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ith political temperature Wrunning high ahead of # the Assembly polls, the Election Commission (EC) on Friday announced that voting % % ).)" " for five Assembly polls will begin on March 27 with West oon after the Election Bengal going for an eight- SCommission of India phase elections till April 9 and announced an unprecedented Assam for a three-phase exer- 8-phase Assembly election for cise till April 6. The Assembly Bengal, a furious Mamata polls in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Banerjee attacked the poll Puducherry will be held in a panel accusing it of playing a single phase on April 6. prejudiced role to the advan- The counting will be held tage of the BJP. for all five States on May 2. The TMC chief said the With the announcement of ECI was “following the com- poll schedules, the model code !" mands of Prime Minister of conduct came into effect Narendra Modi and Home from Friday evening. Terms of phases on March 26 (47 seats), elections were conducted in Minister Amit Shah,” and that the Legislative Assemblies in April 1 (39 seats), April 6 (40 seven phases in Bengal. A total the “people of Bengal will not West Bengal, Assam, Kerala seats). The last date of nomi- of 68 seats are reserved for the forgive them for giving us and Tamil Nadu are coming to nation is March 9. Scheduled Castes and 16 for the such a humiliating deal.” an end in May and June. Announcing the schedules Scheduled Tribes. Term of the cials, over 6,600 polling sta- forces will be deployed during Emerging from a Announcing the election for West Bengal, Arora said, current West Bengal Assembly tions in West Bengal have been the elections. All sensitive, crit- Trinamool Congress core com- schedule, Chief Election “For 294 seats in West Bengal, is scheduled to come to an end identified as “vulnerable” and ical and vulnerable polling sta- mittee meeting, she said, “I 0 / # ) ) / Commission Sunil Arora said the first phase of the election on May 30. 715 critical ahead of the tions have been identified and have reports that the list of # ( !" that nearly 18.68 crore electors has been scheduled on March The election for the 140 Assembly elections while over an adequate number of CAPFs phase-wise elections found in will vote at 2.7 lakh polling sta- 27 and it will cover 30 con- seats in Kerala, 234 seats in 2,654 polling stations has been will be deployed there. the BJP office completely Assam in three phases, Tamil given as per the requisition of tions for 824 seats in these stituencies. The second phase Tamil Nadu and 30 seats identified as “critical” and 338 Continued on Page 2 matches with the EC’s Nadu and Kerala in single the BJP… tell me why the dis- Assembly elections and polling of West Bengal’s Assembly elec- Puducherry will be held in a vulnerable in Assam. announcement … I think as a phase, but they are holding tricts have been divided in stations will be at the ground tions has been scheduled for single phase on April 6. Recounting the Covid-19 Constitutional body it should elections in Bengal in 8 phas- halves for the conduct of the floor without any negotiation. April 1 and will cover 30 con- Taking note of the threat of guideline issued by the com- have been more reasonable, es … why they are heaping elections… Moreover districts “There shall be maximum stituencies, followed by the intimidation and violence dur- mission in August 2020, the impartial while deciding on the such an insult on the people of like South 24 Parganas where 1,000 electors instead of 1,500 third phase on April 6 for 31 ing the poll campaign, the EC CEC said polling time has number of phases.” Bengal … the people will not the TMC is stronger, the elec- electors at a polling station and seats, the fourth on April 10 for has directed that the election been extended by an hour and Bengal had witnessed 7- take this lightly.” tions are being held in three voting will be allowed for an 44 constituencies, the fifth on security plan of poll-going door-to-door campaigning has phased elections in 2019 Lok The Bengal Chief Minister phases… This means that the extra hour, adding that April 17 for 45 seats, sixth for States will be jointly decided by been restricted to five people. New Delhi: Everyone on elec- Sabha polls. also said, “The EC is an impor- polls have been planned as per arrangements would be made 43 seats on April 22, seventh a committee comprising the He added that States can mod- tion duty for the upcoming Wondering as to why polls tant Constitutional body. If the desire of the Modi and for candidates to file nomina- phase on April 26 for 36 seats chief electoral officer, State ify the guidelines according to polls for five Assemblies will be would be held in four other they do not give justice to the Shah. But let me tell you the tions online,” he said. and last and eighth phase on police nodal officer and Central their local Covid-19 situation. vaccinated against Covid-19 States in lesser number of people then who will they Prime Minister and Home In Assam, elections will be April 29 for 35 seats.” Armed Police Forces (CAPF) The CEC also said that ade- before polling day, the Election phases, Mamata said, “They turn to? I came to know that Minister cannot misuse their held for 126 seats in three Last time, the Assembly coordinator. According to offi- quate Central paramilitary Commission said on Friday. are conducting elections in the election dates have been power like this.” * ( ( ( +, ) -./0 $ " Chinese counterpart, # $& Jaishankar said peace and tran- % quility on the border is essen- ! 36.08 lakh crore in Q3 of tial for development of bilater- 2019-20, showing a growth of & al relations. # 0.4 per cent”. Giving details of the talks, The gross domestic prod- the Ministry said India told uct (GDP) had expanded by 3.3 567 86.9 den rise” to complacency in ' & ( ) China bilateral relations have ! ! per cent in the corresponding people and not following Covid been impacted severely over period of 2019-20. In its second ust as the Delhi Government appropriate behaviour and 567 86.9 last year. “EAM said boundary !! ! advance estimates of national Jhad asserted that the coron- “assuming all is well now”. question may take time to accounts, the NSO has pro- avirus pandemic had been Dr Suranjit Chatterjee, fter India and China pulled resolve but disturbance of 567 86.9 jected 8 per cent contraction in “defeated” in the national Senior Consultant, Internal Aback troops from the peace and tranquillity, includ- 2020-21, showing the pan- Capital, cases are on the rise Medicine at Apollo Hospital, Pangong Tso (lake) stand-off ing by violence, will inevitably fter contracting for two demic impact. In its first again dramatically, as doctors said he “wasn’t surprised” to see site in Ladakh, New Delhi has have a damaging impact on the Aquarters in a row, the advance estimates released in on Friday warned the numbers the rise in daily cases as so stressed the need for disen- relationship,” the Ministry said. Indian economy entered the January, it had projected a could go up in the coming many people have thrown cau- gagement from all the other The two Ministers agreed to positive territory with a growth contraction of 7.7 per cent for months and urged people to tion to the wind, attending par- friction points for lasting peace both the Armies from the remain in touch and establish of 0.4 per cent in the October- the current fiscal as against a continue to wear masks and ties and big social gatherings, and tranquility at the Line of Pangong, and general ties a hotline, it added. December quarter, mainly due growth of four per cent in follow Covid-19 safety norms. with many of them not even Actual Control (LAC). between the two countries, According to a late-night to good performance by the of coronavirus pandemic. 2019-20. Many doctors at leading wearing masks, let alone main- Making this assertion dur- External Affairs Ministry said Press release issued by the farm, services and construction According to the data The economy had shrunk healthcare facilities here cau- taining social distancing. ing his 75-minute-long tele- here on Friday. Chinese Foreign Ministry in sectors, official data showed on released by the National by an unprecedented 24.4 per tioned that the rise was “alarm- “The coronavirus behav- phonic talks with Chinese The high-level political Beijing, Wang said China and Friday. Statistical Office (NSO), the cent in the first quarter this fis- ing” with an “upsurge” in the iour pattern seen in the West Foreign Minister Wang Yi on contact took place after the dis- India should firmly follow the Ahead of the release of the farm sector recorded a growth cal following the coronavirus number of patients going there and elsewhere tends to get Thursday, External Affairs engagement from the southern right path of mutual trust and GDP data, Sensex slumped by of 3.9 per cent, and the manu- pandemic and the resultant in the last couple of days, after seen in India, a month later, as Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar and northern banks of the cooperation between neigh- nearly 2,000 points on the fear facturing sector output grew by lockdown. In the second quar- the cases had shown a down- it happened in reporting of the said disengagement was nec- Pangong lake was completed bouring countries, and not go that long-term growth projec- 1.6 per cent in the quarter ter, the GDP declined 7.3 per ward spiral for nearly six weeks. first case in Kerala and so on essary to contemplate any de- last week. The process had astray with suspicion and dis- tion may not be sustainable. under review. cent amid a perk up in eco- Delhi had recorded 94 and so forth. So, if the US and escalation of troops. The two started on February 10 and the trust nor fall back on a road of The 0.4 per cent growth is The construction sector nomic activities after the eas- fresh Covid-19 cases on UK are seeing a surge again, we sides agreed to establish a hot- two Corps Commanders met “negative retrogression”. at the lower end of the forecast advanced by 6.2 per cent, while ing of the lockdown. February 16, the lowest in over should have become more line contact for timely exchange on Saturday last to take stock Wang noted that the two made by most of economists electricity, gas, water supply, The first and second-quar- nine months then. However, watchful and not complacent. of views. of the situation. They also dis- countries need to properly and others. and other utility services ter GDP growth figures are after a week on February 24, it The next two months will be During the talks on cussed the road map for early handle the border issue so as to Trade and hotel industry clocked a 7.3 per cent growth. revised from (-) 24.9 per cent more than doubled to 200 and even more critical and I would Thursday, the two Ministers disengagement of troops from prevent the bilateral ties from registered a contraction of 7.7 The NSO said, “GDP at and (-) 7.5 per cent provision- increased further to 220 on not be surprised if the cases also reviewed the current situ- face-off sites in Hot Spring, trapping into a “vicious cycle” per cent during the third quar- Constant (2011-12) Prices in al estimates, respectively, Thursday and 256 on Friday. show a much higher upward ation at the LAC, the process of Gogra and Depsang valley. because of it. ter this fiscal, as the sectors Q3 of 2020-21 is estimated at released in November 2020. Health experts and doctors trend,” he told PTI. smooth withdrawal of troops of During his talks with his Continued on Page 2 continued to suffer on account 36.22 lakh crore, as against Continued on Page 2 on Friday attributed this “sud- Continued on Page 2 * !! & +2 +) Union Health Ministry has Sujeet Kumar Singh, the ! & denied that the increase is due director of the NCDC con- to the new variants. firmed that monitoring has -9"58 *":9 The NCDC has asked increased after samples from 7",9 5* 5 States to keep tabs on cases these regions revealed the pres- round six weeks after her with variants arriving here ence of mutated versions of the Aarrest in a criminal case S President Joe Biden from other countries as the tally virus. “They have been further filed under several charges Ubelieves that it is important of people infected from such advised to send at least 5 per including attempt to murder, and long overdue to mod- strains has reached 194 in the cent daily samples for genome labour rights activist Naudeep ernise the immigration system, country, according to the latest sequencing as per the norm,” he Kaur was on Friday granted and this includes taking steps figures shared by the Union added. ! "# O bail by the Punjab & Haryana to help ensure highly skilled Health Ministry. Continued on Page 2 !# High Court. workers can stay in the coun- These include 187 cases of # Kaur was arrested in try, the White House has said. . / ( the UK variant, six from the Haryana’s Sonipat for gherao- Biden has revoked a poli- 0 ' - ) 1 South African variant while $%&' $ L&M & ing an industrial unit and cy issued by his predecessor 0 ' one has been found infected by demanding money from a during the Covid-19 pandem- the Brazilian one. ! company on January 12. Police ic that blocked many Green that it’s important and long ' ( & # )! # “The States have been told !) had claimed that a team of Card applicants from entering overdue to modernise our # *+, )- !" to increase monitor interna- ! cops was attacked with sticks, the US, a move that will bene- immigration system, and that tional arrivals and ensure strict Thiruvananthapuram: In "#$"# () * resulting in injuries to 7 cops. fit many Indians working in includes taking steps to help 567 86.9 (NCDC), a Central agency for isolation of positive cases, as view of rise in fresh Covid-19 + & # A case under the IPC sec- America on the H-1B visa. ensure that high skilled work- disease surveillance and pre- per protocol as well as increase cases, the Kerala Government , - & tion 307 (attempt to murder), A Green Card, known offi- ers can stay in the country and fter the UK, South Africa vention. genome sequencing in the will conduct RT-PCR tests & . # /0 384 (punishment for extor- cially as a Permanent Resident can go through the proper Aand Brazil Covid-19 strains These regions have added states,” an official from NCDC. free of cost for expatriates 1 & tion), 148 (rioting), 353 (assault Card, is a document issued to processes to stay in the coun- rose to touch to 194-mark on almost all the cases of Covid- He also said the presence of returning to the State, the , or criminal force to deter pub- immigrants to the US as evi- try,” White House Press Friday, at least 18 States, includ- 19 strain from the UK, South the foreign variants has been Government said on Friday as & + , lic servant from discharge of his dence that the bearer has been Secretary Jen Psaki told ing Maharashtra, Kerala and Africa and Brazilian variants of also found in large States such 3,671 more peopled tested 2 , ,3 & duty) and 379 B (snatching and granted the privilege of resid- reporters at her daily news Telangana have come under the SARS-CoV-2. Also, these States as Uttar Pradesh, Madhya positive, taking the infection & use of force) was registered. ing permanently. conference on Thursday. scanner of the National Centre are reporting a surge in the Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil count to 10.52 lakh. Continued on Page 2 “The President believes Continued on Page 2 for Disease Control Disease Covid-19 cases, though the Nadu, Gujarat and Rajasthan. !"#!$!%
# 1 % 2 7' ! ! & & 4 !4 3"" 4 !4 +8 !7'R % % 9: ) 24 0555 6 Shahjahanpur: Four people from different places in the dis- )"5(: % !(!1" quent Assembly elections. One were arrested on Friday on the trict on Friday morning, of the reasons for bringing him basis of a statement by a college Superintendent of Police (SP) seven-year-old girl was % !(!1" charged from the hospitals Pune district, which con- early two years after it back as an active party function student, who was found severe- S Anand told news persons. Aallegedly raped by her across the state after full recov- tinued to be the worst-affect- Nsacked him from his post as is to utilise his popularity among ly burnt and lying naked along All four have refused any relative in Uttar Pradesh’s aharashtra crossed a grim ery, the total number of peo- ed city-district in Maharashtra, the Mumbai Regional Congress the north-Indian voters in the a national highway here, police involvement, the SP said, Kanpur Dehat, according to MCovid-19 milestone of ple discharged from the hos- saw the total number of cases Committee (MRCC) chief, the run-up to the Brihanmumbai said. adding that investigations were police. 51,000 deaths on Friday, as 48 pitals since the second week of increase from 4,05,307 to Sonia Gandhi-led party on Municipal Corporation (BMC) The BA second-year stu- underway. The accused, identified more people succumbed to March last year went up to 4,06,752, while the total num- Friday rehabilitated Sanjay polls. Nirupam is one of the dent of a college run by the In her statement before as Pawan Raidas, alias Guddu the pandemic in various parts 20,17,303 The recovery rate in ber of deaths in Pune went up Nirupam and appointed him as MPCC’s three additional Mumukshu Ashram of former the magistrate, the victim said (30), had taken the girl to a of the State. the state dropped marginally from 8,048 to 8052. one of the three additional Parliamentary board members, Union Minister Swami that a woman friend of hers agricultural field on Thursday On the third consecutive from 94.49 per cent to 94.35 Thane district remained in Maharashtra Parliamentary while the other two are senior Chinmayanand said in a state- had sent her to meet the evening and raped her, said day when the Covid-19 infec- per cent. the third spot — after Pune board members. city party leaders Eknath ment before a magistrate that friend’s cousin and a male Superintendent of Police tions shot past 8,000 mark to With three fresh deaths, and Mumbai – after the total Nirupam — who had been Gaikwad and Janardhan three people tried to rape her classmate at an orchard near Keshav Kumar Chowdhary. touch a daily case tally of the Covid-19 toll in Mumbai number of infections rose from removed as the MRCC president Chandurkar. in a field near Rai Kheda village Rai Kheda village, saying she The girl was found uncon- 8,333, the State witnessed 48 rose from 11,463 to 11,466 2,78,288 to 2,78,966, while the and replaced with former MP In addition, the Congress on Monday. would be joining them soon, scious by her family members more deaths. while the infected cases went total deaths climbed from Nehru-Gandhi family loyalist appointed Nana Gavande, When they did not suc- the SP said. and later she narrated her With the fresh deaths, the up by 1035 to trigger a jump in 5,803 to 5,805. Milind Deora on March 25, Sachin Naik, Sanjay Rathod and ceed, they poured kerosene She left the college through ordeal to them, police said. total Covid-19 deaths in the the infections from 3,22,844 to Of the 1,61,12,519 samples 2019 in the run-up to the 2019 Charulatha Tokas and MPCC’s and set her on fire, she alleged. a broken boundary wall instead The girl was taken to a State jumped from 51,993 to 3,23,879. sent to laboratories, 21,38,154 Lok Sabha polls — was virtual- four new Vice-Presidents. On the basis of the state- of going through the main district hospital where she is 52,041. Meanwhile, the number have tested positive (13.27 per ly in the doghouse before the The MPCC re-jig comes ment recorded at a hospital in gate, where her father was under treatment. Similarly, with 8,333 new of “active cases” total cases in cent) for Covid-19 until Friday. Congress decided to bring him three weeks after Congress pres- Lucknow where the woman is waiting for her. The victim’s An FIR has been regis- cases, the total infections the state went up from 64,260 Currently, 3,18,707 people in a party post. ident Sonia Gandhi appointed undergoing treatment, four father used to bring her to the tered under relevant sections recorded till date has increased to 67,608. The fatality rate in are in home quarantine while A sulking Nirupam had not former Speaker Nana Patole in people, including a female college once a week or a fort- of the IPC and police are from 21,29,821 to 21,38,134. the state dropped from 2.44 2,688 people are in institutional campaigned for the party dur- place of State Revenue Minister friend who had allegedly sent night and wait outside till searching for the accused, As 4,936 patients were dis- per cent to 2.43 per cent. quarantine. ing the 2019 LS and the subse- Balasaheb Thorat. her to the field, were arrested classes ended. who is on the run.
