) * :-1   (";       ";   ;     ,'#-,.(/01 +!$$+, +.&12 -!+./0%   6 7&*0. 8'-538 86-3-, 7238'* 6**64 13'1*9 1A6+6@0. &3'- 13*50 *7.+264 &56'* &57&'234'8 -5'2 80@'-03 566-02 02 $9'2$'8 $31@313@ 02 02'* 8'2.50 8'078 .5'210'85 1358'172 59138'&'1 @0A'94'1' *  . +*)< ,,! =) >'    3  '     2     3323)3(4(33                

                                    !       "    234 13*50 “myth” in the country because "# $   at least 80 per cent people need    hile Covid-19 cases are to have antibodies for the        Wsteadily rising in whole of the population to be             and Kerala, protected.         AIIMS director Dr Randeep has been witnessing

      Guleria has sounded an alarm a rise in the Covid-19 active          bell, warning that the new caseload over the past few days       Indian strains of infection which is pegged at 1,45,634 as  L M     found could be highly trans- on date and now consists of " missible and dangerous. 1.32 per cent of India’s total     He also added that the infections.    new variant can even cause re- “More than 74 per cent of   234 13*50 O  P    infections in people who have the active cases of the country !#$$#%&!%      developed anti-bodies to the are in Kerala and Maharashtra. ll international fliers       virus. After reporting decline in Of late it is seen that there has Aexcept the ones coming     #   cases in last few months, India been a spike in the daily cases on flights originating from the      $   has reported close to 87,000 in and Madhya                      United Kingdom, Europe and   &      cases of the coronavirus in the Pradesh also. the West Asia will have to sub-       last seven days, with the high- Punjab and Jammu & Amravati, Nashik, Akola and mit a self-declaration form on  " est addition on Sunday when Kashmir too are witnessing a Yavatmal, the weekly cases the Air Suvidha portal before the country saw 14,264 fresh surge in daily new cases,” the have increased by 33 per cent,      !   their scheduled travel from     infections within a span of 24 Ministry said. 47 per cent, 23 per cent, 55 per Monday night.    hours. In the last four weeks in cent and 48 per cent, respec- As per the Ministry of India in the exigency of death #'!%# '    Incidentally, the rise in Kerala, the average weekly cases tively, the Ministry under-         Civil Aviation’s new guidelines in the family. For seeking      infection has come in the back- have fluctuated between a high scored. for international travellers, the exemption, the travelling enti-  (     drop of identification of new of 42,000 and a low of 34,800. Punjab is rapidly assuming     $7$&'0 ties on Sunday clamped night new Standard Operating ty will have to apply to the )   #   variants in Maharashtra. Similarly, in the last four weeks, critical dimension in respect of curfew in Pune city and the Procedures (SOPs) will be in online portal www.newdelhi-      India now has all three the weekly positivity in Kerala the spread of Covid-19 infec- aking cognisance of the neighbouring Pimpri- effect from 11pm on February airport.in at least 72 hours    (  coronavirus variants that have has ranged from 13.9 per cent tion, the Ministry highlighted Tincreasing Covid-19 cases Chinchwad. 22. The South African coron- before boarding.     * + , caused a massive resurgence of to 8.9 per cent. adding in the last four weeks, in the State, Maharashtra Chief “Movement of people will avirus strain has been found in The test should have been    cases globally — B.1.1.7, first In Maharashtra, in the last the weekly positivity rate in the Minister also be restricted between four people in India, while the conducted within 72 hours     " discovered in the United four weeks, the weekly cases State has increased from 1.4 per announced temporary ban on 11pm and 6am when only variant from Brazil has been prior to the journey and each Kingdom; B.1.351, dominant in have shown a rising trend and cent to 1.6 per cent, while the political, religious and social essential activities like medical detected in one person. In light passenger will also have to     South Africa; and P.1, from have increased from 18,200 to weekly cases in the last four events, even as he gave an services, milk supply will be of these developments, the submit a declaration with ()*(  Brazil. These have a unique col- 21,300; while the weekly posi- weeks have seen a rise from ultimatum to the people that allowed,” Pune’s divisional Government has decided to respect to the authenticity of  -   .   lection of mutations, which tivity has also increased from 1300 to 1682. after eight days he would commissioner Saurabh Rao implement the new guidelines. the report.       make them spread more read- 4.7 per cent to 8 per cent. The Centre has advised all decide on re-imposing the said. “Schools and colleges in The new guidelines said At the time of boarding   ,     ily or cheat vaccine-immunity, The areas of concern are these States to improve the lockdown if they did not mend Pune and its sister city of international passengers will the flight, only asymptomatic      )/") said the experts. the suburban areas overall testing numbers by ways and follow pandemic Pimpri-Chinchwad will remain also have to upload a negative travellers will be allowed to   .,  0  Dr Guelria stated that herd where the weekly cases have focusing on increasing the pro- norms strictly. closed February 28. Covid-19 RT-PCR report with board after the thermal $   1    " immunity for coronavirus is a risen by 19 per cent. In Nagpur, portion of RT-PCR tests. Meanwhile, the authori- Detailed report on P5 exception of those traveling to screening.      R %  &&      #$ '$  # '()         *  %R  "    234 13*50 head of elections in four ",  -'$  AStates and one Union Territory, Prime Minister  "   on Sunday addressed the meeting of BJP     +6*+'-' national office-bearers which expressed confidence of win- he CBI probing the multi- ning more than 200 seats in Tcrore coal scam on Sunday Assembly polls. issued notices to the wife and sis- The Prime Minister is visiting ter-in-law of Diamond Harbour West Bengal on Monday. MP Abhishek Banerjee who is The meeting decided to also the nephew of the Chief launch a country-wide “atm- Minister . nirbhar movement, promote        The CBI swung into action a Minister said, “Some people are ‘swadeshi” and prpopagate       !  ! day after a local court asked trying to threaten us with jail “vocal for local” mantra from      P   Home Minister to …they are trying to break my April 6, coinciding with the !! #    $%  appear in person or through a backbone as they have done to party’s foundation day.    $   lawyer on February 22 in a many leaders… but let me tell The key leaders of all defamation case filed by them that we are made of dif- national office bearers, State ers, Modi asked them to Abhishek. ferent material… we have presidents, State-in-charges and improve the quality of organi- Both the notices were fought against bullets so we are organisational general secre- sation so that the party could served under the Section 160 of not afraid of jails.” taries, discussed farmers agi- fulfill its mission of “making the CrPC asking the respondents Comparing herself with tation and maintained that the country great.” to appear before the investi- tigers, Mamata said, “We are three new agriculture laws The Prime Minister said gating agency as witnesses to a tiger cubs and have fought were in the interest of the his Government is running on number of cases, including with more dangerous enemies farmers and the agitation has the principle of “sabka saath some alleged transfer of money … what these rats will do to us been “kept alive” by the sabka vishwas” and uninter- in banks situated in Thailand. … we are not at all afraid. Let Congress and the Left. ruptedly moving with reforms Reacting over it, the Chief them do whatever they want.” Addressing the party lead- be it farm laws or the GST. % $$  " *. R % &'                717.53889     234 13*50 wo more MLAs of the any migratory birds from TCongress-Dravid MEurope, Siberia, Central aMunnetra Kazhagam alliance Asia and China visited in Puducherry resigned on this winter. On Sunday, on the Sunday, delivering yet another Big Bird Day-2021 (BBD- jolt to Chief Minister V 2021), the bird count was held Narayanasamy, a day before he at seven wetlands which host is scheduled to face a floor test Pied Aocet, Marsh Harrier, in the Assembly to prove his Ferruginous Pochard and Grey majority. Headed Canary Flycatcher and The resignation by Congress it was reported that the MLA K Lakshminarayanan and Yamuna Biodiversity Park DMK legislator Venkatesan fur- (YBP) gained first rank in ther reduced the strength of the hosting winged guests with ruling alliance to 11. total bird count at 101. While the Opposition has “Today, there are seven 14 MLAs in the 33-member biodiversity parks in Delhi Assembly, which has seven spread over 3,000 acres in vacancies. which Yamuna Biodiversity Lakshminarayanan and Park is the oldest (2002) and Venkatesan submitted their the South Biodiversity Park is resignation letters separately to the youngest (2019),” said assembly speaker V P Dr Faiyaz Khudsar, DU Sivakolundhu at his residence Professor.      &     $     here, the both said.     !!"!#!$ 

    '    !    !   5           ()%            6# 5   . $  A  8  - (                        50$*' amount of Rs 25 lakh had         (     & (+         been released for clusters of 200        +     B @     $  imachal Chief Minister Jai farmers and an oak tusser seed ,                  HRam Thakur on Sunday production Centre at  B" - (   C  5  , $    #   said that the State Government Gadagushaini.     B" 5           has taken an important initia- The Chief Minister further          B" 5         tive for ensuring prosperity said that the organization of the  B #      0$.,   0$38 .  ,   and self-employment potential workshop has given an oppor-               of the people of the state tunity to the farmers to get   " 5    8 D  (        (      engaged in sericulture. information about various         " While addressing a public schemes launched by the    50$*' meeting at sericulture farming Central and State Government  7         workshop and dialogue pro- for the development of the #8.9#% &&$&O    '  . '  6  F' imachal Chief Minister Jai gratulated all the members for ment. In this case, the respon- gramme in Balichoki of district industrial industry, which will G .'6H 8 B  +       (, N- 1   HRam Thakur on Sunday winning the elections. sibility of panchayat represen- Mandi, the Chief Minister said definitely benefit them. . O,   B     7- '   @   asked the newly elected pan- Describing the training tatives increases even more. that the construction work is He presented cheques &    8 B &  " + , //   0  3   chayat representatives to rise given to the representatives of He said that panchayat underway at a cost of Rs 494 worth Rs 1.25 lakh per farmer F03H  ,      (         above the ideological point of Panchayati Raj Institutions as representatives should carry lakhs to benefit the weavers of Dhim Kataru and Saroa. to five farmers for construction               ,    view on the path of develop- important, he said that they out development works with Resham weaving under Thakur said that for the of silk rearing farm, while 200        ,           ment and work as partners. should be sensitive about this transparency, fairness and hon- Balichoki Centre. first time, the State farmers of the state are being           " He was participating in training so that they could be esty. There are unlimited pos- A provision of Rs 50 lakh Government has released an benefited from this scheme. He the dialogue programme orga- able to discharge their duties sibilities in the work to be done had also been made for pest amount of Rs 3 crore for gen- also distributed cheques of Rs (3           nized with newly elected zila well by being aware of their under MNREGA. Therefore, training through this Centre. eral category families this year 40000 each to four farmers for #'8.#-  (  )    1    .   7  parishad and panchayat sami- duties and rights. representatives of Panchayati Currently 30 women weavers for rearing, out of which Rs 52 silk insect pest tool and 200   B , &   , F.7&H,  ,  ,    ti members, gram panchayat The Chief Minister said Raj Institutions should take are receiving training in lakh had been sanctioned for farmers would be benefited       ((         pradhans and up-pradhans and that the budget comes direct- new initiative in this direction Balichoki and they are being the Seraj area while 416 lakhs under this scheme.          )J, /),     ward members of Balichoki ly to the panchayats through and also play an important role given Rs 300 per day, he said. had been released to the farm- Thakur also provided the     0    $ -  *   1 " - N3  area of Mandi district. He con- various means for develop- in giving practical form to var- He said that Rs 318 lakh ers belonging to scheduled first instalment of Rs 75000    .7& )    1  .  O       ious schemes of the govern- had been released for the con- caste for construction of seri- each to nine persons for con-       ,       ment, he added. struction of silk seed produc- culture building. struction of houses under the  " He further said that Swarna tion Centre at Thunag. In addi- He said that the State Home Grant Scheme. In addi- Jayanti Gram Swaraj Sammelan tion, Rs 160 lakh had been Government is endeavouring tion, 45 sewing machines were       will be organized after the approved for the establishment to start the vanished Oak also distributed under the fol- #8.9#% 5             assembly session. of silk Centre at Bagachanogi, Tussar sericulture scheme. An low-up programme.     0'       " $( + ,     , 7 3  1  , 1  . , 9    $  , 5  & (  .  .            1  /      $ / #  0   . , +(           +  & " "   !      :      "  /(     #8.9#% 0$38O     .     .5'210'85                   " 0 $              0   ith 121 fresh Covid-19 $  3   8 " 0$38 1  " A  8     50$*' plantation is prepared by the Wcases, ’s caseload      KKD       J)   school administration and the surged to 269730 on Sunday.    " 6      , K)J     imachal Pradesh’s Forest Divisional Forest Officer pro- As per the bulletin, no      " '    /)        HDepartment is involving vides approval to it. The death was reported in the last    ,            school students in planting Department provides necessary 24 hours. There were 861 active in Haryana, it added.  .  1 //   " saplings and ensuring their technical information for plan- cases in the state till the Chd reports 28 fresh survival to create awareness. tation, he said. evening. 265827 patients COVID cases For this, the Department The students are not only including 76 in the last 24 28 fresh COVID-19 cases     has set up the Vidyarthi Van responsible for plantation of the hours have so far recovered were detected in the union ter- Mitra Yojna under which eco saplings but also maintain the from the virus in the state. ritory of Chandigarh on clubs have been set up in the area on a long-term basis, he Till now, 3042 people have Sunday taking the total infec- schools to identify open or added. succumbed to the virus in the tions to 21425.In the last 24 ) " '() degraded forest areas for car- The spokesman further state. hours, no death has been rying out plantation of indige- said that the government is lay- In the last 24 hours, a reported in the city due to the nous species. These areas will ing stress not just in creating maximum of 30 fresh cases virus. The death toll due to #$ $ - 3 be maintained by the students, awareness among students on were reported from Gurugram COVID-19 stands at 349, as per to help them develop a bond conservation of forest and followed by 20 in Kurukshetra. the Chandigarh Health   234 13*50 Addressing a booth with plants, said an official wildlife but is also emphasising Out of 30 critical patients Department’s evening bulletin. KaryaKarta Sammelan at the spokesman. on conservation of the natur- admitted in the hospitals, 26 19 males and 9 females erming the municipal by- Chauhan Bangar ward of In 2018-19, 228 schools al resources. Besides, the gov- patients were on oxygen sup- were tested positive in the last Telections scheduled on Seelampur constituency, Rai were covered under the scheme ernment is ensuring conserva- port while four were on venti- 24 hours. There were 186 active February 28 as the “semi-final” said that this by-election in five and 166,830 saplings were tion of forests for those com- lator, the health bulletin said. cases till the evening. 11 to overthrow the corrupt 15- wards of MCD is going to write planted in 164.30 hectare area. munities that are dependent on According to the bulletin, patients have recovered in the year rule of the Bharatiya Janata the future of Delhi for the next In 2019-20, 146 schools resources generated from the fatality rate is recorded at past 24 hours taking the total Party (BJP) in the corporations, five years. “This is not just the were covered and 86,702 forests for livelihood. 1.13 percent in Haryana. The number of recoveries to 20890, Delhi Cabinet Minister and election of five wards, but also the saplings were planted in 131.5 In , case-doubling rate in Haryana the bulletin stated. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Delhi semi-final to overthrow the cor- hectares, the spokesman said. 37,948 sq km is forest area and stood at 139 days, COVID 243429 samples have so far convener Gopal Rai on Sunday rupt 15-year rule of BJP in the Under this scheme, the 15,433.52 sq km is green forest positive rate was 4.86 per cent been tested in the city. A total said that the BJP has done pol- MCD. The BJP did politics of students and school adminis- cover of the total forest area. and recovery rate was record- of 1127 tests were conducted in itics of hatred during Delhi hatred during Delhi Assembly tration play a vital role in iden- About 16,376 sq km forest ed at 98.55 percent. the last 24 hours and the report Assembly elections and its can- elections but people again tifying the site for plantation of area is above treeline, he added. As many as 55.5 lakh sam- of 63 was awaited, the bulletin didates will be defeated by a formed the AAP government saplings. A micro plan for ples have been tested till date added. huge margin in all the wards. under CM .         1     "        

  .5'210'85 "   #  2, 

aryana Chief Minister HManohar Lal on Sunday   234 13*50 said that an amount of Rs 7 crore would be spent on devel- elhi Chief Minister Arvind oping Karna Lake as a tourist DKejriwal on Sunday met destination hub. the farmer leaders from The work of beautifica- Western at the tion of Karna Lake will be com- Delhi Legislative Assembly and pleted in the next one year, the discussed the three “anti- Chief Minister said while hold- farmer” laws passed by the ing a review meeting regarding Central Government. Kejriwal the work of beautification of said that the Central the lake at Karnal. Government should immedi- During the review meeting, Manohar Lal directed the cusecs. ately withdraw all the three the Chief Minister also officers to work in a planned On this occasion, Deputy laws and the legal guarantee of approved a master plan pre- manner so as to ensure that Commissioner and Chief MSP should be granted to all pared by the officers of Smart maximum number of tourists Executive Officer, Karnal Smart the 23 crops following the rec- City for the beautification of visit Karna Lake. City Ltd. Karnal, Nishant ommendations of the $ % !  * +,      -! the lake. He said that beautification Kumar Yadav gave a presenta- Swaminathan Commission.            #   $  of the lake should be done tion regarding the beautifica- The Chief Minister said     while keeping in view the con- tion of Karna Lake. that these three anti-farmer venience of tourists and com- He shared that the 1.26 km laws are death warrants to the met. laws passed by the BJP ruled mon people who would be periphery area of Karna Lake farmers with the implementa- The meeting was attended central government. The BJP is visiting the lake. For this, two will be developed. Signage, tion of these laws the crop will by Delhi Assembly Speaker continuously saying that these entry points and a ticket path-way, lighting and cycle go to the hands of a few indus- Ram Niwas Goel, Cabinet laws will benefit the farmers counter should be set up at one track will be made in the trialists. “The Central Ministers Kailash Gehlot and but the Bharatiya single place, he said. periphery of Karna Lake. Two Government should talk to Rajendra Pal Gautam along (BJP) has not yet clarified how He further suggested that tube wells, food courts and the farmers, if the government with Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay these laws will be beneficial to arrangements for free entry cafes will also be built to keep does not listen to the farmers Singh and MLA Dilip Pandey. the farmers.” inside the lake premises espe- water available throughout the then who will listen,” he said. Apart from this, farmer leaders “These three laws are death cially for the people of Karnal year in the lake, he informed. Farmer leader Chaudhary Chaudhary Rohit Jakhar, warrants to the farmers. If city should be made from 6 am Yadav further informed Rohit Jakhar said that Kejriwal Chaudhary Yashpal Singh, these farmer laws are imple- to 8 pm and from 7 am to 9 pm. that an island inside the lake has broken all the barriers of Virendra Gujjar, Chaudhary mented then the farmers of The Chief Minister direct- will be made along with sculp- caste, religion and sect and wel- Udham Singh, Rahul Bedi, India will become labourers in ed the officers of the Irrigation tures on themes such as the comed the entire Chaudharata Kuldeep Tyagi, Chaudhary their own land. Department to make arrange- Mahabharata. A musical foun- of Western UP to the assembly. Baba Shyam Singh, Chaudhary Today all the farmer lead- ments for discharging clean tain will also be built within the Farmer leader Chaudhary Sanjay, Chaudhary ers have again demanded water in the lake through a lake and a view deck will be Shyam Singh said that we heard Shokhendra, Thakur Puran immediate rollback of these canal. built on the shore. a lot about Arvind Kejriwal and Singh, Sirajuddin Chauhan and three antifarmer laws. The Superintendent Apart from this, artisans after meeting him, we have Chaudhary Dalbir were also The farmers also demand- Engineer informed the Chief from the city and outside will received the same confidence. present. ed that the BJP ruled central Minister that one Cusec water be able to visit and sell their Another farmer leader Kejriwal said, “Today sev- government should give a legal is released from the Bhakra goods, which will give them Chaudhary Yashpathe Singh eral farmer leaders from west- guarantee to the MSP. They channel into the lake, while the employment opportunities and said that Kejriwal has assured ern Uttar Pradesh came to the demanded that MSP should be Chief Minister directed that it will also generate more income us full support. Our protest will Delhi legislative assembly to implemented in all 23 crops,” should be increased to three for the department, he added. continue till the demands are discuss the three anti-farmer he said.

