Delhi thursday, january 12, 2017

www.thehindu.in ● Regd. DL(ND)-11/6110/2006-07-08 ● RNI No. TNENG/2012/49940 ● ISSN 0971 - 751X ● Vol. 7 ● No. 10 ● CITY EDITION ● 24 Pages ● Rs. 8.00 Printed at Chennai, Coimbatore, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Madurai, Noida, Visakhapatnam, Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Vijayawada, Mangaluru, Tiruchirapalli, Kolkata, Hubballi, Mohali, Allahabad, Malappuram and Mumbai

After signs of truce, Sushma threatens Chinese projects in Gujarat takes first innings Mulayam Singh blames action against Amazon Hambantota displaced lead over Mumbai in Ramgopal for SP woes for selling Tricolour mats people, says Rajapaksa Ranji Trophy final Page 12 Page 12 Page 14 Page 18 • • BRIEFLY Demonetisation has ruined SC junks plea against SC dismisses plea for probe IT waiver for parties NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court the economy, says Rahul on Wednesday said political parties require donations from “BJP’s aim is to rule followers to project their ideas into ‘payofs’ to Modi, others by instilling fear and represent the people. A Bench dismissed a petition to in people” withdraw “100 per cent tax “Court can’t rely exemption” granted to political SMITA GUPTA parties. The petition challenged on diary entries some provisions of the Income and computer NEW DELHI: “Daro Mat” (do not Tax Act and the Representation fear) was a combative Rahul of the People Act. sheets” Gandhi’s rallying cry to the Congress rank and file on ½ NEWS | PAGE 12 KRISHNADAS RAJAGOPAL Wednesday, ahead of the As- Sharif opens renovation sembly elections in five key NEW DELHI: Holding that courts States, even as he lit into work at Hindu temple should be constantly on Prime Minister Narendra KARACHI: Pakistani Prime guard about ordering invest- Modi, accusing him of des- Minister Nawaz Sharif on igation against high constitu- troying the economy Wednesday visited the 5,000- tional functionaries lest through demonetisation Manmohan Singh and Rahul Gandhi at a Congress meeting year-old Katas Raj Hindu Temple there be an abuse of law and while frightening and intim- in New Delhi on Wednesday. — PHOTO: R. V. MOORTHY in Chakwal district of Punjab to personal liberty, the Su- idating not just the people — inaugurate the renovation work. preme Court on Wednesday Minister of Gujarat. 1990s, which accused high- tional leaders and senior but also the media. — fear terrorism, Maoism, Manmohan Singh cautioned Mr. Sharif said his government dismissed a plea for an apex Agreeing with the profile national leaders like bureaucrats by merely bank- “This is a fight between demonetisation. In two- the people that the worst was was pursuing a policy to court-monitored Special In- Centre’s argument that L.K. Advani of receiving ing on “some diary entries two philosophies. This fight three months, they have yet to come in the wake of establish Pakistan’s identity as a vestigation Team (SIT) “nobody is safe” if an invest- bribes. and random loose computer is thousands of years old,” he spread this fear.” demonetisation, which he minority-friendly country. probe into alleged massive igation is ordered on the sheets.” “The anomaly wit- said, adding, “The Con- Addressing a packed Talk- termed a “disaster.” He dis- ½ NEWS | PAGE 12 payofs made by Birla and basis of uncorroborated ma- ‘Inherently improbable’ nessed in the Jain hawala gress’s philosophy says, do atora Stadium here, he said missed as “hollow” Mr. Sahara companies to influ- terial, a Bench of Justices The Bench held it was “in- case should not take place,” not fear. The other philo- the Congress would unseat Modi’s claim that things had Mercury drops to 2.8°C ential politicians, including Arun Mishra and Amitava herently improbable” to or- Justice Mishra observed. sophy says instil fear and the BJP in the general elec- started looking up. in parts of Capital Prime Minister Narendra Roy invoked the infamous der the registration of an FIR scare them…Look at the BJP: tion of 2019. Modi while he was Chief Jain hawala scandal of the against Mr. Modi, other na- ½ CONTINUED ON PAGE 12 its aim is to scare the people Former Prime Minister ½ CONTINUED ON PAGE 12 NEW DELHI: With the minimum temperature dipping to 4 degrees Celsius, Delhi Two killed in experienced the season’s Ready for action Obama pushes values coldest day on Wednesday. However, the mercury dipped attack on to 2.3 degrees at Lodhi Road in in farewell speech south Delhi and 2.8 degrees at Trinamool oice Akshardham in east Delhi. According to the Safdarjung SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT meteorological department, it was the coldest day in five KOLKATA: Unidentified per- years, the minimum sons opened fire on the Trin- temperature being three amool Congress (TMC) of- degrees below normal. fice in Kharagpur munici- ½ CITY | PAGE 2 pality on Wednesday, killing Srinu Naidu, husband of a Air pollution national local TMC councillor. problem, says report A. Sriniwas Rao Naidu alias Srinu Naidu, who was NEW DELHI: Delhi’s toxic air may U.S. President Barack Obama on Tuesday bade goodbye to declared dead at a city hos- be the one that makes the news Americans in an emotional speech in Chicago. — PHOTO: REUTERS pital, had several criminal every few months, but pollution cases pending against him, levels across the country are VARGHESE K. GEORGE and sometimes bloody… But including half-a-dozen alarming. According to an the long sweep of America murder charges. One of his analysis of 2015 data for 168 WASHINGTON: “Let’s be vigilant, has been defined by forward associates Dharama Rao was cities by Greenpeace India, 154 but not afraid,” President motion.” also killed in the firing, while cities were found to have an Barack Obama told fellow He identified four areas to three persons were injured. average particulate matter level Americans in an emotional watch out for the preserva- A little after 2.30 pm a higher than the national farewell speech in Chicago, tion of democracy — ensur- group of men came in front standard. reflecting on the state of ing economic opportunity of TMC’s party oice in a vehicle. They started firing ½ STATE | PAGE 5 democracy in the country, 10 for everyone, guarding NSG commandos prep an armoured vehicle, used for anti-hijacking operations, during the Republic Day Parade days before handing over the against prejudices, keeping indiscriminately, an eye wit- METROPLUS rehearsal on the Rajpath in New Delhi on Wednesday. — PHOTO: R. V. MOORTHY baton to Donald Trump. faith in reason and maintain- ness said. 4 Pages Striking an optimistic note ing “some common baseline “Naidu was later seen ly- for the U.S., still reeling from of facts” and not taking ing on ground inside the of- a divisive election campaign, democracy for granted. fice premises,” the eye wit- the 44th President — the ness said. Not leaving Delhi for Punjab, says Kejriwal first African-American in ½ Naidu was allegedly in- ‘DON’T TAKE DEMOCRACY volved in smuggling of scrap the country’s 240-year-old PAGE 14 democracy — said: “The FOR GRANTED’ | iron and was “feared and VIKAS VASUDEVA My first priority would be to government, he said that not work of democracy has al- ½ FAREWELL WITH A liked” in equal measure, loc- eradicate drugs and cut the even a single accused had ways been hard, contentious MESSAGE | EDITORIAL als claimed. CHANDIGARH: Putting an end to supply of narcotics within a been arrested so far. speculation that he would be month. We will cancel all Mr. Kejriwal said the AAP the party’s chief ministerial fake cases filed under the government would also candidate in Punjab, Aam NDPC Act by the ruling gov- waive farmers’ loans. Aadmi Party (AAP) national ernment against innocent “The SAD-BJP govern- convener and Delhi Chief youth who opposed drug ment cheated people in the Minister Arvind Kejriwal on mafia,” Mr. Kejriwal said. name of welfare schemes and Wednesday, said: “AAP’s embezzled funds meant for Chief Minister in Punjab will De-addiction task force the poor,” he alleged, adding be from Punjab.” The Delhi CM said the that the AAP would enhance Mr. Kejriwal said he would AAP government would set the pension for the old, han- not be the Chief Minister of up a special task force of dicapped and widows from Punjab as being propagated senior doctors for de-addic- the existing ₨500 to ₨2,500 by the Shiromani Akali Dal tion and create 25 lakh jobs to per month. (SAD) and the Congress. “I CLEARING THE AIR: AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal during an election bring the afected youth back He said eradicating corrup- am elected by the people of rally in support of party candidate Palwinder Kaur at to the mainstream. tion would be another prior- Delhi for five years to serve Badshahpur in Patiala on Wednesday. — PHOTO: PTI “We will give exemplary ity. them.” punishment to culprits in- “Badal family looted Pun- “Whosoever be the Chief pur and Patran in Patiala. people of Punjab should vote volved in incidents of sacri- jab for ten years and made un- Minister, I guarantee that all The assertion comes a day for the AAP thinking that it is lege of holy Guru Granth accounted-for wealth. We my promises will be ful- after Delhi Deputy Chief for Mr. Kejriwal. Sahib so that nobody repeats will force them to cough up filled,” he said, addressing Minister Manish Sisodia’s “The AAP has prepared a it,” he said. the money,” the AAP chief series of rallies in Badshah- statement in Mohali that the 150-point charter for Punjab. Criticising the SAD-BJP said. Delhi CM may face criminal charges: Jung

STAFF REPORTER IB” for suspected spying. registered. substance in the charge He said some appoint- “Jain made an incorrect sheets then there is NEW DELHI: Terming Delhi ments by Mr. Kejriwal, like statement that she (Saumya) problem.” Chief Minister Arvind Kejri- that of Nikunj Aggarwal, a was not paid. Fact is she was In the headlines on more wal a man in “a hurry to per- relative of Mr. Kejriwal's paid but it was returned. An than one occasion for run- form,” former Lieutenant wife, as the OSD to Health FIR has also been registered ins with the AAP govern- Governor Najeeb Jung said Minister Satyendar Jain in the case of Waqf board,” ment, Mr. Jung said Mr. Mr Kejriwal may face “crim- smacked of “nepotism and he said adding that the Cent- Kejriwal’s “exuberance, in- inal charges” over irregular- gross favouritism.” ral Bureau of Investigation experience and the fact that ities found by the Shunglu The report, which is yet to had filed an FIR on the set- he had a brute majority per- Committee. be made public, can be ac- ting up of the “secret unit.” haps contributed to his con- The former L-G consti- cessed through the Right to Najeeb Jung fronting attitude.” tuted the committee to in- Information Act, Mr. Jung ‘Secret unit set up’ He said he acted against vestigate alleged irregularit- said. When contacted, both visor” to its mohalla clinics “No state government can Mr. Kejriwal's “tendencies to ies in administrative the party and the govern- project set up a counter IB like this,” play with the constitution decisions taken by the Aam ment declined to comment He said Saumya’s appoint- Mr. Jung said. Asked if Mr. and interpret it in a manner Aadmi Party (AAP) on the former L-G’s ment and those made by Kejriwal could face criminal which he thought was cor- government. comments. Delhi Commission for Wo- charges, “That is possible. rect but he deemed as Mr. Jung told India Today Mr. Jung also spoke about men Chairperson Swati There are cases that are be- wrong” even as he main- TV that the committee the AAP government’s ap- Maliwal amounted to “cheat- ing investigated and should tained that the personal rela- found the creation of a pointment of Mr. Jain’s ing, nepotism and favourit- the cases come to fruition tionship between them was “secret unit” like a “counter daughter, Saumya, as an “ad- ism” and FIRs had been and should the court find extremely cordial. CM ND-ND YK NOIDA/DELHI 2 | CITY THE HINDU THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 2017

A home away from home for the elderly Some EDMC workers still on strike Calling all readers to connect with us for all things Delhi at A former government building in west Delhi near a Punjabi A section of the EDMC sanitation workers continued with DELHI twitter - @DelhiConnect refugee settlement now provides the oldest among its their strike even as the civic body claimed tonnes of garbage www.facebook.com/NewDelhiConnect residents a way to spend their afternoons in leisure Page 4 was removed by staff who had resumed work Page 4 CONNECT After 84 days, Delhi zoo reopens Mercury drops to 2.3°C in parts of Capital Over 6,000 people visit park that was shut down after birds died of avian flu NIRNIMESH KUMAR City sees coldest NEW DELHI: With the day in five years BINDU SHAJAN PERAPPADAN minimum temperature with the minimum dipping to 4 degrees temperature dropping Celsius, Delhi NEW DELHI: A total of 6,020 to 4 degrees people visited the Delhi Zo- experienced the season’s ological Park upon its re- coldest day on opening on Wednesday, 84 Wednesday. Thursday is a mainly clear days after it was shut down in sky with mist and shallow Visibility dips mid-October last year when fog in the morning. several birds died due to However, the mercury Trains cancelled avian influenza virus. dipped to 2.3 degrees at On October 19, the Delhi Lodhi Road in south Delhi The maximum and and 2.8 degrees at minimum temperatures Zoo was declared a quarant- WARMING UP: ine zone and kept strictly of Akshardham in east Delhi. An elderly man basking in the sun on a cold are likely to hover around limits for the general public. According to the Wednesday morning in New Delhi. PHOTO: SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR 17 and 4 degrees Celsius Safdarjung meteorological respectively, the forecast ‘Pleasant surprise’ department, it was the visibility was recorded at a.m. as well as at 8.30 a.m. said. Meanwhile, 11 north- The zoo spokesperson coldest day in five years, 500 metres at 5.30 a.m. in and it improved to 1,000 bound trains were the minimum temperature Safdarjung which later metres at 11.30 a.m, said cancelled, while 26 were R.A. Khan said: “We were INTO THE WILD: Visitors click being three degrees below improved to 1,200 metres the meteorological delayed due to fog, a pleasantly surprised by the pictures of a hippopotamus number of visitors on the normal. at 8.30 a.m. and to 2,000 department. Railway oicial said. at the Delhi Zoological Park At Palam, the minimum metres at 11.30 a.m. The humidity oscillated However, flight first day and feel that this is a on Wednesday; (right) a healthy trend. We still don’t temperature was recorded At Palam, the visibility between 100 and 54 per operations were reported leopard in its enclosure. at 4.7 degrees Celsius. The was 800 metres at 5.30 cent. The forecast for to be mostly normal. have the break-up of the PHOTOS: V. V. KRISHNAN adults, children and foreign- ers who visited today (Wed- With the zoo yet to go di- nesday) and there are still no gital despite the cash crunch, figures of the monetary col- an oicial said that as of now Govt to organise lections from the ticket there was no plan to intro- Plea in HC against proximity sales.” duce digital mode of pay- Uttaryani festival He added that all exhibits ment. “Cash will be the only were open to the public ex- medium for entry fee rule in nursery admissions STAFF REPORTER cept the pond “as we are tak- payment.” ing precautions in view of were also closed on account parks and the zoo stating that NEW DELHI: The Delhi govern- the three Pelican chicks that Other parks reopen of the bird flu outbreak, re- the particular strain of avian The rule makes the distance of the school from applicant a criterion ment is going to organise ‘Ut- are housed there. Staf Meanwhile the other opened on Wednesday. influenza infecting and taryani festival’, a celebration vehicles are also not being al- parks, including Hauz Khas The Delhi government killing birds was found to be AKANKSHA JAIN admission to the resident of land by land-owning agen- of the culture and heritage of lowed in the area. The same Deer Park, the district park had last week asked the the rare H5N8, which is not the locality or that they shall cies wherein no such neigh- Uttarakhand and Purvan- routine will be followed for a in Paschim Vihar, and a wa- Union government for its known to harm humans, un- NEW DELHI: A society of over 15 undertake to admit 75 per borhood clause exists”. chali area. month or two.” ter body in Madipur, which permission to reopen the like the H5N1 flu. private unaided schools in cent of the students of the Mr. Verma made an ur- The festival, which started Delhi and NCR moved the neighborhood or from the gent mention of the petition with four programmes in its High Court on Wednesday. locality in which the school before a Bench of Justices initial year, will be hosting 20 They have sought quashing is located. B.D Ahmed and Ashutosh colourful programmes this Won’t impose notice barring selfies: Miranda House of new guidelines issued by Kumar, who directed the year as part of Uttaryani the AAP government mak- ‘Illegal and arbitrary’ matter to be listed before the Mahotsav. NEW DELHI: Following protests, posted at the college for hair is not in the policy of Mir- ing the distance of the ‘Terming the December appropriate Bench on The festival started on Delhi’s premier women’s col- Earlier, the college School for Open learning anda House. They are just school from the applicant's 19, 2016 and January 7 circu- Thursday. Wednesday and will con- lege Miranda House on Wed- principal had said (SOL) students who attend suggestions for students to residence a major criterion lar issued by the Delhi gov- tinue till January 14 at Patpar- nesday said it would not “im- that the notice was Sunday classes there, stated not risk their life by sitting on while considering them for ernment “absolutely illegal No incentive for schools ganj with an Uttaryani event pose on students” the notice that activities such as clicking corridor pillars and clicking admission. The plea said and arbitrary”, the Forum in The petitioners have said on January 12 at Badrinath warning them against clicking put up for the selfies, combing hair and or posing for pictures,” she this rule will hamper world its application filed through in their petition that the new Mandir, West Vinod Nagar. selfies or combing hair in safety of students modelling in corridors said. class education in schools. advocate Vedanta Verma guidelines will have a “detri- The festival will see per- corridors. amount to “misutilisation” of Ms. Jolly also clarified that The petitioner, Forum for said “by this order, the gov- mental impact on the het- formances by Gajender Principal Pratibha Jolly said, time and students doing so there was no discrimination Promotion of Quality Edu- ernment has created two erogenity in the pool of stu- Rana, Bishan Hariyala and ‘Not college policy’ “The notice wasn’t signed by might face suspension. between the regular students cation For All, and some categories of schools in dents, but also because the Mukesh Kataith among After scores of Delhi Uni- me. Why would we restrict and the SOL students. During educational societies and Delhi in relation to nursery impugned order has taken other folk artists. versity students staged a students from taking selfies? ‘Just suggestions’ Wednesday's protest, stu- private schools have also admissions; first the schools away all discretion from the Kapil Mishra, Art and Cul- protest at the college and There is no such policy in the Ms. Jolly had earlier said dents brought combs to the challenged the clause in the which have been allotted management of private ture Minister, will be present threatened to approach the college.” “It won’t be imposed that the notice was put up for venue and shouted slogans allotment letter of DDA by land by the DDA on or after schools leaving them with at the event along with Delhi Commission for Wo- on students,” she added. the safety of students. “Ban- demanding that the notice be which it is mandated that 1980-81 and the second cat- no incentive to build and senior bureaucrats from the men (DCW) over the issue, The notice, which had been ning selfies and combing of withdrawn. —PTI the school shall not refuse egory is of schools allotted manage the schools”. Delhi government.

CM ND-ND YK NOIDA/DELHI | THE HINDU THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 2017 CITY 3

DELHI Jan 12, Thu Jan 13, Fri Jan 14, Sat RISE 07 15 SET 17 44 RISE 07 15 SET 17 45 RISE 07 15 SET 17 46 RISE 17 49 SET 06 44 RISE 18 51 SET 07 40 RISE 19 53 SET 08 29

DEAL GONE WRONG Online casino busted in east Delhi Bus up in flames; narrow Five men arrested from Krishna Nagar, they had licence to run a gaming parlour for children escape for 35 schoolgirls

SHIV SUNNY STAFF REPORTER

NEW DELHI: Licensed to run a NEW DELHI: It was a narrow gaming parlour for children, escape for three dozen a group of men were al- schoolgirls on Wednesday legedly caught operating an afternoon when the bus online casino in a busy mar- ferrying them caught fire ket in east Delhi’s Krishna in outer Delhi’s Nangloi. Nagar. With gaming con- soles and screens in place, it Returning after rehearsal was diicult to call the bluf, Enrolled with a said investigators. government school in the A raid here on Tuesday area, the 35 girls were evening led to the arrest of a returning after rehearsing man who was the croupier for the Republic Day and in-charge of the CHIPS DOWN: The accused (right) were arrested after a raid was programme at north gambling den, and four oth- conducted at the casino in Anand Plaza building on Tuesday. Delhi’s Chhatrasal FIERY TRAIL: The white chartered bus was ferrying ers, said the police. PHOTOS: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT stadium, said Rishi Pal, schoolchildren when the driver noticed smoke emanating DCP (Outer). from the engine in Nangloi. PHOTO: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT Cops tipped of Anand Plaza building in after he paid ₨1,000 as entry Gambling Act, but were re- through word of mouth,” Driver Kartar Singh The gambling den was Krishna Nagar. fee. leased later. said Mr. Gaur. Police said the said that he noticed smoke passers-by who, along threw it at the flaming busted after Kushal Pal Promised ₨36,000 if he Other shopkeepers in the casino even steered clear ad- emanating from the with the driver and bus, while others brought Singh, ACP (Gandhi Nagar), Constable as decoy won, the policeman played building said they had begun vertising on the Internet. engine of the white helper, rescued the girls. buckets of water. was tipped of about suspi- An investigator said that and lost. However, this to suspect something amiss. Interestingly, the casino chartered bus around 1 This turned out to be cious elements visiting the when the ACP visited the helped him understand the “We rarely saw any children stayed open even on Monday p.m. “I immediately quite challenging as the Bus gutted casino on the second floor of parlour last week, he was re- modus operandi. “The visiting the parlour. The cus- when the market remains stopped the bus along the rear gate of the bus was This, however, did little fused entry saying he should gambling stations had gam- tomers were in the age group closed. “The gambling ring roadside,” he said. locked. to control the blaze that have come with the refer- ing consoles in front, which of 16 to 40 years,” said Suresh was limited to people known Manoj, an eyewitness, left the bus gutted in a few ence of a regular customer. A were not working,” said an Gaur, a shopkeeper. to the owner, the in-charge Fire tenders delayed said he was among those minutes. By the time the We rarely saw any few days later, the ACP sent a investigator. and their friends. The min- The fire department who helped the girls fire tenders arrived, there constable as decoy. The matter was then Little interaction imum entry fee was ₨1,000. and the police were then escape. “We evacuated was little that could be children visiting the The constable, who gave brought to the notice of The casino in-charge, There was no maximum called in. The fire brigade, them before smoke could done to save the vehicle. parlour. The the reference of a regular Nupur Prasad, who took over meanwhile, did all he could limit,” said the DCP. however, was delayed fill up the bus cabin,” he The police said that customers were customer whom he had met as the DCP (Shahdara) re- to not attract attention. “He The police seized ₨24,700 because of a traic jam said. Manoj and several none of the girls were outside the casino, managed cently. The shop was sub- would open the shop around and nine computers along that built up due to people others then took to injured. No case has been mostly in the age to enter. He was then sequently raided and the five 11 a.m. and close it by 9.30 with a server, all of which stopping near the spot. dousing the fire. Some of registered, the DCP group of 16 to 40 provided a gambling station, suspects arrested. They p.m. He interacted little with were being used for online It was the locals and them collected sand and added. a username and a password were booked under the us. They probably operated gambling. Man booked for attempt to murder held 4 held for assaulting cop STAFF REPORTER opened fire on the com- tried to intervene, but the STAFF REPORTER Incident was reported plainant, Keshav, on Janu- assailants opened fire at NEW DELHI: The Crime ary 5,” said Joint Commis- him and fled,” said Mr. NEW DELHI: The Delhi Police on January 9 when Branch has arrested a sioner of Police (Crime) Yadav. have arrested four men for the constable was criminal who went ab- Ravindra Yadav. Jitender was arrested allegedly beating up a police- on picket duty sconding after allegedly on January 7 after the po- man near a picket in south inflicting a gunshot injury Victim caught in fight lice were tipped-of about Delhi’s Vasant Kunj after be- in Vasant Kunj on a passerby who inter- It was around 9.50 p.m. his movements near Sarai ing flagged down for danger- vened in a fight. when a PCR call about a Rohilla railway bridge. ous driving on Monday did not want to stop. The po- The incident took place man being shot at with a “During interrogation, night. lice said they were inebri- this past week. pistol was received at the Jitender said that he and The accused — Vishal ated. Karol Bagh police station. his accomplice Gaurav Sharma alias Tinku, Navjyot “They tried to take a u- Accomplice held earlier “The injured was shif- were beating the boy Sehrawat alias Monu, Harish turn when they saw the “We have arrested one ted to Lady Hardinge Hos- when Keshav tried to in- Lohia alias Hannu and Yatin picket. Since they were driv- Jitender who was booked pital. Injured Keshav Ku- tervene. Annoyed, they Norang — are school ing dangerously, they were in an attempt-to-murder mar said that two persons shot at him with a pistol dropouts. told to be careful. This en- case. Jitender and his ac- were beating a boy in Shiv and fled from the spot,” raged them and they got Pulled up for rash driving complice Gaurav had Nagar, Karol Bagh. He said Mr. Yadav. UP IN ARMS: Trinamool Congress MPs march from South Avenue to Rashtrapati Bhavan on Wednesday down from the vehicle, first The incident was reported misbehaving with him and to protest against demonetisation announced by the Centre. PHOTO: SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR on January 9 when constable then attacking him,” said Mr. Mohd. Alam was on picket Biswal. duty in Masudpur with con- Teenager didn’t blame anyone This is super emergency, says TMC stables Prithwiraj and Sushil. Case registered An over-speeding Skoda car, Constable Alam was hurt JATIN ANAND posed there marked the space since the “draconian” exercise which was being driven in a while the other two con- in suicide note, police tell HC outside 7 RCR. “After outlining was announced. “The TMC has rash and negligent manner, stables were verbally ab- NEW DELHI: Meeting the President the grim situation, we first opposed the move. The timing almost rammed the barri- used. While one of them AKANKSHA JAIN had filed a police complaint on April 14 for the third time since demon- called this (demonetisation) a of what is happening is political cades, which the policeman managed to alert the police about a boy who harassed her daughter etisation was announced, Trin- financial emergency. Today, we vendetta. This is low life, the objected to. He also warned station and call for help, the NEW DELHI: Even as the mother of a on the way to her school at Azadpur. amool Congress (TMC) MPs believe this is a super emer- kind of political vendetta this the occupants of the car. accused managed to flee. teenage girl, who allegedly committed She also complained about harassment accused the NDA government gency,” said TMC MP Derek country has never seen,” he said The constables, however, suicide by consuming poison in her and abuses over phone from an of having imposed a “super O’Brien. referring to the arrest of TMC Accused were inebriated managed to note down the classroom at a government school here unknown number. She also questioned emergency” and engaging in MPs Sudip Bandyopadhyay and Additional DCP (South) -I car number, which helped in 2016, looks for answers to the how a student could consume poison “vendetta politics”. Memorandum submitted Tapas Pal in connection with Chinmoy Biswal said that the trace the accused. mystery shrouding the death of her in a classroom and write three suicide A senior party leader told The 30-member delegation, the Rose Valley chit fund scam. accused told them that their Alam was later hospital- daughter, the Delhi Police told the notes addressed to three diferent The Hindu that the current part comprising MPs Sukhendu Seeking to pick holes in Mr. vehicle was new and that ised for his injuries. A case High Court that the suicide note did persons. of the party’s programme Shekhar Roy, Dola Sen, Mukul Modi’s announcement that they did not have all the doc- was registered at the Vasant not blame anyone. Mr. Kumar said the police never against demonetisation had Roy, Dinesh Trivedi, Arpita people’s problems would ease uments, which is why they Kunj (South) police station. The police told a Bench of Justice bothered to look into the complaint concluded with the meet, and Ghosh, Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, in the next 50 days, Mr. O’Brien Vipin Sanghi that the suicide note regarding the boy who harassed the that the next would be an- Sisir Adhikari, among others, said that the situation had in- recovered from the bag of the 16-year- girl, which casts more doubt over the nounced shortly. also submitted a memorandum stead “worsened”. He claimed old and her handwriting sample have “suicide”. He raised doubts over the Speaking to reporters after to the President. that micro and small scale in- been sent to Forensic Science authenticity of the alleged suicide marching from South Avenue to dustries had reported 35 per Laboratory (FSL), Rohini, for notes since the writing in the letters Rashtrapati Bhavan, the MPs ‘Vendetta politics’ cent job losses and listed fisher- comparison and the result is awaited. has not been forensically examined till also held Prime Minister Nar- The TMC memorandum has men, farmers, plantation work- date. He added that according to an endra Modi responsible for the accused the Modi government ers, housewives, students and Notice to principal enquiry by the family members, no FIR death of 120 people, allegedly of engaging in “politics of ven- traders among those worst The court has now issued a notice to has been registered till date. caused by the move, and sought detta” to conceal its own “in- afected. the principal of the Government Girls The police said they have suspended President Pranab Mukherjee’s competence and ineiciency” “There have been 120 deaths. Senior Secondary School at Azadpur a head constable for not looking into intervention. by arresting two of its party We hold the Prime Minister ac- after Sangeeta, the girl’s mother, the complaint of harassment. A senior police oicer said MPs. “The government is countable,” Mr. O’Brien said. sought to implead him as party in the that additional police force had blatantly misusing power and Referring to the arrest of Mr. petition. Younger sister harassed been deployed outside 7 RCR as using agencies to stifle opposi- Bandyopadhyay and Mr. Pal, Mr. The court had earlier issued notice The Class XII student had left for a “precautionary measure” in tion. This deplorable policy dis- O’Brien accused the Modi gov- to the Commissioner of Police after school at 7 a.m. on September 16. case the TMC members de- honours the sacred principles ernment of “hounding” party Sangeeta approached the High Court Around 9 a.m., Sangeeta received a call cided to divert their march to- of our Constitutional demo- leaders and asserted that the seeking justice for her daughter from the school informing her that her wards the PM’s residence. cracy,” it said. TMC was “not scared” of the following “police inaction”. She daughter had consumed poison. Scores of policemen, empty The delegation also accused BJP’s “dirty tricks”. claimed that there was more to her Sangeeta’s son rushed to the school buses and barricades warning the Centre of “deceiving and -With inputs from Shiv daughter’s death than what met the and took her to a hospital, but she about Section 144 being im- ambushing” its own citizens Sunny eye. Sangeeta’s counsel Amit Kumar could not be saved. has sought a police report, inquest After her death, the boy allegedly details, medico-legal case (MLC) started harassing her younger sister. So report and CCTV footage. terrorised was the girl that she stopped going to school, said her uncle, adding Three suicide notes? that the police never looked into their Sangeeta said in her petition that she harassment complaint.

DELHI TODAY

Talk: Lectures on “The Indus Pixels”, solo exhibition of paint- Arts & Craft Society (AIFACS), 1 Civilization – Myths and reality” ings and photographs by Jahnvi Rafi Marg, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. by Richard H. Meadow, Director, Arora, IHC, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. Culture: Tirumala Tirupati Dev- Zooarchaeology Laboratory of Exhibition: “Flights of Fantasy”, asthanam: Thirupavai Upan- the Peabody Museum; “South a group show of paintings and yasam by Dr. K. Ananthachariar Asian Contributions to Animal sculptures at Gallery No. 8, Lalit at Lakshmi Nrisimha Mandir, Ka- Domestication in prehistory” by Kala Akademi, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. rol Bagh, 6:30 p.m. Ajita K. Patel, Research Scient- Exhibition: “Kalabimb 17”, Screening: “Les Temps Chan- ist, Zooarchaeology Laboratory group exhibition of paintings, gent”, French film screening of the Peabody Museum, Har- sculptures and photography, with English subtitles at Alliance vard University. Chair: Dr. Hi- IHC, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. Francaise De Delhi, 72, Lodhi Es- manshu Prabha Ray, IIC, 6:30 Paintings: Solo show of paint- tate, 6:30 p.m. p.m. ings by Kaushlendra Pratap Screening: “Ogin - Love and Talk: “Muktibodh Ka Rahasy- Singh, Triveni Kala Sangam, 205, Faith”, Japanese film screening alok” by Dr. Ajay Tiwari, critic Tansen Marg, Mandi House, 11 with English subtitles at The Ja- and author; Dr.Vinay Vishwas, a.m. – 7 p.m. pan Foundation, 5A Ring Road, critic and author; Dr. Pallav, Paintings: Retrospective show Lajpat Nagar IV, 6:30 p.m. critic and literary editor, IHC, 7 of Paramjeet Singh, Eminent (Mail your listings for this p.m. Painter, Print Maker and Chair- column at Exhibition: “Melange - Hues & man of AIFACS at All India Fine [email protected])

Published by N. Ram at Kasturi Buildings, 859 & 860, Anna Salai, Chennai-600002 and Printed by S. Ramanujam at HT Media Ltd. Plot No. 8, Udyog Vihar, Greater Noida Distt. Gautam Budh Nagar, U.P. 201306, on behalf of KASTURI & SONS LTD., Chennai-600002. Editor: Mukund Padmanabhan (Responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act).

