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Year:4 Issue : 50 Mumbai, Thursday 29 July-04 August 2021 Editor in Chief : Sanjay M. Bhaire Rs.5/- Pages- 24

Inside Govt should set aside norms, Heavy rainfall at Konkan, western Maharashtra from extend all possible help to Friday, IMD warns flood-hit people: Fadnavis Satara of people. In such times, The state government the state government should should go beyond the laid set aside the norms and norms to reach out to the extend all possible help to Read full story on page 2 people affected by floods in people. Often the trappings the state, opposition leader of administrative norms Devendra Fadnavis said lead to inordinate delays Wednesday as he embarked in enforcing the decisions. Use landline for on a three-day tour to the In case of flood relief, the rain-hit Satara, Sangli and government should exercise work, texts over Kolhapur. its discretionary powers to calls, be polite: The three districts in make quick decisions and the sugar belt of Western its implementation to bring Uddhav govt’s Maharashtra are among the relief to people,” Fadnavis worst affected by the heavy said. He was accompanied by new mobile rainfall and floods last week. the leader of opposition in the phone rules Thousand people in these state Council Pravin Darekar. areas have been forced to The former CM said he leave their homes and seek was trying to reach out to shelter at relief camps. the people and ascertain the Read full story on page 3 On Wednesday, Fadnavis ground situation. “We will started his flood tour from submit a report to CM,” he Morgiri-Ambeghar in Satara. said. Maharashtra At Morna Vidhyalaya in The magnitude of the government Morgiri village, he distributed floods, Fadnavis said, called some relief material among the for both short- and long-term willing to displaced families, interacted planning. “While the first rehabilitate with people and also shared priority should be to equip the meal with them. A landslide in people with relief material to flood-prone Ambeghar had left 15 persons enable them to cope with daily villages to safer dead last week. life. But a long-term plan is “The floods have needed to avoid recurrence of destinations: wrecked the lives of lakhs floods,” he said. Ajit Pawar

Read full story on page ७ Maharashtra cabinet passes ordinance India gets its 40th World to reduce school fees by 15% Heritage Site Mumbai Varsha Gaikwad said the government the Maharashtra government has set The Maharashtra Cabinet on has taken the step following demands up a committee to study the issue of Wednesday passed an ordinance, from parents as most of the teaching is fees charged by colleges too. The state reducing fees in all schools by 15 per being conducted online. The order will fee regulatory authority will submit its cent thereby providing relief to lakhs of be implemented for this academic year. recommendations within a month after students. The decision has been taken She added that there is a discussion on studying the fees charged by universities due to the ongoing pandemic. reducing syllabus from classes I to XII and government-run as well as aided- Speaking to reporters after the weekly by 25 per cent because of the pandemic unaided colleges for conventional and Read full story on page 11 cabinet meeting, Education Minister and online learning. Apart from schools, professional courses. 2 Mumbai, Thursday 29 July-04 August 2021 City / Local Across State Setting up oxygen plants: BMC asks Heavy rainfall at Konkan, company to immediately complete western Maharashtra work at 16 sites, else face penalty Mumbai to the company on June 16, final site The BMC, in a letter dated July 19, clearance was received by all plots from Friday, IMD warns has instructed the Highway Construction between June 16 and June 25. The BMC Company to complete the installation of had then said that it would calculate the Mumbai 16 oxygen generation plants at nine civic- deadline for work at five sites as July 25, Rainfall is likely to intensify on run hospitals, work for which is running while the remaining will be between July Friday and Saturday over the entire behind the schedule. If the work is not 16 and July 25. “You are hereby instructed Konkan region, including Ratnagiri and completed immediately, the BMC said it to complete the work immediately without Sindhudurg, and in western Maharashtra will penalise the company. fail; otherwise, the penalty will be levied areas of Pune, Kolhapur and Satara To drastically bring down dependence to you as per terms and conditions of districts. on private oxygen suppliers and save the tender. Moreover, action deemed fit The India Meteorological Department money, the BMC on June 16 had awarded will be taken for the lapses, delay and (IMD) on Tuesday issued an orange alert the contract to the company to install non-compliance, if found any, as per indicating heavy to very heavy rainfall at In 24 hours ending at 8.30 am on oxygen generation plants at nine civic-run tender conditions,” read the letter. Once isolated places on Friday and Saturday Tuesday, Mumbai and its suburbs hospitals – in 16 locations – in 30 days. operational, the shelf life of these plants in the rain-battered districts of Raigad recorded light rain. The IMD’s Santacruz While the 16 sites were handed over will be 15 to 30 years. and Ratnagiri and at isolated places in observatory recorded 4.1 mm of rain while ghat areas of Pune, Kolhapur and Satara. the Colaba observatory recorded 10 mm A yellow alert indicating heavy rain of rain. at isolated places has been forecast till “Fairly widespread to widespread Woman advocate files rape Thursday. rainfall with isolated heavy falls very Rainfall is also likely to increase in likely over Konkan and Goa, ghat areas of Mumbai and neighbouring districts, with Madhya Maharashtra during the next three case against 2 lawyers a yellow alert being issued for the city, days and increase to isolated heavy to very Mumbai 1.50 lakh monthly salary by A case was registered Thane and Palghar on Friday and Saturday. heavy falls over the region from July 29,” Mumbai Police the main accused, who is a against the two lawyers and As per the 24-hour forecast for stated IMD’s afternoon bulletin. Currently, has registered an FIR lawyer, at his firm in south five staff members under Mumbai, light to moderate rain in the southwest monsoon is active over the north on charges of rape and Mumbai. sections 376 (rape), 380 city and its suburbs is likely with the western Maharashtra. Widespread rainfall molestation against seven The main accused (Theft in dwelling house), possibility of occasional intense spells and has been forecast in Konkan region till persons, including two promised to provide her 385 (extortion), 120-B gusty wind. July 30. lawyers and five others, on with the letterhead of the (criminal conspiracy), and the complaint of a 35-year- firm and an appointment 354 (Assault of criminal old woman advocate letter and raped her at the force to woman with intent who alleged that she was office, the Marine Drive to outrage her modesty) Subscribe Today! sexually assaulted by the police station official said of the Indian Penal Code Across State main accused under the quoting the FIR which was (IPC), the official said. SUBSCRIPTION FORM pretext of giving her better registered on Saturday. No arrest is made so Name :...... salary in their legal firm, She claimed that far, he said, adding that an official said on Monday. another lawyer and five the police are verifying the Address :...... In her statement to members of staff used to allegations and will take ...... police, the woman alleged molest her inside the office, appropriate action. that she was promised Rs he said...... City :...... State:...... Thane resident cheated by Phone :...... E-mail: ...... promising railway job 1 year subscription of both Across State (English) & Across Thane master with the railways and took a total Mumbai (Marathi+Hindi) – 500/- Rs. Police has registered a case against of Rs 7.50 lakh from him between August 1 year subscription of Across State (English) 240/- Rs. six persons, some of them from outside 2019 to February 2020. He transferred Maharashtra, for allegedly duping a Thane the money to one Roshni Singh, resident 1 year subscription of Across Mumbai (Marathi+ Hindi) 240/- Rs. city resident of Rs 7.5 lakh by promising of Delhi, through online banking, the Kindly, send the Cheque in favour of him a job in the railways, an official said complainant told police. BHAKTI PRINT MEDIA PRIVATE LIMITED. on Tuesday. The accused then handed him a joining A case under IPC sections 420 letter, appointment letter and ID cards Signature (cheating) and 468 (forgery) was registered besides a letter declaring that he was Send Your Subscription Here: at Vartak Nagar police station late Monday trained at `Ggram Kolkata', but all these night but no arrest has been made so far, documents turned out to be fake and the B wing, 512, Knox Plaza, Mindspace, Contact : he said. complainant realized that he had been Off. Link Road, Behind Inorbit Mall, Mr. Sanjay M. Bhaire The accused, among them residents of taken for a ride. Malad (W), Mumbai-64. (9819991194) Delhi and Kolkata, promised to arrange Further probe is underway, the police a job for the complainant as a station official said. color

Across State City / Local Mumbai, Thursday 29 July-04 August 2021 3

Maharashtra floods claim 251 lives, 13 districts affected: Nawab Malik Mumbai leaders are talking is not followed by 6 teams Around 251 people proper. The language deployed at Ratnagiri. have lost their lives which they are using Four teams each have and 100 others are still is not Maharashtra's been deployed in Satara missing as 13 districts culture. What Narayan and Pune, and 3 have been in the state have been Rane said after visiting deployed in Mumbai. For severely affected due the flood-affected areas the districts of Sindhudurg, to floods following is not right. He said Sangli, and Thane, one incessant rains, informed that we should have got team of NDRF each has Nationalist Congress the chance to form a been deployed. Party (NCP) leader government, which is Two teams of Coast Nawab Malik. The NCP not right as one must not Guard are also working leader said that Deputy do such politics at this at Ratnagiri, while 2 units Chief Minister Ajit time," he added. of Army are deployed at Pawar is also visiting As the rescue Kolhapur and Sangli. 3 the flood-affected areas operation in the state teams of the State Disaster and the state government continues at a rapid pace, Response Force (SDRF) has announced assistance to provide aid to floods to the Centre for helping culture. a total of 34 National are working for the Raigad as per National Disaster affected people will the state government in "I have been saying Disaster Response Force district and 1 team for Response Force (NDRF) be taken in the cabinet saving lives, he hit out that and even Chief (NDRF) teams have been Wardha. norms. meeting and we are also at the Bharatiya Janata Minister has also said deployed in Maharashtra. A total of 142 boats, "Floods have planning to help from our Pary, stating that the way that Central government Most teams of NDRF including 131 of NDRF, destroyed the houses party's side," Malik said. BJP leaders are talking is helping us in saving (8) are presently deployed are engaged in the rescue and crops. The decision Extending gratitude is not Maharashtra's lives. But the way BJP at the Kolhapur district, operation.

Use landline for work, texts over calls, be polite: Will make efforts to Uddhav govt’s new mobile phone rules avoid loss of life in Mumbai resolution is not a Use landline phones for consequence of fears over future incidents : CM work as much as possible, spying malware and phone prefer text messages over tapping. Raigad announced an ex-gratia voice calls, and keep voice “We were planning Maharashtra Chief of Rs 5 lakh each to the calls as short as possible. to frame such rules for Minister Uddhav heirs of those who died These are some of the the use of mobile phones Thackeray visited Taliye in several rain-related guidelines that the Uddhav much before the Pegasus village of Mahad in Raigad incidents across the state. Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Project reports came about. district to review the flood- The treatment of those Aghadi (MVA) government It is for the simple reason like situation following who are injured in these has laid down for its of maintaining decorum incessant rain in the area. incidents will be borne employees and officials on laying down the rules. Project has been releasing when many people are The Chief Minister by his government, he using their mobile phones The rules come at a time lists of Indian politicians, working remotely due to said that full compensation added. for government work. when public representatives bureaucrats, business the Covid-19 pandemic,” will be given to those Deputy CM Ajit The state general have been making tycoons, journalists, and she said. who were affected by the Pawar on Saturday said administration department, allegations of their phones others, who were allegedly The department floods. He added that that Taliye village in which falls under the being tapped when the targeted using the spyware. had earlier this month efforts will be made to Raigad district was not jurisdiction of Chief Devendra Fadnavis-led BJP A senior official from also published rules for avoid loss of life in such identified as a landslide- Minister Thackeray, has government was in power. the general administration government employees on incidents in future. prone area but the tragedy issued a government The guidelines also come department, however, how to conduct themselves "Compensation will occurred due to excessive resolution dated 23 July at a time when the Pegasus said that the government during video calls. be given to all those who rains. have suffered losses due Speaking to reporters, to floods. We will try that Pawar also said 90,000 Six injured after four-storey building collapses in Andheri no lives are lost in such people were evacuated incidents in the future", to safety so far from nine Mumbai fireman from the rescue team were treatment at the hospital, a civic the CM said. districts in Maharashtra Six people, including a fireman, injured, the official said. official told media. Earlier on July Thackeray consoled hit by heavy rains. were injured after a part of a four- "Another 10 people were trapped 23, a portion of a vacant ground-plus- the kin of deceased who The fatality count in storey building collapsed in Mumbai's on the first and second floors of the five storey building in Antop Hil in lost their lives in Taliye rain-related incidents Andheri area on Wednesday night. building and they all were safely Mumbai collapsed at around 8:30 pm, village due to landslide in Raigad district of A portion on the north side of rescued," he said. a civic official told media. following incessant rains. Maharashtra reached 47 Mehta Babu Chawl near Salami hotel The six injured persons were The official said the eastern part of He assured all possible on Saturday, including 37 in Juhu Galli crashed around 12.30 rushed to the nearby Cooper Hospital. building number 10 in Punjabi Camp, help from the state, in the landslide at Taliye am, a fire brigade official told media. Out of them, fireman Vishwas Rahate opposite Hari Manzil, collapsed, but including rehabilitation village, the state disaster Five persons, including a senior (51) was discharged after treatment. no one was injured as the structure for those affected. management department citizen, from the building and a The five others were undergoing was vacant. Thackeray on Friday said. 4 Mumbai, Thursday 29 July-04 August 2021 National News Across State Assam to deploy 4K cops After meeting PM Narendra Modi, Mamata calls for at Mizoram border, MHA Supreme Court-monitored probe into Pegasus summons chief secys

