Follow us on: @TheDailyPioneer facebook.com/dailypioneer Established 1864 RNI No. APENG/2018/764698 Published From *Late City Vol. 2 Issue 58 NATION 5 MONEY 6 VIVACITY 7 VIJAYAWADA DELHI LUCKNOW *Air Surcharge Extra if Applicable PSB HEALTH RESTORED, 13 MAKE THE BHOPAL RAIPUR CHANDIGARH FIGHTING FREEDOM-ERA BHUBANESWAR PEOPLE'S IDEALOGY: PRIYANKA BANKS REPORT PROFIT: GOVT MOST OF IT RANCHI DEHRADUN NETA, HYDERABAD IN OR OUT OF POWER VIJAYAWADA, SUNDAY DECEMBER 29, 2019; PAGES 12 `3 12

www.dailypioneer.com DRUG RACKET INSIDE GURUGRAM HONG KONG POLICE PAID $17 MN KERALA GOVERNOR HECKLED BY MARY KOM OUTPUNCHES JAIL: JAIL WARDEN ABSCONDING IN ALLOWANCES DURING PROTESTS STUDENTS AT HISTORY CONGRESS NIKHAT ZAREEN FOR TOKYO 2020 drug racket active inside Gurugram district jail and involving a jail ong Kong police have earned a total of HK$135 million ($17.3 million) in lack flags and heckles by the Youth Congress and workers of the s Indian boxing powerhouse Mary Kom beat Nikhat Zareen on Awarden was busted on Friday after the crime branch officials arrested Hallowances during the past six months of anti-government protests, BKerala Students' Union greeted Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed ASaturday for a berth in the national team for the Tokyo 2020 qualifiers, two youths here in connection with the case. The Crime branch on government figures show. The meal and work-related allowances were on top Khan on Saturday at Kannur. The Governor was in Kannur to inaugurate Twitter fans of both tweeted support for the pugilists. After Mary Kom conducted a raid at Naya Gaon road adjoining the jail and held two of HK$950 million overtime pay that police have earned since the protests the 80th Indian History Congress at Kannur University. Six Congress beat Nikhat Zareen 9-1 in the 51kg women's trials, #Nikhat trended with youths red handed. The accused, identified as Mohati (21) and Babloo intensified in June, according to the figures released to city legislators on workers, including KSU district president P Muhammed 2,813 tweets while #Mary Kom got 2,507 tweets. One (26), both residents of Manesar, were arrested Friday. The Chinese-ruled city has been convulsed Shammas and Youth Congress leader Rigil Makkutty, supporter of Nikhat wrote: "Why India will never with 78 gram charas with market value of Rs by more than 900 often violent protests since were taken into custody by the police. Students from progress in sport. This fan validation for superstar 15,000. Another accused Phool Mohammad, June, the security bureau said earlier, as public different universities were also seen holding placards egos. Nikhat didn't disrespect anyone. All she did the jail warden, managed to escape, leaving his opposition to a now-withdrawn extradition bill and raising slogans during the speech. They were was ask for a fair trial. Instead of being graceful, motorcycle behind. developed into demands for greater freedoms. then whisked away by the police. Mary acted like she was beyond all rules." Vizagites join hands, make Trainee IPS gets a taste of cops' high-handedness Jagan's visit memorable n PNS ONGOLE Little did the trainee PNS n VISAKHAPATNAM show there. Later in the evening, Jaganmohan Reddy A trainee IPS officer got first- officer know that to Vizag on Saturday resembled a declared open the Visakha hand experience of how much lodge a complaint, Bengal BJP grand festival, with residents Utsav. the common man suffers when which is the right of to thank PM lining up to extend a hearty The human chain that trying to lodge a complaint, let every citizen, would welcome to Chief Minister YS began at Visakhapatnam air- alone get the cops to take for CAA Jaganmohan Reddy on his first port wound its way through action. not only take him 5 visit to the port city after NAD Junction, On Friday, the trainee IPS several hours but mooting the proposal of an Kancharapalem, officer walked into the Ongole would also invite the executive state capital in Thatichetlapalem, Railway Taluk Police station personnel Visakhapatnam. Station road, Telugu Talli to lodge a complaint after his choicest of abuse A stretch of about 24 km Flyover, Siripuram Junction, mobile phone was stolen. from the cops leading to the city, saw thou- Chinna Waltair, Kurupam Little did he know that to Prakasam district SP Siddharth Kaushal sands of Vizag residents form- Tombs, Appu Ghar and Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy, above, is visibly pleased with the reception accomplish this simple task, person they had tormented, ing a human chain to welcome Kailasagiri. The people who accorded to him by Vizagites, below, upon his arrival to the city on Saturday. which is the right of every cit- tered. After his trials and tribu- abused and basically ridiculed the Chief Minister. joined hands wanted to express izen of this country, would not lations, when the trainee IPS was not a civilian. Upon reaching the city, their gratitude to the Chief only take him several hours but officer walked out of the police By the time they could fig- Jaganmohan Reddy took part Minister for mooting the three would also invite the choicest station, the personnel noticed ure out who the person was, in a string of development capitals proposal during the of abuse from the cops. him getting into an official orders for disciplinary action programmes, among them recent winter session of the His fault? He dared to ask vehicle that was waiting for against the writer, CI, consta- declaring open the Visakha Assembly. the cops on duty for a copy of him. bles, including woman con- Utsav at the Ramakrishna The human chain continued the FIR and an acknowledge- The Ongole cops were stables were on their way. Steeply Beach here. from Kailasagiri to Central ment for the complaint regis- stunned on realizing that the Continued on Page 3 falling He took part in a series of Park and from there to RK development works under the Beach. People assembled on revenue limits of Greater Visakha the roadsides and gathered on risks fiscal Municipal Corporation and rooftops to catch a glimpse of MHA seeks parameters Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Jaganmohan Reddy. At many Priyanka gives 6 Regional Development places, the youth broke the cor- list of IPS/IAS Authority and unveiled rele- don and tried to click a selfie vant plaques. with the Chief Minister. with 'doubtful He also kicked off develop- The police had tough time in UP cops the slip ment works at Dr YSR Central controlling them. Park in the city and a flower Continued on Page 3 PNS n LUCKNOW integrity' PNS n NEW DELHI Virtually giving police a slip and some anxious moments, The Ministry of Home Govt bans Congress leader Priyanka Affairs (MHA) has asked the TTD to build Lord Balaji Gandhi Vadra on Saturday Chief Secretaries of Delhi, levy of MDR evening reached the house of Goa, Arunachal Pradesh and retired IPS officer SR Mizoram and other Union fee on Darapuri, who has been Priyanka Gandhi Vadra gave a slip to Territories to send a list of Uma Bharti: temples in J&K, Varanasi arrested in connection with UP police by taking a scooter as suspected IPS, IAS, DANICS RuPay, UPI the recent protests over the pillion rider and DANIPS officers with I support Ramana Deekshitulu ratified as temple's main priest Citizenship (Amendment) Act "doubtful integrity" before Meerut SP PNS n NEW DELHI (CAA) here. told PTI, "At the Lohia cross- January 10, 2020. 5 PNS n TIRUMALA After meeting party work- ing, her vehicle was stopped, The ministry issued a Union Finance Minister ers, the Congress general sec- she protested and asked as to directive to the chief secre- Nirmala Sitharaman, in a The Tirumala-Tirupati retary headed for the why was she being stopped." taries which said that they review meeting with chiefs of Devasthanams (TTD) gov- Indiranagar (sector-18) resi- Singh also said when the should prepare an "Agreed Public Sector Banks (PSBs), erning body, that met here on dence of Darapuri. police stopped the Congress List of suspected officers for Indian Banks' Association Saturday, ratified the appoint- Uttar Pradesh Congress leader, she started walking. 2019-2020 and to send it by and representatives of leading ment of Ramana Deekshitulu spokesperson Ashok Singh Continued on Page 3 January 10, 2020 to MHA. private sector banks, on as the temple's main priest. The Saturday announced cus- TTD also approved construc- tomers and merchants will no tion of Lord Balaji temples in longer pay MDR (merchant Jammu and Kashmir and 90 people killed discount rates) fee, a move Varanasi. Boston panel that will provide a big boost Disclosing the decisions in Mogadishu to online transactions in arrived at the meeting at a checkpoint blast ‘ALL AND India. media conference held here, MDR is the cost paid by a TTD chairman YV Subba n MOGADISHU facing corruption SUNDRY’ merchant to a bank for Reddy said that the meeting accepting payment from their approved the revised budget of build the temple of Lord Balaji check false propaganda about At least 90 people were killed customers via credit or debit Rs 3,243 crore for 2019-20. at Mumbai and approved a Tirumala in social media. and dozens were wounded in charges: Devineni It's no longer cards every time a card is Of this, Rs 8 crore has been budget of Rs 30 crore for the The temple hundi revenue an explosion at a bustling about the used for payments in their earmarked for undertaking same. Further, it cleared the for the year 2019-20 is put at checkpoint in Somalia's cap- PNS n VIJAYAWADA stores. The merchant dis- repairs to the Tirumala ghat proposals to build Lord Balaji Rs 1,285 crore, including Rs ital Mogadishu on Saturday, capital, only count rate is expressed in per- road and Rs 14.30 crore to temples in Varanasi, the con- 330 crore earned through sale an ambulance service official Stating that it was the minis- caste and centage of the transaction undertake repairs to TTD stituency represented by of laddus and other prasaad of said, the latest in a string of ters to go public on any deci- real estate amount. The MDR is dis- administrative building. Narendra Modi in the Lok the temple. deadly attacks.Rescuers car- sions taken by the state 2 tributed among three stake- The meeting approved the Sabha, and in the state of Further, the meeting decid- ried dead bodies past the Cabinet, former Minister holders - bank, PoS machine decision to constitute a com- Jammu and Kashmir, consti- ed to allocate Rs 14 crore for twisted wreckage of a vehicle Devineni Uma Maheswara vendor and card companies mittee to ensure safety of trav- tution of a cyber security wing, gold plating of the Sri and a minibus taxi smeared Rao on Saturday criticised TODAY - and varies from 0-2 per cent ellers using the ghat road. headed by an officer of the Varahaswami temple gopu- with blood. YSRCP Rajya Sabha member on credit card transactions. The meeting decided to rank of the DSP, the TTD to ram. Continued on Page 3 Vijaya Sai Reddy for making Devineni Uma Maheswara Rao ALMANAC an announcement on the Capital. He demanded an Month & Paksham: Devineni Uma said explanation from the MP for the Cabinet, which Paush & Shukla Paksha making such an announce- Panchangam Cold wave grips Northern India, hits rail, air ment. met for 2.15 hours on Tithi : Tritiya: 12:15 pm Addressing a press confer- Friday, had decided to ence here on Saturday, shift the Capital to Nakshatram: Shravana 08:30 pm traffic; several places record season’s lowest Devineni Uma said many Time to Avoid: (Bad time to start reports had appeared in the Visakhapatnam after any important work) PNS n NEW DELHI media that grabbing of lands Sankranti Rahukalam: 04:24 pm- 05:47 pm and settlements have increased The frigid air barrelling SECOND COLDEST DECEMBER in Visakhapatnam in recent Yamagandam: 12:18 pm – 01:40 pm through parts of north India times. "What does Chief The TDP leader said the Varjyam: 12:53 am- 02:38 am plummeted temperatures to IN DELHI IN LAST 100 YEARS Minister YS Jaganmohan government had chosen the Gulika: 03:02 pm - 04:24 pm the season's lowest in several Reddy have to say about the Boston Consultancy Group, places Saturday, including NEW DELHI: Delhi might be and 1997 wherein the mean reign of terror unleashed by which was facing corruption Good Time: (to start any important work) Delhi where the mercury hit a seeing the coldest December in maximum temperature was less the land mafia in charges. "How could the gov- Amritakalam: 09:20 am - 11:03 am low of 2.4 degrees Celsius, as a century after the year 1997 as than 20 degrees. Visakhapatnam?" he said. ernment entrust such a com- Abhijit Muhurtham: 11:56 am - 12:39 pm dense fog reduced visibility there have been only four years In December 2019, till The former minister said pany to decide the fate of five and delayed air, rail and road in the last 100 years where the December 26, the mean the Cabinet, which met for crore people of the State?" he VIJAYAWADA traffic. mean temperature during the maximum temperature (MMT) is 2.15 hours on Friday, had wondered. WEATHER The cold wave was not ating under CAT-IIIB condi- The Safdarjung Observatory, month was less than 20 degrees 19.85 degrees and the expected decided to shift the Capital to Pooh-pahing the claim of expected to relent until the tions, meaning the runway whose reading is considered Celsius. MMT for December 2019 is Visakhapatnam after the GN Rao Committee that Forecast: Partly Cloudy New Year. visuality range (RVR) was the official marking for Delhi, According to Skymet Weather, 19.15 degrees. If this happens, Sankranti. “The government they had traversed the length Temp: 31/19 As dense fog enveloped the between 50-175 metres. recorded the minimum at 2.4 the mean maximum temperature then December 2019 will be the was planning to hold an and breadth of the State by Humidity: 65% national capital, authorities A railway official said 24 degrees Celsius Saturday recorded for the month of second coldest December of the Assembly session soon after covering 10,000 km and Sunrise: 06.44 were forced to divert four trains were delayed by 2-5 morning. The same tempera- December from 1901 to 2018 century after the year 1997, the Sankranti festival during speaking to 2,000 people, Sunset: 05.51 flights from Delhi airport to hours due to poor visibility, ture was recorded on show that there have only been where it was 17.3 degrees, which the tone would be set Devineni Uma said they had Current Weather Conditions four years i.e. 1919, 1929, 1961 Skymet Weather said. Updated December 28, 2019 5:00 PM other destinations. An airport including the Howrah-New December 30, 2013. for shifting of the Capital," he not travelled even100 metres. official said pilots were oper- Delhi Poorva Express. Continued on Page 3 said. Continued on Page 3 VIJAYAWADA | SUNDAY | DECEMBER 29, 2019 vijayawada 02

‘ALL AND SUNDRY’ It's no longer about the capital, only caste and real estate Amaravati. Amaravati will also Nowadays, nobody in his made public. Demands are were headquartered there. be the seat of the legislature, but Amaravati, the transitional capital, right mind in the government already being made for either Make no mistake about what fter the recommenda- will hold sittings in Vizag as may end up without a distinct identity and proposes construction of air- locating the capital in Greater the battle for the capital is all tions of four commit- well. The Secretariat will be Vizag may evolve as an emaciated ports, sea-ports, highways with Rayalaseema or carving out a about. On the surface, it Atees, one more still in the located at Vizag, but the heads public funds. They are built separate State comprising six appears that Jagan is stealing pipeline and yet another in the of departments will work out of executive capital, while Kurnool will have either totally by the private sec- districts. One cannot shut one's TDP president N. offing to examine them all, Mangalagiri-Amaravati com- its status downgraded from being Andhra's tor, in partnership through ears to these voices since lead- Chandrababu Naidu's thun- Andhra Pradesh remains where plex. The Chief Ministers, capital during 1953-56 to a judicial capital build, own, operate transfer ers of Telugu-speaking people der. But, it is a game of one- it was five years ago -without a Ministers, Chief Secretary, (BOOT) basis or by raising have been disingenuously stok- upmanship too between the capital it could call its own. Secretaries to Government will merely because the AP High Court will be bonds.This is what the previous ing differences between dominant castes. If one partic- Amaravati, the transitional have permanent bungalows in headquartered there Government did by pooling regions. ular caste purchased large tracts capital, may end up without a Vizag as well as in Amaravati. land from 29,000-odd farmers All eyes are on the Centre to of land from innocent farmers distinct identity and Vizag may Imagine the tortuous journey a in and around Amaravati and bail out AP from its predica- around Amaravati using insid- evolve as an emaciated executive file will make if it ends up in lit- time to please Chief Minister Y schemes. It would take Andhra by partnering with Sembcorp ment by adopting a clear-cut er information, the other did no capital, while Kurnool will have igation after originating from S Jaganmohan Reddy and there- several decades to build a cap- S NAGESH KUMAR and Ascendas-Singbridge as line on the issue. Though there better. A top YSR Congress its status downgraded from Mangalagiri. by lay the path for the fifth cap- ital like Hyderabad, Bengaluru Former Resident Editor, 58 per cent shareholders in is no clarity on the Centre's leader pre-emptively being Andhra's capital during The endless hurdles that three ital for Andhras after Madras, or Chennai at the rate at which The Hindu Amaravati Development Constitutional role, Vice- announced that Bheemli would 1953-56 to a judicial capital capitals will cause to smooth Kurnool, Hyderabad and funds were spent so far. A cap- Corporation. President M. Venkaiah Naidu's be the location of the executive merely because the AP High governance apparently did not Amaravati. ital could be built at Vizag at a provide solutions and not crib Undoubtedly, the Jagan description of the idea of mul- capital in what appeared an Court will be headquartered occur to the experts committee Jagan and his Cabinet were modest cost. about problems of funding, at Government has stirred a hor- tiple capitals as troublesome open-and-shut case of insider there. Of course, we will have to headed by retired IAS officer G. equally obsessed with the cost This argument is facile for least not so after driving away net's nest in Andhra. People of could be a pointer to its think- trading. wait for reports of the Boston N. Rao. In their anxiety to rec- of building the capital. The umpteen reasons; principally the World Bank and the Asian Vijayawada and Guntur will ing. Till the mid-1970s, Stealing a phrase coined by Consulting Group (BCG) and ommend a de-centralised enormous amount of Rs.1.09 that YSRC welcomed the choice Infrastructure Investment oppose the move to shift the Vijayawada exercised powerful James Carville for Bill Clinton's the high-power committee later. administration, the committee lakh crore required would of Amaravati as capital and, by Bank. Telangana didn't while capital to Vizag and those from influence on AP's politics poll campaign in 1992, one The muddle does not end made the blunder of missing the come at the cost of sacrificing implication, understood the constructing the Rs.1.2 lakh Vizag and Kurnool will because the Communist par- could say without fear of con- there. The High Court will have forest for the trees. Or else, the the budget for irrigation pro- cost and time involved. It is crore Kaleswaram Lift demand roll-out of the GN Rao ties, main challengers to tradiction, 'it is all about real one bench each at Vizag and committee was working over- jects, roads, health, and welfare expected of any Government to Irrigation Project. Committee's proposals hastily Congress, and media houses estate, stupid'.

