, adding that the sit- The development comes legislative and administrative bribe of 1.40 crore from the sharply on the Prime Minister’s cards close to his chest. raw deal in the hands of the uation is grave to an extent close on the heels of four mem- safeguards, as may be appro- owner of the Chit Fund, Special CBI Court at Calcutta remark and said that “such Meanwhile Congress BJP. Congress is also having where Kumaraswamy has to bers — eminent litterateurs priate, shall be provided to pro- Sudipto Sen. alleged that she had entered statements won’t deter our leader Kharge attacked PM talks with several parties in vent his frustration within Nagen Saikia and Rong Bong tect, preserve and promote the The Madras High Court in into a criminal conspiracy with coalition government from the and said “Prime Minister is not many states in an attempt to months of assuming power.” Terang along with education- cultural, social, linguistic iden- a special sitting held on Sudiptha Sen, the proprietor of development agenda”. “I am caring the advice given by his put a combined Opposition to Only a few months into ist Mukunda Rajbongshi and tity and heritage of the Saturday granted four weeks of the chit fund and other accused amused to see Prime Ministers own members in the Cabinet”. the communal forces.” power, and he (Kumaraswamy) the nominee of the influential Assamese people”. interim anticipatory bail to persons with the intention of reacting to a statement which Dubbing the Prime Reiterating his charge that is already burdened by the All Assam Students Union — “I have conveyed to the Nalini. The bail was granted by cheating and misappropria- I never made” Kumaraswamy Minister’s remark on Karnataka Prime Minister Narendra Congress,” the PM said, adding deciding not to be a part of the Home Ministry that it is unten- Justice G K Ilanthirayan, The tion of funds of the Saradha tweeted. Chief Minister as far from Modi, is not ready to face the that the state has been plunged committee. able for me to continue in the judge directed the petitioner to group of Companies, according Even though there is a truth, he said that “Prime Congress on the Rafale deal into misgovernance. The committee was formed committee when the repre- appear before the Chief Judicial to a spokesman of the CBI. fighting a within the coalition Minister should not have and running away from it, he Modi’ reference to on January 6 to assess the sentatives of the civil society Magistrate, Egmore, Chennai, Nalini’s husband partners, both the JD(S) and resorted to make such baseless said that “Modi is avoiding to Kumaraswamy comes a couple quantum of seats to be reserved refused to be a part of the com- and offer sureties before Chidambaram and son Karti, the Congress are putting up observations”. He also took answer our leaders on the of days after the Karnataka CM, in the Assam Assembly and in mittee. Being the head of a approaching the concerned who are accused in the Aircel- brave face to fight the BJP. The exception to Modi’s remark issue”. while addressing the JD(S) the local bodies of the state for committee, without civil soci- jurisdictional court to apply for Maxis scam too are out on bail JD(S) supremo HD Devegowda on the Opposition parties Warning the nation against cadres, expressed dismay over Assamese, besides providing ety members, does not make regular anticipatory bail. as a Delhi court has given is also spearheading a cam- ‘ghathbandhan’ and said that “it a possible mahagathbandhan the alleged interference by the other safeguards. any sense,” Bezbaruah told PTI The charge sheet against them interim protection from paign for a third front to make is unbecoming of a Prime rule post 2019 Lok Sabha elec- Congress in the day-to-day Clause 6 of the Assam in New Delhi. Nalini, which was filed in the arrest till February 1. Congress president Rahul Minister to say that”. tions, Prime Minister Narendra functioning of his Government.              ?   (  )( *+, -.*/  @ &($6 /& -*#' ( >  (    
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ohit Sharma's individual bril- # ?%,-? liance was not enough to make up Rfor a floundering top and middle iffering with his skipper Virat Kohli's views, India's order as India suffered a 34-run defeat DODI vice-captain Rohit Sharma on Saturday said at the hands of a resilient Australia in the Mahendra Singh Dhoni is "ideal" for the number four first One-day International, here on slot, as the team works on getting the batting order Saturday. right for the World Cup. Sharma conjured up a magnificent Rohit added it was his personal view and that the 133 of 129 balls for his 22nd ODI hun- captain and the coach will have the final say on the dred but eventually it only helped in batting slots. reducing the defeat-margin as India Dhoni on Saturday made a slow 51 from 96 balls ended up at 254 for nine while chasing in India's 34-run defeat to Australia in the first ODI, a 289-run target. sparking another debate about his current form in a Three of India's top four batsmen World Cup year. could not reach double-digit and lasted ,       #  !  +   !   #  5+ )   "Personally, I always feel that Dhoni batting at a mere 11 balls. number four will be ideal for the team but we have With 10 fours and six sixes, Sharma Marsh (54) also scored half-centuries Their 50-stand came off 82         Khaleel Ahmed (0/55) had an off got Ambati Rayudu who has done really well now at reached his hundred off 110 balls, for the hosts who lost skipper balls, while they took India past ? #   ( day as he struggled with this front-foot number four. It totally depends on what the captain equalling Sourav Ganguly's record of 22 Aaron Finch (6) in a slow start 100 in the 26th over even as and control over line and length. and coach think about it. Personally asking, I would ODI centuries and is now behind only after electing to bat. Australia started to feel the #   3SH4 3666 H+< 3< 436 <" Khawaja-Marsh pair added 50 in be happy if Dhoni bats at four," Rohit, who scored 133 Sachin Tendulkar (49) and Virat Kohli Young paceman Jhye pressure. -   3S<< II5 "I" + <5H 4+ 61 balls as Australia crossed 100 in the off 129 deliveries, said at the post-match conference. (38). Richardson (4/26) rocked Sharma reached his half-cen- 1  3H+I I33 "3H 33 43I 5< 23rd over. Khawaja brought up his Kohli had earlier expressed his preference for India were gasping after losing three the Indian middle order by tury off 62 balls, while Dhoni fifth ODI half-century off 70 balls, and Rayudu to other players for the contentious position. batsmen at a single-digit score of four dismissing India skipper reached his 68th ODI half-cen-   35"5 I64 HI4 33 3H+ 3+ opened up a bit more to play some "If you look at his (Dhoni's) overall batting, his before Sharma and Mahendra Singh Virat Kohli (3) and tury off 93 balls.  1  35<5 "6S "6" 35 3IH <3 attractive sweeps. strike rate is around 90. Today was a different scenario, Dhoni (51) combined to stitch togeth- Ambati Rayudu (0) in Thanks to the initial  # 33

layer of the Match Jhye Richardson # ,-%-:; Psaid Australia were lucky to get Mahendra Singh Dhoni out with a oA chief Vinod Rai has dubious call in the first One-day Cproposed a quick enquiry International against India here on into much-criticised com- Saturday. )   ments made by suspended Dhoni was given out leg before cricketers Hardik Pandya and wicket when the Australian team KL Rahul but Diana Edulji appealed after the second ball of the ....+)0
 fears it will be construed as a 33rd over, bowled by debutant Jason "cover up" job. Behrendorff, but TV replays showed # ?%,-? The two-member the ball had pitched outside the leg- Committee of Administrators stump. The veteran could not opt for he seasoned Mahendra Singh Dhoni on (CoA) is yet again divided a review as it was unsuccessfully used TSaturday became the fifth player to score and this time on how the up by Ambati Rayudu, breaking a 141- 10000 runs for India in One-day International crick- inquiry into the latest con- run partnership with Rohit Sharma at et, adding another feather to his illustrious cap. troversy should be conduct- the Sydney Cricket Ground. Starting the innings at 9999 runs, Dhoni took ed. "There was a period there when seven deliveries to reach the landmark on his way Pandya and Rahul, who they had a partnership through the to a patient 51 in the first ODI of the three-match attracted widespread criti- middle and it almost could have taken series against Australia, here. cism for their misogynistic the game away from us. But we were While the right-handed Dhoni had crossed the comments on TV Show lucky to get Dhoni out lbw and we kept 10,000-run mark in the format in 2017 during the 'Koffee with Karan', will be getting wickets from there on," England tour, 174 of them came while batting for back in India by Saturday or 4  -   3/(  #    3  &           Richardson said. Asia XI in three matches. On Saturday, he breached early Sunday. Richardson took his best figures in )  -## #  #   !  the mark for the country. In another round of Rai on his part wants the response after Rai wanted had written. ODI cricket, 4-26 in 10 overs, as Dhoni thus joined an elite list of Indian crick- unfriendly email exchange inquiry to be finished by sec- inquiry to be completed While legal team had Australia won the first match by 34 and 280 is a competitive score. There eters who had previously achieved the feat, which (in possession of PTI), CoA ond ODI as delay in com- quickly as team strength has advised appointment of ad- runs to take a 1-0 lead in the three- are a few long boundaries at the SCG include Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul member Edulji has expressed pleting the procedure would gone down from 15 to 13. hoc ombudsman for which match series. He praised centurion and I think we actually bowled well Dravid and Virat Kohli. her reservation at BCCI CEO affect the team strength. "We must take a view by Rai wants the view of amicus. Rohit Sharma's effort. according to that tonight," Richardson In 330 ODIs for India, the wicketkeeper-bats- Rahul Johri, who himself was "We should be in no the time second ODI gets However Edulji wants "Rohit batted really well. Credit to said. man has now over 10,050 runs at an average of embroiled in sexual harras- hurry to conduct the inquiry over as we cannot afford to CoA and office bearers to be him and he summed up the conditions Australia had a slow start and man- 49.75, including nine centuries and 67 fifties. ment case, conducting pre- as it would then look like a debilitate team strength due part of the inquiry as CEO's just as well as we did. He batted very aged to score 288/5 after opting to bat, Overall, Dhoni is the 13th player in history to liminary inquiry and fears a cover up job being done," to delinquent behaviour on presence will be perceived as patiently and knew the balls he could but thanks to Richardson, India had a score 10,000 runs in the ODIs. "cover up". Edulji wrote in her email the part of some player," Rai "bad optics" according to her. put away. He picked the gaps really well poor start and were reduced to 4/3 at tonight. one stage before finishing at 254/9 as "Rohit was very dangerous and we Rohit Sharma's 22nd hundred went in understood that. So our plan sort of vain. " /   /  5
   (  changed to getting him off strike and This was the first time since 2017 just bowling at the batsman down the that Australia won the opening game other end." of an ODI series. The young pacer said that the hosts "I was actually disappointed when # ,-%-:; disciplined bowling, while Quinton (49) and captain Sarfraz Ahmed were confident of defending a "com- the ball came out. I probably bowled de Kock lifted the scoring rate late (50) put on 78 off only 61 balls for petitive" 288 as they thought the SCG a bit too straight," said the pacer uanne Olivier took his third in the day by scoring 34 not out off the sixth wicket. wicket was on the slower side. about Virat Kohli's dismissal. Dfive-wicket haul of the series 35 balls. The wickets were shared Kagiso Rabada ended the stand "It was a really good wicket and we "I had a fielder there who hung on before Pakistan's bowlers fought between four bowlers with medium- when Sarfraz was caught at first slip understood that it wasn't the quickest to it, so it is a wicket I will remember back on the second day of the third pacer Faheem Ashraf taking two for and four balls later Olivier had wicket in the world. So we knew for a very long time." and final Test against South Africa 19 — with both his wickets coming Azam caught at long leg. Olivier when the ball goes a little softer later "I am ecstatic and really excited for on Saturday. in his first over — to reduce South made it a double strike when in the innings, when we turn the slow- the team. It's good to put a personal Olivier grabbed took five wick- Africa to 45 for four. Faheem Ashraf was out first ball, er balls, we could use change of pace performance on the board but I am ets for 51 as South Africa gained a Abbas and opening batsman splicing a mistimed pull to short leg. and we thought it would be quite effec- really excited in the way Australian first innings lead of 77 at the Imam-ul-Haq, who went on to The South African innings was tive," Richardson said. cricket is heading. Wanderers Stadium. make 43, were both dropped twice in disarray when Ashraf dismissed The 22-year-old's bowling played "The way we prepared for this But the hosts were unable to during the first hour of play. South both Theunis de Bruyn and new cap a crucial role in Australia's comfortable game and the research we did on forge a position of dominance, Africa also missed two run-out Zubayr Hamza in the space of two victory. Indian players. Everything leading up struggling to 135 for five at the close, opportunities. balls before Amla and Temba "We saw it at the end and the to this game, I felt was absolutely per- an overall lead of 212. Pakistan were 91 for five when Bavuma (23) added 48 for the fifth change of pace worked really well. We fect and the result was ideal tonight," Hashim Amla made a patient Imam was caught at second slip off wicket. It was left to De Kock to lift thought it would be a competitive score he added. 42 not out off 90 balls against tight, Vernon Philander but Babar Azam 4  !,! 1  1      -  = - - ) # ,!   the tempo.              9 
     