being voted out in Kerala Assembly " % 2 at broader de-escalation of troops in the 344% -! -, election. However, the Congress is area and work towards restoration of banking on the very trend that peace and tranquility. New Delhi: A man and his Modinagar in Uttar Pradesh Police said Johnny and his Kerala votes out the incumbent & ... Wang, on his part, expressed satisfac- three associates were arrested and the minor’s body was associates kidnapped the girl, >>> coalition in every election. The BJP tion at the progress made so far and said on Friday for allegedly abduct- recovered from a field in Tibra who lived in east Delhi’s has invested much of its political From Page 1 it was an important step forward for ing and killing a nine-year-old village, they said. Kalyanpuri, to extort money From Page 1 energy in Kerala and has roped in Jaishankar referred to their meeting in restoration of peace and tranquility in the girl with an iron rod, police On February 23, the girl’s from her parents. The 2021 West Bengal several veterans, particularly from September 2020 in Moscow where the border areas, according to the ministry said. parents had lodged a complaint Johnny and Naresh abduct- Assembly election gains signifi- the Congress in the run up to the Indian side had expressed its concern on statement. Johnny alias Shiva, who is at Kalyanpuri police station ed the girl in their car. Later, cance as Chief Minister Mamata Assembly election. provocative behaviour and unilateral Wang also spoke about the need to a driver by profession, and his stating that their daughter had they were joined by Tarun and Banerjee faces a stiff challenge In Puducherry, the fight has attempts of the Chinese side to alter the sta- improve management and control in the associates Naresh, Kailash and gone missing, according to the other associates, a senior police from the Bharatiya Janata Party been between the Congress and All tus quo, according to the Ministry state- border areas, while Jaishankar highlighted Tarun were arrested from police. officer said. PTI (BJP) which has increased its foot- Indian NR Congress led by former ment. that both sides had always agreed that prints in the State considerably over Chief Minister N Rangasamy. The Minister said during their meet- maintenance of peace in the border areas the past five years. The Mamata Puducherry is the last Congress ing in Moscow last year they had agreed was essential basis for development of bilat- 2< Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress bastion in the South that it recent- that the situation in the border areas was eral relations. , >>> (TMC) has been in power in West ly lost due to a series of resignations. not in the interest of either side and “A prolongation of the existing situa- ! Bengal for the past 10 years, fol- The BJP has big stakes in Assam decided that the border troops of both sides tion was not in the interest of either side. lowing her historic victory over the where it is facing backlash from should continue their dialogue, quickly dis- It was, therefore, necessary that the two From Page 1 !R ! Left Front Government that had indigenous communities due to the engage and ease tensions. sides should The per capita income in ruled Bengal for 34 years at a Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). Jaishankar said the two sides had work towards early resolution of real terms (at 2011-12 prices) !4 stretch. In the 2021 Assembly elec- The Assembly elections in Tamil maintained continuous communication remaining issues. It was necessary to dis- during 2020-21 is estimated to ! 4=0 tions in West Bengal, the TMC and Nadu are also under much spotlight since then through both diplomatic and engage at all friction points in order to con- attain a level of Rs 85,929 as the BJP are being seen as the main as it is the first Assembly election to military channels. This had led to progress template de-escalation of forces in this sec- compared to Rs 94,566 in 2019- 567 86.9 competitors. The Congress and the be held without late Chief Ministers as both sides had successfully disengaged tor. That alone will lead to the restoration 20 -- showing a contraction of Left Front have announced to con- J Jayalalithaa and M Karunanidhi. in the Pangong lake area earlier this of peace and tranquility and provide con- 9.1 percent in 2019-20 as viation regulator DGCA test the election as alliance partners. The EC will appoint two special month. At the 10th round of the senior ditions for progress of our bilateral rela- against 2.5 per cent growth in Aon Friday extended the Kerala is poised for a possible observers for West Bengal and a commanders’ meeting last week, India tionship,” it said. Wang also noted that the the previous fiscal, it stated. suspension of international triangular electoral battle for the third can also be sent if required, insisted on a faster disengagement process Indian side had proposed “three mutuals” Meanwhile, the BSE Sensex commercial passenger flight first time in the upcoming assem- Arora said in response to queries on in Hot Springs, Gogra and Depsang to — mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and crashed about 1,940 points to services till March 31. bly election. The LDF led by the whether enough arrangements are defuse tension in the region. mutual interests — as the approach to the post its biggest single-day fall Scheduled international flight CPI-M is hoping under Chief in place for the polls in the State, Jaishankar told Wang that once disen- relationship. He also agreed on the impor- in nearly 10 months and the operations were suspended Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to buck where many have been raising gagement is completed at all friction tance of taking the long view of ties NSE Nifty plunged over 568 from March 23 last year in the the trend of a ruling coalition questions about political violence. points, then the two sides could also look between the two neighbours. points to crack below the psy- wake of the Covid-19 pan- chological 15,000-mark on demic in the country. Friday, tracking global selloffs “In partial modification of more severity to the disease) country. These variants have ! monology and critical care triggered by a panic in bond circular dated June 26, 2020, 03 >>> and could be behind the surge been found circulating in a few consultant at Fortis Hospital, markets overseas. the competent authority has in daily infections India has districts of Maharashtra, Kerala 4!24!>>> Vasant Kunj, echoed At the day’s close, the 30- further extended the validity... From Page 1 been recording for over a week. and Telangana. Chatterjee’s apprehensions. share BSE Sensex settled regarding scheduled interna- Scientists and researchers Amid this, the Centre has States such as Maharashtra, From Page 1 “The surge in the last 1,939.32 points or 3.80 per cent tional commercial passenger believe that the mutations in confirmed detection of two Kerala, Madhya Pradesh have Chatterjee, himself a three days is alarming. From lower at 49,099.99 - its worst services to and from India till the foreign variants have new strains of the novel coro- again reported a surge in Covid Covid-19 survivor, lamented 94 cases earlier this month, it one-day fall since May 4 last 23.59 pm IST of March 31, enhanced the transmissibility navirus--N440K and E484Q - cases. However, the Ministry that people are attending birth- has gone up to 220 reported year. 2021,” the DGCA said on of the virus as well as its viru- - other than the Brazilian, the has denied that the rise is due day parties, marriages and yesterday. At our hospital, the Similarly, the broader NSE Friday. lence (the capability to bring UK and South African in the to the new variant. house warming functions, with number of patients showing Nifty plunged 568.20 points or However, international very few people wearing masks up with Covid-like symptoms 3.76 percent to close the session scheduled flights may be or not wearing them properly or making calls to enquire at 14,529.15 - the biggest sin- allowed on select routes by the Indian IT professionals, ers in speciality occupations and not adhering to safety after exhibiting the symp- gle-day drop since March 23 competent authority on case- most of whom are highly that require theoretical or tech- norms needed to check the toms, has gone up. These last year. to-case basis, it said.The & skilled and come to the US nical expertise. Technology spread of the virus that has a patients had a travel history, or On the Sensex chart, all 30 restriction will not apply to mainly on the H-1B work visas, companies depend on it to hire “mutant tendency” as seen in had just attended a marriage constituents ended in the red, cargo flights and flights specif- & are the worst sufferers of the tens of thousands of employees the UK. function or other social gath- with eight scrips logging over ically approved by DGCA, current immigration system each year from countries like Dr Richa Sareen, pul- ering,” she said. 5 per cent drop. the circular added. From Page 1 which imposes a seven per cent India and China. “So, we are eager to work per country quota on allotment Reopening the country to with Democrats and of the coveted Green Card or people seeking green cards, or * !! >>> peaceful demonstration is a right which Republicans in Congress to permanent legal residency. legal permanent residence, can be traced to the fundamental right get that done,” she said a day The H-1B visa, the most Biden in his proclamation on From Page 1 but this right is subject to reasonable after Biden issued the procla- sought after among Indian IT Wednesday said that the poli- While accepting Kaur’s bail plea on restriction. mation reversing the decision professionals, is a non-immi- cy of former president Trump Friday, Justice Avneesh Jhingan said the “It would be appropriate to say that of his predecessor Donald grant visa that allows US com- does not advance the interests issue with regard to invoking of Section the right to peaceful protest is circum- Trump. panies to employ foreign work- of the United States. 307, 332, 353 and 379-B IPC would be scribed by a thin line. The crossing of a “debatable issue” to be considered at line may change the colour of protest. a later stage during the trial. It would be subject matter of trial as to In his order, the judge said, “….It whether the line for peaceful protest was will suffice that the petitioner shall crossed in the alleged incident or not,” maintain a restrain while being on bail as per order. to ensure that no law and order issue “Considering the material placed on arises due to her actions.” record before this Court, the issue with The single judge bench cited that regard to invoking of Section 307, 332, the Supreme Court in case of Anita 353 and 379-B IPC would be a debat- Thakur and others versus Govt. Of J&K able issue and to be considered during and others, 2016, held that holding of the trial,” according to the order.
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&!! ! ! & 5& + # - ! ' % & #- 78 # %2 % 2 & 567 86.9 order to induce the public at large. A case was already reg- he Economic Offences istered under section 567 86.9 remained safe. Also the bank TWing (EOW) of Delhi 406,409,420,120B Indian Penal *(:(*:"! alarms start hooting which Police has arrested a treasurer- Code (IPC) at EOW police sta- nspired by the dedication of compell the thief to fled the cum-authorised signatory of tion against Rudra Welfare IAam Aadmi Party (AAP) in n unidentified thief dug a 5- spot," Preet Pal Sangwan, ACP Rudra Welfare Society for his Society,” said the Joint CP. providing schooling, health- Afeet-long and 4-feet-deep (crime) said, adding that the alleged involvement in cheating “As per the report procured care, road and transport, elec- tunnel and barged into a Canara efforts were being made to homebuyers under the garb of from DDA, it has not issued tricity, water and WiFi facilities bank branch in the early hours identify the culprit based on the land pooling policy of Delhi any license or approval to the to the citizens of Delhi, of Thursday, although his heist CCTV footage. Development Authority Rudra Welfare Society and it is Additional District Judge attempt failed as he could not The bank employees told (DDA). not authorized to advertise, (Retd) Sukhbir Singh Malhotra open the safe of the bank locat- the police that this tunnel was The accused has been iden- book, sell and invite persons to joined hands with the party. ed in Lakhuwas village in Sohna dug to the record room. tified as Prahlad Aggarwal sectors under Land Pooling purchase any plot or flat in any Senior AAP Leader and block, police said said on Friday. "A thief was seen walking (45), a resident of Ghaziabad in Policy. As per the investigation project under the land pooling Deputy Chief Minister Manish The incident came to light in the record room in the Uttar Pradesh (UP). and the contents available on area without any prior regis- Sisodia welcomed Sukhbir on Thursday morning when the CCTV cameras. He entered the According to Dr OP the alleged website it has come tration of the project under Singh into the party by hon- & ) ) .# employees entered into the record room of the bank from Mishra, the Joint out that the name of Land RERA. Investments to the tune ouring him with a turban. 3 4(- #) & ( & branch of Canara bank and the tunnel at around 3.15 am. Commissioner of Police, EOW, Pooling Policy of DDA has of approximately Rs. 8.11 Sisodia said, “The vision to 5 found the opening of the tun- However, the thief did not various attractive schemes were been used to give an impression Crores were collected by this provide the best services to the nel inside the bank. They imme- find the cash there and being floated in the market by and spread a message in the Society from 290 innocent vic- people of Delhi, that our Chief today with the joining of a added. diately informed the police returned," said a bank employ- different societies and builders masses that the projects are tims,” said the Joint CP. Minister Arvind Kejriwal Retired Judge Sukhbir Singh, Retd Additional Judge about the incident, police said. ee on requesting anonymity. in the name of DDA’s land duly authorized by the com- “The accused Prahlad believed in, has now become a someone who has years of Sukhbir Singh Malhotra said, It was dug from the back "In connection with the pooling policy demanding reg- petent authority,” said the Joint Aggarwal was arrested by the reality. I welcome Sukhbir experience in the workings of “I have extended my hand side wall of the bank. The incident a case was registered istration fee and initial payment CP. EOW team on February 25. Singh into our party with the the law. I know that our party and joined AAP because I entire incident was captured in against an unknown person at booking of property. “In this way, the facts have Previously Bharat Khanna and hope that he furthers this peo- will only benefit from the believe in the vision of this the CCTV cameras installed the Sohna City police station “However, DDA has not been misrepresented and the Paras Aggarwal, the office bear- ple-centric vision of AAP and joining of such an esteemed party and its rightful actions. inside the bank, they added. on a complaint filed by the issued any license or authorized material information with ers and authorized signatories does wonders in making Delhi personality, especially when I want to join the AAP and "The thief entered into the bank management. Further any developer, builder, society regard to the DDA’s approval of this Society were arrested a progressive city.” we make laws keeping in mind work for the aam aadmi, the branch but could not open the investigation is underway," and company to undertake the pertaining to the proposed and charge sheet filed against “I am filled with happiness the needs of our citizens,” he people of this nation.” safe despite efforts, so the cash Sangwan said. process of development in the projects has been suppressed in both,” the Joint CP added. 9* :*- ) " $! ! ! - # % ( ! 