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 henceforth,” the agency con- tended. he VVIP chopper scam The court directed that Tprobe took a serious turn the three defence counsels will on Saturday as the be able to meet Michel one at Enforcement Directorate told a a time at a distance from the special court that European accused and legal assistance          middleman and accused in the will be only for 15 minutes at         case Christian Michel has taken 10 am and at 5 pm during a           !"   the name of “Mrs Gandhi” day. The direction came after     $   %  and referred about “the son of Michel was produced before he BJP lost no time in  '%  (    L Italian lady” who is going to be vacation judge Tattacking the                 the “next Prime Minister of Chandrashekhar. with Union Minister Prakash L             ” besides a “big man” and Michel’s custody was Javadekar saying the “revela-  *      “R”. required for “unearthing the tions point towards the ‘fam-       '+   In its application seeking deep-rooted conspiracy and ily’. However, the ED’s con-                   seven-day extension of Michel’s identification of all his accom- tentions and Javadekar’s claims    "  * -./0'  remand, the ED further told plices including the IAF offi- were trashed by the Congress              the court that the European cials, MoD (Ministry of with senior party leader Anand   ' middleman was also trying to Defence) officials, bureaucrats Sharma saying the Modi 1            '   misuse the liberty of legal assis- and politicians who gained Government is guilty of a         '+   tance during his interrogation undue advantage for getting the malicious and vicious propa-           by passing chits to his lawyers contract in favour of ganda.        *   asking how to tackle questions AgustaWestland,” the ED said Javadekar said the truth Taking a dig at the Congress,               on Congress leader Sonia  in the remand application. was coming out of the probe he said it should answer who '         2  Gandhi. The probe agency, The accused is trying to into the alleged corruption in all Michel was referring to and 3       however, said it was yet to introduce new alibis to save purchase of VVIP choppers claimed that people know of   '%    ( 4     ascertain in what reference himself and his aides who have during the UPA Government, one ‘R’, a reference to Congress               + Q Michel took “Mrs Gandhi’s”  received/facilitated in laun- and that Michel’s comments president Rahul Gandhi, who       '%    name. After the agency’s sub- dering of proceeds, it said. point towards one family. had torn an Ordinance of the         missions, the court granted Michel, who was extra- “The story of loot of public Manmohan Singh         4  ' the extension and imposed dited from Dubai recently, money is coming out. Government. +              restrictions on Michel meeting ‘Mrs Gandhi’ during interro- ‘Mrs Gandhi’. was arrested by the Everything went to one fam- Referring to Rahul’s attack            his lawyers in ED custody. gation on December 27. The ED told the court that Enforcement Directorate on ily,” he alleged, accusing the on the Narendra Modi  '  "     The agency had sought During medical examination, it is clear that there is a con- December 22 and sent to Congress of compromising Government over the Rafale     -./6        that Michel be barred from the accused had handed over a spiracy to shield or to tamper seven days’ custody of the with national security during deal, Javadekar described it as                meeting his lawyer during its folded paper to his advocate with the evidence that could be agency over money launder- its rule. a case of “thief making noises”   7"          custody, alleging that he was Aljo K Joseph and it was brought forth from the ques- ing charges in the scam after He claimed that Michel and claimed that Michel has  '3     "      tutored from outside through noticed by ED officials. After tioning of the accused. “The he was produced in a court has made reference to ‘Mrs also spoken about the public                his lawyers. perusal of the paper, it was benefit given by the court to the here. He was earlier lodged in Gandhi’, ‘son of Italian lady’, sector firm, HAL being          ' The ED told the court that revealed that it pertained to a accused of legal access is being Tihar Jail in the related CBI ‘big man’, ‘R’ and added, “This removed from the Rafale con- 8            Michel had made a reference to set of follow-up questions on misused. It should be stopped case. all points to only one family”. tract during the UPA rule.     (      +       !             !"# -./6'9                   ! $ *    Q    ith the terrorists facing      Wheavy reverses in the      :      :       Kashmir hinterland and the            '$ Pakistan Army increasing                 The SP said about 15 party ceasefire violations from across        ' workers were detained. The the Line of Control (LoC) to               constable of the Uttar police are trying to identify aid fresh infiltrations, the secu-        *    APradesh Police was killed other protesters through the rity establishment is wary of the 1    ;3 '%      on Saturday in Ghazipur when video footage of the incident. withdrawal of the US forces   *    '       protesters hurled stones at The constable was from from Afghanistan as it fears  "             vehicles returning from the Raniganj in Pratapgarh district. Islamabad may push a large          <   venue of a public meeting Chief Minister Yogi number of battle-hardened         Q   addressed by Prime Minister Adityanath announced a com- ultras from the strife-torn    '%      !   Narendra Modi. pensation of 40 lakh for the country to J&K to fuel terror- *+        (   Ghazipur Superintendent wife of the dead constable and ism in the poll year.     Q"     4 + ' of Police Yashveer Singh said 10 lakh for his parents, the Given the void in terrorist %           the protesters were workers of State Government said. ranks in Kashmir due to relent-   '%         the Rashtriya Nishad Party Yogi also directed the dis- less operations, Pakistan may         '$  who were prevented by the trict magistrate and the super- attempt and push terrorists Indian Army and other anti-                  administration and the police intendent of police to take from Afghanistan into Kashmir insurgency security forces to get              from going to the rally venue. strict action against unruly Valley to launch surprise ready to deal with the threat. #$             '+ “When the Prime Minister elements and immediately attacks on the Indian security Last week, delivering a lec-               had left Ghazipur, the party arrest them. forces and places of strategic ture in Pune, former Director                 workers blocked traffic at var- The death comes less than importance to thwart holding General of Police, Jammu &   %          '     ious places and started pelting a month after the killing of of Lok Sabha polls likely to be Kashmir, K Rajendra had also      %   '+      stones on the vehicles return- Inspector Subodh Kumar held in April-May. In the past raised the issue of withdrawal  were injured when they            ing from the programme Singh, who was shot dead dur- also, Pakistan had adopted a of US troops from Afghanistan clashed with security forces       '%  : venue,” he told PTI. ing a mob violence in similar tactic of pushing ter- and cautioned it will have our terrorists belonging to while attempting to move    * ' Constable Suresh Vats (48) Bulandshahr district over rorists, trained in guerrilla implications in the Valley and Fbanned Jaish-e-Muhammad towards the encounter site. $     (   L from Karimuddinpur police alleged cow slaughter. warfare, inside the Indian fron- terrorists may feel embold- outfit were killed in an Three of the slain terrorists             station was hit on the head by Modi had addressed a rally tiers at the peak of terrorism ened. “Militant outfits can feel encounter in Hanjin village of were local residents while   L    = a stone when he went to after laying the foundation between 1990 and 1996. that New Delhi can also be south Kashmir’s Pulwama dis- another is believed to be a %        4*    ' address the traffic jam caused stone for a medical college Several independent defeated, so there is an urgent trict on Saturday. With this, the Pakistani national. 1  *           by the protests. and releasing a postal stamp on observers closely watching the need for India to adopt a ‘clear- security forces have killed 251 Police said the operation      '       “He was rushed to hospital Maharaj Suheldev. He had left prevailing security scenario in cut roadmap’ to deal with mil- terrorists during 2018, the was launched on the basis of      L    ;(    where he succumbed to his for Varanasi when the vio- the State have started raising itancy in Kashmir,” said Kumar. highest in a decade. tip-off about the presence of     >? L    ' injuries,” the SP said. lence in Ghazipur took place. similar concerns warning the Turn to Page 4 At least a dozen villagers terrorists.     *                      '8             '%         *             *  -./0' $             /06@  *          '%   ( *     4                        ' Q              (                         '%    angladesh stepped up secu-   *       Q      Brity on Saturday with thou-                sands of army troops patrolling ith an aim to make “pol-    ' the streets along with paramil- Wlution free” New Year, the 3          itary forces and police as Prime Central pollution monitoring    + '       Minister Sheikh Hasina seeks agency has directed the Delhi $ %&%    4        +  a record fourth term in tomor- Police to ensure the apex court             '+ row’s general election. order on burning firecrackers      4      Over 600,000 security per- is complied with.             sonnel including several thou- In a notice earlier this          +  sand soldiers and paramilitary week, Central Pollution    ' border guards have been Control Board (CPCB) chair- Delhi and the National Capital %              deployed across the country to person SP Singh Parihar asked Region.     $      help conduct the election in the police commissioner to However, gross violations         + '1  *    which 10.41 crore people are ensure the court order on of the order were observed dur-        + Q      eligible to vote. and 26. ing the election, the 11th since burning green firecrackers for ing Diwali with rampant burn-        A+  Security agencies have Bangladesh’s telecoms reg- Bangladesh won independence a stipulated period of two ing of toxic firecrackers across              ' been asked to keep an extra ulator also ordered the coun- from Pakistan in 1971. hours is complied with. the country.  *          + ' vigil on religious minority try’s mobile operators to shut According to the Election The court had directed The CPCB on November    Q      communities as media reports down 3G and 4G services until Commission, 1,848 candidates that bursting of crackers on 9 sought an explanation from    +            said at least three Hindu house- midnight on Sunday “to pre- are contesting for 299 out of Diwali and other festivals be the police commissioner on            '+     holds were set on fire by mis- vent the spread of rumours” 300 Parliament seats. limited to two hours and only violations of the apex court   (   +     ' creants between December 16 that could trigger unrest dur- Turn to Page 4 green firecrackers be sold in order.

%!#/       they are quite experienced in ger jet carrying Russian tourists travelling abroad. Their hobby home from the Sinai peninsu- gyptian Police killed 40 is travelling,” Vu told AFP. la. Ealleged “terrorists” in a He said he was applying for While tourism has picked crackdown on Saturday after a a visa for Egypt and hoped to up since 2011, the 8.2 million  roadside bomb hit a tour bus travel on Saturday. people who visited Egypt in claiming the lives of three “Our wish is that we could 2017 are still a far cry from the ussia and Turkey on Vietnamese holidaymakers and bring my sister back home, and 14.7 million who visited in the RSaturday agreed to coordi- an Egyptian guide. I hope that I can settle things year before the uprising. nate ground operations in Syria The suspects were killed in well in the next 2-3 days.” The blast and the subse- after last week’s shock separate raids in Giza gover- Friday’s bombing was the quent police raids come as announcement of a US military norate, home to Egypt’s famed latest blow to Egypt’s vital Egypt battles a persistent withdrawal, Moscow’s top pyramids and the scene of tourism industry, which has jihadist insurgency in the diplomat said. Friday’s deadly bombing, and been reeling from turmoil set North Sinai, which surged after “Of course we paid special in the restive Sinai Peninsula, off by the 2011 uprising that the 2013 overthrow by the attention to new circumstances the interior ministry said. forced veteran president Hosni army of Mubarak’s Islamist which appeared in connection Thirty “terrorists” were Mubarak from power. successor Mohamed Morsi. with the announced US mili- killed in two raids in Giza and “Yesterday’s attack under- Jihadists linked to the tary pullout,” Russian Foreign the remaining 10 were killed in mines the Egyptian govern- Islamic State group have Minister Sergei Lavrov said the North Sinai, a statement ment’s very determined mes- claimed responsibility for pre- after talks with Turkish coun- into Russian. said without directly linking sage that the country is safe for vious attacks, including against terpart Mevlut Cavusoglu in Besides Lavrov and them to the tour bus bombing. tourists,” said Zack Gold, a US- Egypt’s Coptic Christian Moscow. Cavusoglu, Russian and It said authorities had based expert on Middle East minority who make up about “An understanding was Turkish defence ministers  received information the sus- security issues. 10 per cent of the population. reached of how military repre- Sergei Shoigu and Hulusi Akar pects were preparing a spate of bus in the Al-Haram district bomb exploded. Egypt has been seeking to The army launched a large- sentatives of Russia and Turkey also attended the talks. attacks against state and tourist near the Giza pyramids killing Company officials were lure tourists back by touting scale operation dubbed “Sinai will continue to coordinate President Donald Trump institutions and churches. the three Vietnamese holiday- heading to Cairo on Saturday new archaeological discoveries 2018” in February to rid the their steps on the ground under last week unexpectedly said he “Information was received makers and their Egyptian and plans were made to allow and bolstering security around Sinai of jihadists after an attack new conditions with a view to was pulling all 2,000 troops     by the national security that a guide. some relatives of the victims to archaeological sites and in air- on a mosque in the north of the finally rooting out terrorist from Syria, declaring that the group of terrorists were plan- Eleven other tourists from also fly to Egypt. ports. It is also planning to peninsula killed more than threats in Syria,” Lavrov said. United States had achieved its ning to carry out a series of Vietnam and an Egyptian bus One of them was Nguyen open a major museum near the 300 people. Cavusoglu confirmed the objective as the Islamic State aggressive attacks targeting driver were wounded, the pub- Nguyen Vu whose sister Giza pyramids — the only sur- The army says that hun- two countries would coordinate group had been “knocked” state institutions, particularly lic prosecutor’s office said. Nguyen Thuy Quynh, 56, died viving structures of the seven dreds of suspected jihadists Syria operations, adding they out. The extremist movement, economic ones, as well as There was no immediate in the bombing, while her hus- wonders of the ancient world. have been killed since the cam- also discussed plans to help also known as ISIS, has lost tourism, armed forces, police claim of responsibility for the band, Le Duc Minh, was In July 2017, two German paign was launched. refugees to return home. nearly all its territory, although and Christian places of wor- bombing, the first attack to tar- wounded. tourists were stabbed to death On Saturday, Egyptian pri- “We will continue active thousands of its jehadis are ship,” the ministry said. get tourists since 2017. The couple, both aged 56, by a suspected jihadist at the vate and state media outlets work (and) coordination with thought to remain in war-bat- A security source said the Saigon Tourist, the com- were in the seafood business, Red Sea resort of Hurghada. carried blurred images pur- our Russian colleagues and tered Syria. raids took place early Saturday pany that organised the trip, Quynh’s younger brother said. In October 2015, a bomb portedly of the jihadists killed colleagues from Iran to speed On Friday, Russia said it morning, hours after Friday said the Vietnamese tourists “We were all very claimed by a local affiliate of in the raids, some appearing up the arrival of a political set- would host a three-way summit  evening’s roadside bombing were “on their way to a restau- shocked... My sister and her the Islamic State group killed bloody and with weapons in tlement in the Syrian Republic,” with Turkey and Iran on the which officials said hit a tour rant for dinner” when the husband travel quite a lot and 224 people on board a passen- their hands. he said in remarks translated Syrian conflict early next year. -2 2    *012 %   $ *   3     5& !!     ;*

           Yemen in 2016.  the Hodeida port", a rebel offi- panel would convene again on 6.9-magnitude earthquake Swileh had been trying to cial told the Huthi-run Saba January 1 to discuss "detailed Astruck off the Philippine  collapse of the unity govern- he 2-year-old son of a get a visa since 2017, so the emeni rebels have begun to news agency. plans for full redeployment". island of Mindanao on ment between the two leaders TYemeni woman who sued family could move to the Ywithdraw from the port of The rebels held a ceremo- The UN also said that a Saturday triggering a brief he sharp political differ- on October 26 as Sirisena the Trump administration to let United States. Hodeida, the country's key aid ny to mark the occasion, an humanitarian convoy was tsunami warning. The quake Tences between Sri Lankan sacked Wickremesinghe as pre- her into the country to be Citizens from Yemen and lifeline, under an agreement AFP correspondent reported. expected later Saturday to leave struck southeast of Davao City President Maithripala Sirisena mier and withdrew his UPFA with the ailing boy has died, the four other mostly Muslim reached in Sweden earlier this The UN Security Council Hodeida port and travel along at a depth of 59 kilometres, the and Prime Minister Ranil alliance from the unity gov- Council on American-Islamic countries, along with North month, a UN official said last week unanimously the main road that links it to US Geological Survey said, a Wickremesinghe have been ernment, triggering a constitu- Relations announced. Korea and Venezuela, are Saturday. approved a resolution autho- the rebel-held capital Sanaa. Its week after a volcano-triggered further reflected in the alloca- tional and political crisis never Abdullah Hassan died in restricted from coming to the The official, who request- rising the deployment of destination was not immedi- tsunami killed more than 400 tion of key departments under before seen in the island nation. UCSF Benioff Children's United States under President ed anonymity, said the Huthi observers to oversee a hard- ately clear. people in neighbouring various ministries. Both Wickremesinghe and for- Hospital in Oakland, where his Donald Trump's travel ban. rebels began to pull back from won truce for Hodeida that was "As a confidence building Indonesia. The Pacific Tsunami According to the subjects mer president Mahinda father Ali Hassan brought him When the boy's health the Red Sea port at midnight agreed by the Saudi-backed measure, the parties have Warning Center warned “haz- gazette published on Saturday, Rajapaksa who was appointed in the fall to get treatment for worsened, Hassan went ahead (2100 GMT Friday). government and the rebels in agreed to begin opening ardous tsunami waves from Sirisena has kept control of the prime minister by Sirisena, a genetic brain disorder. Swileh to California in October to get The rebel withdrawal from Sweden this month. blocked humanitarian corri- this earthquake are possible” police department under him were claiming the premiership. is not an American citizen and their son help, and Swileh the port, which is the point of Retired Dutch general dors, starting with the along the coasts of Indonesia as the minister of defence. Wickremesinghe citing the remained in Egypt while fight- remained in Egypt hoping for entry for food aid to some 14 Patrick Cammaert is heading a Hodeida-Sanaa road, followed and the Philippines. The UNP led by 19A said Sirisena had no power ing for a visa. a visa. As the couple fought for million Yemenis UN agencies joint truce monitoring com- by other routes, in a phased However, waves were fore- Wickremesinghe argues that to sack him. After a 50-day "We are heartbroken. We a waiver, doctors put Abdullah say are on the brink of famine, mittee, which includes both manner," said the statement. cast to be less than 30 cm above the police cannot be controlled standoff, Wickremesinghe was had to say goodbye to our baby, on life support. is a key part of a ceasefire that government and rebel repre- The truce has remained tide level, it said, while by Sirisena whereas the 19th restored to office. the light of our lives," Ali "My wife is calling me went into effect on December sentatives, and chaired its first shaky, with the two sides accus- Philippine monitors warned amendment to the Constitution The country’s highest court Hassan was quoted as saying in every day wanting to kiss and 18. Pro-government forces are meeting this week. ing each other of violations. that “minor sea level distur- has restricted the president to has termed Sirisena’s action to the statement published Friday hold her son for the one last also supposed to pull back The UN-led panel A resident reached by tele- bances” were to be expected. just one ministry in addition to dismiss parliament and his call by the council. time," Hassan said, choking up from parts of the city they addressed "the first phase of the phone on Saturday told AFP The Philippine govern- the defence ministry. for a fresh election as illegal. A funeral is scheduled for at a news conference earlier this recaptured in an offensive they implementation of the agree- pro-government and rebel ment’s seismology institute ini- Sirisena had also kept the Since Wickremesinghe’s Saturday. Hassan is a US citi- month. launched with the backing of a ment... Based on ceasefire, con- forces had exchanged fire tially advised people to “stay government printer under him reinstatement a new Cabinet zen who lives in Stockton, He started losing hope and Saudi-led coalition on fidence building measures to briefly overnight. away from the beach and not to which is the authority which was sworn in. The UNP wants California. Hassan and his wife was considering pulling his June 13. deliver humanitarian assistance The resident added that go to the coast fronting the publishes government-gazetted the Cabinet to consist of 30 Shaima Swileh moved to Egypt son off life support to end his The Huthis began "the first and redeployment", a UN state- coalition jets were heard over- Philippine Sea,” for about two decrees. Sirisena’s differences members apart from Sirisena after marrying in war-torn suffering. phase of redeployment from ment said. It added that the head on Saturday morning. hours after the quake. with Wickremesinghe led to a and Wickremesinghe. +    (  !4  !   4       Pandeglang (Indonesia): The Indonesian volcanology agency found  %   Indonesian volcano which caused a the volcano has lost more than two- tsunami that killed more than 400 peo- thirds of its height, an official said ple last week lost more than two-thirds Saturday. Anak Krakatoa which used to of its height following the eruption stand 338 metres high. The agency esti-    Washington: It had been which triggered the killer waves. A sec- mated the volcano lost between 150 and months since retired Lt. Cmdr. tion of Anak Krakatoa’s crater col- 180 million cubic metres of material as Washington: President Donald money: the Smithsonian Michele Fitzpatrick paid atten- lapsed after an eruption and slid into the massive amounts of rock and ash have Trump and Democrats are Institution, which said its tion to news coverage. She was ocean, generating the tsunami last been slowly sliding into the sea follow- trading blame for the partial museums and galleries popu- turned off by President Donald Saturday night. A visual analysis by the ing a series of eruptions. AFP Government shutdown but lar with visitors and locals in Trump’s tweetstorms and doing little substantive talking the capital will close starting attacks on critics such as the with each other as the disrup- midweek if the partial shut- late Republican Sen. John tion in federal services and down drags on. But federal McCain, a war hero. But as the public employees’ pay slogs flood insurance policies will November midterm elections into another weekend. continue to be issued and approached, she fired up her Trump upped the renewed, in a reversal prompt- laptop. A member of the U.S. brinkmanship by threatening ed by pressure from lawmakers, Coast Guard Academy’s Class anew to close the border with said Republican Sen. Marco of 1980, the first to include Mexico to press Congress to cave Rubio of Florida. women, Fitzpatrick began to his demand for money to pay Trump appeared no closer researching candidates and for a wall. Democrats vowed to to securing money for his sig- poring over issues. On Election pass legislation restoring the nature border wall, which he Day, she voted without hesita- government as soon as they take vowed during the campaign tion: all Democrat. control of the House on that he would make Mexico “I just don’t think what’s Thursday, but that won’t accom- pay for. He’s failed to do so. happening now is helpful,” plish anything unless Trump and Now Democratic leaders are Fitzpatrick, of Groton, the Republican-controlled adamant that they will not Connecticut, said in a telephone Senate go along with it. authorize money for the pro- interview, pointing to the neg- The effects to the public of ject, calling it wasteful and ative discourse in Washington. the impasse grew as the ineffective. They show no signs “It’s almost like watching kids Environmental Protection of bending, either. and bullies on the playground Agency, which had the money “We are far apart,” White instead of people actually doing to function a week longer than House press secretary Sarah something about helping this some agencies, implemented its Sanders told CBS on Friday. country to survive and to thrive.” shutdown plan at midnight Trump tweeted: “We will That’s hardly a startling Friday night. EPA spokes- be forced to close the Southern view from a Democrat these woman Molly Block said many Border entirely if the days. But from a military vet? of the agency’s 14,000 employ- Obstructionist Democrats do Long seen as a bastion of ees were being furloughed not give us the money to fin- support for Republicans, the while disaster-response teams ish the Wall & also change the face of the U.S. military and its and certain other employees ridiculous immigration laws veterans is changing — and deemed essential would stay on that our Country is saddled perhaps too is their political the job. Also running short on with. AFP bent. AP

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( %      and Training ( DIET), the addi- department. decision of the association to %   $       tional director State Council of It is pertinent to mention boycott the training programme. Education Research and here that the State education Relieved by the order of  '     Training ( SCERT), Ajay Kumar department and the mighty suspension of training during  time when the people of the Naudiyal, suspending the pro- union of primary teachers, the winter vacations, the teachers state are looking forward to the posed block- wise ten- day Prathmik Shikshak Sangh (PSS) have thanked the Minister for mid intense sabre- rattling Congress to provide them lead- Dehradun: The defiance shown training programme slated to had come face to face on the showing empathy towards their Ain the State Congress unit ership again. “We should wage by the Government teachers commence from January 9, issue of holding training during problems. “We want the minis- involving the followers of the a united fight against the anti- on the issue of holding training has given verbal orders to the 2019. The order also mentioned vacations. While department ter to ensure that not just this camps loyal to the leader of the people policies of the Centre. during the winter vacation has department officials on Saturday that the training has been sus- had been adamant on holding training but every such activity Opposition, Indira Hridayesh This is what the time warrants forced the Government to come to suspend the proposed train- pended on verbal orders of the the training as announced and organised during the vacations and Pradesh Congress us to do with the general polls off the high horse and sus- ing during the winter vacation. State Education Minister. even threatened to initiate dis- where teachers are deployed Committee chief, Pritam Singh, inching nearer,’’ he said. pended the ten -day training Acting on the order of the The mellowing of the State ciplinary action against those are not held. If it is not possible on one hand, and the former Taking a swipe at the proposed by the education minister, the department acted Education Minister has sound- giving it a miss, an undaunted the Government should annul Chief Minister Harish Rawat, Bharatiya ( BJP) department. swiftly and issued an order ed surprising to many, given his president of PSS Digvijay Singh all our vacations and grant ben- on the other, the State co-in- for diverting the attention of Understanding the prob- directed to all the chief educa- relentless efforts to set an image Chauhan had sent a letter to the efit of 30 Earned Leaves ( EL) charge of the party, Rajesh everyone, the party had been people through raking up con- lem of the teachers who had met tion officers ( CEO), district edu- of a tough customer while deal- director Academic Research like other employees,’’ said a Dharmani said that the time cut to just 11 MLAs under his troversy sparked by the release him a day before, the state edu- cation officers, principals of ing with the demands of the and Training Seema Jaunsari on teacher posted in Pauri Garhwal has arrived to bury the factional leadership. The statement of of promo of Anupam Kher- cation minister Arvind Pandey District Institute of Education employees of the education Friday, informing her about the district. hatchet and to raise a united the veteran leader given on the starrer ‘ The Accidental Prime voice against the anti- people occasion of the foundation day Minister’ in which former PM policies of Centre and the State celebration of the party added Manmohan Singh is portrayed Government. fuel to the ongoing factional as a victim of policies of the ( )'   Indira Hridayesh while fire raging in the party. Congress during his two-time speaking at the party pro- Sounding concerned on stint as PM in UPA- I and gramme organised at Rajiv continuing bickering within UPA- II, Dharmani said that Bhawan to commemorate the the party, Dharmani said while BJP leaders are inclined to play    *R 134th foundation day of party talking to The Pioneer on such cheap tactics to take focus on Friday had said that PCC Saturday that if the leaders of away from the real issues. He president and she were ready to the state have any issue they said that wife of Anupam Kher,  turning more and more biting ening winter chill during the resign from their respective should raise them before the who is playing the lead role in nearly every passing day in late evening and night hours. positions if those opposed to senior party leaders in private the movie, is a BJP member of old wave condition is like- Dehradun and elsewhere in The traders are shuttering them guarantee that the party instead of airing them in pub- the Parliament. “ The BJP has Cly to sweep across the the state. The minimum tem- shops and markets a little would bag all the five seats up lic. “Or they should do it in the nothing to highlight as its plains for the next 24 hours perature settled at 3.5 degree after the evening falls. The for grabs in the state for the appropriate forums of the achievement made over the while Dehradun keeps on Celsius, two degree below the otherwise bustling roads cut- 2019 general elections. Without party,” he said. five years. They are thus des- reeling under the bone-chill- normal, in the capital on ting through the city are also naming Harish Rawat, she said He further said that fac- perately raking up such non- ing cold with the minimum Saturday. However, the same looking deserted after the that despite giving pensions to tional bickering is wrong at this issues,’’ he said.  Mann Ki Baat’ of PM Modi and hovering in the neighbour- had dipped to 2.8 degree night falls as the people take pledge to walk on the path hood of 2 to 3 degree Celsius. Celsius on Friday, making it choose to be indoors to keep ttarakhand has probably shown by him. Taking pot- As per the weather forecast the coldest day here this sea- themselves warm. Ubecome the first State in shots at the previous issued by the regional meteo- son. The cold wave condition The mercury in Dehradun +,&   '   the country where BJP workers Governments, Bhatt said that rological department, there likely to continue with little settled at 3.5 degree Celsius- have been provided with radio had they worked with honesty is little likelihood of the peo- possibility of rain, the mer- three degrees below the nor- sets to listen to ‘Mann Ki Baat’ and sincerity with which Modi ple getting a respite from the cury would continue to settle mal- while the maximum hov-  -)$ '   of the Prime Minister Narendra is working now the country ongoing cold wave condition in the neighbourhood of 2 to ered around 21.8 degree Modi. In a ceremony organised would have scaled dizzy heights in the coming few days. 3 degree Celsius in the city Celsius on Saturday. In other  response centres, to remain alert Mussoorie, Nainital, Pithoragarh at the State party office on of all-round development. Rather the chill might deep- while maximum is likely to places of the state, the maxi- and advised them to refrain and Auli. However, the incidents Saturday, the State BJP presi- The State party general en further at some places settle at around 22 degree mum and minimum temper- n view of the past experiences from taking leaves during this of accidents, brawls and other dent Ajay Bhatt distributed secretary and the deputy chair- across the plains of the State. Celsius. The weather depart- atures were recorded at 18.6 Iwhere incidents of accidents period. emergencies spiral during this radios among the block presi- man of the 20- point pro- In a yellow alert issued on ment said that there is little degree Celsius and -0.3 degree and road rage resulting in vio- The state head of the GVK period of celebration. dents of Dehradun district. In gramme implementation com- Saturday, the Met department possibility of rain here on Celsius-five notches below lence rise up substantially on EMRI 108 service Manish Tinku Tinku said that the small his address, Bhatt said that sim- mittee Naresh Bansal gave a said that dense to moderate Sunday though the sky would the norma, respectively in New Year eve, the GVK EMRI said that data of previous years change in the deployment of ilar programmes would be held detailed account of PM’s Mann fog might enshroud several remain partly overcast. Pantnagar on Saturday while emergency 108 ambulance ser- shows that the number of emer- ambulances in Dehradun city in all 228 mandals of the State Ki Baat programme and the areas of the plains, particu- Besides, the day might be a lit- at Mukteshwar, the maximum vice has pulled up its socks to gencies like accidents spikes on would also be made on in the coming days. He further radio distribution scheme ini- larly, Haridwar and Udham tle windy. and minimum temperatures rise up to the occasion. New Year eve. He further said December 31. The 108 ambu- said that a programme where tiated by the State BJP unit. Singh Nagar districts, during The people living in were recorded at 15 degree The emergency ambulance that the service has decided to lances would remain stationed radios would be distributed at The programme was the night and early morning Dehradun are bracing up for Celsius and 1.9 degree service has kept its entire fleet in strategically deploy ambulances at Survey Chowk, Ballupur all the 11,000 booths spread attended among others by Cant hours on Sunday. It cautioned a prolonged chill as the win- Celsius. In New Tehri, the a state of high alert to meet any at the places where incidents of Chowk, Sahastradhara Crossing, across the state would also be MLA Harbans Kapur, mayor the commuters to be on their ter has already taken the city maximum and minimum exigency during New Year cel- accidents are reported on New Rispana Bridge, ISBT, Jakhan, held in near future. Dehradun Sunil Uniyal Gama, guard while out on the road in its freezing grip. The peo- temperatures recorded were ebrations. The company has Year eve. To celebrate the New Rajpur Road and Racecourse so The State BJP president Rajpur MLA Khajan Das and during the time fog is likely to ple living in the city are now 14.6 degree Celsius and 1.6 directed its employees, especially Year, a large number of tourists that they can reach at the desti- said that millions of country- BJP leaders- J P Gairola, Anil envelop several places. gathering around fire to get a degree Celsius respectively those posted in emergency head to places like Dehradun, nations at the earliest. men derive inspiration from ‘ Goyal and Baljeet Soni. Meanwhile, the cold is little warmth amidst the deep- on the day. -4 $!:2



