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RESTLESS ADITI ‘KUMBH MELA’ FOR 28 DAYS US IN DEEP FREEZE Actor Aditi Rao Hydari says she can’t wait In view of the Covid-19 pandemic, the ‘Kumbh Southern US cities are slammed by winter to see people returning to theatres Mela’ in 2021 would be held in Haridwar storms leaving millions without power for days to watch films LEISURE | P2 for a span of 28 days TWO STATES | P7 INTERNATIONAL | P10

VOLUME 10, ISSUE 320 | www.orissapost.com | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21 | 2021 12 PAGES + SUNDAY POST | `4.00 Let elected govts function: CM CM NAVEEN PATNAIK WAS ADDRESSING THE NITI AAYOG’S SIXTH GOVERNING COUNCIL MEETING Economic Survey predicts negative growth for

POST NEWS NETWORK

Bhubaneswar, Feb 20: The Economic Survey of Odisha Every crime is being tabled in the state Assembly Prime Minister Modi speaks during the 6th meeting of the Governing Council of Niti Aayog, via video conferencing PTI PHOTO politicised, every action of an Saturday predicted nega- n The economy of elected government is being tive economic growth in the Odisha has grown POST NEWS NETWORK feature of a democracy, Patnaik said, and targeted action is needed for that. NITI Aayog should look into this seen from a political angle current fiscal, majorly at- at 7.1 pc per annum “The hallmark of a mature democ- NITI Aayog has a major role to play in very serious issue or else in a few tributed to the Covid-19 pan- from 2012-13 to Bhubaneswar, Feb 20: Chief Minister racy is that once elected, the govern- this. Specific sections that need focus years there will be serious distortions, This kind of atmosphere is demic. 2019-20 Naveen Patnaik Saturday said it’s high ment is meant to work for people, be- like malnutrition, connectivity, sex he warned. Patnaik further said NITI one of the biggest threats to The survey predicted the n The expected growth time the country got out of the election- yond party lines. It’s high time that we ratio imbalances etc,” he advised the Aayog should develop into a repository state’s growth rate is likely the pace of development and rate is - 4.92 pc in mode and allowed the elected gov- as a country had serious introspec- planning body. of innovations drawn from the coun- peace in the country to come down by 4.92 per 2020-21 ernments to function. cent in 2020-21 as per the tion on whether we are able to do the Stating that lakhs of young people try and across the world and help NAVEEN PATNAIK | CM, ODISHA “Every crime is being politicised, same.” appear for national-level exams every replicate it. Advance Estimates (AE). n The country at large every action of an elected government He called upon a serious delibera- year –UPSC exam, NEET, and JEE— “Many critical issues are being All sectors of the economy is expected to see is being seen from a political angle. This tion on the past promises of national Patnaik said that a critical look is raised in the NITI Aayog delibera- are said to register nega- -7.7 pc growth kind of atmosphere is one of the parties on women’s reservation both needed to re-evaluate the examina- tions and excellent suggestions are tive growth. The govern- biggest threats to the pace of devel- in Lok Sabha and state Assemblies. tion pattern for these prestigious and also being made.” Therefore, he urged ple with its unified response against ment has cited the pandemic the devastating impact of opment and peace in the country. It’s “History will not forgive us if we re- highly sought-after exams. the NITI Aayog to share an action the Covid-19 pandemic, Patnaik said and cyclones as prime rea- Covid-19 on the state econ- high time the country got out of this nege on this commitment. This calls “Shouldn’t we have exams that focus taken report to everyone concerned so that the same unified response and sons for the dip in growth of omy,” the report added. election-mode and allowed elected gov- for a serious deliberation and taking on equality and attracting merit as that deliberations will be more mean- inclusive approach should be adopted the state economy. The annual survey by the ernments to function,” the Chief it forward,” he added. Notably, his opposed to exam patterns that are ingful and action oriented. for all major challenges facing the “The Finance department said Minister said. party Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has been heavily dependent on highly paid The Chief Minister also urged the country in the true spirit of coopera- has grown at 7.1 per cent that the dip in Odisha’s real He was addressing the NITI Aayog’s demanding passage of the Women’s coaching classes? This will truly elim- think tank body of Union government tive federalism. per annum during 2012-13 to Gross State Domestic sixth Governing Council meeting, via Reservation bill in the Parliament. inate merit in the long run and deny to take decision on the proposals of dif- “History will remember us on what 2019-20 and the expected Product (GSDP) is lower video conferencing mode, chaired by “If the country has to really move justice to lakhs of our children who live ferent states made on inclusion of our response has been on critical is- growth rate is (-) 4.92 per than that of the national Prime Minister Narendra Modi forward, regions which are neglected in rural areas and don’t have physical tribal communities in the ST list, sues affecting our people and the coun- cent in 2020-21 (AE). The de- average. The country at large Saturday. and populations that are vulnerable or economic access to coaching classes,” which have been pending since 1978. try, rising above political considera- cline in the growth rate for is expected to see -7.7 per Stating elections are an essential have to be taken along. Committed said Patnaik. Citing how has set an exam- tions,” said the Chief Minister. 2020- 21 (AE) is attributed to cent growth. MORE P11 IRREGULAR by MANJUL Fuel prices keep skyrocketing Paddy procurement issue to be

AGENCIES discussed in Assembly Monday New Delhi, Feb 20: Petrol and diesel prices have begun to pinch POST NEWS NETWORK The BJP members expressed consumers harder with oil mar- their displeasure over the minister’s keting companies (OMCs) reserv- Bhubaneswar, Feb 20: Stalemate statement and sought a discussion ing the weekend for effecting the continued in the Assembly for the through a motion in the House. steepest hike in last several months. third consecutive day of the Budget Meanwhile, Congress Legislature Accordingly, the price of petrol session Saturday as the opposition Party (CLP) leader Narasingha and diesel were raised by 39 paisa BJP and the Congress created a Mishra wrote to the Speaker on and 37 paisa per litre respectively ruckus in the House over alleged decisions taken at the all-party Don’t tell me how to bring down in Delhi Saturday. irregularities in the process of meeting held Friday on the issue. the prices. Tell me how to pass With this increase, petrol is now paddy procurement by the state “…it was decided that the Food the blame on to our rivals priced at `90.58 and diesel `80.97 It’s a vexatious issue in which government. Supplies Minister will make a state- no answer except for fall in fuel per litre (s) in the national capital. As soon as the House assembled curement of paddy. ment relating to paddy procure- FUEL PRICES IN CITY price will convince anyone. It is At this price in Delhi, petrol has for the Question Hour, the opposi- The minister informed the House ment. I protested immediately and ` PETROL `91.29 (+0.40p) also a fact that (global) crude breached 90 per litre-mark across rate has been recovering since tion members rushed to the well, de- that the government will procure said that I hadn’t agreed to your pro- WEATHER all metros and around all major cities DIESEL `88.23 (+0.41p) November manding an announcement from the paddy till March 31, 2021. He also said posal for directing the Minister to BHUB CTK of the country. In fact, retail price of government that all paddy bags 55.03 lakh MT of paddy has so far make such statement in the House,” petrol has crossed `100 a litre-mark NIRMALA SITHARAMAN | would be procured from farmers in been procured, up by 21 per cent said the CLP in the letter. MAX 28.4° 29.2° in several cities of Maharashtra, 9), the price has gone up by `3.63 per FINANCE MINISTER the next seven days. from 45.61 lakh MT lifted last year. Later, an all party meeting was Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. litre for petrol while the diesel rate Amid the agitation by the oppo- The opposition members, how- conveyed by the Speaker for smooth TEMP MIN 21.6° 20.0° Forecast These states also have one of the has risen by `3.84 a litre. the level of local taxes on the two sition legislators, the Speaker asked ever, continued their agitation de- functioning of the House. After the Humidity 71% 73% highest levels of local levies on pe- Across the country as well, the petroleum products. Diesel prices Food Supplies, Consumer Welfare spite the minister’s announcement meet, it was announced that two Partly Rainfall Nil Nil cloudy sky troleum products in the country. surge in fuel prices ranged from in New Delhi are closing in on `90 and Cooperation Minister RP Swain that the government will receive hours will be devoted Monday for In the last 12 days (since February 35-40 paisa per litre depending on a litre (`88.06 a litre). to make a statement on the pro- paddy from farmers till March 31. detailed discussion on the issue. No bail for 22-yr-old activist Bloodiest day of anti-coup protests in Myanmar

Disha, next hearing Tuesday AGENCIES Less than an hour after the 8 pm n The deaths occurred in curfew started Wednesday, gun- AGENCIES Yangon, Feb 20: Two anti-coup Mandalay, the country’s shots were heard as more than two second-largest city protesters in Myanmar were shot n dozen police officers with shields and New Delhi, Feb 20: Twenty-two- dead Saturday by riot police who One of the victims was shot in helmets marched past railway work- the head and died at the year-old climate activist Disha Ravi fired live rounds, local media re- ers’ housing. Numerous videos scene, according to Frontier – who spent five days in police cus- ported. Myanmar posted on social media showed muz- tody and two days in jail in the The deaths occurred in Mandalay, n Another was shot in the chest zle flashes as shots were heard, and ‘Toolkit’ case – did not get bail the country’s second-largest city. and died en route to the some police shot slingshots and Saturday. The order was reserved One of the victims was shot in the hospital threw rocks at the buildings. shortly after an hour-long argu- head and died at the scene, ac- Marching chants of “left, right, left, ment between the judge and the cording to Frontier Myanmar. Protesters and residents were right” could be heard along with Delhi Police, in the middle of which, Another was shot in the chest and forced to flee the neighborhood shouts of “shoot, shoot.” judge Dharmendra Rana said he Starting with “What is a toolkit” died en route to the hospital. amid the violence, as security forces Also Saturday, anti-coup pro- “Can’t move ahead unless I satisfy and whether it was “incriminating Several other serious injuries chased after them. testers in Myanmar’s two largest my conscience.” Later, he reserved in itself”, the judge went on to ask were also reported. The shootings There were reports of sounds cities paid tribute to a young woman the order for Tuesday, which would a series of tough questions. occurred near the Yadanabon dock, that resembled gunfire, but it was who died a day earlier after being mean another day in The Delhi Police told where tear gas and rubber bullets not immediately clear whether it was shot by police during a rally against jail for the climate TOOLKIT CASE the court Saturday that were used on protesters earlier in Anti-coup protesters hold identical posters with an image of deposed Myanmar tear-gas canisters being fired or the military takeover. activist. climate activist Disha Ravi cov- the day. leader Aung San Suu Kyi as they gather outside the Hledan Centre in Yangon, live bullets. A group of journalists An impromptu memorial cre- y At the hearing Saturday, the ered her track and deleted evi- Security forces in Myanmar ratch- Myanmar, Saturday was forced to flee after being hit ated under an elevated roadway in

Delhi Police’s reasoning about the dence, which, as per the prosecu- eted up their pressure against anti- with tear gas and slingshot pro- Yangon attracted around 1,000 pro-

k y m c activists being in league with se- tor, shows her “guilty mind.” coup protesters Saturday, using by rubber bullets and had to be car- Yadanabon dock after dock workers jectiles. testers. A wreath of bright yellow cessionists and conspiring to cause Ravi, who faces charges of con- water cannons, tear gas, slingshots ried away in ambulances, according joined the national civil disobedi- Earlier in the week in Mandalay, flowers was hung beneath a pho- the violence during the farmers’ spiracy and sedition in the ‘Toolkit’ and rubber bullets against demon- to an Associated Press journalist ence movement, refusing to work security forces cracked down on tograph of Mya Thwet Thwet Khine, tractor rally on Republic Day was conspiracy case related to the farm- strators and striking dock work- who witnessed the violence. until the military junta that seized state railway workers in a similar who was shot in the capital, severely put to test, with the judge ers’ agitation, was arrested from ers in Mandalay. Some 500 police and soldiers de- power in the coup reinstates the fashion after they joined the civil dis- Naypyitaw, February 9, two days dubbing it “conjecture”. Bangalore February 13. At least five people were injured scended on the area near Mandalay’s democratically elected government. obedience movement. before her 20th birthday. P2 SHIA’S APOLOGY REMINDS TWIGS OF KIM KARDASHIAN FILES FOR SUNDAY | FEBRUARY 21 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR GASLIGHTING SHE FACED WITH HIM DIVORCE FROM KANYE WEST Singer FKA Twigs, who had earlier filed a Reality TV star Kim has filed for divorce from her complaint against ex-boyfriend Shia LaBeouf of rapper-husband Kanye West, according to reports. Kim sexual assault and infliction of emotional distress, and Kanye have been married for about seven years.

says his apology only brings back the wrong The news was broken by website TMZ after months of y

leisure memories. rumours of marital difficulties, reports bbc.com.

k y m c FORTUNE FORECAST ‘Theatres have Sanya learns Thai boxing during ARIES their own magic’ Maldives vacation The stars urge you to Mumbai: Actress Aditi Rao Hydari focus on your finances and savings, and today, will next be seen in the film The Girl Mumbai: Actress Sanya you might remain very busy doing just On The Train, which drops on a Malhotra is on a vacation in that. But take care, says Ganesha, you digital platform soon. She attributes Maldives and while relaxing don't want a sulking spouse when you the popularity of streaming plat- amid the sun and the sand, go home. Don't cancel any plans; go forms to the fact that the OTT space she is using free time to ahead and enjoy that new film. became the best friend during last sharpen her Thai boxing year’s lockdown, although she can’t skills under the guidance of wait to see people returning to a top expert, too. TAURUS theatres to watch films. “Sanya is exploring all “During lockdown, we realised fitness activities in Maldives. Your think tank will be that OTT platforms are like our She went scuba diving and running on overdrive best friends. Having said that, also learnt Thai boxing, today. Your possessive- Budding filmmakers ness might kick in to cause a conflict. Keep I feel that theatres have their for which she took two your anger under the carpet to avoid any own magic, so I am waiting to to three classes from unnecessary complications. Introspection see people going to theatres the native expert will also play upon your thoughts, leading and watching films in large Uaichai find voice in OTT space: you to explore your problems and pry for numbers. In the meantime, I Prangsuwan solutions, predicts Ganesha. think OTT platforms have been there,” said a amazing because we can watch source. Hamisha Daryani really good content there,” she The actress GEMINI told us, on the sidelines of in- “usually prac- amisha Daryani Ahuja, director- Today may not be very teracting with the media at a spe- tices boxing in Namaste producer of the recently-re- meaningful and produc- cial screening of The Girl On Mumbai regularly Wahala, a Hleased Indo-Nigerian film tive for you, though you The Train. with her trainer Namaste Wahala says the growing cul- will get to spend plenty of quality time with movie on yourself in the afternoon, which may not The film is written and directed Tridev Pandey, a na- ture of watching films on streaming plat- necessarily be to your liking. By evening, by Ribhu Dasgupta and produced tional level athlete”, the cross-cultural forms has enabled budding filmmak- you may feel a little extra sensitive. by Reliance Entertainment, and source added.. ers across the world to find a voice as stars Parineeti Chopra along with Sanya will next be romance storytellers. Aditi, Kirti Kulhari, Avinash Tiwary seen in Guneet Monga’s between an The film had a Valentine’s Day pre- CANCER and Tota Roy Chowdhury in key Pagglaitt, and miere on Netflix and it has been gar- roles. Aditi plays a woman who Meenakshi nering massive attention. Fans across You are likely to be at Indian man your inventive best gets murdered under mysterious Sundereshwar opposite India and Nigeria are super excited today, feels Ganesha. circumstances, thereby triggering Abhimany Dassani, be- and a to watch the film. The 2020 film is the You are likely to taste the suspense in the script. IANS sides Love Hostel with Nigerian first of its kind as it features a cross- success, much to the delight of your Vikrant Massey. IANS cultural romance drama between an colleagues at work and loved ones woman, has Indian man and a Nigerian woman. back home. been Helmed by Ahuja, the film stars Ini Dima-Okojie (Nigeria) and Ruslaam garnering Mumtaz(India) in the lead roles. LEO “I think it is a great sign for us, for bud- Agreed that home is massive ding filmmakers, who are finding voice where the heart is. But attention through the streaming platforms. When today, your home is I made my film, being a debutant, I where your troubles will be. The faster you try to run away from Mumbai: Singer Ipsitaa, who Laila Saturday. She says the num- wanted my Nollywood (as the Nigerian them, the quicker they seem to catch up made her singing debut with ber is an ode to independent and film industry is popularly known) film to be released theatrically, with you, says Ganesha. So, scooting off Yo Yo Honey Singh fearless women. in all over Nigeria and all of Africa. Our film was ready by may not be the best solution. track, First kiss, “Girls are taught at a young age to April 2020 but then pandemic took over and it kept delaying. released settle down and tether their wings, to Eventually we had to take a different her find their security and happiness in way to release our film. When we VIRGO song their partners. It’s high time we re- show it to Netflix they loved it Solo ject and change that narrative. Women and that is how we have got a Open the mind gates are self-sufficient and we alone are chance to release the film and let your imagina- tion flow, says responsible for our happiness. Solo worldwide. That was phe- Ganesha. At your cre- Laila is a track dedicated to all the nomenal about it -- the wide ative best, you will pursue innovation women who dare to fly high,”says exposure,” said Ahuja. and creativity today. Luck will be on your Ipsitaa. She is highly inspired side and even those things that you took Tanishk Bagchi has composed by Hindi film romance and a risk on may lean your way. the song on lyrics by Vayu. Shah Rukh Khan is one of The music video has been her favourite superstars. directed by Viraf “My inspiration of mak- LIBRA Sarkari and ing a film comes from There is a very strong Sabreena watching SRK on screen. possibility of major Sarkari. IANS Though I did not approach improvements in your any Bollywood star, you public standing and never know what I do in my image today. But it all depends so much upon your personal character, and, next film,” she therefore, you must guard it zealously, said. AGENCIES even with your own life.

SCORPIO Today promises to be an exceptional day for those involved in business. With SUDOKU sheer brilliance, you will PEANUTS post To solve the Sudoku puzzle, each row, steer deals right to your door step, and CROSSWORD column and box must contain the numbers will display great finesse in negotiations 0 to 9 and the letters A to E. and bartering. Bring out the leader in you and take charge when you introduce new products or market them in busi- ness, suggests Ganesha.

SAGITTARIUS To do or not to do? That will be the question for most of today as you find yourself pulling out of one dilemma only to trip into the next one. Controversy will surround you and you may find yourself at the cross- roads, where you are unsure of which direction to take. CALVIN AND HOBBES

CAPRICORN The most intimidating of ventures can prove suc- cessful if fortune favours you; you will be fortu- SOLUTIONS nate today, says Ganesha. Those of you dealing in stocks and shares can expect a profitable day ahead, but don't forget to give credit to your spouse; it will be their luck working wonders for you.

AQUARIUS Bursting with new ideas, you want to make the world a better place! You BREVITY will give your best in a CROSSWORD team and will come up with great schemes and solutions.