                                                                                                                                               !        "                                            #            $ % S                      '                "       (          

                      !     "   # $% % & '   (  )*+  ( + %$**)* , - *%.)+/$*01/.      23       -))  +44 4       5    !6  +     7 !6     47 27578!  7%** ! 6    7   9  -6  :6    ;    6 (  ;     6  3   ' #6 - $  8   9       <    ( -9 '+%%* **) 6 *%%+/*%%*/==    #6 &+ 0%  $ -#4' 8    - ( +)*%0*% 2 6 *%)*+/1.>1** ; /1.>>**  9 #6 / &     (  & ?  7   9+))$ *%$ , 6 *=))+)0/$//0+/=     !!"!#!$            

  .5'210'85 egorically stated that “From farm laws) was played up as a spoke about the farm laws in what I understand is that some separate communication,” he the sixth governing council ejecting as “misinterpreta- of the farmers are agreeable to said, terming it as factually meeting held on Saturday. 0   0 * $  Rtion” the media statement the laws being put on hold for incorrect. Capt Amarinder said that quoting him on extension of 18 months but may go up to 24 While he maintained that though he could not personal- proposed suspension of the months”. an early resolution was critical ly attend the virtual conference  $ $   "  -  farm laws, Punjab Chief “I am also on record as to the safety of Punjab, which owing to ill-health, his speech, Minister Capt Amarinder stating in the same interview had witnessed a surge in smug- which was submitted to the Niti   .5'210'85 “Under collusion with the statement made by Captain Singh on Sunday said that it that an extended period for gling of weapons into the state Aayog on Thursday, had clear- Centre, he is trying to sup- proves yet was mischievously taken out of putting the laws on hold con- from across the border in the ly highlighted the issue. eacting strongly to the press the farmers’ movement,” again that he had been com- context to give the wrong tinued to be in active discus- past five to six months, the to decide what is in their inter- “Not only had I reiterated Rstatement made by Punjab said Cheema adding that Capt promised and was acting at impression on his stance. sions (between the govern- Chief Minister asserted that he, est and to what extent they are the Government’s stand that Chief Minister Capt Amarinder’s recent statement the behest of Prime Minister “The message sought to be ment and Kisan Unions),” he and his government, continues willing to compromise, if at all, agriculture is a state subject Amarinder Singh regarding regarding the farmers’ protest Narendra Modi. “He has communicated from my inter- added. to stand with the farmers on on their demand for repeal of and law-making on it should the ongoing farmers’ move- that the farmers should accept proved yet again that he has view was totally incorrect, as The Chief Minister said the issue. the farm laws, said the Chief be left to the States in the true ment that the farmers’ should the Central Government’s some internal setting with was evident from the rest of my that his statement was clearly in He pointed out that even Minister. spirit of cooperative federal- accept the proposal of the proposal which will halt the the ruling dispensation. Both statement on the issue,” said the reference to the feedback or his speech, submitted to Niti He reiterated his stand that ism, besides further under- Central Government, the implementation of the central Captain and Modi are hand in Chief Minister, allaying the inputs received on the issue Aayog for circulation at the Central Government scoring, in black and white, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on farm laws for two years, was glove and are working to sup- apprehensions of some farmers’ from certain farmer unions, Saturday’s meeting, had cate- should not stand on prestige on the need to resolve the farm- Sunday said that it proved “reprehensible and an anti- press the farmers’ movement leaders that he was trying to which was taken out of context gorically underscored the need the issue and should be willing ers’ issues on urgent basis,” Capt Amarinder’s double farmer statement”. by opting various tactics and interfere in their agitation. and presented as his personal for “urgent resolution” of the to revoke the legislations to find said Capt Amarinder while standard on the issue. Cheema said that the maneuvers,” he added. Even as he categorically suggestion for a compromise. current agitation “to the satis- an effective, long-term solution categorically and unequivo- ruled out any interference, or “Instead of being put in the faction of the protesting farm- to the problem. cally rejecting the Niti Aayog ed that his, and his govern- the state amendment Bills, the Governor was sitting over even direct mediation unless context of his full statement, ers by addressing all their Expressing surprise at Niti VC’s claim as false and base- ment’s, stand on the farm laws passed in the Vidhan Sabha, these Bills instead of forward- sought by both sides, Capt this particular point (on 24 grievances”. Aayog vice-chairman Rajiv less. had been consistent all were an endorsement of the ing them to the President for Amarinder said that he had cat- months’ suspension of the It is the farmers who have Kumar’s claim that no one The Chief Minister assert- through, at every forum, and same. It was unfortunate that assent, he said. . $    ,/        / #    

  .5'210'85 Also signifying secularism ing that they only charge for  0 $   against the Centre’s claims of their “service” and accused the sea of people converged at farmers’ agitation limited only Centre of bringing corporates ABarnala grain market to to the Sikhs, many Muslim as “middlemen” with these attend the historic ‘Kisan- men and women also partici- laws. 2   Mazdoor Ekta Maha Rally’ on pated in the maha rally. On farmer leaders’ multi- Sunday to send across a clear “Our thanks to everyone ple rounds of meetings with the   .5'210'85 message — we stand united who attended Kissan-Majdoor government earlier, Rajewal against the Centre’s three Ekta Maha Rally at Barnala. said: “We told the government aryana Chief “black” farm laws. The government tries to sepa- that when they are ready to HMinister Tens of thousands of peo- rate us by religion, by gender by make many amendments in Manohar Lal on ple hailing from all sections of whatever they can…But the these laws, what is the problem Sunday directed the society, irrespective of age, pictures keep coming showing in rolling them back.” The BJP officers that along gender, and religion attended how we refuse to be divided,” had propagated that they with providing hous- the rally, which was one-of-its- said BKU Ugrahan spokesper- framed these laws keeping in ing loans on plots kind and was one of the largest son. view the farmers’ interests but reserved for Valmiki gatherings held in the state The rally was attended by we confronted them and asked Samaj in Sector-16, since the farmers’ protest the farmers and farm labourers, where farmers demanded the Karnal, a survey of moved out of the state to the mainly from the Malwa region legislations, he stated. the people living in borders of Delhi. of Punjab. “The ongoing farm- Addressing the gathering, Model Town should In a massive show of ers’ protest is the first time that BKU (Ekta Ugrahan) president also be conducted strength, the farmers’ union the people of India have make an arrest. Singh Ugrahan also dared the No one needs to appear before Joginder Singh Ugrahan said who have not been and the agricultural labourers’ mounted a challenge to the fas- Rajewal also asked the Delhi Police to enter Punjab for police,” he said, adding that it that his outfit has planned to allotted plots yet. of playschools in the residen- union came together on one cist and communal govern- Capt Amarinder Singh-led arresting the Red Fort vio- was a “moment of test” for the hold a big gathering in Delhi on The Chief Minister gave tial area, Manohar Lal assured platform to agitate against the ment,” said Bharatiya Kisan Punjab Government that the lence accused. Punjab Government, which February 27 and decided to these directions while redress- the association members that repressive state. Union (Ekta-Ugrahan) presi- state police should not coop- Claiming that the should tell the state police not observe International Women’s ing the grievances of people the matter will soon be resolved Organized by the Bharatiya dent Joginder Singh Ugrahan. erate with the Delhi cops. Narendra Modi-led to cooperate with the Delhi Day on March 8 in the nation- during his visit in Karnal. On after holding talks with the Kisan Union (Ekta-Ugrahan) As the farm agitation “If the Delhi Police per- Government at the Centre is Police. al capital. this occasion, most of the prob- headquarters officers. — Punjab’s biggest farm union, against the Centre’s three agri sonnel come to arrest you, scared of the farmers’ agitation, Rajewal further said that Referring to the Republic lems were resolved on the spot In another complaint made along with Punjab Khet laws entered its 86th day on gather the entire village and Rajewal alleged that those serv- the farmers’ agitation against Day violence, Ugrahan said by the Chief Minister. by senior nursing staff working Mazdoor Union, the grand Sunday, the farmers’ leaders oppose them,” Rajewal told ing ‘langar’ or extending help the laws has now turned into a that it was done by a group For the remaining griev- at Kalpana Chawla rally was attended by the lead- outlined the plans to mobilize the farmers at a ‘Kisan- to farmers at the protest sites “jan andolan” (people’s move- which acted at the behest of the ances, Manohar Lal directed Government Medical College ers of Sanyukt Kisan Morcha — farmers and farm workers from Mazdoor Ekta Maha Rally’. near Delhi borders are being ment). “It is a question of your Government. the Deputy Commissioner, regarding seniority, the Chief the umbrella body of the across Punjab. Notably, Haryana’s BKU pres- issued notices by police. future and children,” he said, He asked the farmers to Commissioner Municipal Minister gave a patient hearing protesting farmers’ union — ident Gurnam Singh Chaduni “Those who are bringing adding that they would not prepare for a long battle against Corporation and the concerned to both the parties and assured Balbir Singh Rajewal, Ruldu FARM LEADERS DARE had also made a similar appeal ‘langar’ material or extending return until the farm laws are the farm legislations. “This is departmental heads to take that the matter will soon be Singh Mansa, among others DELHI POLICE TO ENTER two days back. help to us in whatever manner withdrawn. not a fight of a religion or caste. necessary action immediately. resolved by the headquarters besides the leadership of BKU PUNJAB Rajewal asked the farmers they can, they are being slapped He also praised village pan- It is a fight of secular people. During the pubic griev- officers. Ugrahan Joginder Singh Alleging that notices are not to appear before the Delhi with notices. It is in my knowl- chayats for their decision of This agitation is for occupation. ances programme as many as MLA Gharaunda Ugrahan, Sukhdev Singh Kokri being served on people back- Police if they get notices for edge that many FIRs have been sending people to the protest It is a fight of the country’s 25 people, including represen- Harvinder Kalyan, Karnal Kalan. ing the agitation against the joining investigation and told lodged against unknown per- sites on a rotational basis. farmers,” he said. tatives of various social orga- Mayor Renu Bala Gupta, Symbolizing their stand farm laws, prominent farmers’ them to ‘gherao’ the Delhi sons by the Delhi Police,” he Rajewal said that the Union BKU (Ekta Ugrahan) gen- nizations raised their com- Deputy Commissioner and with the union, several women leader and BKU (Rajewal) Police personnel if they come said. Government had no right to eral secretary Sukhdev Singh plaints before the Chief Chief Executive Officer, Karnal took part in the rally in huge president Balbir Singh Rajewal to make an arrest. “I want to make it clear to bring the laws as agriculture is Kokrikalan also sought release Minister. Smart City Ltd. Karnal Nishant numbers donning yellow on Sunday asked the farmers to Speaking in unison, all farmers and labourers that a state subject. of labour rights activist Nodeep While redressing the griev- Kumar Yadav among others dupattas, with men and chil- gherao Delhi Police personnel Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta- if anyone gets notice, do not He also defended com- Kaur, lodged in a Karnal jail. ances raised by Play School senior officers were also pre- dren holding farmers’ flag. if they come to their villages to Ugrahan) president Joginder bother, forward one copy to us. mission agents (arhtiyas), say- Association regarding opening sent. $ !          ),    '!%  !  0         (     * $ " (,        .5'210'85    ),        fter already extending the Alast date to administer the !"      .5'210'85  0      first dose of COVID-19 vacci- #L   (  nation for the healthcare work-  $ %&  '  ()* unjab Tourism and Cultural         ers twice, the Punjab PAffairs Minister Charanjit Government on Sunday issued +&    () '' , Singh Channi on Sunday said    M .  them a warning in case they that the working of Courts failed to get themselves vacci- should be done in Punjabi lan-  .     nated.   *  -  .  , guage. “The healthcare workers “Punjab Government is     , 8   who do not get vaccinated to   ,,  ) ,  actively working in this direc-     boost their immunity for ,. )   ) , ) tion so that even the common       B  COVID-19, despite being given   615'878' anniversary of Saka Nankana Sahib because it wanted the people could easily read and repeated opportunities and in  ''     '  F781'78H Sahib, said that the Sikh com- community to call back its understand all the cases and +     case they get the infection at a munity is known for ‘sewa’ (ser- members who were protesting judgments in Punjabi,” said later stage, they will have to  ()  ." 01 2* hiromani Akali Dal (SAD) vice) and ‘shahadat’ (sacrifice) on the borders of Delhi against Channi, during a function  5     bear the cost of their treatment ,       () Spresident Sukhbir Singh worldwide. the three farm laws. This will organized by Punjab Kala and they will not be allowed to Badal on Sunday said that the He said that the Sikh com- never happen even if the Parishad, on the occasion of   N B  .  avail quarantine or isolation 3 '4 Central Government’s deci- munity had made the most sac- Central Government refuses ‘International Mother 1 O       leave,” said the state Health and sion to decline permission to a rifices for the independence of permission to Sikh Jathas every Language Day’.      Family Welfare Minister Balbir Sikh Jatha to visit Sri Nankana the country and even Mahatma year,” he added. Channi pointed out that to Singh Sidhu. Pointing out that the recent workers, Sidhu said that they Sahib to commemorate the Gandhi had recognized the Urging the Sikh commu- promote our mother tongue —  As of now, about 79,000 few days have seen an uprising should shun hesitancy and 100th anniversary of the mas- ‘Chabian da Morcha’ as the first nity to unite as one, Giani Punjabi, it must be made com- (38 percent) healthcare work- trend in the number of come forward to get vaccinat- sacre of Sikhs during the gur- battle of Independence. Harpreet Singh said: “Today, pulsory in the State till Class X sacrifice of Sri Guru Tegh ers and 4,000 (2.20 percent) COVID-19 cases in Punjab, the ed at the earliest for the sake of dwara reform movement was Terming the occasion of we are fighting between our- in all private schools also. Bahadur Ji, we should respect frontline workers have been Minister said that with 358 their own safety and that of akin to an attack on the Sikh Saka Nankana Sahib as a his- selves. If we continue like this, The Minister added that all languages and cultures. vaccinated, out of 2.06 lakh and cases being reported on their family members and near community. toric one, Sukhbir said that it our very existence will be at the Punjab Government is “We should feel proud in 1.82 lakh, respectively, regis- February 20, now about 3,000 and dear ones. Asking the Central was on this day that the com- stake.” untiringly working to provide conversing in our mother- tered. The Minister pointed COVID positive cases are Expressing concern over Government to explain why it munity had risen to take con- He also condemned the professional, technical, and tongue Punjabi,” he said while that the coverage has not been active in the State while there the low rate of vaccination had denied permission to the trol of Gurudham from the politics of polarization which vocational education in Punjabi calling upon, especially the up to the mark. were only 2,000 active cases (33 among healthcare and frontline Jatha, which was to be led by ‘Mahants’. “The massacre of had become prevalent in the language. “The Department of private schools, to stop creat- Notably, the State percent rise) three weeks back. workers, Sidhu said that so far, Akal Takth Sahib Jathedar Sikhs under the leadership of country now, saying that the Technical Education has taken ing the inferiority complex Government had extended the “There is a dire need to get 2.06 lakh healthcare workers (head priest) one day prior to Shaheed Lachhman Singh “minorities could be persecut- a lead in this by translating the among the Punjabi-speaking last date to administer the first vaccinated for all the healthcare and 1.82 lakh frontline work- the visit, Sukhbir said that ear- Dharowali eventually led Sikhs ed in the future. We should syllabus books in Punjabi for children. dose vaccination for the health- workers to deal with any ers have been registered for lier in November, a similar into unifying as one to drive unite and become powerful the reference of students,” said Channi described India as care workers from February 19 unprecedented situation. COVID-19 vaccination. Jatha had visited Pakistan. out Mahants from the gurd- politically to thwart this”. Channi, who also holds the a “beautiful bouquet of multi- to 25, and that of frontline Punjab is among the six states Sidhu said that the vaccine “Even few days back, few per- waras,” he added. SGPC president Bibi Jagir portfolio of Technical ple languages and cultures in workers to March 6. Earlier, the of the country where COVID is safe and effective and not sons were granted permission Speaking on the occasion, Kaur also urged the commu- Education and Industrial different regions”, while dub- last date for availing the first cases are rising and we should even a single case of death or to visit Pakistan at the instance Akal Takth Jathedar Giani nity to unite under the banner Training. bing those, who are propagat- dose of vaccination for HCW prepare to fight it like a second any serious adverse effect has of Chief Minister Capt Harpreet Singh said that the of the Shiromani Committee Channi also announced ing the concept of ‘one lan- was extended from February 12 wave,” he said. been reported in Punjab Amarinder Singh,” he said BJP-led Central Government while urging everyone to follow that this year, Rs 2 crore bud- guage, one nation, as “anti- to 19. The Minister said that regarding vaccine administra- while asking the Chief Minister had stopped Sikhs from pro- the principles of Sikhism and get provision would be made nationals”. While extending the dates, these rising cases indicated tion so far. No one should be why he had not taken up the ceeding to Sri Nankana Sahib take pride in its teaching and for the Punjab Kala Parishad. “Some people are trying to the Health Minister had stated that COVID-19 is not over yet misled by rumors and misin- issue of need to accord per- in the same manner as the organizations. She also He also announced to celebrate pull flowers out of this bouquet that in light of the recent resur- and Punjab may witness a formation, he said. mission to the Jatha with the British had stopped the Jatha announced that the SGPC ‘Punjab Cultural Day’ annual- which will create a threat to the gence of COVID-19 cases in surge in the number of COVID “Every healthcare and Centre. led by Kartar Singh Jhabbar would observe year long events ly the date for which would be existence of many minorities. other States and the discovery cases. “This highlights the need frontline worker must get vac- Sukhbir, who was address- that had gone to free the shrine in various institutes and also finalized soon. Unity in diversity is the real of new virus strains, “it is cru- for following COVID appro- cinated. We all are at risk of get- ing a congregation at a cente- from the control of the construct a ‘Guru Ka Langar’ Punjab Kala Parishad strength of our nation,” said cial that a maximum number of priate behaviors like social dis- ting infected and healthcare nary function organized by Mahants. hall in remembrance of Mata chairman and prominent Channi, while strongly advo- healthcare workers be vacci- tancing, wearing of a mask, workers being frontline work- the Shiromani Gurdwara “The Central Government Inderjit Kaur and a library in Punjabi poet Padma Shri Dr cating that people should not nated as they are performing hand sanitization, and respira- ers dealing with patients are at Parbandhak Committee has denied permission to the memory of the martyrs of Surjit Patar said that as per the be divided in the name of lan- their duties at the frontline to tory etiquettes,” he said. higher risk of getting an infec- (SGPC) to mark the 100th Jatha visiting Sri Nankana Nankana Sahib in their villages. message, teachings, and the guage, religion, or caste. deal any outbreak”. Urging the healthcare tion,” he said.     !!"!#!$ 5

