c m y k c m y k

THE ANEW DELHISIAN SUNDAY 4 JULY 2021 AGE TABLOID| 9 WORLD| 6 SPORT| 8 Aamir Khan & Kiran Rao British supermarket Roger Federer beats announce divorce after giant Morrisons agrees Norrie; Krejcikova 15 years of marriage to a £6.3b takeover bid moves into 2nd round www.asianage.com RNI No. 57290/94, Regd No: DL-SW-05/4189/15-17 Vol. 27 No. 138 | 16 PAGES | `5.00

WINDOWS ■ Dassault Aviation paid Euro 1m to an Indian middleman: French media C’garh: 150 Maoists attack ■ iron ore mine, kill 1 worker Congress asks PM Narendra Modi to order a JPC probe into deal Maoists also opened indiscriminate fire on a police camp France begins judicial probe

RABINDRA NATH Officials said Naxals CHOUDHURY attacked the Aamdei RAIPUR, JULY 3 iron ore mine site into Rafale deal with India under Chhote Dangar Around 150 armed Maoists New Delhi, July 3: A 2019 by a former PNF on Saturday stormed an police station at French judge has been Congress chief chief. iron ore site allotted to a around 10 in the morn- appointed to lead a “high- spokesperson "The judicial investiga- private firm in ing, beating the work- ly sensitive” judicial Randeep Surjewala tion was finally opened Chhattisgarh’s south ers engaged in the investigation into alleged on Saturday urged following the revelations Bastar district of development of a road “corruption and PM Narendra Modi to of the investigation Narayanpur where they in the area and torch- favouritism” in the come forward and #RafalePapers of @medi- apart and a new com- attacked and took workers ing the vehicles used `59,000 crore Rafale fight- order a Joint hostage, leaving one of er jet deal with India, Parliamentary plaint from them dead, police said. for construction work French investigative web- @Asso_Sherpa. A 1st com- The Maoists also site Mediapart reported. Committee (JPC) plaint was buried in 2019 launched a grenade attack (JNIL). torched six vehicles used Following the develop- probe into the Rafale by the former PNF boss, and opened indiscrimi- The Naxals abducted two for construction works. ment, Congress chief deal Eliane Houlette," he India’s Deepti Sharma during nate fire on a police camp, workers, including a Fourteen construction spokesperson Randeep tweeted. the One Day International about 1.5 km from the iron supervisor, identified as workers were at the site Surjewala on Saturday ference. The investigation has In April, Mediapart, cit- cricket match at New Road ore mine site. Though the Pradep Sheel of Bhilai in when the attack took urged Prime Minister The Mediapart said the been initiated by the ing an investigation by One, Worcester, England, on attack lasted almost four Chhattisgarh. While they place. Thirteen of them Narendra Modi to come probe into the inter-gov- national financial prose- the country's anti-corrup- Saturday. — AP hours, no one was report- released one worker, they returned to Chhote forward and order a Joint ernmental deal signed in cutors’ office (PNF) fol- tion agency, reported that edly injured. beat the supervisor to Dangar police station. But Parliamentary 2016 was formally opened lowing Mediapart's fresh Dassault Aviation had Officials said Naxals death. the Naxals beat the super- Committee (JPC) probe on June 14. reports in April of alleged paid about one million attacked the Aamdei iron Later, the Maoists visor Pradip Sheel to into the Rafale deal. “A judicial probe into wrongdoings in the deal Euros to an Indian mid- Mudslide wipes out ore mine site under launched a grenade attack death. His body has been “Corruption in the suspected corruption has as well as a complaint dleman. Chhote Dangar police sta- and opened indiscrimi- recovered,” the police offi- Rafale deal has come out been opened in France filed by French NGO Dassault Aviation has houses in Japan tion at around 10 in the nate fire on the Dangar cer said. clearly now. The stand of over the 7.8-billion Euro Sherpa that specialises in rejected the allegations of morning, beating the Hills police camp, nearly He said Maoists used the Congress Party and sale to India in 2016 of 36 financial crime. corruption, saying no vio- city, 20 missing workers engaged in the 1.5 km from the iron ore under barrel grenade Rahul Gandhi has been Dassault-built Rafale Mediapart journalist lations were reported in Tokyo: Twenty people are development of a road in mine site, damaging the launchers (UBGL) and vindicated today after the fighter aircraft,” the Yann Philippin, who filed the frame of the contract. missing in central Japan the area and torching the security camp extensively. other sophisticated French government has Mediapart reported on a series of reports on the The National after a huge landslide hit vehicles used for construc- “There was no injury or weapons in the attack on ordered a probe,” he told the latest development on deal, said a first com- Democratic Alliance Atami city following heavy tion works. casualty among the securi- the police camp. reporters at a press con- the controversial deal. plaint was "buried" in ■ Turn to Page 4 rainfall. Video on social They later held a dozen ty personnel,” Bastar Police sources said the media showed a torrent of labourers hostage but range inspector general of attack lasted nearly four black mud plummeting released all but two with a police Sunderraj P told hours. A reinforcement of ■ down from a mountain top warning not to work in the this newspaper. the district reserve group Hill state is set to go to polls early next year ED begins money and on through the city mines allotted to Jayaswal “The Naxals attacked the (DRG) was rushed to the towards the sea. Several Neco Industries Limited iron ore mine site and spot laundering probe houses were destroyed or buried. Two bodies have BJP makes Pushkar Singh Dhami into UP, Delhi been found by the coast guard, the local governor Covaxin overall Delhi HC shocked over govt officers’ conversion case said. A resident said he U’khand CM, its 3rd in 4 months New Delhi, July 3: The heard a “horrible sound” 77.8% effective, false claims, asks for litigation policy ED on Saturday conduct- and fled as the landslide AGE CORRESPONDENT ed searches at six loca- engulfed everything in its shows Bharat AGE CORRESPONDENT and also puts unneces- NEW DELHI, JULY 3 tions in Delhi and UP in a path. — Agencies with agency inputs sary burden on the court. money laundering case Full report on Page 6 Biotech’s data NEW DELHI, JULY 3 “In all these cases, the Uttarakhand on Saturday linked to alleged conver- government raised false got its third chief minis- sion of some deaf stu- US adds Pak to child 44,111 cases, 738 deaths The Delhi high court has claims/defences before ter in less than four dents and poor people to expressed shock over the this court which is a mat- months after ruling the Islam in UP with purport- soldier recruiter list reported in 24 hours government raising false ter of grave concern. All BJP’s legislature party ed funding from abroad, claims and defences with these cases shocked the elected Pushkar Singh sources said. The raids Washington/Islamabad: The AGE CORRESPONDENT impunity as there is no conscience of this court. Dhami as its leader. He is are being conducted at US has added Pakistan along NEW DELHI, JULY 3 accountability of officers It appears that the false likely to take oath of the office of Islamic with 14 other countries in a for doing so and called for claims are raised with office on Sunday in the Dawah Centre, house of list of Child Soldiers India reported 44,111 framing rules by the impunity because there state where Assembly main accused in the case Prevention Act which identi- new cases of Covid-19 Centre and Delhi govern- is no accountability of polls are scheduled early Mohd Umar Gautam and fies foreign govts having gov- and 738 deaths in the ment to hold officers any government officer next year. his associate Mufti Qazi ernment-supported armed last 24 hours. This is the accountable for lapses in for raising the false Mr Dhami succeeded Jahangir Alam Qasmi, groups that recruit or use sixth consecutive day handling court cases. claims and courts seldom Tirath Singh Rawat, who Jamia Nagar area. Newly appointed Uttarakhand Legislative party leader child soldiers, a designation when less than 50,000 The high court, which take any action against resigned late Friday night In UP, the raids are that could result in restrictions daily new cases have termed it as a matter of the person concerned for due to a “constitutional Pushkar Singh Dhami with party leaders in Dehradun being conducted at the on certain security assistance been reported. grave concern, said it raising false crisis.” on Saturday. — PTI offices of Al Hassan edu- and commercial licensing of Country’s active case- was of the prima facie claims/defences,” Justice A two-time MLA from Incidentally, Udham ernment’s three land laws. cation and welfare foun- military equipment. — PTI load fell below 5 lakh view that whenever a J.R. Midha said in a 31- Udham Singh Nagar’s Singh Nagar is the only The Terai district shares dation and guidance edu- after 97 days and active false claim is raised by page judgement. Khatima, Mr Dhami, 45, district in the poll-bound its border with Uttar cation and welfare soci- cases now constitute the government, it causes The court said with was associated with the state which witnessed Pradesh and has a signifi- ety located in state capi- Dilip Kumar is stable, 1.62 per cent of the total immense injustice to the these false claims, even RSS’ youth wing, ABVP, protests by farmers cant Sikh population and tal Lucknow. — PTI positive cases after a litigant seeking justice ■ Turn to Page 4 during his college days. against the Central gov- ■ Turn to Page 4 ■ More on Page 2 still in ICU, says wife net decline of 14,104 was Mumbai: Dilip Kumar's wife witnessed in the last 24 Saira Banu shared an update hours. India’s Recovery on actor’s health on Saturday Rate has increased to 1st compliance and said that he is “still in the 97.06 per cent and daily ‘Major attack’ feared ICU” but “stable.” — PTI positivity rate is 2.35 report by Google, Full report on Page 4 per cent. On Saturday, 60.51 says IT minister COUNTERPOINT lakh doses of anti-Covid in Punjab, security vaccines were adminis- New Delhi: IT minister tered to people across Ravi Shankar Prasad on India. So far 34.57 crore Saturday lauded major forces on high alert people have been given Google, Facebook, the shot, out of which Instagram for publishing 28.33 crore have their first compliance Shoot-at-sight orders issued for drones received their first dose report on voluntary and 6.24 crore people removal of offensive AGE CORRESPONDENT are closely monitoring have got the second posts as per new IT rules, NEW DELHI, JULY 3 security at their installa- shot too. terming it a big step tions along the Indo- Citing data from towards transparency. The Intelligence Bureau Pakistan border. Phase 3 clinical trials, “Nice to see significant (IB) in an advisory sent Last week, in the Bharat Biotech has social media platforms to security agencies in Jammu region, an Air claimed that Covaxin is Police use water cannons to disperse AAP workers staging a gherao at CM Capt like Google, Facebook Punjab has cautioned Force station was 77.8 per cent effective Amarinder Singh’s Siswan farmhouse in protest against the long power-cuts in and Instagram following that a “major attack” attacked when drones against Covid-19. Mohali on Saturday. Police booked 23 AAP leaders, including AAP MP Bhagwant the new IT Rules,” Mr involving drones could dropped some explosives “Bharat Biotech con- Mann, MLA Cheema, Meet Hayer, for violation of Covid protocols. Prasad tweeted. — PTI take place in border and in the second inci- cludes final analysis for ■ Report on Page 4 — PTI ■ More on Page 3 areas of Punjab. dent a similar attempt Covaxin efficacy as part Following the intelli- was made at a military of phase 3 clinical tri- gence alert, Punjab camp in Kaluchak but the als, after evaluation of police chief Dinkar drone returned after 130 confirmed cases. Outrage as Ukraine women troops march in heels Gupta chaired a high- security personnel fired WEATHER Covaxin's efficacy level security review at it. Even in the past Max: 39OC demonstrated at 77.8 Kiev, July 3: Ukrainian accusations that women meeting two days ago there have been O per cent against symp- authorities found them- soldiers had been sexual- and border districts like instances when drones Min: 29 C tomatic coronavirus selves buried in contro- ized. “The story of a Amritsar, Tarn Taran coming in from Pakistan RH: 45% patients,” the company versy Friday after official parade in heels is a real and Gurdaspur have were used to drop Rain: 10% said in a statement. pictures showed women disgrace,” commentator been put on high alert weapons like AK-47, It added that the vac- soldiers practicing for a Vitaly Portnikov said on and patrolling has been grenades and narcotics in Forecast: Mostly sunny cine offers 65.2 per cent parade in heels. Facebook, arguing that intensified by the Border villages close to the bor- protection against the Ukraine is preparing to some Ukrainian officials Security Force along der. Sources said a close Delta variant and was stage a military parade had a “medieval” mind- with Punjab police per- watch was also being ASTROGUIDE also found to be 93.4 per next month to mark 30 set. Another commenta- sonnel in the entire 550- kept in the Rajasthan sec- Plava: Uttarayana cent effective against years of independence fol- tor, Maria Shapranova, km long Indo-Pak border tor also but admitted that severe, symptomatic lowing the Soviet Union's accused the defense min- in Punjab. the threat perception was Tithi: Jyeshta Bahula Dasami Covid-19. breakup, and the defense istry of “sexism and Specific instructions much higher in Punjab till 7.56 pm “This will help to get ministry released pho- misogyny.” have been given that any and Kashmir region. Star: Ashwini till 9.05 am the vaccine WHO emer- tographs of fatigue-clad “High heels is a mockery drone that is spotted The home ministry has gency use listing,” said women soldiers marching of women imposed by the should be immediately already handed over Varjyam: 4.36 am to 6.24 Dr N.K. Arora, chair- beauty industry,” she investigations into the am;7.55 pm to 9.44 pm in mid-heel black pumps. A handout photograph taken and released by the shot down without any man, coronavirus work- “Today, for the first Ukrainian defence ministry shows the Ukrainian female fumed. Several Ukrainian prior warning. drone attack to the Durmuhurtam: 5.07 pm to 5.59 pm ing group on Covaxin time, training takes place soldiers wearing heels while taking part in the the mili- lawmakers close to As the warning comes National Investigation efficacy results. in heeled shoes,” cadet Ukraine's former presi- close on the heels of the Agency (NIA). Rahukalam: 4.30 pm to 6 pm tary parade rehearsal in Kiev. — AFP Covaxin is a whole Ivanna Medvid was quot- dent Petro Poroshenko twin drone attacks on Initial investigations, SUNSET TODAY 7.23 PM virus inactivated vac- ed as saying by the than in army boots, but The choice of footwear showed up in parliament defence installations in sources say, point to the SUNRISE TOMORROW 5.28 AM cine developed by defense ministry’s infor- we are trying,” Medvid sparked a torrent of criti- with pairs of shoes and Jammu region last week, involvement of terror MOONRISE TOMORROW 2.30 AM ICMR, NIV (Pune) and mation site ArmiaInform. added in comments cism on social media and encouraged the defense all security forces like outfit Lashkar-e- MOONSET TODAY 3.56 PM Bharat Biotech. “It is slightly harder released on Thursday. in parliament, and led to ■ Turn to Page 4 Army, BSF and Air Force Tayyaba. CITY THE ASIAN AGE | SUNDAY | 4 JULY 2021 | NEW DELHI pg 2

■ SHORT TAKES Heatwave ‘Some deaf students, poor people converted to Islam in UP’ abates, IMD 4 rescued from forecasts ED raids in Delhi, UP in PMLA fire in house at drop in temp Rohini area case linked to alleged conversion New Delhi, July 3: The New Delhi, July 3: The ◗ THE RAIDS are being con- Laundering Act (PMLA) to oppressive heatwave that Enforcement Directorate probe this case unearthed New Delhi: A fire broke out ducted at the office of at a house in Rohini area on swept through the north (ED) on Saturday conduct- by the Uttar Pradesh Police Saturday morning, following Indian plains and hills ed searches at six locations Islamic Dawah Centre (IDC), Anti Terrorist Squad (ATS). which four people were res- has abated and no such in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh house of main accused in The officials said several cued, Delhi Fire Service offi- conditions are likely dur- in a money laundering case the case Mohd Umar “incriminating” documents cials said. “A call about the ing the next five days, the linked to alleged conver- Gautam and his associate have been seized during the fire in the Budh Vihar area in India Meteorological sion of some deaf students Mufti Qazi Jahangir Alam searches, which reveal the Rohini was received around Department (IMD) said and poor people to Islam in Qasmi, in south Delhi’s “large-scale conversion” 6.00 am and four fire ten- on Saturday. UP with purported funding Jamia Nagar area. allegedly carried out by ders were pressed into serv- Mercury is likely to from abroad, official Umar Gautam and his ice. Fire was brought under drop by 3-4 degrees sources said. ◗ In UP, the raids are being organisations across India. control very quickly. Four Celsius over the next five The raids are being con- conducted at the offices of The documents also people were rescued and days, it added. The IMD ducted at the office of Al Hassan education and reveal several crores of shifted to a hospital,” said had issued a heatwave Passengers wait in a queue outside Rajiv Chowk Metro station during rain in Islamic Dawah Centre welfare foundation and rupees of foreign funding Atul Garg, Director, Delhi alert for July 1-2. As pre- New Delhi on Saturday. — PTI (IDC), house of main guidance education and received by the accused Fire Service. The blaze was dicted, heatwave condi- accused in the case Mohd organisations for the pur- brought under control but tions have abated from Umar Gautam and his asso- welfare society located in pose of illegal conversions, during the fire-fighting oper- the plains of Northwest ciate Mufti Qazi Jahangir state capital Lucknow. they claimed. ations, a fireman also got India with occurrence of Alam Qasmi, in south The ATS had arrested injured, the officials said. only isolated heat waves Delhi’s Jamia Nagar area. Umar Gautam and have Umar Gautam and Qasmi 82 lakh vaccinated and claimed that they ran The cause of the fire is not over Haryana yesterday In UP, the raids are being been playing an “instru- known yet, Garg said. (Friday), it said. conducted at the offices of mental role” in carrying Islamic Dawah Center, On Saturday, fairly Al Hassan education and out the alleged illegal con- which purportedly had widespread rainfall welfare foundation and versions. access to funds from Bail granted to occurred over Punjab, in Delhi so far: Govt guidance education and The central probe agency Pakistan’s inter-services Haryana, Delhi and welfare society located in had late last month filed a intelligence (ISI) and other man in Red Fort adjoining parts of West state capital Lucknow. criminal case under the foreign agencies to carry Uttar Pradesh due to a City records 86 Covid cases, 5 deaths in past 24 hrs ED officials said these provisions of the out their alleged illegal western disturbance organisations are run by Prevention of Money activities. — PTI violence case bringing respite from the AGE CORRESPONDENT their second dose, it said. taking the cumulative New Delhi: Another accused prevailing heatwave con- NEW DELHI, JULY 3 Of the total people vacci- tally to 14,34,460, in connection with the