CM ND-ND YK NOIDA/DELHI 4 | CITY THE HINDU THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 2017 Elderly flock to new recreation centre Snags cripple State-of-the-art facility for senior citizens at Tilak Nagar is a big hit; gadgets and physiotherapy machines biggest draw Metro’s Blue Line JATIN ANAND STAFF REPORTER Thousands stranded NEW DELHI: What used to be a NEW DELHI: Thousands of as signalling decrepit government build- Delhi Metro passengers issues cause delays ing overlooking the bustle of had a harrowing commute during morning and one of west Delhi’s first Pun- on Wednesday as services jabi refugee settlements, on the Blue Line were evening rush hours now provides the oldest afected during morning among its residents a choice and evening rush hours signalling identification to spend their afternoons in due to technical snags. issue of trains. As a result, leisure with their peers. The trouble started at all trains were manually Spread over 3,000 square the Dwarka-Noida/ given fresh IDs from the feet, the Recreation Centre Vaishali corridor during control centre, which for senior citizens was in- the morning rush hour leads to minor bunching augurated at a community with trains running of trains and delays,” said centre in Tilak Nagar’s 12th extremely slow. a Delhi Metro Rail Block on Tuesday. The problem was Corporation (DMRC) The centre is not only rectified by 12.10 p.m., but spokesperson. equipped with a game room, by the time operations library and a physiotherapy could normalise, another Manual feed section, but also seeks to technical snag hampered “In this signalling educate the elderly about us- train movement in the identification issue, view ing social media by learning evening. and control of the trains is to operate tablets. During the morning lost by Operation Control HELPING OUT: Surender Kaur, a caretaker, assists women with rush hour, trains on the Centre (OCC) when there Public suggestion physiotherapy at the centre. PHOTO: SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR corridor started crawling is a tripping of signalling The roots of the facility, due to a signalling issue at server and then this re- created with assistance from HEALTHY COMPETITION: Ajit Singh (left) and Harbhajan Singh enjoy a game of carrom at the newly Dwarka, which resulted in issue of train IDs take international NGO Khalsa opened Recreation Centre in Tilak Nagar on Wednesday. PHOTO: SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR trains moving towards place to bring them back Aid, lie in the Delhi govern- Dwarka getting delayed. under OCC control,” the ment’s maiden mohalla ident who said he was visit- Sethi, 50, and Kiran Chand- newspapers),” said Ms. “Trains were arriving at spokesperson said, adding sabha, the Aam Aadmi ing to confirm that the facility hok, 60, both housewives, Chandhok. the platform after waiting that almost all train Party’s (AAP) public meet- was as swanky as talk of it on who had come to learn about for more than 30 minutes. identification had been ing initiative, held in the the street posited. what physiotherapy equip- Tea party As a result, the trains restored by 6 p.m. Tilak Nagar Assembly Con- “This centre is nothing like ment is available for use. Confident that the centre were completely packed stituency back in April 2014. what I’ve seen before. I came will be a hit, the AAP MLA did with no space to even Jinxed Local AAP MLA Jarnail for the inauguration function Word of mouth not rule out the creation of an- breathe properly,” a Only a week ago, on Singh, who revealed that the yesterday and have been “Will this be efective for other such facility soon. The commuter said. January 3, thousands of idea for the centre was telling all my friends and fam- my back pain?” Ms. Sethi asks MLA added that a tea party commuters were left mooted by elderly residents, ily about the centre, espe- Surender Kaur, the caretaker, would be held on Thursday to Another snag stranded on the Blue Line said that it was part of a one- cially the tablets that they before enquiring about the formally hand over the centre Services were as trains crawled for of-a-kind initiative. will teach us to use,” Mr. paperwork needed to access to the area’s senior citizens. beginning to come back to several hours on the Singh added, while looking at the centre on a regular basis. “We have also made ar- normal when another corridor due to a snag in ‘Have told all my friends’ his friend Harbhajan Singh, “We were out shopping rangements for beverages and snag crippled train the overhead “I live nearby and spend 70, who was undergoing a when I thought we should snacks to be served here. This movement in the evening. electrification system most of my time strolling in physiotherapy session. have a look at the centre that will hopefully become their “Train services on Line between Pragati Maidan the park which is quite far The centre has become everyone was talking about in (senior citizens’) home away 3/4 were afected from and Mandi House Metro away despite the weather,” somewhat of a local attrac- the market. It looks a lot bet- from home between 10 a.m. 5.14 p.m. onwards due to stations. said Ajit Singh, 76, a local res- tion already, said Sadhna ter than the pictures (in the and 5 p.m.,” the AAP MLA said. Garbage being removed, but HC upset over Tiwari challenges Kejriwal to a public debate Bar election STAFF REPORTER had gone down during the per the 4th DFC report,” Mr. has a revenue of ₨1,500 crore last two years and that the Tiwari said. and got around ₨1,000 crore some workers still on strike posters in NEW DELHI: Delhi BJP president Kejriwal-led government from the Delhi government Manoj Tiwari on Wednesday was “intentionally withhold- In numbers while its salary bill alone is STAFF REPORTER district court challenged Chief Minister ing” the implementation of The Delhi BJP chief added ₨2,600 crore. Arvind Kejriwal to a public the Fourth Delhi Finance that the East Delhi Municipal “The non-implementation NEW DELHI: A section of the AKANKSHA JAIN debate on the issue of muni- Commission recommenda- Corporation’s salary bill is of the 4th DFC due to polit- East Delhi Municipal Cor- cipal funds and alleged that tions on the revenue share of around ₨1,600 crore while its ical bias by the AAP govern- poration (EDMC) sanitation NEW DELHI: The “defacement” development of the Capital Municipal Corporations. total revenue is ₨400 crore, ment has crippled the civic workers continued with of the walls of the Tis Hazari has been neglected in the “The Delhi government “the Delhi government has bodies making it impossible their strike on Wednesday, court complex due to posters past two years. claims to have given more given around ₨609 crore and to provide good civic amenit- even as the civic body put up by advocates and Mr. Tiwari alleged that the funds to the civic bodies, but denied Municipal Reforms ies, health and education ser- claimed that thousands of vendors for the upcoming Delhi government records the truth is that the funds Funds”. vices and to implement small tonnes of garbage was re- Bar elections there, has themselves posited that ex- given are not even half of Similarly, Mr. Tiwari ad- social welfare pension moved by the staf who had earned the Delhi High penditure on development what they are entitled to as ded, the north corporation scheme,” Mr. Tiwari said. come back to work. Court’s disapproval, which The safai karamcharis directed the district and ses- had gone on strike on Janu- BIG MESS: It will take a few days for the east Delhi civic body to sions judge to remove the ary 6 as they had not been clean up the streets. FILE PHOTO: AFP posters. paid salaries for November “I don’t know why advoc- Desert dream and December. With the MT, it will take a few days for ates behave like this,” said Delhi government releasing the EDMC to clear the trash. Sack AAP govt: Justice B. D. Ahmed, when funds, the EDMC was able to The workers on strike, told how advocates had gone pay the sanitation staf on meanwhile, carried out SDMC resolution about putting up campaign Monday and Tuesday, as a protests and threatened to STAFF REPORTER posters everywhere before result of which many re- expand the stir to include the elections to the Delhi Bar turned to work on hospital staf. While the NEW DELHI: The South Delhi Association on January 20. Wednesday. EDMC has paid sanitation Municipal Corporation’s workers, other employees (SDMC) Standing Commit- Election panel ‘Need permanent solution’ are yet to be paid. tee on Wednesday passed a The court also directed However, some workers’ “We want a permanent resolution condemning the the three-member election unions refused to call of solution. Why should the AAP government for “with- panel, which is constituted to their strike, saying that de- people of Delhi sufer every holding” funds and asked the conduct the polls, to ensure mands of a permanent solu- few months? The EDMC and Centre to “sack” the govern- that no posters are put up on tion to the late salaries and the government have still not ment. the court building. payment of arrears were yet given us a clear solution,” The resolution moved by The court also directed to be met. This was the fifth said Sanjay Gehlot, of the Leader of the House Subhash the District Judge to also take strike by sanitation staf in MCD Swachhta Karamchari Arya and passed with unan- action under the Public the two years. Union that is still on strike. imity comes days after Chief Property Defacement Act. While garbage remained The North Delhi Muni- Minister Arvind Kejriwal strewn at some spots, the cipal Corporation, which is said in a tweet that the Delhi Bar Association EDMC said that garbage yet to pay all staf for Decem- government had given the “It was noted in an earlier trucks made 420 trips on ber, also saw protests on civic bodies all the funds al- order that it was the prime Tuesday night and dumped Wednesday. Rajendra Me- located for them. Mr. Kejri- responsibility of the Bar As- 2,020 metric tonnes (MT) of wati, general-secretary of the wal had accused the BJP sociation that no posters trash at Ghazipur landfill. United Front of MCD Em- councillors of the corpora- should be pasted on the From 6 a.m. till 4 p.m. on ployees, said that a protest tions of diverting funds. building of the court com- Wednesday, 234 trips were was held in the Narela Zone As per the SDMC resolu- plex,” the Bench said. made and 1,186.47 MT of and that the stir would con- tion, the councillors said that The High Court also took garbage was dumped. With tinue till demands of timely Ministers of the Delhi gov- note of the fact that despite the daily production of salaries, arrears and pen- ernment had been implic- its orders, the Bar Associ- garbage being around 2,500 sions for retired staf are met. ated in corruption cases. ation had not incorporated an election rule wherein put- ting up posters in the court complex could lead to dis- PRICEY AFFAIR: Date Palm trees adorn the new roundabout on Janpath ahead of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin qualification from contest- Zayed Al Nahyan’s visit to the Capital for Republic Day. PHOTO : R. V. MOORTHY HC cracks whip, orders ing the elections. second cleanliness drive DJB saves ₨87 crore on Ensure no illegal construction in

AKANKSHA JAIN expected results. is loose earth and the “Is Delhi any cleaner? Is pavements and roads are new treatment plant Tughlaqabad Fort area: HC to ASI NEW DELHI: Taking the city’s the result of cleanliness often not finished... “this civic bodies to task for drive visible to the citizens adds to pollution as when STAFF REPORTER The facility coming up AKANKSHA JAIN Delhi Development as all the inhabitants within failing to clear the city of of Delhi? Conduct another there is breeze, this loose the Tughlaqabad Fort area waste materials, the Delhi drive. We are not going to soil gets into the NEW DELHI: The Delhi Jal Board near Coronation Pillar NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Authority finally had got a stay on eviction High Court on Wednesday spare you,” said the Bench. atmosphere”. (DJB) has managed to save in Mukundpur will be Court on Wednesday direc- shares ‘secret and after 1993. called the municipalities ₨87 crore on a new sewage Asia’s largest sewage ted the Archaeological Sur- “non-starters” saying they 10-day initiative Minor or major? treatment plant that is com- vey of India (ASI) to ensure restricted’ survey map Assess change in area would start running only “On December 14, 2016, The MCD counsel stated ing up near Coronation Pillar treatment plant that there is no unauthorised of Delhi with ASI The map had therefore be- after “we whip you from we had directed a 15-day that this required “minor in Mukundpur. activity or construction tak- come important to assess the behind”. drive for removal of malba. repair patchwork and ₨87 crore. The plant will also ing place within the Tugh- including the Tughlaqabad construction, illegal en- Demanding “a The results that were cosmetic work” which Biggest and cheapest be cheaper compared to the laqabad Fort area. Fort area, with the court and croachment and changes in perceptible diference in expected have not been would be done in As per a statement by the DJB’s other sewage treat- A Bench of Justices B. D. was then ordered to give the the area after 1993. cleanliness” in Delhi, a realised. We direct another sometime. Delhi government on Wed- ment facilities. Ahmed and Ashutosh Kumar map to the ASI and the Delhi After the Delhi Develop- Bench of justices Badar drive for a period of ten However, the Bench of nesday, the plant will be also directed that if there is government. ment Authority shared the Durrez Ahmed and days,” the Bench ordered. the High Court said: “This Asia’s largest sewage treat- More savings any illegal activity or con- Earlier, the DDA had re- map, with sensitive areas Ashutosh Kumar directed is not minor. It is most ment plant as well as the For instance, the DJB in- struction around the fort, the fused to share the map with blacked out, on Wednesday, municipal and other civic Loose dirt important. Either you make cheapest. curs a cost of ₨13.75 crore to same should be reported to the ASI stating that it was a the High Court directed the bodies to carry out a The Bench also pointed it green or complete it. We The plant, which has the treat 1 million gallons of the police or the Sub-Divi- “secret and restricted SDM of Kalkaji and the sur- second drive to clean the out that even after the are still waiting for that capacity to treat 70 million sewage a day at its Nilothi sional Magistrate of Kalkaji. document”. veyor engaged for demarca- city as the first one, a debris and rubble is perceptible change in gallons of sewage per day, plant, while the figure for the The Archaeological Sur- tion of Tughlaqabad Fort fortnight-long drive removed from along the cleanliness of Delhi. When had a projected cost of ₨602 Coronation Pillar plant will Survey map vey of India had contended area to visit the oice of Dir- carried out in December, roads, they do not look will that change come crore, but the contract for the be ₨7.35 crore. Meanwhile, the Delhi De- that since it did not have the ector (Planning) DDA on had failed to show the clean as beneath the rubble about?” work was awarded for ₨515 The project is expected to velopment Authority (DDA) survey map, it was unable to Thursday for carrying out crore, leading to a saving of be completed in 30 months. shared a survey map of Delhi, do much conservation work initial demarcation.

CM ND-ND YK NOIDA/DELHI | THE HINDU THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 2017 CITY/STATE 5 Air pollution a national problem IIMC student suspended for A Greenpeace report shows 90% of cities studied had pollution levels over prescribed standards post backing sacked teacher

DAMINI NATH levels of pollution are higher NEW DELHI: A student of the statements” and that the especially considering in the North. Southern India Indian Institute of Mass student had “crossed the that IIMC was a media NEW DELHI: Delhi’s toxic air has the benefit of the mixing Communication (IIMC) limit”. institute. may be making news every of sea breeze. However, pol- has been suspended over “For me, it’s only been a few months. But pollution lution is a national-level “sweeping statements” Sub-judice matter while at IIMC but I have levels across the country are problem and has to be made by him online in “He was also trying to been writing over online alarming too. A new report treated as such,” said Sunil support of an academic provoke other students. media for long. I wrote released here on Wednesday Dahiya, one of the authors of associate of the premier We suspended him for taking all facts into shows that over 90 per cent the report and a campaigner media school who was having prima facie consideration and stuck to of the cities studied had pol- with Greenpeace India. sacked recently and for violated the code of the basics of reporting. I lution levels higher than the “provoking” his batch conduct of the institute. do not know what prescribed standards. The main culprit mates over the same. How can a student pass a warranted this extreme According to an analysis of Looking at the sources of Rohin Kumar, the verdict on what is a sub- action. Even the guards 2015 data for 168 cities by pollution, the report found student of Hindi judice issue?” Suresh have been given my Greenpeace India, 154 were that fossil fuels were the Journalism department, asked. pictures so that they can found to have an average par- biggest contributors to the was suspended and He was referring to stop me from entering the ticulate matter level higher particulate matter. “Whether declared out of bounds sacked teacher Narendra campus,” he said. than the national standard. it is in the transport sector or from the campus on Singh Rao’s case. Rao had Last year, Amit None of the cities studied industries, the uncontrolled January 9, pending recently moved the Delhi Sengupta, a senior faculty had air quality matching the burning of fossil fuels is the proceedings of the High Court against the member of the institute, standard prescribed by the main cause of air pollution,” institute’s disciplinary decision. When resigned alleging that he World Health Organisation. said Mr. Dahiya. committee. contacted, Rohin denied was “targeted” for Hasan in Karnataka came Chennai, for instance, IIMC Director General having made any supporting the protests closest to the standard. though on the coast, had an K.G Suresh said that no defamatory post online, over Dalit student Rohith Using data from various average PM10 level of 81 mi- institute of merit can saying he was at a loss Vemula’s suicide and JNU State pollution control crograms per cubic metre. A tolerate such “sweeping over the decision, and FTII issues. PTI boards, accessed from their diesel-powered public trans- websites and through RTI port system and power plant queries, the report ranked were to be blamed for the air the cities based on the an- pollution. nual average of PM10, which erage for PM10 being 268 mi- Faridabad in Haryana fol- matter, South India appeared Though the report has are all particles less than 10 crograms per cubic metre, or lowed closely, making for the to have comparatively looked at average city levels Green tribunal orders test of microns in diameter. These over four times the 60 micro- worst five cities in terms of cleaner air. All 10 of the least of PM10, some of the cities, include the very harmful fine grams/cubic metre limit pre- PM10 levels, the annual aver- polluted cities were in the like Delhi, have many more cosmetics containing microbeads particles, PM2.5. scribed in the National Am- age concentrations being South and the East: eight in monitoring stations than the bient Air Quality Standards four times or more than the Karnataka and one each in others. In the report, Green- Top five of the Central Pollution Con- standard. Odisha and Tamil Nadu. peace recommended setting STAFF REPORTER and teeth when used in soap, Jawad Rahim said it is the Unsurprisingly, Delhi was trol Board. While air quality in North “Due to the Himalayas and up more monitoring stations toothpaste and other duty of the government to en- found to be be the most pol- Ghaziabad, Allahabad and and Central India saw dan- the cooler weather as well as in order to get a better pic- NEW DELHI: The National Green products. Many brands man- sure that no “dangerous” luted city, with the annual av- Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh and gerous levels of particulate big industrial clusters, the ture of pollution levels. Tribunal has directed the ufacturing beauty products product is allowed to be man- Centre to test cosmetic use microbeads, the plea said. ufactured or sold to public products containing mi- The order came on a peti- and directed the Central crobeads after a plea sought a tion filed by Delhi-based law- Drugs Standard Control Or- ban on their use on the yer Ashwini Kumar seeking a ganisation to analyse the Woman missing from AIIMS found near Deer Park ground they are extremely complete ban on the use of products in laboratory and dangerous for aquatic life and microbeads in the manufac- submit a report in four weeks. STAFF REPORTER solved as the woman claimed police for not making any ser- hospital when her husband The family received a call environment. ture, import and sale of vari- The plea said: “The unreg- she had fallen unconscious ious efort to trace her. went to finish some pending on Wednesday morning from ous cosmetics or personal ulated production and usage NEW DELHI: A woman who had after leaving the hospital. Rashmi, a brain tumour pa- formalities. a passerby who said Rashmi Exfoliating properties care products. The matter of plastic in microbeads in gone missing from AIIMS on tient, came to the Capital “We went to the Hauz Khas was sitting in front of the deer Microbeads are tiny plastic has been listed for next hear- various cosmetic products Tuesday was found near Deer ‘Police inaction’ with her husband to consult a Police station, but the oicers park in Hauz Khas. She was substances measuring less ing on February 15. and their excessive usage by Park in Hauz Khas a day later, Rashmi Rekha Acharya neurosurgeon at AIIMS. On there did not provide much then rushed to AIIMS where than five millimetres that act the end user is leading to wa- but the mystery behind her (52) had minor injuries. Her Tuesday, she disappeared help....,” said Sushree she was referred to the as exfoliators (agents which ‘Dangerous’ product ter pollution across the disappearance remained un- family members blamed the from the ground floor of the Acharya, her niece. trauma centre. remove dead cells) on skin A Bench headed by Justice globe....” Suspended JNU students can register for new semester NEW DELHI: Nine JNU students ahead with an interim regis- who were suspended last tration till the disciplinary month for disrupting a coun- committee comes out with its cil meeting have been al- report... but we have decided lowed to register for the next to go on a two-day strike de- semester but the students manding that the suspension union has decided to go on a of these students be revoked,” two-day strike demanding said Pandey. that their suspension be revoked. Notices to teachers The administration has, The administration has meanwhile, issued more warned Pandey against hold- show-cause notices to pro- ing the strike or demonstrat- fessors and students, includ- ing at the administrative ing to JNU Student Union block. Notices were also is- president Mohit Pandey. sued to five professors for ad- “The suspended students dressing protest gatherings at have been allowed to go administration block. PTI

CM ND-ND YK NOIDA/DELHI | THE HINDU THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 2017 NORTHERN REGION 7 Allahabad High Court reserves Gaushalas in jail premises Haryana government JIND: The BJP government in The Minister said the Haryana has decided to build gaushalas will serve the dual judgment in Aarushi case gaushalas in all those prisons purpose of cow protection ALLAHABAD: The Allahabad on the criminal appeal chal- weeks following a High in the State that have ad- and make milk available to to set up two NRI cells High Court on Wednesday lenging the order passed by Court order on August 29, equate land for the purpose inmates, who will help in up- reserved its judgment on an special CBI court at 2016. and first of these cow-sheds keep of the sheds. appeal filed by dentist couple Ghaziabad on November 26, Aarushi was found will come up at Karnal Dis- “Jind District Jail might ASHOK KUMAR Rajesh and Nupur Talwar 2013 whereby the couple had murdered inside the Talwars’ trict Jail. also get a gaushala. The gov- challenging their conviction been awarded life sentence residence in May 2008 with “In the first phase gaush- ernment has already identi- GURUGRAM: Haryana Chief by a CBI court in 2013 for the for the double-murder in her throat slit. Initially, the alas will be constructed in fied the six jails that have ad- Minister Manohar Lal Khat- murder of their 14-year-old May 2008.The couple is cur- needle of suspicion had six jails of the State. The first equate land for the project,” tar on Wednesday announced daughter Aarushi and do- rently lodged at Dasna jail in moved towards their 45-year- will come up at the Karnal Mr Panwar said. to set up two dedicated cells mestic help Hemraj. Ghaziabad. old Hemraj who was missing District Jail,” State Jail Minis- Mr Panwar, who also holds for the non-resident Indians A Division Bench compris- for a couple of says before his ter Krishan Lal Panwar said the transport portfolio, said (NRI) for quick grievance re- ing Justices Bala Krishna Parole for Nupur body was found by the police at a gathering at the Sant by March 31 the Haryana dressal and facilitate Narayana and Arvind Kumar Nupur Talwar was re- on the terrace of their house. Guru Ravidas Mandir in Roadways will add 600 new investment. Mishra reserved judgment cently out on parole for a few -PTI Safidon here. buses. - PTI The grievance redressal cell will be headed by an of- ficer of the rank of Deputy In- spector General of Police . Mr. Khattar was speaking at the inaugural session of the “Pravasi Haryana Divas-2017” organised by Haryana Gov- HONOURED: Wrestlers Babita and Geeta Phogat being honoured ernment with Confederation by Union Textiles Minister Smriti Irani during the Pravasi of Indian Industry (CII) as Haryana Divas in Gurugram on Wednesday. Union Steel the national partner in Guru- Minister Birender Singh and Haryana Chief Minister Manohar gram. Union Steel Minister Lal Khattar are also seen. - PHOTO: PTI Birender Singh and Textiles Minister Smriti Zubin Irani NRIs may contact NRI Cell all districts to ensure safety of were also present. for business queries, invest- women. He exhorted the The Chief Minister said ment interest and any other Pravasi Haryanvis to ofer that the setting up of the cell suggestion. their cooperation and invest- would streamline enquiry ment in the form of time, ef- and action-taking process, “300 laws changed” fort and capital, to accelerate besides ensuring quick re- Mr. Khattar said that the the realisation of the State dressal of grievances of the State Government had Government’s vision of NRIs. He said that this cell changed more than 300 laws, Haryana. would have a dedicated mo- rules and procedures in less Meanwhile, 24 MoUs in- bile phone number and e- than four months to make volving potential investment mail ID for the NRIs to reach Haryana among the top five of Rs.20,000 crore were the government through text States in the World Banks signed during Pravasi Hary- messages, e-mail, fax or voice Groups’ ranking of Indian ana Divas and these are ex- call. Haryana NRI Cell has States on Ease of Doing Busi- pected to provide employ- been launched for a focused ness. Besides, 21 “Mahila ment opportunities to 43,000 facilitation of “pravasis”. The Thanas” were established in people.

YK NOIDA/DELHI 8 | SOUTH THE HINDU THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 2017

Helicopter service to Nilackal Assault on Mizoram youth: 3 held Chiru’s 150th movie takes launched The 23-year-old was beaten by his neighbours in Bengaluru on December 26 A.P., Telangana by storm SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT on,” said Hemanth Nim- he heard some noise outside. SURESH KRISHNAMOORTHY balkar, Additional Commis- When he went out, he found PATHANAMTHITTA: The Travan- BENGALURU: An 80-year-old is sioner of Police (East). They his bike had fallen down. HYDERABAD: ‘The Boss is Back,’ core Devaswom Board on among three arrested in have been charged with as- “While he tried to pick up screamed film hoardings and Wednesday launched a com- Bengaluru for assaulting a sault and criminal intimida- his bike, the accused came enthusiastic fans as actor mercial helicopter service to 23-year-old youth from tion, and remanded in judi- out and attacked him with an Chiarnjeevi’s Khaidi No. 150 Nilackal, near Pampa, in as- Mizoram on December 26. cial custody. iron rod,” said Dr. Ralta who, hit the screens on Wednes- sociation with the Kochi- The attack was termed The three have confessed after obtaining the mobile day. The ‘boss’ was indeed based Helitours India. “racial” by the North East that Jerry had accused them video grab from the neigh- back after 10 years — in his Prayar Gopalakrishnan, Association. of damaging his bike and ab- bour, approached the police. 150th film — directed by V.V. TDB president, Ajay The three were arrested used them, following which Expressing concern over Vinayak and produced by the Tharayil, board member, and by the Banaswadi police on they attacked him. The po- the attacks on people from actor’s son Ramcharan Tej. Shobby T. Paul, Helitours Wednesday after the associ- lice have summoned Jerry to the north-east in the last The much-talked-about managing director, were on ation presented to the police record his statement. three weeks, she said: film, which sent collections WALTZING FANS: People cheer while coming out of a theatre in board the helicopter during a video taken on a neigh- “Between December 26 and soaring, hit a little over 1,000 Tirupati on Wednesday. — PHOTO: K.V. POORNACHANDRA KUMAR the maiden flight. bour’s mobile phone. ‘Racial attack’ January 7, three incidents of screens in India and abroad The helicopter took of The video grab shows According to Reena Ralta, attack on north-east people to packed houses. on screen. His fights still car- missed online bookings by a from the former Chief Security Of- North East Association Co- have been reported in There were reports of tick- ried the punch. Young ad- few seconds. Some managed Thiruvananthapuram air- ficer of ITC Cliford Wilson ordinator, the 23-year-old Bengaluru.” ets being sold at much higher mirers, who booked their to get the tickets through port at 9.45 a.m. and landed at (80), his son Carlton Wilson A video grab of the assault in youth and his friends had prices but the fans did not tickets in advance, felt it was their “sources.” the TDB helipad near the (56) and daughter-in-law Bengaluru. been facing harassment ever Police downplay incident seem to mind. The police worth the wait. Many said theatres were Nilackal Mahadevar Temple Lynn Wilson (54), attacking since Jerry moved into a However, the police were out regulating the “Chiranjeevi lived up to taking advantage of the hype at 10.15 a.m. the Mizo youth with an iron in Bengaluru. The incident house in the neighbourhood. downplayed the incident. crowds. our expectations and he and jacking up the ticket Talking to reporters, Mr. rod and threatening him came to light after he called Terming the incident a They said the accused and Whether it was could dance as efortlessly as prices. Joint Collector G. Gopalakrishnan said the ser- with dire consequences in the NE helpline and narrated “racial attack,” she said: the victim had entered into a Nizamabad or Khammam, he did a decade ago,” said Srujana said special teams vice was aimed at elevating the Akkayamma layout. the ordeal. “Jerry had parked the bike “verbal duel” over parking Karimnagar or Warangal, the Anil Kumar, a student of had been deployed to check Sabarimala to an interna- The youth, identified as “The trio has been arres- near his apartment and was the motorcycle and the in- situation was the same. Andhra University. the ticket fares in theatres. tional pilgrim centre. Jerry, works as a hairdresser ted and investigations are celebrating Christmas when cident “turned ugly.” For his fans, Chiru looked ‘House-full’ boards (With inputs from as agile as he did 10 years ago greeted movie bufs who Visakhapatnam) Talaq certificate issued by Chief Kazi Hope Island becomes graveyard for Olive Ridleys has no legal sanctity, says Madras HC Mechanised fishing boats are dealing the turtles a mortal blow as they come to breed K.N. MURALI SANKAR Ocean habitat. Records SURESHKUMAR gime. The Kazi Act estab- certificates remained the show 482 turtles laid eggs Such certificates, lished in 1880 was very clear. same since 1997. It merely KAKINADA: Carcasses of Olive here in the last year. CHENNAI: The Madras High issued in an arbitrary It had not vested any powers stated that “on a representa- Ridley turtles are washing “Owners of mechanised Court on Wednesday passed of adjudication with Kazis. tion of the spouse on a par- ashore on beaches here, boats are not taking an interim order restraining manner, cause undue “Even assuming that the ticular date, the talaq pro- indicating that the precautions to protect the the Chief Kazis from issuing hardship to women, practice of talaq in respect of nounced in respect of his breeding cycle of the turtles. Most of them are ‘talaq certificates’ (a certific- the petition said personal law is constitution- wife is valid as per Islamic endangered species has crushed under the boats ate validating talaq as per Is- ally valid, whether the condi- Shariat.” been dealt a severe blow and succumb to injuries,” lamic Shariat) till further tions for invoking triple talaq “As to what facts which this year by mechanised DEAD END: An Olive Ridley turtle carcass on Hope Island. — said K. Thulsi Rao, State orders. Ms. Sayeed claimed that were satisfied or not cannot persuaded the Kazi to opine fishing boats. PHOTO: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT project coordinator of the The First Bench of Chief Kazis were issuing certific- be adjudicated by Kazis. The to issue a certificate has not As these fishing boats EGREE Foundation that Justice S.K. Kaul and Justice ates recognising talaq said process can be conduc- been set out. Moreover, it scour the Bay of Bengal this year the numbers seem as the destination for a works to conserve flora M.M. Sundresh also clarified without following necessary ted only by a court of law,” does not clarify that the cer- coastline, there is gloom to be on the rise,” A. Sunil majority is Gahirmatha in and fauna in the sanctuary. that “for the purposes of precedents like reconcili- Ms. Sayeed said. tificate is only in the nature among conservationists Kumar, Forest Range Odisha, the sandy stretches The Fisheries courts of legal proceedings, ation. Sometimes, it was of opinion,” the petitioner and forest department Oicer said. of Hope Island of the Department tried to the certificate issued by the done without even the know- ‘Only an opinion’ argued. oicials that this year will Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary encourage the mechanised Chief Kazi is only an opinion ledge of the wife. The petitioner contended To this, the Muslim Per- be bad for the turtles. Perilous journey have turned into a breeding boat owners to fit a Turtle and has no legal sanctity.” “Such certificates issued that the nature of such certi- sonal Law Board submitted Though the egg laying The turtles, which are area for a few hundred Excluder Device (TED) to in an arbitrary manner are ficates were causing im- that it was willing to examine has not yet begun, protected under the turtles every year. their trawl nets to allow the Order on PIL plea causing undue hardship to mense confusion in the mat- the format in which such cer- personnel from the wildlife Wildlife (Protection) Act, A female lays 100 to 150 animals to pass, 10 years The Bench passed the or- Muslim women,” she said. rimonial proceedings and in tificate may be issued as an wing of the Forest commence their journey eggs in a pit dug by it ago. Of the 422 boats, few der on a public interest litiga- She said the Kazis, once the understanding by both opinion of the Kazi, so that department have spotted from the Indian Ocean carefully and leaves the have opted for the device tion petition moved by considered judicial authorit- the spouses as to the efect of there would be no ambiguity 54 carcasses on the shores during their mating season shore after covering the due to lack of sensitisation. senior advocate Bader Say- ies under the Muslim Per- such a certificate being is- on its efect. of Hope Island in just one in October and November. hollow with sand. Six “The device is not available eed seeking to declare that sonal Law, no longer pos- sued by the Chief Kazi. The Bench passed the in- month. “In the entire six- When they reach the Bay weeks later, the newly in the open market,” said S. Kazis in India, particularly sessed such powers after She produced some certi- terim direction pending con- month season last year, we of Bengal, the females lay hatched turtles start the Angeli, Deputy Director of Tamil Nadu, were not em- courts of law were estab- ficates to the court and poin- sideration of the issue by the spotted 152 carcasses. But eggs on the beaches. Even journey to their Indian the Fisheries department. powered to certify talaq. lished during the British re- ted out that the tenor of such Muslim Personal Law Board.