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he might not be the US First Lady the 1960s when “the Kennedys were dead” sharing it with the world as a woman. anymore, but Michelle LaVaughn and “Martin Luther King Jr had been The sense of hope in this book is Robinson Obama unquestionably killed standing on a balcony in Memphis, infectious because it is realistic and left the title much richer than it setting off riots across the country, includ- genuine. Michelle takes the guilt out of ever could have been. In fact, ing in Chicago”. At this time, Michelle is, life choices, like seeking marriage Sthat’s true for her impact on almost every- of course, only a little girl sitting in her counselling or hiring a person to cook thing she did. She managed to pull, what I father’s lap watching television at a vol- everyday meals or even forgetting to would like to call, an ‘Obama’ — she took ume loud enough to block the noise from buy the kids clothes until it’s almost several stereotypes, turned them on their the neighbourhood. “None of this really too late. She speaks on these from head, and created a whole new set of defi- registered with me (as a kid),” she writes. a non-conservative and refresh- nitions and systems to live by. And that’s But these insights into her country ing vantage point and manages the journey which her recently released become a part of her personal story as she to find a fine balance between book recounts. Becoming Michelle Obama looks back at it from the perspective of a healthy life habits and sus- is a very American tale about trying, hop- grown up African-American who has had tainability. Her take on these ing, and succeeding, and a truly satisfying the opportunity to see it being governed, increasingly common, modern one at that. The former First Lady’s more closely than almost any of her read- issues faced by working account reflects her admirably simple ers ever would have. women is enviable to approach to life — nothing is ever going She presents her country in all its say the least. She to be easy, but as long as you make a gen- colourfulness and diversity, but she still writes about them uine effort towards your goals, you can makes no claims about knowing it com- logically, respectfully, ‘become’ what you want to be, and some- pletely. The inexpressible frustration of a and honestly. times even more. This holds true for all black man who lived through The Great Communication aspects of her life that the book deals with. Depression finds space in her personal gaps between cou- Growing up as a black girl in 1960s story when she thinks back on what her ples because of the America, choosing a rewarding career grandparents were like and remembers lack of time to look at path, finding love, making marriage having ignorantly asked her grandfather, different issues together stick, raising kids, protecting the self and ‘Southside’, why he was always angry. The is one of the issues that the family while living in the White transformation that different areas in her she offers her wisdom House as the First Lady — the book dis- country faced on account of racial segre- on. “We live by the para- cusses how self-doubt crept in at each gation is something that stares her in the digms we know,” she writes as step in Michelle Obama’s head and how face as she digs the pictures from her she looks back at a rough patch in she overcame it each time, too. school yearbook and finds evidence of the her marriage and traces it back to Rarely does one come across such an “white flight” in the diminishing number the contrasting ways in which two honest self-written account of the vulner- of white faces among the students. people, even two people in love with ability and human frailty of someone The strength of character that she each other, look at the world because who has been immensely relevant to showed during her husband’s tenure can of the differences in the ways they have world politics. There have been specula- also be traced back to her childhood. been brought up. Their individual expe- tions about Michelle running for Michelle makes no bones about the fact riences have shaped their understanding President. It has also been suggested that that even though she mostly tried to of the world. And since those experiences this book is probably one of the first laugh off hurtful comments and negative have been different, their understanding steps towards painting her as a deserving coverage of herself as a wife, a mother, an ;1 ))&1,) of the same world can’t possibly be the candidate for the post. But if one goes African-American, a woman, or even just ;- 1)2>#;? same at each point of time. through even just the preface of the an individual, they often hurt. It was at She also writes about how the thought book, he/she will find that the thought these difficult times that life lessons from )B)-),- of promoting the idea of childhood nutri- seems to be far from the mind of the for- her childhood about bullies and misdi- >-:#-%) tion and healthy habits at the White House mer FLOTUS and does not quite fit into rected anger came handy. She goes back )-),- came from a deeply personal incident where her world or ambitions. “There’s a lot I all the way to a story where she got her doctor alerted her about the need to keep still don’t know about America,” she punched in the face as a kid by a class- 1)>#,1O her daughter’s Body Mass Index under check. writes in the preface. Further in the mate who was “angry about things that #:),)# She writes about what went through her mind book, she discusses her introversion that had nothing to do with her”. And years as she decided to hire a person to cook every- stuck with her even through her journey later, this wisdom offered by her mother --%? ))& day meals for the family. Similarly, she writes of “finding her own voice”. And while to a younger her would help her deal # )0;)) about how she needed to get her mother’s help talking about the contrast in the person- with the hurtful comments made about with watching her kids so that she could make alities of her husband and herself, she her and her family during Barack :1C-),-O:1B-1 some time to work out in the gym. The book even says that unlike him, a career in politics Obama’s presidency campaign. It’s this 1#,0B>), lets in the readers on one of the big secret behind would have never interested her. sense of a strongly internalised sense of her confidence — her council of girlfriends whom The book opens with the first sigh of the self that manifests as grace and )>?)B#, she can rely upon whenever she is looking for relief — even if loaded — that the first courage when one reads about Mrs #B>1!#,/ insights into an issue. There’s no part of the book African-American First Lady experienced Obama’s reaction to comments about the which tries to say that she managed to pull it off when her family life started inching shape of her butt, or the reason behind #->1!#,21>: because she is Michelle Obama and has been blessed towards somewhat “normal” after her her promotion at work, or articles about 1;#:: with superhuman gifts. All she does is stick to the husband’s tenure as the President ended. her ‘questionable’ loyalty to her husband’s rigour of trying and hoping and finding logical solu- The first chapter of the book describes the campaign, or even speculative, flimsy %>-##,% tions to the obstacles that come her way. joy that she finds in making a toast for stories about her being a man! #:#>2-1>1 Race is an issue that would inevitably have to be a herself when she is alone in the not-so- It’s this investment of Michelle part of this narrative one way or the other. Discussion fancy address that followed their stay at Obama’s book in a perceptive approach to 1O# )0#, about race never reads forced or unnatural in the book. the White House. And right from that life that puts it in a league of its own. It’s 1,-::12-, It comes as a natural curve to the flow of the narrative point, the reader knows that he/she is in not the biography of someone related to and is educative each time. Through the journey of the for a humbling narration of feelings that someone important; it doesn’t need con- )#,1,:)C- baby girl Michelle, who takes her own time to understand are anything but common. troversies about Obama as crutches to ;->1C- why white faces are disappearing from her school, to the The narrative can be read as a person- walk on. It’s also not a seedy book about time when she is aware and proud of being the first black al account that offers an alternate version how to live one’s life. It is a very upfront ) -#2))% First Lady but expects people to be able to look beyond the of politics and history. In the first section story of a little African-American girl with );->#,%# difference in skin colour, too — the book charts the journey of the book titled ‘Becoming Me’, Michelle small dreams and a large spirit. It is the 2))%-:)?-- of how far America is expected to have come on the issue of talks about the people and experiences story of an intelligent woman in love. It is race from the 1960s to the recent present. from her childhood that helped her the story of a woman who strives to be a #;-#-1- understand her world better as an adult. It good mother and a good employee at the discusses the “massive and uncertain same time. And it is also the story of a girl shift” at the heart of American politics in finding her voice, taking pride in it, and  823-

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he results of the recently held Assembly Elections in five states have hogged the limelight for many reasons. While the resur- gence of Congress in Madhya Pradesh,T Rajasthan, and Chhattisgarh was the silver lining for that party, the state of Telangana told a completely different story. The incumbent political party, the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) won in a resounding manner defeating Prajakutami, a united opposition front. The emphatic victory of TRS has made many analysts and thinkers across the country ponder over the reasons for the impressive elec- toral performance. Over the past four and a half years, TRS launched many social welfare schemes, irrigation projects and financial assistance programs. Out of all these, the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP) is something unique in many aspects. It is being built at a cost of more than 80,000 crore and is the costli- est irrigation project undertaken by any state in India so far. KLIP was originally conceived from the Dr BR Ambedkar Pranahita Chevella Sujala Sravanthi project. This was original- ly supposed to utilise 160 thousand mil- lion cubic feet (TMC) of allocated waters of the Godavari river. Hence, a barrage was proposed at a place called Tummidihatti near the Maharashtra border to divert 160 TMC of water and use it for irrigation However, irrigation projects across rivers have at various stages, issues asso- ciated with them starting from the pre- construction stage to the post-commis- sioning phase. The Pranahita Chevella pro- ject is being built across river Godavari and this river originates in Maharashtra and has a catchment basin spreading across the states of Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. Therefore, it is any- thing but unnatural for this project to fall victim to the unceasing interstate water disputes between the states having stakes. The Maharashtra Government repeat- edly expressed concerns over fixing of the Full Reservoir Level (FRL) for construct- ing the Tummidihatti Barrage due to sub- mergence of 3,786 acres of land in their ter- ritory. A considerable portion of this land at this location has been assessed as 284.3 also state of the art gas grid substations CWC within a period of nine months the Government of Telangana should constitutes the environmentally sensitive TMC which comfortably meets the sup- which occupy very less space under- including cost appraisal, environmental come out with more technical and forest areas. Consequently, the FRL had to ply and demand. The original project of ;-&#:-;#># ground, compared to conventional substa- and forest clearance — an unusual speed authentic clarification in this regard. be reduced from +152.00 to +148.00 to Pranahita Chevella has now been divided tions. The civil works being completed also for administrative approvals. Despite And it is also true that some of the stat- reduce the submergence from 3,786 to 285 into two components namely BR :1B1>>12#1), cater to the possible future expansion. TRS and BJP being at the opposite ends ed benefits can only be noticed once the acres. This was mutually agreed upon by Ambedkar Pranahita Project by con- >)*-!10,1W0- Various allied and associated works like of the political spectrum, the proactive whole project becomes operational. But both the State Governments and a final structing a barrage at Tummidihetti to compensatory afforestation are also pro- nature of CWC to the State Government the biggest issue is the operation and agreement was reached upon to construct facilitate irrigation and water supply to 1,#,?#-!1 ceeding at a breakneck speed. All this has displays a perfect example of cooperative maintenance cost that would be needed a barrage at Tummidihatti with FRL of Adilabad District in Northern Telangana 1 -1,2 01:## led to the actual cost of the project as federalism. The CWC has also appreci- to keep a project of this magnitude run- +148.00 on August 23, 2016. and the remaining segment is the KLIP. worked out to be 80,190 crore. ated the various technical aspects and the ning. Some estimates by civil society However, this is where the actual Geographically, Telangana is situated !))B)>-;#, The KLIP is being seen as a solution speed of execution of KLIP. activists peg it to be around 15,000- problems came to the surface. Detailed on the Deccan Plateau at a higher eleva- to end the water woes of Telangana by pro- While everything seems to be going 20,000 crore per annum. water availability studies carried out by tion than the elevation at which the river S6666!>)>-#,% viding uninterrupted water supply to well, there are matters to be taken care of. There are also fears that KLIP being the Government of Telangana and sub- Godavari flows in the state. Hence, irriga- 1;-!):1- agriculture for all the three seasons of the The completion of works within the a State Government project with enormous sequently by the Central Water tion through gravity canals alone is not a crop and providing drinking water to sev- schedule timeline of June 2022 without any financial burden, can impair the State’s Commission (CWC), New Delhi found feasible option and lift irrigation should be 1>>12#1),>)*-! eral villages, towns and cities of the state cost escalation remains a challenge. economy — with regards to its execution out that divertible flows at an FRL of employed. In the case of KLIP, the lift ?#,?#-1, -planned under another flagship project Technical issues may crop up during as well as subsequent annual maintenance +148.00 after deducting the upstream heights have become as high as 350 of Telangana “Mission Bhagiratha”. operations even if one loose end is left costs. Probably it is for this reason, the abstractions by Maharashtra would only meters due to the need for redesigning the 1,%1#)B#> The other takeaways include the unaddressed. Apart from these, the Telangana Government is repeatedly seek- be 44 TMC against the originally planned project because of the changed location at timely and pragmatic resolution of inter- Telangana Joint Action Committee (TJAC), ing the status of National Project for KLIP. 160 TMC. Thus, CWC has advised the Medigadda. This change in location has state water disputes between Maharashtra an activist group in the State, is claiming Time will only answer whether all these Government of Telangana to look again also imposed the need to reverse the flow from December 22 to 25, 2018 on the spill- and Telangana. Despite constitutional and that the project does not necessitate a fears are indeed true or not. into the location of the barrages to of the mighty Godavari across the way piers in Medigadda Barrage breaking statutory mechanisms, setting up of var- change in location from Tummidihatti to KLIP, in due course of time has the match the demand and supply of water. Medigadda Barrage. The project now all previous world records in concrete pour. ious river water boards and tribunals, Medigadda, notwithstanding the CWC’s potential to create an engineering mar- This made the Telangana Government constitutes seven links and 28 packages, There are many other firsts and many states across the country have not recommendations. They argue that enough vel and show the path for the country to dependent on the area in the downstream thus aiming to create a new ayacut of 18.25 records in this project. The surge pools in been successful in resolving contentious water can be drawn through gravity canals move ahead in coming up with bold and side on the river Pranahita, the largest lakh acres in 13 districts and stabilisation ‘package six’, which are used to store water issues on the river water sharing for from Tumidihetti. They even claim to have innovative approaches to solve water tributary of river Godavari. of existing ayacuts of 18.82 lakh acres. The from tunnels and lift them upwards, are decades. Telangana and Maharashtra done a scientific analysis on water avail- woes. This does not mean to say that It is in this context that an alternate project boasts of 1,531km long gravity the largest in the world. The pumps have shown the maturity and leadership ability at Tummidihatti. there are no dangers lurking around. But location for constructing the barrage pressure canals, 203km long tunnels, installed in ‘package eight’ which have suc- to move forward in a rational way with- Apart from this, they are also contest- the way in which the TRS Government across Godavari was investigated by M/S 98km long pressure pipelines, 1,832km cessfully completed the dry run, popular- out harming the interests of each other. ing the other stated benefits of KLIP with headed by Chief Minister K WAPCOS Ltd by using the latest Light long water supply routes, 22 lifts, 22 ly called as the “Bahubali Motors”, have a They showed the way forward for the respect to crop production, farmer wel- Chandrashekar Rao and Irrigation Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technique pumps, 14 reservoirs and 19 electrical capacity of 89.14 cumecs per second and country in this regard. Similarly, the CWC fare etc. While it is true that officials from Minister T Harish Rao have handled the of surveying and the location was proposed power substations. The project has been require a whopping 139 MW power for and Ministry of Water Resources have Government and TRS spokespersons situation instills more hope than fear. at Medigadda near Kaleshwaram in the racing against time with record concrete operation, both of them being world also been highly supportive in timely have been negating these claims of TJAC *   )    9  " ! Jayashankar-Bhupalapally District of pours per day. KLIP witnessed reinforced records. Similarly, package 10 boasts of assessments and clearances. KLIP has in Television debates, it is in the best inter- '!  
    ? Telangana. The water availability by CWC cement concrete pour of 22,584 cum Asia’s biggest open surge pool. There are received 10 statutory clearances from ests of transparency and accountability, 4     @@A! ?! 547-:

(< and keep fighting amid the   misogyny,” she writes. And 
# with that, she gives another

(  example of her carefully    thought out and painstaking- ly fair approach to almost     * everything — politics,    $ <7(  P racism, motherhood, mar- # * 
 riage, or just life in general. This book is relevant for s a kid in the 1960s experience when her aspira- tall black woman talking to    anybody who is interested America, Michelle tions were growing along rooms full of white people. It
 in American history, in AObama came across with her, even if without a makes her feel like “our dif- Barack Obama’s personal bitter experiences like her complete understanding of ferences are all one sees and life, in relationship advice, brother, Craig, being held up the politics of the world she all that matters”, she writes. from a more balanced and in tips on motherhood, in by an African-American inhabited. She can’t seem to understand practical perspective. fighting discrimination with policeman who couldn’t But as a grown-up, her why such a regressive ques- When it comes to fight- grace, or even in just living believe that a black kid could feelings as well as her world- tion must be asked when the ing sexism, she sees no life well. Because that’s own an expensive bike. She view turn out to be more outlook of the country and wrong in admiring even her Michelle Obama’s journey also remembers the mental informed. She is pleasantly its people in general has husband’s opponents. While in a nutshell. She does and emotional scar caused by surprised by how far her become largely progressive. writing about the campaign everything with perfection, the bump on her father’s car country has come from those As an American woman that would eventually lead to and she remembers to tell when they visited their black days of painful discrimina- in one of the most “presti- Obama’s historic win, she herself as well as her follow- neighbours who had moved tion when she finds herself gious” posts one would ever says, “Hillary (Clinton)’s gen- ers that this perfection to the suburbs, peopled feeling at home in Iowa, one hold, she finds herself work- der was used against her doesn’t come magically. mostly by white people. “Our of the more conservative ing and reworking gender relentlessly, drawing from all Instead, one has to strive for neighbourhood was middle areas. She feels reassured of norms for herself. She also the worst stereotypes. She it. Luckily for her, she learnt class and racially mixed…In this transformation when the writes about the process of was called domineering, a to do that as a kid and made 1950, 50 years before my par- general public manages to thinking back on everyday a First Lady, which is to look kids wait for a hug from the culating her husband when nag, a bitch. Her voice was a habit of it. “I spent much ents moved to South Shore, almost effortlessly look habits that she took a con- good and to make her hus- “man of the family” each she talked about his human interpreted as screechy; her of my childhood listening to the neighbourhood had been beyond the skin colour of the scious call to not pass on to band look good. And she night before they went to frailty at home in an inter- laugh was a cackle. Hillary the sound of striving…the 96 per cent white. By the ‘substitute’ presidential candi- her daughters because she quickly dismisses it too say- bed. Instead, she puts the view. She points to the preju- was Barack’s opponent, sound of people trying, time I’d leave for college in date — as she calls herself — wouldn’t want them to buy ing that while she could be onus on Dad to find time for dice embedded in that which means I wasn’t however, became the sound- 1981, it would be about 96 and embraces her for sharing into ideas of patriarchy and supportive, she could not that hug instead of arranging approach, too. Most impor- inclined to feel especially track to our life,” she writes, per cent black,” she writes her story with them. But she the hierarchy that comes reduce herself to a robot. She her and her kids’ lives around tantly, she weeds out guilt warmly toward her just then, making her story a classic explaining the transforma- is also bitter at being repeat- along with it. She talks about writes about the difficult his schedule. Michelle had from all of these decisions but I couldn’t help but example of the American tion that society was set to edly asked how it feels to be a the general expectation from decision of not having the once been accused of emas- and manages to look at them admire her ability to stand up dream coming true. 
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   France were bad at first, the British countered with a massive increase in  3+35  “logistical support” and “unprecedent- ed quantities of food”. Top leadership, 3+3S 
   at least till 1916, such as Kichener, Willcocks, and medical care head     Walter Lawrence were all distinguished old India hands, familiar with the man- 

1    ners and mores of their charges. Things were a lot meaner in the    > '    West Asian theatre. The infamous Mesopotamia Report put the finger on    the Viceroy Charles Hardinge and Commander-in-Chief in India     Beauchamp Duff for grave lapse that had thousands of Indian soldiers per-       ishing in pitiable circumstances. It    2#0# received a lot of media play and debate in parliament at Westminster. Rudyard 0&;->*-- Kipling, the celebrated author and poet of the Raj took up for the slaughtered Indian soldiers. He asked for those responsible for the British defeats in Iraq, the mismanagement and neglect, to be pilloried and punished.   And yet, there was a mood amongst the top Allied Military Brass as the war dragged on, to use the Indians for front-line action in various theatres on a relentless basis. It even claimed   British Indian Army General James Willcocks’ job, as his superior Douglas Haig, did not think much of his efforts to shield his Indian troops from attri- tion and casualties. Willcocks became persona non grata in the War Office after being fired by Haig, and could only get a job as the Governor of  Bermuda thereafter. The old style car- ing and nurturing of troops that Willcocks practiced was replaced by a more ruthlessly “scientific” approach. or the strapping, if illiterate, as widespread as France/Germany and Princely States, but to the “independent its origins in the lead up to World And then, there were the uneven peasants from the “martial British interests in Africa and Iraq. A Pukhtun tribal areas of Waziristan”. The War I, during it, and its aftermath, regulations. Apart from much lesser pay races” recruited into the Indian number of Indians won Victoria Crosses, Mahsud and Afridi tribes resisted the when the British found themselves than their European counterparts, when Army it meant a salary plus the highest award for valour, just like the British always, and with considerable with 27 per cent more territory, quite an Indian was invalidated he had to additional allowances for over- European soldiers in the Great War, and success, irrespective of whether they a lot of it in West Asia, which they return to the front after recovery. The seasF posting, and fifty acres of “irrigated not all of them posthumously either. joined their Army, or raided their posi- intended to hang on to. The British option to retire and return to his country land” that no money-lender could usurp, Politically, the Indian nationalists tions in British India. Indian Army was used extensively for after being injured or wounded was plus an “inheritable pension” on retire- decided to back the British war effort Indeed, author George Morton-Jack this purpose too, and post 1918. denied him. Only European troops ment. For those who joined up voluntari- without reservation in the expectation dwells on the preoccupation the British The Great War also went some way enjoyed this privilege. ly during World War I that ended a cen- of concessions towards Indian “self-gov- had with Muslim sentiment as they to advance the cause of racial equality It follows the ups and downs of mili- tury ago in 2018, it was a fit occupation ernment” in line with the White confronted the “Sick man of Europe” or as heavy losses, particularly in Europe, tary strategy and tactics, the dramatis for men who liked being soldiers. colonies of Australia and Canada that the “Ottoman Empire”. This mainly prompted the Allies to lay less stress of personae, and the sheer blood loss of Indians who joined as sepoys were enjoyed “Dominion status”. because Turkey was the custodian of the “colour-bar”. trench warfare. The European theatre, not promoted to the King’s Commission Instead, there was an extension of Mecca, and how the Muslim of British The civilians of France treated the particularly the Battle of the Somme, then. They could never be officers com- the Defence of India Act of 1915, with its India would react to fighting against the Indian soldiers with great kindness and was priority number one, but Indian manding British and Indian troops “powers to detain without proof and sen- Sultan of Turkey and the Caliph, was an as “Liberators” from the German yoke, troops were sent to a number of lesser alike, but enjoyed native ranks like tence to death without appeal”. And it issue of the greatest concern. As it and opened their eyes to democratic strategic spots around the globe simulta- Jemadar, Subedar, and internal promo- was soon after the war, in April 1919, turned out, there were isolated out- notions of liberty, equality and fraterni- neously. Recently, Israel made special tions instead. Nor did they enjoy equiv- that the infamous Jallianwala Bagh mas- breaks of Islamic fervour against British ty. Many were able to comprehend for mention of Indian troops in connection alent pay or facilities of White soldiers, sacre took place. The British betrayal was imperialism, but these were easily con- ' ($)($ the first time the demands of a new with the liberation of Haifa. though in the European theatre they acutely felt and sharpened the move tained. For the most part, the Indian nationalism that would have to exclude The so called “War to end all Wars” were well fed and cared for. This includ- towards independence. Muslim had no real problem fighting *+(!  ! the British in the end. was not successful, despite its millions ed excellent medical treatment and hos- In terms of anti-British activity in the against the “other” Muslim or anyone The Germans, of course, wanted to in war dead. But it certainly made an pitalisation if injured. period under review — mutinies, mur- else their officers indicated.  *
,- . provoke a Jihad amongst the Muslim international fighting force of the And yet, did the Indians fight, a half ders, desertions — provoked by British The genesis of the extensive use of Indian troops and dropped leaflets Indian soldier and added to the regi- million strong at 1918, bravely and with high-handedness, the lead belonged not independent India’s armed forces for ' 