CAPSULE Robbers loot onions from truck Student attempts suicide unable after taking driver hostage PNS n PATNA to bear harassment l The incident took place in by relatives Amid the spiralling prices of Kaimur district of Bihar. Onion VIJAYAWADA: A degree onions across the country, and prices in the State have gone student attempted suicide by shortage of the bulb, the driver up to Rs 100 per kg in the consuming sleeping pills of a truck loaded with 51 unable to bear the quintals of onions was taken last one month harassment of relatives on a hostage by robbers, who even- property dispute. Locals tually decamped with 102 l A police officer said on found the woman in an sacks of onions. Saturday that the truck was unconscious state and The incident took place in going towards Jehanabad in Bihar immediately shifted her to the Kaimur district of Bihar. from Allahabad. Deshraj, the truck driver, told police he Congress leaders and workers take out a rally in Vijayawada on Saturday to mark the 134th Congress Formation Day Chirala Area Hospital in 108 Onion prices in the State have ambulance where her gone up to Rs 100 per kg in the was taken hostage by at least six armed persons condition is said to be out of last one month. around 10 pm on Thursday night RALLY MARKS 134TH CONGRESS FORMATION DAY danger. According to police, A police officer said on Gurram Daisy of Saturday that the truck was Ramakrishnapuram village in going towards Jehanabad in statement, an FIR has been December, a similar incident of Chirala mandal of Prakasam Bihar from Allahabad. Deshraj, registered and the police are robbery took place in Kudra district is studying degree Divisive forces out to curb the truck driver, told police he investigating. He said criminals police station area in Bihar's second year at a private was taken hostage by at least left him around 2 am on Kaimur district. Robbers had college in the town. As six armed persons around 10 Friday, 5 km away from where fled with 64 sacks (1,920 kg) of Daisy's parents passed away pm on Thursday night. he was taken hostage. Later, he garlic from a vehicle. An FIR in her childhood, she is living Deshraj is said to be a resi- found that onion sacks were in this case has been registered country’s freedom: AICC Secy with her grandparents. In this dent of Kaushambi district of missing from his truck. but police are yet to get any context, her relatives came to Uttar Pradesh. Based on his Earlier, in the first week of breakthrough. PNS n VIJAYAWADA know that she is in love with l AICC Secretary and Andhra Pradesh in-charge of l Meiyappan said that the one Pawan who belongs to Congress leaders and workers Boddurai area. According to the party Meiyappan called upon the Congress Congress government in took out a rally in the city to workers to uphold the Constitution. He said certain the country had brought the victim, relatives have Annual kite mark the 134th Congress been harassing her for the Raghuveera turns Formation Day on Saturday. divisive forces in the country were trying to restrict about many reforms, past few months assuming and sweet The rally, which started at the freedom, which was earned through many years which changed the lives of that their joint property will APCC office Andhra Ratna against the foreign rule the poor go to Pawan. In the to farming as leaders Bhavan, culminated at the complaint, she stated that her festival from Ambedkar Bhavan. relatives are exerting pressure on her to sign on Speaking on the occasion, tain divisive forces in the coun- in the country had brought APCC General Secretary Jan 13 AICC Secretary and Andhra try were trying to curb the free- about many reforms, which Naraharasetti Narasimha Rao, the property documents. desert Congress PNS n HYDERABAD Hence, she reportedly Pradesh in-charge of the party dom, which was earned changed the lives of the poor. Kisan Cell President Jetti PNS n NEELAKANTHAPURAM resorted to the extreme step. Meiyappan called upon the through many years against the Another AICC Secretary gurunadha Rao, Sevadal lead- Based on the complaint, Minister for Tourism Srinivas Congress workers to uphold foreign rule. Meiyappan said Sailajanath, APCC Vice- ers Mallesam, Bhavani and police registered a case and Winning and losing the elec- Goud on Saturday said that the the Constitution. He said cer- that the Congress government President MJ Ratna Kumar, others participated. took up probe. tions are a part of life, but annual kite and sweet festival some learn lessons from the would be held at Parade defeat, while others switch Grounds in Secunderabad Thieves target over their loyalties to those from January 13 to 15 under SP holds review meet on cases OBC employees house of Tollywood parties, which are in power. the aegis of the Department of The Congress, which faced Tourism. At a high-level meet- PNS n VIJAYAWADA southern states producer’s uncle debacle in two general elec- ing held here on Saturday, he VIJAYAWADA: Renowned tions in Andhra Pradesh, lost asked officials to make arrange- Prakasam District congress on Tollywood producer Suresh its ground as many of its lead- ments for the event. He said Superintendent of Police Babu's uncle Rammohan ers joined the YSRCP, the BJP that the event would be cele- Siddharth Kaushal has enquired March 14 Rao's residence was burgled. and the TDP. But former min- party. He continued till brated in 2020 in such a way police personnel and public n Burglars decamped with cash ister N Raghuveera Reddy it recently in the party unable to that it would enhance the prosecutors about the problems PNS VIJAYAWADA and jewellery at Karamchedu seems is not interested in switch sides like other leaders. brand image of Hyderabad. being faced by them during the village in Prakasam district. changing parties, which is Sensing that time is not Better amenities would be course of investigation into var- Reservation Protection Rammohan Rao is the brother rare to find these days, instead favourable for the Congress, he provided this year for visitors ious cases. Committee national chair- of the late Daggubati Rama he has chosen to spend his got himself busy working in taking part in the event with the Addressing the first joint person Dr G Nagaraju said Naidu. Theft took place when time in cultivation. his farm. coordination of all relevant review meeting organised with the OBC employees south- N Raghuveera Reddy has He has seen hey days in his government departments, he DSPs, public prosecutors and Prakasam District Superintendent of Police Siddharth Kaushal addresses a review ern states congress will be the family had gone out. On meeting in Ongole on Saturday reaching home, Rammohan been spending his time work- long career and appeared on said. additional public prosecutors in held on March 14. Rao came to know about the ing in his farm here for at least many TV talk shows and He asked officials to invite Ongole on Saturday, he sought lic prosecutors in rendering jus- cer K Prakasa Rao, Kandukur Addressing the media here burglary and lodged a five hours a day. As the interviews. Nowadays, he gets Kite Clubs of various countries to know about the delay in pro- tice to the victims in various sub-divisional officer B on Saturday, he said that complaint with police. Based Congress has been complete- up early to reach his farm at 5 to take part in the event. ducing witnesses in POCSO cases and other related issues. Ravichandra, Markapuram sub- the Mahasabha (conference) on the complaint, police ly wiped out in the last elec- am and spends there till Moreover, delegates from var- and gutka cases. Trainee IPS officer P Jagadish, divisonal officer G Nageswara will be held in Vijayawada registered a case and took up tions, the party leaders desert- evening. In the past, he served ious countries would be invit- The Superintendent of Police Ongole sub-division officer Reddy and district public pros- on March 14 and Chief investigation. Later, they ed the century-old party for as the Minister for Agriculture ed to the event and sweets of discussed the problems being KVVNV Prasad, Chirala sub- ecutor S Siva Rama Krishna Minister YS Jaganmohan examined the CCTV footage greener pastures leaving under Dr YS Rajasekhar various countries would be faced by police due to delay in divisional officer YJ Subba Prasad were among those pre- Reddy will be the chief guest for clues. Raghuveera Reddy in the Reddy regime. put on display. getting any assistance from pub- Reddy, Darsi sub-divisional offi- sent. of the event. Dr G Nagaraju also informed that the president VIJAYAWADA of all political parties will be invited as guests of honour. BULLION RATES From Balakot to Rafale, eventful 2019 for defence All the leaders of the BC GOLD movement in the Southern SUMIT KUMAR SINGH ` 39,040 (10 gm) Force when Defence Minister States will participate, he n NEW DELHI ` The year also witnessed various Rajnath Singh participated in said. 30 the Rafale fighter aircraft hand- He said that the main SILVER From carrying out air strike at bilateral defence ties with other ing over ceremony at Merignac agenda of the Maha Sabha is ` 46,900(1kg) terror camps in Pakistan to cre- countries. In a landmark decision this in France in October. The Bharat Ratna Award should ` 300 ation of Chief of Defence Staff Medium Multi-Role Combat be announced to the couple, (CDS) post and also from wit- year, the government has created the Aircraft will make India stronger Mahatma Jyotirao Phule and nessing 'fidayeen' attack in post of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and give a boost to its air dom- Savitri Bhai Phule. CHICKEN Kashmir and to shooting down in the rank of a four-star General inance to ensure peace and He said that the RATES `/KG of a Mi-17 V5 helicopter in a security in the region. Mahasabha will discuss on friendly fire, 2019 saw a year of Singh also flew the Light the current issues of reserva- Dressed/With Skin `184 highs and lows for Indian This was in response to aircraft. Thereafter on February Combat Aircraft (LCA) 'Tejas' at tions to OBC employees, Without Skin `210 defence sector. February 14, 2019 suicide terror 27, the shooting down of a Mi- Hindustan Aeronautics Limited 2.5 acres land to landless Broiler at Farm `127 The year also witnessed var- attack, conducted by Pakistan- 17 V5 helicopter with six Air (HAL) Airport in Bengaluru, on OBCs across the country, 33 ious bilateral defence ties with should not have a fragmented after India became independent based Jaish-e-Mohammad in Force personnel in Srinagar in September 2019. He had also per cent reservation in leg- other countries. In a landmark approach. Our entire military in 1947. The very next day on which over 40 CRPF personnel friendly fire finally led to court handed over Medium Range islatures and other resolu- EGG decision this year, the govern- power will have to work in uni- February 26, India struck the were killed. But amid this, the martial proceedings against two Surface-to-Air-Missiles to IAF at tions will be passed, he `/ ment has created the post of son and move forward." biggest training camp of Jaish- capture of Indian Air Force Indian Air Force officers and the Bharat Dynamics Limited added. RATES 100 Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) in Earlier on February 25, Modi e-Mohammad (JeM) in Balakot, pilot Abhinandan Varthaman was a very low moment for the premises in Hyderabad on National Secretary of HYDERABAD 450 the rank of a four-star General. dedicated to the nation the Pakistan. In this operation, a following the Balakot strike on forces. Chief of Air Staff Rakesh August 3. It was a moment of Reservation Protection VIJAYAWADA 462 This follows the announce- National War Memorial near very large number of JeM terror- February 26 was a moment of Kumar Singh Bhadauria accept- jubilation after Singh on June 18, Committee, Shiv Ram ment made by Prime Minister India Gate. The memorial has ists, trainers, senior comman- worry for Indian armed forces. ed that the lapses were a "big announced the restoration of the Yadav, State Presidents YV VISAKHAPATNAM 470 Narendra Modi on August 15, been erected in the memory of ders and jihadis, who were He was later released and award- mistake". 'ration in kind' for the officers of Rao, Vijayawada leaders RETAIL PRICE `4.62 2019, in his address to the soldiers, who sacrificed their being trained for fidayeen ed for his bravery of shooting Then there was a red-letter the three armed forces posted in Ramesh and others partici- (IN VIJAYAWADA) nation where he said: "India lives in the service of the nation action, were eliminated. down a Pakistani F-16 fighter day in the history of Indian Air peace areas. pated in the event.

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Printed and published by B Krishna Prasad for and on behalf of CMYK Printech Ltd., Phone: 040-23322341, Hyderabad Office: F-502, Diamond Block, Lumbini Rockdale, Somajiguda, Hyderabad - 500 082. Telangana. Printed at Sree Seshasai Enterprises, Plot No.19, IDA Balanagar , Hyderbad-500037, Medchal -Malkajgiri District, Telangana. Chief Editor: Chandan Mitra. Resident Editor: B Krishna Prasad, AIR SURCHARGE of Rs 2.00. VIJAYAWADA | SUNDAY | DECEMBER 29, 2019 vijayawada 03

