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FROM THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

hen the makers of a biopic on Indian crick- no faith in the Mumbai police’s investigation. The Bihar et captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni wanted police took cognisance of the complaint, filed an FIR and a Bollywood star to play the titular role, followed it up with an investigation. As part of the process, W they didn’t have to look beyond Sushant they turned up in Mumbai, triggering the political battle Singh Rajput. Not only were the actor and the cricketer between the two states and their police machinery. The born and raised in the same state, but their careers Enforcement Directorate has also joined the investigations were also mirror images of each other. Both were rank because of the accusations of money-laundering. outsiders who had broken into their fiercely competitive professions by dint of sheer talent. Inspirational stories n India, if there is any controversy worth taking ad- of self-made stars are the stuff of cinematic dreams. Yet, Ivantage of, politics can never be far behind. The Bihar not even the finest scriptwriter could have imagined the elections are barely two months away, and Sushant’s death drama around Sushant Singh Rajput’s tragic death on has become cause celebre for politicians to exploit in the June 14. The actor’s demise, given his age, success and name of seeking justice for him. The politicians of Bihar potential, has evoked collective shock across the nation. are incredibly forthcoming in making statements about The disbelief and curiosity have been on an unprec- the case but maintain a studied silence when it comes edented level. That it happened amid a to the floods or the pandemic in their pandemic and the lockdown meant that state. The Maharashtra government is a his fans held a vigil for him on social non-NDA one, and the Supreme Court’s media through hashtags, shared specu- recent decision to uphold the transfer of lative investigative and forensic theories the case to the CBI has left it red-faced. on WhatsApp and YouTube. Unfortu- That this is now a Supreme Court- nately, the whole investigation seems to monitored CBI investigation has be driven by news channels and social propelled Sushant’s suicide into the media rather than the police. league of other sensational cases—the Sushant’s suicide has entered the pan- 1999 shooting of model Jessica Lall and theon of shockingly untimely celebrity the 2008 murder of Aarushi Talwar, deaths such as those of Divya Bharti and one solved, the other unsolved. In both Sridevi. Emotions supersede facts or the cases, a collective nationwide desire for lack thereof, and alternative theories justice was the common thread. Yet, abound. Sushant’s death by suicide, as what explains the grip of the Sushant determined by his postmortem and suicide saga on our national conscious- viscera reports, has become a tantalis- Our January 23, 2012 cover ness amid a raging Covid-19 pandemic, ing film with many twists and turns and a grim economic downturn and an characters of various kinds coming out aggressive troop mobilisation by the of the woodwork of his life. A tragedy rapidly descended Chinese on our northern borders? Subliminally, the story into an exaggerated drama about a closed circle of inter- is perhaps a reflection of our obsession with actors and est groups within the industry. Labelled the ‘movie mafia’, their celebrity lifestyles. It is as much about the realisation they were accused of denying talented outsiders their that celebrities can sometimes be as fragile and vulnerable due. This narrative played out for 40 days, during which as any of us. time the Mumbai police summoned celebrity Bollywood Our cover story, ‘Suicide or Murder?’, written by Se- directors and other film industry bigwigs for questioning. nior Associate Editors Suhani Singh, Kiran D. Tare and Anyone who had a grievance about how Bollywood works Amitabh Srivastava, examines the twists and turns in this jumped into the fray. On news channels or to anybody sensational death of a star and the many questions it has who cared to listen, they poured out their angst, claiming raised. Claims and counterclaims, facts and myths, sub- it was a rigged system that drove Sushant to suicide. plots and conspiracy theories proliferate. We endeavour to However, all this was forgotten when almost six weeks clear this fog of confusion as much as we can. after his death, Sushant’s family accused his girlfriend Meanwhile, we wait for the CBI to find the truth as and Rhea Chakraborty, her family and two others of abet- when they do. Hopefully, it will be soon so that the specu- ting his suicide. The Mumbai police, famed for their lation can stop. sleuthing skills, seem to have been shockingly lax in their investigation of the star’s death. They failed to explain several alleged inconsistencies or even to file an FIR in the case. Many of the conspiracy theories could have been squelched initially had the police been more diligent. The actor’s family filed a complaint in Patna because they had (Aroon Purie)

AUGUST 31, 2020 INDIA TODAY 3 UPFRONT LEISURE FB FRIENDS THE RAVI SHANKAR: BEHIND POWERS THAT BE PG 8 THE MUSIC PG 59 www.indiatoday.in THE CURIOUS Q&A WITH CHAIRMAN AND EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Aroon Purie CLOUT OF RAM DEV PATEL VICE CHAIRPERSON: Kalli Purie BAI PG 14 PG 68 GROUP EDITORIAL DIRECTOR: Raj Chengappa GROUP CREATIVE EDITOR: Nilanjan Das; GROUP PHOTO EDITOR: Bandeep Singh IN MANAGING EDITORS: Kai Jabir Friese, Rajesh Jha EXECUTIVE EDITORS: S. Sahaya Ranjit, Sandeep Unnithan Mumbai: M.G. Arun SENIOR DEPUTY EDITORS: Uday Mahurkar, Manisha Saroop Hyderabad: Amarnath K. Menon DEPUTY EDITOR: Shwweta Punj SENIOR EDITORS: Kaushik Deka, Sasi Nair, Anilesh S. Mahajan Mumbai: Suhani Singh; Jaipur: Rohit Parihar SENIOR ASSOCIATE EDITORS: Ashish Mukherjee Mumbai: Kiran Dinkar Tare; patna: Amitabh Srivastava ASSOCIATE EDITORS: Sonali Acharjee Kolkata: Romita Sengupta; Bhopal: Rahul Noronha ASSISTANT EDITORS: Zinnia Ray Chaudhuri, Aditya Wig PHOTO DEPARTMENT: Yasir Iqbal (Deputy Chief Photographer), Rajwant Singh Rawat (Principal Photographer), Chandra Deep Kumar (Senior Photographer); Mumbai: Mandar Suresh Deodhar (Chief Photographer) PHOTO RESEARCHERS: Prabhakar Tiwari (Chief Photo Researcher), Saloni Vaid (Principal Photo Researcher), CHIEF OF GRAPHICS: Tanmoy Chakraborty ART DEPARTMENT: Sanjay Piplani (Senior Art Director); Angshuman De (Art Director); Devajit Bora (Deputy Art Director); Vikas Verma (Associate Art Director); Siddhant Jumde (Senior Illustrator) PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT: Harish Agarwal (Chief of Production), Naveen Gupta (Chief Coordinator)

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Volume XLV Number 35; For the week THE August 25-31, 2020, published on every Friday

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INSIDE ENVIRONMENT

GREEN 36 OVERSIGHT Activists call it a sellout, the government claims it has tightened norms. The truth Presenting India Today Insight about the new environment For sharp analysis on topical issues by impact assessment draft the editors of india today, log on to www. indiatoday.in/india-today-magazine-insight

NITISH VINDICATED AS CBI TAKES OVER SUSHANT CASE by Amitabh Srivastava After the Supreme Court approves a CBI probe into the Bollywood actor’s death, the Bihar chief minister says there will be justice https://bit.ly/2YhBwr0

ECONOMY Is rural India witnessing an economic revival? A pickup in indicators such BHARAT LEADS as tractor and FMCG sales and rural 42 THE WAY unemployment offer some hope

Why Rhea left Sushant’s OBITUARY M.S. DHONI house before he died, her lawyer reveals by Kiran D. Tare PANDIT JASRAJ An exclusive interview with Rhea MIND MAKETH Chakraborty’s lawyer Satish 50 THE MAN Maneshinde https://bit.ly/3gmekOJ Even more than his gifts in front of the stumps and behind it, it was his prescient reading of the UP braces for a fresh round game that set MSD apart of statue politics by Ashish Misra Political parties unveil plans for stat- ues of community icons with an eye on the 2022 election. Will it pay off? https://bit.ly/2FB24Nj

Would have apologised if I had called someone ‘nikamma’: Sachin Pilot by Kaushik Deka An exclusive interview with Sachin Pilot, the former Rajasthan deputy chief minister 48 https://bit.ly/2FG6ItE THE How ‘Gunjan Saxena: The Kar- MESMERISER gil Girl’ flew into controversy by Roshni Majumdar Pandit Jasraj’s most The film merges facts and fiction enduring contribution was to pull khyal away without planning for the worst from the markers https://bit.ly/34jRtAK associated with gharana

UP HOSPITALS THE CURIOUS STRICKEN BY CLOUT OF RAM APATHY PG 11 BAI PG 14

BOOKS: THE WATCH OUT SHAHEEN BAGH FOR INFLATION IDEAL PG 16 BURNS PG 17

MEET & GREET PM Narendra Modi and Mark Zuckerberg at a Townhall meeting at Facebook’s headquarters in California in 2015

FACEBOOK FRIENDING THE POWERS THAT BE By Kaushik Deka

political slugfest has erupted hate-speech rules. But Ankhi Das, the Andy Stone, a Facebook spokesperson, between the BJP government firm’s public policy director for India, admitted that Das had raised concerns and Opposition parties over south and central Asia, opposed ap- about the political fallout, but added Aan article in the Wall Street plying the “hate speech rules to Singh” that her opposition wasn’t the sole Journal that alleged that the social and “three other Hindu nationalist factor that determined the company’s media giant was favouring the ruling individuals and groups…flagged in- decision to not take any action. party. According to the WSJ story, ternally for promoting or participating The WSJ article has triggered a some Facebook employees had flagged in violence”. Das, the article said, told massive debate, with the Congress de- certain posts in March by T. Raja employees that punishing violations manding a Joint Parliamentary Com- Singh, BJP MP from Telangana, as by BJP politicians would damage the mittee (JPC) probe into the allegations dangerous violations of the company’s company’s business prospects in India. of misconduct by Facebook. “The

8 INDIA TODAY AUGUST 31, 2020 BJP and RSS control Facebook and on enforcement and conduct regular back on. No explanation was offered. WhatsApp in India,” says Congress audits of our process to ensure fairness Facebook’s alignment with the leader Rahul Gandhi. “They spread and accuracy.” They had released this ruling political forces, however, fake news and hatred through it and statement publicly on August 17, but seems driven more by commercial use it to influence the electorate. We have otherwise maintained a studied considerations than ideological ones. cannot allow any manipulation of our silence. There has been no indepen- The growing spend by political par- hard-earned democracy through bias, dent audit on the platform’s actions ties on social media ads is making fake news and hate speech. Facebook’s against incendiary content. these bonds more transactional. For involvement…needs to be questioned This is not the first time Facebook instance, in the 2019-20 election cycle by all Indians.” Shashi Tharoor, chair- has faced allegations of misconduct. in the US, Facebook cornered 59.4 man of the parliamentary standing It has often aligned itself with the per cent of the total digital political committee on information technol- ruling dispensation across the globe. ad revenues, says market research ogy (IT), has said that the committee For instance, in Singapore, it agreed company eMarketer. Now, India has would like to hear an explanation from to append a “correction notice” to emerged as the go-to destination for Facebook. Congress spokesperson news stories deemed false by the political ad revenue. Supriya Shrinate has even hinted at government. Earlier this month, in Das’s direct connection to the BJP as the US, Facebook’s vice-president of ith more than 340 million a factor influencing Facebook’s tilt to- global public policy, Joel Kaplan was registered users and 400 wards the saffron party. “Her identical reported to have intervened to “remove Wmillion using its chat service twin sister Rashmi Das was not just a WhatsApp, India is Facebook’s biggest general secretary of the RSS-affiliated market. Plus, the digital landscape ABVP (Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi of India is only getting bigger—the Parishad) students’ union at JNU, she internet population of the country continues to be an ABVP activist,” A ‘WORKING grew 108 per cent, from 250 million Shrinate said. Rashmi is also a former RELATIONSHIP’ in 2014, when the BJP came to power, chairperson of the World Organisation to 520 million in 2019. Social media of Students and Youth (WOSY), a non- WITH THE CASH- usage grew by 155 per cent during this profit affiliated with ABVP. RICH BJP HAS period. Facebook, in April, announced The BJP wasted no time in return- ENSURED A that it was spending $5.7 billion ing fire. Union parliamentary affairs STEADY FLOW OF (around Rs 43,000 crore)—its biggest minister Pralhad Joshi ruled out a JPC AD REVENUE foreign investment yet—to buy a less probe, while BJP MP and member of than 10 per cent stake in Indian tele- FOR FACEBOOK DAVID PAUL MORRIS/GETTY IMAGES the standing committee on IT Ni- communications company Reliance shikant Dubey questioned the legality Jio, which has 388 million subscribers. of Tharoor’s plan to summon Face- A “working relationship” with the book. Union IT minister Ravi Shan- cash-rich BJP has ensured a steady kar Prasad mocked the Congress for strikes” against conservative pages flow of ad revenue for Facebook to having the “gall to question the BJP”, in the US. The social media platform further its growth plan. According to saying that it was “caught red-handed has been accused in Brazil of similar Facebook’s Ad Library Report, over in alliance with Cambridge Analytica interference. Last year, TMC MP 40 per cent of the Rs 10 crore spent on and Facebook to weaponise data before Derek O’Brien had claimed in Parlia- political ads in February and March, elections”. In 2018, Christopher Wylie, ment that Facebook’s algorithm was prior to the 2019 general election, a former employee of British data censoring anti-BJP news and said that came from the BJP. analytics and political consulting firm “Facebook’s Delhi office is virtually an While the BJP has emerged as its Cambridge Analytica, which allegedly extended BJP IT cell”. top client, the patronage is not quite stole the data of 50 million Facebook The decision by the Election Com- explicit yet. For instance, in 2016, users in 2014, claimed that the Con- mission of India (ECI) to tie up with Facebook’s proposal to launch ‘Free gress was the firm’s client in India. Facebook India for a voter awareness Basics’ to provide a free, Facebook- When contacted, Facebook said: campaign in 2017 has also come under centric internet service was ultimately “We prohibit hate speech and content scrutiny. A year later, on March 23, rejected by the government, albeit that incites violence and we enforce the ECI announced that they were re- after a big hue and cry from net-neu- these policies globally without regard viewing its deal with Facebook due to trality activists. The company’s plan to anyone’s political position or party concerns of data breach, which could to launch WhatsApp digital payment affiliation. While we know there is affect free and fair elections. However, service, too, has been pending for over more to do, we’re making progress four days later, the partnership was two years. n

AUGUST 31, 2020 INDIA TODAY 9 UPFRONT

GLASSHOUSE MAMATA’S MUSICAL hile Prime Minister Narendra Modi deliv­ W ered his Independence Day speech at the Red Fort, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee held her annual celebration at Kolkata’s Red Road later in the day. She played a bunch of new songs she had penned to mark 74 years of a free India. With lyrics like Amra‘ Bharatmatar santan/ Amader modhye nei bibhajan (we the children of Mother India are indivisible)’, the songs extolled the virtues of secularism and unity in diversity. There was also tableaux at the event, promoting government programmes on safe driv­ SIDDHANT JUMDE ing, judicious use of water and the fight against coronavirus, playing another one of Mamata’s creations, ‘Corona thamay jabe’. She truly has a

Illustration by Illustration song for all reasons and seasons.

ANI Best Foot Forward eing a former CM (of Uttarakhand) and an BRSS veteran seem to have helped Mahara­ shtra governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari build his social capital. His charm offensive in the state continues even after a year in office. In March, he addressed the state legislature in flawless Marathi. In July, he chose to visit the state­run Sir J.J. Hospital over private hospitals for a rou­ On the tine health check­up. On August 16, he declined Move Again to use a state helicopter to visit Shivneri Fort, Chhatrapati Shivaji’s birthplace, making the hen Satya Pal Malik landed in Goa as gover­ trek on foot instead. Quite the common man. W nor last October, he had hoped for a breather after his turbulent stint in Jammu & Kashmir. Alas, it was not to be. THE DANCE OF DISSENT His public disagreements with he ongoing crisis within the Congress and the scare in Rajasthan CM Pramod Sawant—over the T mean the party is loath to discipline rebels. In Punjab, it watched latter’s handling of the pan­ silently as two prominent leaders in the state openly criticised demic and the proposal for Amarinder Singh’s government and even petitioned the governor a new Raj Bhavan—are being for a CBI inquiry into a recent hooch tragedy. In Uttar Pradesh, the seen as the reason behind his party is not sure how to handle dissident MLA Aditi Singh from sudden transfer to Meghalaya. Raebareli. She was suspended as general secretary of the Congress’s Considering his propensity women’s wing in May for criticising the quality of buses sent by the to upset the Centre, Malik’s party to transport migrants. On August 10, she sought help from CM fourth gubernatorial stint in Yogi Adityanath, whom she called her “political guru”, to halt some three years might not last long demolitions in her constituency. Singh clearly has a plan B. either. Watch this space. ANI

—Sandeep Unnithan with Romita Datta, Kiran D. Tare, Ashish Misra and Anilesh S. Mahajan IS THERE A PROBLEM? A ward at the Kannauj district hospital trauma centre, which has been converted into barracks for UP police personnel

Photographs by MANEESH AGNIHOTRI

UTTAR PRADESH STRICKEN BY APATHY By Ashish Misra

our years ago, the district hospital at Kannauj in Uttar Pradesh added a trauma centre at the cost of Rs 15 crore. The new facility battled operational hiccups and a shortage of doctors from day one and could never serve its purpose. Now, it’s fully functional—as a police outpost. F The patient examination room at the centre’s entrance is the office of Pratap Singh Lodhi, the outpost in­charge. The wards have been turned into living quarters for policemen; the post­operation ward has become a dump yard. The ramp leading to the first floor is being used to park police motorcycles. Beds and medical equipment lie locked in the X­ray room. The apathy is glaring and so is the waste of public money. Kannauj MP Subrata Pathak, of the BJP, and Anil Dohre, the Samajwadi Party (SP) MLA from Kannauj Sadar, blame each other for the failure to appoint medical staff at the trauma centre. Krishna Swaroop, the chief medi­ cal officer (CMO) of Kannauj, offers hope, but no timeline. “There has been correspondence with the state gov­ ernment. Staff will be deployed and the trauma centre will become operational soon,” says Swaroop. Defunct hospitals dot several districts of UP. Of the total 165 district hospitals, six with 100 or more beds are closed. In over 50 hospitals, one or more specialised facilities are not operational due to shortage of staff. It’s an alarming reality to contend with when the state is battling a rising number of Covid cases. According to the health department, as of August 18, UP had reported 50,242 active Covid cases and 2,585