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Home is where the hearth

k y m is, in which the troubles c you need to deal with today are smouldering. Running away from your problems will sim- ply have you out of breath; it would be wiser to take a stand and find solutions to petty conflicts without losing your perspective. CHECK FOR SOLUTIONS OF THE PUZZLES TOMORROW SUDOKU COVID-19 TRACKER P3 ENDANGERED SPECIES SUNDAY | FEBRUARY 21 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR INFECTED RECOVERED DEAD A dead Olive Ridley sea turtle World 11,13,65,979 8,62,35,452 24,65,986 washed ashore in , Saturday. Mechanised fishing India 1,09,77,387 1,06,78,048 1,56,212 in the prohibited zone has

downtown become a threat to the turtles Odisha 3,36,578 3,33,880 1,914

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People now feel the difference: Naveen BIJAY KUMAR SAHOO CHIEF MINISTER LAUDS 5T AND MO SARKAR INITIATIVES; SAYS GOVT LAUNCHED SEVERAL ONLINE BLENDED LEARNING SERVICES AND TRANSFORMATIVE INITIATIVES ACROSS DEPTS DESPITE COVID CONSTRAINTS

POST NEWS NETWORK In spite of the pandemic, this crisis. There was a continuous engagement with the industry to IS THE NEW NORMAL Bhubaneswar, Feb 20: The state Odisha emerged as a ensure that their production and government has been taking proac- leading investment logistics must not get affected by tive steps towards transformation the lockdown, he pointed out. School education is not just about a teacher teaching and of all government departments and destination with over In spite of the pandemic, Odisha students learning. It’s much more than a classroom and services through its 5T and Mo `1.2 lakh crore has emerged as leading investment Sarkar initiatives, Chief Minister destination with over `1.2 lakh blackboard set up. SAI International School, a leading Naveen Patnaik said here, Saturday. investments in the crore investments in the last one educational institute in the state, adopted several methods People are able to feel the differ- last one year, the year, claimed the Chief Minister. ence in quality and efficiency of Highlighting the state govern- to teach its students during Covid-19. The school’s founder, service delivery as reflected in Mo CM asserted ment’s initiatives for heritage con- Bijay Kumar Sahoo, shared with Orissa POST its Sarkar feedback, he added. servation and development, Patnaik Participating in the discussion on ing against an invisible and un- Minister appealed to the people to said, “With cooperation from peo- new ways of teaching during the pandemic. motion of thanks on Governor’s known enemy. However, with follow precautionary measures like ple, we have taken up large-scale de- address through videoconferenc- courage and determination, we as wearing of masks, social distanc- velopment projects at Puri, Ekamra ing, Naveen said, “In spite of Covid a society have been able to rise to ing and frequent hand washing. Kshetra, Maa Samaleswari temple, n How did Covid-19 affect school and nothing can be ignored or where there was little access related restrictions and constraints, the occasion.” Emphasising on recovery of state Harishankar temple, Nrusinghanath education? taken lightly. Online learning to internet. our government has been able to The hallmark of Covid-19 man- economy from the impact of the temple, Konark and Tara Tarini is only an enabler in aiding the launch various online services and agement has been free service to all pandemic, Patnaik said, “We have among others.” n As soon as Covid-19 emerged as learner’s educational needs n Safety precautions for students transformative initiatives across from testing to the treatment. This been able to rebound the economy. The state government has taken a pandemic, SAI International and I believe blended learning the departments.” helped in early detection, isolation Our revenues have increased by up 27 mega water supply projects School, without wasting even a will be the new normal as both n Schools are set to reopen for Elaborating the steps taken by his and treatment of the Covid positive 7.3 per cent as compared to the cor- at a cost of more than `7,200 crore. day came up with the SAI Cloud offline and online education Classes IX & XI after Classes X government for Covid-19 manage- cases, said the Chief Minister, responding period last year. We are Besides, the Capital city of School under its pre-existing are two sides of the same coin. & XII. We have organised ment, the Chief Minister said, “Our adding that this is the primary rea- in a much better fiscal position Bhubaneswar has become the first robust IT infrastructure. screening of students, teach- Government, with great foresight, son for low mortality rate in Odisha compared to many other states in major city in the country to achieve However, education of students n Was it easy to provide study ers, and other staff at entry has taken several proactive steps as compared to other states. the country.” water supply to all houses, he said. at schools that were not IT-en- materials during online classes? points. We ensure strict ad- right from the beginning to tackle With the recent rise in Covid The state government has pro- However, opposition BJP and abled or did not have such a vi- herence to social distancing the situation. This was a completely cases in Maharashtra and other vided special financial support to the Congress members staged walked out sion suffered during the pe- n The journey from offline to on- norms, both within the school new type of war and we were fight- parts of the country, the Chief MSME sector to help them tide over during the Chief Minister’s speech. riod. Apart from online classes line mode was not easy but premises and outside the gate. we also uploaded the course since we already had the IT in- Use of face masks at all times material online for the students’ frastructure in place the tran- has been made mandatory. We reference in terms of assign- sition was smooth and fast. Yes, also ensure periodic disinfection Polavaram: ments and modules. And re- there were glitches at times but of school premises and main- IIL will imbibe culture of cently we have launched SAI the motivated IT team sailed tenance of a high standard of Plea in SC for Home School which consists us through each hurdle seam- hygiene. Also, doctors and qual- of chapter wise (lecture) videos lessly. From Experts’ Sessions ified nurses are available in early hearing and much more. to Alumni Talks to e-Summer campus. Isolation rooms have Camp to e-SAI MUN, we con- been assigned as per the state continuing edu: Justice Lalit n POST NEWS NETWORK Do you think online ducted each event with government guidelines. We are education can the same zeal and en- ensuring strict compliance of New Delhi, Feb 20: Aggrieved replace the offline thusiasm. Our in- the hostel reopening SOPs is- by the delay in listing of contro- method? ternational di- sued by the state government. versial Polavaram dam case in the mension Supreme Court, a counsel of one n I believe that the activities dou- n Suggestions for development of of the parties has written to the school is not just bled during the education in state Registrar of the apex court seek- a place where pandemic as ing early listing of several cases there is an ex- connecting n These measures need to be filed against the project. change of aca- with other taken to improve education in Advocate Shravan Kumar, who demics or a learn- countries be- the state: IT Enabled Learning: appeared for voluntary organisa- ing process came easier Blended learning is the new tion RELA in the matter, submit- between the thorough Zoom. normal. To be further prepared ted in the letter that Polavaram teacher and the stu- The main chal- we need to rapidly adapt our- Irrigation Project related cases dent. There are var- lenge for me was selves to technology in edu- are pending before the Supreme ious aspects in reaching out to my cation; Hiring of teachers: OP PHOTO Court since 2006. school learn- OAVian in remote Seeking BEd and MEd qualified Dignitaries including Supreme Court Justices Uday Umesh Lalit, Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai and V Ramasubramanian “The first petition was filed by ing villages people should not be the only at the foundation ceremony for the establishment of Indian Institute of Law at KIIT auditorium in Bhubaneswar, Saturday Retired IAS officer Late BD Sharma criterion for hiring teachers. (WP (C) No. 144 of 2006). Thereafter, Teachers need to be techno- POST NEWS NETWORK law teachers and practising lawyers. said there are currently more than several petitions were filed by Prof logically sound and techni- Speaking on the occasion, 1,000 law colleges in the country Kodandaram (SLP (C) No.958 of cally literate; Training of Bhubaneswar, Feb 20: The foun- Justice UU Lalit said, “Change is producing about 2.5 lakh law grad- 2008), RELA NGO (WP C No. 65 of teachers: The existing teach- dation plaque of Indian Institute of the only constant in life. Continuing uates every year. The IIL will address 2017) and others. Besides the indi- ers need to be retrained Law (IIL) was unveiled by Supreme education is important in every disconnect between academicians viduals, State of Odisha (OS No. 4 with newer technology; Court Judges Justice Uday Umesh profession; it is part of every- and professionals, he added. of 2007), State of Chhattisgarh (OS Attention to students’ men- Lalit, Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna body’s life. Perhaps, this is the In his welcome address, Manan No.3 of 2011 & Writ Petition), State tal health: The government Gavai, Justice V Ramasubramanian first step which will again imbibe Kumar Mishra said, currently there of Telangana (OS No.1 of 2019) have and schools need to set up on KIIT premises here, Saturday. the culture when we will be hav- is no training institute in law in the also filed suits before the Supreme counseling hubs for Senior advocate and chairman, ing more and more such insti- country to cater to the skill devel- Court on lack of adequate back- schools in each block. Bar Council of India (BCI) and tutes, and more and more the idea opment needs of law teachers and water studies,” the advocate said. Bar Council of India Trust (BCIT), of continuing education taking advocates. He expressed his grati- The counsel termed it very un- Manan Kumar Mishra, Odisha root in everybody’s mind.” tude to Samanta for his generous fortunate as the project is scheduled Advocate General Ashok Parija, Justice BR Gavai congratulated support to the initiative. KIIT is to complete by December 2021 but the senior advocate and executive BCI and KIIT for this very impor- providing all necessary assistance pending cases are not disposed. He SCW received 127 dowry death cases in 3 yrs chairman, BCIT Debi Prasad Dhal, tant step. “National Law University in terms of land and infrastruc- said adverse effects of Polavaram proj- associate managing trustee, BCIT in Bengaluru set up by BCI in 1988 ture for this one-of-its-kind institute, ect have begun from 2019-20 because POST NEWS NETWORK husband or in-laws between 2018 the total 57 cases reported during and founder, KIIT & KISS, Achyuta brought a sea transformation in he mentioned. Mishra admired of lack of appropriate studies and and 2020. 2018 and 2020. Samanta and a host of legal legal education and quality of Samanta’s selfless service to the precautions. Massive backwater ef- Bhubaneswar, Feb 20: The State As many as 1,534 dowry torture The commission received 391 luminaries graced the foundation lawyers. Similarly, establishment of society through Kalinga Institute fect was witnessed by hundreds of Commission for Women (SCW) re- related cases were solved by the complaints related to outrage of ceremony. IIL is also a milestone in the history of Social Sciences (KISS), which tribal villages after the construc- ceived 127 dowry death complaints commission during the modesty of women during IIL, being set up by BCI through of Bar Council of India.” He ex- is providing education to 30,000 un- tion of coffer dam of the project. during the last three years of which above period. the last three years. BCIT with the support of KIIT pressed confidence that the IIL derprivileged tribal children in a The Supreme Court had last it solved 124 cases, Women and On the other hand, 181 complaints The commission received 2,822 Deemed to be University, will be a with the support of BCI and KIIT fully free and residential setting. taken up the matter for hearing in Child Development Minister Tukuni of rape were filed of which the domestic violence cases while it model institute of law teachers' will produce the faculties who would “Establishment of an institute of February 2020 and directed Odisha Sahu informed the Assembly, SCW succeeded in solving 127 cases. disposed of 1,765 cases, said Sahu. academy for promoting continu- provide quality education to the national importance like IIL in to file rejoinder affidavit. Since Saturday. The minister also said that the Similarly, the SCW received 189 ous legal education and research students throughout the country. Bhubaneswar is a matter of pride for then, the matter has not been come The SCW received 1,877 com- SCW managed to dispose of 48 kidnapping cases out of which it dis- along with skill development of Justice V Ramasubramanian the state of Odisha,” said Samanta. up for hearing. plaints of dowry torture by the sexual harassment plaints out of posed of 133 cases. Centre releases `91.78Cr to state for GST shortfall

POST NEWS NETWORK Legislative Assembly (Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir & Pondicherry) that are members of the GST New Delhi, Feb 20: The Union government Council. The Finance ministry said that re- has released `91.78 crore to Odisha as 17th maining five states, Arunachal Pradesh, weekly instalment to meet the GST compen- Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland and Sikkim do sation shortfall. not have a gap in revenue With the release of this on account of GST im- instalment, the Centre has plementation. released `3675.95 crore to The ministry also in- the state till now to meet formed that till now, 91 the shortfall in GST com- per cent of the total esti- pensation. mated GST compensation The Centre has also al- shortfall has been released lowed `2,858 crore addi- to the states and UTs with tional borrowings to Legislative Assembly. “Out Odisha to meet GST com- The Centre has allowed of this, an amount of pensation shortfall to help `2,858 crore additional `91,460.34 crore has been it in mobilising additional released to the states and financial resources. borrowings to Odisha to meet an amount of `8,539.66 According to the GST compensation shortfall crore has been released to Ministry of Finance, `5,000 the three UTs with

crore as back-to-back loan Legislative Assembly,” the

k y m c to states to meet the GST compensation short- Finance ministry said. fall has been released as 16th weekly instalment Significantly, the Centre had set up a special last Monday. borrowing window in October last year to The Union government has released `4,730.41 meet the estimated shortfall of `1.10 lakh crore crore to 23 states and `269.59 crore has been re- in revenue arising on account of implemen- leased to three Union Territories (UTs) with tation of GST. P4 SUNDAY | FEBRUARY 21 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR downtown/state

ELEPHANT DEATHS JOB STIR

k y m Central team visits site, holds parleys c

POST NEWS NETWORK FACT FILE , Feb 20: A three- member fact-finding team which he team members held a arrived at Karlapat Sanctuary in Tmeeting Saturday where Friday evening detailed information about the held meetings with the district ad- casualties was provided to the team. Later, they visited ministration and the forest officials Tentulipadar village inside the Saturday before going to probe deaths sanctuary where the death of of six elephants in the sanctuary. the first elephant was reported The team, comprising Centre for February 1 Wildlife (ICAR-IVRI Bareilly), sci- entist Karikalan Mathesh, MoEF & his is the first and the CC Elephant Cell national coordi- Thighest ever elephant deaths nator Prajna P Panda, head of de- in the wildlife sanctuary. As partment of epidemiology and pre- many as six pachyderms have ventive medicine at OUAT Prof After the visit, they will hold a re- The team will conclude their died reportedly due to infection Niranjan Sahoo, held a meeting view meeting with the DFO, RCCF, probe by February 22. They will leading to Hemorrhagic Septicaemia through video conferencing with Bhawanipatna and other senior of- find out the factors leading to sud- DFO, T Ashok Kumar, the ranger of ficials of the Forest and Wildlife den deaths of the elephants in the he team will submit a Karpat and other officials of the for- department today. bacterial disease in the Karlapat. Tdetailed report with specific est department Friday evening. The expert team will conduct a In the sanctuary, the source of inputs on the causes, prevention Dismissed women health workers of Covid Care homes stage a demonstration demanding reemployment at PMG However, senior veterinarian ground-zero study of the possible spread of the pasteurella multo- and treatment of the disease to Square in Bhubaneswar, Saturday OP PHOTO from Guwahati Veterinary College reasons behind the elephant deaths. cida bacteria - the cause of the dis- the MoEF Ministry KK Sarma could not be part of the Notably, this is the first and the ease - is yet to be ascertained. team as he was indisposed. highest ever elephant deaths in the The team will submit a detailed fective monitoring of their health They also held a meeting wildlife sanctuary. As many as six report with specific inputs on the and body temperature. FREEDOM FIGHTER Saturday where detailed informa- pachyderms have died reportedly causes, prevention and treatment Besides, the cattle immunisa- 3 die, as many hurt in tion about the casualties was pro- due to infection leading to of the disease to the MoEF Ministry. tion drive in 32 nearby villages has DEBANANDA vided to the team. Later, the team Hemorrhagic Septicaemia. Meanwhile, the forest depart- been expedited as the veterinarians GUPTA DEAD visited Tentulipadar village inside Following the deaths, Chief Minister ment is making use of thermal and experts are assuming that the road mishap at Tangi the sanctuary where the death of Naveen Patnaik had asked the au- scanners in the drones that are bacterial infection could have spread the first elephant was reported thorities to take immediate meas- being used for tracking the move- in the wild from the domestic ani- POST NEWS NETWORK February 1. ures to stop the fatalities. ment of the elephant herds for ef- mals. , Feb 20: Freedom fighter Debananda Gupta passed away Saturday afternoon while AIC-Nalanda undergoing treatment at the VSS Naik writes to Andhra CM Institute of Medical Sciences and organises Research (VIMSAR) in Burla. He POST NEWS NETWORK belonging to Odisha and have re- was 95. Gupta is survived by his KOTIA ISSUE named them and added them to adopted daughter Nilotpala Gupta startup summit Bhubaneswar, Feb 20: Leader of Pradesh has violated this status AP by violating the status quo order and son-in-law Prafulla Mahana. Opposition Pradipta Naik Saturday quo which was passed on the basis of the Supreme Court,” the BJP He had lost his wife Madhavi seven POST NEWS NETWORK wrote to Andhra Pradesh Chief of the consent of both the states,” leader said. years back Minister Y Jaganmohan Reddy on he said. Naik said the recent incidents of POST NEWS NETWORK safe while three critical injured Family members said Gupta Bhubaneswar, Feb 20: In a bid to the issue of Kotia and other inter- The BJP leader termed the dis- intrusions show complete expan- persons are undergoing treatment was unwell for last three days and boost startups in the state and in state land disputes and claimed that pute on Kotia as baseless. “Andhra sionist mindset of the Andhra gov- Tangi (), Feb 20: Three per- in the hospital. Locals with the was admitted to the district head- the country, Atal Incubation Centre elections conducted by the state in Pradesh government is demand- ernment. “Andhra and Odisha have sons were killed and as many sus- help of some shopkeepers rescued quarters hospital after his health (AIC) of Nalanda Institute of such areas were illegal in nature. ing these areas as part of Andhra's a very strong cultural relationship tained critical injuries after an the injured persons and rushed condition Technology Foundation (AIC- “This is not only against the which is a baseless demand. Kotia for thousand years. We should carry ambulance carrying a patient from them in a highway ambulance to worsened, Nalanda) organised the Fundflow spirit of the Constitution, but also Gram Panchayat has always been forward our relationship by not Midnapore in West Bengal rammed the hospital. Saturday East Summit 2021 here at Swosti against the spirit of the federal a part of the . fighting for land. So, I request you a stationery container truck parked On being informed, Tangi po- morning. He Premium, Saturday. structure of the country. The ac- Prior to 1 April 1936, the villages of again to instruct those above three on highway side at Bainchua vil- lice rushed to the spot and rescued was then The initiative which received tivities of Andhra government are Kotia Panchayat were part of district administrations to obey lage near Tangi toll gate under the child patient and cleared the shifted to the 1287 nominations, 367 applications going against the spirit of the Estate,” he said. the Supreme Court ruling and also Tangi police limits in Cuttack dis- highway for traffic. A case has VIMSAR at and 56 investors saw startups from Supreme Court ruling in 1968 to “The allegation is that Andhra respect the spirit of the cooperative trict in the wee hours of Saturday. been registered in this connection Burla where more than 12 states participating in maintain the status quo. It is a Pradesh has taken over some vil- federal structure of the nation,” The deceased persons were iden- and further investigations are on, he passed the event. Attending the summit as grave constitutional crisis. Andhra lages under Kotia grama panchayats he said. tified as Iqbal Hussain, 28, driver SI Akshaya Kumar Swain said. away in the afternoon. chief gest, Hemant Kumar Sharma, Sk Tarif Ali, 26, and Sk Ramzan. SK Nasir Ali, one of the rela- Gupta was born at Patapali vil- Principal Secretary, Department One of them died on the spot while tives said, “Five members from lage in Hirakud of undivided of Industries elaborated on the two others succumbed to their in- our village were coming to AIIMS in 1926 but steps taken by the state govern- juries at SCB Medical College and in an ambulance when it met with shifted to Mura village under ment in providing a healthy envi- State logs 63 fresh Covid-19 cases Hospital in Cuttack. an accident near Tangi. Driver and Maneswar block of Sambalpur ronment and opportunities cre- The ambulance reportedly car- my uncle died in the mishap.” after he was displaced for the con- ated for the welfare of startups. PNN/AGENCIES rying six persons including a child Ali further said that, “We do not struction of . “Odisha being one of the lead- Strict enforcement of Covid norms in City: DCP paralytic patient and the driver from how the accident occurred but Gupta joined the freedom move- ing states among the fastest grow- Bhubaneswar, Feb 20: The state a village in Midnapore district was heard a large thud after the mishap. ment at the age of 16 in 1942 after ing startup ecosystems in the coun- ecorded a significant fall in the BHUBANESWAR: Following a spurt in Covid-19 cases in various parts of on its way to AIIMS in Bhubaneswar The family members were coming being inspired by Mahatma try has multi-sectoral opportunities daily new positive cases, a Health the country, the Commissionerate police Saturday announced stricter when the mishap occurred. to AIIMS to seek medical advice for Gandhi. He was arrested by the for innovation and entrepreneur- and Family Welfare (H&FW) de- enforcement of the Covid guidelines here. Speaking to the media, DCP The minor patient is stated to be the child patient.” British the same year. ship and is surging ahead to be partment official said. It reported Umashankar Dash said the city cops will ensure strict adherence of the the ‘Startup Capital of the East.’ The 63 new cases Saturday. Covid-19 norms like wearing of masks, social distancing by the citizens. event will surely boost the future Odisha's Covid-19 tally is 3,36,513 Similarly, Dash also stated that the congregation of more than two prospects of the state, ” said Durga after 53 people tested positive for the persons at busy market places would be avoided. The city police will set Prasad Gouda, CEO-AIC-NITF. virus Friday, while one more fa- up a special team that will check the violation of Covid-19 guidelines in GI tag for 17 state products: Minister the city. He warned of stringent action against persons found flouting the The summit saw about 28 start- tality pushed the death toll to 1,914, norms as well. However, Dash denies deployment of cops at important ups pitching ideas before the del- he said. places of the city for checking on the commuters. POST NEWS NETWORK Parda & Fabric, he said. Similarly, tricts to submit details of products egation of investors, industry ex- The state also registered recovery other handicraft products includ- originated from their districts for perts and associations. of 92 patients taking the number Bhubaneswar, Feb 20: Seventeen ing Sambalpur Bandha Saree & GI certification, the minister said Brahmananda Mishra, President of cured persons to 3,33,980, tions. A total of 1,914 fatalities have products including Odisha’s Rasagola Fabric, Bomkai Saree & Fabric, in his written reply to the House.The of Utkal Chamber of Commerce which is 99.24 per cent of “Regret to inform the been reported so far, the official got Geographical Indication (GI) Habaspuri Saree & Fabric and department has received 37 appli- and Industries (UCCI), also at- the caseload. Odishas demise of 74-year-old said adding Khurda district ac- registration so far, Science and Patta Saree & cations for patent filing, four for tended the event and explained case fatality rate (CFR) male Covid positive counted for 337 deaths, followed by Technology Minister Ashok Panda have got GI tag, he said. Besides, GI registration, two for industrial the challenges of the industry and stands at 0.56 per cent, patient of (248), Sundergarh (173), told the Assembly, Saturday. Orissa (logo) and design, two for copyright registra- how startups can be the new so- while the state’s posi- Bhubaneswar..." the Cuttack (142) and Puri (117). The government has got GI cer- Kandhamal Haldi have received tion and one for trademark regis- lution-providers. Alina Alam, tivity rate is 4.14 per Health and Family Odisha now has 566 active cases, tification for Kotpad Handloom GI certification. tration between 2015 and 2020. founder of Bangalore-based café, cent. Welfare Department which is 0.16 per cent of the case- Fabric, Odisha Ikat, Konark Stone The department has written to For Intellectual Property Rights Mitti, that employs specially-abled Of the new cases, 31 tweeted. load. The state has conducted over Carving, Orissa Pattachitra, Pipili the Collectors of Keonjhar, and patent registration, the de- individuals said, “Our initiative has were reported from various A total of 53 other Covid- 81.23 lakh sample tests for Covid-19, Appliqué Work, Saree & Nabarangpur, , partment has opened IPR cells in crossed the incubation stage and quarantine centres and the re- 19 patients have died due to co- including 22,486 Thursday, the of- Fabric, Ganjam Kewda Rooh, Ganjam Kalahandi, Rayagada, Nayagarh, seven universities and two govern- has gained a lot of traction. maining are local-contact infec- morbidities, the official said. ficial added. Kewda Flower and Dhalapather Koraput, Puri and dis- ment-run engineering colleges. Childline foils 17TH HOME ‘N’ DÉCOR KICK-STARTS IN CITY minor’s marriage POST NEWS NETWORK of Commerce and Industry, Prakash POST NEWS NETWORK MEGA EXPO Shah, chairman of the organizing Bhubaneswar, Feb 20: The 17th committee and Suprana Dutta Khaira, Feb 20: The Childline here are 250 stalls showcasing he states participating in the Home and Décor exhibition and Gupta, CEO, GS Marketing and officials foiled a marriage bid of T50,000 unique products Texhibition are Bihar, Jharkhand, the 17th India International Mega encompassing interior and home Tamil Nadu, Telengana, West Associates. minor girl with the groom of her Trade Fair were inaugurated by décor, lifestyle and food, health Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar It may be noted here that the elder sister at Badakhuri village Panchayati Raj and Law Minister and beauty, handicrafts and Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi, main object of the Home & Décor under Soro police limits in Pratap Jena here Saturday. handlooms, electronic and finance. Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, exhibition is to interact directly district Saturday afternoon. Nine countries and 19 states are The participating countries Karnataka, Punjab, Haryana, with customers and to understand According to sources, parents of participating in this 11-day ex- included Bangladesh, Dubai, Iran, Assam, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, their needs. The quest of quality the minor girl decided to give her travaganza. There are 250 stalls Thailand, Afghanistan, Malaysia, Jammu & Kashmir and the host homes of the customer ends here - in marriage after their elder daugh- showcasing 50,000 unique products Lebanon, Tunisia and India state Odisha a complete answer to all the re- ter allegedly eloped with another encompassing interior and home quirements of the customers in re- boy a few days before the solem- décor, lifestyle and food, health and fair from 2003. Luckily people from the function were Ananta Narayan lation to homes. The Home & Décor nisation of the latter’s wedding. beauty, handicrafts and handlooms, Tamil Nadu, Telengana, West Interacting with Orissa POST, all walks of life have been coming Jena, MLA Bhubaneswar Central, 2021 provides the best platform for The elder daughter was to marry electronic and finance. The par- Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Suprana Dutta Gupta, CEO of GS here and this year too we are ex- Susant Kumar Rout, MLA the finance companies to impart a boy of Meghamadhab village ticipating countries included Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi, Marketing Associates said, “This fair pecting a great response post Covid. Bhubaneswar North, Ruma Dey, knowledge of their finance schemes, under Soro police limits. Bangladesh, Dubai, Iran, Thailand, Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, is the ultimate destination for every Our partner state is Bihar and part- CGM, State bank of India, CREDAI making this an interesting propo- Preparations for the wedding were Afghanistan, Malaysia, Lebanon, Karnataka, Punjab, Haryana, home décor lover and the fair is an ner country is Bangladesh while Bhubaneswar foundation president sition for the customer as it will over, but their elder daughter Tunisia and India. Assam, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, 11-day long day affair. From expert focus is on countries like Kantilal Patel, General secretary convert their dreams to reality. The eloped. Subsequently, they decided The states participating in the Jammu & Kashmir and the host advice to detailed support one can Afghanistan and Iran.” Umesh Patnaik, Bramhananda fair observes all Covid guidelines and to get their youngest daughter

