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THE LARGEST CIRCULATED ENGLISH DAILY IN SOUTH INDIA CHENNAI I SATURDAY 20 I FEBRUARY 2021 WEATHER Max: 26OC STATE | 3 WORLD | 5 SPORT | 8 Min: 22OC FM interacts with top Biden admin introduces Medvedev mauls Rainfall: 3 mm industry captains of TN Citizenship Act Tsitsipas, in final ASTROGUIDE Sarvari: Maasi 8 deccanchronicle.com, facebook.com/deccannews, twitter.com/deccanchronicle, google.com/+deccanchronicle Vol. 16 No. 326 Established 1938 | 8 PAGES| `3.00 Tithi: Ashtami/ Navami Star: Rohini IAnti-CAA protests, lockdown violations Rahukalam: 9 am to 10.30 am India, China complete pulling troops back Yamagandam: 1.30 pm to 3 pm I No action against PRAYERS Corps commanders of two countries will meet in Moldo today Fajar: 5.20 am PAWAN BALI | DC CHINA ADMITS DEATH OF 4 SOLDIERS prise as it looked that they Zohar: 12.28 pm NEW DELHI, FEB. 19 had come in for the long protesters: CM Asar: 3.44 pm ◗ China has vacated the area between Finger 4 haul. China had built a Maghrib: 6.15 pm Indian and Chinese sol- and Finger 8 on the north bank of Pangong Tso large number of structures ARULOLI M | DC Isha: 7.27 pm diers have completed their ◗ China dismantled military infrastructure at in the Finger area on the TENKASI, FEB. 19 disengagement from the Finger 5, including a jetty and a helipad. north bank of Pangong Tso SUNSET TODAY 6.16 PM most contentious friction and had deployed a signifi- Chief Minister Edappadi K. SUNRISE TOMORROW 6.30 AM point of Pangong Tso in ◗ Indian and Chinese soldiers have vacated the cant number of its troops. Palaniswami on Friday eastern Ladakh after nine Kailash range on the southern bank of Pangong China has now vacated announced the withdrawal MOONRISE TODAY 12.10 PM Tso. MOONSET TOMORROW 1.16 AM months of their eyeball-to- the area between Finger 4 of about 10 lakh cases regis- eyeball military standoff. ◗ India and China have withdrawn around 200 and Finger 8 on the north tered against anti-CAA pro- tion of the crowd. Now the Indian and tanks and armoured vehicles. bank of Pangong Tso, testors and those who vio- Extending a similar ges- Chinese corps comman- which its troops had occu- lated Covid-19 lockdown ture to thousands of others In this image taken from video footage run ◗ India claims that its territory is up to Finger 8. CORONA ders will meet in Moldo on Feb. 19, 2021 by China’s CCTV via AP Video, pied in May 2020. India norms across the state. against whom cases were Saturday morning for the soldiers bandage the head of China’s ◗ Corps commanders to meet today in Moldo. claims that its territory is Addressing a mammoth registered under the Tamil 10th round of talks to dis- People’s Liberation Army (PLA) regimental up to Finger 8. The Chinese election gathering at Nadu Public Health Act and C UNT ◗ China, for the first time, admits death of four soldiers have dismantled cuss disengagement in commander Qi Fabao as Indian and Chinese Kadayanallur in Tenkasi Epidemic Diseases Act for other friction points in soldiers the military infrastructure district, the Chief Minister violation of lockdown CASES DEATHS troops face off in the Galwan Valley on the Ladakh -- the Depsang Under the India-China agreement, the Chinese they had set up at Finger 5, recalled the public protests norms, the Chief Minister Plains and Gogra-Hot disputed border between China and India, troops will move east of Finger 8 on the north which includes a jetty and that broke out across the announced, “Further inves- (+13,480) (+89) Springs. June 15, 2020. China's military said Friday, bank of Pangong Tso while the Indian troops a helipad. Both Indian and state against the Cit- tigation in cases connected China on Friday for the Feb. 19, 2021 that four of its soldiers were will move to their permanent base at Dhan Chinese soldiers have also izenship (Amendment) Act, to Corona norms violation 1,09,76,739 1,56,239 first time officially killed in a high-mountain border clash with Singh Thapa Post near Finger 3. There will be a vacated the Kailash range 2019. The protesters had will be dropped at the larger acknowledged that four of Indian forces last year, the first time Beijing ‘temporary’ freeze in the patrolling by both on the southern bank of then taken out rallies, burnt interest of the public.” has publicly conceded its side suffered sides in the area between Finger 4 and Finger 8 covid19india.org its People’s Liberation Pangong Tso. effigies and also copies of About 10 lakh such cases Army soldiers were killed casualties in the deadliest incident between on the north bank of Pangong Tso till both sides The Indian Army had on the Act, resulting in the were registered for viola- and one officer seriously the Asian giants in nearly 45 years. reach an agreement in the diplomatic and mili- Tuesday released videos state police registering as tion of the pandemic health STATE GOVERNMENT BULLETINS tary talks. injured in the clashes with which showed Chinese many as 1,500 cases against norms. Mr Palaniswami Indian troops in June last Gen. Y.K. Joshi, had said recently, the troops dismantling san- the protesters. announced that his govern- (+ 448 ) year in the Galwan Valley. that Indian observers had Russian (news) agency vehicles and troops from gars, temporary struc- “Barring cases registered ment would positively con- 12,451 The Indian Army had lost counted more than 60 Tass had put out a figure of the north and south bank of tures, and loading supplies for specific offences involv- sider withdrawal of cases TN: 8,47,385 20 soldiers, including Col. Chinese casualties being 45 (Chinese soldiers killed Pangong Tso. and provisions onto trucks. ing violence and cases regis- against those who partici- B. Santosh Babu, com- picked up on stretchers in the clash) and I think The speed with which the The Chinese soldiers were tered for preventing the pated in the protests against WORLD CONFIRMED CASES manding officer of 16 and taken back after the that could be the figure we disengagement, which also seen using earth- police from discharging the Kudankulam Nuclear Bihar, during that clash. clash. “But whether they can look at,” he had said. started on January 10, has movers to dismantle shel- their duties, all the other Power Project (KKNPP) in 11.10,40,682 Earlier this week, the head were fatal or non-fatal, we Both India and China been completed by the ters and restoring the land- cases against CAA protes- Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi of the Indian Army’s can’t say with authority so have withdrawn around Chinese PLA has taken forms as per the agree- tors are withdrawn,” he and Kanyakumari districts. I DEATHS Northern Command, Lt. I will not give a figure. But 200 tanks and armoured many observers by sur- ment. declared, to the great jubila- P3

24,57,011 TOOLKIT CASE COUNTRIES, AREAS WITH Doc stabs wife, crushes her under car wheels CASES 219 SINDHIYA SAMUEL & on her neck with a kitchen allegedly pulled his wife worldometers.info Delhi court sends Disha Ravi P.A. JEBARAJ | DC knife following an alterca- out to the road, and let her CHENNAI, FEB. 19 tion at round 4.30 pm. She bleed. He drove his car India crosses 1 crore collapsed and fell on the from the parking space A 35-year-old doctor floor. Murahari and and crushed her to death vaccination milestone stabbed his wife and Kumari, Keerthana’s par- under the wheels of his car to three-day judicial custody crushed her to death under ents who stay with the cou- before fleeing the scene. New Delhi: Over one crore Covid- the wheels of his car in ple, tried to stop Dr Gokul Madurantakam police 19 vaccine doses have been New Delhi, Feb. 19: A broad daylight in full pub- Kumar but he stabbed reached the spot after being administered in the country till Delhi court Friday sent Shah justifies arrest, lic view on the outskirts of them, too, repeatedly. Mr alerted by the neigbours a now with the highest single-day climate activist Disha the state capital on Friday, Murahari suffered serious few minutes after the inci- vaccinations of more than 6 lakh Ravi, arrested for alleged- says age no matter police said. Gokul Kumar and Keerthana injuries on his abdomen, dent rushed the severely jabs given on Thursday, the Union ly being involved in shar- Originally from while Ms Kumari sus- injured Mr Murahari to health ministry said on Friday. ing a ‘toolkit’ on social New Delhi, Feb.19: Tindivanam, Dr Gokul ago. They had filed for a tained minor cuts on her Madurantakam Of the 1,04,49,942 doses adminis- media related to the farm- Justifying Delhi Police’s Kumar (35), who used to divorce as disagreement hands. Government hospital. The tered, joint secretary in the Union ers'' protest, to three-day arrest of 22-year-old cli- work at a private hospital cropped up one year after Eyewitnesses told police police later shifted the body health ministry, Mandeep judicial custody. mate justice activist Disha in Potheri, married their marriage. that after stabbing of Keerthana to Chengalpet Bhandari, said 70,52,845 vaccine Additional chief metropol- Ravi in the ‘toolkit’ case, Keerthana (28), a native of Reports said Dr Gokul Keerthana and her par- government hospital for doses were administered to itan magistrate Akash Union home minister Coimbatore, three years Kumar stabbed Keerthana ents, Dr Gokul Kumar post-mortem. I P4 healthcare workers and 33,97,097 Jain sent Ravi, 21, to jail Disha Ravi Amit Shah said that age, to frontline workers whose vacci- after Delhi Police pro- gender and profession are nation started on February 2. duced her before the court the agency told the court. not relevant in assessing Of the 70,52,845 vaccination on expiry of her five-day The defence lawyer the culpability of the doses, 62,95,903 healthcare work- custodial interrogation. opposed the police plea crime. — PTI ers were administered the first Police said that her custo- and urged the court to dose, while 7,56,942 healthcare dial interrogation was not release Ms Ravi. workers were given the second required for the time He further said that there Shah summoned by special dose. being and the agency may was an apprehension of “A total of 6,58,674 vaccinations seek her further interroga- tampering of the evidence court in defamation case were done on February 18, which tion once her co-accused -- by police as the “case is the highest single-day vaccina- Shantanu Mukul and diary is not properly Kolkata, Feb 19: A desig- tions during the ongoing Covid-19 Nikita Jacob -- join the made...and in volume nated MP/MLA court in vaccination drive,” Bhandari said. interrogation. form. There’s no ground to West Bengal issued sum- While till 6 pm on Friday, 2,61,935 Police said Ms Ravi was keep her in any custody, mons to Union Home vaccinations were carried out. evasive during her previ- police custody or judicial Minister Amit Shah on He said 41 hospitalisations have ous interrogation and custody. I (Ravi) ought to Friday to appear either per- been reported till now out of tried to shift blame on the be released right now”. sonally or through a lawyer which 25 have been discharged co-accused. The court was also infor- before it on February 22 in after Mr Mukul and Ms Jacob med that the accused has connection with a defama- treatment. have been asked to appear moved a bail application tion case lodged against him before the investigating which will come up for by Trinamool Congr-ss MP COUNTER POINT agency on February 22, hearing Saturday. — PTI Abhishek Banerjee. — PTI My aim is to help BJP come Terrorist guns down two policemen to power: Sreedharan in upmarket Srinagar area New Delhi, Feb. 19: Set to YUSUF JAMEEL | DC assailant running away enter the political fray by SRINAGAR, FEB. 19 amid commotion caused by joining the BJP next week, the terror act. technocrat E. Sreedharan In a sensational act, a lone The injured policemen on Friday said his main militant on Friday after- were rushed to hospital but aim is to help the party noon appeared in a busy both of them succumbed to come to power in Kerala marketplace in Srinagar, their injuries soon, the and that he will be open to walked a few steps, took out police and hospital sources chief ministership. He also an AK assault rifle con- said. Inspector general of said that the focus will be cealed under his pheran police (Kashmir range), on developing infrastruc- (the traditional outfit) and Vijay Kumar, said, “The ture in a big way and bring fired at two policemen terrorist fired indiscrimi- the state out of the debt standing by the roadside. nately upon the police per- trap if the BJP wins the CCTV footage of the shoot- sonnel who were unarmed assembly polls that are ing, which went viral soon, with the automatic weapon likely to be held in April- shows the cops falling on concealed under his pher- May this year. I P4 the ground and the an.” I P4 Nasa’s rover makes historic Mars landing Cape Canaveral, Feb. 19: A G Ground controllers at the space agency’s starts,” a jubilant Thomas Nasa rover streaked through Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Zurbuchen, NASA’s science the orange Martian sky and California, leaped to their feet, thrust their mission chief, said at a news landed on the planet conference, where he the- Thursday, accomplishing the arms in the air and cheered in both triumph atrically ripped up the con- riskiest step yet in an epic and relief on receiving confirmation that the tingency plan in the event of quest to bring back rocks that six-wheeled Perseverance had touched down a failure and threw the doc- could answer whether life on the red planet, long a deathtrap for ument over his shoulders. ever existed on Mars. The landing marks the third Ground controllers at the incoming spacecraft visit to Mars in just over a space agency’s Jet week. Two spacecraft from Propulsion Laboratory in cheered in both triumph touched down on the red the United Arab Emirates Pasadena, California, and relief on receiving con- planet, long a deathtrap for and China swung into orbit leaped to their feet, thrust firmation that the six- incoming spacecraft. around Mars on successive their arms in the air and wheeled Perseverance had “Now the amazing science days last week. — AP I P5 CITY pg DECCAN CHRONICLE | SATURDAY | 20 FEBRUARY 2021 | CHENNAI 2 OTHER STORIES Chennai reservoirs Scrap to sculpture brim ahead of summer T. SUDHEESH I DC The city reservoirs have This is a dip from 3,135 3,300 mcft. The water level CHENNAI, FEB. 19 received at least 26 mcft mcft on January 5. here on December 4 was additional water since However, it was an 2,878 (87 percent) while Though Chennai is experi- increase from 2867 mcft storage was 2,715 in the encing sunny weather for January 5. Now the total (88 percent) on December same period last year. over a month now, the city water storage level in the 4 against the full capacity However, the outflow is reservoirs continue to top five reservoirs stands of 3,231. The water level 146 cusecs and inflow 140. receive a steady inflow of at 11,012 mcft against the on the same day last year The water level in water, marking the level capacity of 11,757. This is was 1,767 mcft. The out- Cholavaram, which has an way ahead of the same almost double compared flow is 219 cusecs of water outflow of 10 cusecs with period last year. The data to last year in the same while inflow is 30. zero inflow, hit way high on water storage level, period, ie, 6,275 mcft The water level in this year compared to last provided by Chennai Chembarambakkam year. Now the level stands A third year law student of the Metro Water, shows at at 11,012 mcft against the reservoir, where the out- at 880 mcft against 881 on Vellore government law college, least 1,330 mcft additional capacity of 11,757. This is flow is 163 cusecs while January 5 while the stor- Rahul Ganesh, son of auto driver water two months after almost double compared inflow is nil, is 3, 325, a fall age in the same period last Cyclone Nivar and subse- to last year in the same from 3,364 mcft on year was just 69 mcft. Somu, a resident of Ariyoor in quent flood situation that period, ie, 6,275 mcft . January 5 but a rise from Cholavaram has received the district, undertook a 12-km had forced the authorities This is a big relief for 3,137 mcft on December 4 at least 290 mcft more marathon rally to spread aware- to release