AUGUST 31, 2020 INDIA TODAY 11 1

2 3

4 5

12 INDIA TODAY AUGUST 31, 2020 IN NEED OF UPFRONT INTENSIVE CARE

1. Idle ambulances at the non-operational trauma deaths, including two cabinet ministers of 4,300 primary health centres and 21,000 centre at the Kannauj the Yogi Adityanath government. The total health sub-centres. The crumbling health district hospital cases numbered 109,607 as of August 18. infrastructure is reflecting in the manage- 2. The closed cancer In such a situation, every additional ment of Covid. On August 11, chief secre- hospital in Kannauj hospital could have made a difference, if tary Rajendra Kumar Tiwari was at the 3. A waterlogged ward of only the state’s successive governments Covid command centre in Kanpur and han- the district hospital in Mahoba had completed projects on time and made dled a complaint. The caller said her hus- 4. The X-ray room at them operational. A 220-bed cancer hos- band was critical at Kanpur’s Kanshiram the Kannauj trauma pital set up in 2016 at the Government Hospital but the hospital authorities were centre, where medical Medical College in Kannauj remains shut ignoring her plea to shift him to Hallett equipment lies locked up as staff has not been appointed. OPD Hospital in the same city. Tiwari ordered 5. Handrails along a (out-patient department) services were the removal of the chief medical superin- ramp at the Kannauj discontinued in the first year itself and tendent of Kanshiram Hospital. On August trauma centre serve as a clothesline for police radiotherapy facilities did not take off even 9, the same hospital witnessed great com- personnel who have though approvals were secured in 2018. A motion following the death of four Covid made the hospital their 130-bed cardiology wing that came up the patients. living quarters same year is also closed. Navneet Kumar, Reports of negligence in the treatment principal of the medical college, has writ- of Covid patients have also come in from ten to the state administration, requesting Agra, Mathura, Bulandshahr, Lucknow, urgent recruitment of staff. Aligarh and Varanasi districts. The administration says action has been taken ight years into construction, a against all errant health officials. four-storey ancillary facility that Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had, on Ewould have added 200 beds to the June 20, ordered that doctors be relieved 100-bed district hospital in Banda is far of administrative work and made available from complete. Started by the SP govern- to fight Covid. However, at the office of the 165 ment in 2012, the project cost has shot Directorate of Medical and Health Services District hospitals up by 30 per cent, from Rs 56 crore to Rs in Lucknow, over 60 doctors remain in Uttar Pradesh 74 crore. Banda divisional commissioner assigned to clerical jobs. In the Lucknow Gaurav Dayal has written to the state gov- CMO’s office, two ophthalmologists are on ernment, seeking the additional funds. If administrative duty as deputy CMOs, while 6 and when the funds come in, it will take a cancer specialist and an ophthalmologist District hospitals with at least another nine months for the new are working as additional CMOs. 100 or more beds facility to be completed. “Inter-departmental coordination for are shut. In over 50 “Most governments focus only on the Covid management has gone haywire in hospitals, one or construction of hospital buildings, not UP after the lifting of lockdown restrictions,” more specialised on appointing medical staff. As a result, says Ramesh Kumar, former additional facilities are not brand new hospitals become white ele- director in the state health department. operational due to phants,” says Ramesh Chandra Gupta, a “Officials are out to humiliate each other. staff shortages former government engineer involved in In many districts, tussles are on between the construction of hospitals in the state. district magistrates and health officials. All In Kumarganj near Ayodhya, a 100- of this has undermined the efforts to tackle ` bed hospital project, initially estimated to Covid-19.” 15 cost Rs 9 crore, got completed two years D.S. Negi, director general medical and CRORE behind schedule, in 2012. The cost over- health, says he has asked for a status report Project cost of the run was to the tune of Rs 11 crore. The on unutilised hospital buildings from all trauma centre at hospital is facing an acute shortage of districts. “These hospitals will be started on the Kannauj district staff, with only one doctor manning the priority. They could even be converted into hospital, which has OPD against the sanctioned strength of Covid quarantine centres as per the need,” been repurposed as a 25. Similarly, the carpet city of Bhadohi he says. To hire doctors quickly, walk-in police outpost has a 100-bed government hospital, but interviews are being held. “We are also plan- no doctors for the past two years. It is not ning to shift doctors from districts with operational. fewer Covid cases to those with a high num- UP has 853 community health centres, ber of Covid patients.” n

AUGUST 31, 2020 INDIA TODAY 13 UPFRONT

MADHYA PRADESH The Curious Clout of Ram Bai By Rahul Noronha

he is from the badlands of plant on the outskirts of Hatta. The Chaurasia had brought a no-confidence Bundelkhand in Madhya Damoh zilla panchayat member had motion against Shivcharan Patel, the Pradesh. Her family alleg- switched over from the BSP to the Damoh zilla panchayat president. This edly controls not only Congress three days before his death. was allegedly prompted by local politics lucrative businesses but Ram Bai’s husband Govind, her broth- involving a Union minister and a senior Salso official transfers and postings in er-in-law Chandu, nephew Golu and BJP leader from the area. Ram Bai, the state. Government privileges are a cousin Lokesh were among the seven who was formerly vice-president of the given for her irrespective of the party booked for the murder. Ram Bai terms panchayat, had supported Patel. The in power. Meet Patharia MLA Ram it a political conspiracy against her. motion was defeated, but Chaurasia Bai, whose unfettered clout in the As the investigation began, police is thought to have earned the wrath of previous Kamal Nath-led Congress dropped Govind’s name from the Ram Bai’s family. government continues under the new chargesheet on the basis of mobile This March, the BJP took the reins BJP dispensation. What makes this tower location data, which report- of power from the Congress in Madhya Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader so edly did not show his phone to be Pradesh. With 107 MLAs of its own crucial to any ruling formation in the anywhere near the murder site. Two and 27 vacant seats in the assembly— state and why does every government witnesses also gave statements that due to desertions by 25 legislators from give her the long rope? suggested Govind was elsewhere at the Congress and the death of two other One of the reasons for Ram the time of the murder. The accused lawmakers—the BJP has a majority Bai’s influence is the way numbers family members of Ram Bai, who had government. But this has not dimin- are stacked up in the 230-member gone absconding, later surrendered. ished Ram Bai’s sway as she was among Madhya Pradesh assembly. In the Govind and Chandu have a long crimi- the MLAs who were part of the coup 2018 assembly election, the Congress, nal record—some 50 cases altogether. against the Nath government. with 114 MLAs, emerged as the single- They have been convicted in a triple In early March, Ram Bai was flown largest party and formed the govern- murder case and sentenced to life to Delhi by BJP MLAs and put up at ment with the support of ‘Others’—one terms. Both were out on bail at the a hotel in Gurugram. Videos of then MLA of the Samajwadi Party (SP), time of Chaurasia’s murder. Ram Bai Congress ministers Jaivardhan Singh four Independents and the two BSP too has cases against her, on charges and Jitu Patwari getting her back to legislators, including Ram Bai. of criminal intimidation, rioting, tres- Bhopal had circulated on social media. Her support critical to the survival passing and voluntarily causing hurt. Ram Bai had then denied support- of the Nath government, Ram Bai, 40, The month before his murder, ing the BJP and said she had gone to soon began asserting herself. Videos meet her daughter in Delhi. When surfaced of the lawmaker purportedly the Nath government eventually fell, threatening officials with dire conse- RAM BAI’S she declared support for the BJP and quences if her ‘demands’ were not met. SUPPORT WOULD claimed to have been promised a minis- The Nath government allotted her a terial berth. While that did not materi- ‘B’ type bungalow, usually meant for BE CRUCIAL alise, Ram Bai voted for BJP candidates ministers and senior bureaucrats. But FOR THE BJP in the Rajya Sabha polls in June. Ram Bai’s real brush with infamy was TO REMAIN IN The BJP continues to humour yet to come. POWER IF IT WINS Ram Bai even though it is comfortably On March 15, 2019, Devendra placed in the state assembly. And here’s Chaurasia, a businessman and local LESS THAN NINE why. Though the BJP has 107 seats politician from Hatta town in Damoh OF THE 27 SEATS and the Congress is continuously suf- district, was murdered at his bitumen IN BYPOLLS fering attrition in its ranks, the saffron

14 INDIA TODAY AUGUST 31, 2020 IN DEMAND BSP legislator Ram Bai

waylay and murder him over an alleged property dispute between the two families. Four members of the deceased businessman’s family were booked in the case. Interestingly, Ahirwar’s moth- er Vidya Rani was one of the witnesses in the Chaurasia murder case. Her statement led the police to conclude that Ram Bai’s husband was not at the site of Chaurasia’s murder.

erhaps in an indication of Ram Bai’s continuing influence even Pafter a change of government in the state, the Damoh police refused to investigate a potential link between the Ahirwar family and Govind. The police also detained two relatives of the Chaurasia family apparently to bring pressure on the others named in the Ahirwar case to surrender. They were later released. On August 13, the Chaurasia family’s stand was vindicated when the Madhya Pradesh High Court restrained the Damoh police from tak- ing any coercive action against them till the next hearing. “The attempt to murder and SC/ST Atrocities Act cases against my family members are meant to pressure them to not pursue my father’s murder case,” PANKAJ TIWARI alleges Chaurasia’s son Somesh. “We have filed a case in the chief judicial party seems to have decided to proceed seats and forms a government with a magistrate’s court in Damoh against with caution till the by-elections to comfortable majority, Ram Bai’s run of the police discharging Ram Bai’s hus- the 27 vacant assembly seats are over. good luck may end. band Govind in the murder case. A rul- The BJP needs to win at least nine of The BSP lawmaker recently faced ing is awaited.” these seats to remain in power. The some challenge from unexpected quar- Ram Bai claims this is all part of Congress, however, needs to win all 27 ters when Siddharth Malaiya, a BJP a political witch-hunt. In her defence, to return to power and form a govern- leader from Damoh and also the son she says: “The Devendra Chaurasia ment on its own. of former state finance minister Jayant case is sub judice, so I would not like There is a third possible scenario. Malaiya, spoke out against her in the to comment on it. Chaurasia had been In case the BJP wins less than nine Chaurasia murder case. He joined unwell for some time. The Chaurasia seats and the Congress more than 18, Chaurasia’s son Somesh for a press family has named close to 30 people in either party will need the support of conference and announced a bandh in the case. But for someone to have been seven MLAs. This support will come Hatta, which was successful. killed, no weapons have been found.” from the ranks of the Independents, Then, in June, the Chaurasia She also targets Jayant Malaiya. “I am the BSP and the SP. In such a scenario, murder case turned murkier. Kamal aware Jayant Malaiya is behind what- Ram Bai’s support will again be cru- Ahirwar, a youth from the Scheduled ever is happening. But I believe in the cial to keep either formation in power. Caste community, accused members court of God and know that justice will In case the BJP wins more than nine of the Chaurasia clan of an attempt to be done in the end,” she says. n

AUGUST 31, 2020 INDIA TODAY 15 BOOKS UPFRONT

THE SHAHEEN hope”, this reads like a eulogy. Both books show us in detail that Shaheen Bagh was extraordinary. That the bravery of BAGH IDEAL those who were there cannot be gainsaid, which applies equally to all those college Shougat Dasgupta students who protested in the maw of the thugs seemingly permitted a free hand by police. But both books also offer immedi- acy rather than depth, celebration rather than analysis. And even if Shaheen Bagh deserves panegyrics, wading through pages upon pages of soupy truisms can make one long for a flash of the polemi- cist’s blade. There is a brief glint when Aslam and Ausaf quote academic Prabhat Patnaik decrying the “systematic use of lies and half-truths to mislead the public”, and “the unconcealed debunking of the Indian Constitution”. Part of the tragic after- SHAHEEN BAGH AND SHAHEEN BAGH math of Shaheen Bagh has been how a THE IDEA OF INDIA From a Protest to global pandemic has been used to defang Writings on a Movement for a Movement dissent. Scores of young Muslim men, Justice, Liberty and Equality by Zia Us Aslam & edited by Seema Mustafa Uzma Ausaf and at least one pregnant woman, have SPEAKING TIGER BLOOMSBURY been arrested for their alleged parts in `450; 228 pages `599; 286 pages the Delhi riots, with questions about due process and evidence presented to courts working at reduced capacity muffled by mainstream media determined to look her introduction to Sha- marked ‘lotus’ so hard, Shah exhorted the other way. Glorious as the Shaheen heen Bagh and the Idea of voters, that they feel the current in Sha- Bagh protests were, they have not had the India, journalist Seema heen Bagh and run. It backfired, not sweeping effect of the Black Lives Matter IN Mustafa, the editor of necessarily because voters disapproved protests in Covid-ridden US, for instance. this anthology, notes that “unlikely of the language, but because Arvind This is not a criticism of these high- revolutionaries—lower-middle-class Kejriwal had Delhi voters eating out minded, if sometimes slapdash, books, Muslim women easily lost in a crowd— of the palm of his hand and the BJP but of our society which appears to resist took the lead, laying claim to our had no compelling chief ministerial asking itself discomfiting questions. democracy and its enduring symbols, alternative. The hideous coda to the “The idea of Shaheen Bagh has survived,” and the rest of India followed”. If only old-fashioned secular nationalism on writes academic Apoorvanand in his such an optimistic interpretation were display in Shaheen Bagh were the riots essay in Mustafa’s anthology, “though the true. Sadly, it appears as if the so-called in northeast Delhi resulting in at least streets of Delhi have been stained with silent majority—which has elected 53, mostly Muslim, deaths. “One can- blood.” Is this wishful thinking? Have we Prime Minister Narendra Modi twice not now be sure,” writes Pasha, “if [BJP forgotten Shaheen Bagh and those tens by emphatic margins—has internalised politician, Kapil] Mishra’s speech was of thousands across the country who took the BJP narrative that the grandmoth- the trigger or scene one, act one of a to the streets because they recognised the ers of Shaheen Bagh are, in the words carefully planned drama of terror.” fundamental, un-Indian prejudice of the of Seemi Pasha, author of several pieces Ziya Us Salam and Uzma Ausaf Citizenship Amendment Act, though it in the anthology, at the vanguard of a in Shaheen Bagh: From a Protest to a was presented to us as a fait accompli? We “treasonous revolt by a belligerent and Movement lionise the protesters as these cannot know, so long as we continue to politically dispensable community”. “exemplary Shaheen Bagh women— sequester ourselves on government advice Led by home minister Amit Shah steadfast, resolute, united and almost except to shop and go to work. and Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi unbelievable peaceniks... With their in- Only months ago, these books remind Adityanath, the BJP ran a viscerally credible powers of patience and abiding us, the streets were full of opposition to prejudiced campaign before the Delhi belief in ahimsa”. Rather than persuade a narrow, sectarian ‘idea’ of India. Those elections in February. Push the button us that these women “gave the nation streets are now bereft. n

16 INDIA TODAY AUGUST 31, 2020 ECONOMY

double-digit inflation for the 10th con- secutive month, while spices and oils Watch Out for too have been in double digits for four months. Fuel prices were also up, on higher taxes levied on these products. Inflation Burns The rise in gold prices added another 50 By M.G. Arun basis points to the inflation rate. Experts forecast that supply-side disruptions will continue for some nflation, as measured by the con- corresponding month of the previous time. These disruptions will be on three sumer price index (CPI or the year. A Care Ratings note ascribes the fronts—labour, logistics and finance. weighted average of prices of a inflationary pressure to supply disrup- Although the trend of migrants return- Ibasket of consumer goods and tions from localised lockdowns in the ing to their villages will ultimately services), stood at 6.9 per cent in states in July. Double-digit inflation reverse, it will also depend on a credible July, breaching the upper band of the among sub-components like meat downtrend in Covid cases in the cities, Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI’s) infla- (18.8 per cent), oils (12.4 per cent), which is yet to happen. Disruptions in tion target for the fourth consecutive vegetables (11.3 per cent), pulses logistics are mainly due to the selective month. Inflation has been above the (15.9 per cent) and spices has driven reimposition of local lockdowns. But the RBI’s prescribed target of 4 per cent food inflation higher. Pulses saw most critical is the finance-led supply (plus or minus 2 per cent, so the upper disruption, says an HSBC research note. band is 6 per cent) for 10 consecu- As much as 85 per cent of India’s labour tive months now. CPI inflation was force is employed in the unorganised sec- expected to fall with the easing of the THE WORRY OF tor, in firms that depend too heavily on lockdown but the July numbers show INFLATION their daily cash flows and do not have the it is rising again. This will have serious buffer to withstand big economic shocks. 12 repercussions on the economy. The cen- 10.5 Inflation (%) If the micro, small and medium enter- tral bank’s rate cut spree is surely over. 10 8.7 prises (MSME) sector fails, it will lead to 8.4 7.9 The RBI’s monetary policy committee 8 7.2 considerable supply-side constraints. 6.3 6.2 6.9 (MPC), in its announcement on August To keep these firms alive, the bank- 6 4.8 6, left the repo rate (the rate at which 5.4 5.8 ing system needs to allocate credit effi- 4 4.9 commercial banks borrow from the 2.9 ciently. “But the banks themselves have 2 RBI) unchanged at 4 per cent and the 0.5 2.8 become extremely risk-averse, fearing a reverse repo rate at 3.35 per cent. 0 1.6 mountain of bankruptcies and non-per- Keeping inflation in check enables APRIL MAY JUNE JULY forming loans because of the pandemic,” the RBI to drop key rates and drive 2020 says Pranjul Bhandari, chief economist growth, as it has attempted to do earli- Headline inflation at HSBC. Banks have not transmitted er. Since the lockdown started, the cen- Core (excluding food & fuel) repo rate cuts to lending rates adequate- tral bank has cut repo rates by 115 basis Food & beverages Fuel & power ly. Credit growth, which was already points (1 percentage point equals 100 weak, has weakened further over the basis points). However, with demand HOW THE RBI CUT RATES pandemic months. “It is possible that still sluggish, reviving growth will be a DURING THE PANDEMIC the lack of funding will stoke inflation slow, painful process. eventually,” she adds. HSBC expects the The pandemic has left all calcula- 5.15 next rate cut by the MPC only in the 4.4 tions on the inflation front in tatters; 4 4# first quarter of the next calendar year, the lockdown led to higher food prices that too by 25 basis points. Meanwhile, as even essential goods got stuck at the a note from Care Ratings says while farms and on highways in the initial supply disruptions in food components days. That situation improved with a Reporate(%) will maintain an upward pressure on pick up in goods movement during the food prices, the release of kharif crops ‘unlock’ phases, but inflation in food Feb. 6, Mar. 27 May 22 Aug. 6 into the markets could ease food infla- 2020 and beverages was still at a four-month (Pre-Covid) All dates are MPC review dates tion to some extent. But the larger dis- high of 8.7 per cent in July 2020, a #Status quo maintained ruptions remain, and they threaten to huge jump over the 2.3 per cent in the further derail the economy. n Graphic by ASIT ROY

AUGUST 31, 2020 INDIA TODAY 17 UPFRONT AJAY SINGH RATHORE SINGH AJAY ZAIDI AH

DIFFERENT STRIPES (Clockwise from top) An elevated rail and road passing through Mukundra reserve; tigress MT-2’s carcass, discovered 48 hours after its death; MT-1, the surviving male TIGER DEATHS PUGMARKS ARE DISAPPEARING IN MUKUNDRA

By Rohit Parihar

here were four big cats in all, Notified in 2013, MTR stre tches 780 sq. km two males, two females, three of across the Kota, Bundi, Chitt or garh and Jhalawar them translocated, one an inter- districts of Rajasthan. Encouraged by Sariska’s loper, who had wandered 150 partial success with translocation—eight big T km to find this range. It seemed cats from Ranthambore were shifted there after like everything was in place for poachers had wiped out the original population Mukundra Tiger Reserve (MTR), in 2005—the government chose Mukundra for India’s newest, launched just two years back near the state’s third tiger park. MTR has a capac- Kota in Rajasthan. All four adult tigers were ity for 12 tigers and was a natural extension of from the Ranthambore National Park, and they Ranthambore—the big cats had been venturing had arrived in the one-year period between April out that side seeking new territories. 2018 and April 2019. And with both females, In 2018, the Rajasthan wildlife depart- named MT-2 and MT-4, having cubs around ment shifted two tigers, a male (MT-1) and a May-June this year, officials were almost ready to female (MT-2), into an 80 sq. km enclosure call it another big cat success story for India. in Mashalpura, located at the southern end of Almost, for it all went downhill very fast. In MTR. In February 2019, MT-3 suddenly made the last 10 days of July, the park lost two of the an appearance here. The entry created tensions four adult tigers (MT-2 and MT-3, the male who between the two males. In April 2019, the tigress had wandered in), a cub was killed, while anoth- MT-4 was introduced, hoping she would be a er, rescued in critical condition, died on August distraction for MT-3. Critics say the authorities 17. Also, MT-4 and the newborns, caught on a trip should have partially dismantled the enclosure; it camera in May, seem to have gone missing. “The would have reduced chances of friction between deaths are a big setback…we’ll have to rethink the males, and also given MT-2 enough space to our strategy for the park,” says a top officer of the hide her cubs if she felt unsafe with MT-1. MT-3’s Rajasthan forest and wildlife department. post-mortem revealed that the male was relying The authorities suspect that on easy-to-kill cattle. The tiger was one of the male tigers killed MT-2 also a bare bones 92 kg, suggesting it and one of her cubs. A second cub The dead MT-3 had been unwell for some time and is also now dead. The male MT-3 tiger weighed the officials were clueless about it. was reportedly anaemic and succ- just 92 kg, a The lag of days in discovering the umbed to some virus. Both the sign that it had deaths—MT-2’s carcass was found dead adult tigers had expensive been sick for 48 hours after the tigress’s death— radio tracking collars, but in an some time. especially in a small area, including almost farcical situation, the Officials had an enclosure, suggests serious lapses, satellite GPS system was on the and reaffirms the findings that the no clue blink because the government state lacks proper tiger management, had not renewed the subscription. including veterinary doctors with expertise. The “The tragedy has shocked me. It’s sheer call- 2018 Man agement Effectiveness Evaluation ousness that has led to the loss of our pride,” (MEE), an audit of India’s tiger res erves by the says Diya Kumari, BJP MP and member of the Union ministry for environm ent, forests and cli- National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). mate change, had downgraded two reserves in RAVINDRA SINGH TOMAR The Rajasthan government has taken action Rajasthan—Ranthambore and Sar iska—from against a few officials, but sources at the park say ‘good’ to ‘fair’. Four parks were downgraded things had not been right for some time now. among the country’s 50 tiger reserves. n

AUGUST 31, 2020 INDIA TODAY 19

COVER STORY SUSHANT SINGH RAJPUT

THE MYSTERIOUS DEATH OF SUSHANT SINGH RAJPUT

How the demise of a rising star went from a tragedy to sensational tinseltown controversy—and now the subject of a Supreme Court- monitored CBI probe

BY SUHANI SINGH, KIRAN D. TARE AND AMITABH SRIVASTAVA

Photograph by BANDEEP SINGH

COVER STORY SUSHANT SINGH RAJPUT

Supreme Court, acting on Rhea’s petition challenging an investigation by the Bihar police, handed over the probe to the Central Bureau of Investigation. The CBI must now find answers to the questions that have haunted head- lines more than two months after Sushant died.