exhibition are Bihar, Jharkhand, state Odisha. avail all and we are organizing the Other guests who were present at Mishra President, Utkal Chamber it’s open from 12 pm to 8 pm. married with the groom.

k y m c P5 SUNDAY | FEBRUARY 21 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR state

PARI MURDER Elderly man dead, son FANCIFUL BALLOONS

critical in group clash

k y m POST NEWS NETWORK c

Jolt to SIT as court denies nod Kamakhyanagar, Feb 20: An elderly man was hacked to death and his son critically injured at Kankadasoda village under to conduct LVA test on juvenile Parjang police limits in Friday night. POST NEWS NETWORK Some youths had allegedly JUDGE ITISHREE MOHAPATRA OF CHILDREN’S COURT, passed lewd comments on the eld- Nayagarh, Feb 20: The Special NAYAGARH, DID NOT ALLOW erly man’s granddaughter. When Investigation Team (SIT) formed THE SIT TO CONDUCT A the father-son duo confronted the to probe the sensational Pari mur- SCIENTIFIC TEST ON THE youths, they were brutally at- der case Friday withdrew its ap- MINOR BOY tacked. plication requesting for the Layered The deceased has been identi- Voice Analysis (LVA) test on the THE RULE SAYS THAT NEITHER fied as Purnachandra Bai and the juvenile accused. POLICE NOR ANY injured as his son Mohan. The de- The move came after a local court INVESTIGATING AGENCIES ARE ceased’s injured son is struggling in denied the ALLOWED TO TAKE THE for life at government ACCUSED ON REMAND AGAIN SIT to conduct a Layered Voice hospital. AFTER SUBMISSION OF THE Analysis (LVA) test on the juvenile CHARGESHEET TO THE COURT Bhajaman Bhoi and Sipun Bhoi accused. had passed comments on Mohan’s Notably, the SIT filed a daughter when she was return- chargesheet in Pari murder case The SIT headed by senior IPS officer Arun Bothra had applied for the LVA ing home February 11. The girl February 15. Prior to it, the SIT test but it did not mention about the test in its chargesheet told the matter to her father and had applied for the LVA test. grandfather. Judge Itishree Mohapatra of As the SIT did not follow the pro- from a spot only 50 metres away Friday evening, Purnachandra Children’s Court, Nayagarh, did cedure, it was not allowed to carry from the place where she went miss- asked the youths why they had eve A woman and her son buying attractive ring-light balloons from a hawker in Saturday evening OP PHOTO not allow the SIT to conduct a sci- out the scientific test to collect ing June 23. teased his granddaughter. entific test on the minor boy. more evidence against the accused. The SIT cracked the case in The duo picked up a quarrel The rule says that neither po- Notably, the SIT was also not al- December last year by arresting with Purnachandra. Later four lice nor any investigating agencies lowed to conduct narco analysis the accused. After it was proved more joined Bhajaman and Sipun Mao posters strike are allowed to take the accused on and brain mapping tests on the ac- that he is a juvenile, the case was and attacked him with sharp Police SI held for forging judge’s remand again after submission of cused. transferred to the Juvenile Justice weapons and clubs. Hearing his fa- panic in Rayagada the chargesheet to the court. Notably, Pari was a five-year-old Board. Subsequently, the Juvenile ther’s cries, Mohan rushed to the sign to release murder accused The SIT headed by senior IPS girl who went missing from her Justice Board transferred the case spot and tried to save his father. He POST NEWS NETWORK officer Arun Bothra had applied house at Jadupur under Sadar po- to the Nayagarh Children’s Court was also beaten up severely. for the LVA test but it did not men- lice limits in Nayagarh district since the juvenile accused belongs Police recovered the body and POST NEWS NETWORK Acting on the FIR, Buguda police Muniguda, Feb 20: Seven posters tion about the test in its chargesheet. June 14. Her body was recovered to the age group of 16-18 years. started an investigation. registered a case in this connec- allegedly put up by Maoists ap- Berhampur, Feb 20: Buguda po- tion and launched a probe leading peared at Dimiriguda village under lice Friday arrested a sub-inspec- to Behera’s arrest. He was later Ambadola police limits in Farmers fret as tor (SI) of police in connection forwarded to a local court Saturday. In the with allegedly forging a local mag- in the evening and posters, the ultras held Police DG leaf blight disease Political outfits point fingers istrate’s signature on a fabri- put behind the Abhay and police intelligence cated order granting bail to a bars. chief RK Sharma responsible for hits tomato crop murder accused in Ganjam. Notably, a case the deaths of Bhawani Patra and The accused police official of the murder ac- Hemanta Patra of Belghar area in POST NEWS NETWORK at admin for alleged apathy was identified as Surya cused was pend- . Narayan Behera. He was ar- ing at Buguda The posters released by Rasulpur, Feb 20: Leaf blight POST NEWS NETWORK like Ganjeipadar, Fagunasineri and rested Friday afternoon after the JMFC Court. The Ghumussar divisional commit- disease affecting tomato crop when KOTIA ROW Fatusineri. In fact, the AP govern- magistrate of Buguda Judicial magistrate realised tee of the outlawed outfit caused it is nearing harvest has left the Pottangi, Feb 20: In the wake of ment was nominating sarpanchs in Magistrate First Class (JMFC) that a fabricated order panic in the area. Notably, a group farmers worrying about their Andhra Pradesh claiming three three panchayats. But people of Court lodged an FIR with the local was issued by forging his signa- of ultras had killed Bhawani and crops here in district, a re- villages of Kotia panchayat and three panchayats (as recognized police against Behera over the al- ture on the day when he was not Hemanta at Gochaguda in port said. It is apprehended that holding panchayat elections there, by AP) were unshaped on the ac- leged incident of forgery. present in the court. Kandhamal on January 29 night. the disease might result in re- various political parties in the state tivities of the nominated sarpanchs. duced output and lead to heavy have started debating on the issue. Later, they had approached the loss for the farming community in Many have pointed accusing fin- AP government for holding elec- the area, farmers Sisir Rout, gers at the block and the district ad- tions. Taking this into account, the 2 die, one hurt as Prafulla Mallick, Tapan Mohanty, ministration of Koraput, raising AP government dared to hold elec- Lalu Rout, Abhiram Parida and questions on their role and their ap- tions. Then various outfits raised bike rams onto tree Samit Rout alleged. Farmers are athy towards development of the FILE PHOTO their voice against the state gov- POST NEWS NETWORK also afraid that all their hard work fringe areas. ernment, leaving it to reel from and money they have put into cul- According to reports, a row had Supreme Court in 1968. One of the pressure. Baliguda, Feb 20: In a tragic incident, tivation might go down the drain broken out over Kotia between cases (11/68) was related to a tourism The state government again two persons died and one was seri- if the disease is not checked from Andhra Pradesh and Odisha in spot like Bora. moved the apex court against the ously injured after the bike they were spreading further. 1960/61 and the issue has still re- In 1988, the apex court ordered AP to prevent the panchayat polls. riding on hit a roadside tree on NH-59 According to farmers, they incur mained unresolved. The matter is both sides to maintain status quo, But the state’s bid was unsuccess- near Bataguda under Baliguda police a minimum of Rs 5000 in pur- now sub judice at the Supreme which has been ignored by both ful, they added. limits in Kandhamal district Saturday. chasing seeds and in preparing Court. the sides. As a result, the row has On the other hand, the state gov- One of the deceased was identified saplings for tomato cultivation on The dispute took an ugly turn in come up vigorously after a long ernment has started development as Rubin Majhi and the injured as an acre of land. Moreover, they 1967-68 when police of both the gap, they lamented. works in Kotia after announcing a Ananta Majhi. have to spend Rs 25000-30,000 in buy- sides had faced angry confronta- There are 40 villages under Kotia Rs 180 crore package to get closer The trio was from Kurtamgarh ing seeds, Rs 30-35,000 in pesti- tions. Then Collectors of panchayat while 21 are revenue vil- to the people. Danungia village. The other deceased’s Srikakulam district and Korpaut lages. But 21 of the revenue vil- Now, people of these villages say identity is yet to be ascertained. had to hold an emergency meeting lages are said to be disputed or un- that development work in Kotia The trio was heading from Baliguda to sort out the issue. surveyed. panchayat has no meaning until towards Kurtamgarh. Due to some rea- Bothe sides unanimously agreed Since 1968, the AP government people are ensured with livelihood. sons, the rider of the bike lost control, to settle the issue and maintain had been trying to lure the people The block administration has resulting in the bike running into a peace in the fringe areas by set- of three of the 21 disputed villages executed 61 projects in 21 disputed roadside tree. ting up police outposts. But the dis- with various welfare schemes and Kotia villages. On being informed, police recovered pute continued to be acute. quality development works. The block administration claims the bodies for post mortem and shifted Some intellectuals and political Some intellectuals pointed out to have created 72,565 workdays the injured to Baliguda government cides, Rs 30000-35,000 towards leaders pointed out that then Chief that the neighbouring government under MGNREGS and paid wages hospital. labour payment (from the start of Minister Rajendra Narayan had on his own side had accorded of over Rs 1. 50 core through their Police have started an investigation the cultivation till the completion Singhdeo moved two petitions in the panchayat status to three villages savings accounts. in the maishap, it was learnt. of the harvest), Rs 5000-10,000 in irrigation and Rs 10000-15,000 to- wards transportation of their har- vested tomatoes to various markets. The total cost incurred in raising Techie scripts success through fish hatchery the crops hovers around Rs 1 lakh to Rs 1.5 lakh. POST NEWS NETWORK Kendumundi under Umadeipur , Thakurmunda, The farmers could reap 20-25 panchayat. After completing his Rairongpur and even Musabani (In tonne of tomatoes per acre if for- Saraskana, Feb 20: After the out- electrical engineering, he served Jharkhand) tune favours them but the reverse break of Covid pandemic, thou- in different private companies for “Farmers from these areas usu- happens if the crops are affected sands of youths lost their jobs and three years. But he was not happy ally place orders at me for finger- by disease or any bad climatic came to their villages in Mayurbhanj with his jobs in companies. lings. I have engaged three to four condition. A farmer could earn district. Many are still struggling He wanted to do something that local youths to look after the farm,” profits if the per kg price of tomato to get foothold in various income- can make him he added. remains at Rs 10 during the har- generating activities while others self-sufficient. His father Ananta Adopting modern methods, a vest period but loss if the price goes are still jobless. Prasad Mohant and his uncle His own initiative started June farmer can make good profits from down. But a young engineer of Saraskan Krushnachandra Mohant encour- 19, 2020. He took 10 acres of land on producing three to four tonnes of The block agriculture depart- area has scripted success in pro- aged him to take up fish spawn a lease basis and started Abani fish fingerlings twice a year from ment has allegedly failed to be of duction of carp fry and fingerlings farming, which hold much impor- Fisheries in his village. He dug five an acre of land, he noted. any help to the farmers. The farm- in his hatchery, which has made tance for fish farmers in the district ponds with modern techniques in “My aim is also to make youths ers are also equally not seeking the him self-sufficient. His story has and even neighbouring districts. place. self-sufficient in fish farming, apart assistance of farm experts to con- shown others the way of income in Then he took a 45-day training in He grew fingerlings of a variety from producing quality fingerlings. tain the disease. the area. fish fry farming at Kailash Fisheries, of fishes such as common carp, But one needs to work with perse- Lalit Mohan Mohanty, scien- Within a short period, Ashini a Skill India project at Baisinga. puntius saran, Red Rohu and Grass verance, determination and dedi- tist at the Krishi Vigyan Kendra Mohant, an electrical engineer, has Then, he went to Inland Fisheries Carp. cation to get success,” he observed. in Jajpur said that the disease has carved out a niche as fish spawn Research Centre at Barakpore in His fish fingerlings have high The government should come affected the crop as the farmers do farmer in the area. Kolkaota for a seven-day training demand among farmers in forward to help out the youths keen not treat the seeds before use. Mohant is a native of in fish spawn farming. Saraskana, Bangiriposi, Kuliana, to take up this farming. Katinana’s hotel in Balasore a gourmets’ favourite

POST NEWS NETWORK hotel. It was when the financial con- “I am earning something between dition of the family was improving, Rs 1000 and 1,500 a day. During shut- Bhograi, Feb 20: Even as there are he lost his father. Thereafter, a dis- downs and lockdowns, I suffered a no superlative furnishings or lav- pute separated him from his brother. lot. However, the situation is limp- ish interiors like other hotels and “After separation from my brother, ing back to normalcy,” he added. restaurants, this eatery with an as- I decided to set up my own hotel like “Besides giving priority to clean- bestos roof in front of Bhograi po- the one my father had. I had 25 years liness, I always make it a point to give lice station in has of experience in cooking. It was a plus my customers tasty and at the same been the gourmands’ first choice. point for me. I took loans from friends time healthy food so that they don’t ‘Katinana’s Bhojanalay’s claim and relatives and started a hotel. feel upset while leaving my hotel,” to fame is its easy-to-stomach type My wife Sulochan has been a guid- he said. homely preparation. Hygiene and ing force for me,” admits Manas. The hotel has enabled them to

cleanliness is an added feature. He also admits that their never-to- give their children education and

k y m c A 35-year-old resident of Dehurdda say-die attitude, honesty and good be- earn a reputation among their rel- village under Bhograi police limits, haviour with the customers are the atives. Manas Kumar Dash is the owner of makings of their success. People love him for another rea- this hotel. People affectionately call of higher studies and becoming a to discontinue with his studies after The hotel offers a table d’hôte son. He never turns down poor and him Katinana. white-collar job holder. But the fam- matriculation. menu comprising five items in- hungry persons. He treats them with Like other children, he also dreamt ily’s financial problems forced him Then he helped his parents run the cluding rice, dal and fish curry. free but sumptuous meals. P6 SUNDAY | FEBRUARY 21 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR power post