$$     )      $  ! " #   " ' !!      !%     #  !!P     234 13*50 he Department of TEmpowerment of Persons   234 13*50 as to jointly maintain peace and have to go beyond a feature  )  ' , with Disabilities, under the tranquility in the border areas.” called Bottle neck area on )   * Union Social Justice and ocusing on reducing tension The smooth pull back at foot. , .) ''", Empowerment Ministry, has Fat the Line of Actual the Pangong lake and the two Also, the region is strate- written to the Union Health Control(LAC) at the earliest, sides lauding it was seen as the gically important for India as 6 ,"'  ) Ministry to include the PwDs India and China will soon first step in the long process to it has the advantage of moni-    0%7 as one of the priority groups for have another round of talks at restore normalcy at the LAC in toring all activities at the   234 13*50 its ongoing Covid vaccination the military level. It may firm Ladakh after the ten-month Karakoram range and highway    * programme. up the mutually acceptable long face-offs. Efforts were and nearby regions. Moreover, ongress President Sonia  - , KVS Rao, Director of the process to pull back troops now on the lend momentum to the Daulat Beg Oldie airfield CGandhi on Sunday accused DePwD, in a letter to Gayatri Foundation, counted reasons cine for persons with disabil- from the friction points includ- withdrawal from the other fric- there has added muscle to the Government of “profiteer- ) , Mishra, Joint Secretary in the like physical vulnerabilities, ities. ing Hot Springs, Gogra and tion points and the two India’s military strength as it ing” off “people’s misery” and Union Health Ministry, urged preexisting medical conditions, Ektha co-founder Rajiv Depsang plains. Commanders held extensive can shore up its logistics by air demanded an immediate roll- “What baffles most citi- for inclusion of PwDs includ- communication barriers, close Rajan said persons with dis- These were the takeaways discussion on Saturday in this in a short time. back of the increase in prices. zens, is that these prices have ing Thalassemia-major patients contact needed with others for abilities are the most vulnera- from the marathon 16-hour aspect, sources said. Given the smooth with- In a letter to Prime been increased despite moder- in the priority list of Covid-19 personal care (activities of daily ble groups when it comes to long talks between the Corps The 16-hour long talks drawal of troops from Minister Narendra Modi, she ate prices of international crude vaccine to ensure their safety living), social isolation and the pandemic. Commanders of India and beginning at ten am on Pangong, sources said India said the truth is that as GDP oil. To put it in context, the from the infection. disruption in social networks, ‘Many of us lack immuni- China on Saturday at Moldo in Saturday and ending at two am was hopeful that pull back “nosedives”, the prices of gas, crude oil price is nearly half of According to health discrimination in access to ty. Most of us cannot maintain Chushul sector of Ladakh. on Sunday primarily focused could take place soon from the diesel and petrol continue to what it was during the UPA experts, persons having comor- healthcare facilities resulting in social distancing because we Meeting for the first time since on hasten up disengagement other friction points too. rise unchecked. government’s tenure. Therefore, bidities like diabetes as well deprioritisation in times of need support for our day to day withdrawal of the troops from from the Hot Springs, Gogra On February 11, Defence “I write to you to convey your Government’s act of rais- PwDs are vulnerable to the limited resources. activities. Many of us cannot the Pangong Tso(lake) on and Depsang, they said. India Minister every citizen’s anguish and ing prices (continuously for 12 Coronavirus because of their ‘It is vital for personal care understand what is going on Thursday last week, the two was represented by Lt General announced in Parliament that deep distress regarding the days till February 20th) is lit- low immunity. Hence they attendants, health workers and around us as modes and means senior military official also P K Menon while Major India and China reached an spiralling fuel and gas prices. tle less than a brazen act of need to be immunised on the persons with disabilities, of communication are not reviewed the pull-back and General Liu Lin headed the agreement on disengagement On one hand, India is witness- profiteering,” she said. priority basis, said the experts. chronically ill people to have accessible to many of us,’ he said. appreciated the smooth with- Chinese delegation. in the North and South banks ing systematic erosion of jobs, What is equally distressing In fact, last month around access to the vaccine. They Following approval of two drawal. On Saturday evening, of Pangong lake that mandates wages and household income. is that despite being in power 30 disability rights organisa- should (also) be part of deci- vaccines — Covaxin developed A joint statement issued by sources had said bringing down both sides to “cease” forward The middle class and those at for almost seven years now, the tions had written to Prime sion-making about vaccine pri- by Bharat Biotech and India and China later on the tension in the region was deployment of troops in a the margins of our society are government continues to blame Minister Narendra Modi and orities and planning for how Covishield from the Sunday said “On February 20, the broad priority of the talks. “phased, coordinated and ver- struggling. These challenges previous regimes for its own Health Minister Harsh future public health emergen- Oxford/AstraZeneca stable the 10th round of China-India India has all along been main- ifiable” manner. have been compounded by economic mismanagement, she Vardhan in this regard. cies are handled,’ said Arman being manufactured by the Corps Commander Level taining that disengagement at Under the agreement, he runaway inflation and an said in her letter to Modi. The disability rights Ali, Executive Director, Serum Institute of India — for Meeting was held on the all the friction points was nec- said China will pull back its unprecedented rise in price of To set the record straight, groups, including the National NCPEDP. emergency use in the country, Chinese side of the essary to de-escalate the situa- troops to east of Finger 8 areas almost all household items and domestic crude oil production Centre for Promotion of Further, collectively, the currently the government is Moldo/Chushul border meet- tion in the region. in the northern bank of essential commodities,” the has fallen to an 18-year low in Employment for Disabled sector has demanded clarity on vaccinating healthcare workers ing point. The two sides posi- Officials were hopeful of Pangong lake while the Indian Congress chief said. 2020, Sonia Gandhi said. People, Ektha and Sama scheduling the Covid-19 vac- and frontline workers. tively appraised the smooth early agreement to mutually personnel will be based at their Stressing that fuel prices Governments are elected to completion of disengagement pull back troops from permanent base at Dhan Singh are at an “historic and unsus- ease the burden of people and of frontline troops in the Patrolling Point 15 and 17A in Thapa Post near Finger 3 in the tainable” high, Sonia Gandhi at the very least, not work Pangong Lake area noting that Gogra as normalcy was region. Similar action would said petrol has breached the directly contrary to their inter- it was a significant step forward restored to a large extent in the take place on the south bank of 100 per litre mark in many ests, the Congress chief said. % !    that provided a good basis for adjacent Pangong region. the lake as well, he said. parts of the country and the “I urge you to roll back resolution of other remaining However, a mutually The sources said troops of surging price of diesel has these increases and pass on the issues along the LAC in acceptable plan to disengage both sides have retreated to added to the escalating woes of benefit to our middle and         Western Sector. from the Depsang plains could positions in line with the agree- millions of farmers. salaried class, our farmers and “They had candid and in- take longer, sources said. This ment. “Sadly, in these distressing poor and our fellow citizens. It depth exchange of views on region in the past also saw The disengagement times, the Government has is they who are battling an other issues along the LAC in stand-offs and intervention at process began on February 10. chosen to profiteer off people’s unprecedented economic slow-  34(5, the Western Sector. The two the higher levels were resort- In his statement in misery and suffering,” Sonia down, widespread unemploy- sides agreed to follow the ed to defuse tension, they Parliament, the defence minis- Gandhi said. ment, wage reductions and job  234 13*50 The official inauguration, how- Singh said it would go a important consensus of their added. ter also said it was agreed to The increase pushed the losses, high prices and erosion ever, was held Sunday. long way in achieving the objec- state leaders, continue their Sources said the tension in convene the next meeting of petrol price to 90.58 a litre in of income,” she said. aster artisans and crafts- The artisans and crafts- tive of 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat'. communication and dialogue, the Depsang Plains was due to senior commanders of both Delhi and to 97 in Mumbai. “I hope you will agree that Mmen can contribute big men have a very important role Singh said the 'Hunar Haat' stabilize and control the situa- China blocking Indian patrol sides within 48 hours of com- This was the 12th straight day it is time for your government time to the country's economy in contributing to the country's brings together indigenous arti- tion on the ground, push for a parties from accessing Patrol pletion of the disengagement in of price hike and the largest to focus on solutions instead of and the Central Government's economy and GDP, Defence sans and craftsmen from across mutually acceptable resolution Points (PP) 10, 11, 11A, 12 and the Pangong lake areas so as to daily increase since oil compa- looking for excuses. India aim is to take the rural indus- Minister Singh said. the country of the remaining issues in a 13. That was due to the rea- resolve all other remaining nies started to revise rates on a deserves better,” Sonia Gandhi tries' annual turnover of about "This is the irony that our This Haat is a beautiful steady and orderly manner, so son that the Indian patrols issues. daily basis in 2017. said. 80,000 crore to 5 lakh crore rural industries did not get the exhibition of our traditional art within the next two to three kind of encouragement they and craft and more important- years, Union minister Rajnath should have. But our govern- ly our cultural mosaic," he said. After verification of docu- ed for 10-15 minutes from our Singh said on Sunday while ment is focused on promoting Artisans and craftsmen *     1    ments shown by Bhaker, the personnel to procure the inaugurating the 26th edition of rural industries," he said. from states such as Andhra security officials informed her required document for waiver 'Hunar Haat' here. "The turnover of rural Pradesh, , Bihar, that the document required of charges for carriage of her More than 600 artisans and industries per year is approxi- Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, for exemption of payment of arms on board,” said the state- craftsmen from over 31 states mately 80,000 crore and our Delhi, , , Haryana, !O   1 $   handling charge for carriage of ment. and Union Territories are par- government aims to take this Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and arms, as per laid down norms, The moment she furnished ticipating in the Minority turnover to Rs 5 lakh crore Kashmir, Ladakh, Kerala,   234 13*50 the airline, for alleged “harass- with Bhaker. This is also cor- is not there. the required document to the Affairs Ministry's 'Hunar Haat' within the next two to three Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, ment” and “insulting” her. roborated by the CCTV And, they said fixed Air India check-in and securi- being held at the Jawaharlal years," he said. Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and ir India (AI) on Sunday She had alleged that she footage. Hence, the allegation of charges for the carriage of arms ty personnel, her baggage Nehru Stadium here on the Hailing the 'Hunar Haat' West Bengal, are participating Adenied allegation of had to go through the “ordeal” misbehaviour by him simply would have to be paid, the air- including the arms were accept- theme of "Vocal for Local" initiative of the Minority Affairs in 'Hunar Haat' to display and “harassment” of Tokyo despite carrying all valid doc- does not arise,” Air India said line clarified in the statement. ed for carriage, the statement from February 20 to March 1. Ministry, sell their products. Olympic prospect Manu uments and clearance from in the statement. It was explained to Bhaker said. Bhaker by two of its staff at the the Directorate General of Civil The CCTV footage also that the document for exemp- Air India said though the Delhi airport and said its asser- Aviation (DGCA) for travelling nullifies the passenger’s allega- tion shown by her was not DGCA permit allowed her car- tion was based on CCTV with her weapons and ammu- tion of bribes being asked for “valid” as it was signed only by riage of arms from February 20,      footage. nition. and snatching of mobile phone, the assistant secretary of the in view of the Rifle Association In a statement, AI claimed Stating that as a responsi- it said. National Rifle Association. certificate with bonafide signa- that “legitimate” documents ble airline, it always “adheres” According to Air India, As per rules, details of ture, it extended courtesy to      were asked for from Bhaker to the rules and regulations gov- during check-in at the Delhi which are available on the Air have her on board with the when she was boarding its erning operations, it said that airport counter, Bhaker told its India website, signature of only arms on February 19 itself. flight along with her mother for “in this case also, Air India was check-in employees that she the secretary or president of a “Subsequently, Bhaker with  234 13*50 Bhopal from Delhi on February only following the protocol was carrying an bonafide association is her mother proceeded for their 19, contrary to the allegations regarding such a sensitive activ- Air Pistol and a 0.22-bore gun. recognised for waiver of the security check and were facili- uspicion, however strong, made by her against the airline. ity like the carriage of arms on “She was advised by our charges, Air India said. tated to board the aircraft,” the Scannot take the place of The 19-year-old board”. counter personnel to get the “Subsequently, the applica- airline added. proof, the Supreme Court has Commonwealth Games and “Our employee Manoj documents, mandatory to carry ble charges – that is 5,000 Air India has always said, stressing that an accused Youth Olympics gold medallist Gupta was at the counter arms and ammunition, verified along with 5 per cent GST; for encouraged and has the high- is presumed to be innocent pistol shooter had sought throughout and had, at no by Air India security officials,” two, a total 10,200 – were con- est respect for sports and unless proved guilty beyond a action against two employees of point, communicated directly said the statement. veyed to Bhaker, who request- sportspersons, it said. reasonable doubt. There has to be a chain of evidence so complete as to   ' *   2    show that in all human prob- ability the act must have been   $ O done by the accused, a bench     of justices Indira Banerjee and Hemant Gupta observed while 4 0 0  3  Q0       upholding an order of the the police by Gitanjali Tadu, electric shock and there is no Orissa High Court which her husband Bijay Kumar conclusive evidence that the ment’s “indige- 0    M   acquitted two men accused of Tadu had been working deput- death was homicidal. nous cow sci- murdering a home guard by ed at Chandabali police sta- “The mere fact that the ence” examina-  R   234 13*50 electrocuting him. tion. deceased was lying dead at a tion. “It is well settled by a The woman has alleged room held by the accused The brain- Jharna Sannigrahi under nion Home Minister Amit plethora of judicial pro- that the accused Banabihari respondent No 1 and that the child of the   234 13*50 Indian Penal Code (IPC) UShah said on Sunday that nouncement of this court that Mohapatra, his son Luja and accused respondents had Rashtriya Sections relating to murder, the new education policy suspicion, however strong can- other accomplices killed her informed the complainant that Kamdhenu he Special Crime Branch criminal conspiracy and com- reflects the commitment of not take the place of proof. An husband with an electric shock the deceased had been lying Aayog set up in T(SCB) of CBI, Patna has mon intention. the Modi Government towards accused is presumed to be after administering some poi- motionless and still and not 2019 under the taken over a 2017 case of In response to a Writ the preservation, development innocent unless proved guilty sonous substances to him. responding to shouts and calls, Central Animal Argora police station in Ranchi Petition (Criminal) No 419 of and empowerment of all Indian beyond a reasonable doubt,” The apex court said the does not establish that the   234 13*50 Husbandry ministry, study following a directive from 2017 seeking direction to the languages. the bench said. post mortem report reveals accused respondents murdered material on its website says High Court where- CBI to take over the probe into In a message on the occa- As per an FIR lodged with that the cause of death was the deceased,” the bench said. he much awaited Cow almost what Bengal’s BJP chief in the complaint (victim’s the Argora police station case sion of the International TScience exam known as Dilip Ghosh had said. That mother) had alleged that her number 180/2017, the Mother Language Day, Shah ‘Kamdhenu Gau Vigyan Indian cows have something husband Dr Subhashish Jharkhand High Court in an said the mother tongue is a   O   (   N  OL Prachar-Prasar Examination’, special in their humps that Sannigrahi had killed their order in December last year powerful medium of expres- for which there is no registra- turn sunshine into gold which son Antariksh in a planned directed the CBI to take over sion. tion fee, has been postponed. gives their milk its yellow road accident on July 25, 2016. the probe following which the “Our new education poli- &A       +  M -  It was earlier scheduled for colour”. The victim had met with a agency on Thursday re-regis- cy reflects the commitment of February 25, 2021. No infor- For the one-hour online road accident on July 25, 2016 tered the case. the Modi government towards  234 13*50 point of Sreedharan’s impact Sreedharan could have on the mation on the new date has examination, the study mate- and succumbed to his injuries “The facts mentioned in the preservation, development on Kerala elections will turn out Kerala Assembly polls, the MP been provided yet. A note on rial shared by the Rashtriya two days later on July 27, the complaint discloses com- and empowerment of all Indian ith E Sreedharan throwing to be the announcement of from Thiruvananthapuram said, kamdhenugvppexam.org says, Kamdhenu Aayog says that 2016. mission of offence under IPC languages,” he tweeted in Whis hat in the political ring joining the BJP itself. “Since he has no political back- “Please note that online cow dung is used as a protec- The complainant Rupali Section 302 (murder), 120-B Hindi. by deciding to join the BJP, In an interview with PTI, ground or experience, I think his Kamdhenu Gau Vigyan tion against radiations in Mohanty, mother of the victim, (criminal conspiracy) and 34 The home minister said senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said he was surprised at impact is likely to be minimal.” Prachar Prasar Exam nuclear centres in India and has claimed that the said acci- (common intention). Hence maximum efforts should be Tharoor on Sunday said the the announcement that “When I joined politics at /Pratiyogita which was sched- Russia. It had protected dent was a planned one and Regular Case (FIR) RC made for the use of mother technocrat is likely to have a Sreedharan was going to enter 53, I thought I had left it too uled for 25th Feb 2021 includ- Bhopal residents from the gas was allegedly conspired by his 0922021S0001 dated tongue and foster the wisdom “minimal” impact on the the political fray and join the BJP. late to make the kind of ing Mock Examination on leak too. The material also husband Dr Subhasish 18.02.2021 is re-registered and passed on by it to strengthen upcoming Kerala Assembly He said Sreedharan’s entry impact I felt I was capable of. 21st Feb 2021 has been post- states that Indian cows have a Sannigrahi and other members entrusted to Rajesh Kumar, the foundation of the country’s polls, and asserted that the BJP came as a surprise to him What can I say about some- poned.” special power to absorb the of his family. Inspector of Police, CBI, SCB, culture in children. is not a serious contender except because the technocrat had a one who is 88?” Tharoor The University Grants sun’s energy with the help of The Argora Police Station, Patna for investigation and “Greetings on the occasion in a few seats in the State. long innings executing engi- said. Commission has earlier writ- the solar pulse situated in Ranchi had registered a case in report,” reads the order by of the International Mother Tharoor also said it will be neering projects, not making or On whether Sreedharan’s ten to Vice Chancellors of their humps. As a result, mak- 2017 against the complainant’s Additional Superintendent of Language Day. This day very difficult for the BJP to implementing policies in a frac- entry will make the Kerala 900 universitites in the coun- ing Indian cow milk, cow husband and other relatives Police/Head of Branch, CBI, inspires us to stay connected improve upon its performance tious democracy. “It’s a very dif- polls a three-way contest and try to encourage the students dung, and cow urine nourish- Debashish Sannigrahi, Sujoy SCB, Patna, Rajesh Kumar with our cultural heritage,” he of winning one seat in the 2016 ferent world,” he added. the BJP will emerge as a to write the Central govern- ing. Chandra Sannigrahi and Sinha. tweeted. assembly polls and the high Asked what kind of impact serious contender alongside.     !!"!#!$ 2

