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elhi is experiencing the Dcoldest winter in over a century. The Meteorological Department (IMD) declared Monday as a coldest day in the national Capital in 119 years with max- imum temperature dipping to 9.4 degrees Celsius at Safdarjung (official) observa- tory. The Regional Weather Forecast Centre (RWFC) has predicted no relief from cold wave on Tuesday. Sixteen flights were divert- ed and four cancelled at the Delhi airport on Monday due to heavy fog, an official said. Many trains were running late. Citing 24 hours tempera- ture trend, the IMD said the Aya Nagar observatory record- ed day temperature at 7.8 degrees Celsius, followed by Ridge 8.4 degrees Celsius, Palam 9 and Lodi Road 9.2 around 11.30 pm on Sunday. degrees Celsius. The deceased have been Forecasting weekly weath- s the fog engulfed Delhi- identified as Mahesh (35), er for the national Capital, the ANCR on Sunday night Kishan Lal (50), Neeresh (17), RWFC has predicted rain on dropping the visibility to zero, Ram Khiladi (75), Mallu (12) January 1, 2 and 3 while degrees Celsius January 1 mal for this day of the year. was recorded 9.4 degrees ing 9.4 degrees Celsius and six people, including two and Netrapal (40), all residents December 31 is still tagged as onwards. “Today was the coldest day Celsius. “Delhi is likely to Palam 9.0 degrees Celsius,” minors, were killed when their of Sambhal district in Uttar “cold wave” day. There will be Low visibility in Delhi and recorded for the December,” record the coldest day today in IMD tweeted. Maruti Etriga car skidded off Pradesh. Police said there was no respite before January 3 as National Capital Region (NCR) Kuldeep said. last 119 years for December On Monday, a thick blan- the road and fell into a canal one more car accompanying minimum temperature will delayed thirty trains. Kuldeep Around 3.30 pm, the IMD month as day temperature till ket of fog engulfed Delhi and in Uttar Pradesh’s Greater them and they all were going fluctuate around 3-4 degrees Srivastava, head RWFC, said announced that Delhi is likely 14.30 IST of today has been the minimum temperature set- Noida. Five other occupants of to Delhi when the unfortunate Celsius, while maximum tem- the day temperature was almost to break previous records of unusually following a coldest tled at 2.6 degrees Celsius. the car suffered injuries in the incident occurred. perature will be around 16 half of what is considered nor- cold as maximum temperature trend with Safdarjung record- Continued on Page 4 accident that took place Continued on Page 4 lose on the heels of an espi- Conage racket busted with- in its ranks and the arrest of s expected Army Chief seven sailors, the Indian Navy AGeneral Bipin Rawat was has banned the use of smart- on Monday night appointed the phones and Facebook by its first ever Chief of Defence personnel within naval estab- Staff (CDS). He will assume lishments and on warships. charge on December 31 when The arrested sailors were he retires as the Army Chief. honey-trapped and allegedly Vice Chief of Army Manoj blackmailed through social Mukund Naravane will take aharashtra Chief Minister media to pass on sensitive over as the next Army Chief. MUddhav Thackeray on information. The CDS will have a tenure Monday sprang a surprise by “Directive on use of smart of three years or will serve till including his son Aditya phones and social media for the age of 65. Rawat will com- Thackeray in his team and naval personnel were always plete 62 years when he retires carried out his first full-fledged there. The new instructions on as the Army Chief. The Union expansion of his Ministry by smartphones are that these Cabinet on Tuesday last week inducting Ajit Pawar as Deputy cannot be used within naval comfort, however, the decision the Eastern Naval command submarines after they fell into had approved the creation of Chief Minister and 35 new establishments and naval plat- is in the larger national inter- headquarters besides the sen- a honey-trap through social the CDS. He will function as Ministers in his Cabinet. forms. Social media, use of est, they added. sitive submarine building cen- media in 2018. the Principal Military Adviser With the expansion, the Facebook, is banned for all The latest order comes tre where the nuclear sub- Incidentally, a similar case to the Defence Minister and Cabinet size has gone up to 43, naval personnel,” Navy sources days after the Andhra Pradesh marines Arihant are under involving at least two soldiers head the new department of the maximum for 288-member said here on Monday. For mes- Police along with the Navy construction, the Western leaking information through military affairs in the Defence Assembly. saging apps, instructions are intelligence unit and Central Naval command is based in social media came to light two Ministry. Ajit Pawar, who returned as expected to be issued shortly, intelligence agencies arrested . The lone aircraft car- months back in Rajasthan Since Rawat is the senior the Deputy Chief Minister of they added. seven sailors, besides a hawala rier INS Vikramaditya’s base is despite the armed forces regu- most Service Chief, as the CDS the State for a record fourth The latest orders are in line operator. The sailors were in Karwar, Karnataka. larly cautioning its personnel to he will first among equals time, and 35 other Ministers, Mumbai. number of Ministers in the with ensuring the security of arrested from Visakhapatnam, The spy racket was busted be careful on social media. among service chiefs. The including Aditya Thackeray Of the Ministers who were Cabinet information, officials said stat- Mumbai and Karwar naval on December 19 by the Andhra The Army recently warned CDS, who will draw salary and former Chief Minister administered oath by the has risen to 43, including that ing the recent incident involv- establishments. They report- Pradesh Intelligence its personnel against 150 fake equivalent to the Services Ashok Chavan, were sworn Governor, 25 are of the Cabinet of the Chief Minister. ing the seven sailors in edly passed on unauthorised Department in a joint opera- social media profiles, including Chiefs, will be responsible for into office by Maharashtra rank, while the remaining 10 Sena spokesperson Sanjay Visakhapatnam has also been information about movement tion with the Navy code named of phoney spiritual gurus and rationalising weapons pro- Governor Bhagat Singh are Ministers of State. Raut’s MLA-brother Sunil Raut taken into consideration while of warships and other opera- “Dolphin’s Nose.” The police babas, being used by Pakistan’s curement procedures, besides Koshyari at an oath-taking cer- With the induction of 36 couldn’t find a place in the arriving at this decision. “We tional details through social claimed the sailors, recruited in Intelligence officers to honey- integrating the operation of the emony held on the Vidhan new Ministers, including the Cabinet expansion. do understand that this may media to a Pakistan handler. 2017, passed information like trap officials for extracting armed forces. Bhavan premises in south Deputy Chief Minister, the Continued on Page 4 come at the cost of some dis- While Visakhapatnam has locations of naval ships and sensitive military information. Continued on Page 4 the anti-CAA demonstrators. A ingenious style of protest to day in the life of an ordinary express their resentment. gitations by political parties Hindu family begins in Tamil Women activists belonging Ausually bring anxious Nadu with the lady of the house to the DMK and the CPI(M) area (1,483 sq km), the report moments in the minds of ordi- cleaning the courtyard or the assembled at Besant Nagar, a said. nary people for fear of violence. entrance and decorating the high-end residential area and he forest-and-tree cover in The tree cover, which refers The opposition against the area with Kolams made of white started drawing Kolams with Tthe country has increased to small patches of less than 1 Citizenship Amendment Act rice powder. anti-CAA messages and slo- by 5,188 square kilometres in hectare outside forests, is esti- 2019 drawing thousands of They draw Kolams in dif- gans inscribed in them. Taken the last two years, but in the mated at 95,027 sqkm, which is people to rallies across Tamil ferent sizes, shapes and mod- aback by the intruders who North-East it is on the decline. 2.89 percent of the geographi- Nadu is no exception as there els. “It is a way to welcome drew a kind of “surrealistic” India is also on track to achieve cal area. is apprehension that the law gods, prosperity and happiness. Kolams in front of their hous- its goal of creating an additional The top five States in terms and order may go haywire. The expertise with which the es, the residents opposed the art carbon sink of 2.5-3 billion of increase in forest cover are But the last two days saw Kolams are drawn is a measure work because the contents were tonnes under the Paris Karnataka (1,025 sqkm), the anti-CAA demonstrations in of the devotion and dedication not in tune with tradition. Agreement, Environment Andhra Pradesh (990 sqkm), Tamil Nadu taking a new turn. the lady has for gods as well as Following objections raised Minister Prakash Javadekar Kerala (823 sqkm), Jammu & There are no rallies holding up her house,” said Vijayashree by the residents, the activists said while releasing the biennial Kashmir (371 sqkm) and traffic or throwing normal life Ramesh, advocate and social moved over to the public road India State Forest Report 2019. is 21.67 per cent of the geo- Himachal Pradesh (334 sqkm). out of gear. The agitation has activist. where they started drawing According to the report, graphic area of the country. However, the North-East women as protagonists and However, many houses in Kolams with anti-CAA mes- the forest cover increased by Delhi’s total forest and tree did not show positive results as they are using an age-old Tamil Mylapore, Adyar and even in (the period from December 15 being followed only by believ- sages. But the police detained 3,976 sqkm (0.56 per cent), cover has increased from the current assessment showed custom to give vent to their Boat Club Roads spotted pro- to January 15), extra care is ers in Sanatana Dharma. Since them under the charges of dis- while tree cover by 1,212 sqkm 305.41 sqkm in 2017 to 324.44 a decrease of forest cover to the resentment against the new leg- CAA Kolams making it a taken to make big and beauti- the law enforcing agencies got turbing public order and they (1.29 per cent). The total for- sqkm. Delhi’s total forest and extent of 765 sqkm (0.45 per islation. Kolams or Rangolis Kolam war in Tamil Nadu. ful Kolams. There is no need to tough with the anti-CAA ral- withdrew for the day. est cover of India is now esti- green cover is now 21.86 per cent) in the region. are the new tools employed by The season being Margazhi mention that this is a practice lyists, the latter devised an Continued on Page 4 mated at 7,12,249 sqkm which cent of the total geographical Continued on Page 4

restricted and regulated in and - Ferozshah Road Crossing, Jai around Connaught Place and Singh Road-Bangla Sahib Lane lar traffic,” said Subhash Boken o avoid any kind of unto- India Gate areas. Senior officers and Windsor place,” stated the spokesperson of the Gurugram Tward incident on New will supervise the arrangements Delhi Traffic Police advisory. police. Year’s eve celebrations, the on ground. The Delhi Police “Traffic arrangements have Similarly, the carriageway Delhi Police has strengthened advises citizens not to indulge also been made at the places from Sec 29 Red Light (near its presence in the vicinity of in drunken driving or hooli- having high footfall, including Machan restaurant) to the inter- markets, malls, restaurants, ganism and wishes all a Safe Saket, Greater Kailash, Lajpat section near Kingdom of pubs and bars, in order to and Secure New Year,” said Nagar, New Friends Colony, fire-related calls last year, though Dreams shall operate as a one- ensure orderly celebration. Mittal. Hauzkhas, Defence Colony, no major incident was reported. way road and traffic will only be Police said all Police Meanwhile, the Delhi VasantVihar, R.K. Puram, n the eve of New Year cel- “This time the fire depart- allowed to move from the for- Control Room (PCR) vans, Traffic Police on Monday said Nehru Place, Dwarka, Palam Oebrations, the Delhi Fire ment is deploying one fire ten- mer to the latter. Raftaar bikes and Prakhar vans that they have made elaborate Air Port, Rajouri Garden Area, Services (DFS) has planned to der each at locations like South Commuters intending to will be dynamically deployed at traffic arrangements accross Ashok Vihar Area, Model Town deploy fire tenders in 10 major Extension market, Gandhi go towards sector-29 market vulnerable points across the the city for the smooth flow and Area, Mayur Vihar area and heavy-footfall areas in the Nagar, Rajouri Garden, Rani n a bid to ensure that people from NH-48 are requested to national Capital. regulation of traffic on the eve other areas. Necessary traffic national Capital, including the Bagh, Chattarpur, Khan Market, Ienjoy a hassle-free New Year’s follow the blue line and park man and a woman, both “In addition to maximum of New Year. diversions as per requirement posh Connaught Place, to attend Roshan Club, Panchsheel Eve, the Gurugram Police on their vehicles in the parking area. Adoctors, have been missing mobilisation of personnel from “There will be well laid shall also be done,” the adviso- to possible emergency situa- Enclave, Vasant Vihar on New Monday issued an advisory to Commuters coming From from the national Capital since district units of the Delhi Police, arrangements covering whole of ry further stated. tions. Year Eve to meet any emergency maintain law and order in the Signature Tower to Sector-29 Christmas evening. Police said a total of 20 Coys of addition- Delhi where such celebrations Exit points at the Rajiv According to Atul Garg, due to heavy rush of people,” city ahead of New Year celebra- market are requested to follow multiple teams have been al force including 4 Coys from shall be organised. Special Chowk metro station will be the Chief Fire Officer (CFO), said Garg. tions. the yellow line, take a left from searching for the duo since Central Armed Police Force arrangements have been made closed at 9 pm on New Year’s DFS, around 1,300 firefighters Two vehicles with fire-fight- The district Police issued the Lemon tree hotel and go straight December 25. (CAPF) will be deployed to bol- for the areas in the vicinity of eve, the Delhi Metro Rail will be on duty to attend to any ing equipment will be deployed advisory on Facebook/Twitter towards the parking area. According to police, the ster the visibility of police,” Connaught Place,” said a senior Corporation (DMRC) said on fire-related emergencies on New in Connaught Place from stating restrictions on traffic, Commuters coming from complainant, Dr Sridhar said Anil Mittal, Additional traffic police official. Monday Year Eve. 7.30pm on December 31 to parking and security, among MG Road are requested to fol- reported to police that his wife Public Relation Officer “From 8 pm on December “To ease overcrowding on “All congested areas where 12.30am since it attracts the others. Also, the Traffic Police low green line, take a right after Dr Hima Bindu and a friend Dr (APRO), Delhi Police. 31, no vehicle shall be allowed New Year’s Eve (December 31, footfall will be high have been maximum crowd on New Year will be present at various places Iffco metro station and go K Dileep Satya, went missing “Integrated checking will be to proceed towards Connaught 2019), exit from Rajiv Chowk covered,” said Garg urging the Eve, he said. to facilitate traffic and road clo- straight towards the parking on December 25. carried out by local police, Place beyond Mandi House, metro station will not be residents of Delhi people to “As the director of Delhi Fire sures will also be reflected on area. Expecting heavy footfall on “In his complaint, PCR and Traffic Police to check Bengali Market, North foot of allowed after 9 PM onwards. enquire and keep themselves Services, it is my advice that Google Maps. December 31 and January 1, the Dr Sridhar stated that Satya drunken driving and boisterous Ranjit Singh Flyover, Minto Entry of passengers will be aware of the emergency exits at wherever you go to “Both sides of the carriage- Gurugram Police issued guide- visited him from Chennai revelry and hooliganism on Road -Deen Dayal Upadhaya allowed till the departure of the the venues — restaurants, hotels party kindly ensure you are way of Sector-29 from Sector-29 lines for parking of vehicles. on December 25 around roads. One Coy of women Marg crossing, Chelmsford last train. Please plan your and clubs — they would be par- aware about the emergency exits Red Light near Machan “Some parking spaces are avail- 9 am. The complainant was on police personnel will be espe- Road near New Delhi Railway journey accordingly,” the tying on December 31. at the venue. Because when Restaurant to Crown Plaza able near the Metro Station, duty and last spoke to his cially deployed in New Delhi Station), RK Ashram Marg- DMRC tweeted. Compared to last year, places are heavily Chowk and Leisure Valley road however, when they fill up the wife at 11.30 am on December District, to strengthen women’s Chitragupta Marg Crossing, Rajiv Chowk is one of the four more vehicles will be rushed, even a small incident from Crown Plaza Chowk to vehicles will have to come 25, when she told him that she safety measures,” said Mittal. Gole Market, GPO, Patel busiest stations of the Delhi deployed this year, the depart- can cause a major disaster,” said Leisure Valley Park T Point towards Leisure Valley Ground was going to church. Since “Traffic movement will be Chowk, Kasturba Gandhi Road metro. ment said. It had received 85 Garg. shall remain closed for vehicu- Parking,” said the PRO. then, he has had no contact with either of them,” said a senior police official. “Subsequently, a case under section 365 (kidnap- ping) of Indian Penal Code (IPC) was registered on December 25 at Hauz Khas Police Station. Multiple teams have been sent to different parts of the country, including and Chirag would be coming to Chandigarh and Andhra Bawana sometime in the Pradesh, but the duo is yet to he Delhi Police on Monday evening. be traced,” said the senior Tarrested father and son duo “Acting on the tip-off a trap police official. for allegedly killing a man in was laid and Vijay Kataria and elhi Congress president Delhi’s Bawana area following his son Chirag were DSubhash Chopra on an alteration over a petty issue. apprehended near Hanuman Monday said once Congress Police said they have also temple in Bawana. During party comes to power in Delhi, recovered a country-made pis- interrogation it was revealed all the unauthorised colonies in tol which was used in com- that Vijay Kataria is a Delhi will be regularised on the mission of crime. chronic alcoholic. On pattern adopted by Indira The accused have been December 27, at about 08.00 Gandhi in 1976-77 for the reg- identified as Vijay Kataria (46) pm, he was standing in the ularisation of 612 unautho- and his son Chirag (18), both middle of the road in front of rised colonies without charging residents of Pana Maddan in his house and abusing everyone any registry fee. Bawana. who passed by,” said the Hitting hard on Aam According to BK Singh, the Additional CP. Aadmi Party (AAP) and Additional Commissioner of Vijay also abused one Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP), Police, Crime Branch, on Mohit, a resident of Bawana. Chopra said that over 40 lakh December 28, specific inputs When Mohit objected, Vijay people in unauthorized colonies were received that Vijay Kataria Kataria slapped him. have been betrayed due to the collusion between the BJP and AAP Governments, as they are yet to be given ownership rights, and notification for that. Addressing a Halla Bol rally at Rangpuri Pahadi in was nothing like what South Delhi today, Chopra said they believed about him. that Congress will not make any “What he says, he hollow promise like the BJP and ormer Aam Aadmi does not do. He was sleep- AAP, and it will tell the people FParty (AAP) leader ing for four-and-a-half only what the party can do Guggan Singh, who was years and now he has when it comes to power. its Lok Sabha candidate woken up for six months. problem we faced in elimi- Chopra said that the Modi from North West Earlier he complained nating the dark spots is the Government also misled Constituency during Modiji did not let him n its bid to secure women lack of consent/approval Parliament regarding regular- 2019 Lok Sabah elections, work, how is he working Iacross the national Capital from MCDs in installing ization of unauthorized joined Bharatiya Janata now,” Javadekar said. especially during the night poles and streetlights on their colonies, and the people of Party (BJP) on Monday in He said Kejriwal’s hours, the Public Works streets. This innovative Delhi are now realizing this fact. the presence of Union empire of lies will be fin- Department (PWD) on scheme bypasses the role of He said that Union Urban minister and Delhi State ished and BJP will be in Monday started the installation the MCD and provides a Development Minister Hardeep Election in charge power after the Assembly of street lights in Lodhi Colony direct solution to people’s Singh Puri, in his Tweet, has not Parkash Javadekar. polls in Delhi. area. The eradication of dark problems of dark spots.” only validated Congress party’s Singh had quit BJP “The BJP under the spot scheme was inaugurated “Every MLA is coordi- charge, but also admitted that and joined AAP in leadership of Prime by Chief Minister Arvind nating with the people of the BJP Government, in collu- 2017m however in recent Minister Narendra Modi Kejriwal and PWD minister their constituencies and the sion with the AAP Lok Sabha election he and programmes of his Satyendar Jain. Covering dark remaining dark spots will be Government, has betrayed over was defeated by BJP’s government will come to spots and ensuring adequate eliminated soon. We are also 40 lakh people in unauthorized Hans Raj Hans by over 5.9 lakh Arvind Kejriwal, Javadekar said “In 2015, people believed power in Delhi,” the Union lighting during nights has been asking citizens to submit sug- colonies. votes in the Lok Sabha elections people believed him to be a great him (Kejriwal) to be a great minister said. one of the poll promises of the gestions for streetlights to He said that DDA’s autho- for the reserved seat. revolutionary like Fidel Castro revolutionary, as Fidel Castro He added that Delhi will be Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) their MLAs - just like we did rized website has given that Singh was also elected as and Che Guevara in 2015 but or Che Guevara. But now they powered by a triple engine of Government. with CCTVs. We encourage these colonies have not been MLA from Bawana in 2013 on now he was exposed. Javadekar, are fed up with (his) lies,” development after BJP forms the The PWD has recently all the people of Delhi to par- regularized which clearly a BJP ticket. who is Delhi BJP ‘s Assembly Javadekar said government here as it already floated tender for installing ticipate in identifying loca- exposes the lie of the BJP and Meanwhile taking jibe on election incharge, asserted that He said Kejriwal’s original rules at the Centre and the 1,150 street lights in the South tions that need better light- AAP. AAP’s National convener his party will form the next gov- face has come in the open and three municipal corporations in Delhi area in Phase I under ing. Women’s safety is our ernment in Delhi on its own. people have realised the reality the city. Mukhyamantri Street Light priority and we will install as Yojana. The Chief Minister many street lights and use as said that, by end of many resources as possible to January about 50,000 to 60,000 ensure the security of women LED street lights will be in the city”, the Chief installed. Minister added. According to a safety audit The smart LED street done by a non-governemntal lights will be automatic and organization (NGO) SafetyPin, will be remotely monitored currently there are 7,438 darks and controlled through cloud in the last five years, much for students also,” Kejriwal spots across the National based server suitable for all more needs to be achieved in said. Capital. The NGO, submitted weather conditions. the coming years,” said Other promises made by its report to the government in According to the officials, he Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal. him included providing drink- the year 2016. each LED street light will Tand Aam Aadmi Party’s “But if re-elected, I will ing water straight from taps, “We have worked on light- have individual embedded (AAp) National Convenor, make Delhi pollution-free in and preventing sealing drives ing these dark spots in the last communication node and Arvind Kejriwal, on Monday the next five years. We took a when the AAP wins MCD three years, and the number of controller interface with promised to make the nation- number of steps. The first step elections. He is the chief min- dark spots which were identi- luminaries. al Capital pollution-free in was providing 24-hour elec- ister of everyone whether they fied in a subsequent safety The luminaries will have the next five years if re-elect- tricity which reduced the use of are from BJP or Congress, audit carried out by SafetiPin the facilities of plug and play ed in the upcoming Assembly generators and reduced pollu- Kejriwal responded after being over January to May 2019 was installations. With having polls. tion caused by them... We also praised for his ‘Farishtey’ 2,768. The dark spots in a two way communications Addressing his third town held tree plantation drives that scheme, launched in October period of two years were facilities the lights will be hall meeting at Durgapuri helped in increasing tree cover,” to felicitate people who take reduced by 4,670 i.e. 63 per automatic, for instance it chowk in West Jyothi Nagar, said Kejriwal. road accident victims to hos- cent, said Kejriwal while will have a sensor which will Kejriwal said his Government Responding to a question, pitals. announcing about the devel- automatically turn on took a number of steps Kejriwal promised to make Taking a dig at BJP’s opment. when it is dark and will stop to tackle pollution and bus rides free for students after recently released ‘Aarop Patra’ He also claimed that the when the sun rises in the managed to reduce it by 25 per elections. “After the election is (chargesheet), Kejriwal said delay in installing street lights morning. The streets lights cent. over and the (same) govern- now it is certain that AAP is was due to the careless attitude will have upgraded facilities “Though a lot of work has ment comes to power again, we forming the government in of the Municipal Corporation such as alert and alarm noti- been done by his Government will do it (make bus rides free) Delhi. of Delhi (MCD). “The biggest fications.