FOCUS POLAND Trust the divine power, and she

will free the godlike elements in

k y m you and shape all into an c expression of divine nature. SRI AUROBINDO DEMOCRACY IN CROSSHAIRS

here has been nothing the European Union. Poland has like it before in Poland. On no chance of being effective against February 10, newspapers the US tech giants without the EU, FUEL ON FIRE Tand magazines suspended from which the PiS government is publication, news websites went estranged. he price of petrol has crossed `100 in parts of India for the first time. dark, and dozens of radio and tel- The PiS regime’s attack on the A parallel development is that of the total revenue that the govern- evision stations ceased broad- economic underpinnings of free Tment receives, 33 per cent or one-third now comes from tax on fuel. casting. Thirty years after the fall media is no less an assault on India’s consumers pay the highest rate of tax on the petrol and diesel that of the Berlin Wall, the abolition of democracy than the January 6 they consume. The nations that follow India on the list of those with high censorship, and the collapse of storming of the US Capitol by taxes are all European nations and America and Japan. These are of the Soviet Union, Poland’s civil Trump supporters. Behind both are course places where the consumers are much better off than us and the society is again defending its hard- lies, violent rhetoric, and the per- government can in fact extract money from them without significant hurt. won democracy from a state de- version of politics and public life. In India, the majority of consumers are poor. And a tax on fuel affects termined to do away with it. The PiS government, too, has all of us equally and hurts the poor disproportionately. The auto-rickshaw The policies Poland’s inde- demonstrated its contempt for the owner and the Uber driver pay the same to fuel up their vehicle as the cor- pendent media outlets are now rule of law and human rights, to porate executive and the business tycoon. This makes little sense. Ideally protesting have made them as vul- say nothing of independent media. taxation should be focussed on those who can afford to pay more, and this nerable as their counterparts in Thirty years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, The evidence is a plethora of gov- is through direct taxes like income tax. But this Russia and Hungary. In fact, as ernment scandals, widespread has not happened in India for a variety of rea- Deputy Prime Minister Jarosław the abolition of censorship, and the collapse corruption (including in the fight sons. The base of people who file their returns Adam Michnik Kaczyński, Poland’s de facto ruler, of the Soviet Union, Poland’s civil society is against the pandemic), the trans- has gone up but the actual money that has has publicly admitted, the tem- formation of school curricula into come in as direct taxes has not gone up pro- plate for his regime is that of again defending its hard-won democracy nationalist kitsch, and the use of portionally. THE PIS Hungary under Prime Minister from a state determined to do away with it the police as a tool and as body- The other reason that taxes from fuel have Viktor Orbán. So, to understand guards of the PiS regime. gone up in share is what happened to the REGIME’S the Polish media’s protest of si- At the root of such policies – Goods and Services Tax. This was meant to re- ATTACK ON THE lence, the Hungarian experience tutions were next to be politicised is not just a heavy, discriminatory wherever they are adopted – is place a series of other taxes and create a sin- is worth recalling. and subordinated to the ruling financial burden, but also a weapon not only fear of freedom and truth, gle market where more trade and more com- ECONOMIC After returning to power in party. Bit by bit, a democratic state to stifle criticism and free speech. but also the desire to instill this fear merce would happen, expanding the economy. UNDERPINNINGS 2010, Orbán, determined to con- ruled by law was transformed into The survival of most independent in our societies. All Polish courts But the GST was not able to produce as much solidate what he called an “illib- an authoritarian Potemkin village. news outlets depends on advertis- are to be as controlled as those in revenue as the taxes it replaced. And the mar- Aakar Patel OF FREE MEDIA eral democracy,” relied on the Following the lead of Russian ing revenues, which have already Moscow, which can try, convict, ket has not grown. Indeed, in the last 36 months The reality is that IS NO LESS AN “salami” tactics invented by Mátyás President Vladimir Putin and plummeted in a pandemic-ravaged and sentence the Kremlin’s op- the Indian economy has slowed significantly, Rákosi, the so-called Hungarian Orbán, the PiS is no longer satis- economy. Depriving these outlets ponents in record time, as the re- falling from around 8 per cent growth in the no matter what ASSAULT ON Stalin, to establish Communist fied with control of public media of even more income will force cent case of Alexei Navalny demon- quarter starting January 2018 to around 3 per Nehru or Indira or DEMOCRACY rule after World War II. In the and the fealty of pro-government them to lay off journalists and cut strated. All Polish media are cent in the quarter starting January 2020. Vajpayee did, we fight against the “class enemy,” websites and newspapers, and is budgets for core tasks, like fact- supposed to speak with one voice, And in the period after that the economy has THAN THE Rákosi’s Communists methodi- turning its attention to strangling checking government statements like those praising Putin or Orbán. actually contracted for the first time in decades. would be cally diminished free institutions, independent news outlets. and conducting investigations of of- A colleague of mine, an in- And so the short term prospects for growth are dependent today JANUARY 6 slice by slice, until nothing but Falsifying history and concealing ficial wrongdoing. To add insult sightful observer of contempo- not good, and the government must look STORMING OF the casing remained. Orbán corruption scandals is not enough. to injury, the revenue from the ad- rary politics, told me: “As an an- around for immediate ways in which it can fund on petrol and diesel adapted these tactics for the twenty- The string of lawsuits – some- vertising tax is to be transferred to alyst, I will tell you that they, the itself. The easiest way is through fuel. THE US CAPITOL first century, and Kaczyński has times by the government and some- the pro-government media. enemies of freedom, could win. Petrol and diesel had been deregulated be- BY TRUMP followed him. times by individuals or groups at The government’s claim that As a citizen, I will ask you to prom- fore Modi took office. The logic of deregulation was that the Indian state The first slice, then and now, the government’s behest – against the tax primarily applies to ise me that you will do whatever kept subsidising the consumer even when the price of crude rose globally, SUPPORTERS was the public media, which has critics of the government is not America’s tech giants, which avoid it takes to prevent that from putting the mostly state-run oil businesses here at a loss. The consumer been turned into a mouthpiece of enough. All media organisations paying levies on their turnover happening.” was protected no matter what the price of crude. But now the reverse has Kaczyński’s ruling Law and Justice that are not under the PiS regime’s in Europe, is an obvious lie. The I replied: I promise. happened. The government is protected no matter what the price of crude. (PiS) party. Poland’s official news control, and that do not serve its PiS government, utterly servile The writer, a leader of If the price goes down it takes more profit and does not lower the retail rate outlets now peddle a steady stream interests, must be destroyed. to former US President Donald Solidarity in 1989 and a of petrol and diesel. If the price goes up, it hikes up the rates further. This of lies and slander, reminiscent of Viewed against this background, Trump, actually declined to tax participant in the round-table was not the purpose of deregulation. master propagandists like Joseph the regime’s planned advertising the tycoons of Silicon Valley. talks that ended communist The prime minister says that it is not his fault and previous governments Goebbels and Andrei Zhdanov. The tax, which triggered the current Moreover, collection of such a tax rule in Poland, is Editor-in- are to blame for keeping India dependent on imported crude. But that is Constitutional Tribunal, the pros- round of media protests, is yet would have to be agreed by many Chief of Gazeta Wyborcza. the case with all the world’s nations who do not have a reserve of oil that ecutor’s office, and cultural insti- another slice of the salami. The tax countries, particularly those within ©PROJECT SYNDICATE can be tapped into. Alternative sources of energy are a recent phenome- non and their ability to match fossil fuels in terms of price is something even more recent. We should know that in the area of petrol and diesel in automobile use, this parity has still not come. Petrol and diesel are very energy dense. About 50 litres of fuel or a full tank can take the car for 700 km. For an electric car to do that, it requires a lithium ion battery pack that must be at least 45 or so kilo watt hours. The price of this battery alone is around 5000 America dollars and so about `4 lakh. Add the rest of the car and the minimum cost of a vehicle that can do the same range as a petrol SPECTRUM SOCIETY and diesel car can do today is around `10 lakh which is out of the budget for three fourths or more of India’s car buyers. This will change over time and the cost of battery packs will fall as more and more nations take to elec- tric vehicles for environmental reasons. But it is wrong to assume that it could be done today and certainly wrong to assume it could have been done Neglect of mother language has cost us a lot in the past. The last aspect is that of infrastructure. Lithium ion batteries in cars hat makes a society, com- challenges than those from nu- opened fire on public rallies en- few hundred languages have ac- take about 10 hours to charge at home, assuming all car buyers have a garage munity or nation great? clear families. Reason is simple; tailing hundreds of casualties. In tually been given a place in edu- with access to electricity. America, Europe and China have tens of thou- WNot just its economy, nat- they are more accommodating and November 1999, UNESCO declared cation systems and in public do- sands of direct current fast chargers in networks that span their nations. ural resources, leadership, patri- generous towards their friends, 21 February as International main, while fewer than a hundred This enables cars to charge up in about half an hour or so. India does not otism, culture, military power or relatives and others they come in Mother Language Day to be ob- are being used in the digital world. have these networks because the government has not built them. Even if pool of talent. Along these attrib- contact with. served globally to protect mother Every two weeks a language dis- all cars today were to magically become electric and not dependent on fos- utes to varying degrees, at back is At work place we routinely find languages and to commemorate appears taking with it a whole cul- sil fuel, where would they be charged? That the prime minister did not say. the umbilical bond of its people the very senior officials commu- the martyrs who sacrificed their tural and intellectual legacy. The reality is that no matter what Nehru or Indira or Vajpayee did, we with nativity: native land, native nicating in mother tongue when the lives in Bangladesh for their mother The theme of International would be dependent today on petrol and diesel. The question is whether language, native resources, par- action brooks no delay. Admittedly, language. Mother Language Day this year, the government should extract such a large share of tax from us. That is ents and kin. To whatever level use of language that our mother Espousing mother language does “Fostering multilingualism for in- a question only Modi can answer and not Nehru. you have arrived in life thus far, a taught us provides us ease and fe- not imply grudge towards other clusion in education and society,” plethora of people and institutions licity that no other language can. languages, it is just not to accord is essential, because when 40 per were instrumental in your growth It is in this background that Nelson pariah status to mother language. cent of the world’s inhabitants do and development, besides clarity Mandela said, “If you talk to [some- It has been repeatedly demon- not have access to education in WISDOM CORNER of your goals and adjunct efforts. one] in a language [he or she] un- strated by linguists that learning the language they speak or un- Harish Barthwal Among all entities you owe grati- derstands, that goes to [the per- of second or third language does derstand best, it hinders their Happiness is not something you postpone for the future; it is tude (without which none can son’s] head. If you talk to not impinge upon growth of mother learning, as well as their access to something you design for the present. JIM ROHN EVERY TWO WEEKS reach higher echelons), towards [somebody] in [his or her] lan- language. In fact, learning of lan- heritage and cultural expressions. parents, mother land – and by guage, that goes to [the] heart. guage other than native language This year, special attention is being The more you like yourself, the less you are like anyone else, which A LANGUAGE corollary – mother language stands Although UNESCO believes in uses other portions of the brain so paid to multilingual education makes you unique. WALT DISNEY atop. Staying rooted to one’s nativity promoting indigenous systems that two or more languages can from early childhood, so that for DISAPPEARS imparts enormous strength to the and languages, declaration of 21 be learnt especially in formative children, their mother tongue is al- TAKING WITH IT A individuals since they have the February as International Mother years. Learning other than mother ways an asset,” said Audrey Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left belief of belonging to a value sys- Language Day has an interesting undone. PABLO PICASSO language also helps shed preju- Azoulay, Director-General of WHOLE CULTURAL tem, something not available to origin. It so happened that with dices against speakers of other UNESCO. AND INTELLECTUAL those with no concern with na- Bangladesh having merged with languages that set in unawares. English is certainly the most tivity. Disgusted at the people with Pakistan after the India-Pakistan Thus bilingualism or multilin- important language of communi- WORDSWORTH LEGACY scant or no regard for nativity, partition in 1947, Urdu was de- gualism has many benefits. cation the world over, especially in Walter Scott thus remarked: cided to be the sole national lan- Learning another language en- scientific and technological do- “Breathes there a man with soul guage in 1948, despite Bengali tails exposure to a different culture, main. However, the way it is being Man date so dead, who never to himself hath speakers being in majority. The the ethos and pathos of another espoused with it is becoming a said, this is my own, my own na- ruling led to widespread unrest, ral- community or nation, and cer- threat for growth of native lan- he New York Times seems to have started something with an article by tive land.” lies and protests with demand for tainly widens our mental horizons guages and linguistic diversity. TJennifer Lee under the headline “The Man Date; What do you call two The same rationale is true of Bengali to be one of the country’s and understanding of life. There straight men having dinner?” The article discussed the issue that two those with strong family ties; many national languages with active in- are reasons why from about 6,000 The author, a blogger male friends enjoying certain kinds of public activity together — going for studies have shown that those hail- volvement of students at the languages in the world still in (www.bluntspeaker.com), a walk, visiting a museum, or having a meal — are automatically assumed ing from joint families are better University of Dhaka. On the black vogue, 43 per cent are at risk of writes on social, spiritual by onlookers to be gay if there is no obvious business- or sports-related at resolving their conflicts and day of 21 February 1952, the police extinction. It is so because only a and health issues. reason for them to be together. The fear of being thought gay, the article suggested, made it difficult for men to create the kind of one-on- one close friendships that women take for granted. The story has been picked up by papers worldwide as a peg for discussing these issues and ‘Anti-people’ policies ‘Metroman’ in BJP for relating them to social attitudes, metrosexuality (changing male views on fashion and personal grooming), and other matters. Whether Sir, It is no longer possible to meet the needs of the government through direct and Sir, This refers to the news report “Metroman Ms Lee’s invention of man date for a non-sexual male assignation is indirect taxes. The treasury is empty and the Budget is consistently low. The only way to join BJP,” Orissa Post, February 19. E. going to become a permanent part of the language is much too early to etters is to sell all government initiatives to private investors. This is the last piece of ad- Sreedharan, fondly known as India’s Metroman say. Like the now passé “metrosexual,” man date is sure to cause some vice from mixed economics scholars, but the results are the same as before -- unem- is set to enter the political field through BJP in consternation and self-consciousness among males everywhere. Social ployment, inflation, and devaluation of currency. The Union government has chosen his home state Kerala. A technocrat of high cal- behaviours once considered mundane will be subjected to a man-date TOL THE EDITOR to privatise four government-owned banks -- Bank of Maharashtra, Indian Overseas ibre, and with a successful professional life, litmus test. Watching a football game with another man will be kosher; Readers of Orissa POST Bank, Central Bank and Bank of Baroda. These banks have 1.22 lakh employees. It is Sreedharan is a familiar figure among certain watching a foreign film will be a man date. Cooking outdoors on a grill are most welcome to contribute letters important to note that 23 government banks have been merged with large banks sections of the society. The octogenarian evinced will be normal masculine socialising; cooking indoors on a range will be (200 words), articles and since the beginning. The question is will the private players who are going to be the interest in switching over to the political arena columns (between 750-1250 a man date. Of course, Lee and The New York Times aren’t trying to words). Contributors are owners of these banks serve the general people? It is unlawful to sell these banks ar- to serve society. His enthusiasm shows his bat- promote homophobia by bringing “man date” into the national requested to send their bitrarily. The rule of economics is that a person cannot make a profit unless he has tle-ready instinct. Further, messaging readi- vocabulary, but one can see little sociological use in the term other than contact numbers and full exploited the labour force. This will also apply to banks -- workers will be forced to re- ness to ascend to the chief minister’s post in

exacerbating homosexual panic (University Wire, 13 April, 2005). postal address/email ID. They may also tire, interest rates on loans will be raised, interest rates on deposits will be reduced, an opportune time, even as disfavoring the gu-

k y m send in their valuable comments, opinion c ‘Sideways’, the recent highly acclaimed film from Alexander Payne, is and suggestions, preferably by email, and so on. These measures are ‘anti-economic and anti-labour’. This is why bank em- bernatorial post amply describes his ambition perhaps the best example of the Man Date movie. Two buddies, Jack and to: [email protected] ployees are constantly protesting against this ‘anti-people’ policy. When the country’s - to deliver tangible benefits to the state. The saf- Miles, hit the road for a week of wine tasting and fine dining before unemployment rate is growing, the government’s policies are going to create an fron party, with an eye on emerging as a third Jack’s wedding. These are average guys, but are unabashed about army of educated unemployed that will create a catastrophic situation for the coun- alternative in the ‘God's own country’ has sharing a good bottle of wine over dinner and talking about their B-15, Rasulgarh Industrial Estate, try. The solution to this problem is only possible with the help of constant agitation. found a gentleman to induct into its fold. feelings (The Observer, 17 April, 2005). Bhubaneswar-751010 Asit Mohanty, JAJPUR N Sadhasiva Reddy, BANGALORE UTTARAKHAND RAJASTHAN P7