CAPSULE Farmers say no to panels, want Cong seeks SIT probe into Amaravati to be the only capital death of 2 AP youths in Goa PNS n AMARAVATI Amaravati continued to reel PNS n PANAJI under farmers' unrest for the l The two deaths should be 11th day on Saturday. Despite RTC staff take The main opposition party in probed by a Special the government deciding to Goa, the Congress, on Saturday Investigation Team headed constitute a high-power com- out rally against demanded an SIT probe by a mittee on studying the GN Rao retired High Court judge into by a retired High Court judge. report and the yet-to-be-sub- private travels the mysterious deaths of two This is not the first time that mitted BCG report to make its VIJAYAWADA: The APSRTC Andhra Pradesh youngsters a youngster has died under recommendations before it employees took out a massive outside the Sunburn Klassique suspicious circumstances in could take a final decision on rally demanding the EDM festival venue in North the issue, farmers are not in a prevention of illegal operation Goa on Friday evening. EDM festivals held in Goa," mood to give up their agitation of private travels at the bus "The two deaths should be Goa Congress spokesperson against three capitals. The station here in the city. The probed by a Special Trajano D'Mello told a press farmers demand that the pro- in on the road leading to the Former chairperson of AP Union leaders said that due to Investigation Team headed by a conference in Panaji posal itself be withdrawn by the Secretariat. The police made it Women's Commission private travels, RTC is retired High Court judge. This government. Once again on clear that they would not tol- Nannapaneni Rajakumari took incurring heavy losses. is not the first time that a Saturday, the police removed erate any form of protest on the part in a dharna in the Capital Employees expressed their youngster has died under sus- l Two youths from Hyderabad, both of l Goa Chief Minister Pramod the tent pitched by the protest- roads. Farmers staged a maha Region. The protesters anguish that in spite of picious circumstances in EDM them friends, fainted and collapsed while Sawant, a doctor of alternative ers at Mandadam. However, dharna at Mandadam. Women demanded that no committees officials controlling the private festivals held in Goa," Goa waiting outside the festival venue at medicine himself, has said that one after a heated argument with staged a novel protest by going be formed on capital and con- operators, the results are not Congress spokesperson Trajano the police, the farmers erected on their kneels holding the por- tinue the same in Amaravati. beneficial. As a part of the D'Mello told a press conference Vagator beach village in north Goa on of the deaths could have occurred it again. Demonstrations and traits of Prime Minister Demonstrations were held in protest, the RTC employees in Panaji. Friday evening due to heart attack sit-ins were organised all over Narendra Modi. all the villages under submitted a memorandum to Two youths from Hyderabad, the CRDA region. A large At the Tadikonda crossroad, Mangalagiri mandal. Commissioner of Police both of them friends, fainted number of farmers, their fam- the farmers organised a Vanta- Political JACs staged dharnas Dwaraka Tirumala Rao and and collapsed while waiting more clarity on the issue would has said that one of the deaths death? Is he trying to give direc- ily members and students took Varpu programme in protest in Vijayawada and various district transport department outside the festival venue at be available after post-mortem could have occurred due to tions to the investigation?" to streets raising slogans against against the shifting of capital parts of Guntur district. officials to take strict action Vagator beach village in north formalities are conducted on heart attack. D'Mello said. In the past decade, formation of three capitals in from Amaravati causing a Activists of TDP, Jana Sena and against the illegal private Goa on Friday evening. Saturday. Goa Chief Minister "When the post-mortem at least four persons had died the State. severe traffic jam. Former MLA Left parties staged protests travels. While the police suspected Pramod Sawant, a doctor of report is not out, how is the CM due to drug overdose in various The police foiled the attempt Sravan Kumar expressed soli- demanding that the capital be the deaths due to drug overdose, alternative medicine himself, saying he knows the cause of the EDM festivals in the state. of the protesters to stage a sit- darity with the farmers. continued in Amaravati. Two die as bike hits tractor VIJAYAWADA: Two persons were killed when their English medium a boon to poor students: Ambati Vijayasai alleges TDP motorcycle hit the tractor at Reddy village of Sambepalle PNS n AMARAVATI mandal on Friday night. The hand behind protests deceased were identified as D The government's decision to Ambati condemns attack on journalists Yuvaraju (30) and K Annaiah introduce English as a medium (32) of Rayachoti town. of instruction at the primary AMARAVATI: YSRCP MLA Ambati Rambabu on Saturday condemned the attack on a section of the media persons who had gone to cover the farmers' agitation in Amaravati region on Friday. The MLA said those against three capitals According to police, K school education from the next who had attacked the mediapersons were not farmers who wanted Amaravati to be the capital but were Annaiah, who recently got academic year was intended to PNS n VISAKHAPATNAM some anti-social elements. He said the attack was undemocratic and unfortunate and every right-thinking married, was going, along make it available to the poor with his brother on a person should condemn it. He said the Telugu Desam leaders, who were spearheading the agitation, were and the downtrodden sections also answerable to the media about the unfortunate incident. YSRCP general secretary motorcycle to his in-law's of SC, ST, BC and Minorities so Vijayasai Reddy said that agita- residence, when their vehicle that they can make themselves tions against the proposed three hit the stationary tractor, self-sufficient, face the compet- construed as government's capitals (shifting of capital from which was parked on the itive world and get good jobs, opposition to Telugu language." Amaravati to Vizag) in the roadside. Yuvaraju and said YSRCP MLA Ambati He said, "Did not the TDP ‘English education only for Capital Region are politically Annaiah died on the spot. Rambabu here on Saturday, government bring out a GO sponsored as the TDP leaders Sambepalle police registered a However, it was unfortunate respect for Telugu, he said. introducing English as a medi- uplift of underprivileged' are trying to create regional dif- case. that some of the speakers at the The main reason for their um of instruction? Leaders like ferences. Fourth World Telugu Writers utterances was to show the Mandali Buddha Prasad should AMARAVATI: Andhra Pradesh Higher Education Regulatory and Inaugurating the flower show conference organised by the State government in bad light answer this question," the MLA Monitoring Commission Chairman Justice V Eswaraiah has said that at YSR Central Park in the city Krishna District Telugu saying that it was neglecting said. A minister in the Telugu the implementation of English medium at the government schools is as a part of a two-day Visakha Priyanka Rachayitula Sangham in Telugu by introducing English Desam government was run- envisaged for the uplift of underprivileged sections in the State and Utsav here on Saturday, he said l Vijayasai Reddy said that Vijayawada criticised the State medium at the primary school ning corporate colleges. "Why also to bring education on par with global standards. Talking to the that the TDP leaders, including the YSRCP government will gives UP government's policy of English level. This attitude was wrong as did he run the colleges only in media here on Saturday, Justice Eswaraiah said, "The quality of N Chandrababu Naidu, have education, he said. The govern- the Jaganmohan Reddy govern- English medium and not intro- education will be enhanced with the implementation of English been funding the protest against announce the capital ment recognised the impor- ment wanted the students to duced Telugu medium?" the medium at schools and all people are in support of the the shifting of the capital for officially in a few days cops the slip tance of mother tongue Telugu face the global competition and MLA sought to know. government's decision." He asked the private education institution their selfish ends. Continued from Page 1 and included it as a subject in get good job opportunities once The MLA said it was unfor- managements to cut down the fees and said that the commission Coming down heavily on the curriculum. they completed their studies, the tunate that a literary conference would regulate fee structure in the institutions. The commission has Naidu and his son N Lokesh, he YS Jaganmohan Reddy "The policemen also start- He said there was no doubt MLA said. was turned into a political requested the government to pay the dues to the colleges. Chief said that the duo and its team appointed the cabinet sub- ed following her. After walk- that great scholars and writers There were several instances forum for involving in mud- Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy has assured that there shall be no were involved insider trading in committee to probe into irreg- ing for almost a kilometre, she who had attended the confer- of the poor students not being slinging against the dues from the next year and the fee reimbursement money would be Amaravati during the TDP ularities and insider trading in again got into her vehicle. ence need to be lauded for their able to cope up with the job Jaganmohan Reddy govern- paid to colleges on time. He said that there was a demand from the regime. Naidu and his team the land deals during the TDP After this, when the police exceptional services in fostering market because they were edu- ment. He requested the writers public to increase the number of teachers in government schools purchased a huge chunk of land tenure in Amaravati, he added. tried to stop her in the Telugu language. However, cated in Telugu medium and and scholars who had gathered and deliver education in English. He said that the commission close to Amaravati in the name Insider trading of lands in Munshipulia area, she again some Telugu Desam Party did not know how to speak flu- at the global meeting to under- would give a report on college fee to the government by February. of benamies even before Amaravati was done by the started walking and then sud- (TDP) leaders, flaunting tradi- ently in English, he said and stand that the government was "Are those who are opposing English medium educating their Amaravati was declared as cap- close associates of Naidu and denly turned towards a bylane tional dresses, had spoken at the added, "This aspect was realised not against Telugu language children in Telugu medium schools?''He questioned and said that ital, he pointed out. TDP leaders. Naidu would in Indiranagar's Sector 18. She conference and tried to show off by the government which and was only introducing the Chief Minister was keen on implementing English medium so Vijayasai Reddy said that deceive the protesting farmers walked for almost three-four as if they were the only custo- decided to introduce English English medium for the better- that every student in the State would meet the global education the YSRCP government will in Amaravati again as he is kilometres and gave a slip to dians of Telugu language and medium from the primary ment of the poor and weaker standards. announce the capital officially the most selfish leader, he the police as well as the party the YSRCP government had no school level, This can't be mis- sections of the society. in a few days. Chief Minister reminded. workers," he added. "The entire traffic has come to a halt and people are feel- ing disturbed. There is no rea- Boston panel facing... Joy of 90 people son to do so. God knows, ask Trainee IPS gets a taste.... them why have they stopped Continued from Page 1 Stating that the Chief Vizagites... killed in... (us)," Priyanka Gandhi told Minister would prepare the Continued from Page 1 reporters. "We shall try to find out who ground for shifting of the Continued from Page 1 On the directions of the staff there, Continued from Page 1 "What is the reason for GN Rao Committee members Capital during the joint session Young and old, they all According to sources, stopping us, that too in the had met through an RTI query. of the Assembly on January 18, waved flags and held up plac- Prakasam district SP Jagadish gave a complaint in writing. "So far, we've carried 90 middle of the city? This is not Does the committee headed by the TDP leader asked, "Who ards, while some released Sidhdharth Kausal, who had They enquired from him about his dead people and 51 others an issue of the SPG, but of the GN Rao, who belongs to has given him the authority to balloons into the air to wel- received regular complaints of injured. There are more Uttar Pradesh police. There is Gopavaram in Krishna dis- change the Capital without come the Chief Minister. the staff's rudeness, sent trainee antecedents. He told him that there are casualties and the death toll no point stopping us. Will you trict, have any sanctity? CBI mentioning it in his party's elec- At regular intervals, musi- IPS officer Jagadish as com- CCTV cameras in the Bus Station Centre, is sure to rise," Abdikadir stop (anyone) in the middle of should also inquire into the tion manifesto?" cal instruments were played plainant in civil dress. but they began browbeating him Abdirahman Haji Aden, a crossing?," she asked a report," he said. He said that the people of the and dancers performed folk Accordinlgy, Jagadish com- founder of Aamin ambu- police official. Devineni Uma said when YS State were demanding that dances to welcome the CM. plained to the police that some lances, told Reuters. After meeting Darapuri's Rajasekhara Reddy was the Jaganmohan Reddy step down As part of the Visakha miscreants attacked him while him with their routine enquiry, furious glares. The writer then No-one immediately family members, the chief minister, IAS officers who from his post if did not know Utsav, a four-km-long carni- he was walking along the Bus they told to come return after told him that the police would claimed responsibility for Congress general secretary were involved in corruption how to rule the State. "Subba val was held in which youth, Stand Centre. some time as the CI was not at not be able to register cases of the blast. told reporters, "I was going in done by Jaganmohan Reddy Rayudu, who belonged to students and artistes partici- He reached the police station the station. theft of mobile phones as such Al Qaeda-linked Islamist a peaceful manner, how was and Vijaya Sai Reddy had gone Kadapa, had given notices to pated. Tribal and folk dances, and narrated the "incident" to Jagadish was routed to the matter are routine and are group al Shabaab regularly the law-and-order scenario to jail. "If they affix their signa- the Waltair Club Committee," characteristic to the north the constables as no police offi- writer, who again posed numer- reported in the city regularly. carries out such attacks in an going to deteriorate? I did not tures to any files now believing Devineni Uma said, and alleged coastal region and sounding cer was available. ous questions to him. The Jagadish sought an acknowl- attempt to undermine the tell anyone about this (visit), Jaganmonan Reddy, they would that he had done this as he had of drums, Kolatam perfor- On the directions of the staff trainee IPS officer told them edgement of his complaint, but government, which is so that not more than three have to go to jail again," he said. the support of Jaganmohan mances and people perform- there, Jagadish gave a complaint that his place of origin was there was no response. Later, the backed by the United persons accompany me. They The former minister called Reddy. ing various acrobatics made in writing. They enquired from Bangaluru and was on a visit to constable directed him to S-I Nations and African Union do not have the right to stop upon the officials not to become The TDP leader also said that the carnival even more attrac- him about his antecedents. He the district along with his Sambasivayya, who also did troops. me. If they want to arrest me, part of the Jaganmohan Reddy's Jaganmohan Reddy should tive. told him that there are CCTV friends. The writer told him that not respond to his request of The most deadly attack they should do so." decisions. "The Chief Minister condemn the statement made A laser show was held as cameras in the Bus Station the police would enquire and either an FIR copy or an blamed on the group was in To a question on whether should explain why he had cho- by Vijaya Sai Reddy in part of the Utsav. Centre, but they began brow- take action. acknowledgement. October 2017 when a bomb- the government felt its poli- sen the consultancy which was Visakhapatnam, and wanted a Earlier, a slide show on the beating him, demanding that he When Jagadish told the When the trainee IPS officer laden truck exploded next to tics was in danger because of facing corruption charges to CBI probe into the purchase of historic accounts of the steel comes clean on what exactly writer that he had to go to insisted, the police abused him. a fuel tanker in Mogadishu, her, she said, "Everybody's submit a report on the Capital lands in the Port City and city and ruling YSRCP's happened. Gannavaram urgently and The police did not even ask him creating a storm of fire that politics is in danger." issue," he demanded. Waltair Club episode. Navaratnas was presented. After thoroughly frustrating sought a copy of the FIR, he got to be seated. killed nearly 600 people. Cold wave grips Northern India, hits rail... Babu stops his convoy, Continued from Page 1 minus 19.1 degrees Celsius er 24 hours. The department The state's lowest temperature and minus 28.6 degrees Celsius forecast ground-frost condi- interacts with guava seller Before that the coldest day in respectively, a Metrological tions in several districts, Delhi in this month was for the day was recorded in Department official said in besides dense fog. PNS n ELURU Perhaps Naidu is resorting to December 11, 1996, when the Keylong at minus 11.5 degrees Srinagar. Cold conditions persisted public relations' gimmicks, out minimum was 2.3 degrees Celsius. Snowfall is likely in middle In Uttar Pradesh, Meerut at in most parts of Odisha too, Did Chandrababu have premo- of many in his arsenal, to salvage Celsius. 1.7 degrees Celsius was the with Sonepur town recording nition that Assembly elections the sagging image of the TDP! The National Capital Region and higher hills between coldest place in the state. Dense the season's lowest temperature are around the corner? We have come across celebrities is on its way to record its sec- December 31 and January 2 to very dense fog is likely to hit in the state at four degrees No chance. Elections are getting down their cars and ond-coldest December since traffic for at least the next two Celsius. ruled out for another four and helping accident victims, but 1901, according to the weath- days in parts of the state. The IMD has forecast that half years. But, why Opposition what Chandrababu Naidu did er department. likely in middle and higher hills at minus 5.8 degrees Celsius; it Fatehpur in Sikar district similar conditions will prevail leader N Chandrababu Naidu is on Saturday was a pure election In the hill-state of Himachal between December 31 and was minus 5.6 degrees Celsius recorded the lowest tempera- across the state for next 2-3 resorting to untimely election stunt. During elections, we Pradesh, Kufri, Manali, Solan, January 2. the previous night. ture in Rajasthan at minus 4 days. "Minimum temperatures gimmicks? Can anybody haz- come across leaders selling eat- Bhuntar, Sundernagar, Seobagh Several parts of Jammu and The Met department has degrees Celsius. Sikar and across Odisha have witnessed ard a guess? Perhaps he has in ables and stepping into shoes of and Kalpa shivered at below Kashmir and Ladakh also forecast rain and snowfall in Mount Abu recorded a mini- a sharp dip. They were his mind the forthcoming pan- never stopped at the traffic sig- barbers in saloons and helping sub-zero temperatures. reeled under the cold wave as Kashmir on New Year's Eve, mum of minus 1 and minus 1.5 markedly below the normal at chayat elections. nals. Even former CM YS the housewife in getting ready The state's lowest tempera- water supply lines and parts of that is likely to give respite to degrees Celsius. some places in North Interior Moreover, there were no Rajasekhar follows the traffic her children and so on. Maybe ture for the day was recorded the famous Dal Lake froze in people from the cold wave. A weather department offi- and South Interior Odisha and precedents of Chandrababu rules and his convoy halts at Chandrababu Naidu is offering in Keylong at minus 11.5 Srinagar. The city recorded The mercury in Leh and cial said in Jaipur the cold wave the coastal parts of the state," stopping his convoy. Even when traffic signals unlike that of prayers to Almighty for out-of- degrees Celsius. Snowfall is the coldest night of the season Drass in Ladakh plummeted to is likely to continue for anoth- it said in a bulletin. he was the CM, his convoy Babu's convoy. turn elections in the state. VIJAYAWADA | SUNDAY | DECEMBER 29, 2019 04

rotests often make a cause long-lasting in history, and l P if we believe this statement, l Hong Kong has been facing In India, the 2019 was one such year where new year 2019 people from across the globe protests since June, where activists stepped out on streets to protest came to streets and the police have was welcomed for various reasons. allegedly fired more than 10,000 amid protests Countries across the globe have for women's witnessed protests in 2019 large rounds of tear gas across the city enough to disrupt the daily life entry in and impactful enough to cause Sabrimala panic in the respective govern- temple in Kerala ments. The history of India is full of after in 2018 the protests — a tool which not only Supreme Court brought drastic political change in the country but also played an ruled that important role in giving freedom women of all to the country. age groups can India witnessed the latest protests across the country after enter Sabarimala the Parliament passed the temple. Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, which now has become an Act. Hundreds of thousands of peo- ple have come to the streets in the past few weeks as the nation wit- nessed huge violence and arson against them by lawyers. of Maharas-htra. extradition bill demanding its with- and clashes between police and The lawyers too disrupted the India also joined the global cli- drawal. the protesters in parts of Uttar work in the courts protesting mate change protest, to demand Massive anti-government Pradesh and Delhi, among other against the police which resulted action be taken to address climate protests were also staged in parts of the country. in lockdown, leaving litigants to change. Lebanon's largest cities, with The protests were so wide- suffer. Young school children demonstrators demanding the spread that the administration Part from this, Delhi and other stepped out to bring the atten- departure of the ruling class had to shut down the Internet parts of the country also saw huge tion of the policymakers on cli- amid calls for a general strike. and had to impose Section 144 protests after the brutal gang-rape mate change. Greta Thunberg, a The protests broke out in mid- and curfew in several parts of and murder of a veterinary doc- school going girl from Sweden, October when the Lebanese the country including Delhi, tor in Hyderabad. Also, it was had started the movement, government announced its Ghaziabad, Lucknow, Assam, among the massive protests the which gathered support from intention to approve a rate of and Bengaluru. Preceding the country witnessed related to the students and adults across 20 cents a day for voice calls on ongoing turmoil, the national crime against women after 2012 the globe. social networks such as capital also saw a massive when a woman was brutally gang- Not just India, but the world WhatsApp, Facebook or Viber protest by the students of the raped in Delhi. too witnessed massive protests. in an attempt to increase rev- Jawaharlal Nehru University In India, the new year 2019 was Hong Kong has been facing enue for the indebted state. against their fee hike in October. welcomed amid protests protests since June, where Chile is facing civil unrest The students, in hundreds, for women's entry in activists came to streets since October. The Latin took to streets, blocked the roads Sabrimala temple and the police have American country has been and clashed with the police after in Kerala after allegedly fired more beset by unrest when protests RTC employees tonsure their heads during their 52-day long strike in Telangana. a new hostel manual for the JNU in 2018 the than 10,000 against a now-suspended hike students was made public. Supreme rounds of tear in subway fares in capital They were also protesting Court ruled gas across the Santiago escalated to a wider against the fee hike by the uni- that city. The peo- movement demanding lower versity. The students garnered women of ple living in living costs and greater income support from the students of the all age Hong Kong equality.At least 20 people have other universities in Delhi as groups can have been been killed and hundreds more well. enter protesting injured amid clashes between In November, the national cap- Sabarimala against protesters and police, looting and ital witnessed an unprecedented temple. People anarson attacks in Chile, according protest by the Delhi police when have protested to local authorities. hundreds of Police personnel against the ver- In Iraq, the protesters came out held a protest outside the Police dict. on streets demanding compre- Headquarters (PHQ) at ITO The protest across the hensive reform, fight against cor- against repeated incidents of vio- South Indian states ruption, better public services lence intensified after two and more job opportunities. women belonging to At least 485 people have been the previously barred killed and 27,000 others injured age group entered the in the widespread anti-gov- temple on January 2 ernment protests that took with the help of place across Iraq since the police. October. The financial These are among the few Women and children of the Amaravati capital region stage a protest against the YSRCP capital of India, prominent protests the government’s proposal of three separate capitals for the state. Mumbai, also wit- world faced in 2019, the nessed massive list, although is very protests against an long. order from the Reserve Bank of India in September imposing reg- ulatory restrictions on the Punjab and Maharashtra (PMC) bank for six months over alleged financial irregular- ities. The depositors have been protesting in dif- ferent parts

