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THE LARGEST CIRCULATED ENGLISH DAILY IN SOUTH INDIA CHENNAI I SUNDAY 21 I FEBRUARY 2021 WEATHER Max: 26OC STATE | 3 WORLD | 5 SPORT | 8 Min: 22OC Sagayam expected to Court rejects Novak faces ‘challenger’ Rainfall: 1.3 mm announce his future plans Navalny appeal Medvedev in final ASTROGUIDE Sarvari: Maasi 9 deccanchronicle.com, facebook.com/deccannews, twitter.com/deccanchronicle, google.com/+deccanchronicle Vol. 16 No. 327 Established 1938 | 8 PAGES| `4.00 Tithi: Navami/ Dashami Star: Mrigashirsham EFFECTIVE FEB. 22 Rahukalam: 4.30 pm to 6 pm Respect and promote private sector Yamagandam: 12 noon to 1.30 pm Govt makes steep PRAYERS Fajar: 5.20 am for economic growth, PM tells states Zohar: 12.28 pm cut in Metro fares Asar: 3.44 pm DC CORRESPONDENT Maghrib: 6.15 pm NEW DELHI, FEB. 20 DC CORRESPONDENT The fare revision Isha: 7.27 pm Declare Godavari-Cauvery CHENNAI, FEB. 20 comes a week after Prime Minister Narendra PM Narendra Modi SUNSET TODAY 6.16 PM Modi on Saturday spoke of Chief Minister Edappadi K. SUNRISE TOMORROW 6.29 AM the “untapped potential” Palaniswami Saturday dec- inaugurated the MOONRISE TODAY 12.56 PM of the farm sector while linking national project: CM lared a cut in the ticket fa- passenger service MOONSET TOMORROW 2.08 AM marking out areas for res for commuters of Chen- operations between improvement to push the DC CORRESPONDENT RT/PCR testing, tracking nai Metro Rail that will Washermenpet- country out of the econom- CHENNAI, FEB. 20 and conduct of fever camps come into effect on Febr- ic slump. have ensured total control uary 22. There will be no Wimco Nagar Addressing the sixth gov- Chief Minister Edappadi of the spread ofCovid in change in the fares for short erning council meeting of K. Palaniswami on our state,” he said. distance travel (`10 for up to portation Forum (TTF), a NitiAayog, he said, "Even Saturday urged Prime He said the state has 2 kilometre and `20 for 2- city-based non-governmen- today, despite being called Minister Narendra Modi to beenranked number one in 5km but the present fare of tal organisation which is an agricultural country, declare the Godavari- the ‘Good Governance `40 will be reduced to `30 fighting for fare reduction we bring edible oil worth PM Narendra Modi chairs the 6th meeting of Governing Cauvery river linking pro- Index’ released by the for 5to 12-km. The new fares for long, said that the cap Rs 65,000-70,000 crores Council of NITI Aayog via video conferencing. — ANI ject as a national project so Government of India and for the other distances are put as `50 on par with Delhi from outside”. The coun- as to benefit lakhs of peo- bagged the ‘Best `40 (12 to 21-km) instead of Metro was still high com- try, he added, should stop We have a lot of untapped be given full opportunity ple in Telangana, Andhra Performing State’ title in `50; and `50 (21 to 24-km) in- pared to Kolkata that is `25. this. “The money can go to potential in this sector. to become a part of govern- Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. the National Water Award, stead of `70. `50 will be cha- “We are demanding that our farmers’ account. Our Wastage of our products ment’s Aatmanirbhar Addressing the sixth 2019. rged for North-South travel. the fare be capped at `35. farmers are entitled to this should be as less as possi- Bharat programme governing council meet- The state received the Meanwhile, Chennai The revised rate is still money, but for this we ble and we must thus con- “The Centre and states ing of NITI Aayog, Mr highest share of invest- Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) unaffordable to the poor have to make our plans centrate on storage and should work together for Palaniswami said river ment proposals (16 per has already introduced an people especially in the that way,” the Prime processing,” he said. the nation's progress... The Cauvery and its tribu- cent) in India during additional discount of 20 northern part of the city. Minister added. Mr Modi also advised government has to respect taries had to be rejuvenat- April 2020 to September per cent to those who travel The new rate will be benefi- Interestingly, the meet- extending help to the pri- and give due representa- ed on the lines of 2020, as per the CARE rat- using smart card or book cial for long-distance trav- ing which was held amid vate sector as a key move tion to the private sector “Namami Ganga” project ings report, he said, tickets using the QR code. ellers as the cap is reduced the ongoing farmers' to seek foreign investment for economic progress,” and requested the Centre adding that through the Commuters, who currently from `70 to ` 50,” he said. protest, did not deliberate and emphasised on Mr Modi said. With the to accord sanction for it on-line single window avail unlimited day passes The CMRL covers a stre- on the controversial farm strengthening micro-small prime focus on developing and extend financial portal, investment pro- at `100 for the 45km long tch of 54.15 km and has two laws, sources said. and medium enterprises agricultural best prac- assistance to the state at posals for Rs 22,332 crore phase I of Chennai Metro, corridors, one from Airport Agriculture minister and start-ups. tices, strengthening local the earliest. and employment potential can use the same passes to to Wimco Nagar and the Narendra Tomar had been He also made a strong manufacturing in states “We are meeting after a of 76,835 persons had been travel till Wimco Nagar. other from St Thomas Mo- asked by the Prime case for repealing archaic and improving health care year, during which period cleared. The monthly passes will unt to Dr Puratchi Thal- Minister to attend the laws and making it easier facilities, the meeting wit- the world has been struck The Chief Minister list- also be extended at the exi- aivar MGR Central Metro meeting, as agriculture to do business in India, nessed suggestions by sev- by the most extensive pan- ed the various business sting rate. Further, 50 per with 21 underground and 18 was among the main sub- stating that the centre and eral chief ministers on demic we have seen. A projects launched in the cent discount will be given elevated stations. Now, the jects of the meeting. states need to work closely improving logistical sup- series of timely and effec- state such as the multi- to passengers during week- passengers from North "Even during Covid-19, to boost economic growth. port and reducing input tive measures taken in modal logistics park being ends or public holidays. Chennai can reach Chennai India saw a rise in exports The Prime Minister said costs to enable increased Tamil Nadu by calibrated developed near Chennai V. Ramarao, project direc- International Airport with- in the agriculture sector. the private sector should manufacturing in states. relaxations, effective on around 150 acres. tor, Traffic and Trans- in 60 minutes. Karnataka minister seeks FM Nirmala’s help in CORPS COMMANDERS MEET Kamal meets DISHA RAVI’S BAIL PLEA setting up AIIMS in state Rajini, enquires Bengaluru: Karnataka health and How’s toolkit, violence medical education minister K. India-China meet to push for Sudhakar on Saturday met Union about his health finance minister Nirmala Sithar- aman with a proposal to build Chennai, Feb. 20: Vet- linked, court asks cops ‘Health City’, as he also sought her faster border disengagement eran actor and Makkal support for an All India Institute Needhi Maiam (MNM) New Delhi, Feb. 20: If If highlighting ‘Bengal wants its of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in the DC CORRESPONDENT Commanders meeting is LAC was to be created in founder Kamal Haasan highlighting farmers' farmers' protest state. On meeting Sitharaman, NEW DELHI, FEB. 20 being held after Indian and these areas of stand-off. called on his long-term protest globally is sedi- globally is sedition, who is in the city, the Minister Chinese troops completed However the disengageme- acquaintance and Tamil tion, then she is “better in own daughter’: TMC congratulated her for presenting a India and China Corps disengagement from nt was not fully implement- film superstar Rajini- jail”, activist Disha Ravi then she is “better "pragmatic budget" with health Commanders on Saturday Pangong Tso in Eastern ed at Gogra-Hotsprings. kanth at his Poes Garden told a Delhi court which in jail”, activist launches poll slogan and well-being as one of the key held 10th round of talks to Ladakh after nine months As per the agreement on residence here on on Saturday reserved for Disha Ravi told the pillars, and sought her assistance discuss disengagement of stand-off. India and Pangong Tso, Chinese Saturday and enquired February 23 its order on court. Kolkata, Feb 20: The to get an AIIMS for Karnataka,” from Depsang plains and China are now discussing troops will move east of about his health. her bail plea in the toolkit Trinamool Congress on his office said in a statement. Gogra-Hotsprings friction modalities of the second Finger 8 in the north bank Rajinikanth had a case after police alleged He also questioned the Saturday launched its points in Ladakh. phase of disengagement in of Pangong Tso and Indian month ago announced that she was part of a plan contents of the FIR. slogan for the upcoming The meeting was held in Depsang, Gogra, troops will move to their that he could not go to instigate violence in “We all have different assembly elections -- Nadda chairs meets ahead Moldo on Chinese side and Hotsprings and Demchok. permanent base at Dhan ahead with his plans on a India and had deleted opinions. You may have a 'Bangla Nijer Meyekei started at around 10 am. It is expected that India Singh Thapa Post near political plunge in the “evidence” like emails. problem with farmers’ Chaye', adding to the of Modi’s address to The Indian delegation was and China will first be able Finger 3. There will be a 2021 Tamil Nadu assem- Additional Sessions protest, I may not. If high- shrill insider vs out- led by 14 Corps commander to reach an agreement on “temporary” freeze in the bly election owing to his Judge Dharmender Rana lighting protest globally is sider debate while por- key BJP leaders Lt-General P.G.K. Menon. Gogra-Hotsprings. Even la- patrolling by both sides in health condition. posed some scathing ques- sedition, I (Ravi) am bet- traying Chief Minister New Delhi: The BJP on Saturday Naveen Srivastava, Joint st year both sides had the area between Finger 4 to Multiple sources in tions to the probe agency ter in jail. I (defence coun- Mamata Banerjee as the held some key organisational Secretary (East Asia) from agreed to move back their 8 on the northern banks of MNM confirmed that Mr during the hearing on sel) also support farmers. daughter of Bengal. meetings on the eve of the first the Ministry of External troops from these two fricti- Pangong Tso till both sides Haasan met Mr Ravi's plea, asking it if it But if that’s an offence, The slogan, which physical meeting of its new set Affairs was also part of on points. As per the under- reach an agreement in Rajinikanth earlier in was only acting on “sur- let’s all go to jail,” defence translates to 'Bengal of national office-bearers, Indian delegation. standing last year a buffer diplomatic and military the day and enquired mises, inferences, and counsel Sidharth Agarwal wants its own daughter', which will be addressed by The 10th round of Corps zone on both sides of the talks. P4 about his health. — PTI conjectures” and ques- said. with Banerjee's photo Prime Minister Narendra Modi. tioned how the toolkit was “There is an allegation was put up on hoardings BJP president J P Nadda connected to the violence in FIR that Yoga and Chai across Kolkata as the chaired meetings of the party's OSAKA WINS OZ OPEN during the farmers’ are being targeted. Is it an state's ruling party offi- national general secretaries and KERALA STARTS march. offence? We are now cially launched it from also general secretaries (organ- Japan’s Naomi “...Unless I satisfy my reducing the bar that its headquarters off EM isation) of states. Osaka hits a conscience, I don't move somebody can’t have a Bypass. INDIA’S FIRST forehand ahead,” the judge said. point of view different,” “The people of the return to Additional Solicitor the counsel said. state want their own Lt. Gen. B.S. Raju to be DIGITAL VARSITY United States’ General S V Raju, appear- Ravi was arrested in daughter who has been Jennifer Brady ing for the Delhi police, Bengaluru on Saturday by by their side for the last new Director-General of Thiruvananthapuram, during the told the court that the a Cyber Cell team of the several years as their Feb. 20: Kerala took a women’s sin- hyperlinks in the toolkit Delhi police for allegedly chief minister. We don't Military Operations major step forward in its gles final at connected people to creating the toolkit and want outsiders to call progress towards a kno- the Australian Khalistani websites that was brought to Delhi. She the shots in Bengal,” New Delhi: Lt Gen B S Raju, the wledge society with the Open tennis propagate hatred towards was booked on sedition party’s secretary-gener- General-Officer-Commanding of inauguration of the cou- championship India. and other charges. al Partha Chatterjee the Srinagar-based Chinar Corps, ntry’s first Digital Univ- in Melbourne, “This was not just a Opposing Ravi’s bail said. toolkit. The real plan was plea, the police alleged The Trinamool will be the new Director General ersity, based in Techno- Australia, on of Military Operations (DGMO) of city at Mangalapuram to defame India and create that she was preparing Congress is engaged in a Saturday. the Indian Army, official sources near here on Saturday. unrest here,” he said. the toolkit with those bitter political fight said on Saturday. Chief Minister Pinarayi Osaka beat Ravi's counsel, however, advocating Khalistan. It with the BJP, pitching Vijayan presided over- Jennifer Brady claimed there is no evi- alleged that Ravi deleted the opposition party’s the function, where 6-4, 6-3. — AP dence linking the toolkit WhatsApp chats, emails leaders as outsiders who COUNTER POINT Governor Arif Report on to the violence during the and other evidence and are on “election Mohammed Khan, who P8 farmers' march on was aware of legal action tourism” to the state. is also the Chancellor of January 26. that she could face. — PTI — PTI the Kerala University of Digital Sciences, Innovation and Tech- nology (KUDSIT), unve- iled the varsity plaque. Arrested BJP leader names Mr Khan said the Ulfa-I threatens to kill 2 abducted oil firm staff launch of the digital uni- party colleague as plotter versity is part of the MANOJ ANAND |DC The Paresh Barua- Oil and Gas Infrast-ructure, accordingly, take the final state’s resolve to Kolkata, Feb 20: BJP’s th Kolkata’s New Alipore with agency inputs led outfit has were kidnapped by Ulfa-I actions against the two embrace new technolo- youth-wing leader Pamela area on Friday after GUWAHATI, FEB. 20 demanded a ransom rebels on December 21 last employees.” The outfit said gies and desire to use Goswami, arrested in a around 90 gm of cocaine of `20 crore for the year from Kumchaikha this in a letter addressing them for bringing posi- drugs case, on Saturday worth lakhs of rupees The outlawed United hydrocarbon drilling site in the people of Assam, the gov- tive changes in the life of demanded the arrest of was allegedly found from Liberation Front of Asom - duo’s release and Changlang, Arunachal ernments of Assam and people and become a party colleague Rakesh her handbag and car, Independent (Ulfa-I) has had earlier set Pradesh. While Mr Gogoi is Arunachal Pradesh, and the global hub for higher Singh, accusing him of according to police. “I threatened to take the “ulti- February 16 as the a native of Assam, Mr families of the kidnapped learning and technology. conspiracy, and sought a want a CID investigation. mate step” next week on the deadline Kumar hails from Bihar. duo. “If our instructions are “In any aspect of life, CID probe into the matter. BJP’s Rakesh Singh, the two employees of the The Ulfa-I in a statement to ignored, then in the case of knowledge brings Goswami, the state secre- aide of Kailash Quippo oil and gas drilling fit has demanded a ransom a local newspaper said, “As any unfortunate situation, courage, understanding, tary of Bharatiya Janata Vijayvargiya, should be company who are being of `20 crore for the duo’s the Quippo representatives, the employees, Quippo acceptance, unity and Yuva Morcha (BJYM), arrested. This is his con- held captive by the outfit, release and had earlier set after our negotiations authorities, OIL, Assam and also liberates us from was arrested along with a spiracy," Goswami told prompting senior Assam February 16 as the deadline. between February 16 to 19, Arunachal Pradesh govern- the clutches of igno- friend, Pradip Kumar reporters while being minister Himanta Biswa The two, drilling superin- failed to provide any fruitful ments will be responsible rance,” the governor Dey, and her personal taken to lock-up from a Sarma to appeal for their tendent Pranab Kumar solution to our demands, we for the consequences,” the said — PTI security guard from sou- city court. — PTI release. Gogoi and radio operator have decided to stick to our outfit said in the email writ- The Paresh Barua-led out- Ram Kumar, of the Quippo initial decision and will, ten in Assamese. P4 CITY pg DECCAN CHRONICLE | SUNDAY | 21 FEBRUARY 2021 | CHENNAI 2

OTHER STORIES False marriage AI Tiruchy flight hits electric pole, passengers safe

