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12 RBI versus Residential Centre is evil of Yogi’s about 2019 hometown ENCEPHALITIS CASES IN GORAKHPUR The reason elections UNABATED DESPITE GOVT’S TALL CLAIMS why I wrote MODI GOVT WANTS CENTRAL BANK OF VACCINATION TO RELAX LENDING TO BOOST my story GROWTH, WHICH IS SHOWING SIGNS 10 was be- OF SLOWING DOWN, BEFORE POLLS cause I felt that this was the moment Who calls of ‘now or the shots? never’ WHY KATRINA’S TWO GIG VINTA NANDA ROLES MATTER MORE THAN TV PRODUCER HER DIRECTORS WRITER 14 6 COVER STORY inside Wrong target BLAMING NAIDU, ANDHRA FOR TELANGANA PROBLEMS WON’T IMPRESS VOTERS AS TDP IS NOT THE MAIN Phugat RIVAL OF KCR & TRS high on 8 politics BJP DELHI MEMBER AND MRS UNIVERSE 2015 WEST ASIA SAYS IN POLITICS IT IS EASY TO LET POWER GO TO YOUR HEAD BUT ONE HAS TO BE PROFESSIONAL

Rebel With a Cause DALIT LEADER CHANDRASHEKHAR AZAD’S REBELLIOUS STREAK HAS ATTRACTED SUPPORTERS THE BIG PICTURE 9

The Great REMEMBRANCE OR RAGE DIFFERENT BALLGAME Role of Indian Batting for 3 soldiers in WW I diff erent balls triggers debate of cricket Communicator While 74,000 Indians died Cricketing giants prefer balls NAMO APP: How Narendra Modi is using technology, data, and serving the Raj overseas, does of di erent makes due to valorising their sacrifi ces insult lack of standardisation of targeted comms strategy to stay ahead of the political pack memories of those who did balls globally and di culty in resist the empire and exonerate adjusting to them in di erent 2 those who sent soldiers to fi ght? conditions SHATAKSHI

 7 18 FIRSTPOST. SAT/NOVEMBER 17/2018 SAT/NOVEMBER 17/2018 FIRSTPOST. 2 Deep Focus Deep Focus 3

HAVING HER WAY THALAIVAR CLARFIES STAND Raje’s stamp on The only ‘shell’ Narendra Rajinikanth hints fi rst list of BJP fi rms identifi ed Modi PM Modi is stronger ‘I don’t lie… candidates than the Opposition after the great “Mother and son out We chose demonetisation Actor-turned-politician on bail questioning Rajinikanth has issued Ambani’ tragedy are: Jay demonetisation but a clarifi cation after % saying, “If opposition DASSAULT CEO ERIC TRAPPIER 76 forget it is due to was the voter turnout in the fi rst Shah’s Temple parties believe BJP is HAS RUBBISHED ALLEGATIONS phase of elections in Chhattisgarh The BJP’s fi rst list of candidates demonetisation they dangerous, then it must MADE BY RAHUL GANDHI THAT for Rajasthan has the imprimatur Enterprises... had to seek bail be.” Rajinikanth hinted HE LIED ABOUT DETAILS OF covering 18 Assembly segments. of chief minister Vasundhara Raje. that PM Narendra The BJP high command has fi eld- Anil Ambani’s THE DASSAULT RELIANCE JV The polling percentage in these 18 ADDRESSING A RALLY IN Modi is powerful than ed 85 sitting legislators in the fi rst BILASPUR, CHHATTISGARH the Opposition. “If 10 FOR OFFSET CONTRACTS IN seats in the 2013 Assembly list of 131 indicating it has relented Reliance Airports people gang up against THE RAFALE JET DEAL polls was 75.93 % to Raje’s pressure for retaining her RAHUL GANDHI a single person, (Modi) loyalists and making other state

Past Present Past Congress president who is powerful?” he told leaders like Arjun Ram Meghwal reporters in Chennai. and Gajendra Singh irrelevant.

humility and popularity” are designed FACTS NAMO APP loads. Here, by virtue of creating an ac- popularity outstripping to discourage lawmakers from becoming About countability environment, Modi is en- the BJP’s. He naturally lies scant, insular, arrogant and disconnected NarendraModi App DATA PRIVACY suring free downloads. at the centre of his party’s from people—the common trappings of CONTROVERSY The NaMo app has fi ve million users campaign strategy often power—and encourage them to work hard IN MARCH, THE NARENDRA at last count with a rating of 4.6 on the acting as a force multi- and be accountable for their actions and MODI GOVERNMENT FACED Android platform. It is already among plier to tilt the balance in fi ltering out those who are unable to do so. THE IRE OF PRIVACY VIGILANTES the top 10 of ‘Top Free News and Mag- BJP’s favour in tight elec- Consider the purposes of this exer- FOR ILLEGALLY SHARING DATA azines’ category in Playstore. A certain toral contests as we saw in cise. One, it will ensure a two-way feed- FROM THE APP WITH A THIRD number of voters might feel encouraged Gujarat or Karnataka. back system where leaders get an idea PARTY COMPANY IN THE US to download the app and take part in This is important be- APP SOLUTE of their strengths and chance to work on the survey on their own. Even if that cause as the incumbent, their weaknesses. Theoretically, some The FAQ section of the app promises number is minuscule, a greater number Modi needs a new “devel- lacunae in last-mile implementation that data that users provide is strictly of downloads may be ensured by lead- opment narrative against should automatically correct itself. It “private”, housed safely and not passed ers who will ask followers to install the a progressively higher de- may also promote a healthy competi- on to anyone else app. However, mere installations won’t velopment bar”, as this ar- tion among lawmakers. But a French vigilante hacker in a lead to favourable ratings. Anonymity of ticle points out. To mitigate Two, the survey allows Modi to bypass series of tweets alleged that the per- survey procedure will force leaders to the challenges arising out the secondary communication system sonal data including email IDs, photos, work for their popularity and be among of a combination of high DOMINANCE that invariably fi rewalls the top leader- gender and names of the users of the people—the principal objective of this rallies, apps, etc.), a number of venues expectations and ever-rising develop- NAMO APP: How Narendra Modi is using technology, data, and ship from gauging the ground realities app were being sent to a third-party exercise one year ahead of re-election. (public addresses as well as speeches on ment bar, Modi must convince the voters and enables the PM and party national Tweets Followers Likes Following domain without their consent. At another level, the survey goes diff erent forums) and diff erent modes that he is still the best bet to take the targeted comms strategy to stay ahead of the political pack president Amit Shah to open a direct deeper than all these objectives. It in- (direct and indirect) to disseminate his country forward despite some inevita- channel of communication with people. 8,064 50.3K 1,320 315 tensifi es the connect between the par- political messages. The survey is the ble shortfalls in performance. This is Primary feedback on lawmakers’ per- “When you create a profi le in ty and electorate and seeks to develop latest attempt of this immersive com- where immersive communication strat- the o£ cial @narendramodi the bond of trust that the prime minis- munication strategy. This relentless en- egies such as the survey fi t in because #Android app, all your device ter has sought to painstakingly create gagement with people and the bond it reinforces the picture of honesty and Features info (OS, network type, Carrier over his four-year stint at helm. Modi of trust that he has carefully built and sincerity around Modi. Voters may be …) and personal data (email, perceives politics as the art of commu- nurtured allows Modi to defy all pop- willing to put up with him despite some of the photo, gender, name, …) are nication and tries to constantly refi ne ularity curves and punch above the shortcomings because they trust him. app sent without your consent to and innovate this art. He uses a number weight of his party. These persuasive strategies may aff ect a third-party domain called of platforms (social media, radio, TV, In survey after survey, we fi nd Modi’s the fi nal outcome in 2019. An opportunity http://in.wzrkt.com,” the privacy to receive mes- vigilante who goes by the name sages and emails Elliot Alderson tweeted on directly from March 23 Prime Minister Narendra Modi There is also an option to con- Fact-checking website tribute and earn Alt News later backed up ‘badges’ through Alderson’s fi nding to-do tasks Receive the Alderson claimed that this domain latest news belongs to a US-based company called updates of the CleverTap, a mobile marketing solution Prime Minister provider with o ces in San Francisco, One can tune-in New York, Los Angeles, Mumbai and and listen to the Bengaluru various ‘Mann ki Baat’ editions of Prime Minister Modi Co-founded by entrepreneurs Interact with Sunil Thomas, Anand Jain and the PM and Suresh Kondamudi in 2013, share ideas and CleverTap says that it provides suggestions insights that their clients need Read Prime Min- to keep users engaged and drive ister Narendra long-term retention and growth Modi’s blogs Get the unique insights in the biography section The BJP responded to the Comprehensive allegations by saying that information on the data is being used for initiatives and analytics using third party achievements service, similar to Google of the Union Analytics. Government, including an While saying that using an analytics ‘infographics’ solution is standard in the mobile devel- section opment world, Alderson pointed out that sharing personal data without consent of the users “is illegal”

Moreover, collecting personal data of users “without their consent is against the TOS (Terms of Service) of Google Play Store.”

SREEMOY TALUKDAR NEW DELHI have evolved from an intuitive space but diff erent schemes, programmes and in- BJP leaders at constituency and state formance and functioning of schemes rationalisation is possible. “Thing is, @narendramodi’s operating principles are similar to those itiatives—collect data on issues that cit- levels and also asks people to rate them is an invaluable data to shape campaign Three, the survey fi lters out opportun- app is sending personal data to s a politician, used in the corporate world. izens consider important while voting on their availability, honesty, humility strategies and address grievances more ists in the party who rely on networking a third party company without Narendra Modi This evolving strategy of innovation and to request appraisal of BJP legislators and popularity. It also asks people about eff ectively. With an year to go before and ‘infl uence-peddling’ to seek tickets user consent. The rest are just brings a CEO’s and assessment has helped the Prime at diff erent levels of governance. As we issue that concern them the most and Modi seeks a return mandate, the tim- during elections. It sets clear eligibility suppositions,” Alderson said in approach to his Minister stay ahead of his political rivals. shall explore, the layered exercise goes the condition of various amenities and ing is an indication that Modi wants to criteria that should make Shah’s job eas- another tweet communications To better understand this model, we much beyond its stated aims. infrastructure in their constituencies. run a campaign that is as scientifi c as ier. Four, the survey is also an inspired strategy by apply- may take a look at his decision to launch The app-based survey, according to At one level, the survey is an innovative possible instead of the common “some- marketing strategy. One of the biggest The NaMo app mentions “exclusive op- ing tools that are a survey on the NarendraModi App on a media release, enables people to rate stratagem to seek accountability from BJP thing for everyone” strategy. Politics is problems of developing an app is to portunity to receive e-mails and messages taught at business the occasion of his government’s fourth the Modi government’s performance, the lawmakers, forcing them to leave their an imperfect science and voters often enthuse users to download it. An app Comment directly from the PM” and receiving schools to the manner in which he ad- anniversary. The ostensible aim of the execution of its fl agship schemes and coterie and go among the people, engage cast their ballots (or refrain from doing without downloads is just vanity. Peo- To post your comment, “personalised birthday greetings from the dressesA specifi c constituencies localising survey is to promote a public assessment the conduct of MPs and MLAs. It seeks and work towards earning good ratings. so) out of emotion instead of logic; yet ple/corporate houses/political parties log on to fi rstpost.com/ PM” among its highlights. his political messaging. His methods may of the Centre’s four years of work—its voters’ opinion on three most popular The parameters of “availability, honesty, Modi seems to believe that a degree of spend millions to increase app down- exclusive FIRSTPOST. SAT/NOVEMBER 17/2018 SAT/NOVEMBER 17/2018 FIRSTPOST. 2 Deep Focus Deep Focus 3

Past Present Past Congress president who is powerful?” he told leaders like Arjun Ram Meghwal reporters in Chennai. and Gajendra Singh irrelevant.

Moreover, collecting personal data of users “without their consent is against the TOS (Terms of Service) of Google Play Store.”

SREEMOY TALUKDAR NEW DELHI have evolved from an intuitive space but diff erent schemes, programmes and in- BJP leaders at constituency and state formance and functioning of schemes rationalisation is possible. “Thing is, @narendramodi’s operating principles are similar to those itiatives—collect data on issues that cit- levels and also asks people to rate them is an invaluable data to shape campaign Three, the survey fi lters out opportun- app is sending personal data to s a politician, used in the corporate world. izens consider important while voting on their availability, honesty, humility strategies and address grievances more ists in the party who rely on networking a third party company without Narendra Modi This evolving strategy of innovation and to request appraisal of BJP legislators and popularity. It also asks people about eff ectively. With an year to go before and ‘infl uence-peddling’ to seek tickets user consent. The rest are just brings a CEO’s and assessment has helped the Prime at diff erent levels of governance. As we issue that concern them the most and Modi seeks a return mandate, the tim- during elections. It sets clear eligibility suppositions,” Alderson said in approach to his Minister stay ahead of his political rivals. shall explore, the layered exercise goes the condition of various amenities and ing is an indication that Modi wants to criteria that should make Shah’s job eas- another tweet communications To better understand this model, we much beyond its stated aims. infrastructure in their constituencies. run a campaign that is as scientifi c as ier. Four, the survey is also an inspired strategy by apply- may take a look at his decision to launch The app-based survey, according to At one level, the survey is an innovative possible instead of the common “some- marketing strategy. One of the biggest The NaMo app mentions “exclusive op- ing tools that are a survey on the NarendraModi App on a media release, enables people to rate stratagem to seek accountability from BJP thing for everyone” strategy. Politics is problems of developing an app is to portunity to receive e-mails and messages taught at business the occasion of his government’s fourth the Modi government’s performance, the lawmakers, forcing them to leave their an imperfect science and voters often enthuse users to download it. An app Comment directly from the PM” and receiving schools to the manner in which he ad- anniversary. The ostensible aim of the execution of its fl agship schemes and coterie and go among the people, engage cast their ballots (or refrain from doing without downloads is just vanity. Peo- To post your comment, “personalised birthday greetings from the dressesA specifi c constituencies localising survey is to promote a public assessment the conduct of MPs and MLAs. It seeks and work towards earning good ratings. so) out of emotion instead of logic; yet ple/corporate houses/political parties log on to fi rstpost.com/ PM” among its highlights. his political messaging. His methods may of the Centre’s four years of work—its voters’ opinion on three most popular The parameters of “availability, honesty, Modi seems to believe that a degree of spend millions to increase app down- exclusive FIRSTPOST. SAT/NOVEMBER 17/2018 4 New superfood AT LEAST TWO BILLION PEOPLE WORLDWIDE EAT AROUND 1,900 SPECIES OF INSECTS, AND CRICKETS ARE AMONG THE MOST POPULAR 20 Sachin’s take IN AN INTERVIEW TO FIRSTPOST, SACHIN TENDULKAR SAYS ‘MATURE’ PRITHVI SHAW IS READY FOR THE AUSTRALIAN CHALLENGE Politics 18 AND POLICY

FAIRSAY: Aggrieved by the agrarian crisis, the farmers maintain that the Mandsaur protests were justiﬁ ed  GETTY IMAGES Can Shivraj Bhaiyya count The ﬂ ames of Mandsaur lick farmers’ votes already? the capital JUDGMENT DAY: Come December 11, the Congress will know whether it has done enough to tap into the simmering anger over agrarian distress to dislodge the 15-year-old BJP government

PRAGYA SINGH widely grown in Malwa. movement in Madhya Pradesh mood among the farmers, the Asha Ram belongs to the re- can have political salience, if par- Congress would be disappointed o Asha Ram Patidar, an gion’s dominant Patel caste, an ties can build social movements because the party made farm- onion and soya farm- agrarian community. And, with- around relevant issues. ers’ distress a major poll issue. er from Ashta tehsil in out the Patidars’ support the BJP The Congress did tap in to the Hope, however, springs eternal Madhya Pradesh’s Se- would struggle in Malwa, which Farmers are anger in Malwa to embarrass for the Congress. Thore district, Shivraj Singh Chou- sends 60 MLAs in the 230-mem- unhappy with Chouhan, but a “Shivraj bhai- “The BJP has nothing con- han is not just a three-time chief ber MP assembly. yya” loyalist like Asha Ram voted crete to show for farmers,” minister. He, like many of his Admittedly, MP’s political Chouhan, but for the incumbent CM on No- says Congress’s Paras Saklecha community members, calls him landscape has undergone a opposition vember 28. A die-hard Chouhan from Rewa in eastern Madhya “Shivraj bhaiyya”, thanks to the churning as the stranglehold failed to tap supporter like Asha Ram is also Pradesh. “Some farmers may politician’s carefully cultivated of the OBC banner has weak- worried over the ruling BJP gov- still vote for the BJP, but there son-of-the-soil image. ened since Chouhan’s party into the anger. ernment’s electoral prospects. have been a signi cant trans- Chouhan, who is battling tri- colleague, ex-CM and Union And unless vot- His restlessness can be attribut- fer of votes to the Congress,” ple anti-incumbency, projected minister Uma Bharti’s heyday. ed to what he saw in his village he claims. Congress is banking himself as a farmer’s son in the Chouhan’s move to play up his ers are angry, — of about 1,000 voters — on the on the poor report card of Chou- run up to the single-phase MP farmer’s son image —rather than they remain a polling day. han’s ¢ agship Bhavantar Bhug- he 2017 farmer’s agitation, which was harshly polls, which concluded on No- as an OBC leader — re¢ ects a con- Chouhan didn’t seem to get tan Yojana (BBY), a price di er- suppressed by the Madhya Pradesh government vember 28. The Judgment Day scious bid to change the BJP’s committed lot one-sided support he had got ence scheme for the farm pro- in the Mandsaur district, is now reverberating in on December 11 will determine, electoral strate£y. GIRIJA SHANKAR in past elections. “Kashtkar duce, launched by the CM amid Delhi. The Mandsaur protest was not an isolated whether the pro-farmer image In a role reversal, the rival idhar-udhar chale gaye (farm- much fanfare in August 2017. Tone. Farmer’s protests rst took place in Maharashtra, Political analyst from Bhopal turns out to be an electoral mas- Congress played up its Hindu ers voted for non-BJP candidates In fact, government owes Rs which trickled across the border and pushed further terstroke or a dud. identity. These two contrasting as well),” Asha Ram says. 1 lakh to Patidar under the BBY. north in a matter of weeks to explode in Mandsaur. Chouhan’s image, as an able strategies have a singular cultur- His support for BJP stems There have been complaints A key trigger for these protests is the visible di erence— administrator and a champion al factor, which is unique to MP, the Congress in the last assembly more from existential concerns galore about the BBY’s imple- to farmer’s eyes—between what state governments have of agrarian causes, was severely not known for its overtly caste- election in 2013, defeating’s BJP than a staunch ideological belief. mentation as only an estimated been claiming to have achieved for the agriculture sector dented in June 2017, when ve based politics. Patidar candidate. Similarly, in “I have voted for Shivraj bhaiyya 25 per cent registered farmers and their actual experience. farmers were killed in police r- “Unlike Rajasthan, UP and Bi- central MP districts, which are because I was promised I would could avail of the scheme’s bene- “Higher production from the elds can make anybody ing in Mandsaur district — about har, MP doesn’t visibly practice Rajput dominated, the Congress get the pending Rs 1 lakh from ts. An ICRIER report on the BBY look like a winner,” says Sardar VM Singh, founder of 300 km from Asha Ram’s village caste-based politics,” says S N unleashed its temple runs to play the government. But, I wonder says if MP fully implemented the All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee, a — during a violent protest. Chaudhary, a sociologist and the Hindu identity card. if farmers will get their dues,” scheme, it would have made a grouping of 200-plus farmer’s groups under whose ban- Ever since, farmers in the fer- Rajiv Gandhi chair professor at Rural MP is ethnically diverse, he says. BJP workers have given payout of Rs 8,470 crore. So far, ner lakhs of peasants and farmers have arrived in Delhi tile Malwa region have been in- Bhopal’s Barkatullah University. and has about 21 per cent trib- Asha Ram and his ilk a run for the Chouhan administration has and plan to march to Parliament on Friday. “We believe ternalising their growing anger. Though, the usual Brah- al population, who are averse their outstanding sums. paid Rs 1,936 crore, or a paltry Madhya Pradesh is fudging agricultural data to pad up They feel let down by BJP, whose min-Thakur political battles to caste identity. And, in urban Caught between a rock and 22.8 per cent of dues. its achievements.” electoral gains since 2003 have were waged in parts of the state centres, it is grappling with an a hard face, why did Asha Ram Girija Shankar, a Bhopal-based The protestors in Madhya Pradesh have raised two spe- come on the back of a strong such as in Rewa, Chhattarpur, inter-state migration, further vote for the BJP? “Why vote political analyst, sums up the ci c demands: they want the government to calculate the farmers’ support. Farmers main- Bhopal and Bhind-Morena, “or- diluting its caste-based politics. against the current dispensa- mood. “Farmers are, indeed, minimum support price based on ‘C2’ costs—which is an tain Mandsaur protests were jus- dinary folks don’t care about the “There is a greater inter-de- tion, when both the BJP and the unhappy with Chouhan, but all-inclusive expense incurred by farmers to raise a crop, ti ed. They vented their frustra- petty caste calculus, when they pendency among social groups Congress have promised relief opposition failed to tap it into as detailed in the MS Swaminathan Committee Report. tions against a dramatic drop in vote”. For instance, one of Mand- in MP as compared to other to farmers?” he says. the anger. And unless voters are Swaminathan, considered the father of the Green Revolu- prices of farm produce like on- saur’s four assembly seats was states,” Chaudhary says. If Asha Ram’s views are a re- angry, they remain a committed tion, had delivered a series of reports between 2004 and ion, soya, garlic and other crops wrested by a Sikh candidate from Consequently, a pro-farmer ¢ ection of the overwhelming lot,” he says. 2006. At present, state governments calculate the MSP on the basis of ‘A2+FL’, also detailed in Swaminathan’s report, as a metric that does not include rent for land or COMPENSATION PAID the total cost of inputs and labour in farming. HOW THE BHAVANTAR BHUGTAN YOJANA HAS WORKED COMPENSATION THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN PAID IF ENTIRE PRODUCE WAS COVERED In 2017, Maharashtra farm leaders compromised with the state government after assurances of a loan waiver Figures in `cr which hasn’t materialised. The same year, the strong an- 4037 Total compensation ti-farmer measures adopted by the Shivraj Singh Chouhan that could have been Total actual `8,470 cr government in Madhya Pradesh escalated its tensions 2547 paid for all crops compensation with farmers. After the agitation, the state government paid is assured a “price di erence” scheme to cover the di er- 1388 1297 ence between what farmers were actually earning for % their produce and the MSP. This too wasn’t e ectively Total actual 22.8 471 ` of the total implemented in Kharif 2018. 216 283 1,936 cr compensation paid 154 3 11 required “Frankly, MP’s Bhavantar scheme is a gimmick for elec- compensation tions. The mood of farmers in Madhya Pradesh is anti-BJP Maize Urad Mung Soya Groundnut despite not being pro-Congress,” says Singh. Source: Computation based on data from agmarknet portal (accessed on 13th February, 2018), DES and State Government of Madhya Pradesh by Ashok Gulati, TIrtha Chatterjee, Siraj Hussain, ICRIER, 2018 FIRSTPOST. SAT/NOVEMBER 17/2018 SAT/NOVEMBER 17/2018 FIRSTPOST. 4 New superfood 5 AT LEAST TWO BILLION PEOPLE WORLDWIDE Politics EAT AROUND 1,900 SPECIES OF INSECTS, AND CRICKETS ARE AMONG THE MOST POPULAR 20 Sachin’s take IN AN INTERVIEW TO FIRSTPOST, SACHIN TENDULKAR SAYS ‘MATURE’ PRITHVI SHAW IS READY FOR THE AUSTRALIAN CHALLENGE Politics 18 AND POLICY The Kashmir village that keeps its peace