Countries across the globe have witnessed protests in 2019 large enough to disrupt daily life and impactful enough to cause panic in the respective governments VIJAYAWADA | SUNDAY | DECEMBER 29, 2019 nation 05 SHORT READS Bengal BJP to thank PM for Country now fighting freedom-era idealogy: Priyanka CAA, send 1 crore messages PNS n LUCKNOW PNS n KOLKATA Virtually equating the ruling BJP government with the The West Bengal unit of the British, Congress general sec- Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) retary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will send one crore postcards on Saturday said that at present to Prime Minister Narendra the country was fighting an Ilaiyaraja selected Modi on behalf of the refugees ideology which it had fought in the state, congratulating against during the freedom for Harivarasanam him for the passage of new cit- struggle. award izenship law (CAA). But there She was addressing party THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: is a hitch - shortage of post- leaders during a programme Renowned Musician and cards. held to mark the 135th composer Ilaiyaraja has been With people largely shun- Foundation Day of the selected for this year's ning postcards as a means of Congress. Harivarasanam award. The communication with the "Today in the country, there award, comprising a cash prize advent of modern technology, are such powers in the gov- of Rs one lakh, citation and a like emails and social media, ernment with whom we had a "Today the country NRC. The country is recog- plaque, will be presented at a procuring so many postcards historical clash. We are at pre- nising your cowardice," the function at Sabarimala had become a headache, party sent fighting an ideology is in trouble. If we Congress leader said. Sannidhanam next month. sources said. against which we fought dur- do not raise our She also said that people Tourism minister Kadakampally As a way out, the BJP is toy- ing the freedom struggle," voice, we will be from every religion and caste Surendran announced the ing with the idea of sending a Priyanka Gandhi said here at sacrificed their lives during the award on Friday. The award has mix of emails and postcards to the UP Congress headquarters. proved to be freedom struggle. "The soil of been instituted by the state the Prime Minister. congratulate the Prime Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, Congress (TMC) in the 2021 "Today the country is in cowards," she this country has everyone's government and is being given "If we don't get adequate Minister for passing this law. Parsis, Jains and Buddhists Assembly polls, is hoping to trouble. If we do not raise our added blood and no one can separate from 2012 onwards. Among number of postcards, we can They will thank him for his fleeing persecution in Pakistan, encash the CAA to spread voice, we will be proved to be it". the previous recipients of the always send emails. I think it resolve to give them citizen- Afghanistan and Bangladesh influence among this section. cowards," she added. In a tweet she said that the award are K J Yesudas, S B will be a mix of postcards and ship, and also to the BJP for ful- before December 31, 2014. An unspecified number of The Congress general sec- Congress was the voice of the Balasubramanyam, M G emails. From areas with dearth filling its promise," Basu said. They will not be treated as people have entered Bengal retary said that the country Pradesh, and those who could last person standing and it was Sreekumar, Gangai Amaran, K of postcards, emails will be The party was with the illegal immigrants any more from Bangladesh, or earlier was in trouble and voices of not be killed were put in jails. also the voice of farmers, S Chitra and P Susheela. sent," state BJP General refugees and they would and will be given citizenship. when it was East Pakistan, dissent were emanating from Their only fault was that they youth, labourers, women and Secretary Sayantan Basu told acknowledge this through the The BJP, which is wooing since the 1940s. The state has different corners. were raising voice against a every oppressed person. IANS. letter, he said. Hindu refugees from twice seen major influx -- dur- "But, the government wants wrongdoing," Priyanka Gandhi "On the 135th anniversary MP: Highway The programme will start in The Citizenship Bangladesh as part of efforts to ing the Partition in 1947 and to suppress it using fear. said. of the Congress, we take a a few days. Amendment Act (CAA) seeks come to power in Bengal by the 1971 Bangladesh liberation Whenever such situations Targeting the central gov- pledge to completely dedicate official held "One crore refugees will to provide Indian nationality to defeating the ruling Trinamool war. arise, the Congress rises to the ernment, she said that a per- ourselves to the party's ideol- for graft challenge and accepts them. son who was in fear either ogy of non-violence and CHHATARPUR (MP): An official There is no place for violence resorted to violence to silence benevolence," she said. of the National Highway and fear in our heart," she said. the enemy or retreated. This is the Congress gener- Authority of India was arrested Paswan asks "The BJP makes laws which "The BJP silenced the voice al secretary's first visit to the Meerut SP caught on video are against the Constitution of the people through violence state capital after violent for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 1 lakh in lieu of issuing a and then suppresses those who and cowardice, and is now protests against the amended no- objection certificate, Kejriwal to oppose it. People were killed in retreating saying that it (BJP) citizenship law that claimed at Lokayukta police said on telling protestors ‘go to Pak' the country, including Uttar has discussed NPR and not least 19 lives. Saturday. The Madhya Pradesh tackle drinking Lokayukta police on Friday PNS n MEERUT nabbed, S K Agnihotri, the water problem manager of NHAI's Chhatarpur A top police officer in Meerut Kejri: Will office, while allegedly accepting allegedly told a group of peo- PNS n NEW DELHI ‘British informers' a bribe of Rs 1 lakh from ple to tell protestors to go to implement ‘good Ganesh Kori, deputy Pakistan during violence in the Accusing Delhi Chief superintendent of police city last week over the amend- Minister Arvind Kejriwal Lokayukta Rajesh Khede said. ed citizenship act in which five of doing politics over the questioning Cong's suggestions' Agnihotri had demanded Rs 1.5 people were killed. issue of drinking water in PNS n NEW DELHI lakh from Kori for issuing a no- The incident purportedly the national capital, Union objection certificate to set up a took place on December 20 in minister Ram Vilas Paswan legacy: Gehlot Delhi Chief Minister Arvind petrol pump near Kerwana on Lisari Gate Police Station area on Saturday asked him to Kejriwal on Saturday said Bhopal-Lucknow Highway, the and it was captured on video set politics aside to deal PNS n JAIPUR his party will go through the official said. On the basis of which was circulated widely. with the matter seriously as "aarop patra" (charge sheet) Kori's complaint, the police laid In the 1.43 minute-long people were forced to drink Rajasthan Chief Minister released by the BJP against a trap and caught Agnihotri video, Meerut Superintendent contaminated water and Ashok Gehlot on Saturday his government and imple- while he was accepting the first of Police Akhilesh Narayan children were "dying" due to launched a scathing attack on ment the "good suggestions" installment of the bribe Singh can be seen talking to this. the BJP, saying those who given in it in the next five amount, Khede said. Agnihotri three men in a narrow lane The Minister of were "informers" of British years. has been booked under along with other police per- Consumer Affairs, Food during the freedom move- The Delhi BJP on Saturday provisions of the Prevention of sonnel. mujhe yaad ho jaata hai toh ADG Meerut Zone Prashant and Public Distribution told ment were questioning the released an "aarop patra" Corruption Act and further "Yeh jo kaali aur peeli patti mein naani tak pahunchta Kumar said the incident PTI that the Aam Aadmi legacy of the Congress. against the Aam Aadmi Party probe is underway. bandhe huye hain inko keh do hun (I now remember this lane occurred on December 20 fol- Party (AAP) leader was Gehlot, while addressing government, alleging that it Pakistan chale jao... Khaoge and I can reach your grand- lowing protests in the city. making contradictory state- party workers at an event on Ashok Gehlot "misguided and befooled" yahan ka, gaoge kahin aur ka mother)," he said. Some people there were rais- ments over the issue, even the party's 135th foundation people in the last five years DRI seizes 7.3 kg of (Tell the protestors who have Singh claimed that he had ing slogans in support of though a test of water sam- day, said the Constitution is Gehlot, while and "failed" to fulfill the tied black and yellow bands to made the statement to a group Pakistan and were distributing ples by authorised agencies "under threat and voice of promises made before the smuggled gold, two go to Pakistan, You will eat of people who were raising slo- objectionable pamphlets in had brought to light that democracy is being trampled" addressing party 2015 assembly election. persons arrested here but praise someplace gans in the support of Pakistan. support of the Popular Front of Delhi ranked at the bottom in the country. workers at an event Reacting to the charges, else)," he purportedly said. "I advised them to go to the India (PFI) and the social among Indian cities as Referring to the achieve- Kejriwal said one should keep KOLKATA: The Directorate of on the party's 135th "Yeh gali mujhe yaad ho gayi place in support of which they Democratic Party of India regards the quality of drink- ments of the Congress and foundation day, said his critics close to himself, Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has hai, yaad rakhna. Aur jab were raising slogans," he said. (SBPI), he said. ing water. Congress governments, Gehlot referring to the words of seized 7.3 kg of smuggled gold said, "On one hand our lega- the Constitution is poet Kabir Das -- 'nindak valued at Rs 2.84 crore and cy is strong. It is filled with "under threat and niyare rakhiye'. arrested two persons at New pride. Entire country should "We will go through the Farakka Junction railway voice of democracy station. Acting on intelligence be proud of it. And you know 'aarop patra' of the BJP and what Prime Minister Modi is being trampled" in whatever good suggestions inputs, DRI officials on Uma Bharti: I support Meerut SP December 25 intercepted two comments about our legacy. the country have been given in it we will PNS n NEW DELHI passengers onboard the You also know what he com- implement it in the next five The reaction of Meerut City SP Akhilesh ments about Pandit Nehru's years. We want everyone to Shatabdi Express who were Narain Singh telling the protesters to go bringing smuggled gold of Senior BJP leader Uma Bharti legacy." a matter of shame," Gehlot review our work and point Myanmar origin into India, a on Saturday came out in sup- to Pakistan was natural as the The chief minister said, alleged. out our shortcomings and DRI statement said on Friday. port on Meerut Superintendent Pandit Nehru's legacy is of sac- He alleged that the give suggestions so that we of Police Akhilesh Narain protesters were raising slogans in favour rifice and is about going to jail Constitution is in danger, can do more good work," he The two passengers were made of Pakistan, were abusing the police and to de-board the train at New Singh after his video showing for the country. democracy is being killed. said. Farakka Junction. On him shouting at Muslim pro- were also throwing stones at them "Former Prime Ministers "All institutions are being preliminary interrogation, the testors "go back to Pakistan" Uma Bharti Indira Gandhi and Rajiv ruined, there is a pressure on two persons confessed that the went viral. Gandhi achieved martyrdom. Judiciary, Election smuggled gold was being taken The video clip was appar- Congress of politicising the protesters were raising slogans also shows a senior police offi- That is a legacy. People having Commission, CBI, ED, to Kolkata for delivery. The gold ently made during a protest issue. The former Union in favour of Pakistan, were cer in riot gear speaking to ideology of your (Modi's) Income Tax department. Not was seized and the two against the controversial Minister in a series of tweets abusing the police and were members of Muslim commu- party were informers during a single action is taken with- persons were arrested under Citizenship Amendment Act said, "The reaction of Meerut also throwing stones at them." nity, telling them to go to freedom struggle. They used out consent of PMO's. All the Customs Act, the statement (CAA) and National Register City SP Akhilesh Narain Singh In the viral video, Singh is Pakistan, and threatening to to work as informers of British. decisions are made in the said. In the current fiscal so far, of Citizens (NRC). telling the protesters to go to seen telling the protesters to go ruin the career of those who Those people are today talking PMO, where is the country Arvind Kejriwal more than 244 kg of gold have Uma Bharti also accused Pakistan was natural as the back to Pakistan. The video allegedly indulged in violence. about Congress heritage. It is going?" Gehlot said. been seized by DRI in the eastern region. TMC stages sit-ins Social Justice Ministry initiated legislation on Chidambaram to against NRC, CAA across West Bengal KOLKATA: The Trinamool transgenders, measures for disabled in 2019 Army Chief: Mind Congress on Saturday staged PNS n NEW DELHI sit-ins against the Citizenship Officials claimed that ministry's major (Amendment) Act, 2019 and your business the National Register of Citizens A legislation on transgenders' achievement this year was the n (NRC) in West Bengal. TMC welfare and implementation enactment of The Transgender Persons PNS THIRUVANANTHAPURAM leaders and activists took part of measures for the disabled (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 though in the demonstrations across were some of the high points Senior Congress leader P the state, party sources said. of the Social Justice and the transgender community termed the Chidambaram on Saturday Senior state ministers Partha Empowerment Ministry in legislation discriminatory came down heavily on Army Chatterjee and Firhad Hakim 2019 but it received flak for Chief Gen Bipin Rawat, who were among the TMC leaders poor execution of a scheme had recently criticised people who participated in the sit-ins related to scavengers. "In the coming years we The Act will make all the leading violent protests over in their respective A parliamentary standing will witness visible positive stakeholders responsive and the Citizenship Amendment constituencies in Kolkata. committee wanted the ministry changes in the implementation accountable for upholding the Act, asking him to "mind his P Chidambaram Hakim wondered if people have to take the scheme concerning of the rights of persons with principles underlying the leg- business." to prove their citizenship after liberation and rehabilitation disability act through the islation. It will bring greater The former union minister "The DGP... the Army exercising their franchise in the of scavengers "very seriously" implementing agencies of the accountability to governments was speaking at the 'Maha General are being asked to elections. "People of West while implementing. states/UTs", the source said. for issues concerning trans- Rally" against the new Act, support the government. It is Bengal will never accept CAA It also expressed its displea- "Both medical and rehabili- tion and communication tech- Officials claimed that min- genders and will benefit a large organised by Kerala Pradesh a shame. Let me appeal to and NRC," he said. Taking a dig sure to the department of tation models should go hand nology (websites and TV view- istry's major achievement this number of the community, Congress Committee (KPCC) General Rawat.. You head the at the TMC protests, state BJP empowerment of persons with in hand," she said. ing). year was the enactment of The mitigate the stigma, discrimi- in front of Raj Bhavan here. Army and mind your busi- president Dilip Ghosh said, disabilities for under utilising According to official sources, The department also took Transgender Persons nation and abuse against those He also alleged that the ness... what politicians will "Even TMC supporters are not funds for various schemes dur- besides continuing the ongoing note of the increasing disabil- (Protection of Rights) Act, marginalised section and bring Army Chief and the Director do, politicians will do." attending the anti-CAA ing 2017-2018 and 2018-2019. schemes for the disabled wel- ity burden of psycho-social, 2019 though the transgender them into the mainstream of General of Police (DGP) of "It is not the business of the agitations of their party Secretary in the department fare during 2019, the depart- intellectual and learning dis- community termed the legis- the society. Uttar Pradesh had been asked Army to tell politicians what supremo (Mamata Banerjee) of empowerment of persons ment of empowerment of per- abilities. "The department lation discriminatory. Ministry officials are hope- to support the government we should do. Just as it is not who must have got tired after with disabilities Shakuntala sons with disabilities also will set up early intervention The Lok Sabha gave its nod ful that the new legislation will and it was a "shame". our business to tell you how to walking for miles in marches Gamlin said in the disability worked on accessible India centres in all its national insti- to the related bill on August 5 lead to greater inclusiveness "Now, the Army General is fight a war. You fight war and getting a tepid response sector "rehabilitation is a pri- campaign in rail, air and road tutes and composite regional and Rajya Sabha on November and will make transgenders being asked to speak up. Is it according to your ideas and we from the people." ority in view of increasing dis- sectors (for easy accessibility centres to reduce the disabili- 26. The President gave his productive members of the the job of the Army General?" will manage the politics of the ease burden. for disabled) and in informa- ty burden," a source said. assent on Dec.5. society. Chidambaram asked. country.." he said. VIJAYAWADA | SUNDAY | DECEMBER 29, 2019 money 06