SUNDAY | FEBRUARY 21 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR

k y m Fissures out in open in Raj Congress Gehlot attacks Centre c over rising fuel prices INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE “This movement goes beyond Mahapanchayat Friday. caste and religion. Everyone in While the pro-pilot MLAs in- Jaipur, Feb 20: It was a different the country is now saying that cluded Vishvendra Singh, PRESS TRUST OF INDIA 'Kisan Mahapanchayat' at the the government of India should re- Hemaram Chaudhary, Murarilal Kotkhawada area of Chaksu town consider its decision and with- Meena, Brijendra Singh Ola, Jaipur, Feb 20: Rajasthan Chief in Jaipur district Friday where a draw the farm laws, shedding its Ramesh Meena, Ved Prakash Minister Ashok Gehlot Saturday huge crowd gathered to catch a stubborn nature. In fact, they Solanki, Harish Meena, G.R. said fuel prices have been increasing glimpse of their 'hero' -- Congress should frame three new laws after Khatana, Indraj Gurjar, Rakesh for 11 days and the common man leader Sachin Pilot -- cheering consulting all the stakeholders,” Pareek, Amar Singh Jatav, Suresh is suffering as a result of "wrong" loudly to give a loud shout of ap- Pilot said, adding that every Indian Modi, Mukesh Bhakar and P.R. economic policies of the Centre. proval to every word the former feels that the farm bills were passed Meena, the presence of two other In a series of tweets, Gehlot tar- Deputy CM uttered. The same in haste without any MLAs surprised many -- Niwai geted the Centre and cleared his crowd also hooted when MLAs consultation. MLA Prashant Bairava and stand on the rumours that from Chief Minister Ashok Almost 200 farmers have lost Dantaramgarh MLA Virendra Rajasthan levies highest tax on Gehlot's camp were seen joining their lives while trying to con- Singh, the son of former Congress fuel prices. Pilot on the dais. vince the government to repeal state president Narayan Singh. “The Modi government imposes However, as thousands of peo- the farm laws, he added. As soon as they arrived, the excise duty of Rs 32.90 on petrol and the Centre has continuously re- ple from all caste and creed, and Meanwhile, the Mahapanchayat Pilot supporters started raising Rs 31.80 per litre on diesel. Whereas duced the part of basic excise duty not all necessarily farmers, joined also reflected the strong con- slogans against them as Bairava during the UPA government in of the states and increased the ad- the Mahapanchayat, it gave a clear frontation brewing between Chief was initially in the Pilot camp, 2014 there was an excise duty of ditional excise duty and special indication that a new farmer leader Minister Ashok Gehlot and his but joined the Gehlot fraction after only Rs 9.20 on petrol and just Rs excise duty on the central portion is born in Rajasthan who is none ‘NEW FARMER LEADER’ former deputy, indicating that the a political crisis erupted in the 3.46 on diesel. The Modi government “only to fill its treasury”. other than Pilot. As thousands of people The crowd at the meeting cheered 'political war' is still not over. In state in July last year. should reduce excise duty in the in- Consequently, the state govern- Though Pilot denied any such from all caste and creed loudly to give a loud shout of approval the Mahapanchayat, Pilot had 16 Three other MLAs belonging terest of the public without delay,” ments have to increase VAT (value- thing while speaking to IANS and joined the to every word the former Deputy MLAs with him on the stage, which to the Pilot camp -- Deepender he tweeted in Hindi. added tax) to raise their economic said, “I’m strongly attached to the Mahapanchayat, it gave a CM uttered gave a clear message to the Singh Shekhawat, Ramnivas “People are affected by petrol and resources, the chief minister said. clear indication that a new farmer community. In fact, my fa- The same crowd also hooted when MLAs Congress high command about Gavadia and Bhanwarlal Sharma diesel prices. Prices have been in- Gehlot said the economy of ther and I have received full bless- farmer leader is born in his grip and strength on the -- could not make it to the creasing continuously for the last Rajasthan has been badly affected Rajasthan who is none from Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot’s ings from the farmer community ground. Mahapanchayat. 11 days. This is the result of wrong due to COVID-19 and the state's other than Sachin Pilot camp were seen joining Pilot on the dais across castes. Farmers are the Similarly, Gehlot, PCC presi- When Vishvendra Singh, an economic policies of the Modi gov- revenue has decreased. But, the backbone of our country’s econ- dent Govind Singh Dotasara and MLA from the Pilot camp, indi- ernment. Crude oil prices in the state government reduced VAT by omy. This agrarian community committed to the farmers' issue and second, farm purchase should be several leaders of the Gehlot camp rectly commented on Gehlot and international market are currently 2 per cent in the last month to give plays a strong role in our country's hence I am here addressing this made on MSP; and thirdly, the were invited to the event, but none said "first we got 99 seats, then half of what it used to be during relief to the common people, he development and hence the rally.” hike in petrol and diesel prices arrived. Pilot and Gehlot's con- 101", slogans were raised in sup- the UPA rule, but petrol-diesel added. "Instead of giving any such Congress is fully committed to “We passed three resolutions should be rolled back. Everyone frontation became all the more port of Pilot. Looking at the re- prices have reached an all-time relief, the Modi government is in- their cause. As a Congress worker, in today's rally. First, all the three raised their hands and passed evident when two MLAs from sponse, Singh said, "You are high,” Gehlot said in another tweet. creasing the prices of petrol and I feel that it is my duty to remain laws farm should be withdrawn; these three resolutions.” Gehlot camp joined the smarter than me." The chief minister claimed that diesel every day," Gehlot said. AIKS mahapanchayats Glacier disaster highlights Himalayan dangers AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE are planned - many without proper in Rajasthan next week attention to the potential risks, ex- Chamoli, Feb 20: Long before perts say. this month’s deadly flash flood in a remote Indian Himalayan NO TRUST IN valley, Kundan Singh Rana knew GOVERNMENT that all the construction work in Experts say that these proj- the fragile region would one day ects make other devastating flash mean disaster. floods more likely, while also in- “The rivers, mountains and creasing the risk of landslides. trees are like our gods and any sac- The dangers were plain to see rilege will have consequences,” in 2013 when a flash flood killed Rana told AFP in his village, over- 6,000 people in Uttarakhand and looking the hydroelectric project devastated the region. that was obliterated by what was In its wake, India's top court believed to be a glacier collapse Feb appointed a scientific committee 7. “The Rishiganga river and our that recommended no more hydro mountains have been scarred be- plants be built in the area - ad- PRESS TRUST OF INDIA farmers' movement and listen to the yond repair by human greed. This vice which is being ignored. leaders of the United Front,” the flood is God’s retribution,” the Locals in the area - home to a Jaipur, Feb 20: The All India spokesperson said. 43-year-old farmer said. famous 1970s campaign to protect Kisan Sabha will hold several All India Kisan Sabha national Scientists may not share his trees - say that they have seen kisan mahapanchayats in vice president and former MLA belief in divine punishment, but none of the promised economic Rajasthan next week under the Amra Ram will also address ma- they agree that the blame for this benefits of the development and leadership of farmer leaders, in- hapanchayats. A large number of latest disaster which killed 60 that their concerns have been cluding Rakesh Tikait. farmers from Rajasthan are also people and left 150 others missing ignored. The kisan mahapanchayats will participating in protest against the lies largely with human activity. They launched a campaign in be held in the state from February agricultural laws of the Centre and The anthropogenic impact in- shaped valley, sweeping away The runoff can form glacial 20 Indian soldiers dead. 2019 and petitioned a court over 22 to 26 and the first one will take are holding a sit-in protest on the cludes the shrinking of glaciers homes, roads and bridges as well lakes which can then burst An 800km highway is also being illegal sand mining and the place in Nohar in Hanumangarh Shahjahanpur border near Alwar. in the Himalayas, one of the re- as around 200 people, many of their banks in spec- built to connect four reli- dumping of muck in the district February 22, the Kisan The Congress Saturday organised gions hardest hit by global warm- whom have still not been found al- tacular and de- The gious sites - a pet project Rishiganga river that they said Sabha spokesperson said. a march in all districts of Rajasthan ing. The recent disaster is thought most two weeks on. structive fashion. Rishiganga river of Prime Minister was contributing to landslides Meetings will be held at to mark its protest against the by experts to have been caused The other and our mountains Narendra Modi. and floods. Sardarshahar (Churu) and Sikar farms laws enacted by the Centre by a chunk of glacier 15 football CLIMATE CHANGE factor can be have been scarred But the biggest But deforestation for infra- February 23, Mehendipur Balaji and the rising fuel prices. In Jaipur, fields long and five across break- AND DEVELOPMENT heard in the beyond repair by human problem is the con- structure projects, sand mining (Dausa) February 25 and Padampur the protest was led by Transport ing off, bringing with it part of a The latest catastrophe “is clearly regular thuds greed. This flood is God’s struction of hydro- and quarrying continues. Mandi (Ganganagar) and Ghadsana Minister Pratap Singh rock face. a fallout of climate change and in of dynamite retribution electric plants across “We used to trust the govern- Mandi (Ganganagar) February 26, Khachariyawas and Congress Chief This dammed up a small river itself a tell-tale of our future,” ringing through KUNDAN SINGH RANA I the vast network of ment and believed that it was according to the spokesperson. Whip Mahesh Joshi. The Congress high in the mountains until the HC Nainwal, one of the several the valleys of FARMER Himalayan rivers, part working for our welfare but that’s Rakesh Tikait, the national leaders were seen riding on tractors, mass of backed-up water broke glaciologists who visited the site, Uttarakhand. of India's drive to boost not the case,” Surinder Singh, 55, spokesperson of the Bharatiya camels and elephants besides par- through with awesome ferocity told AFP. Some of this explosive renewable energy. told AFP. Kisan Union, will also address ticipating in a "Paidal March" as and speed. In the Indian Himalayas, about activity is for new roads to beef up More than 75 small and large “Any dam or road that threat- these mahapanchayats. party workers and protestors raised The roaring deluge of water, 10,000 glaciers are receding at a the disputed border with China fol- power projects are operational in ens our lives and the mountains “You must also join to support the slogans against PM Narendra Modi. rocks and soil hurtled down a V- rate of 30m to 60m per decade. lowing last year’s clash that left Uttarakhand and dozens more will be fought tooth and nail.” Researchers to inspect artificial lake Haridwar ‘Kumbh’ to be held TAPOVAN TOLL RISES TO 65 for 28 days amid pandemic GOPESHWAR: Three more bod- Magistrate Swati S Bhadauria on ies were recovered from the Saturday asked the NTPC to press NTPC's flood-ravaged Tapovan- into service additional equipment INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE Vishnugad hydel project site and divert the course of Saturday taking the toll in the Dhauliganga river to the other New Delhi, Feb 20: In view of the February 7 glacial disaster in side so that its water does not Covid-19 pandemic, the 'Kumbh Uttarakhand to 65, officials said. flow through the barrage into Mela' in 2021 would be held in The bodies were recovered from Tapovan tunnel hampering sludge Haridwar for a span of 28 days the desilting tank near the clearing efforts. which includes four 'Shahi Snans'. Tapovan project barrage Saturday, River water flowing into the The Uttarakhand government has NDRF Commandant P K Tiwari tunnel from the barrage has been taken this decision after discus- told PTI. Search operation at the a major headache for rescuers at sions with Hindu sages. project site has been underway on the tunnel making the muck clear- 'Kumbh Mela 2021' would be or- a war footing for more than 13 ing operations even more chal- ganised from April 1 to 28, days since it bore the brunt of an lenging, Bhadauria said. Uttarakhand Chief Minister avalanche triggered by a glacial Deploying additional equip- Trivendra Singh Rawat said. The burst over Rishiganga river in ment at the tunnel and diverting Uttarakhand government would PRESS TRUST OF INDIA team is being accompanied by a Chamoli district. the course of the river will speed soon issue a notification regard- mountaineer from the Nehru The 13.2 MW Rishiganga hydel up the debris removal exercise ing the dates of the 'Kumbh Mela'. Raini (U'khand), Feb 20: A team Institute of Mountaineering and project was totally demolished in which has been underway for In the past, the 'Kumbh Mela' in of researchers arrived in Pang vil- SDRF jawans to ensure their safe the avalanche while the Tapovan- more than 13 days, the DM said. Haridwar has been held for a period lage Saturday to inspect the arti- journey to the lake. Vishnugad hydropower project She said rescue operations at the of four months. ficial lake formed over Rishiganga "We will inspect the lake formed suffered extensive damage. main project site in Raini have At the same time, the Union after the recent avalanche and over Rishiganga by the huge vol- With the recovery of three more been completed. Ministry of Health and Family is taking place after 11 years in- April 12 which is observed as gauge how big a threat it poses to ume of sludge that came from bodies, the toll in the tragedy has The DM added that the debris Welfare has also issued the Standard stead of 12 years. Usually, the Kumbh 'Somvati Amavasya' and April 14, areas downstream. Rauthi stream due to the ava- gone up to 65 while 139 people are on the upper side of Rishiganga Operating Procedures (SOP) re- Mela is held after every 12 years. the main 'Shahi Snan' would be ob- The team led by USAC Director lanche," USAC Director Bisht still missing. is now being scoured for any bod- garding the 'Kumbh Mela'. The The first 'Shahi Snan' will take served on 'Mesha Sankranti'. MPS Bisht and consisting of four told PTI. Meanwhile, Chamoli District ies that could be trapped, if any. devotees visiting the Kumbh would place March 11 which is celebrated The 'Kumbh Mela 2021' will be scientists each from the Geological "We hope to reach Udiyari by have to follow the SOP issued by the as 'Mahashivaratri'. March 11, seven quite different from the past Kumbh

Survey of India and Uttarakhand the evening which is located above be measured only by how much Hyderabad are also expected to Ministry. akharas of the sants would be tak- Melas. During this year's Kumbh

k y m c Space Application Centre will try the lake. By Sunday, we may reach water it contains," he said. measure the volume of water in the The Uttarakhand High Court ing the first 'Shahi Snan' and April Mela, bhajans and 'bhandaras' (re- to reach the lake on foot by Sunday. the lake to inspect it and take its Sonographic equipment from lake, Bisht said. had also asked the state govern- 27 during the occasion of Vaishakh ligious feasts) would be prohibited With roads in the area around geographical measurements. How the Indian Navy are being used to Bisht said his team will also in- ment to limit the duration of the Purnima, three akharas of 'Bairagi at any place. The Uttarakhand gov- Raini Gram Panchayat washed out big a threat the lake can pose to the measure how much water is con- corporate the findings of a DRDO 'Kumbh Mela' in view of the Covid- Sadhus' would take bath in the ernment has issued the new rules in the recent flash flood and vast population living downstream of tained in the lake, he said. team which has visited the lake 19 pandemic. Significantly, this Kumbh. All the 13 akharas would to prevent the spread of coron- stretches turned into swamps, the Rishiganga is something that can Sonography experts from into its analysis. time in Haridwar, the 'Kumbh Mela' take bath in the Kumbh at Haridwar avirus. We are not FORMER BSP MP AKBAR P8 opposing the SUNDAY | FEBRUARY 21 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR government just for the AHMAD 'DUMPY' BOOKED sake of opposition. We A case has been registered against oppose the government's former BSP MP Akbar Ahmad wrong policies affecting ‘Dumpy’ on a complaint by Delhi BJP the common man vice-president Shazia Ilmi accusing y MALLIKARJUN KHARGE | LEADER OF him of misbehaving with her at a

national OPPOSITION IN RAJYA SABHA

k y m private party, police said Saturday c

of the day uote HOSHANGABAD TO BE RENAMED AS India, China military talks People started Mehbooba Mufti calls feeling afraid NARMADAPURAM of telling the focus on easing tension truth in front of him PRESS TRUST OF INDIA (Narendra Modi)… they would be Bhopal, Feb 20: Madhya Pradesh grovelling. It seems Chief Minister Shivraj Singh in eastern Ladakh our Prime Minister has also become for dialogue with Pak Chouhan has announced that PRESS TRUST OF INDIA an arrogant king of that type Hoshangabad city in the state would be renamed as New Delhi, Feb 20: India and PRIYANKA GANDHI | CONGRESS LEADER THE FORMER A DAY AFTER J&K VIOLENCE Narmadapuram and a proposal China Saturday held another round J&K CHIEF he PDP president to that effect would be sent to the of military talks with a focus on tak- Saturday asked the RJD does not T Centre. ing forward the disengagement MINISTER SAID AT Centre to start a dialogue have any He made the announcement process in Hot Springs, Gogra and with Pakistan and also relevance in THE LEAST, A during the Narmada Jayanti pro- Depsang in eastern Ladakh and engage the local public to neighbouring states gramme held in Hoshangabad bring down the tensions in the re- DIALOGUE SHOULD ensure there is no violence in and if they want to Friday evening. gion, official sources said. the Union Territory contest elections in BE STARTED TO STOP While addressing a gathering on The 10th round of Corps banks of Pangong lake that mandates West Bengal and the banks of Narmada, Chouhan Commander-level talks are taking both sides to “cease” forward de- ehbooba said that the Assam, then it should make their VIOLENCE IN THE asked whether the government place two days after the Chinese and government must think ployment of troops in a “phased, co- intentions clear M UNION TERRITORY as to when the people of should change the name of Indian militaries completed the ordinated and verifiable” manner. SUSHIL MODI | BJP MP J&K, its policemen and youth Hoshangabad, to which the people withdrawal of troops, weapons and Under the agreement, he said will continue to sacrifice present there replied in the affir- other military hardware from the China will pull back its troops to east PRESS TRUST OF INDIA their lives mative. North and South banks of Pangong of Finger 8 areas in the northern Party (TDP) is “What should be the new name?” lake areas as part of an agreement. bank of Pangong lake while the continuing its Srinagar, Feb 20 : A day after during an encounter with ultras “He has (left behind) two small chil- Chouhan asked, and the people The meeting started at 10 am at Indian personnel will be based at relentless three policemen were killed in ter- in Budgam district during the day. dren. His father was also killed replied, “Narmadapuram!” the Moldo border point on the their permanent base at Dhan fight against the rorist incidents in Jammu and Three terrorists were also killed when he was just four years old. The Chief Minister then said, Chinese side of the Line of Actual Singh Thapa Post near Finger 3 in mind games, Kashmir, PDP president Mehbooba in a gunfight with security forces What will they do?” “We are now sending a proposal Control and it was continuing, the the region. Similar action would atrocities and Mufti Saturday asked the Centre to at Badigam in Shopian district of The former J&K Chief Minister to the Centre to change the name sources said. take place on the south bank of unchecked start a dialogue with Pakistan and south Kashmir Friday. said at the least, a dialogue should of Hoshangabad as They said India will insist on a the lake as well, he said. violations of the ruling YSRCP in the also engage the local public to en- Speaking to reporters after her be started to stop violence in the Narmadapuram.” The state gov- faster disengagement process in re- The sources said troops of both ongoing panchayat elections sure there is no violence in the visit, Mehbooba asked the Centre Union Territory. ernment will not allow “cement- maining areas like Hot Springs, sides have retreated to positions N CHANDRABABU NAIDU | Union Territory. to hold talks with Pakistan and the “The BJP government should concrete structures” to be built Gogra and Depsang to bring down that were agreed upon by both the TELEGU DESAM PARTY CHIEF The PDP president visited people of Jammu and Kashmir, think and start the process of dia- along the Narmada river, he tension in the region that has wit- sides. The disengagement process Logripora Aishmuqam area of in saying the government must think logue, so that the bloodshed is said, adding that sewage treat- nessed a tense standoff between the began February 10. Kashmir’s Anantnag district to ex- as to when the people of J&K, its po- stopped. Our graveyards have be- ment plants are also being con- two militaries for over nine months. The Indian delegation at SHORT TAKES press her sympathies with the be- licemen and youth will continue come full,” she said. structed in the cities located on “The focus of the talks is on car- Saturday's talks is being led by Lt reaved family of J&K Police con- to sacrifice their lives. “They should start the dialogue its banks. rying forward the disengagement Gen PGK Menon, the Commander stable Suhail Ahmad who was killed “This (the Kashmir issue) is a process - be it (with the people) Meanwhile, BJP workers, led process,” said a source. of the Leh-based 14 Corps. The AI Express flight in the terrorist attack in the Baghat huge issue and this issue should be here or with Pakistan because they by protem Assembly Speaker On February 11, Defence Minister Chinese side was to be headed by area of the city Friday. resolved so that the bloodshed in often say that Pakistan perpetrates Rameshwar Sharma, expressed Rajnath Singh announced in Maj Gen Liu Lin, the commander hits electric pole Besides Ahmad, another po- J&K stops and the people here live violence here. At least, the dialogue happiness over Chouhan’s an- Parliament that India and China of the South Xinjiang military dis- Vijaywada: major mishap liceman lost his life in the Baghat in peace,” she said. process can be started to stop the nouncement and burst firecrack- reached an agreement on disen- trict of the People’s Liberation was averted when an Air attack. Separately, a policeman died Talking about Ahmad, she said, violence,” she told reporters. ers Saturday morning. gagement in the North and South Army (PLA). India Express flight, carrying 64 passengers, lost control and met with an accident in Andhra Pradesh today. The IPFT ditches BJP, forges FOR THE PRIVILEGED Farmer, son die flight hit an electric pole on the runway following landing. The accident took place at by suicide over the Vijayawada International alliance with others Airport in Gannavaram debt, farm laws around 4.50 pm. “All 64 INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE passengers on board the POLITICAL CIRCLES PRESS TRUST OF INDIA flight and the crew are safe,” Agartala, Feb 20: Antagonising the airport director G OBSERVED THAT THE ruling BJP, its junior ally IPFT Hoshiarpur (Punjab), Feb 20: A Madhusudan Rao said. Following landing, as the Friday night forged an alliance IPFT TOOK THE debt-ridden farmer and his son flight was heading towards with another smaller tribal based DECISION AFTER BJP allegedly died by suicide in bay number 5, it met with an parties to fight the upcoming polls Punjab’s Hoshiarpur village, say- accident on the runway and to the tribal autonomous body. LEADERS DID NOT ing in a note that they were upset rammed into to an electrical Indigenous People's Front of over the Centre's new farm laws pole. Tripura (IPFT) president Narendra ALLOT MAJORITY OF and the state government's fail- Chandra Debbarma and general THE SEATS TO FIELD ure to waive their loans. secretary Mevar Kumar Jamatia, The farmer, Jagtar Singh (70), Demo to protect both are ministers of the BJP led PARTY (IPFT) and his son Kirpal Singh (42) were council of ministry headed by Chief CANDIDATES IN THE found dead at their residence in Tamil language Minister Biplab Kumar Deb, how- Muhadipur village Saturday morn- ever, said that they are still in coali- TTAADC POLLS ing, Deputy Superintendent of Coimbatore: Perur Mutt tion with the saffron party. Police Munish Kumar said. Pontiff, Maruthachala Bharatiya Janata Party media that they are still with the They had allegedly consumed Adigalar Saturday led a spokesman Nabendu Bhattacharjee BJP led government and part of a poisonous substance, police said. demonstration here seeking to protect Tamil language told this news agency late Friday BJP floated regional body Northeast In a suicide note recovered from and make it compulsory till night that the IPFT did not share Democratic Alliance (NEDA), con- A woman shows a diamond-studded mask at the gems and jewellery exhibition Sparkle 2021 in Surat, Saturday PTI PHOTO their residence, they wrote that eighth standard in Tamil their decision with them. vener of which is Assam Minister they were taking the extreme step Nadu. The protest was “However, our senior leaders Himanta Biswa Sarma. because of debt. organised by Coimbatore are discussing the latest political Political circles observed that They also accused the Congress Tamil Sangham and Joint development,” Bhattacharjee said. the IPFT took the decision after government in Punjab of not ho- Committee for Protection of Tripura royal scion Pradyot the BJP leaders did not allot ma- Turncoats in Bengal given VIP security cover nouring its promise of waiving Tamil. Addressing the Bikram Manikya Deb Barman, jority of the seats to field party their farm loans. protesters, Maruthachala who was earlier state president of (IPFT) candidates in the PRESS TRUST OF INDIA within West Bengal, they said. sembly apart from that in Assam, Adigalar demanded that the Congress but subsequently quit TTAADC elections likely to be They said the Central Industrial Tamil Nadu, Kerala and government take steps to the party in 2019, Friday formed an held before May 17. BJP leaders New Delhi, Feb 20: Over a dozen Security Force (CISF) has been Puducherry are due in April-May. make Tamil compulsory in alliances of few tribal-based parties are also keen to contest a ma- MLAs and MPs from West Bengal, tasked with providing the cover. Those provided the cover in- schools till the eighth and named TIPRA, the Indigenous jority of the 28 TTAADC seats to including those who recently The paramilitary force has a clude CPI (M) MLA from Tamluk standard. The protesters Progressive Regional Alliance. strengthen their political base in joined the BJP from the TMC and dedicated VIP security unit called Ashok Dinda, TMC MLA from raised slogans against Deb Barman told the media that the tribal areas. other parties, have been given the special security group (SSG) and Kanthi Uttar seat Bansari Maity, imposing Hindi. for the greater cause of the "Tipra The BJP in alliance with IPFT VIP security cover by the Centre, it protects high-risk personalities Congress MLA from Purulia land" (a territory for the tribals) they won the 2018 Assembly polls de- officials said Saturday. like NSA Ajit Doval and RSS chief Sudeep Mukherjee, Gazole TMC would fight together in the ensuing feating the CPI-M led Left Front. The security has been approved Mohan Bhagwat among others. MLA Dipali Biswas, TMC MLA No VIP movement elections to the Tripura Tribal In the 60-member Tripura by the Union Home Ministry after Sources told PTI these latest from Bally (Howrah) and daugh- Areas Autonomous District Council Assembly, BJP has 36 seats and analysing a “threat assessment” VIP security arrangements are ter of former cricket adminis- They further mentioned in the on Shahi Snan (TTAADC), a politically important the IPFT eight and CPI-M has16. report and recommendations pre- “temporary keeping in mind the trator Jagmohan Dalmiya - note that they were also distressed Dehradun: No VIP movement constitutional body. Deb Barman Another tribal based anti-BJP pared by the central security agen- protection and well-being of the Baishali Dalmiya, TMC MLA as the Centre had not repealed will be allowed on Shahi Snan later in the Friday evening held a party – Indigenous Nationalist cies, they said. politicians during the forthcoming from Monteswar Saikat Panja, the new farm laws. days during the forthcoming closed door meeting with Debbarma Party of Tripura (INPT) leaders All the political leaders have elections season and once the ac- CPI (M) MLA from Haldia Tapasi The two owned one acre of land. Kumbh in Haridwar. The and Jamatia and other senior IPFT also on Friday night announced to been granted the lower categories tivities at the hustings are over, the Mondal, TMC MLA from Kalna Their bodies were sent to Dasuya decision was taken at a leaders before he announce to con- maintain alliance with the group- of central VIP security cover like cover will be reviewed”. Elections Biswajit Kundu and TMC MLA civil hospital for post-mortem, po- coordination meeting with test the TTAADC polls together. ing floated by Pradyot Bikram ‘X’ and ‘Y’ for their movement to the 294-seat West Bengal as- from Barrackpore Assembly seat. lice said, adding they are investi- police officials of different The IPFT leaders also told the Manikya Deb Barman. gating the matter. states and security agencies held at Uttarakhand police headquarters here on Friday to discuss measures that need to be taken for CAN’T CONTEST, BUT SASIKALA HAS SPICED UP TN POLLS smoothly conducting the event. If VIPs come to Haridwar on a Shahi Snan SASIKALA IS EYEING TO TAKE BACK THE CONTROL OF THE RULING AIADMK IN TAMIL NADU day during Kumbh they will be treated as common devotees. AGENCIES for contesting election or holding a tinues to be the revered “Amma” fig- checkmate MG Ramachandran’s chief ministerial post for the mat- ure for the AIADMK cadre makes wife, VN Janaki, who made a claim Chennai, Feb 20: Considering a ter. This makes her battle for re- Sasikala a formidable force as she on the AIADMK after MGR's death. request from VK Sasikala, a Chennai capturing the AIADMK interest- tries to reclaim the party. Her entry OPS, as Panneerselvam is re- 3 of family killed court has agreed to hear her peti- ing and her only hope to remain into Chennai happened with scores ferred to, was made the Chief in road mishap tion challenging her expulsion from relevant in Tamil Nadu politics in of AIADMK workers including Minister after Jayalalithaa’s death the AIADMK March 15. Sasikala which she has been a stakeholder MLAs welcoming her. in 2016. When Sasikala wanted the Mathura (UP): Four people, had filed that petition in 2017 after for about 30 years as and under J Sasikala, the wife of a government transfer of power, he resisted claim- including three of a family, she was expelled by the EPS-OPS Jayalalithaa’s shadow. PRO, M Natarajan, was introduced ing “blessings” of Jayalalithaa. travelling from Budaun in combine following her conviction Tamil Nadu Chief Minister E to Jayalalithaa by a former bu- Sasikala was elected as the Uttar Pradesh to Mehandipur in a corruption case. Sasikala was Palanaswami and Deputy Chief reaucrat in 1980s. Jayalalithaa was AIADMK general secretary in Balaji temple in Rajasthan the AIADMK general secretary at were killed when their Minister O Panneerselvam are her a rising star in AIADMK back then. December-end 2016 by the party’s

