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Digvijay has been a bitter #   critic of the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS),  the ideological guide of the BJP, and had allegedly linked it to the 2008 Mumbai terror attack $    R carried out by Pakistani ter- rorists.   !$%!&'( The BJP also decided to field KP Yadav from Guna, a etting the stage for an epic seat held by senior Sbattle in Bhopal, the BJP on leader Jyotiraditya Scindia who Wednesday fielded Sadhvi is contesting from there. The  Pragya Singh Thakur, facing BJP has named Raj Bahadur trial in Malegaon blast case, in Singh and Ramakant Bhargav elections, against as its nominees from Sagar and Congress heavyweight and for- Vidisha respectively. mer Madhya Pradesh Chief External Affairs Minister Minister Digvijay Singh. Sushma Swaraj had won from Out on bail, Sadhvi joined Vidisha in 2014 but she is not the BJP only hours before the fighting polls this time due to party announced her name as health reasons. its candidate from Bhopal. This Born in Bhind district of is being seen as a clear attempt Madhya Pradesh, Sadhvi has by the BJP to bring the had a long association with the Hindutva plank at the centre Sangh Parivar. A post-graduate stage of polls in the State, in history, she worked with the where the BJP had won 27 out RSS student wing Akhil of 29 seats in 2014 LS polls. Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad “I will contest the election and Durga Vahini, women’s from Bhopal and win. Former wing of the Vishwa Hindu Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Parishad. Chouhan is with me,” Sadhvi Arrested in the 2008  said after emerging out of the Malegaon blast case, she was BJP office at Bhopal. given a clean chit by the In a way, the face-off National Investigation Agency between Digvijay and Sadhvi (NIA), but the trial court sented by the AIADMK, fol- will also be seen as a battle refused to discharge her from   !$%!&'( lowing recovery of huge between the hardcore Hindutva the case. amount of cash allegedly from represented by the likes of        !"    # #     #           The court dropped the he second phase of Lok an associate of a DMK leader. Sadhvi and equally dyed-in-  # $   % !    # $   % charges under the Maharashtra TSabha polls for 95 seats will The EC also announced the-wool “secularism” propa- Control of Organised Crime decide the fate of several stal- postponement of polling in gated by the likes of Digvijay. people’s court by fielding several accused, including A senior BJP leader said Hindutva” faces of the Act (MCOCA) against her, warts, including Union Tripura (East) Lok Sabha seat At a rally in Odisha, BJP Sadhvi against Digvijay, he Swami Aseemanand, in the party decided to field Congress. and she is now being tried Ministers Jitendra Singh, Jual to the third phase on April 23, president Amit Shah on said, accusing the Congress of Samjhauta Express blast case, Sadhvi, who joined the party Also being a high-profile under the Unlawful Activities Oram, Sadananda Gowda and saying the prevailing law and Wednesday described Digvijay defaming by coining Shah attacked the Congress and hours before her candidature seat as the Madhya Pradesh Prevention Act. She was grant- Pon Radhakrishnan, former order situation there is not con- as the “creator” of “saffron ter- terms like “Hindu terror” and said people of Bhopal will pun- was announced, against capital, it can help rally support ed bail by the Bombay High Prime Minister HD Deve ducive for free and fair polls. ror” phrase. The BJP has decid- “saffron terror”. ish Digvijay and Congress pres- Digvijay as the latter has been for the BJP across the State and Court in 2017. Gowda and DMK’s Dayanidhi The stake is high for the ed to take the matter to the Referring to the acquittal of ident Rahul Gandhi. one of the most visible “anti- even outside, he added. Continued on Page 4 Maran, A Raja and Kanimozhi. AIADMK which had swept Altogether 1,600-odd contes- the polls in 2014 and has gone tants are in the fray from 11 from one internal crisis to States and the Union Territory another after the death of its          of Puducherry. supreme leader J Jayalalithaa. Thirty eight of the 39 Lok The party has formed a strong Sabha seats in Tamil Nadu will alliance with PMK and DMDK   !$%!&'( Modi took to twitter in the go to polls and bypolls will be to take on the might of DMK- morning to express anguish    held in 18 Assembly con- Cong-Left alliance, which is s many as 50 people died over the loss of lives in the rain stituencies. The Election expected to win at least two Aand several others injured in Gujarat and announced Commission cancelled the third of the 39 seats, as per var- due to unseasonal rain, dust relief. Soon afterwards Madhya  polling in Vellore Lok Sabha ious opinion polls. storm and lightning in Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal seat, which is currently repre- Continued on Page 4 Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Nath hit out at the Prime Maharashtra and Gujarat. It has Minister, accusing him of being   !$%!&'( caused damage to property, concerned only about his home wheat crops, mango, and pota- State Gujarat. elhiites woke up to a pleas- toes and vegetables in north, The PMO in a tweet later Dant Wednesday morning, central parts of the country. said, “PM @narendramodi has with the temperature drop- It is estimated that proper- expressed grief at loss of lives ping following overnight rain ties and crops worth several due to unseasonal rain and and gusty winds. The maxi- hundred crores have been dam- storms in MP, Rajasthan, mum temperature settled at aged. Several cattle were also Manipur & various parts of the 29.5 degrees Celsius, seven killed in rain-related incidents. country”. notches below the season’s According to the India  )    #    )       “An ex gratia of 2 lakh average, while the minimum Meteorological Department '  * )   $   % each for the next of kin of those temperature was recorded at (IMD), unseasonal rain, thun- who lost their lives due to 19.0 degrees Celsius, derstorm, lightning and high Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram unseasonal rain & storms in three notches below the nor- speed wind were caused by , Punjab and Bihar. An and Tripura, and Odisha are MP, Rajasthan, Manipur & mal, a Met department official active Western Disturbance amber colour warning indicates likely to get rain and thunder- various parts of the country has said. (WD) over eastern Iran that is that authorities have to remain storm on Friday. been approved from the PM’s The Met office has forecast moving towards east-north- alert for any weather-related Several parts of north and National Relief Fund. 50,000 overcast skies for Thursday eastwards across Afghanistan, exigency. The situation is central India have been wit- each for the injured has also along with the possibility of Pakistan and northwest India. expected to remain the same in nessing thunderstorms, dust been approved,” the PMO said. light rain and thundershowers. According to IMD, the next two-three days in storms, lightning and heavy Union Home Minister “The maximum and minimum Uttrakhand, Punjab, Haryana, North-East and southern parts rain since Sunday. Rajnath Singh said the temperatures are likely to hover Chandigarh, Bihar, Gangetic of the country. According to reports, Government is closely moni- at 33 and 18 degrees Celsius &      ' $    West Bengal and Delhi-NCR As per IMD, Kerala, Rajasthan witnessed the max- toring the situation in rain-hit respectively,” the Met said. on Wednesday witnessed squall Telangana, Sikkim, Karnataka, imum casualties with 21 peo- areas and is ready to provide all The humidity oscillated (wind speed reaching 60-70 Assam, Jharkhand, Meghalya, ple killed in overnight rain- possible assistance to States between 82 and 54 per cent.      !    #$ kilometres per hour) accom- West Bengal, Arunachal related incidents followed by affected by rain and thunder- The Safdarjung observatory, panied with hail and Pradesh and Puducherry may Madhya Pradesh where 15 storm. Officials of the recording of which is consid- : An Indian Crested Porcupine was rescued by Wildlife SOS after it was hit by a vehi- lightning. witness rain, thunderstorm were killed. 10 people were Agriculture Ministry said the ered the official figure for cle in Jawaharlal Nehru University in Delhi on Tuesday night. The porcupine sustained injuries The IMD has issued an with gusty wind on Thursday, killed in Gujarat, three were assessment of loss of crops is Delhi, received 1 mm ‘rain till on its hind legs and is currently under observation. Wasim Akram, Deputy Director-Special amber-coloured warning for while West Bengal, Andhra killed in Maharashtra. being carried out. 8.30 am after which it record- Projects, Wildlife SOS, said, “We are thankful to JNU students for taking quick action that helped parts of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Prime Minister Narendra Continued on Page 4 ed traces of rainfall till 5.30 pm. save the animal’s life.” PNS      O P     

  % &                        N  O   '                !$%!&'( liamentarians they keep meet- When asked about AAP      '   ing and declined to state any- leader Sanjay Singh meeting     ! fter a fresh round of dis- thing about the meeting. him, Azad said as Member of "    # Acussion for the Congress- “Alliance talks between Parliament we keep meeting   !$%!&'( AAP alliance in Delhi and AAP and Congress has been each other so nothing new neighbouring States of Haryana called off following disagree- should be read about. Both eetering for over four and Punjab, the Aam Admi ment over tie-up in Haryana Azad and Singh are members Tmonths due to cash- Party (AAP) on Wednesday and Delhi. The Congress has of the Rajya Sabha. drought, Jet Airways, flying for said the Congress has refused refused to form an alliance in When specifically asked Q&    over 25 years, on Wednesday ing from the lenders or any appeal to the lenders for an to form an alliance in Haryana Haryana, and we do not want in the Press conference about '&&  said its last flight will takeoff on other source is forthcoming, emergency 400 crore funding, and thus the party does “not a tie-up only in Delhi,” said the Congress-AAP alliance for Wednesday night, after its the airline will not be able to and if not the demand is not want a tie-up only in Delhi”. Sanjay Singh , who earlier held Delhi Lok Sabha seats, Azad )   ' lenders refused to offer a 400- pay for fuel or other critical ser- met, take a final call on the While AAP leader and a meeting with Azad following said he is not aware as he is not crore lifeline. vices to keep the operations future of the airline on Rajya Sabha member Sanjay the fresh rounds of expression the AICC incharge of Delhi.    “With immediate effect, going... And has decided to go Wednesday. Singh said alliance talks by party chiefs — Rahul In very defensive answer we are compelled to cancel all ahead with temporary suspen- On Tuesday night, Jet between the AAP and the Gandhi of the Congress and about alliances, Azad said the  !R our international and domes- sion of operations,” it said. Airways — which carries the Congress was called off fol- Arvind Kejriwal of the AAP. Congress is always open to tic flights. The last flight will The last flight of the airline, slogan “the joy of flying” — lowing disagreement over tie- On his part, Azad said he alliances as the party has done Congress would fight from six operate today,” Jet Airways left the Amritsar airport at was informed by SBI, on behalf up in Haryana and Delhi, was not aware of any alliances, it in Bihar, Tamil Nadu, seats, while the Jannayak Janata informed the exchanges. 10.30pm for New Delhi. of the consortium of lenders, senior Congress leader particularly in Haryana of Maharashtra and Jammu & Party (JJP)would field its can- The airline said the deci- After a board meeting on that they were unable to con- Ghulam Nabi Azad, who was which he is also incharge. Kashmir. didates for three seats and one sion follows the lenders refus- Tuesday, the management had sider its request for critical part of the discussion on “Who is doing the alliance? As According to the sources, candidate would be fielded by ing to offer a lifeline. authorised chief executive interim funding, the airline Wednesday, presented a defen- for Haryana there no such Singh proposed 6:3:1 seat shar- the AAP. “Since no emergency fund- Vinay Dube to make one last said in the statement. sive statement and said as par- talks,” said Azad. ing in Haryana in which Continued on Page 4   !"# $   3 !!          !   %!'0.%- %   &   "#$%&!'( '! drop of nearly 12 degrees Celsius in the Amaximum temperature has brought back the chill in the air and has pushed the people to wear take out the woollen clothes which       they had packed with the onset of summers. The sudden decrease in temperature has also raised the chances of viral and other diseases. Apart from this there is a big difference in the maximum and minimum temperature   these days and this diurnal difference in tem- %!'0.%- perature which can cause the people to fall prey to the viral infections. The Physicians of ith the the associated hospital of Government Doon Wrise in Medical College (GDMC) acknowledge that temperature the more of patients suffering from viral fever recorded from and common cold visited the OPD of the hos- mid March the pital on Wednesday. weather activity The senior Physician of Doon hospital, Dr has taken a turn Harish Basera told The Pioneer that sudden recently in vari- drop in temperature would cause problems to ous parts of the the patients of asthma and allergy. He dis- state. Though closed that such weather causes an increase marked as of 15-20 percent in the number of viral fever abrupt change cases. The Physician said that people espe- in weather by cially elderly should wear woollen clothes dur- general ing morning and evenings to avoid catching observers, the cold. “The children and old aged are partic- officials of the   '.0(%$.0 ted seats, last year the college wish to send their girls far for ularly more susceptible for catching cold in this State had admitted 224 girl students, studying. With public schools transitional phase of season. It is recom- Meteorological hirteen year old Samira is but this year it has been being unapproachable on mended that after exercise one should be lit- Centre state that Tall smiles on joining increased to 260. The college account of high fees, GGIC is tle careful and avoid immediate contact with the changed school after her primary edu- principal felicitated the parents the only accessible inter college cold air,” he said. weather activity cation was over in Rishikul of the girls who took admission in the area. The physicians advice that cold water and is a routine fea- government school number in class VI. The inter-college principal drinks should be avoided by the people dur- ture of pre mon- 28. Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao Speaking to The Pioneer, said that three sections of class ing this time of the year and once infected with soon season which is quite normal. by the recent weather activity to agri- Giving information about the campaign is achieving results principal of college GGIC VI are being run for the past cold the people should immediately consult Further, the agriculture in the state may culture he said, “It is true that the warning given to specific areas with in government school for girls Poonam Rana said, “We had few years. This year new rooms the doctor. Many people tend to switch on the experience a bit adverse effect though squall and hail if recorded above nor- considerable agriculture in the state in Jwalapur where the number launched awareness campaigns have been constructed under fans during the day time which according to the hail and squall recorded from the mal can cause damage to the stand- he said, “We give warning for the of seats for girl students has in the township of Jwalapur district programme, new stu- the doctors should be avoided. various places of the state are normal. ing crops and fruits too as this is the whole state. The farming types in been enhanced to 260 in com- announcing admission of girl dents shall be accommodated Common cold is the most common dis- Adding further in this scientist B flowering season. However, the squall plains and mountains region are dif- parison to 224 seats till last students on first come first in the same. ease among humans with an average adult get- Rohit Thapliyal of the State meteo- or hails received so far in various ferent but a majority of places in the academic session. In just four serve basis. The positive results However the shortage of ting two to three infections in a year. The rological centre said, “The hail and places of the state are normal. It is state have agricultural activity so no days, the inter college admit- were seen in the first four days teachers is a perennial issue prevalence of this disease is more in children squall activity in the state or even the likely that crops may have suffered different warning is given by us. ted 260 girl students announc- of admission announcement. with more than half a dozen and old people as their immunity is low. The rainfall activity is not high but a nor- serious damage in some places. In this However, the farmers of any specif- ing admissions closed after the There is no other junior high posts of teachers of subjects symptoms of the disease are sore throat, run- mal pre monsoon activity.” season the farmers use hail net to pro- ic area rich in agriculture are given same. school in the area of Jwalapur, including Biology, English, PT, ning nose, sneezing and fever. Talking more about the damages tect their crops from the hail.” guidance accordingly. ” Notably against 120 allot- and most of the parents do not Hindi and Sanskrit vacant. +P    "#)  0    *    

   ,)     %!'0.%- in 7.4 degree Celsius in ven as rain was experi- Mukteshwar   %!'0.%- lastly multipurpose fire vehicle. Eenced in various parts of the and 14 degree It is pertinent to mention State on Wednesday, the State Celsius and 9.8 n order to strengthen the Fire here that Uttarakhand at pre- meteorological centre has fore- degree Celsius Iand Emergency services of sent has 33 fire stations and cast light rainfall on Thursday respectively in the country, The Central three units with 11 more units too. The meteorological cen- New Tehri. Government has chosen few ready to be set up. The new tre has stated that light to The recent states including Uttarakhand units will be located at Tyuni moderate rain and thunder- weather activ- for procurement of new and Lal Tappar in Dehradun, storm are very likely to occur ity in equipment under Uttarakhand Ghansali in Tehri, Purola in in the majority of places of the Dehradun and Disaster Recovery Project Uttarkashi, Gairsain and state today. elsewhere in (UDRP) with the help of World Badrinath in Chamoli, The provisional state cap- the State has Bank. The Dehradun Chief Bhagwanpur in Haridwar, ital is also likely to experience provided relief Fire Officer said that the state When asked about the time Bazpur in Uddham Singh rain and thunderstorm activi- to the public will probably acquire the equip- period in which state will Nagar, Didihat in Pithoragarh, ty today. The maximum and from the rising ment by June this year. acquire these equipment he Srinagar and Thailsain in Pauri. minimum temperatures in the level of mer- Dehradun CFO Sandeep said, “It is highly probable that About 970 fire fighters are giv- city are likely to be about 27 cury. The Kumar Rana said, “To will procure these equipment ing services day and night in degree Celsius and 15 degree maximum strengthen fire and emergency by June this year.” the state, though as per the Celsius respectively. temperature in services and State Disaster The said equipment will sources about 400 posts of fire Meanwhile the maximum the city has Response Force (SDRF) the come under seven categories fighters are still vacant in the and minimum temperatures dropped about equipment are being provided. including breathing appara- state. It is also worth mention- recorded at various places of 12 degrees in a The proposal has been sent to tus, victim location cameras, ing that from April 14 to 20 the state on Wednesday were duration of them, the budget will be sanc- under water cameras, thermal National Fire Service week is 25.1 degree Celsius and 17.4 four days. tioned by World Bank and imaging camera, fire protection being observed, during which degree Celsius respectively in As per the State 35 degree Celsius which rose to perature dropped to 25.4 degree the state have also registered a administration. Our estima- suits, basic search and rescue various awareness programmes Dehradun, 28.3 degree Celsius Meteorological Centre data the 37 degree Celsius on April 15. Celsius and then to 25.1 degree marked drop in the maximum tion of these equipments is of equipment which include rope are being organised in the and 18.8 degree Celsius in maximum temperature record- After rainfall activity in the city Celsius recorded on April 17. temperature during a period of about Rs 16 crore.” launchers, sleeping bags and state. Pantnagar, 10.6 degree Celsius ed in Dehradun on April 14 was on April 16, the maximum tem- Similarly, other places in four days.       