CAPSULE REALTY SECTOR NBFCs' gross NPA ratio rises System-wide credit losses to to 6.3 % in Sept: RBI report lenders jump to 7.33% in Jun'19 PNS n MUMBAI PNS n MUMBAI The new In more troubles for the crip- RBI asks co-op banks Non-bank lenders witnessed regulation pled realty sector, system-wide stress in their asset quality in credit losses to lenders have to report exposures the first half of the current fis- mandates NBFCs jumped to 7.33 per cent in June above Rs 5 cr cal, with gross NPA ratio to maintain a 2019 from 5.74 per cent in June increasing to 6.3 per cent in 2018, according to the RBI MUMBAI: The Reserve Bank September 2019 from 6.1 per minimum level of data. on Friday directed large cooperative banks to report all cent in March, according to an high-quality liquid This spike has been led by RBI report. state-run banks, whose impair- exposures of Rs 5 crore and assets to cover However, the net NPA ratio ment has jumped from 15 per more to the Central Repository expected net of Information on Large of non-banking financial com- cent in June 2018 to 18.71 per Credits (CRILC), a move panies (NBFCs) remained cash outflows cent in June 2019, says the aimed at early recognition of steady at 3.4 per cent between in a stressed financial stability report financial distress. The Reserve end-March 2019 and end- released by the RBI on Friday. Bank has created a CRILC of September 2019, RBI's scenario If we look the numbers came down sharply. This steadily over the period, with commercial banks, all India Financial Stability Report from June 2016, the system might, however, understate delinquency levels of all finan- financial institutions and showed. As at end-September wide losses stood at 3.90 per the exposure of PSBs to the cial intermediaries higher as on certain non-banking financial 2019, the capital to risk assets erage ratio (LCR) requirement intermediation space which discerning based on prudential cent and for PSBs, it stood at sector given their exposure to June 2019 compared to their companies with multiple ratio (CRAR) of the NBFC sec- for all deposit-taking and non- took up a significant share in concerns, he added. The report 7.06 per cent, which since a few NBFCs well entrenched June 2018 levels. Given the objectives, which, among tor stood at 19.5 per cent, lower deposit taking NBFCs with credit intermediation after the said NBFCs were the largest then has been on a steady in the real estate sector, says the structure of the sample this others, include strengthening than 20 per cent as at end- an asset size of Rs 5,000 crore relative passivity of public sec- net borrowers of funds from climb-increasing to 4.38 per report. should be indicative of the evo- offsite supervision and early March 2019. and above. tor banks due to their impaired the financial system with gross cent and 9.67 per cent respec- Fund flows to the sector lution of general industry- recognition of financial The report said while the The new regulation man- balance sheets, continues to payables of around Rs 8,29,468 tively in June 2017. have continued notwithstand- wide portfolio health rather distress. Earlier in its bi- importance of NBFCs in cred- dates NBFCs to maintain a show signs of restructuring of crore and gross receivables of The FSR said the numbers ing a general slowdown in than health of the real estate monthly monetary policy it intermediation is growing, minimum level of high-quali- their underlying business mod- around Rs 66,635 crore as at are based on an analysis of 310 credit growth. Since September exposure in specific financial review this month, the RBI the IL&FS episode brought ty liquid assets to cover expect- els," RBI Governor Shaktikanta end-September 2019. real estate borrowers and the 2018 when the IL&FS induced intermediaries, says the report. had announced that to bring the focus on the asset liability ed net cash outflows in a Das wrote in the foreword of A further breakup of impairment numbers are based risk aversion was noted, all cat- To conclude, the report says UCBs with assets of Rs 500 mismatches of non-bank stressed scenario. the report. payables showed that 48.4 per on 90-days past due. egories of financial intermedi- analysis of 310 real estate relat- crore and above under the lenders, which poses risks to NBFCs are required to reach While credit markets are cent of the funds were obtained While the aggregate expo- aries have increased their ed borrowers show increased CRILC reporting framework. the sector as well as the finan- LCR of 100 per cent over a becoming more competitive from banks, followed by 26 per sure to realtors approximately exposures to realtors, the stress although the aggregate cial system as a whole. period of four years com- following recapitalisation of cent from mutual fund com- doubled, the aggregate share of sharpest being that of HFCs. exposure to the sample firms To address this, the RBI mencing from December 2020. state-run banks, market fund- panies and 21.3 per cent from HFCs and PVBs increased The aggregate impaired continued to increase, imply- introduced the liquidity cov- "The non-banking financial ing for NBFCs is getting more insurance firms, it said. and PSBs' aggregate share exposures continued to rise ing availability of credit. Exports to rebound Steeply falling revenue risks fiscal parameters: RBI German union calls New Year strike at PNS n MUMBAI have been achieved so far. The in 2020 but growth The only only silver-lining is the per- Germanwings The Reserve Bank has flagged sonal income tax collection silver-lining FRANKFURT AM MAIN: A falling government revenue which has growing marginal- as a threat to the overall fiscal ly to Rs 33,000 crore from Rs German cabin crew union on to remain subdued is the personal Friday called a three-day strike numbers — with tax and non- 24,000 crore. Cumulative PNS n MUMBAI income tax at Lufthansa subsidiary tax revenues lagging way advance tax collection till Q3 Germanwings, plunging behind targets — saying this collection which stood at Rs 2.51 lakh crore as passengers into turmoil over The continuous contraction in along with weaker private has growing against Rs 7.96 lakh crore the busy end-of-year holiday India's exports is likely to stop consumption and investment year-on-year. season as it ramped up a next year but the rate of could prove to be a challenge. marginally to Direct tax collections, net of bitter row over pay and growth will be subdued on The central bank, however, Rs 33,000 cra refunds, for this fiscal grew a conditions. The UFO union account of the uncertain glob- said amidst all these negatives mere 0.7 per cent till said Germanwings employees al trade situation due to rising the nation's financial system from Rs 24,000 cr December. The target is Rs would strike from 2300 GMT protectionism. remains resilient with the asset 13.35 lakh crore. Refunds on Sunday until 2300 GMT on Commerce Secretary Anup quality of banks improving increased 26.6 per cent com- Wednesday as talks with Wadhawan said the current (NPAs remaining stable at 9.3 Shaktikanta Das pared to the same period last bosses remain deadlocked. slowdown in exports is main- ly slower than the 2.6 per cent per cent as of September as year. Gross direct tax collec- The strike period covers New ly due to a decline in petrole- growth forecast in April 2019. same as March 2019) thanks tion till Q3 touched Rs 8.34 Year's Eve and the January 1 um products, which constitute However in 2020, the to the efforts of both banks diture (fiscal deficit) has GST collection which has been crore of budgeted revenue lakh crore against Rs 7.96 public holiday. "We are 13.42 per cent of overall out- growth in trade volume is and companies to clean up crossed 107 per cent as of the mainstay of the govern- and has slipped 5.2 per cent as lakh crore in the same period deliberately announcing the ward shipments. projected to accelerate to 2.7 their balance sheets. November, putting a big ques- ment has grown just 2.5 per of the third quarter. last year. But net tax collection strike early so Germanwings This decline, he said, is per cent. Apex exporters body The warning assumes tion mark on the government cent so far this year, against a What is more pertinent is stood at Rs 6.57 lakh crore passengers have a chance to mainly on account of fall in Federation of Indian Export importance from many angels ability to meet the 3.3 per cent budgeted 14 per cent, while the divestment revenue. Of the compared to Rs 6.7 lakh crore, book flights with other airlines petroleum prices which has Organisations (FIEO) said the as revenue mop-up has been fiscal targets. The negative massive corporate tax cuts Rs 1.05 lakh crore budgeted according to media report or make alternative travel driven the export value down- global situation is becoming falling and budgeted expen- comments are also prescient as have given away Rs 1.45 lakh for the year, only 17 per cent quoting taxmen. plans," said UFO vice- wards. However, "the positive extremely challenging as rising chairman Daniel Flohr in a growth in the exports of non- protectionism is leading to video message. The union conventional commodity uncertainty. FIEO Director stopped short of announcing a groups like electronic goods, General Ajay Sahai said the ‘Banks instructed fresh stoppage at flagship drugs, and pharmaceuticals, global situation is likely to PSB health restored, 13 banks report profit: Govt carrier Lufthansa itself, but organic and inorganic chem- improve in the first half of to clear pending icals, augurs well for future 2020, which would have a PNS n NEW DELHI crore in March 2018 to Rs 7.27 warned that more strike calls A statement from could follow from January 2. growth," he said. positive impact on India's lakh crore in September 2019, vigilance cases Flohr said UFO took stoppages India's export growth is in exports. The Ministry of Finance on the ministry noted their provision coverage ratio at this time of year, when the negative zone since August "If the global situation Saturday said that the health of that the gross NPAs rising to their highest level in against officials’ many people are travelling to 2019 due to a steep fall in ship- improves, which is likely in the public sector banks which have of the state-run banks seven years, and banks return- PNS n NEW DELHI meet friends and family, "very ments of key sectors like petro- first half of 2020, we may look been reeling under non-per- have declined from ing to profitability, with as seriously". leum, engineering and gems for 15 per cent growth in forming assets for the last few Rs 8.96 lakh crore in many as 13 banks reporting Finance Minister Nirmala and jewellery. exports in the next financial years has been restored and a March 2018 to profits in H1FY20," the state- Sitharaman on Saturday Labour-intensive sectors year (2020-21). Exports will total of 13 banks reported Rs 7.27 lakh crore in ment said. It further said that instructed public sector banks such as carpets, ready-made come out of negative zone next profits in the first half of the September 2019 with the Essar Steel resolution to clear pending vigilance garments, handloom and year but the rate of growth will current fiscal. decision, banks have recovered cases against their officials for leather too are recording not be in double digits," he Addressing the media after Rs 38,896 crore, in addition to alleged malpractices. The min- decline in export growth. said. He added that the order meeting the chiefs of public 7.27 lakh crore in September Rs 4.53 lakh crore recovered in ister also said no Merchant As per the World Trade book position of Indian sector banks, Finance Minister shape. A statement from the 2019. "Extensive reforms car- the last four-and-a-half years. Discount Rate (MDR) charges Organization (WTO), global exporters is encouraging and Nirmala Sitharaman said that ministry noted that the gross ried out by the government It said that PSBs have will be applicable on select merchandise trade volumes less volatility in the domestic the reform measures under- NPAs of the state-run banks have restored banks to health, attached assets worth over Rs modes of payment from Piramal to raise are expected to rise by only 1.2 currency has also been a pos- taken by the government have have declined from Rs 8.96 with the gross NPAs of PSBs 2.3 lakh crore over the last January 1. The modes of pay- per cent in 2019, substantial- itive factor for traders. helped bring the banks back to lakh crore in March 2018 to Rs. declining from Rs 8.96 lakh three financial years. ment will be notified soon, up to Rs 2,750 cr Sitharaman said after a review via bonds meeting with heads of PSBs. In her Budget speech in July, NEW DELHI: Piramal Sitharaman had proposed to Enterprises on Saturday said Gazprom paid Ukraine $2.9 bn to settle gas dispute waive MDR charges to spur its board has approved raising digital payments. "I, there- up to Rs 2,750 crore by PNS n MOSCOW gas to Europe via Ukraine, often been accused of. "We are fore, propose that the business issuing bonds on private Ukraine earns around $3 bn per yr from after months of difficult talks interested in Ukraine getting establishments with annual placement basis. "At the Russian energy giant but ahead of the looming the resources, and our clients turnover more than Rs 50 Meeting of Administrative sending Russian gas to Europe but ties Gazprom has paid $2.9 billion between the two countries have been shredded New Year deadline. in Europe being calm, know- crore shall offer such low-cost Committee of the Board of to Ukraine's Naftogaz to set- Putin said earlier this ing that our relations with our digital modes of payment to Directors held today, the tle a long-running dispute since Moscow annexed Crimea in 2014 and month that Moscow wants to neighbours are normal," he their customers and no Committee approved the issue over transit fees for gas trans- supported a separatist insurgency in the east keep some gas flowing said. charges or Merchant Discount of secured, rated, unlisted, ported to Europe, the compa- through Ukraine, despite hav- Ukraine earns around $3 Rate shall be imposed on cus- redeemable Non-Convertible ny said Friday. ing built several pipelines to billion per year from sending tomers as well as merchants. Debentures aggregating up to "Gazprom carried out the Yuriy Vitrenko confirmed between Moscow and Kiev. said the two sides were con- Europe since the current deal Russian gas to Europe but ties "RBI and banks will absorb Rs 2,750 crores on private payment of $2.9 billion in receipt of the payment in a The Russian gas giant had tinuing talks about "the terms was agreed a decade ago. between the two countries these costs from the savings placement basis ," it said in a accordance with the decision post on Facebook. previously rejected the claim of further cooperation" after He added that Moscow had have been shredded that will accrue to them on regulatory filing. Piramal of the Stockholm arbitration Last year's ruling by the but President Vladimir Putin the current deal expires. no desire to use its natural since Moscow annexed account of handling less cash Enterprises said the money court," a Gazprom spokes- Stockholm court had been a said this month Russia want- Last week Moscow and resources to strongarm Crimea in 2014 and support- as people move to these digi- can be raised in one or more woman said. major stumbling block to ed to find a solution. Kiev signed a preliminary Ukraine into a deal against its ed a separatist insurgency in tal modes of payment," she tranches from time to time. Naftogaz executive director agreeing a new gas transit deal In a statement, Naftogaz deal on the transit of Russian will — something Russia has the east. had said. Bank frauds rise to record Rs 1.13 lakh-crore in H1 FY20 Indian pharma ‘sunrise' PNS n MUMBAI interlinking would serve as an segment, prognosis positive Duri g the first half of 2019-20, invaluable resource in effec- Frauds reported by banks tive fraud detection/monitor- PNS n NEW DELHI Africa, Indonesia, and Latin during the first half of the cur- banks reported 398 cases of large ing, it said, adding, "a greater America, which would help rent fiscal touched an all- value frauds (above Rs 50 crore) thrust has been put on Nourished by increasing the industry meet its aspira- time high amount of Rs 1.13 improved governance." spending, improving accessi- tion of becoming the world's lakh crore, owing to delay in worth Rs 1.05 lakh crore Special emphasis is being bility and growing exports, largest supplier by volume, detection by lenders, accord- given towards specific expec- India's pharma and according to pharma ing to an RBI report. This tations on board/ its commit- healthcare sector is industry body Indian involved 4,412 fraud cases of of value. Similarly, 97.3 per crore. The report said loan- tees and senior management poised for another Pharmaceutical Rs 1 lakh and above, as per the cent of the frauds reported in related frauds continued to towards fraud management. year of robust Alliance (IPA). report. the first half of FY20 by value dominate in aggregate, con- A sharpened focus on fraud growth even as Experts said In FY19, banks had report- occurred in previous financial stituting 90 per cent of all response plan is being sought pricing and cost improved access to ed 6,801 cases of fraud involv- years. Duri g the first half of frauds reported in FY19 by from the banks and for this, headwinds could medicines in India ing Rs 71,543 crore. 2019-20, banks reported 398 value and 97 per cent of all stricter timelines and clear cut force players to pause and exploring new "An analysis of the vintage cases of large value frauds frauds reported in H1 FY20. guidance with respect to to catch breath. markets while main- of frauds reported during the (above Rs 50 crore) worth Rs The Reserve Bank is taking reporting of frauds and The next wave of growth taining thrust in the US will FY19 and H1 FY20 shows a 1.05 lakh crore. steps to integrate fraud report- declaration and processing of could come from increasing help the country's pharma significant time-lag between Financial Stability Report said. FY01 and FY18 formed about Lenders reported 21 cases ing of NBFCs and urban co- red flagged accounts (RFAs) exports to large and tradi- industry to record the date of occurrence of a The amount involved in 90.6 per cent of the frauds of frauds above Rs 1,000 crore, operative banks in its central will be prescribed, the report tionally under penetrated mar- double-digit growth in the fraud and its detection," RBI's frauds that occurred between reported in 2018-19 in terms worth a cumulative Rs 44,951 fraud registry database. Such said. kets such as Japan, China, coming year. VIJAYAWADA | SUNDAY | DECEMBER 29, 2019 vivacity {48 hours} 07

ew age Indian travellers are ing up steam during the last year, moving away from the typ- will reach new heights in 2020. Nical traditional holiday With the spike in demand for this plans and are constantly on the type of tourism, many destinations, lookout for distinctive and off-beat both domestic and international, experiences such as cruise, adven- are making appropriate arrange- ture, solo, knowledge-driven, cul- MAKE THE MOST OF IT ments for thrill-seekers and are tural, rural and religious tourism. introducing newer adventure Every year, different trends emerge sports. in the travel and tourism industry, VISHAL SURI, managing director, SOTC Travel, suggests that 2020 will be the year when which cater to the desires of wan- Spiritual travel derers. Here are some trends that travellers will be experimenting with the unusual, including short hauls and spirituality One of the biggest travel trends, are set to revolutionise the tourism which is expected to grow manifold industry in 2020. day, which include a variety of list. Professionals will be increas- in 2020, is spiritual travel. Leisure activities too. Personalisation and ingly adding weekends or even combined with spiritual journeys is Technology in travel customisation of travel plans is thus weeks to work trips, whether solo, witnessing an increased demand Through smartphones and a trend that is going to rule 2020. with a partner or family. not just from the older generations social media, a number of tools and but also from the younger travellers technologies are influencing the Bleisure travel Mini moon who are interested in seeking spir- way people travel and industry Commonly known as bizca- With most of the newly-mar- itual harmony. Travellers will want players operate worldwide. The tion, bleisure travel combines both ried populace leading busy lives, it’s to incorporate spiritual places or travel sector has grown tremen- travel for work or business and difficult for them to take off for a healing retreats, both nationally or dously due to digital advance- leisure, which is going to take the large chunk of time for their hon- internationally in their trips in the ments like AI (Artificial lead in 2020. Today, Indian trav- eymoon. Thus ‘mini-moon’ travel coming year. India being an impor- Intelligence), voice-based applica- ellers place greater emphasis on will be a new and growing option tant centre of religious history has tions, big data analytics, VR viewing the world and they don’t for them as it offers a relaxed expe- a number of destinations that will (Virtual Reality) and AR want to let go of any opportunity rience in a minimal amount of see a surge in interest from Indian (Augmented Reality). This will for the same. With the newer gen- time. Through this, the couples can and international tourists. More introduce a new segment of hauls. With the increasing connec- eration of travellers stepping into still have the best experience dur- Indians will opt to travel to pilgrim- tourism in India — virtual tourism. tivity of flights, on-arrival visa facil- traditional and rigid travel itiner- ments that are unique to that the workplace and jet-setting off on ing a honeymoon right after their ages and popular religious cities. If through smartphone technolo- ities, on-demand car rentals, bud- ary structures and with the rising region. Customising travel plans as work-related trips, they will be big day, followed by planning a gy, a traveller can have all the per- get accommodation, increasing internet penetration, they are per their own desires helps such enterprising in their approach to long haul vacation later, in the Cruise travel tinent information s/he needs to levels of disposable income, an irre- exposed to and are fervently seek- tourists make instant and on- make the most of their journey future. The sector has witnessed dou- have about the trip, through AR, a sistible appetite for exploring the ing unique and novel experiences the-go decisions and tick off another ble-digit growth in the recent times. traveller will be able to teleport her- world as well as current fast-paced that they wish to explore. Tourists about the destination on Adventure tourism This is not limited to just families self/himself to the farthest corner lifestyles, these short hauls will be today don’t just want to visit a new holi- their bucket It has been observed that or new couples as even younger of the world. Indian travellers are gaining more traction. They will destination, they want to immerse Indians have become bolder in travellers are opting for cruise hol- largely looking for convenience become the ‘most preferred type of themselves in the local culture, their vacation choices with a large idays over other traditional vacation while also increasingly becoming holiday’ among a large number of soaking in the atmos- number of travellers actively opt- spots. Given that cruises are becom- bolder in their pursuit for explo- travellers. In 2020, more interna- phere, cuisine and ing for travel that ensures an ing extremely stylised and offering ration. Hence, travellers, especial- tional destinations will become the other ele- adrenaline rush. Thus adven- multi-destination routes along with ly those belonging to the Gen Y favourites in the sphere of bite- ture tourism, which has a range of amenities including and the Gen Z, will adapt to it sized travel. been pick- adventure activities, entertainment enthusiastically. shows, and authentic cuisines, Personalisation and customisa- they are sure to be included in more Micro trips tion travel itineraries. More cruise com- Indians are increasingly show- Indian travellers are actively panies will be offering affordable ing an intensified appetite for mini moving away from the packages as there will be escapes of three to a surge in interest from five days to varied segment of a fairly travellers who nearby wish to expe- destina- rience this tion, common- type of travel. ly known as short