New Delhi Kuldiep Singh today chaired a Even as uneasy calm meeting with senior officials prevails along the Assam- of the force to chart out a New Delhi allegedly hacked using Pegasus. to the Centre during her last stint, Mizoram border where strategy to maintain peace in West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata was talking to she said. The PM assured her to five police personnel lost the area, they said. It is learnt Mamata Banerjee today said a reporters after meeting PM look into her demands, the CM their lives yesterday during that the DG also briefed the Supreme Court-monitored probe Narendra Modi. Asked if the said. She described her meeting violent clashes, Union Home Union Home Secretary on the should be instituted to ascertain Pegasus issue was discussed with Modi as a “courtesy call”. Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla prevailing situation along the the charges of hacking into the during their meeting, she said, After getting elected as the CM has called a meeting of chief interstate border. phones of politicians, journalists “Sometimes, what is discussed for the third term, it was her secretaries and DGPs of the Meanwhile, two battalions and others by using the Israeli cannot be divulged.” constitutional duty to meet the two states on Wednesday to of the CRPF have taken spyware “Pegasus”. She said she informed the PM and the President, she said. work out a peace formula. control of the situation in Mamata said an all-party PM about the vaccine shortage On her meeting with the In a statement in Parliament the trouble-hit area after meeting should be convened being faced by West Bengal. The President, she said though she today, the Union Ministry of Union Home Minister Amit to discuss the issue. TMC’s LS vaccine supply to the state was was fully vaccinated, she would Home Affairs (MHA) said Shah intervened and spoke member and Mamata’s nephew inadequate, she claimed. still need a negative RT-PCR interstate border disputes to the CMs of both states, Abhishek Banerjee and political She also took up the issue report to him. This was posing a would only be resolved with asking them to disengage and strategist Prashant Kishor are of rechristening West Bengal. A problem, she said. the cooperation of the state maintain peace. among those whose phones were proposal in that regard was sent governments involved and the Centre would play the role of a facilitator. Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma BJP picks BSY confidant Bommai as Karnataka CM today said his government Bengluru Yediyurappa, who later would approach the Supreme Basavaraj Somappa tweeted, “Congratulations Court for the protection of Bommai, a formidable to @BSBommai on being inner line forest reserve Lingayat, was today elected as the new Chief from destruction and elected as the new Chief Minister of Karnataka. I encroachment and deploy Minister of Karnataka am confident you will lead 4,000 commandos along the during a meeting of Karnataka on the path of border with Mizoram to make the BJP legislature development and fulfil sure that “not an inch of party. Union Ministers the aspirations of state’s Assam’s land is encroached Dharmendra Pradhan people.” Bommai (61) is by the neighbouring state”. and G Kishan Reddy and son of former Karnataka Sarma said, “Satellite images party general secretary CM, the late SR Bommai. in-charge of the state Like outgoing CM BS have shown that roads are Arun Singh were present Yediyurappa, he too belongs being constructed and forests at the meeting. Pradhan to the Lingayat community. cleared for jhum cultivation said Bommai’s name was Known for his “clean along the border which cannot proposed by senior leader and non-controversial” be allowed. We will move BS Yediyurappa and image, Bommai is the Supreme Court to ensure was supported by party considered among close that the forests are protected. MLAs Govind Karjol, R confidants of Yediyurappa. Also, we will deploy 4,000 Ashok, KS Eshwarappa, B The three-time MLA from commandos.” Sriramulu, ST Somashekar Shiggaon in Haveri district, Sources in the CRPF said and Poornima Srinivas. Bommai joined the BJP in they were trying to bring back Soon after the 2008. He is an engineer by announcement, Bommai profession and started his normalcy in the violence-hit sought the blessings of career with the Tata Group. area. CRPF Director General Across State National Mumbai, Thursday 29 July-04 August 2021 5

Give data on oxygen deaths before Parliament session Pegasus: Oppn for all-party meet, ends: Govt to states seeks President intervention New Delhi Political slugfest over the Pegasus snooping row intensified on Tuesday with both Houses of Parliament remaining dysfunctional for the sixth day and the Opposition and government digging in heels on the issue. The Opposition continued to seek suspension of parliamentary proceedings for a debate on Pegasus in the presence of Prime Minister President about repeated adjournment opposition was solely interested in New Delhi session,” sources said. Narendra Modi or Home Minister notices being given in Parliament disruptions. The Union Health The government might Amit Shah and an SC-led inquiry to discuss farmers’ issues and how Deputy leader of the Rajya Sabha Ministry today asked the make another statement into the matter with West Bengal the government has refused to allow Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi released letters states to provide specific in Parliament on the CM Mamata Banerjee and Leader discussions.” Signed by SAD chief Congress leaders Adhir Ranjan data on deaths due to issue, correcting its earlier of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Sukhbir Badal, the letter also seeks Chowdhury and Mallikarjun Kharge oxygen shortage. position, sources added. Mallikarjun Kharge also calling for an urgent discussion on the Pegasus earlier wrote to the government Sources said a letter Earlier, when an all-party meeting on the issue. spyware matter. seeking a special session to discuss had been sent to the states Minister of State for In a separate move, the SAD-led The larger opposition, meanwhile, Covid. in this regard. “The details Health Bharati Pawar six parties BSP, NCP, CPM, CPI, made it clear that it would not settle “When the PM called floor leaders of state-wise and UT-wise told Parliament that RLP and National Conference wrote for anything less than a debate in the to discuss Covid, the Congress deaths due to oxygen states had not flagged to President Ram Nath Kovind for presence of PM or HM. boycotted the meeting. They are only shortage at the peak of the any death due to oxygen his intervention on the farmers’ and Accusing the PM of running a interested in disruptions,” Naqvi said second wave have been shortage, the Centre was Pegasus issues and prevail upon the “dictatorship”, Kharge said, “The after the RS was adjourned repeatedly sought. attacked for insensitivity. Centre for discussions on both. PM is not ready to resolve issues today. It has also been Today, Health Minister The seven parties sought the democratically. We are ready for Later today, Congress leader requested that the data be Mansukh Mandaviya President’s time to apprise him of talks. We urge the government to call Rahul Gandhi attended a meeting shared with the Centre reiterated that the Centre the deadlock in Parliament with leaders of all parties for discussions. of Lok Sabha leaders and sought before the conclusion of only compiled the list of Akali Dal MP Harsimrat Kaur We want Houses to function.” The effective opposition coordination on the ongoing monsoon deaths the states shared. Badal saying, “The letter briefs the government hit back saying the Pegasus. Won’t order removal of Violence not part of beggars, says Supreme Court Kashmiriyat: Prez New Delhi Srinagar Refusing to take an President Ram Nath “elitist view”, the Supreme Kovind asserted on Tuesday Court on Tuesday said it that democracy had the won’t order removal of capacity to reconcile all beggars from the streets differences and bring out as it’s a “socio-economic the best of the citizens’ issue”. potential, saying Kashmir “As the Supreme Court, is “happily” realising this we would not want to take vision. an elitist view that no In his convocation beggars should be there address at the University on the streets,” said a of Kashmir, Kovind, who to be purged. Now there revered poetess. Bench led by Justice DY is on a four-day J&K visit, is a new beginning and Kovind said almost Chandrachud. said violence was never determined efforts to regain all religions that came “This is a socio- large number of people, It issued notices to part of Kashmiriyat, but this land’s lost glory,” he to Kashmir embraced economic problem of including children, were the Centre and Delhi became a daily reality. “It said. the unique feature of poverty. The idea is to compelled to beg due to Government with regard was most unfortunate that “One of the oldest “Kashmiriyat” that rehabilitate them, give lack of education and to the prayer for a direction this outstanding tradition manuscripts of the Rigveda shunned orthodoxy and them and their children employment. to the authorities for of peaceful coexistence was written in Kashmir. In encouraged tolerance and education… such people The Bench told the rehabilitation of beggars was broken. Violence, medieval times, it was Lal mutual acceptance among have no choice and nobody petitioner that it would and to ensure that food, which was never part of Ded who showed the way communities. “I take this wants to beg,” it said. While not consider the prayer shelter and basic medical Kashmiriyat, became a to bring together various opportunity to urge upon asking the Centre and Delhi for a direction to the amenities including daily reality. “It (violence) spiritual traditions. In the the younger generation Government to respond to authorities to restrain vaccination were provided is alien to Kashmiri culture works of Lalleshwari, of Kashmir to learn from a plea seeking vaccination beggars from begging on to them. It asked Solicitor and it can only be termed as you can see how Kashmir their rich legacy. They have and rehabilitation of traffic junctions, markets General Tushar Mehta an aberration, a temporary provides the template of every reason to know that beggars and vagabonds, and public places to avoid to assist it in the matter one, much like a virus that communal harmony and Kashmir has always been a the top court noted a spread of virus in all states and posted the matter for attacks the body and needs peaceful coexistence,” he beacon of hope for the rest and UTs across India. August 10. said, referring to Kashmir’s of India,” he added. color

6 Mumbai, Thursday 29 July-04 August 2021 National Across State No party gives as Parliament passes Marine much space to women Aids to Navigation Bill as BJP does: Nadda New Delhi marine environment." Immediately after the Bill Parliament on Tuesday passed "This Bill will repeal the 90 was passed, Rajya Sabha was Nadda said Indian culture a bill that will replace an over years old pre-independence Act adjourned till 4 PM and later for has always given primacy to nine-decade-old law governing by replacing it. It will provide the rest of the day as opposition women. lighthouses and provide a fresh holistic progress and development parties disrupted proceedings. He noted that socialist framework to establish and in the field of marine navigation. Through the bill, the stalwart Ram Manohar Lohia manage vessel traffic services. This will also help the fisherman government plans to turn old used to express anguish at Rajya Sabha gave its nod to and coastal and international lighthouses into tourist destination women being forced to relieve the Marine Aids to Navigation trade, lighthouse tourism in and to showcase the country's rich themselves in the open due Bill, 2021, which also changes around." history in navigation. to lack of toilets, and said it the use of the term marine aids The bill also seeks to rename was the Modi government that to navigation, amid continuing the existing post of Director finally launched the 'Swachh protests by the opposition General of Lighthouse and Bharat' programme to build members over the Pegasus Lightships to Director-General bathrooms to work to make snooping allegations and other to provide a framework for the the country open defecation issues. establishment, operation and free. It has already been passed by management of vessel traffic The government also came Lok Sabha on March 22, 2021, in services. New Delhi out with programmes to help the last session. It aims at repealing the BJP president J P Nadda pregnant women with medical The Bill will provide for It will also encourage safe colonial Lighthouse Act, 1927, said on Tuesday that no political intervention, thus reducing the development, maintenance aligning with the latest forecast and provides for empowering party gives as much space to maternal and infant mortality, and management of aids to technology and pollution-free the Directorate General of women to work and grow as his he said, adding that they are navigation in India; for training navigation in Indian waters, Lighthouses and Lightships party does, and asserted that the also given cash incentives. and certification of the operator of Sonowal said while finishing his (DGLL) with additional power Modi government has done a Fertility rate was also aids to navigation, development short reply amid the opposition and functions. lot of work to empower them. reduced, Nadda said, and also of its historical, educational and uproar. The bill provides for Speaking at a programme cited the 'Ujjwala' scheme, cultural value. During the debate, Deputy empowering the DGLL with organised by the BJP 'mahila under which cooking gas The bill will also ensure Chairman Harivansh Narayan additional power and functions morcha' to felicitate women connection is provided to compliance with the obligation Singh requested the opposition such as vessel traffic service, Union ministers of the Modi poor households, to laud the under the maritime treaties and members, protesting in the Well, wreck flagging, training and government, he said the government's initiatives to help international instruments to to return to their seats. certification, implementation saffron party has given more women. which India is a party. "Please go back to your seats," of other obligations under space to women in its policy, Modi brought in more While replying to the debate, he said, adding " I want to allow international conventions where programme, administration women and also enhanced Union Minister of Ports, Shipping division (on the bill) but for that India is a signatory. and governance than any other representation from all sections and Waterways Sarbananda you please go back to your seats. It comprises a new schedule party. of society in the government, he Sonowal said: "This Bill will You know the rules and until you of offences, along with In the recent expansion of added. provide a legal framework for back to your seats, the division is commensurate penalties for the Union Council of Ministers, All women ministers of the sector to meet the latest not possible." obstructing and damaging the Prime Minister Narendra Modi the BJP, including Nirmala technologies and meets the As members did not go aids to navigation, and non- had inducted seven women Sitharaman and Smriti Irani, requirements of best global returned to their seats, Deputy compliance with directives issued ministers, taking their total were present at the programme. practices for safe and secure Chairman went ahead with the by the central government and number to 11. navigation and protection of the process and the bill was passed. other bodies.

Chennai the issue had to be resolved between the State and the Central Solicitor General Tushar Mehta on Monday told the Madras governments with the participation of representatives from the High Court that the Centre was on the verge of taking a decision Medical and Dental Councils of India. Decision on implementing reservation for OBCs under the All India Quota It had also suggested constitution of a committee for providing (AIQ) of seats for admission to medical courses in Tamil Nadu. the terms of implementation of such reservation as claimed by on OBC The process was in a "very advanced stage", he told the first the petitioners. The bench had held the reservation could not be bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Senthilkumar applied for the then academic year due to want of time and can Ramamoorthy when the contempt application from the DMK be implemented from the subsequent academic year (2021-22). reservation came up for further hearing today. It added that the panel can also fix the percentage of The union government is on the verge of making its decision reservation. Contending that this order was not fully complied on the implementation of the reservation in the State-surrendered with, the DMK preferred the present contempt application. in medical seats for the all India quota (AIQ) in non-central medical When it came up on July 19, the bench, led by Chief Justice colleges in Tamil Nadu, Mehta said and pleaded for a week's time Banerjee, granted a week's time to the Centre to indicate its advanced to come up with the final decision. stand as to the mode and manner of implementation of the OBC The bench recorded the submission and adjourned the matter reservation quota in terms of the 1993 State Act in respect of till August 3. admission of students under the AIQ seats in the State,pertaining stage: Originally, while passing orders on a batch of PIL petitions to admission to medical courses from 2021-22. from the DMK and its allies, the bench, headed by the then Chief As per the State Act, OBC reservation in Tamil Nadu was SG to HC Justice A P Sahi had in July 2020, among other things, held that 69 per cent. color

Across State News Mumbai, Thursday 29 July-04 August 2021 7 Maharashtra government willing to rehabilitate flood-prone villages to safer destinations: Ajit Pawar Mumbai living in flood sensitive areas to safer communicated on mobile phones and With floods ravaging parts of Western destinations. Along with land, all basic social media, almost 3.5 lakh people Maharashtra, the state government is amenities can be provided. But the voluntarily moved away from flood-hit looking to relocate people living in flood- question is will people give consent.” villages and cities, Patil said. prone areas. However, the biggest challenge The Kolhapur guardian minister Satej The water levels in the Krishna river, for the government will be to get consent Patil has also supported the idea of which had crossed 53 feet, has come from the people. providing a permanent solution for the down to 51 feet. But it is still above Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, who is touring people who are living in flood-prone areas. the danger mark of 45 feet. The district Western Maharashtra flood-affected More than a lakh people had to be administration hoped the water levels will districts on Tuesday, said, “The state shifted to safer destinations during the recede gradually provided it does not rain government is willing to shift the people floods. Responding to the flood alerts heavily.