he two- day regional con- Tvention, titled ‘Towards Peace, Harmony and happi- ness- transition from transfor- mation’ organised at Swami Ram Himalayan University (SRHU), Doiwala, ended on Saturday. The convention in which the experts from the fields of science and spirituality partic- ipated was organised under the joint aegis of Pranab Mukherjee Foundation and Centre for Research in Rural and Industrial Development. The valedictory session of the convention was addressed by the former Chief Minister and Member of Parliament, Ramesh Pokharial ‘Nishank’ and the State Finance Minister Prakash schemes for societal develop- Vijay Dhasmana felicitated MP Murli Manohar Joshi. The Pant. Speaking on the occa- ment. He highlighted the Nishank and Pant by handing event was addressed by Rashpal sion Nishank said that change importance of people- ori- over a memento and present- Mahlotra, S R Kasim, Vijendra is essential for achieving high ented developmental schemes ing ‘ Shawl’ to them. Chauhan, A K Nanda, ideals for man and society. In so that everyone in the soci- The convention was organ- Priyanker Upadhyaya and VC his address, Pant said that reg- ety is benefited. The vice- ised under chairmanship of the of Doon University C S ular changes are made in the chancellor of the university former Union Minister and Nautiyal among others.

 the district magistrate Pauri has been assigned to D S Gabriyal n a major reshuffle, the state while MNA of Dehradun Vijay Igovernment has changed Kumar Jogdande would be the responsibilities of some officers new district magistrate of of Indian Administrative Pithoragarh.  Service ( IAS) and the Indian As per the orders, Ranvir Police Service on Saturday. Singh Chauhan has been made he ongoing handloom expo at The charge of the commis- the new district magistrate of TParade Ground here is getting a sioner industries and managing Champawat while the district very good response with organisers director of SIIDCUL has been magistrate Dehradun S A claiming that goods worth 2.5 taken away from Saujanya Murugeshan has been given the crore have been sold during this week. while additional charge of com- additional charge of Mukhya The expo, organised jointly by Uttarakhand Handloom and missioner industries has been Nagar Adhikari. Handicraft Development Council and Directorate of Industries handed over to the principal Besides, seven IPS officers and Development Commissioner (Handloom), Government of secretary Manisha Panwar. The have been promoted and fol- India, would end on January 10, 2019. district magistrate Pauri Sushil lowing their promotions, they Addressing the media persons in Dehradun on Saturday, Kumar has been shifted as the would get benefit of the pay Industries director Sudhir Chandra Nautiyal expressed hope that secretary in-charge revenue matrix 13 and 14. DIGs Ajay in view of the overwhelming public response it is expected that and food and civil supplies Rautela and Puspak Jyoti, both the total sale during the expo would cross 6 crore mark. He fur- department. The assignment of IPS, would get pay matrix 14 ther informed that one of the key features of the meet would be revenue department has been while Sweety Agarwal , A K a ‘Buyers Sellers Meet’ which would be organised from January taken away from Vinod Raturi joshi, A K Takwale, Rajiv 4 to 6 during which the specialists representing IKR, Fab India who would look after the high- Swarup and Roshan Lal and EPHC would inform artisans of Chamoli, Pithoragargh and er education department apart Sharma would get pay matrix Udham Singh Nagar districts about how to model their prod- from serving his other existing 13, as per the order issued on uct and design them to attract customers. responsibilities. The charge of the day.

      Q    Banda (UP): Two women on Friday "married" each other in   %   neighbouring Hamirpur dis- trict, officials said here on   . Saturday.  The Pioneer that things are Association of Nurses "Two women living under such that a single nurse is Meenakshi Jalhmola said that Rath Police Station area of ransfer of nursing staff cou- being made to handle patients the association has met senior Bhopal: The Congress-led by merging Dharmik Nyas Evam Hamirpur came to my office on Tpled with apathetic attitude of three wards, something officials several times and Madhya Pradesh Government Dharmasv Dept (Religious Trust Friday, and married each other of the authorities has resulted which is creating huge prob- demanded the adequate num- said Saturday that it is going to and Endowment Dept), Anand by garlanding one another," in such a situation that the duty lems for all concerned. ber of nurses be appointed in create an Adhyatmik Vibhag Vibhag (Happiness Dept) in sub-registrar Ramkishor Pal to cater to the patients of two The biggest Government the GDMC Hospital but to no (spiritual department) by merg- addition to the Directorate of said. to three wards has been given hospital of the state has sanc- avail. She demanded that the ing several existing departments. Religious Trust and Endowment, "One of the women is 26 to one nurse in the tioned posts of 94 staff nurses attachment of the nurses The Congress had Madhya Pradesh Teerth Evam years old. The another is 21 Government Doon Medical out of which just 76 are deployed in the hospital should promised to form such a Mela Pradhikaran and Rajya year old, who is a mother. College (GDMC) Hospital. deployed presently. Similarly, immediately be cancelled. department before the last Anand Sansthan," the chief min- They came with an affidavit Recently, some staff nurs- 35 sisters are working against The chief medical super- month's Assembly elections. ister's office tweeted. that their marriage be regis- Dayashankar Tiwari, the and others welcomed the es were promoted and trans- the sanctioned 40 posts. intendent ( CMS) of the hos- The ‘Anand Vibhag’ In a bid to woo Hindu vot- tered and that it should be lawyer for the 21-year-old, said Supreme Court judgment ferred by the medical health To add to the woes of the pital Dr K C Pant said that he (Department of Happiness) set ers, the Congress, in its mani- socially recognised," he said. his client is the daughter of a decriminalising consensual and family welfare department hospital, the health depart- has raised the issue with the up by the previous BJP Govt, a festo, had also promised to pro- The marriage was howev- government school teacher, gay sex, asserting that the following which the hospital ment has recently attached health directorate. He further first in the country, would be mote Sanskrit, develop a "Ram er not registered, Pal said. while the 26-year-old is the "historic" verdict granted them has been facing severe shortage some nurses and staff nurses to said that the hospital would incorporated into the new path", the route which as per The Supreme Court in daughter of a labourer. Both a basic human right but also of nurses. One of the matrons Gandhi Centenary Eye request the department to can- department. "The proposed the mythology Lord Ram had September decriminalised gay married on their own wish, the acknowledged that complete having responsibility of assign- Hospital. cel attachment of nurses so that Adhyatmik Vibhag (Spiritual taken during his exile; and set sex but the law doesn't allow lawyer said. equality was still some dis- ing duties said while talking to The president of the the services are not affected. Department) going to be formed up cow shelters. PTI same-sex marriage. The LGBTQ community tance away. 0 )     Q )R 1 ( Shillong: As operation to rescue their bodies pulled out and last 15 trapped miners continue at rites be carried out as per tradi-  Act after the BJP had Friday the 370-foot-deep illegal coal tions," a sobbing Ali said. lodged a complaint against some mine in East Jaintia Hills district, On December 13, he spent hree persons for allegedly circulating a survivor of the December 13 the entire day at the flooded T(AAP) leaders were arrested the “fake news”, police said. accident said on Saturday there mine and slept in a nearby on Saturday for allegedly circu- The AAP claimed that is no way the trapped miners will active coal mine in the night, he lating “fake news” on social around 70 party workers were come out alive. said. The ill-fated mine is rough- media attributed to Haryana picked up by the Haryana Police Sahib Ali, hailing from ly 370 feet and as of December Chief Minister Manohar Lal from different parts of the state. Assam's Chirang district, is one 29, the rescue officials have cal- even as the AAP accused the BJP “It’s not a democracy, but jungle of the five men who narrowly culated that about 170 feet is full of “jungle rule”. rule,” Haryana AAP president escaped the flooding coal mine By about 7 am, the entire mine of water, an NDRF official said. During the Municipal Naveen Jaihind said. a fortnight ago. was full of water." In Lumthari village where Corporation elections in the Hitting out at the chief min- He said four others who "I was about 5 to 6 feet Ali and his fellow miners went state recently, news had ister, he said that the AAP made it alive had fled to their inside the mine pulling a cart full to work, coal is found roughly appeared in media in which workers were picked up by homes in West Garo Hills dis- of coal. For some unknown between 200-500 feet under- Manohar Lal was quoted saying police for allegedly putting a post trict of Meghalaya. reasons, I could feel a breeze neath the ground. that his party should be voted to of the CM on social media. “The "There were 22 of us who inside the mine which was Asked on what prompted power as he belongs to Punjabi BJP had given an advertisement went in that day. I had worked unusual. What followed was him to go and work in the dan- community. that for the first time the State for two weeks. Many are diggers big sound of water gushing in. gerous coal mines of Meghalaya, AAP social media in charge had got a Punjabi CM and the who went to the farthest part of I barely made it to the opening Ali said the mines promised a Harpal Kranti and Sanjeev opportunity should not be lost. the mine. Some are cart pullers of the pit," Ali said. big amount of money at the end Jakhar were among the three The AAP workers only put the like me and we all work in syn- "There is no way the trapped of the week. persons arrested for circulating post on social media,” he said. chronised manner in small holes men will be alive. How long can "I earn between Rs 800-1500  /-)    the “fake news” attributed to the The AAP leader alleged that barely fit a big man," Ali told a person hold his breath under- on a full day of work at the mine. Haryana Chief Minister,” that the AAP workers were PTI over phone Saturday. water?," he added. I had in mind that I will work Haryana Additional Director picked up by police as if they He said four of those who Going by Ali's story, at least for sometime only and return       General of Police (ADGP) were terrorists. “We are not escaped were the men who 17 people are still trapped inside home," he said. Mohammad Akil said. afraid of Khattar… we will not were tasked with loading coal the illegal coal pit as only five Family members of at least The arrests were made bow down by such tactics of his into the metal box. narrowly escaped the flooding 7 trapped miners, hailing from Khandwa (MP): A woman in child was exhumed on Saturday extra fingers and toes," said under relevant sections of the IT Government,” he said. Recounting the December mine out of the 22 men who West Garo Hills district of the a tribal hamlet in Madhya for further probe, an official Dabar, adding that superstitions 13 nightmare, Ali said," all men went in. state, have already given up Pradesh's Khandwa district said. about it could also have led the started work early at about 5 am. "My only hope is to see that hope to rescue their kins alive allegedly chopped off the extra "The child was born on woman to commit the act. and requested the government fingers and toes of her newborn December 22 to a woman iden- Superintendent of Police 2     to retrieve the bodies for the last child out of fear that the oddi- tified as Tarabai in Sundardev Ruchi Vardhan Mishra said a rites. Shohor Ali who hails from ty would hamper the infant's village. The woman used a post mortem was conducted Magurmari village in West Garo chances of getting married, sickle to chop off the infant's and the medical report was Hills district and whose son, police said on Saturday. extra fingers and toes. She later awaited following which further +0    brother and son-in-law were The girl, who was born on coated the injuries with cow action would be taken. among the victims at Lumthari December 22 with six fingers dung. Within hours, the infant Block Medical Officer village, told PTI, "We have lost each on both hands and six toes died and was buried in the vil- (BMO) Dr Shailendra Katariya 3( all hope to see them alive. I just each on both feet, succumbed lage," Dabar added. said action had been initiated wanted the authorities to help to the injuries, police said. "She feared that the child against the local medical staff retrieve the dead bodies for After being alerted by would not be able to get mar- overseeing formalities related to Berhampur (Odisha): Wildlife that they used to kill birds for their last rites." PTI media reports, the body of the ried in future because of these childbirth in the village. PTI personnel arrested two poach- supplying the bird meat to ers from Chilika area and nearby hostels, a wildlife per- seized 13 dead birds, belonging sonnel said. %  to four different species, from The meat of aquatic birds their possession, officials said are reportedly high on demand     on Saturday. in the towns such as The accused, identified as Bhubaneswar, Balugaon and 6   Akhaya Das and Gouranga Berhampur, official sources Behera, both residents of said.    ! Gopinathpur in Puri district, They said 19 anti-poaching were arrested on Friday night, camps are working in Chilika when they were hunting water- lake area. From Page 1 fowls inside the Chilika lake. Patrolling has been inten- The polls will be held at The anti-poaching squads sified in the lake area to prevent 40,183 polling stations. arrested the duo during the bird poaching, they said. Thirteen people have been patrolling, the Range Officer of An estimated 8 lakh migra- killed and thousands injured in Tangi Wildlife Range, Subhas tory birds have migrated to the clashes between supporters of Chandra Behera, said. lake this year, they added. Hasina’s ruling Awami League The wildlife personnel The birds, mostly from and activists of main opposition seized carcasses of eight Northern Eurasia, Caspian Bangladesh Nationalist Party Gadwalls, three Little Grebe, a region, Siberia, Kazakh, Lake (BNP) of jailed ex-premier Common teal and a Eurasian Baikal and remote areas Khaleda Zia in pre-poll vio- wing, Behera said. of Russia visit Chilika every lence. The poachers confessed winter. PTI Hasina, who is seeking to return to power for a third con- secutive time, on Saturday expressed fears that the oppo-   ! sition could boycott polls in the middle of voting as part of a “political trick” to evade a “humiliating defeat”. “I want to caution all about 7  000 the character of (main opposi- tion) BNP...They may say in the From Page 1 Relative normalcy in the hinter- middle (of the elections) that we Director General of Police land may also prove to be con- are boycotting the polls,” she (DGP) Dilbag Singh said the sit- ducive for having parliamentary said. uation was better than what it polls in April or May next year, “In that case (opposition was earlier in Kashmir as the officials in the security estab- boycott) I will ask our candi- State Police and security forces lishment said on Saturday. dates and other contenders to have achieved a lot of successes While all markers like neu- continue polls until the voting on operational front killing over tralising of highest number of is ended,” Hasina, 71, said. 250 terrorists this year and terrorists killed this year and The premier’s comments destroying their support struc- declining infiltration favour came as the BNP is contesting ture. holding polls including State the polls in a state of disarray in As of now, the security and Lok Sabha, officials, how- the absence of Zia, 73, and her forces have managed to neu- ever, admitted the situation on fugitive son Tarique Rahman tralise the leadership of the the LoC is “precarious.” who is the acting party chief. major terrorist ‘tanzeems (orga- Zia, serving a 10-year nizations)’ in Kashmir Valley prison term on graft charges, thereby leaving the junior and has been barred from contest- less experienced cadre of the out- ing the polls while Rahman is fits without a clear road map to living in London ostensibly to step up levels of violence. evade the law as a court has sen- Given this ground report, tenced him to life imprisonment the security forces will increase for masterminding a grenade the tempo of operations even attack on a rally in 2004 that during the winter months to killed 24 Awami League leaders deter terrorists from regrouping and activists. anticipating that if terrorist relat- The BNP has stayed out of ed violence is brought within parliament since 2014 when it manageable limits in the next boycotted the last election over three months it will have a its demands for a poll-time major positive effect in terms of non-party government. restarting political activities.

  %    !   deciding to make a grand memorial of Maharaja Suhedev at Chitoda area in Bahraich dis- tict soon. Wooing the Rajbhars, Modi also threw light on his  mous choice for the prime Home Ministry, Revanna rub-  of farmers, but the JD(S)- glorious contributions which ministerial candidate. bished the reports blaming him Congress coalition that came was totally neglected by the ust days after Karnataka Revanna also hit out at the for it. He, however, indicated that erming the Congress as a into power did not deliver. previous Governments. He also JChief Minister HD Congress for reportedly taking some people within the T‘lollipop company’ alluding “Lollypops were handed over. gave the details, in view to woo Kumaraswamy met the Prime away the home department Congress party were behind it. to the loan waiver promises, The loan waiver was given to the people, that how the belt of Minister Narendra Modi in from a SC leader like G “I know what kind of pres- Prime Minister Narendra Modi only 800 farmers,” he claimed. Purvanchal was being devel- Delhi, cracks out in open with- Parameshwara, who is also the sure Parameshwara was under asked people how they could He said the “lollypop compa- oped as a health hub. in the coalition partners, the deputy chief minister. He said from his own party. believe one who had always ny” had similarly “forgotten” “All people hailing from the JD(S) and the Congress in the “Kumaraswamy will tolerate Parameshwara is from the SC given them false promises for the promises it made before the deprived and the exploited State. The outburst of HD as long as he can, but one day community, what (wrong) did he petty electoral gains. The PM 2009 Lok Sabha elections. sections of society seek inspi- Revanna, the PWD Minister what will happen? We are not do as home minister? Was it nec- was addressing a meeting of the The Congress has in the ration from him. Remembering and elder brother of HD sitting here fearing (about los- essary to remove him from the Rajbhar community at past denied similar charges him strengthens the mantra of Kumaraswamy against the ing power),”. Revanna told post? As deputy Chief Minister, Ghazipur on Saturday. made by the Bharatiya Janata Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikaas Congress has sent political shock reporters in response to a ques- he should have both,” he said. Though it was a function to Party. Modi’s recent remarks on (inclusive development),” he waves ahead of 2019 general tion about a Congressman JD(S) workers are demand- release the postal stamp on farm loans follow the waivers said. elections. The discontent might expected to be appointed as the ing the party leadership not to Rajbhars’ ideal Maharaj announced by the Congress The PM’s rally here is also hit seat sharing arrangement chief minister’s political secre- align with the Congress in the Suheldev and laying the foun- governments in Rajasthan, being seen as an effort by the between the Congress and the tary. However he refused to ensuing general elections and dation stone of a medical col- Chhattisgarh and Madhya to woo JD(S) for the general elections. answer a question on the JDs also to contest all the 28 seats. lege in Ghazipur, Modi was in Pradesh after this month’s the Rajbhar community, which Revanna said Chief tolerating the Congress for the Many in the political circles are full political colours, virtually assembly polls. reveres Maharaja Suheldev. Minister HD Kumaraswamy party’s high handedness. discussing about the timing of kicking off election cam- Congress president Rahul However, BJP ally Suheldev will “tolerate things as long as “Why should I say there is Revanna’s outburst against the paigning for forthcoming 2019 Gandhi recently said his party described himself again as a less nights. It is your faith and Bhartiya Samaj Party has dis- he can,” indicates the turmoil lack of coordination between Congress and its impact on the Lok Sabha by launching a would not let Modi rest till he ‘chowkidar’ (watchman) of the blessings on me that will take tanced itself from the event. within the coalition. JDs led by JD(S) and Congress. coalition. scathing attack on Congress.”Be writes off farm loans across the people, a term ridiculed by the thieves to their rightful SBSP chief and Uttar Pradesh former prime minister HD Everything will be discussed As per the recommenda- wary of the Congress and its country. Congress president Rahul place one day,” he said. Minister Om Prakash Rajbhar Devegowda, the supremo of the and decided by JD(S) supremo tion sent to Chief Minister lies,” he said at a public meet- Modi claimed that under Gandhi. “This chowkidar of He described Maharaja has claimed he was not invit- party is known for changing his Deve Gowda, chief minister, Kumaraswamy by Congress ing. the Congress rule, loans were yours is toiling very hard day Suheldev as a brave warrior. ed in time. political stand abruptly is a Congress leaders and their general secretary in-charge of On a day’s visit to the given to people who were not and night, and with honesty, to “Maharaja Suheldev is among Modi said his Government cause of worry for the century general secretary KC Karnataka K C Venugopal, the Purvanchal region, his second eligible, while farmers were brighten your future and that those bravehearts who had would not let the memory of old party which hopes to make Venugopal,” he added. Home Ministry has been allo- trip to Uttar Pradesh this forced to go to private lenders of your children,” he said. struggled for the honour of those who defended the coun- this alliance a spring board to Revanna expressed displea- cated to MB Patil, who was month, Modi said the Congress and fall into debt traps. “Because of this chowkidar, ‘Maa Bharti’,” he said. He try and worked for society to make Congress President sure about Parameshwara rep- inducted into the cabinet on promised loan waivers to lakhs The Prime Minister some thieves are having sleep- praised Yogi government for fade away. Rahul Gandhi as the unani- ortedly being moved out of the Saturday. # +,%  connecting them with ‘3T- 4    Teacher, Tiffin, Toilet’ “, the nion Minister for Minority minister said. UAffairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said that more than  back to Kerala. But the girl start- sequently transferred to the Naqvi said here on Saturday 5.43 lakh youths and 1.5 lakh ed calling her parents immedi- Special Court in September that the school dropout rate artisans had been provided  ately aftet their return and 2016. among Muslim girls, which employment and employment DMK leader, M Rajkumar, pleaded with them to take her J Shanti, the Special Judge, was earlier more than 70 per opportunities through job-ori- omen and Child Awho is a former member of back to Kerala. sentenced Rajkumar for 10 cent, had now been reduced to ented skill development WDevelopment Minister the Tamil Nadu Legislative Before he could return to years rigorous imprisonment about 35 to 40 per cent, owing schemes. Maneka Gandhi has assured all Assembly was sent to 10 years Perambalur to take the girl back under sections 376 (rape), 304 to awareness and educational Anjuman-e-Islam chair- assistance to a woman who was rigorous imprisonment by a home, her father received a call (culpable homicide) and 120 empowerment programmes of man Jahir Kazi, Maulana Azad reportedly given triple talaq Special Court on Friday for rape from the aide of Rajkumar stat- (criminal conspiracy) of the the Government. Education Foundation, over WhatsApp messaging ser- and death of a 15-year-old girl ing that his daughter had con- Indian Penal Code. Jaishankar, “The Government is now Minority Affairs Ministry Govt vice by her husband, the first at Perambalur, 277 km south sumed insecticide because of the the close aide of the DMK working with a mission to of India, Secretary R Rehman, case of instant triple talaq to west of Chennai. delay in his arrival to take her leader too was sentenced for 10 bring it down to zero per cent Foundation’s Vice-Chairman come to light after the Muslim This is the first verdict to be home and they had admitted years in abetting the rape and in the coming years. Education Ashfaq Saifi and other digni- Women (Protection of Rights on delivered by the exclusive court her to a private hospital at murder. is an effective step towards taries were present on the Marriage) Bill was passed by Lok which was set up in September Tiruchi. The father rushed to Though many witnesses empowerment The ‘educational occasion. Sabha on Thursday. 2018 as per the directive of the Perambalur and got his daugh- turned hostile during the trial, empowerment” is an effective The 144-year old Citing a media report which Supreme Court to fast-track ter admitted to the Theni the court relied on the autopsy step to stop political exploita- Anjuman-e-Islam was found- said a Bengaluru woman has criminal cases involving serving Government Hospital where report as a substantial piece of tion of the minorities,” Naqvi ed by Dr. Badruddin Tyabji in allegedly been given triple talaq and former MLAs and MPs in she died on July 6, 2012. evidence. The sentencing of said. 1874, who was the third after 15 years of marriage by her the country. During her final rites at Rajkumar in the rape and mur- While laying foundation Mobile App) to ensure a Maintaining that the President of Indian National husband through WhatsApp The prosecution case was Idukki in Kerala, the parents der has comes closely on the stone for a new school building, smooth, accessible and hassle- Narendra Modi Government Congress, and the first Indian text and audio, Gandhi said her that in June 2012, the girl’s par- came across injuries on her heels of a video of another library, lab and other facilities free scholarship system for stu- was moving forward towards Barrister to practice law at ministry has taken up the case ents who were daily wage earn- body and they filed a complaint DMK leader at Perambalur at the Anjuman-e-Islam-run dents from poor and weaker educational and social empow- Bombay High Court, where he on priority and assured all assis- ers in an estate at Peermdeu in with the police. Following the assaulting a woman beautician Dr. MIJ Girls High School and sections.”Scholarships have erment of all weaker and back- rose to become the first Acting tance to the woman. Kerala’s Idukki district sent her complaint, the police ordered an despite pleas from her associates Junior College at Bandra been given directly into bank ward sections of the society, Indian Chief Justice. “My ministry has taken up to the residence of Rajkumar autopsy which conclusively to leave her alone going viral. (West) here, Naqvi said the accounts of the students though Naqvi said that his ministry From a solitary school case of Triple Talaq on absolute who had assured them that he proved that the girl had been The video had disturbed the Government’s efforts for edu- DBT mode in a transparent was committed to “3E- then, Anjuman-e-Islam has priority. The first instance post would look after her education sexually abused many times. viewers because of the cruelty cational empowerment of all manner free from middlemen,” Education, Employment & grown into a mega-education- the passing of the bill, crimi- and well- being. The prosecution charge was shown by Selvaraj, the DMK weaker sections including the he said. Empowerment”. al institution running around nalising the act of instant divorce The parents and the girl that Rajkumar had repeatedly leader, while kicking the lady. minorities have shown results He said that during the “During the 2 years, thou- 90 schools, colleges, profes- in the Muslim community will were bought to Rajkumar’s res- raped the girl many times Though party chief MK at the ground level. four years of the NDA, more sands of educational institu- sional courses colleges, sports be dealt with and we shall idence at Perambalur on June between June 23 to June 26 2012 Stalin had removed Selvaraj The Minister said that this than 3.11 crore students of tions of all minority commu- complexes, etc, in Mumbai ensure that justice is done,” she 23, 2012 by Jaishankar, a close making use of her helplessness. from the membership of the year, the Government had minority communities, includ- nities including madarsas, have and other parts of Maharashtra said in a tweet. aide of the DMK leader. After The initial trial was held at the party, the latter was readmitted launched”National Scholarship ing 60 per cent girls, have been included in the main- benefitting over 1.10 lakh stu- She said she has reached out two days,the parents were sent Mahila Court and this was sub- into the DMK last month. Portal Mobile App” (NSP been provided scholarships. stream education system by dents of all communities. to the brother of the woman and requested him for all details. “We stand in complete sol- idarity with our sisters of the %5!    Muslim community. The WCD %   8A!   Ministry consistently endeav- ours to socially and legally   ) empower Muslim women and  manner in which 7 crore concern over the casual behav- has always taken a strong stand insurance was issued by that iour of the aircraft company in support of them,” she said in    /645 he Beechcraft King Air the aircraft was bought at certificate from DGCA, which PSU insurance company. and MRO, the Civil Aviation another tweet. Gandhi’s reaction TC90 charter aircraft that 1.40 crore by U.Y Aviation Pvt it stated is nothing but crimi- Two pilots, two aircraft Ministry, DGCA, and Mumbai comes days after Lok Sabha crashed in Ghatkopar on June Ltd in October 2016 from nal negligence resulting into maintenance engineers, one Police which did not register passed the bill which crimi-  28 this year not only went Silver Jubilee Pvt Ltd but it was death of five employees/people. bystander were killed and three any FIR in the accident . nalises the practice of instant ahead with the test flight in bad insured for 7 crore in January The panel was “surprised” persons were injured in the The panel said it is of the triple talaq, with the government he Congress on Saturday weather but also without the 2017 in an illegal and non- as to how the insurance com- crash. “The U.Y Aviation considered opinion that such rejecting the contention that it Tsaid it was open to an mandatory legal sanction transparent manner by an pany accepted the valuation of Private Limited had entered systemic deficiencies which was aimed at targeting a partic- alliance in Uttar Pradesh with from the Director General of insurance company. 7 crore in January 2017 and into an agreement with delay the process of fact find- ular community. any party that wants to “free” Civil Aviation (DGCA). “It seems that the deceased issued an insurance policy of Indamar Aviation Private ing, fixing responsibility and the people from BJP rule and While undertaking any employees will not get any 7 crore in January 2017. In Limited for carrying out the award of compensation need to urged all such forces to not test flight in bad weather is insurance due to non-trans- practical terms, the cost/valu- repairs and making the aircraft be simplified and speeded up. weaken each other. The party prohibited, it was also found parent and illegal insurance ation of the aircraft should be serviceable. Otherwise, it becomes a case of also hit back at Prime Minister that the aircraft’s Certificate of policy and as now it has come 1.40 crore, then how and The flight carried two delayed justice leading to Narendra Modi for accusing it Airworthiness was already to the knowledge that the test why the insurance company ground engineers in illegal denial of justice to the victim’s of misleading farmers on loan cancelled. In all, five persons flight itself is illegal, “ the issued such insurance cover of manner (ground engineer are families. waiver promises, saying that including the crew and a panel said. 7 crore that too of an not supposed to fly in the test The panel, therefore, rec- he is remembering farmers bystander were killed in the The panel discovered that aircraft which did not have flight), the family of the ommended that the now after losing elections in Minister, saying it has made the crash. the same aircraft was ground- Certificate of Airworthiness at deceased also stated which is Government take a fresh five States. road ahead clear for his party. A Parliamentary panel on ed due to an accident in that time and was parked in a confirmed by the officials that look into the vexed issue and Uttar Pradesh Congress “In UP also, our leadership Labour and Civil Aviation, February 2008 whose C of A damage condition at Juhu the pilot and ground engineer ensure that a foolproof system chief Raj Babbar said the has made it clear and said that headed by BJP MP Kirit (Certificate of Airworthiness) Airport, Mumbai, the panel are pushed into the aircraft is put in place to avert Congress moves forward keep- to defeat the BJP, people want Somaiyya, found the shocking was cancelled and was repaired questioned. forcefully in an illegal manner,” future occurrence of such inci- ing people’s sentiments in mind that all of us should be togeth- lapses, a report on which was in non-scientific manner and The Committee said that the panel pointed out in the dents and to ensure the safety and the people want to get rid er and we also want to be tabled in the Parliament. was taken for test flight with- the Department of Financial report. and security of employees of the BJP Government as the together,” he said. It was further found that out getting completion/final Services should enquire in the The panel also expressed associated. same feeling had manifested in On BJP’s allies such as the recently held State elections. (S) and Suheldev Asked if a grand alliance in Bharatiya Samaj Party airing UP was possible despite the their grievances with the saf- and the fron party, Babbar said it is now making coming to the fore that Prime statements against the Minister Narendra Modi had Congress, he said, “Whatever cheated the people and allies adverse comments that are with false promises in the run being made, are their senti- up to 2014 general elections.  page report which has also rec- mittee was to recommend ments. It is not appropriate for At a separate Press confer- ommended 84 new directions to amendments/ suggestions to me to comment on the remarks ence in response to Prime he rules review committee be issued by the Chairman of Rules of Procedure and of the chiefs of SP and BSP. Minister Narendra Modi’s UP Tof Rajya Sabha on Friday Rajya Sabha. It also made 25 Conduct of Business in the “The forces that are there to visit, Congress spokesperson submitted its report to other suggestions/observations, Council of States (Rajya Sabha) defeat the BJP, should not asserted that neither will his Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu they said, without elaborating. in the context of prevailing weaken each other, be it us or party sleep, nor let the prime recommending comprehensive As per Article 118(1) of the practices in Lok Sabha, other them,” said Babbar. minister sleep until farmers’ changes including amendments Constitution, each House of legislatures of the country and He reiterated that all out- loans are waived and all facil- to 77 existing rules besides Parliament makes rules for also the practices in the cohort fits which want to “free the state ities provided to them. “What proposing 124 new ones. regulating its procedure and the of some of the Commonwealth and people from BJP rule” are was he (Modi) doing in 2008 The committee formed by conduct of its business. With countries, the sources said. welcome to join hands with the when the Congress waived the chairman in May 2018 a view to make the functioning The report will now be grand old party. Babbar’s loans worth 77,000 crore. We comprising former Secretary- of the Rajya Sabha more effec- considered by the Rules remarks come days after SP did not make any propaganda General, Rajya Sabha V K tive, a need was felt to review Committee and thereafter the chief Akhilesh Yadav had about it...We went and direct- Agnihotri and former addi- the existing rules of the Rajya recommendations of the Rules “thanked” the Congress for ly remitted the money into the tional secretary, Ministry of Sabha and Naidu had consti- Committee will be placed not making his party’s lone accounts of farmers who had Law and Justice, Dinesh tuted the two-member panel. before the House for its MLA in Madhya Pradesh a loans,” Singh said. Bharadwaj, submitted the 387- The mandate of the com- approval.