CONVERSATION 30 MINUTES

conversation with Mo Rocca is akin to for that, and then the ‘graveyard’ has other Ahis Mobituaries podcasts and his new people, historic figures, who were eclipsed book of Rocca-style obituaries: A swooping by the people who played them. exploration of people and things past, with A lively read r the author playing connect-the-dots in As the footnotes demonstrate, the book entertaining and enlightening fashion. was thoroughly researched. Is it important For instance, he starts discussing paral- Humourist MO ROCCA’s Mobituaries takes on to you that readers understand it is fact- lels between US presidential brother Billy based history? Carter and British royal sister Princess obituaries of people, including those whose exploits It is important to me. Look, I like to sur- Margaret and the second-fiddle roles they prise the reader and there are two different played. Carter is in Rocca’s book; assessing were ignored or who he thought deserved reappraisals ways that are opposites. I like a topic that Margaret’s similarities appeared to be a sud- seems like it’s going to be fun and fizzy and den fancy. it’s going to be a trip, like Billy Carter is going “My fantasy PSAT has a question, to be about Billy Beer and when you go into (Queen) Elizabeth is to Margaret as Jimmy ‘I’ve chosen to be generous it, it’s ‘Why am I choking up?’ Carter is to ...,” said Rocca, a “CBS Sunday with the past. I do think Conversely, I like to take something Morning” correspondent known for his droll that seems like it’s going to be heavy. humor. we need to cut the I like the challenge of (post-Civil War) Mobituaries: Great Lives Worth Reliving past some slack because reconstruction, a word that’s going to (Simon & Schuster) takes on obituaries of make people go, ‘We’re really doing people, as is customary, but includes those the tendency is to this this year?’ and then make it go whose exploits were ignored or who Rocca disqualify people for their down easy. And in this case, I chose thinks deserve reappraisals. He also digs up to humanise it by making it about the background for products (there’s a tribute to imperfections. I think that black Congressmen of reconstruction. SHAKE A LEG the “behemoth known as the station wagon,” for one), fictional characters and historical people are messy, and I rWhat surprised you in your research? milestones. really sought in this to I think a lot of people confuse ‘past’ Actor VARUN DHAWAN will next be seen in In an interview, he discussed how he with ‘backward’ and, I’ll be transparent here, Street Dancer 3D approached the book (written with Jonathan embrace not only the I’ve chosen to be generous with the past. I and claims that over the next 10 Greenberg) and its browsing-friendly format messiness of people, do think we need to cut the past some slack years, India will take over the global dance scene that makes it a standout for bathroom read- because the tendency is to disqualify ing (a compliment, which Rocca said he took but eras’ people for their imperfections. I he kind of talent Indian dancers ple I have met on a few occasions. as such) and the rare example that has foot- think that people are Thave, I can say proudly we are Kangana (Ranaut) is someone I have notes. Quotes have been edited for clarity and messy, and I really one of best countries when it comes known for a lot of years and I admire length. sought in this to dance. In the next 10 years, India her work. I feel both films are very to embrace is going to take over the dance scene. different and we are in 2020, so I rGiven your access to TV and podcast not only Dancers in our country struggle a lot think we shouldn't think about audiences, why write a book? the because dance never used to be con- box-office clash. I feel people should There are certain things that are easier messi- sidered as a profession,” said Varun, watch both the films. This film to write about than to do an audio program ness of at the launch of the song Garmi from (Street Dancer 3D) genuinely marks about, things like the station wagon. And my people, Street Dancer 3D in Mumbai. He was my return to doing films for kids. head has long been stuffed with a lot of fac- but accompanied by co-actor Nora For the longest time, I did not made toids and arcana, and that’s kind of fun on eras. Fatehi, the film's director Remo a film for kids and when I say kids, a page. The book has what I call ‘graveyards.’ —AP D'Souza and producer Lizelle there is a kid inside all of us so. So, After each essay, I wanted there to be a grave- D'Souza. this film is for all of you. I hope kids yard that would surprise you in its relation- He added: “I have spent so and parents will have a good time ship to the essay that came before it. so, for much time with dancers — and watching the film.” instance, Sammy Davis Jr is followed by other Remo sir is one of them — because Street Dancer 3D highlights famous one-eyed people, Thomas Paine is he started as a background dancer. India-Pakistan issues through the followed by other famous disembodied It gets really tough when parents of scope of dance and music. body parts. And I think that that looks nice dancers or society don't look at Talking about the film's mes- on the page.” dance as a career. They (Parents) feel sage, Varun said: “Our characters in that their kids are damaging their the film are dancing for India, and rThe book ranges so far afield with infor- family's reputation by dancing (they are) Pakistani immigrants. I mation on so many topics. Have you been because it is not work. I feel that it's think your motive behind being a gathering string for years? work. They (dancers) travel to train dancer matters, and it drove me to I have gathered string for a long time, in the morning and then reach their do the film. Dance is not only for ideas that have been circulating. My col- dancing venues. Sometimes they enjoyment but through the medium league, the film critic David Edelstein, practice on the road, so this film is you can express a lot and you can helped me with this one: I’m a big Streisand dedicated to all the dancers because change lives. In our country, when fan, as you can probably tell from the book, if you can feel the music then any- a kid is born or at birthday parties and drawn to the idea that the movie Funny body can dance.” and at weddings, we dance a lot. I Girl, when you watch it, you forget that it’s Street Dancer 3D will clash with feel we are a very expressive danc- the story of this person, Fanny Brice. You the Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari-directed ing nation.” think you’re watching the story of Barbra Panga, starring Kangana Ranaut, on Street Dancer 3D stars Varun Streisand. At least I think that, and it’s because January 24, about which Varun with Shraddha Kapoor, Nora Fatehi, the performance is so eclipsing and volcanic said: “Ashwiny and (her husband and Prabhu Deva. that it kind of displaces the person it’s about. and filmmaker) Nitesh sir are peo- —IANS And this is the kind of book that had a place sunday magazine Vijayawada, December 29, 2019

I'm always interested in how people use language to not say what they mean — Greta Gerwig

FROM THE INSIDE The great Indo-Pacific game Looking ahead to 2020 The two high-profile events held recently As we bid goodbye to 2019, it is in New Delhi indicate towards a also time to figure the legacy that ‘strategic shifts in the Pacific islands’ 9 11we may carry forward to the New Year

DecadeDecadeThe of Living Dangerously Although there is a year left in the second decade of the 21st century, the past nine years more or less define what people would think when recalling films from this period, writes GAUTAM CHINTAMANI

hile it is true that Salman, Shah Rukh and Aamir — ture from the kind of roles he was the decade progressed, and one can clear- with filmmakers that, in the manner of greatness in movies Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn and Hrithik famously associated with, Patiala House ly see how the typical fare was rejected speaking did not hail from their world. continue to surprise Roshan ruled not only the box office but offered a much-restrained Kumar. as the years progressed. The viewer first These were set-ups that worked for the the viewer even if also the projects that got greenlit. Films Similarly, Devgn, too, had done his began to invest in new stars such as business-driven mentality of old Hindi accompanied by a such as Dabangg (2010), Golmaal-3 bit of experimentation after playing a desi Ranbir Kapoor, Ranveer Singh as well as cinema with enough of the new Wdegree of predictability, much of cine- (2010), Housefull (2010), Bodyguard Othello in Vishal Bhardwaj’s adaption in new genres of storytelling that didn’t Bollywood blood that did feel the need ma’s brilliance in the last decade could (2011), Ra.One (2011), Don -2 (2011), Ek Omkara (2006), played a small-town depend on any A-list male superstar. In to resort to the standard practice of pack- have been missed had the eye persist- Tha Tiger (2012), Agneepath (2012), businessman pushed to do the unimag- 2011, the top-10 grossing Hindi films fea- ing films. ed with the obvious. Though there is Dhoom 3 (2013), Krrish 3 (2013), Chennai inable to protect his family in the Hindi tured two films each of Salman Khan This was the same time when unpar- still a year to go in the second decade Express (2013), PK (2014), Kick (2014), remake of the Malayalam remake (Bodyguard, Ready) and Shah Rukh alleled cinematic experiences such as of the twenty-first century, the past Happy New Year (2014), Prem Ratan Drishyam (2015). Khan (Ra.One, Don-2), one each of Ritesh Batra’s The Lunchbox (2013), nine years have more or less defined Dhan Payo (2015), and Dilwale (2015), But the biggest successes that A-list Hrithik Roshan (Zindagi Na Milegi Anand Gandhi’s Ship of Theseus (2013), what people would think when recall- to name a few barely offered anything stars enjoyed in the name of trying some- Dobara) and Ajay Devgn (Singham) but Rajat Kapoor’s Ankhon Dekhi (2014) and ing films from this period. substantially fresh or different from thing unfamiliar, and by extension the bigger headline-grabbing news lay Neeraj Ghaywan’s Masaan (2015) were The sheer volume of change wit- what had previously been seen. somewhat offbeat while checking all the elsewhere. enjoying global acceptance. One could nessed since 2010 by the medium It’s not like the top male stars did not boxes of a standard Bollywood entertain- With The Dirty Picture and No One be mistaken into believing that the likes when it comes to exhibition and dis- attempt something out of the ordinary. er was witnessed by Salman and Aamir Killed Jessica, Vidya Balan had two films of Ranbir Kapoor and Ranveer Singh tribution formats as well as the audi- Intriguingly, the biggest box office hit at Khan with Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015), that broke the `100-crore barrier, and were transporting some of the same pas- ence right from the unlimited choice, the beginning of this decade, My Name Sultan (2015) and Dangal (2016). most of the top acting honours went to sion that possessed these indie-spirited the consumption pattern and much is Khan (2010) featured two of the lead- Unfortunately, the curse of the A-list Ranbir Singh for Rockstar. In the same filmmakers to puck Bollywood films. more was last seen decades ago. ing commercial stars, Shah Rukh Khan male star in Hindi cinema continued year, Anand L. Rai’s Tanu Weds Manu, However, the failure of Lootera and These epoch-making changes that and Kajol, and was directed by Karan where barring a handful of such excur- followed by Anurag Kashyap’s gangster Bombay Velvet at the box office pushed include the arrival of OTT and Johar, probably the last of the ‘commer- sions, the Khans, Kumar, Devgn, and to saga Gangs of Wasseypur (2012) and then things to a corner. streaming services delivered nothing cial’ filmmakers in the most real sense a large extent, Roshan, too, persisted with Abhishek Verman’s 2 States (2014) shift- Post-Bombay Velvet, Ranbir Kapoor less than a body-blow to the way we of the word, and was as much of a depar- the tried and tested. ed the spotlight on the kind of themes, found himself in the same spot where the looked at cinema. It wouldn’t be ture from the conventional format as In a loosely formed 1975 autobiog- genres, and narrative that would occu- mainstream rejection of Rocket Singh: entirely incorrect to point out that possible while still remaining within the raphy, the seminal artist Andy Warhol py a better part of popular Hindi film- Salesman of the Year (2009), a film where the transition witnessed in the ten- realm of popular Hindi film. expressed that while “they always say making. the ‘hero’ tried to transcend the bound- years from 2010-19 is similar to the The film followed the life of Rizwan time changes things, but you actually aries of archetypal Hindi film leading era when the talkie replaced the silent Khan (Shah Rukh Khan), a middle-class have to change them yourself.” A sense n a marked departure, the old guard man syndrome had put him. Kapoor film or the video onslaught of the late Muslim from Mumbai who has of this could also be seen in the way the Iwas slowly challenged by the next decided to shift to safer projects — read 1970s and the 1980s. These develop- Asperger’s syndrome, and moves to San “new” Bollywood emerged from within wave both in front as well as behind the Imtiaz Ali’s Tamashaa (2015), Karan ments transformed not only the con- Francisco to live with his brother, the confines of the way things stood. If camera unlike the way it used to previ- Johar’s Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (2016), tent but also left a long-lasting Zakir (Jimmy Shergill) after the death on the one hand, the likes of Shah Rukh ously happen. This challenge was not Rajkumar Hirani’s Sanju (2018) — and impact on the narrative within main- of his mother. In the United States, Khan tried to do the same thing some- limited to filling in some shoes, some- Ranveer Singh also took up what the stream cinema. Rizwan marries Mandira (Kajol), a what differently in My Name is Khan, the thing that the trade pundits are on the trade labeled sure-shot hits — Goliyon single mother, but following the death new storytellers attempted to do differ- lookout for as this helps the cycle to con- Ki Rasleela Ram-Leela (2013), Gunday he second decade of the new mil- of their son Sameer as a result of anti- ent things in way that not only the tra- THE SURPRISING tinue, but the young male and female (2014), Dil Dhadakne Do (2015), Bajirao Tlennium also witnessed something Muslim hate crime in the aftermath of ditional audience of popular Hindi cin- HINDI stars tried to bridge the gap between the Mastani (2015), Befikre (2016), and similar. Although mirroring the times the 9/11 attacks, he takes off a cross- ema but also the punditocracy would SUCCESS OF conventional and the outliers. While on Padmaavat (2018). before, a much eclectic lot defined the country mission to meet the US find it easy to accept. MEDIUM INITIATED the one hand, Ranveer Singh, Ranbir standout films, a few amongst them President George W. Bush to tell him THE ERA OF THE Kapoor and Varun Dhawan slowly he surprising success of Hindi that would probably redefine the term that even though his name is “Khan”, he n 2010, Vikramaditya Motwane’s ‘SMALL HERO’ AND started to dominate the box-office more TMedium initiated the era of the ‘great’, but what truly separated it from is not a terrorist. Shah Rukh Khan’s Iassured debut in Udaan, Dibakar frequently than the ‘seniors’ and in 2017 ‘small hero’ and did more than ever the previous times was the way the attempt to infuse some geopolitical real- Banerjee’s Love Sex Aur Dhoka, and DID MORE THAN EVER with Irrfan’s Hindi Medium making over before to breakaway from what Bombay content was consumed that made it ism into mainstream Bollywood in My Maneesh Sharma’s Band Baaja Baaraat BEFORE TO `300 crore, the transformation was cinema meant when it pitched the lead- nearly impossible for the trade or the Name is Khan remained confined to his set the foundation of things to come in BREAKAWAY FROM more or less in place. Despite having ing man. The last few years saw a flur- critics to guess what “films” would previous efforts such as Swades (2004) the years ahead. Udaan looked at the WHAT BOMBAY clearly modelled their careers on stars ry of films featuring leading men that mean to the viewer at the next turn. or Chak De! India (2007) but the film’s small-town in a new light in Bollywood, of the generation that preceded them, didn’t necessarily fall in the ‘superstar’ The last few years could well be success was not meant to be a game- Love Sex Aur Dhokha inculcated the CINEMA MEANT WHEN what made these three young male stars bracket, yet, struck gold in more ways defined as one where much of the changer as it was still a mainstream film tenet of found footage genre in the typ- IT PITCHED THE somewhat different was their willingness than one. Movies like M.S. Dhoni: The mainstream attempted to adapt the with a slight difference that was meant ical Bollywood psyche, and Band Baaja LEADING MAN to facilitate a meeting point of the best Untold Story (2016), Sonu Ki Titu Ki tenets of independent cinema and to stand out but not inspire more such Baaraat pitched the smaller subset of of art-house and the customary single- Sweety (2018), Stree (2018), Andhadhun focused more on things such as the set- films. localities in larger cities. Even though screen outlook. (2018) and Badhaai Ho (2018), Uri: The ting, a more naturalistic style of dialogue such films were made within the purview In many ways, Ranveer’s casting in Surgical Strike (2019) and Chhichhore and nuances more than ever before. This or what it’s worth, his contemporaries of the operating system, they also Motwane’s Lootera (2013), a loose (2019) were not only bereft of the pres- kind of cinema is also known as ‘mum- Flike Aamir and Salman, as well as acknowledged the changing mood of the reworking of O. Henry’s The Last Leaf, ence of the so-called A-List male star but blecore’ in the west, where the narrative Ajay Devgn and Akshay Kumar also viewer. and later Ranbir Kapoor’s presence in also gave a new meaning to the term primarily revolves around stories emerg- experimented within the parameters of The access to world cinema, and Anurag Kashyap’s ambitious but doomed ‘blockbuster.’ The acceptance of the ing from personal experiences of film- popular cinema. In 2011, Kumar featured more importantly, American and glob- Bombay Velvet (2015) was nothing less smaller film without the customary makers, and usually, the protagonists are in Patiala House where he played a sec- al television shows, initially via pirated than inspired. Here were two of the most frills was a portent of a long-overdue in their 20s or 30s. ond-generation Indian in the United DVDs followed by online piracy and later prominent young Bollywood stars that change in the way projects were con- In the initial years, this decade was Kingdom who gives up on his dream to the arrival of Internet streaming services, were drawn from the same blueprint ceived and executed in the world of dominated by the typical Bollywood play for the English cricket team after his had made the standard viewer more since the era of Dilip Kumar-Dev Bombay cinema. commercial cinema where films featur- father (Rishi Kapoor) was not given a aware, and as a result, far more demand- Anand-Raj Kapoor and they were not ing the likes of the three Khans — chance due to racism. In a marked depar- ing. They made their intention clear as compromising on their stardom to work >> p9 sunday magazine QUIET DIPLOMACY IS FAR MORE EFFECTIVE THAN diplomacy 09 PUBLIC POSTURING — ATAL BIHARI VAJPAYEE Vijayawada, December 29, 2019 India gears up to play the Great Indo-Pacific Game Unlike the previous UPA government, which was shy about using the term ‘Indo-Pacific’ in its diplomatic/strategic discourse, the Modi government has clearly articulated its policy towards the region. A series of recent events in New Delhi suggest that India is finally set to play the game, writes SANJANA MOHAN he Ministry of External Affairs Along with the rise of China and India, (MEA), led by the suave and the third important development is “the ero- sophisticated S. Jaishankar, sion of self-confidence of a regional group- organised two significant discus- ing in the Asia Pacific that had emerged as sions on the Indo-Pacific region a leader in regional multilateralism” — T— the 6th Indian Ocean Dialogue and ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Delhi Dialogue XI — in New Delhi on Nations). China’s emergence as an assertive December 13-14. The theme for the first power threatening to change the status quo event was ‘Indo-Pacific: Re-imagining the created new challenges to this grouping. Indian Ocean through an Expanded ASEAN simply failed to develop a cohesive Geography’, while the second one focused and coherent policy vis-à-vis China, thanks on ‘Advancing Partnership in Indo-Pacific’. to uneven Chinese influence on its mem- The MEA called the exercise an attempt to ber-states. build on the “growing recognition of the Paskal explained the reasons behind Indo-Pacific concept in strategic and aca- China’s endless appetite for islands, espe- demic circles within the region and beyond”. cially in South China Sea. “If you have one The two high-profile events almost island, you get 200 nautical mile area around coincided with a ‘Special Talk’ by Cleo exclusively,” she said, further explaining how Paskal, an Associate Fellow at London- at the end of the Cold War, “the UK and based Chatham House (also known as the the US realised that this region was not the Royal Institute of International Affairs) and centre of the map and they pulled back by expert on all things Indo-Pacific. Organised giving the strategic control to Australia and by Global Counter Terrorism Council, a New Zealand”. This traditional American Delhi-based think tank, Paskal highlight- indifference, which has aggravated under ed “strategic shifts in the Pacific islands” and Trump’s ‘America First’ policy, along with “how they may impact India’s outreach in the much weakened and divided ASEAN, South Pacific”. has opened doors for India. What also What explains the growing curiosity on seems to be unwittingly helping New Indo-Pacific? Partly, the interest is spurred Delhi is that there is now a growing back- by economic/financial reasons. As JNU lash against China’s “debt-trap diplomacy” Vice-Chancellor M. Jagadesh Kumar writes not just in South Asia but in the wider in the ‘Foreword’ of Chintamani world. This rethink has resulted in coun- Mahapatra’s recent book, Rise of the Indo- tries seeking to renegotiate loan agreements Pacific: Perspective, Dimensions and or even scrap some of the Chinese projects. Challenges: “If there’s one region in the This backlash might help India regain some world where nearly half of the world’s pop- Cleo Paskal, Associate Fellow, Chatham House of the losses it had incurred in the past due ulation resides and facilitates significant to its defensive foreign policy. seaborne trade on the sea lanes of commu- Despite the Trump administration’s nications with a coalesced Gross Domestic transactional approach to foreign policy, Product (GDP) more than that of either which has been troubling not just India but USA or the European Union, then it is the also its strategic allies and partners, the Indo-Pacific region.” Indo-American relationship is moving Prof Mahapatra, in the same book, ahead quite appreciatively. President Trump traces three major developments that led to has further deepened the already vibrant emergence of the concept of ‘Indo-Pacific’ relationship by turning it strategic in a sig- that “doesn’t replace but subsumes the nificant way. More significantly, the US- geopolitical entity, hitherto known as the China trade war promises to give India ‘Asia-Pacific’”. The newest development, he more elbow room to seek its rightful place writes, is “the rise of India as an econom- IF WE UNDERSTAND in the region. ic powerhouse and influential political actor In all this, India has a constant and in world affairs, especially in Asian affairs”. WHAT IS HAPPENING perennial support in Japan. For more than Also, to India’s advantage is the fact that it IN THE PACIFIC, WE a decade now, Tokyo has actively sought to is strategically located between two global CAN UNDERSTAND play a proactive role in the region where oil supply ‘choke points’ — the Malacca India is one of the key partners. Strategic Strait and the Strait of Hormuz — forcing WHAT IS HAPPENING expert Brahma Chellaney, in one of his arti- other major powers to seek maritime AT OTHER LOCATIONS cles, emphasises that the US-India-Japan security cooperation with it. OF THE WORLD. IT IS relationship would not just help achieve a The second important development is ALSO THE FRONT LINE stable balance of power in the Asia-Pacific China’s perceptible emergence as a revision- region but also check China’s neo-colonial ist power in the region. China, in recent FOR ANY WAR tendencies. “This triangular relationship is years, has abdicated the façade of its BETWEEN AMERICA going to be critical in shaping an open, “peaceful rise” in favour of an assertive for- AND ASIA inclusive, and rules-based Indo-Pacific,” he eign policy and use of military strength to wrote. assert its sovereignty over ‘disputed’ islands Paskal, too, underlined the strategic in the South China Sea. China has now importance of the region when she come to be seen as a new “bully” and a emphasised that “if we understand what “pushy hegemon”, especially in its neighbor- is happening in Pacific, we can understand hood. “Everyone is really scared at the pos- what is happening at other locations” of sibility of China turning the island into a the world. “It is also the front line for any military base,” said Paskal, adding: “A mil- war between America and Asia,” she itary installation would carry strategic and summed up. symbolic significance. Some American As a series of recent events in New officials believe China’s efforts in the region Delhi suggest, India is finally gearing up to echo the period before and during World play the Great Indo-Pacific Game. Unlike War II, when Japan wrested control of island the previous UPA government, which was assets, which were won back in turn by shy about even using the term ‘Indo-Pacific’ American and Australian troops in bloody in its diplomatic/strategic discourse, the battles.” Modi government has clearly articulated its Paskal further reminded that it was also policy towards the region. The dice is being a matter of feasibility. “China goes where rolled, albeit slowly, by India, the US and there is value and interest. With the United Japan to create a stable balance of power in States pulling back in much of the world the Indo-Pacific region and ensure that no under President Donald Trump’s ‘America one nation, especially the one prone to be First’ policy, Beijing is often knocking on a bully in its neighborhood, dictates its doors left open.” authoritarian writ in this part of the world. FROM PAGE 8 Cinema: The Decade of Living Dangerously estled somewhere in- Ranaut in the lead respective- from leading ladies for being a screens they played on was dif- exceptional to retain the view- between the visible and ly were rare and in-between. major contributor to the com- ferent than the typical way the er. The arrival of Netflix and Nnot so apparent The trade did not see these mercial success of the film, but industry approached these Amazon Prime and scores of changes lay one of the foremost films in the same light as mid- it was a matter of time before films in the past. similar platforms where cen- metamorphosis that took place level productions or ‘smaller’ this mentality was done away. The ‘women-centric’ genre sorship was not the issue and in this decade that could well films and consequently did The steady increase in the did away with the myth of not the discerning audience could be the one singular most sig- not see it as a worthy business number of such films pushed being able to rake in the big even dictate the nature of con- nificant transformation. The proposition to invest more the sub-genre forth, and by bucks, and in 2018, two films tent has given cinema the jolt change in the way the solo regularly. This changed a little 2017, it became as regular as that had women as the solo it needed to change. The jury heroine film was viewed with Tanu Weds Manu Returns any other genre. A single year, lead breached the year’s top is still out on whether films underwent a major overhaul, (2015) and Piku (2015), which 2017, saw films like Phillauri, hits with Raazi bringing in have managed that or not, but and for the first time, the so- were amongst the year’s top Anaarkali of Aarah, Naam over `200 crores on an approx- if there is someone who is final- called women-centric genre box office earners. Although Shabana, Begum Jaan, Mom, imate budget of `40 crore, ly being heard, it’s the average ceased to exist as per both Kangana Ranaut and Lipstick Under My Burkha, and Hichki collecting more ticket-paying viewer. Bollywood’s parameters. Deepika Padukone were the Indu Sarkar, Simran, Haseena, than `200 crores on an esti- Following the success of The mainstays of Tanu Weds Manu and Tumhari Sulu viewed in a mated modest budget of The writer is a film Dirty Picture, Vidya Balan had Returns and Piku, the former different manner by the trade `20 crores. historian and author of Dark come to be seen as a brand was billed as an ensemble cast as well as the audiences. In a time when the audi- Star: The Loneliness of Being good enough to sell a film but and the latter also featured Barring the odd exception, ence was not only spoilt for Rajesh Khanna; Qayamat Se projects such as Kahaani Amitabh Bachchan and Irrfan almost the entire lot was treat- choice but was also willing to Qayamat Tak: The Film That (2012) or Mary Kom (2014) (read males) to ‘shoulder’ it. ed as a standard business shell out money to access con- Revived Hindi Cinema and and Queen (2014) with The pundits might have been proposition, and as a result, the tent, traditional films across the Rajneeti: A Biography of Priyanka Chopra and Kangana quick to take away the credit publicity or the number of world had to offer something Rajnath Singh sunday magazine TINY SUNGLASSES ARE ANOTHER LEFTOVER FROM THE '90S CRAZE. CUTELY DARING ITEMS SUCH AS THESE TAKE LONGER TO CATCH ON WITH THE GENERAL POPULACE, OUTSIDE OF fashion 10 CELEBRITIES AND MODELS, BECAUSE IT TAKES TIME FOR A COLLECTIVE OF PEOPLE TO NORMALISE THEM Vijayawada, December 29, 2019

