AHMEDABAD l WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2020 l Pages 12 l 3.00 RNI NO. GUJENG/2019/16208 l Vol 2 l Issue No. 36

Benchmark indices Sensex & Nifty continued their record-set- India defeated Australia by 8 wickets to win second Test SENSEX, NIFTY CONTINUE ting spree on Tuesday as investor sentiment remained upbeat INDIA BEATS AUSTRALIA match on Day 4 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground to square RECORD RUN, CLOSE STRONG AT amid positive domestic as well as global cues. After scaling an BY EIGHT WICKETS, the 4-match series. India stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane intra-day high of 47,715, 30-share BSE rose 259 points to finish became the first recipient of prestigious Mullagh Medalas 259 & 59 POINTS RESPECTIVELY at 47,613; while NSE Nifty settled 59 points to close at 13,933. LEVELS SERIES 1-1 announced for Player of the Match of Boxing Day Test.

OUR EDITIONS: JAIPUR, AHMEDABAD & LUCKNOW 11°C - 25°C www.firstindia.co.in | www.firstindia.co.in/epaper/ I twitter.com/thefirstindia I facebook.com/thefirstindia | instagram.com/thefirstindia

GOVT TO INCREASE NUMBER OF GENOME ALERT: NEW COVID STRAIN SEQUENCING FOR COVID-19: HEALTH ENTERS INDIA AS 6 TEST POSITIVE MINISTRY New Delhi: Six persons contacts have also been who returned to India put under quarantine, INDIA RECORDS LOWEST EX-HIMACHAL CM from the United King- the ministry said. KUMAR’S WIFE dom have tested posi- “Comprehensive con- DAILY COVID RISE IN 6 MTHs DIES OF COVID-19 tive for the new UK tact tracing has been New Delhi: India on Tuesday has surpassed a Kangra: Wife of former variant genome of initiated for co-travel- crucial milestone in its fight against the global pan- Himachal Pradesh Chief SARS-CoV2, the Union lers, family contacts demic as the country recorded the lowest daily rise Minister and senior Health Ministry said on and others. Genome se- in over six months. Union Health Secretary said BJP leader Shanta Tuesday. quencing on other spec- that daily new COVID-19 cases are less than 17,000 Kumar, passed away on It said the mutated imens is going on. “The (16,432) after 6 months now. “Active cases in the Tuesday at the age of UK strain was detected situation is under care- country are less than 2.7 lakhs and are declining. 83. Santosh Shailja was in samples in NIM- ful watch and regular Positivity rate in the country during the last week admitted 4 days ago HANS, Bengaluru, in advice is being provid- stood at only 2.25 per cent while the cumulative where she was tested CCMB, Hyderabad and ed to the states for en- rate is 6.02 per cent.” “Daily deaths are also less positive on December one in NIV, Pune. All hanced surveillance, than 300 after 6 months. 55 per cent deaths are 24. Her husband, son, these persons have been containment, testing found to have occured in 60 years and above age daughter-in-law, two kept in single room iso- and dispatch of sam- group and 63 per cent of the deaths have occurred granddaughters, PS, lation at designated ples to INSACOG labs,” to males,” Bhushan added. With 16,432 new cases PSO and driver also health care facilities by the ministry said. in the last 24 hours, India has reported a total of tested positive for the respective state govern- COVID-19 vaccines will 1,02,24,303 cases so far, MoHFW said. —ANI virus on December 25. ments and their close work against Turn to P6 Passengers waiting at arrival area after landing of a flight from UK, in Mumbai. —FILE PHOTO PM infuses new lease of life AGRICULTURE CAN’T BE RUN in Eastern belt with EDFC SITTING IN DELHI: PAWAR Vishal Srivastav NCP supremo terms PM claim that Opposition parties behind agitation as ‘Unfair’ In what could prove to be a game changer New Delhi: NCP su- in developing coun- premo and former ag- FARMERS LATHICHARGED IN try’s eastern side, riculture minister PATNA, SEVERAL HURT Prime Minister Nar- Sharad Pawar on Tues- Patna: Several farmers were injured after police endra Modi inaugu- day accused the Centre resorted to mild lathicharge and fired water rated the New Bhau- of bulldozing three canons on a procession taken out against the pur-New Khurja sec- new farm laws without contentious farm laws in Patna on Tuesday. tion of the Eastern consulting states and The farmers were heading towards Raj Bhawan Dedicated Freight asserted that agricul- via busy Dak Bungalow crossing. According to Corridor in Praya- PM Narendra Modi ture cannot be run police, the crackdown at Dak Bungalow cross- graj via video confer- “sitting in Delhi” as it ing was preceded by skirmishes between the encing on Tuesday. also inaugurated the dustries such as alu- involves farmers toil- demonstrators and police and administrative The 351-km section, Eastern Dedicated minium industry in ing in distant villages. officials at the Gandhi Maidan, the starting point which has been built at Freight Corridor’s Pukhrayan region of As farmers’ protest of the rally, where agitators took exception to a cost of Rs 5,750 crore, (EDFC) operation con- Kanpur Dehat, dairy on Delhi borders their entry being allowed inside the sprawling will open new avenues trol centre at Prayagraj. sector of Auraiya, tex- against these laws has public ground only through one of the many for local industries in The section will tile production and entered its second gates. Police sources said the restriction was Uttar Pradesh. open new vistas of op- block printing of Eta- month and five rounds put in place to avoid a stamped-like situation. The prime minister portunity for local in- wah, Turn to P6 of talks so far have NCP Chief Sharad Pawar. failed to resolve the crisis, Pawar also NOW ANNA TO CRUSADE FOR raised questions about All or nothing: Farmers FARMERS, LAUNCH STIR IN JAN the composition of the Pune: Social activist Anna Hazare said he will Those not respecting Gandhi three-member minis- before Dec 30 talks launch an agitation in New Delhi in January on terial group negotiat- issues concerning farmers if the Centre did not ing with the unions, New Delhi: Protesting vited the protesting take a firm decision on his demands. In a press talking of Sonar Bangla: Didi saying the ruling party farmer unions Tuesday farmers for the sixth release issued in his native village Ralegan should have put for- wrote to the Centre on round of talks on Siddhi in adjoining Ahmednagar district, the Bolpur: Iterating that ward leaders with “in- the talks scheduled be- Wednesday. In its letter veteran anti-corruption crusader said he has the BJP is a “party of depth” understanding tween the two sides on on Tuesday, the Samy- decided to “resume” his protest in Delhi from outsiders”, West Bengal of agriculture and Wednesday, saying the ukt Kisan Morcha, next month and has informed the Centre about Chief Minister Mamata farmers’ issues. discussion will only be which represents 40 his agitation. The release did not provide the Banerjee on Tuesday The former union on the modalities of re- farmer unions, said the date of launch of the agitation. Hazare said he asserted that the land minister said the gov- pealing the three legisla- discussion will be only had been holding protests for cultivators since of Nobel Laureate Ra- ernment needs to take tion and giving a legal on modalities for the re- the last three years, but the government has bindranath Tagore the protests seriously guarantee on the MSP. peal of three farm laws done nothing to resolve the issues. Turn to P6 would never allow hate and it was Turn to P6 The government has in- Turn to P6 politics to triumph over secularism. Banerjee, during a rally in Bolpur, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee claimed that conspira- cies were being hatched TWO CONGRESS MLAS JUMP ON THE BJP LOK SABHA MP FROM BHARUCH to destroy the state’s in- clusive culture and cau- SAFFRON BANDWAGON IN ASSAM tioned people against Guwahati: Providing a fresh set of blow to the MANSUKH VASAVA QUITS PARTY divisive politics. grand old party in the Eastern states, two Con- “Stop this politics of gress MLAs from Assam joined arch rival BJP on Plans to resign from the Lok Sabha ha after the Bharuch my personal belief sys- violence... this divisive Tuesday, days after meeting Union Home Min- constituency of Gujarat tem. But, at the end of politics. Please steer ister Amit Shah in Guwahati. The development during the budget session; rumour at a by-election held on the day, I am a human clear of outsiders in your could hurt Congress’s prospects in Assam polls mill indicates pressure tactics at play 25 November, 1998. The bound to err. To ensure area, inform the local po- next year. MLAs, ex-PWD minister & sitting MLA seat was once a strong- that my mistakes do lice if necessary. If some from Golaghat Ajanta Neog and sitting MLA from First India Bureau the Parliament’s budget hold of Congress presi- not cause damage to goons from outside come Lakhipur Rajdeep Goala joined BJP in presence of session. dent Sonia Gandhi’s the party, I am tender- to our state to terrorise senior leaders including Himanta Biswa. Bharuch: Bharatiya The MP’s resignation key political advisor the ing my resignation. locals, all of you should Janata Party (BJP) MP comes days after he late Ahmed Patel. Please forgive me. I will put up a united fight from Bharuch constitu- wrote to Prime Minis- “The party has also submit my resig- against them,” she said. lowed institution by of building ‘Sonar ency Mansukh Vasava ter Narendra Modi granted me opportuni- nation as Member of Branding Visva- “importing divisive and Bangla’ (Golden Bengal). tendered his resigna- seeking withdrawal of ties beyond my capaci- Parliament to the hon- Bharati Vice Chancel- communal politics in- “Rabindranath tion from the party on the Ministry of Envi- ty. I will always be ourable Lok Sabha lor Bidyut Chakrabarty side its campus”. Tagore has created ‘So- Tuesday. In his letter to ronment, Forest and Mansukh Vasava grateful to the central speaker, during the up- as a “BJP man”, the CM “Those who do not re- nar Bangla’ several dec- BJP state unit president Climate Change (MoE- leadership for that. I coming budget ses- claimed that he is plan- spect Mahatma Gandhi ades ago, all we need to CR Patil, Vasava said FCC) notification de- ‘Eco-Sensitive Zone’. have been carefully ad- sion,” he stated in his ning to destroy the rich and other icons of the do is to protect the place that he will resign from claring 121 villages in Vasava was first hering to the principles resignation letter. heritage of the hal- country are now talking from the Turn to P6 the Lok Sabha during Narmada district as an elected to 12th Lok Sab- of the party as well as Turn to P6 NEWS www.firstindia.co.in I www.firstindia.co.in/epaper/ I twitter.com/thefirstindia I facebook.com/thefirstindia I instagram.com/thefirstindia AHMEDABAD | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2020 02 CM Vijay Rupani reiterated the government’s commitment to make the state a leader in renewable energy

The new policy will be implemented to cut down production costs of industries and promote clean energy