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He said Kejriwal said while addressing with the scoring subjects. Haiderpur Badli Mor. the decision was taken at a cab- media on Monday. “Extra coaching classes The ground breaking cer- inet meeting held on the same This announcement comes will also be held for students emony was held in the presence day. The Government will also ahead of the Delhi polls to be who have obtained compart- of DMRC’s Managing Director, hold extra classes to focus on held early next year. Kejriwal ment or have flunked in the Dr. Mangu Singh and other teaching mathematics, he said. also said the Government has board examinations,” he said. senior officials. The Government had earli- analysed the results of all the In order to encourage students “Piling work was com- er said it will pay the board exam subjects of the Delhi govern- to become entrepreneurs rather menced at Haiderpur Badli the remaining stations of this construction time as well as fees of all Government school ment schools and found that than job-seekers, the govern- Mor as part of the Phase 4’s first corridor are also nearing final- costs in Phase IV,” said DMRC. students, following a hike in the students are scoring above 95 ment will give seed money of civil contract which was award- isation. Tenders for civil con- Interestingly, The Phase fees by the CBSE. per cent in all subjects other Rs 1,000 to promote entrepre- ed last month for the con- struction have already been IV platforms of Haiderpur “It was decided that the than mathematics and science. neurial mindset amongst stu- struction of a portion of the floated for the other planned Badli Mor which will come up Delhi Government will bear The results in these two dents, the Chief Minister said. Janakpuri West — RK Ashram corridors and two more con- above the already existing Marg Corridor (Extension of tracts have already been award- Phase III station and will also Line — 8, Magenta Line),” said ed,” said the officials. be the highest ever platform in the official. The section will have three Delhi Metro at a height of 23.5 The 12.3 km long corridor major interchange stations to metres. The Mayur Vihar Phase broke out. will consist 10 stations - different Lines, Peeragarhi 1 Pink Line station is at a height under the influence of regions, will make some pock- According to a senior Delhi Keshopur, Paschim Vihar, (with Green Line), Madhuban of 22 metres while the approaching western distur- ets as intense pollution hot minor fire broke at 9, Lok Fire Service (DFS) official, the Peeragarhi, Mangolpuri, West Chowk (with Red Line) and Karkardooma station is at a elhiites faced double bance surface winds are likely spots within Delhi. AKalyan Marg inside the local fire station received a call Enclave, Pushpanjali, Deepali Haiderpur Badli Mor (with height of 20 metres. Dwhammy on Monday with to pick up by afternoon.” “Under the influence of residential complex of the from the PMO House at 7:30 Chowk, Madhuban Chowk, Yellow Line). In addition, the Three corridors of Phase 4 dip in maximum temperature “The improved ventilation approaching western distur- prime minister but his resi- pm regarding the fir following Prashant Vihar and North entire Janakpuri West - R. K have so far been approved and rise in pollutant is likely to influence AQI pos- bance, isolated rainfall is likely dence and office were not which eight fire tenders were Pitampura. The entire corridor Ahsram Marg corridor will under which, 61.679 kilometres levels in the national Capital’s itively. AQI is forecasted to over Delhi by January 2nd and affected by it. rushed to the site but they were is elevated. comprise of three more inter- of new Metro lines shall be environment. improve to higher end of the likely to improve AQI further by “There was a minor fire at returned from the main gate as The work involves the part change stations at Majlis Park constructed across three dif- On Monday, the overall Air poor category by December the weekend,” it said further. In 9, Lok Marg caused by the fire was doused by the design and construction of ele- (with Pink Line), Azadpur ferent corridors comprising of quality Index (AQI) has record- 31st. Significant improvement the neighbouring areas of a short circuit. This was not in internal security staff. vated viaduct, elevated ramp, (with Yellow and Pink Lines) 45 Metro stations. These new ed at 433 Micro Gram per in AQI towards the middle-end Ghaziabad (439), Faridabad PM’s residential or office area “As per the protocol, fire siding line and station build- and R K Ashram Marg (with sections shall provide inter- Cubic on the National Ambient of very poor is expecting by the (465), Noida (471) and Greater but in the SPG reception area tenders were rushed along with ings from Keshopur to Blue Line). Therefore, in total, connectivity among the already Air Quality Index (NAAQI). new year day (1st January Noida (448) also, the AQI was of the LKM complex. The fire senior officers to the site. Haiderpur Badli Mor. The this corridor will have six inter- operational sections of Delhi Elaborating its extend air 2020). As per SAFAR-model, in the severe category. is very much under control However, fire tenders were work on this corridor is expect- change stations. Metro. Out of the six corridors, quality forecast, System of Air tomorrow’s top 3 Air Pollution Gurugram’s AQI stood at 344. now,” the PMO tweeted. returned from the main gate. It ed to be completed within 30 “When the Haiderpur three corridors of Phase IV Quality and Weather Hot spots of Delhi are likely to The frigid temperatures, The Special protection seems this call was given as a months from the commence- Badli Mor Metro station was were approved by the Central Forecasting And Research be Vinobapuri, Okhla and high humidity and low wind Group (SPG) is mandated to precautionary measure. As per ment of work. constructed on the Yellow Line government in March 2019. (SAFAR), a unit of Ministry of Badarpurl.” It said. speed allowed accumulation of guard the prime minister. information available there was “The 28.92 km long as part of Delhi Metro’s Phase The corridors whose tender has Earth Sciences (MoES) said Importantly, SAFAR fur- pollutants leading to further The Prime Minister resides a small fire in UPS Janakpuri West - R. K Ahsram III , provisions were kept for its been awarded are Aerocity to that the overall Delhi AQI is in ther highlight that the Cool deterioration in the national at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg. His res- (Uninterruptible Power Marg corridor is an extension of expansion as an interchange Tughlakabad, RK Ashram to the SEVERE category on Island Effect (land use induced capital’s air quality on Sunday. idential complex also has an Supply),” said Atul Garg, the Magenta Line and will come up facility in Phase IV. This will Janakpuri and Maujpur to December 30 morning as fore- local effect ) in conjunction The overall air quality index office of the SPG where the fire Chief Fire Officer, DFS. with 22 stations. The tenders for help in substantially reducing Majlis Park. casted. SAFAR model suggests with some high emission stood at 437 at 4 pm.

spectrum of conflict and terrain profiles. the coastal areas spread across 12 He commanded an infantry battalion States and Union Territories, found an New Delhi: To prevent the farmers. The Government had will coincide with the supply of along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) From Page 1 increase of 54 sqkm or 1.1 per cent in repeat of this year’s onion crisis, created a buffer stock of 56,000 late kharif onions from facing China in the eastern sector, a Total forest cover in the North- such cover from the previous assess- the Centre has decided to create tonnes for the current year but Maharashtra and in the Rashtriya Rifles (RR)sector and an East region is 1,70,541 sqkm, which ment. As a matter of concern, the a buffer stock of 1 lakh tonnes it was not sufficient to contain last week of December, as well as infantry division in the Kashmir valley is 65.05 per cent of its geographical report also showed that nearly 22 per of the key kitchen staple between the prices which are still ruling the early rabi produce from From Page 1 and corps in the North-East. As an Army area. Except Assam and Tripura, all cent of the forest in the country is March and July in 2020. above Rs 100 per kg in most Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and However, he will not exercise any mil- commander, he commanded a theater of the States in the region show decrease highly prone to forest fires. This was Top sources said that cities across the country. Karnataka by late January. “The itary command over the three chiefs of operations along the western front. in forest cover. The four North-East estimated using forest fire detection Cooperative Nafed, which had Prices are expected to cool issue was discussed in detail in the Army, Navy and Air Force. Most of Prime Minister Narendra Modia in States — Manipur (499 sqkm), data compiled by the FSI over the last maintained the buffer stock of down by end of January next the recent meeting of the group the developed countries, including the his speech from Red Fort on August 15 Arunachal Pradesh (276 sqkm), 13 years. onion on behalf of the govern- year with domestic supply of new of ministers (GoM), headed by permanent members of the United this year had made the important Mizoram (180 sqkm) and Meghalaya According to other findings of the ment, will continue to do so produce from the rabi (winter) Home Minister Amit Shah. It Nations Security Council(UNSC) have announcement about the creation of the (27 sqkm) — reported a loss in for- report, the mangrove cover in the next year. It will source the rabi and late kharif (summer) seasons was decided that higher buffer CDS for ensuring jointness and synergy CDS and said time has come to enhance est cover. country had increased by 54 sqkm (winter) onion crop — which - thereby also giving rise to the stock of about 1 lakh tonne will Before assuming charge as the Army coordination among the three services to Javadekar attributed the loss in the (1.10 per cent) as compared to the pre- has higher shelf life— between possibility of a glut. Sources said be created for next year,” sources Chief in 2016, Rawat had gained vast deal with security challenges facing North-East primarily to the traditional vious assessment. “The top five States March and July directly from the arrival of imported onions said. PNS operational experience across a vast India. farming practice of Shifting in terms of increase in forest cover are Cultivation. In addition, the forest Karnataka (1,025 sqkm), Andhra cover inside the recorded forest areas Pradesh (990 sqkm), Kerala (823 indicate chances of rain cou- Celsius. of fog in atmosphere caused shows a decline of 330 sqkm. sqkm), Jammu & Kashmir (371 sqkm) pled with hailstorms on Dr Rajender Jenamani, blocking of sunlight , moreover According to report, Delhi has and Himachal Pradesh (334 sqkm). January 1 and 2 in the wake of senior scientist at the National in this long spell of winter, the 6.72 sq km under very dense forest “Forest cover in the hill districts From Page 1 a fresh western disturbance Weather Forecasting Centre absence of winds from (VDF), 56.42 sqkm under moderate- of the country is 2,84,006 sqkm, The visibility recorded by over the Himalayas. (NWFC) said, “In 1976, there Himalaya region also played ly dense forest (MDF) and 132.30 which is 40.30 per cent of the total Safdarjung and Palam obser- Meanwhile on Tuesday, the was a cold spell for six days. But crucial role,” the MeT scientist From Page 1 sqkm under open forest (OF). Delhi’s geographical area of these districts. vatories stood at zero metres at maximum temperature may after that the phenomenon has explained the weather phe- According to a police spokesperson, eleven peo- forest cover has increased by 3.03 The current assessment shows an 8.30 am. settle at 12 degrees Celsius become more common in the nomenon”. ple were on board the Maruti Ertiga. “The car fell into sqkm as compared to the previous increase of 544 sqkm (0.19 per cent) Skymet, an independent and minimum temperature late 90s. If fog or low cloud hours Citing his recent work on the Kherli canal in Dankaur area. They were taken assessment reported in ISFR 2017. in 140 hill districts of the country,” the weather forecaster, said one of will be recorded near three increase, obviously less solar Delhi weather pattern, Dr to a Yatharth and Kailash hospitals, where doctors South Delhi recorded the maximum report said. the reasons for this is the fact degrees Celsius. While the New energy is received and hence Jenamani said there has been a declared six of them dead, while the remaining five increase of 1.28 sqkm in forest cover, According to the report, there was that Delhi has been reeling Year is expected to start with days are cold,” said RK Jenamani, fall in average maximum tem- are undergoing treatment. “The accident appears to followed by South West Delhi (1.09 an increase of 3,229 sqkm of bamboo- under both cold day and cold drizzling, light rain and thun- senior scientist at National perature by 2-3 degree C over have taken place due to low visibility caused by fog,” sqkm). bearing area in the last two years with wave condition. “The wind derstorm activities, the maxi- Weather Forecasting Centre. 2 stations in the peak winter of said the police spokesperson. Uttar Pradesh Chief Under the current assessment, the the total bamboo-bearing area of the direction will change from mum temperature is expected Elaborating the unusual January since 1989. The nation- Minister Yogi Adityanath has expressed his con- total carbon stock in the country’s country estimated at 1,60,037 sqkm. north-westerlies to easterlies, to hover around 17 degrees trend, MeT Scientists explained al Capital has been witnessing dolence over the loss of life, a statement issued by forests is estimated at 7,124.6 million The report also said 21.4 per cent for- which will give some relief to Celsius and minimum tem- why Delhi is experiencing its most unforgiving winter the office of the Chief Minister said in Lucknow. tonnes. There is an increase of 42.6 est cover in the country was suscep- the people of Delhi. “But the perature will be recorded at extreme cold weather. season in the past 22 years, as Yogi directed the officials to ensure that the million tonnes in the carbon stock of tible to fire. “Fire prone forest areas of speed of winds is expected to four degrees Celsius on January The MeT said, “Delhi wit- the minimum temperature has injured persons get proper and adequate treatment. the country as compared to the last different severity classes have been increase, which in turn would 1. On January 2, the maximum nessed heavy rains on remained around 3 degrees He also directed District Magistrates, Senior assessment of 2017. “Since 2014, mapped in the grids of 5km x 5km, add up to the chill factor. Thus, temperature will remain at 17 December 12 and 13. “Heavy Celsius for a few days. It has Superintendents of Police and Superintendents of India has recorded an increase of over based on the frequency of forest fires. complete relief is not in sight degrees Celsius and minimum rains mean water and moisture been experiencing “severe cold Police to make necessary arrangements for safe 13,000 sqkm of forest,” he said. The analysis reveals that 21.40 per cent anytime soon,” said the Skymet. temperature will oscillate in air which led to formation of days” since December 14, transportation in accident-prone areas in their The Forest Survey of India, which of the forest cover of the country is It said the weather models between 7 and 8 degrees cloud and fog.” The formation according to IMD. respective districts, the statement said. also mapped the mangrove cover in highly to extremely fire prone,” it said. From Page 1 er Sunil from the Cabinet. “I Nor had the Sena functionar- (both from the NCP), Aslam and Vishwajeet Kadam (both It may be recalled that on have ably fulfilled my role in ies any inkling that Aditya Shaikh (Congress), all three Ministers of State). November 28, Uddhav had the formation of the Sena-led would be inducted in the State Ministers with Cabinet rank Ajit’s induction into the been sworn into office as the Government in the State. Either Cabinet. and Sena’s Abdul Sattar Nabi, State Cabinet after a gap of one Chief Minister along with six my family members or I are In fact, at one stage a cou- Minister of State. month is bound to provide sta- Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVS) unhappy over the exclusion of ple of months ago, Uddhav had Apart from Aditya, Sena’s bility to the MVA Government. Ministers — Eknath Shinde, my brother from the State indicated that his son Aditya Cabinet Ministers are Sanjay It may be recalled that Ajit had Subhash Desai (both from the Cabinet. I will work sincerely needed some time to learn Rathod, Gulabrao Patil, Dada resigned as the Deputy Chief ), Jayant Patil, for the party throughout my ropes of governance. Bhuse, Sandippan Bhumre, Minister in the BJP-led Chhagan Bhujbal (both from life. The State Cabinet has Though it is not new in Anil Parab, Uday Samant and Government on November 26, the NCP), Balasaheb Thorat experienced and efficient Indian politics where father S R Gadak (Independent from leading to the resignation of and Nitin Raut (both from the Ministers. I am confident that and son have worked in the the Shiv Sena quota). The then Chief Minister Devendra Congress). all the Ministers will contribute same Cabinet (Telangana chief Sena’s Ministers of State are: Fadnavis and subsequent col- Talking to media persons a in a big way to give a new direc- minister K Chandrasekhar Rao Abdul Sattar, Shamburaje lapse of the Government in a few hours after the swearing-in tion to the State.” and Minister-son KT Rama Desai, Bachu Kadu brief span of 80 hours. ceremony, the Chief Minister While senior Congress Rao are a case in point), it is (Independent from Shiv Sena Ajit will be holding the From Page 1 said he would distribute the leader Ashok Chavan made it interesting to see how Uddhav- quota) and Rajendra Patil number two post in the State MK Stalin, DMK president, condemned the police action on portfolios among the newly to the State Cabinet, another Aditya duo will work within the Yedravkar (Independent from Cabinet for the fourth time. He the rallyists and termed it as authoritarianism of the despicable inducted Ministers in a day or former Chief Minister and State. It is quite likely that the Shiv Sena quota). was the deputy Chief AIADMK Government. two. On the resentment brew- senior party leader Prithviraj Aditya will be handed either Other than Ajit, the other Minister from November 10, By Monday morning, the anti-CAA groups were back, with ing within the party over the Chavan - who was re-elected to Education portfolio or NCP leaders who have made it 2010 to September 25, 2012, energy and vigour. They were inspired by the Kolams drawn in exclusion of Sena spokesperson the State Assembly from Karad Environment Ministry - both of to the State are: Dilip Walse- from October 25, 2012 to front of the residences of Stalin’s palatial residence and step-sis- ’s MLA-brother (south) constituency in western which are his areas of interest. Patil, Dhananjay Munde, Anil September 26, 2014 and from ter Kanimozhi’s bungalow. Both the imposing buildings spotted Sunil Raut and a few other Sena Maharashtra in the 2019 polls Though the Uddhav Deshmukh, Hasan Mushrif, November 23 2019 to for the first time Kolams condemning the CAA. Kolams were a leaders from the State Cabinet, --did not find a berth in the Cabinet has a right mix of Rajendra Shingane, Nawab November 26 2019. taboo in the Karunanidhi household till Monday. Agitations too Uddhav said, “There is no Uddhav Cabinet. It is quite experience and youth, it has Malik, Rajesh Tope, Jitendra Meanwhile, the leaders of could be entertaining! resentment within the Sena. At likely that the Congress high only three women Ministers - Awhad, Balasaheb Patil ( all the smaller constituents of the least I have not received any command may entrust him two of whom (Varsha Gaikwad Cabinet rank), Dattaray Barne, ruling MVA stayed away from such report. This kind of things with a senior party post or use and Yashomati Thakur) are Aditi Thakre, Sanjay Bansode the swearing-in ceremony as do happen during Cabinet his experience elsewhere. from the Congress, while one and Prajakt Tanpure ( all they had not been invited to the expansion. Let me see how we While Ajit’s return as the -Aditi Thakre - is from the Ministers of State). function. “Since none of the can we deal with the situation”. deputy Chief Minister was a NCP. In fact, the Sena has not Apart from Ashok Chavan, leaders of the smaller parties Incidentally, Sena foregone conclusion, Uddhav’s given any representation to the other Congress leaders supporting the MVA govern- spokesperson and MP Sanjay move to induct his first-time the women in the State who have been inducted in to ment were not invited to the Raut - whose younger brother MLA-son Aditya in his Cabinet. However, Uddhav has the State Cabinet are: Vijay swearing-in ceremony. Hence, Sunil Raut did not find a place Ministry - that too as a Cabinet given adequate representation Waddettiwar, Varsha Gaikwad, we stayed away from the swear- in the Uddhav Cabinet - was ranked Minister - raised eye- to MLAs from all regions in the Sunil Kedar, Amit Deshmukh ing-in ceremony. We will raise conspicuous by his absence at brows in the State political State. (son of late Chief Minister this issue at the MVA coordi- the swearing-in ceremony. circles. At no stage in the Significantly enough, there Vilasrao Deshmukh), nation meeting when it is held,” Raut, however, denied that he recent past had Aditya’s name are four Muslims in the Sena- Yashomati Thakur, KC Padvi, Swabhimani Shetkari or his family was unhappy been discussed as a Ministerial led MVA Cabinet. They are Aslam Shaikh (all Cabinet Sanghatana president and for- over the exclusion of his broth- probable or even an aspirant. Nawab Malik, Hasan Mushrif ranked Ministers), Satej Patil mer MP Raju Shetti said.