What is the evidence that Sushant took his own life?

Nothing on June 14 suggested that the day would be any different for Sushant, who stayed on the sixth floor of a The twists and turns in the Sushant Singh Rajput case would duplex apartment in the Mount Blanc housing society of Bandra in Mumbai. Around 8 am, he asked his domes- outfox even the most skilled of Bollywood’s storytellers. The tic help Neeraj for a glass of cold water. For breakfast, death of the 34-year-old actor at the height of his popular- he asked his cook Keshav to give him coconut water, juice and bananas. He didn’t have the bananas. When ity stunned the country. His fans thought it was a suicide Keshav went to ask him around 10 am what he wanted brought on by immense inner mental torment—an affliction for lunch, he found the room locked. Assuming that Sushant wanted to sleep till late, everyone let him be. But he hid from the world. Then, as the drama unfolded amid when the actor did not open the door or answer the calls a pandemic and a lockdown, an army of warriors started of Siddharth Pithani, his creative content manager and flatmate since January 2020, the staff grew concerned playing detective on social as well as conventional media. enough to hunt for a key and alert Sushant’s sister Meetu, These self-appointed sleuths first billed his death as an who lives in Mumbai suburb Goregaon, 16 km away. They decided that the lock had to be broken. Around 1 pm, a outcome of the “movie mafia” in Mumbai filmdom, denying local locksmith broke the lock to the door. But rather than talented outsiders such as Sushant their due. Then, after an go into the room immediately, Pithani paid the locksmith unexplained hiatus of 40 days, Sushant’s family alleged foul Rs 2,000 and saw him off. He then came back, and went into Sushant’s room, with house manager Dipesh Sawant play. The spotlight then shifted to Sushant’s girlfriend Rhea and Neeraj following him. It was then that they found Chakraborty and her family, whom Sushant’s father Krishna Sushant hanging from the ceiling fan. Pithani says he brought the body down, severed the Kishore Singh accused of siphoning off Rs 15 crore from his green kurta Sushant had used to hang himself and tried account and having abetted his suicide. In between, a con - to revive him. Sushant’s sister Meetu, too, had reached by then. There was no suicide note, a fact that has fuelled voluted potboiler began to simmer, one involving the death of some controversy. The Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) Disha Salian, Sushant’s manager briefly, a few actors and a in Kalina ruled out homicide in its report as nothing in the samples suggested foul play. FSL sources say the “tests political battle between two states and their police machin - of nails and the stomach wash showed no struggle or poi- ery. Suddenly, the word ‘murder’ began doing the rounds. On soning, respectively”. The post-mortem report reached a similar conclusion, listing the cause of death as “asphyxia August 19, the case took its most dramatic turn when the due to hanging”. Based on the half-open eyelids, secretion

24 INDIA TODAY AUGUST 31, 2020 ➽

Picture of Happiness Sushant and Rhea seen together in Mumbai on July 7 last year

GETTY IMAGES ➽ ➽ A Hero’s Farewell Last Rite Sushant’s fans take out a Sushant’s family candlelight march for him in immerses his ashes in Patna on June 16 the Ganga in Patna

GETTY IMAGES

AUGUST 31, 2020 INDIA TODAY 23 COVER STORY SUSHANT SINGH RAJPUT

A star’s demise that has morphed into a national obsession. The TWISTS IN THE many turns that have kept Sushant Singh Rajput’s mysterious death SUSHANT TRAGEDY alive in the public imagination

APR. 2019 MAY 5 Sushant Singh Rajput and Rhea Chakraborty MAR. 22 Sushant gives a start dating sense of his Covid Sushant shares lockdown regimen, his first post on sharing a few OCT. 2019 Instagram in over “meta skills” which Sushant, Rhea and her six months include “writing a brother Showik cut short journal” and “inter- their holiday in Italy and mittent fasting” return to Mumbai. Rhea FEB. 25 has claimed she first saw IPS officer O.P. signs of Sushant’s mental Singh, Sushant’s JUNE 8 illness during this trip. brother-in-law, Rhea leaves sends messages Sushant’s Ban- on WhatsApp to NOV.-DEC. 2019 dra residence. JUNE 9 Paramjit Singh Sushant’s sister Dahiya, then Disha Salian, Sushant’s Rhea and Sushant Meetu Singh ar- Mumbai DCP former manager, falls consult Dr Susan Walker rives by evening Zone 9, sharing to her death from the Moffat, a clinical psychol- and stays for a his concern 14th floor of her fiance’s ogist and psychothera- few days. pist. She diagnoses him for Sushant’s building. Death de- with bipolar disorder and well-being scribed as accidental. “suffering terribly during his bouts of depression and hypomania”. Rhea moves into Sushant’s home in Bandra.

JAN. 20-24, 2020 Sushant rings in his 34th birthday with two of his sisters in Chandigarh

JAN. 21 Rhea takes to Instagram to wish Sushant on his birthday with a photo of their Europe holiday in October. He replies with “Thank youuuuuuu my Rockstarrrr”. It’s the first sign of them acknowledging their relationship in public.

26 INDIA TODAY AUGUST 31, 2020 ANI JUNE 10 AUG. 2 Siddharth Pithani, Su- shant’s creative content Patna SP Vinay Tewari manager, says Sushant lands in Mumbai for is at his “lowest” after he the Sushant Singh sees media reports as- probe, is forcibly sociating Disha and him. quarantined by the They are said to have BMC for 14 days interacted only on a few occasions. AUG. 3

Mumbai police chief says no misappropria- JUNE 14 tion of funds from Su- shant’s bank accounts Sushant found dead JULY 24 at his Mumbai home. JULY 25 Dil Bechara, AUG. 4 Mumbai police lodge an Bihar police register FIR Sushant’s final accidental death report. against Rhea and five Bihar CM Nitish Kumar film, releases on others (including her recommends CBI Disney+ Hotstar. family members) alleg- probe into the case JUNE 15 Available for free, ing abetment to suicide it becomes the ★ Sushant’s father K.K. following K.K. Singh’s most streamed AUG. 5 Singh cremates his complaint. He alleges film in India, with body in Mumbai Rhea and her family Centre tells Supreme over 50 million ★ Actor Kangana siphoned off Rs 15 crore Court it has accepted users accessing Ranaut claims Sushant of Sushant’s money Bihar’s recommenda- it, as per Ormax was a victim of a ‘movie tion and transferred Media. mafia’ that promotes the case to the CBI “nepo[tism] kids” JULY 16 JULY 31 AUG. 6 ★ Rhea tags Union ED files money launder- CBI re-registers home minister ing case against Rhea, FIR against Rhea Amit Shah on Twit- her brother, father and mother ter and Instagram, ★ AUG. 7 demands CBI A four-member Bihar probe. Wants police team lands in Mumbai to probe the FIR ★ CBI moves peti- to understand tion in SC, asking to ‘what pressures filed in Patna ★ Bihar deputy CM be made party in the JUNE 20 prompted Sushant Sushant case to take this step’. Sushil Modi accuses Maharashtra government ★ ED questions Rhea Bihar deputy CM of obstructing the probe for eight hours in Sushil Modi visits Su- by Bihar police, demands money-laundering shant’s Patna home to JUNE 30 a CBI inquiry case pay his condolences ★ Bombay HC ad- In an interview to a ANI journs hearing seeking website, Kangana CBI probe to Aug. 21. JUNE 25 says she “never ★ Vinay Tewari is interacted” with released from quaran- Final post-mortem Sushant, but they tine, asked to return report confirms as- shared “many to Patna phyxia due to hanging close friends” who as cause of Sushant’s kept her posted on death, calling it a clear “what was going AUG. 19 case of suicide. Report on in his life” rules out foul play. Supreme Courts hands The viscera report over probe to the CBI affirms this.

AUGUST 31, 2020 INDIA TODAY 27 COVER STORY SUSHANT SINGH RAJPUT

of semen on the shorts, the viscera report and the contents over the next few days. His condition got of the stomach, the forensic experts concluded that there serious enough for them to cut short their is no foul play. trip. Between November and Decem- However, on July 25, almost six weeks after Sushant’s ber 2019, Sushant and Rhea consulted death, his father K.K. Singh filed a complaint with the Mumbai-based clinical psychologist and Patna police, stating that he suspected foul play. The fam- psychotherapist Dr Susan Walker Mof- ily’s advocate, Vikas Singh, outlined the family’s reasons fat, who diagnosed the actor as having for suspicion. For one, they characterise Pithani’s behav- a bipolar disorder. In a video statement iour with the locksmith as peculiar. “Normally, you would shared with YouTube channel Mojo Story, open the door first before seeing the locksmith off. Why Moffat said Sushant was “suffering ter-

was he sent away first?” he asks. Singh cites other alleged ribly during his bouts of depression and SHELTE MILIND inconsistencies in the Mumbai police probe following the hypomania”. Moffat was one of at least actor’s death. The Mumbai police say Sushant climbed four doctors Sushant reportedly consulted on to his bed to hang himself. Singh argues that at six till March 2020. Rhea also revealed that feet, Sushant was tall enough to touch the fan if he stood she consulted Moffat for her own battle with anxiety and on his bed. According to him, when people want to hang panic attacks. themselves, they stand on a stool, slip the noose around In an August 1 interview to Aaj Tak television chan- their neck and then fling the stool away. Sushant, Singh nel, Sushant’s help Neeraj said the actor appeared to be adds, would have had to be in an inclined position to hang ‘down’ ever since returning from his Europe trip. He himself; even so he’d still have the support of the bed. also said that no party took place on the night before the Dr Harsh Sharma, director, State Forensic Science suicide, as was alleged in some circles; Sushant barely Laboratory at Sagar, Madhya Pradesh, who has inves- stepped out during the lockdown. tigated over 800 suicide deaths, dismisses his claim. He In a June 18 post on Facebook that she later deleted, told YouTube channel Crime Tak that once the noose is Sushant’s sister Shweta Singh Kirti wrote, “I know you tied around the neck and connected to the anchor point, were in a lot of pain and I know you were a fighter and whether a person is standing, sitting or kneeling, the you were bravely fighting it.” On August 3, Mumbai po- neck is compressed and all impulses to the brain are cut lice commissioner Param Bir Singh told the media that off, sending the body into a state of paralysis. The lack of their inquiries had established Sushant as suffering from bruises and abrasions on Sushant’s body and the half- ‘depression’. Pithani was witness to more telltale signs of open eye were typical of suicidal hanging, he added. Sushant’s fragile mental state. The actor had asked him in January to urgently come to Mumbai (from Ahmed- Did Sushant suffer from a abad) and work with him. He told Pithani that he wanted to quit acting. “He said I don’t have anyone right now,” serious mental disorder? Pithani recalls. In a video interview to Zoom, he said the news of Disha Salian’s death on June 9 affected Sushant Sushant’s family now even questions the Mumbai police’s so much that he cried and even fainted. “He was upset initial conclusion that the actor had a serious mental about his name being used again and again,” Pithani said. illness that could have led to him taking his life. That The Rajput family lawyer Singh denies all these Sushant’s interests extended beyond cinema is well- allegations. “Sushant did not have any mental health is- established. On his Instagram, one was more likely to find sues till the end of 2019,” he told india today. “If he was nuggets on his progress with 50 dream projects, navel- feeling depressed after 2019 or had any issues, Rhea is gazing or insights on astronomy than film-related posts. responsible for it.” What would push a man with so many interests to take this tragic step? Could mental illness have led Rhea Chakraborty, who describes herself as his “live- in partner”, believes Sushant had been suffering from a Sushant to commit suicide? serious mental disorder for the past eight months. She recalls that she first noticed it when she, Sushant and her There were reports from some quarters that Sushant’s brother Showik had taken a trip to Europe in October mental torment was a result of the setbacks he faced in 2019. Rhea told officials investigating the case that the his career apart from discrimination in the industry. first episode occurred in a hotel room in Florence after And it was this pressure that finally got to him. It is true they had seen the Goya painting, ‘Saturn Devouring His that over the years, two big projects, that were particu- Son’. Sushant, she said, was shaken and had hallucinated larly dear to Sushant and in which he had made con-

28 INDIA TODAY AUGUST 31, 2020 THE GREAT GOOF-UP The Mumbai police made a series of mistakes, prompting the Bihar police to file an FIR and the case subsequently being transferred to the CBI. A look at what went wrong

1 NOT FILING AN FIR

The Supreme Court, in 2013, had ruled that an FIR is mandatory in a cognisable case. The Mumbai police remained under the misappre- hension that their filing an Accidental Death Report (ADR), under section 174 of CrPC Question Round (Criminal Procedure Code), which is the first ➽ thing to do, would not be challenged. This Rhea arrives with brother Showik for ED interrogation in Mumbai on Aug. 15 section is limited to an inquiry into the cause of an apparent unnatural death. As this is not a full-fledged probe, the Mumbai police could not defend themselves against the allegation siderable creative and physical investments, did fall that they were not serious about investigating through. One was Shekhar Kapur’s Paani, which was the case. shelved after differences between Kapur and producer Aditya Chopra, and the other was Chandamama Door 2 LOSING THE PERCEPTION BATTLE Ke, a space drama for which Rajput had visited the US Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama, for The Mumbai police hounded the Bihar police training. Serial entrepreneur Varun Mathur, Sushant’s officers who had landed in the city to inves- partner in his other company, Innsaei Ventures, tigate Sushant’s death. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation sent Patna city SP Vi- started in 2018, cited a conflict of dates as the reason nay Tewari into a 14-day quarantine. All of this why the actor left the film. created a perception that the Mumbai police But despite these prominent setbacks, Sushant were trying to hide something. regularly received offers of new roles in films. Rumi Jaffrey was going to direct a romantic comedy featur- 3 MUM ON ALLEGATIONS ing him and Rhea. National Award-winning film- maker Anand Gandhi had hoped Sushant would, as a The Mumbai police did not officially react on friend, consider doing his next film set in the backdrop the allegations of their Bihar counterparts. of the pandemic. Just a day before his death, producer Several friends of Sushant, in media interviews, Ramesh Taurani and director Nikhil Advani, in a call, had raised questions about his death. The had pitched a new project to Sushant. police made no efforts to clear their doubts. Mental health experts say setbacks in career may not necessarily be the prime reason for mental torment. 4 NOT ENOUGH INFORMATION “There is no physical parameter one can look [at] and say one’s depressed. Just because you are depressed Sushant’s postmortem report mentions asphyxia due to hanging as the cause of does not mean you cannot function,” says Mumbai- death, but the approximate time of his death is based psychologist Dr Shraddha Sidhwani. A prac- missing. The Mumbai police did not share full titioner for 17 years, she adds that the media’s denial details of the report, which perhaps could have and trivialisation of mental health issues “is reversing discouraged speculation over the actor’s death. the work psychiatrists have done in beating the stigma over the past decade”. Sidhwani says it’s common for 5 JURISDICTION TANGLE patients to seek second opinions and change psychia- trists since they feel they have “lost control over” their The Mumbai police thought they had the minds. “It is more difficult for high achievers to accept ultimate right to investigate the case as the the illness,” she adds. Flatmate Pithani says Sushant crime took place in their jurisdiction. But on August 19, the Supreme Court made it clear had stopped taking medication in March. that the police who have filed an FIR cannot Once known as manic depressive illness, the be bound by jurisdiction. “Precedents suggest bipolar disorder that Sushant’s psychiatrist diag- that at the stage of investigation, it cannot be nosed is associated with severe mood swings ranging said that the concerned police station does not have territorial jurisdiction to investigate the case.” COVER STORY SUSHANT SUSHANT SINGH RAJPUT CAST OF SINGH RAJPUT Bollywood actor CHARACTERS (1986-2020)