vio- ditions. nated on Friday, 44,512 informed a health bul- lence at the Red Fort on Maximum tempera- More than 1.6 lakh Covid were in the 45-60 age letin by the Delhi govern- 3 juveniles among Freelance Republic Day was granted tures over the plains of vaccines were adminis- group and 1,14,462 were ment. The city reported bail by a Delhi court on Northwest India are like- tered in the national cap- in the 18-44 age group, it five deaths due to the Saturday. Tis Hazari court’s ly to fall by 3-4 degrees ital on Friday, taking the said. virus, with the cumula- journalist held additional sessions judge Celsius today and no sig- total number of people Delhi, which received tive death to 24,988. The 4 held for stabbing Kamini Lau granted bail to nificant change is likely who have been inoculat- 50,000 doses of Covaxin number of new cases by ED in money Khempreet Singh and asked thereafter. Subsequently, ed to over 82 lakh, the on Friday, has 4,78,000 saw a decline from 93 him to furnish a personal no heatwave conditions Delhi government’s vac- vaccines in its balance cases recorded yesterday. minor boy to death laundering case bond of `50,000 with one are likely over the region cination bulletin said. stock, it said. This Number of fatalities, local surety of like amount during the next five days, The bulletin, issued on includes 2,68,000 shots of however, increased from AGE CORRESPONDENT ◗ ON JUNE 30, when New Delhi, July 3: The ED each. Delhi police had the IMD said. It said the Saturday, said a total of Covaxin and 2,10,000 of two on Friday. NEW DELHI, JULY 3 constable Sunil of on Saturday said it has already filed a charge sheet abatement of the heat- 82,12,158 vaccines have Covishield, it said. The case positivity rate arrested a Delhi-based free- in this matter. During the wave is due to south- been administered in the According to the bul- for the last 24 hours An 18-year-old man was Mangolpuri police sta- lance journalist in connec- hearing, the court directed westerly winds from the national capital so far. Of letin, the present Covid stood at 0.11 per cent, arrested and three juve- tion was on patrolling tion with a money launder- Khempreet Singh to appear Arabian Sea. them, 63,45,239 are first vaccine stock will last for lower than 0.13 per cent niles apprehended for duty, he found a boy ing probe linked to alleged before the concerned SHO Due to an increase in doses and 18,66,919 sec- two days. seen a day ago. A total of allegedly stabbing anoth- lying in an unconscious leakage and supply of sensi- on the last Saturday of the humidity in association ond doses, it said. The vaccination pro- 76,619 Covid-19 tests er juvenile to death in state near a park in J tive information to Chinese next four months and in case with these winds, the dis- According to the city’s gramme is running at were conducted in the Outer Delhi’s Block area. With the intelligence officers. he leaves the city, he shall comfort will continue daily vaccination bul- 1,374 centres with a city, the health bulletin Mangolpuri area, the help of a person, he Freelance journalist intimate the same to SHO during the next five days, letin, 1,60,738 people capacity of administer- stated. On Saturday, 106 police said on Friday. immediately lifted the Rajeev Sharma was arrest- and the court too. the IMD said. Over the were vaccinated on ing 2,26,552 vaccine doses patients recovered from Accused Sachin alias ed under the criminal sec- last two days, many Friday, out of which daily, it added. novel coronavirus, tak- Raja, a resident of boy and shifted him to a tions of the Prevention of places including Delhi 1,30,487 beneficiaries The national capital ing the number of total Mangolpuri, works at a nearby hospital where Money Laundering Act 1.60 lakh challans breached the 40 degrees received their first dose recorded 86 new cases of recoveries in the city to shoe factory here, it said. the injured, who had (PMLA) on July 1 and pro- Celsius mark. — PTI and 30,251 were given Covid-19 on Saturday, 14,08,456. The victim, who is also sustained multiple stab duced before a local court in Delhi for Covid a resident of his locality, injuries, was declared here on Friday. used filthy language brought dead, according The court granted the against Sachin’s cousin to the police. Enforcement Directorate norm violations sister. So, to teach him a (ED) seven days’ custody of New Delhi: In order to ensure Covid will be reduced to an endemic, lesson, he called his three sons, and identified the Sharma, the central probe strict enforcement of the juvenile friends and accused and his three agency said in a statement. Covid-19 protocol, the Delhi stabbed him to death, the juvenile associates in the The agency said its probe police has issued 1.37 lakh zero figure in Delhi unlikely: Experts police said. case.” found that 62-year-old challans for not wearing On June 30, when con- Accused Sachin was Sharma “had supplied con- masks and 22,000 for viola- New Delhi, July 3: Cases Hospital said there will won’t be achievable. In with actual zero cases stable Sunil of arrested and his three fidential and sensitive infor- tions of social distancing of Covid-19 might be always be a few cases of hospitals for getting sur- ever.” Mangolpuri police sta- juvenile associates were mation to Chinese intelli- norms between April 19 and declining steadily but as the virus. “Zero is an geries, one has to get test- Amid concerns over the tion was on patrolling apprehended, he added. gence officers, in exchange July 2 this year, according to the virus is mutating, unlikely figure. The virus ed for Hepatitis and HIV. possibility of a third duty, he found a boy lying “When Sachin was for remuneration thereby official data. Chief minister attaining that magical is mutating and it is diffi- Eventually, you will be wave and emergence of in an unconscious state interrogated, he dis- compromising the security Arvind Kejriwal had last zero figure in Delhi is cult to predict it’s future tested for Covid too,” he the Delta Plus variant, near a park in J Block closed that the victim had and national interests of month announced various unlikely, experts have behaviour,” he said. said. experts assuaged fears of area. With the help of a used filthy language for India”. relaxations in the ongoing said, and predicted that Explaining why the Dr Gauri Agarwal, IVF that possible wave being person, he immediately his cousin sister. “It was further revealed lockdown that was imposed coronavirus will be virus has posed such a expert and founder of more lethal since a major- lifted the boy and shifted Therefore, to teach him a that cash for remuneration on April 19, saying the Covid reduced to an endemic in challenge, Dr Sanjeev K. Seeds of Innocence said ity of the population has him to a nearby hospital lesson, he called his three of Sharma and other situation was improving and the future. Singh, resident medical keeping the 1918 pandem- been infected. where the injured, who juvenile friends and com- unknown persons was being the economy of the city need- The Centre, Delhi chief director, Amrita ic as a yardstick, we know “In my view, if a new had sustained multiple mitted murder by stab- generated through a ed to be revived. Out of minister Arvind Kejriwal Hospitals in Faridabad that eradicating the virus strain doesn’t come up stab injuries, was bing him,” Mr Singh said. ‘hawala’ by Mahipalpur- 1,62,526 challans issued dur- and his cabinet colleague said it is an mRNA virus is an unrealistic possibil- against which the vac- declared brought dead, Two blood stained based (an area in Delhi) ing the period, 1,37,872 chal- Satyendar Jain had said which keeps changing its ity. “As Covid-19 gradual- cines are not effective, I according to the police. knives were recovered shell companies that were lans were issued for mask vio- last year that one will structure. “This virus is ly becomes an endemic, don’t think the third DCP (Outer) Parvinder from them, the police run by Chinese nationals lation, 22,874 for violation of have to learn with coron- smart and just for the likely in 12-24 months, it wave will be as lethal as Singh said, “A case of said, adding that further namely Zhang Cheng alias social distancing, 1,552 for avirus and make its pre- sake of living, it will keep will probably stop being a the second wave,” said Dr murder was registered investigation is under- Suraj, Zhang Lixia alias holding large public gather- vention norms a part of mutating. Covid will be statistic that is being Rajesh Chawla, senior under Section 302 of the way to recover the Usha and Quing Shi, along ings or congregations, 72 for our lives. there and may not be watched on a daily basis. pulmonologist, Indian Penal Code. Our clothes and the source of with a Nepalese national, spitting and 156 for consump- Dr Suresh Kumar, med- affecting all 193 countries Hence, while we may see Indraprastha Apollo police team scammed the weapons used in the Sher Singh alias Raj tion of liquor, pan, gutkha, ical director of Delhi gov- but it will be there. zero reportable cases, Hospitals, New Delhi. through 170 CCTV cam- commission of the Bohara,” it alleged. tobacco etc, the data cited. ernment-run LNJP Coming down to zero there may never be a time — PTI eras, examined 230 per- crime. — PTI Stadiums, sports complexes may Call centre busted in Paschim Youth arrested for stabbing reopen tomorrow neighbour in Nizamuddin Vihar, 2 women among 8 held AGE CORRESPONDENT reached at the spot and New Delhi: In view of the NEW DELHI, JULY 3 met complaint Noor significant improvement in AGE CORRESPONDENT centre, but when he was their credentials and asked Hussain who alleged the Covid-19 situation in the NEW DELHI, JULY 3 not given his salary, he some questions about loan A 21-year-old man has that he came to visit his national capital, the Delhi stole the CPU from there and purpose, his working been arrested by the brother Noor and they government is likely to allow With the arrest of eight having data of US citizens status etc. Then one caller Delhi Police for alleged- were sitting in one further relaxations such as people including two and later started his own passed on the customer to ly stabbing his neigh- Salman’s jhuggu with reopening of stadiums and women, the Delhi Police call centre. The accused another caller who pre- bour multiple times in one Munna and Azizul. sports complexes from July claimed to have busted a used to call at the number tended to be from the Nizamuddin area. At once, the accused 5, sources claimed on call centre operating in of US nationals and pre- finance dept to make fur- The accused has been came and slapped Saturday. The relaxations Paschim Vihar (West) area. sented themselves as US ther progress on loan dis- identified as Abid, a Munna when his broth- which have been announced The accused used to dupe citizens. They were spe- bursal. resident of Sunder er Aziziul tried to stop so far are set to continue till US nationals after posing cially trained to speak in They asked the customer Nursery, Hazrat him, Abid stabbed him 5 am on Monday. “Although as employees of loan com- US accent, the police said to purchase a google pay Nizamuddin, the police multipipe times and the government is likely to panies, the police said. They trapped the inno- card/Ebay card and col- said. fled away. allow reopening of stadiums Total 8 CPUs, 6 laptops cent citizens by using a lected the pin number of According to the The victim was and sports complexes, oper- and a router to use the fixed dialogue like “ I am this card and then trans- police, a PCR call was rushed to hospital and a ation of public transport, internet have been seized calling from the loan com- ferred the money in their received on July 1 case was registered and including Delhi Metro trains, from the spot, they added. pany. The reason for my account, the police said. around 9 pm at Hazrat investigation was taken with full capacity is unlikely According to the police, call is that a loan amount The money trail in this ille- Nizamuddin police sta- up, the police said. due to concerns of over- the call centre was being ...... ($3000) is sanctioned gal call centre started tion regarding quarrel The police said that a crowding,” a source said. run by one Ravinder under your name,” they immediately when the between two parties at tip-off was received and Metro trains and public Singh, the kingpin of the added. prospective loan seeker Sunder nursery, Sarai the accused was arrest- Delhi Pradesh Youth Congress activists stage a protest buses are running with half gang. He was earlier When customers said yes procured google pay card Kale Khan. ed on July 2 from Bawli against LPG and fuel price hike outside Shastri Bhawan in their seating capacity. employed in one such call then they used to verify or ebay card. Following this a team gate, Delhi. New Delhi on Saturday. — PTI City’s 1st pedestrian-friendly ‘X’ crossing Top cop asks officials to focus Youth Congress protests at Red Fort may be operational by July 15 on anti-terrorism measures against LPG price rise New Delhi, July 3: Delhi’s Red for vehicles while pedestrians added. The scramble crossings AGE CORRESPONDENT of second-hand car-deal- Fort-Chandni Chowk intersec- can cross the road using them are widely used in countries NEW DELHI, JULY 3 ers and cyber cafes. AGE CORRESPONDENT sive items. The countrymen tion, which has been under and refuge island is a small like Japan, Canada, the US, In view of possible NEW DELHI, JULY 3 want freedom from such so- redevelopment, is likely to pavement where pedestrians Australia, and the UK. Delhi police commis- third wave, the CP also called ‘acche din’,” a state- open from July 15 and it will can stop before crossing the The approximate cost of the sioner Balaji Srivastava, asked the DCsP not to let Delhi Pradesh Youth ment quoting the youth have a scramble crossing at road. “Nearly 95 per cent of redevelopment is `3.5 crore, in his first ‘Covid and their Covid guard down Congress on Saturday staged Congress leader said. which traffic lights completely the construction work has the PWD official said. “The Crime’ review meeting, and ensure that steps are a protest outside the Union He added that the people of stop vehicles to allow pedestri- been done. Cobbled stones are purpose is to ease pedestrian directed the officials to taken to implement Petroleum Ministry here the country were facing ans to cross in any direction, being fixed at present. Once movement at the intersection focus on anti-terror Covid Appropriate against the rising prices of “extreme unemployment, including diagonally, officials finishing touches are given, and also to ensure that the measures in view of Behavior in all public gas cylinders. economic helplessness and said. This is Delhi’s first we are planning to open the theme of the area in front of upcoming Independence places. National president of high inflation”. “In such a scramble or ‘X’ crossing and it intersection for pedestrians, the Red Fort is in tune with Day. Delhi police commis- “Jan Sunwai” camps Youth Congress Srinivas BV situation, instead of giving makes it safer for pedestrians cyclists, and traffic from July that of a redeveloped Chandni The CP also asked its sioner Balaji Srivastava were held at various said people were “crying relief to the people, the gov- and cyclists, they said. 15,” a senior public works Chowk,” the official said. officials to reactivate the at a review meeing on police stations on tears of inflation” while buy- ernment is grinding the peo- Besides this, the redeveloped department (PWD) official, “After the redevelopment of ‘eyes and ears’ scheme Saturday. Saturday, where public ing LPG. ple by trapping them in the intersection will also have who is engaged in the revamp Chandni Chowk, and because for information gather- came up with grievances “The people of the country wheel of inflation,” he said. raised crossovers for cyclists, work, said. of its proximity to the Red ing and vigil over suspi- of Police (DCsP) to focus ranging from vehicle are saying - take back such On Thursday, the price of traffic refuge islands, and This will be Delhi’s first Fort, the junction will have cious and nefarious on anti-terror measures parking dispute to mone- ‘good days’ and give us back domestic cooking gas (LPG) tabletop crossings for pedestri- scramble crossing that has more people amid heavy traf- activities in the National that include checking of tary and family disputes, our ‘bad days’. The country- was hiked by `25.50 per 14.2- ans. been developed on the lines of fic. Therefore, a scramble Capital. hotels, guesthouses, ten- cases of cheating and men are compulsorily pay- kg cylinder. A subsidised and Tabletop crossings as pave- London’s Oxford Circus diago- crossing was necessary,” offi- Srivastava directed all ants and domestic help quarrels with neigh- ing the price of so called non-subsidised cylinder now ments work as speed breakers nal crossing, the official cials said. — PTI Deputy Commissioners verifications, checking bours, officials said. ‘acche din’ by buying expen- costs `834.50 in Delhi. NATION THE ASIAN AGE | SUNDAY | 4 JULY 2021 | NEW DELHI pg 3