social media to highlight its fea- interest groups. Sadhguru’s video and said “stop The BJP has asserted that it is tures with Modi posting a #IndiaSupportsCAA,” Modi believing lies and half truths on meant for minorities persecut- video of spiritual guru tweeted. CAA”. He urged everyone, ed in three neighbouring coun- rime Minister Narendra Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev back- The Twitter handle of especially the youth, to watch tries due to their faith. PModi on Monday led the ing the legislation. Modi’s personal website also the video and get a “historical Union Minister Prakash BJP’s outreach campaign with Amid protests, including had a message saying that the perspective on why we need Javadekar took on the critics, the hashtag from Muslims in several parts CAA is about giving citizenship CAA”. who have dubbed the law as #IndiaSupportsCAA to gather of the country, the Prime Min- to persecuted refugees and not Joining the campaign, discriminatory, and tweeted, support for the Citizenship ister has asserted that the law about taking anyone’s citizen- party’s working president JP “Spread Facts Not Myth: In the Amendment Act (CAA), which is about giving citizenship to ship away. The message was Nadda quoted from the spiri- last 6 years, 2830 Pakistani, 912 has sparked violent protests refugees from three countries posted with the hashtag “India tual leader’s remarks to say that Afghani & 172 Bangladeshi across India in recent weeks. and not about taking away Supports CAA”. “in a very calibrated way some- citizens have been given Indian Modi’s official website tweeted anyone’s citizenship. BJP has It also asked people to body sent the message to the citizenship. Many of them are that the CAA “is about giving announced a 10-day campaign share content, graphics and minorities that your citizenship from majority community of citizenship to persecuted across the country to spread videos from the Prime Minis- is under threat which is an these countries.” refugees and not about taking awareness about the CAA and ter’s NaMo app to show their absolute lie”. He also posted several anyone’s citizenship away”. taken on the Opposition for support for the law, which has Opposition and other crit- tweets, highlighting key aspects Seeking to mobilise sup- pushing “rumours and fears” triggered protests in different ics slammed the CAA, saying of the amended law and quot- port for the amended citizen- around it. parts of the country. it is against India’s secular ed Modi’s comments that it will ship law, other BJP leaders too “Do hear this lucid expla- CAA and more by Sadhguru historical context, brilliantly erhood. He also calls out the BJP president and Home Constitution as it makes reli- not adversely affect any Indian launched the campaign on nation of aspects relating to Jaggi Vasudev. He provides highlights our culture of broth- misinformation by vested Minister Amit Shah also posed gion as a ground for citizenship. citizen. then public servants in this Corporation Jammu and “There was no breach in “During travelling, the pro- conspiracy of issuance of Ranjan is CEO of Jammu security by the official” who hap- tectee used non-bullet resistant he CBI on Monday con- licences to non-residents of Srinagar Metro Rail he CRPF on Monday said pens to be the CO of Hazartganj, civil vehicle without a personal Tducted searches at 17 loca- J&K in violation of rules, Corporation Tthere was no breach in Abhay Mishra, reads the state- security officer. The protectee tions in Jammu & Kashmir at allegedly received gratifica- The case was handed over Congress leader Priyanka ment. took a lift on Scooty as a pillion the premises of senior IAS tion,” the agency said in a to the CBI on the basis of a rec- Gandhi Vadra’s security during It said the “only programme” rider,” it said, adding that as this officers Yasha Mudgal and statement. ommendation from Rajasthan her recent trip to Lucknow. The of Priyanka indicated to the movement was not planned, the Kumar Rajeev Ranjan besides Several documents related Director General of Police O P paramilitary blamed Vadra for CRPF team for that day was CRPF team could not conduct the then District to the cases, including bank Galhotra after the anti-terror “violations” by riding pillion on about her visit to the local an ASL which was a breach of Collectors/District Magistrates statements, were recovered squad had busted a racket a scooter. Pradesh Congress Committee security protocol mandated for of Kupwara, Baramulla, during the searches that were related to the matter. Following The force, which provides (PCC) office for attending a Priyanka Gandhi. Udhampur, Kishtwar, Shopian, carried out at three places in this, the two FIRs were lodged armed commandos under the party foundation day event. “Despite the security con- Rajouri, Doda and Pulwama in Centre. After taking over the Kashmir, 11 places in Jammu by the agency. ‘Z+’ category of VIP security The CRPF said it had “con- straints, appropriate security an alleged gun licensing rack- case in 2018, searches were also and one each in Gurugram The CBI’s Chandigarh unit cover to her, said the Congress ducted” an ASL for this event cover was provided by the CRPF et busted by the Rajasthan earlier conducted at 11 places (Haryana), Mohali (Punjab) had registered the FIRs for leader undertook “unscheduled and had intimated it to state during the visit,” it said. police in 2017. including Srinagar, Udhampur and Noida (Uttar Pradesh), alleged criminal misconduct movement without intimation”. authorities. The force added that such The move comes two years and Jammu at the locations of officials said. and criminal conspiracy under Therefore, an advanced It alleged that the Congress security lapses are communi- after the agency registered two private gun houses which led to Besides searching the the Ranbir Penal Code and in security liaison (ASL) could not leader’s “personal staff did not cated to the protectee and cases on allegations issuance of recovery of incriminating doc- premises of Mudgal, a 2007- violation of Section 3/25 of the be conducted, the Central communicate” the detailed pro- “advised” for ensuring proper around two lakh arms licences uments including issue, renew- batch IAS officer, and Ranjan, Arms Act, besides provisions of Reserve Police Force (CRPF) said gramme of the day to the Uttar security arrangements. to non residents of the erst- al of arms licenses, blank appli- a 2010-batch IAS officer, hous- the Prevention of Corruption in a statement issued here by Pradesh Police CO when he Priyanka, also the Congress while State. cation forms submitted by var- es of I Hussain, Mohammed Act. Inspector General (Intelligence came calling at Priyanka’s place general secretary in-charge of UP The CBI said incriminating ious licencees, money transac- Saleem, Mohammed Junaid According to Rajasthan and VIP security) P K Singh. of stay in Lucknow at about 8 am. (East), was in Lucknow on documents recovered during tions of gun dealers with Khan, F C Bhagat, Farooq Police officials, the Jammu and Priyanka’s office had written The force said while there December 27 and December 28 searches are being scrutinised. licencees, blank NOC pur- Ahmed Khan and Jenhagir Kashmir government was to Singh’s office on December 28 was no breach in Priyanka as part of her first visit to the State The agency had registered portedly issued by District Ahmed Mir were searched, informed about the racket in with a complaint that a police cir- Gandhi’s security, at least three capital after violent protests two cases in August last year on Magistrates and other docu- officials said. 2017 and several letters cle officer (CO) in Lucknow had “security violations” took place against the amended citizenship the consent of Jammu and ments, the agency said in a Mudgal is at present CEO- addressed to then Chief issued threats to her security per- when she chose to ride a two- law and a proposed countrywide Kashmir Government and fur- statement. and-Managing Director of Secretary B B Vyas remained sonnel and warned of restricting wheeler while on her way to visit implementation of the National ther notification from the “It was also alleged that the Power Distribution unanswered. her movements on the same day. retired IPS officer S R Darapuri. Register of Citizens. Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has completed the work ccusing the AAP of spread- on preparing maps of unau- Aing “lies” and misleading thorised colonies in just two people on the issue regularisa- months while 35,000 people tion of unauthorised colonies, start in next 8-10 days to give have registered themselves on Union Housing and Urban ownership rights to people. its website and submitted doc- Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh You keep telling lies, and we uments. Puri on Monday said registry (Centre) will soon hand over In another tweet, the Union for ownership rights in unau- documents of houses to the res- housing and urban affairs min- thorised colonies will start in idents of these colonies. You ister accused the Kejriwal gov- the next 8-10 days. cannot be an obstacle in the ernment of failing to prepare Puri said that the Central happiness of Delhiites,” Puri maps of 1,731 colonies in the Government will soon hand tweeted in Hindi. past five years and they moved over registry to the residents. It “The Aam Aadmi Party is a court seeking two-year-time is estimated that 40-50 lakh misleading people but the BJP- for the same. people living in 1731 unautho- led Centre has brought laws, he Earlier on Sunday, Chief rised colonies play a vital role said in reference to the Minister Arvind Kejriwal said in deciding the fate of any Parliament passing a bill to give at a press conference that polit- political party in every election ownership rights to the resi- ical parties indulge in politics, in the national capital. In dents of unauthorised colonies. but if government starts fur- 2015, people of unauthorised “...Tell, has the law been nishing wrong information, it is colonies voted to Arvind enacted or not? has the process saddening. Citing (FAQ) fre- Kejriwal to bring changes in the of giving ownership rights to quently asked questions from national capital. In 2020, both people begun or not? Their DDA website on unauthorised BJP and AAP is eying on unau- (AAP’s) strategy is not to ben- colonies, Kejriwal claimed that thorised colonies vote bank. efit people, and mislead them neither central government is “They (AAP) are weaving instead,” Puri said. giving ownership rights nor nets of words while registry will The minister said that the regularising them.

The Niti Aayog vice chair- With regard to poverty man also said Modi govern- reduction, states which have ment will not leave any stone done well include Tamil Nadu, erala and Chandigarh unturned to make sure India Tripura, Andhra Pradesh, Kretained the top ranks achieves SDG Agenda 2030. Meghalaya, Mizoram and among States and Union According to the report, India’s Sikkim. On ‘zero hunger’ para- Territories even as Bihar turned composite score improved from meters, Goa, Mizoram, Kerala, out to be the worst performer 57 in 2018 to 60 in 2019 with Nagaland and Manipur were in Niti Aayog’s SDG India major success in water and the front runners, according to Index 2019 that evaluates sanitation, industry and inno- the report. progress on social, economic Bihar, Jharkhand and vation. The SDG India Index, and environmental parame- Arunachal Pradesh are the However, nutrition and launched last year by Niti Aayog ters. worst performing States in this gender continue to be problem with the help of United Nations, According to ‘SDG year’s Index for Sustainable areas for India, requiring more took into account 16 out of 17 (Sustainable Development Development Goals (SDGs). focussed approach from the goals specified by the United Goals) India Index 2019’, “The United Nations’ SDG tar- government. The report said Nations as SDGs. The Index released on Monday, Uttar get of 2030 can never be met while three out of five states in this year ranked states based on Pradesh, Odisha and Sikkim without India... We are fully the top spots perform equal to 54 targets spread over 100 indi- have shown maximum committed to achieving UN’s or better than the country aver- cators out of 306 outlined by the improvement, but States like SDG target,” Niti Aayog CEO age on 12 goals, the other two UN. Gujarat have not shown any Amitabh Kant said at the states do the same on 11 goals. The first report, which was progress vis-a-vis the 2018 launch of the report. “Only three states were launched in 2018 had 13 goals rankings. Speaking at the event, Niti placed in the category of Front and 39 indicators. The year “Kerala retained its rank as Aayog Vice Chairman Rajiv Runners (with a score in the 2020 will be the fifth anniver- the top State with a score of 70. Kumar said southern states range 65-99, including both) in sary of the adoption of SDGs by Chandigarh too maintained its have done well in health. 2018 - Himachal Pradesh, 193 countries at the UN top spot among the UTs with a “West Bengal (rank 14) has also Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. In General Assembly. score of 70. Himachal Pradesh done well in Niti Aayog’s SDG 2019, five more states joined The SDGs, constituted took the second spot while Index 2019, but given the edu- this league - Andhra Pradesh, through an unprecedented con- Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu cation level(in the state), West Telangana, Karnataka, Sikkim sultative process, have 17 goals and Telangana shared the third Bengal should be in top 3 per- and Goa, taking the total tally and 169 related targets to be spot,” the report said. forming states,” Kumar added. to eight,” it noted. achieved by 2030. NEW DELHI | TUESDAY | DECEMBER 31, 2019 nation 06

Congress to give legal help to Priyanka communalising CAA protests: UP Dy CM those held in PTI n LUCKNOW and you are saying that a person (imbibing Hindu religion) is anti-CAA protests ttar Pradesh Deputy Chief doing such a thing,” he said. UMinister Dinesh Sharma “You have started a clash of No place for violence, revenge in country: Priyanka Lucknow: The Congress party countered Congress general religions for your politics. will provide legal help to peo- secretary Priyanka Gandhi Please do not do this. This is PTI n LUCKNOW the great warrior on the bat- “There were numerous ple facing prosecution for par- Vadra on her remarks against not the question of Hindu and tlefield. He only brought out examples through which it ticipating in the anti- Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Muslims. It is the question of ongress leader Priyanka the feelings of compassion and could be seen that the police Citizenship (Amendment) Act on Monday and accused her of India’s future and national CGandhi on Monday hit out truth,” she said. Sharpening her and administration acted on (CAA) protests, party sources denigrating Hinduism. unity,” he added. at Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister attack on the Chief Minister, the Chief Minister’s statement said on Monday. Addressing a Press confer- Sharma said no one would Yogi Adityanath, saying there is she said, “He is wearing the that he will take revenge. According to the sources, ence barely two hours after the leave saffron for the fear of no place for violence or dress (vastra) of an Yogi. He is “I think it has happened for Congress General Secretary Congress general secretary made expletives. “The more you hurl “revenge” in the country. wearing saffron clothes. This the first time in the history that Priyanka Gandhi has held a certain remarks against abuses, the more our self-con- Addressing a Press conference, bhagwa (saffron) is not yours, a CM has given such a state- meeting on the matter with Adityanath, before returning to along with the Chief Minister,” fidence will increase,” he added. the Congress general secretary it belongs to ‘dhaarmik’ (reli- ment that revenge will be taken lawyers associated with the New Delhi after winding up a Sharma alleged. “Yogi ji ne To a question, Sharma clar- took a dig at Adityanath’s ear- gious), ‘aadhyaatmik’ (spiritu- from the public,” she said. The party. At the meeting, Priyanka four-day visit to the State capi- dharam ko dhaaran kiya hai ified that Adityanath had used lier warning that rioters dam- al) tradition of Hindustan. It is properties which have been Gandhi told the lawyers that the tal, Sharma said, “Priyanka (Yogiji has imbibed a religion). the word ‘badla’ (revenge) to aging public property will have a symbol of the Hindu religion. confiscated and notices served, party will provide legal help to Gandhi stands with those who The Hindu religion never teach- convey that vandals will have to to pay and said the saffron Uss dharma ko dhaaran kariye also include that of ex-IPS those who have been arrested in indulged in (anti-CAA) vio- es to do any harm to anyone. pay for the damage caused to denotes Hinduism, a religion (imbibe that religion). In that officer SR Darapuri. He prob- the peaceful protests and the lence.” Priyanka hit out at Chief Hindu religion does not speak public property during protests that does not advocate violence religion, there is no place for ably had used the earnings of party stands with the victims. Minister on Monday, saying about insulting any other reli- against the amended citizen- or “revenge”. anger, violence and revenge. his lifetime for his house, and The Congress General there was no place for violence gion. Hindu religion is very huge ship law. Concluding her four-day This is all I have to say.” he has got a notice, because he Secretary has been active here or “revenge” in the country. visit to Lucknow days after Releasing copies of a 14- had uploaded a Facebook post. in the Uttar Pradesh capital in In a jibe at Adityanath statewide violent clashes over the page memorandum submitted Quoting from the memo- support of the opposition to the days after he said those who BJP MP slams UP Police, Citizenship Amendment Act, to Governor Anandiben Patel, randum, the Congress leader CAA, meeting with the fami- damaged public property dur- she told mediapersons that her she said there are ample proof in said the conduct of the UP lies of those arrested in the ing protests against the own security was not a big the document on how the police police has been “patently protests. In one instance here, Citizenship Amendment Act blames its ‘negative approach’ issue. “The question of my secu- and the administration indulged unlawful, destructive of the Priyanka Gandhi even drove a (CAA) and the ensuing vio- Lucknow: Kaushal Kishore, BJP MP from Mohanlalganj in rity is not a big one. It is a small in wrong doing and vandalism. rule of law and repressive of scooty and then walked to lence would be made to pay, the Lucknow, has said the UP Police’s negative approach is respon- question on which there is no symbol of compassion. Lord The memorandum honest citizens”. “This is unbe- reach the home of the family of Congress general secretary said sible for the “uncontrolled crime” in the State. need to hold any discussion. I Ram was symbol of compas- claimed a total of 23 death fitting of a force that is duty- a victim. saffron denotes Hinduism, a The BJP MP’s remark on Twitter comes days after a fish sell- will not raise the issue of secu- sion. Everybody dances in the occurred in the state in the bound to safeguard and protect The Congress leader has religion that does not advocate er and a property dealer were killed in his constituency which rity because it is a trivial matter. marriage procession (baraat) of alleged police excesses during the citizens’ rights,” the mem- also alleged that the local police violence or “revenge”. lies on the outskirts of Lucknow. “Due to the negative It has nothing to do with the Lord Shiva. There is no place the anti-CAA protests by peo- orandum said. misbehaved with her to curb Hitting back at Congress approach of the police, crime has gone uncontrolled in public,” she said, in an apparent for ‘hinsaa’ (violence), ‘badlaa’ ple, while the UP Government After the Chief Minister’s her movement. The police, general secretary Priyanka Lucknow. Murder and loot are continuing unabated,” he said reference to her alleged man- (revenge) and ‘ranj’ (anger) in claims 19 deaths in clashes. statement, police and admin- however, have denied the alle- Gandhi, Sharma said the clash in a tweet. Kaushal Kishore, while talking to reporters later, said, handling by the State police. the country’s soul. There is also a video of stration appear to have acted in gation. The politics is at boil- of religions should not be start- “If the working of the police is based on extortion, then the fear “The issue is the safety of “When Shrikrishna gave police vandalism, police beat- “a manner that is biased, ing point in the state where the ed for the sake of politics. of police will automatically disappear. They do not even listen common man in UP,” she sermon to Arjun during the ing up a minor in Kanpur, she unlawful, and violative of the Congress party has taken cen- “The Congress general sec- to public representatives. This is tarnishing the image of the state asserted. “This is the country of Mahabharat war, he did not said, referring to the contents fundamental rights of citizens,” trestage in the opposition to the retary has accused the saffron Government.” IANS Lord Krishna — who was the talk about revenge or anger to of memorandum. the memorandum said. CAA. IANS NORTH INDIA SHIVERS Jammu records season’s coldest night in over decade PTI n SRINAGAR SRINAGAR FREEZES AT -6.5OC he cold wave further tight- Monkeys huddle to keep Tened its grip across Jammu themselves warm on a cold winter & Kashmir on Monday with day in Jammu on Monday PTI the winter capital, Jammu, recording the season’s coldest night in over a decade, while Srinagar shivering at minus 6.5 degrees Celsius. There was no relief from the bone-chilling cold for the residents of the Union Territory. Jammu recorded the season’s coldest night in over a decade as the mercury plummeted to 2.4 degrees Celsius, the mete- orological department said. It said the city had record- ed the coldest night on December 28, 1998, when the mercury had went down to 0.9 degree Celsius followed by 2.3 degrees Celsius on December 31, 2007. Jammu had also recorded office official said. was the coldest recorded place a low of 2.4 degrees Celsius on This lead to the freezing of in the valley, he added. The Jaipur shudders A Kashmiri boatman row his boat December 27 in 2014. the fringes of the Dal Lake and official said Qazigund — the as he breaks the frozen surface of In Srinagar, the mercury other water bodies as well as gateway town to the Valley - in at 2nd lowest water to make way through the Dal continued its record-breaking water supply lines at several south Kashmir recorded a low Lake in Srinagar on Monday AP spree as the city experienced places. The night temperature of minus 9.3 degrees Celsius — temp in 55 yrs the coldest night of the season in Srinagar, which has been slightly up from minus 9.5 so far at minus 6.5 degrees witnessing clear skies and some degrees Celsius on Sunday. Jaipur: Jaipur recorded sec- A zoo-keeper installs a Celsius on Monday. Dense fog sunshine during the day, is over Kokernag town, also in ond lowest-ever temperature in heater near a cage of a white forced cancellation of all morn- four degrees below the normal south, recorded a low of minus 55 years at 1.4 degrees Celsius tigeress on a cold winter day ing flights from the Jammu for this part of the season, the 7.3 degrees Celsius, while as a cold wave continued to in Guwahati on Monday PTI Airport. An official of the official said. Kupwara, in north, registered sweep Rajasthan, according to Airport Authority of India said The ski-resort of Gulmarg the minimum of minus 5.6 weather officials. The State all the four morning flights in north Kashmir recorded the degrees Celsius, the official said. capital had registered its low- scheduled to operate from the low of minus 7.8 degrees He said Leh town, in the Ladakh est ever temperature at 0 degree Jammu airport were cancelled Celsius last night — down Union territory, recorded a low Celsius on December 13, 1964. due to poor visibility as dense from the previous night’s minus of minus 20.1 degrees Celsius — For the last four days, the fog engulfed the city. 6.6 degrees Celsius, he said. down from the previous night’s temperature has been dipping “So far four flights to and The night temperature at minus 19.0 degrees Celsius. in state. On Sunday, Mount fro the Jammu airport were Pahalgam resort, which also The nearby Drass town Abu was the coldest at -3 cancelled, while the afternoon serves as one of the base camps froze at a low of minus 28.8 degrees followed by Jobner at flights are likely to get delayed,” for the annual Amarnath yatra degrees Celsius. Kashmir is -1.6 degrees. he said. The minimum tem- in south Kashmir, settled at a currently under the grip of Sikar and Fatehpur regis- perature in Jammu marked a low of minus 10.2 degrees ‘Chillai-Kalan’ — the 40-day tered 0 degree, while Kota dip of 3.3 degrees compared to Celsius as against minus 10.4 harshest period of winter when shivered at 2.8 degrees, Churu The roof of a car is seen the previous night to settle at degrees Celsius on Sunday, the there are most chances of fre- at 1.2 degrees, Vanasthali 1.8 covered in frost on a cold 2.4 degrees Celsius — five official said. quent and maximum snowfall degrees, Jaisalmer 3 degrees and foggy day in Ajmer on notches below normal during Pahalgam, in south and the temperature drops and Bundi 2 degrees. Monday PTI this part of the season, a MeT Kashmir’s Anantnag district, considerably. IANS Maha: Rise in betel Intense cold wave in UP, Churk witnesses leaf prices makes bone-chilling 0.8oC ‘Calcutta paan’ costlier PTI n LUCKNOW hurk in Uttar Pradesh recorded 0.8 degree PTI n AURANGABAD These leaves come CCelsius as the state continued to reel under from Medinipur in West cold wave conditions on Monday, according etel leaf used to make the Bengal and rates have to the Meteorological Department. Bpopular ‘Calcutta paan’ has now touched Muzaffarnagar recorded a low of 1 degree got costlier in Aurangabad in `1,200 for a bundle of Celsius, followed by Kanpur (1.6 degree Maharashtra, leaving a bitter 100 against `500 till Celsius), Agra (1.9 degrees Celsius), Jhansi (2.2 taste in the mouth of patrons. degrees Celsius), (2.3 degrees Celsius) These leaves come from some days ago, paan and Meerut (2.5 degrees Celsius). Medinipur in West Bengal and merchant Mohammed According to the MeT department, Churk rates have now touched `1,200 Sharfuddin said town in Sonbhadra district was the coldest for a bundle of 100 against `500 place in the state recording 0.8 degree Celsius, till some days ago, paan leaves getting costlier. We have eight notches below normal. merchant Mohammed been told cultivation of these State capital Lucknow recorded a mini- Sharfuddin told PTI. leaves has decreased,” mum temperature of 6.7 degrees Celsius, one A tour of shops here Sharfuddin, who has been in notch below normal, while the maximum showed prices of the business for 54 temperature recorded was 12.3 degrees Celsius, ‘Calcutta paan’ had years, added. 10 degrees below normal. The sunshine came gone up from `8 to He said shops in as a respite to the city residents. anything between Aurangabad sell The weather is most likely to remain dry, `12-20 depend- some 20,000 paan a and shallow to moderate fog is very likely to ing on other day and the rise in occur at few places in the State. ingredients. prices was making A person warms himself near a Cold day to severe cold day condition is “Paan prices people move fire sitting next to cows in very likely at a few places in the State, the weath- had to be towards leaves Prayagraj on Monday AP erman said. Dense to very dense fog is very like- increased here coming in from ly at isolated places over the State, according to because of the betel Chennai. the MeT department. '