4! Besides this, wooden-based 567 86.9 pyre increases pollution level,” he said. 567 86.9 567 86.9 Compressed Natural Gas Member of Parliament A(CNG)-based cremation Pravesh Sahib Singh Verma he Police Families Welfare man was killed allegedly centre, constructed by South along with Chairman of West TSociety (PWFS) president, Aafter a speeding Mercedes Delhi Municipal Corporation Zone Colonel BK Oberoi, Pratima Shrivastava, inaugu- hit his scooter in south Delhi's (SDMC), was inaugurated on Additional Commissioner rated a herbal garden Vasant Vihar area. Police said Friday in Subhash Nagar. Ramesh Verma, Deputy “Sanjeevani” and an activity that the victim has been iden- Leader of House Narendra Commissioner Rahul Singh hall at Model Town Police tified as Antony Joseph, a Chawla said that a total of 2 was present on the occasion. Colony. domestic help. crore incurred by the SDMC Chawla said that with According to official, this Police said that the and the entire work was fin- the inauguration of the garden has more than 20 vari- requested them to take care of Esha Pandey, the Deputy deceased hailed from ished in a span of six months. new CNG-based facility, peo- ety of medicinal and culinary the garden as their own. Commissioner of Police Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh. “A large size hall has also ple living in this area will be value plants. During the occa- A small cultural pro- (DCP), Police Control Room His wife is a cook in the house been constructed where two able to perform last rites of sion, the President PFWS sug- gramme was also performed (PCR) along with other police of a US Embassy official in CNG-based furnaces have been human bodies in their close gested to have such herbal by the children and women of officials was also present on the Vasant Vihar and they both Southwest district, Joseph died been arrested. Medical test was made. The CNG-based furnace proximity. garden at every welfare centres. the colony in honour of the occasion. “The event was well lived in servant quarters, the on the spot after the accident at done and no alcohol found in takes 80 minutes in performing He said that the move of She also addressed the res- President PFWS’s visit, high- received by the colony resi- police added. 11:45 pm on Thursday. his blood,” said the DCP. the last rite while wooden- SDMC will help in protecting idents and apprised them the lighting the importance of liv- dents. There was enthusiasm According to Ingit Pratap "A case was registered The father of the accused based pyre takes 3 to 4 hours the environment as it will benefits n importance of herbs ing in tune with the environ- and excitement all around,” Singh, the Deputy under relevant sections and has a jewellery shop in a Saket in performing the last rites. reduce pollution in the city. and plant in our life. She also ment. said the official. Commissioner of Police (DCP), accused Aryan Jain (18) has mall, the police said. !"#!$!% " 0/) ! ! ! "- " #$" %& - # - ( 5 " & 0 567 86.9 ( & he Council of Scientific 567 86.9 tered this case as RC- Tand Industrial Research 567 86.9 03/2020/NIA/LKW on April (CSIR), India’s apex scientific he NIA has filed a supple- 6, 2020 and took up the research organisation, head he NIA on Friday filed a Tmentary chargesheet investigation. Shekhar Mande on Friday bat- Tchargesheet before Special against accused Rajakbhai Earlier, a chargesheet was samples were tested on ted for US based Pfizer and NIA Court here against 11 Kumbhar of Mundra, Gujarat filed against Rashid on July 567 86.9 Thursday. BioNtech’s Covid-19 vaccine members of Al Qaeda/AQIS in an espionage case of Uttar 16 last year for his role in A total of 1,56,825 deaths saying that he will try to “con- from West Bengal and Kerala Pradesh relating to passing on supplying sensitive, tactical resh Covid-19 cases are have been reported in the vince” the Government to ini- under various IPC Sections defence secrets to ISI opera- and strategically important Fshowing a worrying country so far, including tiate talks with the pharma and provisions of the Unlawful tives. information about vital upward trend over the past one 51,993 from Maharashtra, giant and find out ways to Activities Prevention Act. Kumbhar has been installations and movement week with India recording its 12,483 from Tamil Nadu, bring it back for vaccination of be stored at warmer tempera- However, on February 5, 2021 Those chargesheeted are charged for Indian Penal Code of Indian security forces to single-day increase of above 12,316 from Karnataka, 10,905 people in India. tures. the company decided to with- Murshid Hasan alias Sofiq, Sections relating to criminal his ISI handlers based in 16,000 for the second consec- from Delhi, 10,260 from West Not only Pfizer, he said, Earlier, the vaccine draw its application. Mosaraf Hoseen, Mainul conspiracy and waging war Pakistan. utive day on Friday. The infec- Bengal, 8,723 from Uttar the government should also required storage temperatures According to the minutes Mandal, Lea Yean Ahmed alias against Government of India “The chargesheeted tion tally rose to 1,10,63,491, Pradesh, and 7,168 from consider inviting Johnson & between -80ºC and -60ºC, of the meeting of the Subject Leion, Najmus Sakib, Iyakub besides provisions of the accused Rajakbhai Kumbhar while the recoveries have Andhra Pradesh. Johnson, Sputnik and which made the vaccine less Expert Committee (SEC), the Biswas, Samim Ansari, Abu Unlawful Activities was arrested on September 30 surged to 1,07,50,680. Meanwhile, the country Moderna to India and assert- viable for India. expert panel that recommends Sufian, Atiur Rahman, Al (Prevention) Act. last year. Further investigation According to data from the has so far since January 26, ed that India will need at least Also, the requirement of vaccines to India’s drug regu- Mamun Kamal and Abdul The case was initially had revealed that he had vis- Union Health Ministry on 2021, vaccinated 1,34,72,643 4 other vaccines to help finish multiple options of vaccine lator for approval, it had Momin Mandal. They have registered as FIR No. 01/2020 ited Pakistan twice on legal Friday, a total 16,577 infections healthcare and frontline work- immunisation drive faster. candidates in India will soon turned down Pfizer’s propos- been charged for criminal con- dated January 19, 2020 at documents. During his return were reported in a day, while ers. However, no vaccination Pfizer had applied for an go up as India Wednesday said al as the company did not spiracy, waging war against Police Station-ATS, Gomti in the course of second visit, the death toll increased to will take place on Saturday and emergency-use nod for its private hospitals could start show interest in conducting the nation, collecting arms Nagar, Lucknow in which Kumbhar had come in con- 1,56,825 with 120 new fatali- Sunday as the Centre will Covid vaccine in India, but vaccination now. ‘bridging trials’ in India. with intention to wage war accused Md. Rashid of tact with Pakistani ISI oper- ties. As per the data, the Union enable transition of CoWIN withdrew its application earli- “I am not aware of the “The firm has not pro- against the Government of Mughal Sarai, Chandoli, UP atives Hamid alias Asim and Territory of Lakshadweep has app from version 1.0 to 2.0 er this month. issues due to which Pfizer posed any plan to generate India besides provisions of UA was arrested on January 19, he had joined the conspiracy reported its first death. The 120 ahead of the commencement Mande’s comment comes had withdrawn the application safety and immunogenicity (P) A and Arms Act. 2020 for supplying sensitive with the co-accused. He new fatalities include 56 from of vaccination from March 1 in the backdrop of a study that but now the regulator and data in Indian population,” The instant case was regis- information, photos and transferred funds to accused Maharashtra, 14 from Kerala, for people above 60 years of said that a single dose of Pfizer company should try to find a the minutes read. tered following inputs about an videos of vital installations of Md. Rashid for the informa- 13 from Punjab. age and those above 45 years and BioNtech’s Covid-19 vac- middle way. Pfizer is per- However, Mande said he Al Qaeda inspired module strategic importance to ISI tion he had provided to the The number of active cases with comorbidities, said the cine cuts the number of forming very well in other would not like to comment on sprouting and operating in operatives based in Pakistan. ISI operatives in Pakistan,” the increased to 1,55,986, which Ministry. asymptomatic infections and countries,” he told a news why the company withdrew its West Bengal and Kerala under The NIA had re-regis- NIA said in a statement. accounts for 1.41 per cent of The vaccination will take could significantly reduce the agency. application. “I want both of the leadership of Murshid the total infections, the data place at around 10,000 gov- risk of transmission of the Pfizer was the first phar- them, the company and the Hasan alias Sofiq and that the Hasan along with his other and ammunition/explosive stated. The number of people ernment facilities which will be virus. In fact, Pfizer had also maceutical firm to apply for regulator to find a middle members of this module were associates conspired to radi- materials, radicalising and who have recuperated from the free of cost. However, at private announced earlier this week emergency-use authorisation way,” he said, according to the in an advanced stage of con- calise and recruit more indi- recruiting more members and disease surged to 1,07,50,680 hospitals, beneficiaries will that its Covid-19 vaccine can for its Covid vaccine in India. agency. spiracy to execute terrorist viduals into the terrorist organ- charting out the future course which translates into a nation- have to pay for vaccination. attacks in different parts of the isation Al Qaeda,” the NIA said of action including establishing al recovery rate of 97.17 per country. in a statement. a Markaz (a training centre for cent. The case fatality rate In synchronised raids con- The accused persons providing religious and stood at 1.42 per cent. !9" & -0D & ! >0 ducted on September 19, 2020 allegedly disseminated radical weapons training to new India’s Covid-19 tally had across West Bengal and Kerala, material through social media recruits). The accused persons crossed the 20-lakh mark on 567 86.9 fully overcome the pandem- nine alleged terrorists were and encrypted chat platforms were also in active communi- August 7; 30 lakh on August ic. arrested. Subsequently, two with an intention to radicalise cation with an arms dealer 23; 40 lakh on September 5; he Home Ministry on The States and Union more terror operatives were and recruit others for estab- through their foreign based and 50 lakh on September 16. TFriday said the existing Territories have also been arrested from West Bengal on lishing an Islamic State by handlers and were planning to It went past 60 lakh on Covid-19 guidelines will advised to speed up the vac- August 26, 2020 and waging violent jihad in India, receive a consignment of September 28; 70 lakh on remain in force till March 31. cination of the target November1, 2020. it said. sophisticated arms and ammu- October 11; 80 lakh on In a statement, the population so as to break the “Investigation has revealed Investigation has also nition in the national capital. October 29; 90 lakh on Ministry of Home Affairs chain of transmission and that Murshid Hasan alias Sofiq revealed that the group mem- “However, their nefarious November 20; and the one- (MHA) said while there has overcome the pandemic. was in touch with Al Qaeda bers planned to attack indi- plans were obviated by their crore mark on December 19. been a substantial decline in Accordingly, containment handlers based in Pakistan and viduals whom they consider timely arrest by NIA. The According to the Indian the active and new Covid-19 zones will continue to be Bangladesh and had received Kafirs. accused persons were plan- Council of Medical Research cases, there is need to main- demarcated carefully and instructions along with radical The group members had ning to attack among others, an (ICMR), 21,46,61,465 samples tain surveillance, contain- prescribed containment mea- propaganda material through conducted a series of conspir- India based Bangladeshi blog- have been tested up to ment and caution so as to sures will be strictly followed. encrypted social media plat- atorial meetings for raising ger for his views expressed on February 25, of which 8,31,807 forms from them. Murshid funds for the purchase of arms social media,” it added. -### - & B # & /" & / # 567 86.9 free baggage allowance as well & 8 as “zero baggage/no check in lying within the country baggage fares,” the DGCA 5& 9 ! & # Fwithout any check-in bag- said in its circular. gage could soon get cheaper. Passengers will be charged The Directorate General of if they choose “no check-in 567 86.9 Civil Aviation has issued a cir- baggage” fare and turn up at cular, allowing airlines to give the airport with check-in lug- he Congress on Friday concessions in ticket prices to gage. “These applicable Tdemanded a judicial enquiry passengers who carry no bag- charges shall be reasonable; into the alleged suicide of Dadra gage or only cabin baggage. prominently displayed to the and Nagar Haveli MP Mohan The new rules will provide passenger at the time of book- Delkar in Mumbai earlier this # $ tickets for cheap for those pas- ing of ticket and also to be week and asked why the Centre ' sengers travelling with no printed on the ticket,” the had not acted when he repeat- () baggage or just cabin baggage. DGCA said. It also allowed edly raised the issue of “harass- ) However, the cabin bag- based on feedback received The move comes as an unbundling of other services ment” by the Union Territory’s * ) gage has to be within the from passengers. The DGCA effort to make flying more like preferential seating and administrator. permissible weight limit. The said that “as part of airline affordable and accessible to said passengers should be The Opposition party ).)" " services that will now be baggage policy, scheduled air- passengers. It is noted that charged if they opt them. claimed the seven-time MP, + chargeable on the opt-in basis lines will be allowed to offer domestic airlines have seen “On the basis of various who was found dead in a hotel include preferential seating, free baggage allowance as well 10-12 per cent drop in book- feedback received, it is felt that room, had named the adminis- nvestigation agencies CBI meal or snacks or drinking as “zero baggage/no check-in ings as state governments many times these services trator, Praful Khoda Patel, and ever since he won the Lok Iand Enforcement Directorate charges, sports equipment baggage fares”. have tightened measures to provided by the airlines may other officials of the union ter- Sabha elections in 2019 as an on Friday conducted joint raids charges, musical instrument This will be subject to the prevent the spread of Covid- not be required by the pas- ritory in his purported suicide independent candidate,” Khera at various places in West Bengal + carriage, fee for special decla- condition that the passenger 19 in the last two weeks. sengers while travelling. note. According to Congress said at AICC Press conference. in connection with the multi- ration of valuable baggage ( booking ticket under such Under the new rule, if a Considering the fact that spokesperson Pawan Khera, “This is a set template of the crore coal pilferage scam, allow for higher unit on car- fare scheme is made aware of passenger declares s/he will be unbundling of services and Delkar had in the past written Government in power (at the sources in them said. rier liability), charge for using the charges that shall be travelling with no check-in charges thereto has the letters to Prime Minister Centre). If you lose elections, CBI sources said its sleuths airline lounges. Currently, a applicable if the passenger baggage or only with cabin potential to make basic fare Narendra Modi, Home Minister you try and harass, you try and raided the official and resi- passenger can carry up to 7 turns up with the baggage for baggage within the more affordable and Amit Shah and other senior intimidate through agencies, dential premises of business- dering angle of the scam. kilograms of cabin baggage check in at the airline counter. permissible weight limit, air- provide consumer an option leaders, flagging the “harass- governors, lieutenant governors man Randhir Kumar Barnwal CBI has already examined and 15 kilograms of check-in These applicable charges shall lines can offer tickets at less- of paying for the services ment” he was facing at the and administrators. They try in Kolkata. Trinamool Congress MP baggage. be reasonable; prominently er prices. This declaration which he/she wishes to avail, hands of the administrator and and browbeat the person, try ED sources said the agency Abhishek Banerjee’s wife Rujira In a circular, the DGCA displayed to the passenger at will have to be made at the it has been decided by the gov- other officials of Dadra and and control him or her. If they has started searches at for her alleged involvement in said the government has the time of booking of ticket time of the booking of the ernment to allow these ser- Nagra Haveli. agree with you (government), Durgapur and Asansol and the coal scam. Banerjee in the decided to unbundle certain and also to be printed on the ticket. “As part of airline bag- vices to be unbundled and “He (Delkar) had enumer- make them join you, if not then also in the city. nephew of Chief Minister services and make them ticket,” DGCA said in a cir- gage policy, scheduled air- charged separately on opt-in ated the manner in which he was these are the tragic results,” Both the agencies are con- Mamata Banerjee. chargeable on an opt-in basis cular. lines will be allowed to offer basis,” the DGCA added. being humiliated and harassed Khera alleged. currently probing the scam. It has also issued a look out While CBI is looking after notice against alleged kingpin the criminal aspect of it, ED is Anup Majhi, alias Lala, who 6- ># delving into the money laun- has been absconding.