promise: Man cheats DC CORRESPONDENT tional airport at bers at that time. All of an electric pole at 4.52 pm. an alternative flight is VIJAYAWADA, FEB. 20 Gannavaram near the city them were reported to be All passengers and crew being arranged for those woman of `10L on Saturday. safe. Flight IX 1676 is oper- are safe.” who were to fly onward to Seventy-one persons on The aircraft had arrived ated once a week on the The aircraft suffered Tiruchirapalli,” DC CORRESPONDENT board an Air India from Doha with 19 passen- Doha-Vijayawada- some damage. The airport Madhusudhana Rao said. CHENNAI, FEB. 20 Express flight had a lucky gers for Vijayawada and Tiruchirapalli route. director said it had been escape when a wing of the the rest for Tiruchirapalli Vijayawada airport grounded. >>>> The Saidapet police on Saturday aircraft hit an electric pole in Tamil Nadu, the next director G. “We have made arrange- Tiruchy bound Air arrested a 45-year-old man from while the aircraft taxiing destination. The aircraft Madhusudhana Rao said, ments for Vijayawada- India filight which Andhra Pradesh for cheating a to the terminal building at was carrying 64 passen- "While taxiing, the pilot bound passengers to reach hit an electric pole at 40-year-old woman in Chennai the Vijayawada interna- gers and six crew mem- took a wrong turn and hit their destinations while Vijayawada airport. of `10 lakh after promising to marry her. The victim, a divorcee from Chennai had registered on a Justice league popular matrimonial site and the accused Manoharan from Contempt of court provision Andhra Pradesh allegedly approached her claiming to be a divorcee with a monthly income of `3 lakh. applies only to criminal case: HC The woman, mother of a 13- year-old boy from the previous marriage agreed to marry DC CORRESPONDENT Manoharan and allegedly gifted CHENNAI, FEB. 20 Can registrar accept deed of cancellation? him a mobile phone. Mano- haran soon left for Andhra The Madras high court Pradesh and was in touch with has ruled that though the woman over the phone. there is a limitation of one HC refers to larger bench Sources said that a few days year for invoking the pro- later, Manoharan told her that visions of Section 20 of DC CORRESPONDENT was void ab initio, she he had met with an accident and the Contempt of Courts CHENNAI, FEB. 20 added. was in need of `10 lakh for med- Act to punish the contem- The judge said the ical expenses. However, after nor, the provision will In view of conflicting grandfather of the peti- she sent him the money, apply only to a criminal judgments, the Madras tioner submitted that as Manoharan allegedly blocked contempt and not civil high court has referred to there was a disputed ques- her and went incommunicado. contempt. a larger bench to decide tion of fact, it has got to be On realising being cheated, Justice S. Vaidyanathan whether the sub-regis- moved before the civil the victim approached the gave the order while dis- trar/registrar has the court. This court was in police and based on her com- missing a petition, filed by power to accept the deed entire agreement with plaint, the Adyar traffic cell S. Jubithabi, which sought of cancellation to nullify him that the civil court traced Manoharan. Investiga- a direction to the state the deed of conveyance was competent to decide tion revealed that he was not government to implement made earlier, when the the issue. However, as to divorced but had been living the orders of the court deed of conveyance has the question that who has with his wife and two children. dated April 11, 2019. already been acted upon exclusive possession and to approach the civil The police said that According to the peti- by the transferee. enjoyment of the proper- court, this court was of Manoharan put up his profile tioner, she was initially Justice S. Vaidyanathan ty. Thereafter, they were the view that only Ramar on matrimonial sites claiming appointed as a female directed the registry to married and settled in was entitled to do it and to be a divorcee to cheat single escort warder on daily place a batch of four peti- their matrimonial home. there was no need for the women looking for a life partner wage basis on December tions from Prabadevi and On September 13, 2005, petitioner to approach the and extort money from him. 31, 1992 and after a long others, relating to deed of Illavarasi died leaving civil court. This court was Police arrested and remanded struggle, she was appoint- cancellation, before the behind her husband and concerned only with him to judicial custody. ed as female grade-II chief justice for constitu- daughter Prabadevi. regard to the unilateral The police are checking warder with effect from tion of a larger bench to Thereafter, on June 23, cancellation and not with whether the victim has cheated April 22, 2009, pursuant to decide the issue. 2020, Prabadevi and her regard to the disputed any other women in the city the orders of this court According to Prabadevi, maternal aunt Malar par- question of fact. When a under the pretext of marriage. dated July 21, 2010. Even a property measuring 1 titioned their property particular document was though she obtained a acre, 16 cents and a resi- which was registered. already entertained and favourable order from this dential building at When Prabadevi registered, it was for the PM to lay foundation court on April 11, 2019 Pappinayakkanpatti vil- approached the sub-regis- parties to approach the with regard to regularisa- lage in Madurai district trar to get back the parti- competent court and the stone for `2,000 cr tion of her service with originally belonged to tion deed, the sub-regis- competent court alone effect from September 29, Ramar. Ramar developed trar orally informed that was empowered to cancel highways project in 2000, till now no order was an illicit intimacy with since Ramar had already the settlement deed and passed, despite sending a another lady and when it cancelled the settlement the judgment and decree Pondy on Feb. 25 representation dated May was questioned by his deed, the partition deed can be registered by the 30, 2019. Aggrieved by the first wife, he executed a cannot be registered. office of the sub-registrar. Puducherry, Feb. 20: Prime wilful disobedience of the gift settlement deed in Ramar was not entitled to In this case, there was no Minister Narendra Modi will orders of this court, the favour of his two minor cancel the settlement deed judgment and decree can- lay the foundation stone of four- petitioner invoked the daughters, Illavarasi and after four years of the celling the settlement lane highways projectworth Rs writ jurisdiction of the Malar, and they were in death of her mother and it deed, the judge added. 2,000 crore during his visit to court with the above poll-bound Puducherry on relief. can be gone into by the jurisdiction was not an 2019. Hence, finding no February 25. The judge said the ques- court only in contempt alternative forum for the merits in the petition, the According to official sources, tion whether there was a proceedings, if any such petitioner to ask for imple- petition was ordered to be the project would cover wilful disobedience of the petition was moved by the mentation of the orders of dismissed, the judge Karaikal district on the orders of this court or not petitioner and the writ this court dated April 11, added. Villupuram to Nagapattinam highways. The Prime Minister would also lay foundations of `491 crore campus of Karaikal Disband NIA, branch of the JIPMER and a minor port worth `44 crore Two masked men rob demand MDMK, DK being developed under Sagar DC CORRESPONDENT Mala scheme here. THANJAVUR, FEB. 20 He would also declare open the reconstructed structure of Members of MDMK, DK Puducherry Municipal office mobile shop in city and other organisations (Mairie), which had been raised staged a demonstration at a cost of Rs 14.83 crores under DC CORRESPONDENT On Saturday morning, when he came to open the here on Saturday dema- Coastal Disaster Risk Reduction CHENNAI, FEB. 20 shop he found the shutter was opened. He was nding dissolution of the Project. shocked to find mobile phones and cash stolen from National Investigation The building was earlier slat- The St Thomas Mount the shop. Jalaluddin subsequently alerted the Agency (NIA) alleging ed for inauguration on crime police are investi- St.Thomas Mount police about the theft, where mobile that it is functioning inf- February 11. gating after two masked phones worth `50,000 and `27,000 in cash kept in the ringing upon the investi- The PM would unveil all these men robbed a mobile shop locker were stolen gation work of state gov- projects at the A P J Abdul in Kathipara on Friday ernments. They also de- Kalam Convention Centre in night. phones and cash stolen also damaged the CCTV manded the repeal of JIPMER campus through video According to the police, from the shop. Jalaluddin camera making it difficult the Unlawful Activities conference mode. Jalaluddin ( 40), a resident subsequently alerted the for the police to identify Prevention Act as it is Meanwhile, Union Minister of Alandur, who owns a St.Thomas Mount police them. However, the police being allegedly misused Arjun Ram Meghwal told mobile sales and services about the theft, where retrieved the CCTV against social activists, reporters that Modi would shop at Guindy Kathipara mobile phones worth footage of the robbery, Muslims and Leftists. address a public meeting here junction closed his shop `50,000 and `27,000 in cash where two masked men Ayanapuram Muruge- hereafter participating in the around 10 pm on Friday. kept in the locker were were seen robbing the san of Thamizhar Desi- government functions at JIP- On Saturday morning, stolen. shop in the early hours of ya Munnani led the agi- MER. when he came to open the The St. Thomas mount Saturday. Police are also tation. Representatives Noting that the Prime shop he found the shutter police registered a case scrutinizing the CCTV of MDMK, DK, CPI, CP- T20 Cricket match between Chief Justice’s XI vs Advocate General’s XI held at M A Minister's visit was important, was opened. He was and further investigations cameras in the locality to I(M) and several other he alleged that the Congress Chidambaram stadium in Chepauk on Saturday. — E.K. Sanjay shocked to find mobile are on. The robbers had nab them. organisations partici- government has done nothing pated in the agitation. for the development of Puducherry. On the coming assembly elec- tions, he asserted that the BJP led alliance was poised to regis- ter a historic win in the polls. "Our focus would be on devel- When a poll campaign assumes corporate hues opment of Puducherry post elections and to provide employ- personally stood for caus- and semi-urban milieu but Palaniswami or the two brands speak highly ture. The point is that the ment to the youth," he added. es advocated by their par- nevertheless can be spot- AIADMK. Whatever it is, about their USPs and run boards provided advertise- — PTI ties and leaders, connect- ted managing events for he too has a team of young down the other. Also the ment space in urban areas ing with the people on party leaders to address, people, roaming around trend has engendered a where no writing on the their own. Of course, we deciding on the kind of the State. practice of copying the wall would be permitted G. Babu Jayakumar heard that the style of banners and such para- But unlike the I-PAC other’s idea. One example by the Election wooing changed in the phernalia to be displayed, employees, Kanugolu’s is the illumination boards Commission once the Code interim with crisp curren- which were hitherto the boys and girls do not in shops with the top por- of Conduct kicks in. cy notes doing the talking, prerogative of the party reveal their group’s identi- tion devoted to the DMK’s Drawing inspiration Just spamming but in the hands of the cadre and functionaries. ty. It is not even known if campaign and shop’s name from it, the AIADMK also same foot soldiers. Even if In the case of DMK the group has a collective emblazoned in a small por- have started finding shops those sweeping charges of events, those outside kids name. The youth, however, tion in the bottom. Of that would allow their hether one notices on the media turf. Of cash distribution remain employed by I-PAC are go around the State in course this was a trick boards designed almost in or not, the ongoing course those who are in unproven, there was no conspicuous since the rop- cars, stay in hotels at vari- employed by big brands the same fashion but with Welection campaign the know are aware of the denying the fact that the ing in of the organization ous places, meet people, that made sign boards for the legend proclaiming the in the State looks more reasons for the political party workers were guided for working out the poll interview them on cam- shops with their product State’s growth, citing sur- like a corporate war that battle talking the hues of by his seniors and leaders, strategy has been made era, take surveys and highlighted on the top veys by news outlets. In breaks out once in a while business rivalry – both who shared the same loyal- open. But in AIADMK gauge the pulse of the peo- more prominently. fact, taking election sur- when companies promote Dravidian majors have ty and dedication. events they remain in the ple. They have been The DMK, thus found veys, which were once their products in a compet- hired professional agen- Even now the quintes- shadows. instructed to stress on the space to advertise itself done by independent agen- itive market. Some might cies to handle their cam- sential party worker is Of course, like the I-PAC, DMK engaging an exter- with a slogan that reads cies and news organisa- remember Coke and Pepsi paigns, like corporates. around. But what has there is a group chalking nal agency ie I-PAC and something like Stalin is tions to know who would fighting it out through So, we are living in an changed is the one who out the path that Chief give rise to the impression anyway coming back and win, has also become a job commercial advertise- era that is quite different activates or guides him. Minister Edappadi K that the AIADMK was fac- will do good things. A of the agencies engaged by ments, much to the delight from the earlier times Unlike those above him in Palaniswami should take ing the election on its own photo of Stalin, the party the parties, just like com- The Prime Minister would of media houses that ran when elections were the party hierarchy giving to hit the highway to elec- strength. symbol and also a combo panies taking market sur- also lay foundations of those advertisements and fought on the basis of directions on what to toral triumph. The Whatever their strate- photo of the party’s icons veys before launching a to the amusement of read- political ideology and speak in public or do in his appointment of Sunil gies are, these external make the brief narrative product. `491 crore campus of ers and viewers, quite agenda, propounded domain or tell the local Kanugolu, who is also a agencies have made the complete. It is a different To put it otherwise, par- Karaikal branch of the JIP- some time ago. Now the through a wide network of people, young greenhorns poll strategist like I-PAC election campaign resem- matter that some boards ties have become corpo- MER and a minor port poll campaign by the two cadre who carried the mes- in politics are now issuing founder Prashant Kishor, ble a corporate fight with were even put up above rate houses selling their worth `44 crore being main contenders to the sage of their leaders and diktats. Those young men is still kept under wraps two brands of the same shops that don’t even have ‘promises’ and ‘achieve- developed under Sagar throne at Fort St George parties to the voters. and women in modern and one is not sure if his commodity vying for a hole in a wall but just ments’ like products, turn- Mala scheme here resembles more like those Those were the days when attire often stand out of assignment is to ensure supremacy. So, through operate on the platform ing the voter into a con- corporate battles fought the grassroots workers the crowd in many rural the victory of media advertisements the with a makeshift struc- sumer. STATE DECCAN CHRONICLE | SUNDAY | 21 FEBRUARY 2021 | CHENNAI pg 3

OTHER STORY Centre, states must work together to lower fuel prices: FM Ruckus over Chennai, Feb 20: Amid an ing impact of taxes and tee that my revenue fore- she said, “it can be.” outcry over record high bring uniformity. gone will not be an oppor- “But to get it (fuel prices) Gandhi statue petrol and diesel prices, Currently, the central tunity for somebody else to under GST needs to be a R. VALAYAPATHY | DC Union Finance Minister government levies a fixed get into this space a and thorough discussion in the KARUR, FEB. 20 Nirmala Sitharaman on rate of excise duty while gain that,” she said. GST Council (comprising Saturday said the Centre states levy different rates “If all of us are talking Centre and the states),” Tension prevailed for a while at and state governments will of VAT. Under GST, the two about consumer prices (on she said. the busy lighthouse corner here have to together work out a would merge and bring fuel to) come down (and The finance minister on Saturday, when police mechanism to bring retail uniformity, solving the the) tax raised by the said if the GST Council forcibly removed Karur Lok rates to reasonable levels. problem of fuel rates being Centre, tax raised by the agrees on one rate then all Sabha Congress member As much as 60 per cent of higher in states with high- states are not holier than over the country there Jothimani and a section of the retail price of petrol, er VAT. “What I am saying one another.” The taxes by can be one fuel Congress party workers and which shot above `100- is that this is a vexatious centre and states equal, price rather than Chennai subsequently arrested them, mark in some places in issue and no Minister can she said. being more expensive than when they staged a dharna Rajasthan and Madhya ever convince anybody Nirmala said as a finance New Delhi or New Delhi there protesting the removal of Pradesh and is at an all- because Indians being minister she cannot be one more expensive than Gandhi’s statue in the light- time high elsewhere in the Indians and I am one of minister in the Union gov- Mumbai. house corner traffic island. country, is made up of cen- them, (will not be con- ernment to say how much “That anomaly can be The bust size statue of Gandhi tral and state taxes.Taxes vinced),” she said. “It is a the price can be decreased addressed if it is under was installed there by the make up for about 56 per matter of fact that both and whether that would GST. And that can be just Congress party half a century cent of the record high Centre and states will have not guarantee the States to one tax which can be back. It was removed by mid- diesel rates. to talk.” earn more money. shared by both Centre and night Thursday, and was kept in Sitharaman, who had Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman at an event organised by the Chennai Stating that the states “Because every