vehicle hit a truck in Raya the time. first obstacles. After her release Sasikala was trying to set up a video general council. In early February y area here, police said Her conviction in the corruption from a Bangalore jail, Sasikala has rental outlet business. Her intro- 2017, she was elected as the AIADMK

case came with a ban on contesting placed her moves carefully. duction to Jayalalithaa changed Legislature Pary leader, practically

k y m Saturday. The van driver was c among three people who election for 10 years. This means 66- Sasikala flaunted the AIADMK her fortune. becoming the Chief Minister-des- were injured in the accident year-old Sasikala cannot contest party flag on her car as she took a flag or symbol as she is not a mem- have the power to expel Sasikala During the times, when ignate. that occurred near Koyal the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly road journey to Chennai after her ber of the AIADMK. This is where after she had been elected as the Jayalalithaa was targeted within Finally, OPS resigned but with a railway crossing on the election or even the next state polls release. Palaniswami, who now con- the legacy battle is being fought. AIADMK general secretary by the the AIADMK and outside, Sasikala verdict in the corruption case against intervening night of Friday- in 2025. trols the party, said Sasikala did Her camp has dismissed EPS’s claim vote of all party functionaries. stood by her as a constant com- Sasikala pending, the Governor de- Saturday, around 2.30 am. At 72, Sasikala would be eligible not have the right to use the party saying the EPS-OPS combine did not The fact that Jayalalithaa con- panion. She helped Jayalalithaa cided to delay her swearing-in. CYBERABAD POLICE TO SET UP P9 We need to go for a SUNDAY | FEBRUARY 21 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR massive national campaign for SEPARATE DESK FOR TRASNGENDERS change of life style. Also food The Cyberabad Police Friday decided to set up a separate habits.. Our forefathers who desk at the Cyberabad Police Commissionerate to address lived for thousands of years the problems of transgenders. The decision to launch the have given us wonderful food unique initiative was taken at an interaction Cyberabad

y national M VENKAIAH NAIDU | VICE PRESIDENT Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar and other officials had

k y m with over 150 transgender people c

of the day uote ‘Bengal wants its own daughter’: KAMBALA COMPETITION We will overcome all designs (to overthrow our govt) and we have faced Trinamool launches poll slogan successfully all attempts of the Centre to rock the boat in make you say ‘Jai Hind’ and ‘Joy Puducherry in association with the Bangla’. I promise you we will make AIADMK and the AINRC in them say ‘Jai Siya Ram’”. Puducherry That particular comment was a direct retort to Union Home Minister V NARAYANASAMY | PUDUCHERRY CHIEF MINISTER Amit Shah, who last week declared that Mamata Banerjee “will begin chanting ‘Jai Shri Ram’ by the time election is over’. Bhopal rape “The people of Bengal have not victim is miles heard ‘Jai Shri Ram’, we have heard away from ‘Jai Siya Ram’. They say ‘Jai Shri justice even after Ram’. They leave Sita out. They one month because insult women. In their rule women the BJP always are raped and denied all rights. holds the victim That’s why they won’t say ‘Jai Siya responsible for rape and shows PRESS TRUST OF INDIA Ram’. Do you want to elect such a laxity in taking action which The party’s campaign in this party?” Banerjee asked. benefits the culprits election has been about fighting Kolkata, Feb 20: The Trinamool “bohiragato” or “outsiders”, while In what is set to be a battle of slo- A jockey guides his buffaloes on the slush track during Kambala competition at Moodabidri in Dakshina Kannada RAHUL GANDHI | CONGRESS LEADER Congress Saturday launched its also retaining its most faithful gan as much as one of develop- district, Saturday PTI PHOTO slogan for the 2021 Bengal Assembly vote bank - women ment issues, sources have said the election. The slogan is “Bangla Trinamool’s was created to present Nijer Meyekei Chaye”, which trans- In all her campaign speeches the Chief Minister as someone Foundation of Banerjee has reached out to female India’s lates as “Bengal wants its own who belongs to the people of Bengal, daughter”, and pitches Chief voters and asked them to take on while simultaneously casting the development “goons from outside” is that Centre and Minister Mamata Banerjee in that opposition as being controlled by ULFA-I WARNS EXECUTION states work role. Banerjee is usually referred to In what is set to be a battle of outsiders. together and head as “didi”, which means ‘elder sis- slogan as much as one of The slogan was launched at the towards a certain ter’ in Bengali. development issues, sources have Trinamool HQ in Kolkata in the direction and make cooperative With the slogan in place, the rul- said the Trinamool’s was created presence of senior leaders like OF 2 ABDUCTED EMPLOYEES federalism even more meaningful ing Trinamool has also highlighted to present the Chief Minister as Subrata Mukherjee, Subrata Bakshi, someone who belongs to the AGENCIES NARENDRA MODI | PRIME MINISTER what was unsaid. Partha Chatterjee, Kakoli Ghosh governments, the family members Changlang district December 21 The party’s campaign in this people of Bengal Dastidar, Sukhendu Shekar Roy of the two abducted persons as well last year. election has been about fighting and Derek O' Brien. Guwahati, Feb 20: The family as the Quippo authorities that the Pranab Kumar Gogoi is a resident “bohiragato” or “outsiders”, while Speaking to the media, O’ Brien members of the two employees of talks with Quippo authorities from of Assam’s Sivasagar district, while also retaining its most faithful vote daughter to surrender Bengal's said: "The Chief Minister has been an oil drilling company, who were February 16 to 19 have failed. Ram Kumar hails from Bihar’s SHORT TAKES bank - women. In all her campaign pride, worth and faith before Delhi? around for ten years now. She is abducted by banned militant out- Therefore, we have decided to take Khagaria district and both are now speeches Banerjee has reached out Some people from outside are try- looking at a third term... and she will fit United Liberation Front of Asom action against the Quippo’s two captive of the rebel outfits. Man, son killed in to female voters and asked them ing to finish off Bengal’s culture? Do be sworn-in in May after she is - Independent (ULFA-I) December employees, Ram Kumar and Pranab “We had appealed ULFA-I, Assam to take on “goons from outside”. you want these people to do that?” blessed by the people. The people will 21 last year, have appealed to the Kumar Gogoi, in the coming week government and Quippo company, crash on highway Shortly after the slogan was re- Banerjee, who is the Lok Sabha MP interpret and absorb the slogan. ULFA-I to release them on hu- in a phased manner as decided ear- but didn’t get any response from Jammu: A 70-year-old man leased Abhishek Banerjee, who is from Diamond Harbour, asked. We will take this simple slogan to manitarian grounds. This comes lier,” the press release said. them. I appeal Paresh Baruah to re- and his son were killed while the Chief Minister’s nephew, ad- “Bohiragotoder dao biday, Bangla the people.” after the banned outfit Friday issued Pranab Kumar Gogoi - a drilling lease my husband, we have now three others suffered injuries dressed voters in north Bengal’s Nijer Meyekei Chaye,” he said in “The line states a fact... this is a press release and said failure of superintendent at the Quippo Oil just an option that we can only give when a van and a truck Nagrakata, and made an emotional Bengali, which translates as “Send what the people have been telling the talks with the oil drilling com- and Gas Infrastructure Limited, you just a honor with Tamul-Paan- collided on the Jammu- appeal. away the outsiders as Bengal wants us. How this will be interpreted pany would result in execution of and Ram Kumar - a radio operator Sarai and the amount which we Pathankot highway in Jammu “Do you want a daughter of its own daughter”. and what the opposition will do is the duo. at the company, were kidnapped will get after selling our home-land. and Kashmir's Samba district Bengal to surrender before Delhi? Banerjee also attacked the BJP for them to chase. We have got this “The NSCN/GRPN and ULFA-I by the armed militants of ULFA-I We again appeal him to release my in the early hours of I want to ask my mothers and sis- over the controversial ‘Jai Shri positive, honest and direct mes- inform the people of Assam, the and NSCN from a drilling site near husband,” Pranab Kumar Gogoi’s Saturday, police said. Both ters here... do you want Bengal’s Ram’ slogan and said: "We will sage from the heart,” he added. Assam and Arunachal Pradesh Innao in Arunachal Pradesh's wife said. the vehicles were coming from Kathua and the accident took place near Mansar Morh around 2 am. India’s first Digital Bengal BJYM leader Pamela Five states seeing spike in daily varsity comes up Group clash arrested with drugs worth `10L in Kerala leaves 2 dead AGENCIES coronavirus cases, warns Centre PRESS TRUST OF INDIA Kanpur: Two youths were killed in a clash between two Kolkata, Feb 20: A BJP youth- Over the past week, Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 20: groups in Nawabganj area of wing leader Pamela Goswami Kerala took a major step forward Uttar Pradesh's Kanpur along with her associate was ar- Kerala, Maharashtra, in its progress towards a knowl- district, police said Saturday. rested Friday with 100 gram co- Punjab, Chhattisgarh and edge society with theinaugura- The incident took place late caine worth of `10 lakh from tion of the country's first Digital Friday night at Ujyarapurwa, south Kolkata's posh New Alipore Madhya Pradesh have University, based in Technocity they said. The deceased were area, police said Saturday. witnessed an upsurge in at Mangalapuram near here identified as Raj Kumar (28), Police officials said that Saturday. a resident of Ujyarapurwa, Goswami, the General Secretary daily coronavirus cases, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and his friend Ravi (27), a of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha party spokesperson Samik presided over the function, where resident of Parmiyapurwa, triggering worries (BJYM), along with an associate Bhattacharjee separately said Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, police said. Tension gripped Prabir Kumar Dey were detained that at the moment they were who is also the Chancellor of the the area after the killings, prompting the authorities to while they were moving in a car. unaware about the incident. AGENCIES Kerala University of Digital rush heavy police force “Acting on a tip-off, police in- “Pamela is a young girl. She Uddhav Thackeray government to ment that while Kerala continues Sciences, Innovation and including Provincial Armed tercepted the car and around 100 might be framed by the Trinamool New Delhi, Feb 20: Not only impose fresh restrictions in parts to report a high number of coron- Technology (KUDSIT), unveiled Constabulary to ease the gm of cocaine was found in her Congress led government police. Maharashtra, but four other states of the state. avirus cases, over the past seven the varsity plaque. situation. handbag. The approximate mar- Law would take its own course,” in the country are also witness- Maharashtra has accounted days, Chhattisgarh has also seen a ket value of the contraband drugs Chatterjee told the media. ing a spike in daily coronavirus for the highest number of daily rise in daily new cases. In last 24 would be around `10 lakh,” police Trinamool leader and Minister cases. Over the past week, Kerala, coronavirus cases in India as of hours, 259 daily new cases have officials said. Chandrima Bhattacharya said Maharashtra, Punjab, Friday. In the past 24 hours, 6,112 been reported in Chhattisgarh. Plus II student She was being framed, that it was a shame that even Chhattisgarh and Madhya daily new cases were reported The health ministry has further found dead Goswami shouted, as the police women leader of BJP are being Pradesh have witnessed an up- from the state. stressed on the importance of ad- detained her and then took her found involved in drug related surge in daily coronavirus cases, India’s present active caseload hering to the Covid protocols and Idukki (Ker): A 17-year-old away in their custody. illegal acts. triggering worries. now consists of 1.30% of India’s appropriate behaviour for break- Both the Governor and the Chief girl who went to school in the A personal security guard of “Earlier, we have seen the in- According to a statement issued total positive cases, said the Centre ing the chain of transmission and Minister addressed the function morning was found dead Goswami has also been detained volvement of several BJP lead- by the Union Health Ministry, sim- on Saturday. India’s total active case- containment of the spread of through video conferencing. under mysterious as he too, was accompanying the ers in child trafficking,” ilar to Maharashtra, “Punjab has also load is pegged at 1,43,127 as of now. COVID-19. Khan said the launch of the circumstances at Pallivasal in this high range district late Bharatiya Janata Party leader. Bhattacharya claimed. A model shown a sudden spike” in the num- The government has now said Only two states, Maharashtra Digital University is part of the last night, police said Police said that as the investi- turn actor Goswami along with ber of daily coronavirus cases that some states are “seeing an up- and Kerala, account for 75.87% of state's resolve to embrace new Saturday. The body of the gation is in early stages, details some Bengali film actresses joined recorded in the past seven days with surge in daily new cases”. There has total number of active COVID-19 technologies and desire to use Plus II student was found in a cannot be revealed at this junc- BJP in July 2019 and last year she 383 new cases in seen in 24 hours. been rise in daily cases in Kerala, cases, the ministry added. them for bringing positive changes pool of blood at an isolated ture. was appointed general secretary In the past week, Maharashtra Maharashtra, Punjab, Chhattisgarh The ministry said 18 states/UTs in the life of people and become a place, about half a km away BJP MP Locket Chatterjee and of the BJYM. has witnessed a spike in new coro- and Madhya Pradesh. have not reported any COVID-19 global hub for higher learning from her home, they said. navirus cases, prompting the The Centre has said in its state- deaths in the last 24 hours. and technology. She had left her home Friday morning in her uniform, but did not return at the usual time, prompting her parents to lodge a missing complaint Trouble mounts for Vijayan govt over deep-sea fishing deal with police. The exact cause of death can be ascertained only after the post-mortem, OPPOSITION LEADER RAMESH CHENNITHALA SATURDAY CAME OUT WITH A PICTURE OF A MEETING BETWEEN THE STATE FISHERIES MINISTER the official said. J MERCYKUTTY AND A US-BASED FIRM ON A PROPOSED PROJECT OF HANDING OVER THE DEEP-SEA FISHING IN THE STATE TO THE LATTER