  %!'0.%- Farooqui remembered world of Among the gathering were having heard great poets like nature and noted English writer Pradeep n informal evening Jigar Moradabadi, Harivansh beauty.He Singh, connoisseur of poetry Aattended by poets and Rai Bachchan and Gopal Das called himself and art Sheikh Amir Ahmed, poetry lovers of Dehradun Neeraj and said that there was a “Himalayan Anil Aggarwal, group captain was held at Books N More hardly any Hindi or Urdu child” as he (retd) PK Rai and Deepti Rai (BNM) to revive the “baith- poet who had not recited in was brought and many other lovers of lit- hak” culture of the Doon val- the valley one time or anoth- up in erature. Pradeep Singh said ley where Sahityik Baithhaks er. There used to be all-night Darjeeling that literary mapping could be used to be held regularly at mushairas attended by and belongs done and people could get to various places including Town Doonites enthusiastically. He toknow through this about all Hall, Parade Ground and at said that poets, especially Uttarakhand. authors living in the region. It the residences of many schol- young poets, could spell hope Doon’s could be linked to the state's ars. for the world. senior Urdu tourism. The gathering was open Doon’s poets Atul Pundir, poet Nadeem The evening was meant, to all who wished to partici- Pratibha Katiyar and Jaskiran Burney in a way, to go back to the pate. Doon School’s senior Chopra recited their poetry regaled the informal interaction that lay faculty member MH Farooqui at the gathering amid the select audi- at the heart of the old baith- conducted the poetry evening cosy ambience of BNM ence with his haks of the valley. BNM’s throwing light on the history which is a book lovers’ book memories of Ashish Narayan Sharma also of writers and writing in the store in the heart of Doon old times in recalled the addebaazi days of valley –recalling his earlier valley. Pundir recited a few Dehradun Doon and appreciated the years in the valley when infor- poems from his book “Itni si and recited readings of the poets. mal and interactive gatherings Toh Baat Hai” while Jaskiran his ghazals Farooqui gave the mes- were an important feature in read out some nazms and and nazms. sage that people should buy the town. Every day there ghazals from here recent col- Members of books of poetry in order to used to be gatherings of lection titled Mera Shehar. the audience encourage poets and the cre- friends over cups of tea at var- Her poetry took people back shared their ation of poetry. “It is dis- ious restaurants in the valley to the erstwhile beauty of the views and heartening to hear that poet- and this was known as the valley. Pratibha Katiyar recit- experiences at ry does not sell,” he said. “Addebaazi” culture. Popular ed poems that had her the gathering Many memories of vari- addas included Janta, Tip- unique creative stamp of .Among ous people jostled each other Top and El Fiesta. People met romance and deep meaning. these, memo- as the evening progressed. and exchanged views on art, Her use of symbols and com- ries of the old The two-hour meet saw many literature and other subjects mand over Hindi make her days of Doon turn emotional and this cre- and this acted as a kind of writings very special. were promi- ated a warmth and cama- anti-stress therapy. It was a Doon’s young poet Kunal nent. raderie that seemed to be the healthy trend which has Uniyal also recited from his The poets main feeling at this gathering. almost faded away now. Free book “Main Tula Hun”. The shared with So poetry and emotions, that expression of one’s feelings youngest poet in the gather- the audience go hand in hand, made the and beliefs was an important ing was Vibhor Dwivedi who the story of evening a memorable one part of the Addebaazi tradi- read out his poems in English their poetic both for the poets and the tion in the valley. which lamented the loss of a journey. audience.                                                                                                                                                !        "                                            #            $ % S                      '                "       (          

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!!0!0410."! stronger in the party. They fur- elections of urban local bodies ther point out that in case the held last year, the congress 14"150!,,('!,! congress is able to score over party performed reasonably "0-"(.&!&!"(1, BJP in these elections than the well. However in last two years $1-&%0.(,!'! Pritam would become the Pritam Singh was not able to tallest leader of the party in the select his new team in the ,.-0!140(. state. However a debacle in PCC. ,(5'$('('! these polls would give his In these two years, Singh .02$'(&!.,!!0! detractors a big stick to brow- continued to work with the old beat him and they would PCC team that was chosen dur- .!0(5&(;!('! demand his replacement from ing the time when Kishore <86=&1;,.'. the post of PCC President. Upadhyay was PCC President. It is pertinent to mention When contacted, Singh said !&!"(1"1-&%!! here that Pritam Singh was that the Congress party would &!.%1'(, appointed as PCC chief in register victory in all the five 0!&."!! May 2017 after the severe Lok Sabha seats in the state. On drubbing the party faced at the new PCC, he said that the list hands of BJP in the assembly is ready and its announcement   %!'0.%- elections in the state. In these would be made soon after the two years, Singh was able to election process in the country he performance of the rejuvenate the party and in the is over. TCongress candidates in the Lok Sabha elections would have a definite bearing on the "   0>   . 6?@<8 political fate of the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chief Pritam Singh. Better per-   %!'0.%- Rawat will be campaigning at Panchayat member Gajpal formance of the party in these Jaipur in Rajasthan on April 19 Barthwal, cooperative bank crucial elections would raise hile teams of Bharatiya and 20. Teams of BJP leaders chairman Narendra Manas, the stature of PCC President WJanata Party leaders and and office bearers from former district head Vinod within the party while severe office bearers from Uttarakhand have already left Suyal and former district head battering like the 2014 Lok Uttarakhand have left to cam- for Chhattisgarh and West Mahavir Kukreti were listed for  #) Sabha election could even lead paign in West Bengal and Bengal while the lists of lead- campaign in Chhattisgarh. *    $   5%"    to his replacement. Singh who Chhattisgarh, chief minister ers and office bearers for other On the other hand, the 21 is pitted in a tough electoral Trivendra Singh Rawat will be states are being finalised, leaders and office bearers list-  #+  battle against Mala Rajya Laxmi campaigning in Rajasthan on added Bhasin. ed for campaign in West   %!'0.%- hospital’s registration slip and Atal Shah of BJP from Tehri Lok April 19 and 20. It is pertinent to mention Bengal include the Union min-   Ayushman Card, Kumar said, “I along with Sabha constituency would also The BJP state media in- here that while eight party ister of State for Textiles, Ajay xposing the dismal conditions and my ailing wife have made numerous visits be keenly observing the per- charge Devendra Bhasin leaders from Uttarakhand are Tamta, party’s state vice pres-   *   Eapathetic attitude of the doctors and to the hospital in the last twenty days but formance of other four candi- informed that after the recent participating in the election ident Raju Bhandari, state gen- other staff members of the Government the doctors are not paying any heed. My dates as PCC chief as the result conclusion of polling in campaign in Chhattisgarh, 21 eral secretary Gajraj Singh -   Doon Medical College (GDMC) hospi- wife is in pain but the doctors are not lis- of Tehri. Uttarakhand for the Lok Sabha are participating in the cam- Bisht, party’s state minister tal once again, a poor woman suffering tening. I am a poor labourer and don’t have Political observers opine election, the chief minister and paign in West Bengal. Kuldeep Kumar, State office in- -  from bleeding caused by a contraceptive money to take her to any private hospital.’’ that if Pritam Singh is able to other senior leaders of the State minister Dhan Singh charge Pushkar Singh Kala, Copper Intra Uterine Device (IUD) has Incidentally when this couple was wrest Tehri Lok Sabha which party are going to other states Rawat, MLA Mahendra Bhatt, state head of party’s   .  alleged that doctors are not treating her narrating its woes to the media persons, has proved to be a citadel of the to participate in the election state cooperative bank chair- SC cell Rajesh Kumar, former despite her worsening condition. the chairperson of the State Commission erstwhile ruling family of campaign for the party. The man Dan Singh Rawat, MLA MLA Rajesh Juwantha and This 27 year old woman, a resident for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR), Garhwal then he would emerge chief minister Trivendra Singh Mukesh Koli, district others.   %!'0.%- of Kuthal Gate area said that after the Usha Negi was inspecting the female birth of her twins in the year 2014, the wing of the GDMC hospital. he chairperson of State Commission doctor implanted the Copper T (IUD) After listening to the problem of the Tfor Protection of Child Rights without her consent. Her husband, woman, Negi herself took the woman to (SCPCR), Usha Negi conducted a sur- Dharmendra Kumar, a daily wage earner the doctor on duty. After this, the treat- !)-       prise inspection of the female wing of the said that his wife started having bleeding ment of the woman started and the IUD Government Doon Medical College due to this device last month. Showing the which was troubling her was removed. (GDMC) hospital on Wednesday. In her visit she inspected wards, Neonatal SCPCR chairperson had said that since tally challenged woman and her baby Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and the plastic cooking wares are not good for who was admitted in the hospital by labour ward. health and the milk is being given to some civil society members in advanced Apparently angry at the arrange- newborn babies, the plastic utensils stage of pregnancy. ments, the SCPCR chairperson gave should be changed. This woman had delivered a baby in severe dressing down to the staff mem- However the hospital authorities the hospital. Negi said that the woman bers. apparently paid no heed to the orders of and her baby have been discharged In the NICU ward the temper of SCPCR. On the day Negi registered her from the hospital and sent to the Nari Negi got flared up when she saw that the strong objection to the Medical Niketan. milk was being served to the newborn Superintendent (MS) of the hospital Dr K On the issue of delay in arrival of the in the plastic utensils. K Tamta who was present on the occasion. DNA report which would ascertain the It is worth mentioning here that dur- She asked the reason behind the hos- parentage issue of two children (A boy ing her previous visit to the hospital on pital not following the orders of the and girl), Negi said that she has ques- March 21, Negi had directed the GDMC SCPCR. tioned the hospital administration on the hospital authorities to change the plas- Interestingly Dr Tamta claimed that inordinate delay in arrival of the DNA tic utensils in the NICU ward. the new utensils were purchased by the report. To prepare the milk, the hospital staff hospital but the staff is not using them. In this case, two families are staking uses a microwave cooking machine in Later talking to the media persons, claim on a baby boy. which the milk and water is warmed in Negi said that apart from inspecting the The family which is having the baby plastic utensils. hospital, her objective was to know about girl is contacting the SCPCR and asking During her previous visit, the the condition of the destitute and men- for the DNA test report. '   ( )    

  %!'0.%- /  .. .  ing Anupam Sharma, sus- pended sub inspector Dinesh our accused including   * * 0  Negi and two constables in Fthree suspended police- this high profile case were men were presented in the  -.   # arrested by Special Task Force court of Additional Chief (STF) on Tuesday night under Judicial Magistrate (ACJM)  . -  various sections of the Indian %.  in search of water, which also jungle after having their fill of and Indian Oil Corporation on Punit Kumar on Wednesday  .   Penal Code. The STF has ends up bringing them close to water. the elephant corridor in Lalkuan in a case which saw three booked the accused under .   or even inside human settle- The Terai central forest have blocked the movement of policemen seizing cash  -. (  section 341 (wrongful ments. Such a scene was wit- division sub divisional officer pachyderms on this corridor. (according to complainant) restraint), section 365 (kid- .    nessed in the GB Pant Navin Chandra Pant said that Having lost their traditional from a property dealer / .1(/2(   napping) section 170 (imper- University of Agriculture and presently there is adequate water route, the elephants increased Anurodh Panwar under the sonating a public servant), . Technology late on Tuesday in the forest. However, as part their movement towards rural pretext of checks and seizure    .   section 392 (robbery) and evening. of their daily movements, the areas where they end up eating for model code of conduct. section 120 B (criminal con-  Late in the evening, a herd elephants often come out of the and damaging crops in the The accused have been +  spiracy) of the IPC. of about a dozen elephants forests. There are various water farms. sent to 14 day judicial cus-   It is pertinent to mention **  came out of the jungle and was holes, small rivers and nullahs If sources are to be believed, tody. here that Suspended Sub moving around on the main with adequate water in the the absence of a notification on Director General (DG) Inspector Dinesh Negi with   '.&%$.( road. Due to this, vehicular traf- Tanda forest area, he added. the elephant corridor has led to law and order, Ashok Kumar plainant himself said that he The STF will be working two constables seized a bag fic on the Rudrapur-Lalkuan It is pertinent to mention continued uncertainty regarding said, “The accused have been did not check inside the bag. on the leads secured from reportedly containing cash ith elephant corridors in bypass was stalled for quite here that the elephant corridor the elephant corridor. It is also sent to 14 day judicial cus- However, the investigation is contradictory statements from the complainant prop- Wthe state getting blocked some time. The herd of pachy- used to be free for movement of worth mentioning here that tody. If required, we will still going on.” made by the accused during erty dealer Anurodh Panwar due to various factors, the derms came out from the Tanda pachyderms and other wildlife wildlife experts have been warn- request for their remand Deputy Inspector General interrogation. on the night of April 4 using movement of pachyderms is forest area and moved towards in the Terai central, Terai east ing for long that failure to again.” (DIG) of Special Task Force The investigation is the SUV of Garhwal Inspector being adversely affected for the university campus in search and Haldwani forest divisions in ensure corridors free for the When asked about the (STF) Ridhim Aggarwal said underway and further evi- General (IG) Ajay Rautela. some years now. With the of water. The jumbos stayed in the past. However, factors like movement of elephants would money allegedly looted he that the four were arrested on dence collection and related Though, what was inside the advent of warmer days, the ele- the university campus for quite rapidly rising encroachments exacerbate human-elephant said, “It is still uncertain what the basis of technical evi- aspects are being looked into, bag in question is phants are now moving around some time and returned to the and constructions of the ITBP conflict in the coming years. was inside the bag. The com- dence. she said. Four accused includ- still uncertain.  $  ..  &  

  '.0(%$.0 a Nainital resident, the court massive Yagna but did not Kund area while hearing a holy dip and performed wor- had ordered the state govern- invite his son-in-law Shiva public interest litigation. ship. Water from a rivulet was site of archaeological and ment to remove encroach- which upset Sati. Earlier too attempts have supplied to this pond. Later the Areligious importance, the ments from the Sati Kund area Speaking to The Pioneer, been made to restore the site pond dried up and Kund lost historical Sati Kund located in and restore it back to its orig- the Haridwar-Roorkee following complaints of the its form. Many attempts were Kankhal has for long been suf- inal form. Development Authority secre- locals but the state government made to beautify the place but fering from neglect. The dried up pond was tary KK Mishra said, “The has failed to ensure the need- in vain.” Following high court again filled with water with Sati Kund will be inspected and ful. Elements of the land mafia A local resident, Satish orders last year in June, some water supply facilitated from arrangements will be made for too had encroached on the Kumar said that Sati Kund is hope had arisen that the sacred the Ganga canal but with no the exit of water. We will be land surrounding the Sati kund mentioned in the Hindu scrip- pond would regain its original provision to clean the pond and writing a letter to the depart- area. During Ardh Kumbh tures but some decades ago, the form. drain out stale water, has ment concerned for its regular mela of 2016, boring work was water in the pond dried up. A With the initiative taken by become a source of stench cleaning.” started for water replenishment priest at Sati Kund temple district administration, water affecting even the surrounding About two decades ago, but it was stopped halfway Pushpraj Sharma says that ear- supply was replenished in the residential area. there used to be a pond at Sati leaving the pond dry. lier sewer water was getting pond (Kund) but due to lack of A layer of scum covers the Kund where devotees used to Speaking to this corre- collected in the pond. After maintenance and proper water pond these days. come to have holy dip but now spondent, principal of Mahila repeated complaints, the pond drainage system, it has again Sati Kund is a holy pond the place has been destroyed Vidyalaya Sati Kund, was cleaned by the Municipal become a site in need of atten- named after Sati- Lord Shiva’s four kilometres away from the pit where the goddess Sati the insulting demeanor of her with the sewer water getting Jagjeetpur, Veena Shastri said, Corporation and now in rainy tion with mosquitoes and stink first consort- located in main city of Haridwar. Sati committed self immolation. It father, king Daksha Prajapati collected in the area. Last year, “Almost 15 years ago, there season, when the drains swell arising from the pond. Jagjeetpur area of Kankhal on Kund is actually the site of the is believed that Sati committed towards lord Shiva. the high court has ordered used to be a pond at Sati up, the overflowing waste Notably, following a PIL by Haridwar -Laksar road, some Yagna Kund, the sacrificial fire self immolation in the wake of Daksha had organised a restoration of the entire Sati Kund where the devotees took water ends up in the pond.   !"# $  3