govern- State,” she said. the municipal office here. On increased central excise Citizens' Forum on Saturday. —DC levy ad valorem rates of ment needs more money, Petrol and diesel prices information, volunteers of the duty on petrol and diesel sales tax or VAT which needs revenue and at the have been increased for 12 Congress and the DMK laid a by a record margin last answer except reducing am shifting the blame,” the international oil help them get more rev- same time I can see a relief straight days, taking siege to the municipal office year to mop up gains aris- the price (of fuel) will con- she said addressing a gath- prices, leading to a hike in enue whenever prices go that not one additional them to an all time high of here on Friday and had a wordy ing from international oil vince anyone. I know I am ering at an event organised retail rates in India. up, she said it won't serve paisa is being demanded Rs 97 per litre for petrol quarrel with Ashok Kumar, prices plunging to two- treading on an area and by the Chennai Citizens' She, however, said the any purpose if the Centre from the taxpayers (from in Mumbai and over Rs 88 regional director of municipali- decade low, remained non- whatever I may say, to Forum here. She went on answer may lie in bringing were to take the moral the budget),” she said. mark for diesel. Retail ties, while another group committal on cutting taxes bring in the reality into to explain the tax structure petrol and diesel under the high ground and bring Asked whether bringing pump prices differ from assembled at lighthouse corner to give relief to consumers. picture, will only sound and how production cuts Goods and Services down excise duty to zero. the fuel prices under state-to-state depending and wanted to know the reason “This is a very vexatious like I am obfuscating.” “I by oil cartel OPEC and its Tax (GST) regime, “I can do that (cut taxes) Goods and Service Tax on the local taxes (VAT) behind the removal of the stat- issue. An issue in which no am avoiding my answer. I allies had led to a rally in which will end the cascad- if I have a certain guaran- would lead to an answer, and freight. —PTI ue. However, police told them that they were going to arrest the agitators, following which the protesters dispersed peace- fully. Then, the municipal Sagayam to announce his future plans TN records 438 new Covid-19 infections, 6 more fatalities authorities erected an eight-feet new statue of Mahatma Gandhi G. BABU JAYAKUMAR & against corruption that high’ adorned his work Chennai,Feb.20: Tamil in the same lighthouse corner D.SEKAR I DC prompted a group of place and he was the first Nadu added 438 new Covid- traffic island. CHENNAI, FEB. 20 youth under the banner officer to declare his 19 cases and six more fatali- Second wave unlikely, says minister Again, Jothimani and a sec- ‘Ezhuchi Tamilagam’ assets when he was ties, taking the caseload to tion of Congress and DMK Popular IAS officer U (Revival of Tamil Nadu) Collector of Namakkal in 8,47,823 and the toll to Chennai,Feb.20: Health the department of health “chances are remote as the party workers staged a dharna, Sagayam, who applied for to invite him to join 2009 – led to people expect- 12,457, the health depart- minister C Vijayabaskar got and preventive medicine state has been ranked top in urging the officials to install the voluntary retirement last politics. ing him to enter politics ment said on Saturday. the second dose of Covid vaccinated over 3.51 RT-PCR testing and doctors old statue instead of the new October and got it earlier Sagayam has been in the and clean the system after Recoveries eclipsed new vaccine at the government lakh people till date. The are handling the one. Despite repeated request this year, is expected to news for many reasons, he was relieved from gov- infections with 459 people medical college and hospital total comprised health COVID-19 cases very well.” by police, the dharna continued reveal his future plans on ostensibly fighting cor- ernment service. being discharged, taking in Tiruchirappalli on care workers and frontline “Even the mortality rate and subsequently women police Sunday at a meeting ruption and taking on However, he kept quiet the tally to 8,31,246, Saturday. “I got inoculated personnel including (due to COVID-19) forcibly removed Jothimani organized by his support- powerful persons. In all these days. Now, the leaving 4,120 active cases. with the second dose of those from the police has come down drastically.I and arrested 67 agitators includ- ers and other social Madurai he stayed for a meeting has been organ- Chennai accounted for the COVAXIN today.....I contin- department. “There is no must extend my apprecia- ing six women. activists in Chennai. night in a crematorium, ized by his supporters, maximum number of infec- ued my routine work after hesitation among anyone (to tion to the medical team and Earlier, Jothimani told news- Calling themselves sup- lest some evidence would most of whom are social tions with 139,taking the the jab,” he said in a tweet. get vaccinated).There is a also thank our Chief men that Collector S. Malarv- porters of ‘honest Saga- be tampered with by some activists. Many civil soci- tally to 2,34,191. Tourism Minister possibility to reach 'nil' Minister (K Palaniswami) izhi informed her that the old yam for political change’, people connected with ety members are said to The metropolis 'Vellamandi' N Natarajan Covid-19 cases with the for taking measures to con- statue was damaged and the the activists had organ- illegal granite quarrying. be in touch with also accounted for a little and College Dean Vanitha declining trend of virus on trol the spread of virus,” he administration had replaced it ised the meeting at In his government serv- Sagayam, who even men- over one-third of the were present. The minister one side and vaccination said. with a new one, donated by a J P Paradise Grounds ice spanning 30 decades tored an NGO, Makkal COVID-19 fatalities at 4,137 took the first shot on drive happening on the Asked when the govern- textile owner. She said that the in Adambakkam at 4 pm he had been transferred Pathai (People’s Way) deaths. January 22 at the Rajiv other side,” he said. Asked ment would commence vac- municipal authorities had on Sunday, which hap- 25 times and the farmer’s while in service. All the six deceased had Gandhi government general whether there was a possi- cination for the installed the new one without a pens to be the ‘Intern- son who did his schooling Wall posters have been pre-existing morbidities, hospital in Chennai. Later bility of a second wave of general public, he said, proper basement in a hurried ational Mother Language in Tamil medium was put up all over Chennai to which include a 29-year-old talking to reporters, he said virus in the state, he said, “very soon”. —PTI manner for CM Palaniswami to Day.’ During his stint with posted in an insignificant mobilise a huge gathering woman from neighbouring declare it open during his visit the government, the 57- job at the Science City in at the meeting, which Chengalpet district. As Villupuram -- recorded 'nil' were tested on Saturday, approval to take up Covid-19 to Karur on Sunday. “Since the year-old Sagayam was not Chennai for seven years. the organisers hope many as 24 districts report- fresh cases. taking the total specimens testing recently, taking the statue was not installed proper- just known for his love for His image as an honest would usher in a ed new infections in single Out of 37 districts,33 examined to 1,70,70,597. total number of ly, I hoped that the CM would his mother tongue, Tamil, officer – a board ‘Avoid socio-political change in digits, while three -- reported nil fatalities. A government lab in such facilities in the State to not inaugurate it”, she added. but was also for his drive bribes, hold you head Tamil Nadu. Perambalur, Karur, A total of 51,046 samples Nilgiris received the 257, the bulletin said. Frost bite chars tea gardens in Nilgiris B. RAVICHANDRAN | DC The wet spell that edly in the later part of win- N. Varadaraj, manager, dropped to 1,800 kgs. of frost has come as a big Meanwhile, unexpected OOTY, FEB 20 stretched up to mid- ter this season. Doddabetta tea factory “This shows how frost blow to the tea industry this heavy rains pounded the January had helped tea cul- The heavy frosting also here, said that his factory affects tea cultivation in the year. This negative Nilgiris, especially Coonoor As frost bite has already tivation and also standing resulted in frost bite that used to get around 4,000 kgs hills. Quite a few tea facto- trend may continue till and Kotagiri taluks on begun to scorch tea gardens vegetable crops here. sapped the tea leaves and of green tea leaf in a day for ries here run their factories the end of March. Friday night. and cripple tea yield, the The winter mode and charred tea gardens, regular black tea/made tea once in two or three days in Only a good pre-summer While Kotagiri recorded heavy rains that pounded frost that set in from the especially in the manufacturing process. a week due to the impact of would tilt the balance 92 mm, Yedapalli recorded the Nilgiris on Friday night third week of January, saw low-lying areas, thus But, for the past couple of frost on tea gardens and tea in favour of the tea indus- 50 mm and Coonoor record- was a solace. a cold wave sweep unexpect- improving the yield. weeks, this has drastically yield. The late winter effect try,” Varadaraj added. ed 32.50 mm of rain. Well-intentioned film worth a watch KAMALI FROM Saraf looks handsome and Movie review does his part neatly. Pratap NADUKKAVERI Pothen brings his versatility to the fore. Azhagam Perumal, Imman Annachi, ANUPAMA CAST: Anandhi, Rohit and the girl who plays her SUBRAMANAIAN Saraf, Pratap Pothen, friend in the village chip in Azhagam Perumal their best. Kamali (Anandhi) is a fun Kamali from Nadukkaveri loving plus one student from Direction: Rajashekar has good intentions behind it a remote village Duraisamy but not without its flaws. Nadukkaveri in Thanjavur. Director Rajashekar A prankster in nature, RATING: 3/5 Duraisamy’s core theme is Kamali often indulges in laudable, but the execution annoying a retired professor CBSE topper Ashwin (Rohit is found wanting. Some of Arivudai Nambi (Pratap Saraf) on television and falls the scenes are too pre- Pothen) who has settled in for him instantly. When he dictable and they don’t devel- the village, by rewriting the says that he wants to join the op organically. At times, it proverbs he writes on his prestigious Indian Institute looks like propaganda for compound wall slate every of Technology, the love smit- IIT. morning. Kamali is also not ten Kamali also aspires to Jegadeesan Logayan's visu- very serious about her stud- pursue higher studies in IIT. als are eye catchy and ies and is not averse to the Now, Nambi steps in and Dheenadayalan’s music is idea of her dad (Azhangam after vigorous training she good. Overall, despite its Perumal) getting her mar- enters IIT–Madras. But the inadequacies, KFN is worth ried soon. However, things reality of the campus is alto- brilliantly and it is undoubt- transformation from a naïve a watch for its commendable take a drastic change when gether different. edly a milestone film in her girl to a matured confident idea and great performances she sees the interview of Anandhi has performed career. She pulls off the woman effortlessly. Rohit from the entire cast. Film tries to channel Vishal’s chakra magic ANUPAMA play lacking the punch. SUBRAMANAIAN CHAKRA Aren’t army officers sup- posed to follow and not Vishal’s forte are his lively CAST: Vishal, Shraddha interfere in local police action entertainers and Srinath, Regina investigations? There are Chakra has channeled all Cassandra hardly any challenges for the delightful parts of the the protagonist as he actor’s past successes Direction: M.S. seems to know everything. namely mysterious crimes, Anandhan All right, Leela has a adrenaline filled fight disturbed childhood, scenes, use of new internet RATING: 2.75/5 but why she chose a technologies, and nefarious criminal route is not businesses into a cohesive well. explained properly. However, whole. Does it live up to the Shraddha Srinath shines in the racy narrative somewhat expectations? the given role. However, comes to the film’s advan- On the 73rd Independence her character, which started tage. Also, opting to steer Day, when police personnel with much hype, tapers clear of cinematic frills like are busy on security duty for includes Gayathri’s beau the mastermind behind the off as Vishal takes center romantic numbers and political leaders, Chennai and military officer break-ins with the major stage. Regina as Leela, the comedy tracks is a relief for city witnesses multiple Chandru aka Subash twist opening in the midway chess coach and hacker, a viewers. robberies at various Chandra Bose house as well, forms the remainder of the role with grey shades Technically, Yuvan Shankar locations. Initial investiga- where along with the booty, plot. though a revelation. Robo Raja’s BGM elevates the tions by ACP Gayathri the burglars also stole his It’s a cakewalk for Vishal Shankar’s comedy is annoy- mood of the genre. (Shraddha Srinath) lead to dad’s prestigious Ashok and the actor with his robust ing. Balasubramaniem’s cine- two masked men who have Chakra medal. How physique and amazing Though the director has matography is just about targeted only senior citi- Chandru along with screen presence does a great conceived a solid story, there adequate. The movie ends zens’ homes and ran away Gayathri start hunting down job. He is good and convinc- are few issues with logic with an open climax sug- with jewels and cash. This the criminals and unravel ing in action sequences as going for a toss and screen- gesting a sequel! NATION DECCAN CHRONICLE | CHENNAI | SUNDAY | 21 FEBRUARY 2021 pg 4

SHORT TAKES Fight against high fuel prices INDIA-CHINA MEET Covid numbers TO PUSH FOR DISENGAGEMENT see sudden rise From Page 1 Tally is up by 13,993; steep hike after 22 days In Depsang plains, Chinese troops are blocking Indian New Delhi, Feb. 20: on August 23, 40 lakh on Medical Research," the patrol teams from going to Daily Covid-19 cases in September 5 and 50 lakh ministry said on its web- Patrolling Points 10 to 13. A the country climbed to on September 16. It went site, adding that state- Major-General level meeting about 14,000 after nearly past 60 lakh on September wise distribution of fig- was also held on August 8 last 22 days taking India’s 28, 70 lakh on October 11, ures is subject to further year at Daulat Beg Oldie tally to 1,09,77,387, while crossed 80 lakh on verification and reconcili- (DBO) to discuss disengage- the recoveries surged to October 29, 90 lakh on ation. ment at the Depsang plains. 1,06,78,048, according to November 20 and sur- Andhra Pradesh record- The Corps Commanders Union Health Ministry passed the one-crore ed 54 new COVID-19 cases, meeting is held a day after data updated on Saturday. mark on December 19. 70 recoveries and no China on Friday for the first A total of 13,993 new According to the ICMR, deaths in 24 hours ending time after nearly eight months cases were registered in a 21,02,61,480 samples have 9 am on Saturday, even as officially acknowledged that span of 24 hours. The been tested up to the active caseload came its four soldiers were killed death toll increased to 101 February 19, with 7,86,618 down to 604. According to and one officer seriously daily new fatalities, the samples being tested on the latest bulletin, the injured during clashes with data updated at 8 am Friday. cumulative coronavirus Indian troops in June last year showed. The 101 new fatalities positives in the state in Galwan Valley. Indian Army On January 29, 18,855 included 44 deaths from touched 8.89 lakh after had lost 20 soldiers including daily cases were recorded. Maharashtra, 15 from close to 1.37 crore sample Col B. Santosh Babu, The number of people Kerala and 8 from Punjab. tests. Commanding Officer of 16 who have recuperated A total of 1,56,212 deaths Telangana recorded 157 Bihar during the clash. from the disease surged to have been reported so far fresh cases, taking the Earlier this week Indian 1,06,78,048 which trans- in the country, including total positives to over 2.97 Army's Northern Commander lates to a national recov- 51,713 from Maharashtra lakh, while no deaths saw Lt. Gen. Y.K. Joshi had ery rate of 97.27 per cent followed by 12,451 from the toll remain at 1,623, referred to the Russian news and the case fatality rate Tamil Nadu, 12,287 from the government said. agency TASS report which had stands at 1.42 per cent. Karnataka, 10,897 from Karnataka reported 490 put out a figure of 45 Chinese The Covid-19 active case- Delhi, 10,242 from West new cases and 5 related soldiers killed during the load remained below 1.5 Bengal, 8,712 from Uttar fatalities on Saturday, tak- clash. Activists of Indian Youth Congress clash with police personnel during a protest against the hike in fuel and LPG lakh. Pradesh and 7,167 from ing the total number of prices, in New Delhi on Saturday. — PTI There are 1,43,127 active Andhra Pradesh. infections to 9,47,736 and cases of coronavirus The Health Ministry the death toll to 12,292, a ULFA THREATENS infections in the country stressed that more than 70 release said. which comprise 1.27 per per cent of the deaths Kerala registered 4,650 TO KILL OIL FIRM’S cent of the total caseload, occurred due to comor- new cases and 13 related the data stated. bidities. deaths taking the total EMPLOYEES India’s Covid-19 tally “Our figures are being number of those affected Get out of election mode: Patnaik had crossed the 20-lakh reconciled with the in the state by the deadly From Page 1 mark on August 7, 30 lakh Indian Council of virus to 10.30 lakh. — PTI AKSHAYA KUMAR political angle,” the same. Every crime is Janata Party (BJP), did The Ulfa-I also warned other SAHOO | DC The 75-year-old CM, who being politicised, every not mention any political Quippo employees to stay BHUBANESWAR, FEB. 20 was elected for the fifth con- action of an elected party, his remarks were a away from work and, instead, secutive term in 2019, added government is being seen direct rebuff of the pressure OIL to rehabilitate Odisha Chief Minister that it’s high time elected from a