Follow us on: RNI No. APENG/2018/764698 @TheDailyPioneer facebook.com/dailypioneer Established 1864 Published From ANALYSIS 7 MONEY 8 SPORTS 11 VIJAYAWADA DELHI LUCKNOW NIX PRIORITY COVID HALTS SHOPPING MALL SMITH, WARNER'S PRESENCE BHOPAL RAIPUR CHANDIGARH SECTOR LENDING LAUNCHES ACROSS COUNTRY A CHALLENGE: PUJARA BHUBANESWAR RANCHI DEHRADUN HYDERABAD *Late City Vol. 3 Issue 11 VIJAYAWADA, TUESDAY NOVEMBER 17, 2020; PAGES 12 `3 *Air Surcharge Extra if Applicable

AFTER A HOCKEY PLAYER, SUNDEEP TO PLAY A ROWDY NEXT { Page 12 } www.dailypioneer.com TODAY BJP man in a soup ALMANAC CBI books 17 for derogatory Month & Paksham: Kartik & Shukla Paksha for Godse tweet Panchangam PNS n VIJAYAWADA Tithi : Tritiya: 01:16 am (Next Day) Nakshatram: Jyeshtha: 12:21 pm remarks on SC, HC judges BJP state secretary Ramesh Time to Avoid: (Bad time to start SUMIT ONKA CBI’s Anti-Corruption Bureau Naidu Nagothu was on Panabaka is any important work) n VISAKHAPATNAM SC judge recuses from hearing pleas against CM (Vizag) based on the informa- Monday forced to retract his tion furnished by CID. tweet praising Gandhi’s assas- Rahukalam: 02:48 pm – 04:12 pm New Delhi: Supreme Court judge parties. I will pass an order for it Naidu pick for The CBI on Monday filed 12 UU Lalit on Monday recused to be listed before a Bench Two persons believed to be sin Nathuram Godse on Yamagandam: 09:13 am – 10:37 am cases against 17 persons, some himself from hearing pleas without me," Justice Lalit staying abroad are also in the Sunday following a severe Tirupati bypoll Varjyam: 07:47 pm – 09:16 pm, known and others unknown, seeking action against said. A bench comprising list of accused. backlash from Twitterati. for their alleged derogatory Citing inaction by the CID, However, Ramesh Naidu PNS n VIJAYAWADA 10:54 am – 12:21 pm Andhra Pradesh Chief justices Lalit, Vineet Saran comments against judges of the Minister Y S Jaganmohan and S Ravindra Bhat was to the Andhra Pradesh High didn’t offer any apology for the Gulika: 12:01 pm - 01:24 pm Supreme Court and the AP Reddy for levelling hear three petitions Court had ordered a probe by gaffe, but said that he was ter- wing of BJP until a few months The TDP on Monday named High Court on social media. CBI into the abusive posts on minating the services of those ago before he was made the former Union Minister Good Time: (to start any important work) allegations against the seeking various The CBI had taken over the judiciary. "I have reliefs against social media and alleged handling his Twitter account. party’s unit secretary. Panabaka Lakshmi as the its Amritakalam: 04:42 am – 06:12 am investigation from the State difficulties. As a Jagan. derogatory statements made by He also deleted the tweet, Savarkar is known for his candidate for the Tirupati Abhijit Muhurtham: 11:38 am – 12:23 pm Crime Investigation Departm- lawyer I had some people in power and YSR accepting that it was objection- proximity to Godse and Lok Sabha byelection. ent on the orders of the AP represented one 2 Congress Party leaders against able, but not before Twitter Ramesh Naidu was compared Addressing a video confer- VIJAYAWADA High Court based on the com- of the the judiciary. users termed Ramesh Naidu as to him for wishing Twitter ence, TDP supremo N WEATHER plaint of B Rajasekhar, the These cases were initially “Andhra Savarkar”. users on the death anniversary Chandrababu Naidu said he Forecast: Partly cloudy Registrar General of the court. registered by the Cyber Crime It may be mentioned here of Gandhi’s assassin that was was confident that Panabaka Temp: 32/22 However, the names of tions and modus operandi, formity and to look into com- wing of AP CID. that he had been the president on Sunday. Lakshmi would win the Humidity: 69% prominent YSRCP leader the 12 cases were clubbed into monality, if any. 2 of the BJYM AP, the youth 2 byelection. Sunrise: 06.22 am pointed out by the High Court one FIR for the purpose of uni- The 12 cases are filed by 2 Sunset: 05.39 pm during a hearing recently, were missing from the list. Current Weather Conditions Updated November 16, 2020 5:00 PM In view of the similari- ties in the nature of allega- Ashok out, niece is chairperson of EG temple boards PNS n VISAKHAPATNAM MANSAS Trust The battle of Vizianagaram holds more than royals is likely to further heat up with the State 14,800 acres of Government on Monday prime land in removing senior TDP leader Visakhapatnam Ashok Gajapathi Raju as the chairman of a group of tem- and Vizianaga- ples in East Godavari and ram worth over recognising his niece, Rs 50,000 crore. Sanchaita Gajapathi Raju, as the founding family mem- ber. Sanchaita had put in a rep- Earlier, Ashok Gajapathi resentation to the govern- Raju was removed as the ment claiming that she is the chairperson of MANSAS legal heir of Anand (Maharaja Alak Narayan Gajapathi Raju. Society of Arts and Sciences) The MANSAS Trust holds Trust and Simhachalam more than 14,800 acres of Devasthanam Trust Board prime lands in and Sanchaita named in his Visakhapatnam and place. Vizianagaram districts worth A GO issued by the more than Rs 50,000 crore. Endowments Department MANSAS also controls said: Sanchaita Gajapathi prime lands of 104 temples, Raju is the daughter of for- including the Simhachalam mer MP P Ananda Devasthanam. Gajapathi Raju, elder broth- Reacting to the latest GO, er of senior TDP leader and Ashok Gajapathi Raju’s former Union Civil Aviation daughter Aditi Gajapathi minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju lashed out at the State Raju. Government’s decision to Dr Pusapati Vijaya Rama remove her father. Gajapathi Raju acted as the She said that the manner hereditary trustee and man- in which the GO was aged the affairs of 104 tem- brought in raises suspicion. ples in addition to “The AP Government’s deci- Simhachalam from 1938 to sions are only to defame the 1995. After his demise, his Pusapati family and the high son Anand was entrusted principles and values of the with the responsibility which MANSAS Trust,” she said. he upheld till 2016. 2

File photograph of Sanchaita Gajapathi Raju taking oath as the Simhachalam Devasthanam Trust Board chairperson. YSRCP activists up in arms against party MLA PNS n VIJAYAWADA

Differences among cadres in the YSRCP’s Gudivada unit erupted out in open yet again, leaving the party lead- ership floundering. Some of the YSRCP cadre opposed to sitting MLA Vallabhannei Vamsi took even after intervention by out a rally in Bapulapadu on Chief Minister YS Monday, protesting against Jaganmohan Reddy’s uncle the “highhanded attitude” of YV Subba Reddy, Vamsi has the MLA. not changed his attitude and They also staged a dhar- was continuing to harass na at the local MPDO office. them. The party workers said that 2 TUESDAY | NOVEMBER 17, 2020 02 BJP has beaten anti-incumbency due to its hard work, service

eople wait and bide their the BJP is rising day by day. Prime Minister’s meetings country. State, it retained power as time to vent their ire It was assumed that the BJP In the annals of election history, many braving the threat of Covid The Prime Minister while there was no alternative to it. Pagainst the governments cannot win as many seats in parties, which considered themselves to be and their presence addressing party leaders and But people have realised the if they feel that they have failed 2019 that it had won in 2014, indicates the workers at Jantar Mantar government faults during the to fulfil their pre-poll promis- but it surprised one and all by formidable, collapsed like a pack of cards popularity of recently, explained the Corona pandemic and rains. es and aspirations by using the winning more. Similarly, poll when faced with an anti-incumbency wave. the party. TRULY success story of the The government has failed to power of their votes. enthusiasts felt that in the Modi attrib- party from humble provide treatment to Corona In the annals of election his- Assembly polls too, it may not Similarly, great leaders like Indira Gandhi at uted the Bihar SPEAKING beginning to the pre- victims at the Osmania and tory, many parties, which con- continue its winning streak, the national-level and NTR at the state-level victory to women sent dizzying heights. He Gandhi hospitals even as sidered themselves to be for- but the saffron party had at a victory meeting attributed this success to the many colonies in the city were midable, collapsed like a pack proven their predictions too ate a humble pie in the hustings. held in Delhi party cadre and leaders. inundated with rainwater and of cards when faced with an wrong by romping home in recently and termed them as He also slammed the dynas- roads damaged. anti-incumbency wave. Gujarat, Uttarakhand, silent voters. tic politics and boasted of the The BJP has realised that Similarly, great leaders like Himachal Pradesh and veys carried out by various a Union Territory, bringing in Y SATYA KUMAR The BJP is on cloud nine as BJP victory in Tripura, which the people in Telangana are Indira Gandhi at the nation- Karnataka and improved its international and national a law against Triple Talaq, BJP National Secretary it hit the bull’s eye by conquer- was considered the bastion of waiting for an alternative after al-level and NTR at the state- tally in Rajasthan, Delhi, agencies. implementation of GST, Jan ing the TRS bastion, Dubbaka. the CPM. winning four Lok Sabha seats. level too ate a humble pie in Maharashtra and Madhya There is no opposition Dhan Yojana, Prime Minister’s appreciation of people by win- The party leaders claim the Telangana is not a cakewalk The Dubbaka victory is a the hustings. Pradesh. against the Central govern- Kisan Yojana etc. ning their confidence with victory in Dubbaka as historic for the TRS, as Chief Minister crowning glory for the party. But the BJP is creating his- The successive victories of ment though normal life came The Centre came to the res- populist schemes and striving as it had won the seat with the K Chandrasekhar Rao was Hence, the party is gearing tory of sorts by winning elec- the party not only surprised to a standstill due to Covid, cue of the people by launch- for the all-round develop- sheer hard work of the cadre able to survive due to his false up for the forthcoming tion after election under the the Opposition parties but dwindling economy and con- ing welfare schemes like Garib ment of the country. and leaders. promises, sentiment and tying GHMC polls with renewed dynamic leadership of Prime also psephologists. flict with neighbouring China Kalyana Yojana and Atma This columnist, who hap- The party is going ahead up with the AIMIM. It has vigour and is confident that it Minister Narendra Modi. Apart from this is the fact and Pakistan. Nirbhar. It also introduced pened to be part of the BJP’s with dedication and determi- gained foothold as the TDP would romp home as the peo- The recent Bihar Assembly that the Prime Minister is People reposed faith in the packages to bail out small Bihar Assembly election cam- nation without waiting for lost its relevance, while the ple are treating it as the main polls and the by-elections in becoming increasingly popu- Prime Minister as he had and medium enterprises. paign in the capacity of an results for the past many years Congress have lost credibility Opposition. 59 Assembly constituencies lar and there seems to be no taken historical decisions like The government also intro- organiser, saw that a large across the country. At last, this due to intra-party squabbles. The day the BJP captures across the country have anti-incumbency against his scrapping of Article 370 and duced reforms in the farm sec- number of people, especially approach is paying dividends Though the TRS govern- power in Telangana is not far proved that the popularity of governance, according to sur- making Jammu and Kashmir tor. Therefore, it has won the women were present at the with the results across the ment had failed to develop the away, feel its leaders. Panabaka is CBI books 17 for derogatory... Naidu pick for AP to borrow Rs 1,090 cr, Continued from Page 1

Tirupati bypoll In his complaint, the High Continued from Page 1 Court Registrar General had strengthen dairy sector alleged that key personnel who “Expose the corruption are occupying posts of promi- the YSRCP is indulging in SNV SUDHIR nence in the State by intention- before the public while n VIJAYAWADA n Setting up of each ally targeting judges gave inter- explaining the development BMCU cost Rs 11 views, made posts and speech- work done by the TDP dur- In a bid to strengthen the Lakhs es attributing motives, caste ing its rule. We had made a dairy sector in Andhra and corrupt allegations against lot of effort and brought a lot Pradesh, the YSRCP govern- n Milk Collection some of the Supreme Court of development in Tirupati,” ment will raise a loan of Rs Centre Rs 4 Lakh and High Court judges in the former chief minister 1,089.72 crore from National delivering orders/judgments. said. Cooperative Development n Amul selected 8 They, the petitioner said, inquiry. judiciary for delivering judge- Expressing concern over Corporation under the Union districts for operations posted abusive life threatening The bench directed the CBI ments against the state govern- the future of the State under Government’s Dairy Process- and intimidating postings to take up the investigation, ment. the YSRCP rule, Naidu said ing and Infrastructure Develo- in AP as of now; against the judges on social initiate the proceedings against During the hearing, the HC that by killing Amaravati pment Fund (DIDF) scheme. Initially milk collection media over the recent judg- the accused and submit the bench found fault with the Capital city, employment The government intends to will begin in three ments given by AP High report to the High Court with- alleged remarks made by opportunities were being use this amount to set up Bulk districts- Prakasam, Court. in eight weeks. It asked the Assembly Speaker Tammineni denied to the youth. Milk Cooling (BMC) centres Impact of DIDF scheme envisaged: Earlier, a division bench of state government to extend all Sitharam, Deputy Chief “Hopes of farmers were and Automatic Milk Collection Chittoor and Kadapa, the High Court remarked that cooperation to the CBI in Minister Narayana Swamy, in about 550 villages destroyed with the stalling of (AMC) centres across the state. o 95 Lakh milk producers will be benefited by since the CID of the state investigating the case. MPs Vijayasai Reddy and N the Polavaram project works. This will further give a fillip n police had failed to take appro- The court had observed that Suresh and former MLA Industrialists have been to the efforts of the State covering 50,000 villages In Prakasam district priate action against those the CID had filed FIR only on Amanchi Krishnamohan, alone, around 56,000 chased away from the State Government to empower dairy o who had made derogatory a few social media activists, among others against the judi- due to threats for commis- farmers for which it had signed Establishment of 28000 Bulk Milk Cooling units litres of milk will be comments against the judicia- though more than 90 people ciary. It observed that they sions and shares. The CM is an MoU with India’s largest with 140 Lakh Litres per Day as additional milk procured ry, it was entrusting the case to had been found to have made amounted to direct attack on not talking about Special milk cooperative, Gujarat- chilling capacity the CBI for an impartial abusive comments against the the judiciary. Category Status at all,” the based Amul. There are reports n In Prakasam district TDP supremo said. and also opposition parties o Creation of additional 210 Metric Tonne per Day Amul field teams have Naidu pointed out that in accused that the YSRCP gov- Milk Drying capacity already surveyed 350 Ashok out as the TDP's five year rule, Sri ernment's move to rope in City SEZ recorded three Amul will only weaken Andhra o Modernisation, expansion and creation of Milk villages surveyed and chairpman... BJP man in a soup times more development. Pradesh based mill cooperative Processing capacity of 126 Lakh Litres per Day found milk potential in “Over 185 industries came to societies. 350 villages is 56,000 Continued from Page 1 the State only under the TDP TDP leaders in private o Providing 28000 Milk Testing Equipment to Lts/ Day regime,” he said. agreed that Chief Minister YS check adulteration in milk Aditi Gajapathi Raju added for Godse tweet Jaganmohan Reddy's decision that the State Government Continued from Page 1 to bring in Amul into the three phases. Of the total pro- eratives remain competitive Cooperative Development was eyeing the properties of State is targeted as former ject cost of Rs 1,362.22 crore, for the sustained benefit of far- Corporation (NCDC) and in the Pusapati family, espe- Ramesh Naidu tweeted: SC judge chief minister N Chandrababu the State Government will be mers, the Union Government turn to eligible end borrowers. cially those which are under “Today, on his death anniver- Naidu's family-run business contributing 20 percent, or had announced creation of The initial funding period the MANSAS Trust and sary, I salute recuses from Heritage Dairy. Rs 272.5 crore and the remain- Dairy processing and 2017-18 to 2019-20 of the Simachalam Devasthanam #Nathuram_Godse with Amul will be launching the ing amount of Rs 1,089.72 Infrastructure Development DIDF scheme has been later assets. “Simachalam Devasth- utmost gratitude. The true milk procurement in the state crore will be raised as a loan Fund under NABARD with a revised to 2018-19 to 2022-23 anam has more than Rs 123 and one of the greatest patri- hearing pleas... from November 25 onwards. from NCDC. total corpus of Rs 8,000 crore and the repayment period to be crore in FDs in various banks, ot ever born in bharatbhoo- Continued from Page 1 The State Government plans The Cabinet had given its over a period of 3 years -- extended up to 2030-31 with while the MANSAS Trust mi!” (sic), and posted Godse’s to set up 9,899 BMCUs and nod to raise loan from NCDC 2017-18 to 2019-20, in the spillover to the first quarter of has more than Rs 110 crore photograph as well. The pleas alleged that 7,125 AMCs at a total project in the meeting that was held Union Budget of 2017-18. the Financial Year 2031-32. in FDs. The controversial The Hindu Mahasabha too Jagan not only wrote a letter outlay cost of Rs 1,362.22 recently and the Government Funding will be in the form Under the DIDF scheme, the move of the government to observed his 71st death to Chief Justice of India (CJI) crores including other is now gearing up to submit the of interest-bearing loan, which loan component would be 80 remove my father is to anniversary of Godse and his SA Bobde levelling allega- expenses. Detailed Project Report (DPR), will flow from NABARD to percent and the end borrower's defame our family, and also co-conspirator in Gandhi’s tions against the judiciary but These BMCUs and AMCs as early as possible. National Dairy Development contribution will be 20 percent usurp our properties,” Aditi killing -- Narayan Apte on also held a press conference will be set up in the state in To ensure that dairy coop- Board (NDDB) or National minimum. Gajapathi Raju alleged. Sunday. in which false statements Godse and Apte were were made. hanged to death at Ambala Jail Another tweet read “Tweet In an unprecedented move, on November 15, 1949, after about Godse Leave it for 5-6 the Chief Minister had on they were convicted for killing hrs Delete the tweet by giving October 6 written to the CJI YSRCP activists up in India records 30,548 Gandhi. Every year, Hindu XYZ logics (hacking/some- alleging that the Andhra Mahasabha observes their one else uses it etc etc IT cell Pradesh High Court was death anniversary as the 'sac- start trending being used to "destabilise fresh Covid cases rifice day'. #NathuramGodseAmarRahe... and topple my democratical- arms against party MLA PNS n NEW DELHI climbed to 1,30,070 with 435 One Twitter user said “1 Mission accomplished.” ly elected government". new fatalities, the data updat- more example from Another tweet read “Put the The three separate peti- Continued from Page 1 on those who question his few months ago. India's Covid-19 caseload ed at 8 am showed. @BJP4Indiaof sorrywarkar hand on your heart, and say tions were filed by advocates leadership in Gudivada. Venkat Rao had unsuccess- mounted to 88,45,127 with The number of active cases actions. @RNagothu you’ve which one is objectionable G S Mani, Sunil Kumar Singh They carried placards asking Earlier, differences among fully contested against Vamsi 30,548 infections being report- remained below 5 lakh for the done your job n you’ll be according to you...You want and Anti-Corruption Council Jagan to save them from the the cadre came to the fore in the 2019 elections. He had ed in a day, while the number sixth consecutive day. rewarded soon. Like sexpert votes on the name of Gandhi, of India Trust. excesses of Vamsi, who had when those owing allegiance to been opposing Vami’s entry of people who have recuper- There are 4,65,478 active @Tejasvi_Surya got @BJYM n but keep promoting a killer” switched to the party from the YSRCP leaders Yarlagadda into YSRCP. After the clash, ated from the disease surged cases of coronavirus infec- @myogiadityanath CM ship. “Those who are handling by TDP. The protesting YSRCP Venkat Rao and Dutta the Chief Minister stepped in to 82,49,579, according to tion in the country as on date Duggal sab @narendramodi is twitter had posted some objec- VIJAYAWADA workers alleged that the Vamsi Ramachandra Rao and Vamsi and deputed Subba Reddy to data updated by the Union which comprise 5.26 per cent busy in fancy dress and will tionable post. I’m terminating BULLION RATES had been using his clout to get clashed during the inaugura- broker peace between Venkat health ministry on Monday. of the total caseload, the data shed some crocodile tears their services and also deleting the police to foist SC/ST cases tion of a village secretariat, a Rao and Vamsi. The coronavirus death toll stated. during election”. the post,” said Ramesh Naidu. GOLD ` 52,060 (10 gm) ` 300 SILVER YSR Steel Corporation woos partner for plant AP reports 753 new cases ` 63,610 (1kg) PNS n PNS n ` 300 VIJAYAWADA Jaganmohan Reddy laid the At least seven players, VIJAYAWADA now showed 8,54,764 total foundation stone for the pro- including two international confirmed positives, 8,29,991 The YSR Steel Corporation ject on December 23 last. firms, have evinced interest in For the first time in more than recoveries and 6,881 deaths. CHICKEN Limited (YSRSCL), a govern- In the first phase, it has been the project, sources in the four months, Andhra The active cases stood at RATES `/KG ment of Andhra Pradesh enti- targeted to produce one MTPA YSRSCL said. Pradesh reported less 17,892, the bulletin ty, on Monday invited propos- of crude steel\finished prod- Hyundai Motors, Tata Steel than 1,000 new cases said. Dressed/With Skin `158 als from renowned companies ucts, the request for proposal and Essar Steels are some of the of Coronavirus in a Anantapur district Without Skin `180 in the steel sector for a joint notification issued by the companies that have held pre- day on Monday. added just four cases, Broiler at Farm `109 venture partner to develop YSRSCL said. liminary talks with the govern- In the 24 hours the lowest day count and operate a proposed steel It set March 31, 2024 as the ment, according to the sources. ending 9 am on for any district in plant in Kadapa district. commercial operation date for “Environmental clearance Monday, 753 fresh more than five months. EGG The government planned to phase-1. MECON Limited pre- for the project is yet to be cases of Covid-19 were West and East Godavari RATES `/100 set up the plant with a capac- sented its draft feasibility report obtained. We completed the reported in the state from districts reported 216 and 130 ity of up to three million for the project, based on which mandatory public hearing last 43,044 sample tests. fresh cases while the remain- VIJAYAWADA 471 tonnes per annum for produc- the preliminary internal rate of week. Environmental clear- The latest bulletin said 1,507 ing 10 districts added between HYDERABAD 469 ing high- grade steel products. YSRSCL, and provide direct up over 3,500 acres of land at return for the blast furnace- ance will be secured by the patients recovered while 13 12 and 87 cases. The plant is expected to and indirect employment to Sunnapurallapalli near basic oxygen furnace route time we move ahead with the more succumbed to coron- Chittoor, Krishna and VISAKHAPATNAM 470 cost Rs 16,188 crore as per the about 25,000 people. Jammalamadugu for the plant. was estimated to be 18.95 per project,” a top official of avirus in 24 hours. Visakhapatnam saw two fresh RETAIL PRICE `4.71 estimate prepared by the The government has pooled Chief Minister YS cent (pre-tax). YSRSCL told PTI. The states Covid-19 table Covid-19 fatalities each. (IN VIJAYAWADA)