RAYAN NAQASH lage “had faith in the awliyas —saints”. Seventeen-year-old Mukeem Kashmir’s traditional Islam, Bhat was buried twice. The Class to which shrines are central, is 12 student from Laroo village in despised by the Jamaat. south Kashmir was killed in a “We have had that friction blast along with six other civil- always,” the government em- ians a few hours after a gunfi ght ployee added. LAROO has kept at the same spot between securi- The younger generation fi nds itself away from ty forces and armed separatists. the Jamaat unreasonable as Jamaat-e-Islami, one Days have gone by, and La- most of their members in La- roo is still in shock. Residents roo are illiterate, said a student of the driving forces recount picking up scattered from Laroo at the Kashmir Uni- behind the separatist pieces of human fl esh and body. versity, Srinagar. Bhat was missing an arm, some “They would talk of unsci- movement residents said, as he was per- entifi c things which they had haps the one who accidental- themselves simply heard,” he ly set off the explosive. “There said. “They have always failed were fi ngers and pieces of fl esh to inspire us.” scattered at the spot,” said a The student said his par- FAIRSAY: Aggrieved by the agrarian crisis, the farmers maintain that the resident. “We picked up all of ents’ generation is poorly ed- Mandsaur protests were justifi ed those and buried them later.” ucated and has had to struggle. FED UP WITH VIOLENCE  GETTY IMAGES Soon after the blast, the vil- “They don’t want the same for In the adjoining village, Shurat, lage was rife with rumours that their children. They had a big the Ikhwan—a militia compris- the explosives were planted by role in pushing us towards edu- ing former militants backed by the withdrawing security forces cation. Even those who couldn’t the Indian Army — has a strong- The fl ames of to cause casualties and discour- continue their studies looked hold. Besides widespread forced Can Shivraj Bhaiyya count age civilians from thronging the for employment to make ends labour, the Ikhwan regularly sites of gunfi ghts — a trend that meet,” he added dumps bodies of murdered civil- Mandsaur lick has picked up signifi cantly in The village’s indiff erence ians, mainly Jamaat activists and recent years. Still, Laroo kept has earned it some disrepute former militant rivals, in Laroo. PEACE PIPE: A Kashmiri villager enjoys a hookah.  GETTYIMAGES its cool and there were no ral- among the sympathisers of the The Ikhwan has added to La- farmers’ votes already? the capital lies, no sloganeering, and separatist movement, who roo’s disillusionment. One mili- no stone pelting. call the village a “den tant commander of the village’s JUDGMENT DAY: Come December 11, the Congress will know whether it has done enough to tap into the simmering The calm was re- of alcoholics”, but two ‘hit militant jodis’, Fayaz markably unusu- government em- Ahmad Bhat alias Hamza was anger over agrarian distress to dislodge the 15-year-old BJP government al as observed ployees, trans- already affi liated with militant by a resident of porters, daily outfi ts but joined up in earnest PRAGYA SINGH widely grown in Malwa. movement in Madhya Pradesh mood among the farmers, the a village in Kul- 7 wage workers only after his militant brother Asha Ram belongs to the re- can have political salience, if par- Congress would be disappointed gam’s militan- civilians had died in and mechan- Manzoor Bhat was killed. The o Asha Ram Patidar, an gion’s dominant Patel caste, an ties can build social movements because the party made farm- cy-hit belt of a blast at an encoun- ics — the major other commander was Reyaz onion and soya farm- agrarian community. And, with- around relevant issues. ers’ distress a major poll issue. Qaimoh. “They ter site in Laroo on sources of liveli- Ahmad Bhat alias Aftab. er from Ashta tehsil in out the Patidars’ support the BJP The Congress did tap in to the Hope, however, springs eternal (residents of La- October 21 hood in Laroo — Manzoor was killed during a Madhya Pradesh’s Se- would struggle in Malwa, which Farmers are anger in Malwa to embarrass for the Congress. roo) even stayed continue with their crackdown on the village. He Thore district, Shivraj Singh Chou- sends 60 MLAs in the 230-mem- unhappy with Chouhan, but a “Shivraj bhai- “The BJP has nothing con- away from the funer- lives keeping fair dis- was identifi ed during the pa- han is not just a three-time chief ber MP assembly. yya” loyalist like Asha Ram voted crete to show for farmers,” als of the civilians killed in tance from all sides. “The rade and, according to multi- minister. He, like many of his Admittedly, MP’s political Chouhan, but for the incumbent CM on No- says Congress’s Paras Saklecha the blast.” Had this been any Hurriyat has very little infl uence ple eyewitnesses, tortured in community members, calls him landscape has undergone a opposition vember 28. A die-hard Chouhan from Rewa in eastern Madhya other village of Kulgam, he said, here,” said a relative of a slain the panchayat ghar before being “Shivraj bhaiyya”, thanks to the churning as the stranglehold failed to tap supporter like Asha Ram is also Pradesh. “Some farmers may “green fl ags and posters would militant. “People expected our tied to a tree. “But he seemed politician’s carefully cultivated of the OBC banner has weak- worried over the ruling BJP gov- still vote for the BJP, but there have appeared overnight”. reaction (to the blast) would be to be already dead. The soldiers son-of-the-soil image. ened since Chouhan’s party into the anger. ernment’s electoral prospects. have been a signi cant trans- protests. But we don’t want our threw a grenade and then fi red Chouhan, who is battling tri- colleague, ex-CM and Union And unless vot- His restlessness can be attribut- fer of votes to the Congress,” MAINTAINING DISTANCE kids to suff er because of this.” at his body,” said an eyewitness. ple anti-incumbency, projected minister Uma Bharti’s heyday. ed to what he saw in his village he claims. Congress is banking Laroo is a quiet village close to In the infamous elections of Aftab himself was in Class himself as a farmer’s son in the Chouhan’s move to play up his ers are angry, — of about 1,000 voters — on the on the poor report card of Chou- the town of Kulgam. Here, res- 1987 — widely believed to have VIII when he became infatuat- run up to the single-phase MP farmer’s son image —rather than they remain a polling day. han’s ¢ agship Bhavantar Bhug- he 2017 farmer’s agitation, which was harshly idents say, gunfi ghts are rare been rigged in favour of the ed with guns and was recruited polls, which concluded on No- as an OBC leader — re¢ ects a con- Chouhan didn’t seem to get tan Yojana (BBY), a price di er- suppressed by the Madhya Pradesh government —the last being in the late 90s Farooq Abdullah-led National by Mubarak Rather, a militant vember 28. The Judgment Day scious bid to change the BJP’s committed lot one-sided support he had got ence scheme for the farm pro- in the Mandsaur district, is now reverberating in —and until Sunday’s mishap Conference — Laroo voted for from Shurat, said his 43-year-old everything was normal. “The the Muslim United Front — an brother. With a body frame too on December 11 will determine, electoral strate£y. GIRIJA SHANKAR in past elections. “Kashtkar duce, launched by the CM amid Delhi. The Mandsaur protest was not an isolated whether the pro-farmer image In a role reversal, the rival idhar-udhar chale gaye (farm- much fanfare in August 2017. Tone. Farmer’s protests rst took place in Maharashtra, village has been quite for more amalgam of various separatist thin to carry a gun, he was nick- Political analyst from Bhopal turns out to be an electoral mas- Congress played up its Hindu ers voted for non-BJP candidates In fact, government owes Rs which trickled across the border and pushed further than a decade,” said a govern- outfi ts, including the Jamaat, named “pith’e”—small— which terstroke or a dud. identity. These two contrasting as well),” Asha Ram says. 1 lakh to Patidar under the BBY. north in a matter of weeks to explode in Mandsaur. ment employee wishing ano- which united to contest the was later replaced with Aftab. Chouhan’s image, as an able strategies have a singular cultur- His support for BJP stems There have been complaints A key trigger for these protests is the visible di erence— nymity. “Our boys have never Assembly elections. The can- “We had told him (Rather) to let administrator and a champion al factor, which is unique to MP, the Congress in the last assembly more from existential concerns galore about the BBY’s imple- to farmer’s eyes—between what state governments have been involved in stone pelting didate Laroo voted for was also him go, but he said we would of agrarian causes, was severely not known for its overtly caste- election in 2013, defeating’s BJP than a staunch ideological belief. mentation as only an estimated been claiming to have achieved for the agriculture sector either.” a Jamaat member. In 1996, res- had to give away another broth- dented in June 2017, when ve based politics. Patidar candidate. Similarly, in “I have voted for Shivraj bhaiyya 25 per cent registered farmers and their actual experience. At a time when south Kash- idents said they were forced to er instead,” he said. farmers were killed in police r- “Unlike Rajasthan, UP and Bi- central MP districts, which are because I was promised I would could avail of the scheme’s bene- “Higher production from the elds can make anybody mir is seen as one of the most ing in Mandsaur district — about har, MP doesn’t visibly practice Rajput dominated, the Congress get the pending Rs 1 lakh from ts. An ICRIER report on the BBY look like a winner,” says Sardar VM Singh, founder of challenging and volatile regions 300 km from Asha Ram’s village caste-based politics,” says S N unleashed its temple runs to play the government. But, I wonder says if MP fully implemented the All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee, a within the troubled Valley, La- — during a violent protest. Chaudhary, a sociologist and the Hindu identity card. if farmers will get their dues,” scheme, it would have made a grouping of 200-plus farmer’s groups under whose ban- roo has the distinction of being  Ever since, farmers in the fer- Rajiv Gandhi chair professor at Rural MP is ethnically diverse, he says. BJP workers have given payout of Rs 8,470 crore. So far, ner lakhs of peasants and farmers have arrived in Delhi a village where less than a dozen tile Malwa region have been in- Bhopal’s Barkatullah University. and has about 21 per cent trib- Asha Ram and his ilk a run for the Chouhan administration has and plan to march to Parliament on Friday. “We believe youths have turned to militan- About nine or 10 had joined ternalising their growing anger. Though, the usual Brah- al population, who are averse their outstanding sums. paid Rs 1,936 crore, or a paltry Madhya Pradesh is fudging agricultural data to pad up cy since it erupted nearly three (militancy) in 1992-93. Three They feel let down by BJP, whose min-Thakur political battles to caste identity. And, in urban Caught between a rock and 22.8 per cent of dues. its achievements.” decades ago. electoral gains since 2003 have were waged in parts of the state centres, it is grappling with an a hard face, why did Asha Ram Girija Shankar, a Bhopal-based The protestors in Madhya Pradesh have raised two spe- “About nine or 10,” said the of them later surrendered and come on the back of a strong such as in Rewa, Chhattarpur, inter-state migration, further vote for the BJP? “Why vote political analyst, sums up the ci c demands: they want the government to calculate the relative of a slain militant com- the rest died in gunfi ghts farmers’ support. Farmers main- Bhopal and Bhind-Morena, “or- diluting its caste-based politics. against the current dispensa- mood. “Farmers are, indeed, minimum support price based on ‘C2’ costs—which is an mander. “All had joined in 1992- tain Mandsaur protests were jus- dinary folks don’t care about the “There is a greater inter-de- tion, when both the BJP and the unhappy with Chouhan, but all-inclusive expense incurred by farmers to raise a crop, 93. Three of them later surren- A RELATIVE ti ed. They vented their frustra- petty caste calculus, when they pendency among social groups Congress have promised relief opposition failed to tap it into as detailed in the MS Swaminathan Committee Report. dered and the rest died in gun- OF A SLAIN MILITANT tions against a dramatic drop in vote”. For instance, one of Mand- in MP as compared to other to farmers?” he says. the anger. And unless voters are Swaminathan, considered the father of the Green Revolu- fi ghts.” prices of farm produce like on- saur’s four assembly seats was states,” Chaudhary says. If Asha Ram’s views are a re- angry, they remain a committed tion, had delivered a series of reports between 2004 and The deaths of these militants ion, soya, garlic and other crops wrested by a Sikh candidate from Consequently, a pro-farmer ¢ ection of the overwhelming lot,” he says. 2006. At present, state governments calculate the MSP — the last in the late 2000s — did vote by the security forces, but Instead, a few years lat- on the basis of ‘A2+FL’, also detailed in Swaminathan’s not evoke heros’ worship or a in 2002 and 2014 they voted for er, Rather himself joined the report, as a metric that does not include rent for land or collective sense of grief unlike the People’s Democratic Party. Ikhwan militants. “First, we saw COMPENSATION PAID the total cost of inputs and labour in farming. the recent trend in the Valley, “Because they showed us the them (militants) come with the HOW THE BHAVANTAR BHUGTAN YOJANA HAS WORKED COMPENSATION THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN PAID IF ENTIRE PRODUCE WAS COVERED In 2017, Maharashtra farm leaders compromised with where such events have become green,” said one young man. Pakistani and then the Indian the state government after assurances of a loan waiver political theatre. The party, however, did gun,” the government employ- Figures in `cr which hasn’t materialised. The same year, the strong an- Laroo’s residents point to bring Laroo some reprieve. ee said. “We have had enough.” 4037 Total compensation ti-farmer measures adopted by the Shivraj Singh Chouhan two major factors behind the Since the 90s, Laroo has been The stories of these militants that could have been Total actual `8,470 cr government in Madhya Pradesh escalated its tensions village’s indiff erence — educa- surrounded by security forces are lost on most in Laroo. But 2547 paid for all crops compensation with farmers. After the agitation, the state government tion and the lack of a strong base camps within a few kilometres the blast and the growing infl u- paid is assured a “price di erence” scheme to cover the di er- for the Jamaat-e-Islami, one of of the village. The constant and ence of social media has some 1388 1297 ence between what farmers were actually earning for the driving forces behind the heavy presence of security forc- in the village worried. % their produce and the MSP. This too wasn’t e ectively separatist movement. es near Laroo has helped main- “The younger generation,” Total actual 22.8 471 ` of the total implemented in Kharif 2018. The elders of the village tain calm, but makes it vulnera- the university student said, 216 283 1,936 cr compensation paid 154 3 11 required “Frankly, MP’s Bhavantar scheme is a gimmick for elec- say the main reason the Ja- ble to the militant movement’s “is being programmed to think compensation tions. The mood of farmers in Madhya Pradesh is anti-BJP maat could not make inroads deserters. that the militancy is the only Maize Urad Mung Soya Groundnut despite not being pro-Congress,” says Singh. in Laroo was because the vil- solution.” Source: Computation based on data from agmarknet portal (accessed on 13th February, 2018), DES and State Government of Madhya Pradesh by Ashok Gulati, TIrtha Chatterjee, Siraj Hussain, ICRIER, 2018 FIRSTPOST. SAT/NOVEMBER 17/2018 6 Eye of the Storm

OPINION Susan Visvanathan ‘Alok Nath raped SOCIOLOGIST me 20 years ago’ #METOO MOVEMENT TV producer-writer Vinta Nanda recalls toxic sexist environment rampant in TV industry, says the norm was to stay silent and normalise this behaviour. She opened up to get rid of her guilt

Little hope of justice, women willing to name and shame

hen the “me too” movement began in 2006, initiated by Tarana Burke, and was popular- ised by Alyssa Milano on October 15, 2017, in support of the victims of sexual violence, no Wone thought the movement would become a global one. Men and women get raped and molested and parents spend most of their time worrying about these eventu- alities. Parents in India presumed their own vigilance would be one way and so middle-class kids got escorted everywhere. However, the trusted neighbour, the uncle who dropped in for meals, the family friend, all evaded the eyes of the guardians. The reason women never told their guardians was that they would not be believed. The response would be, “Oh no, you misunderstood. He is a sweet loving fellow! Doesn’t mean anything.” The adult who molests a woman at work is not very different from that friendly uncle or intrusive cousin. So why did the feminists in India fall into two groups, V producer-writ- you’ll go back and forth, and he will give his I would start crying in meetings and have and ignore the warning signs that came with the notice er Vinta Nanda on point of view, then you will. Ho gayi baat, nervous breakdowns in the middle of the that Raya Sirkar had asked women to name predators on October 8 accused forget it,’ she said. My mother also wants office. A lot of people used to wonder what whose behalf she would fight court cases? her co-worker “the to believe nothing happened.” happened to me. So I stopped going to The fact that women came up to name a large number most Sanskaari per- “Another reason why I felt like burying work, because there wasn’t even an en- of academics is significant, as it is not easy to go public son in the film and my story back then is that I realised I was vironment for mental health back then. I with sexual intimidation. These young women felt that TV industry” of rape an independent woman, very well-edu- became abnormal, because if I saw a man they now had the backing which society gave them, that and sexual assault cated, I was economically and financially I would take a step back. It had become there was world-wide attention being in a Facebook status. In an interview to successful and I was writing this show that very awkward.” given to a pathological mode of in- TFirstpost, Nanda confirmed that she was was so feminist, but this incident happened Neither am “As a writer, I was processing everything teraction and silence was not talking about Alok Nath. She recalled the with me nonetheless. To even admit to that was happening and I told myself that I an option. toxic sexist environment which was ram- that fact was very tough. I was brought I denying had to be “normal” and I had to stop being Many of us as young wom- pant in the television industry around the up to do whatever I liked, I would roam this nor nervous. In the process, I had a tryst with en were subject to sexual time this incident with Nath took place. around all day or night, since I had my I would drugs. A very good friend of mine asked advances. We ignored 20 The norm was to stay silent and normal- own wheels, I could smoke openly and me to try some drugs to feel better, and I them. The predator was women scribes speak ise this behaviour, she said. Nanda spoke I came from a background where I was agree with did so to be normal with people, especial- insistent, and beguiling, out against Akbar, about her trauma, which she claims forced told to be independent and make my own ly with men. I wasn’t able to relate with a while he used the cloak of ask court to hear her to drink irresponsibly and dabble in choices. I used to love to go out and have it. It (rape) man after the incident. The drugs helped the family to protect himself. their stories drugs up until 2008, and how she final- a good time, and we were anyway known must have me dance, sing, may be even make love The wife was someone who did ly found her voice back, as a writer, with to be women who were “too forward”. So to a man. So that went on for a while but not understand him, therefore the social media. within that space, the thinking was that happened, it became a vicious circle.” field was open for a new relationship. Excerpts from the interview: “she asked for it” or “why was she even but some- “I wrote a piece about my incident for Sexual misconduct was not the question, as seduction drinking”. For the longest time, I accused one else the French magazine L’Officiel sometime requires two people to be in an entranced relation. Of WHY NANDA OPENED UP myself and wondered if I asked for it. Why in 2003-2004. I had not named Alok Nath course, the woman could not complain to university ad- “The reason why I wrote my story was did I drink? It became like that. Ever since would have in the piece, but it got printed and people ministration against a friend. because I felt that this was the moment of then, I don’t drink unless I’m with trusted done it. knew who I was talking about. Post that, I The oppressiveness of the situation was more than ev- “now or never”. This moment never came friends. All that boldness of my own also became worse because people, now, knew ident, and yet, hierarchy, youth, horror, disgust, fear, to me in the ‘90s. Because there was no came down post the incident.” Well, I do what had happened and whom I was re- sorrow, incapability of release from a situation which such #MeToo movement, or gender dis- not want to ferring to. So getting work was next to im- locked her in, made her the unwilling recipient of these course being talked about. The kind of ac- THE TRAUMA OF SILENCE possible. People said, “Don’t touch her, advances. This dyadism is born of an intellectual depend- cepted environment at the time was that “I wrote that status because I felt very guilty talk much she’s a trouble maker”. ence, of loving the subject, or the discipline one studies this is the norm. If something happened of not opening up. On one hand I would about it or more than one’s life, of finding an intellectual soul mate, to you, you kept quiet. We were making a say, “yes women should speak out” since ‘SOCIAL MEDIA HELPED ME’ but a fearsome one, older than one, with whom to share very feminist show (Tara) which even today I am a feminist — but then I would wonder it will be “Till about 2006-2007, I was in a very ideas and work. is ahead of its time for television, so right what I’m rallying about, keeping my story stretched.” messed up state. But then there were When the project is over, there is no wrenching for the from the first episode onwards, since the so buried inside. If I’m not coming out in friends who helped by trying to pick me man, as his stakes are higher, he has to keep continually women were the story tellers and were in the open, who am I to say that young girls ALOK NATH up. “I started working, I started my own moving. For the woman, it is the remembrance of some- charge, the men were in discomfort and should speak?’ Actor organisation called Asian Centre of En- thing to which she was drawn into, against her better the male stars were uncomfortable, but “Also, what is the trauma of silence? I tertainment Education and I was work- judgement because that was the norm back then. Big male wanted to talk about what silence does to ing on gender issues and how to leverage the more powerful stars didn’t work in female-driven stories. you. What it did to me. Because so many entertainment and media for the gender When men one said, “Enter here, It was, therefore, never an option to people told me to stay silent. And I did discourse. It had become more or less a  of your own free will.” speak about my incident. The few peo- that. I even went back to this man, that was mission for me to bring the issue of safety are named, Society, we believe, ple who I spoke to would always ask me the extent of normalisation. It was after and equality for women in the workplace to they seek has mechanisms of le- to forget about it and move on. this incident that I quit my job, because I the fore. Social media helped a lot, it helped gal redressal but the “On October 8, I asked my mother if I wondered what I was doing with my life. me find my voice. Irrespective of whether sabbatical truth is that, statisti- can go public with my story. I wanted to. And that’s when the real trauma began. I was getting work on not, I was able to put but, stasti- cally, the women who But she asked me ‘why I want to rake up Staying silent really broke me down. The my thoughts out and was present in the face have been molested the past, that so much drama will unfold, couple of time I tried to go back to work, of the world. It really helped me forget.” cally speak- usually have to leave ing, women the work place and the men continue to who have be gainfully occupied. been mo- When the men are lested usu- named, they tend to More say that it was a mis- voices ally have to take on their part, quit the job and they should be allowed to go on a sabbatical. So the system gives them a reward “I dealt with the four-year “Mr Alok Nath, you know this to be “Years ago on a telefilm for their omission.If we had a system where men admit- harassment by slapping the man true. As do few others. I stand by you outdoor shoot he tried to barge ted their mistake, and were willing to be cross examined, the bases of the benefit of doubt may be placed after the in question, and it is done and Vinta. What I went through is nothing into my room. He slobbered statements are compared. dusted. l suffered the loss of the compared to you. More power to you. To over women, drunk and created This generation of young women say that they want to show and was further shamed by us all. I am certain there are others. I urge a scene. The unit rallied around take names and don’t care for the consequences of their carefully considered action because a 24-year-old lawyer the man through media” you to come forward. Your time is up sir” me and made sure I was safe.” called Raya Sirkar is offering them a chance to have their SANDHYA MRIDUL DEEPIKA AMIN trauma told in court. So be it. NAVNEET NISHA Actor Actor Actor Susan Visvanathan is professor of sociology at JNU FIRSTPOST. SAT/NOVEMBER 17/2018 SAT/NOVEMBER 17/2018 FIRSTPOST. 6 Eye of the Storm Versus 7

OPINION Susan Visvanathan ‘Alok Nath raped SOCIOLOGIST Leadership skills of The Indian fallen Indian Army were in France should me 20 years ago’ born in the bloody evoke rage, not #METOO MOVEMENT TV producer-writer Vinta Nanda recalls toxic sexist environment rampant in TV industry, says the norm was to stay silent and normalise this behaviour. She opened up to get rid of her guilt battles of WW1 remembrance