political angle. This saffron party’s persistent them. Naveen Patnaik stirred up governments stop behaving kind of atmosphere is one attack on his government Kejriwal to host leaders Mr Sarma urged Ulfa (I)'s a hornet’s nest on Saturday like political parties. of the biggest threats to the and other non-BJP state commander-in-chief Paresh when, in his address at the “Elections are an essen- pace of development and governments over various Barua “with folded hands” to Prime Minister-chaired 6th tial feature of democracy. peace in the country. It’s issues. release the two men meeting of the governing However, the hallmark of a high time the country gets BJP leaders have of farmers’ unions today unharmed. Mr Sarma said council of NitiAayog, he mature democracy is that out of this election mode been constantly attacking that in the case of any unfor- charged that elected gov- once elected, the and allows elected govern- the BJD government on New Delhi, Feb. 20: tunate incident, the world will ernments are meant to governments are meant to ments to function,” he said. various issues, including Delhi Chief Minister again “look upon the work for people, beyond the work for people, beyond Though the CM, who chit fund and mining Arvind Kejriwal will host Debt-ridden farmer, Assamese as (members of) party line, but “every crime party lines. It’s high time heads the regional scams, irregularities in protesting farmer leaders Taliban. We do not want any is being politicised and that we as a country have Biju Janata Dal as its procurement of healthcare at a lunch at the Vidhan further bloodshed on the soil every action of the govern- serious introspection on founder president, a key hardwares and mismanage- Sabha here Sunday after- of India or Assam”. ment is being seen from a whether we are able to do rival of the Bharatiya ment Covid-19 crisis. noon where he will dis- son commit suicide Gurugram-based Quippo was cuss with them the three hired by Oil India (OIL) for contentious Central agri- Hoshiarpur (Punjab), In a suicide note recov- drilling operations. cultural laws and other Feb. 20: A debt-ridden ered from their residence, Though the exact where- SECURITY related issues, govern- farmer and his son they wrote that they were abouts of the kidnapped ment sources said allegedly died by suicide taking the extreme step employees were not known to ‘Metro Man’ courts row, Saturday. in Punjab's Hoshiarpur because of debt. police, security sources feared BEEFED UP AT However, the govern- village, saying in a note They also accused the that they have been taken to ment as well as Aam that they were upset over Congress government in neighbouring Myanmar where BACHCHAN’S Aadmi Party (AAP) lead- the Centre's new farm Punjab of not honouring a united front of banned outfit calls Vijayan an autocrat ers were tight-lipped laws and the state govern- its promise of waiving United National Liberation RESIDENCE about the names of the ment's failure to waive their farm loans. Front of Western South East DC CORRESPONDENT Nanjangud railway line union leaders invited for their loans. They further mentioned Asia (UNLFWSEA) and other SONU THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, which pained me. In place the meeting. The farmer, Jagtar Singh in the note that they were rebel bodies have their base SHRIVASTAVA | DC FEB. 20 of Nilambur-Nanjangud , Farmer leader Darshan (70), and his son Kirpal also distressed as the camps. MUMBAI, FEB. 20 they wanted the Pal said they had not Singh (42) were found dead Union government had It is significant that the press Ahead of his entry into Thalassery-Mysore rail- received any invitation at their residence in not repealed the new farm statement of the outfit was Security was tightened the BJP, ‘Metro Man’’ E. way project.” from the Delhi govern- Muhadipur village on laws. issued jointly by Ulfa-I and at Hindi films actor Sreedharan courted con- Sreedharan said he was ment till Saturday Saturday morning, The two owned one acre National Socialist Council of Amitabh Bachchan’s troversy by calling Chief expecting to be nominated evening. Deputy Superintendent of of land. Nagaland (NSCN) and signed Mumbai residence on Minister Pinarayi Vijayan either from Palakkad or A senior AAP leader Police Munish Kumar Their bodies were sent to by Rumel Asom, a member of Saturday in the wake of an “autocrat” and evoking Malappuram. “I am con- said, “Discussions will be said. Dasuya civil hospital for its publicity wing. It also said Maharashtra Congress a sharp reaction from the testing to become a part of held at the meeting on They had allegedly con- post-mortem, police said, that if negotiations turn chief Nana Patole CPM leadership. the government ,” he said various concerns of farm- sumed a poisonous sub- adding they are investigat- futile, Quippo will be banned threatening to stop his Sreedharan said it would and added that there was a ers over the agri laws and stance, police said. ing the matter. — PTI from operating anywhere in film shoots. Meanwhile, be a tragedy if Left E. Sreedharan branding of BJP as a com- also the various aspects of South East Asia. Patole on Saturday Democratic Front (LDF) munal party and this the laws and its impact.” into the alleged “conspira- Mr Kejriwal had also The family members of Mr changed his stand and were to come back to po- Congress-led United Dem- image needs to be Thousands of farmers cy” against the protesting visited one of the protest Gogoi and Mr Kumar had said that his party will wer again in Kerala after ocratic Front. He said for- changed. have been protesting at farmers. sites at Singhu border in recently called on Paresh not stop the shoots, but the Assembly polls mer chief minister Oom- The CPM reacted shar- Delhi border under the The Delhi Chief December and challenged Barua's brother who also show black flags to scheduled to be held soon. men Chandy was highly ply to Sreedharan’s com- banner of Samyukt Kisan Minister had said his gov- the Centre to have an open appealed to the Ulfa leader to Bachchan and film actor In an interview with a reg- regarded. Chandy, Ram- ment against the Chief Morcha (SKM) for nearly ernment will help trace debate with them in the release the two. Akshay Kumar wherev- ional channel, the well- esh Chennithala, Aryadan Minister. “He may be a three months now against the farmers who have three laws The United Liberation Front er they are spotted. known engineer, who is Mohammad and P.K. Kun- good engineer but unfor- the three agricultural been missing since the The AAP government of Asom (Ulfa) was formed in Patole said, “I did not set to join BJP next week, halikutty wanted good to tunately he has no sense of laws enacted by the violence on January 26 has extended full support 1979 to establish a sovereign comment on Amitabh said the Chief Minister happen to the state, he history. A person who is Centre in September last during a tractor parade by to the protesting farmers. Assam through an armed Bachchan and Akshay was depending on the fla- said. calling Kerala Chief Mini- year. the protesting farmers, Mr Kejriwal in a gesture movement. Paresh Barua was Kumar. But I comment- wed advice of bureau- He said Vijayan’s LDF ster autocratic, is joining Earlier this month, a del- and asserted that if need- of his party's support had once the chief of its military ed on their deeds. There crats. government had blocked a party whose credentials egation of SKM leaders ed, he will approach the torn the copies of farm wing. After a split in the are not real heroes.” If Sreedharan heaped important projects. “They are well known,” the party had met Kejriwal, urging Lieutenant Governor and laws in Delhi Assembly in organisation in 2011 over the they were real heroes, praise on the Opposition opposed the Nilambur- said. him for a judicial enquiry the Centre in this regard. December last year. — PTI leadership’s decision to join they would have been peace talks with the govern- talking about the peo- ment, he led a faction called ple’s hardships, he said. Ulfa (Independent). “If they want to con- tinue being ‘kagaz ke sher’ (paper tigers), then Govt must withdraw farm laws, demands Kharge CSR SHOULD NOT the Congress doesn’t have any problem,” he Thiruvananthapuram, sake of opposition. We and demanded that they be led UDF's ‘Aiswarya Gandhi had asked him to urged Prime Minister BE MANDATORY: said. Feb. 20: Opposing the gov- oppose the government's withdrawn. Kerala Yatra’, led by sen- “highlight the issues of Narendra Modi and the Two days ago, Patole ernment just for the sake wrong policies affecting He suggested that the ior party leader Ramesh the poor people” on the BJP to listen to the voices AZIM PREMJI had said that if the two of doing so was not his the common man,” he government come up with Chennithala arrived in floor of the House. of agitating farmers and actors do not take a style of functioning, new said. fresh proposals after with- Kollam. “We raise the issues (in address their grievances. New Delhi, Feb. 20: IT czar stand on the fuel price leader of the Opposition in Mr Kharge, who became drawing these controver- The yatra is being organ- Parliament) not to become “The farmers have been and philanthropist Azim hike, the screening of the Rajya Sabha LoP this week following sial laws and refer them to ised to reach out to people famous. We take up the agitating against the new Premji on Saturday said compa- their films and shooting Mallikarjun Kharge said, the retirement of Ghulam a parliamentary standing ahead of the assembly issues affecting the poor. farm laws for past few nies should not be legally man- would not be allowed. but made it clear there Nabi Azad, flagged the committee for scrutiny. polls likely to be held in Somebody should talk,” months and demanding dated to engage in corporate ● PATOLE SAID that his would be no compromise ongoing farmers stir The senior Congress April-May. the senior Congress leader that they be withdrawn as social responsibility (CSR) as on issues affecting the demanding repeal of the leader visited Kerala on Mr Kharge, a hardcore said. it abolishes the MSP and such contributions to society party will show black common man. three farm laws enacted by Friday to address a public Gandhi family loyalist, The 78-year-old veteran the Mandi system We are need to “come from within”. flags to Bachchan and “We are not opposing the Parliament last year, meeting organised in said his party leaders leader, with over 50 years' all supporting their Premji, who donated `7,904 Akshay Kumar. government just for the “flouting all procedures" Kollam as the Congress- Sonia Gandhi and Rahul experience in politics, demand,” he said. — PTI crore in donations last year (`22 crore a day), also highlighted that the Covid-19 crisis was a “wake up call” to look at funda- TOURISM | SUPPORT Foreign minister Jaishankar begins two-day visit to India’s south-western maritime neighbour mental issues like the need to improve public systems like health, and changing the struc- ture of society to become more equal and just. “I do not think we should have Indian tourists boost cash registers in Maldives a legal mandate for companies to do CSR. Philanthropy or DC CORRESPONDENT 1,38,000 foreign tourists primarily driven by of US$400 million. charity or contribution to socie- NEW DELHI, FEB. 20 this year, the highest num- India gifts another 1L jabs to Maldives tourism. These included In addition, Maldives ty must come from within, and ber from any foreign the extension of soft loan was the first country to it cannot be mandated from out- Even as External Affairs nation visiting the New Delhi, Feb. 20: India go nation on Saturday. lion” from India for the of US$250 million for receive Covid vaccines side. But that's my personal Minister (EAM) S. Maldives. Even with the on Saturday gifted anoth- This takes the overall development of sports budgetary support of the from India, with New view. As of now, this is the law Jaishankar began his two- pandemic, a total of 62,905 er one lakh doses of gift of Covid vaccine doses infrastructure in the Maldives for the imple- Delhi gifting one lakh and all companies must follow day official visit to the Indians, largest number of Covid-19 vaccine to the for the Maldives to two Maldives during his mentation of Greater Male doses to the tiny archipela- it, Premji said. Maldives on Saturday, tourists, visited the Maldives, with External lakh from India since New address at a public event Connectivity Project go nation. Indo-Maldivian He said it is important that Indian tourists are setting Maldives in 2020. Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Delhi had gifted one lakh in the tiny nation which is which is the largest civil- ties have become extreme- individual and personal philan- the cash registers ringing It became possible due Jaishankar himself doses earlier. The EAM India’s south-western ian infrastructure project ly close ever since Pres- thropy is separated from a com- in the tourism-dependent to the creation of an accompanying the fresh also announced a “stand- maritime neighbour. in the Maldives, connect- ident Ibrahim Mohamed pany’s CSR efforts. “When I economy of India’s tiny ‘Air Travel Bubble’ to facil- consignment on his two- alone new Line of Credit This fresh LoC is expect- ing Male with three neigh- Solih assumed office in the meet our teams and our part- south-western maritime itate the movement of peo- day visit to the archipela- (LoC) worth US$40 mil- ed to be inked soon. bouring islands by the con- in November, 2018. ners’ teams who have single- neighbour. ple from both sides for struction of a bridge-and- After completing his mindedly dedicated their lives As per statistics of 2021 the purpose of employ- causeway link spanning two-day visit on Sunday, to helping the country improve, so far, a whopping 30,000 ment, tourism, medical with which an air bubble India had also undertak- to revive Maldivian econo- 6.7 km, through a financial the EAM will visit the that is about the biggest satis- Indians have visited the emergencies and so on. was operationalised and en a series of economic my and provide the much- package consisting of a small Indian Ocean nation faction one can derive," he said. Maldives till mid- Maldives was the first this boosted their tourist and financial initiatives at needed budgetary cushion grant of US$100 million of Mauritius on February February out of a total of neighbouring country inflow. the peak of the pandemic to its dwindling revenues, and a new Line of Credit 22-23. WORLD DECCAN CHRONICLE | CHENNAI | SUNDAY | 21 FEBRUARY 2021 pg 5

SHORT TAKES Court rejects UKRAINE FREEZES Texans queue for water as US ASSETS OF PUTIN Navalny appeal ALLY MEDVEDCHUK Moscow, Feb. 20: A counts cost of winter storm Moscow court on Saturd- Kyiv, Feb. 19: Ukraine's nati- ay rejected Russian oppo- onal security council on Fri- sition leader Alexei Nav- day placed sanctions on Viktor This after ‘polar plunge’ burst pipes, left millions shivering without power alny's appeal against his Medvedchuk, a politician and prison sentence, even as tycoon who is a close friend of Houston, Feb. 20: Frustr- the country faced a top Russian President Vladimir ated Texans queued for European rights court's Putin, freezing his assets for hours for safe drinking order to free the Kreml- three years and preventing water Friday, after an unp- in's most prominent foe. him from doing business in recedented and deadly Navalny was sentenced the country. “polar plunge” burst pipes earlier this month by a The security council accused and left millions in the US lower court to two years him of financial terrorism, state shivering without and eight months in pri- Alexei Navalny but details were not immedi- power or clean water for son for violating terms of ately available. days. The extreme winter his probation while recu- European Court of Hum- The move came two weeks weather system wreaked perating in Germany an Rights ordered the Ru- after Ukrainian President havoc across much of the from a nerve agent poiso- ssian government to rele- Volodymyr Zelenskiy ordered southern and central Unit- ning that he blames on ase Navalny, citing “the the closure of three Medved- ed States this week, rep- the Kremlin. Russian aut- nature and extent of risk chuk-owned television chan- ortedly killing at least 40 horities have rejected the to the applicant's life.” nels that he accused of spread- people and igniting anger accusation. Navalny, 44, The Strasbourg-based ing propaganda financed by in Texas as authorities an anti-corruption cru- court noted that Navalny the aggressor country, a refer- scrambled to turn the sader and President Vla- has contested Russian au- ence to Russia. lights back on. dimir Putin's most vocal thorities' argument that Houston resident Percy critic, appealed the prison they had taken sufficient McGee rated his frustra- sentence and asked to be measures to safeguard his ULTRAS KILL 5 tion level at “number 10” released. The Moscow life and well-being in cus- as he waited his turn at City Court's judge on Sa- tody following the nerve PAK SOLDIERS IN the city's Delmar Stadium, turday only slightly redu- agent attack. The Russian now a mass bottled water ced his sentence to just government has rebuffed BALOCHISTAN distribution site. over 2 1/2 years in prison, the Strasbourg-based cou- “I've been up since five ruling that a month-and- rt's demand, describing Karachi, Feb. 20: At least five o'clock. And I've been on half Navalny spent under the ruling as unlawful Pakistani soldiers were killed the road since six. And I house arrest in early 2015 and “inadmissible” med- and two others injured when know it's 11:30 but I'm will be deducted from his dling in Russia's affairs. suspected terrorists carried gonna sit here until, I sentence. In the past, Moscow has out attacks through remote- mean, I have no choice. All Navalny's arrest and abided by the ECHR's rul- controlled bombs in two sepa- the stores in my area are The George Washington Bridge is blanketed with snow on Friday, in Fort Lee, New Jersey. — AFP imprisonment have fuel- ings awarding compensa- rate areas in the restive out of water,” he said. led a huge wave of prote- tions to Russian citizens Balochistan province. “I'm very frustrated. I'm scouring winter storms sts across Russia. Author- who have contested verd- The first attack took place in a diabetic. I have a 