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TUESDAY | NOVEMBER 17, 2020 03 CAPSULE Diwali was quieter Youths trapped on a rock at Yarada beach rescued in Vizag this year Vizag zoo to PNS n VISAKHAPATNAM reopen Three youths, who were Four held in Telugu Talli PNS n VISAKHAPATNAM trapped between huge rocks in Yarada Beach of Vizag city on Interestingly, the ambient from today Sunday due to a high tide, res- flyover robbery case noise level was less on Diwali PNS n VISAKHAPATNAM cued by a team of expert Goddess day, November 14 this year swimmers, fire brigade, rev- PNS n VISAKHAPATNAM Narasinga Rao and others than other days. Moreover, the The government has granted enue and police personnel and looted the phone and Padmavathy on increase in the noise pollution permission to the after hours of efforts on The Vizag city police on others. Based on a com- was very narrow. The increase Visakhapatnam zoo to reopen Sunday night. Monday arrested four per- plaint, police nabbed the Sarva Bhoopala in pollution level was also for public, following the The police said a group of sons, including a rowdy- four persons. lesser than last year in 2019. Centre's directive and stan- seven youngsters hailing from sheeter, in connection with In another case, police Vahanam Like every year, the APPCB dard operating procedures different parts of the city went a robbery case that took arrested two persons, TIRUCHANOOR: On the sixth day monitored air quality and amid the Covid pandemic. to Yarada Beach on Sunday. place on the Telugu Talli including a juvenile for of the ongoing annual Karthika ambient noise level monitoring "The Indira Gandhi Three of them ventured into flyover (RTC Complex- stealing rice bags, gas Brahmotsavams at Tiruchanoor on selected pre-Diwali day Zoological Park will reopen the water and they climbed the Railway station) in the city cylinders and sound box on Monday, Goddess Sri (November 9) and on Diwali for public from Tuesday hillock (Pitla Konda) on the on Sunday. near the house of MLA Padmavathy Devi took a ride on day (November 14) in The values of SO2 & NO2 are onwards as per the instruc- beach. The trio was trapped in The arrested have been Karanam Dharmasri at Sarva Bhoopala Vahanam in the Visakhapatnam rural and tions issued by the principal the rocks due to the high identified as Vasupalli Gajuwaka in the city. unique Sakatasuravadha urban areas. The ambient noise also increased on Deepawali day chief conservator of forests," waves and failed to reach the Chinna, D Sai Kireeti, M Similarly, two persons were alankaram. Sakatasuravadha, level monitoring was moni- when compared to the values on said Nandani Salaria, cura- shore. Sai Vamsi and PLV Prasad. arrested for stealing copper killing the cart form demon is one tored at six locations and ambi- tor of Visakhapatnam zoo. Based on the information The police recovered one cable worth over Rs 16,000 of the important episodes in Sri ent air quality at nine locations. Pre-Deepawali day All visitors are mandated to from the remaining four mobile phone, one gold from BSNL store yard near Krishna Leela. On the Sarva For ambient air quality, in wear a mask and maintain youngsters of the group, the chain and two bikes from New Gajuwaka in the city. Bhoopala Vahanam, Goddess is the previous year, 2019, the social distancing norms. New Port Police, fire service the accused. In the third case, two seen as kicking the ‘Sakatam’ APPCB has conducted air against 58dB of Diwali day. previous year. In view of the "Thermal scanning of vis- personnel and swimmers DCP (Crime) V Suresh persons, including a juve- (Cart Wheel) with Her leg and quality monitoring for the Coming to pollutants above, the percentage increase itors and presence of masks rushed to the Yarada Beach to Babu said that when G nile, were arrested for their there by implying weeding out parameters PM10, PM2.5, increase, as per the results, the of PM10 & PM2.5 less com- will be checked for at the rescue the trapped three Narasinga Rao and his involvement in a property the evil and protecting the good. SO2, NO2 in 9 locations dur- percentage increase of PM10 pared to previous year. This is gate and accordingly entry youngsters identified as K friends were returning to offence at Akkayyapalem ing Pre-Deepawali day and on from Pre-Deepawali day to due to usage of green crackers will be given," she said. Naveen, B Yashwanth and K their home near area in the city. Police Deepawali day. For ambient Deepwali day was ranging and restricted timings for Salaria encouraged visitors to Sravan, all in the age group of Kancharapalem from shop- recovered gold jewellery noise, the average noise level from 16.13% to 73.68% and bursting crackers. book tickets online so as to 20 and above. After hours of ping via the flyover on and one mobile phone all at St Anthony School station the percentage increase of The values of SO2 & NO2 avoid contact at the counters. effort, the officials with the Sunday, Vasupalli Chinna worth Rs 78,000 from the was 71.9 dB on November 9 PM2.5 was from 52.31% to are also increased on Likewise, outside food, support of the experts in the and his gang roughed up accused. and it was 70dB on November 84.40%. Deepawali day when com- plastic material and crackers swimming rescued the trio 14. Similarly, at This year, the results show, pared to the values on Pre- are not allowed into the zoo. around 1 am on Monday. Pandurangapuram, the noise the percentage increase of Deepawali day. However, the "If anyone is found disobey- The rescued youngsters said visitors not to venture into the recalled that a few days ago two Karthika masam level was 69 dB on November PM10 is ranging from 5.30% values observed both on Pre- ing the rules of the zoo and that they were trapped in the waters as the rip current is high Navy personnel drowned in special pujas 9 but on Diwali day it was less to 24.54% and the percentage Deepawali day and Deepawali Covid social distancing rocks as they could not reach and there are possibilities of the Yarada Beach. During the at 67.4. Furthermore, it was increase of PM2.5 from 1.72% day are well within the stan- norms, fine will be imposed," the shore due to the high tide. drowning deaths during the high tide, the water level reach- performed 62.7 dB on November 9 to 25%, which is far less than dards. she added. The police advised the beach winter season. It may be es up to 1.80 metres. TIRUPATI: On the occasion of the auspicious first Monday of the holy Karthika month, the TTD has performed special Pushpa yagam at Nani flayed for his unsavoury User-friendly pujas at Sri Kapileswara Swamy temple in Tirupati. Vedic scholar Rani Sadasivamurthy of STEP launched National Sanskrit University Tirumala on Nov 21 remarks against TDP chief delivered the discourse on the PNS n VIJAYAWADA Manish Tiwary, VP significance of Karthika month PNS n TIRUMALA between 1 pm and 5 pm. PNS n VIJAYAWADA ment, the ruling party leaders Amazon, said, the STEP and the benefits of Sivarchana. After this floral ritual, Sahasra It looks like the were losing their patience and There is good news for cus- empowers sellers of all sizes TTD Additional EO AV Dharma On the advent of Karthika Deepalankara Seva will be TDP organising secretary self-control. tomers of Amazon with the and tenure to drive their Reddy participated in the puja masam Shravana nakshtra that performed. Nadendla Brahmam Cabinet post was They were crossing all lim- launch of STEP, a perfor- growth on Amazon.in by performed on the temple occurs on November 21, TTD The TTD has cancelled Chowdary slammed Minister given to Kodali its without any shame of get- mance-based benefit pro- focusing on their performance premises. TTD Asthana Vidhwan is organising the annual Kalyanotsavam, Unjal Seva for Civil Supplies Kodali Sri ting exposed in front of the gramme, designed to help on key metrics, which matter Garimella Balakrishnan Prasad Pavitrotsavam at Tirumala and Arjita Brahmotsavam on Venkateswara Rao (Nani) for Nani only with the public. sellers accelerate their growth. to customers. The STEP pro- rendered Annamacharya temple. With Ankurarpanam the day of Pushpa Yagam. making unsavoury remarks purpose of making He asserted that the TDP The STEP simplifies the sell- vides objective and transpar- Sankeertans. on November 20, the TTD The objective as evinced in the against TDP chief N will continue agitations against er experience by providing ent criteria, along with bene- cancelled Sahasra temple inscriptions is that the Chandrababu Naidu time and objectionable the sand, liquor and other customised and actionable fits designed to help sellers Deepalankara seva on that Pushpa Yagam came into the again. comments mafias in the State. The YSRCP recommendations that help improve their performance day. fore in the 15th century to It looks like the Cabinet post regime created a record by sellers improve key customer on these metrics in a pre- The holy ritual of Snapana bless the nation with prosper- was given to Kodali Nani only against Naidu, the going down in history as a experience metrics and in dictable manner. “At Amazon, Tirumanjanam will be per- ity, good crops and health with the purpose of making TDP organising party, which received a massive turn, their growth. we believe that focusing on formed to the utsava idols of safety for all. objectionable comments mandate, but lost public sym- By improving performance, long term customer experi- Sri Malayappa Swamy and Legends say that Pushpa against Naidu, he observed. secretary Nadendla pathy and support within one- sellers can unlock benefits ence matters. We have spent His consorts on November 21 Yagam was performed after In a statement here on and-a-half-years of its rule. across multiple levels like time obsessing over every after completing daily rituals Brahmotsavams. The TTD Monday, the TDP leader Brahmam The TDP leader said that ‘Basic’, ‘Standard’, ‘Advanced’, detail of the STEP programme of archana, naivedyam and had revived the Pushpa Yagam deplored that YSRCP MLAs Chowdary ministers are not competing to ‘Premium’ and more. These and carefully crafting each TTD takes others. from November 14 of 1980 and ministers not only target- bring in development, but they benefits include fee waivers, element to ensure our valuable Thereafter Pushpa yagam and since then onwards has ing the TDP chief, but also are eager to level false allega- faster disbursement cycles, sellers can provide a great over Alattur will be conducted in the after- been conducting the festival of TDP leaders. regime has failed on all fronts. tions against the TDP chief in priority seller support and customer experience and in Sri Varada noon with varieties of flowers flowers every year during Lashing out at the govern- When the Opposition parties order to score more marks in world-class free account man- turn, grow and be successful Venkateswara and aromatic traditional leaves Karthika Sravana day. ment, he opined that the Jagan were questioning the govern- front the Chief Minister. agement. on Amazon.in.” temple PNS n TIRUPATI Ministers lying on Polavaram: TDP TDP failed to The merger ceremony of Sri Varada Venkateswara temple PNS n VIJAYAWADA den of Rs 2,537 crore on the of Alattur village in project. Karvetinagaram mandal of TDP leader Devineni The TDP deplored that develop temples, Chittoor district with the Umamaheswara Rao on the government has written a TTD was conducted on Monday demanded that the letter to the Prime Minister Monday in the presence of YSRCP explain to the people but has not exerted pressure Deputy Chief Minister and farmers when they for funds to the Polavaram Sai Akshara recalls minister Narayanaswamy. would be able to complete the project. The YSRCP was Speaking on the occasion, Polavaram project to aug- extending crucial support to PNS n VIJAYAWADA said that he offered prayers to the Deputy Chief Minister ment both irrigation and the Centre in Parliament but Child prodigy Goddess seeking Her blessings said that the 1,560-year-old drinking water supply. it was failing to get the The opposition parties are cre- for the development of the historical temple has become Devineni Uma termed it as Central support for Special ating hurdles even if the gov- State on all fronts. part of the TTD. He said unfortunate that the minis- Category Status, Polavaram enters Champion ernment was taking up devel- The minister said that the under the stewardship of YV ters themselves were telling and the like, he pointed out. opment works in the State, previous TDP government had Subba Reddy the TTD has lies with regard to the project It may be recalled that Book of World alleged Minister for failed to develop the temples taken up the project of con- dam height and the progress confusion was created after Endowments Velampalli and sanction funds for the structing Srivari temples in of works there. Addressing a the government has report- Records Srinivas. The minister unveiled development of temples across the SC/ST/ BC colonies. press conference here on TDP leader Devineni Umamaheswara edly decided to cut the the plaque of expansion work the State. He alleged that the Assistant Commissioner Monday, the TDP leader Rao asked the Jagan regime to Polavaram evacuees' com- CH PRADEEP KUMAR at Malleshwara Swamy temple TDP government was in a of Endowments Department asked the Jagan regime to pensation package from Rs n VIJAYAWADA atop Indrakeeladri. demolishing spree of temples Chandramouli handed over come out with facts on the come out with facts on the 27,000 crore to Rs 3,500 Addressing the media here in the State. the relevant documents of the Polavaram dam height issue. Polavaram dam height issue. crore. The TDP has been A child prodigy Vemuri Sai on Monday, the minister found He said after the YSRCP Alattur temple to TTD offi- Because of conflicting com- agitating against this, saying Akshara from Vijayawada fault with TDP leaders government came to power, all cials and that it would be ments from different quarters Because of conflicting comments that this was proof that the entered the Champion Book of Yanamala Ramakrishnudu, K the temples in the State are managed by the Sri and from the neighbouring from different quarters and from the State government was trying World Records for her talent in Atchannaidu and others for being developed and the Kodandaramaswamy Group State, there were many neighbouring State, there were many to reduce the dam height. If mathematics. She secured the opposing the government deci- Endowments lands are being of temples in TTD. doubts on the dam height. that happens, the storage place in the record book by sion to honour the Sharada safeguarded, added the minis- Karvetinagaram tahshildar The political parties and the doubts on the dam height capacity of Polavaram would reciting 6,020 decimal places of Peetham seer at temples on his ter on the occasion. Gourishankar, special grade farmers' associations were be badly hit. This would square root two values in the birthday, however, he asked Endowments deputy executive officer expressing apprehensions on totally upset the long-stand- fastest time of 5.12 minutes. did they not sought his bless- Commissioner Arjun Rao, Parvati, AEO Durga Raju, this. during the YS Rajasekhara political interference during ing plans to interlink the After the digital revolution, ings when there were at the Durga temple Executive superintendent Ramesh and He pointed out that only Reddy’s government. There the Congress regime. This Godavari, Krishna and Penna it is difficult for many to cal- helm. Officer NV Suresh Babu, others were present. soil works were taken up were considerable delays and has caused an additional bur- rivers, he said. culate simple maths, a few use The minister had darshan of Temple Trust Board chairman calculators for simple addi- Goddess Kanakadurga and P Somi Naidu and Board tions, subtractions and multi- Lord Malleswara Swamy and members were present. plications. These days many people do not remember their Centre will complete Polavaram: Veerraju 10 digit mobile numbers for every small calculation one will PNS n VIJAYAWADA Somu Veerraju said, “The going on unabated. The govern- be blamed for it? Can you arrest rely on electronic gadgets. YSRCP is claiming to complete ment also has a stockpile of red the Chief Minister, if the farm- However, Sai Akshara, who BJP State president Somu the project on its own, but in real- sanders and is being smuggled as ers of the State commit suicide is studying Class X in Veerraju questioned the State ity, it is the Central government ordinary logs in a big way. He in distress?” Siddhartha Public School, is government why action was not that will complete the project.” questioned why the government He alleged that both Chief making waves in maths calcu- initiated against the TDP govern- Veerraju asked why the is not taking red sanders smug- Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy lations. It is a cake walk for Sai ment that was involved in cor- YSRCP government is not able gling seriously, he questioned? and TDP chief N Chandrababu Akshara to calculate any tough ruption in the Polavaram project to take action against the TDP on Polavaram is a multipurpose Commenting on the mass Naidu were politicising Nandyal problem and set a world record construction. The BJP State pres- whom the State government is project being built on the river suicide of a Muslim family in suicide incident. for her talent in mathematics. ident on Monday said that all the levelling allegations of corrup- Godavari. The YSRCP govern- Nandyal, he created a controver- The BJP president said when Representatives of the political parties should take a tion. Reiterating that the height ment wants to complete the sy saying that it was not proper his party raised the issue of Champions Book of World stand on Polavaram. of the project will not be reduced project before the end of 2021. to arrest the Nandyal cops for injustice being meted out to Records presented a certificate TDP government had failed to develop Addressing a press conference and Rehabilitation and The Central government had the mass suicide of the family. Hindus and questioned the confirming the world record, the temples and sanction funds for the here on Monday, Veerraju alleged Resettlement (R&R) package promised while bifurcating He said, “Police have done irregularities in Tirumala recognising her talent in maths that a section is trying to create will be taken care of, he said, "The Andhra Pradesh to construct their duty by interrogating Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), and reciting 6,020 decimal development of temples across the State. doubts on the construction of the then TDP government had Polavaram as a national project, Salam, as they suspected him in their party was criticised alleg- places of square root two val- He alleged that the TDP government was in project but the BJP-led Central increased the R&R package but he reminded. a theft case. It was unfortunate ing that they are indulging in ues in the fastest time of 5.12 government will complete the why the YSRCP government is He alleged that the smuggling that the family had committed Hindutva politics, he pointed minutes. The competition was a demolishing spree of temples in the State. project. not taking any action." of red sanders in the State was suicide, but how can the police out. organised virtually. TUESDAY | NOVEMBER 17, 2020 04 Harish rips into Congress, BJP TRS urges SEC to remove