' J&K High Court’s Registrar proper receipts duly stamped. Registrar General, J&K High General Sanjay Dhar on “The applicants who do Court, Jammu by or before n a first step of its kind, December 26 with the last date not belong to the UTs of J&K February 7, 2020,” the adver- Iopening the State employ- for submission of applications and Ladakh shall submit their tisement said. tic political exercise. ment in the Union Territories of being January 31, 2020. application to the Registrar It said the selection would “It will help in reaching out J&K and Ladakh for candidates Following nullification of General, J&K High Court, be made as per J&K Reservation ive political leaders, who to the people at large and from across the country after the Article 370 on August 5, Jammu,” the advertisement read. Rules 2005. “The candidates Fhad been under preventive bridge the gap between the nullification of Article 370, the there had been demands from It said the principal district who are having age as on detention for the past 148 days, Government and people Jammu & Kashmir High Court various quarters, especially in judges of Kashmir province, January 1, 2019 not below 18 were released from the MLA besides creating conditions for has invited applications from eli- the Jammu region and Union Bhaderwah, Kishtwar and years and not above 40 years in hostel on Monday by the Union winning hearts and minds,” he gible candidates from all over Territory of Ladakh, carved out Ladakh would make neces- case of open merit, 43 years in Territory administration of said. Many political leaders India to fill 33 vacancies with it. of the erstwhile state of J&K sary arrangements for the case of SC/ST/RBA/ALC/OSCs, Jammu & Kashmir, officials were picked up from their res- The 33 vacant posts of after its bifurcation into two receipt of application forms 42 years in case of physically said. The leaders belonging to idences on August 5, the day non-gazetted officials include UTs, for a domicile certificate even during the ensuing win- challenged, 48 years in case of the National Conference and the when the Centre announced those of senior scale stenogra- or some legal restrictions on ter vacation. ex-servicemen and 40 years in PDP were released after the abrogation of provisions of pher, junior scale stenograph- the purchase of land by out- “All principal district case of candidates in authorities were satisfied that Article 370 and bifurcation of er, steno typist, compositor, siders as well as their appoint- judges of J&K and Ladakh Government service or con- they would not be indulging in the state into two union terri- electrician and driver. ments in Government jobs. shall submit the application tractual employees are eligible any agitation or call for any strike tories — Ladakh and The advertisement to fill “The application forms cerned principal district judges within whose jurisdiction the forms along with the list of can- for participation in the selection after their release, they said. Jammu & Kashmir. the vacancies was issued by the shall be received by the con- of the UTs of J&K and Ladakh applicant resides against the didates to the office of the process,” the notice read. Those released include The two Union Territories Ishfaq Jabbar and Ghulam Nabi came into existence on October Bhat (National Conference) 31 this year. The political and Bashir Mir, Zahoor Mir detenues had been kept at B and Yasir Reshi (PDP), the offi- Centaur hotel and shifted to the cials said. MLA hostel in third week of Reshi is considered as a November. C rebel PDP leader who had As many as 34 political openly revolted against then detainees were shifted to the Lucknow: Chief Minister Yogi chief minister and PDP patron hostel from the hotel, located Adityanath said that disability Mehbooba Mufti. He was sub- on the banks of the Dal Lake, Kota: Fourteen more infants Out of the 14 infants who never hindered a person’s sequently removed as the dis- as Srinagar reeled under harsh late father as the Shiv Sena’s Between 2010 and 2019, have died at the JK Lon hospi- died later, four succumbed to progress and his/her talent trict party chief. winter conditions and the hotel national executive president Aditya has not only estab- tal here in the last five days, tak- severe pneumonia, one to only needed an opportunity On November 25, two lacked proper heating arrange- aharashtra Chief Minister way back in January 2002. He lished a following of his own ing the number of deaths to 91 Meningoencephalitis, four to and an able teacher to conquer political leaders — Dilawar ment, the officials said. Mand Shiv Sena president has never contested an election, among the youth in various this month at the facility, offi- Congenital pneumonia, three to the world. Mir of the PDP and Ghulam The chill had taken a toll Uddhav Thackeray never fails to even though he has established parts of the state, but he has cials said on Monday. pneumatic septicemia, and one “Every such person has Hassan Mir of the Democratic on the health of the detenues, spring surprises. After permit- his firm hold over the party set- also learned the ropes of party “The 14 infants, including to respiratory disorder, he said. some special skills. But one Party Nationalist — were which included leaders from ting his son Aditya to contest up during the past 17 years. Nor politics by working in tandem six newborns, died in the peri- Rajasthan Medical must find a qualified teacher released by the new Union the the National Conference, and win the State Assembly has his uncle and Maharashtra with his father and party pres- od between December 25 and Education Secretary Vaibhav who can recognise the skill and Territory administration. the PDP and the People’s polls from Worli in south- Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief ident Uddhav. December 29 in NICU and Galariya said a three-member then the individual is sure to The National Conference Conference and prominent Central Mumbai, Uddhav bit the contested any Aditya has lined up sever- PICU units of the hospital,” the team comprising Dr Amarjeet succeed. There are many such welcomed the decision of the social activists — and the secu- bullet and became the Chief election. al plans for Mumbai. As a Yuv newly appointed superinten- Mehta, Dr Rambabu Sharma examples. Eminent scientist administration and said such rity personnel guarding them. Minister of the State. Now, he As much as his chief min- Sena leader, Aditya had during dent of the hospital, Suresh and Dr Sunil Bhatnagar Stephen Hawking, who uncov- moves will help in bridging the Three former Chief has chosen to induct his son ister-father Uddhav, the man to the previous BJP-Shiv Sena Dulara, said. Earlier, 77 infants that is probing the infant deaths ered the mystery of universe, is gap between the government Ministers — Farooq Abdulalh, Aditya into his Cabinet — be watched in the State politics alliance Government, Aditya had died till December 24, will submit its report in two a great example of this,” and the people. Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba unmindful of a possible criticism in the coming days — in his new had mooted “Vibrant Nightlife” including 10 within 48 hours on days following which action Yogi said. In a statement, party’s Mufti — are also under deten- about the presence of father-son mantle as a Cabinet Minister — proposal for Mumbai. December 23-24, he said. will be taken. The chief minister said provincial president Davinder tion. While senior Abdullah due in the State Cabinet. either holding the Education or It may be recalled that On the cause of deaths, The BJP, which has target- that the state government Singh Rana expressed hope was slapped with the stringent If anything, 29-year-old Environment portfolio. within months after the Sena- Amrit Lal Bairwa, Head of ed the Congress Government in would extend all possible sup- that other political detenues Public Safety Act on September Aditya Thackeray has arrived Aditya’s rise in the Shiv headed Brihanmumbai Department of Pediatrics, said Rajasthan over the child deaths, port to Jagadguru will also be released soon. 17 and remains confined to his on the State’s political scene. Sena began nine years ago, Municipal Corporation (BMC) that they are analysing the rea- said it has formed a committee Rambhadracharya Divyang He said such moves will residence, Omar Abdullah and Though there was speculation when late Thackeray launched adopted a resolution seeking sons behind the 77 deaths till comprising four MPs to look University to establish it as an facilitate a conducive atmos- Mufti are under detention at initially that the Shiv Sena the Shiv Sena’s youth wing “Vibrant Nightlife” for Mumbai December 25. into the matter. PTI example in the country. PNS phere for a genuine democra- different locations in the city. might pitch him for the posts “Yuva Sena” and anointed his and sent off a proposal to the of either the Chief Minister or grandson Aditya Thackeray as Maharashtra government sug- Deputy Chief Minister’s post, its head in October 2010, two gesting necessary amendments Uddhav scotched the specula- years before he passed away on to relevant laws, Aditya had in tion a couple of months ago, by November 12, 2012. February 2015 met then chief 6 saying that he should learn the A Bachelor of Arts in minister ropes before becoming either History from Mumbai’s elite St. and submitted a formal letter “They think that after pass- ning. Banerjee had earlier ques- the Chief Minister or a Deputy Xavier’s College, Aditya has requesting the latter to put in ing the law they will be able to tioned the alleged faulty imple- Chief Minister. come a long way since his col- place the laws that make amata Banerjee on pursue their hidden agenda. mentation of NRC in Assam Coming from the family of lege days. As a third-year Arts Mumbai a “live 24/7” city. MMonday called upon all They think that India is their where she alleged about 14 Thackerays — four generations student, Aditya had hit head- In a series of tweets that he the parties and the non-BJP zamindari (fief)which in fact is lakh Bengalis had been robbed of whom have been in public life lines ahead of his anointment put out after he met Fadnavis Chief Ministers to isolate the not. I must remind them that the of their citizenship. but had never contested an as the Yuv Sena chief in 2010, to push his “vibrant Nightlife”, BJP and unite against the “mis- laws are made by the Centre but Meanwhile, even as the election till Aditya did so in the when he forced the Bombay Aditya had written: “Tweeps chievous” Citizenship implemented by the States. As of Chief Minister staged her sixth 2019 State Assembly polls, University withdraw Rohinton the GOOD News is CM has Amendment Act (CAA) and now most State Governments protest rally in the State the BJP Uddhav — who will be con- Mistry’s novel Such A Long accepted my proposal of National Register for Citizens are led not by the BJP but the too embarked on staging testing a State Assembly bypoll Journey, prescribed for the sec- nightlife and assured me tht (NRC) which have allegedly other parties who are opposing counter-rallies backing the in the next couple of months — ond year Bachelor of Arts necessary amendments to laws been designed to throw the the CAA and NRC. CAA. The party staged rallies and junior Thackeray will soon (English) as an optional text by March/August Session”. non-BJP people out of India. “Most State Governments at Coochbehar in North Bengal be well-entrenched in electoral book, from the syllabus. Aditya “I truly believe that this is Leading a colourful protest have rejected this law and so where the large procession was politics. had opposed Mistry’s book on well-deserved for Mumbai will rally at Purulia — backed by from the beginning this law is led by senior leader Mukul Roy Uddhav’s great the ground that it con- not only boost the core econ- tribaldance and drum-beats a failure,” Banerjee said, adding and Baruipur in South 24 grandfather Keshav tained foul language and omy but also the ancillary — which has in the recent past she would “not allow the mis- Parganas where State BJP pres- Sitaram Thackeray — derogatory references to industries like transport...At emerged as astronghold of the chievous law to be implement- ident Dilip Ghosh addressed a better known as the Shiv Sena. the same momentum, saffron outfit Banerjee said, “I chievous citizenship law which their line and throw out those ed in Bengal. In fact we have massive rally but not before Prabodhankar Thackeray The year 2010 proved Mumbaikars will have a time call upon every one… let us is a prelude to invoking NRC who reject it. India has a pop- also stopped the work of NPR being black-flagged by a local —was one of the key fig- to be eventful for zone at night to chill in soon! unite and discard CAA and in the country.” ulation of 130 crore. Out of this (National Population Register) TMC crowd. ures in the Samyukta Aditya. It was in I will ensure this happens,” a NRC and isolate the BJP.” She said India had a pop- they will give citizenship to which is as discriminatory as Ghosh questioning Maharashtra move- that year the Yuv confidant Aditya had tweeted. Alleging that the BJP lead- ulation of 130 crore out of their own people and throw out the CAA and NRC.” Banerjee’s repeated calls to ment who played a Sena for the first Currently, the restaurants ers were making confusing which the BJP Government the remaining ones. Where the She added “this is a protest reject the CAA iterated a Chief key role in the cam- time swept the and bars close down at 1.30 am. statements on the CAA and the wanted to throw out 30 crore remaining people will go? Will to protect a person’s democra- Minister being an elected per- paign for a linguis- Mumbai However, once Aditya’s pro- NRC she said that the party by marking them as foreigners. they it kela (banana)?” she cy (democratic rights),” remind- son had no right to defy and tic State of University (MU) posal gets implemented, these had a hidden agenda behind “They will give citizenship thundered at the end of a rally ing how she had descended on reject central law the way she Maharashtra, Senate polls from establishments will remain the enactment of the “mis- to only those people who follow at Purulia bordering Jharkhand. the streets from the very begin- had been doing. while most popu- the Graduates’ through the night – provided lar grandfather constituency. these establishments are not in — a Eight years later designated residential areas. cartoonist-turned politi- — in March 2018, The 1.30 am closure deadline cian — founded Shiv the Yuv Sena once for bars and restaurants has Sena in 1966. He carved again swept the been in force since 1992-93. a place for himself in MU senate by dec- Interestingly, acting on Maharashtra politics, but imating the BJP’s Aditya’s proposal, the Mumbai chose to remain a king- student outfit police have for the first time in maker than a king. Akhil Bharatiya recent years relaxed bar closing A wildlife photographer- Vidyarthi Parishad hours on the eve of January 1, turned-politician — Uddhav (ABVP) and 2020. It remains to be seen as to himself was a reluctant Congress-backed what kind of response the new beginner in public life. NSUI and winning year bar closing hours relaxation Uddhav was anointed by his all the 10 seats. will elicit from Mumbaikars. 4 5

today it has become the supreme centre of worship for the followers of the Guru. ice-President M.Venkaiah “It is time for us to retro- VNaidu on Monday pointed spect and take pragmatic steps. out that though India has made We must end all discrimina- significant strides on the eco- tion, we should abolish the nomic and technological fronts, caste system. India of the future there are pockets in the nation must be caste-less and class- where social evils persist. less. It cannot be made by “We live in times of turbu- mere Bills. We need political lence. Increasing cases of dis- will and administrative skill for crimination based on caste, making that possible. community and gender are a “The nation we aim to build cause for great concern. must have a place for everyone “We must not doubt in our to reach their full potential and mind that injustice anywhere is lead fulfilling lives by providing a threat to justice everywhere. equal opportunities to one and The caste system in our coun- all,” added Naidu. try is a vicious cycle,” said “The movement to dispel Naidu while inaugurating the the caste system must come 87th Sivagiri Pilgrimage Meet within the heart and mind of at the Sivagiri Mutt in Varkala society. It must be an intellectual near here. revolution, a compassionate rev- Sivagiri Mutt is the abode olution, a humanitarian revolu- of Sree Narayana Guru and tion,” the Vice President said. ( 343   85 588 75  ?464    #   0         ?466 )   B  )        B  /  2 # ?46? / >     C   0S  (             % #          B  0  S  (          #            (      "  > ( 0  B  )           #?4 B  )       ?44<  D        ?44<           0 $  C  +0$C,                 (    (  #?4        # 0  S                        he false propaganda unleashed by    0  )   )S  S B  ) -   some political parties against the           P0          0Q   Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019,                     ( has now got extended to the man- dated programme to prepare the                 #   9 TNational Population Register (NPR) and the C                 0   conduct of the decennial census, which are >     0S      %    ( scheduled for 2020 and 2021. Several oppo- nents of the current establishment in New      S     ?46E  %        Delhi have been spreading disinformation          (       >     about the NPR and the decennial census, both       $F /          ( of which are tools essential for governance. The purpose of the CAA is to provide cit-   D   B  )     0S     ( izenship to persecuted religious minorities in           /   2 9  Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, who                  crossed the borders and came into India       9  S       ! >     ( before December 31, 2014. This has nothing to do with any Indian citizen, whatever be his     / 9 S B  )  ?464    ( or her religion. Nor does it open the flood-                $   gates for migrants because of the deadline D        #    0 / fixed in the Act. The NPR and the decenni- al census are meant to get demographic infor- C      D 0 C          mation and also inputs on the social and eco-      0S           ( nomic status of the population in different                 #  regions of the country. Neither of these exer- cises is aimed at disenfranchising anybody.                 #    The NPR exercise was formulated and trict and taluk levels as well. It Union Government and many Articles 29 and 30 of the       %  S      0     ( introduced by the Congress-led United was, therefore, shocking to see State Governments have formu- Constitution will make it clear         2            Progressive Alliance (UPA) in 2010, to col- someone like Arundhati Roy lated policies and welfare that the intention of the found- lect demographic and biometric information exhort citizens to provide fake schemes especially to ameliorate ing fathers was to accord the 0              O      ( about individuals. Here, enumerators go names and addresses to the enu- the conditions of the religious same kind of protection to both     0              door-to-door and gather particulars about merators so as to render the and linguistic minorities. These religious and linguistic minorities     644              “usual residents” — individuals residing at a entire exercise infructuous. schemes relate to education, and the State would be the unit given place for the preceding six months. It Media reports indicate that she employment, skilling and finan- to determine who is a minority.        ?8  ) 0       is, therefore, strange to find that the Congress, even suggested that the people cial assistance for self employ- A Kannadiga in Hindi- G # ?4?4      0      0(    the very initiator of this idea, is now oppos- provide “7, Race Course Road” — ment. The scope and range of majority Haryana (as this writer          H             ing it and is doing so with such vehemence the address of the Prime Minister these schemes depend on demo- is) gets as much protection as say, that it all looks like a theatrical act. at one time — as their residen- graphics and a decadal head Mohammed Iqbal, in Hindu-               P9  0Q    The census in India is primarily a head tial address. count is an absolute must. The majority Haryana as per these                2   count and has been rightly described as the Even more preposterous was census data is used not just by the Constitutional provisions.        2      0    ( largest administrative and statistical exercise her suggestion that the Narendra Union Government but by Therefore, if pseudo-secular- in the world. Three million individuals will Modi Government, which got a Governments and institutions ists oppose population data col-     ?4?4 #  >            be deployed to collect the data and for the first massive mandate from the peo- down below at the State, district lection and census, which is a  /      (        0   time, the enumerators will be using a mobile ple in May 2019 to govern till and taluk levels. legitimate Government activity in                   app and other modern applications to collect 2024, not be allowed to contin- Pseudo-secularists seem to all nations across the world, the and collate data from the field. ue in office. believe that the Muslims are the presumption will be that they are      )           H   The decennial census is being conduct- Her attempt to paralyse the only minority in India. Nothing afraid of the numbers that will       -        0 %  ( ed in India since 1892 without a break and working of the Union can be farther from the truth. The crop up. The steep rise in the       0        B 0    this is an important exercise from a nation- Government in regard to collec- Hindus in India constitute just Muslim population in India over   0)) #   G )       #?4 B  al point of view because it tells us about the tion of population data and to around 80 per cent of the popu- the decades and the huge differ- demographic changes that have taken place curtail the tenure of a duly- lation, which means in actual ence between the decadal growth )             G     0$C    at the national and local level in the preced- elected Government constitutes numbers, they would be about rates of Muslims vis-a-vis the        G )         ( ing 10 years. Both these surveys provide pol- subversion of the Constitution. one billion of the 1.33 billion Hindus, Christians, Buddhists, G #   "        0      icy-makers critical data that enables them to Tolerance of such subversive population. But the Hindus con- Jains and Parsis, will nail the lie formulate national programmes, especially activities is inimical to national stitute a minority in six of the 28 that Muslims are persecuted in                  with regard to basic amenities to the less- unity and integrity and we should States in the country and in a few India.     advantaged sections of society. not allow a small minority of dis- Union Territories, as do the Indian citizens, who are As stated by the Government, the census senters to disrupt governance and Christians (except in some States adherents of Islam, must, there- is the biggest source of primary data at the vil- democratic traditions in this in the North-east), the Sikhs fore, guard against the false nar- lage, town and ward level, providing micro- manner. (except in Punjab), the Buddhists, rative of this minuscule minor- level data on various parameters, which Further, the propaganda that the Jains and the Parsis. The ity of pseudo-secularists and includes housing, education, economic activ- the enumeration undertaken for Muslim population in India has should not allow themselves to ity, literacy, migration, fertility, language, reli- the NPR must be resisted because risen from 35 million at the be persuaded to oppose the 55 gion, scheduled castes and scheduled tribes. it is against the Muslim minori- time of Independence to around NPR or the census. India will Preparation of a NPR and decennial cen- ty in India, is totally baseless. It 175 million at this point in time. become ungovernable if such sus is a legitimate activity of the Union appears as if some people are Further, we have the linguis- tendencies emerge.  %        ( Government and the data thrown up by these afraid of the truth. tic minorities, who are at par with (The writer is an author spe-          exercises form the basis for policy-making not Data is critical for a number religious minorities as per our cialising in democracy studies. # just at the federal level but at the State, dis- of reasons. For example, the Constitution. A reading of Views expressed are personal.)  )*      +),    !   )*  + !),              )      -           O           S     ( T              O     (          /                          #      (           0        (   1             # 2  (         34                          5 $       Q  Press any matter in relation to a          political question or on a service 67        6644   #  S      subject or containing any service         83         S # 2 Sir — Air passengers have their information.” The Army must                    ticket details verified by security preserve its identity. personnel at the departure gates of Sujit De    #     5/  59 ) 1   :   ( the airport. Upon producing valid Kolkata                      ( identification proof and an e-tick-           0             ( et, passengers can proceed to the     check-in counters. Being allowed                    to produce e-tickets on electronic                0 O      devices such as smartphones and Sir — It is unfortunate that the                     tablets has helped save paper. Uttar Pradesh police allegedly Otherwise, tonnes of paper get manhandled Congress leader         ()             wasted when people take printouts Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who  O                      of tickets. However, owing to a lack was on her way to pay a visit to         /  )  #     of awareness, many passengers still retired IPS officer SR Darapuri   ;<         38         rely on printouts instead of just at his residence. As the police producing soft copies. L tried to stop her vehicle from     ;3            =68  To prevent unnecessary paper L moving further, Priyanka hood-        /       >   ( usage, airline carriers should pro- L L winked the police by riding pil-                 844    2   vide incentives to passengers who lion on a two-wheeler and use soft copies of tickets instead of reached her destination. While   ?4        !            paper-based ones. Organisations the police’s act is condemnable,                 ( such as the Center for Asia Pacific the traffic police issued the             #     $     Aviation, the International Civil  owner of the two-wheeler a Aviation Organisation, the  challan of 6,000 because the                 Airports Council International two were riding without a hel-   %      P Q #       ( and the International Air met. This appears to be a                   #   Transport Association should       security experts as “overtly polit- sary safeguard against military revenge action by the police and extensively promote the use of ical.” Though such kind of coups. The Indian Army has is definitely in cheap taste. "                   ( paperless tickets for domestic remarks are common in Pakistan, always followed Article 21 of the Tharcius S Fernando       1      %       travel. This will go a long way in Sir — Army chief Bipin Rawat’s it is almost unheard of in our Army Act, which says no person Chennai                 0    protecting the environment. recent comments on anti-CAA country. subject to the Act “shall publish Varun Dambal protesters have rightly been seen The political nature of the in any form whatever or commu-                   Bengaluru by many military veterans and armed forces is indeed a neces- nicate directly or indirectly to the X

