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THE LARGEST CIRCULATED ENGLISH DAILY IN SOUTH INDIA CHENNAI I TUESDAY 18 I FEBRUARY 2020 THE LARGEST CIRCULATED ENGLISH DAILY IN SOUTH INDIA CHENNAI I TUESDAY 18 I FEBRUARY 2020 MOVIES DECCAN CHRONICLE | TUESDAY | 18 FEBRUARY 2020 | CHENNAI pg 2

Roger Ebert’s Kal, Imtiaz Ali’s films were irritating, Great Movies Aaj it is insufferable SUPARNA SHARMA If you were planning a suffering her dizzy gestures and Kal, Veer and Leena had a thing chatter for a while, she actually Kal, a girl in a blue skirt and a — whenever they met, she would Love Aaj Kal movie for your Valentine’s started grating on my nerves. boy in khaki pants. suddenly, quickly kiss him. (U/A) 141 min date, I’d say cleaning Kartik Aaryan and Aarushi Aaj, a girl in shorts and a boy Aaj, Zoe and Raghu make out and CAST: Kartik Aaryan, Sara Ali public latrines in Sharma barely have dialogue, in with questionable hygiene. then she lies on top of him. Khan, Aarushi Sharma, Randeep the service of kal and aaj, and yet they try to Kal, he had issues, complexes. Hooda, Simone Singh Swachhchh Bharat hold the film with some attempt at Kal, girl asking boy why he’s Aaj, she has issues, complexes. acting. But neither love nor their DIRECTOR: Imtiaz Ali would be more fun than chasing her. RATING: ★ acting can save this meandering, Aaj, girl asking boy why he did- Kal, Veer hurt Leena, but hurt watching Love Aaj Kal. dull banality. n’t sleep with her. himself as well. Aaj, Zoe hurts Raghu, but hurts hough I enjoyed Jab We Met, THE PHANTOM Kal, boy says, “Okay, I will stop herself as well. Now imagine that the girl who and liked Highway to some OF THE OPERA chasing you”. Imtiaz Ali doesn’t want to grow up comes to listen to cafe-wale uncle, Textent, I have never been a Released in 1925 Aaj, boy says, “You are special”. al, parson, tarson, narson, in and will keep making the same walks in and out hyperventilating, fan of Imtiaz Ali and his world- Review written fact for barson, Imtiaz Ali film over and over, and then again. like, all of the time. view. But now, after Love Aaj Kal, I on December 19, Kal, girl responded, “Did I ask Khas been making the same Leena of kal barely talks. But have developed deep contempt for 2004 you not to chase me?” film, over and over — Jab We Met Kal, Imtiaz Ali knew how to Zoe of 2020 more than makes up his baby doll heroines who act out Aaj, girl says, “Whateverrrr”. (2007), Love Aaj Kal (2009), write and had at least a semblance for that Leena, and all the Leenas and throw tantrums all the time, t has always been a question whether The Rockstar (2011), Cocktail (2010), of a story. born and brought up in the three and his indulgent, moronic film- Phantom of the Opera (1925) is a great film, or Kal, boy is Veer (Kartik Aaryan), Highway (2014), Tamasha (2015), Aaj, he has lost that skill as well, decades between them. making. only a great spectacle. Carl Sandburg, one of girl is Leena (Aarushi Sharma) in Jab Harry Met Sejal (2017). and instead of a story has only Zoe’s character is created out of Somewhere in the middle of Love Ithe original reviewers, underwent a change of Udaipur, circa 1990 Aaj, he has made the same film, expository dialogue. Imtiaz Ali’s issues and complexes Aaj Kal sits a stand-up comic rou- heart between his first Chicago Daily News review Aaj, boy is Raghu (Kartik again. about women and love. Thus, she tine by one Justice Chaudhary (he waited for the Phantom’s unmasking “terribly Aaryan), girl is Zoe (Sara Ali ove Aaj Kal 2020 has no story has a huffy demeanour, throws who says that because the male fascinated, aching with suspense”) and a reconsid- Khan) in Delhi 2020 Kal, parson, tarson, narson, his whatsoever and so most of tantrums, has only exaggerated, members of cattle at his home are eration written a month later (“strictly among the heroes and heroines found them- Lthe time is spent talking petulant responses and speaks all not into monogamy and don’t wear novelties of the season”). It was not, he added on Kal, Leena was a student in a selves through love, else they felt about love, how love feels, what the time while gesturing frantical- any clothes, he too has decided to the level of The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari or Greed, convent school. lost-lost, sad-sad. love does, instead of showing it to ly. Yet, the instructions to the cam- discard both, monogamy and mentioning two of the greatest films of all time. Aaj, Zoe has career plans of run- Aaj, his hero and heroine find us. eraman were to crouch in front of clothes. He was right about that, and could have added the ning an event management compa- themselves through love, and with- Imagine a road trip movie where her and stare up with a grin and a If you figure what that was greatest of all silent horror films, Murnau’s n y. out it they feel lost-lost, sad-sad. instead of an actual road trip, the throbbing heart, like a duffer in about, do drop a line. Nosferatu (1922), whose vampire may have influ- lead pair take turns to sit with an love. Else, please implore the mighty enced Lon Chaney’s performance as the Phantom. Kal, Veer was studying to be a Kal, parson, tarson, narson, uncle at a coffee shop while he tells At one point, after we return producers of Bollywood who will But as an exercise in lurid sensationalism, strain- doctor. Imtiaz Ali’s films were about the them about a road trip he once from a flashback to aaj, Zoe says to pour in money for yet another ing against technical limitations in its eagerness to Aaj, Raghu is a computer pro- redemptive power of love. went on. But, rather than talk cafe uncle, “Life, haan!” banal bakwas, to sponsor some overwhelm, the first of the many Phantom films grammer. Aaj, his film is about the redemp- about interesting, fun stuff, the The banality is just staggering. therapy sessions for Imtiaz Ali and has a creepy, undeniable power. tive power of love. story he narrates goes like this: “I Zoe’s character is so idiotic that help him grow up a little. And if The story is simply told — too simply, perhaps, so Kal, Leena did kathak. checked out a car, then I took it for she has a hissy fit before taking all they feel that ship has sailed, then that all of the adaptations, including the famous Aaj, Zoe does zumba. Kal, his heroines were child- a spin. It got a flat, I changed tyre. life-altering decisions, all of which the therapy could at least help him Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, have been much babes. Again there was a puncture. are based entirely on what some- create female characters that don’t ado about relatively little. In the cellars of the Paris Kal, Leena wore salwar-kameez Aaj, his heroine is a child-babe, Mileage wasn’t good. The gear one else has said or experienced. that have the IQ, emotions and Opera House lives a disfigured masked man who with dupatta. one at least. stick was wobbly, the wipers were mannerisms of eight-year-old becomes obsessed with the young singer Christine. Aaj, Zoe wears small, trendy not moving smoothly. When I put sually, Randeep Hooda is girls. He commands the management to give her leading clothes and high heels. Kal, Imtiaz Ali was besotted with the window down, the breeze was good, but in Love Aaj Kal he Imtiaz Ali has a very uneasy rela- roles, and when they refuse, he exacts a terrible boys and girls with tiny IQs. nice, but her hair got tangled. She Uis inept and quite unbear- tionship with grown women and revenge, causing a great chandelier to crash down Kal, Leena stood in balcony steal- Aaj, he is still obsessed with a was not happy.” able. Sara Ali Khan is not just bad, that is visible in the way he has on the audience. ing furtive glances. boys and girls with tiny IQs. she is terrible, as if she has created the character of Zoe’s Christine’s lover, a pallid nonentity, is little com- Aaj, Zoe has tequila shots in a regressed as an actor mother, who has an opinion on petition for her fascination with the Phantom, until pub. Kal, I thought since Kedarnath like. Played by Simone Singh, this she realises with horror that the creature wants her Imtiaz Ali would (2018). mommy wears her hair and to dwell in his mad subterranean world. She Kal, Leena had a plait and was grow up after After expression like Mrs Addam from unmasks him, is repelled by his hideous disfigure- very scared of her mother. having made Addams Family and may have well ment, flees to the surface and her lover, and is fol- Aaj, Zoe’s hair is streaked and the same film arrived to the sets of Love Aaj Kal lowed by a Phantom seeking violent revenge. There she shouts at her mother. over and on a broom with a black conical is no room for psychological subtlety here. ove r. hat. It is the idea of the Phantom, really, that fasci- aj, a love guru, a philoso- Aaj, it nates us: the idea of a cruelly mistreated man going pher-guide (Randeep Hooda) is clear ove Aaj Kal isn’t just an mad in self-imposed exile in the very cellars, dun- Aruns Mazi (past), a coffee that annoying, irritating film, it geons and torture chambers where he was, appar- shop cum co-working space that Lalso moves at a glacial pace. ently, disfigured in the first place. His obsession has a bar and booze. At some point after interval, I with Christine reflects his desire to win back some He has a kal, and a room upstairs tried to fixate my eyes on the head joy from a world that has mistreated him. Leroux to make out with random girls. of the man sitting in front. and his adapters have placed this sad creature in a Zoe works out of Mazi, and soon Watching his hair grow was less bizarre subterranean space that has inspired gen- Raghu follows her with his laptop. excruciating than watching Imtiaz erations of set designers. Whenever we are in aaj with love Ali’s tantrum-throwing child-babe. There are five levels of cellars beneath the opera, guru, we go to his kal for some love If you were planning a movie for one descending beneath another in an expression- lessons. your Valentine’s date, I’d say ist series of staircases, ramps, trapdoors, and a Kal, Veer loved Leena, she loved cleaning public latrines in the Styxian river that the Phantom crosses in a gondo- him. service of Swachhchh Bharat la. The Phantom has furnished his lair with Aaj, Raghu loves Zoe, and she would be more fun than watching grotesque fittings: He sleeps in a coffin and pro- loves him. this film. vides a bed for Christine in the shape of a whale boat. Remote controls give him warnings when anyone approaches and allow him to roast or drown his enemies. To Christine, he offers wealth, luxury and opera stardom, and she is in no peril “as long as you do not touch the mask” — oh, and she must love him, or at least allow him to possess her (although his precise sexual plans are left undefined). Perhaps warned by the fate of the hero in her current pro- duction of Faust, she refuses this bargain, although for an engaged woman, she allows herself to be dan- Breezy entertainer with a divine touch gerously tempted. After taking over the leading role from an omi- nously ill prima donna, she follows a mysterious voice, opens a secret door behind the mirror in her OH MY KADAVULE dressing room, descends through forbidding cel- CAST: Ashok Selvan, Ritika Singh, lars, is taken semi-conscious by horseback and gon- Vijay Sethupathi,Vani Bhojan dola deeper into the labyrinth and sees the coffin DIRECTOR: Ashwath Marimuthu ★★★★ where he sleeps. At this point, her sudden cry of RATING: “You — you are the Phantom!” inspired me to write in my notes: “Duh!” Her lover, the Viscount Raoul de Chagny, is likewise not a swift study. After the Phantom has pre- sumably claimed dozens of victims with the falling chandelier and threatened Christine with death if ANUPAMA SUBRAMANIAN she sees him again, Raoul agrees to meet her at the Masked Ball. This is held in the Opera House on the ebutant Ashwath very next night, with the chandelier miraculously Marimuthu’s rom-com Oh repaired and no mourning period, apparently, for DMy Kadavule has every- the dozens of crushed and maimed. Christine tells thing that is associated with a Raoul the Phantom will murder them if they are similar genre- love, friendship, seen together, but then, when a gaunt and spectral fun and good songs. But what figure in red stalks imperiously into the grand hall, makes OMK stand out is the cre- Raoul unmasks himself, which is, if you ask me, ative approach given by Ashwath, asking for trouble. packaging it with a fantasy spin. The Phantom’s unmasking was one of the most The writing is also solid. famous moments in silent film. He is seated at his Arjun Marimuthu (Ashok organ. “Now, when he is intent on the music,” Selvan) and Anu Paulraj (Ritika Sandburg wrote, “she comes closer, closer, her fin- Singh) are childhood friends who gers steal towards the ribbon that fastens the mask. share lot of things. When Anu’s Her fingers give one final twitch — and there you dad (MS Bhaskar) arranges a are!” There you are, all right, as Chaney, “the Man groom for her, she tells Arjun that of 1,000 Faces” and a master of makeup, unveils a she would rather marry him and defacement more grotesque than in any later ver- proposes at a pub. Arjun thinks sion, his mouth a gaping cavern, his nose a void, his for a while and gives his nod. They eyes widely staring: “Feast your eyes, glut your enter marital bliss and Arjun also soul, on my accursed ugliness!” gets a job in Paulraj’s ceramic The other famous scene involves the falling chan- manufacturing company. delier, which became the centrepiece of the Webber However, on their first night, musical and functions the same way in Joel Arjun finds it difficult to see his Schumacher’s 2004 film version. In the original best friend as wife and hence they film, it is curiously underplayed; it falls in impres- decide to let ‘things’ happens in sive majesty, to be sure, but its results are hard to their own course. They start fight- measure. Surely there are mangled bodies beneath ing over petty things and with it, but the movie stays its distance and then hurries Arjun having hardly any roman- on. Much more impressive is the Masked Ball tic feel for Anu, their relationship sequence and its sequel on the roof of the opera starts straining. Meanwhile, the house. The filmmakers (director Rupert Julien, re-entry of Meera (Vani Bhojan), replaced by Edward Sedgwick and assisted by an aspiring filmmaker and Chaney) use primitive colour techniques to satu- Arjun’s high school crush in their rate the ball with brilliant scarlets and less obtru- lives worsens the situation. by Vijay Sethupathi and Ramesh Ritika is a treat to watch and does Ramesh Thilak in an extended dled with lot of sensitivity. sive greens. Many scenes throughout the film are Unable to cope up with his posses- Thilak) to proceed with his second a fine job with her myriad expres- cameo are quite entertaining. But There are no real heartbreaking tinted, which was common enough in silent days. sive wife and having aspired to life. So, whom does Arjun choose sions. Telly girl Vani Bhojan who the pace is somewhat slow and emotional scenes. While the first The Phantom of the Opera is not a great film if become an actor and disliking his between the two - Meera or Anu? makes a big screen debut gets a hence it reduces the fun quotient. half is slow, post intermission the you are concerned with art and subtlety, depth and present job, Arjun seeks for a Ashok Selvan looks fresh and solid role and she utilizes it well. It’s Ashwath Marimuthu’s momentum picks up and stays till message; Nosferatu is a world beyond it. But in its divorce. During the court proceed- bubbly and aces in the romantic Sha Ra for once does not go over- youthful treatment to the narra- the end. Leon James music is a big fevered melodrama and images of cadaverous ings, there’s divine intervention scenes. He performs naturally and board and plays to what his char- tion that works largely towards plus with some of the songs romance, it finds a kind of show-biz majesty. And it (literally) and Arjun is given a sec- proves his histrionics with the acter demands. Veteran MS the film’s favor. Yet another high- propelling the story forward. has two elements of genius: It creates beneath the ond chance to go back and change long single take breakup shot, Bhaskar proves his versatility point is the fantasy element that OMK is a youthful entertainer opera one of the most grotesque places in the cine- his life. He has been given a which he gives while auditioning especially in the post interval elevates curiosity levels. The char- worth a watch for its refreshing ma, and Chaney’s performance transforms an ‘Golden Ticket’ by th Gods (played for filmmaker Gautham Menon. scenes. Vijay Sethupathi and acters are well etched out and han- approach. absurd character into a haunting one. SPECIAL DECCAN CHRONICLE | TUESDAY | 18 FEBRUARY 2020 | CHENNAI pg 4

IN BRIEF Higher education How EPS emerged a strong leader topper ■ Hardwork and perseverence keep Tamil Nadu has become a leading State in ensuring access to Higher education, Palaniswami the front runner for 2021 thanks to the Edappadi G. BABU JAYAKUMAR K Palaniswami-led I DC THREE YEARS OF PALANISWAMI RULE government’s initiatives in the CHENNAI, FEB. 17 last three years. It has one of Amma’ which was full of tions were held. It was an the highest enrolment rates Three years ago when the advertisements welcom- anti-BJP wave in Tamil for colleges. The better access mantle of Chief ing the Chief Minister Nadu but Palaniswami did has been enabled by Ministership fell on back home, senior party not let that affect his government allowing more Edappadi K. Palaniswami leaders vied with one party’s prospects in the Government colleges to be skeptics said that his term another to praise him and by-elections, which send opened. Like for instance, 14 would be short-lived. But declare his pre-eminent across the message that University Constituent today, it is not only clear position in the party. Even the people have accepted Colleges have been converted that he will complete the if ‘Namadhu Amma’ is not him as the Chief Minister, into Government Colleges in term, taking his mentor J. a staple household news- as the man competent to 2019-20. With the Government Jayalalithaa’s mandate to paper, no one is Chennai lead the party left behind college of Engineering, its logical end but is also a could have missed the by Jayalalithaa. Coimbatore, completing 75 contender for the Chief ubiquitous wall poster Fighting the electoral years this year, the state will Minister’s throne in 2021. with his photo accompa- war, too, he tackled the sanction a special grant of So, how did the man nied by the legend: ‘he opposition quite impres- `ten crore for upgrading from Salem emerge as a went/saw/conquered.’ sively. When his rival M K infrastructure facilities at leader on his own right Actually the real con- Stalin, president of the GCE, Kovai. within the party? To put it quest had happened back DMK, ridiculed him as an succinctly it is hard work home and it first evident ‘earthworm’, he turned and perseverance. He was from the grand reception the tables on him, saying not bogged down by the he received at the airport that earthworm is the Police Department criticisms that he had to in the wee hours of farmer’s friend. He, a real face when he took over as Tuesday. The throngs of farmer, was proud of his vacancies brought Chief Minister or even flag waving cadre at that calling and also described later on and did not allow untimely hour was remi- him as one. down bickering within his party niscent of the crowds that It is perhaps an under- Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami with a sheaf of corn harvested in a field at Siluvampalayam in Salem district to weaken his position. gathered to welcome past standing of the during Pongal 2020. A significant feature of the That he had come on his AIADMK Chief Ministers farmers’ problems led to governance in the last three own and has consolidated back home - be it his taking an extremely If his political acumen years is that the vacancies in his position in the Jayalalithaa returning bold decision to announce was on display in the deft the Police department have AIADMK was evident from Bengaluru in the the Cauvery delta region manner in which he won been considerably brought when he returned from recent past or in the state as ‘Protected the two by-elections to down and currently the work- his maiden foreign tour - a MGR coming home Special Agricultural Zone Vikravandi and ing strength of the police force 13-day visit to UK, USA after medical treatment in (PSAZ)’, flummoxing the Nanguneri constituencies, in 1.13 lakh. During the year and UAE. As he came out 1985. rival parties. It was one his popularity among the 2019-20, a total of 10,242 police of the airport he not only He never looked back decision that went to common people soared to personnel have been recruited seamlessly merge with the after that and proved his prove that Palaniswami the skies when he dis- through the Tamil Nadu sea of party cadre wel- mettle as one capable of had his fingers on the bursed ‘Pongal gifts’, a Uniformed Services coming him back home leading a party in elec- pulse of the people in gen- scheme initiated by none Recruitment Board. In 2020-21, but also made every tions by ensuring that he eral and the farmers in less than Jayalalithaa her- a further 10,276 uniformed onlooker realise that he is won enough seats in the particular. For, it was a self, making the cash gift services personnel will be their leader. by-elections to the state decision that earned him to `1000 per family and the recruited. When he left abroad, Assembly, failing which encomiums from several sugarcane a full length Palanisami was consid- would have spelt disaster quarters. one. ered a ‘lucky first among for the AIADMK govern- Also the way he faced the Finally, the recent the many equals’ in the ment. His managing to 2019 elections was praised achievement of Palani- Keen eye on party. But as vignettes of save the government from by many. Not only he swami was his party win- his visit to various over- fall is an outstanding managed to cobble up a ning sizeable seats in the Disaster seas establishments achievement, which also rainbow coalition, he elections to the rural local poured in, he had seem- ensured that he continued easily roped in two bodies. AIADMK’s suc- ingly struck a chord with as Chief Minister. Chief Ministerial cessful reach of voters in Management his cadre and supporters. Winning adequate seats aspirants into his camp. the rural pockets in the With memories of the great For, man whom many to keep the government Both PMK’s Anbumani absence of the party’s Chennai deluge in 2015 very called the ‘accidental going in that election in Ramadoss and DMDK’s charismatic leaders like much alive, the Edappadi Chief Minister,’ was 2019 was significant Vijayakanth had M. G. Ramachandran Palaniswami government has hailed as ‘Revolutionary because the results went expressed their desire (MGR) and Jayalalithaa proposed a comprehensive Leader’s Heir’ on his against the prevailing openly to lead the state. happened under the lead- ‘Flood Mitigation Project’ for return. political wave that helped But they accepted ership of Palanisamy and Greater Chennai to the World In the special 80-page the rival coalition sweep Palanisamy as the Chief the victory on proves that Bank and the Asian edition of AIADMK’s the Lok Sabha seats for Minister and worked with he has won the hearts of Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami at a function in Mettur dam, Salem district, to Infrastructure Investment newspaper, ‘Namadhu which simultaneous elec- him in the campaigns. the people, too. release water for irrigation in Cauvery delta area . Bank at a total cost of Rs. 3,000 crore, as a follow on project to the ‘Coastal Disaster Risk Reduction Project’, which will be coming to a successful completion. When Chennai avoided Day Zero The smiling farmer Amma B. VIJAYALAKSHMI I DC from Salem district CHENNAI, FEB.17 Modi-Xi summit gave Mahabs boost M.R. VENKATESH | DC sis-moment choice in the Unavagams to be Chennai faced severe CHENNAI, FEB. 17 AIADMK at a critical water crisis last year. juncture. strengthened Open wells and borewells he informal summit Mahabs. President Xi was After long years since The dhoti-clad, low-pro- dried up. With water level of PM Narendra overwhelmed by TN’s hos- Rajaji was at the helm in file smiling farmer from The popular ‘Amma in city’s four major reser- TModi and Chinese pitality and said he had a the early 1950s' at Fort St. Salem, was more a back- Unavagams’ (canteens) where voirs in Poondi, Red Hills, President Xi Jinping at memorable experience. George, the seat of power bencher in the Assembly a large number of poor and Chembarambakkam and Mamallapuram in The lighting arrange- in Tamil Nadu, the politi- when Ms. Jayalalithaa migrant workers in particular Cholavaram plummeting, October took the ties ments in Arjuna Penance, cal geography of Salem was the Chief Minister. A frequent for cheap, quality metro water began tap- between the two countries Krishna’s Butter Ball and district has been in the former one-time MP, food, have played a significant ping water from quarries to a new high. The Pancha rathas in the limelight in the last three though holding key port- role in the last three years in in Sikkarayapuram and ‘Chennai connect’ set the coastal town caught world years, with Mr. Edappadi folios' in Amma's third easing food access to the peo- Erumaiyur. More quarries tone for a new era in India- attention. With global K Palaniswami being term, the change in Mr. ple. Though there have been were identified in China relations. The two media spotlight falling on Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami welcomes only the second 'Salem Palaniswami's political some problems, now the gov- Pulipakkam, Keerap- leaders had in-depth Mamallapuram, the Chinese President Xi Jinping at Chennai airport Man' to become Chief profile has been dramatic, ernment has plans to make akkam and Nallamba- exchange of views in a tourism sector got the during his visit to Mahabalipuram for an informal Minister. more so in the last one them financially stronger by kkam and Kanchipuram friendly atmosphere at much-needed fillip. summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2019. Prior to C. year. forming a special purpose district to meet Chennai’s Rajagopalachari, Rajaji His three-nation foreign vehicle which will tie-up with water requirements. plant and then supplied to as he was widely known, tour of UK, USA and companies to source funds Soon, the state govern- Central and North it was Dr Subbaroyan, a Dubai in 2019 seeking under CSR scheme. In the ment embarked on a proj- Chennai areas. The second scion of the famous Zam- more direct foreign budget for 2020-21, the govern- ect to bring water from rake also started indars of Kumaramanga- investments into Tamil ment has provided Rs.100 Vellore to Chennai. Chief operating from Jolarpet in lam in former composite Nadu, saw a signal crore as viability gap funding Minister K. Palaniswami the next few weeks. Salem district, who was change in his sartorial to place them on a stronger allocated a sum of `65 The services of the water Premier of erstwhile statement, attired in coat footing. crore to help mitigate train were stopped in Madras Presidency before and suit that gave him a Chennai’s water woes. October when monsoon Independence. different political silhou- Tamil Nadu Water Supply rains replenished ground- The subsequent Kuma- ette, particularly in the Housing for govt and Drainage Board laid water and filled the reser- ramangalams, Mohan visual media that seemed pipelines for drawing voirs. Kumaramangalam and to give him a new USP. water from the storage During crisis period, the Rangarajan Kumaram- But as his new attire staff augmented tank near Jolarpet which number of metro water anglam, were prominent abroad drew sharp To cater to growing demands receives water under the tanker trips was doubled as Central Ministers in responses in the social for rental housing for state Vellore Combined from 6,000/day to the national political media locally, Mr. Palan- government employees, one Drinking Water Supply 12,000/day amid private scene, but yet the State iswami in the latter part more residential tower will be Scheme, The special train water lorries fleecing resi- 'gaddi' eluded them. of his foreign journey constructed in Todhunter brought over 2.5 million dents in several areas. Thus Edappadi K reverted to presenting Nagar at Saidapet in Chennai litres of water from The civic body checked Palaniswami, coming to himself as the 'dhoti-clad by the public works Jolarpet in every trip from out rainwater harvesting occupy the office of the Tamilian', if only to reas- department at a total cost of July 12. The 50-wagon structures in residential Chief Minister of the sure his image in the `76 crore. A master plan will train carrying 50,000 litres areas and ensured they State, by sudden turn of minds of the people as the be prepared to improve the of water in each of them were renovated. events here in the turbu- 'smiling farmer from layout of the residential com- started from Jolarpet at 7 The state government’s lent post-Jayalalithaa Salem'. He often refers to plex at Todhunter Nagar and pm every day and reached timely measures helped political scenario, has a his agricultural roots to provide better amenities for Chennai by midnight. The Chennaiites to manage Salem district political with pride at public ral- the stay of government water was pumped to water crisis till rains legacy to lean back even if lies, a la Tamil Nadu's A water tanker train from Jolarpet pulls into Villivakkam station to quench Chennai’s servants. Kilpauk water treatment arrived. his candidature was a cri- own Deve Gowda. thirst in 2019. –DC