PNS n HYDERABAD Harish Rao asks TRS workers symbols similar to its ‘Car' Finance Minister T Harish Rao to explain the welfare and PNS n HYDERABAD on Monday launched a scathing attack on Congress developmental work the TRS govt has Shocked by Dubbak bypoll and BJP and said that the taken up besides countering the debacle, TRS party has been leaders of both the parties taking all measures to ensure confined to their homes during propaganda being carried out by the victory in upcoming GHMC the statehood movement while opposition BJP and Congress elections. The TRS party the TRS was among the people. claimed that Roti Maker He asked the Opposition (rolling pin with board) sym- leaders to reveal as to what they Rs 10 crore in 15 acres land. Congress and BJP? Congress bol, allotted to an independent have done for Telangana. Stating that they had built a did nothing to the people being candidate Bandari Narender, Addressing the TRS booth- mini stadium, he sensitised in power. Today Congress is played spoilsport in the by level workers of three Greater them to take all the develop- not in power and it will not do election. The party leaders Hyderabad Municipal ment and welfare schemes anything if it wins in GHMC said that the roti maker resem- Corporation (GHMC) divi- introduced by them into pub- elections," he said. bled to TRS' 'car'. sions falling under Patancheru Patancheru industrial area were ments that ruled the State have lic. "Not a single market was Taking a dig at BJP, the It may be recalled that the Assembly Constituency of getting enough work now since failed to provide drinking water constructed during Minister said, "In Bihar, the independent candidate polled elections. Sangareddy district, the TRS government was supply- to Patancheru area. Chandrababu and YSR BJP said that it will give free 3,570 votes and secured fourth Independent Speaking on the occasion, Minister called upon TRS ing round the clock quality BJP and Congress leaders regimes. Moreover, they sold Corona vaccine if it wins the place. However, the BJP candi- Vinod Kumar said that the vot- workers to explain the welfare power to industries. Saying reach out to people only dur- out lands in Patancheru," he elections. Will it promise the date won the Dubbak by-elec- candidate who ers are getting confused due to and developmental work the that the previous Congress ing elections, he alleged. alleged. Nearly About 4,000 same to Telangana and tion with a majority of 1,078 was allotted the identical symbols. "Similar TRS government has taken up government used to supply Elaborating the government's 2BHK units will be allotted to Hyderabad people? The BJP is votes. The TRS party had ‘roti maker’ symbols such as Auto, Truck besides countering the propa- power alternative days, Harish effort in the industrial area, Patancheru very soon, he said indulging in cheap politics." analysed that their candidate and Road Roller played spoil- ganda being carried out by the reiterated that it has pushed the Rao said that they have brought and added that Chief Minister Medak MP Kotha Prabhakar could have won easily if the symbol polled sport in last Assembly and opposition BJP and the industries into crisis and medical devices park, LED K Chandrasekhar Rao Reddy, MLA, Patancheru votes of Bandari Nagaraju cast a significant Parliament elections. However, Congress party. He said that caused job loss in the industri- Park at Shiva Nagar, IT Park at enhanced pension from Rs Gudem Mahipal Reddy, MLA, in favour of TRS Candidate the Election Commission had BJP has no ideals but creates al area. During the past 70 Osman Nagar apart from oth- 1,000 to Rs 2,000 as he assured Andole Chanti Kranthi Kiran, Solipeta Sujatha. 3,570 votes to removed those symbols from chaos among the people. years of Independent India, the ers. He said that they have built before elections. "Why people MLC, V Bhupal Reddy and Keeping the 'similar symbols' finish in the the list after the complaint He said that the workers in Minister said that the govern- a spacious market by spending should cast their vote to others were present. in view, the TRS has urged the lodged by the TRS party," he State Election Commission fourth place in claimed. (SEC) to take precautions in Dubbak by-poll Vinod Kumar said that the allotting symbols in upcoming election SEC has to keep a tab on social LESSONS NOT LEARNT GHMC elections. The party media's falsehood campaign TS logs 502 new leaders have lodged a com- and initiate action immediate- plaint with the SEC that the ly. He said that some anti- TRS is at the receiving end due Reddy, MLC M Srinivas Reddy social forces are trying to pro- to 'similar symbols'. The party and party general secretary voke hatred among the people Coronavirus cases also urged the SEC to put vig- Bharath lodged a complaint by confusing them by spread- ilance on social media false- with the SEC in this regard on ing falsehood information. PNS n HYDERABAD hood campaigns. Monday. The party leaders There is a need to keep an eye The TRS leaders-State urged the SEC commissioner on such forces, he opined and Telangana reported only 502 Planning Commission vice- C Parthasarathi to take all stated that the law and order Covid-19 cases on Monday as chairman Boinpally Vinod precautionary measures in situation in Hyderabad is good the number of daily tests Kumar, Jadcharla MLA Laxma allotting symbols in GHMC for the last 7 years. dropped further due to festi- val and weekend. The labora- tories in the state conducted only 17,296 tests during the Rowdy-sheeter last 24 hours. This is less than 50 per cent of the samples test- opens fire over ed on weekdays. The fresh cases pushed the state's tally to 2,57,876. Three people suc- Officials said land row PNS n While the State government is busy with plans to restore the pristine glory of River Musi, the apathy of the civic cumbed to the virus during the percentage HYDERABAD administration is allowing the dumping of garbage and construction debris in the river go unabated the same period, taking the of deaths due to death toll to 1,407. A rowdy-sheeter, who is an The fatality rate remains Covid-19 was associate of a businessman, 0.54 per cent against the 44.96 while the allegedly opened fire follow- national average of 1.5 per ing a dispute with a man over TUNGABHADRA PUSHKARALU cent. Officials said the percent- remaining 55.04 ownership of an agricultural Bypoll result will have impact age of deaths due to Covid-19 had land, police said on Monday. was 44.96 while the remaining The incident happened in 55.04 had comorbidities. comorbidities. Zaheerabad mandal in neigh- Arrangements in on GHMC polls, says BJP Greater Hyderabad reported GHMC reported bouring Sangareddy district 141 new cases. Rangareddy 141 new Covid after the businessman object- recorded the second highest ed to the man fencing around PNS n cases place: Indrakaran HYDERABAD proved that the result would tions. Raghunandan Rao fur- number of cases at 72 followed 30 acres of the land, they said. come sooner or later when ther continued that the by Medchal Malkajgiri (33), This led to an argument BJP's M Raghunandan Rao, one is determined to saffron party will fly Sangareddy (26), Bhadradri between them after which PNS n HYDERABAD Minister, speaking at a review who had won the recently win," he said. He its flag in Kothagudem (23), of 93.2 per cent. The total the rowdy-sheeteropened fire meeting here at Aranya held by election for Dubbak appreciated the Hyderabad. He Karimnagar (22) and Siddipet number of active cases stands with a country-made pistol, Endowments Minister A Bhavan, said the government Assembly seat, on Monday efforts of party made it clear that (21). at 14,385 of which 11,948 are they said. Two bullets were Indrakaran Reddy on Monday had initiated steps for a mem- said the result will have an workers who it would continue According to the daily in home or institutional iso- fired in the air while three directed the officials to make orable and hassle free impact in the upcoming struggled for his to remain in BJP media bulletin released by lation. The cumulative num- were fired reportedly aiming all required arrangements for Pushkarams of Tungabhadra GHMC elections. win and also invit- without any the office of the director of ber of tests mounted to at the man and some of his the smooth conduct of River. He directed the officials Speaking at the "Meet the ed a few TRS leaders expectations and public health and family wel- 48,91,729. Out of 17,296 supporters, a police official 'Tungabhadra Pushkarams" in to set up barricades at all Press" programme, organised who are not satisfied would serve the peo- fare, 1,539 people recovered samples tested during the said based on a complaint. the State slated from Pushkar Ghats and keep suffi- by Telangana Journalist Union with the party's policy to ple with or without a from the virus during the 24- last 24 hours, 16,310 samples However, no one was injured, November 20 to December 1. cient number of rescue boats (TJU) here, Rao thanked party join BJP. position. It is known that BJP hour period that ended 8 were tested in the govern- the police said. The business- The government has already and swimmers ready to meet activists . He said thse Dubbak He also said that the govern- leader Raghunandan Rao won p.m. Sunday. The state's ment-run laboratories and man claimed that the proper- released Rs 2.5 crore for the cel- any emergency. He also urged by election proved that the ment's flood aid for the people in the Dubbak bypoll with a recovery rate improved fur- 986 in private. Samples test- ty belonged to him and argued ebrations and wished to organ- the devotees who are expected ruling TRS can be defeated in will be considered as the majority of 1,079 votes against ther to 93.87 per cent as ed per million population with the man when he start- ise the celebrations following all to visit the Ghats to strictly the hustings. "The bypoll has money distributed for the elec- TRS candidate Sujatha. against the national average ratio rose further to 1,31,427. ed fencing it, the police said. the Covid-19 regulations. The adhere to the Covid-19 norms.

ILLEGAL MINING CASE Govt spent Rs 310 cr SC seeks CBI reply on Reddy's plea Hyd former Mayor to join BJP

PNS n NEW DELHI ence and might interfere with PNS n HYDERABAD tation after getting an assur- for advertising the investigation ance that the party would The Supreme Court Monday "He has led multiple peti- In a huge setback to the Grand allocate Secunderabd PNS n HYDERABAD 2.83 crore on outdoor public- sought CBI's response on a tions, witnesses under police Old Party before GHMC elec- Assembly ticket in 2023 elec- ity in 2014 to 87.16 crore in plea by former Karnataka protection have been threat- tions, former Hyderabad tions. Telangana State Government 2018. While television adver- Minister and mining baron ened and vehicles have been set Mayor Banda Karthika Reddy It may be recalled that has spent Rs 310.17 crore in tisements went up from Rs Gali Janardhana Reddy seeking on fire. Over 40 witnesses are is all set to quit the Congress. Banda Karthika Reddy advertising and publicity 1.20 crore in 2014 to Rs 39.40 modification of the bail condi- there. We do not know what According to sources, TPCC expected Secunderabad MLA between 2014-2018. As per the crore in 2018. Maximum tions directing him not to visit will happen if this gentleman general secretary Banda ticket from the Congress RTI filed by Society for Safety spend was on publicising gov- home town Ballari. Reddy, is allowed to enter the area," Karthika Reddy and her hus- party. Banda Karthika Reddy of Public and Good ernment development and accused in a multi-crore illegal the law officer said. Reddy was band and TPCC secretary had served as the Mayor of Governance, the state gov- welfare schemes, and flagship mining case and is out on bail, granted conditional bail by Banda Chandra Reddy would Hyderabad from 2009 to ernment has spent Rs programmes. has sought modifications of the davit. Rejoinder, if any, be the apex court in January 2015 join BJP in presence of BJP 2012. BJP, with an aim to 310,70,97,327 on advertise- Advertisements were given conditions prohibiting him filed within a week thereafter. after spending more than three state chief Bandi Sanjay Kumar, storm to power in 2023 ments between June 2014 and for formation day, swearing in from visiting Ballari in List thereafter, said a bench of years in jail. Reddy and his Union Minister of State for Assembly elections, is chalk- October 2018. Nearly 190.80 ceremony, Intensive house- Karnataka and Ananthapur justices Ashok Bhushan and R brother-in-law B V Srinivas Home Affairs G Kishan Reddy months ago. It is learnt that ing out strategies to attract crore was spent on outdoor hold survey, Prime Minister's and Kadapa in Andhra Subhash Reddy. During the Reddy, managing director of and other senior leaders at Kishan Reddy also went to leaders and cadre from the advertising and another 119.90 visit, Vice President's visit, Pradesh. brief hearing, Divan opposed the Obalapuram Mining State BJP office. Banda Karthika Reddy's res- ruling TRS and Congress. crore was spent on television welcoming Ivanka Trump. Madhavi Divan, ASG Reddy's plea saying that he Company (OMC), were arrest- Sources said that RSS state idence six months ago and Already, several second rung advertisements. Festivals like Ramzan, Sufi appearing for the CBI prays for should not be allowed to visit ed by CBI on September 5, leaders approached Banda invited the couple to join the leaders in the Congress are Year-on-year advertising festival, Iftar, Bonalu, and is allowed two weeks' fur- district Bellary in Karnataka as 2011 from Ballari and brought Karthika Reddy and held dis- BJP. The couple reportedly making beeline to join the budget was increased from Rs Bathukamma and others. ther time to file additional affi- he holds considerable influ- to Hyderabad. cussions with the couple six accepted Kishan Reddy's invi- saffron party. President to visit Remove Wakf Board CEO, ICRISAT gets nod to use drones Tirumala on PNS n HYDERABAD The government has allowed The Civil November 24 High Court tells state govt Hyderabad-based International Aviation PNS n HYDERABAD Crops Research Institute Ministry said PNS n HYDERABAD basic knowledge of criminal (ICRISAT) to use drones for President Ram Nath Kovind procedure code. A division agricultural research activi- the institute is likely to arrive in The Telangana High Court bench of the high court ties, an official release said. can gather Tirumala, the hill abode of on Monday expressed its passed the orders while Granting the institute a 'con- Lord Venkateswara, on dissatisfaction over the dealing with a batch of ditional' exemption from some data for November 24, an official functioning of CEO of the Public Interest Litigations of the rules applicable for agricultural said. A press release said a Telangana State Wakf board (PIL) filed by different deployment of drones, the high-level official meeting Mohd Kasim. It asked the people. In their petitions, Civil Aviation Ministry said the research on the President's visit was state government to remove the petitioners have told institute can gather data for activities within held in Chittoor, 70 km from him from the post and the HC that the waqf board agricultural research activities Digital Sky Platform (Phase-1), cially in areas like precision the ICRISAT here, on Monday. However, appoint an efficient person and other government within the ICRISAT research whichever is earlier, the release agriculture, locust control and the release did not mention in order to protect the Wakf authorities were not taking field using remotely piloted air- said, adding that the exemption improvement in crop yield. The research field the time of the visit, an properties which are dedi- any steps to protect the craft systems or drones. will be valid only if all condi- government is encouraging Andhra Pradesh government cated to the ‘Almighty the present CEO preferred waqf lands allotted for the The exemption is valid for tions and limitations are strict- young entrepreneurs and official said. A detailed pro- Allah’. to remain mute on the issue. Muslim graveyards and six months from the date of ly adhered to. "Drones are researchers to look at ruggedi- India," the release quoted Amber gramme of the trip is expect- It said that out of 85 A division bench of the other purposes from the issuance of permission or until poised to play a big role in the zed low-cost drone solutions for Dubey, joint secretary in Civil ed in two or three days, he encroachments, only five High Court said that that illegal encroachments and the full operationalization of agriculture sector in India espe- the over 6.6 lakh villages in Aviation Ministry, as saying. added. FIRs have been registered as the CEO was unaware of the land grabbers. | TUESDAY | NOVEMBER 17, 2020 nation 05