water from the Chennai residents, as against a total capacity of water within two ness among the public about the reservoirs including the city, which experi- 3,645. The water level on months. concept of environmental con- Chembarambakkom and ences water crisis from the same day last year was Meanwhile, in servation, global warming, cre- Poondi. mid-March, is gearing up 1,721. Kannankottai Thervoy- ation of forests for rain and The city reservoirs have for yet another summer Meanwhile, the water kandigai reservoir that unpolluted air, and the dangers received at least 26 mcft season. level at Redhill stands gets an inflow of 5 cusecs of using plastics. Vellore CEO, additional water since At the 140-ft Poondi close to its capacity of without outflow, the water Gunasekaran, flagged off the January 5. Now the total reservoir, the biggest in 3,208, which is 2 mcft rise storage is 498 mcft on rally, which Rahul commenced water storage level in the the city, the water level from 3,206 on January 5 Friday while the level was from the Chittoor bus stand in top five reservoirs stands now stands at 3,101 mcft. against the full capacity of 396 mcft on December 5. Katpadi. — K. Senthil Nathan Health dept TN reports 448 orders to not use Coast Guard ship new infections, 7 paediatric vaccines more fatalities Coimbatore, Feb. 19: The CHENNAI, FEB. 19 health department here on C-453 commissioned Friday asked the anganwadis Tamil Nadu on Friday and primary health centres A. ARUL PALANI I DC ICGS C-453 is mander, Coast Guard logged 448 new Covid-19 (PHCs) not to use a particular CHENNAI, FEB. 19 commanded by region (east). cases and seven more batch of vaccines following the assistant commandant The ship, on joining the fatalities, taking the death of two infants a couple of The Indian Coast Guard Coast Guard eastern fleet, caseload to 8,47,385 and days ago. Ship C-453, 17thof the 18 Animesh Sharma and will be deployed exten- the toll to 12,451, the Postmortem revealed the interceptor boat (IB) proj- will be based at Chennai sively for the country's health department said. death of one infant due to pneu- ect built indigenously, was under the operational territorial exclusive eco- Recoveries outumbered monia and the cause of the commissioned in Chennai control of commander, nomic zone waters and new infections with 467 other death was yet to be ascer- on Friday by Leena Coast Guard region other duties as enshrined people being discharged, tained, sources in the depart- Nandan, secretary, depart- (east) in the Coast Guard taking the cumulative ment said. ment of consumer affairs. placement of 105 tons and Charter, to safeguard the number to 8,30,787, leav- Since the parents were pan- The ship was constructed maximum speed of 45 maritime interests of ing 4,147 active cases. icky, the department ordered by Larsen & Toubro Ltd. knots (85 kmph), is capa- India. The Coast Guard Chennai accounted for not to use the particular batch Jiwesh Nandan, addi- ble of undertaking multi- will now have 157 ships & the maximum number of of paediatric vaccines until fur- tional secretary, depart- farious tasks including boats and 62 aircraft. infections with 136, tak- ther orders, even as the condi- ment of defence, surveillance, interdiction, Further, 40 ships are at ing the total to 2,34,072. tion of nearly 35 babies vacci- Krishnaswamy close coast patrol, search various stages of con- The metropolis also nated at both the centres was Natarajan, director gener- and rescue, in addition to struction at different ship- accounted for a little reported normal, they said. al, Coast Guard, Inspector rendering assistance to yards in India and 16 over one-third of the The babies, aged 2.5 months General S Paramesh, com- boats and craft in distress advanced light helicopters Covid fatalities at 4,134 and three months, died after mander, Coast Guard at sea. MK III are being accepted deaths. Among the they were given pentavalent, region (East), JS Mann ICGS C-453 is command- by Hindustan Aero- deceased, five had pre- rotavirus and oral polio vac- and other officials of ed by assistant comman- nautics Limited, existing morbidities, cines at an anganawadi at Coast Guard and L&T dant Animesh Sharma Bengaluru, which will while a 52-year-old man Masakalipalayam and in a PHC shipyard were present. and will be based at provide the added teeth to did not have any illness at Sowripaqlayam in the city on ICGS C-453, the 27.80- Chennai under the opera- the surveillance capabili- or comorbity, the bul- Thursday. — PTI meter-long IB with a dis- tional control of com- ties of the Coast Guard. letin said. —PTI BJP will get 58-year-old two digit in TN man’s body IUML hails withdrawal Assembly: Reddy found in pond DC CORRESPONDENT THANJAVUR, FEB. 19 DC CORRESPONDENT of CAA protest cases CHENNAI, FEB. 19 Students at DC CORRESPONDENT K. Palaniswami to move a The BJP will enter the Tamil thanked the government a scrap sculpture Nadu assembly with a two-digit The body of a 58-year-old TIRUCHY, FEB. 19 in this regard. resolution against these exibition opened by strength of MLAs after the com- man was recovered from Kader Mohideen, three draconian acts, in ing state assembly election, said a pond in Chennai’s Indian Union Muslim addressing a press confer- the ensuing budget Chennai corporation at P. Sudhakar Reddy, national co- Indira Nagar under League (IUML) national ence on the sidelines of session of the state assem- Tiruvanmiyur in charge of BJP for Tamil Shankar Nagar police president Prof. K. M. the Milad Nabi celebra- bly. government school. Nadu elections, here on Friday. limits on Thursday Kader Mohideen has wel- tions at a mosque admin- Chief executive officer Describing the chances of evening. comed the Tamil Nadu istered by the prince of of the prince of Arcot — E.K. Sanjay NDA's victory in the assembly The deceased has been Government's decision of Arcot endowment at endowment Tiruchy election as bright, he said the identified as withdrawing more than 10 Tiruchy on Friday, point- A.Basheer Ahamed, who party high command will decide Ramalingam, a resident lakh cases filed against ed out that a few other was present at the press on the number of seats to be of Pozhichalur in those who violated the state governments have conference, said they asked in the NDA alliance for Pallavaram. He is sur- Covid-19 prevention moved a resolution have arranged a mass the elections. vived by wife and two norms and participated in against the union govern- feeding with special He said the response to his children. the agitations against the ment's NRC, NPA, and prayers as part of tour in Tamil Nadu and enthusi- The incident came to Citizenship Amendment CAA and appealed to the Milad Nabi celebra- asm shown by people are indica- light when the family Act (CAA) and also Chief Minister Edapaddi tions. tions of the growth of BJP in lodged a complaint at the state. Shankar Nagar police He said the farmers' agitation station alleging that at Delhi borders will not have Ramalingam had gone any impact on the state assem- missing three days ago. Corrupt officials must be dealt with iron bly elections. "We got maximum Shankar Nagar police Traffic SI held for demanding bribe number of seats in Bihar assem- station received infor- hand: HC to commissioner of labour bly election and Hyderabad cor- mation about a man DC CORRESPONDENT police station for violating his driver, Ezhumalai con- The victim was asked to poration election which were found dead in a pond in CHENNAI, FEB. 19 the traffic rules. tacted the traffic cop, come to the Chromepet DC CORRESPONDENT “The special cell held after the agitation was Indira Nagar. The police Ezhumalai, a resident of when the latter demanded traffic wing office at 2: 30 CHENNAI, FEB. 19 launched by farmers. Only immediately rushed to A traffic police sub inspec- K.K Nagar runs a travel a bribe of Rs 10,000 to pm on Friday to hand over must contain a farmers from Punjab and the spot, seized the body tor from Chromepet has agency in the same area. release the car. As he ini- the cash. On the advice of Pointing out that in the separate Haryana are participating in and sent it to Chromepet been arrested for allegedly On Thursday, one of his tially refused to pay the the DVAC officials, event of any lapses, negli- telephone number the agitation. Some outside ele- Government Hospital demanding a bribe of Rs drivers came to pick up a money, Krishna Kumar Ezhumalai handed over gence, dereliction of duty, ments have also mingled with for autopsy. Following 5,000 from the owner of a customer in Tambaram. allegedly insisted on pay- the chemically treated corrupt activities, the and a website farmers and are creating prob- an investigation, the travels agency for a traffic Sources said when the ing Rs 5000. currency to Krishna commissioner of labour enabling the lems. Farmers in the rest of the police found that he violation, DVAC sources driver took a wrong U- As Ezhumalai did not Kumar, while the sleuths is expected to initiate country are happy with the cen- reportedly used to work said on Friday. turn on Chromepet- want to pay the bribe, he in plainclothes waited for action with iron hand and workmen or the tral government. They know as a security guard at The sub-inspector Sanitorium road, the traf- approached the Alandur him to accept the money. there cannot be any counsels that APMC and MSP will con- actor Trisha Krishnan's attached to the Chromepet fic cop Krishna Kumar DVAC and lodged a com- When he reportedly leniency or otherwise, the tinue. In my opinion, farmers house in Virugamba- traffic wing, identified as stopped the car. plaint against the officer. accepted the bribe, he was Madras high court has appearing for the associations agitating in Delhi kkam and he had left the Krishna Kumar ( 48), had He confiscated his car Following the complaint, caught red-handed. The said all suitable actions parties to register are not interested in finding a house after an argument demanded a bribe of Rs for violating the traffic the DVAC sleuths laid a DVAC officials further are to be initiated against their complaint solution to the problem. The with his wife three days 5,000 from the com- rules and asked his owner trap and directed him to raided the Chromepet traf- such officials who all are central government is open for ago.Shankar Nagar plainant Ezhumalai for to contact him to release give him the chemically fic wing police station. A committing such miscon- enabling the talks and held talks 11 times so police have registered a releasing his vehicle the car. treated currency to the search was also conducted ducts as well as corrupt commissioner to far" Reddy said. case. seized and taken to the On being informed by officer. at the house of the SI. activities in the matter of He blamed the former UPA hearing of the cases or initiate further government and the DMK for signing of the orders or actions on such the increasing petroleum issuance of the Award complaints” prices. "When we wanted to copies to the parties or bring petroleum products under their counsels. GST, many state governments Declare Covishield unsafe, volunteer urges HC Justice S.M.Subram- Passing orders on the opposed it as they don't want to aniam made the observa- petition filed by Vanaja lose the cess. However, the tions while directing the and three others, which Centre is trying to find a solu- DC CORRESPONDENT the vaccine and decided to Hospital. adverse event” due to the commissioner of labour sought to condone the tion" he said. CHENNAI, FEB. 19 volunteer to take the vac- He said there was no administration of trial to constitute a special cell delay of 460 days in filing cine. He signed the con- adverse reaction for the vaccine, and as a follow up in the directorate to mon- the C.M.A (Civil Describing the A business consultant, sent form on September first 10 days, but from to declare that Covishield itor these kinds of irregu- Miscellaneous Appeal) to aged 41, who claimed to 29, 2020. Before being October 11 he suffered sev- was not safe and conse- larities and illegalities in the award dated October chances of NDA’s have suffered serious side- administered the vaccine, eral side-effects and was quently direct the Serum the office of the compe- 22, 2018 and made on the victory in the assem- effects after he volun- his brief medical history hospitalised till October Institute of India to pay tent authorities across file of the Commissioner teered for phase-III of the was obtained, but no 26. The severe trauma he him a compensation of Rs the state. “The special cell for Employee’s bly election as bright, clinical trial of Covishield blood, urine or any other suffered, because of the 5 crore. must contain a separate Compensation Court, he said the party high vaccine of the Serum diagnostic test, such as “acute neuro encephalopa- Justice Abdul Quddhose, telephone number and a Joint Commissioner of Institute of India and was pulmonary function test thy”, was an extreme side- before whom the petition website enabling the Labour-II, Chennai, the command will decide administered the vaccine Riyaz of Anna Nagar sub- or ECG, were done. Only effect of the test vaccine, came up for hearing on workmen or the counsels judge said this court is of on the number of on October 1, 2020, has mitted that a close reading tests for Covid-19 and anti- he claimed. Friday, ordered notice to appearing for the parties the opinion that the delay approached the Madras of the participant infor- bodies were done, which In the petition, he sought the union government and to register their com- is to be condoned, as there seats to be asked in high court seeking to mation sheet reveals that were negative and the to declare that the severe the Drugs Controller plaint enabling the com- is no proof for serving of the NDA alliance for declare that Covishield is the vaccine is safe, with Covishield study vaccine side-effects and his hospi- General of India and post- missioner to initiate fur- the award copy to the not safe. mild side-effect. He was administered on him talisation from October 11 ed to March 26 further ther actions on such com- applicants and the insur- the elections In his petition, Asif believed in the “safety” of on October 1 at SRMC to 26 was a “serious hearing of the case. plaints”, the judge added. ance company. STATE DECCAN CHRONICLE | SATURDAY | 20 FEBRUARY 2021 | CHENNAI pg 3