5 ! 567 86.9 tions adequate CAPF (Central EC, in a communication Armed Police Forces) deploy- ith the possibility of sent to chief electoral officers ment will be ensured for the Wlarge-scale violence, the of all all states and UTs on assembly polls, he said. Election Commission (EC) has February 8, directed that the The CEC Arora said that directed that the election secu- committee comprising state the CAPFs/SAP shall also be rity plan of poll-going States be CEO, state police nodal officer deployed in the Expenditure jointly decided by a committee and CAPF coordinator, shall Sensitive Constituencies and comprising the chief electoral periodically/ frequently meet other vulnerable areas and crit- officer, State police nodal offi- during the polls to monitor ical polling stations as per the cer and state Central Armed deployment and ensure effec- assessment of ground realities Police Forces (CAPF) coordi- tive and optimum utilisation of by the CEOs of Assam, Kerala, nator. According to officials, police and security forces. The Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and over 6,600 polling stations in committee will also oversee the Puducherry, in consultation West Bengal have been identi- arrangements made for the with the various stakeholders. fied as ‘vulnerable’ and 715 crit- security forces within the poll- “All critical events will be ical ahead of the Assembly bound state. video-graphed. District elections while over 2,654 According to the Chief Election Officers will arrange polling stations have been iden- Election Commissioner Sunil sufficient number of video and tified as ‘critical’ and 338 vul- Arora, all critical and vulner- digital cameras and camera nerable in Assam. able areas have been identified teams for the purpose,” he According to EC, the first and advance teams have been said. such formal arrangement that already deployed across all Vulnerable polling stations will apply to all future polls, will four states and one union ter- have been identified on the ensure randomisation of the ritory Puducherry going to the basis of several parameters state police and CAPF person- polls. “Also, webcasting which include a polling booth nel, besides their optimum and arrangements will be in place that has recorded more than effective utilisation in the inter- at polling stations in critical 90% polling is classified under est of free and fair and fair elec- and vulnerable areas, while vulnerable category. !"#!$!% ,
$ ) 72,4 *2, <" /. # 5 % % KOCHI: In what could be a dilem- ond-class citizens. Though the groups known as a BJP fellow traveller said % $ ma for the Kerala BJP, one of the owing allegiance to K Surendran, there was nothing shocking in Baby # & senior leaders of the party belonging union minister V Muraleedharan and John’s resignation. # & & 4 ! - & & # & to the Christian community resigned former party chief Krishnadas do not “He belongs to the group of from all posts including the post of see eye to eye on any issues, they are migratory birds who came to nestle & & ! )-9 Navigation Corporation for deep issue, dear to all Hindus in the general secretary of the minority wing united against their hatred for in the BJP on the recommendation of & & *# sea fishing. Similarly, the ongo- State,” said Rajan. of the party on Friday. Christians and Muslims. I am disap- a cartel led by bishops and arch bish- 8 " s kick-off began for the ing agitation by rank holders of N Prasanth, the managing Baby John, former RSP leader pointed that I joined a party like this ops. The BJP leadership’s failure to 7 /EEE & AApril 6 Assembly polls in the Kerala Public Service director of KSINC, who has who joined the BJP in 2011 and was and devoted my life for them,” said thoroughly scan the people who & # *8" 5 *8" Kerala on Friday, poll observers Commission for appointment in been alleged by the chief minis- elevated to the position of the minor- Baby John. He said he is likely to cast come in search of greener pastures is & & & " - & in the State are of the view that Government service and the ter and J Mercykutty, the fisheries ity wing general secretary told The his lot with the CPI(M) in coming the root cause of this phenomenon. , *# 8 the Congress-led United goofing up of the way the admin- minister, of signing the deal Pioneer that his elevation in the days. “As a school student I was a The BJP leaders in Kerala should " 0EE Democratic Front (UDF) has a istration treated the job seekers with the US company for deep party was because of his organisa- member of the SFI, the student wing work together and appoint only peo- # *8" A ) slight edge over the CPI(M)-led too will play a significant role in sea fishing, created a sensation tional and mobilising capabilities. of the CPI(M) and hence there is ple with credentials to various wings ) 9& - Left Democratic Front. coming days,” said Rajan. when he warned all that he “But of late I understood that the nothing new in my regards for that of the party ,” said Prof Sebastian who & & & - & Veteran scribe and author P He said he does not expect would not take it lying down. “I Kerala BJP is a divided house with so party,” said Baby John. is one of the pioneers who alerted the /E/E # & Rajan, who led Mathrubhumi a sweep by the UDF which was will disclose all details associat- many groups and sub-groups. The But Prof Stanly Sebastain, an edu- Kerala Government about Love Jihad - & /E0E daily’s editorial team for four witnessed during the Lok Sabha ed with the signing of the MoU minorities always are treated as sec- cationist-turned-entrepreneur, who is in the State. PNS !& /E/E decades and continues writing election. The UDF had won all at the right time,” he had told and commenting on political but one seat in the 20 Lok Sabha reporters on Friday. and social issues, is of the view constituencies from the State. Hari Kartha, senior scribe that events in the last one week “The situation has changed and commentator, is of the view witnessed by the State have cast because the minorities which that Wednesday night’s murder an uncertainty over the poll voted en masse for the Congress of RSS leader Nandhu by SDPI prospects of the LDF. hoping that the party would activists at Alapuuzha has upset “Chief Minister Pinarayi regain the power which it lost in Hindus all over the State. “What Vijayan himself had to announce 2014 have understood that the I understand is that though the the cancellation of the MoU Grand Old Party is no more the police was presemt in the spot, signed with the US based same entity. The CPI(M) has said they did not do anything to save EMCC, a dubious company and that it made a mistake in han- the victim from the attack,” he the Kerala Shipping and Inland dling the Sabarimala temple said. &)% *)# ! - & & +%!#! -.! / & (
% %) !12%) 3 !! 5 567 86.9 !# ongress is all set to initiate a dialogue process / # & Cat grassroot level in the main Hindi heartland of Uttar Pradesh while it prepares to reap bene- % !(!1" fits ahead of the assembly elections next year under the leadership of party general secretary Priyanka aving established that SUV that lay aban- Gandhi. To being with the manifes to commit- Hdoned near Industrialist Mukesh Ambani’s tee of the grand old party will visit Bahraich this skyscraper mansion “Antilia” in south Mumbai weekend to get people's feedback to formulate a on Thursday evening was a stolen car and the `people’s manifesto’. gelatin sticks found in it were manufactured in In this regard the members of the manifesto a Nagpur facility, the crime branch sleuths of committee for Uttar Pradesh polls met on the Mumbai police on Friday launched a man- Thursday in the presence of Priyanka, who also hunt for two unidentified culprits behind the is general secretary in-charge of the state to brain- sensational plot. storm how to take on the might of incumbent gov- A day after the 20 gelatin sticks and a let- ernment led by Yogi Adityanath and overall the ter were recovered from a Scorpio that was prevailing charisma of Prime Minister Narendra found abandoned in the vicinity of Mukesh Modi. Ambani’s 27-storey residence “Antilia” on In the present UP assembly of 403 seats, BJP Carmichael Road in south Mumbai, the is 312 while Congress is just seven while other two Gamdevi police registered an FIR in the case, big regional players, Samajwadi Party and BSP while the Mumbai Crime Branch sleuths land- who have ruled back to back in the State has been ed “strong leads” in their investigations in the downsized to 49 and 19 respectively. The last best case.The two early leads that the investigations of the Congress in UP was in 1980 at 309 seats found in the case were: the SUV – a Scorpio - followed by 269 in 1985. used in the crime had been stolen from Vikroli According to the grand old party think thanks, in north-east Mumbai and e the gelatin sticks while the country witness large scale unemploy- found in the car were manufactured at Nagpur- ment, poor economy and highest ever inflation based firm M/s Solar Explosives Ltd. besides several restlessness in all spheres across Informed sources in the Mumbai police said the country, Modi and BJP still remains popular that the Scorpio used in the crime had been and common man issues have been eclipsed by stolen from a service road near the Vikhroli this. Airoli junction. The owner of the car has told AICC sources said the leaders under the chair- the police that his car broke down near Vikhroli manship of former Union Minister Salman Airoli junction while he was on his way from Khurshid deliberated to prepare a “people's man- Thane to Mumbai. The owner parked the car ifesto” and on strategise for the elections right from on the wayside of the road. On the following now onwards. Besides Khurshid, who is party's afternoon, when he returned to take the car for UP manifesto committee chief, Congress repairs, he found the vehicle was missing. He spokesperson Supriya Shrinate were among those lodged a complaint with the Vikhroli police. present in the meeting. After the theft of the SUV, the miscreants Ahead of the Assembly elections in the State damaged the chassis plate and tried to make the next year, Priyanka has stepped up her efforts to number illegible. However, the police retrieved revive the party in the politically crucial State the chassis number and identified the owner. where the party has been struggling to make a In one of the multiple CCTV footages from presence in the past three decades. In recent days, the area around the crime spot showed the sus- Priyanka has been attending and addressing kisan pect who parked the car at the site, but he has mahapanchayats to connect with farmers protest- not been identified as yet as he sported a mask ing against the new farm laws for three months on his face and had covered his head with a now. hoodie that he wore. She also went to Rampur to condole death of The seized car has meanwhile been sent for a farmer who had died during the January 26 trac- a forensic analysis tor rally violence, and last week she addressed farm- The purported threat letter -- written in bro- ers at Mathura and also visited the Vrindavan tem- ken English and Hindi – that was recovered ple and before that she took also a holy dip at from the seized SUV was addressed to “Nita Sangam in Prayagraj. She is scheduled to visit Bhabhi aur Mukesh bhyya aur femili”. The cul- Varanasi on Saturday to attend Guru Ravidas prits said that what they were witnessing was Maharaj birth anniversary. a mere “trailer”. ‘“Be alert. We have made all “She has been frequenting the State and is arrangements to blow up the entire Ambani focusing only that State ever since she came into family”, the letter read. full active politics. People of the state, particular- “An FIR has been registered and investiga- ly the oppressed and downtrodden are looking tions were in progress,” deputy commissioner towards her as a ray of hope in the same fashion of police (operations) and Mumbai Police the State loved her grandmother former PM Indira spokesperson S Chaitanya said.Chaitanya, how- Gandhi,” said a senior Congress leader who is close- ever, declined to comment on the contents of ly associated to Team Priyanka with the sole agen- the letter, saying: he said: “I cannot comment da to win back the confidence in the State which on the letter. It is part of the investigations. We sends the maximum number of Lok Sabha MPs. have got some leads, we are working on it”. Last week the grand old party’s electoral foot- Having confirmed that the gelatine sticks print shrunk further with the fall of its govern- found in the car were manufactured at a ment in Puducherry. The party is now left on its Nagpur-based firm, the investigators have own only in Punjab, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh sought the details of sale of the seized gelatin while as coalition in Maharashtra and Jharkhand. sticks “Since only packets and not the individ- Crucial states like Madhya Pradesh which the ual sticks are bar-coded, it will take us time to party won over after long stint was lost due to acute confirm who bought it or whether these were internal squabbling and similar situation prevailed also stolen,” a senior police officer said., in another state Rajasthan. " 0 :9=9+ # .>
! B"!!( Kashmir would help in developing a new sport- ing ecosystem and would instill new spirit and he scenic resorts of Gulmarg and Pahalgam in enthusiasm in the tourism sector in Jammu & TKashmir valley are witnessing huge rush of Kashmir.Experience from this winter games tourists and adventure sport lovers who are flock- would help the players while participating in the ing there to participate in the ongoing winter car- Winter Olympics, said the PM.With two Khelo nival and sporting events. On Friday Prime India Centres of Excellence and Khelo India Minister Narendra Modi delivered the inaugur- Centres in all 20 districts coming up in J&K, the al address at 2nd edition of Khelo India National UT would become the centre of sporting excel- Winter Games-2021 through virtual mode. lence, he added. Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha and Union Speaking on the occasion, Lieutenant Minister of State (I/C) for Youth Affairs and Sports, Governor, Manoj Sinha called upon the partici- Kiren Rijiju also addressed the huge gathering dur- pating sportspersons to spread the message of ing the inaugural ceremony of the mega event. Peace, Unity, Goodwill, Love and Empowerment. From February 26 to March 02, 2021, more than Let us share this experience of unifying power of 600 Athletes from all over the country are par- sports with the world, remarked the Lt Governor. ticipating in different winter-sports disciplines Gulmarg has been acknowledged as a promising including Alpine Skiing, Nordic Ski, Winter-sports destination in the International cir- Snowboarding, Snow Mountaineering, Ice Hockey, cuit. Khelo India Winter Games is not merely an Ice Skating, Ice Stock and Snow Shoe. event, it is a mission to bring together the youth In his address, the Prime Minister observed from all over the country and showcase our sport- that the second edition of Khelo India Winter ing talent to the world, observed the Lt Governor. Games is a major step towards making Jammu and The Lt Governor said that the mega event is one Kashmir a hub of the Winter Games.The Prime of the many efforts aimed at engaging the youth Minister said that winter games in Jammu & in constructive and positive activities. !"#!$!% -
4# )& %! 43%- # < ; 8 & < < ' '$1.%8' .-+ & ( 4!? + ( R 9 & &) : & ( #. ( S ( # ) " * & # & ( ( + 7878 % S # # ( t is not good form to write columns in the first person < O but since this column talks of O a personal experience, I will beI writing it as such. The expe- @ (# (# 0@##1 rience in question was catching a ) flight for the first time in 350 days. ) 6( Part of my work involves evalu- ( ating and reviewing motor vehi- C cles and that invariably involves a lot of travel, although the 0 COVID-19 pandemic ensured 788D 3 ) < 6 that the few drives we did in 2020 ! # 1 all occurred in the Delhi-NCR and were fairly well-managed. @## ( Car companies don’t do events in places like Goa because of the sun O P ( and sand or because folks like me Q ) enjoy flying, there are hundreds O of decent hotel properties in Goa *E 78=> and the State is connected by flight to almost every major city ! *E in India. So, to do a media drive # P Q ( in Goa makes immense sense; in fact it is probably cheaper than # # organising individual drives in We have all heard the term, to deal with the virus. What had travelled to the party different cities and is definitely the “new normal”, things like else could explain the low State to leave their * S P ( logistically easier. working from home, fewer death toll in India, many parts Coronavirus worries behind. Q S I had promised myself that people commuting and the of sub-Saharan Africa and ‘Thalassa’ on Vagator beach 3 7F ! G S ( I would not fly in 2020, even after need for hygiene. But other South-East Asia? One could was packed to the rafters and @## flights resumed and a few isolat- than everyone wearing face argue that the “true” death toll nobody appeared to care. ed automotive events took place. masks and the Central has been suppressed but there With the Goa airport see- # " A % ( But as the new year rolled Industrial Security Force is no way to hide hundreds of ing flights from every corner H C around and the first events (CISF) staff wearing shields thousands of deaths; people of the country even if some 7> ( began to be planned, one could and attaching a handle to their would be talking about it, States ask for the returnees to E S not put off travel much longer. metal detector “wands”, flying and that clearly isn’t the case. be tested, the crowds at restau- After all, working in a newspa- in 2021 was not very different That said, we should still be rants and bars were back to < % per, I had been reading first- from flying in 2019 and before. 9" ," 8 76 careful, particularly since there pre-COVID levels, just that < hand how the Government has Though I did sanitise my ,9(.8 , .. 16 is in all likelihood a more vir- they were almost completely more or less brought the pan- hands after going through ulent strain doing the rounds. Indian with very few foreign- @ demic in check. Of course, by the security which I feel is the -":6(. It may (or may not) be more ers. That said, there were some time I did eventually fly that had biggest congregation point of ": -(.":. deadly, but it would be stupid expats around; those who had actually changed a bit with the the entire flying process, it felt to find that out the hard way. business and diplomatic visas new strain emerging in the same as before. I must state, , 5-6 96:6 , 5 I was flying on Vistara and and they were praising the Maharashtra. However, my tick- at no point did I feel unsafe and ".. . )6. 98 " while mask compliance was Government and Indians for ets were booked and I was tak- while I would not go as far as followed, the flight was packed taking such a “Zen” attitude to ing a flight after 350 days. to claim that there was a lais- !:6 A :(.65 with families travelling to Goa the pandemic. A drive that once seemed like sez faire attitude, you really , :" 5 8 5* 96 to get away from the boredom, It was really incredible. a weekly commute to Terminal would not have guessed that one presumes. Some passen- Either people were not worried 3 from my house appeared there was a pandemic going on. :(58, !" gers stuck in the middle seats or they had reverted to their strange, not least because this was Now part of this can be 2: !" 5 3 16 were covered in their woven- usual “dekha jayega” (we will my first time in a taxi after almost explained by India’s caseload, fibre protective suits and most see) attitude. Or maybe this a year. Traffic to and from the air- something that was well !:6 86"8. 1( people kept their face-shields was another example of Goan port seemed normal and the few explained by oncologist and 7(.8 16 on during the flight. “susegad”, the chilled-out laid- jams were more to do with the award-winning medical writer But it was not so much the back attitude. I still don’t know construction of the new flyover Siddhartha Mukherjee in The , ( 8 58 flying experience, but what I whether it is the attitude to taxiways. Since my flight was in New Yorker recently. It eluci- 9" ( 96 saw in Goa which was scary. adopt, but being constantly the afternoon, there was less dated on the concept that 9":8 7" My hosts had organised din- stressed about the virus is chaos at the drop-off area. because we live in India and ner at a popular nightspot and clearly not the way to be. But Airlines are running at a restrict- have been exposed to so many it was crowded. There were the “new normal” doesn’t real- ed domestic schedule at about pathogens before, maybe we few precautions being taken ly seem very different from the three-quarters capacity and with had been exposed to a “rela- and while the bouncers were “old normal”. very few international flights, tive” of the COVID-19 virus taking temperatures using an (The author is Managing India’s largest airport terminal did and that gave our bodies the infra-red scanner, it was quite Editor, The Pioneer. The views not feel crowded. B-cells and the T-cells needed evident that the public at large expressed are personal.)