Inmates banned INDIA CORNER from meeting Media continuously adding strength LoC firing: Last rites of martyred relatives on Army jawan held in Nagpur Bhai Dooj he last rites of Army jawan to India's democratic ethos: Modi Bhushan Rameshrao Satai, PNS n Tkilled during shelling by PNS n NEW DELHI COVID-19 pandemic and its JALAUN/SHAHJAHANPURR Pakistani troops in Jammu and impact on the media' with FREE PRESS ‘SOUL Kashmir last week, were held at The media has been doing participants from several other Women were disappointed his native place in Maharashtra's exceptional service by spread- countries also reflects the OF DEMOCRACY', on Bhai Dooj as they were Nagpur district on Monday with ing awareness against COVID- "enabling power of technology”, SAYS JAVADEKAR not allowed to meet their full state honours. The mortal 19 and has acted as a valuable he said. brothers lodged in the UP's remains of Satai (28), who was stakeholder in helping the gov- The prime minister added PNS n NEW DELHI Jalaun jail where 62 inmates posted as Naik in the Maratha ernment in its initiatives, Prime that at a time the world is up have contracted coronavirus Light Infantry and was a native of Katol Minister Narendra Modi said against an unprecedented cri- A free press is the cornerstone in recent days. town in the district, were transported to Nagpur on Sunday on the occasion of National sis in the form of COVID-19, of democracy, Union Minister Similar scenes were wit- evening, the district information office said in a release. The body was Press Day on Monday. the nation's fight against the for Information and nessed in the state's kept at the Army Cantonment at Kamptee in the city. On Monday Be it positive criticism or pandemic is powered by the Broadcasting Prakash Shahjahanpur jail due to the morning, Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh, Energy highlighting success stories, restraint and resolve of its 130 Javadekar said on Monday. precautions taken in the wake Minister Nitin Raut, who is also Nagpur's guardian minister, laid the media has been continu- crore citizens. Speaking at a webinar of the COVID outbreak. wreaths on the soldier's body at the Brigade of the Guards Regiment ously adding strength to India's “In such a scenario, the organised by the Press Council Jalaun Jail Superintendent parade ground at Kamptee. Senior Army officers, public represen- democratic ethos, the prime media has been continuously of India (PCI) on the 'Role of Sitaram Sharma said due to tatives and Nagpur administration officials also paid homage to Satai. minister added in his written doing exceptional service by media during the COVID-19 coronavirus cases in the jail, message on the day, being cel- spreading awareness against pandemic and its impact on they had told the inmates' rel- ebrated virtually with a webi- the COVID pandemic. media' on National Press Day, atives before Diwali that if Collector in Odisha shifted after nar organised by the Press “In a post COVID world, the minister said freedom they wanted to send any item Council of India. India is marching ahead with comes with responsibility and to their brothers or kin, then police books him in murder case “From creating mass aware- its resolve to build a strong asked news organisations to they would have to inform ness about important issues to the government and helped PCI chairperson C K Prasad, and 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat'. avoid sensationalism. them. day after Malkangiri district contributing to a behavioural many initiatives like Swachh Modi said he was heartened to Media is giving our resolve the “Freedom of press is the soul He said on Monday some magistrate-cum collector change in society for the larg- Bharat and water conservation learn that the Council was shape of a big campaign and of democracy. Freedom of women came to the jail to AManish Agarwal was booked er good, we have seen how the grow into mass movements in celebrating the day. The webi- carrying forward the mes- press is very important but any meet their brothers. in a murder case, the Odisha media as a valued stakehold- the last few years," he said. nar being held on the theme sage of 'Vocal for Local',” he freedom comes with "They should not have come government on Monday shifted the er has furthered the efforts of In his message, read out by 'Role of media during the said. responsibility. So, there has to as they were informed well in bureaucrat to its planning and be a responsible freedom and advance," Sharma said. convergence department. Yeddula no sensationalism by the Jalaun Chief Medical offi- Vijay, an IAS officer of 2014 batch, press,” the minister said in the cer Dr Alpana Bacariya told has replaced Agarwal in the tribal- attack on press is detrimental to national interests, says V-p video message. “The news PTI that 62 inmates of the jail dominated district, an official should not be to deliberately tested positive for coron- notification here said. Agarwal has been made the deputy secretary PNS n NEW DELHI media" organised by the Press the media to be fair, objective and and all," he said. The vice defame anyone. The way avirus in the past some days. in the planning and convergence department, it said. Police on Council of India to mark the accurate in its reporting. president also praised print and freedom of press is being Meanwhile in Sunday registered a murder case against Agarwal and three others of Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu National Press Day. "Sensationalism should be electronic media journalists for attacked these days is not Shahjahanpur, women were the district collector's office, following a directive issued by on Monday said that any attack He said press in India has always avoided and the tendency to mix turning into frontline warriors in good,” he said. Talking about stopped at the entrance of the Malkangiri Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate (SDJM) court in on the freedom of press is been at the vanguard of news with views needs to be the wake of COVID-19 and the alleged TRP manipulation jail. Jail Superinte connection with the death of the his personal assistant Deb Narayan detrimental to national interests protecting and strengthening the curbed. Also, there should be ensuring non-stop coverage of all by some news channels, the ndent Rakesh Sharma said, Panda last December. Narayan had gone missing on December 27 and should be opposed by one foundations of democracy. greater space for development the happenings, unmindful of the minister said a committee "Sisters of the inmates, who last year. A day after, his body was recovered from Satiguda and all. He also said that "A robust, free and vibrant media news in our reporting," he said. grave risks associated with the formed by the ministry will had come to meet their reservoir. It was then suspected that he might have died of suicide. democracy cannot survive is as important as an "Democracy cannot survive pandemic. "My deepest soon submit its report on the brothers on Bhai Dooj, were without a free and fearless press. independent judiciary in without a free and fearless press. appreciation to each and every issue. “To check the TRP not allowed to enter the Naidu made the remarks in a consolidating democracy and Therefore, any attack on the journalist, cameraman and manipulation and address the premises due to COVID-19. Kedarnath, Yamunotri temples video message at a webinar on strengthening constitutional rule freedom of the press is others, who have been striving issue, we have formed a Packed items were sent to the 'Role of media during the COVID- of law," the vice president opined. detrimental to national interests constantly to disseminate news committee which will give its inmates while there was a ban close for winters amid snowfall 19 pandemic and its impact on At the same time, Naidu advised and should be opposed by one and information," he said. report very soon,” he said. on open sweets." he portals of Kedarnath and Yamunotri temples in the TGarhwal Himalayas were closed for winters on Bhai Dooj on DEADLY ATTACK Monday amid heavy snowfall. After Bihar poll debacle, KC Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat, his Uttar Pradesh counterpart Yogi bats for introspection in Cong Adityanath, and priests and officials of Devasthanam Board n were present at Kedarnath as the temple gates closed at 8.30 am PNS CHENNAI day after senior Congress Party's general secretary and after an elaborate ceremony. The two chief ministers arrived at the leader Tariq Anwar said delay a veteran leader from Bihar, shrine on Sunday to offer prayers and take a look at the Congress MP Karti P in finalising seat sharing for the Anwar acknowledged that reconstruction projects underway at Kedarpuri. Later, the gates of Chidambaram on Monday Bihar election adversely there were shortcomings due Yamunotri were closed at 12.15 pm. Three out of the famous four said it was time for introspec- impacted the grand alliance's to which the Congress per- Himalayan temples of Uttarakhand, also called Chardham, are now tion and consultation in the poll erformance. formed worse than other closed for devotees as the Gangotri temple was closed on Sunday. party, days after its poor show- Congress won 19 out of the 'Mahagathbandhan' con- The Badrinath temple is scheduled to be closed on ing in the Bihar Assembly 70 seats it contested in Bihar. stituents. He asserted that the November 19. elections. RJD's Tejashwi Yadav-led high command was serious Karti, son of former union 'Mahagathbandhan' of which about an introspection as well minister P Chidambaram, in a the Congress was the second as a thorough analysis of the Books on Brahmaputra, Krishna Menon tweet said: "Its time we intro- major partner ended up with results. Former union minister spect, ideate, consult & act 110 seats while the NDA Sibal in his tweet tagged the in Kamaladevi NIF Prize shortlist @INCIndia." retained power in a close con- interview in which he said, The Lok Sabha MP from test, bagging 125 eats in the "We are yet to hear on recent he New India Foundation on Monday announced the Sivaganga in Tamil Nadu made 243-member assembly in the polls... Maybe Congress lead- Tshortlist for the third the cryptic comment while recent polls. ership thinks it should be Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay NIF tagging a tweet by senior party Anwar had on Sunday told business as usual." Sibal was Book Prize, with books on the colleague Kapil Sibal on his PTI in an interview that part of the group of 23 senior Himalayas, the Brahmaputra interview to English daily Congress must learn from it Congress leaders who had in and Jawaharlal Nehru's main "Indian Express" about the and complete alliance formal- August written to party chief advisor V K Krishna Menon Bihar poll outcome. ities well in advance for Sonia Gandhi making sugges- Security forces inspect the site of a bomb explosion near a damaged vehicle in Kabul, Afghanistan on Monday. Kabul Police said a bomb attached to a vehicle detonated in the capital causing injuries. among those making the cut. Karti's comment comes a upcoming assembly polls. tions to revive the organisation. The shortlist covers a century of modern Indian history and encompasses several genres - biography and investigative reportage, environment histories, anthropology and history - as well as a variety of themes that blend the country's complex past to aspirations for the SC refuses to entertain future, the presenters said. This year's jury is chaired by political No plans to reimpose lockdown: Jain scientist, author Niraja Gopal Jayal and also includes historians Ramachandra Guha, Srinath Raghavan and Nayanjot Lahiri; entrepreneur Nandan Nilekani and Manish Sabharwal, chairman of plea of jailed person n PNS NEW DELHI available 300 additional ICU Teamlease Services. beds, doubling the number of PNS n NEW DELHI also uphold your fundamen- Delhi Health Minister daily RTPCR tests and a house- tal rights. It can also transfer Satyendar Jain on Monday to-house survey in the nation- The Supreme Court Monday the case and grant you bail. said there is no chance of al capital to check the spiralling refused to entertain a plea for Then why are you coming reimposition of lockdown in numbers of cases in Delhi. SC issues notice on plea bail of a man who was arrest- under 32 (under Article 32 of the national capital since the Union Home Minister Amit ed from Gujarat for posting the Constitution, writ pleas are third wave of coronavirus has Shah said some of the hospitals against arrest of Kerala scribe allegedly objectionable com- filed in the Supreme Court). peaked out in the city. under the municipal corpora- ments in his tweets against "You please go to the High Talking to reporters, he said tions of Delhi will be convert- PNS n NEW DELHI and V Ramasubramanian asked Maharashtra Chief Minister Court," the bench told senior the virus cannot be contained ed into dedicated COVID hos- the counsel for the Kerala Union Uddhav Thackeray and his advocate Mahesh Jethmalani through lockdown and that pitals. The Supreme Court Monday of Working Journalists (KUWJ) minister-son Aaditya. who was appearing for people should protect them- The National Centre for sought response of the Uttar as to why it has not approached A bench of Chief Justice S Thakkar. Jethmalani said that selves by wearing face masks. Disease Control, in a report Pradesh government on a plea the Allahabad High Court and A Bobde and Justices A S Thakkar has been arrested Delhi has witnessed a spurt drafted recently, had warned challenging the arrest of Kerala- came to it straight away. "We Bopanna and V for "bailable offences" and this in coronavirus cases since that Delhi needed to be pre- based journalist Siddique will issue notice. We are keep- Ramasubramanian asked the will "shock your Lordships" October 28 when the daily rise pared for about 15,000 fresh Kappan on his way to Hathras ing it on Friday," the bench said counsel for Sameer Thakkar to "We are quite immune from breached the 5,000-mark for were recorded in the city. of the third wave is gone," he COVID-19 cases per day, tak- where a young Dalit woman had when senior advocate Kapil approach the Bombay High shock. We see it everyday. the first time and it crossed the Asked whether lockdown said. ing into account the winter- died after allegedly being gang- Sibal, appearing for the associ- Court with the plea saying that Nothing shocks us," the bench 8,000-mark on Wednesday. would be reimposed in Delhi, Jain's remarks come a day related respiratory problems, a raped. ation, sought bail for the scribe it can also uphold his funda- observed and asked him to On Thursday, 104 deaths, Jain said, "No chance." after the Centre announced a large influx of patients from A bench of Chief Justice S A saying that there was nothing mental rights. "The HC can approach the High Court. the highest in over five months, "I can tell you that the peak slew of steps including making outside and festive gatherings. Bobde and Justices A S Bopanna against him.

2019-20 ACADEMIC YEAR RJD-helmed alliance boycotts 2L Indian students chose US for higher studies Nitish’s oath-taking ceremony PNS n NEW DELHI Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, can download the Ahmedabad and Mumbai. EducationUSA India app, Nearly two lakh Indian stu- "Early next year, a second available for free on iOS and PNS n PATNA and teacher as to what they are dents chose the United States EducationUSA Center is Android devices, it said. going through. People are as their destination to pursue opening in Hyderabad hosted “At the click of a button, the The opposition Grand Alliance angry with NDAs fraud. We higher education in the 2019- by Y-Axis Foundation. All app provides the latest infor- on Monday decided to boycott are public representatives and 20 academic year, according to centres are staffed by mation about the college appli- the oath-taking ceremony of we stand with people," it said. the Open Doors Report EducationUSA advisors who cation process and is a quick Nitish Kumar, claiming the The RJD, which emerged as released by the US Embassy on offer accurate, comprehen- and easy first step to planning mandate in the elections was the single largest party in Bihar Monday. sive, and up-to-date informa- higher education in the US," "against the NDA" which has with 75 seats, also claimed the Indian students comprised tion about opportunities to the statement said. been changed by a "fraud". state is getting a "helpless gov- nearly 20 per cent of the over study in the United States, The Institute of RJD, which is spearheading cotts oath-taking ceremony of ernment by the two helpless one million students from helping Indian students find International Education (IIE) the five-party this puppet government. The parties". Attacking Kumar, it around the world, and the US doubled, and we know why the David Kennedy. the best programme and the publishes the Open Doors Mahagathbandhan have decid- mandate is for a change, and said Bihar will have a "Chief has seen a steady increase in US is the gold standard for To assist Indian students, right fit from among the 4,500 report every year. ed to remain away from the against the (ruling) NDA. The Minister who has been proven the number of undergraduate higher education, providing the US Department of State accredited higher-education It also compiles the number swearing-in function of peoples verdict has been weak, idle and corrupt. And a students from India, the report practical application and expe- offers advising services to institutions in the United of international scholars at Kumar. Kumar is scheduled to changed by the rulers order," senior partner (BJP) who has stated. rience that gives our graduates prospective students through States," an official statement by US universities and interna- take oath as chief minister for the RJD alleged in a tweet. no (chief ministerial) face and "Over the last 10 years, the an advantage in the global seven EducationUSA advising the Embassy said. tional students enrolled in the seventh time in Raj Bhavan "Ask the unemployed, the is forced to resort to dubious number of Indians studying in economy," said Minister centres throughout India - in Students seeking additional pre-academic Intensive this evening. "The RJD boy- farmer, the contract worker means (for earning majority)". the United States has roughly Counsellor for Public Affairs New Delhi, Hyderabad, facts about studying in the US English Programmes. TUESDAY | NOVEMBER 17, 2020 op nion 06 www.dailypioneer.com facebook.com/dailypioneer | @TheDailyPioneer | instagram.com/dailypioneer/ PAPER WITH PASSION Congress a bleakhouse Kapil Sibal pushes for CWC elections again, says party not people’s choice anymore and needs actionable revival plan A biased viewpoint he problem with the Congress is that anybody with a prescriptive formula to revive it is usually con- Western notions of democracy, where the authors propound theories Tsidered a rebel than a well-meaning loyalist or dis- missed as a defector, usually to the other national party. convenient to them, need to be challenged It matters little that in the process of losing some of its best men and women, it is slowly losing its relevance as a national party, and now even as a regional party, trailing at third and fourth positions. In fact, if the sta- tus quo continues, then the BJP would be the only nation- al party in the country and the Congress would be left with a rump of its own making. Yet the leadership is unmoved as it suffers debacle after debacle in each elec- tion with no attempt to even discuss the real state of affairs except finding a scapegoat or traitor to the cause. The last particularly applies to ambitious young leaders who want lega- PRAKASH cy over oblivion. And considering the way 23 of the party’s senior loyalists were sidelined A SURYA in August for writing a “dissent letter” and pleading for inner-party democracy, the party’s Swedish Institute, which first family, the Gandhis, have decided that their gatekeeping writ, that is no longer earned claims to study democra- cies around the world, but rests solely on history, will not be challenged even if the party hurtles down the road has downgraded India to perdition. Still one of the letter writers, Kapil Sibal, has again renewed calls to rescue andA put it far below several nations, the moribund party after its dismal performance in the Bihar Assembly elections. The Congress many of whom lack the essentials of democracy like secularism, sep- managed to win only 19 of the 70 seats it contested and given its poor rate of conversion aration of state and religion and despite an anti-incumbency wave, prevented its alliance partner, the Rashtriya Janata Dal equality before law, all of which are (RJD), from forming the Government. The RJD went on to become the single-largest party, firmly embedded in our winning 75 seats despite losing Nitish Kumar to the BJP, being certainly less-resourced Constitution. The Democracy Report 2020 than the national party and the belated takeoff by a hastily-schooled Tejashwi Yadav. RJD has been released by the Varieties leaders are already complaining about the Congress being the weakest link, not even man- of Democracy (V-Dem), a research aging to swerve the upper castes or Dalits, the latter’s traditional votebank, in its favour. institute based in the University of Gothenburg, Sweden. It claims evening and the talking heads half of these States are ruled by the head of State “shall be a king They even blame its half-heartedness for the rout. And the Congress is predictably mak- that “it has a nuanced approach to representing different political political parties and coalitions, or queen.” More importantly, the ing excuses that the 70 seats were not exactly its strongholds instead of calling a spade measuring democracy – historical, and social voices trying to out- which are opposed to his party. Constitution says the king or a spade. Why didn’t it go for fewer seats that it could manage? But Sibal has stuck his multi-dimensional and disaggregat- shout each other and you will At last count, there were 42 polit- queen cannot be prosecuted for ed, employing state-of-the-art realise that our democracy has ical parties governing these his or her actions, which means neck out and said that people everywhere, not just in Bihar, “obviously don’t consider the methodology.” Each of these claims become too argumentative, THE CIRCULATION States. equality before law (Article 14 in Congress to be an effective alternative.” He said that the party had even lost the oppor- needs to be tested. somewhere even bordering on Also, a significant responsi- our Constitution) has no place tunity to introspect as the “the writing is on the wall” after it lost all the byelections in Gujarat The report makes a startling chaos. So, where is this decline OF DAILY bility given to the States by the in Sweden. Further, the claim that India “is on the verge of of democracy? Constitution is maintenance of Constitution says the king “shall and got less than two per cent of the votes in some seats in Uttar Pradesh. He tossed the losing its status as a democracy due Finally, let us look at the NEWSPAPERS IN “law and order”, which means always profess the pure evangel- chaos back to the leadership, saying it has the answers but was just not willing to listen. to the severely shrinking space for social media. Not a week pass- INDIA IN 2014 WAS States are responsible for the ical faith.” It also does not allow And he argued for basic reform — transforming the Congress Working Committee (CWC) the media, civil society and the es without the anti-Modi lobby administration of the criminal the prince or princess to marry Opposition under Prime Minister running hashtags like justice system. Therefore, when at will. They need government from a nominated panel of entitled peerage to an elected, representative one that would Modi’s government.” On the other “#NarendraModiWorstPrimeMi 150 MILLION a State Government registers a permission to do so! Therefore, keep the grassroots worker invested in the party. hand, the best democracies are sup- nister” on Twitter regularly and COPIES. BY 2018, case against a journalist for Sweden is not a republic, it is not But the Gandhis, fearing their irrelevance, would rather revel in their fading aura than posedly Denmark, Estonia, Sweden, thousands of followers of polit- defamation etc, the Union has a secular State as its head of State Switzerland and Norway. India is at ical parties opposed to him IT HAD JUMPED TO nothing to do with it. In recent is wedded to a church. Equality prop up organisational builders or give them a seat at the high table. Sibal is the only one a lowly number 90. This report endorsing this line or adding times, there have been challenges before law is also absent because of the original letter writers to have revived the fighting spirit ever since party president must be denounced lock, stock and their own abusive comments or 240 MILLION to media freedom in some States, the king cannot be censured or Sonia Gandhi neutralised them with sycophants. While this may have served the dynas- barrel for the following reasons. cartoons. Therefore, the charge several of whom are run by tren- accused. Let us examine the claim that that freedom of expression is COPIES. THERE chant critics of Modi. Other nations which have tic cause, what Sonia doesn’t realise is that the Congress worker, in a politically empow- the media space is “severely shrink- under severe threat in the coun- Having examined the been put ahead of India include ered India, sees no potential in the leadership of her children but would certainly like to ing” in India after Mr Modi became try is ridiculous and smacks of ARE ABOUT 250 Constitutions of dozens of Papua New Guinea, a nation rebuild the party. The voter has already rejected the Gandhi scions, so no magic can be Prime Minister. You will find this uninformed opinion. Also, in MILLION nations, this writer is of the view based on Christian principles, padayatras. laughable in the light of the reports view of all this evidence, anyone that a pristine democracy must and Argentina, where the fed- worked there through activism and Through their letter, the leaders had only of the Registrar-General of who says that “media space is contain the following eight fun- eral government supports the suggested ways and means of reviving the Congress, that too by staying within the pro- Newspapers in India and other shrinking” in India and that civil HOUSEHOLDS IN damentals: An inviolable com- Roman Catholic Apostolic visions and democratic processes already laid down in the party’s constitution. The Congress agencies which track media growth. society and the “Opposition” are THE COUNTRY AND mitment to freedom of expres- Religion. last held CWC elections in1998 and understandably this is the reason for the turmoil and India has witnessed a media boom stifled, needs to get his head sion and freedom of conscience; India is not only a secular, over the last decade and the figures examined. AS MANY AS 160 an unambiguous commitment democratic nation but also the impatience as worthy leaders have no say whatsoever. They are cut off by a sedimenta- for the last six years should make The second defect in the to secularism; separation of reli- most vibrant and diverse in the ry layer of courtiers, who are interested in simply playing along as long as their posts are anyone’s jaw drop. The circulation report is that it attributes what- MILLION gion and state; republican form world. It has the “secular” ideal secure. There’s no doubt that the central leadership has had little role to play in States of daily newspapers in India in 2014 ever deficiencies it has found vis- of government; constitutional embedded in the Preamble of its was 150 million copies. By the year a-vis freedom of expression to HOUSEHOLDS HAD right to equality before law; Constitution. It is home to all where the party is in power or is an alliance partner. That success purely goes to the solid- 2018, it had jumped to 240 million Modi. This is downright irre- gender equality; right to life and religions, its population is ethni- ity of State leaders like Capt Amarinder Singh, who have been fairly autonomous in their copies. There are about 250 million sponsible for the reasons that TELEVISION SETS personal liberty; and universal cally diverse and its people ways and cannot be ignored. Those who left the party because they were stifled have households in the country and of have been cited above and also adult suffrage. All these eight speak 122 languages and 170 them as many as 160 million from a constitutional point of IN 2014. BY 2018, essentials exist in the Indian dialects. proved their credentials, like Jyotiraditya Scindia did in the Madhya Pradesh bypolls, help- households had television sets in view. Obviously, the report is Constitution. Therefore, those who seek to ing the BJP pick up more than a fair share of seats. If the Congress wants to stick around, 2014. By the year 2018, this figure written by individuals who are THIS FIGURE WAS Now let us look at the run down India are actually run- this is its last chance to self-correct, rise above ego, value honest counsel and appear was closer to 200 million. totally oblivious of India’s con- V.Dem report and the countries ning down democracy itself. But this growth story extends stitutional scheme. India is a fed- CLOSER TO 200 ahead of India. Denmark is the These Western notions of selfless in the interest of a larger political legacy. Unless its leadership just wants to exist beyond mainstream media. There eral republic in the sense that the MILLION. WOULD best democracy according to this “democracy”, where the authors on the political map, like most Independents do, without really caring for growing roots has been an exponential growth in legislative and executive powers report. But is it? Its Constitution propound theories convenient to and branches. Already its prospective allies in the Bengal and Tamil Nadu Assembly elec- the social media in recent years and are shared between the Union WE STILL SAY THE says that the Evangelical them, need to be challenged. this is reflected in the number of and the governments in the Lutheran Church, which is based Indians need to now stand up tions, the Left and the DMK, are a worried lot about its vote-cutting rather than vote-har- internet connections, which has spi- States and the Constitution itself MEDIA SPACE on the Holy Bible, “shall be the and say, “Don’t lecture us – your vesting capacity. Particularly in Bengal, it would end up being spoiler, assuming it does ralled from 150 million in the year spells out the subjects that are established church of Denmark.” theories have a strong stench of perform, or boost the BJP’s polarisation agenda. And if Rahul Gandhi is again foisted as 2014 to over 500 million five years allotted to both. Further, neither HAS SHRUNK? Further, “the State has a duty to racism and Christian commu- hence. Modi nor his party and the coali- support the Church of Denmark nalism.” party president come January, then dynastic stubbornness would cost the party dear. For Further, just take a look at the tion to which it belongs govern financially and in other ways.” (The writer is an author spe- there’s no guarantee that the rank and file would unanimously elect him as one. shrill debates that are on in Indian all the 28 States and eight Union Sweden is Number 3 but it is not cialising in democracy studies. news television programmes every Territories in the country. About a republic. Its Constitution says Views expressed are personal) Civil disobedience S O U N D BITE Thanks to the weak application of rules, breaking the law is We just approved new Dream the impossible and Whatever happens I want to do deep sea diving measures that should allow speak it into existence. in the future, who and see the corals. I have a way of life for most of us. So the cracker ban failed us to face this new wave of You have to work for it, knows, which been hearing that corals are n Sunday evening, after a day when the dirt and infections, which is severely you have to chase it and administration going to die soon and they pollution from thousands of spent firecrackers affecting not only Italy but never give up, and never will be, I guess are already considered filled the air in the National Capital Region (NCR), the whole of Europe. doubt yourself. time will tell. extinct in many terrains. the gods smiled down and made it rain. It was- Italian Prime Minister F1 driver US President Actor O —Giuseppe Conte —Lewis Hamilton —Donald Trump —Abhishek Banerjee n’t much but still enough to drive the dust away and make the air breathable again. There was a firecracker ban in place seeing how the air quality had been over the past L E T T E R S T O TH E EDITOR month but many denizens ignored it. Some called them “suicide bombers” for adding to the pollution but many Who is unformed? could be balanced. Now, digital India must be wary of future intrusions content creators will have to dubbed them as heroes for defying the ban and blowing crackers anyway. The latter group Sir — Former US President tread a tight rope while bearing argued that firecrackers would not significantly add to pollution since farmers burning rice Barack Obama’s characterisa- t is hoped that the agreement between India and China the backlash in mind they might stubble on their fields were the primary culprits. Many of these people also attributed the tion of Rahul Gandhi in his on the step-by-step process of disengagement of face. Sadly, this is yet another forthcoming memoir, A Itroops from all major friction points along the Line attempt to control one’s freedom rains to divine intervention. Promised Land, as a person who of Actual Control (LAC) happens in a time-bound man- of expression. Yes, burning firecrackers is a traditional way of celebrating Diwali but tradition should “has a nervous, unformed qual- ner. And helps resolve the protracted border standoff Rahul Chouhan not become a victim to common sense. Firecrackers add noxious nitrogen oxides, sul- ity about him” was uncharitable between the armies of the two countries. This devel- Ujjain and unfair to say the least. It was opment comes two months after the Moscow meeting phur and potassium into the atmosphere. A complete ban in Delhi and its surrounding more reflective of Obama him- during which the External Affairs Ministers of both the Ceasefire violations areas, however, was not worth its weight on the paper it was signed on because it was self than Rahul. By his ill-judged nations finalised a five-point roadmap for establishing going to be disobeyed any which way. Many took gleeful joy at their law-breaking. This portrayal of the Congress leader, peace in eastern Ladakh. Sir — India has objected to the Obama has proved that he is not Despite China’s brazen incursions, it has blamed India ways to make India believe that it is de-escalating, the ceasefire violations by Pakistan. should not come as any surprise to those in India, where thanks to the weak application a good judge of character. for abetting hostilities and tried to justify its actions by latter must not get caught in such a trap. And unless The Charge d’Affaires of the High of rules, civil disobedience is a way of life for most of us. You see it in the way we drive Perhaps for all his pretension to invoking the unilaterally defined 1959 LAC. New the troops and weaponry are completely removed and Commission of Pakistan was sum- on our roads where rules are deemed optional and common sense vanishes in many. great endowment, he is less than Delhi’s stand on the issue helped it receive support from verified by both sides, de-escalation cannot be confirmed. moned by the Ministry of External sophisticated to understand the US and the international community. However, given Notwithstanding the strategies adopted for establish- Affairs and a strong protest was Helmet usage, something that enhances safety, is considered optional even though there other people. the harsh winters and the ongoing pandemic, the two ing peace along the LAC, India must always be alert lodged over unprovoked ceasefire are large fines. The lack of any fear of punishment and pliable fines for the privileged mean Obama seems to have formed countries must enter into a comprehensive peace pact about future incursions. violations by Pakistani forces on that inconveniences are marginal. What else can explain the continuing instances of extreme a wrong and unrealistic impres- that applies to the entire LAC, including the disputed Venu GS multiple sectors along the Line of sion of Rahul from the courtesy Depsang plains. Given that China may devise crooked Kollam Control in Jammu and Kashmir on sexual violence even though in some cases the offender ought to be punishable by death? shown to him during a brief November 13, resulting in the It may be for sociologists to come up with theories as to why this almost brazen attitude encounter with him when he vis- death of four innocent civilians and towards the law is so prevalent in India and other nations in the neighbourhood. Some ited India. He seemed to have tingly, he gave a chance to the Maruthancode a heaven-sent opportunity for serious injuries to 19 others. taken simplicity and humility right-wing Hindutva zealots to Content monitoring the OTT platforms and they Pakistan must respect the bilater- might even attribute it to the movement for Independence, where casual law-breaking was exuded by the Indian political reiterate their unflattering view made the best out of it. However, al agreements between the two almost encouraged and the volume of cases overwhelmed the authorities. It is not just leader as an attempt to please of Rahul. Obama was ignorant of Sir — The digital and OTT plat- digital content, which received nations and not allow any territo- about firecrackers here, it is about making citizens realise the importance of law and order. him. He must have been over- Indian politics to belittle a leader forms now fall under the juris- overwhelming support from ry under its control to be used for weening to do that. He miscon- who stands for the nation’s long- diction and censorship of the people, was also at the receiving terrorism against India in any We cannot celebrate one instance of blaze law-breaking and decry the helplessness of strued Rahul’s incapability to be cherished values and fights for Ministry of Information and end of severe criticism by zealots manner. authorities in another instance. In normal times, this would be impossible but we now have bad or do evil things as a weak- them. Hopefully, his memoir Broadcasting. After 2016, with for delivering erotic, anti-estab- Amit Singh Kushwaha a leader who commands a mandate and respect among the population and the Bihar elec- ness. Obama outdid even Rahul’s does not eulogise leaders in the ubiquitous availability of lishment and provocative con- Satna tions proved that. It is time that Narendra Modi stepped up to the plate and asked that his worst domestic detractors in the India who thrive on polarising inexpensive data, the digital tent in the guise of creativity. choice of words to depict him in society. market boomed in India. Many demanded a censor board Send your feedback to: fellow Indians become better citizens. And initiated judicial and police reforms. a poor light. Wittingly or unwit- G David Milton Additionally, the lockdown was so that creativity and harmony [email protected] TUESDAY | NOVEMBER 17, 2020