Court asks Kangana Ranaut to attend next hearing Four killed in J&K village Mumbai “The exemption application had told the court that she could cloudburst, nearly 35 missing Kishtwar A MAGISTRATE’S court on filed by the advocate for accused not appear before it as she was Four people were killed and nearly 35 others were Tuesday directed actor Kangana (Ranaut) is granted for today as not in the city. Akhtar’s lawyer reported missing after a cloudburst over Hinjar village Ranaut to remain present before the last chance and the advocate had opposed the plea stating that in Dacchan area of Kishtwar on Wednesday morning. it without fail in the hearing on for accused is directed to keep she had not appeared before the Reports said that police have recovered four dead the defamation complaint filed by the accused present on next date court for any hearing apart from bodies. Six residential houses and a ration store were also damaged. Army and police teams have rushed to lyricist Javed Akhtar. The Andheri without fail and the application while seeking bail and that the next the area to carry out rescue operations. Director General metropolitan magistrate’s court filed by the advocate for the proceedings required her presence. of Police-cum-Commandant General Home Guard, Civil also rejected an application filed complainant (Akhtar) is rejected,” Another plea by Ranaut seeking Defence and SDRF, V K Singh, said two women were on behalf of Akhtar by his lawyers the court said. permanent exemption from among those killed in the incident. “One of our SDRF seeking to issue a non-bailable It said that Akhtar’s lawyer may appearance is currently pending. teams from Kishtwar reached the affected village and two more teams are on their way from Doda and Udhampur warrant against Ranaut for not apply for a warrant against Ranaut The plea states that as she travels districts. Two more SDRF teams are waiting for weather appearing before the court, while if she fails to appear before the for work regularly, it would be to improve to get airlifted from Jammu and Srinagar to granting her exemption for one court for the next hearing. Earlier difficult for her to appear for all the scene and join the rescue mission,” Singh said. day. in the hearing, Ranaut’s lawyer hearings of the case. 18 killed, 25 injured in Mumbai man evading arrest in murder after truck hits bus in UP Barabanki (UP) incident, they said. At least 18 people were Police rushed to case for 35 years, finally nabbed Mumbai Baiganwadi area currently falls “We met one senior citizen who killed and 25 injured after the spot after receiving A 59-year-old man, who was in the jurisdiction of Shivaji Nagar knew him and he told us that Prakash a truck hit a double-decker information about the arrested in a murder and rioting case police station but in 1984, it was in was into selling garlands. The senior bus here, police said on accident and the rescue in 1984 and managed to evade arrest Trombay police station’s jurisdiction citizen also said last he had heard that Wednesday. operation is underway. for 35 years after being bailed out, due to which a case of rioting with Prakash was staying in Cuffe Parade The incident took The injured were rushed was nabbed by the police earlier last murder was registered at Trombay. with his son,” police officer said. place under Kotwali to the hospital with the week. The Trombay police arrested Prakash and his aide were arrested Subsequently the team looked for Ramsanehighat area late on help of locals, Additional Prakash Murarilal Ratan alias Pakya in the case. However, in one and half him at different slum areas in Cuffe Tuesday night. The private Director General of Police, from Ambedkar Nagar slums in Cuffe years, he managed to get bail. Parade after which they took help of bus was on its way to Bihar Lucknow Zone, S N Sabat Parade, where he has been hiding for “There was a condition that he the nearby police station who, with from Ludhiana in Punjab, said. more than 20 years. had to appear before court for every the help of local informers, traced they said. It was raining heavily However, the PAN card hearing, but as he failed to do that, the the culprit. Prakash, after his re-arrest recovered from him following the court declared him an absconder. As told Trombay police that as soon as The axle of the bus when the accident took arrest, revealed his name as Prakash the case was registered with Trombay he got bail, he shifted to Vikhroli, broke down and it was place and this posed some Balmikee. Investigators claim that police station then, we were assigned where he got married and had a son. parked on the road when problems in the rescue they could not trace him for the past the duty to trace him,” the officer said. He stayed there for five years. Later a speeding truck coming operation, he said. 35 years because of the name change. The police said that they contacted he shifted to Konkan for a couple of from behind hit it, killing Chief Minister An officer from Trombay police his family members whose names and years after which he came back to 18 people on the spot and Yogi Adityanath has station said, “In 1984, Prakash numbers were noted in case papers. Mumbai and stayed with his son at injuring 25 others, the expressed grief over stayed at Baiganwadi area in Shivaji But as he wasn’t in touch with Ambedkar Nagar in Cuffe Parade. police said. the loss of lives in the Nagar. He was a local goon then and anyone, there was no clue on his Ambedkar Nagar is opposite Cuffe Some passengers were accident and directed following a tussle with another local whereabouts. parade police station and there, he standing outside the bus officials to extend all goon – who was also a Shiv Sena During the course of investigation, was involved in making and selling while others were sitting possible help to the worker – Prakash and his aide stabbed the police first went to the Baiganwadi garlands. “In between, his wife him to death.” area, where he had stayed earlier. expired,” said the officer. inside at the time of the victims. 8 Mumbai, Thursday 29 July-04 August 2021 National Across State Ministry of Earth Science celebrates its 15th Foundation Day: Launches multiple social initiatives New Delhi workon Indian monsoons. Dr Sunil The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) Kumar Singh, Director, CSIR-NIO, Goa, celebrated its 15th Foundation Day at received the National Award for Ocean Prithvi Bhavan Headquarters in New Delhi Sciences; Dr R Krishnan, ScientistG and today. The Ministry launched multiple Executive Director, Centre for Climate societally beneficial initiatives in the Change Research, Indian Institute of presence of Dr Jitendra Singh, Honourable Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune,for Union Minister of State (Independent Atmospheric Science and Technology; Charge) Science and Technology;(Ind DrKalachandSain, Director, Wadia Charge) Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, PP/ Institute of Himalayan Geology received DoPT, Atomic Energy, Space, who was the the honour in the field of Geoscience and Chief Guest at the event. He encouraged Technology; and Dr M V Ramanamurthy, MoES to expand, enhance, and promote Director, National Centre for Coastal services to society, especially weather, Research (NCCR), Chennai, in the field of climate, ocean, and seismology, bringing Ocean Technology. Dr Thara Prabhakaran, in more socio-economic benefits to the Scientist F, IITM, Pune and Dr Vandana country. Prasad, Director, Birbal Sahni Institute The event was marked by a lecture of Palaeosciences, Lucknow,shared the by Dr Petteri Taalas, Secretary-General, society and knowledge economy. It would National Centre for Earth Science Studies Anna Mani awardrecognising woman World Meteorological Organization facilitate search and retrieval of earth (NCESS), Thiruvananthapuram, and Dr scientists. Young Researcher awardswere (WMO), entitled ‘WMO, Disasters, system science data (of atmosphere, ocean, Jayanthi JL, Project Scientist at NCESS. presented to Dr WaliurRahaman, Scientist Climate and COP-26’, that discussed the poles, geosciences and seismology) for The India Meteorological Department E, National Centre for Polar and Ocean pressing issue of climate change and its societal benefit in a big way. (IMD), MoES, introduced a new mobile Research (NCPOR), Goa and Dr Kandula impact. Dr Singh also launched a new MoES app named ‘Pune Weather Live’,which V Subrahmanyam, Space Physics The Union Minister Dr Singh launched website that would provide a more would provide real-time and location- Laboratory, ISRO. the MoES-ESSDP (Earth System Science user-friendly interface and cyber secure specific weather updates for Pune city. The Certificates of Merit were presented Data Portal), an integrated digital web experience to the public. With Dr M app, released by Dr Rajeevan, captures live to Dr Supriyo Chakraborty, Scientist F, portal of MoES institutes, which makes Rajeevan, Secretary, MoES, and other data from more than 80 weather stations, IITM, Pune; Dr O P Sreejith, Scientist availabledata on various themes of earth dignitaries, Dr Singh released a book including information onrainfall. E, IMD, Pune; Dr Sudheer Joseph, system science for public use. The portal entitled Hydrocarbon fluid inclusions in Winners of the MoES National Awards ScientistF, Indian National Centre for has been developed using the latest petroliferous basins. This book discusses were also announced at the event. The Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), information technology tools and is new tools for oil exploration and is a MoESLife Time Excellence Award was Hyderabad; Dr S BPranesh, ScientistE, available at https://incois.gov.in/essdp. valuable reference for researchers studying conferred to Dr Satish Shetye, Former National Institute for Ocean Technology The portal is aligned with the Digital India fluid inclusion and oil prospecting. The book Director of the National Institute of (NIOT), Chennai; Dr Avinash Kumar, initiative of the Government of India to is authored by Dr V Nandakumar, Scientist Oceanography (NIO), Goa and Former ScientistE, NCPOR, Goa; and Dr S Kaliraj, transform India into a digitally empowered G/Group Head and Former Director of VC of Goa University for his exemplary Scientist C, NCESS, Thiruvananthapuram. 278 LMT foodgrains allocated free of cost to Government identified 2,38,223 companies as shell companies approximately 80 Crore beneficiaries under PMGKAY between 2018-2021 New Delhi The Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food New Delhi and Public Distribution, Ms. Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti in a There is no definition of the term “Shell written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today informed Company” in the Companies Act and it normally that during the year 2021 for the period of 7 months i.e refers to a company without active business May-November, 2021 about 278 LMT foodgrains have operation or significant assets, which in some cases been allocated free of cost to approximately 80 Crore NFSA are used for illegal purpose such as tax evasion, beneficiaries under PMGKAY). Similarly, about 322 Lakh money laundering, obscuring ownership, benami Metric Tons (LMT) of food-grains had been allocated to properties etc. This was stated by Union Minister approx. 80 crore beneficiaries during the period of 8 months of State for Corporate Affairs Shri Rao Inderjit i.e April-November in 2020. In pursuance of the pro-poor Singh in a written reply to a question in Rajya measures under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package Sabha today. as part of the Economic Response to COVID -19, Govt The Minister further stated that the Special of India had launched scheme i.e Pradhan Mantri Garib Task Force set up by the Government to look Kalyan Anna Yojana(PMGKAY) for additional allocation into the issue of “Shell Companies” has inter-alia of food-grains from the Central Pool @ 5 kg per person per recommended the use of certain red flag indicators month free of cost for all the beneficiaries covered under as alerts for identification of Shell Companies. Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS)/National Food The Government has undertaken a Special Security Act(NFSA) (Antyodaya Anna Yojana(AAY) & Drive for identification and striking off Shell Priority Households(PHH)) including those covered under Companies during the last three years, the Minister Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). stated Across State Mumbai, Thursday 29 July-04 August 2021 9 Biden says US combat mission in Iraq to conclude by year end Washington improving Iraq's standing in the Mideast. President Joe Biden said Monday the Last month, King Abdullah II of Jordan U.S. combat mission in Iraq will conclude and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al- by the end of the year, an announcement Sisi visited Baghdad for joint meetings the that reflects the reality on the ground more first time an Egyptian president has made than a major shift in U.S. policy. an official visit since the 1990s, when Even before Biden took office, the ties were severed after Saddam Hussein main U.S. focus has been assisting Iraqi invaded Kuwait. forces, not fighting on their behalf. And The Iraqi prime minister made clear Biden did not say if he planned to reduce before his trip to Washington that he the number of troops in Iraq, now about believes it's time for the U.S. to wind that 2,500. mission down. The announcement comes on the heels There is no need for any foreign of Biden's decision to withdraw fully from combat forces on Iraqi soil, al-Kadhimi Afghanistan nearly 20 years after the U.S. An American military presence in Iraq and training capacity from what we have told The Associated Press last weekend. launched that war in response to the Sept. is not necessary for our safety and only had over the last several years, she said. The U.S. mission of training and 11, 2001, attacks. risks the loss of more American life. The U.S. troop presence has stood advising Iraqi forces has its most recent Together, the wars in Afghanistan Biden said the U.S. military will at about 2,500 since late last year when origins in President Barack Obama's and Iraq have heavily taxed the U.S. continue to assist Iraq in its fight against then-President Donald Trump ordered a decision in 2014 to send troops back to military and kept it from devoting more the Islamic State group, or ISIS. A joint reduction from 3,000. Iraq. attention to a rising China, which the U.S.-Iraq statement said the security The Iraqi government in 2017 declared The move was made in response to the Biden administration calls the biggest relationship will be focused on training, victory over the Islamic State group, which Islamic State group's takeover of large long-term security challenge. advising and intelligence-sharing. is now a shell of its former self. Still, it portions of western and northern Iraq and For years, U.S. troops have played "Our shared fight against ISIS is has shown it can carry out high-casualty a collapse of Iraqi security forces that support roles in Iraq and in neighboring critical for the stability of the region attacks. Last week, the group claimed appeared to threaten Baghdad. Obama Syria, which was the origin of the Islamic and our counterterrorism operation will responsibility for a roadside bombing had fully withdrawn U.S. forces from State group that swept across the border continue, even as we shift to this new that killed at least 30 people and wounded Iraq in 2011, eight years after the U.S. in 2014 and captured large swaths of Iraqi phase we're going to be talking about, dozens in a busy suburban Baghdad invasion. territory, prompting the U.S. to send troops Biden said. market. Pentagon officials for years have back to Iraq that year. The shift from a U.S. combat role to In his remarks alongside Biden, al- tried to balance what they see as a Speaking to reporters during an Oval one focused on training and advising the Kadhimi thanked the United States for necessary military presence to support the Office session with Iraqi Prime Minister Iraqi security forces was announced in its support. Iraqi government's fight against IS with Mustafa al-Kadhimi, Biden said his April, when a joint U.S.-Iraqi statement Back home, al-Kadhimi faces no domestic political sensitivities in Iraq to administration remained committed to a said this transition allowed for the removal shortage of problems. Iranian-backed a foreign troop presence. partnership with Iraq a relationship that from Iraq of any remaining U.S. combat militias operating inside Iraq have stepped The vulnerability of U.S. troops has been increasingly complicated by forces on a timetable to be determined up attacks against U.S. forces in recent was demonstrated most dramatically Iranian-backed Iraqi militia groups. later. months, and a series of devastating in January 2020 when Iran launched a The militias want all U.S. troops out It did not specify what combat hospital fires that left dozens of people ballistic missile attack on al-Asad air base of Iraq immediately and have periodically functions the U.S. was engaged in then, dead and soaring coronavirus infections in western Iraq. No Americans were killed, attacked bases that house American troops. nor did Biden get into such specifics on have added fresh layers of frustration for but dozens suffered traumatic brain injury Dan Caldwell, a senior adviser to Monday. We're not going to be, by the end the nation. from the blasts. Concerned Veterans for America, said U.S. of the year, in a combat mission, he said. For al-Kadhimi, the ability to offer That attack came shortly after a troops will remain at risk. White House press secretary Jen Psaki the Iraqi public a date for the end of the U.S. drone strike killed Iranian military Regardless of whether their deployment declined to say how many troops would U.S. combat presence could be a feather commander Qassim Soleimani and senior is called a combat mission, U.S. troops remain in Iraq by year's end. in his cap before elections scheduled for Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi will remain under regular attack as long "The numbers will be driven by what October. al-Muhandis at Baghdad International as they remain in Iraq, Caldwell said in is needed for the mission over time, so it Biden administration officials say Airport. a statement. is more about moving to a more advising al-Kadhimi also deserves credit for

In an interview to Fox News, Republican Brahmaputra river, which is called Yarlung Washington Congressman Devin Nunes said: "Just last Zangbo in Tibetan language. Chinese Chinese President Xi Jinping visiting week, you had Xi Jinping, the Chinese China this year approved plans to build a Tibet last week is a threat to India, an dictator, on the border with India, in Tibet, huge dam over the Brahmaputra river during President Xi influential US lawmaker has said, accusing claiming victory. This was the first time in the current 14th Five-Year Plan, which raised the Joe Biden-led administration of not doing 30 years, I believe, that a Chinese dictator concerns in the riparian states of India and Jinping visiting enough to stop the Chinese "march". had been to Tibet, and also threatening India, Bangladesh. So, no matter what you plug into Xi on Wednesday last made an over a billion people also a nuclear power; the propaganda machine, you can build all Tibet is a threat unannounced three-day trip to Nyingchi in threatening India that he's going to build a the narratives you want here in Washington, Tibet, close to the border with Arunachal big water project, possibly cut off water to D.C., but then there's reality. The reality to India, says Pradesh. Xi, who is also General Secretary India." is that the Chinese are on the march, and of the Communist Party of China, met top During his visit to Nyingchi, Xi visited the (President Joe) Biden administration is senior US officials of the Tibet Military Command and the Nyang River Bridge to inspect the letting them do whatever they want," Nunes Congressman reviewed development projects in the region. ecological preservation in the basin of the said. color