/0 into the trenches they occupied. While mental histories of many Indian forma- zeal, for the empire? Yes, and in theatres to the subjects of British India or the UN Peace Keeping activities may have conditions in the Indian front in tions that survive to the present day. 3A      7 R  442B

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  critical progressive reinterpre- Heaven Charter, the various    ( tation of several episodes from clauses and sub-clauses of Gods          Hindu mythology. All such Power Act, and to get the right           endeavours have been under- ‘has a sense of humour and he set of couple together.   /    taken with a great degree of doesn’t mind letting his chil- Aiding him in his noble 
         research and seriousness as dren have a bit of fun’. enterprise are a motley of       # &  befits the subject matter, and Prabhakar has no pretensions famous characters: Brahma’s 8       that translates into a certain about copious or serious aide Chitragupta, the dream-  /        
 graveness of the plot, and archival research before pen- weaver Morpheus, Galileo, # &  - # (    solemnness of the idiom so ning his tale and admits relying Aryabhatta, and, Alan Turing,      
 employed. Madhur Prabhakar, on ‘stories as narrated to him’ of The Imitation Game fame. 
   who identifies himself as ‘a new as a child, various online infor- The Hindu-Muslim contrast age story teller’, a strategic mar- mation, and creative extrapola- however, seems contrived, and keting leader by profession and tions by his own initiative. deliberately stretched most of 32 a writer by choice, presents his The story lies sandwiched the time, being the weakest B2B833. debut novel 90 God Days in a between a prologue and an epi- link in the story. 92 "%12" , completely dissimilar manner, logue in the traditional epic The book shows how at the %$ ) comfortably and safely nesting style, providing the frame story end of each tale, there’s the tri- $", +/7 it within the category of of Lord Vishnu landing himself umph of Dharma despite sever- “Fiction/Fantasy/Humour”. a punishment to spend time on al hurdles; order is ultimately  C
    The intriguing title and the the earth, bereft of his godly restored towards the heart-       smartly done cover urge the powers for a period of 90 God warming end. Drawing upon   ;   
  reader to plunge into the 250 days as stipulated in the small offence…” Shiva pleads, es with the curiously named Lakshmi, while Ganesha, terri- several episodes and profes-          pages-long novel, which begins ‘Heaven Charter’ for his over- while Brahma responds, exas- Muslim atheist Karun Ahmed, bly concerned about the bal- sional technicalities from his      ,    *! quite disarmingly, with the ruling of another deity, in this perated, “Dude, I understand son of a curiouser Akshat ance of the world, both earthly strategic marketing back-  Q    >  ‘Writer’s Note’, more of a dis- case, Indra’s actions. what you’re saying…If I don’t Ahmed, retired army officer, and heavenly, plunges all his ground, Prabhakar brings the  ;   !       claimer, about not wishing to Shiva and Brahma sit in the take any actions, then Indra and his homemaker wife, powers: Mental and spiritual, world of the Gods alive in a      3S+<   hurt religious sentiments, and council meeting, deliberating and few of his other deity Shagun Ahmed, both devout towards thwarting his maternal slightly more relatable way, as       

;  how the book is about upon the quantum of punish- friends would be really pissed.” Roza-observing Muslims. aunt’s designs and making sure they discuss their anxieties,   
 
;        Prabhakar’s version of his God, ment for Vishnu, taking due After the initial shock of the The tale is spun around the his favourite uncle Vishnu stays commit mistakes and pay for 
 
   K   a God who is ‘vulnerable, at the cognizance of Indra’s com- slang lingo subsides, one is mythic and the human running on track in his earthly form. them, and yet uphold their           same time a lot of fun’ (sic). plaints. Prabhakar makes the increasingly drawn into the plot, on parallel planes: Goddess Also interwoven are narra- overarching benevolence upon   C 1       Prabhakar says he wants to Gods way too relatable to the knit deftly with no great com- Ganga decides to intervene and tives of how another God the entire human race. 90 God  /         relate to his god rather than generation Y: “Brahma buddy, plexities or surprises. The reader reclaim for once her righteous residing in the heavens, Days is a short and sweet treat        just read about him, a god who we can’t punish Vishnu for this soon takes sides and sympathis- place as Vishnu’s wife over Muhammed of the Muslims, is to be enjoyed in one go. 
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he Lok Sabha passed the will not be applicable to Bengali continued alliance with the BJP. It Union (AASU) and North East largest student-led Movement of the TCitizenship (Amendment) Bill Hindu foreigners only. Further, it is very clear that the regional par- Students Organisation (NESO) to world. And this evoked much inter- 2016 despite protest by the also says that considering these ties across the North-East will real- mobilise people. Though Union est and attention from all quarters Opposition. Why this Bill has drawn communities as persecuted ones, ly find it difficult to support the Home Minister Rajnath Singh is starting from the Central so much controversy and opposition they will all be eligible for citizen- Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, repeatedly assuring the country Government, media, and public. both from political parties and civil ship whoever has entered India till though it directly affects Assam that Assam will not have to take the Indeed, this was one of the factors society groups within and outside December 2014. This has actually only. sole burden of the migrants, it is dif- that had changed Assam’s perspec- North-East? The proposed Bill if opened a hornets’ nest across Assam At a time, when the AGP has ficult to stop the inflow as once tive on Centre-State relations in sub- passed in the Rajya Sabha will and the North-East region. That’s withdrawn support to the Sonowal migrants settle at one place, it sequent years. Academic dialogues introduce an amendment in the why the call for total revision and Government, the National People’s becomes next to impossible to and deliberations that shaped var- original Citizenship Act of 1955. recall of the Bill was echoed with Party (NPP) Government, another move them out to other places. ious narratives in the post-Assam Once it becomes an act, it will make much unhappiness as of date. constituent of the NEDA, led by One may recall that the people Movement years marked the emer- current illegal immigrants from When the times and events Conrad Sangma in Meghalaya, has of the North-East, particularly the gence of such concepts like step- Afghanistan, Pakistan and demand, political leadership, irre- voiced his discontent over the Assamese, are chauvinistic, motherly treatment, centre-periph- Bangladesh belonging to the Hindu, spective of their different ideologi- Citizenship Bill. Even the NPP was parochial or xenophobic. The inces- ery and India acting against itself in Buddhist, Sikh, Jain, Parsi and cal shades, must see to it that the the first party to raise the banner of sant influx of migrants from then regard to the State. For late Indira Christian communities eligible for indigenous people do not have to protest against the Bill last year by East Pakistan, and now Bangladesh, Gandhi-led Government at the Indian citizenship after six years of lose their identity in Assam. Today, way ahead both to the Central ethnic, cultural and linguistic iden- passing a Cabinet decision. Sangma since India’s Independence has seri- Centre, the Assam Movement was residency instead of 11 years as stip- what Assam has witnessed is exem- leadership of the party and the tity. said it was one of the most aggres- ously altered the demographic pro- simply a “deterioration of law and ulated mentioned in the Citizenship plified in the writings of Myron Government. Schooled at the cen- What the Speaker of the Assam sive manners in which their decision file of all the North-East States. This order problem”, but for Assamese Act of 1955. This was done by the Weiner (1983), who said: “Among tre of regional politics and student Assembly, Hitendranath Goswami, was conveyed to the Centre. What has largely affected the population people, it was a question of life and NDA Government after considering the most precarious political sys- activism, especially in the historic said after the Lok Sabha passed the is shocking is that the lone BJP MLA pattern of Assam. What Weiner death. Assam saw violence for years. a 400-page Joint Parliamentary tems in the world are those that seek six-year long Assam Movement, controversial Bill highlights the in the Sangma Government, AL echoed in the hey days of the After the assassination of Indira, Committee (JPC) report that thor- to hold together a society contain- Sonowal should have been well tension in the State, “As a citizen, my Hek, has stood united in its oppo- Assam Movement in 1983 still when Rajiv Gandhi took over, he oughly studied the concerns of the ing at least two ethnic groups, one aware about the ethnocentric sen- conscience cannot support any Act sition to the Citizenship Bill. Equally holds true for the locals: “Large scale signed the historic Assam Accord locals after touring the entire State of which has a bare or near major- timent of the locals. which is unacceptable to the indige- concerned, he stated that he remains migration of illegal migrants from with the AASU leadership on of Assam. However, the ity…Some form of power sharing is Now, as the Asom Gana Parisad nous people of Assam and detri- committed to protecting the inter- Bangladesh into the North-Eastern August 15, 1985, which has the very Government clarified that it will usually necessary or at least an (AGP) has moved out of the coali- mental to the unity and fraternity of est of the indigenous people of the Indian State of Assam has disrupt- sensitive clauses 5 and 6. And this ensure protection of Clause 6 of the arrangement under which one tion in Assam, it does not help the the people of Assam.” He reiterated region. Apart from Meghalaya and ed a fragile political framework. The Clause 6 has envisaged that appro- Assam Accord which categorically group wields political power, but BJP espouse the cause of regional- that views of the “people” should be Assam, rest of the States of the Assamese middle classes feared the priate constitutional, legislative and demands the constitutional safe- provides some degree of economic ism intertwined with its pan-nation- respected. Meanwhile, former MLA North-East such as Mizoram, loss of political control when the administrative safeguards shall be guards of the Assamese people. security to others.” alist image. At last voters in Assam and AICC Secretary Rana Goswami Manipur, Nagaland, Arunachal Central Government ordered elec- provided to protect, preserve and The JPC report states that the State But such arrangements are tem- will have no “right choice” left. The has lambasted the Speaker by stat- Pradesh and Tripura too are affect- tions after there was a marked promote the cultural, social and lin- and the Central Government should porary as it is affected by demo- AGP, the regional flag-bearer of ing that he has failed to take side of ed by Bangladeshi migrants over the increase in the number of migrants guistic identity and heritage of the formulate rules and regulations graphic changes both due to immi- Assam, is indirectly making difficult the public and not taking any con- years. Politically, this move by the on the electoral rolls, while Assamese people. under Clause 6A of the Assam gration and emigration, further the BJP’s task to reach out to the crete steps to express his opposition Centre to bring an amendment to Assamese and tribal cultivators This Citizenship Bill has creat- Accord to ensure that the very eth- accentuated by gradual population indigenous communities. The out- to the Citizenship (Amendment) the Citizenship Bill might be a smart reacted against land encroach- ed chaos across Assam and North- nic identity of the indigenous peo- growth among different groups of going AGP Ministers in the Sonowal Bill. move so as to create a “new vote ments.” East. Let’s wait and watch how the ple is not threatened at any cost. The people. This has eventually dis- Government came out in public say- These events bring another per- bank” around the persecuted This had led to the birth of the NDA Governments, particularly Opposition, including the Congress, rupted the political system of Assam ing that they will not continue as tinent question to the people: Will minorities, particularly the “Hindu Assam Movement which raised an the Sonowal Government, pull highlighted that the NDA leading to large-scale political vio- Ministers at the cost of the interests there be a danger for the survival of Bengalis” coming from Bangladesh. alarm against the Bangladeshi through this crisis. It’s a testing time Government is trying to dilute lence and public unrest. of the indigenous people of the State. the North East Democratic Alliance But, it does not augur well for migrants across the State. This was for both these Governments and for Clause 5 of the Assam Accord Instead of demonstrating Indeed, what the AGP leaders have (NEDA), a pet project of the BJP to North-East. Assam has been peace- a defining moment for the Assamese the indigenous peoples of Assam. which sets the cut-off date as March grandiloquence, the leadership of done rightly serves the party’s muster support from like-minded ful for over a decade, at least from people as the leadership of the 24, 1971 to detect and deport for- the State BJP-led Government future. Else, the party would have political parties and groups to anni- terrorist-infested violence. But this movement called for an all-out (The writer is an expert on eigners. In the new Bill, the Sarbananda Sonowal should have seriously damaged its electoral hilate the Congress in the North- Bill has once again given opportu- protest to expel the foreigners from international affairs, and an inde- Government proposed the cut-off convinced and conveyed the disas- prospects and relevance in State pol- East? It seems, the NEDA will have nity to numerous organisations Assam. More significant aspect was pendent researcher on contemporary date as December 31, 1971 which trous impact of such a legislation itics that is deeply enmeshed with to rethink its strategy to keep its such as the All Assam Students that it was considered as one of the issues)