MANVENDRA SINGH to the war e ort. PRAVEEN SWAMI In one speech at Ahmedabad, Indians of a particular type get Gandhi invoked memories of its rowing up in a military prickly about native troops who od knows wheth- conquest by Muslim warlords: family in Jodhpur, Ra- went to either of the two world er the land “To wipe out the blot on the face jasthan, we were sur- wars. Over a period of time, var- of France is of Gujarat, people should take rounded by tales of serious labels have been used, rath- stained with sin to careers in army. This is the Gvice life, and regimental memo- er indiscriminately, in describing “Gor whether the Day of Judgement best way of learning to defend rabilia that adorned the walls by those who participated in the war has begun in France”, Amir Khan Ahmedabad. In another, at Ras, Little hope of justice, the dozen. Conversations always e orts. The most often used, and wrote to his brother on March 18, he claimed “voluntary recruiting had some Army element as an merciless, is of course to call all 1915, as the 129th Baluchi fought is a key to swaraj and will give us integral part. But none was re- of them ‘mercenaries’. This is as to breach the maze of German honour and manhood”. women willing to peated more often than the brave unkind as it is ignorant of the uni- trenches facing them at Neuve- Popular enthusiasm was lim- saga of late Major Dalpat Singh, form. In villages and small town DESERVED Chapelle. “There is now a del- ited. L Robertson, a senior bu- MC, and his extraordinary feat Bharat, the attraction of wearing HONOUR? uge, bodies upon bodies, and reaucrat, delicately called for “a name and shame of 23 September, 1918. the uniform supersedes all other What were the blood owing”, he continued. measure of coercion, [though] Commanding a Jodhpur Lanc- options. It is as apparent today as Indian soldiers “God grant us grace, for grace the name may be avoided”. In hen the “me too” movement began in 2006, ers squadron, he led the last great it was a hundred years ago. The who fought in is needed. Oh God, we repent”. Bijapur district, that meant vil- initiated by Tarana Burke, and was popular- cavalry charge in Haifa, Pales- only change being that the current the Great Wars? This month, as the world lage-level quotas, “selected by ised by Alyssa Milano on October 15, 2017, in tine. His sacri ce is recorded in socio-economic elite has ceased Teen Murti-Haifa marks the 100th anniversary of ballot or any other method”. support of the victims of sexual violence, no posterity and the day is marked to join the armed forces thus con- Chowk in New the end of the Great War of 1914- Even millions more, econom- Wone thought the movement would become a global one. annually across Rajasthan by ci- tributing to this inane debate. Delhi, where three 1918, Indians are being called on ic historian Amiya Bagchi has Men and women get raped and molested and parents vilians besides his successor regi- More than a million-and-a-half stone and bronze to commemorate the sacri ces demonstrated, paid with their spend most of their time worrying about these eventu- ment 61 Cavalry. That is in Bharat. were trained to wear the uniform statues represent of the 1.4 million of their coun- lives thousands of kilometres alities. Parents in India presumed their own vigilance This is in stark contrast to an of various regiments during WW 1. the Hyderabad, trymen who fought in it. from the battle eld. Imperi- would be one way and so middle-class kids got escorted inane debate amongst the Eng- The Indian Army and its brethren Jodhpur and Fallen soldiers from British al Britain’s government paid a everywhere. However, the trusted neighbour, the uncle lish-speaking types in India. from the princely states fought Mysore Lancers. India, Hindu, Muslim and Sikh, staggering £1 million outright in who dropped in for meals, the family friend, all evaded In a country that has no con- alongside other nations from have already been honoured at 1914, and another £20-£30 mil- the eyes of the guardians. cept of national service, which the Euphrates in Mesopotamia memorials in the United King- lion annually, to fund the war. The reason women never told their guardians was that doesn’t have a prevailing military to the Atlantic coast of Europe. dom in France. India’s prestig- Large-scale levies of wheat they would not be believed. The response would be, “Oh ethos in its cultural mainstream, They su ered the same miseries ious United Services Institution and rice were extracted from no, you misunderstood. He is a sweet loving fellow! Doesn’t and hasn’t yet made a nation- as any Essex lad, Scots or Irishmen has even joined the British High India, by a small cartel of Im- mean anything.” al war museum, a debate about under German shelling. Seeing Commission in New Delhi to perial companies. Faced with The adult who molests a woman at work is not very honouring its brave soldiers who the same level of combat stress mark the occasion. war-time economic pressures, different from that friendly uncle or intrusive cousin. fought in World War 1 can cer- across skin colours was to have This ought to be an occasion the imperial government did So why did the feminists in India fall into two groups, V producer-writ- you’ll go back and forth, and he will give his I would start crying in meetings and have tainly be expected. far-reaching socio-psycho-politi- for rage, not nostalgia-su used not declare a famine in many and ignore the warning signs that came with the notice er Vinta Nanda on point of view, then you will. Ho gayi baat, nervous breakdowns in the middle of the Not many in the large crowds cal rami cations for all those who remembrance: rage against the districts desperately needed it. that Raya Sirkar had asked women to name predators on October 8 accused forget it,’ she said. My mother also wants office. A lot of people used to wonder what that throng Rajpath during the came from across India. Empire, and also the Princes Following the end of the war, whose behalf she would fight court cases? her co-worker “the to believe nothing happened.” happened to me. So I stopped going to Republic Day Parade know that This aspect requires greater and politicians—among them a global in uenza broke out; in The fact that women came up to name a large number most Sanskaari per- “Another reason why I felt like burying work, because there wasn’t even an en- India Gate, around which the study than a mere article can Mahatma-in-making Mohandas India, it would extract a macabre of academics is significant, as it is not easy to go public son in the film and my story back then is that I realised I was vironment for mental health back then. I contingents march, is actually hope to accomplish. But the tell- Gandhi—who collaborated in toll among a population weak- with sexual intimidation. These young women felt that TV industry” of rape an independent woman, very well-edu- became abnormal, because if I saw a man a memorial for Indian soldiers ing, and instant contribution, was sending them to die in a foreign ened by years of enforced fam- they now had the backing which society gave them, that and sexual assault cated, I was economically and financially I would take a step back. It had become who fell during the First Great on the issue of Indians and the land for a foreign king. ine. From July 1918ªNovember 18, there was world-wide attention being in a Facebook status. In an interview to successful and I was writing this show that very awkward.” War. So, it shouldn’t come as a question of leadership. Indians Indian troops landed in France alone, it claimed 800,000 lives. given to a pathological mode of in- TFirstpost, Nanda confirmed that she was was so feminist, but this incident happened Neither am “As a writer, I was processing everything surprise that some are question- comprised almost half the com- at the end of September, 1914. Bar Bengal, every single major teraction and silence was not talking about Alok Nath. She recalled the with me nonetheless. To even admit to that was happening and I told myself that I ing the joint Indo-British cente- missioned o¬ cers of each unit The Great War, it was already British Indian province showed an option. toxic sexist environment which was ram- that fact was very tough. I was brought I denying had to be “normal” and I had to stop being nary WW 1 commemoration. in combat—a breakthrough that clear, would be won by the side a decline in population between Many of us as young wom- pant in the television industry around the up to do whatever I liked, I would roam nervous. In the process, I had a tryst with As defence correspondent was to have a lasting impact on A bridge too that had more soldiers available 1911 and 1921—the censuses brack- this nor en were subject to sexual time this incident with Nath took place. around all day or night, since I had my I would drugs. A very good friend of mine asked for The Indian Express in 1995, I institution building and native re- to feed the trenches. Providing eting the years of the Great War. advances. We ignored 20 The norm was to stay silent and normal- own wheels, I could smoke openly and me to try some drugs to feel better, and I spoke to then PRO Ministry of De- sponsibilities. Indians handling half the attacking force at Neuve- This was, simply, a genocide. them. The predator was women scribes speak ise this behaviour, she said. Nanda spoke I came from a background where I was agree with did so to be normal with people, especial- fence about military commemo- responsibilities across the spec- Chapelle and handling key opera- For eleven rupees a month, for insistent, and beguiling, out against Akbar, about her trauma, which she claims forced told to be independent and make my own it. It (rape) ly with men. I wasn’t able to relate with a rations. The 50th anniversary of trum of governance was the great- tions at the Battle of Loos, Indians the honour of their castes and while he used the cloak of ask court to hear her to drink irresponsibly and dabble in choices. I used to love to go out and have man after the incident. The drugs helped WW 2 and the 30th of 1965 War est asset the country had when it far for Indian also participated in the counter- communities, for the prospect the family to protect himself. their stories drugs up until 2008, and how she final- a good time, and we were anyway known must have me dance, sing, may be even make love were falling barely weeks apart. became independent in 1947. The attack at Ypres after Germany’s of land, and possible favour with The wife was someone who did ly found her voice back, as a writer, with to be women who were “too forward”. So to a man. So that went on for a while but When I asked about MoD plans to turmoil of partition, integration epoch-de ning April, 1915, use the colonial bureaucracy, 62,000 not understand him, therefore the social media. within that space, the thinking was that happened, it became a vicious circle.” mark the anniversaries, the curt of princely states, and the rst of chlorine poison gas. Indians gave their lives. They did field was open for a new relationship. Excerpts from the interview: “she asked for it” or “why was she even but some- “I wrote a piece about my incident for reply was that the MoD “is not in Kashmir War were handled only From historian David Omissi’s so, too, because politicians prom- Sexual misconduct was not the question, as seduction drinking”. For the longest time, I accused one else the French magazine L’Officiel sometime the business of promoting mil- because there were some Indians monumental work on soldiers’ ised them India would be reward- requires two people to be in an entranced relation. Of WHY NANDA OPENED UP myself and wondered if I asked for it. Why in 2003-2004. I had not named Alok Nath itarism”. Read dispassionately, trained in leadership, civilian and WW 1 heroes letters home, we have some sense ed by its grateful rulers. Instead, course, the woman could not complain to university ad- “The reason why I wrote my story was did I drink? It became like that. Ever since would have in the piece, but it got printed and people the reply was an apt re ection military. The birthplace of chal- of the hell that became their India got mass killing—and the ministration against a friend. because I felt that this was the moment of then, I don’t drink unless I’m with trusted done it. knew who I was talking about. Post that, I of government attitudes towards lenging leadership of the Indian home. “At some places corpses anaemic Montague-Chelmsford The oppressiveness of the situation was more than ev- “now or never”. This moment never came friends. All that boldness of my own also became worse because people, now, knew its military, their story, and their Army was in bog¯y Somme or facts fi rst are found of men killed in 1914, reforms of 1919. ident, and yet, hierarchy, youth, horror, disgust, fear, to me in the ‘90s. Because there was no came down post the incident.” Well, I do what had happened and whom I was re- contribution to nation building. dusty Kut, WW 1. with uniform and accoutrements That we are commemorating sorrow, incapability of release from a situation which such #MeToo movement, or gender dis- not want to ferring to. So getting work was next to im- Indian troops had, in fact, been THE INDIAN ARMY and its brethren from the princely still on,” soldier Daya Ram wrote the fallen of 1914ª1918, not the locked her in, made her the unwilling recipient of these course being talked about. The kind of ac- THE TRAUMA OF SILENCE possible. People said, “Don’t touch her, sent out of the country for ex- POSTSCRIPT states fought alongside other nations from the to his family in Ambala. “Large millions starved during that war, advances. This dyadism is born of an intellectual depend- cepted environment at the time was that “I wrote that status because I felt very guilty talk much she’s a trouble maker”. peditionary operations to South During WW 2, the Indian Army Euphrates in Mesopotamia to the Atlantic coast of ies, which have become poison- illustrates that something is pro- ence, of loving the subject, or the discipline one studies this is the norm. If something happened of not opening up. On one hand I would about it or Africa and China before the mas- was the largest known volunteer Europe ous through feasting on dead bod- foundly rotten at the core of our more than one’s life, of finding an intellectual soul mate, to you, you kept quiet. We were making a say, “yes women should speak out” since ‘SOCIAL MEDIA HELPED ME’ sive mobilisation during WW 1. service the world had ever seen. ies, infest the trenches, and huge culture. Indians who fought to but a fearsome one, older than one, with whom to share very feminist show (Tara) which even today I am a feminist — but then I would wonder it will be “Till about 2006-2007, I was in a very The Indian Army had many mid- And that milestone has yet not fat rats run about there”. save empire in 1914ª1918, it is true, ideas and work. is ahead of its time for television, so right what I’m rallying about, keeping my story stretched.” messed up state. But then there were wives during its early days—from been crossed, and unlikely to be Rajbir Singh, twice injured in ought not be reviled: they were When the project is over, there is no wrenching for the from the first episode onwards, since the so buried inside. If I’m not coming out in friends who helped by trying to pick me the native princely rulers to the so in the future. They fought with THE BIRTHPLACE OF challenging leadership of the battle, and about to go back to the victims of a culture of servility man, as his stakes are higher, he has to keep continually women were the story tellers and were in the open, who am I to say that young girls ALOK NATH up. “I started working, I started my own East India Company, and nally, great elan across a larger part of Indian Army was in boggy Somme or dusty Kut, WW 1 trenches again, made this pithy that sustained the empire. It is moving. For the woman, it is the remembrance of some- charge, the men were in discomfort and should speak?’ Actor organisation called Asian Centre of En- the lasting contribution of the im- the globe against the two threats observation: “The butcher does important to remember serving thing to which she was drawn into, against her better the male stars were uncomfortable, but “Also, what is the trauma of silence? I tertainment Education and I was work- perial authorities. Each contrib- of Nazism and Japanese milita- not let the goat escape.” Indians the empire was a choice; others judgement because that was the norm back then. Big male wanted to talk about what silence does to ing on gender issues and how to leverage uted to develop this institution rism. Yet India is likely to have the played a key role in making these joined the ranks of the Ghadar the more powerful stars didn’t work in female-driven stories. you. What it did to me. Because so many entertainment and media for the gender into what it stands for today, and same inane debate come 2045. BY VALORISING THE sacrifi ces of India’s Great War peasant recruits available to the movement, or the Bengal terror-  When men one said, “Enter here, It was, therefore, never an option to people told me to stay silent. And I did discourse. It had become more or less a its enduring national integration dead, we insult the memories of those who did resist Empire. “Gandhi”, the historian ists. By valorising the sacri ces of your own free will.” speak about my incident. The few peo- that. I even went back to this man, that was mission for me to bring the issue of safety message that continues to stand empire—and exonerate those who sent soldiers to fi ght Aaravind Ganachari has noted, of India’s Great War dead, we in- The author is editor, Defence & are named, Society, we believe, ple who I spoke to would always ask me the extent of normalisation. It was after and equality for women in the workplace to rm. By the time WW 1 broke and die for a foreign king “who received the Kaiser-i-Hind sult the memories of those who has mechanisms of le- to forget about it and move on. this incident that I quit my job, because I the fore. Social media helped a lot, it helped upon the colonised country, a Security Alert, and was a member ( rst class) in 1915, was a ‘recruit- did resist empire—and exonerate they seek of the Parliamentary Standing gal redressal but the “On October 8, I asked my mother if I wondered what I was doing with my life. me find my voice. Irrespective of whether reasonably professional Army ex- Committee on Defence, ing agent’ for the British from the those who sent soldiers to ght, sabbatical truth is that, statisti- can go public with my story. I wanted to. And that’s when the real trauma began. I was getting work on not, I was able to put isted to contribute its due share 2004-2009 beginning”. and die, for a foreign king. but, stasti- cally, the women who But she asked me ‘why I want to rake up Staying silent really broke me down. The my thoughts out and was present in the face have been molested the past, that so much drama will unfold, couple of time I tried to go back to work, of the world. It really helped me forget.” cally speak- usually have to leave ing, women the work place and the men continue to who have be gainfully occupied. Around 1.4 million Four divisions of The Indian soldiers The troops were drawn Large-scale lifting been mo- When the men are soldiers from troops fought on the said that they from traditional British of wheat and rice for named, they tend to More British India served murderous fronts in received good medical Indian Army-linked the war e ort caused lested usu- say that it was a mis- in World War I, France, notably care, but their basic provinces like Punjab, the immense hardship in voices ` ally have to take on their part, of whom, at least, Flanders (the Flemish pay was just 11—a North-West Frontier, India especially since quit the job and they should be 74,187 were killed in Region) and Ypres quarter or so of what and Maharashtra, the war years saw poor allowed to go on a sab- TEN the line of duty (Belgian province) a British soldier made Gujarat and elsewhere harvests batical. So the system FACTS gives them a reward “I dealt with the four-year “Mr Alok Nath, you know this to be “Years ago on a telefilm ABOUT for their omission.If we had a system where men admit- harassment by slapping the man true. As do few others. I stand by you outdoor shoot he tried to barge 1 3 5 7 9 ted their mistake, and were willing to be cross examined, INDIANS 2 4 6 8 10 the bases of the benefit of doubt may be placed after the in question, and it is done and Vinta. What I went through is nothing into my room. He slobbered IN WORLD statements are compared. dusted. l suffered the loss of the compared to you. More power to you. To over women, drunk and created The battles in Europe Large-scale casualties Nationalist leaders like Fearing revolt, two The famine-like WAR I saw the largest were caused because Mahatma Gandhi and infantry divisions conditions, caused This generation of young women say that they want to show and was further shamed by us all. I am certain there are others. I urge a scene. The unit rallied around take names and don’t care for the consequences of their numbers of casualties Indian troops were native princes helped in were pulled out of by food shortage, carefully considered action because a 24-year-old lawyer the man through media” you to come forward. Your time is up sir” me and made sure I was safe.” of Indian soldiers not trained and recruitment thinking it France in 1915—but claimed millions of called Raya Sirkar is offering them a chance to have their with 62,000 deaths equipped to fi ght in would lead the Empire Indian troops served lives directly and SANDHYA MRIDUL DEEPIKA AMIN trauma told in court. So be it. NAVNEET NISHA and another 67,000 the cold, wet weather to grant political in East Africa, East by weakening the Actor Actor Actor wounded of Europe concessions Asia and West Asia resistance to diseases Susan Visvanathan is professor of sociology at JNU like infl uenza FIRSTPOST. SAT/NOVEMBER 17/2018 8 Inside Out

Family curse on INLD, war of succession hits Chautalas NEXT IN LINE? OP Chautala is seemingly backing his younger son, Abhay, who is KCR’s being challenged by nephew Dushyant

Fresh claims set off Congress-BJP slugfest over Rafale deal

BHAVIKAKAPOOR ABHIJEET @BhavikaKapoor5 @aaptimist_ Hashtag #ModiRafaleVictory is an eyewash. #RafaleScam That’s how the Pig (Supreme Leader of Animal Farm) #RafaleDeal is the last nail in #Modi govt co n. defends the scam of Milk and Apples. Replace Milk with #RafaleDeal & Mr. Jones with Congress. The resemblance ANTHONY SALDANHA is uncanny! @AnthonySald The No 2 in Dassault in internal document said 21K HARDEEP SINGH PURI o set contract to Ambani’s company was “Quid Pro @HardeepSPuri Quo” for obtaining contract. This conﬁ rms Hollande’s Congress has clearly not heard of the saying in Hindi statement Modi forced French to give o set contract about how a wooden pot cannot be put on ﬁ re again to Ambani to get contract. & again, or the many on how a lie does not become a truth simply by repeating it continuously. #RafaleDeal SATISH KAPUR #Dassault @SatishKapur4 First they denied #TripleTalaq bill. Then they openly declared congress as muslim party. THEGINIKHAN Now a paid #TalkToAMuslim hashtag for muslim @giniromet appeasement. Congress divided Hindus and wants to get Supreme court says there is nothing wrong with 100 % muslim votes in 2019. #RafaleDeal. Congress exposed in politics over Rafael. A And communal Modi says “Sabka saath, Sabka Vikas” nation security matter...

DESH BECH KHANE WALA DALLA IMAGE @mandirChorBJP WAR Wah bhai kya hash tag hai #ModiRafaleVictory , Navika did you already clean Jaitley’s underarms today?