CM Edappadi Palaniswami at an animal farm in Buffalo during his trip to US in CM Edappadi Palaniswami in London in 2019 where TN signed an MoU with September 2019. He enquired about the technology behind maintenance of the animals International skills development corporation, leading skill developers in the CM Edappadi Palaniswami launches mobile medical ambulance for animal in the farm to implement in TN and saw high quality calfs in the farm. field of medicine, to train healthcare personnel in Tamil Nadu. care in November 2019, at the secretariat in Chennai. SPECIAL DECCAN CHRONICLE | TUESDAY | 18 FEBRUARY 2020 | CHENNAI pg 5

IN BRIEF Welfare of SC/ST EPS turns crisis into opportunity DC CORRESPONDENT Students CHENNAI, FEB. 17 THREE YEARS OF PALANISWAMI RULE Chennai: In the interests of students from scheduled As three momentous years storage capacity of Mettur Palaniswami-led govern- castes and scheduled tribes have rolled since Mr. dam, but also the mined out ment in the last three years to pursue their education Edappadi K Palaniswami alluvial soil to the extent of has upgraded 250 middle unhindered, the Tamil Nadu was sworn in as Chief 2.37 lakh cubic metre, schools into high schools, government has raised the Minister of Tamil Nadu on which was distributed free 202 high schools upgraded hostel allowance to `1,000 February 16, 2017, the low- to 1,846 farmers that will into higher secondary per month to college profile farmer from Salem help them to enrich their schools. As many as 20 new students and to `900 per district has managed to soil in their individual primary schools were start- month to those change a crisis narrative in fields. ed, besides 120 higher sec- studying in schools and a nebulous political situa- The massive de-silting ondary schools upgraded as staying in hostels built for tion after former Chief and rehabilitation of sys- 'model schools' with state- SC/ST. In the last Minister J Jayalalithaa's tem tanks and lakes across of-art infrastructure facili- three years, basic amenities demise, into one of renewed the State to help conserve ties at a cost of Rs. 33.60 in Adi Dravidar colonies have opportunities for higher excess rain water that will crore. been improved, including growth. also enable groundwater The Government has providing roads, drinking From agriculture, irriga- recharge under the appointed 3,355 teachers, water facility and street tion, rural development, 'Kudimaramathu' scheme besides improving the qual- lights etc., at a cost of `100 sanitation, health, educa- has been taken up in the ity of school infrastructure crore. Tribal dwellings in tion and social welfare, to last three years. A Rs.427.76 by constructing additional Nilgiris district have been attracting direct foreign crore check-dam across class rooms, labs, toilets repaired at a cost of `five investments (FDI) to keep Kollidam river at Adhanur- and other facilities. A sepa- crore. the state's industrial Kumaramangalam, the rate educational television momentum going, the Athikadavau-Avinashi irri- channel has been launched AIADMK government gation-cum-drinking water by the State to take the ben- Freed from headed by Mr. Palaniswami project at a cost of Rs.1,652 efits of new ways of learn- has, overcoming various crore to benefit the drought- ing directly to the students. obstacles, enabled a turn- prone western districts of While the government has bonded labour around in many sectors to Coimbatore, Erode and been implementing four per In freeing and rehabilitating make Tamil Nadu a 'hap- Tirupur, and a massive cent reservation in state people from demeaning pening state' again. In the Rs.11.250 crore project to jobs for the physically chal- bonded labour, as many as last three years alone, he clean-up the Cauvery and lenged, in the realm of 914 bonded workers have has cleared 16,382 files, an its branches in a bid to reju- higher education, for the been pulled out from their indicator of his quick deci- venate the river system by first time the State govern- dehumanizing occupations sion-making powers. tackling the pollution ment has obtained Centre's and `1.68 crore disbursed to When the entire Cauvery issues are among his major approval to set up 11 med- them for their rehabilitation. delta area was simmering initiatives for agricultural ical colleges in just one year Over 13.04 lakh workers with discontent in the wake revival. at a cost of Rs.3,575 Crore. under the aegis of of the renewed drilling Permanent flood control These colleges will come up ‘Unorganised Workers activities by oil companies measures in the western at Ramanathapuram,Virdh- CM Edappadi K. Palaniswami participating in a cricket match on February 4 conducted by the Sports Development Board’, have been assisted prospecting for hydrocar- districts of Coimbatore and unagar, Nilgiris, Dindigul, to the tune of `598.50 crore bons, coming as 'crowning Nilgiris, besides in greater Namakkal, Tirupur, Authority of Tamil Nadu, at the Marina Cricket ground in Chennai. —DC in the last three years. glory' for the government's Chennai, relaying old roads Tiruvallur, Krishnagiri, (GIM) held in Chennai, supply, underground 'Swachh Bharat', the State has also awarded Tamil Further, conciliation talks achievements is the Chief and sanctioning new high- Nagapattinam, Ariyalur Tamil Nadu under Mr. drainage systems and was recognised for its clean- Nadu as the 'Best have been held with 86 com- Minister's recent announc- way projects like the and Kallakurichi districts. Palaniswami's dynamic storm water drainages, liness campaign in rural Performing State' in the panies, resulting in ensuring ement to declare the entire Rs.1,075 crore Chennai In health care, under the leadership has been able to besides reviving public areas, even as Tamil Nadu country for two years in a legal entitlements including Cauvery delta region Peripheral Ring Road proj- Chief Minister's secure fresh investment spaces like parks involving bagged the Centre's award r o w. job regularisation for spread over eight districts, ect, and for road works with Comprehensive Health commitments from cap- a huge combined capital under the scheme to protect Tamil Nadu was also cho- 1,92,691 workers. ‘Job Fairs’ into a 'Protected Special an outlay of Rs. 12,301 crore Insurance Scheme tains of industry in diverse outlay of Rs.7,263.26 crore, and educate the girl child sen as the 'second best state' held for educated unem- Agricultural Zone (PSAG)'. from Ennore port in North (CMCHIS), the total insur- fields to bring in Rs. 3,00,501 are among major social and 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padao. in overall governance by ployed youth have helped to The AIADMK Gover- Chennai to Poonjeri in ance coverage has been crore to invest in new ecological initiatives in the Tamil Nadu under the the Public Affairs Centre in place 1,90,248 job-seekers in nment intends to bring in a Mamallapuram, have aug- enhanced to Rs. five lakh industries here, to help cre- last three years to improve stewardship of Mr. Bengaluru. Tamil Nadu appropriate jobs. legislation to give effect to mented road infrastruc- per annum. In the last three ate 10.50 lakh new jobs. He the overall health and sani- Palaniswami also won the also bagged the national this and get the Centre's ture. years, 21.50 lakh patients has also simultaneously tation for the people. The 'Government of India e-Puraskar Award for approval for the same to have benefitted under this encouraged micro, small latter includes a capital out- Good Governance Award' best e-governance in rural Arasu Cable TV demonstrate its long-term TRANSPORTATION: In scheme, involving an outgo and medium enterprises lay of Rs.3,034.31 crore for for 2019. By ensuring law panchayats. commitment to the welfare the transport sector, the of Rs.2,873.39 crore for vari- (MSME) and Rs. 330 crore 25 'combined drinking and order, Mr. Palaniswami All these prove that Tamil of the farmers, their liveli- Palaniswami-led govern- ous treatment given. The subsidy given for new entre- water supply schemes' has made Tamil Nadu Nadu under Mr. Edappadi K Corporation hood and State's food secu- ment has introduced 4,921 government recruited 5,282 preneurs. In all, during the across various districts of a haven of peace and Palaniswami's leadership Thanks to the good offices rity. These districts include new buses to state transport doctors, 3,240 nurses and last three years, the State to Tamil Nadu. Chief tranquility. This has has not just survived of the Arasu Cable TV Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, undertakings in the last 13,437 para-medical staff give a fillip to industrial Minister on January 13, been recognised by the for three years but Corporation, as many as 313 Nagapattinam, three years including luxu- for various public hospitals activities, has disbursed 2020, also launched the Central government. The gone from strength to 'Aadhaar enrollment' centres Pudukkottai, Cuddalore, ry and air-conditioned across Tamil Nadu in the Rs.810 crore by way of vari- 'Amma Youth Sports 'India Today' media group strength. were set up in which Ariyalur and Tiruchy. buses for the convenience of last three years. ous subsidies/grant to Scheme' with an outlay 29,92,425 new ‘Aadhaar’ Thanks to the govern- the travelling public. 11,062 beneficiaries. of Rs.76.23 crore, to pro- cards were issued to the ment's persistent efforts, Retirement benefits to the INDUSTRIAL vide play fields and people and modifications, following Supreme Court's tune of Rs.4831 crore have DEVELOPMENT: SOCIALsports equipment to vil- corrections made to directive, Tamil Nadu got been sanctioned to Though Tamil Nadu is INFRASTRUCTURE: The lage and town panchay- 63,31,813 ‘Aadhaar card’ the Centre to set up the Transport corporation already highly industrial- Palaniswami-led govern- ats. holders. More than 12,805 e- 'Cauvery Water workers. The Government ized, in these last three ment's determined effort to Seva centres were set up to Management Authority' has also an ambitious plan years growth in this sector enforce the ban on one-time AWARDS FOR GOOD help people access various that will oversee the imple- to induct environment- received a big boost with use plastics from January 1, GOVERNANCE: government services online. mentation of the Cauvery friendly 2000 e-buses with the Chief Minister, Mr. 2019, as a measure of envi- As a fitting recognition The Arasu Cable TV Tribunal's Final Award as assistance from KfW of Palaniswami travelling to ronment protection. In the to the Edappadi Corporation had also provid- upheld by the Apex Court Germany and an additional the UK, USA and Dubai last area of urban rejuvenation, Palaniswami-led gov- ed cheap high quality digital and Cauvery Water 12,000 buses for the STUs', year to attract additional augmenting sources of ernment's development cable TV links, providing a Regulatory Committee. both involving an outlay of FDI. As many as 63 MoUs' potable drinking water sup- initiatives across sec- bunch of up to 200 chan- In other important pro- Rs.5,890 crore. were signed involving an ply in Chennai and other tors in line with Amma's nels, at a nominal cost of farmer steps, Mr. investment commitment of major urban agglomera- motto of 'Peace, `130 per connection per Palaniswami for the first EDUCATION AND Rs.19, 136 crore. This has tions including launching Progress and month. time in 83 years, directed HEALTH the potential to create 83,837 the Rs.1259.38 crore sea Prosperity', the Central the de-silting of the Stanley According the highest pri- new jobs. water desalination plant at Government has given Reservoir in Mettur. It not ority to School and Higher Earlier, through the sec- Nemmeli near Chennai, various awards to Tamil Marriage assistance only helped to increase the education in the State, the ond Global Investors Meet implementation of water Nadu. Under the for women With Amma’s government led by Edappadi K Palaniswami continuing to maintain its pro-women thrust in implementing social welfare programmes, under the state’s marriage assistance scheme, gold weighing eight grams and cash assistance up to `50,000 is being extended to women in mar- riageable age. The government is also giving `1,000 An official at ‘I.P. Switch-Smart Grid’ in Sufflok, UK, monthly pension to explains the new renewable energy technique to Chief CM Edappadi K. Palaniswami at the famous Kew Transgender above the age Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami in his visit in 2019. Botanical Garden in London on September 1, 2019. of 40. Monthly old age pension of `1,000 to senior citizens has benefitted an additional 29.80 lakh elders in Kudimaramathu, boon to tanks, lakes the last three years. DC CORRESPONDENT And as Tamil Nadu steps work," Mr. Palaniswami of 1,519 lakes were taken CHENNAI, FEB. 17 into an election year in had once said. up since 2016-17 fiscal, and 2021, AIADMK's Co- This Chief Minister of them work on 1,513 lakes With the emphasis more on Coordinator and Chief from Western Tamil Nadu has been completed. Work restoring the water bodies, Minister Edappadi K. was also instrumental on the remaining six could lakes and even reservoirs, Palaniswami will have in banning illegal sand not be carried out due to the Kudimaramathu something concrete to woo mining and ensured internal problems of the scheme, has revolutionised the rural voters. "This online tender process farmers' associations the manner in which the scheme involves the local for sale of sand for there. In 2017-18, out of AIADMK government took farmers and common peo- construction activity. 1,511 lakes chosen for up the initiative to con- ple too in cleaning up the He is probably the first CM desilting, 1,406 have been serve water resources in lakes and tanks and even to take up the cleaned so far. The remain- the State. Spending close to makes them feel responsi- desilting of major tanks ing lakes have not been Rs. 1,000 crore in restoring ble for the upkeep of the and lakes across the State desilted owing to problems the water bodies spread water bodies in their vil- and facilitated the comple- in the farmers' associa- across Tamil Nadu includ- lages. tion of 4,965 works at a cost tions. ing the Mettur Dam, the Moreover, the Kudimar- of `930.25 crore, so far. For 2019-2020, around lifeline of Cauvery delta amathu scheme is far more About 2,919 waterbodies `500 crore was allocated for J. Jayalalithaa farmers, is no mean transparent than a tender have been fully restored rejuvenating 1,829 water achievement. floated to execute the from 2016 till 2018 Desilting bodies. FDI: Die cast for big TN industrial push J. V SIVA PRASANNA to fetch hefty investments to and major mobile phone TCS and Infosys alone, are ucts facility at Thoothukudi. KUMAR | DC the State. designing and manufactur- expected to create 31,000 Mr. Palaniswami said Al- CHENNAI, FEB. 17 His maiden trip abroad, the ing firm Wintech, many direct IT sector jobs in the Kharafi is expected to set up first overseas visit by a CM to firms have started taking State, he added. a petroleum refinery in com- With nearly 59 projects com- attract global investors, cast steps to set up their manufac- Perhaps, the belief among a pliance with BS-VI emission mencing the commercial the die to transform Tamil turing facilities in Tamil section of the people that the norms adhering to the envi- operations in a year after the Nadu. After the GIM, the Nadu, according to the CM. southern districts languish ronmental standard to manu- second Global Investors Meet State had signed 63 agree- Foreign Direct Investment while the northern districts facture petrochemical prod- held by the state government ments to attract investments (FDI) flow into Tamil Nadu prosper will change for ucts. here in January this year, around Rs. 19,136 crore. After saw an increase of around the better ensuring "This will bring in econom- and another 213 are in vari- setting up a high-level com- Rs. 47,000 crore in the last equitable development, once ic growth in the ous stages of development, mittee headed by Mr. three years, pegging it at the petroleum refinery and southern part of the State Tamil Nadu which has been Palaniswami, 36 industrial around Rs. 1,80,000 crore now, petrochemical products facil- similar to that which took a mere spectator to the devel- projects worth Rs. 14,728 Mr. Palaniswami said recent- ity comes about in the south- place in Jurong Island in opment around in the past, crore have been awarded var- l y. ern coastal town of Singapore and Dahej suddenly turned into a cyno- ious approvals to start the The State has been con- Thoothukudi. The Kuwait- and Jamnagar in Gujarat," sure of all eyes, thanks to the operations. This would cre- stantly attracting new invest- based Al-Kharafi is likely to the Chief Minister said after efforts of Chief Minister ate 22,763 jobs. ments across sectors includ- invest around Rs. 49,000 crore laying the foundation stone Edappadi K. Palaniswami Apart from the electric ing Information Technology. to set up a petroleum refin- for DLF Down Town who chased foreign investors vehicle manufacturer BYD The recent investments by ery and petrochemical prod- Chennai. STATE DECCAN CHRONICLE | TUESDAY | 18 FEBRUARY 2020 | CHENNAI pg 6