PARENTS

KRISHNA USHA SINGH KISHORE SINGH Mother Father (died Dec. 2002) SISTERS

NEETU MEETU PRIYANKA SHWETA SINGH AKA SINGH AKA SINGH AKA SINGH KIRTI RANI DI RUBY DI SONU DI AKA GUDIYA DI (Faridabad) (Mumbai) (Delhi) (California) Married to Married to Married to Married to IPS officer engineer Sidharth Vishal Kirti O.P. Singh Amrit Raj Tanwar

from manic highs to depressive lows. There are no have more tendencies for depression… it differs from conclusive triggers for the illness, but experts largely patient to patient.” attribute it to a chemical imbalance in the brain, Medication and therapy are essential for bipolar genetics, or deep disturbances in the neurotransmit- patients, especially among those who are strongly ters. The consensus is that symptoms show up in the suicidal. “If a person has an established disorder then, second decade of life. “It could begin with episodes through appropriate counselling and medication, any of mania—excessive spending, high energy, delu- mental health patient can lead a fully functional and sions of grandeur and disturbed sleep; and, after a stable life,” says Dr Gangadhar. If left untreated, the while, depressive tendencies take over—low energy, symptoms in most patients are self-limiting, he adds. low concentration, poor memory and a tendency to But even if the symptoms aren’t always per- harm oneself. In some people it occurs the other way manent, for most patients, their severity, particu- round,” explains Dr B.N. Gangadhar, director of larly the depressive episodes, are unbearable to NIMHANS, Bengaluru. withstand. It can lead to severe feelings of guilt, abandonment, a sense of not being wanted and of t is hard to diagnose bipolar patients extreme hopelessness. A 2015 study titled ‘Suicide because the symptoms need not always be Attempts in Bipolar Disorder’, published in the evident. Many patients hide their symp- National Center for Biotechnology Information, a toms for fear of stigma or out of shame. US-based resource for the scientific research com- Dr Purnima Nagaraja, a Hyderabad- munity, estimates that between 25 per cent and 60 Ibased psychiatrist, says: “Bipolar patients could per cent of individuals with bipolar disorder attempt also have personality disorders. Some of them could suicide at least once in their lives, and 4 per cent

30 INDIA TODAY AUGUST 31, 2020 ACCUSED (IN FIR) OCCUPANTS AT SUSHANT’S RESIDENCE

INDRAJIT SANDHYA CHAKRABORTY CHAKRABORTY Rhea’s father. A Rhea’s mother; SIDDHARTH PITHANI retired army surgeon, a homemaker AKA BUDDHA his property is listed as the registered Sushant’s creative address of the two content manager and firms started by flatmate since Jan. 2020 Sushant NEERAJ RHEA SHOWIK CHAKRABORTY SINGH CHAKRABORTY Rhea’s younger brother, director House help Actress, Sushant’s of Vividrage Rhealityx Pvt live-in partner Ltd and Front India for World Foundation, a company and a KESHAV trust started by Sushant BACHNER Cook and SAMUEL SHRUTI house help MIRANDA MODI Sushant’s Sushant and DIPESH house manager, Rhea’s former SAWANT allegedly hired business House by Rhea manager manager

VIKRAM SHARMA

to 19 per cent see it through to the end. Psychiatrists While Sushant’s career took off after he left Yash Raj to say depression in bipolar patients can be extreme. It do M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story, Rhea’s failed to strike often overrules logic and positive feelings in a patient, such a high note. Sushant found fame with Kedarnath prompting some to turn suicidal, as they are unable to and Chhichhore, Rhea struggled as her films failed at find hope or feel good about themselves and their lives. the box office. Their paths eventually crossed again in mid-April 2019 in Mumbai. Did his relationship with As in many dalliances in the film world, the two didn’t confirm their relationship in public. At the Mind Rhea drive Sushant to suicide? Rocks Youth Summit in Delhi in September 2019, Sushant described his relationship status as “bilkul The 34 years and 146 days of Sushant Singh Rajput’s life single” and then clenched his teeth on the side. But, by are now largely being seen through the time he spent then, there were enough signs suggesting that love was with Rhea Chakraborty, the actress he began dating in the air—photos of Rhea ringing in her birthday on in April 2019. Rhea and Sushant knew each other July 1, 2019, in Ladakh with Sushant and friends, the from when they were both talents at Yash Raj Studios various sightings outside gyms and restaurants and in 2012. Sushant had a three-film contract with the the October trip to Europe. By December 2019, Rhea studio, beginning with Shuddh Desi Romance (2013), had moved in with Sushant in his Bandra apartment while Rhea had been signed on for the Y-Films project and stayed there until her departure on June 8 which, Mere Dad Ki Maruti. At the time, Rajput was in a live- she says, she did at Sushant’s request as he wanted her in relationship with his Pavitra Rishta co-star Ankita gone before his sister Meetu arrived later in the day. Lokhande with whom he would part ways in 2016. Things had soured between Rhea and Sushant’s

AUGUST 31, 2020 INDIA TODAY 31 COVER STORY SUSHANT SINGH RAJPUT

Critical questions surrounding Sushant Singh Rajput’s death and the contesting SINGHS VS. versions of the families of the deceased CHAKRABORTYS actor and Rhea Chakraborty

Sushant Singh Rajput was found dead in his Mumbai flat on June 14. The family filed a complaint with the Patna police on July 25. Why did they wait for 40 days to do so?

Sushant’s family: We had given up on the Mumbai police. We waited for them to take some right action, but when we saw them heading completely in the wrong direction, we decided to register a complaint.

Rhea’s family: Their lawyer Satish Maneshinde says that Sushant’s family made no allegations what- soever before the Mumbai police or to any authority

till July 27. Their statements were recorded by the po- ➽ Family Time lice in Mumbai. The allegations are totally concocted Sushant Singh Rajput with his father and sisters and fabricated for ulterior purposes. Rhea denies all allegations, be it abetment to suicide or misappro- priation of funds. Why does Sushant’s family doubt suicide?

Why is Sushant’s family now saying it is Sushant’s family: Sushant was 6 feet tall. Standing a murder when they initially blamed Rhea on the bed, he could have touched the fan above and Chakraborty for ‘abetment to suicide’? there would have been no space. People wanting to hang themselves climb on a stool, tie themselves with Sushant’s family: After deciding to get an FIR a rope and kick the stool away—that way, there is no registered, the family wanted to press for murder way to save them. In Sushant’s case, he would have charges. The circumstances suggested that mur- had to get into an inclined position to hang himself der couldn’t be ruled out. The family had pressed from the bed. On struggling for breath, he would have for abetment to suicide charges (against Rhea) in automatically come back to the bed as the fan was the FIR based on what Siddharth Pithani (Sushant’s over it. Then, the cloth used for hanging was cut from creative content manager) told them about Rhea. As the noose and not the knot by which it was suppos- he was Sushant’s close friend and flatmate, the family edly tied to the ceiling fan. Why would anyone do that? believed him. However, after the FIR was registered The mark on Sushant’s neck is also suspicious. There and Pithani’s name did not figure among the accused, is also talk of a stun-gun (being used on Sushant). The he started backing Rhea. It was Pithani’s U-turn that autopsy report does not have the time of his death. made the family take a deeper look at some of the things—Sushant’s body had one eye open, the suspi- Rhea’s family: The report of the forensic lab in cious mark on the neck, there was no photo/ video Kalina (Mumbai) ruled out homicide as nothing in the evidence to prove that he was found hanging. samples had suggested foul play. The postmortem report had also concluded the cause of death to be Rhea’s family: Siddharth Pithani has alleged that “asphyxia due to hanging”. In an interview to YouTube two of Sushant’s family members asked him to testify channel Crime Tak, Dr Harsh Sharma, director, State that Rhea siphoned off Rs 15 crore from the actor’s Forensic Science Laboratory, Sagar, Madhya Pradesh, bank account. “I have no idea about this,” Pithani told ruled out homicide. The eye position, he said, is “typical India Today TV. “I don’t want to say something I don’t of suicidal hanging” and “suggestive of sympathetic mean to.” Pithani informed Mumbai police about the compression of carotid artery”. “Once the neck is com- calls via an email. Maneshinde says the ED and police pressed, impulses from the brain are cut off and the have examined Rhea’s income tax details and found body enters a state of paralysis,” Dr Sharma explained. nothing incriminating in them. Anomalies in the suicide theory

Sushant’s family: Sushant’s sister Meetu Singh was just 10 minutes away, they should have waited for her. (She was at Goregaon, at least a 20 minute family in the initial stages of their romance. Rhea’s advocate drive from Bandra if the roads are empty.) A locksmith Satish Maneshinde, in an interview to india today, claimed was called to open the locked door. Once he had done that in April 2019, when she was staying with Sushant at his the job, he was taken away. (The locksmith broke the apartment for a few days, the actor’s sister Priyanka and her lock. However, no one seemed to be in hurry to open husband were also there. On one occasion they had attended the door. The locksmith was taken downstairs before a party together and later, while Rhea was asleep in Sushant’s the door was opened.) bedroom, an inebriated Priyanka had allegedly groped Rhea. Rhea moved out soon after but not before informing Sushant Rhea’s family: In televised interviews, Pithani has of the incident, leading to a falling out between the two sib- said that he had followed Meetu Singh’s instructions lings. The Rajput family lawyer vehemently denies the charge over phone to bring Sushant’s body down in the hope against Priyanka, saying, “It is a completely false allegation that he was still alive, and that he tried to revive him by and Sushant had even apologised to his sister later on this. pumping his chest. The entire family knew it was a false allegation.” The family blames Rhea for creating barriers between Role of the Mumbai police them and Sushant. The rift sharpened after December 2019 when Rhea moved in with him. The actor did reduce contact Sushant’s family: The Mumbai police were with his father and sisters at this time, but celebrated his 34th required to complete the inquest process. Instead, birthday with his sisters, Meetu and Neetu, in Chandigarh be- they started calling people from the film industry in tween January 20 and 24. According to what Sushant’s friend the name of probing nepotism, which cannot be the Mahesh Shetty told the police, Rhea had also fired all of the direct cause of death. There are so many unanswered actor’s staff members—cook, manager and bodyguard—and questions. The more you deal with them, the more you hired replacements. Sushant and Shetty go back to their days realise that there’s foul play. of acting together in the TV show Pavitra Rishta. Sushant had tried to connect with Shetty late at night on June 13.

What could be the motive for murder? eanwhile, Rhea’s brother Showik, 24, grew close to Sushant, becoming a fre- Sushant’s family: Advocate Vikas Singh says sev- quent visitor to his Bandra house and the eral theories need to be probed, and whether murder director of the two companies Sushant or suicide, Rhea is completely involved. An impartial started—Vividrage Rhealityx Pvt Ltd agency, like the CBI, should find out the truth, he says. M(which had Rhea as part of its name), a firm dealing with mixed reality, experimental technology and artificial intel- Rhea’s family: Maneshinde says Rhea had herself ligence, and Front India for World Foundation, a non-profit called for a CBI investigation. Since the Supreme organisation working to promote healthcare and eradication Court has transferred the case to the CBI, she will of hunger, poverty and malnutrition. On July 24, Showik appear and face the investigation like she did with would take to Instagram to describe his feelings towards Mumbai police and the ED. The truth, he says, will Sushant, the “catalyst” in his life, writing that “you believed in remain the same whichever agency investigates. love and spreading as much love as you could even though you were fighting a battle of your own”. Why does Sushant’s family blame Rhea? Rhea and Sushant’s relationship had become increas- ingly troubled in recent months on account of his alleged mental illness. According to Maneshinde, “Sushant had Sushant’s family: If Sushant was disturbed men- been calling his family, informing them of his decision to tally, would he tell Rhea to block his number? There move out of Mumbai and requesting them to come and meet was not a single conversation in his last six days. him. After several days of Sushant calling and crying over the phone, his sister Meetu agreed to come live with him on Rhea’s family: Maneshinde says Rhea left Su- June 8, 2020. Due to this development, Sushant requested shant’s home on June 8 reluctantly, on his request, Rhea to live with her parents for the time being. Even though and told him to “let her or her brother know about Rhea wanted to see her family, she was not at all comfortable anything he required or if he needed to talk”. leaving Sushant.” On July 14, a month after his death, Rhea wrote on Instagram: “My words are incapable of expressing the love we have and I guess you truly meant it when you said SUSHANT SINGH RAJPUT’S FAMILY it is beyond both of us… Eternally connected.” Represented by Vikas Singh However, the Rajputs’ advocate Singh claims that this is, RHEA CHAKRABORTY’S FAMILY Represented by Satish Maneshinde AUGUST 31, 2020 INDIA TODAY 33 COVER STORY SUSHANT SINGH RAJPUT

in fact, a complete lie and says, “Sushant’s sister had to go Technical University), but dropped out in the final year of and stay with him because Rhea had left. Rhea should his course in 2005 to pursue a career in acting. explain why she blocked Sushant’s number if she had gone at his behest.” On August 20, a WhatsApp chat between ivya Gautam, Sushant’s cousin, says the Rhea and filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, who produced her actor continued to maintain a very close last release Jalebi (2018), surfaced. The exchange on June bond with his family. He also reportedly 8, the day Rhea left Sushant’s house, suggests she had bro- supported his father financially and took ken up with him. Bhatt reportedly asked her not to look care of his medical treatment when he back. “Make it possible what is inevitable,” he wrote. Dcame to stay with him in 2018. Just days before his death, Sushant is said to have spoken to the house help in Patna, Did Rhea embezzle Sushant’s telling her to take greater care of his father during the Covid pandemic. money and abet his suicide The Enforcement Directorate (ED), while going into as his father alleges? Krishna Kishore’s charges against Rhea, are finding it dif- ficult to come up with evidence. That Rhea didn’t have a While the police’s account that this was a suicide seemed career as successful as Sushant’s led to accusations of her cut and dried, the case took a completely different turn being a “gold digger”, Rhea herself noted in an Instagram when Sushant’s father K.K. Singh filed a police complaint post. The ED is yet to find any evidence of a transfer of any in Patna on July 25, alleging foul play and accusing Rhea big sum to Rhea’s or her family’s bank accounts, as per of abetting Sushant’s suicide and siphoning off Rs 15 crore the bank statements filed by Sandeep Sridhar, Sushant’s from his bank account. The Patna police filed an FIR the accountant since last year. Sushant’s big transactions, same day against Rhea, three of her family members—fa- Sridhar told Aaj Tak on July 31, pertained mainly to ther Indrajit, mother Sandhya and brother Showik—Sam- “lifestyle expenses” typical of film stars. They involved uel Miranda (house manager) and Shruti Modi (former paying rent, including for his farmhouse in Pavana, trav- business manager) under various sections of the Indian els abroad and staff salaries. As per his bank statements, Penal Code, including 306 (abetment of suicide), 341 he filed at least Rs 2.78 crore in GST and income tax, paid (punishment for wrongful restraint), 342 (punishment Rs 61 lakh to talent management agency CAA Kwan, and for wrongful confinement), 380 (theft in dwelling house), monthly instalments for a flat he bought in Malad early 406 (punishment for criminal breach of trust) and 420 in his career. Sridhar also said that Sushant never had Rs (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property). 15 crore in his account to transfer it to anyone. Priyanka Attempting to explain why Sushant’s father took near- Khemani, Sushant’s lawyer, told India Today TV that the ly six weeks after his death to file a complaint, family law- Sushant she knew “always made his own decisions” even yer Singh says he was forced to do so because he had ‘given when it came to “handling his finances”. up on the Mumbai police’. “We waited for them to take With the CBI stepping in, the Mumbai police will some action. But when we saw they were completely going now have to transfer all case material, including the spot in the wrong direction, we decided to file a complaint in panchnama, the postmortem and inquest reports and Patna,” Singh said. For reasons that remain unclear, the the CCTV footage, to the central agency. The CBI will Mumbai police chose not to file an FIR and played down have to interrogate all the witnesses present at the scene the probe (see The Great Goof-Up). of the incident and visit Sushant’s apartment to recreate Sushant was said to be close to his family till his rela- the sequence of events. If it concludes that Sushant’s death tionship with Rhea caused friction with them. Krishna was a case of suicide, it will then have to establish whether Kishore retired from the State Handloom Corporation or not there was abetment. For that it will have to interro- in Patna, where he was a section officer, some 16 years gate eyewitnesses again and assess whether Sushant was ago. Sushant was the youngest of his five children. “We all indeed pushed into taking his life. Proving abetment to are from a middle class family. My uncle too has had his suicide is always tricky. To do that, the CBI would have to struggles,” recalls Neeraj Kumar Bablu, son of Krishna identify a clear motive for this crime. The agency unfortu- Kishore’s elder brother and a BJP MLA. nately doesn’t have much of a reputation for solving cases Sushant was born in Bihar’s Purnea district and did in recent years. Sushant may have chosen to take his life to his schooling till the 10th grade at Patna’s St. Karen’s end all the questions troubling him. Little would he have High School. Neighbours remember him as shy and known that his suicide would raise even more questions. unassuming but academically brilliant. He then moved Finding the answers to them is the only way we can bring to Delhi to finish high school and pursue engineering. closure to a bright young life cut short needlessly. n He got into the Delhi College of Engineering (now Delhi —with Sonali Acharjee and Divyesh Singh

34 INDIA TODAY AUGUST 31, 2020

THE BIG STORY ENVIRONMENT GREEN OVERSIGHT ACTIVISTS CALL IT A SELLOUT, THE GOVERNMENT CLAIMS IT HAS TIGHTENED NORMS. THE TRUTH ABOUT THE NEW ENVIRONMENT IMPACT ASSESSMENT (EIA) DRAFT

BY KAUSHIK DEKA

TOXIC VAPOURS The LG Polymers plant in Visakhapatnam where a gas leak incident on May 7 killed 12 people

34 INDIA TODAY JUNE 29, 2020 ver since it was made public on March 23, the draft Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2020, by the Union min- istry of environment, forest and climate change (MoEFCC) has invited severe criticism from environmentalists, activists and legal professionals. They allege that the central government is diluting the green clearance norms. Issued under Section 3 of the Environ- ment Protection Act, 1986, the EIA notification prescribes proce- dures to regulate activities that impact our environment. India E notified its first EIA norms in 1994, which were replaced in 2006. After 14 years, the Union government now wants to amend the norms to make the process “more transparent and expedient”.

Critics, however, claim the 2020 “The draft is not only disgraceful, it is EIA draft “anti-democratic, anti-public draft notification, if implemented, dangerous. Not only does it have the health and anti-cooperative federal- will not only favour industry over the potential to reverse many of the hard- ism”. Congress’s new-found ally, the Shiv fragile environment, but also limit fought gains that have been won over Sena, also joined the bandwagon with public participation in environmental the years in the battle to protect our en- its leader and Maharashtra environ- decision-making, and even reward vironment, it could potentially unleash ment minister Aaditya Thackeray violators. Most of them also allege that widespread environmental destruction claiming the new draft failed to align the Narendra Modi-led BJP govern- and mayhem across India.” with the 2016 Paris climate agreement ment’s focus on enhancing ease of His party colleague and former and posed a threat to the goal of sus- doing business has come at the cost environment minister Jairam Ra- tainable growth. of environmental degradation. In the mesh, who is also the chairman of the Javadekar has slammed the crit- past six years, India has seen a steady Rajya Sabha Parliamentary Standing ics for “jumping the gun”, saying the rise in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Committee on Science and Technol- notification is only a draft and all public Business ranking, up from No. 142 in ogy, Environment, Forests and Climate concerns will be addressed in the final 2014 to 63 in 2019. In sharp contrast, Change, has been engaged in a ‘letter version. “There have been 55 amend- India’s rank in the Environmental Per- war’ with the current environment ments to the 2006 EIA notification and formance Index by the Yale Center for minister, Prakash Javadekar, calling the 230 office memorandums issued. The Environmental Law & Policy dropped EIA 2020 notification is only a compila- from 155 in 2014 to 168 this year (out of tion of these changes,” he told india a list of 180 countries). “Environment today. Some experts do agree that the and development are seen as trade-offs, “The EIA touches on new draft formalises and streamlines which is not the case. The government ecological damage several ad hoc processes. “By and large, must do a comprehensive cost-ben- and economic benefit the scheme of things developed in the efit analysis, including the impact of draft notification appears sensible,” says development on nature and natural assessment but not Promode Kant, director, Institute of capital. This EIA has not done that,” in detail. No listing Green Economy. says Pushpam Kumar, chief environ- and estimation of The environment ministry has been mental economist, UN Environment damage costs and examining the 1.8 million public views it Programme (UNEP). loss in economic has received on the EIA before finalising The debate has now taken a politi- benefits is provided the notification. Meanwhile, on August cal turn with Congress and BJP leaders which leaves it 5, the Karnataka High Court issued an trading charges. Commenting on the open to different order to the MoEFCC restraining the EIA, Congress president Sonia Gandhi publication of the final notification till recently asked the government to “stop interpretations” September 7. A division bench said: dismantling India’s environmental MADHU VERMA “Prima facie, it appears to us that the regulations”. Her son and former Chief economist, World right of citizens to file objection has party president Rahul Gandhi said: Resources Institute been taken away.”