.!  5& %     9/! 4 !     2    -/:;  ' 78  8/*9 hinese firms are encourag- Cing staff to buy Huawei     smartphones following Canada’s arrest of a top Huawei  executive on a US extradition request, which has triggered an xpressing concern over outpouring of nationalist sup- EIndia tightening restric- port. tions on foreign e-commerce Several companies are companies operating in the offering employees subsidies  country, leading American for Huawei phone purchases, industry advocacy groups while others have even warned She has since been released omestic fuel prices fell have said that such a move “I wish there was a little staff against buying Apple on bail pending her US extra- Daround 30 paise on would have a long-term nega- more consultative process, products. dition hearing, and is now liv- Saturday as the cost of petrol tive impact on the foreign because you have In eastern China, Fuchun ing under electronic surveil- touched fresh low levels for direct investment as well as companies like Walmart, which Technology said “nearly sixty” lance in a luxury home in 2018 across the four metros. consumers. has put in $16 billion and they out of its 200 employees have Vancouver. In the national capital, Earlier this week, the are in the process of putting taken advantage of 100 to 500 Ottawa has repeatedly said petrol price was at 69.26 per Government announced more money to streamline yuan (USD 15 to USD 29) Meng’s arrest was not political litre, 29 paise down from the changes to the foreign direct their investment, it makes our Huawei phone subsidies as of but rather part of a judicial Friday’s levels of 69.55 per investment policy for the job more difficult because how Saturday. process in keeping with an litre, data on the Indian Oil ecommerce sector, which do I go and tell them please Another tech firm, extradition treaty with Corp’s website showed. would end discounts and cash- invest more and the policy Chengdu RYD Information Washington. Cost of the fuel in Delhi fell back offers that online plat- would not change overnight,” Technology, has offered 15 per But some in China see below the 70 per litre mark on forms with foreign investment said Aghi, who has been work- cent subsidies, though it Meng’s arrest as part of a December 24 for the first time were offering. Central Asia said the US-India ing with US companies to declined to disclose how many broader conspiracy to sup- in the year since January. Flipkart and US-based Business Council (USIBC) said make large scale investment in employees have actually taken press China’s high-tech enter- In Kolkata, Mumbai and Amazon — the two largest that a February 1 deadline is India. advantage of the benefits. prises, with nationalist tabloid Chennai too, prices of the fuel players in the burgeoning too rushed and does not “I at the moment “We are supportive of good Global Times accusing fell to new lows for the year at Indian e-commerce sector — allow sufficient time for com- embarked on a campaign con- China-made brands,” a spokes- Washington of “resorting to a 71.37, 74.89 and 71.85 are expected to be hit panies to analyse the policy and vincing US company manu- woman told AFP, adding that despicable rogue’s approach” respectively, down from the the hardest once the new to comply. facturing in China to move it the subsidies are part of because it cannot stop Huawei’s previous levels of 71.65, norms come into effect from “We urge the Government to India. How do I tell them, employee benefits and were not progress in the 5G market. 75.18 and 72.16 per litre. February 2019. to delay implementation and hey policies overnight would “guided by the government.” The internal notices The decline in domestic “The new e-commerce allow time for comment before not change,” he said, adding One company has even announcing the Huawei subsi- fuel prices comes amid the restrictions announced by the the policy goes into effect,” that with such policy pro- threatened to fine employees dies started circulating on recent fall in global crude oil Government of India on Biswal said. nouncements, India can’t have who buy iPhones, charging China’s Twitter-like Weibo ear- prices. December 26 are a cause for Mukesh Aghi, president of a “transparent, predictable them 100 per cent of the smart- lier this month, and have split As per the concern. US India Strategic and environment” which is a must phone’s market price. Chinese internet opinion. country’s dynamic pricing While we are still trying to Partnership Forum (USISPF) for any foreign company to “Stop buying US brands for Some users were in favour mechanism, the domestic fuel understand the full implica- said “this is not in the best invest. company equipment,” of buying phones in the name prices depend upon interna- tions, we fear that these restric- interest of the Indian con- Referring to Union Shenzhen-based Menpad said of patriotism, while others tional fuel prices on a 15-day tions will have a far-reaching sumers”. Commerce and in an internal notice, con- questioned whether or not average and the value of the negative impact both on US “Coming out with such a Industries Minister Suresh firmed by AFP. Chinese firms were simply rupee. investments and on Indian major policy change overnight Prabhu’s remarks that he wants The surge of patriotism leveraging Huawei’s case as a Diesel prices also declined consumers,” said Nisha Desai without any consultative to focus on bringing $100 bil- began after Meng Wanzhou, marketing strategy or branding in line with petrol. In Delhi, Biswal, president of US India process eats into the pre- lion FDI to India, Aghi said the Huawei’s chief financial officer, opportunity. Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai, Chambers of Commerce dictability” and reliability fac- first thing is to have a pre- was detained in Canada on “Those companies are con- diesel prices fell to 63.32, (USAIC), a wing of the US tor that all US companies are dictability in a regulatory envi- December 1 on a US extradi- scientious for standing by 65.07, 66.25 and 66.84, Chambers of Commerce. looking into India for any for- ronment. tion request linked to sanc- Huawei’s side,” praised one from the previous levels of The former Assistant eign direct investment,” he “This process sends the tions-breaking business deal- Weibo user, using a thumb’s up 63.62, 65.37, 66.57, 67.16 Secretary of State for South and said. opposite message,” he said. ings with Iran. emoji. per litre.   : (  B     *97    basis, it added. “This may lead to stream-  ty rose by 20 each to 32,640 ortis Healthcare Saturday lining the audit process and and 32,490 per 10 gram, Fsaid its statutory auditor also bring in efficiencies from     old prices Saturday strength- respectively. Traders attributed Deloitte Haskins and Sells a cost and time perspective,” Gened by 20 to 32,640 per the marginal gains in prices of LLP has tendered resignation as Fortis Healthcare said. 10 gram at the bullion market in the yellow metal to overseas firm the company’s largest share- “The aforesaid matter was  the final approval from the the national Capital amid firm trend. holder Malaysian firm IHH discussed with the statutory USFDA to market trend overseas. Sovereign gold held steady prefers to align its auditors on auditors of the company - rug firm Zydus Cadila Clindamycin Phosphate and Silver, however, lost 25 to at 25,200 per piece of eight a group wide basis. Deloitte Haskins and Sells LLP. DSaturday said it has Benzoyl Peroxide Gel, (US 39,225 per kg on low demand gram. Globally, gold edged high- “Pursuant to the issuance After due consideration, the received final nod from the US RLD —DUAC® Gel), 1.2 per from industrial units and coin er to $1280.68 an ounce and sil- of 235,294,117 equity shares to auditors have tendered their health regulator to market cent/5 per cent. makers. In Delhi, gold of 99.9 ver stood at $15.34 an ounce in Northern TK ventures Pte resignation with effect from Clindamycin Phosphate and “It will be manufactured at per cent and 99.5 per cent puri- New York. Limited, a subsidiary of IHH, December 28, 2018,” it added. Benzoyl Peroxide gel, used in the group’s Topical manufac- IHH has become the largest Earlier in November this the treatment of acne. turing facility at Ahmedabad,” shareholder in the company,” year Fortis had announced issu- This combination medica- it added. Fortis Healthcare said in a fil- ing of 23.53 crore equity shares tion is used to treat a certain Clindamycin is an antibi- ing to the BSE. through preferential allotment type of acne (inflammatory otic that stops the growth of Post induction of addi- to IHH Healthcare Berhad for acne vulgaris), the company acne-causing bacteria. Benzoyl tional nominee directors of around Rs 4,000 crore, a move said in a BSE filing. It also helps peroxide can also stop the IHH on the boards of the that helped the Malaysian firm to decrease the number of growth of bacteria as well as company, IHH prefers to align take 31.1 per cent stake in the acne pimples. reduce oil production in the its auditors on a group wide company. “Zydus Cadila has received skin, it further said.



he Federation of Hotel and TRestaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) said Saturday that it has requested the Government to intervene in the on-going dispute between online travel aggregators (OTA) and hotels. FHRAI has written to Tourism Minister K J Alphons outlining major issues concerning the industry and sought urgent intervention for redressal of hoteliers’ grievances, a release said here. “The hotel industry, espe- cially the budget and mid- market hotel segment is reeling under the adverse business tactics of the OTAs. The OTAs’ malpractices are affecting the hoteliers’ liveli- hood and business. These hote- liers who are part of the local and city hotel associations across the country have approached FHRAI seeking consultation and support, and are in solidarity with the Federation,” FHRAI vice pres- ident Gurbaxish Singh Kohli said. The FHRAI tried to resolve the issue directly with the OTAs, however, OTAs have chosen to dismiss FHRAI’s role in the matter, he said. +8+;$<+2% 8Q%$<<+%2+$

 ropes. Australia were placed at 44 for  ndia came within sniffing dis- two at lunch after India declared at tance of a defining victory 106 for eight in their second innings Ibefore a stoic resistance by with Pat Cummins taking career- Australia's tail delayed the inevitable best figures of 6-27. #)    in the third Test here on Saturday. Needing to bat five and a half Pat Cummins scored a heroic sessions to save the match, Australia half-century as Australia finished at didn't get off to the best start as 258 for eight at stumps on day four Aaron Finch (3) edged Bumrah to    ) after being reduced to 176 for second slip in the second over. seven after tea. Mayank Agarwal couldn't latch At end of play, he had scored on to a tough chance at short leg off  Wagner's first success came when an unbeaten 61 runs, facing 103 Khawaja three balls later otherwise he changed tack and lured Mendis into balls and hitting five fours as well it would have been an even poor- ew Zealand were eyeing an historic a false sense of security. as a six, while Nathan Lyon was bat- er start. Nvictory as injury and a barrage of Mendis, who in the course of his ting on 6, as they put on 43 runs for The batsman then added 27 Neil Wagner bouncers left Sri Lanka in innings became only the second play- the ninth . runs for the second wicket with tatters at the close of day four of the sec- er behind India's Virat Kohli to score Australia need another 141 Marcus Harris (13). The duo ond Test in Christchurch on Saturday. 1,000 runs this year, was frustrated as runs for an improbable win, while checked their shot selection, even Sri Lanka were 231 for six at Wagner forced him on to the back foot India are two away from a as India wasted a review against stumps, 429 runs short of their improb- with successive deliveries. 2-1 series lead. Khawaja in Jadeja's first over. able 660-run target, with doubt whether When the next ball was full length, Post tea, Travis Head (34) and The spinner struck in the 10th the injured Angelo Mathews would the 23-year-old could not resist going Tim Paine (26) took their sixth- over though as a bat-pad chance got return. for the drive and was smartly caught by wicket partnership to 22 runs. The stuck under Agarwal's arm at short At the crease were Dilruwan Perera substitute fielder Matt Henry diving to duo cut down on risky scoring leg and Harris had to walk back, on 22 and Suranga Lakmal on 16. his left at extra cover. shots and played for time. causing further trouble for Wagner, who had enjoyed little suc- Angelo Mathews, who in the first But they couldn't last long, as Australia. cess in the series, broke through stub- three innings of the series scored 236 Head played on off Ishant Sharma In the morning, India had bat- born Sri Lankan resistance to have fig- runs and was dismissed only once, (1-37) in the 51st over. Paine ted 52 minutes and extended their ures of three for 47. reached 22 when he was forced to retire though continued his resistance and second innings from overnight 54 After rain ensured a drawn first at tea with a hamstring injury. put on 19 runs with Mitchell Starc for five even as threat of rain Test in Wellington, a win in the He pulled up lame running (18), seeing through 11 overs in this loomed large. Christchurch decider would give New between the wickets about 10 minutes partnership.  Mayank (42) opened up with Zealand a fourth consecutive series win before the interval and could only hob- Ravindra Jadeja (3-82) got the a couple sixes off Nathan Lyon (0- for the first time after beating the West ble after that. breakthrough with Paine caught morning session. Shaun Marsh though contin- 40) and made intentions clear, but Indies, England and Pakistan earlier Chandimal faced 228 deliveries behind and it seemed like Earlier, at tea, Australia were ued to play his aggressive strokes was bowled off Cummins before he this year. before he fell victim to a Wagner Australia's last fight had gone out. reduced to 138 for five. Post lunch, and added 51 runs with brother could get a second half-century in Despite losing both openers in the bouncer that zipped from the glovers But Cummins arrived at the crease Usman Khawaja (33) and Shaun Mitchell Marsh (10), as Australia his maiden Test. first two overs of their second innings, to the helmet and into the hands of the to defy India, even as Starc was Marsh (44) came out playing crossed 100 in the 37th over. Rishabh Pant (33) and Sri Lanka fought to stay in the game close-in fielder Henry Nicholls. bowled off a rash swing against attacking shots and the scoring rate Looking good for a tall score, Ravindra Jadeja (5) threw their bats until short-ball specialist Wagner came Niroshan Dickwella batted freely Mohammed Shami (2-71). peaked at its highest for the dura- Shaun Marsh was unlucky to be around to add 17 runs. They did- into the frame. for 19 until the new ball was taken and India tried everything possible tion of this Test. given out lbw against Jasprit n't waste time in farming strike, Skipper Dinesh Chandimal and he chopped a wide Southee delivery on to get the final two wickets, with The duo added 30 runs for the Bumrah (2-53) in the 33rd over. He with Cummins missing out on his Kusal Mendis produced stubborn resis- to his stumps. skipper Virat Kohli even convinc- third wicket as India went on the went for DRS review as well and the five-wicket haul when Tim Paine tance for 53 overs for the third wicket Silva and Dilruwan Perera took Sri ing the umpires to go for the extra backfoot a bit, and were waiting for ball was shown clipping the stumps dropped Pant early in the session. before Mendis went for 67. Lanka past the 200 mark before Wagner half-hour/eight overs seeing the breakthrough to come along. only marginally, thus out on He returned to pick up his sixth They had seen off the swing and struck again with Silva caught behind possibility of a result. It did as Shami trapped umpire's call. wicket when Jadeja gloved a catch seam of New Zealand strike bowlers for 18. Cummins though stood defi- Khawaja lbw in the 21st over, but Mitchell Marsh looked to attack to gully, beating his previous best Tim Southee and Trent Boult at the Wagner also clouted Perera on the ant as he brought up his second Test the batsman went for DRS review. Jadeja but it didn't work as Australia of 6-79 against South Africa back start of the day, were untroubled by helmet with a rising delivery just half-century off 86 balls, capping a It stayed in India's favour as he was lost a third wicket in this session. in 2011. spinner Ajaz Patel, and initially they before stumps but the batsman was able fine day of Test after taking too far back in his crease and was He mishit the ball straight to Kohli India declared with Pant's dis- dodged the barrage aimed at the ribs to play on after being checked by med- career-best figures of 6-27 in the out plumb. at extra cover in a bid to clear the missal in the 38th over. by Wagner. ical staff. 7       5 ) 9;  

 Sri Lanka resumed the day get there in this last game." needed a long partnership took    <6 at 24 for two with Mendis and When he was out for 67, caught the gloss off the day. ri Lanka's young batting skipper Dinesh Chandimal at extra cover off Neil Wagner, "That's a bit disappointing," Smaestro Kusal Mendis steeled to bat through all three Mendis had 1,023 runs from 23 he said.  "For the best player in the cemented a stellar year sessions to give the tourists a innings at 46.50. Kohli has "The plan was to bat as world to change his innings Saturday by passing 1,000 runs chance to draw the match and amassed 1,322 from 24 innings many balls as possible, as had isappointed at Australia's and play like that, if you can't in 2018 but the occasion was series. at 55.08. been the case in Wellington. I Dabject surrender in the be on the same field as him tempered by his untimely dis- Instead, after facing 147 "I'm really happy. I did tried to make the ball older and first innings, batting coach and watch him and learn from missal in the second Test deliveries he was out to a loose have that target in mind," he softer. If runs came, then that's Graeme Hick has asked his what he is doing, then you are against New Zealand. shot midway through the mid- said. a bonus. So we took it hour by batsmen to show more intent in the wrong space. The 23-year-old was torn dle session and at stumps on "In the first few matches of hour and tried to break the and learn the art of pacing "There are certainly thing between celebrating being the day four Sri Lanka were 231 for the year I didn't have that in my work up that way. innings from India skipper our players can take out of second player behind India's six with their 660-run target head, but later on, after I'd "I was able to bat a session Virat Kohli. that. It takes a lot of discipline, run machine Virat Kohli to out of sight. played a few games this year, and a half, but if I'd been able After the hosts were bun- a lot of patience and, on top achieve the 1,000 milestone Of reaching 1,000 runs, and scored a few runs, then I to support Chandi a little bit dled out for a meagre 151 in of that, you have got to bat and ruing Sri Lanka's precari- Mendis said he was "really became pretty intent on getting better, we might have been able 66.5 overs on day three of the with intent," he added. ous position with a day remain- glad I was able to do it at 23, to 1,000 runs." However, his to finish today without a wick- third Test, Hick stressed on Australia's batting woes ing in the series deciding Test. and I had challenged myself to dismissal when Sri Lanka et as well." the need to develop awareness against India at the MCG of the game and gave the have sparked debate about  example of Kohli's first their technique and the innings 204-ball 82-run impact of the Big Bash League ameron Bancroft's ban for  % +  !!    knock. on batsmen. Cball-tampering expired on "We spoke about how Hick said it was disap- Saturday and he was immedi- Kohli went about it. We knew 26 balls, then the rest of his pointing to see his hard work ately rushed into the Perth (Cheteshwar) Pujara, even innings took whatever it was," come undone and urged his Scorchers squad for their Big  ' ! !  Kohli, one of the most explo- Hick said on SEN Radio on batsmen to learn quickly and Bash League clash with the sive batters, got to 20 off 25, Saturday. find the right balance. Hobart Hurricanes. The 26-year-old opener  was suspended from interna- tional and state cricket for nine ndia need to get over the disappoint- months after attempting to Iment of a quarterfinal exit from the alter the ball in a Test against men's hockey World Cup and focus on South Africa in March. the challenge of qualifying for the 2020 "What a journey this has Tokyo Olympics, said skipper Manpreet been over the last nine Singh Saturday. months," Bancroft wrote on It was a disappointing year for India  surge up to 97 in the latest-released FIFA rank- Instagram. with the men's team failing to live up to ings," the AIFF said. "Grateful of where I am and the expectations in all the three big tick- The All India Football Federation has not India play Thailand in their opening the person I continue to grow et events -- the Commonwealth Games, ruled out giving another contract extension match of the Asian Cup in Abu Dhabi on to be. Thank you to every per- Asian Games and the World Cup. to head coach Stephen Constantine after the January 6. son, group, team and commu- The men's team will now begin the Asian Cup in January, saying the national team nity I have come across over the season with the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup has been "performing excellently" under him. last nine months. You know in Ipoh, Malaysia in March and will also Terming some media reports which Meanwhile, Sports scientist Danny Deigan, who you are." be preparing for the Olympic Qualifiers. claimed that the AIFF is parting ways with who has played a crucial role behind raising Bancroft re-emerged into "It is now important for us to move Constantine after the January 5-February 1 the fitness levels of the Indian football team, public life with an explosive on from the disappointments of 2018. Asian Cup in the United Arab Emirates as says the methods followed are "very similar" television interview on There are always lessons we learn from remain focused." ning the World title. As far as our per- baseless, the national federation said it was to the ones in leading clubs such as Arsenal. Wednesday in which he con- every tournament we play regardless of The men's Team finished fourth at formance is concerned, we (Indian focussing on the performance of the team in "After visiting a number of EPL clubs firmed Warner asked him to how the result went and this time too, the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, team) are obviously disappointed and continental showpiece event. including Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and use sandpaper to rough up the we will meet as a unit when we report settled for a bronze at the Asian Games regret not using the home support to our "It is completely baseless. We are com- Leicester City, I can say that the methods that ball. for National Camp in February and dis- and exited the World Cup at advantage," he said. pletely focused on AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 we use in the Indian team are very similar to He claimed he went along cuss on the areas that need improve- Bhubaneswar after a close 1-2 loss in the "We had topped the Pool and were and the team has been performing excellent- them," Deigan stated. with it "to fit in" and because he ment," he said. quarterfinals against The Netherlands. very positive going into the Quarter ly under Stephen Constantine having risen to "It's important to take note of the output "didn't know any better". India were expected to defend their The team's silver lining was a gold Final against the Netherlands. It was a 97 from 173 in the FIFA ranking within less against the top teams in Asia so that we can Bancroft could make his Asian Games title and directly qualify for medal at the Asian Champions Trophy close match and though personally I am than 4 years," AIFF General Secretary Kushal replicate them, and even do better in the comeback in Australia's the 2020 Tokyo Olympics but they in Muscat where they split the title with very disappointed we lost in the Quarter Das said in the statement. upcoming Asian Cup," he added said during domestic league on could only manage a bronze in the show- Pakistan and remained unbeaten in the Final, I am proud of my team. We gave "We all are focused on the massive tour- India's ongoing preparatory camp for the forth- Sunday against the Hurricanes piece event. tournament. our best particularly the youngsters nament right now and we'll only sit together coming continental showpiece. in Launceston after being With the FIH Series Finals in June The silver medal at the FIH who were playing the World Cup for the to discuss this once his contract ends on 31st It was Stephen Constantine who had sug- included in the Scorchers' 13- to be held in Bhubaneswar's Kalinga Champions Trophy in Breda earlier in first time." January 2019," he added. gested that "we need our players in the best of man squad. Stadium, the team's main focus for the the year had helped the team improve The midfielder, however, said the The 56-year-old Constantine was brought their shapes to run for 90 minutes". "It's great to have Cam year will be to win an Olympic their World Ranking from No.6 to No.5. exposure that the young players got at back as head coach in 2015 for a two year "If you can't run, you can't fight on the back in the squad again. It's Qualification. While it's been a little over two weeks the event in Bhubaneswar will stand tenure after his first stint from 2002-05. He was pitch. The effect of the tests and the results been a long year for him and "The road to 2020 Olympic Games since Belgium were crowned new World them in good stead for future tourna- given a contract extension of one year in 2017. have been great for us. The credit goes to now he can move forward and will be challenging and surely the ideal Champions after they beat the ments. Early this year, he again accepted another one Danny's effort in the past three years, and Joel get back to playing cricket at a way to qualify would have been winning Netherlands in a tense shootout, "We had few players from the junior year of extension of his contract till the end Carter since earlier this year to raise the bar," high level," said Perth coach the Asian Games like we did in 2014. But Manpreet regrets not making use of the set-up who have been part of the senior of the Asian Cup. the coach remarked. Adam Voges. that should not be a deterrent to our home support to reach the final four of core group for about two years. I am sure "Back in 2015, when the Briton took the "Moreover, Gigy (George), Pratik (Kamble) "He's been pretty excited to motivation," he said. the tournament. the exposure they gained at the Odisha charge of the Blue Tigers, they were ranked 173 and Liaqat (Ali) have also put in their efforts be back so he'll bring energy "We have a good setup, very talent- "What Belgium has achieved over Hockey Men's World Cup Bhubaneswar in the FIFA rankings. Since then, they have to keep the players up and running," and experience into our batting ed pool of players with good interna- the years is quite remarkable and my 2018 will help them improve further," experienced a meteoric rise in the ladder to Constantine added. line up." tional experience. We just need to hearty congratulations to them for win- Manpreet added. 7,,(7=&77