SANDHAKUMAR twitter @sandhamarkumar #ModiRafaleVictory.. can’t do much with our media, media which have high TRP points are supporting modi

debate UPNESH  FIRSTPOST. SAT/NOVEMBER 17/2018 SAT/NOVEMBER 17/2018 FIRSTPOST. 8 Inside Out The Big Picture 9

PROFILE CHANDRASHEKHAR AZAD ACTIVIST Family curse on INLD, war of succession hits Chautalas NEXT IN LINE? OP Chautala is seemingly backing his younger son, Abhay, who is KCR’s being challenged by nephew Dushyant

PRESS TRUST OF INDIA ndian National Lok Dal (INLD) chief Om Prakash Chau- ‘Target tala Thursday dissolved the party’s student and youth wings, days after a group of youths created ruckus at the Gohana rally attended by his son and grandsons. IThe development has brought to the fore an apparent rift within the Chautala family as Abhay Singh Chautala, Naidu’ younger son of OP Chautala, was booed during the Octo- ber 7 Gohana rally. In contrast, there were cheers when Hisar MP Dushyant Chautala, son of Ajay Singh Chautala, spoke at the event. Ajay is the elder son of campaign INLD chief. Ajay’s sons — Du- shyant and Divijay — head the party’ youth and student wings, respectively. By dis-  REUTERS solving the party’s student unlikely to and youth wings, 83-year- old senior Chautala has THE YOUNG GUN thrown his weight behind his younger son, say political observers. pay off “Om Prakash Chautala in “Vote for his capacity as INLD’s national president, has dis- INLD and I solved the youth wing of assure you BLAMING Naidu The knotty affair of the party and the national and state units of Indian that Hary- and Andhra for National Students Organi- ana will be Telangana’s problems sation (INSO) — party’s stu- won’t impress voters dent wing,” a party state- self-reliant.” as Telugu Desam is not ment said. OP CHAUTALA the man in the blue scarf The development comes INLD chief on October 15 the main rival of TRS at a time when student union polls are taking place in the state after a gap of 22 years and the Lok Sabha and  UPNESH That is why it was a rude shock when the be the next PM. countered. He said he will “not join the Congress, assembly elections are not far o . TS SUDHIR still-youthful Azad—he is only 30—and Bahujan Kanshiram’s family and Mayawati are bitterly not even any party close to the Congress.” “Both wings of the party were found to be lacking in for Naidu? TRS? KCR’s intention is to raise Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati got into a public estranged. The family had accused her of not let- It’s important to note that Mevani and Udit Raj, discipline and commitment to the ideals of INLD. While If the rst two election meet- The TRS argument is that the Andhra bogey again to spin spat. Their confrontation started the moment he ting them visit Kanshiram in his last days in 2006. once strongly critical of Mayawati, are no longer the youth wing failed to play its role during the Gohana ings addressed by Telangana Naidu, despite having his base the narrative of Andhra inter- emerged from jail and started calling her “Buaji”, This rift, they feel, helped Mayawati inherit BSP. as strident in opposing her. This is because, to cri- rally of October 7, the INSO was found indulging in blatant chief minister K Chandrasekhar in Amaravati, has an eye on ests sabotaging that of Telan- EXCLUSIVE or father’s sister. The widely accepted moniker However, Kanshiram, in a 24-page letter to his tique the BSP is an established blueprint for new anti-party activities. It is also accused of entering into a Rao are anything to go by, he He Naidu is an evil person, Hyderabad. The TRS plan is to gana, to tell the people not to for her in politics is ‘Behenji’. By not using it, parents, had severed ties with his family in Pun- Dalit leaders owing to an inherent limitation Dalit conspiracy with anti-party forces to disrupt the Gohana thinks the route to Hyderabad a thief who got caught. Do we paint Naidu as the man obstruct- trust an opposition alliance that Chandrashekhar is making a statement. “Buaji’s” jab. He never broke this pledge. Hence, Mayawati leaders face: they can only appeal to Dalit voters rally and smear the name of INLD,” it said. for a second term passes through ing Telangana’s development. has an Andhra man remote-con- The confrontational and genealoy is such that Mayawati could not let the would have inherited the party but when Azad and so must ght Mayawati, their super-leader, Reacting to the news, Divijay Chautala said INSO cannot Amaravati. want such a person to still In the run-up to the 2014 elec- trolling it from Amaravati. remark pass. That she chose to attack Azad speaks reminds his followers of this controversial his- for garnering voters. “We know that Chandrashek- be dissolved by the INLD chief. “Ajay Singh Chautala, who Every political party needs rule us tions, KCR had attacked Naidu, Holding the ag of Telanga- rebellious streak that volumes about the e ect of the appellation. “I have tory, he is being more political than he admits. har is preparing grounds for his own future polit- is the founder member of the INSO, or the body’s nation- a punching bag and KCR has accusing him of standing in the na pride, KCR is once again no relation with people like Chandrashekhar,” “What politicians say carries no weight,” Azad ical growth by attacking Mayawati,” a BSP leader al executive, can only dissolve the organisation. Though decided to make Chandraba- K CHANDRASEKHAR RAO way of statehood for Telanga- hard-selling the element of Azad takes no measures to she hastily retorted. “I only call her Buaji out of said. “That’s why I don’t want to join politics.” from UP said. Dalit leaders can compete for OBC ideologically we are with the INLD, but the party cannot bu Naidu the villain of the Tel- Telangana chief minister na. The allegation then was not fear of the Telugu hand from respect,” Azad said in his defence. The confrontational and rebellious streak that Who is or Muslim voters but these communities share take a decision to dissolve INSO,” he told PTI. angana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) unfounded. across the border. But will this conceal has drawn to him Bhim Army brings emotional zest to the Dalit Azad takes no measures to conceal has drawn to a compulsion—their political salience depends Asked to comment on the developments, Divijay said, campaign. KCR has called his But when KCR reuses a weap- anti-Naidu diatribe get traction? thousands of supporters, social movement while Mayawati, though she is him thousands of supporters, mostly young Dalit Azad? largely on their own community’s votes. “That’s “A lot of people will like us to comment at this stage, but former boss in the Telugu Des- should have been the Congress. dra calling Chandra names. on four years, it makes people While the narrative may be aggressive, has been facing electoral defeats which men. His outspokenness has made him a symbol why Mayawati cannot ignore Chandrashekhar. we won’t.” am a ‘Telangana drohi’, traitor, After the Telangana cabinet This is surprising because in suspect if he fears that his de- able to sway some votes in mostly young Dalit men make her seem unable to move with the times. of the pressure that Dalits are putting on their CHANDRASHEKHAR She feels that the challenge he poses to her from Political observers have also linked the developments thief, backstabber, wicked per- recommended the dissolution Telangana, the TDP is not the velopmental works are not good hardcore Telangana areas like The BSP’s political decline has blunted the Dalit leaders and parties that contest elections on the Azad is the co-founder outside the political sphere today may in future within the Haryana’s main opposition party to a “succession son and several other names. of the assembly, KCR called Ra- main rival to the TRS. Over enough for an election win. Warangal and Karimnagar, it social movement and Azad lls this void. “But social justice plank to voice their anti-establish- of the Bhim Army, an become a political challenge too,” said Prakash. war” between Abhay and his nephew Dushyant Chautala. Civility is the rst casualty in a hul Gandhi “the biggest bu oon the past four years, 12 of the 15 Is KCR, for all his bravado, runs the risk of boomeranging within the BSP, emotional matters have been set- ment sentiments. Since he is from outside the organisation that works Soon after Mayawati announced she will partner Ajay Singh along with his father OP Chautala are currently high-stakes election, but politi- in the country”. But after the TDP legislators crossed over to worried about the Congress in urban pockets like Hydera- tled so to speak,” said Vivek Kumar, who teaches political sphere they view his combativeness as for the emancipation with Ajit Jogi’s Janata Congress in Chhattisgarh, serving jail term in the teachers’ recruitment scam. cians usually pick on their main formation of the anti-TRS alli- the TRS, weakening the party. + TDP + CPI + Telangana Jana bad, that is also home to people socioloy at JNU. “Emotions cannot beat organi- social assertion rather than expedience. “Martyrs of Dalits through Supreme Court advocate Prashant Bhushan pre- adversary, which in this case ance, it has been a case of Chan- Then why reserve such vitriol Samiti arithmetic trumping the from Andhra. sation and cadre, which Bhim Army lacks. In the are always revered in India,” said Kumar. “And education dicted she will lose Dalit voters. “Dalits must stand end, rationality will dictate that Dalits won’t want Chandrashekhar is being seen as a person who has with young Turks of Dalits like Chandrashekhar to waste their vote—they will support Mayawati.” taken on the upper castes, that too in Modi Raj.” THE young activist hails and Mevani,” he tweeted. The assumption be- Samajwadi Party (SP) president and former UP Any declaration of Mayawati as future PM should from Saharanpur, in hind this perception is that Dalits are more or chief minister Akhilesh Yadav was the rst to call not be taken at face value regardless of who makes western Uttar Pradesh less united in wanting BJP out of power and that PRAGYA SINGH DELHI Mayawati buaji – implying that she was past her it, said Satish Prakash, a Dalit activist and assistant if Mayawati resists Bhim Army’s call to ally with prime while he, young and dynamic, was destined professor in Meerut College. “Such statements AZAD was arrested by opposition parties, Dalits would split. to lead the state. That was in 2014 and ever since can polarise our polity, which is already divided UP Police in June 2017 That’s why there’s a haunting feeling in the BSP Fresh claims set off Congress-BJP hen Dalit activist Chan- the sobriquet has been extensively caricatured. along caste lines.” He is drawing attention to a over caste clashes in the that Azad is a threat. This is also because the BSP drashekharAzad stepped As the SP does not represent Dalit politics or as- congenital feature of Indian politics: no national state and booked under is an unsuitable place for leaders keen to cultivate out of Saharanpur Jail pirations in the same way as the BSP, his use of party pro ers a Dalit PM candidate as they feel the stringent National their own base. When in the April 2 protests, Dalits slugfest over Rafale deal at 2.40 am on Septem- the term at a time when they were political rivals doing so can alienate many voters. Security Act did not involve any of their political parties or lead- ber 14, he found a large served to emphasise the antipathy that exists be- "Every new Dalit icon is seen as anti-BSP and ers, it was a clear re¨ ection of their dissatisfaction crowd had gathered to tween followers of both parties. Now that the SP anti-Mayawati,” said Kumar. Earlier Jignesh Me- H Ewas released from with their existing representation. This is where BHAVIKAKAPOOR ABHIJEET meet him. The Bhim and BSP are trying to forge an electoral alliance, vani was said to be anti-Mayawati and now its Saharanpur jail last Azad draws sustenance. Deftly, he claims that he @BhavikaKapoor5 @aaptimist_ Army founder, sporting they seek to paper over the antagonism between Chandrashekhar’s turn. “How a political out t month after being is related to Mayawati, for example: “We’re both Hashtag #ModiRafaleVictory is an eyewash. #RafaleScam That’s how the Pig (Supreme Leader of Animal Farm) his trademark blue scarf and fecund moustache, SP’s Yadav voters and BSP’s Dalit voters. constructs an aura around a Dalit leader should lodged there for about Dalit. That’s why she’s my bua.” What he means #RafaleDeal is the last nail in #Modi govt co n. defends the scam of Milk and Apples. Replace Milk with wasW exhausted to the point of repeatedly passing A truce between the dominant OBC Yadavs and not be seen in oversimpli ed terms,” he said. He 15 months is, they are both Jatav, or belong to the same sub- #RafaleDeal & Mr. Jones with Congress. The resemblance ANTHONY SALDANHA out. But hundreds accompanied him to his home the Dalits whom they have historically tyrannised was referring to the Congress supporting Mevani caste that constitutes around 65 per cent of UP’s is uncanny! in nearby Chhutmalpur village and made a beeline is essential if their alliance is to succeed. Such an in Gujarat by not elding a candidate against him. WHILE Azad says Dalit population. Jatavs are the BSP’s last loyal @AnthonySald he has no political The No 2 in Dassault in internal document said 21K for clicking sel es with the Great Dalit Hope, as armistice would imply that polarising monikers Udit Raj, once a strong critic of the BSP, joined the block of voters while other sub-castes have drift- HARDEEP SINGH PURI ardent supporters see him. Critics though view are shunned to cement the so-called Dalit-OBC BJP. “If these parties were serious about cultivat- ambitions, many in ed away, especially to the BJP in recent elections. o set contract to Ambani’s company was “Quid Pro @HardeepSPuri the BSP feel he aims Quo” for obtaining contract. This confi rms Hollande’s Azad more as the Great Dalit Hype following in social alliance. Without this they cannot challenge ing Dalit leaders they would have done so within “This gives Chandrashekhar hope—he thinks he Congress has clearly not heard of the saying in Hindi the footsteps of several others who have failed to BJP’s post-2014 electoral sweeps. their own parties,” Kumar said. After all, Azad is to unseat Mayawati as will eventually wean Jatavs from behenji,” said statement Modi forced French to give o set contract about how a wooden pot cannot be put on fi re again champion of Dalits in to Ambani to get contract. unseat the reigning champion of the backward “Even Akhilesh Yadav only calls her ‘Mayawati equally critical of the BJP. the same BSP leader. & again, or the many on how a lie does not become a castes in Uttar Pradesh, Mayawati. ji’ now. He is very careful about it,” said SP leader The issue is that political out ts lack a credi- the state This doesn’t mean Azad’s choices are easy: truth simply by repeating it continuously. #RafaleDeal SATISH KAPUR Azad has not won any election. Nor has he joined Sudhir Pawar. “Obviously, Chandrashekhar wants ble face to attract Dalit voters and so they woo should he not contest the 2019 elections, he may #Dassault @SatishKapur4 a political party. As one of six men—three among to embarrass her at this critical juncture by calling emerging leaders. An array of political parties be forgotten in the hurly-burly of next year’s elec- First they denied #TripleTalaq bill. them Rajput—who were arrested after last year’s her buaji. And undermining her in UP amounts visiting Azad these days is therefore being seen tions. And if he does, he would perhaps do little Then they openly declared congress as muslim party. THEGINIKHAN Dalit-Rajput clash in Saharanpur, he could have to helping the BJP.” Yet, Azad hasn’t stopped in- as their need for Dalit voters, who they need to but serve the purpose of splitting BSP votes. “On Now a paid #TalkToAMuslim hashtag for muslim @giniromet chosen to lie low. His imprisonment was one of sisting that Mayawati is his buaji. When he visit- add to their existing base. Azad met with Imran average in UP, a Lok Sabha winner gets 4 lakh appeasement. Congress divided Hindus and wants to get Supreme court says there is nothing wrong with the triggers for the nationwide Dalit protests on ed BSP founder Kanshiram’s family in Punjab on Masood, the Congress strongman in Saharanpur, votes. Several lakh people have come to meet me 100 % muslim votes in 2019. #RafaleDeal. Congress exposed in politics over Rafael. A April 2, which were marred by violence and led September 24, he said “Mayawati buaji” should Muslim ideologues such as Arshad Madani from the just since I left jail. So why would political par- And communal Modi says “Sabka saath, Sabka Vikas” nation security matter... to further arrests. This too could have prompted seminary in Deoband, ties want to compete with me,” Azad said. What Azad to be cautious. Nevertheless, the moment he and many others. “Let he means is, since he represents the Dalit social DESH BECH KHANE WALA DALLA left prison, he said that he would do all he can to those who spoke about movement, he does not need to contest elections IMAGE Let those who spoke about Bahujan @mandirChorBJP WAR ensure that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) loses Bahujan interests until to prove his popularity. Wah bhai kya hash tag hai #ModiRafaleVictory , Navika the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. interests until yesterday go to BJP yesterday go to BJP or If this unarmed combat between the Dalit social did you already clean Jaitley’s underarms today? “The Bahujan Samaj is very hassled by the BJP. or Congress. Please, don’t tell me Congress. Please don’t movement’s newest icon and its political move- Farmers are committing suicide. They even drank tell me what to do be- ment, the BSP, continues, Dalits could split in SANDHAKUMAR twitter their own urine to attract the Prime Minister’s at- what to do because of their choices. cause of their choic- two—those who are with the BSP and those who @sandhamarkumar tention. This government couldn’t nd work for es—I have no political Comment are with the Bhim Army. Dalits want the BSP and #ModiRafaleVictory.. can’t do much with our media, two people leave alone the two crore promised CHANDRASHEKHAR ambition and will con- To post your comment, Bhim Army to stick together but whether they media which have high TRP points are supporting modi jobs. And it isn’t me—it’s people who are saying AZAD tinue to build our so- log on to fi rstpost.com/ can actually make this happen is a test they still debate UPNESH that they are angry with the BJP,” he said. Dalit leader cial movement,” Azad have to face.

 interview FIRSTPOST. SAT/NOVEMBER 17/2018 SAT/NOVEMBER 17/2018 FIRSTPOST. 10 Health card Health card 11

COMMENT YOUNG LIVES MATTER No end to a 40-year-long nightmare Sonal Matharu Gorakhpur’s SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

resident evil  GETTYIMAGES Despite the Yogi Adityanath government’s claims of having vaccinated every Going viral: What child in Uttar Pradesh against Japanese Encephalitis and Acute Encephalitis is killing children in Gorakhpur?

GORAKHPUR Syndrome, the chief minister’s home district continues to remain stricken ANIRUDDHA GHOSAL ANIRUDDHA e still don’t know why children in Gorakh- pur are dying. Corruption, poor management, lack of funds, resources and man- he remembers her six-year-old son’s body power constrict every public healthcare sti ening in her arms. She remembers the THE TRUTH ABOUT AES Wfacility in India. The situation looks particularly grim in practised ease with which his death certif- Gorakhpur because in four decades thousands of icate was lled out. But 25-year-old Shayra children have perished in this region where Japanese En- Begum doesn’t remember if she cried that cephalitis (JE) and Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) afternoon. The death certi cate summa- are rampant. Poor hospital management only ampli es rises the nal 49 hours and 48 minutes the epidemic. of Mohammad Kaif’s life concluding that Last year, Baba Raghav Das Medical College, the lone his heart stopped beating due to “Acute Encephalitis Syn- public tertiary hospital in this Uttar Pradesh district, made Sdrome (AES)”. For the remaining hours and minutes, she WHAT SYMPTOMS CAUSES PREVENTION TREATMENT news for alleged insuª cient backup of liquid oxygen that has only her memories. killed children – not the disease but medical negligence. That was eight months after 71 children had died at Gora- ACUTE HEADACHE VIRAL MAY TAKE ANTIVIRAL However, the real problem in the district is not poor fa- khpur’s Baba Raghav Das (BRD) Medical College in 10 days. ENCEPHALITIS ANYWHERE MEDICATIONS cilities at the hospital, or corruption, or even lack of hy- The then-six-month-old Uttar Pradesh government, with FEVER BACTERIAL BETWEEN A giene and sanitation in the region, though these are all ve-time MP from the district Yogi Adityanath at its helm, INFLAMMATION WEEK TO A ANTICONVULSANTS important factors. found itself on the back foot. The inevitable rigmarole of OF THE CONFUSION IMMUNE FEW MONTHS The key challenge is dearth of reliable scienti c evi- probes, arrests and de ection followed and, in January, the BRAIN SYSTEM ARTIFICIAL dence on the disease. chief minister announced his intention to “eradicate” AES NAUSEA AND DISORDER RESPIRATION Since the rst JE outbreak in the region in 1978, Gora- and Japanese Encephalitis (JE), responsible for the death VOMITING khpur has become a hub of devastating infections, and of 25,000 children since 1978. scientists have not been able to pin down what exact- The Action Plan 2018 was rolled out and the government ly is behind so many claimed in August that deaths had dipped. But when this deaths. Insight reporter visited Gorakhpur, doctors, patients, experts and In 2005, a particu-  “I sent DG grieving families painted a di erent picture. larly virulent form of (health) Since last October, the hospital has been shrouded in secre- JE a ected over 6,000 cy. The daily bulletin of cases, along the lines of what agen- people in the district, to Gora- cies in Delhi and Kerala release routinely, for vector-borne killing 89 per cent of khpur. I diseases was discontinued. Administrators were told ex- those infected. plicitly to not speak of the cases or deaths while health After the mayhem, also sent care activists and a section of doctors alleged that numbers the infection was my health were being “manipulated” and, perhaps most damningly, largely contained with mothers like Shayra Begum still have no idea about how to two JE vaccination minister protect their children. When they do realise what is wrong, drives, in 2006 and & minister it is inevitably too late. “I don’t even remember crying. All 2010. Yet, children I wanted was to understand why, to understand if I could were being brought for medical have done anything to help my son. I had never even heard in with acute brain education, of this disease,” she said. fever, vomiting, un- asked for a It was almost exactly 40 years ago that Gorakhpur saw consciousness and these symptoms for the rst time. High fever, convulsions, seizures that left report” confusion, rigid limbs, nausea and nally death. The rst doctors in the region patient was an eight-year-old boy who went into a coma ACTION PLAN 2018 ba® ed. Numerous YOGI soon after being admitted and died the next day. Dr RN was rolled out and the Yogi studies and research ADITYANATH Singh was a 28-year-old paediatrician at the hospital then. govt claimed in August showed the infections UP CM to the media in “We just didn’t know what he died o ,” he said. “No one that deaths had dipped. may have mutated. August 2018 had seen anything like it, and then that is all we saw.” More But when our team visited A doctor retired than 3,500 cases were reported that year and 1,100 died, Gorakhpur, doctors, from BRD Medical College explained that the laboratory as per records. patients, experts and tests for JE were negative after the vaccination rounds. grieving families painted a The suspicion was then on a di erent breed of viral in- A FAMILY OF SICKNESS grim picture. fections called enterovirus, a family of a hundred strains. It wasn’t until 2008 that the World Health Or- JE could be prevented because a vaccine for it was availa- ganization (WHO) de ned AES as the “acute the price of eight litres of petrol, around half the nation’s people will stop trusting the institute and not come to the ble. But for enterovirus, doctors were not sure which strain onset of fever and change in mental status” average–the scene at the hospital hasn’t changed much. Pa- hospital at all.” was causing the disease. So, no vaccine or drug could be leading to symptoms varying from confusion tients negotiate serpentine queues, families wait gloomily Despite repeated attempts, Prashant Trivedi, principal used to thwart or treat it. to impaired speech or seizures. In other words, for loved ones, and overworked doctors do what they can. secretary (health) of UP, couldn’t be contacted for comment. In 2011, while the institute sent samples for tests to re- it is not a single disease and AES, including JE, Outside the AES ward at the hospital, families wait with nowned medical centres and labs in Lucknow and Gwalior, is the grouping of clinically similar neurological THE HUNT FOR DATA an air of knowing nality. Many camp through the night, and con rmed enterovirus, experts at National Institute manifestations. Away from the hospital, at his oª ce, Dr mosquito nets and paltry blankets providing little protec- of Virolo¯y in Gorakhpur were not convinced. In India, viruses have primarily been attributed as the Ganesh Kumar, the principal and dean tion from the elements. Some cradle prescriptions, others A scientist at NIV had explained to this reporter in 2011 1cause, but recent research indicates varied sources. Between of the institute, said he isn’t authorised hold on to each other—there is little comfort in either. A secu- “Data needs that for three years, the institute tested the cerebrospi- 2007 and 2016, nearly 75,000 cases were reported from 22 to speak regarding AES and JE cases and rity guard scans constantly, quick to stop anyone “behaving nal uid (CSF), as the virus reaches the brain through it, states and union territories with a fatality ratio of 15£44 per denied allegations of data manipulation. like an outsider”. to be contex- and rectal swabs that show the virus present in the gut. cent of them from UP, mostly in Gorakhpur. learning trends and outcomes and argued that “transpar- identical promises as he laid down foundation stones for, Underscoring that the hospital is a “ter- Sources at the ward maintained that from January till Oc- tualised. In a The rectal swab tests were positive for enterovirus but The deaths have persisted and while data from private ency” was the best policy. “Especially for institutes, where not one, but 36 schemes. Gorakhpur has changed, and so tiary centre”, he explained that preven- tober 1, there have been a total of 218 deaths due to AES and the CSF tests were not. hospitals isn’t available, two children, on average, died there had been past controversy,” he said. has the hospital. A new multiplex, a high-rise apartment tive measures were the purview of other JE while 766 patients were admitted. Gorakhpur and Deoria tertiary cen- Till a consensus being reached, all brain fever cases every day from 2016 to 2017. The past year, the govern- While laying down the foundation stone for the hospi- Comment next to the sprawling hospital campus where work is un- departments ranging from education to irrigation. “As a accounted for more than half of the cases while Gorakhpur has tre, extreme in BRD Medical College started getting clubbed as AES. ment claimed, has seen unprecedented results through its tal in 1969, former CM and Congress leader CB Gupta had To post your comment, derway for 80 new speciality wards, and an upcoming All tertiary2 centre, when patients come to us, they are usually seen, at least, 36 deaths. cases come In 2011£12, the cause of almost 42 per cent of AES was e orts–a vaccination drive, an awareness and sanitation promised that the tertiary centre would be key in improving log on to ﬁ rstpost.com/ India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). But with the at a serious stage. We have to 627give them better treatment A doctor who didn’t wish to be named said, “What is most unknown, according to a study published in Centers for campaign and upgrading the infrastructure at BRD Medical health care in Gorakhpur. Last month, Adityanath made feature state still spending Rs 655 per person on health care–roughly and ensure that maximum patients survive,” he said. worrying is that the mortality rate is very high at more than 28 and mortal- Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, Atlanta. It went College–has yielded “success”. Bhan concurred. “The data needs to be contextualised. per cent. Last year, where there were a lot more deaths, this up to about 60 per cent in 2013£14. But that is where things get murky. These claims are based In a tertiary centre, extreme cases come and mortality hovered at around 21 per cent.” ity is higher. In 2016, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) on a written response to the UP Assembly in August claiming FEVER PITCH is usually higher. But if the data isn’t transparent, then The reason, a doctor claimed, was partly diagnosis. “This But if data tested 3,402 specimens and found only nine per cent to 111 deaths and 1,427 cases due to AES and JE at the hospi- year, a lot of patients are being entered into the govern- be JE. In the same year, mortality because of AES was 27 Six-year data of Japanese Encephalitis/Acute Encephalitis Syndrome deaths in Uttar Pradesh JE CASES AES CASES DEATHS isn't trans- tal. While this doesn’t take into account the fact that cases, ment’s records as su ering from Acute Febrile Illness (AFI), per cent: two per cent higher than 2015.By then, scien- annually, so far after the monsoons, it also is at odds with which, simply put, is high fever. So, even if the patient dies parent, then tists had started working on other theories. data released by the National Vector Borne Disease Control of what is later found to be AES, the records don’t show people will In August 2017, CDC published a study conducted by

Programme (NVBDCP). Until the end of July, the Central gov- 2013 that they had AES. This is a factor in the skewed numbers.” Indian doctors from BRD Medical College and NIV in ernment agency reported that the total number of deaths Though the hospital denied oª cially commenting on stop trust- Gorakhpur, National Institute of Epidemiology in Chen- in UP due to AES and JE was 124 with AES accounting for the allegations, a former doctor from BRD Medical Col- ing the nai, Christian Medical College in Vellore and ICMR in Delhi, 118 deaths. But the data released in September pegged the 2014 lege added, “AFI is not a disease. It is the medical term which gave a completely new direction to the research in total deaths so far in the state at 113, of which 110 were due used to describe a sudden increase in temperature. So, in the institute" identifying the strain. to AES and 3 due to JE. NVBDCP director Dr PK Sen didn’t case of AES, it happens when the body is trying to ght o the The team found that the high proportion of AES cas-

2015 ANANT BHAN respond to queries from News18.com. pathogen. But when you enter a patient’s records as su ering es was because of Orientia tsutsugamushi. This meant Rajesh Mani, whose non-pro t Manav Seva Sansthan has from AES, you don’t have to enter it into your records. The Health researcher scrub typhus, a bacterial infection transmitted to humans been working for the prevention of AES in Gorakhpur for numbers look ne.” through mites, was causing AES. Follow-up studies threw decades, said, “This in itself proves the way in which the 2016 In this murky picture of health care at Gora- up a whole gamut of infections clubbed under AES, such numbers are being fudged. What pressure has prompted khpur, there is one incontestable fact: of every as dengue, human herpesvirus, enterovirus and rickettsia. them to now say that there are 110 cases…this numbers ve children that die in the world, one dies These studies are, however, contested. So the mystery game has always been there…But the bigger truth is that 2017 in India, and UP, according to a 2017 study remains even as the deaths continue. even these numbers don’t account for the cases in private mapping neonatal health in India by Manipal Till the time science rigorously and accurately identi- hospitals; so, there is just no point going by the data.” *As of Sept 30; Source: Ministry of Health & Family Welfare University, accounts for over half of these. es that one or multiple strains which are a® icting chil-

2018* JE: JAPANESE ENCEPHALITIS, AES: ACUTE ENCEPHALITIS SYNDROME Anant Bhan, researcher, global health, policy and bio- Not unexpectedly, Gorakhpur is among the dren, the deaths will not stop. And BRD Medical College ethics, explained that data had multiple use, ranging from 0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000 2200 2400 2600 2800 3000 3200 3400 3600 3800 4000 4200 4400 4600 4800 worst districts. will keep making headlines, for all the wrong reasons.