GUJARAT ANNOUNCES SOLAR ENERGY POLICY 2021

First India Bureau ernment has made an important decision to Highlights of the Solar Gandhinagar: Chief make Gujarat a hub of Minister Vijay Rupani green energy by expand- Energy Power Policy 2021 on Tuesday announced ing the generation base the Gujarat Solar Power of renewable energy. z Policy 2021 in the pres- The Gujarat Solar Policy Any person, devel- for self- consump- set up under this policy oper or consumer will tion under a collective can be availed for a ence of state Energy 2021 has been announced be able to set up solar ownership project and project life of 25 years. Minister Saurabh Patel to accelerate the devel- projects without any consume the generated Residential consumers, and Minister of State opment in this sector capacity ceiling, while energy in the ratio of industrial & commercial (Energy) Pradipsinh and I am confident that the existing ceiling of their ownership per- consumers can opt for Jadeja. Gujarat will guide India 50% sanctioned load or centage. captive solar usage. Talking about the ini- CM Vijay Rupani & Energy Minister Saurabh Patel announcing the Gujarat Solar Power Policy 2021. in the field of renewable contracted demand has Third parties will be able tiative, CM Rupani said, energy development in been removed. z Relying on solar to initiate solar projects “The state government friendly and sustainable country,” he stated. An reduce our dependence the near future”. energy for power will for sale of power to had implemented Solar energy in the state.” increase in the consump- on conventional power The government has z New policy will aid MSMEs in reduc- industrial and com- Power Policy in 2015 to He further asserted tion and production of resources such as coal- announced several ben- enable setting up of ing their production mercial consumers, and increase the growth of that the state had taken solar energy in the state based plants and in turn efits that will promote a solar projects on roofs, costs significantly. Also, distribution companies the solar energy sector various proactive meas- will bring down the pro- promote environment brighter future with the other premises or leas- large-scale industries (DISCOMs). and provide affordable ures and made rapid duction cost of indus- friendly – clean & green development of clean re- ing such locations to will be able to compete electricity to citizens. strides to ensure that the tries and accelerate the energy generation,” newable energy in Guja- third parties for power in the global market. z The provision for After receiving over- development of renewa- ‘Made in Gujarat’ brand stated Rupani. rat. Moreover, MSMEs generation and con- security deposit to be z The new solar power whelming response, the ble energy reached new thereby increasing its “The Gujarat model is and large-scale indus- sumption. submitted by develop- policy will be functional Government of Gujarat heights. “This has result- presence in the global already proving to be tries will also be encour- ers to DISCOMs has z Moreover, a group for a period of five years will now implement the ed in the overall growth market, said the chief very important in the aged to use solar energy been reduced from of consumers can also i.e. until 2025. All ben- Rs25 lakh / MW to Rs5 new Gujarat Solar Pow- of the renewable energy minister. solar power sector. Mov- to bring down their pro- establish solar projects efits of solar projects Lakh / MW. er Policy 2021 to ensure sector and made Gujarat “Abundance of solar ing forward in the same duction costs signifi- clean, environment- an energy leader in the energy generation will direction, the state gov- cantly. ‘Lions put in ‘captivity’ Surat BJP & Cong leaders gear for Aamir Khan & family’ Porbandar district up for dist panchayat poll ‘fight’ warden has First India Bureau written to Guj HC Ahmedabad: As politi- While the opposition plans to avenge 2015 CJ Nath asking cal parties gear up for upcoming local body loss, ruling party focusing on voters to initiate suo polls which are likely to motu proceeding be held in February next year, Bharatiya Ja- against the Khan nata Party (BJP) presi- family, forest dept dent CR Patil has asked Khan with his family in Gir. party leaders to appoint First India Bureau page presidents and ini- tate attempts to woo vot- Junagadh: In a letter through radio collars harassment of wild- ers. Post the delimita- to Chief Justice and were deliberately life. tion of the Surat Mu- Vikram Nath of the placed on the route The letter further nicipal Corporation Gujarat High Court, that the actor took. He alleged that Aamir (SMC), the district pan- Porbandar District further said that Khan along with more chayat now has 36 seats. Wildlife Warden whenever celebrities than 50 members vis- The 2015 election was Bhanu Odedera on visit Sasan Gir, lions ited several restricted contested for 40 seats, a Tuesday sought a suo are harassed and put areas of the forest and number that has been moto action against in captivity to ensure hence proceedings reduced by four after Bollywood actor that they get a better should also be initiat- some areas of Kamrej, Aamir Khan and his view. Odedara alleged ed against them. Palsana and Chauryasi BJP leaders meet ahead of local polls. Surat Congress members at a public gathering. family. The popular that such actions were On December 27, were merged into the lo- actor along with his against the Wildlife Aamir Khan along cal civic body’s com- vinced that the party The president fur- terest of the people, and completed 70% work of family visited Gir Na- Protection Act en- with wife Kiran Rao, mand. will manage to cover ther stated that the BJP they know it, added appointing page presi- tional Park and Wild- shrined in the Indian son Azad, daughter If Surat Congress dis- the gap in this election, may actually be fearful Chaudhary. dents. People have seen life Sanctuary on De- Constitution. Ira, nephew Imran trict president Anand because we are more fo- of losing “big time.” On the other hand, development under cember 27. He requested the Khan and his daugh- Chaudhary is to be be- cused and strategic in There is a reason why the BJP Surat district BJP’s rule and that is Odedera alleged court to initiate a suo ter Imara visited lieved, the party stands our approach. If the the Bharatiya Tribal president, Sandip Desai why we will win again.” that 13 lions were moto proceeding Sasan Gir Forest. The a better chance this BJP has roped in people Party (BTP) and other said, “In the last elec- He also added that placed on the route against the forest de- actor, who was there time. as page presidents, it political parties will tion, the party had se- the delimitation has de- that Aamir Khan took partment, collector, to bring in his 15th “We won 12 seats in can only mean that it contest the local body cured 27 seats. This creased the tally of while on a safari in deputy collector, judg- wedding anniversary, 2015, and there were 8 to plans to buy voters and election. Congress will year, we have been seats by four but that the Gir forest. es, district police received a warm wel- 10 seats where the party not actually connect contest polls showcas- working to top that tally. will ensure more fo- He said the wild heads and politicians come from fans dur- lost by a margin of 50 to with them,” he assert- ing courage. The BJP is Under the guidance of cused planning for de- animals were tracked and their families for ing the visit. 100 votes. We are con- ed. not working in the in- CR Patil sir, we have velopment. GUJARAT www.fi rstindia.co.in I www.fi rstindia.co.in/epaper/ I twitter.com/thefi rstindia I facebook.com/thefi rstindia I instagram.com/thefi rstindia AHMEDABAD | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2020 03 Luxury buses parked in Man held under POCSO & for BRTS space catch fire harassing wife over dowry Cops nabbed him after wife alleged that he forced minor daughter to ‘help’ him to take a shower First India Bureau THE COMPLAINT Ahmedabad: A local man has been arrest- ed for domestic vio- lence, humiliating and harassing his wife, and also under the Protection of Children from Sexu- al Offences (POCSO) Act, after his wife told the police that At least seven buses caught fi re on Monday night, of which fi ve he had been forcing were completely gutted. —PHOTO BY HANIF SINDHI their teen daughter to apply soap on him First India Bureau buses were burnt to while he bathed in ashes, while two luxu- the nude. Ahmedabad: Private ry bus and a car were Shravana (name luxury buses parked slightly damaged. changed) has filed a in an open space next According to the fire criminal complaint to the Mangleshwar brigade, a call was re- against her husband Mahadev temple ceived late at night Ankit with the Sola Po- Inspector JP Jadeja of the Sola police station is investigating the case. —FILE PHOTO near Ghodasar BRTS around 3.40 am, lice Station on Monday bus stand in the east- prompting teams in- night. In her complaint, est thing. her husband a car. was showering in the husband got drunk on ern part of the city cluding firefighters to witness told local daily she alleged that her Further, she said her In addition, she told nude to “soap his Sunday night and at- caught fire late at leave. As many as sev- Divya Bhaskar that husband has been hu- husband bought a the police that—for chest and back”. For tempted to force her night on Monday. en parked luxury bus- when their youngest miliating and harass- house and then forced the past two years— this, she has filed a into the bedroom. She The fire brigade es were engulfed in son woke up late at ing her throughout her father to pay Rs15 her husband had been separate case under said she got frightened team was informed flames, in which five night, he saw a big their 14-year marriage. lakh in dowry towards forcing their minor POCSO. and ran out of the and more than two ve- buses were completely light from the window She also said he would EMIs. In addition, her daughter into the She finally went to room, and called the hicles reached the spot burnt. and the luxury buses thrash her for the small- father also had to buy bathroom while he the police after her police for help. and put out the fire. As The cause of the fire lying behind the gate many as five luxury is not known. The eye- caught fire. Angry over encroachment, youth Long wait: When will students get their tablets? First India Bureau cal and non-technical way, but the applica- sets himself on ablaze in Patan courses at the diploma tion process has been First India Bureau According to initial The scene caused Ahmedabad: As per and degree level each extended until Janu- reports about the inci- panic among those in the educational policy, year. Students registered ary 13. Patan: In an odd inci- dent, the man had a the area, with many the state government at the college level re- The scheme is meant dent, a young man complaint about en- people rushing to save gives tablet computers ceive tablets costing to ensure that students ran into the market in croachment on the him. to students who get ad- Rs8,000-10,000 for get a tablet at a very Patan city after set- streets and had felt Since they did not mission in higher edu- Rs1,000. negligible price. How- ting himself on fire that the authorities know the source of the cation after Class 10 A lakh students were ever, at a time when on Tuesday. However, were not taking the fire, they carried what- and Class 12 at a cost given tablets in the last more students require people present at the matter seriously ever they could find to of Rs1,000 every year. academic year and the tablets to continue scene put out the enough. As a result, he put out the fire, eyewit- The money-collection remaining were meant their studies amid the flames and admitted doused himself in ker- nesses said. process has ended, but A student uses a tablet computer for learning. —FILE PHOTO to be given tablets in pandemic. the youth to a hospi- osene and set himself They eventually it is as yet unclear if the second phase. This There are now more tal, where he current- on fire. He was later managed to put out the the tablets will be rent academic year. government in 2017-18, order was cancelled. than 3,000 students ly receiving treat- seen running through flames and admitted made available to the Under the tablet tablets are given to 2.5 The tender process for who are waiting for the ment for his injuries. the street in flames. the youth to a hospital. students in the cur- scheme launched by the lakh students of techni- the new order is under- tablets.