www.dailypioneer.com analysis 07 FIRSTCOLUMN Bengal set for a POINTCOUNTERPOINT HE (JOE BIDEN) WON BECAUSE THE ELECTION WAS IT WAS GOOD ACTUALLY TO SEE PRESIDENT TRUMP clash of Titans RIGGED. I CONCEDE NOTHING! WE HAVE A LONG WAY TWEET OUT THAT (BIDEN) WON. I THINK THAT’S THE TO GO. THIS WAS A RIGGED ELECTION. START OF AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT. While a Modi versus Mamata battle may have —US PRESIDENT — REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR OF ARKANSAS worked well for the BJP at the Lok Sabha level, it may not be that easy at the State level DONALD TRUMP ASA HUTCHINSON Nix priority sector lending KALYANI SHANKAR The policy — a legacy of the socialist era — has led to blatant misuse and est Bengal is moving towards a personality clash between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Mamata misappropriation of funds and is far from helping those for whom it is intended WBanerjee in the forthcoming Assembly elections. Both have evolved as cult figures over the years. With no tall State leaders in Bengal, the BJP is following its pet formula of a battle between a regional heavyweight and the BJP mascot Modi. It has tried this for- mula out in some States like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi, Maharashtra and Haryana, with mixed success. On the face of it, next year’s Assembly polls to five States — West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry will be a litmus test for the BJP’s expansion plans. But the saffron party’s main focus is on West Bengal where the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) is well-entrenched since 2011, when Mamata ousted the CPI(M) which had ruled the State for three decades. Mamata will be seeking a third term in power now. UTTAM GUPTA While a Modi versus Mamata battle may have worked well for the BJP at the Lok Sabha level, it may not be that easy at the State n September 4, the Reserve Bank of India level. For instance, Mamata or “Didi” as she is fondly called, is not (RBI) introduced changes in the norms like other regional leaders. She is a firebrand leader and there is a Ofor priority sector lending (PSL) with the method to her madness. She has reduced other Opposition parties stated objective of “enabling better credit pen- etration to credit-deficient areas, increase in like the CPI(M) and the Congress to “zero” in the past decade and lending to small and marginal farmers and is a fierce street fighter. Besides, for more than 45 years, the State boosting credit to renewable energy and health has been anti-Centre, which might help Mamata. infrastructure.” Under PSL, the RBI mandates On its part, the BJP is upbeat since its performance in the 2019 a certain percentage of a bank’s lendable Lok Sabha elections in Bengal was impressive. It won 18 of the 42 resources to specified areas. seats, just four less than the ruling TMC. Significantly, the BJP’s vote The policy — a legacy of the socialist era — share in the State increased to over 40 per cent in 2019 from a mere has led to blatant misuse and misappropriation two per cent in the 2011 Assembly polls, emerging as the number of funds and is far from helping the most vul- two party in the State. nerable groups and sectors for whom it is intend- The Congress and the CPI(M) had fought the 2016 Assembly ed. It needs to go as today the banking network is capable of meeting credit needs of all, provid- elections together, managing to win 76 of the 294 seats and account- ed the sector is left to itself. However, faced with ing for almost 39 per cent of the vote share. They had, however, contraction in the Gross Domestic Product split ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. This time around, the CPI(M) (GDP) growth by a whopping 23.9 per cent and central committee has given the go ahead for a poll tie-up with all credit growth at a low of 6.7 per cent during the secular parties, including the Congress. first quarter (Q1) of the current financial year The 2021 election, however, will be difficult for the ruling TMC. (FY), the RBI introduced changes in the norms The BJP has the advantage of being an “untested challenger.” As a for PSL. But what is the connection between PSL strategy, the BJP is trying to mobilise the anti-incumbency factor and growth? against Didi and consolidating Hindu votes. Mamata’s “Paribartan For several decades, successive govern- (change)” of 2011 is BJP’s slogan today. It is focussing on issues ments followed a policy of directing banking credit to specified sectors, which had remained like graft, commissions and the syndicate raj. The TMC’s alleged neglected for long and needed the required push PSL NEEDS sion of funds to non-farm uses. Even lending. Yet, our policy-makers contin- culture and MSMEs, can avail loans up corruption seems to be the main poll plank of the BJP. “Aamaar to catch up with the country’s growing econo- TO GO. OUR out of credit that flows to agriculture, ue with PSL and keep adding more and to `50 crore under the PSL. What is the Poribaar, BJP Poribaar (My family, BJP family,)” is the saffron party’s my. The RBI mandates that a certain percent- BANKS a disproportionately high share is cor- more sectors under its ambit and sanctity of these limits? Is it the case current slogan. It aims to capture the youth through a social media age of a bank’s Adjusted Net Bank Credit SHOULD ENJOY nered by large farmers viz. those with shuffling the limit under each. Thus, that an entity which needs `31 crore campaign called “Reboot Kolkata” referring to the city’s glorious past. (ANBC) or lendable resources be given for PSL. THE FREEDOM farms over 10 hectares. During 2016- there are a host of other categories such for setting up a solar-based plant The party is using its army of WhatsApp workers to consolidate the For commercial banks, including foreign banks, TO LEND AND 17, large farmers, who account for 0.6 as export, education, housing, health, won’t be eligible for PSL? Or, the appli- Hindu vote as there are two more major parties in the race as well this is 40 per cent, while regional rural banks FOCUS MORE per cent of the total number, got away social infrastructure, renewable ener- cation of a start-up needing a loan of — the Congress and the CPI(M). However, Mamata’s biggest strength (RRBs) and small finance banks (SFBs) are ON CONDUCTING with 41 per cent of the agri-credit. gy and now, start-ups. `51 crore will be rejected. This is lies in her image as a developmental Chief Minister, which she had required to allocate a whopping 75 per cent for DUE DILIGENCE, Semi-medium and medium farmers, In September, the RBI increased bizarre. created post-Singur and Nandigram with schemes ranging from PSL. Within the over 40 per cent limit, there are owning between two-10 hectares (they the targets for small and marginal Putting in place such a system sub-limits; for instance, agriculture gets 18 per CREDIT are 13.2 per cent of all farmers) get bulk farmers from the existing eight per cent brings in a lot of discretion and gives ‘Kanyashree’ or distribution of cycles to girls of underprivileged fam- cent of the ANBC. Although the guidelines do APPRAISAL, of the balance 59 per cent agri-credit. of the ANBC to 12 per cent, applica- the bank manager or officials a lot of ilies, distribution of rice at a low price, development of roads and not lay down any preferential rate of interest for HAND-HOLDING Small and marginal farmers with hold- ble from 2020-21 onward. It also room to manoeuvre. From the perspec- so on. During the lockdown, she launched the campaign “Banglar PSLs per se, generally such loans are “cheaper” OF BORROWERS ings up to two hectares (they are 86.2 increased credit limit for farmers pro- tive of the borrower, every aspirant — Gorbo Mamata (Bengal’s pride Mamata)”, which involves various and “more accessible.” The chargeable rate of AND MONITORING per cent) get very little; in fact, nearly ducers organisations (FPOs) and farm- irrespective of his/her scale of opera- meetings with voters, workers and prominent Bengali personalities. interest is as per the RBI’s directives and varies FUND USE. 41 per cent of them don’t even have ers producers companies (FPCs) to `2 tion — will play with numbers to keep The development schemes and her populist image might stand her from sector to sector, FOR THE MOST access to banks. crore per borrowing entity. The moot his/her borrowing proposal within in good stead. As per the RBI’s directive, a short-term crop VULNERABLE, Asset creation in agriculture holds point here is when already the sub- the threshold. This is the surest invi- Mamata has a ready-made issue after Union Home Minister loan of up to `3,00,000 (for animal husbandry, THE the key to sustainable increase in the sidised credit is not reaching where it tation to nepotism and corruption. Amit Shah announced that the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) dairy and fisheries farmers, this limit is GOVERNMENT farmers’ income. Yet, the share of ought to be reaching, what is the use To conclude, the extant highly con- Act (CAA) would be implemented in Bengal ahead of the Assembly `2,00,000) is available at a subsidised interest rate investment credit in total farm credit of pouring more in? From FY 2021-22, voluted system of “directed lending,” of seven per cent; an additional incentive of three MAY GIVE is only 25 per cent (down from 50 per a higher weightage of 125 per cent specifying targets for sectors in a typ- polls. The TMC is planning multiple protests against the CAA and per cent is provided for prompt payment. The INTEREST cent in 2000). A big chunk of this also would be assigned to incremental pri- ical top-down approach that keeps the National Register of Citizens (NRC). The TMC, Left and the effective interest cost works out to only four per SUBSIDY BUT goes to medium and large farmers. ority sector credit in the identified dis- bank officials busy with target fulfill- Congress are also expected to come together and pass a resolu- cent. To make it happen, the Union Government THAT SHOULD BE According to the committee on “Status tricts, where the per capita PSL is less ment and compliances, is pregnant tion against the NRC in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly. offers to banks interest subvention of two per DIRECTLY of Farmers’ Income: Strategies for than `6,000, and a lower weight of 90 with blatant misuse and misappropri- Mamata’s advantage is her formidable minority base that forms cent per annum and prompt repayment incen- CREDITED TO Accelerated Growth,” that was set up per cent would be assigned for incre- ation of funds. It is unlikely to serve the 28 per cent of the population. They matter in 70 to 80 seats. As the tive (PRI) of three per cent. This comes at a huge THEIR BANK to identify ways to double farmers’ mental priority sector credit in the desired objective of helping the most BJP plans to polarise the electorate on a communal basis, Mamata cost to the exchequer (during 2019-20, the ACCOUNTS income, small and marginal farmers identified districts, where the per capi- vulnerable groups for whom it is will have to guard against the splitting of the minority votes. The AIMIM Government spent `18,000 crore). The banks, finance 30.8 per cent and 52.1 per cent ta PSL is more than `25,000. This is intended. At the same time, it impos- (All-India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen), which won five seats in too, share a good portion of the cost as reim- of their investment in assets through intended to help 184 districts with low es a huge collateral damage. Bihar, is planning to contest in Bengal too, which could cut into the bursement given by the Centre does not fully informal sources viz. moneylenders, per capita PSL credit flow. Will things For instance, of the outstanding cover the interest subsidy extended by them to traders and input dealers (albeit at high improve merely by assigning higher bank credit of about `100,00,000 crore, Muslim votes. It is too early to predict the West Bengal election scene farmers (on a total farm loan of about `13,00,000 interest rate) and so on, as they don’t weightage? when 40 per cent or `40,00,000 crore as clarity will emerge nearer the polls but violence could be expect- crore given during 2019-20, interest subvention have access to banks. To give a boost to renewable ener- is PSL given at a subsidised interest ed. An important issue would be how the public perceives the per- at the rate of two per cent alone works out to The irony is that large, medium gy, the RBI has increased the limits for rate, banks are bound to charge more formance of the Mamata Government on containing the pandemic, about `26,000 crore against a budgetary support and semi-medium farmers, having priority sector lending. Thus, loans up on the remaining 60 per cent to as it is a burning issue. of only `18,000 crore. If we include PRI, the borrowed from banks at such low rates to `30 crore per borrower for solar- remain viable. This raises the cost of The BJP has not won any State since the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. shortfall would be even higher). It is, therefore, (four per cent), further lend this based and biomass-based power gen- capital to all those enterprises. It lost Maharashtra even after emerging as the single-largest party natural to ask whether farmers are actually deriv- money to small and marginal farmers erators, windmills, micro-hydel plants PSL needs to go. Banks should because of the ego clash with its long-time partner, the Shiv Sena. ing the intended benefit? at a much higher rate, thereby making and so on will now be eligible for PSL enjoy the freedom to lend and focus In the end, the Sena, NCP and the Congress coalition formed the According to a study by the RBI’s internal a huge profit. This is clearly a case of (up from `15 crore). Likewise, the limit more on conducting due diligence, Government. A little ray of sunshine was the fall of the Congress working group, in several States, the quantum better off farmers and even non-farm- for loan for building healthcare facil- credit appraisal, hand-holding of bor- of crop loan was found to be higher than the ers profiteering from the State largesse, ities, including those under Ayushman rowers, and monitoring fund use. For Government in Madhya Pradesh as the BJP installed its Chief Minister value of all agricultural inputs (in Andhra riding piggyback on the most vulner- Bharat in Tier-II to Tier-VI centres, has the most vulnerable, the Government Shivraj Singh Chouhan after pulling down the Kamal Nath Pradesh, during 2015-2017, this was 7.5 times able for whom it is meant. been increased from `5 crore per bor- may give interest subsidy but that Government. Therefore, winning big in Bihar elections was impor- the value of agri-inputs). Considering that The misuse is rampant even in rower to `10 crore. Start-ups, which should be directly credited to their tant for the party and winning Bengal will mean the BJP will con- crop loans are taken mostly for buying agricul- other areas of PSL, say the micro, small conform to the definition laid down by bank accounts. tinue its eastward expansion. tural inputs, when the value of the former and medium enterprises (MSMEs) the Ministry of Commerce and are (The writer is a New Delhi-based (The writer is a senior journalist) exceeds the latter, it clearly points towards diver- sector, which gets 7.5 per cent of bank engaged in activities other than agri- policy analyst) Tollywood must blend business with craft Bollywood in Mumbai would have been neither as rich nor gifted without the many bounties of Bengal, like the late Soumitra Chatterjee FOREIGN EYE