        6 $ - ) $ 0         " *  Q ,  R   2  $ % &    "     +6.50 turned up for the inaugural function. "    "  Thushar Vellappalli, who had been     $7$&'0 Amravati in eastern Maharashtra, where he CPI(M) and the Congress were grilled by the UAE Police in connec- there has been increasing incidence of Thands in glove to appease the tion with a case of financial embez- aking serious cognisance of the increas- Covid-19 case in the last few days.  '" minorities in the State of Kerala zlement too was present to greet the Ting Covid-19 cases in the State, Alluding to the first phase of vaccina- according to , Chief rally. Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav tion, Uddhav said that as many as 9 lakh Minister of Uttar Pradesh. Adityanath reminded the audi- Thackeray announced temporary ban on frontline Covid-19 workers had been     +6*+'-' Andhra Pradesh … why if “While the Government of Uttar ence that the people of had political, religious and social programmes, administered vaccines. “My appeal to all there can be a Punjab in India Pradesh has brought in laws banning dumped the CPI(M) which ruled the even as he gave an ultimatum to the peo- such Covid workers who have so far not ddressing a rally to cele- when there is a separate Punjab Love Jihad and terrorist activities, the State continuously for more than 25 ple that after eight days he would decide on received the vaccine should immediately Abrate International Mother in Pakistan we cannot call our Kerala Government is taking steps to years and voted for the BJP in the last re-imposing the lockdown if the people did avail the vaccine. As far as the administra- Language Day or Matribhasha State as Bangla,” Mamata said encourage love jihad and help ter- assembly election because of the not mend ways and follow pandemic norms tion of vaccines to the rest of the people in Diwas on Sunday, West Bengal adding “this is not the only rorism. The CPI(M) Government is authoritarian and corrupt CPI(M) strictly. the state, I cannot say for sure when it will Chief Minister Mamata instance when they treat us in also encouraging setting up of Halal government. “It is for the people of Interacting the people across the state happen, since it is not my hand”. Banerjee said, “Even if they put a step-motherly manner … Bank in the State,” said the UP Chief the State of Kerala to vote out the cor- via Facebook live, the chief minister won- During the course of his interaction, the me in jail I will continue to there are numerous other occa- Minister while inaugurating the Vijay rupt CPI(M) government in this dered: “I would like to know from you chief minister announced that the state gov- shout from there Jai Bangla, Jai sions too.” Yatra of the Kerala BJP from State. The government led by whether we should re-impose lockdown or ernment was launching a new initiative ‘Mi Bangla like the Banga Bandhu Whenever someone refers Kasaragod in the north to is enmeshed in cor- not. .. I am waiting for feedback from you Jawabdar’ (I am Responsible) to fight the (Mujibur Rehman).” to Bengal in Delhi “they say O Thiruvananthapuram in the South. ruption while thousands of youth are for the next eight days. How will I get your pandemic. “Last year, we had launched She asked the audience to forget it is the worst place …” The Yatra being led by K demonstrating in front of the feedback? No. But I will observe those who “Majhi Kutumb, Maji Jawabdari’ (My “respond saying “Jay Bangla Banerjee said wondering “why Surendran, Kerala BJP chief, would Secretariat for jobs due to them. But do not want re-imposition of lockdown Family, My Responsibility). We imple- instead of hello whenever you this treatment to Bengal … pass through all assembly con- the CPI(M) is violating all norms and would wear masks, wash hands and main- mented that well. Now wqih the increase in pick up a phone call to empha- why this perception problem stituencies in the State, getting ready appointing relatives and associates of tain social distancing. Those who want lock- the Covid cases, we are launching a new ini- sise your feeling as a Bengali.” regarding Bengal when will it for the upcoming assembly election. party leaders into government ser- down will roam around freely without masks tiative ‘Mi Jawabdar’ (I am Responsible), In what critics called a bid 6  % !    change.” A huge crowd had gathered at vice,” said Adityanath. and not adhere to norms. Let’s see what hap- which obligates each and every person to to fan up “Bengali sentiments” ,     Referring to how “our icons Kasaragod to greet Adityanath and The BJP had opened its account pens during the next eight days”. take care of himself or herself”. ahead of the elections, Mamata    4  $  like Netaji Subhas Chandra listen to him. in the Kerala Legislative Assembly for Expressing serious concern over the Dwelling upon the increase in the said how her Government had +   Bose, Rabindranath Tagore, The UP Chief Minister who flew the first time in 2016 when its nona- changed attitude of a section of the people number of cases, Uddhav said: “Today, cases submitted the proposal of Vidya Sagar, Shyam Prasad down to Mangalore from Lucknow genarian candidate O Rajagopal won who have lowered their guard and are not have risen by nearly 7,000 whereas the same renaming Bengal as “Bangla” try called … that is Mukheree, Raja Ram Mohan travelled by car to Kasaragod to flag from Nemam in following the Covid-19 norms, Uddhav said: was between 2,000 to 2,500 a fortnight ago four years ago but “they are sit- a country after all and we are Roy have always been ignored off the rally. Most leaders of the fac- Thiruvananthapuram district. “Corona is once again swinging like a sword while on the other hand the active cases that ting on it and have not yet a State that wants to be by them …” Mamata said, tion-ridden Kerala BJP were present Though BJP leaders claim that over heads. We will get to know in the next were around 40,000 now the figure has gone cleared it,” apparently on the renamed as Bangla … why the “This is a clear example of how at the inaugural function. P C the party would win considerable 10 to 15 days whether there is a second wave up to 53,000” ground that there is a separate Centre will not respect our sen- if anyone from Bengal goes up Thomas, a leader of the Kerala number of seats in the State, fac- of Covid-19 in the state. This is especially “There are indicators that the cases are country called Bangladesh. timents? Why if there can be they will pull that person Congress faction who was with the tionalism and charges of corruption so after the increase in Corona cases in the rising but we cannot stop running the econ- “So what if there is a coun- States called Odisha and down.” Congress-led UDF till last week had have dampened the spirit of the cadre. western countries”. omy. We have the people’s demands like “Lockdown may and may not be the opening of restaurants, reopening of tem- answers, but I would like to tell you we have ples, restarting of local trains for the gen- 5,     O)) P to break the chain of the virus. Hence we eral public in Mumbai since the situation  (           '1$+   need to follow the restrictions,” he said. improved. But at the same time, I would like Announcing the ban on political, reli- to point out that people have stopped tak-       $ CHENNAI: It has been more than Palaniswami and his cabinet col- term. But Palaniswami, through gious and social programmes, the chief min- ing precautions and not wearing masks,” he New Delhi: Defence Minister are also “Ustad” of destiny. a fortnight since V K Sasikala, the league D Jayakumar reiterated that hard-work, perseverance and prag- ister said: “Time has come for us to stop said. Rajnath Singh on Sunday inau- Rajnath said that “Hunar Haat” former aide to J Jayalalithaa, walked Sasikala and her relations were not maticism established himself as crowds in public places. As the heads of Meanwhile, Deputy chief minister Ajit gurated the 26th “Hunar Haat” has been playing an important to the free world after her four year- welcome to the AIADMK. the leadfer. political parties, all of us want our respec- Pawar announced that schools and colleges of indigenous artisans and role in strengthening the coun- long imprisonment in connection “Dhinakaran’s declaration that he The looks of a farmer and tive parties to grow which we want to do by were in Pune and its sister city of Pimpri- craftsmen from across the try’s economy. with the disproportionate asset and Sasikala would retrieve the openness in communicating with going to the people. But this is not the time Chinchwad would remain shut till February country at Jawaharlal Nehru Modi Govt is promoting case. Though TTV Dhinakaran, AIADMK from Palaniswami and the people are his forte and this has for that. Our priority now is fight Corona. 28. “Movement of people will also be Stadium in New Delhi. the indigenous artisans and general secretary of the Amma others has been proved to be a hol- compensated for the lack of charis- My appeal to all political parties to sus- restricted between 11pm and 6am when Lok Sabha MP Meenakshi craftsmen of the country. Makkal Mennetra Kazhakam had low exercise and nobody is believ- ma associated with MGR and pend/cancel political meetings, rallies, mor- only essential activities like medical services, Lekhi graced the occasion as “Hunar Haat” brings together claimed that Sasikala’s return to ing it anymore,” said Kolahala Jayalalithaa, his predecessors,” said chas and protests, where there would be milk supply will be allowed. The hotels, the Guest of Honour. Secretary, indigenous artisans and Tamil Nadu would have a cascad- Srenivas, author and political com- Srenivas. crowds. Similarly, we have decided to ban restaurants and bars will not be allowed to Union Minority Affairs craftsmen from across the ing effect in the AIADMK politics, mentator. With no known leaders both- on religious and social programmes... In operate beyond 11 pm,” he said. Ministry P. K. Das, other senior country. nothing of that sort has happened. He said Palaniswai had con- ering to call on her, Sasikala had some places we are intensifying restrictions. “One-week complete lockdown remains officials and dignitaries were Rajnath Singh said that, Not even a single office bearer of the solidated his position as chief min- approached the Madras High Court Night curfew is being imposed in Amravati in force in Amravati district excluding also present on the occasion. “Hunar Haat” is a beautiful AIADMK, Sasikala’s parent party, ister and the co-cordinator of the to speed up the hearing of a civil district where the number of cases have gone Achalpur city, beginning 8 pm Monday,” On the occasion, Rajnath exhibition of our traditional art has bothered to pay a courtesy call steering committee which admin- petition filed by her in 2017 chal- up. women and child welfare minister Singh said that “Every region of and craft and more importantly to Chinnamma at her mansion in isters the party. “He had been lenging the authority by which The chief minister’s interaction with the Yashomati Thakur said. Meanwhile, in an the country has an amazing tal- our “cultural mosaic”. “Hunar Chennai’s T-Nagar. appointed as chief minister by Palaniswami, O Panneerselvam and people across the state came on a day when effort to check the spread of Covid-19, the ent and brilliance. The artisans Haat” is doing branding of Last Monday marked Edappadi Sasikala in February 2017 as she had others in the AIADMK operate. The the authorities imposed several restrictions authorities on Sunday clamped night cur- of “Hunar Haat” are not only traditional legacy of artisans, Palaniswami completing four years to surrender to the prison author- case has been scheduled for March cities like Mumbai, Pune and Nashik, while few in Pune city and the neighbouring “Ustad” of art and craft; they craftsmen. as chief minister of Tamil Nadu. ities in Bangalore to serve her jail 15. PNS a week-long night curfew was imposed at Pimpri-Chinchwad. 89:-$$$ +   ( N      ( 7)0  #   #   B,       A'$$7 Museum. There were also dance $ *  performances at Leh Palace”,   &32'*787 was committed to ensure reserva- he disengagement of troops spokesman of the UT adminis- tion to the Lingayat sect and Tof the Indian Army and tration said. embers of the Panchamasali efforts would be made to amend    China's People's Liberation Earlier, three parallel ses- Msect of 's powerful the law soon to include the com- Army (PLA) from the LAC in sions on different themes such Lingayat community held a mas- munity in the 2A category.   *7.+264 the eastern Ladakh sector has as mountaineering & trekking, sive rally in the city's Palace State Information Minister raised hopes of tour operators discovering Ladakh’s landscape, grounds on Sunday to seek inclu- C.C Patil, senior rebel BJP leader rimary Government schools in Uttar Pradesh are gear- waiting eagerly for the tourists and rural tourism-homestay, sion in the 2A reservation catego- Basangouda Yatnal and Congress Ping up to welcome children from March 1 -- almost to flock the cold desert region were organised. ry for Government jobs and seats legislator Lakshmi Hebbalkar and after a year -- after Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in the coming weeks. Representatives from All in state-run educational institutes. others spoke at the rally and urged ordered reopening of schools for classes 1 to 5. On its part the Union Ladakh Tour Operators “If the state government does the state government to include the Preparations are going on in full swing to decorate Territory administration in Association (ALTOA) spoke not include our community in the sect in the 2A category. schools with colourful balloons, flowers and festoons to Ladakh is also fully geared up about realising the full potential 2A reservation category for gov- Another seer Vacahnanda welcome students on the first day of the reopening of for the long tourist season and of the scope of mountaineering ernment jobs and educational Swami, who marched to the city the schools following a year-long break due to the pan- focusing more and more on and trekking in Ladakh. There seats, we will intensify our agita- along with hundreds of the com- demic. promoting adventure tourism. were discussions on the poten- tion and lay siege to the state munity from Basavakalyan in Bidar The Basic Education Department has directed all On Sunday the Tourism tial of Ladakh becoming a hot- Secretariat,” Panchamasali seer district, said though the previous schools to create an environment that would encourage department,Ladakh also spot for adventure tourism, Basava Jaya Mruthyunjaya Swami BJP government in the state had set students to return to classes. launched the second edition of provided there are adequate In the session on discover- Dudhoria, Yutaka Hirako, warned. up a sub-committee for drafting Students who have been away from school for about Ladakh Winter Conclave. The infrastructure and policy on ing Ladakh’s landscape, panel- Neeraj Bhagat, Shoba Mohan Over a lakh of the politically- the law during its 2008-13 tenure, a year and have been attending online classes during this major attraction of the event adventure tourism, training of lists Pranay Lal, Tara Sharma, and Monisha Ahmed discussed dominant community's members they have not been given reserva- period, can expect many surprises when they revisit their was the heritage walk in Old mountain guides, the availabil- Sonam Wangchuk and Munish the need to keep heritage alive reached the city since Saturday tion as members of other com- schools. Leh town. ity of equipment and ease of Pandit, discussed the impor- through the restoration of old from Kudalasangama in the state's munities. “When Jagadish Shettar Apart from finding colourful decorations of the class- “The heritage started from issuing permits for tourists tance of Ladakh’s landscape traditional homes and the eco- after a 37-day was the BJP's third Chief Minister es and gates, the students will also get corona vaccine LAMO Centre and ended at the interested in adventure tourism. and its relevance to the culture nomic viability of such projects. march (padayatra) in after Yediyurappa and D.V. shots. Leh main market. The guests A case study on the Chadar of the region. Administrative Secretary, support of their Sadananda Gowda, a legislative According to Lucknow BSA (Basic also enjoyed traditional delica- trek was also presented during Similarly, panellists Ravinder Kumar stressed the demand. panel was set up in 2012 to study Shiksha Adhikari) Dinesh Kumar, teachers have been cies at the Central Asian the presentation. Tsewang Namgyal, Manisha need for a comprehensive pol- “We took police permission to our demand. The panel report said instructed to decorate schools in order to create a fes- Pande, Kumar Anubhav, Gaurav icy for UT Ladakh. He also stage the march from Panchamasalis should be included tive atmosphere so that children do not Gaur and Sonam Parvez highlighted facilities provided Kudalasangama and other 17 dis- in 2A,” he said. hesitate to re-enter school premises due to the stressed the need to develop a by the Administration for tricts to hold the rally peacefully for Of the 108 sub-sects in the long gap. resilient homestay or village tourists, such as choppers dur- ensuring social justice to us, as we Lingayat community, 34 are in the The schools are also making arrangements for pro- tourism model in Ladakh dur- ing rescue operations and 100 have been neglected over the last 2A category, while about 70 are in viding safe running drinking water for children. ing the session on rural tourism- satellite phones in case of emer- 70 years,” Lingayat Panchamasali the OBC (Other Backward Classes) The schools have been directed to install submersible homestays. gency. Mahasabha president Vijayanand category. pumps for the purpose. Post-lunch, there were three Director, Tourism Kashappanavar told reporters here. Earlier this month, It is noteworthy that over 1.83 crore students study more parallel sessions. In the Department, Ladakh, Kunzes Besides scores of the sect's Yediyurappa told reporters that he in 1.5 lakh schools run by the Basic Education session on extreme sport, there Angmo, informed that the pontiffs, community leaders, leg- would do his best to provide reser- Department in the state. was a discussion on promoting Tourism Department is for- islators from the ruling BJP, includ- vation to the communities, includ- Besides, over one lakh schools have already under- Ladakh as a destination for mulating a comprehensive ing minister Murgesh Nirani, and ing Panchamsalis and Kurbas. gone transformation during Covid-19 pandemic on the extreme sports such as rock tourism policy for Ladakh. She opposition Congress and JD-S “I will not ask the pontiffs lead- initiative of Yogi Adityanath. climbing & bouldering, moun- also highlighted the impor- participated in the rally and ing the agitations to stop their fight, Schools have been decorated with colourful paint- tain biking, and ice climbing. tance of working towards addressed the gathering. but give me some time. I will work ings and meaningful slogans. Similarly, panellists King responsible and sustainable In his speech, Nirani said hard to meet their demand,” he Schools have also been equipped with the facilities Jigmed Namgyal. Darshan tourism. Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa said. for smart classes and libraries. 2  0  N  N+   ' *    

@B    (N  '  Varanasi (UP): Social organi- VMC. sations and even individuals, “The riverfront is a public Silchar (Assam): A 'Kargil that the newly-erected 'Kargil performing 'Ganga Aarti' at property owned by the state Vijay Smarak' was unveiled in Vijay Smarak' in Silchar is the various ghats will now have to government and being looked southern Assam's Silchar town first such memorial in the get registered with the Varanasi after by the Varanasi Municipal to remember the Indian Army entire northeastern region. Municipal Corporation Corporation,” said the district martyrs in the Kargil war Senior Army officer Pankaj (VMC). magistrate in a letter to against Pakistan in 1999. Yadav, retired Army officials The decision has been VMC. Renowned sculpturist and family members of martyrs taken by the district adminis- “It has been noticed that Swapan Pal made the fibre jointly unveiled the memorial tration to check encroach- quite often that some people sculpture of Indian Army mar- on Sunday. ments on the riverfront, which indulge in disputes over hold- tyrs in seven months and On July 26 in 1999, the is a public property. ing Ganga Aarti. The munici- installed them as the 'Kargil Indian armed forces had recap- The municipal authorities pal corporation should make a Vijay Smarak'. tured posts in the Kargil sector have also been asked to prepare specific regulation for organis- Ruling BJP MLA Dilip that had been occupied by the records of the 'Ganga Aarti'. ing the Ganga Aarti along the Kumar Paul has taken the ini- Pakistan. District magistrate Kaushal ghats. The VMC should regis- tiative to build 'Kargil Vijay Codenamed 'Operation Raj Sharma has asked the ter the aarti organisers with the Smarak' at a cost of Rs 17 lakh. Vijay', the Kargil war was municipal authorities to pre- allotment of space, which “From my MLA Local Area fought at an altitude of around pare the records of the Ganga should be renewed every Development fund, I have 16,000 feet wherein 1,042 aarti and complete the regis- year. given Rs 7 lakh and Rs 10 lakh Pakistani soldiers and mili- tration process by March end. Besides, it should also be sanctioned from the Assam tants were killed and 527 Thereafter, no such activ- ensured that no aarti is organ- Chief Minister's discretionary Indian soldiers made the ities would be allowed on the ised by any individual or organ- fund,” Pal said. supreme sacrifice in the line of ghats without the registration isation without the VMC's per- BJP MP Rajdeep Roy said duty. IANS &           !      and prior permission of the mission,” he said. IANS     !!"!#!$ 4

     ! (";     :-1       ";   ;  *+!, $$!-. : 0   Q    )  Q3 3 ,# 9   0 $       0   $  $   0    $%#&'-$8      R! ! S          *B$ (        $  <    <  "    @      * S        < %S - 7                R%  + S  <            - ( *                       ,        ,     ,            )  *  <    !  # n India, it is better to go                       ( public fundamentally      S    $  <   C   /  ( because we do not have    R! ! S             $  <   Isufficient number of entre- preneurs with enough free              ( wealth to pay for the public sec-    R  S   D (   E tor undertakings (PSUs). Many     %S R%  + S /   houses, although efficient, have         P   Q  already borrowed more than 6?               6? ideally desirable, which explains why the Government’s privatisa-

                ( tion push has so far been behind    ;     6784 - (*   schedule. At this stage, a brief         /     look at history would be useful.             ( At Independence in 1947, India had many more traders      R  S 1      than industrialists. Take the            textile mills, of which India had     (            a fairly large number. How          /     ( many have survived? With most mills, the problem was                    with the weaving looms. They <      "    <          ;;# were outdated and needed to be                       changed. Alternatively, the mills          #            could be trifurcated into one, carding/spinning, two weav- rich and the poor was social- and the first step in national reporting to a bureaucrat but                ( ing and three finishing/packing. ism. Apart from clamping revival in centuries. to his shareholders. The solu-         (               ( Instead, they carried on as long down on business growth with Keeping all Indian condi- tion lies in the President of                     as possible and when they the Monopolies Commission tions in mind, the PSUs which India parting with the shares      ; +            (  ( could not, the owners surren- and other such laws, she the Government desires to pri- of all PSUs to financial institu- dered to closure. That the nationalised 19 banks, the vatise should be managerial- tions like the LIC, GIC and its   R  * S               ( National Textile Corporation entire coal industry as well as ly toned up. Only industrial subsidiaries, banks, Unit Trust           #        (NTC) inaugurated the expan- general insurance. Little did she managers, and not bureau- of India, and so on. When this   %                     sion of what could be called the realise that the whole public crats, can do that. If they are happens, these new holders        /    C     ?7777    hospital sector of industry; it sector represented State capi- structurally imbalanced, some would behave like investors * (6762              $  < was really not public sector talism and not socialism at all. of them may have to be and not zamindars. Moreover, although the bureaucrats chose It would have socialism, pro- merged with other suitable politicians would not any   /             /         to mix up the two. vided the common people $6- 6 678 PSUs. The treatment of toning longer have ready access to rec-              %   R%  When the NTC could not were given an opportunity to &783'7.8'- '83 up would differ from unit to ommend their candidates, use + S  <S R  S            R! ! S absorb more sick mills, they invest and obtain dividends. unit. The toned-up units their guesthouses and cars, and D    %   "          E  were allowed to wind up, sell Even according to Karl Marx, 08-8'-3 should offer through one or so on. The PSUs would then their fixed assets including the socialism was “from each more public issue of shares as operate like business and               C      F land, pay the employee dues, according to his ability, to each '1$020-8'-68 per the SEBI and stock industries, not like jagirdaris. and then compensate the share- according to his opportunity”. &7- -539 '83 exchange rules. So long as the If for nothing else, for tak- holders. New hotels, office Thus Indian businessmen 72*0+3*9 -6 &3 Indian State retains at least 40 ing share investments in com- "# buildings or residential flats were denied the scope to grow per cent shares, let the public panies from the panelled have come on the graves of the and mature into industrialists. 33.-0@3 have shares. Many individuals offices of the upper classes to wound-up mills. Yet people Those who did, managed to $'2'38" -53 have savings that they wish to the masses, the late Dhirubhai continue to dress up well, bet- set up small and medium invest but do not find suitable Ambani needs to be hon- ter than earlier. Spinners, new industries by even over-bor- 68$38 '83 avenues. On debt instruments, oured. The best way to do so weavers called power looms rowing from the nationalised 80$'80*9 the interest rates have fallen so is to have the public as part- and finishers are functioning banks. Then Prime Minister low that they have been ren- ners in preference to banks. profitably in place of many of PV Narasimha Rao did yeo- 431131 -6 87*3 dered unattractive. His logic was that loans cost the expired mills. The little man’s service to the economy 45383' -53 Let us clarify that most of interest, shares do not. Shares industrial tragedy is one reflec- by liberalising the procedures our bureaucrats, IAS and oth- compel the management to tion of the industrial limitations and abolishing many a restric- *'--38N ers, are first-rate administrators perform and deliver lucrative of some of our entrepreneurs. tion. But in his temptation to 80680-03 '83 but they are unlikely to be dividends, which is what On the other hand, there get re-elected for another five effective managers. The former Indians expect of the PSUs. were business houses which were years, he went easy on his 13.0062, are primarily wedded to rules Karl Marx believed that reli- functioning laudably well but reforms in the second half of 8617.-062 '21 and procedures whereas the gion is the opium of the their hands and legs were tied his term. If one looks at his latter’s priorities are decisions, masses. It can be that loans down by Nehruvian socialism, years in supreme power, he 860- production and profits. The are the opium of the classes. also vigorously practised by Indira did more for India politically two cultures are quite dis- (The writer is a well-known Gandhi. Her plea was that the than economically. Ayodhya tinct. Therefore, a PSU man- columnist and an author. The only way of co-existence for the was his biggest achievement aging director should not be views expressed are personal.)  $:8$ SOUNDBITE 6    !!    *   *          8      Sir—This refers to the editorial ‘King Cong’   ! " # #% & &       (February 20). The anti-incumbency fac-        &   +             " tor notwithstanding, the Congress bagging      ,  J, )=  )) as many as 1,373 out of 2,218 seats in the -    ,  "    *8  2   .0 * ) *   recently-concluded civic polls in Punjab has       0         really come as a shot in the arm of the party            .         0"#  0   #      that is already on the wane following the                5  ,   ( internal faultlines and the damages conse-   "    * + ! ,  ,  !  ,      ,     " -  quent upon it. 8.%#%#.,               $  # +  +   -  ,   . )    The poll strategies of all other K 9 A $ 8 )                                   Opposition parties including the SAD, BJP, " 5  N      AAP and BSP seem to have fallen flat. With       /           0                   0N   this thumping win, Captain Amarinder                    (      " 0      7  Singh’s popularity has strengthened while            "  ( Q          1             ( the AAP’s hopes of resurgence it had pinned     O           4                                 on these civic elections in Punjab have taken .6@'R,   5   ,   #   ,         " -    a severe beating. 0       234      ,            0      ,            But with the AAP overtly and instru-   Q                 L- .   4M   '              mentally standing by the ongoing Kisan          1         '       " -   5  6728       P    Andolan all this while, the party’s bounce- " 6   F'6H   7  2  " -               Q           P; back in Punjab cannot be ruled out either. %,.8'         5        ,      Interestingly, AAP chief and Delhi CM KA & S  ; S     ;         ))K    <    (   " Arvind Kejriwal has already made public               " - 7   , .    7  %=#   his ambition of fielding candidates in 0         ;     ;     Punjab a month back. On the other hand,      ,   ;  ;       Q ,  the BJP has met with defeats even in its bas-  0      when she was only one year old, she is still ural resources, the most gruesome real-        <   P=      tions. What it boils down to is that the attached to the Indian values and roots as ity is the scarcity of water. Across the   G           ( Grand Old Party has emerged as an inter- at home, Swati speaks Kannada, and is a globe, from Cape Town to Michigan, and                Q    im king in Punjab; whether or not the party practising Hindu. from rural, sub-Saharan Africa to Asia’s       succeeds in keeping its kingdom intact in " ;         , It also reflects American culture that largest urban centres, all are reeling <'+% the forthcoming Assembly polls is yet to be K' 8  5    S          is diverse in the true sense as the under the shadow of water crisis. seen. But BJP’s prospects in Punjab politics Perseverance rover team was made up of About 844 million humans have no                  %  are certainly bleak seeing the present situ- people from various cultures coming or limited access to clean drinking water '  '  ation and the stand which the saffron party   $  *            together to successfully execute this daunt- around the world. The tale of two cities,    has taken over the farmers’ agitation. Chennai, India, and Cape Town, South '         *  (   $       Azhar A Khan | Rampur ing mission. NASA is a multicultural                     organisation with scientists and engi- Africa, has showcased the bleak future of  //              neers from various countries, ethnicities ‘Day Zero’, when one fine morning,   0*              +            cities just run out of drinking water. Sir —It is matter of pride for every Indian and races collaborating at multiple loca-  S 0  N                       ( tions across the US. That diversity was also A country such as India, known for " that Swati Mohan is among about a its water resources and dotted with life-         #             dozen scientists and engineers of Indian- reflected in the black bindi that Swati !,'%##,'<#&'#8         ;              Mohan was seen in, as she announced the giving rivers like the Ganga, Narmada, K$  . ( origin in NASA’s Mars exploration team, Tapti, Mahanadi and many more is attesting to the diversity of US scientific touchdown. We must make all out efforts             *    , under the clutches of “water scarcity”. 0       and technological prowess that rests large- to educate our daughters and make them !  #  #                     Though, several Government pro-       ly on its expansive immigration history. select careers of their choice. grammes offer hope, a lot more is   0                ;          , She has played a critical role in NASA’s P Senthil | Mumbai required to be done.                             step towards exploration of life on the red          Debasis Behera | Sambalpur     "                    /   $ planet. Though Swati grew up in Sir —Climate change and pollution have  ,    4?    ;              Washington DC and Virginia after her par- negative impacts on lives and livelihood. !! ( 8#8<8,'%        ;S      ents moved to the US from Bangalore In the backdrop of over-exploitation of nat- ''%,'+&+8%;96#*<+6 K2         !!"!#!$ ;

     ! (";     :-1       ";   ; FIRSTCOLUMN ;      $,!/!.0- '10#**!.'!  