    # )   .$/&(!  *. !   / #    !1 -- & !*! From page 1 MPs Prasanna Acharya and Achyut left nine people dead and scores of oth-  2  The presence of TTV Dinakaran’s Samant, BJP nominee and three-time ers injured.   0, ,0 AAMK could hurt the AIADMK MP Kharabela Swain are in the fray Fate of 68 candidates will be Bhubaneswar: Bharatiya Janata prospects on many seats as he is this time. decided in Bihar by 86.01 lakh voters Party President Amit Shah on From page 1 fighting for the legacy of Jayalalithaa. Even though security was height- across Bhagalpur, Banka, Kishanganj, Wednesday said the BJP would According to Rajasthan Relief These Lok Sabha elections in Tamil ened, Maoists gunned down a polling Katihar and Purnea Lok Sabha con-    end the "babu raj" in Odisha if Secretary Ashutosh AT Pednekar, 21 peo- Nadu are the first ever after the demise officer in Kandhamal district of Odisha stituencies. it came to power in the state. ple died due to unseasonal rain. “4 of Dravidian stalwarts J Jayalalithaa of on Wednesday when she was leading Five seats in Assam will see polling Democracy has collapsed deaths were reported in Jhalawar, Udaipur AIADMK and M Karunanidhi of the a team of poll personnel to a booth in on Thursday and one seat in Manipur.   %!'0.%- !1415/24/  in Odisha. Under (Chief and Jaipur each, two each in Jalore and DMK. Phulbani Assembly segment. The past few days have seen hectic 4!/ 665!/5/ !/5/ Minister) Naveen Babu, MPs Bundi and one each in Baran, Rajsamand, The fledgling Makkal Needhi It is a high-stake battle for the rul- campaigning by top leaders including he procession organised 7 7/ 4  !/54 and MLAs stand as servants, Bhilwara, Alwar and Hanumangarh, Maiam of actor-politician Kamal ing Congress-JD(S) alliance in Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP Ton the occasion of Mahavir // ! 1/54/ while the babus (bureaucrats) Pedneka said. Compensation of Rs 4 lakh Hassan will make its debut in the polls. Karnataka as any adverse result is like- chief Amit Shah, Congress president Jayanti once again caused traf- / 4  !4 run the state," each has been announced to the families The BJP had 27 of the 94 seats at ly to have an impact on the longevity Rahul Gandhi and a host of Union fic congestion in parts of 0 4/ !!/421 8/' Shah said at an election rally in of victims. Rain claimed three lives each stake in the second phase in the last of the coalition Government in the Ministers. Dehradun on Wednesday. Even 54 2 4 !6 5/ 665 Dhenkanal. "Bring the BJP in Indore, Dhar and Shajapur, two in Lok Sabha polls. The Congress had State. The BJP is determined to There was lot of drama during with extra force on the route, / !1/ 04  government in the state if you Ratlam and one each in Alirajpur, won 12 of these seats in 2014, the Shiv improve its tally compared to last time electioneering as several leaders like traffic was jam-packed during /6  / 41/ ! want to end this babu raj," he Rajgarh, Sehore and Chhindwara districts Sena and the BJD 4 each, the JD(S) and riding on the Modi wave. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi the time of procession. said. in Madhya Pradesh. the RJD two each and the AIUDF, the A total of 179 candidates are in the Adityanath, Union Minister Maneka While deputy inspector ended at Jain Dharmshala. Claiming that 35 per cent In Ahmedabad, Gujarat NCP, the JD(U), the PDP, the AINRC, fray in Maharashtra in the 10 con- Gandhi, BSP chief Mayawati and SP general and Traffic directorate During this procession, the people in Odisha were yet to Government’s director of relief G B the PMK, the CPI(M) and the TMC stituencies spread in parts of Vidarbha leader Azam Khan made controversial director Kewal Khurana had traffic on several nearby routes get safe drinking water despite Manglpara, told PTI that at least 10 peo- one seat each. and Marathwada regions. Former remarks, prompting the Election recently reiterated that proces- was diverted due to which cit- Naveen Patnaik being in power ple have died in the rain and dust storm Besides Tamil Nadu, polling will Chief Ministers Ashok Chavan and Commission to bar them from cam- sions or rallies will not be izens travelling to and from for 20 years, the BJP chief reported from various areas including dis- also be held in 14 seats in Karnataka, Sushilkumar Shinde of Congress are paigning for varying periods over allowed on the main roads Dehradun Railway station promised to provide piped tricts in North Gujarat and Saurashtra 10 in Maharashtra, eight in Uttar contesting from Nanded and Solapur violations of the moral code of con- during peak hours, citizens among other destinations, had drinking water, pucca houses region. Also, a portion of a tent erected Pradesh, five each in Assam, Bihar and seats respectively. duct. again had to face traffic relat- to face considerable inconve- and electricity to every house- for Prime Minister Modi’s rally in Odisha, three each in Chhattisgarh and Cinestars Hema Malini and Raj In West Bengal, the EC has ed problems on the busy route nience. hold by 2022. He also criticised Himmatnagar town of North Gujarat was West Bengal, two in Jammu & Kashmir Babbar are among the 85 candidates deployed 194 companies of Central of Saharanpur Road. It is pertinent to mention the BJD government for not also damaged in the dust storm, an offi- and one seat each in Manipur and from Uttar Pradesh, whose electoral forces in the three constituencies However, Superintendent here that the Traffic Directorate implementing the Ayushman cial earlier said. Puducherry. Elections will also be held fate will be decided on Thursday. The going to polls to cover 80 per cent of of Police (Traffic) Prakash director has taken a stand in Bharat Yojana. "The BJP gov- Farmers of these States have suffered in 35 Assembly constituencies in eight Lok Sabha seats, where polling is the 5,390 booths for free and fair Chandra Arya said he had no the past too against taking out ernment has launched a lot due to unseasonal rain and thun- Odisha. scheduled to be held, were won by the polling. knowledge of any such con- of rallies and processions on Ayushman Bharat scheme to derstorm and high wind speed that Other prominent candidates in BJP in 2014. The fight for the lone Lok Sabha gestion. main roads especially during give 50 crore people free treat- damaged their crops wheat, mango, fray include Congress leaders Verappa In Jammu & Kashmir, authorities seat in Puducherry is expected to be The procession which peak hours. ment up to Rs 5 lakh. But potatoes and other vegetables. “Due to Moily and Raj Babbar, National have deployed over 80 companies for mainly between the ruling Congress, started from Jain Dharmshala Despite this, the authorities Naveen Babu did not imple- thunderstorm and gusty wind, the mango Conference president Farooq Abdullah election duty in the twin constituen- which has put up former Speaker V passed through Aadhat Bazaar, concerned seem helpless to ment the scheme due to the crop which at this time of year is about and BJP’s Hema Malini. cies of Srinagar and Udhampur. Vaithilingam and the Opposition Saharanpur Chowk, Jhanda effectively address this issue fear of Modi," said Shah. The 80 gm to 150 gm in size, have been In Odisha, Chief Minister and BJD Thursday’s polling in Srinagar will be AINRC’s K Narayanasamy. Bazaar, Bhandari Chowk, Moti even as citizens continue to suf- BJP chief also accused the BJD dropped. This will mean a loss of crop. president Naveen Patnaik is contesting keenly watched within and outside The Lok Sabha polls are being held Bazaar, Paltan Bazar, Darshan fer from traffic congestion leaders of protecting scam- Moreover, cloudy weather and unseasonal from his home turf Hinjili in Ganjam Kashmir as the constituency recorded in seven phases for 543 seats on April Lal Chowk, Dispensary Road, which appears to have become sters who had looted the hard- rain also increase the risk of the crop get- district and Bijepur in Bargarh. Among an all-time low of 7.2 per cent voter 11, April 18, April 23, April 29, May Dhamawala Bazaar, Raja Road, a routine feature of the provi- earned money of the poor via ting pest infected and diseased,” said a others, Union Tribal Affairs Minister turnout in the 2017 by-election, 6, May 12 and May 19, and counting Maharaja Agrasen Chowk and sional state capital. the chit fund scam. IANS farmer. Oram of the BJP, BJD’s Rajya Sabha marred by violence on polling day that will be on May 23.  -/   +         /    3""    4  #         &    (% Seeking votes for his son, would have to pay a heavy price by & %   # Birender Singh, a prominent Jat submitting resignations from his   "'.%(5.0' remove the government-led by aunching the election campaign leader on Wednesday said that the posts on me taking the first step in Prime Minister Modi. Shimla: Himachal Pradesh BJP chief Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Lfor his son Brijendra Singh, maximum margin of win should be politics, Brijendra said. day after the cricketer- “Muslim brother, people Satpal Singh Satti on Wednesday got Ram Thakur on Wednesday demanded Union Steel Minister and Rajya from Uchana segment out of the “While in service as an IAS offi- Aturned politician Navjot like Owaisi want to win by another notice from the Election ban on poll campaigning by Congress Sabha MP Birender Singh on nine segments forming part of cer I would have offended many Singh Sidhu stoked a contro- dividing the Muslim vote here. Commission over his "inflammatory President Rahul Gandhi alleging that his Wednesday said that he is passing Hissar Lok Sabha seat because the due to official constraints. But versy by making a communal 64 percent is your (Muslim) remarks" against Congress President repeated "chowkidar chor hai" jibe allud- on the baton to his son and the peo- segment is their ancestral area. there, my responsibility was towards appeal to Muslim voters urging population is in majority here Rahul Gandhi. ing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi ple of the state should extend the Birender Singh said that he laws and to work within the frame- them to vote for Congress in and if you will get together and The poll panel gave him 48 hours to was violative of the model code of con- same support to his son that they fought political battle for the bet- work of the rules and regulations, order to defeat Prime Minister cast your votes, then Modi will respond to the notice saying prima facie duct. gave him all these years. terment of the area for 47 years. he said adding that but now he had Narendra Modi, Punjab Chief be finished,” Sidhu had said in he is guilty of violating the Model Code After the Bharatiya “The people of Jind should be Now, Brijendra Singh will carry for- entered politics to serve all with full Minister Capt Amarinder Singh a public rally in Purnia on of Conduct, citing his taunting remarks (BJP) submitted a memorandum to the proud of the fact that the candidate ward the mission to work for the humility and dedication. on Wednesday distanced him- Tuesday. against Gandhi over his bachelorhood. Chief Election Commissioner, Thakur for the Hissar Lok Sabha seat, betterment of the area, the Union Seeking support of the people self from his party colleague and District authorities in A day earlier, a criminal case was reg- said, "Rahul Gandhi is indulging in Brijendra Singh, is selected by the Minister said while adding that the he said that the relationship would state Cabinet Minister’s contro- Katihar have lodged an FIR istered against Satti for using a slur against mudslinging against the Prime Minister. Prime Minister Narendra Modi people should extend the same sup- not be of five years, but it would be versial vote appeal. against the Congress party’s star Gandhi while campaigning. Calling the Prime Minister a thief is an and BJP president Amit Shah,” port to his son that they gave him lifelong. Capt Amarinder, in an campaigner Sidhu for his The Election Commission also issued insult to the 130 crore people of India." said Birender Singh while address- all these years. Later, while talking to the medi- informal chat with the media, remarks in which he allegedly notice to him seeking his reply within 24 He said that the thought apersons, Brijendra said that he will said: “See, now this issue has warned the Muslim communi- hours. Satti targeted Gandhi and his fam- process of the youth has to be taken be filing his nomination on April reached the Election ty that efforts were on to divide ily at a public meeting in Nalagrah's forward. The country today needs 20. Commission. Let us see what’s their votes in Bihar. Ramashehar town in Solan district on a change which only the youth can I wanted to join politics from the decision. The fact is that we Hours later, Sidhu also jus- April 13. bring, he said. a long time but wanted to make my are one country and there are tified his statement saying that Responding to Gandhi's "chowkidar The Union Minister said that own identity first. Hence, I served plenty of religions, castes and all he “was not trying to divide any- chor hai" taunt aimed at Prime Minister the voters of the country are aware as an IAS for about 21 years, he of us are Indians, this is the atti- one. Was only saying that Narendra Modi, he said that the Congress that the future of the country is safe added. tude of Congress party.” Muslims need to unite against chief and the entire Gandhi family are in the hands of Prime Minister Notably, 1998 batch IAS officer Sidhu, while addressing a PM Modi who doesn't have their "thieves". Narendra Modi who alone can Brijender will nmake his political rally in Bihar's Purnia a day best interests at heart”. Satti has been booked under the ensure prosperity in the country debut in the Lok Sabha polls from before, had targeted Asaduddin The Model Code of Indian Penal Code's Section 294 (obscene and security for the nation. Hisar constituency, which his father Owaisi for seeking Muslim Conduct, currently in motion, acts and songs). "Not only that, to give his words cred- ing a rally near the Kapas Mandi He said that his son was the had won in 1984 by defeating for- votes, after which he called out bars political leaders from mak- Facing flak for his remarks against a ibility, Gandhi made a reckless effort to here. personal choice of the Prime mer Chief Minister Om Prakash the “64 percent Muslim popu- ing any communal comments in religious sect in Punjab, Satti also misuse the name of the Supreme Court, Brijendra, 46, who will be mak- Minister and the BJP chief for the Chautala. lation” in the region to vote to run up to 2019 elections. expressed regret. which on BJP's contempt petition clari- ing his poll debut, launched his elec- Hissar Lok Sabha constituency. His father, Birender Singh is the Asking the political parties to exer- fied that it hadn't made any comment tion campaign from Uchana Kalan Not only the people of Uchana, but grandson of Sir Chhotu Ram, one cise restraint, BJP leader and Chief against the Prime Minister. All this is too on Wednesday. His mother, Prem of entire constituency should be of the tallest Jat and farmer leaders         Minister Jai Ram Thakur said: "We dangerous for the democracy," Thakur Lata, who is a BJP MLA in Haryana proud that Brijendra has been of pre-Partition era. Birender had should not use unparliamentarily lan- said. from the Uchana Kalan assembly selected by Modi and Shah, he said joined the BJP in 2014 after ending From page 1 guage against any individual. The Chief Minister said Gandhi constituency was also present at the adding that voters must ensure that his four-decade old association Six people were killed and over 100 injured when a bomb This should be restrained not only by himself was accused of scams worth rally. the BJP gets the Hissar seat with with the Congress following dif- went off near a mosque in Malegaon in north Maharashtra, on our party leaders but by leaders of all thousands of crore. "Rahul Gandhi, his After getting the BJP ticket to maximum margin. ferences with then Haryana Chief September 29, 2008. According to the prosecution, it was the political parties." mother Sonia Gandhi, brother-in-law contest from Hisar Lok Sabha seat, While addressing the gathering, Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda. handiwork of a Hindu extremist group. Polling to Himachal Pradesh's four Robert Vadra and several other nation- the Haryana cadre IAS Brijendra Brijendra said that his father will be After his son was given ticket The BJP has been holding Bhopal Lok Sabha seat, where about Lok Sabha seats will be held in the last al level Congress leaders are out on bail has already sought voluntary retire- charioteer of his political Rath. He to contest the polls, Birender Singh 4.5 lakh of the 18 lakh voters are Muslim, since 1989. In the 2018 phase of the polls on May 19. in various cases. Such tainted politicians ment from service and submitted said that he was taking the first step had on Sunday offered to resign Assembly elections, the Congress won three out of the eight HP CM demands ban on Rahul's poll have no moral right to call the Prime his papers to the Haryana chief sec- in politics from his native place. from the cabinet and from Rajya Assembly segments in the Bhopal Lok Sabha constituency, and campaigning Minister a thief," he said. retary. I was not aware that my father Sabha. in the remaining segments the BJP’s victory margin decreased.

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-%&%  -.( B Chavan’s son-in-law and Ashokrao’s brother-in-law ith absolutely no wave in Bhaskarao Khatgaonkar has Wthe air and severe drought represented the constituency conditions spelling trouble for thrice (1998, 1999 and 2009). the ruling Sena-BJP alliance, the In 2014 LS polls, Chavan Opposition Congress-NCP romped home comfortably. alliance smells a real opportu- Pritam Munde, daughter of nity to improve vastly upon its late senior BJP leader Gopinath miserable 2014 tally of two in Munde, is re-contesting the the second phase of polls for 10 ted suicide during the three ditional Congress-NCP votes. polls on a BJP ticket from Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra months of the current year. At stake are the reputations Mundes’ home constituency scheduled for Thursday. With the Modi magic not of senior leader and former of Beed against the NCP’s Like in the case of seven working on ground and anti- Union Home Minister Sushil Bajrang Sonawane. constituencies of eastern incumbency factor weighing it Kumar Shinde (Solapur), for- The contest in Beed has Maharashtra that went to polls down, the BJP and — mer chief minister Asho become a prestigious battle a week ago, the ten poll-bound which had collectively won Chavan of the Congress Ashok between Pritam’s sister and a constituencies — six of which eight out of ten seats in the Chavan (Nanded) and late BJP minister in Maharashtra fall in Marathwada, three in 2014 Lok Sabha polls — are leader Gopinath Munde’s Cabinet Pankaja Munde and Vidarbha region and one in struggling to retain its hold in daughter Pritam Munde her cousin and leader of the western Maharashtra — have more than half the poll-bound (Beed). Maharashtra Legislative been reeling under one of constituencies. Shinde, who suffered a Council Dhananjay Munde of worst agrarian crises that the On the contrary, the humiliating defeat at the hands the NCP. Dhanjay had rebelled state has witnessed in recent Congress — which had picked of Sharad Bansode of the BJP against his late uncle Gopinath decades, a situation that has up the only two seats it had by a massive margin of 1,49,784 Munde and joined the NCP made matters very difficult for won in the 2014 polls in votes, is taking on BJP’s when the latter was still alive. the ruling saffron alliance. Maharashtra from Marathwada Mahaswami Jaisiddheshwar In the politically significant Though it attempted to — and the NCP — which had Shivacharya and Bharip constituency of Osmanabad in ease the farmers’ distress bagged all its four seats from Bahujan Mahasangh leader Marathawada, NCP’s Ranajagjit through its the Rs 34,022 crore western Maharashtra in the Prakash Ambedkar, who is sinh P Patil is taking on his loan waiver scheme, the BJP- previous polls — are showing also contesting from his home cousin and Shiv Sena nominee led saffron alliance has lost the signs of making a recovery this constituency of Akola. Omraje Nimbalkar. perception battle against the time around. Chavan, who was inciden- Ranajagjit sinh is the son of Opposition which has made The constituencies that are tally is one of the two Congress Maharashtra’s senior former agrarian crisis a major issue in going to polls on Thursday are: candidates (out of its 26 can- minister and Sharad Pawar’s the polls. No wonder that there Hingoli, Nanded, Parbhani, didates) elected to Lok Sabha in close confidant Padamsinh Patil. are not many takers for chief Beed, Osmanabad, Latur (SC), 2014 polls from Maharashtra in Padamsinh is one of the nine minister Devendra Fadnavis’ all from Marathwada, the face of a fierce Modi wave, accused others in the much-dis- claim that the saffron alliance Buldhana, Akola, Amravati is seeking re-election against cussed murder case of 2006 in government has waived farm (SC), all from Vidarbha and BJP’s Pratap Patil-Chikhalikar which Congress leader loans amounting to nearly Rs Solapur (SC), which is in west- in his home constituency of Pawanraje Nimbalkar and his 24,000 crore and benefitting 51 ern Maharashtra. Nanded in Marathwada region. driver Samad Abdul Wahid Kazi lakh farmers (out of the total 89 The main contests are Barring four terms, at Kalamboli, near Panvel, were lakh beneficiaries). between the BJP-Sena combine Nanded has been under the shot dead on February 3,2006. Notwithstanding the claims and Opposition Congress-NCP control of the Congress since In Amravati, four-time that the Maharashtra govern- in a majority of the con- 1952. While late S B Chavan Sena MP Anandrao V. Adsul is ment has extended relief to the stituencies. In a few of the con- represented the constituency pitted against South Indian affected farmers, the suicides by stituencies like Akola, twice (1980 and 1984), Ashok actress Navneet Kaur Rana of farmers are continuing unabat- Osmanabad and Solapur, the Chavan himself was elected to the Yuva Swabhiman Party ed in Vidarbha and Marathwada Dalit-Muslim front of Vanchit Lok Sabha once in a bye-elec- (YSP), supported by the regions, More than 300 debt- Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) are tion in 1987, following the Congress-NCP led trapped farmers have commit- threatening to cut into the tra- resignation of his father. Late S .   /+#=>%""(&0%(  & & % : % % % %%&77& %& 7 % 9%?"('9#(:"' 7  ; ;    ' IJ    H.  I"   J , >% IJ I%;J   *I"   J ;   %"   '   ;1&;.. Ajay V Nayak as the Special a history of political violence ,   > IJ    , I0&%J 5 I%-J I"   J  : Observer. He will work in tan- will be manned by 69 compa-  * .* I   5    oters on Wednesday asked dem with Special Police nies of CAPF whereas  -  < = %& 7    > .J  IJ >   Vfor cent per cent CAPF Observer Vivek Dubey. Jalpaiguri will get 52 companies .0>I%;J  0>" IJ 0> %   ,   coverage of polling booths The ECI has requisitioned of central forces, EC sources  > I.(.%;J I" J 5 I,J , %I"   J & I"J even as Bengal prepared for 195 companies of Central said. Out of 69 companies for 0> 0IJ     second phase of elections for forces for the three con- Darjeeling seat 31 companies -- - < = 2   IJ 5   ;  & threeparliamentary con- stituencies out of which 64 will be deployed at Darjeeling, ; "  ,, IJ I"   J ,* ,  stituencies of Darjeeling, companies will alone be used 29 companies at Siliguri and 9 I"   J '0>  ' I"  J .&;7 %  * ,   IJ , ,IJ Jalpaiguri and Raiganj on for Raiganj witnessing a four- company at Kalimpong. , * ,  IJ  >, I,J &%& Thursday amid tight cornered contest featuring out- Police Observer said about I"   J %   , IJ  security bandobast. going MP of CPI(M) Md Salim, 80 per cent of the booths %   -% * ,  . *" In an apparent bid to avoid Congress’ Deepa Dasmunshi, would be manned by the CAPF %   I%;J , 5IJ I"   J "  I"   J electoral violence like in the TMC KL Agarwal and BJP’s while the armed State police ,I;J  >  , I"   J &, I%     first phase the Commission has Supriyo Sarkar. will handle the remaining ;;,% HI,%(J .> I,J , ,  J "** IJ appointed senior IAS officer Darjeeling which also has booths.   +A   +  +   4Q>  +

7&%  "'!.( dence and business premises of be announced on May 23. Nadu. What is unique about the he has at least 130 MLAs for Karunanidh could be buried in the DMK candidate Kathir The high decibel campaign bye-election is that if the DMK smooth sailing in the House. Marina Beach though there are :   5#  ;%P   ore than 5.86 crore voters Anand. The date for the new for the Lok Sabha and 18 manages to win 21 of the 22 The April 18 election in no rules which mandate that a Mspread across 38 Lok election from Vellore would be Assembly by-election came to seats, then there would be a Tamil Nadu would go down in former chief minister should be 7&%  "'!.( sabha constituencies in Tamil announced afterwards. an end on Tuesday evening. change of Government in Tamil history as the most fiercely buried at Marina Beach. Nadu will march to the polling Along with the 38 Four more Assembly con- Nadu. The DMK alliance has 97 fought poll. By Tuesday evening, While the DMK-led he Madras High Court in Wednesday upheld the decision booths on Thursday to cast Members of Parliament, elec- stituencies in the State would members as of now and requires when it was time for switching Secular Progressive Alliance Tof the Election Commission rescinding the Lok Sabha elec- their votes to elect 38 law torate in 18 Assembly con- elect their representatives on 21 seats to unseat the AIADMK off microphones and loud began the campaign much ear- tion from the Vellore parliamentary constituency in Tamil Nadu. makers who would represent stituencies will elect their leg- May 19 as the Election Government which has only speakers, Stalin raked up the lier and with a clear advantage A Division Bench consisting of Justices S Manikumar and them for the next five years. islators to fill the vacancy Commission could declare the 113 members (excluding the refusal by Edappadi over the AIADMK-led front, Subramanium Prasad dismissed the petitions filed by AC Though there are 39 Lok caused by disqualification of schedule to these constituen- Speaker). M K Stalin, the DMK Palaniswamy adminis- the latter picked up momentum Shanmugham, the AIADMK candidate and an independent can- Sabha constituencies in the some of the AIADMK MLAs by cies only after getting clearance chief has been claiming from day tration to intern his father and caught up with the rivals. didate seeking an order from the court for quashing the Election State, the President of India the Speaker. Though there are from the Madras High Court one onwards that his party M Karunanidhi at the Though two more parties, Commission’s decision. President Ram Nath Kovind rescinded heeding the request of the 22 vacancies in the Tamil Nadu which was hearing petitions would win all the 22 seats. Marina Beach. It was at the AMMK of TTV Dhinakaran the Vellore Lok Sabha election on Tuesday. The judges said the Election Commission of India Legislative Assembly, election with respect to these con- If Edappadi Palaniswamy’s instance of the Madras and MNM of film star Kamal EC which has the power to issue notification for conducting elec- rescinded the election from for the remaining four seats stituencies. AIADMK wins five seats, he High Court which over ruled Haasan are also in race, it is tions, also has the power to recommend for cancellation if it has Vellore following large scale would be held on May 29. The Hence a total of 22 by-elec- would get the absolute major- the Opposition from the widely believed that they would arrived at the view that it is necessary to halt the election. seizure of cash from the resi- results of all the elections would tions are being held in Tamil ity but it would be advisable if AIADMK-led Government that end up as ‘also ran’.   !"# $ @ %'  5% R   ,       5&9