rop tops became popular Cutely daring items such as these as soon as they hit the take longer to catch on with the Cscene a few years ago. general populace, outside of People have begun to trade a celebrities and models, because it JEANS, looser style for a tight-fitting takes time for a collective of peo- alternative, and while fashion ple to normalise them. fanatics are not as obsessed as Speaking of outsider fashion jeans and they used to be, crop tops have trends, neon was everywhere on been declared to be an essential the runways for spring 2020 line- piece for most closets. ups. When discussing the aver- more jeans Furthermore, crop tops help age individual's relationship with keep high-waisted bottoms in fashion, the runway and high- ears ago, we discarded low-rise, business, and people are still cel- end brands should not be taken bell bottom jeans in favor of ebrating a broader variety of literally, considering that other- Ythe drastically different skinny waist-highs and top lengths, worldly clothing is typically ones. Surprisingly, over the course of which means that the crop top watered down by the indus- several years, our jean options have will survive the transition into try before these clothes expanded. Boyfriend jeans, mom the next decade. are delivered to the jeans and the boot-cut have all infil- Emerging trends are often average fashion enthu- trated the cultural sphere. All jeans seen as somewhat risky, and in siast. Coinciding with are welcome once again; whether its early stages we take them on this fact, clothes will they are loose, tight, high-waist or with trepidation. When crop incorporate hints of none of the above. tops returned, they exemplified a neon, but not adopt an

For most, the loved-then-despised cut-outs frontal countercultural mindset; they overall school highlighter bell bottom is returning. If the cur- were not modest, difficult to pair look. rent market trends are to be trusted, CROP TOPS and with bottoms, semi-awkward, Apart from actual trends, we should not expect a clone in all its but still diverged from the ethical fashion is in, champi- 2000s style glory, but still, expect to majority of people's wardrobe oning locally sourced materials see a lighter, breezier and summery selection. and labor, workers paid a living rendition of the classic jean style to Consequently, frontal cut-outs wage and clothing composed of spearhead the jean fashion trend for will embody the crop top aes- 100 per cent recycled material, a 2020. If bell bottoms exist beyond the thetic. Frontal cut-outs are play- portion of which is donated to horizon, they will likely channel a ful, eye-catching and people can nonprofit organizations. In addi- '70s high-waisted style and shape. find a way to pair it with any- tion, the thrift industry has "Retro style bell bottoms are here thing. It took time for crop tops experienced resurgence. to stay, there will also be variations in to evolve beyond casual wear. Consumers are starting to care. the flared bottoms. High waisted bell Body celebration might be a bottoms with sky high heels and Speaking of fashion styles that mindset, but it is here to stay. tucked in top gives a western feel. will stay with us in 2020, Fashion The fashion industry is finally The same thing with boots will give designer and stylist R Bhakti catching on, and inclusivity is you a cowboy look. It's a versatile says, "Trend of the past decade finally being celebrated. The piece of clothing," says Deepika that I liked the most was the cold entire scope of people's appear- Sarode of Tritled. shoulder I think it's flattering for ances and shapes are being nor- most body types and can be malised and encouraged while dressed up or dressed down! Bell also shaping the idea that every- bottoms have made a comeback one's body is the right for fash- I think they're here to stay at ion. least for a season! Skinny jeans Are you ready to let go of the have made way for bell bottoms, old and let in the new? Perhaps mom pants and boyfriend jeans." you already have. Either way, Tiny sunglasses are another there is so much to look forward leftover from the '90s craze. to in the fashion world for 2020. FASHION here to stay with us in 2020 Fashion trends come and go. What is acceptable to wear is constantly changing and is recycled, reinvented or dismissed. A fashion trend's cycle varies, as some seem to possess an eternal staying power while others immediately fade out. Now that 2019 is coming to an end, we can look forward to the introduction of new fashion as the New Year rolls in. Here are predictions for fashion trends that will appear, remain or disappear in 2020, writes K RAMYA SREE OVERALLS, coveralls, rompers and jumpsuits

or som Fe reason, people are falling head- over-heels for any variation of overall, coverall or romper at the moment, and I anticipate that this adoration will not dwindle in 2020. There is far too much variety and versatility for this type of cloth- ing for it to disappear anytime soon. People transformed jumpsuits into an article of clothing that is appropriate for work, everyday wear and even the red carpet. As another creation birthed from the resurgence of the '70s and '90s styles, people will want to stay comfy in their clothes through the New Year. sunday magazine HOPE SMILES FROM THE THRESHOLD OF THE YEAR TO COME, WHISPERING, ‘IT WILL tarot 11 BE HAPPIER' — ALFRED TENNYSON Vijayawada, December 29, 2019

YOUR WEEK AHEAD MADHU KOTIYA

ARIES March 21-April 19 LEO July 23-Aug 22 SAGITTARIUS Nov 22-Dec 21 Do not suppress your emotions, this would impact Take good care of yourself and of people you are most You will experience a wave of positivity and creativity this your body in a negative way. You need to be careful concerned about. You have a nurturing and generous week. It is an excellent time to flaunt your charm and about how, when, and where you vent your emotional personality and in the process, there are chances that you enjoy the path of personal development which is opening reactions. Anything that reduces your stress level will may neglect your own health. You need to bring balance up to you. The sense of vitality and peace of mind will be helpful — even a five-minute walk. Maintain a to your work and relations. Don’t try to deal with the make you an efficient person. On the career front, you positive outlook and stay calm and connected. Overall, problems alone. Sharing them with someone helps are confident and ready to face any challenges. You will life is good. On the career front, tension is foreseen. If offload the stress. Career-wise, you are confused about win accolades for your performance. Those in the field of experiencing stress, talking to a friend or a work whether to leave the present job or start a business. politics will find acceptance. Implementation of their colleague will prove helpful. Those trying for a job Those choosing a career might not have a clear vision views is likely. Now is the time for success through change, this is a good time. Only making plans will not about what they want to be in future. Constant changing efforts. On the personal front, mind, heart and emotions help, you need to get up and execute them. This week of field is a sign of instability and often gets you nowhere. are going in different ways. This is a highly emotional you may get the position you were aiming for a long Explore your interest and potentials. In your love life, time in love relationships. Situations can quickly become time. It is a very positive time for you and an excellent think with cool mind than the raging heart. Singles, it is heated. Take a break and treat your lover like a friend. opportunity to strengthen relationships of all kinds. not the time to take a hasty decision. Don’t be in a hurry to end or to begin a relationship.

Lucky number 21 Lucky number 12 Lucky number 11 Lucky colour Magenta Lucky colour Golden Lucky colour White Lucky day Wednesday Lucky day Sunday Lucky day Monday

TAURUS April 20-May 20 VIRGO Aug 23-Sep 22 CAPRICORN Dec 22-Jan 19 You will be determined and believe in yourself. You will You need to balance your health efforts with your A break from your usual daily routine is the need of the find yourself working out a healthy lifestyle for the family. personal and professional responsibilities. Prioritise your hour. You need to slow down from the hectic work and It’s time to imagine how totally different and wonderful life, take rest and relax to heal yourself. Career-wise, relax. Ease your nerves, as there is no point in pushing things can be. On the career front, you will be positive those looking for a job may have to wait for some time. yourself when you are tired. It may cause illness and and try to bring love and compassion in your work. Your Don’t dwell on failures and reward yourself for your injury. Meditation will recharge your energy. Take a short intuitive senses would be heightened. People would be successes. Accept that everyone has limits and cannot break. On the career front, investment carried out in the amazed to see this side to your personality. This is a time succeeds at everything. This is the time to reflect on past is coming to fruition this week. You will be reaping to focus on your goals and targets. Avoid being sensitive what you have achieved. If there is no room for a raise or what you have sown. You are in the good book of your and emotional as it will not sort out any problem. Be firm promotion where you are now, give serious thought to seniors and will earn rewards. You need to have patience. and determined. Those in business need to be careful in finding something where there is scope. Those who are On the personal front, you seem to be confused and financial deals. Relationship wise, there are chances of already committed do not hesitate to speak your mind to double-minded over something. Those looking for love, fake love, be cautious. Those in committed relationships your partner. You stand with pride and express your need to analyse your emotional issues and try to sort may face confusions. Clear the doubts and avoid feelings. This is the time when you can strengthen your them out. Your relationship will move into an easier and misunderstandings. bonding with your loved one. more balanced phase when you are sure of yourself.