94-year- than residents of the Lone ities responded with a icts in Russian courts, but the Bypass area outside Quet- old senior as a diabetic. Star state — were batten- Kerry: China, India, Russia, sweeping crackdown, det- it never faced a demand ta when a remote-controlled We haven't had no medi- ing down. aining about 11,000 peop- by the European court to bomb fixed to a motorcycle cine. Nothing... So I'm But even as the tempera- le, many of whom were set a convict free. In a was detonated near a Frontier really frustrated mentally. ture rose above freezing in fined or given jail terms sign of its long-held anno- Corps (FC) convoy in which a But I'm keeping it togeth- Texas — and the National need to lower emissions ranging from seven to 15 yance with the Strasbou- soldier was killed and two oth- er,” he said. Weather Service forecast days. Russia has rejected rg court's verdicts, Russia ers injured. The explosion Erica Granado, another weekend weather in the United Nations, Feb. 20: tonio Guterres for a speci- cut it. That is not the way Western criticism of Nav- last year adopted a consti- took place near an FC vehicle Houston resident, said she 50s Fahrenheit (10-15 The world's big emitting al virtual event to mark that we get to go to alny's arrest and the cra- tutional amendment on patrol duty. had rushed to the site Celsius) — state governor countries, including Chi- the United States rejoining Glasgow, Kerry said. ckdown on demonstratio- declaring the priority of In the second attack in the after seeing it on the news. Greg Abbott said some na, India, Russia and Jap- the Paris Agreement. The United Kingdom will ns as meddling in its inte- national legislation over remote Kahan area of Kohlu “I gotta be early because 165,000 people were still an need to really step up We need the United Stat- host the 26th UN Climate rnal affairs. international law. district, terrorists attacked a I knew everybody — yeah, without power Friday. and begin to lower green- es and every country to Change Conference of the In a ruling Tuesday, the — AP FC checkpost at night in which everybody wants water Water pressure problems house gas emissions, US determine they will get on Parties (COP26) in Glasg- four soldiers were killed. and so it's a difficult time meant nearly seven mil- Special Presidential Envoy a path toward net-zero em- ow in November this year. for everybody,” she said, lion Texans were being for Climate John Kerry issions by 2050. That is not The COP26 summit will adding: “Thank God I had advised to boil their water has said as he called on all something we will do by bring parties together to RAINS FLOOD gas in my car.” On Friday before drinking it or using nations to raise their countries just stepping up accelerate action towards the weather system was for cooking, said Toby ambition to fight against and saying, Hey! We com- the goals of the Paris Oppn to Biden INDONESIA’S slowly moving northeast, Baker, who heads the Tex- climate change. mit, here we are. Yeah, Agreement and the UN where hardy New Englan- as Commission on Enviro- Kerry on Friday joined we'll do it by 2050'. That Framework Convention on CAPITAL ders — far more used to nmental Quality. — AFP UN Secretary-General An- doesn't work. That doesn't Climate Change. — PTI budget nominee Jakarta, Feb. 20: Whole neighbourhoods of Indonesi- Washingtom, Feb. 20: The support. Tanden had also a's capital Jakarta and dozens nomination of Neera disparaged some of major roads were flooded on Tanden to lead the White Democrats on social media, Saturday after torrential rains Russia says detected first case House Office of Managem- most notably Sen. Bernie pounded the Southeast Asian ent and Budget was thrown Sanders, the independent city overnight. in doubt Saturday as Sen. from Vermont. Biden, More than 1,300 residents Joe Manchin of West asked Saturday whether he have been evacuated to tempo- Virginia became the first would pull Tanden's nomi- rary shelters, with parts of the of H5N8 avian flu in humans Democratic lawmaker to nation, said he wouldn't. “I capital under four to nine feet oppose her confirmation. think we are going to find (1.2 to 2.7 metres) of water. Moscow, Feb. 20: Russia important scientific dis- During her confirmation the votes and get her con- Images showed rescuers on said Saturday its scien- ARGENTINE HEALTH MAR. 8 LOCKDOWN covery,” saying “time will hearings, Tanden apolo- firmed," Biden said. rafts battling to evacuate the tists had detected the first tell” if the virus can fur- gised for spending years Moments earlier, the elderly and children from sub- Aung San Suu Kyi case of transmission of ther mutate. attacking top Republicans White House had issued a merged houses in hard-hit the H5N8 strain of avian MINISTER RESIGNS IN TORONTO “The discovery of these on social media. She is a for- statement defending her. southern and eastern areas of flu to humans and had Buenos Aires, Feb. 20: Toronto, Feb. 20: A lock- mutations when the virus mer adviser to Hillary “Neera Tanden is an the city, and dozens of cars 2 MYANMAR alerted the World Health President Alberto Ferna- down and stay at home has not still acquired an Clinton and served as presi- accomplished policy expe- were seen submerged on Organisation. ndez removed Argentina's order is being extended in ability to transmit from dent of the liberal-leaning rt who would be an excel- waterlogged streets. “Information about the health minister Friday Toronto, Canada's largest human to human gives us Center for American lent Budget Director and National rescue agency PROTESTERS world's first case of trans- after a well-known local city until at least Mar. 8. all, the entire world, time Progress. we look forward to the com- spokesman Yusuf Latif said mission of the avian flu journalist said he had Ontario Health Minister to prepare for possible With the Senate evenly mittee votes next week and the floods were triggered by KILLED BY (H5N8) to humans has been given a Coronavirus Christine Elliott said mutations and react in an divided between 50 Repub- to continuing to work extreme downpours. already been sent to the vaccination preferentially Saturday that extension adequate and timely fash- licans and 50 Democrats, toward her confirmation POLICE FIRE World Health Organisati- after requesting one from was a difficult but neces- ion,” Popova said. she'll likely need support through engagement with on,” the head of Russia's the minister. — AP sary decision. — AP Located in Koltsovo out- from at least one Republi- both parties," White House SPYING CHARGES Mandalay, Feb. 20: Two health watchdog Rospotr- side the Siberian city of can to win confirmation. “I press secretary Jen Psaki anti-coup protesters ebnadzor, Anna Popova, Novosibirsk, the Vektor believe her overtly partisan said. ON 4 EX-INTEL were shot dead by riot said in televised remarks. scientists at Russia's Vekt- break was recorded amo- State Virology and statements will have a Tanden would be the first police who fired live The highly contagious or laboratory had isolated ng the birds in December. Biotechnology Center has toxic and detrimental woman of colour to lead the TAIWAN OFFICERS rounds Saturday in strain is lethal for birds genetic material of the The workers did not suf- developed one of Russia's impact on the important OMB, which leads efforts to Mandalay, Myanmar's but has never before been strain from seven workers fer any serious health con- several Coronavirus vac- working relationship betw- ensure an administration's Taipei, Feb. 20: Four retired second-largest city, local reported to have spread to of a poultry farm in south- sequences, she added. cines. een members of Congress priorities are reflected in Taiwanese military intelligen- media reported. humans. Popova said that ern Russia, where an out- Popova praised “the — AFP and the next director of legislation and regulations. ce officers — including a maj- One of the victims was the Office of Management The Senate Budget Comm- or general — have been indict- shot in the head and died and Budget," Manchin said ittee is scheduled to vote on ed for spying for China, prose- at the scene, according in a statement. her nomination next week. cutors said Saturday. to Frontier Myanmar, a He went on to say that, at a — AP The quartet were charged news and business mag- Give Latifa’s proof of life, UN to UAE time of grave crisis, “it with developing a spying net- azine based in Yangon, is more important work and collecting confiden- the country's largest Berlin, Feb. 20: The UN raised with the UAE's mission situation in light of the dis- concerned for her safety than ever that we chart tial information for Beijing, city. Another was shot in human rights office said to the UN on Thursday. turbing video evidence that because she hasn't been heard a new bipartisan the Taipei district prosecutors' the chest and died en Friday that it has asked the Earlier this week the BBC emerged this week," Elizabeth from since she stopped course that helps office said. The two sides have route to the hospital. United Arab Emirates for evi- released excerpts from video Throssell, a spokeswoman for responding to text messages address the many seri- been spying on each other Several other serious dence that an Emirati diaries Sheikha Latifa said the UN rights office told six months ago. ous challenges facing since the Nationalists fled to injuries were also repor- princess held against her will were recorded in a locked reporters. The 35-year-old princess is our nation.” It's the the island to set up a rival gov- ted. The shootings oc- for almost three years is still bathroom inside the Dubai “We requested more info- the daughter of Sheikh first real test that ernment in 1949, having lost a curred near Mandalay's alive. villa where she was being rmation and clarification Mohammed bin Rashid Al Biden has faced on a civil war on the mainland to Yadanabon dock, where The Geneva-based Office of held. She was detained by about Sheikha Latifa's current Maktoum, the hereditary nomination, with most the communists. tear gas and rubber bul- the High Commissioner for commandos off the coast of situation." ruler of Dubai who also serves of his picks for Two Taiwanese former lets were used on pro- Human Rights said the case of India in 2018 after she tried to “We did ask for proof of as prime minister and vice Cabinet positions sail- colonels were recruited by a testers earlier in the day. Sheikha Latifa bint flee Dubai in a yacht. “We life,” she added. Friends of the president of the United Arab ing through the cham- Chinese national security offi- The Irrawaddy news Mohammed Al Maktoum was raised our concerns about the princess have said say they are Emirates. — AP ber with bipartisan cial in the southern province website also confirmed of Guangdong, the govern- the deaths on social ment lawyers said. media. Security forces had been increasing the- NEW | VARIANTS Region saw very few infections when Covid first hit a year ago ir pressure against anti- RUSSIAN AIR HIT coup protesters earlier Saturday, using water IN SYRIA KILLS cannons, tear gas, sling- shots and rubber bullets Virus surges anew in central Europe 21 I.S. JIHADISTS against demonstrators and striking dock work- Prague, Feb. 20: Author- restrictive measures amid steady decline in daily gical masks will instead Beirut, Feb. 20: A wave of air ers in Mandalay. ities in central Europe a surge of the English infections and deaths be required. strikes by government ally At least five people warned on Friday that variant. The government from December reversed We've agreed that it's Russia killed at least 21 Islam- were injured by rubber they are seeing a surge in said the worsening situa- course early this month, necessary to do all we ic State group jihadists in the bullets and had to be car- Coronavirus cases across tion has forced it to aban- there are now fears of a can to prevent the infec- Syrian desert over the past 24 ried away in ambulanc- their region amid the dis- don its plans to reopen all new surge even as the tion from spreading, hours, a monitor said Satur- es, according to an Ass- covery of new variants. stores as early as next country began receiving Blatny said. In Poland day. The 21 were killed in at ociated Press journalist The Polish health minis- week. shipments of Russian and also a debate has least 130 air strikes “carried who witnessed the vio- ter, Adam Niedzielski, Neighbouring Slovakia Chinese vaccines. We are opened about the need out over the past 24 hours by lence. Some 500 police said the first case of a is also badly hit. It became clearly in the ascending to require better masks. the Russian air force targeting and soldiers descended variant first found in the country with the most phase of the third wave, The health minister the Islamic State group” in a on the area near Yadana- South Africa had been dis- Covid-19 deaths by size of Chief Medical Officer Cec- said there would only be vast area stretching from the bon dock after dock wo- covered in Poland, and population in the world ilia Muller told an online recommendations for central province of Homs to rkers joined the national that some 10% of all cases this week amid a surge of press briefing Friday. now, but the govern- the border with Iraq, the civil disobedience move- now involve the variant the English variant. Czech Health Minister ment wants to discour- Syrian Observatory for ment, refusing to work that emerged in England. The number of Covid-19 Jan Blatny said residents age the use of scarfs Human Rights said. until the military junta We are entering a crisis patients in Slovakia's hos- will also have to wear bet- and plastic face shields. The raids, which continued that seized power in a situation again. It is up to pitals reached a new reco- ter masks in places where The central European into Saturday, follow a series of Feb. 1 coup reinstates us where the peak of this rd high of 3,900 on Thurs- large numbers gather, region saw very few IS attacks Friday on govern- the democratically elect- third wave will be Nie- day a situation that has including stores, hospitals infections when the ment and allied forces that ed government. dzielski said. prompted leaders to appe- and public transportation. virus first arrived in killed at least eight members Protesters and resi- The Czech Republic, one al for outside help. So far, He said cloth masks used Europe a year ago, only of a pro-Damascus militia. dents were forced to flee of the hardest-hit coun- Austria, Poland and Hun- so far by many will no to see a huge spike in More than half of the jihadi- the neighborhood amid tries in the 27-member gary have agreed to deploy longer be good enough and infections and deaths in sts were killed in strikes on the violence, as security European Union, moved medical staff to Slovakia. medical-grade masks, saf- the fall of 2020. the eastern province of Deir forces chased after them. Friday to further tighten In Hungary, where a ety respirators or two sur- — AP Ezzor, near the Iraqi frontier. — AP EDIT DECCAN CHRONICLE | SUNDAY | 21 FEBRUARY 2021 | CHENNAI pg 6

LETTERS Subhani WELCOME DECISION It is good that Chief 21 FEBRUARY 2021 Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami has taken the sagacious decision to cancel all the pend- Ranjona Banerji ing police cases filed against the citizens for traffic violations etc. Off the beaten track during the corona lock- down last year. The number of cases pend- Concrete threat coexists ing disposal is stated to exceed ten lakhs throughout Tamil Nadu. with bignonia, birdsong Most of the cases being ou are so lucky that you moved to Dehradun from a city, I get told minor and civil in all the time. As cliches go, it’s a great line. I see the foothills of the nature it’s good that all Himalayas every time I look out of the window. I am surrounded those involved are Yby countryside. I have a garden full of flowers. granted a general par- Especially after the pandemic, you read articles or you hear about peo- ple from Gurgaon, Delhi, Meerut, looking to move to Dehradun. I get calls don from punishment from friends about the availability of land or flats. The horrors of pollu- for the violations. It tion and the rat race have been brought home in full force after almost a year of “work from home”. They use the line I myself used when I moved should be noted that here six years ago: all you need is a good Internet connection. even such violations I know, you’re looking for the poetry. The dawn chorus, the bird song were committed due to through the day, the evening choir, which depending on the season could Not much righteous about start at three in the afternoon or three hours later. Every November, you anxiety and mental wait for the Himalayan Whistling Thrush to make its annual visit. Winter pressure created out of has begun when you hear its beautiful call early in the morning. Then the continued confinement song stops but the bird stays, hopping the garden, and glinting when the Sun catches its brilliant dark blue with speckled wings and a yellow beak. at one’s own homes for Some sounds are all-India sounds but Ram temple funds drive days together of which evocative of the seasons and their gifts people had no experi- nonetheless: the thok-thok of the other Hindus on how Hinduism allows for ence before. The Chief Coppersmith Barbet, the cooing of the Hindus to be they should behave in doves, the summer frenzy of the order to be “good” Minister deserves all Brainfever Bird, the persistent call of the Pavan K. Varma atheistic, pantheist, Hindus, don’t know the Koel. Others like the plaintive Grey monist, polytheist, fundamentals of praise for removing the Hornbill or the did-you-do-it cry of the agnostic or animist; Hinduism in the first fear of prosecution in Red Wattled Lapwing come and go and is more than place. More often than courts by the single through the year. Chanakya’s View happy with those not, their evangelical The birds alone, even if you are ignorant illiteracy is orthodox, order written with his from one page of Salim Ali to the next, are who see God upper-caste, patriarchal pen. worth it. everywhere or and ritualistic. Little Marudamalaiyan, It’s the sheer privilege of course. The t is good that the strative about their devo- nowhere and do would they know that privilege of knowing that even if the Ram Temple at tion to Lord Ram. Such not even wish to Hinduism