ANI PHOTO AUGUST 31, 2020 INDIA TODAY 37 THE BIG STORY ENVIRONMENT

The controversies court decided against their closure, The most controversial change in the saying “the directions of the NGT for notification is Clause 22 which allows the revocation of the environmental projects running without environmen- clearances and for closure of the units tal clearance to seek fresh permission do not accord with the principle of and get away with the violation by pay- proportionality”. In 2011, too, in the ing a penalty. Critics see this “ex post Lafarge Umiam Mining vs Union of facto” approval as a gross violation of India case, the SC had applied the the mandate given to the environment doctrine of proportionality and held ministry. “It will turn the EIA process that non-compliance could not lead to from being one of prior approvals to closure of an establishment. that of post-facto clearances,” says Kanchi Kohli, environmentalist with ndustry watchers welcome the the Centre for Policy Research. move. “This is an opportunity The provision, however, is not new. for violators to become com- In May 2002, a circular issued by the I pliant; a window for them to

environment ministry in the first NDA join the mainstream with no guar- PHOTO ANI government allowed industries that antee that the appraisal process that FAST-TRACKED had commenced operations without they are signing up for will give an getting green clearances to obtain the outcome in their favour. If we can put same by 2003. It was supposed to be in a cut-off date with this provision, THE MODI a “last and final opportunity” for er- this is a welcome step to mainstream GOVERNMENT rant projects. The Congress-led UPA the defaulters while not encouraging HAS SPEEDED UP government then issued three office them,” says Yasir Ahmad, partner, ENVIRONMENTAL memorandums in 2010, 2012 and sustainability and responsible busi- 2013 granting ex post facto approvals ness advisory, PwC India. CLEARANCES FOR to several projects. Javadekar emphasises that the PROJECTS. FROM In January 2016, the National violator also has to put in place a AN AVERAGE OF Green Tribunal (NGT) held that the remedial plan for environmental 640 DAYS IN 2014, May 2002 circular was contrary to the damage the project may have caused, THE TIME TAKEN FOR law. The NGT issued instructions to accounting for 1.5 times of the THE CLEARANCE IS revoke the approvals and shut down assessed ecological damage and eco- NOW DOWN TO the industries. In March 2017, the nomic benefit derived due to violation. MoEFCC passed another notification And if there is a pollution load, the 108 DAYS stating that any project functioning violator will have to pay a polluters’ THE NEW TARGET: without prior approval could apply for 70-80 DAYS environmental clearance. Meanwhile, the committee of the environment “Environment and ministry held more than 30 meetings development are seen to clear hundreds of such projects that violated environment clearance norms. as trade-offs, which This, despite a Supreme Court verdict isn’t the case. The 87% in August 2017 saying that “the grant government must CLEARANCE RATE OF of an ex post facto environmental do a comprehensive PROPOSALS BY THE clearance would be detrimental to the cost-benefit analysis, MoEFCC BETWEEN environment and could lead to irrepa- including the impact JULY 2014 AND rable degradation of the environment”. of development on APRIL 24, 2020. THE The apex court reiterated its stand nature and natural MINISTRY APPROVED in April this year while hearing a case OF THE related to three Gujarat industrial capital. This EIA has 2,256 units operating without valid environ- not done that” 2,592 PROPOSALS IT RECEIVED ment clearances. It also upheld the PUSHPAM KUMAR 2016 NGT order. But while penalis- Chief environmental economist, ing the errant industries, the apex UN Environment Programme (UNEP)

38 INDIA TODAY AUGUST 31, 2020 “Javadekar’s job “The government is to protect the says the changes in environment. His EIA have been brought job is not to build in response to court roads or ports. That’s judgments over the Nitin Gadkari’s past decade and driven job. Javadekar by the commitment to must ensure that cut delays in project Gadkari’s projects implementation. By don’t impact the and large, the scheme environment of things developed in adversely” the EIA draft appears sensible” ABLAZE NDRF workers DEBI GOENKA at the site of the Baghjan Executive trustee, PROMODE KANT oilfield fire in Assam Conservation Action Trust Director, Institute of Green Economy fee separate from the violation penalty. kinds of approval—prior environment trustee, Conservation Action Trust. “The provision for more penalty is a clearance (EC) with the approval of The requirement for public consul- welcome move. The funds accumulated expert committees and environmental tations has been done away with for sev- through these penalties could be put to permission/ provision (EP) without eral categories such as modernisation use for protection of the environment,” their approval. Some of the projects in of irrigation projects, projects located says Vinitaa H. Apte, founder-director, category B2 don’t need EC or EP. Critics within notified industrial estates, high- TERRE Policy Centre. allege it is to ensure easy clearance that way widening, building construction, Several other experts, however, the draft seeks to move a large variety of all projects concerning national defence point out that with the poor compliance projects to the B2 category. and security, all linear projects such as record in India, such encouragement to Under Clause 26 of the EIA draft, roads and pipelines in border areas, and “regularisation of violations” may result 40 types of industries/ works such as offshore projects located beyond the 12 in more accidents such as the LG Poly- clay and sand extraction or digging nautical miles limit. This, according mers gas leak in Visakhapatnam in May wells or foundations of buildings, solar to several experts, takes away from the and the Baghjan oilfield fire in Assam thermal power plants and common democratic right of those affected by in June. LG had been operating without effluent treatment plants have been -ex these projects and dilutes the transpar- valid environment clearance since 2017. empted from prior EC or EP. So are all ency of the EIA process. Even if the environmental clearance for inland waterways projects and expan- Javadekar claims to have taken such a project gets rejected, the damage sion/ widening of national highways. away only MSMEs and industries with done to the environment is irreparable. Critics say these exemptions will result clean technologies from the realm of “The notification touches upon eco- in a lack of scrutiny; in 2016, 100 indus- public hearing. “The 2006 notifica- logical damage and economic benefit trial clusters in India were categorised tion provided exemptions from public assessment but they are not int erpreted as severely/ critically polluted. hearings for nine categories. We have in detail. No such listing and estimation The new draft also exempts any brought this down to seven. There were of damage costs and loss of economic project the government labels ‘strate- 19 sectors which did not require public benefits has been provided, which leaves gic’ from the EIA’s purview. Javadekar hearings during the UPA regime. We re- it open to being interpreted differently claims the security agencies will define moved 17 critically polluting industries by different people,” says Madhu Verma, what is strategic and what is not, but ex- such as cement, thermal power, steel, chief economist, World Resources Insti- perts are sceptical. “I have no objection paper from this list,” he says. tute, a global research organisation. to environmental clearance being given Critics have also questioned the to defence projects. National security definition of border area—land falling The new divisions can’t be compromised. But the govern- within 100 km aerial distance from the The draft notification defines three pro- ment must make a distinction between Line of Actual Control with bordering ject categories—A, B1 and B2—based operational structure and non-opera- countries of India—as this will cover on environmental and geographical tional structure while giving blanket much of the Northeast, the repository impact. The EIA also provides for two clearance,” says Debi Goenka, executive of the country’s richest biodiversity.

AUGUST 31, 2020 INDIA TODAY 39 THE BIG STORY ENVIRONMENT nce on environment clear- J: Anyone can bring viola- ance cannot lead to closure tions to the notice of the of an establishment. government. Action will be taken where required. C: 40 different types of HOW BAD IS industries have been C: The 2006 notification exempted from prior envi- mandated that a project ronmental clearance. compliance report be filed J: The majority of these every six months. This has THE DRAFT exemptions were given dur- now been extended to once ing the UPA regime. a year, allowing violations to go unscrutinised for a EIA 2020? C: The new draft exempts longer period of time and in- any project the government creasing the risk of serious The allegations against the hotly labels ‘strategic’ from the damage to the environment debated document and Union purview of the EIA. The J: There is nothing wrong government will also not in filing the report yearly. environment minister Prakash disclose any information to The emphasis should be on Javadekar’s rebuttals the public on such projects. ensuring that these reports Projects could be catego- are read and action taken. rised ‘strategic’ to avoid The government is working public scrutiny. towards this. J: Security agencies will CRITIQUE: The draft Envi- a penalty. define what is strategic and C: The EIA makes categori- ronment Impact Assess- J: The process does not what is not. cal division of A, B1 and B2 ment (EIA), 2020 dilutes the amount to giving ex post industries. Earlier states existing norms formulated facto clearance; provision C: The requirement for pub- were given the discretion to in 2006, making it more has been in practice since lic consultations has been make these distinctions. industry-friendly while 2002. The new EIA has done away with for several J: If one state bracketed an ignoring concerns about increased the scope and categories, taking away the industry in category A, an- the environment. quantum of penalty. democratic right of those other state placed the same JAVADEKAR: EIA 2020 is just affected by these projects industry in category B. This a compilation of 55 amend- C: The Supreme Court has and diluting transparency created confusion, so the ments to the 2006 EIA noti- ruled that the concept of of the EIA process. Centre streamlined it. fication and the 230 office “ex post facto environmen- J: Only MSMEs and indus- memorandums issued later tal clearance” is against tries with clean technolo- C: The ministry’s decision to make changes. the fundamental principles gies have been exempted. to appoint State Environ- of environmental jurispru- The 2006 notification mental Impact Assessment C: EIA 2020 provides for dence; so the government exe m pted nine categories Authorities (SEIAA) was ‘ex post facto’ clearance, has violated the court order from public hearings. That against the spirit of coop- allowing projects running J: In the same order, and on has been brought down to erative federalism. without environmental earlier occasions, the SC seven. There were 19 sec- J: It’s the right of the Centre clearance to seek fresh and high courts invoked the tors which did not require to nominate members to the permission and get away doctrine of proportionality public hearings during the SEIAA. For the past three with the violation by paying and held that non-com plia- UPA regime. Now 17 criti- years, several states such cally polluting industries as Delhi and Jharkhand such as cement, thermal have not nominated names power, steel, paper have for their SEIAA despite HOW GREEN IS... Union minister Prakash Javadekar been removed from this list. repeated reminders. So, the Union government C: The notice period for stepped in. public hearing has been re- duced from 30 to 20 days. C: The draft excludes J: Nowadays, modes of construction of buildings of communication are so fast less than 150,000 sq. m.— that 20 days is good enough the size of a stadium—from for this process. environmental clearance. J: The 2006 notification C: Violations can be repor- says that the EIA and public ted only by the government hearings are not required and the project propo- for buildings up to 150,000 nent and not by citizens. sq. m. This will be reduced How can the violator be to 50,000 sq. m. now. But expected to report his own green buildings will still not violations? require any EIA clearance. VIKRAM SHARMA VIKRAM This criticism fails to deter the environ­ ment minister’s conviction about national security concerns. The minister also shrugs off the reduction of the notice period for public hearing from 30 days to 20 as a minor issue. “Nowadays, modes of commun­ ication are so fast that 20 days is good enough for this process,” he says. On the Clause 22 subclause (1) of the draft—that RAVAGED The Khelari violations can be reported only by the coal mines of Central Coalfields Ltd, Dhanbad government and the project proponent SEN SOMNATH themselves and not by citizens—he had this to say: “Anyone can bring a violation to the notice of the government. Action states such as Delhi and Jharkhand will be taken where required.” “The EIA has have not nominated names to their The 2006 notification mandated nothing new. It’s a SEIAA, despite repeated reminders. So that a project compliance report be filed regularisation of we stepped in,” he says. every six months. This has been enlarged various processes Despite Javadekar’s counters, to once a year, which again has many ex­ that have been conservationists are not enthused by the perts crying foul. But more than anything going on through Modi government’s stated objective— else, they demand a more transparent and speeding up clearance of files in the accountable mechanism in the EIA pro­ amendments and green ministry. In fact, there has been a cess. “The EIA is a challenging scientific official orders growing clamour for the need to not see process that cannot be trivialised. It must since 2006. The economic development and environ­ be conducted by competent individuals/ credit and blame mental protection as trade­offs. Over 60 agencies with the necessary expertise. for this new per cent of the global GDP is dependent There must also be a strict examination of notification have on natural resources, the reason why the conflict of interest between the indi­ to be shared by all World Economic Forum recently said vidual/ agency conducting the EIA and governments” that climate change and biodiversity the project proponent,” says Prof. Renee loss are the two of the biggest threats M. Borges, Centre for Ecological Sciences, VINITAA H. APTE to business and industry. Lamenting Indian Institute of Science. Founder director, the decline in India’s natural capital TERRE Policy Centre between 1992 and 2014, Kumar says The powerless states the authorities must take serious note The EIA 2020 draft has also drawn criti­ of this to reverse the trend: “An effective cism for “denying” the states discretion­ EIA can ensure this, which in turn will ary powers. For instance, unlike in the “The EIA is a help industry and business.” past, the EIA makes categorical division challenging scientific Javadekar agrees that protecting the of A, B1 and B2 industries. Earlier, states process that cannot environment and ensuring sustainable were given the discretion to make those be trivialised. It growth are essential. “We are among the distinctions. “If one state bracketed an in­ must be conducted few countries who have been walking dustry in category A, another state placed the talk on the Paris agreement. We the same industry in category B. That by competent indi­ promised 35 per cent reduction of emis­ created confusion, so we streamlined the viduals/ agencies. sion intensity by 2030, and we have division,” says Javadekar. There must also already achieved 21 per cent. We have But there was no confusion in the be no conflict of added 15,000 sq. km to our forest cover. mind of Ramesh when he termed the en­ interest between the We have also taken up a target of restor­ vironment ministry’s decision to appoint individuals/ agency ing 26 million hectares of degraded State Environmental Impact Assessment conducting the land,” he claims. If true, these are com­ Authorities (SEIAA) as “yet another nail EIA and the project mendable achievements. But there is no in the coffin of cooperative federalism”. place for complacency for the govern­ Javadekar blames it on the indecisive proponent” ment in a country which is among the nature of some states. “It’s the right of PROF. RENEE M. BORGES worst 15 in the world when it comes to the Centre to nominate members to the Centre for Ecological Sciences, meeting environmental goals. n SEIAA. For the past three years, several Indian Institute of Science with inputs from Rahul Noronha

AUGUST 31, 2020 INDIA TODAY 41 THE BIG STORY RURAL RECOVERY BHARAT LEADS THE WAY A FEW ECONOMIC INDICATORS, SUCH AS TRACTOR SALES, RURAL UNEMPLOYMENT NUMBERS AND FMCG SALES, SUGGEST THAT INDIA’S RURAL AREAS ARE SEEING AN ECONOMIC UPTICK. IS A REVIVAL UNDER WAY?

BY SHWWETA PUNJ ix months after Covid-19 a combination of available cash and hit India, there is a sliver existing need, he adds. Yet, the Society of good news from the of Indian Automobile Manufacturers rural hinterland. Some predicts a 26-45 per cent slide in sales S economic indicators this year. According to Kale, automotive suggest a bounceback may be in dealers in rural areas are facing a supply progress. Fertiliser sales jumped 83 per crunch—some models of two-wheelers cent in April-June to a record 111.61 are in short supply. A potentially positive lakh tonnes despite the nationwide note is that the increasing sales in this lockdown. This time around, the category are despite a lack of avail- all-India planting area of paddy, at able financing—with the spread of the 22.02 million hectares, was higher by coronavirus, more people are investing 17.3 per cent on year, as on July 24. in their own means of transport. Most of the farmers in West Bengal, However, experts caution that a Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, prosperous agri sector does not neces- Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh sarily indicate a recovery of the rural and Telangana are dependent on rice economy. “Non-agri activities [account for their income. Sowing is up nearly 39 for] two-thirds of rural incomes,” points per cent. Tractor and two-wheeler sales out Arun Singh, chief economist at Dun are approaching levels of the previous & Bradstreet India. The rural sector’s year. Daily tractor registrations are contribution to India’s overall manufac- close to 90 per cent of FY20’s daily turing and construction output is about average. Total tractor sales (domestic 50 per cent. “Unless manufacturing and plus exports) during July 2020 were at construction revive, the rural economy 25,402 units, up 27 per cent from will remain subdued,” he warns. A 19,992 units for the same period last recent report by Neelkanth Mishra, year. Two-wheeler sales also suggest a managing director, India strategist and rebound—Bajaj Auto sold 146,695 co-head of equity strategy for Asia Pa- motorcycles this June, 73.5 per cent of cific at Credit Suisse, also warns that the the 199,340 units sold in the same rapid spread of Covid-19 to Tier 3 and 4 PRIYADARSHI month in 2019. However, Hero cities could stall this growth. MotoCorp, the world’s largest two- ASHOK wheeler manufacturer, sold 514,509 ROBUST SALES GROWTH SWEET RELIEF units of motorcycles and scooters in Meanwhile, leading FMCG (fast-mov- Sadanand Kumar, 44, a July 2020—a decline of 3.97 per cent as ing consumer goods) players such as Da- farmer from Nawada, compared to July 2019—suggesting bur, Parle Agro, Marico, Godrej and ITC Bihar, says he has that the growth in June was a combina- have reported robust sales in rural and received financial support from the state tion of pent-up demand and the need semi-urban markets. “For Dabur, the government since the for personal mobility solutions. rural market has been growing [faster lockdown lifted Ashish Kale, president of the Fed- than] the urban market. This was the eration of Automobile Dealers Asso- case all of last year and remains so [this ciation, says there has been a genuine year],” says Dabur India chief execu- improvement in sentiment because a tive officer Mohit Malhotra. “We are number of positive factors have come planning to expand our rural footprint together in rural India. “The rains have from 52,000 villages in March 2020 to been good, the central government is 60,000 villages by 2020-21,” he says. investing, sowing has been excellent Dabur is also looking to expand its prod- and migrant labour has returned to uct basket with affordable packs across work in the fields,” he says. While some categories to push demand growth. An of the sales can be ascribed to pent-up analysis by Nielsen shows increasing demand, they are also being driven by consumption levels—though 60 per cent