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 ,","F+9+ he Muslim Women years just postpones the yria lies en-route in the er Asiatic space posits the Lieutenant Colonel Earl Brown the face of stiff confrontation of the Middle East as well as T(Protection of Rights on divorce which the husband is "4, SOregon trail of Iraq, American incursions to bolster has commented that despite by the coalition. Europe will be over sooner Marriage) Bill, 2018, which sure to obtain once he is out of Afghanistan and Syria. The peace and order, as bland inva- the partial American with- Syria saw a great deal of rather than later.” makes the practice of instan- jail. It penalises the already American nation with the phil- sions and a flouting of the can- drawal from Syria, in a snippet confrontation with the Assad We also need to delve taneous triple talaq criminal aggrieved wife and children by instantaneous triple talaq anthropic dream and with an nons of international law. The from an Al Jazeera report, forces as American missiles inside the ramifications of the offence with three years jail was keeping them in limbo and invalid, both are silent on the avowed objective of democra- critics are always out with “Our mission has not changed. rained on Syrian land. conflict in Syria. First, it firms passed in the Lok Sabha but is stuck in an unwanted marriage legally valid form of divorce. tisation and the spread of rule their “ubiquitous jholas” calling We will continue to support Associated Press in a web feed up and concretises the Shia currently pending in the Rajya for three years depending on The State could make peo- of law, entrepreneurship and the American interventions as our coalition partners, while reported, “The US military unity against the Sunni coun- Sabha due to vehement protest the not-yet-defined sustenance ple aware of the more gender constitunatilsm has always being an acerbic pronounce- also conducting a deliberate launches rare airstrikes and terparts in West Asia. The by the Opposition which has allowance. just practices of divorce in played the role of a vigilante to ments and the practice of pre- and controlled withdrawal of artillery rounds against Syrian theme of great power inter- demanded amendments. The Government could Islam such as the right of stymie the vile empires, lead- ventive diplomacy and pre- forces, while taking all mea- government-backed troops vention comes to the fore as an Given the highly politi- instead promote awareness women to initiate divorce that ers and regimes such as the one emption being dubious, as sures possible to ensure our after as many as 500 attackers inescapable entity in the larg- cised discourse surrounding that under the Muslim Women is khula and faskh, talaq-e- of Saddam Hussein. enshrined in the Article 51 of troops’ safety and that of our started what appeared to be a er rubric of the region where this practice, it is important to Act, 1986 to address the issues sunna (divorce over a period of Syria has been home to an the United Nations Charter. partners on the ground.” co-ordinated attack on US- micro nations are sublet and examine whether the Bill a Muslim woman faces in the 90 days with attempts at rec- Alawite sect’s government since Chapters VI and VII of the Thus, the coalitional fun- backed Syrian forces and US colonised in a post truth age which makes all declaration of case of instant triple talaq. onciliation) and mubaraat the times of Bashar-al-Assad’s UN Charter refer to the themes damentals of the American advisers in eastern Deir Ezzor sense of the term. The talaq, including in written or A major challenge in pro- (divorce through mutual con- father and enjoys the support of economic, political sanctions forces remain unchanged and province. US officials said the Americans too have argued electronic form, to be void (ie tecting the rights of Muslim sent). The State could also of Shia Iran and jehadi groups in the case of war on even a nothing much has come strikes were in self-defence that it is no longer the much not enforceable in law) and ille- women is the implementation spread awareness about the based in Lebanon. mere threat of war by rogue undone as far as the American after pro-government forces tom-tommed oil factor which gal, addresses the concern of of laws. There are laws already Dissolution of Muslim In the current context, the and recalcitrant state actors policy and its implementation began firing artillery and tank runs riot in West Asia as the gender justice. existing in India which can be Marriage Act, 1939, which scuffle between Assad and the across the global polity at dif- is concerned. The Syrian YPG rounds at the US-backed American oil signposts and The Bill loses sight of the used by Muslim women such gives Muslim women the right ISIS militia has intensified with ferent times. has surmised the Assad regime Syrian Democratic Forces.” footprints have moved away issue at the core of triple talaq as the Domestic Violence Act, to dissolve marriage on various the forces of President Assad An ace American adven- is welcome to counter the Thus, the conflict in Syria from West Asia, Central Asia debate: protecting the interests 2005, the Muslim Women Act, grounds. scoring victories over ISIS with turist, Colin O’ Brady, has Turkic forces as the Kurdish created a demeanour of a new and all the way to the new of women. Ensuring that the 1986, and the Dissolution of In the nikahnama or mar- the support of Kurdish militia emerged as the first human to militia know that they are no cold war confrontation found release of shale gas and deserter husband gets jail does Muslim Marriage Act, 1939. riage contract, women can in places such as Manjib as the traverse the entire length of the match for the Turkish forces. between the US and a pesky shale oil through the process of not resolve the daunting task The problem is that stipulate the terms and condi- Syrian forces backed by Russia confines of Antarctica which Syria is home to one of the new Russia. Still, the nomen- fracking in the American that lies ahead of a divorced women are not provided with tions of marriage. The triumphed over the ISIS insur- has been ably and gleefully oldest civilisations in the entire clature of new Cold War can- homeland. woman of finding economic, adequate support in pursuing Government could push for gents in the light of the tracked by GPS and other global polity with a great deal not be talked of as a grossly Thus, the sole malfeasance social and emotional support long legal battles. A criminal or certain mandatory provisions American withdrawal from technological instrumentali- of heritage being destroyed in adversarial scenario between of the US with the hidden for herself and her children. civil suit costs time, money and to be included in the nikahna- Syria and Afghanistan. ties. Thus, in the same spirit of the aftermath of the turmoil. the US and Russia as they sup- ambitions of the The provision of suste- begets social stigma. ma such as prohibition of There is an agreed con- conquering the Antarctica, the The UN terms it as the worst ported opposite sides in the Russian Empire have been nance allowance in the Bill Marginalised Muslim women instantaneous triple talaq and frontational truce between the American propensity to make humanitarian disaster since conflict but stayed away from revived as attendant themes of does not seem necessary need access to free legal aid to polygamy. allied-coalition led by the US a foray into nations and regions World War II with its flow of direct military friction in a very deliberation. because Muslim women are pursue any civil or criminal There can be a wide gap and the French with the regime with its men and equipment migrants and refugees. deftly planned manoeuvre so The Yemen quandary too already entitled to full lump suit. The Domestic Violence between legal validity and soci- forces, which has been inter- have been the cynosure of all Damascus became the avid this talk about the dawn of a lies unsolved as Saudi Arabia sum maintenance to be pro- Act provides for a State- etal validity due to the contin- locuted by Moscow. Such is the eyes with the “liberal eye”per- centre of the Islamic world but new “Red October” was there and Iran are found to be indi- vided within the iddat period appointed protection officer for ued legitimacy of religio-cul- myriad and complex detail of sistently preening with photo was replaced by Baghdad later for the exchange of media and rectly at loggerheads with each that is 90 days after divorce providing free legal aid to tural practices in the social the terror and war terrain in ops to malign the fundamen- on in 750 AD. In the contem- op-ed jibes only, in the inter- other. Still, going by its, “Global under the Muslim Women women. However, the majori- structure. If we penalise a reli- the nation state of Syria. YPG tal tenets of the US Foreign porary context, it’s the rivalry national media, including their Regular Status” and the fluid- Act, 1986. ty of victims report their cases gio-cultural practice, the result the Kurdish group has wel- Policy. between Iran and Israel which western counterparts. ity of shifting scenarios in The idea of sustenance through private lawyers than may be that women who are comed the regime to occupy Cheeky tricksters as pro- delineates the strategic equa- Steven A Cook writes in West Asia, the US would do allowance leaves Muslim protection officers due to lack situated in these diverse prac- parts of the Manjib city, which, ponents of International tion in Syria. the Foreign Policy, “Syrian well to stay put in the region, women on the mercy of desert- of awareness and availability of tices are not able to approach are further enabled by the Humanitarian Law (IHL), too, ISIS captured vast swathes regime forces hoisted their flag otherwise the “liberated er husbands, thus undermining protection officers. official legal actors for help. USA. The US establishment have been taking strategic pot of territory of Iraq and Syria, above the southern town of nations,” might be compro- the progress made in Muslim The Triple Talaq Bill has no Upholding women’s agency to has refuted the regime’s decla- shots at the nature and veneer which was to be later militat- Daraa. Although there is more mised by threatening non- women’s economic rights on provision of providing free exercise rights derived from ration of occupying Manjib of American interventions. ed against by the coalition bloodletting to come, the sym- state actors or the regional divorce through the 1986 Act. legal aid to the victims of multiple sources of law may be with a call to respect the Thus, the cause célèbre of the forces of the US, the UK and bolism was hard to miss. The thugs such as the ISIS. It is not clear whether the instantaneous triple talaq. a more effective strategy in integrity and safety of the peo- core premise of the US has France. The US began con- uprising that began in that sustenance allowance would be The Bill does not address reforming gender unjust reli- ple in the town. always been castigated since the ducting airstrikes on Syria and town on March 6, 2011, has (The writer teaches subtracted from the mainte- the ambiguities left unan- gious practices. American intervention and time it came of age as a global local allies were bolstered with finally been crushed, and the International Relations at nance amount or will be in swered in the Shayara Bano mediation has a long history power in post World War II. US military advisers as the civil war that has engulfed the Indian Institute of Public addition to it. Putting the hus- judgment. While the judg- (The writer is PhD scholar, associated with it. Still, the larg- In the context of Syria, ISIS’s gory bastions collapsed in country and destabilised parts Administration, Delhi) band behind bars for three ment and the Bill declare JNU, Delhi) 
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!  amata Banerjee is all set to address a mega rally in 5$$ Kolkata’s Parade Ground on January 19, and the All India Trinamool ;#>1;#,&#>C?# MCongress (TMC) has set a target to ensure a turnout of 15 lakh people. The rally has a two-pronged purpose: On one hand, it will be Mamata’s show of strength, and on the other, it will be a test of the Opposition’s unity. That is why all eyes are on the upcoming rally to see who turns up. Congress President Rahul Gandhi and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati are among the most eagerly awaited participants. Both parties have sent a participation confirmation, but it is yet to be seen whether the two party chiefs will attend the rally. The presence of the Left parties, especially the CPM, is also not confirmed. Apart from these, almost all stal- warts of the Opposition will attend the rally. Akhilesh Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav will certainly be a part of Mamata’s rally, as will Sharad Pawar. Sharad Yadav — who has formed the Loktantrik Janata Dal —will also attend. Former PM HD Deve Gowda will also participate, and Arvind Kejriwal has also given his consent. One peculiar thing could be the presence of Chandrababu Naidu — who is trying for an Opposition alliance — alongside KCR, who is trying to put together a federal front. From the DMK, either Stalin or Kanimozhi will partici- pate in the mega rally. The BJD’s participation is also a given, but the representative’s name has not been disclosed yet. It is clear that Mamata is trying to bring all anti-BJP parties on her dais, which is why she has that the BJP must test its strength by put an end to all doubts, Narendra Modi #   .  #0 Yadav, Anil Jain, Muralidhar Rao, V invited several activists and leaders who going alone. In fact, the Sena is ready to and Amit Shah have roped in five senior he BJP has assigned several respon- Muraleedharan, and OP Mathur — have are against the party. Jignesh Mevani, finish itself just to weaken the BJP in leaders of the party to embark on a mis- Tsibilities to Central Ministers from also been made election in-charges. who is an Independent MLA from the State. A Sena MP said his party did- sion. Shah has formed several commit- the Rajya Sabha, MPs from the Rajya Bhupendra Yadav will look after Bihar, Gujarat, has also been invited. Three for- n’t get strength from the Government. tees, and given some or the other Sabha, as well as other MLAs and min- and Anil Jain has been given mer ministers of the BJP — Shatrughan He said that the Shiv Sena had ruled the responsibility to almost all big leaders. isters to ensure the party’s victory in the Chhattisgarh. OP Mathur will oversee Sinha, Yashwant Sinha, and Arun State from 1995 to 1999, but after that, Though most of the responsibilities Lok Sabha Elections. The Lok Sabha Gujarat elections, Muralidhar Rao will 1      Shourie — have also received an invite, stayed out of power for 15 years in the given to senior leaders pertain to rou- MPs have been excluded from this exer- look after Karnataka, and V        / and are likely to be present in the rally. State, and for 10 years at the Centre. tine work, which was being accom- cise as they will be busy fighting elec- Muraleedharan will be in-charge for Despite that, its strength didn’t diminish plished by middle-level leaders. tions. Amit Shah has announced elec- Andhra Pradesh. For the rest of the *        " ,-#  but only increased. He said the Shiv Rajnath Singh will prepare the tion in-charges for 25 States. States, Amit Shah has roped in MLAs *  
  he gap between the Shiv Sena and Sena is not bothered about its own party manifesto, which, some say, is no Ten MPs and ministers from the and ministers from various States. 1   :# TBJP is widening in Maharashtra, and defeat, but would ensure the BJP’s fall. different than the previous one. Very Rajya Sabha have been given crucial Mangal Pandey — the minister from the two parties have stopped all com- The Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray little new information can be added to responsibilities and the charge of impor- Bihar, who was in-charge for Himachal 2'    munication. Sources say that from mid- is apparently of the view that when the the manifesto, which has mostly been tant States. JP Nadda has been assigned Pradesh — has now been given the 
   November to December, two attempts BJP weakens, he will get more impor- announced by Modi in rallies. Of Uttar Pradesh and all three co in- responsibility of Jharkhand. Minister of were made to start talks between them, tance, and following that, the BJP will course, Jaitley has been assigned the charges, who had been deputed earlier, Haryana, Captain Abhimanyu, has been      *K but to no avail. It is said that in both go into an alliance like it did with the charge of election campaign, a befit- will work under him. Prakash Javadekar given Punjab. UP Minister Swatantra     meetings, talks didn’t extend beyond JDU in Bihar. The Sena’s motive is to ting role at that. Former party presi- has been given Rajasthan, and Thawar Dev Singh will steer the campaign in normal courtesy. A Shiv Sena leader put the BJP in its old place, so that dent Nitin Gadkari has been given the Chand Gehlot has been made responsi- Madhya Pradesh. MLAs Nitin Naveen, ?     said when there was no talk about Uddhav’s status is like that of Balasaheb task of coordination of NGOs, a work ble for Uttarakhand. Piyush Goyal has Vishwash Sarang, Kiran Maheshwari, #  K
 alliance, there was no question of talk- among the next-generation leaders. usually done by State-level leaders. been roped in for Tamil Nadu and and CT Ravi have also been made in- ing about the seat-sharing arrangement. Sushma Swaraj has been told to pre- Puducherry, while Nirmala Sitharaman charges. Among the Central officials,  
 