allows for Coimbatore mountaintops are covered in summer or Ayodhya is being people then face social visit a temple Hindus to be atheistic, winter haze, the air is clear and fresh. built largely ostracisation, and are pantheist, monist, poly- That when visitors arrive for the first through public portrayed as betrayers of theist, agnostic, animist, CHANGE OF TRACK time, the enormous hit of oxygen makes donations.I This was the the faith. derogates this pervasive or any combination of FORMER MD of Delhi Metro them sleepy. model for the reconstruc- If these stories are true, cosmic consciousness to the above; and, at the Rail Corporation E. And it’s those little pleasures that are tion of the Somnath tem- it is a matter of deep con- the Saguna or attribute- level of philosophy, Sreedharan, who is waiting in hidden privileges. Garden privileges. Of Dehradun has no buzz. ple in 1951. The initiative cern. The noble cause of full level, to enable devo- Hinduism is more than the wings to join the BJP, has camellias and magnolias. Of discovering It has higgledy-pig- to rebuild it was taken by building the temple can- tees to worship a more happy with those who see said that he is ready to be the daffodils and tulips when your orienta- gledy growth. Almost Sardar Patel; Gandhiji not be sullied by mob accessible god. At the God everywhere or Chief Minister, if the party tion is tropical. Of making your own com- none of it is organic. It approved of it, but asked intimidation bordering saguna plane, each Hin- nowhere and do not even comes to power in Kerala, as he post from kitchen and garden waste. Of is all concrete boxes. It that the funds for this on extortion. Most du is free to choose more wish to visit a temple. is keen on doing something sub- having the time to meander. Of staring at has locals trying to purpose be raised Hindus hold Shri Ram in than one god, or elevate Shri Rama’s aura stantial for the development of the sunbirds while they feed on the vine through voluntary dona- great reverence, and may any one of them to prima- should not be sullied by the state. All these years, the 88- or pose on the passionflower. adjust to the status of tions, rather than an wish to donate; but those ry status. For instance, in the taint of money and year-old technocrat has had a But, there has to be a but. It’s not all sap- a capital. Some hate it. outgo from the govern- that do not want to hand West Bengal, a great politics. It would have clean image. He had earned a suckers and sappy stories. There are Some love the ment exchequer. This over cash to people they many people are devotees been much better if the good reputation for steering those harsh realities of the countryside. increased scope of advice was followed, and don’t know, or are of Durga. Is there any- government had issued several important infrastruc- Of the lack of basic amenities. Health, income and business. K.M. Munshi, a minister unsure about their cre- thing wrong if a Hindu in explicit instructions that ture projects across the coun- education, migration for work. Of envi- in Nehru’s cabinet, dentials, or unconvinced Kolkata chooses to donations for the Ram try. Today’s politics being what ronmental destruction and the resultant Most rue the spearheaded the raising about the accountability donate a part of his mea- temple, by those who it is, one wonders whether devastation. degradation of a slow of funds and the rebuild- of the money they give, gre disposable income for wish to make them, Sreedharan would be able to Why did I move to Dehradun all those life because of ing of the temple. are entirely free not to Durga Puja rather than a would only be valid by maintain his uprightness and years ago? I moved to live with my par- increased speeds and The same model is donate, and cannot and temple for Rama? online transfer, with an steadfastness in a murky atmos- ents. I left Mumbai, the city I have also influxes. reportedly being fol- should not be penalised Moreover, what kind of electronic receipt. It phere. A political career in felt the closest to, left my friends, my col- lowed for the Ram tem- for it. The use of stickers precedent does such an would have been good, India is certainly not suitable leagues, my little flat with its verandah ple. The cadres of the or crosses to identify exercise set? Today, the too, if the government for an honest man, for he can be garden, to start a new chapter. For me, it was family and that’s a different RSS, the BJP and the those who do not comply aim is to raise money for had set up a more trans- pulled down any time by people kind of poetry. Not romantic lyricism but something far deeper, more Vishwa Hindu Parishad, has very ominous the Ram temple. Tomor- parent mechanism for surrounding him. Most of them elemental. are in the forefront for implications. row, if the same cohort donors to know how their are wolves in sheep’s clothing. And it has been a struggle, as it was for my Mother when she made the raising funds from the Besides, Hinduism by comes around to ask for hard earned money — in Only time will tell whether the move from Calcutta post-retirement. You have to rejig your mind and public. Many ordinary definition is a religion of money to celebrate the times when petrol and ‘Metroman’ has switched over your expectations. From the ridiculous — o lord, there is not one decent Hindus are more than choice. Even in temples, birth of Rama, Ram diesel prices are skyrock- to the right track. restaurant — to the sublime — where are the art galleries to feed my soul. willing to make contribu- there is no compulsion to Navami, who will stop eting — has been utilised P.G. Menon, Chennai And for me, where is Arif who brought me my breakfast brun pao every tions. Many non-Hindus put money in the dona- them? If at Dussehra, the for the construction of morning, on his cycle, fresh from the bakery? Tiwariji who took me to may also be willing to tion box, however promi- same gang fans out to the temple. Herds of peo- work in his taxi every morning, and was always a phone call away for any contribute. So long as nently it may be placed. raise money for a yatra ple of a particular politi- KILLER DOCTOR emergency? Or Yadavji, ready with his taxi for the day when family came this entire exercise is Many Hindus worship or a function, how can cal orientation, roaming THE REPORT of a doctor Gokul to visit? Or Baba who would travel miles for any electrical emergency, carried out voluntarily, Rama; for others, the sub- ordinary Hindus, afraid the streets and neigh- Kumar stabbing his wife and had saved up enough to buy an old small flat that I had once lived in? on the bedrock of gen- ject of devotion is Shiva; of being marked out for bourhoods demanding Keerthana at his house and drag- Or Lalji, who smiled his way through every carpentry disaster? Or Anita, uine public support, it and, for still others it is not being “sufficiently money with little ging her to the car parking lot who cooked like a dream and then fulfilled her own dream with a little should pose no problem. Devi. At one level, of devotional”, resist their accountability, is not and crushing her to death by dri- food stall near a school? But there are disturb- course, all Hindu gods demands? Even powerful something that Shri ving over her is horrendous and Living in Mumbai was heady, a mix of enterprise, collaboration and ing stories doing the stand for that one divini- politicians have spoken Rama would have want- unbecoming of a doctor. The doc- trust every day. Going home from work by public transport at any time of rounds of coercive meth- ty which is omnipresent out openly against the ed for his temple. tor not sparing the parents of his the night. Putting in those commuter miles, whether by train or bus or ods being employed. It and indivisible. This is manner in which money wife who were also stabbed (the auto or taxi. Three hours a day or more, gone. How did we do it? How do has been reported that the Nirguna — attribute- is being asked or. Fear The writer, an author father-in-law being seriously people still do it? And that buzz. That ineffable, glorious, unquantifiable, bands of “bhakts” are less — Brahman. But and unlawful pressure and a former diplomat, is injured in the abdomen) reveals addictive buzz of big city life. I have not found it in any other Indian city. combing residential Hinduism consciously cannot be a basis for reli- in politics the killer maniac attitude of the They have other attractions. Soul perhaps, entitlement definitely. But not areas and housing soci- gious or spiritual doctor. It is really disturbing to buzz. eties asking people to pursuits. note that Keerthana was run Dehradun has no buzz. It has higgledy-piggledy growth. Almost none of donate, and judging The real danger is The real danger is that Herds of people of over by the doctor in full public it is organic. It is all concrete boxes. It has locals trying to adjust to the sta- them by their response that Shri Rama is Shri Rama, the compas- a particular political view. A doctor who has to save tus of a capital. Some hate it. Some love the increased scope of income and and the quantum they being used as a sionate (deen dayala) the lives of others has turned business. Most rue the degradation of a slow life because of increased give. It has been report- merciful (kripalu), and orientation, into a killer. The medical council speeds and influxes. Many watch aghast as the very reason for living here ed that stickers are put means to make the epitome of rectitude roaming the streets should cancel his licence and vanishes with loss of tree cover and garbage-dammed streams. on the doors or Hinduism a (maryada purushottam), and neighbour- debar him for life. Allowing such You will argue that all these concerns are universal. The planet revolts entrances of those who prescriptive is being used as a means hoods demanding maniacs will be a danger to the around us, wherever we live. have paid, thereby mark- religion. Such a to make Hinduism a pre- money with little patients if he is allowed to prac- So while I can I raise my eyes to the hills and this new-old life. It’s spring. ing out those who have development scriptive religion. Such a accountability, is tice medicine. The bignonia venesta is a riotous celebration of colour. And I pretend I not. In a close-knit resi- is mutilating development is mutilat- M.C.Vijay Shankar, can’t see that ugly new building beyond. dential habitat, this ing to the cerebral not something that Chennai identifies people who are to the cerebral essence of Hinduism. Shri Rama would The writer is a senior journalist who writes on media affairs, politics and not “adequately” Hindu, essence of The tragedy is that those have wanted for his Mail your letters to social trends. She tweets at @ranjona. or sufficiently demon- Hinduism. who assume to dictate to temple [email protected]

hat do Tamil superstar put together a copious dossier on Tamilian singing Hindi songs. three decades. feeling emboldened after the Congress Rajinikant and cricket- Ganguly and his family’s business swept the civic polls. Anita Katyal ing hero Sourav interests in its effort to persuade ongress general secretary espite Congress president Sonia WGanguly have in com- him. The BJP’s eagerness here is Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has Gandhi’s intervention, differ- t is ironic that at a time when the Political mon? Both have been wooed assidu- understandable as word on the Cfinally bestirred herself and Dences between Punjab chief Congress has come out in strong ously by the Bharatiya Janata street is that the ruling Trinamul begun touring Uttar Pradesh in an minister Amarinder Singh and his Isupport of the farmers agitating Gup-Shup Party which is making strenuous Congress will be routed if Ganguly effort to revive the party in the elec- bete noire Navjot Singh Sidhu are yet against the Centre’s farm laws, the efforts to expand its footprint in decides to enter the fray. torally crucial Hindi heartland to be sorted out. Harish Rawat, party’s department/cell mandated to Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, the state. She recently reiterated Congress general secretary in charge study and take up issues pertaining to home states of the two legends. And oth politicians and journal- Congress support for the agitating of Punjab, has held a series of meet- farmers and agriculture has been both Rajinikant and Ganguly were ists from Tamil Nadu get farmers at several mahapanchay- ings with Amarinder Singh to arrive headless for nearly a year now. The recently hospitalised following a Bextremely agitated when they ats in Western UP and later trav- at a compromise formula but to little party’s All-India Kisan Congress was medical emergency. The BJP ran are spoken to in Hindi, insisting elled to Allahabad where she took a avail. The former cricketer is keen on headed by Nana Patole who was sub- out of luck with Rajinikant, who that since they do not understand holy dip in the Sangam on the aus- taking over as president of the Punjab sequently named Speaker in the had first declared his intention to the language, they should be picious occasion of Mauni Congress but the chief minister has Maharashtra Assembly when the BJP for Sourav float a new political party and con- addressed in English. It was, there- Amavasya. According to Congress said an emphatic “No” and has Congress joined the Shiv Sena and the test the forthcoming Assembly fore, a surprise when Tiruchi Siva, insiders, Priyanka will be spending instead grudgingly offered to accom- Nationalist Congress Party to form a polls in Tamil Nadu, but decided DMK’s Rajya Sabha member, belted more time in the state with an eye modate Sidhu in the Cabinet. But coalition government in the western not to take the plunge after his out several Hindi film songs at a on next year’s Assembly polls. As a Sidhu is not keen on joining the state. Patole recently resigned as as Bengal CM; short stint in hospital. However, farewell dinner organised by him result, the Congress office in Captain’s Cabinet. Sonia Gandhi Speaker after he was appointed presi- there is no clarity about Ganguly’s for Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Lucknow has been renovated and a wants Sidhu to be rehabilitated soon dent of the Maharashtra Pradesh political ambitions. But the BJP Azad who retired from the Upper special vehicle has been purchased as assembly elections in Punjab are Congress Committee. Most depart- Cong farmer has not given up on him and is House earlier this month. His ren- for her travels. Priyanka’s commu- due next year, especially since there is ments/cells set up by the Congress are working hard on roping in dition of “ek pyaar ka nagma hai” nications team has also been beefed talk that if he does not have his way, virtually defunct, having little to offer Ganguly. The saffron party wishes and “kabhie kabhie mere dil mein” up. Social media experts, filmmak- Sidhu will start addressing farmers’ in terms of programmes or activities. to project the former cricket cap- drew an instant applause from the ers and researchers have been spe- meetings in the hope of emerging as a It appears they exist only to placate cell has no chief tain as its chief ministerial candi- guests who demanded an encore. cially drafted for the UP challenge. rallying force for the peasantry cur- members with posts which, in reality, date since the party does not have a Azad, who walked in while Siva This team’s task is to build the rently agitating against the Centre’s do not mean anything. state leader who can take on West was singing, remarked laughingly Congress profile in the state. Not an farm laws. While the Central leader- Bengal chief minister Mamata that there could not be a better wel- easy task given that the party has ship is worried, it could prove difficult Anita Katyal is a Delhi-based Banerjee. The BJP has apparently come when one is greeted by a been out in the cold in UP for over to persuade Amarinder Singh who is journalist

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INDIAN TOP 10 Conversations from JLF 2021, BESTSELLERS largest literary show on earth NON-FICTION THE DIGGI Sucheta Dasgupta DIALOGUES diary