34 FIRSTPOST. SAT/NOVEMBER 17/2018 SAT/NOVEMBER 17/2018 FIRSTPOST. 10 Health card Health card 11

COMMENT YOUNG LIVES MATTER No end to a 40-year-long nightmare Sonal Matharu Gorakhpur’s SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT resident evil  GETTYIMAGES Despite the Yogi Adityanath government’s claims of having vaccinated every Going viral: What child in Uttar Pradesh against Japanese Encephalitis and Acute Encephalitis is killing children in Gorakhpur?

34 FIRSTPOST. SAT/NOVEMBER 17/2018 12 Polinomics

The US President has taken credit for the stock market’s gains during his nearly two years in the White House. THE TRUMP RUN The S&P 500 has risen 28% since his election in November 2016 to the eve of the mid-term polls

BARACK OBAMA DONALD TRUMP BILL CLINTON Democrat Republican Democrat First elected: NOV. 4, 2008 First elected: NOV. 3, 1992 Tenure: JAN. 20, 2009 JAN. 20, 2017 First elected: NOV. 8, 2016 Tenure: JAN. 20, 1993 JAN. 20, 2001

150% The US stock market has become one of Donald 300% Trump’s favourite yard sticks for measuring his performance as president, and the current 200 bull market has become the longest-running in 100 history since he took o ce. Moreover, Trump 100 can claim title to overseeing the strongest market 50 50 performance in the ﬁ rst two years following his election of any president in the past 50 years. 0 0 -50 Jan 22, ’09 Jan 25, ’13 Jan 20, ’17 Jan 21, ’93 Jan 20, ’97 Jan 20, ’01 PERCENTAGE CHANGE IN S&P FROM ELECTION DAY

40%

30 GEORGE W. BUSH GEORGE H. W. BUSH Republican 20 Republican First elected: NOV. 7, 2000 10 First elected: NOV. 8, 1988

Tenure: JAN. 20, 2001 JAN. 20, 2009 0 Tenure: JAN. 20, 1989 JAN. 20, 1993

20% 40% Jan 20, 2017 30

0 Administration Performance: 21.0% 20 -20 10

-40 Below: 0% Above: 100% 0

-60 Jan 18, ’01 Jan 21, ’05 Jan 20, ’09 Jan 20, ’89 Jan 20, ’93

THE BIG FIGHT A prolonged stand-o or the governor’s resignation may provoke a rout in the RBI versus bond and equity markets. the ow of credit to the economy. Never mind the fact that Union nance minister Arun Jaitley publicly criticised the RBI for “look- ing the other way” as banks lent recklessly during the rst United Progressive Alliance Centre is (UPA) government, the current government wants the banks to open the lending taps to push growth. Already, there are signs that growth will slow. Although rst quarter GDP growth was at a 15-quarter high of 8.2 per cent, about 2019 high-frequency indicators point to a slowdown. Nomura Research’s leading indicator for growth says that data is showing early signs of a demand slowdown led by rural and urban consumption demand. elections For instance, growth in sales of two-wheelers, cars and tractors were well below their long- The Narendra Modi government wants the central bank term average in September. Anecdotal evidence shows dull sales in Dussehra and Diwali, which to relax lending and part with some of its reserves to boost account for almost a third of sales in categories such as consumer durables.Nomura projects GDP growth, which is showing signs of slowing down as India growth to slow to 6.9 per cent in the March quar- heads into the general elections next year ter because of weaker global demand, higher oil prices, tighter nancial conditions and a negative scal impulse with risks tilted to the down- side. Increased credit ow could give a leg up to lax restrictions on lending by weak banks, open October have increased. Similarly, Rashesh Shah growth in an economy that is currently running NEWS ANALYSIS a special liquidity window for non-bank nancial of Edelweiss, which has an NBFC business, said, on the single engine of consumption. Raiding the RAVI KRISHNAN companies (NBFCs) and be lenient on loans to “The kind of fear psychosis or con dence cri- RBI’s reserves will provide some spending cushion micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). ses or whatever people are calling it which was for the government without breaching the scal Moreover, the Central bank should part with there a couple of weeks ago has started abating  de cit. Hence, the desperate decision to invoke some of its reserves, which the Centre deems now.” powers never used before. However, such a move he gloves are o in the spat between the excessive, or increase its dividend to the govern- The consensus seems to be that there is no sol- Increased may well back re if RBI governor Urjit Patel resigns Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the gov- ment. vency crisis as of now. But yes, the NBFC business as is being speculated. India is an open economy ernment. According to media reports, What’s prompting the government to invoke model of using short-term loans to nance long-term credit ﬂ ow now. A prolonged stand-o , or the governor’s the Centre has invoked powers under these powers now? India is not in a crisis or an assets is dented. They are unlikely to replicate the could give resignation, may provoke a rout in the bond and Tthe Section 7 of the Reserve Bank of India Act, emergency situation. Even the liquidity crunch heady 40-per cent growth of the last few years. With equity markets. That in turn will not only increase 1934, to issue directions to the Central bank. For- in the NBFC space is not turning out to be In- NBFCs increasingly becoming signi cant in the over- a leg-up to borrowing costs for the government, but also neg- mer Union nance minister and Congress leader dia’s mini-Lehman Brothers moment as some all ow of credit to the economy, growth is sure to growth in atively impact the real economy, dampen growth P Chidambaram was quick to point out that the feared, going by current data. The RBI has as- take a hit. That seems to have worried the govern- and hurt the government’s re-election prospects. clause had never been used. sured the government that the situation is under ment in an election year. Lower growth and fewer an economy It could be a case of winning the battle, but losing Quarrels between the Central bank and the gov- control and liquidity is returning to NBFCs. This jobs will take the sheen o the government’s perfor- relying the war. ernment are not new. There have always been is borne out by management commentary of - mance. di erences of opinion. The main issues between nancial rms too. For instance, HDFC Asset Man- Indeed, the common thread in most of the heavily on Ravi Krishnan is deputy executive editor the two now seem to be this: the RBI should re- agement Co said that in ow to its liquid funds in Centre’s demands is that they will increase consumption moneycontrol.com

Last-mile connectivity remains the key to better ridership SHARE OF TRANSPORTATION ANUPA KUJUR connectivity gap are taken care of, the ease of mobility index at 5.42, linked to the country’s major eco- ways as the allocation was pegged KOLKATA ridership will go up as around 60 followed by New Delhi (5.32) and nomic centres. at `71,000 crore, up from `61,000 ACROSS INDIA IN 2018 per cent of the non-users will be Chennai (5.27). Mumbai ranks sixth Good quality infrastructure is crore in 2017¦18. In the World Bank’s latest Ease of Doing Business rankings, India leapfrogged to the 77th rank mainly due to improvement in t a time when mobility is willing to shift to public transport. with an index of 4.95. The high critical to ensuring ease of moving In the World Bank’s latest Ease granting of construction permits driving economic growth At present, public transport ac- willingness of people to use public and infrastructure development has of Doing Business rankings, India in the country, 80 percent counts for 34 per cent of the trans- transport can be used to make pol- been one of the key interest areas of leapfrogged to the 77th rank mainly of commuters feel rst- portation across India. About 58 per icies catering to speci c needs by this government as the allocation has due to improvement in granting of Aand last-mile connectivity holds the cent of the commuters use their per- improving service levels, real-time jumped approximately 40 percent construction permits. In this seg- key to improving public transport sonal two or four-wheelers while information, providing clean public in three years. The 2018¦19 budget ment, it has moved to 52nd position 58% 34% ridership, according to an Ease of around eight percent of the respond- transport, improving frequency and gave a massive push to national high- this year from 181. PERSONAL PUBLIC Moving Index 2018 report by Ola’s ents use shared transportation, ac- better planning of routes. Over 80 per cent of the 43,000+ Mobility Institute. cording to a report by McKinsey. According to a World Bank report, respondents report an improve- Almost 70 per cent of the public In India, more than 80 per cent India’s rural areas are home to al- ment in the mobility scenario over transport users rely on cabs, au- of commuters use public transport most 70 per cent of India’s popula- the last ve years despite rising con- tos, and non-motorised transports because it is a ordable, saves time tion but 33 perc ent of the villages 70 gestion and travel times. The im- (NMTs), says the report. It means and is convenient. Kolkata o ers the do not have access to all-weather per cent provement is mainly on the back of users have to either walk or take most a ordable services whereas roads and remain cut o during the initiatives such as Smart City, Atal an auto to reach a bus stand, local Delhi the most comfortable, the Ola monsoon season. The problem is PUBLIC TRANSPORT USERS Mission for Rejuvenation and Ur- 8% RELY ON CABS, AUTOS, SHARED station, or metro terminal. Commut- report says. more acute in India’s northern and AND NONMOTORISED ban Transformation (AMRUT), and Source: McKinsey ers believe if the rst-and-last-mile Among metros, Kolkata leads northeastern states that are poorly TRANSPORTS Metro rail projects, the report says. FIRSTPOST. SAT/NOVEMBER 17/2018 IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIISAT/NOVEMBER 17/2018 FIRSTPOST. 12 Polinomics Global Theatre 13

THAILAND SEA CHANGE From China’s point of view, the Kra Canal o ers a means to voices BANGKOK The US President has taken credit for the stock market’s gains during his nearly two years in the White House. South China Sea secure its expanding demand for West The S&P 500 has risen 28% since his election in November 2016 to the eve of the mid-term polls Asia’s hydrocarbons against overcrowding THE TRUMP RUN in the Strait of Malacca.

BARACK OBAMA DONALD TRUMP BILL CLINTON Democrat Republican Democrat First elected: NOV. 4, 2008 First elected: NOV. 3, 1992 First elected: NOV. 8, 2016 Tenure: JAN. 20, 2009 JAN. 20, 2017 Tenure: JAN. 20, 1993 JAN. 20, 2001 Indian Ocean

150% The US stock market has become one of Donald 300% Thai critics of the project also believe Trump’s favourite yard sticks for measuring ANDAMAN SEA it will devastate tourism earnings from MATTHEW WHITAKER his performance as president, and the current 200 resort towns along the Andaman Sea. ACTING US ATTORNEY bull market has become the longest-running in KRA CANAL 100 history since he took o ce. Moreover, Trump 100 GENERAL can claim title to overseeing the strongest market 50 50 UNCERTAINTY OVER performance in the fi rst two years following his ECONOMIC VIABILITY OPINION election of any president in the past 50 years. 0 SATUN 0 SONGKHLA Experts remain divided on the econom- -50 ic viability of the Kra Canal, with some US acting attorney general Jan 22, ’09 Jan 25, ’13 Jan 20, ’17 Jan 21, ’93 Jan 20, ’97 Jan 20, ’01 PERCENTAGE CHANGE IN S&P FROM ELECTION DAY sceptical that it will ever pay for itself. Matthew Whitaker is the wrong PENANG Earlier this year, energy specialist Gary choice for the job at exactly the Norman had estimated that the canal wrong time. Under the ordinary 40% MALAYSIA would need to generate $4.57 million rules of succession at the Justice 30 each day to pay for itself. Based on the Department, deputy attorney GEORGE W. BUSH GEORGE H. W. BUSH KUALA LUMPUR assumption that 40 ships will transit the general Rod J. Rosenstein would Republican 20 Republican canal each day, he noted, that would take over as acting attorney mean a user fee of $1,15,000 per transit. First elected: NOV. 7, 2000 10 First elected: NOV. 8, 1988 general until a successor is con- But, Norman pointed out, the typi- fi rmed. Whitaker isa lawyer who Tenure: JAN. 20, 2001 JAN. 20, 2009 Tenure: JAN. 20, 1989 JAN. 20, 1993 0 SINGAPORE cal additional fuel costs for the longer has expressed doubt about the 20% 40% routes through the Malacca, Sunda or Jan 20, 2017 investigation by special counsel Lombok straits range from $40,000 to 30 Robert S. Mueller III. INDONESIA $1,20,000 per trip — not enough to jus- 0 Administration Performance: 21.0% 20 tify the fee to use the canal. -20 10 The Suez Canal and the Panama Canal, bypassing entire continents, are able -40 Below: 0% Above: 100% 0 to charge large ships fees of around -60 Jan 18, ’01 Jan 21, ’05 Jan 20, ’09 Jan 20, ’89 Jan 20, ’93 $2,50,000 and $1,25,000, respectively, because of the far larger savings in Thailand’s plan for mega time they enable. However, advocates said the Kra Ca- nal project would handle a far higher THE BIG FIGHT A prolonged stand-o or the numbers of ships and also draw invest- governor’s resignation may provoke a rout in the ments from businesses linked to ship- bond and equity markets. Kra Canal alarms New Delhi ping, which range from engineering, THERESA MAY UK PREMIER CHINESE SHIPS could use the canal as an alternative to a route surrounded by American allies, forcing the Indian supplies and legal services. The Thai RBI versus Canal Association’s plans also envisages Navy to signifi cantly rethink its planning and preparedness for any confl ict involving China’s growing naval power building two large free trade zones and EDITORIAL the ow of credit to the economy. Never mind a new international airport. the fact that Union nance minister Arun The proposal put forward by Long- The dilemma of a post-Brex- Jaitley publicly criticised the RBI for “look- PRAVEEN SWAMI Bangkok Post that government com- the Chinese-owned port at Hambantota hao, an Indian government source said, it trajectory is unresolved. ing the other way” as banks lent recklessly mittees to study the project will be set in Sri Lanka. involved building two off shore islands Downing Street is signalling during the rst United Progressive Alliance ushed by his country’s powerful up before elections in February 2019. But that isn’t the end of the story. The for ships to berth, warehouses and even that a deal is close. The EU side Centre is (UPA) government, the current government military junta, Prime Minister “After the polls, when we have Op- Kra Canal would off er an alternative to entertainment hubs. sounds more cautious because wants the banks to open the lending taps to push Presidents of Thailand Prayut Chan-o-cha position parties, they will oppose the a route surrounded by US allies, and The company also proposed bring- progress is measured di erently growth. has ordered the country’s Na- campaign without taking into account thus, would be vulnerable to a block- ing in over 30,000 Chinese workers to in the UK and Brussels. Theresa have the Ptional Security Council to begin exam- the potential benefi ts to the country ade in the event of a geopolitical crisis. build the canal. Already, there are signs that growth will May chalks up a personal victory slow. Although rst quarter GDP growth power to ining the feasibility of proposals to build and the public,” he said. Former Chinese president Hu Jintao had Lyu Jian, Beijing’s envoy to Bang- if she manages to persuade her was at a 15-quarter high of 8.2 per cent, suspend the a 120-kilometre mega canal that would underlined China’s concerns about the kok, has privately told the Thai gov- cabinet to agree on a policy. That about 2019 high-frequency indicators point to a slow- slash 1,200 kilometres off the route Chi- GEO POLITICS straits referring to it as the “Malacca ernment that his country sees the Kra doesn’t mean that the policy will down. entry nese warships now take to reach South From China’s point of view, the Kra Ca- dilemma”. Canal as a strategic investment, part of be welcome across the Channel. Nomura Research’s leading indicator for growth of all Asian ports—dramatically enhancing the nal off ers a means to secure its expand- Indeed, the geopolitics of the Kra Ca- the One-Belt- One-Road plan that en- says that data is showing early signs of a demand superpower’s ability to project power ing demand for West Asia’s hydrocar- nal are one reason why Thailand re- visages pushing new networks of rail, slowdown led by rural and urban consumption aliens and in future Indian Ocean wars. bons against overcrowding in mains divided on moving forward road and maritime links from Asia to demand. to impose Private investors from China have the Strait of Malacca—the on China’s proposal. Some in Europe and Africa. elections For instance, growth in sales of two-wheelers, already committed $30 billion for the world’s busiest mar- Thailand’s strategic estab- The Kra Canal has haunted East Asia’s cars and tractors were well below their long- any restric- construction of the Kra Canal, fi rst con- itime lane through lishment fear that Chi- strategic imagination since 1677, when The Narendra Modi government wants the central bank term average in September. Anecdotal evidence tions he may ceived of almost 350 years ago. which an estimat- nese investment in the King Narai, the Great, asked the French shows dull sales in Dussehra and Diwali, which Longhao, a Chinese construction ed 84,000 ships 120 km project will, inexora- engineer M de Lamar to explore link- deem to be company involved in the government’s pass every year, bly, erode the coun- ing the Andaman Sea with the Gulf of to relax lending and part with some of its reserves to boost account for almost a third of sales in categories MEGA CANAL WOULD growth, which is showing signs of slowing down as India such as consumer durables.Nomura projects GDP appropriate controversial island-building work in carrying around SLASH 1,200 KM OFF try’s sovereignty — a Thailand. growth to slow to 6.9 per cent in the March quar- the South China Sea, will be given the 30 per cent of THE ROUTE CHINESE fear founded on the King Rama I revived the idea in 1793 heads into the general elections next year ter because of weaker global demand, higher oil KIRSTJEN NIELSEN responsibility for the work, Indian gov- the global trade WARSHIPS TAKE TO experience of Egypt thinking it might provide a line of de- prices, tighter nancial conditions and a nega- US secretary of ernment sources told Firstpost. transit. The World and Panama, where fence for the capital. And in 1858, Impe- MOHAMMAD REACH SOUTH BIN SALMAN tive scal impulse with risks tilted to the down- homeland security President Chan-o-cha’s decision, In- Bank estimates that ASIAN PORTS the canals led to dec- rial Britain secured permission to begin side. dian government sources said, could over 1,40,000 ships ades of foreign control. digging but ran out of funds before work CROWN PRINCE OF Increased credit ow could give a leg up to mean that the project could be complet- will seek to transit “The history of the Pana- could start.Fearing Japan might build SAUDI ARABIA lax restrictions on lending by weak banks, open October have increased. Similarly, Rashesh Shah growth in an economy that is currently running ed late in the next decade forcing the through the Strait of Ma- ma and Suez canals shows that the canal and thus bypass Britain’s na- NEWS ANALYSIS a special liquidity window for non-bank nancial of Edelweiss, which has an NBFC business, said, on the single engine of consumption. Raiding the Indian military to signifi cantly rethink lacca annually by the end of the despite the unquestionable econom- val base in Singapore, Thailand later EDITORIAL RAVI KRISHNAN companies (NBFCs) and be lenient on loans to “The kind of fear psychosis or con dence cri- RBI’s reserves will provide some spending cushion its planning and preparedness for con- decade, far in excess of its capacity of ic advantages of a canal, one country’s signed signed a treaty to not build the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). ses or whatever people are calling it which was  for the government without breaching the scal fl icts involving China’s growing navy. 1,22,000 ships. funding of its construction on the ter- canal at all.But the idea was revived in Why is Britain still selling arms Moreover, the Central bank should part with there a couple of weeks ago has started abating de cit. Hence, the desperate decision to invoke Former Thai military commander Tha- Exiting the Kra Canal westwards, traf- ritory of another country usually leads the last century — with both Soviet and to Saudi Arabia? The cruel some of its reserves, which the Centre deems now.” powers never used before. However, such a move watchai Samutsakorn, who is vice-pres- fi c would enter the Andaman Sea, tran- to the spread of signifi cant infl uence by US engineers at one point suggesting absurdity of what is happening he gloves are o in the spat between the excessive, or increase its dividend to the govern- The consensus seems to be that there is no sol- Increased may well back re if RBI governor Urjit Patel resigns ident of a private-sector consortium sit past India’s Andaman and Nicobar the fi rst country,” scholar Ivica Kinder using nuclear bombs to cut through is highlighted in the latest news Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the gov- ment. vency crisis as of now. But yes, the NBFC business as is being speculated. India is an open economy pushing for the Kra Canal, told The Islands and then head south towards has pointed out. Thailand’s intractable mountain ranges. from Yemen. For the arms ernment. According to media reports, What’s prompting the government to invoke model of using short-term loans to nance long-term credit fl ow now. A prolonged stand-o , or the governor’s are now being used by Saudi the Centre has invoked powers under these powers now? India is not in a crisis or an assets is dented. They are unlikely to replicate the could give resignation, may provoke a rout in the bond and Arabia to destroy aid projects Tthe Section 7 of the Reserve Bank of India Act, emergency situation. Even the liquidity crunch heady 40-per cent growth of the last few years. With equity markets. That in turn will not only increase funded by Britain. Oxfam re- 1934, to issue directions to the Central bank. For- in the NBFC space is not turning out to be In- NBFCs increasingly becoming signi cant in the over- a leg-up to borrowing costs for the government, but also neg- ports that a cholera treatment mer Union nance minister and Congress leader dia’s mini-Lehman Brothers moment as some all ow of credit to the economy, growth is sure to growth in atively impact the real economy, dampen growth centre and a water plant have P Chidambaram was quick to point out that the feared, going by current data. The RBI has as- take a hit. That seems to have worried the govern- and hurt the government’s re-election prospects. American democracy has been a dream deferred been hit by air strikes from the clause had never been used. sured the government that the situation is under ment in an election year. Lower growth and fewer an economy It could be a case of winning the battle, but losing Saudi-led coalition. The circle Quarrels between the Central bank and the gov- control and liquidity is returning to NBFCs. This jobs will take the sheen o the government’s perfor- relying the war. INDIRECT DEMOCRATIC system explains why Donald Trump won the 2016 election despite losing the popular vote to Democrat Hillary Clinton of destruction has itself come ernment are not new. There have always been is borne out by management commentary of - mance. full circle. di erences of opinion. The main issues between nancial rms too. For instance, HDFC Asset Man- Indeed, the common thread in most of the heavily on Ravi Krishnan is deputy executive editor C CHRISTINE FAIR be fought—and won—at the ballot ate holds the most signifi cant number of electoral college representatives. Astonishingly, idential candidate: only Maine the two now seem to be this: the RBI should re- agement Co said that in ow to its liquid funds in Centre’s demands is that they will increase consumption moneycontrol.com box on November 6. They were powers to appoint justices to votes for each state is equal to most states award all the elec- and Nebraska have a variation In America, democracy has nev- wrong for several reasons. the Supreme Court and federal the number of congressional toral votes to the winning pres- of ‘proportional representa- er been but a dream deferred. First, demographic change judiciary as well as to confi rm tion’. This system of ‘winner Our ‘founding fathers’ owned coupled with our constitution- Cabinet picks. takes all’ helps explain why and raped those human beings al provisions ensures that the The anti-Democrat Senate ma-  America was literal- Presidents like Trump lose they deemed subhuman because current tyranny of the minori- jority leader, Mitch McConnell, the popular vote but become of their race; seized land from ty, which rules over the major- abused his power in the last term ly founded upon white, President by winning the elec- Native populations in what can ity, will expand. There is little of the Obama administration to Christian cis male suprem- toral college. Last-mile connectivity remains the key to better ridership only be described as genocide that can be done to stop it. prevent any of the President’s Third, the House of Rep- and believed that only white Currently, the majority of the judicial appointments from acy. It has never atoned resentatives is the only body SHARE OF TRANSPORTATION ANUPA KUJUR connectivity gap are taken care of, the ease of mobility index at 5.42, linked to the country’s major eco- ways as the allocation was pegged male landowners should vote. Senate is elected by a slight mi- coming to a vote. Consequent- for its founding sins of where some modicum of com- ACROSS INDIA IN 2018 KOLKATA ridership will go up as around 60 followed by New Delhi (5.32) and nomic centres. at `71,000 crore, up from `61,000 America was literally found- nority. By 2040, demographers ly, Trump has had the opportu- slavery and genocide petition remains in principle. per cent of the non-users will be Chennai (5.27). Mumbai ranks sixth Good quality infrastructure is crore in 2017¦18. ed upon white, Christian cis predict that a meagre one-third nity to appoint more than 100 In practice, these races are not OPINION In the World Bank’s latest Ease of Doing Business rankings, India male supremacy. It has never of Americans will elect two- judicial offi cials who have been competitive. In 2016, only 20 leapfrogged to the 77th rank mainly due to improvement in t a time when mobility is willing to shift to public transport. with an index of 4.95. The high critical to ensuring ease of moving In the World Bank’s latest Ease granting of construction permits driving economic growth At present, public transport ac- willingness of people to use public and infrastructure development has of Doing Business rankings, India atoned for its founding sins of thirds of this powerful institu- vetted by the noxious Federalist per cent of the congressional The ongoing US-China trade in the country, 80 percent counts for 34 per cent of the trans- transport can be used to make pol- been one of the key interest areas of leapfrogged to the 77th rank mainly slavery and genocide. In fact, tion. This is because Americans Society to ensure that the nom- races were competitive. This war has entered a tit-for-tat of commuters feel rst- portation across India. About 58 per icies catering to speci c needs by this government as the allocation has due to improvement in granting of many white Americans—in- are fl eeing to the coastal states inees oppose a woman’s right is due to gerrymandering, mode. If the two countries can- Aand last-mile connectivity holds the cent of the commuters use their per- improving service levels, real-time jumped approximately 40 percent construction permits. In this seg- cluding President Donald where jobs are and are likely to choose, support pro-business selective sorting of residents not settle the dispute before key to improving public transport sonal two or four-wheelers while information, providing clean public in three years. The 2018¦19 budget ment, it has moved to 52nd position Trump—do not think doing so to remain. Equally, young per- interests, and back the tycoon’s into ideologically coherent the end of this year, it is highly 58% 34% ridership, according to an Ease of around eight percent of the respond- transport, improving frequency and gave a massive push to national high- this year from 181. is even necessary. Meanwhile, sons who bristle at xenopho- autocratic tendencies. neighbourhoods and myriad likely that the confl ict will PERSONAL PUBLIC Moving Index 2018 report by Ola’s ents use shared transportation, ac- better planning of routes. Over 80 per cent of the 43,000+ the rest of us have been fi ght- bia, homophobia, misogyny Second, the same demo- outright racist eff orts by the escalate into a full-scale trade Mobility Institute. cording to a report by McKinsey. According to a World Bank report, respondents report an improve- ing and clawing for our rights and other bigotry that are com- graphic future also ensures Republican Party to prevent war. Beijing can take a initiative Almost 70 per cent of the public In India, more than 80 per cent India’s rural areas are home to al- ment in the mobility scenario over since the founding of our re- mon in their rural and peri-ru- the dominance of the Republi- people of colour from voting. with a bold o er in automobiles transport users rely on cabs, au- of commuters use public transport most 70 per cent of India’s popula- the last ve years despite rising con- public. Republicans are seek- ral hometowns are fl ocking to can Party in the selection of the by opening the Chinese market tos, and non-motorised transports because it is a ordable, saves time tion but 33 perc ent of the villages 70 gestion and travel times. The im- ing to steal the precious gains America’s more cosmopolitan President. The US is not a direct to US motor companies with (NMTs), says the report. It means and is convenient. Kolkata o ers the do not have access to all-weather per cent provement is mainly on the back of we have made in what can only locales. Those left behind in democracy, but an indirect de- The writer has authored the minimal tari s. It won’t solve users have to either walk or take most a ordable services whereas roads and remain cut o during the initiatives such as Smart City, Atal be described as a war on de- the ‘red states’ are the most mocracy through the system books Fighting to the End: The every economic dispute, but it Pakistan Army’s Way of War an auto to reach a bus stand, local Delhi the most comfortable, the Ola monsoon season. The problem is PUBLIC TRANSPORT USERS Mission for Rejuvenation and Ur- mocracy. regressive Americans, most of of the electoral college, which could transform the atmos- 8% RELY ON CABS, AUTOS, US PRESIDSENT Donald (OUP, 2014) and In Their Own SHARED station, or metro terminal. Commut- report says. more acute in India’s northern and AND NONMOTORISED ban Transformation (AMRUT), and Unfortunately, many Demo- whom vote Republican. was devised to appease slave Trump at a rally in Wilkes-Barre, Words: Understanding Lashkar- phere and pave the wat to an Source: McKinsey ers believe if the rst-and-last-mile Among metros, Kolkata leads northeastern states that are poorly TRANSPORTS Metro rail projects, the report says. crats though that this battle could In the United States, the Sen- states after the Civil War. The  AP Pennsylvania. e-Tayyaba (forthcoming 2018). overall settlement. FIRSTPOST. SAT/NOVEMBER 17/2018 movie SAT/NOVEMBER 17/2018 FIRSTPOST. 14 review iiiiiCinema 15