YK NOIDA/DELHI | THE HINDU THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 2017 NATION 9

Woman seeks apex court Cracks in NDA over Bihar permission to abort foetus Life hit as cold conditions human chain on liquor ban

AMARNATH TEWARY NDA constituents, had with severe anomaly voiced protest against these PATNA: A day after the BJP de- stringent provisions in the JYOTI SHELAR Supreme Court prevail in Himachal Pradesh clared that it would particip- new Excise Act during the directs Mumbai ate in the proposed human all-party meeting on prohibi- MUMBAI: The Supreme Court Water supply crippled as pipes frozen in Shimla chain supporting prohibition tion. Now, before participat- on Wednesday directed hospital to examine on January 21, cracks ap- ing in the human chain, they Parel’s KEM Hospital to ex- the 22-year-old and STAFF CORRESPONDENT ber Anurag Thakur slammed peared in the National should first express regret amine a 22-year-old preg- submit a report the administration for divert- Democratic Alliance (NDA) for calling the new liquor law nant woman carrying a SHIMLA: Extreme cold condi- ing its time and energy for on Wednesday, with one of stringent or Talibani,” he foetus with severe anomaly, tions again prevailed in the en- clearing the road for the Chief its constituents, the Hindus- said. He also apprehended and submit a report of its of the brain and skull re- tire hill State of Himachal Pra- Minister to reach his heli- tani Awam Morcha (Secular) that Chief Minister Nitish findings. The Mumbai resid- mains undeveloped,” said Dr. desh with the minimum copter, for visiting Delhi re- (HAM-S), saying it would Kumar “could use our parti- ent, who is a little over 23 Pikale who explained to the temperatures plunging below garding the disproportionate stay away from the event. cipation to justify the new li- weeks pregnant, has sought woman and her husband the freezing point in a number assets case along with his fam- In the human chain, said to quor law and make a public permission for termination about the condition and the of places. The capital town of ily, instead of restoring road be planned as the world’s criticism of our protest of pregnancy on grounds of process they would have to Shimla recorded an all time connectivity in the suburbs of longest, three Indian Space against some stringent foetal anomaly. The Medical follow for an abortion. Last low of minus 3.2 degrees on Shimla for essential services Research Organisation satel- provisions”. Termination of Pregnancy year in July, a rape victim, Tuesday night and the tourist like ambulances. lites will capture imagery Act allows abortions only up pregnant with an anomalous town of Manali froze at minus A number of Shimla resid- from across the State. PM’s praise to 20 weeks of pregnancy. foetus, had approached the 6.6 degrees. ents and local MLA Suresh “My party will stay away Earlier, during the 350th The woman, a resident of Supreme Court for termina- On Wednesday morning, Bhardwaj have even deman- from participating in the hu- birth anniversary of the 10th western suburbs in Mumbai, tion of her 24-week-old preg- water supply in Shimla was af- ded to hand over the water, man chain as earlier we had Sikh Guru Gobind Singh at was first examined in a nancy. After a report from fected due to repeated power electricity and road restora- called certain provisions of Patna, PM Narendra Modi private hospital near her KEM hospital, the court gave failure and as a majority of wa- tion works to the army as the the new prohibition law as had praised Mr. Nitish Ku- house, when she was slightly the nod for the abortion. ter pipes were frozen. The res- Icicles hang from a roof following heavy snowfall in Shimla on local administration has failed stringent and Talibani…since mar’s prohibition move as over 20 weeks pregnant. The “We followed the same idents were seen pouring Wednesday. PHOTO: PTI in doing so. The district ad- no amendment has been “inspirational”, a day after ultrasound detected a foetal procedure and approached warm water and heating up ministration here has just de- brought in the Act, how can the Bihar BJP unit announced anomaly but the doctor re- the court,” said Dr. Pikale, pipes to get water for immedi- Parts of Kinnaur, Lahaul- ment and local administra- ployed some unskilled work- we support the same and join its participation in the pro- fused to carry out an abor- confirming that the court ate use. Spiti, Chamba and Shimla dis- tions in restoring normality ers and a few machines to the human chain,” asked the posed human chain. tion. A relative then referred had directed the KEM hos- Some of the localities in tricts remained cut of for the after the snowfall last week- clear the heavy snow from the HAM(S) leader and former When reminded of this, her to gynaecologist Dr. San- pital to submit a report. The Shimla remained without wa- fifth day today as no road con- end. They have blamed the of- roads, which is not suicient, State Chief Minister Jitan Mr. Manjhi said, “PM ne geeta Pikale in Mahim. “By petition was filed by a law ter for the fifth consecutive nectivity, power and telecom- ficials for ignoring even the rued Mr. Bhardwaj, a local res- Ram Manjhi while speaking sharab bandi per nahi bulki the time she came to me, she firm that takes up such cases day on Wednesday . munication lines could be directions of the Chief Minis- ident. to journalists in Gaya. nasha bandi per kaha tha was 21.6 weeks pregnant. We as pro bono. The road conditions also restored. ter for an early restoration of Meanwhile, the minimum Mr. Manjhi also said that (PM did not speak on liquor did an ultrasound and found The case has once again worsened in the morning as The opposition parties in- at least electricity and water. temperature has touched the BJP should rethink its ban but against all addiction). a foetal anomaly. Another highlighted the need for the they became extremely slip- cluding the BJP and CPI-M The Chief Minister went to minus 11.4 degrees in Keylong participation as it had earlier Moreover, it’s a unilateral de- confirmatory ultrasound as- implementation of the pery and the commuters had a staged protests in the capital Delhi earlier has now reached and it was between minus 15 to opposed the prohibition law cision of the BJP to join the certained anencephaly — a amendment that was drafted tough time in reaching their against the lackadaisical ap- Kangra for his winter sojourn. minus 17 degrees in Kaza and for its stringent provisions. human chain without con- condition where a large part in 2014 to the MTP bill. destinations. proach of the State govern- Hamirpur Lok Sabha mem- Kalpa in Kinnaur. “The BJP, along with other sulting the NDA allies.” A 4-day trek in snow, for a decent burial Lalu Prasad to HC asks RSS to file fresh plea get JP pension PEERZADA ASHIQ we want is a decent burial in the end. What life are we liv- of ₨10,000 with Kolkata police for rally SRINAGAR: When 74-year-old ing if we don’t get a decent Muhammad Jan, a retired burial,” Mr. Rafi asked. PATNA: RJD president Lalu SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT Police asked to the commonality of the in- naib tehsildar, died at Srin- The body reached the nat- Prasad would get JP Senani take action as per terest of the petitioner with agar’s Sher-i-Kashmir Insti- ive village, Nutha in north Samman Pension of ₨10,000 a KOLKATA: Observing that every the aforesaid representations tute of Medical Sciences on Kashmir, on the night on month after he was declared citizen has a fundamental law within 24 made by another oice- January 7 due to multiple ail- January 10 for the final rites. eligible for it. Mr. Prasad’s right to form an association hours of receipt bearer of the Sangha cannot ments, his family members The pictures showing a application for the pension and hold peaceful assembly be ignored…,” the court said. were in a fix. line of people carrying the has been approved, oicials of its members, the Calcutta of application Senior oicials of the Kolk- With snow cutting of ac- body, posted on social net- in the State Home Depart- High Court on Wednesday ata Police said they had re- cess to their native village in working sites, evoked a sharp ment said on Wednesday. asked the Rashtriya Swayam- sion for the rally first at ceived fresh application from the frontier area of Karnah response from netizens. Mr. Prasad was a student sevak Sangh (RSS) to file Bhukailash ground in the the RSS in which it had asked — 287 km from Srinagar — DETERMINED KIN: Local residents and relatives carry the body of “Kudos to these brave people leader when Jayaprakash fresh representation before Kidderpore area and later at for permission to hold Mr. they had no way to take the former naib tehsildar, Muhammad Jan, through snow in north who on foot took the coin Narayan, popularly known as the Kolkata Police for hold- Brigade Parade Grounds. Bhagwat’s rally either at Bri- body of Jan, the head of their Kashmir. — PHOTO: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT on their shoulders. This is JP, launched “Sampoorna ing Makar Sankranti Utsav The court asked the RSS gade Parade grounds or family, home. really a stunning example Kranti” (total revolution) in addressed by RSS chief Mo- representatives to file a fresh Bhukailash ground in the we were waiting to know if over phone from Karnah. and shame for the govern- 1974 and was jailed under han Bhagwat in the city. application because of cer- Kidderpore area of Kolkata. No chopper the government could make The toughest task was to ment at the district and sub- MISA (Maintenance of In- Disposing of a writ peti- tain technical discrepancies “The police will reply to With no other go, they car- any arrangement like a chop- cross the Sadhna Pass. “The district level,” wrote G.M. ternal Security Act). tion, Justice Joymalya Bagchi in their request, such as it the application in 24 hours,” a ried his body for four days per. Finally, we decided to wind was so chilly that it Bhat on Facebook. He will be eligible to get asked the police to “take was not made on the oicial senior oicial at the Lalbazar and crossed the avalanche- send a team of 70 people would turn the faces of men Meanwhile, chairman, Le- the pension as per the prompt action in accordance letter pad of the RSS. police headquarters said. prone Sadhna Pass, situated from the village to trek the blue. It was freezing cold. gislative Council, Anayat Ali, amended scheme intro- with law within 24 hours “It is true that the peti- Biplab Roy, RSS Pranta at a height of around 10,000 Ganah-Khooni Nallah to Our men stood there from on Wednesday directed the duced in 2015. Those who from the receipt of such ap- tioner has not made the Prachar Pramukh of Dakshin feet. They trudged through ferry the body from the other morning till evening on Janu- government to provide heli- were jailed for 1 to 6 months plication.” Representatives aforesaid representations Banga (South Bengal), told more than six-feet snow. side of the avalanche-prone ary 10 to receive the body,” copter service to far-flung will get a pension of ₨5,000 of the RSS made an applica- while one of the oice-bear- The Hindu that the organisa- “It was a harrowing ordeal. Sadhna Pass,” Master said Mr. Rafi. and remote areas in view of and those jailed for over six tion on December 28 and ers of the unit attached to the tion was determined to hold The body was first kept in Muhammad Rafi, a close rel- The villagers and relatives the closure of roads due to months will receive ₨10,000 January 5 to police authorit- said Sangha had made such the rally on January 14 under the police control room as ative of Jan, told The Hindu trekked more than 25 km. “All heavy snowfall. pension a month. — PTI ies for granting the permis- representations. However, any circumstances. Saudi Arabia hikes India’s Haj quota by 34,500

NEW DELHI: Saudi Arabia has in- 1988. The increase will be ef- creased India’s annual Haj fective from the current year. quota by 34,500, a move wel- Five years ago, the Saudi comed by the NDA govern- authorities slashed quotas ment as “a matter of for foreign pilgrims from pleasure”. each country by 20 per cent Union Minister Mukhtar considering the devotees’ Abbas Naqvi and Saudi Ara- safety as they undertook ex- bia’s Haj and Umrah Minis- pansion of the Grand ter Dr. Mohammad Saleh bin Mosque there. Taher Benten inked an Last year, 1,35,903 devotees agreement in this regard in from India performed Haj. Jeddah on Wednesday, in- Expressing pleasure at creasing India’s Haj quota signing of the agreement, Mr. from 1,36,020 to 1,70,520. Naqvi tweeted, “It’s a matter of pleasure that Saudi Arabia Big jump, says Minister has increased India’s Haj According to a statement quota by about 34,000.” issued by Minister of State The government started for Minority Afairs (Inde- issuing Haj applications pendent Charge) Naqvi, it is from January 2. The last date the “biggest increase” in for submission of applica- quota for Haj pilgrims after tions is January 24.— PTI NOIDA/DELHI 10 | EDITORIAL THE HINDU THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 2017 Elections are not a referendum The reduction of Assembly elections to a referendum diminishes the political competence of voters to decide what sort of a government they wish to be ruled by

proved the conditions in which they eke out aspirations. THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 2017 a livelihood, or worsened them. Elections Consider that in these elections, citizens NEERA CHANDHOKE give the man opportunity to draw upon the of a conflict-ridden Manipur will decide famous dictum issued by the Queen of whether the existing government, which Hearts in Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures sparked of another round of discontent by in Wonderland and declare, “of with their redrawing boundaries, deserves another Kejriwal A flurry of speculation erupted the very mo- heads.” The purely metaphorical act of regi- term. Or whether a plural and ethnically di- ment the Election Commission announced cide delivers the ultimate judgment on the verse society wants to be ruled by an ul- in Punjab Assembly elections in five States: Uttar Pra- capacity or incapacity of governments. tranationalist BJP that scorns diversity. Or if desh, Punjab, Manipur, Goa and Ut- an alternative world view forged in the heat hat Delhi was meant only as a spring- tarakhand. Will the electoral outcome re- Role of civil society of resistance by Irom Sharmila should be board for the Aam Aadmi Party was clear flect confidence or the lack thereof in State If there is controversy between the prince given a chance. even before Arvind Kejriwal was sworn governments and/or the viability of opposi- and his subjects, wrote the quintessential In Punjab in as Chief Minister in 2013. From the tion politics? Or can election results, it is liberal political theorist John Locke in his T suggested, be read as a referendum on de- 1690 Second Treatise of Government, and if The issues at stake in Punjab are equally start, the AAP envisaged itself as a nationwide monetisation? A Bharatiya Janata Party the issue is of consequence, the proper um- momentous. The once rich agrarian State is movement against corruption and for good gov- (BJP) win, goes the narrative, will settle pire is the political community. This is what trapped between two non-performing ernance. Even as he was talking of Delhi’s problems once and for all the acrimonious debate that democracy means. The question is not parties interested more in the privileges and with water, power and so on, Mr. Kejriwal saw him- exploded in the wake of November 8, 2016. whether the citizen has the right to engage profits of oice than in providing the pre- self as rivalling Rahul Gandhi and Narendra Modi, with and judge an elected government, the conditions of a good life. Now that there is a fighting corruption and communalism. But those Civic engagement question is how she arrives at informed and third party competing for power, the Aam who thought the party’s rout in the 2014 Lok Sabha Referendums are, of course, a ready and a reflective decisions on what should be done. Aadmi Party, voters might want to consider polls would dispirit its tenacious leader were convenient method of resolving incompat- This is an important issue, for if a citizen has whether they want more of the same, or ible opinions. Once citizens “speak” on an the right to publicly debate the limits and whether they should give “outsiders” a wrong. True, scaling up from Delhi might not have The question is not whether a happened the way he imagined; but instead of set- issue that has been “referred” to them, the the possibilities of power, she also has an ob- chance. debate is considered closed. Elections are, citizen has the right to engage ligation: that of acquiring knowledge on cru- Under governments formed by the two ting his sights lower, Mr. Kejriwal merely decided however, a moment, albeit a significant one, cial dimensions of collective life. There is national parties, Uttarakhand has witnessed to take the stairs instead of the elevator. The AAP’s in an ongoing process of civic engagement. with and judge a government. It nothing more destructive for democracy little but environmental destruction, polit- bid for power in Punjab is more an extension of its The proposal that State Assembly elections is on how she arrives at informed than uninformed and quick decisions on is- ical instability and corruption. There is no plan of action in Delhi, and not akin to the flight of can be reduced to a referendum on whether decisions on what should be done sue X or Y. All we will do is legitimise popu- third party that can guide politics into a dif- fancy Mr. Kejriwal indulged in while contesting the Prime Minister was right or wrong list leaders and arbitrary decisions. ferent stream. Is it not time for the forma- from Varanasi against Mr. Modi. A shot of realism evokes discomfort. There is, as we shall see, The site for the acquisition of political tion of a regional political party which is was what the AAP needed, and it came in the form a perceptible diference between elections ing of the Prime Minister. wisdom and competence is civil society, the sensitive to the contradiction between a re- of the results of the 2014 Lok Sabha election when it and a referendum. sphere of associational life. In this space, source-rich State and poverty among the hill Impact of demonetisation did poorly outside Delhi, Punjab and Chandigarh. Moreover, the assumption that a referen- civil society organisations inspire and sus- people? The region has thrown up one of the dum will validate a policy that has already This approach to a referendum is manipu- tain debates on the public good. A non-par- most innovative environmental movements The party won all its four seats from Punjab; the de- been implemented is conservative to a fault. lative and cynical. Can citizens arrive at tisan and non-hysterical media has a crucial in history. This is the precise time for the cision to focus on these core support areas, instead The United Kingdom held a referendum last reasoned and informed decisions on a role to play in the making of enlightened generation of innovative forms of politics of spreading itself thin, thus made sense. year on whether citizens wish to leave or policy announced three months ago? Re- public opinion. Social audits and report that respect the environment, give citizens Its proximity to Delhi was not the only reason the stay in the European Union. The measure puted economists tell us that the impact of cards issued by civil society organisations, their due and disown corruption that has de- AAP found a resonance in Punjab. The AAP could enabled citizens to influence subsequent demonetisation will be known after one or, which keep anxious watch on acts of omis- pleted resources and robbed people. position itself as an alternative to both the Shiro- policies of the government. They exercised possibly, two years. What is the point of rep- sion and commission by the government, In an India that has turned extremely con- mani Akali Dal and the Congress; it took the focus political choice. Ex-post facto referendums resenting election results, as and when they are of equal import. servative and rabidly intolerant, Goa has al- away from the identity politics of SAD, but spoke are in this sense meaningless. come, as a referendum on policy decisions? The identification of crucial issues, ana- ways stood out as a society that celebrates up for the Sikh victims of the 1984 riots in Delhi un- If the BJP does not win in politically signi- Moreover, the reduction of State As- lyses and recommendations by committed and thrives on cosmopolitanism. The spirit der Congress watch. The agrarian crisis, the drug ficant States, the policy of demonetisation sembly elections to a referendum dimin- activists contribute greatly to the making of of tolerance of other ways of life is under will hardly be rolled back. And the Central ishes the political competence of voters to political judgment. Votes cast for “this” or threat today. Extreme right-wing parties mafia, jobs and development issues are in the fore- government will not even consider resigna- decide what sort of a government they wish “that” candidate, in sum, reflect cumulative compete to take over, and hammer a vibrant front of the AAP’s campaign. But the party has been tion. Nor do we expect the government to be ruled by. Elections, unlike referen- processes of civic engagement. The vote society into compliance. Elections provide a handicapped by its failure to groom a regional headed by Narendra Modi to do so. That dums, are not an isolated instance. They should not be treated as of little con- chance for voters to exert their autonomy leader in Punjab. Mr. Kejriwal’s autocratic style of would infringe on the fundamentals of fed- represent a decisive moment in long-term sequence, or as a way of legitimising power. from barren politics that promise nothing functioning appears to have put of many in his eralism. But if the BJP wins in these States, civic engagement with structures, institu- The way a society votes echoes the way a so- but hate. party, as it did Navjot Singh Sidhu, the former BJP BJP president Amit Shah suggests the elect- tions, and holders of power. Voters have to ciety thinks, the issues it identifies, who it MP who at one point seemed inclined to join forces oral outcome will further bolster the stand- decide whether the government has im- thinks is capable of resolving them, and its U.P. held hostage with the AAP. While Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Uttar Pradesh, the cynosure of electoral Manish Sisodia asked voters at an election rally to CARTOONSCAPE hopes, is a State that yearns for a responsive and responsible government. But the people vote as if Mr. Kejriwal were the chief ministerial are held hostage by political parties that spe- candidate, Mr. Kejriwal himself has been wary of cialise in the creation and reproduction of projecting himself thus. The AAP would have liked caste and religious divisions. U.P. occupies to showcase its two years in government in Delhi as the centre of political imaginations, but its a model, but the frequent run-ins with the Lt. Gov- citizens continue to be deprived of basic re- ernor over powers and jurisdiction did not present sources that make life worth living. What a pretty picture. And while Punjab might be im- have identity politics given to the people of portant for the AAP’s national goals, voters are un- the State except symbolism? It is time that likely to look beyond their immediate life and liveli- they critically engage with modes of politics hood concerns in making their choice. The AAP that have divided rather than united them. Assembly elections in five States provide needs Punjab more than Punjab needs the AAP. opportunities for serious engagement with the parameters and possibilities of power. In each case, the electorate is confronted with hard choices. Does the electorate vote for more of the same, or for diferent styles of Farewell with politics that have made their appearance in some of these States? The decision demands a message prior reflection and debate. Let us not di- minish this exercise by conceiving of elec- ith just days remaining before his tion results as a referendum on the popular- stint in oice draws to an end, U.S. ity of the Prime Minister. Let us not reduce the significance of hard choices the elector- President Barack Obama addressed ate has to make by conflating elections with Wthe American people one last time in a referendum. Elections are a mode of civic a soaring speech that highlighted his administra- engagement, this proposition is of value. tion’s top achievements and warned his fellow cit- izens about rising economic inequality, simmering Neera Chandhoke is a former Professor of Political racial divisions and regression into intractable par- Science, Delhi University. tisanship. Although he will demit oice with one of the highest approval ratings in recent history, to get LETTERS TO THE EDITOR to the door he will have to step across the debris of the Democratic Party, which sufered a debacle in Letters emailed to [email protected] must carry the full postal address and the full name or the name with initials. the November general election. No wonder that the 44th President of the U.S. used his final address to NGO audit Martyrdom is not the only time to The video needs proper verification. to sustain in case enemy forces reach around our neighbourhood, it urge Americans to rebuild trust in democratic insti- respect or pay tribute to a jawan. That apart, the issue about the jawan its main cities too early in a war. should never make the mistake of tutions by reducing the corrosive influence of The report, “SC orders audit of 30 The many sacrifices he makes before having a poor reputation should not Cold Start aims at doing just that. underestimating and doubting the money in politics and breaking the logjams of con- lakh NGOs” (Jan.11), comes as a rude that should also be noted. Politics deflect the focus away from his Pakistan has always tried to negate Pakistani soldier/army in terms of gressional dysfunction through grass-roots activ- shock. The involvement of as many aside, if a soldier has to implore the allegation about the quality of food. this “geographical challenge” dedication, training and professional ism. Mr. Obama knows that the polarisation of the as 30 lakh defaulting NGOs in a Prime Minister to look into the issue The least that the government can through its eforts to gain “strategic competence. electorate turned even more bitter over his policy country where the common man has of basic daily meals, perhaps the do is to ensure quality food and depth” through the Taliban in Anand Basera, agenda. While there were a few areas where he to struggle hard to make both ends meal plans for him need a little other equipment and facilities to our Afghanistan, or separatists in Gurgaon meet is condemnable. Many NGOs relooking into. This isn’t asking for jawans who work in extremely harsh Kashmir and in Punjab. India faced relatively less resistance from Capitol Hill, in- proclaim themselves to be the moral much. Coupled with unforgiving situations. preparing a war doctrine such as cluding his aggressive positions on drone warfare guardians of society and come up weather conditions, working on an “Cold Start” is just to exploit this Right to space, dignity and domestic mass surveillance, his most seminal K.R. Jayaprakash Rao, with programmes that they want us empty stomach cannot be pleasant. Mysuru vulnerability of its nemesis. Thus it The sexual assault on women and policy achievement, the passage into law of the Af- to contribute to. The mysterious part J.S. Acharya, is not an aggressive posture but a objectification of women are not the fordable Care Act, was only by a sliver of a majority. in all this is that there is no proper Hyderabad On the Cold Start military necessity. The article rightly result of sudden moral degradation And he was rebufed on agenda points closest to his machinery in the country to lawfully points out that India lacks materiel of men of the 21st century heart, including common sense gun control reform. regulate their activities and The message by the brave soldier, There shouldn’t be any legal, to test this doctrine. The (“Stemming the moral rot within”, Mr. Obama has built an impressive legacy span- spending practices. There needs to Tej Bahadur Yadav, shows that there political or even moral obligation on government should expedite the Jan.11). ning domestic and foreign policy. Inheriting an be a law to see that NGOs do not could be corruption prevalent in our the government or on the armed acquisitions of arms. They are centuries-old problems economy buckling under a severe economic reces- escape the tax net. defence food stores, with soldiers forces to clarify what precisely is its Shashank Jain, prevailing in India. What has being served poor quality food. If he military doctrine to the international New Delhi changed is the attitude and sion, he sprang into action early on in his first term S. Chidambaresa Iyer, Chennai has been driven into uploading a community, by elucidating its sensitivity of women in recent and passed numerous pieces of legislation to buoy video clip, it could also reflect the operational and strategic objectives When dealing with or discussing decades towards continued sexual the sinking assets of American enterprise. As he insensitivity of oicers towards their (“Taking ‘Cold Start’ out of the Pakistan, it needs to be dealt with on violence, within homes and in public pointed out in his speech, today the unemployment A jawan’s complaint juniors. Further, it is baling that freezer”, Jan.11). In fact, the two distinct planes — one civilian places. Now the “sufering and rate is near a ten-year low and the U.S. economy is It is most unfortunate that “bad even before the findings of the probe ambiguity regarding this and use of and the other military. In the first, bearing in silence” attitude of the growing again. In foreign policy Mr. Obama was food” for a BSF jawan is creating by the BSF are made known, senior “bold euphemisms” serve the there is no comparison between the previous decades’ women has justified in claiming points for the Iran nuclear tremors (“BSF shifts jawan as video oicers have transferred him with purpose of the doctrine to be an two countries in any field, be it disappeared. It includes even agreement; on his watch Cuba was finally brought post on bad food goes viral”, Jan.11). the reasons attributed being far from efective deterrent and an industrial, economic, financial or uneducated and rural women. The in from the cold, and the death of Osama bin Laden Whatever may be the grievances on convincing. Is serving our soldiers imperative to national security. institutional. Coming to the military empowered women of today are both sides, there is a need for an nutritious food too much to ask for? Apparently, the doubt regarding the front, there are some hard facts. On aware of their rights to live with closed the page on a turbulent chapter of terror on inquiry without bias and measures K.R. Srinivasan, capability of India to execute such a the face of it our strength looks dignity, provision of laws to protect U.S. soil. Mr. Obama, however, was less efective in being taken to improve the food Secunderabad doctrine, if it exists, is also lucrative almost double and thus impressive, them and they have the support of détente with Russia and China, and his relatively supplies of jawans. Though there to this end goal. Anyhow there is no but considering our size in area and the media, NGOs and parents to soft approach imbued them with the impunity to might be some deficiencies either in It needs great courage for a jawan ambiguity that the doctrine, population, the edge is rather expose culprits. The solution lies challenge Washington across multiple arenas. Yet it the quality of food supplied or in the who is used to taking orders his regardless of the degree of insignificant. not in making a few more new laws is not so much the score that Mr. Obama gets for his living conditions of our jawans who entire career to speak the truth ofensiveness, will only be exercised The Indian armed forces have been but in the type of upbringing boys achievements and failures that he will be re- work in adverse conditions, the about the plight he and his fellow as a retaliatory expedient. There is dogged by a number of have at home, imparting moral membered for as much as the man that he was. The jawan in question could have soldiers face while guarding our nothing to worry here for peace- controversies concerning arms values at the school level, a U.S.’s first African-American president will be re- exercised more judgment in borders. One does not miss the loving nations. purchase which has resulted in a sensitised police force, a quick membered as a thoughtful Commander-in-Chief, a uploading the video. The situation attempts by “powerful superior Sreerag Raman Sreenivasan, virtual blank in arms acquisition, justice delivery system and strict now could lead to some sort of oicers” to discredit him. It is sad Thiruvananthapuram impacting the drive towards control over film-makers who leader who strived to provide a progressive tem- negative feeling which is not a good that our jawans have to survive on modernisation. No such portray women characters as sex plate for being, and a man of the 21st century who sign for security forces and the substandard food while protecting The vulnerability of Pakistan stems controversies come to mind when objects and as those who will bear was as comfortable with social media and popular government. our borders. The government must not from the so-called aggressive referring to Pakistan. all sorts of assault on their dignity culture as he was sensitive to searing pain of vic- J.P. Reddy, spare the whistle-blower. posture of India but due to the fact While India may take the liberty of and character. tims of gun crime or racial hate. He will be missed. Nalgonda, Telangana G. David Milton, that it is a “geographically narrow” shrugging of the military Rameeza A. Rasheed, Maruthancode, Tamil Nadu country which would find it diicult capabilities of many militaries Chennai