SHORT TAKES Stan Swamy’s stay Cong urges PM to order JPC probe into Rafale deal at hospital extended Fair, independent JPC probe is the only option to find truth: Surjewala Mumbai: The Bombay high New Delhi, July 3: (PTI) He said this is an issue of BJP targets Rahul, says Cong court on Saturday extended The Congress on Saturday Corruption in the Rafale deal national interest and the stay of Jesuit priest and demanded a Joint has come out clearly now. The against those who are fill- activist Stan Swamy, an Parliamentary Committee stand of the Congress party and ing their pockets by raking up issue to weaken India accused in the Elgar probe into the Rafale deal, Rahul Gandhi has been vindicated indulging in corruption in Parishad-Maoists links case, saying it is the only way today after the French government defence deals. New Delhi, July 3: The when a matter is brought the defence deal between at a private hospital in forward to find the truth has ordered a probe. Mr Surjewala said a JPC BJP alleged on Saturday before him, Mr Patra said the Indian and French Mumbai till July 6. Senior about “corruption” in the probe will be able to call that Rahul Gandhi is act- and accused the Congress governments, to reject counsel Mihir Desai told a purchase of the fighter — Randeep Surjewala, witnesses and will be able ing as an agent of rival of spreading lies and mis- allegations of the bench of Justices SS Shinde jets. Congress chief spokesperson to have access to all gov- defence companies and conceptions over the issue. Congress. and NJ Jamadar that the 84- Prime Minister ernment files which the being used as a “pawn”, “The way Rahul Gandhi is The government won a year-old was still undergoing Narendra Modi should probe,” Congress chief there is corruption in the Supreme Court (SC) or the and also claimed he and behaving, it will not be an judicial verdict as well as treatment at the intensive come forward and order spokesperson Randeep deal, should a JPC probe Central Vigilance Comm- the Congress keep raking exaggeration to say that he an electoral verdict, he care unit of the Holy Family the investigation, the Surjewala told reporters at be not held in the country ission could never see. up allegations of corrup- is being used as a pawn by said in reference to the Hospital, where he was shift- party said. a press conference. where the corruption took It will be able to ask tion in the Rafale deal in competing companies. He 2019 Lok Sabha polls in ed from the Taloja prison in The Congress’ demand The French public prose- place,” he asked. probing questions, will be an attempt to “weaken” has been lying right from which the BJP notched up Navi Mumbai following the came after French inves- cution agency has ordered Mr Surjewala said this able to punish somebody India. the beginning on the issue. a massive victory with the HC’s order on May 28 this tigative website an investigation into the issue is not about Congress for lying and will be able At a press conference, Probably, he is acting as an Congress making the year. Swamy, 84, who claims Mediapart reported that a alleged corruption in the versus BJP, but this is an to summon the Prime BJP spokesperson Sambit agent or some member of alleged corruption in the to be suffering from several French judge has been defence deal, he said and issue that concerns the Minister, defence minister Patra also played down the Gandhi family has been Rafale deal as a key plank ailments, including the appointed to lead a “high- urged Prime Minister security of the country or defence ministry offi- appointment of a judge in for a competing company,” of its campaign against Parkinson’s disease, had ly sensitive” judicial Modi to come forward and and “corruption” in the cials and anybody else, he France to lead a judicial Mr Patra alleged. the Modi government. moved the high court earlier investigation into alleged order the Joint biggest defence deal. “The said. “The JPC is the only investigation into the Mr Patra alleged that as The BJP spokesperson this year through advocate ‘corruption and Parliamentary Committee facts now clearly tell and way forward,” he claimed. alleged corruption and the Gandhi family had noted that the Supreme Desai, seeking medical treat- favouritism’ in the `59,000 (JPC) probe. call for a thorough JPC The Prime Minister favouritism in the `59,000 received no commission Court had in its verdict in ment and interim bail on crore Rafale fighter jet Mr Surjewala said since probe into the Rafale scam. should order the JPC crore deal, saying the in the Rafale deal, its November 2019 said that health grounds. He had test- deal with India. the matter deals with Will the Prime Minister, probe and the issue con- development was outcome party had been levelling there can’t be a roving and ed positive for coronavirus “Corruption in the Rafale national security and like the French, now cerns national security of a complaint by an NGO these allegations. fishing enquiry pertain- at a private hospital last deal has come out clearly identity, a fair and inde- answer to the nation and and India’s identity both and should not be seen as Mr Patra cited a ing to the Rafale allega- month and was subsequently now. The stand of the pendent JPC probe is the tell when the prime minis- inside and outside a matter of corruption. Comptroller and Auditor tions, and accused Mr shifted to the ICU. Congress party and Rahul only way out and not the ter will submit his govern- Parliament, he said when This is akin to a compe- General (CAG) report and Gandhi of going on anoth- Gandhi has been vindicat- Supreme Court. ment to a JPC probe into asked if the party would tent authority in India a Supreme Court (SC) ver- er “fishing expedition” ed today after the French “When the French gov- the Rafale scam,” the raise the issue in writing down in a file that dict, both of which had with his party attacking Cong MLA’s house government ordered a ernment has accepted that Congress leader asked. Parliament. — PTI “please act accordingly” found nothing wrong in the government. — PTI burgled in Gujarat Ahmedabad: Unidentified men burgled the bungalow of Gujarat Congress MLA New IT rules: Prasad lauds FB, Baldevji Thakor in Kalol city in Gandhinagar district and decamped with valuables Google for compliance report worth over `8.51 lakh, police said on Saturday. The inci- dent occurred on Friday night when nobody was A big step towards transparency, says Union minister present in the bungalow, a New Delhi, July 3: IT police officer said. “Some Minister Ravi Shankar thieves broke into MLA Prasad on Saturday laud- In final stages of hiring Baldevji Thakor’s bungalow ed major social media last night and decamped platforms such as Google, grievance officer: Twitter with `2 lakh cash, two gold Facebook and Instagram chains, two watches, three for publishing their first New Delhi, July 3: Twitter claimed non-compliance LED TV sets, and a digital compliance report on vol- has told the Delhi high of the Centre's new IT video recorder (DVR) of untary removal of offen- court that it is in the "final Rules by the platform. CCTV, collectively worth sive posts as per new IT stages" of appointing an The micro-blogging site `8,51,500,” said Kalol city rules, terming it a big step interim chief compliance has also said it may fall police inspector Osman towards transparency. officer and an interim res- within the definition of a Majgul. Meanwhile, Mr Under the new IT rules, ident grievance officer "significant social media Thakor, who represents Kalol large digital platforms under the new intermediary" under the Assembly seat, claimed this that have over 5 million Information Technology Information Technology was the second time that users are required to pub- (IT) Rules. (Intermediary Guidelines valuables were stolen from lish periodic compliance In the meantime, griev- and Digital Ethics Code) his bungalow. He alleged the reports every month, ances raised by Indian Rules, 2021. Twitter said police didn’t seem interested mentioning the details of users are being looked in "substantial compli- in tracing thieves. — PTI complaints received and into by a grievance officer, ance" with Rule 3(2) and action taken thereon. it said in an affidavit sub- Rule 4(1)(c) of the new IT GRSE wins $1.82m “Nice to see significant mitted in response to a Rules, it did appoint an social media platforms plea by lawyer Amit interim resident griev- like Google, Facebook and Acharya, in which he ance officer. — PTI order from Dhaka Instagram following the Kolkata: Defence PSU new IT Rules. First com- ing May 15-June 15 in the uals: terrorist propaganda Garden Reach Shipbuilders pliance report on volun- country, as the social (106,000) and dangerous and Engineers Ltd (GRSE) tary removal of offensive media giant brought out its organisations and individ- Members of Disha Volunteer Organisation during an awareness campaign on plastic waste management and to has bagged an export order posts published by them maiden monthly compli- uals: organised hate encourage the general public and shopkeepers in Jammu to use cloth/jute bags on the occasion of International worth $1.82 million from the as per IT Rules is a big ance report as mandated (75,000). Instagram took Plastic Bag Free Day on Saturday. — PTI Bangladesh government to step towards transparen- by the IT rules. It actioned action against about two build six patrol boats. “The cy,” Mr Prasad tweeted. content related to spam (25 million pieces across nine order has been awarded to The publishing of com- million), violent and categories during the TMC plans GRSE through an interna- pliance reports by Google, graphic content (2.5 mil- same period. tional competitive bidding Facebook and Instagram lion), adult nudity and sex- Google had stated that Black fungus infection where other international is bound to turn up the ual activity (1.8 million), 27,762 complaints were to meet Prez, players from Europe and heat on Twitter, which has and hate speech (311,000). received by Google and Asia were in the fray,” the been engaged in a tussle Other categories under YouTube in April this year seek removal company said. The 13-metre- with the government over which content was from individual users in recurs in patients in MP long surveillance patrol the new rules. actioned include bullying India over alleged viola- of S-G Mehta boats for marine fisheries Facebook on Friday said and harassment (118,000), tion of local laws or per- RABINDRA NATH surveillance check post of it “actioned” over 30 mil- suicide and self-injury sonal rights, which result- CHOUDHURY RAJIB CHOWDHURI the Bangladesh government lion content pieces across (589,000), dangerous ed in removal of 59,350 BHOPAL, JULY 3 KOLKATA, JULY 3 will be used in surveillance 10 violation categories dur- organisations and individ- pieces of content. — PTI activities, shallow water In a disturbing develop- A day after writing a let- operation and patrolling ment, black fungus infec- ter to Prime Minister fishing grounds day and tions are seen recurring Narendra Modi seeking night for illegal fishing gears 3 officials in patients who have removal of solicitor-gen- and retrieval of survivors, J’khand: 5 of a family recovered from the dis- eral Tushar Mehta, West according to the GRSE. ease in Madhya Pradesh. Bengal’s ruling arrested in At least 20 such cases Trinamul Congress is die in lightning strike have been dealt with by now planning to knock Barge P-305 Khunti, July 3: Five Jayma (30). Puna and doctors in the govern- the doors of President members of a family Jayma’s five-year-old ment-run Hamidia hospi- Ram Nath Kovind next GOVT TO UNVEIL were killed in a light- son Ayush also died, tal here. week demanding sinking case ning strike in while their two-year-old “Black fungus infections removal of Mr Mehta on CYBER SECURITY Jharkhand’s Khunti dis- son Arpan received are coming back to the MP CM Shivraj Chouhan meets former Lok Sabha account of his meeting BHAGWAN PARAB trict on Saturday severe burn injuries, the patients who have recov- with BJP leader and Speaker Sumitra Mahajan in Indore on Saturday. — PTI MUMBAI, JULY 3 evening, officials said. official said. ered from the infection. Narada sting bribery STRATEGY SOON The incident happened The incident triggered We have come across 20 rence of mucormycosis. for the recurrence of accused and Saradha New Delhi: The government The Mumbai police, at Dahutoli village in tension in the area with such cases in our hospi- The infection is recurring infection in the recovered chit fund scam suspect will release a new cyberse- probing the sinking of the Larta area in the a huge number of peo- tal”, ENT specialist in the in the area which suffered patients. Suvendu Adhikari. curity strategy this year, ill-fated barge P305 dur- Karra block of the dis- ple gathering at the spot. hospital J K Jasveer told a loss of blood in such “The recurrence of the A delegation of TMC National Cyber Security ing the cyclone Tautkae trict, they said. The police later took this newspaper on patients. infection is mainly due to MPs, according to party Coordinator Rajesh Pant said arrested three employ- The family members the body to the hospital Saturday. Madhya Pradesh has so the negligence of the insiders, is expected to at an event organised by ees of the shipping firm were working on the for post- mortem. “It is a worrisome devel- far reported over 700 patient. The recovered visit the Rashtrapati Public Affairs Forum of India including its director. field when the rain Manga’s daughter, the opment”, he added. black fungus infection patients need to remain in Bhavan on Monday and (PAFI). He said the strategy Prasad Ganpat Rane started and they took only surviving member According to him, it is cases. Of them, 350 cases touch with attending doc- submit a petition to Mr would holistically cover the (43), Nitinkumar Singh shelter under a nearby of the family, was given seen that mucormycosis, have come to Hamidia tors for three months and Kovind for Mr Mehta’s entire ecosystem of cyber (32) and Akhileshwar tree, which was struck `10,000 as immediate colloquially known as hospital. Some Covid even post-surgery. removal as the S-G over space in India. The govern- Tiwari (49) of Papa by lightning, Khunti’s relief, the official said. black fungus infection, is patients, who have recov- However, it is seen that his “direct conflict of ment is expected to release Shipping Pvt Ltd were deputy commissioner As per rules, an developing in the side ered, have contracted patients do not keep in interest.” Mr Mehta has a new cybersecurity strategy arrested on Friday. Shashi Ranjan said. amount of `4 lakh will close to the earlier infect- black fungus infections. touch with the doctors been representing the this year, he said speaking at While Mr Rane is a man- The deceased were be given to her for each ed area of the patient. Doctors have blamed the once they are discharged CBI and ED in both the the PAFI event on Friday. ager, Mr Singh is a direc- identified as Manga of the family members The patients who have misconception about the from the hospital”, ENT high-profile cases in “The vision of this strategy is tor and Tiwari works as Munda (55), his wife killed in the lightning recovered from black fun- side effects of plain specialist and member of which Mr Adhikari also to ensure safe, secure, a technical superinten- Jivanti (45), their son strike, the officers gus infection and whose amphotericin- used to task force committee set is allegedly linked to. resilient, vibrant, and trusted dent, said Yellow Gate Puna (32) and his wife added. — PTI immunity is very weak treat black fungus- being up by MP government Dr The TMC appears to be cyber space,” Pant said. The police station officials. are seen developing recur- circulated in social media S.P. Dubey said. confident that Mr Mehta new strategy would serve as Barge P-305, which met when the a guideline to tackle various housed personnel Nandigram BJP MLA aspects, be it data as a engaged in maintenance POWER CRISIS Police uses water cannon, books over 200 for Covid violations visited his New Delhi national resource, building work of an offshore oil residence on July 1 indigenous capabilities or drilling platform of the though Mr Mehta on cyber audit. “There are ONGC, had sank on May Friday termed Mr about 80 odd deliverables 17 during the cyclone. As AAP workers try to gherao Punjab CM’s house Adhikari’s visit “unan- coming out of this new strat- many as 261 crew mem- nounced” and denied of egy,” the PAFI statement bers were onboard when Mohali (Punjab), July 3: Section 188 (disobedience ◗ THE POLICE named 23 leading to the chief minis- industries. The Amarinder meeting him due to his quoted Pant as saying. The the barge began sinking. The police used a water to order duly promulgated people, including AAP MP ter’s farmhouse. Singh-led government has preoccupation. theme of the PAFI Dialogue While most of them cannon to disperse AAP by public servant) and the Bhagwant Mann and As scores of AAP work- been under fire from the Dissatisfied with Mr was ‘Cyber Security in the were rescued by the workers forcing their way Disaster Management Act, ers carrying party flags opposition for not being Mehta’s reply, chief min- New Normal.’ On the national Indian Navy, 71 died to “gherao” the residence an officer said. MLAs Harpal Singh forced their way through able to provide sufficient ister Mamata Banerjee’s security narrative for the after the barge drowned. of Punjab chief minister Two hundred unidenti- Cheema, Meet Hayer, the first layer of barri- electricity to consumers, nephew Abhishek telecom sector, Pant said, On a complaint filed by Amarinder Singh at fied persons have been Manjit Singh Bilaspur and cades and reached the sec- especially to paddy grow- Banerjee sought proof “While other nations have Mustafizur Rahman Siswan here in protest booked for violation of Kulwant Singh Pandori in ond, police used a water ers for sowing crop. from him. He tweeted, created a black-list of com- Husain Shaikh, chief against frequent power- Covid-19 protocols in the the FIR registered under cannon to disperse them. Earlier, the AAP leaders “Mr Mehta’s efforts to panies that cannot operate in engineer of the barge, a cuts, and later booked 23 case registered at IPC Section 188 (disobedi- Punjab has been reeling slammed the Congress dismiss speculations the country, India is the only case under IPC Sections party leaders for violation Mullanpur police station ence to order duly prom- under an unprecedented government for having regarding his clandes- nation to create a white-list 304 (2) (culpable homi- of Covid-19 protocols. in Mohali. ulgated by public servant) power shortage with urban “failed” to provide 24-hour tine meeting with of telecom companies that cide not amounting to The police named 23 peo- The police also briefly and rural areas facing long power at cheaper rates. @SuvenduWB can only are allowed to operate in murder) and 338 (caus- ple, including AAP MP detained several AAP and the Disaster hours of load shedding Addressing the protest- be valuable if he makes India”. The companies ing grievous hurt by act Bhagwant Mann and leaders, including Mann, Management Act amid scorching heat. ers, Mr Mann said they all CCTV footage public allowed must be a ‘trusted endangering life or per- MLAs Harpal Singh Cheema and Meet Hayer. government over the The Punjab government had gathered to express until Mr Adhikari was source’, he said adding, “We sonal safety of others) Cheema, Meet Hayer, The protesting Aam power shortage. had already ordered reduc- the grief of 2.75 crore peo- in his residence. were able to create and was registered against Manjit Singh Bilaspur, Aadmi Party (AAP) work- Police personnel were tion in timings of state ple of Punjab to the chief Moreover, was Mr launch the trusted telecom its captain Rajeshkumar Kulwant Singh Pandori ers, led by its Punjab unit deployed in strength and government offices and minister who he alleged Adhikari present in the portal during the pandemic Ballav (52), who himself and Baldev Singh, in the chief Mann, shouted slo- multi-layered barricades reduced power supply to was sleeping in his farm- SG’s residence without a and within six months. — PTI died in the tragedy. FIR registered under IPC gans against the Congress were put up on the road high energy consuming house. — PTI prior appointment?” NATION THE ASIAN AGE | SUNDAY | 4 JULY 2021 | NEW DELHI pg 4