STRIKE ENDS, SORT OF Guj begins to breathe easier as daily jump in nCoV numbers dips to 804

First India Bureau —FILE PHOTO es also emerged in Su- rat (156), Vadodara Ahmedabad: Gujarat, (130) Rajkot (91), Dahod which had been re- (29), Gandhinagar porting an average of (24), and Kutch (23) about 1,500 new cases among other districts. of COVID-19 every There are now 10,021 ac- day at the beginning tive cases in the state, of the month, can with 63 patients on ven- now let out a collec- tilators. tive sigh of relief, The state claims to with the state report- About 2.29 lakh COVID-19 patients have been cured so far. have achieved a recov- ing another fall in the ery rate of 94.12%, with number of new cases So far the state has district, Botad, Banas- 2.29 lakh people have on Tuesday. The state recorded 2,43,459 cases kantha and Surat been cured so far. Yet, The Safai Kamdar Union of sanitation workers has ended its strike. However, the Nokar Mandal Union, which initiated the strike reported 804 cases in of COVID-19. city—took the state 5.20 lakh people are almost a week ago, is still on strike. The three-member committee appointed by Municipal Commissioner Mukesh Kumar has the 24 hours ending 5 Another seven death toll to 4,295. still under quarantine accepted their demands, stating that they are policy-related and will be put to the elected wing after the new leadership team is pm, in line with the deaths on Tuesday— Again, Ahmedabad across the state, with elected. Seen here: Striking workers outside the AMC offi ce in Danapith on Tuesday. —PHOTO BY HANIF SINDHI recent trend of about three in Ahmedabad, had the most new cas- 113 patients under in- 800 new cases a day. and one each in Surat es, with 170, while cas- stitutional quarantine. MONOPOLY ON LUXURY? Naliya shivers at 2.7 °C After diamonds and silks, Surat now eyes pearls as cold wave continues First India Bureau coming days. “Severe ter of months, one per- —FILE PHOTO Chhattishgarh and Mad- cold waves conditions New business round the corner, with son familiar with the hya Pradesh. Ahmedabad: Twelve are very likely to con- issue told First India. Farmers here would stations of the India tinue to prevail at iso- Jaipur-based NGO set to launch “Oysters flourish in focus on Lamellidens Meteorological De- lated pockets in the dis- Phase 1 of its oyster farm in the city temperatures of 10-30 de- corrianus, a freshwater partment across the tricts of the Saurash- grees Celsius, which is oyster found mainly in state recorded mini- tra-Kutch region, name- First India Bureau zation based in easily available in Surat. the Ganga river, as well mum temperatures in ly Porbandar and Jaipur, has an- We will produce design- as Lamellidens margin- the single digits on Kutch, while cold wave Surat: The city, al- nounced plans to er pearls to meet about alis, which thrives in Tuesday. Of these, conditions are very ready a hub for dia- bring oyster farming 15% of the state’s re- both flowing and stag- Naliya saw recorded likely to continue in iso- monds and textiles to Surat, after seeing quirements,” Narendra nant water. the lowest, at 2.7 de- lated pockets in Juna- such as silk, will soon success in a pilot Garva, secretary of Cultured pearls typi- gree Celsius. gadh, Bhavnagar and be known for the farm in Ahmedabad. Alkha Foundation said, cally take 12-13 months Ahmedabad recorded Rajkot. Also, cold wave third element in the Surat’s brand new adding that this would to reach a commercial- 10.2 degree Celsius. conditions very likely trifecta of ultimate oyster farmers could add Gujarat to the list of ly viable size, meaning The Met department to prevail at isolated luxury: pearls. Alkha see an investment of pearl-producing states The only difference between a ‘natural’ and cultured pearl is that investors need to wait has predicted that the pockets in Banaskan- Foundation, a non- Rs40,000 give returns of alongside Rajasthan, Ut- the latter is formed when instead of accidental circumstances, a about a year to seen re- ongoing cold wave will tha, Sabarkantha, and governmental organi- up to Rs 2 lakh in a mat- tar Pradesh, Haryana, “pearl farmer” embeds a grain of sand into the mollusc. turns. likely continue in the Gandhinagar,” it said. PERSPECTIVE www.fi rstindia.co.in I www.fi rstindia.co.in/epaper/ I twitter.com/thefi rstindia I facebook.com/thefi rstindia I instagram.com/thefi rstindia AHMEDABAD | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2020 04

IN-DEPTH RAJINIKANTH NOT TO THE FRONT-RUNNER MUST KNOW DEBUT IN TN POLITICS oyen of Tamil cinema, Rajinikanth’s sud- den and unexpected announcement that he won’t be floating a new party to con- GROUND REALITY OF BUSINESS test the coming assembly elections in D Tamil Nadu has left his fans heartbroken and the AIADMK smiling. The superstar cited his poor health for not taking the political plunge. He was admitted to the hospital on Christmas Day with severe hypertension and exhaustion. He was dis- charged from hospital two days later and was ad- vised to complete bed rest, minimum physical activ- ity, and to avoid stress. Therefore, the “Kabaali” star informed his supporters “with great regret” that he was “unable to come to politics by floating a politi- cal party. Only I know the pain behind making this announcement,” the 70-year-old thespian said. He was to launch his party in January 2021. While his fans were distraught and burnt his post- ers, his pullout has taken away the excitement from Tamil Nadu politics. The question of whose side thalaiva would throw his weight now remains unan- swered. Would he have gone with the BJP or with either of the two main regional outfits---the AIAD- MK or the DMK---or with neither of them? Some political analysts described him as a “reluctant poli- tician” and some found his decision disappointing. Rajinikanth’s decision left Kamal Haasan, the other celebrity of Tamil cinema a claimant to the legacy of the iconic MGR, and Chief Minister E. Palaniswamy slugging out. Haasan, whose popu- larity does not match that of Rajinikanth, released a list of bribes collected in various government offices of the state. EPS responded with the re- what’s going on in the market mark that Haasan is zero in politics. BHAVESH with their ideas and innova- UPADHYAY tions. The article highlighted AT URBAN LADDER, CO-FOUNDER RAJIV SRIVATSA’S the views of CEOs who are us- STRATEGY IS TO REGULARLY SHADOW DELIVERY MANAGERS BUSINESS/ HR EXPERT ing different techniques to AND SERVICE ASSOCIATES WHEN THEY ARE MAKING CONCERN OVER NEW gauge the ground realities. PRODUCT DELIVERIES IN DIFFERENT CITIES. IN HIS LAST For instance, it quoted the ex- FEW VISITS TO KOCHI AND MUMBAI, HE LEARNED ABOUT CORONAVIRUS MUTANT ample of Mohit Gunecha, CEO ISSUES THAT THE SERVICE ASSOCIATES SOMETIMES FACE ven before the new coronavirus could be hen it comes to leadership in of Pune-based Jombay, who has WITH CREDIT CARD PAYMENT AND ROUTE ALGORITHMS AND vanquished, its mutant reached India the corporate sector and in started the “CEO on the Floor” SORTED THESE ISSUES EFFICIENTLY through six UK returnees. For the mu- small companies, one impor- initiative. Every Tuesday or tant coronavirus strain, scientists have tant thing to be noted is that Wednesday, he joins team mem- E decided to continue with the same treat- people associated with top man- bers to get firsthand insight ment protocol as for Covid-19 but the Indian Council agement are often superficial. into their products and servic- twice a week with small cross- “It’s attention to detail that of Medical Research has decided to increase ge- They are many times not aware es. Sitting with employees and functional groups to brain- makes the difference between nome sequencing of all international arrivals who W of the ground realities of the getting a better sense of their storm on issues such as quality the average and stunning.” tested positive from December 9 to 22. Ten labora- company. They are the ones who work helped Gundecha quickly assurance and opening new Quoted Francis Atterbury. tories have been roped in for genome sequencing to are just good at surface reading, solve an internal issue between stores. He treats these meet- Being a thorough and detail- detect the new strain which, being 70 percent more but not detail-oriented, which the consulting and operations ings as learning experiences to oriented leader means not only contagious is said to multiply very rapidly. One can can be big trouble for the com- teams, which had not previous- hear their ideas on how vari- having a vision, but knowing draw solace from doctors’ claim that there is no pany in the future. They cannot ly come to the forefront. ous functions can evolve. all the elements of that vision evidence the new variant causes more fatalities. foresee the upcoming challeng- At Urban Ladder, co-founder Pallavi Jha, Managing Direc- inside and out, throughout Scientists are also hopeful that the vaccines being es, if they don’t acquaint them- Rajiv Srivatsa’s strategy is to tor of Dale Carnegie Training each stage of the execution. readied for rollout will be effective against the UK selves with ground realities. As regularly shadow delivery India, said reverse shadowing This helps a leader ensure that mutant. The only concern is that the new virus a Manager or Senior Leader of managers and service associ- is vital for CEOs to develop a everything is proceeding on strain is a super-spreader. If it is not suppressed in the company, you need to know ates when they are making sense of belonging with em- time and according to plan, and the beginning, the transmission is hard to control. the ground realities, you need to product deliveries in different ployees. “At startups especially, makes them better equipped to Authorities have once again warned that while care about the details. Why? Be- cities. In his last few visits to where the velocity of work is so facilitate the execution of their the ICMR and state governments are fully alert to cause it’s your reputation at Kochi and Mumbai, he learned high, initiatives like this help plan by helping to manage and the invasion by the new virus, any laxity on the stake. about issues that the service as- leaders understand employees’ organize all the moving parts part of people could prove dangerous for those Recently, I was reading an sociates sometimes face with daily work experience, thereby as needed. Knowing ground re- who are vulnerable because of age or co-morbidi- article in which shared how the credit card payment and route giving them a sense of empa- alities will assist a leader in ty. Caution is especially needed as vaccines are yet top leaders of today are trying algorithms and sorted these is- thy.” Jha said. planning ahead and identify- to reach hospitals and health centres across the to acquaint themselves, with sues efficiently. He sits at least Experts opine that such ini- ing problems that may arise in country. The Serum Institute of India’s (SII) much- tiatives are essential for top the future. This allows the lead- awaited Covishield vaccine is ready to be rolled leaders to keep in touch with er to prepare solutions to po- out in January. The data of clinical trials have Being a thorough and detail-oriented leader means not only having a vision but the ground realities of employ- tential problems, and imple- been submitted with the government and with au- knowing all the elements of that vision inside and out, throughout each stage of ee experiences, so as to ensure ment these solutions quickly thorities in the UK and a stock of 40-50 million vac- the execution. This helps a leader ensure that everything is proceeding on time that the organizations react and effectively. cines is ready for supply. The SII is manufacturing and according to plan, and makes them better equipped to facilitate the execution quickly and decision making THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine in India. of their plan by helping to manage and organize all the moving parts as needed gets accelerated. THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL

Top WHOSE POST-PANDEMIC CENTURY? TWEET n the early stag- terms) – such as the Philip- tients in 2014. (England’s prepare for future threats. Dharmendra Pradhan es of the COV- pines and Indonesia – con- population is roughly half The post-war comparison @dpradhanbjp ID-19 pandemic, trolled the pandemic more the size of Japan’s.) also may be premature for A signifi cant milestone in it was common effectively than did Eu- We also will need a better economic reasons. Asian ushering digital innovation across our energy systems. I understanding of the effect countries’ economic perfor- to divide coun- rope’s biggest and wealthi- Remote monitoring mechanism tries and their responses est countries. Notwith- of specific policies, such as mance in 2020 did not match of gas turbines across refi neries according to their political standing reasonable rapidly closing borders and the success of their pan- of @IndianOilcl will be a game systems, with many attrib- doubts about the quality suspending international demic response. While Viet- changer in improving their effi ciency and sustainability. uting China’s success in and accuracy of the report- travel. Likewise, some nam, China, and Taiwan controlling the virus to its ed mortality data in the countries did a much better have beaten the rest of the authoritarianism. As of case of the Philippines job than others at protect- world in terms of GDP Adhir Chowdhury @adhirrcinc late 2020, however, it is clear (and India), the fact re- ing care homes and other growth, the United States Munna Bajrangi, Chhota Rajan that the real dividing line is mains that you were much facilities for the elderly – has not fared too badly, de- two dreaded criminals secured not political but geographi- likelier to die of COVID-19 especially in countries (no- spite its failure to manage their images on post stamp , the cal. Regardless of whether in 2020 if you were Euro- tably Japan and South Ko- the virus. With forecasts idea of New India. Whose turn a country is democratic or pean or American than if be explored. First is the ex- AIDS, and other infectious rea) with a high proportion pointing to a 3.6% contrac- is next? Dawood Ibrahim ? For which scheme? No body should authoritarian, an island or you were Asian. tent to which the experi- diseases. For example, as of people over 65. tion for the year, the US is in be surprised if his name ever is continental, Confucian or Comprehensive, interdis- ence of SARS, MERS, Avian of 2014, Japan had 48,452 Moreover, the effective- better shape than every Eu- surfaced for any hallowed image Buddhist, communitarian ciplinary research is ur- flu, and other disease out- public-health nurses ness of public-health com- ropean economy, as well as or individualistic, if it is gently needed to explain breaks in many Asian coun- (PHNs), 7,266 of whom munications clearly varied Japan, Malaysia, Singa- East Asian, Southeast these performance differen- tries left a legacy of health- were employed in public- across countries, and it is pore, Thailand, the Philip- Spiritual Asian, or Australasian, it tials. Because much of our system preparedness and health centers where they possible that genetic differ- pines, and others in Asia. has managed COVID-19 bet- current understanding is public receptiveness to anti- could be mobilized quickly ences and past programs The difference is largely a SPEAK ter than any European or anecdotal and insufficient- transmission messaging. to assist with COVID-19 of anti-tuberculosis vacci- function of interconnected- North American country. ly pan-regional, it is vulner- Clearly, some Asian contact tracing. Although nation may have helped ness: compared to the US, And the sun runs [on course] While this line is not ex- able to political exploitation countries have benefited occupational definitions limit the spread of the many Asian economies are toward its stopping point, actly hemispheric, it is and distortion. To help all from existing structures vary, one can compare coronavirus in some areas. more exposed to trade and that is the determination of close enough to be sugges- countries prepare for future designed to prevent out- these figures with those for Only with rigorous empiri- travel bans, which cut deep- the exalted in might, the tive. Even Asia’s worst per- biological threats, several breaks of tuberculosis, England, where just 350- cal research will we have ly into the tourism industry. knowing. —Quran 36:38 formers (in public-health specific questions need to cholera, typhoid, HIV/ 750 PHNs served 11,000 pa- the information we need to SOURCE: PROJECT SYNDICATE

G Vol 2 G Issue No. 36 G RNI NO. GUJENG/2019/16208. Printed and published by Anita Hada Sangwan on behalf of First Express Publishers. Printed at Bhaskar Printing Planet Survey No.148P, Changodar-Bavla Highway, Tal. Sanand, Dist. Ahmedabad. Published at D/302 3rd Floor Plot No. 35 Titanium Square, Scheme No. 2, Thaltej Taluka, Ghatlodiya, Ahmedabad. Editor-In-Chief: Jagdeesh Chandra. Editor: Anita Hada Sangwan responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act

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INDIA www.fi rstindia.co.in I www.fi rstindia.co.in/epaper/ I twitter.com/thefi rstindia I facebook.com/thefi rstindia I instagram.com/thefi rstindia AHMEDABAD | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2020 05 With Rahul Gandhi away, Tikait takes dig at Opposition Priyanka emerges as parties over farmers’ stir crisis manager in Cong New Delhi: Taking a New Delhi: With Con- dig at the Opposition gress leader Rahul Gan- parties, Bharatiya dhi again away on per- Kisan Union (BKU) sonal business, party spokesperson Rakesh General Secretary Pri- Tikait on Tuesday said yanka Gandhi Vadra is farmers may not have seen stepping forward started the agitation if and proactively taking there was strong Oppo- charge of party affairs. sition parties in the On Monday, when Ra- country. hul Gandhi missed the One of the leaders of party’s 136th Founda- farmers’ unions, Tikait tion Day celebration said, “If the Opposition event as he is travelling were strong, what was abroad to see his grand- the need for farmers to mother, and Congress Priyanka interacted with party workers, and they felt connected. launch the agitation?” interim president Sonia Several Union Minis- Gandhi couldn’t attend During Monday’s She listened to him and ters and BJP leaders the event due Covid-19 event, she also interact- asked him to meet her have maintained that pandemic, Priyanka ed with party workers, later for a detailed dis- the Opposition parties Gandhi took charge. and they felt connected cussion. After that, an- are misleading the Farmers shout slogans during their protest at Ghazipur border in New Delhi on Tuesday. (R) Bhartiya Kisan Union spokesperson Rakesh She not only partici- her and found her “pos- other AICC secretary farmers on the new Tikait addresses farmers during the protest against new farm laws, at Tikri border in New Delhi on Tuesday. —PHOTOS BY ANI pated in the pro- itivity infectious”. from Uttar Pradesh ap- farm laws, which are gramme, but her pres- Eyewitnesses said proached her. She again meant for their benefit. ence was also noted that when Priyanka stopped and listened to Meanwhile, farmers’ HEMA MALINI PITCHES FOR THREE ‘CENTRE BULLDOZED FARM LAWS; when she engaged with Gandhi was escorted to him in detail before protest entered 34th day NEW AGRI-MARKETING LAWS AGRI CAN’T BE RUN FROM DELHI’ media on the issue of the main porch of the leaving. Her gestures at Singhu (Delhi-Hary- Mathura: Actor-politician Hema Malini on Tuesday Mumbai: NCP supremo and former agriculture min- protesting farmers. party headquarters, she become the topic of dis- ana) border. pitched for the three new agri-marketing laws, ister Sharad Pawar on Tuesday accused the Centre The Congress Gener- surprised everyone and cussion among the par- Farmer delegations saying the Narendra Modi government has now of bulldozing three new farm laws without consult- al Secretary attacked turned towards the ty leaders and workers met Union Minister given farmers more options to sell their crops. ing states and asserted that agriculture cannot be Central Government women workers of who were disheartened Narendra Singh Tomar Ever since the BJP-led government came to power, run “sitting in Delhi” as it involves farmers toiling in and said, “It is a sin to Sewa Dal for a chat and by the absence of Rahul on Monday to convey it is making every effort to increase the farmer’s distant villages. As farmers’ protest on Delhi borders use the kind of words a quick selfie. Gandhi and Sonia Gan- support for the laws income, Mathura’s BJP MP told reporters through against these laws has entered its second month they are using for farm- “While she was leav- dhi,” the eyewitness ahead of the next round a video link. Earlier, she also talked to offi cials and fi ve rounds of talks so far have failed to resolve ers. Government is an- ing after the pro- said. Notably, Priyanka of talks between the here through video conferencing.Chanting the Jai the crisis, Pawar also raised questions about the swerable to farmers. gramme, one promi- Gandhi is becoming a government and pro- Jawan, Jai Kisan slogan, Hema Malini praised both composition of the three-member ministerial group The government should nent leader from Maha- ray of hope during the testing farmers on De- soldiers and farmers. negotiating with the unions. —PTI listen to them and take rashtra approached her hours of crisis in the cember 30. —ANI back the laws.” for some discussion. party. —ANI IN THE COURTYARD Rajinikanth says won’t enter Law to deal PMC BANK SCAM CASE 2014 ASSAULT CASE ‘love jihad’ politics due to health reasons cases in MP Sanjay Raut’s wife Session Court Chennai: Megastar Ra- New Delhi: The Mad- jinikanth has an- hya Pradesh govern- seeks time till Jan 5 acquits AAP ex-MLA nounced that he won’t ment on Tuesday gave be entering politics, cit- nod to an ordinance on ing health reasons. the bill against reli- to appear before ED Manoj Kumar He will continue to gious conversion work for people, Rajini- through fraudulent New Delhi: A session kanth said. Rajinikanth means. The new law court decided to set was earlier expected to will invite 2-10 years of aside the magistrate launch a political party imprisonment and a court order and acquit- in January 2021. The fine of Rs 1 lakh for con- ted Aam Aadmi Party megastar’s political ad- version through mar- (AAP) ex- MLA Manoj visor Tamilaruvi Ma- Will continue work for people. riage or by any other Kumar in a case of as- nian had said their fraudulent means. saulting a woman in party will fight on all ‘DISAPPOINTED’, SAYS KAMAL HAASAN The ordinance on 2014 under Section 352. 234 seats in the next As- New Delhi: Actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan said the Freedom of Reli- Additional Session sembly elections. on Tuesday he was disappointed with co-star Rajini- gion Bill, 2020, has now Judge Geetanjali Goel Meanwhile, two days kanth’s announcement he will not join politics over his been sent to state Gov- Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Raut and his wife Varsha Raut. in an order passed on after being admitted to health. Rajinikanth’s decision came a day after he left ernor Anandiben Patel December 22 allowed Manoj Kumar the hospital. Rajini- the hospital in Hyderabad where he was being treated for approval, MP Home Mumbai: Shiv Sena agency that targeting the appeal of Kumar kanth on Sunday was for high blood pressure. “I will meet Rajinikanth again Minister Narottam lawmaker Sanjay Raut’s women of a household and set aside the judg- Kumar has been con- discharged. —ANI after my election campaign,” Kamal Hasan said. Mishra said. wife Varsha Raut will was an “act of coward- ment dated 13.08.2019 by victed for commission not appear before En- ice”. which the appellant Ku- of offense of under sec- forcement Directorate “We are not scared of mar was convicted for tion 352 (punishment (ED) today in connec- anyone and will re- the offense under Sec- for assault or criminal ‘Don’t like remarks against Visva-Bharati’ tion with the Punjab spond accordingly,” tion 352 IPC. force otherwise than on and Maharashtra Co- Raut had told reporters Earlier in 2019, the grave provocation) of Kolkata: West Bengal Visva-Bharati, the uni- operative (PMC) Bank here. Magistrate court had the IPC, magistrate CM Mamata Banerjee versity established by scam case. In the last one year, held guilty/convicted court had said. on Tuesday lashed out Rabindranath Tagore. She has sought time Sharad Pawar, Eknath him for the offence pun- While convicting Ku- at the BJP charging it “Conspiracies are be- from the agency till Khadse and Pratap Sar- ishable under Section mar, the magistrate for spreading a divisive ing hatched to destroy January 5, 2021. The ED naik got notices and 352 IPC and sentenced court had acquitted agenda in the state the culture of Bengal. had summoned her for now all of you are dis- him to seven days sim- him of the charge of 354 ahead of the assembly Stop politics of violence questioning in the PMC cussing my name. All ple imprisonment. of IPC, saying, “the in- elections. Banerjee, and divisive politics,” Bank money launder- these people are crucial The magistrate court tention and motive of during her address at a the CM was quoted as ing case. for government forma- had said that the law- the accused might be to public meeting in Bol- saying by news agency Earlier on Monday, tion in Maharashtra. maker was “a public shoo away the com- pur, also lashed out at ANI. “I don’t like the Sanjay Raut had said These are pieces of pa- servant and therefore it plainant on some issue, the BJP and said that derogatory remarks be- regarding the summon per, nothing else,” Raut was his duty to behave but not to insult or out- she disliked the com- ing made against Visva- by the investigative had said. —ANI fairly.”. rage her modesty”. —ANI ments made against Conspiracies are being hatched to destroy the culture of WB. Bharati,” she said.