IN BRIEF DMK’s second Uncertainty continues in Pondy corruption list G. BABU JAYAKUMAR & former MLA A Namassiva- But the present AIADMK and NR meeting the three local DC CORRESPONDENT D.SEKAR I DC yam who defected from the Lieutenant Governor Congress might not be able leaders had reportedly CHENNAI, FEB. 19 CHENNAI, FEB. 19 Congress to the BJP and Tamilisai Soundararajan to win their seats again if with Amit Shah. BJP’s Puducherry unit in- has treated the three nomi- they are seen to be in the The DMK, however, is The DMK presented a second Will Puducherry be charge Nirmal Kumar nated members and proper alliance of BJP. unlikely to pull the rug representation, listing corrup- brought under the Presi- Surana, had rushed to MLAs, particularly since So, even if not taking the from under the Congress tion charges against State dent's rule after Monday? Delhi when the Congress their nomination had been risk of disqualification by feet, since the alliance bet- Ministers, to the Governor Or will the V Narayanasa- government was pushed to subsequently approved by cross voting, there is a ween the two parties was Banwarilal Purohit on Friday my-led Congress governm- the precipice following the the Supreme Court. chance of some MLAs not indeed intact and DMK let- and sought action against them. ent survive the trust vote? resignation of two of its In such a backdrop, how turning up for the trust ting down the Congress at The representation, signed by Or will the BJP be able to MLAs. would Narayanasamy vote on Monday and thus this juncture was not Man gets lifer for sex party president M K Stalin, was install an alternative gov- Since the two MLAs quit, manage to get an addition- saving the Congress gov- going to be beneficial to it. handed over by the top leaders ernment till the Union the obvious arithmetic al vote in his favour on ernment. With Tamilisai Sounda- of the DMK, including general Territory goes to polls? points to the trust vote Monday when the Also Speaker V. P. Sivako- rarajan presiding over the abuse of daughter secretary Duraimurugan and These were the domi- throwing up a 14-14 tie Territorial Assembly con- lunthu could disallow entire drama that is to treasurer T R Baalu at the Raj neering questions being leading to the government venes? The possibility is the nominated members unfold on Monday, the B. RAVICHANDRAN|DC ■ Police sources in Bhavan Earlier, Stalin himself deliberated in the political losing the majority. Yet the that some MLAs from the from casting their vote. final outcome is unlikely OOTY, FEB. 19 Gudalur said that one had presented a representation grapevine in Puducherry Chief Minister V opposition would help out But that could create a to be favourable to the listing corruption charges and also in the neighbor- Narayanasamy had exud- the government. ruckus in the House fol- Congress. But such a The Mahila court here sen- Abdullah Nasser (44), a against Chief Minister ing state of Tamil Nadu as ed confidence in winning In view of the BJP’s sud- lowed by litigations, which development could also be tenced a man to life impris- textile trader from Edappadi K Palanisami and the local units of the par- the vote. den entry into the opposi- could also lead to the detrimental to the onment under the Pocso act Kottharvayal village other Ministers to the Governor ties concerned went into He has made a claim that tion camp, many leaders of promulgation of BJP’s future growth as it for sexually harassing his on December 22, 2020. huddle to decide on their nominated members of AIADMK and NR Presidents’ rule. could earn the people’s daughter. limits on the Nilgiris future course of action. the House were not eligible Congress are reportedly Apart from that, the BJP, wrath for pulling down an Police sources in Gudalur border, is alleged to The BJP leaders too were for voting, which would feeling threatened. One, which has managed to elected government. The said that one Abdullah have repeatedly Lankan Tamil closeted to work out a mean that the three BJP the BJP might take away bring the Congress gov- Congress party, if it is Nasser (44), a textile trader sexually harassed his strategy after three of MLAs appointed by for- some of their seats that ernment to the brink pulled down, is more likely from Kottharvayal village refugee ends life them returned from New mer Lieutenant Governor they had nurtured for through a series of machi- to earn some sympathy limits on the Nilgiris border, 11-year-old daughter for Delhi after reportedly Kiran Bedi, do not take years. nations, carried out among the voters and is alleged to have repeatedly three years whenever his DC CORRESPONDENT meeting Union home min- part in the voting and thus Two, the demography of through Kiran Bedi, may romp home in the next sexually harassed his wife was away from PERAMBALURI, FEB. 19 ister Amit Shah. the government would sur- some of the constituencies also spring a surprise, par- elections, which are any- 11-year-old daughter for BJP MLA V Saminathan, vive. is such that some MLAs of ticularly in view of the way coming soon. three years whenever his home. A 31-year-old Sri Lankan Tamil wife was away from home. He firmed sexual assault. refugee allegedly committed is also alleged to have threat- Following this, the girl was suicide by hanging himself at Tamilisai holds video meet with Telangana officials ened his daughter that he taken to the All women’s his friend's house at Pandiarajan is Nilgiris SP would kill her mother and police station at Gudalur, Perambalur in the wee hours of Hyderabad, Feb. 19: "Wherever I am, I give top Raj Bhavan press commu- relatives if she informed where a complaint was Thursday. Telangana Governor priority to the welfare and nique. "I am always think- DC CORRESPONDENT Speaking to media per- them about his misadven- lodged in September 2017. Police said the deceased, Tamilisai Soundararajan, well-being of the Telangana ing about the people of OOTY, FEB. 19 sons Pandiarajan said that ture, and the frightened child Police registered a case and Indrakumar, residing at Ceylon given additional charge of people as the Governor of Telangana as the first citi- his priority was to main- kept quiet. arrested Abduallah Nasser Colony, went for a movie along Lt Governor of the state. Though I am in zen of the State. My R. Pandiarajan, on Friday tain law and order. Traffic Once, she happened to visit and filed a case in the Mahila with his friends Vinod and Puducherry, on Friday Puducherry now, I am con- additional charge as the assumed charge as Supe- management was an her maternal grandfather’s Court in Ooty under Pocso Manobalan on Wednesday night reviewed developments and stantly monitoring the Lt Governor of rintendent of Police, the equally important task. house in Kerala, when she Act. Malini Prabhakar, spe- and after that he stayed at other issues related to the affairs of the Telangana Puducherry does not affect Nilgiris. While the district With the fast approaching revealed to them the cruelty cial public prosecutor Vindo's house. On Thursday state through video confer- state," she said in the video my concern and care witnessed frequent trans- summer season, focus she suffered at the hands of (Mahila Court) here, said morning while Manobala went encing from Raj Nivas in conference with officials of towards Telangana. fers of SPs in the recent would be more on traffic her father, and refused to that the Mahila court which out of the Vinod house, Vinod the union territory capital. the Raj Bhavan here. I am with the people years, Pandiarajan is the management, involving return to Gudalur to her pronounced the judgment in who went to awaken the She said she always gave She directed the officials of Telangana always,” she fourth top cop to assume studies on traffic manage- house. Shocked, her grandfa- this case on Friday, sen- deceased found him hanging. top priority to the well- to constantly update her said. Secretary K. charge as SP of the Nilgi- ment issues, to evolve ther’s family took her to a tenced Abduala Nasser to life Upon information, Perambalur being of Telangana people about the developments in Surendra Mohan joined the ris in a span of three effective traffic manage- hospital in Kerala, where imprisonment and slapped a police recovered the body and wherever she was. Telangana, according to a meet. —PTI years. ment plans for the hills. medical examination con- fine of `10 lakh on him. sent the same for post-mortem. Police are investigating. PMANE coordinator Man can’t abdicate responsibility of paying maintenance to estranged wife: SC New Delhi, Feb. 19: The have been working on a A bench of Chief Justice payment of the entire out- had filed a case under lakh compensation for welcomes move Supreme Court Friday project of national securi- Bobde and Justices AS standing amount along Protection of Women from deserting her for 12 years; said a husband cannot ty in the telecom sector, Bopanna and V with the monthly mainte- Domestic Violence Act Rs 50 lakh for living in From P1 abdicate the responsibility said that he had no money Ramasubramanian told nance regularly to his before the metropolitan extra marital life; Rs 50 of paying maintenance to and sought two years to the man, a Tamil Nadu res- wife...within a period of magistrate court in lakh for leaving his wife to Anti-nuke activist and coordi- his estranged wife and pay the money. The top ident, “Husband cannot four weeks from today, fail- Chennai in 2009. The court face the court cases; Rs 50 nator of People’s Movement gave a last opportunity to a court said however that he abdicate from his responsi- ing which, the respondent allowed the wife to share lakh to force to take a job Against Nuclear Energy man to clear entire out- has lost credibility by fail- bility to provide mainte- may have to be punished the house, until the hus- in a media company; Rs 50 (PMANE) S.P. Udayakumar wel- standing of Rs 2.60 crore ing repeatedly to follow the nance to his wife and it is and sent to civil prison”. band made alternative lakh for mental torture comed the announcement. He along with monthly payout court's order and won- his duty to provide the The bench, however, on arrangements for her per- and agony by openly living had yesterday petitioned the of Rs 1.75 lakh to his wife, dered how a person with maintenance". It ordered, the request of the hus- manent residence. It with foreign women and Chief Minister seeking with- failing which he would be this kind of case was asso- “Accordingly by way of band's counsel gave him directed the husband, to Rs 50 lakh for not paying drawal of 106 cases pending imprisoned. ciated with a project of last chance, we permit the four weeks to pay the out- pay Rs 2 crore as mainte- rent to the shared house- against anti-KKNPP protesters. The man, who claimed to national security. respondent (man) to make standing amount. The wife nance to the wife; Rs 50 hold. —PTI “Many youths against whom cases were pending in connec- tion with the mass struggle against the nuclear project have FM interacts with top industry captains of TN lost job opportunities all these Chennai, Feb. 19: Union tains in Tamil Nadu after will be running towards years since 2011 as they could Finance Minister presenting the budget. full capacity", Srinivasan not get police verification cer- Nirmala Sitharaman on However, the meeting was told PTI. tificates,” said Dr Udayakumar Friday held an informal out of bounds for the The official twitter han- in his petition. meeting with top indus- media and the points dis- dle of the FM's office It is to be noted that of the trialists of Tamil Nadu to cussed were not known. shared images of the total number of 349 cases regis- elicit their views on the Industry sources said the Minister interacting with tered against about 2,000 protes- budget she presented on FM listened to the views the industrialists. Earlier tors, the state government with- February 1. put forth by the industri- in the day, BJP Tamil drew 213 cases on October 9, TVS Motor chairman alists during the interac- Nadu unit president L 2014 following a Supreme Court Venu Srinivasan, MRF tion. Murugan received direction, while action was Ltd Chairman M The India Cements Ltd Sitharaman and present- dropped in another 31 cases Mammen, India Cements Managing Director N ed a 'Vel' to her as part of based on a ruling of the Madras Ltd Vice Chairman N Srinivasan said he welcoming her to the High Court on a writ petition Srinivasan, former Ashok thanked the FM for pre- state. filed in 2015. Leyland Chairman R senting an 'outstanding' "Vel" refers to a spear-like Among the 105 pending cases Seshasayee and Apollo budget that would spur weapon that is tradition- against the anti-KKNPP protes- Hospitals MD Sunita growth. ally associated with Lord tors, 68 are still in the FIR stage, Reddy were among those "The budget will spur Muruga. "Presented 'Vel' while charge sheets were filed who took part in the meet- growth. I told her that to Nirmala Sitharaman in 37 cases at the Valliyoor ing, sources said. during this calendar year on her arrival to court. This is the first time she itself, all the industries, Chennai" Murugan said is meeting industry cap- including manufacturing, in a tweet. — PTI SBI Chennai Circle’s CSR donation Chennai: As part of its CSR activity SBI Chennai Circle donated Rs 21.83 lakh to SRI PRATYAKSHA CHARITABLE TRUST for purchase of laundry machine and accessories. The trust which was established in 2007 works to make a difference to society by rendering service in the fields of education, healthcare, culture, heritage, rural development, support for the aged and many more. The cheque was handed over to managing trustee K. Jayaramakrishnan by Dinesh Khara, chairman, in the pres- ence of B. Sankar, Chief General Manager Chennai Circle, and General Managers Shirley Thomas, U N N Maiya Union finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman meets industrialists at a private hotel in and Vinod Jaiswal. Chennai on Friday. —DC Sivakarthieyan, Anil Srinivasan among 124 Kalaimamani awardees DC CORRESPONDENT CHENNAI, FEB. 19

Film actor Sivakarthikeyan and Ramarajan, director Gautam Vasudeva Menon, actress Aishwariya Rajesh, comedian Yogi Babu, comedi- anne Devadarshini, produc- ers Kalaipuli Thanu and Ishwari Ganesh and stunt Sivakarthikeyan Aishwariya Rajesh Anil Srinivasan master Jaguar Thangam were among the popular per- winners of a plethora of Kalaimamani awardees awarded to Saroja Devi sonalities named to receive awards in arts and culture, would get a silver parrot and (films), P Susheela (music) the Kalaimamani awards for which include Kalaimamani, an amount of `50,000 and the and Ambika Kameshwaran the years 2019 and 2020. a special Kalaimamani Kalaimamani gold medal (dance) for 2019. Some of the other well- named after J Jayalalithaa, would now weigh five sover- For 2020, the award goes to known persons in the award awards in the names of eigns. Sowkar Janaki (films), list were Anil Srinivasan Bharati, M S Subbulakshmi While the 59 persons have Jamuna Rani (music) and (piano), Sikkil S Gurcharan and Balasaraswati and won the Kalaimamani for Parvathi Ravi Ghantasala (vocal), Jolly Abraham (light awards for impoverished 2019, 65 artistes have won it (dance) music) and film director aged Kalaimamani awardees for 2020. Awards have also been Liquat Ali Khan. of the past on Friday. The ‘Puratchi Thalaivi Dr J announced for the best art The State government The announcement said Jayalalithaa Special organization and the best announced the names of the eight old and impoverished Kalaimamani’ has been drama troupe. NATION pg DECCAN CHRONICLE | CHENNAI | SATURDAY | 20 FEBRUARY 2021 4

SHORT TAKES CONG LEADER IN Some media coverage on Disha MP HITS OUT AT KANGANA sensational, prejudicial, says HC RABINDRA NATH CHOUDHURY | DC BHOPAL, FEB 19 Court asks media houses to ensure that no leaked investigation material is broadcast Senior Congress leader and DC CORRESPONDENT “In these circumstances, Shivraj Singh Chouhan former minister Sukhdev NEW DELHI, FEB. 19 and to restrain the respon- Panse has called Bollywood dents from further violat- actress Kangana Ranaut a The Delhi High Court on ing her privacy, her repu- ‘naachney gaane wali’ (a pro- Friday said certain media tation, and her right to a MP CM’S SLEEP fessional singer and dancer), coverage of investigation fair trial, the petitioner is sparking a row here. into the FIR against cli- moving the present peti- DISTURBED, The BJP termed his ‘unchar- mate activist Disha Ravi tion,” the plea has said. itable’ remarks against the for her alleged involve- Her petition has alleged actress as reflection of ‘nar- ment in sharing a toolkit that investigative matters ENGINEER row mindset’ of the Congress. backing farmers’ protest have been leaked to the “What do you expect from a indicates “sensationalism media and the press brief- FACES MUSIC leader of a party whose leader and prejudicial report- ings by the police are Rahul Gandhi re-tweets com- ing”, but declined to order “prejudicial” and “grossly DC CORRESPONDENT ments on farmers’ stir by (pop removal of any such con- violative of her right to a BHOPAL, FEB. 19 star) Rihanna and (former tent at this stage. fair trial and presumption pornographic actress) Mia Justice Prathiba M Singh of innocence”. An engineer of state Khalifa”, BJP spokesman said the interim plea for It has claimed that the public works depart- Rajneesh Agrawal said here removal of such news con- police first “leaked inves- ment (PWD) has been on Friday. tent and tweets by Delhi tigative material” - like placed under suspension While protesting the pur- Police would be consid- alleged WhatsApp chats - for the inconvenience ported comment by Ranaut ered at a later stage. the substance and details caused to Chief Minister calling protesting farmers in The court, however, of which were only in the Shivraj Singh Chouhan Delhi as terrorists, Panse on asked media houses to possession of the investi- owing to mosquito bites Thursday said the Bollywood ensure that no leaked gating agency. during his night stay in actress was hardly aware of investigation material is Thereafter, the “private a government rest house farmers’ plights since she was broadcast as it could affect alleged