SHORT TAKES Monsoon deluge Assam cops using rarely used ‘Grass-eating’ tiger spotted in MP forest law in its war against drugs Bhopal: A tiger never eats grass even when it grows old. The adage has, however, been defied, at least in Under the 1988 law, habitual drug crime offender can be detained without trial appearance, by a tiger in the Guwahati, July 3: The crime offender can be ◗ AT LEAST 15 people lines have also been issued famed Satpura wildlife sanc- Assam police has invoked detained without trial and have been detained under by the CID to the field- tuary in Madhya Pradesh a a rarely used legal provi- the accused has to be pro- the provision since the level officers, that are couple of days ago. Field sion for preventive custody duced before an advisory helping them in dealing director of Satpura Tiger of habitual drug crime panel that comprises high second half of 2020, while with drug crime-related Reserve (STR) L. Krishna offenders in its intensified court judges within 45 six of them were taken cases more efficiently and Murthi spotted a full grown war on drugs, a senior offi- days. into custody together on swiftly. tiger “eating” green grass on cer said on Saturday. If the advisory board May 29 this year Drugs, including tablets July 1 and shot the video of At least 15 people have approves the detention, ◗ and cough syrup bottles, the sight in his cellphone. “I been detained under the the accused can be kept in Under the Prevention of worth over Rs 131 crore have posted the video show- provision since the second preventive detention for Illicit Traffic in Narcotic have been seized between ing the tiger in STR feasting half of 2020, while six of up to a year to ensure that Drugs and Psychotropic May 10 and June 29, as per on the green grass in our FB them were taken into cus- he does not indulge in nar- Substances Act, a repeat the information shared by site”, Mr Murthi told this A view of a flooded village in East Champaran district Saturday. The flood situation tody together on May 29 cotics crime. Else, the per- or habitual drug crime GP Singh, Special DGP of newspaper on Saturday. He has worsened in Champaran, Sitamarhi and Muzaffarpur in north Bihar due to the this year. son has to be released. offender can be put into the state police. however said that a tiger surge in the Gandak, Budhi Gandak and Bagmati as well as rivers originating from Under the Prevention of All the cases of deten- detention without trial Among these, tablets and consuming green grass was Nepal. Many villages in six blocks of East Champaran are affected by the floods. In Illicit Traffic in Narcotic tion by Assam police capsules were worth `47.44 not an unusual phenomenon. West Champaran, floods have knocked again in the areas adjoining Gandak. — PTI Drugs and Psychotropic taken up by the advisory stakeholders to ensure crore, followed by ganja “There is a difference Substances (PIT-NDPS) board have been cleared so maximum penetration (`34.30 crore) and heroin between eating for survival Act, a repeat or habitual far, the officer said. into drug syndicates. (`33.46 crore) was recov- and consuming something as drug crime offender can The first such detention “We have been holding ered. Mr Singh said that medicine. The tigers usually Committed 3D laser scan to check be put into detention with- was made under a case of day-long training sessions over 6800 kg ganja, 3300 kg chew grass to suck its juice out trial. the CID, while the latest, for our officers to sensitise poppy straw, 16 kg heroin for digestion purpose and to to empower “The provisions of this in which six people were them on all legal provi- and 10 kg opium, 3 kg crys- heal various stomach ail- structural damage to Act is being put into detained together on May sions. We are also regularly tal methamphetamine and ments. It is not that they eat implementation since the 29, was on basis of an meeting other stakehold- 2 kg morphine were seized grass for survival,” he added. our traders, second part of last year, investigation by the ers, like domain experts during the period. though it was in the form Dhemaji district police. and civil society members, Nearly 9.50 lakh Jagannath singhasan of the law for many years Besides using the earlier to know their perspective tablets/capsules and over Fresh ED summons says Modi AKSHAYA KUMAR the structural and archi- now,” the officer told PTI. little-used provision in the while tackling this men- 58,000 bottles of codeine- New Delhi, July 3: Prime SAHOO tectural design of the Under this 1988 law, a law, the Assam police is ace,” the official said. based cough syrup have to Anil Deshmukh Minister Narendra Modi BHUBANESWAR, JULY 3 temple for future use and repeat or habitual drug also engaging with all Comprehensive guide- also been seized. — PTI Mumbai: After former on Saturday described reference,” said a SJTA Maharashtra home minister as “landmark” the deci- The Archaeological official. Anil Deshmukh skipped two sion to include retail and Survey of India (ASI) will ASI official Chitta summons, the Enforcement wholesale trade as carry out 3D laser scan- Ranjan Das said laser Dilip Kumar Directorate (ED) issued a MSMEs, which will ning of the ‘Ratna scanning is safe and it will Farmers’ body urges Maha third summons to him for his allow traders the bene- Singhasan’ at Srimandir cause no harm to the still in ICU appearance at 11 am on July fits of priority sector in Puri during the upcom- ancient structures of the 5 in connection with a money lending, and said his ing Rath Yatra to check temple. “The technology is not to rush with farm laws but stable: laundering case against him government is commit- for structural damages, if effective enough to collect and others. Officials said that ted to empowering the a n y. data for the conservation SONU SHRIVASTAVA farmers’ movement. making some changes in Mr Deshmukh has been community. Ratna Singhasan is the of the monument,” said MUMBAI, JULY 3 “Now, the farmers’ fight the controversial farm Saira Banu asked to record his state- Union minister Nitin sanctum santorum of Das. “The 3D technology is against these laws has laws. “Making amend- ment at the ED’s office in Gadkari had on Friday Srimandir which is more effective enough to collect The farmers’ union, All come to a decisive turn, ments to the draft of the Mumbai, July 3: south Mumbai on Monday. announced the inclusion famously known as the data on the damage and India Kisan Sangharsh the MVA government Central laws will not Legendary actor Dilip Senior NCP leader has failed of retail and wholesale Jagannath Temple. extent of for the conserva- Coordination Committee needs to take a firm and change the purpose Kumar, who has been to visit the ED’s office for trade under MSMEs According to Sri tion of the monument. (AIKSCC) of clear stand by passing a behind the enactment of admitted to the intensive questioning despite two (micro, small and medi- Jagannath Temple Once the damage assess- Maharashtra, on Saturday resolution in the state leg- the laws nor will it change care unit (ICU) of a city summons. The first summons um enterprises) as Administration (SJTA) ment is done, we will be in demanded the state gov- islature against the cen- the character of the laws,” hospital here, continues followed raids conducted by per which the traders sources, the structural a position to estimate the ernment to take an tral farm Acts,” it said. it asked. to remain stable and the ED at his premises in will now get the benefit damage of the sanctum cost of the required repair unequivocal stand to Since November 2020, Farmers’ leaders and under observation, his Mumbai and Nagpur. The of priority sector lend- sanctorum and work,” said Mr Das. repeal the three central the farmers have been agi- activists Ashok Dhawale, wife Saira Banu said on NCP leader through his ing under RBI guide- Jagamohana (the assem- Besides, a private farm farm laws. tating against controver- Medha Patkar, Raju Saturday. lawyers had sought docu- lines. bly hall) will also be has been given the con- In a statement, the sial three farm laws, Shetti, Ajit Nawale, The 98-year-old screen ments pertaining to the ED’s In a tweet, the Prime checked by 3D laser scan- tract of around `1.5 crore AIKSCC said that a law which had been enacted Subash Kakuste and icon was admitted in complaint against him and Minister said, “Our gov- ning so that necessary for the illumination of ensuring a minimum sup- by the central govern- Subash Lomte among oth- suburban Khar-based also requested the agency to ernment has taken a repairs can be carried out. Srimandir. “We have con- port price (MSP) that is at ment, at the border of ers have held a discussion Hinduja Hospital, a non- record his statement through landmark step of includ- “The proposed laser ducted a primary survey least 1.5 times the cost of Delhi. They have been on the controversial farm Covid-19 facility, on online mediums. Both his ing retail and wholesale imaging will help in get- of Srimandir for the illu- production should be demanding that the anti- laws. The farmer leaders Tuesday to address age- requests were turned down trade as MSME. This ting a clear picture of the mination work and iden- enacted. Maha Vikas farmer farm laws should said that the state govern- related “medical by the agency. will help crores of our structural damage, if any, tified various places for Aghadi (MVA) govern- be repealed. ment should not rush into issues”. traders get easier of the temple. The tech- faced illumination,” said ment in Maharashtra has The statement also said enacting farm laws in the Sahab is much better. Man kills daughter, finance, various other nology will also help the Santosh Kumar, an from time to time that the state is trying to state on the lines of the We are still in the ICU. benefits and also help ASI to properly document employee with the firm. expressed support for the bring a new farm bill by Centre. He is very stable and boost their business. We very well today. (Need) badly injures wife are committed to Prayers to get him out of Bhubaneswar: A man in empowering our here hale and hearty. Let Odisha’s Jagatsinghpur dis- traders.” us get out of the woods, trict allegedly killed his Official sources said BJP claims win in dist panchayat chief polls we are still in the woods, daughter and seriously the move will have an Banu said. injured his wife after launch- immediate impact on Lucknow, July 3: The BJP polls in UP are not held on UP BJP chief Swatantra The 76-year-old veteran ing a murderous attack late smaller retailers and on Saturday claimed to the party symbol and the Dev Singh too said in a also thanked fans and on Friday night before killing wholesalers with busi- have swept the elections to state Election Hindi tweet, “The BJP+ well-wishers for their himself. The incident took nesses up to `250 crore the posts of the district Commission did not (BJP and its allies) has unending care and sup- place at Jota Chandpatna of turnover in availing panchayat chief even as announce the party affilia- won 67 out of 75 seats of port for Kumar. village, sending a shockwave immediate-term finance the SP alleged that the rul- tion of the winning candi- zila panchayat chairper- According to a hospital across the district. The local as part of various ing party “kidnapped” vot- dates, the BJP claimed sons. For these unprece- source, Kumar’s breath- police on Saturday morning schemes announced ers and used “force” to that the candidate backed dented results, I thank peo- lessness is also under visited the village and under “Atmanirbhar stop them from voting. by it won on 67 of 75 posts, ple of the state and hard- control. However, he will launched a probe into the Bharat” programme. Samajwadi Party (SP) the elections for which working party workers.” continue to remain in the case. According to sources, This landmark deci- chief Akhilesh Yadav were held on Saturday. The victory march that hospital for a day or two. Loknath Pal, who was in his sion will have a structur- accused the BJP of mak- Claiming victory, Chief began in the 2014 Lok “His breathlessness early fifties, hacked his wife al impact for the sector, ing a mockery of the elec- Minister Yogi Adityanath Sabha elections under the seems to be under con- Kalpana and daughter helping it get formalised tions, saying it is strange said in a tweet that Prime prime minister’s leader- trol. He is still being Madhusmita with a sharp- by giving better finance that while most results in Minister Narendra Modi’s Police baton charge on SP workers who were staging a ship has continued till kept under observation edged weapon last night. He options for businesses the polls for the district popularity and welfare protest in Prayagraj after BJP candidate Dr V.K. Singh now and on the basis of (in ICU) that is what the then hanged himself in the that want to get struc- panchayat members were policies initiated by his was declared winner of district panchayat president the works done by OM family wants. Looking at house. The mother-daughter tured, they said, adding in favour of his outfit, the government and the election Saturday. — PTI Modi and Yogi, the BJP his age and all they want duo was rushed to the it will give retail MSMEs BJP gained in the contest Centre are responsible for will form government to make sure he is prob- Jagatsinghpur district head- the support they need to for the district panchayat the party’s good show. the good governance that all people of the state and a with majority in the lem free before he leaves quarters hospital in a critical “survive, revive and chief. “This is the manifesta- has been established in hearty congratulations for Assembly polls next year, from here, a hospital condition. thrive”. — PTI Though the panchayat tion of public confidence in Uttar Pradesh. Thanks to the victory,” he said. Mr Singh said. — PTI source said. — PTI 11 arrested for Pushkar Singh Dhami is new U’khand CM Delhi high court shocked... beating woman ■ Continued from Page 1 Pithoragarh to serve the peo- ters. Soon after his unani- thrown Uttarakhand into the ■ Continued from Page 1 qualitative and quantita- PIL bench. Subject to the is part of Nainital-Udham ple... We will work on peo- mous election as the BJP leg- throes of political instability the government suffers tive improvements in the orders of the Chief for resisting Singh Nagar parliamentary ple’s issues with the coopera- islature party leader, Mr and betrayed people by but the concerned officer, manner in which litiga- Justice, list this matter seat, which has 14 Assembly tion of all. I will carry for- Dhami headed for the Raj repeatedly changing chief who has raised the false tion is perceived, man- before the division bench seats. ward the work done by my Bhawan along with a num- ministers. Former CM and claim, does not suffer any aged and conducted in the on July 15.” molestation bid A constitutional crisis was predecessor,” Mr Dhami ber of MLAs and Central senior Congress leader action. state, it said, adding that The court appreciated Thane, July 3: At least 11 cited as the reason for replac- said. The 11th chief minister observers to stake his claim Harish Rawat said, “The “If the facts given by the the national concern of the valuable assistance persons were arrested ing Tirath Singh Rawat, who of Uttarakhand, he is said to to form the government. BJP’s high drama in officers are found to be pendency and delays in and comprehensive on Saturday for beating is an MP, and had to be elect- be close to former CM and The legislature party of the Dehradun is an insult to the false/incorrect by the courts needs to be reduced research done by senior up a woman and her two ed to the state Assembly by Maharashtra governor B.S. ruling BJP met in Dehradun, people of Uttarakhand. The court, the government proactively. advocate A.S. Chandhiok, male friends allegedly at September 10 but the Koshyari and Union minis- a day after Tirath Singh Prime Minister had prom- shall consider taking The court was informed who was appointed as the behest of an Election Commission was yet ter Rajnath Singh. Rawat, who had replaced ised to give a double-engine action and the copy of the by the Central govern- amicus curiae to assist autorickshaw driver to decide on the bypoll sched- The chief minister-elect Trivendra Singh Rawat in government, but the state judgment be kept in the ment's standing counsel the court, and Akshay who tried to molest her, ule apparently due to corona. thanked the party leadership March this year, submitted only received different chief ACR file of the officer. Kirtiman Singh that there Chowdhary, Law police said on Saturday. Plagued with factionalism for reposing faith in him and his resignation to the gover- ministers and no develop- This will ensure that the is no litigation policy of Researcher attached to The incident occurred in Uttarakhand, it will be a assured that he will work nor. ment.” officer is held accountable the government at present Justice Midha. on the intervening night challenge for the BJP to with everyone’’s coopera- Interacting with reporters Congress chief spokesper- for the actions taken by and that the National The high court noted of Friday and Saturday retain power in the hill state tion. at his official residence after son Randeep Surjewala said, him in the court case,” the Litigation Policy, 2010 was that as per Legal when the woman was where it is also facing cor- Mr Dhami’s name was pro- returning from Raj Bhawan, “This is BJP’s example of court said. never implemented. Information Management travelling alone in an ruption allegations and non- posed by outgoing chief min- Tirath Singh Rawat said, “I lust for power, political insta- Referring to the rules He further said a writ and Briefing System autorickshaw in the fulfilment of poll promises. ister Tirath Singh Rawat and thought it was appropriate to bility, sharing fruits of framed by Sikkim for petition for implementa- (LIMBS) which is a web- Kolsewadi area. Its decision to drop BJP state president Madan resign as the state was facing power and failure of leader- holding its officers tion of National Litigation based portal developed by “Taking advantage, the Trivendra Singh Rawat and Kaushik and seconded by a a constitutional crisis under ship. Instead of serving the accountable for the lapses Policy was rejected by this Department of Legal autorickshaw driver then change his successor a number of MLAs, including the provisions of Section 151 people of Uttarakhand, they in handling of court court earlier. Affairs, Ministry of Law tried to molest the few months ahead of polls former chief minister A and 164 of the tried to distribute power, and cases, the high court said To this, Justice Midha and Justice for monitor- woman passenger, who will impact the party’s poll Trivendra Singh Rawat, Representation of People PM Modi and J.P. Nadda are there is a need to incorpo- said, “This court is of the ing and handling of vari- raised an alarm and prospects. Union minister Narendra Act.” responsible for this. The BJP rate similar rules by the view that the directions ous court cases of govern- called up her two friends “My party has appointed a Singh Tomar who was pres- Hitting out at the BJP, the has brought Uttarakhand to Central government as with respect to accounta- ment departments and for help. As soon as the common worker, son of an ent at the meeting, a Central Opposition Congress said such a turn where power well as by the Delhi gov- bility in government liti- ministries, 4,79,236 cases two men from ex-serviceman, who was observer told reporters out- instead of ushering in devel- means only sharing its fruits ernment. gation are in the nature of of government, 2,055 Ulhasnagar reached the born in the border district of side the state BJP headquar- opment, the ruling party has and nothing else.” Haryana has framed PIL (public interest litiga- cases for compliance and spot, the autorickshaw State of Haryana tion) and therefore, it 975 cases of contempt driver called up some Litigation Policy, 2010, to would be appropriate to were pending as on June local villagers, who bring visible, enduring list this matter before the 8, 2021. thrashed the woman and her friends despite their France begins judicial probe into Rafale deal plea to spare them. They were beaten up with ■ Continued from Page 1 The Congress accused the corruption but the govern- also played down the Ukraine women troops march in heels belts and other objects. (NDA) government had government of massive ment rejected all the appointment of a judge in The woman was also inked a `59,000-crore deal on irregularities in the deal, charges. France to lead a judicial ■ Continued from Page 1 deserve to be mocked”. for “humiliating” women molested by some mem- September 23, 2016, to pro- alleging that it was procur- The BJP alleged that Rahul investigation into the alleged minister to wear high Ukraine has been bat- and conduct an enquiry. bers of the mob,” police cure 36 Rafale jets from ing each aircraft at a cost of Gandhi is acting as an agent corruption and favouritism heels to the parade. tling Russian-backed sep- Kondratyuk said that said quoting the FIR. French aerospace major over `1,670 crore as against of rival defence companies in the deal. “It is hard to imagine a aratists in the country's more than 13,500 women A senior officer said Dassault Aviation after a `526 crore finalised by the and being used as a “pawn”, Mr Patra cited a CAG more idiotic, harmful industrial east, in a con- had fought in the current eleven people were nearly seven-year exercise to UPA government during the and also claimed he and the report and a Supreme Court idea,” said Inna Sovsun, a flict that has killed more conflict. arrested and a search is procure 126 Medium Multi- negotiations for the Congress keep raking up (SC) verdict, both of which member of the Golos than 13,000 people since More than 31,000 women on for others. Role Combat Aircraft MMRCA. allegations of corruption in had found nothing wrong in party, pointing to health 2014. now serve in the The incident triggered (MMRCA) for the Indian Air Prior to the Lok Sabha elec- the Rafale deal in an attempt the defence deal between the risks. She also said that Olena Kondratyuk, Ukrainian armed forces, outrage in various quar- Force did not fructify during tions in 2019, the Congress to “weaken” India. Indian and French govern- Ukraine's women soldiers deputy speaker of the leg- including more than 4,000 ters after a video of the the United Progressive raised several questions At a press conference, BJP ments, to reject allegations — like men — were risk- islature said authorities of whom are officers. beating went viral on Alliance (UPA) regime. about the deal and alleged spokesperson Sambit Patra of the Congress. — PTI ing their lives and “do not should publicly apologise — AFP social media. — PTI EDIT THE ASIAN AGE | SUNDAY | 4 JULY 2021 | NEW DELHI pg 5