  ,-0!%0..5.0+ he did not fall prey to Pakistan’s lies in his home State, Modi replied in the positive. we conducted surgical strike, '(..5.0+..% nuclear blackmail, because also claimed that the then UPA “Today is Mahavir Jayanti, Congress questioned us. When India has the “mother of Government arrested BJP pres- the day to observe peace. But we conducted air strike, it asked rime Minister Narendra nuclear bombs”. ident Amit Shah and some when shall we have peace? Will for proof. Do you (Congress) PModi on Wednesday said Addressing three poll ral- police officers in Gujarat to anyone listen to a weak man trust your own sons or Pakistan’s topple the State Government making an appeal for peace or rhetoric?” the PM said. then headed by him. to the warning of a strong man Earlier, speaking at a poll At a campaign rally at who can flex his mussels? Only rally in Himmatnagar, Modi Surendranagar, Modi referred the peace appeal of a strong man said the then UPA Government to the surgical strikes and air will be respected, not that of a arrested BJP president Amit strikes by India inside Pakistan weak person,” Modi said. Shah and some police officers in in response to terrorist attacks He also alleged that the Gujarat to topple the state in Uri and Pulwama. Congress spoke ill of the armed Government then headed by “Earlier, terrorists from forces. “You must have seen how him. Modi also said this election Pakistan would come here and the character of the Congress will decide if nationalist forces go back after conducting an party has changed in this elec- will rule the country or those attack. Pakistan would threat- tion. The way the Congress who want to help the “tukde en us, saying it has the nuclear spreads lies, and questions the tukde gang” by scrapping sedi- bomb and will press the button country’s military, saying its tion law. “From 2004 to 2014, (if India retaliated). seniors are street goons, the Air there was a ‘remote control “We have nuclear of Force chief is a liar...If you say government’ and you know   #  &9   #   )# $    $   % nuclear bombs (the mother of something like this, will it not who was in control. In those 10 nuclear bombs). I decided to make Pakistan happy?” he said. years, those sitting in Delhi tried Wayanad/Alathur: Launching dent Amit Shah had chided decided by the people and not tell them, do whatever you Modi also slammed the to damage the interest of Gujarat a blistering attack on Narendra Rahul for selecting his second by Modi or the RSS chief. want to do (but we will retali- Congress for seeking proof of and acted as if the state is not in Modi, Congress Chief Rahul seat in north Kerala, saying In three rallies in Wayanad, ate),” the Prime Minister said. action against terrorists. “When India,” Modi said. Gandhi said all that the Prime “when a procession is taken out he tore into BJP-led NDA “In the past our people Minister “does is tell lies and there, it is difficult to make out Government and said the saf- would weep, go around the steal from the poor people.” whether it is India or Pakistan.” fron party was only interested in world saying Pakistan did this, Rahul, who addressed three Shah was referring to the imposing its ideology on people did that....It is now Pakistan’s  7"  & election rallies in his Wayanad IUMLs green flags during of the country. “Who is Mohan turn to weep. “Didn’t our Lok Sabha constituency, spread Rahul Gandhi’s roadshow in Bhagwat to teach us about cul- jawans kill them by entering over the districts of Wayanad, Wayanad on April 4 after filing ture and history? Kerala should their houses? Shall we not kill Malappuram and Kozhikode his papers. Rahul also said the be run by the people of them by entering their houses?     and campaigned in Thirthala in saffron party was arrogant and Kerala.This is same sentiment in Shall we not take revenge for Palakkad district, attacked Modi believed that they can re-define State after State,” he said, -%&% -.( )   '    )  -   . our martyred soldiers?” he “But your model is a spe- and RSS and touched on cor- Indian history. addressing a rally in Wayanad. $   % asked the large crowd which cial family (Nehru-Gandhi) ruption. “Only the Indian people Taking a jibe at Modi, Rahul lamming NCP chief Sharad from Delhi. You have learned “All the PM does is tell lies can define, decide about the said he was not here to tell his SPawar for raising questions things only from them and you and steal from the poor people. country. It does not matter that ‘Mann Ki Baat’, but understand about his family, Prime have been serving only that Six airports were given to his Uttar Pradesh is much bigger the various difficulties, including    '' 3 , Minister Narendra Modi on family,” Modi said. friend Adani on the day the than Nagaland.The voice of all the night travel ban, man-animal Wednesday took a vicious dig Addressing a public rally in Pulwama attack took place. Indians matter. This is the conflicts and lack of medical at Pawar for “serving” only one Solapur, Modi said he had And he (Modi) says they were fight that is taking place. Why facilities being faced by the peo- &- -& ;1&;.. huge rally at Kandi in special (Nehru-Gandhi) fami- been at the receiving end of fighting black money. Modi do these people want to define ple here. “I understand there are Murshidabad which has three ly from Delhi for some many abuses from Opposition lead- said demonetisation was to India? The entire goal to re- complex problems here. There sking the voters to shun the parliamentary constituencies decades. ers. “Despite that, I have been fight black money, but it define India is to steal from are man-animal conflicts. There ACongress and the Left for traditionally dominated by the “You (Pawar) are elder to sincerely working for progress destroyed the Indian economy. India. The entire idea is to cre- is a conflict between develop- their RSS links Mamata Congress and the Left. me. You have a right to say of nation and empowerment of Fifty lakh people lost their ate two .One India for the ment and environment. I want Banerjee on Wednesday Attacking the Prime whatever you want to. Pawar poor people. jobs after demonetisation,” the Ambanis, Adanis, Nirav Modis, to see a solution. I don’t believe appealed to the voters to send- Minister for trying to suppress can say anything as per his Exhorting the people to Congress chief said while wind- Mehul Choksies, Vijay Mallyas in imposing a solution. I believe maximum number of voice of Opposition she said understanding and values. But, vote for a “stable” and “strong” ing off his campaign at and one for others”, Rahul said in the wisdom and intellectual of Trinamool Congress MPs to “whenever anyone raises his let me tell you that the life that government, Modi said:” In Thrithala on Wednesday. lashing out at the PM. our people in resolving such Parliament “so that Bengaltakes voice against the Prime Modi is leading is based on the 2014. you gave me a full major- All praise for Wayanad,the He also said poor farmers issues,” Rahul said. “I am not like the lead in forming a Minister officers of Income inspirations of various families. ity and I could work with full second constituency from where who took meagre loans of the Prime Minister. I am not Government in Delhi” by Tax and Enforcement I have been inspired by the fam- strength to take firm decisions Rahul is contesting for which he around Rs 20,000 were behind going to make false promises and removing the “Gabbar Singh of Directorate are sent to his ily traditions of the greats like and work for public welfare. was attacked by Modi and BJP, bars for non-repayment while tell you I will give you two crore a Prime Minister.” house… See what they are Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, Bhagat You have witnessed how I ran Gandhi said he wanted to rep- the rich who availed loans jobs or Rs 15 lakh in bank Attacking Narendra Modi doing against Chandrababu Singh, Sukhdev Rajguru, Sardar the country past five years”. resent the remote district as the over Rs 35,000 crore were accounts or that I will give farm- for disturbing the peace of the Equating the Prime Naidu in Andhra Pradesh, Vallabhbhai Patel, Veer Savarkar “The country needs a “beautiful place” symbolises dif- walking free. Continuing his ers whatever they want. I am not country in his bid to divide Minister with as dreaded a per- Kumarswamy in Karnataka and others,” Modi said. strong Government, not a ‘maj- ferent ideas and cultures. tirade against Modi and the going to lie to you. Because I votes, Banerjee said “Modi son as Gabbar Singh of Sholay and MK Stalin in Tamil Nadu.” Modi said the NCP chief boor’ (helpless) one. Only the Addressing a rally in RSS, the Congress president respect your intelligence, your Babu thinks that he is themost fame Banerjee said “today It was this habit of clubbing would have learned more about BJP can provide a strong gov- Nagpur last week, BJP presi- said issues of Kerala should be wisdom,” he added. powerful person in the coun- whenever the people hear of his the opposition to silence with family traditions if the latter had ernment not the Congress- try. In his lust for power he has name they think that Gabbar the help of central agencies that taken inspiration from late Y B NCP alliance.... Even in your set one community against the Singh has come. He scares the people would not take kind- Chavan whom Pawar considered villages, you want a tough cop, $ )   & / ! other and has divided India as everybody into submission like ly. “The BJP will be defeated for his “mentor”. “I know it is beyond not a ‘dheela-dhaala’ (weak never before.If he is not defeat- the Bargis (the Maratha this haughtiness of theirs.” your capacity to lead the life of and loose) policeman. The      '*'' ed this time then he will demol- invaders of Bengal of early Attacking the Congress for hav- Modi. But, please learn from the same is required for running ish the democratic set up of the 17th century) used to do.” ing been a “stooge of the CPI(M) families of those who sacrificed such a vast country, we need a   ,    (& 9& country once and for all.” Banerjee was addressing a all these years,” she said. their lives to the country.” strong leader,” Modi said. Panaji: Senior BJP leader Nitin Mumbai: Union Minister Gadkari said here on Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on  Wednesday that four genera- Wednesday said Congress gen-   4)  ' tions of the Nehru-Gandhi eral secretary Priyanka Gandhi  family have promised to erad- Vadra poses no threat to Prime icate poverty without success. Minister Narendra Modi even Only the poverty of if she contests against him        :            Congress leaders was alleviat- from Varanasi Lok Sabha seat. :42 /"  1 $     ed in the process, he quipped, He also criticised Congress        I$%J    addressing BJP workers in president Rahul Gandhi for cre-   !        &- -& ;1&;.. influence a particular commu- Mandrem Assembly con- ating a “fake narrative” against     &*,!  ; *#   nity in the elections,” said BJP stituency in Goa. the BJP. “Someone is going to be        ; *" !  ot happy with mere can- leader GVL Narsimha Rao. A by-election will be held there in the fray (from Varanasi). 1             Ncellation of the business TMC leader and outgoing in Mandrem on April 23. The But Priyanka does not pose any  #.        1       .* 2     enough to send the actor back way she is trying to send com- chase away the CRPF with testing on the same plank of appointed the Congress general    . &*,    #    or cancelling his visa. The BJP munal signal to the electorate by brooms as ‘during a battle no Garibi Hatao (eradicate pover- secretary for eastern Uttar      .* 2    also wants the people who brining Bangladesh stars to rule but only victory matters’ ty),” he said. PTI Pradesh in February. PTI            . #, *   0>  "   &*  $                       #  .      6<#     .  8    R .*         #!          ; > 4 #     

  &-";1$ god paying them a visit. “We did not have enough hief Minister Yogi to offer. The Chief Minister had CAdityanath continued to roti and sabzi and later took gur send out subtle political mes- (jaggery) and water,” she said. sages on the second day of his Savitri told reporters that three-day curb on campaigning the Chief Minister was pained in the ongoing Lok Sabha elec- at the condition of her house tion by visiting a Dalit’s home and offered help to get it for lunch and meeting triple repaired. talaq victims in Ayodhya on Before lunch, Yogi met a Wednesday. six-year-old girl, Neha Soni, Yogi offered prayers at and took her on his lap after Hanumangarhi temple and which the girl came up with recited Hanuman Chalisa. In several innocent questions. the evening, he went for dar- When the Chief Minister shan of Ram Lalla and then asked whether she was afraid of took part in aarti on the banks coming there, the girl said of the Saryu river. where was the fear when Yogiji The Chief Minister started was there. She even sang a his Ayodhya sojourn by visit- song, much to the amusement ing the house of Mahavir, a of the Chief Minister. Dalit, at Suthati Malin Basti Later, Yogi went to nearby and had food with the family Ashrafi Bhawan on foot and !   #  )   ##       members. spoke to the people standing in    4 -#  .     . $   % Mahavir’s wife Savitri said the by-lanes. He also spoke to that the visit of the Chief students and enquired about Minister to their house was like their studies. +     =    # )     -   .   $   %   !"# $  = 7(&& 7) 3 *#+    )%     #+   + &6-%49&33%.# -!R     0- 6   /      6                        %   !  O      > >       #       (                       (                6DL< "        (            (                     (             (                    6        " 7     S       + ((              5          his time, Easter has tested the                      patience of its believers, almost to  #        4  7       ( the limit. It usually happens exact-       4               ly one month after the Spring Equinox. The festival shifts irreg-  /     "       #       Tularly in the compass of 35 days, ranging    P           3   from March 22 to April 25. But this shift is     . 3          not akin to that of a Hindu festival, say Holi or Ram Navami. All Hindu festivals follow      Q )      3      a pendulum-like trajectory while shifting as   $        "          per the lunar tithi year-on-year. "  .      "         : The Easter is reckoned according to three factors — Spring Equinox (March 21),  /       $   /  /    ( full moon and day of the week (Sunday). It                      ( is the principal movable feast in the Christian                   / liturgical calendar. Notwithstanding its irregularity, future Easter dates could be pre-  S     ; <     /   S ( dicted hundreds of years in advance, algo-                 rithmically. However, determining its place-                   ( ment has been subject to major controver- sy in the past. Ironically, it was this contro-                      versy that triggered the reform of the Julian            (       calendar in 1582 by Pope Gregory XIII.            .        Easter celebrates the supernatural Resurrection of Jesus Christ after his mor- One good way of determin- Roman Church. This was led to the Julian year over-   (             ( tal death on the Cross. While the ing Easter for the Church was to indeed the beginning of a split shooting the natural year by        4            Resurrection is in the domain of belief, his consult the Hebrew calendar in the Church into Western and three days in the course of four "   (4        "  death may be a historical event. There must itself. This was exactly what the Eastern domains, which was centuries. Thus, by the time of          4        ( have been a date for it as per the Julian solar early Eastern churches, which completed a thousand years the Nicaean Council in 325 calendar, applicable throughout the Roman were in closer communication later in 1054 AD. The AD, the Spring Equinox had     "          4  .   world then. The Romans were the masters with the Jews, did. Thus, they Ecumenical Council of Nicaea shifted from original March 24                  of Israel-Judea during the lifetime of Christ. celebrated the Easter feast on full 1!511%$.214 in 325 AD ruled that Easter to March 21.                 ( Though Jesus was crucified according to the moon on the month of Nisan, should be celebrated on Sunday, But in the absence of a cor- orders of a Roman Governor viz, Pontius regardless of other factors. But %!!0((5'! following the full moon, follow- rective mechanism, the Equinox          7  =      Pilate, the date of his crucifixion was either for the Western churches, head- !.,!0410'! ing the Equinox. shifted to March 11 over the            "    1( (3 not recorded as per the Julian calendar or quartered in Rome, the day of If the full moon happens to next 12 centuries. The Church  /           at any rate not available to us. In fact, it was the week was equally important. "'-0"'$.,1 coincide with the Equinox as it might not have bothered itself never available to the Church, which led to The concept of the week, as a happened this year or previous- with Equinox but for determin- #               ( a lot of kite-flying. grid of seven days, was incorpo- "1,-&'! ly in 1981, one will have to wait ing the Easter. How Equinoxes    4      . ; 7       ( But evidence in the Gospel shows that rated into the Julian calendar by '!0!$".&!%.0 for the ensuing full moon to and Solstices had shifted over               "  ;  # ( Jesus was crucified around the Passover feast the Church. The week is astro- apply the formula. But if the full age is pithily described in a let- of the Jews. The Jews celebrate the Passover nomically an arbitrary concept (,!&4#'(,$., moon occurred even a day later ter written by French theologian        4          feast — in remembrance of their deliverance and ancient Romans were igno- !O."&2$'.'! (provided it is not as late in the and astronomer Cardinal Pierre         (    "       from Egyptian captivity by Moses — on the rant of it. The Roman Church week as of Saturday) the Easter d’Ailly (1350-1425) to Pope            .       14th day of the month of Nissan of the emphasised the fact that Jesus !.0&2!.,!0 could be marked on that very (now regarded as Anti-Pope) Hebrew calendar. Each month of the Hebrew rose from the dead on a Sunday, "'-0"'!, $'("' Sunday. But in the latter case, the John XXIII Baldassare Cossa in 4 4  4   ;          ( calendar begins on the morrow of the new which is celebrated every week full moon should occur latest by 1411.                     moon (which is actually no-moon or in the form of a Sunday mass. $!0!("&1,!0 Friday. This because Good Pierre d’Ailly’s ambitious                 ( amavasya), the 14th day would be full moon. Thus, Easter must be held on no "1-(".(1 Friday has to precede the Easter. plan to reform the Julian calen- On that day, every Jewish family eats the rit- other day expect Sunday. Since The Equinoxes and Solstices dar could not be taken up at the                    ually slaughtered and roasted Passover the Gospel says he rose from the $(''!!$, together form the four pillars of Ecumenical Council at Rome in           # 4  7    lamb. Jesus had occasionally likened himself day on the third day he was cru- %(%#'-, '!2 the tropical calendar inaugurat- 1412 nor at the Council of                       to a lamb in the Gospel. His martyrdom cified, Friday became his day of ed by Julius Caesar in 44 BC. Constance in 1414-18. But it cre- coinciding with the Passover feast carries a crucifixion. This is called “Good "!&!0.!%'! These astronomical phenome- ated a tempo which culminated >                 ( religious analogy. His last supper is believed Friday.” na were known to the ancient in the Gregorian reform of the     :                to be the Passover feast meal. During the first century !.,!04!.,1 Greek astronomers long before. calendar in 1582. By cancelling            P     Q ( The Jewish calendar is lunisolar, which AD, the churches in the East and 4-&&111'! But Caesar made it an integral 10 days from the calendar in means an intercalary month is added (as in the West mutually tolerated, part of the Western calendar, 1582, the Spring Equinox was   >        #      the case of Vikram Samvat in India) to keep celebrating Easter on different 1'14(,. though it was not necessary that restored to March 21 as in days                   it abreast of seasons. The Nisan is a spring days. But towards the end of the 0!5.0%&!,,14 the year or month should begin in Nicaean Council in 325 AD.                   month. But in ancient times, intercalation century, there was a heated 1'!04."10, from those points. In innovat- Pope Gregory XXIII wanted a    )      ?    (       was not done through any algorithm but by exchange among correspon- ing quadruple leap year, Caesar fixed date for Easter, like an arbitrary decision taken by the Jewish dences on the subject between had assumed the length of a Christmas, a demand that con-                    S grand assembly viz, Sanhedrin, based in Polycrates, the bishop of tropical year to be 365 days and tinued to be echoed till the 20th     ; /         Jerusalem. Sanhedrin was in existence till the Ephesus and Victory, the bish- six hours; whereas in reality, it century by various stalwarts. destruction of ancient Israel in 70 AD. Thus, op of Rome (equivalent to was 11 minutes shorter (365 This, however, has not come a day cannot be transposed from the old Pope). Victor sternly severed the days five hours 48 minutes and about. Jewish calendar to Julian Calendar with reli- whole Eastern Church from 46 seconds). The surplus 11¼ (The writer is an indepen- 4     ability. being in communion with the minutes remaining unadjusted dent researcher)  0 #0# 4   "  # %+(     #     *5  ( *(   1     . ,O    *        (    (    *   " /          (  ; /  O  #,         #      #'*         *+,-   @ (/   *        #      )  (/ #     #         (  &*,  #          $ S 4 /244/ &444/ 42/ 180 4 % / 4 4/ .         ( K-  K   K&;  K. >               )   (               #          ( (  '  ( " (( &    +("'           (    country does not need a sem-                    blance of just and fair election,        but a real ‘just and fair’ election       Sir — The Supreme Court has       L!"O    MI.  in every sense must take place been just in allowing the use of 6AJ#  *    !  "   I!"J and a real Government out of   /            R/(1S   the three leaked ‘classified’ doc- L*    M  ,  the will of the people must    uments as evidence in the Rafale " O    # -     "      2 come to take the country for- .              "( review case, dismissing the . (  . LO  M ward. In this regard, the role of Government’s objections. The      L    M  L( the EC is greater than what it                       ( monumental efforts put forth by . >  M#> ,> playing now.         2--2          Yashwant Sinha, Arun Shourie,  I,J    TK Nandanan     #     (        ( Prashant Bhushan and N Ram to      ,@,        Kochi          .        expose the murky Rafale deal "      #,>  deserve accolades. . ;       L   M                   One hopes that the Supreme     O  0,,#.       #.  @         3  $       Court will soon bring the case to  *5           *       4               ( its logical end after the       *        #      !"      Sir — This refers to the editorial, recently procured evidence, $!"                 @ “EC’s test of faith” (April 17). It                   ( shedding light on the wilful       *           #(      @ is shameful that the Supreme     3       # #       defaults in the surreptitious        O L>    M   # Court had to step in to remind the                deal, is examined. Culprits must     05      - !4 Election Commission (EC) about be brought to book. $   L    M  @@   its constitutional powers. But it is                     Tharcius S Fernando encouraging that after being  .            Chennai pulled up by the top court, the EC                 ( it to issuing gag orders on some Constitution and reprimanded it and fair election. did take action against four errant   senior leaders, including Uttar severely for failing to discharge The general election in our political leaders who had made               4 ( Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi its duties. country is touted to be the some shocking and divisive state-  # #         "      ( Adityanath Samajwadi Party Some leaders have regular- largest democratic process in the ments. The EC may be a toothless             (   5  $ S Sir — This refers to the editor- leader Azam Khan and BJP ly been violating the model world and every citizen must feel tiger but it deserves credit for hav- ial, “EC’s test of faith” (April 17). leader Maneka Gandhi. code of conduct and were also proud that he/she is somebody ing taken swift action against .                    Following a severe stricture on Earlier, the EC had cut a on a spree of spitting hate who has played a role in decid- these leaders. )                  the Election Commission (EC) sorry figure when it came to bell speeches. Sadly, the EC failed to ing who should head the new Sarita                   ( by a Bench headed by Chief the cat and rein in political act and remained a mute spec- Government at the Centre. In Via email Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi, parties who flexed their muscles. tator to such incidents. Now, the this process, the EC is the cus-   $   "             the electoral body was forced to The court reminded the EC of Supreme Court has done well to todian to oversee that “just and   - 5          .      take a flurry of actions, leading the powers vested in it by the strengthen the EC to ensure just fair election” takes place. The /14/?20 50   !"# $   A 7(&& 7) 3 /+'(":#  "#('  