Lucky number 9 Lucky number 22 Lucky number 6 Lucky colour Orange Lucky colour Red Lucky colour Pink Lucky day Saturday Lucky day Wednesday Lucky day Friday

GEMINI May 21-June 20 LIBRA Sep 23-Oct 22 AQUARIUS Jan 20-Feb 18 Manage your stress levels in order to stay in good Focus on balancing your chakras or your body, mind, and You may change your mind radically about something. health. It is best to face any problems that come your spirit. Meditation, Pranayam and walk amidst nature work A word of caution: do not to ignore everything your way head-on. Ensure you get enough rest. If you wonderfully well. The benefits are far greater than any doctor has told you. Those are suffering from serious require healing, ask for it on both the literal and the effort you can put out. On the work front, networking with ailments need to be under constant observation of their spiritual levels. On the career front, other people may new people will be beneficial. This is the time for making doctors. Maintain a healthy diet and adequate sleep. not understand or support your new ideas or new business deals, signing new projects and Avoid stimulants as much as possible. On the work proposals. Go straight ahead if you know that you are assignments. This week your work will be recognised and front, you need to be quick with decisions. Don’t waste right. You are enthusiastic, full of energy and want to appreciated. Stars are favouring your creativity. Those in your time in conflicts. Solution for a problem is already put out your best. Others may not show their faith in service can expect a raise/promotion this week. On the there or will come soon. Travelling long-distance or you. Leave your simplicity behind, be smart and personal front, new ideas and plans will help you renew overseas for business matters is on the cards. There is expressive. Rest of the things are manageable, you are your relations with the loved ones. Love is in the air and hope and happiness on an emotional level, along with a likely to handle them well. This week you are likely to you are in full mood to express your feelings to the one sense of security, protection and recovery. This week be more romantic. Love at first sight or one-sided love you like. Singles may have an opportunity to meet their you will enjoy the warmth, affection and togetherness may only prove to be a waste of time. sweetheart at one of the social gatherings. with the old friend/lover.

Lucky number 3 Lucky number 19 Lucky number 10 Lucky colour Peach Lucky colour Sky Blue Lucky colour Brown Lucky day Wednesday Lucky day Friday Lucky day Tuesday

CANCER June 21-July 22 SCORPIO Oct 23-Nov 21 PISCES Feb 19-March 20 You need to control the childlike side of yourself. Stay away from tension, worry and depression as it This week you are overworked and exhausted. Take some Listen to your body with great care and attention. might take a toll on your health leaving you exhausted. time out for yourself. Observe the situations that stress Over-eating or to starve, both the situations are bad for Learn to say no. Conscious relaxation is important for you and rethink on how to deal with them. Learning health. Bring balance in your food habits. You are likely your body and mind. It will help you deal with the stress. rituals from the past will deepen your spiritual to feel calm, poise yet vibrant which is the basic On the career front, you will be appreciated for your understanding and practice and help you to bring balance. requirement to a successful life. Results in competitive skills. Your communication will be good. Those Career-wise, your focus on finances will make you busy exams may not be encouraging. On the work front, do conducting their own business may acquire a secure this week. Lots of activity, travel, getting things not keep high expectations. You may face conflicts and position in terms of wealth, property and position. This is accomplished are on the cards. You like being a confrontations, which may make you lose your calm. It the right time to invest in property. Those in service are workaholic and don’t feel tired easily. Keep a check on is advised to follow the discipline and rules of the likely to get support from their seniors, which will prove your behaviour, chances of using harsh words that create organisation, else be ready to face displeasure of your to be a stepping stone in your career. On the personal a hostile situation around you are likely. Those looking for seniors. Love and emotions will take a back seat. You front, you will reflect charm and positivity and win the work, a job may suddenly come your way. Those in a may prefer isolation than being with the wrong crowd heart of your partner. A new beginning of a relationship committed relationship may work towards taking the or partner. and higher expectations are on the cards. relationship to the next level.

Lucky number 18 Lucky number 20 Lucky number 13 Lucky colour Green Lucky colour Indigo Lucky colour Blue Lucky day Friday Lucky day Tuesday Lucky day Thursday Madhu Kotiya is a tarot card reader, spiritual healer, and Founder, MShezaim Institute of Tarot and Divination. Contact details: [email protected], www.indiatarot.com, M: 9873283331

ASTROTURF Legacy of 2019 we carry forward BHARAT BHUSHAN PADMADEO tence granted to the convicts of on date has become volatile, which is Nirbhaya murder case. The matter going to have definite bearing on societal t’s time to say goodbye to the year February 14 by Pakistan based terrorists. requires serious attention. Unless atti- harmony. No matter whether the rules 2019. That makes imperative, a look That was followed by India’s counterat- tudes change, this problem won’t get framed threatens a particular community Iinto the premise that the country set tack on Balakot based terrorists in over just through the whip of law. That in real terms or not, a sense of distrust for itself in 2019, to figure out what legacy Pakistan occupied Kashmir on February calls for sustained efforts towards raising against government’s intent and thereby a we carry forward to the New Year. It is on 21, 2019. That was enough for the ruling human capital from early childhood. sense of insecurity seems to have over- this premise that 2020 would take off. The dispensation to evoke emotional chord of Sense of awareness about respecting taken a large section of the society, par- obvious reasons are two-fold. First, the Indian populace and romp back to female’s dignity needs to be induced ticularly in view of proposed NRC. How living world, driven by a cause-effect cha- power with greater strength during 2019 deep in the inner realms of every mind we are going to dispel their sense of inse- in, carries forward residual effect of all the parliamentary election, otherwise going right from early school stage itself. curity, only time ahead will tell. good or bad choices made and happen- through trying times on various counts. As would Neptune placed adverse to Remember, we are an inseparable ings thereto. To put it simply, a cause nec- In all the referral charts discussed in Jupiter imply, a clash of beliefs and per- part of a complex world, full of diversity, essarily precedes an effect, which in turn, the New Year issue, finance, female, and ception has been going on almost all where everyone is born unique, each sets the ground on which future takes off. weather indicating Venus was in debility. through the year. That has widened com- manifesting varying mind-traits. It is something like a seed, which has been No wonder, we are faced with progres- munal divide. All the more after scrap- Therefore, there is nothing unusual gathered in the past, if laid down in the sively declining economy leading to ping of Article 370 that entitled special about having conflict of beliefs and per- ground and nursed, will grow into a fruit massive unemployment and inflation, status to Jammu and Kashmir. The state ceptions. Also, it needs to be borne in bearing tree in the coming time. Second, with no apparent signs of recovery in has since been downgraded and divided mind that the living world being an the living order remains subject to contin- near future. Agrarian crisis owing to into two Union territories. If that would inseparable unified organism, the rever- ued churning with related bearing on erratic weather cycle — heavy rain fol- not be enough, following Citizenship berations at one end of the societal exis- societal dynamics in future. Life, there- lowed by flood at places, and severe Amendment Act enforced recently, we tence shall be felt far and wide. The call fore, needs to be seen in succession. drought in other areas — has adversely are witnessing protests happening almost of time, therefore, for all conscientious The year 2019, as we know had been affected the lives of a large majority. all across the country, some of them even minds is to work out ways and means to marked with many significant develop- Female security remained a matter of turning violent. Not to say anything on find a common ground to ensure peace. ments. True to the indications of Mars grave concern, with ghastly acts happen- scattered cases of cow lynching deaths placed adverse to its dire enemy Saturn, ing all across the country, many of them here and there. Sense of intolerance and The writer is an astrologer, vastu consultant in both Solar Ingress chart as well as the on kids. In this respect, there has been impatience have been on the rise. and spiritual counsellor. Write to him at one drawn during Lunar Eclipse we had some positive developments also, as Societal churning following above inci- G-102, Bharat Nagar, New Friends Colony, on January 21, 2019, we had to deal with Unnao rape accused has been convicted dents are expected to have far reaching New Delhi-110 025 serious security concern. We had to bear by the court of Law. Also, deck has been consequences. Not to justify or denounce Tel: 91-11-49848475/9818037273 with devastating Pulwama attack on cleared for execution of the death sen- the decisions taken so far, the situation as Email: [email protected] Now you can write to us at [email protected] VIJAYAWADA | SUNDAY | DECEMBER 29, 2019 vijayawada 12

Vice Chariman of TS Planning Board B Vinod Kumar, in an exclusive interview with The Pioneer, shares the NETA circumstances under which he PEOPLE'S , switched from ‘red' to ‘pink' in politics, how he lost his seat in the recent General Election because of the ‘Modi wave', and IN OR OUT OF POWER why, even as a lad, he never Grew up among politicians flinched from confronting errant In 3rd phase we would have lost elders and more. In a free- I was born in Karimnagar Government hos- four more seats pital and grew up in Hanamkonda. My wheeling conversation with mother Suguna Devi is from Karimnagar, In the General Election, every voter was while my father Muralidhar Rao is from confident that I was going to win, even those NAVEENA GHANATE, he recalls Enugal. We are three siblings: I am the eldest who voted against me. Then national feel- and have younger brother and sister. We were ings cropped up because of Pulwama. The how KCR was hurt more than brought up in a joint family. My mother and common voter thought we voted for KCR, my maternal relatives influenced me more than he is Chief Minister now; this time we’ve to him due to his defeat in the others. My maternal uncles were freedom fight- see Modi becomes PM. Had it been 3rd or ers — Chennamaneni Rajeshwar Rao and 4th phase of the election, BJP would have elections. The ex-MP appreciates Communist Party of India leader won another 4 seats. That wave was there and Chennamaneni Hanumantha Rao, former in the first phase itself four of us lost. After his wife for asking him to pick Planning Commission member. Ch Vidyasagar polling to the day of counting, there was a Rao, former governor Maharashtra, is my period of 45 days. During that period I inter- one career, and concedes his mother’s younger brother. acted with people in my constituency. I was the first among party leaders who smelled desire to become a Confronting elders something is going wrong. I told KCR and A theft occurred in my home when I was he didn’t believe (long pause). He was con- Parliamentarian again may be in 9th or 10th class. In those days, fident that I will win with 2 lakh votes based the first suspect would be the household CM KCR handing over the appointment letter as Vice-Chairman of Telangana Planning commission on intelligence reports, but I didn’t believe. worker. My father’s elder brother caught hold Every youngster in every family pursued their of the worker in our house and started beat- A successful lawyer states, their policy was wrong and that they parents and grandparents to vote for Modi. ing him. Then I intervened and reproached were controlled by leaders of Andhra polit- my uncle, which was not well taken by oth- I was very active while practicing law and ical parties. That was their contention and I Soon a book on Telangana ers. The theft was kept aside and they my senior K Sardeep Prasad, who recently used to deny. But when there were many When very important and crucial deci- pounced on me for protesting against elders. expired, was a highly influential person and issues related to Telangana, they used to sions were made in Delhi regarding the for- Later, on the article believed to have been well-read. I am very happy that I worked with argue that the Telangana statehood demand mation of Telangana with Sonia Gandhi, stolen was found and all the thrashings of that him for three to four years. He made me learn was genuine. I was a little bit influenced by there were many important leaders who were boy were uncalled-for. everything, drafting, filing case, talking to those discussions in the late 90s in heads of political parties. I was there. I was clients, arguing, and finding out good cita- Warangal city. That was when KCR was the person who used to convey KCR’s mes- Pocket money for paintings tions. I was inactive in politics and totally planning to launch the movement. I was sage to all these leaders. I can’t share them From around 14 years of age, I used to committed to the profession. Later, I prac- the first among the few from Warangal who because there were very important conver- attend political classes of AISF. ticed myself and, among those got attached to him. My family wasn’t resis- sations between these leaders and KCR. During my degree 2nd year, I of my age group, I was tant, though there was ideological differ- Definitely after a decade, I will write a book was elected as the general then a successful ence. I slowly leaned towards the demand on Telangana. I have to bring the real facts secretary of the students’ KCR lawyer. In the late of Telangana issues, though not for still unknown to many. If I write now, it may union of Kakatiya 90s, the Telan- statehood. In mid-2000, I spent a lot of hurt some. In future, once again I want to University. In those was hurt gana issue time with KCR on discussion and plan- enter Parliament. With sons — Dr Prateek and Pranay and wife Dr Madhavi days, among stu- more than me came up. I ning. I did not resign from CPI, nor did Support from wife dents there were CR was hurt more than me when I lost in 2019. I thought I CPI suspend me. I didn’t renew member- genuine leaders, should shift ship for two years and slowly I drifted Political leaders may lose confidence on irrespective of lost in the 2009 elections as well but at that time, from away from CPI, before the launch of TRS. how to survive. I am blessed that my wife is ideology. Student K the alliance of TDP and TRS was not accepted by Warangal That’s how I became a founder- a doctor and on the family side, there are politics in those the common man. This time it happened only because of to Hyde- member of TRS. no issues for me. She is my close rela- days was based Modi wave and nationalistic feelings. When in politics, I prefer rabad and tive and it was neither 100 per cent on ideology, but electoral politics. KCR insisted that I should take up the practice in Used to laugh at KCR's love nor an arranged marriage. today they are just position of Vice Chariman Planning Board. He said, "You are the High words Both of us knew each other and academically ori- already sharing with me many ideas and programmes. Court. were interested in each other, and ented or casual. We You are best choice for me to fill this position. You Within a In 2000, before for- that was well taken by our fam- used to spend pock- will be a permanent invitee to cabinet meetings." year, the mation of TRS, KCR ilies. They got us married in et money given by If not for this position, I wanted to work for Telangana used to tell us that we 1990. We are blessed with two our parents on wall the party as a worker until the next movement came would become MP, minister, sons — elder one Dr Prateek writings, posters — writ- election up and I couldn’t MLA or Governor (laughs). just completed MD in General ing about aggression by pursue my career in He used to tell Narasimha Medicine and the second one China and Cambodia, or Afghan the High Court. Reddy Anna, ‘you’ll become Pranay joined ISB earlier invasion. Our wallpapers were mili- minister’, Captain this week. I don’t call tant and there used to be some news. Wife's advice Lakshmikantha Rao myself a strict With his childhood friends My wife Dr B Madhavi is a successful ‘you will be MP’, father. I will Forgot to write exams! gynecologist. I used to go to the High Court ‘Vinod you will put forward I took BiPC in Intermediate as I wanted to and KCR used to call me around 12 pm for become MP’. We my views be a doctor, but I couldn’t clear the entrance some discussions. I used to visit his residence used to feel it and try to in those days as there were only 150 seats. At in Banjara Hills and then again rush to the was a kind of convince least in 2nd or 3rd year of BSc we can get court. It was a herculean task for me. One exaggeration them. At admission in MBBS; so, I picked it up. While day, during a discussion with my wife, she and never times, doing BSc, I became the general secretary of told me to choose one: either practice law believed they may the students’ union. I forget to write the seriously or be active in politics for statehood. him. We not lis- entrance exam itself as I was then actively would laugh ten to engaged in students’ politics. There was no Didn't resign from CPI among our- me. I resistance in my family because my mother I was part of the Communist Party of India selves don’t knew the background of politics. My father and served as its state executive member about our come was a government employee and now and while practicing law. During my days in CPI, portfolios. in the then he would warn me and suggest that I I used to interact with intellectuals like Prof Today we way of should seek employment and get into pub- Janardhan Rao, who was closely associated are minis- their lic service. After BSc, I pursued MSc in with Prof Jayashankar. They used to raise ters, MPs, deci- Environmental Sciences. To be active in social many issues concerning Telangana and say and MLAs, sion if life, I thought law would be the best pro- that Communist parties were except it is not With wife Dr B Madhavi fession and pursued law. for integration of the Governor. harmful.

QUICK BITES Describe yourself in a Things you could change in sentence: I want to be known yourself: Not to get angry as a good politician Biggest strength: My Favorite holiday spot: confidence. I think twice, think Himalayas — I visited Srinagar differently and then come to an to Darjeeling opinion. Actor you like: I used to like N Favourite color: Blue water and T Rama Rao Green because of greenery Biggest challenge you faced: If you had to wear a different Statehood of Telangana color outfit other than white: Food that you like: I like Red, I used to wear in student delicious vegetarian food, even days though I am a non-vegetarian Fav songs: In Telugu, there are Sports: I used to play cricket in many, can't pick one my school days Book that you are reading now: Fitness regime: Walk on On Chinese economy treadmill daily Are you an emotional person: What makes you angry: If Yes, whenever I see a poverty somebody lies, tries to cheat stricken person or person in me, or acts smart distress What do watch on TV: Only Are you a religious person: English news channels No. Though I am atheist, previously I used to argue Favourite leader: Nelson against religion. Now, I think Mandela that role of religion is there in Compliments you get often: I our society and one cannot am straightforward totally discard it.