/ - # # ? # - ##. #$##/+ #$. SOUNDBITE
# Sir — This refers to the editorial ‘Slip of ! "# $"% # 2 6 the tongue?’ (February 26). Congress & - ! *+ leader Rahul Gandhi has yet again proved , G " 6 ( 2 7 that he is suitable for politics and can !H & 5 make the BJP and its leaders uncomfort- &# 5" # 6 & ) 7 able. The BJP leaders, including the top I 5" brass, fear the popularity that Rahul # ) * + ! P enjoys among people and miss no oppor- 7 & 7 #'(7 Q . ( (( tunity to project the Gandhi scion in bad ! # K 5 ! light or poke fun at him. + / $ !#O 1 # They know that only he can change 7 0/$1 ( : political equations and has the ability to , & +2 lead the country. On the other hand, 5 !#O 8 , 1 & O ! && /$S + ) ! knowingly or otherwise, Rahul makes # & - , - O !" & such statements or speeches which give & ! -# , !O -" , 3 $ good fodder to the BJP to keep attacking " # $ /$ % ! 5 ! 1-- +# & # him, his family and also the Congress. & - " , 1 9 & Attacking Rahul gives the ruling party an ! O & '' # 7'$#( /$ $ S opportunity to cover up its own failures. ! # KA " All the BJP leaders talk about 70 years of # B 5 & ! 9 ( Congress rule alleging that the ‘Grand Old * :+ * 6 " Party’ did nothing for the nation but /$S 43$( % $ S # rather looted it. However, they fail to & 5 ! 7 $ * % count the achievements of the Congress & # # ) * 5 against which the seven years of the BJP’s + S rule stand nowhere. not receive a fair trial in India. With this, ually harassing her. This is what happens & # Fuel prices are at an all-time high, the Nirav lost his nearly two-year-long legal when officers are promoted to senior economy is at all-time low, unemployment battle against extradition on all grounds. positions, particularly in the police ;("7 rates are high and there are no jobs in the The 49-year-old fugitive businessman department, without taking into account K" 43$ +2 6 Government sector. The Modi has been repeatedly denied bail due to the their past records but rather on various ! 7889 Government is doing rampant privatisation seriousness of the allegations against other considerations. It is also unwarrant- 6(:; # :88 to benefit its corporate friends and is least him and remains behind bars in a London ed that posts such as Special DGP are cre- concerned about the plight of the poor and " *4< 78=> prison since his arrest in March 2019. It ated with the intention of accommodat- & the have-nots. Only a Government under will also set an example for other crimi- ing blue-eyed officers. ! 43$S + +2 ! +2S Rahul’s leadership can save the nation and nals who flee the country after commit- Suspension would not be sufficient * $ % ? % $ put the economy back on tracks. ting financial and other crimes and think in his case and he should be summarily ! . N Nagarajan | Secunderabad they can get away with it. Such criminals dismissed from service as the female IPS officer has come forward to lodge a com- # /$ $ P ( Q and fugitives can afford big lawyers, but @ P ( Q 2 they must remember that law is above all plaint against him. 7;=(7 Sir — There is finally the good news that and it’s not easy to hide or escape its long It is expected that the panel to probe K
? ) ( fugitive diamond merchant Nirav Modi, hands. All fugitives should be extradited the harassment charge would do a fair job P Q P wanted in India on charges of fraud and and punished as per the law of India. and submit its final report in record time. /E0D Q # money laundering in Punjab National CK Ramani | Chennai If women police officers are not safe and " 2 "3 $ /$ $ 4 Bank (PNB) scam case, will be extradit- are vulnerable to such crimes at the hands ed from the UK. Mumbai’s Arthur Road A # (( ( of their own colleagues, the plight of com- jail has kept a special cell ready to lodge Sir — It is really shocking that Rajesh Das, mon women is not hard to understand. him. It is like a win-win situation for the the Special Director General of Police, Tharcius S Fernando | Chennai O & Indian Government and authorities. Tamil Nadu, has turned out to be a black L5 M Further, the UK judge ruled that there is sheep as he is accused of misbehaving - ( < #"#" #'(7 " no evidence to suggest that Nirav would with a female IPS officer on duty and sex- ((7'("8"#79: &;" K" , !"#!$!% 0
4# )& %! 43%- # < ; 8 & < < FIRSTCOLUMN & & 27*%27 %.-+ 6 %%-%7$+ ' < ( *. *(. & & # # & - # ( + ( ( &
he recent havoc in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand — where a large part of the TNanda Devi glacier fell into the Alaknanda stream near Joshimath and caused severe flood- 2 *(. ing that resulted in the hydropower projects of Rishi . G A P Ganga and NTPC Tapovan Vishnugad plus many ( 78 I8 buildings being destroyed and scores of people being killed — has raised the pertinent question: ( ( Q # Is this development or the destruction of the envi- C 0C1 ( ronment and people? The Chamoli incident has brought back the traumatic memories of the June =9 2013 tragedy when the Mandakini river was sud- ( denly flooded after a cloudburst and the flow of # < =7 water killed more than 5,000 people and left mil- =>:; ;D 78== ( lions stranded in floodwater for days. The fact % remains that though Uttarakhand is blessed with < 79;F 78== ( natural beauty and invaluable resources such as ) * dense forests, rivers and mountains, it has a very fragile ecosystem. Hence, the State is prone to nat- G ural disasters. An earthquake of the magnitude 6.8 6A65 96 C $ 0 C$1 =>IF 2 + on the Richter scale hit the district of Uttarkashi *A6:5!65 0 2+1 ( in 1991, killing hundreds of people and destroy- -( , =9(D9 ( ) " ing thousands of houses. Another earthquake in *:6659(,6 ) 4 $ + 78=I 1999 in Chamoli killed hundreds, too. The entire *", 6! ,, 5, 5 Malpa village of Pithoragarh was devastated by a "--:8"5-6 massive landslide in 1999 and 250 people lost their 7 9 96 ": , lives. -. !" 6 Though earthquakes, cloudbursts, landslides, "*:66!65 massive avalanches and other natural disasters have 56 9 :8 96 been a part of natural processes in Uttarakhand *."- 6:, 96 of experts. Magsaysay Award win- these roads pass through an environ- abide by environmental norms. for centuries, the increase in their frequency and 9 !".""5 "58 ner Chandi Prasad said that he had mentally-sensitive zone. The con- However, the Government seems to depth of intensity is due to human activities. The 9 58( )(,9 written a letter to the then struction of this 900 km stretch was be in no mood to hear the alarm natives of Uttarakhand are acutely aware and have !(5 " 5 Environment Minister in 2010 done by dividing it into 53 small sec- bells as the Central Government is widespread knowledge about the fragility and eco- :"5*6, warning about the adverse effects of tions. planning to relax environmental sensitivity of their environment. For centuries they hydropower project on Rishi Ganga. The Environmental Impact standards for Mopa Airport in Goa, have lived in harmony with the environment, but 7 .. !6. 1 96 His worst fears were realised in 2021. Assessment Department’s permis- sand mining in Uttar Pradesh, ;FD ( 9DI now, this stability is being threatened by indiscrim- 658 96 He claimed that if his warning had sion has to be sought to construct Sterlite Copper in Tamil Nadu and A 4 inate development and flagrant violation of envi- /0, -65 (: been heeded in 2010, the catastro- more than 100 km of a road that is construction activities in and around < ( ronmental rules. They have been trying to save their 965-6 (:*65 phe would have been prevented. passing through environmentally Delhi, which have been blocked by State for a long time. "- 5 5668, Rising temperatures are melting sensitive areas. This road’s width is the Supreme Court and the National % 16 ")65 ,56: As early as June 1950, Mira Behn, an environ- the glaciers rapidly and, according being kept at 12 metres, for which Green Tribunal. Meanwhile, the mental activist of Garhwal, published an article ", 5" (:". to a report by the International land with a width of 24 metres NITI Aayog — the Government’s ( $ + 3 titled ‘Something is wrong in the Himalayas’ doc- 8 ,", 6:, ":6 Centre for Integrated Mountain would be required. Significantly, apex think tank — has commis- J 5 umenting that the flash floods in Uttarakhand are . )6. Development (ICIMOD), this melt- most European countries have kept sioned a study that seeks to exam- ( bound to wreak havoc as the sensitivity of the envi- 5-:6",6 7 9 ing doubled between 1980-2005. the width of their roads in the ine the “unintended economic con- # ronment is being overlooked during the econom- 6!6:" (:6 Even if the Government cuts green- mountains to eight metres. sequences” of judicial decisions that C C$ 7878 # ( ic development process. Later, she also wrote to : ,6 house gas (GHG) emissions in In the aftermath of the February have hindered and stalled big pro- * C ! Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on the issue. It is per- accordance with the Paris Climate 7 catastrophe, Prime Minister jects on environmental pretexts. # 0 *C!#1 A G ( tinent to note that the site of the recent mishap is Agreement, one-third of the glaci- Narendra Modi had said that the If mountainous areas of the the cradle of the Chipko Movement that was ini- ers of the Himalayan and Hindu country stands by Uttarakhand. He country, including Uttarakhand and K 0 ( tiated to save trees from commercial lumber firms. Kush mountain ranges will melt by also announced financial assistance their people, are to be saved, then it The first protest occurred near the village of Mandal the end of the 21st century. Hence, to the families of the victims. But is incumbent upon the Central 1K K ( in the upper Alaknanda valley in April 1973. Alas, urgent action needs to be taken such promises and financial aid are Government not to carry out devel- 0 ( governments past and present have neither listened sooner as natural disasters are like- of no use for Uttarakhandis as con- opment work in these areas without to the cries of locals and environmental activists ly to increase with temperature tinuous negligence of environmen- seeking the opinions of geologists 1 nor learnt any lessons from the tragedy of 2013. rise. tal regulations by successive govern- and the locals. # C$(7878 % Still, more than 50 hydroelectric projects are under- An increase in natural disasters ments has led to repeated natural The Government should imme- way on the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers, even in India is a result of climate change, disasters. A few lakhs in assistance diately ban unsustainable develop- C though a committee of experts warned that such but an increase in their impact is due from the Centre and State won’t help ment projects in the hilly regions, be =88 projects were a threat to the State and its frail ecol- to overexploitation of natural people rebuild their houses or bring it the Char Dham route or # ) ogy. resources. The Centre and State back their loved ones. To prevent hydropower projects. If this does not % 0) %1 :F / % In fact, Uma Bharti, a senior BJP leader and Governments have been pursuing such emotional and financial loss- happen, the people of these areas will / 4 787=(77 P former Water Resources Minister, in her time had Kaur is professor, pro-corporate development by es to the people, the Government be forced to endure frequent natur- requested the Centre not to build power projects Department of Geography, ignoring environmental norms. should mend its pro-corporate eco- al disasters in the future. The peo- Q . C on the Ganga river and its major tributaries since Punjabi University, Uttarakhand is inviting climat- nomic development methods. ple living in the hilly regions and the the Himalayas are a fragile area. Following the Patiala, and Visiting ic tragedies and destroying its beau- The massive loss of life and country at large demand that the ) / # recent catastrophe in Uttarakhand, the Professor, IMPRI, while ty by regularly flouting the property resulting from natural dis- Central Government adopt a pro- 0/#1 < Kumar is Director, IMPRI. Government needs to seriously reconsider its stance The views expressed Environmental Impact Assessment asters should serve as a warning sig- people and pro-nature develop- * # 0<*#1 on building hydroelectric dams in the region. It are personal. Laws to build a 900-km-long stretch nal to the Central Government and ment model instead of a pro-corpo- should no longer ignore the advice and warnings of the Char Dham route. Shockingly, make it realise that it must strictly rate economic development one. 0 1 * ) * POINTCOUNTERPOINT 0*)*1 *C!# <@) < * C <*# ( % % % % ) /# 5 % ( + % P+ <S %& P % & " Q L% ! L% ! 0 ? 1 % 2 & ) % ) Gtyqxqquuu qyquxquywusuqwuqywv xuuyusu vxuqqqyvq Fusuquxutqqwuuyyuqyu
he farmers’ protest water is contaminated and scores vary widely, but most and institutions are in place for leader in water governance. Recharge.” India has an reflects their approach wastewater treatment remains States have achieved a score national water governance. And India has partnered with extremely low rainwater har- Ttowards securing their stuck at the national average of below 50 per cent and could By 2030, the country’s them to share methods and vesting percentage, varying future, and soon there would be over 33 per cent, leading to the significantly improve their water demand is projected to be technology. There is a need for from three-six per cent of a solution to that. But there still high burden of waterborne water resource management twice than the available supply, more such partnerships, annual rainfall. Large-scale looms a larger crisis for India diseases. practices. implying severe water scarcity knowledge transfer but more watershed management is and its people, including the More than 600 million Because of this, food secu- for hundreds of millions of peo- than that, it is awareness that is imperative for holistic manage- farmers. One of the most fer- 6 1( people in India face high to rity is at a risk as the low per- ple and an eventual over six per needed by common users ment of ecosystems. Coupled tile lands on Earth today stands extreme water stress and 21 formers on the Water Index are cent loss in the country’s GDP. about the impending water with stronger implementation as the most water challenged cities, including New Delhi, home to over 50 per cent of the As per the report of the crisis. policies and regulations, an nations in the world. India has Bengaluru and Chennai, will country’s population and its National Commission for With nearly 70 per cent of ecosystem management the highest number of people run out of groundwater soon, agricultural baskets. The low Integrated Water Resource the water being contaminated, approach will bring in adoption in the world without access to affecting 100 million people. performers, worryingly, com- Development of MoWR, water India ranks 120 out of 122 of newer conservation tech- safe water. Over 80 million peo- Critical groundwater resources, prise the populous northern requirement by 2050 in a high countries on the water quality nologies. ple — a majority from impov- which account for 40 per cent States of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, use scenario is likely to be a index. Policymakers face a dif- The agriculture sector will erished communities — living of our water supply, are being Rajasthan, Haryana and others, rates. Droughts are becoming milder 1,180 BCM, whereas the ficult situation because there is evolve further to improve irri- on less than $4 a day, are exploited at unsustainable rates. and are home to over 600 mil- more frequent, creating severe present-day availability is 695 not enough data available on gation and water use efficien- forced to collect dirty water India is already plagued with lion people. Given the combi- problems for India’s rain- BCM. how households and industries cy. All this is not possible with- from open ponds and rivers or groundwater contaminated nation of rapidly declining dependent farmers (over 53 per The total availability of use and manage water. out investment in education spend most of what they earn with iron, nitrate, chlorine, groundwater levels and limit- cent of agriculture is rainfed). water possible in country is still There is an urgent need to and awareness. Community buying water from tankers. The writer is a along with the predominant ed policy action this is also like- When water is available, it is lower than this projected deepen understanding of our governance and partnerships, A report by the NITI conservationist, arsenic and fluoride, both pos- ly to be a significant food likely to be contaminated, demand, at 1,137 BCM. Thus, water resources and usage and water pricing a strong waste- Aayog in 2018 revealed that 75 wildlife photographer, ing human health risks. security risk for the country resulting in nearly 2,00,000 there is an imminent need to put in place interventions that water recycling ecosystem and per cent of households do not documentary film-maker A study published by Duke going forward. deaths each year. Interstate deepen our understanding of make water use efficient and increasing rainwater, stormwa- and sustainability have drinking water on the professional. The views University in 2018 found ura- Critical groundwater disagreements are on the rise, water resources and usage and sustainable. Consumers and ter harvesting will make peo- premises; 84 per cent of rural expressed are nium contamination in aquifer- resources, which account for 40 with seven major disputes cur- put in place interventions that industries need to look at the ple realise the importance of households do not have piped personal. drawn groundwater in 16 per cent of our water supply, are rently raging, pointing to the make water use efficient and 4Rs with renewed rigour. every drop of water and pro- water access; 70 per cent of the Indian States.Water Index being depleted at unsustainable fact that limited frameworks sustainable. Israel is the world “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, mote sustainable use. !"#!$!% 3