  Now, Amit Shah has told his party -#       pare the literature of the party. What is has been given Delhi. Thus, five minis- Arun Singh has been given Odisha, and    leaders to gear up for a solo fight, and fter defeat in three States, the BJP interesting is that party literature ters from the Rajya Sabha have been allo- Avinash Khanna has been given Tripura has set a target to win 40 seats of the Ahas been facing many questions already exists, so her role will be clear cated important responsibilities. and J&K. Sudhanshu Trivedi has been       total 48. The Shiv Sena has also said from within and outside the party. To when she begins work on it. Five Rajya Sabha MPs — Bhupendra made co-in charge of Rajasthan. Q" ., R
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he United States and currently on hold amid stalled North Korea are forging  &   &O      '          / /     0 talks over the question of North Tahead with “back-chan- Korea’s nuclear disarmament. nel” talks to arrange a second      
      
       ,1!):#1; North Korea had earlier summit between Donald Trump, blamed the US for the delay in the US President, and Kim Jong- 8% =!  C Vietnam is a long-standing progress, reported Bloomberg un, South Korea’s Ambassador %     ally of Pyongyang that also news, citing comments from the to Washington said. “It appears enjoys good ties with North’s state newswire, KCNA. to me that back-channel com-     * Washington. Speculation about Pyongyang accused Washington munication for a North Korea- !  P#  = = locating the next summit there of not taking corresponding US summit is ongoing,” #   <  grew after Ri Yong Ho, the measures to its “excessive gifts” Ambassador Cho Yoon-je     North Korean Foreign Minister, to the US in its denuclearisation briefed reporters, according to visited at the end of November process. “How can a negotiation newswire Yonhap. He did not ! (  to early December. Bloomberg train move when North Korea is elaborate on the details but 8  !) pointed to reports that Mark the only one moving and the US added: “President Trump and 8P
 ! Lambert, a senior US State is standing still?” said KCNA. Chairman Kim have a firm will,      Department official handling “We are waiting with patience.” so I’m hopeful that a preparato- North Korean issues, also trav- Meanwhile, Canada has ry meeting (for the summit) will  < CP
  elled to Vietnam in December, also revealed that it has been be held in the near future.”    !  although it is unclear if the two involved in US-approved back- Kim’s unannounced visit to      visits overlapped. room talks in recent months. Beijing this week for talks with #3 8 P Vietnam was previously sug- According to a report by CBC Xi Jinping, the Chinese gested as a neutral location for News, Canada quietly hosted a President, has prompted specu-      the first meeting of the North five-person delegation of high- lation that his next meeting    Korean and US leaders in June. level North Korean officials in with Trump could be imminent. Writing for the East Asia September, as part of interna- The leader’s train was spotted Forum in March, Vu Minh tional efforts to convince the departing Beijing on Khuong, associate professor at hermit kingdom to abandon its Wednesday afternoon for the complete denuclearisation of the Singapore University’s Lee Kuan nuclear arsenal and respect day-long journey back to the Korean Peninsula, but the two Yew School of Public Policy, human rights. northeast border. His visit had sides have since hit an impasse described Hanoi as a symbolic A senior Government offi- been shrouded in secrecy, over what the vague declaration choice as the US and Vietnam cial told the channel that although Yonhap reported that means in practice. However, the had reconciled past grievances, Canada used a two-day window he met Xi for a hour on South Korean Ambassador’s transforming the Southeast “to push for denuclearisation Tuesday, his 35th birthday, a strategy session. South Korea had arrived for the four-day visit Korea’s historically strong ties comments suggest that impor- Asian nation’s economy. and present very real human before the two leaders dined on Tuesday said it hoped that with his wife Ri Sol Ju and top with China.Kim is expected to tant back-channel work has not “Hanoi as a city reflects how, rights concerns directly, face-to- together with their wives at the his latest trip to Beijing this officials at Xi’s invitation. stay at the highly secure been halted by the lack of visible in only one generation, diplo- face, with North Korean inter- city’s Great Hall of the People. week would act as a “stepping The two leaders met three Diaoyutai State Guest House in progress in handling Kim’s matic relations can be trans- locutors.” However, the meet- Kim is also believed to have vis- stone” for face-to-face talks times last year and Tuesday’s the Capital’s west, with meetings nuclear weapons programme. formed from hostile to collabo- ings were a one-off and a ited a pharmaceuticals factory. with the US President, with face-to-face talks precede a sec- held at the Great Hall of the Earlier this week, South rative and mutually supportive,” Canadian Foreign Ministry The North Korean leader the aim of overcoming an ond proposed summit between People, the hulking seat of the Korea’s Munhwa Ilbo reported he wrote. In the end, Singapore spokesperson confirmed that consulted closely with Xi ongoing stalemate over Kim and Trump. Kim’s visit legislature that sits next to that US officials met with their was chosen as the venue for the they did not signal an overall before and after the historic nuclear disarmament. could signal that he is seeking Tiananmen Square. North Korean counterparts in the historic summit. The timing for effort to regularise diplomatic Singapore summit and this The state-run Korean Central Xi’s views on the summit or Kim and Trump agreed in Vietnamese Capital Hanoi, for a second encounter between relations with Pyongyang. week’s trip has been viewed as News Agency reported that Kim reminding the US of North Singapore to move towards summit scheduling discussions. Kim and President Trump is * *  
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 ritney Spears has announced an indefinite hiatus from work in Border to care for her father, who is recovering from a life-threatening illness. The decision means that the launch of her show in Las Vegas, Britney: Domination, will be put on hold. It was originally scheduled to start at the Park Theater at Park MGM in February. “I am dedicating my focus and energy to care for my family,” Spears said in a statement. “We have a very special relationship and I want to be with my family at this time just like they have always been there for me. “Thank you to all my fans for your continued love and support during he was sent home, where he is expect- this time. I apologise for any inconve- ed to make a full recovery. nience this may have caused and I Spears recently finished a tour look forward to the time when I can in Europe with Pitbull. The singer be back on stage performing for all of was reportedly set to continue work you.” Two months ago Jamie Spears, on her 10th album after her latest 66, was taken to hospital, and after his residency later this year. Her first colon ruptured, he was admitted to four-year residency in Las Vegas surgery. After a post-operative period grossed close to $138m. &"; 
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rom Birdo, the 1988 Nintendo character described in the manu- Fal as a boy who “thinks he is a girl”, to Robert Yang’s recent Radiator trilogy, which includes an autoerotic game about pleasuring a gay car,      
     