Subhani LETTERS THE HEAT IS ON In British Columbia, 4 JULY 2021 Canada, almost 500 people have died due to a heatwave, with temperatures touching Shailaja Khanna 49 degrees Celsius. This is a natural calamity Off the beaten track and the authorities are dealing with it as such. Imagine such a situa- tion in India, under the current Prime Minister. What kept the maestros We will have news flashes, the PM and the government conspicu- going during pandemic ously absent and peo- our regions, four musicians, four questions, four perspectives — yet a com- ple dying on the mon thread of positivity and introspection running through them all. streets. And talking Regardless of their ages (Abhishek Raghuram is in his 30s, while Pandit heads, in various chan- FAjoy Chakrabarty is touching 70), all the musicians have made the best of nels, will spout wisdom. the pandemic, taken the restrictions imposed on them in their stride, dealing with the huge changes in their world with grace. One is left struck and impressed by Incidentally, parts of their spirit of philosophical acceptance. Rajasthan have seen temperatures in excess BIGGEST TAKEAWAY FROM THE PANDEMIC It is not to take life for granted. That was the message that this writer walked away of 50 degrees Celsius with after interacting with the four musicians. But for each individual, the lens without a death toll and through which they viewed their experience and reached this conclusion was dif- IMD is predicting a pro- ferent. If it was friendship for one, it was the body and its changing dynamics for another, and nature’s wisdom and the spirit of humanity that binds us for the longed heat wave in remaining interviewees. As Pt Ajoy Chakrabarty, vocal maestro from Kolkata, north India. reflected: “For me, foremost, is the realisation of how ephemeral life is. So many Break the Chinese puzzle Gundu K. Mani Ramani great musicians have been snatched before their time. I have to admit, the amount of time I spent at home has been a huge blessing; it’s something I have never done Mumbai before. Also, there is increased awareness of the need to help others, preserve Nature, respect others.” BRACE FOR TERROR “Foremost, the pandemic has taught [me]”, Ustad Wasifuddin Dagar, dhrupad APROPROS “DRONES as maestro from Delhi, “about how precious good health, hygiene and, indeed, life by studying CPC’s game weapons: India is facing a new is”. “My first reaction to the pandemic was challenge” (July 3), since the first that it’s a very useful and wonderful time to triggered by the pronounce- ic morass and social strati- attack by drones at the IAF, the spend with your Art. But, gradually I realised ment of Western powers to fication. However, despite sighting of several drones, espe- how important it is to have interaction with transfer Chinese colonial the misery and pain Mao cially the one at the Indian high others, to have that human touch. Not through Manish Tewari territory in the possession had heaped on the Chinese commission office in Islamabad, is the screen but from a body reaction,” of Germany to Japan post people, the hold of the CPC a cause for concern. Terror has Wasifuddin said. “In one way, it is absolutely World War I. That effort on the country remained taken a new form. Furthermore, right that you do your art for yourself, but it is stimulated both anti- intact. It did not get under- Pakistan is an advanced nuclear very important to get the audience feedback State of the Union Western nationalism as mined even after the state. It has the backing of China. spontaneously, rather than only reading the well as a Chinese desire to Tiananmen Square mas- China is eager in enlarging its ter- applause on the screen,” he explained. reclaim the glory of its yes- sacre of protesting students ritory besides creating trouble in Pt Yogesh Samsi, the famous tabla maestro his July, I com- two foreign commissars teryears — a la Middle in 1989 that convulsed the region. So terror in any form from Mumbai, warned: “It’s high time we plete a four- from the Communist Kingdom syndrome. It also Chinese society to its very may be expected especially during realise we have to respect Nature, respect what decade-long asso- International, a Soviet established a distinctive being. The point being that the pandemic time. Our security ideological basis that fused it is not only fear, terror and we have got in terms of resources on this planet Ustad Wasifuddin Dagar ciation with the sponsored structure creat- and intelligence should be more and learn to look after it, to respect and value it. Indian National ed for the global spread of Chinese nationalism with intimidation that binds the vigilant and any lapse will prove — GEETALI TARE The amount of abuse Mother Earth has gone CongressT (INC) founded in Communism, were also Marxism. Chinese society to the CPC. disastrous. through due to the onslaught by humanity — be it social, economic, political or 1885. An involvement that present. The skill of the CPC and The impulses are much Sravana Ramachandran through technology. It has led to such an imbalance that probably it has led to a commenced when I joined These furtive conversa- the reason for its longevity more profound and include Chennai situation where Mother Earth is trying to heal itself. Across the globe, we have all the National Students tions were the precursor to has been its ability to navi- rigorous ideological indoc- been taught a huge lesson.” Union of India (NSUI) way the formal launch of the gate the winds of change trination coupled with a vil- Vidwan Abhishek Raghuram, the Carnatic vocalist who happens to be based out back in 1981. Chinese Communist Party with nimbleness, without lage to national capital IMPLICIT SEX BIAS of Chennai, offered, “The pandemic has brought in all of us a strong reassertion As a grassroots political (CPC). A century later not giving up on its core ideo- structure that functions IT IS INTERESTING to read that of the faith that humanity comes together in support of each other, for the larger activist, the philosophy, only does it control China logical values. Over a centu- like a well-oiled machine. the BCCI will recommend both the cause, when the need arises. I also feel the pandemic has taught us to pick our real structure and organisation with an iron fist, hitherto ry, it has morphed from The CPC moved seamless- ace Indian cricketers, Mithali Raj needs from what we have assumed them to be so far, almost irrationally!” of other political parties has considered ungovernable being a revolutionary army ly from Mao’s tyranny to and Ravichandran Ashwin, for the always been an area of aca- for centuries together, but to a party of governance the model of totalitarian prestigious Khel Ratna award. MOST PRODUCTIVE ACTIVITY demic interest for me. A moreover, after the dissolu- surviving the vicissitudes capitalism institutionalised However, in the contracts Riyaaz and retrospection emerged as common themes. “My music. I spent 10-12 curiosity that got further tion of the Soviet Union on of not only domestic tur- by Deng Xiaoping and his announced in May, the highest hours on my music, something I have never been able to do,” was Chakrabarty’s buoyed when I was elected the 26th of December, 1991, moil but also international successors that held the grade for women cricketers has a reply. It coincided with Wasifuddin Dagar’s view and he said: “Definitely, doing president of the it is the only political sys- intrigue coupled with the field for close to three-and-a- retainer of `50 lakh while the low- my own riyaaz, and what I had never done before, teaching online. Also learning International Students tem that presents a success- idiosyncratic impulses of half decades from 1979 to est grade for male players is worth to handle these modern gadgets of communication, like laptops and mobiles; I am Union (IUS) in the early ful alternative politico-eco- its own leadership. 2012. One of the essential `1 crore. Mere gestures of equality, still learning.” For Samsi, “it was having all the time in the world to think of my 1990s. The IUS was then a nomic model to the Western Two of those whims were attributes of those years such as recommending Raj and music — almost like a rewind of my life. All the aspects I had difficulty in doing Prague-based syndical neo-liberal democratic the Great Leap Forward was the cultivated reticence Ashwin for the same sports award, earlier, reviewing all I had learnt from abbaji (Ustad Alla Rakha Khan) these last organisation of 155 student order. from 1958 to 1962 and the of both the Chinese state do nothing to hide this immanent few decades. Then pondering on it — chintan, mannan karna, aur riyaaz karna. organisations across 112 In the early 1920s, all Cultural Revolution from and the CPC as it put its discrimination. Apne khud ki sadhana, be it yoga or meditation… I got to give a lot of time to countries and territories. kinds of congregations and 1966 to 1976. The former shoulder to the wheel of Sankar Paul myself, something that I had never done in the last 25 years, due to my profes- One political party that I individuals called them- resulted in the deaths of internal consolidation. It Chakdaha, West Bengal sional travels”. Abhishek Raghuram, too, spent a lot of time introspecting into his have continuously studied selves Communists in over 20 million people once again morphed into an art and his career trajectory. “With the changed routines, I have a lot more oppor- and observed is the China. It was a fashionable mainly due to starvation. aggressive wolf warrior tunity to retrospect clearly and deeply to my journey so far and my course ahead. Communist Party of China nom de guerre. This new The latter was a vicious mode as Xi Jinping took GHOST STORY This, I feel, has been very beneficial to me as an artiste,” Raghuram said. (CPC). outfit was bedraggled and socio-political houseclean- centrestage in 2012. POLICE HAVE registered a case The current commentary thinly resourced. They had ing predicated upon the The beauty of these transi- against two ghosts for harassing a THINGS MOST MISSED DURING THE PANDEMIC is about this distinctive no arsenal worth the name. purging the vestiges of capi- tions does not lie in the person in the Panchmahal district This time, the answers were very varied. Ajoy Chakrabarty “really felt bereft at organisation that lies at the Even in their wildest talist and traditional ele- abrupt U-turns that the CPC of Gujarat. A man filed a case the loss of so many good friends from the world of the arts”. “Great musicians heart of an emerging sys- imagination no keen ments from the mainstream took but the fact that they against two ghosts for not allowing from the Hindustani and Carnatic music world have left us,” he lamented. tem of global dominance. observer of China back of China’s thought leader- were able to carry the him to work in his field and threat- Wasifuddin Dagar was more situated in the present. He missed “live concerts, The Communist Party of then could have prophe- ship. Mobs of pupils and Chinese nation along with ening to kill him. The scared vic- panel discussions, normal human interaction other than with my family, travel- China (CPC) celebrated a sised that this motley collec- Red Guards assaulted peo- them during all these trans- tim came running to the police sta- ling and, most of all, driving! “It’s therapy for me,” he added, referring to this hundred years of its exis- tion of virtual nobodies ple wearing “bourgeois figurations. tion and started pleading with the hobby. Yogesh Samsi longed for “getting together with my students, teaching ses- tence on the 1st of July. would ignite a successful clothes” on the thorough- That is wherein lies the policemen to save his life. Seeing sions, and meeting with intellectuals; satsang with like-minded people”. Ironically, all empirical evi- Communist insurgency fares, “imperialist” signage challenge for Indian policy- the delicate state of his mind, the Abhishek Raghuram rued the loss of “the ability to meet and interact with co- dence puts its foundation that then spread across the were desecrated, and intel- makers as they seek to police filed a case and handed him artistes, friends and the larger family”. date as July 23, 1921. July 1 countryside like a wildfire lectuals and party officials understand Chinese moti- over to his family. The man report- was arbitrarily chosen by consuming everything in were either murdered or vations and behaviour in edly told the police that he was DO YOU BELIEVE THE MUSIC WORLD WILL RETURN TO WHAT IT WAS? party apparatchiks when its path. driven to suicide. Over two the 21st century. Till the confident that the ghosts won’t fol- No investment in the new normal, for these musicians, who were almost unani- they were hunkering down In a short span of 28 years, million lost their lives as a time they do not under- low him to the police station, as mous in rejecting the much-tooted idea. All four artistes replied to this question in the grottoes of Yan’an in this human dynamo not consequence of these depre- stand the functioning of the only law abiding citizens enter it. in the affirmative, although Ajoy Chakrabarty qualified his response with condi- 1941. only vanquished a dations. CPC they will never be able C.K.R. Nathan tions. He said, “Yes, though there will be changes; for one, I think the online stage The CPC was born during Nationalist Army of more Mao Zedong’s ruinous to discern the minds and Ghaziabad will remain for good. Teaching online will remain too, though as far as I am con- what the Chinese call the than four million strong kit- tenure ended with his methods of the Chinese cerned, I had always taught online, in fact have been doing so for the last 11 years, century of humiliation 1839- ted out by the Allied forces demise in 1976 leaving leadership. For, unlike so that’s not been new for me.” Wasifuddin Dagar sounded more emphatic. He 1949. China was back then to fight the Japanese during China in a state of econom- India and other democra- HOUSEBOAT MODEL said, “I am an optimist, what has become the ‘new normal’ will again be replaced an impoverished and a pas- World War-II but estab- cies around the world, KERALA’S HOUSEBOATS are by the old ‘normal’, Insha’allah, but don’t quite know when. I pray, soon!” Yogesh toral society dominated by lished and consolidated a where political parties and ready to sail. With the waning of Samsi felt “the process will be slower, but eventually concerts will happen”. “We imperialist powers through Communist state in 1949 It is not only fear governance systems are dis- the pandemic and vaccination, need to be patient, and not try to hurry things up,” he said. “In fact, my faith is ignominious treaty that no one believed would that binds the tinct, in the case of China, it reboot of houseboats will rejuve- that it will resume in a fashion larger and stronger than before. The world is as arrangements. survive more than a few Chinese society to is a merged mass of dissim- nate Kerala’s tourism industry. anxious as we are about the gap the pandemic has brought upon us,” was A clandestine get-together years. the CPC. The ulating narratives. Moreover, houseboats are per se Raghuram’s confident observation. of a handful of people took For the longest time, the impulses include secluded and serves as bubble and place in the French conces- CPC and the Red Army was rigorous ideological The author is a lawyer, minimises the risk of spreading Bonus responses: Lockdown or no, did the masters stoop to perform domestic sion of Shanghai at 106 Rue led by Mao Zedong who, Member of Parliament and the virus. However, the Kerala chores? Wasifuddin shared candidly that the chore he has most hated doing was Wantz. One of the attendees ironically, had never intel- indoctrination former Union information government should not go over- tidying his room! Abhishek endearingly said every chore he has had to do has was Mao Zedong who lectually devoured coupled with a and broadcasting minister. board and Covid protocols ought to been a pleasure, which he will miss once he again has less time! remained a leading light of Marxism. He was tempered village to national The views expressed are be stringently complied with. this fledgling party for over in the fury of the May 4, capital structure personal. Twitter handle Deepak Singhal Shailaja Khanna writes on music, musicians and matters of music 54 years. In addition to him, 1919, struggle. A movement that runs smoothly. @manishtewari. Noida

EDITOR: KAUSHIK MITTER, PRINTER & PUBLISHER: K. SUDHAKAR;THE ASIAN AGE office is located at: New Delhi: Jawaharlal Nehru National Youth Centre, 219 Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg, New Delhi-110002. Phone: (011) 23211124; Published and Printed on behalf of and for; Deccan Chronicle Holdings Limited, Jawaharlal Nehru National Youth Centre, 219 Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg, New Delhi 110 002 at BFL Infotech Ltd., C-9, Sector-III, Noida -201301; London: Quickmarsh Ltd, 8th Floor, Block 2, Elizabeth House, 39 York Road, London, SE1 7NQ; RNI Registration number: 57290/94 WORLD THE ASIAN AGE | SUNDAY | 4 JULY 2021 | NEW DELHI pg 6