+ 'Q! % 7%7  7  & &%-%       % @    7-  % ' % - '!'!  :&  %   %&   %  &  . *   @' L. %%     L:. 7              %7-%  -  %         3  #   *R  &   &*+/R     &      $'$'    $ S         S        2      )                  7                        #   !  333            y now, it’s common knowledge that        ;             Mahatma Gandhi, without whom the              call for independence from British #              rule would never have reached the    5     #S       Indian masses, had wanted the Indian   6 @  #      >    BNational Congress (INC) to be disbanded after              S  independence. That it was a party of the British                  ( and the Indian English-educated elite was clear to him and he knew that this was not what       ;      (   S     “freedom” truly meant. The purpose of INC as #                 envisaged was to achieve independence from      A          ( British Raj and to not hand over the country     .            ( to them on a platter. Gandhiji was clear that the                    INC needed to be disbanded after the British 7                  left India. But what he wanted did not happen.     <           He increasingly became disillusioned after inde-    .              pendence. After his assassination, pressure to               have a truly representational democracy took 3              a backseat and the corrupt cronyism of the INC held sway. .                      ( Gandhiji was indeed right about INC. It did      (          ;  not quite truly understand what nationalism #              ;    was. It still does not and does not even seem #         P Q ;       to care about it. As the 2019 election campaign                    is in full swing right now, we can see how the   ;             grand old party relentlessly disparages the             #       nation, fails to stand by our brave armed forces       @     %   and even scoffs the country’s phenomenal    P7 Q       ;   4   achievements —Mission Shakti and the testing     7            of the first anti-satellite missile system that made us the fourth nation in the world to have          this critical defence capability are a few exam- #S         ;       ( ples. With 70 years of independence, we are now                   a witness to some of the most negative state-   3                 ments against the nation by INC members. So    O   4    :  /  O      much so that today, even those Indians, who #S  3   ( ;  # #  !    were supportive of the Congress, are stunned   ;           at the lows the party has taken.         "   In no other democratic country does the     P (Q # 7         Opposition party ridicule the nation’s achieve-             P    ( ments or take sides with the enemy country — even said that British rule in India was the Bose, that pushed the British to the wall and policy except for mentions like secularism, the when its soldiers have been massacred by ter- “greatest gift of providence to his race.” raised the daunting prospect of an outright party members’ lack of national pride remained          Q rorists like in Pulwama — as in India. For, their Point to be noted here is that nowhere does mutiny — the INA’s contribution to India’s inde- obfuscated from public knowledge all these #     C  .  D       4 opposition is to the ruling party and never to the INC website mention about Hume. History pendence is undeniable. The sacrifices made by decades except for the occasional mention of    P                 ( their nation. The INC’s behaviour as an of this party is one that was never actually root- INA soldiers are, however, not what we think 1971 and Bangladesh (of course, it didn’t  Q        (        Opposition party will be unthinkable say in ed in India’s cultural identity as a basis for about in the common narrative of India’s inde- explain why 90,000 PoWs had to be returned     ;             ( Britain or the US where leaders’ loyalty to their nationhood. This is a deeper theme in itself. pendence. to Pakistan to keep aflame the fire of hatred       %        %   country remains unquestioned — it defines who In the historical context, recent public pro- Unlike other nations, India did not really against India in them as free Pakistanis and go   #             P they are as a people. nouncements by INC members, who have win a war and defeat foreign forces to reclaim on to spawn anti-India terrorism). The truth  Q 3               So, why is it that in India we have a party alarmed many Indians and provided fodder its sovereignty. So, post-independence, the INC of the INC — as a party still comprising the                 like INC, whose statements, like the one doubt- dangerously enough to Pakistan, bears reference captured national consciousness by means of English-speaking elite, scoffing at all that is                ing the Balakot strikes, sound like they are the to the party’s history. The INC was indeed so educational propaganda that highlighted the anti-thetical to its understanding — is being ;                  same as the ones made by politicians in cosy with the British that its prominent mem- party’s role in the freedom struggle when the exposed now. All of this reveals a well- Pakistan? Why is it that the leading Opposition bers failed to create a national identity that fact remains that none of the prominent lead- entrenched disconnect with Indian ethos and            O   ( party is unable to distinguish between the nation could resonate in its being — either before or ers from INC lost their lives to gain indepen- pride of the people.          7        and the ruling party and spares no opportuni- after independence. The ones, who stood for dence. The great sons of India, who sacrificed In the 10 years of UPA rule, there was noth-           ;    ty to belittle the country? It’s, therefore, worth a stronger and more assertive tone in demand- their lives like Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, ing much to feel proud about but much to be              ( asking: Does this disconnect with the country ing legitimate rights for the people, were Chandrashekhar Azad and Khudiram Bose, disheartened about, including the cowardly         ? #       have much deeper roots, going back to the for- staunch nationalists but were deemed as were not talked about in the public domain. silence by the Congress’ powers-that-be in Delhi     7          P$ ; Q mation of the INC itself? “extremists.” And this is well-known viz, the Instead, India’s freedom from the British was after the horrendous Mumbai 26/11 attacks. But P)(()Q           INC still not rooted in India: The party divisions between the “moderates” and the and is still showcased as being an INC affair, after losing power in 2014, party leaders have                   was founded in 1885 by AO Hume, a British “extremists” in the INC. failing to highlight the internal struggles with- maintained a unified stance to run down India’s                   imperial civil service officer. But did the party The firebrand, who gave the first clarion call in the party in its early days with the “moder- significant achievements.             ask for complete independence soon after it was for swarajya before Gandhiji, was Lokmanya ates” toeing the British line of administrative Since the last five years, India has touched formed? No. It was only after 44 years of its for- Bal Gangadhar Tilak, who said, “Swarajya is my reform and discussions and “extremists” significant highs on defence and technology 3     4       #  !  mation that the INC demanded poorna swara- birthright and I shall have it” in 1906. This call demanding freedom from foreign rule before fronts, something it had not pursued in its years            %    jya for India in December 1929. Until then, all came at a time when the INC was led by the Gandhiji came to India and led the struggle. in governance. So its principal strategy is to %         #      that it meekly asked the British was a domin- moderates (which was true for its first 20 years Needless to say, these “extremists,” or assertive attack Prime Minister Narendra Modi.     ;          ;   ion status for the country. And who were the of existence, working only on policy changes nationalists, didn’t really make it big in INC as Given its origin, it is difficult for the INC                 party’s members? They were a part of the through administrative means). INC’s top time went on after independence. to internalise the idea of India, the nation, its                  <   British elite — those Indians who were educat- leaders didn’t really want to let go off the British This then is the problem with INC: It never pride, its spirit and its civilisational sanctity. For   #              ed in England and who held wealth and social rule as they thought of it as being beneficial to believed in the main pillars that define a coun- it, poll time means reviving divisive agenda and                   standing. The formation of the INC can itself the nation. This can be seen in the stated posi- try — a unified core cultural identity and mil- let’s not forget that the divide and rule policy      be seen as a smart move by the British to main- tion of several INC presidents of the early days. itary strength that builds a nation. This is why worked well for the British, who inspired and 7        $ S      ( tain a sense of stability, badly shaken as they What is INC’s position on nationalism? when quite naturally all Indians would feel a founded the INC anyway. And so this saga were by the First War of Independence or what The party has never come to terms with what swell of pride on the achievements of the mil- endures. It is time for the voters to inform them-         (     #    they called the Mutiny of 1857. It is an unde- its position on India as a nation is and what it itary, Congressmen don’t. The INC’s disparag- selves of the history of the INC and realise that             !  "  # niable fact that early members of the INC means to be an Indian. This could be because ing stand on the brave and impactful Balakot it never really came around to re-modelling   $     %  3       looked up to British education and governance like many Indians believe, there was no armed strike by the Indian Air Force even disturbed itself from its British past as colonised subjects.       #           as means to achieving a “stable India.” There struggle by its members to achieve indepen- former party leaders like Tom Vadakkan, who And any party, which chooses to ally with the          P          are documented references to past Indian pres- dence, no suffering and no pain. It was, in fact, spoke about it later when he was asked as to INC now, is also standing by the same credo   Q C;  D !            idents of INC eulogising the British Raj and one the armed resistance by the Indian National why he decided to join the BJP. of perpetuating that legacy. &  '     ! (  ) (    * of its presidents, Pandit Bishan Narayan Dar, Army (INA), led by Netaji Subhash Chandra A disconnect with India: With no clear (The writer is a social activist) 8     & /"'+#;                                

extends across more than 693 kms is exactly the problem with conserva- ties admit that the State’s progress from Gujarat to Delhi (through tion initiatives for the Aravallis as the must happen at the cost of ecology Rajasthan and Haryana). The people as also the officials have not and the environment. Aravallis, with their vast landscape realised the potential of natural mar- There is no way to undo the dam- and biological diversity, have shaped vel that they have at their disposal. age done to the Aravalli range. India’s northern landscape in more They could only decipher the econom- Humans have exacted a terrible price ways than one. ic value of the range. As a result, this from nature. The sad thing is that all =  '+'B They guide the monsoon clouds amazing creation of nature with all its of this is happening under the super- and act as a groundwater recharge unique flora and fauna was taken for vision of State authorities. Mining 10!%.!-, he might of the mountain zone. Thus, they are important for granted and exploitation started to fin- mafia trucks ply day-in and day-out, !.$.0(5 ranges is almost mythical. These long-term ecological security of Indian ish off large stretches. carrying loads of stone extracted Tnatural formations have not cities. The Aravallis also help in pre- To make matters worse, the from the quarries deep within the        only shaped history and topography venting long-term desertification. Haryana Government recently Aravallis.      % but have also played a pivotal role in They act as a barrier against the wind, task, thanks to the many problems already delicate condition of the passed an amendment in the Punjab In the midst of these dreary and    conserving the ecology. These once carrying sand from the Thar Desert associated with it and the continuous range. And it’s not that only the ter- Land and Preservation Act, a law that grim conditions, all hope is not lost.       formidable ranges — be it the Western and prevent it from entering the intervention of humans. The situation rain has been affected. People and was drafted by the British in 1900. The judiciary of India is playing a van- Ghats along the south-western coast Delhi-NCR region. has been exacerbated due to a decline communities, who were dependent on With a change in the law, it is now guard role by taking up critical issues    of India or the Aravallis in the North Greenery associated with this in rainfall in the past few decades, the Aravallis, are now faced with an being feared that large areas of the pertaining to the well-being of the     — have existed unchallenged through- mountain range has been replaced which has led to the depletion of the uncertain future. Further, large-scale Aravalli forest area, that were earli- country and environment is certain-      out the history of time. But the reign with dry and dusty shrub-like environ- groundwater table. mining with dynamites blowing up er protected, will now face the risk ly one of them. The National Green     # of supremacy for these colossal won- ment. This is due to the mountain As the Aravallis paid the price of huge tracts of granite rocks caused of being used for development pur- Tribunal (NGT) has intervened many   *     ders seems to be waning thanks to range being subjected to decades of being close to human habitations, relentless vibrations and tremors that poses. But the Haryana Government times to ensure that the environment deteriorating environmental and wors- abuse and threats from mining activ- human intervention sadly did not stop led to the permanent displacement of defended the Act by stating that even is safe. In matters pertaining to the  *     ening climate conditions. The nega- ities and large-scale real estate devel- at deforestation of the mountains. The many bird species that were native to though the protection of forests was Aravallis, too, the judiciary must      tive role played by mankind is unfor- opments. The degradation of the real estate lobby and the mining the area. its priority, the present scenario also intervene. This alone can stop the oth-        tunately expediting the end of these Aravallis has led to a decline in mafia started eyeing the geological Prosperity of a region is directly required changes to be done, espe- erwise certain doom and death for the    marvels of nature. wildlife habitat, thus adding to the ani- wealth of the mountain ranges. proportionate to the concern and care cially at a time when the State has to much-fabled Aravalli ranges. The Aravalli mountain range is mal-human conflict. The revival of the Political protection and apathy of the shown by the local people towards progress ahead. (The writer is an environmental   # one of the oldest in the world. It Aravallis has become almost an uphill authorities further compromised the their natural assets and resources. This This is shocking as the authori- journalist) = )      >   !"# $ *C )&  % /8  +/, 0#   R   9929$:  3/ R  #5 * :    $;9<7+   