KERALA CM TOURS 11 DISTS, BENGALURU: NAIDU INAUGURATES SEEKS OPINION FOR MANIFESTO J&K POLICE RESUMES NEW FACILITIES AT CREST CAMPUS INDIA’S FIRST POLLINATOR Thrissur: Kerala CM tour, our party is col- RECRUITMENT PROCESS Bengaluru: On the fi rst with the team members PARK OPENS IN HALDWANI Pinarayi Vijayan’s state lecting opinions from Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Police have day of his three-day visit at Himalayan Chandra Dehradun: India’s fi rst pollinators park was tour has covered 11 different sections of the resumed the recruitment process of Border to Karnataka, Vice Presi- Telescope located in inaugurated on Tuesday at Haldwani in Nainital districts with his visit society, which will go in Battalions which was suspended in March due dent M Venkaiah Naidu Ladakh region through a district of Uttarakhand. The park was inaugu- at Thrissur on Tues- the preparation of the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Physical on Tuesday inaugurated remote link. President M rated by Peter Smetacek, a butterfl y expert and day. Speaking to media election manifesto for Endurance Test and Physical Standard Test (PET/ Thirty Meter Telescope Venkaiah Naidu was wel- it has around 50 different pollinator species, persons here on Tuesday, the next Assembly polls. PST) for the remaining candidates of Jammu (TMT) - Optics Fabrication comed by the Governor of which include various species of butterfl ies, the CM said the sugges- People are happy with fi ve district began on December 24. Chairman Facility and Environmental Karnataka, Vajubhai Vala, honeybees, birds and other insects. “Objective tions collected during his years of Left Democratic Recruitment Board Additional Director General Test Facility at CREST Home Minister of Karna- is to conserve various pollinator species, to tour would be considered Front rule and govern- of Police (ADGP) Dr S D Singh Jamwal has said campus in Bengaluru. taka, Basavaraj Bommai create awareness among the public about the in the election manifesto ment is committed for the nearly 2000 youth will be recruited for Border On this occasion,Vice and several others state importance of pollination,” said Sanjiv Chatur- of LDF for the Assembly overall development of Battalions. President M Venkaiah degnitaries earlier today vedi, Chief Conservator of Forest (Research). polls. “During the Kerala the state,” he said. Naidu also interacted at Bengaluru Airport. INDIA www.firstindia.co.in I www.firstindia.co.in/epaper/ I twitter.com/thefirstindia I facebook.com/thefirstindia I instagram.com/thefirstindia AHMEDABAD | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2020 06

‘No evidence that vaccines will not POWERGallery NINE IPS OFFICERS RETIRING IN DECEMBER As many as nine IPS officers of various cadres work against new Covid variant’ and batches are retiring in December, 2020. They New Delhi: COVID-19 stands out particularly are: Mrs Punita Bhardwaj of Himachal Pradesh vaccines will work during this very period 416 sent to quarantine in cadre; Sudhir Kumar Jha of Jharkhand; Dr Rajvir against new variants of when several nations Pratap Sharma of Karnataka; Mrs R Sreelekha and the virus and there is are facing a devastating Maha, 8 UK returnees test Simon K G of Kerala; D Kanakratnam of Maha- no evidence that cur- situation,” Paul said. rashtra; M S Jaffar Sait of Tamil Nadu; Joydeep rent vaccines will fail to He said majority of positive in MP, Uttarakhand Nayak of Tripura and Shiv Prasad Upadhayay of protect against the the population is still Uttar Pradesh cadre. SARS-CoV-2 mutants susceptible to the infec- Mumbai: As many kept under institu- reported from the UK or tion in the cold weather. as 934 travellers land- tional quarantine in PESB LIKELY TO GET A NEW South Africa, the gov- “The UK variant has ed at the Mumbai air- the city, while 479 CHAIRMAN IN JANUARY ? ernment said on Tues- travelled to several oth- port from Europe sent to other states. Whisper has it that the Public Enterprises Selec- day. Addressing a press er countries and also to and West Asia on Thirty-eight pas- tion Board (PESB) is likely to get a new Chairman conference, Principal India, this variant may Monday and 416 of sengers were exempt- in January 2021. The post has been lying vacant Scientific Advisor K Vi- have its own run and we them were sent to in- ed from compulsory since September 1, 2020. jay Raghavan said so far have to very careful,” stitutional quaran- quarantine rules for it has not been found India has banned all direct flights from the UK till December 31. Paul said. Giving a tine in the metropo- various reasons like ORDERS OF RAVI KUMAR FOR CS OF that the new variant in- break-up on the basis of lis, a civic official pregnancy, advanced KARNATAKA IN A DAY OR TWO creases the severity of changes in the variants COVID-19 cases and the gender and age of said. age and carrying Finally orders of 1984-batch IAS officer P Ravi the disease. but vaccines stimulate deaths which is reas- those infected with the The Brihanmum- small kids, he said. Kumar for being the next Chief Secretary in place “There is no evidence our immune system to suring given the cur- novel coronavirus, Un- bai Municipal Corpo- One passenger trav- of T M Vijay Bhaskar are being issued in a day that current vaccines produce a wide range of rent scenario across the ion Health Secretary ration (BMC) official elled back to the or two. will fail to protect protective antibodies,” world. “We are consist- Rajesh Bhushan said 63 said these 934 travel- county from where against COVID 19 vari- he said. NITI Aayog ently showing a decline per cent of total cases lers came in 13 flights he had arrived after SRIVASTAVA YET TO JOIN DELHI ants reported from UK member (health) Dr V K in the number of new in the country have from different desti- landing at the air- POLICE PONDICHERRY DGP or SA. Most vaccines do Paul said there has been COVID-19 cases, active been reported in males nations in Europe port, the official said Balaji Srivastava is yet to join the Delhi Police. He target the Spike pro- a consistent decline in cases and deaths, which and 37 per cent cases in and West Asia. He but did not disclose is waiting for his replacement R S Krishnia. Both tein, in which there are the number of new is very reassuring. It females. —PTI said 416of them were details about him. are IPS officers.

KASHYAP’S DEPUTATION EXTENDED FOR ONE YEAR Environment BJP does ‘fake politics’, The deputation period of Rajinder Kumar Kashy- Serious Indo-Sino conflict clearance for ap, IPoS(1989), Joint Secretary, Department of ‘hate politics’: Mamata Justice has been extended for a period of one year not good for China: IAF Chief Central Vista beyond Dec 27, 2020. Project A LONE IAS OFFICER OF 1979 BATCH New Delhi: Amid in- come a pawn in Chinese SERVING IN GOI creasing nexus be- policy, under an in- New Delhi: The envi- Subba Rao, a lone IAS officer of 1979 batch of tween Islamabad and creasing CPEC related ronment ministry’s ex- Andhra Pradesh cadre, is serving as Secretary to Beijing, Air Chief Mar- debt trap there will be pert appraisal commit- the Vice President. shal RKS Bhadauria on further military de- tee has recommended Tuesday said Pakistan pendencies in future.” granting environment AMAN SHARMA RETURNS TO has become a pawn in Bhadauria said evolv- clearance to the gov- PARENT CADRE the Chinese policy and ing uncertainties & in- ernment’s Central Vis- Aman Sharma, Director in the Ministry of Steel, its military depend- stability at global geo- ta redevelopment pro- West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during a roadshow, has been given premature repatriation to his ence on China would political front has pro- ject, but directed that at Shantiniketan in Bolpur on Tuesday. —PHOTO BY ANI increase further in vided China with an its developer should parent cadre in order to avail of the benefit of view of the debt trap opportunity to demon- ensure no air pollution Birbhum: Slamming politics. They speak de- promotion. He is a 2002 batch officer of Indian due to the China Paki- Air Chief Marshal Bhadauria strate its growing pow- is caused during the the Bharatiya Janata rogatory remarks Postal Service. stan Economic Corri- er and indirectly it has demolition of existing Party (BJP), West Ben- about Visva-Bharati dor (CPEC) project. rent fiscal situation brought to fore the inad- structures. With the ex- gal Chief Minister and Amartya Sen. They TENURE OF VIJAYENDRA BIDARI AS SP, CBI ENDS IN 2021 China has invested there. IAF Chief RKS equate contribution of pert panel’s recommen- Mamata Banerjee on do not respect Ra- billions of dollars in the Bhadauria was address- major powers to global dations, project comes Tuesday said the BJP bindranath Tagore and A four-year deputation tenure of Vijayendra Bidari CPEC as loans to Islam- ing a webinar on ‘Na- security. Pakistan & a step closer to getting practices ‘hate politics’ Gandhiji. They do not as Superintendent of Police in Central Bureau of abad & already debt- tional Security Chal- China have grown close the environment clear- and ‘fake politics’. know the culture and Investigation (CBI) is coming to an end in 2021. ridden Pakistani ad- lenges & Air Power’ or- military ties as the en- ance, to be given by the Addressing an elec- ethos of Bengal. BJP He is a 2005 batch IPS officer of Tamil Nadu cadre. ministration would be ganised by Vivekanand tire Pakistani missile Environment Minister. tion campaign rally at only knows to create under a lot of financial International Founda- programme has been The expert appraisal Bolpur, the Chief Min- riots, make fake videos FIVE IG LEVEL POSTS VACANT IN stress to repay even the tion. He said, “Pakistan fully supported by the committee took the de- ister said, “BJP does and run false propa- CBI interest as per the cur- has increasingly be- Chinese. —PTI cision in a meeting. hate politics and fake ganda.” —ANI As many as five posts at Inspector General level have been lying vacant in Central Bureau of Inves- tigation (CBI). I eat cattle meat, JUSTICE PRAKASH SRIVASTAVA TO ‘Orange alert for Delhi, red alert for Punjab’ who are you to BE ADMINISTRATIVE JUDGE, MP HC? Justice Prakash Srivastava is being tipped to be New Delhi: IMD has is- Safdarjung recorded 3.6 ask: Cong leader the Administrative Judge of the Madhya Pradesh sued an orange alert degrees Celsius temper- Siddaramaiah High Court. from Delhi-NCR over ature at 8:30 am, which the next two days and is likely to fall by an- Bengaluru: Hitting out SENIOR IPS OFFICERS PROMOTED IN red alert for Punjab for other 2 degrees over the at partymen for lacking BIHAR the same period as the next 24 hours, said the the courage to speak The Promotion Committee in Bihar has approved cold wave sets in North IMD. A cold wave is out on certain issues, the promotion of senior IPS officers. Shobha India. The weather de- likely to grip parts of senior Congress leader Ohatker has been promoted as DG, while five IGs partment has also is- Delhi also over the next and former CM Siddar- have been promoted as ADG. They are: Nayyar sued a yellow alert for four days as frosty amaiah recalled his ear- Hasnain Khan, Paras Nath, Bachchu Singh Meena, December 31 and Janu- winds from the Himala- lier statement that he Amit Jain and Kamal Kishore Singh. Besides, ary 1 as the cold wave yas have started blow- liked cattle meat while Vikas Vaibhav will be promoted as ATS, DIG, Vijay ing towards the plains, can further intensify asserting that food hab- Verma as DIG, Chhapra and Suresh Chaudhary as into a severe cold wave. weather officials said. it was his right. “I had DIG, Saharsa. The India Meteoro- The IMD said cold once said in the assem- logical Department People walk through a fresh snowfall, in Srinagar on Tuesday. —PHOTO BY ANI wave to severe cold bly that I eat cattle (IMD) has said, “Dense wave conditions are meat, who are you to By arrangement with: http:// to very dense fog is like- digarh, Delhi and Utta- isolated pockets is very three days and over Ra- also likely in isolated ask?-It is my right, food whispersinthecorridors.com ly in some pockets over rakhand over the next likely over Uttar jasthan in the next two pockets over Uttar habit is my right, who Punjab, Haryana, Chan- 3-4 days. Dense fog in Pradesh over the next days.” On Tuesday, Pradesh. —Agencies are you to question?