343 ++ - . 445 Y L L . 8555        )*      +), ?467                  455 #     *       # (         /  )  +/),   (        37           : ?? ?4?4 0                                0           S                          #                                        G 0                    (                B 6 )                  #           >    ( ince the early 1990s, there has been a sense                   of optimism with regards to India’s econom- #                Sic progress. The process of liberalisation dur- ing 1991 brought with it a sense of hope regard-   /               ing a dramatic turnaround in the country’s eco-            *  ( nomic fortunes. While the nation’s growth did             0     accelerate from the 1980s onwards, however, it        wasn’t comparable to other emerging economies, #             including China.                  The first decade of the 21st century was      #           % believed to be India’s time as it had a Government         %    /  that was looking at the next generation of eco-         *    $   %   nomic reforms. These transformations happened             0 %   and the country witnessed the first serious pri- vatisation of several public sector enterprises H            EE       (PSEs) along with a drastic reduction in small /  1   < ?46E           savings rates. India’s macroeconomic situation         /  #       ( was stable and gradually growth started to    O           O  increase along with its investment rates. This          /      % growth continued till 2007, after which it start- %    "           /)   ed to lose steam due to lack of economic reforms    :            and then the 2008 crisis hit the country along               0  with the rest of the world.               84   While many thought the impact of the 2008      / / > + //>,  ( crisis wasn’t as much on India as elsewhere, the rates at one of the highest levels in the will further augment productivity. huge majority. This shows how electoral reasons behind this were the policy instruments world. There’s also talk of a GST overhaul preferences are maturing in India.  S           ?46<(?46E which were deployed to address the risks that Clearly, India’s got a problem on the which may happen during the next cou- The outcome of the election made H    ?46?  /)    6??        emerged. These instruments, combined with a monetary side, which needs to be rec- ple of years. This, when combined with it possible to take three significant eco-    $0C             " ( lack of reforms and an entitlement-based regime tified if it is aiming to grow at seven per land, labour and agricultural reforms, nomic decisions. First was the merger     %              brought a fresh macroeconomic challenge in the cent or more. Some progress has been will be critical to unlocking India’s pro- of 10 PSBs into four. This is likely to       P    Q #    3I second decade of the 21st century. made on this by the RBI, however, it ductive potential. Demographics, too, consolidate the sector and improve its        0        "  Two decades have elapsed and India is yet continues to be conservative and the favour India as it has the world’s largest efficiency over a period. It also opens 6<;                   to justify the sense of optimism that prevailed at longer it takes for it to recognise the workforce which will act as a check in up interesting possibilities for future       #         64 the start of the century. But to be fair, the sec- extent of the problem, the more pro- wage costs, thereby giving it a compet- privatisation of some of these big four       *  #      ond decade wasn’t that bad considering that longed the bottom of the U. itive edge over other emerging market banks as there’s no need for having four                  India’s growth in 2014, 2015 and 2016 was fair- Irrespective of these short-term economies for the next two decades. All big PSBs, especially at a time when the ly decent even when one ignores the fact that it challenges, the outlook for economic of this is essential to experience the kind nation has already pumped in 3 tril-                    witnessed two successive droughts in 2014 and growth for the country in the medium- of transformation that several of the lion into them without any positive out-              2015. The country’s macroeconomic situation has term is completely positive as some of country’s peers experienced during come so far. 0    ?46<          "   improved significantly since 2014 and the the current supply-side issues will get the 1980s and 1990s. The second was to do with the cor-      ?%        )-0   Government has undertaken several reforms that resolved and India will witness a Of course, fresh reforms will be porate tax cut, which was promised in                 will have long-term growth implications such as growth of 5.0-5.4 per cent in the third required — but they are already on the the previous tenure. Indeed, many   P/                the Goods and Services Tax (GST), the quarter (Q3) of the current Financial agenda of the Government as the consider it just a tax cut, however, it is               ( Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) and the Year (FY) followed by a 6.2-6.6 per cent labour codes are coming into effect. a deep structural reform that will have   Q #        D )   Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act growth in the fourth quarter (Q4) of the Many of these reforms will be aided by long-term positive implications for         )-0   H        (RERA). current FY. India will end the decade the fact that there’s a mandate of 303, financial stability and financing of #  "                Despite these reforms, growth slowed with a modest growth rate; however, the which enables the Government to take investments. More importantly, it illus- towards the end of 2018 and throughout the first country will begin it with a seven per decisions that would be extremely dif- trates a shift in thinking of taxmen, who       G #       ( half of 2019. This has led people to question cent or higher growth rate in the FY ficult to push for in a divided now recognise that tax revenues can               -  ( whether the third decade will be any different 2020-21. Parliament. increase at lower rates due to improve-                from the previous two decades. However, there The question is whether this rate Global conditions, too, seem to be ments in tax compliance.               ( are compelling reasons that point at how this will be sustained throughout the decade conducive for India as Boris Johnson’s The third decision was of privati-             time, it will be different. For starters, the current or not. There is a reasonable belief that election in the United Kingdom (UK) sation of several firms, including BPCL. /      0S 2       slowdown is not because of any inherent struc- India will sustain a seven per cent will end uncertainty regarding Brexit. This is a bold move as it signals a    (          0  tural factors but is a direct outcome of the finan- growth this decade and it may even He has expressed his willingness to staunch commitment to the phrase that      0           cial sector stress which spread over from banks attain an eight per cent or high growth enter into a trade agreement with “the Government has no business to be       /         ( to Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs). rate towards the end of the decade as India and the nation should be closing in business.”            )   The reasons behind the build-up of this stress are it witnesses a steady revival of invest- trade deals with the UK, Europe and the This move has signalled to the :           $    > more to do with reckless lending during the first ments as a percentage of the Gross US to further integrate itself into glob- world that India is finally opening decade of the century as the attempt to fix it start- Domestic Product (GDP). This al trade. greater space for private players in its /      *         ed only post the introduction of the Insolvency improvement will be a direct product Global economic growth is also economy, which has hit all the right  #                and Bankruptcy Act. of some of the painful reforms that were likely to recover in 2020, which means notes. Indeed, a lot of economic   *    /  D        % ( As the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) latest undertaken in the past, which will that external factors will be conducive progress was made in 2019 and some                  Financial Stability Report suggests, the Public unleash the nation’s productive poten- for India’s growth, provided it can of it could be because of the slowdown.      *      #       ( Sector Banks’ (PSBs) Non-Performing Assets tial. The recent corporate tax cut would address some of its domestic con- However, 2019 will mark a structural             /      (NPAs) may increase by September 2020 and this result in steady improvements in cor- straints. The year 2019 goes down in break for India as we enter into a decade        ) 0      poses fresh concerns regarding the ability of the porate sector balance sheets, which will Indian economic history for many which will certainly belong to the                    PSBs to take prudent lending decisions. The result in fresh investments from 2022 reasons. For starters, it marks the first country’s entrepreneurs and its eco-         recent spike in NPAs could also be because of the onwards. At the same time, implemen- time in the history of India where a nomic ambitions. +          , high cost of capital compared to the moderation tation of the Direct Tax Code (DTC) reformist Government was brought (The writer is a New Delhi-based in inflation, which has artificially kept the real will simplify taxation procedures, which back into power and that, too, with a policy researcher) 88 Xxuˆu‰x ‘‚truq$"†uˆsu„y„sˆuq‰uy„v‘„ty„wv ˆxuq‚xr•Wqu‰xuAu„ˆuq„tYˆrq„P sq‚@ tyu‰ G„uˆtu†qˆƒu„q‚ s ˆty„qy „y‰q‚‰ „uututv ˆ‰ˆ „wuˆyƒ†‚uƒu„qy „‚y„qwuru“uu„xuq‚x“quˆq„t‰q„yqy „q„t„‘ˆyy „ˆu‚quty„yyqy’u‰

to shift “health” into the concurrent In the last quarter, poor air qual- true that preventing such attacks stronger and effective surveillance funding for health by States, the list. ity returned to affect the health of the requires more than just a legislative system across all Indian States to Centre as well as by Urban Local A few States, namely Rajasthan, people in many districts of north approach. Improving the quality of tackle emerging disease threats. Bodies. Inter-departmental coordi- Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, India and all policymakers did was health services, preventing com- What to expect in 2020: In the nation is also needed for stronger deliberated about enacting the right to question the proven evidence on mercialisation of health services last two years, India has seen a lot implementation linkage between to health legislation. During the year, the impact of air pollution on peo- and changing health-seeking behav- of focus on policy formulation, leg- health, water and sanitation and public health experts argued that the ple. Hence, it is clear that there are iour to get early care is the need of islation and other broader health nutrition-related initiatives. Ayushman Bharat Yojana, many issues that need to be the hour. A realistic expectation issues. However, in 2020, policymak- Taxation on “demerit goods” announced in 2018, had put health addressed in this crucial sector. from health services needs to be ers would do well to rapidly scale- such as tobacco products should be 6 higher on the political agenda and Legislative approach in health developed and the “market-based up and allocate more resources for further increased to global recom- nearly six States started a variant of works: The Motor Vehicle belief” that every health condition the health and wellness centres, a mendation of tax being 70 per cent Mohalla Clinics (neighbourhood (Amendment) Act, which has hiked is treatable, needs to be addressed. vital component of the Ayushman of the product price. egislations or related delibera- clinics) to increase the provision of the penalties for traffic violations, In health services, the outcomes are Bharat programme. Beverages sweetened with sugar, tions were arguably the high- free primary health care services. has the potential to improve health, completely unpredictable and even States must also give additional including fruit juices, must be taxed Llight for India’s health sector in There were a few negative devel- as nearly one in every 10 pre- the best of the treatment and priority to adopting community as demerit goods at higher rates. 2019. The Prohibition of Electronic opments as well. Violent attacks on ventable deaths occurred due to road advanced care may not save a per- clinics for urban settings. The coun- And last but not the least, healthy Cigarettes Act, 2019; the National doctors, health care providers and accidents. After the Mental son, while another person with a try also needs to follow a focussed behaviour should be encouraged at Medical Commission (NMC) Act facilities were reported from differ- Healthcare Act of 2017, mental similar health condition may quick- approach to integrate preventive all levels, especially in schools and and the Motor Vehicle ent parts of the country, followed by health services in India received a ly recover with basic health interven- and promotive health interventions colleges, with ban on sale of “junk (Amendment) Act were passed by protests and strikes by the medical boost at the implementation level as tions. with overall wellness initiatives and food” near schools and colleges. the Parliament. The Surrogacy fraternity. the Insurance Regulatory and Kerala averted Nipah virus linkage with AYUSH. In short, for the health sector, (Regulation) Bill is being considered In the summer of 2019, Development Authority directed outbreaks: Learning from the expe- The Government must shift 2020 should be a year of implement- L by the select committee of the Rajya encephalitis deaths were reported companies to include mental health rience of 2018, the Kerala focus from making isolated health ing policies, improving provision of Sabha and a draft Bill to protect doc- from Muzaffarpur in Bihar. The care services in their insurance Government acted swiftly when a facilities functional to a group of a broad range of health services as tors and health care providers from experts were once again divided on package as one in every seven peo- new case of Nipah was reported in amenities in entire planning units, per the needs of the people, State assault is also under consideration. the cause of this and consequently, ple have one or other mental health 2019. With effective surveillance, i.e. blocks in rural areas and entire Governments taking the lead in The health sub-committee of the the children of the nation are still care needs. early identification, effective con- corporation planning units, func- health provision to make a healthy Fifteenth Finance Commission waiting for scientific and long-term Though the Bill to protect doc- tainment/isolation and case manage- tional. India. made recommendations to enact the solutions to prevent such tragedies tors and health care workers could ment, an epidemic was averted. There should be at least a 20 per (The writer is a Delhi-based    right to health in India by 2022 and from recurring. not develop a consensus, it is also This highlights the need for a cent annual increase in Government senior public health specialist.) /34

Q ) With government leaving fourth quarter of the fiscal. “tepid”. the debt-ridden airline to fend According to the official, it The official said that cur- truggling Air India might be for itself by refusing to inject would take “at least” six months rently 12 narrow-body Airbus Sforced to shut down by June funds any more amid its pri- to complete the transaction in A320 planes are on the ground next year unless it finds a vatisation plans, the airline is the eventuality of an investor for want of engine replacement buyer as “piecemeal” arrange- “some how” keeping it afloat coming on board, provided and are unlikely to be back in ments cannot be sustained for with peace meal arrangements, the sale process kick starts operations in the immediate long, according to a senior which are unlikely to sustain early next month. future. airline official. for long, the official said. At the same time, the offi- “We need at least $150 Amid continuing uncer- As per the government, it cial did not sound very hope- million (about 1,100 crore) to tainty over the fate of the has infused funds to the tune of ing the operations at present and books and parked in the spe- ful of the government getting get new engines for these 12 national carrier, the official 30,520.21 crore in the flag car- at best we can sustain this situ- cial purpose vehicle, Air India an investor in such an “eco- planes. With adequate funds said there is also need for rier from financial year 2011-12 ation till June. If a buyer does Asset Holding Ltd. Air India nomic situation,” which has not available even for normal funds to restart operations of 12 till December this year. Under not come by that time, we will spokesperson was not available also affected the domestic avi- operations, it looks difficult we grounded narrow-body planes. the turnaround plan approved have to shut shop,” said the offi- for comments. ation industry. will get funds for engine The airline has a debt bur- by the UPA regime in 2012, the cial on condition of anonymi- The Air India Specific Domestic air traffic, which replacement and make these den of around 60,000 crore airline was to get financial ty. After more than 25 years of Alternative Mechanism is one of the parameters for planes operational any soon,” and the Government is still assistance of 30,000 crore over flying, full service carrier Jet (AISAM) has approved re-ini- gauging the health of the indus- the official said. working on the modalities for a 10-year period. Airways shuttered operations in tiation of process for the the try, grew only 3.86 per cent in However, the official said T the disinvestment. “We had sought 2,400 April due to cash crunch. government’s 100 per cent stake the January-November period that seven of the eight wide- Sounding alarm bells, the crore sovereign guarantee to In 2018-19, Air India’s net sale in Air India along with Air of the year as against an impres- body planes, which were official said Air India might mop up funds for meeting loss is provisionally estimated India Express and the carrier’s sive 18.60 per cent growth in grounded for engine and other well go Jet Airways way if a operational requirement. But to be 8,556.35 crore. stake in joint venture AISATS. 2018. Response to the recent engineering related issues, are prospective buyer does not the government has provided Besides, it has a total debt The Government is likely to road shows in Singapore and back in operations. The eighth come on board by June next guarantee only for 500 crore. of 60,000 crore, half of which issue Expression of Interest London for Air India disin- one is expected to start flying year. “We are some how manag- has already taken out of the (EoI) for the stake sale in the vestment was reportedly soon. 5 E B 6 On the other hand, Nestle this polarised valuation not to India, Hero MotoCorp, sustain, there could be shift of The government has set a enchmark indices closed Mahindra and Mahindra, money from the overvalued 3.3 per cent fiscal deficit target Bon a flat note after a topsy- Bharti Airtel and Tata Steel large caps to midcaps in 2020,” he Government might for the current fiscal. turvy session on Monday, with were among the gainers. Vinod Nair, Head of Research Tbreach the fiscal deficit tar- Singh further added that participants fence-sitting in Sectorally, BSE IT, bankex, at Geojit Financial Services, get this financial year amid given the resources constraints, absence of further cues ahead finance, teck and oil and gas said. drop in the revenue mobilisa- increase in fiscal deficit might o MDR charges on trans- of year-end holidays. indices closed in the red. Globally, bourses in tion and expected additional lead to crowding out of private Nactions through RuPay At the closing bell, the While, BSE auto, metal, Shanghai and Hong Kong expenditure by the investments. cards and UPI payments will BSE benchmark Sensex was telecom, industrial and basic ended higher, while those in Government, says a report. According to the report, kill the digital payments indus- 17.14 points, or 0.04 per cent, materials were among the Tokyo and Seoul settled in the According to Dun & corporate liabilities are already try, the Payments Council of lower at 41,558. The 30-share prominent gainers. red. Bradstreet’s Economy Forecast, higher. The balance-sheets of India stated on Monday while gauge swung between a high of In the broader market, BSE Stock exchanges in Europe the need for fiscal stimulus has corporates, Government, banks criticising the government’s 41,714.73 and low of 41,453.38 midcap and smallcap indices started on a negative note. increased even as the govern- and households remain con- move. in a highly volatile session. outperformed benchmarks, ral- There was hardly any sig- ment finances remain strained or weak and revenue After a meeting with The broader NSE Nifty, lying up to 0.75 per cent. nificant news flow on the “strained”. collection will play an impor- bankers last Saturday, Finance however, closed 10.05 points, or “Market was range-bound, domestic front, however, in “We expect that the drop in tant role. Minister Nirmala Sitharaman 0.08 per cent, higher at premium valuation and lack of the coming days the focus will the revenue mobilisation of “Revenue collection will had asked them not to charge 12,255.85. The 50-share index fresh triggers influenced remain on monthly numbers the government and likelihood thus be important for the gov- MDR on payments via RuPay, too faced bouts of volatility investors to take cautious from auto companies and on of additional expenditure by ernment to implement a fiscal UPI from January 1 during the day. ICICI Bank was approach on heavyweights. But the GDP numbers, analysts the government might breach stimulus. To do that, tax with a view to driving digital the top loser in the Sensex reasonable valuation of mid commented. the fiscal deficit target in FY20,” reforms are needed. GST payments. pack, shedding 0.99 per cent, and small caps attracted inflows On the currency front, the Dun & Bradstreet should be simplified further, The move will apply to all followed by SBI, TCS, HUL, leading to outperformance in rupee was 4 paise higher at India Chief Economist Arun and direct tax collections companies with a turnover of L Asian Paints and Axis Bank. the broad market. We expect 71.34 against the US dollar. Singh said. should increase,” Singh said. 50 crore or more. Merchant Discount Rate is the fee paid by a merchant to a bank for accepting digital payments. 759:; The move is part of 59 the Budget announcement <=<=5:P in July. ;4 working conditions. These are expected to improve ease of tate-owned Bharat Sanchar cated its unwillingness to keep s many as 44 central labour doing business and safeguard SNigam Ltd (BSNL) has any company out of 5G trials. Alaws are most likely to be interest of workers. cleared 1,700 crore of vendors ndia will not bar any equip- The government has decid- subsumed under four labour “We hope that 2020 would dues, its CMD P K Purwar said reduction in GST (Goods and tax as possible. ESOPs are one Iment suppliers, such as ed to give 5G spectrum for tri- codes in 2020, making it a year be an year of labour reforms. on Monday. Services Tax) rates on AIF of the best options for startups China’s Huawei, in the upcom- als to all operators in the coun- of reforms as the Government The four codes would be a real- The corporation has also he Government is expect- (alternate investment fund) at their early stages,” Saluja said. ing trials for 5G, with Telecom try, Prasad said on Monday on works to bolster investments ity in 2020. The codes would made salary payment to its Ted to provide tax incentives management fees; and tax ben- Further fees charged by Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad the sidelines of a telecom event. and tackle slowdown blues. safeguard the interest of work- employees for November, to start-ups in the forthcoming efits on ESOPs, they said. fund manager of AIF domiciled on Monday saying the govern- This implies that all opera- Besides, the Union Labour ers and employers. We have Purwar added. budget to support the growth Start-ups need talented in India is liable to 18 per cent ment will allocate airwaves to tors, backed by equipment ven- Ministry is mulling launching tried to strike a balance “Payments worth 1,700 of budding entrepreneurs, workforce and ESOPs are one GST as it qualifies as a taxable all telecom service providers for dors they have decided to part- a “Santusht” portal next month between workers’ as well crore have been released to our sources said. The Department of the best options to attract supply. Sources said that reduc- conducting trials of super-fast ner with, will be able to partic- for effective implementation of employees’ rights,” Labour vendors and contractors of for Promotion of Industry and skilled people as giving just tion in GST rates will help India speed 5G networks. ipate in the upcoming 5G trials labour laws at the grass-root Minister Santosh Gangwar told BSNL,” he said. Overall, the Internal Trade (DPIIT) has high cash payout add to the to become an investment hub. Huawei rivals western in the country, and the stance is level. PTI. outstanding to creditors is suggested several measures to burden on cash-starved enter- Startup India initiative of equipment makers, such as expected to spell a relief for Entering 2020, the gov- The labour reforms assume 10,000 crore, he added. the finance ministry for start- prises, industry players said. the government aims at foster- Ericsson, and is banned in the Chinese gear maker Huawei. ernment hopes that India significance in view of an over “Employee salaries for ups in the budget. Tiger Global-backed tea ing entrepreneurship and pro- US. Many countries, however, “The age of 5G is coming... would be able to implement all six-year-low gross domestic November too have been The recommendations cafe chain Chaayos founder moting innovation by creating have allowed telecom service We have taken a decision to four codes on wages, industri- product (GDP) growth of 4.5 released,” he said adding that include extension of tax incen- Nitin Saluja said that there an ecosystem that is conducive providers to use Chinese gears. give 5G spectrum for trials to al relations, social security and per cent in the second quarter monthly wage cost stood at tives to incubators supported should be less tax on ESOPs. to growth of budding entre- And now, India has also indi- all the players,” Prasad said. occupational safety, health and of this fiscal. about 800 crore. under Atal Innovation Mission; “It should attract as little preneurs.  Tuesday, December 31. “The due date for linking of he last date for the manda- PAN with Aadhaar as specified Ttory linking of the under sub-section 2 of section Permanent Account Number 139AA of the Income-tax Act, (PAN) with Aadhaar has been 1961 has been extended from extended till March next year, December 31, 2019 to March the CBDT said on Monday. 31, 2020,” the department said The earlier deadline was on its official Twitter handle. ately available for comment. The signing of a phase one hina’s Vice-Premier Liu deal during Liu’s trip would CHe, who is also the chief mark a point of truce in the negotiator for trade talks with ongoing bitter trade war the US, will lead a delegation to between the world’s two biggest Washington this weekend, dur- economies. On December 13, ing which he is expected to sign China and the US have agreed a phase one deal to significantly on the text of a phase one eco- de-escalate the trade war nomic and trade agreement to between the two biggest glob- end the 18-month-long bruis- al economies, a media report ing trade war. said on Monday. According to an official “Washington has sent an statement, both the sides have invitation and Beijing has agreed to complete their nec- accepted it,” Hong Kong-based essary procedures, including South China Morning Post legal review, translation and quoted a Chinese official as proofreading, as soon as pos- saying. The Chinese delegation, sible and discuss the detailed headed by Liu, which would arrangements for officially leave on Saturday is expected to signing the agreement. stay “a few days” in the US, the Chinese Vice Commerce report said. Minister Wang Shouwen had However, neither side has announced that a breakthrough officially confirmed the trip. in the trade negotiations has China’s Ministry of been reached for a Commerce was not immedi- phase-one deal. )*  44 /739 +-+-/++4 5-+4+6 ++57+5+5-64 +-68- -5+845-5-8/ 565-5654 58664+ +/+ AA<=?B<<=<=DD 5 58 55 ; ;<=; 47 Mediterranean Diet The World Report ranked theMediterranean diet No 1 in overall diet in 2019. The diet is rich in whole vegetables, fresh fruits, whole grains, fatty fish, olive oil, nuts, legumes, and some red wine and dairy. The diet’s focuses on choosing whole, plant-based foods over those you might find in a vending machine that may make you to stick with it. Besides the benefit of weight loss, there are various other health benefits associated with opting Mediterranean diet. It also supports heart and brain health. Intermittent fasting This diet is a popular way to lose weight for those who want to shed kilos faster. It involves not eating for 4;4>=? prolonged period. Some people fast for two days out edical devices and equipment improving delivery, user experience devices and equipment sector also of the week — 5:2, which involves eating very little on form a significantly essential and bringing down healthcare costs. plays a significant role in reducing While technological fast days, while others set themselves a specific eating Mpart of healthcare delivery. Here is a breakdown of areas where healthcare costs which is critical to make advancements in the devices sector time like 16 hours fasting and eight hours feeding. Constant innovation and technological constant innovation in medical healthcare services more affordable to are expected to play a critical role in There is evidence that this diet can help people lose advancement in the field of medical devices industry is helping India the masses in India. improving healthcare outcomes, it is weight however it is not for everyone. devices is crucial to ensure the goal of achieve better health outcomes: Newage surgical equipment has important that appropriate measures One has to understand ones needs and schedule to universal healthcare. Medical devices enabled doctors to treat highly complex are initiated to ensure greater know if what will work, since the eating pattern is puts are essential for accurate and timely and critical cases, and reduce the length affordability and accessibility. In a restrictions on when you can eat and when you can’t. diagnosis, safe and effective prevention, Thanks to innovation and of extended hospital stays. For example, nutshell, improving the ecosystem There is tendency to overeat or binge eat. quality treatment as well as rehabilita- technological advancement, real time advancements in laproscopic surgery governing the sector is the need of the While the above two diets found favour with many tion. World Health Organisation recog- diagnostic tools have emerged as an 893 have increasingly made it possible to hour. people abroad and in India, two diets while worked won- nises that the achievement of health- important element in fighting perform procedures such as angiogra- This includes improving ders found disfavour. related development goals is dependent infectious diseases. Classical detection 397 phy, stenting and spine surgery easily regulatory mechanisms, quality testing Keto Diet on proper manufacturing, regulation, methods such as culture and :3/3+ with improved outcomes and reduced as well as incentivising innovation in This diet caught the attention of the Indian public planning, assessment, acquisition, man- immunoassays offer accurate results 93:33+ length of hospital stays. This has the sector. Also important is the need with almost everyone wanting to lose weight swearing agement and use of quality medical but the time taken in obtaining results +3<<3 tremendously helped in lowering costs to create a more congenial tax by this diet plan. However, there’s a lack of research to devices. is often crucial time lost in treatment. of treatment. environment. GST on medical devices prove that this diet is safe in the long run. The diet The medical devices sector consist Rapid detection tools are expect- 333: Similarly, with the onset of the era currently stands at 12 per cent. On the involves eating high-fat, moderate-protein, and low- of a wide array of tools and equipment ed to play a significant role in ensuring <<3 of remote monitoring and devices to other hand, customs duty is low. This carbs diet. This can be a challenge if one is following a that help clinical practitioners deliver better treatment of communicable dis- /<7 help better manage chronic diseases, the tax policy negatively impacts diet without medical supervision. The downside is the quality healthcare effectively and save eases such as TB. overall healthcare costs are bound to indigenous production and supports minute you are off the diet, one is likely to gain back crucial lives. Medical devices consists of Overall, improvement in technolo- 939<3 come down over a period of time. imports, which is counter intuitive to all the weight lost. diagnostics imaging, IV diagnostics, gy has also improved the accuracy of >/3+?+ the Make in India initiative. Notably, The health benefits of this diet for Type II Diabetes, consumables, patient aids, equipments screening. Portable/point-of-care /<9 imports constitute 75 per cent of the certain types of cancer and Alzheimer’s and its long- and instruments, ortho and prosthetics, devices are other important category Remote monitoring is the new industry sales of medical devices in the term effect is lacking. The diet restricts foods that help dental products and other devices such that have made it possible to improve <<3 buzzword in the medical devices sector. country while local manufacturers fight cancer and heart disease, like whole grains and as patient monitors, oxygenarators and diagnostic mechanisms at primary /3+><3+<3 With rise in incidence of chronic dis- mostly produce products in the lower legumes.