WhatsApp chats” in Sidhi on February 17. a ‘naachney gaane wali’. the probe and directed were published and dis- In-charge of the Sidhi Senior Congress leader and Delhi Police to abide by its seminated by various circuit house Babulal former minister Sajjan Singh stand on affidavit that it media houses which was a Gupta was suspended Verma came to the rescue of has not leaked nor intends violation of the provisions for the poor mainte- his colleague when the latter’s to leak any probe details to of the Cable Televisions nance of the rest house comment on Ms Ranaut snow- the press. Networks (Regulation) which caused inconven- balled into a controversy. The court also said that Act, 1995 (CTN Act), the ience to the ‘special “He (Panse) should have said police would be entitled to Programme Code and the guest’ (Chief Minister) Ranaut knows how to dance, hold press briefings in the Uplinking and during his night stay, a but is not aware of farmers’ matter in accordance with Downlinking Guidelines, notice served to him by issues”, he said. the law and the agency’s the petition has contend- the Rewa revenue divi- The Bollywood actress was 2010 office memorandum ed. sion commissioner currently shooting for her with regard to media cov- Meanwhile, a Delhi court (RDC) Rajesh Kumar upcoming film Dhaakad in erage of cases. on Friday sent climate Jain said. Sarni in Betul district. To media houses, the Police officers in plain clothes escort environment activist Disha Ravi (C) to a local court in New Delhi on on Friday. activist Disha Ravi, arrest- The notice dated court said they should — AFP ed for allegedly being February 18 went viral ensure the information involved in sharing a on Friday. COURT REJECTS received from their The police, represented davit. The media houses, alleged incorrect report- the ongoing investigation, “toolkit” on social media The notice said assis- sources is authentic and by Additional Solicitor one of them represented ing of the case. where she is being viscer- related to the farmers' tant engineer of PWD LALU YADAV’S only verified content General S V Raju, placed by advocate Mrinal Bharti, The News Broadcasting ally attacked by the protest, to three-day judi- Babulal Gupta who was ought to be publicised as an affidavit before the told the court that the Standards Authority respondent 1 (police) and cial custody. Additional in-charge of the circuit BAIL PLEA also that the investigation court categorically deny- source of information in (NBSA) told the court that several media houses”. Chief Metropolitan house had been intimat- is not hampered. ing leaking of any infor- the present case was the it can take any action only She has claimed that her Magistrate Akash Jain ed of chief minister’s DC CORRESPONDENT The court was hearing mation to the media. Delhi Police and its tweets. if a complaint is made to it arrest from Bengaluru on sent Ravi, 21, to jail after stay in the facility much PATNA, FEB. 19 Ravi’s plea to restrain It also assured the court ASG Chetan Sharma and regarding the media hous- February 13 by a Cyber Delhi Police produced her in advance. police from leaking to the that it has no intention of central government stand- es named in the plea. Cell team of Delhi Police before the court on expiry The notice said lack of The Jharkhand High Court on media any probe material leaking any information ing counsel Ajay Digpaul, It further told the court was “wholly unlawfully of her five-day custodial maintenance of the rest Friday rejected Lalu Yadav’s in relation to the FIR to the media. appearing for the Ministry that media houses named and without basis”. interrogation. Police said house has been found bail plea in the fodder scam lodged against her. The ASG during the of Information and in the plea were members She has also contended that her custodial interro- and complaints of mos- case pertaining to the illegal The petition also sought hearing said that the pos- Broadcasting, told the of the News Broadcasters that in the present circum- gation was not required quito menace in the withdrawal of `3.97 crore from to restrain the media from sibility of leakage by some court that the petition was Association (NBA). stances, it was “highly for the time being and the rooms have been the Dumka treasury in the publishing the content or officer of the agency can- not maintainable as no Ravi, in her plea, has likely” that the general agency may seek her fur- received. 1990s when he was the Chief extract of any private not be ruled out entirely. complaint was first made said she is “severely public will perceive the ther interrogation once Minister of Bihar. chats, including those on The court, however, to it for taking action aggrieved and prejudiced news items “as being con- her co-accused - Shantanu Justice Aparesh Kumar WhatsApp, between her directed that the police against any TV channel or by the media trial sur- clusive as to the guilt of Mukul and Nikita Jacob - Singh dismissed the bail peti- and third parties. has to abide by its affi- media house for any rounding her arrest and the petitioner (Ravi)”. join the interrogation. Doc stabs wife, tion of Mr. Yadav on the ground that he has not com- crush her under pleted half of his prison term and asked his lawyer to file TWO ARRESTED car wheels another application after two months. IN UNNAO Political climate hots up in Kerala FROM PAGE 1 “The court’s observation was that he has to serve two more Meanwhile, Dr Gokul months in jail to complete half DEATHS CASE Kumar, who was speed- of the term of his total sen- ing in his car, met with tence in the case. We will file Unnao, Feb. 19: The ahead of state assembly elections an accident near Athur another application after two Uttar Pradesh Police on toll plaza under months”, Lalu Yadav’s lawyer Friday held two people GILVESTER ASSARAY | DC tion in the country. With Acharapakkam police Prabhat Kumar told reporters in connection with the THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, no signs of immediate limits on Chennai- in Ranchi after the court’s ver- deaths of two teenage FEB. 19 Open for chief ministership revival of party in West Trichy National high- dict on Friday. girls at an Unnao village, Bengal and Tripura too way. His car overturned Sources in the RJD said that accusing them of mur- With Kerala currently wit- going out of hand, the Left due to rash driving and the court’s order came as a set- der over a one-sided love nessing the ‘ceremonial’ has to keep its flag flying he sustained injuries. back for Lalu Yadav’s family affair. yatras of political parties if BJP wins, says Sreedharan in Kerala. Moreover, the Acharapakkam police and the party as they were The third victim in the crisscrossing 140 Left is desperate to retain rescued him from the expecting a favourable deci- case is battling for life at Assembly segments in the New Delhi, Feb. 19: Set pleting big infrastructure Kerala. If BJP comes to power for what it says — to car and admitted him to sion in the case. a hospital. state, rival Fronts have to enter the political fray projects, Sreedharan said power in Kerala, there present an alternative a hospital nearby. He is already on bail in three One of the accused started vying with each by joining the BJP next that he will contest the will be three to four major development model to the He was later handed out of four fodder scam cases held in the case is a other to woo the voters week, technocrat E. Assembly elections if the areas we want to focus. country. over to the Maduran- pertaining to fraudulent with- teenager, according to besides galvanising their Sreedharan on Friday party wants and will also One is infrastructure Chief Minister Pinarayi takam police, which is drawal of `900 crore from police. cadre for the forthcoming said his main aim is to be open to chief minister- development in a big way Vijayan, 75, has led from investigating the case. Deoghar, Chaibasa and Dumka “Vinay Kumar, alias elections. help the party come to ship if the party asks. and another is to bring the front during the past Keerthana was work- treasury. He was convicted in Lambu, and a teenager After the recent two day power in Kerala and that The 88-year-old techno- industry to the state,” he five years. While the LDF ing in the human the Dumka case in March 2018. have been held in con- visit of the Election Com- he will be open to chief crat also made it clear that said. government has a series of resource department in The money was withdrawn nection with the case. mission team to Kerala, ministership. He also said he will not be interested Speaking over phone schemes like the ‘Life a private company in through fake vouchers and The matter is a fallout of there are speculations that that the focus will be on in governorship, saying from Ponnani in Kerala Mission’ to provide land Melmaruvathur, the bills on the pretext of purchas- a one-side love affair. the Assembly polls might developing infrastructure that it is purely a where he is based now, and house to landless and police said. After the ing fodder and other livestock. The accused gave some be held in the second week in a big way and bring the “constitutional position Sreedharan said that a homeless people, social marriage, the couple Fraudulent withdrawal from pesticide with water to of April or first week of state out of the debt trap if and no powers at all” and finance commission could welfare pensions to the moved to Krishnapriya government treasuries and the the three girls,” May. Quite understand- the BJP wins the assem- that he won’t be able to also be formed for the pur- poor, development projects Colony in Maduran- use of fake bills and vouchers Lucknow Range IG ably then, the political bly polls that are likely to make any positive contri- pose of improving the and the helping hand pro- takam in Chengalpet took place between 1991 and Laxmi Singh told parties are leaving no be held in April-May this bution to the state in such finances of the state, vided during Covid and district near Chennai. 1996 when Lalu Yadav was the reporters here. chance to prepare for the year. a position. which is in a “debt trap back to back floods, it also Police sources said Chief Minister of Bihar. Both accused are resi- crucial electoral battle. Known as ‘Metroman’ “My main idea is to today”. has its share of controver- that Dr Gokul Kumar dents of Pathakpur vil- The ruling CPM-led LDF for the efficiency in com- bring BJP to power in — PTI sies like the gold smug- and Keerthana have had lage in the Ashoha area has launched two yatras — gling case involving the a disagreement on sever- TERRORIST GUNS and were held on a tip- Vikasana Munnetta Yatra Chief Minister’s office. al issues from just a year off, the IG said. (Development yatra), one leader Ramesh Chenni- February 23 in Kasargod. asked the leadership to The Left leaders claim that after their marriage. DOWN TWO During interrogation, from Kasargod to cover thala is almost on its last Prime Minister Narendra attract all sections of peo- they will create history by However, during the Vinay told police that he the northern districts and leg covering southern dis- Modi who was in Kochi on ple in Kerala. winning back to back term COVID-19 lockdown, the POLICEMEN was involved in agricul- another from Kochi to tricts. Sunday to launch projects So what are the stakes in office. But considering couple began arguing ture and owned a piece cover the southern dis- The BJP’s yatra is set to worth `1,600 crore took for different political the Kerala voters pen- with each other very FROM PAGE 1 of land at Baburaha vil- tricts. The Congress-led be flagged off by Uttar time to attend the BJP fronts? For the CPM-led chant for change after often which pushed lage, near the spot where UDF’s Aishwarya Kerala Pradesh Chief Minister state unit’s core commit- LDF, it’s prestigious battle every five years, it’s a them to apply for a He identified the slain cops as girls were found on Yatra led by opposition Yogi Adityanath on tee meeting in which he to safeguard its last bas- tough call divorce. Mohammad Yusuf and Suhail Wednesday night. Ahmad. "They had received According to police, critical gunshot injuries,” he Vinay told them that the said. He, however, also said that girls used to go to the FIGHTING | COVID While the US took 31 days to achieve this, UK crossed the mark in 56 days preliminary investigation on fields for fodder and the basis of CCTV footage and they became friends dur- other evidence indicate the ing the Coronavirus involvement of two militants in lockdown. He had a one- the attack. He claimed that one sided love affair with Over 1 cr vaccinated against Covid so far of them was a local and the one of the girls. other a foreigner affiliated with We used to play and eat SANJAY KAW | DC healthcare workers and ● EVEN AS Covid-19 had sought emergency use were detected in a span of Shingne have also been proscribed outfit Lashkar-e- together in the field. I with agency inputs frontline workers in India cases in Maharashtra are authorisation for Russia’s 24 hours. The death toll found Covid positive. Tayyaba (LeT) and said that a had a one-sided love NEW DELHI, FEB. 19 was 1,01,88,007. rising, four MVA ministers Sputnik V vaccine in rose to 1,56,111 with 97 new In addition to this, senior manhunt has been launched to affair with her. When I The ministry data, how- India. fatalities in the last 24 NCP leader Eknath arrest them. proposed her, she reject- A little over a month after ever, showed an uneven and senior leaders have As part of the review hours. Khadse and his daughter- Earlier during the day, a ed. When I asked her starting its Covid-19 inocu- pattern, with several been infected by the virus process, Dr Reddy’s will The fatalities count was in-law Raksha Khadse, Special Police Officer (SPO) this month to give me lation drive, India on states and Union territo- in the last four days. present the safety profile reported to be between one who is also BJP MP from Altaf Ahmed was killed and a her phone number, she Friday achieved the land- ries injecting doses to less of the Phase 2 study, and five in 15 states and Raver, have also tested pos- selection-grade constable did not give due to which mark feat of vaccinating than 50 per cent of their charts, with a 12-per cent and interim data of the Union territories, while it itive. Manzoor Ahmed were critically I was angry and decided over one crore people target frontline workers. share of the second dose Phase 3 study, that is was between six and 10 in Minister of state for injured in a gunfight with mili- to kill her,” Vinay told against the deadly virus. Tamil Nadu, Delhi and vaccine administration in expected to be over by three states and Union ter- water resources and edu- tants in Beeru area of Budgam police. The health ministry said Punjab are among the the country. February 21. ritories. cation Bacchu Kadu has district. The police sources said “On Wednesday, I Friday India was the sec- larger states yet to reach In January, the Drugs Going by the speed at Meanwhile, even as the tested positive for Covid that the gunfight broke out dur- mixed pesticide in a ond-fastest after the 50 per cent vaccine cover- Controller-General of which the vaccination Coronavirus cases in for the second time on ing a cordon-and-search opera- water bottle and asked United States to achieve age. India approved the Oxford drive is going on, it will Maharashtra are rising, Friday. tion launched by a joint team of my friend to bring sna- this milestone. Among eight states that Covid-19 vaccine, locally take two more years to get four MVA ministers and Also, new strains of J&K police, the Army's 53 cks. The three had it and While the US had taken accounted for 57.47 per produced by the Serum 30 per cent of the popula- senior leaders have been coronavirus found in the Rashtriya Rifles and the when they asked for wa- 31 days to achieve this, cent of total inoculations Institute of India as tion inoculated in India. infected by the virus in the United Kingdom, South Central Reserve Police Force ter, I gave them the wat- Britain had crossed the in the country, Uttar Covishield, and Bharat Experts have suggested last four days. Africa and Brazil have not (CRPF)'s 79th Battalion in Be- er bottle in which pesti- one-crore vaccination Pradesh accounted for 10.5 Biotech’s Covaxin, making private healthcare bodies Maharashtra public been detected in Amravati, eru's Zanigam hamlet to flush cide was mixed and they mark in 56 days. India per cent doses. Seven the two India’s first vac- should also be involved to health minister Rajesh Yavatmal and Satara dis- out militants. However, after drank it. I had left their achieved it in 34 days. Till states administered 60.85 cines against the pandem- ramp up the vaccination Tope got infected on tricts of Maharashtra the initial exchange of fire the bodies in the field,” the 8 am Friday, the total num- per cent of the second dose ic. process. Thursday. where cases have spiked militants managed to break the IG said quoting Vinay’s ber of Covid-19 vaccine vaccine. On Friday, pharma giant Meanwhile, a total of Ministers Bacchu Kadu, recently, the state govern- security dragnet and escape. confession. — PTI doses administered to In this, Telangana led the Dr Reddy’s Labs said it 13,193 new Covid-19 cases Jayant Patil and Rajendra ment said on Friday. WORLD pg DECCAN CHRONICLE | CHENNAI | SATURDAY | 20 FEBRUARY 2021 5