Cong MLA, sons INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE “On Friday, both Mercykutty happened without the knowledge Chennithala has also released and the state’s Industries Minister of Vijayan. The Kerala Shipping and an MoU that was inked last year be- get 1-year jail term Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 20: EP Jayarajan replied that they are Inland Navigation Corporation tween the Kerala government and Junagadh: A court in Trouble seems to be mounting for not aware of any such company. (KSINC) has been a key player in Emcc International India Pvt Ltd Gujarat’s Junagadh district the Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan- Now I have released this picture this project and none should forget for the project, “Fisheries Research Saturday sentenced a led Kerala government after the of Mercykutty having discussions its chairman Tom Jose, who was & Development for the up-gradation Congress MLA and his Opposition leader Ramesh will be releasing two more docu- also the former Chief Secretary,” and Promotion of Deep Sea Fishing three sons to one year in Chennithala Saturday came out ments which say that a four acre plot he said. Industry” in Kerala with an outlay jail for attacking three with a picture of a meeting be- of land was handed over to this “Since I came up with this, what’s of `5,000 crore. members of a family in a tween the state Fisheries Minister US firm. If needed I will release turned baffling is all the details of According to this project, it is dispute over a panchayat J Mercykutty and a US-based firm the meeting pictures among this project have disappeared from envisaged is 400 trawlers and five y election in 2008. The court on a proposed project of handing Mercykutty and those US officials,” the website of Kerala State mother ships which will be fish-

of judicial magistrate (First over the deep-sea fishing in the the Opposition leader said. Industrial Development Corporation ing in the Kerala seas.

k y m c Class) Dilipgiri Goswami at state to the latter. Chennithala said the precious and KSINC. Vijayan should break Meanwhile, various groups who Mendarda found Congress However, Mercykutty denied the fisheries wealth of Kerala has been his silence as he knows everything. are engaged in the fisheries sec- MLA Bhikhabhai Joshi allegation of any such meeting and guilty under Sections 452 handed over on a platter to an US We demand that this project be tor are meeting at a few places and 324 of the IPC, and said that Chennithala has lost his firm – Emcc, which has operations has cheated the hapless fisher folk found out this, everything would cancelled and the land given to this Saturday to decide the future course sentenced him to one year bearings as he came out with this in India. who eke out their living by en- have been given to this US firm. All company be taken back,” added of action, as they feel their liveli- in jail. project Friday. “The present Left government gaging in fishing. If we hadn't I know that this would not have Chennithala. hood will be affected. The US joins the 52 PILOT WHALES P10 Philippines, Vietnam, SUNDAY | FEBRUARY 21 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR Indonesia, Japan and other FOUND DEAD countries in expressing concern 52 short-finned pilot whales, with China’s recently enacted stranded on a beach in Indonesia, Coast Guard law, which may died Friday morning. A whale in the escalate the ongoing territorial and school was injured or sick, the rest international maritime disputes were guarding it. They ended up

stranded until 52 were found dead

k y m NED PRICE | US STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESPERSON c of the day uote Moscow court rejects Navalny's appeal This is US cities in deep ASSOCIATED PRESS blames on the Kremlin. Russian “The government's task is to something authorities have rejected the ac- scare you and then persuade you that that we’ve Moscow, Feb 20: A Moscow court cusation. never seen before. It you are alone,” he said. "Our was stunning, and Saturday rejected Russian oppo- Navalny, 44, an anti-corruption Voldemort in his palace also wants the team was sition leader Alexei Navalny's crusader and President Vladimir me to feel cut off,” he added, in a ref- awestruck. There’s freeze now hit appeal against his prison sen- Putin's most vocal critic, appealed erence to Putin. just a feeling of victory that we tence, even as the country faced the prison sentence and asked to be “To live is to risk it all,” he con- were able to capture these and a top European rights court's released. The Moscow City Court's tinued. “Otherwise, you're just an share it with the world order to free the Kremlin's most judge on Saturday only slightly re- inert chunk of randomly assem- prominent foe. duced his sentence to just over 2 1/2 bled molecules drifting wherever the AARON STEHURA | Speaking before the verdict, years in prison, ruling that a month- universe blows you.” Navalny also FLIGHT SYSTEM ENGINEER NASA with water crisis Navalny urged Russians to stand up and-half Navalny spent under house addressed the judge and the pros- to the Kremlin in a fiery speech arrest in early 2015 will be deducted to 15 days. ecutor, arguing that they could have Today is a day mixing references to the Bible and from his sentence. Speaking before the verdict, a much better life in a new Russia. of hope, as the “Harry Potter.” His arrest and imprisonment Navalny referenced the Bible as “Just imagine how wonderful United States A lower court sentenced Navalny have fueled a huge wave of protests well as “Harry Potter” and the an- life would be without constant officially rejoins the earlier this month to two years and across Russia. Authorities re- imated sitcom “Rick and Morty” as lying,” he said. “Imagine how great Paris Agreement. eight months in prison for violat- sponded with a sweeping crack- he urged Russians to resist pressure it would be to work as a judge when This is good news ing terms of his probation while re- down, detaining about 11,000 peo- from the authorities and challenge no one would be able to call you for the United States cuperating in Germany from a ple, many of whom were fined or the Kremlin to build a fairer and and give you directions what ver- - and for the world nerve agent poisoning that he given jail terms ranging from seven more prosperous country. dicts to issue.” ANTONIO GUTERRES | UN SECRETARY-GENERAL 5 Pak soldiers killed in BLUE BALLERINA Innovation, Balochistan province labour, risk ASSOCIATED PRESS International Airport to cancel all appetite and incoming and outgoing Friday PRESS TRUST OF INDIA entrepreneurship Austin, Feb 20: Southern cities flights. In Jackson, Mississippi, will play a critical slammed by winter storms that most of the city of about 161,000 had Karachi, Feb 20: At least five role in driving left millions without power for no running water. Crews pumped Pakistani soldiers were killed and Singapore’s days have traded one crisis for an- water to refill city tanks but faced two others injured when suspected economic growth and ensuring that other: Busted water pipes ruptured a shortage of chemicals for treat- terrorists carried out attacks we remain at the forefront of global by record-low temperatures cre- ment because icy roads made it through remote-controlled bombs competitiveness ated shortages of clean drinking difficult for distributors to deliver in two separate areas in the restive ALVIN TAN | SINGAPORE MINISTER OF STATE water, shut down the Memphis air- them, Mayor Chokwe Antar Balochistan province. port on Friday and left hospitals Lumumba said. The attacks targetting Frontier struggling to maintain sanitary He said the city’s water mains are Corps (FC) soldiers took place conditions. more than 100 years old and not built Thursday on the outskirts of SHORT TAKES In Texas, 7 million people — a to handle the freezing weather that Quetta and in a remote area of quarter of the population of the na- hit the city as multiple storms Kohlu district. Italy probes tion’s second-largest state — were dumped record amounts of snow The first attack took place in ‘vaccine scam’ under orders to boil tap water be- across the South. “We are dealing the Bypass area outside Quetta fore drinking it because low water with an extreme challenge with when a remote-controlled bomb Rome: Italian police pressure could have allowed bacteria getting more water through our fixed to a motorcycle was deto- investigating fake Covid-19 to seep into the system. A man distribution system,” said nated near a Frontier Corps (FC) drugs and vaccines have died at an Abilene health care fa- Lumumba. The city was provid- convoy in which a soldier was interviewed a Veneto cility when a lack of water pressure ing water for flushing toilets and killed and two others injured, se- regional official who reported made medical treatment impossi- drinking, but residents had to pick curity officials said. receiving offers to buy 27 ble. About 260,000 homes and busi- it up, leaving the elderly and those The explosion took place near million doses of Pfizer shots nesses in the Tennessee county living on icy roads vulnerable. a vehicle of the FC, which was on outside the European Union that includes Memphis were told to The water woes were the latest a patrol duty. procurement system. Even though the EU anti-fraud boil water because of water main misery for people across the South In the second attack in the re- agency has warned about ruptures and pumping station prob- who went without heat or elec- mote Kahan area of Kohlu dis- scammers offering vaccines lems. Restaurants that can’t do so tricity for days after the ice and trict, terrorists attacked a FC amid shortages in Europe, or don’t have bottled water were or- snow storms earlier in the week, checkpost late at night in which Veneto's regional governor, dered to close. And water pressure forcing rolling blackouts from Vitoria Bueno, a 16-year-old dancer born without arms, performs with classmates from the Andrea Falsarella ballet four soldiers were killed. Luca Zaia, has boasted for problems prompted Memphis Minnesota to Texas. academy at the Inatel Theater in Santa Rita do Sapucai, Brazil. REUTERS PHOTO “The armed men opened in- over a week that he had been discriminate firing on the check- contacted by unnamed post from where soldiers also re- intermediaries offering to sell taliated.” him Pfizer, Russian and EAM Jaishankar arrives in Terrorists and separatists in Chinese jabs. UK urges UNSC for pause the province which is the hub of the China-Pakistan Economic Maldives on two-day visit Corridor (CPEC) activities have Argentine health stepped up attacks on security PRESS TRUST OF INDIA personnel in recent days. minister resigns in conflicts for virus jabs A similar armed attack on an FC Buenos Aires: President Male, Feb 20: India's time-tested checkpost in the remote area of Alberto Fernández asked ASSOCIATED PRESS the delivery of Covid-19 vaccines. relationship with the Maldives is Kuch a soldier killed a soldier and Argentina's health minister Britain says more than 160 mil- poised to take a quantum jump, injured others February 15. to resign after a well-known United Nations, Feb 20: Britain lion people are at risk of being ex- External Affairs Minister S local journalist said he had circulated a draft resolution to the cluded from coronavirus vacci- Jaishankar said Saturday as he been given a coronavirus U.N. Security Council Friday de- nations because they live in held talks with his Maldivian coun- Thai PM survives vaccination preferentially manding that all warring parties im- countries engulfed in conflict and terpart Abdulla Shahid and dis- after requesting one from the mediately institute a “sustained instability. “Cease-fires have been cussed the entire gamut of bilateral no-confidence vote minister, a government humanitarian pause” to enable used to vaccinate the most vul- cooperation and handed over 100,000 official said Saturday. The people in conflict areas to be vac- nerable communities in the past,” additional doses of Covid-19 vaccine ASSOCIATED PRESS president “instructed his cinated for Covid-19. Raab said. “There’s no reason why to the country. chief of staff to request the The proposed resolution reiter- we can’t... We have seen it in the The two ministers discussed Bangkok, Feb 20: Thailand's resignation of health ates the council’s demand last July avirus vaccines for the world’s poor- past to deliver polio vaccines to Covid-19 recovery, various projects Prime Minister Prayuth Chan- minister” Ginés González 1 for “a general and immediate ces- est people. The British draft stresses children in Afghanistan, just to being undertaken under Indian 100,000 additional doses of Covid- ocha survived a no-confidence García, who is in charge of sation of hostilities” in major con- that “equitable access to affordable take one example.” assistance, and cooperation in mul- 19 vaccine to the Foreign Minister vote Saturday in parliament amid the government's Covid-19 flicts from Syria and Yemen to Covid-19 vaccines, certified as safe At Wednesday’s council meet- tilateral platforms. The two sides and Health Minister Kerafa Naseem. allegations that his government strategy, said the official. Central African Republic, Mali and and efficacious, is essential to end ing, Guterres sharply criticized witnessed the exchange of agree- India last month had provided mismanaged the economy, bun- Sudan and Somalia. The appeal the pandemic.” It would recognise the “wildly uneven and unfair” dis- ments on a wide range of domains 1,00,000 doses of Covisheild vac- gled the provision of Covid-19 vac- was first made by U.N. Secretary- “the role of extensive immunization tribution of Covid-19 vaccines, say- the two countries are working on cine, manufactured by the Serum cines, abused human rights and fos- Ghana vax drive General Antonio Guterres March against Covid-19 as a global public ing 10 countries have administered together, including fish process- Institute of India (SII), to the tered corruption. 23, 2020, to tackle the coronavirus good for health in preventing, con- 75% of all vaccinations and de- ing, public broadcasting, sustain- Maldives as part of India's grant as- Nine other ministers also sur- from March pandemic. taining, and stopping transmis- manding a global effort to get all peo- able urban development, road in- sistance. vived the vote. Accra: Ghana will begin to The draft “emphasizes the need sion, in order to bring the pan- ple in every nation vaccinated as frastructure and housing. In the Maldives, Jaishankar vaccinate some 20 million for solidarity, equity, and efficacy and demic to an end.” soon as possible. Jaishankar said the signing of will call on President Solih and persons against Covid-19 invites donation of vaccine doses The draft, obtained by The The UN chief told the high-level these agreements is emblematic have substantive discussions with from the first week of March, from developed economies to low- Associated Press, follows up on council meeting that 130 countries of the strong and multi-faceted de- the ministers for defence, finance, said Kwame Amponsa- and middle-income countries and British Foreign Secretary Dominic have not received a single dose of velopment partnership between economic development and plan- Akyianu, Ghana's program other countries in need, including Raab’s appeal to the 15-member vaccine and declared that “at this the two countries. Jaishankar, who ning and infrastructure, the manager for the Expanded through the COVAX Facility,” an am- Security Council on Wednesday to critical moment, vaccine equity is arrived here on the first leg of his Ministry of External Affairs said Program on Immunization bitious World Health Organization adopt a resolution calling for local the biggest moral test before the two-nation tour that will also take in a statement in New Delhi ear- Friday. Speaking at an project to buy and deliver coron- cease-fires in conflict zones to allow global community.” him to Mauritius, handed over lier this week. engagement on Ghana's Covid-19 roll-out plan, he observed that the vision of the country is to vaccinate It marked the second no-confi- the entire population of Extreme weather tests Biden’s disaster management skills dence test Prayuth's government about 31 million but will has faced since taking office in begin with 20 million and July 2019, following a contested vaccinate the remaining A month into the job and focused on the coronavirus, Biden is seeing his disaster management skills tested after winter election after Prayuth seized power population in due course, the in a 2014 coup as the army chief. Xinhua news agency storms plunged Texas, Oklahoma and neighboring states into an unusual deep freeze In February last year, Prayuth reported. and five Cabinet ministers easily ASSOCIATED PRESS fects on the economy. He tacked on deadly mass shootings, or even acts defeated a no-confidence vote in the systemic racism and climate change of terrorism. lower house. Five killed in Washington, Feb 20: Add Mother as top priorities. And now he’s con- Some have handled such sit- In the latest motion, his gov- Nature to the pile of crises on tending with storms that have not uations better than others. ernment was also criticized for Kabul blasts President Joe Biden’s plate. only imperiled Americans but also George W. Bush earned praised misusing its power to promote po- A month into the job and focused delayed the shipment and admin- for his leadership after the Sept. lice officials and for establishing a Kabul: Three separate on the coronavirus, Biden is seeing istration of millions of doses of 11, 2001, terrorist attacks but cyber unit to attack government crit- explosions in the Afghan his disaster management skills coronavirus vaccines. ics on social media, among other capital Kabul Saturday killed stumbled during his adminis- at least five people and tested after winter storms plunged Biden said Friday that he hopes tration’s halting response to the complaints. But a more serious al- wounded two others, a police Texas, Oklahoma and neighboring to travel to Texas next week but humanitarian disaster that un- legation was that Prayuth has deep- official said, amid a surge in states into an unusual deep freeze doesn’t want his presence and the folded in New Orleans after ened divisions in society by using violence in the war-torn that left millions shivering in homes accompanying presidential en- Hurricane Katrina struck the the monarchy as a shield against country. Kabul police that lost heat and power, and in tourage to distract from the recov- Gulf Coast four years later. criticism of his government. spokesman Ferdaws many homes, water. ery. “They’re working like the devil Barack Obama said he should A student-led protest movement

At least 69 deaths across the U.S. to take care of their folks,” Biden have anticipated the blowback he got has campaigned since last year

k y m Faramarz said the first two c explosions took place 15 have been blamed on the blast of un- said of Texas officials. He said he’d the nation needed at this moment sponses in times of disaster. for going to the golf course right after for Prayuth and his government minutes apart and a third seasonable weather. make a decision early next week in time, is working on several fronts Part of the job of being presi- he condemned the beheading of a to step down. They want the con- targeting a police vehicle Biden came into office Jan. 20 about travel. to address the situation — and to dent is responding to the destruc- kidnapped American journalist by stitution to be amended to make took place two hours later. promising to tackle a series of brew- Biden, who offered himself dur- avoid repeating the mistakes of tion left behind by earthquakes, Islamist militants in 2014. Obama it more democratic, and for the No group immediately ing crises, starting with the coro- ing the campaign as the experi- predecessors who got tripped up hurricanes, tornadoes and other was vacationing on Martha’s monarchy to be reformed to make claimed responsibility. navirus pandemic and its ripple ef- enced and empathetic candidate by inadequate or insensitive re- natural disasters, or events like Vineyard at the time. it more accountable. I do not think we should EPFO NET NEW P11 have a legal mandate SUNDAY | FEBRUARY 21 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR for companies to do CSR. ENROLMENTS GROW Philanthropy or charity or Net new enrolments with retirement fund contribution to society must body EPFO grew by 24% to 12.54 lakh in come from within, and it cannot December compared to the same month in be mandated from outside. But 2019, according to the payroll data released