FROM PG 1

Alert: New... afoetida or ‘hing’ pro- sisted”. cember 19, during Un- ties will take a call on forms in the sector but Management in Nation- BJP Lok... new variants of the vi- duction of Hathras, and “I feel bad when I see ion Home Minister their future course of “not in the way” BJP al Capital Region and Speculations are rife rus detected in the UK locks and hardware of efforts are on to pursue Amit Shah’s rally at action on Wednesday if government has done, Adjoining Areas Ordi- that Vasava’s move and South Africa and Aligarh district. communal politics at Medinipur. the government fails to and they were different nance, 2020 to exclude could be a result of there is no evidence The section will also Visva-Bharati. The VC Describing Shah’s re- resolve farmers’ issue from the current ones. farmers from its penal pressure tactics. There that current vaccines decongest the existing there is a BJP man, he cent visit to a folk sing- in the next scheduled Pawar said he consult- provisions. have been reports that will fail to protect Kanpur-Delhi mainline is trying to tarnish this er’s residence here for meeting with represent- ed all state govern- the 56-year-old has been against these coronavi- and will enable the In- institution’s heritage lunch on December 20 atives of 40 protesting ments before initiating Now Anna... upset about the party’s rus variants, Prof K Vi- dian Railways to run by practising commu- as nothing short of unions. the reforms and didn’t “For various demands lack of response on the jay Raghavan, Principal trains faster. nal politics,” the chief “show off”, Banerjee On Union Agricul- move forward until all related to farmers, I issues he has been flag- Scientific Advisor minister claimed. claimed that the food ture Minister Narendra their reservations were first sat on a hunger ging. He has also been (PSA) to the Govern- Those not... Talking about the re- items served to the BJP Singh Tomar’s claim resolved. strike at Ramlila Maid- critical about the func- ment of India, has said. communal onslaught of cent defections from the leader were cooked at that Pawar, as the then an in Delhi on March tioning of the BJP state The government said the BJP,” Banerjee said TMC, Banerjee said saf- five-star hotels. agriculture minister All or... 21, 2018. On the seventh unit. BJP state spokes- that the UK variant of during her address, fol- fron camp might have during the Manmohan and a legal guarantee day, the then Minister person Bharat Pandya the virus is more lowing a four-kilometre “bought a few MLAs”, Agriculture can’t... Singh-led UPA govern- on MSP. The Morcha of State for Agricul- said the party has re- “transmissible”. roadshow here. but it can never buy her “unfair” on the part of ment, also wanted farm further said the agenda ture, Gajendra Singh ceived the resignation The feisty TMC boss party. Senior TMC lead- Prime Minister Naren- reforms but failed to do of the meeting should Shekhawat, then Chief letter through social PM infuses... said that “attempts to er Suvendu Adhikari, dra Modi to blame op- so due to political pres- also include amend- Minister of Maharash- media. “Patil has spo- glassware industry of destroy Tagore’s cul- along with five party position parties for the sure, the NCP leader ments to be made and tra, Devendra Fadnavis ken with him and as- Firozabad, pottery tural abode (Visva- MLAs and another MP, agitation by farmers. said he certainly want- notified in the Commis- came to meet me,” said sured that the issues he products of Khurja, as- Bharati) have to be re- joined the BJP on De- He said opposition par- ed to bring some re- sion for the Air Quality Hazare in the release. has will be resolved”. TALKING POINT www.fi rstindia.co.in I www.fi rstindia.co.in/epaper/ I twitter.com/thefi rstindia I facebook.com/thefi rstindia I instagram.com/thefi rstindia AHMEDABAD | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2020 07

The pandemic’s impact on major economies has so far been four times worse than that of the A Post-War 2008 global financial crisis, while entire sections of many developing economies Playbook have been wiped out. Any policy intervention should treat the fight against for a Post- COVID-19 like a war and the hardest-hit economies like conflict zones. COVID RECOVERY

MAXIMO TORERO Chief Economist, United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization

he world is not yet suffi- ciently alarmed by how Tmuch the COVID-19 pandemic has ravaged the global economy. We track the daily num- bers of infections and casualties. But we are oblivious to the job losses and lives upend- ed, especially in the de- veloping world, where the pandemic has bare- ly elicited a public- health response. The pandemic’s im- pact on major econo- mies has so far been four times worse than that of the 2008 global The global economy fl ourished after World War II because the US revived war-ravaged Western Europe with the Marshall Plan. financial crisis. In the second quarter of 2020, US GDP fell by 9.1% monetary stimulus in tarian tax paid by G20 and has merged its de- compared to the previ- wealthier countries has countries that raised velopment agency with ous three months, made things worse for $230 billion could im- its foreign office. Such dwarfing the 2% quar- low-income countries. prove infrastructure approaches are short- terly contraction in the Even before the pan- and communications sighted. same period in 2009. demic, much of the de- technology in order to In 2003, by contrast, The eurozone economy veloping world was feed the rural hungry. US President George W. fared even worse, struggling with record- For example, an annual Bush launched the shrinking by 11.8%. high debt, weak growth, investment of $10 bil- President’s Emergency Many developing coun- and climate-related lion over ten years to Plan for AIDS Relief to tries, meanwhile, have challenges. As a result, build better roads and provide antiretroviral had entire sections of citizens had few safety storage facilities could drugs to people living their economies wiped nets when times got reduce food loss for 34 with HIV/AIDS in Af- out, as if in a war. Plan- tough. million people. Simi- rica. With a running tab ning, investing, and re- Today, policy loosen- larly, a $26 billion in- of $85 billion, the pro- building therefore re- ing in advanced econo- vestment could in- gram has so far saved quire a post-war mind- mies is causing develop- crease access to cell some 18 million lives. set. ing-country currencies phones for nearly 30 Moreover, it has To be sure, G20 gov- to appreciate, resulting million rural residents, strengthened the over- ernments have spent a in a loss of export com- enabling them to bol- all health infrastruc- whopping $7.6 trillion petitiveness and foreign ster their income by ac- ture in countries like (and counting) on fiscal investment, inflation, cessing information on Botswana, which no stimulus, and leading and economic destabili- crop prices and weather doubt is helping that central banks are zation. Poor countries forecasts. country to fight COV- pumping out money to largely rely on informal Foreign aid is a smart ID-19 now. revive the global econo- economies, commodity investment, but politi- Similarly, the global my. The US Federal Re- exports, tourism, and cal will is currently in economy flourished af- serve is spending $2.3 remittances, all of Migrants stand on a road in Ahmedabad as they wait for transport to take them to their home states, in May 2020. Over 140 million short supply. The Unit- ter World War II be- trillion to support busi- which have been hit people could fall into extreme poverty this year due to the pandemic, with South Asia and Africa the hardest-hit regions. —FILE PHOTO ed States, by far the cause the US revived nesses and financial hard by the pandemic. largest donor to global war-ravaged Western markets, far exceeding Together with the col- fully stocked with af- fewer, less diverse, and more devastating than time since 1998. Over health and development Europe with the Mar- its 2008 rescue package lapse of oil prices, ad- fordable food, nearly 700 less healthy meals – a the virus itself. 140 million people could programmes, is pour- shall Plan. We face a of $700 billion. These vanced economies’ million people globally recipe for future dis- Consider that in just fall into extreme pover- ing tens of billions of comparable scenario measures are providing stimulus packages have were already chroni- ease. six months, the pan- ty this year, with South dollars into drug com- today. Any policy inter- a lifeline for many, from left countries like Ecua- cally hungry before the Poor people in low- demic has erased a dec- Asia and Africa the panies to secure a COV- vention should treat the laid-off restaurant dor and Nigeria scram- pandemic – and more income countries typi- ade of progress in pov- hardest-hit regions. ID-19 vaccine for its citi- fight against COVID-19 workers to small-busi- bling for economic sur- than 130 million could cally cannot work from erty reduction. Between A mere 3% of what zens only, even as other like a war and the hard- ness owners, who now vival. now join their ranks as home; and if they don’t 1990 and 2017, the num- G20 countries have countries join forces to est-hit economies like have access to unem- Rich countries’ poli- a result of COVID-19. In work, they don’t eat. ber of extremely poor spent to date on their expand global access to conflict zones. The ployment insurance cies also contribute to countries such as Ugan- The not-so-secret head- people globally fell from COVID-19 stimulus vaccines. The United world needs to grasp the and social-security pro- rising food prices in da, the price of basic line from large swaths nearly two billion to 689 packages would be Kingdom cut its aid full scale of the wreck- grammes. poor countries. While foods has jumped by of the developing world million. But because of enough to stop these budget by £2.9 billion age and the challenge of Less discussed, how- supermarket shelves in 15% since March. Peo- is that the coronavirus’s COVID-19, the total is grim scenarios. A one- ($3.9 billion) this year reconstruction. ever, is how fiscal and the developed world are ple report consuming economic impact is far rising again for the first off voluntary humani- SOURCE : PROJECT-SYNDICATE.ORG Time to look back and thank all the people who enriched our lives this year, in 2020. —Jagdeesh Chandra, CEO & Editor, First India 2ND FRONT www.fi rstindia.co.in I www.fi rstindia.co.in/epaper/ I twitter.com/thefi rstindia I facebook.com/thefi rstindia I instagram.com/thefi rstindia AHMEDABAD | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2020 08

WORLD INDIA GUJARAT COVID-19 UPDATE 17,87,965 8,19,98,450 1,48,423 1,02,42,306 4,295 2,43,459 DEATHS CONFIRMED CASES DEATHS CONFIRMED CASES DEATHS CONFIRMED CASES MAHARASHTRA UTTAR PRADESH KARNATAKA DELHI RAJASTHAN 49,373 DEATHS 19,25,066 CASES 8,340 DEATHS 5,83,941 CASES 12,074 DEATHS 9,17,571 CASES 10,502 DEATHS 6,24,118 CASES 2,683 DEATHS 3,06,784 CASES ALL SYSTEMS GO: Guj can store 1 cr doses The State Government says it has cold chains and 15,000 trained vaccinators to immunise 15 lakh people a day First India Bureau