IN BRIEF EPS releases souvenir on EPS greets T’gana CM on birthday Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief AIADMK’s 3-yr achievements Minister K Palaniswami on Monday greeted his D SEKAR | DC Telangana counterpart K CHENNAI, FEB. 17 Chandrasekhar Rao on the latter's 66th birthday. “On Consolidating all the policy the joyous occasion of your pronouncements, pro- birthday, I extend my hearti- grammes and achieve- est greetings and best wish- ments of the Edappadi K es to you,” Palaniswami said Palaniswami-led AIADMK in a message to Rao. “I pray government in Tamil Nadu the Almighty to grant you in the last three years, a many more years of happi- special souvenir in Tamil ness and health, to steer was released by the Chief Telangana to greater Minister at the Secretariat heights,” he added. — PTI here on Monday. A beaming Mr Palani- swami, handed over the Chain-snatcher School students wait to watch Assembly proceedings in Chennai on Monday. first copy of the document, — DC titled 'Amma Arasin held in Chennai Muthirai Patitha Moondru Chennai: A man who has Aandu, Mudhal Idame more than 30 chain-snatch- Adharku Saandru', to the ing cases against him in Deputy Chief Minister, Mr. Hyderabad has been arrest- O. Panneerselvam at a sim- ed in Chennai in connection Sakthikumar died due to ple function in the pres- with four such cases report- ence of ministers and top ed in Anna Nagar area for officials including Chief Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami and Deputy CM O. Panneerselvam release the past three months. Secretary K Shanmugam. souvenir on their regime’s 3-year achievements in Chennai on Monday. — DC A special team from the prolonged illness: Family The publication is by the Tirumangalam police arrest- State Information depart- 'Protected Agriculture received by the Tamil Nadu released. From P3 ed Amol Bala Saheb Shinde “700 passengers who piratory masks, he had ment. Zone', carving out of five government in recent A coffee-table book 'Kaala (29) of Parbhani in Maharas- arrived at different air- disclosed. The Madras The souvenir highlights new districts, getting months. Peyzhai' was also released htra with the help of inputs They further said ports in the State from High court, hearing a PIL the achievements of the Centre's sanction for an The Chief Minister also by the Chief Minister, from police from four states. Sakthikumar died due to China and neighbouring few days back, had also Edappadi Palaniswami-led unprecedented new 11 med- released separate docu- Edappadi K Palaniswami, Sources said that a special his “prolonged illness of countries, have been asked the State govern- government which have ical colleges in 11 districts, ments on district-wise which was received by the team had travelled around his lungs and liver”, quarantined in their ment to file a detailed left an imprint on the socio- foreign tour of the Chief achievements of the Chief Secretary. 2,000 km, combed more besides the jaundice he homes. All of them were report on the preventive economic sectors. Minister to attract fresh AIADMK government that Information department free of any nCoV symp- than 60 CCTV camera was recently suffering steps taken so far. Topping among them are industrial investments and was received by the State secretary Mahesan from. toms and so far not a It is in this backdrop, the the 'Kudimaramathu' launch of a police app to Information minister Kasirajan welcomed the footages, monitored the call single case had tested records of about 20 mobile “So, he lost his life and first suspected death from schemes to rejuvenate ensure women's security. Kadambur Raju. A short gathering and Information not because of any other positive for the virus in nCoV has somewhat rat- water bodies across the All these achievements film and CD on the high- director, P Sankar, pro- phone numbers, checked Tamil Nadu” over 100 lodges in the city reason,” family sources tled the medical fraterni- state, declaration of were reflected in the sever- lights of the government's posed a hearty vote of and carried out vehicle said. The social media last week said that more ty. In Sakthikumar's case, Cauvery delta area as al national-level awards performance was also thanks. check for 10 days at a was needlessly playing it than 700 passengers who sources said he comes stretch before nabbing him. up to divert attention, arrived at different air- from an agriculturist's After three chain-snatching they said. ports in the State from family who had gone to cases were reported in Meanwhile, the health China and neighbouring China to set up an eatery PIL to restrain December 2019 in Anna department officials countries, where the there. Nagar, a special team was secured all the medical nCoV infection has been Sakthikumar, after a few Islamic assn from formed to arrest the offend- files related to his treat- reported, have been quar- trips, had recently er. With the help of CCTV ment in the last two years antined in their homes. returned home on Assembly siege footages, he was identified and have sent the same to All of them were free of February 4 as his jaundice by Maharashtra and Chennai for clinical any nCoV symptoms and turned severe, but had DC CORRESPONDENT Telangana police. analysis. The police seized so far not a single case had been missed by the elabo- CHENNAI, FEB. 17 Investigations revealed that his passport and are tested positive for the rately set-up surveillance a two-wheeler used by the investigating. virus in Tamil Nadu. system at the airports. A Public Interest Litiga- man for the offence had Shock in TN health The minister had said Unlike in the case of other tion has been filed in the been stolen from Hyderabad. circles that even the passengers China returnees, Sakthi- Madras high court to Meanwhile, on Sunday he The first suspected who had travelled with kumar had eluded the air- restrain the Federation was nabbed during routine death due to the novel the girl from Kerala, who port scans, possibly bec- of Tamil Nadu vehicle checkup. As many as Coronavirus in Tamil had tested positive for the ause he had said he was Islamic and Political 20 sovereigns of jewellery Nadu has come as both virus, were also under suffering from 'jaundice'. Organisations and its and a two-wheeler were shock and surprise as the observation by doctors. After his sudden death, allied associations from seized from Amol. He was State was among the first Mr. Vijayabaskar public health department organising the Tamil remanded in judicial custody. to put in place an exten- appealed to the people to have now camped at his Nadu State Legislative sive surveillance at all air- stay calm and not panic as village, some 100-km from Assembly siege agita- ports to check all passen- there was no threat of the the district headquarters tion. Principal sessions gers arriving from China virus spreading in Tamil town of Pudukkottai, to The PIL filed by and its neighbouring Nadu. thoroughly investigate Varaaki is likely to come court issues countries for presence of Further, for the safety of whether Shakthikumar's up for hearing soon. any symptoms of the dis- doctors and para-medical death was caused by nCoV According to Varaaki, summons to Stalin ease. staff, the government had or was due to other med- recently the Union gov- DC CORRESPONDENT State Health minister, C provided enough medical ical factors, sources ernment had enacted the CHENNAI, FEB.17 Vijayabaskar had only equipment including res- added. A newly-wed couple along with other protesters raise slogans against CAA at Citizenship Amendment Washermentpet in Chennai on Monday. — DC Act, 2019. The principal sessions court in The Act came into Chennai on Monday issued su- force on December 12, mmons to DMK president M.K. Three held for 2019 after the President Stalin in connection with defa- Hypnotic drug worth Anti-CAA agitation of India gave assent to mation case filed against him robbery at house the Bill and the same by the state government for all- was published in the egedly making malicious rem- DC CORRESPONDENT Gazette. After the enact- arks made against Chief Mini- `3.4cr seized at airport CHENNAI, FEB. 17 ment of the Act, various ster Edappadi K. Palaniswami. continues at Washermenpet political parties and On behalf of the CM, the city DC CORRESPONDENT Methaqualone is a central The city police on organisations were public prosecutor filed two co- CHENNAI, FEB.17 nervous depressant that Monday arrested three DC CORRESPONDENT until the State governme- Chennai on Monday. The organising agitations mplaints before the principal acts as a sedative and persons in connection CHENNAI, FEB.17 nt passes a resolution ag- couple, M. Shahensha and through out the country sessions court last month. Customs officials at hypnotic. The drug takes with robbery at a house ainst implementing CAA. S. Sumaya were already protesting against the According to a complaint, Chennai international 30 minutes to kick in and in Valasaravakkam. The anti-CAA (Citizen- Police security was engaged and decided to Act. its effects can last up to Opposition leader M.K. Stalin airport seized 6.8kg of According to police, on ship Amendment Act) beefed up at the protest get married at the protest The agitations by and eight hours. The drug was site.The protesters also site. large have disturbed the had questioned how the Centre methaqualone (sedative- made famous in the 1970s January 28, Arumugan, protest in Washermenpet had adjudged Tamil Nadu as hypnotic drug), worth Rs by rock band Rolling a builder and a resident continued for the fourth demanded action against Speaking at the protest, routine activities of the the leading state in the Good 3.4 crore, on Sunday. Stones and also in the of Radha Avenue in Val- consecutive day on the police personnel who the groom reportedly said general public causing Governance Index, when the Officials of the courier famous Hollywood movie asaravakkam, lodged a Monday. lathicharged agitators on that he agrees to the wed- mental agony and play- state topped in only two of the intelligence unit of the “The Wolf of Wall Street” complaint with the poli- Around 1,000 persons February 14. ding but disagrees with ing havoc on their day to nine parameters. Stalin air customs acted based ce that nearly 130 sover- gathered at Lalgunda Marriage held at the CAA. The protesters day personal life, he charged that this was a ploy by on information that a es were recovered from eigns of gold were miss- street at Washermenpet, protest site: At have stood firm on their added. the BJP to ensure that Tamil parcel containing some ribbons rolls containing a ing from his house.The raising slogans against Chennai’s Shaheen Bagh, demand that the protests He said till date, more Nadu does not prosper. In the narcotics drugs were like- white crystalline powder. robbery took place while CAA, National Register of a couple decided to marry will continue until a reso- than 120 illegal demon- statement Stalin stated that ly to be smuggled out of The powder was tested the family had gone out Citizens (NRC) and the during the anti-CAA lution against the strations have been con- the fact that the BJP govern- the country through a with a narcotics testing for dinner. Police arrest- National Population protests that have entered National Population ducted without permis- ment at the Centre wants to courier in the guise of kit. It prima facie tested ed 3 persons and recov- Register (NPR). the fourth day in Lala Register and CAA is sion from the police prop up the AIADMK govern- apparel accessories. They positive for methaqua- ered 63 sovereigns of The protesters said that Gunda area in Old passed in the Tamil Nadu department. The organi- ment with such ranking, detained a parcel at a lone. A total 6.815 kg of gold, Rs. 4 lakh in cash. they will continue the stir Washermanpet in State Assembly. zations which were shows their close relations and courier warehouse in the methaqualone, valued Rs. spearheading the agita- raises suspicions that their city. 3.4 crore, was seized un- tions have filed several relationship is beyond just The consignor had der the NDPS Act, 1985. petitions, challenging being alliance partners. declared the parcel to The parcel was found to the constitutional validi- He also questioned the contain ribbon rolls and be booked by a Chennai- Stripped of our cheque-issuing powers, cry panchayat heads ty of the Act. The rationale behind the rankings, other apparel acces- based person and was R.VALAYAPATHY I DC online payment system 2016 both the presidents online payment system Supreme court, which when TN came first only in sories. On examination, consigned to Australia. TIRUCHY, FEB. 17 affecting the day-to-day and the vice-presidents of was introduced by the Un- heard the petitions two out of the nine parameters the parcel was found to Searches were carried administration of village the village panchayats ion Government and hen- refused to grant stay and and asked how the Centre was contain items as per dec- out at the address submit- In a serious development, panchayats. directly made such pay- ce it cannot be changed. observed that the matter able to rank Tamil Nadu first laration but the ribbon ted by the consignor at the members of the feder- They said there was a big ments and because of this However, efforts would be will be heard by a in “public security”, when th- rolls were found to be the time of booking. The ation of Tiruchy district delay in providing and im- there was no delay in the made before tomorrow Constitutional Bench. ere were issues like the Pol- unusually heavy. When addresses were found to village panchayat presi- proving the basic ameni- developmental works, and evening for operating the The bench also took seri- lachi rape cases, the killing of the ribbons rolls were cut be fake. Efforts were dents have submitted a ties in their respective appealed to the govern- bank accounts by the vil- ous note of rioting and protesters during the Sterlite open, a hallow cavity was being made to apprehend memorandum to District areas following the con- ment to restore the che- lage panchayat presidents destruction of property protests, and the state ranking found inside in which the consignor and to find Collector S. Sivarasu cerned contractors-cum- que-signing powers (affix- online. He also promised during protests against second in the rape of minor plastic pouches contain- the source of the seized pointing out that the gov- workers refusing to under- ing signature in cheques) that immediate steps will the CAA across the girls. The statement was pub- ing white crystalline drug. ernment has snatched take such works unless immediately. be taken on basic ameni- country. It further lished in DMK's Murasoli powder were concealed. Further investigations away their cheque-issuing they are paid directly. The collector Shri Siva- ties and other genuine observed that “the vio- newspaper on January 28. Total 57 plastics pouch- are on. powers and introduced the They recalled that until rasu told them that the grievances. lence must stop”. Foresters use thermal drone to track tiger B. RAVICHANDRAN | DC Thermal drone flying at that hovers over the select- OOTY, FEB. 17 forest to find elusive tiger ed points to collect infor- at a farmland in Uyilatti mation on the movement Nilgiris forest division village at Kotagiri. — DC of tigers in the area. The administration has com- thermal drone collect sig- missioned a “thermal ment of the tiger in the nals from the carnivore drone” to track the move- village limits. moving around or from its ment of an elusive tiger Stating that a private hideout, as body tempera- that escaped from a snare drone operator from ture received from the car- in a farmland in Uyilatti Coimbatore was invited nivore is converted into village at Kotagiri near for the purpose, Mr. images. By processing the here on Saturday. Saravanakumar, the assis- images received from the This is in the wake of the tant conservator of forests thermal camera attached villagers there panic- at Nilgiris forest division to the drone, the location stricken over the suspect- said, the thermal drone of the tiger can be ed tiger movement in and was operated on Monday judged,” he said. The aeri- around the village limits. evening over a stretch of al surveillance using the The villagers also claimed one-km. The thermal drone is expected to give to have spotted another up by the foresters at wan- unknown. Hence, the drone operations will con- information on the move- WOMEN SAFETY tiger with cub in the jun- ton points in Uyilatti vil- foresters made arrange- tinue on Tuesday also, he ment of carnivores in the gle fringes along the village failed to yield any div- ments to operate thermal added. select area to chalk out the lage limits. idends, the fate of the elu- drone to try their luck to “Thermal drone is a next plan of action if Women take self defense classes at a college in Chennai on Monday. — DC As the camera trap set sive tiger was still trace and track the move- technological intervention needed, he added. NATION DECCAN CHRONICLE | CHENNAI | TUESDAY | 18 FEBRUARY 2020 pg 7

SHORT TAKES SC tells Shaheen ASSAM GOVT TOWERING INFERNO MOVES RGI FOR Bagh protesters NPR EXCERCISE MANOJ ANAND | DC not to block roads GUWAHATI, FEB. 17 PARMOD KUMAR I DC At the outset, the court Ignoring the ongoing contro- NEW DELHI, FEB. 17 made it clear it was not versies on National against the protest, which Population Register, the BJP- The Supreme Court on it said was a matter of led alliance government in Monday said people have right, but it shouldn’t lead Assam has moved to Registrar a right to protest but not to blocking of public General of India (RGI) block public places caus- places and roads. expressing its willingness to ing inconvenience to oth- “The right to protest is be the part of nationwide exer- ers, as it asked senior recognised the world over cise of preparing the NPR in lawyers Sanjay Hagde in democracies, especial- the state. and Sadhana ly in India. It’s a funda- The Central government’s Ramachandran to talk to mental right subject only exercise to update the the anti-CAA and anti- to public order and secu- National Population Register NRC protesters at rity of the State,” said — which has become contro- Shaheen Bagh and per- Justice Joseph. versial because of its links to a suade them to shift to an Noting that the Shaheen nationwide National Register alternate place. Bagh sit-in protest was of Citizens – will officially Telling the protestors at going on though a large begin on April 1. Shaheen Bagh not to number of petitions chal- In a letter to RGI, the General block public roads, a lenging the constitutional Administration Department of bench of Justices Sanjay validity of the Assam has stated that the NPR Kishan Kaul and K.M. Citizenship Amendment would help the government in Joseph asked solicitor- Act 2019 was pending formulating the policies of general Tushar Mehta to before the court, Justice various government schemes suggest alternate places Kaul said: “We are not effectively. where the protesters saying because it is pend- Pointing out that RGI had could shift to. ing in SC... people don’t excluded Assam from carrying Finding the suggestion have the right to protest. out NPR exercise in view of by the court soft sound- The question is — where the recent of exercise of ing, Mr Mehta said it to protest? It should not updating the National Register should not be seen as if be in a public place or on of Citizen (NRC), sources said the government was a road.” that the state government was “kneeling” before them, The court said it feared insisting on NPR exercise as and said the government that the city would be in state was to go for general cen- doesn’t wish to escalate utter chaos if others too Smoke rises in the sky from the GST Bhavan after a fire broke out on its eighth floor, in Mazgaon area of Mumbai, on Monday, —PTI sus in 2021. the situation — a hint of with genuine grievances Stating that the NPR exercise forcible eviction of the take a leaf from the would compile various data of protestors who are on the Shaheen Bagh protest economic and social condition 65th day of their sit-in and start blocking roads of the people in the state, protest. and other public places sources in the GAD said that it was necessary as it would help India summons Turkish the government in planning COURT SENDS 3 ‘BEEF’ OVER welfare schemes of the government. STUDENTS TO KERALA POLICE SHARJEEL SENT envoy; issues demarche CUSTODY ACADEMY MENU TO ONE DAY Move comes after Erdogan’s remarks supporting Pakistan on Kashmir issue VITTAL SHASTRI AND DC CORRESPONDENT M.K. ASHOKA | DC THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, POLICE CUSTODY SRIDHAR ing Pakistan, after India “sharing of bread” HUBBALLI, FEB. 17 FEB. 17 KUMARASWAMI | DC revoked Article 370 and appears to be a misplaced New Delhi, Feb. 17: A Delhi NEW DELHI, FEB. 17 divided the erstwhile J&K attempt by the Turkish Slipper hurled at In a day of dramatic The decision of Kerala court on Monday sent Sharjeel state into two union terri- President to describe the developments, the Gokul Police Academy to take Imam, arrested on sedition Lashing out for the second tories in August last year. support extended by Road police in Hubballi off beef from the menu charges, to one day custody of time in three days at In apparent response, Indian Independence arrested three Kashmiri of the canteen has trig- Delhi Police in a case related Turkish President Recep India had also last year movement leaders to Kanhaiya in Bihar students of KLE gered a controversy. The to violent protests against Tayyip Erdogan’s said it was “deeply con- Turkey back then as sup- Institute of Technology, authorities removed Citizenship Amendment Act extremely controversial cerned at the unilateral port by Pakistan which NAYEAR AZAD | DC left ideology will not work Hubballi, who are facing beef from the list of food at New Friend’s colony on remarks supporting military offensive by was not even in existence PATNA, FEB. 17 in our country. Patriots sedition charges and items served at the can- December 15. Islamabad on the Kashmir Turkey in north-east at that time. like me are not worried produced them before teen of the Kerala Police This is different from the issue while on a visit to Syria”, asking “Turkey to In “response to a media A youth was taken into about being beaten up”. the 3rd JMFC court on Academy about a week sedition case against Imam. Pakistan recently, India exercise restraint and query on comments made custody on Monday after Kanhaiya has raised the Monday. The court has ago. With the decision Chief metropolitan magistrate summoned the Turkish respect the sovereignty by the President of Turkey he made an attempt to political temperature in remanded them to inviting opposition from Gurmohina Kaur sent Imam envoy in New Delhi on and territorial integrity of on India’s internal mat- throw a slipper at former Bihar by leading a mas- judicial custody till a section, the authorities to the custody after the police Monday and issued a Syria”, and adding that ters during his recent visit JNUSU president Kan- sive Jan Gan Man Yatra to March 2. decided that the food said that another accused in “strong demarche”, saying “Turkey’s actions can to Pakistan”, MEA haiya Kumar. protest against the CAA, Earlier on Sunday, the committees in respec- the case disclosed that he was the remarks are “one more undermine stability in the Spokesperson Raveesh The youth was thrashed NPR and NRC. three engineering col- tive camps may take a allegedly provoked by example of a pattern of region and the fight Kumar said, “India has by workers and supporters Organisers of the pro- lege students who had call on including beef in Sharjeel’s speeches. Imam was Turkey interfering in the against terrorism” which made a strong demarche of Kanhaiya Kumar befo- gram told this newspaper shouted pro-Pakistan their menu. arrested from Bihar’s internal affairs of other “has the potential for caus- with the Turkish re being taken into cus- that he has been facing slogans on the anniver- The training session Jehanabad on January 28 for countries” which “India ing humanitarian and Government on the tody by the police. The inc- continuous violent attacks sary of the Pulwama for over 4, 000 police per- allegedly making inflammato- finds completely unaccept- civilian distress”. remarks made by ident occurred while he during his state-wide tour. massacre on February sonnel began at various ry speeches at the Jamia able”. In his extremely contro- President Erdogan on the was addressing a public Activists accompanying 14, were initially police camps in the state Millia Islamia University here New Delhi also said the versial recent remarks Indian Union Territory of meeting in Bihar’s Lakhi- him said that this was released under section on Sunday including and in Aligarh. Turkish President’s supporting the Pakistani Jammu & Kashmir during sarai. ninth attack in two weeks 169 of the Criminal Police Academy Thri- Police had booked Imam, “remarks reflect neither position on Kashmir, his recent visit to Calling Kanhaiya Kumar and slogans being raised Procedure Code (CrPC). ssur. Beef was taken off who came into limelight dur- an understanding of histo- President Erdogan had Islamabad. These remarks “traitor”, the youth who by people who have been But the police detained for the trainees and the ing the ongoing protest in ry nor of the conduct of compared Kashmir to the reflect neither an under- hurled a slipper at him trying to disrupt his tour them again following staff engaged in train- Shaheen Bagh, on January 26 diplomacy” and that these battle of Gallipoli during standing of history nor of said that he has been upset indicate that they belong protests from activists of ing at these camps. for allegedly delivering “distort events of the past World War-I that the Turks the conduct of diplomacy. with the ongoing agitation to a particular ideology. Hindu organisations. The authorities decid- inflammatory speeches aga- to advance a narrow mind- had fought back then. They distort events of the against the CAA, NPR and “I am not bothered by On Monday, a tense sit- ed to serve chicken pro- inst the amended Citizenship ed view of the present”. “We have never forgotten past to advance a narrow NRC. He also called him- such attacks. Bihar today uation prevailed at the cured from the poultry Act and a possible National New Delhi also “rejected and will never forget the minded view of the pres- self a Godse supporter needs employment and court premises as a mob farm run in police acad- Register of Citizens. the repeated attempts by help, which the Pakistani ent. India made a strong and said that “attacks not NPR. I would like to tried to attack the three emy premises. Earlier, Turkey to justify the cross people extended, by shar- demarche with the against Kanhaiya Kumar urge the state government students identified as the menu for trainee border terrorism prac- ing their own bread dur- Turkish government.” will continue”. to pass a resolution in the Ameer, Basit and Talib police comprised fish, MENSTRUATION ticed so blatantly by ing our War of The MEA added, “This The youth identified as assembly to prevent the from Shopian district of chicken, beef, omelette Pakistan”, adding that Independence. And now, recent episode is but one Chandan Kumar Gore was implementation of CAA, Kashmir. They threw and fish fry. Beef was CHECK: PRINCIPAL, “these developments have Kashmir is and will be the more example of a pattern rushed to a local govern- NPR and NRC”. Kanhaiya slippers at the police van served twice in a week. strong implications for same for us. It was of Turkey interfering in ment hospital for treat- told reporters in Lakhi- which was carrying the Meanwhile, ADGP trai- RECTOR ARRESTED our bilateral relation- Canakkale (Gallipoli) yes- the internal affairs of ment. Talking to reporters sarai. Earlier his convoy youth demanding stern ning denied that there ship”. terday and it is Kashmir other countries. India he said, “Kanhaiya Kumar was attacked in Gaya, action against them. was ban on serving beef Bhuj, Feb 17: Police on President Erdogan along today, [there is] no differ- finds that completely has been trying to create Arrah, Nawada, Katihar, Lawyers present at the in any police camp. It Monday arrested four persons, with Malaysian Prime ence,” President Erdogan unacceptable. We particu- an atmosphere of hatred Supaul, Begusarai, Hubballi court too may be recalled here including the principal of the Minister Mahathir Moha- was quoted by the Turkish larly reject the repeated through his speeches but Sitamarhi and Bhagalpur. shouted slogans like that the “beef fry” tweet Gujarat college where authori- mad have been extremely media as having told a attempts by Turkey to jus- ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ on the official twitter ties allegedly forced over 60 critical of India in the past joint session of Pakistan’s tify the cross border ter- when the police pro- handle of Kerala Touri- girls to remove their undergar- few months while support- parliament during his offi- rorism practiced so bla- references to Jammu & are friendly countries. duced the youth before sm on makar sankranthi ments to check if they were cial visit to the country. tantly by Pakistan. The Kashmir, which is an inte- We, therefore, deeply the court. Activists of day had triggered a menstruating a week ago, an ■ MEA SAYS He had further contin- demarche was made by gral and inalienable part regret that since August 6, Bajrang Dal and other major controversy. The- official said. ERDOGAN’S remarks ued, “This approach (by (the MEA’s) Secretary of India. We call upon the there have been repeated Hindu organisations re was a deliberate atte- The arrests were made after India), which aggravates (West) to the Ambassador Turkish leadership to not statements by the Turkish surrounded Hubballi- mpt from certain quar- the police filed an FIR against reflect neither an the current situation and of Turkey in New Delhi interfere in India’s inter- government on a matter Dharwad police commis- ters to add communal them for the February 11 inci- understanding of revokes the freedom and earlier today.” nal affairs and develop completely internal to sioner R Dilip demand- colour to the tweet high- dent at Shree Sahajanand history nor of conduct vested rights of the Just on Saturday, “in proper understanding of India. These statements ing immediate arrest of lighting Kerala’s popu- Girls Institute (SSGI) which of diplomacy and these Kashmiri people, does not response to queries the facts, including the are factually incorrect, the trio. Right-wing lar delicacy “Beef Ulart- caused public outrage. SSGI, a benefit anyone ... The regarding references to grave threat posed by ter- biased and unwarranted. activists accused the hiyathu” A section of self-financed college having its distort events of the Kashmir problem can be Jammu & Kashmir by the rorism emanating from We call upon Turkish gov- police of trying to pro- Twitterati attacked the own girls' hostel, is located in past to advance a solved not by conflict or Turkish President and the Pakistan to India and the ernment to get a proper tect the youth despite CPM led state govern- Bhuj town of Kutch district. narrow minded view oppression, but on the Turkey-Pakistan Joint region.” understanding of the situ- the fact that a non-bail- ment alleging that the The college is run by a trust of basis of justice and equi- Declaration”, the MEA Last October India had ation before making any able case was lodged tweet on “beef fry” was the Swaminarayan Temple of present ty.” The reference to the had said, “India rejects all said, “India and Turkey further comments.” against them. deliberately posted. and is affiliated to the Krantiguru Shyamji Krishna Verma Kutch University. Principal Rita Raninga, girls' POLITICAL | MELEE Govt, Oppn exchange ‘political colour’ and ‘muscle men’ jibes hostel rector Ramilaben 154 eminent people Hirani, college peon Naina Gorasiya and one Anita Chauhan were arrested by the police. write to President New Jamia video shows rioters in library Taking serious view of the incident, linked to a hostel New Delhi, Feb. 17: As 11 former judges of differ- New Delhi, Feb. 17: A which purportedly covering their faces with Jaiveer Shergill said the hide the truth. When rule, on Saturday, the college many as 154 prominent ent high courts, 24 retired major political row broke showed some “rioters” handkerchiefs. ruling party had been there’s no dialogue with suspended Raninga, Hirani citizens, including former IAS officers, 11 former out on Monday over some hiding in the library on In a second video, run- caught “red-handed.” the youth. When speeches and Gorasiya, said SSGI judges, bureaucrats, Indian Foreign Service videos clips showing pur- December 15. However, ning around 5.25 minutes, “They are guilty of mis- are uncouth. When gov- trustee Pravin Pindoria on armed forces officers and officers, 16 retired IPS ported thrashing of Jamia veracity of these videos people are purportedly using the police force as ernment becomes a sleuth. Monday. We today arrested all academicians, on Monday and 18 former Lieutenant students in the university could not be ascertained. seen entering the universi- their muscle men. The And data is full of ‘jhooth’ the four accused named in the said a “false and motivat- Generals, said “fear” is library by security person- “Congress party is con- ty’s library in a rush. BJP government is the (lies). Slowly democracy FIR, police inspector P H ed” campaign is being being spread across the nel in December, with the tinuously supporting anti- Some have their face cov- accused and the culprit in will weaken at its roots,” Langdhirka said. They were launched against the length and breadth of BJP accusing the social elements and those ered. the case of attack on inno- Sibal said in a tweet. produced before a local court CAA, NPR and NRC with India which appears to be Congress of giving “politi- who indulge in violence. It Rao asked why were stu- cent students. A court- The video released by the which remanded them in a sinister design to harm “motivated and with a cal colour” to the incident raises voice against the dents wearing masks and monitored investigation is JCC, a group comprising police custody for two days, the nation and sought sinister design” to harm and the Opposition party security forces and police what were they studying the need of the hour to Jamia Millia Islamia police said. The accused were action against trouble- the nation. alleging that the govern- personnel of the country,” with stones in their hands. probe this Jamia vio- (JMI) students and alumni booked under Indian Penal makers. They said the campaign ment was “misusing” the BJP spokesperson G.V.L. “Which academic disci- lence,” he said. that was formed after the Code sections 384 (extortion), In a letter to President is being carried out in a police force as its “muscle Narasimha Rao said at a pline requires students to Congress leader Kapil alleged police brutality on 355 (assault with intent to dis- Ram Nath Kovind, the cit- “coordinated manner” men.” press conference here. wear masks and hold Sibal also lashed out at the the campus on December honour a person) and 506 izens urged the central leading to violent protests The controversy was A 48-second video stones while studying?” he government for alleged 15, was also shared on (criminal intimidation), they government to look into in which public and pri- triggered by a ‘video vs released by the JCC pur- asked. “police brutality,” saying Twitter by Congress said. After the incident came the ongoing protests with vate property has been video’ war with the Jamia portedly showed some “The Congress party when policemen hide the leader Priyanka Gandhi to light, a seven-member team all seriousness and safe- destroyed. Coordination Committee seven to eight paramili- always choose to stand truth and there is no dia- Vadra on Sunday. of the National Commission guard the democratic They said there has (JCC) releasing a CCTV tary and police personnel with those who are inimi- logue with the youth, Priyanka Gandhi had for Women (NCW) on Sunday institutions of the coun- been a “false and nefari- footage of alleged “police entering the Old Reading cal to the country and rile democracy will slowly said that if no action is met the girl inmates of the try, and take stern action ous narrative” about the brutality” in old reading Hall and beating up stu- up security forces,” the weaken at its roots. taken even after the video, hostel. The incident took place against those people recently enacted legisla- hall, only to be countered dents with batons. The BJP spokesperson added. “Police brutality in then the government’s on February 11 in the college- behind them. tions like the CAA, NPR by a ‘leaked’ Delhi Police paramilitary and police Hitting out at the BJP, Jamia library, December intentions will stand hostel _ PTI The citizens, including and NRC. — PTI Crime Branch video personnel are also seen Congress spokesperson 15 (Tape). When policemen exposed. — PTI NATION DECCAN CHRONICLE | TUESDAY | 18 FEBRUARY 2020 | CHENNAI pg 8