ECG. healthcare level, provide care at home 3:3+><3 eases and an increasingly ageing pop- end of the value chain. The There are many in which one can follow this diet, Each of these categories is crucial and resulted in improved health out- ulation, there has been a rise in demand government must consider revising its however not all of them are healthy. For example if the

to quality healthcare delivery. The comes and patient satisfaction. Point- 7<33< for medical devices and tools that can tax policy for devices to lower the GST diet involves eating a lot of spinach and kale, people gen- Indian medical devices market is of-care testing allows the patient get his @@<:C: monitor patients continuously, more while increasing the customs duty to erally eat bacon and eggs. expected to grow to $50 billion by 2025. diagnoses in a doctor's clinic, at a health 3++C❝ effectively and reduce the need to visit help local manufacturers gain a larger Atkins diet India is currently the fourth largest camp, an ambulance or event at home clinics and hospitals. share of the market. This will also help This diet was popular among those wanting to lose medical devices market in Asia after as these are portable devices that can be A growing interest in IoT-driven them manufacture products at more weight a few decades back. It involved eating a low-carb Japan, China and South Korea. easily transported and offer a reliable healthcare services and wearable med- affordable costs. diet. the original low-carb diet, made popular decades alternative to laboratory testing in ical devices is an emerging trend of our The Make in India initiative presents ago. places where hospitals and labs are in times. Using cloud based platforms a platform for the sector to revisit the The diet involves eating high-fat, high-protein, with Constant improvement and short supply. these devices can alert doctors of operating model, identify key impera- low-carb vegetables like leafy greens. This kick-starts technological advancement in the It also improves the access to qual- important changes in vital signs in a tives for growth and explore possibili- the weight loss. Slowly one can add more nuts, low-carb field of medical devices and ity healthcare in underserved and patient. These advancements in health ties for creating a step change in the vegetables and small amounts of fruit back to the diet. equipment has helped doctors remote regions, while also making it screening devices have enabled patients medical devices sector. This in turn, Do not eat fruit, bread, pasta, grains, starchy veg- improve clinical outcomes and quality possible for patients to avail treatment to monitor their health conditions at allows Indian manufactures to provide etables, or dairy products other than cheese, cream or of healthcare delivery. Increase use of outside traditional healthcare facilities. home, reducing the need for hospital affordable options for crucial equip- butter. And do not eat nuts or seeds in the first two digital technology is driving a new visits and bringing down the pressure ments such as CT scans, catheters, dial- weeks. Foods that combine protein and carbohydrates, revolution in the medical devices on the over-burdened healthcare cen- ysis equipments and many more. such as chickpeas, kidney beans, and other legumes are sector with greater focus on Technological advancements in the ters. also not permitted at this time.

Nine out of ten people breathe pollut- chemotherapy. ed air every day. In 2019, air pollution is 94<=? Vaccine hesitancy — the reluctance or 9 considered by WHO as the greatest envi- refusal to vaccinate despite the availabil- ronmental risk to health. Microscopic WHO is constantly monitoring the development goals, including on child ity of vaccines — threatens to reverse pollutants in the air can penetrate respi- circulation of influenza viruses to detect and maternal health, remains unmet. progress made in tackling vaccine-pre- ratory and circulatory systems, damag- potential pandemic strains: 153 institu- The development of antibiotics, antivi- ventable diseases. Vaccination is one of 5@ ing the lungs, heart and brain, killing 7 tions in 114 countries are involved rals and antimalarials are some of the most cost-effective ways of avoiding team from the (MCI). million people prematurely every year in global surveillance and modern medicine’s greatest suc- disease — it currently prevents two-three ADepartment of The six-year study, from diseases such as cancer, stroke, heart response. cesses. Now, time with these million deaths a year, and a further 1.5 Psychological Medicine and which was conducted from and lung disease. More than 1.6 billion peo- drugs is running out. million could be avoided if global cov- Department of Biochemistry 2011 to 2017, collected data Noncommunicable diseases, like ple (22% of the global popu- Antimicrobial resistance erage of vaccinations improved. at the Yong Loo Lin School from more than 600 Diabetes, cancer and heart disease, are lation) live in places where — the ability of bacteria, Dengue, a mosquito-borne disease of Medicine at the National Chinese seniors over the age collectively responsible for over 70 per protracted crises (through a parasites, viruses and that causes flu-like symptoms and can be University of Singapore of 60 living in Singapore. cent of all deaths worldwide, or 41 mil- combination of challenges fungi to resist these medicines lethal and kill up to 20 per cent of those (NUS) has found that The research was carried lion people. This includes 15 million peo- such as drought, famine, con- — threatens to send us back to with severe dengue, has been a growing seniors who consume more out with support from the ple dying prematurely, aged between 30 flict, and population displace- a time when we were unable to threat for decades. than two standard portions Life Sciences Institute and and 69. ment) and weak health services leave easily treat infections such as pneu- An estimated 40 per cent of the world of mushrooms weekly may the Mind Science Centre at The world will face another influen- them without access to basic care. monia, tuberculosis, gonorrhoea, and sal- is at risk of dengue fever, and there are have 50 per cent reduced NUS, as well as the za pandemic — the only thing we don’t Fragile settings exist in almost all monellosis. The inability to prevent around 390 million infections a year. odds of having mild cogni- Singapore Ministry of know is when it will hit and how severe regions of the world, and these are where infections could seriously compromise WHO’s Dengue control strategy aims to tive impairment Health’s National it will be. half of the key targets in the sustainable surgery and procedures such as reduce deaths by 50 per cent by 2020. Medical Research T Council. The results were published f you love a midday online in the Journal Isnooze, then we have some What we learnt of Alzheimer’s great news as it turns out Disease on napping could actually be 45 A study from Tel Aviv bone marrow donor. While March 12, good for your health. University suggests that donor DNA is common- 2019. While scien- risk of a heart attack often they took naps for five plants make ultrasonic ly found in the recip- tists previously by almost half. years, with their sleeping screams when harmed. Their ient's cheek, lip, and found that A study car- patterns and general health experiments involved micro- tongue cells, this is sleeping reg- ried out in being tracked by researchers. phones, chopping stems, one of the first times ularly could Switzerland used The results — published and depriving toma- where it may be help data for 3,462 in the journal Heart, found toes and tobacco of passed on. improve people living in that those who napped once water. productivity Lausanne, who or twice a week were 48 per Forensic investigators at work, now were aged 35 to cent less likely to experience from Nevada presented the new research 75. these health issues, even case of a man whose sperm     has found it The group were when other factors were only contained DNA from his could also cut the told to record how taken into account. <:4

E The US blames the militia Hezbollah also blasted the Kataeb Hezbollah is led by for a rocket barrage on Friday "brutal American aggression," Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, one n Iranian-backed militia that killed a US defense con- saying those who took the of Iraq's most powerful men. Asaid on Monday that the tractor at a military compound decision to carry out the attack He once battled US troops and death toll from US military near Kirkuk, in northern Iraq. "will soon discover how stupid is now the deputy head of the strikes in Iraq and Syria against Officials said as many as 30 this criminal decision was." Popular Mobilization Forces. its fighters has risen to 25, vow- rockets were fired in that attack. ing to exact revenge for the Iraq's Hezbollah Brigades, "aggression of evil American a separate force from the ong Kong police on ravens." Lebanese militant group ?= gunman pulled out a shot- HMonday accused activists The announcement in Hezbollah, operates under the Agun and opened fire on in the long-running pro- Baghdad came a day after US umbrella of the state-sanc- worshippers at a church during democracy movement of incit- Defense Secretary Mark Esper tioned militias known collec- B5 Sunday service in Texas, killing ing minors to commit crimes. said Washington had carried tively as the Popular two persons before being shot The claim Monday comes out military strikes targeting Mobilization Forces. Many of by an armed member of the two days before a planned the Iranian-backed Iraqi mili- them are supported by Iran. QE congregation, the authorities New Year's Day march that is tia blamed for a rocket attack The Popular Mobilization spokesman Abbas Mousavi said. expected to attract tens of that killed an American con- Forces said Sunday that the US said, referring to IS. The shooting took place thousands of participants. tractor in Iraq last week. strikes killed at least 19 of ran said Monday that the "With these attacks, at about 11:50 am (local time), Chief police spokesman Secretary of State Mike Kataeb Hezbollah's members. IUnited States has shown its America has shown its firm during the morning service Kwok Ka-chuen told reporters Pompeo said the strikes send But Kataeb Hezbollah "support for terrorism" by car- support for terrorism and its on Sunday. The service was that the force was in close the message that the US will spokesman Mohammed rying out air strikes on forces neglect for the independence being live-streamed on social contact with the organizers not tolerate actions by Iran that Mohieh told The Associated in Iraq that have dealt blows and sovereignty of countries media. of the Jan. 1 event, but would jeopardize American lives. Press on Monday that the death against the Islamic State group. and it must accept conse- According to the not tolerate threats to public The US military said "pre- toll rose to 25. The Pentagon said on quences for its illegal act," he authorities, the gunman pulled safety. criminals incite youngsters to sent to China for trial. cision defensive strikes" were At least 51 militiamen were Sunday that it targeted an Iran- said in a statement. out a shotgun at the West Kwok also said young peo- commit crimes," Kwok said, The movement started in conducted against five sites of wounded and some of them linked militant group in west- The spokesman said the Freeway Church of Christ ple had been motivated to adding that some of the vio- opposition to a now-shelved Kataeb Hezbollah, or were serious condition, he said, ern Iraq and eastern Syria in presence of foreign forces in the in White Settlement, a commit criminal acts during lence had been inspired by the proposed law that would have Hezbollah Brigades in Iraq adding that the militia group's response to a barrage of rock- region was the cause of inse- suburb of Fort Worth, and the protests, including drop- children's teachers. allowed suspects in Hong Kong and Syria. commanders would decide on ets that killed a US civilian con- curity and tensions. begun firing. ping objects from the upper Children as young as 12 to be sent to mainland China "Our battle with America the retaliation. tractor two days earlier. "America must put an end The two churchgoers who stories of apartment buildings. have been among the nearly to stand trial. Protesters' and its mercenaries is now In Tehran, foreign ministry "These attacks have once to its occupying presence," said were shot, died later in a hos- It wasn't clear whether 7,000 people arrested during demands have since expanded open to all possibilities," Kataeb spokesman Abbas Mousavi again proved America's false Mousavi. pital, police said. those actions were directly tied the protests, which have drawn to include universal suffrage Hezbollah said in a statement condemned the US strikes claims in fighting Daesh... As US-Iran tensions have Video footage showed the to any specific demonstration. broad support and were origi- and an investigation into around midnight Sunday. "We against Kataeb Hezbollah as an the United States has targeted soared since Washington pulled gunman stand up and speak to "Over the weekend, during our nally sparked by now-discard- alleged police abuses, and have have no alternative today other "obvious case of terrorism" the positions of forces that out of a landmark nuclear a man nearby, who gestured at arrest operation, we arrested a ed legislation that would have frequently broken out into than confrontation and there is and accused Washington of over the years have inflicted agreement with Tehran last another parishioner. The gun- large number of youngsters allowed citizens of the semi- pitched battles between the nothing that will prevent us ignoring Iraq's sovereignty. heavy blows to Daesh terror- year and began reimposing man then fired at the man he and are very alarmed that some autonomous Chinese city to be two sides. from responding to this crime." Lebanon's Iran-backed ists," Iran's government crippling sanctions. gestured toward. B 5 media have been releasing Trump in September. Afghanistan, potentially even untrue reports about a cease- However, the insurgents before a deal between QE he Taliban on Monday fire... The fact is that, the have repeatedly stated that any Washington and the Taliban is Tdenied agreeing to any Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan potential truce will only be cemented. selling crude oil abroad. country began new operations ceasefire in Afghanistan after has no ceasefire plans," the ironed out after American Deadly bouts of fighting “Because of the destructive at a heavy water nuclear reactor. rumours swirled of a potential Taliban said, after multiple troops withdraw from the continue however, with tens of ran’s nuclear deal with world line that Washington keeps tow- Iran's moves have been deal that would see a reduction media reports, including a country. thousands of Afghan security ussian President Vladimir Ipowers is in danger of “falling ing, this important achievement condemned by Western gov- in fighting after more than 18 story in the Wall Street Journal, The US-Taliban talks, held forces killed since they inher- RPutin spoke with President apart" without the compliance of of international diplomacy... Is in ernments as unwelcome and years of war. suggested the group was on the mainly in Doha, were aimed at ited combat operations from Donald Trump on Sunday to the United States and the danger of falling apart,” Russian escalating tensions in the region, The statement from the verge of announcing some type allowing Washington to begin NATO at the end of 2014. thank him for information that European Union, Russia's for- Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov while Russia and China have insurgents comes as local and of temporary truce. withdrawing troops in return Earlier Monday, in north- Putin said helped Russia foil eign minister warned Monday said, adding that “colleagues repeatedly blamed the US. international forces brace for The US and the Afghan for various security guarantees. ern Afghanistan's Jowzjan terrorist attacks over the New after meeting with his Iranian from the European Union” were After meeting with Iranian another bloody winter amid government in Kabul have long They were on the brink of province, the Taliban killed at Year's holiday, the Kremlin counterpart in Moscow. not fully complying with the Foreign Minister Javad Zarif on renewed US-Taliban talks, after called for a ceasefire with the a deal when Trump abandoned least 13 Afghan security forces said. The 2015 deal between Iran agreement either. In response to Monday, Lavrov said Russia President Donald Trump called Taliban, including during the the effort in September, citing during a raid on a pro-gov- Putin thanked Trump “for and Britain, China, France, the US sanctions, Iran has pres- would demand full compliance off the negotiations earlier this year of negotiations between Taliban violence. Negotiations ernment militia position, information transmitted Germany, Russia and the United sured the European signatories from both the U.S. And the EU, year over insurgent attacks. Washington and the militants have since restarted in Doha, according to a provincial through the special services States lifted sanctions on Iran in to find a way to limit the impact in which case Iran would be able "In the past few days, some that were abruptly called off by but were earlier this month put spokesman. that helped prevent the com- exchange for limits on its nuclear on the Iranian economy. to return to fulfilling its obliga- on a "pause". Every day Afghan civilians pletion of terrorist acts in program. The U.S. Withdrew Tehran has slowly inched tions in accordance with the Trump is looking to slash also continue to bear the brunt Russia,” the Kremlin said in a from the accord last year and toward ceasing its own compli- deal. Otherwise the agreement the troop presence in of the bloody conflict. brief statement posted on its imposed crippling economic ance with the terms of the deal. should be considered “no longer website. sanctions that block Iran from Last week, for example, the existing,” he said. BBF Pyongyang has been demanding the easing of inter- orth Korean leader Kim national sanctions imposed NJong Un has called for over its nuclear and ballistic "offensive measures" to missile programmes, while strengthen security ahead of a Washington is insisting it takes New Year speech that could more tangible steps towards flesh out the nuclear-armed giving them up. nation's threat to seek a "new The North has not so far way" forward after the expira- specified the "new way" it would tion of its year-end deadline for adopt if the US does not offer US sanctions relief. fresh concessions by the end of Kim's latest comments, the year, and Kim is expected to made during a meeting of top make it clearer on Wednesday. ruling party officials in This month China and Pyongyang, came amid con- Russia — the North's biggest cerns that the North could for- Kim stressed the need "to take Nuclear talks between the economic partners — proposed mally close down dialogue with positive and offensive mea- North and the US have been loosening UN sanctions against Washington and resume sures for fully ensuring the largely stalled since the collapse Pyongyang, and analysts say nuclear and long-range missile sovereignty and security of the of a February summit between Kim is likely to seek to exploit tests. country," the state news agency Kim and US President Donald rivalries between Washington, Addressing the officials, KCNA reported Monday. Trump in Hanoi. Beijing and Moscow. C ed 31 houses, detaining 24 were from Iraq, Syria and other jihadists back to their suspects, including four foreign Morocco. Police were searching home countries in 2019, olice in Turkey detained at nationals. for some 17 other suspects, the Interior Minister Suleyman Pleast 124 people suspected Police conducted report said. The country was Soylu said Sunday. of links to the Islamic State simultaneous, pre-dawn raids hit by a wave of attacks in 2015 Turkey has stepped up its group, the state-run news in the city of Batman, in south- and 2016 blamed on IS and efforts to expel foreign fighters agency reported Monday, in an east Turkey, where 22 suspects Kurdish militants that killed back to their countries of ori- apparent sweep against the were detained, it said in a sep- over 300 people. gin in recent months, accusing militant group ahead of New arate report. The IS group also claimed many European countries of Year celebrations. Raids were also conducted responsibility for an attack at an not taking responsibility for At least 33 foreign nation- in the cities of Adana, Istanbul nightclub during New their nationals and saying als were detained in the capi- Kayseri, Samsun and Bursa Year celebrations in the early Turkey was "not a hotel" for for- tal Ankara in a joint operation where 45 people, including six hours of 2017. eign fighters. by anti-terrorism police and the foreign nationals were The attack killed 39 peo- national intelligence agency, detained. ple, most of them foreigners. according to the Anadolu Anadolu said the IS sus- Meanwhile, Turkey Agency.In Istanbul, police raid- pects apprehended in Ankara deported a total of 778 IS or 4