he world’s largest literature festival, JLF, is back again with its lavish intel- lectual fare, albeit in Tan online-only avatar. Thanks to the hard work of the organ- isers, that has not turned out to be limiting or constraining BY MANY A in any fashion. 1 HAPPY ACCIDENT: Saraswati ke bhandaar kee RECOLLECTIONS badhi apoorav baat, jyo OF A LIFE kharche tyon tyon badhe, bin M. Hamid Ansari kharche ghat jaat. With Carlo Rovelli Rupa, `795 knowledge is associated this counterintuitive fact; that in what is interesting, Natarajan GHALIB: A WILDERNESS the places where you expend it, it expands and, in the summarised quite cogently. 2 AT MY DOORSTEP: A absence of that, it does verily Nagarjuna, the third century CRITICAL BIOGRAPHY contract. Novelist and festival Mahayana philosopher, said Mehr Afshan Farooqi co-director Namita Gokhale that all notions are provision- Allen Lane, `799 opened the 14th edition of al after a point. There is no JLF with this couplet from the ultimate essence to anything, adapted the European form to Punjab high court famously What gets published overshadowed by the dramat- where they are and what they ourselves. One of the big THE BATTLE OF quill of Vrind, the 17th centu- Rovelli explained. There are read down the law of sedition in the British, ic and colourful and ultimate- are doing, and we can interact 3BELONGING ry Marwari saint. no qualia, Natarajan agreed. things is that we never have a in the Master Tara Singh case ly tragic details of his life. with them and have them Shashi Tharoor Imagination is more impor- An object manifests only in single character, he informs and the first amendment in American and The Booker-shortlisted respond to us, and yet it is all Aleph, `799 tant than knowledge. Know- relation to others. Without his audience. Interestingly, 1951 reintroduced the law of Canadian literary Adam Fould’s new novel, saturated with fantasy and ledge is limited. Imagination them, the object is “empty”. Is the introduction to Hareesh’s sedition. Thus Nehru, Sardar markets, kind of, Dream Sequence, is about the does not really mean what we encircles the world. That is this what is then meant when book has the following, liber- Patel and B.R. Ambedkar, the brutality of fame and what might hope it could mean, A PROMISED LAND what Albert Einstein one is asked not to take any- ating, lines: Novels are free three people that we regard as decides how a novel happens when fandom turns Foulds said. His observations 4 Barack Obama believed, and that is the con- thing too seriously? countries. You cannot take champions of democracy don’t should be. But in to obsession. Dream Sequence were immediately relatable. Penguin Viking, `1,999 nect between science and the S. Hareesh’s controversial responsibility for what your emerge brilliantly from this Indian novels, there explores what it is to live in In her chat with author arts. In the very next session, novel, Moustache (original characters do. story, he concluded. Singh our current moment, with its Shobhaa De on her autobiog- REMNANTS OF A are always multiple Tilly Blyth, head of collec- Meesha) has won the 2020 JCB The first amendment to the responded: Nehru is a complex arcs, many porous borders between the raphy, Unfinished, actor 5 SEPARATION tions and principal curator at Prize for Literature. It is all Indian Constitution in 1951 figure. He had moral uncer- inner and the outer life. Priyanka Chopra Jonas spoke Aanchal Malhotra the Science Museum in about the fascination of the started the tradition of Indian tainties. But he had so much characters. Foulds was asked by Elaine highly of her co-actor in the HarperCollins, `599 London, came out with this familiar, says Professor governments using executive public support that he did what — ARUNI KASHYAP Canning to talk about the film, The White Tiger, Adarsh mind-expanding thought. Tejaswini Niranjana, depict- power to subdue the judiciary, he wanted. It was juxtaposed blurring of the dream and the Gourav, as well as the success MISSION ECONOMY- A India is a little bit like Italy ing as it does life in the posited journalist Karan by a very pedantic commit- magical with the real in the of the OTT (over-the-top) plat- 6 MOONSHOT GUIDE TO but with a billion people, said Kuttanad region of Kerala. To Thapar to which historian ment to the procedures of the nineteenth century novel. In the word, dream, we form. Adarsh has done CHANGING CAPITALISM quantum physicist Carlo her credit, translator Tripurdaman Singh agreed. democracy, he was, for Bengali poet Michael have the double meaning of tremendous work and might Mariana Mazzucato Rovelli, writer of Helgoland, Singh has recently published Madhusudan Dutt are mov- be nominated as one of the Allen Lane, `799 during a scintillating conver- his Sixteen Stormy Days: The ingly rendered in a play, titled first Indian leading men, she sation with astronomer Story of the First Amendment Betrayed by Hope, co-authored averred. But Chopra Jonas Priyamvada Natarajan. has an unfinished agenda. It HOW TO AVOID A of the Constitution of India. by Namita Gokhale and Rovelli is the founder of the The justification about “the Professor Malashri Lal. You wasn’t in people’s conscious- 7 CLIMATE DISASTER loop quantum gravity theory. will of the people” that was have made Jaipur famous not nesses that a brown person Bill Gates What brought you to Buddhist used by Jawaharlal Nehru (to only in Jaipur but the world can be the lead of the show, Allen Lane, `999 philosophy as a way of under- curb free speech in order to over, given it a brand name she said to De. Literally, there standing these complex con- abolish zamindari, introduce really, Lal said to Gokhale at used to be a saying in AGENT SONYA- LOVER, cepts, said Natarajan to caste-based reservations and the panel discussion. Hollywood during that time 8 MOTHER, SOLDIER, SPY Rovelli. Rovelli said, quantum censor publications deemed as Interestingly, Dutt, too, has a that black and brown movies Ben Macintyre mechanics tell us three national security threats) real- connection with Rajasthan. do not work for audiences Penguin, `799 things. Two of them are rela- ly set a trend from which there The play that he wrote called outside America. This was tively simple and one is mys- was no going back, he added. Krishnakumari is based on a the insider’s myth and, JUGALBANDI: THE BJP terious. Quantum physics Sedition seems to be one of the legend that is coming to us incredibly, we have been able to change that in just five BEFORE MODI tells us about granularity. It S. Hareesh favourite instruments of the Namita Gokhale through Colonel James Tod’s Priyanka Chopra Jonas 9 tells us that the space in Narendra Modi government, Annals and Antiquities of years’ time. The White Tiger Vinay Sitapati which we live is granular, not Jayasree Kalathil ably con- but it was pretty favourable to instance, very fastidious about Rajasthan. Why Dutt now? ambition, in the sense of is probably historic. It has an Penguin Viking, `799 continuous. The second thing veys the mesmerising quality previous governments as well, attending parliament. What if I were to invite Dutt something that we aspire to all-Indian star cast that was it tells us is that this space of Hareesh’s prose to non- said Thapar. In 1950, the Ambedkar, who only resigned to JLF, mused Gokhale. How and the sense of something the No. 1 movie in the world EMPIRELAND: HOW consists of things that move Malayali readers. But author several months after the pass- would he behave? How would that is unreal, a fantasy. Both on the largest streaming plat- 10IMPERIALISM HAS randomly. The third and mys- Aruni Kashyap says it is also ing of the amendment, was a we handle him? I am sure he these meanings are captured form in the world. That’s SHAPED MODERN terious thing is that quantum a novel that misbehaves. We bit of a misfit in the Nehru would be a difficult writer to in the lives of the two main what I want to normalise — BRITAIN mechanics is a theory that expect novels to run in a lin- government and did not carry look after, but a brilliant characters. In life, too, there seeing people who look like Sathnam Sanghera tells us about not how things ear way, to follow one story or too much weight, did not get speaker. I am obsessed by the is more and more the satura- us. We have the largest movie Penguin Viking, `999 are at a given place and time one character. Here, there are much of a say in matters. He writing process. In 2004, I tion of fantasy and the lique- industry in the world. Why but what you are going to see. multiple worlds, multiple sto- probably went along because of wrote a review of Heart of a fying of reality in people’s can’t we have that kind of If you try to fill in the gaps in- ries, multiple protagonists. the social justice aspect of the Rebel Poet as well as another lives that is happening in so representation in English between it does not always And in many ways that is the amendment. Patel considered book on Dutt, and I resolved many ways, in terms of our speaking entertainment? work. So the mystery of quan- Indian reality, it is very poly- free speech as irrational exu- there and then to do a play online life and political life, Talk about game changers? tum mechanics is still open. phonic, multi-layered. What berance. Nehru had used the around them because the let- where we are entering a kind And that is where my interest gets published in the British, powers of Article 392 to pass ters in the Heart of a Rebel of dream sequence very fre- Visit www. in Buddhist thought emerged. American and Canadian liter- the amendment, much the Poet were automatically, natu- quently. Unlike in earlier jaipurliteraturefestival.com to It is the breakdown of deter- ary markets, kind of, decides same way as Modi used Article rally, spontaneously, forming times, today, with social register and attend. February minism and the fact that an how a novel should be. But 370 to read down Article 370, a sequence of five acts. We media, we can track the 28 is the last day. observer can alter the results growing up reading Indian lit- Tripurdaman Singh Thapar commented. have tried to pay a tribute to celebrities we are interested just by being present, that is erature one sees how we have The paradoxes of the life of the great genius of this man in real time, in terms of

FAST FACT: I actually had to stop being a journalist to write the novel, says Deepa Anappara, writer of the magnificent debut, Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line (Penguin Random House, 2020). For years, I really struggled to make that switch from fact to fiction. I placed such a The paedophile who high level of importance on research and things being true that for me to really trust my imagination it took a really long time, she said at the Jaipur Literature Festival. hid in plain sight ntil this book was published, Gabriel Matzneff FICTION was a respectable man. The French author may SHUGGIE BAIN Uhave written about his affairs with young girls 1 Douglas Stuart and his travels to the Philippines in search of pre- Picador, `499 pubescent boys — insert Gallic shrug here — but he still won literary prizes and enjoyed a state stipend. He was celebrated by the chattering classes, who said THE DISCOMFORT OF Clever treatise marries economics, storytelling little when he brought different adolescent girls as his 2 EVENING government had started explored through the spec- generate some surefire table plus one to interviews. Marieke Lucas Rijneveld offering a bounty to anyone trum of economics. This talk, this book is brimming Little V, or V sometimes, was one of those girls. She Faber & Faber, `499 who turned in a dead cobra. excerpt is from the author’s with tales, incidents, events had slipped in and out of his autofiction for decades. Savita Patel The story goes that in time in Istanbul for the and phenomenon — a con- In Consent, her memoir, Vanessa Springora returns THE LAST QUEEN response to this, some smart Fourth World Congress of versation starter, its engag- the favour and refers to him by his initial. She first 3 Chitra Banerjee people started farming the Game Theory Society ing stories and facts make it met G. at a dinner party in 1986. She was 13, dragged Divakaruni cobras. As a result, the gov- aka Game Theory Olympics a delightful read for fiction along by her single mother who worked in publishing. HarperCollins, `599 review ernment finally had to kill in the chapter “Palaces, Raki and non-fiction lovers. Dr He was the guest of honour. He was over 50. the programme. The German and Game Theory” — Sarangi teaches a popular The grooming process she describes was both assid- economist, Horst Siebert, is Drinking raki usually course, “Economic Puzzles uous and unoriginal. He sent her letters for weeks (her A TIME FOR MERCY hat does music company T-series and supposed to have coined the requires a group of good in History, Literature & mother was likely to answer the telephone). He start- 4 John Grisham Economics have the profitable placement of term ‘Cobra Effect’ to friends and plenty of food, Movies” at Virginia Tech. ed to bump into her in her neighbourhood. He organ- Hodder & Stoughton, to do with how I breakfast cereals in a gro- describe the phenomenon in a especially cheese (peynir in Being easy to relate to, The ised a meeting out- `699 Wprotect my shoes cery store, demonstrate how book where he provided Turkish) and kebabs, and the Economics of Small Things doors, then told her CONSENT from thieves outside a tem- you can benefit from writing numerous examples of such circle that is formed is the appeals to both young minds that he had afternoon WRITERS & LOVERS ple, or with the “atithi devo a resume that uses the con- perverse incentives. The equivalent of the Indian like my tween son who could tea ready at his flat. By By VANESSA 5 Lily King bhava” motto, or whether to cept of product differentia- author describes various adda. So gather up a bunch connect with many concepts the second date she SPRINGORA Picador, `699 wear a seatbelt versus solely tion. Managers can learn riveting incidents to inter- of friends, order plenty of including that of “the free thought she was ready HarperVia, £12.99 relying on a prayer to keep team building skills from a pret that incentives impact food, eat a bit and raise a rider”, and to specialists like to lose her virginity. HOMELAND ELEGIES me safe while driving? gang of Scandivanian shoe human behaviour but large toast (serefe in Turkish) and Kaushik Basu, who wrote She had only just turned 14. stealers via the complemen- incentives like bounties can take a sip; no bottoms up the foreword. Cornell Ayad Akhtar Virginia Tech’s Dr Sudipta Over a decade before, Matzneff had written what was 6 Sarangi’s book The tary goods theory. The story distort human behaviour. here. If you are looking to University professor, really a playbook for paedophiles (reprinted as late as Tinder Press, `1,050 Economics of Small Things of Pied Piper of Hamelin is Hence nation states don’t Kaushik Basu was formerly 2005). Springora describes how she furnished him with entertains us with often analyzed using game theory deal with hostage takers or the chief economist at the the perfect victim. Her parents were divorced and she HAMNET witty anecdotes as he brings to prove that it is wise to not protect falling banks to not World Bank and chief eco- was precocious, book- smart and hungry for attention 7 Maggie O' Farrell out connections between keep your work skills a encourage more hostage nomic advisor to the — quite ordinary, in other words. Jane Eyre is loved by Tinder Press, `699 economics and everyday secret if you want to be paid taking or risky financial Government of India. so many teenage girls for a reason. behavioural choices. for them. I wish I had such practices. The word, economics, is The suspense in Consent comes from waiting for A BOOKSHOP IN PARIS Delightful incidents from an easy to read and humor- Economics of Small Things synonymous with complex someone to step in: Springora’s father, a doctor, a fam- 8 Ellen Feldman films, music industry, social ous collection of examples comprises of chapters that and difficult to grasp terms ily friend, a teacher or the police. But, slowly, she her- Simon & Schuster, `399 media, history, and author’s to relate complicated eco- don’t have to be read in any such as income, inflation self began to see through Matzneff. She started to read personal experiences inter- nomic theories with, when I particular order. The flexi- and interest rates. This is a his books. In them she discovered he had copied out WHAT THE BODY sect in this book to reveal was studying for my bility allows one to read the rare storytelling from an letters he’d received from young girls. He thrived on book in small chunks over economist. It builds a lot of REMEMBERS how laws of economics gov- Bachelors in Economics. hiding in plain sight. Now a respected literary editor, 9 ern social norms and prefer- Dr Sarangi weaves anec- time or smile through it in anticipation as chapters Springora is no puritan; she has no interest in con- Shauna Singh Baldwin, ences. dotes, recent and historical one go, like I did. Professor progress, hence it could have demning a relationship simply because of an expan- Tara- India Research Mahatma Gandhi’s eco- economic incidents with fas- Sarangi’s book tells tales of ended with a crescendo sive age gap. The word rape is too simple. Her con- Press, `599 nomically non-defensible cinating studies by econo- everyday economics, in a rather than a summation. If tempt is cool and sardonic and the prose spare. It is his complaint against the rail- mists, including Nobel lau- style that makes one remi- economics were a stand-up sordid repetitiveness she objects to, and his hypocrisy. SINBAD AND THE ways makes for an interest- reates, to create stories that niscent of long conversa- comedian, it would become This isn’t a misery memoir, or an account of sur- 10TRUMPET OF ISRAFIL ing case to talk about eco- elucidate the reasoning tions with friends over end- The Economics of Small vival against all odds. It reads like a dark fairy tale. Kevin Missal nomic motives behind pric- behind human exploits. To less cups of tea. The book THE ECONOMICS OF Things. Alice has fallen through the looking-glass. I can’t help Penguin, `250 ing of goods. Laws of give an example, here is an has elements of a trave- SMALL THINGS but cheer her on. Matzneff ’s legacy is now enmeshed demand explain why the excerpt from the chapter “A logue-cum-memoir, the forever in this clever, thoughtful and honest book. best alphonso mangoes get Tale of Two Bounties” — author drawing upon per- By SUDIPTA SARANGI Savita Patel is a writer exported from India and Apparently, worried about sonal encounters, funny Penguin Books and producer, based in San Written by Fleur Macdonald. By arrangement with the become cheaper abroad. The the number of cobras in anecdotes, and travels to `299 Francisco Bay Area, USA Spectator. Bahrisons, New Delhi financial success of the Delhi, the British colonial show how the world can be GAMES pg 8 DECCAN CHRONICLE | CHENNAI | SUNDAY | 21 FEBRUARY 2021