REDEFINING ‘Brainless masala makers BOLLYWOOD

MOHALLA ASSI USER RATING are becoming irrelevant’ Cinema CRITIC’S RATING & ENTERTAINMENT AANAND L. RAI tains without losing track of content, There are the low-end multiplexes, sensibility and logic. which are fast replacing single screens, A BAND APART very once in a while there is Ten years ago, no one would have and the high-end multiplexes. A, B and 10 OFFBEAT ENTERTAINERS who have redefi ned new-age Bollywood Those change in the world of cinema, imagined lms such as Shubh Mangal C centres account for radically di er- cinema within limited budgets and with content-driven e orts No to daddy Kat's banking who do and right now is the time for the Saavdhan and AndhaDhun could be- ent cinema economics. The process of traditional mainstream director come big hits. Even a decade ago, when change is a ected by this variety, lm SUPERSTAR SON VARUN REJECTS on Sallu again 123 not imbibe VINAYAK CHAKRAVORTY Ein the Hindi lm industry to understand we rst started talking of 100-crore hits, directors have to keep this in mind. DAD DAVID DHAWAN'S IDEA TO AFTER A TWO£GIG ROLE IN THUGS OF crore change that fact, if he does not want to be ren- we would only refer to big, star-stud- Filmmakers who experiment are REMAKE COOLIE NO. 1. HE WANTS AN IST WEEKEND ANURAG KASHYAP HINDOSTAN, ACTRESS LOOKS FORWARD EARNING OF will be left dered wholly insigni cant. ded formula lms. Today, a small and forced to work with limited budgets be- ORIGINAL SCRIPT FOR THEIR NEXT. TO SALMAN KHAN'S BHARAT FOR A BIG BANG. THUGS OF The signi cant aspect of change is unusual lm as Stree manages to record cause their target audience base is small. GANGS OF WASSEYPUR SERIES, DEV.D HINDOSTAN growth. Every lm made marks some a stupendous Rs125-crore collection at Directors who splurge on star-studded behind. All of Kashyap is the man every budding fi lmmaker, who wants Bollywood, growth for lmmakers as well as the audi- the box-o« ce. projects, on the other hand, cannot risk to carve a di erent niche, looks up to. His foray into fi lm ence. Anyone who does not understand That is a clear signal to makers of big- experimenting. production has been a boon for budding directors with particularly change, or make an e ort to imbibe the budget brainless masala movies that they My gut feeling is the traditional main- out-of-the-box ideas. fi lmmakers, process of change, will be left behind. are gradually becoming irrelevant. stream lm will not go away. But for the All of the Hindi lm industry — particu- The lm industry is in the state of an hardcore masala director to survive, he Opening has to larly lmmakers — has to realise this. interesting ux. Change is happening, must learn to balance glamour with fresh realise this The audience, more than people work- even as much of what was traditionally content. The process has already started. on Friday ing within the lm industry, often has a the norm continues to thrive. RITESH BATRA AANAND L. RAI VINAYAK CHAKRAVORTY sharper understanding of this change, The director’s role, in this context, THE LUNCHBOX TANU WEDS MANU SERIES, and in recent times there is a clear signal becomes complex because change in a As told to Vinayak Chakravorty RAANJHANAA He reimagined from the audience to lmmakers that heterogeneous society such as India is From Behind Aanand L. Rai is the director of the Tanu Bollywood Rai is credited House of they need to buck up. The demand of never uniform, and there are too many Weds Manu series. His next release is Zero romance with The with the surge of the hour is to create cinema that enter- cinematic tastes to satisfy. starring Shah Rukh Khan and Katrina Kaif. Lunchbox before realistic, middle Cards going global with class-themed the English fi lms entertainers that Season 6 The Sense Of An are currently a CAST Ending and Our rage. Best known Robin Souls At Night (which starred for directing the Camera Robert Redford and Jane Fonda) the Tanu Weds Manu fi lms, his Wright, last year. Coming up is Photograph productions include Shubh Mangal Michael starring Nawazuddin Siddiqui. Saavdhan and Tumbbad. Kelly, Patricia Clarkson

DIRECTION Alik Sakharov to Backseat THE DIRECTOR is increasingly becoming insignifi cant in DIBAKAR BANERJEE With Kevin Spacey red for sex- the big-budget realm of commercial Bollywood, defi ned by LOVE SEX AUR DHOKHA, KHOSLA KA GHOSLA ual misconduct, Robin Wright, PR-driven box-o ce kill and aggressive hard-sell of stars. The maverick who keeps you guessing, and has an unusual returning as Claire Underwood, idea every time. His resume includes fi lms as varied asKh- will be toplining the nal sea- osla Ka Ghosla, Love Sex Aur Dhokha, Shanghai, Oye Lucky! son of the blockbuster Net ix Lucky Oye! and Detective Byomkesh Bakshi! show. As the political suspense hits crescendo, Diane Lane and Greg Kinnear join the cast.

LAST WORD Over ve seasons, the show has emerged one of the most enjoy- able web series there is. That makes the nalé unmissable. SECRET DANGAL SUPERSTAR SULTAN (2016) (2017) (2016) SHOOJIT AMIT VISHAL Global gross Global gross Global gross SIRCAR MASURKAR BHARDWAJ `2,000 CR `894 CR `623.3 CR PIKU, VICKY NEWTON, MAQBOOL, The Directed by Directed by Directed by NITESH DONOR SULEMANI OMKARA ADVAIT ALI ABBAS KEEDA Nutcracker TIWARI CHANDAN ZAFAR Few Bollywood A versatile mind, the directors fuse Masurkar went to the writer-director- and The Four realism with enter- Oscars with his sec- composer crafted tainment as he does ond fi lm Newton. The desi drama in Maq- Realms — a fact that he has  GETTYIMAGES fi lm did not make bool, Omkara and CAST BAJRANGI PK repeatedly proved, the fi nal cut at the Haider out of Shake- Keira MOOLAH BHAIJAAN (2014) with fi lms including Oscars but it proved spearean fi nesse. He Knightley, Piku, October, Vicky quality entertainers is widely known for (2015) Global gross Mackenzie MASTERS Donor, Madras Café could be made within his brand of twisted Global gross `792 CR Foy, Morgan Five highest-grossing and Yahaan. limited budgets. suspense. `905 CR Directed by ‘Stars and their gimmicks Freeman Bollywood fi lms of all time Directed by RAJKUMAR and their directors DIRECTION KABIR HIRANI Lasse KHAN Hallström & have taken over limelight’ Joe Johnston Figures sourced from Wikipedia VIKRAMADITYA SRIRAM RAGHAVAN  GETTYIMAGES MOTWANE Acclaimed Swedish lmmaker ADIL HUSSAIN explains the situation. and their time has come in India, too. ANDHADHUN, BADLAPUR Lasse Hallström teams with Cap- What we need to understand is that Commercial cinema banks on stars. TRAPPED, No one cocktails tain America: The First Avenger ormulaic commercial cinema as many hardcore commercial directors My opinion is stardom should fade away UDAAN noir suspense with director Joe Johnston to create we know it has its own mecha- have consciously chosen to work in and make way for actors. In turn this Motwane’s unusual humour and angst a fantasy drama that blends two gimmick-driven industry that pri- struggle to garner familiarity. Subhash Ghai held on their own himself helming the franchise’s nism to survive and thrive, nev- that genre because their talent lies in would render gimmick-ridden formu- creativity is in Bollywood as renowned works of art — ETA marily obsesses over lling the The scene is no di erent for di- thanks to trademark lmmaking third lm—YRF’s costliest project er mind if content-driven, small putting together glamour, talent and - laic cinema and its directors irrelevant. apparent in Raghavan does. He Ho mann’s book The Nutcracker co ers with hundreds of crores. rectors of the 50-odd Bollywood style. Stamp of that trademark till then. F lms are ooding the market right now. nances in one package. Their priority Cinema of any kind is about teamwork directorial e orts revealed the sparks early, winning the And The Mouse King and Tchai- The emergence of small- releases this year so far that qual- seems to be dying lately. What follows only underlines The entire system of shooting, fund- is big business. and not just about either actor or direc- such Udaan, Marketing Trapped and Loot- National Award kovsky’s ballet The Nutcracker. budget, content-driven fare has ify as traditional formula fare. The truth is that by now, the the waning signi cance of the ing, distribution and exhibition, as well Are such lmmakers losing their space tor. You can make a good lm only if cast era. He also co-created the web for his FTII diploma short fi lm, The carved a sort of space for the di- Chances are you may not know audience has gured out being director in Bollywood. Gadhvi, logistics of as the existence of stars who drive the in Bollywood right now? I would think and crew cumulatively work at it. So far, series Sacred Games. Eight Column A air (1987). LAST WORD rector, but that works only within the makers of most lms of this a typical Hindi commercial di- after exiting YRF, directed a cou- fi lms and PR trade, are loaded in favour of what you so, what with the increasing stress being cinema has been considered either a Great directors, great source the particular genre. The larger- genre barring, perhaps, Sanjay rector is hardly about original ple of duds and faded away. And call the masala movies. The director has given to content even in many big lms. director’s medium (in most of Europe, material and a ne cast unite than-life brand of Hindi cinema, Leela Bhansali, who made Pad- brainwork. Acharya himself per- though the blockbuster success skills of stars never really been an important cog in I have always respected merit over for instance) or an actor’s medium (in to create family fun. which continues to drive Bolly- maavat and Rajkumar Hirani, the haps underlines that notion. He of Dhoom 3 was attributed to neat have only this mechanism and, with time market- stardom, and I would point out one Hollywood or Bollywood). This is be- wood economics, has learnt to director of Sanju. These names returns as director with ToH ve marketing of its stars Aamir and grown ing logistics of lms and PR skills of the thing: More than directors of star-stud- cause cinema is still a young art. The HANSAL MEHTA VINAYAK CHAKRAVORTY ignore the person who wields are but exceptions having carved years after his last release Dhoom Katrina, Acharya would go on to stars have grown stronger, only dimin- ded blockbusters, it is the breed of di- medium is yet to fully understand the ALIGARH, SHAHID the megaphone over the years. a space with distinct cinematic 3, both lms being produced by bag ToH with the same stars. stronger, ishing the signi cance of the person who rectors who come up with new ideas in importance of the entire team. TThugs Of Hindostan (ToH) is about In the realm of the hard-core idioms. For most mainstream di- the mighty Yash Raj Films (YRF). The truth is most modern-day calls the shots. small lms that is changing the course of After a few forgettable e orts early on, Mehta has diminishing emerged as a director who understands the protagonist’s Amitabh Bachchan’s swashbuck- masala movie, the director no rectors, recognition is not much Amusingly, YRF had allowed commercial directors are less of The bigger a lm, lesser the signi - cinema everywhere in the world. These As told to Vinayak Chakravorty psyche as few fi lmmakers in Bollywood do. Lately, he has LUPT ling swordplay, Aamir Khan’s longer seems to matter. of an option despite commercial Acharya to direct their me- creative heads and more of care- the director’s cance of the director, since stars and are the lmmakers who silently change been ably propped by his mascot star Rajkummar Rao. roguish slapstick and Katrina If cinema of any kind essential- hits growing by the year. ga-budget biggie Dhoom 3 de- takers of lm projects—for stars other gimmick factors including action, the taste of the audience by initiating CAST signifi cance. Actor Adil Hussain’s body of work includes Javed Kaif’s oomph on the dance oor— ly de nes the vision of its director, The obvious retort is that big spite the fact that he had given who agree to work with them dances, CGI e ect and promotions hijack them to new ideas. These are also the Life Of Pi, The Reluctant Fundamentalist, English Ja rey, that’s what the just-released of- ToH director Vijay Krishna Achar- stars attract crowds. So, they are the banner the expensive op and also for producers. Aamir entire limelight. But that only partially directors who survive the test of time Vinglish and Mukti Bhavan. Vijay Raaz, cial trailer tells the audience. ya would perhaps not be amused publicised—and that the scene Tashan on his debut in 2008. In- and YRF have probably found a Meenakshi The trailer, which has garnered at the idea that most among his has not been di erent over the siders say Acharya bagged Dhoom dependable caretaker in Achar- Dixit record-busting views on YouTube, lm’s burgeoning fan base proba- years. Big B, Aamir and Katrina 3 because YRF fell out with San- ya, just as Salman lately seems to also aunts uber-expensive sets bly haven’t even heard his name. are the reason the public will shell jay Gadhvi, the original director have found a sturdy option in Ali DIRECTION Prabhuraj of spectacular ships that report- Acharya, whom friends at out money for tickets of ToH. of the Dhoom series. Despite the Abbas Zafar—director of Sultan, edly account for a chunk of the Kirori Mal College would recall One needs to understand, in rst two Dhoom icks becoming Tiger Zinda Hai and the upcoming lm’s reported Rs200-plus crore as a campus bright spark, could this context, that despite the pres- blockbusters, Gadhvi reported- Bharat—after the superstar fell The supernatural horror thriller budget. Smart PR machinery has actually be deemed the inadvert- ence of Bachchan, Dharmendra, ly had creative di erences with out with Kabir Khan following Bollywood fl icks never get the sexual harassment plot right marks the return of Javed Ja rey drilled all such trivia into the fan’s ent face of a breed of mainstream Hema Malini, Sridevi or Madhuri YRF, which made him expenda- the debacle of Tubelight. on the big screen after a long mind over the weeks leading up directors who call the shots in Dixit in their heydays, lmmak- ble. So Acharya, who had worked New-age lmmakers with DIPTAKIRTI CHAUDHURI this context. In the mid-’80s, projected Priyanka Chopra’s was probably Bollywood’s most lms. This realism is re ected time. The lm has garnered in- to the lm’s Diwali release. the biggest of commercial block- ers such as Manmohan Desai, on the screenplay of the earlier original ideas have lately been when sexual harassment wasn’t protagonist as non-maternal realistic e ort as far as the is- in real life, too, all over India. terest with its theme song — a Amid the zing and buzz before busters, but dwell in a zone of Prakash Mehra, Nasir Hussain or Dhoom icks, suddenly found inclined towards small lms, and Popular Hindi lms themed even a standard phrase, the lm and lustful woman. She is the sue goes. The lm is about an The #MeToo movement shows remix of the Bhoot hoon main the launch, the helmer is ‘missing near-anonymity. the director as a name worth rec- around sexual harassment at narrated the story of a hotshot hero’s ex-lover and ends up as his ad-agency CEO (Arjun Rampal) there is drama in the accounts of number from Ram Gopal Var- in action’ from audience’s minds. There are many more such in ognising thrives mainly in small- the workplace are rare, mostly executive (Mithun Chakraborty) boss. The hero (Akshay Kumar), fending against harrassment sexual harassment. Storytellers ma’s 2004 superhit, Bhoot. For a lm billed as the costliest his pack. Salman Khan’s Race Most modern-day directors budget crossover entertainers. because the corporate world is who is arrested for assaulting his a married man now, rebu s her charges levelled by a creative di- need to tap these, to create sto- Bollywood production yet—and 3 and the Tiger Shro -starrer  Sriram Raghavan (AndhaDhun), not a preferred setting. The form’s telephone operator (Malli- advances and she cries rape. As rector with whom he has shared ries of courage and hope. LAST WORD also potentially the biggest block- Baaghi 2 have been among the of star-studded biggies Meghna Gulzar, (Raazi), Shoojit cus on exploitation of women ka Sarabhai). The con ict never his ex-lawyer wife (Kareena Ka- a romantic relationship. The Horror nds its audience, as buster of 2018—lack of awareness most-hyped commercial releases are mere caretakers of the Sircar (October) or Sharat Katari- has mostly been restricted to the builds up, as the protagonist goes poor) ghts his case, the lm be- allegations seem to stem from common lm trade knowledge of its creator is symptomatic of in 2018, but Remo D’Souza and ya (Sui Dhaaga) would testify that standard titillatory rape. free while the victim’s reputation comes all about how an honour- professional jealousy. Ultimate- Diptakirti Chaudhuri is a salesman by goes, given that the genre has a Bollywood. Creativity has never Ahmed Khan, the respective fi lm projects they handle fact in the recent months. The Basu Chatterjee’s Sheesha lies in tatters. able man is framed by a shrew. ly, the relationship is revived. day, writer by night. He has written TAMING THE SHREW Priyanka Chopra and four books on Bollywood. loyal fan base the world over. been a priority in a glamour and directors of these lms, would rather than creative heads breed is only growing with time. (1986) was an unusual lm in Abbas-Mustan’s Aitraaz (2004) Sudhir Mishra’s Inkaar (2013) Akshay Kumar in the 2004 fi lm Aitraaz The women lost in all three FIRSTPOST. SAT/NOVEMBER 17/2018 movie SAT/NOVEMBER 17/2018 FIRSTPOST. 14 review iiiiiCinema 15