n one of the biggest controversies to rock cricket took place in March this Iyear with then Australia captain Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner 91 <9=> 6 being involved in ball-tampering scandal during the Cape Town Test against South Africa. The image of Cameron Bancroft ith his impressive knocks in local and stuffing down yellow sand- Wfirst-class cricket, Prithvi Shaw was no paper became the icon- stranger to cricket fans before he entered the ic picture of shame for Indian dressing-room. Australian cricket as At 18, Shaw earned his maiden call-up the three accepted tam- for India’s Test series against West Indies, and pering with the ball to was included in the playing eleven for the alter the ball condition. first match. While his opening partner KL As a conse- Rahul got out for a duck, Shaw went onto quence to the score a century, becoming the second- biggest cricket youngest Indian – after Sachin Tendulkar – controversy in to score a Test hundred for India. At 18 years the sport in and 329 days, Shaw became the fourth- recent past, youngest debutant to score a Test hundred. Darren He reached the milestone off just 99 balls – Lehmann the third-fastest century on Test debut. stepped down as Eventually, he was dismissed after scoring coach, Smith and 134 off 154 balls. Warner received Among the other debutants for India in bans for a year and 2018, wicketkeeeper batsman Rishabh Pant Bancroft got him- gets his maiden T20 call in February and in self a ban of nine the following days 21-year-old Delhite went months from on to seal his place in all three formats play- International cricket. ing XI. Absence of injured Wriddiman Saha Smith and Warner were and poor form of Dinesh Karthik hands Pant also not allowed to par- his maiden Test against England at ticipate in the Indian Southampton and the left hander sealed his Premier League (IPL) last spot by scoring century against England in season. the Oval Test. This however, wasn’t Among the other debutants, Hanuma the only instance of ball- Vihari and Mayank Agarwal features in Test tampering this year. Sri side, both scoring fifty in first innings Lankan captain Dinesh against England and Australia resp. Chandimal was also found While, Khaleel Ahmed, Shardul Thakur, guilty of the same in June, Deepak Chahar, Siddharth Kaul, Vijay and received a one-Test Shankar and Krunal Pandya gets a game in ban by the ICC for the the shortest format. same. <R     #8-?#>1;8 Test, he surpassed Rahul ahul Dravid’s wait for win- 7+!%+-./C Dravid’s record of most Rning World Cup trophy ndia captain Virat Kohli was runs scored by an Indian finally ended on 3rd February hugely criticised for his ‘leave when under his coaching I batsman at foreign soil in India’ comment when he lashed out a calender year. Prithvi Shaw led India beat at a fan for saying he preferred In the summer of Australia by 8 wickets in the U English and Australian batsmen to 2018, Virat also improved 19 World Cup final in Mount Indian players. his record at English soil Maungaunui to lift record “Why are you living in our dding another feather cricketer and fifth Indian and compiled to score 593 fourth tilte. country and loving other coun- Ato his over-crowded to achieve the feat during runs in five Tests. In his decorated career tries? I don’t mind you not liking hat, India’s captain in all India’s second ODI against Also during the five span as an international crick- me, but I don’t think you should formats Virat Kohli sur- the West Indies at match ODI series against eter, Dravid played World Cup live in our country and like other passed Sachin Tendulkar Visakhapatnam. West Indies in October, he final in 2003 against Australia but had to settle with things,” Kohli told him in a video to became the fastest Tendulkar, Sourav scored three back to back the runners medal. recording, adding that the fan cricketer to cross the Ganguly, Rahul Dravid centries in the first three should get his “priorities straight”. 10,000-run mark in the and MS Dhoni are the games of the series. The 30-year old cricketer was One Day Internationals only other Indian crick- And after India’s win criticised for not being able to (ODIs). The India captain eters to have reached this at Adelaide by 31 runs, he maintain his calm and for not han- reached the milestone in milestone in their careers. also became the first Asian ngland extended its dling the reaction with maturity. just 205 innings – 54 While during his 82 skipper to win Test match- Eown record in one- He made his case worse by innings less than the now run innings against es in South Africa, day international crick- responding to the backlash by say- adding: “I guess trolling isn’t for me second-fastest, Tendulkar. Australia in the first England and Australia in et by 37 runs after ing ‘all for freedom of choice’, guys, I’ll stick to getting trolled!” Kohli became the 13th innings of Melbourne a single year. smashing the highest- ever total of 481-6 as it beat Australia by 242 runs in the third ODI 82;<8< =(7,7((& on 19 June. Alex Hales (147 off 92) and opener Jonny Bairstow rama unfolded after India ed by the coach. “My issues with (139 off 92) plundered Australian bowlers all around D 82$%<8 Dlost the ICC Women’s World the coach started immediately as the park as England bettered their previous world's T20 semifinal against England we landed in the West Indies. At highest total of 444/3 set in 2016 against Pakistan. with their senior-most player and first there were small signs that his What’s interesting is that the very next day, the ohit Sharma led India defeat Pakistan twice in span former captain Mithali Raj exclud- behaviour towards me was unfair England women’s team smashed a 250 for 3 against Rof four days at Asia Cup cricket tournament held ed from the squad in the crucial and discriminatory. For instance, South Africa, setting the record for the highest total in Dubai. fixture. With the decision already walking off if I am sitting any- in Women’s T20 Internationals. Riding on disciplined performance by being questioned by fans and where around, watching in the bowlers in group A match, India first restrict Pak for critics, Mithali came out and nets when others bat but choos- :   8+ 162 runs courtesy three-wicket each by Bhuvneshwar accused BCCI Committee of ing to walk away when I am bat- Kumar and Kedar Jadhav and then skipper Sharma’s Administrators (CoA) member ting in nets, if I try to go up to him quickfire 52 scripted India’s easy triumph over its arch- and former player Diana Edulji of to talk to start looking into his rivals. bias and slammed then coach phone and keep walking. It was While in the super four tie on 23rd Sept, Shoaib Ramesh Powar for humiliating embarrassing and very evident to Malik (78) guides Pak to 237 runs but the target seem her. everyone that I was being humil- too small in front of Rohit and Dhawan as both of them She also narrated a series of iated. Yet I never lost my cool,” she scored centuries to maul Sarfraz’s men by 9 wickets to instances where she had felt slight- said. enter the tournament final. These two back to back wins came an year after Pak beat India in the Champions Trophy final at Lord’s. In the tournament summit clash, India beat Bangladesh in the final ball of the match of win its record Elaborating on his decision, de debut and final Test match. He also seventh Asia Cup title. Villiers said he was "tired" and surpassed Sri Lankan Kumar Batting first, Bangladesh rode on Liton Das 121 run "running out to gas", and thought Sangakkara to become the fifth innings to set 223 runs target for India to win. it was the right time to move on. highest Test run scorer of all time. Which India after few hiccups in between success- The decision has come just four fully chased down in the final ball of the innings. days after he played for the Royal n their return to the league after serving a two- Injured Kedar Jadhav emerged as the saviour for Challengers Bangalore in IPL 11. Oyear ban, MS Dhoni and his ‘army of dads’ in yel- India as after initially getting retired because of ham- West Indies all-rounder low lifted Chennai Super Kings’ third IPL trophy on string issue, the all-rounder returned back to the crease Dwayne Bravo made a sudden 27 May. and scored the winning runs. announcement of his retirement The same reason why most people had written CSK This was the second consecutive occasion when Former England captain and from inter- off ahead of the season became the secret behind their India beat Bangladesh in the tournament’s final. opener Alastair Cook on national success. With a core team comprising Dhoni (36), Earlier in March 2018 at the Nidahas Trophy final September 3 announced his retire- cricket. He, Ambati Rayudu (32), Suresh Raina (31), Dwayne Bravo in Colombo, Dinesh Karthik’s last ball six to Soumya ment from international cricket fol- however, (34), Shane Watson (37) and Harbhajan Singh (37), the Sarkar helped India beat its neighbours by 4 wickets. lowing his team's series triumph will contin- average age of the squad was 34 and a half years. over No1-ranked Indian Test team ue to play played for India in Tests against CSK defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad by 8 wickets in T20 fran- England in November 2016. While their seventh final to become the joint-most success- chise crick- his last appearance in ODIs was ful team in the league, with Mumbai Indians. et all over against the same opponents in the world. January 2013 while in T20Is against At 35 years Pakistan in December 2012. In a surprising decision on of age, Bravo has mostly been out Gambhir made the announce- fter being con- May 23, South Africa's star bats- of the international West Indies ment via a video message which Afirmed as 'Full man AB de Villiers announced his side due to numerous issues with was posted on his social media Members' of ICC, retirement from international the West Indies Cricket Board accounts. Afghanistan and cricket with immediate effect. The (WICB). In other major goodbyes, Ireland played their right-handed batsman played 114 Rangana Herath, Mitchell Johnson, first-ever Tests this Test matches, 228 ODIs and 78 T20 in Southampton. Kevin Pietersen and Paul year. Afghanistan in internationals for South Africa Cook endured a lean summer India opener and hero of Collingwood bid farewell to all their Test debut suf- and scored over 20,000 runs for his at the top of the order for England, India's 2011 World Cup final forms of cricket, as did Niall fered a massive loss country. averaging only 15.57 in seven against Sri Lanka, Gautam O'Brien, Ed Joyce, Praveen Kumar, by an innings and De Villiers made the innings against India. But he Gambhir on December 4 RP Singh, Munaf Patel, S 262 runs against India, in a match that wrapped-up in announcement on Twitter by post- achieved a unique feat of making announced his retirement from all Badrinath, Abdur Rehman and just two days in Bengaluru. Ireland on the other hand,  ing a video message for the fans. a fifty and a hundred in both his formats of the game. Gambhir last Nick Compton. lost by 5 wickets to Pakistan on the final day in Dublin.

         

ellness chef and Masterchef tion is, and the amount of antibiotics we keep onion, black pear, black apple, besides a whole any forced imports after this. I started making India finalist, Karishma pumping in, the good bacteria in our gut lot of experimentation with the foods,” he says. my own soya sauce, miso, gochujang, yellow Sakhrani, likes to begin her need to be replenished regularly to keep their This is other than the fact that fermentation bean paste, chili bean paste, black bean paste, day with ginger, turmeric and number up. And replenishing the good bacte- helps preserve what is not in the season. among others. And I could now choose the lemon tonic without fail. For ria is the way to go,” she says. “We started fermenting in-house about consistency and tartness that I wanted in my Wsomeone who suffered from severe digestive three years ago and took baby steps before end product, depending upon the recipe and issues about three years ago, she has come a adding more to our menu. One of our really what I am using it for,” he says. long way, having made planned and systematic “We need to eat the right sort of foods for popular dishes on the menu is White and Black Other than the processes, he plays on the changes to nurture her gut health. What’s that? healthy bacteria (probiotic bacteria) to feed Trumpets and Strawberries used as a variety of health benefits of fermentation too and as a A lot many of you would wonder. Focus on gut on. These foods are known as prebiotics, and cures like fresh, pickled, fermented, dried, can- responsible chef has incorporates the benefits health is a very recent health trend that has consist of non-digestible food fibres and com- died, and savory marmalades; fresh figs used in in balancing the recipes in his kitchen. In his benefitted many a those plagued by lifestyle- plex sugars that specifically stimulate the the salads as options of being vinegared, sun Kosha Mangsho, a traditional recipe from his related ailments. “We are going back to the growth of good bacteria in the bowel. dried, brûléed, or used as fig seed crisp or mother’s kitchen but not the easiest to be basics,” says Sakhrani. “Once you start getting Prebiotics are found naturally in small smoked fig leaves,” he shares. The other signa- digested for all the mustard oil spices that go older, you realise that you have to take care of amounts in foods such as wheat, oats, bananas, ture is a Corn Miso dish paired with fish, into it, he has paired it with spinach upma your health and body. And it all begins with asparagus, leeks, garlic, and onions. Breast where miso is prepared in-house. which has fermented mustard in the upma forming good habits. Good health cannot be milk is also rich in prebiotics, which explains Chef Matteo Fontana, Chef de Cuisine, Le and lacto fermented spinach. The dish has attained in a day. You can’t eat salad one day why breast-fed babies are healthier and less Cirque at The Leela Palace New Delhi recalls three kinds of onion ferments to go with it, and expect to become skinny,” she reasons. vulnerable to infections,” she explains. his grandmother’s favourite Sunday prepara- with three different ages. In the same breath, she advocates that you However, upping the probiotic intake is tion for the family. “Every Sunday, my grand- “While lacto fermentation does nothing to begin by taking care of your gut. “I am a big what has caught the fancy of those swept by mother would do a classic chicken liver pate the taste, it only incorporates good bacteria believer of gut health. Gut is something you the healthy wave in a big way. “One type of with cognac for the family. It was a traditional into those elements. So when you are eating it, have got to nurture and take care of every day. food that I see missing extensively in our plates recipe served with orange and apple jam, you are unknowingly eating lacto fermented My morning routine is nothing short of a ritu- today are fermented foods,” says Devgan. along with fresh bread, making for a whole- ingredients which when they go into your al which is consciously planned according to “Somehow we have forgotten about them, and some family meal. Here, I am doing the same stomach aid digestion. So the Kosha Mangsho Ayurveda principles. I call it ‘going back to eat them only sparingly. This was not so earlier. recipe but with a touch of truffles and styled does not appear that heavy. You don’t feel slug- basics’. It is something that has helped me with In fact, our traditional diets were replete with to suit the restaurant where we present it in gish after eating a hearty meal,” he explains. my digestive issues. Not too long ago, I used to fermented foods as people understood their single portion. The other variation is that I do Fermentation is a process that he uses big suffer from severe acidity and acid reflux that importance,” she says. four kinds of jams — raspberry, mango, apple time in his kitchen. His kitchen is full of jars to was almost incurable. Reworking how I looked Bacteria are not all bad and fermented compote, and tomato jam. These jams are store vegetables that are fermented to make at my food and gut health is what helped me foods, reasons Devgan, are nature’s way of what act as probiotic aids to balance the heav- them taste uniform at the same time not taking out of that situation,” she shares. showing us how to put them to good use. iness of the dish,” he shares. away from the freshness, rather perceived Depending on the time of the year, she does “Besides spicing up our taste buds with their Other than yeast that goes into the making freshness. The other fermented flavour that he not hesitate to throw in some seasonal berries rather exciting sour taste, they help us absorb of their breads, fermentation is not a big part feels is underrated and would catch up big time and herbs to maximise benefit, such as adding the nutrients we’re consuming better, are easy of the Italian culinary cuisines. According to is Kombucha. “The day people realise the ben- amla in winter. “Herbs like Ashwagandha, even to digest, and are teeming with enhanced Fontana, in south Italy, people take their yeast efits of Kombucha, the impact would be amaz- spices like cumin and cinnamon help detoxify micronutrients,” she informs. very seriously. Some families are known to ing,” he says. At Whisky Samba, they do in a natural way,” she quips. Little wonder then that every culture in have nurtured a batch going back 200 years! Kombuchas with sparkling and fresh juice for the world has its own versions of fermented Other than that, Italian cuisine is more about Sunday brunches. “It is not the best way to foods; Kefir (Russia), Tempeh (Indonesia), fresh ingredients. Pickle is not something you drink kombucha but it is a start,” he says. “Thirty to forty per cent of our immune system Miso (Japanese), Kimchi (Korea), and think about first when you picture Italian food. is in our gastro-intestinal system,” says nutri- Sauerkraut (German/European) are some of tionist and health writer, Kavita Devgan. “So the popular versions. Back home, we have In the past two years, this ancient Chinese steeling up the gut is a very good idea. always had our own versions of fermented For someone who has been listing fermented recipe has been slowly but steadily making Sometimes, more than big changes, all we need foods — yogurt, buttermilk, kanji, pickles, foods as the big food trend to watch out for inroads into the Indian palate in quest for is one small change to net large health gains. dhokla, idli, dosa, appam, uttapam are all since the past three years, Vikramjit Roy, probiotic flavours. Individuals grew their own Including fermented foods in the diet is that made by fermentation, making them high in Group Corporate Chef, White Hat Hospitality SCOBY (Symbiotic Culture Of Bacteria And one change I wish everyone would make as live cultures of the good bacteria. (the parent company of Whisky Samba, The Yeast) passionately and savoured the health they can help restore the natural state of health Wine Company, The Wine Rack and Antares), benefits these bacteria had to offer to the gut. that a diet of excess sugar, meat, processed is happy to see that people are finally waking “The tartness is not something everyone foods, and prescription drugs destroys on a “Indians have been using fermented foods up to the advantages the process has to offer. takes well to in the first go,” observes Isha daily basis for us,” she adds. Her recent book, since as long as they can remember, says “Supply change in India is not a dreamy Singh Sawhney, the girl behind Bhu Ultimate Grandmother Hacks: 50 Kickass Dhruv Oberoi, Head Chef, Olive Qutub (Olive one because of the inconsistency in the pro- Kombucha, bottled Kombucha available at Traditional Habits for a Fitter You, addresses Bar & Kitchen, Delhi). “At Olive, we do our duce available. The same applies to the import. limited outlets and cafes in Delhi (Nature rising concern over lifestyle-aided maladies own Kombuchas and fermented foods, primar- I consciously chose to not be affected by it and Basket, GreenR, Coast Café, to name a few). and advocates switching to time-tested ways to ily for the reason that cause the Umami taste to this is what led me to starting and getting into nurture good health. develop. We love to play with fermentations fermentation,” Roy shares. “It gave me a quality “With the way we eat, and the way pollu- and flavours and do our own black garlic, black consistent product and I was independent of hexi€age         

ost people in the age group of 20-40 years communicate through emails and/or text mes- sages several times a Mday. It’s almost redundant for them to even think about how convenient this uber quick means of written commu- nication is. The only thing that is missing from it, however, is the charm that letters and postcards carry. People who have lived through the times when postcards were popular almost always have stories to share about how sending someone a postcard was quite an entertaining activity in itself. Today, text, how much India changed during practicability and convenience has jus- the British period. It takes the readers tifiably taken precedence over a sense through the formation of new capital of slow but personal charm that com- cities, hill retreats, cultural centres, munication would earlier have. But pic- education hubs, cantonment towns, ture postcards have managed to find trade routes, and railway lines with its space in museums and cultural exhibi- collection of picture postcards. A sense tions and continue to intrigue people of resentful wonderment is bound to interested in history and culture. take one over as they look at picture Picturesque India: A Journey In postcards from Lahore, Karachi, and Early Picture Postcards (1896–1947) Rawalpindi and think about what pre- published by Niyogi Books (995) is Partition India must have been like. quite a treat for history buffs — partic- This package carries selected pic- ularly India’s — as the authors of this tures from this collection to give the book have put together 550 Indian post- readers a sense of the aspects of histo- cards from the colonial era. The period ry that this book opens the gates to. The chosen by authors Sangeeta and Ratnesh selection has Delhi and its development Mathur is particularly significant as it under the British administration at its gives rare and invaluable insights into the focus. The postcards speak volumes formation of modern India. The book about Connaught Place, New Delhi has been divided into six chapters that Railway Station, old bazaars, and more. show through pictures, supported with — Umang Aggarwal

mented food, for a good gut health and a healthier skin, she suggests one take away sugar and dairy and observe intermittent fasting. “Intermittent fasting is rec- or someone who started ommended for improving making, rather bottling, gut health. Stop eating at 8 at FKombucha commercial- night and not eat before 8 in ly a year and a half ago, the the morning. Overload of response she got from the food causes gut to function farmers’ markets and pop- overtime, making it sluggish ups has been encouraging. and weak,” she says. “Even in spaces where people For a good skin, she also are kind of informed, people advocates including more of were like what the hell is it?” Vitamin C in the diet. “Amla she recounts. “Most people, is a great source, as is who approach it from a per- Moringa and even, bone spective that this is needed to broth, that we had as chil- fix a digestive issue they have dren,” she suggests. had for years, don’t know “Sprinkling superfoods in how it works,” she says. your diet is not going to Sawhney’s first SCOBY change your life, it is the way came from Boston through you eat that would bring a cousin and she just nur- tart. But over the past year, Bhu Kombucha offers six joints, body is not happy, brew should drink it once in And the more toxic stuff gets ducing prebiotic foods like about the change,” she points tured it and made it grow. “I I have tried to make it more flavours, including two new your skin is not happy. By two days, about 250 ml. It’s a into the system, the more eating six to eight servings out. In short, you are as am not here to tell people palatable, less sour,” she ones. These are as interesting adding probiotics in your great digestion aid. inflammation occurs. And of vegetables a day and fer- healthy as the lifestyle what Kombucha is but that shares. The fun part about as cucumber, mint, pineap- diet, you are putting good this shows upon skin as mented foods like appams, changes that you choose to is where my efforts are Kombucha is that you can ple, ginger, cinnamon and bacteria in and eliminating rosacea, eczema, and ageing. daal, achaar, at least three make. Every little change you going,” she says, adding, play with it and flavour it. star anise, apple cinnamon bad bacteria out of your sys- When it comes to gut health According to Dr Kiran days a week. Probiotics is the make would positively affect “Definitely it has changed a You can make smoothies and kefir lime. “Everything tem. Fermented food bring and skin, the two are interre- Sethi, beauty and wellness last option. Changing the your gut health and eventual- lot over the last year.” out of them or play them in starts with gut. And if your inflammation down,” lated. Leaky gut is a way for expert, the only way out is to food that you eat is the way ly your overall health. So eat “When I started out, my cocktails. It is an acquired gut is not happy, your system Sawhney avers. For those the preservatives and toxic improve your gut health. to go,” she says. sensibly and listen to your Kombucha was a lot more taste though. is not happy, your mind, who wish to benefit from the stuff to get into your system. “You can do that by intro- Other than eating fer- gut. The gut is always right. buuqy

t would have felt better if one was reviewing this book in the after- math of a triumph at the recently held Assembly Elections. But alas, it was not to be, at least for the Iruling dispensation, that managed to lose all three States in the Hindi heart- land in a straight contest with the Congress. This impressive book is the best effort yet by the intellectual engines of the Modi Government and its sympa- thisers to articulate its achievements and challenges. It has been anchored and edited by the BJP think-tank Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee Research Foundation (SPMRF), through its Director Dr Anirban Ganguly, and Niti Aayog using the services of Dr Bibek Debroy, Chairman, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, and his OSD Kishore Desai. Its given importance is underlined by the fact that it was launched by present- ing the first copy from the hands of the Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley to the President of India Ram Nath Kovind on November 27, 2018, at a formal occa- sion at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Unveiled before an audience of some of the 56 individual contributors, Union Ministers, Members of Parliament, and a select few invited guests, the nearly 600- Sajid Chinoy of Morgan Stanley, one of be good news for the economy, but sur- the mass connect of using Mann Ki Baat the electrical power sector. The Ganga page hardbound book has come at the the able contributors to this book, vival is likely to come first. on a retro medium like the radio. Then clean-up effort is written about by four-and-a-half-year mark of the Modi makes the telling point that the states So is this book already out-of-date? there are those who extol the massive Harikishan Sharma. Government. While its tone is self-con- were responsible for an ever widening Is it looking in the rear-view mirror or gains made by the wide implementation Education, Health, Nutrition, the gratulatory, the stark realities of the fiscal deficit, which, in turn, was the road ahead? There has been disap- of the Aadhaar Cards as identity authen- Swacch Bharat Mission, rural moderni- angry rural and urban voters, once impacting the excellent fiscal manage- pointment on the creation of jobs, rural ticators. The Bankruptcy Act is lauded by sation has largely remained a set of good ardent fans of Narendra Modi, not ment of the centre. It was driving up distress, anger at the ignoring of long famed economist Arvind Virmani. intentions, but not if you read the chap- being impressed by the apparent non- overall borrowing costs and making the pending Hindutva issues, lack of effective Somdutt Singh argues the Government’s ters related to it. The Opposition likes to delivery of acche din hangs like a shad- private sector and foreign investors action against the corrupt and so on. It is thrust towards “skill development” will, in argue that ‘Make in India’ has not pro- ow over the exercise. wary. This excess of borrow and spend, also true that no BJP Government, or for time, bring on the jobs. Sadly, this is gressed beyond cellphones and cars. But The Finance Minister made the point needs to be better managed. Of course, that matter, any Government, other than probably too slow for the voters. this book has a different picture to pre- in his introductory address, that nearly 80 a few months before the General one led by Congress has ever enjoyed There is an implied criticism in the sent. It also drawing the micro lending per cent of the country’s revenue was now Elections, this is unpopular advice. two consecutive terms. To change this way “employment is measured” in the of the Mudra scheme into its purview. flowing to the States, in an unstated but Having said this, the Modi “default position”, as Rahul Gandhi put it, article by TCA Anant and the one after Defence and national security get quite a exemplary push towards greater federal- Government has succeeded in putting is going to take some doing. it by Pulak Ghosh and Somya Kanti few chapters and perhaps deservedly so, ism and empowerment of the States. the country on a sound economic foot- It is interesting how there is an Ghosh that speaks of gathering “payroll because the Modi Government has Presumably, this will make it easier ing with robust growth trajectories. This, immense defensiveness that permeates data” from the informal sector. The shifted the inertia that plagued this area. for the newly won Congress States of after coming to power in May 2014, with essay after essay in this book, as the Government’s controversial targeting of Foreign policy and India’s soft power Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and a very strong political mandate, but a writers first state and then argue “black money” and its achievements of gets good marks since the Modi Chhattisgarh and the earlier win in correspondingly weak economy with a against various Opposition accusations. better tax compliance is written about Government took over. There has been a Karnataka to waive off small farmer huge bad debt problem. India’s economy This even though it was written when by Mukesh Butani. The tackling of positive rebooting of India’s relationship loans as promised. But, this, as we was dubbed, at the time, as being part of there were no threatening clouds in the “benami transactions” in real estate with multiple countries and several know, is easier said than done. the “fragile five” emerging market sky. However, the “revival of national- and the promulgation of RERA is the chapters dwell on this aspect. Notwithstanding the fact that a large economies by international observers. ism” as Professor Makarand Paranjape subject of Suparna Jain’s article. The All in all, though parts of the book number of the states now have BJP But poised as it is politically, with a put it, is definitely an endeavour of this visionary Sagarmala project seeks to seem hagiographic, what is obvious is the Governments, even as the bulk of the strong and credible challenge after the Modi Government. implement port based development as enormous scope of works undertaken by Opposition derives its salience from one five State “semi-finals”, the BJP and the Another widely acknowledged plank per Vishwapati Trivedi’s essay. Hardeep this Government in what is just four and or the other of the remaining ones, there NDA must perforce look at greater of a “corruption-free Government,” at Singh Puri writes on the “Smart Cities”. a half years. It is, in the end, a very good is a deep-seated problem of fiscal extrav- populism in its final budget presenta- least at the top, has many takers. It has Kishore Desai, one of the editors of this reference book to have in one’s library on agance in the states of the Indian Union. tion on February 1, 2019. This may not sections where senior journalists praise volume, points out the strides made in Modi’s first term in office. =)     