SHORT TAKES Religion can be subject MARANDI’S JVM HEADS matter of reform: SC New Delhi, Feb. 17: A 9- cial scrutiny into “essential FOR A SPLIT judge bench of the Supreme religious practices” of sepa- Court observed on Monday rate “religious denomina- SREEPARNA that making offerings at tions”. CHAKRABARTY | DC places of worship may be a The bench is also examin- NEW DELHI/RANCHI, FEB. 17 religious practice, but the ing the issue whether a per- law can regulate the money son, who does not belong to The Jharkhand Vikas Morcha donated at such places if it a particular faith, can file a (JVM) founded by Babulal is used for “terrorism” or PIL questioning the reli- Marandi headed for a straight “running casinos”. gious practice of another split on Monday with the for- The top court said the old religion or sect of a reli- mer Chief Minister announc- practices of “human sacri- gion. ing the merger of the party fices” and ‘sati’ amounted The questions have arisen with the BJP, shortly after to murder under law and out of a judgement in the which the two other JVM could not be saved on Sabarimala case. Indian MLAs surfaced at the AICC ground of “essential reli- Penal Code can be read as Headquarters in Delhi saying gious practice”. the guard against the prac- they were joining the The Constitution bench, tice of human sacrifices, Congress. headed by Chief Justice because it is murder under The two MLAs Pradeep S.A. Bobde, made these the IPC. Yadav and Bandhu Tirkey observations as it com- Likewise ‘sati’ also claimed that at a meeting on menced hearing to deliber- amounted to murder... Even Sunday an overwhelming 95 ate upon the issues pertain- a religious aspect can be the per cent of the workers of the ing to the scope of freedom subject matter of reform,” JVM had decided to join the of religion as also of judi- said the bench —PTI Congress. Tirkey said that the party has passed a resolution to this TENDERS / NOTICES effect and Congress President Sonia Gandhi has accepted that. The Congress said that since West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee meets Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar at the Raj Bhavan in Kolkata, Monday. — PTI the two out of three existing JVM legislators had joined the party, anti-defection law does not apply as two-thirds of the floor strength of the party was with them. Yadav is also the Mamata meets Bengal guv party’s floor leader in the Jharkhand Assembly. Questioned as to whether the ruling alliance would seek the disqualification of Marandi Didi heralds new chapter in ties with Raj Bhavan then, Congress general secre- AJIB CHOWDHURI I DC Bhavan and met Mr Mamata Banerjee called Mr Dhankhar came close State Commission for tary in-charge of Jharkhand KOLKATA, FEB. 17 Dhankhar. on the Hon'ble West on the heels of the Scheduled Castes/Tribes R.P.N. Singh said that it was an She left after an hour. Bengal Governor Governor's show cause Bill, 2019-- with Mr issue on which the speaker of In what may herald a Later Mr Dhankhar Jagdeep Dhankhar at Raj notice to Prof Debkumar Dhankhar as the two the Assembly has to take a call. new chapter in the rela- tweeted, “Had an extre- Bhawan, Kolkata today. Mukhopadhyay, vice- bills are yet to get the Meanwhile in Ranchi, the tions between the mely satisfying an hour The meeting lasted for an chancellor of Governor's approval due former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee gov- long interaction with hour and there was inter- Coochbehar Panchanan to administrative wran- announced the merger of the ernment and West Hon’ble Chief Minister action as regards varied Barma University for gles. Mr Dhankhar had JVM with the Bharatiya Bengal Governor, the Mamata Banerjee at Raj issues of governance. allegedly not inviting the invited Ms Banerjee and Janata Party at an event in the Trinamul Congress Bhawan,” while sharing First Lady Smt Sudesh Chancellor to the convo- the opposition leaders for presence of home minister supremo on Monday the photos of their meet- Dhankhar also greeted cation recently. The a discussion on the two Amit Shah and BJP chief J.P. called on Jagdeep ing. The Governor had the Hon’ble Chief Governor's strong step bills last month. Nadda. Dhankhar at the Raj been eager to meet the Minister when she on the V-C has put the While leader of the Bhavan amidst tussle CM one-on-one since arrived. The meeting was state government in a Opposition Abdul between the two sides on December reaching out between the Hon’ble tight spot. Mannan and CPI(M) TWO MORE ON various issues. This was to her on a number of Chief Minister Mamata Sources however indi- Legislature Party leader the first meeting between occasions. But the state Banerjee and Governor cated that the CM had Sujan Chakraborty met them since July last year government cited Ms Jagdeep Dhankhar. No discussions on two Mr Dhankhar for the dis- SHIP TEST +VE when Mr Dhankhar Banerjee's preoccupa- officials were present as important bills-- The cussion on the two bills, became the Governor. At tion. this was one to one meet- West Bengal (Prevention the CM's meeting had FOR COVID-19 around 11.55 am the chief The Raj Bhavan stated, ing.” of Lynching) Bill, 2019 been due with the Tokyo, Feb. 17: Two more minister reached the Raj “Hon’ble Chief Minister Ms Banerjee's visit to and The West Bengal Governor. Indians on board a quarantined cruise ship off Japan have been tested positive for the novel coronavirus, taking the number Indian nationals SEPARATE J&K THEATRE infected with the virus on the vessel to six, according to an official statement on Monday. COMMAND SOON: CDS The Indian Embassy here PAWAN BALI | DC said in a statement that 99 new NEW DELHI, FEB. 17 positive cases on-board Diamond Princess have been India will have a peninsular command for mar- confirmed on February 17, itime security, a separate J&K theatre command, bringing the total number to and air defence command, said Chief of Defence 454. Staff Gen. Bipin Rawat on Monday. “This included 2 Indian crew He said that India will start rolling theatre com- members who have been mand by 2022 but air defence command will be the transferred to medical facili- first to be set up by the beginning of ties for necessary treatment 2021 and a peninsular command by and quarantine. The number end of 2021. He said that by the end of Indian nationals who have of 2020 directive will be issued to set tested positive for COVID-19 up a study group for the theatreisa- now stands at six,” it said. tion, under which personnel and “The four Indian crew mem- A private plane which made an emergency landing due to fuel leakage at Eradikera assets from Army, Navy and Air bers who earlier tested posi- village in Anantapuram district of Andhra Pradesh, Monday. — PTI Force in an area will come under sin- tive continue to receive treat- gle commander. ment. Their health conditions are stable and responding well to the treatment,” it added. The embassy said it is co- Deora-Maken twitter ordinating with the Japanese government and ship management company for health and welfare of all Indian national war on Delhi poll rout on board. “The embassy is in constant touch with on board Indian DC CORRESPONDENT @ArvindKejriwal-led Delhi nationals who are successfully NEW DELHI, FEB. 17 Government doubled its rev- braving out the situation and enues to Rs 60,000 crore & understand public health safe- A bitter spat broke out on maintained a revenue sur- ty in such situations,” the Twitter between Congress plus over the last 5 years. statement said. leaders Milind Deora and Food for thought: Delhi is A total of 138 Indians, Ajay Maken over the Delhi now one of India’s most fis- including 132 crew and 6 pas- election results, in which the cally prudent governments,” sengers, were among the 3,711 grand old party was routed. he said. people on board the ship that Officially, the Congress came To this, Mr Maken, a former arrived at the Japanese coast out in support of its Delhi Delhi Congress chief, was earlier this month. unit with chief spokesman quick to reply, doling out The ship was quarantined Randeep Singh Surjewala some figures: “Brother, you after a passenger who de- asking leaders outside Delhi want to leave @INCIndia — boarded last month in Hong to introspect on their own Please do — Then propagate Kong was found to be the car- “performances and responsi- half baked facts! However, let rier of the COVID-19 on the bilities”. me share even lesser known ship. The Embassy said it was It all began with the facts-1997-98-BE (Revenue) making efforts for early de- Mumbai Congress leader 4,073 crore 2013-14-BE boarding of all the Indians praising Delhi chief minister (Revenue) 37,459 crore. from the ship after the end of Arvind Kejriwal in a tweet. During Congress the quarantine period. “Sharing a lesser known & Government (it) Grew at 14.87 welcome fact — the per cent CAGR”. Tourists chased by tigers in MP RABINDRA NATH CHOUDHURY ● A TOURIST bus was caught guide shot the video. The guide | DC in the crossfire in the territori- and the driver of the bus should BHOPAL, FEB. 17 al fight of two tigers and one have ensured safety of the tourists as well as the animals A tourist bus carrying passen- of the two big cats grabbed in the safari. Instead of speed- gers was chased by a tiger in the window curtain of the bus ing off the bus, the driver Nandanvan jungle safari in causing panic. should have waited till the situ- Raipur in Chhattisgarh, caus- ation normalized. It is a clear ing panic among the tourists. sacked from job in connection violation of safety protocol by Similar incident has also been with the incident,” Nadnanvan the two safari staff,” Belle said. reported from Kanha Tiger jungle safari director Mercy Another video showing a tiger reserve in Madhya Pradesh Belle told the media on Monday. attempting to attack an open recently. According to official reports, jeep carrying tourists in Kanha A video showing the tiger the tourist bus was caught in National Park in Madhya chasing the tourist bus in the crossfire in the territorial Pradesh also surfaced on Nandanvan jungle safari on fight of two tigers and one of Monday. Monday went viral prompting the two big cats grabbed the The video showed the tiger the Chhattisgarh forest depart- window curtain of the bus in suddenly appearing from a bush ment to terminate services of the process, causing panic and advancing menacingly driver of the bus and the guide. among the tourists. toward the tourists. The guide The incident took place on One of the tourists had asked and the tourists were heard in Friday evening.“Driver of the the driver to speed off the bus to the video clip shouting at the bus Om Prakash Bharti and escape from the chasing tiger. tiger leading the wild animal to guide Navin Purania were “The probe has found that the return to the forest. WORLD DECCAN CHRONICLE | TUESDAY | 18 FEBRUARY 2020 | CHENNAI pg 9

IN BRIEF Virus preventable, With 105 new deaths, toll at 1,770 says health official Beijing: The novel coronavirus that has killed more 2,048 fresh cases confirmed, total number of those infected rises to 70,548 than 1,700 people in China is Beijing, Feb. 17: China "preventable and treatable", reported 105 new deaths an official from the country's due to the new coronavir- National Health Commission us on Monday, pushing the said on Monday. Guo overall death toll to 1,770, Yanhong, a hospital adminis- as officials announced str- tration supervisor at the ingent measures such as commission, made the closing non-essential publ- remarks at a daily press con- ic venues and traffic restr- ference, in which she also ictions to control the epid- said the percentage of infect- emic in the worst-hit Hu- ed patients in virus epicentre bei province. Wuhan who are critically ill The National Health Co- had dropped to 18 per cent mmission said 2,048 new now from 38 per cent at the cases of the virus have beginning of the outbreak. been confirmed, taking the total number of COVID-19 infected cases to Taiwan embraces 70,548, the state-run Xinh- ua news agency reported. cute mascots Of the new deaths, 100 were from Hubei Province, Taipei: While China deploys three in Henan, and two in stern communist slogans in Guangdong. Though 10,844 its battle against a deadly people had been discharg- new coronavirus, democratic ed from hospitals after rec- Taiwan has embraced cuddly overy, the commission said mascots and humour to ease in its daily report said that public anxiety and educate 7,264 people were still sus- on best practices. Images of pected to be infected by the cute animals have featured in deadly virus. daily social media updates By Sunday, 57 confirmed from government agencies to cases including one death tackle disinformation and pr- had been reported from event the spread of infectio- Hong Kong, 10 in Macao, ns. The health ministry has and 20 in Taiwan, includ- deployed a cartoon “spokes- ing one death. dog” — a Shiba Inu called Hubei, where 18 cities Zongchai — that has proved with over 50 million people a hit with hashtags of his are under lockdown since name going viral and posts January 23, announced a shared thousands of times. slew of more stringent me- Recent contributions have asures to control the epid- included advice on hygiene emic, including enforcing and quarantine regulations as province-wide traffic rest- well as reminding people to rictions on all non-emerg- use face masks judiciously ency vehicles and closing given the ongoing shortages all non-essential public ve- since the new virus exploded nues. A circular by the pr- in China. “Leave face masks ovincial government said This photo shows a man (R) who has recovered from the COVID-19 coronavirus infection donating plasma in Lianyungang of China’s eastern Jiangsu province. — AFP for those who need them, the health screening cam- frequently wash your hands paign should be strength- with soap, reduce touching ened and no one should be eyes, nose and mouth with missed. Also, companies hands,” read one update. should not resume produc- tion unless allowed by loc- China asks recovered patients to donate plasma al authorities. Those that WHO experts join have resumed work, inclu- Beijing, Feb. 17: Chinese I WOULD like to scharged, one is able to get ding public institutions, health officials Monday make a call to all off the bed and walk and field inspections should follow strict preve- urged patients who have cured patients to donate the others are all recover- ntion measures. The meas- recovered from the coron- ing,” she said. Beijing likely to postpone Beijing: Top WHO experts, ures came as the situation avirus to donate blood so their plasma so that they The call comes days after including from the US, have remains “grave”, the cir- that plasma can be extract- can bring hope to China’s state-owned med- joined the fight against the cular added. On Sunday, ed to treat others who are critically ill patients. ical products maker repor- novel coronavirus in China the commission announc- critically ill. ted successful results from head, annual Parliament session that has claimed 1,770 lives, ed a drop in new cases, su- Drugmakers are racing GUO YANHONG, its trial at Wuhan First as Beijing stepped up its eff- ggesting that epidemic co- to develop a vaccine and medical administration People’s Hospital. Beijing, Feb. 17: China is spread of the coronavirus to adopt its national agen- orts by deploying 30,000 ntrol measures were tak- treatment for the epidem- department of China’s China National Biotec considering a rare move to (COVID-19), the NPC Stan- da, including the annual more medical staff in the wo- ing effect. — PTI ic. Plasma from patients National Health Group Co. said in a post on postpone its annual parlia- ding Committee is to disc- budgets. Together the NPC rst-affected Wuhan city to who have recovered from a Commission its official WeChat account ment session scheduled to uss postponing this year’s and the CPPCC have over contain the spread of the ep- IN WUHAN, the spell of pneumonia trigge- that severely ill patients be held in early March as NPC plenary session, the 5,000 delegates. ‘ idemic. China’s National Hea- epicentre of the red by COVID-19 contains receiving plasma infusio- the country grapples with state-run China Daily said China is discouraging lth Commission (NHC) said epidemic, the proportion antibodies that can help the NHC’s medical admin- ns “improved within 24 the coronavirus outbreak in a brief report. large gathering to prevent on Monday that 105 people of severe cases among reduce the virus load in cr- istration department. hours”. “Clinical studies that has claimed over 1,700 If the NPC, which is held the spread of the virus. died of the virus on Sunday the confirmed cases fell itically ill patients, an offi- Eleven patients at a hos- have shown that infusing lives, official media repor- every year along with the The postponement is repo- while 2,048 new cases of inf- from a peak of 32.4 per cial from China’s National pital in Wuhan — the epi- plasma (from recovered ted on Monday. advisory body Chinese Pe- rtedly being contemplated ection have been confirmed, Health Commission told a centre of the disease — patients) is safe and effect- The 13th National Peopl- oples Political Consultati- as the coronavirus contin- taking the total number of cent on January 28 to press briefing Monday. received plasma infusions ive,” Sun said. Blood don- e’s Congress (NPC), the co- ve Conference (CPPCC), is ued its virulent run, thou- COVID-19 infected cases to 21.6 per cent on “I would like to make a last week, said Sun Yanro- ers will undergo a test to untry’s top legislature, is postponed, it will be regar- gh officials say it is slowi- 70,548, the state run Xinhua February 15. call to all cured patients to ng, of the Biological Cent- ensure that they are not due to hold its annual sess- ded as an unprecedented ng down. China reported news agency reported. Of donate their plasma so er at the Ministry of Scie- carrying the virus, said ion in Beijing on March 5, move. The ruling Commu- 105 new deaths due to the the new deaths, 100 were re- MI FENG, spokesperson that they can bring hope to nce and Technology. Wang Guiqiang, chief phy- according to an official nist Party of China (CPC) coronavirus on Monday, ported from the central Hub- of China’s National critically ill patients,” said “One patient (among sician at Peking Univers- announcement in Decemb- considers two sessions as increasing the overall ei province, three in the cent- Health Commission Guo Yanhong, who heads them) has already been di- ity First Hospital. — AFP er last year. But amid the significant political event death toll to 1,770. — PTI ral Henan province, and two in the southern Guangdong province. The efforts to com- bat coronavirus picked up SHIP OPERATOR pace with the global experts mobilised by the WHO join- 99 more cases found on ship RACES TO TRACK ing hands with their Chinese counterparts. China has con- Tokyo, Feb. 17: An addi- firmed that the WHO team tional 99 people have test- 1,716 HEALTH PASSENGERS reportedly comprising 12 ed positive for coron- 14 US evacuees members includes experts avirus on a cruise ship off Phnom Penh, Feb. 17: from the US, a major demand the Japan coast, Japanese WORKERS A US cruise operator is from Washington. media said Monday, citing working to track down new figures from the INFECTED test +ve for virus hundreds of passengers health ministry. who disembarked a lux- That would take the total Chengdu (China), Feb. Washington, Feb. 17: ■ THE PASSENGERS ury liner in Cambodia number of positive cases 17: For the first time since Fourteen people who had were preparing to after one traveller was RUSSIAN WHO on the Diamond Princess the beginning of the outb- tested positive for the new later diagnosed with the to 454. The health minis- reak, China’s National He- coronavirus were among return to the US when deadly coronavirus. FLED SENT BACK try declined to confirm alth Commission reported the more than 300 US citi- officials were informed The Westerdam was at The public gathering to celebrate Emperor Naruhito’s the reports immediately. that at least 1,716 health zens and family members 14 of them who were sea for two weeks during birthday has been cancelled amid fears over the It was also not clear whe- workers had been infected evacuated by plane from a which it was barred TO HOSPITAL ther the figures included while treating patients. quarantined ship in Jap- tested days earlier were from Japan, Guam, the coronavirus outbreak. — AFP Saint Petersburg, Feb. 17: A 14 US citizens who tested This has raised concerns an, the US State Departm- positive for COVID-19. Philippines, Taiwan and court in Saint Petersburg on positive for the virus but about the capability of the ent said Monday. Thailand over fears it Monday ordered a woman to be were allowed to board eva- government to protect the The passengers had alr- could be carrying the vi- forcibly returned to coronavir- JAPAN CANCELS EMPEROR’S B’DAY cuation flights home. The caregivers in direct con- eady disembarked from containment area on the rus, which originated in us quarantine in hospital after Tokyo, Feb. 17: Japan day,” the imperial house- Diamond Princess vessel tact with the afflicted. the Diamond Princess and evacuation aircraft to iso- China and has killed she broke out and went home. said Monday it would can- hold agency said in a moored in Yokohama near Zeng Yixin, deputy dire- were preparing to return late them in accordance more than 1,700 people. The city’s Botkin hospital cel a public gathering to statement a day after the Tokyo has become the sec- ctor of China's health co- to the United States on ch- with standard protocols,” Cambodia, a staunch filed a highly unusual request celebrate the birthday of government issued a ond-largest cluster of cor- mmission said that infect- artered aircraft when US it said. ally of Beijing, allowed for a court order to hospitalise new Emperor Naruhito, warning to people to onavirus cases outside the ed medical workers comp- officials were informed 14 “During the flights, the- the ship to dock Thursd- 33-year-old Alla Ilyina after she as fears grow over the avoid crowds and “non- epicentre in China. rise 3.8 percent of all who of them who had been tes- se individuals will contin- ay at its southern coast- posted on social media about spread of the new coron- essential gatherings”. Passengers have been have contracted the virus ted days earlier were posi- ue to be isolated from the al town of Sihanoukvi- breaking out of her isolation avirus in the country. “His Majesty’s appear- largely confined to quar- in China. He told the num- tive for COVID-19, it said other passengers.” The fir- lle, with authorities car- room, complaining of inedible “In light of various situ- ance in the morning as ters since February 5 with ber would not rise as Chi- in a joint statement with st flight is due to land sho- rying out temperature food and a lack of necessities ations, we have decided to well as the public signing only brief and occasional na was increasing efforts the Department of Health rtly at a US Air Force base checks on passengers such as shampoo. The court ru- cancel the visit by the ge- of the greeting book will breaks to take air on deck to ensure that supply of and Human Services. in California, where all before they left the ship led in favour of her “forced ho- neral public to the palace be cancelled.” — with face masks. protective equipment wo- “These individuals were will undergo 14 days’ to catch flights home. spitalisation” which it said for His Majesty’s birth- — AFP — AFP uld be adequate. moved to a specialised quarantine. — AFP But one traveller was must be carried out immediate- stopped late Saturday on ly. Court bailiffs escorted her to arriving in Malaysia af- an ambulance after the hear- ter airport staff detected ing, local television showed. NATURE’S | FURY Weather agency issues ‘danger to life’ warning after flooding and high winds a fever. She was later di- Ilyina had visited the Chinese agnosed with the coron- resort island of Hainan, retur- avirus. The 83-year-old ning by plane on February 1. A American woman is un- few days after returning she der observation at a hos- developed a slight temperature Storm Dennis wreaks havoc in UK, France pital while her husband, and sore throat. Doctors diagn- 85, is also being monito- osed her with “acute virus illn- London, Feb 17: Britain ■ A RECORD 594 warned in South Wales and par- extensive flooding to prop- red. Some 137 passen- ess” that they suspected could on Monday began to clear ings and alerts had ts of western England due erty and road closures”. gers from the Westerd- be the new coronavirus. up after Storm Dennis bat- to flooding. Pictures circulated on so- am who also took the She was placed in 14-day qua- tered the country over the been put in place, The storm also battered cial media showed the ne- Malaysia flight with the rantine on February 6 but fled weekend, leading the gov- extending from much of France, with arby River Taff bursting American have now left a day later, according to the lo- ernment’s weather agency Scotland’s River Tweed some 20,000 people still wi- its banks, while rescue wo- on commercial flights cal health watchdog. She post- to issue a rare “danger to thout electricity on Mond- rkers rushed to reach peo- for other destinations. ed Instagram videos giving de- life” warning amid wide- to Cornwall in south- ay after suffering power ple trapped in their homes Cruise operator Holla- tails of her escape method and spread flooding and high west England. cuts in the northwest of in Powys. Police said a nd America said late detailing complaints over bla- winds. Hundreds of flood the country and rail traffic man in his 60s died after Sunday it was in “close nd food and lack of fresh air. warnings remained in pla- disrupted. In south Wales, entering River Tawe, nor- coordination” with Mal- The hospital's chief doctor res- ce, including five “severe” A record 594 warnings the government’s weather th of Swansea, but later cl- aysian and Cambodian ponded by filing legal action to warnings around the Riv- and alerts had been put in agency issued a rare red arified that the death was officials alongside expe- return Ilyina. She has to stay er Teme in Worcestershire place on Sunday, extendi- warning, saying there was not “linked to the adverse rts from the World Hea- in hospital until at least Febr- in western England, after ng from Scotland’s River a risk of “significant imp- weather”. Winds of over lth Organisation and the uary 19 and must receive two more than a month’s wor- Tweed to Cornwall in sou- acts from flooding” that 90 miles per hour were re- Members of emergency services check shops on a street US Centers for Disease negative test results before th of rain fell in 48 hours thwest England, while ma- included a “danger to life corded in Aberdaron, sou- in Tenbury Wells, England, on Monday, after the River Control and Prevention. leaving. — AFP in some parts of Britain. jor incidents were declar- from fast flowing water, th Wales. — AFP Teme broke its banks amid Storm Dennis. — AFP — AFP c m y k c m y k EDIT DECCAN CHRONICLE | TUESDAY | 18 FEBRUARY 2020 | CHENNAI pg 10