AUGUST 31, 2020 INDIA TODAY 43 THE BIG STORY RURAL RECOVERY NUMBERS OF HOPE of the households it polled said Covid-19 had INDICATORS IN RURAL INDIA THAT hit their income, 39 per cent said they were COULD HERALD THE COUNTRY’S spending more on household goods. ECONOMIC REVIVAL he return of workers to the market is Graphic by TANMOY CHAKRABORTY visible in the improved employment rate. According to the Centre for T Monitoring Indian Economy, rural unemployment fell from 24.37 per cent on Retail April 12 to 7.62 per cent on June 28. Urban fertiliser unemployment also fell, from 23.17 per cent spends are on April 12 to 10.69 per cent on June 28. All nearly twice “Bharat is doing better than urban India,” India of what they says Nilesh Shah, managing director, Kotak retail fertiliser were in May Mahindra Asset Management. “I wouldn’t 2019 be surprised if the growth of agriculture in sale 2020-21 is positive. We have seen growth in GST collections, from Rs 32,000 crore (mn in April to Rs 91,000 crore in June—the tonne) May economy is trying to recover.” 80 Jun Jul 10 Together, indicators like these suggest Aug that India’s rural economy, which makes up 67.5 Sep 7.5 2019 Oct 46 per cent of the national income, could Nov Dec 5 take up some of the economic slack from Jan Feb Covid. Rural India is home to more than 67 Mar 2.5 per cent of the country’s consumer base but Apr Kharif 2020 May Jun 0 accounts for only 36 per cent of the FMCG Jul sowing is 31.6 sector’s overall sales. Analysts predict that nearly double with migrant labour back in their home- than in towns and a slew of policy interventions June 2019 15.5 targeted at generating income and employ- ment in rural areas, there will be increased 13.1 July 24 demand for FMCG products in these areas. 9.4 Businesses are accordingly expanding their 9.3 June 26 rural footprint. Nadia Chauhan, joint man- 8.2 June aging director and chief marketing officer 7.7 19 at Parle Agro, says, “While we were initially AREA 7.4 SOWN June impacted by the sudden lockdown, [sales] 12 have now touched 100 per cent of last year’s (mHA) 2019 June base for the same month. The [share] of 5 rural areas has increased from 41 per cent 2020 in 2019 to 46 per cent in 2020.” Daily average tractor THE RURAL GLOW registration 1,126‘20 Agriculture and allied activities could be Jun the Indian economy’s only bright spot this year, as the pandemic has slammed the 36 ‘20 May brakes on industry and services. Agricul- ture includes a number of sub-sectors, in- 165 ‘20 Apr cluding foodgrains, livestock products like Tractor meat, milk and eggs as well as fishing registrations 1,265 FY20 have touched 90% of FY 20 44 INDIA TODAY AUGUST 31, 2020 levels Cement CEMENT production PRODUCTION is near May (thousand 2019 levels tonnes)

%

Jun

May Apr 15

35,000 above normal

Mar

30,000 Feb

Jan rainfall experienced

25,000 Dec 2020 by India in June Nov

20,000 Oct June’s according to the IMD, Sep

Aug 15,000 Jul e-way bills fuelling hope for

10,000 Jun are close to rural India May

5,000 Apr BILLS Mar 2019 pre-Covid

0 GENERATED

Feb Jan Jan Feb(million) collections 56.1 56.3 Mar VALUE 40 BILLS Jun (Rs OF May Jan lakh Apr 42.7 Feb 25.1 17.71 crore) 8.5 15.39Mar

11.43 May Jun Apr 8.98 12.40 3.90

Apr Feb Mar 8.3 63.5 45.8 May ELECTRONIC TOLLING Jun AVERAGE 36.8 1-7 COLLECTIONS Jun (Rs 47.5 8-14 Jun Agricultural crore) DAILY 15-21 jun GDP to 50.5 Electronic increase by 51.5 22-28 toll over Rs 3 52.1 collections lakh crore in have risen FY20E and FY21E FY10 FY11 FY12 FY13 FY14 25 FY15 20 NOMINALFY16 GDP FY17 15 (Y-o-Y%) 10 GROWTH FY18 AGRI FY19 5

FY20E 0 FY21E

Peak power June demand met MNREGA was recorded GST employment at 170.54 GW collections already close on July 2, just have risen to Feb 2.61% lower level than 175.12 GW in July 2019 1.2 600 Person days 500 1 (million) 400 110% 0.8 100% 300 0.6 16 Mar 16 200 23 Mar 23 90% (Rs lakh crore) 30 Mar 30 Apr 6 0.4 100 13 Apr 13 80% 20 Apr 20 27 Apr 27 0.2 0 4 May 4 70% 11 May 11 Apr 2018 Jul 2020 Jun 2018 Jun 2020 MTD 18 May 18 1 Jun 1 25 May 25 60% 8 Jun 8 Sources: Kotak Mutual Fund Monthly Outlook Report, 15 Jun 15 Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy 22 Jun 22 29 Jun 29 THE BIG STORY RURAL RECOVERY

and aquaculture. Foodgrains are the the Rs 20 lakh crore Aatmanirbhar found the income support under PM- largest component, though livestock Bharat Abhiyan, takes the total al- KISAN to be helpful, 40 per cent said also plays a crucial role in driving location to over Rs 1 lakh crore. “In the ability to sell their produce to any agricultural GVA (gross value added) rural India, there are two gods—one buyer was helpful, and 27 per cent growth. Foodgrain and milk pro- is the god above, and the other is the said they were helped by the abolition duction are expected to do well this government,” says Pradeep Kashyap, of the mandi tax. year, though meat, eggs, fishing and founder of MART Global Manage- Other major changes are also aquaculture may remain depressed. ment Solutions, a major player in the afoot in rural India. The country As of 2018, the share of agriculture rural marketing sector. “This time, recently emerged as the world’s larg- in India’s GDP had declined to 14 per farmers believe that god has been est producer of milk, while India’s cent, though over half the country’s kind and that god will continue to be horticulture output surpassed grain population is dependent on it. kind. It’s a rare run.” Credit Suisse’s production in 2019, the first time Mishra also points out that a low ever—310 million tonnes of horticul- riving the optimism is a virus case-load drove a rapid revival tural produce against 290 million bumper rabi crop, a massive in non-agri activities. And while the tonnes of foodgrains. This will also procurement drive by the gov- 39 per cent year-on-year growth in have a positive effect on incomes, as Dernment and concerted policy MNREGA per son days shows good prices for horticultural produce tend interventions to put more money in fiscal support, the fact that workers to be higher than for cereals. (A kilo the hands of the rural poor. The latter are taking up work at Rs 200 a day of wheat costs Rs 16-18, while a kilo include the Pradhan Mantri Kisan shows a shortage of good jobs. of mangoes costs a minimum of Rs Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme, 50.) Another factor fostering posi- under which farmers receive Rs 6,000 tive sentiment is the setting up of an per year, and an increased focus on The government agriculture infrastructure fund with MNREGA. According to the Union a corpus of Rs 1 lakh crore. This will ministry of consumer affairs, food and says it disbursed be used to provide financial support public distribution, the government’s Rs 73,500 crore as to agriculture entrepreneurs and to wheat procurement this year set an all- develop logistics facilities for farmers. time record of 38.2 million tonnes as minimum support on June 16. In all, 4.2 million farmers price payments THAT BEING SAID... ben e fitted, with Rs 73,500 crore paid There are also caveats to the prospects as minimum support price for wheat. for wheat for agricultural growth. The locust D.K. Joshi, chief economist with Cri- attack in India around the beginning sil, predicts a 2.5 per cent growth in Economists and experts also say of 2020 has severely affected crops this sector. “This is unlike the situation agriculture reform measures in the in Rajasthan. The kharif season is in previous recessions, where agricul- Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan stand looking bleak. Other environmental ture [suffered].” out. The pro posed new law, which al- factors have also played a big role—for In Rajasthan’s Sherpur village, lows farmers to choose who they want instance, states like West Bengal and nearly every household has at least to sell their produce to rather than Odisha were severely impacted by su- one MNREGA cardholder, employed remaining captive to the APMC (Ag- per cyclone Amphan in May, and mil- in digging or construction work from ricultural Produce Marketing Com- lions of Assam’s citizens were affected 7 am to 1.30 pm and earning about mittee) markets, was long overdue. by the recent flooding in the state. Rs 4,500 per month. Across India, Over the years, these markets had Many ask if the optimism on the 130 million workers have benefit- left them vulnerable to price manipu- rural front could be a stepping stone ted from the job scheme, which has lation by traders and commission for India’s economic revival in the emerged as a last resort not only for agents. An analysis by Crisil notes post-Covid phase. While a compre- unskilled workers but also for many that the amendment to the Essential hensive recovery is still a long way educated and highly skilled work- Commodities Act to deregulate food off—and will require much more— ers who have lost their jobs thanks items is aimed at improving price the current optimism is certainly to the pandemic. The increase of Rs realisation for farmers. According to something the Centre and states 40,000 crore to the budget allocation a survey of 230 farmers conducted by can build on, if only to turn the page for MNREGA, announced by finance MART Global between June 13-15, on the gloomy economic narrative minister Nirmala Sitharaman under 63 per cent of respondents said they caused by the pandemic. n

46 INDIA TODAY AUGUST 31, 2020

OBITUARY

PANDIT JASRAJ 1930-2020 The Mesmeriser Pandit Jasraj was a favourite with audiences at concerts and music festivals but his most enduring contribution may have been to pull khyal away from the markers associated with gharana By Partho Datta

ttending a concert by Jasraj was always an elder brothers, Mani Ram and Pratap Narayan. Their father, experience to savour. Convention dictated a vocalist, had learnt the style of the little-known Mewati that the doyen of Hindustani vocalists gharana, which owed its origins to vocalist Ghagge Nazir command the prime slot, which was usual- Khan, a court musician in Jodhpur and Bhopal. Young Jasraj ly late in the evening after other musicians first trained in tabla, but he chafed at the contempt that in- had concluded. As the buzz grew, the audi- strumental accompanists faced at the hands of soloists. De- enceAprofile changed with a rush of younger people filling the termined to succeed as a vocalist, he began his career singing auditorium. Jasraj appeared on stage in flamboyant silks— duets with his eldest brother Mani Ram. In a Doordarshan lately in bright and orange hues. Hugging a swarmandal, he interview (now available on YouTube) that Vinaychandra always began with a trademark prayer, Mangalam Bhagwan Maudgalya did with Mani Ram and Jasraj, it becomes clear Vishnu, invoking a devotional hush among the audience that the Mewati style prided itself on its traditionalism and before transiting effortlessly to exploring a raga. rejected the modern systematisation of ragas invented by One never stopped marvelling at Jasraj’s melodic range Vishnu Narayan Bhatkhande in the early twentieth century. and the mesmeric quality of his voice—which became more Jasraj settled in Bombay and by the early 1970s had resonant as he grew older. Hindustani ragas usually span one emerged as a concert favourite, together with peers like Amjad and a half octaves; Jasraj traversed three, Ali Khan, Hariprasad Chaurasia, Shivku- holding notes in the difficult lower octave mar Sharma and Zakir Hussain. This was with ease, stunning the audience with his Hindustani ragas a generation that came after Ravi Shankar, breath control. Over the years, critics grew usually span one Ali Akbar and Vilayat Khan. In vocal wary but the audience loved it and revelled music it was difficult to avoid the influence in his vocal prowess. and a half octaves; of elders like Amir Khan, and Jasraj, like Jasraj always ended with a bhajan, Jasraj traversed many contemporaries, was profoundly avoiding genres like thumri and dadra. three, holding notes influenced by his contemplative style. This The request from the adoring crowd is evident in recordings of ragas like Bilas- was usually Om Namo Bhagwate or Mata in the difficult lower khani Todi and Darbari. Kalika, rendered with his characteristic octave, stunning the At the same time, he persisted in gusto. In later years, his students joined in audience with his showcasing complex ragas from his earlier a chorus providing support and harmony. breath control training, such as Shuddha Nat, Barari, His real contribution, however, was in Hussaini Kanada and Khamaj Bahar. mainstream khyal. In his later years, he delighted audiences Jasraj helped to make khyal generic, pulling it away with his soulful renderings of Dev Gandhar, Jaijaiwanti and from the markers associated with gharana. The attributes perennial favourites like Bihag. His recordings of ragas Nat of this form of raga music was a new kind of voice—mel- Narayani and Asa, which are mentioned in the Granth Sahib, lifluous, soothing and attractive. It was suited to modern were much appreciated. A remarkable early album was Sur- auditoriums, sound systems, stereo and recording. This das padas rendered in the haveli style. music embraced a sonic range and knowledge of raga gram- Jasraj married legendary filmmaker V. Shantaram’s mar was no longer requisite as first-time listeners immersed daughter Madhura. His children Sharangdev and Durga themselves in an aural experience, enthusiastically expand- are composers and television personalities. Senior disciples ing a growing public for classical music. Jasraj adapted to include scholar Mukund Lath, Som Tewari, Girish Wazalwar new trends as did others, notably Kishori Amonkar, Parveen and Chandrasekhar Swami. Sanjeev Abhyankar, Shweta Sultana and Rajan and Sajan Mishra. Rashid Khan followed Jhaveri and Kala Ramnath the violinist are among his in their footsteps. In the 1970s, Jasraj had to contend with accomplished younger students who represent his musical distinctive contemporaries like Bhimsen Joshi and Kumar values and sparkling legacy best. n Gandharva and it was not unusual for all three to sing in the same music festivals. Partho Datta teaches at the School of Arts and Aesthetics, Jasraj’s training had been mostly in-house from his two Jawaharal Nehru University, New Delhi

48 INDIA TODAY AUGUST 31, 2020 Photograph by BANDEEP SINGH

TRIBUTE ❘ M.S. DHONI MIND MAKETH

CAPTAIN COOL ➼ THE Dhoni setting the field during the India- Australia quarter-final of the 2011 World Cup, at MAN Motera, Ahmedabad EVEN MORE THAN HIS GIFTS IN FRONT OF THE STUMPS AND BEHIND IT, IT WAS HIS PRESCIENT READING OF THE GAME THAT SET MSD APART

By Boria Majumdar

50 INDIA TODAY AUGUST 31, 2020 This was the T20 World Cup final, 2007. When Misbah-ul-Haq hit a towering straight six off Joginder Sharma in the second ball of the last over, Pakistan looked nearly home. Six needed of fours balls. On air, Ravi Shastri said: ‘Pakistan are just a hit away from becoming world champi- ons.’ Co-commentator Ramiz Raja was gushing about Misbah and could barely restrain his excitement. Shas- tri had already asked if Dhoni should have gone for Harbhajan (Singh) in- stead to bowl that last over, for cast- ing the inexperienced Joginder in that role seemed to fly in the face of cricketing logic. Joginder’s first ball, a 10 feet wide, only added to the alarm. Dhoni ran up to his charge, for a third time in the over, whispered into his ears and returned behind the stumps. The next ball was bowled full on the middle stump. Misbah scooped it into the gleeful hands of Sreesanth at short fine leg. The stadium erupt- ed, India erupted, and the legend of visionary captain Mahendra Singh

INDRANIL MUKHERJEE/GETTYIMAGES INDRANIL Dhoni, already a much-adored na- tional hero, was born.

AUGUST 31, 2020 INDIA TODAY 51 TRIBUTE ❘ M.S. DHONI

The seemingly prescient field,” says Dave Warner. Ten- throw of the dice in the 2007 fi- dulkar, too, picks that quality of nal was no fluke. Over the years, being unflappable under pressure MSD did it again and again. In as Dhoni’s defining attribute: many close encounters. Cut to “Being calm is what helped him the 2011 World Cup final. Much take key decisions.” Mithali Raj, to everyone’s surprise, MSD pro- captain of the women’s national moted himself in the batting ODI team and one of the legends order, ahead of in-form Yuvraj of the women’s game, qualifies Singh and Suresh Raina—and the apparent calm: “As a captain, took India home, this time as you do feel pressure, but with batsman, in another well-remem- Dhoni, it is as if he doesn’t. Even bered knock, including a match- if he does, he is able to absorb it winning six that Sunil Gavaskar and not show it.” BANDEEP SINGH BANDEEP rhapsodises is the last thing he’d That calm demeanour on the like to see before he dies. As coach cricket field is so universally ac- Gary Kirsten said, “It was his cepted and so talked about that “The world call. And it showed how he was it’s become an underexamined as leader and captain.” cliché among fans. The reason has seen his why that cricketing brain pro- third memory, not so cesses dynamic, on-field in - achievements. firmly etched in the pub- formation well is that his calm I have seen the lic imagination, is how reduces clutter, which leads to A Dhoni turned the tide in clarity of thinking. This was in man. He is a very the 2013 Champions Trophy final telling evidence in the conclud- against England in Birmingham. ing over of the humdinger against special person” Defending a modest 129 off 20 Bangladesh in the World T20 in —VIRAT KOHLI overs in a rain-curtailed game, 2016, a match India managed to Dhoni was fast running out of pull back from the jaws of defeat. options, with Eoin Morgan and With two to get of the last ball, it Ravi Bopara on a roll. That’s was a given that the Bangladesh when he turned, counter-intui- batsmen would run for every- tively for many experts, to Ishant thing. By the time that last ball Sharma, who had been singled missed the bat and sailed into out for harsh treatment by the Dhoni’s gloves, the non-striker English. Sitting in the Edgbas- had already taken off. “In that ton press box, we agreed it was a situation, the first instinct is to huge gamble: one more bad over, throw the ball”, says Jhulan Gos- and it would have been curtains wami, another former India cap- for India. But. To everyone’s sur- tain. “You aim and throw, hoping prise, Sharma picked two wickets to hit [the stumps].” But Dhoni, “ONE OF THE in two balls, and all of a sudden, a powerful runner, quickly wa- CALMEST MEN I’VE India had a chance. In another gered in his mind that he could inspired tactical move, Dhoni beat the non-striker and darted COME ACROSS got the spinners Ravindra Jade- off towards the stumps. He did ON THE CRICKET ja and Ravichandran Ashwin to get there first, to take India FIELD. THAT COOL bowl overs 19 and 20, teasing the through yet again. Recalling the DEMEANOUR WAS English batsman, far more com- drama of that last ball on India THE KEY TO HIS fortable against pace, to slog and Today TV, for the chat show In- perish. It worked, and gave MSD spiration, Hardik Pandya said: TREMENDOUS the only missing piece of ICC sil- “When Mahibhai started run- SUCCESS OVER A verware for himself and India. ning, I just shut my eyes. I knew GLITTERING CAREER” “He is the calmest on the he’d get there, it was Mahibhai, —DAVID WARNER

52 INDIA TODAY AUGUST 31, 2020 “The biggest attributes of a successful captain are a sharp mind and the ability to remain composed under pressure. M.S. Dhoni possessed these attributes more than anyone I know. He has given Indian cricket some of “The way he reads its best moments and that will be the endur - the game is special. ing legacy of his outstanding career” It was a lesson for —MITHALI RAJ all of us in the team. His contribution to Indian cricket is, of course, immense” “As a player, when you —AJINKYA RAHANE make a mistake on the field, you inevitably look at your captain. “His humility is what makes him diff— A show of anger or erent. Having shared the dressing frustration [from the room with him for years, I can tell you captain] can be really he is someone you want to spend time deflating when you’re with and learn from. You can never in the dumps. That’s ever forget his contribution to Indian where M.S. Dhoni was cricket—a real legend of the game” different—and special” —BHARAT ARUN BANDEEP SINGH BANDEEP —JHULAN GOSWAMI “If I have to die, I’ll say, please, let me watch the six Dhoni hit to win India the World Cup. It’ll surely bring a smile to my face and I’ll go in peace. I told him as much” —SUNIL GAVASKAR

There are many things about him that “You have to count him among the stand out but if you ask me to pick one greatest—mind, among the ‘greatest’, quality, I’ll say his calm mind. The ability to not just greats. Coming from where he stay cool under pressure allowed for clarity of did, that makes it even more special. From his days in Kharagpur to his days thinking and helped him win important tour- as an Indian cricketer, he was always in naments. The six he hit to win India the World the moment. In retirement too—he has Cup may remain the most important shot he moved on. His achievements straddle played, but the one I vividly remember is a all formats: he’s won the T20 and ODI pull shot for six off Shoaib Akhtar World Cups and multiple IPL titles. In in 2006. I was at the non-strik- Test cricket, he took India to #1 in the er’s end and that shot against world. As a wicket-keeper, he was not Shoaib, who was bowling fast, a natural but had blindingly fast hands, was for me a perfect snapshot of faster than any pickpocket. I’ll always the kind of talent Dhoni had” have fond memories of him” — SACHIN TENDULKAR —RAVI SHASTRI TRIBUTE ❘ M.S. DHONI

but the tension was too much…. There can never be another M.S. Dhoni.” The ability to think on his feet and soak up pressure in tight situations served him well as a leader. Almost irrespective of the match situation, Dhoni looked in control; in fact he looked a step ahead of the competition. Rarely did Dhoni react when a catch was dropped, a terrible ball bowled, an indiscreet shot played. “Those things make a huge difference. When you bungle, you’re already feeling bad. If the captain is calm, it soothes your nerves,” says Ajinkya Rahane, a regular in the national side and among the best readers of the modern game.