Gandhinagar :Even as the two-day vaccination RMC holds immunisation dry run concluded on Tuesday in Gandhina- gar and Rajkot, selected mock drill on 125 people among the districts in 4 Masuma Bharmal states for the purpose, Jariwala the Gujarat Government has stated that it has Rajkot: Rajkot, one of 2,195 cold chain points the two places in Guja- that could store up to 1 rat selected for a mock crore doses of coronavi- drill for Covid-19 vac- rus vaccine. cination, conducted This storage capacity the dry run for the is said to be adequate to process on 125 health cater to a chunk of the workers on Tuesday. population the govern- It was conducted by ment has identified to the Rajkot Municipal Corona vaccine dry run in Rajkot held on Tuesday with 125 vaccinate in the first Corporation. Special benefi ciaries. phase. team from World The State has identi- A dry run of Covid vaccination was conducted in Gujarat for two days, with health workers as benefi ciaries. Health Organization are trained for the The vaccinated per- fied 4.31 lakh health (WHO) and United Na- purpose were present. son then has to go in workers, 6.93 lakh front- qualified vaccinator will Public participation remains the biggest since 1985, this is the tions Development Twenty-five people the observation room line workers, 1.03 crore administer a vaccine on challenge. Even if we are fully prepared, first time prior registra- Program (UNDP) were called via SMS at where they will be ob- citizens above the age of 100 beneficiaries on a if people's participation is not proper, tions are being made were present to moni- 5 places where the ac- served for 30 minutes. 50 and 2.67 lakh citizens daily basis. and certificates of vac- tor and observe the tual vaccination will The entire process under the age of 50 but “Thus, Gujarat is the exercise will fail. We need to build confidence cinations are being pro- drill at 5 different be given.” takes around 45-50 with severe comorbidi- geared up to vaccinate among people so that they can approach us for vided on digital plat- places in the city. Their sms, docu- minutes.” ties, such as Thalassem- about 15 lakh people in a vaccination with confidence. The dry run is forms. Speaking to First ments and photo- According to the ia and heart problems, day, “ he said during a aimed to build confidence among people. World Health Organi- India health officer graphs were verified survey done by the for the first phase of the media orientation work- — Aniket Rana, World Health Organisation Representative sation (WHO) repre- Dr.P.P Rathod said,” in the waiting room, health department, actual Covid-19 vaccina- shop on ‘Covid-19 vac- sentative Dr Aniket Except actual vaccina- followed by their en- there are around 2 tion. cine and Covid Appro- Rana, who monitored tion, every exercise try in the vaccination lakh people above 50 According to the priate Behaviour’ sup- dhinagar and Gujarat form while maintaining the dry run in Gujarat, required to be done room using co-win years age, 10,000 be- State’s Chief Immuniza- ported by UNICEF India Media Club. the Covid protocol. said the dry run was vi- during actual vaccina- software, use of sy- tween the ages of 18-50 tion Officer, Dr Nayan and jointly organised by He said the Covid-19 Unlike the mass vac- tal and was conducted tion was done on 125 ringe, injection prac- years with comorbidi- Jani, the State has about the Centre for Commu- vaccination will be the cination drives for mea- as per the training pro- people. A total of 250 tice and disposal of ties and 8,000 health 15,000 qualified vaccina- nication of Child Rights State’s first experience sles and rubella that tocol related to actual health workers who biomedical waste . workers in Rajkot. tors. On average, each (CCCR) at PDPU, Gan- using a 100% digital plat- have been undertaken vaccination.

READY FOR ACTION? Modi to lay foundation of Neighbour stabbed AIIMS, Rajkot on Thursday after dispute over First India Bureau of 750-bed capacity. It should be noted non-veg food waste Rajkot: Prime Minis- that the academic ses- —FILE PHOTO ter Narendra Modi sion of the first batch of will on Thursday vir- AIIMS, Rajkot was in- tually lay the founda- augurated by Chief tion stone of Guja- Minister Vijay Rupani rat’s first All India and Union Health Min- Institute of Medical ister Harsh Vardhan on Sciences (AIIMS) at December 21. Khandheri village in The batch compris- the outskirts of Ra- ing 50 MBBS students jkot city. Prime Minister Narendra Modi began their academic Being set up on a 201- session at AIIMS, Ra- acre campus at a cost to come up at the cam- jkot’s temporary cam- of Rs 1,195 crore, the pus have already re- pus in Pandit Deen- First India Bureau Ganchi around two AIIMS, Rajkot campus ceived tentative ap- dayal Upadhyay Med- months ago over dis- will be built by the “Mi- proval. ical College. In due Ahmedabad: An ad- posal of non-vegetari- ni-Ratna” public sector The facility will be course, AIIMS, Ra- vocate was stabbed in an food residue in After a long servicing break—longer than the period it remained operational—the seaplane undertaking HSCC equipped with speciali- jkot would have 125 Surendranagar dis- drains. He was booked arrived at the Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad on Tuesday. —PHOTO BY HANIF SINDHI Limited, and the draw- ty and super speciality MBBS and 60 nursing trict’s Limbdi town on for attacking a few of ings of the 9 buildings departments and boast seats. Monday after he com- them with pipe,” plained to his neigh- Limbdi police sub-in- bour about improper spector (PSI) VILLAGE TO METROS! disposal of the lefto- Mukheshdan Ishrani ver non-vegetarian said. In his complaint, food. Patel added that he Sufiyan Ghanchi had provided guid- Camel milk from Kutch to reach metros soon alias Bhano barged ance to the residents —FILE PHOTO into the office of advo- after Ghanchi’s earli- of Rs 200 per animal. gramme Director at Sa- cate Batuk Patel near er attack, which could Camel herders’ business booms The procurement price hajivan Organisation the HDFC Bank in be the reason for this due to increase in demand of camel is fixed at Rs 51 a litre working at the grass- Limbdi town at 5 pm, attack. with each animal giv- roots level for nomadic threw chili powder in Ishrani said they milk after Covid-19 lockdown ing up to 5 litres of milk pastoralists, said, “A big eyes of Patel, his un- detained Ghanchi every day. economic and social cle Nandlal Patel and hours later and the First India Bureau Sarhad Dairy’s daily Sarhad Dairy is also transformation has his two associate ad- procedure was under- camel milk sales have a member of the Guja- happened in the past vocates Jayesh Dave way to get his Covid-19 Bhuj: Camel milk from increased to about 1,600 rat Cooperative Milk five years for the camel and Niraj Shah before test done. He added Gujarat’s Kutch is all litres per day, against Marketing Federation herder communities, stabbing Batuk Patel that the accused will set to hit the retail 400-500 litres a day ear- (GCMMF), which mar- which are mainly Raba- twice, police said. be arrested formally shelves of major metros lier. The Dairy’s Chair- kets Amul products and ris and Jatts. The young “Ghanchi had a tiff if tested negative for and cities as Sarhad man, Valamji Humbal, of all other cooperative generation which had with Patel and other Covid-19. Patel is con- Dairy has started sell- said, “We have added members. Amul is al- moved away from ani- neighbours ever since firmed to be out of ing milk under ultra- more collection centres, ready selling camel mal husbandry has now he opened a non-vege- danger and is under- high temperature treat- in Nakhatrana, Rapar, good for 6 months. So As many as 200 camel milk, but this is right returned as camel herd- tarian food joint in going treatment in the ed (UHT) packaging, Mandvi and Bhuj talu- with such facilities, we herders are associated from the camel breed- ing provides a sustain- their locality. They government hospital besides offering camel kas.” “UHT packaging can sell whatever milk with dairy business, ers. able livelihood to had clashed with of Limbdi. milk powder. can keep camel milk we get.” Humbal added. earning a daily average Ramesh Bhatti, Pro- them.” www.fi rstindia.co.in I www.fi rstindia.co.in/epaper/ I twitter.com/thefi rstindia facebook.com/thefi rstindia I instagram.com/thefi rstindia 09 AHMEDABAD, WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 30, 2020

Disha Patani

ctress Disha Patani has been Disha is seen clad in a yellow making it to the headlines bikini as she stood comforta- lately owing to her beach vaca- bly on a surfboard in the sea in DISHA GIVES tion. the photo. The star looked per- A She shared a photo of her- fect as she flaunted her curves self on a surfboard at the sea in a swimsuit and set the inter- ‘AQUAMAN FEELS’ in a yellow bikini on Tuesday. net on fire. —Agency ...her post

—PHOTOS BY SANTOSH SHARMA Neetu Kapoor takes a selfie in LOVE IS IN Ranthambore as Ranbir and Ranveer join her THE AIR

Ranveer with a fan

Mira Rajput and Shahid Kapoor

NEW YEAR IN WILD... ollywood star Shahid Ka- CITY FIRST poor and Mira Rajput along with their kids Misha and ollywood power BZain are presently in New couples- Ranveer Delhi and enjoy the winter season. Singh and Deepi- The couple, who never shies away Bka Padukone; from expressing their love for each Ranbir Kapoor and Alia other, have been sharing pictures Bhatt had all eyes on of their sunny afternoon on their them as they jetted out of Instagram handles. Mira Rajput Ranbir Kapoor Mumbai city and were shared a very lovey-dovey picture spotted at the Jaipur air- with Shahid Kapoor and it is win- port on Tuesday after- ning hearts on the internet on noon as they were leav- Tuesday. The actor is spotted in a Ranbir with Neetu and Soni ing for their New Year beard look which he had kept for holiday at Ranthambore his upcoming film Jersey. —Agency National Park of Sawai Madhopur. Ranveer and Deepika were seen twinning in shades of brown as they arrived in Jaipur to kick off the New Year festivities. The couple was spotted walking out of the airport at around 1 pm, surround- ed by security as they made their way to the car. Shortly after their arrival, Ranbir and Salman Khan’s post Alia were seen stepping out of the Jaipur air- port. They were accom- FLAUNTING panied by Ranbir’s mother Neetu Kapoor, THE MUSCLES sister Riddhima Sahni ollywood superstar Salman with daughter Samara Khan shared a new picture and husband Bharat of him on his social media Sahni. Alia’s mother Bhandle on Tuesday and it is Soni Razdan and sister stunning. The fans are all im- Shaheen Bhatt were pressed by seeing Salman’s well- Ranveer and Deepika also there with them. toned physique. The Bajrangi We can only wait and Bhaijan actor can be seen donning see what special cele- a grey t-shirt paired with shorts brations are in store and he is looking handsome in the for the power couples same. To complete his overall look, as the clock ticks down he opted for a cool skull cap. While to 2021. Alia Bhatt sharing the picture on Instagram, Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone [email protected] he wrote, “just being. —Agency www.fi rstindia.co.in I www.fi rstindia.co.in/epaper/ I twitter.com/thefi rstindia I facebook.com/thefi rstindia I instagram.com/thefi rstindia AHMEDABAD | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2020 ETC 10-11 THE YEAR THAT WAS THE WORLD TOOK A MAJOR HIT THIS YEAR AND SO DID THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY IN THE MIDST OF COVID-19 BREAKOUT. NONETHELESS, FEW STARS MANAGED TO MAINTAIN THEIR STARDOM, SUPPORTED EACH OTHER, CELEBRATED LITTLE MOMENTS AND ARE NOW HOPING FOR A BETTER 2021! Harry Hains Kirk Douglas Harry Hains, a 27-year-old actor known for his appearances in “American Hollywood lost an icon early in the year. Kirk Douglas, who had a six- Horror Story” and the Netfl ix series “The OA,” died from accidental fentanyl decade career that saw him star in “Spartacus,” “Champion” and other intoxication on Jan. 7 in Los Angeles. Initially, his mother, Jane Badler, posted memorable projects, passed away on 5th Feb. Kirk’s son Michael Douglas that her son suffered from mental illness and addiction. announced the news. Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik are fi nally parents. The pair confi rmed Gigi’s pregnancy in April On March 19, 2020. The couple revealed that they had Shannen Doherty’s Kenny Rogers, welcomed their daughter on Wednesday, cancer is back. On Feb. 4, a three-time September 23 via social media, days after her the “Beverly Hills, 90210” Grammy winner birth. Gigi and Zayn are currently experiencing star revealed on “Good Poster of the Film with a career all kinds of milestones with baby girl ‘Zigi. Morning America” that spanning six she has stage 4 cancer. decades, passed The actress — who Meghan Markle away at 81. The publicly chronicled a Parasite won the Oscar for best fi lm in January. South Korean legendary singer breast cancer battle from Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex revealed about some fi lm Parasite has been named best picture at this year’s was in hospice 2015 to 2017 — said tragic moments from her miscarriage in July this year. She Oscars, becoming the fi rst non-English language fi lm to care in Georgia she had known about her shared that she was pregnant for the second time in summer. take the top prize. Renee Zellweger won the best actress for at the time of his new diagnosis for a year, Meghan said that while she was changing her fi rst son Archie’s Kenny Rogers Shannen Doherty playing Judy Garland in Judy. death. but kept it private. diaper, she felt a sharp cramp.