  !!  " # $    eandering through the sub- stantive collections of MShanghai Museum, right in the heart of People’s Square, I could not but be awed by the hoary antiquity and rich sense of civilisational oneness of the Chinese people. Here was a rit- ual bronze from the late 20th century BC, there a celadon from the early 3rd century AD. Of course, museums are key ideological sites where history is dusted and given direction, but, even so, China’s accomplishments as perhaps the world’s oldest continuing culture seem to easily tower over the rest of humanity. This is why reading KM Munshi’s The Lord and Master of Gujarat in Shanghai was probably not the best idea. For, not only is China impressive as a civilisation, Shanghai is over- whelming as a city. To be in Shanghai and read of the glory of early medieval Gujarat is to be treated to a joke, iron- ic and ridiculous in equal measure. The wealth, order, and vibrancy of a hood as we know it, Munshi’s Patan a name stained with the shadow of love, pales into insignificance the great larger scheme of history, of the rise city like Shanghai, how successfully it triology shines bright with the irides- defeat and dissonance. Consider again: allegorical archetypes of romance, and fall of civilisations, it also feels has augmented its public infrastruc- cence of a timeless masterpiece. Rita Shanghai, a mercantile capital built in while Kirtidev’s zeal and Krishnadev’s futile: True, both Kirtidev and ture and economy, these are without Kothari’s and Abhijit Kothari’s transla- steady defiance of marsh and mud. zest lends a rich depth of meaning to Krishnadev are reflective enough to parallels in the Indian subcontinent, tion of this classic has created a gem in Shanghai, a colossal growth engine the text. Unlike its predecessor, The imagine the fall of Patan, but both are leave alone Gujarat. Pride in the its own right, likely to become a bea- tipping the globe’s balance of power. Lord and Master of Gujarat is a careful- still too bound in their ambitions as Chinese for their history and their con in the annals of Indian historical Shanghai, a name conjuring strength, ly nuanced and keenly animated por- monarchs and rulers to realise the achievements seems inevitable, fitting; fiction in English. This dashing, wealth, and ingenuity. trait of these figures of lore and legend smallness of their hopes. in Munshi, for Gujarat, it seems sadly thrilling saga of romance, adventure, None of this undermines the bril- who shaped the destiny of Gujarat. To persevere against the blows of pretentious, an affection worth only statecraft, and war will excite and liance of the plot or the vigour of the No, what undid Munshi for me cruel time, to reach for immortality half-hearted indulgence. inspire readers of all ages for many narration though. Leaving behind The this time was that I was reading him in even in the shadow of death, this in To be fair, this is wholly my fault generations yet to come. No, I myself Glory of Patan, The Lord and Master of China. Even as the narrative thrills the writing is the mark of greatness. It is than Munshi’s or his translators’. am at fault for not being adequately Gujarat creates such a charged atmos- heart into a frenzy of anticipation, the futile, it is vain, it is impossible, but it Admittedly, except commending the impressed by the novel. I’ve ruined it phere of high suspense and courtly mind is left perturbed with the confi- has a certain beauty which illumines translators for doing complete justice for myself by reading it in probably the drama that that I hurtled breathlessly dent superiority of the text. The over- the soul with a whisper of undying      to the original in this grippingly vivid worst possible place. through the book till the last four hun- whelming, overarching sense of cultur- glory. Munshi’s enduring charm lies in rendering, there is little I can say Consider: Patan, the small capital dred and eighty-fifth page had been al parochialism of Munshi’s Patan conjuring this ethereal, ephemeral which will add on to the fame and of a young princely confederacy. flipped over to a tensely tranquil close. seems eminently uncalled for, the mark sense of grandeur, even if it is simulta- prestige of Gujarat no Nath. A founda- Patan, a provincial power amongst a Kaak and Manjari’s layered relation- of a weak and vulnerable people prone, neously undermined by the anxious tional pillar of Gujarati cultural self- subcontinent of warlike giants. Patan, ship, the blossoming of their mutual consequently, to brash boasting. In the fragility of its evocation. uvitiut !

he Yellow Vests Movement, also on the lives and living conditions of month? The French capitalists are Tknown as “Mouvement des gilets the people. surely going to play safe as this will jones”, broke out in France in mid- The crisis led to the loss of vital- hardly cost them anything because November. It started against the ity and vigour of most of the cor- they will recalculate only the full- Emmanuel Macron Government’s porate biggies. And in turn, it time hours of work. decision to hike fuel prices from snowballed into major setbacks in That means the workers will not January 1 next year. By the first week the form of joblessness, leading to be paid for the overtime. It has been of December, the popular move- the sharp fall of family and indi- going around that the year-end ment spilled on to Belgium and the vidual incomes. bonus for the employees would be Netherlands. Today, the Macron Government at the discretion of the company The movement’s focus is to has conceded to the demands of the bosses. Many of the protesters are highlight the frustration on the protesters and is scrapping the saying Macron is worse than former economic front, and the working unpopular fuel tax hike in its conservative President Sarkozy. class and poor families’ deep distrust upcoming Budget and has dropped But what worries Macron more of the political bosses of their the prices of electricity and gas. is that the Gilet Jones are not at all respective countries. Trying to placate the protesters, happy about his announcement of The writing on the wall is clear: Macron promised, “I am deter- concessions. “Not only France, but entire Europe mined to recognise and take into Granting concessions in special is unhappy with its elite”. account all the feelings and resent- areas is not mollifying all the pro- The moot point is why the pick- ments expressed in this crisis”. testers, some of them are demand- eters are donning “yellow vests”? It However, Macron’s statement ing higher wages, better pensions, is interesting to note that this year has not yet abated the Yellow Vest lower taxes, easier requirements the Macron Government made a protest. for entering into universities and law that requires all French It seems the promise came too above all, the resignation of the motorists to wear high visibility late. But it is good that Macron has President. vests while driving on the road. admitted that he underestimated the Truly speaking the last one is Therefore, these vests have become distress of the ordinary people of his disturbing. It appears that Macron widely available, cheap and easily country. Meanwhile, European leaving office will not solve the cur- identifiable in public. This might be Union (EU) leaders have backed rent crisis. To survive the European the sole reason why the protesters Macron. The EU Budget project, Macron needs help, not have practically nailed their colours Commissioner, Gunther Oettinger, scorn. A young reformist who has to the mast. has said that Macron has “lost promised a “European Renaissance” Initially, developed as a social authority with his Budget for 2019” is struggling to save his country media movement, the Gilet Jones has by upping his spending in response from populists. gradually graduated from a simple to the Yellow Vest protests, “but he And each passing day, his coun- fuel price hike protest against the remains a strong supporter of the try is passing on to become the “Sick Government to a movement led by European Union”. Man of Europe”. It is indeed dis- leaderless spectrum of interest Macron may find it much eas- heartening to note that the Gilet groups across France. But it has ier to wade through this crisis for the Jones have disfigured the statue of taken a record high, indeed histor- time being as the EU has agreed to Marianne, the French Republic’s ical, momentum of rage against the accept a budget deficit of his coun- symbol. What does all mean? authority in the capital city of Paris. try over the organisation’s three per Simply put, what the protesters The worst part of the Gilet cent ceiling in 2018 as one-time want is that Macron must give in. Jones is that the movement has been exception. Bring an immediate end to the exist- hijacked by the ultra-violent pro- Oettinger’s expectation is very ing unjust taxes, make the elite pay, testers. People have viewed the high: “It is crucial now that Macron increase the level of income and let most destructive scenes in public. continues his reform agenda, espe- the poor and the middle classes Destroying public properties in the cially in the labour market and that war-ravaged West Asia. It has hit Immediate impact would be on himself for overthrowing the old dared to do it over these largely come out of the tax burden. name of rising against the elite or the France remains on reform track.” hard the white middle class popu- the electoral prospect of Macron’s order of European political system, unrepresentative bodies. Meanwhile, Now the question is that Macron Government is definitely However, what will seriously lation across Europe. En Marche Party in upcoming is now facing the worst crisis in his he started cutting funds for the local whether a leaderless and unstruc- scuttling popular appeal towards the bring pressure on Macron is that The difference between the old European elections. political career. bodies across France. tured movement is strong enough uprising. And this is pressing the continuing reforms would be diffi- protests of France and the current Some commentators say this When he took over the Elysee On the personal front, his to take on the French President. It security agencies to crack down on cult amid such upheavals facing one is that the earlier movements movement fits a global pattern of Palace, he almost blew up the scle- approval rating has gone down to a is not. Dubbed as the “President of looters and law breakers. Europe time and again. were guided by militant union lead- revolt against status quo politics, but rotic political system that hardly record low in recent months. The the elite”, Macron might lose more Why the Gilet Jones are so The post-globalised scenario ers or by an Opposition politician, the protesters are putting the French cared for the poor and the middle centrist technocrat has not been able than enough of his political angry? Since the onset of the debt as predicted by many experts, not whereas this is run by rag-tag coali- accent high on alert. That is why this class of France for years. Soon he has to manage the crisis. His acting constituency over his social insen- crisis in Europe, a galaxy of prob- only of France but for many other tion of people. Therefore, it is dif- uprising has been described as the brought, rather imposed, sweeping tough is leading him to new blind sitivity. lems relating to politics, economic, countries, would be a clash of civil- ficult for Macron to strike a deal most violent since the May protest reforms on the labour markets and spots of uncertainty. security and bilateral as well as isations simply because of millions either to lift the roadblocks or to of 1968. the State Railways. Will the wages of workers going (The writer is an expert on multi-lateral has had serious impact of migrants, particularly from the lessen the damage. Macron, the man who prided And interestingly, Macron to increase to 100 Euros every international affairs)

9      @

hough Manipur has become Mayai Leikai in Thoubal District, a hunter’s self-granted licence to life has been officially announced by Tthe first State in India to pass a Manipur. hunt. The degree of brutality and the Government, although the Bill which recommends life impris- Also, the Statewide high-deci- barbarity committed by the mob Supreme Court in its July 17 order onment for those involved in mob bel protests against the lynching had was unmatched. When the victim had ordered a compensation to be violence if it results in the death of never happened before, indicating asked for drinking water and all that paid within 30 days after comput- a person, there are many who that Manipuris were fed up with he got was “does a dying person also ing the amount giving “due regard strongly feel that more needs to be such crimes. The heinous crime was feel thirsty” jibe (as seen in one of to…bodily injury, psychological done on the ground considering perpetrated by a mob in the Meitei- the viral videos of the lynching). injury and loss of earnings includ- spate of lynching incidents in a inhabited Tharoijam village, Patsoi They allegedly started flogging ing loss of opportunities of peaceful State. Police Station, Imphal West, and torturing by piercing his body employment and education and... A wave of lynching of the mem- Manipur over an issue of alleged with iron rods around midnight and legal and medical expenses”. bers of lower and marginalised sec- bike lifting. continued till the morning even in An academic discourse is need- tions of society has swept the coun- The mob flogged the victim and the presence of Manipur Police ed because in the lynchings in try for various reasons, including then left him to die even as police personnel, as seen in some viral Manipur, a pattern of blaming the alleged theft, child lifting, cow pro- remained a mute spectator. The vic- videos of the incident. victims as thieves could be observed. tection and caste-related violence. tim was a MBA graduate. He was Fourth, are the law enforcers Md Hasmad Ali, a primary school This prompted the Supreme into entrepreneurship and recently serious enough to curb such inhu- headmaster, was killed allegedly Court to direct Parliament on July established Palem Foods Private man crimes? The law enforcers for cow theft. Mohammad Sadam 17 to enact a law to curb mob lynch- Limited near Wangoi bazaar, Imphal have so far arrested six culprits, and Mohammad Farooque ing and the State Governments to West district. including the main accused, M (Imphal), both school students, take certain measures. From July 17 Here is a systematic analysis of Gerani Singh (a sepoy with the were lynched in a communal-like to September 7, only 9 States and the incident based on the media Indian Reserve Battalion or IRB), incident in April 2016 at Mayang two UTs in the country complied reports. Firstly, the probable reason and the case is being investigated. Imphal Yangbi Garden, Imphal with the order of the court. of why he went to Tharoijam village Some policemen, who were seen West. In June 2017, Md Rakib Ali Therefore, on September 7, the with two companions is not clear- waiting for the victim to die in one (19 years) and Md Anish (20 years) court asked the remaining States ly established yet. According to the engineering by some Meitei politi- the Assembly, higher education, streak was activated by the stereo- of the videos posted on social were lynched by a mob in Thoubal and UTs to file compliance reports media reports, locals alleged that the cians and ultras that emerged from workforce and Government jobs, typing of Pangals as petty criminals media, have been either suspended district, and many more cases of within a week. two companions of Farooque tried the crucible of insurgency but had even after they were allotted four per as corroborated by the noted jour- or dismissed from the job. The lynching in Manipur happened at Before the Manipur to lift a bike in the late evening of got disoriented for reasons best cent reservation. nalist and editor of Imphal Free Government also has entered into Yairipok, Khangabok, Heingang Government could comply with September 12, on which Gerani known to them. Second, was the stereotyping of Press Pradip Phanjoubam a memorandum of agreement with Ahallup and Iram Siphai. the Supreme Court order, on Singh alarmed his neighbours, and, It may be safely presumed that the Pangals as huranba (thief) the (https://www.bbc.com/hindi/media- the victim’s side. It is high time we eliminated September 13, Md Farooque Khan following that, the two fled the scene those ultras were repurposed or ori- reason behind the lynching of a 45590653?ocid=wshindi.chat- Further, an Ordinance was stereotyping and stigmatisation was lynched creating one of the but Farooque was caught “red- ented to carry forward ethnocentric Pangal man in a Meitei-only village? apps.in-app- reportedly approved to curb lynch- from society to uproot the lynching most brutal and unfathomable handed”. The ensuing mob alleged- ideals and inculcate Meitei chau- A misconstrued perception of the msg.whatsapp.trial.link1_.auin) and ing in Manipur in compliance with culture. For this, the Government episodes in the contemporary his- ly branded him as a thief, though vinism in the name of civil society Pangals of being vehicle lifters, the engineered communal revul- the Supreme Court’s July 17 order. should desist from ‘manufacturing tory of Manipur. other sources claimed he was wait- organisations. As a consequence of petty criminals, drug lords or ped- sion, both of which shot the non- But how about conducting in-cam- insecurity’ (May 21, 2018, Indian The news became a flashpoint, ing outside for his companions the social engineering, on May 3, dlers has been propagated by some descript village to infamy. era trial in a fast-track court of all Express). in both electronic and the print who were in Gerani’s house for some 1993, a riot broke out between the people with vested interest. Third, what made the lynching cases in Manipur in the media, because of the barbarity with personal business. Pangals and the Meiteis in Manipur, Against this backdrop and the Tharoijam mob resort to that degree past five years, as ordered by the (Md Chingiz Khan is a PhD which the mob took the life of There has been an animosity resulting in the death of around one prevailing animosity that gets boost- of brutality and barbarity? It is Supreme Court, and initiate an Scholar at the Centre for Historical Farooque son of Md Nasib Ali (a between the majority (Meiteis) and hundred Pangals. ed intermittently by the hate com- apparent that the superiority com- academic discourse to get to the Studies, JNU, New Delhi; and retired deputy inspector of educa- the minority (Pangals) since the In addition, Pangals have dis- ments on social media, it is plausi- plex of Meiteis granted them a socio-politico-historical factors con- Mohammad Imtiyaj Khan is an tion under Lilong sub-division) 1980s. It is believed that the ani- proportionate representation in ble that Farooque was lynched. licence to lynch the victim which tributing to lynching? Assistant Professor, Gauhati from the Pangal-inhabited Lilong mosity is an outcome of the social every sphere in Manipur, including Tharoijam villagers’ murderous could be allegorically compared to No compensation for Farooque’s University, Guwahati, Assam) bacqbute " 5   '   6    

fter emerging victorious in three BJP-ruled States, it appears that Rahul Gandhi is ready to fight alone in other States. He recently instructed Aparty leaders from West Bengal to start preparations for fighting on all 42 seats of the State. The State Congress leaders have convinced him that they can win more seats on their own than after going into an alliance. They argued that if the party goes alone in the State, at least its cadre will be revived in all districts. On the other hand, Rahul does not see any possi- bility of an alliance in West Bengal. The Left parties have suffered a huge loss after going into an alliance with the Congress and will not repeat the mistake. At the same time, the TMC will not leave a sin- gle seat for anyone else, so the Congress doesn’t really have any other option. Apart from West Bengal, the Congress will also fight alone in Uttar Pradesh. It is being said that the Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party are not ready to take the Congress along with them. Both parties have almost reached a consensus on seat-shar- ing and have kept the RLD with them, leaving just two seats for the Congress. They think that if the Congress fights alone, they will benefit more. So, in UP too the Congress will find no alternative. Apart from these two States, Rahul is gearing up to contest on his own in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh as well. In the Telangana Assembly Elections, the Congress had gone with the TDP, but results proved that both parties would not go into an alliance ever again. Even in Assam, the Congress will go solo, as Rahul has learnt his party will suffer if it joins hands with Badruddin Ajmal. keep the Congress with her in UP. She and is demanding six seats from the General Secretary. This can’t be deferred Apart from Dwivedi, five other believes that the party will not give her a Congress-NCP alliance, while both par- for long like the decision on the Deputy names are being discussed. Two are old ayawati has offered unconditional single seat in any other State, whereas ties want to give him only one. They Leader in the Lok Sabha had been guards of the Congress and three are part Msupport to the Congress in going alone or getting into an alliance on might leave the Hatkanangale seat, from deferred. Captain Amarinder Singh had of Rahul’s team. Mukul Wasnik seems to Rajasthan as soon as the results were out. the State level might get her some seats. where Shetti is an MP. In the same man- become the Punjab CM in March 2017 be the most obvious choice amongst vet- But before elections, she left no stone That is why she is gearing up for either ner, the Akola seat can be left for Dr and he had stopped attending Parliament erans. He is currently the General unturned to defeat the Congress. In going alone or into a State-level alliance. Ambedkar’s grandson, Prakash much earlier, but still no appointment has Secretary, in-charge of the Central Chhattisgarh, she went with Ajit Jogi’s Ambedkar. The Congress and NCP been made in his place. Election Committee, and a member of Janta Congress Chhattisgarh (JCC) and might leave one seat for the BSP also. So, Hopefully, things will be different this the CWC. Ghulam Nabi Azad is also in tried her best to create problems for the n Maharashtra, the seat-sharing for- the two parties will declare their seat- time around. Sources in the party say a the running, but since Ahmed Patel is the Congress. Though clearly her efforts Imula has been finalised between the sharing arrangement only after talks with new General Secretary for the organisa- treasurer and Azad is leader of the party were in vain, as the Congress only reaped Congress and NCP. There are total 48 Shetti, Ambedkar, and Mayawati. tion will be appointed very soon. There is in the Rajya Sabha, his chances are dim. benefits while the BJP suffered. After the seats and the fate of 40 seats is almost speculation that Janardan Dwivedi might Among new leaders, Ajay Maken, alliance, Jogi’s party is established. The decided. Decision is still pending on come to the forefront again. It is being Randeep Surjewala, and Jitendra Singh JCC and BSP got 11.5 per cent votes and eight seats. There are some seats out of shok Gehlot is the new CM of said that the Congress is trying to grab its are in the race. Maken was General won a total of seven seats. those eight where both parties have ARajasthan, but he is still holding the old vote bank of Brahmins. If a Brahmin Secretary of the party and is now Now, it is being said that both parties staked claim. For some seats, the parties additional responsibility of the Congress leader is made the General Secretary, a President of the Delhi unit. Surjewala will go together in the Lok Sabha are waiting for a green signal from the General Secretary. Recently, when Rahul positive message will be sent to Haryana, and Singh are in-charge General Elections as well, and sources say alliance regional stalwarts. The Congress and Gandhi appointed KH Patel as the chief Delhi, and UP. Though many leaders feel Secretaries and permanent invited mem- talks are already under way. Of the total NCP are waiting for farmers’ leader and of the campaign committee in Karnataka, that he was neither given any other ber of the CWC. Apart from them, there 11 seats, Jogi’s JCC will fight on seven, MP of the Swabhimani Paksha, Raju the letter had Gehlot’s signature. But this responsibility after his removal nor was are other contenders too and an appoint- and Mayawati will fight on four. This Shetti, for the seats in Maratha-dominat- is an interim measure only. The Congress he given a place in the CWC, so his ment can be expected soon. Other State also proves that Mayawati is not ready to ed areas. Shetti broke away from the BJP President will soon appoint a new comeback might be problematic. Presidents will also be appointed soon.

he US Government has was still highly unlikely to pass begun a partial shutdown in the face of strong Democrat Tafter Republican Senators opposition. failed to muster the votes needed Chuck Schumer, the to approve $5 billion that Democrat leader in the Senate, Donald Trump wants for a bor- speaking on the Senate floor, der wall fiercely opposed by the an orderly shutdown”. Mulvaney said: “Mr President, you will not Democrats. The US President said in a memo for Government get your wall. President Trump, sought to blame the Democrats, executives that “we are hopeful you own the shutdown.” who responded by reminding that this lapse in appropriations Trump, in the Oval Office, him that he said he would be will be of short duration” but said: “It’s up to the Democrats as “proud” to shut down key parts that employees should report to to whether or not we have a of the federal Government in work when scheduled to shutdown tonight. I hope we order to get funding for a wall “undertake orderly shutdown don’t, but we’re totally prepared on the US border with Mexico. activities”. for a very long shutdown. I Talks between Trump’s team Nine of 15 Cabinet-level would say the chances are prob- and Republican and Democratic departments and dozens of agen- ably very good. Unfortunately, leaders were expected to contin- cies will temporarily lose fund- the Democrats have devoted ue over the weekend. The Senate ing, including the departments their lives to making sure it [the was set to return from recess at of Homeland Security, wall] doesn’t happen.” midday on Saturday, although it Transportation, Interior, In a series of early morning was not clear if it would have Agriculture, State and Justice, as tweets on Friday, Trump had any new proposals to consider. well as national parks and forests. called on Mitch McConnell, the “We’re going to have a shut- Initial Republican reaction Republican leader in the Senate, down,” Trump said in a video to the shutdown was muted. to use the “nuclear option”. That posted to his Twitter account Among the few GOP lawmakers would require only a simple about two hours before a mid- who issued statements as it majority of 51, rather than a night deadline to pass a stop-gap began were Sen Lisa Murkowski “supermajority” of 60 votes, to spending Bill. “There’s nothing of Alaska, who expressed disap- pass the spending Bill. However, we can do about that because we pointment at the lack of a deal, McConnell said there was not need the Democrats to give us and Lamar Alexander of enough support among their votes. The shutdown hope- Tennessee. “This is a complete Republicans to introduce that fully will not last long.” failure of negotiations and a suc- option. The uncertainty over The shutdown is the cess for no one,” Alexander said. the shutdown contributed to third this year and it remained “Instead of honouring his further losses on the stock mar- unclear how long it would last. responsibility to the American ket. Government departments Operations for several key people, President Trump threw affected by the shutdown would agencies ceased at 12:01 am a temper tantrum and con- include the Department of on Saturday (5:01 GMT), vinced House Republicans to Congress made last-minute go without pay over Christmas. Trump had initially agreed On Thursday night, the Homeland Security, the Justice despite last-ditch talks that push our nation into a destruc- efforts to avoid a Christmas The shutdown means the to a spending Bill that did not House of Representatives passed Department, and the continued on Capitol Hill tive Trump Shutdown in the shutdown but appeared poles closure of national parks, the include funding for the wall, but a new Republican Bill which Agriculture Department. between White House officials middle of the holiday season,” apart from agreeing on a new Internal Revenue Service, and 95 was targeted by a severe back- included the $5 billion. Before The border wall was a key and Congressional leaders in said a joint statement by House spending Bill. Without an per cent of Nasa’s operations. lash from some of his most voting on it, the Senate was campaign promise for Trump in both parties. Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, agreed Bill funding for large However, special counsel Robert prominent supporters. The waiting for the return to the 2016 election, and he contin- White House budget chief D-Calif, and Senate Minority swathes of the Government ran Mueller’s investigation would be President then decided he would Washington of some Senators ues to view it as a winning issue Mick Mulvaney instructed Leader Chuck Schumer, D-NY. out at midnight, meaning among the Government-funded not sign a spending Bill without who had already left for for his 2020 re-election. agencies “to execute plans for Republicans and Democrats in 800,000 public workers would projects not affected. money for the wall. Christmas. However, the Bill it€exta€iutar #

ive years ago, Beyoncé “changed the game with that digital drop”, Fas she would later describe it, when she released a surprise album on December 13, 2013. On Thursday night, fans wondered if history was repeating itself when two 10-track projects accredited to Queen Carter — titled Have Your Way and Back Up, Rewind — appeared on Spotify and Apple Music. They were, however, swiftly removed — apparently unau- thorised leaks appearing to compile old songs and unreleased demos. Representatives for Beyoncé and Spotify offered no comment. The Guardian has contacted Apple Music. One song, Hey Goldmember, is thorised leak to streaming services taken from the singer’s film debut in yesterday. An album titled Comethru, Austin Powers in Goldmember, credited to Sister Solana, was attrib- released in 2002 — and presumably, uted to Grammy-nominated R&B not material that Beyoncé, now criti- singer SZA. She addressed the swiftly cally acclaimed for her 2013 self-titled removed leak in an Instagram story: album and 2016’s Lemonade, would be “These are random scratches from keen to revisit. In June this year, 2015. Def not new new! But … cre- Beyoncé and husband Jay-Z, billed as ative? And Scary?” In November, the Carters, released a surprise album, unreleased and obscure music by Everything Is Love. Beyoncé was not Ariana Grande appeared on Spotify the only musician affected by an unau- credited to the name Zandhr.