- , , # ' # # +! 4 # & () & ( - ,- Lagos: Hundreds of girls are UNICEF representative in the .!R ! missing after a large group of country. “This is a gross viola- Beijing: China on Friday welcomed India sup- London: The UK Government on Friday won a major gunmen raided a school in tion of children's rights and a plying more Covid-19 vaccines to a number of legal battle as the Supreme Court ruled against northern Nigeria early Friday horrific experience for children countries, playing down reports that New Delhi allowing a London-born 21-year-old woman of morning, residents say. to go through.” He called for has beaten Beijing in its vaccine diplomacy Bangladeshi descent, who ran away to Syria as a teenag- The Government their immediate release. 18- 4! < around the world. er to join the Islamic State (ISIS) terror group, to return Secondary Jangebe School in The West African nation has Responding to a question on a report that and fight her citizenship case. Zamfara state was the scene of seen several such attacks and Geneva: WHO chief Tedros Adhanom through the Covid-19 Vaccine Global Access India has beaten China in its own game of vac- The unanimous decision – with all five top court the latest mass abduction of kidnappings over the years, Ghebreyesus has lauded Prime Minister Facility (COVAX), which Ghana among near- cine diplomacy, Chinese Foreign Ministry justices in agreement – comes six years after the then school children in northern notably the mass abduction in Narendra Modi's commitment for supporting ly 92 countries have signed into. spokesman Wang Wenbin during a media brief- 15-year-old schoolgirl, Shamima Begum, ran away with Nigeria. April 2014 by jihadist group vaccine equity and sharing Covid-19 vaccines The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) ing said, “We welcome that and hope to see more two other friends to join the Islamic State (ISIS) group Nasiru Abdullahi told The Boko Haram of 276 girls from with over 60 countries across the world, hop- on February 12 said that India has provided countries taking actions to provide vaccines to in February 2015. Associated Press that school the secondary school in Chibok ing that other nations will follow his example. over 229 lakh doses of coronavirus vaccines the world, especially developing countries, to help Begum had her British citizenship revoked on records show 300 girls are miss- in Borno state. More than a hun- In a tweet, Ghebreyesus, Director-General to various countries out of which 64 lakh doses with the global response.” national security grounds shortly after she was found ing. His daughters, aged 10 and dred of the girls are still missing. of the World Health Organisation, said that have been supplied as grant assistance and 165 “China has been overcoming domestic dif- in a Syrian refugee camp in February 2019. 13, are among them. Friday's attack came less India's support in supplying its vaccines is help- lakh on commercial basis. ficulties to provide vaccines to other countries “The Supreme Court unanimously allows all of the Resident Musa Mustapha than two weeks after gunmen ing over 60 countries to begin the vaccination MEA Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava in concrete measure,” he said, flagging China's Home Secretary's appeals and dismisses Ms Begum's said the gunmen also attacked a abducted 42 people, including process. said India will continue to take forward the own vaccine requirement to inoculate its 1.4 bil- cross-appeal,” said Lord Robert Reed, the President of nearby military camp and 27 students, from the “Thanks India & Prime Minister @naren- global vaccine supply initiative and cover more lion population. He reiterated that China has the Supreme Court. checkpoint, preventing soldiers Government Science College dramodi for supporting #VaccinEquity. Your countries in a phased manner. been providing vaccines to 53 countries and “The right to a fair hearing does not trump all other from interfering while the gun- Kagara in Niger State. The stu- commitment to #COVAX and sharing Consignments of coronavirus vaccine exporting vaccines to 27 countries, amid reports considerations, such as the safety of the public,” he said. men spent several hours at the dents, teachers and family mem- #COVID19 vaccine doses is helping 60+ coun- doses were supplied as gifts to Bangladesh (20 that many of those countries are yet to receive Begum was born in the UK to parents of school. It was not immediately bers are still being held. tries start vaccinating their #healthworkers and lakh), Myanmar (17 lakh), Nepal (10 lakh), Chinese vaccines or the promised quantities. Bangladeshi heritage. clear if there were any casualties. In December, 344 students other priority groups. I hope other countries Bhutan (1.5 lakh), the Maldives (1 lakh), For its part, China has promised 10 million Begum, dubbed an ISIS bride in reference to her Several large groups of were abducted from the will follow your example,” he said in the tweet Mauritius (1 lakh), Seychelles (50,000), Sri vaccines to the United Nations-backed COVAX marriage to Dutch ISIS fighter Yago Riedijk, was one armed men operate in Zamfara Government Science Secondary on Thursday. Lanka (5 lakh), Bahrain (1 lakh), Oman (1 initiative COVAX, but the first supplies of of three schoolgirls from Bethnal Green in east London state, described by the govern- School Kankara in Katsina State. India on Wednesday dispatched the first lakh), Afghanistan (5 Lakhs), Barbados (1 COVAX vaccines went from the Serum Institute who travelled via Turkey to ISIS headquarters in Raqqa. ment as bandits, and are known They were eventually released. batch of six lakh Covid-19 vaccine doses to Lakh) and Dominica (70,000), he said. of India to Ghana. When discovered in a refugee camp two years ago, to kidnap for money and for the Anietie Ewang, Nigeria the African country of Ghana under the Srivastava said countries which received India on Wednesday dispatched the first she had already lost two children and was heavily preg- release of their members from researcher at Human Rights COVAX facility in collaboration with UNICEF, vaccines on commercial basis are Brazil (20 batch of six lakh COVID-19 vaccine doses to nant with her third who died shortly after being born. jail. Watch, noted the recent abduc- which aims to cover 92 countries under the ini- lakh), Morocco (60 lakh), Bangladesh (50 Ghana under the COVAX facility, an interna- Begum had challenged the UK Home Office's deci- “We are angered and sad- tions and tweeted that “Strong tiative. lakh), Myanmar (20 lakh), Egypt (50,000), tional cooperative programme formed to make sion to remove her British citizenship and wanted to dened by yet another brutal action is required from the The doses are a part of the first batch of Algeria (50,000), South Africa (10 lakh), sure low- and middle-income countries have fair be allowed to return to the UK to pursue that attack on schoolchildren in authorities to turn the tide Covid-19 vaccine the country is acquiring Kuwait (2 lakh) and UAE (2 lakh). PTI access to COVID-19 vaccines. PTI appeal. PTI Nigeria,” said Peter Hawkins, & keep schools safe.” AP ! K (, 7!-&% !8 # ! K 5 # " ( ( ; 8 ( , &%) 3 3) %++%3 # & ; < Colombo: Amidst mounting international 0 # # " criticism, Sri Lanka has revised a contro- Yangon: Myanmar security forces cracked London: Britain's Queen Elizabeth II has said that versial mandatory order to cremate the bod- Baghdad: A US airstrike in down on anti-coup protesters in the coun- Islamabad: There was no possibility of receiving her vaccine to protect against Covid-19 “did- ies of Covid-19 victims, which denied Syria targeted facilities belong- try's second-largest city on Friday, injuring Pakistan being blacklisted by the FATF n't hurt at all” and encouraged those hesitant about minority communities, including Muslims, ing to a powerful Iranian-backed at least three people, two of whom were shot as it has made “significant progress”, a getting jabbed to think about how it would help oth- their religious rights. Iraqi armed group, killing one of in the chest by rubber bullets and another senior minister claimed on Friday, a day ers in preventing the spread of the deadly virus. The government on Thursday revised a their militiamen and wounding who suffered a wound on his leg. after the global anti-money laundering In a rare reference to private health matters, the gazette notification issued in April last year. a number of others, an Iraqi Protesters had gathered on a wide road watchdog retained the country on its 94-year-old monarch backed the National Health The new notification has allowed both militia official said on outside a park in Mandalay in the early after- “Grey List”, citing “serious deficiencies” Service (NHS) led vaccination programme in the UK burials and cremations. Friday. noon when security forces arrived and on its part in checking terror-financing. during a video call earlier this week with health offi- For 10 months, Muslim and Christian The Pentagon said the began firing what sounded like gunshots later released, according to Japan's Kyodo Addressing the media after the cials coordinating the rollout across England, Wales, minorities in the country and international strikes were retaliation for a and using flash bang grenades to disperse news agency. Yuki Kitazumi could be seen Financial Action Task Force, the Paris- Scotland and Northern Ireland. rights groups have been lobbying the gov- rocket attack in Iraq earlier this the crowd. in a video circulating among media as police based global body against money-laun- She and husband, 99-year-old Prince Philip, ernment to end the policy of forced crema- month that killed one civilian Bullets, shell casings, and other pro- seized him, with one of the officers briefly dering and terror-financing, announced received their first of two doses last month. tions. contractor and wounded a US jectiles were later found by local residents putting a truncheon around the journalist's to keep Pakistan on its Grey List until “Once you've had the vaccine you have a feeling The government was resisting calls to service member and other coali- on one of the main streets and shown to neck. June, Minister for Industries Hammad of, you know, you're protected, which is I think very allow burials citing health concerns. It cited tion troops. journalists. Earlier in the day, security forces in Azhar said that Islamabad achieved the important,” said the Queen, in reference to her jab. the opinion of some experts who claimed that The Iraqi militia official The victims were all taken to a private Yangon fired warning shots and beat trun- targets despite the challenging timeline “As far as I could make out it was quite harm- the burial of COVID-19 victims would con- told The Associated Press that clinic for treatment. One of the men who cheons against their shields while moving given to it. less. It was very quick, and I've had lots of letters from taminate the water table thereby spreading the strikes against the Kataeb was shot in the chest with a rubber bullet to disperse more than 1,000 anti-coup pro- “There was no possibility of Pakistan people who have been very surprised by how easy it the pandemic further. Hezbollah, or Hezbollah also had a white bandage wrapped around testers. being blacklisted by the FATF,” Azhar, was to get the vaccine. And the jab – it didn't hurt The country had earlier come under Brigades, hit an area along the his head. The man with an injured leg was The demonstrators had gathered in who led Pakistani delegation at the ple- at all,” she said. Addressing some concerns about the intense criticism from rights groups, includ- border between the Syrian site of later photographed in a cast that stretched front of a popular shopping mall, holding nary as the chairman of the FATF uptake of vaccines and reluctance among certain ing the UNHRC, over the cremation Boukamal facing Qaim on the from his foot to his knee. placards and chanting slogans denouncing Coordination Committee, said. PTI groups, the monarch added: “I think the other thing order. Iraqi side. AP The confrontations underscore the ris- the Feb. 1 coup even as the security pres- is, that it is obviously difficult for people if they've They said it failed to respect the religious ing tensions between a growing popular ence increased and a water-cannon truck never had a vaccine... But they ought to think about feelings of the victims and their family mem- revolt and the generals who toppled the was brought to the area. 1 <'# #( other people rather than themselves.” bers, especially of the Muslims, Catholics and elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in When around 50 riot police moved The video interaction, posted on the Royal some Buddhists. a February 1 takeover that shocked the inter- against the protesters, warning shots could 9@& & A Family's social media pages, came as UK Vaccine The cremation of bodies is forbidden in national community and reversed years of be heard, and at least one demonstrator was Deployment Minister Nadhim Zahawi said figures Islam. slow progress toward democracy. held by officers. Security forces chased the # A #B 9 & & # suggest 11-15 per cent of people were vaccine-hesi- The decision to end forced cremations Also Friday, a Japanese journalist cov- protesters off the main road and continued # * H tant, with some ethnic minority communities among followed the visit of Pakistan Prime Minister ering a separate protest in Yangon, the coun- to pursue them in the nearby lanes, as some ! # /@ that category. PTI Imran Khan. PTI try's largest city, was detained by police and ducked into houses to hide. AP # & 3 +3 P! #/ # 9 # ! # & % !: !8 ! & & Geneva: The United Nations' human rights chief on Friday cited # the need for an “independent and comprehensive assessment” & of the rights situation in China's Xinjiang region, while empha- & sising that activists, lawyers and rights defenders face unfair charges, detention and trials in China. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said her office is working to find “mutually agreeable & # parameters” for her to visit China, including Xinjiang. Efforts to & arrange such a visit for the human rights commissioner date to before she took office in September 2018. Bachelet discussed China while giving the U.N.'s Human Rights Council her regular update on the rights situation world- wide, this time involving some 50 countries. Bachelet credited China's progress in curbing COVID-19 but said “fundamental rights and civic freedoms continue to be cur- tailed in the name of national security and the COVID-19 response.” She said over 600 people are being investigated for par- ticipating in protests in Hong Kong. Concerns about detention centers -- which China calls train- ing centers -- for Muslim Uyghurs and others in Xinjiang have provoked human rights concerns for many months, and Bachelet's office and Chinese authorities have so far failed to arrange a visit for her to the region. AP !"#!$!% 4