CM ND-ND YK NOIDA/DELHI | THE HINDU THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 2017 PERSPECTIVE 11

POLICY WATCH The Champaran example Fifty days later Gandhi’s movement, a century ago, was a political campaign operating in a more hostile The first 50 days up, it was expected that Prime Minister Nar- environment than today’s. Yet it brought lasting reform without alienating the opposition endra Modi would shed secrecy and publicise the achieve- ments of the demonetisation exercise. Escalation in the war against black money and corruption seemed imminent. The peg of every great rumour, while he uses country waited for another 1991 moment, when, following a his personal influence, which is great, in PUJA crisis, Manmohan Singh had meticulously steered the eco- SANDEEP BHARDWAJ the direction of moderation”. MEHRA nomy on to a new trajectory. Essentially, Gandhi managed to bring Mr. Modi’s new year-eve address to the nation, marking the the public mood to a simmer and then expiry of the first 50 days, however, contained none of this. He announced a put his hand firmly on the lid. An out- relief package for senior citizens, women, farmers and small businesses, es- That 2016 was a year of divisiveness and right rebellion would have only brought sentially those the demonetisation has hit hard. Instead of reform, Mr. Modi destructive politics is no overstatement. on government repression and, at any had chosen relief. In India, the year began with the nation rate, damaged planter-peasant relation- Usually relief is provided against calamities, accidents, disasters or eco- divided over the patriotic credentials of ship in the long run. On the other hand, nomic slowdown. Relief for coping with government policy is rare. If a a handful of university students and the current situation held the risk of go- policy needs follow-up relief, it may not be well thought out. Relief for en- ended with the public divided over a ing out of hand, but wouldn’t until during demonetisation sounds less like part of an original demonetisation complicated monetary policy. In Gandhi was around. The threat of a plan and more an afterthought. between, words like “anti-national”, movement was more potent than an ac- The cageyness, along with the giveaways, suggest that the demonetisa- “corrupt”, “despotic”, “fascists” and “un- tual movement. tion project has not proceeded as planned and, in the absence of measur- patriotic” managed to become part of able and demonstrable achievements, the government sought to buy time our lexicon. The tendency has been to Victory without vindictiveness and support with sops. Preclude, or at least postpone admission of failure. burn the house down to light a candle. It was the planters, irritated by the It could prove to be a mistake. One can be forgiven for thinking that the one-sided publicity that Gandhi’s invest- The government, for reasons best known to it, has been reluctant to di- only way to bring change in this environ- igation was generating, who started call- vulge how carefully it had planned the demonetisation ahead of the ment is to be more militant than the op- ing for a governmental inquiry into the November 8 announcement. Or the results it has achieved since then. position, hurl the worst invectives and peasant condition. The provincial gov- The exercise was presented as decisive action necessary to make long- destroy long-term relationships to gain ernment, reluctant at first, had to even- term economic gains, even if at the cost of short-term pain — a project in immediate political goals. tually give in. In June, a commission was nation-building. Inconveniences and However, there is always space for announced which included Gandhi as losses endured are to rid the foresee- Hopes for a new wave of constructive politics — one that doesn’t the representative of the peasants. able future of corruption and black liberalisation have receded. treat the opposition as the enemy, and The appointment of the commission money. By design, the impact of de- one that tries to bring about change was only a half-victory. Gandhi knew monetisation on such goals will have The Union Budget is without damaging social harmony. To that without the acquiescence of the to be postponed to the (undefined) expected to shun reforms seek an example, it may be instructive to planters, its recommendations would future. and renew populism revisit Mahatma Gandhi’s Champaran have little weight. He emphasised that But we don’t need to consult the fu- movement of a hundred years ago. It was the commission should limit its scope ture to understand whether the call to go ahead with the demonetisation a political campaign operating in an en- lest it end up being too anti-planter. He was a calculated risk backed by sound analyses or a reckless experiment. vironment much more hostile than also used the commission deliberations The story has begun to unfold. today’s, yet it not only brought lasting re- as a platform for negotiations, at times form but also managed to do so without inviting planters to the table to make A rushed decision, clearly alienating the opposition. IT WAS SUBTLE: “Our nationalist mythology has painted the Champaran movement specific deals on thornier issues. Cru- Evidence from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is becoming available. as an outright revolt against an oppressive colonial government and business cially, some aspects of the commission There are a few replies to RTIs and a parliamentary committee with which Taking everyone along interests. But in fact, there never was a Champaran movement as such.” The recommendations were already agreed reconstruction of the demonetisation decisions is now possible. Our nationalist mythology has picture, a still from the film “Gandhi”, shows the Mahatma, played by Ben Kingsley, upon by the planters even before the The RBI received a letter from the government on November 7. This let- painted the Champaran movement as an at Champaran. — PHOTO: THE HINDU PHOTO ARCHIVES commission had finished its report. ter contained advice from the government for the RBI to withdraw the legal outright revolt against an oppressive co- In October, the commission recom- tender of the ₨500 and ₨1,000 notes in circulation. The stated objectives lonial government and business in- Gandhi’s success came trict Magistrate suggesting that the po- mended abolishment of the forced in- were threefold: mitigation of counterfeiting, terror financing and black terests. But in fact, there never was a licemen who had been following him digo cultivation, a major victory for the money. The government advised the RBI to place these matters of immedi- Champaran movement as such. Gandhi without a single protest might as well come forward and assist peasants. But it also allowed planters acy before its Board for consideration. did not organise protest marches, no- march, a single anti-planter him in his tasks. His reasonableness was some face-saving relief. Resultantly, in- The Board met the subsequent afternoon. It was working on depleted rent campaigns, strikes, satyagraha or speech or even an editorial earnest enough to earn him the grudging stead of opposing the recommendation strength. Due to vacancies, just 3 of the 10 independent members attended civil disobedience in Champaran. Rather respect of local oicials, some of whom in unison, planters were divided and the all-important November 8 meeting of the RBI Board. Governor Urijit than inciting an open rebellion against criticising the government ended up convinced of his “good their political party, Bihar Planters Asso- Patel, Deputy Governors R. Gandhi and S.S. Mundra and two secretary- the government, he used the subtle art of intentions”. ciation, left in disarray. Eventually two level bureaucrats from the Finance Ministry, Shaktikanta Das and Anjuly political persuasion to bring about last- legal basis to arrest him. Apart from a Yet, at the same, Gandhi was also busy planters took each other to court over Chib Duggal, were present. ing change that was acceptable to all brief initial incident, the government shaping the latent public frustration into these reforms. The proposal before it was for culling more than 80 per cent of the notes sides. In Champaran, relations between pretty much let Gandhi operate with im- a viable political tool. Ostensibly, he and It was a momentous achievement, one in circulation. With full knowledge of the inadequacy of its stock of the new the government, British planters and the punity. The strategy was to give him his team were only studying the prob- that rightly catapulted Gandhi to the ₨2,000 notes that its presses had begun printing, the RBI Board stamped its peasants had been problematic for many enough rope to hang himself. lems — documenting hundreds of testi- helm of national politics. However, it is approval. Hours later, on the same evening, Mr. Modi obtained his Cabinet’s decades, primarily due to the oppressive However, Gandhi refused to fall for monies from peasants about their condi- crucial to remember that Gandhi real- approval, and by midnight more than 80 per cent of the cash in the hands of system of forced indigo production and the trap. Not only did he remain on right tion. Gandhi kept compiling these and ised it without a single protest march, a Indians was turned into paper. unfair rents. In the decade before side of the law throughout his stay, he submitting them to the government as single anti-planter speech or even a The RBI had received no reference, call for views or information from the Gandhi’s arrival, the peasants had tried also took pains to maintain respectful re- reports. He even insisted that the peas- newspaper editorial criticising the gov- government on demonetisation prior to November 7. One day is what it got everything from violent uprisings to lations with the local oicials and the ants continue with their obligations as ernment. In fact, Gandhi saw his work as to calculate the associated risks and potential unintended consequences. government petitions, but had failed to planters. He kept the government in- before. However, his activities ensured his contribution to the imperial cause: To consider the extent to which demonetisation could disrupt the eco- change the fundamental situation. formed of his movements and remained that the anger in the community begin to “by resisting the agelong tyranny, I have nomy. To weigh the costs and factors that might mitigate the potential pay- In April 1917, Gandhi arrived at the mindful of its advice. His first visit to the stir up. Parallel to his activities, many of shown the ultimate sovereignty of Brit- ofs. To examine if there could be alternatives to demonetisation. scene not to lead an agitation but with plantations was often to the planters, the local leaders began to agitate the ish justice”. Unless file notings in the Prime Minister’s Oice and the Finance Min- the stated purpose of merely studying who were invited to accompany him public in his name. The situation became istry can prove otherwise, the various written submissions of the RBI the problem. Suspicious local oicials during his interaction with the peasants. such that an oicial noted that “so long Sandeep Bhardwaj is with the Centre for Policy pieced together suggest that the demonetisation project was carried out in were eager to get rid of him, but had little At one point he even wrote to the Dis- as he is here his name can be used as a Research, New Delhi. haste and without application of mind. Possibly without a plan. Perhaps on a whim.

A failure on several fronts Since the government has not demonstrated results, it must at least come Missing the Asian tailwind? clean on its seriousness. It is answerable to the people of India on the rigour it had applied, the robustness of the process it followed and the priority it India should review relations with neighbours, focus on the economy and join the One Belt, One accorded to the honest ordinary citizen in the demonetisation scheme. Wars are not won by ducking. Nor are they won without battle strategy. Road to shape the ‘Asian Century’ The demonetisation experiment has betrayed the state machinery’s un- diminished capacity for corruption and its staggering deficiency of com- passion, understanding of the social and economic complexities, and duty with Russia recognising spheres of influ- and respect for the dignity of ordinary and entirely innocent people. ence in Europe and West Asia would While ordinary people braved the cash crunch and queued up at banks MUKUL SANWAL make NATO redundant, with implica- and ATMs for hours, in some cases for days, the raiding authorities dis- tions for military alliances in Asia view- covered crores in the rationed new ₨2,000 notes across the country. Far ing China as an adversary. from killing the black economy, as the suspension of at least four RBI em- Where do we fit in this realignment? ployees and arrests of various bank oicials show, the demonetisation has There has been a tectonic shift in the The primary concern of the U.S., Russia spawned new black markets — in banknotes. global geopolitical economy, to which and China in South Asia is the threat to The Prime Minister’s personal popularity cannot compensate for these powers such as the U.S., China and Rus- themselves from terrorist safe havens in failures of policy design, plan and implementation. The war against corrup- sia have responded. However, India is Pakistan, while India is no longer a tion and black money is already seen to have been lost. Essential for nation- yet to formulate a worldview even as “swing state” with the shift in interna- building is an overhaul of the system; there can be no shortcuts. Asia, after a gap of 260 years, is again set tional politics moving from containment In the days following Mr. Modi’s December 31 speech, hopes for a new to become the centre of the world. to spheres of influence. For example, the wave of liberalisation have receded. The upcoming Union Budget on Feb- Till 1757, India was the richest country U.S. Senate has both designated India a ruary 1 is expected to shun painful reforms and renew populism. The exper- with its wealth based on textile export: “major defence partner” to facilitate de- ience of the demonetisation was Mr. Modi’s first exposure to the system. India clothed the world. The choices we fence sales and provided Pakistan with Like many of his predecessors, Mr. Modi has converted to welfarism. made enabled the British to secure the nearly $1 billion in military assistance “Diwani” of Bengal. The loot oiled the conditional on action against the Puja Mehra is a Delhi-based journalist. Industrial Revolution (textile produc- Haqqani network operating in Afgh- tion), and brought about colonisation anistan while being silent on the safe and impoverishment. In 1950, India was havens for terrorists operating in India. richer than China; now it is a fifth the Mr. Trump’s policy shift considering a FROM THE ARCHIVES size of the Chinese economy. China will deal with China on trade as more import- soon surpass the U.S. as the largest eco- WEIGHING IN: “India’s investment in the Chabahar port is minuscule compared to ant than security concerns has import- nomy, and a young and digital India can China’s investment in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor ending in Gwadar.” ant lessons for us; focus on GDP rather overtake China by 2050. How do we Picture shows the Gwadar port site, in 2013. — FILE PHOTO: AFP than the NSG, Masood Azhar and the achieve our potential? Cold War military logic of a two-front (dated January 12, 1967) ities from global forces and technolo- For India, remaining conventional war. These problems will Recognising global trends gical innovation reshaping global polit- be resolved after we become a $5 trillion Chinese Army may struggle. In Peking itself, some The “Look East Policy” enunciated in ics, economy and society. Consequently, Pakistan-centric and ignoring economy and the leverage it will step in to end Red reports said Red Guards had made 1992 does not have much to show for it the stress remains on the military bal- trade cannot constitute the provide. Guard chaos it impossible for the Security other than the sale of coastal patrol craft ance in dealing with other countries. Re- foreign policy of an aspiring China’s national goal is to double its Ministry to function and at the to Vietnam. In the west, India’s invest- maining Pakistan-centric and ignoring 2010 GDP and per capita income by 2020 same time Mao’s right hand man, ment of $500 million in the Chabahar trade cannot constitute the foreign global power for which the OBOR is considered essen- The Chinese Red Army might Defence Minister, Lin Biao, might port, mooted some years ago, is minus- policy of an aspiring global power. tial. China is keen that India join that ini- step in to save the country from not be feeling absolutely cule compared to China’s investment of shifting to the U.S., as Mr. Trump wants. tiative, providing the opportunity to re- the chaos let loose by Chairman confident about his real hold on $46 billion in the China-Pakistan Eco- It’s now about connectivity In the global economy, digital flows are set relations. The Modi-Xi joint Mao’s cultural revolution, the Red Army. Mr. Mao Tse-tung nomic Corridor (CPEC) ending in The post-1950 world order designed now adding more wealth than goods and statement in May 2015 recognised the according to reports in Japanese appears to have returned to Gwadar, a port just 100 miles away. Des- by the U.S. rested on a “tripod” of rules services. As the U.S., Russia and China two countries as “two major poles in the papers from their Peking Peking after an absence of 40 or pite investments in Afghanistan, polit- with coercive power: global trade with have strengths in individual sectors, global architecture”. correspondents. They said Mao’s 50 days, the Yomiuri Shimbun ical discussions there exclude us. In dispute settlement, global security sys- their relations may well get better. We should become a partner in the Red Guard movement against correspondent reported from South Asia, only Bhutan can still be con- tem resting on alliances, and delibera- China is fast replacing global rules OBOR adding a “Digital Sustainable people in oice had gone too far Peking. The Chinese Premier, Mr. sidered to be in our “sphere of tions in the United Nations based on a di- with connectivity, the OBOR, through Asia” component, an area where we have and in some instances out of Chou En-lai, meanwhile has influence”. vision between donors and recipients. infrastructure, new institutions and in- global leadership,shaping the infrastruc- control. Mao himself might now assumed the role of a pacifier India now finds itself increasingly The re-emergence of China has limited tegrated markets. The massive invest- ture and markets around two nodes. We be afraid of the consequences. At among the fanatic Maoists and isolated in continental Asia. Russia and the ability of the U.S. in setting the global ment has been welcomed, with pro- should also see Pakistan-sponsored ter- the same time Hongkong reports their opponents, defending the Central Asian countries are linking agenda. U.S. President Barack Obama spects for shared prosperity. India alone rorism as a symptom of the domination indicate massive workers’ backing Chairman Mao’s latest object of their infrastructure to China’s One Belt, failed in writing trade rules for a re- in continental Asia does not support the of the military with the OBOR leading to for Mao’s group in the leadership hatred, Head of State Liu Shaoqi. One Road (OBOR), launched in 2013, emerging Asia through the Trans-Pacific OBOR, which spans more than 65 coun- strengthening of democratic control. meeting their long quest for a warm-wa- Trade Partnership, deterring China from tries, three-quarters of known energy re- There are encouraging signs that we ter port. Chinese investment is also at- claiming the strategic South China Sea sources, envisages an investment of $4 have begun to think strategically by bal- tractive to Europe, Malaysia, Thailand, despite the military pivot, and prevent- trillion and is estimated to cover two- ancing cross-border terrorism with CORRECTIONS AND CLARIFICATIONS Myanmar. With two-thirds of global ing the establishment of the Asian Infra- thirds of the global population and GDP. cross-border water flows and greater re- wealth soon going to be in Asia, can we structure Investment Bank by asking liance on endogenous cybersecurity and >>It was Sir Andrew Wiles who won the Abel Prize “for his stunning proof of China, rival or partner? Fermat’s last theorem — and not Sir Arthur Wiles, as erroneously given in the achieve our potential without being Europe to keep out. missiles. Participation in the OBOR and Diary Of Events–2016 supplement (supplied along with the edition of Jan. 10, deeply integrated into the Asian market? U.S. President-elect Donald Trump Mr. Trump is also moving away from treating the Line of Control as a “soft 2017). NITI Aayog has yet to develop a strategy election rhetoric notwithstanding, a military alliances to ramping up military border” will be the bold vision needed to laying out how India can become a $10- trade war is unlikely as both economies superiority based on technological lead- exorcise the ghosts of 1757. The Readers’ Editor’s oice can be contacted by trillion economy by 2032. Currently, restructure, with Chinese manufactur- ership, characterising the UN as a talk Telephone: +91-44-28418297/28576300 (11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to there is no national perspective on the ing — low labour cost — eroding, and shop, and could end up recognising Chi- Mukul Sanwal is a former civil servant and Friday); E-mail: [email protected] uncertainties, challenges and opportun- factories, using high-eiciency robotics, na’s primacy in Asia. Similarly, a deal UN diplomat.

CM ND-ND YK NOIDA/DELHI 12 | NEWS THE HINDU THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 2017

FROM PAGE ONE BJP MP protests SC dismisses plea for EC to hear SP factions tomorrow against PAC Mulayam accuses Ramgopal of conspiracy to split party and of being behind the ongoing feud head’s remark probe against Modi SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT OMAR RASHID Mr. Mulayam met Mr. “The Supreme Court referred to the Bofors case. Akhilesh on Tuesday in a bid NEW DELHI: The political divide ordered investigation, and He said public perception LUCKNOW: The Election Com- to chalk out a truce but the in the Public Accounts Com- on the other side the lower of corruption had virtually mission is set to hear the dis- stalemate between the two mittee (PAC) of Parliament court discharged the ac- ended the political career pute over the Samajwadi sides continued apparently has get deeper, with BJP cused,” Justice Mishra ob- of the then Prime Minister. Party symbol on January 13 because Mr. Mulayam re- member Nishikant Dubey served. The 1990s case, “There was such a cloud but before flying to Delhi on fused to accept the demand writing to Speaker Sumitra based on diary entries over this man that his polit- Wednesday Mulayam Singh that his aide Amar Singh be Mahajan against its chair- made by the Jain brothers ical future collapsed. once again singled out the expelled and that Mr. man, K.V. Thomas, for a of bribes paid, collapsed Hence FIR has to be filed. “one man” he believes was Akhilesh continue as party statement that the panel had due to insuicient evid- Investigation should be conspiring to break his party chief. to the power to summon the ence. The Central Bureau done credibly for the cloud and misguiding his son Chief As he spoke on Wednes- Prime Minister. of Investigation’s role was to go away. Otherwise pub- Minister Akhilesh Yadav to day, he expressed his disap- The January 10 letter says criticised and the Central lic perception will not rebel. pointment with his son, it was a unilateral statement. Vigilance Commission was change. Have you not In an emotional speech at whom he urged “not to drag” “Such an announcement is given supervisory powers heard: ‘Be you ever so high, the party headquarters here, himself into the dispute. wrong and unethical and over the investigative the law is above all’. The Mr. Mulayam blamed his “Akhilesh Yadav is CM and against laid out parliament- agency. law is equal for all, even if cousin Ramgopal Yadav for will be the next Chief Minis- ary procedure and your “If somebody creates a he is PM or CM. What is conspiring to split the SP and ter. Then why are you [Speaker’s] directions,” he document that I have paid this fear that an investiga- being behind the ongoing [Akhilesh] going to these said. money to the President, tion will make the Prime feud. people? What’s the need of a He resented Mr. Thomas’ Vice-President, a judge, Minister dysfunctional?” The EC will hear the two new party,” he asked. summoning of Finance Min- can an FIR be registered? In Mr. Bhushan argued. factions led by Mulayam- In what is seen as a last- istry oicials for a meeting that case anybody can be “He [Modi] should say Shivpal and Akhilesh- ditch attempt by Mr. Mu- on January 20 when they framed. All and sundry can all political leaders are Ramgopal on Friday. layam to win over his sup- would be busy with prepara- write what they want and making allegations against In what was earlier only porters,he recalled his tions for the Union Budget. get these people charged. me, and ‘I invite an invest- said in a hushed tone, Mr. RESOLVING FEUD: Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh interacting with mediapersons as struggle for the party. Mr. Dubey asked Ms. Ma- That is not the state of law. igation’ to clear [my name] Mulayam alleged Mr. his brother Shivpal Yadav looks on, in Lucknow on Wednesday. — PHOTO: RAJEEV BHATT “Whatever I had, I have hajan to intervene and ask Independent evidence is once and for all,” senior ad- Ramgopal wanted to form a given. What do I have now? I Mr. Thomas to recall his re- required to show that vocate Shanti Bhushan new party, by the name of tion. He wants to save his son ‘Ramgopal was “I understand your worry have only you,” he said in a marks. money was paid to X, Y and submitted. “It is the duty of Akhil Bharatiya Samajwadi and daughter-in-law. He colluding with a rival for the future of the party. sombre tone, pointing to the Mr. Thomas had, on Z,” Attorney-General a police oicer to register Party with the symbol, mo- should have come to me ... I The SP was formed after supporters assembled at the Monday, said the PAC had Mukul Rohatgi, for the an FIR and investigate doc- torcycle. Mr. Mulayam sug- would have helped them,” party in order to save many struggles ... I am Vikramaditya Marg the powers to summon Centre, submitted. uments showing prima gested that Mr. Ramgopal Mr. Mulayam said. his son and daughter- neither making a new party, headquarters. The support- Prime Minister Modi as it The writ petition filed by facie criminality commit- was colluding with a “rival Locked in a battle with his in-law from the CBI’ nor changing the party sym- ers promptly responded sits down to discuss the advocate Prashant Bhush- ted by a public servant. party” in order to “save his son over the ownership of bol. I am standing here today with slogans of “Mulayam monetary policy following an’s client and NGO, Com- That is the clear proposi- son, Akshay Yadav, MP, and the SP, which turned 25 re- He airmed he would try to to say that I don’t want the Singh zindabad,” “Hum tum- demonetisation. mon Cause, had produced tion of law,” Mr. Bhushan daughter-in-law from the cently, Mr. Mulayam accused keep the party united “at any party to split,” the former hare saath hai” (We are with “We have the powers to “random” Excel sheets, e- added. CBI”. “I know who met the the Akhilesh camp of trying cost” and assured supporters U.P. Chief Minister said. He you) and “jeevan bhar ra- summon anyone, be it Prime mails and other documents Mr. Prashant Bhushan al- president of another party to break the party and at- he was going to Delhi to said he had given all his time henge” (We’ll remain with Minister or even Ministers,” allegedly recovered during leged that a particular di- thrice. I have all the informa- tempting to form a new one. “save our cycle”. for the unity of the party. you lifelong). he said. raids at Aditya Birla and ary entry among the Birla Sahara group oices in 2013 papers shows a bribe of Rs. and 2014 as evidence. One 25 crore allegedly paid to of the documents, the peti- “Gujarat CM.” tion alleged, contained a When queried by IT oi- Tax break for parties legal, says SC cryptic entry — ‘Gujarat cials, the Birla employee in CM’ — believed to be a ref- question said ‘Gujarat CM’ LEGAL CORRESPONDENT was up to the government of they file their Income Tax re- erence to Mr. Modi. meant ‘Gujarat Alkali and the day to decide what tax re- turns every assessment Mr. Bhushan, in his turn, Chemicals.’ NEW DELHI: The Supreme gime they need to impose. year,” the petition said. Court on Wednesday said political parties require Challenges I-T Act Cause of action donations from followers to The Bench did not find Mr. Sharma said the cause ‘Demonetisation has project their political ideas any merit with a writ petition of action for his petition and represent the people. It filed by advocate M.L. arose when the Finance Sec- dismissed a petition seeking Sharma challenging certain retary on December 16 de- ruined economy’ to lift “100 per cent tax ex- provisions in the Income Tax clared that no investigation emption” granted to political Act and the Representation would be done against polit- Mr. Rahul Gandhi asked parties. of the People Act. Mr. ical party accounts and fund- party workers to tell people BJP dubs it a “Every political party Sharma had challenged the Court says parties need ing upon depositing of old that if they had been comedy show needs funds to project their constitutionality of Section donations from followers. demonetisation notes owing rendered jobless, they were political regime and politic- 13A of the I-T Act of 1961 and to the 100 per cent tax ex- still guaranteed 100 days’ NEW DELHI: The BJP reacted ally represent the people Section 29 of the Representa- emption from tax. emption . work under the sharply to Congress leader who follow them,” a three- tion of the People Act, 1951. “Political parties re- “This is a financial and life MGNREGA and that no Rahul Gandhi’s attack on judge Bench led by Chief The petition asked the apex gistered with the Election injury to the citizen of India. one could take away their Prime Minister Narendra Modi Justice of India J.S. Khehar court to decide why ordinary Commission of India are 100 If it is not quashed, it will be land without paying the and likened the Congress’s Jan said. persons are taxed while per cent exempted from pay- serious danger to the whole market price for it, as the Vedana convention on The court observed that it political parties enjoy ex- ing Income Tax as long as society,” the plea said. Modi government was try- demonetisation to a comedy ing to do. show. “Rahul Gandhi is Mr. Gandhi’s speech, de- indulging in frivolous leg- livered in a mix of Hindi pulling. It seems as though and English, were sharp in this isn’t a serious political Worst of note ban impact Kenya for enhanced Sushma fumes tone. But he sought to set event but Kapil Sharma’s himself apart from the ab- comedy show,” BJP leader as Amazon sells rasive style of BJP leaders Kailash Vijayvargiya tweeted. ties with India by stressing he did not hate — Special Correspondent yet to come: Manmohan Tricolour mats the BJP or the RSS, only its KALLOL BHATTACHERJEE ideology that the Congress SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT on November 8. Ministers KALLOL BHATTACHERJEE would eventually defeat. abh Bachchan starrer, Na- were kept prisoners till the NEW DELHI: Kenya on Wednes- And if the Congress vice- mak Halaal, to say, “Aapka NEW DELHI: Warning that the PM announced the demonet- day staked claim for Africa to NEW DELHI: India on president has often been toh lagta hai bas yahi sapna, worst of the demonetisation isation decision,” he said. a seat at the proposed expan- Wednesday threatened the butt of Mr. Modi’s ri- ram ram japna garibo kaa impact is yet to come, the Mr. Chidambaram ex- ded UN Security Council, visa boycott against dicule, he paid him back in maal apna (It seems your former Prime Minister Man- pressed surprise that the Fin- even as it supported India’s global e-tail giant the same coin, mimicking dream is to take away mohan Singh on Wednesday ance Secretary, the Banking campaign for U.N. reform. Amazon for selling his tone, especially his poor’s money while chant- described the note ban as a Secretary and the Chief Eco- Following delegation- doormats bearing the fondness for starting his ing Ram’s name)”. “disaster”, and dismissed as nomic Adviser had not level talks here, President Uhuru Kenyatta image of the national speeches with “Mitron” The daylong national “hollow” Prime Minister uttered a word in public on Uhuru Kenyatta urged India flag. External Afairs (friends). convention was attended Narendra Modi's “propa- demonetisaton in the past to intensify multilateral co- secured a permanent seat in Minister Sushma He also lampooned the by close to 6,000 of the ganda” that things had star- two months. operation and sought invest- the Security Council. Swaraj announced on PM, using a song of Amit- party’s top leaders. ted looking up. Manmohan Singh “This was the decision of ment in the agriculture, se- Strengthening India- social media that the Pointing out that the 7.6 one person clearly (of a man) curity and health sectors of Kenya ties on the multilat- company oicials per cent growth rate repor- ployment, agriculture and who says I am the Fuehrer, I Kenya. “Our cooperation ex- eral front, Mr. Kenyatta in- would be denied visas if ted a few months ago was the services sector. am the Leader,” he said. tends to the multilateral level vited India to engage more these doormats were Go Air flight makes already down to 7 per cent, The former Finance Min- Referring to a RBI note where we shall collaborate intensely at COMESA (Com- not withdrawn. with some rating agencies ister P. Chidambaram criti- submitted to the Parliament- on issues that afect our two mon Market for Eastern and “Amazon must tender predicting it would plummet cised Mr. Modi for pressur- ary Standing Committee on countries. For example, we Southern Africa). Reciproc- unconditional apology. emergency landing further to 6.3 per cent, he ing society to go cashless. Finance in which the central are both committed to re- ating, India invited Kenya to They must withdraw all said this belied Mr. Modi’s Casting doubts on bank said the government forming and strengthening participate in the Interna- products insulting our STAFF REPORTER taken of with 158 passengers boast of a rise in national in- whether Mr. Modi had con- had written to it, asking it to the United Nations Security tional Solar Alliance.. national flag on board. The pilot suspec- come. sulted other BJP leaders or consider demonetisation on Council. We will continue to Both sides sealed an agree- immediately,” said Ms. NEW DELHI: A technical snag ted a technical snag and Dr. Singh’s comments, de- RBI oicials before deciding November 7, a day before the work together on other is- ment on a Line of Credit of Swaraj on Twitter, and forced the Go Air Delhi-Bag- sought permission to return livered at a Congress na- on demonetisation, he said PM’s announcement, he said: sues that afect us,” Mr. $100 million for agricultural added, “if this is not dogra flight to make an emer- to Delhi, following which the tional convention on demon- available records obtained “In the past, there have been Kenyatta told presspersons. mechanisation. Prime Minis- done forthwith, we will gency landing at the Delhi air traic control declared etisation, comes amid fears through an RTI application diferences between the gov- The comments are signi- ter Narendra Modi said the not grant Indian visa to airport on Wednesday. full emergency. of a GDP decline. He said the did not mention any Cabinet ernment and the RBI but the ficant since Nairobi in recent agricultural mechanisation any Amazon oicial. We The incident occurred at The flight landed safely on consequences of a steep fall meeting on the issue. RBI has never been treated months has highlighted that project would open a new di- will also rescind the 2.45 pm, about 20 minutes runway 28 of the airport at in GDP “can be readily ima- “Where is it? There is no as a chhota (small) depart- Africa, despite its enormous mension of opportunities for visas issued earlier.” after the flight G8 155 had around 3 pm. gined” and it would hit em- record of a Cabinet meeting ment of the government.” size and complexity, has not bilateral ties.

Pakistan to renovate Katas Raj temple ‘Strategic partners’ are now dime a dozen Sharif inaugurates work, says he wants to establish a minority-friendly identity SUHASINI HAIDAR ficial list” of its strategic The latest one is cluding the India Africa partners nor had it “formal- business summit, but the last MUBASHIR ZAIDI the earth’s circumference NEW DELHI: India and Rwanda ised any criterion” for which Rwanda, though India Indian dignitary to visit from here. announced a strategic part- a country qualifies for the does not maintain a Rwanda was the then Minis- KARACHI: Pakistani Prime The Prime Minister said nership after a meeting term. “Sometimes, we sign ter of State for External Af- Minister Nawaz Sharif all eforts must be made to between Prime Minister partnerships with countries mission in the fairs, Preneet Kaur, in 2012. visited the Katas Raj Hindu restore the temple to its Narendra Modi and Presid- or entities such as the EU, African country The larger problem, oi- temple in Chakwal district original glory. He had ent Paul Kagame at the ongo- without even fulfilling basic cials and experts said, was of Punjab on Wednesday to directed the chairman of ing Vibrant Gujarat summit commitments on annual tegic’ interests India has in that “really important” stra- inaugurate its renovation. the Evacuee Trust Board to this week, promising to en- meetings with them,” the of- Rwanda at present,” said Sat- tegic partnerships with The work includes preserve, renovate and hance their exchanges and ficial said. ish Kumar, a former JNU countries such as the U.S., installation of a water expand holy places of tighten cooperation between professor who has assessed Russia, France and Germany filtration plant in the various religions. them. But the move has No mission in Kigali India’s most important part- and neighbours such as Amrat Jal area. Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif being received by Mr. Sharif said there was raised eyebrows both within In the case of Rwanda, ex- nerships for a study on In- Afghanistan lose some value Mr. Sharif said his minority leaders at the Katas Raj temple in Chakwal district an upsurge in the economy the External Afairs Ministry perts say, India has signed a dia’s strategic partners by every time the government government was pursuing on Wednesday. — PHOTO: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT and his government had and outside, with oicials “strategic partnership” des- the Foundation for National associates a country with the a policy to establish undertaken development conceding that they have pite the fact that New Delhi Security Research. title that does not have the Pakistan’s identity as a “I am the Prime Minister that the foundation of the activities in every nook and “lost count” of the number of does not even maintain a At present, the Indian same strategic importance. minority-friendly country. of all Pakistanis ... be it a sacred site was laid by Lord corner of the country. such strategic partnerships mission in the Rwandan cap- High Commission in Uganda Oicials said the Ministry “Salam, Namaste, Sat Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, Shiva. Mr. Sharif said the The Pakistani Minister announced by India in the ital of Kigali. In the joint is concurrently accredited to was often asked to come up Sri Akaal and good Christian or [those of] any temple was over 5,000 for Religious Afairs and past two decades. statement issued after the Rwanda and Burundi, with “qualifiers” to add em- morning to all my brothers other religion. You are all years old and had been the Interfaith Harmony, Sardar Since signing its first stra- Kagame-Modi meeting in though Rwanda opened its phasis during summits with belonging to diferent equal,” he said. focal point of four Muhammad Yousuf, said tegic partnership with Gandhinagar, India said only mission in Delhi in 1999 and those countries. For ex- religions,” the Prime The Katas Raj temple is civilisations. Al-Biruni, his Ministry had instituted France in 1998, India has an- that it “is positively consid- has posted an Ambassador ample, India’s ties with Rus- Minister told a cheering revered by Hindus across Persian scholar and special funds for the nounced 30 such, a senior of- ering opening a resident here since 2001. President sia were referred to as a “spe- audience. the globe as legend has it polymath, had computed welfare of the minorities. ficial told The Hindu, adding Mission in Kigali”. Kagame has visited India on cial and privileged strategic that the Ministry had no “of- “I do not see what ‘stra- a number of occasions, in- partnership”.