   arner Bros proclaimed Aquaman “king of the box Woffice as well as the seven seas”, as its oceanic superhero ended the two-week reign of Ralph Breaks the Internet at the top of the UK box office, taking £5.23m, including pre- views. However, Aquaman delivered only the 16th-biggest opening of 2018; crabble, Monopoly, and Trivial lower happiness levels in children. “We beforehand — the potential for home- strip out the previews and it achieved Pursuit — that’s what I wanted found that as the time spent chatting work or family time to suffer — and “Encourage balance in their lives,” says £3.82m. Excluding previews from the to buy my children this year. on a social network increased, there ask children what guidelines they might Sarah, because any activities that boost totals for all films, Aquaman delivered But in reality, their wish lists was a comparable reduction in happi- follow. Get them to make the case. And self-esteem offline, will be mirrored the year’s 19th-biggest debut. For com- were more Apple stocklist than ness reported across several different you don’t have to ruin the surprise. online. “Higher self-esteem makes parison with other DC Films titles, S1990s Argos catalogue. Many parents areas of young people’s lives, which Keep it hypothetical.” them less likely to be adversely affected Justice League began in November might have had shiny new devices included their appearance, their family, So what are these habits and by any negatives in their online lives.” 2017 with £7.26m (no previews), wrapped and ready for kids to open for their school and also their life overall,” boundaries that will help your children while, five months earlier, Wonder Christmas. But buying an electronic explains the study’s lead author, child- live digitally healthy lives? Read on: Woman kicked off with £4.96m device comes with a level of trepidation hood psychologist Dr Philip Powell. Should you follow your kids on social (£6.18m including previews). Globally, Ralph Breaks the Internet, the third that ordering item 383/6754 on p854 But most parents of teens don’t media and check their phones? “Lots of Aquaman stands at a decent $266m, animation in the Top 5 is The Grinch. never would. Perhaps it’s because, need the experts to highlight the “My top tip if you’re a parent giving a kids feel comforted by that,” says Prof and with North America yet to open. Its festive hook meant it saw only a unlike the bicycle that might end up in power of smartphones and social phone or device for the first time is Livingstone. But going undercover, she With £2.28m including previews, modest decline, down just 13 per cent, the shed over winter, or this year’s won- media. One friend, mother to an 11- that it should be switched off in the believes, is a big no. “The whole princi- Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and it now stands at a handy £21.7m. der toy, which will probably run out of year-old boy who recently received his evening and charged downstairs, not ple of the parent-child relationship is lands in second place. However, that Audiences will be aiming to catch this appeal (and batteries) by Easter, the first phone, admits it has been the most in bedrooms,” says Sarah Berman, an trust, so snooping can do much more number is inflated by significant pre- one in the runup to Christmas Day, screens we gave our kids at Christmas challenging time of her parenting life. ambassador for CEOP (the damage than good,” she says. If you views — strip them out and the super- rather than afterwards. Ralph and are likely to have more profound and “Since he’s had his phone, his mood has Government’s Child Exploitation and have serious concerns, ask for access. hero animation achieved £1.24m. Spider-Verse should enjoy longer far-reaching effects. Games consoles, been constantly up and down,” she says Online Protection agency) and a train- In addition to Spider-Verse and playability into January. iPads and smartphones can end up of her son. “If he puts his phone down er at Young Minds. Lack of sleep has a encroaching on so many other elements for five minutes, he feels like he’s miss- big impact on well-being and physical- We know too much can increase irri- of children’s lives — schoolwork, family ing out. Often the chatting goes on ly switching off also gives teens and tability, hyperactivity, aggression and time and sleep included. But most wor- until midnight, then when he gets to tweens the psychological switch-off even depression, but how much is too rying, perhaps, is the power they can school the next day he still feels he’s they need. “There has to be some- much? “A certain amount of screen also wield over their mental well-being. missed out. It’s heartbreaking to see where that feels safe and private,” says time may be positive for well-being — It’s an issue that’s been on my mind how it pulls him down.” Prof Sonia Livingstone, a social psy- enabling communication, creativity and of late, as my daughter recently entered “My son’s groups get quite nasty,” chologist at LSE, who has advised the engagement,” says Dr Powell. “But too her last year of primary school, which says the mother of a 13-year-old. “They Government on digital safety. much becomes negative. It’s called the according to the national norms means post far ruder things than they would Research also shows that blue light Goldilocks effect.” According to Prof she has come of smartphone age. say, and my son can’t escape it even at affects sleep, so turn off 30-60 minutes Jean Twenge, author of a landmark Countless recent studies have linked the home.” Another mother describes how before lights out. study on this topic, the sweet spot is rise of smartphones and social-media her 15-year-old daughter falls victim to one hour per day for children aged two usage with anxiety and depression in FOMO (fear of missing out). “She’s a to five and similar limits — perhaps up tweens and teens, the rates of which sensible girl but it’s constant,” she says. From sexting to FOMO, it’s good to to two hours — for school-aged chil- have skyrocketed recently. “She’ll see a picture of her friends talk. Being honest about our own feel- dren and adolescents. Prof Livingstone It’s something that mental-health somewhere she’s not been invited to ings, says Berman, helps children open advises parents to be thoughtful when charity Young Minds, one of the causes and it can change her mood for the up about theirs, and being non-judge- it comes to switching off. “Lots of chosen for this year’s Telegraph whole weekend.” Her 12-year-old son, mental and supportive is key. Janis- games, for example, have an internal Christmas appeal, is working hard to meanwhile, spends every waking Norton’s advice? Be proactive rather drama. If you walk away in the middle, understand. Many factors are at play minute on his phone. “If I could turn than reactive: Bust the myths of there might be consequences in terms when it comes to young people’s well- back time and set boundaries from the Instagram perfection before they sign of relationships with friends as well as being, says Emma Thomas, the charity’s start then I would. I want my son back.” up, talk about sexting before they have the prowess of your avatar,” she says. our watercolours of working charity set up by the founder and CEO, but the rise in social media is not “Once screens are in hands it’s a serious boyfriend or girlfriend and women by the suffragette and chief executive of the Stoke-on-Trent- to be ignored. And it’s not only children much harder — although not impossi- discuss FOMO before they hit the peak Fhuman rights campaigner Sylvia based online betting firm Bet365. Last whose mental state tips over the diag- ble — to get into good habits,” says socialising years. “Ask, ‘If you saw pic- “Part of the way to handle screen time Pankhurst have been acquired by Tate month Coates was revealed to be the nosable line about whom we need to Noël Janis-Norton, author of Calmer, tures of your friends on Instagram at a with less dependency is for children to using funds from the billionaire world’s best-paid female executive, worry. It’s all those who are just missing Easier, Happier Screen Time. “But ideal- party you didn’t know was happening, earn it,” advises Janis-Norton. That can Denise Coates. The paintings show with an annual pay packet of £265m. that little spark of happiness, too. ly set boundaries and expectations what would that feel like?”’ It won’t be through chores, homework or music women at work in the cotton mills of Helen Pankhurst, Sylvia’s grand- Just a few weeks ago, England’s before giving a device, so it doesn’t make them immune to feeling left out, practice, but should also be linked to Glasgow and the potteries of daughter, said the family was Children’s Commissioner, Anne become a source of conflict.” but it will create better coping mecha- behaviour. “You get a lot of dopamine Staffordshire, and are part of a series delighted that Tate had acquired Longfield, addressed the Commons and Discussing screen-time boundaries nisms when those feelings do occur — from electronics, which is why it’s so that Pankhurst made as she toured some of the paintings. “Sylvia was an spoke of the “avalanche of pressure” on Christmas morning, however, does- and make it more likely that they’ll turn easy to become dependent on them. But industrial working environments in artist as well as a champion of work- children and teenagers feel under to be n’t feel very ‘ho-ho-ho’, which is why to you if they find themselves in trou- when you get a dopamine hit without 1907. They have been acquired direct- ing women’s rights, her first passion popular and successful on social media. Rachel Vecht, parenting expert and ble. “Research has found that teens who having to earn it, your brain processes ly from the Pankhurst family for an not as well known as her second. In And a recent groundbreaking study by founder of educatingmatters.co.uk, have a more satisfactory relationship the activity in the reptilian part of the undisclosed sum. Funds have come these beautiful pieces these interests the University of Sheffield found advises talking these over before the big with their parents are less susceptible to brain, and it’s more addictive.” from the Denise Coates Foundation, a are powerfully combined.” increased social-media usage causes day: “Make any reservations known FOMO,” says Janis- Norton. Hershey The spokesman complain that KFC was out of on New Year’s Day to wish Company have explained the desire chicken was among the most police a happy new year, the alifornia’s Monterey Bay Houston lawyer is offering been smushed to improve the frivolous calls of 2018. Met said. “During the CAquarium has apolo- Alocal residents free $40 Uber or missing points. appearance. “The The London time that our call gised after some people per- gift cards if they pledge not to The Wedding iconic, conical shape is Metropolitan handlers are deal- ceived a tweet about a sea drink and drive on New Year’s Cookie Table, a one of the reasons families Police said more ing with these otter as body-shaming. The Eve. Brian White announced he is Pittsburgh-based baking have loved Kisses for generations,” than 20,000 of the time-wasting calls, aquarium on Tuesday tweet- hosting an event December 28 group, had noted imperfections of the Beckman said. “We shape the tip on our about 2 million a member of the ed a picture of Abby, an called “Sober Ride Houston,” candy on its Facebook page. “I just classic, solid Milk and Dark Chocolate calls that came into public could be in otter who helps train where he will promote alterna- opened a few bags today for cookies I’m Kisses to create that iconic appearance. the 999 emergency real danger or have orphaned otters how to tives to drunk driving.He said making next week ... every single one is And while there has always been some line during the past built up the confi- survive in the wild. The the first 195 people to pledge missing the tip,” wrote one member. variability in that process, we are work- year were for non- dence to call with an tweet featured social not to drink and drive on Another person said: “This is ing to improve the appearance because emergency situations, important piece of media words and phrases New Year’s Eve will receive crazy!!! Looks like way more have bro- it’s as important to us as it is to our fans.” including a man who information that such as “thick,” “chonk” $40 Uber gift cards at the ken tips than not!! Unacceptable But the company didn’t explain called to complain that could take a dangerous and “OH LAWD SHE event — a total $7,800. Hershey!!.” And one member of the why tips are missing. On Wednesday, KFC was out of chicken. person off the streets,” COMIN” which are “Houston has had more fatal Facebook group wrote: “I really don’t Hershey showed off an advertising The department tweet- Chief Superintendent often used to describe drunk-driving accidents over believe they are snipping the tops off. I campaign that encouraged consumers ed audio from the KFC David Jackson said. someone who is over- the last 16 years than any think there was a problem at the factory. to embrace the broken Kisses. In a call, as well as others includ- “Imagine if one of weight. People took other major metropolitan Call and complain! I haven’t purchased photo of a variety of Kisses, some ing a person complaining your friends or loved ones offense. The aquarium on area,” White told KTRK-TV. yet because of this but I will this week with their tops missing, it includes about a bus being broken was in need of the police Wednesday tweeted a mul-  and see what I get.” the message: “Warm hearts this holi- down. Police said they also as quickly as possible and it tipart apology that it called The Hershey Co. issued a response day season and take the time to cele- took calls about how long it turned out we could not help a “learning moment.” It Thursday. “We love our Kisses as much brate our differences.” took a pub breakfast to be because we were having to apologised and said it was as our consumers,” Jeff Beckman, a  served, a call complaining deal with one of these hoax unaware of the connota- ershey’s Kisses are falling Hershey spokesman, said in a statement about a whistling bus driver calls — I’m sure that you, tions associated with some Hflat with home bakers. They Thursday obtained by Penn Live. “We and a call from a woman like us, would be devastated of the memes. The aquari- have been complaining that the make more than 70 million Kisses a day demanding a taxi cab be and extremely annoyed,” um says “Abby is looking fit.” pointy tip on many pieces of the here in Hershey, Pa., and we want each olice in London said a man who sent to pick her up. Jackson said.  signature candy made by the of them looking as great as they taste.” Pcalled the 999 emergency line to A woman called 999  yvixi€ari€ $

        YOURYOUR World Marketing Summit was recently organ- ised in New Delhi. Supposed to be an initiative Abacked by Philip Kotler, a globally acclaimed professor of Marketing from the US, the underlying theme of the summit hinged around the objective of creating “a better world through marketing”. It could not have been timed better. We are deeply mired in an era driven by commerce. Everything is commerce and commerce is everything. It is this preeminence of suggest that you keep heart and Don’t approach life the easy way; fol- commerce that probably would have made the people don’t get upset by failure. This low and comply with the whims of all behind the idea of the Marketing Summit think about year, all your decisions would be concerned. Finding pleasure in work the changed role of marketing. Marketing, interesting- very wise. Just make sure that shall be your mantra of success. Stars ly, is a creation of commerce. It is also a very potent you don’t get swayed by tell that Sagittarians would be ampli- tool of commerce. Naturally, then, too much of com- Isycophantic appreciation. There will fied with all the desired success in all merce would have led to the thinking that it is the be boon in disguise for you this year aspects. Foreign connections would time to change the goal of marketing. But can it create as your partner will support you be certainly offer positivity and satisfac- a better world? A big question and perhaps a very dif- it an issue related to matrimony or tion. As usual, health should be pri- ficult one to answer is: Isn’t the very idea of creating a finance. Aries are suggested to pay ority. Offering rice to the needy and better world through marketing an antithesis to the  sincere service and obeisance to watering a flowering plant shall be an purpose of marketing as it is commonly understood     elders as a remedy. auspicious remedy for you. and practiced? But the idea certainly merits considera- tion. Marketing has given many things to this world. One view is that marketing has given God to this It is likely that you may face some It is up to you to decide what you world. For the atheists as well as the agnostics, the upheaval in your business during this value more — work, success, gratifica- very idea of God is a creation of marketing. That, period. In all probability, your busi- tion, appeasement, relationships, sex however, is for the non-believers. Coming to the ness will touch an expected height in or financial success. I am afraid that believers, marketing gave man to this world. Had it the latter half of 2019. But the dictum majority of you do not realise that life not been for Satan’s design in the guise of a serpent to says: “Nothing is gained without and success is not dependent on your coax Adam and Eve to eat the forbidden fruit, man striving hard.” It is a certainty that personal whims. Follow the rules of would still have been in heaven, enjoying the fruits of you would witness an exceptional life. Giving edible oil and vegetables to the Garden of Eden. That apart, marketing has cer- spurt in your endeavour. Try to be the needy shall be a remedy for you. tainly changed lives and lifestyles, tastes and prefer- calm in your attitude and donate ences, perceptions and perspectives, ideas and atti- lentils to the needy as a remedy. tudes and most significantly, consumption patterns. If you have been planning a venture, Converting needs into wants, marketing has flared this would be the time to go ahead. But, desires and aspirations, wishes and dreams. So, that In all likelihood, people who were if you don’t begin with it in the begin- was what marketing could do and what it has done. born under this sign may start a new clothes to the needy as a remedy. needy is a remedy. ning of this year, you could end up frus- But as we the humankind come of age, a realisation venture which may be as successful. trated. Why? Because you are always dawns that marketing could have done something My prediction for you is that fortune inquisitive and suspicious about your more. Rather, something else. It is this that needs to be is siding with you. But still, the graph You may overcome all the obstacles You will expand your business in var- own brilliant moves. Worshiping Lord pondered over. What does marketing need to do? How of success is likely to go zigzag for which I foresee that you all have to ious spheres. Yes, you may be on top Shiva and giving monetary help to the it needs to change the world? The answer would come some time. But, it will be sweet in the cross during this period. But, your but I m afraid that your personal needy will be a great remedy for you. from our reflection, an introspection to find out what end. For investors, caution is the immense inherent talent can enable relations can hamper your esteem. the next goal of marketing needs to be. The answer need of the hour. Meditative practice you to finally land in a rewarding Beware! You may be trapped by the certainly would come from within. There is need to is must for maintaining inner confi- position. Stress-free personal regi- multitude of opportunities. Have faith in yourself and never be change this world from commerce driven to con- dence. It is advisable for Geminis to men is suggested. Successful over- Unfortunately, you would be in poor beguiled by the circumstances as stars science driven. In Freudian terms, transform the worship Maa Kali and give sweets seas business tours and new finan- health; take care. Offering water to tell to me that you will be on the top world from Id and Ego driven to Super Ego driven. and fruits to eunuchs and to the cial connections are in the offing. the trees, particularly on Wednesday in the second half. Don’t enter into From want driven to need driven. From impulse dri- needy as a remedy. Leo people are suggested to worship morning, shall be a good remedy for any litigation during this planetary ven to reason driven. From the so called realism to Lord Shiva and feed green fodder to you at this juncture. position. Take care of your own life idealism. From the apparently right approach to an the cows as a remedy. and karma. Be very prudent when appropriately righteous approach. There is need to   You should experience colossal suc- spending money. Now will be the change from consumption orientation to redemption    cess this year. For those who work in Entering into a partnership will not time for you to donate clothes and orientation. And for this, the marketing process must a niche field or run unusual business, You shall feel that this is the most be fruitful in 2019. Be careful and firewood to the needy. now change its basic objective. Marketing was aimed I predict immense success. Your per- congenial period to start a venture don’t be greedy. Even in the exist- at increasing sales volumes through creating wants ception of competition with your which you were planning since long. ing partnership, try to become A word of caution for all: The above and desires. It has to change its role to sell values now. rivals can be fructified. But your own The relations you culminated during rational. Never mind the fluctuat- descriptions are general in nature. There is need to redefine and reorient marketing. independent vision will bring laurels your active years will thrust you onto ing profits throughout the year. It These may be very from person to From creating consumption needs to arousing higher to you. Compassion towards the the top of the hill. Resolve that you, will be better to focus on new ven- person. Specific calculation of the order needs. The aim should be to make people deprived shall be a boon from the too, will be kind and will help others tures. My personal suggestion: It is individual constellation chart is believe in the ultimate goodness of humanity where heavens. Try to control your tongue even if it is beyond your means. better to devote the year to person- required for more accuracy. These integrity and honesty become the fashion and greed as your unpleasant speech may Utmost care of health is strongly sug- al appeasement. Also, it is very are only broad guidelines. and consumption are relegated to back seat. adversely affect your relationships. gested. Praying in holy places will important to give to charity; donate Cancerians are advised to give yellow definitely help. Helping the poor and liberally to the needy.

es, it can be to a certain extent but not entirely. YBecause this is material world where everything has a date of birth 1 )   ' A and a date of death, except we, souls, who are eternal. But, we are not here in our spiritual forms. Rather, we are covered by material bodies which are subject to lots of changes, some of which are quite painful like getting seriously sick. Lord Krishna has described facts which help me. You can do gates to hell. These are lust, greed We can do so by reading Gita. our planet as an impermanent likewise. I have referred to them in and anger. Lust is of many kinds, Good sanskars are important, and place of miseries. In the same my earlier articles. One must gain the most common being lust for humility helps greatly. verse, He informs one about those spiritual knowledge; Gita is an eating. What is the single most Now, we come to the third part who are not forced to take rebirth important source. One should clear cause of bad health? Improper eat- — being tolerant. As mentioned here. These are achievers of one’s doubts by asking questions ing. Then, there is lust for power, earlier, misery is an integral part of supreme perfection and have and discussing things with spiritual- fame, etc. They all cause lots of this material world. In Gita, Lord attained God. Such persons go to ly wise persons. In short, one’s intel- trouble. Greed is not far behind. Krishna states that in spite of being the supreme destination which is ligence should be connected to One seeks more than one needs appropriate in eating, recreation, known as Vaikuntha. We are here God. Gradually, consciousness and gets oneself into all sorts of and sleep, one can only reduce one’s because we did not qualify. should become godly. Progressively, problems. Also, anger has suffering suffering which must still be tolerat- What should we do to cut our one will begin to depend upon written all over it; one helplessly ed. Therefore, one should not be losses? There are three parts to it. God. This happens when we do invites trouble. surprised if problems come. Then, One, we do what makes us deserv- spiritual practices like meditation. Being jealous of others can take we are humans, susceptible to make ing to not take birth here. Two, we Slowly, our senses will come under one step further down. One may mistakes, which according to the don’t do what forces us to be born control. Our minds are likewise end up in demonic species. What karmaphala principle will bring suf- here again. Three, we tolerate what controlled. Sinful tendencies need brought down Ravana, who was ferings. Saintly persons maintain we must while we are here. Let me to be eradicated, and spiritual very knowledgeable and powerful? their equanimity even in the face of go into the details of each step. Gita nature achieved. His ego, as he admitted when he adversities. Suffering is unavoidable, provides ample details to guide us. Now, we turn to what we was lying mortally wounded in the but it can be reduced and tolerated The first and natural require- shouldn’t be doing besides getting battlefield. We can do all of the if one has higher consciousness. ment is to have faith in God. To rid of sinful tendencies. The first above if we know what is appropri- gain faith, I have collected thirty step should be to avoid the three ate to do in various circumstances. €axu€ %

     They then lead you through meditative creation chain that manifested into icking up threads from the previ- way that offers a sense of purpose and and other proven techniques to free plural world with name and form. So, ous issue, it comes out that if we right direction to mind. One could also yourself from the limitations of mind. all existences in the mortal world, live Pwere to come out with our best, we dispassionately evaluate the ‘Karmic Having thus prepared, they then help or inert, are nothing but manifestation need to rise above the preconditioning promptings’ and consciously deny the you unfold your full human potential so of nature driven energies. of mind caused by Karmic imprints car- ground needed by unwanted thought- as to come out of your best. You then The obvious implication is that ried over from the past. To go about it, seeds for raising their heads. And, opt become a master of your own mind when seen at subtle level, a being with a one needs to self-reflect and become for ‘what is worth’. Also, one will be able rather than playing second fiddle to its solid body framework remains nothing aware of inherent fault lines, acknowl- to put in qualitative efforts towards the usual tendencies. but a web of pulsating energy pattern. edge them, and then consciously task in hand in a focused way. It may not be out of place to men- Mind and intelligence are again energy address them through fresh educative Preparatory to all that is to bring tion here that it is our choice option platforms at other levels. Even thoughts inputs. Having thus freed our minds of the monkey-like wandering mind in that binds us to cause-effect chain. But flowing through the mind are nothing its limitations, full landscape of mind check. For, it does not allow the focus then it also enjoins upon us the capacity but energy formations. And we know with its wholesome powers becomes and space necessary to objectively to discriminate upon and make such that energy cannot be destroyed but accessible. Different faculties of mind as attend to any fresh thought. It also wilful choice as would undo the impli- changes forms. Given our choice option, detailed in the previous issue then begin stands in the way of indwelling poten- cations of unbecoming implication of we could consciously give a fresh turn to operate in a coordinated manner as a tial from coming into full play. The the cause-effect chain. Also, conscien- to thought energy. Say for instance, collective whole. Following this, the fac- irony, however, is that more often than tiously feed fresh educative inputs in through recitation of mantra, which is ulty of discriminate intelligence sponta- not ahamkara identifies itself with mind, and lend it fresh direction. It essentially a set of syllables placed in a neously comes into play for due dili- indwelling tendencies, which makes it implies that initiatives if any, taken as of logical sequence to bring about a partic- gence, before we take any call. difficult to dispassionately monitor the now, could bear fruits during the pre- ular sound effect, which is again noth- Obviously, then, mind presents itself thought trends for necessary correc- sent life itself. If you unmindfully fail to ing but energy formation. with its optimum best. tion. Here, astrology comes handy as put to use your own empowerment, As the year closes, let us resolve to What follows thereafter is that one an effective diagnostic tool. For, it is how can you put the blame on destiny modify our Karmic tendencies, and set begins to look at issues in hand with an premised on study of energy construct for your failures? the terms of a better tomorrow. open mind and so, is able to see issues of a being. And energy knows no bias. Now to further loosen and untie the in hand in the right perspective due, But all said and done, even after hardened knot of ignorance, a brief look and pick up the right lead. Also, one becoming aware of our limitations, it is into the energy dynamics of existence could monitor inherent thought trends not easy to rise above them. For, habits may come handy. Both modern science and identify the negative and undesir- die hard. Here comes the role of an and Indian Philosophy agree on one able thought trends. Accordingly, one enlightened Guru. For, they first put count that energy streams excited by the could redefine the thought process in a you face to face with your mirror image. Primordial-Source set into motion the

★ ★             D A      E ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

 Men will go back to old ways unless there is a strict punishment

 It’s time women were allowed to exercise their rights. God doesn’t belong to men. year 2018. How would you define it? Character dheela? The Yes with #MeToo raging, definitely so. Menopausal? What with mood- swings, highs peaking and lows drowning you summarily. Paisa vasool? If space odyssey announcements of its Gaganauts were any- thing to go by, yes again. Or just entirely fake with all kinds of news fooling you as never before? Entirely fraudulent? Indeed so, with bank defaulters walking away with scams as vertical as vertical can be and the taxpayers watching helplessly. Or, all this and yet insipid enough to not  record a single dizzying moment all its life? Yes, 2018 was entirely dichotomous and yet Ignorance destroys our souls. The veil of largely ripple free, but for path-breaking unpleasant experiences has to be lifted. judgements changing the way India thinks. All this when the Oxford dictionary announced that “Toxic” was the word of the year. Meanwhile, as you choose your tag, let’s Karmakar beat the knee niggle to it a gold- go down the year with a tooth comb. mine too at the Artistic Gymnastics World Petrol breached 90 a litre. High or low? Cup Challenge. And then, there was 20-year- RBI governor Urjit Patel quit amid reports of old Malayalam actress Priya Prakash com- the Government trying to ensnare the trillion ing up with a wink that launched a thou- reserve fund. Low or alarmingly low? Pulses sand sighs and made her the most sold at 100 plus a kg. High or low? Mukesh searched personality of the year. Ambani’s daughter wore a 11-crore choli for Vedangi Kulkarni of Pune, on the her wedding. High or low? Prime Minister other hand, caught the imagination of Narendra Modi guided BJP to a 21 out of 29 only a few when she became the fastest States grab and then lost three major ones in Asian to cycle the globe at age 20.  MP, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. A classic Then there was big reason for the example of high and low tide, isn’t it. A Pune- Oxford Dictionary naming 2018 Toxic. I admire today’s heroines for getting married based engineer got an Oscar for his technique From toxic politics to toxic relationships, it in the summer of their careers. to aid mid-air filming as never before. High or was all turning viciously poisonous. Sexual very high? harassment at the workplace became a move- Yes, there were moments but few and far ment which surpassed all else in India as between, nothing mind-blowing if you took skeleton after skeleton started falling out of away the historic judgement on gaydom and media and cinema closets. Despite the year the Government banning commercial surroga- that saw iconic travesties of someone like MJ cy, of course much after Abram and Karan Akbar losing his sheen of a fiery journalist and Johar’s twins populated the Indian landscape Modi apart, it was quite an August start Minister to his own misdemeanours over the as inspirational examples. for India at another level with the nation years, there are many reasons to call it a year January started off the proceedings with a announcing its first ever women’s SWAT team, without character. As many as 924 reported Modivian splash of making an international a squad of highly trained women combat offi- sexual misconduct cases in public and private statement, having 10 international Heads of cers adept at high grade weapons usage. sector was quite a blot on the goodness quo- State as chief guests at the Republic Day February soared too as 24-year-old Avani tient of the working class in the nation. Parade for the first time ever. But while on Chaturvedi became the first woman in India It was also a year of soulful ends to several  Modi, it was the Year of the Big Dent for him to fly a fighter jet alone. She flew the MiG-21 eras. The good old HMV lost its voice; the as this people’s Prime Minister lost much of Bison, which possesses the highest take off iconic RK Studios was put on the market shelf Instead of banning commercial surrogacy, the his sheen with voters questioning his leader- and landing speed in the world. Her maiden by the Kapoor sons; 4 big heroines got married Government should introduce regulations. ship for the first time in five years. The loss of solo training lasted 30 minutes and put India at the peak of their careers and Hollywood the three big states of MP, Rajasthan and on a global list of countries like USA, Israel great Leonardio Di Caprio donated $100 mil- Chhattisgarh, in a year preceding the big elec- and the UK were women play an active com- lion to climate even as Mukesh Ambani back tion gala, had people talking about an alter- bat role. home spent over a million to adorn his son nate leader if at all the BJP succeeds in renew- Hima Das who ran barefoot in rice fields and daughter’s marriages. ing its power membership at the Centre. With of Assam raced to a historic Gold at IAAF To round it off, the shock laga syndrome names like Nitin Gadkari doing the grapevine Under 20 world championship. PV Sindhu came in the form of crude rising as blatantly as rounds, in 2018 Modisms have indeed started became the first Indian shuttler to win the the rupee fell unhindered by reason, fear or fading. BWF world tour final. Gymnast Deepa economic control.