18 FEBRUARY 2020

Trump’s visit: Expect Subhani optics, not substance S President Donald Trump is looking forward to his first official visit to India, when the optics will be very high indeed. It’s likely that Mr Trump will be pleased as punch as there will be huge Ucrowds waiting for him during a roadshow with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The two leaders share a particular chemistry that was apparent ever since they first met and bear-hugged. The theatrics of their friendship will be high as it was during Mr Modi’s visit to Texas, when Mr Trump joined him at the “Howdy, Modi!” event. The question is: how use- ful will this visit by a fourth consecutive US President be in advancing US- India ties, that are already strong and may have grown during Mr Trump’s four years at the White House. A Trump promise on a trade deal with India has been in the air for some time. But it seems unlikely that an agreement will be signed during the February 24-25 visit as negotiations have run aground. Any deal to lessen India’s surplus, that shrank to about $16 billion from an earlier $30 billion, won’t be favourable. Losing more of the trade surplus with a big partner LETTERS will only affect the smaller economy. The strategic part of their talks might prove more substantive, but once again it will be the US that will It’s too early for AAP to PULWAMA ANNIVERSARY benefit more as it sells India more helicopters, and grants allow the acqui- On February 14, the nation sition of an integrated air defence weapon system. The missile shield will paid homage to the martyrs of be more than a symbolic furtherance of ties as it means India would get the Pulwama terror attack on even closer to being in the global American axis. As one of the world’s its first anniversary. However, biggest arms importers, India should be in an advantageous position to negotiate terms. Realistically, it doesn’t work that way as quality comes in expand beyond Delhi the dreadful and spine-chilling anything at a price. incident that took the lives of It’s a quirk of history that India’s ties with the US have been warmer in 40 CRPF jawans reveals the the Republican years of the two George Bushes and now Mr Trump than handed out by the remained focused painful fact of how colossal it was during the Clinton and Obama years, particularly the latter, when Kejriwal government around the face of Mr our intelligence lapse was. the loss of US jobs was attributed to “Bangalored”, or outsourcing to India. contributed to this mas- Kejriwal. During his The Trump administration makes no bones about employing more restric- sive mandate, but this campaign, he went to the While the JeM suicide bomber tive visa practices for immigrants as well as IT workers. It must be a dis- election remained large- extent of saying “vote began his groundwork a year appointment to a large part of India’s highly qualified workforce that ties Sanjay Kumar ly focused on the devel- for me only if you con- ago, his activities raised an aren’t warm enough to permit exceptions. This is one area in which Mr opment work done by sider me as your son, alarm among intelligence units Modi can lean on chemistry to make it better for aspiring Indians. the AAP government in don’t vote for me if you in the valley. Despite Given the circumstances in which the visit will take place, it’s clear that, the past five years. The consider me as a terror- adequate intelligence that having been absolved of charges in the Senate impeachment trial, Mr CSDS governance study ist”. The AAP benefited Trump will be the dominant personality at the summit. It’s no secret that conducted in early from the fact that it had suggested a strike, a convoy the abrogation of Article 370 and the passing of the Citizenship aving regis- juncture would be a tall December 2019 captured Mr Kejriwal’s “face” at of 78 vehicles carrying more (Amendment) Act are big pinpricks, that will come up in the discussions. tered a stun- order. The sweeping vic- the mood of the people of the head of its campaign. than 2,500 CRPF personnel Reiterating the usual Indian line about these being “internal matters” ning victory, tory in Delhi does not Delhi regarding the AAP The BJP, on the other was rolled out from Jammu to may not cut much ice. India must do more to convince the US in order to Arvind give any indication of government’s work in hand, had no such credi- Srinagar, which officials had ensure that bilateral relations remain cordial. Kejriwal the rising popularity of the fields of education ble, visible face. It once later described as 'foolhardy' Halong with six ministers the AAP or Arvind and health — and indi- again depended on the took the oath for the Kejriwal in other states. cated widespread charisma and charm of to transport troops in bulk in a third time as Delhi chief Even in Delhi, this victo- approval of the AAP’s its top national leaders semi-war zone. While it must minister at Delhi’s his- ry should only be seen as work. Though Delhi wit- — mainly Prime be thanked that a memorial to Jamia: Cops on backfoot toric Ramlila Maidan on voters wanting Mr nessed an acerbic cam- Minister Modi. In a state the slain CRPF personnel was Sunday. This victory in Kejriwal to be Delhi’s paign waged by the BJP poll, this clearly worked inaugurated at the Lethpora nmistakable visual evidence has emerged of unwarranted police itself was remarkable, chief minister. There is on the basis of emotive in favour of the AAP as action on the students of Jamia Millia Islamia on December 15, a few with 62 of the no indication if voters and national issues, the almost two-fifths of camp in J&K, one equally Udays after the Citizenship (Amendment) Act was passed — widely Assembly’s 70 seats, but would express the same voter sentiment that the those satisfied with the wonders how the 80-kg RDX seen as heralding the indefensible plan to filter out underprivileged what was even more political choice if there CSDS survey had cap- Modi government’s per- trespassed the international Muslims via a National Register for Citizens. The video, released by the remarkable was that the was a Lok Sabha elec- tured in early December formance voted for the borders to the most armed Jamia Coordination Committee, shows masked paramilitary personnel AAP was up against an tion soon. Prime did not change much. AAP. Mr Modi remains zone on earth. storming Jamia’s Old Reading Hall and thrashing youngsters at study army of very experi- Minister Narendra Modi This was because voters very popular with R. Sivakumar, Chennai desks. A young man lost his eye. It was the flashpoint of the people’s resis- enced BJP leaders who still remains a very pop- saw the election mainly Delhi’s voters; yet they tance against the CAA, which gathered steam after the government’s campaigned relentlessly ular leader with the peo- as a question of Delhi’s chose Mr Kejriwal over moves over the National Population Register. As of today, 33 lives have against the AAP and ple of Delhi when it governance. In this Mr Modi mainly because ILL-TREATMENT OF STUDENTS been lost to the nationwide protests. Arvind Kejriwal, some comes to heading the sense, the victory of the they were conscious that Apropos the shocking news report The path of dissent is never easy. But the law gives Indian citizens the of whom engaged in a government at the AAP was clearly a vote this was a question of Dalit students, victims of caste slur in freedom to assemble peacefully to voice opinions, the very lever that very shrill and negative Centre. The verdict of for performance on the who would head the Kovai school. There are stringent laws moves democracy and our system of governance. It doesn’t give the police campaign. But the AAP four elections — the 2014 ground. The water, elec- state government. prohibiting extraction of any kind of the right to shut it down with violence, as it did in Washermanpet, Tamil sailed against all odds to and 2019 Lok Sabha polls tricity, education and The BJP’s last-minute manual work especially cleansing Nadu, without provocation, on Friday. Yet no FIR has been lodged for the victory. The message by and the 2015 and 2020 healthcare record of the efforts to polarise voters work from students including sweep- Jamia library incident, forcing the university to move the Delhi high Mr Kejriwal in his pub- Assembly elections — government was clearly and win back the sup- ing of school premises. In spite of it the court. Instead, the Delhi police crime branch released its own video of a lic address after the oath are clear evidence of the its USP. The CSDS sur- port of those who voted news of students being ordered to young man entering the library with stones in a purported bid to justify made this victory far voters of Delhi express- vey indicated that three for it in the Lok Sabha cleaning school toilets by the head- its crackdown by insinuating a possible intent of violence. more remarkable. Mr ing a spilt verdict. While of every five of those polls six months ago did- mistress of the school in Kovai is out- It hasn’t convinced anyone of their lack of culpability. With the Kejriwal said that irre- in the 2014 and 2019 Lok who traditionally n’t cut much ice. While rageous and highly condemnable. Opposition stepping up criticism, special commissioner of police (intelli- spective of who voted for Sabha elections, the BJP backed the BJP said possibly it did con- Worse is that the headmistress has gence) Praveer Ranjan has been pushed to the backfoot, and he has now him or not, he consid- managed to win all they favoured a AAP vic- tribute to the BJP’s rise chosen only the Dalit students for the promised an investigation. Will there result, as a consequence, new police ered everyone as “part seven Lok Sabha seats tory due to the govern- in voteshare compared task with caste bias. The very inhu- reforms freeing members of the force to act according to the law and own of his family” and and cornered a huge ment’s performance to the last Assembly man attitude to segregate students on conscience, instead of government diktats? Will the Delhi police be promised to work for all chunk of votes, the same record. This mattered a election, it was not suffi- caste basis itself is cruel. The con- shamed into taking action against its own? There is always hope! the people of Delhi. He voters voted for the AAP lot for the “pro-incum- cient to reduce the wide cerned head of the school has crossed added he “forgives his in the 2015 and 2020 bency” sentiment in gap that had developed all limits of civilised behaviour in hit- opponents for their Assembly elections in a favour of the AAP. between the BJP and ting the girl students and for having remarks against him”, big way. During the 2015 By asking the people of AAP. At the end of the used caste slur for having refused to and wanted take every- Assembly elections, the Delhi to convey to day, governance and ser- cleanse the toilets. DECCAN CHRONICLE one along with him. He AAP won 67 seats and friends and relatives in vice delivery appeared Kallal ML. Raghavan, Chennai ADITYA SINHA T. VENKATESWARULU also sought the “bless- polled 54 per cent votes their villages that their to trump the politics of Editor Printer & Publisher ings” of Prime Minister while in 2020 it won 62 “son” had become the emotive appeals and CRIMINALS IN POLITICS R. MOHAN Narendra Modi. seats and polled 53.5 per chief minister, Mr divisiveness. Mr Resident Editor Our multi-party parliamentary sys- DECCAN CHRONICLE offices are located at: There was also a clear cent votes. The CSDS Kejriwal was trying to Kejriwal in his address tem of democracy has more ingredi- Chennai: SP 3 Developed Plot, Industrial Estate, Guindy, Chennai 600032. Phones: (044) 22254747, signal that he wanted to survey also indicated send out the message did say that the elections ents of making it to function more 22254748 expand the AAP beyond that one-third of those that the people of Delhi were over, and whether Coimbatore: 77 Vivekananda Road, Ramnagar, Coimbatore 641009. Phone: (0422) 2231255, 2231256 negatively rather than positively. Hyderabad: 36, Sarojini Devi Road, Secunderabad 500 003. Phone: (040) 27803930-4. Fax: (040) 27805256. Delhi. In his speech, he who voted for the BJP in had rejected BJP lead- you had voted for the When politics is considered as the Bengaluru: 5th Floor, BMTC Commercial Complex, 80 Ft. Road, Koramangala, Bangalore-560095. Ph: urged people to “call your the 2019 Lok Sabha polls ers’ equating Arvind AAP or not, you are a “last resort of scoundrels” (G.B. 08043460500; Fax: 080-22960551/52/55 villages and tell them switched their vote to Kejriwal as a “terror- part of my family — Shah), the entry of criminals into its Visakhapatnam: Survey No. 1/3A Beach Road, Near Kailasagiri Ropeway, Sector-9 MVP Colony, the AAP in 2020. ist”. The Delhi elections clearly trying to send Visakhapatnam - 530 017. Phones: (0891) 2552333/2552334, Fax (0891) 2755285 that their son has become nucleus surprises none at all. The Vijayawada: No. C 3 & 4, Patamata, Industrial Estate, Auto Nagar, Vijayawada (A.P.). Phones: (0866) the chief minister, and Mr Kejriwal, in his out a positive message of meaningful directions of the 2555284/ 2555287, Fax (0866) 2555234 there is no need to Ramlila address, seemed his commitment to work Supreme Court, Publicise tainted Rajahmundry: Vemagiri, Dhawleswaram Rd, Rajahmundry 533125. Phones: (0883) 2417208, 2417618 worry”. After all, he had somewhat on the defen- A CSDS survey for all the people of Delhi Anantapur: Thapovan Colony, Bangalore Bye-Pass Road, Anantapur 515004. Phones: (08554) 276903, netas, SC tells political parties (Feb Fax: 08554-276904 taken the oath as Delhi’s sive over the charge that indicated that three as he begins his third .14) will become meaningless as long Nellore: Survey No. 527/2, Burranpur Village, Venkatachalam (M), Chemudugunta Panchayat, Nellore. CM, so why should he he had only won because of every five of innings in government. as the people vote for them , with or Phone: (0861) 2348581/ 82, Telefax (0861) 2348580 ask people to call their of the freebies. He said: those who without knowledge of such criminal Karimnagar: Survey No. 1341, Vavilalapally Colony, Jagityala Road, Karimnagar 505 001. “I am accused of distrib- The writer is a Phone: (0878 ) 2228908; Telefax (0878) 2220433 family members in vil- traditionally backed activities, as they simply have in Kochi: No. 3-B, 3rd Floor, DD TRADE TOWER, Kaloor-Kadavanthara Road, Ernakulam, lages? This was a clear uting freebies. But all professor at the Centre mind only the beloved top leader of Ph: 0484-4039408 indication he would try good things in the world the BJP said for the Study of party of their choice. Searching for a Kozhikode: No 6/1002 E, First Floor City Mall, Opp. YMCA Kannur Road, Kozhikode - 673 001 Developing Societies. He Fax : 0495 4019018 to reach out to people like a mother’s love and they favoured an good devil from Hell to represent the Thiruvananthapuram: St Joseph Press Thycaud post, Cotton Hills, Thiruvananthapuram-14, Ph: 0471- beyond the geographical a father’s blessings are AAP victory due to is also a psephologist people in governance is indeed a diffi- 2735105/6/7, Fax: 0471-4016112 Gram: CHRONICLE Postal registration no: No. H/SD-348/2006-08 and a political commen- boundaries of Delhi. free. Delhi loves the government’s cult task in the present scenario of However, for the AAP, Kejriwal. I love Delhi. tator and analyst. electoral politics. expanding the party This love is for free”. It performance The views expressed here Victor Frank A,, Chennai beyond Delhi at this is true that the freebies record are personal.

awaharlal Nehru and ing any such self-presented oppor- Unfortunately, no one is open- after it came to power, perhaps due down of civil discourse that has Shahbaz Khan Edwina Mountbatten’s rela- tunity is beyond imagination. minded, willing to listen, make to the anxiety that speech which shredded our social fabric by incit- tionship has been a subject While undoubtedly impassioned in compromises or concede that the does not favour them might reveal ing impressionable spectators to Jof interest, both during their their rhetoric, it is usually to deni- other might be right. Instead, we truths endeavoured to be kept sup- adopt the same mannerisms. lifetimes and after. At the time, grate their opponents and point fin- resort to brazen personal attacks pressed. Young minds who aspire to be lead- however, no solid proof existed to gers, often accompanied with a per- when contradicted, perpetuating Nevertheless, there is a thin line ers of tomorrow witness the very substantiate the rumours regard- verse joy in watching the misfor- an endless circus of egos with cir- between what is considered free same stream of gruesome verbal ing their liaison — or so it was tunes of their intended targets. cumscribed thinking and clouded speech and unmannerly, abusive (even physical) brawls on televi- thought, for Mohammad Ali No one is without sin, yet those vision, and leaving no room for speech — and ample tutelage is sion. What values this inculcates Jinnah is said to have received cer- who criticise their rivals are often arguing on merit, let alone taking needed to understand the differ- in them is a no-brainer. Yet history tain letters exchanged between the same people who would have concrete steps towards develop- ence. Criticism and disagreement offers us many lessons from lead- A paradigm them that confirmed the public’s committed far worse deeds. Our ment on any front. are no doubt crucial as legitimate ers who should instead serve as suspicions; a wonderful opportuni- esteemed politicians wistfully may Personal attacks are of no inter- concerns should pass untram- inspirations for us today, leaders ty for Jinnah to use these against not be such devout followers of the est to the state, except, of course, melled, but the manner in which such as Jinnah. shift is needed his political foes. truth or even their religion, as paving way for those seeking we do so must be within an atmos- If we are hell-bent on pointing These days, when exposing opposed to how blind they are in power for personal gain — a vision phere of unconditional respect and fingers, let us start with the man in details of politicians’ private lives advocating their parties and its of public service despondently cyn- tolerance. the mirror. Let’s remind ourselves is hardly seen as novel, it may respective stance, always prepared ical to the core. This trend has In the midst of confusion and self- of basic courtesies like politeness, on discourse come as a shock that Jinnah with a loaded gun to fire away at all proved disastrous, for it not only interest, we have forgotten these respect and forbearance — not only declined to use those letters and times whether right or iniquitous. diverts attention from the bigger basic principles. It was hoped that for our own sake but for the next returned them. “Caesar’s wife As a result, public discourse is picture but also strips us of any the prevailing atmosphere would generation. We cannot hope for in public life should be above suspicion,” he divisive and devoid of substance. prospect of progress. eventually change. However, this nation to prosper if the said, “The shame is ours, not What we see is a propensity for dis- Speech has a significant impact despite many promises of change, majority of its politicians, if not all, theirs.” Such was the dignity and orderly conduct, impertinence and on a state and its society, determin- things have become worse; the are devoid of such virtues. grace of the politician who liberat- negativity, with hostility towards ing its success or failure. An effort word “change” becoming the most Sometimes, the answer may be as ed us; such was his level of esteem any idea that contradicts our own to confine speech limits intellectu- abused word of the decade, now simple as learning to listen than to and respect even for his rivals. views. However, what we need is to al freedom and concomitantly virtually synonymous with empty speak, to hold back than to fume, Contrarily, our politicians today set aside inflammatory rhetoric results in a botched, stultified eco- promises and duplicity. If this per- and to appreciate than to would cross entire oceans to pro- targeting individuals to make nomic system. The present govern- sists, the public’s confidence will humiliate. cure any evidence to blackmail and room for sincere dialogue focused ment was initially very fond of free plummet — beyond repair. defame their political foes; discard- on actual issues. speech, but the tide quite turned This has already led to a break- By arrangement with Dawn OPED DECCAN CHRONICLE | TUESDAY | 18 FEBRUARY 2020 | CHENNAI pg 11 Not ‘just words’: How to counter hate speech

dicial to the maintenance of A democracy needs to speeches made by politicians, If it’s on the social media, you the power to move people and harmony between different tread the thin line this was dismissed on the might choose to engage with the to unite them — the ultimate religious, racial, language or grounds that the fundamental speaker and battle his/her hate- goal of any counter speech. regional groups or castes or between freedom and right of people to express them- ful messaging by putting for- Lastly, you might choose to Insiyah Vahanvaty communities, and which dis- oppression. Freedoms selves cannot be curbed. ward a contrary message. The reclaim words that are used as turbs or is likely to disturb the enjoyed by one cannot In contrast, the social media #iamhere campaign, a counter slurs against communities, public tranquillity, ... shall be be translated into has taken up a slightly more narrative to hateful messaging, minorities or any other group. punished with imprisonment responsive role in the censor- which was started in Sweden, An example of this is the way which may extend to three oppression suffered by ing of hate speech. Despite an spread quickly to other parts of the Slutwalk campaign, a glob- years, or with fine, or with another. This principle enormous room for improve- the world because of its simplic- al campaign calling for the end both.” cements the line ment, there are policies in ity of function. Admins of the of rape culture and slut sham- he Cambridge argument does hold up legally. However, what we are seeing between free speech place. Hate propaganda report- group routinely post articles ing chose to reclaim the offen- Dictionary Hate speech is not a punish- lately is that despite these laws ed by users on Facebook is that contain hate propaganda sive word and rebrand it, defines hate able offence, and is protected and safeguards, there have and hate speech. reviewed, and if found to be onto their page, encouraging rejecting the idea that women speech as “pub- under the First Amendment. been many recent instances of inflammatory, taken down members to counter speak with should experience shame over lic speech that The Indian Penal Code, howev- hateful messaging, many of low citizens to shoot at those within 24 hours. Twitter takes the hashtag #Jagärhär (which their sexualities, sexual prefer- expresses hate er, treats hateful messaging which have been made by they consider “traitors”. down hateful content and means “I am here”). This drives ences and choice of clothing. or encourages differently. While the Indian political aspirants who seek to That the close and dangerous issues warnings to accounts up the counter posts, effectively A democracy always needs to violence Constitution provides every indulge in divisive politics. link between hate speech and that violate their “Hateful drowning out the hateful con- tread the thin line between towards a person or group individual freedom of expres- The peril of hate speech is that violence is well understood Conduct Policy”, suspending tent. A few weeks ago, at New freedom and oppression. The Tbased on something such as sion, Article 19 stipulates that they are not “just words,” as and documented is made evi- accounts that are repeat Delhi’s Shaheen Bagh protest freedoms enjoyed by one can- race, religion, sex or sexual ori- is subject to “reasonable argued by those who seek to dent by the fact that not only offenders. Following the horri- site, a young man fired into the not be translated into oppres- entation”. In its mildest form, restrictions” for preserving legitimise discourse that fuels the Constitution and the fying lynchings that took place air in an attempt to register his sion suffered by another. This hate speech seeks to cause dis- inter alia “public order, decen- animosity between communi- Indian Penal Code have made in India a couple of years ago, dissent towards the protesters. is the very principle that comfiture and unease; while its cy or morality”. ties who have religious differ- provisions to keep it under wherein innocents were killed The next day, a group of young cements the line between free- ugliest form seeks to incite vio- In addition, Section 153A of ences. When a minister raised check, but also so has the Code on suspicion of being child kid- citizens decided to counter dom of speech and hate speech. lence by instigating others and the Indian Penal Code says, the slogan “Desh ke gaddaro ko of Criminal Procedure. In nappers, WhatsApp placed a speak by launching a campaign In times of turmoil, then, it allowing them the space to turn inter alia: goli maaro s***** ko,” in an recent times, however, the restriction on the number of called GoliNahiPhool (Flowers, falls upon us, ordinary men rhetoric into action. “Whoever (a) by words, either election rally in New Delhi on courts have provided contra- times a piece of content can be not Bullets) and showered the and women, to self-police and Individuals who indulge in spoken or written, or by signs January 27, it was followed dictory views regarding the forwarded. Although there is protesting women with flower counter speak when faced with hate speech often counter or by visible representations or very literally by a teenaged violation that hate speech is. In still a long way to go, there petals in a demonstration of an objectionable idea or piece objections to their words by otherwise, promotes or youth less than a week later, 2013, the Supreme Court issued does appear to be an attempt to peace and solidarity. of content. Because when it is raising the provision of free attempts to promote, on who opened fire on a group of a notice to the Central govern- reduce the visibility of hateful Another method young the best of times, and the worst speech, which, by definition, grounds of religion, race, place protesters at Jamia Milia ment directing them to frame content on these platforms. Indian counter-speakers have of times, it is always the ordi- allows them “the right to of birth, residence, language, Islamia, injuring one student. guidelines that would ensure As an ordinary citizen, you embraced is through the cre- nary citizen who takes up the express one’s opinions without caste or community or any The fact that the politician was the control of hate speech may recognise your limita- ation of art — whether music, torch and leads the way. censorship, restraint or legal other ground whatsoever, allowed to raise the slogan in delivered by politicians. This tions in controlling hate poetry, paintings or street art. penalty”. The argument then, disharmony or feelings of enmi- the first place leads one to won- notice was also issued to the speech itself, but you might From Bankim Chandra Insiyah Vahanvaty is that hate speech cannot be ty, hatred or ill-will between der if there was no threat per- Election Commission of India. seize the opportunity of Chatterjee’s Vande Mataram to a writer and editor. She also penalised is therefore a com- different religious, racial, lan- ceived by the authorities However, in 2014, when a PIL counter speech as a direct Faiz Ahmad Faiz’s beautiful runs GoondaRaj, a social mon one. In certain liberal guage or regional groups or appointed to police hateful was filed asking the Supreme response to hate speech. This yet defiant poem Hum justice initiative and podcast democracies, such as the castes or communities, or (b) messaging in permitting politi- Court to direct the Election is a powerful tool which can be Dekhenge, strong resistance that aims at countering hate United States of America, this commits any act which is preju- cal aspirants to encourage fel- Commission to curb hateful used in a multitude of ways. art has been known to possess and mob violence. Trump gloats about beating Dems, but In the future, viruses may well be hailed as is he scared of Crazy Bernie Sanders? saviours, not scourges