    >?),?2)>%), there’s a surprisingly rich history of queer content in gaming. However, these instances are rarely portrayed as part of broader LGBTQ culture. Berlin’s Schwules Museum has opened a new exhibition called Rainbow Arcade, that does just this.  ! The show leads visitors around a rainbow, each colour a different sec- tion, covering the last 33 years of queer content in games through fan !" #$!! art, memorabilia and video interviews and drag queen Tessy LaFemme. with designers — as well as playable Made by developer CM Ralph, the titles such as Caper in the Castro, one game was only recently rediscovered of the first explicitly queer games. In and turned into a playable format y the time we are half way kind of relaxed state I probably haven’t Nottingham Trent, who specialises in this 1989 game, based around the with the help of Dr Adrienne Shaw, through the roaring twen- experienced since I left the womb. 1;)--1::,) addiction, told The Telegraph that famously queer San Franciscan thor- who co-curated the exhibition with ties, I predict that we will When my devices were handed back to )>-:-#C-&1% social media and video game compa- oughfare, players take on the role of Jan Schnorrenberg from the Schwules look back on the dying days me, I felt nothing but panic. Within a nies had a duty of care to the young lesbian detective Tracker McDyke to Museum and German gaming jour- of the current millennium’s day of being reunited with my phone, I #:),-1;0,:11-% people using their products. solve the disappearance of her friend nalist Sarah Rudolph. teenageB years with something was exhausted. My brain ached. My #!!-)B#!- ))& “There is nothing unethical about approaching horror and disbelief. We soul felt withered. I vowed not to get using psychologists,” he said. “But what will barely be able to comprehend how sucked back in, but I did, and quickly: ;#,-)0:%# is unethical is when you have a prod- we existed during a period of such my fingers scrolling through feeds !#>),)B!12#>-- uct that is consumptive and causes a  . 
  unregulated danger; we will view the before my brain had even registered #,%-C->#::1>-)B problem in a minority of people and last decade as a sort of modern day they were doing so. It felt like a relapse; you do nothing about it. There is a fine Wild West, complete with 21st century a sort of culturally endorsed form of C)%&#)0> >#1, line between customer enhancement cowboys, gunslingers and outlaws. addiction, which it is. #>- -1,2>-1>-% and exploitation. Anything were you Not sure what I am talking about? Recently, officials have announced are deliberately trying to get every Then cast your mind back to last week, there is no safe daily amount of screen :):? 00>-:? penny out of a person can be seen as to the period between Christmas and time for children. The Royal College of -,--%)>->0:- exploitative.” He said that teenagers New Year, when you had to wrestle Paediatrics and Child Health urged and children were particularly suscep- young family members off their smart parents to stop their offspring from >-20:#1),#,% tible when it came to developing prob- phones so that you could force them to using devices an hour before bedtime, >-!)-,%#1), lems with overuse. “Children’s brains engage in proper conversations with while scientific evidence linking are still developing and when young the living, breathing human beings greater screen use to depressive symp- B>)),;12;), people do things they find it more next to them. Think about the first toms has been published in BMJ Open. ;1->1)00 *-! exciting,” added Dr Griffith. thing you did this morning. Did you Last year, a group of 50 psycholo- The problem we have with social go to the loo, say good morning to gists in the US penned an open letter -B)>-11)):#- media, of course, is that there are cur- your other half, make yourself a cup of warning that their profession was rently no boundaries to remove. Until tea? Or did you check your phone for being used by social media giants to be brilliant if approached in a healthy, now, there has been scant official guid- messages, and your Twitter feed for the “manipulate children for profit”, as tech boundaried way. Remove those bound- ance about how to use it safely, and latest news on Brexit? companies consulted with “unethical” aries, however, and things start to look people who have tried to suggest limits isney has revealed it spent shone a spotlight on its finances. Social media and technology — psychologists to find techniques to a little less fantastic. have been poo-poohed as fuddy-duddy nearly £100m making Mary Movie budgets are usually a closely and the software and devices we access keep young people hooked on their In recent years, a number of for- killjoys. They will no doubt have the DPoppins Returns, the sequel to guarded secret as the studios don’t them on — have become a part of life devices. The letter came just months mer social media employees have criti- last laugh — if, indeed, there is any- the 1964 classic starring Julie have to report the budgets for them. we feel we can no longer live without. after a former Vice President at cised the methods the networks use to thing to laugh about. Young adults Andrews, in Britain. The film, with However, the costs of movies filmed There is no longer any point in talking Facebook said he felt “tremendous keep people scrolling. Justin today will eventually be seen as the Emily Blunt playing the eponymous in Britain are consolidated in single about the rise of the machines: The guilt” about his time at the social Rosenstein, who first built Facebook’s guinea pig generation, with parents nanny, brought some Christmas companies which file publicly avail- machines have already risen, and they media company: “the short-term, iconic ‘Like’ button in 2007, has since blindly trying to navigate an addictive cheer to the British box office gross- able accounts. The production compa- dominate our lives. If I sound like a dopamine-driven feedback loops that described the feature as creating process they know precious little ing £30m since it was released two nies usually have code names to stop fear-mongering survivalist, prepping we have created are destroying how “bright dings of pseudo-pleasure” that about: one they themselves have proba- weeks ago. London is also a star in them raising attention when filing for for the end of days, I don’t mean to — society works,” said Chamath have helped create “a problem at a bly fallen into. In future, I hope that the film, with some of the capital’s permits to film off-site. Mary Poppins because I am just as hopelessly addict- Palihapitiya in a talk to students at civilisation scale”. The 35-year-old has we will no more leave children alone most famous landmarks used as Returns was made by the Cherry Tree ed to my phone as anyone else, my Stanford University. now banned himself from certain with unlimited access to a Facebook backdrops for key scenes. The exteri- Lane Productions — named after the mood easily crushed or elevated by the His words put me in mind of the social networks, such as Snapchat, account than we would a carton of cig- or of the Bank of England was used address where Poppins works — amount of likes I get when I post a tobacco industry during the first half which he compares to heroin. The cre- arettes and several litres of vodka. Our for the offices of the villainous which is ultimately owned by Disney. photo on Instagram. of the twentieth century; Mark ator of the “pull to refresh” feature, brains are being rewired, slowly but banker, played by Colin Firth, and Its accounts for the 17 months to the I recently did six whole days with- Zuckerberg, perhaps, is our Marlboro Loren Brichter, has also expressed surely. We need more rules, regula- the finale of the movie takes place on end of June 2017 show that it had out my phone or laptop (for work, iron- Man. It pains me to say this, because I regret over his innovation and called tions and recommendations from on the Big Ben clock tower. total costs of £98.6m and state that ically) and for the first two days I raged have found that social media can be it “addictive”. high on this most serious of subjects, It was made at Shepperton Studios “the estimated final cost was forecast around like an addict experiencing cold brilliant — in the same way that Dr Mark Griffiths, a psycholo- before it is too late. in Surrey last year and Disney has to be in excess of the budget”. turkey, before finally falling into the chocolate and red meat and wine can gist at the University of * *  7.. 

   # #   It will be moved to the Reinford Farm named Dave. The including “thought leader,”  # # #        # #  # "  P     in Juniata County where it will be con- woman, identified in the “POTUS” and “yeet.”              large sculpture carved from a half- verted into renewable energy in the Swindon Advertiser as Tanya, Lake Superior State large purple penguin statue that ontana has a state song, a state Aton of butter was farm’s methane digester. has not seen the fish since Tuesday. University said its 44th Awas swiped from a hotel in Mballad and a state lullaby. And, created in order to pro- Pennsylvania governor Tom Wolf, Dave shared his tank with three other annual List of Words Banished Oklahoma City apparently for goodness sake, Democratic mote Pennsylvania’s state Secretary of Agriculture Russell fish and Tanya told the Advertiser she from the Queen’s English for Mis- managed to waddle back Rep. Jacob Bachmeier of Havre struggling dairy indus- Redding and former Pittsburgh has ruled out the possibility her dogs, a use, Over-use and General Uselessness home after police released sur- would like to see the 2019 try. The sculpture, which Steelers Quarterback Charlie Batch shih tzu and Yorkshire terrier, ate Dave. was chosen from a pool of submissions veillance camera images of a Legislature declare the “Hippy was unveiled attended the sculptures unveiling at “Our fish tank has a lid on it,” she from a public fed up with words like man with the $3,000 piece of Hippy Shake” Montana’s official Thursday at the the Farm Show where they helped to said. “I’ve emptied the filter, moved all “wheelhouse” to mean an area of exper- art tucked under his arm. rock and roll song. It was written 103rd annual promote the state’s dairy industry. the stones in the tank. I’ve checked all tise and phrases like “in the books” to Oklahoma City police on in 1959 by Chan Romero when Pennsylvania Farm “It’s more than just butter,” Wolf around the kitchen, checked under the mean something concluded. Friday announced that the he was a 17-year-old student at Show, features a said at the event. “It’s a way for us to counters.” Dave’s disappearance has The list included common words statue, which disappeared Billings Senior High School. soldier, doctor, fire- honor our dairy industry in a fun and inspired a Facebook page, called Finding using “-OTUS” as an initialism for “of Sunday night from the 21c Romero, who now lives in fighter and football memorable way — an industry that Davo in homage of the hit 2003 animat- the United States,” including Museum Hotel, had been Southern California, tells the player as super- we work hard to promote and support ed film Finding Nemo, and a number of “POTUS” for the president and “FLO- “returned home.” No arrests Great Falls Tribune his song heroes wearing a year-round.” Pennsylvania has the posters near her home in the Park North TUS” for the first lady. The list also have been announced. has been featured in seven or cape. The everyday second largest number of dairy farms area of Swindon, west of London. includes “wrap my head around,” Hotel staff speculated eight movies and has been heroes are holding a in the United States next to “This page is to find Davo the fish,” “platform,” “collusion,” “ghosting,” that it was stolen by some- recorded by about 20 groups, glass of milk while Wisconsin. The state lost 120 dairy one of the first posts on the Facebook “litigate,” “grapple,” “eschew,” “crusty,” one visiting a guest . including The Beatles. He says standing in a circle farms in 2016 as dairy consumption page says. “There he was last night, “optics,” “legally drunk,” “important- Surveillance images show a he’d be proud to have his song around a table that fea- nationwide has decreased. swimming around in his tank minding ly,” “accouterments” and “most impor- man carrying the artwork by honored by the Legislature. tures other dairy prod-  his own business...and then tant election of our time.” its head. The penguin is The bill’s introduction ucts such as ice cream. wooosh...he’s disappeared!” “We grapple, litigate, and then yeet about two-thirds the height of borrows from the song’s Marie Pelton and her hus-         irritating words and phrases gathered the statue thief. A spokes- lyrics in saying: “WHEREAS, band Jim Victor crafted   . " from the nominations and votes woman for the hotel said Montanans shake it to the left the piece. woman in Great Britain is O   P. 829 received during 2018,” the school said she was “thrilled the and shake it to the right and The phrase “Find Asearching for leads on her   O  6POP in a statement. “It’s the most important penguin has been do everything with all of Your Power “ is also fea- missing pet, a goldfish she Michigan university released its election of our time.” returned to our flock .” their might.” tured on the sculpture. bought five years ago Aannual list of “banished” words,    
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      sually these wish lists are prepared around       the turn of the year. But the last year being a  M     Urather tumultuous one from many angles, it  2   took around two weeks to conceive what to seek for ;   L;   in the present year. However, given the confusion       / that prevailed, this was inevitable. Moreover, the sig-        &#= nificance of 2019 is going to be of some magnitude.  
      &#= Most importantly, it is going to be the election year.       And not just any election year, because elections      have now become a regular feature of our democra-       cy. Even the previous years, too, were election years,         which always seemed to be like the proverbial straws  
 M;    1         
  