  )*( <= - O                 

hould State-run madrasas be shut and con- verted into regular schools like some States Shave proposed or its better if Muslim %#""#(# 9 scholars and educationists prepare a road map

        < %    to initiate modern education in Islamic seminar-    (       ( ies across the country? The Assam Government 5               has decided to close the 740 State-run madrasas and convert them into general educational insti- $  <    <         tutions. Madrasa education was introduced in                  the Assam education curriculum in 1934 and the         (      G      ( State Madrasa Board was also created then.                R  If we examine the history of Muslim educa-        S 5   43    tion we find madrasas have been part of the ;       "            ( Islamic learning system since very early times.                    They were usually part of mosques. These mosques became social focal points for grow-   ;              ing communities; they doubled up as schools for                  learning the Quran, basic instruction in Muslim   <<    #         ( rituals and language instruction in Urdu, with    ;            (    accommodations for education and social needs.       R  < *    D <*ES    Throughout much of Islamic history, madrasas         (         were the major source of religious and scientif- ic learning, just as church schools and the uni- versities were in Europe. It is only lately that edu- cation in these seminaries became ossifying and there were calls for reforms. The reformists of madrasa education insist that knowledge in Islam is one whole, and that the division between dini (religious) and duniyavi (worldly) knowledge — with the two opposed $61382 ern and religious versus secular English language classes, which madrasas have outlived their role, to each other and which many contemporary 7&A3.- education, the State must contin- strengthen employment potential they need not be decimated. What ulema seem to have accepted — has no sanction .'2 '*6 ue to use Islamic seminaries as part for madrasa students. However, the they need is essentially a makeover in the Quran. The Quran is quoted as repeated- 53* -53 of the regular educational para- introduction of computer skills at in a way that respects traditional ly exhorting the believers to ponder over the -7132- digm. It must evolve an education- many Deoband-type madrasas is sensibilities and attempts to syn- mysteries of creation as signs of the power and '02 al grid that allows constant move- focused only on equipping them ergise classical and modern learn- mercy of God. In the entire scripture, there are ' 661 ment between madrasas and main- with functional literacy and not ing. # <*       2? 6767    646 about 600 verses directly commanding the 8672102 stream educational institutions. enabling them to engage with the Some of the modern progres-                   believers to reflect, to ponder, and to analyse 02 3.7*'8 The policymakers need to pay modern technological revolution. sive seminaries have turned a new God’s magnificence in nature, plants, stars, and closer attention to how transitions Thus, apart from equipping leaf and many more are mod-      %   C          7&A3.- the solar system, and far from leading to doubt from madrasas to mainstream madrasas with tools of modern ernising. Students unfamiliar with            <*     '21 -3.520.'* and disbelief, scientific investigation — if con- +0** 6 -5'- spaces can be seamlessly achieved. education, we have to orient the the intricacies of their own faith         C "   ducted within properly defined Islamic bounds The State should not interfere in mindset of students so as to attune can be swayed by arguments that       ++ H,+  CC        -539 16 — can deepens one’s faith in Islam. 26- *63 religious instruction, which should it to social realities and sensitise seem to call for jihad when taken         <S    P    But madrasas are not immune to change. be the business of private individ- them towards emerging socio- out of context. But students com- Many of them are trying to forge a Muslim iden- 67- 02 '2 uals and associations. Second, cultural paradigms. This must be ing out of these new generation Q                02.83'02*9   (               ( tity that is compatible with modern culture and those who carry out the inspec- the fundamental objective of the religious schools are grounded in resistant to the blandishments of radicalisation. .6$3-0-0@3 '21 tions should be properly oriented modernisation process of both classical and liberal values.             ( Likewise, few ulema could claim to be complete- *6&'*031 to the traditions of learning in madrasas. The efforts to stay The right approach would be  # %          %@  ly satisfied with the madrasas as they exist today. 468+*'.3 Muslim communities and the his- “politically correct” have con- to temper classical and tradition-   (     684         Indeed, leading ulema are themselves conscious tory and status of madrasas in par- tributed to an absence of struc- al learning with liberal thought. It                  of the need for change in the system. ticular. tured debate and discussion on can foster a culture which will                  @  The negative stereotypes presented in some The general consensus is that how to make modern education engender the two streams of learn-   (    D@;CE           sections of the media do not present the true pic- madrasas can play a vital role in accessible to millions of poor ing to nourish each other. This will            (        ture. The majority of these Islamic schools actu- bringing secular and religious Muslim youth so that they get jobs. enable the students of these sem- ally present an opportunity, not a threat. For education. Since the students are We must remember that cultural inaries to lead lives that are as true                   ( young village children, these schools may be their taught in classical and modern sci- isolation would only lead to stag- to their faith as attuned to modem                     only path to literacy. For many orphans and the ence as well as secular and religious nation. The madrasas betray a needs. It will build them into    rural poor, these provide essential social services. thought, they are better able to spot deeper dissatisfaction and fatigue empowered stakeholders in the #               They continue to serve parts of developing soci- scriptural distortions. They also with a redundant learning system. shaping of their own future as well  "             %   eties that Governments never reach. For par- tend to be more connected to their Shibli Nu’mani, a renowned as of their communities.  <  + B  5      + ents mired in poverty and forced to work long own communities as well as to the 20th century scholar from within An enlightened and productive %             ( hours with limited breaks, madrasas serve a vital mainstream society and their sta- the madrasa circles has himself human capital is the most precious role in ensuring their children are supervised, ble sense of identity, religious and noted: “For us Muslims, mere asset of a society, and madrasas can                   fed and taught to read and write. otherwise, shield them from rad- English (modern) education is certainly be key enablers in this                   ( As their graduates go out and take up a range icalism. The madrasas are allies in not sufficient, nor does the old task. Modern subjects can also help           (       of new careers and as pressures from within the The writer India’s fight against extremism. Arabic madrasa education suffice. the students gain a good ground-             <* community as well as from the State and the is a well-known Some recent reform efforts Our ailment requires a compound ing in secular subjects and techni- media for reform grow, these Islamic schools, too, development professional. panacea. One portion eastern and cal skills so that they do not lose #     %        The views expressed have focused on modernising the             6I7        are changing. Far from typifying one end of the are personal. teachings. This includes the addi- the other western.” out in an increasingly competitive 8J    6724(2K # <         polarising spectrum of traditional versus mod- tion of computer proficiency and While it is true that most and globalised workplace.   $      !     (        (   )   (                 POINTCOUNTERPOINT                )                     >   :   2   : %         ;      ?        AB :  * P      ;        ; #      *  CC  *     B           < %    (        L   L   D            !             "#   !    !  #E  "          0 $                         n various developed coun- superstition or political have been flung back 200 years right lies.” In 2020, historians in in communist Poland (1944- Jonathan French Scott almost 20 tries, the manner in which upheavals in developing coun- in the past. Mainstream politi- the UK wrote an open letter 1989) were similar to the ones years before the Cold War? Ipolitics and society have tries, agreed that these existed in cal structures there have been demanding changes to the his- that were used in various former In a nutshell, no matter unravelled in the last decade, developed nations too, they invaded by firebrand Right- tory section of the British Home communist dictatorships such what ideological bent is being suggests that certain factors that insisted that these were present wing populists and dogmatic Office’s citizenship test. The the Soviet Union and its satellite welded into textbooks in various contributed to this had either during their teething years. “cultural warriors” from the campaign was initiated by the States in East Europe, and in countries, it has always been been missed or were systemat- In 2012, a British political Left and the Right are battling it British professor of history and China. The same methods in about altering history through ically hidden from the rest of the scientist and an American his- out to define “good” and “evil.” archeology Frank Trentmann. A this context were also employed engineered stories as a means of world i.e. developing countries. (#+ : torian emphasised at a confer- In the process they are wrecking debate on the issue, through an by totalitarian regimes in Nazi promoting particular agendas. My research in religious ence that the problems that the carefully constructed pillars exchange of letters between Germany, and in fascist Italy and This is done by concocting extremism, historical distor- developing countries face, i.e. of the Enlightenment era on Trentmann and Stephen Spain. One can come across var- events that did not happen, tions in school textbooks, con- communal violence, a suspect which their nations’ whole exis- Parkinson, a former Home ious similarities between how it altering those that did take spiracy theories and reactionary disposition towards science and tential meaning rests. The most this is not restricted to develop- Office special adviser, was pub- is done in liberal democracies place, or omitting events alto- attitudes towards science, has continual political disruption, outlandish conspiracy theories ing countries alone. lished in The Spectator. and how it was done in totalitar- gether. This is a problem that is produced findings that are uni- were present at one time in have migrated from the edges of In 1971, a study by a group Trentmann laments that the ian set-ups. inherent in the whole idea of the versal. This century’s second developed nations as well, but the lunatic fringe into the main- of US and British historians problem lay in a combination of I once shared this observa- nation State, which is largely decade (2010-2020) saw some had been overcome through an stream and science is being showed that out of the 36 British errors, omissions and distortions tion with an US academic. He constructed by clubbing people startling political and social ten- evolutionary process, and by the perceived as a demonic force. and US school textbooks that in the history section pages, somewhat agreed but argued together as ‘nations’, not only dencies in Europe and the US, construction of political and Take for instance, the prac- they examined, no less than 25 which were also littered with that because of the Cold War within physical but also ideolog- which mirrored those in devel- economic systems that were tice of authoring distorted text- contained inaccurate informa- mistakes. Not only are histori- many democratic countries were ical boundaries. This leaves oping countries. Before 2010- self-correcting in times of crisis. books. Over the years, some tion and ideological bias. In cal distortions in textbooks a pressed to adopt certain propa- nations feeling vulnerable and 2020, these tendencies had been What they were suggesting excellent research cropped up in 2007, the US sociologist James universal practice, but the many ganda techniques that were fearing that the glue that binds repeatedly commented upon in was that most developing coun- Pakistan and India that system- Loewen surveyed 18 American ways that this is done are equal- originally devised by communist a nation together, through fab- the West, as if they were specif- tries were still at a stage that the atically exposed how historical history texts and found them to ly universal and cut across com- regimes. I tend to disagree. ricated ideas of ethnic, religious ic to poorer regions. Even developed countries had been distortions and religious biases be “marred by an embarrassing peting ideologies. Because if this were so, then how or racial homogeneity, will wear though many Western histori- Courtesy: Dawn. The 200 years ago. However, eight in textbooks have contributed Historian Joanna Wojdon is one to explain the publication off. Thus the need is felt to keep views expressed are combination of blind patriotism, ans, while discussing the pres- years after that conference, (and still are contributing) to sheer misinformation, and out- says the methods that were of the book ‘The Menace of it intact through continuous ence of religious extremism, personal. Europe and the US, it seems, episodes of bigotry. However, used by the State in this respect Nationalism in Education’ by historical distortions.     !!"!#!$  ,%