     least once a year. these engines, manufactured by   -.(   . He, however, did not com- the US firm, since their induc-   !$%!&'( ment on the show-cause notice tion three years ago. ndia’s fast  9 saying, “we conduct detailed “We confirm that there is Imoving con- he NCLAT has sought a 0 audits of all airlines at least once currently a DGCA audit on sumer goods Tresponse from Reliance a year. IndiGo’s audit is this IndiGo which is combined (FMCG) indus- Group Chairman Anil Ambani    month, and another airline’s is with the annual main base try is likely to within 10 days over a contempt     in June. Every audit involves audit. We have received a lim- grow at a slow- plea filed against him and some action.” ited number of show cause er pace at 11-12 other officials by the minority “The DGCA has issued a notices,” IndiGo said in a percent in 2019, shareholders alleging non-pay- show-cause notice last week to statement to PTI. almost 2 per- ment of dues by one of its   -.( IndiGo’s chief operating officer The airline also said it has cent lower than group firms. that in 2018, An NCLAT bench headed racking the says a report. by Chairman Justice S J Cwhip on The indus- Mukhopadhaya said he would budget carrier try is also like to hear Ambani and other IndiGo over the expected to grow at 12-13 per- from the previous quarter). respondents over the contempt issue of faulty cent during the April to June “Similar sentiments are petition filed by HSBC Daisy Pratt & Whitney quarter of the calender year witnessed in the economy with Investments (Mauritius) and passed by NCLAT on June 29, its plea to approach again with engines, aviation 2019, according to Nielsen. a 6.6 percent GDP growth in some other minority share- 2018 amounts to an undertak- its contempt plea against the regulator DGCA “In line with the FMCG the December quarter of 2018 holders of the company over ing given by the parties in a officials of Reliance Infratel. has served show- growth forecast for Q1 2019 at against an expected 6.8 percent. alleged breach of undertaking consent decree over payment of HSBC Daisy and other cause notices to 13-14 percent, this sector grew Inflationary pressure is also for payment by group firm 230 crore and a breach of such minority investors of Reliance its chief operat- at 13.6 percent. We are wit- seen mounting in recent Reliance Infratel. undertaking amounts to Infratel had moved National ing officer and nessing a softening of growth by months from 2 percent in “We intend to hear the Contempt of Court. Company Law Tribunal engineering 1-2 percent sequentially every January 2019 to 2.9 percent in learned counsel appearing on As per the consent terms of (NCLT) Mumbai alleging head, sources quarter leading to healthy dou- March 2019,” it added. behalf of the contemnor- the agreement between oppression and mismanage- close to the ble digit growth in the first half “While slight drop is wit- respondents (Anil Ambani and Reliance Infratel, HSBC Daisy ment after the company had development of the year followed by a high nessed in urban growth, there others),” the bench said. and others, recorded by the allegedly not taken their con- said on single digit growth in the second is a significant softening of “They may file short reply NCLAT in its order dated June sent for selling the tower and Wednesday. half of the year,” Nielsen said. growth trends in rural which is within ten days. Rejoinder, if 26, 2018, the Anil Ambani- fiber assets. The Nielsen maintained that dampening the overall FMCG any, may be filed by the appel- owned firm was to pay the NCLT in March 2018 halt- Directorate the FMCG industry growth industry growth from third lants within a week thereof,” it amount in the next six months. ed the sales process, following General of Civil Aviation Wolfgang Prock-Schauer and responded accordingly and it outlook will be in the range of quarter of 2018 to first quarter added. The six-month period has which Reliance Infratel moved (DGCA) is also carrying out a engineering head SC Gupta can only comment on this 11-12 percent in 2019, almost of 2019. The National Company come to an end following NCLAT challenging the order. special safety audit of the car- over the Pratt & Whitney matter after it has discussions 2 percent lower than that in Historically, rural has Law Appellate Tribunal which HSBC Daisy and other Later, on June 29, Reliance rier as it has found issues in engines issues,” the source said. with the regulator on the mat- 2018. grown 3-5 percent points faster (NCLAT)has directed that the nine minority shareholders Infratel and its minority share- “operations and engineering “The regulator is also con- ter but refused to comment on The volume growth which than urban and the recent matter be listed on May 20, holding 4.26 per cent stake in holder, HSBC Daisy submitted of the country’s largest airline,” ducting a special safety audit of the reasons for the audit. peaked in 2018 to 11 percent is slowdown in rural growth has 2019 for admission. Reliance Infratel filed the con- final consent terms of their set- an official source said. the airline after coming across “We can confirm that our expected to be healthy but brought the growth closer to HSBC Daisy moved the tempt plea. tlement before NCLAT over While IndiGo confirmed issues in its operations and operations are run in more lower at 8.5- 9.5 percent in the urban growth. appellate tribunal over alleged Earlier, on January 2, the sale of tower and fibre the receipt of show-cause engineering,” he said. stringent ways as prescribed by FY19, it added. “The overall drop wit- default of payment of 230 NCLAT had disposed of the assets. notices and the safety audit, IndiGo and GoAir, which regulatory framework. As this It noted that the 13.6 per- nessed in rural growth is crore by Reliance Infratel. contempt plea filed by HSBC Following this, the appel- DGCA chief BS Bhullar said have Pratt & Whitney-powered is an ongoing audit we can only cent growth in first quarter is majorly driven by slow down in During the proceedings, Daisy on technical grounds. late tribunal had disposed of the regulator carries out Airbus A320 Neo planes, have comment after the process is slightly lower than the last packaged food category,” it counsel appearing for HSBC However, the tribunal had the appeal filed by Reliance detailed audit of all airlines at been facing problems with over,” the airline added. quarter of 2018 (-2.3 percent noted. Daisy submitted that the order given it the liberty to withdraw Infratel. *   &  -- ) #) "    R   &)7%)   -(!%.(1, the world. These are nations demand from younger coun- follow-up (FfD Forum) is an     .B  that have benefited tremen- tries outside, especially devel- annual platform to promote =  rotectionism does not real- dously from the open world oping countries and emerging consensus among key stake-  )   ) Ply help preserve jobs and order,” he said. markets to boost growth,” he holders on financing for sus- offers little defence against the Rajan, the Katherine said. tainable development. 9(:>9(? job-destroying effects of Dusak Miller Distinguished “Is it wise to block imports Ministers, senior UN officials,   !$%!&'( had allotted secured automation and Artificial Service Professor of Finance at today from the very countries high-level finance officials, civil redeemable debentures (SRDs) Intelligence, Former Reserve the University of Chicago you will have to export to in the society, business representa-   !$%!&'( nesses up until 2021. arkets regulator Sebi has between financial years 2010- Bank of India Governor Booth School of Business, said, future? Probably not,” he said. tives and local authorities, are Deep diving into the $136 Mbarred Bengaluru-based 11 and 2012-13 and raised at Raghuram Rajan has said, “We know that protectionism Rajan said that while meeting at UN Headquarters he Indian traveller has billion spending, the report Siyaram Development and least 4.22 crore from more asserting that industrial and does not really help preserve nations recognise the cost of for the four-day FfD Forum, Tcome of age, spending cites a 12 percent growth in Construction Ltd and its eight than 49 allottees. developing nations cannot jobs. In this competitive world, protectionism, it is true that which will run from April approximately $94 billion in transportation ($50 billion), directors for at least four years The number of allottees afford to ignore the democra- jobs gained by a country in the “we cannot afford to ignore the 15 to 18. 2018, on approximately 2 bil- as well as a 13 percent growth from the securities market for and the amount of money tic reaction from those left protected sector are often lost democratic reaction from Rajan told the audience at lion domestic and internation- in lodging ($21 billion) and illegally raising funds. raised during the said period behind by globalisation and in other sectors that are now those left behind by globali- the forum that there is a need al trips, helping the Indian consumption. This includes Besides, the regulator could be more, Sebi said. technological change. rendered uncompetitive sation and technological to preserve a world open to travel and tourism industry spending on shopping, recre- directed the entities to refund Moreover, the firm creat- Delivering the keynote because they pay higher prices change. This should be true trade and investment but “we achieve unprecedented scale. ation and food, which are set to the money collected by the ed a charge for an amount of address at the 2019 ECOSOC for inputs. both of industrial, countries need to keep democratic sup- The momentum is expected to grow at 13 percent ($65 billion) company along with 15 per 70 crore and appointed Forum on Financing for He added that protection- and developing countries. We port in order to do it.” continue and the industry will over the next three years. cent interest. Kalpana Guha as its debenture Development at the UN ism offers “little defence” have to pay more attention to “I would argue that we grow at a 13 percent CAGR to Additionally, as more people Based on a complaint by trustee. Headquarters on Monday, against the job destroying those left behind.” must follow the principle of $136 billion by 2021, according come online, smartphone pen- an investor regarding non- As the number of allottees Rajan said the open liberal effects of automation and He added that if concerns subsidiarity much more strict- to a new report titled, ‘How etration will continue to payment of maturity amount was more than 49, it was democratic market system that Artificial Intelligence, which of these people are to be ly going forward. Decisions Does India Travel’, released by improve and the use of digital of his investment, Sebi con- deemed to be a public issue brought the world enormous often are the larger source of addressed while preserving should be taken at the lowest Bain & Company and Google payments goes up, with the ducted a probe to ascertain and required a compulsory prosperity in the six decades or job losses. an open world, “we should level consistent with effective India today. report estimating that Indian whether the firm had made listing on a recognised stock so after the second World War “The only guarantee start by recognising that the governance. These decisions The report outlines, how travellers will spend an addi- any public issue without com- exchange. is now under attack. against redundancy is to help globalisation of trade and must be taken with an idea of India as a market spends on tional $24 billion on online plying with the relevant pro- Further, the company was “Interestingly the critics the workforce stay ahead investment flows has disem- cooperation, they must be travel, the influence of online travel bookings over the next visions of Sebi and the required to file a prospectus, are not the usual radical acad- through constant retraining. As powered people and their taken responsibly given the channels in their purchasing three years, a growth from 25 Companies Act. among others, which it failed emics or leftist leaders, instead populations age in industrial communities.” spillovers both to the country journey and potential growth percent in 2018 to 35 percent During the probe, the reg- to do, Sebi said in an order on they come from some of the countries, more of them will The ECOSOC Forum on as well as to the rest of the opportunities for travel busi- in 2021. ulator found that the firm Tuesday. most prosperous nations in become reliant on foreign Financing for Development world,” he said.

  !$%!&'( funding from existing investors. ine Labs on Wednesday Pine Labs processes annu- Pannounced that it has alized payments of $20 billion. signed a definitive agreement This acquisition will bring to acquire Bangalore-based together the strengths of Pine !  .9    '4% 4 .  )    gift card solutions provider, Labs’ merchant-focused and  > ? '4% 4  $  0  )  # Qwikcilver, for $110 million, Qwikcilver’s brand-focused ; )   *.  )       subject to closing conditions. software-as-a-service (SaaS)   ;   .* ) ).  *+   .   The transaction has been technology platforms, and aug- 7ABC0      );    )  funded from the company’s ment their Indian and inter- ;   . +   .9 . >7AA7? cash reserves and additional national market reach.   !"# $  CC

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  $.,'(51 wider range of mitigation sion we can spot objects necessary. )   possibilities,” said Amy regardless of their sur- Astronomers also think ASA scientists have found Mainzer from NASA’s Jet face colour, and use it to that examining the composi-   ;.0."'( An official of the Na simple yet ingenious way Propulsion Laboratory measure their sizes and tion of asteroids will help to Edhi Welfare Trust said the to spot tiny near-Earth objects (JPL). other surface proper- understand how the solar sys- 4 Members of an deceased belonged to (NEOs) early as they hurtle However, it is a dif- ties,” Mainzer said. tem was formed. 1Afghan family, including an extended family that resided towards the planet, an advance ficult task -- like spotting Discovering NEO “These objects are intrin- women and children, were in Karachi and were Afghans that may aid the efforts to pre- a lump of coal in the surface properties pro- sically interesting because some killed in a road accident when who were going to vent dangerous impacts. night’s sky, Mainzer said. vides an insight into are thought to be as old as the the vehicle they were travelling Qila Abdullah in Baluchistan The Chelyabinsk meteor, “NEOs are intrinsi- how big the objects are original material that made in collided head on with a truck for the funeral of a relative which was a mere 17-20 metres cally faint because they and what they are made up the solar system,” Mainzer on the Karachi-Quetta highway when they met with the acci- across, caused extensive ground are mostly really small of, both critical details said. here. dent. damage and numerous injuries and far away from us in in mounting a defen- She is now keen to leverage Six family members “Nine people had died when it exploded on impact space,” she said in a statement. signature of NEOs -- their sive strategy against an Earth- advances in camera technolo- were injured in the accident on the spot after the with Earth’s atmosphere in “Add to this the fact that heat. threatening NEO, researchers gy to aid in the search for that took place on Tuesday accident while five others February 2013. some of them are as dark as Asteroids and comets are said. NEOs. after the driver of the truck passed away later in hospital,” “If we find an object only printer toner, and trying to spot warmed by the sun and so glow For instance, one defensive “We are proposing to coming from the opposite he said. a few days from impact, it them against the black of brightly at thermal wavelengths strategy is to physically “nudge” NASA a new telescope, the direction lost control of the Earlier in July last year, greatly limits our choices, so in space is very hard,” Mainzer (infrared), making them easi- an NEO away from an Earth Near-Earth Object Camera vehicle near Mastung on the 20 people including women our search efforts we have said. er to spot with the Near-Earth impact trajectory, they said. (NEOCam), to do a much highway. had lost their lives after focused on finding NEOs when Instead of using visible Object Wide-field Infrared However, to calculate the more comprehensive job of The final rites of the their vehicle fell down off the they are away from Earth, pro- light to spot incoming objects, Survey Explorer (NEOWISE) energy required for that nudge, mapping asteroid locations and deceased were held on road near Mastung on the viding the maximum amount Mainzer’s team at JPL/Caltech telescope. details of NEO mass, and there- measuring their sizes,” Mainzer Wednesday. highway. of time and opening up a has leveraged a characteristic “With the NEOWISE mis- fore size and composition, are said.  . C!   !"# $  F%'9 9&;

 P  $    "  *    .%'-0(%(O(   .*   ,.(( ,..0       5      .  %% % s soon as the teasers of        Kalank came out, the      comparisons between --    Madhuri Dixit’s por-    trayal of Chandramukhi inA Devdas and Bahaar Begum in the    ' new film became inevitable. :I   @ However, Madhuri feels that while J  the appearance might be similar, in     # grain, they are different women. ,   “Bahaar Begum is a very reticent L$ person. She is an introvert and is B   emotionally scarred because of a     past tragedy which has made her   #$ @ what she is. She is silent, yet conveys ;.5..0..-O     a lot through her eyes. As compared      to her, Chandramukhi wore her .&(.'.  O #'    heart on her sleeve. Her love for &* #( *( Devdas was there for everyone to 0.51&("'.%!& >     O  see. She could go all out and sing *     Maar Daala,” says the actor, who  ,1(0.Q%.  0.%!!       critics say, “lit up the screen in every '11%.     O  frame” in her newest outing. Madhuri, known for her danc- f actress Kangana Ranaut’s tirade against Alia Bhatt was-       ing prowess, reunites with Sanjay n’t enough, the former’s sister Rangoli Chandel entered #$   Dutt in Kalank, to whom she was Ithe ‘war of words’ zone, as did the Raazi actress’ moth-    #M rumoured to be romantically linked er Soni Razdan and co-actor Randeep Hooda. '  in her younger days. But she values Kangana has been calling out Alia since earlier this year   the co-star bit. Besides, she stepped for not supporting her film Manikarnika: The Queen of into the shoes of Sridevi who was Jhansi, and had claimed this was all a part of a “strange sort   "  supposed to essay the role before her of racket” in a section of the film industry. She had also called   *  '  tragic death. She says, “There was Alia a product of Karan Johar’s “nepotistic gang.” an emotional context to taking up Ever since, Kangana has made several references the role. They were about to start regarding Alia, the latest being over her “mediocre” perfor- O/ *0 and then things went haywire. mance in the otherwise widely lauded Gully Boy.  Karan (Johar) is a friend and I But Alia said, “I respect Kangana’s work a lot and I decided to help them.” respect her opinion. If she feels a particular way she must - The film talks about ‘Eternal have reason to feel that way. I would rather remember how     Love’ and Madhuri believes that it much she had praised me after watching Raazi. And I’d just  . 0 does exist. “I am a romantic person like to focus on my work. Maybe she will appreciate me again -  - and I do believe it exists as whether if I work hard enough.”   E+ you find it or not is your journey. The controversy took a different turn with Kangana’s There was a dialogue in Dil To Pagal sister hitting out at Alia and her mother Soni Razdan, call-   Hai where I said Kahin na kahin, koi ing them “non Indians who are living off this land, using *  na koi mere liye banaya gaya hai... and abusing its people and its resources, lying about intol- . aur kabhi na kabhi main usse zaroor erance and spreading hatred.” .   milungi. And I used to believe in “Time to think about their agenda and not to get car- . .     that and I did meet Ram (Shriram ried away with their provocations,” Rangoli Madhav Nene). He is my soulmate,” had written on social media recently, refer- F    she says. ring to an article about the mother-    The film also stars younger daughter duo’s British passports.   G+  actors Varun Dhawan, Alia Bhatt, Soni finally broke her silence over  -    Sonakshi Sinha and Aditya Roy the issue. In a now-deleted tweet, she *  - Kapur and she says, “The characters wrote, “Mahesh Bhatt is the man who are complicated as their lives are not has given her a break... She goes on to . .   .EP straight and each of their paths is attack his wife and daughter over and L?   interwoven with the others. All over again. What is left to be said then characters have a lot of angst and about abusing and hatred I wonder. .       regrets. They are all grey and that is Apart from character of course. what makes the story interesting.” Agenda. What’s hers?” % %     She is all praise for the four with Rangoli had a response soon     whom she has worked this time after. “Dear Soniji, Mahesh Bhatt   around. “They are very profession- never gave her a break, Anurag '  * al. They are always on time. They Basu did. Mahesh Bhattji works as  @ learn their lines and work hard.” a creative director in his broth- While the youngsters often er’s production house. Please   # imbibe the nuances of acting from greater part of the nineties. Madhuri that was put out in the films. note that he doesn’t own that !    her, there are tricks that they have saw both commercial and critical Women are no longer caricatures. production house. After Woh L'    taught her. “You see a new side to success and received six Filmfare They are not victims or avengers, Lamhe, when Kangana refused   everything with them. It is wonder- Awards, which she topped up with they are roles and characters. The to do a film written by him    @ ful to see this generation which is not a Padma Shri in 2008. She says, thought process of this generation called Dhokha, where he want- only acting in movies but has a pres- “Films are made professionally now. is very different and this is reflect- ed her to play a suicide bomber, #.@    ence on the social media. There are When I was doing a film like Tezaab, ed in the scripts. Otherwise, you he got so upset that he not only       so many different things that they do. the only women that we saw on the wouldn’t have a Badhaai Ho, Gulaab shouted at her in his office, but later    #$ You get to learn from them and they sets were the co-stars, hairdressers Gang or Dedh Ishqiya,” says the actor when she went for Woh Lamhe pre-      @ get to learn from us. So we inspire N!!0"!(!$1! and me. There were only two women who proved her acting chops with view to a theatre, he threw a chappal       @ each other. It is a symbiotic relation- directors, Sai Paranjpye and Aparna a film like Mrityudand (1997) by (slipper) on her. He didn’t allow her ship. There is a lot of synergy,” she (.%(44!0!$.2# Sen. Women could only be hair Prakash Jha. She also famously to see her own film. She cried the       says and as someone, who too has dressers and not make-up artists as served as a muse for painter MF whole night, and she was just 19 years    #(O  signed up on various platforms, !.0&(!0 ($.,. men blocked their entry and made Husain who made Gaja Gamini old.”   ; %I  goes on to add, “I enjoy social !02.0(.0"'.&  sure that they were confined to one (2000) starring her. Alia’s Highway co-star Randeep *J . *I*J media as it is a great tool to connect .&!@%1(.!%(!$ role. However, when I walk on to the So, would she say that it is a bet- Hooda also stepped in, saying, directly to fans. One can voice any- sets today, there seem to be women ter time for women like Alia to be in “Dearest Alia, I’m so glad you are not    I;    J thing that has happened or if you '.$.,-1- everywhere. There is no concept of the films as there are more roles for letting the opinions of very occasion-    (   have been misquoted, you can reach (4(&,#'!'1-5' you can do this and you can’t. Every women? “Why just them?,” she asks al actors and chronic victims affect you          out to your fans directly through department has women.” and adds, “It’s a great time for me as and your work. Kudos to you for your * #M Twitter. You can share things when- 01"!,,14'(, This is also reflected in the kind well. The audience has matured and continued efforts to outdo yourself.” ever you want to.” 5!!0.(1(,!02 of stories that are now being told. wants to see different kinds of sub- But Rangoli retorted saying Not just the stars, but even the With more women writers, there are jects. In Andhadhun, Tabu’s charac- Randeep has been pushed to come for- way that the film industry functions %(44!0!$'("'(, characters with more flesh and ter is so different from the usual.” ward in Alia’s support as the “nepotism (     has changed drastically since the time 0!4&!"!% blood. “Men perceive women in a Clearly, there is a lot more on the gang” didn’t have the courage. She -  . she made her debut in Abodh in 1984 ('!,"0(,O different way. Earlier, it a was very anvil from the actress. even called him a “permanent fail- and ruled the silver screen during the patriarchal, male-dominated view  5 *) ure.” L%' &       %  &     *   9"' &'+( ;         # he dictionary defines her- UNESCO. Though it had more         itage as ‘features belonging than 1.3 million visitors each year,     Tto the culture of a partic- after the devastating fire, Chartres       ular society, such as traditions, Cathedral or Notre Dame is now languages, or buildings, that off the list of visitors for six years     @ were created in the past and still — the time that it will take to  L    have historical importance’. So rebuild. Admire it from afar or bet-   when one talks in terms of ter still take part in the process of *  places, the United Nations has rebuilding by contributing to the selected some which can be national fund set up by the French   #M considered as humanity’s most government for the purpose. ,   significant locations. These     cover patches which range from %&     historical icons like Venetian Spain is home to a staggering    6A Lagoon to the Imperial Palace 45 UNESCO sites, third in num- in Beijing and the Chartres ber only to Italy and China.      Cathedral. This World Heritage Mérida, a model Roman city was      / Day, here is a list of some of established in 25 BC and accord-   mankind’s highest achievements ing to UNESCO is a “remarkable  *  as well as natural wonders which     example of a Roman city built     @ should feature on every trav- according to all the Roman urban eller’s wishlist. design rules.” From an    Amphitheatre to an intricate water         supply system, the city offers a      # With 52 noteworthy sites, glimpse into the ancient past. L(/    China ranks second in Apart from this, another must-visit    UNESCO’s World Heritage List. place is the Toledo — situated in The Imperial Palace of the moved the capital to Beijing.  !" to the list of UNESCO World is undisturbed by a human pres- central Spain. This city of three cul-    Qing Dynasty consists of 114 This palace then became auxil- Italy is home to 53 UNESCO Heritage Sites in 1987. ence. It is inhabited by more than tures was added to the UNESCO #@ buildings constructed iary to the Imperial Palace in world heritage sites, which is 2,000 rhinos and is home to a list for its extensive history span-       between the years 1625–26 Beijing. This architectural edi- more than any other country. # large breeding population of ele- ning 2,000 years, as well as for its    and 1783. It contains an fice offers important historical Apart from these must-sees, it World Heritage sites aren’t phants, wild water buffaloes and many years of co-existence among   important library and testi- testimony to the history of the also has the largest number of cul- simply ancient stones. UNESCO’s swamp deer. Jewish, Christian and Muslim fies to the foundation of the Qing Dynasty and to the cultur- tural sites that one must experi- list also includes natural wonders groups, earning it the nickname  #&     last dynasty that ruled China al traditions of the Manchu and ence. Celebrated throughout the — the Kaziranga National Park, $  City of three cultures. Synagogues,    M  # before it expanded its power to other tribes in the north of world for its singular beauty, situated in Assam. It is one of the France boasts of 41 heritage mosques and churches are some of the center of the country and China. Venice and its lagoon were added last areas in eastern India which sites preserved under the the popular sites. C3   !"# $ B   >>    +  & 