10 Mumbai, Thursday 29 July-04 August 2021 Global View Across State The Taliban: what could its return to power mean for Afghanistan? London The Taliban is typically portrayed as a group of men with beards and turbans, driven by Islamic fundamentalist ideology and responsible for widespread violence. But to understand the group that is poised to return to power in Afghanistan, and what we might expect from its rule, we need a much more nuanced picture. To start with, it's important to understand the Taliban's origins in the 1980s during the cold war. Afghan guerrillas called the Mujahedeen waged war against Soviet occupation for around a decade. They were funded and equipped by an array of external powers, including the US. In 1989, the Soviets pulled out and that marked the beginning of the collapse of the Afghan government that had relied heavily on them. By 1992, a Mujahedeen government was formed but suffered from bloody a fundamentalist understanding local level taxation, extortion reimpose its regime forced into often said it wants a genuine infighting in the capital. of Islam with Afghan traditions. and illicit drug economy. exile in late 2001. Estimates Islamic system that aligns with The unfavourable conditions During the peak of the There are multiple possible say the group controls more the Afghan tradition, but it is on the ground created fertile Taliban rule (1999), not a explanations for the Taliban's than half of Afghanistan's 400 unclear what exactly that means, ground for the emergence single girl was enrolled in a resurgence, including the districts, in contrast to their and how different it would be of the Taliban. An Islamic secondary school and merely lack of a post-intervention own claim of controlling 85%. from their previous rule (1996- fundamentalist group dominated 4% of those eligible (9,000) strategy, the adverse effects of However, the US has warned 2001). by those of Pashtun ethnicity, the were at primary schools. Now the foreign military campaign, that it won't recognise a Taliban In a statement, the Taliban Taliban is believed to have first around 3.5 million girls are in a corrupt and incompetent regime in Kabul as a result of has recently said it would provide appeared in Saudi Arabia-funded school. government in Kabul, and a military takeover. facilities for women to work and hard-line religious madrassas in After the US-led invasion growing dependency on foreign But this alone seems be educated, despite its actions northern Pakistan in the early of the country following the financial and military assistance unlikely to deter the Taliban in the late 1990s. In spite of this 1990s. Taliban's refusal to hand over and regional rivalries. from attempting to capture apparent shift, the Taliban appears Some of them were those behind the 9/11 terrorist Now the US has made a the capital, regardless of to be still creating a society based Mujahedeen fighters against the attacks in 2001, many of the deal with the Taliban and is its likelihood. If the group on its strict interpretations of Soviets. In 1994, the Taliban Taliban's senior figures evaded withdrawing from the country. succeeds in it, it remains Islam, something that the young, started a military campaign from capture and reportedly took This poses an existential unknown how it will fund its urban Afghans fear. They worry the south of Afghanistan. By refuge in Quetta in Pakistan. threat to the fragile post-2001 exclusive, theocratic regime. that they could no longer share 1996, the group had captured the Later, this led to the formation political order, which has been Interestingly, the Taliban has a school or workplace due to Afghan capital, Kabul, without of the Quetta Shura the Taliban largely shaped, funded and improved its ties with the segregation by gender/sex, go much resistance. leadership council that guides defended by the foreign money nearby countries, such as Iran, out to dine with their friends of Life under the Taliban the insurgency in Afghanistan. and boots on the ground. Russia and some central Asian the opposite sex or wear whatever For the war-weary people The short-lived euphoria What lies ahead? states, that once opposed the they want. of Afghanistan, the Taliban's after the invasion came to The US-Taliban deal regime in 1990s. A military takeover by the promise of bringing security and an end when the Taliban created some optimism about The group is probably Taliban may also not mark the order on the one hand and curbing remobilised in 2004 and started a likelihood of a political aiming to find a regional end of war in Afghanistan. Peace corruption on the other was a bloody insurgency against settlement that could end the alternative to the aid of the US and stability in multi-ethnic and appealing. But that was coupled the new Afghan government prolonged war and reduce and its allies, as well as preventing diverse societies can only be with a high and sometimes and supporting foreign troops, the likelihood of Afghanistan the resurgence of the anti-Taliban ensured through coexistence, unbearable cost: introduction costing the lives of at least becoming a safe haven for resistance force the Northern consensus and inclusion not of harsh punishments such as 170,000 people, including terrorists once again. But the Alliance that would otherwise dominance and zero-sum politics. public executions, closing girls' 51,613 civilians to date. peace efforts seem to have enjoy financial and military The diverging interests of the schools (for those aged ten and In 2021, the insurgent lost their momentum after support of those countries. region's countries could fuel the above), banning television and group has an estimated 75,000 the unconditional US troop When it comes to women's growing local discontent against blowing up historical Buddha fighters and its insurgency withdrawal. rights, press freedom, elections the Taliban (as experienced statues, to name a few. machinery runs on foreign Now the Taliban is beating and other liberties guaranteed in late 1990s), which, in turn, The group's justification funding (from governments the drum of victory and seems in 2004 constitution (at least, in would perpetuate the bloody and stemmed from the blending of and private donors) as well as to have rolled up its sleeves to written form), the Taliban have destructive war. Across State Mumbai, Thursday 29 July-04 August 2021 11 India gets its 40th World Heritage Site Dholavira, the Harappan City in the Rann of Kutch, Gujarat inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List New Delhi settlement pertaining to the Harappan India’s nomination of Dholavira, the Civilization (early, mature and late Harappan City in the Rann of Kutch, Harappan phases) and bears evidence Gujarat has been inscribed on UNESCO's of a multi-cultural and stratified society World Heritage list. India submitted during the 3rd and 2nd millennia BCE. the nomination dossier for Dholavira: The earliest evidence can be traced back A Harappan City to the World Heritage to 3000 BCE during the early Harappan Centre in January, 2020. The site was on phase of the Harappan Civilization. This the UNESCO’s tentative list since 2014. city flourished for nearly 1,500 years, Dholavira: a Harappan city, is one of the representing a long continuous habitation. very few well preserved urban settlements The excavated remains clearly indicate the in South Asia dating from the 3rd to mid- origin of the settlement, its growth, zenith 2nd millennium BCE. and the subsequent decline in the form of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi continuous changes in the configuration of tweeted, “Absolutely delighted by this the city, architectural elements and various news. Dholavira was an important urban other attributes. centre and is one of our most important Dholavira is an outstanding example linkages with our past. It is a must visit, of Harappan urban planning, with its especially for those interested in history, preconceived city planning, multi- culture and archaeology.” layered fortifications, sophisticated water The Union Minister of Culture, Tourism planned and segregated urban residential reservoirs and drainage system, and and Development of North Eastern Region About the Harappan city areas based on possibly differential the extensive use of stone as a building (DoNER) Sri G Kishan Reddy shared occupational activities, and a stratified material. These characteristics reflect this news on Twitter shortly after the of Dholavira society. Technological advancements in the unique position Dholavira held in the announcement. This follows a few days Dholavira: a Harappan city, is one water harnessing systems, water drainage entire gamut of Harappan Civilization. after the Rudreswara Temple, (also known of the very few well preserved urban systems as well architecturally and The expansive water management as the Ramappa Temple) at Palampet, settlements in South Asia dating from technologically developed features are system designed to store every drop of Mulugu district, Telangana State becoming the 3rd to mid-2nd millennium BCE. reflected in the design, execution, and water available shows the ingenuity of the the 39th World Heritage Centre in India. Being the 6th largest of more than 1,000 effective harnessing of local materials. people to survive against the rapid geo- Shri G Kishan Reddy tweeted, “It gives Harappan sites discovered so far, and Unlike other Harappan antecedent towns climatic transformations. Water diverted immense pride to share with my fellow occupied for over 1,500 years, Dholavira normally located near to rivers and from seasonal streams, scanty precipitation Indians that Dholavira is now the 40th not only witnesses the entire trajectory of perennial sources of water, the location and available ground was sourced, stored, treasure in India to be given @UNESCO the rise and fall of this early civilization World Heritage tag. Another feather in of humankind, but also demonstrates its India’s cap as we now enter the Super-40 multifaceted achievements in terms of club for World Heritage Site inscriptions.” urban planning, construction techniques, With this successful nomination, India has water management, social governance 40 world heritage properties overall, which and development, art, manufacturing, includes 32 cultural, 7 natural and one trading, and belief system. With extremely mixed property. The Union Minister for rich artefacts, the well preserved urban Culture was referring to the countries that settlement of Dholavira depicts a vivid have 40 or more World Heritage sites and picture of a regional centre with its apart from India, this now contains Italy, distinct characteristics that also contributes Spain, Germany, China and France. The significantly to the existing knowledge of Minister also observed in his tweet how Harappan Civilization as a whole. India has added 10 new world Heritage The property comprises two parts: a sites since 2014, and this is testimony to walled city and a cemetery to the west the Prime Minister’s steadfast commitment of the city. The walled city consists of in promoting Indian culture, heritage and a fortified Castle with attached fortified of Dholavira in the island of Khadir was in large stone-cut reservoirs which are the Indian way of life. Bailey and Ceremonial Ground, and a strategic to harness different mineral extant along the eastern and southern Shri G Kishan Reddy tweeted, “Today fortified Middle Town and a Lower Town. and raw material sources (copper, shell, fortification. To further access water, few is a proud day for India, especially for the A series of reservoirs are found to the east agate-carnelian, steatite, lead, banded rock-cut wells, which date as one of the people of Gujarat. Since 2014, India has and south of the Citadel. The great majority limestone, among others) and to facilitate oldest examples, are evident in different added 10 new World Heritage sites - one of the burials in the Cemetery are memorial internal as well as external trade to the parts of the city, the most impressive one fourth of our total sites. This shows PM in nature. Magan (modern Oman peninsula) and being located in the citadel. Such elaborate @narendramodi's steadfast commitment The configuration of the city of Mesopotamian regions. water conservation methods of Dholavira in promoting Indian culture, heritage and Dholavira, during its heyday, is an Dholavira is an exceptional example is unique and measures as one of the most the Indian way of life.” outstanding example of planned city with of a proto-historic Bronze Age urban efficient systems of the ancient world. 12 Mumbai, Thursday 29 July-04 August 2021 EdiTrack Across State Change in Karnataka

The replacement of BS Yediyurappa replacing Yediyurappa, known to be his as the chief minister of Karnataka could own man, yields dividends, will depend on well set the template for the BJP to tackle how disparate sections within the party dissidence in the party. The demand for are managed, for the BJP lost the Delhi generational change was evident with elections even after replacing Sahib Singh the four-time CM facing resistance from Verma with Sushma Swaraj as the CM on the younger leaders in the state BJP poll eve. The change in Karnataka also and yet again failing to last his full term. comes soon after the reshuffle in the Union Yediyurappa had steered the BJP’s course Cabinet which may give a hint about the in the state and was instrumental in way the BJP Central leadership is working, bringing it to power, managing the affairs with sitting ministers being replaced in trying times of the pandemic, but had to with fresh faces. Generational change is step aside to boost the party’s prospects evident even in other parties with younger ahead of the Assembly elections in 2023. leaders like Sachin Pilot in Rajasthan and The change in Karnataka comes Navjot Singh Sidhu in Punjab asking the after Pushkar Singh Dhami replaced Congress leadership for more say in party Tirath Singh Rawat in Uttarakhand and affairs. Sarbananda Sonowal made way for While effecting changes within the party Himanta Biswa Sarma, who had crossed and by trying to put its regional satraps on over from the Congress, in Assam. In Uttar a tight leash, the BJP should guard against Pradesh, a former bureaucrat, an aide of over-reach and alienating its own cadre. PM Modi, was made the vice-president Allowing its own governments in states to of the state BJP ahead of the state polls function properly may also serve as a good next year, after initial efforts to install him augury for intra-party democracy as well as as the Deputy CM met with resistance. the federal spirit. The BJP has experimented even earlier with fresh chief ministerial faces in // satyasya paramaṁ nidhānam // We would like to hear from you. Please share your comments on Himachal Pradesh and Haryana. Whether [email protected]

"Never let the fear of striking out keep you Assam-Mizoram feud from playing the game." -Babe Ruth Centre must intervene for resolution of border dispute