REDEFINING ‘Brainless masala makers BOLLYWOOD

PLAY MUSIC COMEDY & CULTURE Classic Live Open mic BAAKI ITIHAAS PLAY AT SWHARRY MANN LIVE AT INDIAN OPEN MIC LEAGUE 3.0 AT 91 AKSHARA THEATRE, DELHI RUIN PUB BY IMPERFECTO, SPRINGBOARD, NEHRU PLACE , TIME: 7:30PM 9:30 PM NEW DELHI. NEW DELHI. TIME 5PM7PM TIME: 7PM ONWARDS ` arts NOVEMBER 16, `250 NOVEMBER 17, `1,000 NOVEMBER 18, 200 BOOK REVIEW Exploring Ananga-Ranga: the depths of depression MUKHERJEE’S novel The ancient roots of narrates how two brothers confront their past, wrapped around the sad memory of the #MeToo malaise their father’s death

SYED MUBIN ZEHRA — a story that haunts us today, as the woman at the Ananga-Ranga, the #MeToo movement unfolds. a shrew to be tamed. woman who was First published in the 1400s, and The representation of the human burning with love into Arabic and Hindustani as the sexual organs in some Mughal-era and could nd Lazzat al-Nisa —‘the pleasures of painting is instructive. There is one INSIGHT none to satisfy her women’— the Ananga-Ranga trav- of particular interest, represent- “Ainordinate desires, threw o her elled well over the centuries, ap- ing the Mughal emperor Muham- clothes and swore she would wan- pearing in Persian and even Turk- mad Shah, where he displays a THE PURSUIT der the world naked till she met ish. Its stated intent is to protect the phallus of a wholly improbable with her match. In this condition, institution of monogamy. “Great size. The painting, obviously, of pleasure, in she entered the levee-hall of the and powerful monarchs have ru- is not just about represent- the Ananga- Rajah upon whom Koka Pandit was ined themselves and their realms ing pleasure, its true sub- Ranga, involves attending. When asked if she were by their desire to enjoy the wives ject is male power. Udayan Mukherjee’s debut nov- not ashamed of herself, the woman of others,” it warns. “Let none, In the Ananga-Ranga, el Dark Circles, the metaphor the subjugation looked insolently at the crowd of therefore, attempt adultery even the signi er of mascu- withstanding, is a rewarding of women for the courtiers around her and scorn- in their thoughts.” linity is quite di erent. journey across the ruins of one fully declared that there was not Kalyana Malla, the author of the “The man whose lin- family that nds each of its cor-

pleasure of men a man in the room. The King and Ananga-Ranga, is an obscure g- ga is very long, will ners stretched in the face of a his company were sore abashed. ure, though the text describes him be wretchedly poor. personal revelation. With its But the sage joining his hands, ap- “as a great sage”. T The man whose lin- walls crumbling, will the con- plied with due humility for royal he work itself, though, was writ- ga is very thick, will stitution stand? permission to tame the shrew.” ten for Lad Khan, the king’s son. ever be in distress. Mukherjee o ers a fairly fa- “He then led her home and King Ahmad, the Ananga-Ranga The man whose lin- miliar premise: a dead moth- worked so persuasively that whole tells us, “was the ornament of the ga is thin and lean, er, Mala, leaves a letter that ex- night fainting from fatigue and Lodi House. He was a sea, having will be very lucky; poses her two surviving sons to from repeated orgasms she cried for waters the tears shed by the and the man whose a truth they can’t even decide for quarter. Thereupon the virile widows of his slaughtered foes, linga is short, will be if they wanted to know in the Pandit inserted gold pins into her and he rose to just renown and a Rajah”. rst place. arms and legs; and, leading her wide-spread fame. May his son Leaving aside minor Mala’s has two sons, Ronojoy before his Rajah, made her con- Lada Khan, versed in the Kama details like the penis-size and Sujoy, the polar opposite fess her defeat and solemnly veil Shastra or Scripture of Love, and which signi es power, of each other. The former qui- herself in the presence”. having his feet rubbed with the these tropes remain with eter, more restrained than the The Ananga Ranga —Stage of diadems of other kings, be ever us. It is not just pornogra- younger, more impulsive Sujoy. Love in English — was written by victorious!” phy which limits the role of The older brother receives the Kalyana Malla sometimes in the Sex involves, among other women to facilitators and pro- letter that tosses the lives of the 1400s or 1500s. The poet wrote the things, performance: the Anan- viders of male pleasure. The re- two, via the elastic of history, work in honour of Lad Khan, the ga-Ranga, and other works in this cent controversy around a Bolly- into a bowl full of needling son of Ahmed Khan Lodi. Trans- genre, are manuals to demonstrate wood scene where actress Swara memories. lated into English in 1885 by the masculine virility and feminine ob- Bhaskar is shown to be masturbat- Both confront their past, deli- traveller and scholar Richard Fran- jecti cation. She has no right to ing is a case in point. There is no cately wrapped around the shat- cis Burton — and burned, it is be- either seek or express her pleas- similar outrage at expressly sexual tering memory of their father, lieved, by his wife Isabel Burton in ure; that would render her, like sequences or songs, as long as the Subir’s death. the weeks after his death — is often women perform for the pleasure In the aftermath of the letter, compared with the Kama Sutra. of men. both brothers must face up to Frank, guilt-free sex is one great Thus, our mindsets have not dilemmas, and answer ques- legacy of Indian tradition: sensual  The Anan- moved on from the time of the tions that not only a ect them pleasure, addressed with poetry, ga-Ranga, Ananga-Ranga. We still are deeply but others as well. Though they wisdom and humour, is seen as an and works embedded in the medieval thought make choices, neither o ers ecstatic expression of life’s possi- of Ananga Ranga wherein it’s the closure. bilities. But this is also a tradition like it, are wife whose duty is to satisfy her That said, Dark Circles large- that imprisons. not simply husband sexually. ly soars is in its exploration of The Ananga-Ranga, and works sex manuals. Never ever is there a straight mental health and depression. like it, are not simply sex manuals. question asked or posed to fe- Both Ronojoy and Sujoy have a They represent particular ideol- They repre- male sexual satisfaction and her history of brooding. Comment ogies about gender. The pursuit sent particu- pleasure. To post your comment, of pleasure, in the Ananga-Ran- AUTHOR: UDAYAN MUKHERJEE lar ideologies PUBLISHER: BLOOMSBURY PUBLISHING log on to ﬁ rstpost.com/ ga, involves the subjugation of Syed Mubin Zehra is author of Sexual and PRICE: ` 244.30 interview women for the pleasure of men about genderr Gender Representations in Mughal India

Live performance by the band he concept of AI, or arti cial intelligence, has so far been Be the associated with science. In recent times, however, the concept has also been linked to art, raising a basic question: Change can machines develop ample aesthetic sense to create a Black Slade Tpainting, which has traditionally been considered the last bastion DATE VENUE that sets apart humans from machines. NOV 11 2018 SAINTS N SINNERS, GURUGRAM AI has so far been successfully utilised to create pristine prose and also original tunes. But when a painting generated by arti cial ome November and Goan band Black Slade is geared intelligence fetched a staggering up to set the Capital on re with some heady retro $610,000 at a Christie’s auction ri s. The band comprising ve members is now in New York recently, eyebrows based out of Delhi, and have over the years branched Money were raised. Cout to musical genres beyond rock. Their repertoire now The hazy computer-generated includes pop and interesting fusion music, too. spinner painting of a man in a dark frock Black Slade are among the few rst-generation bands that Al art fetches coat, titled Portrait of Edmond de Stand-up by Nitin Gupta are still thriving. The band comes with a calling card that $610,000 at a Belamy, generated a price that was ¢ aunts over 2,000 live performances all over the world, 38 times of what the auction house over the past decade. The band is equally in form belting Christie’s auction was expecting. Rivaldo & Kishore Dayani out original numbers, as much as reliving the golden era. DATE VANUE NOV 9 2018 AKSHARA THEATRE, GURUGRAM “It’s hard umour is all set to get a wonky twist when two very unlikely stand-up comedians come together for a live performance work be- in the city. Nitin Gupta Rivaldo is a big draw among lovers ing alone. of the comic genre and, come Diwali weekend, he will team Hup with the inimitable Kishore Dayani, who has been gaining some Paintings popularity in the stand-up circuit lately. are an out- The duo comes together in a special edition of Laughter Nation’s show, The Humor Showcase. They are scheduled to perform a 90-min- let.” ute gig at Akshara Theatre. Gupta, a Tedx speaker with over 500 shows under his belt, believes CHRISSIE HYNDE if “science is mad about reason”, then “humour is reason gone mad”. American rock musician FIRSTPOST. SAT/NOVEMBER 17/2018 SAT/NOVEMBER 17/2018 FIRSTPOST. 16 17 POWERED BY Events Calender

PLAY MUSIC COMEDY tech updates SNEAK PEEK & CULTURE Classic Live Open mic Samsung gives ﬁ rst BAAKI ITIHAAS PLAY AT SWHARRY MANN LIVE AT INDIAN OPEN MIC LEAGUE 3.0 AT 91 AKSHARA THEATRE, DELHI RUIN PUB BY IMPERFECTO, SPRINGBOARD, NEHRU PLACE , glimpse of foldable TIME: 7:30PM 9:30 PM NEW DELHI. NEW DELHI. TIME 5PM7PM TIME: 7PM ONWARDS smartphone ` ` NOVEMBER 18, `200 Disruption arts NOVEMBER 16, 250 NOVEMBER 17, 1,000 LIFE & TECHNOLOGY BOOK REVIEW Exploring The foldable display future is nally Ananga-Ranga: the depths of here and no we are not talking about little-known company Royon’s FlexiPai. depression Samsung, who has been teasing about MUKHERJEE’S novel its foldable smartphone for over a year, narrates how two brothers has nally unveiled the device at its de- The ancient roots of veloper conference on November 8. The confront their past, wrapped around the sad memory of South Korean giant did not outright show their father’s death the device to the audience but, as per The Verge report, kept the lighting dim the #MeToo malaise so as to “protect elements of the design”.

SYED MUBIN ZEHRA — a story that haunts us today, as the woman at the Ananga-Ranga, NEGATIVE GROWTH the #MeToo movement unfolds. a shrew to be tamed. ‘Changing consumer woman who was First published in the 1400s, and The representation of the human burning with love into Arabic and Hindustani as the sexual organs in some Mughal-era behaviour to blame and could nd Lazzat al-Nisa —‘the pleasures of painting is instructive. There is one for dwindling INSIGHT none to satisfy her women’— the Ananga-Ranga trav- of particular interest, represent- “Ainordinate desires, threw o her elled well over the centuries, ap- ing the Mughal emperor Muham- smartphone sales’ clothes and swore she would wan- pearing in Persian and even Turk- mad Shah, where he displays a After years of growth, the global smartphone THE PURSUIT der the world naked till she met ish. Its stated intent is to protect the phallus of a wholly improbable market has hit stagnation and would expe- with her match. In this condition, institution of monogamy. “Great size. The painting, obviously, rience an annual decline of a little over one of pleasure, in she entered the levee-hall of the and powerful monarchs have ru- is not just about represent- per cent for the rst time in 2018, Counter- the Ananga- Rajah upon whom Koka Pandit was ined themselves and their realms ing pleasure, its true sub- point Research has said. According to Coun- Ranga, involves attending. When asked if she were by their desire to enjoy the wives ject is male power. Udayan Mukherjee’s debut nov- terpoint’s latest smartphone forecast report, not ashamed of herself, the woman of others,” it warns. “Let none, In the Ananga-Ranga, el Dark Circles, the metaphor smartphone growth will drop to a negative 1.3 the subjugation looked insolently at the crowd of therefore, attempt adultery even the signi er of mascu- withstanding, is a rewarding per cent in 2018. This is a rst in the history of women for the courtiers around her and scorn- in their thoughts.” linity is quite di erent. journey across the ruins of one of smartphones that the market has contract- fully declared that there was not Kalyana Malla, the author of the “The man whose lin- family that nds each of its cor- ed Year-over-Year. The smartphone market pleasure of men a man in the room. The King and Ananga-Ranga, is an obscure g- ga is very long, will ners stretched in the face of a has been experiencing negative growth since his company were sore abashed. ure, though the text describes him be wretchedly poor. personal revelation. With its the fourth quarter of 2017 and the negative But the sage joining his hands, ap- “as a great sage”. T The man whose lin- walls crumbling, will the con- trend is expected to continue in the September plied with due humility for royal he work itself, though, was writ- ga is very thick, will stitution stand? quarter and upcoming December quarter permission to tame the shrew.” ten for Lad Khan, the king’s son. ever be in distress. Mukherjee o ers a fairly fa- as well. “He then led her home and King Ahmad, the Ananga-Ranga The man whose lin- miliar premise: a dead moth- worked so persuasively that whole tells us, “was the ornament of the ga is thin and lean, er, Mala, leaves a letter that ex- night fainting from fatigue and Lodi House. He was a sea, having will be very lucky; poses her two surviving sons to MARKET BOOM from repeated orgasms she cried for waters the tears shed by the and the man whose a truth they can’t even decide ‘Average app usage for quarter. Thereupon the virile widows of his slaughtered foes, linga is short, will be if they wanted to know in the Pandit inserted gold pins into her and he rose to just renown and a Rajah”. rst place. time in India to grow arms and legs; and, leading her wide-spread fame. May his son Leaving aside minor Mala’s has two sons, Ronojoy by 90% in 2019’ before his Rajah, made her con- Lada Khan, versed in the Kama details like the penis-size and Sujoy, the polar opposite fess her defeat and solemnly veil Shastra or Scripture of Love, and which signi es power, of each other. The former qui- herself in the presence”. having his feet rubbed with the these tropes remain with eter, more restrained than the The Ananga Ranga —Stage of diadems of other kings, be ever us. It is not just pornogra- younger, more impulsive Sujoy.  SHATAKSHI Love in English — was written by victorious!” phy which limits the role of The older brother receives the Kalyana Malla sometimes in the Sex involves, among other women to facilitators and pro- letter that tosses the lives of the 1400s or 1500s. The poet wrote the things, performance: the Anan- viders of male pleasure. The re- two, via the elastic of history, work in honour of Lad Khan, the ga-Ranga, and other works in this cent controversy around a Bolly- into a bowl full of needling son of Ahmed Khan Lodi. Trans- genre, are manuals to demonstrate wood scene where actress Swara memories. Mobile applications in the category of shop- lated into English in 1885 by the masculine virility and feminine ob- Bhaskar is shown to be masturbat- Both confront their past, deli- Fancy a roach milk shake? ping, video and games are expected to see traveller and scholar Richard Fran- jecti cation. She has no right to ing is a case in point. There is no cately wrapped around the shat- 60 per cent more users by 2019, according cis Burton — and burned, it is be- either seek or express her pleas- similar outrage at expressly sexual tering memory of their father, NEXT SUPERFOOD? Cockroach milk could bring a nutritional revolution; it has about four times more protein than cow, bu alo or goat milk to a report published by Foxconn and Medi- lieved, by his wife Isabel Burton in ure; that would render her, like sequences or songs, as long as the Subir’s death. atek funded apps distribution rm Momag- the weeks after his death — is often women perform for the pleasure In the aftermath of the letter, ic. “Shopping, Video and Games Categories compared with the Kama Sutra. of men. both brothers must face up to could strengthen the ght againstnu- os. Also known as viviparity, this is occurring milk protein crystals from of Apps in India are going through an explo- Frank, guilt-free sex is one great The Anan- Thus, our mindsets have not dilemmas, and answer ques- tritional de ciencies and disorders. a highly evolved condition in cock- the gut of the developing cockroach sive growth as data prices have crashed and legacy of Indian tradition: sensual  moved on from the time of the tions that not only a ect them SANCHARI In additional to its high calori c val- roaches. embryos and analysed them. These data speeds have increased considerably in BANERJEE pleasure, addressed with poetry, ga-Ranga, Ananga-Ranga. We still are deeply but others as well. Though they ue, roach milk’s property to crystal- Only one species of cockroach, the microscopic crystals are studied by the last few quarters. We will continue to see wisdom and humour, is seen as an and works embedded in the medieval thought make choices, neither o ers lize on its own gives it alonger shelf Paci c beetle cockroach, is known mass spectrometry and X-ray crys- this growth in 2019 with a jump of 60 per ecstatic expression of life’s possi- of Ananga Ranga wherein it’s the closure. life. Athletes, for instance, will be to reproduce through viviparity, INSIGHT tallography. cent users in this segment according to our bilities. But this is also a tradition like it, are wife whose duty is to satisfy her That said, Dark Circles large- able to derive more ener¤y over a feature that increases the chanc- The unique physiological proper- study,” Momagic Technologies Founder and that imprisons. not simply husband sexually. ly soars is in its exploration of hink milk, and you could a longer period of time due to the es of survival of the o spring due ty of the milk proteins is their high CEO Arun Gupta told PTI. The Ananga-Ranga, and works sex manuals. Never ever is there a straight mental health and depression. soon be thinking of a crystalline nature of these proteins. to increased availability of nutrition RESEARCH calori c value. A single milk pro- like it, are not simply sex manuals. question asked or posed to fe- Both Ronojoy and Sujoy have a brand-new ‘superfood’ The protein can have equally useful and reduced chances of predation. HAS indicated tein crystal has an ener¤y value of They represent particular ideol- They repre- male sexual satisfaction and her history of brooding. – cockroach milk. bene ts as part of a forti ed food or The Paci c beetle cockroach is 3.7 x 10§5 Joules, which is three to STICKING TO NORMS Comment ogies about gender. The pursuit sent particu- pleasure. What is cockroach milk? even as food for astronauts. found in Fiji and Hawaii. Pregnant that cockroach four times that of cow, bu alo or Flipkart, Amazon not To post your comment, of pleasure, in the Ananga-Ran- AUTHOR: UDAYAN MUKHERJEE It is a highly nutritious protein with mothers provide nutrition to their goat milk. lar ideologies PUBLISHER: BLOOMSBURY PUBLISHING T milk, which misusing their domi- log on to fi rstpost.com/ ga, involves the subjugation of Syed Mubin Zehra is author of Sexual and PRICE: ` 244.30 non-lactose sugars and fats as its oth- THE EVOLUTION OF babies by feeding them with milk is obtained Due to this high-ener¤y food pro- interview women for the pleasure of men about genderr Gender Representations in Mughal India er components. This protein serves NUTRITION proteins. This milk serves as their vided by the mother, the babies take nant market position as complete food for little cockroach Cockroaches have survived—and complete food. from female about one-third of the time that oth- embryos growing inside their moth- evolved—for the past 320 million After fertilisation, embryos de- Pacifi c Beetle er cockroach species take to reach in India, says CCI er. A key feature of this milk protein years, making them one of the most pend on the egg yolk for their initial sexual maturity. is its ability to crystallize inside the successful stories in evolution. They nutrition. This enables them to form cockroaches, is Further, secretion of the milk embryos. present a very strong example of the muscles around their mouth,and benefi cial for protein during pregnancy results Live performance by the band he concept of AI, or arti cial intelligence, has so far been Ninety per cent of proteins in an inter-relationship of evolution, adap- allows them to swallow food. The in about nine times greater pro- Be the associated with science. In recent times, however, the con- organism exist in liquid state, which tive survival strategies and successful embryos then use these muscles to humans tein content in the viviparous spe- Change cept has also been linked to art, raising a basic question: helps in cell activity. Crystallization continuity of the species. drink the milk secreted by pregnant cies compared to the other spe- Black Slade can machines develop ample aesthetic sense to create a of proteins inside any organism is One of the methods by which cock- females into the birth sac. cies. These results indicate that Tpainting, which has traditionally been considered the last bastion usually associated with disease con- roaches achieve this is by adopting This process starts during preg- the quality and quantity of food Amazon and its rival in India, the Wal- DATE VENUE that sets apart humans from machines. ditions; evolution exerts negative di erent reproductive strategies. nancy and goes on until the birth greatly a ect the viability of the mart-owned Flipkart, did not break regula- NOV 11 2018 SAINTS N SINNERS, GURUGRAM AI has so far been successfully utilised to create pristine prose natural selection pressure on pro- Some cockroach species lay eggs of the young ones. As the amount embryos and the birth of the baby tions through their selection of merchants and and also original tunes. But when a painting generated by arti cial teins for crystallization. while pregnant females in other of milk increases inside the gut (or cockroaches. brands, the Competition Commission of India ome November and Goan band Black Slade is geared intelligence fetched a staggering A small group of proteins like the species carry the eggs for physical the gastrointestinal tract) of the K If cockroach milk can be made (CCI) has said in a ruling. The decision is a up to set the Capital on re with some heady retro $610,000 at a Christie’s auction cockroach milk protein are, howev- support until they hatch. In both embryos, the excess amount starts 1 into a next generation food, the defeat for a lobby group representing thou- COCKROACHES ri s. The band comprising ve members is now in New York recently, eyebrows er, favoured by evolution for crys- cases, the egg yolk is the sole form crystallizing naturally for storage as ARE REQUIRED TO future could see two-minute noo- sands of online sellers in India. A case brought based out of Delhi, and have over the years branched Money were raised. tallizing inside an organism. This of nourishment for the embryos. protein. As the milk is used up, the MAKE 100 GRAMS dles being replaced by two-minute by the All India Online Vendors Association Cout to musical genres beyond rock. Their repertoire now The hazy computer-generated occurs since the proteins carry out In a third type, the eggs are de- protein crystals slowly dissolve to OF MILK AND ener¤y-packed superfood. Think (AIOVA), which represents over 3,500 online includes pop and interesting fusion music, too. spinner painting of a man in a dark frock biological functions in an organism posited in birth sacs of pregnant be available as liquid for nutrition. OTHER VIABLE roachshakes! sellers, complained that Flipkart was using its Black Slade are among the few rst-generation bands that coat, titled Portrait of Edmond de only in their crystalline form. females, similar to the uterus in OPTIONS COULD dominant position to favour select sellers — Al art fetches BE ROACH MILK are still thriving. The band comes with a calling card that Belamy, generated a price that was This cockroach protein could humans. In this species, the cock- an argument the CCI rejected. AIOVA’s case Stand-up by Nitin Gupta $610,000 at a SUPERFOOD OF PILLS, ACCORDING Sanchari Banerjee is postdoctoral ¢ aunts over 2,000 live performances all over the world, 38 times of what the auction house well be the stu of nutritional rev- roach mother provides both physical THE FUTURE? TO A REPORT IN researcher with interest in protein alleged Flipkart was not adhering to a section over the past decade. The band is equally in form belting Christie’s auction was expecting. olution. Making it widely available support and nourishment to embry- Researchers have isolated naturally INVERSE crystallography. of India’s anti-trust laws. Rivaldo & Kishore Dayani out original numbers, as much as reliving the golden era. DATE VANUE NOV 9 2018 AKSHARA THEATRE, GURUGRAM “It’s hard DOCUMENT RIGHT RIGHT EDIT SHARE umour is all set to get a wonky twist when two very unlikely 1 DISCREETLY 2 ACCESSORIES 3 LIGHT 4 SNAPS 5 INSTANTLY stand-up comedians come together for a live performance work be- in the city. Nitin Gupta Rivaldo is a big draw among lovers ing alone. It’s tricky to blend into the There are a range of accesso- Light is the key to bringing Use Snapseed app (iOS and Share your images to reach of the comic genre and, come Diwali weekend, he will team background when you use a ries for your smartphones? If your image to life. Consider Android) for quick edits, and a large audience through Hup with the inimitable Kishore Dayani, who has been gaining some Paintings D-SLR. With your smart- you’re into macro photogra- its direction and strength, A nity Photo on the iPad photo sharing apps and popularity in the stand-up circuit lately. are an out- CELLPHONE phone you won’t look out of phy invest in a mobile macro and what it brings to the Pro for more detailed work. sites. Instagram is one of The duo comes together in a special edition of Laughter Nation’s place. If you’re into street or lens, or for landscape lovers story. Glow of golden light, a Both have a facility to devel- the biggest and the most show, The Humor Showcase. They are scheduled to perform a 90-min- let.” PHOTOGRAPHY documentary photography look for a wide angle lens. cold blue morning, or harsh op raw fi les, where you can popular platform. Also check ute gig at Akshara Theatre. TIPS you can capture great shots LED light panels can come midday shadows, each af- adjust exposure and white out Flickr, DeviantArt, and Gupta, a Tedx speaker with over 500 shows under his belt, believes CHRISSIE HYNDE by using your phone in handy for portrait shoots. fects the mood of the story. balance among other things. 500px to get started. if “science is mad about reason”, then “humour is reason gone mad”. American rock musician FIRSTPOST. SAT/NOVEMBER 17/2018 SAT/NOVEMBER 17/2018 FIRSTPOST. 18 19 Dirty race Sports POWERED BY BEN JOHNSON ON FIXED SEOUL OLYMPICS OPINION 100M RACE India’s Subhankar Dey shocks Lin Dan “Whatever Vedam PRESS TRUST OF INDIA GERMANY World No 64 Subhankar took 45 min- of his career but was awarded top bill- happened in Seoul utes to upstage the current world No ing at the event. Barely two weeks ago, Jaishankar was premeditated. Unheralded Indian Subhankar Dey 12, who has ve World Championship it was Kidambi Srikanth, who beat Lin SPORTS JOURNALIST shocked multiple time World and Olym- titles and two Olympic gold medals in Dan at the Denmark Open. It was a set-up, I pic champion Lin Dan 22¤20, 21¤19 to his kitty. The other notable performance on Sports know that...” enter the quarter- nals of the SaarLor- The Indian won crucial points in Thursday came from CWG gold medal- AND FITNESS Lux Open Badminton Championship both games which were closely fought. list Parupalli Kashyap, who beat local in Saarbrucken on Thursday. Lin Dan, at 35, is at the business end player Alexander Roovers 21¤14 21¤12.