* &!3'* &' -'*)  '*!& ' ()('* *& - !! '!' ' ndia has inherited a rich Vedic Icultural legacy from its glorious  %33' )'!3!!& )-  (& % -! past. It is also a well-known fact that all the rishi-munis and yogis rom pristine sandy beach- accept Vedas as their soul. Rishi es to lush jungles, bustling Kashyap after studying Vedas con- busy cities and tradition- tinuously for 300 years expressed al villages, Michelin- his views that their knowledge is starred menus to roadside endless and eternal. So, it shall not noodleF stalls, historic Buddhist be out of place to mention that temples to 21st century skyscrapers, women have always enjoyed high Thailand could be truly amazing. respect from the society in the sacrifice by a wife for her ascetic The country also has world-class Vedic period. husband. Once, there lived a golf facilities. We must not forget the invalu- philosopher, Vachaspati Mishr, The Tourism Authority of able lesson from Atharvaved who was married in his childhood. Thailand, New Delhi, has intro- mantra — Stree Hee Brahma He forgot his wife as he was med- duced a FAM trip to Thailand to Babhuvith — which means that itating intensely. After the death of explore the various possible ways to women have been given the title of her parents, the girl attained puber- make ‘Thai Golf Passport’ a success Brahma. Even Yajyen considered ty and went to his ashram in the and an exciting golf travel loyalty woman as Brahma as she always hope of a happy married life. programmes for those who [pursue gives Vedic advice to everyone. Finding Vachaspati deeply the sport avidly. The highlight of the If we delve deep into our his- engrossed in meditation, she decid- event would be the Thai New Year tory, especially of Vedic age, we dis- ed not to disturb him. She started — The Songkran Festival. cover various names like Sita, managing the affairs of the ashram There are more than 200 golf Ansuiya, Madalsa, Savitri, Bhamati, and serving the rishi day in and day courses around the country, by the Katyayini, Lopamudra, King Janak’s out. With the passage of time, she sea, mountains, lakes, in the cities acharya Gargi and Kunti, who crossed the age of 75. One day and even besides its airports. From through their devotion, dedication when Vachaspatiji was busy writ- Phuket to Bangkok and Pattaya, and deep knowledge of Vedas ing a book in the light of an oil there are golf courses to suit differ- enlightened mankind. There are lamp, the flame started flickering. ent preferences. numerous quotes in our scrip- Seeing that the oil was finished, she Anil Dev, managing director, tures including that the Devta tried to pour in some to replenish Golf Plus Monthly said, “When it always experiences divine pleasure it. It was a moonlit night and the comes to golf tourism, there is no and gives blessings to those who gleam fell on her face. He was sur- destination which comes close to respect women. prised to see her and asked her who Thailand. The Thai Golf Pass is a A child owes a lot to his/her she was. The woman tried to make unique programme that pushes mother because she is the one who him remember their marriage dur- players to experience the sport in nurtures him/her from the begin- ing their childhood. When he this paradise. The programme has ning. Her teachings hold much came to know this, he felt ashamed been appreciated by the golfing more importance than even the that he could not look after his wife community in India as well as the teacher in the school. She is the rather she was left to manage the various partners of the programme.” moral builder, that is why we eulo- affairs of his ashram. The aged rishi Besides networking with the gise her by saying, “Matri Devo slowly started moving towards his golf suppliers, the delegates can Bhava” i.e. serve the mother wife to embrace her. Immediately experience the hospitality of the because she gives birth and nurs- she moved back and said that by Zign Hotel in Pattaya and Centre experience for me.” hope to welcome more golfers from es the child and “Mata Nirmatri serving him for several years, she Point Sukhumvit 10; the teeing off Adding to that, Meraj Shah, India to enjoy the world-class cours- Bhavati” i.e. mother constitutes the had experienced the divine plea- at the Chee Chan Golf Resort and writer and producer, Wion Traveller, es which the country has to offer, bright future of the child. sure of maintaining Brahmacharya, Pattana Golf Club freezing tour of said, “I have been to Thailand for along with the famous Thai hospi- The veteran warrior and wise so she should be allowed to remain ice sculptures at the frost magical ice Anil Dev and his team for the validating this claim. We are proud golfing many a times. I’ve played in tality.” man of Mahabharat, Bhishma so. The rishi stopped and went of Siam. success of the project. With to be associated with Tourism Hua Hin, Pattaya, Phuket, Khao Yai, The programme will also give Pitamah is respected even today towards his seat. He asked her Rishi Tomar, chief operating ‘Amazing Thailand,’ golf paradise Authority of Thailand and this Chiang Mai, to name a few places. ‘Amazing’ rewards on redemption of because his mother Ganga, gave name. She replied that it was officer, SLW Golf Management with more than 250 international first-ever golf travel loyalty pro- I couldn’t be happier heading back loyalty points. With the fully-auto- him the right kind of education Bhamati. By then the rishi had said, “The initiative was launched in standard golf courses, professional gram.” to the same places. It’s my favourite matic and user-friendly online pro- from the beginning. It was she who completed his spiritual book based India to offer Indian golfers a seam- caddies, warm hospitality, Rajan Sehgal, president, Indian country to visit — for the golf, its gramme, it aims to bring all the sup- persuaded Guru Parshuram, the on Vedas but he was yet to give it less experience in Thailand.” wellness, food and entertainment, Golf Travel Association, said that food and beaches and its nightlife.” pliers under one platform. greatest teacher in weaponary and a title and named it Bhamati. He added, “A number of qual- we look forward to Indian golfers golfing in Thailand is memorable. With NokScoot Airlines provid- The activities that began from warfare at that time to teach him Sometimes I wonder why the ity service providers like Thai being a part of this loyalty He said, “The programme is unique ing direct flights from Delhi to December 2018 has the following the skills of fighting. For the birth of a girl is not welcomed. Airways, Cox & Kings, Callaway programme and experience to India. While hotels and airlines Bangkok, travel has become smooth focus points — To integrate their knowledge of scriptures, she sent Whereas Vedas preach that a and other golf courses, resorts and services.” have loyalty programmes, this will and hassle-free. website with their travel partner Bhishma Pitamah to Brihaspati, the daughter is a lamp and enlightens hotels have come together to part- Commenting on the initiative’s be a first of its kind where a coun- Yodchai Sudhidhanakul, chief websites; To host promotional events biggest scholar of Vedas at that two houses — one of her parents’ ner this initiative.” success, Chitranjan Bakhshi, busi- try will be executing something like executive officer, NokScoot Airlines, in India with three of them in time. Thus he became not only a and the second of her husband’s Isra Stapanaseth, director, ness head, Golf Holidays, Cox & this. With well-maintained courses, said, “NokScoot has recently Thailand; To increase the number good warrior but also a great like maa Sita. Tourism Authority of Thailand, Kings said, “We believe in provid- professionalism, high connectivity launched direct flights from Delhi of loyalty partners to 200, To scholar and spiritualist. The cred- So, a family must rejoice at the said, “I would like to congratulate ing quality service to our customers and great hospitality, golfing in to Bangkok, offering high service increase membership’s base to cover it goes to none else but to his moth- birth of a daughter considering her all the partners of Thai Golf Pass, and this initiative will also help in Thailand has always been a great standards at affordable prices. We 5,000 golfers. er. as a pure blessing, harbinger of Women, after the Mahabharat good fortune and glory to the period, due to the lack of knowl- family. As quoted above, woman is edge of Vedas, have been mistreat- “Brahma”, so a creator must be  %    7HH ed and abused. By not educating revered. '   them in the Vedas, we are depriv- (The author, Swami Ram ing the country of the ability to be Swarup Yogacharya is the chief ) # -# # )-  stronger. editor of Ved Ishvareeya Vani, a bi- There is the story of extreme annual magazine.)

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he 11-member ‘Himalayan ardous and unforgiving terrains. THeights Motorcycle In freezing winds, it is a remark- Expedition,’ flagged off from able tribute to the immortal Karu in Leh on April 7, tra- courage and bravery of the versed the challenging terrain Indian army. In a rare gesture of eastern Ladakh, across the of encouragement for the expe- ydroelectric power generation company, Chang La pass. The expedition dition members, Lt Gen YK NHPC celebrated the 128th birth anniver-    - -222   #  &.    #  H           #    ) 0     - reached the mighty Karakoram Joshi, general officer command- sary of Bharat Ratna Dr B R Ambedkar, the prin-  9# .) #    )  )    222.*: pass situated at an altitude of ing, Fire & Fury Corps reached cipal architect of the Indian Constitution and  - #7/0)   .*. > 2?.   .  18,176 feet on the Karakoram the Karakoram pass to meet social reformer. >&?.&  *) . >< ?.        222 range on Tuesday. and motivate the riders. Balraj Joshi, chairman and managing direc- #     0 The joint expedition com- Speaking on the occasion, tor of NHPC along with N K Jain, director (per- he Reputation '!&(,4!.-0!, prises six Indian Army person- Lt Gen YK Joshi lauded the sonnel), and Janardan Choudhary, director TManagement .0!%0.1%( nel from the Army Service efforts of the team, especially (Technical), graced the occasion. Consultancy in its Reputation Corps, four from Royal Enfield the two women officers from Joshi described the life of Dr Ambedkar as >&)2'( Poll International announced -;!,'..( "!114 and one from the Himalayan the army service corps and the a “shining example for others to follow.” He high- the 2019 list of the 100 most 5115&!,-%.0("'.( Motorsports Association. The woman member of the Royal lighted his role in the country’s development and '*#D'*&/ reputable persons on earth. 1!&&.-0!.! Fire & Fury Corps and the Enfield team who “proved equal in laying down one of the most descriptive The list features person- expedition is celebrating the in strength, skill and spirit to the Constitutions in the world. A special highlight alities from various sectors ;.(&.,',.2.0'( 20th Anniversary of Kargil other members.” of evenings was a talk on Manavta ka Utthan by like entertainment, politics, $0(!001(,'.0. Vijay Diwas, that marked the The expedition salutes the Bodhisattva Bhante Dr Karunashil Rahulji. religion, education, philan- 41-%!014 victory of the Indian armed victory of the Indian army A documentary highlighting the life and thropy, business, politics, etc, .&&&.%(!,&!.5-! forces over Pakistan in 1999. during the Kargil war of 1999. contributions of Dr Ambedkar was also screened from 44 countries and recog- With temperatures as low They aim to “remember, rejoice during the event. Other attendants of the event nises leaders who have dis- %0'.0!!.010.  as -40 degrees Celsius, the feat and renew” their spirit of for- were office-bearers of NHPC, SC/ST employee charged their duties and .%(1@"'!(, is unprecedented over haz- titude, bravery and adventure. welfare association and OBC association. maintained a high level of 0(2.;.1,'( credibility, and have kept exemplary reputation for pub- lic emulation. motivational speaker Robin Looking at the statistics, Sharma, founder and global 4$ )))   )-P -    the USA had the largest share chairperson of All Ladies of reputed personalities in the League (ALL) and Women he 128th birth anniversary of Dr list with a representation of 38 Economic Forum (WEF) Dr TBhim Rao Ambedkar was observed '* . )    # )) females, 61 males and 1 cou- Harbeen Arora, and Bio- in Chittaranjan Locomotive Work’s ple. According to the age, the chemist Priyanka Joshi. (CLW) administrative office. he N F Railway celebrated the and also future projects to be under- oldest reputable person in The list also features Ram Prakash, Ravij Seth, B K T64th railway week with proper taken. the list is Queen Elizabeth II, influential international per- Singh, S P Marandi along with senior gaiety and merriment at Rang A K Yadav, chief administrative 92, whereas, the youngest sonalities like Dalai Lama, officers and other members of SC/ST Bhawan, Maligaon. officer cited last year’s record break- being Pakistani activist Michael Bloomberg, Tim association garlanded the portrait of Dr N K Prasad, general manager of ing performance completion of Malala Yuzafzai, 21. Cook, Michelle Obama, Xi Ambedkar and paid the tribute. the construction organisation, who Bogibeel Bridge Project in particu- The list features seven Jinping, Pope Francis, Warren S P Marandi recalled the efforts of was the chief guest, gave away prizes lar which was inaugurated by the PM Indian personalities, five Buffet and Ismail Ahmed. Dr Ambedkar on upliftment of social- to the awardees and also addressed on December 25, 2018. males and two females — There are also actors and ly downtrodden people and their to the congregation comprising of A group cash prize was also Prime Minsiter Narendra persons from the entertain- rights in society. Sanjiv Kumar deliv- officers, staff and N F Railway fra- awarded to the staff whose dedicat- Modi, Indian business mag- ment industry like Ed ered a speech on political contribution ternity. ed services made possible to com- nate Mukesh Ambani, CEO of Sheeran, Emma Watson, of Ambedkar from national freedom In a nut-shell GM spoke to the plete India’s longest Rail-cum-Road Google Sundar Pichai, Nobel Nicole Kidman and John struggle to strengthening of Indian Praveen Mishra, general manager Dr Bhim Rao and stressed upon to fol- gathering about achievement done in Bridge and Asia’s 2nd longest Laureate Kailash Satyarthi, Legend. democracy. of CLW also expressed his respect to low the path shown by him. the previous year, ongoing projects Bogibeel Bridge Project.   !"# $  C7 +   ;>A #      #  ) )  - !  /37>E3/?  )# 4 )

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I+ ) . -  J         C D  . - E".  *     EN   .0"!&1. L'+$(#& R$   # Fred and Scott McTominay closed  * in on Coutinho and the ball M+ )- 0 ) ionel Messi pounced on        spilled out to Messi, whose drib-  * E+  Ltwo Manchester United   #$  bling shot with his right foot    E9  mistakes to score twice and end * "  should have drawn a routine .    their hopes of another come- &#4 save. Instead, De Gea let it squirm      back at Camp Nou as    * *#R under his body for 2-0.  . *  Barcelona breezed into the K&(1!&!,,( Pogba lashed out at the .      *EN Champions League semi-finals increasingly influential Arthur L:((&+B +( on Tuesday. R2    and Barca could have had a third   4 -  # ! #$        1      After an excellent start,    before half-time, De Gea scram- -!,%.2/,("102!., I+      United were undone twice in *#  bling across to save on the line   -0(   -    four minutes by Messi, who when Sergi Roberto should have .&  %&  ..O'.!&.2!%6E5.!, I J      first nicked the ball off the care-     finished. jax stunned Juventus to reach Allegri had been forced to reshuf- ('(,,!.,1/,  E%    *  less Ashley Young and then   #R Messi could have had his hat- the Champions League semi- fle his side because of injuries, with "1!((1 &1,(51&2   *   watched as a weak shot from K1&!5-.0,1&,;.!0 trick too after Suarez found him Afinals for the first time since Paulo Dybala returning in place of the . 0 distance squirmed underneath with a superb cutback and there 1997 as Matthijs de Ligt's thumping injured Mario Mandzukic, while captain 1"! .'1!1%!4!%(5 *     -    David de Gea. L$  was an almost comical sequence second-half header secured a 2-1 sec- Giorgio Chiellini was also sidelined. "'.(1,0!.&.%0(%(    .  E+ Philippe Coutinho, in per-    in the second half when Leo  . 0 - -   ond-leg victory in the last eight in Ajax's defence took a hit when '!&.,01-%#'!2 haps his best performance of   played with his United chasers Turin on Tuesday. Noussair Mazraoui, who had replaced -* EI the season, added a third with     # before finally being bundled over Cristiano Ronaldo, bidding for the suspended Nicolas Tagliafico, limped 0!,1%!%$('. L/'#$+ B"# a curling effort into the top cor-     by McTominay. his sixth Champions League title, off on 11 minutes with an ankle injury, !10.&!=@6,!"1%@&!5 ner and by the end, an out-   LD    Rashford might have made it scored a 28th-minute header to put with Daley Sinkgraven coming on. over the bar. classed United might have interesting if he had controlled ("102.'!,.(.51   #R Juve ahead after a 1-1 first-leg draw, Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana dived The Juventus back-line struggled been relieved the score was not K!0!,1.&!0%! Pogba's ball over the top but but Donny van de Beek levelled for to keep out a scorching Dybala half-vol- !0.!- with the pace of the Dutch team with more traumatic than 3-0, 4-0 Barcelona were in exhibition Ajax before half-time. ley in the 20th minute. Pjanic doing well to deny Ziyech a tap- on aggregate. mode, helped by a vintage Teenage centre-back De Ligt struck But Ronaldo latched onto a Miralem in. A dizzying opening spell, United were brilliant for eight Coutinho curler after he had cut midway through the second period, Pjanic corner with a downward head- But Ten Hag's side's incessant pres- in which Marcus Rashford minutes and could have been inside from the left. though, to seal a 3-2 aggregate win and er that left Onana with no chance. sure paid off with 19-year-old skipper had hit the crossbar, was long- ahead within 30 seconds as Messi even attempted a bicy- set up a last-four clash with either It was the Portugal star's 126th De Ligt towering above Alex Sandro and forgotten, even if it could offer Rashford raced onto a curving cle kick and there were celebra- Manchester City or Tottenham. Champions League goal and sixth of this Daniele Rugani to head home Lasse Barca's next opponents some Paul Pogba pass and toed away tions from the home fans when The young Dutch side had already campaign, having now scored in his past Schone's corner on 67 minutes. encouragement. a shot, which Marc-Andre ter news went round that Ajax had eliminated three-time defending six European games against Ajax, net- Ziyech looked as if he had fired a Liverpool, who take a 2-0 Stegen bravely left to graze his taken the lead in Turin. They champions Real Madrid en route to the ting nine goals in total. third past Szczesny, but his goal was lead to Porto on Wednesday, own crossbar. believe this is their year. quarters, overturning a 2-1 home But Van de Beek soon silenced the ruled offside after a VAR check. are now the most likely obsta- defeat against the Spanish side with a cheers of the home crowd when he con- And the Dutch visitors held on, cle between them and their first -  memorable 4-1 victory at the Santiago trolled a wayward Hakim Ziyech shot with Ronaldo unable to make a dif- Champions League final since Barca were flustered, so Bernabeu. six minutes later, rolling the ball past ference after his incredible hat- they last won this tournament much so the crowd even Juventus had been looking to Szczesny to cancel out Juventus' away trick had pulled Juventus into the in 2015. cheered with relief when reach the Champions League semi- goal and make it 2-2 on aggregate. quarter-finals in the last-16 Instead, United's pair of Arthur Melo played his team's finals for the third time in the past five Teenage striker Moise Kean replaced win over Atletico Madrid. early errors made this another first convincing pass. seasons. Dybala after the break, but it was the Four-time winners Ajax night about Messi and ensured Then, Barcelona had their But Ronaldo, who scored an away Dutch who turned on the style, with won their third consecutive any faint hopes of repeating the own eight-minute flurry as goal last week with a diving header in only Szczesny's reflexes keeping title in 1973 at the expense comeback against Paris Saint- United almost conceded a Amsterdam, was Juve's only weapon Juventus in the tie. of Juventus, and last lifted Germain, or even the famous penalty, ruled out after Fred against the impressive Dutch side. The Polish keeper denied the trophy in 1995, with 1999 rescue act against Bayern took the ball before bringing The 34-year-old was signed for 100 Ziyech from close range with their last semi-final Munich, on this same pitch, down Ivan Rakitic, and then million euros ($117 million) last sum- one hand, and minutes appearance ending in were dashed. did concede, twice, to Messi. mer from Real Madrid in a bid to win later tipped Van de defeat by Juve 22 years Messi now has his 109th Both could have been the European trophy for the first time Beek's curling ago. and 110th Champions League avoided, even if Young's turn since 1996, when they effort Juventus now turn goals and, potentially, three on the edge of his own box was beat Ajax in the their focus back to extra matches to reduce the gap punished in devastating fash- final. Serie A where they on Cristiano Ronaldo's 126, ion. Young lunged in to atone "Ajax deserved can win an eighth after Juventus were dumped for his mistake but Messi to qualify," said Juve consecutive title out by Ajax. Barcelona's fans skipped away from him, poked coach on Saturday. celebrated that too. it through Fred's legs and then Massimiliano They could have hardly whipped the ball into corner. Allegri. have asked for a better start. The second was simpler.     6D6  % 1%( #    !   2 4*%9'';$4;%22'&    .%0(% tract with Atletico Madrid until June 30, 2023," a club statement read.   &1%1 tletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan "The Slovenian player has signed  )  AOblak has signed a new contract his new contract that commits him to ameron Bancroft hit an until 2023, the club announced on our club for four more seasons." Cunbeaten 151 on his one-day Wednesday. Oblak's previous contract con- debut for Durham as the dis-   1!".0&1 Oblak's commitment comes as a tained a release clause of 100 million graced Australia batsman start- boost to Atletico, with the 26-year-old euros, which is likely to have been ed to repay the English county's afael Nadal charged out of the establishing himself as one of the increased, rather than removed, in his faith in him. Rblocks on Wednesday to world's finest goalkeepers since join- new deal. According to reports in the Bancroft was banned for hammer Roberto Bautista Agut ing the club in 2014. Spanish press, the adjusted release nine months after being caught 6-1, 6-1 in his opening match at ! 2-   #     "Jan Oblak has extended his con- clause will be 120 million euros. in the Australia ball-tampering the Monte Carlo Masters. scandal during their tour to The 11-time champion South Africa last year showed no sign of the knee The 'sandpaper-gate' inci- problems which forced him to 0( (&!3&!!! dent during the Newlands Test quit ahead of an Indian Wells against South Africa also led to semi-final against Roger Federer Bancroft's Australia team-mates a month ago. Steve Smith and David Warner The 32-year-old had '&3 '3 !,!' receiving year-long suspensions. expressed pre-tournament cau- After returning in Australia's tion regarding the health of his   -("' #    "I actually expected to Big Bash League in December, knee — a worry which appeared  -   have a muscle injury earlier and playing a role in the back end to be groundless after a 76- njured Bayern Munich  %  )35C this season." of Western Australia's current minute masterclass. &'                   Igoalkeeper Manuel Neuer Neuer said he knew Sheffield Shield campaign, Nadal collected the opening on Wednesday quashed  instinctively that he had suf- Bancroft has joined up with five games of the afternoon in 17 Nadal improved his current position of 33rd. rumours of his imminent   fered a muscle fibre tear Durham with a view to making minutes as he set the tone for incredible record here to Zverev swept the retirement and says he wants      when he pulled up during the Australia's Ashes squad. another dominant display in the 69-4 as he takes aim at a opening set in 30 minutes to return in time to face RB    Duesseldorf game. Durham, now under a new principality. fourth consecutive title but had to get through a Leipzig on the penultimate The Bayern goalkeeper Australian director of cricket in He was equally in control at the event. series of three straight day of the Bundesliga season. . . J  praised his understudy Sven Marcus North, attracted criticism during the second set, where he Third seed Alexander breaks of serve between "It is difficult to say when Ulreich and wants to support in some quarters when they saved three break points in the Zverev rediscovered traces him and his opponent I will be back but I think career. the team in the coming recruited Bancroft. fourth game and two more in the of his best form with a 6-1, 6- before finally advancing in 78 Leipzig is a realistic target," he "We smiled about that," weeks. But the 26-year-old was con- sixth. 4 defeat of Felix Auger-Aliassime. minutes. said at a press conference, Neuer admitted when asked "Even if I can't play I want troversially appointed Durham "It was a great start, it's good The German, locally based, The third seed broke six with league leaders Bayern about the rumours. to be around the team," he captain and, making his maiden to be back here," the 17-time reached the third round as he times and will next face Italy's away to third-placed Leipzig The Bayern shot-stopper said. limited overs appearance, Grand Slam winner said. tamed the 18-year-old who broke Fabio Fognini, who reached the on May 5. insists he is taking this latest Bayern face back-to-back Bancroft piled up the runs in "I've had some great through for a Miami semi-final third round when French oppo- Neuer, 33, was substitut- setback in his stride after games against in-form their One-Day Cup clash with moments on this court, I really last month. nent Gilles Simon was unable to ed off during Bayern's 4-1 twice breaking a bone in his Werder Bremen in the next Northamptonshire at Chester-le- enjoy playing here. play their match due to back win over Fortuna Duesseldorf foot in 2017. week. Street on Wednesday. "It's not easy to come back &:F problems. last Sunday after aggravating "I was out for a whole They host Bremen in the Bancroft, who played in the from injury, I had to do a lot of The 21-year-old Zverev Greek sixth seed Stefanos a recurring calf injury. year last season when I broke league on Saturday before 2017-18 Ashes, plundered five mental work as well to be pre- played the semi-finals in Monte Tsitsipas moved ahead, defeating The knock sees him side- Neuer has had a relent- my metatarsal and I was on travelling north for a German sixes and eight fours in a 188- pared. Carlo a year ago but has yet to hit Mikhail Kukushkin 6-3, 7-5. lined at a crucial phase of the less struggle with injury in crutches for a long time," he Cup semi-final tie on Tuesday. minute stay at the crease. "I tried to play solid, domi- his stride this season. Britain's Cameron Norrie season, with Bayern seeking recent years, and after the said. Neuer described both He and Michael Richardson nate with my forehand when I That may be starting to defeated Marton Fucsovics of to stay a point ahead of club announced that he "When you are out for games as "finals" and warned put on 208 for the fourth-wick- had the chance." change. Hungary 7-6 (7/3), 6-3, while Borussia Dortmund in the would give a press conference that long, your body has to his teammates not to under- et before the latter was ousted in Bautista Agut has now lost to Canadian Auger-Aliassime Pierre-Hugues Herbert stunned Bundesliga title race and bid- on Wednesday, there was adapt so you expect to have estimate Bremen, who cur- the final over. his Spanish countryman in all has made a fast rise in the rank- 2018 finalist and fifth seed Kei ding to reach the German some speculation that he smaller muscle injuries after- rently sit seventh in the Durham went on to score three of their meetings, while ings from 175 a year ago to his Nishikori 7-5, 6-4. Cup final. might be about to end his wards." Bundesliga. 342 for five from their 50 overs. 9?