-$  2  " "    $-        D  0$  @ 0 $   0   0   /< $ #-!           '   (   9'262 ther action, with our interna- midnight. He was one of six         tional partners, against those high-profile people in the    /      rotesters gathered again crushing democracy & choking entertainment industry '  " +    ( PSunday all over Myanmar, dissent.” charged last week with inciting           a day after security forces shot Britain last week froze civil servants to stop work and         dead two people at a demon- assets of and imposed travel join the protest movement,   , (    stration in the country’s second bans on three top Myanmar which he and the others have          biggest city. A funeral was also generals, adding to already publicly championed.       " held for a young woman killed existing targeted sanctions. On Sunday, Facebook earlier by police. Singapore, which together announced it took down the      Mya Thwet Thwet Khine with Myanmar is part of the 10- page run by the Myanmar mil-     was the first confirmed death member Association of itary information unit “for B%!,#6 0   8 Q)" among the many thousands Southeast Asian Nations, issued repeated violations of our com-      who have taken to the streets to a statement condemning the munity standards prohibiting          protest the Feb. 1 coup that top- use of lethal force as “inexcus- incitement of violence and          pled the elected Government of able.” coordinating harm.” It had     0    Aung San Suu Kyi. The woman Urging “utmost restraint” already taken down    1  ,   was shot on Feb. 9, two days on the part of security forces, other accounts linked to the 0    " before her 20th birthday, at a it warned that “if the situation military. protest in the capital Nayptitaw, continues to escalate, there The junta took power after    : and died Friday. will be serious adverse conse- detaining Suu Kyi and pre-     About 1,000 people in cars quences for Myanmar and the venting Parliament from con- +9#.,! -    and bikes gathered Sunday region.” vening, saying elections last        O morning at the hospital where Another shooting death November were tainted by vot-    ,   O her body was held amid tight took place Saturday night in ing irregularities. The election       security, with even the victim’s Yangon in unclear circum- outcome, in which Suu Kyi’s L  M    grandparents who had traveled stances. According to several National League for   " '    from Yangon, five hours away, accounts on social media, Democracy party won by a   (   denied entry. When her body including a live broadcast that landslide, was affirmed by an    " was released, a long motorised showed the body, the victim election commission that has procession began a drive to the was a man who was acting as since been replaced by the D    cemetery. a volunteer guard for a neigh- military. The junta says it will     :   In Yangon, Myanmar’s bourhood watch group. Such hold new elections in a year’s '#% '    biggest city, about 1,000 groups were established time.        demonstrators honoured the         !    +               * because of fears that authorities The coup was a major set- 2 6      woman under an elevated were using criminals released back to Myanmar’s transition to       , roadway. place in Mandalay, where campaign against the junta. er was shot in the chest and slingshots. from prison to spread panic democracy after 50 years of      “I want to say through the police shot dead two people on Shooting broke out after died en route to a hospital. The new deaths drew quick and fear by setting fires and army rule that began with a       , media to the dictator and his Saturday near a dockyard as neighbourhood residents Several other serious and strong reaction from the committing violent acts. 1962 coup. Suu Kyi came to   " -   associates, we are peaceful security forces were trying to rushed to the Yadanabon dock injuries were also reported. international community. Another live broadcast on power after her party won a " -     demonstrators,” said protester force workers to load a boat. to try to assist the workers in Witness accounts and photos of “The shooting of peaceful Facebook showed the wife of 2015 election, but the generals   "=/    A  Min Htet Naing. “Stop the The workers, like railway work- their resistance. One of the vic- bullet casings indicated that the protesters in is beyond the actor Lu Min describing to retained substantial power  6     genocide! Stop using lethal ers and truckers and many tims, described as a teenage security forces used live ammu- pale,” said British Foreign neighbours how her husband under the constitution, which $ ,     weapons!” civil servants, have been taking boy, was shot in the head and nition, in addition to rubber Secretary Dominic Raab on was arrested and taken away was adopted under a military   A    Another large protest took part in a civil disobedience died immediately, while anoth- bullets, water cannons and Twitter. “We will consider fur- from their home shortly after regime.  O 6 " 7<  "     ,     -  !    ! P   #+          $R      720-31 2'-062 oping and manufacturing one He told the meeting that it  -358'2  4'502-62 of the two vaccines currently is this spirit in which India N chief Antonio Guterres granted Emergency Use Listing approaches the COVID chal- he head of the United onald Trump will be mak- Uhas voiced appreciation by the World Health lenge and urged the Council to TNations’ nuclear watchdog Ding his first post-presi- for India’s leadership in the Organization bring a much- work collectively to address its met Sunday with Iranian offi- dential appearance at a con- global fight against the coron- needed supply to the global different dimensions. cials in a bid to preserve his servative gathering in Florida avirus pandemic and its efforts vaccine market. I also appreci- The 200,000 doses essen- inspectors’ ability to monitor next weekend. to bring a “much-needed sup- ate your continued efforts to tially mean that it will be pos- Tehran’s atomic programme, Ian Walters, spokesman ply” of the Covid-19 vaccines support and strengthen the sible to administer the required even as authorities said they for the American Conservative to the world market. COVAX Facility to ensure double doses of COVID vac- planned to cut off their sur- Union, confirmed that Trump India’s Permanent more equitable access.” cines to all UN peacekeepers veillance cameras at those sites. will be speaking at the group’s  ,-89.',#% Representative to the UN COVAX is is a global ini- across missions. Rafael Grossi’s arrival in annual Conservative Political 8 %#8.+2+%.#2#8. Ambassador TS Tirumurti tiative aimed at equitable access According to UN Tehran comes as Iran tries to Action Conference on Feb. 28. $#'!%#,+$$+%6% tweeted on Saturday that to Covid-19 vaccines. Peacekeeping, currently, a total pressure Europe and the new Trump is expected to use %!6&#.68,'%#'+8+$$<#, Guterres, in a letter dated On Wednesday, India, of 94,484 personnel are serving Biden administration into the speech to talk about the February 17, “extends his per- which has been hailed as the in 12 peacekeeping operations returning to the 2015 nuclear future of the Republican Party #8.+'%,+%&%,8', sonal gratitude” to External pharmacy of the world, across the world led by the deal, which President Donald and the conservative moment, 89+$' 28<!.89 Affairs Minister S Jaishankar announced the gift of 2,00,000 Department of Peace Trump unilaterally withdrew as well as to criticize President $+%6%<%'#%+$'#' for “India’s offer of 2,00,000 Covid-19 doses for UN peace- Operations. America from in 2018.  .     8 !    $   Joe Biden’s efforts to undo his doses” of Covid-19 vaccines for keepers. A total of 121 nations are '!  *  9 * *9*5! '  =+6&+2+%.#+* Iranian Foreign Minister immigration policies, accord- +8#8',#8.+!' UN peacekeepers. “Keeping in mind the UN contributing uniformed per- Mohammad Javad Zarif, who            * ing to a person who spoke on The Secretary-General says Peacekeepers who operate in sonnel to the UN peacekeeping under President Hassan condition of anonymity to dis- #=+'#+*%,' +6 “India has been a global leader such difficult circumstances, we missions. India is traditionally Rouhani helped reach the domestic issue between the “Additional Protocol,” a confi- cuss the plans. in pandemic response efforts”, would like to announce today among the largest troop-con- nuclear deal, said the cameras parliament and the govern- dential agreement between CPAC is being held this retired from the White House Tirumurti tweeted, expressing a gift of 200,000 doses for tributing countries to peace- of the International Atomic ment.” Tehran and the IAEA reached year in Orlando, Florida, and to Palm Beach, Florida, in his gratitude to the UN Chief. them,” Jaishankar said, address- keeping missions. Energy Agency would be shut “We have a democracy. as part of the nuclear deal. The will feature a slew of former January, but reemerged last In an excerpt of the letter ing the UN Security Council Stephane Dujarric, off despite Grossi’s visit to fol- We are supposed to implement IAEA has additional protocols Trump administration officials week to conduct a series of tweeted by Tirumurti, Guterres open debate on the imple- Spokesman for the Secretary- low a law passed by parliament. the laws of the country. And the with a number of countries it and others who represent his phone-in interviews to com- says, “Indeed, India has been a mentation of resolution 2532 General, had told PTI in “This is not a deadline for parliament adopted legislation monitors. Under the protocol wing of the GOP, including for- memorate the death of con- global leader in pandemic (2020) on the cessation of hos- response to a question on the the world. This is not an ulti- — whether we like it or not.” with Iran, the IAEA “collects mer Secretary of State Mike servative commentator Rush response efforts having pro- tilities in the context of the Secretary General’s thoughts on matum,” Zarif told the gov- Zarif’s comments marked and analyzes hundreds of thou- Pompeo, Florida Gov. Ron Limbaugh. vided critical medicines, diag- Covid-19 pandemic. the announcement by India, ernment-run, English-language the highest-level acknowl- sands of images captured daily DeSantis and South Dakota Trump has a long history nostic kits, ventilators and per- Quoting the Bhagavad said that Guterres is “extreme- broadcaster Press TV in an edgement yet of what Iran by its sophisticated surveil- Gov. Kristi Noem. with CPAC, which played a key sonal protective equipment to Gita, Jaishankar had said “Do ly grateful” for the gift of interview aired during Grossi’s planned to do when it stopped lance cameras,” the agency said Trump has been keeping a role in his emergence as a more than 150 countries. your work with the welfare of 2,00,000 Covid-19 vaccine visit. “This is an internal following the so-called in 2017. relatively low profile since he political force. “Efforts by India in devel- others always in mind.” doses for UN peacekeepers.  =  &"   ;*#R )>     , 1.  ,  21 *    $ 0 *:     0  #   !     "3      0-     7  720-31 2'-062 designed to provide military   :     ! equipment to eastern-based $ &'  0-'2&7* merican security contrac- commander Khalifa Hifter.  4'502-62 eral must be loyal to him per-  .'086 ed banks were selling the dollar Ator Erik Prince, a close ally “The Project Opus plan sonally, a position that battered  4'502-62 urkey’s President says at an average of 375 pounds, and of former US President Donald also included a component to he last time Merrick the department’s reputation. Tmutual interests with the udan took the unprece- buying the U.S. Currency for an Trump, violated the UN arms kidnap or terminate individu- TGarland was nominated by Garland’s high court nom- resident Joe Biden paid a United States outweigh their Sdented but expected step of average of 390, in an attempt to embargo against Libya along als regarded as high value tar- the White House for a job, ination by President Barack Pvisit Sunday to former Sen. differences and has called for floating its currency Sunday, attract those trading in the with three United Arab gets in the plan was first report- Republicans wouldn’t even Obama in 2016 died because Bob Dole, days after the World more cooperation with meeting a major demand by unofficial currency market. Emirates-based companies and ed by The New York Times and meet with him. the Republican-controlled War II veteran and 1996 President Joe Biden’s new US international financial institu- Sudan’s currency will now their top managers during an The Washington Post. Now, the once-snubbed Senate refused to hold a hear- Republican presidential nom- administration. tions to help transitional fluctuate according to supply operation to help a rebel mili- Oil-rich Libya was plunged Supreme Court pick will final- ing. inee announced he’d been In a video message late authorities overhaul the bat- and demand, according to a tary commander take the cap- into chaos after a 2011 NATO- ly come before the Senate, this Garland will inherit a diagnosed with stage 4 lung Saturday, Turkish President tered economy. statement by the Central Bank ital Tripoli, UN experts said. backed uprising toppled longtime time as President Joe Biden’s Justice Department that cancer. Biden, who served in Recep Tayyip Erdogan The flotation is the boldest of Sudan. It said the flotation In a key section of a report dictator Moammar Gadhafi and choice for attorney general. endured a tumultuous time the Senate with Dole for more acknowledged that Turkish- economic measure taken by the is part of measures the transi- to the UN Security Council split the country between a UN- Garland, an appeals court under Trump — rifle with than two decades, arrived American relations were “seri- joint military-civilian govern- tional government has obtained Sunday by The supported Government in Tripoli judge, is widely expected to sail political drama and controver- Saturday afternoon at the ously tested” but stressed that ment that has ruled the African embarked on to help stabilize Associated Press, the panel of and rival authorities based in the through his confirmation sial decisions — and abundant Watergate complex where Dole, their strategic partnership has country after a popular upris- the country’s economy. The experts outlined “a well-funded country’s east, each side backed process, which begins Monday criticism from Democrats over 97, and his wife, Elizabeth, have “overcome all kinds of diffi- ing. The revolt led to the mil- Central Bank said the flotation private military company oper- by an array of local militias as well before the Democratic-con- what they saw as the politiciz- maintained a longtime resi- culties.” itary’s overthrow of autocrat would help “normalization of ation” called “Project Opus” as regional and foreign powers. trolled Senate Judiciary ing of the nation’s top law dence. The White House Erdogan’s conciliatory tone Omar al-Bashir in April 2019. ties with international and Committee, with bipartisan enforcement agencies. described Dole as a “close follows his strongly worded The country has since been regional financial institutions support. The department’s priorities friend” of the president. accusations that the US sup- on a fragile path to democra- and friendly countries to “Judge Garland’s extensive and messaging are expected to “He’s doing well,” Biden ported Kurdish militants, days cy with daunting economic ensure the flow of grants and ) *   *# 4  legal experience makes him shift drastically in the Biden said of Dole, after departing after Turkish troops found the challenges representing a major loans” into Sudan’s economy. well-suited to lead the administration, with a focus Holy Trinity Catholic Church bodies of 13 Turkish hostages threat to that transition. “Our economy is in a situ- Q$# R ?;? Department of Justice, and I more on civil rights issue, later Saturday evening. held by the Kurdistan Workers’ The flotation move could ation that cannot be addressed appreciated his commitment to criminal justice overhauls and Dole said this week he Party, or PKK in a cave com- provoke a popular backlash as without making such a deci- keep politics out of the Justice policing policies in the wake of plans to begin undergoing plex in northern Iraq. the price of goods and services sion,” Finance Minister Gibril     " -30  Department,” Sen. John nationwide protests over the treatment on Monday. Ankara has been infuriat- rise in response to the fall of the Ibrahim told a news conference Cornyn, R-Texas, said in a death of Black Americans at the “While I certainly have ed by American support for a pound’s value and possible in Khartoum. Islamabad: Pakistan is unlike- 2018 and asked Islamabad to statement. hands of law enforcement. some hurdles ahead, I also Syrian Kurdish fighters in com- hike in the price of fuel and “It is in our interest, in the ly to exit the ‘grey list’ of the implement a plan of action to “Unless I hear something Garland plans to tell sena- know that I join millions of the Islamic State group, other essential goods. interest of the country, and in FATF as some European coun- curb money laundering and ter- new, I expect to support his tors the department must Americans who face significant saying they are linked to the There were already spo- the interest of the citizen.” tries have taken the stand that ror financing by the end of 2019 nomination before the full ensure laws are “fairly and health challenges of their own,” decades-long Kurdish insur- radic protests over dire living He said they have taken Islamabad has not fully imple- but the deadline was extended Senate.” faithfully enforced” and the he said in a statement announc- gency in southeastern Turkey conditions in the past couple of measures to counter possible mented all the points of a plan later on due to Covid-19 pan- Biden’s choice of Garland rights of all Americans are ing his diagnosis. that the US also lists as terror- weeks in the capital, Khartoum hikes in the price of essential of action set by it, a media report demic. The virtual FATF ple- reflects the president’s goal of protected, while reaffirming Dole, a native of Russell, ists. Erdogan said Saturday the and other parts of the country. goods. He did not elaborate. said on Sunday, on the eve of the nary will be held in Paris from restoring the department’s rep- an adherence to policies to pro- Kansas, represented the state in US did not give Turkey the The US dollar had been The US embassy in plenary meeting of the global February 22 to 25 to consider utation as an independent tect its political independence, Congress for almost 36 years “desired support and solidari- trading at over 350 pounds to Khartoum welcomed the watchdog for money laundering cases of various countries on body. with the attorney general act- before resigning from the ty” in fighting the PKK and the dollar on the black market, “courageous” move, saying it and terror financing. the grey list, including Pakistan, During his four years as ing as a lawyer for the Senate in 1996 to challenge linked groups, demanding a while its official rate was at 55 paves the way for debt relief and The Paris-based Financial and a decision will be made at president, Donald Trump had American people, not for the Democratic President Bill “clear stance” from Turkey’s pounds to the dollar. Following significantly increases the impact Action Task Force had placed the conclusion of the meetings, insisted that the attorney gen- president. Clinton. allies. the flotation, local media report- of international assistance. Pakistan on the grey list in June Dawn newspaper reported. PTI     !!"!#!$ . 1

 4 567 "     * $     -  ,-+$   "  <:        .         234 13*50 “The cost of running CNG demand for CNG vehicles is is only Rs 1.5 per km whereas the increase in the number of  &32'*787 mid skyrocketing prices for petrol and diesel it is almost cities under CNG stations net-  !  Aof petrol and diesel, Maruti Rs 4 per km. People are now work, he said adding four years T czar Azim Premji on Suzuki India (MSI) is looking preferring CNG as the running ago, the number of CNG sta-   $7$&'0 major domestic events. The ISunday Said more than 90 to cash in on the accelerated cost is very low so there is a tions in India was 1,200, which GDP data for the third quarter per cent of the workforce in the demand for its CNG vehicles, growth in sales of CNG vehi- has doubled to 2,400 at present. s the Indian equity market which is to be released towards technology industry of the expecting nearly 50 per cent cles,” Srivastava said. “By next year the Agoes on a consolidation the end of next week is expect- country continue to work from growth in the ongoing fiscal Citing Maruti Suzuki’s own number of stations will be mode, global markets along ed to show signs of economic home, and lauded the hybrid year, according to a senior example, he said,”In the mod- 4,500. So if you look at it, in with the GDP data scheduled recovery adding positive model of work. company official. The com- els that we have CNG, the pen- four years it will go up from to be released later in the week momentum in Indian mar- “Within the first few weeks pany, which offers CNG etration level is almost 21 per 1,200 to 4,500. Also the num- is likely to steer the domestic ket,” he said.The economy is of the (COVID-19-induced) options in eight models out of cent. Our CNG volumes last ber of cities covered will go up. stock markets going ahead. expected to record positive lockdown, over 90 per cent of total 14 available in the Indian year were around 1,06,000 It has already gone up from 145 Vinod Nair, Head of growth for the October- the technology industry was market, is also actively working units. If you look at 2020-21 we four years back to 240 this year,” Research at Geojit Financial December quarter after the 7 working from home and even the country and greater num- He emphasised the need to expand the portfolio. have already crossed 1,19,000 he said. Moreover, Finance Services, said that the market per cent contraction in the pre- today over 90 per cent of peo- ber of women who would have for people to engage in some “This year CNG (vehicles) units and we will end up the Minister was largely in a consolidation vious quarter. ple continue to work from flexibility to work from home. acts of philanthropy and char- in the industry has grown year with about 1,55,000 units. has said in the Budget that the phase throughout the week As per the recent projection home,” he said. “Technology is becoming ity. almost 37 per cent at a time It will be almost 50 per cent government would increase it following weak global cues. by ICRA, India’s GDP is expect- Addressing an interactive the lifeline for us as individu- “The culture of philan- when the overall growth is increase. to 100 more cities. In March Bears took control of the ed to record a year-on-year session hosted by the Bangalore als and also businesses,” he said. thropy is as basic to India as negative (18 per cent decline) “In Mumbai and Pune, the 2022, it is expected that there markets across the globe as rise of 0.7% in Q3FY21.S. Chamber of Industry and If there was any doubt, the India itself. Charity and phil- in April-January period. It CNG penetration of Celerio will be almost 375 cities cov- worries of increasing US Bond Ranganathan, Head of Research Commerce, Premji said the IT year 2020 showed how funda- anthropy has always been a part means CNG is growing very and WagonR is almost 70 per ered, he noted. “The net- yield and inflation kept at LKP Securities noted that that industry and the government mental technology has become. of India’s culture and tradition”, well,” Maruti Suzuki India cent. In Delhi, CNG penetra- work is also increasing. Thus investors’ mood gloomy, he week ended Friday belonged to have appreciated the value of a Technology played an he added. Executive Director (Marketing tion of WagonR is 50 per cent, the availability of CNG is get- said, adding that PSU banks the PSU Bank Index which permanent hybrid model important role in ensuring that Premji stepped down as & Sales) Shashank Srivastava he added.Stating that the ting better...The government is outperformed during the week rose close to 11% with Midcap where people would work part- the government’s social Wipro chairman and managing told PTI. growth of CNG sales was 18 also helping by expanding the due to developments around state-run banks and non-life ly from office and home even schemes and assistance pro- director in 2019, handing over Explaining why the per cent last year, Srivastava CNG network. We can sell in privatisation, while the sector insurers posting huge after the end of the pandemic. grammes reached the mass the company’s reins to his son demand for CNG vehicles has said in the last five years, MSI’s new cities where CNG was not witnessed profit booking gains.“During the coming week Stating that the hybrid model population, according to him. Rishad. gone up, he said as the prices CNG vehicle sales were at previously available. Then the towards the end of the week. we expect investor interest com- would have huge comparative Availability of digital infra- The septuagenarian cur- of petrol and diesel as a fuel about 75,000 units in 2016-17, waiting time for CNG filling is “We expect the domestic ing back to large banks as FPI advantage, he said it would structure in tier-2 cities has rently holds the position of have gone up dramatically, the which grew to about 106,000 also going down as the number market to continue following flows this month of over Rs drive inclusive growth, better helped greatly many business- Wipro founder-chairman and running costs have also units last fiscal year. of stations are going up,” he the global markets in the com- 24,000 crore reflects the appetite participation from all parts of es to thrive, Premji said. non-executive director. increased. Another reason for the rise in said. ing week due to lack of any of foreign funds,” he said.  O -   %*    '    .         =/T            !# #      (,      234 13*50 base and augmentation of rev- “who are continuously and   D/,///     enue. openly violating the FDI poli-  234 13*50 miners,” the coal ministry said ments of coal bearing head of its ‘Bharat Bandh’ In the letter, CAIT said cy, law and rules without any in brief note. states...On issues relating to Acall on February 26, that a few recent amendments fear of law”. They are indulging he Centre plans to permit The ministry said that it coal/lignite,” the coal ministry traders’ body CAIT on Sunday in GST have given “arbitrary in predatory pricing, deep dis- Tsale of 50 per cent of has invited comments from the said. wrote to Prime Minister and unfettered powers” to the counting, loss funding, con- coal/lignite produced by cap- state governments of coal-bear- In India, the import of coal Narendra Modi raising issues government officials. trolling inventory and sale of tive blocks, a move aimed at ing states and is increasing on year on year related to the GST regime, and It said this goes much branded products, CAIT augmenting the production stakeholders/general public on basis. In 2015-16, the country alleging violation of e-com- against the PM’s mission for alleged. “These e-commerce and increasing the availability the said proposals. imported 203.95 million tonnes merce rules by major e-tailers. ‘minimum government, max- companies have found various of dry fuel. The Ministry of Mines has (MT) of coal which was In its letter to the prime imum governance’, and these escape routes in Press Note The government plans to also invited comments of the increased to 248.54 MT in minister, the Confederation of amendments have created a No.2 of the FDI policy and do so through incorporation of state governments, among oth- 2019-20 and consequent All India Traders (CAIT) called state of ‘tax terrorism’ in the therefore, a fresh Press Note a provision in the Mines and ers, on the proposals for addi- spending of around 1.58 lakh  234 13*50 loss of revenue due to COVID- for setting up of a “special country.“The principle of nat- blocking all escape routes and Minerals (Development and tional amendments being con- crore in foreign exchange. 19. working group” at the central ural justice has been greatly abolishing all such provisions Regulation) Act, 1957 sidered in the MMDR Act. Coal being an important he GST revenue shortfall The centre has already bor- level comprising senior offi- violated through such amend- that may prompt these com- (MMDR). “The ministry of mines input for various core sector Tfaced by states rowed and releases to the states cials, CAIT representatives and ments where the traders have panies to violate the rules or “In the note for consulta- has also sought comments of industries, increasing avail- is likely to reduce by about Rs 1 lakh crore under the spe- independent tax experts to been denied any sort of show- policies should be prepared,” tion of Ministry of Mines, it is Ministry of Coal on the said ability of coal will lead to Rs 40,000 crore in the current cial window. review the GST structure and cause notice or opportunity of CAIT said. It also called for set- proposed to incorporate a pro- draft proposal. Some of the said Aatmanirbhar Bharat. fiscal on improved collections The official further said make recommendations to the hearing before taking any penal ting up of a regulatory author- vision in the Act to allow sale draft proposals are applicable in Allowing sale of coal from over the past four months, an that for next fiscal beginning government. It also suggested action,” the traders’ body said ity for the e-commerce sector. of 50 per cent of coal/lignite the case of coal/lignite captive mines will help in official said. April 1, the GST council will that a “District GST working in the letter to PM. Such authority should be produced by captive mines on also....Before sending the final increase in production of fos- The sharp decline in GST decide on the mechanism for Group” may be constituted in It alleged that the domes- empowered with due rights to an annual basis. Further, an comments/response to the sil-fuel from captive mines and collections was estimated to compensating states in its each district to monitor smooth tic e-commerce landscape has take any penal action against additional amount will be Ministry of Mines, it is con- increase availability of dry fuel lead to Rs 1.80 lakh crore upcoming meeting in March. GST implementation and to been greatly vitiated by some those who violate the law or charged on the merchant sales sidered appropriate to seek in the market, leading to reduc- shortfall in GST revenues of “The revenue loss next fis- take steps for widening of tax major e-commerce companies policy, the traders’ body said. of coal/lignite by the captive comments of state govern- tion in import of coal. states. This includes Rs 1.10 cal would be much less com- lakh crore revenue loss on pared to this fiscal. However, account of GST implementa- meeting the 14 per cent rev- '  :    tion and Rs 70,000 crore on enue growth would be diffi-  #-+      ?$   :  account of COVID-19 pan- cult,” the official added. demic. The centre had set up a Under GST law, states -  !    special window to borrow were guaranteed to be com-  % (5 ;  "    funds and pass on to the states pensated bi-monthly for any for meeting the Rs 1.10 lakh loss of revenue in the first five New Delhi:The Government said.  234 13*50 Affairs, said, “Besides a free he 34th Garden Tourism  ,'#,<.!.$%+6 crore GST revenue loss. years of the GST implementa- may consider privatising The process of choosing a trade agreement, mobility and TFestival organised by Delhi (G'-H(D'#%<3)3( The official said that tion from July 1, 2017. The Oriental Insurance or the suitable candidate for privati- ndia-UK bilateral relations an interim trade deal, we are Tourism in association with improved goods and services shortfall is calculated assuming United India Insurance Co as sation has just started and will Iwill touch a new high in the working on a 10-year 360 Government of Delhi was inau-  %!'',%<$%+6 tax (GST) collections could a 14 per cent annual growth in their financial health has take some time to decide, post-Covid world, as India is degree roadmap to strength- gurated by Manish Sisodia, bring down the total shortfall GST collections by states over improved after a series of cap- sources said while not ruling likely to be a priority country en our relationship with the Deputy Chief Minister & #=''%+'+'8! amount to around Rs 1.40 lakh the base year of 2015-16. ital infusions, people aware of out the possibility for listed for the UK, leading to an UK. Going forward, we see Minister of Tourism, >'+7$%+? crore. GST collections, which the development said. To fur- New India Assurance, where enhanced economic partner- investments in India’s clean Government of Delhi on “We have done some cal- directly reflect the state of eco- ther strengthen their financial government stake stands at ship, according to a report. energy sector coming from February 19. With the objective culations which show that the nomic activity, had plummet- health, the government is 85.44 per cent. According to the Britain the UK.” to create awareness about the Five Senses to experience the shortfall could be lower by ed to a record low of Rs 32,172 expected to infuse Rs 3,000 As per the plan, NITI Meets India report, developed Pallavi Joshi Bakhru, environment and showcase the unique varieties of flowers. about Rs 30,000-40,000 crore in crore in April 2020, after the crore in the public sector gen- Aayog will make recommen- by CII and Grant Thornton Partner and India-UK Corridor rich floriculture of Delhi, this His Excellency Mr. Walter J. the current fiscal,” the official government imposed a nation- eral insurance companies dur- dations to the government for Bharat, FDI inflow from the Leader, Grant Thornton Bharat three week festival celebrates Lindner, Ambassador, Embassy told PTI. wide lockdown to curb the ing the current quarter. privatisation and Department UK to India for a particular LLP said, “Our research iden- the hues of Mother Nature of Federal Republic of The official further said spread of coronavirus. Since Both Oriental Insurance of Investment and Public Asset year increased from USD 898 tified 572 UK companies in and the fervour of Spring Germany, graced the festival that Rs 1.10 lakh crore would then, collections started pick- and the Chennai-based United Management (DIPAM) under million in 2015-16 to USD India with a combined Season, and is themed with his presence. He was seen be borrowed through the spe- ing up; and the four straight India Insurance may be able to the Ministry of Finance will 1,422 million in 2019-20. turnover of around INR 3,390 ‘#Colours of Nature’ this year. taking numerous pictures at the cial window as planned and months of October to January generate interest from the pri- take the proposal to its logical Sandeep Chakravorty, billion, tax payment of around Over the weekend the venue soaking in the ambience higher mop-up would be recorded over Rs 1 lakh crore vate sector because of their conclusion. Joint Secretary (Western INR 173 billion and employing event witnessed visitors in large and enjoying the visual expe- utilised to compensate for the mop-up. improved financials, sources PTI Europe), Ministry of External 416,121 people directly. number visiting the Garden of rience of colors of nature. !   :0  40 &$*  /0,123   ;<= 0  "  &   %*'5   * ?6- =  234 13*50 is transformational and we  234 13*50 and/or services worth over Rs expect FPI flows to continue .&;>#;?(5 3,406 crore this year so far. ontinuing their buying next month as well aided by oods and services worth He said that onboarding Cspree, foreign portfolio MSCI rebalancing,”   $7$&'0 Gover Rs 1 lakh crore are railways involves the develop- investors (FPIs) invested Rs Ranganathan added. expected to be procured from ment of 42 railway-specific 24,965 crore in Indian markets In addition, the earnings ifty earnings are likely to the public procurement portal features and functionalities. in February so far as various season also turned out to be Ngrow at a Compound GeM in 2021-22 on account of Kumar also said that the GeM organisations predicted high good, said Rusmik Oza, exec- Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) a sharp increase in buying is steadily moving towards the economic growth for the coun- utive vice president, head of of 24.2 per cent over FY21-23, activities by ministries like vision of a Unified try and the Union Budget fundamental research at Kotak said an ICICI Direct report. defence and PSUs, a senior offi- Procurement System with an boosted investor sentiment. Securities. “Going forward, we expect cial said. aim to consolidate all govern- According to depositories’ For emerging markets, Nifty earnings to grow at 24.2 The Government e- ment procurement onto a sin- data, FPIs pumped in Rs 24,204 Oza said flows have been per cent CAGR over FY21E- Market (GeM) portal was gle, cohesive platform which crore into equities and Rs 761 muted in emerging markets 23E. launched in August 2016 for can lead to economies of scale, crore in the debt segment, tak- this month to date. Using a bottom up online purchases of goods and more efficient price discovery, ing the total net investment to Taiwan have approach and giving discount services by all the central gov- and sharing of best practices. Rs 24,965 crore during received meaningful FPI flows to target weighted average PE, ernment ministries and To promote the sale of February 1-19. this month to date, he added we now value the Nifty at departments. Made in India goods, he said, In the preceding month, Regarding debt segment, 16,300 i.e. 22x P/E on FY23E GeM CEO Talleen Kumar GeM is capturing the ‘country FPIs were net investors of Rs Himanshu Srivastava, associate EPS of Rs 740 with corre- said that the order value in of origin’ data for products 14,649 crore. director manager research, sponding Sensex target at 2020-21 is projected at Rs already on the platform. “Various organisations, Morningstar India said, FPIs 54,600,” it said. 37,000 crore, up from Rs 22,896 “GeM has also enabled a both national as well as inter- have stayed away from Indian It noted that corporate crore last year. “With the provision to indicate the per- national, have predicted a high debt markets for a long time earnings gained momentum onboarding of the Ministry of centage of local content in economic growth for the now “mainly on concerns during the third quarter of Railways getting completed by products on the platform. upcoming year and the year around COVID-19, calibrated FY21 as economic activity March 2021, GeM is headed Hence, government buyers can after for India,” said Harsh support by RBI and low inter- rebounded in the post-Covid towards an order value of more now view and filter across Jain, co-founder and COO at est rates.” unlocking era with optimism than Rs one lakh crore next fis- goods for both their ‘country of Groww. Going ahead, the focus fuelled by the festive season. cal, which will be a ‘3X’ origin’ as well as ‘percentage of S Ranganathan, head of will be on how soon India gains The Q3FY21 earnings increase over current levels,” local content,” he added. research of LKP Securities economic momentum. staged an impressive show Kumar told PTI. Further, he added that the added that FPIs remained pos- “However, the way mar- and were broadly ahead of The public sector units next version of the platform - itive on Indian markets as IMF kets are headed and given high estimates as corporates con- (PSUs) procured goods and GeM 5.0 - is stepping up the predicted India to be the fastest valuations, there is a strong tinue to benefit from lower services worth over Rs 3,372 use of new technologies like AI growing economy in 2021. possibility of profit-booking raw material costs and crore on GeM so far this year. (artificial intelligence) includ- “A pro-growth Budget at regular intervals, which realised leaner cost struc- Similarly the Ministry of ing machine learning and deep aimed at leveraging the digital could slow down the pace of tures, it said. Defence has bought goods learning. revolution net flows,” Srivastava said.     !!"!#!$   %  & '  " ( )*)++ ), ( '  % - (),  ( L)   0 *)) (/00   0)0