Cardi B’s song WAP came Rihanna’s foundation out earlier this year and donated $5 million to Chrissy became quite popular. various organizations Teigen and The song even started assisting with John Legend a WAP dance trend coronavirus relief endured a across nations on social efforts. The Clara Lionel family tragedy. media and was playing Foundation announced On Sept. 30, everywhere for months. the donation as they the model The song also saw Cardi never thought the and cookbook B sharing the screen with coronavirus would author Megan Thee Stallion but so dramatically alter announced fans were shocked to see everyone’s lives. The that they’d that WAP didn’t make it to foundation donated the suffered a Grammy Nominations. money to Direct pregnancy Relief, Feeding loss when she America and lost their third The World Health child, a son, Patricia Bosworth Organization’s at 20 weeks COVID-19 Solidarity gestation due Patricia Bosworth, an actress who once starred alongside Audrey Hepburn and Response Fund among to a partial later wrote biographies on several stars including Marlon Brando and Montgomery placental others. Chrissy Teigen and John Legend Clift, died on April 9 due to the coronavirus at the age of 86. abruption.

“The Ellen DeGeneres Show” had parted ways with three senior producers in the wake of ongoing criticism of the show’s culture and allegations of bad behaviour. That same day, the show’s resident Chadwick Boseman DJ, Stephen “Witch” Boss, Chadwick Boseman, who famously played King T’Challa in was promoted “Black Panther,” shockingly passed away on Aug. 28 following to co-executive a previously undisclosed battle with cancer. His family said the producer. Ellen actor was initially diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer in 2016, also reportedly and it progressed to stage 4. apologized to her staff on Aug. 17, saying she’s “not perfect”. Ellen endured another setback: She was diagnosed with COVID-19. Ellen DeGeneres

Gigi Hadid

Kristin Cavallari and Jay Cutler

On April 26, Kristin Cavallari and Jay Cutler Brandon Blackstock and Kelly Clarkson announced that they were divorcing after nearly seven years of marriage and a decade Kelly Clarkson has ended her seven-year marriage to music as a couple. While they implied that the split manager Brandon Blackstock. On June 4, the singer and talk Rihanna was amicable, it got ugly quickly. show host quietly fi led divorce paperwork in Los Angeles.

Cardi B

Chandler Powell and Bindi Irwin

Bindi Irwin tied the knot with longtime love Chandler Powell on March 25 at the Australia Zoo, the same place they got engaged in 2019. —SOURCE: AGENCY The guest list included nobody. The couple had planned a larger wedding but scrapped all that because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kelly Preston Sean Penn and Leila George Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton On Dec. 20, music star Ariana Grande revealed on Instagram Kelly Preston passed away on July 12 following a secret two-year-battle with breast cancer. John Travolta, Sean Penn secretly wed during the pandemic. On Aug. 3, the 59-year-old actor On Oct. 27 — after fi ve years of dating — “The Voice” coaches that she and her boyfriend of less than a year, real estate agent Kelly’s husband of 28 years, announced the news. confi rmed that he married actress Leila George, 28. Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani announced their engagement. Ariana Grande Dalton Gomez, are engaged. CITY BUZZ 12 www.firstindia.co.in I www.firstindia.co.in/epaper/ I twitter.com/thefirstindia I facebook.com/thefirstindia I instagram.com/thefirstindia AHMEDABAD | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2020 Reflecting back on2020 City First talked to a few people from Rajasthan, Gujarat and Lucknow, to know SPEAKUPS! what is their learning from 2020! 2020 was a roller coaster ride in my life. There were lots of ups and downs this year. So, life taught me more than the syllabus this year and to be honest, I’m thankful for that. I wouldn’t have learned a few important things in life if it wasn’t for the year 2020.” —-NIKHIL KUMAR

This year taught me the difference between need and want. We want the entire world, year we’ve experienced in our Models showcasing designer Arvind’s collection but do we need it? No. lifetimes. There is a lot that 2020 We just run behind the has taught us about ourselves, our relationships, our passions desires ignoring the small KARISHMA GWALANI and our values. As we made our happiness in life. Ultimately, we end up Flaunting the apparels [email protected] 2010 New Year’s resolutions we achieving nothing. I have learned to live with had nothing but hope for not the things I need and appreciate every little CITY FIRST ake a deep breath. We just a fresh year, but a fresh dec- thing we have.” —RIYA DUSAD are now almost near ade to make our own. 2020 how- ia Chitranaga Pro- the end of 2020, phew! ever, had other plans. If we duction House vir- For many of us, this could take the pandemic away 2020 has been an tually organised a T has been an incredibly in an instant we would, but we unexpected roller J Vibrant India Fash- challenging, trans- can’t and so instead we look for coaster ride of emotions. ion Week for two days formative, and life- the silver lining. From tough The most important learn- starting from Sunday in changing year. In some ways, times come tough lessons, per- ing of 2020 is that there Jaipur. The first day of the life went on as usual—we were sonal growth and learning op- will always be chaos in event had designer Ashfaq still expected to show up at portunities. City First talked to this world, but if you have Ahmed showcasing his work, babies were born, Lady a few people from Rajasthan, your family and a few chosen friends beside collection of western Gaga put out an album. But in Gujarat and Lucknow to know you, you can get through everything and find wear and evening gowns. other ways, it was like no other what is their learning from 2020! calm within the chaos.” —ROSHNI GUPTA The second day witnessed Designer Arvind Ampu- la’s ethnic wear collection (heavy handwoven bro- cade lehengas with hand embroidery). The show SAD DEMISE was directed by Kapil Student Workshop Gauhri. certain. Each day offers pandemic, an economic ierre Cardin, the French designer The production team new challenges for design- depression. Planning for whose Space Age style was among CITY FIRST believes that the future of ers and their teams to the next season is no long- the iconic looks of 20th-century the fashion industry is un- overcome amid a health er business as usual, but P fashion, died at 98 on Tuesday. The he five days small steps are being news was announced by Frances Academy RTU (ATU) TE- made. After months in of Fine Arts in a tweet. QIP-III spon- quarantine, fashion hous- A licensing maverick, Cardin’s name T sored Student es have returned to work embossed myriad Workshop on ‘Design in France and Italy with products from of Traffic Engineer- an urge to rethink every- wristwatches to ing Facilities (DTEF- thing, most notably the bedsheets, making 2020)’ at Department fashion show. his label among the of Civil Engineering, “We are forming the World’s most fa- Swami Keshvanand new ways to showcase the mous. In the Institute of Technolo- designers’ collections in a brands’ heyday in gy, Management and In the second session of Col. (Retd.) Vipul different prospect and we the 1970s and 80s, Gramothan, Jaipur of the day, five Albin Vikram Mathur as the want designers to express his products were Pierre Cardin concluded on Tuesday. Tharakan (Engi- guest of honour and their ideas so we can cre- sold at some 100,000 The first session of neer iRAP India) Professor A.K. ate their ideas into reality outlets worldwide, though that number day five was conducted delivered his talk Dwivedi, RTU the digital vibrant fashion dwindled dramatically in later decades. by Jacob George (Emi- on ‘iRAP Star Rat- Event Coordina- weeks staged to replace A savvy businessman, Cardin used his nent Road Safety Ex- ings and Safe Road tor. Both the guests big production, audience, fabulous wealth to snap up top-notch prop- pert, ICT Pvt. Ltd.) on Investment Plan.’ congratulated all the catwalks and presenta- erties in Paris, including the Belle Epoque ‘Road Safety Engineer- In the end, the vale- participants for show- tions this season”, said restaurant Maxims. He was inducted into ing: A Doable Interven- dictory session was casing their interest in the production team. the Fine Arts Academy in 1992. tion to Enhance Safety conducted that was the workshop. [email protected] —CITY FIRST with various concepts. graced by the presence [email protected]

EVENTS!

Raj: The monthly Raj: The board meeting city’s of Rotary Club emerging North Jaipur was makeup artist held on Tuesday, Lakshmi chaired by the Kankhediya mentor of the organised a club, Somendra photo shoot Sharma. The on the bridal current president theme at of the club, Dr Classy Girl Raj: To mark the Rajeev Jain Beauty Studio completion of informed that at Vaishali 6 years of the Kulwinder Singh Nagar, Jaipur Smile Spreaders Dhillon was on Sunday. Group, an Raj: An eight-day ‘Seva Pakhwara’ and ‘Rahat-e-chill’ program nominated for the She prepared organisation conducted by the Creature Foundation, relief and service were post of president the models involved in provided to the families of Jhalana Kachchi Basti, Jawahar Nagar with unanimous on the bridal public welfare Kachchi Basti and homeless families on its third day on Tuesday. consent for Rotary theme, did and philanthropic work, blankets were distributed at The main coordinators of this program were Amit Mehrada and Club 2021-22. All their makeup Dwarkadish cow centre, village in Sultania (Phagi) on Tuesday. Ritu Mehrada. The chief guest was Archana Sharma, and Komal the officials of the and also gave The cows were fed with jaggery and fodder. Chand Jain and the special guest was Rotary Club Secretary club were present them beauty Kuldeep Singh Dhillon. on the occasion. tips.

Raj: Invest19 Technologies announced the launch of distribution-based technology model to provide a simplified investment platform to people living in remote parts of the country, through its various partners on Tuesday. The company has now established a zero-cost phygital platform for rural people from the clutches of investing scepticism and Guj: The citizens of Ahmedabad were seen jogging and cycling for their good health while enjoying the early morning winters at Nehrunagar crossroad on Tuesday. —PHOTOS BY HANIF SINDHI mistrust over digital investment platforms.