singing Bengali songs as Tapan was the jatra (a popular folk-theatre). reply was that, “When we began, it could not speak Hindi spontaneous- Bengali film-makers must take into Kumar on All India Radio, Kolkata A simple song from a popular movie was presumed that our market was ly. Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi was the account that all films are not media (called Calcutta in those days). There called Harano Sur appealed to most not large enough like the Hindi cin- first Bengali I heard speaking in of artistic expression. Most of them were the unforgettable Hemant listeners. I tried it once with the ser- ema.” When I pointed out that West Hindi. Any educated person among must have a large dose of popular Kumar, the versatile Manna Dey vants, also of the neighbourhood, but Bengal plus Bangladesh would be 20 the elite spoke English. The entertainment, too. The market and many other artistes, musicians their response was cool. The song was crore people, he was slightly second emotional pref- extends from West Bengal to and directors. The wonderment is sung on screen by Suchitra Sen: taken aback and merely said, erence was for Bangladesh and several districts of that these men and women, born, “Aykbaar bolo, tumi je aamar.” “We must think about it.” French. Now, no Assam. Suitable movies in Bengali SCIENCE LOSES TO bred and having turned artistes in For the Bengali ethos, the busi- My impression is that doubt things are could be dubbed in Hindi and other PRAFULL GORADIA Kolkata, came to what was then called nessman was a “byabshadar” and the many a film was a reflec- changing as we languages, which could extend the PROFIT MARGINS Bombay (the Mumbai of today) to “banik” was an OBC, unlike north- tion of the director’s have heard market considerably. Remember, the aving seen a few of Soumitra blossom. Arguably, the proudest ern and western India, where he is a choice without sufficient Babul Supriyo, film industry in India began with The technology behind the Chatterjee-led films, I cannot name of Indian filmdom has been the twice born and permitted to wear the consideration for what Minister Of Kolkata at its centre, with New COVID-19 vaccine was not Hforget him, or conceptually, late Satyajit Ray, India’s only Oscar- sacred thread. My belief is that the audience would love State in the Theatres founded by Birendranath of interest to big pharma Tollywood as a whole. The only film winning film-maker. Yet, it is Tollywood film-making has been to watch. When the direc- Narendra Modi Sircar and the great Kundan Lal Saigal until huge sums could be studio I have seen was at Tollygunge Bollywood that has flourished where- influenced by this ethos. tor and the audience hap- Government, as its outstanding star. Incidentally, in the days when the actor had to as Tollywood has merely survived. Once, when the Rajya Sabha pro- pened to coalesce, the film speaking fluent Hindi. Saigal had come to Kolkata from made from it. That is not a wear a light blue dhoti so that it What makes this paradox viable? ceedings were awaited to begin, I got would be a hit. The Bengali lan- The West Bengal econo- Punjab. Rabindranath Tagore first way to advance science. It showed up as white on the screen. Tollywood is art plus art, while a chance to have a 15-minute chat guage is melody when spoken and my does need a boost and the film heard Saigal before giving consent for has been stifled by the Bollywood in Mumbai would have Bollywood is craft plus business. In with Mrinal Sen, who has been rated probably poetry when written. So far, industry could well be the one to the first time to a non-Bengali singing unwillingness of been neither as rich nor gifted with- some ways, Tollywood reflects the second only to the distinguished wonderful; but it has in the past dis- bring in employment. It does not his songs. Saigal endeared himself to governments and out the many bounties of Bengal, like essence of what has been the Bengali Satyajit Ray. Among the two or three couraged even prime ministerial require much investment by the the whole of Bengal through his 30 the late Soumitra Chatterjee. elite for the best part of two centuries. questions I happened to pose, one aspirants from learning Hindi with State and Bengalis generally are nat- Bengali songs. companies to fund There was Anil Biswas, who dis- To begin with, it was presumed that was on why Bengali film themes sel- any degree of accuracy. urally artistic, be it in acting, music (The writer is a well-known technology that doesn’t lead covered Talat Mahmood, the silken theatre and cinema were for the class- dom cater to the masses, although The late Jyoti Basu, Siddharth and what not. The only real require- columnist and an author. Views to commercial advantage. voice; even Talat was first discovered es, while for the masses, the answer they are often about poor people. His Shankar Ray and Pranab Mukherjee ment is that of attitude and priority. expressed are personal) (The Guardian editorial) TUESDAY | NOVEMBER 17, 2020 Money 08

STIMULUS 3.0 Covid halts shopping mall Supportive for growth but fiscal impact unclear PNS n NEW DELHI ture plans instead, Fitch added. Exactly a month after the India's third tranche of stimu- 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat lus measures should support Abhiyaan 2.0' package – which launches across country economic rebound over the included announcements coming quarters but the actu- regarding consumption and al fiscal impact is difficult to investment – was announced PNS n KOLKATA Severely impacted ascertain, Fitch Solutions said on October 12, the central on Monday. government came out with its Launching of shopping malls by virus, five malls The government on third round of stimulus pack- in 2020 was hit badly with with 2.75 million November 12 announced age. only five properties beginning another stimulus package, Stimulus 3.0 package includ- operations so far against a pre square feet of space, called Aatmanirbhar Bharat ed Rs 1.6 lakh crore toward the COVID-19 estimate of 54, came up and Abhiyaan 3.0, totaling Rs 2.65 PLI Scheme and the remaining which were likely to be lakh crore. The package includ- Rs 1.2 lakh crore toward the unveiled across the country considering the ed a boost to formal employ- other 11 announcements such this year, a global property ment, the Production Linked cal outgo in FY21 could be a year period, and their fiscal as the extension of the consultant said on Monday. progress in work, (PLI) Scheme, an increase in maximum of Rs 4.7 lakh crore impact will likely only be seen Emergency Credit Line Severely impacted by the 14 new mall the fertiliser subsidy and the (2.3 per cent of GDP)," it said. from FY2021-22 onward, it Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS pandemic, just five malls with rural employment programme, In a report, Fitch Solutions said. 1.0) up to March 31, 2021, the 2.75 million square feet of spanning 5.9 mn sq. MGNREGA. said India's fiscal deficit is "Estimating using the out- launch of ECLGS 2.0 for the 26 space, came up and consider- ft. area to completed Motilal Oswal in a separate likely to be 7.8 per cent of the right fiscal outlays from this stressed sectors, income tax ing the progress in construc- report said its calculations sug- GDP in the Fiscal Year'21 announcement, 'Stimulus 3.0' relief for developers and home tion work, 14 new mall span- by 2021- end gest the actual fiscal outgo in (April 2020 to March 2021). appears to suggest additional buyers, and budget outlay for ning 5.9 mn sq. ft. area are FY2021 could be a maximum "While many of (Stimulus expenditure of Rs 1 lakh crore R&D toward the COVID-19 likely to completed by 2021- 22.2 million square feet area. square feet," Anarock Retail ly to be completed in of Rs 1.1 lakh crore (0.5 per 3.0) scheme should be support- (0.44 per cent of FY2019/20 vaccine. Additionally, the cen- end. "Of this, the top seven cities CEO and MD Anuj Kejriwal Mumbai, to be followed by cent of GDP). ive to India's economic GDP)," it said. tral government also increased "Before the COVID-19 were to see new supply of said. Bengaluru with three, he said. This, along with the previous rebound over the coming quar- Moreover, the announce- the budget outlay for urban lockdown in March, our nearly 35 malls spread over The five new shopping Tier II and III cities such as announcements, total fiscal ters, the actual impact on pub- ment did not outline any addi- housing (under the Pradhan research indicated that Indian approx 14 million square feet malls were launched in cities Lucknow, Thiruvanan tha- package amount to Rs 17.7 lic finances is difficult to ascer- tional borrowing to finance Mantri Awas Yojana – PMAY), cities were to see new supply while Tier II and III cities like Gurgaon, Delhi, Lucknow puram and Rourkela will see lakh crore (8.7 per cent of tain," Fitch said. these additional spending, fertilizer subsidy, and Mahatma of approximately 54 new malls were to see new supply of 19 and Bengaluru, he said. In new malls in the next fiscal, GDP). "However, our cal- The PLI scheme, for which suggests a reallocation of Gandhi National Rural in 2020 spread over nearly new malls over 7.6 million 2021, at least six malls are like- Kejriwal said. culations suggest the actual fis- instance, spans across a five- FY2020/21 budget expendi- Employment Guarantee Act. MONEY MATTERS Startup registration at GeM doubled in last 1 yr Cyber attacks Magma Housing Finance PNS n NEW DELHI MSMEs, artisans and weavers eyes 25 pc loan growth in H2 can register their goods and up multi-fold The number of startups regis- services on this platform. PNS n MUMBAI "In such an environment, ffordable housing-focused tered at public procurement "Presently, over 20,000 arti- cyber-attacks have gone up AMagma Housing Finance portal GeM has more than sans and 1.2 lakh weavers have Referring to China as a major multi-fold. There are 4 lakh is targeting to sell at least 25 doubled to 7,438 in the last one registered so far as sellers and "challenge" from a cybersecu- malware, we find every day. per cent more loans in the year and they are receiving are uploading products in their rity perspective for India, 375 cyber-attacks take place," second half of this fiscal as many orders from govern- relevant categories," Kumar National Cyber Security Pant said at an event organised its business has almost ment departments and public added. Coordinator Lt Gen Rajesh by largest private sector lender returned to pre-lockdown sector units, a senior official About the steps taken for Pant on Monday said cyberat- HDFC Bank. levels. The fourth largest said. startups, he said the portal tacks have gone up multifold He said apart from falling affordable housing-only The Government e- started a 'Startup Runway' so in the current environment. prey to voice call-based frauds, player, which is a fully-owned Marketplace (GeM) was that these entrepreneurs can Pant, who took over the role people should also be very subsidiary of non-banking player Magma Fincorp, has grown 23 launched in August 2016 for showcase their innovative of India's cybersecurity chief, careful about the click-baits, per cent in the September quarter. "What we are focusing is a 20- online purchase of goods and products and solutions, and said every day, 4 lakh malware which are deployed to extract 25 per cent loan growth on a sustained basis for the next three-four services by all the central gov- they can also list multiple are found and 375 cyber- information from an internet years,” Manish Jaiswal, the firm's managing director and chief ernment ministries and products with minimal techni- attacks are witnessed. user. "This disease of just executive, told PTI. His optimism comes from the 23 per cent loan departments. cal specifications. "In such unprecedented clicking on the link, this is growth during the September quarter in terms of sanctions when "We now have 48,038 buy- Further, he said a new and times, you mentioned two Cs another reason where the mal- incremental disbursement rose by Rs 267 crore, taking the ers, 7.42 lakh sellers with 2.42 MSMEs, and 3,509 startups," in India initiative. advanced version of the plat- – the challenge of corona and ware drops," he said, asking outstanding loan book to Rs 3,554 crore, despite the massive lakh MSEs (micro and small GeM CEO Talleen Kumar told Startups have fulfilled orders form will be launched soon challenge of cyber. Actually, at everybody to study the recent disruptions due to the pandemic. enterprises), 7,438 startups, PTI. worth over Rs 1,800 crore which will have powerful fea- the perch which I sit, there are cases of frauds at City Union 10,252 product categories, and He said that providing through the marketplace, tures and availability of big 3 Cs. The third 'C' of course is Bank where a person entered 173 service categories. One increased market access to Kumar said adding GeM is ticket items to attract large buy- on our northern border, which the banking system through a year ago, we had 40,275 buy- seller groups like startups, and taking a number of steps so ers like PSUs, Railways and is another challenge that we click, and at Bangladesh Bank Ruchi Soya to launch FPO ers, 2.98 lakh sellers, 59,536 MSEs has reinforced the Make that more and more startups, Defence. are facing. and Cosmos Bank. next year: Swami Ramdev

dible oil firm Ruchi Soya, SBI Mutual Ewhich is owned by Patanjali UAE national carrier to start Ayurved, will launch a follow-on Fund's Navneet public offer (FPO) next year to bring down promoters' Munot departs flying to Tel Aviv next spring shareholding in the company, PNS n NEW DELHI said Swami Ramdev. Patanjali PNS n DUBAI Group has run Ruchi Soya HDFC Mutual Fund on efficiently after the acquisition last year, he said, and expected higher growth during the current Monday said its board of Etihad Airways, the national fiscal year. Last year, Patanjali acquired Ruchi Soya, which is listed directors has approved the airline of the United Arab on stock exchanges, through an insolvency process for Rs 4,350 appointment of Navneet Emirates, announced Monday crore. The promoters currently have nearly 99 per cent stake and Munot as its next managing it would start operating daily they need to pare their stakes to meet minimum 25 per cent public director and chief executive nonstop flights to Tel Aviv next shareholding norm."We are going to come with the FPO next year officer. spring, a move that deepens in which we would dilute our shareholding,” Ramdev said. A Munot, will succeed the ties between the UAE and company official said promoters have to dilute 10 per cent present managing director Israel after the two countries CIL floats tenders for Milind Barve, HDFC Mutual agreed to normalize relations. shareholding by June 2021 and 25 per cent in 36 months as per the Sebi regulations. Fund said in a filing to the Direct flights on Etihad stock exchanges. In a separate between the emirates' capital of statement, SBI Funds Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv will 35 mining projects Managem-ent said Munot begin March 28, giving has decided to leave the orga- “Emiratis and UAE residents offering direct flights between ahead of his reelection cam- Power consumption grows PNS n NEW DELHI tenders for all the 35 projects, nization to pursue other the opportunity to discover Dubai and Tel Aviv later this paign and reflects a changing of phase-1, by September 2020 opportunities. The fund Israel's historical sites, beach- month. Middle East, in which shared 7.8% in first half of Nov State-owned Coal India Ltd as planned," the PSU said in a management structure at SBI es, restaurants and nightlife,” The UAE and Israel signed enmity of Iran has largely (CIL) on Monday said it has statement. Funds Management will con- the state-owned carrier said in a U.S.-brokered accord estab- overtaken traditional Arab ndia's power consumption grew issued tenders for all 35 min- First-mile connectivity tinue to remain the same as a statement. Tickets are already lishing formal diplomatic ties support for the Palestinians. I7.8 per cent to 50.15 billion ing projects identified for refers to transportation of coal the company over a period of available on Etihad's website. on the White House lawn in Soon after the UAE, Bahrain units (BU) in the first half of mechanised transportation of from CIL's pitheads to time has built a very capable The announcement comes September. The deal marked a and Sudan agreed to formalize November this year, showing rise dry fuel and setting up coal despatch points. second line with strong vin- after Dubai's budget carrier fly- diplomatic achievement for ties with Israel in similar agree- in economic activities, as per handling plants and silos for Coal handling plants tage, it said. dubai said it would begin President Donald Trump ments. government data.Power rapid loading at an estimated (CHPs) and silos for rapid consumption in the country was cost of Rs 12,500 crore. loading system would be com- recorded at 46.52 BU during Under mechanised trans- missioned across six of CIL's November 1-15 last year, portation, coal would be subsidiaries, under the ten- according to the power ministry data. For a full month in November moved through piped convey- ders. To come up by FY2024 Diesel sales fall 5 pc in November last year, power consumption was 93.94 BU. or belt mode promoting clean- at an estimated investment of Thus, the extrapolation of half-month data clearly indicates that er environment. With reduced Rs 12,500 crore, the coal han- PNS n NEW DELHI Between November 1 and cent to 1.07 million tonnes. mal last month. power consumption may witness year-on-year growth for the third movement of coal-laden dling capacity of the 35 pro- 15, diesel consumption was Aviation turbine fuel (ATF) Diesel demand spurted 7.4 month in a row, according to experts. After a gap of six months, trucks on roads, it brings jects will be 406 million tonnes India's diesel sales fell 5 per 2.86 million tonnes, down sales fell 53 per cent year-on- per cent year-on-year to 6.5 power consumption recorded a growth of 4.4 per cent in down dust pollution to the per year. Each of these min- cent in the first half of from 3.01 million tonnes in the year to 155,000 tonnes but million tonnes while petrol September this year at 112.24 BU compared to 107.51 BU in the comfort of people residing in ing projects has production November when compared same period a year back. It was, were 1.3 per cent higher sales were up 4.5 per cent at same month last year. India's power consumption grew nearly 12 the proximity of the mines. capacity of four million tonnes with the previous year, indus- however, higher than the 2.65 month-on-month. 2.54 million tonnes. per cent to 109.53 billion units (BU) in October this year as against "Coal India's pitch for effi- per year and above. try data showed on Monday, million tonnes demand during The total demand for petro- The growth in diesel con- 97.84 BU in the same month last year. cient and environment friend- CIL is undertaking a study after rising for the first time in the first half of October. leum products rose 2.5 per cent sumption was the highest in a ly mechanised coal transporta- through NEERI, Kolkata par- eight months in October. Petrol sales rose marginally in October to reach 17.77 mil- year. tion in its first-mile connectiv- ticularly for assessing and Sale of diesel, the most used to 1.03 million tonnes from lion tonnes. While petrol had Industry sources said ity, replacing the road move- quantifying benefits of envi- fuel in the country, was, how- 1.02 million tonnes, while reached pre-COVID levels in month-on-month diesel sales PNC to buy US unit of Spain's ment, gained pace with the ronmental aspects of these ever, 7 per cent higher month- cooking gas (LPG) sales for the September itself, diesel con- has risen in November, which BBVA bank for USD 11.6 billion company successfully issuing projects. on-month. first time this year fell by 2 per sumption had returned to nor- is a good sign.