SHORT TAKES 38 KILLED, 51 HURT Over 300 Taliban fighters killed Unvaccinated IN RAIN-TRIGGERED Afghan forces intensify predawn air strikes, Taliban reject claims NEPAL LANDSLIDES Kabul, July 3: Hundreds of Scores were killed in air cult to independently veri- propaganda and hate the hub for more than one vulnerable to Taliban fighters were strikes, including a pre- fy. But since May 1 when speech to intimidate, foreign intervention, as it Kathmandu, July 3: Flash killed in fierce battles dawn assault on Saturday, the US military began its threaten & attack Afghans was the main air base for floods and landslides triggered with government forces in the southern province final withdrawal of about on social media,” Wilson the Soviets throughout th- by torrential rains across across several provinces of of Helmand, where the 2,500 troops, the two war- said on Twitter on Sat- eir occupation of the cou- Nepal have left at least 38 peo- Afghanistan, officials said insurgents and govern- ring sides have clashed urday. “Violence and ter- ntry as well,” said Andrew Delta: Biden ple dead, including seven chil- Saturday, as Washington ment troops have regularly fiercely across the rugged ror cannot create peace.” Watkins, an Afghanistan dren, and wounded over 50 oth- announced it would finish clashed. There have been countryside as peace talks The Pentagon pressed on expert at the International Washington, July 2: Joe ers in the last 20 days, the withdrawing its troops fears that Afghan forces between them have fal- with its withdrawal to end Crisis Group. Biden has warned that DELTA VARIANT Home Ministry said on from the country by the would struggle without the tered. America's longest war. “Not only has it been the although America has Saturday. end of August. air support that the United As a result, the Taliban On Friday, all US and entry point of most for- Covid-19 “on the run” the The ministry said 51 people Washington’s announce- States has provided. have seized dozens of dis- Nato troops left Bagram eign troops that have pas- latest variant is of partic- IS DANGEROUS: sustained injuries and 24 peo- ment came after all US and “In recent days, the tricts in blistering ass- Air Base, signalling that sed through the country ular concern among those ple, including three children, Nato troops vacated their Afghan air force has inten- aults targeting govern- the military involvement since 2001, it has been who remain unvaccinated W.H.O. CHIEF have gone missing in the inci- main Bagram Air Base, sified its air strikes ment forces. The insur- for coalition forces was home to many of the in- – as the president’s goal of dents of floods and landslides from where the coalition against the Taliban hide- gents have encircled al- finally nearing its end. country air assets that 70 per cent of US adults Geneva, July 3: The world in different parts of the coun- forces led operations for outs and the insurgents most all major cities Over the years, the mini- have lent the Afghan secu- receiving at least one shot is in a very “dangerous try. Similarly, 1,250 people have two decades against the have suffered casualties,” across the country, and on city north of Kabul has rity forces such a vital of vaccine by the Fourth period” of the Covid-19 been evacuated from different Taliban and their Al- Attaullah Afghan, a mem- Saturday claimed seizing been visited by hundreds advantage on the battle- of July holiday was set to pandemic compounded by parts of the country that were Qaeda allies. ber of Helmand provincial seven more districts in the of thousands of US and field.” The exit of foreign fall short. more transmissible vari- hit by the natural disaster, it Over the past 24 hours, council, said northeastern province of Nato service members and troops from Bagram has New US cases of ants like Delta, which is said. more than 300 Taliban The Taliban rejected the Badakhshan. contractors. further fuelled concerns Coronavirus jumped by continuing to evolve and A total of 790 houses have fighters were killed in government's claims. Top US envoy to Kabul, It has great military and the country might slide 10 per cent in the past mutate, World Health been inundated, 519 homes, 90 fighting with government Both sides often exagger- Ross Wilson, lashed out at symbolic significance. into new civil war, as in week as the highly conta- Organisation (WHO) cowsheds and 19 bridges were forces, the Ministry of ate each other's casualties the insurgents. “The “For many Afghans, the 1990s after the gious Delta variant Director-General Tedros destroyed due to the floods and Defence said on Saturday. and their claims are diffi- Taliban is using violent Bagram is remembered as Soviets left. — AFP spreads, especially where Adhanom Ghebreyesus landslides, it said. vaccination rates are low. has warned. “I am concerned that peo- He said in countries ple who have not gotten with low vaccination cov- MIGRATION FROM 4L FACE FAMINE vaccinated have the erage, terrible scenes of capacity to catch the vari- hospitals overflowing are BELARUS LEADS TO ant and spread the vari- again becoming the IN WAR-TORN ant to other people who norm. CRISIS IN LITHUANIA haven’t been vaccinated,” “Compounded by more TIGRAY: UN Biden said on Friday. transmissible variants, Helsinki (Finland): Lithuania “I’m not concerned like Delta, which is quick- has declared a state of emer- United Nations, United there’s going to be a ly becoming the dominant gency due to an influx of States, July 3: Over major outbreak … anoth- strain in many countries, migrants in the last few days 4,00,000 people have er epidemic nationwide. we are in a very danger- from neighbouring Belarus, as “crossed the threshold But I am concerned lives ous period of this pan- tensions between the Eur- into famine” in will be lost,” he added. demic,” Mr. Ghebreyesus opean Union and Belarus esca- Ethiopias war-torn Tig- Celebrating strong data said at a press briefing on late. ray region, a senior UN on jobs on Friday, Biden July 2. “But no country is Lithuania's Interior Minister official said on Friday, said: “Our economy is on out of the woods yet. The Agle Bilotaite said late Friday appealing for urgent the move, and we have Delta variant is danger- that the decision, proposed by humanitarian action to Covid-19 on the run.” ous and is continuing to the State Border Guard help the millions affect- But the Centers for evolve and mutate, which Service, was necessary not ed by the brutal eight- Disease Control and requires constant evalua- because of an increased threat month long conflict. Prevention (CDC) direc- tion and careful adjust- to the country of 2.8 million Fighting between the tor, Rochelle Walensky, ment of the public health people but to put a more robust Ethiopian government said areas with low vacci- response,” he said. system into place to handle and the Tigray People’s nation rates were becom- — PTI migrants coming in. Liberation Front (TPLF) ing hotspots for new inf- It's very important to have a was reignited last month ections, even while the si- legal system and instruments when the rebels laun- tuation in the country as ... to be able to swiftly make ched a major counter- a whole was improving. IRAN FEARS decisions in response to aris- offensive that saw them Nearly 25% of new US ing challenges, Bilotaite said retake their regional infections have been li- during a government meeting capital of Mekele. nked to the “hyper-tran- ‘FIFTH WAVE’ OF Friday evening, according to This week two key smissable” Delta variant, the Baltic News Service. bridges allowing desper- first identified in India, DELTA VARIANT ately-needed aid into the up from 6% in June. As of region were destroyed, 1 July, 66.8% of US adults Tehran, July 3: President SYRIAN GOVT prompting fears the fed- have received at least one Hassan Rouhani eral government was dose of vaccine. A total of expressed fears on SHELLING KILLS 8, seeking to choke off A general view shows mud and debris at the scene of a landslide following days of heavy rain in Atami in Shizuoka 54.6% of all Americans Saturday that Iran will be humanitarian assis- Prefecture on Saturday. — AFP have received one or more hit by a new wave of MOSTLY CHILDREN tance — a charge Addis shot. Covid-19 due to an out- Ababa denied. “We’re very, very close break of the Delta variant Beirut: Artillery fire from gov- Friday saw the UN to that [government] in the Middle East's hard- ernment-controlled territory Security Council hold its goal,” said Iwan Baran- est-hit country. and airstrikes on Saturday first public meeting on a 2 dead, 20 missing after homes kay, a professor of busi- “It is feared that we are killed at least eight civilians in conflict that has left ness economics and pub- on the way to a fifth wave Syria’s last rebel enclave, most thousands of dead and lic policy at the Wharton throughout the country,” of them children, and plunged hundreds of School of the University Rouhani told a meeting of destroyed a civil defence cen- thousands into hunger. swept away in Japan landslide of Pennsylvania. Iran’s anti-virus task- ter and a water station, rescue Ramesh Rajasingham, But he added: “We need force, warning the public workers and a war monitor Acting Under-Secretary- Tokyo, July 3: Two people of a temple near the disas- er than the average landslide. to aim for higher than to be careful as “the Delta said. General for Humani- died and around 20 others ter told public broadcaster monthly total for July of The disaster began at 70% to get us to herd variant” had entered the The shelling in Ibleen, a vil- tarian Affairs and Eme- remained missing on NHK. 242.5 millimetres, accord- around 10.30am at a river immunity. We have to country from the south lage in southern Idlib rgency Relief Coordi- Saturday after a huge “When I returned, hous- ing to NHK. near the city, which is think clearly about who and southeast. — AFP province, hit the home of nator, told that meeting landslide at a resort town es and cars that were in Two women discovered around 90km from Tokyo [has] not gotten vaccinat- Subhi al-Assi, killing him, his that the situation had in central Japan swept front of the temple were by the coastguard at a port and is famous as a hot ed yet and understand based on their pure con- wife and three of his children “worsened dramatical- away homes following gone.” without showing vital spring resort. why … we have to think victions or how they in their sleep, according to the ly” as the conflict had re- days of heavy rain, offi- Prime Minister signs were later con- A video posted on about the people who are understand the evidence rescue service known as the ignited in recent weeks. cials said. Yoshihide Suga said emer- firmed dead, the munici- TikTok from the scene just vehemently opposed, and science.” — Agencies White Helmets and Idlib's “More than 4,00,000 Television footage gency services and the pal government of Atami showed a huge slurry of health directorate. Al-Assi was people are estimated to showed a torrent of mud military had launched res- said. mud and debris sliding an administrator in a local have crossed the thresh- obliterating buildings as it cue and evacuation mis- “Because of the heavy slowly down a steep road health center. old into famine and crashed down a hillside in sions, warning that more rain, the ground loosened and nearly engulfing a Shelling also struck the another 1.8 million peo- Atami, southwest of downpours were forecast. and the mudslide white car, which drove Italian health staff home of a volunteer for the ple are on the brink of Tokyo, sending people “There is a possibility of occurred … it picked up away before a faster and White Helmets, also known as famine,” he said. “Some fleeing as it buried part of heavy rain due to the rain speed and swept away more violent torrent the Syria Civil Defence, killing are suggesting that the a road. front, so we still need to be houses together with peo- arrived. dare vax obligation his two children. numbers are even high- “I heard a horrible alert at the maximum ple,” Shizuoka Governor In other clips on social The volunteer, Omar al- er. 33,000 children are sound and saw a mudslide level,” he said at an emer- Heita Kawakatsu told media, the landslide was Rome, July 3: Three hun- exercise their profes- Omar, and his wife were severely malnourished.” flowing downwards as res- gency disaster meeting. reporters. seen toppling electricity dred healthcare workers sion,” he added. wounded, according to the The lives of many of cuers were urging people Atami saw rainfall of 313 He said “around 20” peo- poles, with large areas left in Italy have lodged a Granara is also defend- White Helmets. In a nearby vil- these people (in Tigray) to evacuate. So I ran to millimetres in just 48 ple were still missing after inundated by several legal challenge against ing dozens of caregivers lage, another child was killed depend on our ability to higher ground,” the head hours to Saturday— high- being swept away by the waves of earth. — AFP the requirement that they who have been suspended and four others from the same reach them with food, get vaccinated against from work for refusing to family were wounded, accord- medicine, nutrition sup- coronavirus, according to be vaccinated. ing to the White Helmets plies and other humani- media reports on Sa- Italy passed a law in tarian assistance,” he turday The case, brought April obliging anyone added. — AFP Nepal gears for polls despite uncertainty by professionals through- working in public or pri- MAJOR SWEDISH out northern Italy, will be vate social health posi- sKathmandu, July 3: Sharma Oli, President The constitutionality of Nepalese Rupees billion heard on July 14. tions, including in phar- SUPERMARKET HIT Nepal’s election commis- Bidya Devi Bshandari dis- the President’s move is for holding the elections, “This isn’t a battle by macies and doctors' MIGRANT BOAT sion is preparing for the solved the lower house for being heard at the The Kathmandu Post anti-vaxxers but a demo- offices, to get vaccinated BY CYBERATTACK mid-term elections in the second time in five Supreme Court, raising reported. cratic battle,” constitu- against Covid-19 or be November despite the months on May 22 and the question if the elec- The ministry said it tional lawyer Daniele suspended without pay, Stockholm: One of Sweden’s SINKS: 43 MISSING uncertainty over polls due announced snap elections tions would be held on set approved the budget for Granara, who helped unless their employer can biggest supermarket chains to the pending petitions in on November 12 and dates. But the Election the commission to pro- build up the case, was reassign them to a less said on Saturday it had to tem- OFF TUNISIA COAST the Supreme Court aga- November 19. Commission of Nepal said cure election materials cited as saying in the sensitive position. porarily close around 800 inst the dissolution of the Prime Minister Oli is that it would start to pro- and election management. Giornale di Brescia news- After the elderly and stores nationwide after a cyber Tunis, July 3: At least 43 House of Representatives, currently heading a cure materials required This budget, however, paper. vulnerable, caregivers attack blocked access to its people were missing off according reports. minority government for holding the polls next does not cover the expens- “We force people to take including teachers were checkouts. the southeastern coast At the recommendation after losing a trust vote in week after the Finance es for security arrange- a risk under threat of no the first to be vaccinated “One of our subcontractors of Tunisia after a boat of Prime Minister K. P. the 275-member House. Ministry approved 7.72 ments for the polls. — PTI longer being allowed to in Italy. — AFP was hit by a digital attack, and carrying more than 120 that's why our checkouts migrants sank, the aren’t working any more,” Tunisian Red Crescent Coop Sweden, which accounts said on Saturday. TAKEOVER | SAGA Bid for UK’s fourth largest supermarket would be biggest private equity deal for around 20 per cent of the “Eighty-four migrants sector, said in a statement. were rescued and 43 oth- “We regret the situation and ers disappeared after a will do all we can to reopen boat carrying 127 swiftly,” the cooperative migrants sank off the UK’s Morrisons agrees £6.3bn takeover bid added. coast of Zarzis” on Coop Sweden did not name Friday night, Mongi London, July 3: British ● UNDER THE 6.3 billion ($8.7 billion) deal, the group retailer majestic Wine. the subcontractor or reveal the Slim of the Red Crescent supermarket giant of investors comprising Softbank-owned Fortress, In the United States, as hacking method used against said. The vessel had set Morrisons has accepted a Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and Koch Real well as groceries, Fortress it beginning on Friday off from Libya’s coast, takeover offer from a con- has invested in petrol sta- evening. he added, citing the sortium of investment Estate Investments (KREI) will pay 252 pence per tion forecourts, retail and But the Swedish subsidiary accounts of survivors. groups following its rejec- share plus a 2p special dividend. restaurants. of the Visma software group The Tunisian navy res- tion of a private equity bid ● IN THE United States, as well as groceries, Fortress Richard Lim, CEO of said the problem was linked to cued “84 illegal mig- last month, the chain has invested in petrol station forecourts, retail and consultancy Retail a major cyber attack on US rants of various nation- announced on Saturday. restaurants. Economics, said the IT company Kaseya on alities” including from Under the 6.3 billion ($8.7 announcement “signals Friday. Bangladesh, Chad, Eg- billion) deal, the group of that sent the chain's share Investments and KREI all the biggest shakeup in the Kaseya has urged customers ypt, Eritrea and Sudan, investors comprising prices soaring but which have strong track records UK grocery sector for over to shut down servers running the defence ministry Softbank-owned Fortress, Morrisons ultimately said and a long-term approach a decade”. its VSA platform after dozens said. The survivors pic- Canada Pension Plan was too low. to investing. T h e y “Success will hinge on were hit with ransomware ked up off Zarzis were Investment Board and Andrew Higginson, the are backing our strategy, the new owners gaining attacks. aged between three and Koch Real Estate chairman of the chain our management and our the support of experi- A wave of ransomware 40, the ministry said, Investments (KREI) will which employs 110,000 people,” he added. enced key members of the attacks has struck worldwide without giving any num- pay 252 pence per share people at 500 outlets, said Fortress, which led the leadership team to execute recently, especially in the ber for those missing. plus a 2p special dividend. directors believed the offer offer, would offer on the future strategy,” he United States. It said that the boat The takeover of the represented “a fair and Morrisons “long term sup- added, emphasising the File photo taken on June 21, 2021 a view of a Morrisons Ransomware attacks typical- had departed the port of supermarket based in recommendable price for port,” Higginson said. impact of the shift supermarket is pictured in Stratford, east London. - ly involve locking away data in Zuwara, in northwest- northern England follows shareholders which recog- In Europe, the invest- towards online grocery British supermarket giant Morrisons has accepted a systems using encryption, ern Libya during the the rejection of a 5.5 bil- nises Morrisons' future ment management firm shopping and the growth takeover offer from a consortium of investment groups making companies pay to night between Monday lion offer in June from prospects”. has holdings in food retail of rapid delivery on the following its rejection of a private equity bid last month, regain access. and Tuesday. — AFP Clayton Dubilier & Rice “Fortress, CPP and the UK-based wine market. —AFP the chain announced on Saturday. — AFP BOOKS THE ASIAN AGE | SUNDAY | 4 JULY 2021 | NEW DELHI pg 7