Sanders’ campaign, appeal to workers who are small crowd. Perhaps it was a while undoubtedly angry about globalisation. trick to make sure nobody Trump would surely rather could record Biden saying powerful, lacks its old face married gay man something inappropriate, as is Zarrar Khuhro Freddy Gray vim. He has masses of Buttigieg, or “Wall Street his wont. volunteers, young Pete” as Bernie fans call him. Even Sanders’ campaign, people still love him, Buttigieg is a bit like while undoubtedly powerful, Emmanuel Macron. His tech- lacks its old vim. He has and cool rock stars nocratic centrism somehow masses of volunteers, young play at his rallies. But wins votes, but it jars with the people still love him, and cool iruses get a bad rap. Megavirus which contains the Bernie of 2020 has times. Worse, his vocabulary rock stars play at his rallies. Admittedly, much of 1,120 genes (the HIV virus emocrats two big losers were two former lost some of the seems to have been generated But the Bernie of 2020 has lost that is deserved, only has nine) leading us to almost all hot favourites: ex-vice presi- by some marketing jargon some of the populist edge he what with the novel believe that these may be an populist edge he had. had four years ago. He also V agree that dent Joe Biden and senator algorithm. Trump could have coronavirus (or COVID-19 if entirely new “domain” of life. Donald Trump Elizabeth Warren. The early a lot of fun at his expense, looks tired: watching him you prefer) which has much Essentially, the viral “chick- is ruining polls got it badly wrong, again. Who says democracy isn’t without resorting to naked speak to volunteers behind a of China in a lockdown and en” may have come before the America and In the New Hampshire pri- beautiful? Trump chipped in, homophobia. supermarket in Hudson, rural the rest of the world in a cellular “egg”. must be mary four years ago, Bernie too. “A lot of Democrat Klobuchar, who likes swear- New Hampshire, I thought he panic. Highly infectious and We know that viruses are Dremoved from the White destroyed Hillary Clinton with dropouts tonight, very low ing and talking about her might pass out. Bernie, 78, has showing no real signs of sub- gene stealers, acquiring and House in November. The trou- 60 per cent of the vote. This political IQ,” he tweeted, as father’s alcoholism, is now only recently recovered from a siding, this latest viral vari- transplanting genetic materi- ble is, nobody is sure who can year, in an admittedly more news broke that the minnows emerging as the elite’s alterna- heart attack, and running for ant, according to the US al from and to a variety of or should do that. Democratic crowded field, he only won by Andrew Yang and Michael tive. But her success feels President of the United States Centres for Disease Control, hosts. Fair enough, but what or Democrat-leaning voters just over 1 per cent. He trails Bennet had pulled out of the freakish, since she has benefit- is about the most exhausting will “probably be with us should we think when we talk nervously about the vari- Buttigieg in the overall race. “Bootedgeedge ed not just from random votes task any human being can beyond this year”. On a larg- find a virus that has no recog- ous candidates using their Democratic delegate count — (Buttigieg) is doing pretty well but from the spectacular undertake. Can he really last? er scale, it’s not as bad as it is nisable genes whatsoever? first names, as if trying to pick thanks to the quirks of the pri- tonight,” he added later. implosion of Biden. His politics still has a retro being made out to be as its fel- Say hello to the Yaravirus, a love match in an episode of mary system and the shambles “Giving Crazy Bernie a run For a long time, pollsters appeal, and his campaign is low viruses (I’m thinking of which contains genes that no Blind Date. Should it be of the Iowa caucuses last week. for his money. Very interest- have said that Biden could having some success in target- smallpox) have in the not-so- scientist has ever seen before! Bernie? Or Pete? Or Amy? Or Still, Bernie won, and he and ing!” beat Sanders and then Trump ing black voters and distant past devastated entire Which begs the question: Liz? Or Joe? his team were understandably What’s arguably more inter- because, despite his long Hispanics. But Sanders may civilisations. exactly where did these genes New Hampshire isn’t meant keen to emphasise their esting is that Trump seems to career in Washington, he find that the lower-middle- But amidst all the panic and come from? Did they some- to be like that. “Live free or achievement. He’s blown away think that part of his role as connects with blue-collar class voters he attracted last apocalyptic fear-mongering, how mutate beyond recogni- die” is the state’s motto. New the threat Warren was meant President is to give a running voters. That now seems time have now gravitated we forget the debt that we tion in the virus itself or are Hampshirites are famously to pose for him on his left: she commentary on the state of the fantasy. In fact, in three towards the man in the White owe viruses. After all, with- they the legacy of a hitherto independent: they know their only got 9 per cent. Opposition. But listen careful- presidential runs, spanning 32 House. On Tuesday night, the out these strange, mysterious undiscovered form of life? minds, at least that’s what “This victory here is the ly to the Trumpian gloating years, Biden has never Sanders fans sang: “We are entities (they can’t exactly be While the eventual answer everyone says. But in the beginning of the end for and you detect a note of anxi- finished above fourth in any unstoppable!” classified as life forms) you may be far more mundane, Democratic primary this Donald Trump,” said Bernie ety about Crazy Bernie. caucus or primary. He’s still But Trump supporters feel and I would not be you and I, the fact remains that what we week, they all seemed indeci- in his winner’s speech. His Sanders has always had high supposed to do well in South the same way. The night or at least not in any current- do not know about viruses sive. Outside one polling fans roared. “Bernie beats “likability” ratings because he Carolina on February 29 before, Trump packed out the ly recognisable form. dwarfs what we do know. And booth, a woman admitted she Trump!” they chanted. seems to be a man of firm because of his much-touted SNHU arena in Manchester Because viruses, along with some answers may well be had decided to vote for Amy Over in Trumpworld, Brad principles, even if those appeal among black voters, with a crowd of 17,000 — a con- making us sick and occasion- found in outer space, as the Klobuchar using the “eeny, Parscale, the Trump 2020 cam- principles are too left-wing for but that might also be spicuous display of support ally killing us, have helped us growing field of astrobiology meeny, miny, moe” method. paign manager, fired out a many Americans. In a somewhat mythical — an intended to alarm the evolve. includes those who believe The results of Tuesday’s pri- delightfully ungracious state- recently leaked tape of Trump advantage that evaporates as Democrats. As they left the Over 65 million years ago a that viruses may, in fact, have mary reflected this ambiva- ment: “No matter which in conversation with donors at the vote approaches. It was sad event, his fans all hailed their tiny shrew-like creature — an come from outer space. In lence. Bernie Sanders won, Democrat emerges from this a private dinner, he conceded to see Biden pretending to hero. “It was wonderful. He egg layer according to scien- fact, one controversial claim but not by much. Peter Paul dumpster fire of a primary that, in 2016, he worried engage with people at his always is,” said one attendee. tists — was infected by a paris that influenza itself was Montgomery Buttigieg, to give process, we know the contrast Hillary Clinton was going to event in the gym of a Greek “Four more years!” Unlike ticularly sneaky retrovirus seeded by dust from comets him his extraordinary full will be President Trump’s pick Sanders as her running Orthodox Cathedral on Democratic voters, these peo- that didn’t just make its way passing near the earth, some name, came close second. record of accomplishment and mate. Trump understands that Monday night. After he spoke, ple know what they want. into the host’s genome but perhaps even eons ago. Klobuchar, whose luck was optimistic view of the future Bernie is “a big trade guy”. He his volunteers turned up very managed to get into its sperm Others are scouring the clearly in, surprised almost versus Democrats and their appreciates that the key to his loud music while he glad- By arrangement with or egg cells, ensuring that the heavens and heavenly bodies everyone by coming third. The socialist, job-killing agenda.” electoral success has been his handed his way through the the Spectator mutation it caused would be for extraterrestrial viruses passed on to every subse- which could, if discovered, quent generation. Countless provide proof of life on other generations later, this infec- planets. tion led to the development of Meanwhile, back on earth the placenta in this creature we are busy harnessing the and others similarly infected, strange abilities of viruses for Creation is nothing but a manifestation of God thus allowing for the develop- our own ends. Given that ment of a foetus inside the these sneaky little packages of we are lying down on our such that we have loved thing for emanating them. mother’s body. genetic material are very good bed, we can feel that we are somebody but the other per- Profit 1: We will not get upset when Without this ancient chance at unlocking cells to deliver prostrating at his feet. son has not reciprocated others hate us as we would know that encounter humans may well their payload, scientists are Sadguru Imagine for that 7-8 hours with the same kind of love. what we are getting is what we gave have been egg layers. This aiming to create treatments that we sleep, we are at In fact, we would have expe- in the past. sort of viral “tough love” has for diseases like Huntington’s, Rameshji God’s feet. Slowly, make this rienced the opposite of it Profit 2: We will not be adding any been a constant feature of our which is caused by an error in your habit with everything and received hatred against more negative/bad emotions to the evolution, forcing us to adapt the genetic code, by using around you and eventually, love. already existing ones and would not or die. According to scholar redesigned viruses to deliver you won’t even have to make Such things happen get caught in the cobweb of negative David Enard, “When you a “corrective” dose exactly efforts to imagine this — as it would because knowingly or unknowingly emotions. have a pandemic or an epi- where it is required. be your default view towards every- in the past (including the past birth) Profit 3: When the other person’s neg- demic at some point in evolu- In practice, this is even cool- Sab jag ishwar roop hai, bhalo buro thing in this world. we would have emanated hatred ative feelings get exhausted, the good tion, the population that is er than it sounds: a young girl nahi koyi The second aspect of the couplet is against that person and the other per- feelings that we have deposited over targeted by the virus either called Emma, who suffered Jaki jaisi bhavana, taiso hi phal hoyi that whatever feelings/emotions we son is exhausting its own hatred now, time, will come back to us — hopeful- adapts, or goes extinct.” from leukemia, was treated emanate towards others, similar emo- even though we have started loving ly, with due interest! Indeed, we may have to by having her blood cells he formless divine being has tions come back to us. This is because the person now, in the present. So, irrespective of what others feel thank our little viral friends “infected” by a specially mod- taken all possible forms in this since everything is that one alone, it The emotions of love which are now for us, we should continue to feel good for the existence of life as we ified virus of the same family universe. Hence, there is noth- becomes a reflection for everything being emanated will not go waste and for them, as we are here to make prof- know it; while traditional sci- as the HIV virus (yes, that’s Ting that is good/bad, else which it has manifested and the same will be returned to us in the its and not losses. Emanating good entific thought has it that right) and then re-injected right/wrong — because for anything hence whatever emotions we future, in all probability, when we and positive emotions for others is an viruses appeared fairly late into her bloodstream. Her to be good/bad or right/wrong, they emanate, they reflect back on us. If we need it most. So, it is extremely advis- investment for the future. This invest- in the evolutionary timeline, cancer went into remission. have to be different from each other, emanate love for others we will get able that we emanate only good feel- ment is guaranteed to give high after the development of cells, Less spectacular, yet no less which in reality is not so, as every- back love and if we emanate hatred ings/emotions towards others (irre- returns provided we have faith and the discovery in 2014 of a promising, is the research thing is sourced from one origin only. towards others, then others will hate spective of what the other’s feelings patience. giant frozen virus in Siberia, being done on Bacteriophage To establish in this state of oneness, us. are for us). dubbed the Pithovirus, is viruses, which infect and we can start perceiving and attribut- Lord Krishna has also stated the Emanating good and positive emo- Sadguru Rameshji is a modern age causing a rethink. destroy specific bacteria, and ing everything as manifestation of the same thing in the Bhagavad Gita that: tions towards others is a profitable spiritual guru and the force behind But the origin of viruses, the day perhaps isn’t far that supreme divinity. For example, when “With whatever feeling one worships proposition for us as they are freely Poorna Ananda, a Hyderabad-based and, indeed, viruses them- viruses, long reviled as we are sitting on a sofa/chair, we me, I worship him back with the same available within us and we neither centre for spiritual evolution and selves, remain a mystery. scourges, may well be hailed must feel that we are sitting on the lap feeling.” have to earn them nor buy them from joyful living. He can be contacted at Along with the Pithovirus, as saviours. of the divine being. Similarly, when Sometimes the experience has been outside nor are required to pay any- www.poornaananda.org other giant viruses have also been discovered such as the By arrangement with Dawn TUESDAY | 18 FEBRUARY 2020 | CHENNAI pg 12 Sebi circular to prevent Karvy-like incidents soon quick ASHWIN J PUNNEN Rs 1,189 crore. “Securities held the process of selling a stake in needs to be done will be done," advisory side or the distribu- were conducting their business MUMBAI, FEB. 17 by banks are Rs 511 crore, and one of their companies where he added. tion side. through corporate structures the banks have no funds. The term sheet has also been He said on Karvy's dispute The regulator also cleared the like LLPs, could distribute prod- Securities and Exchange Board total shortfall in securities is Rs agreed upon…They with lenders, the latter norms for regulatory sandbox. ucts and render advisory servic- BITES of India chairman Ajay Tyagi 183 crore and funds is Rs 495 are claiming that Regulator have recourse to pro- It will allow live testing of new es to the same client; provided on Monday said the markets crore. So, the shortfall is Rs 678 they will clear all cleared the ceed in the court of financial products or services the two services were separated watchdog will soon come out crore," he noted. outstanding norms for regula- law and that Sebi not in a controlled environment. from each other. INDICATORS % with a circular to prevent In November, the regulator amount by end of tory sandbox. It will really examine The exchanges and market Tyagi, whose term ends later Karvy-like incidents in which barred KSBL from taking new March. The whether Karvy is infrastructure institutes have this month, said the regulator is Sensex 41,055.69 -0.49 allow live testing the broking firm had allegedly brokerage clients after it was amount involved of new financial repaying banks. already implemented innova- actively looking at recategorisa- Nifty 50 12,045.80 -0.56 misused clients's securities, and found that the brokerage firm in selling that sub- products Tyagi was speaking tive sandbox. tion of mid-cap and small-cap S&P 500* 3,380.16 0.18 asserted that whatever action had allegedly misused clients' sidiary is good to the media after the Sebi also said that there will stocks for the mutual funds. required will be taken. securities to the tune of more enough to take care of Sebi board meeting. The be enhanced eligibility criteria To ensure uniformity, Sebi in Dollar (`) 71.33 -0.11 "We will just wait and see," he than Rs 2,000 crore. the fund requirements meeting cleared the norms for registration as investment 2017 issued a list defining large- Pound Sterling (`) 92.92 0.00 said, referring to the dues to be According to Tyagi, the NSE is for clients and banks. We will for investment advisers, propos- adviser, including enhanced net cap, mid-cap and small-cap com- paid by Karvy Broking Services in correspondence with Karvy just wait and see," Tyagi said. ing client level segregation. worth and qualification panies. The list is being pre- Euro (`) 77.45 -0.07 Ltd (KSBL). and has also served it a notice. "First priority will be to The new rule will replace the requirement. pared once in six months by Gold (10gm)* (`) 40,809▼170 -0.41 As of February 14, Tyagi said "I have been told that Karvy return the funds and securities old system in which the same Previously, corporate advis- Amfi in consultation with Sebi Brent crude ($/bbl)* 57.32 0.001 the total dues of KSBL stood at has informed that they are in of investors. Whatever else client could either be on the ers, including individuals who and stock exchanges. IN 10-Yr bond yield 6.387 0.018 US 10-Yr T-bill yield* 1.588 0.001 * As of 9:30 pm IST ■ Says economy slowed rapidly over 2 years AGR dues mopup could cut RBI gets `1.94L cr bids for maiden Moody’s cuts 2020 FY20 fiscal deficit to 3.5% LTRO auction ■ Bharti, Tata make part payment, Voda Idea to pay The RBI kicked off the maiden long-term reverse repo opera- growth to 5.4% New Delhi, Feb. 17: take on the matter," she dues. Of the total Rs 1.47 tion (LTRO) by conducting a Finding no leeway, tele- said. lakh crore payable by the three-year issue worth Rs com companies have start- Vodafone Idea, whose telcos to the DoT, Rs 92,600 25,000 crore, for which it FC BUREAU ed the process of paying capacity and willingness crore is the unpaid licence received bids of more than Rs NEW DELHI, FEB. 17 up the mammoth Rs 1.47 to pay up was in doubt, fee and the rest Rs 55,504 1.94 lakh crore. Deploying an lakh crore adjusted gross however, said it would crore is the charges for out-of-the-box tool to ensure Global rating agency revenue (AGR) and spec- immediately pay Rs 2,500 spectrum usage. “If we permanent and deeper liquidity Moody’s Investors Service, trum dues to the govern- crore to the Department of assume that the govern- in the system, which hovers on Monday, cut India’s ment on Monday, with Telecommunications ment is able to collect Rs over Rs 2.5 lakh crore now, the growth forecast to 5.4 per analysts predicting that (DoT) and another Rs 1,000 1.20 lakh crore through RBI had on Feb. 6 announced cent for 2020 from 6.6 per the huge revenue collec- crore before the end of the AGR dues, the fiscal Rs 1 lakh crore of long-term cent projected earlier on tion will contain the coun- week. Vodafone owes deficit for FY20 will reverse repo operations. slower than expected eco- try’s fiscal deficit to 3.5 about Rs 53,000 crore to reduce to 3.5 per cent of nomic recovery. per cent this fiscal against the government in dues, GDP,” the note said. Moody's growth projec- the Centre’s estimate of interest and penalties. “However, this will put a tions are based on calendar 3.8 per cent of the GDP. Bharti Airtel said it paid tle all its outstanding AGR question on the amount year and as per its esti- However, with doubts Rs 10,000 crore to the tele- dues. "Tata Teleservces that the government can mates, India’s GDP grew 5 still persisting about the com department towards Ltd and Tata Teleservices raise next year from the Godrej buys per cent in 2019. debt-laden telcos’ ability statutory dues on Monday (Maharashtra) Ltd have telecom sector out of Rs Moody’s peer Fitch to cough up the entire and will pay the balance made a payment of Rs 1.33 lakh crore budgeted, 27-acre rail Ratings had last month cut projections of 6.6 per cent sion is high,” it said. money by the Supreme after a self-assessment 2,197 crore to the which in turn can impair the country’s GDP growth and 6.7 per cent, respective- Expecting an additional Court-set deadline of exercise. “The...amount of Department of the fiscal arithmetic of forecast for 2019-20 fiscal ly,” Moody’s said. easing by the central bank, March 16, the Reserve Rs 10,000 crore has been Telecommunications FY21,” SBI Research land in Delhi year to 4.6 per cent and said With a weak economy and Moody’s said, “If the recent Bank of India said it is paid on behalf of Bharti towards license fee and pointed out. growth would recover to 5.6 depressed credit growth rise in CPI inflation, main- "very closely monitoring" Airtel, Bharti Hexacom, spectrum usage charges," In an interview, RBI gov- per cent in FY21. reinforcing each other, ly as a result of higher food the fallout of the crisis on and Telenor," the Sunil it said. ernor Shaktikanta Das In its update on Global Moody’s said, “It is difficult prices, is seen to have sec- banks. Mittal-led company said. The government last said the central bank is Macro Outlook, Moody’s to envision a quick turn- ond-round effects, this Finance minister As much as Rs 9,500 week ordered mobile car- "very closely monitoring" said India’s economy has around of either, even if would make it more chal- Nrmala Sitharaman said crore has been paid on riers to immediately pay the issue but so far no red decelerated rapidly over economic deceleration may lenging for the central the telecom department behalf of Bharti Airtel the entire dues after the flags have been raised. the last two years but it have troughed.” bank to cut interest rates has been actively engag- (including Telenor India Supreme Court threat- "With regard to the expects economic recovery On the fiscal front, it also further.” ing with telecom compa- which merged with the ened the companies and impact on the banking to begin in the current said that the Union Budget On global growth, nies over the issue of company), and another Rs officials with contempt sector, we are very closely quarter. 2020 did not contain a sig- Moody’s said the coron- statutory dues and she 500 crore for Bharti proceedings for failing to monitoring it. It all “We expect any recovery nificant stimulus to avirus outbreak has dimin- would wait to hear its Hexacom, it said. As per implement its earlier rul- depends on how the com- to be slower than we had address the demand slump. ished optimism about the decision. "I will wait to the government's assess- ing. panies concerned are able Godrej Properties said it has previously expected. “As similar policies in prospects of an incipient hear from the department ment, Airtel owes nearly In a note SBI Research to make the payments and acquired nearly 27 acre land Accordingly, we have other countries have stabilisation of global or on behalf of the gov- Rs 35,586 crore in statuto- said the fiscal arithmetic when they are able to parcel in the national capital for revised our growth fore- shown, tax cuts are unlike- growth this year. It expects ernment from the depart- ry dues. will change significantly make the payments. We Rs 1,359 crore to develop a lux- casts to 5.4 per cent for 2020 ly to translate into higher G-20 economies to grow 2.4 ment, so that we know Tata Group firm TTSL after March 16, the date by are monitoring it," he ury housing project. The land and 5.8 per cent for 2021, consumer and business per cent in 2020, a softer what is the position that said it paid Rs 2,197 crore which telecom companies said. parcel, at Ashok Vihar, belong- down from our previous spending when risk aver- rate than last year. the department wants to to the government to set- have to pay their AGR — Agencies ed to the Rail Land Develop- ment Authority. The payment for this land will be made in instalments over several years as stipulated in the tender doc- uments.The company will devel- Govt may JSW buys GMR Energy’s thermal JSW given immunity Oyo reports op a luxury housing project on this 26.58 acre land parcel. stop sops 5-fold rise for services plant in Kamalanga for `5,320 cr from BPSL misdeeds in losses New Delhi, Feb. 17: New Delhi, Feb. 17: The While the government Billionaire Sajjan Jindal- National Company Law had in December amended SANGEETHA G Mistry moves SC; exports led JSW Energy on Appellate Tribunal on the insolvency law to ring- CHENNAI, FEB. 17 Monday said it will buy Monday gave JSW Steel fence a corporate debtor, says deserved FC BUREAU GMR Energy Ltd's 1,050 Ltd immunity from all after its takeover in a bank- Hospitality chain Oyo NEW DELHI, FEB. 17 MW thermal power plant criminal investigations ruptcy auction, from crim- Hotels and Homes’ con- in Odisha for Rs 5,321 after its takeover of inal proceedings arising solidated losses shot up more relief The government is crore. Bhushan Power & Steel from offences committed five times in FY19 to $335 Less than a month after the mulling discontinuation JSW Energy signed a Ltd, whose assets were by the previous manage- million in FY19, mainly Supreme Court stayed an order of export incentives share purchase agreement sought to be attached by ment, the ED argued that due to its global expan- reinstating him as Tata Sons under a particular to acquire 100 per cent of the Enforcement Directo- immunity is not retrospec- sion, including into chairman, Cyrus Mistry has scheme to the services GMR Kamalanga Energy rate (ED) over alleged tive in nature and does not China. But its global rev- moved the apex court seeking sector. The government Ltd, which owns and oper- bungling by the former cover companies whose enues too grew multi-fold removal of many anomalies in move came after a ates a 1,050 MW (3x350 management. resolution plan was in the fiscal. the NCLAT order, saying his review which showed MW) thermal power plant enterprise value of GKEL, sition, GKEL will be a 100 A two-member NCLAT approved prior to the law. Consolidated losses family deserved more relief that the incentive in Odisha, for Rs 5,321 JSW Energy will pay the per cent subsidiary of JSW bench headed by Justice S The bench rejected ED's grew 538 per cent from from the tribunal. Mistry has scheme has not helped crore (subject to working promoters Rs 755 crore in Energy," it said. J Mukhopadhaya also contention that recent $52 million in FY18 to filed a cross appeal in the India increase ship- capital and other adjust- upfront cash and another The deal is subject to the declared attachment of amendments in the $335 million in FY19. As a court. In the petition, Mistry has ments positively. ments), the company said Rs 615 crore on achieving approval of the assets of insolvent Bhush- Insolvency & Bankruptcy percentage of the consol- described the group's relation- “So, I am proposing in a statement. different milestones. The Competition Commission an Power & Steel (BPSL) by Code by the government by idated revenues, the loss- ship with Tatas as "a quasi-part- that from the earliest "Post-acquisition, the balance Rs 3,951 crore is on of India (CCI) and GKEL the ED as "illegal and with- inserting section 32A es moved up from 25 per nership relationship.” opportunity, we should total installed power gener- account of GKEL’s debt lenders. Also, Haryana, out jurisdiction". would not apply to JSW ret- cent to 35 per cent in a discontinue this Service ation capacity of the com- that JSW Energy is taking which buys power from JSW Steel had moved the rospectively and said the year. According to Oyo, Exports from India pany will increase to 5,609 ove r. Kamalanga, has to approve NCLAT seeking to extin- ordinance was clarificato- losses grew on the back Scheme (SEIS) in its cur- MW," it said. GMR Kamalanga Energy of the power purchase guish all present and ry in nature and it was "ex of international expan- rent form. It has not The buyout will expand Ltd (GKEL), a subsidiary agreement. future liabilities on facie evident" that it must sion, especially because helped us to increase JSW Energy's presence in of GMR Energy, owns and GKEL had a revenue of account of criminal inves- be made applicable retro- Chinese expansion hap- Virus fallout: our exports positively. the eastern region of the operates three units of 350 Rs 2,195 crore in FY2019. tigations against BPSL, spectively. "We hold that pened at the fiscal end. The industry has to get country and further diver- MW at Dhenkanal in It sells 263 MW of elec- contending that an the assets of the corporate Since China and other Beijing autoshow out of the mindset of sify its fuel mix and offtake Odisha. tricity generated to Odisha absence of any such pro- debtor (BSPL) of which international markets subsidies as they are arrangements. JSW Energy, as part of its for Rs 3.11 per unit and tection would jeopardise JSW Steel Ltd is a were in development and detrimental to India’s The transaction is sub- strategy for expansion and another 283 MW to Bihar at the feasibility and viability 'Successful Resolution investment mode, they postponed long-term interests,” ject to customary regulato- consolidation in the power Rs 3.39 a unit. To Haryana, of its resolution plan. Applicant' is immune from contributed to 75 per commerce and industry ry and other approvals for sector, has been scouting it sells 334 MW at Rs 2.89 JSW Steel had made the attachment by the Direct- cent, or $252 million, of Organisers of China's biggest minister Piyush Goyal its completion. for strategic assets. per unit. highest bid of Rs 19,700 orate of Enforcement," the the losses for FY19. car show announced the event told the media at an Of the Rs 5,321-crore "Consequent to the acqui- —PTI crore for BPSL. NCLAT said. —PTI However, the net loss was the latest to be postponed event here. percentage came down in due to the outbreak of the Generally, the foreign the Indian market from deadly coronavirus. The Beijing trade policy provides tax 24 per cent to 14 per cent autoshow, which is held every incentives under the of the revenue, though it two years, attracted 820,000 SEIS scheme to several went up in absolute people in 2018 from 14 different services industries. PSU stocks getting mauled on bourses terms. In FY19, net loss countries and regions. This Depending on the nature in the Indian market year's event was due to take of services, the govern- RAVI RANJAN PRASAD chips deteriorating further. The market cap of the PSU like GAIL (Rs 6.40 per stood at $84.56 million place between April 21 and 30. ment gives duty credit MUMBAI, FEB. 17 Oil PSUs were also trend- has now shrunk to Rs share) and Oil India (Rs 9 against $ 50.64 million. Organisers said the event would scrips, or certificates. ing down because of crude 12,117.58 crore. per share), stocks are being With the market expan- be cancelled to "do a good job The scheme offers Stocks of public sector oil prices falling to around MTNL, also a Sensex shorted by traders as they sion, the consolidated of epidemic prevention.” reward at 5 per cent or 7 undertakings (PSUs) are $56-57 a barrel. company in its heydays, are also traded in the revenues too grew four- per cent of net foreign seeing huge value destruc- On Monday shares of fell 8.14 per cent to Rs 9.48 futures and options seg- fold from $211 million to exchange earned. tion in 2020, with market ONGC fell below Rs 100 for and its market capitalisa- ment. Government should $951 million in FY19. Printed & Published by Citing an example, the participants shorting these the first time and touched a tion stood at Rs 597.24 crore take all these stocks out of Indian revenues grew 186 T Venkateswarlu on behalf of Deccan minister, however, said, stocks in the futures and low of 98.85 on the BSE as it reported a loss of F&O segment. They are per cent from $211 mil- Chronicle Holdings Limited. Printed & “We now give subsidies options segment, holding a before closing at Rs 99.95, a scaled its highest-ever mar- 1,065.34 crore last week. falling due to government’s lion to $604 million in Published at Deccan Chronicle Presses on services exports. I view that the government fall by 3.20 per cent. ket capitalisation of Rs 3.56 The Nifty CPSE Index fell policies.” one year. situated at SP-3 Developed Plot, have gone through the may further bring down its Another blue-chip, Coal lakh crore and Coal India 2.28 per cent, indicating Public sector bank stocks While, India con- Industrial Estate, Guindy, Chennai. list in great details, bare- stake in these companies. India, fell to a new low of enjoyed market capitalisa- huge negative sentiment in also fell sharply with Nifty tributed to nearly 63.5 Editor: T.Venkatram Reddy, RNI Reg. ly 2,200 companies take However, the negative Rs 166.85 and finally closed tion of Rs 2.51 lakh crore in the market towards central PSU Bank index down 2.96 per cent of the consoli- No. TNENG/2008/25473 Air surcharge Re that subsidy. Some of 3.92 per cent down at Rs August 2011. public sector undertakings. per cent. The top losers dated revenue, nearly 1. © All rights reserved. Reproduction in sentiment towards govern- whole or in part without written per- them are such large ment-owned companies 167.85. The market cap of Another erstwhile con- Kishore P Ostwal, chair- included Bank of Baroda 36.5 per cent, or $348 mil- mission of The Editor, Financial names, making thou- has become more obvious these two erstwhile energy stituent of the Sensex, man and managing direc- (-4.86 per cent), Punjab lion, was contributed by Chronicle ® is prohibited. sands of crores of in the last one month, with giants are now just above BHEL, dropped 3.87 per tor, CNI Research, said, National Bank (-4.43 per Oyo’s operations outside rupees of profit.” quarterly performance of Rs 1 lakh crore compared cent to Rs 34.80 and touched “Despite hefty dividend cent) and Bank of India India, specially China. some of the erstwhile blue to May 16, 2014 when ONGC a new all-time low of 34.70. announced by companies (-3.49 per cent). GAMES pg DECCAN CHRONICLE | CHENNAI | TUESDAY | 18 FEBRUARY 2020 13