CM ND-ND YK NOIDA/DELHI | THE HINDU THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 2017 NEWS 13 IN BRIEF Akalis fooling people on SYL canal: Hooda Shoe thrown at

Owaisi to launch U.P. VIKAS VASUDEVA terests of ‘Badals’ rather than party in the Punjab As- With the pro-Jat reserva- campaign tomorrow protecting Haryana’s in- sembly polls, but not until an tion outfit all set to renew the Badal during rally CHANDIGARH: Former Haryana terests on the SYL issue.” assurance was given by Capt. next round of agitation from MEERUT: All India Majlis-e- SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT Ittehad-ul-Mulsimeen chief Chief Minister and Congress The INLD’s announcement Amarinder Singh on giving January 29 under the All In- leader Bhupinder Singh to start the digging of SYL its share of water to Haryana dia Jat Arakshan Smiti, Mr. Asaduddiin Owaisi will launch CHANDIGARH: A shoe was its campaign for the U.P. Hooda on Wednesday said canal on February 23 was just through the Sutlej Yamuna Hooda said: “Everyone has a that with an eye on the com- another ‘political stunt’. “If Link canal. right to peaceful protest.” hurled at Punjab Chief Min- Assembly polls on Friday with a ister Parkash Singh Badal on public meeting in Kairana in ing Punjab Assembly polls, the INLD was interested in Mr. Hooda hit out at the the Shiromani Akali Dal resolving the SYL issue, they Demands assurance BJP government in Haryana, Wednesday here, by a relat- Shamli. ive of a radical Sikh leader Kairana was in news last year (SAD) and the Indian Na- should cooperate with the “It is clear that once the saying, “It was the BJP-led tional Lok Dal (INLD) were Congress in the best in- Congress wins the Punjab government’s slackness that during a poll campaign in due to the alleged “exodus” of Lambi constituency. residents due to deteriorating playing with the sentiments terests of Haryana,” he said. Assembly elections, Am- was responsible for last of people and fooling them Bhupinder Singh Hooda arinder would be the Chief year’s Jat stir. They [the BJP] Mr. Badal was busy in a law and order situation. Party public meeting at Ratta ofifical Shadab Chauhan said on the water-sharing issue of Court verdict Minister. But I will campaign tried to divide the society but the Sutlej Yamuna Link Mr. Hooda said the Su- decision in Haryana’s favour. in Punjab only when I get the people have understood Khera village amid election that Mr. Owaisi would be campaign, when 40-year-old addressing a meeting on Friday. (SYL) canal. preme Court’s verdict of in- It was now the responsibility assurance from him on the their game and are united Talking to The Hindu, Mr. validating the 2004 law of the Central government to SYL water issue,” he said. “I against the BJP now,” he said. Gurbachan Singh allegedly Parkash Singh Badal The party has already released a hurled the shoe towards him. list of 11 candidates for the first Hooda said: “They [the SAD passed by Punjab to termin- ensure that Haryana got its am a true soldier of my party The Congress leader said and the INLD] are hand in ate the SYL canal water- share of water. but it is my moral duty to the BJP government had The shoe first hit a security and second phases of the polls. personnel and then touched Akalis seek action The list includes Masiullah, who glove. ‘Chautalas’ have al- sharing agreement with Mr. Hooda said he was stand for the people of my failed to keep its promises ways been protecting in- neighbouring States was a willing to campaign for his State on SYL,” he said. made during the polls. Mr. Badal’s turban. is the party candidate from “There was not report of against DGP Kairana and in whose support any injury to the Chief Min- Mr. Owaisi is expected to speak ister and the accused was CHANDIGARH: The Shiromani Akali on Friday. nabbed,” Muktsar SSP Dhru- Dal (SAD) on Wednesday urged the Mr. Chauhan said the party got Electronic media man H. Nimbale told The Election Commission to take action permit from the local Sidhu to be Congress Hindu, adding that the ac- against AAP leader Bhagwant Mann administration to organise the cused is closely related to and Punjab Director General of Police meet. — Staff Reporter guidelines for polls Amrik Singh Ajnala — a rad- (DGP) Mohammad Mustafa for candidate in Amritsar ical Sikh leader. allegedly making “inflammatory” 4,500 saris seized PRAKASH KAMAT court, aspersions cast on The accused Gurbachan statements and trying to “coerce” SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT Capt. Amarinder said the the integrity of the Presid- Singh was booked under the voters, respectively. from truck party’s central leadership PANAJI: While extending the ent and the Judiciary, any- Sections 355, 353 and 186 of The party has filed two separate CHANDIGARH: FATEHPUR (UP): A truckload of Cricketer-turned had five States to look after, scheme of equitable time- thing afecting the unity, the IPC. complaints in this regard before saris, said to have been politician Navjot Singh which naturally led to some sharing on electronic me- sovereignty and integrity of “We see a larger conspir- Chief Election Commissioner Nazim purchased in the name of Uttar Sidhu would be Congress delay in the decision-making dia for the ensuing As- the nation, and any criti- acy behind this, as an early Zaidi who, along with other election Pradesh Minister Gayatri Prasad party’s candidate from Am- process. sembly electionsunder cism by name of any per- investigation has revealed commissioners, is on a two-day visit Prajapati, were seized here this ritsar (east) constituency in He ruled out ticket for out- State funding of recognised son. that the accused has been in to review poll preparedness in the evening, police said. the upcoming Assembly siders except where the Con- political parties through touch with Amrik Ajnala, State. State funding The police during a routine elections and would be join- gress did not have its own the free use of State-owned who is an identified radical,” The Commission also held checking stopped a mini-truck ing the party soon, Punjab strong candidates. television and radio, the At the time of General Mr. Nimbale said. meetings with representatives of which was on its way to Kanpur Congress president Capt. Election Commission (EC) Elections to the Lok Sabha Meanwhile, Mr. Badal said political parties, including ruling Slams AAP from Amethi in the Hussainganj Amarinder Singh said on on Wednesday released a in 1998, a new initiative for the incident proves beyond Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and police station area and found it Wednesday. . set of stringent guidelines State funding of recognized doubt that our opponents Opposition Congress. — PTI to be carrying around 4,500 “The delay in his joining, Navjot Singh Sidhu In response to a question, for observance in the political parties through have lost the game and want saris, police said. was on account of his profes- Capt. Amarinder reiterated telecasts/broadcasts. free use of the State owned to scuttle a peaceful, free and When asked, the driver sional commitments, which party was unconditional, his commitment to end the The guidelines said that Television and Radio was fair poll. “Here is a clear shed and confrontation,” he furnished a receipt in the name he wanted to finish before with no strings attached, and VIP culture in the State, telecasts/broadcasts on introduced under direc- proof that our opponents added. of Mr. Prajapati, they said, adding getting into the election said that any decision on which he said was the need Doordarshan/All India Ra- tions of the Commission. have conceded defeat in the Punjab Congress presid- the mobile number mentioned in gear,” he said, adding, “Mr. having a deputy CM in the of the hour. dio (AIR) will not permit The said scheme was sub- upcoming elections and ent Capt. Amarinder termed the receipt has not been traced Sidhu would be the party’s State would be taken by the “With police working on criticism of other coun- sequently extended in all were now resorting to such today’s incident and the yet. candidate for Amritsar AICC leaders at the right VIP duty, there was serious tries, attacks on religions or the General Elections to the disruptive tactics,” he said. stone-pelting on Sukhbir A case has been lodged and (east), as announced by his time. — Special shortage of constables in the communities, anything ob- State Assemblies held after “Behind such incidents, Badal’s convoy a few days the matter is being probed, they wife,” he said. Correspondent districts, which in turn led to scene or defamatory, incite- 1998 and General Elections are people who want to set ago, as regrettable, but added added. The Minister could not be Capt. Amarinder said Mr. On the reason for the delay them working 12-18 hours in ment of violence, anything to the Lok Sabha in 1999, Punjab on flames again, and that it was the pent-up anger contacted for his response. Sidhu’s decision to join the in the remaining tickets, a day,” he said. amounting to contempt of 2004, 2009 and 2014. push the youth of Punjab of the people coming to the - PTI back into the jaws of blood- fore.

Green light for Punjab and Goa elections Voters’ list in Urdu All eyes on Prashant Kishor BJP clears 29 names STAFF REPORTER PRAKASH KAMAT Ramesh Tawadkar in NEW DELHI: With the issuance of Hindi version of the rolls will KAVITA UPADHYAY notification in Goa and Punjab, be held as authentic. While the Bharatiya Janta cusing on that image shift. Canacona in south Goa has the formal process of elections MEERUT: As many as 46 con- Assistant Election Oicer, DEHRADUN: After observing the Party is faced with intense With Mr. Kishor’s entry, the PANAJI: The Bharatiya Janta been deferred till Thursday. in the two States began on stituencies in Uttar Pradesh, Bareilly, Abhijit Mukherji, pre-poll situation in Ut- infighting over party tickets, Congress is now looking for Party (BJP) Parliamentary Earlier, the party Goa elec- Wednesday. With this, the where Assembly elections told the media that a copy of tarakhand for the past few the Congress, on the con- candidates who could win Board in New Delhi on Wed- tion committee had not process of nominations in the will be held next month, will the Urdu version of the rolls months, Congress’s poll trary, is faced with a minor is- maximum number of seats in nesday evening shortlisted the two two States has now have voters’ list will be given to each strategist Prashant Kishor sue between Mr the 70-member As- cleared the names candidates while commenced. printed in Urdu as of the recognised and his team members from Rawat and the Ut- sembly. for 29 of the 37 seats sending the list to As per the schedule announced well. This is the first political parties. A I-PAC, or, Indian Political tarakhand Congress The diferences the party intends to the Parliamentary by the Election Commission, time that the State PDF version of the Action Committee, made president Kishore between Mr. Rawat contest in the Feb- Board. Punjab and Goa will go to polls Election Commis- list is likely to be up- their first appearance before Upadhyay over and Mr. Upadhyay ruary 4 Goa As- The rest of the on February 4. The last date of sion (SEC) has de- loaded on the web- Congress workers in Harid- ticket distribution. have now been re- sembly polls. candidates in the re- filing nominations is January 18. cided to include site of the U.P. CEO. war on Wednesday. “The major issue duced to seats such maining eight con- Scrutiny of papers will be Urdu — so far the According to While the Congress will here [in the Con- as Dhanolti, Tehri, Sitting MLAs stituencies will be carried out on January 19 and electoral rolls were sources in the SEC, fight the polls under Harish gress] is that of Devprayag, A party spokes- declared on candidates can withdraw from printed in Hindi and at least 30 per cent Rawat, the current chief min- shifting focus from Yamkeshwar and person told Thursday. the battle till January 21. English. of Muslim voters in ister, Mr. Kishor’s assistance the allegations [of corrup- Rudraprayag, where the presspersons here on Wed- The party is expected to In Punjab, five nominations were These 46 constituencies the State will benefit from would be of help, especially tion] that the BJP has been State Congress president nesday that these include 19 back a couple of Independ- filed on the first day on span 22 districts, most of this move. The SEC will en- when Mr. Rawat is facing a using against Rawat towards wants ticket for his favoured sitting MLAs of the party. ents and others in the re- Wednesday. Counting will be them in western Uttar Pra- sure that the staf deployed at CBI probe into a case of al- the developmental works he candidates. The decision regarding maining seats. held on March 11 along with desh, which has large pock- polling centres are well leged horse-trading of has done for the State,” a Mr. Rawat said, “Elections Speaker Anant Shet in The filing of nominations Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa ets of Muslim population. versed in Urdu so that they MLAs, sources in the Con- source said, adding that Mr. are like the game of tug-of- Mayem in north Goa and for the Assembly election and Manipur. — PTI But in case of a dispute, the can guide the voters. gress said. Kishor’s team would be fo- war.” Minister for Agriculture began here on Wednesday.

SC seeks Mallya’s reply on Diageo money BSF to ensure Russian spares to support India quality food LEGAL CORRESPONDENT advocate Robin Ratnakar banker Edmond De Roth- DINAKAR PERI OEMs to enter into long- two sides would enter into a David, informed the court schild (Suisse) S.A. as proof NEW DELHI: The BSF on Wed- term agreements for spares Memorandum of Under- NEW DELHI: The Supreme about Mr. Mallya’s claim that of the payments made to Sid- nesday came out with fresh NEW DELHI: Russia has with our companies. The standing. Court on Wednesday sought the Diageo proceeds was dartha Mallya, Leana Mallya guidelines for maintaining amended its laws, allowing ministry is now drawing up a “They will then give a a response from business- equally split among his three and Tanya Mallya. high quality of food for its long-term contracts for list of the OEMs, which are price catalogue based on man Vijay Mallya to a plea children. The aidavit said each of personnel along the border spares and support for milit- related to the platforms we which we will negotiate a fi- made by banks to deposit in them were “majors and cit- as the Union Home Ministry ary equipment supplied to have in service,” defence nal agreement,” the sources the apex court or the Debt ‘Gift settlements’ izens of the United States of directed it to file a complete India. This will address long- sources said on Wednesday. added. Recovery Tribunal the Mr. Mallya said the money America” and he had no con- report on allegations of sub- standing concerns on the Currently, procurement of Indian military largely nearly $40 million he re- was paid as “gift settle- trol over their Trusts or the standard food made by a sol- serviceability of the impor- spares is a long and cumber- comprises platforms and ceived from British liquor ments” to them in February manner in which they would dier posted along the LoC. ted equipment. some process as India can- equipment of Russian origin major Diageo Plc following itself, and was included in spend the money. BSF Director-General K.K. In the next step, India is not deal directly with the and a constant concern has his resignation as Chairman the statements of their assets This litigation is part of the Sharma on Wednesday met also discussing the possibil- OEMs but with designated been the availability of of United Spirits Limited in Vijay Mallya he had placed before the Su- banks’ eforts to recover Union Home Secretary Rajiv ity of Russian Original intermediaries like Rosobor- spares for them. To address February 2016. preme Court in sealed envel- ₨6,000 crore from Mr. Mal- Mehrishi and submitted a Equipment Manufacturers onexport. The change in law this, the two nations began A Bench led by Justice adjourned the matter to Feb- opes on April 26, 2016. lya. They had accused Mr. second interim report on the (OEMs) allowing licence- does away with that. talks for a long-term deal on Kurian Joseph gave Mr. Mal- ruary 2. The State Bank of In- In a counter-aidavit filed Mallya of not co-operating in allegations made by Tej Ba- manufacture of spares loc- Sources stated that once spares for five years, which lya, who is believed to be out dia-led consortium of 13 earlier, Mr. Mallya had the recovery process despite hadur Yadav on a video that ally by Indian vendors. the ministry verifies which would ensure quick delivery of the country, to file his re- banks, represented by senior placed on record a letter an order from the Supreme was uploaded on social net- “Russia has amended its OEMs supplying hardware of spares and support from sponse in three weeks and advocate Shyam Divan and dated November 18 from his Court on April 7, 2016. working sites. — PTI laws permitting lot of their to India are on the list, the the OEMs.

Banarasi sari sector fades, as traditional credit vanishes after note ban The ‘batta’ system of rolling financing has shrunk as money cannot be withdrawn from banks, and bearer cheques pile up OMAR RASHID to other jobs like driving against cash. This ensures cannot wait for the cheques battery-powered rickshaws. cash flow. to mature. He may set aside VARANASI: For already Cost of raw material — Business in the market is a part or take all cheques to distressed weavers and yarn, colour, lotion, etc. — much above capital the “batta” market, and get poorly-paid labourers in has soared. The entire available always and traders them exchanged for cash, the famous Banarasi sari production cycle has come pay weavers and producers for a commission. industry, demonetisation to a standstill. by bearer cheques, which The batta (discount) rate has come as a crippling “What will my family eat act as credit. The traders ranges from 0.5% to 3% a blow. if I use up the little cash I may themselves be month but may rise during Withdrawal limits of have managed to get to awaiting payments for festivals or emergencies, ₨50,000 on current purchase raw materials,” sales. The weaver uses the when weavers are accounts (around a tenth of asks weaver Akhlaq cheques, each less than desperate. the actual requirement in Ahmed, 48, who has three ₨20,000, in one of three After demonetisation, the trade) and falling daughters. Mr. Ahmed has ways. With good financial most of the few dozen business post-November 8 stopped production even as standing, he may wait to battawallahs in Varanasi have constrained traders he struggles to recover encash it after it matures. have shut shop as they are from paying weavers and dues. A friendly trader FRAYED FINANCES: Saris are made by weavers who depend on Second, he may forward the unable to withdraw money producers for saris in cash. ofered him some advance informal cash financing by ‘battawallahs’. — PHOTO: RAJEEV BHATT bearer cheques, which or encash the cheques. They are struggling to meet money. But most are not so usually have random They have stopped their own expenses. lucky. As they truggle to From production Banarasi sari industry names, to suppliers of raw accepting new post-dated The weavers and small make ends meet, the (weavers and small-time primarily works on credit material. bearer cheques. This has producers, starved of cash, prospects of weavers are producers) to marketing — a complex and age-old Third, if the weaver is halted the supply of cash struggle to purchase raw further hit by the paralysis (traders in Varanasi and system of rolling credit short on capital, has to pay downstream, afecting the material or pay labourers, of the local “batta” system wholesalers from metro relying on post-dated unbanked labourers and weavers as well as the many of whom have taken after demonetisation. cities), the trademark bearer cheques exchanged meet daily expenses, he labourers.

CM ND-ND YK NOIDA/DELHI 14 | WORLD THE HINDU THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 2017

Will Trump attend Silk Donald Trump assails ‘fake news’ dossier Road summit in China? Blasts U.S. intelligence agencies over reports that Russia has compromising information about him ATUL ANEJA

WASHINGTON: U.S. President- ference after being elected President-elect admits BEIJING: The high profile meet- elect Donald Trump slammed President. for the first time that ing on Monday between the country’s intelligence The interaction turned Donald Trump and Jack Ma, agencies for allegedly leaking stormy as reporters sought a Russia was behind head of the e-commerce gi- uncorroborated information categorical answer on the hacking of ant Alibaba, has raised anti- about his ties with Russia and whether any oicial from the cipation in China that the the media for reporting what Trump organisation interac- computer networks President-elect could join an he called was “fake news”. ted with Russian agents dur- international conference on “It would be a tremendous ing the election process. Mr. Mr. Tillerson said. He also re- the Belt and Road Initiative blot on their record if they did Trump called BuzzFeed “a fused to state his position on (BRI) that Beijing will host that,” he said about the intelli- failing pile of garbage” and re- recent sanctions announced later this year. gence agencies that obtained fused to allow the CNN re- by President Barack Obama “Though this visit [by Mr. reports prepared by a private porter a question. against Russia for allegedly in- Ma] was at the outset a busi- political consultant that sug- Mr. Trump, however, ad- terfering in the U.S election ness visit, it will no doubt gested Russian agencies had mitted publicly for the first process. help improve China-U.S. re- Jack Ma, chairman of Alibaba filmed Mr. Trump with pros- time that Russia was behind The incoming Secretary of lations. We are in fact, look- Group, in the U.S. earlier in titutes. Their reports also sug- the hacking of Democratic State said he needed to exam- ing forward to welcoming the week. — FILE PHOTO: AFP gested Mr. Trump and his em- Party’s computer networks ine the details of existing and Mr. Trump’s participation at ployees had secret contacts during the election campaign. proposed sanctions. “I think it the international coopera- Hangzhou. “This should be with Russian agents during “As far as hacking, I think it is important that those be tion summit on the Belt and of great interest to Mr. the campaign. was Russia,” he said, revers- dealt with on a country-by- the Road this May,” said Trump, as he tries to revive “A thing like that should ing his position that has al- country basis,” he said. Wang Yiwei, professor at the U.S. economy, including never have been written, it ways been sceptical of the in- At his press conference Mr. Renmin University, in a con- development of infrastruc- should never have been had telligence report that accused Trump dismissed calls by an- versation with The Hindu. ture.” The eWTP initiative and it certainly should have Russia. “But I think we also U.S. President-elect Donald Trump with son Eric Trump, daughter Ivanka and son-in-law Jared other Republican Senator Last month, China’s For- hopes to establish an open never been released,” Mr. get hacked by other countries Kushner ahead of a press conference in Trump Tower, New York, on Wednesday. — PHOTO: REUTERS Lindsay Graham for stronger eign Minister Wang Yi an- platform that brings together Trump said, calling out CNN and other people,” Mr. Trump sanctions against Russia. nounced that the Belt and private enterprises, interna- and BuzzFeed, platforms that added. respect for our country when this country by China, and his relationship with Russia “Lindsay Graham has been Road summit and a meeting tional organisations, govern- carried the reports based on I’m leading it than when other that’s because we have no de- and Mr. Putin at a Senate competing with me for some- of BRICS countries will top ments and social groups, fo- the intelligence dossiers that Message to Putin people have led it…. We have fence. That’s because we’re hearing for his confirmation. time. I hope he grows beyond Beijing’s diplomatic calen- cusing on small and medium were submitted to President Asked what would be his to work something out, but run by people that don’t know He refused to agree with Re- the one per cent [support] dar in 2017. “The interna- enterprises, and trade. Barack Obama and Mr. message to Mr. Putin, Mr. it’s not just Russia. Take a look what they're doing.” publican Senator Marco Ru- level that he has,” Mr. Trump tional cooperation summit Trump himself. “You are fake Trump said: “He shouldn’t be at what’s happened. You don’t Meanwhile, Secretary of bio’s suggestion that Mr. said, without directly re- forum on the Belt and Road Cautious response news,” he told the CNN re- doing it. He won’t be doing it. report it the same way. 22 mil- State-nominee Rex Tillerson, Putin was a “war criminal”. sponding to the demand for initiative… will be a strategic Commenting on Mr. Ma’s porter, in his first press con- Russia will have much greater lion accounts were hacked in parried questions relating to “I would not use that term,” further sanctions. measure to boost the world meeting, an editorial in the economy,” observed the Global Times, ailiated with Chinese Foreign Minister the Communist Party, never- during his opening remarks theless cautioned that only a Don’t take democracy for granted, says President at a symposium on Decem- mutually beneficial relation- ber 3. ship with the U.S. will work. WASHINGTON: In his final speech ident to the next,” he said, stage tonight even more op- country. In a clear caution Following the meeting in “[Mr.] Ma went to the U.S. in as the U.S. President, Barack adding that it is “up to all of us timistic about this country against the anti-Muslim senti- New York, Alibaba an- a bid to seek expansion, not Obama, urged his fellow cit- to make sure our government than I was when we started… ments and arguments for nounced that the group will to pay tribute,” it observed. izens not to take democracy can help us meet the many “Yes, we can,” the President American isolationism ex- create one million jobs in the “In modern times, economic for granted. challenges we still face”. said, reiterating the slogan pressed by Mr. Trump and U.S. over the next five years. cooperation must be mutu- “Our democracy is He also said race remains a that signified his 2008 elect- other leaders of the incoming Mr. Trump also efusively ally beneficial. An economic threatened whenever we take divisive force, a challenge oral victory. administration, Mr. Obama described his interaction partnership that benefits it for granted. All of us, re- American democracy has to Mr. Obama called for “a said: “Democracy can buckle with Mr. Ma as “a great only one side will not go gardless of party, should tackle. new social compact”, “to when we give in to fear... we meeting”. long.” The daily pointed out throw ourselves into the task guarantee all our kids the edu- must remain vigilant against “He loves this country and that “Alibaba's expansion of rebuilding our democratic Bouncing back cation they need; to give external aggression, we must he also loves China,” Mr. into the U.S. will revitalise institutions,” he said, prom- But such challenges before workers the power to union- guard against a weakening of Trump said. “Jack and I are U.S. small businesses and ising to work as a citizen for democracy were not insur- ise for better wages; to update the values that make us who going to do some great boost American agriculture, the rest of his life toward such mountable, the President the social safety net to reflect we are… That’s why I reject things.” He called Mr. Ma “a and in this process China a goal. said, and outlined his own leg- the way we live now and make discrimination against great entrepreneur, one of won’t lose jobs.” Mr. Obama stopped the acy of expanding health care more reforms to the tax code Muslim Americans.” the best in the world”. However, the daily, refer- large crowd when it booed at and nursing the U.S. economy so corporations and individu- The outgoing President Professor Wang high- ring to Mr. Trump’s contro- his reference to Donald back into life from the severe als who reap the most from said American democracy lighted that Mr. Ma is the ar- versial telephonic conversa- Trump, his successor. “In 10 slowdown it was in when he the new economy don’t avoid cannot be secure if it with- chitect of the Electronic tion with Taiwanese leader days, the world will witness a took over. Race relations are their obligations to the coun- draws from global fights to World Trade Platform Tsai Ing-wen, remained un- hallmark of our democracy: better today than they were a try that’s made their success expand democracy, and hu- (eWTP), and this proposal convinced that Mr. Trump’s President Barack Obama with First Lady Michelle and the peaceful transfer of power few decades ago, he said. possible,” in order to protect man rights, women’s rights, was accepted during the approach towards China was daughter Malia in Chicago on Tuesday. — PHOTO: AFP from one freely-elected Pres- “That’s why I leave this the democratic order of the and LGBT rights. G-20 summit held last year at mainly transactional. South Carolina shooter gets Rajapaksa opposes terms death sentence CHARLESTON (SOUTH CAROLINA): of China-funded projects White supremacist Dylann Roof deserves to die for the MEERA SRINIVASAN that his son Namal Rajapaksa hate-fuelled killings of nine currently represents in Par- black churchgoers at a Bible COLOMBO: Opposing the Sri liament — is recent, and study meeting in a Charle- Lankan government’s terms comes weeks after he vowed ston, South Carolina, a U.S. for a controversial Chinese- to topple the government in jury said on Tuesday after funded port and investment 2017. A known ally of Beijing, deliberating for less than zone in the southern district he initiated massive projects three hours. of Hambantota, former Pres- during his term, including a The same jury last month ident Mahinda Rajapaksa on $361-million Chinese-funded found Roof (22) guilty of 33 Wednesday said the projects harbour and an airport built federal charges, including displaced people and with a loan of $210 million. hate crimes resulting in harmed the environment. After going back and forth death, for the shocking mass Days after his meeting on its Hambantota initiat- shooting at the landmark with Chinese Ambassador to ives, the Sri Lankan govern- Emanuel African Methodist Sri Lanka Yi Xianliang, Mr. Ex-President Mahinda ment in October last year de- Episcopal Church in 2015. Rajapaksa said: “My request Rajapaksa. — FILE PHOTO: AFP cided to sell to a Chinese Roof, who represented is to implement the project company 80% of the $1.5-bil- himself and did not argue according to initial agree- 21 people were injured in vi- lion port in the southern dis- against the death penalty, ment without displacing olent clashes in Hambantota, trict, to tackle the country’s showed no emotion. people & harming the between government sup- debt burden. In his Twitter Prosecutors said he environment.” porters and locals who op- interaction on Wednesday, planned the shooting for pose the project citing Mr. Rajapaksa appeared months, intending to incite Meeting with envoy “takeover of private land” for careful in wording his oppos- racial violence by targeting In a live question and an- the industrial zone, in which ition, objecting only to the the oldest African-American swer session on Twitter, the China will have a major terms of the deal and not the congregation in the South. former President said the stake. Police resorted to tear Chinese investment. Roof did not present any Chinese Ambassador too gas and water cannons to “#China has always been a evidence during the penalty “had concerns” about its im- stop the clashes that took friend of #SriLanka. We phase that began last week or plementation. While local place as Prime Minister value their support,” he said. allow jurors to hear details media reports said the envoy Ranil Wickremesinghe par- Following his Tweets, about his mental health. had met him to seek a clari- ticipated in an opening cere- Cabinet Minister and Dunham said defence law- fication on his opposition to mony of the industrial zone, spokesman Rajitha Senar- yers likely will use the trial to the Chinese-backed projects, the Associated Press atne accused Mr. Rajapaksa show appellate judges that there was no oicial state- reported. of doublespeak, noting that mental illness prevented him ment on the meeting. Mr. Rajapaksa’s opposi- “he says one thing to the from adequately represent- Mr. Rajapaksa’s comments tion to the projects in Ham- Chinese, and another to Sri ing himself. — Reuters come less than a week after bantota — his home town Lankans”.