INDIAN TOP 10 BESTSELLERS A global Indian’s NON-FICTION ‘Many of us drift into friendships, view of the best SACH KAHUN TOH 1 Neena Gupta Penguin, `599 world has to offer… INDIA AND ASIAN but Ram takes his very seriously’ 2 GEOPOLITICS: THE PAST, PRESENT to write about and which result- audience, which knows so much their duties, whether because Shiv Shankar Menon ed in what I consider his most more about these subjects than I they are corrupt, stupid or mere- Usha Uthup Penguin, `699 enjoyable book, A Corner of a do. Instead, I would like to say ly incompetent. If I were Rahul Foreign Field. Yet, whatever dif- something about Ram the essay- Gandhi and I had read Ram’s David Gilmour ficulties he had with Elwin — ist and political journalist articles, I would long ago have NEHRU, TIBET AND with an Indian editor (helpful because his articles reveal more disappeared from public life. review 3 CHINA though he happened to be), with about his mind and his charac- I will end on that most person- A.S. Bhasin Western publishers (unhelpful ter than anything else he writes. al note, that of friendship. Ram Penguin, `699 excerpt though they were) and with his An English journalist once is someone who takes friends n September 2016, I was invited to Vatican own problems in making the said of my father, Ian Gilmour, a seriously. Many of our genera- City for the canonisation of Mother Teresa. It THE POWER OF transition from anthropology to left-wing Tory who was a minis- tion seem to regard friendship Iwas there that I probably had my most mem- 4 GEOGRAPHY y first impression home. Reluctantly, I agreed, and, biography — Savaging the ter in Ted Heath’s government as a rather fluid phenomenon, orable time with Sundeep Bhutoria. We were Tim Marshal of Ram Guha was while I navigated the outskirts Civilized is a wonderful book. and briefly (until he criticised something that prospers with staying in the same hotel, and to meet someone Simon & Schuster, `699 that he was like an of Nottingham and set off on the Not the least of the book’s her) in Margaret Thatcher’s, the help of proximity and occa- from my country — that too someone that I intellectual of long dreary journey down the charm is the way that it is ami- that he was a man of ‘liberal sion and which tends to fade knew so well — so far away from home, was INDIA’S POWER ELITE about sixty or sev- M1 to London, Ram in the back ably sprinkled with cricketing views, illiberally held’. Much when faced by distance or wonderfully reassuring. Sundeep, as usual, had Menty years ago. With his rough seat kept up an inquisition that metaphors, with how Elwin the same could be said of Ram, unavailability. Ram will have organised a sumptuous dinner with the who’s Sanjaya Baru 5 tweed jacket and baggy trousers, lasted two hours. Had I read the might be ‘stumped’ or forced who liked — and was liked by — none of this. Friendship is who of Rome and Vatican City in attendance. It Penguin, `699 his tousled hair, his round- current issue of the New York ‘onto the back foot’, and how my father, and who once friendship, whatever distant was another example of how whatever Sundeep lensed spectacles and his rather Review? Did I agree with so and some Indian minister would go described himself as a moderate continents the friends might does, he does it shaan se! INDIA VERSUS CHINA shambling gait, he looked like a so’s piece in the latest Times ‘out to bat’ on his behalf. who sometimes expressed his live in. I have known Sundeep for 25 years now, during 6 Kanti Bajpai figure of the 1930s; underneath Literary Supplement? What did The next Rams I knew were views in ‘an extreme fashion’. I Many of us drift into friend- which time we have developed a seamless pro- Juggernaut, `599 his jacket he wore a patterned I think of a denunciatory article the Rams that everyone knows, think that one of the best deci- ships, after rather liking some- fessional relationship as well as a deep personal jersey that might have been knit- in the London Review of Books? Ram the biographer of Gandhi sions he ever made was to refuse one at a dinner or a cocktail bond. Sundeep is one of those friends with RUMOURS OF SPRING ted for George Orwell. He is sometimes a difficult chap and Ram the chronicler of mod- a professorship in Delhi, which party; it is often a casual, take-it- whom you can pick up from where you left off. 7 Farah Bashir Furthermore, he talked in the to keep up with. ern India. These are great books, would have made him part of or-leave-it affair, something that Impeccably dressed, incurably passionate about HarperCollins, `499 way that bhadralok scholars Over the last twenty years I which I read in draft form, but I the ‘academy’. I am someone doesn’t really matter whether it his projects, and possessing that unteachable used to talk, rapidly and excited- have known Ram in various do not think there is much point who rejected academic life works out or not. Ram is differ- touch of class, he is a thorough gentleman. He REMNANTS OF A ly on a very wide range of guises, but there are earlier in my talking about them to an because I wanted to write about ent, in this respect as in so many keeps a beautiful home, loves his food and trav- 8 SEPARATION subjects. incarnations that I could not different subjects and different others. If he wants someone as a el, and is always keen to do something or the Aanchal Malhotra Yet, I soon realised, he was not know. I never knew Ram the countries, but Ram had more friend, he will travel hundreds of other that enhances culture for the benefit of his HarperCollins, `599 really garrulous — an adjective anthropologist, Ram the trainee serious reasons. He wanted to be miles to ensure that the friend- native Kolkata. much used by British rulers to sociologist or Ram the nearly- independent, not to be part of ship is kept flourishing. I will Sundeep’s writings encapsulate his best quali- denigrate Bengali intellectuals Marxist, the Calcutta student any ‘school’, not to have to defer never forget how twenty years ties — cultural consciousness, curiosity for and HOSTILITY: A — he was simply more interest- who gave away his cricket books to colleagues or to the prevailing ago he came to do some research acceptance of diversity and, above all, an un- 9 DIPLOMAT’S DIARY ON ed and better informed than in order to find room on his fads of a particular department. in Edinburgh, where I then breakable connection to his roots. These are also PAKISTAN INDIA almost anyone else. About twen- shelves for a Marxist library He is not an intellectual of the lived, and, following an intro- the qualities that make him a quintessential RELATIONS ty years ago we went to Trent that included the ninety vol- seminar or the cafe table but a duction from a mutual friend, “global desi”. Abdul Basit Bridge to watch a cricket match, umes of Lenin’s collected works. scholar of the archives and his turned up at my doorstep in Having made HarperCollins, `799 I in my stripy blazer, he in his Nor, more regrettably, have I own desk. He rejected the aca- tweed jacket, baggy trousers and Kolkata my karma tweed jacket and Orwell’s jersey. seen much of Ram the ecologist, demic fervour of Delhi for what, Orwell’s jersey. He was at his bhoomi, I have THE LIGHT OF ASIA We travelled to the ground with although we have similar views in intellectual terms, is the back- wittiest and most irrepressible, seen how the city 10Jairam Ramesh Sunil Khilnani and my son in a on the environment — we have water of Bangalore. perhaps even ‘garrulous’. has grown and Penguin Viking, `799 motor car, a rather ropey old been on expeditions into the Ram’s independence has Afterwards, he summed up the evolved over the vehicle that Sunil had recently Nilgiris, and we have enjoyed A FUNCTIONING allowed him to attack, at some encounter in a sentence that decades. For me, bought from a friend. It was a good country walks in Britain, personal risk, targets in all may not have been his most styl- Kolkata is, and day–night match, an one-day in the hills of lowland Scotland ANARCHY? ESSAYS FOR areas of the particular spec- ish but which perfectly will forever rem- international (ODI) between and southern England. RAMACHANDRA GUHA trum. He will assail with equal described the episode, ‘I felt that ain, magical — a Australia and Pakistan, and as The first Rams I was acquaint- vehemence both the enthusiasts we hit it off first ball.’ mesmerising city we returned to the car park ed with were Ram the fledgling Edited by SRINATH of Hindutva and the commu- that knows how to shortly before midnight, Sunil biographer, then struggling RAGHAVAN and nists of West Bengal. Yet he will Excerpted with permission share and get the THE GLOBAL DESI: suggested that, as he had only through several drafts of his NANDINI SUNDAR also criticise those parties and from A Functioning Anarchy? best out of its recently passed his driving test biography of Verrier Elwin, and their representatives that might Essays for Ramachandra Guha, inhabitants. The REFLECTIONS ON HOME Penguin Random AND AWAY and had never driven in the Ram the historian of Indian House, `699, pp. 370 be closer to him in ideological chapter titled The Many Rams presence of people dark, it might be better if I drove cricket, a subject he found easier terms but have failed to perform of Ramachandra Guha like Sundeep have By SUNDEEP ensured that Kolk- BHUTORIA ata carries on Macmillan, `599, with its rich lega- pp. 361 cy of cultural cos- mopolitanism, as a place that never fails to open its heart for those eager to experience its charms. RESURRECTING, IN MIND’S EYE, A LIVING RED FORT At the same time, it devastates me when I see the levels of poverty and deprivation on the gawk at its beauty, all we can find are The book follows the vicissitudes of While much of the book and its many streets of Kolkata. I am glad that as a cultural FICTION shards of fragile memories of an age the Mughal lineage and adds numerous short sections tend to be somewhat dis- commentator, these sordid aspects of our civili- Indranil long forgotten — an age of grandeur and little sections on the habits, customs, jointed and faltering, as we approach the sation do not escape the notice of Sundeep, who AT NIGHT ALL BLOOD opulence that we can only witness in our and delights of the Mughals. Apart from end, things change. The narration of the has never shied away from addressing issues of 1 IS BLACK Banerjie mind’s eye,” the author writes. the architectural influences that defined battle in 1858 between the Indian rebels social relevance in his work. David Dipo The book, therefore, seeks to resurrect the monument and descriptions of its holding Delhi and the British forces is During my travels around the world, I have Pushkin Press, `399 the past, tell us how the Red Fort came to principal components like the Diwan-e- recounted masterfully. The thrill of bat- seen the architecture of Kolkata reflected in sev- review be and how the fortunes of successive Aam, Diwan-e-Khaas, its gates and gar- tle, the tragic mayhem that followed and eral corners of London; I have seen Italians live Mughals, their courtiers, numerous dens, the book makes sudden forays into the pitiful end of a magnificent empire life with the same verve and enthusiasm as so WHEREABOUTS wives, children and supplicants were matters such as the eating habits of the are well conveyed. many Calcuttans do; I have seen people of 2 Jhumpa Lahiri he Red Fort which broods over inextricably tied to it. One focus is on the Mughals, their intoxicants, costumes, Here the amateur excels. Where a for- Indian origin in Kenya and South Africa cele- Penguin, `499 the older parts of India’s capital, extravagance, opulence and sheer waste- jewellery, pastimes and pleasures. mal historian would have been conser- brate our cultural norms with as much dedica- New Delhi, is today considered a fulness of Mughal lifestyles. The book at times seems eclectic and vative and measured, this book’s author tion as the people back home. My journeys A GAMBLING MAN Tsymbol of the country’s magnifi- We are told that Inayat Khan in the unstructured. Here, one is tempted to is flamboyant and truly captures the across the globe have reiterated my faith and my 3 David Baldacci cent past. It is from the ramparts here Shah-Jahan-Nama wrote of how the heed the warning of professional histo- mood at the time of the momentous love for Indianness, and it gives me great pleas- Pan Macmillan, `699 that successive Prime Ministers address emperor conceived of the idea of the rians against the amateur. Dilettantes, defeat of the Indian force and the fall of ure to encounter that same faith and love in this the nation every Independence Day. Red Fort on the banks of the Yamuna historians aver, with little understand- the Fort: “In the Red Fort, British troop- beautifully crafted book by Sundeep. SOOLEY Each year thousands of curious Indians much further upstream from Agra, the ing of nuances and limited academic ers with their hands soiled black with The past year has been extremely tough on all John Grisham come to admire its red sandstone walls original Mughal capital. Shah Jahan discipline can do more harm than good. gunpowder, threw open drawers con- of us. The Covid-19 pandemic has shown us that 4 taining Mughal trinkets, tore down illu- Hachette, `699 towering over the old city and the wanted “a pleasant site, distinguished So, it is with a little trepidation that one every industry is vulnerable, not least mine, of remains of the Mughal courts inside. by its genial climate, where must approach a work minated Persian manuscripts, and in entertainment. It is my sincere hope that, along- This monument is viewed as an endur- he might found a splendid such as this one, put the zenana still heady with fragrances of side the stellar endeavours he is engaged in, A GAMBLING MAN ing achievement of India’s once power- fort and delightful edi- together not by a histo- rose ittar, they tore down curtains, Sundeep also spearheads the integration of 5 David Baldacci ful rulers, whose fame had spread to all fices, agreeable to the rian but by a telecom turned and flung away rich fabrics and technology and culture in the times to come, so Pan Macmillan, `699 corners of the earth. promptings of his gener- professional. carpets. Even General Wilson could not that more virtual events can be organised, unaf- Yet, not all of the Fort’s history is ous heart, through which However, where the resist the temptation to sit on the fected by the problems posed by Covid-19. HOMELAND ELEGIES exemplary or admirable. Much of it is streams of water should professional historian Mughal throne for a while.” The sky is the limit for Sundeep, and given his 6Ayad Akhtar sordid. A lot fascinating. And most of it, be made to flow, and the would fuss about sour- The end was the complete and abject vision, adaptability, and perseverance, I am cer- Hachette, `1,050 tragic. Author and amateur historian, terraces of which should ces, ponder long on aca- defeat of the once magnificent Mughals. tain that he has a whole lot more left to achieve. Debasish Das, has painstakingly overlook the river”. demic debates and The last emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar The Global Desi: Reflections on Home and Away TURN A BLIND EYE researched and resurrected the fort’s And so the fort was stress a point over and his wife were exiled in Rangoon is not just a compelling account of what Jeffrey Archer many-faceted histories and produced a built: “From 1648, the lengthy pages, amateur while all their children were systemati- Sundeep stands for; it is also a celebration of the 7 book rich in anecdotes, facts, trivia and Qila-Mubarak, Qila-i- historian Das is fresh, cally murdered by the British so that no values that make our culture one of the oldest Pan Macmilan, `450 stories. Surkh, Qila-i-Shahjaha- energetic and overflow- Mughal heir remained. The Red Fort and most glorious known to humankind. “The Red Fort, where resided the nabad, or Qila-i-Mualla, ing with stories about itself was saved though most of its I am sure you will thoroughly enjoy this book, THE BEGUM AND Mughal rulers till the very end is now an as it has been variously the strange days and buildings were razed to the ground. The just as I have, and dwell on the multifarious 8THE DASTAN empty shell,” Das observes. “Its Hayat known over the ages, saw RED FORT: REMEMBERING ways of the Mughals of book, in the ultimate analysis, is a insights that underline the very best that the Tarana Husain Khan Baksh garden, where emperors strolled not only the golden age of the Red Fort. His book refreshing compendium and a story well world has to offer through a uniquely Indian Tranquebar, `499 in the perfumed air and where moon- the Mughal Empire flour- THE MAGNIFICENT MUGHALS will serve as a fascinat- told. lens. light functions were held, is all but a ish under its founder but By DEBASISH DAS ing guide for the lay THE LAST QUEEN soulless grassed land.” “Today, as we also the very decline and Become Shakespeare, reader and visitors to The writer is an independent com- Usha Uthup is a well-known Indi-pop, filmi, 9Chitra Banerjee join hundreds of others pouring into the decimation of the same `499, pp. 406 the Fort, if for nothing mentator on political jazz and playback singer Divakaruni skeletal remains of the monument to great Empire.” else, its exuberance. and security issues HarperCollins, `599

THE DANGERS OF 10SMOKING IN BED Mariana Enriquez Granta, `599 Bahrisons, New Delhi Free speech, fake news & Indian press’ part in the conversation author, a newspaper industry vet- Bihar government found it objec- opposite ends of the Left/Right The impulse to cater to the lowest that space. He also flags the arrival FAST FACT eran, restricts his scrutiny to the tionable under Section 4(1) of the political spectrum), Sakal Papers common denominator rather than of fellowships in 1992 in order to Sucheta print media. colonial-era Indian Press (Emer- (1962), The Indian Express nurture, or even create, at the very relegate reportage on social issues Widely regarded as There are two critical differences gency Powers) Act, 1931, which Newspapers (1985). The crowning least a discerning niche is what to notified corners of the paper. South Africa’s greatest Dasgupta between the first amendment of cited public order and foreign rela- moment came during Emergency dumbs down the media, but more But the most insidious develop- playwright, Athol Fugard the Indian Constitution and its tions as reasonable curbs on press (1975-77) in the Freedom First critically, cancels original com- ment of that decade, he observes, opposite number. The American freedom. The printers moved (Minoo Masani) and Bhoomiputra mentary and important coverage. is the appearance of contracts and (89) celebrated his birth- law distinguishes between free- court in 1949; the law was declared cases (each representing a side of Typically, in deciding the content, individual bargains to replace the day last month. His plays review dom of speech and freedom of ultra vires (The State of Bihar v. the libertarian/authoritarian the editor/proprietor adduces this Wage Boards. are highly political. They press but, in India, both freedoms Shailabala Devi, Patna high court, divide). Unfortunately, both these denominator in the form of a pre- The other shoe has fallen. The are known ncarcerations, FIRs, dis- are encapsulated in Article October 1950). This judgment was papers had been non-mainstream sumption of their putatively “mid- Working Journalists Act of 1955, for their missals, spiking of stories, 19(1)(a). More importantly, while later (May 1952) struck down by publications. With the honourable dle-class” audience’s tastes to hide unlike the contract system, did not authentic sensationalism, fake “break- the US first amendment makes the Supreme Court but by then it exception of the Indian Express the reality that their own vested allow barons to close down edi- and Iing news” and the compulsion these freedoms an absolute condi- was too late. The first amendment and the Statesman, all other interest is aligned with the guilty tions and send journalists out of a revealing to not miss a trick in the rat race tion for all lawmaking, the first passed in 1951 had already brought national dailies surrendered to the party’s. The presumptions usually job, as was seen in the wake of against the Joneses. Lack of amendment of the Indian back these curbs — in the form of Establishment. take the form of deterministic Covid-19, the author writes. The dialogue. resources or intent to devote them Constitution restricts the scope of Article 19(2) of the Indian The Shah Commission report of interpolation of their own biases contract system has also promoted Blood Knot to newsgathering from the heart- this freedom. Constitution. 1978, a valuable resource for into populations without a voice editorial frailty even though the (1961), his lands. Selling the narrative before The question then arises, what It is the courts in our country researchers, categorises these (in some contexts, this is referred law does not give the business most famous play, deals finding the story. influenced Prime Minister Nehru that have been the great champi- papers as “friendly”, “neutral” to as “colonial consciousness”). All owner the right to dictate what with the secret animosity These form a brief glimpse of the to pass this amendment? The ons of press freedom. The evi- and “hostile” in a list prepared at this is couched in the language of news should be printed and what between two half-broth- challenges facing the media, the answer — the spectre of Hindu- dence? Romesh Thapar (1950), the behest of then information glib neoliberalism to get the should not be, nor the manner it ers of different skin freedom of which has come under Muslim riots and a court case Brijbhushan (1950) (each from and broadcasting minister V.C. employee on board. should be presented. Most of all, it tones springing from a question mark since the 1990s, involving a little-known Bengali Shukla for use in the framing of The author cites the excessive has led to a preference for the race, while Tsotsi, which the author posits, rather than in pamphlet called Sangram. the Indira government’s adver- coverage of the 1990 Mandal young and the passionless, over the past septennial, but which BETWEEN FREEDOM & UNFREEDOM: tisement policy. Those consid- Commission protests in compari- the seasoned and the committed was adapted in 2005 into Borrowing from works of pub- looms larger, if it were possible, lished poets heavily and out of THE PRESS IN INDEPENDENT INDIA ered friendly were rewarded and son to the scant attention devoted reporter, analyst and editor. an Oscar-winner by the during the pandemic. Hence this context, its ambitious writer those deemed hostile punished. to L.K. Advani’s rathyatra to make The reader is left looking for a same name, is his best overdue analysis of the Indian issued through it an unsophisti- By V. KRISHNA ANANTH The Amrita Bazar Patrika was his point. In so doing, he calls out a closer interrogation of the state of read novel. media business’ shortcomings. For cated call to arms against “injus- Alcove, `599, pp. 475 paid far more than the prevailing well-known newspaper for achiev- the media industry in today’s the sake of authenticity, the tice, oppression or wrong”. The rates for advertisements. ing a 9:1 ratio in terms of dividing times. GAMES pg THE ASIAN AGE | SUNDAY | 4 JULY 2021 | NEW DELHI 8