>/393+ 3:3/3+ ]        L LT ashion is not defined just by a one- off choice or what one wears to an 759:444559559559 Fevent. It’s more about the everyday 4545594B9954445 sartorial choices that we make. This year, besides the sea of animal prints on every- thing from jackets to pants, tops, hand- 5;<=<=5E:E559B45 bags and footwear, athleisure scored big. From Bolly and Hollywood stars sport- 54544454554; ing leggings and yoga pants to men giv- ing a thumbs up to their Lululemon ABC 54555 pants, comfort ruled 2019. I have always been a believer in easy-wear clothes that that we went back to the pre-industrial cular economy, there is a conscious effort are fuss-free and this trend signalled a Revolution production and consumption to reduce over production, on the one O/3@</ relaxing in the otherwise almost-dracon- patterns. Let us take inspiration from our hand, and reuse materials in production 3</::3 ian dress codes dictated by top-drawer 2,000 year old textiles tradition and lega- processes, on the other, thus diverting ++ design houses. cy. What we urgently need to do is to go tons of textile waste from landfills. For 2020, I’d personally root for fash- back to how our forefathers operated. At As for fashion choices of 2020, CJ7<>: ion that is more environmentally con- that time, mankind was in sync with remember that Indian colours work well :33 scious. Slow fashion, which is focussed nature and clothes were organic and on our skin tones. So there will be more :?9: on revisiting design, production, and plant-based. Each region had its own of burnt orange, fuchsia, indigo, ivory, consumption patterns, including recy- distinctive signature textile. Cotton, vermilion red, kesari yellow, rani pink, 9+3 cling of clothes through the simple expe- flax, hemp, jute, sheep wool and so on and the eternal favourite, white. With >3+3<+<7K. dient of reusing and refashioning one’s were the go-to choices. These textiles winters having well and truly set in, lay- C773+:73+ wardrobe, should become the norm, were derived from one’s natural sur- ering will be back and will keep the peo- rather than the exception. Another rea- roundings and suited the region’s climate ple toasty. Classic Indian jackets have a 9L/@<:@ son that slow fashion gets my thumbs- and aesthetics. tremendous potential as they can be @><3K:93>L<3 up is that it follows the principles of fair I’m happy to note that in recent worn short, mid-thigh or long to suit @<:@?> treatment of producers, in this case, the years, sustainable fashion — where the one’s body type. Chogas, the long, loose weavers, as well as in causing the least entire production process, from sourc- garment of Turkish origin, if cut expert- :933<> damage to our planet. ing natural yarns to manufacturing the ly, can be extremely slimming and can C3>+3>L3+33 With the advent of factory-based end product — is gaining momentum. add height. In terms of motifs, if you like @><3:+>3++ production post the industrial revolu- My label was launched 33 years ago O3>+J3+< them bold, don’t shy away from vibrant tion, the concept of fast fashion was keeping the same values and principles weaves that offer a high contrast. But if 93+/3/3+><3K? born. Production processes were speed- in mind. Being ahead of the curve in @</><?3<: you prefer something more subdued, a @><3<3:3+L ed up, to churn out yardage after environmental responsibility has been a white-on-white on weave can be equal- @@3/3K yardage of man-made, synthetic fabrics. hallmark of our textiles, notably our 100 33+<:: ly eye catching. And finally, keep the Prices dropped, and consumption per cent biodegradable bamboo cloth- 37K893 stoles handy. It is one of the most ver- LQ9C<9/ zoomed. Thus was born the “use-and- ing and, the first in the world, bamboo satile fashion accessories which will con- throw” concept. However, now that silk ikkat textile. ><7333::+ tinue to flatter any outfit. Team it up with more and more people in the fashion Additionally, it is important that a small clutch or an Indian potpie or world are cognisant of the fact that the companies in the clothing business 7CJ9>< batua, jewelled sandals or embroidered garments industry is the second-high- close the loop between the production @<3@93<+3<3: jutis, and you will be good to go. est environmental polluter, it is high time and recycling of clothes. In an ideal cir- Happy 2020!

s we bid adieu to 2019, we look at the Atrends in entertainment choices of Indians with BookMyShow introducing millions of its users to newer out-of-home experiences. L   The online booking app hosted over 1,880 films across languages on its plat- form in 2019. The Marvel craze took over India as Avengers: Endgame broke all records to sell over 8.6 million tickets to become the highest-selling Hollywood film on our platform. This was followed by Uri - The Surgical Strike, with over 5.7 million tickets sold for the film. >3<3U .379 While the demand for Hindi films grew by 12 per cent from the last year, L movie buffs booked an average of 2.6 tick- ets per transaction. The top-rated region-  al language films were in Telugu, Tamil, 4 Malayalam, Kannada and Marathi, where- L as the demand for English and Hindi films rose at 45 per cent and 25 per cent respec- 9:E tively. Hindi versions of regional films like Saaho, Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy and KGF inger Akasa Singh says American had come to play in Mumbai for Fly have matched up to the primary language’s Ssinger-songwriter Lauv is warm Music Festival. I even went to the success at the box office. The uptake for and humble beyond being talented. concert because I have always been English language films increased signifi- Akasa, popular for singing foot- a huge fan of his work and his tal- cantly by 56 per cent vis-à-vis last year. The tapping numbers like Kheech Meri ent. This collaboration with Rochak Avengers series retained the top spot Photo and Thug Ranjha, got a and Lauv was like a far-fetched among English language films, wherein chance to work with Lauv on song dream for me but is one the things Avengers: Infinity War led the race in 2018, Dil Na Jaaneya from film Good ticked off my bucket list,” she said.     Avengers: Endgame shattered all ceilings in Newwz. Composed by Rochak Kohli Looking back at her experience 2019. and Lauv, the song is sung by of working on the song, Akasa said, Looking at the genres, about 30 per Rochak, Lauv and Akasa. The lyrics “My aim was to just dub and do my cent of the top 10 films (as per number of 6 number of film lovers, which was followed are by Gurpreet Saini, Ari Leff and best. After the dub there was no con- tickets sold on the app) were based on real- The year also saw an 89 per cent rise by Mumbai and Bengaluru. Hyderabad Michael Pollack and music is pro- versation about it and one day I just life stories and incidents. The trends also in the number of screens occupied by the moved from fourth position in 2018 to duced by Lauv, Johnny Simpson and wake up to a post by Lauv and the pointed towards an interest in Assamese widest circulated films as compared to the outnumber its peers and lead the charts Rochak. rest is history! It’s been a fantastic films, which grew five times to match the previous year. The advance ticket sales in 2019. Kochi also witnessed a 56 per cent “Rochak Kohli has always been feeling. People have been texting me L increase in the number of users who chose grew by 11 per cent on the app in 2019, increase in the number of people using the one of the dream producers that I non-stop, appreciating this side of my the app to watch these films and rated which is just shy of 20 million tickets with app to watch films as compared to 2018. have wanted to work with because voice in Dil Na Jaaneya which is so them on the platform. 11 per cent of the tickets being booked all his melodies are magical. different to Naagin or Aithey Aa.” And action films witnessed a growth before the release. Following this, over 45 44. Gurpreet called me to dub a song for On working with Lauv, she said, of 45 per cent, becoming the most pre- films crossed the one million ticket sales Avengers: Endgame Rochak, they played me the song “I think Lauv brings so much ener- ferred genre followed by drama and com- mark on BookMyShow. Just three per cent URI - The Surgical Strike and the first thing that came into my gy and passion to the song and he is edy. of the total tickets were booked in the last Kabir Singh head was finally I get to sing a slow, in fact, one of the nicest people I have While actors Hrithik Roshan and 30 minutes before a film’s show time. Saaho romantic song,” Akasa said. met from the global music industry Ranveer Singh ruled the top 10 Hindi film War “They hinted of the possibility of till date. He is warm and humble bucket with two films each to their cred- The Lion King Lauv being a part of the song but beyond being very talented. I feel it, Akshay Kumar with 9.2 million tickets Mission Mangal nothing was confirmed. blessed to be ending 2019 on such a and Ayushmann Khurrana with 6.3 mil- While Sunday evening was the most Simmba Coincidentally, I had met and inter- positive note.” lion tickets overall had a great year with preferred show time for movie-goers, Gully Boy viewed Lauv early this year when he L three films each. Hyderabad was home to the maximum Chhichhore 5  4 ECHOES OF THE PAST AND THE PRESENT

556 :4 5944 ;  P !" n amalgamation of nature, approach through colours and Amovement, human activity, forms. a manifestation of the artists, Along with them are dis- their experience and observation played Biswapati Maity and his of their surroundings are inter- feminism, Gautam Pramanik twined for the sixth edition of and his colours, Jyoti Prasad the group exhibition Vision’20. Mallik painting humble lives, The contributing artists Rabindranath Choudhury, Saroj Ajay Ghose, Biswapati Maity, Basu and Subhrata Biswas who Gautam Pramanik, Jyoti Prasad create a different world with Mallick, Karna Puri, Manoj their works. All of these critical- Sarkar, Rabindranath ly acclaimed artists bring out the Choudhury, Saroj Basu, Subrata visual aspects of life on their can- Biswas, Tapas Basu, Tirthankar vas, overwhelming us into an Biswas and Tilok Mandal have epitome of non-visual feelings. interwoven these ideas and Most of the artists con- developed them further. tributing to this exhibition have Rabindranath Chaudhury been inspired by Nature, and one of the senior contributing everything that surrounds us. he Sunder Nursery has brought cept of congruency between nature, artists whose work has been col- Biswapati Maity says, “Although alive the 64 sandstone yoginis garden and utility, coupled with envi- Over the years, Kohli has worked lected by various institutions Nature is the main inspiration of Tand larger-than-life sculptures ronmental conservation. on the philosophy and the wisdom of across the globe says, “In my my paintings, I am heavily influ- by artist and performer Seema Kohli. Kohli has been working with the Hiranyagarbha/The Golden Womb, current series, I am experi- enced by human figures and its antiquity for the past 15 years. She Tree of Life and Vasudhaiva menting with colours, forms, behavior. In my paintings, began creating the yoginis first as zinc Kutumbakam. This show is an exten- textures, and perspectives to human figures come out in a Chief architect and CEO of the plates and then translated them into sion of research in the art of illustra- uncover the deepest crevices of very natural way. Sometimes it Agha Khan Trust for Culture, Ratish sandstone sculptures with the help of tive patterns. The sculptures blend well the human psyche. Nature can be a full figure and some- Nanda, picked out the lotus pond as artisans. The temples of the chausath into the expanse of greenery where ear- always haunts me and unleash- times it may be only the face.” the right site for the yoginis to rest at. (64) yoginis, are strewn across the heart lier there was dust and rubble. Offering es my mind a profound thrill Nature is a dominant theme With one stroke, the became the con- of India, in Madhya Pradesh and a contemporary stage to a design with all her beautiful things.” for most artists, it’s beauty and fluence of cultures and thereby spoke Odisha. In more ways than one, it is inspired by historic Indian myth and In the exhibition, one can the magical colours can draw to us about the essence of a pure spir- the enigmatic aura that keeps us sacred literature becomes an important find unity in Ajoy Ghosh’s excel- anyone to itself, however, as it. glued to the imagery as we think of the statement in the signal for art events lent intertwining of nature with Tirthankar Biswas explains, The Trust has been rehabilitating feminine power in a world that has in modern moorings of Delhi. The mythology or, in the meditative sometimes inspirations are real- existing parks and creating new spaces turned a blind eye to the protection of Sunder Nursery gardens enhance the vibes of Karna Puri. While the istic and sometimes semi-real- for over 20 years with the objective of women and abused the feminine arrival point on the edge of the lotus paintings of Tilak Mondal teach istic, “The common denomina- demonstrating that these green spaces body for its own lust. pond. The glimpse of the sculptures the world tenacity through tor in my paintings is a moment, can be catalysts for positive econom- becomes a testimony to the power and womanhood, Tapas Basu’s movement and force. It can be ic, social and cultural change. The Aga poetry that can be brought alive in a works are an amazing example a sixer from an energetic crick- Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) The Tree of Life sculpture and other garden as a sculpture court. of finding peace in the beauty of eter, it can be an escaping deer focusses on the physical, social, cultur- ones in bronze and wood are a heady nature and contemporary soci- from an approaching tiger, it can al and economic revitalisation of mix of haute history and the power of ety. As Manoj Sarkar takes you be an out-posted hut from a communities in the developing world. yogic stances. The placement of the “The translation of an ancient through an adventure of many flash flood or it can be a swing- sculptures under the salient tree speaks form, specially feminine, in terms of aspects of human life, ing head of palm tree with  of the age of regalia. Perhaps in terms the goddesses and figures of the past Thirthankar Biswas’ will make monsoon wind. The variation of The landscape design of the of language and grammar, the idea of makes art more universal and acces- you live through the moment of the medium is also just like my Sunder Nursery has become a plush creating a sculptural park of a precious sible,” states Kohli. the topic in his canvas. subject. I use from diluted ink stage for Kohli’s sculptures. When you architectural heritage becomes impor- As an artist, Kohli is both Tapas Basu’s work reflect an to pencil, pastel, charcoal, acrylic look at them under the tree and then tant in the unveiling of a new trend. engrossed and deeply driven by an expression of the inner world and oil colour depend upon the see the yoginis, you know that the The bronze and the large wooden instinct. Her sculptures embody the with eclectic colours. The demand of the subject. The amalgamation of art and landscape sculptures echo the pulse of the past ing the traditions of passing on the harmony of the feminine yogic sculp- compassion of many avatars of exis- award-winning artist says, “My recent works belong to the aims to enhance the historic charac- and the present. We think of the eter- knowledge of restoration methods tures sitting in peace and utter calm. tence. This exhibition also tells Delhi work is inspired by the beauty semi-realistic category with the ter. It provides a connection with a nal power of the human mind and with appropriate technologies and You also think of the zenith in the dic- that we have one more space to exhib- of nature and contemporary medium of oil on canvas.” truly urban scale as it derives inspira- hands, the skills of building with the materials. Conservation of ideas spring tionary of building traditions, tech- it and sculptures will get a new lease society, where life is captured in (The exhibition will be held tion from the traditional Indian con- elements of the earth and re-energis- forth when you see the balance and niques and human heritage. of life at the Sunder Nursery. a symbolic, yet surrealistic from January 3 to 9.)

carlet shackles sit peacefully on museum in Lagos, Portugal, where portion, visitors encounter shack- day slavery in partnership with Sdisplay in front of a sad, gray the European slave trade began. But les and chains used in forts and cas- Liverpool charity City Hearts. The backdrop. The now rusted leg irons Liverpool’s museum is much larg- tles along the African coast to hold project links current human traf- once locked human ankles during 94:4 er, more interactive, and more humans before their horrific jour- ficking to the story out of the 18th century voyages from Africa to ambitious without being exploita- ney. A small replica of a slave boat Middle Passage. some European port, then to the tive. illustrates how captives were tossed In the US, journalist Nikole Americas. Inside, visitors immediately are into small compartments. Next to Hannah-Jones has sparked conver- Who the shackles held remain taken on a meditative experience the ship are 18th-century whips and sations about the legacy of slavery a mystery. But as a citizen of the focusing on Africa before European branding irons. Yes, these were in that nation’s history with her United States, I’ve likely broken contact. You are greeted by quotes used. interactive 1619 Project in The bread with a descendant of the of American abolitionists and civil Then, there was resistance, lib- New York Times. It examines the woman forced to wear this instru- rights leaders etched into stone eration, and the long fight for civil 400th anniversary of the arrival of ment. Maybe my uncle fought walls before you see traditional rights. Surprising, I walked into an the first enslaved people from West alongside her kin in a war. Or it’s masks from present-day Sierra area dedicated to the African Africa on the present-day America’s possible one of her distant relatives Leone and Mali. There are vibrant American heroes from Harriet eastern shore. The project chal- is now be my relative. textiles from Ghana, intricate head- Tubman to the Rev Martin Luther lenges readers to consider how These are the thoughts I enter- dresses from Cameroon and sam- King Jr and Malcolm X. US news their own lives have been shaped by tain recently while walking through ples of Igbo wall painting from footage from the 1950s and 1960s the legacy of slavery and it is help- the reflective International Slavery Nigeria. You can listen to samples illustrates how the descendants of ing inspire activists in places like Museum in Liverpool, England. of drum signals from the Republic those who crossed the Middle Albuquerque, New Mexico, to push Founded in 2007 on the bicentenary of Congo or a Mbuti hunting song. Passage had to fight for human for their own museum of black his- of the abolition of the British slave The messages are clear: before rights and against violence amid tory. trade, the museum sits just a short enslavement, Africa was a diverse white supremacy — the ideology Walking by an installation of walk from the dry docks where slave and complex continent with long that launched racialised slavery in former slave and abolitionist trading ships were repaired and fit- artistic and religious traditions. the first place. There are also pho- Olaudah Equiano, I heard two ted out in the 1700s. (And it’s close Next, visitors are whisked tos of the Civil Rights struggles in young black women discussing the by the The Beatles Story, the world’s toward a room tackling enslave- the United Kingdom from London’s 1619 Project and how they didn’t largest permanent exhibition pure- ment and the brutal Middle “Keep Britain White Rally” in 1960 understand the criticism it faced for ly devoted to the hometown band.) Passage. Racial ideologies and to the Toxteth Riot of 1981 in trying to reshape a narrative in the Once a major slaving port, Liverpool Europe’s unfamiliarity with the cul- Liverpool over allegations of police U S. As we left the Equiano sculp- grew thanks to merchants’ financial tures of Africa sparked the slave harassment. ture, we stopped at a display of a ties to the enslavement of people to trade which grew once European The museum ends with a space 1920-era Ku Klux Klan robe and the Americas. powers expanded to the Americas, for changing exhibits related to the hood from Port Jervis, New York. Today, the building tells the the museum tells us. In this room, themes around modern-day slavery. The outfit that was once used to ter- story of the enslavement of people details of the voyage of the ship During my visit in November, I rorise blacks and Catholics stared from Africa and how this British city Essex are reconstructed. That’s a encountered an exhibition called back down at us. We were silent. But benefited from human bondage. slave ship that left Liverpool on June “Am I not a woman and a sister” — I could feel we were relieved the The Liverpool location reclaims a 13, 1783, just nine years after the a moving image installation by glass case surrounding it protected space once connected to worldwide American Declaration of England-based artist Elizabeth us. We were safe for now. human suffering and is similar to O Independence. Kwant. She co-created the project But were we? Mercado de Escravos — the slavery During the Middle Passage with female survivors of modern- L

8  "   & ' )          $   %   T T T +<4 Red’s ‘brilliant’ 2019 just a building block for Klopp