you, your family, colleagues and >8 your community. They reduce the risk of severe infection and hospital- isation. People, who are vaccinated, are probably less likely to transmit the disease. When the majority of the population are vaccinated, it will pro- tect the community, including the vulnerable and those who cannot be vaccinated. While vaccination is vol- untary, all those who are medically eligible are encouraged to get it done.

Myth 5: No need to wear a mask or maintain social distancing after receiving the vaccination shot. Fact 5: While vaccines are effec-    tive, they do not stop every case of After being dumped by her boyfriend, Lucy creates a COVID-19 infection and transmis- gallery for the items love has left behind and discovers she sion. Therefore, everyone must is not the only one who needs a little help letting go. The remain cautious and continue to wear film releases on Amazon Prime on February 24. masks, practice social distancing and observe enhanced hygiene rou- tines.

Myth 6: The vaccine will alter the DNA Fact 6: One of the first COVID- 19 vaccines approved for emergency use is mRNA vaccine (messenger RNA). Upon injection, mRNA vac- cine will instruct the cells in the host body to produce the viral protein that triggers an immune response against COVID-19 virus in the body. mRNA does not insert itself into the host body’s DNA, thus, it does not alter your gene DNA (it cannot be trans- mitted to the next generation). The mRNA vaccine will naturally degrade and be eliminated after being used in #  !     !     + #*% +6*4+* the host body within 48 to 72 hours.   ! !                Myth 7: People with underlying con- P  ditions should not be vaccinated. Myth 2: You can get Coronavirus Fact 7: Some people are not rec- Ludacris partners with James Beard Award- from the vaccine. ommended to receive the vaccine. nominated chef Meherwan Irani to advance his culinary 8.-+,* Fact 2: For viral diseases to set Follow the local health authorities’ skills by attempting to master one of his favorite cuisines. in, a live virus needs to be able to guidelines in determining your med- Irani gives the rapper a master class in Indian cuisine, make enough copies of itself in the ical eligibility and speak to your doc- teaching him everything from layering spices to making body. None of the currently autho- tor for an individual recommendation. curry while chef Aarti Sequeira swings by to offer some rised vaccines contain live virus, and advice. It premieres on discovery+ on February 25. therefore, you cannot get the virus Myth 8: COVID-19 vaccines are not ,1, through the vaccine. You might effective against the new variants. experience mild flu-like symptoms Fact 8: Experts are watching this after the injection such as fatigue, very carefully. So far, they believe that he pandemic, certainly, created body aches and fever. It’s a normal the current vaccines are still effective. havoc in the entire world and reaction of your immune system to If a change in vaccine needs to be Thas affected all aspects of the vaccine and will stop after a day made, the vaccines can be quickly human lives. With the unprecedent- or two. adjusted for new strains, in a similar ed speed of COVID-19 vaccine devel- way that flu vaccines are adjusted each opment, it has generated a number of Myth 3: I have already had COVID- year. It is important to be immunised misconceptions that have fueled skep- 19 so I don’t need to be vaccinated. as soon as possible, and continue to ticism among people. Now that effec- Fact 3: Most authorities advise practice preventive measures to break tive COVID-19 immunisation is even those who have had COVID-19 the chain of infection. rolling out in various countries, accu- infection to take the dose, although, rate information is of utmost impor- you may be advised to wait for at least Myth 9: Severe side effects of the vac- tance. So here are some prevalent 90 days after your infection. Speak to cine is common.      Coronavirus vaccine myths and facts your doctor for an individual recom- Fact 9: Minor expected side behind the medicines designed to mendation. We do not yet know how effects, such as a sore arm at the injec- Discover the story of pioneering modern-day combat COVID-19: Millions have now been vaccinated. conducted parallelly, thus, shortening long the protection from your immu- tion site and a mild fever, are com- megastructures in this series. Behind every seemingly Reports of serious side effects have the overall development timeline. No nity developed by a COVID-19 mon. Reports of serious side effects impossible marvel of modern engineering are the historic Myth 1: COVID-19 vaccine is not safe been very rare and no long-term com- shortcuts were taken; every vaccine infection will last. are very rare. Discomfort usually trailblazers who designed new building techniques, took because it was developed quickly. plications are reported. The world- candidate had to go through the subsides after a day or two. Side effects risks on untested materials and revolutionised their field. Fact 1: The COVID-19 vaccine is wide impact of this pandemic has strict process of clinical trials and safe- Myth 4: The fatality rate of COVID- may be more pronounced after the Using 3D graphics, archive and specially shot footage, safe and has been approved or is in the caused the pharmaceutical industry to ty reviews by respective global and 19 is so low, so you don’t need to be second dose of vaccine. each episode details how record-beating structures and process of being approved by regula- invest heavily in research and produc- national Stringent Regulatory vaccinated. (The writer is the Medical Director cutting-edge ships, trains and planes are built and work. tory authorities in many countries. ing the vaccine. Several phases were Authorities. Fact 4: The vaccine protects at International SOS, India.) It premieres on discovery+ today. P    Q 8 $$ ince the start of the year,     $ 000      SPooja Hegde has been giving 3./2.<      "  0   * out some major fashion inspira-  0 $ "   tions which make for a perfect go-to look for this wedding sea- ctor Radhika Madan has partnered ward to working with them again.” son. From the Ala Awith an online dating app Bumble to “It’s very important to normalise Vaikunthapurramuloo reunion        $))9# -+       encourage single Indians to make the women making the first move. It’s a very outfit to her purple sparkle let’s first move towards healthy and dated concept that guys should make have a look at top five outfit inspi- beautiful combination. This equitable connections as the app the first move. A lot of times you rations for your occasional wear: Manish Malhotra outfit includes aims to bring fun back into dat- find someone cute and you want a green frock kurta with a shade ing in 2021. to talk to them. It’s not just about    of purple at the bottom and She shares dating tips and dating them but just wanting to Pooja’s purple floor length golden gota at the hems matched tricks, and breaks down the bar- know them or having that curios- straight down kurta with intricate with plain green leggings. The riers around dating. ity but because of the condition- golden embroidery paired with flare in the kurta makes this sim- When asked what dating ing and social pressure from plain mauve trousers under can ple outfit chic paired with a advice she would like to give to sin- your friends, you end up not talk- be a great look for weddings as a plain lavender and golden bor- gle people in India, Radhika ing to that person, which I bridesmaid, topped with long dered dupatta. You can complete says, “If you are someone feel is a lost opportunity. golden earrings complimenting the look with long mint green who is an old school So, kudos to the app for the dress. The right amount of earrings and a statement ring. romantic just like me, normalising this and heavy and new design cut in this don’t play by the rules, inspiring a lot of Anita Dongre outfit completed     make your own rules!” women to make the with a golden jutti and a mauve The last one worn by Pooja Speaking of her first move,” she adds. belt around the waist is a comfort- is this Indo-western outfit that association with the Speaking about the able yet elegant look that will def- pairs a dreamy combination of an online dating app, she partnership, Samarpita initely make you sparkle. ivory blouse with a heavy sea blue says, “My experience Samaddar, Bumble skirt. With puffed cut sleeves in working with India PR Director   the blouse and deep neckline, it Bumble has been shares, “As single The pastel coloured outfit print on the sharara. What makes Vaikunthapurramuloo first year the border of the sharara lit up has a western touch while the really great. They Indians overcome chal- worn by her would make for a the look stand out is the pretty reunion, Pooja looked delightful with alternating lines of yellow skirt stands out with its intricate are the change lenges and barriers to perfect choice for those who pastel blue dupatta with work as ever. The short pink kurta with flowers. Just the perfect day time silver embroidery from the waist makers, they this new world of dat- want to opt for a subtler yet glam done in pink. Pair the sleeveless matching sharara had intricate event look topped with pink ear- down till the centre while the bot- have broken a lot ing, we hope people look with the pista green short kurta with jhumkas and you’re all thread work done in the shape of rings and a diamond bracelet in tom flows in plain sea blue of taboos. It’s will be inspired by kurta and a similar coloured set to dazzle. flowers in slightly darker pink and one hand. colour. It makes for a perfect look always fun part- Radhika to make the sharara. The kurta with deep yellow colours making the outfit for the wedding day! As Pooja nering up with first move and forge design in pink at the neckline and     occasion ready. The dupatta   had, you can finish the look with them and I’m new connections in hems makes it subtly heavy along Donning the baby pink flo- paired with the outfit was a plain Pooja’s green suit with a large diamond studs and a looking for- 2021.” with the embroidered recurring ral outfit for her Ala pink with pink thread work while touch of purple makes for a designed bracelet. 8 = 4*+5#$)6*" *#%+#*#(  N$       N&*     "-%#"#*     , (            &*+*4)%            '            " 9  O        8  -@           4 4      " -             3     F443H    1    " -  (      (  "  :,     8 ,     -   + "  ( ,  ,          " +  +     L     (  D ,   (  ,  , 0              4 :  ( VM       (,   (,             "      0        ,    ,  -    (   "  O ,      , 0   -$C      @              , ,             "    "     " 2     '   , +             O     (  "O "O # B                  "     !!"!#!$ 00 *)) (/00   0)0 :$$ ?    "" #      # "     #0      # ""   " $  $@;   0 ##$     32/ :/=/

orldwide, an estimated 12 million girls are wed every Wyear before the age of 18. In India, as per UNICEF, 1.5 million girls get married before the legal age of 18 every year. Fortunately, the combined efforts of the respective state governments and non-government organizations engaging community level workers in remote villages are providing agency to adolescents to fulfill their dream. In Odisha, as per 9     the National Family Health Survey-4 (NFHS-4), underage marriages have ;# $  0  # # R reduced from 37. 2 per cent to 21.3 per    "  # 

cent over a decade and is better than the national average of 26.8 per cent.    , # # 3(6=: Although, there are 16 districts where '3/273 <27<( ( child marriage is above the state’s average percentage, but the sincere ecently a veteran actor from the Hindi film indus- efforts are going on to control the Rtry was given the Highest Civilian Award for his situation here. contribution towards spreading cultural values across Two years ago, parents of Kanchan jhinka and udulia are forcing young as an alternate option. the globe through his acting career. While he was given who was just a 15-year-old then, had girls to get married early. A scheme, Advika (every girl is the award, everyone in the audience stood up to give fixed her marriage against her wishes. unique), has been recently started by him a standing ovation to the legend, who brought so A school-dropout, Kanchan was Challenges during the pandemic: the Women and Child Development many characters to life on celluloid screen. We all have engaged in household works besides Suchitra, 16-year-old, hails from a poor (WCD) Department of the state to experienced this euphoria in theatres, while a heroic helping her mother in agriculture family and wanted to complete her engage, sensitise and empower character makes an entry on screen, there are loud fields. studies. Her parents were also adolescent girls in remote villages. As cheers, whistles, applause and more. And at the end “In poor families like ours, parents supporting her. However, during the part of it, girls will be encouraged to of film, the hero wins the audience’s hearts and steals do not seek consent. Girls are lockdown, when her father lost all the participate in different sessions on the show. Whether he plays a prince or a pauper, it does considered a burden from which they opportunities to work as a daily wage Sexual and Reproductive Health not matter as his fans throng the theatres to catch a want to get rid of as soon as possible. organisation, in Bhubaneswar in 2018. amended and a state monitoring laborer, her relatives suggested (SRH), nutrition, safety, rights, gender- glimpse of him. The beauty of his performance lies in My parents were no different when It was my first encounter to understand committee has been constituted to marrying Suchitra to a man 10 years based violence, financial literacy, his ability to internalise the character to the extent that they had fixed my marriage,” shared the repercussions of child marriage. review the implementation of PCMA. older to her. marriage and relationship. The he and his role seem one to his fans. But even while Kanchan over phone, now a 17-year- After returning from the workshop, I All Child Development Protection Just a day before the wedding, her objective is to equip them with doing it, he is very much conscious of the fact that he old pursuing her studies again. decided to start a campaign against this Officers (CDPOs) have been close friend called up Childline. The knowledge to take informed decisions is merely an actor in a It was the result of regular ill-practice in my village Rugudipalli. designated as Child Marriage CMPO, Supervisor, Police and officials about their lives, career, relationships, particular drama, his role counseling offered to Kanchan’s In the first adolescent group meeting Prohibition Officers (CMPOs) and a of Childline visited their house and education and rest everything. Along is carved, his dialogues parents by village Anganwadi worker with all the girls of the village, I was series of training and capacity building stopped her marriage. with knowledge, there is also a need to are scripted and the cos- Geetanjali Rana that helped save her informed about Kanchan’s marriage.” programmes are being organised. “There have been many cases create infrastructural support to tumes are designed for from early marriage. Not just Kanchan, Geetanjali sensitised all the people where these little girls are convinced engage them because only sensitisation that particular character. but due to Geetanjali’s sincere efforts to of the village on Prohibition of Child Patriarchy, poverty, social norms that getting married is the right step to cannot reduce child marriages. Hence, his greatness lies fight this menace, not a single child Marriage Act (PCMA), 2006 and and safety issues: The reasons for minimise the burden on their families,” It was in 2017-18 that the Odisha only in playing the role to marriage happened in the village Protection of Children from Sexual getting married at an early age are shared Rakesh Pradhan, Subarnapur Government had rigorously started the best of his capability. Rugudipalli in Odisha’s Subarnapur Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012. She also many. Girls being denied proper District Coordinator, Action Aid. responding to the issue of child On his long journey to district. Her regular counseling of discussed the impact of early marriages education is one of the major reasons marriages but the pandemic severely stardom, every actor parents, mothers, older groups, young on the health of adolescents and how which makes them vulnerable to child The need of engaging adolescents: hampered all the gains made so far. often turns a spectator boys and girls about the repercussions early pregnancies threaten the lives of marriage. “It is the patriarchal mindset The lack of engaging with adolescents, Social vulnerability and financial issues and critiques his own of child marriage made Rugudipalli the young girls. that does not allow them to continue especially with school dropouts pose a push them into worst situation and work so that he can first ‘child marriage free’ village in this Within a few months, Geetanjali their schooling. If they will be allowed, hurdle in their decision making. In girls fall prey to child marriage. improve upon his act. It Eastern Indian state. was able to stop 10-12 child marriages it will give them the agency to deny the remote villages, most of the girls drop Hopefully, the actions taken will set the is this element of detach- Describing Kanchan’s incident in her village. To make Odisha child forced marriages,” said Ghasiram out from schools after finishing fight against child marriages back on ment from the different roles he plays that allows him Geetanjali said, “I had attended a marriage free by 2030, the state Panda, Programme Manager, Action education till upper primary. They help track. to progress, play multiple roles simultaneously with workshop titled Say No to Child government has directed all authorities Aid. their mothers in household and (The names of girls have been clarity and then return to his personal life at the end Marriage organised by Action Aid, an to take appropriate actions. To support In tribal dominated districts, age- agriculture work. As they have no changed to protect the identity.) of the day. international non-government the PCMA, state rules have been old cultures such as jhinka vivah, kania other engagement, they find marriage L%  .  Not many of us know that the world cycle is very much similar to this drama in which all of us are actors with unique parts. Everyone is the protagonist in his eep into this pandemic winter, it her new book, The Well-Gardened weather vegetables in flats indoors — life and can become a hero who draws applause. Dcan be hard to remember what a Mind: The Restorative Power of Nature. seeing the sprouts of cabbage, onions, However, today we hardly find anyone cheering for refuge gardens were last spring and “This,” she says, “is the garden’s spinach and more. In just a couple the other person because there is great dissatisfaction $     months, perhaps, they can think about summer. In those frightening early most enduring consolation.” either with each other’s performance or the script. As days of COVID-19, victory gardens Of course, the constancy of the transplanting them outdoors if they a result, the drama appears to have become a tragedy. and household vegetable plots sprang seasons these days can’t be taken for have the space. There is widespread chaos with actors criticising each up all over. Seed companies reported   4   $    "" granted as in the past. So winter is also As the Vermont Bean Seed others’ performances instead of theirs. The reason for shortages. Hardware stores saw a run a good time for reevaluating our own Company says in its 2021 spring this trouble is that most of us act without the knowl- on garden tools. Millions found      #40  yard-size battles against climate catalog: “In each seed and seed- edge that the earth is a stage and we have all come here comfort, release and a sense of safety change. We can start or continue bearing fruit, there is a promise of a to play our individual roles. Each actor’s role is unique outdoors with their hands in the dirt. composting. And we can research new beginning.” and pre-scripted and hence, trying to match it with That feels like a long time ago. We services, products and methods to anybody else’s is futile. The biggest law of the world dreaded this winter, and we weren’t help make next year’s garden — and THE GARDEN OF THE MIND’S EYE drama is that it is ever beneficial for everyone. In the wrong: January was the deadliest those beyond — more sustainable. Which brings us to the third absence of this understanding or its consciousness, we month yet from the virus. Political garden: the one we imagine and plan. get attached to our roles, forget to change our costumes violence shook Americans’ sense of THE GARDEN INDOORS “I shall never have the garden I and make-up, and lose the flexibility to adapt to each security and shared purpose. Houseplants are hot now, and have in my mind, but that for me is the part. Businesses and household incomes are Instagram is full of plant influencers joy of it; certain things can never be Take a simple example of a person who plays a son, struggling. And the human posting photos. realized and so all the more reason to a husband, a father, a friend and several other roles interactions that might help us process New technologies make it easier to attempt them,” the author/gardener at the same time. If he is in the consciousness of being all this anxiety and grief are grow plants anywhere indoors, with or Jamaica Kincaid once said. a male, he could dominate his wife at home or look discouraged. without soil. The plants offer not only The new seed catalogs carry the down upon his female staff at office. At work, he would Yet the garden is still there, beauty, but the rewards of caring for promise that, this year, you can make stick to his role of being a boss so much so that he for- hunkering down too. And it can still living things and seeing them grow. your garden better. Maybe that means gets to become their colleague when they need his help. help. Even in winter, it can provide Indoor vegetable gardening, too, converting more lawn to flowers and On the other hand, if he is conscious that he is an actor solace, inspiration and perspective. has become especially popular both as vegetables, choosing more native and must act like a hero to win everyone’s hearts, then Fresh air. And an assurance that a food source and as a family activity. plants, reducing water use, putting in he would understand the requirements of his charac- spring is coming. For instance, you can buy organic paths and water features. A garden is ter and become active, accurate and attractive at what- “From December to March, there mini-farms in Mason jars, cans and never finished. ever he does. are for many of us three gardens — the boxes — all intended for the Planning it is creative and hopeful. Living the peaks and troughs of each character we garden outdoors, the garden of pots windowsill. You can grow mushrooms And as our second pandemic spring play, we drain ourselves and are unable to muster and bowls in the house, and the in their cardboard box with just a approaches, those hopes are being enough strength to meet the demands of each role as garden of the mind’s eye,” Katherine S spritzer, or set up a large jar of buoyed by the rollout of vaccines, too. a result of which, there are emotional upheavals and White, an editor and writer at The tomatoes adding nothing but water. As Amanda Gorman said in her sorrow becomes a regular visitor when the purpose New Yorker and an avid gardener, the most serious gardeners (or those “everything is bare and you can see the Sales of backyard greenhouses and inauguration poem last month, in a of the drama is to help the actors experience joy and wrote several decades ago. in warmer climates) can keep the bones of the landscape.” grow lights are up, and seed shoutout to Lin-Manuel Miranda, happiness. On the other hand, if we become detached As we round the bend into growing going outside, using cold More significantly, gardens companies are already reporting who was quoting George Washington to the roles we play and keep faith in the eternal law February, and with the hope that frames, fabric or plastic tunnels, and remind us that winter is just one another year of high demand. Johnny’s and Alexander Hamilton, who were that the drama has been scripted for the universal ben- vaccines will bring real change, all other techniques. season in a cycle. Death is everywhere Selected Seeds, a high-end, mail-order quoting the Bible: “Everyone shall sit efit, the feeling of loss and gain, comfort and pain three of those gardens offer a promise But there are smaller joys to be in a garden, all year round, but it seller based in Winslow, Maine, under their own vine, and fig tree, would begin to dissolve and our mind would stop ques- of light. had. The trees’ bare branches make for makes rebirth possible. The species recently suspended orders from home And no one shall make them afraid.” tioning the developments in every scene and a peace- beautiful silhouettes, and better views keep going. gardeners temporarily, saying that The garden as metaphor for peace, ful equanimity will begin to settle in our mind. It will THE GARDEN OUTDOORS of birds and sunsets. Landscape “The return of spring each year because of COVID, order volume “has safety, prosperity, calm. Not a bad help us to enjoy the drama, review our performance, To the eye, there’s little in a winter photographer Larry Lederman, author can be endlessly relied on, and in exceeded our capacity to pack seed place for the mind’s eye to rest, be patient and forgiving towards others. So the moral garden that can compare to spring and of the recent book Garden Portraits, (plants) not dying when we die, we and to ship orders quickly.” particularly in this most unsettling of of the story is that we should be detached and yet be summer’s binge-worthy drama of recommends getting to know your have a sense of goodness going Some gardeners have already winters. involved in the part we are playing. That’s the quali- growing, blooming and buzzing. Only garden better in the winter, when forward,” Sue Stratis-Smith writes in started planting the seeds of cold- L* ty to be a superstar in this world drama.