SHORT TAKES Scott wins, Tiger Edmund claims New York crown KING JAMES RULES stumbles home New York: Britain’s Kyle Edmund defeated Italy’s Los Angeles, Feb. 17: ● Adam Scott count- Andreas Seppi in straight sets Adam Scott fired a one- ered two bogeys and to clinch the ATP Tour’s New Anthony pulls off a thriller for Team Lebron under-par 70 on Sunday to York Open crown on Sunday. win the Genesis a double-bogey with Edmund, whose only previous Los Angeles, Feb. 17: Invitational, and this time five birdies and fired singles title came at the Kawhi Leonard stole the the Australian’s victory at a one-under-par 70 European Open at Antwerp in show on the floor and Hall Riviera Country Club is to claim victory in 2018, cruised to a 7-5, 6-1 victo- of Famer Magic Johnson official. ry at the Nassau Veterans took centre stage in an On a day when World the Genesis Invitati- Memorial Coliseum in emotional pre-game cere- No.1 Rory McIlroy fired a onal at Riviera Uniondale, Long Island. mony on a night the NBA two-over-par 73 and tour- Country Club. The eighth-seeded 25-year-old paid tribute to the late nament host Tiger Woods right-hander wrapped up victo- Kobe Bryant. stumbled to a six-over 77 to ● The tournament ry in 1hr 21min, converting the Chicago’s favourite son finish last, Scott countered host, Tiger Woods, second of three match points. Anthony Davis sank one two bogeys and a double- World number 62 Edmund of the two free throws to bogey with five birdies to faltered to a six-over overwhelmed Seppi with a vast- cap a thrilling fourth build an 11-under total of 77 to finish last. ly superior service game, pep- quarter and lift Team 273. pering his Italian opponent with LeBron to a 157-155 win He finished two strokes 11 aces to Seppi’s four with no over Team Giannis in in front of South Korea’s The Northern Ireland double faults. Sunday’s 2020 NBA All- Kang Sung and Americans star headlined a group of Edmund also put Seppi’s erratic Star Game. Scott Brown and Matt five players sharing fifth serve under pressure, carving Leonard finished with 30 Kuchar. place on eight-under 276, out seven break points to take points and seven Kuchar, who started the where he was joined by a grip on the match. rebounds and was award- day tied for the lead with Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama — AFP ed the new Kobe Bryant Scott and McIlroy, carded a and Americans Bryson MVP award. The trophy one-over-par 72 while Kang DeChambeau, Max Homa was named after the for- closed with a 69 and Brown and Joel Dahmen. Sania returns to mer Los Angeles Laker, fired a 68. Woods’s day could hardly who perished along with Scott hoisted the trophy have gone worse. Already his daughter Gigi and at Riviera in 2005, but since 15 off the pace to start the action in Dubai seven others in a horrific the rain-soaked event was day, the 15-time major Dubai: Indian tennis star Sania helicopter crash three shortened to 36 holes he champion dropped five Mirza will return to action at weeks ago. wasn’t credited with a US shots in his last six holes the ongoing Dubai Open “I want to thank Kobe PGA Tour victory. as he stumbled home with on Wednesday after recovering for everything he has But this “W” goes in the a six-over-par 77. from a calf injury which had done for me, all the long books as the 2013 Masters Overall Woods had seven cut short her campaign at the talks and workouts. champion’s 14th US tour bogeys and a double-bogey Australia Open in January. Thank you,” said title. That goes along with with one birdie and an Sania will Indian will pair up Leonard, who grew up in 14 international victories eagle on the way to an 11- with her French partner Riverside, California east — most recently at the over par total of 295 -- 68th Caroline Garcia and they of Los Angeles. Australian PGA and last of the 68 players to face Russia’s Alla Kudryavtseva Giannis Antetokounmpo Championship in make the cut. and Slovenia’s Katarina finished with 25 points December, where Scott Woods went into the week Srebotnik in the opening round and 11 rebounds to lead ended a near four-year title gunning for a record-set- of the women’s doubles event Team Giannis who kept drought. ting 83rd US PGA Tour on Wednesday. the game close right up McIlroy’s hopes of cele- title, having matched Sam “Quitting off a grand slam tour- until the nail-biting fin- brating his return to world Snead’s record of 82 at the nament due to an injury is a sad ish. number one with a win Zozo Championship in experience. Especially, when “The guys were taking Giannis Antetokounmpo (centre) of Team Giannis looks to pass during the NBA All-Star game against Team LeBron were dashed when he sur- October. you are back into the game charges and running back in Chicago on Sunday. Team LeBron won 157-155. — AP rendered four shots in the But Woods came up after a long break. But thanks playing defence,” said space of two holes with a empty for the 13th time on to my physio Dr. Faisal Hayat Leonard of the highly points, Davis went to the That’s exactly what he like Kobe,” said Johnson, oured Bryant by having triple-bogey at the par-four the course where he played Khan (Burjeel Hospital competitive All-Star line for two shots after did to put a perfect ending who also paid tribute on Team Giannis wear his fifth, followed by a bogey at his first PGA Tour event as for Advanced Surgery) for mak- Game which contrasted being fouled by Team on the night which began Sunday to David Stern, No. 24 and Team LeBron the sixth. a 16-year-old. — AFP ing me fit for the tournament,” sharply with Friday’s Giannis’ Kyle Lowry. with another Laker icon the late NBA commission- wear his basketball-play- she said. Returning to the cir- benign Rising Stars game “I told my teammates I Johnson making an emo- er. James made his 16th ing daughter’s No. 2. cuit after a two-year break, that deteriorated into a was going to go to miss the tional speech honouring all-star start breaking a Team LeBron earned Sania’s first Grand Slam outing slam-dunking contest. first one and put more Bryant in front of a crowd tie with Bryant for the $400,000 in prize money after maternity leave had ended With the score 156-155, pressure on myself to of 20,900 at the United most all-time. Bryant which they donated to the with an early exit after she and new format dictating knock down the second Center in Chicago. holds the record for most Chicagoland youth chari- retired mid-way into her that the winner needed to one,” said Davis, who “We’ll never see another all-star MVP awards with ty Chicago Scholars. women’s doubles first-round be the first to get to 157 grew up in Chicago. basketball player quite four. The league also hon- — AFP match due to a right calf injury. In a dream comeback after the break, Sania and her Ukrainian partner Nadiia Kichenok had claimed the doubles title at the Marsielle Hobart International.— PTI overhaul Williams looks to restore fortunes Lille 2-1 London: The once dominant Paris, Feb. 17: Marseille Williams Formula One team will hit back from a goal down rely on its “fighting spirit” to to score twice in two min- make progress this season after utes for a 2-1 win at Lille a catastrophic 2019 campaign on Sunday which kept which yielded just a single Andre Villas-Boas’ side point, team deputy Claire comfortably on course for Williams said on Monday. the Champions League. Williams — daughter of founder The victory gave second- Frank — was speaking as the placed Marseille an 11- team unveiled its car for the point lead over Rennes in upcoming season, the FW43, third spot in French Adam Scott (right) poses with tournament host Tiger which is an evolution of last Ligue 1 where champions term’s car. Paris Saint-Germain still Woods and the trophy after winning the Genesis Invitat- Featuring a significantly lead the way with a 10- ional in Pacific Palisades, California, on Sunday. — AFP revised livery of red, white and point cushion. blue, Williams claims that “this Lille stay fourth but are year marks a fresh start for the 12 points behind team” following the worst Marseille in the race for campaign in their history. the two automatic quali- Moussa walks off “We have spent time address- fying places for next sea- ing our areas of weakness and son’s Champions League. have ensured that we have “We didn’t do much in the right people, structures, the first half, but in the post racial chants procedures and resource in second we had a lot of place to deliver competitive intensity and showed Madrid, Feb. 17: Porto’s race cars. The fighting spirit is aggressiveness,” said Mali international striker still very much alive,”said Villas-Boas. Moussa Marega walked off Williams. — AFP Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (centre) of Lazio celebrates after scoring his side’s second goal during the Italian league He added: “We talked at the pitch in disgust after football match against Inter Milan at Rome’s Olympic stadium on Sunday. Lazio won 2-1. — AP half-time about what we being subjected to a torrent would do if we got a goal. of monkey chants in a We played a decent stormy Portuguese league match.” game at Vitoria Guimaeres MONFILS PIPS Nigerian international on Sunday. Victor Osimhen gave Lille The 28-year-old had FELIX TO WIN Lazio trample Inter Milan a 51st-minute lead pounc- scored a 60th-minute win- ing onto Jonathan ner for Porto against his Milan, Feb. 17: Lazio Juventus in October. Bamba’s pass to beat former club which sparked 2ND ATP TITLE coach Simone Inzaghi Lazio extended their Marseille goalkeeper the home fans to aim even The tormentors are gave warning his side are CELTA STRIKE LATE TO unbeaten run to 19 games Steve Mandanda for his more vitriol at the France- idiots who come to the Rotterdam, The Netherlands: ready to fight for their as they target their sec- 13th goal of the season, born player which had stadium just to make Gael Monfils won his second first Serie ‘A’ title since ond Scudetto, with a the same number as started as early as the pre- ATP title in as many weeks on 2000 after moving into PUT BRAKES ON REAL return to Champions PSG’s Brazilian superstar match warm-up. racist chants. And I also Sunday in Rotterdam before second in Serie ‘A’ on Madrid, Feb. 17: Real Madrid's winning streak League football on the Neymar. In the 71st minute, thank the referees for insisting that he still has a Sunday, just one point off ended when they conceded a late goal to draw 2-2 at cards for next season. But Marseille were level Marega signalled to the not protecting me and for giving me a yellow Grand Slam victory in him leaders Juventus after a home to Celta Vigo and finish the weekend with RONALDO RESTED in the 67th minute when bench that he was walking despite being 33. come-from-behind 2-1 win their lead over Barcelona down to one point. Reinildo turned a header off in protest even though card because I am French third seed Monfils over Inter Milan. Real manager Zinedine Zidane was philosophi- In Turin, Argentine for- from Valere Germain into teammates, Porto coach defending my skin capped off a fortnight of suc- Juventus reclaimed pole cal. ward Dybala curled in a his own goal before Sergio Conceicao and colour. cess with a 6-2, 6-4 defeat of position thanks to Paulo “There’s nothing to explain, it’s just the way perfect free kick six min- Argentine striker Dario Vitoria players tried to get — MOUSSA Felix Auger-Aliassime, handing Dybala and Juan things are, it’s football. I’m not worried about it, utes before the break, Benedetto grabbed the him to stay on the pitch. MAREGA the Canadian teenager his Cuadrado’s goals as the but I’m disappointed, as always when you drop two shortly after Brescia’s winner two minutes later. As he walked off, an after being subject- fourth loss in four career finals. Turin giants rediscov- points at home,” he said. A below-par Marseille angry and upset Marega Florian Aye was sent off ed to a torrent of Monfils has now won his last ered their winning form Barcelona beat third place Getafe on Saturday to for two yellow cards in could even afford the lux- gave a thumbs-down signal 10 matches at the Dutch tour- 2-0 at home against open a 10-point gap on the chasing pack. Sevilla quick succession. ury of a missed penalty with both gloved hands to monkey chants in nament after claiming the 2019 Brescia. could have climbed to third on Sunday but were Colombian Cuadrado just on the hour when the home fans. the Italian League title over Stan Wawrinka. Inter Milan dropped held, 2-2, at home by rock-bottom Espanyol. tapped in the second from Lille keeper Mike He had already been A week ago he lifted the title in from top spot to third — Real had won five straight in La Liga to accelerate close range after a Blaise Maignan saved from given a yellow card for his field. You are a disgrace,” Montpellier. three points behind the past Barcelona. Matuidi cross with 15 Valentin Rongier. goal celebration. he added. Now with 10 career titles under eight-time reigning On Sunday they welcomed back Eden Hazard, minutes to go, to get back Victory was the perfect Marega played for Vitoria Conceicao blasted the his belt, the world number nine champions — after falling who had been out since November. Coach Zinedine winning after two away way for Marseille to Guimaeres from 2016-2017 home fans before posting a said he still dreams of winning to just their second defeat Zidane also recalled his other 100 million euro play- defeats. bounce back from on loan from Porto, scoring photo of his player on a Masters 1000 title and even, of the season. er Gareth Bale to complete an all-star attack with We did whay we had to Wednesday’s French Cup 13 goals in 25 games. social media with the mes- perhaps, a Grand Slam. “We need to stay hum- Karim Benzema. — AFP do,”Juventus coach exit at the hands of Lyon. Marega later wrote on sage: “We are all Moussa.” “Before the season, I wanted to ble and focused but I’m Maurizio Sarri . Lyon’s poor league form Instagram after the game, “We are completely indig- stay in the top 10, maybe try sure we will succeed. We Cristiano Ronaldo was continued with a 1-1 home which Porto won 2-1, that nant at what happened. We to reach fifth or sixth in the have nothing to lose. WE Manchester United. games this season, five rested, but veteran draw against Strasbourg his tormentors were know the passion that world. I want to try and reach know that Juventus and The 34-year-old got his minutes after the break. defender Giorgio at a blustery Groupama “idiots who come to the sta- exists at Vitoria and I the final in a Masters 1000 and Inter are two great foot to tap-in off a Sergej Milinkovic-Savic Chiellini returned after a Stadium that leaves them dium just to make racist think that most fans do not try to win one. The dream is teams,” said Inzaghi. rebound after Thomas snatched the winner after long injury layoff. The languishing in mid-table. chants.” recognise themselves in also to win a Slam, that’s what I In a fiery clash in the Straskosha had cleared 69 minutes amid confu- champions did not have it Rudi Garcia’s side are “And I also thank the ref- the attitude of other people play and train for. Maybe one Stadio Olimpico defender from former Lazio player sion in front of goal. all their own way against 11th on 34 points after a erees for not protecting me who insulted Moussa,” he day I can do that,” said Monfils. Ashley Young broke Antonio Candreva. “We gifted Lazio two Brescia, who stay second- fourth match without a and for giving me a yellow added. Monfils has been a runner-up at through just before the A Stefan de Vrij foul on goals,” said Inter coach from-bottom, seven win, one in which the card because I am defend- Vitoria Guimaraes or the the Masters level three times break with his first Serie Ciro Immobile allowed Antonio Conte as the points from safety after away side struck the post ing my skin colour. Portuguese football federa- — at Paris in 2009 and 2010 ‘A’ goal for Inter Milan the Serie ‘A’ top scorer to northerners fell to their extending their winless twice late on. “I hope I will never see tion were yet to comment and Monte Carlo in 2016. — AFP after his move from slot in his 26th goal in 24 second defeat after run to nine games.— AFP — AFP you again on a football on the incident. — AFP CRICKET pg DECCAN CHRONICLE | CHENNAI | TUESDAY | 18 FEBRUARY 2020 14