senior academic at IIM Cal- cutta says M.S. Dhoni is a fa- vourite B-school case study. A “Who decodes that mind better can break a deadlock between two candidates in an interview,” he says. MSD’s modest early life is too well-storied to bear repetition, but it’s worth reminding ourselves that it was he who really gave wings to the crick- eting aspirations of small-town India (he comes from Ranchi in Jharkhand); IT’S A SIX ➼ it was Dhoni more than anyone else Dhoni hits the winning runs in the 2011 World who gave underprivileged aspirants in Cup final between India the hope that perhaps they could India and Sri Lanka GRAHAM CROUCH/GETTY IMAGES do it too. In putting Ranchi on India’s cricket map, Dhoni nurtured dreams and changed Indian cricket forever. It’s people love to wax lyrical about. Nor umes for why Mahendra Singh Dhoni an interesting coincidence that India’s was he a natural behind the stumps. has earned for himself a permanent first World Cup-winning skipper, Kapil But he made up for the lack of those place among the pantheon of cricket- Dev, also came from a cricketing back- gifts in ways that others can only envy. ing greats. If you ask Ravi Shastri, he’ll waters of his time. In 1983, when India On the field, as captain, keeper and tell you that he counts him among the won the first World Cup, Chandigarh batsman, especially in the white ball greatest ever. But even beyond the gifts had no cricket pedigree; it was not the game, he was matchless. And if you’ll of mind and body or leadership, the fancied cricket destination of today. measure him simply by his success, man stands for, and is driven by, a cer- MSD was far from perfect, though. then try and beat his three biggest tro- tain process-based work ethic without He was not as naturally gifted as Ten- phies—the World T20 (2007), the ODI overinvesting himself in the end result. dulkar or as resilient as Gavaskar or as World Cup (2011) and the ICC Cham- That brings a lightness of spirit to his flamboyant as Kapil Dev. Nor was he a pions Trophy (2013)—not to forget, In- adventures on the field and lights up stylist with the bat—he was no David dia’s ascent, under his leadership to the the smile that cricket aficionados and Gower or V.V.S. Laxman or Moham- #1 position in the ICC Test rankings. fans the world over will remember for med Azharuddin, whose batting grace That record, by itself, speaks vol- a long, long time. n

54 INDIA TODAY AUGUST 31, 2020

WHAT YOU DON’T SEE WHEN YOU SEE DHONI

nobody has his numberr, so to speak

By Anand Vasu

hen he burst onto the scene, Dhoni was a complete unknown, in more ways than one. He was different from anything one might have expected. The long, straightened hair was not a cultivated look but the meaty hitting of a cricket ball with violent power was cultivated. The halting, idiosyncratic English was not aspirational but making a life in cricket was a clearly articulated ambi- tion, to be followed through, come what may. From unknown in 2004 to un- knowable in 2020, Dhoni’s international career has played out under intense scrutiny for more than a decade and a half, and when he walked away from the game, whistling a tune to himself, the greybeard left everyone scratching their heads, trying to make sense of what they had witnessed. Back in 2006 after his first full season as an international cricketer, I sat Dhoni down for an interview. More accurately, Dhoni sat me down for an interview. Those were the days when Dhoni still believed in giving interviews. He was already making a name for himself as a cricketing hermit. Telephones distressed him and he actively distrusted reporters and the role they played in a cricketer’s life. While Dhoni did have a mobile phone and would even hand out the number, he never answered it. In hotels, the reception would have instructions to mark his room landline as ‘Do Not Disturb’; if they failed to do so, the receiver would be off the hook. There are many famous stories, including assorted apocrypha, of Dhoni’s W relationship with telephones. One happened when N. Srinivasan was secretary of the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) and by that token the con- venor of the selection committee. Hard as he tried, Srinivasan just couldn’t get hold of Dhoni to ascertain his availability for a future meeting. Communication was re-established when the two were face to face again, but it is not clear how that came about. Then there was the time Amitabh Bachchan was attempting to get hold of Dhoni to congratulate him for something or the other, only to find his calls and messages ignored. The actor everyone seems to want a piece of then took to Twitter to convey his greetings. Which also went unacknowledged. For a time, it was said Dhoni had the world’s most expensive pager, because that was how he used his mobile phone. You did not call Dhoni, he called you. But this was not out of disrespect but an instinct to protect himself and his time. In that early interview, it became clear that Dhoni knew his mind. When

AUGUST 31, 2020 INDIA TODAY 55 TRIBUTE ❘ M.S. DHONI

THE ONLY ONE ODIS A statistical portrait of a superachiever ›› Dhoni averag and is one of on men to average 10,000 runs; Koh Tendulkar comes

›› Dhoni has hit 2 ond only to Rohit S sixes were to finis any other batsma

›› Dhoni has hit 7 5 or lower--joint Singh and Jos But

RITAM BANERJEE/GETTY IMAGES ›› Dhoni has been ODIs—the most b ›› Dhoni is the only captain to win a T20 World chases, of which Cup (2007), an ODI World Cup (2011) and an ICC ›› Champions Trophy (2013); his captaincy in 332 The 183 vs Sr matches across formats is the highest by anyone highest by a desi the joint second h one in a run chase ›› Only player to lead ›› Only captain to average his team in 50+ match- ›› Dhoni’s 444 d es in all formats Over 30 in T20Is all-time, behind (min. 500 runs) (482) and Adam G 40 in Tests (min, 1,000 123 were stump etkeeper has 100 60 Tests runs) and 50 in ODIs (min. 1,000 runs) ›› Only Ricky Pon (265) and Stephen 200 ODIs As captain, he averaged... 37.1 in T20Is Fleming (218) have been captain in 40.6 in Tests 72 T20Is more ODIs than 53.9 in ODIs Dhoni’s 200

the stripling was asked if he had spoken to the likes of Sachin stopped and discussions on selecti n stayed co fi ential. Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid on dealing Dhoni’s men were given a simple brief: play cricket, stay true with his newfound fame, he said: “I haven’t had a chat with to your team and to hell with the rest. them specifically about this. But I’ve learnt from them, by This is not to say that Dhoni was rude or standoffish—far watching them. How they interact with each other, how they from it. When he met you, at a cricket ground or an event interact with the media … I’ve made one thing clear. I don’t or an airport lounge, he would be the first to disarm with a want to get into controversies. If I don’t want to speak about wisecrack. Which is why everyone has a Dhoni story, even if something, I won’t.” they cannot claim to be part of the Dhoni story. It was while He did learn from his seniors in the team, but Dhoni did waiting for a delayed flight that we had one of our longer not copy. The first thing he did when he was established was interactions, in which Dhoni laughed when it was put to him to cut out everything extraneous to his cricket. Gone were that he now had the baton from the leading lights, and it was the interviews, and press conferences were limited to what up to him to run with it. “If you think I’m going to have a 15- was compulsory. Even in those pressers, there were questions year career like Sachin or Rahul, and play a hundred Tests and he simply would not address. Most importantly, the team all that, you are in for a surprise. I’m just here to play cricket. bubble was sealed. The leaking of stories about each other When that goes, I’m gone. You won’t hear from me again.”

56 INDIA TODAY AUGUST 31, 2020 honi has been captain and wicket- per in 200 ODIs. The next closest is of an innings from start to finish. stan’s Sarfaraz Ahmed with 50 Psychologists will offer a simple example of how the honi’s average of 53.5 as wicket- human mind deals with this. Walking a one foot wide path per-captain is second only to AB de marked on solid ground is child’s play. The same task on ers’ 71.4, but AB did so over 30 ODIs to a plank balanced between two chairs, three feet off the ni’s 200 ground, is iffy, but almost everyone will be game enough to try it. If the same plank is straddling two buildings, a hun- n 108 chases of 300 or less, Dhoni dred feet off the ground, only those who chase the thrill of raged 60.5, with 29 scores of 50 or danger will venture voluntarily. In a way, the task is the same and was not out 46 times but the challenge is vastly different because the downside is honi is the greatest finisher in ODI dramatically different. ket. In successful chases, he aver- s 102.7 across 116 matches. The honi’s batting was marked by an ability to ignore the best is Kohli, who averages 86.2 in 89 downside, under pressure or scrutiny. It is for this essful chases. Michael Bevan reason that it mattered little to him whether he was raged 86.2 in 75 similar instances D playing at the MECON Ground in Ranchi, in front of three dogs and a man, or in the final of a World Cup, in front of a capacity crowd at the Wankhede Stadium. It is for eason that he has finished nine run chases with a six, as led thing no other cricketer has done. Where you and I see ll six ICC less risk, he looks into himself and trusts the process, 0 com- e exclusion of everything else. (now Being such a great manager of risk strengthened Dhoni’s nty20 nd in limited overs cricket, where he spent a lifetime . No other ucing chases to a shoot-out between himself and the a full mem- ler, where he stripped the situation of all external factors y has led in nothing was left but him with a bat in hand facing the ball three such t was coming at him. But his carefree manner, his ability play the big shots, his apparent unflappability and the as 91 dis- m at the crease that comes from his Zen-like immersion in 57 catches simple task of playing the next ball are often misunder- mpings) od as an appetite for risk. In fact, the unwillingness to roll oth e dice made him one of the more defensive Test captains s dia has had. In the longer format, the path to the finish ne is not clear till late into the game, and you have to do

DUIFDU TOIT/GETTY IMAGES ings hoping the chips will fall as you hope. Dhoni did not ve on hope, and when he couldn’t see a way of getting the That, of course, has turned out to be anything but tru ob done, he simply shut shop and refused to lose the game. Which brings us to another of Dhoni’s strengths—his Paddy Upton, who worked with the Indian team to cre- adaptability. At the end of his career, it is almost forgotten ate the right environment for mental well-being and success, that he came to the world of cricket as a monstrous striker has a theory about mental toughness and results. Upton, who of the ball. Here was a batsman who could clear the ropes at does not go by the title sports psychologist, is nevertheless a will, with a combination of brute strength and shot selec- keen student of the human mind and how it works, both aca- tion not seen in Indian cricket. When he was swinging for demically and in practice. “When we study the best of the best, the fences as a youngster, it seemed that he was a carefree consider the following as a list of definitions associated with batsman, a sort of daredevil, but nothing could be farther mental toughness: massive belief in self and one’s ability; emo- from the truth. Dhoni was, in fact, among the more risk- tional control; clear thinking under pressure; ruthless pursuit averse cricketers to be successful across formats over an of goals; operating well in chaos; not intimidated by others; extended period. In limited overs cricket, it was his ability unaffected by loss and failure; quick to spot weaknesses in op- to assess risk, without fearing the consequences of failing, ponents; inspirational, popular, influential; compulsive liar.” that enabled him to transition from being a charismatic Wait, what? Yes, Upton slips that in, because he is listing slogger into a fearsome batsman who controlled the tempo the characteristics of psychopathy, rather than just mental

AUGUST 31, 2020 INDIA TODAY 57 TRIBUTE ❘ M.S. DHONI

psychopaths. I’ve seen the so-called attributes of mental toughness in them, which help deliver results on the field. I have seen how fans, ➼ THE LONG friends and the media adore these WALK people. But I have also seen what it Dhoni is run out looks like when their mental tough- in the India- ness is unmasked as psychopathic New Zealand behaviour,” he says. semi-final Before this sounds like a of the 2019 ICC Cricket hatchet job on Dhoni, consider World Cup in the legacy he has left, the system Manchester, he has created: England. It was ➦ A youngster making his way MSD’s last into the Indian team today feels no WC match pressure to conform to the image of an Indian cricketer the world constructed: look at Hardik Pan- dya, the way he plays, the way he carries himself, the way he lives his public life. ➦ A gifted youngster on his way to

CLIVE MASON/GETTY IMAGES MASON/GETTY CLIVE the top feels no need to be subser- vient to the big cogs in the wheel: toughness. But, before you deem look at Virat Kohli, the way he him a nutjob, there’s more. “What THE POINT OF relates to coaches and selectors, if I told you that the academics who DHONI IS THAT HE cricket administrators and the studied mental toughness among media. elite athletes might unknowingly DID NOT FIT HIM- ➦ A youngster aspiring to break have unearthed their psychopathic SELF INTO THE the shackles of his history and ge- traits and prescribed these as char- MOULD. RATHER, HE ography does not wait to be invited acteristics of mental toughness? to take a seat at the table: look at Barring only one or two, the traits IMPOSED HIMSELF Jasprit Bumrah, the way he has are the same. This is the reason ON THE ENVIRON- kept his identity intact while going for so many psychopaths achiev- MENT AROUND HIM, from obscurity to being the most ing such high levels of success feared Indian fast bowler going. in business, as well as in politics TRANSPLANTED HIS The legacy of Dhoni and more and sport.” THINKING INTO THE than that the point of Dhoni is that Close your eyes and think he did not come into Indian crick- of Dhoni, and you will see a tick MINDS OF THOSE et and fit himself into the mould. against each of those boxes, save WHO SET THE Rather, he imposed himself on the one—about being a compulsive liar. AGENDA environment around him, trans- Then again, one way to ensure you planted his thinking into the minds do not lie is to say nothing at all. of those who set the agenda and left Upton explains this in terms more Indian cricket a better place than it clearly understood by laymen. “The only difference between was when he began. a corporate psychopath and Hannibal Lecter Silence( of the When Tendulkar retired, the nation found itself in the Lambs) & co., who torture animals as children and end up as grip of an emotional extravaganza. When Dhoni slid away, jailed serial killers as adults, is their propensity for violence.” through a side door like the one he used to enter, many Before you jump to conclusions, Upton was not, at any point, must stand in silent gratitude. If Tendulkar opened a door referring to Dhoni when he spoke of this, but it’s hard not to to let himself in, Dhoni left it ajar for the best of the rest to be struck by how well the shoe fits. “I have worked with a few follow in his footsteps. n

58 INDIA TODAY AUGUST 31, 2020 THE ROYAL TALE OF THE POSITIVE GAYATRI DEVI VIBES OF PG 61 SOULMATE PG 62

ISHAAN KHATTER Q&A WITH FINDING HIS DEV PATEL FEET PG 64 PG 68

BOOKS Behind the Music A no-holds-barred account of Pandit Ravi Shankar’s incredible career and tumultuous private life

DINODIA PHOTOS / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO LEISURE

Silverstone (many other lovers followed). Craske un- earths an interesting nugget—Shankar’s initial trip was underwritten by the CIA, covertly influencing culture in the Cold War era, though the musician himself had no idea about the source of funds. The prestige of success in the US added to his fame in India. Delhi, Calcutta and especially Bombay remained crucial for opportunities in India. The Indian People’s Theatre Association in the 1940s and the film industry helped hone his talents as a composer of popular melodies and develop the potential of an Indian orchestra. In the 1950s, the cultural sphere expanded dramatically but took a conservative Hindu turn. In his Bengali autobiog- raphy, Shankar briefly mentioned the tussle with Muslim Ravi Shankar musicians. To Shankar’s credit, he never plugged into this By Oliver Craske FABER & FABER communitarian discourse, but being a Brahmin must `899; 672 pages have helped his career. Shankar’s break-up with his talented wife Annapurna his is a meticulously researched biography— and her withdrawal from public life have long been grist to detailed, judicious, engaging and illuminat- rumour mills. Here, too, Craske is careful and judicious, ing. Not since Marie Seton’s Portrait of a though one episode in this tussle, verging on low com- Director: Satyajit Ray (1971), has anything edy, was Shankar’s attempt to prove Annapurna’s infidel- comparable been attempted for a major ity! She, in turn, had the police raid his flat while he was contemporary Indian cultural figure. Oliver abroad. His relationship with father-in-law and teacher Craske has worked hard for many years and Allauddin Khan, too, deteriorated. The failed marriage trawled the public records of Ravi Shankar, was used endlessly by rivals to showcase his bad faith, who died in 2012, across many continentsand but there were other attempts to sully his reputation. The in India. His project had the unqualifiedsup- famous incident where Vilayat Khan ‘defeated’ Shankar port of Shankar’s second wife Sukanya and hisdaughter in a joint concert is recounted with equanimity here and TAnoushka who opened the family archives and encour- is certainly more convincing than the sensational one in a aged a no-holds-barred account. Shankar’s trailblazing recent biography of Khan. Shankar’s spectacular success public career and his tumultuous private life fit into a meant other musicians, critics, even ex-students, bitterly pattern. As biographical accounts of Arturo Toscanini resented his fame. The last such episode was a gratuitous and Leonard Bernstein—comparable figuresfrom Euro- remark by a friend, vocalist Pt Jasraj, on Shankar receiving American cultures—show, creative freedom and sexual the Bharat Ratna in 1999. Shankar publicly forgave him. drive often stood in for each other, generatingthe restless Craske is accessible and patient with explanations persona that was the modern artist. about Shankar’s music, though details about his impact on Craske is particularly good on two counts—the con- pop and the avant garde scene in the US may tire Indian nections between Shankar’s public career and India’s readers. The focus is overwhelmingly on ensemble and emergence as an independent nation are convincingly collaborative efforts—Shankar’s stellar contribution to made. Shankar’s American sojourns are also recounted the sonic, aesthetic and stylistic system within Hindustani in detail, for here the archival record is strong,thanks to music could have been addressed in a more connected way. the patronage networks, funding agencies, Shankar and talented contemporary instru- Hollywood contacts and mercurial patrons, mentalists did certainly reverse the superior New York elites, jazz musicians, impresarios, status of vocalism in Hindustani music—no record producers. Yehudi Menuhin is a sig- The book makes mean achievement. His Maihar style also nificant figure—a devoted admirer who fell strong connec- gave life to traditional dhrupad which had in love with Hindustani music and also yoga. tions between faded as a vocal genre. The sound of Shan- Early in his career, Shankar resigned Ravi Shankar’s kar’s sitar—especially the deep growl of the from a stable All India Radio job and took career and the bass string—generated a new subjectivity the risk of striking out in the US and set a emergence of and his superb compositional skills added precedent for generations of Indian artists. an independent a unique temporal dimension. According to The initial forays were mixed, but he made India music critic S. Kalidas, he had justly inhe- life-long friends, cut his first L.P. and had rited a legendary status similar to Tansen’s. n an affair with the photographer Marilyn —Partho Datta