NC Financial Services Group Psaid Monday it is buying the US subsidiary of Spain's BBVA bank for USD 11.6 billion in Biological E. Ltd's Covid vax enters Phase I/II trial cash. BBVA's US operations, PNS n HYDERABAD Adjuvantis a pharmacolog- which are based in Houston, The vaccine candidate includes an antigen, ical or immunological agent Texas, have USD 104 billion in Biological E. Limited (BE), a that improves the immune assets and operate 637 city-based vaccines and phar- in-licensed from BCM Ventures, Baylor response of a vaccine. branches, mainly in the south maceutical company has initi- BE's Phase I/II clinical trial and southwest of the country. College of Medicine's integrated ated a Phase I/II clinical trial of will evaluate the safety and “Our acquisition of BBVA USA will accelerate our growth trajectory immunogenicity of the vaccine and drive long-term shareholder," said William Demchak, PNC's its COVID-19 subunit vac- commercialization team, along with cine candidate in India follow- candidate at three dose levels president, chairman and CEO. PNC, based in Pittsburgh, Dynavax's advanced adjuvant CpG 1018. Pennsylvania, is largely a regional bank and the deal would give it a ing approval from the Drugs adjuvanted with CpG 1018 presence across the US Mergers and acquisitions of big banks have Controller General of India plus alum, in about 360 healthy declined greatly since the financial crisis in 2008. Regional banks (DGCI). and offer one more potential release said. subjects in the age range of 18 face stiffer competition now from big national banks and have been The announcement was option for the prophylaxis of The vaccine candidate to 65 years. hurt more than larger banks by low interest rates. Shares in BBVA made jointly by BE, Dynavax COVID-19," said Mahima includes an antigen, in-licensed The vaccination schedule jumped more than 15% in Madrid on Monday. Those in PNC were Technologies Corporation Datla, Managing Director, from BCM Ventures, Baylor consists of two doses for each up 1.8% in premarket trading. The deal was approved by both sides (Dynavax), a US-based vaccine Biological E. Limited. College of Medicine's integrat- study participant, adminis- and would close by the middle of next year. focused biopharmaceutical The results of this clinical ed commercialization team, tered via intramuscular injec- company, and Baylor College university in Houston. to transition our potential vac- trial are expected to be avail- along with Dynavax's advanced tion 28 days apart, the release of Medicine, a health sciences "We are very happy indeed cine candidate to clinical trials able by February 2021, the adjuvant CpG 1018, it said. said. 9

Tuesday November 17 2020

Taking viewers on an ultimate dance extravaganza, Shakti Mohan and Mukti Mohan, the dancing sibling duo, are back within another entertaining show. These dancing sensations are seen in a sizzling avatar as they let loose and groove with both professionals and people PASSION from all walks of life. The Mohan sisters, who are now part of BEYOND WORDS one of the most hakti Mohan and Mukti challenged goes to her. She danced with and appreciated what I did. More interactive shows Mohan, dancer-duo, sister- so many people who had various types than the choreography, I felt duo, choreographer-duo and of dancing styles to become a judge, she happy that I’m able to learn some- today, speak to S what not! The Mohan sisters comes with more pool of work and thing from the best in the industry established a mark for them- depth of training. She is the only Indian who is so meticulous and who loves K RAMYA selves and set news bars for who has a BBC documentary in Indian to create beautiful scenes in each and dancing standards. Now, the Mohan contemporary dancing. She is a part of every scene with so much love. I feel SREE sisters are setting the floor ablaze as the dance wave that said women can so blessed as a choreographer that I about the celebrity dance experts with Zee dance and have a career in the industry got to work with him.” cafe’s new dance show Dance With without just grooving to a song. Being For Shakti, who dons many hats as a the professional Me. the younger one, before becoming any- choreographer, dancer, judge, and more, All dance and pure entertain- thing else what people make you, Shakti dancing is the most favourite job she bond they ment, the show, launched on di became an iconic idol in the dance loves. October 25, features some of the world in the country and professionally, When asked if favouritism/nepotism share, the show best performances along with a I look up to her and have a huge respect exists in the field of dancing and reality special segment that will give for what she does. When we both work shows, the dancing duo says, “There is and more. budding dancers a platform to together, I listen to her more. I was no scope for it in a reality show as its a showcase their moves! This introduced to the dancing world by her. merit-based platform. For a reality being one of the most interactive I literally surrender myself when we show, you really have to prove yourself. shows, the sister-duo is super share a professional relationship.” There is a lot of support from dancers excited to directly engage with Mukti further goes on to add, “Our for each other. It comes naturally for dance enthusiasts through fun professional bond is an unspoken bond us.” hook steps and performances that which is growing by the day. I trained in “Spread joy over germs, stay safe. both, entertain and inspire people. Bharatnatyam, as much as she did. But Always speak your heart out and not Speaking about the show, Shakti beyond that she trained in ballet, con- think about being judged by some- and Mukti Mohan said, “We are temporary. When I had moved to acting, one. My personal favourite saying, thrilled to be a part of Zee Café’s she continued to dance and train. “Live and let live” keeps me Dance With Me — a show that Whenever it comes to dancing or chore- going,” concludes Mukti. OUR PROFESSIONAL BOND brings the joy of dancing to your ographing together, I definitely listen to Get ready to rock n’ roll and doorstep. It was great fun as we her more. I have a deeper sense of listen- spend we-time with the ulti- IS AN UNSPOKEN BOND carefully curated some of the finest ing. When we dance together, unknow- mate dance extravaganza — WHICH IS GROWING BY THE performances for each episode. ingly we end up mirroring and under- Dance With Me, Sundays at There’s a lot of entertainment in store standing each other.” 10 PM on Zee Café, 10 DAY. I TRAINED IN for viewers and we’re extremely excited For Shakti and Mukti, dance has AM on Zee TV and BHARATNATYAM, AS MUCH AS to shake a leg with fans every week.” always been an integral part of their streaming on ZEE5. Having said that, we all know the kind lives. They say, their passion for dance SHE DID. BUT BEYOND THAT SHE of bond Shakti and Mukti share as sib- goes beyond words. From being a con- lings through their social media updates. testant in dance reality shows to becom- TRAINED IN BALLET, What is the kind of professional rela- ing a judge and a choreographer, Shakti CONTEMPORARY. WHEN I HAD tionship they share and how is it when has come a long way. Most recently, two siblings work together? Mukti Shakti choreographed for a song in MOVED TO ACTING, SHE CONTINUED answers, “Shakti di is trained better. She Padmavat, a Bansali’s direction venture. TO DANCE AND TRAIN. WHENEVER IT has been on a show which has been the Shakti tells us, “I had, earlier in an inter- most watched and toughest season of view, said that it would be a dream come COMES TO DANCING OR CHOREOGRAPHING DID and she has won that. A lot of true to work with Bansali sir and it TOGETHER, I DEFINITELY LISTEN TO HER credibility in terms of cre- came true and I still couldn’t atively being more ver- believe it when he MORE. I HAVE A DEEPER SENSE OF LISTENING. satile, more called me, WHEN WE DANCE TOGETHER, UNKNOWINGLY WE END UP MIRRORING AND UNDERSTANDING EACH OTHER.

— MUKTI MOHAN SHAMA SIKANDER Yung Raja: Can't stop, won't stop! NO MORE CAPTIVE Taking on the culture and trend of self love, most loved South East Asian rapper Yung Raja is back uidance on non-essential travel from the central government has with his next bilingual single called the The not relaxed because Covid-19 is Dance Song and it is more than just a dance G upon us, but with air bubbles across the countries reopening and SHIKHA DUGGAL more cinema stars leaving for a vacation, it’s song, he tells The Pioneer's all but inevitable that some will test the waters with a vacation or weekend away outheast Asia’s never before has this been Indeed, this New Years, even if those trips look dif- next avant-garde more apparent. The ferent than those from previous times. bilingual hip hop THE DANCE SONG “This is the third and the Actress Shama Sikander, known for her S artiste, Yung Raja IS A SELF- biggest one in terms of roles in Yeh Meri Life Hai and Maaya, is known for his my artistry. Whatever currently in Dubai enjoying a gala vacay tasteful unification CELEBRATING I’ve been figuring out time. She has gone there with beau James of Western and Tamil culture IDENTITY-DRIVEN with the brand Milliron as the pandemic situation being in his lyrics continues to con- comes to a head on much better in Dubai and International front the industry with his ANTHEM THAT here. There was sports coming back to action along and seamless bilingual delivery AFFIRMS A VALID inspiration drawn numerous other reopenings amid social and distinct amalgamation of from my parents distancing measures. cultural references. He uses PERSPECTIVE for the lyrics of the “We were in a dilemma about taking a this as a starting point to cele- THAT WE song while there’s a vacay across the borders as we badly need- brate inclusivity in society lot more Tamil ed one, to get away from the major anxiety aiming to reinvent societal SHOULDN’T LET usage in this track the extensive lockdown has caused me. I views in and out of his home- than my previous totally forgot how the outside world was land, inspiring the next gener- SOCIETY DEFINE ones. It has the Lil supposed to be! This lockdown embodied ation of cultural conservators WHO WE ARE AND Wayne, I’ll-make-you- the feeling in me of how clogging it can and elevating Southeast Asian think-and-chuckle-after- become to stay indoors for a long period of hip hop to world class stages WE MUST STRIVE wards-type of tongue-in- time, and tend to lose human interaction. through his music. TO CREATE OUR cheek writing that I’ve Then I heard Dubai is getting back to nor- The 25-year-old Indian always enjoyed,” says the mal and the number of Covid-19 cases rapper, born and raised in OWN DEFINITION rapper. aren’t that rampant there, hence we decided Singapore, lifts the veil from OF SELF-WORTH. For all its sensory to take a flight to Dubai. Now, travelling his effortlessly swaggering delights, The Dance Song is amid a pandemic is a whole process in new single, The Dance Song a self-celebrating identity- itself! We booked our tickets from Emirates along with a visually spec- driven anthem that affirms a airlines but at the last moment got to know trum-blasting music video itage can be, in his latest valid perspective that we lot more that James cannot travel because Mahara- directed by frequent collabo- release. The single features the shouldn’t let society define importance needs to be given Dance Song is shtra government issued guidelines against rator Jasper Tan aka Vadbibes. singular and most compelling who we are and we must to expressing your true self a brand-new defining experi- allowing Emirates to carry NRIs and my Hailed as one of the first few helping of what the audiences strive to create our own defin- rather than conforming to ence for the artist himself and beau an American native. With a whole to come to the limelight have come to love about Yung ition of self-worth. “The something that is phony. it is amply reflected in the turnover of our ticketing process and shift- amongst Indian rappers for Raja that’s dashing sense of Dance Song embodies cele- Celebrating yourself is a pow- side of himself that he pre- ing to another airline, we finally reached his easy-going English-Tamil humour, unrelenting charm brating your identity and erful act of self-care. I don’t sents therein. Language and our destination and I must say Dubai is tak- rap, he flexes his seamless and a distinct self-belief that spreading positivity in the know why, but rappers are so charm, his most formidable ing complete care of its travellers with prop- bilingual flow, proving to the manifests in a hybridised world in a jubilant manner. I obsessed with wanting to be veneers, rapid-fire, bar-for-bar er measures. I finally feel unconfined here,” world that Tamil rap has English-Tamil flow that is believe this song encourages cool all the time. This is a per- delivery blend into a singular- shares Shama. With a better understanding taken a life of its own in Asian deeply potent and intensely the message of embracing sonal undertaking for me as ity like never before. Whether of the virus now, Shama Sikander is looking Hip Hop. poignant without trying too your authenticity rather than well as to learn how to let go English or Tamil, every line is forward to an astounding Christmas and Yung Raja, known for mak- hard to be so. Never before being caught up in what’s and embrace the person that I quotable and liberally inter- New Year’s time with beau James Milliron! ing music ripe with culture, has there been an artist like expected of you as an artist. am and through that process spersed. Every line is a sweet shows fans how powerful him in the ecosystem of Being yourself is far more inspire others to do the same! spot of humour, confidence owning your story and her- Southeast Asian hip-hop and important than being cool. A Be free!” outlines Raja. and charisma! 10

Tuesday November 17 2020 what’s brewing?

Honestly, I Radhika Madan learns didn't know swimming before signing swimming for next film Shiddat the project. I GAURI KHAN adhika Madan has been the roles she would like to do Shiddat, I am essaying the consistently impressing in future. role of a swimmer. Honestly, I learnt it now. It Rwith her roles lately, “I want to do roles I haven’t didn’t know swimming before took me four to on how to make a and she says she will leave no done before. I don’t like to signing the project. I learnt it five months to stone unturned in her bid to play the same character again now. It took me four to five prove her mettle as a versatile and again. It’s very important months to learn how to swim. learn how to artiste. The young actress for an actor to play different I want to play different roles. swim. I want to chic statement scored as Irrfan Khan’s daug- roles and takes different chal- I don’t want the audience to play different hter in Angrezi Medium earli- lenges,” she said. put me in a box,” she said. er this year, after her perfor- The actress claims the nov- Shiddat, co-starring Mohit roles. I don't auri Khan has created a compendi- mance in her debut film elty of character is a reason Raina, Diana Penty and want the um of luxurious marble objet darts Patakha won her many fans. she is excited about her next Sunny Kaushal, is directed by audience to put Gfor International lifestyle brand, Radhika opened up about release, Shiddat. Kunal Deshmukh of Jannat me in a box Arnaya's Festive Collection. It offers distin- her upcoming projects and “In my upcoming film fame. guished gifting options for the festive sea- son with a distinctly contemporary design language. Inspired by hope and humanity, the impeccably crafted collection makes a luxurious addition to any home or office. Divyenndu The interior designer tells all the details on her new collaboration. Sharma reveals Read Excerpts: I'm a romantic at Do you agree that one of the positive out- his game-changer comes of the pandemic is that people have started dining in and socialising has project moved to the interior spaces of our homes? ctor Divyenndu Sharma Gauri: Yes, socialising has changed. I don’t says his debut film socialise too much anyway, and the pan- APyaar Ka Punchnama heart: Amaal Mallik demic has meant more time with family, was the game changer project which has been nice. Smaller, meaningful in his career and life as it gave usic composer and for or meant for you,” he meetings with friends at home are always him fame, recognition and singer Amaal Mallik added. nice — which have been more frequent. respect. Msays though he does- Mallik, also praised lyricist “Overnight, it changed n't have a fixed process to duo Rashmi Virag, saying With intimate gatherings at home there is everything for me. Liquid (his create compositions, he often they have taken the track to a renewed focus on interiors, what should character’s name) attained cult draws inspiration from life to a whole other level with their one focus on? status. It was almost like an inform his career. words. Gauri: The focus should be on creating underground film. My very His debut pop single Tu “We shot the video in spaces that offer both comfort and style. first film gave me fame, recog- Mera Nahi, which was Dubai, which coincidentally Chic interiors, statement decor elements nition and respect,” he added. released on November 5 by was the place my career in and the colours you use make all the differ- He says the film has a spe- Sony Music India, too has film music began — with ence. You spend a lot of time at home, so cial place in his heart. stemmed from one of those Salman Khan sir’s film Jai the interiors should reflect your sense of “I had quite fortunate films experiences. Ho. In a lot of ways life has aesthetic. on the way. Mirzapur and “I don’t have a fixed come full circle for me, Munna (his character in the process as such, I like to which I’m very grateful for. Diwali is a time for gifting, what makes web series Mirzapur) became draw from life experiences “We shot the video in Arnaya’s marble objet d'arts a unique and special in a different way and weave a story around October, when COVID-19 statement gift which is sure to be appreci- because I could show other them. I’m a romantic at cases were higher in India ated and loved? sides of me as an actor. So this heart, and that’s why you see but Dubai was doing better. Gauri: My festive collection for Arnaya is series becomes special, also,” a lot of those influences in Right from taking a small inspired by the twin themes of hope and he added. my songs too,” Mallik told crew, quarantining soon as THE humanity. The pieces showcase the natural Divyendu is now all set to PTI in an interview when we landed there, to main- beauty of marble and stone and the craft- play Akhil Srivastav in the asked to describe his process taining social distancing, FOCUS SHOULD BE ing is impeccable. It is a versatile range upcoming web-series, Bicchoo of making music. ensuring everyone on set that offers an array of gifting options Ka Khel. The music composer, who was sanitised and wore ON CREATING SPACES that will add a dash of style and opu- made his debut in 2014 by masks, we ensured all safety lence to any space. composing three songs guidelines were followed,” he THAT OFFER BOTH COMFORT for Bollywood super- All said. AND STYLE. CHIC INTERIORS, Your checklist for a party / dinner star Salman Khan’s my songs capsu- The music director, who STATEMENT DECOR ELEMENTS AND at home? Jai Ho, hopes late a particular emo- has composed for films such Gauri: Covid is still here, so keep through Tu Mera Tu Mera Nahi as Sanam Re, Kapoor & Sons, THE COLOURS YOU USE MAKE ALL your gatherings small. Arrange Nahi the team is tion. is one Azhar and MS Dhoni: The your seating with social distanc- able to convey such universal emotion that Untold Story, believes the THE DIFFERENCE. YOU SPEND A ing in mind and maintain a flow the message of music industry is a subset of of natural air with windows open. acceptance and everyone has felt at some point the Indian film industry. LOT OF TIME AT HOME, SO THE You can balance the sense of moving on. in their life. It talks about the “I feel we have a music warmth and intimacy with good “A l l my s o n g s industry within the film INTERIORS SHOULD REFLECT lighting and circular seating. encapsulate a ability to walk away from any some point in their life — industry. The reason we see YOUR SENSE OF Beautifully plated and presented food particular emo- experience or relationship be it losing a friend or loved more recreations is because and table arrangements will add to the tion. Tu Mera one. The song talks about people want to re-introduce AESTHETIC festive feel. Nahi is one such, that isn’t working for the ability to walk away some iconic songs to the universal emotion or meant for. from any experience or rela- younger generation,” he con- that everyone has felt at tionship that isn’t working cluded.

FUN

ARCHIE CALVIN AND HOBBES

GARFIELD REALITY CHECK SPEED BUMP CROSSWORD

NANCY

SUDOKU Yesterday’s solution

GINGER MEGGS

Rules l Each row and column can contain each number (1 to 9) exactly once. l The sum of all numbers in any row or column must equal 45. sport 12 TUESDAY | NOVEMBER 17, 2020