VIOLENCE triggered by have grave implications Printer-Publisher & Editor In Chief a festering border dispute for national security. The between Assam and Mizoram role of Central paramilitary Sanjay Mangesh Bhaire Allied publication Across Mumbai claimed the lives of five forces in curbing violence (Marathi & Hindi) policemen and a civilian on along the inter-state borders Managing Editor Monday. The Assam-Mizoram cannot be overestimated. Suchita Bhaire border has witnessed several The deployment of these Editor skirmishes since October last forces should be increased in Sreeraj N. year, with both states accusing accordance with the growing Legal Advisor each other of encroachment threat perception. The NDA Adv. Ameet Mehta on their territories. It’s all government prides itself Special Correspondents the more regrettable that the on putting the Northeast K V Raman Vinod Raghavan latest clash took place just on the path of progress and Asha Gopalan Menon two days after Union Home be able to resolve the long- all stakeholders to go back to development and giving Union Chief Designer Minister Amit Shah met the pending issue on their own. the drawing board and come Cabinet berths to leaders Vikram Jadav chief ministers of the eight Rather than confining itself up with a mutually acceptable from the region. The Centre’s Cartoonist northeastern states in Shillong to a facilitator’s role, the solution. litmus test will be to help Sunil Vinekar to discuss inter-state border Centre would have to actively The Northeast has for various states iron out their Photographers disputes and other issues. intervene to ensure peace decades been a hotbed of differences and work in close Ajit Raut Bhooshan Koyande It seems that both Assam along the border in question. insurgency. Conflicts between cooperation. The ‘Bharat Jodo and Mizoram mishandled the At the heart of the dispute are the states over encroachments Andolan’ envisaged by Prime Contributors and Advertisements Satish Shetty situation, with the Twitter two British-era notifications, and other unlawful activities Minister Narendra Modi for Savita Tiwari face-off between the two chief issued in 1875 and 1933, that are a dangerous contribution achieving national unity in J D Rodrigues ministers only escalating demarcated the inter-state to that volatile area and diversity would remain a Circulation Dept. hostilities. Going by the boundary in different ways. the law and order situation distant dream as long as the Dinesh Gupta Suchit Kumar Saytonday turn of events, it’s unlikely Monday’s incident should there. Unrest in Assam and states are locked in bitter, that the two states would serve as a wake-up call for its neighbouring states can violent feuds. Across State Opinion Mumbai, Thursday 29 July-04 August 2021 13 Xi Jinping in troubled Tibet Fatal landslides The visit has implications for Kinnaur mishap lays bare lack of disaster preparedness India on the security front The death of nine tourists after their low-lying areas and taking them to relief LAST week, Chinese President Xi addressing a rapturous assembly of PLA vehicle was hit by boulders rolling camps. Jinping toured Tibet. There is nothing officers. Is it Xi’s typical bellicosity or a downhill in Kinnaur district of Himachal Be it the Himalayas or the Western remarkable about heads of state visiting measured response to India’s presence in Pradesh has brought into sharp focus the Ghats, the threat of landslides always areas under sovereign control. But Tibet the Quad? lack of preparedness of the authorities. looms large whenever the heavens open is different. The last such visit was as far By visiting Tibet, Xi may even be It’s unpardonable that a business-as-usual up. Disaster precautions need to be back as 1990; the long interregnum was preparing for questioning by the elders approach is being adopted particularly initiated well before the onset of the possibly in deference to the anxieties at the Communist Party’s summer-end during the rainy season, when landslides rainy season. The situation demands aroused across the border in India. It was retreat at Beidaihe. For, it was just over are a common occurrence. Pre-emptive monitoring on a daily basis, considering also an acknowledgement of the total a year ago that Xi had called for further action should have been taken to restrict the ecological fragility of these areas. Chinese security control over the Tibetans, ‘Sinicisation’ of Tibet. The visit may vehicular movement in view of the lurking It’s also imperative to promptly repair though winning their hearts has proved signal China’s bid to shift the focus away danger. With the second difficult. That may be the reason why Xi’s from Taiwan to Tibet, which is assuming wave of Covid-19 abating visit was kept under and various restrictions wraps and announced being lifted, tourists are only after it was thronging the hill states over. Besides touring of Himachal Pradesh Tibet’s cultural and and Uttarakhand. The spiritual capital of onus is on the officials Lhasa, what would to issue regular warnings have raised eyebrows and advisories so that the in South Block was visitors can plan their his trip to Nyingchi, trips accordingly or even bordering Arunachal cancel them in the worst- Pradesh. case scenario. There is no The two armed denying that the safety of forces are already tourists as well as local residents ought to damaged infrastructure such as roads in the confrontation be of paramount importance. and bridges that are the lifeline for mode in Ladakh, also called the western greater strategic importance. Yet, India Landslides triggered by heavy rain commuters. Governments are quick to sector. Does the Nyingchi visit, located can hardly overlook the security aspect. have claimed dozens of lives in Raigad and announce ex gratia relief when such near China’s super-dam project on the The visit happened amidst the largest-ever Satara districts of Maharashtra recently, tragedies happen, but the priority should Brahmaputra, signal China opening the military deployment in the Himalayas. while several parts of Karnataka are also be to ensure that things don’t come to eastern front as well? The answer is India-China ties have nosedived to a grappling with the problem. In a well- such a pass. The loss of lives and property not apparent but the visit follows Xi’s level where any Chinese clarification will timed precautionary measure, the District can be prevented or minimised by strictly ‘heads bashed against the bloody great appear disingenuous. India has no option Collector of Hassan (Karnataka) has regulating construction activity for wall of steel’ speech barely three weeks but to be ready to fight fire with fire. The prohibited the movement of vehicles on the residential and commercial purposes. ago. What is noteworthy is that Xi’s US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s Bengaluru-Mangaluru national highway Allowing hotels to operate in danger zones delegation included Zhang Youxia, Vice- visit to firm up the first in-person Quad till further orders. The administration’s is an open invitation to disaster. Such laxity Chairman of the powerful Central Military summit will only increase the tensions in focus is rightly on evacuating people from should not go unpunished. Commission, and visuals showed Xi the region.

Buoyed by the successful experimentation of admitting girl Already, the new rule is a case of better late than never, considering cadets in the Mizoram Sainik School since 2018-19 and the that the induction of women officers into the defence services in tentative steps taken subsequently by more schools to follow suit, non-medical fields began nearly three decades ago and that it has Girls enter the government earlier this year, finally, decided to allow all 33 seen a progressive rise since then. The lady officers have earned Sainik Schools in the country to take in girls and even reserved 10 laurels and proved their mettle as worthy soldiers. It is a pity that per cent seats for them. In the region, the schools of Kapurthala it has taken so long to provide the girls aspiring to join the Army, Sainik (Punjab), Kunjpura (Haryana), Sujanpur Tihra (Himachal Pradesh) Air Force or Navy with the same facilities and training as the boys. and Nagrota (J&K) have opened the doors to girl cadets in Class Thankfully, the new education policy would help neutralise that VI from the current academic session. The initial admission trends disadvantage. Additionally, this step provides girls from remote Schools are encouraging: while a tribal girl from Lahaul has cracked the and backward areas a better chance to achieve their dream career tough competitive entrance test to secure a seat in Sujanpur Tihra, as the Sainik Schools are located in the heart of the states. Plus, 10 girls of Haryana — known for producing gritty sportswomen the government plans to open more such schools with private Though long — have entered the portals of the Kunjpura school. partnership. The Sainik Schools prepare the young students With the boarding schools going co-ed for the first time, their academically, physically and mentally for induction into the overdue, the step infrastructure in terms of ensuring hostel accommodation and defence services. A significant percentage of officer cadets joining security for the girl students should be enhanced at the earliest. the National Defence Academy and Indian Naval Academy every is welcome The authorities need to inspect closely before ticking these boxes. year are their students. 14 Mumbai, Thursday 29 July-04 August 2021 Across State No plan to print currency notes to tide over crisis: FM New Delhi cent during the current financial year The government has no plan to print ending March 2022. currency notes to tide over the current The RBI, in its latest Monetary economic crisis triggered by the outbreak Policy Committee (MPC) resolution of of COVID-19 pandemic, Finance Minister June 4, 2021, has projected India's real Nirmala Sitharaman informed Parliament GDP to grow at 9.5 per cent in 2021-22, on Monday. after accounting for the impact of the To a question on whether there is any second wave as compared to its earlier plan to print currency to tide over the crisis, projection of 10.5 per cent, she said. the Finance Minister said, "No Sir". In reply to another question, the Many economists and experts have Finance Minister said the RBI has suggested to the government to print announced Special three-year Long- more currency notes to tide over the Term Repo Operations (SLTRO) of Rs difficult economic situation with a view 10,000 crore at repo rate for the Small to support the economy ravaged by the Finance Banks (SFBs), to be deployed spread of COVID-19, and protect jobs. for fresh lending of up to Rs 10 lakh per In economic parlance, printing of borrower to provide further support to money is called monetisation of the remain strong as gradual scaling back economic development including a 34.5 small business units, micro and small deficit. In other words, monetisation of of lockdowns, along with the astute per cent increase in capital expenditure industries, and other unorganised sector the deficit happens when the Reserve support of Atmanirbhar Bharat Mission and 137 per cent increase in health entities adversely affected during the Bank of India (RBI) buys government has placed the economy firmly on the expenditure, she said, adding, the current wave of the pandemic. securities directly from the primary path of recovery from the second half government announced a relief package The first auction under the SLTRO market to fund the government's of FY 2020-21," she said. of Rs 6.29 lakh crore in June 2021, to was conducted on May 17, 2021, she expenses. The government had announced a strengthen public health and provide said, adding, the unutilised portion of India's real Gross Domestic Product special economic and comprehensive impetus for growth and employment notified Rs 10,000 crore is being carried (GDP) is estimated to have contracted by package of Rs 29.87 lakh crore under measures. Replying to another question, forward in each subsequent auction, until 7.3 per cent during 2020-21, Sitharaman AtmaNirbhar Bharat (ANB) to combat Sitharaman said, the impact of the fully utilised or till the last auction to be said in a written reply to Lok Sabha. the impact of the pandemic, to revive second COVID-19 wave is expected to conducted in October 2021, whichever This contraction reflects the economic growth and to bolster be muted given localised containment is earlier. unparalleled effect of the pandemic and employment during 2020-21, she said. measures and rapid upscaling of the Three auctions under this scheme the containment measures that were The Union Budget 2021-22 vaccination drive. have been conducted so far, and SFBs taken to control the pandemic, she said. announced a number of measures to The Union Budget 2021-22, estimates have availed a total amount of Rs 1,640 "The fundamentals of the economy support broad-based and inclusive India's nominal GDP growth at 14.4 per crore under the scheme, she added. New Investors on Rise Despite RBI central board short of 9 non-official directors New Delhi for a period of four years and are eligible for re- the Slow Economic Growth The central board of the Reserve Bank of appointment. India (RBI) is facing shortage of nine non-official In June last year, Chandrasekaran was re- Mumbai the prices were high. And as directors, including seven from the category of appointed retrospectively as non-official director Inside report by Alice Blue, the word spread, the number people of eminence from various fields. for a further period of two years beyond March India's leading discount brokerage of investors have increased The central board is the highest decision 3, 2020. firm Bengaluru, Karnataka, significantly. The drastic making body of the apex bank headed by the RBI Besides, there is a provision for two government India Business Wire India When increase in the Demat Account governor. officials to be appointed on the central board. Under the world came to a standstill has also been recorded at Alice According to the RBI Act, the government this category, Economic Affairs Secretary Ajay during the pandemic and as the Blue. Sharing the complete nominates 10 eminent persons from various fields Seth and Financial Services Secretary Debasish economy continues to snag, many details Mr. Sidhavelayutham to the central board of the RBI, besides four Panda have been appointed as directors. people realized that only smart M, Founder & CEO of Alice directors (one from each of the four local boards). As far as official directors are concerned, the investments and proper savings Blue shared that the count of The government is yet to appoint seven non- board has full representation with the governor and could help them survive this new Demat accounts opened in official directors from the category of people of four deputy governors. pandemic. And, when traditional the FY 2019 was 37,773, which eminence from various fields while representations Taking into consideration five official directors, investments like real estate and rose about 240% to 1,22,094 in from local board from western and southern areas the central board of the RBI as prescribed by the gold have lost their luster, FY 2020. In only three months are missing. Act can have a total of 21 directors. the stock market continues to of FY 2021, more than 80,000 Currently, only three eminent personalities -- As many as four non-official directors, remain strong, thus what better new Demat accounts have been Tata Sons Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran, including Gujarat's former chief secretary Sudhir way to invest your money than opened, and at this rate, the seasoned banker S K Marathe and chartered Mankad and Mahindra & Mahindra's former group investing in the stock market. numbers are anticipated to grow accountant and RSS ideologue Swaminathan CFO Bharat N Doshi, completed their term last As the various company stock another 200% by the end of FY Gurumurthy -- are serving the central board. They year. prices saw a significant drop, 2021. While Alice Blue was are nominated under Section 8(1)(c) of the RBI Act, Other two directors, Prasanna Kumar Mohanty due to the lockdown situation, anticipating this to happen, the 1934, according to the RBI's website. and Dilip S Shanghvi, served on the central especially in last year, many company has further upgraded With regard to directors from local boards, board till February 8, 2021, and March 10, 2021, old and new investors grabbed its technology solutions to serve eastern area is represented by Sachin Chaturvedi respectively. Eminent agriculture economist this as a tremendous growth its ever-increasing customer base and northern area by Revathy Iyer, while nomination Ashok Gulati and Teamlease co-founder Manish opportunity of buying low along with reducing its brokerage of two directors is awaited. Sabharwal also completed their term earlier this valued stocks and selling once charges. These non-official directors are appointed year. Across State Mumbai, Thursday 29 July-04 August 2021 15 COVID vaccination dramatically reduces infection, finds AFMS study New Delhi 30, 2021. The study was possible due to Armed Forces Medical Services the cooperation by various components (AFMS) published the Vaccine of the AFMS. Armed Forces Medical effectiveness among healthcare and College, the medical directorates of frontline Workers of Indian Armed Forces Army, Navy and Air Force collaborated (VIN-WIN) cohort study in Medical with DG AFMS to complete the study. Journal Armed Forces India, a peer Corresponding author of the study, reviewed scientific journal on July 27, Consultant Medicine & Clinical 2021. The study highlights the impact Immunologist Air Commodore of protection against COVID-19 by Shankar Subramanian said the biggest COVISHIELD vaccine by analysing the challenge was in dealing with the huge effect on fresh infections and deaths. numbers while remaining statistically According to the study, there was a 93 accurate. As the population moved from per cent reduction in fresh infections unvaccinated to partially vaccinated and and the deaths were reduced by 98 per then fully vaccinated, the numbers in cent. It is possibly the largest study each group changed on a daily basis. worldwide on COVID-19 vaccine Though the Armed Forces have an effectiveness, so far. exceptional record keeping system, Director General, AFMS Surgeon collating and analysing the data was a Vice Admiral Rajat Datta, a renowned incident rate and incident rate ration. Armed Forces health surveillance huge task which involved constant and cardiologist and co-author of the Vaccine effectiveness was calculated system which had been enhanced intense coordination, he added. study said, 1.59 million Health Care as one-incident ration. Both crude and for monitoring COVID-19. The This study occurred when the nation Workers and Frontline Workers of the corrected rates were estimated and surveillance system had data for daily was witnessing the second wave of Armed Forces were among the first adjusted for the force of pandemic, vaccinations with first and second dose, the pandemic. Despite that, the fully recipients when India launched its second wave and the changing numbers dates of testing positive for COVID-19 vaccinated group which had gone up vaccination drive against COVID-19 in the three groups on the daily basis. and COVID related deaths; which were to 82 per cent of 1.59 million showed on January 16, 2021. The study was The study was achieved at no additional analysed. seven deaths only. It was gratifying that largely conducted on healthy males cost by analysing available data. Despite constraints of terrain the combined hard work of so many with few co-morbid illnesses. It did The DG AFMS stated that the VIN- and location, the Armed Forces had people yielded a result which gives not include children and the elderly. In WIN cohort study was carried out on managed to vaccinate over 82 per cent everyone so much hope, Air Commodore the Vin-WIN study, authors calculated anonymised data from the existing of the target population as early as May Subramanian stated.