‘Gen. Sharif did not take China makes war with Japan 6 years longer 5 UAE officials among 57 killed in bombings BEIJING: China has ordered all orated the 70th anniversary militants step up a deadly govt. into confidence’ schools to teach pupils that of Japan’s Second World War winter campaign of violence. its 20th-century war with Ja- defeat with a spectacular The Emiratis were among 12 ISLAMABAD: In a U-turn, Mr. Rabbani had on pan lasted 14 years rather military parade in Beijing, people killed when explosives Pakistan’s Defence Minister Monday asked Mr. Asif to than eight, the Education with state media barely men- hidden in a sofa detonated inside the Governor’s Khawaja Asif on Wednesday brief the House on whether Ministry said Wednesday, to tioning the roles of other al- KANDAHAR: Five UAE officials said that former Army chief Gen. Sharif had sought per- “strengthen patriotic lies or the U.S. atomic bomb- were among 57 people killed compound in southern Gen. Raheel Sharif (retired) mission from the govern- education”. ing of Hiroshima and in a string of bombings Kandahar on Tuesday, while did not seek government’s ment or taken it into confid- Chinese textbooks cur- Nagasaki. Course materials across Afghan cities, the UAE’s Ambassador to permission before joining ence over his decision to rently date the “Chinese must all “fully reflect how authorities said on Afghanistan escaped the the Saudi Arabia-led 39-na- head the Saudi-led military People’s War of Resistance the Chinese Communist Wednesday, as Taliban attack with injuries. — AFP tion military alliance. alliance to combat terrorism. Against Japanese Aggres- Party was a tower of strength “Gen. Raheel Sharif did Mr. Rabbani had also sion” to July 7, 1937 and the during the war” and “high- not submit any application asked the Ministry of For- Marco Polo Bridge Incident light how the Chinese people RSF representative appears in court for a no objection certificate. eign Afairs to clarify what which heralded Japan’s full- were not afraid of ferocious There’s nothing in our no- would be the implications of scale invasion. adversity”, the Ministry said. ISTANBUL: The Turkey Sebnem Korur Fincanci and tice,” he said in response to the decision in terms of for- Speaking at a regular press representative for Reporters journalist Ahmet Nesin have Senate Chairman Raza Rab- eign policy and its efect on a New guidelines China has called for pushing the war against Japan back to briefing on Wednesday, For- Without Borders and two been charged with making bani’s query. He also said that decision taken at the joint sit- But new guidelines call for the Mukden Incident on September 18, 1931. Picture shows a eign Ministry spokesperson other campaigners appeared “terror propaganda” on in court on Wednesday, Gen. Sharif had returned to ting of Parliament not to be- all curriculum materials at memorial of the incident in Shenyang. — PHOTO: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS Lu Kang said the change behalf of the outlawed Pakistan after performing come part of any such alli- schools and universities would help younger genera- risking years in jail in a Kurdistan Workers Party Umrah in Saudi Arabia and if ance. Mr. Asif had said on across the country to push in northeastern China. the ministry said, adding that tions remember their past. high-profile trial, charged (PKK) after guest-editing he applies for the NOC, then Friday that Gen. Sharif had back the start to the Mukden The initial years of Japan- the change was intended to “I want to emphasise that with aiding Kurdish militants. pro-Kurdish Turkish it will be decided according taken the government into Incident of September 18, ese regional occupation and “strengthen patriotic to change this is not to carry RSF representative Erol newspaper Ozgur Gundem. to law, The Express Tribune confidence before joining 1931, after which Tokyo’s the wider later struggle were education”. forward hatred,” he said. — Onderoglu, rights activist — AFP reported. the alliance. — PTI forces occupied Manchuria “parts of the same whole”, Beijing in 2015 commem- AFP

CM ND-ND YK NOIDA/DELHI | THE HINDU THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 2017 BUSINESS 15 With GST, it will become very very SENSEX GOLD RUPEE BRENT OIL simple for the people to pay taxes 11-01-2017 27,140 11-01-2017 29,100 11-01-2017 68.25 11-01-2017 54.35 241 70 0.07 0.25 Hasmukh Adhia, Revenue Secretary 10-01-2017 26,899 points 10-01-2017 29,030 ₨/10gms 10-01-2017 68.18 ₨/$ 10-01-2017 54.60 $/bbl BRIEFLY World Bank cuts growth forecast to 7% Cut borrowing: RBI’s Rate cuts no panacea Patel exhorts Centre for loan growth: DBS Four reforms, including the passage of the GST Bill, can help the economy to rebound, it says MUMBAI: Rate cuts by lenders SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT after demonetisation are SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT These, it said, were the “Moderate inflation and a unlikely to help push up the low passage of the bankruptcy civil service pay hike should MUMBAI: Just weeks ahead of credit growth in the system, NEW DELHI: The World Bank and insolvency code, the lib- support real incomes and the Union budget, Reserve Singaporean bank DBS said. “It has cut its 2016-17 economic eralisation of FDI norms consumption, assisted by Bank of India Governor Urjit is being questioned if the fall in growth forecast for India to across sectors, the passage of bumper harvests after fa- Patel had a message for the borrowing costs will be a 7% from 7.6%, citing a slow- the Goods and Services Tax vourable monsoon rains. A government: ‘Pare borrow- panacea for banks’ loan down in consumption and (GST) Amendment Bill, and benefit of ‘demonetisation’ ing and spend on public in- growth...a sustained up move manufacturing due to de- the agreement between the in the medium term may be frastructure to improve pro- lacks conviction,” it said in a monetisation, an ongoing de- government and the Reserve liquidity expansion in the ductivity and spur growth.’ note. It elaborated that cline in private investment Bank of India on a monetary banking system, helping to In a speech at Gandhin- indications of a likely loan and credit constraints due to policy framework that in- lower lending rates and lift agar, Gujarat, Dr. Patel cited growth are “not encouraging.” impaired bank balance cluded the setting up of a economic activity.” International Monetary Despite a fall in banks’ lending sheets. monetary policy committee Demonetisation could still Fund data that show India’s rates in the last two years, the The Indian economy is, DEMONETISATION WOES: Currency withdrawal can slow reforms and agreement on a flexible cause major problems in the overall government deficit, loan growth numbers have been however, set to recover its and affect smaller economies dependent on India. — FILE PHOTO inflation target. short term, slowing reforms including the Centre and Urjit Patel “slippery” and added that the momentum subsequently, and afecting smaller eco- States, was one of the highest credit uptick has halved from 10 with growth projected to ac- in the third quarter of “A retrenchment of private Reform initiatives nomies such as Nepal and among G20 countries. ation of financial resources per cent in January 2015 to 5 per celerate to 7.6% in FY18 and FY2017,” the World Bank ob- investment, reflecting excess “Various reform initiatives Bhutan that are dependent “The level of our general and increased moral hazards. cent in December 2016. — PTI further strengthen to 7.8% in served. capacity, corporate delever- are expected to unlock do- on the Indian economy. government debt as a ratio to “Guarantees increase gov- FY20, according to the “Weak industrial produc- aging, and credit constraints mestic supply bottlenecks “In the short-term, ‘de- GDP is cited by some as com- ernment’s contingent liabil- World Bank’s Global Eco- tion and manufacturing and due to impaired commercial and raise productivity,” the monetisation’ could con- ing in the way of a credit rat- ities, and add to risk premia HSBC sets year-end nomic Prospects – January services purchasing man- banks’ balance sheets, also bank said in the report. “In- tinue to disrupt business and ing upgrade,” Dr. Patel said. for its own borrowing. Guar- Sensex goal at 30,500 2017 report. agers’ indexes (PMI), further had an adverse efect on frastructure spending household economic activit- antees per se, at the end of suggest a set back to activity activity,” according to the re- should improve the business ies, weighing on growth,” it ‘No short-cuts’ the day, have limited utility MUMBAI: Financial services Demonetisation impact in the fourth quarter of port. “For the whole of climate and attract invest- said. The challenges in phas- He said borrowing more in solving important sector major HSBC has set an “Unexpected ‘demonet- FY2017.” FY2017, growth is expected ment in the near-term. The ing out large currency notes and pre-empting resources issues,” Dr. Patel said. optimistic benchmark BSE isation’— the phasing out of This was further accentu- to decelerate to a still robust ‘Make in India’ campaign and replacing them with new from future generations by Sensex target at 30,500 for large-denomination cur- ated by other economic 7.0%.” may support India’s manu- ones “may pose risks to the governments could not be a Emphasis on inflation December-end, 2017, saying that rency notes which were sub- factors, the bank added, lead- However, four key recent facturing sector, backed by pace of other economic re- short cut to long-lasting The Governor also reiter- reforms like demonetisation and sequently replaced with new ing to a slump in the entire reforms could help growth domestic demand and fur- forms (e.g., GST, labour, and higher growth. ated that low and stable infla- GST will boost growth in the ones — weighed on growth year’s growth rate. rebound, the bank said. ther regulatory reforms.” land reforms).” “Instead, structural re- tion was an essential pre- long-run, besides other factors forms and reorienting gov- requisite to a meaningful like higher public investment, ernment expenditure to- interest rate regime in which bankruptcy code and direct wards public infrastructure decisions by savers and in- transfer of subsidies. “It could are key for durable gains on vestors helped achieve max- be possible that India will soon NITI Aayog projects 8% growth rate the Indian growth front. In- imal ‘‘allocative eiciency’’ adopt the challenging yet vestment in public transport, in an economy whose invest- beneficial path to reform and YUTHIKA BHARGAVA A NITI Aayog oicial said tion are far from complete. the new action plan would be NITI Aayog stated that specifically railways and ment rate had to increase for reaps the harvest of good urban MRTS, can lead to re- better growth outcomes. governance, buoyancy in tax NEW DELHI: NITI Aayog has es- finalised in two months’ time much needed to be done to timated a growth rate of 8% and will also take into ac- spell out tax laws clearly so duced costs and productivity “Concomitantly, we have revenue and conducive business gains as also help us to lower to continue to press ahead environment,” HSBC Global for 2016-17 as per a ‘cau- count the impact of that future investors can as- tiously optimistic’ prognosis demonetisation. sess their liabilities with our oil import bill, and, as for a more fluid, smooth Asset Management Company collateral benefit, improve transmission of monetary CIO Tushar Pradhan said. — PTI it has laid out in the appraisal “There are reasons to be reasonable certainty. document for the Twelfth cautiously optimistic about “Urgent attention” was air quality in our cities,” Dr. policy, as also enhance the Five-Year Plan, flagging the the prospects of above 8 per needed for simplification of Patel said. formulaic linkage between Jason Kothari named as lack of reforms in land ac- cent growth in 2016-17,” the regulatory cum administrat- The government had changes in policy rates and Snapdeal strategy head quisition, labour and simpli- Aayog has said in its review ive procedures “or what has maintained the fiscal other rates, including admin- fication of administrative of the 12th Five-Year Plan. come to be popularly re- roadmap in the last budget istered ones,” he added. NEW DELHI: Snapdeal on procedures as impediments Stating that a large number ferred to as ease of doing by proposing to keep the Banks, which had been re- Wednesday announced the to growth. of reforms by the present business,” it said. fiscal deficit target at 3.5% luctant to cut interest rates appointment of former The review, however, does government over the past A key lacuna in the Indian for 2016-17. despite policy rate reduc- Housing.com CEO Jason Kothari not take into account the im- two years created a ‘strong growth story has been slow The deficit target was to tions by the RBI, have in re- as its Chief Strategy & pact of demonetisation. foundation’ for such a growth of manufacturers in be lowered to 3% by 2017-18. cent weeks implemented Investment Officer. In the new The 12th Plan is the last growth trajectory, the gov- general and labour-intensive The central bank Gov- steep cuts in lending rates. role, Mr. Kothari’s “duties will five-year Plan and from 2017- ernment think-tank said cau- manufacturing in particular. ernor also cautioned against This was after the with- include leading strategy; 18, the Centre would adopt a tion was essential as reforms Sectors in which India lags large credit guarantees by drawal of high-value bank- corporate development, three-year action plan and a in areas such as skill devel- behind are electronics, food the government and steep in- notes had led to a surge of de- including all investments and fifteen-year vision opment, infrastructure, la- processing, leather, and tex- terest rate subventions as posits that helped pare their strategic partnerships; raising document. bour laws and land acquisi- tiles and garments. these impeded optimal alloc- cost of funds significantly. new capital for the company; and portfolio management, overseeing firms Snapdeal wholly owns or has invested in,” the company said. He will work ‘April 1 still the target for GST’ alongside co-founders Kunal Bahl and Rohit Bansal and will be SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT joining Snapdeal on January 16. — Special Correspondent AHMEDABAD: Union Finance minister Arun Jaitley said the Centre was committed to im- GST may kick off in third plementing the Goods and quarter: Deutsche Bank Services Tax (GST) from April 1 this year and all con- NEW DELHI: The Goods and tentious issues with the Services Tax is expected to be States would be resolved in implemented in the July- the next few weeks. September quarter of 2017-18 “The deadline to imple- which, in turn, may lead to high ment GST is September but risk to consensus earnings we are committed for its im- FIRM RESOLVE: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley dismissed fears of growth expectations for 2017- plementation from April,” a slowdown due to demonetisation. — PHOTO: VIJAY SONEJI 18, says a report. The fruition of Mr. Jaitley said, addressing a GST now remains the single seminar on the GST at Vi- GST will improve and ex- pass through diicult phases. biggest focus area among the brant Gujarat Summit in pand India’s economy,” Mr. Historic decisions have tem- unfinished agenda of the Gandhinagar. “Most of the is- Jaitley said. porary pain attached to government, said Deutsche Bank sues have been sorted out, He dismissed fears of a them,” he said, obliquely re- in the report. “We believe that some critical issues remain slowdown in economic ferring to demonetisation. the government will endeavour and these critical issues, over activity and a cash crunch A cashless economy was to roll out GST in 2017-18 itself the next few weeks,... we will due to demonetisation. GST the future and the Centre despite the pressure to delay it try and solve.” and the withdrawal of high- would promote it because as the economy may not be able “One Nation, One Tax re- value currency notes would excessive cash had its own to cope with transformational gime will lead to a seamless boost growth and their im- vices, he said. “Excessive pa- changes (the earlier being the and hassle-free transfer of pact on the economy would per currency... leads to its demonetisation drive) in the goods and services in the be seen next year, he said. own temptations. We have same year,” it said. — PTI country. Implementation of “Diicult decisions initially seen its impact in India.”

Exchange Rates Air India to hold seats for women Indicative direct rates in rupees a unit except yen at 4 p.m on January 11 SOMESH JHA TT TT Currencies Buying Selling NEW DELHI: National carrier Air U.S. Dollar 68.12 68.44 India will soon reserve six Euro 71.62 71.96 seats in the front rows of its Pound Sterling 82.64 83.04 aeroplane fleet for women Jap Yen (100 Units) 58.58 58.86 passengers for their safety — Chinese Yuan 9.82 9.87 Swiss Franc 66.74 67.06 without any extra charges. Singapore Dollar 47.35 47.58 “We will soon reserve two Australian Dollar 50.30 50.53 rows (or six seats) for wo- Canadian Dollar 51.46 51.71 men passengers only,” Air In- Swedish Kroner 7.49 7.52 dia chairman and managing Danish Kroner 9.63 9.68 director Ashwani Lohani New Zealand Dollar 47.68 47.92 told The Hindu. The airline WOMEN POWER: The airline will not charge an additional fee for Hongkong Dollar 8.78 8.83 will not be charging any ad- blocking such seats for women passengers. — FILE PHOTO Malaysian Ringgit 15.23 15.31 ditional fee for blocking such Kuwaiti Dinar 221.46 223.95 seats for women passengers. travelling alone,” said Air In- groped her when she fell UAE Dirham 18.55 18.64 This is perhaps the first dia GM-revenue manage- asleep. Bahraini Dinar 180.59 181.54 time in the world that seats ment Meenakshi Malik. “As Describing the move as a Qatari Riyal 18.76 18.77 will be reserved only for wo- national carriers, it is our re- ‘misplaced priority’, former Saudi Riyal 18.22 18.22 men passengers on planes in sponsibility to enhance com- Air India executive director Omani Riyal 176.94 177.86 such a manner. fort level to female passen- Jitendra Bhargava said: “To Source:Indian Bank However, other modes of gers. There are a lot of my knowledge, this happens transport in India, including women who travel alone nowhere in the world. Planes local and long-distance with us and we will be block- are not unsafe for women trains, metros and buses ing a few seats for them.” passengers. In case of unruly Bullion Rates have reserved berths, seats The move assumes signi- behaviour, the airline crew January 11 rates in rupees with or coaches for women. Pink ficance, as it comes soon are authorised to take action previous rates in brackets auto rickshaws reserved for after an on-board incident in as per the law.” Passenger Chennai women have also been intro- Air India’s Mumbai-Newark representatives also ex- Bar Silver (1 kg) 41,360 (40,760) duced in Gurugram and flight late last month where a pressed reservations. “It is Retail (1 g) 44.30 (43.60) Noida. flier reportedly groped a wo- an impractical move and will 24 ct gold (10 g) 29,140 (28,950) man co-passenger. lead to gender discrimina- 22 ct gold (1 g) 2,785 (2,767) Third row reserved During the flight, a busi- tion. The airline should not Delhi “We will be reserving the ness class passenger go ahead with the plan,” said Silver 41,300 (40,750) third row — six seats — in changed his seat to sit next to D. Sudhakara Reddy, na- Standard Gold 29,100 (29,030) the economy class of the air- a female passenger in the tional president of Air Pas- Sovereign 24,200 (24,200) craft for female passengers economy class and allegedly sengers Association of India.

CM ND-ND YK NOIDA/DELHI 16 | BUSINESS THE HINDU THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 2017

SNIPPETS INTERVIEW  ASHWANI LOHANI Fino cuts foreign Reliance MF unveils Further Fund Offer of CPSE ETF stake to 49%, seeks

MUMBAI: Reliance Mutual Fund (MF), part of Reliance Capital, Debt servicing is taking away a lot of money final licence for announced a Further Fund Offer (FFO) of its Central Public Sector Enterprises - Exchange Traded Fund (CPSE ETF). The fund house LALATENDU MISHRA craft loans. Some of that has going to reduce that? craft with us which are very There is a tremendous payments bank proposes to raise up to ₨4,500 crore under the FFO with an option to gone into meeting interest old. Four of them have been shortage of crew. retain oversubscription of up to ₨1,500 crore. The FFO is open to all With more than ₨50,000 costs. The debt has to be finan- grounded and 11 more have We are now inducting MANOJIT SAHA categories of investors. An upfront discount of five per cent will be crore in debt, India’s na- cially restructured. Some of to go in two years. We will people through contract. offered to all investors. The offer will be open for investors from January tional carrier Air India is • What amount are you it can be converted into be inducting 29 to 30 air- We are an aged airline. Our MUMBAI: Fino Paytech – an en- 17 to 20. The CPSE ETF is a passive investment fund designed to help the seriously looking to restruc- looking at to equity. There are various craft this year, including 14 average age is 50 years. In tity which had received in- government in divesting stake in select Central Public Sector Enterprises ture its financials. Having completely turn options we are look- Airbus A320s. the services sector, one principle licence from the (CPSE) through exchange traded funds. — Special Correspondent identified the issues afect- around the ing at. That is the Five 787s will join the needs to have young people. RBI to start a payments bank ing the organisation, the airline? maximum I can fleet this year besides 10 IndiGo has an average age –has completed its last round carrier’s chairman and say. ATRs for Alliance Air. In the of 30 years. of fund-raising, bringing MRF to invest ₨4,500 crore in tyre unit in Gujarat managing director Ash- It is diicult to next two to three years we We require youngsters. down foreign shareholding wani Lohani has now em- say. Our • What are your are looking at inducting 100 Recruitment has not to 49% – a key requisite to ap- CHENNAI: Tyre major MRF Ltd. on Wednesday said it will invest ₨4,500 barked upon fleet expan- biggest prob- fleet induction and planes in Air India, includ- happened for 18 years. We ply for the final licence as crore in setting up a new unit in Gujarat for manufacture of automotive sion and recruitment of lem is the retirement plans? ing our subsidiaries. Any need about 400 people mandated by the banking tyres, tubes, flaps and related products. The investment will be made manpower to put the airline heavy debt we company that is operation- other than pilots and cabin regulator. over a ten-year period. The unit will broad-base the company’s back on track. Edited ex- have got on our We have 15 Airbus ally a winner has to be act- crew. “We have completed rais- manufacturing facilities across the country. MRF has entered into a cerpts of an interview: head. The debt A320 classic ive. If I stop, I start stagnat- ing ₨400 crore and with this Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Gujarat servicing is taking air- ing. Hence the need for • Some retired employees the foreign shareholding has expressing its in-principle intention of setting up the facility. The project • A few years ago, the away so much expansion. have been hired again...? come down to 49%. We have will be funded from internal accruals and/or debt, MRF said in a government decided to inject money. applied to RBI for the final li- regulatory filing. MRF has manufacturing facilities in Tamil Nadu, Andhra more than ₨30,000 crore into • Are you recruiting people? The easiest way is to take cence today (Wednesday),” Pradesh, Puducherry, Kerala and Goa. — Special Correspondent Air India. Where was the • You have the retired person on con- Rishi Gupta, MD and CEO of money deployed? more than Yes. We have hired a lot of tract for three years till the Fino Paytech told The ₨50,000 cabin crew. We are hiring time the airline makes Hindu. Fino Paytech will Travel search engine KAYAK enters India About ₨22,000 crore has crore pilots and other grade money. We have taken hold 100% in the proposed come in. Most of the funds debt. How employees. It never about 200 to 300 such Fino Payments Bank. MUMBAI: Global travel search engine KAYAK officially announced its have gone into paying air- are you happened earlier. people. Foreign shareholding in entry into the Indian market, providing innovative travel tools to help the company was about 80% people search, plan and manage their travel. Having pioneered the when it received the in-prin- category globally, the company helps travellers get the information they ciple approval. RBI had gran- need before they book and offers tools and features to assist them ted such approvals to 11 entit- throughout their trip, KAYAK Director Southeast Asia and India Imbert Mafatlal eyes sales of ies but three of them backed Fung told PTI here. He said the website and mobile app search hundreds Mistry firms move contempt out. Of the remaining, only of travel sites at once so that travellers have the information they need Paytm and Airtel M Com- to make the best decisions. KAYAK will help travellers to search and ₨1,000 cr. in uniforms merce have received the final compare prices with ease, he said. application against Tata Sons approval. N. ANAND “The market size for In- Following the fresh round SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT other things. dian uniform garments is of fund-raising, which is ₨149 On-road emission tests to be mandatory from 2020 Both the sides had given CHENNAI: Mafatlal Industries pegged at ₨12,000 crore and it crore, ICICI Prudential and NEW DELHI: On-road emission tests for vehicles plying on Indian roads MUMBAI: Cyrus Investment an undertaking that neither Ltd. (MIL), the flagship com- is growing by 10 per cent per ICICI Lombard together will will be mandatory once the Bharat Stage VI norm kicks in from 2020, for Private Ltd. and Sterling In- would take any action relat- pany of Arvind Mafatlal annum. The uniform gar- have 15 per cent stake in Fino which testing agency ARAI is developing a unified test cycle. The vestments Private Ltd., the ing to the subject matter of Group, is targeting the mar- ment sector is also witness- Paytech, with the ICICI Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) is devising ways to two investment companies the petition before the case ket for readymade uniform ing a 10–15 per cent year-on- group’s total stake at 20%. determine the on-road emission benchmarks in the wake of the of former Tata Sons chair- was heard. garments to achieve ₨1,000 year growth. While we see a Earlier, oil marketing com- Volkswagen emission cheating scandal of 2015. In 2015, Heavy man Cyrus Mistry’s family, The tribunal had said that crore in sales by 2020-21, a replacement for uniform gar- pany BPCL had bought 21 per Industries Ministry had said ARAI would conduct checks on emission have filed a contempt applic- it would conduct an expedi- top oicial said. ments once in every two- cent stake for ₨250 crore. The levels of diesel passenger vehicles. “It was explained to the ministry that ation before the National tious hearing on the merits “We have drawn up plans three years, corporate/insti- other domestic shareholders we can take up that testing but as we migrate towards Bharat Stage VI Company Law Tribunal of the petitions at one go. to touch ₨1,000 crore in four tutions take a longer time,” are small investors as well as norms, in any case, real driving emissions will be a part of that seeking contempt of court Cyrus Mistry It also recorded that no years. Corporate uniform he said. public sector entities such as regulation,” ARAI Director Rashmi Urdhwareshe told PTI. proceedings against Tata party would initiate any ac- garments account for 70 per MIL is expected to close LIC of India. Sons, its interim chairman tempt to remove Mr. Mistry tion or proceedings over the cent of sales and it will come 2016-17 with a sales income Private equity fund Black- Ratan N. Tata and other dir- from the board of directors subject matter pending dis- down to 60 per cent as there of ₨625 crore against ₨545 stone’s stake in the firm is South Indian Bank third-quarter profit rises 9.6% ectors on the board. of Tata Sons would violate an posal of the application. is a spurt in school uniform crore registered in 2015-16. now at 13%, down from 20%, The application comes undertaking given by Tata The tribunal is expected to garments volume. We have following the fund-raising. NEW DELHI: Private sector South Indian Bank posted 9.6 per cent after Tata Sons decided to Sons to the National Com- hear the application this Fri- two manufacturing units in To sell online “We will take a couple of increase in net profit to ₨111.38 crore for the third quarter of 2016-17. seek the removal of Mr. pany Law Tribunal last day, people familiar with the Gujarat that have adequate MIL will start selling uni- months, from the time we get The bank had recorded net profit of ₨101.63 crore in the October- Mistry from the Tata Sons month when the petition development said. capacities to meet the future form garments online from the final approval, to launch December quarter of last fiscal, South Indian Bank said in a filing to board. making several allegations Under the new Company needs. Over the last two fin- April 2017. “We will start of- the bank,” Mr. Gupta said. stock exchanges. The total income of the lender also increased to Tata Sons’ board of direct- was filed. Law, the National Company ancial years, we had invested fering it through our own adding that the RBI had sug- ₨1,737.47 crore during the quarter under review as against ₨1,560.98 ors is set to meet in February The petitioners had urged Law Tribunal has been given close to ₨300 crore in capex portal. It will take a while as gested that the firm obtain crore in the year-ago period. The gross non-performing assets rose to for the purpose. the tribunal to stay any move powers of punishment for in these units,” said M.B. we have to load huge content the final approval within 18 3.98 per cent of the total advances during the third quarter from 2.75 In the application, the pe- to oust Mr. Mistry from the contempt of court under the Raghunath, President, Sales for over 4,000 schools and months of the in-principle per cent in the same quarter of the previous fiscal. — PTI titioners said that the at- Tata Sons board, among Contempt of Court Act. and Marketing, MIL. colleges,” he said. nod given in September 2015.

ND-ND YK NOIDA/DELHI | THE HINDU THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 2017 SPORT 17 Telecast schedule Lowe leaves Mercedes Enriching experience Schneiderlin for Everton? Ranji Trophy final: Gujarat vs Mumbai: STAR Sports Paddy Lowe has left his position The IPL stint is definitely going to help. My footwork Manchester United’s French midfielder 4 & HD 4, 9.30 a.m.; South Africa vs Sri Lanka: 3rd as technical chief of World against spin improved in the six weeks here working with Morgan Schneiderlin is closing in on a Test: TEN 3 & TEN 1 HD, 1.30 p.m.; PBL: STAR Sports Ī champion Mercedes, amid media Ī Rahul Dravid, one of the best players ever. It was an Ī move to Everton, manager Jose 1, 3 & HD 1 & 3, 7 p.m.; PWL: Sony ESPN, 7 p.m.; NBA: reports linking him with a return amazing experience that I would like to have again. Mourinho confirmed on Tuesday. Media Sony Six & Sony Six HD, 6.30 a.m. (Friday). to rival Williams. — Sam Billings. reports claim the fee to be £22 million.