PTI n NEW DELHI

avid Warner and Steve Smith’s presence does make Australia Dstronger but Cheteshwar SMITH, WARNER'S PRESENCE A CHALLENGE: PUJARA Pujara has full faith in India’s “remarkable" bowlers, who, he feels, possess the wherewithal to script a repeat of the historic 2018-19 Test KL hones his pull shot series victory. Pujara’s 500 plus runs with three top-notch hundreds formed the cor- nerstone of a 2-1 series win back with tennis ball training then, India’s first in Australia in 71 years. However, Smith and Warner PTI n SYDNEY STAND-IN WHITE BALL VICE- didn’t play in that series due to their CAPTAIN WITH TENNIS BALLS ball-tampering bans. Pujara's 500 plus AFTER COMPETING ON THE AIMED AT HIS RIB CAGE. “It (Australian batting line-up) runs with three SLOW UAE TRACKS FOR RAHUL WAS TRYING TO KEEP will be a little stronger than what it NEARLY TWO MONTHS THE PULL SHOT DOWN, AN was in 2018-19 but then victories top-notch DURING THE IPL, INDIA’S ART HIS SKIPPER VIAT KOHLI don’t come easy. If you want to win hundreds formed STAR STUDDED BATTING HAS MASTERED OVER THE away from home, you need to work the cornerstone LINE-UP IS GEARING UP FOR YEARS, ROLLING HIS hard,” India’s dependable No.3 told of a 2-1 series THE LIVELY AUSTRALIAN WRISTS. PTI in an exclusive interview before PITCHES WITH THE WITH TRAINING MODULES he embarked on the tour of Australia. win back then, TRADITIONAL TENNIS BALL UNDERGOING A SEA CHANGE, Pujara believes that India’s fast India's first in TRAINING ON MONDAY. NOW THE TENNIS RACQUETS bowling troika of Jasprit Bumrah, Australia in 71 IN-FORM KL RAHUL SPENT ARE USED TO ADD MORE Ishant Sharma and Mohammed CONSIDERABLE TIME IN PACE TO THE LIGHT TENNIS Shami can again work up some years. However, PERFECTING HIS PULL-SHOTS BALLS. magic like in 2018-19, posing a lot Smith and Warner WITH DELIVERIES HURLED TEAM’S SENIOR SPEEDSTER of discomfort for the home batting didn't play in that FROM 18 YARDS DURING MOHAMMED SHAMI POSTED line-up. The upcoming Tests are MONDAY’S NET SESSION. A VIDEO ON HIS PERSONAL scheduled to start on December 17. series due to THERE WAS NOTHING TWITTER HANDLE, WHERE HE “No doubt Smith, Warner and their ball- UNUSUAL IN SUCH SESSION WAS SEEN BOWLING WITH Marnus Labuschagne are great play- tampering bans AS PLAYERS TRAIN LIKE THIS THE PINK KOOKABURRA ers. But the good part about our cur- WHEN THEY GEAR UP TO BALL. “THERE IS NO BETTER rent crop of bowlers is that most of COMPETE ON TRACKS WHERE FEELING THAN TO PLAY FOR them play in the same series and our THERE IS STEEP BOUNCE ON YOUR COUNTRY. A LONG bowling unit will also not be very dif- OFFER. IN A VIDEO POSTED WAIT TO BOWL IN THE ferent to what it was in 2018-19.” is nearing 6000 Test runs (5840 in 77 and get used to it (pink ball and thing that I can’t discuss. I prefer not ON TWITTER BY THE BCCI, #TEAMINDIA NETS FINALLY For India’s fast bowlers, it’s like games) with 18 hundreds in his kitty. lights) as early possible. There will be talking about it. It’s a strategic thing RAHUL’S SENIOR TEAMMATE ENDED TODAY! LOOKING a “been there, done that” situation. “It will be a different challenge a bit of difference with pink ball. which can’t be divulged. RAVICHANDRAN ASHWIN WAS FORWARD TO OUR “They know how to be success- altogether playing with pink ball as “The twilight period is more “Even during the last tour, my SEEN USING A TENNIS AUSTRALIAN TOUR,” SHAMI ful in Australia as they have enjoyed pace and bounce also changes. We challenging than other periods but as preparation was good, I am confi- RACQUET AND SERVING THE TWEETED. success there in the past. They have will be playing with pink kookabur- you play more and practice more, dent that I am able to repeat the same their game-plans in place and if we can execute them well, they are Cheteshwar Pujara left, Virat Kohli right practice during training session Cheteshwar Pujara/Twitter When the Indian team succeeds, it impacted millions of lives and peo- capable of getting Smith, Warner and is always a moment of pride,’ he rec- ple have lost lives. In normal circum- Labuschagne out quickly. ra in Australia (against Bangladesh, you get used to it. It does take a lit- preparation before this series also. I tionally well but you need support ollected. stances, we would have played “If we can do what we have done it was Pink SG Test). It will be slight- tle while...” always try and add a few more things from other players to win. Even the Pujara has practised for a good domestic cricket and gone to in the past, I am sure we have every ly different.” An astute student of the game, in my game, which will help me get bowling unit was remarkable during two months at his academy in Australia but everyone needs to chance of winning the series again.” He believes that overcoming the Pujara is known to work on his with better,” he said. the last series. Rajkot under the watchful eyes of his think about safety and security. The opening Test in Adelaide is challenges of playing their first over- father Arvind Pujara, who is also his The 32-year-old is confident “In the end, you need 20 wick- father. “As far as I am concerned, I am a Day-Night game and batting seas Day/night Test will have to hap- one and only coach. that history will repeat itself in ets to win a Test and wasn't just my Does it bother that before leav- happy if I am able to practice, do my against the pink kookaburra during pen collectively. He has plans in place but won’t Australia this time. performance, even other batters ing for Australia, he didn’t get fitness, running sessions and move the twilight session will pose its own “As a team and as individuals, like to divulge much. “You can’t win matches on your supported at some stage or the enough match practice? my body well, which I did,” he con- set of challenges, said the man who one has to understand and accept “The technical aspect is some- own. Yes, you can perform excep- other. It was the team’s success. “Look, this is a sitiaton that has cluded. Cummins not sure about Nadal, Thiem start with win AP n LONDON tiebreaker in last year’s final to in the second set with a forehand playing white ball series clinch the biggest title of his passing shot before leveling the ominic Thiem made sure career. But he let the first-set match. He had a chance to PTI n SYDNEY and Manchester on Australia’s Dthis year’s ATP Finals did- tiebreaker slip away this time, break back at 3-1 in the third but white-ball tour of the UK n’t begin the same way last after leading 4-1 and 5-3. Facing netted a backhand, letting out a ustralia pace spearhead before flying to the UAE for year’s ended. set point, the Greek failed to put scream of frustration after the APat Cummins on Monday the IPL, where he was with his Thiem outlasted Stefanos away a fairly simple overhead at miss. Thiem eventually held said he is yet to take a call on franchise Kolkata Knight Tsitsipas in a rematch of the 2019 the net before sending a lob long serve after a game that went to whether to play in the limit- Riders. final, beating the defending to hand Thiem the lead. six deuces, and was never trou- ed-overs series against India He is now in Sydney champion 7-6 (5), 4-6, 6-3 “That was the silliest thing bled the rest of the way. beginning November 27 even spending 14 days quaranti- Sunday in the opening singles that ever happened to me,” “That was crazy, I was pret- though he is feeling fresh ning and will join the squad match of the tournament inside Tsitsipas said about his overhead ty tight I must say in that game,” after spending three months on November 27, the day of a largely empty O2 Arena. shot. Thiem said about his hold for 4- inside bio-secure bubbles. the opening one-dayer at the In the late match, Rafael “I had ball over the net, and 1. Cummins, who returned SCG. Nadal had a much easier time I decided to play forehand “I think that was the last key last week from the UAE where Despite enduring bio- against newcomer Andrey instead of a smash. I don’t know moment where the match went he turned up for Kolkata bubbles for three months now, Rublev, beating the Russian 6-3, what kind of decision was that.” finally in my direction.” Knight Riders in the Indian Cummins said he felt it is a Paine wants 6-4 in just 1 hour, 17 minutes. Tsitsipas broke for a 2-1 lead Nadal steered the evening Premier League, has been “pretty good place”. Nadal is looking to cap a match in his direction from the hopping between bio-secure “One of the benefits of season in which he earned start, losing just five points on his bubbles since touching down being in a bubble in the UAE his record-equaling 20th serve in the first set. He broke for in England in late August but was we didn’t spend much Burns to open Grand Slam title and a 4-2 lead when Rublev sent a he allayed fears of fatigue. time travelling. A normal IPL 1,000th match win on shot long, and the Russian then “(I) haven’t made a final we’re on a flight every second tour by capturing slammed his racket into the decision on that yet. (It’s) day, different city, so I think PTI n MELBOURNE that he would like or scored the his first trophy at ground in frustration. unprecedented times with so sometimes that can be as runs he would like. But we know the ATP Rublev entered the tourna- many people spending a large draining as the playing part. romising Australia batsman he does a good job. Finals. He has ment as one of the hottest play- portion of time in these bub- “No doubt as well, the six PWill Pucovski may have to “He averages close to 40 in qualified for ers on tour, having won five titles bles so we’re going to keep all or seven months we had at wait for his much-anticipated Test cricket for Australia, which the season- this season, but looked unsettled the conversations open, chat home (during the winter) put Test debut with skipper Tim is a great effort opening the bat- ending event for a against Nadal and continuous- about that a bit closer to us in a pretty good place Paine showing keenness to per- ting, and I expect him to start record 16 straight ly gesticulated and shouted to when we all get together,” leading into the England tour sist with struggling Joe Burns this summer,” he added. years but lost in the final himself between points. Cummins said when asked and IPL. when the high-stakes series Many former players, twice and missed six editions This is the 12th and last year about resting ahead of the Test Pat Cummins celebrates after taking “Coming in fresh to those against India begins next including ex-captain Mark because of injuries. that the ATP Finals is played at summer. wicket during IPL KKR/twitter tours it doesn’t feel like the month. Taylor, Ian Chappell, Michael “It’s important to start well, the 02 Arena before moving to “There’s always cricket on, end of the summer, it feels like Despite Pucovski scoring Clarke and Kim Hughes have of course, for the confidence, Turin, Italy, next year. Because so we’ll make sure we’re all Warner, will get only a week I’m ready to start the tour and truckload of runs, including called for Pucovski to debut at because winning in straight sets of the coronavirus pandemic open about that, having those to prepare for the opening in a pretty good place.” consecutive double centuries Adelaide Oval in light of his helps,” Nadal said. there are no fans inside the conversations,” said the 27- Test, a day-nighter in Cummins also said he in the Marsh Sheffield Shield, sparkling form and the struggles “I played solid with my 20,000-capacity venue this time year-old during a video con- Adelaide. won't be going out there to Australia Test captain Paine of Burns. serve. I didn’t suffer much, and - meaning the normally raucous ference as reported by 'crick- “I wouldn’t be surprised if intimidate the Indins but if he hinted that Burns may contin- Chairman of selectors that helps to play more relaxed atmosphere has been replaced et.Com.Au'. there’s times throughout the manages to have the effect, it ue his opening partnership with Trevor Hohns and coach Justin on the returns.” by an eerie silence interrupted Cummins has been summer where some players would be a bonus. David Warner. Langer have also indicated that Thiem, who won his first only by muted named in both the white and might just need a little rest “If it happens I’ll be happy. “Burnsy had a really good Burns is unlikely to be left out major at this year’s U.S. Open, applause from the red-ball squads as vice-cap- knowing not only how busy Hopefully the (pitch) condi- summer for us last year with of the Test team. broke Tsitsipas for a 2-0 lead players' boxes tain. The limited-overs series this next couple of months is tions will be what we as David Warner, their partnership Burns averaged 11.4 with in the third set with a drop between points. is to be held in Sydney and but also a tour of South Africa Aussies are accustomed to,” he and relationship is a really only one score above 20 but he shot at the net and convert- On Monday, Canberra ahead of the four- (February-March) and a few said. important one for our team,” was Australia's third highest ed his second match point Djokovic will face match Test series, beginning away tours next year,” said “Hopefully they’ve got a Paine was quoted as saying by run-scorer last summer (256 at when Tsitsipas sent a in Adelaide on December 17. Cummins, who has taken 143 bit more bounce and pace Australian Associated Press. 32.00). forehand wide. debutant Diego Australia’s Test players in wickets from 30 Tests. than you would a place like “They got us off to a num- The four-Test series will Tsitsipas Schwartzman before Daniil the white-ball squad, includ- The right-armer was in India so that home advantage ber of good starts last year. begin with day/night Test at beat Thiem in Medvedev takes on 2018 cham- ing Steve Smith and David bio-bubbles in Southampton might come into it.” Burnsy hasn’t been in the form Adelaide from December 17. a third-set pion Alexander Zverev.

AP n ROME a win in his first four matches in charge when his team drew 1-1 hree years after an embarrass- with Spain on Wednesday, follow- Ting failure to qualify for the Three Lions out of Nations League ing a defeat and two more draws World Cup, Italy is back in con- since taking over from Ronald tention with the best in Europe. for Italy midway through the first is next with 10 following a 2-1 win Koeman. England, meanwhile, is already half after Andrea Belotti was AN ITALY SQUAD over Iceland. England has seven out of contention for the Nations brought down inside the area. and Iceland none. WINNING WALES League finals with one round of Domenico Berardi added another BADLY HIT BY THE Belgium needs only a draw at Wales is the only unbeaten matches still to play. goal late in the second half after CORONAVIRUS STILL home with Denmark on team in League B following a 1-0 An Italy squad badly hit by the collecting a pass from Lorenzo Wednesday to reach the finals. win over Ireland, courtesy of David coronavirus still managed to beat Insigne. MANAGED TO BEAT Brooks' second-half header. Poland 2-0 on Sunday, putting the Italy leads Group 1 in League POLAND 2-0 ON DE BOER FINALLY WINS Now Wales needs only to avoid Azzurri in control of their group, A with nine points. The Frank de Boer finally has his defeat at home against second- while England was beaten 2-0 by Netherlands is next with eight SUNDAY, PUTTING first win as Netherlands coach after place Finland to earn promotion to top-ranked Belgium. points after beating Bosnia 3-1. THE AZZURRI IN Georginio Wijnaldum scored a the top tier. Another win at Bosnia- Poland is still in contention with swift brace to lead his team to a 3- “We didn’t play that well today, Herzegovina on Wednesday will seven points, while Bosnia trails CONTROL OF THEIR 1 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina. but we came out fighting in the see Italy hosting the four-team with two. GROUP, WHILE Wijnaldum, captain in the second half. It’s another three finals in October — just a few absence of his injured Liverpool points and that's what matters months after hosting the opening BELGIUM NEARS FINALS ENGLAND WAS teammate Virgil van Dijk, tapped and it sets up well for Wednesday,” game of the European Dries Mertens scored a superb BEATEN 2-0 BY TOP- in from close range in the sixth and said Wales captain Gareth Bale. Championship in Rome. free kick as Belgium ended 14th minutes to set up the win in “We have a great record at the Mancini is isolating at home England’s hopes of reaching the RANKED BELGIUM the empty Johan Cruyff Arena. moment and it’s great to get the with the coronavirus, as is striker finals. Wijnaldum has now scored win. I love playing for Wales, but Ciro Immobile, the winner of the Belgium took the lead 10 min- seven of his country's last 12 goals. the most important thing is that European Golden Shoe last season. utes in when Romelu Lukaku set over the English wall - which Memphis Depay got the this team keeps winning.” In all, more than 20 Italy players up Youri Tielemans for a deflect- mostly failed to jump - after Kevin Netherlands' third goal. In Group 1, Austria beat were unavailable due to the virus ed shot. De Bruyne was fouled. The victory eases pressure on Northern Ireland 2-1 to also stay and injury. Mertens made it 2-0 in the Belgium leads Group 2 in De Boer, who became the first on course for promotion with four Jorginho converted a penalty 24th by expertly curling his kick League A with 12 points. Denmark Belgium's Youri Tielemans celebrates after scoring his team's first goal AP Netherlands coach not to register wins in five games. 12

Tuesday November 17 2020 tollywood

After a hockey player, Sense ledu, censor ledu: SUNDEEP TO PLAY One of a kind A ROWDY NEXT comedy enali Ramakrishna like rowdyism in the first BA BL might not place. Situations force him talk show have been a big to become one. He and the T draw at the box- director understand that omedy is Tamasha with the office but Sundeep their earlier collabora- The actor will be not a fresh ever-so-whacky and Kishan had a gala tion was a misfire take in the funny Harsha! An time working with G but this time spearheading G Nageswara Telugu film unusual and never- Nageswara Reddy for the around, they are C industry done-before concept project. It was evident when pretty and popu- in Telugu entertain- he said that shooting for it Reddy’s next, where he will lar influencer Harsha ment space, the had been the most fun he Chemmudu is back in show’s tagline — ever had in his entire career, be seen as an innocent a new avatar on Aha Sense Ledu, Censor while promoting it last year streaming app, after Ledu — has already in Hyderabad. rowdy. Set in Color Photo! Comedy set the ball rolling “I consider myself specials come in many among the young lucky to have gotten an Vizag, the forms like stand-up, Telugu speaking audi- opportunity to be sketch comedy or ence. A spontaneous directed by Nageswara filming improvisations, but conversation and per- Reddy. I learnt a lot Harsha has come up sonality of the host from him, especially will with one-of-a-kind are going to be the some minute details. Telugu comedy talk ultimate trademark of I was ashamed I didn’t kick-off show Tamasha With this show. It’s a defi- know about them until Harsha which aims at nite that you will have now,” he had said last year. from next month, poking fun by roast- fun with a beautiful No wonder, the actor is tak- ing celebrities in asso- blend of familiarity of ing his association with the finds NAGARAJ ciation with Aha, showbiz stars and director further. According which has garnered a Harsha’s freshness in to a source, he has given his sure good reputation for the comedy genre. nod to Reddy once again, of winning the box-office. GOUD producing out-of-the- Currently stealing the with the untitled project set Reddy is directing from a box entertainment. show with his great to go in front of the cameras script of writer Bhanu.” The show is going acting as Bala Yesu in in December second week. The source adds that to make you laugh Colour Photo, Harsha The source informs, “It is writer Kona Venkat and pro- December out of amusement has had a great year an innocent action-comedy ducer MVV Satyanarayana 10. Reddy will be ready with and mostly at the on screen with mem- and revolves around a family are jointly producing the the first copy by mid- exaggerating charac- orable performances at the centre of which will be flick, whose official February,” the source con- teristics of humour in Shit Happens, Sundeep. It’s an interesting announcement is around the cludes. Right now, Sun-deep that's on-point. Krishna and His characterization for the corner. “The story unfolds in is filming for A1 Exp-ress, Premiering on Leela, Bhanumathi & actor as he will be playing an Visakhapatnam and the whose filming is in the final November 6, the Ramakrishna and innocent rowdy who doesn’t shoot will kick-off from leg. show aims at provid- Maa Vintha Gaadha ing some fun Vinuma. JISSHU to play a cop in Andhadhun remake engali actor Jisshu Sengupta, who won rich reviews for his turns in films like Aswathama and Bheeshma earlier this year, will be playing a sup- porting role in Andhadhun Telugu remake, star- B ring Nithiin, Tamannaah and Nabha Natesh. “Jisshu will be seen as a cop in the film. He is ctress Kajal reprising the part that was played by Manav Vij in the Aggarwal went original. Nithiin was highly in favour of Jisshu after the deep sea diving latter’s performance in Bheeshma. The makers too had Kajal Aggarwal, hubby with husband no issues as such,” a source close to the unit says. A Gautam Kitchlu A crime thriller at the center of which is a pianist during their who may or may not be blind, the remake will go to honeymoon in Maldives. floors next month. A major part of it will be shot in goes deep sea diving Kajal posted a couple Satirical film Goa. The original has been tailored slightly, especially of pictures on Nithiin’s characterisation, the source Instagram. While in one adds. she is swimming under- The actor’s home banner water all by herself, in on AI soon Sresth Movies is producing the other the actress is the film, while Tagore Of charm, energy & intricacy swimming with Gautam. fter receiving ligence. Madhu is the presenter. “Be alone with the sea acclaim for Full Moon Media Bollywood cinematographer he creators of beauty, hustle-bustle, rou- every-day life that every- for it is there you will Paper Boy, Productions banner’s Ravi Hari Vedantam, who shot upcoming tel- tine lifestyle and local del- one will be able to relate, find answers to ques- A director Polishetty will be produc- films like Munna Michael ugu family icacies. Composed by feel and cherish. I am sure tions you didn’t realise Jayshankar is ing the film that attacks and Heropanti, has been T comedy Middle Sweekar Agasthi & back- the mouth-watering edi- exist!” Kajal captioned back with the new age dependence signed on as the director Class Melodies ground score by RH bles picturized in the song the first image. Vitamin She. The film on artificial intelligence. of photography, while released its first Vikram, this soothing will make you hop on Alongside the second stars YouTube and inde- “AI’s dominance over us Mahati Sagar is the song recently. Ever since song is a must have track your favourite food right picture, she wrote, “I pendent, short films actor humans, and its conse- tunesmith. — the motion poster of the in your playlist. away.” love the ocean. I’ve Shrikanth Gurram, and quences and dangers is NG Anand Deverakonda and Additionally, Guntur is Directed by Vinod always liked the blue, so newbie Prachi, a Gujarati what the film is all about, Vrasha Bollama-star- written by Kittu Anantoju, the film is pro- tranquil and peaceful actress, in lead roles. with humour and satire,” rer was unveiled, Vissapragada and sung by duced under the banner and gliding. And the Actors Ranjit Reddy, shared the director. He there has been a Anurag Kulkarni. Bhavya Creation and is all fear of it.” Vikas, Moin, Sanjeev added that the film was lot of anticipa- Speaking about the set to premiere this festive Kajal informed friends Joshi, and Ashok will be shot during the lockdown tion amongst composition, Sweekar season from November and fans about her wed- playing important but care was taken to viewers for Agasthi shared, 20. ding last month. Right characters in never compromise either Middle Class “Middle Class Melodies The film was shot in now, the couple is hon- this film on the story, acting or on Melodies. is a heart-warming Kollapur and Kolakaluru. eymooning at a resort in about technical aspects. “The Giving a story about dreams, All of the characters speak Conrad Maldives artifi- film’s first look poster was poetic peek beliefs, struggles and in the Guntur dialect for Rangali Island. cial also released recently by into Guntur hopes. The film is based the film and Devarakonda intel- renowned director Krish. city, the out of Guntur, a beautiful also learned cooking for The response was over- eponymous small town in Andhra the film. Sunny whelming. The film sound Pradesh, and through the Kurapati,who worked as is almost ready track cap- music I have tried to the cinematographerfor and will hit tures encapsulate the city’s Dorasaani is the cine- screens its charm, find beauty in matographer for this film. soon,” he said.