The Government allocated Rs. 73,000 crore for MGNREGS for 2021- 22; an increase of Rs. 11,500 crore as compared to the FY 2020-21 New Delhi been released in current financial year 2021-22 (as on The Government of India has allocated Rs. 73,000 20.07.2021) for the implementation of programme. crore at Budget Estimate stage for current financial Mahatma Gandhi NREGS aims to strengthen the year 2021-22 for Mahatma Gandhi National Rural livelihood resource base of the rural households while Employment Guarantee Scheme (Mahatma Gandhi creating productive assets. So far, more than 25 lakh NREGS) which is an increase of Rs. 11,500 crore as assets have been created in the current FY 2021- compared to Budget Estimate for the financial year 22. The Act also mandates expenditure of 60% for 2020-21. creation of assets directly related to agriculture and In the current FY 2021-22 (as on 23.07.2021), allied activities through development of land, water a total of 6.51 crore persons have been provided and trees. In the current FY 2021-22, so far, 73% of employment under Mahatma Gandhi NREGS. In this the expenditure is incurred on agriculture and allied regard, State/UT-wise details is given at Annexure-I. works. Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (Mahatma Gandhi NREGS) is a Guarantee Scheme (Mahatma Gandhi NREGS) is demand driven wage employment programme, which 389.23 crore person-days were generated. In current a demand driven wage employment programme. provides for livelihood security by providing at least financial year 2021-22 (as on 23.07.2021), 6.51 crore Hence, no State/UT-wise (including Tamil Nadu) one hundred days of guaranteed wage employment in persons have been provided employment and more than financial allocation is made. During the current every financial year to every rural household whose 130.9 crore person-days have been generated under FY 2021-22 (as on 22.07.2021), an amount of adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work. Mahatma Gandhi NREGS. During the financial year Rs. 3322.73 crore has been released by Central During previous financial year 2020-21, 11.19 crore 2020-21, an amount Rs. 1, 11, 170.86 crore has been Government to the state of Tamil Nadu under persons were provided employment and more than released and an amount of Rs. 41,187.06 crore has Mahatma Gandhi NREG Scheme. color

16 Mumbai, Thursday 29 July-04 August 2021 Across State Expanding the buffet of

choicesGreat strides have been made in HIV people mayfor find it difficult topreventing remember Partnership for Microbicides, said that Islatravir is HIVthe first nucleoside prevention, treatment and care, since to take the pill daily or at the right time. If Zimbabwe has already given the go- reverse transcriptase translocation the first case of the viral infection was one stops on and off there is risk of poor ahead for its use and many other African inhibitor currently being evaluated reported 40 years ago. Thanks to the coverage of exposure, as substantiated nations are expected to follow suit in the across a variety of dosing regimens, for untiring efforts of the HIV community, from a study by Global Evaluation of near future. Rosenberg also informed that both – treatment as well as prevention of activists, and medical fraternity, 74% Microbicide Sensitivity, which found studies are underway for its use in pregnant HIV infection. It has a novel mechanism (27.5 million) of the 37.7 million people high rates of HIV drug resistance in some and breastfeeding women and for those of action, as it can persist in the body living with HIV are able to access the individuals who were diagnosed with HIV who are 15-18 years old. for a long period of time and is being lifesaving antiretroviral therapy today. But while participating in HIV PrEP rollout A 90-day dapivirine ring has developed as a monthly pill and also as the governments’ promise of ending AIDS programmes in Eswatini, Kenya, South successfully completed Phase-1 clinical a sub-dermal implant for prevention that by 2030 (Sustainable Development Goals) Africa, and Zimbabwe. Levels of drugs in study in which it was found to be well could provide protection for one year. is still far from our sight. their blood suggested that they were taking tolerated and delivered target levels of Interim data from a Phase-2a study Deliberations at the recently concluded PrEP at least 4 times a week, which was drug throughout the three months of use, to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and 11th International IAS Conference on not enough to prevent HIV infection, but showing the potential to provide long- pharmacokinetics show that it is safe and HIV Science (#IAS2021) show important enough for the resistant virus to emerge acting and sustained HIV protection. Next was generally well tolerated through 24 progress in HIV prevention, treatment, (as drugs used in PrEP are also used for phase studies are to begin this year and weeks. Monthly doses of Islatravir, 60 and cure efforts despite major disruption HIV treatments). Moral of the story is to Rosenberg is hopeful that results would mg and 120 mg, also achieved the pre- to HIV programmes and research during take PrEP every day as prescribed, to stay be available by 2023. specified efficacious pharmacokinetic the COVID-19 pandemic. free of HIV. Long-acting Cabotegravir: Once every threshold for PrEP. Keeping in mind that there were 1.7 8 weeks injection Two Phase-3 clinical studies million new HIV infections in 2020 (which It belongs to a new class of HIV drugs (IMPOWER 024 and IMPOWER 022) is 3 times higher than the UNAIDS 2020 called integrase inhibitors and is delivered to evaluate its efficacy and safety in targets), HIV prevention must remain a key once every 8 weeks via intramuscular cisgender women, men, and transgender focus. While speaking with the journalists injection. Long-acting Cabotegravir has women who have sex with men, have around IAS 2021, Professor Linda Gail been found to be safe and well tolerated. already begun. But it could be another Bekker, who is the Director of Desmund Two studies (HPTN 084 and HPTN 083) 2-3 years from now till we have it. Tutu HIV Centre at the University of Cape done in sub-saharan Africa have found it Phase-2 studies for the once-a-year Town, South Africa, and former President to be statistically superior to daily oral removable Islatravir implant are also of the International AIDS Society (IAS), PrEP in preventing HIV infection among underway. said that humanity comes in many shapes cisgender women, cisgender men and Lenacapavir Long Acting: twice- and forms, and so should HIV prevention transgender women who have sex with yearly injectable for HIV prevention options. men. Lenacapavir (the first HIV capsid This article, the first in the series of This much awaited prevention method inhibitor) as a once every 6 months a trilogy by CNS head and IAS HIV So for those who cannot adhere to is now into the implementation phase and injectable for HIV prevention is in the Science 2021 Media Fellowship Awardee a daily regimen, the solution lies in is moving towards licensure. early stages of development. Two studies Shobha Shukla, showcases an array of having long-acting agents in different Although long-acting dapivirine ring, to evaluate its efficacy and safety are prevention options that are either already formulations – like the once-a-month pill and long-acting Cabotegravir, both do not to take place – one in South Africa and at our disposal or are in various stages of or a long-acting injection or the vaginal offer contraceptive benefits. Women of Uganda (in adolescent girls and young development. ring. reproductive age do need multipurpose women) and the other in USA, Brazil, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP): Dapivirine Ring: Once a month vaginal prevention technology products to address Peru, and South Africa (in cisgender Once daily oral pill ring two or more overlapping health risks, such men, transgender women, transgender It has been 10 years now since it was This monthly vaginal ring, developed as, unintended pregnancy and HIV. The men and gender non-binary individuals). proved that adherence to antiretroviral by the International Partnership for dual prevention pill is an answer to their It is also being developed as long acting based oral PrEP provides robust protection Microbicides, is the first woman- prayers. treatment and implant. against HIV in all populations and for controlled, topical long-acting HIV Dual Prevention Pill: A daily oral pill Broadly neutralising antibodies all routes of infection. We have PrEP- prevention method to reduce the risk of for women for protection against HIV and Broadly neutralising antibodies 1, the daily oral HIV prevention pill acquiring HIV through vaginal sex. It is pregnancy provide a new approach to HIV-1 Truvada whose two active ingredients are a silicon ring that contains antiretroviral Dual prevention pill, a co-formulated prevention and treatment. But they are tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) and drug, dapivirine (a non-nucleoside reverse tablet containing oral PrEP (TDF/FTC) still in very early stages of development. emtricitabine (FTC), both of which are transcriptase inhibitor), and when worn and a combined oral contraceptive, is HIV Vaccine nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors. inside the vagina, it releases the drug currently being developed for daily use There is currently no vaccine available But, in some users daily oral PrEP can slowly for a period of 28 days, after which to prevent both HIV and pregnancy to prevent or treat HIV infection. be a barrier to adherence and can lead to it should be replaced by a new ring. The and is likely to be a new multipurpose However, scientists are working to pauses or discontinuation. This has led to dapivirine ring offers a discreet and long- prevention technology to go to market. develop one. Research efforts undertaken the next discovery of taking the pill on- acting alternative to daily oral PrEP. Since both the ingredients of dual by USA’s National Institutes of Health demand at the time of exposure and not Interim results from the REACH study prevention pill are already approved for include two late-stage, multinational daily. So we have PrEP 1.5, TDF/FTC show encouraging levels of adherence individual use, their combination pill vaccine clinical studies called Imbokodo as oral HIV prevention on-demand. The to dapivirine ring and oral PrEP among just needs to undergo bio-equivalence and Mosaico. dosing for PrEP on Demand is 2-1-1, that adolescent girls and young women in study to determine if they are as safe Basket of choices to prevent HIV is, two tablets taken 2-24 hours before Africa. High adherence was observed in and effective in combination. Regulatory We need a basket of HIV prevention engaging in sex, one tablet taken 24 hours 50% of the ring users as against 22% of timelines suggest that dual prevention options. It is about choices and after the first two, and another tablet 24 oral PrEP users. Moreover, 88% of the pill could receive US FDA approval by preferences depending on where people hours after that. But it can be used only participants liked using the ring. 2024. are in their life cycle, local realities, and by cisgender and other men who have sex The European Medicines Agency Several other multipurpose prevention contexts. Moreover, prevention options with men. and the World Health Organization have technologies for HIV and pregnancy should be accessible, affordable, simple While nearly 1 million people have already approved the ring for use as an prevention are in various stages of to use, and easy to adhere, for everyone! accessed the PrEP prevention option additional prevention choice for women development, but still many years away It is only then that we may expect better globally, the oral daily or on-demand in high HIV burden settings. from market launch. coverage of all people and of all exposures, PrEP is not feasible for everyone. Many Zeda Rosenberg, CEO of International Islatravir: Once a month oral PrEP rightly said Bekker. color

Across State Mumbai, Thursday 29 July-04 August 2021 17 Saangla Tragedy A Wake-up Call For Safety of Himalyan Travellers

warning system for anyone entering the bridge, instead and he was caught up in some such difficult situations On July 25 afternoon 11 tourists were crossing the of merely relying on last minute warnings being shouted himself from time to time . Unlike local people a traveler Baaspa river in a rather remote part of Kinnaur region by any passers-by. This lapse proved to be very costly for is more precariously placed if no place to spend the night in Himachal Pradesh, on Saangla Chhitkul route, when the travelers from various parts of the country who were is available and if cash availability is also limited. I was warning shouts were heard from people from a distance. probably coming as a group from Delhi. thus compelled to take risks that were best avoided while However the driver of the tempo traveler was busy Soon after the tragedy the administration swung into crossing active landslide zones with stones and rubble negotiating the river bridge and did not hear the warning action and several restrictions on travel in the danger zone falling all over with fury . Returning from Uttarkashi shouts. He wasn’t aware also of the boulders which had were announced but by then the damage had been done. floods I had crossed over with very muddy feet and fallen earlier from nearby hills. People from nearby hills On the other hand, if an official warning system had been clothes to catch the last bus headed for Tehri when on were now shouting after spotting a similar danger. set up after the July 24 near-mishap, these nine human way, night having already fallen, the private bus driver Unfortunately the warning could not be heard in time lives could have been saved. Kinnaur is known for being suddenly stopped the bus in one village and refused to and boulders smashed the vehicle. In fact so huge were prone to frequent landslides and better safety systems are go any further! It was with great difficulty that he could some of the boulders and stones which fell that even the expected in such a region. be persuaded to continue. iron bridge which connected Batesari village collapsed. This should draw attention to the wider issue of While the situation may have improved since then, Nine travelers died and two, along with a local person, inexperienced travelers from plains often getting caught and passengers also now have mobiles and credit cards, were hospitalized. Some other vehicles, a school building in unanticipated high-risk situations in Himalayan region, but overall there is much need still for improving safety ( fortunately with no children in it) and a house were particularly the more remote parts where help may not be conditions for travelers in Himalayan region. The also damaged. handy. Travelers themselves should exercise more caution travelers themselves need to be better aware of how This was clearly an avoidable tragedy. The landslide before venturing into more remote parts particularly high-risk situations can develop suddenly and avoid here had started a day earlier on July 24. In fact, according during the rainy season. The past few days have seen a taking undue risks. Both in terms of driving recklessly to reports in newspapers, a car with tourists from lot of rain , traffic disruptions and landslides in Himachal on hill roads without adequate training to negotiate the Chandigarh had been caught in the middle of falling Pradesh and it is strange that these travelers ventured into special conditions here as well as planning adequately stones from a landslide even on July 24 but its occupants a highly remote place in such a season without being for increasing hazards of landslides and other disasters, had somehow survived this danger. In their case warnings warned on safety aspects. many travelers are less than cautious. At the same time shouted by passers-by had probably saved the day but This writer often visited the Himalayan region as a the authorities need to improve safety aspects . Very tragic such good luck cannot be expected every time. Surely reporter from Delhi ( and these journalism visits often had as the recent incident in Saangla has been, one hopes that this should have been reason enough to set up some to be more difficult situations like earthquake and floods) this will a wake-up call for improving safety measures. 18 Mumbai, Thursday 29 July-04 August 2021 Across State 3 Mold Hot Spots In The Kitchen +

How To Keep Them In Goodyour refrigeratorShape is one of the most forgotten areas of the home. If you're like most people, you rarely move your fridge to look behind it. No shame: It's heavy, it's loud, and it's a pain to roll out from the surrounding wall or cabinets. But I encourage you to take the time to look back there regularly, as it has two things that mold loves: a water source and dust to bind to. How to protect it from mold: To stay on top of mold, roll out your refrigerator every month to clear the dust and inspect for any signs of water leaks. Your refrigerator runs the risk of leaking in several places, but pay extra attention to the water lines and the condenser. If your condenser is overworked or overheated (often occurring from a blockage on the exhaust for the freezer), the exhaust allows humid air to escape. If it's blocked, the condenser will work overtime and will start to leak. Hot Spot 3: Your sponge. When you leave a wet sponge on your laminate countertop, it will not A kitchen can be an oasis of of the counter, it's likely sealed change the rubber gasket or replace completely dry. And if you leave it creativity, love, and togetherness. with a silicone sealant. Over time, the faucet altogether. there long enough, it can cause the But while you're wining and dining this sealant can break down and Check your under-sink pipes. If counter to de-laminate, allowing family and friends, you'll want to separate. Once it does, moisture you take a look, you'll most see the unwanted moisture or water to seep be on the lookout for an uninvited can seep in and give mold an following underneath your sink: Two in. This can create an opportunity guest: mold! Mold growth in the opportunity to grow. valves (that can shut off the supply for mold growth. kitchen is quite common. As a mold How to protect it from mold: for both the hot and cold water lines) How to protect it from mold: remediation expert, I've seen it To protect your sink, you'll want and the drain line for the sink. If Every time you use a sponge, it's countless times in kitchens across to be mindful of its seal, look for you have a garbage disposal, you best to squeeze all the excess water the country—and the culprits are pooling water around the faucet, and will likely see that connecting to out of it that you can. Then, keep almost always the same. To find be sure to check your pipes from your drain too. The last thing you'll it in the sink, away from stone or the potential mold hot spots in your time to time: probably encounter is the drain line laminate surfaces. I also recommend kitchen, simply look for the water Check the seal. Keep an eye out and supply line for the dishwasher, if tossing out any sponges that develop sources. The two main sources are for mold or mildew growth around you have one. Over time, these can an unpleasant damp odor, as they your sink and your refrigerator, but the seal of your sink, and fix any all begin to crack or loosen, creating run the risk of mold development. wet sponges can also cause issues. gaps in the seal immediately. opportunities for leaks. If you have a Once it gets to that smelly point, it's Let's break down some of the Look out for pooling water. Have leak, it will leave behind water stains a sign you need a new sponge! common causes of mold in the you ever turned on your faucet and on the bottom of your sink cabinet. The bottom line. kitchen and the easy steps you can noticed water pooling on top of the It's important to regularly check for Just as it's important to maintain take to prevent them. counter and are unsure of where it water stains or slow drips and leaks your favorite cookware, it's essential Hot Spot 1: Your sink. came from? The faucet has rubber because left undetected, they can to stay on top of the kitchen itself. Most mold in the kitchen occurs gaskets in it to prevent leaks, and damage the cabinet and allow for Addressing these three main in the area around the sink. Whether over time, these gaskets can break unwanted mold growth. problem areas can go a long way your sink is an undermount sink down. If this ever happens, don't Hot Spot 2: Your refrigerator. in helping to prevent a moldy or the edges of your sink sit on top delay: Call a plumber and they'll The space behind and underneath headache in the future. Across State Mumbai, Thursday 29 July-04 August 2021 19 To Mind Your Brain Health As You Age,