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   #  1J3 #  1 1   3        : /    !$%!&'(    * ustralian great Ricky Ponting on Wednesday Aexpressed surprise at Rishabh Pant's exclusion  ) 0<1: from India's World Cup squad, saying he could have been the X factor in the playing eleven. Ponting met Pant on Monday night, hours after the India squad was announced with Dinesh *- )   -       K/   7H  Karthik being preferred over the 21-year-old for the reserve wicketkeeper's slot. "Yes I was surprised when he was left out of the While Watson found the fence Indian squad. I thought he would be in and he four times, Du Plessis hit two max- would be in the starting eleven. I thought someone imums to up the ante at the Rajiv like him batting at four or five could have been that Gandhi International Stadium. X factor and the difference between India and the Having added 79 runs in just other teams," under 10 overs, Watson was said the Delhi bowled by left-arm spinner Capitals head Shahbaz Nadeem, giving the home coach. fans something to cheer about after Ponting had a prolonged wait. nothing but The Australia's dismissal trig-   !$%!&'( Live on Star Sports 1& 2 HEAD words of gered a collapse, from which the TO encouragement Super Kings struggled to recover. ishabh Pant will be in focus HEAD for the star Rafter his fiercely-debated  )C Delhi Capitals :7  &  & World Cup exclusion when a )‰† %  '( player. Struggling with back spasm, buoyant Delhi Capitals aim to ';$;4% "One thing Chennai Super Kings skipper replicate its stellar away form at '-0,%.2  LB88  '' we know about Mahendra Singh Dhoni was on home against the Mumbai Indian cricket Wednesday rested for their IPL Indians here at Feroz Shah Kotla that there is a lot clash against Sunrisers on Thursday. up five wickets. The batting of depth around Hyderabad, the first time he is not Pant has been mum on unit, led by captain Shreyas in batting and leading the yellow brigade since being ignored for the World Cup Iyer, is also hitting its strides with this time 2010. in favour of Dinesh Karthik and Dhawan back among the runs Rishabh has Suresh Raina was handed it would be interesting to see following a few quiet games. missed out. over the captaincy for the away how the 21-year-old's bat His opening partner is due Knowing what game at the Rajiv Gandhi responds to the disappointment. for a big knock after making lit- he is like and International Stadium. With 10 points from eight tle impact in the last five games. the talent he has, "Dhoni wanted to take some games, both teams are on course But the centre of attention I would be sur- rest, he'll be back in the next to make the play-offs. While that will be Pant, who will be play- prised if he   '2%!0..% game," Raina said at the toss. counts as familiar territory for ing his first game after missing doesn't play in at least three world cups before his The decision to rest the vet- three-time IPL champions out on a World Cup spot, a deci- career is over. unrisers Hyderabad bowled a eran was a precautionary mea- Mumbai Indians, Capitals are in sion that has divided opinions. "I had a quick chat with him. He seems to have nagging line and length to sure. the middle of a remarkable The focus will also be on the taken it pretty well. There is no doubt that he is dis- Srestrict Chennai Super Kings The two-time World Cup resurgence, having not finished Kotla pitch which has already appointed, he would have loved to be in that squad to 132 for five in their Indian winning captain had suffered in the top-four since 2012. copped criticism for its slowish but the thing he still has to remember is, potential- Premier League match here on the injury against Kolkata Knight The celebrated duo of head nature. Ponting had described it ly he will get the opportunity to play in three to four Wednesday. Riders and after that game, Dhoni coach Ricky Ponting and men- as the "worst possible" track for World Cups. Leading the side in the absence had said, "It's a little tight right tor Sourav Ganguly has man- the home team after a loss ear- "What is negative thing for the Indian team is of Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who now but hopefully, it will get bet- aged to instill belief in the team lier in the tournament. positive for Delhi capitals. Really happy that the was rested for the game because of ter". members and that is visible on Apart from the super over decision has been made and he can focus on the back spasm, Suresh Raina opted to Ahead the match, Dhoni was the field. The team now seems game against KKR, the other back half of the tournament." bat after the coin landed in his seen warming up by playing to believe that it can win the title two matches here have been Pant at times has been criticised for throwing favour. But the decision did not some football before Raina after a long spell as the perenni- low-scoring affairs with the away a good start. Asked if that could be the rea- work wonders for the visitors as the walked out for the toss. al underachiever of the compe- home team ending on the wrong son selectors did not pick Pant, Ponting said: "I don't Sunrisers bowlers produced a dis- This is only the fourth time tition. side of the result on both occa- know the selection criteria. Don't know why he is ciplined effort to pick up five wick- Dhoni is not playing for Chennai The South African pace sions. not being picked. I don't know why the other guys ets for 22 runs. Super Kings in the cash-rich combine of Kagiso Rabada and Like Capitals, Mumbai is have been picked ahead of him. To be honest it is Opener Faf du Plessis top- bowler with economical figures of runs. league. Chris Morris have delivered for also getting better with each none of my business. scored with a 31-ball 45 and 2/17 in four overs, seamers In a manner least convincing, Dhoni has been in good form the team. Even in the previous game and look a more potent "Though I don't think he is impatient, he is a added 79 runs for the opening Bhuvneshwar Kumar (0/21) and CSK found their first boundary for Chennai Super Kings in the game against Sunrisers outfit with the return of Lasith very smart player. I think he sums up situations and wicket with Shane Watson (31). Khaleel Ahmed (1/22) were also when Watson's thick edge went fly- 2019 IPL, leading the team's run Hyderabad, the two pacers Malinga. Hardik Pandya is also conditions really well. But they obviously have their CSK did not have much to cheer miserly. ing over the slip cordon. chart with 230 runs from eight shared seven wickets to fashion firing on all cylinders. reasons for not picking him and I am not going to about after that as the hosts made It was a quite beginning for Du Plessis drove Khaleel over matches, including two fifties. an unlikely win for Capitals who Capitals got the better of comment on that. a remarkable comeback. Ignored CSK as Bhuvneshwar conceded his head for a boundary in the CSK, who have won seven successfully defended 155 by Mumbai Indians at Wankhede "I actually think he missing out you will see a for the World Cup, Ambati Rayadu just one run in the opening over. fourth over, a proper cricketing out of their eight matches in this bowling out the hosts for 116. earlier in the competition, so different player in the IPL. His determination will remained not out on 25 off 21 balls. Complementing his senior pace shot this time around, and CSK Indian Premier League so far, West Indies pacer Keemo expect the Rohit Sharma-led shine through and I am sure he will score heavily While leg-spinner Rashid partner, Khaleel also bowled a tight followed that with a flurry of need another win to secure a Paul too has come to the party squad to come back harder at in the back half of the tournament," he said. Khan was the most successful first over, giving away only three fours and sixes. play-off berth. in the last two games by picking Kotla. =   3/  .& )% 1   -  $

  "1&11 to a historic 2-0 Test triumph in   !$%!&'( be going," a senior BCCI official South Africa and made Sri said on Wednesday. eteran pacer Lasith Malinga Lanka the only Asian side to win oung wicket-keeper Rishabh While Khaleel Ahmed, Avesh Vwas sacked as ODI skipper a Test series in South Africa. YPant and veteran batsman Khan and Deepak Chahar will be with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) on The other option was Ambati Rayudu were on travelling with the team purely as Wednesday naming Test captain Angelo Mathews, who has been Wednesday named among the net bowlers, they can also be Dimuth Karunaratne to lead the Sri Lanka's ODI captain in two standbys for India's World Cup drafted in if the management feels country at the 50 over World separate stints before. But squad, reigniting their dashed so. cup in England beginning May Mathews is said to have declined hopes of making the trip to the UK "Khaleel, Avesh and Deepak 30. the offer to captain citing his dis- in case an injury setback hits the are not designated standbys. In The World cup squad will agreements with coach side. case of bowlers, that possibility is /'  3 be announced on Thursday, Chandika Hathurusinghe. Speedster Navdeep Saini also there but when it comes purely to SLC said. He will replace Malinga, The news will come as a found a place in the list of three batsmen, it will be either Rishabh "Karunaratne's appoint- who had captained the team blow for Malinga, who had back-ups for the mega-event start- or Rayudu," the official said. 4!9(&'* ment was ratified by the during the 0-5 loss to South played a domestic match in ing on May 30. In other developments, there Minister of Africa in the ODI series. Kandy, only 14 hours after play- With the ICC doing away will be no Yo-Yo Test for the World Telecommunications, Foreign Malinga, who led Sri Lanka ing an IPL match for his fran- with the practice of letting coun- Cup-bound players as the IPL is ' !! Employment and Sports to a World T20 trophy in 2014, chise Mumbai Indians in tries announce a probables' list going to end only on May 12, just Honorable Harin Fernando," had personal disagreements Mumbai, earlier this month. before the final squad, the BCCI a few days before India head to the   ;.0."'( Sri Lanka Cricket said in a with the team management Apart from Malinga and also has the option of including UK. release. and certain senior players, Mathews, Sri Lanka had also anyone apart from these three but "The players are already in the attling concerns over the form and fitness of 31-year-old Karunaratne, which also soured his stint as tried Dinesh Chandimal and it is unlikely to happen. middle of a gruelling T20 season. Bsome of their players, the Pakistan selection who didn't play a single ODI captain. Thisara Perera to lead the side "Just like ICC Champions Once the IPL ends, they will need committee headed by Inzamam-ul-Haq has since the 2015 World Cup, has Karunaratne, a Test opener, at various stages over the past Trophy, we have three standbys. recovery time. decided to announce the World Cup squad on only featured in 17 ODIs and forced himself into the ODI cap- two years since the retirement of Rishabh Pant and Ambati Rayudu "It's not like that there is a gap Thursday with two reserves. averages 15.83 with a high score taincy following his success in Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela are the first and second standbys between two series and you are The selection committee has decided to utilise of 60. the Test arena. He led Sri Lanka Jayawardene in 2014. while Saini is the bowler in the list. having a test. If you are tired, the the five-match one-day series against England and So if anyone gets injured, as per results may vary," the official some side matches as the barometer for making requirement, one of the three will explained. changes in the 15-member World Cup squad, if required, by the deadline of 23rd May.     $) "The selectors after consulting head coach, Mickey Arthur have more or less decided on the 3 0%*0-,,-./,@- 15-member World Cup squad and two reserves   &1%1 Under the previous system, he would not who will be on the flight to England for the World have been eligible until the winter of 2022 after Cup and before that play at the one-day series ngland chief selector Ed Smith is confident a seven-year residency. against England and some side matches," said a Ethe call-up of uncapped all-rounder Jofra Archer and another Barbados-born Sussex @+/3+1001,1-3- %0 source close to the selectors on Wednesday. Archer will have no adverse affect on team player Chris Jordan were both added to the 15- "The concerns are over the fitness of left arm morale in the run-up to the World Cup. man squad that played a one-day series in the   %-.( "I don't get involved "They (who missed spin allrounder, Imad Wasim, the present form Rising star Archer was included on West Indies earlier this year. in selection. If we have out) shouldn't lose heart. of experienced left arm pacer, Muhammad Wednesday in a 17-man squad for next They were also included in the 14-strong ndia coach Ravi Shastri any opinion, we let the It's a funny game. There Aamir and a debate on who will be the reserve month's one-day internationals against party for a one-off Twenty20 against Pakistan. Ion Wednesday said he captain known," Shastri could be injuries. So you opener in the World Cup. Ireland and Pakistan. Archer has been impressing in the Indian would have preferred a was quoted as saying by never know when you The source said Imad would be picked in the The dynamic Barbados-born Archer Premier League, where he took three for 15 16-member World Cup the 'Sport360' website. could be called up," he squad with the other left-arm spin allrounder was left out of the 15-man preliminary for the Rajasthan Royals against Kings XI squad instead of the man- "When you only have said. Muhammad Nawaz among the reserves so that World Cup squad also announced by Punjab on Tuesday. dated 15 and urged those 15 to pick, there is bound When pressed on if Imad is unable to be 100 percent fit before the tournament hosts England. "The selection panel has been who missed out to "not to be someone or the Vijay Shankar's selection World Cup he can be replaced. But he could have as many as six impressed with Jofra Archer's per- lose heart". other who misses out, for the No 4 slot months Muhammad Aamir managed to snap just five one-day internationals — one against formances in domestic and fran- India on Monday which is very unfortu- after captain Virat Kohli wickets in his last 14 ODIs and the source said Ireland and five against Pakistan —to chise cricket," said Smith. "He is a announced a 15-strong nate. I would have pre- declared Rayudu as the selectors and team management have some reser- stake his claim before England con- very talented and exciting crick- squad for the mega-event, ferred 16 players. We had front-runner for the vations over the form of the experienced pacer. firm their final World Cup squad on eter. starting May 30, and the mentioned to the ICC position, Shastri said the "Fakhar, Imam, Haris, Babar Azam, Shoaib May 23. "In line with ICC regulations, omissions of young keep- that in a tournament that spot remains a flexible Malik, Muhammad Hafeez, Muhammad Rizwan, Sussex paceman Archer, 24, has we have to name a preliminary er-batsman Rishabh Pant long, 16 players makes one. Sarfaraz Ahmed (Capt), Shadab Khan, Faheem an English father and holds a British squad of 15 for the ICC Men's and veteran Ambati sense. But the diktat was "Total flexibility (on Ashraf, Junaid Khan, Emad Wasim, Shaheen Shah passport. Cricket World Cup before April 23. Rayudu triggered a 15," he added. No 4 position) depend- Afridi and Muhammad Aamir are certain selec- He completed a three-year "However, all 17 players named in debate on the choices Shastri said those ing on conditions, oppo- tions while for the one slot the toss up is between qualification period on March 17 the Royal London ODIs against made by the selectors. who missed the final 15 sition. I would say the top Abid Ali and hard-hitting middle order batsman, after the England and Wales Pakistan can stake a claim to be in the Shastri steered clear should look ahead as three… but after that Asif Ali. Cricket Board changed its residen- final 15-man squad, finalised at the end of commenting on the opportunity can knock you can be very flexible," "The reserve players will include Muhammad cy rules. of that series." furore. anytime. he said. Nawaz and Muhammad Hasnain."