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● ● ●   "   % ● ● Can the load of bad loans from banks cost an ● ● election victory? See also Fake News ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●  ● I don’t see an effort in my industry to ● ● act on the void of LGBTQI narratives. ●

DIVORCED FROM REALITY

was visiting my fam- Triple Talaq was considered always tell these women that total lack of awareness. ily in Bareilly when I an offence, the status of the the first step is to file a case Take the case of this came to know that woman was not clear — the for maintenance in the fast woman who came to me for ■ A UP-based Muslim man divorced his wife imy husband was court doesn’t accept this kind track court which usually help. Her husband used orally after she asked for 20 to give to the cou- planning to get mar- of divorce, the Shariat Law takes less than a year. Once Triple Talaq to divorce her. ple's two daughters. ried for the second time. I accepts it. Second, the this is taken care of, then The woman was young and immediately went to meet minute the woman is comes dealing with other married again. Four years ■ In January this year, a Haryana man divorced this girl’s parents and told divorced, a big question that issues. later, the first husband found his wife after she refused to give him a packet them the entire story — how she needs an answer to is The one positive thing out that the woman was of beedis. When she insisted she would not give he was already married to how she will fend for herself. for women is that they are leading a happy and com- it to him, he beat her up, kicked her out and me. My husband told me Since Triple Talaq has secure. They no longer live fortable life. He came and gave her oral, instant talaq. that he had divorced me and been declared an offence, I in constant fear. There is fear claimed her as his wife. Since put in papers — the Talaq have not heard of any for men too. They are wary there was no paperwork to ■ A newly-wed husband pronounced triple talaq Nama. The court rejected woman who has been for uttering the words as of prove that he had divorced just two hours after his nikah in UP's Baghpat this application. So I am law- divorced. Earlier, I would now. But there is an urgent her, the woman had no village last year just because he didn't receive a fully his wife. But he insists hear of at least two cases of need to ensure that action is option but to return to her car in dowry as demanded. he is not married to me and Triple Talaq every month. It taken against the man who first husband. gives me a maintenance was as if there was a trend. would utter the words. Men It is all about the man. ■ A Saudi Arabian man divorced his wife though amount of 12,000 every How else would you explain will have to be punished if What about the rights of the an advertisement in an Urdu daily. She came to month. situations where the man they use Triple Talaq as an woman? Where is her con- know about it only when someone brought the If we go with the Shariat divorced the woman because easy tool to divorce. sent here? Where is the secu- paper to show her what had happened. Law, we are divorced. There there was less salt in a dish If the divorce is mutual, rity for her? are other Sections under or she had not done some there is no problem. But if a Before Triple Talaq was ■ In January this year, 22-year-old Shahjahanpur which I have filed a com- household chore? woman is wrongfully criminalised, there was no resident Afrin was scrolling down her plaint. Herein lies the prob- All this stems from the divorced, the man has to be marriage security for the Facebook timeline when a post hit her. It was lem. The court doesn’t accept mentality that men have. As punished. Otherwise, the woman. There was a sword from her husband and said : Talaq, talaq, talaq. this divorce. How is this even long as the woman does what Ordinance will become weak always hanging over her This was duly followed by the same message on possible? A crime has been the man wants, they are and men will go back to head. She didn’t know if she her phone. committed but the man is happy but if she tries to doing whatever pleases them. would continue to stay mar- not punished for it. Where is assert her rights in the rela- If the interest of the Muslim ried once the husband came ■ Talaq has happened over phone, text and email the justice for the woman? tionship, he wants to get rid women has to be looked at, home in the evening. There as well. Two women living in Hyderabad were Here is a man who has of her. So much so that he this can’t be allowed to hap- have been cases where the divorced over WhatsApp by their respective divorced the woman but the would even call the police to not agreed to keep the chil- pen. man has gone to work in the husbands. In 2015, an NRI man from Kerala law doesn’t accept it since throw the woman out of the dren, the big question facing Most women so divorced morning and returned in the sent his wife a Triple Talaq message on there is no paperwork to house on the grounds that her is how to earn so that she belong to low-income fami- evening only to divorce her. WhatsApp from Dubai hardly 10 days after the prove if the woman is mar- since she had been divorced can educate them. Third, if lies who have had little or no Take this example. A wedding. ried to the man or not. This and was no longer welcome the woman is young, she has education at all. These woman was sleeping and her is the loophole that men are to live in his house. The a chance to get married women have no clue about husband was watching her taking advantage of. When I police had no option but to again. But who is going to how to fend for themselves. sleep and a thought came to took the pictures of the take the woman back to her marry a 50-year-old? They need financial security him— what if I divorced her? % & paper to ulema, he told me parental home. As a social activist, my which, for them comes from The minute she woman that he doesn’t need to utter The foremost problem job is to first understand a marriage. They don’t even opens her eyes, she found the words. If, in his mind, he facing these women is how what the woman wants. Does know about their most basic herself to divorced and has divorced the woman, she to explain to the society why she want revenge? Does she rights — that they need to thrown out of the house. The stands divorced. she was a divorcee to begin need a lawyer? Does she get their marriage registered ordinance will prevent such The problem before with. Second, if the man has need funds? However, I as required by law. There is a frivolous acts from now on. riple Talaq is not the themselves were no longer why there was a need to only important and there. Various women make it an offence? There Tproblematic issue groups that had been are provisions available in besetting Muslim women. actively supporting the the law which that are  The Supreme Court Bench heard seven peti- I campaigned against scrapping of Triple Talaq, applicable to all. Women tions filed by Muslim women challenging the Triple Talaq and once the disappeared due to the can seek redress under the 1,400-year-old practice, including by one who Supreme Court gave the backlash. It was a political Domestic Violence Act. If was divorced on WhatsApp. verdict that it no longer gimmick to demonise and a woman has been wrong- here are a few things that one exists, there was no need show how bad the ly divorced, she can chal-  In India, for every divorced Muslim man, there needs to understand. First, the to bring in any other Act Muslims are. lenge it in a court of law. are four divorced Muslim women, according to Tpercentage of teen talaq is very to criminalise it. Yes, it Fact is, Muslim Why should the civil mat- an analysis of the 2011 Census data. low — the 2011 Census puts the will bring relief to some women are feeling inse- ter be dragged into crimi- divorce rate among Muslims at 0.56%. Muslim women. But what cure in today's India - nal law?  The number of divorced Muslim women in Second, triple talaq is not a social issue it has mainly done is whether it is because of Making Triple Talaq a 2011 touched almost half a million, a 40% for the Muslims. A few reasons why brought together Hindu their children not getting criminal offence is not increase as compared to 2001. triple talaq in its present form will not and Muslim rights. education or jobs, or the going to help anyone, men benefit the community. Over the past 15 years, fear of being lynched, or nor women. What the SC  Muslim women in India who cross the age of whatever democratic space for that matter, due to the did was celebrated - just 25, are more likely to be divorced by their hus-  The Supreme Court made triple talaq illegal, it should within the Muslim com- lack of health facilities. A the fact that Triple Talaq is bands. Census figures show that the number of have been left at that. The move to criminalise it will munity the women had majority of the Muslims not allowed in 'one go'. divorced Muslim women between the ages of harm all the parties concerned. It is like saying a man created has slowly van- are poor. For them, the The SC has only stopped 10 to 25 was just about 70,000 as compared to who has not committed murder, yet he is being pun- ished. When we raised the main questions are around one kind of talaq which 0.22 million between 25 and 39 age. ished for it. Why punish a man for a crime he has yet to issue of Triple Talaq, the food, education and secu- was being misused. commit? Also, when the man in behind bars, he has to Muslim radicals came out rity which have become Women who faced the  A survey by Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan pay his wife and children maintenance. How will he do on the roads to oppose the bigger issues. problem rejoiced but I revealed that 95 per cent divorced women this? move, saying that Islam is Once the Supreme didn't see any woman cele- received no maintenance from their husbands. in danger. The result was, Court deemed Triple brating once it was  Why drag a civil matter — that of a divorce — with a all the spaces that Muslim Talaq illegal, it became declared a criminal  Oral divorce has been the easiest and most criminal case? This is wrong. Divorce happens in other women had created for illegal. I don't understand offence. common method of taking a divorce among communities as well. Why make it a criminal offense Muslims. Out of all divorced women, 65.9 per for Muslims? cent were divorced orally.  Since the law says that the wife is still married to the man as triple talaq is invalid, look at the situation from hayara Bano, the 35- and in-laws, who allegedly the woman’s point of view. According to the law she is year-old native of demanded additional dowry still married to the man and will have to go back to SUttarakhand, is the face and a car from her parents &     him. In such a scenario will it be possible for the man of the battle against the dis- which her father was unable to behave properly with the woman? criminatory talaq practice. to afford. The mother of two endured She was often beaten up  There will be more atrocities towards women, domestic physical and mental agony and kept hungry in a closed &    violence will increase. The man will not give such a for over 10 years and was room for days. The final cut woman the respect that is due to her. Because the made to undergo as many as came in October 2015, when woman is still lawfully his wife, she can’t leave him and six abortions by her hus- her husband sent her a nor will the man accept her. She will be neither here or band. Her battle against divorce note by speed post. &   there. Should the woman not have a shot at happiness? triple talaq was spurred by The letter contained a pro-    her own experience. nouncement of instant Triple  Why a jail term? Why not keep a monetary compensa- Married in April 2001 to Talaq. The custody of her two tion that will benefit the woman in case she is wrongly the Allahabad-based proper- children, 11 and 13, was kept divorced? If the Government wants to ensure that the ty dealer Rizwan Ahmed, by the husband. When some- interest of the woman is taken care of, why not make she endured domestic vio- thing so wrong happened,    &   '(  sure that the courts grant relief in such cases at the ear- lence and physical torture at she thought that there must   liest? the hands of her husband be a law to prevent this.

abarimala is not the only tem- threatened. A fear psychosis was in favour in keeping our traditions ple in India where women used to deter us. The local police and culture alive. I follow all tradi- Sabove the age of 12 and under prevented us from entering the tions that are progressive in nature. 60 are not allowed into the sanctum. The villagers, too, were There are several good practices precincts. It doesn’t take a genius to against us. The temple trustees told that have put India on the global know the reason for this strange us that what women were doing was map. All wrong needs to be correct- practice. Women are barred from wrong. We had no authority to ed. Take our Gods. Shiv is always these places as they are considered enter the temple and that we were equated with Shakti. We take the to be impure due to a natural bodily breaking a 400-year-old practice. name of Krishna with Radha. function - the menstrual cycle. This But there was one good thing Somewhere down the line, we have is an age-old practice. But we live in that stood in our favour after the forgotten the essence of what was the 21st century. We need to change High Court order in April 2016. written in The Vedas. with the times. However, the men in While the villagers still don’t enter This doesn’t mean that all men our society still live in a world that the sanctum, they don't prevent have a mindset that women need to we inhabited hundreds of years ago. other women from entering. There be subjugated. There were several They are of the opinion that if there was a complete change in the mind- hundreds of men who were with us is a practice that has been followed set of the people. They understood in our andolan. They opine that if for centuries, it needs to be carried that women too have the right to they have the right to pray why forward in the name of tradition pray. Since then, several thousand should their wives, mothers, daugh- and culture. women have visited the temple and ters or sisters not be given the same They forget the root of religion. prayed inside the Shila. right. It is just 10 per cent of men No God or, for that matter, religious Unfortunately, this has not hap- who still want to keep women away books differentiate between a man pened in Sabarimala where the from temples where they are not and a woman. A bhakt is a bhakt. dharam ke contractors and those allowed. He is not discriminating between a opposing it have failed to change I, too, was not allowed to enter man and a woman. Each one of us their mindset. Our (women) only the premises and stopped 155 km has a one-on-one relationship with request to them is that if they don’t from the Sabarimala temple. The  God and nobody can take that away want their womenfolk in that par- way the Sabarimala issue has been or have the power to keep anyone ticular age group to enter the tem- handled is all wrong. Why target the from a place of worship. ple premises, they can follow the families of the women who tried to People feel that to carry forward age-old rule but let other women enter the temple? Why trash their what was done in the past, there is who want to pray enter. homes? Why threaten them? need to do the same in this day and India is not run on what reli- Women need to understand the age despite the advancements that gion says. It is run on importance of equality that has have been made. The problem lies Constitutional guidelines. Our been given to us. Praying is just a with the so-called contractors of Constitution has given us Right to small part of the bigger picture. If religion. To dominate women, they Equality so why not let us exercise there is any place where we are not continue to follow certain rituals. this right? In Sabarimala, people treated equally, we need to assert Fear is used as a tool. Followers are continue to follow a draconian atti- ourselves. There will be challenges regaled with stories of horror that tude and are not willing to follow people travelling in fancy cars? Why and roadblocks but we need to would not only fall on the individ- the Supreme Court order, the high- not travel in bullock-carts? stand firm and fight for our rights. ual but also religion if there is a est court of law in the country. Women today hold high posi- We can’t give up because there are deviation from a norm adhered to There is no way that the order can tions — from being the President of problems. No one will come for- in the past. be ignored. We talk and read of new the country to winning medals at ward to fight our wars. We have to Let us take another case. Our India. How do people in this coun- the Olympics to being CEOs of do that ourselves. fight in Shani Shignapur was on try achieve this, if we don’t change companies. This is the kind of Men need to change their mind- similar lines. Women were debarred our mindset? change in new India. Was all this set. After all, they take birth from a from entering the inner sanctum of If it is all about following tradi- possible if we had continued to fol- womb. If a mother, daughter, wife   this temple. We were told that tions and practices that are over 400 low practices that are wrong. Did or sister is being discriminated untold horrors would befall upon us years old, why are these people we not stop Sati and Johar? They against, they need to stand by them like Shani Dev would get angry and using mobiles? They should go back were wrong practices and were and start fighting for women’s wreak havoc in our lives if we even to the days when pigeons were used rightly discontinued. rights. They can do so by showing  attempted to enter it. We were to send messages. Why are these This doesn’t mean that I am not respect to their womenfolk at home.

he issue surrounding age restrictions on entry of women The shrine of Sabarimala is an ancient to Sabarimala Temple came up for the first time in Kerala temple. It is believed that the prince ● THigh Court in 1990 when S Mahendaran of Perunna in of Pandalam dynasty, an avatar of Kottayam moved a petition, alleging that young women were Ayyappan, meditated at Sabarimala trekking to Sabarimala and offering prayers at the temple. temple and became one with the The court converted the petition into a public interest litiga- divine. As per the temple history, the tion and had then ruled that the age restrictions do not vio- Sastha temple at Sabarimala is one of late fundamental rights and directed the temple board to the five temples founded by Lord allow women in the 10-50 years age group to trek to the Parasurama. temple. Another controversy surfaced in 2006, when Jayamala, a Kannada actor, claimed that she had entered the sanctum sanctorum and touched the idol of the presiding deity in Sabarimala. The incident created a storm. ● The Kerala Government had to order ● a probe but the case was later dropped. ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ■ Sabarimala is the second largest sea- for the 2016-17 festival season was sonal pilgrimage after the Islamic holy 243.69 crore, according to the  site of Mecca in Saudi Arabia. An esti- Government. mated 3.5 crore pilgrims visited the ■ It is said that the pilgrims have to fast shrine last year and the total revenue for 41 days to cleanse their minds collection of the Lord Ayyappa temple before going to Sabarimala. {#MeToo} 4 {celeb marriages} 5 <<< 2018 Sunday, December 30, 2018 <<< 2018 Sunday, December 30, 2018

THE BIGTICKET The power ofFALLOUT #MeToo has made women to come out and talk about their experience of sexual harass- ment at workplace but it has also been mis- used by many who target innocent men. With our campaign — Justice For Swaroop, we want to take this fight forward and make this a landmark case, especially for those men who have falsely accused in sexual harassment case. The Isha Ambani-Anand Piramal — Kriti Srivastava, wife of late Swaroop Raj wedding cost nearly $100 million. The invitation card box which is worth `3 lakh each. More than DECAYING SOUL 100 chartered flights flew the The #MeToo movement guests to and from Udaipur’s cannot be resolved through Maharana Pratap Airport. As the court of public opinion. gratitude to the city of Udaipur, There are people standing up the Ambanis donated enough @ for something. I would say food to feed 5,100 people three more power to women who scream from the rooftop meals a day for four days. about something wrong done Light, sound # to them -- whether it is after 10 years or 20 or 50... It doesn't make a difference. You DeepVeer got married at Villa del cannot deny the right to individuals to say Balbianello, one of the most sought- what they say. But the question is whether after properties of Lake Como, Italy. the quotes are in sync with the legal system, They spent `24,75,000 per day and which is based on a certain understanding. & `1,73,25,000 for the entire week. Are they in sync with this so-called enlightened new view that we have? If punitive action is not taken, the cynicism that nothing happens would be reinforced. — MAHESH BHATT CHATBOT SHAKTI believe the #MeToo move- the world who abuse their power In the wake of the ment is a subtle revolution once they attain it, I hope and pray recent #MeToo India BY TANUSHREE DUTTA within the collective human that in time mine be put to good BY VIKRAM BHATT Deepika Padukone's Sabyasachi consciousness, a revolution Men and #MeToo use in helping people that are hurt- movement, Silicon Valley-based bot and lehenga for her Sindhi wedding was that has been happening ing, broken and lost in life and aid- worth whopping `8.95 lakh. Deepika acrossI the world. A revolution „Nana Patekar: Tanushree behaviour like smelling her hair. ing the collective human evolution messaging platform ` many in India were ready for. A Dutta was the first to break Bahl has threatened defama- in some way. Gupshup launched a has spent 1 crore on her wedding collective revolt against the tyran- silence about getting sexually tion against Anurag Kashyap and Are you a survivor? Have you chatbot called 'Shakti' jewellery and apparently her ny and oppression that many face harassed by Nana Patekar on the Vikramaditya Motwane for ever been a victim? Do you hold to help women in India mangalsutra is worth around `20 and believe that they have no sets of Horn OK Please in speaking to the press. deep scars? Is there a form of dis- find a voice against sexual harassment. lakh. Deepika’s humongous wedding Rajat Kapoor: choice but to keep quiet about. It 2008. Patekar went for legal „ A journalist appointment or hurt or indigna- Chatbot Shakti helps guide women on ring is priced between `1.3 to `2.7 is a full frontal attack on the cul- action against what he called accused actor/director Rajat tion that you have endured due to measures to be taken during an crore ture of silence, secrecy and shame false accusations. Kapoor of sexual harassment. someone else’s words, actions or Filmmaker Film actor and author of Alok Nath: unfortunate event of harassment along #MeToo movement in India surrounding offences that are „ Actor Alok She claimed Kapoor asked her arrogance? Did it change the misogynistic and sexual in nature. Nath was accused of sexually inappropriate questions. way you looked at life in gener- with the details of relevant authorities they Harrassment, abuse and assaulting TV writer and Kapoor issued an apology for al? Did it have an impact on your can reach out to. The bot is available 24x7 assault is not gender specific, it is director Vinta Nanda who his inappropriate behaviour. world view? How did it change and can be accessed by logging into one's not age specific, it is not industry also alleged that he harassed „Kailash Kher: The singer your life? Did it change you as a Facebook account and sending a message specific and it’s certainly not spe- Navneet Nishan as well. was accused of touching a jour- person? Was the change for bet- to the page "MeToo India". t all started with Anushka and Virat’s Blame it on the age. cific to the elite although it may Sandhya Mridul and Deepika nalist during an interview. ter or worse? Are you more cyn- wedding, I think, I could be wrong. I The actress was sharing her dilemma sometimes seem so. In India, we Amin then gave their accounts of Singer Sona Mohapatra accused ical of everything now? Have you Iam confused about the timeline. Then with the director. Her films were doing saw it percolate down to the aver- enduring sexual misconduct of him of sexual harassment. dealt with it? How did you deal it was Sonam Kapoor, followed by Sonam well and she was on top of the game but age and ordinary working folks Nath. Nath’s lawyer talked of a „Sajid Khan: Came under fire with the trauma or hurt or humil- Kapoor and Anand Ahuja in May and she also wanted to settle down and be who were speaking up for perhaps defamation suit. after Saloni Chopra, Rachel iation? Was that the best way to Deepika and Ranveer in November, to married, have a family and children. The the first time in their lives. „Vikas Bahl: Queen director White and Simran Suri shared deal with it? Did you receive any I admire these ladies bring the year to an end with the Priyanka director did understand her fears. Once Ignorance and evil Some others were thinking was first accused of harass- their harassment stories. form of justice? Did you try for and Nick Jonas wedding. To put it suc- married it was always tough to be an MJ Akbar: for breaking the feed on secrecy to about and re-evaluating their ment by a woman worker on „ The Minister of retribution? Do you want retri- cinctly, the media and the film fraternity actress. I did see the actress in a few films actions for the first time. The ram- the sets of his film in State for External Affairs was bution? How late is too late to shackles. I admire have been “weddinged out.” 2018 shall be down the years, so I suppose she did not destroy our souls. ifications and effects of the #MeToo 2016. Next, Kangana accused by a dozen women hope for retribution? What would 54M GOOGLE SEARCHES remembered as the year when most Hindi get married. But her dilemma stayed with PRIYANKA CHOPRA & will be seen long term and the phe- Ranaut accused him journalists of harassment retribution mean to you? Have them for getting film actresses got married. me. The veil we put over nomenon cannot be perceived in of inappropriate leading to his resignation. you ever asked these questions to FOR SEXUAL HARASSMENT married in the There have been a lot of opinions on Marriage or career? What a devil’s NICK JONAS HELD THEIR our unpleasant a time bound or myopic way. yourself before? Do you want IN US IN 8 MONTHS AFTER these marriages, on the festivities, on the alternative. Love or ambition? Cruel choice CHRISTIAN CEREMONY Just as it took a year for it to answers? summer of their guest list, on the destinations and I believe to have to make. experiences in life PUBLIC ACCUSATIONS AND RECEPTION AT THE manifest in India and neighbour- follow suit. One needs tremendous we will never be ashamed to admit grace in standard religious tra- It’s never too late. It’s never careers. They have a foreign newspaper went as far as calling Flash forward to 2018! The marriages have to be lifted. The ing Asian countries almost a year faith to walk into a battle not know- it but if our soul is robbed of its ditions. ever too late to look back, correct AGAINST FILM PRODUCER Priyanka a scam artist for marrying Nick of the actresses. And my opinion? My TAJ UMAID BHAWAN after it started in the US. Even so ing the outcome. The battle in this innocence or our mind of its This is why many believe the and heal that which was mis- smashed the Jonas. I have no clue what the scam might opinion is more an action in slow motion. PALACE IN JODHPUR. pain, hurt and the seeds of revolution have been case is with one’s own patriarchal peace what of it? #MeToo is a worldwide catharsis aligned, mistreated and mis- HARVEY WEINSTEIN AND be in marrying someone you love but then I stand up, raise my hands, and begin to Which was why, marriage had decaying, narrow THE COUPLE AND THEIR negativity need to be sown and it will bloom in due time mindset and conditioning that Ignorance and evil always and therapeutic phenomenon judged including yourself. ENSUING #METOO to each their own opinion I suppose. clap with respect. I don’t care where these been a no-no in the first place. GUESTS BOOKED THE taking down the walls of oppres- has taught us to cow down and lurk and breed in darkness and unfolding. See it how you will, the Finally, I know that every MOVEMENT minded assumption A lot has been said about the ostenta- ladies got married, to whom they got mar- From the 90s to now, Why would the audience want to acknowledged and sive patriarchy that have been accept oppression as a part of life, secrecy and seek to destroy our truth is sometimes somethings cloud has a silver lining. To see tious nature of the marriages as well. I ried, who they invited or how much they ogle at a woman who belonged to ENTIRE PALACE FROM that once an actress the industry has seen a released to pave way constructed in and around human and the battle one fights with soci- souls slowly and steadily. These are just meant to happen and some the clouds and not see the silver have no idea why people who make money spent. someone else, was the reasoning? NOVEMBER 29 TO societies. ety at large being the sore thumb veils that we put over our of us become vessels or conduits for lining is a grave misperception of is married she is no all their lives to enjoy it, should suddenly I admire these ladies for breaking the sea change in the These ladies have shouted out for wholesome It is earnest in its approach that sticks out. Sore thumbs have unpleasant experiences in life, it to happen. It has been a privilege reality. Although the #MeToo become frugal when it comes to spending shackles. I admire them for getting mar- loud and clear that they are not DECEMBER 3 FOR AN given the fact that there have been no choice but to stick out because tucking them away in the farthest and honour for me to have played raked up the old skeletons, it can According to Google Maps Trends good for the public, it. Have it, flaunt it, would be my opinion. ried in the summer of the careers. They attitudes of actors here for their bodies but for their ESTIMATED $92,000 PER fulfillment no known instances of wrongful they are sore, it hurts to be silent. recesses of our mind, have to be an active part in the #MeToo in also signify an era of much need- search, the maximum number of that she has outlived Get married on the moon if it makes you have smashed the decaying, narrow mind- getting married at the talent and what is more the audi- NIGHT, THAT WOULD accusations anywhere in the world; It hurts to be not heard. Silence is lifted if not to the world then at India. ed change and transformation in #MeToo searches in India has been happy! People are going to have an opinion ed assumption that once an actress is mar- ence has only agreed with them. in other words the names that golden but not at the cost of a least to ourselves. The pain, hurt It has been cathartic for me our societies if we choose to see her utility regardless of what you do. ried, she is no good for the public, that she peak of their careers. Marriage has not taken the sheen COST ABOUT $565,000 came up were very obvious and rapidly deteriorating society that and negativity need to be and a roller coaster ride. I have dis- it that way. We have to all partic- reported from Goa’s Chicalim, However, this piece is supposed to be has outlived her utility. These ladies have They are no longer off any of these ladies. They are TOTAL everyone in the respective clique’s needs to be spoken to calling for a acknowledged first to be then covered my own potential and call- ipate to make that a reality. Maharashtra’s Bhusawal, Punjab’s about my opinion and what I think about looked that belief in the face and said: “To only more gorgeous and only more always knew. change and transformation. It is released and transmuted to pave ing in life through the impact I Every uncomfortable experi- these marriages. Allow me a bit of a flash- hell with it. We are actors first and last, scared of losing the interesting than they were. It is a tough path that some time to grow up folks and take way for a wholesome, fulfilled have had during this movement. ence can be a catalyst to change Zirakpur and Chhattisgarh’s back to elaborate on my opinion then. actors before marriage-after marriage and These marriages have not been Sonam Kapoor’s wedding ring stardom to marriage ` chose to tread breaking their responsibility. Every life matters! and joyfull life. Typically, that’s They say that with great power and I hope the #MeToo can be the Bhanwreli and Rajnandgaon. The The year is 1987 and I am an assistant nothing should and will change that.” marriages at all. They have been cost a whopping 90 lakh and a silence on a very uncomfortable There has always been a stig- what constitutes a good therapy comes great responsibility. uncomfortable, cathartic and rev- director on the sets of a film. Clipboard in Bravo! and announce it over the end of a long freedom move- custom-made mangalsutra that topic. The energy of courage, con- ma attached to being a survivor of session in western medicine, a I am realising this principle olutionary trigger to a much most populous of these places is hand, I stand mutely in a corner, waiting What is more, with this emancipation twitter with pride ment and it gives me great pride to had the sun signs of Sonam and viction and faith that flowed out of harassment, abuse or assault. For good healing session in old within myself through my trials larger transformation in our Bhusawal, with just 187,000 people for the shot to be lit up, while close by sit they have also put to rest one very redun- see that the devil’s alternate has Anand engraved on it. The couple survivor stories inspired many to example, if our house gets robbed school mysticism, and God’s and tribulations. Unlike many in world. the director and the actress engaged in a dant belief that an actress is in a film only been stomped out and the devil tied the knot in aamchi Mumbai conversation. I confess I eavesdropped. for the titillation of the male audience. vanquished. Hurrah to courage!