exercises are most beneficial for the brain. In fact, the regions of the brain that bear the brunt of aging seem to benefit the most from aerobic exercise. For the people in the walking and dancing groups, Study Says Try the researchers observed increased white matter following the study, particularly in areas that play a role in memory and executive function. The group who walked even had improved memory after the study and were better able to recall memories from their lives. And as far as the group who did balancing and This Exercise stretching moves, they did not see any brain benefits As we get older, we all want to look out for our brain but rather a normal decline in white matter. health and, namely, preserve our memory. According to a new The takeaway. study published in the journal NeuroImage, researchers have The bottom line is, after just six months of working identified the best form of exercise to help with this, plus why out three times per week, the participants doing aerobic it's beneficial. Here's what they found. exercise achieved noticeable improvements in their Looking at the effects of exercise. brain health and memory. It's never too late to improve For this study, researchers gathered 180 older adults who your brain health, which is certainly good news for were considered healthy but inactive. They were separated anyone looking to get in better shape. into three groups, with one group focused on walking, one As graduate student and first author on the study focused on dance, and one control group that did balancing Andrea Mendez Colmenares notes in a news release, and stretching exercises. she hopes their research offers a better understanding The groups met three times per week for six months. For of white matter aging, and people will consider lifestyle the dancing group, their dance classes got progressively harder interventions to help themselves (and their brains) as throughout the course of the study. they age, "so they can live independently for longer and Before and after the six months, each of the participants with better cognition." had MRIs, as well as cognitive and cardiorespiratory tests, to While all types of exercise are important for various see how their respective forms of exercise affected the brain. functions, if you're looking to preserve your brain What they found. health, this research suggests your best bets are aerobic Based on the findings of this research, it would appear exercises (like running, vigorous walking, swimming, that aerobic exercise is the way to go when considering which or biking).

For many of us, that morning cup of risk of dementia and stroke). They studied consumption was significantly associated Research coffee feels essential to getting the day the effects of coffee on nearly 18,000 people with reduced brain volume—essentially, started. And while some research has shown between the ages of 37 and 73, making this drinking more than six cups of coffee a day Finds This moderate coffee intake can be beneficial, how the largest study of its kind. may be putting you at risk of brain diseases much is too much? That's what researchers Based on their findings, it seems coffee such as dementia and stroke." Amount Of from Australia wanted to know, and they in excess doesn't reap the same brain benefits As professor and study co-author Elina just published their findings in the journal as coffee in moderation. Those who drank Hyppönen, Ph.D., MPH, MSc, notes in the Coffee Can Nutritional Neuroscience. more than six cups of coffee per day had a release, the exact mechanisms behind why Studying how high doses of coffee affect 53% increased risk of dementia, as well as excess coffee consumption can have negative Adversely the brain. smaller brain volume. effects aren't fully understood. However, she Researchers from the University of South As study co-author and Ph.D. candidate says, "One simple thing we can do is to keep Affect Brain Australia wanted to know how coffee affects Kitty Pham explains in a news release, hydrated and remember to drink a bit of water Health the brain (specifically, brain volume, and the "We consistently found that higher coffee alongside that cup of coffee." 20 Mumbai, Thursday 29 July-04 August 2021 Across State Love to give women a big voice to tell their story: Jessica Biel on backing 'Cruel Summer' Hollywood star Jessica especially as a teenager growing that added interesting element Biel says she and her producer up in the era, so much so that of upcoming fame and more partner Michelle Purple want sometimes it would get difficult eyeballs on us. There was no to give a platform to women for them to make a choice about social media or camera phones. of all ages and their upcoming what to include in the show. There was more privacy," she teen psychological thriller series "The chatrooms, the dial ups, added. "Cruel Summer" is one such the computer being this massive "Cruel Summer" has been attempt. machine. One of the best parts renewed for a second season and The duo had also backed of the '90s was the music. Being Biel promised a "grittier" new the critically-acclaimed series able to go through the music of chapter. "The Sinner", in which Biel the '90s was so good. It was hard "Season two will have also stars, and drama feature to choose at times," Purple, 45, some of the similar identifying "The Book of Love" via their added. characteristics of this show. It production company Iron Ocean Biel quipped she and Purple will be grittier. We are going to Productions. old actor-producer. Praising streaming platforms, felt "really old" when they saw keep putting our characters in Created and executive "The idea of who's telling the the Golden Globe-nominated Olivia Holt, who plays Kate in very challenging positions to see produced by Bert V Royal, "Cruel truth? The truth very much sort of actor said there was finally a the show, figuring out what a how they might react," she said. Summer" takes place over three lives in this other realm of your medium where not only can one Walkman was. Purple said they are going to summers in the '90s when a truth, my truth and something act in a project but also create "Olivia had no idea what a up the stakes "a little bit" in the beautiful and popular teen, Kate, else that's also true. That seemed stories for others. Walkman was. She had never upcoming installment. goes missing, and a seemingly very mealy to us." "You can sort of do it all on seen it before. She literally was "It was interesting to see unrelated girl Jeanette transforms Biel, who serves as an television now and I think a lot of pushing (the buttons) and going how the audience reacted, what from a sweet and awkward outlier executive producer on "Cruel women, in my experience, want 'what is this?! This is huge. It they were drawn towards and to the most popular girl in town, Summer" along with Purple, to take charge of their career. You doesn't fit in my bag'. These spoke about in the social world, eventually becoming the most said the non-linear narrative of want to have that ability to not sit kids have never seen that kind so obviously that informs us for despised person in America. the series in which each episode around and wait for somebody to of technology or analog stuff. season two," she added. "Walking through the focuses on the same day over the call you. "You want to be active But it was fun to go back to the The show also stars Chiara experiences of these two young course of three years: 1993, 1994 in your life and success... It really nostalgia of our youth." Aurelia, Michael Landes, Froy women at the forefront of this and 1995, was very unique. changes your experience as an Biel, who worked on the hit Gutierrez, Harley Quinn Smith, show was something we really "We were also very interested actor because you are able to have American drama "7th Heaven" Allius Barnes, Blake Lee, love to do for our company. (We) in the three years storyline. Our control over what's happening as a teenager in the '90s, agreed Brooklyn Sudano and Sarah always give women a big voice interest just sort of evolved as over you and your career," she with Purple that it was easier to Drew. Max Winkler has directed and a moment to tell their story. we wrote more scripts, received added. be young in those times than it is and executive produced the pilot. Not caring about what kind of more scripts and saw where this For Purple, the 1990s setting in the age of social media. Co-produced by age we are talking about, young was all going because it was sort of the series, showrun and also "I had normal struggles like Entertainment One, "Cruel or mature women," Biel told PTI of step by step." executive produced by Tia 'Did I make the sports team or Summer" is scheduled to start in a group interview over Zoom. Biel said she hopes the trend Napolitano, was "super fun" in not? I want to go to the dance streaming on Amazon Prime What attracted her to the of female actors turning producers all aspects. with that guy but he doesn't want Video in India and worldwide, story of the 10-episode show continues as it is important for an The analog technology, music to go with me.' I was also working except the US and Canada, from was playing with the "idea of artiste to have control over their and fashion of the '90s hold a on '7th Heaven' around the same August 6. perspective", added the 39-year- careers. special place for the producer, time in the '90s, so there was Cory Hardrict to star in 'Die Like a Man' Netflix sets premiere date for 'Lucifer' final season directing the film. The sixth and final season of the fantasy the final season. Actor Cory Hardrict, known for In "Die Like a Man", Hardrict superhero series "Lucifer" will air on The minute-long video clip offered fans drama series "The Chi" and war drama plays a recently paroled west side September 10 on Netflix, the streaming a look back at various moments across the feature "American gangster who after platform has announced. previous seasons. Lucifer is then shown Sniper", will star serving a decade behind "Lucifer" revolves around Lucifer being pulled over by the police upon which in the independent bars returns to his old Morningstar, played by Tom Ellis, the Devil, he tells the officer that it's his last night in thriller "Die Like a west LA neighborhood, who abandons Hell for Los Angeles where LA. Man". now gentrified and he runs his own nightclub named "LUX" The last season saw Lucifer go through The film is said redeveloped. and joins Lauren German's Detective Chloe a lot of changes and also redeem his to be the first part All his friends are Decker to consult the LA Police Department. banishment from Heaven. of a street trilogy either dead or have moved Ellis, and executive producers Joe The cast of "Lucifer" also includes revolving around on. His only anchor is Henderson and Ildy Modrovich made the Rachael Harris, DB Woodside, Lesley-Ann themes of masculinity, violence, and training his best friend's son in the ill- announcement during the show's panel at Brandt, Aimee Garcia, Tricia Helfer, Scarlett gentrification in 21st century America, fated codes of masculinity on the street the virtual Comic-Con@Home on Saturday. Estevez and Kevin Alejandro. reported Deadline. that lead to devastating consequences. On its official Twitter account, Netflix The show is produced by Jerry Eric Nazarian, known for the 2007 Hardrict is also attached to serve as Geeked shared that "even bad things must Bruckheimer Television, DC Entertainment drama "The Blue Hour", is writing and executive producer on the project. come to an end" as it posted the teaser of and Warner Bros Television. Across State The Stage Mumbai, Thursday 29 July-04 August 2021 21 Lucky to have got opportunity to play real-life hero in 'Shershaah', says Sidharth Malhotra

Actor Sidharth Malhotra, Advani, who plays Dimple who will be seen playing the role Cheema - the romantic interest of Kargil hero Vikram Batra in of Captain Vikram Batra in the the upcoming film "Shershaah", film, said working on the film says he is fortunate to have been transformed her on a personal chosen to play the real-life hero level. on-screen. "Some films change you The biographical war drama, professionally but there are directed by noted south film some that change you personally. director Vishnuvaradhan, narrates 'Shershaah' is that film for me. the life story of Captain Batra Thank you to the Batra family, and how he led the charge of his Dimple and everyone who made troops during the 1999 Kargil this possible for us. I will forever war. He was given the highest be grateful. We can't wait to share wartime gallantry award Param this with the world," she said. Vir Chakra posthumously. The 28-year-old actor also In the film, Malhotra will be expressed her gratitude towards seen in the double role of Captain the Indian Army. Vikram Batra and his twin brother "I am quite nervous right Batra), it was the experience and Head, Content, Amazon unconditional," Boxwala added. Vishal Batra. now because I am standing in of meeting the people, all the Prime Video, India, said when The trailer launch was also "This day is extremely front of the Indian Army for the officers, who fought by him," Dharma Productions approached attended by Chief of Defence emotional for me. We started this first time. No amount of words he said. him to release on the streaming Staff General Bipin Rawat, journey five years ago with Vishal would justify the gratitude we The director said the team has platform, it was an instant yes Northern Army Commander Batra ji. This is my first film all have in it hearts for each of tried to stay true to the events of from their team. Lieutenant General Y K Joshi, where I have portrayed the life you. I would also like to thank the 1999 war. "Dharma Productions and filmmakers Karan Johar, Apoorva of a real-life hero. 'Shershaah' has the families here. We salute you "We never thought we would I share warm relationship and Mehta and the family members been an experience bigger than for your support, prayers and for shoot in Kargil. We would when they asked us about this of Kargil war veterans, several a film," Malhotra said Sunday being true pillars of strength for imagine how it would have film, we instantly said yes. It is a soldiers and officers. at the trailer launch event of the men and women in uniform," been during the war. Every time unique experience," Subramanian Before the event, homage was film at the National Horse Polo she added. we would shoot, we could see said, adding the film will have a paid to the heroes of the Kargil Ground here in Drass town on Director Vishnuvardhan, who it all coming alive. What we wider release in more than 200 war by Army personnel and a the eve of the 22nd Kargil Vijay makes his directorial debut in filmed on those heights is nothing countries. group of school children, who Diwas. Hindi cinema with "Shershaah", compared to what the Indian It was producer Shabbir sang popular patriotic songs like "I would like to thank the is credited with making successful Army achieved at that time. So, Boxwala, who first learnt about "Chak De! India", "Ab Tumhare Indian Army... This story is about Tamil movies like "Arinthum we have tried to bring everything Captain Batra and approached Hawale Watan Sathiyon", "Teri true, real-life heroes like you. Ariyamalum , "Pattiyal", and possible on screen," he added. his family to make a film on him. Mitti", and "Ae Watan". And I consider myself lucky that "Billa", among others. "Shershaah" is scheduled "In the first meeting, they "Shershaah" also stars Shiv I got to play him," the 36-year-old Directing a film inspired by to be released on August 12 agreed to give the rights of (the Panditt, Raj Arjun, Pranay actor added. the life of Captain Batra was on Amazon Prime Video. The life of) Vikram Batra and that was Pachauri, Himanshu Ashok "Shershaah", which borrows "once in a lifetime opportunity" film is jointly produced by the happiest day of my life. They Malhotra, Nikitin Dheer, Anil its title from the martyr's for him, Vishnuvardhan said. Dharma Productions and Kaash are part of the family now. The Charanjeett, Sahil Vaid, Shataf codename, also stars Kiara "Apart from reading and Entertainment. support of the Indian Army and Figar and Pawan Chopra. Advani. knowing about him (Captain Vijay Subramaniam, Director his family was very essential and