SHORT TAKES BREACH FUELS 31 DEAD IN DR Nasa’s rover touches down on Mars CALLS FOR U.S. CONGO PLAGUE After 7 months in space, overcomes tense landing phase called ‘seven minutes of terror’ ACTION ON OUTBREAK CYBERSECURITY Washington, Feb. 19: pered nearly half of all onboard map, was key to Bunia , Dr Congo, Feb. 19: After seven months in missions to Mars. landing in a rugged region Washington, Feb. 19: Thirty-one people have died in space, Nasa’s Persev- The spacecraft carrying of scientific interest. Jolted by a sweeping hack an outbreak of plague that erance rover overcame a Perseverance careened “We are in a nice flat that may have revealed erupted in northeastern DR tense landing phase with a into the Martian atmos- spot, the vehicle is only government and corpo- Congo three months ago, series of perfectly execut- phere at 12,500 miles tilted by about 1.2 rate secrets to Russia, US health officials and experts ed maneuvers to gently (20,000 kilometers) per degrees,” he said. “We did officials are scrambling to said on Friday. float down to the Martian hour, protected by its heat successfully find that reinforce the nation’s “We have more than 520 soil on Thursday and shield, then deployed a parking lot, and have a cyber defenses and recog- cases... of which more than 31 embark on its mission to supersonic parachute the safe rover on the nising that an agency cre- have been fatal,” Patrick search for signs of past size of a Little League ground.”- Scientists ated two years ago to pro- Karamura, health minister in life. field, before firing up an believe that around 3.5 bil- tect America’s networks Ituri province, where plague is “Touchdown con- eight-engined jetpack. lion years ago the crater and infrastructure lacks endemic,said. firmed,” said operations Finally, it lowered the was home to a river that the money, tools and The cases are the bubonic lead Swati Mohan at 3:55 rover carefully to the flowed into a deep lake, authority to counter such form of the disease, except for pm Eastern Time (2055 ground on a set of cables. depositing sediment in a sophisticated threats. five cases of pneumonic GMT), as mission control Allen Chen, lead engi- fan-shaped delta. The breach, which plague and two of septicaemic at NASA’s Jet Propulsion neer for the landing stage, Perseverance ended up hijacked widely used soft- plague, he said. Laboratory in Pasadena said a new guidance sys- landing about two kilome- ware from Texas-based Anne Laudisoit, an epidemi- erupted in cheers. tem called “Terrain Rela- ters (a mile) southeast of SolarWinds Inc., has ologist with a New York-based The autonomously guid- tive Navigation,” which the delta, NASA scientist exposed the profound vul- NGO called Ecohealth ed procedure was in fact uses a special camera to Ken Farley said, in a geo- nerability of civilian gov- Alliance, said the cases had completed more than 11 This Nasa photo shows the first images from Nasa’s Perseverance rover as it landed identify surface features logically significant area. ernment networks and the surfaced between November minutes earlier, the length on the surface of Mars. Nasa said that the Perseverance rover has touched down on and compare them to an — AFP limitations of efforts to 15 and December 13 in Biringi, of time it took for radio the surface of Mars after successfully overcoming a risky landing phase known detect threats. in Ituri's Aru Territory. signals to return to Earth. as the ‘seven minutes of terror.’ — AFP The average age of patients Shortly after landing, was 13, but this varied the rover sent back its hailed the “historic” et, said Nasa acting equipped with a seven between three months and 73 first black-and-white event. administrator Steve foot- (two meter-) long years, she said. images, revealing a rocky “Today proved once Jurczyk. robotic arm, has 19 The World Health field at the landing site in again that with the power “It’ll be on Mars for its cameras, two micro- Organisation (WHO) issued an the Jezero Crater, just of science and American entire life,” he said, phones and a suite of alert in July of a plague out- north of the Red Planet’s ingenuity, nothing is adding “these robots tend cutting-edge instru- break in Rethy, also in Ituri. equator. beyond the realm of possi- to be really reliable.” Over ments to assist in its Plague has persisted in the More images, video of bility,” he tweeted. the coming years, scientific goals. province since it was first con- the descent and perhaps Perseverance’s prime Perseverance will attempt Before it could set firmed there in 1926. the first sounds of Mars mission will last just over to collect 30 rock and soil out on its lofty quest, A long-feared disease with ever recorded by micro- two years but it is likely to samples in sealed tubes, to it first had to over- biblical connotations, but phones are expected in the remain operational well be eventually sent back to come the dreaded treatable today with antibi- coming hours as the rover beyond that, with its pred- Earth sometime in the “seven minutes of ter- otics, the plague is caused by a relays data to overhead ecessor Curiosity still 2030s for lab analysis. ror”—the risky entry, bacterium called Yersinia satellites. functioning eight years About the size of an SUV, descent and landing pestis. US President Joe Biden after landing on the plan- the craft weighs a ton, is phase that has scup- Biden admin introduces Citizenship Act Bill to create an earned roadmap to 11 million undocumented immigrants

Washington, Feb. 19: A the House and Senate. bicameral US Citizenship However, in the upper Act of 2021 proposing a US ends Trump policy, lets chamber, they need sup- pathway to citizenship to port of 10 Republicans to 11 million undocumented get the legislation through workers, elimination of the Congress before it can per country quota for in refugees stuck in Mexico be signed into law. employment-based green The Democratic leader- cards and work authorisa- ship and the White House tion for dependents of H- San Diego, Feb. 19: After Texas, next Friday. United States. hope that they will get the 1B foreign workers, was waiting months and some- US officials are warning Friday marks a key mile- necessary support in the introduced in the times years in Mexico, people not to come to the stone in unraveling one of interest of millions of Congress. people seeking asylum in US-Mexico border, saying former President Donald non-citizens living in the The bill, if passed by the United States are bei- an estimated 25,000 people Trump’s cornerstone poli- country. Supported by the both the chambers of the ng allowed into the coun- with active cases in the cies to deter people from White House, the bill cre- Congress — House of try starting from Friday “Remain in Mexico” pro- seeking protection from ates an earned roadmap to Representatives and the as they wait for courts to gram and several hundred persecution and returns citizenship for all 11 mil- Senate — and signed into decide on their cases, who are appealing deci- the US asylum system to lion undocumented immi- law by President Joe unwinding one of the sions should register on a the way it worked for dec- grants, with an expedited Biden would bring citizen- Trump administration’s website that the UN High ades. three-year path to citizen- ship to millions of foreign signature immigration Commissioner for Refu- But there are unan- ship, and giving all other nationals, including policies that President Joe gees is launching early swered questions, includ- undocumented immi- undocumented and those Biden vowed to end. next week. ing how Central Amer- grants who pass back- who came to the country The number of asylum- The International Orga- icans who returned home ground checks and pay legally. seekers coming in initial- nisation for Migration, will get back to the US- taxes with an eight-year The legislation would ly will be very limited, the UN migration agency, Mexico border. It’s also path to citizenship with- also benefit hundreds and beginning on Friday at a plans to test asylum-seek- unclear how long it will out fear of deportation. thousands of Indian IT border crossing in San ers for Covid-19 and will take to work through more It reforms family-based professionals and their Diego and expanding to quarantine anyone who than 25,000 active Remain immigration system to families. Authors of the Brownsville, Texas, on tests positive for 10 days in Mexico cases, with the keep families together by bill — Senator Bob Monday and El Paso, before they enter the oldest going first. — AP recapturing visas from Menendez and previous years to clear Congresswoman Linda backlogs, including spous- Sánchez — told reporters from US universities to lets people live without bors and friends,” said es and children of green that the US Citizenship stay, improving access to fear, and a system that Menendez. “We have a his- card holders as immediate Act of 2021 establishes a green cards for workers in gives immigrants — like toric opportunity to final- family members. It also moral and economic lower-wage industries, my parents — who sought ly enact bold immigration eliminates discrimination imperative and a vision of giving dependents of H-1B a better life and contribute reform that leaves no one facing LGBTQ+ families, immigration reform that holders work authorisa- to our nation a fair oppor- behind, addresses root provides protection for is expansive and inclusive. tion, and preventing chil- tunity to thrive,” Sanchez causes of migration, and orphans, widows and chil- It grows the economy by dren of H-1B holders from said. safeguards our country’s dren, allows immigrants making changes to the aging out of the system. “Immigrants contribute national security. We have with approved family-sp- employment-based immi- “I am the daughter of greatly to our country and a moral and economic onsorship petitions to join gration system, eliminat- immigrant parents from society. They own busi- imperative to get this done family in the US on a tem- ing per-country caps, mak- Mexico. I have dedicated nesses, pay taxes and once and for all,” he said. porary basis while they ing it easier for STEM my career to building an teach our children. They The ruling Democrats wait for green cards to advanced degree holders immigration system that are our coworkers, neigh- have a majority in both become available. — PTI ROYALTY | STRIPPED Harry still 6th in line to the throne, with no change in the line of succession Prince Harry to lose all honorary titles

London, Feb. 19: to Her Majesty The Queen Britain’s Prince Harry will that they will not be relinquish his honorary returning as working military appointments and members of The Royal patronages after confirm- Family,” Buckingham ing to Queen Elizabeth II Palace said. that he and his wife “The Queen has written Meghan Markle will not confirming that in step- return as working royals, ping away from the work of Buckingham Palace The Royal Family it is not announced on Friday. possible to continue with The Duke and Duchess of the responsibilities and Sussex, as they are official- duties that come with a life ly known, rocked the of public service. British monarchy when “The honorary military they quit frontline royal Britain’s Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of appointments and Royal duties a year ago and relo- Sussex attend the 91st Field of Remembrance at patronages held by The cated to the United States, Westminster Abbey in London. — AP FILE PHOTO Duke and Duchess will where they have embarked therefore be returned to on several commercial with the queen in early on behalf of the monarch, Her Majesty, before being ventures. 2020, Harry agreed the cou- but vowed to review the redistributed among work- Under the terms of their ple would stop using the moves a year on. ing members of The Royal departure, thrashed out at “Royal Highness” title and “The Duke and Duchess Family.” an emergency summit no longer carry out duties of Sussex have confirmed — AFP IRAN CALLS FOR U.S. TO SCRAP ALL SANCTIONS SET BY TRUMP Tehran, Feb. 19: Iran on imposed, re-imposed or re- restrict some access to UN proposed via Twitter an Friday renewed its call for labelled by Trump”. nuclear inspectors unless “informal meeting” involv- the US to lift all sanctions The Biden administra- sanctions are lifted, new ing Iran — and the US imposed by former presi- tion on Thursday offered US Secretary of State accepted. dent Donald Trump, after talks with Iran led by Antony Blinken warned “The United States would an offer for talks from new European allies and jointly with European accept an invitation from President Joe Biden’s reversed two largely sym- powers that the move the European Union High administration. bolic steps against Tehran would be “dangerous”. Representative to attend a Foreign Minister imposed by Trump, as it Hours after Blinken’s meeting of the P5+1 and Mohammad Javad Zarif sought to salvage a nuclear videoconference with his Iran to discuss a diplomat- tweeted that Iran would deal on the brink of col- French, British and ic way forward,” said State “immediately reverse” its lapse. German counterparts, the Department spokesman retaliatory measures if the Ahead of a Sunday dead- European Union political Ned Price. US lifts “all sanctions line set by Iran for it to director, Enrique Mora, — AFP EDIT DECCAN CHRONICLE | SATURDAY | 20 FEBRUARY 2021 | CHENNAI pg 6

20 FEBRUARY 2021