business that's my personal view Saturday, providing a perspective on formal

k y m AZIM PREMJI | IT CZAR AND PHILANTHROPIST sector employment amid the pandemic c of the day uote Centre, states need MARITIME SUMMIT Vaccine is the Odisha’s economy likely to Mumbai Port Trust only weapon available to to sign MoUs gain immunity and to work closely to help reduce ` mortality rate due to contract by 4.92% in 2020-21 worth 1,860 cr the infectious disease. There is still a lot to do and boost growth: PM INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE I think there has to be more private POST NEWS NETWORK New Delhi, Feb 20: Mumbai Port public partnership Centre and Bhubaneswar, Feb 20: The PRESS TRUST OF INDIA Trust (MPT), one of the major RANDEEP GULERIA | DIRECTOR, AIIMS Economic Survey of Odisha tabled states should port trusts in India, will sign 8 in the State Assembly Saturday New Delhi, Feb 20: Prime Minister work together MoUs of `1,860 crores at 2nd predicted negative economic growth Narendra Modi Saturday made a for the Maritime India Summit 2021 sched- The Covid-19 in the current fiscal, majorly at- strong case for repealing archaic nation’s uled between March 2-4, 2021. pandemic progress. could provide tributed to the Covid-19 pandemic laws and making it easier to do These MoUs will be majorly India an opportunity by the government. business in India, stating that the The signed between MPT and HPCL, to scale up the The survey claimed that the centre and states need to work government has to respect BPCL, India Coast Guard and healthcare industry growth rate is likely to come down closely to boost economic growth. and give due representation Cordella Cruises Waterways and be a major by 4.92% in 2020-21 as per the Addressing the sixth Governing to the private sector for Leisure Tourism Pvt. Ltd. supplier of pharmaceutical Advance Estimates (AE). All sectors Council meeting of Niti Aayog, economic progress products to the world of the economy are expected to reg- the Prime Minister said that the pri- NARENDRA MODI I PRIME MINISTER SANJIV MEHTA | CHAIRMAN & MD, ister a negative growth. The gov- against the decline of 5.41% at na- vate sector should be given full op- HINDUSTAN UNILEVER ernment has cited the pandemic NEGATIVE GROWTH tional level,” the report said. portunity to become a part of gov- and cyclones as prime reasons for The survey which comes days ernment's Aatmanirbhar Bharat vide funds and technology for the the dip in growth. The decline in growth rate this before the Budget, talked about the programme. farm sector. time is attributed to the It's time to “The economy of Odisha has impact of Covid-19 on all forms of "Centre and states should work The Prime Minister also un- devastating impact of Covid-19 embark on grown at 7.1% per annum during the economy: primary, secondary together for the nation's progress... derlined the need for reducing com- on the state economy Mission 'One 2012-13 to 2019-20 and is expected to and tertiary. The report said that the The government has to respect and pliance burden and repealing ob- Nation One grow at (-) 4.92% in 2020-21 (AE). The The government has cited the while the share of agriculture, in- give due representation to the pri- solete laws. He asked the states to MoU with HPCL and BPCL will Standard' and make decline in growth rate this time is pandemic and cyclones as prime dustry and service sector to the vate sector for economic progress," form committees to reduce regu- be signed for Setting up Crude Oil India the leader in attributed to the devastating im- reasons for the dip in growth state GDP is likely to remain the Modi said. lations which are no longer relevant tankages at Jawahar Dweep. setting global pact of Covid-19 on the state econ- same, other sectors are likely to He said that the positive response in the wake of technology growth. Cordella Cruises Waterways is benchmarks in setting standards omy,” read the report. The annual survey of the see a dip in their growth rate. to the Union Budget 2021-22 indicates Modi said states should attract getting into the MoU for the Home Finance Department said that PIYUSH GOYAL | FOOD AND CONSUMER The annual survey of the Finance “Overall, the agriculture sector, that the country wants to move investment using production-linked Port operations of Cruise Ship. the dip in state’s real Gross AFFAIRS MINISTER Department said that the dip in state’s contracted by 6.54% as per the con- forward on the path of develop- incentive (PLI) scheme. He said The Ministry of Ports, real Gross State Domestic Product State Domestic Product is lower stant price. Industry sector con- ment at greater speed. the government is spending on in- Shipping, and Waterways is also (GSDP) is lower than that of the na- than that of the national average tracted by 8.83 % in constant prices Modi said that the initiatives frastructure to boost demand and in process of finalizing more than tional average. The country at large of (2011- 12) as per 2020-21 (AE) taken by the government would create jobs. 80 MoUs to be signed in con- SHORT TAKES is expected to see -7.7% growth. loss of wages or jobs. while the services sector recorded provide opportunity to everyone Further, the Prime Minister junction with the summit. These The report also hinted a lower “The per capita income of Odisha a decrease of -3.18% in 2020-21(AE) to participate in nation building to noted that bank accounts, free elec- MoUs will be signed with differ- flow of income to the citizens dur- in 2020-21 is estimated at `1,02,156 because of decline in trade and re- its full potential. tricity and gas connection and ent coastal states and stakehold- SBI to launch YONO ing the pandemic-hit fiscal year. in comparison to `1,04,566 in 2019- pair services, transport, storage, Referring to the farm sector, the proper vaccinations have brought ers of the sector. The MoPSW is The per capita income seems to 20. The per capita income of the state communication and real estate ac- Prime Minister said that efforts changes in the lives of the poor. looking forward to closing over 400 Merchant App have dwindled in 2020, hinting at the is expected to decline by 2.30% as tivities,” the report said. should be made to produce agri- Stressing on need to strengthen MoUs during the Maritime India New Delhi: SBI Payments, a culture items like edible oil and startups and MSMEs, Modi said," Summit 2021. subsidiary of India’s largest reduce their imports. Aatmanirbhar Bharat is not just to These MoUs are focused on at- lender State Bank of India Huawei to cut phone "This can be done by guiding make India self-reliant, but also to tracting investment, skilling, and (SBI), will launch YONO farmers," he said, adding the money meet the world's needs." generating employment in the Merchant App to provide low- Unleash animal spirits: being spend on imports can go to The council of the apex body of sector. The signing of these MoUs cost digital payments production by over the accounts of farmers," he said. NITI Aayog includes all chief min- will help in streamlining the infrastructure to merchants, The Prime Minister said gov- isters, lieutenant governors of process of ship manoeuvering re- the bank said Saturday. YONO half in 2021: Report ernment policies will help farmers Union Territories, several union sulting in more business to the Merchant App will expand FM urges private sector raise productivity and cut imports, ministers and senior government ports and economic stability to digitisation of merchant INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE adding that reforms needed to pro- officials. the sector and its stakeholders. payments in the country, SBI AGENCIES more production of many such said in a release. "Aiming to items which are required for the Beijing, Feb 20: Chinese tech enable merchants through New Delhi, Feb 20: Finance economy. I would invite business giant Huawei has reportedly told mobile-led technology, to Minister Nirmala Sitharaman leaders...Post the corporate tax suppliers that smartphone pro- accept digital payments, SBI State’s mobile subscriber Saturday exhorted the private sec- duction will drop by about 60 per plans to deploy low-cost rate reduction I've been waiting to acceptance infrastructure in tor to take advantage of corpo- see expansion happening," she said. cent in 2021. According to Nikkei next 2 years targetting 20 rate tax rate cut and other initia- In the biggest reduction in 28 Asia, citing people familiar with base touches 3.35cr: TRAI million potential merchants in tives of the government, and years, the government in September the matter, Huawei has notified retail," read the release. unleash ‘animal spirits’ by en- 2019 slashed corporate tax rates its suppliers that it plans to order hancing investments to make India by up to 10 percentage points to enough components for 70-80 mil- mobile subscribers in 2020, while one of the fastest growing attract private investment and rein- lion smartphones this year. Jio and BSNL added BSNL added about 4 lakh sub- The company is reported to 2 lakh and 41,492 scribers in 12 months. On the other NTPC commissions have shipped 189 million hand- hand, both Bharti Airtel and 5 MW solar project We need sets in 2020 which was already a new subscribers Vodafone Idea lost over 9 lakh sub- capacities to be sizable decrease from the 240 mil- scribers each during this period,” New Delhi: State-owned ramped lion phones sold in 2019. The report respectively in says TRAI’s report. NTPC Saturday announced up...need did not mention if any specific commissioning of 5 mega expansion...need more Huawei smartphones will be af- December, 2020 watt (MW) solar capacity at a production of many fected by the cut. project in Auraiya, Uttar In regards to its upcoming 2021 POST NEWS NETWORK Pradesh. The capacity is part such items required for of its 20 MW Solar PV Project growth. I would invite releases, the company is set to located in Auraiya, about 200 business leaders. Post launch its foldable smartphone Bhubaneswar, Feb 20: Telecom km from the state capital the corporate tax rate successor with the new Mate X2 Regulatory Authority of India Lucknow. "We wish to inform reduction I've been February 22. Meanwhile, Huawei (TRAI) recently reported that the that consequent upon waiting to see is planning to step into the gam- total mobile subscriber base in successful commissioning, 5 expansion happening ing segment with a set of gaming Odisha has crossed over 3.35 crore, MW last part capacity for 20 notebooks and a gaming console with the addition of new sub- NIRMALA SITHARAMAN I MW Auraiya Solar PV Project of its own. scribers from Reliance Jio, Bharti FINANCE MINISTER at Auraiya has been declared Its first-ever console tentatively Airtel, Vodafone Idea and BSNL. It was also reported that Jio on commercial operation," named the 'MateStation' could be The total subscriber base sur- holds nearly 41% subscriber mar- NTPC said in a BSE filing. economies of the world. vigorate the sagging economy. The launched alongside the PlayStation passed over 3.35 crore after adding ket share and over 50% share of The government has been wait- tax break resulted in financial im- 5 and Xbox Series X in China some- 1.6 lakh new subscribers in the gross revenue in the sector ing for the expansion by the private plication of `1.45 lakh crore on the time in the second quarter (Q2) of December, 2020. Jio added highest in the state. Centre buys paddy sector, she said while reminding exchequer. 2021. It would probably rely on number of subscribers, with an Reliance Jio is presently the India Inc of various measures in- Base corporate tax rate for ex- some of its in-house silicon to do addition of nearly 2 lakh mobile sub- market leader in Odisha with high- worth `1.23L cr cluding corporate tax rate cut, pol- isting companies was reduced to 22 the heavy lifting. scribers in December, TRAI said. est 1.37 crore mobile subscribers fol- New Delhi: The Centre has icy consistency, ease of doing busi- per cent from 30 per cent, and to 15 Ahead of the release of the While, BSNL added 41,492 new sub- lowed by Bharti Airtel with 1.08 procured 651.07 lakh tonnes of ness, among others to facilitate per cent from 25 per cent for man- gaming console, the Chinese tech scribers, Airtel added 3,833 sub- crore subscribers, BSNL with 64.14 paddy worth nearly `1.23 lakh investment. ufacturing firms incorporated after giant may be launching a new scribers. Vodafone Idea lost 81,632 lakh subscribers and Vodafone crore, so far in this kharif “We need capacities to be ramped October 1, 2019, and starting oper- line of laptops that are designed subscribers in December, 2020. Idea with 25.36 lakh subscribers marketing season at minimum up, we need expansion, we need ations before March 31, 2023. for gaming. “Overall, Jio added over 19 lakh in the state. support price (MSP) amid farmers protest at Delhi- borders against three new farm laws. The kharif marketing season starts from October. Paddy is mainly Understand your property insurance contract better grown in Kharif (summer sown) season. "In the ongoing eneral insurance policies are con- if the sum insured at the time of loss is condition is that the damaged asset If not, approach your insurer to get it en- Kharif Marketing Season 2020- tracts which have both financial less than the actual value of the prop- should be repaired / replaced in order dorsed in your insurance policy. 21, Government continues to and legal lingos. If you belong to erty, insurers are liable to pay only the to get the claim. procure Kharif 2020-21 crops the vast majority of the Indian proportionate loss that the sum insured n Exclusions: Just like an insurance pol- at MSP from farmers as per G crowd that does not believe in reading the bears to the actual value. TAKEAWAY: In case of the Reinstatement icy lists what all it covers, it also lists the existing MSP Schemes," the Food Ministry stated. insurance policies pre/post the policy pur- value method, the premium can be higher, things/perils that fall out of its chase, this article is written just for you! TAKEAWAY: No matter which channel but then so is the Sum Insured that can scope.These vary from policy to policy provides you with the insurance policy, help you recuperate better from the loss andare mentioned specifically in the n Insurance offers protection to your prop- always check for the adequacy of the as against Market Value method; which policy wordings. Treat Goa as erty and other assets against impend- SUM INSURED. If the Sum Insured is not may or may not be enough. special: Goa CM ing losses. The cover is provided against up to the actual valuation of your prop- TAKEAWAY: One needs to understand the sum insured declared, at the time of erty, the claim would not be settled in full n Coverage: The insurance policy typi- what each exclusion stands for, so as to Panaji: Chief Minister Pramod policy issuance. If you are being issued as explained above. cally lists down the perils against which seek specific coverage against the ex- Sawant Saturday urged PM an insurance policy, through an the policy covers you. The perils may cluded itemif permissible orbe prepared Narendra Modi to treat Goa as agent/through your bank/through an n Basis of Valuation: Generally, there be flood, earthquake, fire, short circuit- for out of pocket expenses in case of an a special case and provide insurance broker, check for the term are two methods of valuation of the ing etc. If it is an ALL RISK POLICY, you emergency. relief by way of legal reform SUM INSURED in the policy. Sum in- property to be insured, one is Market are covered for everything except the to the coastal state in order to sured is the maximum liability to be Value and the other is Reinstatement exclusions mentioned under the policy. As insurance is a financial investment revive the non-functioning incurred by the insurance company in Value. In case of Market Value, in the Insurance policies are usually annual poli- to protect you in case of a future loss mining sector while virtually the event of a total loss. As insurance event of a loss, depreciation is levied on cies but can be issued for shorter peri- scenario, it is of utmost importance addressing the governing is a legal contract, the insured is ex- council of the NITI Ayog. the asset depending on its age. Under ods. Hence, also check for the period of for you to understand the insurance

pected to insure his property for its full this method, the claim amount paid is insurance along with the contents in- contract offered to you. And to under-

k y m Sawant also said that Goa, c was wedged between the value and pay premium on that. If in the unlikely to be sufficient to buy the re- sured under the policy. Approach the in- stand the contract, one has to read Western Ghats as the Arabian event of a claim it is found that the placement. In the Reinstatement Value surance company if something is missed through the document, before signing sea on the west, which left property has not been insured for its full method, the insurance company will out from the insurance coverage. up for it, ALWAYS! very little landmass for value, the amount of loss payable is pay the cost of replacement, subject to development purposes and proportionately reduced. This is called the Sum Insured opted. Under this TAKEAWAY: Check if the insurance pol- (The writer is Chief Technical Officer, urged the PM to provide relief. underinsurance, according to which, method, no depreciation is levied. One TA RAMALINGAM icy provides you with adequate coverage. Bajaj Allianz General Insurance) P12 SUNDAY | FEBRUARY 21 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR sports World No.3 wins second crown in Australian Open

y beating Jennifer Brady in the women’s singles final Manu seeks action against AI employees

k k y y m m c PRESS TRUST OF INDIA “Their conduct was unaccept- c able, I mean at least give some re- New Delhi, Feb 20: Tokyo Olympics spect to athletes and don’t insult medal prospect Manu Bhaker has them every now and then. The main demanded action against two Air problem was not money but his be- India employees for allegedly ‘ha- haviour. The ministry takes care of rassing’ and ‘insulting’ the pistol all our expenses,” she said. shooter while she tried to board a In another post, the air carrier flight to Bhopal from Delhi. wrote, “Dear Ms Bhaker Our Delhi The 19-year-old Commonwealth Airport team has confirmed that the Games and Youth Olympics gold official at our counter had only sought medallist pistol shooter eventually for valid documents as per rules for managed to board the aircraft Friday carriage of your weapon on board.” evening after the intervention of ISSF World Cup gold medallist Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju. Manu had lashed out at the AI of- Manu, one of the country’s bright- ficials Friday and sought help from est medal hopes at the upcoming the authorities in a series of tweets. Games, thanked Rijiju for his prompt “Not allowing me to board flight intervention but is also hoping for ac- AI 437 at IGI Delhi and asking now tion against the Air India officials at 10200rs despite all valid Delhi airport. Later, Air India, too, apol- Documentation and DGCA permit. ogised for the conduct of its staff. Top of that Manoj Gupta Air India “They can be held accountable in-charge and other staff is humili- for the harassment and insult I en- ating me despite I have 2 guns and am- dured as trying to save their offi- munition,” she wrote tagging Rijiju cials (Manoj Gupta and another se- and Aviation Minister Hardeep Puri. curity person of the airline) will as the harassment went on.” valid documents and clearance from “Think this type behaviour is only further damage Air India’s rep- Having addressed the issue, Rijiju the Directorate General of Civil not acceptable .Manoj Gupta is not utation,” Manu told this agency called Manu ‘India’s pride’. Air India Aviation (DGCA) for travelling with even human. He is treating me like from Bhopal. also tendered an apology. “Ma’am we her weapons and ammunition. I am a criminal. Also his security The champion pistol shooter are really sorry that you have faced “But then they refused to recog- in-charge. Such people need basic added, “Air India is now claiming that inconvenience while travelling with nise even DGCA and when I told training of behaviour hopefully they were just asking for documents us. We request you to kindly share them that I travel frequently with Aviation ministry will find out & will and doing their job but I am sure details of the issue along with your my ammunition and that I am a send him to right place.” everything was captured by the contact details over DM for us to shooter who is going to represent “Top of that Manoj Gupta Air CCTV cameras. You can check. They assist you,” Air India tweeted. India in Olympics, they said india in-charge doesn’t recognise snatched my mobile and deleted Manu said she had to go through ‘whether you play in nationals or DGCA. Shall I pay this Bribes or,” Osaka bags 4th the picture which my mother clicked the ‘ordeal’ despite carrying all Olympics it doesn’t matter to us’. she had tweeted. Yadav, Kishan, Tewatia named Boris, Grande lift Jamshedpur Grand Slam title in T20I squad AGENCIES ASSOCIATED PRESS with her family when she was 3. serve tosses difficult for both play- Goa, Feb 20: Boris Singh (72nd Brady is a 25-year-old American ers, who would catch the ball instead PRESS TRUST OF INDIA minute) and David Grande (90th) Melbourne, Feb 20: The trouble who was playing in her first Grand of hit it and say, “Sorry!” scored apiece in Jamshedpur FC’s for Naomi Osaka at Grand Slam Slam final. She had to go through The stadium was allowed to be at New Delhi, Feb 20: Ishan Kishan, 2-0 victory over Mumbai City FC tournaments comes in Week 1. Get a hard quarantine for 15 days when half capacity — about 7,500 fans — Suryakumar Yadav and Rahul (MCFC) in their ISL encounter at beyond that at the hard-court ma- she arrived in Australia in January after spectators were barred entirely Tewatia Saturday earned their the Tilak Maidan here, Saturday. jors, though, and start preparing to because someone on her flight earlier in the tournament for five maiden India call-up for next The result meant that second- etch her name on the trophy. tested positive for COVID-19 when days during a COVID-19 lockdown. month’s five-match T20 series placed MCFC (34 points) couldn’t re- Osaka won her fourth title in they arrived. Only two active women own more against England as the selectors duce the five-point deficit set by her past eight appearances at a This was a big step up in com- Slam titles than Osaka: Williams, rewarded them for their stupen- ATK Mohun Bagan (39). Slam, emerging from what initially petition during this tournament with 23, and her sister, Venus, with dous performances in the IPL. Jamshedpur, on the other hand, was a tight Australian Open final for Brady, who had not faced any- seven. Next task for Osaka is im- Rishabh Pant, Axar Patel and moved to sixth with 24 points, but and pulling away by grabbing six one ranked in the Top 25 nor any- proving on clay and grass: She’s pacer Bhuvneswar Kumar also seventh-placed Bengaluru FC could consecutive games to beat Jennifer one who previously appeared in so never been past the third round at returned to a fresh-looking squad. move up if they win their next Brady 6-4, 6-3 Saturday. much as one Grand Slam semifinal. the French Open or Wimbledon. The selectors named a 19-man match as they have played a game With strong serving that pro- During the pre-match coin toss, The final was locked at 4-all, squad for the series starting March in hand compared to Jamshedpur. duced six aces, Osaka improved to the silver women’s trophy stood on when Brady used an on-the-run 12 in Ahmedabad. Kuldeep Yadav, Despite being a goalless half 4-0 in major finals, the first woman a clear, plastic pedestal not far from lob winner that she punctuated by Sanju Samson and Manish Pandey played out, Jamshedpur were the to start her career that way since Osaka on her side of the net. After waving her arms to request more have been dropped while pacer happier of the two dressing rooms Monica Seles did it 30 years ago. For beating Serena Williams in the semi- noise from the crowd. That earned Jasprit Bumrah has been rested. as they executed their plans to per- Boris Singh (No.2) is surrounded by his teammates while celebrating his goal Osaka, that is part of a 12-0 record finals, Osaka had made her intentions a break-point – convert that, and she THE SQUAD: Virat Kohli (C), fection to stymie the free-flowing so far in the quarterfinals and be- clear: “I have this mentality that would serve for the opening set. Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Shikhar Islanders. The Red Miners allowed Aitor Monroy’s resultant free- In the added-on time, Grande yond at the majors. people don’t remember the runners- But Osaka erased the chance with Dhawan, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar only one shot on goal and none on kick from the left was heading flat doubled the misery on MCFC. Isaac The 2020 AP Female Athlete of up. You might, but the winner’s a cross-court forehand winner, and Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Rishabh target. They have done well to keep and low into the six-yard area when Vanmalsawma and Aitor Monroy the Year is also on a 21-match winning name is the one that’s engraved.” two errors by Brady made it 5-4. Pant (wk), Ishan Kishan (wk), the Islanders quiet. Farukh Choudhary’s bright inter- exchanged passes around the edge streak that dates to last season. That And she keeps making sure that Osaka then broke to grab the set, Yuzvendra Chahal, Varun The first half show allowed them vention diverted the ball on goal. of the box before the latter played includes a championship at last year’s name is hers. It was cooler than helped by Brady’s double-fault and Chakravarthy, Axar Patel, to push the momentum they created However, MCFC custodian a delightful ball into the feet of US Open. She also won the US Open it’s been in Melbourne recently, a netted forehand on a short ball to Washington Sundar, Rahul Tewatia, further as they continued to trou- Amrinder Singh parried away, only Grande on the right side of the in 2018, and the Australian Open in with the temperature down below end it. That was part of the six- T Natarajan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, ble MCFC defense. And in the 72nd, for Boris who was alert and pounced box. Following a lovely first touch, 2019. The 23-year-old was born in 70 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees game run that put Osaka ahead 4-0 Deepak Chahar, Navdeep Saini & Jamshedpur finally broke the dead- on the loose ball to smash it into the Grande turned and shot the ball

Japan and moved to the United States Celsius) and a breeze that made in the second and she was on her way. Shardul Thakur. lock through Boris. back of the net. past the diving Amrinder.

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