Mumbai "The film has some great action sequences and is packed with Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh has wrapped up the entertainment while the audiences also get treated to Harbhajan Harbhajan shoot of his multilingual feature film debut "Friendship" and will Singh, one of biggest names in sports who now also marks his name in soon start dubbing for the movie. the field of entertainment. We certainly cannot wait to take everyone Directed by John Paul Raj & Sham Surya, the film also features through this journey of 'Friendship'," she said. Singh South star Arjun and Losliya. Producer Kiran Reddy Mandadi said "Friendship" stars Singh in a full fledged role following guest the team is thrilled to have wrapped up the final schedule. appearances in films like "Mujhse Shaadi Karogi" (2004) and "Bhajji "It was just an amazing experience working with the fun, ball of in Problem" (2013). energy that Harbhajan is. He is now going to start his dubbing soon The film features Singh, 41, as a mechanical engineering student, wraps as the film releases in multiple languages - Hindi, Tamil, Punjabi who, along with his group of friends in the beginning of first year, and Telugu. "It is as exciting as it gets as Bhajji will be taking onto manages a clever escapade from the ragging by the seniors. the screens with a different avatar and speaking different languages, "What follows next stays a mystery yet to be unfolded as we shoot of which will definitely reach the audiences soon," the producer said gradually delve deeper into the emotions with this one of its kind in a statement on Sunday. rollercoaster journey of friendship," read the official logline of the The team is working towards presenting the trailer of the film by film. Presented by Toughened Studios Limited, the film is slated to 'Friendship' the end of this month, added Mandadi. be release this year. 22 Mumbai, Thursday 29 July-04 August 2021 Sports Across State I’m the same girl, life hasn’t changed for me: Mirabai Innocence is an obvious character trait of India’s I have been given only 10 days off (laughs). I will come sir started to train me. I stayed with Vijay sir and my newest Olympics medallist, Saikhom Mirabai Chanu. back and start training again. We have Commonwealth performance started to get better. After walking into her abode for the night in Noida with Championships in October and then we have to start Will you do something for them as well so that they a posse of police officers — who trailed her car in two preparation for the next events. could send many more Mirabais to the main team? escort vehicles — last night, Chanu declared: ‘I am the I will return on August 10. Sir (coach Vijay Sharma) I will do everything for them and others, especially same Mirabai.’ said I have to return on that date so I will have to come for those girls who may want to take up weightlifting as The weightlifter, who opened India’s medal count in back and that is final. In the meantime, I will stay with a sport because of my medal. It will be lovely to see more Tokyo, added that the best thing that family. I have missed them so much. girls from Manipur or any part of India get into my sport. happened to her after the medal was I want to enjoy my time with them Whoever needs help and approaches me will get my help. a direct call from Prime Minister and I look forward to being with We will plan for it for sure. Narendra Modi. In a freewheeling them. What was the biggest surprise that you got after chat with The Tribune, Chanu talks There was a picture of you and winning the medal? about loving the limelight, her Mary Kom hugging in Tokyo. What It was a direct call from Prime Minister Narendra Modi return to training and future plans. happened there? ji. After the medal I was sent to give my sample (for dope Excerpts: I bumped into her in the shopping control)… Once I had returned Vijay sir handed his phone It has been a hectic day for complex of the Games Village. to me. It was the PM! You do not expect a direct call from you from the moment you landed Suddenly she came out of nowhere your PM. It never happens. He said: ‘Mira aapne kamal in Delhi. Crowds, fans heckling to and hugged me tight. She then said: kar diya. Apne pehle din silver jeet ke humare desh ka take a selfie with you. You got an ‘You won the first medal for India naam upar kar diya.’ I was so happy. For a second I had escort car. You have become a big here. You made Indian and Manipur doubts whether I was talking to him! I was in shock. It star. How do you see this stardom? proud.’ She was so happy for me. We was a big moment for me. I have met him in the past, but I love it. I have waited and dreamt of these things for hugged each other for a long time. It was lovely gesture it has never happened that he has directly called me, so it a number of years but life for me has not changed at all. from her. is very special to me. I am the same girl. This medal was not only my dream Mirabai, you were helped by other coaches when you What are your plans going forward? but it was also the dream of our (weightlifting) federation started your career. How important were they? This medal has shown me the way to go forward in my and we have realised it together and I am so happy that I will be indebted for life for what both Anita Chanu sport. It has given me the confidence that will help me to we achieved this in Tokyo. and Brojen Singh did for me. They taught me the sport. better this performance in the coming tournaments. Now, You will be in Manipur for a few days. Have you Unhone haath pakad ke sikhaya hai. They are the reason I will work harder in my training and will try to better the planned anything special for your stay there? I could make it to the national camp. Once there, Vijay colour of the medal in Paris Olympics. Manipur CM hands over Additional SP appointment letter to Mirabai Chanu Imphal Manipur state gave a grand reception to Saikhom Mirabai Chanu who got silver medal in Tokyo Olympic in 49kg category of women weightlifting when she arrived at Bir Tikendrajit International Airport, Imphal on Tuesday. Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh along with his Cabinet colleagues, MLAs, officials, her family members, friends and supporters received her at the airport. Mirabai Chanu attended a grand reception function organised by the Directorate of Youth Affairs and Sports, Manipur at City Convention Auditorium just after her arrival at Imphal this afternoon. CM Biren Singh handed over a cheque of Rs 1 crore and an appointment letter to Mirabai to be the Additional Superintendent of Police (Sports) in the reception function where the Olympian’s parents and family members were present. Two coaches of Mirabai, Anita and Brojen were also honoured at the function. Mirabai Chanu was escorted by CM and his Cabinet colleagues and Director General of Police up to the newly furnished office of the Additional Superintendent of Police (Sports). CM Biren assured that Manipur state sports organisations of different Sports disciplines affiliated to Manipur Olympic Association (MOA) will be given financial help on an annual basis regularly. Villagers of Nongpok Kakching which happened to be Mirabai’s birthplace and neighbouring areas located in Lamlai Assembly Constituency also organised a grand reception for her. Mirabai Chanu’s home and street were also illuminated by colourful disco lights during the night time Tuesday Across State Get Set Go... Mumbai, Thursday 29 July-04 August 2021 23

Naomi Osaka eliminated from Tokyo Olympics Rupinder's brace hands India 3-0 win tennis tournament over Spain in Olympic men's hockey Tokyo pressure put up by the Dragflicker Rupinder Spaniards. Pal Singh scored a brace With a two goal as the Indian men's hockey cushion, the Indians overcame a demoralising were quite content in defeat in the previous just defending in the match to cruise past Spain fourth and final quarter 3-0 and inch closer to a as Spain continued to quarterfinal berth at the apply relentless pressure. Tokyo Olympics here on But in the 51st minute Tuesday. India managed to find Drubbed 1-7 by the net again when they are yet to register a win steadily got into the Australia in their last earned a penalty corner, Tokyo groundstrokes. in the competition. groove and secured their match, India produced their fourth of the match, The host country's The 42nd-ranked Spain drew 1-1 against first penalty corner in the a spirited performance from a counter attack superstar is out of the Vondrousova produced Argentina before losing 12th minute but wasted against world No.9 and this time Rupinder Tokyo Olympics. a series of drop-shot 3-4 to New Zealand. the chance. Spain and scored through was bang on target with Naomi Osaka lost to winners and other crafty The Indians will next The Indians mounted Simranjeet Singh (14th a powerful low flick former French Open finalist shots that drew Osaka out play reigning Olympic number of attacks in minute) and Rupinder to the right of Spanish Marketa Vondrousova of of her comfort zone. champions Argentina on the final few minutes of Pal Singh (15th and 51st) goalkeeper Cortes. the Czech Republic 6-1 Osaka won her Thursday. the game and the ploy to record a comfortable Down 0-3, Spain didn't 6-4 in the third round of the opening two matches in For any team it is bore fruits when Spain's win in their third Pool A give up and continued to Tokyo tennis tournament straight sets following a always tough to recover defence was caught off match at the Oi Hockey attack in numbers while on Tuesday. two-month mental-health from a morale-shattering guard by Amit Rohidas' Stadium. the Indians looked to just The second-ranked break. But conditions loss within a day, but India pass and an unmarked India, ranked fourth defend. Osaka, who was born in were different on Tuesday looked more organised Simranjeet just tapped in the world, had earlier In the 53rd minute, Japan and grew up in the with the roof closed and sorted against Spain the ball into the goal past defeated New Zealand 3-2 Spain secured three United States, struggled because it was raining on Tuesday. Quico Cortes. in their opening fixture. consecutive penalty with her usually reliable outside. Despite the win, The goal rejuvenated Spain, on the other hand, corners but their India's chief coach India as they secured dragflicker Pau Quemada Graham Reid said the three back-to-back failed to breach the Indian team needs to work penalty corners in the back-line led by Sreejesh. upon a lot of grey areas, final minute of the first Spain secured another Indian shooters crash out in 10m like conceding penalty quarter and from the third penalty corner in the final corners, ahead of their set piece Harmanpreet's minutes of the game but remaining matches. flick found the body of a again Sreejesh denied air rifle mixed qualifications "Better result today, Spanish defender, which Quemada to help India but a lot of things to work resulted in a penalty keep a clean sheet. on from an improvement stroke. Sreejesh said he is perspective. The fact Rupinder Pal Singh experienced enough to that we gave too many stepped up and made make a comeback after a corners, that's always no mistake in doubling forgettable outing against a concern when that India's lead. Australia the other day. happens. But the team Trailing by two goals, He also lauded the did really well in terms of the Spaniards pressed the Indian defence, which defending," he said. Indian defence hard in the withstood the tremendous "The first quarter second quarter and the pressure put up by the was played very well, play was mostly inside Spaniards on Tuesday. we could move the ball the Indian half. "Goalkeepers are really well and it was Spain's pressure there to take pressure. exactly what we planned tactics earned them three I think, when you are to do. We struggled a bit penalty corners in the Tokyo fancied Elavenil and Divyansh while experienced enough you in the second and third third quarter -- the last The two Indian pairs participating in Anjum and Deepak found themselves will be able to manage quarters." one coming just seconds the 10m air rifle mixed team event crashed languishing at the bottom of the pile. the pressure and control Manpreet Singh's from the end following a out in the first qualifications stage, missing The top eight teams make the the team," he said. men played high pressure referral -- but the Indian out on yet another final after an outing Qualification 2 and the top four pairs in the "Against Australia hockey from the word defence held firm to keep it was very bad for the that left a lot to be desired in the Tokyo second phase qualify for the medal rounds. go and dominated the their lead intact. defence, but today they Olympics here on Tuesday. In the first qualification round, there possession in initial 10 Experienced India did a wonderful job. They The duo of Elavenil Valarivan and are three series of 10 shots for each team minutes even though they goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, did their job in the proper Divyansh Singh Panwar finished 12th member while in the second, members of failed to create any real who had a nightmarish way and we came out with a total of 626.5 across three series the top eight pairs of the first round shoot scoring opportunities. outing against Australia, with a clean sheet so In the ninth minute, had a brilliant game as he each, while Anjum Moudgil and Deepak two series of 10 shots. that's most important. India came close to showed good reflexes to Kumar ended 18th out of 29 pairs with The team with the higher combined "...if you can forget breaking the deadlock but pull off some fine saves. an aggregate score of 623.8 at the Asaka score of single shots fired by each team the past match and Simranjeet's deflection The fragile Indian Range. member on command gets two points with bounce back to play a from skipper Manpreet defence, known for The mixed events are making their one point awarded for a tie. better game, that's most Singh sailed over the succumbing in tough Olympic debut. The first team to reach 16 points with important for a game goal. situations, somehow like that at the Olympic It wasn't an ideal start for the more a difference of two, wins. Spain slowly and managed to soak up the Games. color

24 Mumbai, Thursday 29 July-04 August 2021 Last Page Across State

Governor felicitates Kargil war heroes on Kargil Vijay Diwas Maharashtra Governor Koshyari tours Releases book on Kargil conflict by Veermata Anuradha Gore flood-hit districts, Sharad Pawar says VIP visits hamper relief efforts

Mumbai July). The Governor also released Prabhat Lodha, Chairperson of Maharashtra Governor the book ‘Ashakya Te Shakya… the Lodha Foundation Manju Bhagat Singh Koshyari felicitated Kargil Sangharsh’ (Impossible to Lodha, Anuradha Gore and Air the warriors of the Kargil War Possible) authored by Veermata Vice Marshal S R Singh were and family members of the Anuradha Gore, mother of late present. martyr jawans and officers on the Captain Vinayak Gore on the The felicitation of Kargil occasion of the 22nd anniversary occasion. heroes was organized by The of the Kargil Vijay Diwas at Raj Former Chief Minister Voice of Mumbai and Lodha Bhavan Mumbai on Monday (26 Devendra Fadnavis, MLA Mangal Foundation.

Animal adoption scheme at Mumbai’s Mumbai so that the administration is Sanjay Gandhi National Park open again On the day Maharashtra not disturbed from its work Governor BS Koshyari visited of providing relief to those Mumbai flood-hit districts along with a affected,” NCP chief Sharad The Sanjay Gandhi National BJP MLA, NCP chief Sharad Pawar said while addressing a Park (SGNP) in Mumbai Pawar said leaders should press conference in Mumbai. has again invited citizens, avoid visiting flood-hit villages Reacting to BJP MLA corporates and institutions to as it would hamper rescue and Ashish Shelar accompanying adopt animals such as lions, rehabilitation works. Governor Koshiyari on the tigers, leopards, rusty-spotted Heavy rains since July trip, Pawar took a swipe saying cats, blue bull, barking deer and 22 have led to flooding and he seems to have taken along spotted deer for up to one year landslides in Raigad, Ratnagiri, people whom he trusts. upon paying a fee. Sindhudurg, Satara, Sangli and “He seems to have taken From the inception of this Kolhapur districts. A total of people whom he trusts for the Central Zoo Authority-approved 207 people have died. As many visit. I hope his visit ensures scheme in 2013 to last year, as 1,028 villages 1.94 lakh that the locals affected by the 20 animals have been adopted leopard Rs 1.20 lakh, rusty- Park and Pench Tiger residents have been affected. floods get relief,” Pawar said. at a total charge of Rs 16.6 spotted cat Rs 50,000, blue Reserve. But the leopards “Chief Minister, Deputy Pawar’s remarks come in lakh annually. The scheme bull Rs 30,000, spotted deer in captivity are largely the Chief Minister and district the backdrop of Governor is seen as a viable option to Rs 20,000 and barking deer Rs ones trapped in and around guardian ministers need to visit Koshyari delaying his approval provide financial assistance to 10,000. The money is used for Mumbai during the height flood-hit areas. Bwwwwut if for the 12 names recommended rescue centres and zoological the upkeep of the animals and of the human-leopard other leaders go then it will put by the state cabinet for their parks in the country and create the adopters would get a chance conflict from 2003 to 2005. a burden on the administration appointment as members of awareness among the public to visit the adoptee animals These leopards have been which is busy with rescue legislative council (MLCs) about the conservation of once a week without any special in captivity due to their and relief works. I personally through the Governor’s quota. captive animals. fees. serious injuries and old age. believe that leaders like me The names were sent to the As per the scheme, a tiger The big cats were brought Recently, tigers and leopard should avoid going to these Governor in November last can be adopted at a yearly fee into SGNP from places such cubs were brought in from areas at this point of time year. of Rs 3.10 lakh, lion Rs 3 lakh, as Bannerghatta National the Nagpur rescue centres.

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