VIJAY HAZARE | TROPHY SHORT TAKES Alfiya punches 1st gold for India Jagadeesan hits New Delhi: Indian women box- ers continued their fine run as Alfiya Pathan (81+kg) claimed O! SAKE TIME the country’s first gold medal ton in TN’s win even as five others stormed Japan’s Naomi dominates Brady to win Oz Open again into the finals of the 30th Indore, Feb. 20: Tamil Adriatic Pearl Tournament in Melbourne, Feb. 20: Nadu’s new batting sensa- Budva, Montenegro. Japan’s Naomi Osaka dis- tion Shahrukh Khan Babyrojisana Chanu (51kg), missed Jennifer Brady in MIXED DOUBLES scored a 36-ball 55 to give Vinka (60kg), Arundhati (69kg) straight sets to win the finishing touch to their and Sanamacha Chanu (75kg) Australian Open and challenging chase of 289 have made the finals in their underline her growing TITLE FOR RAM against Punjab in the Vijay respective categories. hold on women’s tennis Hazare opener on Saturday. An Asian junior girls champion on Saturday. & KREJCIKOVA N. Jagadeesan’s century in 2019, Alfiya notched up an Osaka edged a tight first and B. Aparajith’s well- easy 5-0 win against Daria set but controlled the sec- Melbourne, Feb. 20: crafted 88 laid a strong Kozorev of Moldova. Nagpur’s ond to win 6-4, 6-3 in 77 Barbora Krejcikova and foundation for the chase Alifya looked in complete con- minutes in front of 7,381 Rajeev Ram won their before Shahrukh’s trol throughout the bout and fans at Rod Laver Arena. second Australian Open blitzkreig. made the opponent work hard Third seed Osaka pre- mixed doubles title in Ishan stars in with her swift movement and serves her 100 percent three years on Saturday Jharkhand’s big win N. Jagadeesan precise punches. The Indian record in Grand Slam with a 6-1, 6-4 win over Skipper Ishan Kishan striking 19 fours and 11 contingent has so far assured finals after winning the home pairing Sam Stosur smashed a blistering 173 sixes in his knock. After itself of 12 medals with five 2018 and 2020 US Opens and Matthew Ebden. off just 94 balls to lead Jharkhand lost opener women eyeing gold. — PTI and the 2019 title in For Krejcikova it was Jharkhand to a massive Utkarsh Singh (6) early, Melbourne. her third Australian Open 324-run victory over Kishan conjured up a 113- The reigning US Open title in a row after com- Madhya Pradesh. run second-wicket stand Manu miffed with champion, who beat her bining with Nikola Ishan, who has done well with Kumar Kushagra (26) idol Serena Williams in Mektic of Croatia to win for his IPL franchise to lay the foundation for a Air India officials the Melbourne semi- the mixed doubles a year Mumbai Indians, served a big score. finals, has now won two of ago. She had lost in the timely reminder to the Kishan, who opened the New Delhi: Tokyo Olympics the last three Grand women’s doubles final national selectors before innings, continued playing medal prospect Manu Bhaker Slams as her status and with fellow Czech the white-ball series his shots before being has demanded action against reputation soars. Katerina Siniakova on against England, which caught by Shubham two Air India employees for “We played in the semis Friday to Elise Mertens comprises five T20s in Sharma off Gaurav Yadav. allegedly “harassing” and of the US Open a couple and Aryna Sabalenka, but Ahmedabad and three Kishan reached his indi- “insulting” the pistol shooter of months ago and I told put her disappointment ODIs in Pune. vidual 50 in 42 balls, 100 in while she tried to board a flight everyone that you’re behind her in just 59 min- Invited to bat, Jharkhand 74 balls and 150 in 86 balls. to Bhopal from Delhi. going to be a problem,” utes on Rod Laver Arena. posted a mammoth 422 for Courtesy Kishan's heroics, The 19-year-old Commonwealth Osaka told Brady at the “We had a year off as a nine, shaped by Kishan's Jharkhand posted the Games and Youth Olympics trophy presentation. team, but she didn’t have whirlwind knock, and then highest total by an Indian gold medallist pistol shooter “And I was right. It’s a year off and won this bundled out the opposition domestic side. eventually managed to board really incredible to me to thing last year,” Ram said for a meagre 98 in 18.4 Virat Singh (68 off 49 the aircraft on Friday evening see your growth over the of Krejcikova at the pres- overs, with pacer Varun balls; 5x4, 3x6) and Sumit after the intervention of Sports past few months, it’s real- entation ceremony. Aaron (6/37) doing the bulk Kumar (52 off 58 balls, 5x4) Minister Kiren Rijiju. ly cool for me to see.” — AFP of the damage. also played their parts to Manu, one of the country’s Osaka, 23, is only the The 22-year-old left-hand- perfection as all the MP brightest medal hopes at the third player after Monica ed Kishan single-handedly bowlers had an off day in upcoming Games, thanked Seles and Roger Federer tore apart the MP attack, the field. — Agencies Rijiju for his prompt interven- to win their first four LOW-KEY tion but is also hoping for major finals, and will now BRIEF SCORES action against the Air India offi- rise to second in the CELEBRATION cials at Delhi airport. Later, Air world rankings. Karnataka 246/8 in 50 overs (Aniruddha Joshi 68, Devdutt Padikkal 52; Shivam Sharma 3/40) lost to Uttar Pradesh 215/4 in 45.2 overs India, too, apologised for the She saved two match (Rinku Singh 62 not out, Abhishek Goswami 54, Karan Sharma 40) by conduct of of its staff. — PTI points in the fourth round FOR OSAKA nine runs (VJD Method). against Garbine Odisha 258/8 in 45 overs (Sandeep Pattnaik 66, Gourav Choudhury Muguruza and swept past Melbourne, Feb. 20: 57, Kartik Biswal 45 not out) lost to Kerala 233/4 in 38.2 overs (Robin Pak may push for Williams in straight sets Japan’s Naomi Osaka Uthappa 107, Sachin Baby 40; Sourav Kanoja 3/43) by 34 runs (VJD in the semis. You don’t go into a final said she’s living her Method). T20 WC relocation On Saturday, Osaka wanting to be the “dreams” after winning Bihar 189 in 45.5 overs (Anuj Raj 72, Shabbir Khan 46 not out; T wore down fellow big-hit- runner-up. For me, I Pradeep 6/43, Amit Mishra 3/30) lost to Railways 190 for no loss in 29 Japan’s Naomi the Australian Open, overs (Mrunal Devdhar 105 not out, Pratham Singh 72 not out) by 10 Karachi: Pakistan Cricket Board ter Brady, and then lifted Osaka celebrates feel like every adding that she’ll cele- wickets. chairman Ehsan Mani said they her racquet above her with the winner’s opportunity that I play a brate with anime and Goa 263 all out in 49.1 overs (Snehal Kauthankar 81; K D Eknath 43; will push for the upcoming T20 head in celebration of her trophy after her Slam is an opportunity pizza. “I’m really just liv- Atit Sheth 3/50; Krunal Pandya 3/62) lost to Baroda 264/5 in 48.3 World Cup’s “relocation” to the win as the crowd roared. women’s singles to win a Slam. ing my dreams,” she told overs (Vishnu Solanki 108, Krunal Pandya 71; Amit Verma 2-39, Amulya Pandrekar 1-35) by five wickets. UAE if India doesn’t provide a After sealing back-to- final match against Channel Nine after her back Slam titles twice, — NAOMI OSAKA Hyderabad 349/5 in 50 overs (Tilak Verma 156 not out, Tanmay written assurance that its team, Jennifer Brady of win. fans and scribes will be granted Osaka has won half the after winning the “I’m always shaking a Agarwal 86; R A Dey 2/45, A S Sarkar 1/42) beat Tripura 236 in 42 the USA in the overs (Milind Kumar 67, Bikram Kumar Das 65; C V Milind 5/43, B visas for the event. During an majors she’s contested Australian Open little bit (at the end). Australian Open on Sandeep 2/37) by 113 runs. interaction at the PCB head- since beating Williams to crown Thank God I had three Saturday. — AFP Chhattisgarh 231 all out in 48.5 overs (Shashank Chandrakar 92, quarters, Mani said his board win her first in 2018. match points.” Ashutosh Singh 47; Arzan Nagwaswalla 6/54, Chintan Gaja 2/50) lost had expressed their views to “Thank you for coming Reinforcing her reputa- to Gujarat 232/7 in 48.1 overs (Dhruv Raval 38, B H Merai 38; Veer the ICC. and watching, it feels seesaw start to gain con- had pinpointed her showcasing her trade- tion herself as tennis’s Pratap Singh 2/38) by three wickets. really incredible for me,” trol, reeling off six return as the key, but she mark athleticism, gave a leading light, having won Jharkhand 422/9 in 50 overs (Ishan Kishan 173, Anukul Roy 72; Virat ‘Definitely Not’ she told the crowd, which straight games en route to was helped out by a shaky pumped-up Brady a break four of her last eight Singh 68; Gourav Yadav 4/73, Shubham Sharma 1/44) beat Madhya was capped at half-capaci- the title. Brady who lost her serve point in the ninth game, Pradesh 98 all out in 18.5 overs (Abhishek Bhandari 42; Venkatesh Iyer Slams she’s played, Osaka 23; Varun Aaron 6/37, Bal Krishna 2/8) by 324 runs. T-shirt launched ty over coronavirus con- It was a rematch of last in the fourth game after but Osaka held on. warned she was not satis- Punjab 288/4 in 50 overs (Gurkeerat Mann 139 not out, Prabhsimran cerns. I didn’t play my year’s epic US Open semi- two double faults. Brady then played a fied. But after her tri- Singh 71; Baba Aparajith 1/15, R Sai Kishore 1/31) lost to Tamil Nadu Chennai: Chennai Super Kings last Grand Slam with fans final, described by some But Brady, the 22nd sloppy game on serve to umph, Osaka planned a 289/4 in 49 overs (N. Jagadeesan 101, Baba Aparajith 88; Shahrukh officials turned many a head so just to have this energy as the best match of 2020, seed, hit back with a hand over the set to low-key celebration. Khan 55 not out; Siddharth Kaul 2/47, Karan Kalia 1/44) by six wick- when they sport- really means a lot.” but Osaka triumphed far break and she continued Osaka, who had a 20-0 “I’m probably going to ets. ed yellow t-shirts more comfortably on this to pile pressure on record at Melbourne Park watch some anime... Vidarbha 331/6 in 50 overs (Yash Rathod 117, Faiz Fazal 100; C US OPEN REMATCH with M.S. Dhoni’s occasion. Osaka’s serve. when winning the first Maybe (eat) pizza... And Stephen 3/66, Girinath Reddy 2/79) lost to Andhra 332/7 in 49.2 overs (Ricky Bhui 101 not out, Hanuma Vihari 65; Darshan Nalkande iconic line The Japanese survived a Before the match, Osaka A brilliant lob winner, set. — AFP go to sleep.” — AFP 3/76, Aditya Thakare 2/76) by three wickets. ‘Definitely Not’ embossed on them at the IPL auctions recently. It went viral on Novak faces ‘challenger’ Medvedev in final TAMIL NADU SPINNER VARUN social media. Now, the die- hard CSK fans can get their Melbourne, Feb. 20: during the past fortnight smart tennis player.” hands on the souvenir. The fran- Novak Djokovic says as he prepares to defend NAMED IN INDIA T20 SQUAD Novak Djokovic ‘HE’S THE FAVOURITE’ chise and their official mer- going unbeaten in eight his crown against a man DC CORRESPONDENT Indians in the IPL. chandise partner, The Souled Australian Open finals on a 20-match unbeaten Medvedev, who has CHENNAI, FEB. 20 Kishan, who also plays Store, have released a special will give him confidence streak. dropped just two sets so Mumbai Indians, has edition, ‘Definitely Not’ t-shirts, in Sunday’s decider, but The Serb heads into the far, insisted that despite Tamil Nadu spinner been been in red hot form and are available on their web- he’ll need more than that showpiece on Sunday having all the momentum Varun Chakravarthy who in white-ball cricket and site. The collector’s item is to overcome “the man to evening with the phenom- he was still the underdog. missed the Australia tour has been rewarded and made in limited quantities. beat” — red-hot Russian enal record of never los- “He’s the favourite last year owing to fitness will be second stumper in Daniil Medvedev. ing a final on Melbourne’s because he didn’t lose. On issues has been named in the side along with The Serbian world num- famous blue courts in eight occasions that he India’s 19-man squad for Risabh Pant. ber one is into his ninth eight attempts spanning was here in the semis he the five-match T20 series Live on TV decider at Melbourne 13 years. won the tournament,” against England. SQUAD Park as he targets an 18th Djokovic will also be said the 25-year-old. T. Natarajan and Virat Kohli (Captain), Rohit TENNIS Slam title to close the gap playing his 28th Grand “Me, I’m... The chal- Washington Sundar have Sharma (vice-captain), KL Australian Open: Men’s doubles on Roger Federer and Slam final, in contrast to lenger, the guy that chal- also made it to the squad. Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, final from 9.30 am; Men’s singles the Russian’s second. lenges the guy who was final from 1.30 pm on on Sony Six, Rafael Nadal, who have 20 Young wicket-keeper Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Sony Ten 2, HD each. But the 33-year-old, who eight times in the final batsman Ishan Kishan, Yadav, Hardik Pandya, It has been a rollercoast- swept past qualifier Aslan in the finals or semi-finals him “the man to beat”. and won eight times. And Suryakumar Yadav and Rishabh Pant (wicket-keep- CRICKET er ride to get there, with Karatsev in the semi- just makes me feel more “He’s just so solid. Also, I I’m happy about it. Rahul Tewatia were er), Ishan Kishan (wicket- South Africa T20 Challenge: Djokovic uncharacteristi- finals, said while experi- comfortable being on the heard (commentator) Jim “I know that to beat him rewarded for the IPL per- keeper), Yuzvendra Chahal, Cobras vs Titans from 1.30 pm; cally dropping five sets as ence was clearly an advan- court,” he said. Courier calling him a you need to just show your formances. Varun Chakravarthy, Axar Warriors vs Dolphins from 5.55 pm he battled an abdominal tage, Medvedev was also Medvedev is unbeaten master chess player best tennis, be at your best Yadav finally breaks Patel, Washington Sundar, on Star Sports Select 2, HD injury that nearly forced in electric form. since last November, because of the way he tac- physically maybe four or into the team after consis- Rahul Tewatia, T Natarajan, PSL: Lahore Qalandars vs him to pull out. “Of course it contributes including a straight-sets tically positions himself five hours, and be at your tent performances for Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Peshawar Zalmi from 2.30 pm on But after his semi-final, to more confidence, prior drubbing of the Serb at on the court, and it’s best mentally maybe for Mumbai in domestic Deepak Chahar, Navdeep Sony Ten 1, HD Djokovic said he was feel- to coming into the finals the ATP Finals in London, true,” he said. five hours,” he added. cricket as well as Mumbai Saini and Shardul Thakur. ing better than at any time knowing that I never lost with Djokovic deeming “He’s definitely a very — AFP FOOTBALL Indian Super League: Bengaluru vs Goa from 4.50 pm; Kerela Blasters vs Chennaiyin from 7.20 pm on Star Sports 2, 3 English Premier League: West Ham Price paid for Morris this IPL would seem out of whack vs Tottenham Hotspur from 5.30 pm; Aston Villa vs Leicester City ing to augment strength by last ODI in the 2019 World average is modest, 21.25, those both bat and bowl. was laughing all the way to from 7.30 pm; Arsenal vs Manchester City from 10 pm; plugging gaps, building Cup and last T20i a few but the strike rate of 151.78 The clamour from fran- the bank. Manchester United vs Newcastle buffers, adding a sharper months earlier the same is fantastic. In bowling, he chises last week was large- Every auction throws up United from 12.20 am (Monday) on edge to the squad — that year. has 275 wickets in 219 ly for all-rounders and to unexpected buys (remem- Star Sports Select 1, HD Ayaz Memon something extra that could A highest Test score of matches. The cost per some extent for in-form ber Pawan Negi getting Italian League: AC Milan vs Inter take the team’s perform- 69, 62 in ODIs, 55 not out in wicket is low (22.05), the pace bowlers. `8.5 crore from Delhi Milan from 7.30 pm on Sony Ten 1; Over The Top ances higher and further. T20is is nothing to gush economy (7.74) and strike So Jhye Richardson and Daredevils a few seasons Atalanta vs Napoli from 10.30 pm; This can skew the bidding over. The tally of wickets rates (17.00) impressive. Meredith got handsome back?) though it is usually Benevento vs Roma from 1.15 am pattern dramatically. is 12 in Tests (36.25), 48 in He can bowl at the start bids from Punjab for big stars — outside of (Monday) on Sony Ten 2, HD hris Morris was rounder Morris this time Morris’s selection is ODIs (average 36.58), again and at the death, and can instance, but Aaron Finch ‘icon’ players like Dhoni, bought by would seem out of whack. instructive in this respect. very modest. It gets some- hit the ball hard and long. and Shaun Marsh, were Kohli, Rohit, Tendulkar — Rajasthan Royals Imagine a support actor On the face of it, he was a what better in T20is (34 Both these facets taken overlooked. who command most atten- Cfor a record-smash- getting paid more than the run of the mill player wickets at 20.50), but not together make Morris a Steve Smith didn’t go tion and money. Players Regd. No. ing `16.25 crore in the lead star in a movie? among the 292 who went earth shattering. valuable commodity in unsold but got only `20 like Kevin Pietersen, IPL’s ‘mini’ auction last So, what exactly are the under the hammer last Unspectacular perform- this format. lakh more from his base Yuvraj Singh, Pat TNENG/2010/35692 week. According to Kumar benchmarks for pricing Thursday. ances, compounded by pol- Other multi-tasking price of `2 crore — a Cummins for instance. Sangakarra, cricket direc- players? This was also reflected in itics of SA cricket margin- international players who mighty fall from what he But getting a mega deal, Printed & Published by tor of the franchise, There are none. The IPL his base price of `75 lakh, alized Morris’s appear- bagged huge purses are was earning earlier. while newsworthy, does K. Sudhakar on behalf of Morris was seen of great auction has its own logic, way below what most star ances for his country. Glen Maxwell (14.25 crore), Whether Morris is worth not guarantee success. The Deccan Chronicle Holdings Limited and valuable support to often at variance with lin- international players com- However, take his dis- Kyle Jamieson (15 crore), `16.25 crore is a question three players mentioned in and Printed at spearhead Joffra Archer. ear logic. And yet, it is not mand. plays in T20 cricket gener- Moeen Ali (7 crore), Sakib that will be asked through the preceding para — and Deccan Chronicle Presses situated the season I suspect. Maxwell over several years at SP 3, Developed Plot, Industrial Estate, Those with longer memo- entirely bereft of method This is because his cre- ally, which means largely Al Hasan (3.5 crore). Guindy, Chennai - 600 032. ries might remember that and built only around mad- dentials at the internation- in professional leagues Among uncapped India Sangakara admitted later for different franchises — RNI Registration No: TN ENG/2005/14987 Archer was purchased by ness, as some bewildered al level were hardly stellar: across the world, and players, big gainers that they could have got could not justify the hype Ph Nos: 22254747, 22254748, 22254750, Rajasthan Royals in 2018 commentators have pro- 4 Tests matches (debut Morris becomes an alto- Krishnappa Gowtham (9.25 him for much less if there or the price. Can Morris, 22254751 for `7.20 crore. Even allow- claimed last week. 2016), 42 ODIs (debut 2013) gether different player. crore), Shahrukh Khan hadn’t been a three-way thrust into the limelight Editor: KAUSHIK MITTER ing for inflation, the price In mini auctions particu- and 23 T20is (debut 2012). In 219 matches, he’s (5.25 crore) and Shivam bidding war. By the time unexpectedly, break the paid for South African all- larly, franchises are look- His last Test came in 2017, scored 1,785 runs. The Dube (4.20 crore) were this war ended, Morris jinx?