  in the wind. However, this year will witness a crucial B    election that may have a long-term impact on the    country. We may come to that a little later. The wish 366       
      #,>#*1,%->1,2; list first. Let us wish there will be more of truth and       less of half truths in the present year; the motivated    eople do not want a love that is fleet- of all love, with God. Thus, in such scoured the earth looking for hap- social media campaigns that were packaged and ing. They do not want a fleeting company only talk of the love of piness but finds it not and knows sold, rather effectively. Those lies, damn lies, and glance or a brief meeting. They want God is taking place. In such com- that the only lasting joy is in divine statistics. The most unfortunate part was that the   an everlasting glance, an everlasting pany, only kindness is exhibited. love. The disciple then seeks out number of buyers rose. Hopefully, we pray for rea-      meeting to be in an eternal state of When one comes to a gather- the company of the master. That is son to prevail over unreason, peace and amity over unionP with their beloved. They have realised ing with the master, one only wants where one sees the glimpses of strife and intolerance, and most importantly politics     there is no lasting love in this world. Even the to experience a land of love. There hope and finds relief from the suf- of growth over gimmicks. But will we get it? It all !       best and closest of relationships in this physical are many opportunities or ferings of the world. depends. Are the people still willing to live in fan-      world must ultimately end, because that is the moments in which one can be A blissful pool of divine water tasies weaved over falsehoods or will they exercise        nature of this world. Our physical forms are transported to this land. is within all the time. We can dip their logical brain? Let us hope that rationality will     made to fade. Some people live to one month People come to enjoy the peace into it anytime. When we tap into be the guiding force this year rather than frenzied        of age, some to one year, some to five years, of being in the spiritual master’s this pool, we are free from worries. rabble rousing ruling the roost. Strongly entrenched ' ' %    some to 10 years, 20, 50, and some to a 100 presence. They do not come for We enter total relaxation. Its sooth- into the 21st century and wishing India as a global      years or more. However, our physical end is gossip. When they are sitting in the ing waters caress our being, wash- superpower in years to come, we have to realise that     / inevitable. When we realise life’s imperma- master’s presence in a gathering ;-%1!1:-&,) ing away the tensions of the mind wishes are horses. In fact, you need to plan and        nence, we seek a love that will not end. When such as satsang, or are waiting for and body. When our soul is organise, direct and control your resources, while   
    we choose to love God, we love the one who darshan, they do not want to talk ;-1)>#,!-)B bathed, bliss also permeates our thinking of a future goal. The roadmaps must be      / grants us all the gifts and will never leave us. It about things not loving. In fact, 2)1,21;1,C1# mind and body. Mind is under backed by strong will and scientific approach. As it       is not a temporary love — God is eternal. some do not want to talk at all. -%1#1),;- control, so it does not disturb our is said, “Concepts without precepts are empty, pre-        When we love God, we love a beloved who is They remain absorbed within to tranquility at the level of the soul. cepts without concepts are blind.” It is not merely a       with us even beyond the gate of death. We will catch as much of the master’s 1,,->*)0>,-? Even when we are not meditat- philosophical proposition. It is a solid assertion        go to God’s abode and live in eternal wedlock glances and radiation as they can. -21,1;1,,-> ing, we can be swimming in ecsta- based on sound reasoning. We need to think how we !  O ;    with our true beloved. They do not want to be distracted sy. How? We can keep our atten- can take India where we want. From economics to ; 
   Sant Darshan Singh Ji Maharaj wrote the by talk of worldly things. :12;# )>1), tion on the divine beloved all education, from technology to agriculture, from 0    / following verse: “I am seeking a land of If we want to be in the land of 1,;-:12;:-#% hours of the day and night. While polity to society, there is an urgent need to address        love/Where there is only talk of peace and love, we should derive maximum driving, while working with our issues that are being swept under the carpet. It’s a 0    4666 kindness.” This verse describes how a spiritual benefit from our time with the ;-)0:B0>;-> hands or body, while cooking, competitive world, a challenging world, a no-free- 4635L     disciple seeks a land of love. The disciple has spiritual master. We need to come 1;1,;- while eating, while exercising, or lunches world. Everything has to be earned, and       lived countless lives of suffering and has seen as empty cups ready to receive a doing any other activity, we can earned by the slog rather than the song. We need         the pain that one can undergo in the world. He sip of love. Think of the time with 1>10#:#-> remember God. When we go to entrepreneurs and enterprise, not cheerleaders and         or she is sick of gossip and hearing the com- the spiritual master as moments in ->C-#)0> satsang, if we are receptive, we can fence-sitters. There is still a long way to go. In 0  M  plaints of others, exhausted from arguments, which we enter the temple within. let the waters of divine love flow words of Frost, it is miles to go. And we must go #  #   and fed up with violence and hatred. The disci- If we clear our mind of thoughts of 201%-)#&-0 into us. Swimming with God fills together. Against the odds, against the restraining 0 
   -  ple is tired of being in a land of ego fights, the past or future or of the world ),;-1,,-> us with love, and we become the forces that are of our own making, against the power struggles and territorial battles and and be in a state of loving receptiv- abode of non-violence, truthful- threatening cabal of our hostile neighbours. How wants to live in a land of love. ity, we would be open to receive *)0>,-?);- ness, purity, humility, and selfless are we going to cope with all these? And are we     The disciple seeks a place in which the talk the grace pouring out. Instead of -->,#:;)-1, service. By diving into the pool of going all right? To put the record straight — we are       is of peace and kindness. The disciple wants to being critical, complaining, and God, we can swim eternally in bliss. not. So it is all about how we go this year that will speak and hear sweet and loving words and to filled with anger, greed, violence, ;-:#,%)B:)C- The disciple also knows the decide the future course. It is against this backdrop enjoy the company of others in a harmonious and ego, we can act with non-vio- importance of going within that the 2019 Elections have that special signifi- state. The disciple wonders, “Is there such a lence, kindness, and selflessness. If through meditation. The inner cance. It will be the trendsetter. The all-important place and where can it be found?” we become the empty cup waiting journey begins with the inner question will be what to do. I am reminded of an Such a place the disciple is not finding in to be filled, in a receptive state, we light. Absorption in the light old school time lesson that my English teacher gave worldly company. There seems to be nothing could swim in divine bliss. leads the soul deeper and further us as we were preparing to appear for the Senior but talk of problems. The disciple wants the The disciple knows there is within. The spiritual master Cambridge exams: “Think before you ink.” There company of someone filled with peace. He or nothing in the world that will satis- serves as our guide to take us on cannot be a better proposition for the electorate. she can find that in the company of a spiritual fy him or her. There is nothing else the inner journey to the eternal They must think what the right choice is. master who has realised God. Such a saint is in the world that brings lasting home in the land of love.  -   ##! ! 1 1    ! filled with love, being merged with the source intoxication. The disciple has *           -?4     -? !A! ?!

hroughout our lives, we try to     achieve some goal, like being self-            Tsufficient, gain respect in society,    
  '  etc. However, the biggest achievement in 60$*$30/07:' 
  
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           #*1&0#> 1;,)1      Before we try to do this, we must      know what does this achieving of God truly blessed. God begins to consider painful that is. Starting from birth, one sance to Him. (9.34) God even helps      really mean? It simply means that we such a person as His own like a king has to be in the womb of one’s mother, those who are linked with Him with K   34 have successfully linked with God by treats his children. God provides what which is a small bag, where babies love in such attempts; He gives them the   M - making sincere efforts for a long time. one does not have. (9.22) God also develop prior to their birth. Then, one necessary spiritual intelligence. (10.10)    B   Lord Krishna has put a lot of emphasis ensures safety of such a person. (9.22) suffers many growing pains till suffi- In the verse # 11.55, Lord Krishna  0 
    0 on achieving God in the Gita, because This does not mean that one’s material cient immunity is built. Even after that, gives additional details. One needs to L      ' of the benefits one derives by doing so. body becomes eternal, but God protects one is not safe from diseases. (13.8) perform service to God. I do it by writ-    5H  In the verse #7.23, He states, like a mother looks after her child. God’s Then, there is the painful death. Those ing spiritual texts. One should accept      “Worshippers of Gods achieve their protection is much more significant who achieve God go to His abode. (8.21) God as shelter more than money, power,   
   
' M  mercy but fruits obtained from them because He is omnipotent. God can get This place is not destroyed even upon etc. One should try to become free from L,    are temporary. My devotees achieve Me us out of any trouble (18.58), and there the destruction of the material creation enmity towards all beings. (11.55) Lord        only.” Because what God gives have per- are many troubles brewing in this and all its inhabitants. (8.20-21) Krishna goes further in the verse #12.8 8
   5H manent values like peace of mind and impermanent place of misery. (8.15) How does one achieve such a mag- when He instructs, “Fix your mind on   1        happiness. (2.66) From the verse #9.25, God gives knowledge and memory. nificent goal? Lord Krishna has guided Me only; engage your intelligence in Me       we learn that worshippers of Gods can By His mercy, removal of delusion takes in the Gita. To begin with, one must only.” What will be the result? One will     M  obtain what Gods can give, whereas place. (15.15) This is a very big thing have faith that God exists. There are remain in God only. (12.8)

>        God’s worshippers can get what only because we, with our limited knowledge, many facts, which will convince us; we Yes, requirements to achieve God       God can give, like liberation. repeatedly get confused, even deluded. need to look for them. We must begin are a handful but the rewards are phe-    B   SI In the verse #9.29, Lord Krishna God is so merciful that He destroys the reducing attachment for material nomenal. The best part is getting bene-       informs that those who worship God darkness born of ignorance by the shin- objects, fear, and anger. We need to fits right through the process; we don’t       with devotion are in Him and He is in ing lamp of knowledge. (10.11) God also spend time with God and surrender to have to wait till reaching the goal.        them. This has huge significance. This is frees His devotees from the painful birth Him. (4.10) We need to become God’s %                    like living in a palace. One is well and and death cycle. (4.9) We all know how devotee; worship Him and offer obei-      A     ?! 
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47 #  ;  &  ;#># ;0;#,#%#%-) shall be by and large reasoned and there- dhi to discriminate upon ‘what one t the outset, I wish the valued read- criminate intelligence), and manasa fore, worth doing. The irony, however, is wants’ and ‘what is worth’ and with obvi- ers of this column a very happy (sense aided mind) being the other that whereas ahamkara always remains ous consequences. Often, ahamkara does ALohri and Makar Sankranti. With two. So, every human being has to in active mode, buddhi doesn’t play out also get drawn towards glares and glitters the Sun beginning its northerly course, it have the sense of ahamkara. Then how involuntarily. It needs to be consciously of the seeming world, and then gets is time to begin the course of our life on a come it played a devil for Ravana and invoked. That makes it incumbent upon tempted to passionately chase them. positive note. That, however, would not not Rama who killed him? us to be alert enough to consciously Evidently, if ahamkara doesn’t care to be possible unless we look at our limiting Remember, ahamkara brings in the keep buddhi in active mode. invoke buddhi for due diligence, the neg- factors and overcome them. Let us begin sense of ‘I’ consciousness in a being, The irony of the whole situation, ative tendencies carried over from the our discussion in this light. which in the first place, makes one however, is that in its usual flow, past will play out unhindered. That, act- Ravana is believed to be armed with identify with his/her body-mind ahamkara unmindfully identifies itself ing from the front has to have its bearing immense virtues. Legend suggests that he organism, differentiated from all oth- with individual specific samskara. on our decision making process. Also, had mastered Vedic scriptures, art and ers. Second, it brings in the sense of Coming as it may as Karmic carryover they do not allow our indwelling poten- music. He was a valiant fighter. Through being a ‘doer’ in one’s own right. The from the past, samskara defines the tial play out in full and evidently to our intense penance, he had acquired great choices you make, the tasks you unique character of each being. That detriment. Here lies the catch. It, there- psychic powers. Becoming empowered undertake, the way you respond or finds reflection in our day-to-day con- fore, becomes incumbent upon us to thus, he thought that he had become react to any situation, or for that mat- duct as our inherent mind-traits — indi- purify our minds of all its unwanted ten- invincible and could lead all the three ter any call that you take as an individ- vidual specific beliefs, desire trends, likes dencies which a human being is capable worlds to his whims and fancies. When ual is the prerogative of ahamkara. and dislikes, prejudices and passions, of. Remember, human mind is a unique such an inflated sense of ahamkara over- It is pertinent to note here that habits and attitudes, virtues and attribut- equipment. It could reflect upon itself to took his mind’s drive, it created situa- ahamkara, or for that matter even bud- es. Invariably, it remains loaded with a identify one’s negative traits. It could also tions where all his virtues took a back dhi and manasa don’t have a reality in bag full of both good and bad tendencies, be fed with fresh educative inputs to seat. That brought his end at the hands of their own right. They all derive their depending on the particular set of expe- address the indwelling weaknesses, and Lord Shri Ram. The question now is: Is power from the eternal element of con- riences one would have gone through in reframe the thought process. ahamkara that deadly? Ramayana is sciousness, and work in togetherness as the past. It, thus, restricts the scope of The issue continues. believed to be a real time story. But, you a unified organism. In the usual run, our vision, not allowing scope to look *     1

    never know. It could even be fictional. ahamkara is supposed to invoke buddhi beyond for a better lead.     ?FF   ! But all said and done, its import holds for due diligence before taking any call, More often than not, ahamkara gets ;1%%  ""  1""77  '' 1 good even in contemporary terms. which, manasa operating from the front going on the promptings of indwelling " KK;D Going by Samkhya Philosophy, translates into action. Evidently, if due desires. Assuming it to be its dream des- *6BBHHB@H@HCDIB@@8C;C8 ahamkara is a necessary constituent of diligence is done before taking any call, tination, it pursues it passionately. In its ! 6   A   ?! human mind, buddhi (faculty of dis- the choices made and initiatives taken overdrive, it seldom cares to invoke bud- F 6?   ?!

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