<2'! !! ! ! ! .!. 5 )(- ( 567 86.9 uct (GDP) had expanded by 3.3 G & & per cent in the corresponding & += & ndia Inc on Friday said the period of 2019-20, according to & Irecouping of the country’s the data released by the (+,B=& # - 0D K 5 economy to a positive trajec- National Statistical Office New Delhi:Prime Minister tory in the third quarter is a (NSO). 0EL 567 86.9 industry, start-ups and citi- Narendra Modi on Friday promising sign as it portends Chandrajit Banerjee, !(!1" the US and Syria. zens. stressed on increasing credit to the end of the pandemic- Director General, CII, said At the day’s close, the 30- & M T industry body Nasscom on Nasscom also highlighted businesses to meet the needs of induced recessionary phase that “recouping of GDP to the he BSE Sensex crashed share BSE Sensex settled IFriday said the new rules for it is imperative that there is a a fast reflating economy and seen in the first-half of the fis- positive territory by posting a Tabout 1,940 points to post 1,939.32 points or 3.80 per Mumbai:The Indian rupee social media, OTT and digital balance between regulation said financial products will cal year. growth of 0.4 per cent in the its biggest single-day fall in cent lower at 49,099.99 – its on Friday posted its biggest media players aim to address and innovation as the world is have to be tailor-made for fin- Industry bodies expressed third quarter is a promising nearly 10 months and the NSE worst one-day fall since May single-day fall in nearly 19 concerns like grievance redres- in a phase of accelerated tech- tech and startups. confidence that the GDP will sign as it portends the end of Nifty plunged over 568 points 4 last year. months, tumbling 104 paise sal, fake news and online safe- nology shifts. He said that although the improve further in the coming the pandemic-induced reces- to crack below the psycho- Similarly, the broader to close at 73.47 against the ty, but will require the right “...Code aims to address government’s endeavour is to months on the back of positive sionary phase seen in the first- logical 15,000-mark on Friday, NSE Nifty plunged 568.20 US dollar as a rout in glob- implementation to ensure that many of the concern areas of promote the private sector, the growth stimuli emanating from half of the year”. tracking global selloffs trig- points or 3.76 per cent to close al bond markets weighed on they do not become onerous grievance redressal, fake news, public sector still needs to the Union Budget and initia- He observed that one of gered by a panic in bond mar- the session at 14,529.15 – the investor sentiments. for the platforms. online safety and parity with have their presence in banking tives like the Production highlights of the data is the pos- kets overseas. biggest single-day drop since Besides, rising geopolitical There are, however, sec- existing laws. and insurance to support the Linked Incentive scheme itive momentum seen in invest- Investors also turned cau- March 23 last year. tensions between the US tions of the industry, including “From a user perspective... poor. unveiled by the government. ment demand as it grew by 2.6 tious ahead of the third quar- On the Sensex chart, all and Syria also led to weak- tech firm Mozilla, which felt The option of voluntary self- Speaking at a webinar on After contracting for two per cent in the third quarter ter GDP data release, besides 30 constituents ended in the er appetite among investors that certain provisions could verification of user accounts Budget announcements on quarters in a row, the Indian after being in doldrums for sev- keeping an eye on simmering red, with eight scrips logging in domestic forex markets, “harm” freedom of expression. and the right to receive an Financial Services, Modi said to economy grew by 0.4 per cent eral quarters now. geopolitical tensions between over 5 per cent drop. analysts said. Nasscom noted that tech- explanatory notification on help medium and small busi- in the October-December “This bears testimony to nology is becoming all perva- removal or disablement of nesses during the COVID pan- quarter amid coronavirus pan- the unrelenting efforts of the the various measures which “Going forward, we are sures including the PLI will sive and it is important that access and to seek remedy demic, 90 lakh Micro, Small demic, official data showed on government formed a part of the confident that the growth stim- lead to a sturdy growth path there is responsible use and against the action being taken and Medium Enterprises Friday. to go all-out to revive Aatmanirbhar Bharat pack- uli available from the Union over the recovery horizon,” he building of technology for all by the intermediaries should be (MSMEs) were given credit The gross domestic prod- investments under the ambit of age,” Banerjee said. Budget and the additional mea- added. stakeholders government, helpful,” Nasscom said. worth Rs 2.4 trillion. “Supporting MSME and startups and expanding credit " N , ! 4!6 flow to them is necessary. The * & ?@./ Q > R ( 2 government has undertaken reforms and opened up sectors 2 & A 4 = like farm, coal and space. Now 2) & & it’s the responsibility of the 567 86.9 In absolute terms, the fis- ! financial sector to understand cal deficit stood at 12,34,004 567 86.9 many saying that despite sup- New Delhi:Government seems the aspirations of rural and he central government’s fis- crore at the end of January porting the cause, they did not to be in no mood to subsidise New Delhi:Oil marketing com- smaller cities and make them Tcal deficit soared to 12.34 2021, as per the data released he day-long ‘Bharat Vyapar want to suffer another day of 1 the price of common mans panies on Friday continued the strength of Aatmanirbhar lakh crore or 66.8 per cent of by the Controller General of TBandh’ called by the losses. cooking gas which like the with their wait and watch strat- Bharat. “As our economy is the revised budget estimates at Accounts (CGA). The lock- Confederation of All India However, CAIT in a price of auto fuels petrol and egy and kept the retail price of growing, and growing fast, the end of January of the cur- down imposed to curb spread- Traders (CAIT) evoked a luke- statement said the shutdown diesel has maintained consis- petrol and diesel unchanged for credit flow has also become rent fiscal. ing of coronavirus infections warm response with most was a “grand success” as more tent increase for past few the third consecutive day. equally important. You have to The fiscal deficit at the end had significantly impacted shops and commercial estab- than 8 crore small businesses 0. months. Accordingly, petrol con- see how credit reaches new sec- of January in the previous business activities and in turn lishments open through the belonging to about 40,000 The price of domestic 14.2- tinues to be sold at 90.93 a tors, new entrepreneurs. Now financial year was 128.5 per contributed to sluggish revenue day. trade associations across the kg LPG cylinder was increased litre and diesel at 81.32 a litre you will have to focus on cre- cent of the Revised Estimates realisation. The traders’ body, howev- country kept their shutters New Delhi:A major trade by 25 on Thursday, the third in the national capital. ation of new and better finan- (RE). In the current fiscal end- The fiscal deficit or gap er, claimed that shopkeepers down and no trading activity union declared ‘Bharat Vyapar increase in the month of Elsewhere in the country as cial products for Startups and ing March 31, the fiscal deficit between the expenditure and supported its nationwide busi- took place in any commercial Bandh’ a success as more than February itself, taking its price well, fuel prices remained Fintech,” Modi said. is likely to touch Rs 18.48 lakh revenue had breached the ness shutdown call to protest market. eight crore small businesses 794 a cylinder in Delhi. unchanged after oil companies Stating that Kisan Credit crore or 9.5 per cent of the annual target in the month of against issues related to the Brijesh Goyal, president belonging to about 40 thousand While the practice of week- increased the pump price on 13 has helped small farmers and GDP. July during this financial year. Goods and Services Tax (GST) of Chamber of Trade and trade associations were claimed ly or fortnightly price revision of the last 18 days. those involved in animal hus- and “unethical business prac- Industry (CTI), said most of to be closed for business on of cooking gas is normally In the 13 increases since bandry to come out with the tices of foreign e-commerce the markets in Delhi were Friday. done for non-subsidised cylin- February 9, prices have gone up grasp of informal lending,Modi companies”. open but the association The call for the bandh was ders, this year oil companies by Rs 3.98 per litre for petrol said the private sector now will Various markets in the extended its support to the given by the Confederation of shave maintained almost equal while diesel rate has risen by Rs have to think of innovative national capital were open on nationwide business shut- All India Traders (CAIT). increase in price of subsidised 4.19 a litre in Delhi. financial products for this sec- Friday during the Bandh with down. IANS LPG cylinders as well. IANS IANS tion of the society. PTI *" # /@/O # /E/0
New Delhi: The Global Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (GAPIO), a non-profit organi- zation, and leading association for the Indian medical diaspora announced the organizing of its annual Global Indian Physicians Congress on February 27th - 28th 2021. The Congress has become an important event in the medical cal- endar where the exchange of knowledge from subject specialists from across the world takes place. This year’s virtual conference will provide an international forum to delegates to share their knowledge and exchange ideas on clinical skill development, solutions to contemporary health issues and modernizing the approach to deliv- ering healthcare. Dr Harsh Vardhan, the Hon’ble Health Minister, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare will be the Chief Guest. !"#!$!% P'( ) * ++ +,'- L/ '0( 5 ('' +122 2'2
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his was damaged by a tusker water the plants. Transplanting full- which had taken affront to a tiger grown trees takes a minimum of six Thaving dared to cross his path,” months but it adds to the experience of said Bhagwati Prasad Dhyani, gesturing the visitors.” to the remains of a magnificent column On the last day of our stay, we accom- at the Vatanvasa Gate which marks the panied a steward, Soori — who looks entry into the 301. 17 sq km of the older than his 45-years, thanks to his grey Kalaghar Tiger Reserve lies in the hair, but is surprisingly agile on his feet Lansdowne division of the Pauri district — to see a huge water tank being con- of Uttarakhand. It is a part of the 1,286 structed to supplement the existing water Corbett National Park where Dhyani has resource. A tiger pugmark near the tank, been working as a Van Daroga with the which is about three km away from the Uttarakhand Forest Department since resort, was the real attraction. An amaz- 2003. While the big cat got away, the gate ing raconteur, Soori told us about the which proclaimed the existence of the goings-on in the surrounding villages, feline species — with a photograph — pointed out herbs and imparted local wis- within the Kalaghar Tiger Reserve was dom. not as lucky. He gestured to the build- On our way back, we competed to test ing next to the gate and said, “I was our physical fitness at the outdoor adven- standing on the roof top and crouching. ture sports area. It was here that Rawat, It was a sight, both scary and magnifi- who by that time had come to check upon cent at the same time, which surpassed 6 and plains, varied temperatures and sev- ever temporary. The chirping of birds our well-being, told us that he calls Soori much of what I’ve seen.” Incidentally, The four of us had started much eral water bodies as well as sparse human rather than incessant honking of horns his ‘local reporter’ — clearly for a reason Dhyani, while walking home one day, before dusk from Delhi but, since we were settlements, this side holds out promis- makes for a pleasant distraction. The faint — and promised us that the journalist fra- encountered a tiger less than three feet more focussed on having a good time es of frequent spottings and keeps them rustling of trees creates an ambience ternity had more up its sleeves. He was away. He just stood and waited. “The rather than reaching the destination at any — sometimes making people fearful. which is so relaxed that it makes you sink hinting at Soori’s talent which is not lim- truth is just like any other animal fixed time, we finally arrived at the resort deeper into its comfort even though it is ited to story-telling. At night, on a day ) !! which is a prey for the carnivores, in the late afternoon. But if you are the 6 6 faintly unfamiliar or buried deep into a when the resort which is usually full-up humans too can’t react or even say a kind of traveller who doesn’t care much At Vanvasa Resort in Juee village, nostalgic past of a city slicker in her 40s. was deserted as it was the mid-week after word when we are face to face with any to stop at scenic spots to soak in the views home for the next three nights, I met One evening I decided to catch up a long weekend, Soori entertained us by of the big cats. We are stunned into during a journey, it can take about seven another visitor, Sudheer Gusain, who with the hotelier, Satender Rawat, who singing Garhwali and Nepali songs which 4 silence,” he said. The tiger walked away and a half hours. It was fascinating to recalled that while driving, early in the much like me had spent much of his adult was accompanied by energetic dancing in and Dhyani lived to recount the tale. As watch the sunlight make patches on the morning, he was practically sandwiched life in the capital, before deciding to step the gazebo attached to the dining area. fter wrapping her shooting schedule for Farhad he continued to regale us with incidents surface as it streamed in through the tree in between two elephants. “In those five back and connect with the land of his Equipped with a keyboard, a TT table and ASamji’s Bachchan Pandey, Kriti has already of his close encounters with the wild cover as the car ploughed its way through seconds, a thousand thoughts raced ancestor. This property spread over 30 more, it doubles up as an activity area started the shoot of her next horror-comedy, kind, we spotted a fox quickly making the wooded road. It was akin to chasing through my mind. Whether I should acre, powered by his vision, foregoes com- where, in the evening, there is a magic- Bhediya’s Mumbai schedule. Directed by Amar its way into the depths of the forest. clouds in the sky, which has been one of wake my three friends and run while leav- mercial gains in favour of ensuring that tricks show for children and a musical one Kaushik, the film will also star Varun Dhawan. This unexpected meeting with my favourite past times since child- ing the vehicle behind or park quietly in each of the cottages and one villa has for adults. It was in the gazebo that Rahul With shooting back to back for her films, it looks Dhyani set the tone for our entire trip hood. It smelled green due to the dense one corner or speed off and more,” he said. unobstructed view of the mountains. Mukherjee and Frank, the in-house like the actress has no time to spare. Confirming the especially since the time we crossed trees, which was a sensorial delight and He chose to step on the horn and the gas “Three more rooms are coming up and singers, entertained us with a mix of slow, same, a source revealed, “Kriti has been keeping Kotdwar. Even before we reached an immediate mood lifter for a city-slick- to make a quick getaway as he knew that eventually I plan to have 40,” said Rawat romantic and fast-paced songs every extremely busy with her hectic schedule and is work- Vatanvasa gate which demarcates the er. elephants, when angry, could be extreme- for whom it is clearly a passion project. evening. ing hard to balance all her forthcoming projects. In starting point of the jungle safari, we’d ly dangerous. A clear indication of the same are the The fourth morning, after a leisure- between Bhediya, she will also shoot for a song for lost count of the number of times wild 6 Vanvasa, which means abode in the more than a 1,000 variety of trees carted ly breakfast of Bichchu buti ka saag, a local her film, Mimi. To be all prepared and ready, the fowls had crossed our path, screeching The part through which we were trav- forest, actually lives up to the idea that from Meerut, Kolkata and even delicacy, and potato spring onion gravy actress is rehearsing every night post her shoot.” and scrambling as the car came careen- elling is in the Pauri Garhwal region went in naming it. It is an existence that Bengaluru. Rawat showed me around cooked in Garhwali style, we hit the road Recently, the actress created quite a stir on the ing down the road. On the way there which encompasses 70 per cent of the is unhurried, almost a step back in time. pointing out each of the trees by its com- on our way to the capital. And while I car- internet with her sexy biker look for her film were also scattered hutments enclosed Corbett Tiger Reserve while the remain- Mobile connectivity is low and there are mon and botanical names. When I asked ried the fond memories of the place and Ganapath directed by Vikas Behl where she will be by electric wires to ensure that the wild ing 30 per cent in Kumaon, where Jim no TVs in the rooms to ensure that the him about the number of gardeners, he the people, I also left a part of me behind. seen opposite Tiger Shroff. Having a packed slate for animals did not gatecrash as uninvited Corbett — the legendary tiger conserva- real world does not encroach upon the answered with an impish smile, “Just one. Till we take abode in the forest...again. the year, the actress is all set to surprise her fans and guests at a family dinner. tionist — lived. With a mix of elevation cocoon that you are lulled into — how- He’s standing in front of you. The rest < ( audiences on screen.