NO BOUNDARIES England series will be held without a Indian sport’s Forever Men hitch, says Lodha committee NIRMAL SHEKAR VIJAY LOKAPALLY cess for the smooth conduct of in Mumbai on January 6 when panel is expected to deal with against England under-19. The best thing that has happened to sports in the India-England series, and the disqualified Board joint- ț BCCI CEO Johri and GM the findings firmly. As Justice Lodha said, “the India in a long, long time — longer perhaps than NEW DELHI: The India-England the subsequent international secretary Amitabh Choudhary (cricket operations) Sridhar The Supreme Court-ap- Supreme Court order is self- many of us have existed on this planet — is the limited-overs series will not matches this season. wanted to act as the convenor. entrusted with the task of pointed committee — senior operative and not time bound. laudably idealistic yet remarkably pragmatic in- be disrupted. This was the “The Board CEO (Rahul The situation was clarified handling the series advocates Gopal Sub- The process may take time but tervention of the Supreme Court into Wild firm assurance from the Johri) will be the person who following a communication ramaniam and Anil Divan — the Board CEO knows his role West territory — the landscape of cricket Justice Lodha panel which met will take the decisions in this from the Lodha panel secret- ț Lodha panel expected to will chart the road map for the clearly now.” administration. here on Wednesday. regard. We want to assure that ary, Gopal Sankarnarayanan, look into Deloitte report on future course. The associations have to fi- So much of what the well-meaning lay people have expected Amidst the confusion fol- cricket will not be afected at who informed Johri that units’ finances soon It is learnt that any efort to nalise their working on the of the men who control sports has been trampled under merci- lowing the Supreme Court or- all,” added Justice Lodha. “We Choudhary was no longer a disrupt cricket activities will basis of the broad norms given lessly and maliciously, that a good majority of sports-lovers in der and to address the ru- discussed the issue with the Board oicial. emphasised Justice Lodha. not be tolerated. to them. the country have found refuge in nihilism and come to believe mours doing the rounds, the Board CEO and directed him The Lodha panel, which had “We had made the qualifica- The panel was obviously The assurance from the that nothing will change in the state of afairs. panel has decided to put things to ensure a smooth conduct of originally recommended a tion norm for the selection irked by the moves to prevent Lodha Panel should convince When you think that something has been transformed for the in perspective by answering the series.” three-member selection com- committee clear in our recom- the Cricket Club of India from cricket fans that they can ex- better, very soon you realise it is nothing more than chimerical the questions from various Johri and the Board’s gen- mittee, had given permission mendations. The committee hosting England’s warm-up pect a well-conducted series and it might be foolish and useless to bravely make your way BCCI-ailiated units. eral manager for cricket oper- for five selectors to pick the In- can comprise only three Test matches against India-A at the under the guidance of Johri through the haze. ations, M.V. Sridhar, have dia team for the series against players, and that will be the Brabourne Stadium, and ru- and Sridhar, who have been If sports politics is even more Machiavellian than Indian FAQs been entrusted with the task of England. criteria,” Justice Lodha mours regarding the unwill- apprised of their roles. politics in general, then that should come as no surprise. For we “We have addressed various handling the India-England The committee includes confirmed. ingness of the Hyderabad Among those following the resign ourselves to the fact that sport is not a matter quite as queries from various associ- series. “We don’t want to Test cricketers M.S.K. Prasad, The Board’s units are to Cricket Association to host the action on the field with in- important as electing the ations. We are going to answer handle day-to-day afairs,” in- Sarandeep Singh and Devang soon feel the heat on financial Test against Bangladesh in terest is Justice Lodha. country’s Prime Minister. them as FAQs,” Justice Lodha sisted Justice Lodha. Gandhi and non-Test players matters. The Deloitte audit re- February. “I saw a bit of the India-A Many of the sports told The Hindu. This is in the wake of the Gagan Khoda and Jatin ports on various associations The Tamil Nadu Cricket As- warm-up match, and am look- Sliver of hope administrative The most important item on confusion around the National Paranjpe. have been critical of their sociation has already pulled ing forward to the series But just when we thought the agenda was to set the pro- selection committee meeting “It was a one-of allowance,” functioning, and the Lodha out of hosting two matches (against England),” he said. that it is a tunnel without an bodies are end, the Supreme Court, besmirched by headed by its upstanding, noble Chief Justice Mr. T.S. feudal attitudes Thakur (who retired re- Kohli looks to lead Change of guard seems a seamless afair cently) has ofered us a where the top sliver of hope here or there guys have reigned The camaraderie between Dhoni and Kohli augurs well for India — in fact much, much more by example than what we may have for long AMOL KARHADKAR come to expect 70 years SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT that the team should realise after the country’s Independence. that the ultimate goal is to win. PUNE: Virat Kohli may have A popular, veteran Indian sportsperson, who tried to get into PUNE: Virat Kohli had a long You have to play consistent been in charge of India’s team. the administration of his sport not long ago, put it succinctly the and busy day. cricket at a very high intensity But ahead of the belligerent other day when I asked him what was wrong with sports admin- He attended a promotional for a very long time to win. batsman’s first training ses- istration in the country at a time when the nation’s richest, and event, then joined the team for That is one of the things that sion as captain of India across perhaps one of the world’s wealthiest sports bodies, the Board a training session before rush- we have been able to do in all three formats, it was his of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), was making front-page ing to a cricket cricket mu- Tests. predecessor who continued to news for all the wrong reasons every day. seum in the evening. His most memorable innings hog the limelight. “You tell me what is right with it. It stinks. I shudder to think Kohli spoke to the media That innings in Mohali As the India cricketers ex- that such mismanagement, corruption, nepotism and chaos can about his new responsibility against the Aussies (T20 ited the team bus at the Maha- exist in 2017,” he said. at the event. World Cup quarterfinal) rashtra Cricket Association’s Most well-meaning people in the world of sports, when asked Leading in all three formats along with the double ton in stadium on the outskirts of the same question, not surprisingly come up with the same Added responsibility has al- Mumbai against England in Pune, Kohli, with his answer: “a total lack of professionalism.’’ ways worked for me, in the the recent series are my best earphones, took a quiet exit, sense that you have no room knocks. while Dhoni was surrounded Various reasons for lagging to be complacent or relax. Pranksters in the change room by four security guards as he This is an over-arching judgement that seems to ignore the I have to first make that kind Ishant Sharma and walked into the dressing room. nuts and bolts of everyday afairs in major sports in the country. of efort before asking my Bhuvneshwar Kumar are the Minutes later, the duo was From experts down to lay fans, almost everybody has an opin- teammates to do so. naughtiest characters. involved in a long chat after ion on why such a huge nation should not be among the leading Team ethos Ravindra Jadeja too isn’t far the players finished jogging. If performers in the world of sport. Infrastructure, money, atti- The most important thing is behind. an HR professional had wit- tude, culture… you can think of dozens of reasons why India nessed it, he or she may have does not stand tall in the world of sport. perceived it as a handover Says Joaquim Carvalho, Olympian and hockey administrator, meeting. Later too, the duo “Sports governance in India lacks transparency and accountab- Making the switch to was seen engaged in a light- POTENT DUO: The Indian team will look to benefit from the amalgam of Virat Kohli’s aggressive ility. Most oicials are not passionate about sports at all. They hearted discussion during the approach and M.S. Dhoni’s wealth of experience. — PHOTO: PTI use this platform to keep themselves in the news and also team’s warm-up. indulge in corruption. limited-overs mode Soon afterwards, both The most successful India first of the three ODIs is staged be a little aggressive and that’s “I have a poor impression of sports governance because I moved on to have their batting captain was also involved in a here on Sunday. one thing that I need to try and have seen these oicials as a player and later as someone SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT portant.” Is he carrying the stints. They had an extended chat with coach Anil Kumble “It will be diferent in terms adjust to. And obviously, giv- connected with the conduct of the game. They have vested burden of 2016’s performances session against the pacers and and ace of-spinner R. Ashwin. of the interactions you’ll have. ing those extra runs to try and interests and development of sport is never a priority for them. PUNE: The last time R. Ashwin into this year? spinners alike before moving Kohli also appeared to be his Before, when I used to play get a wicket is not such a bad Basically, it helps them stay in the news, build connections and featured in an ODI was almost “It was a good year. But it is on to the outfield for fielding usual self, and was one of the alongside Mahi (Dhoni), it was thing.” enjoy junkets. Sports governance in India is absolutely a year ago. In fact, when Ash- done and dusted,” he said. drills. last players to retire into the almost about communication Ashwin also elaborated on unprofessional.” win walks in in the India jersey “The game doesn’t give you All through the team’s dressing room. from top of the mark to the the diference between Dhoni It will be unfair to make a sweeping generalisation — there for the first of the three ODIs much time these days. It’s very three-hour training session, ’keeper. And it is going to be and Kohli’s captaincy styles. are a few sports that benefit from modern management where against England here on important to dust it up and get the camaraderie between Diferent styles very diferent (now),” Ashwin “I’ve never played under the administration is totally transparent in its business. But Sunday, it will be exactly a on with the game. As far as I Dhoni and Kohli seemed unaf- The change of guard would said. Virat, even at RCB. I just most are besmirched by feudal attitudes where the top guys year after his last appearance. am concerned, 2017 is a new fected by the recent passing of mean that all the players in the “Obviously, Virat will be played one whole ODI series have been the same since the days of your childhood, and they “It’s more of a mental year and I am going to start of the baton. Dhoni, certainly, ap- team will have to adjust to a around at short midwicket or with him (as skipper) against appear to claim ownership rights over their ‘property’. switch. We played T20s in afresh.” peared to be relaxed, even diferent style of captaincy. short cover but it is going to be Sri Lanka. He likes attacking, ‘Honorary’ positions are not ones manned by individuals America in between, that was On the opposition’s quality, tending to one of the 24 dogs Ashwin spelt out the changes diferent. We have to try and he likes picking up wickets in with perfectly altruistic intentions. To even expect it is ridicu- a bit of a good switch. I thought he said: “This England side has who take care of the sprawling that he, as a spinner, would get used to those communica- the middle overs. Even at the lous. Even saints do what they do to get into the good books of I switched pretty well,” he played (brilliant) one-day stadium’s security. have to cope with, when the tions. Virat, on occasions, can cost of some runs. the big, all-knowing, all-powerful man up there. said. tournaments in the last year or “I feel Mahi is going to hold “I am sure it is going to be a so. “It has made some mam- the key because he’s the On an upward swing challenge. We are going to get moth scores in England as ’keeper and he’s going to bring There is a flip side to all this. Adille Sumariwala, IAAF execut- into the practice. The next well. So it is a side which will ‘Will hit sixes if they are to be hit’ that invaluable experience ive council member and Athletics Federation of India presid- three or four days is going to look to be positive. Because with him. It’s going to be very, ent, says, “Sports is on the upward swing in India. Television be very, very important. I tried T20 cricket, in ODI cricket .S Dhoni, who look to hit sixes,” Dhoni told left-hander bludgeoned very important that we try and and the leagues in virtually all sports have increased the fan to tick as many boxes as pos- also there are hardly any dull Mcaptained the Men in long-time teammate Yuvraj. Stuart Broad, said, “Thanks take as much valuable inputs following. Children know the names of kabaddi players, not sible when I practised in overs,” he said. Blue for one last time in a Dhoni termed his stint as to you I witnessed the six from him and try and take the only cricketers. Television has brought sports to people, there Chennai. “I think we’re playing a full- warm-up game on Tuesday, captain amazing. sixes from the best seat.” team forward,” said Ashwin. is more awareness. It’s a matter of time before sports emerges “But nothing like game- strength Indian team after a has given an assurance that “The journey has been Paying a tribute to his much stronger. There are opportunities to make sport a career Date is the new trainer time. It’s almost like getting long time. We also have Yuvi he would continue to play good, fantastic... It’s good to former skipper, Yuvraj said, in life. And so sports is on the upswing.” back into a diferent format. back in the side. So that’s also Not only does India’s ODI the aggressive brand of have players like you “You have been one of the But here is the catch. Do we have honest oicials with long- Having said that, these prac- going to add to your experi- contingent have a new captain cricket that has made him (looking at Yuvraj), the job best captains ever. It’s been term goals in mind? It is indeed boom-time in Indian sports. But tice sessions will be very im- ence,” Ashwin said. but, on Wednesday, it also saw the launching pads, corporate support and fans’ enthusiasm what he is. becomes much more easier. amazing playing under you, the addition of a new strength may quickly evaporate if the quality of administration remains Dhoni, in a video chat And enjoyed my 10 years, winning three big and conditioning expert. the same. with Yuvraj Singh, said that hopefully I will enjoy more championships, the World Anand Date, who has been How many of our present sports administrators come in with Keen to get his eye in he would continue to hit whatever I have.” Cup and being the number associated with the National a clear mandate and then move forward stridently to carry it those trademark sixes if Referring to Yuvraj’s six one Test team in the world Cricket Academy in out? Do they go through the same strict annual evaluation NANDAKUMAR MARAR they are to be hit. consecutive sixes in the under you. Bengaluru, took over from process as do brilliant business school graduates? “If they bowl in my areas, inaugural World T20, “Thanks for giving me the Shankar Basu as the team’s Success as sports administrators demands a few basic skills in MUMBAI: Ajinkya Rahane — the right areas and the Dhoni, who was at the opportunity to go and slog trainer. Basu, according to a areas such as communication, organisation, decision making, who missed the last two Tests situation permits I would non-striker’s when the as always.” — PTI BCCI statement, has “opted value system and team building. against England due to finger for a break”. “Indian sports administrators are special. I must admit that. injury — will be keen to score They are in a category of their own,” said the late Peter some runs for India-A which Roebuck, my best friend among foreign journalists visiting he will captain in the second HOCKEY TENNIS India frequently, during one of our post dinner conversations. warm-up game against What Roebuck referred to was mainly cricket but he was England. curious enough to want to know more and more about other He is the only player from Sreejesh on FIH Bouchard moves up sports. Leadership skills can be either cultivated or learned but the ODI team to be named for the men and women who run our sports are keen on only one Thursday’s game at the Bra- SYDNEY: Eugenie Bouchard Eugenie Bouchard bt Anastasia thing — staying where they are with a great love for being in the bourne Stadium. Athletes Committee reached her first semifinal for Pavlyuchenkova 6-2, 6-3; Johanna spotlight. Rahane, who has done well 10 months as she battled in- Konta bt Darya Kasatkina 6-3, 7-5; How many times have we seen sports bosses appearing across all formats whenever SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT Board in November 2016. “It’s a tense heat to down higher- Agnieszka Radwanska bt Duan prominently in photographs of athletes who return after world- he was given additional re- great honour for me to be a part ranked Russian Anastasia Yingying 6-3, 6-2. beating success at airports across the country? sponsibility, has the ability to NEW DELHI: Adding to India’s of this committee along with Pavlyuchenkova 6-2, 6-3 at the Doubles: Quarterfinals: Sania & Long ago, a top Indian sportsman returning after winning the hit the ground running. growing stature in world other legends like Fuerste. It’s Apia International on Barbora Strycova bt Madison world championship told me something that was shocking. I England should also be wary hockey, National men’s team something special to be the Wednesday. Brengle & Arina Rodionov 6-3, 6-4. asked him who the gentleman who was hugging him on the front of the seasoned Suresh Raina captain P.R. Sreejesh was on first Indian to do so,” Sreejesh Men: Second round: Pablo Car- page of a leading Indian English language paper was. “I swear, I and in-form ’keeper-batsman Wednesday appointed to the told The Hindu. Sania-Strycova in last four reno-Busta bt Mischa Zverev 3-6, 7-6 have never seen the guy before,” he said of a man who was a Rishabh Pant. Athletes Committee of the In- “This gives me more oppor- In doubles, top seeds Sania (4), 6-3; Philipp Kohlschreiber bt senior administrator in the sport. The selectors chose a mix of ternational Hockey Federa- tunities to talk to the players Mirza and Barbora Strycova Jordan Thompson 7-5, 6-4; Gilles Of course, the nameless one is part of the Forever Men club. pace and seam, leaving Vinay Ajinkya Rahane. — PHOTO: PTI tion, becoming the first Indian from across the world and in reached the semifinals with a Muller bt Matthew Barton 6-1, 3-6, Kumar, Pradeep Sangwan, to do so. He is also the only cur- India and I will get to know 6-3, 6-4 win over wildcard 6-4; Pablo Cuevas bt Nicolas Mahut Ashoke Dinda and Vijay Rahane (Capt.), Rishabh Pant, Suresh rently active member on the more about the issues they entrants Madison Brengle and 6-4, 2-6, 6-2; Daniel Evans bt Marcel Shankar to compete for slots. Raina, Deepak Hooda, Ishank Jaggi, committee. might be facing“My attempts Arina Rodionova. Granollers 1-6, 6-3, 6-3; Andrey Of-spinner Parveez Rasool Sheldon Jackson, Vijay Shankar, The decision was confirmed would be to take as many sug- Kuznetsov bt Alex De Minaur 6-2 and left-arm spinner Shabhaz Shabhaz Nadeem, Parveez Rasool, late on Tuesday night by the gestions as possible to develop Paes-Sa stun top seeds retd.; Viktor Troicki bt Paolo Lorenzi Nadeem ofer variety. Vinay Kumar, Pradeep Sangwan and FIH Executive Board and he the game for the better and At Auckland, Leander Paes 6-3, 6-4; Dominic Thiem bt Gastao Bhambri advances Ashoke Dinda. joins the likes of recently-re- make it more popular,” he ad- and his new partner Andre Sa Elias 6-7(7), 6-3, 7-5. Ideal script England XI: Eoin Morgan (Capt.), tired German legend Moritz ded. South African Marsha Cox shocked the top-seeded pair of At Auckland: ATP ASB Classic: MELBOURNE: Yuki Bhambri ad- The 534th-ranked Yuki con- The ideal script would be Alex Hales, Sam Billings, Jason Roy, Fuerste and Australian Liam de and England’s Annie Panter are Treat Huey and Max Mirnyi 7- Second round: John Isner bt Malek vanced to the second round of jured up the win against the India-A chasing, with Rahane Joe Root, Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Young. co-chairs of the committee at 6(3), 6-3 to make the quarterfi- Jaziri 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(6); Robin Haase bt the Australian Open qualifiers American opponent, ranked as or Raina staying till the end to Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler, Liam Sreejesh has been appointed the moment. Other members nals. David Ferrer 2-6, 6-4, 7-6(4); Jack with a 6-1, 6-4 win over sev- high as 116. guide fearless young stroke- Dawson, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, following the vacancy created include Canadian Scott The results: At Sydney: ATP/ Sock bt Ryan Harrison 7-6(5), 4-6, enth-seeded Stefan Kozlov It was curtains for Myneni, makers Deepak Hooda or Jake Ball, David Willey and Chris after former chairman, Ger- Sandison, Iran’s Sanaz Heidari WTA Apia International: Women: 6-1. Doubles: Pre-quarterfinals: even as fellow Davis Cupper who bowed out 6-0, 6-2 to Ger- Ishank Jaggi. Woakes. many’s Michael Green was and Beth Smith of New Zeal- Quarterfinals: Barbora Strycova bt Leander Paes & Andre Sa bt Treat Saketh Myneni sufered a tame many’s Peter Gojowczyk, Teams (from): India-A: Ajinkya Match starts 10 a.m. elected to the FIH Executive and. Caroline Wozniacki 7-5, 6-7(6), 6-4; Huey & Max Mirnyi 7-6(3), 6-3. defeat here on Wednesday. ranked 189. — PTI

CM ND-ND YK NOIDA/DELHI 18 | SPORT THE HINDU THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 2017

Aditya Tare’s Gujarat thrives on Mumbai’s largesse on the field half-century

Parthiv Patel and Manpreet Juneja combine well to help their team take the crucial first-innings lead INDORE: Mumbai wicket- keeper Aditya Tare G. VISWANATH when he edged Nayar to the- Abhishek Nayar and Bal- which claimed the second new bettered his own record ’keeper, but the same pair winder Singh Sandhu (Jr.) — ball in the 89th over, would for the most victims in a INDORE: Gujarat made the most played their part in the dis- hit back after the tea-break. hope for its openers to take Ranji Trophy season of Mumbai fast bowler missal of the right-hander who Parthiv, who deserved a guard as quickly as possible. when he took his tally to Shardul Thakur overstepping made a stroke-filled 45. century, fell for 90 (12x4) and With three days to go, there 50 on Wednesday. the popping crease and At 129 for three, Shreyas at Juneja (77, 11x4) played a loose is a possibility of the final tak- Tare, who started the Shreyas Iyer not focused at mid-wicket did not appear to shot for Thakur to take a catch ing more twists and turns. But final with 47 victims, mid-wicket to take a sitter on be in the game as of his own bowling. for that to happen, Mumbai snared Priyank Panchal, an eventful second day of the he dropped a Though third umpire K. must post a challenging fourth Bhargav Merai and Ranji Trophy final at the waist-high catch Srinath ruled in favour of the innings target. The events on Parthiv Patel to set the Holkar Stadium on Wednes- that came of a bowler, Thakur’s foot may Thursday would ofer the first mark. Last season the day. flick from Man- have been over the crease by a indication of which way the fi- Mumbai skipper had 48 After sending back triple- preet Juneja. millimetre or two. Then, nal would drift. dismissals. century makers Samit Gohil After this Sandhu made left-hander The scores: In another incident, and Priyank Panchal for cheap lapse, Parthiv Rujul Bhatt push hard and the Mumbai — 1st innings: 228. Tare, following an scores by the 20th over, Mum- and Juneja batted resultant catch was held by Gujarat — 1st innings: Samit exchange with umpire bai celebrated the ‘fall’ of skip- for nearly two Shaw at point. Gohil c Suryakumar b Shardul 4, Priy- Anil Chaudhary in per Parthiv Patel, who fol- hours with Gujarat had declined to 264 ank Panchal c Tare b Nayar 6, Bhar- connection with lowed a Thakur delivery plenty of free- for six and probably allowed a gav Merai c Tare b Nayar 45, Parthiv Siddhesh Lad’s dismissal outside the of stump and dom to take their leeway for Mumbai to get back Patel c Tare b Nayar 90, Manpreet on Tuesday, was called nicked to ’keeper Aditya Tare. team two runs into the match. Juneja c & b Shardul 77, Rujul Bhatt c for a disciplinary The mandatory referral to the shy of Mumbai’s first innings Gujarat was lucky that Tare Shaw b Sandhu 25, Chirag Gandhi hearing. — Special third umpire to find out if the total of 228. dropped a regulation catch (batting) 17, Rush Kalaria (batting) Correspondent bowler had overstepped went Parthiv cut loose on any- from Chirag Gandhi when the 16; Extras (lb-6, nb-5): 11; Total (for in favour of the batsman. thing short and Juneja used his batsman was on seven. six wkts. in 92 overs): 291. Parthiv returned to take strike feet to drive and cut as the pair Fall of wickets: 1-11, 2-37, 3-106, with the score reading 61 for put on 120 runs of 160 balls. Crucial third day looms 4-226, 5-254, 6-264. Abinsimukthi, two. At the receiving end for vir- When action ended for the Mumbai bowling: Shardul Mumbai then felt it was tually two and half sessions, day, Gujarat was 63 runs up Thakur 23-4-67-2, B.S. Sandhu Jr. 21- Nimabati shine done in by umpire Anil Chaud- Mumbai — which competed with four wickets in hand. It 2-54-1, Abhishek Nayar 27-6-91-3, Vi- hary for not giving the march- remarkably well through its would like to stretch the lead jay Gohil 8-0-34-0, Vishal Dabholkar RAMANATHAPURAM: Hat-tricks ing orders to Bhargav Merai lion-hearted seamers Thakur, substantially, while Mumbai, 9-3-21-0, Siddhesh Lad 4-0-18-0. CAPTAIN COURAGEOUS: Parthiv Patel led from the front with a responsible knock on Wednesday. by Abinsimukthi and — PHOTO: K. MURALI KUMAR Nimabati Singh set up a 10-1 win for Hockey Odisha over BADMINTON Chattisgarh Hockey in the A- Vaidehi shocks division of the seventh Na- Mihika Yadav Mathaiyus maintains form tional sub-junior hockey tour- MUMBAI: Trainer Pesi Shrof’s ward 57.5, 3. She Is Special (3) C.S.Jodha and 11. Pass The Glory (5) Baria Raghuveer 55.5, 12. Rich N Rare More at stake for nament for women here on Mathaiyus, who won well last time 55.5, 4. Vulcan (4) T.S.Jodha 51 and 53.5. (13) Ajinkya 54.5, 13. Rachel (11) Wednesday. NEW DELHI: Vaidehi Chaudhari out, maintains winning form as evid- 5. Mathaiyus (2) Srinath 49. 1. Pristina, 2. Pretty Angel, 3. K.Kadam 53.5, 14. Shivalik Prin- The results: shocked third seed Mihika Ya- enced by his track performances and 1. Mathaiyus, 2. Palatial Grey Flannel cess (2) Shubham 52.5, 15. Gold should repeat in the General Obaidul- Streak (10) Nadeem 51.5 and 16. Hunters than Acers ‘A’ div: Hockey Chandigarh 3 dav 6-1, 6-3 in the girls’ pre- lah Khan Trophy, the feature event of 3 AHMED I RAHIMTOOLA 5 RAJPIPLA CUP (1,400m), Amazon Cat (15) S.Kamble 50. (Amrit Pal 3) bt Sports Authority of RAKESH RAO quarterfinals of the ITF the races to be held here on Thursday TROPHY (1,000m), Maiden, 3-y-o Cl. III, rated 40 to 66, 6-45: 1. Eleg- 1. Zion, 2. The Giver, 3. Forever and Wing Ki Vincent Wong. India 2 (Lanchenbi Chanu Khundrak- only, 5-55: 1. Juggernaut (7) ant Beauty (4) Yash Narredu 59, 2. grade-2 junior tennis tourna- evening. Yours The doubles specialists, pam, Sakunthala Devi); Uttar Pra- Rails will be placed 5 metres away Dashrath 55, 2. Pokerface (5) Pink Panther (3) Zervan 58.5, 3. NEW DELHI: Carolina Marin-led Vladimir Ivanov and Ivan So- ment at the DLTA Complex on from its original point from 1400m to J.Chinoy 55, 3. Stallone (3) S.Sunil Sparkling Eyes (7) Trevor 58.5, 4. 7 RIYASAT PLATE DIV. I desh Hockey 3 (Varsha Kushwaha, Wednesday. 1200m and 11 metres from 600m upto 55, 4. Gentillesse (2) Trevor 53.5, 5. Glorious Opinion (2) S.Amit 57, 5. (1,200m), Cl. IV, rated 20 to 46, Hyderabad Hunters needs to zonov, would also like to re- Yogita Bora, Sapna Devi) bt Hockey Second seed and champion the winning post. Hudson (6) Yash Narredu 53.5, 6. Judicious (6) J.Chinoy 57, 6. 7-45: 1. Airlift (10) C.S.Jodha 60.5, get three points of an already- deem their reputation in their Patiala 1 (Sumitha); Hockey Odisha last week in Chandigarh, Ma- Princess P (4) Zervan 53.5 and 7. Arakawah (1) A.Gaikwad 56.5 and 2. Silk Baby (7) J.Chinoy 59.5, 3. eliminated defending cham- final outing of the league. In 1 LADY MADONNA PLATE Queens Best (1) P.S.Chouhan 53.5. 7. Bounty Queen (5) Daman 56.5. Makino (2) Daman 59, 4. Travieso 10 (Abinsimukthi 3, Nimabati Singh hak Jain downed Mananchaya (1,400m), Cl. IV, rated 20 to 46, 5-00 1. Gentillesse, 2. Hudson, 3. 1. Pink Panther, 2. Sparkling (6) Parmar 58, 5. Shape The Scape pion Delhi Acers on Thursday mixed doubles, Ivanov and G. 3, Neha Lakra 2, Jelin Soreng, Bimla Sawangkaew of Thailand 6-7 p.m: 1. Fabio (6) Zervan 59, 2. Celes- Queens Best Eyes, 3. Elegant Beauty (4) Nadeem 55, 6. Slam Dunk (11) to ensure its place in the semi- Jwala appear eager to repeat Barwa) bt Chhattisgarh Hockey 1 tial Light (3) Srinath 57.5, 3. Tchi- Hanumant 55, 7. Dubrovnik (5) (4), 6-4, 6-3. 4 6 finals of the Premier Badmin- their winning performance (Sabbi Naaz); Hockey Jharkhand 7 bouela (7) G.Amit 57.5, 4. Pillatus RIYASAT PLATE DIV. II ISN’T SHE SPECIAL PLATE Yash Narredu 54.5, 8. Zabrok (9) ton League here. after Sunday’s win against Akanksha Bhan was the (1) S.Amit 54.5, 5. Viking (8) T.S- (1,200m), Cl. IV, rated 20 to 46, (1,000m), Cl. V, rated 01 to 26, 7-15: Nazil 54.5, 9. Arvan (8) S.Sunil 54, (Deepika Soreng 3, Priya Dungdung other Indian girl to make the .Jodha 54.5, 6. Flag Flying (2) 6-20: 1. Pristina (2) J.Chinoy 59, 2. 1. Forever Yours (1) C.S.Jodha 59, 10. Democrat (3) T.S.Jodha 54 and In its final league match, Chennai. 2, Beauty Dungdung, Salima Tete) bt quarterfinals and will face Nadeem 54, 7. Galtero (5) Nazil 53.5 Jack Dan (8) Nazil 55.5, 3. Grey 2. Generous Lady (14) Merchant 11. Dhishoom (1) Trevor 54. Hunters will be looking to Hockey Delhi 0. — Sports Korean Eunji Oh. and 8. Adele (4) Santosh 52.5. Flannel (1) Trevor 55, 4. Abu Al 58, 3. Goldsmith (12) Parmar 59, 4. 1. Dhishoom, 2. Silk Baby, 3. overtake Bengaluru Blasters’s Special efort 1. Fabio, 2. Tchibouela, 3. Celes- Bukhoosh (6) C.S.Jodha 54.5, 5. The Giver (6) A.Gaikwad 59, 5. Makino Reporter The results: Boys pre- tial Light Snowy Peaks (4) Yash Narredu Zion (16) S.Amit 59, 6. Jetaway (5) tally of 11 points from their five Hunters will have to pull of quarterfinals: Uisung Park (Kor) bt 54.5, 6. Adam’s Creation (11) San- J.Chinoy 58, 7. Gunga Din (8) Da- Day’s best: Pink Panther outings. Hunters, placed fifth something spectacular since Arthur Craig Pantino (Phi) 6-3, 6-1; 2 GENERAL OBAIDULLAH tosh 54, 7. Alyaties (7) Nadeem 54, man 57, 8. Horse Power (7) Pra- Double: Mathaiyus - Dhishoom with nine points, face Acers, Acers, with nothing to lose, KHAN TROPHY (2,400m), rated 8. Another Chance (9) Kavraj 54, deep 56.5, 9. Strides Ahead (3) Jackpot: 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7. Treble: 5, 6 & Sachin, Sheetal Parikshit Somani bt Abhimanyu Van- 53 to 79, 5-30: 1. Caesars Star (1) 9. Naumee (3) Roushan 54, 10. S.Sunil 56.5, 10. Sudarshan Chakra 7. Tanala: All races. Super Jackpot: who salvaged some pride after can be expected to come hard nem Reddy 4-6, 6-1, 6-4; Jack Draper Parbat 59, 2. Palatial (5) J.Chinoy Pretty Angel (10) P.S.Chouhan 54 (9) T.S.Jodha 56.5, 11. Mzuri (4) 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7. beating Chennai Smashers on at them. Though Carolina (GBr) bt Vasisht Cheruku 3-6, 6-4, Sunday. Marin promises to win her emerge winners 6-4; Palaphoom Kovapitukted(Tha) Three teams — Awadhe singles, the team is not sure of bt Alex Solanki 6-3, 7-6(4); Dostan- TENNIS Warriors, Mumbai Rockets winning in men’s singles and NEW DELHI: Sachin Rawat of bek Tashbulatov (Kaz) bt Rishabh and Chennai Smashers — have mixed doubles. B. Sai Praneeth Ministry of Finance and Sharda 6-0, 6-2; Len Schouten (Ned) already booked their semifinal and Sameer Verma had con- Sheetal Kargeti of Delhi Audit bt Roko Savin (Cro) 7-5, 6-2; Hazem ‘Road to Wimbledon’ series’ drive towards grass berths. trasting results against won the men’s and women’s Naow (Syr) bt Dhruv Sunish 7-6(5), Acers will look to Jan O Jor- Blasters on Saturday. titles respectively in the inter- 6-4; Nitin Kumar Sinha bt Mritunjay SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT igarh (Feb. 6) and Kolkata ter two are grass courts. active in China again, and in gensen and Son Wan Ho, In any case, Hunters cannot Ministry badminton champi- Badola 5-0 (retired). Doubles (Feb. 13), with two of the four Tim Henman is expected to Hong Kong. We have internal ranked second and fourth in aford to lose their ‘trump’ onships, organised by the quarterfinals: Uisung Park (Kor) & NEW DELHI: The ‘Road to preliminary events, from be present for the ‘Masters’ Club strategy meetings as we the world, to play to their match. Given the match-up, Central Civil Services Cultural Hua-Chen Yu (Tpe) bt Sergey Fomin Wimbledon’ under-14 tennis which the top-16 qualify for event in Delhi, when the final- come to the end of our formal reputation and sign of on a the men’s doubles could and Sports Board at the AIIMS (Uzb) & Dostanbek Tashbulatov series, will hold its ‘Masters’ the ‘Masters’, to be on grass. ists in the boys’ and the girls’ agreement with the AITA,” winning note. So far, Jor- provide some thrilling mo- Gymkhana on Wednesday. (Kaz) 6-3, 6-3; Hazem Naow(Syr) & event at the Delhi Gymkhana The event will be at the events qualify for the UK un- said tournament director Paul gensen has a 2-2 win-loss re- ments with Boon Heong Tan Ministry of Communication Dhruv Sunish bt Kabir Manrai & Sum- Club courts from April 10. Deccan Gymkhana in Pune, der-14 tennis championship Hutchins from London. cord, following surprise de- and Wee Kiong Tan proving a and Information Technology itpal Singh 6-4, 6-1; Palaphoom the KSLTA Stadium in to be staged on the grass All the five tournaments in feats to Ajay Jayaram and S. handful for the taller Russian and Delhi Audit had won the Kovapitukted & Tonkla Mulada (Tha) The qualifying events will Bengaluru, the CLTA Com- courts at Wimbledon in Au- India are also treated as Na- Kidambi. Son, too, shares a pair. men’s and women’s titles in w/o Mritunjay Badola & Sacchitt be held in Pune (from Jan. 16), plex in Chandigarh and the gust. tional series junior events and similar record after sufering Overall, there is more at the team championship. Sharma; Joshua Bode (USA) & Len Bengaluru (Jan. 23), Chand- South Club in Kolkata; the lat- “We are also going to be carry ranking points. reverses against H.S. Prannoy stake for Hunters than Acers. Amit Sharma and Sheetal Schouten (Ned) bt Jack Draper (GBr) were declared the best players & Parikshit Somani 6-2, 5-7, [10-5]. in the men’s and women’s Girls pre-quarterfinals: Zeel De- TABLE TENNIS events respectively. sai bt Priska Madelyn Nugroho (Ina) The results: 6-4, 6-1; Victoria Kalaitzis (Bel) bt Men (final): Sachin Rawat bt Mai Napatt Nirundorn (Tha) 6-2, 7-6 Amit Sharma 21-13, 17-21, 21-12; (1); Eunji Oh (Kor) bt Sabhyata Ni- Golden treble for Manav Thakkar at junior Nationals Third place: Keshav Sharma bt Ra- halani 6-0, 6-7(4), 6-2; Akanksha jeev Sharma 21-19, 21-18. Bhan bt Yasmina Karimjanova (Uzb) SPORTS BUREAU teammate, Abhishek Yadav, (WB) 3-0. Ghosh 4-0; Pankaj bt Abhinav Belwal Doubles (final): Hemant Duggal 6-2, 6-1; Kuan Yi Lee (Tpe) bt Esther who showed his true form in Junior girls: Final: Achana G. 4-1; Birdie bt Shubham Ojha 4-0; Ab- & Abhinav Prakash bt Amit & Sachin Adeshina (GBr) 7-5, 6-1; Vaidehi VADODRA: It was a golden treble the semifinal against Birdie Kamath (AAI) bt Moumita Datta hishek bt Ronit Bhanja 4-3. 19-21, 21-19, 21-6; Third place: Ra- Chaudhari bt Mihika Yadav 6-1, 6-3; for Manav Thakkar. Boro, also of PSPB, Manav (WB) 12-10, 11-8, 12-10, 12-10. Semi- Doubles Final: Arjun Ghosh & jeev & Keshav bt Amit Tyagi & Shai- Axana Mareen (Bel) bt Rhea Verma The PSPB paddler clinched made his intent loud and clear. finals: Achana bt Selenadeepthi 4-2; Ronit Bhanja (WB) bt Manav Thakkar lendra Pawah 21-15, 21-12. 6-4, 1-6, 6-4; Mahak Jain bt Manan- the youth and junior boys’ Earlier, Manav had accounted Moumita bt Priyanka Pareek 4-0. & Abishek Yadav (PSPB) 3-1. Women (final): Sheetal Kargeti chaya Sawangkaew (Tha) 6-7(4), singles crowns and then the ju- for Pankaj Vishwakarma of Quarterfinals: Priyanka Pareek bt V. Youth girls: Final: Harshavard- bt Swati Sharma 15-4, 15-8; Third 6-4, 6-3. Doubles quarterfinals: nior doubles title in the 78th Rajasthan in straight games. Laasya 4-0; Moumita bt Yasini hini Ravichandran (TN) bt Moumita place: Rachita Sahdev bt Ruchika Lexie Stevens (Ned) & Mihika Yadav junior and youth National The results: Junior boys: Final: Sivashankar 4-3; Archana bt Ishita Datta (WB) 12-10, 11-9, 11-2, 11-8. Patwal 21-15, 21-12. bt Aesha Patel (USA) & Veronika championships on Manav Thakkar (PSPB) bt Parth Vir- Gupta 4-0; Selenadeepthi bt Naina Semifinals: Harshavardhini bt Doubles (final): Sheetal & Pepelyaeva (Rus) 6-3, 6-2; Kuan Yi Wednesday. mani (Del) 11-8, 11-9, 11-7, 11-3. Semi- 3-2. Sagarika Mukherjee 4-2; Moumita bt Rachita bt Swati & Ruchika 21-18, 21- Lee (Tpe) & Mananchaya In the junior boys final, finals: Manav bt Shivaji Roy 4-0; Doubles: Final: S. Selenadeepthi Amrutha Pushpak 4-3. Quarterfi- 15; Third place: Annushree Sawangkaew (Tha) bt Victoria Parth Virmani was no match Parth bt Snehit Suravajjula 4-0. & Yashini bt Priyanka & R. nals: Moumita bt Archana Kamath Viswakarma & Priya Nulgundwar bt Kalaitzis & Axana Mareen (Bel)4-6, for Manav who unleashed at- Quarterfinals: Manav bt Akash Pal Bhuwaneshwari 3-2. 4-2; Amrutha bt Ayhika Mukherjee Varsha Kohli & Madhu Gyanchandani 6-1, 10-8; Mai Napatt Nirundorn tacking strokes and varied 4-3; Shivaji bt Jeet Chandra 4-2; Youth boys: Final: Manav 4-0; Sagarika Mukherjee bt Selen- 21-10, 21-15. (Tha) & Akanksha Bhan bt Esther Ad- serve cleverly . Parth bt Anukram Jain4-1; Snehit bt Thakkar (PSPB) bt Abhishek Yadav adeepthi Selvakumar 4-3; Harshav- Mixed doubles (final): Amit & eshina & Gemma Heath (GBr) 7-5, 7- In the youth final, it was a Manush Shah 4-3. (PSPB) 11-7, 11-7, 11-5, 11-3. Semi- ardhini bt Prapti Sen 4-0. Sheetal bt Abhinav & Swati 21-11, 25- 6(4); Yasmina Karimjanova (Uzb) & UNSTOPPABLE: Manav Thakkar unleashed attacking strokes and tough ask for Manav for he had Doubles (final): Thakkar & Chin- finals: Abhishek bt Birdie Boro 4-2; Doubles Final: Archana Kamath& 23; Third place: Keshav & Ruchika Mahak Jain bt Priska Madelyn Nu- varied his serve cleverly to clinch the youth, junior boys to return to the table after the maya Somaiya (PSPB) bt Jeet Manav bt Pankaj Vishwakarma 4-0. Sreeja Akula (AAI) bt Moumita Datta bt Ravi Tiwari & Madhavi 21-15, 21- Quarterfinals: Manav bt Anirban groho (Ina) & Muskan Gupta 6-2, 6-1. and junior doubles crowns. — FILE PHOTO juniors final. Facing PSPB Chandra & Soham Bhattacharya & Priyadarshini Das (WB) 3-0. 16. — Special Correspondent NOIDA/DELHI | THE HINDU THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 2017 SPORT 19