SHORT TAKES Boult back, Patel ICA office likely in Bengaluru too in Test team Mumbai: The Indian Cricketers Association (ICA) is likely to SAINI’S SONG Wellington, Feb. 17: Fit- Jamieson, on the other have its office in Bengaluru due again senior pacer Trent hand, has been included to high rent for office space in Boult has been named in in a pre-series Test squad Mumbai. The ICA, India’s first- Being in India team life-changing, says speedster the 13-member New for the first time. He had ever players’ association formed Zealand squad for the replaced injured Lockie as per recommendations of the Wellington, Feb. 17: Fast first Test against India Ferguson midway in Supreme Court-appointed bowler Navdeep Saini said starting here on Friday. Australia in December Lodha panel, was on Sunday representing India was a Shardul relies on According to a media last year. granted `2 crore by the BCCI to life-changing moment for release issued by New “Kyle will offer us a kickstart its operations. him and he would look to Zealand Cricket, the 6 feet point of difference with The players’ body was seeking continue his dream of 8 inch giant pacer Kyle the bounce he could an initial grant of `5 crore but playing at the highest level positivity, passion Jamieson, who made his extract on what is tradi- got `2 crore. after getting a maiden Test ODI debut against India tionally a good surface in The body had been desperate- call-up for the two-match Mumbai, Feb. 17: starts in March end is in the recent series, has Wellington,” Stead said. ly seeking funds ever since its series against New Leaving the hammering important. “The IPL is also earned his call up in Mumbai-born Patel was office bearers were elected in Zealand. in New Zealand behind, important and the the Test squad, which will chosen over leg-spinner October last year. “We are look- The 27-year-old, who has pacer Shardul Thakur on momentum we gain from have slow left-arm ortho- Ish Sodhi because of his ing to take up space for an claimed 18 wickets in the Monday exuded plenty of the IPL will be crucial dox Ajaz Patel as the only consistency. “We’re excit- office in Bangalore in the next limited-over matches he confidence, asserting that going forward. There is spinner. ed to welcome back Ajaz 10-15 days, as Mumbai will be has played so far, was he will learn from his the Sri Lanka T20s coming Boult’s comeback is a (Patel) who has done a very expensive, and we won’t included in India’s Test “mistakes” and passion- up and we are going to big boost for the New great job for us overseas be able to afford office space squad for the upcoming ately work towards help- Zimbabwe after IPL. Then Zealand side as he missed and has a proven domes- here,” ICA president Ashok two-match series against ing India win the World we are playing Asia Cup the entire limited overs tic record in New Zealand Malhotra said after a meeting New Zealand. T20. Shardul gave away going into T20 World leg due to a fractured conditions,” the coach on Monday. “I am happy with what- plenty of runs in the Cup,” he said. right hand sustained dur- said. The ICA is looking at ever level I have been able recent One-day Shardul did not have the ing the Boxing Day Test Batting allrounder Bengaluru as an option for hav- to reach. It’s everyone’s Internationals against the best of times in ODIs in against Australia at the Daryl Mitchell is also in ing its office also because its dream to reach this level. Black Caps and faced crit- New Zealand and he said MCG. the squad. — PTI treasurer Krishnaswamy is It was my dream as well, icism for his wayward he would take it as a learn- “It’s terrific to have THE SQUAD based there. — PTI which has now been ful- bowling. He now has his ing experience. “I will Trent back with us and New Zealand: Kane filled. I want to carry this eyes set on the showpiece study my mistakes and we’re looking forward to Williamson (captain), Tom further,” Saini told senior in Australia later this consider them as learning the energy and experi- Blundell, Trent Boult, Colin Prove, pick T20 pacer Mohammed Shami year. experiences. It was only ence he adds to the group de Grandhomme, Kyle in a video posted on Navdeep “Certainly I have my eyes my first trip to New alongside his obvious Jamieson, Tom Latham, BCCI.TV. Saini on World Cup. The positiv- Zealand and as compared class with the ball in Daryl Mitchell, Henry spot ABD told “When I was selected for ity that I bring into the to the other players, I have hand,” head coach and Nicholls, Ajaz Patel, Tim Johannesburg: The retired AB the Indian team, it was game and the amount of not played as many games. chief selector Gary Stead Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil de Villiers will be considered for like a dream come true for confidence I have, the way “Currently, I am just into said. Wagner, BJ Watling. a place in the South African T20 me. I started playing at a the budding cricketers, with cricket equipment, I am passionate about the that phase where I am World Cup squad only if he local level, and then I Saini, who made his India spikes, or financial aid. I game will help the team to gaining experience and shows good form and proves moved on to Ranji. From debut during the T20I have seen how important win the World Cup or at going forward, I will try to himself to be the “best man for there, to become a part of series against the West all of this things are for a least do the job fairly,” he produce greater contribu- the job”, says the team’s head Indian national team, it Indies last year, said: “I young cricketer.” told reporters here. tions,” he added. Ish is all praise for coach Mark Boucher. was a life-changing help all the budding crick- The first Test against Shardul, who has 21 Shardul said he always Soon after taking charge as moment for me,” he said. eters in the academy. I New Zealand begins here wickets from 15 T20Is, said looks to concede less runs. South Africa’s head coach in Asked how he is helping have helped a few kids on February 21. — PTI playing in the IPL that — PTI December last year, Boucher attitude of Indians said he may try to persuade a few recent retirees, including de Wellington, Feb. 17: being an off-spinner. It’s Villiers, to return to the South New Zealand spinner Ish crazy,” Sodhi said. Africa squad ahead of the T20 Sodhi is in awe of the It’s not just the bowlers World Cup to be held in New selectors early next month: Lal “crazy” skills that Indian that he talks to. Sodhi also Australia in October-November. cricketers possess and tries to understand a big- “He’s (de Villiers) a discussion New Delhi, Feb. 17: The Sulkashana Naik are the of New Zealand tour,” Lal “Out of the applica- job and that will be our what has added to the hitter like Rishabh Pant’s in the media and in the public Board of Control for other two members of the said, referring to the tions, how many appli- focus. Also, there is no respect he has for Virat mindset when he goes but he is no discussion for me. I Cricket’s Cricket CAC, which has been ongoing tour, which will cants we will call for the word yet from BCCI on Kohli’s side is its after spinners. — PTI have had chats with him and we Advisory Committee tasked to find replace- end on March 5 after a interview is not yet decid- whether to continue with willingness to will probably know pretty soon (CAC) member Madan ments for outgoing chair- two-Test series starting ed,” Lal added. zonal policy or not,” Lal share the knowl- what’s going to happen with Lal says two new selec- man of selectors MSK on Friday. The applicants include said. edge bank with him,” Boucher said, adding, tors will be in office by Prasad and his fellow The national selection former India pacers Ajit Laxman Sivarama- anyone who “Like I said from day one when I the time the national panel member Gagan panel also includes Agarkar and Venkatesh krishnan, Ameya cares to took over, if we are going to a team’s tour of New Khoda. Devang Gandhi, Jatin Prasad among others. Khurasia and Nayan World Cup, I would like to have Zealand winds up early “We have received a list Paranjpe and Sarandeep “There are big names in Mongia are also among our best players there. If AB is next month. of 44 applicants and we Singh, all of who have the list but it is not about those who have applied approach. in good form and he is raring to Former India cricketers should have the two selec- one more year left in that. It is about best pick- for the two positions in The 27-year- go and he makes himself avail- Rudra Pratap Singh and tors appointed by the end their tenure. ing the right man for the the panel. — PTI old Ludhiana-born able for the time we have asked wrist spinner has been him to be available; if he is the speaking to the likes of best man for the job, then he Ravichandran Ashwin, must go.” — PTI Ravindra Jadeja and Yuzvendra Chahal, who he considers a friend. “You start off with Aussies brace for respect and want to tap into their brains. frosty reception These are all very Johannesburg: Australian helpful guys more coach Justin Langer and limit- than willing to ed-overs captain Aaron Finch share their experi- said on Monday they were look- ences,” Sodhi ing forward to playing in front said. of South African crowds on “Chahal is a their first tour since the sandpa- great person to per scandal of 2018. tap into. He is Former captain Steve Smith completely a and batsman David Warner, different who were both banned for a bowler, big year for their role in ball-tam- hearted. It is pering during the third Test in great to rub Cape Town, are both in the shoulders with these team that will play three guys and listen to their Twenty20 internationals and experiences,” he added. three one-day internationals Sodhi said he is enam- against South Africa, starting oured by Ashwin’s range with the first T20 game at the of tricks and Jadeja’s Ish Sodhi Wanderers Stadium on Friday. work ethic. “I was speak- celebrates a “We love coming to South ing to Jadeja the other wicket in Africa,” said Langer at the day about how he goes this file team’s arrival press conference. on with his training. photo. “We’ve got so many good Talking to Ashwin memories for so long. It was about the carrom obviously a very hard tour last ball and the goo- time but the way our guys have gly he bowls despite moved on, it gave us a great opportunity to reassess where we’re at in Australian cricket,” he added. — AFP Du Plessis quits EMBRACE D/N TEST MATCHES, Captains of the competing teams at the Twenty20 Women’s World Cup in Australia (from left) Thailand’s Sornnarin Tippoch, Stafanie Taylor of as SA’s captain West Indies, India’s Harmanpreet Kaur, New Zealand’s Sophie Devine, Australia’s Meg Lanning, England’s Heather Knight, Salma Khatun of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka’s Chamari Atapattu, Pakistan’s Bismah Maroof and South Africa’s Dane van Niekerk pose with the World Cup trophy at Johannesburg, Feb. 17: URGES WAUGH Taronga Zoo in Sydney on Monday, ahead of the competition that begins on Friday. — AFP Faf du Plessis announced Berlin: Australian legend Steve on Monday that he was Waugh has exhorted the mod- stepping down as South ern-day greats to embrace day- Africa’s cricket captain night Tests and lauded India for with immediate effect. accepting the “challenge” of Du Plessis, 35, said he playing with the pink-ball dur- Harman banks on youngsters needed to take “a step ing their tour Down Under later back” from the captaincy this year. in order to help the emer- Waugh said the experience of gence of the next genera- playing a day-night Test in Says team is buzzing ahead of women’s T20 World Cup tion of leaders under Australia is unforgettable. Sydney, Feb. 17: The void talent and ability,” said the way in making up for that “Over the last two years, Quinton de Kock. We already miss the “It is great. It is a great oppor- left by legends such as 29-year-old, while speak- debacle. we have already had a few De Kock led the team in Faf du Plessis tunity, a great spectacle. One Mithali Raj and Jhulan ing at the captains’ media experience, but these India women came tanta- games as part of the recent one-day and will never forget playing a day- Goswami is not easy to fill, day at Taronga Zoo in young girls and showing lisingly close to winning Women’s T20 Challenge Twenty20 internationals from cricket since the end night Test in Australia. It’s got a India captain Sydney. their talent and ability. the ICC ODI World Cup and this year we are look- against England while Du of the Test series against fantastic atmosphere. It is a new Harmanpreet Kaur con- The ICC Women’s T20 In the last two years... three years back, losing to ing forward to more,” said Plessis was being rested. England last month had challenge and a chance for the ceded on Monday but also World Cup will open with I’ve gone from being the hosts England by nine the aggressive batter, who It was announced last given him “a lot of per- greats of this generation to tick asserted that her young a mouth-watering clash youngest one to one of runs in the final. became the first Indian month that De Kock spective”. that box for them,” Waugh said side has grown substan- between India and defend- the oldest in the team “Our team is growing cricketer to join an over- would be South Africa’s while speaking on the sidelines tially to be a top contender ing champions and hosts ● day by day, everyone is seas league by signing up long-term one-day cap- Back in side of the Laureus Awards ceremo- for this month’s women’s Australia in Adelaide on The team is looking in looking so positive,” with Women’s Big Bash tain but in Monday’s Meanwhile, du Plessis ny. T20 World Cup. February 21. good shape and show- Harmanpreet said. League side Sydney statement, Du Plessis said and fast bowler Kagiso Waugh, who is a member of Mithali retired from T20 “In the last two years... ing what they can do “It’s going to be very big Thunder in 2016. he was also relinquishing Rabada returned to the the Laureus Academy, said day- cricket last year while I’ve gone from being the with extra responsibility. if we win, I was very sur- “If we win the World the Test and T20 captain- South African squad for a night Test contests are good for Goswami previously youngest one to one of the prised at all the reaction Cup, there’s no doubt c y. three-match Twenty20 the game. “If you score a hun- played in the format oldest in the team,” she — HARMANPREET from 2017. My parents did- things will change. That In a statement issued by series against Australia, dred or pick five wickets in a before the 2018 edition. said. KAUR n’t tell me, they didn’t tournament would bring a Cricket South Africa, Du starting on Friday.— AFP day-night Test, it goes down in The average age of India’s “They (her teammates) Indian women’s want us to feel the pres- lot of confidence to the Plessis said he wanted to The squad: Quinton de Kock the annals of history. It’s how squad in Australia is 22.8 never show us that they’re team captain sure. If we win, it’s going girls,” Harman said. concentrate on contribut- (captain), Temba Bavuma, Faf you look at it either it is a chal- with Harmanpreet being young, they can always do to be very big for us. We “If we get a women’s IPL ing to the team as a bats- du Plessis, Bjorn Fortuin, lenge or too hard. I’m sure India among the seasoned ones what we expect of them. She is still not over the will try to give our best,” that will be really good for man and senior player. Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, will see it as a challenge. It’s in the team. The team is looking in disappointment of miss- she said. us. If we win the World Du Plessis captained Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine good for world cricket and I am “We already miss the really good shape and ing the ODI world title in Harmanpreet is well Cup, it’s going to be very South Africa in 112 Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, glad that India have agreed to experience they share showing what they can do 2017 and Harmanpreet aware of what a long run big for us as a team, so we matches across all for- Tabraiz Shamsi, Jon-Jon Smuts, play,” he said. with us, but these young with extra responsibility,” said the T20 World Cup in an ICC tournament can will try to give our best,” mats, including 36 Tests. Dale Steyn, Pite van Biljon, — PTI girls and showing their she added. trophy would go a long do for her country. she added. — PTI He said his time away Rassie van der Dussen. GAMES pg DECCAN CHRONICLE | TUESDAY | 18 FEBRUARY 2020 | CHENNAI 15

SHORT TAKES ASIAN WRESTLING | C’SHIP Gujrathi remains Bajrang, Vinesh to on top in Prague Humpy rules again Prague: Indian Grand Master Vidit Gujrathi opened up a one- lead home charge point lead after posting an Koneru claims her second title in last two months impressive win over world’s top New Delhi, Feb. 17: It is a great opportunity junior Alireza Firouzja in the St Louis (USA), Feb. 17: Bajrang Punia will look to for all of us. We will be fifth round of the Prague Chess World rapid champion defend his 65kg freestyle playing in front of our Festival’s Masters Category Koneru Humpy claimed title while Vinesh Phogat home fans. Though to here. The 25-year old notched her second title in the last will aim to upgrade the many it might seem as up his third win by outclassing two months by emerging 53kg bronze she won in the pressure, but I believe it his Iranian opponent in a 24- triumphant at the Cairns last edition to gold when will work as an advan- move Slav exchange late on Cup chess tournament fol- the Asian Wrestling tage Sunday. Firouzja, playing with lowing a draw against Championship begins here black pieces, underestimated compatriot Dronavalli on Tuesday. — BAJRANG PUNIA, the power of the exchanged Harika in the ninth and The six-day event at the Indian wrestler variants and went down with- final round here. KD Jadhav Wrestling out much of a fight. Humpy, who was Stadium will act as a plat- “I am happy with the way the crowned world champion form for the Indian ment to take part in the games are going,” Gujrathi said in the last week of wrestlers to test their skills championship. after moving to four points December 2019, finished against the best in Asia The senior Asian from five games. the tournament with 6 ahead of the Tokyo Championship is return- P. Harikrishna, the other Indian points. The icing on the Olympics. ing to India after a gap of in the 10-player field, held high- cake is that Humpy would The championship has two years. India last hosted er-rated Russian Nikita Vitiugov be gaining five ELO rating been classified as a rank- the championship in 2017. in 59 moves, to take his tally to points (the basis for inter- ing tournament for the In the 2019 edition in Xi’an two points. Vitiugov and top national rankings) and Tokyo Olympics by the province of China, India seed Jan-Krzysztof Duda of moving to No. 2 in the United World Wrestling — had won 16 medals, includ- Poland are in second spot with world list. the global governing body ing the lone gold from three points. — PTI “I am very happy to have of the sport. Punia in 65kg category. won such a strong tourna- Besides Punia and World No. 2 and India’s ment. It also reminds me Vinesh, who had won a leading medal hope, Punia East Bengal beat that winning the world bronze medal each in the said, “It is a great opportu- rapid title was no flash in World Championships last nity for all of us. We will be Indian Arrows the pan,” Humpy said. year, the 30-member India playing in front of our Mumbai: East Bengal defeated The 32-year-old Humpy squad will also feature home fans. Though to Indian Arrows 3-1 in their I- needed only a draw in the Deepak Punia, Ravi Kumar many it might seem as League game at the iconic last round to at least tie Dahiya and Olympic pressure, but I believe it Cooperage Stadium here on for the first place and be medallist Shakshi Malik. will work as an advantage Monday as the Bengal-based in contention for the top Anshu Malik, Ashu and and I am hopeful that large outfit took revenge of their ear- prize. She secured the Sonam Malik are the three numbers will be coming in lier loss. draw late on Sunday with- youngsters who would look to fill the stands and sup- While Jaime Colado (5th out much difficulty by to make a mark in the tour- port us.” minute), Asheer Akhtar (62nd playing a solid line of nament. Apart from the Indians, minute) and Lalrindika Ralte Four knights opening The tournament will be there will be a number of (67th minute) scored for East against Harika. played in three categories top international wrestlers Bengal, Vikram Pratap Singh Humpy received $45,000 — men’s freeStyle, Greco- as well, like Kenichiro Dronavali Harika (left) and Koneru Humpy prior to their ninth round action at the Cairns Cup Chess Tournament in (54th minute) pulled one back ● Humpy, who was Roman and women’s Fumita, gold medallist at for Arrows, the developmental St. Louis on Monday. — FIDE wrestling. The first two 2019 World Wrestling side of All India Football crowned world for winning the title in match in the event was next big event. “The next suffered a defeat in the days will see Greco-Roman Championships, and Federation. champion in the last what is considered one of against former world big event is the Grand second round to Mariya competition, followed by Nurislam Sanayev from With this game, I-League week of December the strongest tourna- champion Kosteniuk in Prix in Italy this May and Muzychuk before bounc- women’s wrestling (next Kazakhstan in freestyle. returned to the Cooperage 2019, finished the ments ever. World champi- the seventh round. “The then I will be playing in ing back strongly. two days) and men’s In Greco-Roman, after three years. on Wenjun Ju finished match against Alexandra the PSPB tournaments in She played a solid game freestyle (last two days). wrestlers like South In the previous match between tournament with 6 second with 5.5 points Kosteniuk, which was a India,” she added. to hold world champion There was initially Korea’s Ryu Han Su (a two- the two sides, Arrows had got points. The icing on after winning her final long battle in the seventh Humpy, who is leading Wenjun Ju and got the bet- uncertainty over the par- time world champion) and better of East Bengal 1-0. the cake is that round game against round was the toughest. It the FIDE Women’s Grand ter of players like Nana ticipation of four Uzbekistan’s Elmurat Both the teams started in an Humpy would be Russia’s Alexandra helped me keep my Prix Series right now, Dzagnidze and Alexandra Pakistani wrestlers and Tasmuradov (a five-time aggressive manner and East Kosteniuk (5 points). unbeaten record against aims to qualify for the Kosteniuk. two officials due to politi- Asian Championship gold Bengal took the lead in the fifth gaining five ELO Kosteniuk ended fourth in her in five games,” she Candidates scheduled A victory over Valentina cal tension but they have medallist) will be in action. minute, as striker Colado slot- rating points and the tournament. Harika said. later this year. Gunina in the penulti- been cleared by the govern- — PTI ted home. — PTI moving to No. 2 in finished tied fifth with 4.5 She is now aiming to do Humpy started with a mate round helped her the world list. points. well in the Grand Prix in win over 16-year old pull ahead of the field. Shuttler Bhagat Humpy said the toughest Italy in May which is her American Carissa Yip but — PTI wins double gold ‘GUARDIOLA TO São Paulo, Brazil: Ace Indian Arsenal back into CL contention shuttler Pramod Bhagat clinched two gold medals as London, Feb. 17: STICK WITH CITY Indian Para badminton players Arsenal manager Mikel returned home with a rich haul Arteta said he still only of 10 medals from Brazil Para wants the best for former DESPITE BAN’ Badminton International employers Manchester London, Feb. 17: Pep Championships here. City, even though a Guardiola has told friends World No. 1 Bhagat picked up European ban for the he is going to remain as the gold medals in men’s sin- English champions could manager of Manchester Winners of the fifth Kespa-HITS swimming meet. gles SL3 and men’s doubles give the Gunners a route City even if the appeal SL3-SL4 categories along with into next season’s against their two-year Manoj Sarkar and, thus accumu- Champions League. European football ban is lated the important ranking A 4-0 win over rejected by the Court of points towards the qualification Newcastle on Sunday lift- Arbitration for Sport Vinoth sparkles to Tokyo 2020 Paralympic ed Arsenal up to 10th in (CAS), according to media Games, where Para Badminton the Premier League, but reports on Monday. Chennai: K. Vinoth Kumar’s five- will make its debut. just six points adrift of The 49-year-old Spaniard wicket haul helped DRBCCC Hindu The other gold medallist for Tottenham in fifth. is said by The Times to College beat Frankworell CC in the India was Suhas Lalinakere City’s two-season ban have told both the City TNCA Thiruvallur DCA league. Yathiraj, who put up a brilliant handed down by UEFA on board and the players he Brief scores: IV Division: DRBCCC performance to succeed in a Friday means fifth will be will be staying despite the Hindu College 198/7 in 30 overs (R. nail-biting men’s singles SL4 enough to secure a sanction and reported Manikandan 39, S. Dinesh Kumar 36*, final. Yathiraj came back from a Champions League place interest from Serie A P. Surya Kumar 36) bt Frankworell CC game down to shock France’s unless the champions suc- champions Juventus. 142 in 27 overs (B. Karthik 73, E.S. Vinoth Kumar top seed Lucas Mazur 9-21, 21- ceed in overturning that Guardiola, who has been Vishal Rao 25, K. Vinoth Kumar 5/51). CPCL RC 152 in 16, 21-19 in three games. sanction at the Court of at City for four years, 27.4 overs (K. Manikandan 41, S. Munusamy 26, J. In men’s singles SS6 final, Arbitration for Sport. reportedly told the play- Chinna Durai 25, T. S. Balaji 4/30, G.D. Dhanakoti 3/40) Krishna Nagar too settled for Arteta, who left City to ers of his intention at a lost to Universal CC 153/7 in 26.1 Overs (R. Veeramani the silver going down to local take his first senior man- meeting on Saturday. 33, M. Haridass 3/29). player Vitor Gonçalves Tavares agerial role at the “Look, whatever league 18-21, 19-21. — PTI Emirates in December, we are in, I will still be could now be the benefici- here,” Guardiola told ary of his former club’s them according to Sky punishment. Sports News. SRIKANTH, SAINA “It’s very difficult. I “Even if they put us in want the best for League Two, I will still be CHASE OLYMPIC Manchester City, the best here. This is a time for for Pep (Guardiola) and sticking together.” the players. The only He is likely to confirm BERTH IN SPAIN thing I want for them is this at the press confer- Barcelona: Seasoned Indian positive and good things,” ence on Wednesday fol- shuttlers Saina Nehwal and said the Spaniard. lowing the re-arranged Kidambi Srikanth will look to “I just want to do for Premier League match keep their Olympic hopes alive Arsenal the best I can.” with West Ham. when they compete at the The match on February $170,000 Barcelona Spain SON STRIKES LATE Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (right) heads home the opening goal of the 9 was postponed due to Masters starting here on WINNER AT VILLA English Premier League match against Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium Storm Ciara. Winners of Dr Indra Biswakumar memorial city-school Tuesday. The Indian duo has Tottenham manager Jose in London on Sunday. — AFP The Sun claims the for- been inconsistent in 2019 and Mourinho also believes mer Barcelona and table tennis tournament organised by SDAT Medimix didn’t enjoy a good start to the City’s two-season ban has Bayern Munich manager Chandra TT coaching centre. new year. While Saina has opened the door for a host has told friends he is crossed the first round in only of teams to qualify for going to at least see out one of the three events in next season’s competi- Stuttering Atletico seek old his contract with the club CORONAVIRUS | HAVOC 2020, Srikanth has lost in the tion. which runs until 2021. opening round in all three tour- Mourinho’s men moved He is old friends with naments that he has played so up to fifth in the Premier City executives Ferran far this year. Saina and Srikanth League — which could be habits to upset Liverpool Soriano and Txiki Tokyo marathon are currently ranked 18th and enough to secure Begiristain and enjoys an 15th respectively, while being Champions League foot- Madrid, Feb. 17: Atletico many in Spain believe amicable relationship placed 22nd and 26th in the ball should City’s appeal Madrid might once have Live on TV Atletico’s season is in tat- with club chairman cancels amateur race ‘Race to Tokyo’ rankings, which against the ban fail — relished the challenge of ters, with the assumption Khaldoon al Mubarak. takes into consideration only thanks to Son Heung- resisting an opponent like CHAMPIONS LEAGUE they will soon depart the “He is not the kind of Tokyo, Feb. 17: March 1 race. the points accumulated from min’s stoppage time win- Liverpool, but reaching Champions League too. person whose first Organisers said on Monday The cancellation comes the tournaments played in the ner to beat Aston Villa 3-2 the Champions League’s Atletico Madrid vs thought is to leave when they are cancelling the after Japanese government last one year. According to the on Sunday. quarter-finals will Liverpool NEYMAR BACK FROM things turn bad,” sources amateur portion of the officials warned the spread BWF Olympic qualification Spurs are also now just require a performance from 1.30am (Wednesday) INJURY FOR close to Guardiola told Tokyo marathon, affecting of the virus in the country rules, only two players from one point behind not yet seen from them on Sony Ten 2, HD DORTMUND CLASH The Daily Telegraph. around 38,000 runners, on entering “a new phase”. each singles category can qual- Mourinho’s old club this season. Neymar has been named — AFP fears about the spread of At least 65 cases have ify. — PTI Chelsea. — AFP Diego Simeone’s side Dortmund vs PSG in the Paris Saint- the new coronavirus in been diagnosed in Japan, are no longer the same from 1.30am (Wednesday) Germain squad for the Japan. excluding hundreds of Atletico famed for their on Sony Ten 1, HD last-16 first leg at “We reached the conclu- infections aboard a cruise Regd. No. THE RESULTS inch-perfect defence, Dortmund, despite miss- sion that unfortunately it is ship quarantined off the relentless work ethic and When it was pointed out ing the French club’s last difficult to organise the coast. TNENG/2010/35692 Arsenal 4 a knack for grinding to Simeone on Friday that four games through event... After several cases On Sunday, the health (Aubameyang 54, down even the most both of Valencia’s goals injury. (of the virus) were con- minister warned citizens to Printed & Published by Pepe 57, Ozil 90, assured, attacking teams. in their 2-2 draw at He has been struggling firmed in Tokyo,” the avoid large crowds and T. Venkateswarlu on behalf of Lacazette 90+5) Instead, they are 12 Mestalla had come from with a rib problem. Tokyo Marathon non-essential gatherings, Deccan Chronicle Holdings Limited Newcastle 0 points adrift of leaders set-pieces, he said: “We PSG are yet to reach the Foundation said. sparking speculation that and Printed at Deccan Chronicle Presses situated Real Madrid in La Liga don’t have the same char- Champions League semi- The decision will not the marathon would be Aston Villa 2 and last week sat sixth, a acteristics now. Just like finals since being bought affect elite runners, includ- cancelled. at SP 3, Developed Plot, Industrial Estate, (Alderweireld 9-og, Guindy, Chennai - 600 032. reflection of a deflating we attack differently, we by their Qatari owners in ing elite wheelchair partic- A public gathering for the RNI Registration No: TN ENG/2005/14987 Engels 53) few months during which also defend differently.” 2011, with their run to the ipants, the organisers said. birthday of Emperor Ph Nos: 22254747, 22254748, 22254750, Tottenham 3 their old identity has Out of the title race last four in 1994-95 still But they only account for Naruhito that was sched- 22254751 (Alderweireld 27, Son blurred and their before March and the closest they have around 200 of the tens of uled for February 23 has Editor: ADITYA SINHA 45+2, 90+4) esteemed coach been knocked out of the Copa come to lifting the thousands of people who also been cancelled on questioned. del Rey before the last 16, European Cup. — AFP had registered for the virus fears. — AFP