Cong’s Punjab lesson: Set Subhani store by the local stalwarts he spectacular sweep by the Congress in the civic polls in all three regions of Punjab earlier this week presents an object lesson to the Narendra Modi government as well as the Congress Party itself. The Tpoll results have pushed the otherwise powerful Akali Dal, which derives its authority from Sikh religious forums, and the BJP into a narrow corner. The lesson for India’s oldest party, which now appears to be in a semi-som- nolent state in many parts of the country — is that the road to revival is not closed. But there is a proviso: in the states the party must be led by local stal- warts who have come up the political ladder in the normal course of elections and manoeuvring, and not by lightweight flunkeys accidentally selected by the central leadership and its nominated committees on a whim or to bestow personal favours. In Punjab, chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh, in spite of his advanced years, proved his mettle. He gave mature political leadership. He could instinc- tively pick issues to highlight that matter. He also dealt with upstarts favoured by the Centre in a manner that did not raise any dust and he did not throw LETTERS tantrums, although he is a maharaja. Attempts by his opponents to throw barbs of a personal nature at him cut no ice. No doubt, the farmers’ agitation helped the Congress greatly. Former party COVID-19 VARIANTS Women walk taller… But This refers to your editorial chief Rahul Gandhi’s initiative in the Lok Sabha in holding two minutes silence — by treading into the Speaker’s domain — in memory of the farmers Covid-19 variants: India not out who have died in the agitation could hardly have gone unnoticed in Punjab or of woods yet (Feb. 19).The fe- anywhere else. ar of experts and scientists But these meaningful acts of symbolism may not have gone far enough and cannot be ignored as variants been translated into votes, were it not for the astute leadership of the state by what if Ramani had lost? have a tendency to spread fa- Captain Amarinder and the tending of the state party organisation by PCC chief Sunil Jakhar in a sober manner. The Congress high command, such as it to bully and browbeat does that diminish her ster than the original one. In is, will doubtless realise that the party could have swept the Assembly election women — no questions truth. our country, the number of in neighbouring Haryana if only it had handed over charge of the party to asked. “A woman cannot be people exposed to the pande- Bhupinder Hooda early enough. Shobhaa De Often it is the unalloyed punished for raising her mic is not small and are vulne- The Modi government and the ruling BJP cannot but have noticed that the arrogance of men in voice,” the court said. rable to attack and new vari- day after the Punjab civic poll results came out, Rakesh Tikait, who has by power (I refuse to call But she is! Often, with now emerged as a famous farmers’ leader from western Uttar Pradesh, called them “powerful men” -- extreme punishment — ants are knocking on the door. on the community of farmers to intensify their agitation and not return home they are anything but!) rape and murder. Then The best solution is reinvigora- until the controversial farm laws are rolled back. It is not unlikely that the that makes them believe comes the question of her tion of the awareness progra- farmers will show up in poll-bound West Bengal to queer the pitch for the BJP, in their own invincibili- “rights” — what rights? mmes on appropriate metho- which is trying hard to challenge CM Mamata Banerjee. ty. Here’s my theory for Those are enshrined in ds stringently as usual, and ve- The Punjab results also point to the fact that the dissatisfaction with the he temptation women of India behind what it’s worth: M.J. our Constitution — but Centre’s policies that have fuelled unemployment, shutting down of micro, to gloat at this her). In Priya Ramani’s Akbar overplayed his does anybody bother ry particularly avoiding of soc- small and medium industries, and the relentless climb in diesel and petrol very moment is place, I know I would card. Plus, he was badly with these rights when ial gatherings for next six mo- prices, are hurting the urban voter badly. The government leadership and the pretty darn have behaved most advised by his mighty women across the board nths. The caution is not exce- ruling party leadership need to look sharp and make wise choices. overwhelming. indecorously, immature- legal team. He probably face the worst form of tor- ssive to fight with pandemic. I’mT sure millions of ly and irrepressibly. I thought he could turn the ment? Priya Ramani Suresh V.V., Vellore women across India (and might have broken into a tables on Priya Ramani spoke for working possibly the world) are victory dance or some- and crush her with for- women everywhere Prince’s ransom for cricketers viewing journalist Priya thing silly and spoken to midable money power when she outed M.J. WOMEN’S WOES Ramani’s acquittal by a the media between sobs and political clout. Who Akbar — her boss in the THE RECENT judgment by a Delhi couple of IPL teams seem to have gone overboard in splashing crores on Delhi court in a criminal of relief. Priya and was she, after all? That’s 1990s. I wrote four impas- court absolving journalist Priya cricketers who are looking to rediscover their mojo after very poor out- defamation case filed by Rebecca must know what the way mediocre minds sioned columns at the Ramani in a criminal defamation case Aings in the last edition of the league played in the UAE. Considering that former Union minister/ this victory and acquittal function. One expected time, and was asked to filed by former Union minister M.J. 130 countries around the globe are yet to lay their hands on vaccine supply in journalist/author M.J. signifies for women — it M.J. Akbar to be a “calm down”, mostly by Akbar is really welcome. It will give the face of the coronavirus pandemic, such splurging seems a tad extravagant. Akbar as a personal vic- is like the biggest valida- shrewder strategist. Like men of his generation, more strength to women who are But then chasing sporting success is an expensive but far from scientific pur- tory. It was a goose- tion of all times! It shows some of his contempo- some of whom had faced afraid of raising their voice against suit. Perhaps, the extravagance has to be seen as part of a larger sport bubble bumps-inducing historic one thing unequivocally raries, who ducked similar charges in the those who sexually harass or molest that comes more as an entertainment package and is not to be equated with nor- few minutes for those — women matter. Their under the radar, and media and had denied them. The victims often keep quiet mal pay for work rewards in common men’s lives and livelihoods. The 2020 present at Delhi’s Rouse voices matter. Their waited for the #MeToo them. Most of the fearing stigmatisation by society, records of Chris Morris of South Africa, who at `16.25 crores has become the Avenue courts on hurts, pain, humiliation storm to blow over. Bollywood men accused which still looks down upon women cash-rich league’s most expensive player at an auction and Glenn Maxwell of Wednesday as Ravindra and subjugation matter! Today, hardly anybody during the height of the and holds them responsible for such Australia who gets close to US $2 million (the approximate procurement cost of Dubey, additional chief None of it can be ignored remembers who they #MeToo movement are crimes, instead of targeting the 5.7 lakh vaccines) bear no relation to the prince’s ransom being paid as salaries. metropolitan magistrate, or devalued. For cen- were -- and nobody cares! back in the studios, chas- wrong-doers. Many people who are of The teams seemed so overenthusiastic about foreign T20 all-rounders that pointed out what should turies, a woman’s The momentum is long tened for now, but cer- orthodox and patriarchal mindset they could not show the same largesse to homegrown talent. The riches show- have been obvious to “virtue” has been equat- over. People have moved tainly not sensitised. It’s question the victim over her choice of ered on some youngsters in this annual auction like K. Gowtham, bought by everybody all along — ed with her “value”. If a on. And those very same just that they don’t want dress and what-not. There are many Chennai Super Kings for US $9.25 crores and M.Shahrukh Khan, picked up by that even a person of woman’s “purity” is men are carrying on with to be caught with their villages where people don’t allow girls the renamed Punjab Kings for `1.2 crores, may have been heartwarming as high social standing can defiled — her market their lives like nothing pants down — not that to go to school as soon as they reach their potential to shine in the T20 format is being recognised. The champions be a sexual harasser and worth crashes. Even if ever happened. A few are they see anything wrong puberty. They also look at girls as Mumbai Indians, who were parsimonious compared to the likes of Royal a woman cannot be pun- it’s she who has been at still lying low, perhaps with sexual harassment some sort of liability and try to marry Challengers, Bangalore who broke their bank at the auction on a couple of ished for raising the receiving end of sexu- hoping their accusers per se. It’s the same them off at an early age. expensive buys, also chose to take on the cricketer with the famous surname — instances of abuse al harassment! It is the have “forgotten”, prefer- power trip as the one C.K. Subramaniam, Chennai Arjun Tendulkar — at the modest starting price of `20 lakhs. In cricketing decades later. The irony perpetrator who general- ably “forgiven”. Dream M.J. Akbar imagined terms, the hunt for impact players who can be expected to swing games with bat of that significant obser- ly wins! When after she on! No Sir… Women do would insulate him when and/or ball seemed logical enough. The timing of the commitment of millions vation is not lost on any- has been raped, tortured not forget. Never! Some he tried to put Priya OIL PRICE HIKE seems a bit awkward when the world is vaccinating against the existential cri- one, given that Priya and brutalised… because are unable to fight back, Ramani on the back foot APROPOS REPORT PM blames pre- sis posed by the virus. Ramani was the accused society decides “women others too emotionally by suing her for defama- vious govts for not cutting import in this case, and had to always ask for it”. drained to rage on. But tion. The point is: A dependence (Feb. 18). The PM does not fight valiantly for her With this important no woman forgets the man’s reputation has to want to criticise but blames the previ- truth to be established in verdict, all of a sudden, face of her abuser or his be impeccable to have the ous governments for not cutting DECCAN CHRONICLE court! And yes — as in women are experiencing despicable abuse, till her guts to sue a woman for import dependence. But did the NDA most such cases, it is men a surge of confidence. last breath. tarnishing it. That’s real- government cut the same? The BJP- KAUSHIK MITTER K. SUDHAKAR (and more infrequently, They are walking taller, The court in this ly rich, in this case, con- led NDA government is in power for Editor Printer & Publisher heads held high. Courage remarkable verdict has sidering the court accept- R. MOHAN women) “of high social almost seven years but the petrol, Resident Editor standing” who are guilty they have never lacked! emphasised that there is ed advocate Rebecca diesel and domestic gas cylinder DECCAN CHRONICLE offices are located at: of misusing this very Just the thought that no time bar for speaking Jacob’s argument that prices are progressively sky-rocket- Chennai: SP 3 Developed Plot, Industrial Estate, Guindy, Chennai 600032. Phones: (044) 22254747, “social standing”, secure they will get a fair hear- out. A woman is entitled M.J. Akbar’s reputation ing, burdening the commoner who is 22254748 Coimbatore: 77 Vivekananda Road, Ramnagar, Coimbatore 641009. Phone: (0422) 2231255, 2231256 and complacent in the ing, is enough for now. to do so decades later, if was far from “stellar”. cursing himself and the government Hyderabad: 36, Sarojini Devi Road, Secunderabad 500 003. Phone: (040) 27803930-4. Fax: (040) belief that nothing and The silence of victims she so chooses. In no way Bravo! of the day. According to Dr. Swamy’s 27805256. no one can touch them has been misread as “Right of reputation recent tweet the petrol price is `93 in Bengaluru: 5th Floor, BMTC Commercial Complex, 80 Ft. Road, Koramangala, Bangalore-560095. Ph: because of it. weakness. Worse, it has can’t be protected at the Rama’s India, `53 in Sita’s Nepal and 08043460500; Fax: 080-22960551/52/55 Well, a plucky woman, been equated with con- cost of life and dignity of `51 in Ravana’s Lanka. This proves Visakhapatnam: Survey No. 1/3A Beach Road, Near Kailasagiri Ropeway, Sector-9 MVP Colony, Priya and Rebecca Visakhapatnam - 530 017. Phones: (0891) 2552333/2552334, Fax (0891) 2755285 Priya Ramani, and her sent and compliance. the woman…” Yessssss! that the government has failed to con- Vijayawada: No. C 3 & 4, Patamata, Industrial Estate, Auto Nagar, Vijayawada (A.P.). Phones: (0866) equally plucky lawyer, Ravindra Dubey spoke must know what So … all the “powerful” trol the petrol, diesel and domestic gas 2555284/ 2555287, Fax (0866) 2555234 Rebecca John, just threw on behalf of many men this victory and men cowering at the cylinder prices despite its tall claim Rajahmundry: Vemagiri, Dhawleswaram Rd, Rajahmundry 533125. Phones: (0883) 2417208, 2417618 moment at the thought of Anantapur: Thapovan Colony, Bangalore Bye-Pass Road, Anantapur 515004. Phones: (08554) 276903, that smug self-assurance who share the senti- acquittal signifies that stupendous progress has been Fax: 08554-276904 into the dustbin. Good on ments expressed in the for women — it is the repercussions of this made on all fronts. As the common Nellore: Survey No. 527/2, Burranpur Village, Venkatachalam (M), Chemudugunta Panchayat, Nellore. you, ladies! What I appre- verdict but dare not go verdict — cower away. man is ignorant of economics, import Phone: (0861) 2348581/ 82, Telefax (0861) 2348580 ciated the most was the public with their pro- like the biggest It’s your turn next! dependence etc., the government Karimnagar: Survey No. 1341, Vavilalapally Colony, Jagityala Road, Karimnagar 505 001. women views. Why? validation of all “… But what if Priya Phone: (0878 ) 2228908; Telefax (0878) 2220433 sobriety and restraint which is earning average `1 lakh Kochi: No. 3-B, 3rd Floor, DD TRADE TOWER, Kaloor-Kadavanthara Road, Ernakulam, displayed by both women Because they fear the times! It shows one Ramani had lost?” crores GST should divert one quarter Ph: 0484-4039408 as soon as the verdict was wrath of other men and thing unequivocally of the amount, share the burden and Kozhikode: No 6/1002 E, First Floor City Mall, Opp. YMCA Kannur Road, Kozhikode - 673 001 delivered (M.J. Akbar are scared of being Readers can send supply petrol, diesel and domestic gas Fax : 0495 4019018 mocked by a hyper- — women matter. feedback to Thiruvananthapuram: St Joseph Press Thycaud post, Cotton Hills, Thiruvananthapuram-14, Ph: 0471- was surrounded by cylinders at half the cost, emulating 2735105/6/7, Fax: 0471-4016112 Gram: CHRONICLE Postal registration no: No. H/SD-348/2006-08ss dozens of policemen, macho, over-patriarchal Their voices www.shobhaade. Ravana’s Lanka. while Priya had all the system that entitles men matter. blogspot.com A. Seshagiri Rao, Chennai