Wolves’ frustration was compound- iverpool manager Jurgen Klopp ed in first-half stoppage time when insists the European champions Pedro Neto's equaliser was ruled out. Lmust build on a “brilliant” 2019 to Jonny was adjudged to be offside by turn a 13-point lead at the top of the table the tiniest of margins in the build-up to into a first Premier League title in 30 add to a number of Premier League goals years. over the past two days ruled out for the Klopp’s men were not at their flow- most marginal of offside calls. ing best and needed the help of two VAR “Anfield is amazing but they were cel- reviews to continue their relentless ebrating a non-goal. It doesn't make march towards the title with a 1-0 win sense. The referee should sustain his deci- over Wolves on Sunday. sion,” said Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Liverpool have now won 18 of their Santo. first 19 league games of the season and “The VAR referee is miles away tak- lost just once in the calendar year in the ing decisions on a lot of things happen- league, on top of winning the Champions ing here. Who is inside the game? Who League, Club World Cup and UEFA feels the intensity and the flow? The ref- Super Cup. eree here.” “2019 was brilliant but it’s not impor- Nuno was booked among the Wolves tant because we count seasons, not protestations, but the Portuguese coach’s years, so the 2019/20 season is not over,” decision to start with top scorer Raul said Klopp. Jimenez and Adama Traore on the bench “We are halfway there, we still have meant he had weapons up his sleeve 19 games to play and probably 18 or 19 come the second half. of them will be like this tonight, for dif- Traore’s pace was unleashed on the ferent reasons. hour mark and Jimenez followed short- “Who cares about points in ly after, but only after Diogo Jota’s fierce December? We just created a basis which strike forced Alisson Becker into a smart we will work with from now on, that’s all.” save. The visitors had lost just once in their previous 14 league games to move into Wolves were angry even before the contention for a top-four finish and they VAR controversies as the Premier League did not go down without a fight in the Christmas scheduling meant they trav- final stages. elled to Anfield just 45 hours after a “If it would be easy to win that num- thrilling 3-2 win over Manchester City. ber of games a lot more teams would have In the match they were left fuming done it,” added Klopp. at the two calls that went against them “It is not easy and you have to fight in quick succession towards the end of with all you have. Sometimes we have the first half. more and sometimes less and the boys do Mane swept home his 14th goal of the that all the time, so I couldn’t be more season from Lallana’s knockdown with proud of what they did again. To get that his shoulder and referee Anthony Taylor’s result over the line is just impressive.” initial decision was overturned. Jimenez had the best chance to claim However, Wolves were unhappy that an equaliser, but was denied by a block another claim for handball against Virgil from Joe Gomez before Joao Moutinho, van Dijk earlier in the move was not Romain Saiss, Ruben Vinagre and Traore checked.    all fired off target. O QR national champion and South Asian Games Gold-medallist Ankit ccomplished comeback-man Khatana in a unanimous verdict. AVikas Krishan (69kg) claimed Satish, a Commonwealth and a slot in the Indian men’s boxing Asian Games medallist, booked his squad for next year’s Olympic berth with a split verdict triumph anchester City shrugged qualifiers after winning his final over Narender. Sachin claimed Moff a tight turnaround trial bout along with two others the 81kg spot with a victory over from defeat at Wolves to beat here on Monday. Brijesh Yadav. Sheffield United 2-0 on Sunday truggling West Ham said they had appoint- The former world champi- Amit Panghal (52kg) and thanks to second-half strikes Sed David Moyes as manager for the sec- onships and Asian Games medal- Manish Kaushik (63kg) have from Sergio Aguero and Kevin ond time in a bid to safeguard their place in winner, who competed in the mid- already claimed their place in the de Bruyne. the Premier League. dleweight 75kg category for a long team after winning medals at the City boss Pep Guardiola Moyes, whose career has never recovered time, is back to the 69kg division world championships in had lambasted the scheduling from a deeply unsuccessful spell as after recovering from a back injury September. that saw the English champions Manchester United boss in 2013-14, succeeds sustained during his short unde- While Panghal claimed a path- kick off less than 48 hours after Manuel Pellegrini, who was sacked after a 2- feated stint in the professional breaking silver, Kaushik brought playing the majority of Friday's 1 defeat to Leicester on Saturday that left the circuit. home a Bronze, fulfilling the cri- 3-2 defeat at Molineux with 10 B  Hammers just one point above the relegation The 26-year-old, already a teria for selection set by the Boxing men. zone. two-time Olympian, out-punched Federation of India. Fatigue seemed to get the fired home. The 56- national medallist Duryodhan   Indian squad for Asia-Oceania better of City in the first half as City were furious because year-old has Singh Negi in a unanimous deci- QR Olympic Qualifiers: Amit Panghal the Blades enjoyed the better of they thought Aguero had been been with- sion in the trial finals. Gaurav Solanki (57kg) and Naman On Sunday, Asian silver- (52kg), Gaurav Solanki (57kg), the chances and had a Lys fouled in the build-up but, while out a club Also making the squad for the Tanwar (91kg). medallist Ashish Kumar (75kg), Manish Kaushik (63 kg), Vikas Mousset goal ruled out after a their complaints were brushed since leav- Asia/Oceania zone qualifiers, While Solanki defeated veteran Satish kumar (+91kg) and Krishan (69kg), Ashish Kumar VAR review for offside. aside by referee Chris Kavanagh, ing West scheduled from February 3 to 14 Mohammed Hussamuddin, Sachin Kumar (81kg) booked their (75kg), Sachin Kumar (81kg), However, the greater indi- VAR came to their aid by ruling Ham after a in China, were Commonwealth Tanwar edged past Naveen Kumar. places in the squad. Naman Tanwar (91kg), Satish vidual quality at Guardiola’s dis- Mousset was marginally off- six-month Games medal-winning duo of Both the bouts were split verdicts. Ashish defeated reigning Kumar (+91kg). posal decided the game as De side. spell in the Bruyne teed up Aguero to smash “If the Mousset goal was not 2017-18 into the roof of the net seven offside, it would have been very season. minutes after the break. difficult for us,” added Moyes De Bruyne then rounded off Guardiola. “In the second half guided West Country proud of both Mary and Nikhat: Rijiju another excellent display by we put more players closer to Ham to scoring the second himself with Sergio, and we passed the ball safety that a fine finish eight minutes from with more quality.” season after he added. time to inflict United's first It was a let-off for City but Slaven Bilic Zareen had defeat away from home for they were caught out by a long was dis- ports Minister Kiren approached Rijiju with an nearly a year and bring City back ball again soon after as Oliver missed in SRijiju on Monday said open letter when the to within 14 points of runaway Norwood picked out Mousset, early not much should be made Boxing Federation of India Premier League leaders who was onside this time but OB November of the “ugly spat” that (BFI) flip-flopped on a Liverpool. could only shoot into the side-  and will be marred the trial bout stated policy and “Today I understood why netting with just Claudio Bravo tasked with between M C Mary Kom announced direct selec- Sheffield United are in the place to beat. doing the same for a second time. and Nikhat Zareen and tion of Mary Kom for the they’re in the table,” said “You always know when “It’s fabulous to be back,” said Moyes in the country is proud of Olympic qualifiers. Guardiola. you comes to grounds like a club statement on Sunday. both the six-time world Rijiju had steered clear “In the first half we had Manchester City you have to “I’m feeling very proud that I’m back here champion and her promis- of the matter at that time problems, we changed some take your opportunities, and at West Ham. But I think more importantly ing challenger. citing the Olympic charter. things and the second half was unfortunately we didn’t,” said I'll be looking to see what I can do and what Mary Kom defeated On Saturday, Mary much, much better.” Blades boss Chris Wilder. I can make improvements to. Zareen 9-1 in the trials Kom said she was upset Despite claiming that the “The first goal is the game- “I do believe that the squad of players I've held on Saturday to make about being dragged into crowded Christmas scheduling changer. We were in the game got here is a better squad of players than when the squad for Olympic the selection controversy showed the Premier League and and then we had to open up to I took over before, so I am looking forward Qualifiers in China in as the call on selection was broadcasters “don’t care” about try to get back into it and a to working with them.” February. The bout was not hers to take. player welfare, Guardiola made world-class player finishes us off The West Ham hierarchy were keen to marred by acrimony as The Manipuri icon just three changes to the side that in the last ten minutes.” make a swift appointment following the two boxers didn’t shake defended her refusal to started against Wolves. The lack of a clinical finish- Pellegrini’s sacking ahead of Wednesday’s cru- hands after the contest exchange post-bout pleas- City's sluggish start should er has been the only thing hold- cial clash with fellow strugglers Bournemouth and Mary Kom ignored an antries with Zareen, saying have punished by the visitors ing back Wilder’s men, who sit at the London Stadium. attempted hug by Zareen. that the former junior with Mousset particularly waste- eighth in the table, on their “David proved in his short time with the “Mary Kom is a legend world champion will get ful. already impressive return to the club that he was capable of getting results and who has achieved what her respect only if she The Frenchman spurned a Premier League and they got a we believe that he will start moving the club no other boxer has ever “herself shows respect to glorious early chance to put lesson in taking their chances in the right direction once again,” said West achieved in the World others”. United ahead when he get on the from City’s all-time record scor- Ham's co-chairman David Sullivan. Amateur Boxing. Nikhat The 23-year-old end of a floated Callum er soon after the break. “We are delighted to welcome David back Zareen is an amazing Zareen said she expected Robinson cross but headed wide. De Bruyne picked out - he knows the club well and he built strong boxer who has the poten- Period,” Rijiju tweeted. bear in mind is, in profes- it’s the nation. The ugly better from the senior United thought they had Aguero with a fine through ball relationships during that time which will be tial to follow the footsteps “...Passions & emo- sional sports, the players & spate (sic) shouldn’t have boxer and felt hurt when claimed the lead on 29 minutes and the Argentine blasted high crucial for the work that needs to be done of Mary Kom. India is tions are the souls of money matter more adverse effects on players her attempt at sharing a when Mousset raced onto a past Henderson from a narrow going forward.” proud of both of them. Sports! The only point to whereas in amateur sports while representing India,” hug was rebuffed. long ball from John Fleck and angle. Moyes won nine and drew 10 of his 31 previous games in charge of the club. He made his name in 11 successful years at Everton, but was sacked after less than a year as Alex Ferguson’s successor at Manchester United. 54 Moyes also struggled in short spells at Real Sociedad and Sunderland before taking slipped to 13, said he was a statement. will replace him as the Murray pulled out over It will see 24 nations the West Ham job first time round on a short- disappointed not to be Nishikori’s elbow top-ranked player in the weekend with a pelvic split into six groups, with term contract. apanese star Kei representing his country needed surgery in Japan’s ATP Cup team. injury and Roger Federer eight teams emerging He was not offered a new deal despite JNishikori pulled out of in Perth at the team event October and it is unclear Yasutaka Uchiyama opted not to play. from the round-robin comfortably keeping the club up by finishing the inaugural ATP Cup starting on January 3. whether he will be fit for also withdrew from the The innovative team stage to compete in the 13th. Monday as he continues “Today, together the Australian Open event earlier this week, championship, from knockout phase. However, West Ham’s ambitious appoint- to struggle with an elbow with my team, we have when the first Grand with Toshihide Matsui January 3-12, offers $15 Sydney will host the ment of former Real Madrid and Manchester injury that has kept him made this decision as I Slam of the year begins at taking his place. million in prize money finals, along with group City boss Pellegrini did not pay off as the Chilean out since the US Open. am still not 100 percent Melbourne Park on Nishikori’s absence and a maximum of 750 games which will also be was let go on Saturday after a run of seven defeats The former world ready to compete at the January 20. is another blow for the singles and 250 doubles held in Brisbane and in nine Premier League matches.     number four, who has highest level,” he said in Yoshihito Nishioka event after Britain’s Andy ATP rankings points. Perth. +<4X

=5 Shaw had hit a blazing double hundred against Baroda in the lung-opener but faltered in both the essays against Railways at Wankhede Stadium. ndian captain Virat Kohli 454E69 Rahane also had a horrendous will end the year at the top time with the bat against Railways. Iof the ICC Test ranking Mumbai had won the game chart for batsmen but five-day 54955 against Baroda while lost to specialist Cheteshwar Pujara Railways by 10 wickets. slipped a place to fifth. Australians he has opted for Rahane, who has played 63 With 928 points, Kohli is Steve Smith and David Tests, will be playing consecutive way ahead of second-placed ormer Australian captain Warner along with spinner Ranji games after a long time. Australian maestro Steve Smith FRicky Ponting on Monday Nathan Lyon. Shreyas Iyer and Shivam (911) and New Zealand’s inspi- picked India skipper Virat “Everyone’s picking teams Dube, who were criticized heavi- rational skipper Kane Kohli to lead his all-star Test of the decade so I thought I’d ly for not playing the last Ranji Williamson (822), while team of the decade, which fea- join in the fun,” Ponting wrote games, have been not named in Australia’s Marnus tured four English players. on his twitter handle. the squad as they are away on Labuschagne, who has amassed Ponting’s Test team of “This would be my Test India duty. O 1,085 runs in 11 Tests this year, the 2010s doesn’t feature any team of the 2010’s: David   Pacer Shardul Thakur, who is improved a place to grab the other Indian apart from Warner, Alastair Cook, Kane also away on India duty, has not fourth spot. Kohli, who is currently Williamson, Steve Smith, named in the squad either. Pujara was placed fifth ranked No.1 in both ICC Virat Kohli (c), Kumar Meanwhile, young batsman with 791 points, while Ajinkya Test and ODI rankings for Sangakkarra (wk), Ben est specialist Ajinkya Rahane Sarfaraz Khanhas been Rahane was joint seventh with batsmen. Stokes, Dale Steyn, Nathan Tand young prodigy Prithvi includedinthesquad. 759 points. The Englishmen in his Lyon, Stuart Broad, James Shaw will turn up for Mumbai in This could possibly be the last With his enterprising 95 team include all-rounder Ben Anderson.” their Ranji Trophy game against game Shaw plays for the timebe- against England in the first Stokes, batsman Alastair Kohli was also named heavyweights Karnataka. ing as he then heads to New Test, Quinton de Kock not only Cook, and the pace duo of captain of the Test XI of the The two were named in the Zealand with the India A squad. set up his team’s win, but also Stuart Broad and James decade by Cricket Australia's 15-member squad announced by Mumbai squad: Suryakumar shot into the top of the latest Anderson. Among the official news website. the associationon its website on Yadav (Captain) Aditya Tare (Vice rankings release on Monday. Monday. Captain) Ajinkya Rahane, Prithvi In bowling, India’s lead The game will be played at the Shaw, Sarfaraz Khan, Shubham pacer Jasprit Bumrah, return- (772 points) and seamer Pat Cummins was at the top of Bandra Kurla Complex from Ranjane, Akash Parkar, Siddhesh ing from an injury layoff, Mohammed Shami (771) were the standings with 902 points January 3. Lad, Shams Mulani, Vinayak remained static at sixth posi- ninth and tenth respectively in ahead of Neil Wagner (859) Both Shaw and Rahane played Bhoir, Shashank Attarde, Royston tion with 794 points, while the order. and South African paceman the previous games against Baroda Dias, Tushar Deshpande, Deepak    spinner Ravichandran Ashwin Australian pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada (832). and Railways. Shetty andEknath Kerkar. = It’s too early to say: 69;9474 Ganguly on four-day Tests > <=559 CCI President Sourav Ganguly on Monday the list of leading run-scorers Bsaid it's “too early” to comment on the ICC’s of all time with 21,444 runs, ustralia on Monday called up proposal to make four-day Tests mandatory as ndia skipper Virat Kohli and was also included in Wisden’s Aexplosive opening all-rounder part of the World Test Championship from Ipace spearhead Jasprit Test and ODI teams of the D’Arcy Short in place of injured pacer 2023. Bumrah were the only two decade, besides being named Sean Abbott in their ODI squad for “First we will have to see the proposal, let Indians who found a place in in Wisden’s list of five crick- the upcoming tour of India. it come and then we will see. It’s too early to Wisden’s T20 International eters of the decade which also The tour begins on January 14 say. Can’t comment just like this,” Ganguly said team of the decade, which features Steve Smith, Dale with the first One-day International at the Eden Gardens didn’t feature Mahendra Singh Steyn, AB de Villiers and Ellyse in Mumbai. when asked about his Dhoni. Perry. The second and third ODIs will be views on four-day Australia’s limited overs While Kohli was picked in held in Rajkot and Bengaluru on Tests. captain Aaron Finch was Wisden’s T20I team of the January 14 and January 19, respective- The International named captain of the team, decade to strengthen the bat- ly. Cricket Council’s which has two more Australian ting order, Bumrah found a Short has been included in the (ICC) cricket com- in Shane Watson and Glenn place in the bowling unit due squad after a side strain during a Big mittee will formally Maxwell, two England crick- to his superb economy rate and Bash League game ruled out Abbott consider trimming eters — Jos Buttler and David reputation for being a reliable for four weeks. Tests to four days Willey, two Afghanistan all- death bowler. With fast bowlers Pat Cummins,     from five for the 2023- rounders — Mohammad Nabi “Bumrah’s overall econo- Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and 2031 cycle. and Rashid Khan, and New my rate of 6.71 is the second Kane Richardson already in Australia’s Short has played four ODIs for The ICC wanting Zealand’s Colin Munro and Sri best in the world among quick ODI squad, selectors have called in Australia, hitting 83 runs at an aver- to stage more global Lanka’s Lasith Malinga. bowlers, behind Dale Steyn,” Short, a top-order batter who also age of 26.66. Unless there's an injury, events, the BCCI’s On Kohli, Wisden said: Wisden said about Bumrah, bowls wrist spin, to replace pacer he will likely bat in the middle order demands for an “While Kohli’s record in who has overall taken 216 Abbott. “It is extremely unfortunate given Warner and Finch are going to expanded bilateral domestic T20 cricket is patchy, wickets, including 51 in T20Is, for Sean, who is very much a part of open. David Warner and Steve Smith calendar, proliferation the same cannot be said of in his international career so our white-ball squad plans leading will also be touring India for the first of T20 leagues around T20Is. Kohli’s average of 53 was far. into the ICC T20 World Cup and the time with the Australian team since the world and cost of the best in the decade, and “This statistic is more World Cup,” selection convener Trevor the ball-tampering scandal, both hosting a five-day while his consistency compro- impressive when you consid- Hohns was quoted as saying by expectedly figuring in the squad. game are some of the mises his strike-rate slightly, he er he did the majority of his Cricket Australia. factors contributing is still able to score at a good bowling in the death overs, “D’Arcy offers the squad another ] to the need for a four-day game. rate, even if not exceptional. where his economy rate of 7.27 spinning all-rounder option along Aaron Finch (capt), D’Arcy Short, A four-day Test is not a new concept with “Strong against pace and was the seventh best in the with Ashton Agar, which, along with Ashton Agar, Alex Carey (wk), Pat the last one played between England and spin, and rapid between the   world, and comfortably the the four world-class fast bowlers and Cummins, Peter Handscomb, Josh Ireland earlier this year. South Africa and wickets, Kohli is an ideal play- best by a quick bowler. Adam Zampa, balances the squad out Hazlewood, Marnus Labuschagne, Zimbabwe too played one in 2017. er at No.3, able to fight fires accelerate when a platform is slide down the order in this XI,” Bumrah is likely bowl three nicely. His proven record and ability Kane Richardson, Steven Smith, Ganguly also gave no update on the forma- when an early wicket is lost and set. Following a huge first- it said on its website. overs at the death for this to bat anywhere in the order will also Mitchell Starc, Ashton Turner, David tion of the Cricket Advisory Committee, which stabilise the innings, but also wicket partnership, Kohli will Kohli, who ranks third in side.” be a great asset to the squad.” Warner, Adam Zampa. is supposed to appoint the national selectors. +9+:8<3 J3<3+@<:3 give Stuart MacGill a go?” he asked, noting the lack of opportunity given to Warne’s leg-spin rival at the height of their careers. “I won’t be resting. I haven’t met B any Australian cricketers that would like to be rested. “It’s that hard playing Test cricket, but it’s that rewarding as well so every outh African cricket captain Faf du Plessis opportunity you get to play cricket for Sbelieves cricket needs more, not fewer, elite Australia it means the world to us. nations. “So I can’t imagine Mitch Starc, Pat Speaking after South Africa’s 107-run win in (Cummins) or Patto (James Pattinson) the first Test against England on Sunday, Du Plessis putting his hand up to say I need a rest.” was asked his opinion about plans for an annual Queensland’s Swepson has been ‘Super Series’ of one-day games, involving the so- added to Australia’s squad for Sydney, called ‘Big Three’ of India, Australia and England, F where conditions often assist slow with one other country to be invited on a revolv- bowlers, and was taking tips from ing basis. Warne in Melbourne. “The last year or so you can see what’s going There is a chance that Australia will on in terms of the big three countries,” he said. =4 play two specialist spinners in the third “There’s a lot of movement going towards that, as we prepare for this final Test.” Test, with the call to be made after a lot more matches being played against the top Somerville, 35, has played three Paine and selectors look at the pitch. three, or big three. It’s probably better if you include ew Zealand have turned to Will Tests, taking seven wickets on his Swepson, who has taken 12 wick- more teams, the better to grow the game as much NSomerville for his experience of debut against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi ets from six Sheffield Shield games at as you can.” playing in Sydney as they look to avoid last year and a total of seven in two 26.58, was a member of Australia's Test Du Plessis pointed out that there was inequal- a whitewash in the third and final Test Tests away to Sri Lanka four months squad for tours of India and ity of fixtures, especially in Test cricket, with new against Australia. ago. Bangladesh in 2017 but has yet to make Test nations such as Ireland and Afghanistan strug- Off-spinner Somerville, who was Boult is returning to New Zealand his debut. gling to get fixtures. raised in Australia and played Sheffield after suffering a fracture to his right Lyon said if both of them played, “There’s a lot of smaller nations not playing a Shield for New South Wales, will hand in the second Test which he would be more than happy. lot of Test cricket, they’re actually playing less,” he replace injured pace bowler Trent Australia won comfortably by 247 runs “Mitch has been bowling brilliant- said. Boult for the Test starting in Sydney on Sunday within four days in     ly for Queensland,” he said. “He’s a on Friday. Melbourne. great fella to start off with, but he gives Coach Gary Stead said the inclu- Australia won the first Test by 296 Cricket great Warne has champi- it a rip and that's what I really love to sion of the lanky 1.93 metre (6ft 4in) runs, again wrapping up the match oned Swepson and over the weekend see. Somerville was a nod to the expected inside four days. ustralia’s Nathan Lyon on Monday flagged the idea of axing Lyon if selec- “I’m a big fan of Mitch, it’s great to conditions at the Sydney Cricket New Zealand already have Matt Ashot down a suggestion from tors opt for one spinner in Sydney. see him in and around our squad so he Ground. Henry and Kyle Jamieson in the squad Shane Warne that he take a rest for the “Just giving Mitchell Swepson a gets his chance and fingers crossed we “There’s no secret the SCG pitch to provide fast bowling cover while Sydney Test against New Zealand this taste of it, giving him a chance, I reck- can have a great combination togeth- is one of the more spin-friendly in Somerville’s height and local knowl- week so leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson on it will pay dividends in the long er.” Australia,” Stead said. edge could see him overtake the can make his debut. run,” Warne said. If Australia go down that road, they “Will offers something different to incumbent spinners Mitchell Santner Tim Paine’s team have already But Lyon, who took four wickets on would almost certainly retain Cummins, our two other spinners in the squad and Todd Astle. won the three-match series against the Sunday to wrap up late New Zealand Starc and Pattinson, meaning a batsman with his right arm off-spin and height. Somerville was one of the leading Black Caps after crushing them by 247 second innings resistance, said there would be axed with Matthew Wade the “The fact he’s played a lot of bowlers in Australia’s Sheffield Shield runs in Melbourne on Sunday, follow- was no way he would be standing aside. likely candidate after Travis Head scored cricket in Sydney during his career for in 2016-17 season with 35 wickets at ing their comprehensive win in Perth. “Did Warnie ever want a rest and a century in Melbourne. New South Wales will also be helpful an average of 23.14.