60 INDIA TODAY AUGUST 31, 2020 M ZHAZO

INDIA TODAY PHOTO ARCHIVE BOOKS hen she died at the ripe old AN IMPERIAL ALBUM Gayatri Devi age of 90 in 2009, Gayatri and Man Singh II with Queen Elizabeth W Devi, the Rajmata of Jaipur, and Prince Philip in Jaipur, 1961; the city to which she had Padmanabh Singh; and Gayatri Devi wihth stepson Bhawani Singh in 1998 A come as an awestruck bride 70 years earlier came to a standstill. Amid show- ers of rose petals, cries of “Maharani ki iconic Black and White Ball. Ignoring the ROYAL jai!”, a 40-gun salute and the panoply of dress code, Ayesha arrived in a gold sari a state funeral, thousands of mourners and blaze of emeralds. thronged the Pink City. Newspapers Yet they remained anachronisms of around the world ran fulsome tributes. their age. Asked how she dealt with her TALE Neither Rajput-born nor fluent in Hindi, husband’s senior wives and adulteries, an audacious rule-breaker, why did she the Rajmata said, “I think it’s much easier John Zubrzycki’s new triumph in a kingdom that had barely to get on with your husband’s other book on Gayatri Devi and changed since medieval times? wife who has an official status than his Hers is the image—as style-maker, the royal household of mistress who is usurping you.” royal jetsetter and most glamorous of By removing layers of “airbrushed Jaipur is a riveting saga of MPs flung into jail by Indira Gandhi during inconvenient truths” from her sanitised a troubled family the Emergency—that captures the pre- memoir, Zubrzycki’s assiduously- carious transition from India’s princely researched, gripping account is of a Jazz Age to the upheavals of modern de- troubled family wrecked by alcoholism, mocracy. A hand-tinted portrait adorns avarice and labyrinthine litigation among the cover of John Zubrzycki’s book, The brothers and heirs. Ayesha’s father and House of Jaipur, but inside is a sobering two adored brothers perished from 20th century saga more twisted than drink. So did Jai’s only daughter and his the secret passageways behind Hawa neglected purdah wives. Most tragically, Mahal’s lacy façade. their only biological son Jagat, divorced In her bestselling 1977 memoir A from his wife, a Thai princess, and es- Princess Remembers, the Rajmata told tranged from his children, died in London a rose-tinted tale of the teenage passion after a reckless binge in 1997. that propelled her from Cooch Behar’s Claims of primogeniture by Jai’s royal household to Rambagh Palace as eldest son Bhawani Singh led to a the third wife of the handsome polo-play- landslide of lawsuits. Though the Raj- ing Maharaja of Jaipur. (Already a father mata anonymously left some of her best of four, his two previous wives were Cartier pieces to the British Museum, her sequestered in Rambagh’s purdah wing.) grandchildren enforced their rights of Together, Jai and Ayesha (as their inheritance to her property. friends knew them) turned Jaipur into a The fight in the courts failed to dim modernising project: appointing reform- the razzmatazz of Jaipur’s old court. Bha- ist administrators, starting girls’ schools, wani died in 2011, leaving a new rajmata negotiating political settlements and, in City Palace. His daughter Diya Kumari presciently, converting their palaces is now a BJP MP. And his grandson, into grand hotels. As party people, their 22-year-old Padmanabh Singh, is the THE HOUSE OF JAIPUR social cachet was considerable. It ir- new maharaja. He plays polo in England, The Inside Story of India’s ritated officialdom no end that the Queen waltzes Reese Witherspoon’s daughter Most Glamorous Royal Family and Prince Philip, the Mountbattens and at debutante balls in Paris, and walks the By John Zubrzycki Jackie Kennedy (and later Imran Khan runway for Dolce & Gabbana in Milan. JUGGERNAUT and Mick Jagger) bore down on Jaipur `599; 384 pages Brand Jaipur, a creation of Ayesha and for their company. In 1966, they were the Jai’s, marches on. n only Indians invited to Truman Capote’s —Sunil Sethi er Blackstratblues aka Warren Mendonsa Warren aka Blackstratblues er to them and blues-rock guitarist-compos blues-rock and them to the Soul Strat Saloon, which pays homage homage pays which Saloon, Strat Soul the and even has a stage named after them: them: after named stage a has even and has played at the event a record six times times six record a event the at played has EASTERN BLUES EASTERN annual Mahindra Blues Festival. Soulmate Soulmate Festival. Blues Mahindra annual Blues Band Hunt, organised as part of the the of part as organised Hunt, Band Blues V Love has continued in spite of an official ban. Until Until ban. official an of spite in continued has activists, say which, Meghalaya, of state home their in mining rat-hole of practice the former was written about the inhumane ciousness of bureaucrats and businessmen; Soul’ and ‘Troubled Times’ address the avari Your in ‘Hole tracks The political. explicitly Leon bassist sons, and drummer Vincent. Wallang’s gigs, pair’s the at performs that section rhythm same the the time, theyfirst laiddown with the songs for musicians, session finest country’s the of of some enlisting of adecade couple After ways. a in predecessors its from differs devoid of LPs any are impressively fillers—it discography—their Soulmate’s of rest the While says. he production, polished of gleam the with sets live their of energy the combines Wall, the in Hole The studio, home Wallang’s at road. and their on test tunes and fresh perfect extensively, tour Studios, Films Yash Raj Mumbai’s at Up Ten Stories 2014’s making on spent they money the back earn to time the needed They performances. and duo’s releases Shillong-based the in vocals intense Kharbangar’s ‘Tips’ Tipriti by singer-songwriter matched maculately im are solos searing whose Wallang Rudy year-long gap, says guitarist-composer newest, The records. four just out put known—and with International Blues Music Day. Music Blues International with acts, which have won the Mahindra Mahindra the won have which acts, on why he vouches for these three three these for vouches he why on eteran guitarist guitarist eteran It’s also the first time the band has been been has band the time first the also It’s The new album, which was recorded recorded was which album, new The six- the for reasons several were There T , was unveiled on August 1, to coincide 1, to on August , coincide was unveiled arguably the act has best—blues arguably Give Love Love Give Rudy Wallang Wallang Rudy tence,India’s best- exis their of years 17 the In between. far and few are they that is mate’s albums can say about Soul you thing worst he fits seamlessly with with seamlessly fits - Give Give - - - - Kharbangar. builds“Everything up. You get says anywhere,” happening nothing there’s and want they what do to able not they’re now. right the world of state the with grappling those all among theypositivitysomespreadfelt,could of which, message the reap-what-you-sow Love’, ‘Give single lead sing-along the after it christen they suggested brother his until fourth collection “ their call to planned originally day”. Wallang steamy a on rain Love’,soothing the “like ‘Your track closing from a line borrow to is, are too mellow.”that songs writing forget [we let’s said] album for] this [so tunes, raw, play rockier we when more “People andunderstand connect with us Kharbangar. music,” says our of dynamics the understand we where apoint reached up things “We was choice. have a considered more effort debut 2004 their standout cuts that featured respectively on ‘A Tea’— of and Cup Price’ ‘The as such lads you love someone, it naturally comes you back.” comes love it naturally someone, When love. to people inspire can we that so each other. We named this album on hating just are people time media, social on the of Most depression. anger, anxiety, keep quiet?” he adds. adds. he quiet?” keep we can long how so blatantly, it doing and time big up messing are leaders so-called preachy”. “But Wallang our puts it, “becoming to affairs avoid,current about as from talking stayed away now, had consciously Soulmate For their legions of fans, the new album “People are very frustrated [because] [because] frustrated very are “People its title, Despite Moving On Moving LEISURE Shillong Soulmate Sings the Blues the Sings Soulmate Give Love Love Give . The decision to amp amp to decision The . and 2009 sopho 2009 and —Amit Gurbaxani is short on bal on short is Give Love Love Give n - - ” licks and phrases” and licks with feel, not just just not feel, with person who plays plays who person criteria I look for: a a for: look I criteria That’s one of the the of one That’s man from the heart. heart. the from man [Sarkar] is a blues a is [Sarkar] “Frontman Arinjoy Arinjoy “Frontman 2018 Kolkata MUSIC ARINJOY TRIO, TRIO, ARINJOY

- Positive Vibes BACK WITH LOVE Rudy Wallang with sons Leon and Vincent, and Tipriti Kharbangar

FOR THE FIRST TIME, SOULMATE HAS BEEN EXPLICITLY POLITICAL IN THEIR MUSIC

BLUE QUIET STORM, TEMPTATION, Jowai Shillong 2020 2019 “This band from “Although they are Meghalaya not a hardcore performs good, au- blues group and are thentic blues. They more blues-rock, touched a lot of they come from the people this year” blues and are a very solid band” LEISURE

CINEMA FINDING HIS FEET ISHAAN KHATTER IS LEARNING TO STRIKE A BALANCE BETWEEN THE COMMERCIAL SIDE OF THE FILM INDUSTRY AND HIS INNER CALLING

shaan Khatter is not your me. His choices don’t adhere to conven- While Khatter stayed away from the book typical Bollywood star-kid. Son tion and what people expect of him.” so as to not “get caught up in things we of actress Neelima Azim and Khatter is a bit of a nonconformist him- wouldn’t be showing”, he still used it as half-brother of Shahid Kapoor, self. The 24-year-old actor is learning to “guidebook” while shooting in Lucknow. Khatter had a rather unglamor- negotiate between the commercial diktats “Every other night I would open the ous, muted debut with Beyond of the industry and his own inner calling. chapter which would describe the scene the Clouds, Iranian filmmaker “There is pressure to conform to a certain [we were shooting the next day] and if I Majid Majidi’s first Hindi fea- image that people have liked of you and felt it was adding something of value, then ture. His next Dhadak, a Hindi it is encouraged to not change that,” I would use it,” he says. “At the same time, I remake of Marathi blockbuster says Khatter. “Ironically, being I wanted to be open to what Tabu Sairat, was a safer bet, but he would take an actor is to explore various doing and bringing some- another 18 months to figure out what dimensions of yourself and to ISHAAN hing new; the interpretation hopes he would do next. First of those projects change yourself.” A Suitable KHATTER A is important to me.” Mira Nair’s is the Mira Nair-directed adaptation of Boy, he knew, would give will do It has made an impres- Vikram Seth’s A Suitable Boy, all six epi- him that and showcase his Suitable Boy sion on the press in the UK, for him whathad her sodes of which will screen at the Toronto talent to the world just like Namesake here the series is playing on International Film Festival. Khatter plays Nair’s The Namesake had done for Irrfan C One, with The Sunday Maan, “a good-looking young wastrel done for Irrfan Khan. es magazine calling him forever”, whose lyrical romance with an Khatter had heard of but not a “Sunday-night star”. Khatter older courtesan Saeeda (Tabu) stirs plenty read the book when he auditioned for one isn’t mulling much on if the series will of controversy and conflict. of Seth’s favourite characters in the book. translate into more opportunities abroad. “He’s an eternal wanderer,” says Khat- Welsh writer Andrew Davies’s 500-page- For now, he’s just glad to get out of his ter of his character. “He almost feels like long script would be his first glimpse into home and resume work, shooting his next he is following his own set of rules which the story of a newly independent India Hindi feature, Khaali Peeli. n immediately made him very interesting to seen through the eyes of four families. —Suhani Singh

64 INDIA TODAY AUGUST 31, 2020 COMEDY A DOSE OF Time to Shine COMEDY The lockdown has helped humourist and actor Danish Sait be discovered by audiences beyond the south

engaluru-based radio controversy. “My mother always jockey, humourist, actor told us that religion and politics are B and host Danish Sait has personal...so keep your mouth shut,” been at it for a decade he says. While a host of stand-up but it took a lockdown for people comedians in Mumbai recently Jose Covaco beyond the South to recognise his received death and rape threats for Covaco has a knack for finding funny bone. His short videos es- older videos and had to apologise, humour in the average Mumbai- saying a whole cast of characters Sait’s humour has proven to be kar’s woes—be it finding an auto or he has created—Rammurthy Avare, safer. Before publishing his videos, the inflated electricity bills during Nagarajan the humble politician, he shares them with his “offence lockdown—and the theatrics of Bevarsi Kudka (noble soul with a metres”—sister Kubbra Sait (of Sa- India’s loudest news anchor good heart), Asgar or Chacko Cheta, cred Games fame), and his girlfriend. Didi Madam, Jaya, Razia—get instant Instead of politics, Sait’s interest likes on Twitter and Instagram. lies in improv comedy. “I love that Some were already popular locally, from nothing or one thing, you can courtesy Sait’s eight-year stint as RJ build a story.” Sait has also been a and prank caller with Fever 104 FM, part of director-writer Saad Khan’s a gig he only recently quit. What’s popular show The Improv. taken Sait by surprise is “the sudden Sait’s career is going well acceptance of content from the enough that he doesn’t feel the need south” in the western and northern to follow his sister to Mumbai. “My belts. “I feel the format change from calling was to do stories in what- audio to video has helped,” he says. ever form or platform, never to be Capitalising on Sait’s newfound an actor in Hindi films,” says Sait. “I Saloni Gaur fame, Amazon Prime Video released don’t understand this fixation with From the socially conscious his second Kannada film,French Bollywood, the airport look, the par- Nazma Aapi to the outspoken Biryani, in June. His first,Humble ties. Also I can’t stand the weather in Kangana Runout, in which Gaur Politician Nograj (2018), had won him Mumbai. When I am at a party there I does a pitch-perfect rendition a South Indian International Movie am just thinking that this person next of the actress, Gaur provides Award for best debut. Sait has to me must be sweating like me.” Sait commentary on the absurdities of reprised the character for an eight- is content in Bengaluru. “For me, the news, politics and Bollywood episode series which is expected to priority is not the destination but the release later this year on a stream- work,” he says. n ing platform. —Suhani Singh In September, Sait will head to the UAE for the Indian Premier League where he will sport a moustache to be the Royal Chal- lengers Bangalore team’s unwanted cheerleader, Mr. Nags. But, as Sait says, he’s not doing anything differ- ent. “It is just about magnifying what I already had.” One reason that Sait’s humour Sarah Cooper resonates with a wider audience The Brooklyn-based comedian’s is that he largely stays clear of exaggerated lip syncs to some of President Donald Trump’s bizarre statements and theories have “I don’t understand earned her two million followers on this fixation with Twitter. Luckily for Cooper, Bollywood, the she’s never short on material. airport look, the parties”

AUGUST 31, 2020 INDIA TODAY 65 POETRY Sha the My h Urdu poet Rahat Indori, who made a high-brow form of art approachable for the common man, showed us that Urdu is not in decline YASIR IQBAL YASIR

POETRY Rahat Indori’s lyrical ability— The top hit (22 million views) is his 2012 Dakhani-style rendition in Dubai and glimpses of depth—show of ‘Bulaati hai magar jaane ka nai’. through in his written work. Some poets comment in between their recitation; Rahat interspersed lyrics in But his popularity springs his commentary. He is a poet of 2010, A Sound from histrionics. Search his he says, not the ’60s-’70s. What does name on YouTube, sort the that mean? It means he will not go home empty-handed; he will snatch and Light Show results by view count. the stars and take them along. he phenomenon of Rahat The ease with which people relate to Indori appears to be inter- Urdu has been evident in the Hindi film T minable. Who would have industry. Lyrics and dialogues had to be expected the 70-year-old more direct to be easily communicable. Urdu poet from Indore, who died on Au- Little wonder then that Rahat was a favou- gust 11 after testing positive for the coro- rite among popular music directors such navirus the night before, to dominate the as Anu Malik and A.R. Rahman. media space as comprehensively as he has The beeline that Urdu poets made for since his passing? Bollywood was unintentionally facilitated This, however, is not an appraisal of by P.C. Joshi, the first secretary-general of the virus. It is about the unprecedented the Communist Party of India. Under the mass appeal of a poet the cognoscenti had umbrella of the Progressive Writers’ As- no measure of. The revelation was thrill- sociation, Joshi attracted the finest talents ing, lifting the spirits of Urdu enthusiasts. in Urdu poetry to Mumbai to increase the It says something of the critics, party’s cultural outreach. To supplement scholars and the dwindling tribe of those their meagre stipends from the party, reared in the sophisticated milieu of poets such as Majrooh Sultanpuri, Sahir Urdu. They were so out of touch with the Ludhianvi, Ali Sardar Jafri and Kaifi burgeoning audiences lin- Azmi began to write song ing up for a Rahat recitation As a performer lyrics, doing the ground- that they gasped when they at mushairas, work for the likes of Rahat saw the crowds. Rahat Indori to enter the scene later. Urdu had earlier ad- was able to Son of a poor cloth mill ministered a similar shock. charge fees oth- worker, Rahat, through Sanjiv Saraf, a cultural en- er poets couldn’t sheer hard work, educated trepreneur and something even dream of himself, doing his PhD on of a visionary, had spotted a theme which later stood a powerful Urdu undercur- him in good stead—Urdu rent, a yearning the literati mushaira. And what a had not discerned. In 2015 mushaira performer he when Saraf launched Jashn-e-Rekhta, a was—theatrical, if not exactly mesmeric, three-day carnival of Urdu in all its forms, demanding fees that none of the poets list- no one could have imagined the mini Urdu ed above would have ever even dreamt of. revolution it would unleash. Last year, the Artist M.F. Husain, for whom Rahat event, spread over six venues within the was “ just the greatest”, had even designed National Stadium in Delhi, registered a a cover of one of Rahat’s collections. daily footfall of 300,000. This, too, aston- Though, that is not to say that Rahat ished the weakened Urdu establishment. was, in fact, actually the best. Husain Consequently, Urdu, unshackled by tradi- was one of the greatest modern Indian tionalism, soared. This new energy is the painters, but that may also be why his function of a new audience riding a wave taste in poetry was limited. Rahat’s po- of egalitarianism. It is axiomatic then that etry was exceptionally popular, but that WELL-VERSED this kind of change, which equalises hier- itself may be the reason why it would not Rahat Indori performs at the mushaira session at archies, would bring about corresponding be considered what English poet Mat- Sahitya Aaj Tak 2019 amendments in taste. thew Arnold called “high seriousness”. n —Saeed Naqvi

The second (21 million views) is his Keep scrolling and you will see several 2017 appearance on The Kapil examples of how Rahat dragged Urdu Sharma Show. He leaves the redoubt- While some shayari out of nostalgia and into the able Navjot Singh Sidhu speechless. His poets comment world wide web. The histrionics, the couplets are maudlin. The host Sharma in betweenRAHAT their commentary that draws in the uniniti- recitation, eggs him on to provide “something interspersed ated...along with his poetic ability meant INDORI romantic” for the young people in the lyrics in his Rahat could stoop to conquer an age audience. Rahat responds with advice commentary that condemns self-doubt and cel- in a couplet: when you shake a hand, ebrates brash confidence. press it too (yes, like that!). —Sopan Joshi QA e Local ctor ev Patel on how India has and his directorial debut

ly narrated the National eries India from Above on ar. What impression of India u with? ly struck me was the ingenuity of tter how intense the conditions are, e a salt farmer in the Rann of Kutch entire ecosystem on the Loktak r]. The concept of adaptability is excelled so quickly. It makes you ired, and that’s the core of the show.

. Any places you want to sit after it? need to do a couple more ovies to afford all the air avel to the places I want to e around India.

. How is your directorial debut, set Mumbai, coming along? umbai is like this incredible land of xtapositions, the beautiful South ere there’s so much history with mo- rnity right next to it. I have spent six ars working on the script. It’s a story I ave wanted to tell and it happens to be t in India because I am so inspired by e country. I was there early this year ing casting sessions. I am in awe of the tors and their dexterity as performers.

ou are being offered parts ependent on your ethnicity. ou feel that’s a step towards sion and diversity in the stry? pletely. It’s because of bold film- rs willing to put up with the ire of ain section as they want to create th me. I credit Armando Iannucci David Lowery for opening doors ese other actors to come in.

KARWAITANG/WIREIMAGE —with Suhani Singh

68 Volume XLV Number 35; For the week August 25-31, 2020, published on every Friday Total number of pages 70 (including cover pages)