“There is time always, Bachchoo, juries to identify speech which calls In recent years, American and transgender people, but insist on cratic assault on free speech in the Farrukh To talk of many things for any sort of attack on the minori- British universities have enter- their own freedom, without censure very institutions, the universities, As the Walrus did expound ties — or even a majority of the pop- tained insidious attacks on the prin- and abuse from trolls, to hold scien- where opposing arguments should Dhondy On cabbages and kings ulation. It’s a law that upholds ciple of freedom of speech. tific and biological arguments which be debated. Britain’s Conservative decency, but “hate crime” shouldn’t Cambridge University, for instance, deny that humans or animals can government, with an ear wide open And yet this global fear stretch to expressing a questioning backpedalled in recent months on an change gender because they want to. to these commentators, has now Cabbages & Clips conversation’s wings or dissenting opinion about, say, a edict they issued to “respect” all In a recent case, brought by a resolved to legislate for “free The only news we hear religion. I am free to publicly pro- opinions. Several senior and junior young woman who was, when she speech” and appoint a sort of supre- Kings Is of Covid’s mutatings!” claim that I don’t believe in virgin members of the university interpret- was underage, subject to what she mo to see that this law is enforced. births, or that God engraves, by ed this injunction as a “shut-up” call called pressure and “mind control” Prof. Todd has expressed her sup- — From O For a Sip of Bepsi lightning, laws on stone tablets or to all dissidence. They wanted the at the Tavistock Institute, the court port for such a law. She says it’s Kohla by Bachchoo indeed dictates books to prophets. I diktat to be modified to “tolerate” all ruled that influencing or indulging necessary as the atmosphere on won’t have, I hope, crossed the line opinions, while reserving the right minors to change their gender and campus, perpetrated by self- ithout freedom of speech between a theological or scientific to contradict and oppose them. The undergo medicinal, surgical and appointed activists and attitude- and opinion, there is no belief and incitement to attack any dissidents won. psychological therapy to so do, was enforcers, inhibits the expression of democracy. The system religious group or the buildings they Several prominent writers and unlawful. dissenting opinions — about histo- Wof counting votes and pray in. academics, among them J.K. This censorship, the denial of plat- ry, science, politics, sociology and giving the majority the privilege of The definition of hate crime in Rowling of the Harry Potter books, forms to people whose opinions, pol- even literature. Why it’s crucial governing in fairness to the minor- any democracy should not deterio- Germaine Greer, widely recognised itics or stances on any issues which The National Union of Students’ ity — is only the first requirement. rate or ever be interpreted as as a pioneer of contemporary femi- the banning and debarring bodies representatives argue that there is The rule of unoppressive, uncoer- “Disagree Crime”. Dictatorships nism and, most recently, Prof. Selina disagree with, has been confined to no need for such a law and that it has to stand up for cive law, freedom of association and fascistic regimes, some, as in Todd of Oxford University, have supporters of what has come to be constantly been vigilant about and assembly, freedom of speech — Turkey, based on religion and oth- been variously “no-platformed” by known as the “woke” agenda. People absolute freedom of speech in uni- yes, even on Twitter — are some of ers on a mafiocracy, are universally university student organisations with doubts or dissenting opinions versities. A good cellar of salt should the rest. known for their intolerance of dis- because they’ve argued, in the on race, gender, sexual orientation flavour this assertion. views you may Twitter has now banned Donald sent. Turkey locks up its journalists media or through social media out- — and politicians who have acted in Time will tell if this law and its Trump’s outpourings, not because and Russia arrests and imprisons lets, that transgender women were favour of right-wing policies — have enforcement have any effect. they’re left-wing or supportive of 11,000 of the protesters who took to not really women and shouldn’t be been the targets of this denial of Perhaps every country with a claim not agree with… some mythical religious bias, but the streets in favour of the release afforded the reserved rights and appearance on university platforms, to being democratic should pass because very many of them amount of a dissident politician. Other spaces that belonged to the gender. sometimes being informed of the such a law and appoint a manifestly to hate speech and incitement to nations disgracefully encourage They had rational and scientific banning only hours before they independent “neyta” with powers to break the law. and allow curtailment of the free- arguments on their side and each were invited to appear. dismiss frivolous and outrageous In Britain, there are laws against dom of speech or even fiction, on one, and others on the side of these The phenomenon has been taken attacks on the freedom of opinion hate speech. Though difficult to the grounds of dubious interpreta- three, strongly aver that they are not up by right-wing commentators, and creativity from politicians and define, the law trusts judges and tions of religious sanctity. denying social or political rights to who argue that this is an anti-demo- charlatans. pg SATURDAY | 20 FEBRUARY 2021 | CHENNAI 7 Platinum up 120% on auto demand 18 mn Indians `25,000-cr fund for stalled quick to find new Gold down `10K occupation by realty projects bearing fruit DHWANI PANDYA government has 50 per cent BITES FEB. 19 in the fund, Life Insurance 2030: Report Corporation and State from Aug. rally Mumbai, Feb. 19: A 25,000-crore ($3.5 billion) Bank of India each have 10 % Covid-19 will have a last- fund set up by the govern- per cent and the rest are INDICATORS ing impact on labour ment to complete stalled other public and private Sensex 50,889.76 -0.85 SANGEETHA G markets, and as much as housing projects is set to sector players. Global Nifty 50 14,981.80 -0.91 CHENNAI, FEB. 19 18 million Indian work- deliver its first finished funds have not shown a S&P 500* 3,926.25 0.31 ers will be forced to apartments in 2021, offer- large interest for a couple Gold prices have corrected switch to a newer occu- ing a template for a prob- of reasons: they prefer Dollar (`) 72.64 0.16 18 per cent and lost more pation by 2030 because of lem that has washed out rent-yielding office and Pound Sterling (`) 100.98 0.02 than Rs 10,000 since the pandemic, a report savings of thousands of warehousing assets over August while platinum said on Friday. home buyers and bank- Irfan A. Kazi residential. They also Euro (`) 87.67 0.15 prices have gained more The impact will be "dis- rupted developers. expect returns of more Gold (10gm)* (`) 45,568▲239 0.52 than 120 per cent since proportionately" felt on The fund will hand over val but 112 are early-stage than 20 per cent to account April. Despite the current low-wage workers in 16 projects, or more than approvals, where due dili- for risks, including asset Brent crude ($/bbl)* 63.41 -0.81 weakness in gold, both the retail, food services, hos- 4,000 homes, in the finan- gence is pending. We don't class and exchange rate, at IN 10-Yr bond yield 6.132 0.00 metals are expected to see pitality, and office admin- cial year starting April 1, disclose disbursal amount which level our projects US 10-Yr T-bill yield* 1.321 0.034 further rally in 2021. istration, the report by said Irfan A. Kazi, chief as we give funding only will be loss-making. We Gold prices have dropped McKinsey Global investment officer at SBI- against project progress; have raised Rs 10,000 crore * As of 8:30 PM IST to Rs 45,950 per 10 gm in Institute, said. CAP Ventures Ltd, the gov- two projects will complete so far (of the Rs 25,000 the Multi Commodity The pandemic has dis- ernment-appointed manag- construction by April. crore fund size) but the Exchange from the highs rupted labour markets er of the alternative invest- government has assured of Rs 56,590 in August— because companies have ment fund. The 'Special What kind of returns do us that more will be made Govt to appeal losing more than Rs 10,000 trial recovery saw the base Despite the divergent been forced to respond to Window for Comp-letion of you expect? available when required. per 10 gm. In the interna- metal prices more than movement seen in both the a new dimension of Construction of Affordable We take first charge on tional market, the yellow doubling. Most of the equi- metals in the second half work-physical proximity. and Mid-Income Housing assets and cash flows, so What kind of challenge against Cairn metal had touched a record ty markets are trading at of last year and the initial The report identifies the Projects' (Swahim) fund when projects get complet- has the fund faced? high of $2,075 an ounce in their life-time high levels months of this year, ana- lasting impact of Covid- was announced in ed we are the first one to In many cases we are deal- Energy tax award August as the favourable and Bitcoin has shot up lysts say the metals will 19 on labour demand in November 2019. get our money back. ing with the bottom rung of macro-economic factors from Rs 4,000 in March to rally in 2021. eight countries. At the time, India had an Existing lenders have to companies, which have lost The government is likely to file got a boost from the pan- Rs 52,800,” said Ajay Kedia, “Gold rally never ends in Three broad changes in estimated $63 billion of agree to take second manpower and some even an appeal against the $1.4 bil- demic uncertainty. Since MD, Kedia Commodities. a year. It goes on for six to consumer behaviour and such stalled projects as an charge. We invest via zero- no longer have a finance lion international arbitration then prices have been Another precious metal, eight years. Despite the business models will per- economic slowdown and a coupon non-convertible team, so due diligence can award won by Cairn Energy in a receding and have fallen to platinum, too saw a rally current weakness, there sist to varying degrees, credit crisis cascaded debentures. All our invest- be hard. A no-objection cer- tax dispute, sources said. Soon $1,760 levels, losing more with the recovery in the are several factors that which include the rise of through the sector. ments are done at 12 per tificate from existing after the second round of than $300 per ounce. automotive sector. Prices still support gold. A possi- remote work, the Builders were unable to cent internal rate of lenders has come only in meeting between Cairn CEO “Gold prices have slipped are at a six-year high and ble weakness in the US dol- increased embrace of e- service their loans, forcing return across projects. some cases and takes an Simon Thomson and finance below the crucial Rs have moved up from $560 lar, low interest rates, over- commerce and virtual banks to write off the debts exceedingly long period of secretary Ajay Bhushan Pandey 46,000/10gm level, to hit an an ounce in April to valued equities, ETF interactions, and the and worsen what was Was there any push- time. Then there are also ended on Friday, the source eight-month low. The rise $1273—up by more than inflows and recessionary more rapid deployment already one of the world's back? pending court cases or said the government intends to in the US Treasury yields 120 per cent. trends in major economies of automation and artifi- biggest bad-loan piles. The There was a significant home buyers demanding defend its sovereign right in and stronger dollar, opti- “Tougher pollution regu- will continue to support cial intelligence. government created the degree of resistance from compensation. taxation and will file an appeal mism of a larger economic lations requiring vehicle gold,’ said Kedia. This will lead to a fund as a measure to lenders about our first against the tribunal award. stimulus package, and the makers to use more plat- In a report published in reshuffling of jobs in the unclog the financing pipes. charge on repayment but, How and where does the vaccination drive have led inum in catalytic convert- November, CitiGroup economy over a decade, Kazi spoke in a phone as our deal track record fund operate? to downside pressure on ers are supporting prices. found gold prices pushing and over 100 million interview Feb. 12. Edited shows, that hurdle is being Before setting up the fund, Printed & Published by gold prices,” said Nish China is implementing to $2,000 an ounce in the workers will have to find excerpts: gradually scaled. We now we did a market study K Sudhakar on behalf of Deccan Bhatt, founder and CEO, Phase 6 standard for both medium term with a target a new job, it said, adding allow sharing of the secu- which established that Chronicle Holdings Limited. Printed & Millwood Kane gasoline and diesel vehi- of $2,500 for 2021. 18 million of those will How much money has rity with lenders and shar- about 40 per cent of the Published at Deccan Chronicle Presses International. cles from January 2021. As Similarly, platinum also be in India itself. been disbursed? ing of cash flow to some stressed projects were in situated at SP-3 Developed Plot, “Gold has seen consider- other economies follow the may move towards $1,500 The impact on India We have given approvals to extent. We keep having the National Capital Industrial Estate, Guindy, Chennai. Editor: T.Venkatram Reddy, RNI Reg. able weakness as investors same, the demand will fur- with tougher pollution has been minimised around 159 projects involv- internal discussions and Region, about 25 per cent No. TNENG/2008/25473 Air surcharge Re started profit-booking ever ther go up. Moreover, plat- norms in the automotive because 35-55 per cent of ing investment of about Rs also with the finance min- in the Mumbai Metro-poli- 1. © All rights reserved. Reproduction in since the vaccine news inum may see a third con- sector increasing demand. the country's workforce 14,500 crore, which will istry on what criteria can tan Region and the top whole or in part without written per- started coming. Easy secutive annual produc- Platinum ETFs too have depends on the outdoor complete around 100,000 be relaxed. seven cities accounted for mission of The Editor, Financial money started flowing into tion deficit in 2021 amid been seeing significant production and mainte- homes. Of this, about 47 about 85 per cent of all the Chronicle ® is prohibited. riskier assets like equities supply concerns from inflows in the recent nance arena. — PTI projects (Rs 5,000 crore) Who are your investors? stalled projects. However, and Bitcoin and the indus- South Africa,” said Kedia. months. have received final appro- We have 14 investors, the we are a pan-India fund. COFFEE-BREAK CALVIN AND HOBBES| Bill Watterson Your day today By Dr C.V.B. Subrahmanyam QUICK CROSSWORD Aries: Success will come from clearly defining your desires and making a plan. You need to execute them with patience and precision. Finances show a rise today. Taurus: Many of you will receive a generous pay rise, a promotion, a new job or a career break- through. This day you will learn the value of THE WIZARD OF ID| Parker and Hartsd being discreet. Gemini: Today, academic study will be a part of your life. You will be determined to under- take further studies on a part-time or full- time basis to start a new career. Cancer: A relative or older person will provide support or guidance in your business or aca- demic pursuits. Connection with people from overseas will bring you success. Leo: Artists, performers, writers can gain pub- lic recognition. First-time authors could have a ARCHIE| Bill Henry Scarpelli & craig boldman novel published. Some students can begin a career in law. Virgo: This day is particularly dangerous for keep- ing secrets hidden. Romance will take a serious note, with many of you tying the knot and also,

building a solid foundation for the future. Across Down YESTERDAY’S ANSWER 1. Inclination (4) 1. Effervescent (6) 2. Small restaurant (6) Across: 1. Hindrance, You share your b’day with 6. Coins, 7. Snips, 9. 3. Stupor (4) 4. Wheel shaft (4) Rihanna is a Barbadian singer. She is famoulsy known for her Tots, 10. Impala, 12. 7. Springtime construction (4) 5. Dilate (6) Reflex, 14. Idle, 17. songs and albums like Good Girl Gone Bad, Rude Boy, What's 8. Coarse canvas (6) 6. Noughts (anag) (7) Debut, 18. Elite, 19. My Name?, We Found Love, Dimonds, Loud, Music of the Sun 10. Tramp wearily (7) 9. Crucially important (7) Celebrity. amongst others. 13. Bookbinding leather (7) 11. University grounds, buildings 16. Travelling seller (6) (6) Down: 2. Idiot, 3. Dash, 4. Assume, 5. BLONDIE| Dean Young and John Marshall Libra: Today shows a day of growth and good 17. Layer (4) 12. Pretending (6) China, 6. Catered, 8. fortune. The day begins with you enjoying 18. Alone (4) 14. Pop hero (4) Siamese, 11. Beetle, 19. Grimly persistent (6) 15. Reproduced (4) 13. Fable, 15. Drift, 16. social interaction and also, looking forward to Tear. exciting events. Scorpio: Business folks have to be careful and avoid being a scapegoat in other people’s plans. From this day health can fluctuate. Self- Word Mine jumble indulgent activities may increase. Sagittarius: You will try some new paths and K erase old and outworn partners from your life. A promotion or a new business venture will B C U make your bank balance grow. Capricorn: You could experience delays in pay- ANDY CAPP | Reg Smythe ments. This day take it easy on legal proceedings – E T U L F do not expect quick results. If you are in the writing TODAY’S RATINGS: 6 AVERAGE; 7 GOOD; or publishing business, this day is very fruitful. 9 OUTSTANDING How many words of four or more Aquarius: A holiday romance could turn into serious letters can you make from the relationship. For singles, there will be many opportu- letters shown in today’s puzzle? nities to find a partner. Expect an increase in parties In making a word, each letter and celebrations. The arrival of a baby will bring joy. may be used once only. Each word must contain the letter at Pisces: Use music to heal yourself while you are the top of the pyramid. There should be at least one nine letter mentally and physically low. Don’t allow the word. Plurals, foreign words and

problem of obesity overtake you. Unnecessary proper names are not allowed.