>     ) ) +> ' . . ' + L8:  (

3-,--***' 91$/'!$8!*013 $3**93*3!.8*',-'**$$!-. $*.$-#& $*'!. 3*$!-/* $,             Q         (         ,                     #                       0    (        F.@1H,          (    ,             '(      ,    " 8          (      "  " N    (    - ,    B           . O  " -   ,  L-                 2   '    ,      '    ,                                            ,       ,M     B    7     ,           ,      (     ,   $ "  "     " L- (       , -         ,        L4  B                &         N                     ,                  ,                              F H        ,                              ,M    "     "    (  .@1"       '   ' ,            0  ,                   2                 ,           (,                7    7"  ,        "    (  .@1,   ,   3    ,M        ,      ,  L-     " 4     L3           5 $    7    '   " "  #      "                L-O             L-                ,           L6       #          " -    (       ,       ( O               ,                                 ,                , O             ,                 #               ,M       1                     O      (      ,           ,M        ,M    -  .  0   '   2 F-.0H                 ,M   5 $  "     9     "    8    2 7 "   7"    . O  ,M   "     !!"!#!$ )6  0 1 "  :1   :1      !  +:        1 #      

 $3*&67823 Sunday, so plenty of choruses of his nick- name rang out - “No-le, No-le, No-le!” - ovak Djokovic’s Australian Open  (, 1     and Serbian flags dotted the stands, flap- Ndominance is intact - nine finals, nine ping in a swirling breeze. championships. Medvedev’s flat, wrap-the-racket- And he keeps gaining on Roger around-his-neck forehand was iffy at Federer and Rafael Nadal in the Grand first, missing wide, long and into the net Slam standings, now up to 18 overall, two in the initial 10 minutes. Djokovic grabbed away from the men’s record shared by his 13 of the match’s initial 16 points and a two rivals. quick 3-0 lead. Djokovic used superb serving and his Soon enough, though, it was 3-all, usual relentless returning and baseline because Medvedev cleaned up his mis- excellence to grab 11 of 13 games in one takes, while Djokovic faltered a bit, get- stretch and beat a visibly frustrated Daniil ting broken after a game in which he Medvedev 7-5, 6-2, 6-2 on Sunday for a flubbed a drop shot, then an overhead, the third trophy in a row at Melbourne Park. most glaring - only? - weakness in his The 33-year-old from Serbia improved game. to 18-0 combined in semifinals and finals But from 5-all, Djokovic stepped up, on the hard courts of the Australian Open. and Medvedev stepped back. Djokovic Looking at the bigger picture, held at love, then broke to claim the set Djokovic has won six of the last 10 major when Medvedev slapped a forehand into tournaments and is assured of remaining the net just after someone in the crowd at No. 1 in the rankings at least through called out during the point. March 8. That will give him 311 weeks in There were frequent extended the top spot, breaking a mark held by exchanges at the baseline, both men Federer. capable of covering the court well enough The No. 4-ranked Medvedev was to swallow up each other’s potential appearing in his second Grand Slam final point-ending shots. Medvedev rarely - he was the runner-up to Nadal at the strayed from the back of the court unless 2019 U.S. Open - but is still left trying col- lured forward by one of Djokovic’s rela- lect his first such championship. tively frequent drop shots. Djokovic ended the 25-year-old Djokovic began the second set with a Russian’s 20-match winning streak. .   $    !    1  !   fault into the net, then shook out his left Medvedev also had won his previous 12 arm and flexed his shoulders. That point matches against Top 10 opponents.  $3*&67823 Barbora Krejcikova on Saturday night. ended with him missing a backhand into But going up against Djokovic in The 35-year-old Polasek dedicated the net, and he hunched up his shoulders Australia is a much different challenge. ilip Polasek and Ivan Dodig have won the victory to his newly-born baby and stared over at his guest box. Another By the second set, as things slipped Fthe men’s doubles title at the daughter. netted backhand gifted Medvedev a break away, Medvedev bounced his white rack- Australian Open with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Ram saved a championship point and a 1-0 lead. et off the blue court, then absolutely 2020 champions Rajeev Ram and Joe while serving in the ninth game and held, There might have been reason to destroyed it with a full-on spike. By the Salisbury. but Polasek sealed the title in the next believe Djokovic was just a tad more sus- third, he kept looking up at his coach with Ram, a 36-year-old American who game. ceptible this time around. First of all, he palms up as if to ask, “What can I possi- spent two weeks in hard quarantine after Novak Djokovic is bidding for a wrenched his midsection during a slip in bly do here?” It is a familiar senti- arriving in Australia last month, was ninth Australian Open singles title in the the third round against American Taylor ment in this stadium, on this court, at this attempting a double at Melbourne Park final later Sunday against fourth-seeded Fritz; after that win, Djokovic said he had tournament. Federer, Nadal, Andy after winning the mixed doubles title with Daniil Medvedev. torn a muscle, but by the time he played Murray, Stan Wawrinka, Dominic Thiem $,    *  :  !   $   !  his semifinal, he declared himself pain- - all Grand Slam champions, all defeated    free. by Djokovic in semifinals or finals in On a cool, cloudy evening, an event entirely for five days earlier in the tour- Plus, entering Sunday, Djokovic Melbourne. French Open for Djokovic. in August. Federer hasn’t competed in delayed three weeks because of the coro- nament because of a local COVID-19 already had ceded five sets through six So place the nine triumphs in The math looks good for Djokovic. He more than a year after having two knee navirus pandemic concluded with an lockdown, but they eventually were let matches, the most he had dropped in any Australia alongside five at Wimbledon, is about a year younger than Nadal and 6 operations but is expected to turn to the announced attendance of 7,426 at Rod back in at 50% capacity. Grand Slam tournament en route to a three at the U.S. Open and one at the 1/2 younger than Federer, who turns 40 tour next month. Laver Arena. Spectators were barred A majority favored Djokovic on final.   !          (5 *   "   ';.,    '5$31'&'1 interaction with British media attack as well as skilful bats- ners will still play a huge role seamer.” on Saturday, said, “I think it men making them capable of in the outcome of the Test. The Kent batsman had n “unbelievable seam will play into our hands.” handling all conditions. “(The pink ball) seems to missed the first two Tests as he Aattack and incredible bats- “We have grown up with “That said, they have an be swinging more than the red had slipped on the marble men” make India formidable those conditions, trying to unbelievable seam attack and ball, doing a bit more for the floor of the Chepauk dressing but England will have the play the ball late in seaming incredible batsmen so it won’t seamers. I expect a bit more room, thereby injuring his edge in the pink ball day/night conditions, so you would say help us too much. They will be seam in this game and for the wrist ahead of the series open- Test here as the tourists are we would be more adept at it more than capable,” he said seamers to have more of a er. However, Crawley is fit to more adept at playing in than the Indians.” referring to line-up spear- chance than perhaps they did play and has also been includ- seaming conditions, feels bats- “That’s probably why they headed by the redoubtable in the last couple of Tests. ed in the squad for the man Zak Crawley. are unbelievable players of Jasprit Bumrah and compris- “It also seems to be a bit day/night Test. With the series locked at spin, because they have ing seasoned warhorses like harder so the spinners are “I have improved quite a 1-1, the two teams are set to grown up with it,” Crawley Ishant Sharma and new find skidding it on a bit more. The bit, doing plenty of batting in take on each other in the added. Mohammed Siraj. spinners are still going to the nets, making sure I am as day/night fixture starting at When asked if England However, the 23-year-old Although the pink ball have to play a big role and I fit as possible for this Test and the Motera Stadium here on were favourites playing against is well aware that the hosts are swings more than the red would be surprised if they that there is a chance I can be Wednesday. a moving ball, Crawley, in an armed with a potent seam cherry, Crawley feels spin- produce an absolute green selected,” said Crawley.

 '5$31'&'1 Wednesday. “It’s obviously a little chal- = 0 "&&; . 9 et to play in only his second lenging, the weather and light  !       Spink ball Test, India open- suddenly change. You have to er on Sunday be extra cautious and said he will be “extra cautious focussed, you need to talk to  $7$&'0 also in the domestic circuit, Q 9     and focussed” while batting yourself. All batters are aware was rewarded for his perfor- during the twilight phase of of these challenges. We just inally rewarded for his con- mances on Saturday. the upcoming day-night need to be mindful of the sit- Fsistency, prolific Mumbai Surya, who has captained  234 13*50 “Arre yaar mera inter- bowler to play 100 Test match against England here. uation and play accordingly.” batsman Mumbai in and view karke kya karogey? Main matches. I don't see anyone Rohit, who scored a daz- Apart from this, Rohit is described his feeling as “surre- other domestic tournaments, n the sidelines of a Ranji toh bujhta huya diya hoon playing 100 Tests. With zling 161 in the second Test in also concerned about adjust- al”, a day after he earned a has played 77 first-class match- OTrophy game in 2019, (Why do you want to inter- majority of the fast bowlers Chennai, had featured in the ing to the lights and sur- maiden India call-up for the es and amassed 5,326 runs. Ishant Sharma had called view me? I am like the last preserving themselves for IPL first day-night Test held in roundings whilefielding in upcoming T20 International Some former India crick- himself “the last flicker in a flicker in a lamp),” Ishant had and white ball games, it will India against Bangladesh in the newly-built Sardar Patel series against England. eters also took to Twitter to lamp” while politely making said at the Kotla. be increasingly difficult to November 2019 but did not Gujarat Stadium in Motera. Suryakumar was over- express their satisfaction at his reluctance known to three In terms of sheer talent play 100 Tests for India,” bat during the twilight phase. “Whenever you play in a looked for the limited overs the right-handed batsman's scribes, who had approached and craft, Ishant wouldn’t be Dahiya made a statement. “So far I have only heard new stadium, there’s always a matches in Australia late last selection in the national team. the self-effacing beanpole for in the same league as Zaheer Ishant’s mate for the last that it kind of plays on a bats- challenge to get used to the year despite a fine IPL, leaving “So good to finally an interaction. Khan, or 16 years, Pradeep Sangwan man's mind . I played just one lights. Tomorrow we will be many in the Indian fra- @surya_14kumar in Team Ishant was then standing Javagal Srinath but with his felt that even when Virat pink ball Test against practising under the lights so ternity surprised. India. Good Luck," wrote vet- at 96 Tests. Nearly 14 months longevity, he has proved that Kohli and Ishant attended Bangladesh but didn’t get to the focus will be on getting “The feeling is surreal,” eran off-spinner Harbhajan later, during which he missed “workhorse” isn't exactly an Delhi’s U-17 trials, he looked bat at that (twilight) time used to those lights and seats tweeted Surya along with his Singh. five Tests due to an injury, abused word, which is used to a class apart. when sun was about to set but because the seats are new and picture at the D Y Patil “Finally the wait is over for Indian cricket's most adorable sum up the veteran pacer. “He was so tall and that I have to try and understand they will be shiny,” he said. Stadium. @surya_14kumar congratula- ‘lambu’ is shining bright. “I think I will say this long flowing mane of his, we what exactly happens during With a World Test The 30-year-old Mumbai tions buddy. Goodluck He is on course to with certainty...,” former India used to pull his leg and tease that time,” he said during a Championship final spot at batsman, who has been a con- @ishankishan51 @rahultewa- become only the second wicketkeeper and Ishant's ex- him, “dekh le bhai, lamba virtual press conference ahead stake, the ongoing series holds stant performer in the Indian tia02 for your debut guys,” Indian fast bowler, after the Delhi teammate and coach Shah Rukh aa gaya brothers, of the third Test against great significance for both Premier League for his fran- said former India seamer Irfan great , to complete Vijay Dahiya said. “Ishant the tall Shah Rukh has come England, starting here on India and England. chise Mumbai Indians and Pathan. 100 Tests for the country. will be the last Indian fast Sangwan said.  P)) ) "63". 

 A'078 Singh 106 not out, Shivank Vashisth 55; helped Meghalaya recover and post 242 brisk 78 from 66 balls (4x4, 3x6). . 3/35, Shams Mulani for 6 in 50 overs, having slipped to 123 Chandigarh completed the chase Middle-order batsman Kaif Ahmad rithvi Shaw’s blistering 105, after an 2/33) lost to Mumbai 216/3 (Prithvi for 4 in the 34th over. with three balls to spare. hit a stellar 53-ball 75 (11x4, 2x6), while Pimpressive show by the bowlers, set Shaw 105 not out; Suryakumar Yadav In other matches, Assam thrashed Earlier, Haryana got off to a solid skipper provided up Mumbai's seven- win over 50; Lalit Yadav 2/32) by 7wickets. by 10 in a game short- start with a cracking 102 (125 balls; him fine support with a 61-ball 58, as Delhi in an Elite Group D match here ened by overnight rain and Nagaland 11x1, 1x6) by Himanshu Rana and his Bengal piled 315/6 after putting in by on Sunday as the domestic giants  : outplayed Sikkim by 98 runs. 115-run opening stand with Arun Services. began their Trophy cam- A superb knock of 141 by opener Chaprana. The top-three, comprising paign on a winning note. Jay Bista powered to a six-        Chandigarh bowlers fought back to (28), Vivek Singh Mumbai bowlers, led by experi- wicket win over Meghalaya in a Plate Rahul Tewatia celebrated his maid- trigger a middle-order collapse before (39) and (39), too enced pacer Dhawal Kulkarni (3/35), Group match of the Vijay Hazare en India call-up with a 39-ball 73 but Haryana rode on Tewatia's strong fin- chipped in before the duo of Majumdar restricted Delhi to 211/7 despite a Trophy here on Sunday. his effort went in vain as Chandigarh ish to post a challenging 299/9 from and Kaif took charge for a 92-run part- valiant unbeaten 106 off 145 balls by Bista scored his runs in 119 balls, secured a thrilling three-wicket win over their stipulated 50 overs. nership. Himmat Singh and then cantered to the striking 18 fours and three sixes. Haryana in their Tewatia, the explosive In reply, fifties from skipper Rajat target in 31.5 overs, as Prithvi tore into Chasing 243 for victory, Bista and Group E opener here on Sunday. Royals left-hander, raced to his third List Paliwal (90) and Pulkit Narang (53) the Delhi attack. skipper Kunal Chandela (55 off 80 balls) Tewatia, who was named in the A fifty in 32 balls and then went were not enough as Bengal put Services Shaw took the Delhi attack to the set up the win with a second-wicket India T20I squad for the five-match berserk, scoring his next 22 runs off under pressure with consistent wickets cleaners, hammering 15 boundaries and partnership of 126 runs in 142 balls. series against England, clobbered six only six balls before getting dismissed before bowling them out for 245 in 49.4 two sixes in his match-winning innings Though Bista fell eight runs shy of sixes and four fours. by Jagjit Singh (3/36). overs. and was ably supported by Iyer, who is the target, Uttarakhand got home with Chandigarh skipper Manan Vohra Having made a group stage exit in The pace trio of , making a comeback after missing the 5.5 overs to spare. led a stiff 300-run chase with a 120-ball the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20s, Bengal Mukesh Kumar and Akash Deep, along Syed Mushtaq Ali tournament. Earlier, R Sanjay Yadav's whirlwind 117 (9x4, 2x6) before Ankit Kaushik opened their campaign with a compre- with left-arm spinner Shabaz Ahmed, Brief Scores: Delhi 211/7 (Himmat 81 off 49 balls (2 fours, seven sixes) provided the finishes touches with his hensive 70-run win over Services at picked two wickets each.