COPA | AMERICA SHORT TAKES Smith may skip T20 World Cup ITALIAN MARBLE 10-man Brazil Melbourne: Recuperating from an elbow injury, star Australia Rock-solid Azzurri prove too hard to crack for World No.1 Belgium batsman Steve Smith says Test ward off Chile cricket remains his top priority Italy 2 and he is ready to skip the T20 Rio De Janeiro, July 3: World Cup to be in the best (Nicolò Barella 31, Lucas Paqueta’s second- RESULTS shape for the Ashes series Lorenzo Insigne 44) half strike was enough for against England. The 32-year- defending champions Brazil 1 old had withdrawn from the Belgium 1 Brazil to hold off deter- (Lucas Paquetá 46) ongoing white-ball tour of the mined Chile 1-0 on Friday Chile 0 West Indies due to the elbow (Romelu Lukaku 45+2-p) and book a Copa America injury. “There’s still a bit of time semi-final showdown with Peru 3 between now and (the World Munich, July 3: A stun- Peru. (Gianluca Lapadula 21, 40, Cup), and I’m tracking okay at ning strike by Lorenzo Second-half substitute Yoshimar Yotún 80) the moment — it’s slow, but I’m Insigne fired Italy into the Paqueta made an instant Paraguay 3 going okay,” Smith told crick- semi-finals of Euro 2020 impact, finding a gap in (Gustavo Gómez 11, Júnior et.com.au on Friday. The T20 on Friday as a 2-1 win over Chile’s defense and firing Alonso 54, Gabriel Ávalos 90) World Cup was shifted from Belgium sent them into the back of the net in (Peru won 4-3 in shoot-out) India due to the Covid-19 pan- through to a last-four the 47th minute to put demic and will be held in the meeting with Spain. Brazil up 1-0. PERU MOVE INTO SEMIS United Arab Emirates and Nicolo Barella struck Less than two minutes Oman from October 17 to the opening goal of the later, however, Brazil were Peru beat Paraguay 4-3 on November 14, while the Ashes quarter-final in Munich reduced to 10 men penalties to punch their is schedule to begin on before Insigne curled in when Gabriel Jesus’s reck- ticket to the Copa America December 8 in Brisbane. — PTI Italy’s second in an action- less high kick caught semi-finals after the teams packed first half. Eugenio Mena in the face played to a 3-3 draw after Belgium grabbed a life- and drew a straight red an action-packed 90 min- Spinners keep line just before the break card. utes. Miguel Trauco scored when Romelu Lukaku Chile couldn’t capitalise the decisive penalty for converted a penalty, but on the man advantage, no Peru in a shoot-out that India in the hunt Roberto Martinez’s side matter they how hard they echoed the drama match Worcester: India spinners took ultimately fell short tried. with two shots over the wickets at regular intervals to against a disciplined Eduardo Vargas thought crossbar and three saves. nullify a promising start by Italian defence. he’d grabbed the equalizer Peruvian keeper Pedro England as the tourists bundled “We scored two and we in the 62nd with a close- Gallese set the stage for out the hosts for 219 in the rain- could have scored more,” range shot, but VAR con- Trauco with his diving curtailed third and final said Italy coach Roberto firmed the offside call was save of Alberto Espinola’s Women’s ODI on Saturday. Mancini. correct. attempt. Looking for a consolation win, “I think the victory is In the 69th, Mena’s cross Paraguay captain India invited England to bat fully deserved. Spain are from the left found Ben Gustavo Gomez had under overcast conditions after next but the more you go Brereton, whose looping opened the scoring in the the contest became a 47-overs forward the most difficult header had Brazilian goal- 11th minute, but Gianluca per side affair but as has been it becomes.” keeper Ederson wrong- Lapadula scored in the 21st the case in the series, the hosts While Italy face Spain at footed but caromed off the and 40th to give Peru the largely remained untroubled. Wembley on Tuesday, crossbar. lead. — AFP They were placed comfortably defeat means more Italian players celebrate after defeating Belgium 2-1 in the Euro quarterfinal on Friday. —Twitter at 110 for two but their strategy European Championship to attack Indian spinners result- quarter-final heartbreak SPINAZZOLA INJURED ed in wickets falling in clutches for Belgium, who exited at with a middle-order collapse. the same stage in 2016 Italy’s win came at a cost, Indian enjoyed early success after defeat by Wales. with left-back Leonardo Danish the menace as when Shikha Pandey trapped Belgium sorely missed Spinazzola out of the tour- opener Tammy Beaumont. their captain Eden nament with a leg injury. Brief scores: England Women Hazard, ruled out by a “Leonardo had a great 219 in 47 overs (Nat Sciver 49, hamstring injury, even as European championship. Heather Knight 46; Deepti Kevin De Bruyne won his Now whoever replaces minnows stun Czechs Sharma 3/43) vs India. race to shake off an ankle him will do the same,” injury. said Italy defender Baku, July 3: Denmark’s the European The Manchester City Leonardo Bonucci. fairytale run at Euro 2020 Denmark 2 Championship despite not 2 Windies women playmaker showed why Italy had the ball in the will continue into the (Thomas Delaney 5, even qualifying. the medical staff worked net on 13 minutes when semi-finals after they beat Kasper Dolberg 42) Celebrations started collapse on field around the clock to get Bonucci chested it past the Czech Republic 2-1 in within five minutes as him fit by regularly caus- Thibaut Courtois from a Baku on Saturday to move Czech 1 Delaney was left com- Antigua: Two West Indies ing Italy problems, but free-kick, but the goal was into a last-four meeting pletely unmarked to head women cricketers — Chinelle Romelu Lukaku twice was disallowed by VAR for an with England or Ukraine (Patrick Schick 49) home Jens Stryger Henry and Chedean Nation — denied by Gianluigi offside against captain at Wembley. Larsen’s corner. Tomas collapsed briefly on the field in Donnarumma. Giorgio Chiellini. First-half goals from their last three matches Vaclik then had to deny Brazil’s Luis Paqueta (left) and Neymar celebrate after “It was a miracle that I Marco Verratti and Thomas Delaney and after starting the tourna- Mikkel Damsgaard to pre- two separate incidents during defeating Chile in the Copa America quaterfinal in Rio De the second T20 International played, because there was Youri Tielemans both Kasper Dolberg were ment with two defeats, the vent the Danes doubling Janeiro on Saturday. —Twitter against Pakistan here and taken definitely damage to my earned yellow cards for enough to see Kasper first amid shocking cir- their lead in a blistering to hospital where they were ankle,” said De Bruyne. midfield tussles involving Hjulmand’s men through cumstances when start. “stable”, according to reports. “We tried everything to the pair. Verratti was despite a second-half rally Christian Eriksen suf- Denmark were always a Both the incidents happened win that match. booked for holding from the Czechs inspired fered a cardiac arrest on threat on the break, Olympic briefs during Pakistan's run chase, “Getting eliminated is Tielemans in a tackle, by Patrik Schick’s fifth the pitch. though, and Vaclik had to which also saw rain interrup- always a disappointment. while the Belgian picked goal of the tournament. Three weeks on, they are stand up to parry another tions on Friday. "(Seam bowler) Too bad I couldn’t do up a yellow card moments The Danes have now dreaming of a repeat of powerful drive by 24 para-athletes for Tokyo Chinelle Henry and (batter) more.” later. — AFP scored 10 goals in winning 1992 when Denmark won Damsgaard. — AFP Chedean Nation were taken to he Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) on hospital for medical attention. TSaturday announced a 24-member athletics team, Both Henry and Nation are con- headlined by star javelin thrower Devendra Jhajharia scious and stable at hospital SHAW SHOULD and high jumper Mariyappan Thangavelu, for the and are being assessed," CWI Tokyo Paralympics, beginning August 24. Besides said in a statement. West Indies Ranji back after a year break Jhajharia and Thangavelu, who won gold in the F46 brought on two substitutes and TAKE PLACE OF javelin and T-42 high jump events respectively in the the game continued, with the New Delhi, July 3: The be played with two Elite 2016 Rio Paralympics, other top para-athletes include home side eventually declared BCCI will conduct all its DOMESTIC CALENDAR groups comprising nine PUJARA: HOGG world record holders Sandeep Chowdhury and winners by seven runs on domestic tournaments teams each and the C Sumeet. Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 October 20 to November 12 Duckworth-Lewis-Stern after across age-groups with group and Plate will have Sydney, July 3: Former another interruption. — PTI the coveted Ranji Trophy, Ranji Trophy 2021 November 16 to February 19 10 teams each. Australia spinner Brad starting on November 16, Vijay Hazare 2021 February 23 to March 26 It is expected that the Hogg feels young Prithvi Gopi eyes rich haul of medals being the marquee event top five teams as per Shaw is more suited for Women’s one-day September 21 to October 22 Ollie cleared, will among the 2127 matches points from the Elite the number three spot in hief national badminton coach Pullela Gopichand scheduled for 2021-22 sea- Women’s Challenger October 27 to October 31 groups will make it to the Test cricket and is the top Creckoned the upcoming Olympics would be one son. Women’s T20 March 19 to April 11 quarterfinals while two candidate to step in place “like never before” because of the coronavirus-related play India series Last season, the BCCI from group C and topper of Cheteshwar Pujara if restrictions but he is expecting a rich haul of medals London: England pacer Ollie couldn’t conduct any age- of Plate group completing India think of replacing from the Indian athletes to herald a sporting turn- Robinson was on Saturday group tournament and mence on September 21, Trophy will be played in a the last eight line-up. the veteran India bats- around for the country. “This is going to be challeng- cleared to play cricket again was forced to cancel the 2021, with the Senior three-month window In case of Vijay Hazare man in the series against ing but I do believe that Indian sport is at crossroads of immediately after being Ranji Trophy due to Women’s One Day League from November 16, 2021 to Trophy, the groupings England. “If anyone was making a big achievement or a big jump. I hope that we deemed to have served his sus- Covid-19 pandemic. and will be followed by February 19, 2022. will remain same while going to replace Pujara it get enough medals, so they give a boost in the arm to pension following an investiga- However, a full-fledged the Senior Women’s One The Vijay Hazare Mushtaq Ali T20 will have would be Prithvi Shaw. us,” he said. tion into his discriminatory domestic season will take Day Challenger Trophy, Trophy final will take five groups with two Feel he is more suited tweets, thus making him eligi- place this year with Syed which will take place place on March 26, 2022. groups of seven teams there than opening. Has a ble for selection for the five- Mushtaq Ali T20 to begin from October 27, 2021,” “The BCCI is confident and three groups of eight lot of talent and long Test series against India. “As from October 20 and the BCCI secretary Jay Shah of hosting the domestic teams each respectively. future. He is not in the SPECIAL FLIGHT | TO TOKYO regards the three matches National One-Day said in a media release. season with health and The BCCI will conduct tour group but a wild card which are the subject of imme- Championship for Vijay The final of the Syed safety of players and all Vinoo Mankad Trophy choice,” Hogg tweeted. diate suspension, the Panel has Hazare Trophy being Mushtaq Ali Trophy will people involved being and U-19 Challengers Shaw is part of the taken into account the suspen- scheduled from February be played on November 12 paramount,” the state- Trophy in between national squad for the sion imposed by the England 23 next year. this year. ment further read. September to November. limited-overs series Team India to Team from the second Test “The season will com- The coveted Ranji The Ranji Trophy will — PTI against Sri Lanka. — PTI against New Zealand, together with two of the Vitality Blast T20 matches from which leave on July 14 Robinson voluntarily withdrew himself from selection for NEHA SURANA amid the Covid-19 pandem- Sussex CCC due to the impact CHENNAI, JULY 3 ic. of these proceedings. Robinson “It is quite a difficult situ- is therefore free to play cricket Federer glides into last 16 Indian Olympic ation for all of us. There is immediately,” the ECB said in a Association secretary uncertainty and a lot of statement. — AFP London, July 3: Roger Raducanu, who moved Rajeev Mehta on Saturday negativity. I think sport is Federer moved into the RESULTS with her Romanian father said the first batch of the something which can bring fourth round of a Grand Men’s singles: Third round: and Chinese mother to country’s Olympic contin- out positivity and it is one Verstappen takes Slam tournament for the Roger Federer (SUI x6) bt England aged two, pro- gent will leave for Tokyo in of the most important rea- 69th time on Saturday, Cameron Norrie (GBR) 6-4, 6- duced a brilliant display an Air India chartered sons why the Olympics pole in Austria overcoming a raucous 4, 5-7, 6-4; Alexander Zverev to beat the experienced flight on July 14. should happen. It’s really home crowd and the last (GER x4) bt Taylor Fritz (USA Sorana Cirstea of Mehta confirmed that good that they haven’t can- Spielberg: Max Verstappen British man in the draw x31) 6-7 (3/7), 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 Romania 6-3, 7-5. they will undergo a four- celled the Olympics,” said clinched his third straight pole Cameron Norrie in an (7/4); Felix Auger-Aliassime day quarantine upon Sharath. SANIA-BETHANIE position with a commanding entertaining 6-4, 6-4, 5-7, 6- (CAN x16) bt Nick Kyrgios arrival in Japan. “As many Along with the TT veter- BOW OUT drive for Red Bull at the 4 win at Wimbledon. (AUS) 2-6, 6-1 (retired); as 115 athletes and some an, a host of Olympic- Austrian Grand Prix on Federer kept his dream Lorenzo Sonego (ITA x23) bt Indian star Sania Mirza officials will leave on July bound athletes such as G. Saturday, while title rival Lewis alive of a record-extend- James Duckworth (AUS) 6-3, and her American partner 14. After the quarantine, Sathiyan, C.A. Bhavani Hamilton could only manage ing ninth singles title. 6-4, 6-4. Bethanie Mattek-Sands on we can move around in Devi, Dutee Chand, Varun Women singles: Third round: Saturday bowed out of the Thakkar, K.C. Ganapathy fourth place for flagging Federer said this Coco Gauff (USA x20) bt Kaja Tokyo,” said Mehta during Mercedes. Hamilton was under Wimbledon held special Juvan (SLO) 6-3, 6-3; women’s doubles event at an online felicitation cere- and Sajan Prakash were pressure in his final lap and significance for him. Angelique Kerber (GER x25) the Wimbledon mony organised by also honoured. went too wide on the last two “I hope there is a little bt Aliaksandra Sasnovich Championships following Chennai-based Sunshine Sharath, who will be com- turns. Verstappen leads bit more left in me as this (BLR) 2-6, 6-0, 6-1; Barbora a straight-set defeat. Senior Secondary School peting in his fourth Games, Hamilton 5-2 in poles this sea- one is special for it is the Krejcikova (CZE x14) bt Mirza, who has returned and Youthink Foundation. has set his sights on sur- son. — AP last slam before I hit the Anastasija Sevastova (LAT) 7- to grass court Grand Slam Mehta expects a mini- prising a few top-ranked big 40,” said Federer, the Coco Gauff of the US celebrates after defeating Kaja 6 (7/1), 3-6, 7-5. after three years, and mum of 10 medals from players in Tokyo. Published by K. Sudhakar for and on third oldest man to reach Juvan of Slovenia in the third round on Saturday. — AP Mattek-Sands lost 4-6 3-6 Indian athletes in Tokyo. “There are a lot of good behalf of Deccan Chronicle Holdings the Last 16 in the Open to the Russian pair of players out there to beat. SHARATH LOOKS TO Limited at Jawaharlal Nehru National era. a damp squib as fiery best of starts as he had German had a tough Elena Vesnina and But one team whom the PULL OFF SURPRISE Youth Centre, 219 Deen Dayal Upadhyay Zverev ended big-serv- Aussie entertainer Nick left his shoes in the locker three-setter against Veronika Kudermetova in world wants to defeat is Marg, New Delhi 110 002. and Printed by ing Taylor Fritz’s impres- Kyrgios retired with an room. Aliaksandra Sasnovich of one hour and 28 minutes. Indian table tennis star China. Table tennis is com- him at BFL Infotech Limited, C – 9, sive campaign — 6-7 (3/7), abdominal injury tied at Coco Gauff and Belarus. Mirza is still alive in the Achanta Sharath Kamal pletely dominated by them. Sector – III, Noida – 201301. 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (7/4) — given he one set all with stylish Angelique Kerber will Gauff is not the only tournament as she will said the Tokyo Olympics Hopefully, this time I will Editor – Kaushik Mitter, exited the French Open in Canadian 16th seed Felix meet in the last 16 after teenager making her play in the mixed doubles will spread the much-need- be able to surprise a few RNI Registration number 57290/94, Price a wheelchair due to a knee Auger-Aliassime. the American teenager mark at Wimbledon this second round with compa- ed positivity across the top-seeded players. And, in Nepal - Nep.Rs. 20.00 injury. The match of the The maverick that is breezed past Slovenian year. Britain’s Canada- triot Rohan Bopanna. world when the sporting for that we have been train- per copy. day on the men’s side was Kyrgios did not have the Kaja Juvan while the born 18-year-old Emma — Agencies spectacle begins on July 23 ing quite hard,” he said.