WHAT ARE CRICKET BALLS MADE OF KOOKABURRA TEST BALL DUKES TEST BALL SG TEST BALL action pack OUTER LEATHER OUTER LEATHER OUTER LEATHER COATING COATING COATING PARIS MASTERS FEDERER BEATS FOGNINI PLASTIC INNER CAP PLASTIC INNER CAP PLASTIC INNER CAP Batting For 5LAYER CORK WITH 5LAYER CORK WITH 5LAYER CORK WITH Cherry picking: IN PREQUARTERS STRING AROUND STRING AROUND STRING AROUND PARIS: Roger Federer defeated Italy’s EACH EACH EACH Fabio Fognini 6¤4, 6¤3 to reach the Par- What lies beneath is Masters quarter- nals on Thursday CORK/RUBBER CORK/RUBBER CORK/RUBBER as the Swiss great moved three wins NUCLEAS NUCLEAS NUCLEAS away from his 100th career title. he red cherry is kicking up quite a storm in India. Federer, 37, who captured his 99th Some cricketers have argued that deterioration of trophy on home ground in Basel last the SG ball, used exclusively in India since 1991, bounce week, will face Japan’s Kei Nishikori the Right Ball from new to old is too rapid for comfort. on Friday for a place in the semi- nals T“The SG ball (manufactured by Sanspareils Greenlands) in the French capital. spin axis used to be top notch when I started playing. The seam would Third seed Federer is playing the Paris Masters for the rst side be prominent even after 70 overs. It’s not the same any time since 2015 and is bidding to clinch the tournament for just force more,” said India’s ace o - spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, the second time after winning it in 2011. “I didn’t come here to the rst to criticise the brand as early as last year. win Paris, actually. My objective is London,” said Federer as spin Indian captain Virat Kohli earlier this month echoed the he looked beyond the French capital to the season-ending ATP view. “I totally agree with Ashwin. To have a ball scu ed up World Tour Finals which start on 11 November. in ve overs is something that we haven’t seen before. The quality of the ball used to be quite high and I don’t understand why it’s gone down,” he said. Kohli also called for a WORLD GYMNASTICS CHAMPIONSHIPS worldwide switch to the England-made Dukes ball. spin Umesh Yadav was the third player to complain, which SIMONE BILES WINS 4TH came as a surprise. On course to being only the third Indi- decoded an paceman to grab 10 wickets in a Test (with the SG ball, ALLAROUND TITLE DESPITE of course), Yadav ran it down, saying it o ered no pace or KIDNEY STONE PROBLEM SPIN bounce on at Indian pitches. BOWLERS USE It must be pointed out that England and West In- DOHA: Simone Biles attempted to dies are the only countries to deploy Dukes. All smile but her eyes betrayed her. She THE MAGNUS others use Kookaburra while India opt for the was angry, paying little attention to EFFECT TO Meerut-made SG. the gold medal around her neck, the 6 All three manufacturers have been around one that made history. MAKE THE rows of hand stitch- for a while. The producers of the Kookaburra bounce Biles didn’t exactly sound like BALL DRIFT es hold the SG and were harness and saddle makers since 1890 till someone who had just become the Duke balls together the arrival of motor cars made that line of work rst woman to win four world all- spin axis redundant. around championships. She pulled side Dukes go back a while longer -- all the way to 1761. o the feat despite a handful of uncharacteristic errors to beat force The present owner, Dilip Jijodia, took over only in 1987. Japan’s Mai Murakami and American teammate Morgan Hurd Sanpareils was established in Sialkot (present day Pa- by more than 1.6 points. spin kistan) in 1931 by brothers Kedarnath and Dwarakanath Anand. After the Partition they settled down in Meerut. While Kookaburra has a worldwide monopoly on white LEAGUE CUP ball, it is the red ball that has become contentious of late. are handmade and stitched in England and Of course, balls of both colours are supposedly swinging a BRUYNE SUFFERS INJURY India and have pronounced seams, which lot less the past three years, if experts are to be believed. SEAM, SWING, the machine made Kookaburra balls lack. But, it is in the manufacturing of the red cherry that three SCARE IN MAN CITY’S OR SPIN To make this technical jargon simpler, the giants di er. SG uses bu alo hide while the others go for hand-made and stitched red balls, espe- steerhide, with Dukes sourcing its leather from Scotland. LAST16 WIN OVER FULHAM The leather cricket ball has a core of cork cially Dukes, swing more, last longer and Dukes uses plenty of grease from the tanning stage to make MANCHESTER: Kevin De Bruyne that is tightly wound up with layers and 1 2 3 even the spinners relish bowling with them. it waterproof for damp English conditions. Neither Austral- su ered an injury scare as League layers of string. Four pieces of leather The Kookaburra balls do not have a very SCHEMATIC FOR ia nor India has this issue and hence use a lot less grease. Cup holders Manchester City moved strips cover the strung up core. The cork Kookaburra Dukes SG pronounced seam and hence after the rst SPININDUCED Indian grounds, however, are hard and are rough on soft into the quarter- nals with a 2¤0 win core is what gives the ball its sprightly ten- fteen overs they a ord little purchase leather -- thus the dependence on tougher bu alo leather. against Fulham on Thursday. bounce. Weighing about 160 gm, usually White Kookaburra balls are used in one-day and Originating in England’s Tonbridge The SG ball made its o cial debut in India to the bowlers. ‘MALINGA’ SWING. For Dukes, all material is sourced from England but the There was concern for De Bruyne the seam of the ball comprises about six T20 international matches, while red Kookaburra and about 258 years old, the Dukes in 1991. Handmade with a prominent seam, VIEWED FROM BEHIND hand-stitching is done in Sialko, where there is expertise and after he limped o with what appeared parallel stitches.Usually three di erent balls are used in test matches. Kookaburra balls is completely handmade. More these balls are more durable and provide MADE IN INDIA? THE BOWLER’S ARM labour is cheap. Dukes, like SG, hand stitches all six rows of to be a knee injury in the closing min- kinds of balls are used—Dukes, Kook- are machine made and have low seam which durable than the Kookaburra, the much help to the spinners because of a wider It is very possible that the Indians had a very the seam to hold the two hemispheres together (all quality utes. De Bruyne, 27, only recently re- aburra, and SG—made respectively in o ers swing for 20-25 overs after that batting Dukes seam a lot and more so in seam and better grip. And after some use, di erent experience with the Dukes balls in Force due Ball is released with balls have four quarters of leather ). The threading of the turned from another knee problem that forced him to miss two England, Australia and India. become easy and there is no help for spinners. English conditions. the SG balls aids in reverse swing. England, where the bowlers performed ex- to spin backspin about a near two is also di erent – the stiches run underneath the seam months this season, limiting him to ve appearances to date. ceptionally well and feel that if they play with horizontal axis so that and bind the hemispheres a lot tighter. Kookaburra’s outer City manager Pep Guardiola will hope his in uential Belgian the same ball at home as well, they would there is an upward seams are machine-stitched and supposedly ornamental. star is able to make a quick recovery. be better prepared, especially the batsmen, Magnus force The quality of cork and the tight threading that makes the to play well in England. There is, no doubt, core of the ball are as important as the leather and seam a need for uniformity, but it is easier said themselves. The seam WHITEWASH PRADEEP MAGAZINE DELHI is not borne out by results and the success ing incident that led to the Australian Board The latest is which manufacturer’s ball than done in a game so dependent on ex- for both Dukes and SG of the spinners. banning its skipper Steve Smith and David should be used in international cricket to ternal conditions like cricket is. The Dukes  Complaints is prouder and more MAN UNITED REVIEW hat makes Indian skipper Virat No other sport, perhaps, is so suscepti- Warner for a year from playing international help improve the quality of the contest. At balls may perform very di erently in Indi- Backspin about against the prominent than that Kohli publicly bat for the Eng- ble to manipulations from outside elements cricket while Cameron Bancroft was handed present, three types of cricket balls are used an conditions, where the wickets are more horizontal axis of a Kookaburra. SECURITY AFTER TOY GUNS land-made Dukes ball thumb- than cricket. This is a statement of fact and a nine-month long suspension. in international and domestic contests. In- abrasive and alter the condition of the ball SG ball are The excessive grease INSIGHT FOUND IN BACKPACK ing down the ‘Made in India’ not to be misread as a qualitative attribute dia plays with home-made SG balls in longer quicker than in England. And also how the recent and and proud seam make WSG ball? Or even the legendary Aussie spin- or to be seen in negative terms. BALL TAMPERING formats and Australian-made white coloured humid weather a ects the ball is unknown. Dukes a lot more con- Force due MANCHESTER: Manchester United AMONG THE ner Shane Warne pitching for Dukes and In most other sports, the weather, atmos- Since the amount of swing and turn a bowl- Kookaburra balls in limited overs cricket. Another query is whether a foreign-made the manu- ducive to swing bowl- to spin will review security measures at Old game’s many rejecting the Australia-made Kookaburra. pheric conditions, the surface you play on er can extract from the ball depends on the Most other countries play with Kookaburra ball be preferred over an Indian company facturers ing. The SG ball, thanks Tra ord after a pitch invader during The answer may well lie in the lack of and the equipment you play with do play quality, shape and condition of the ball, crick- balls, barring England and the West Indies, with decades of manufacturing experience? to the rough out elds last month’s Champions League match accessories that standardization of the balls globally and a role but not as signi cant and a decisive eters have from time immemorial discov- who play with Dukes balls manufactured Also to be taken into account is the price, should be in India, gets scu ed with Juventus was found to have car- together produce di© culty in adjusting to them in di erent one as in cricket. ered ways and means to tamper with it in in England. as the SG ball costs almost one fourth of Magnus force given a quicker but supports ried two toy guns into the stadium in conditions. The Indian experience with the It is this object, the ball, which is central order to gain maximum advantage. From The advent of one-day cricket deepened what a Dukes ball costs. The shift will a ect vector is now tilted chance to reverse swing. his backpack. a rich tapestry of SG balls at the international level is not bad to its activity along with the wooden bat. ball tampering—once being very common this complexity as a white coloured ball had India’s domestic cricket as not all cricket and there is a lateral A couple of years “Carrying a children’s miniature skillful encounters is if one goes by the results at home. Howev- The bowler tries to use the ball to get a bats- and almost non-punishable to its present to be used in day-night cricket to make it played in India is sponsored by the cash- component that will work out ago the Karnataka plastic toy gun into a stadium is clear- its main component, er, there are complaints that its seam dies man out, whereas the batsman attempts to draconian laws to prevent this practice—the more visible to players as well as television rich Indian Board. make the ball swing the prob- State Cricket Associa- ly an irresponsible act. Fortunately, the actions of the pitch down after the initial few overs, the shine score runs o it. Of late, the cricket ball has game has come a long way. Yet the contro- audiences. These white balls, unlike the SG These are questions to ponder in crick- tion tried Dukes’s pink intruder at the Juventus game did not harm anyone,” the BBC the round leather ball vanishes and the ball becomes soft, leav- been at the centre of many controversies, versies surrounded it never die and the ball and Dukes, are machine-made. That is not et’s near-impossible search for uniformity Backspin about lems for Karnataka Premier quoted a United spokesperson as saying. ing the bowlers frustrated, though again it none more impactful than the ball tamper- remains at the centre of any discussion. the only di erence. The red leather balls in as diverse and complex a sport as cricket. inclined axis League T20. The ball swung prodigiously and made batting hard. Soon enough, the batsman-friendly white Kookaburra was back. Earlier, the National Cricket Academy had tried various Indian red balls but only SG stayed the course. While it is true that Dukes has played remarkably well in England, in ‘Matured’ Shaw ready for Australian challenge, says Sachin Bolt’s football dream hits roadblock English conditions, it has not been put to sustained test in India, especially on non-Test and non-international grounds. JIGAR MEHTA MUMBAI Fast-forward to 2018, another o© ng. Australia is a tough place rapid progress. awareness to adapt to situations. AGENCE FRANCEPRESSE inde nite period since arriv- million (US$2.1 million) his “Despite several promising Norway, thanked the Mariners The complaints against the SG ball are recent and by a 18-year-old prodi¨y, in the Ten- to visit. There will be hostility, “Whatever I have known of Because every day he is going ing in August, hoping to ful ll management were said to be potential partners, both Bolt for the opportunity. handful of cricketers. SG must be given the opportunity to Twenty seven years ago, an dulkar mould, is set to step onto aggression, constant in-your-ear Prithvi, I think he is ready for to meet with di erent challeng- Sprint king Usain Bolt’s at- a childhood dream to become seeking, with outside spon- and the Central Coast Mariners “I would like to thank the work on the feedback and tweak its manufacturing process 18-year-old wonderkid stepped the Australian shores. Prithvi chatter. And for a teenager, on all that (hostility and sledging),” es and he has to answer those tempt to become a profession- a football player. sors needed to make the deal have amicably concluded that Central Coast Mariners own- to iron out the aws. The last thing cricket needs is stand- on the Australian soil and con- Shaw, touted as the next best his rst full overseas tour, it can Tendulkar told Firstpost. questions asked by the bowlers. al footballer with Australia’s The 32-year-old superstar’s viable. they will not be able to settle ers, management, sta , play- ardisation of pitch and ball. It needs to remain interesting. jured magic. Sachin Tendulkar thing in Indian cricket, has get intimidating. “Sometimes it’s not the age, And he is ready for that I feel.” Central Coast Mariners col- quest garnered worldwide “As previously stated, the on a suitable deal in a timely ers and fans for making me feel Di erent challenges in di erent conditions would ensure was a child prodi¨y destined for announced himself on the big However, Tendulkar is con - it’s what you do there that mat- “The key to success over there lapsed on Friday as his trial attention, which intensi ed club and (Bolt’s representative) manner.” so welcome during my time that other things are not equal! greatness and it was the 1991- stage in style. The West Indies dent that the hostility and intim- ters. So I would say that he is (Australia) will also depend a lot period was terminated after when he scored two goals in Ricky Simms have been in con- The 100m world record there,” said the Jamaican, who 92 Australia tour that quashed Test series displayed glimpses of idation won’t a ect Shaw. The ready. He is matured, fast learn- on how we play the rst 25 overs contract talks failed. a pre-season friendly. But his versations with external part- holder, who retired from ath- is reportedly in Melbourne and Vedam Jaishankar is an experienced journalist who has covered cricket any lingering doubts about that his ample talent. However, now Master is of the opinion that the er, he understands how things or so. But it also depends on the The eight-time Olympic abilities were questioned and ners to nd a commercial solu- letics last year and has previ- will head to Europe soon for a in all the continents. He has served in various senior positions in India’s top national and regional newspapers. His books include Rahul Dravid - A prophecy and preternatural as he gears up of the Australia teenager is ready for the Aus- PRITHVI SHAW is touted take place out there in the mid- kind of surfaces they will provide champion had been trying out the club reportedly o ered him tion that suits all parties,” the ously tried out with clubs in previously agreed commercial Biography, which went into many reprints and translations, and Casting A abilities. tour, bigger challenges are in the tralia series given his talent and as the next big star dle and he’s got the peripheral us,” Tendulkar explains. with the A¤League side for an only a fraction of the Aus$3 Mariners said in a statement. Germany, South Africa and engagement. Spell- The Story of Karnataka Cricket. FIRSTPOST. SAT/NOVEMBER 17/2018 SAT/NOVEMBER 17/2018 FIRSTPOST. 18 19 Dirty race Sports POWERED BY BEN JOHNSON ON FIXED SEOUL OLYMPICS OPINION 100M RACE India’s Subhankar Dey shocks Lin Dan “Whatever Vedam PRESS TRUST OF INDIA GERMANY World No 64 Subhankar took 45 min- of his career but was awarded top bill- happened in Seoul utes to upstage the current world No ing at the event. Barely two weeks ago, Jaishankar was premeditated. Unheralded Indian Subhankar Dey 12, who has ve World Championship it was Kidambi Srikanth, who beat Lin SPORTS JOURNALIST shocked multiple time World and Olym- titles and two Olympic gold medals in Dan at the Denmark Open. It was a set-up, I pic champion Lin Dan 22¤20, 21¤19 to his kitty. The other notable performance on Sports know that...” enter the quarter- nals of the SaarLor- The Indian won crucial points in Thursday came from CWG gold medal- AND FITNESS Lux Open Badminton Championship both games which were closely fought. list Parupalli Kashyap, who beat local in Saarbrucken on Thursday. Lin Dan, at 35, is at the business end player Alexander Roovers 21¤14 21¤12.

20 KASHMIR VILLAGE THAT KEEPS ITS PEACE 5 LastwordSIGNING OFF FOR THE WEEK

JUST MARRIED GOODBYE, LEGEND #DeepVeer get married Marvel godfather Stan in Italy The name is Lee dead at 95 Bollywood’s most-loved With the sudden depar- couple is now o cially ‘Ayodhya’ ture of Stan Lee on No- married. Superstars THE CITY OF FAIZABAD WILL vember 12, earth lost its Ranveer Singh and NOW COME TO BE KNOWN AS mightiest superhero. The Deepika Padukone tied creator and co-creator the knot in a traditional AYODHYA. THE DECISION WAS of several Marvel comics Konkani ceremony TAKEN AT A CABINET MEETING, has left behind an unpar- which reportedly took IN THE PRESENCE OF CHIEF alleled legacy. He will be place in Italy’s Lake MINISTER YOGI ADITYANATH remembered for bringing Como on November 14. to life the character of ON NOVEMBER 13. Spider Man. Forecast

HEALTHY OPTION even grow food, let alone keep The UN’s Food and Agriculture animals,” Owuor said. Organisation estimates at least Backed by Rafode, a micro-fi - two billion people worldwide eat nance institution, the project has Crickets: The more than 1,900 species of in- provided 100 farmers around Ki- sects. Beetles, caterpillars, bees, sumu with an $800 loan each to ants, grasshoppers, locusts and cover equipment, a starter stock crickets are the most popular. of parent crickets and training Many insects are nutritious and a over the fi rst year. New Superfood good source of protein, vitamins, The Flying Food project also and healthy fats, the FAO notes. works to build supply and de- A SOURCE OF NUTRITION Around the world, The increased interest in in- mand from local markets, said sect-farming comes as global project manager Erwin Beckers. people have started believing that insects are a population growth and an ex- Andrew Magunga farmed ready source of protein, vitamin and minerals. This panding middle class have raised crickets in buckets for years be- per capita meat consumption by fore he joined the project and could be the next big thing 50% over four decades, fuelling began to rear in crates what he fears of a protein pinch. believes is the food of the future. Over the past fi ve years, a “I studied the food chain and re- joint Dutch-Kenyan-Ugandan alised that soon our lake will be HANNAH MCNEISH is more interest in alternative, inedible, and believed eating initiative called the Flying Food depleted – (and) fi sh is the main sustainable sources of protein them was a tradition that had project has worked to get more ingredient for our food and ani- t used to be that two sorts as climate change, population Kisu- died out with his grandparents. than 1,000 people living around mal feeds,” he said. of people in this part of growth, and intensive farming mu, the re- 19K After two weeks on the job, he Lake Victoria in Kenya and Ugan- Crickets require very little western Kenya ate crick- and grazing increase pressure on gion’s main city. THE NUMBER OF sampled the crickets – which are da to become cricket farmers space, water and feed, placing ets: the hungry, and sing- land and water, according to ex- “These are the pinheads,” he INSECTS SPECIES; sold dried and whole in bags, or or consumers. The aim is to a much smaller burden on the ers who believed the in- perts at the International Centre said, lifting the lid on a plastic AT LEAST TWO ground up and used in breads improve wealth and health in environment than livestock, Isect would improve their voice. of Insect Physiology and Ecology, box of crickets to show hundreds BILLION PEOPLE and sweets at the farm shop – places where farming is already Beckers said. “People will But in recent years, the busi- a Kenyan-based research body. of black dots bouncing around WORLDWIDE EAT and was converted. suff ering due to land degrada- keep their crickets alive during ness of rearing insects for human Ex-motorbike-taxi-driver Rog- on green leaves. “We give them ACCORDING TO “They taste sweet to me, and tion from climate change and a much longer period of time THE ESTIMATES OF consumption – known as ento- ers Oduli is a former six-legged kale, for vitamins.” UN’S FOOD AND they’re nice because they’re overuse, said Kenya coordina- during drought, and so what mophagy – has begun to take off food sceptic. Now he works at Like many his age, 26-year-old AGRICULTURE high in protein and make me tor Phoebe Owuor. “We soon we’ve done is set up a new form in Kenya. That’s because there one of the largest bug farms in Oduli once regarded insects as ORGANISATION feel good,” he said. might not have enough soil to of livestock.”

RNI registration no. MPBIL/2010/35704. Printed by Nitesh Shrivastava and published by Nitesh Shrivastava on behalf of Network18 Media & Investments Limited and printed at Prakash printers, Shed no. 05, Zone – 01, M.P Nagar, District-Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh and published at MB-4, Mezzanine Mansarover Complex, opposite BJP o ce Bhopal, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. Editor Nitesh Shrivastava.