20 roducer Maneesh Sharma and direc- Ptor Sharat Katariya were in sheer dis- %# !%% %! belief when they won the prestigious National Film Awards for Best Feature 2 % ' Film in Hindi for Dum Laga Ke Haisha 6 2 # A*3$ (DLKH). On the sixth release anniver- sary of the film starring Ayushmann ! !! %+ + )- &%#3 * ( % Khurrana and Bhumi Pednekar, the duo opened up about their journey into mak- # 3 %7 7 !# - -. irector and producer ing this fresh, timeless romance. DKanwal Khoosat’s teleplay # . ) +!#8% ! + )-. #& % #!# Gidh revolves around two DLKH was your first film as a pro- women protagonists bound ducer at YRF. What made you take the 3%!! 3 # )) # !3 4 7 together by their shared mis- plunge as a producer? eries of life in a patriarchal soci- Maneesh: Some take the plunge, sure of ambition. This one did tick many ety. The teleplay starring Sana others are tripped into the pool. I am def- of the boxes. Jafri, Rasti Farooq, and Adeel initely the latter. Producing films was Afzal delves into the life of nowhere in my scheme of things but I The film gave a new pairing Saleema and an unexpected had not anticipated the plans of Aditya (Ayushmann-Bhumi) to people who visitor Salma who claims to be Chopra. Shuddh Desi Romance had just have now had a hattrick of hits. Why her sister-in-law. released and I was prepping for anoth- do you think people have loved them As the plot unfolds, both er film. One fine day, a conversation ini- ever since? the women share the trials of tiated by Adi led to me becoming a pro- Sharat: It’s just their talent nothing their respective lives which ducer pretty much overnight. C ‘est la else. It’s their talent of getting into the they had to undergo because of vie! (such is life) skin of the character and becoming the the same man — Junaid, characters they’ve asked for, for any film Salma’s brother, and Saleema’s Did you expect this reaction to the that they do. And I’m sure that is why husband. Together, they decide film while you were writing it? their films and performances work. to do put an end to their suf- Sharat: No, one is not thinking any fering. What in fact transpires kind of (such thing), one is always What was the first thing you and changes one of their lives for- unsure and is trying to write with the Sharat said to each other when you won ever, but not in a predictable best possible ideas. There was no expec- the National Award for the film? way. tations. Yes, I was overwhelmed by the Maneesh: Kya baat kar raha hai! Sana says, “Working with reaction but never expected it like that. (What are you saying?) Kanwal has been definitely the best experience of my life Sana adds, “We rehearsed the As a producer, what are the kind of What was your reaction when you because she brought out the teleplay just like we do in the- stories that you want to tell? won the National Award for the film? creative aspects in me that I atre and that process was very Maneesh: Irrespective of which Sharat: I have very fond memories. didn’t even know could trans- helpful. Also, the fact that we role I am engaged in a film with — pro- I’ll tell you bit by bit what happened. My late onto the screen. Each line were a team of five women ducer, director or story writer — I rely first reaction was like Oh God! I won’t that Kanwal wrote had two or helped. Whenever we got stuck a lot on my instinct. It’s a lot to do with be able to work the whole day now. First, more meanings and it was creatively, our art director, what feels right at that stage of life and it wasn’t sinking in but it sank when there tough to express them all with- Kanwal, myself, Rasti, and our you click with a narrative or a charac- were multiple phone calls, post which I out actually saying what the assistant shared our real-life ter or a genre and you back your at a film festival with the audience. I still When you and Sharat were teaming remember calling Maneesh. I told him character was going through.” experiences which helped us instinct and commit to investing your don’t know what worked with the audi- up for the film, what were your expec- that the film has won a National Award, The teleplay format, she move forward. This ensemble time and energy to the process. So far, ence, but I am assuming that may be the tations? not just for the film but also for the best says, was tricky because she is of five amazing women who that’s mostly worked for me, I guess. comedy or the characters. I really don’t Maneesh: All we really hoped was for singer (Monali) and Varun (Grover) for a trained theatre actor but had so much to share with each know what was new in it because when the audience to connect with the the best lyrics as well. So, he was also Kanwal blended the two gen- other really helped me as an What do you think is the USP of the I hear the word ‘fresh’, I can’t figure out grounded and nostalgic quality of the equally surprised. And then phone calls res and translated them harmo- actor.” film that it became a hit? exactly what was fresh in it? I can’t break narrative. The love and warmth the film started coming in non-stop. This has niously for the small screen. (The teleplay will stream on Sharat: Honestly, I don’t know. I saw it down for myself. If I could, I would has received overtime, does validate our never happened to me in my life. It was Kanwal also helped her to Airtel Spotlight on February 28 the film a year after it was released, again, do that again. conviction. Each film has its own mea- really an overwhelming experience. push her creative boundaries. at 2 pm and 6 pm.) !"#!$!% 55 ('' +122 2'2
icture this: Six teams, represent- born in Chennai or he has any ing different regions of India, bat- connection with the state. It’s a Ptling it out against each other in voting-based show so it’s a musical championship. Each of these become very difficult if you just teams are supported by leading B#$"C 9B leave it at ‘everyone votes for Bollywood and sports celebrities like everyone’. It also becomes even Bobby Deol, Rajkummar Rao, more subjective then. I am a Shraddha Kapoor along with Shakti Bengali, so I have been given a Kapoor and Siddhanth Kapoor, Riteish 6 )R( ( &) team titled Bengal Tigers. and Genelia Deshmukh, Govinda Mikaji (Singh) is Punjabi so he along with Sunita and Tina Ahuja and & ( ) ) & ( & ) has been given Punjab Lions. Suresh Raina. Also, the teams have two But if we talk about Kailashji top playback singers as their captains . DB#E$ #E3 (Kher), he has got Mumbai along with one reality show star and Warriors but he is not from one fresh voice. Doesn’t this resemble ing thing for me. The only test Aakriti tells us that initially Mumbai. So we were just given the concept of IPL (The Indian Premier is to be a better performer on when she was approached for these choices just for the sake League), a professional Twenty20 a daily basis and be a better ver- the show, she had the option of of representation and to give a cricket match contested by different sion of yourself. When you are choosing two-three teams superficial colour,” shares teams representing various states of competing with yourself, that’s because she’s a Delhi girl, who Shaan. India? the real challenge to be in.” is a Punjabi, born and brought Sajid and Shilpa tell us While we’ve seen many sports Asees hopes that just like up in Mumbai. She especially that the show depicts different leagues over the past few decades, Zee IPL is a big success in our chose Bengal because “the kind cultures and a variety of music TV’s latest show — Indian Pro Music country, this show carries the of love I’ve received from the from various states. “The League — is the first ever music same magic! state is just unbelievable. My show’s mantra is Music Uncha league reality show which infuses the Usually in a music reality connection with Bengal has Rahe Hamara. So at the end, it competitive energy of sports into show there are different teams been very strong since the all comes down to one thing i.e. music with super matches, league fighting to win. Here, there is beginning.” music. It doesn’t matter who matches and so on. While Shilpa Rao an involvement of various Shaan explains that repre- took the trophy. It’s a win for is the captain of Mumbai Warriors, states and their representa- senting states is a very super- music,” they say. Shaan and Aakriti Kakar head Bengal tion. Has this made the show ficial part of the show. “For (The show airs on Zee TV Tigers, Asees Kaur leads Punjab Lions more personal for the audience instance, MS Dhoni represents every Saturday and Sunday at and Sajid Khan commands Delhi as well as for the singers? Well, Chennai but it’s not like he was 8 pm.) Jammers. All the captains came togeth- er to speak about the show. Since people have always enjoyed and embraced this format in sports, can we expect the same response for music? Aakriti feels that people are going to take some time to understand the concept. “Even we took a while. But it’s going to be a lot of fun. Shaan and I will make sure that we just don’t keep singing our own songs because that will become mundane. Our goal is to give a different spin to each song. There are different themes to almost every episode. There are various categories and genres given to us. Singers Mika Singh, Kailash Kher, Sajid Khan, Shaan, Ankit Tiwari, Javed Ali, Asees Kaur, Bhoomi Trivedi, Payal Dev, Neha Bhasin, Shilpa Rao will don the hat of captains of the six zonal teams. I am sure it’s going to be a huge hit,” she says. Sajid adds, “Wahan bat aur ball chalta hai, yeha pe sur aur taal, drum and guitar chalega. Even though crick- et is like a religion in India, I feel peo- ple can still live without it, but music — I don’t think so.” Aakriti always loves to be chal- Shilpa shares, “Music is one thing lenged. She says, “There’s a bit of a chal- that you like... be it in any form. It has O# P lenge because I am a judge on Sa Re that universal connect with people. The Ga Ma Pa on Zee Bangla. There I am whole point of this format is to get 18 ) judging the contestants and here, I am artistes of the same stature and six new the one who is going to be judged. It’s talents on one stage, which is the 8 8 8 like practicing what you preach, so it biggest task for any of us.” P 8 P shouldn’t come across as a hollow Ask her if Shilpa finds it challeng- claim. And actually that’s where the fun ing, she instantly says, “What? To be P is.” yourself? No! That is the least challeng- !"#!$!% 5
.+<* WOMEN'S CRICKET SEASON FROM MARCH 11 It’s all about confidence, Axar on Test outings New Delhi: H #& ?E ! 00 1-- "9!68"1"8 continue in the same manner in # front of his home crowd in the K , :+ B t was a long wait for Axar fourth and final Test against - 1 & Patel and it didn’t help that England, starting here on # # ! L - 0D & # & #### everyone around him had March 4. I 6 & just one question for the past “(The Day-Night Test) was & G three years — “Why aren’t you my second Test and first in # ! /D " 0 in the Indian team?” Motera. It’s a special feeling to # " L But Patel was unfazed as he play and perform before the knew, his time would come. home crowd. My efforts would YUSUF PATHAN ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT “I think it’s all about confi- be to do the same,” Patel said. New Delhi: dence,” said the 27-year-old Towards the end of the from Anand in Gujarat who light-hearted interview, India wanted to be a mechanical skipper Virat Kohli also made & L engineer growing up but was an appearance and appreciated & M >O prodded into trying his hand at Patel’s performance in Gujarati. & /E 7 - & cricket by a school friend. “Ae Bapu taari bowling /EE@ /E00 8 With his record 11 wickets kamaal chhe! (Bapu, your bowl- 7 - in the Day-Night third Test ing is wonderful!),” Kohli said. $ % 2 against England, the left-arm PIETERSEN TO CAPTAIN ENGLAND LEGENDS spinner finally found his big EXPECTED WICKET TO Mumbai: 6 & # ) moment in International crick- HOLD UP LITTLE LONGER 6 & .& ) ! et, seven years after he made his England head coach Chris F ) 1 & .& ( India debut in an ODI against Silverwood on Friday played : , 7 , & : Bangladesh. down talks of lodging any for- ! ? ! 9&& Since that day, he has been mal complaint to the ICC "9!68"1"8 , ! 5 - in and out of the team with the regarding the Motera pitch but # 6 & spin all-rounder’s spot firmly said he had expected the sur- alled a modern day legend by 1 & .& G with Ravindra Jadeja. face to hold up a little longer his captain Virat Kohli, ace 8 5 G# "# :G ! :G In this series too, he made after his team lost the third Test CIndian off-spinner HENDERSON SIDELINED AFTER SURGERY it because Jadeja was out against India inside two days. Ravichandran Ashwin says he is ) injured. He hadn’t been in the “First and foremost, just to actually an accidental cricketer, who Liverpool: . B 9 national team since 2018 and follow up from what Joe (Root) is living a dream with over 400 Test & & & 9 & + made his Test debut in the sec- said yesterday, he got five for 8, wickets under his belt. H ! # & 6 ond game against England last but at the same time whatever Ashwin reached the milestone in . H week in Chennai. the pitch did or didn’t do, the Day-Night third Test against # # " “I have been out of the team team, many people, friends er I get an opportunity I will India ultimately played better England, which ended here on improve his understanding of the # & .& for three years and at that time, keep asking you ‘why aren’t you give my 100 per cent’.” than us on that surface, prob- Thursday with India winning by 10 game. “I used to watch a lot of footage I used to think about the areas in the team despite doing well?’ Asked by Pandya if he finds ably pushed us to the extremes wickets inside two days. Ashwin even before, but the understanding of SWIATEK VS BENCIC IN ADELAIDE FINAL of my game which need to be These things keep coming in Test cricket easy, Axar replied: of which our players haven’t picked up seven in the match to take the game has gone one notch high- Adelaide: , 1 1 # worked upon. So, I was work- the mind,” said the bowler who “Everybody asked me that experienced before,” he said his overall tally to 401. er...During the lockdown, I was # & 0P - ing on my bowling and batting,” has 152 wickets in 41 first-class question. When it goes your during a virtual press confer- “I accidentally became a cricketer. watching a lot of cricket from the past, * he told Hardik Pandya in a game at an impressive average way then you think it’s easy but ence. I am actually a cricket lover who went especially Sachin’s hundred in " 1 bcci.Tv interview, thoroughly of 25.25. when you miss a full toss, you “We did expect the wicket on to become a cricketer. I am living Chepauk, all sort of stuff on Youtube,” & & , @ enjoying his good time. “So, I told myself ‘just wait actually realise how easy it is.” to hold up a little longer than my dream here, I never imagined that recalled the 34-year-old Chennai- P 2@ P/ and I will play,” Ashwin told bcci.Tv Jofra Archer became Ashwin’s in an interview but did not elaborate 400th wicket during the second day DISCOVERY BECOMES HOME OF GIRO D’ITALIA on the remark. of the third Test here, which India New Delhi: 8 &# According to Ashwin, being in won by 10 wickets and he said it was & * H /E/? ## ( # </ the Covid-19 lockdown made him only when the batsman had opted for & 8 realise just how lucky he was to play DRS, he realised that he had reached * H & & . for India. the landmark. & & .585 Test series you are playing in? For me that’s “And every time I finish playing “Initial feeling is quite empty to H * * where England have gone a bit wrong,” he a game and if I give that winning be honest, because we were under H # 6 ormer batsman Ian Bell has slammed added. result for the team, I just feel I am immense pressure...For me I was Q O K >E ! /E/0 FEngland’s much-debated rotation pol- The 38-year-old, who featured in 118 being given a blessing, but the Covid actually in the moment, only after he icy, saying they were guilty of thinking too Tests for England, feels for the English times made me feel how lucky I am (Archer) had taken the DRS, I DEEPAK UPSTAGES WORLD CHAMP ZOIROV far ahead and have gone wrong with the players for whom the tours to India and to actually play for India. realised the 400th that happened,” he New Delhi: " , 8 ) 2?/ &3 constant chopping and changing in a “big” Australia can make or break careers. “Even when I came back after the said. Test series like India. “These tours, certainly for Englishmen IPL, I never thought I will play in “...After they flashed 400 Test , # C (# England fell to an embarrassing 10- coming to India or going to Australia are Australia, so that is what I said, every- wickets on the board, the entire sta- @/ , + ! 1 & wicket defeat in the third Test to go down the pinnacle. They make your careers, you thing has been a gift, for the love with dium was up, everybody was clap- , 1& 8 1-2 in the four-match series against India, look back and if you win in those condi- which I play the game, the game is ping, I don’t know, I cannot put a fin- # L0 while also getting knocked out of con- tions they are remembered for a long long giving me back enough and more lau- ger and say how I feel about it, the last C /E0D tention from the ICC World Test time,” Bell said. rels,” he added. three months have been a complete # & O " & Championship (WTC) final in June. “For me, India are going to come to Ashwin, who also became the fairy-tale,” he added. : " “I think England have been guilty of England in the summer. If they are 2-0 or second fastest bowler to reach the 400 thinking too far ahead of having a squad 1-0 up will they rotate? I know for a fact Test wicket-mark after Sri Lankan for the Ashes when actually this is bigger that when India come in the summer they spin legend Muttiah Muralitharan, than the Ashes, this is probably as big as won’t be rotating their best bowlers or their said that he watched a lot of old the Ashes,” Bell told ESPNcricinfo. best players or leave somebody out. They videos of great individual perfor- “Why are we rotating in the biggest want to win.” mances in the lock-down helped ) O
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oung opener YDevdutt Padikkal continued his sensa- tional form, smashing a second successive century to lead defending champions Karnataka to a nine- wicket win over Kerala in the Vijay Hazare Trophy here on Friday. Chasing Kerala’s 278, Karnataka cantered home with 27 balls to spare with the Royal Challengers Bangalore opener hit- ting 13 fours and two sixes in an unbeaten knock of 126 from 138 balls. He got a fine support from Krishnamurthy Siddharth (84-ball 86 not out; 5x4, 3x6) as they toyed with the Kerala attack in their match-winning 180- run undefeated stand. Fresh from his 152 against Odisha, Padikkal carried on from where he left and put on a 99-run opening stand with skipper Ravikumar Samarth (62). The 20-year-old, who also has two half-cen- turies, now leads the Vijay Hazare run chart with 427 runs from four matches at an astounding aver- age of 142.33. The big win took Karnataka to the top of the Group E table ahead of Uttar Pradesh, who beat Railways by 70 runs in Alur and Kerala on net run- rate.
FOUR FOR BARODA In Group A game in Surat, skipper Krunal Pandya’s unbeaten 133 formed the cornerstone of Baroda’s 13-run win over Chhattisgarh in an Elite Group A game, even as Atit Sheth blazed away to a 16-ball 51. Opting to bat, Baroda rode on Pandya’s hun- dred and Sheth’s big-hitting to post 332/6 after a top- order failure, and then restricted the opposition to 319/9 to record their fourth win on the trot. The left-hander smashed 20 fours and three sixes in his whirlwind 100-ball knock while forging a 139-run stand for the fifth wicket with Vishnu Solanki (78 off 99 balls, 8x4).
JHARKHAND LOSE In Group B matches in Indore, Tamil Nadu ended Jharkhand’s three-match winning streak with a convincing 67-run win. At Holkar Stadium, Prabhsimran Singh ham- mered 167 (140 balls, 13 fours, 9 sixes) to power Punjab to a four-wicket win over Vidarbha. While Madhya Pradesh handed Andhra a 98-run defeat. Jharkhand is on top of the standings with 12 points, followed by Punjab, Andhra, Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh with eight points. Vidarbha lies in last place with 4 points.