Harden’s dream PRO WRESTLING LEAGUE run continues Poonam powers Chhattisgarh again Rajneesh does the LOS ANGELES: James Harden bagged his 11th triple double of BASKETBALL / Tamil Nadu men prove too good for Gujarat the season to lead Houston star flip for Haryana Rockets to a 121-114 victory K. KEERTHIVASAN 21, J. Justin 14, Rikin Pethani 13, R. over Charlotte Hornets on Hariram 11) bt Gujarat 43 (M. Kasi Ra- UTHRA GANESAN Rajneesh’s win made up for Tuesday. PUDUCHERRY: To say that the Ch- jan 15, Harpal Singh Waghela 14); Ut- the absence of Swede Sofia Harden, one of several play- hattisgarh women’s team is re- tarakhand 71 (Vishesh Bhriguvanshi NEW DELHI: Rajneesh upset all Mattsson, who was blocked by ers excelling in a high-scoring lying too much on Poonam 26, Amritpal Singh 11, Trideep Rai 10) calculations to put an un- Delhi but it mattered little in season across the league, fin- Chaturvedi will be an under- bt Indian Railways 55 (Gaganjeet beaten Haryana Hammers on the end. Delhi further sufered ished with 40 points, 15 re- statement. The 6’11” tall hoop- Singh 14, Palpreet Singh Brar 12). top of the table, defeating the absence of an unfit Sakshi bounds and 10 assists. ster had been instrumental in Level 2 to Level 1 Qualifier: Ra- Delhi Sultans 4-3 for its third Malik and her replacement, Houston appeared to be the team’s triumphs at the New jasthan 87 (Vinod Kumar 28, Sharad win in as many matches here Apoorva Tyagi was no match cruising to victory after Corey Delhi (2014) and Bhilwara Dadich 22, Mod Singh 10) bt Madhya on Wednesday. Delhi crashed for Rio Olympic bronze Brewer’s three-pointer gave (2014-15) Nationals. Pradesh 76 (Shubham Mishra 28, out of the race for the knock- medalist Marwa Amri. them a 108-90 lead with At the 67th Senior National Harendra Singh Tomer 26, outs after losing all its three The Tunisian wrapped up around eight minutes left. basketball championships here Gagandeep Singh 12); Odisha 91 matches so far. the proceedings by racing to The results: Portland Trailblazers on Wednesday, the 20-year-old (Ashok Kumar Nayak 19, Siba Sankar The youngster dominated 10-0 before pinning her op- 108 bt Los Angeles Lakers 87; Golden scored a whopping 57 points in Behera 17, K. Sravan Kumar 14) bt Pu- the more-fancied Bajrang ponent to the mat in one State Warriors 107 bt Miami Heat 95; Chhattisgarh’s 86-68 victory ducherry 54 (Poovana 16, Hari 13). Punia 9-6 in the 65kg to put minute 18 seconds for the Sacramento Kings 100 bt Detroit Pis- over Telangana to help her Haryana in a comfortable pos- second fastest win in the com- Women: Level 1: Group A: Chat- tons 94; Utah Jazz 100 bt Cleveland State finish second in Group A, tisgarh 86 (Poonam Chaturvedi 50, ition after the teams were tied petition. Cavaliers 92; Milwaukee Bucks 109 behind Indian Railways. Sangeetha Kaaur 11) bt Telangana 68 2-2. That bout also sealed the tie bt San Antonio Spurs 107; Houston Earlier, Tamil Nadu men, (R. Ramya 27, M. Gayathri 11, Suganya An attacking Rajneesh, con- in Haryana’s favour, giving it Rockets 121 bt Charlotte Hornets 114; who had already qualified for 18, Rachna Silveri 10); Chhattisgarh fident after having won both an unbeaten 4-2 lead. Toronto Raptors 114 bt Boston Celt- the quarterfinals, over- 102 (Poonam 39, Sharanjeet Kaur 24, his bouts so far in the competi- Abdusalam Gadisov of Rus- ics 106; Atlanta Hawks 117 bt Brook- whelmed Gujarat 86-43 in their Sangeeta Kaur 15, Aakansha Singh 12) tion, took control early on, ra- sia started with an easy 9-0 lyn Nets 97; Washington Wizards 101 last Group B contest. bt Maharashtra 65 (Shireen Limaye cing to a 4-0 lead before Punia win against Satyavart Kadian bt Chicago Bulls 99 . — Agencies The Telangana players 20, Sakshi Arora 17); Indian Railways fought back to reduce the mar- in the 97kg and compatriot blocked Poonam well in the 84 (M.J. Libina 18, Sitamani Tudu 12, gin to 4-3. Magomed Kurbanaliev beat first quarter to prevent her Sruthi Menon 12, R. Rajapriyadarshini He looked to almost seal the Georgian David Tlashadze 6-2 from scoring with her usual fre- 10) bt Telangana 38 (R. Ramya 10) 38. win by pinning Rajneesh to the in the 70kg for the other Hary- United has quency. Add to that, the team’s mat but the latter escaped and ana victories. defensive and ofensive re- Group B: Delhi 81 (Sahiba Maan then piled on the points, taking For Delhi, Mariya Stadnik of the edge bounds were outstanding. No 18, Monika 15, Raspreet Sidhu 11, Gar- Punia by surprise. Azerbaijan continued her win- wonder, Telangana led 24-22 in ima Gosain 10, Meena 10) bt West Punia, considered a suc- ning run, sweeping up points MANCHESTER: Juan Mata and the first. Bengal 36 (Paulami Chatterjee 10); cessor to Yogeshwar Dutt, by throwing Indu Chaudhary Marouane Fellaini struck to Slowly and steadily, Chhat- TN 66 (V. Srividhya 13, Srividya also sufered from lack of in the 48kg around for a 16-0 give Manchester United a 2-0 tisgarh’s passing and conver- Shekar 13, M. Keerthi 10) bt Rajasthan match practice, having been win by technical superiority in victory over injury-ravaged sion rate improved. More im- 34 (Nisha Sharma 19); Kerala 57 blocked once on his return one and a half minutes flat. Hull City in Tuesday’s League portantly, Poonam began to get (Jeena 20) bt TN 37 (Varsha Nandhini from injury. Alina Makhynia edged Cup semifinal first-leg at Old her act together by scoring at a LORDING OVER THE COURT: Poonam Chaturvedi (right) used her height to good effect to drive 11, Sruthi 10). The gap kept increasing in ahead 2-1 against Kiran in the Traford. fairly high rate. Chhattisgarh to a win over Telangana on Wednesday. — PHOTO: S.S. KUMAR Level 2 to Level 1 Qualifier: the second round and even 75kg while Sandeep Tomar All eyes were on United Towards the final stages, Karnataka 48 (P. Bhoomika 16, C.N. though Punia tried to attack, fought back from a one point captain Wayne Rooney, who is Poonam used her height to scored with 27 points. The Ser- Karnataka men topped to Level-II in women’s Group Supritha 11, P. Priyanka 10) bt Odisha he was unable to get a proper deficit at the end of Round chasing a record 250th goal for wrest back the lead. For Telan- vices men’s team has been re- Group A followed by Kerala A, while West Bengal has been 24 (Rajashree Swain 10); Madhya grip on his opponent who took One to register a thumping 8-3 the club, but it was Mata who gana, R. Ramya was a pillar of legated to Level-II next year as and Punjab, while in Group B, pushed down from Group B. Pradesh 73 (Nima Doma 28, Namrata advantage to turn the tables win against Mongolian broke the deadlock in the 56th strength with her speed and it didn’t take part in the current Chhattisgarh has been releg- The results: Men: Level 1: Group 13, Sakshi Pandey 11) bt Chandigarh and score a comprehensive Erdenebat Bekhbayar in the minute before substitute Fel- pin-point shooting. She top- edition. ated. Punjab has been relegated B: Tamil Nadu 86 (P. Jeevanantham 60 (Kirti 17, Pooja 15). win. 57kg for the other Delhi wins. laini added a late second. It puts Jose Mourinho’s men in the driving seat ahead of the CHESS return-leg although it was not until Fellaini headed home in Aditya impresses but Smashers win the 87th minute that they fi- ASHWIN ACHAL nally put the game beyond Karthikeyan thrills, leads with two others Hull. BENGALURU: The young Aditya The result: Joshi showcased tremendous RAKESH RAO rook and knight brilliantly Akash Iyer (3) lost to Nguyen Huynh Manchester United 2 (Mata 56, potential, even as he slipped to around the two advanced Minh Huy (4); V.A.V. Rajesh (2.5) Fellaini 87) bt Hull City 0. — AFP a three-game loss against the NEW DELHI: M. Karthikeyan is central pawns to win in 35 lost to M. R. Lalith Babu (3.5); Sid- experienced P. Kashyap. probably the most under- moves. hant Mohapatra (2.5) lost to S.L. The 20-year-old, a former stated two-time National The victory kept Narayanan (3.5) A.R. Harikrishnan junior World No. 1, had his op- champion the country has Karthikeyan in the lead, with (3) drew with Vadim Malakhatko Sriram Balaji ponent on the ropes at one seen. top seeded Tajikistan player (Bel, 3). stage. A cornered Kashyap This young practitioner of Farrukh Amonatov and Viet- S. Prasanna (2.5) lost to Andrei exits was forced to come out fight- PULLING THROUGH: Chennai Smashers’s P. Kashyap had to bring the cerebral sport remains namese Nguyen Huynh Minh Deviatkin (Rus, 3.5); Pawan Dodeja ing, and consistent and humble in his Huy, at four points. BANGKOK: Qualifier Sriram Bal- all his experience into play in subduing Aditya Joshi of Awadhe (2.5) lost to Attila Czebe (Hun, 3.5). eventually ways as he silently goes about Following the leaders is a aji was beaten 6-2, 6-2 by Jur- Warriors on Wednesday. — PHOTO: G.P. SAMPATH KUMAR Swayams Mishra (3.5) bt Sameer beat Aditya his job. pack of 19 players at 3.5 gen Zopp of Estonia in the pre- Kathmale (2.5); P. Shyamnikhil (3.5) to the count. the first game 11-7. The tena- ance from Rituparna Das. The points. quarterfinals of the $50,000 bt Arjun Erigaisi (2.5). On the cious Aditya, backed well by Olympic silver medallist A beauty A number of overseas men’s Challenger tennis tour- Vikramjit Singh (3) drew with back of Kashyap’s win in the Awadhe coach Anup Sridhar, powered her way to a 11-4, 11-6 On Thursday, the 17-year- Grandmasters had to settle nament in Bangkok on Wed- Niaz Murshed (Ban, 3); M.R. Ven- trump match, Chennai Smash- forced his way back. The Mad- one-sided win. old produced a beauty — sac- for draws against lesser-rated nesday. He collected $860 and katesh (3) drew with Koustav Chat- ers went past Awadhe Warri- hya Pradesh lad banked on his The result: rificing his rook for a bishop Indians. Sayantan Das held nine ATP points. and a pawn — at a stage when terjee (3). The results: At Canberra: ors 4-3 in the Premier Badmin- sharp reflexes to retrieve Chennai Smashers bt Awadhe Ukrainian eighth seed Vitaly ton League (PBL) here on smashes and went on to level Warriors 4-3 [Tanongsak Saensom- his rival R.K. Srihari did not Sivuk, P. Iniyan proved equal M. Karthikeyan. — FILE PHOTO S. Nitin (3.5) bt Shashikant Kut- $75,000 Challenger men: wal (2.5); Prantik Roy (3) bt Ajay Doubles (quarterfinals): Andre Wednesday. the rubber. boonsuk lost to Vincent Wong 11-6, look in any serious danger to 17th seed and Sivuk’s team- nakaran (3); M. Karthikeyan (4) bt Krishna (3); Sankalp Gupta (2.5) lost Begemann & Jan-Lennard Struff Mumbai Rockets, Awadhe In the deciding game, 9-11, 10-12; Chris Adcock & Gabrielle during the fourth round of the mate Valeriy Neverov, A. R. R.K. Srihari (3); Sayantan Das (3.5) to S. Ravi Teja (3.5) Akash Thakur (Ger) bt Corentin Moutet (Fra) & Vi- and Chennai have all sealed Aditya led 6-5, before Kashyap Adcock bt Bodin Isara & P. Sawant Delhi International Open Harikrishnan drew with Bel- drew with Vitaly Sivuk (Ukr, 3.5) (3.5) bt Srija Seshadri (2.5). jay Sundar Prashanth 6-2, 5-7, [10-5]. semifinal spots, while the kicked into gear. The 30-year- 11-4, 11-9; P. Kashyap (T) bt Aditya chess tournament here. gium’s Vadim Malakhatko, At Bangkok: $50,000 Chal- other three teams are locked in old seasoned professional Joshi 11-7, 5-11, 11-7; P.V. Sindhu bt The surprise sacrifice on seeded 10, and Vikramjit Valeriy Neverov (Ukr, 3.5) drew with S. Vigneshwaran (2.5) lost to lenger men: Singles (pre- a battle for the fourth and final stayed calm in the final stretch Rituparna Das 11-4, 11-6; Sumeeth the 20th move of this Sicilian Singh split the point with P. Iniyan (3.5). Nouri Hamed (Phi, 3.5); Jeen Jain quarterfinals): Jurgen Zopp (Est) bt knockout berth. to edge out his rival. Reddy & Mads Pieler Kolding lost to game completely unsettled Bangladesh’s Niaz Murshed. Rahul Sangma (3.5) drew with (2.5) lost to Saptarshi Roy Chow- Sriram Balaji 6-2, 6-2. — Sports In the men’s singles fixture, Chennai’s P.V. Sindhu, Goh Shem & Markis Kido (T) 10-12, Srihari and the fifth seed The results: Fourth round: Far- Sahaj Grover (3.5); N.R. Visakh (3.5) dhury (3.5); Rakesh Kumar Jena (3) Bureau Kashyap started well, taking meanwhile, brooked no resist- 8-11]. Karthikeyan marshalled his rukh Amonatov (Tjk, 4) bt K. Rat- drew with Niranjan Navalgund (3.5); drew with V.S. Raahul (3).

CM ND-ND YK NOIDA/DELHI 20 | LIFE THE HINDU THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 2017 Less salty diets would save millions: Study Moon saving Pluto’s atmosphere from decay Japan plans to have new emperor in 2019? Reducing salt intake worldwide by only 10% could Pluto’s moon Charon may be significantly reducing Japan is planning for Emperor Akihito to retire and save millions of lives, a study by a private research the loss of atmosphere of the icy dwarf planet by be replaced by his eldest son on January 1, 2019, institute in the United States has reported. creating a shield, according to a new study. media reports said on Wednesday.

Man charged with killing ‘Face with tears of joy’ is the STAR TREK rare butterfly in U.K. False morality, hypocrisy get in our way: Kashyap f you don’t judge a book by its cover, why judge a film by its title? LONDON: A 57-year-old man in between June 17 and 20 the the U.K. has appeared in same year. With his latest film Haraamkhor too running afoul of the censors, Bollywood’s most outspoken filmmaker, Anurag Kashyap, wonders court, charged with captur- most popular emoji, says study I ing and killing two of Bri- Mounted in display case whether it is our false morality and hypocrisy that really impede freedom of expression. The title is intriguing — as the Urdu word is tain’s rarest species of It is claimed that witnesses The romantic French, however, are seen to prefer the ‘heart’ emoji more butterfly. saw Mr. Cullen taking them more used in anger or derision than in polite conversation. Asked about it, Kashyap, who is one of the producers of the film, said the word Phillip Cullen, of Cadbury before killing and mounting WASHINGTON: People world- at least one symbol, followed garians and Ukrainians, are haraamkhor is “not a gaali [abuse]. It is a word that people normally Heath, Bristol, is accused of them in a display case. Dead wide love the ‘face with tears by Russians and Americans. less likely to use negative speak... I think we have problems with how we perceive it, so it is our six ofences related to the en- butterflies were found at Mr. of joy’ emoji, except the ro- In line with perceptions of emojis than those living in false morality and hypocrisy that get in our way”. dangered Large Blue (Macu- Cullen’s Bristol home on mantic French who prefer the culture, the romantic societies with low long-term “Let’s translate haraamkhor in English... [then] everybody linea arion) butterfly. February 13 last year after a the ‘heart’ emoji, according French embrace icons asso- orientation like Mexico, speaks it every day 10 times,” he added. The movie, He is alleged to have cap- police search, the court was to a new study that analysed ciated with hearts, while Colombia, Peru and Israel. releasing on Friday, has been to film festivals in New tured and killed two butter- told. Prosecutor Kevin 427 million messages from users from other countries Contrary to their percep- York and Los Angeles, and across cities in India too, flies from sites in Withey told the court, “The nearly four million smart- prefer emojis related to tions as high-indulgent cul- earning its share of praise for its story, its treatment Gloucestershire and Somer- defendant faces charges in phone users in 212 countries faces. tures, countries like Mexico, by debutant director Shlok Sharma, and performances set in 2015. terms of capturing, killing and regions. The researchers also ex- Colombia, Chile and Argen- by Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Shweta Tripathi, who and possession of a protec- Researchers at the Univer- plored other cultural prefer- tina do not use more positive play a teacher and a student respectively in a Charges denied ted butterfly. sity of Michigan (U-M) in the The study analysed 427 ences in using emojis. Coun- emojis expressing happi- romantic relationship. The movie had taken He denied all charges at “The butterfly became ex- U.S. and Peking University in million messages. tries with high levels of ness, researchers said. off with crowd funding via Facebook and was Bristol Magistrates’ Court tinct in this country in the China analysed whether individualism, like Australia, The study found that they made under Rs. 1 crore. Haraamkhor is shot in and was granted uncondi- late 1970s and was reintro- emoji use was universal or U-M School of Information France and the Czech Re- are more likely to use negat- a village in Gujarat. — IANS tional bail on Tuesday. Mr. duced and is a protected spe- difered based on user loca- and one of the lead authors of public, overwhelmingly use ive symbols in comparison to Cullen will appear for trial cies in certain parts of the tion and culture. the study. more happy emojis. cultures known for restraint on March 16, BBC reported. country,” he said. They used a popular input Mr. Ai and colleagues and self-discipline, like Tur- The prosecution is be- “Significant care is given method app — Kika Emoji found that the ‘face with Negative feelings key, France and Russia. Aziz Ansari to be SNL’s first South Asian host lieved to be the first in- to its well-being and its Keyboard — made available tears’ emoji is the most pop- Countries where ties “Our report shows that ell-known Indian-American comedian and television star volving ofences related to hopeful future flourishing,” in 60 languages. The team’s ular emoji, comprising 15.4% between individuals are in- users from diferent coun- Aziz Ansari will host NBC’s television sketch comedy and Large Blue butterflies in the Mr. Withey said. results are believed to be the of the total symbols in the tegrated and tight, like Mex- tries can have various prefer- Wvariety show Saturday Night Live on January 21, making U.K. The globally-endangered first large-scale analysis of study. ico, Chile, Peru and Colom- ences to use emojis,” said history as its first host of South Asian descent. The news comes on the The court heard that the species has always been rare emoji usage. Heart emoji and heart eyes bia, use more emojis Qiaozhu Mei, associate pro- heels of a big year for 33-year-old Ansari. The stand-up comic and two butterflies were al- in Britain, but became ex- “Emojis are everywhere. emoji are the second- and expressing sadness, anger fessor at the U-M School of television star won his first Emmy for outstanding writing for a comedy legedly taken from Daneway tinct in 1979. They are becoming the ubi- third-most used ones. and negative feelings. Information. series after earning a total of four Banks near Cirencester, In 2004, it was found on quitous language that According to the findings, People in long-term ori- “The rank of emojis shown nominations for his Netflix series Gloucestershire, on June 18, nine sites in the country fol- bridges everyone across dif- the French love using an entation societies, who tend in the input methods should Master of None, The Washington 2015, and from Collard Hill, lowing a major conservation ferent cultures,” said Wei Ai, emoji the most, with nearly to have values that center on be country-aware to users,” Post reported. His nomination for near Street, Somerset, programme. — PTI a doctoral student at the 20% of messages, including the future, the French, Hun- Mr. Ai said. — PTI outstanding lead actor in a comedy series was the first for an Indian-American. “I’m very happy but it is a very specific accomplishment,” he told USA Tintin takes on Russian bullies in new colour avatar Today about the nod. — PTI

PARIS: Tintin has discovered Unlike the rest of his ad- cognised as part of the oi- He spends most of the state which he left it.” his inner Rambo and is ready ventures, the book that cial 24-story series. book getting into fights, vari- The book’s rough edges, Carey’s Hollywood Walk of Fame star defaced to give Russian bully boys a launched the boy hero in ous other scrapes or being however, go beyond Tintin’s inger Mariah Carey’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame has taste of their own medicine 1930 only ever appeared in A thuggish figure chased. “When Herge began behaviour. While certain been sabotaged. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce said in a book, which will go on black and white. Experts have long debated the story [he was only 21 at scenes in the 1942 adventure Sthat the 46-year-old songstress’ star was sale in France on But to cries of sacrilege whether the rough and ready the time], he obviously could The Shooting Star were vandalised on Monday night, reported E! online. Wednesday. from the purists and even its testosterone-fuelled charac- not imagine that the charac- changed by Herge after the The officials confirmed that the perpetrator But before Moscow con- late creator’s secretary, ter in the story was fully de- ter he was creating would be- end of the war to alter the drew a question mark at the end of the Always demns it as another piece of Tintin’s publishers Caster- veloped, and could be seen as come so successful,” Mr. original stereotypically Jew- Be My Baby singer’s name with what appears Western Russophobia, this man are issuing a colour ver- Tintin proper. Goddin added. ish American villain Blu- to be an ink marker or pen. This act of has nothing to do with Vladi- sion of the story in French “The character is not fully Herge, whose real name menstein, a rather grating vandalism may be in response to Carey’s mir Putin. where the young reporter Tintin and the Soviets is elaborated,” admitted Phil- was Georges Remi, always scene that makes fun of a wobbly performance on the New Year’s Tintin and the Soviets is gives a rogue’s gallery of coming out in colour over 80 ippe Goddin, Herge’s bio- promised he would go back Jewish tailor has survived in eve, when the singer’s musical play was finally being published in Russian baddies what for. years after it first appeared. grapher. and redraw the story but he Tintin and the Soviets. hit by a technical glitch. As of Tuesday colour more than eight dec- For decades the viscerally Tintin is far from the gen- never got time to do so. As a huge retrospective of morning, the star has been fixed. The ades after the comic book anti-Communist story — garded as a full part of the erous young man of later His personal secretary Herge’s work showed, the process cost nearly $1,500. The search for first appeared, at a time which first appeared in the Tintin canon. stories, he said, but instead a Alain Baran on Wednesday cartoonist never overcame the culprit is on by the Los Angeles Police when Europe was also fret- Belgian Catholic weekly Le It was only in 1999, 16 years rather thuggish figure eager criticised the decision to col- his shame at his passivity Department, as the state treats vandalism ting about a rising Russian Vingtieme Siecle (The 20th after the death of Tintin’s to “settle scores with people our in the pictures, saying “it during the Nazi occupation as a felony. — PTI menace. Century) — was not re- creator Herge, that it was re- he doesn’t like.” should have been left in the of Belgium. — AFP

Grecian marvel Hand-powered Telescope to seek habitable blood centrifuge planets in nearest star system developed BOSTON: Stanford engineers, SANTIAGO: The European including those of Indian ori- Southern Observatory’s gin, have built an ultra-low- Very Large Telescope in cost, human-powered centri- Chile will be modified in fuge that separates blood order to allow it to search into its individual compon- more efectively for poten- ents in only 1.5 minutes, and tially habitable planets in may enable precise dia- Alpha Centauri, the nearest gnosis and treatment of dis- star system to Earth. eases such as malaria, HIV The ESO said it had and tuberculosis. signed a deal with Break- Created from 20 cents of through Starshot, a venture paper, twine and plastic, a that aims to deploy thou- “paperfuge” can spin at sands of tiny spacecraft to IN SEARCH OF NEW HOMES: An artist’s impression released by speeds of 1,25,000 revolu- travel to the system and the European Southern Observatory shows a planet (right) tions per minute and exert send back pictures. orbiting the star Alpha Centauri. — PHOTO: AP centrifugal forces of 30,000 Starshot, which is backed Gs. “To the best of my know- by Internet billionaire Yuri drowns out relatively dim planned for the 2020s, such ledge, it is the fastest spin- Milner and physicist planets, improving the as the ESO’s own Ex- ning object driven by human Stephen Hawking, will chances of finding them, it tremely Large Telescope, power,” said Manu Prakash, provide funding in order to said. current under construction an assistant professor of allow equipment on the Interest in exploring the in Chile, should provide re- bioengineering at Stanford Very Large Telescope that sun’s nearest neighbour searchers with more in- University in the U.S. studies in the mid-infrared has increased since scient- formation on the number A centrifuge is critical for to be adapted to better de- ists announced last year and nature of exoplanets. detecting diseases such as tect faint planets, the ESO that they had discovered The ESO is an intergov- malaria, African sleeping said in a statement on evidence of an Earth-sized ernmental astronomy or- sickness, HIV and tubercu- Monday. planet circling Proxima ganisation backed by 16 losis. This version will en- The adaptation will have Centauri, a star in the Al- countries in Europe and able precise diagnosis and the efect of reducing pha Centauri system. South America and hosted treatment in the poor re- COOL SIGHT: The Parthenon temple atop the ancient Acropolis after a rare snowfall in Athens on Tuesday. — PHOTO: REUTERS bright stellar light that Larger telescopes in Chile. — Reuters gions where these diseases are most prevalent. — PTI French self-driving shuttle World’s first New species of gibbon found in China gender literature GEORGIA BROWN ical facial markings of white goes to work in Las Vegas fest in Patna eyebrows and beards. cientists have discovered Gibbons are renowned for SAN FRANCISCO: A self-driving SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT Sa new species of gibbon their loud song, which they electric shuttle built by living in south-west China’s use to mark territory, and this French firm NAVYA began a PATNA: The world’s first rainforests. also sounded unusual. one-week stint in Las Vegas ‘Gender Literature Festival’ Although scientists had A full genetic and physical on Tuesday, in a U.S. first. will be held in Patna in the been studying the primate comparison with other gib- Arma shuttles began second week of April. for some time, new research bons then confirmed that providing free rides along a The Gender Resource has revealed that it is in fact a they had found a new spe- three-block stretch of Fre- Centre of Bihar’s Women diferent species. It has been cies. The scientists estimate mont Street in downtown Development Corporation named the ‘Skywalker hoo- that about 200 Skywalker Las Vegas, a vintage part of will be organising the lock gibbon’ by its discover- gibbons are living in China Sin City that is a tourist at- festival. ers, who are Star Wars fans. and also potentially in neigh- traction away from the “The objective of this initi- The name is also a nod to the bouring Myanmar, but say casino-lined main strip. ative is to create a platform, fact that the Chinese charac- the species should already be The pilot public transit to exchange ideas, and to ters of its scientific name, classified as endangered. program will last a week, and share and learn experiences Hoolock tianxing, mean NO MONKEY BUSINESS: A hoolock gibbon, an identical species, in Habitat loss and fragmenta- was touted as the first time a of renowned people in the “Heaven’s movement”. the Dampa rainforest in Mizoram. — FILE PHOTO tion is putting the gibbons at fully autonomous, electric field of gender [-based or fo- Dr. Sam Turvey, from the risk of extinction. powered shuttle was left to cussed] literature. The fest- Zoological Society of Lon- “So it’s an absolute priv- The research team, led by In the Gaoligongshan its own devices to deal with ival will also act as a platform don, who was part of the ilege to see something as Fan Peng-Fei from the Sun nature reserve, where the traic on a public street in to increase visibility for team studying the apes, told special and as rare as a gib- Yat-sen University in China, gibbons were discovered, the United States. TAKING ITS COURSE: A NAVYA autonomous electric vehicle on gender equity and advocacy BBC News: “In this area, so bon in a canopy in a Chinese first suspected that the gib- scientists had to trek up to NAVYA displayed Arma at display during the CES International on Friday. — PHOTO: AP in the State of Bihar,” accord- many species have declined rainforest, and especially bons that they were studying 2,500 metres to find suitable the Consumer Electronics ing to Dr. N. Vijaya Lakshmi, or gone extinct because of when it turns out that the in Gaoligongshan nature re- habitat as “everywhere be- Show that ended on Sunday the seventh country where uted in France in late 2015, chairperson of the festival habitat loss, hunting and gibbons are actually a new serve in Yunnan Province low there has been logged”, in Las Vegas. Arma shuttles have been put the company said in a re- and managing director of Bi- general human species previously unrecog- might be diferent because of Dr. Turvey told the BBC. — The United States became to use since the vehicles deb- lease. — AFP har’s WDC. overpopulation. nised by science.” subtle diferences in the typ- The Guardian

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