HIMA DAS MANIKA BATRA TAJINDERPAL SINGH TOOR 400m Silver Medal, Asian Gold Medal, Women's TT, Games Commonwealth Games Shot Put Gold Medal, Asian Games Quite a phenomenon This lissom Delhi girl led the Indian ASK WHY CAN'T I, NOT CAN I? this diminutive Dhing The burly Tajinderpal Singh Toor women's team to a stunning gold medal remember I did not have fitness and compete against younger Express from Assam! in the Commonwealth Games, fashioning all the way from Moga in Punjab, enough money to purchase opponents. Now I have grown old for Hima Das, the a barely believable 3-1 win over the very broke the Asian Games record gloves for boxing and had to this sport. I have achieved a lot in my daughter of a formidable Singapore team. Ranked in the shot-put event, throwing poor rice save from my pocket money career. I have nothing left to prove. 58th, Manika humbled World No 4 and 20.75 in his fifth attempt, that i ` farmer from a when his farmer father tragically multiple Olympic medalist Feng Tianwei to buy gloves worth 350. But I will keep on competing as long village in MC MARY KOM 3-2 and then brushed aside 100th- lost his battle against bone SUNIL CHHETRI The conditions were really tough and as my passion is alive. I want to Nagaon had to wear torn shoes during my wear the India jersey and con- ranked Yihan Zhou 3-0 to engineer a cancer just a few days later. If it Record sixth Gold Medal in district, wasn't for his father, Tajinder Historic plea to Indian fans national championships. But that has tribute towards my country. I want sensational win. At just 22, this table World Boxing Championships worked might not have taken to shot put BY MC MARY KOM taught me that obstacles will always to win medals for the country. tennis player bagged 2 golds, 1 silver SWAPNA BARMAN On June 2, India’s best relentlessly as he aspired to be a cricketer. Magnificent Mary is a story of football player and captain, be there, but you have to think like Now that India has won and 1 bronze at Gold Coast. Hepthalon Gold Medal, to bring in medals in a rarified sport of issued a heartfelt plea on nothing can stop you in life. And medals at the AIBA World the white Asian Games woman boxing. She has then nothing can stop you from Championships, I am confident social media urging fans to glitter of NEERAJ CHOPRA MIRABAI CHANU Despite a swollen and carried on relentlessly, aiming come out and support the achieving your dream. that changing social attitudes will see PV SINDHU to cap an Olympic Gold now glory Asian Games Gold Medalist in Gold Medal, 48 kg, painful jaw, an team. The move paid off. India’s story is full of struggling the country achieving even more despite Winner, BWF excruciating toothache that her weight category of 48 athletes from remote corners of India, glory in women's boxing in future. men's javelin Commonwealth Games After a turnout of less than no facilities, World Tour Finals and sore feet due to ill kg has been included in the 2,000 in the previous match, of dismal infrastructure, of bias Social attitudes towards woman Setting a national record of This Manipur weightlifter Big Games for the first time. coaching, Olympic silver medallist PV fitting shoes pinching the official attendance rose against sports, of slim money, bad participation in sports are changing 88.06 meters, this world-class standing tall at a petite 4'11, lit She is a fable of struggles & infrastructure Sindhu made history by her 12-toes feet, 21- to 8,890 in the next in nutrition and disparate training facil- slowly. Earlier, girls from the north, and money or javelin thrower hit Gold in the up the stage with her fantastic year-old Swapna achievements inspiring Mumbai. Things couldn't

TIME becoming the first Indian to ities. The cricket versus rest of the especially Haryana and even those performance which broke the thousands of under-privileged Six-time World Boxing resources. She Asian Games, the second after win the season-ending BWF Barman created history have gone better for Chhetri sports has been a raging debate over from the south, used to face a lot women's 48-kg category CWG athletes to fight the odds & Champion trained in her a Commonwealth Games World Tour Finals in this year by becoming on his 100th appearance, the decades but this is also a fact that problems from their families while record. She lifted all of 196 kg bring in glory. Incredible father's rice field. Das yellow medal. As a junior in Guangzhou. She also won the first Indian to clinch as he led India to a 3-0 despite all these odds, Indian athletes taking up boxing. This is true even in total - 86 kg in snatch and athlete! Rajya Sabha member! broke the national 2016, he threw for 86.48m to gold in the mixed team event a Gold medal in the victory against Kenya in the have given their best and even now to some extent. But attitudes record twice at the break the junior world record at 110 kg in the clean and jerk. Heptathlon category at Mother to three! Mary indeed Intercontinental Cup, brought in the gold and silverware have changed. People should let their and a silver medal in the is a magnificent example. Struggles in Indian Asian Games, the IAAF World U-20 women's singles event during the Asian Games 2018. scoring two goals himself. for the nation from various global there was no one to support or considered old and over the hill for a beginning. daughters play sports. Only then we clinching a silver Championships. She almost returned sporting events. That’s because unde- encourage me back then, through my physically demanding sport like box- I have had to face a lot of obsta- will win medals at the Olympics. the Commonwealth Games. Sport is a reality that medal in the 400m. The historic silver medal in the with her ill health and RAHI SARNOBAT terred passion and devotion pays div- academy my vision is to take boxing ing. But I don't let mundane details cles. First of all I am a girl, and as a What has taken me ahead is She was conferred pinching shoes but is not going away in distract me from my goal. I am deter- result, I had to fight initial disap- determination and strong will to con- Asian Games was another Asian Gold Medal, 25m pistol event idends. to every corner of the state; promote with the Arjuna Award feather in the nation's cap. finally tided over the a hurry. The athletes, When I first started boxing, my and encourage youngsters and give mined to overcome the problem of proval from my family and society in tinue attaining medals and glory for and is currently India's gruelling schedule of Maharashtra's Rahi Sarnobat made parents did not know and I had to the right guidance, which I lacked advancing age just as like I overcame general when I took up boxing. Then my country. I don't motivate myself youth ambassador for Ace shuttler Kidambi Srikanth seven events, spread history by becoming the first Indian aspiring to bring hide and go for practice secretly. My thoroughly until recently. all other obstacles that have come my I got married which meant I had to by saying I can, I always ask myself the UNICEF. Yet she is established his own halo in April this year when he become out over three days by woman to win a shooting Gold in the back the medal, need parents thought that boxing is a boy’s This year was good but I am way since childhood. My real adjust my schedule and lifestyle. why can't I. I keep that in my mind. I humble and says she World Number 1 in badminton long after Prakash Padukone notching 6,026 points, Asian Games in the 25m pistol event. game. But I was always a very entirely focused on the 2020 Tokyo strength is my will power. An athlete Then I became a mother which never skip my practice sessions. It is now working hard was considered World No 1 when he won three cup becoming the fifth She came into the Asian Games riding to work hard and adamant kid and I wanted to play the Olympics. That may prove to be a needs to be mentally strong. This is meant more adjustment. doesn't matter wherever I go but if I to make news in tournaments in 1980. Gold in Commonwealth Games mixed woman athlete to score on a serious elbow injury and

defeat all odds sport and did everything that was tall task for the average athlete, espe- more so in my case as I have had to Now I am fighting against age. At do miss my trainings I compensate it the Tokyo team event and a silver in the singles event despite it being 6,000 points in the depression about not being able to possible to keep playing it. While cially at my age of 35 which is widely prove myself to people right from the my age, it is a challenge to maintain with my evening sessions. Olympics in 2020. a touch year with injuries was no mean achievement. even lift a gun.

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            anning commercial surro- When we started the surrogacy sister-in-law as proposed surrogate. Till it is proven it is due to medical gacy is an ill-thought, programme back in 2009, I ensured Then there is this huge issue of negligence, how can you penalise  knee-jerk reaction of the that the surrogate knew all aspects how do we ascertain the authenticity the doctor? The doctor community Government which has of the programme she was signing of a known surrogate? A sister-in-law is getting very peeved with the pre-  erroneously equated it up for and that there was consent by has no blood connect with the cou- sumptions made on them, that they Bwith something like organ donation not just her but also her husband. ple. Where is this known surrogate are prone to corruption, that they and transplant. The two are totally When I talked to them about it, they coming from? How do we know she are prone to negligence. different and the basic premise of were quite happy to get into this in is, indeed, a relative? With this strict Instead of banning commercial equating surrogacy with an organ the name of altruism and also norm that the Bill propagates, coer- surrogacy, the Government would trading law is born out of confusion because the compensation is pretty cion is definitely going to be more have been prudent had it introduced and misinformation. Commercial handsome and life altering for them. and legal coverage less. So, why go some regulations. There are two {`:| surrogacy is entirely different from If it is with their consent, it cannot into a realm where exploitation will aspects to the issue: Regulation of organ donation and trading. In the be deemed exploitation. Each doctor be more? The thing to do is regulate, IVF centres, proper accreditations & latter, you subject the patient to high takes into account the surrogate’s not ban commercial surrogacy. ensuring that people with proper risk surgeries and anesthesia proce- health, takes care of her needs, training & facilities run centres. dures. The surrogate is exposed only examines risks if any to her and only In the UK, for example, there is to the normal risk of pregnancy. As then drafts her into the surrogacy the Human Fertilisation and for exploitation, the commercial programme. Embriology Act which monitors IVF {] aspect is taken care of so where is I wonder why the Government ? clinics. In India, we do not know if : the exploitation? is yet to act in regulating the maid the many mushroomed centres fol- The Bill is trying to protect the business which is a national scourge. low the norms. The effort should be rights of the surrogate but it is in Cleaning toilets is exploitation, to regulate healthcare, both at the many ways not looking into aspects washing other people’s dirty linen to provider and service levels and not of personal choice both of the make ends meet is exploitation star- ban a practice that surely benefits the intended parents and the surrogate. ing in your face. What is the growing lot of childless couples. I am ] Infertility being a growing case in Government doing about that? Why completely for commercial surrogacy. India, putting a cordon around take surrogacy, why virtually equate => We should legalise it. There should childless couples is a draconian it to something as dastardly as be checks and balances so that all O~` ; measure and full of potential to push human trafficking? Why were the { parties are doing what the promise is. €> < => the so-called “trade” into the black ART committee, mandated to study A legalisation on validity of IVF cen- market zone. the issue and lay down recommen- tres is needed. Effort should be to The other fear of children born dations for the Government to fol- ? strictly regulate their standards and thus, being left behind is also low, so completely ignored? There procedural programmes. unfounded as that is a rarest of rare are some answers that the Surrogacy is not just about gay X\\ occurrence, especially in the wake of Government needs to give. couples, single parents and celebri- detailed contracts and legal arrange- What the Government needs to It is not as if the Bill will close ties. It deals with the serious medical ^[ ments being made in all surrogacy do is look at the entire issue of sur- down fertility clinics completely. problems of women who cannot pro- _\ procedures much before the embryo rogacy in a more holistic way. In its Surrogacy is just a part of assisted create. Tuberculosis in the uterus is a transplant is done. rush to ban commercial surrogacy, it reproductive treatments. So other major problem which leads to per- @ Surrogates mostly come from has not thought about the childless fertility managements will continue manent infertility. Then there are lower middle class backgrounds and couples. Getting a known surrogate, even if surrogacy will stop. several women who are born with a weak socio-economic structure. which the Bill proposes, is very diffi- Then there is issue of a jail term ovaries but no uterus. How do they They often have to work for unregu- cult. In India, nobody talks of fertili- and stiff penalty. Doctors, as a com- have a baby? You can check the data lated hours as maids with meagre ty openly, more so when donor eggs munity, are all very worried about regarding severe defects in the uterus, salaries and vulnerability to mental and sperms are involved. So bring- this. As of now, fertility clinics are heart disease and secondary pregnan- and physical abuse. Isn’t that ing someone from the family as a being run under the IMCR guide- cy complications, all of which can be R exploitation? On the other hand, the surrogate is not happening. In my lines which were revised some years addressed by surrogacy. handsome consensual surrogacy long association with this subject, I ago but are still to attain legal sanc- Having said this, you can’t limit ] amount drastically changes their have seen couples sometimes bring- tion. Think of it. An egg donor gets choices. Any law that is anti-choice, lives, gives them the means to edu- ing in their friends or co-workers as complications or suffers a health is not principally right. The same O` ? cate their children and upgrade their surrogates but only once I have seen casualty & the doctor will be jailed goes for the commercial surrogacy life comprehensively. a case in which a couple came with a immediately. This is not fair at all. Bill which is all set to become law. {] €? <@ :ƒ

?  „X^ ` =@ '  _\ ^\† he 2018 has been a healthy year for X\†‡††_ India as far as viruses and bacteria @ Tare concerned as we didn’t have a major impact of any of the virus outbreak ^ˆ‰† |^†\ Š as compared to the previous years. Be it ‰ €` bc Nipah, Dengue, Chikunguniya, Influenza X ‰‡‰ or Japanese Encephalitis (JE) viruses, we Xˆ_‡[ <ƒ have had a few sporadic cases but it seems ?:ƒ _XXˆ to have gone now. ‹ ` „ The credit goes to the awareness. The major causes of such epidemic are ^\X unhealthy living conditions, unawareness €`<ƒ^‡ about the disease and over population. €|<^\† ~ The population has to be made aware ^\[_  ^\† about how to prevent it and protect them- €`:ƒ? † selves too. Simple measures like planting ^X ^\ˆ lemongrass can prevent mosquito breed- †† ` ^\‡ ^\ˆ ` „„ ing. We need to have such sustained edu- [ˆ ‡ˆ†^\^^ cational awareness programmes. [‰X\€` ˆ It is such an irony. Two years back, Sri Lanka was declared malaria free and at the same time, malaria was creating havoc in There should be more money put in enter. But if you will go to countries like Another highlight was the launch of sprucing while private hospitals have pros- Delhi with people’s deaths. Once the mon- for the research and development to create China and New Zealand, you have to go Ayushman Bharat Scheme. The intentions pered. This is not helping the patients and soon season starts, everybody gets scared genetically modified (GM) mosquitoes through proper scanning. of the Government are good but they have the doctors. If you will look at the budgets of having malaria or any other water borne that are being used in other countries to This is for the first time we are wit- to have the support from the doctors and of all the corporate hospitals, the maxi- diseases to arise. combat mosquito-borne pathogens, nessing the present Government trying to other stakeholders. mum amount is spent in marketing and

ot exactly serendipitously, but to their owner to advise them on whom ing of the system that made the loan Eleven of the 19 State-owned banks January 2018 had begun on a to lend to. There is a disconnect book to the farmers look impressive. are in the equivalent of intensive care Nquiet note for the banking sector. between the top management of the This weakness in curating a promis- unit, the prompt corrective action Within a month, however, as the Nirav banks and their ownership. The ing army of motivated bank employees (PCA) framework. Yet by March 2019, Modi affair roiled Punjab National Government, for instance, has for years with a system of rewards encouraged their ratio of non-performing assets is @ Bank, events piled up through the year told them to offer 40 per cent of their the banks to readily adopt directed likely to worsen to 22.3 per cent, culminating in the change of the loan books to the priority sector. The lending in their business with industry. according to an RBI report. The total Governor of the Reserve Bank of India sector includes agriculture, small scale While the staff do get training in NPA with Indian banks is estimated at at the end of the year. Except possibly industries and just about anything else reading the balance sheets of compa- 10.2 trillion. The provisioning needs the year of nationalisation of 14 banks which is the flavour of the day. It is a nies, what they do not get to read is the for these loans has eroded the capital in 1969, no other year compares with disastrous policy. degree of cosiness of the business with base of the banks, especially the 11 the changes in the sector that have hap- Loans to the small-scale sector or the political leadership of the day. If a banks in the PCA . The Government pened in 2018. farmers is necessary but not when prac- company knows it can extract a better data says that the Finance Ministry has It was coming, though. The flurry tised as a one-size-fits-all. The banks deal from the banks by engaging with recapitalised banks for 1.69 trillion of events threw up the basic problem of should have been encouraged to set tar- the party in power than with the chair- through budget support and mobilisa- banks. For decades these banks had gets and create customised solutions. man of the bank who is just an employ- tion of capital from the market, includ- dished out loans and omitted to ask the The difference in capacity between say ee, why wouldn’t it. ing the latest tranche announced. borrowers to pay back. SBI and that of Dena Bank should have In cases like that of Nirav Modi, As these banks have stopped lend- To stretch the story back, the only been recognised. None of the banks Vijay Mallya, or that of IL&FS, it is a ing, it has soured the mood among the difference that nationalisation had offered a good reason to their officers combination of lack of due diligence by borrowers leading to cascading problem introduced was about who gave the why they should scour the countryside banks and some element of nudge from of retrenchment of employees. Unlike orders to give loans. It was the political looking for farmers to lend to. New Delhi that did the damage. the US where companies depend on executive instead of the erstwhile indus- If the officers had instead been It is difficult to assert which element equity markets, Indian industry trialists. The pile of non-performing rewarded for their initiative and in their played a larger part in the mess, but the depends on bank loans to finance all of assets told the story in numbers. subsequent postings placed at key posi- trend never changes. For instance, there their capital. When those taps are Through this year as more sordid tions in credit departments offering is no doubt that banks anywhere face an turned off, industry sputters especially details tumbled out, the bank owner loans to the corporate sector, the results asset liability mismatch when they lend the small and micro enterprise sector. and the Government hunted for excuses would have been impressive. No bank to infrastructure projects, but NPAs Worsening of the NPA has two while the regulator, caught equally nap- tried anything of this sort for decades. occur when the officers are not motivat- effects. First, it makes loans go dry, ping, pointed fingers at the owner. Instead, the banks were encouraged to ed to point out when a loan book for mostly for those sectors which can ill The details were the follow through create shortcuts. such project should be closed. In Indian afford such withdrawals. Second, the of the asset quality review that banks Tenant farmers who needed the State-owned banks, the employees lower disbursal of credit impacts the were forced to do in 2015 by former loans but did not have the land to offer would opt for ever greening instead and growth rate of the economy. Since the RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan. He had as collateral found the banks were not leave the mess for the next person in ownership of most of the banks is with asked them to run a fine tooth comb interested. Bank credit to this sector charge of the desk to sort out. the Government, it also creates a politi- through the tangled loan books and never exceeded 10 per cent. Successive Can the load of bad loans from cal problem and it is election season. share the outcome. Governments made up the difference by banks cost an election victory? With In the New Year these concerns The State-owned banks got into this asking the banks to subscribe to the India squarely in the middle of the elec- could shape the nature of political dis- mess since they have always looked up bonds issued by the Nabard. It is gam- tion, this is the elephant in the room. course in the General Election.

ake news in India is turning out to works, resources and communication The Government has notified the that they can’t be mere spectators. be a massive challenge for all. devices and also data and information IT Rules, 2011 under which various Intermediaries have been extensively FWhat began at innocuous levels in the electronic form are governed parameters pertaining to due diligence misinterpreting the judgment of the has today presumed disastrous heights. under the IT Act, 2000. The 2008 have been defined which are relevant Supreme Court and have been adopting Fake news was initially never consid- amendments to the Act came up with a from the perspective of fake news. It is the role of a mere spectator. Just to reit- ered seriously. As a result, the kind of new concept of an “intermediary”. the right time that the Government has erate, Shreya Singhal judgment man- measures that should have been there It is a broad concept that includes to come up with new guidelines and dated the service providers not to act as part of legal framework for address- all legal entities, who, on behalf of other legal frameworks to regulate dissemina- on their own and only act once they are ing the same were non-existent. persons, receive, store or transmit any tion and publication of fake news. The notified by the Governmental agency or We began to see how the advent of particular electronic records or provide Government has the power under by an order of a competent jurisdiction. the Over-The-Top (OTT) applications services with respect to that record and Section 87 of the Act to come up with The misinterpretation of the judg- transformed the society. These applica- includes Network Service Providers, these guidelines. These guidelines need ment has complicated the scenario. X tions made people global authors, Internet Service Providers, Web to specifically stipulate the various Hence, it is all the more necessary that transmitters and broadcasters of data. Hosting Service Providers, Search rights, duties and responsibilities of var- the Government needs to come up with With users being different levels of Engines, Online Payment Sites, Online- ious stakeholders in preventing the dis- strict guidelines mandating all interme- X maturity in terms of Internet, it was Auction Sites, Online Market Places semination of fake news. The previous diaries to follow the same. bound to happen that people would and Cyber Cafes. Hence, all of the OTT experience of intermediaries having India is behind other countries like misuse the facility of computer systems applications and social media are inter- grievance officers and the grievances of Malaysia who earlier had come up with for the purposes of transmitting illegiti- mediaries within the meaning of affected persons to be completed within a legislation on fake news. We require a mate & malicious content which has Section 21(w) of the IT Act. 30 days, was a failed experience. dedicated legislation and stringent legal been prepared with vested interests to Once, they become intermediaries, With the onslaught of fake news, provisions on fake news with the cause harm in the society. the law mandates them to exercise due the Government needs to come up with amendment to IT Act, 2000 and rules A study by Oxford University has diligence while discharging their oblig- stringent parameters that once any and regulations to fight this menace warned India of a fake-news epidemic ations under the law. Various parame- instance of fake news publication or effectively and efficaciously. as elections approach. The background ters of due diligence have been defined transmission is identified then at once The publication and dissemination behind such an epidemic is indeed very under the law. The law provides an exit the same needs to be reported to the of fake news to be made a serious crime XX fertile. India’s General Elections are slat- route for an intermediary from poten- concerned intermediary. The interme- punishable with seven years imprison- ed to take place in the mid of 2019. We tial legal liability as much that if the diary should be under a legal duty to ment and fine. Not only does India are currently seeing a political environ- intermediary exercises requisite due instantaneously block the transmission need to come up with ment where parties are doing all things diligence, it and dissemination of the same within stringent provisions ? possible to gather support for them- could be two to four hours. restricting the publi- selves. Consequently, we are beginning exempted Such an approach is going to cation of also come to find that all kinds of content to be from exposure put a responsibility on up with appropri- distributed as genuine content without of potential legal intermediaries ate enforcement any prior verification. consequences, both so of such provi- The scenario, where India has seen civil and criminal sions. a couple of dozen deaths caused by under the Act. lynchings due to rumours on WhatsApp, is likely to see more disas- M trous ramifications of this. Thus, it is very important for the Government to N start taking cogent steps in the direc- tion of enforcing discipline to prevent fake news, amongst various activities of      service providers.   When one looks at the legal posi- tion in India, one finds that the legal frameworks are in place for the Government to take action. All activi- ties pertaining to use of computers, net-

EPTEMBER 6, 2018 will always remain as one of the most signif- Sicant date in the history of LGBTQ rights. The world’s largest democracy finally decriminalised the sexual act between two consenting adults. It is not just about the LGBTQ movement in India but an important step and a sign of hope for millions more living under repressive laws in different parts of the world, largelyGAY made possible thanks to regressive reli- gious arguments supported by distor- tion of history and science. Of course we are still a long way

from having equal rights as every other citizen of this country. Many more battles have to be fought on var- ious levels, social, political, legal and most importantly, the mind space. On September 6, I was kind of try- ing not to think, felt numb with antic- ipation. The shock and hurt caused due Œ`{<``:€{Œ<{@Ž to the Supreme Court Verdict of 2013 |>@|`Œ|`|<Ž against the 2009 Delhi High Court rul- ing on IPC 377 had still not healed. |={<|@{|<Ž €{ There was a time that I started to believe that it would not happen in my Œ<{{@|Œ<€@<{ lifetime. The 2013 verdict has dis- [†Ž{<|<€{< empowered me not only at a personal level but as a filmmaker too. €``{{{ I could not fight and defend my film when some members of the <{|`€{{{` screening committee of the CBFC Board in 2017 said that I was sending @|`{``:Œ`<={ across a wrong message to youngsters `Œ`€{€{€ that being gay was normal through my film. What haunts me still is the audac- ~{<>|<>{|<Œ|\ ity of one of the members looking at me, someone who has been open all my Ž{< life and saying “but you have showed ‘them’ as normal.” Now I feel empowered as a film- maker to be able to fight discrimina- tion. A gay kiss is as normal and can- not be the reason for a film being cer- II tified as adults only. I feel empowered as a filmmaker to once again start try- J : ing to tell the stories I want to, the LN untold stories from the large spectrum of the LGBTQI lives. LNLN I have been doing a lot of talks at corporates about inclusion and feel sad LINLN that I do not see that effort in my own LN industry to recognise and act on the void of LGBTQI narratives, or recog-  nize the people who have been work- ing to use this medium to spread the message of acceptance. Somehow, we have never owned up to it that our care, adoption rights are many of the telling them the narratives we always industry has very often than not pro- other concerns. excluded from our curriculum. That P moted stereotypes and harmed not only Sometimes, when people start talk- homosexuality is prevalent in various the perception of the LGBTQI commu- ing of marriage rights, I question, do animal and plant kingdom and that it J nity but also women. I hope this we really need to appropriate every- is a part of nature. Just like food is not changes, and changes fast. thing that a hetero normative patriar- only for survival, sex is not only about I feel empowered personally that I chal society perpetuated into our space? procreation. For those who misuse reli- have the same rights to desire, love and But then why should my views deny the gion to justify atrocities against anyone express myself sexually as any other cit- rights to marriage to many who find who does not fit their scheme of izen of the country. My expression of beauty in the act, the symbol? things, to impress upon them that reli- desire is no longer criminalised, no Sometimes I feel the need to get mar- gion was formed to serve humanity and longer shamed. This judgment is going ried just to prove a point, To say ‘we are’. not the other way round, and it cannot to give courage to so many people to ˆ^ Today, what matters most is to col- be something we cannot question. slowly come to respect their identity lectively work towards a more inclusive Like life, this too needs to change, and lead honest lives. Shame has very society. For that it’s important how chil- evolve and be a part of the process of often been the reason for many to lead dren are trained to recognise the impor- a kinder world, rather than that con- a dishonest life of a heterosexual mar- ] tance of not only accepting but also cel- tinues to dehumanise and destroy and riage. This dishonesty not only hurts ebrating diversity. To use the very tools perpetuate hate. them but their unsuspecting spouse. X[ of since and history that has been used But as of now this year is to cele- @@|<`:|`|`@<{ With homosexuality being decrim- ] to discriminate and humiliate. We as a brate the right to desire. I have told <{@|<Œ<{Œ inalised, it empowers various NGOs culture have the good fortune to be able myself that I will no longer go through working in this space to legally and to look back at our own glorious histo- the agony of being in a relationship with {{{`^\X`^\‡ €{<{ more openly spread the message of ry, a history that celebrated diversity. That someone who can’t be open and respect health, rights and acceptance. Hopefully celebrated desire and sex as a form of art it. I want to walk hand in hand with {<{X‡‰\@{|>{<|` media and cinema, too, will play their and science, not of shame. someone I love and as Tagore would {`:||„{Œ`{<{@|` role. Property rights, insurance, health We need to educate our children by have said, “with our heads held high.” _ˆˆ {`@{`†‡€ @<`{{Œ@={ :`€{|<{<|>`Œ<{ `{`{Œ{`:{  {={`|@|`{`Œ €||{Œ{{{{` Œ ~Œ`:>|<€{ ||Œ|`|>{ {€|{€<{|> L \†@{<{:{<{Œ`{< {@|`_ˆˆ{<„€ L >||{Ž„{< Œ  €<Ž``Œ`~ L   P   Q R L L