fleck, fluke, luck, tuck luck, fluke, fleck, stress could bring mental tension today. bulk, buckle, BUCKETFUL, bucket, buck, ANSWERS: TARZAN| Edgar Rice Burroughs bridge his week, we have been means “pluck the day.” four hearts after West leads support. Tlooking at some defensive Loosely translated, Horace the club king? East took control immedi- techniques. In each deal, one wrote, “While we’re talking, In the auction, South cor- ately -- there was no time to PHILLIP defender could see how to envious time is fleeing. Pluck rectly opened one heart, not waste. He overtook his part- ALDER defeat the contract, but it was the day; put no trust in the one no-trump. Always try to ner's club king with the ace, not so clear to partner. The in- future.” show a five-card major, and cashed the diamond ace and the-know player had to take In bridge, of course, we here South had no rebid prob- returned the club five. Then it PLUCK THE control immediately and hope need to “pluck the trick,” lems. North responded with was easy for West to take that that partner got on the same which is “carpe dolum” appar- one no-trump forcing. (What trick and give his partner a page. ently. would you bid in Standard diamond ruff to defeat the TRICKS OUT It made me think of “carpe In today's deal, one player American? It would be a contract. diem,” which I thought meant cannot afford to spend time nightmare.) On the next OF THE “seize the day.” Apparently, smelling the roses; he must round, the jump to three Copyright United Feature though, it was first used by pluck the right cards to defeat hearts showed game-invita- Syndicate AIR Horace in 23 B.C., and really the contract. What happens in tional values with three-card (Asia Features) GAMES pg DECCAN CHRONICLE | CHENNAI | SATURDAY | 20 FEBRUARY 2021 8

SHORT TAKES TN meet Punjab Pugilists Chanu, Vinka make semis Money, Money, Money in Hazare opener New Delhi: Asian youth gold medallists Babyrojisana Chanu NEHA SURANA | DC (51kg) and Vinka (60kg) Jamieson didn’t know how much `15 crore was CHENNAI, FEB. 19 advanced to the semifinals of the 30th Adriatic Pearl tourna- Christchurch, Feb. 19: After their stupendous tri- ment in Budva, Montenegro, Waking up at around mid- umph in the Syed Mushtaq assuring themselves of at least night in New Zealand, ARJUN CAN’T Ali T20 tournament, Tamil a bronze medal each with dom- Kyle Jamieson wondered Nadu would be looking to inating first-round wins. how much `15 crore would WAIT TO WEAR continue their impressive Manipur’s Chanu, who trains at be in his country’s curren- run into the domestic one- MC Mary Kom’s academy, did cy, after having watched day tournament, Vijay not put a foot wrong and domi- an intense three-way bid MI’S JERSEY Hazare trophy. Tamil Nadu nated her opponent Georgieva for him in the IPL auction. will open their campaign Blagovesta of Bulgaria from the The 6’8” pacer eventual- New Delhi, Feb. 19: against Punjab on word go and as a result, the ref- ly ended up with Royal Pacer Arjun Tendulkar Saturday. Tamil Nadu begin their eree had to stop the contest in Challengers Bangalore for cannot wait for his maid- Tamil Nadu coach D. Vijay Hazare campaign on the first round itself. She will $2 million approximately, en IPL stint to start with Vasu said the focus is to Saturday. face Uzbekistan’s Feruza making him the highest Mumbai Indians and develop a solid team for the Kazakova in the semifinals. paid New Zealander and thanked the coaches for future. “Obviously we will were rewarded with the Vinka, who was up against fourth highest in the IPL’s having faith in him after try to win the Vijay Hazare, IPL contracts,” he said. Uzbekistan’s Sevara Ashurova 14-year history. being picked by the five- but our main focus is to While Shahrukh Khan, in a quarterfinal bout, produced “I woke up around mid- time champions at the develop a proper side for M. Siddharth and Hari a flawless display of her attack- night and decided to check players’ auction. next season’s Ranji. Nishaant were lapped up ing prowess. the phone. Rather than The 21-year-old, son of Winning the Ranji Trophy by IPL franchises, a bunch trying to avoid the situa- iconic former captain remains our top priority,” of TN players went unsold tion, (I thought) I’ll sit Sachin Tendulkar, got a said Vasu. at Thursday’s auction. Companions CC back and enjoy it. It was major fillip on Thursday Tamil Nadu have won the “They just have to keep certainly a weird hour when he was bought by Ranji Trophy only twice — their hopes alive and work beat Singam Puli and a half waiting for my Mumbai Indians at his the last title came in 1987- hard,” said Vasu. Having name to be called up,” base price of `20 lakh. 88 season — and have fin- remained unbeaten en Chennai: Companions CC beat Jamieson was quoted as His celebrated father ished runners-up nine route the Syed Mushtaq Ali Singam Puli CC in the TNCA’s saying by stuff.co.nz. hasn’t just played for the times. However, TN have title, TN are one of the fifth division ‘D’ league match. “I had a message from franchise but is also the done well in the Vijay favourites to win the Vijay V-Division ‘D’: Companions Shane Bond (former New mentor of the side, which Hazare one-day tourna- Hazare as well. Vasu said Cricket Club 150 in 45.2 overs (D. Zealand pacer and is the most successful ment over the years. Vasu there is no room for com- Dharmaraj 46; C. Gajendra Mumbai Indians bowling team in the IPL. said it's important for play- placency now. Perumal 5/22, Ajith Kumar coach) as it was going and “Since childhood I have ers to perform in all “We have watched videos Rajamanickam 5/36) bt Singam he said, ‘How good is this’. New Zealand bowler Kyle Jamieson in this file photo. always been a die hard domestic tournaments. of our opponents and Puli Cricket Club 138 in 37 overs “I didn’t actually know fan of Mumbai Indians. I “It is the only available analysed everything. The (C. Gajendra Perumal 36; S. what the amount of would like to thank the standard to measure the boys have been assigned Rajesh 3/38, G. Bala 3/33); money, how that translat- coaches and support staff quality of domestic play- certain roles, they know Chatnath Recreation Club 146 in ed to New Zealand dollars. who showed faith in me. ers. As we all saw at the what to do. And there are 43.1 overs (N. Muneeswaran 39; It was quite cool to share “I am excited to join the auction, players who did no injury concerns,” he N.K. Sounderamani 3/16, P. that moment with him `9.25 crore IPL contract is MI Paltan and can’t wait well in the Syed Mushtaq said. Sakthivel 3/31) lost to Kumbhat and ride that two or three to wear the blue and Cricket Club 147/4 in 38.3 overs minutes with him,” he gold,” Arjun said in a (Prathosh Ravindhran 43 (not added. video message posted on out), G. Siddharth 30); Egmore Also showing in interest nerve-wracking: Gowtham MI’s Twitter handle. Excelsiors 216 in 33.4 overs (S. in him were Delhi Arjun has been a net Medvedev mauls Neelanarayanan 58, R. Javed Capitals and the Punjab Ahmedabad, Feb. 19: A It was nerve-wracking, I bowler for the franchise Mohammed 51, V. Anbu 49; Kings in the auction on net bowler with the Indian was very anxious, for the past two-three sea- Sagar Sharma 3/56) bt IAF Thursday. team right now, uncapped watching on TV. My sons. He recently made (Tambaram) 201 in 38.4 overs (A. Former Black Caps Karnataka all-rounder parents had tears, his senior Mumbai team Tsitsipas, in final Mostafa Darik 67, Anurag Jadaun coach Mike Hesson, RCB’s Krishnappa Gowtham is happy tears. They were debut when he played in 34; R. Javed Mohammed 6/50); director of cricket opera- still trying to get a grip on all so happy for me. the Syed Mushtaq Ali Melbourne, Feb. 19: Lusuraj Cricket Club 236 in 45.4 tions, led the charge to his emotions after fetching Trophy, the national T20 Russia’s Daniil Medvedev THE RESULTS overs (T. Parthiban 68, S. win the three-way bidding a mind-boggling `9.25 — KRISHNAPPA championship, against overpowered Stefanos Thiyagarajan 31; D. Dineshn for Jamieson, who made crore deal with Chennai GOWTHAM Haryana. — PTI Tsitsipas to make his first Men’s singles semifinal: Daniil Antony 5/39) bt Chennai after fetching a Medvedev (RUS x4) bt his Test debut against Super Kings which left his Australian Open final Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE x5) 6- Corporation Official Association India at home last year. parents and wife over- mind-boggling deal Friday, where he will bid to 4, 6-2, 7-5. 192/6 in 50 overs (J. Sanjay His retainer fee for the whelmed by tears of joy. with Chennai Super MORRIS ROLE IS stop world number one Prakash 51 (not out), D. Aravind Black Caps, according to After a bidding war at Kings Novak Djokovic from Women’s doubles final: Elise 46, K.D. Dineshn Antony 43); the report, is between the IPL auction in clinching an unprecedent- Mertens (BEL)/ Aryna Grand Prix Cricket Club 222 in $100,000 to $150,000, which Chennai on Thursday, TO SUPPORT ed ninth title. Sabalenka (BLR x2) bt Barbora 49.3 overs (S. Gohulmoorthi 52, makes RCB’s winning bid Gowtham was bought by The fourth seed proved Krejcikova (CZE)/ Katerina S. Karthik Shankar 45, R. amount 20 times more. CSK, his price surpassing treat,” he added. before being released. far too strong for Greece’s Siniakova (CZE x3) 6-2, 6-3. Chandramouli 40; Sanjay Siva It completed a rapid rise that of Krunal Pandya’s His base price was `20 Gowtham’s parents and ARCHER: SANGA Tsitsipas, crushing him 6- Kumar 3/146) bt Air India Sports for Jamieson, who is then record of `8.8 crore lakh, and he was quickly wife in Bengaluru were in 4, 6-2, 7-5 in front of more game has stymied all oppo- Club 172 in 40.5 overs (Sanjay known for extracting awk- by the Mumbai Indians in the focus of a fierce bid- tears when they came to Mumbai, Feb. 19: than 7,000 noisy fans at Rod nents since November, and Siva Kumar 42, S.R. Balalji 31; R. ward bounce. The right- 2018 for an uncapped play- ding war between the know of the good news. Rajasthan Royals’ direc- Laver Arena to extend his he has won three of his last Chandramouli 6/37). arm quick, playing in the er. “It was nerve-wracking, Kolkata Knight Riders and “My parents had tears, tor of cricket Kumar win streak to 20. four against the 17-time 2019 Super Smash, picked I was very anxious, watch- the Sunrisers Hyderabad, happy tears. They were all Sangakkara on Friday The 25-year-old, ultra- Grand Slam-winning Serb. up 6 for 7 in four overs, a ing on TV,” Gowtham, who before CSK swooped in so happy for me,” said that allrounder Chris confident on the back of “It definitely wasn’t Regd. No. New Zealand T20 record. is currently with the with a late bid. Gowtham said. Morris, who was brought his unbeaten run, which easy,” said Medvedev, only He has so far played in Indian Test team here as a Krishnappa has modest “It’s hard to describe that by the franchise for `16.25 includes three titles, has the third Russian after TNENG/2010/35692 six Tests, two ODIs and net bowler for the series IPL statistics. He has feeling. It’s all just sinking crore in the IPL auction, been knocking on the door Yevgeny Kafelnikov and four T20Is. He took two against England, told played just 24 matches in in. Obviously this isn’t the will have a “very specific of Grand Slam success for Marat Safin to reach the Printed & Published by five-wicket hauls in his ESPNcricinfo. three seasons since 2018 first time I’ve been part of role of supporting” pace some time, but has yet to Australian Open final. K. Sudhakar on behalf of first four Tests and has “We’d just landed in and has scored 186 runs the auction but every time spearhead Jofra Archer. win a title. Deccan Chronicle Holdings Limited ELISE-SABALENKA DUO also shown a lot of compe- Ahmedabad and I’d just and taken 13 wickets. your name comes up, the “Morris was significant- To finally get over the and Printed at CLINCHES DOUBLES TITLE Deccan Chronicle Presses situated tence with the bat as well. switched on TV and my He was a part of RR for kind of butterflies in your ly high in terms of auc- line he must on Sunday at SP 3, Developed Plot, Industrial Estate, Asked what would he name came up. Emotions two seasons — 2018 and tummy is unimaginable,” tion price. Morris has a beat top seed Djokovic, Elise Mertens and Aryna Guindy, Chennai - 600 032. buy if his New Zealand were changing every 2019 playing 15 and 7 he added. very specific role for us to who has won all eight Sabalenka won the RNI Registration No: TN ENG/2005/14987 teammates asked for a minute. Then, Rohit matches respectively — Gowtham will be playing play in supporting (Jofra) finals he has played at Australian Open women’s Ph Nos: 22254747, 22254748, 22254750, treat, Jamieson said, Sharma and Hardik and was with Kings XI under M. S. Dhoni and he Archer. It gives us a lot Melbourne Park. doubles final Friday to col- 22254751 “Probably a few coffees I Pandya knocked on my Punjab (now Punjab remembers queuing up to more flexibility in the But nobody on tour has lect their second Grand Editor: KAUSHIK MITTER would have thought. door and gave me a big hug Kings) in 2020 where he get his bat signed by the way we use Archer,” more momentum than Slam trophy as a team. — PTI and they asked for a big featured in just two games him. — PTI Sangakkara said. — PTI Medvedev, whose tricky — Agencies